Chapter Seven
It's August 19, 1863, on Earth in the Taranta Empire. Dr. Harten Volga stood in line alongside other scientists and inventors as they prepared for their showcasing presentation at the Royal Institute for Scientists. They all waited in front of the lab halls for their turns.
A sudden commotion caught everyone's attention at the entrance as they ejected a colleague of Dr. Harten Volga from the presentation halls.
Now it was Dr. Harten Volga's turn to present his experimental project. He entered with his team of scientists, ready to proceed. Stepping forward towards the judges assembled on the balcony, he began,
"Good day, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Dr. Harten Volga, and our project centers around the application of black wormholes that could potentially result in the creation of a Stargate."
The judges grew curious after hearing his presentation and awaited the test experiment he intended to try with his team. The presenters then began setting up the resources and machines for their showcase.
Dr. Harten's team successfully set up two alloy circles adorned with hieroglyphic patterns at opposite ends of the room.
Dr. Harten stepped forward to address the judges, saying,
"Both circular structures represent a medium Stargate, with one serving as the receiving end and the other as the collecting end." He proceeded to demonstrate.
Dr. Harten turned to the machine controls and switched them remotely, causing them to vibrate noisily. He wiped sweat from his face and then proceeded to calibrate the control machine. At both ends of the circles, liquid formed bubbles began to take on a water-like color.
One of the scientists on his team brought an apple for further presentation. Dr. Harten took the apple, hesitated for a few seconds, took a deep breath, and then threw the fruit into the circle. To the amazement of the crowd and judges, the apple reappeared from the other side of the circle.
Dr. Harten exhaled and went to the other end of the circle to retrieve the apple, showing it to the judges. "We just need to do a little tweaking because the apple was missing a bite," he said before taking a bite himself.
Now, the judges were in awe, and they all applauded for him and his team as they bowed before them.
Meanwhile, in the Volga Castle that stood high on the hill, a cry was heard deep within the castle. Marina Volga was breathing heavily as she had been instructed to do, to facilitate an easier delivery. A maid rushed in. "The doctor is on her way, Mrs. Volga," the maid informed.
Meanwhile, the nurses kept a vigilant watch over Marina Volga, the wife of Harten Volga, who was expecting their first child but was experiencing complications. A carriage arrived at the castle carrying a female doctor, causing the maids to whisper in awe at the sight of a woman pursuing such a career path in a time when it was uncommon.
Navigating the vast expanse of the castle, the doctor eventually found her way to the room, guided by Marina Volga's cries. Upon arrival, she noticed that Marina was already bleeding, causing the nurses to panic.
"We need you to push, my dear," the doctor declared, swiftly initiating the operation.
As Marina pushed, the operation proceeded, resulting in the safe delivery of a beautiful male child, whom the doctor handed to a nurse. The nurse gazed adoringly at the newborn.
Tesh, regaining consciousness, realized he had been through this before; however, the difference now was that he was on Earth, in a different space and air. Tesh remained calm as the nurse marveled at the child, placing him gently in the baby bed.
Meanwhile, Marina continued to exhibit unusual behavior, murmuring, "There's another one."
The doctor rushed back to Marina and successfully delivered the second baby, a female child. The girl was stunningly beautiful, captivating all the nurses with her radiant gaze. The female infant possessed striking features: white hair and red eyes, while Tesh had blonde hair and red eyes.
Tesh observed his new sibling being placed beside him, silently hoping she wasn't from the same world as him. The solar dragon hadn't given any indication of having a little sister, he thought, as they lay side by side.
Meanwhile, Marina, weakened by childbirth, mustered the strength to speak. The doctor leaned in to listen to her request. "Bring the babies to me," Marina commanded in a faint voice.
The newborns were brought to their mother's side. Marina kissed them tenderly and whispered, "His name will be Teshaan Volga, and hers will be Ariella Volga. Please keep them safe." The nurses gently took the infants back to their beds, while the doctor administered antibiotics.
Tesh pondered how Marina knew his original name from Lyra, speculating that perhaps the dragon had visited her dreams.
Marina began to slip away from the realm of the living, but the doctor intervened, saying firmly, "You are not going anywhere, Marina. I forbid it." Despite the doctor's efforts, Marina passed away, and heavy rain began to fall outside.
Another carriage arrived at the entrance, bearing Viscount Frederick Volga, the head of the Volga household. Upon entering the room, he received the devastating news of his daughter's passing. His anguished screams reverberated, echoed by the thunder rumbling in the sky.
Meanwhile, Dr. Harten had a successful presentation, and he and his team were requested to stay for the after-party as a matter of courtesy. Despite his desire to be with his wife, who was due to give birth, he knew he had to comply, especially since the Empress had expressed interest in the showcase and had sent her representative. Furthermore, they were awarded sponsorship for their project.
As Harten attempted to make his exit, the Empress's representative intercepted him. He found himself face to face with Princess Bianca of Crimelan.
"Where are you off to, Dr. Harten?" she inquired in a seductive manner, holding a glass of champagne with an arched brow.
Harten sensed her intoxication and suggestive demeanor, but his priority was to be with his wife during this crucial time. Despite the allure of her advances, accompanied by the fragrance of oud from the former Persian Empire, Harten focused on his commitment to his family, realizing he needed to maintain his resolve unless he wanted to be ensnared in a precarious situation.
"Oh, Princess," Harten began, feeling uneasy. But before he could continue, she interrupted him, insisting, "Stop that nonsense, silly. Just call me Bianca," as her fingers traced through his green velvet blazer.
"I must go to the house now, Princess Bianca. My attention is needed there," Harten stated, torn between fixing his gaze outside and being drawn to the princess's allure.
The princess felt a brief flicker of irritation at his divided attention. "I'm glad we'll be working on this project together," she remarked.
As someone from the house arrived in a carriage, signaling Harten's ride, Bianca seized him and planted a kiss on his cheek. He left abruptly with the man, leaving Bianca to watch him depart, licking her lips in contemplation.
Arriving at the castle, Harten learned of the demise of his wife, Marina. He hurried into the castle and noticed another person leaving with a large, peculiar bag. Although he sensed something off about the way the person handled the bag with extra care, he didn't dwell on it. Rushing through the castle halls, Harten entered Marina's room to find her lifeless body covered by a white sheet.
Opening the sheet, Harten beheld Marina's lifeless face and vacant eyes, prompting him to gently close it back. He sank onto the bed, the weight of grief pressing down on him. Then, the gurgling sound of Tesh caught his attention, drawing him back to the present. Before rising, he noticed a letter from his wife, which he tucked into his pocket.
Eager to see his babies, Harten approached the crib but found only Tesh, who was now smiling. Confusion clouded Harten's mind as the maid had informed him of Marina giving birth to twins. He lifted his son, kissing him on the cheek.
As Tesh gazed upon his father for the first time, he sensed the absence of his mother in this life once again. Thoughts swirled in his mind, pondering whether he was cursed or if it was some form of karmic cycle, as in all his past lives, he either never had a parent or lost one.
Harten sought answers, heading to Viscount Frederick's office where he found the man indulging in a fine scotch. "What do you want, peasant boy?" Frederick sneered.
"Marina gave birth to twins, your grandchildren, yet I only see one," Harten inquired, his tone firm despite the condescending manner of his father-in-law.
"Peasant boy, don't you see I'm mourning my only child, whom you took away from me by dropping those little devils into her? Or do you want to join her too?" Frederick's words dripped with venom as he brandished a golden revolver, firing at Harten without warning.
Harten deftly evaded the gunfire, protecting himself and his child from the sudden assault.
Tesh observed the chaos unfolding within his new family and realized he had entered a realm of madness. Solas had indeed brought him to an intriguing place, he mused.
Frederick continued his relentless pursuit, firing shots at Harten and Tesh as they sought refuge. Harten managed to hide himself and his infant son, cautiously checking for any sign of the deranged man. He then discreetly made his way to the maid's quarters, handing Tesh to one of the maids for safety. Tesh found solace in the comfort of the maid's embrace as spots her huge bossom.
"A man came and took the female child," the maid whispered anxiously.
Harten's heart sank as he remembered the mysterious stranger from earlier. With a glare of vengeance burning in his eyes, he knew that when he returned, he and Frederick would have a reckoning. Leaving the halls, Harten swiftly mounted a black horse from the stables and set off in search of his precious daughter, determined to reclaim her at any cost.