Chapter Eight

The Conference of Transitioners

A moment of madness turns an angel into a demon

Aden

The Fourth Loop, Year 496, 10th October. (4L/496/10/10)

"Arise to a new dawn of prosperity."

Solomon's slogan spread across a world that was sleeping in the lap of Mother Nature like a sick child and refused to come out of its slumber.

"How long do we have to survive on these dried berries?" Solomon asked Peter on the outskirts of Koshe, a town where he had been manhandled by an angry mob a couple of days ago. Solomon was visiting different settlements trying to unite the people of this fragmented fractured civilization.

Peter was always there with him to provide counsel and support. "You should thank me that I at least picked these berries. Last time we were without food for three days."

"Thankfully there was a fire in that village and I got a chance to show them a miracle by conjuring rain or else we would have to starve for many more days."

"The human race is obsessed with miracles. They won't trust a savior until he shows them a few." Peter paused for a moment and then audibly cleared his throat. "You didn't start that fire. Did you?"

"You know I wouldn't harm anyone."

"Solomon, I can see the volcanic rage inside you. I fear your anger. People of that village had insulted us, literally thrown us out, and even slapped us. I thought maybe you just lost your head."

Solomon came near Peter. He put his hand on Peter's and looked into his eyes. "I swear on your life, and you know you are like a father to me, I had nothing to do with that fire. Now will you tell me why this town filled with the most inhospitable people is so important to us?"

"The plains around Koshe are the most fertile in Aden. This town has tonnes of grain rotting in their storehouses."

"What?" Solomon gasped. "They are wasting food when the villages below the Gabala Mountains are going through a famine."

"Exactly. Also, healers in this town don't get enough patients whereas people in other villages are dying of petty ailments. We have to break the barriers between all these settlements and turn Aden into One World."

Solomon stifled a yawn. "What is our next plan of action? I am getting a little bored. And this persistent rain isn't helping my mood either."

"Mel overflows and floods this town during this season every other year."

Solomon looked at his mentor with wide eyes. "Don't tell me we are waiting for a flood which may or may never arrive. Even if it does it could take weeks or months."

"Did you think being a Messiah was an easy job?" Peter asked flashing his mysterious smile. "You have to be patient and wait for the right opportunity. Don't worry we have enough dried food. By the way, you can divert a flood, right?"

Solomon shrugged. "I remember one of the Transitioners mentioning a flood during one of our conferences. Should at least be less painful than the lightning I absorbed."

"You told me that stopping that earthquake was more difficult."

"Yes, but lightning was painful. It was like eating fire, I felt my food pipe burn. Can't we gain people's trust without miracles?"

Peter smiled, like one of the saints from the painting in the House of Almighty. "Your pure heart and compassionate soul will win over people once you have their attention. These miracles are just a way to make people listen to you."

A week later, a flash flood hit Koshe. Solomon stood on a small cliff, outstretched his hand in front of him, and exerted all his energy to the extent that his every sinew was stretched to its limit. Thousands of people witnessed a Savior, glowing like a full moon, changing the course of a flooding river. Koshe was Solomon's biggest victory so far, and through his administrative skill aided by miracles, he was uniting Aden at an unbelievable pace.

Solomon made Koshe his base and a model town. He set up common markets where people from small villages could sell their products for better returns. He minted Solomon coins that gradually started getting accepted in every corner of Aden.

"I heard last week you killed a two-headed beast that was troubling some villagers in the jungles of Gir," Peter asked Solomon with a coy smile, although he knew they had not gone out of Koshe in the last few months.

"Apparently on the same day, I also swallowed a tornado on the east coast, some five hundred miles from Gir," Solomon said, shaking his head. "Don't you think people's imaginations are running wild?"

"When hope mixes with facts and fantasy it churns up some fascinating tales."

"But these are not facts."

Peter audibly cleared his throat. "When someone achieves his fate it becomes facts. You have already swallowed a tornado albeit in a different location, so it is not a total lie."

"I will never win an argument with you. You are good with words, I am a man of action."

"Great leaders must be good orators. And don't worry too much. New stories about the savior are popping up in every corner of this world because everyone wants their share of glory in this world-changing revolution."

"Is this good for us?" Solomon asked raising his left eyebrow.

"There is no harm in fantasy as long as it brings people closer to you. You just ride the wave. Even in this disconnected world, the tales of miracles spread like wildfire."

Solomon sighed. He trusted Peter, who had proved to be an exceptional diplomat. "How many village heads are coming to see Koshe today?"

"Eight," Peter replied. He came near Solomon, pulled the amulet from under his clothes, and hung it above his free-flowing silky robe. "From now on, wear the amulet like this, above your robe. Let the world experience its irresistible pull and bow to its aura."

"You want me to show off?"

"Appearance matters a lot especially when you rule the hearts and minds of half the world. You must also choose a title for yourself."

Tears welled up in Solomon's eyes at the mention of the title. He remembered the last happy conversation he had with his mother. "How about Solomon, the Conqueror?" He said in a heavy voice.

"Very apt title. And I assume that has some emotional significance to you."

He always sees right through me. Reads my mind. "My mother suggested it just before my world turned upside down."

"I am sure she will be proud of what you have achieved."

A lump formed in Solomon's throat. "I don't think she is alive to feel proud."

"I am sorry for your loss. But if not for those unfortunate events you wouldn't have arrived here to transform a whole world. This is how destiny works."

"Destiny is a tyrant and it is no excuse for the crimes of criminals. Those who wronged me will have to pay," Solomon said snapping his fingers.

"What do you mean by that?"

"That only time will tell."

Peter stared at Solomon, his eyes trying to peep into Solomon's soul. "Remember, You will be named The Conqueror because you have conquered people's hearts. We will not force anyone to join this empire. No battles or wars, armies or weapons, no plundering or forced acquisitions, just the promise of a better future."

Solomon turned towards a mirror to avoid Peter's gaze. "I promise there will be no war in Aden. Is there something else you want to tell me?"

Peter paused, trying to read into Solomon's edginess. "Koshe is not able to handle the requirements of this huge world. You need a heart for your empire—a new capital."

"You know this world better than me. I am sure you have a place in mind."

"Abraham the Believer had built his capital on the shores of Mel. That place is now in ruins, only a large gateway and a long fortified wall have somehow miraculously survived the tests of time, but that is a very strategic location to govern this whole world."

"A capital city needs population. Why would people leave their homes and come to our city?" Solomon asked.

Peter began pacing around the room, something he did when his brain was in overdrive. "People want facilities and services. We will construct residential complexes, large markets, and healing centers. People will start migrating to this city when they see an opportunity for a better life."

"We must also add charm and beauty to our city," Solomon added. He knew that some of the extravagances in The Capital in Elisium attracted people towards it. "We can build an opulent House of Almighty, a large amphitheater, some parks, and public places for recreation to add to its glamour."

"Not a bad idea. Any name you have in mind?"

"How about Aurae?"

A week later, Solomon visited the place where Peter had proposed to build the city. He smiled to himself when he realized that this was about the same location where the Capital was located in Elisium. That meant this place was also very close to the spot where the whirlpool would appear at the start of the next decade.

I must stay close. I have achieved my goal in this world and now I must take care of the unfinished business in my world.

Solomon wanted to do what no one else ever did, but when vendetta poisons noble intentions it leads to a Catastrophe.

***

Aden

The Fifth Loop, Year 1, 1st January (5L/1/1/1 )

Solomon stood on a cliff above the Eye of Tenebra, the same cliff from where Andrews would slip 370 years later and start the cycle of chaos. A hundred men of upright honor and unwavering loyalty, each one of whom he trusted with his life, stood behind Solomon. He had prepared them for a secret mission at the turn of the Loop—to bring the absolute Transition. Solomon looked at his soldiers and leaped. His loyal recruits followed him into the other world.

Solomon swam to the shore and took a deep breath. He was happy to be back in the world of his birth. I have a month to complete my mission. And then these worlds will never see chaos again.

Solomon knew that Thomas—his father's cousin, the HighMinister of Aden, and the second most powerful person in the empire—was behind his father's murder and had taken over the regime. Despite the Transitions in the past, Elisium or Aden had never seen a full-fledged war.

Solomon and his men started their two-day-long journey towards the Capital. On the way, they stopped in a small village to get some rest.

"So, you have arrived in Elisium. You don't listen to my advice, do you?" David asked with a shake of his head. Six men were seated around a table in the same dining hall where Isaac had handed over the amulet to Solomon and where he had last seen his mother.

"Sire, you know my intentions are virtuous." Solomon defended his move. "I want to pull both worlds out of the shadows and maintain this equilibrium forever, and for that, I have to get back the reins of Elisium."

Adam the First, who always presided over these conferences, wore the same silky robe that shone with pure white light. His twinkling green eyes sparkled with wisdom and his flowing white beard made him look like a saint. "Intentions matter the most, my son. Your heart must be free from hatred and any evil notions if you truly intend the betterment of these worlds," Adam advised his heir.

"Holy Father, does punishing a criminal count as evil?"

"Punishment meted out to settle a grudge loses its nobility."

Isaac, who was sitting next to Solomon, took his hand in his. "What happened to me and your mother was a cruel twist of destiny. Don't let hatred cloud your judgment."

Abraham tapped the table to get Solomon's attention and gave him a puzzling smile when their eyes met. "Son, what you have set out to achieve is something none of us, all great men of their time, even thought of doing. Transforming one world was a little too much for us and you are thinking about ruling two."

David looked at the other aspect of it. "None of us ever faced off with our enemy, the person who forced us into exile. So we can't guess what such a person, after having access to so much power and wealth, might have turned into."

"As far as I know, my cousin Thomas can give a demon from the lowest echelons of hell a run for his money," Isaac said, stroking his chin.

David leaned back in his chair. "Remember your primary goal when you confront him. You are doing this for the betterment of Elisium. Let him go if that helps avoid the bloodshed."

Adam pointed to the amulet around Solomon's neck. "I forged this amulet during the turn of the first Loop, and its powers keep growing with every Loop. A powerful weapon in the hands of a malicious mind is a recipe for a catastrophe."

Adam paused for a moment and closed his eyes. His eyebrows kept twitching for a few seconds before he finally spoke. "Noah came back to his original world to punish his culprits and lost his temper when his enemy fought back. The floods caused by a furious Transitioner almost drowned the whole of Aden."

Noah banged the table and stood up from his chair. "I had kept my promise of keeping my mouth shut, but you still had to mention the floods. You love showing me in a poor light. And don't exaggerate. The floods just drowned the criminals. The world was much better without them anyway."

"Yes, the waters of the floods were specifically instructed by Noah to just drown the criminals and spare the innocents."

Noah's face turned red. "I stopped the floods before they spilled out of the Capital."

"Thankfully you got your senses back in time or else the whole Aden was gone." Adam turned to Solomon before Noah could say anything further. "Anyways, the main point is that you have a lethal weapon in your hand. The Transitioners were barred from returning to their original world after Noah's little adventure, but you have broken that tradition."

"Only Abraham and David didn't visit their original worlds, so that wasn't such a long-lasting tradition," Noah shot back.

Adam ignored his comment and kept his gaze fixed on Solomon. "Look into my eyes, Solomon." Solomon felt like he was staring into the unending depths of an ocean. He sensed Adam was searching through his mind. His hair stood on its end. "Solomon, both light and darkness are within us. Boundless power can save lives, but can also destroy a whole world. Remember, a moment of madness can turn an angel into a demon."

Isaac came around and hugged his son. "I am sure you will make the right decisions."

Everyone stood up from their chairs and raised their right hands to bless Solomon, "May the Almighty be with you always. May he guide you in all your endeavors."

The room vanished from his sight and Solomon woke up from his dream. He was drenched in sweat. Those parting words from Adam had shaken him up.

Since the day Solomon swallowed the tornado, these Conferences of Transitioners occurred at regular intervals. His forefathers, all the previous Transitioners, visited him in these visions to share their experiences. Their wisdom and guidance had greatly helped Solomon in forging his vast empire in such a short time.

The Days of Extreme Darkness were living up to their reputation. The thunderstorms lashed out in full fury and the earth kept shaking. The whole universe trembled in anticipation of what was about to happen.

Solomon looked in the Capital's direction.

Uncle Thomas, here I come. Your fate lies in my hands.