Prologue

Destiny always gives you a chance to choose and your choice decides your fate

"Aden will always remember what you did for this world. You will forever live in the hearts of Adeners. Goodbye, sister. See you soon."

Standing on the Deck of Nineteen Martyrs, Shaun gave Jennifer a parting hug. The new loop was just two weeks old. A fortnight of upheaval that brought calm, chaos that restored order, war that ended tyranny, destruction that paved the way for progress, death that gave hope to life, and darkness that ushered a bright day. These worlds had turned upside down and the fortunes of the two sisters had transformed in the last fourteen days.

Jennifer looked into her cousin's eyes. "Brother, take good care of this world and its people. They all are now your responsibility."

She bid adieu to everyone else and waved to the massive crowd that had gathered there to say farewell to their Savior. She tightly held her husband's hand and had one last look at the world she was never going to see again.

She leaped into the Eye of Tenebra. The whirlpool sucked her in. She didn't emerge on the other end, as expected, rather felt something pulling her down. She frantically kicked her legs to stay afloat, but then her eyes fell on something and she just froze. The water around her had turned crimson. Blood red. Hundreds of dead bodies were swirling in the water. She felt a twinge in her heart and gave up her struggle. Her body started to sink into the endless abyss. Water entered her lungs. Quite ironically, she was about to die in the same whirlpool that connected the two worlds she had saved. Life began to drain out as darkness engulfed her. And then there was a flash of bright light.

Chapter One

The Leap into the Unknown.

When events around you go haywire, when everything stops making sense, leap into the Unknown

Elisium

The Fourth Loop, Year 491, 1st January (4L/491/01/01)

"You must leap."

Solomon was standing on the Bridge of Faith, a long wooden bridge built precisely above the spot where a giant whirlpool mysteriously appeared at the start of every decade, when he heard the whisper. He wasn't sure whether that voice came from within or from the amulet he was wearing. Solomon stared at the Abyss of Unknown, swirling below him. No one knew why this bridge was here, yet he believed there must be a reason.

Leap into a whirlpool? Yes, the situation is critical but is it that desperate?

In those few seconds of indecision, his mind went back to the events of the last few days. He still couldn't understand how his circumstances had changed so drastically, from being busy preparing for a grand ceremony a few hours ago to running for his life now.

He remembered how his father, King Isaac the Enlightened, had hinted about this upheaval during a dinner. Solomon had noticed that off late Isaac hadn't been himself. He rarely came home, barely talked, and didn't even eat properly. His health was deteriorating as well.

"Father, is there any problem? Something doesn't feel right." Solomon finally decided to ask his father.

Isaac, always a very composed person, gave a grim smile. "I must admit that things aren't going smoothly for the last few years. However, all that has reached a crescendo in recent months."

"What is the issue?"

"Elisium is a world of truth and justice. Its people treasure their morals and values. But lately, a shadow of darkness has started to grow within our ranks."

Solomon's heart missed a beat. "What do you mean by a shadow of darkness?"

"Darkness of the soul, my child. Some of our cousins are exploiting the unknowing masses. Many other influential nobles, lured by the glitter of worldly wealth, have joined hands with them. This shadow of gloom keeps expanding every day. I believe the sun is about to set on the glories of this world."

Solomon, the young innocent prince, knew nothing about the vagaries of running a kingdom. "Why don't you stop them? You are the king. You have the power."

"The fruit of rapacity tastes very sweet, although it has a horrible aftertaste. All these gluttonous looters are addicted to greed. They don't heed my warnings anymore."

"Then you must imprison them, or banish them from the capital."

Isaac sighed. "There is no punishment until proven guilty, and there are no complaints against them. Poor commoners don't even understand the magnitude of their felonies. And those who know are too afraid to speak."

"But you are the king. If you know someone is doing wrong you must punish him."

"The rules of our land don't allow this. Solomon, we are a decade away from the end of the fourth loop. Things change at the end of every loop to kickstart a new chain of events."

Isaac paused for a moment. He mumbled something to himself while his face went through a hundred emotions — from dejection to a painful grimace.

Anxiety, uncertainty, and now talking to himself. Something is seriously wrong with Father.

Isaac abruptly rose from his chair, removed a heavy gold chain from his neck, and put it around Solomon. The chain was attached to an exquisite locket made of glistening gold with a large flawless pink ruby at its center and fifty sparkling diamonds studded around it. He felt a sudden surge of energy pass through his body when it touched Solomon's skin. The Amulet of Transition had instantly forged a connection with its new master, Solomon the Transitioner. Isaac had passed on the legacy, just in time, because he wasn't about to get another opportunity.

Isaac looked into Solomon's eyes. "Remember son, whatever happens, protect this amulet from falling into the wrong hands. When events around you go haywire, when everything stops making sense, leap into the Unknown. It will be your passage into another world of opportunity."

What the hell was that? Solomon's father was a straightforward man who never played with words, but today he wasn't ready to speak a single straight sentence. Everything he said was wrapped in layers.

What is this locket? What am I supposed to do with it? A hundred questions popped up in his mind but before he could ask any of them, a palace guard announced the arrival of four ministers for the official dinner. Solomon's last conversation with his father was left incomplete.

Isaac was stuck in the political crisis, whereas Solomon got busy in the preparations for the grand celebrations of his twentieth birthday — and his coronation ceremony. However, this ceremony had a cloud of dissent hanging over it. Some nobles were not happy with the high-handed rule of the king who was too harsh on his ministers and inclined towards the commoners.

On the other hand, Solomon was extremely excited. The only dampener for him was that his birthday coincided with the Crossing of the Sisters. At the start of every decade, the two sister planets, Elisium and Aden, came very close and hung over each other like giant orbs for ten whole days. These Days of Adversity brought some extreme conditions — from heavy storms to mild earthquakes — and a mysterious giant whirlpool.

But this time around, this Crossing was about to bring in a storm that would change this world, forever.

***

Queen Sylvia, who was like a blissful morning breeze, woke her son on what was supposed to be the most memorable day of his life. She was the most beautiful girl in Elisium when Isaac married her — flawless skin, twinkling green eyes, flowing golden hair, and an angelic smile. She carried that otherwordly charm even in her forties.

"Happy Birthday my darling," Slyvia said pulling away the curtains of her son's bedroom to let in some sunlight. "Welcome to the boring world of adults. My boy has officially become a man."

Solomon pulled a sheet above his head. "I prefer the boy tag. Don't you think I am too young to join those grumpy old men in the Council?"

"Twenty years is a longggg time. Your forefather David was showing miracles and forging this empire when he was your age. When you become the king make eighteen official age of adulthood, or maybe even sixteen."

Sylvia was bustling all around the room, so now sleep was out of the question. Solomon sat up in his bed. "Speaking of King David, that day the HighPriest was saying that I perfectly fit his description in his younger days. Tall frame, broad shoulders, muscular body, high forehead, fiery green eyes. He had a long list of features."

"I didn't know our HighPriest was a loop old and had seen David himself. What is he? A giant tortoise in human form?" Sylvia chuckled and embraced her son in a tight hug. "May you rule as long and justly as King David did. Now that reminds me that since you are going to officially become the crown prince tonight, should I start bowing to you?"

"I don't see that happening. You don't even bow to the king."

"That is because I told your father, in very clear words, that if I marry him I will treat him as my husband and not a king. So he mustn't expect too much of head-bowing and As-You-Wish-Your-Highness-Stuff from me."

"Father agreed to that?"

Sylvia winked. "A girl with beauty and brains can bring emperors to their knees. Your father was head over heels in love, he didn't even think twice."

Solomon shrugged. "If Isaac the Enlightened couldn't make you bow what chance this poor Solomon has?"

"Oh yes! Today you have to choose a title, right? Solomon the Poor sounds pathetic."

"Very funny. Father told me to shortlist a few titles. I am open to suggestions."

"How about Solomon the Lazy? Or Solomon the Useless?"

"How about saying goodbye to Sylvia the Annoying and coming up with some good options? You don't want your son to be stuck with some dumb title."

Sylvia faked stroking her chin. "Hmm, what do you say about Solomon the Conqueror?"

"That sounds strong. See, you can be helpful if you stop pulling my leg."

Sylvia playfully tapped her son's forehead. "Even your father wanted to have a brawny title, Isaac the Mighty, but your grandpa insisted on choosing knowledge over strength. Hence the Enlightened."

"Even I don't like the Enlightened. Sounds a little too academic. Oldish. Boring."

"We can discuss the titles later, for now, you have to take your breakfast and then do a few rehearsals for the coronation ceremony in the evening. "

"These rehearsals are the dullest part of these celebrations. Can't I skip them?" Solomon asked snapping his fingers in small quick bursts.

"Absolutely not. The crowd won't like their future king messing things up in his very first public appearance. And don't do that snapping thing on the stage. People will take it as signs of nerves."

Sylvia went out of the room. Solomon slowly got out of his bed, freshened up, and joined his mother at the breakfast table. He had barely eaten anything when Sylvia's handmaiden came rushing to her. She just stood there, trembling, trying to speak something but nothing came out of her. Sylvia sensed her conundrum. "Rose, what happened? Don't be afraid. Just speak out."

Rose somehow managed to utter a few words. "M... My queen, King Isaac... has been kill... killed... by his own guards."

Sylvia froze. Her face contorted and her eyes stared at nothing. "Oh my God! Holy Angels save our souls," She mumbled through her sobs. "This murder is the last sign. The Transition is near. The Catastrophe is upon us. Elisium is doomed." Tears began to roll down her cheeks.

Rose came near her. "My queen, you don't have time. They are coming for you and the prince. Your palace guards have let them in. You cannot trust anyone. Please save yourself and your son."

Rose's warning jerked Sylvia back to her senses. She momentarily forgot her grief and turned to Solomon. Her eyes were moist but full of purpose. "Take the secret passage out of the palace. It will lead you to the shores of the river Vinum."

What in God's name is she thinking?

"What do you mean by that? Why aren't you coming with me?"

"I must take care of a few things before they get here."

"I am not leaving you alone. I will only go if you come with me."

Sylvia grabbed her son by his shoulders and shook him hard. "Listen to me. This is not just about you and me. This is something much bigger. You must save yourself because the future of not one, but two worlds depends on your survival. You must survive for the line of kings to go on. You will understand all this when the time comes, but for now, I beg you by the virtue of your martyred father to please leave."

Now she is talking just like Father. Why can't they just tell me clearly what the hell is happening?

Solomon didn't move. He was going nowhere, but a voice whispered to him.

Listen to your mother. Run!!!

The voice overwhelmed him. Solomon couldn't ignore its command. He finally gave in and dashed across the hallway. Sylvia called after him for one last time. "My son, remember your father's words. When events around you go haywire when everything stops making sense, leap into the Unknown."

Yes, I remember those words but they still don't make any sense to me. What am I supposed to do with them?

Solomon reached his father's chamber and opened a secret door that led him to a tunnel. He kept running inside the long tunnel until he came out at the other end, near the shores of Vinum. He sat down under a tree to gather his breath. Minutes later, he saw a few guards emerging from the same tunnel.

Solomon ran for his life. The guards, who were sworn to protect him, wanted to kill him. Everything had become topsy-turvy. Nothing was making sense. He sprinted on the bridge of faith but noticed that a few soldiers had appeared at the far end of the long bridge. He was surrounded.

Solomon stopped in his tracks to contemplate his next move. For a few seconds, he had gotten lost in the past but that mysterious voice pulled him back to the present. "This isn't a time to think about the past. Think about the future. Just leap."

Solomon stared at the Abyss of Unknown, and his father's words echoed in his mind. "When events around you go haywire when everything stops making sense, leap into the Unknown."

Did Father really mean this? Did he want me to jump into this whirlpool? Does this make sense? But sense seems to have taken leave from this world.

He tightly clutched the amulet, the parting gift from his father, and climbed the railings of the bridge. His eyes were full of tears, his mind with uncertainties. His dreams had shattered. His world had fallen apart. With no choice left, Solomon leaped into the Unknown.

A leap that triggered the next Transition. A leap that changed the fortunes of two identical, yet different, worlds.