“Come again?”

  Rider laughed like a mischievous child.

  “You and Moon have crossed the first major threshold to becoming gods. Now, we will train you.”

  “How?”

  “All skill can be taught inside the mind. One only needs to know where to look. I will take you there.”

  “And then?”

  “We will study together. We will see all Creation. You will leave here as a god. You and Moon will destroy the Overseer and lay waste to undeserving mortals. You will save Creation for its true heirs. Are you ready to begin?”

  “I-I don’t know. Where do we start?”

  “From the beginning. We will read and discuss a document of great interest. It is called The Tragedy of Time.”

  Was that fear he felt?

  “A book? We’re going to read a book?”

  “Yes. A long one. Very complicated but useful.”

  Royal felt nothing from the neck down. His mouth was zipped shut, unable to budge. Was he breathing?

  “I can’t move, Rider. I don’t have a body.”

  “You won’t need one for your education. The body will remain preserved while you learn.”

  “How long?”

  “The road is complicated, Royal.”

  “I asked you a question. You’re supposed to be my teacher. How long before we’re free?”

  Rider did not answer, though Royal felt a distinctive clawing deep inside his brain.

  “How long, Rider?”

  “You will remain here for twenty lifetimes. By then, the Overseer will no longer fear you.”

  “Twenty …?”

  “It’s time, Royal. Let us begin your first lesson. Page one.”

  38

  The Aston James Conference

  Day 18

  K ARA SET THE LETTER ASIDE after reading the first page. She drank her wine and hoped against logic the paper would disappear while she looked away. She had her fill of Amayas Knight. He’s dead, she thought. Throw it out.

  Yet it called to her. That bastard.

  “This is a mistake,” Kara said as she grabbed the letter and moved on to page two.

  The Origin was constructed by a race that existed long before humanity was born. It spans five light-years in a distant nebula. The sheer scope of it cannot be fully conceived by the human mind. Yet I, in my quest to reach beyond my limitations, tried to absorb the answers during my visit.

  Only now, as I reflect, do I realize that I saw and heard much more than I understood at the time. I believe those who designed the Origin planted seeds of knowledge in order to test my worthiness. They knew I understood the role of the Splinters and the mirrors. In this, I discovered one of their secrets.

  Time does not exist inside the Origin. Rather, there is a Continuum where all points intersect in a ceaseless pattern. Past, present, and future do not occur as humans know them. Linear time is the province of lesser species.

  All of which brings me to the purpose of this letter, Kara.

  You see, I learned this great truth while inside the Origin but did not remember it until now. In these final hours, I don’t require the mirrors. All I need is a face, and the Continuum does the rest.

  I wish this remarkable gift didn’t come to me at such a high price. But I hope it will serve you well.

  I see you standing on a bridge at the end of your days. I see fire rising from shadows. You have fought hard, but your friends are gone, and you are lost in a dark and desperate place. You say farewell to your loved ones.

  Now the shadows move in your direction. They take form.

  They are called Destroyers. They have come for you. Their purpose is unclear. Their eyes are darkened by a long history of death and torment.

  One of them I recognize, as will you when the moment arrives.

  I knew him as Royal. You knew him as Ryllen.

  This, Kara, is what I see.

  It will happen because it already did. There can be no doubt.

  Make each day more beautiful than the last, Kara. You have an amazing journey ahead. I envy you.

  - Amayas

  Kara set her wine on the side table and neatly folded the letter then stuffed it inside the envelope.

  She threw it away and never spoke of it to anyone.

  Not even her husband.

  -------------

  What lies ahead for Royal and Moon? Will Kara face the future Amayas said he saw? Will the Alpha universe prepare a navy in time to head off a Swarm invasion?

  For answers to these questions and more, read Book 8, The Scorpion’s Fire, available November 2022. The series concludes with The Final Verdict in January 2023.

  You’d make this author so happy if you provided a short, honest review on Amazon. At the very least, a star rating would be appreciated. It truly does make a difference!

  Follow me on Amazon to receive updates when the new installments of my work arrive. Go to www.frankkennedy.org and sign up for my newsletter, which will provide an opportunity to receive free additional material and so much more in the universe of the Collectorate. Additionally, visit me on Facebook and YouTube.

 

 

  Frank Kennedy, The Untaken Path (Beyond the Impossible Book 7)

 

 

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