04

Chapter-2

Aryan Veer Singh


In the heart of our sprawling palace, grandeur reigns supreme. The vast corridors adorned with opulent tapestries and gilded details stand as a testament to centuries of regal legacy. However, as I enter my room, a stark contrast unfolds. The walls, devoid of ancestral designs, bear witness to the shifting tides of a world embracing artificial intelligence. The once warm embrace of cultural values has given way to the sterile efficiency of the growing technological era. My surroundings echo the clash between tradition and progress, a silent rebellion against the fading echoes of customs lost in the relentless march of time.

Under the king's decree, the palace undergoes a sweeping transformation within the precincts of progress. The reconstruction erases every hint of history and cultural legacy, as if wiping away the fingerprints of time. Ornate carvings and ancestral symbols are replaced with sleek, minimalist structures, echoing the monarch's vision of a modern realm. The echoes of tradition dissipate, leaving behind a polished facade that mirrors the world's relentless march into an era where the past becomes a distant whisper.

Recognizing the inevitability of change, I, the crown prince of Precient-1, reluctantly align my convictions with the king's vision. While the erasure of history stings, the promise of a better future, guided by the precision of artificial intelligence, dangles like a tempting jewel. With the world evolving rapidly, I grudgingly accept the role of progress, understanding that the strings of tradition must yield to the puppetry of AI for the sake of a modern, efficient realm.

As the cold reality settles, I come to comprehend that the restructuring, driven by AI dominance, is not just a cosmetic change but a calculated move to eliminate the vulnerabilities of the past. The whispers hint at a future where strength, measured by the algorithms of artificial intelligence, determines survival.

In the eerie glow of perpetual artificial light, the Sun has become a distant memory, obscured by the consequences of our reckless exploitation of the atmosphere. The once vibrant world, now shrouded in an artificial atmosphere designed by AI to counteract our ecological sins, stands as a testament to our unchecked hubris. The absence of sunlight has choked the life out of the ecosystems-vegetation, forests, farms, and the chorus of animals and birds are now but echoes of a bygone era. Human survival hinges on the stark illumination of artificial light, a synthetic substitute for the warmth and energy that the sun once generously bestowed upon our now-shadowed world.

The violent clashes of tectonic plates have rewritten the geography of our world. No longer do we speak of seven continents, for the relentless collisions have merged landmasses into a singular, colossal expanse. The earth's surface, scarred and reshaped by the cataclysmic forces at play, now bears the scars of unyielding change. Former boundaries have vanished, and the remnants of once-distinct continents now form a unified landmass, a testament to the unstoppable might of tectonic upheaval that has blurred the lines between what was once separate and distinct.

In the wake of relentless tectonic convulsions, North and South America have been erased from the world map, swallowed by the insatiable appetite of shifting plates. Meanwhile, Africa and Australia, once proud continents, now lie submerged beneath the relentless embrace of the ocean depths. The vast expanse of Oceania, once a collection of islands, has succumbed to the inexorable rise of temperatures, melting into oblivion.

Amidst this planetary upheaval, only the resilience of Asia and fragments of Europe endure as surviving remnants. The world, reshaped by geological chaos, bears witness to the unforgiving forces that have rewritten the very fabric of our planet, leaving behind a drastically altered and diminished landscape.

In the aftermath of cataclysmic events, the survivors, intent on leaving behind the fractured remnants of the past, have meticulously eradicated any trace of countries, states, and cities from the collective memory. What remains of the landmass is now organized into three major precincts, each a testament to the survivors' resolve to forge a new, unblemished future.

Within these precincts, the survivors or address them as 'The Triad' have established a structured order, dividing the land into 100 spheres in each precinct. These spheres, devoid of the geopolitical borders that once defined them, stand as symbols of a collective effort to rebuild and unify. The survivors, in their quest for a fresh beginning, have chosen to abandon the names of the past, fostering a sense of unity across the spheres within the newly established precincts.

Within the redefined world, my father Mahadarshaka Singh Raja stands as the ruler of one precinct, commanding dominion over a third of the powerful and calculating AI. In a strategic alliance, he collaborates with two other leaders, each governing their own share of the artificial intelligence. Together, they form the triad of control, orchestrating the precision of AI to navigate the challenges of this reshaped world.

Despite the draconian methods employed by my father and the triad in erasing history and customs, a persistent ember of filial admiration burns within me. Driven by an unspoken desire to make my father proud, I embark on a journey to emulate his strength and leadership.

In my pursuit of greatness, I navigate the intricate dance between embracing the legacy of cruelty and forging my path toward benevolence. The dichotomy of admiration and discord creates a complex tapestry, as I strive to prove myself worthy of my father's legacy while harboring a silent hope that my leadership might one day transcend the shadows cast by the unyielding reign of artificial intelligence.

In the intricate division of power within our precinct, my father, the ruler, has meticulously allocated the 100 spheres among his three heirs. I find myself entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing 30 spheres, a significant portion of the realm. Meanwhile, my brothers, in parallel roles, bear the weight of 10 spheres each.

This distribution reflects not only my father's strategic governance but also his calculated trust in each of us to manage our designated spheres. With my brothers sharing the burden, and my father overseeing the remaining 50, the triad of familial rulership takes shape, each of us contributing to the intricate balance within our precint's governance.

This morning, over a somber breakfast with my trusted commander in chief, distressing news pierced the air "Reports revealed a relentless spree of robberies plaguing Sphere 39, under the control of our youngest prince, Aaravendra Singh. The frozen storehouses, crucial reservoirs of sustenance, had been systematically plundered over the past week, threatening the precarious balance of resources" stated Viraj Chandra.

With a heavy heart, I learned that my father, sought my intervention in this escalating crisis. The responsibility to restore order within my youngest brother's sphere now rests heavily on my shoulders, challenging the delicate equilibrium of family and governance in our meticulously divided precinct.

En-route to Sphere-39 aboard the flying booth, a confined space hosting my presence, the pilot, the commander in chief, and a loyal servant, discussions were towards the unsettling suspicion of the 'Resilience Belts' involvement in the relentless robberies. Speculation echoes within the confined quarters as we dissect the possibility that this clandestine organization may be orchestrating a disruption to the meticulously divided balance of power.

The air hums with tension as we consider the implications of this suspicion, mindful of the delicate political landscape that intertwines familial bonds with the triad of governance. In this flying capsule of introspection, the answers we seek may hold the key to restoring not only order but also the fragile trust woven within our familial and political ties.

As I step into Sphere-39, the reception from Aaravendra is far from warm. His discontent is evident in the lines etched on his face, a stark contrast to the familial bonds we once shared. His expression speaks volumes, a silent commentary on the challenges that have befallen his sphere and strained the unity of our familial governance.

Undeterred by the frosty welcome, I brace myself for the task at hand. The mysteries surrounding the robberies and the potential involvement of the Resilience Belts demand resolution, transcending the strained dynamics between siblings. In the face of adversity, restoring not just resources but also the frayed threads of trust becomes an urgent imperative. His Commander in Chief delivers a detailed account of the robberies in Sphere-39, emphasizing the peculiar focus of the thieves. Strikingly, their motives appear singular - a relentless pursuit of frozen food supplies. Surprisingly, they abstained from looting money, remaining natural resources, or any sources of comfort.

This peculiar selectivity sparks intrigue and raises questions about the underlying motivations behind the targeted food heists. The absence of interest in monetary gain or other essential resources adds a layer of complexity to the investigation, compelling us to delve deeper into the motives and potential orchestrators behind these calculated food supply thefts.

The fact that every civilian carries a serum in their bloodstream, a traceable marker in our advanced AI system, adds a layer of astonishment to the mystery. Despite this powerful tool at our disposal, the inability to swiftly locate the robbers raises perplexing questions about their sophistication and cunning.

The realization dawns that the perpetrators may possess a level of technological prowess that rivals, or even surpasses, our own. As AI developers, we find ourselves facing a formidable adversary capable of circumventing the very surveillance mechanisms we designed. The quest for answers deepens, as we grapple with the unsettling truth that our own creations may have evolved beyond our control.

Suddenly the revelation captured our attention that the warehouses of the main palace in Sphere-39 were looted in our very presence sends shockwaves through the discussion. The audacity and precision required to execute such a heist under our watch underscores the gravity of the situation.

"I'll interrogate all the guards and workers myself" I command and hear my brother scoff. Ignoring his moody and insecure self we move towards the warehouse.

As AI developers, we confront the unsettling reality that the perpetrators not only outsmarted our advanced surveillance systems but also managed to exploit vulnerabilities within our own precinct. The urgency to unravel this intricate web of deceit intensifies, as the mystery deepens, casting shadows over the sanctity of our fortified main palace.

Arriving at the scene, the sight of our trusted guards, commanders, servants, and maids assembled in four queues raising both confusion and question. The disciplined alignment suggests that they know, the robber is one of them.

In the midst of the assembled crowd, my attention is captivated by the presence of the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on. Her brown orbs, once possibly illuminated by natural sunlight, now exude a subtle radiance even in this controlled environment. Sharp features define her countenance, and her waist-long black hair cascades elegantly, creating an enchanting contrast.

Clad in a simple white t-shirt and cargo pants, she stands out amidst the uniformity of the crowd. Her presence introduces a momentary distraction, a juxtaposition of beauty against the backdrop of uncertainty and tension. In the midst of intrigue and unfolding mysteries, her allure becomes an unexpected and intriguing element in this enigmatic tableau.

The allure of her beauty is shadowed by an undercurrent of hollowness and a palpable sense of hatred directed, perhaps inexplicably, towards me. As I navigate through the assembled crowd, the weight of her disdain casts a perplexing shroud over the unfolding events. Questions echo in my mind-why does this captivating figure harbor such resentment, and how does she fit into the enigma surrounding the looted warehouses and the unraveling mystery in Sphere-39? The intersection of beauty and animosity introduces an additional layer of complexity, intensifying the intrigue that envelops this unexpected encounter.

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Taranya Mahajan

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Hey there! I'll be updating from January 1, 2024. First five chapters will be free but then for next you'll have to pay accordingly. I'll update every Monday, hope you'll show some support.

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