《Echoes of Freedom: A Multiverse Odyssey》 Chapter-1 The grass was an unusual shade of red. I looked around, puzzled by this unfamiliar hue that had replaced the usual brown earth beneath my feet. In my right hand, I held a sword, a formidable weapon, yet my heart remained strangely calm despite the ominous crimson surroundings. I knew the reason for this eerie color¡ªit was all blood. My brown eyes gazed ahead, unwavering, as if peering into the future. Then, abruptly, I awoke, drenched in sweat, my heart racing. It was just a dream. Still shaken, I called for my mother. She hurried into my modest room, dressed in a vibrant saree, likely in preparation for some impending festival. "What''s wrong Krishna?" she asked, concern etched across her face as she settled beside my small bed. "Was it another bad dream?" she inquired with soothing calmness. "Yes," I replied, my nerves gradually settling. "I don''t understand why you keep having these dreams," she confessed, her hands still trembling slightly. "It''s alright, everything''s fine," I assured her. "Go and have a bath and get ready; i Will prepare the food. We''re celebrating Baisakhi today."she said I cherished my mother''s comforting smile, and it helped ease my anxiety. Baisakhi was a significant festival in our region, celebrated with great fervor. It marked the beginning of the harvest season and was an occasion for communal joy and gratitude. "Put on something nice; we''ll probably go somewhere with your uncle and cousin today to celebrate." "Okay, Maa," I agreed. As my mother made her way to the kitchen, I took a moment to reflect on our small, modest house. My room consisted of only a single bed and a small box containing my clothes. My father had passed away when I was just a child, according to my mother, due to an illness. However, I couldn''t help but doubt her account, as my memories of my father painted a picture of a robust, healthy man¡ªtall, with broad shoulders. I had inherited his eyes. We also owned a small farm behind our house and a few cows. We weren''t wealthy by any means, but we managed to put food on the table and clothe ourselves¡ªa privilege in these times of exorbitant British-imposed taxes that left most families with scant resources. Like every child, I aspired to join the fight, to become a freedom fighter. Shaking off my reverie, I recalled that today was the 13th of April, 1919, and I needed to get ready for Baisakhi.I stood at a height of 5''4", my youthful frame indicating age of 15. Hints of puberty were evident, with the beginnings of facial hair beginning to show on my face, expressive brown eyes carried a glimmer of curiosity and youthful vigor. Being of Indian origin, complexion bore the warm, rich tones of brown, with a touch of fairness that gave my skin a healthy glow. well-groomed, jet-black hair was neatly parted from one side of his head to the other, lending an air of tidiness to his appearance. My face assumed a triangular shape, with a broad forehead that easily caught one''s attention I retrieved an almost-new kurta and matching pajamas, placing them neatly on my bed. The kurta was white, extending almost to my knees. After a quick bath and change of clothes, I hurried downstairs to eat before my mother grew impatient. My cousin brother, two years my senior at 18, greeted me. "Krishna, looking sharp. Going to meet a girl?" he teased, a smug grin on his face. Blushing, I responded, "Nothing like that. Ma asked us to wear our best for Baisakhi. What are our plans today?" "Papa," he replied, referring to our uncle, "mentioned that we''ll visit the temple around 1 pm and then head to Jallianwala Bagh for the celebration." I smiled at the prospect. "Okay, when are we leaving?" "We''ll visit the temple first, around 1 pm, and then proceed to the Bagh afterward." "Okay, Bhaiya," I replied, content with our festive plans. Our small, close-knit family made the most of what we had, and today''s festivities promised to be memorable. I informed my mother that I was going to meet my friend, Raj, and assured her that I would be back in time for our temple visit. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Darting out of the house before my mother could assign any farm chores, I made my way to Raj''s house, shouting from outside, "Raj!" He emerged, dressed in worn, ragged clothes. A smile spread across my face as I spotted my best friend. "Any plans for today? We''re going to the Golden Temple and then to the Bagh." "Probably the same," he replied. "I''ll be going with my father. Will you meet us there?" "Sure. What should we do until then?" Raj glanced around and replied, "My father mentioned that we might participate in a protest against the Britishers at the Bagh." I pondered this for a moment. "I''m not sure if peaceful protests are achieving anything against them. They keep imposing new laws every week. Why should we continue to protest peacefully?" "Yeah, it''s frustrating," Raj agreed. "But let''s leave that aside for now. So, finally turning 16, huh?" I chuckled, realizing he shared my sentiment. "Yes, finally! I wish birthdays came around 2 or 3 times a year." We exchanged amused glances, both secretly longing for the same thing. As we roamed the streets, observing people and soaking in the festive atmosphere, we overheard soldiers announcing a curfew beginning at 8:00 pm. It was nothing new;curfews had become a daily occurrence, limiting our freedom in our own homeland. The Britishers and their oppressive regime had long fueled our anger and resentment. We went to a park near our houses, exchanging mischievous looks as we made our way to the corner of the park. There, we had hidden wooden swords, which we had purchased by saving money from a carpenter. After digging them out, we engaged in a spirited duel. Raj displayed formidable strength, while I prided myself on my speed, at least in my own estimation. We sparred for the entire hour, and although I acquired a few bruises, we always ensured they were in inconspicuous places. I successfully parried most of Raj''s strikes, but the ones that broke through stung intensely. On the other hand, I landed numerous strikes on him, but they lacked the power I desired. As we wrapped up our duel, both of us were left tired and drenched in sweat.We liked to play makeshift freedom fighters in our free time. I contemplated the need for an additional bath before heading to the temple. By 1 pm, I reached home, leaving Raj at his house. Sneaking into the house i heard noise from the kitchen, so mom was there,i quickly went into the bathroom at the common bathroom at the back, the sweat had mostly dried due to cold breeze but i still washed my face and removed any mud from my hands, no need to leave any clues behind, drying my self i again exited the house and made a show of coming back now. "I''m back," I announced upon entering. My mother was also ready to go, dressed in a beautiful blue saree with her hair neatly tied in a bun, her head covered by her saree pallu. She looked radiant. We visited the temple, offering prayers for a bountiful harvest, and I silently prayed for the end of British rule. However, I knew that the latter wish was a distant hope. We indulged in langar at the temple before my mother performed seva (selfless service). By 3 pm, we set off for the Bagh, a normally ten-minute walk now taking us thirty minutes due to the swelling crowd.My uncle and cousin were scheduled to join us at Jallianwala Bagh As I navigated the bustling streets and observed the vibrant preparations for Baisakhi, my mind wandered to the historical context of our times. The British Raj, which had a stranglehold on our beloved Bharat for nearly two centuries, had left an indelible mark on our nation''s history. The British, driven by imperial ambitions and a thirst for economic gain, had systematically exploited our land and resources. Their imposition of heavy taxes had pushed families to the brink of poverty, and the ever-present British control over our daily lives was stifling. I couldn''t help but recall pivotal moments in our history, such as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, when Indian soldiers rose in rebellion against their British officers. Though ultimately suppressed, it was a significant step towards our quest for independence. Despite enduring curfews and restrictions on our freedoms, our resilience grew stronger with each passing day. Peaceful protests, led by iconic figures like Mahatma Gandhi, had become a cornerstone of our struggle for freedom. Yet, it was becoming increasingly evident that a more assertive approach was needed to break free from the chains of British oppression. Amidst the festivities of Baisakhi, I couldn''t ignore the undercurrent of longing for true independence that flowed through our society. As we embarked on this day''s journey with our family and friends, we carried with us the weight of history, a history that spoke of both suffering and unwavering determination. It was a history that fueled our collective spirit, and we hoped that, one day, it would propel us toward the dawn of a free and sovereign Bharat. Jallianwala Bagh was a vast expanse, enclosed by ten-foot-high walls with a single entrance. Thousands of people had gathered, and we scanned the area for my uncle. Instead, I spotted Raj, waving excitedly with his sister, Jyoti. "Have you seen my uncle?" I asked Raj. "Yeah, they were near the well," he replied. My mother began leading me toward them, but I insisted, "You go on, Maa. I''ll stay with my friends and find you in fifteen minutes." "Alright, just don''t get lost," she admonished, smiling at my assertion of maturity. "I won''t, I''m almost 16," I responded with a hint of pride. As my mother left, I greeted his younger sister, Jyoti, who was a year younger than us. She stood at 5''2" with long black hair, her presence captivating. Though I admired her beauty, I refrained from mentioning it in front of Raj. While Raj and I chatted, I noticed people running frantically, and the distant sound of gunshots echoed through the air. A sense of dread washed over me, and I instinctively turned toward the commotion. In a matter of seconds, chaos erupted. The once jubilant crowd now fled in all directions. Someone shoved me to the ground, and I fell to my knees, struggling to rise amidst the stampede. People fell around me, trampled and crushed, blood spilling onto the ground. Frozen with fear, I watched in horror as a woman fell before me, her life extinguished in an instant. Bodies piled up, and I felt powerless, the ground beneath me painted a haunting shade of red. The relentless sound of gunfire filled the air. Summoning my resolve, I attempted to stand four times before finally succeeding. Desperate to find my mother, I pushed my way through the frantic crowd. The well seemed to be in the opposite direction of the fleeing masses, but I knew that was where I had to go. The Jallianwala Bagh, spanning approximately six to seven acres, was now drenched in the crimson hue of blood, with no respite from the relentless gunfire. With no other option, I jumped into the well. There were so many people inside that it became impossible to stay afloat, and I had no idea how to swim. Panic set in as more people continued to jump in. I struggled to remain on the surface, but it seemed futile. Slowly, the relentless press of bodies pushed me below the water''s surface. Never in my young life had I imagined that I might meet my end by drowning in a well. That was the last thing I remembered before losing consciousness. I awoke to a buzzing sensation in my head, my head above the water and someone''s body below my feet helping me stay afloat. There was something in my vision that I couldn''t read, yet I somehow understood what it said:
Welcome to the Multiverse
Chapter-2 As soon as i read that message i was transported to dark place. I couldn¡¯t see anything or move my body, but I could think, so hopefully, my brain was still working. All I could see was the message in front of me. Considering my limited education, the fact that I could understand what was written was beyond my comprehension.
System Message Welcome to the Multiverse. Planet-F87321 has been integrated into the System. The planet has been saturated with energy and resources to provide a sufficient challenge to the Original Inhabitants. Eligible Beings will be given a one-time introduction lasting for 1 month; the rest will be transported to safe zones. You have 1 year to claim the planet as your own.
It mentioned an introduction lasting a month, which I understood was 30 days, and something about having a year for our planet. Thinking about the planet was overwhelming, considering I had never traveled outside my town, let alone the whole state. I wondered how long it would take to travel the entire state on foot. It would be faster in those cars the foreigners had¡ªbig metal blocks traveling on the roads. Not that I had any privilege of being anywhere near those. Before I could ponder further, another message appeared.
System Message Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. All children below 16 years of age will be transferred to a safe zone for 1 month. Human qualified. Please choose your safe zone:
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Sea
  • City
I had never seen mountains or the sea in my life, so I knew I would choose one of those. As far as I understood, the sea was basically water for thousands of miles. Considering I didn¡¯t know how to swim, I decided to go with mountains. As soon as I selected it, I felt like I was moving very fast, but considering my lack of senses, I wasn¡¯t really sure. I was back in my body almost immediately and found myself standing in a cave. It wasn¡¯t very large, around 15 feet wide and 30 feet long. At the end, I could see a door with faint light coming from the ceiling. I looked up and saw a lamp-like thing floating in the air, with nothing above or below it to support it. Well, if I could travel instantly from one place to another, a floating light wasn¡¯t that big of a deal. I walked to the cave opening. Sunlight streamed in, indicating it was the next day. I looked down and immediately stepped back, falling on my ass. We were so high above the ground. The highest I had ever been was on a tree or my one-floor house. As soon as I remembered that, the memories of the previous day came flooding back. Tears started flowing, and I was furious with myself for forgetting. I didn¡¯t know what was happening everywhere, but one thing I knew was my family was dead¡ªmy friends, my mother, everyone. And I forgot about them. I punched the cave wall so hard that blood started flowing from my knuckles. The pain was a reminder, and I punched the wall three more times. Both my knuckles were bloody, but I didn¡¯t care. I was beating myself up for forgetting. It must have had something to do with the system. Was it messing with my brain? I no longer knew what to think of the situation. I just sat there, thinking about my family and the hatred I felt for the people who committed the massacre. I vowed to get revenge for them. I didn¡¯t know how or when, but it would happen. After maybe an hour, I stood up. I needed to get to know my new reality. I looked towards the door. It was around 8 feet high and 5 feet wide, with gold designs on the metal and different colored gems embedded in it. Without wasting any more time, I put my hand on the knob and opened the door. Chpater-3 Inside was a room at least 100 meters in length. I couldn''t fathom how such a space could fit inside a mountain. The size of the room was the least shocking thing about it. There were statues of people with long beards, as wide as they were tall. At the center were all the children, from newborns to those around 16 years old. The newborns were being cared for by the same statue-like people, who, despite their short stature of around four feet and long beards, were evidently female, at least judging by their figures. It was strange seeing beards on females. Among the children, there were a few British kids, easily countable on one hand since few officers brought their families to India. They seemed to be around my age. A stage was set up in the middle of the room, with about five or six of these short people standing on it. I guessed we would get more information from them. I started walking towards the center. Most of the kids seemed scared, and they had every reason to be. Being transported to some mountain away from their families with no idea of what was happening would terrify anyone. I, on the other hand, had seen things that made my heart feel as if it were made of stone. I had no one waiting for me. The only direction I could go was forward. As I walked towards the middle of the room, one of the people on the stage stepped forward. He had a beard and hair as black as the sky at night without the moon. Clearing his throat, he began to speak. His voice was so heavy and authoritative, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. Despite the noise of crying and fighting children, everyone stopped to listen. It was as if we couldn¡¯t focus on anything else, bringing a semblance of peace to the chaos. "Welcome, humans. My name is Albadien, and I am the head guide for you children. You will be staying with us while your parents and other adults go through the tutorial. You will be provided with food, a place to rest, and some knowledge about your new reality," he announced. "I know you must have many questions, and we will try to answer everything. First, we are known as Dwarves, one of the species that live in this Multiverse. You will meet many more species in your coming years as your world integrates into the System. At the end of the room, we have placed screens where you can ask all your questions. If there is something that can¡¯t be answered, we will be happy to help you. Now, those with questions, form a line. If you don''t have any questions and want a place to rest, proceed to the right where you can access your resting area. This is a difficult time for your small planet, and we hope to help you as much as we can." With his speech ending, he turned and disappeared through a back door I hadn¡¯t noticed before. Most of the children above 10 years old moved towards the screens Albadien mentioned, while the rest were guided to the resting area. I joined the older children. The screens were about a foot in length and width, placed on podiums with a dwarf standing behind each. There were about 50 screens and approximately 100,000 children in the room. With 70% of them being under 10, that still left 30,000 with questions. We started forming lines. Each child who reached the screen received something that fit in their hands and then moved towards the resting area. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. I stood in line behind a girl who seemed to be around 14 or 15. She appeared lost, staring at the floor. Her black hair, tied in a ponytail, was a common trait among 95% of Indians. She was about five feet tall. I didn¡¯t want to disturb her, considering what everyone had gone through. Behind me were two foreigners. Just my luck. I kept an eye on them, but they maintained their distance. Strangely, I could understand their conversation, even though I didn''t know their language. Most of the other foreigners were in another line, standing together. From their conversation, I gathered they were siblings. Both had brown hair; the boy was almost my height, and the girl was about five feet tall. Given what their people had done to us and my family just a night before, I was about to punch the boy in the face. But before I could, I heard the girl speaking. "What are we going to do now, William? We have no idea where Mom and Dad are. Are they even alive?" "Don''t worry, Em. It''s not like they used to help us before this. Besides, everyone is in the same boat. We will manage as always," William replied. Listening to their helplessness took the anger out of me. Children can''t be blamed for their parents'' crimes. The more I thought about it, the more they seemed out of place. Foreigners never mixed with us. They always acted superior, like the other group standing apart even in the line. Those, I wouldn¡¯t mind punching to the ground. The line moved quickly, and soon it was my turn. The dwarf woman, this one without a beard, handed me something about eight inches long and four inches wide. It was as light as paper and looked like glass with light coming from it. Never in my dreams could I have imagined such a thing. I guess I would have to broaden my mind to what¡¯s possible now. ¡°Your name?¡± she asked. ¡°Krishna Dhingra,¡± I replied. She typed something into the panel in front of her. ¡°You can ask any questions you have about the integration through this device. Just speak, and it will reply. If it can¡¯t answer, come back here and we will help you.¡± ¡°Thank you, ma¡¯am,¡± I said. ¡°You can go to the resting area now. Your room number is in the device, and it can help you find it,¡± she instructed. I nodded and moved towards the door on the right. Most of the younger kids had already gone. I had no idea how a screen could help me find my room, but like I said, anything seems possible now. The door was open, leading to a corridor that ended in a smaller room where people were gathering. Dwarves were guiding everyone. Once about 500 people were in the room, a dwarf would stop everyone, do something on his device, and the room would be enveloped in a blue sheen, suddenly dropping. My mouth hung open in amazement. Before I could think more about it, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around to face the brother-sister duo. ¡°Hi, my name is William. Can you understand me?¡± he asked, speaking slowly to make himself clear. I didn''t want to reply, but acting on prejudice wouldn¡¯t make me any better than those who oppressed us. Taking a deep breath to stay calm, I responded, ¡°Yes.¡± Before he could say more, another room dropped from above, empty. It was our turn to board. This felt like a ride at the circus, just on a grander scale and operated by beings beyond my understanding. This should be fun.