28. Jury

After the tumultuous journey on the teleportation bus, the scenery shifted once again into a serene new world. Inside the bus, the atmosphere had softened, and as the vehicle glided along, a quiet moment of respite allowed its passengers to savour the journey's small delights.

Sambh took the ice cream from his hand with a grateful smile, and a single word escaped his lips.

"Thank you."

The simple act carried a warmth that belied the surreal surroundings. He bit into the creamy treat, its cold sweetness a welcome contrast to the bus's interior. As he savoured the flavour, he glanced out the window.

The cold wind had begun to filter in, carrying with it glimpses of an extraordinary aquatic scene: beautiful fish leapt in and out of view, while graceful seahorses drifted amidst shimmering beams of light.

"Can I touch the water here?" Sambh asked softly, his voice tinged with wonder as he extended a hand toward the glass.

A burst of laughter and friendly teasing arose from his companions. One of them, seated a few rows ahead, pushed the window open slightly and quipped.

"Do you even need to ask that? Everyone who arrives here acts in this delightfully odd way at first."

Their mirth was contagious, and the light-hearted banter filled the cabin with an unexpected sense of camaraderie.

With a quiet chuckle, Sambh took his hand out to gently touch the cold water, his skin tingling as the chill met his fingertips. For a few moments, he closed his eyes, savoring the sensation and the fleeting beauty of the view outside.

Almost as if in response to his quiet reverie, the scene beyond the window transformed. The world outside shifted, and soon the bus hovered before a city dominated by a stunning building adorned with meticulously pruned flowers and lush, vibrant trees.

There was nothing else around—only the magnificent structure and, in the distance, peacocks dancing amid the blooms as if celebrating the arrival of a new day.

Suddenly, a clear, resonant voice rang out:

"CONGRATULATIONS!"

The announcement was immediately followed by another, "You have reached your destination, dear soldiers."

At that moment, the secure belts that had held the passengers in place smoothly released, and the seats unfolded in a synchronized motion. A cheery voice then added, "Have a great day," as if blessing the new phase of their journey.

The passengers disembarked from the bus, and as the glowing portals that had carried them vanished into thin air, a nearby soldier addressed them, "This is the Jury."

"Every culprit, criminal, and new arrival must proceed through authentication here." The air was thick with anticipation as they made their way toward the entrance of the building.

At the threshold, Sambh noticed two curious figures—a pair of creatures that looked like raccoons with turtle-like features, each no taller than half his height.

One of the soldiers produced a badge, and with a nod from the gatekeepers, they were granted permission to enter. A chorus of welcoming voices greeted them.

 "Welcome back to the Golden City."

As Sambh stepped into the grand atrium, his eyes were immediately drawn upward. On a balcony loomed a colossal statue of a Neanderthal, chiseled with remarkable detail.

One of the soldiers remarked solemnly, "He was from the Stone Age—he protected all human beings from the predators of his time, when time travellers first began to appear."

The historical weight of the monument seemed to echo the extraordinary legacy of their own journey.

Guided by the soldiers, they ascended a sweeping staircase until they reached the first floor. In a spacious, softly lit room, a lone robot sat patiently at a console. As Sambh approached, the robot's mechanical voice resonated through the chamber, "Please tell me your name."

Without hesitation, Sambh replied simply, "Sambh."

The robot's eyes flickered as it processed the response. "You must now pass through several trials and a verification process as a time traveller," it instructed.

Its tone, though monotone, carried an air of gravitas that made the gravity of his mission unmistakable.

Turning to the assembled soldiers, the robot continued, "Our duty here is complete. We will now depart. I will take it from here."

One of the soldiers stepped forward and interjected, "He has been instructed to proceed to the palace for registration. I hope you won't mind sending him back to the palace after this process."

With that, the soldier handed Sambh a written document and began to walk down the staircase.

Sambh clutched the paper in one hand as he paused, his mind racing with questions. "Trials?" he murmured under his breath. "What sort of trials must I face, and what do they even mean for me?"

Before he could voice his thoughts, a soft conversation broke out between two other travellers who had witnessed the proceedings. "Every new arrival goes through a rigorous process," one whispered. "It's how they determine if you're truly meant for this time."

A second replied with a chuckle, "I remember my first trial—my heart nearly stopped when the system asked for my 'temporal signature.' It's as if the past and future conspire in one moment."

Their conversation only deepened Sambh's sense of unease, as the weight of his journey pressed upon him.

The sterile hum of the building mingled with his rising apprehension as he stepped into a long, dim corridor lined with intricate mosaics that depicted scenes of time and evolution.

Every step he took echoed with the promise of transformation—and danger. Just as he reached the end of the corridor, a door creaked open ahead, and a sudden burst of static filled the air from a nearby speaker.

"Trial One will commence shortly."

The intercom announced in a strained voice, one that seemed to reverberate off the walls of the ancient structure. Sambh's heart pounded as he glanced back at the written paper in his hand.

The document, scrawled in precise, unfamiliar script, hinted at challenges that lay far beyond mere bureaucracy.

A low, almost imperceptible hum began to vibrate in the floor beneath him, and the room seemed to pulse with energy.

"Are you ready, Sambh?" the robot's voice echoed once more from behind him. Its tone was now imbued with an unsettling urgency that made his skin prickle.

As he took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart, the corridor darkened momentarily, and a chill swept through the passage. Sambh could feel the weight of unseen eyes watching him, and a question burned at the back of his mind.