The River

Chapter 1: The Beginning Of an End

Time was flowing away like waves and she was sitting there, like an ancient stone by the eternal river of life... dying with each wave passing by. A mute spectator, she was oblivious to everything,even  her own existence but the waves, sparkling, dancing and fluting a song, so sweet, so sad and lonely, as the melody of a siren was calling to her soul. There was nowhere to go... nothing to see for she had arrived here at the end of the river and now there was only one thing ...to wait for the final darkness to fall upon her being. Then she would be immersed in the darkness liberated from the treacherous light, music and ripples of the waves…emancipated from the pain the river has been giving to her... unshackled from its enchanting lullaby.

A shadow was lurking behind this miserable soul, watching for a long time and waiting for her departure. 'Many places are there for the loonies like that to loiter around…why doesn't this creature do what it has to do. Jump in the river for Christ's sake if you have nothing to do or nowhere to go! Can he take the risk and help her in realizing her dream ...should he? One way or another, otherwise this dumb lady is going to ruin everything...it's getting too late now.'

“Hey! What's up? What are you doing here lady? Fishing in the dark? Is no-one accompanying you? “
The man crawled nearer to her in a menacing way. Startled, she looked up to the person who plucked her away from the murmuring of waves. A looming darkness with the shadow of this stranger and a faint sense of evil made her move closer to the river instinctively.
“Nothing…just reflecting by the river…Not fishing really…” She whispered gently, grabbing a stone for support...just in case.
“It’s about time really, I should leave now…” She excused herself, ready to flee.
“Yeah. Sure it is.” He was inching closer now. “Watch yourself! You could have slipped and drowned yourself!”
Terror gripped her heart and she stood there, immobile like a dead fish on the stones.
“Too many people come here for a suicide mission these days. This place seems quite in vogue.” He mocked with a whistle. One inch closer and she would dive in the river…away from all troubles…
As if he read her thoughts and leapt to catch her in time. “What the hell!! You are really a freak!” Thrashing her over the stones he fumed with hatred. Suddenly she realized the danger of being alive, the anguish it was about to lash on herself again. This brief contact was enough to flare up his desire but he was not quite in the mood for having a little fun at this time, certainly not at this place, too risky.
“Sweetheart, you took a really long time to make a decision and look, now you have no authority…no choice in fact.” With a twisted, cruel smile he began to tie her hands and legs with a nylon rope. Stricken with fear she was not able to make a sound even. Everything was like a déjà vu, a nightmare she couldn't wake up from. “Just sit here as long as you wish. I’m willing to give you company all night long.”
Within a short distance from her bruised body the stream was roaring up in rage...her blood was dripping down...flowing towards the river...as she was trembling with cold and fear. Night spread its wings over all things and within a few moments all she could see was the darkness,which was far from comforting now. The song of the river was chilling to the bones while the cold air was piercing her limbs. Desire of death died inside her as now the death itself marched towards her. ‘I do not want to die yet. Not here... Not like this. Not by the hands of this animal!’

A huge splash drenched her as that man pushed down a big sack from the boulder hanging above her head. Shivering beyond her control now, she could hear his footsteps coming closer. As if suddenly electrocuted, she jolted away from her approaching assailant and rolled towards the river with all her strength before that hunter could reach her. Soon she rolled over the jagged stones scattered at the banks of the stream. Her body bruised and bloody but her mind was relaxed as the waves caressed her wounds. Sharp edges of the stones cut her skin as she used them to cut the rope quickly. After which she turned towards the river and took a skilled plunge, wavering like a mermaid which she was in fact. As soon as her frame hit the cold water it shapeshifted, changing to one of that mythical creature. Her red glowing eyes glared at him, her fangs bared in threat, before she posed an enchanting dive, following the stream and disappearing from his sight. He stood there in fright, crestfallen by this unforeseen change of the event as that creature evaded him. One meeting with that cursed gaze was enough to rob him of his sanity for a lifetime. The humming river mocked the hunter for he was fooled by a half dead fish. And yet he was quite fortunate as he could have lost his life…

To be continued…

Your Nation: Solace

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History Of Solace
The country of Solace first came to existence around 3500 years back when Sanat ethnicity
people decided to settle down in the vast unmarked green lands of down south, full of forest
and wild lives not far away from the shores of the deep blue
Panna Ocean.
Topography:- Diverse geographic features, Most States contain large coastal areas,  45% plains, 20% of mountain terrain with dense forests.
Presence of an annual river Sarsa originating at glaciers at Himadri mountains, and a small desert area in Northern State.

Government Type:- Democratic Republic with Meritocratic Technocracy The Government is run by People's representatives which are elected
through voting by the adult population (18+ year)holding minimum required scores in IQ Assessment
and quantifiable Emotional intelligence Assessment.

The Basic Structure of the The Government
Federal State
Constitution

Legislative: Solace House of State Representatives
Executive: Council Head, Council of Ministers
Judicial: Supreme Court, State Courts

Important Ministries-
The Ministry of Home Affairs
The Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Finance
The Ministry of Health and Welfare
The Ministry of Science and Technology
The Ministry of External Affairs
The Ministry of Commerce and Business
The Ministry of Law and Justice
The Ministry of Agriculture
The Ministry of Infrastructure
The Ministry of Natural Resources
The Ministry of Crisis & Disaster Management

Population:-:- 45 million

Male: 52 %

Female: 47.99 %
Intersex: 0.01%

Capital City:- Azure (3.5 million )
Number of States: 7. (Saras, Azure, Varuni, Panna, Vid and Shakem)

Demonym:- Sanat

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Mixed Economy

Currency:- Suwarna

1 Suwarna = 2.1 USD

GDP:- 1.9 Trillion USD

GDP per Capita:- In USD- 422222.22
 USD

GDP Growth Rate:- 1.5%


Main Industries:- Biotechnology industry, Pharmaceutical industry, Defence technology, Shipping industry, International ports, Agricultural Industry, Textile Industry, Microchip manufacturing, IT industry.
Main Corps and Commodities-Spices,Silk, Rice, Wheat,Sugar, Edible Oils,Cotton.

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Ethnicity:-Sanat

Languages:-Sanat, English

Religions:-No State Religion, 60 % Atheist, 10% Buddhists, 20% Sanatani, 2.5% Christians, 1.5% Muslims, 4% Agnostic, 2% Others

Average Life Expectancy:- 82 years (Male: 80 years- Females: 84 years)

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Head of State:- President, Adwiti Raj
Head of Government:- Prime Minister, Head of Council, Manek Mitres
Name of Legislative Body:- Solace House of Representatives. (70 House Representatives, Ten HR chosen from each state.)
Opposition Leader:- Shakat Vetta
Speaker:- Guna Sutta
Important Ministries-
The Ministry of Home Affairs: Dumil Porva
The Ministry of Defence: Shant Raj
The Ministry of Education: Bhumi Shilpi
The Ministry of Finance: Lax Varuni
The Ministry of Health and Welfare: Shakra Shalya
The Ministry of Science and Technology: Manas Asudh
The Ministry of External Affairs: Vikat Treya
The Ministry of Commerce and Business: Rubine Sanat
The Ministry of Law and Justice: Selene D'souza
The Ministry of Agriculture: Umid Daj
The Ministry of Infrastructure: Anand Mahamatya
The Ministry of Natural Resources: Kuber Kshtrap
The Ministry of Crisis & Disaster Management: Jubir Mistry
Judicial Structure
Supreme Court:-
Chief Justice of Solace- Yamaj Vetta
Trinity Council of Judges:- Wir Drishty, Alak Suwarna, Conie Rodriguez
State Courts:- Each States having High Courts- Judges (4), District Courts- Judges (6)
Solace Armed Forces:-
Ranks: Army, Navy,Air Force
Supreme Commander: President Adwiti Raj
Chief Of Defence: General Himadri Raj
Chief Of Army Staff: General Mars Chez
Chief Of Naval Staff: Admiral Utkal Saras
Chief Of Air Staff: Air Chief Marshal Akash Mitres
Headquarters: Azure, Solace
Budget: 44 billion USD
Active Personnel: 0.5 million
Military Age: 18 years
National Service: Mandatory, 2 years