The journey to Jerusalem was long, stretched over parched lands, towering cliffs, dense forests, and cursed valleys. It had been weeks since Rayyan, Nael, and their small caravan set out on foot, carrying with them the body of their mother, wrapped in sacred cloth. Her face remained hidden, but Rayyan had not stopped whispering prayers at night, hoping she would find peace beyond this world.
Nael, now a young jinn in his early teens, walked with curiosity and fear. The world outside their hidden village in the East was overwhelming. They passed through cities built atop ruins of ancient empires—places where humans, jinn, and even other celestial beings once clashed and coexisted.
One evening, as the stars shone and fires danced in the desert wind, they encountered a group of traveling scholars from the West. Among them was a prophet of the old path, a messenger who once served under the covenant of Prophet Musa (Moses). He recognized the aura around Rayyan and Nael. The prophet bowed and said, "Children of fire and spirit, your time has come. A new kingdom rises in Jerusalem, not of men alone, but of command and order—where beasts of the unseen are trained and truth is the first law."
"Who is this king?" Rayyan asked.
"A prophet," the old one replied, "unlike any before. Solomon, son of David, has inherited power not even the angels dared to touch."
Before they departed, the prophet placed his hand on Nael's head. "Control your light, child. Or it will burn more than it will protect."
—
Days passed.
And at last, the golden city appeared across the horizon. Jerusalem.
Not a simple city—but a convergence of dimensions. Towers made of stone and divine metals stretched into the clouds. Gates inscribed with celestial runes opened and closed on their own. Flying creatures patrolled the skies. The smell of incense, fire, and prayer lingered everywhere.
Rayyan looked around. "This isn't a human city. It's something else."
They were brought to the outer sanctum—The Court of Scrolls—where students of every kind studied divine law, magic, and wisdom. Among them were angel-blooded humans, fire-born jinn, and even ancient treefolk.
Nael was sent to the University of Prophetic Sciences, where he was placed under the mentorship of Master Baqi, an old blind jinn who could "see" through the past and future. Baqi warned him:
> "You're not here to learn power. You are here to learn control."
Rayyan, on the other hand, stood before the great palace of Solomon. Built by the prayers of angels, its walls shimmered like water, its columns held by wind, and at the center—stood the Throne of the Seal.
When Rayyan entered the court, Solomon was already waiting.
"You are the son of the one who fell," said the king calmly.
Rayyan lowered his head.
"I am his son… but I do not follow him. He was once light. That light burned out. I carry what's left of it, but not its path."
King Solomon rose. "Good. Because I do not judge by blood. I judge by truth. You are welcome in my kingdom. But know this—there is a storm building. Old gods, long banished, now test the borders of reality."
He took off his ring—the Seal of Command—and recited a verse. A light dome formed around Rayyan and Nael's caravan. "The Shield of Dawud (David). No curse shall enter while it stands."
Rayyan fell to one knee. "Thank you, my king."
"You are not kneeling to me," Solomon said, "You are kneeling to your purpose."
—
Later that night, Nael sat with other students in the courtyard of the university. He made two friends—Lavi, a half-angel who could manipulate metal, and Sufyan, a human orphan who could talk to animals. But he also made an enemy—a silent girl named Maia, who always stared at him as if she knew something about his bloodline.
Rayyan, meanwhile, was summoned to meet the secret council of the king—where jinn, humans, and even beings of starlight discussed growing threats. A kingdom in the North had vanished overnight. Beasts from the East whispered in ancient tongues. Temples were opening where no temples should exist.
And at the end of the meeting, Solomon looked at Rayyan and asked:
"Tell me, child of the fallen… why do you think the Almighty chose a human—me—to carry this divine ring?"
Rayyan answered with honesty.
"Because you are a reminder… that not all creations need to fall."
Solomon nodded. "Then serve me. Help me stop what's coming. The laws are being broken. Mortals gain what only the unseen should wield. A reckoning is near."
Rayyan bowed.
And the Arc of Solomon had truly begun.
[End of Chapter 27]