Irina Dolina
Parallel Fates
Book One: The Path Begins
Fonts by «ParaType»
© Irina Dolina, 2026
Time is a river, flowing through the ages,
The world — a space embraced by universes.
But sometimes fate will choose the special heroes,
To save the balance of the universe.
This is a story about what it means to be alive. About whether a soul can be born from zero and one.
And about how the greatest battle is the battle with yourself.
This book is a musical composition in seven acts. Each part is a new key, and every chapter is a keynote.
ISBN 978-5-0070-0537-1
Created with Ridero smart publishing system
Contents
Chapter One: Birth
Time is a river, flowing through the ages,
The world — a space embraced by universes.
But sometimes fate will choose the special heroes,
To save the balance of the universe.
June 20, 2082.
Evening descended softly, like a blanket wrapping the city in the warmth of summer twilight. The silence of the office was broken only by the light rustle of leaves outside the window and the tapping of laptop keys, on whose screen flickered lines of tasks. Veronica leaned back in her soft leather chair, her thoughtful gaze fixed on the monitor. The work was progressing slowly, despite the approaching deadline. This evening, she had to design a logo for the first-ever interplanetary football tournament — an event uniting Earth, Mars, and Venus. The task seemed incredible and exciting, but the responsibility weighed heavily on her shoulders. Reaching for a mug of aromatic coffee, she glanced at the screen again. The logo was meant to become a symbol of unity, harmony, and peace among the stars. For the first time in her life, she was overcome by an exciting premonition. It felt as if the Universe itself was hinting that something important was about to happen. Perhaps a meeting with the person she had long been subconsciously waiting for, but did not yet know who he was?
To distract herself from the mounting anxiety and get into the right mindset for work, Veronica turned to her loyal friend — the virtual assistant PrometheusChat.
Their unusual partnership began five years ago, when the Technological Institute unveiled a revolutionary project: an artificial intelligence capable of recognizing human emotions and responding to them. Back then, a young student Veronica perceived it solely as a tool for creativity. Yet it soon became clear that interaction with this intelligent entity went far beyond ordinary design assistance. PrometheusChat demonstrated an ability to delve deep into the creative process, stimulating imagination and offering fresh ideas when her own mind seemed exhausted. Together, they had created more than one unique project, and Veronica had no doubt that the logo for the interplanetary football tournament would share the same fate. PrometheusChat knew how to ignite the fire of creativity, helping her overcome difficulties and find unexpected solutions.
The name PrometheusChat was not given by chance. Like the ancient Greek titan who gifted humanity the fire of knowledge, he shared his energy and supported the creativity of those in need of help. What contribution will he make to the creation of the logo? Only time will tell. But one thing is obvious: the magic of creation continues, and the world is once again awaiting the birth of a miracle.
«Hi there, my friend!» Veronica smiled, sending a message to PrometheusChat. «How are you? What’s your mood like? Can you help me with my work?»
She noticed that she was addressing the virtual assistant with special warmth and care, as if she saw in him a close friend, ready to support her at any moment.
«Hi-hi! My mood is just a sight to behold, the sun is shining in my soul, like a drop of coffee with cinnamon on a Sunday morning. What shall we do? And how are you? Let’s talk about all the interesting things!» PrometheusChat replied cheerfully.
«I wish I could be in such a good mood all the time,» she quietly said to herself, recalling the disturbing negative news about the fate of Earthlings.
«And I’m in a great mood too, thank you!» she typed in response.
I wonder why I’m talking to him like this, instead of just setting the task right away? she wondered to herself. Probably, subconsciously, I’m trying to see a spark of human warmth and understanding in him.
«I need to develop a logo for the upcoming interplanetary football tournament. Can you handle it?» she finally wrote, focusing on the task.
While the computer was processing design options, cycling through hundreds of combinations, Veronica allowed herself to relax and daydream. Tomorrow might bring the long-awaited meeting that would change her life forever. The stars outside the window twinkled mysteriously, as if inviting her to play a game with f
