The staircase began extending downwards.
One step.
Then another.
Then another.
Until it disappeared into the darkness.
At the bottom, a faint light appeared.
A warm golden light.
And a voice called from below.
"Jude?"
It was his own voice.
But younger.
Much younger.
The voice spoke again.
"Come down. I've been waiting."
The older Jude stepped in front of the staircase.
"No one goes down there."
Jude looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because the person calling you is not the person you think."
"Who is it?"
The older man stared into the darkness.
Then he whispered:
"The first Jude."
A silence fell.
Sophie looked confused.
"First Jude?"
The older man nodded.
"The one who made the promise."
Jude stared at the staircase.
"Then who am I?"
The older Jude looked at him.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he answered.
"You are the one who was created to keep it."
The first Sol suddenly grabbed Jude's hand.
"Don't go down."
Jude looked at him.
"Why?"
