It was 27th June, 2025. Unlike the usual calm, chaos filled the morning court of the Kingdom of River Swat. The aristocracy and subjects of the court were running here and there. Loud whisperings. Confused gazes. The waves splashing. The creatures murmuring. The whole court was in action as if they were waiting for some big decision. They were waiting eagerly for the King to speak, to order something, something very important.

Inside the Court

It was a court never seen before. It was a magnificent place, filled with the sound of gently flowing water (but not gentle today). The walls were made of brightly shining and prettiest gemstones. Hanging from the ceiling were lanterns shaped like lotus flowers. Cold water ran through small channels into the walls and floor, making a soft music as it moved. Tall pillars stood all around, covered with vines and soft green plants.

At the front of the court was a wide platform, and on it stood the Throne of Tides. It looked like a wave frozen in time, made of diamonds and emeralds. It sparkled with tiny blue and silver stones. The throne was cool and wet to the touch, as if the river had blessed it.

Sitting on the throne was the King, dressed in flowing robes that looked like water itself. A crown of silver rested on his head, and his eyes were flashing like thunderclouds about to burst. He sat tall and proud, as the people of the kingdom bowed before him.

The King had ordered all his ministers to appear before him on urgent basis. All the ministers were standing in front of the King, with bowed heads, folded hands, patiently waiting for what the King would say. Finally, after a long silence, the thunderous voice of the King echoed.

He said: “I am informed that some tourists from across the country have gathered at a spot where the tides are low this time. I order to surround them immediately with the fiercest waves possible, and don’t give them any chance to escape.”

When these words came out of the King’s mouth, a deadly silence dropped in the court. The ministers raised their heads, but no one dared to speak. They were shocked by the King’s words. They couldn’t comprehend what the King was up to, what was going on in his mind, and what his plan really was.

One senior minister while shivering with fear asked for permission to speak.

He inquired: “Pardon my boldness, Your Majesty, but may I ask what your plan is?”

The King, in a thundering voice: “Just do as I command, surround them immediately.”

The Senior Minister: “Are you planning to drown them? They are innocent people, who just came to spend some good time with their family.”

The King said angrily: “How dare you question your King’s order. Do as I command. Just surround them and wait for my next order. Today is the Day of Testing, Testing of Many.”

The Floodbearer of the Court was quickly summoned and was ordered to immediately send his army of the flood tides to surround those tourists. He did as he was commanded.

The Trapped Island

They were beautiful families. People from different regions of the country. Women laughing and talking. Men admiring the wonders of Nature. Kids giggling, watching the low tides of the river innocently. Some splashing water on each other. Teenage kids taking selfies. It was a joyous scene to watch.

It was all calm and happy, then suddenly the high tides started coming. It was so sudden, so abrupt, that those innocent people didn’t get a single moment to even think about what they should do. One moment they were taking selfies, and the next second they were all surrounded by loud, splashing, horrific waves. In front of those cruel waves, they became very helpless beings. The most superior of creatures, helpless in seconds!

Horror filled their eyes. The kids quickly started hiding behind their parents’ backs. The little ones held the legs of their mothers. The mothers picked up their little kids. They were traumatised. They were stuck on a little portion of land completely surrounded by water. One man tried to step forward but he soon realised it was too late. The water was too deep and speedy to cross now. They were now at the mercy of their fate.

That little portion of land became like a little island for them and with each passing second, the river surrounded them more and more.

The people started gathering on the shore. It was not the first time something like this was happening in this country. They had seen the same case last year, of some brothers drowning like that, so everyone instantly became worried. Their hearts started beating fast. They started praying for Allah’s mercy. The calm scene suddenly turned into a worst nightmare.

Inside the Kingdom

Now this order of the King was known to all the subjects of the Kingdom of River Swat. Everyone was worried and confused. They murmured silently about what would happen next, guessing the fate of those innocent tourists.

Inside the Court

The King was informed that his command had been carried out successfully. A calm smile appeared on his face. The ministers were confused and terrified, unable to guess what would happen next, waiting for Majesty’s next order.

The King: “How many people are there?”

The Floodbearer: “Eighteen, My Lord.”

The King reaffirmed with a smile: ” That means they are many more than those brothers from before.”

The Floodbearer: “Yes, My Lord.”

The King said: “It will be a treat to watch. Now I will show you all how history repeats itself. How these foolish humans don’t learn from their mistakes. How the poor administration of every single institution of this country fails terribly every single time. How these foolish people don’t learn from previous tragic events and how they risk their lives just for some trivial desire. Just wait and watch.”

The ministers were stunned by his words.

The Minister: “My Lord, if I dare to speak, what do you mean? We are unable to understand. What are you planning to do?”

The King ignored his question and ordered the Floodbearer:

“Now command your army to tighten the circle around them, let the tides begin pulling them toward the river and let the drowning begin.”

Upon hearing, the Judge spoke up: “Your Majesty, this is unjust. This can’t be done. They are innocent people, they have done nothing wrong. Why such a harsh decision? Show some mercy please.”

The King looked at him with a cunning smile but didn’t speak a single word. The court was dismissed and the King sank into some deep thought.

The Trapped Island

There were cries and wailing. The atmosphere vibrated with duas and people asked for God’s mercy. Kids were crying and shouting. Stranded, they looked around in despair, yet their eyes held a flicker of miraculous hope that someone would come to rescue them and end their torment. They were waiting for that nightmare-like reality to end at once.

The Floodbearer came marching with the Army. He commanded the army to minimise the space around them and pull the head of the family into the water. And the next moment, the man was drowned.

Shouting and wailing increased. The deadly game started. The tragic end began, the one everyone feared the most.

The people around had started calling the police, the rescue, and all the relevant departments to come and help those poor innocent people. But unfortunately no one had arrived yet. Time was ticking and ticking.

Inside the Court

The King was impatiently waiting for the Floodbearer to come. Finally, he arrived and a smile appeared on the King’s face. All the ministers were standing there with utmost worry.

The Floodbearer: “My Lord, we have drowned the head of the family.”

A strange smile appeared on the face of the King.

The King: “Well done. Now tell me, what did you see in the eyes of that man when you were about to drown him?”

The Floodbearer: “It was very complicated, My Lord. I was expecting that he would be terrified, trying to save his life. But what I saw left me awestruck. Instead of worrying for himself, it felt like he was begging for mercy for his family’s life. As if he was saying: ‘Please take me, but spare my family.’”

The King: “Ah, humans and their emotions. Where were his caring emotions when he was taking them in the middle of that dangerous spot, where deadly waves could hit any minute, one never knows.”

The Judge, unable to resist, spoke again: “But my King, he was an innocent tourist. He came there for the first time for vacations. How would he know the trajectories of this region and this mighty river?”

The King: “Then blame the authorities for it. Weren’t they aware of this? Of all the risks? Where are those hotel mafias who have built these big hotels on the coffins of these innocent people? Why don’t the weather forecasting departments, disaster management departments and all the respective authorities stop, limit, and warn people beforehand? Why is there so much negligence? Why don’t they act on time?”

The Judge was silent. He was unable to counter what the King said because unfortunately, everything he said was true. It was not the first time such an incident was going to happen. It was a continuous pattern of negligence and carelessness.

Now the King ordered to continue this cycle and start drowning people one by one at intervals.

The King: “Don’t drown them all at once. Give them time. Let’s see who will come to rescue them. Let’s see if this nation still has some humanity left. Let’s see the priorities of their authorities. It’s the Day of Testing and every one of them will be tested, without any discrimination. Nature is just, unlike these humans.”

The Trapped Island

The waves were getting higher and closer. It was a terrifying scene to watch. Some others had also drowned by now.

A rescue team came but with no proper equipments. They were not able to save even one of them and returned back.

The stranded kept looking with crying but hopeful eyes, still hoping some miracle would happen and they would be saved.

A hope arrived, a simple local man with his small rowboat came for rescue. He tried to save some, but the tides were so strong, he couldn’t do anything despite his efforts.

Another drowned. He tried to row his boat again and again but no use. It was impossible. But that brave man at least tried his best.

Inside the Court

The King: “So what’s the update? What’s happening out there?”

The Minister: “It is utmost terror and chaos, My Lord. People are in despair. The stranded are like living corpses now, seeing death in front of them, seeing their loved ones drowning one by one in front of their eyes while waiting for their turn. But one strange thing happened.”

The King: “What is it?”

The Minister: “One local poor man was seen trying to save those people with his small rowboat.”

The King was surprised.

The King: “Who was this chivalrous man? I’m impressed. That means there are still some traces of humanity left in this society. And what about the higher authorities? Those big ministers? What have they been doing? Have any electronic boats or helicopters arrived yet? It’s been three hours now.”

The Minister: “No, My Lord. Nothing from their side.”

Again, a strange smile appeared on his face, as if what he had thought and wanted to prove was happening.

The King looked towards the Judge and said: “See, what had I told you before. Don’t ask me for mercy for these people. They don’t deserve it. If it were some minister’s daughter going shopping, the whole city’s roads would’ve been blocked and fully secured by now. If it were some elite person’s son stranded in a small puddle, there would’ve been five helicopters dangling over his head. If it were some bureaucrat’s nephew about to be hung for rape and murder, he would’ve been escorted from the execution yard right in front of everyone’s eyes. This country deserves no mercy. Let them drown. I have given them enough time.”

He stopped for a moment and asked the Floodbearer:

The King: “What about kids? Have they drowned?”

Whispers started among the ministers. They thought maybe the King would show mercy to the kids and that’s why he was asking specifically.

The King: “Now it’s time to drown them.”

The court fell silent. The Floodbearer also looked into the King’s eyes for the first time after this order. Everyone was shocked that how could the King be this cruel? But no one dared to speak a word.

The King: “And one more thing, drown some kids and let the river carry their bodies to some distant district. Let it be the last nail in the coffin.”

Deadly silence dropped in the court. No one spoke after that.

The Trapped Island

Now just a few were left. Tired and hopeless. No one came to rescue them.

A kid looked towards the sky but didn’t speak. But his silence was louder than anything.

It was clear he was talking to God.

He was asking God that why did this happen to his family? What was their sin? Why this punishment? Why? Why? Why?

Time was ticking.

No one came, but the final tide did.

And it did not spare a soul.

It swept away everything.

Everything!

It was all quiet now. The night fell. Everything was finished.

It was the End.

A society failed, failed again.

All Lost.