Into Eternity at Midnight’s bell.

In the kingdom of Eternia, where the value of time has often been obscured by the rush of everyday life, the King suddenly rose to proclaim a decree that shook the realm. “Time shall cease to exist,” he announced. His voice thundered through the grand hall, resonating in all the citizens' minds. “When the midnight bell tolls tonight, every citizen will enter eternity in the state they are. Those of noble and pure hearts shall flourish endlessly, becoming better and better; and those of wicked ways shall languish unchanged forever and ever in deep inner anguish, becoming bitter and bitter. Choose your fate wisely! “Never forget – the power to shape your destiny lies within your choices. Yes, choice by choice, you are carving your own destiny.”

The citizens, entangled in a whirlwind of disbelief and uncertainty, scattered to reflect on their lives. Among them was a mischievous young girl named Ezra. Known for her reckless lifestyle, Ezra was the embodiment of chaos and unrighteousness. Yet, the King's words struck a chord deep inside her soul, awakening a fear she'd never felt before. Eternity as herself? As the troublemaker, the egoist, the liar, the thief, the promise-breaker, the unfaithful…?

“No,” she whispered to herself, shaking her head in repugnance as a deep agony increased within her. “No! I refuse to be who I have always been. I cannot live forever like this.” She collapsed on the floor of her room as she cried in despair at the reality of who she was. For the first time, she realised the foulness of her soul, and how unwise and frivolous she has been.

Ezra stood and gazed out her window at the citizens enveloped in a suspenseful atmosphere. For the first time, she saw beyond her own little egocentric life — the worn face of her elderly parents whom she abandoned to seek fame and wealth, the teary-eyed child whose toy she had seized because of the noise it was causing, the exasperated expression of the tailor she owed coins to and the people’s pain to whom she made promises that she broke without remorse. Sharp claws of guilt gripped her heart, and a deep remorse bound her conscience. That was a foreign feeling to the cold-hearted human she was, but she couldn’t ignore that feeling.

With trembling resolve and an ounce of intrusive hope in her heart, Ezra resolved that she would seek the path of transformation and make good use of her time before midnight’s bell. But would she have the time?

Meanwhile, in his sanctuary coated with pure gold and crystal, the King went onto his gilded balcony and scrutinised the upheaval among the citizens. He said to himself, “Time, time, time – a gift that has evidently been neglected until one is running out of time.” Deep down, his heart was saddened, and he wondered, “How many would make it right into eternity?” Casting one last forlorn look at the citizens, he turned away, retreating to the confines of his room. He hoped with all his heart, mind, and soul that this decree would be an impetus to bring others on the right track before time is no longer.

On the other side, with the glimpse of hope about a better version of herself, Ezra got up and ran to her car, saying to herself, “Well Ezra, let us make the best use of the time that we have left.” She first stopped at her parents’ place. She got out of her car with a heavy feeling in her heart and walked hesitantly to the front door. It had been over three long years since she had last reached out to her parents, and the apprehension of their reaction weighed heavily on her heart. Her knuckles touched the door in a hesitant rhythm that echoed her uncertainty. Then, mustering up her courage, she knocked at the door again and again, but only silence greeted her. As she was turning back to go to her car, she heard the door opening behind her. As she turned back, she saw her parents looking warmly at her. With tears in her eyes and sincere regret, she threw herself at their feet and pleaded for their forgiveness. Her parents, filled with compassion at her sincere change of heart, bent and hugged her. They warmly welcomed her in and proceeded to have a moment of communion around a table covered with mouthwatering dishes made with love. The atmosphere was so filled with love, hope and light. It was a simple moment but very peaceful to the soul.

After around 2 hours, Ezra hugged her parents tightly, with gratitude in her heart and left for the baker’s shop. There, the old man looked up in surprise as she entered. “Ezra?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. “Here to cause more trouble?”

“No,” she said softly with a smile depicting her sincere heart and offered him a small bag of coins she never cared to spend responsibly. “I’ve come to make things right.” The baker hesitated but took the bag, nodding with gratitude with an aura of forgiveness. Ezra simled and left with gratitude and peace in her heart. Ezra then hurried to the tailor’s shop, leaving another bag of coins and a heartfelt apology. One by one, she sought to undo the harm she’d caused, her actions fueled by urgency and a growing sense of peace. As she also sought the forgiveness of many, which has been granted to her, she felt a deep sense of peace increasing within her soul. She felt lighter and happier. As she saw a glimpse of happiness on others, she felt satisfied in her soul. She who used to think only about herself, realised that there is more happiness in giving than in receiving.

As the clock neared midnight, Ezra found herself standing on the hill overlooking the city. She had done all she could – returned stolen items, sincerely apologised to those she had wronged, and even mended a few fences, both literally and metaphorically. She took a deep breath and smiled at the new version of her - one who seeks others’ happiness above hers. She closed her eyes, contemplating who she wanted to eternally be – a soul filled with peace, purity, joy, patience and selfless love above all things.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock – a sound that started to resonate loudly in her inner being. It was nearly midnight –the time of culmination. Then suddenly, the bell tolled.

The world froze. Time dissolved like the mist dissipating in the morning sun – it was no more. Ezra felt a comforting sensation as if her very soul was being refined. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for what would come. When she opened them, Eternia had transformed into a place of eternal peace, its citizens frozen in their perfected states. Ezra glanced down at herself and smiled — no longer the mischievous, troubled girl she had been, but the best version of herself. Her heart felt lighter, her mind clearer and her spirit brighter. She could not even try to think of something bad, for she was now in her perfected eternal state. The King suddenly approached her and hugged her as if a father proud of her daughter. He then looked at her, smiled and said, “Welcome to Eternity Ezra ! I am very happy to see you here.”

Though time no longer existed, Ezra knew she had been given something of greater value —a chance to live forever as someone she was satisfied about. And in that timeless realm, she devoted herself to spreading kindness and hope. On the other hand, those who didn’t show repentance upon the King’s decree, were banished away from the Kingdom of Eternia into the Doomed Kingdom, where only deep anguish and torment existed. As the King decreed, those of noble and pure hearts shall flourish endlessly, becoming better and better; and those of wicked ways shall languish unchanged forever and ever in deep inner anguish, becoming bitter and bitter. Well, it was pass-Midnight, there was no more turning back and no second chance – for time existed no more…