Eighty years before The Matriarch Matrix, the ancestors of Alexander Murometz and Rachel Capsali already are respectively searching for the legendary black object and the cavern of the blue light. This prequel is currently being researched and written. Set in the Russian civil war era, multiple written and media sources have been reviewed to create the world of Zoran Murometz, son of a Kurdish immigrant to Russia, and Oksana Mangupli, a Crimean Krymchak. As well, rare, obscure documents on the fairly unknown Alexander Barchenko have been accessed to re-create his chase of the occult in the Kola Peninsula and the Crimea.
This prequel will be a novella, much shorter than the next two full length novels. Like The Matriarch Matrix and The Matriarch Messiah, this prequel uses whatever genre is needed to portray the storyline at hand: Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, Supernatural, Occult, Speculative Fiction, Ancient Legends, Mysticism, Telepathy, Character Archetypes
Unlike the other two books which use multiple interweaving plotlines across different timelines, this prequel focuses on Oksana’s journey in a single timeline and plot. Hence, the storyline line can fit in a novella format.
Here’s a synopsis of the story so far (50% of the envisioned book):
Oksana Mangupli, a young Krymchak woman living in Yalta, Crimea in 1913, is called upon by her dying grandmother, Alime, to embark on a secret mission. Led by a cryptic message to seek the “blue light,” Oksana accompanies Alime deep into a hidden cavern in the Balaclava Valley. There, they encounter a mysterious elder woman named Asherah, who speaks of destiny and a lost daughter who needs to return. Although too young to fully comprehend the situation, Oksana is entrusted with carrying on the ancient matriarchal lore passed down through generations of women in her family.
Five years later, with the shadow of World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution looming over Russia, Oksana finds herself caught in a web of political intrigue and ancient mysteries. As the Bolsheviks seize control of Crimea, Oksana’s family faces poverty and persecution. While seeking work at the Diulber Palace, the former summer residence of Tsar Nicholas II, she encounters the exiled Grand Duke Nikolas Nikolaevich Romanov and his wife, Grand Duchess Anastasia.
Intrigued by Oksana’s intelligence and her knowledge of ancient legends, particularly those involving the mythical kingdom of Agarttha, the Grand Duke offers her a unique opportunity. He introduces her to Professor Zoran Murometz, a controversial scholar obsessed with locating a powerful “black object” said to be hidden somewhere in the vast expanse of the former Chagatai Khanate. Murometz, a man of immense stature and intimidating presence, believes Oksana holds the key to unlocking the secrets of this object and enlists her help in deciphering ancient texts housed in the palace basement.
The Grand Duchess Anastasia “Stana”, sympathetic to Oksana’s plight, takes her under her wing, offering guidance and protection. She reveals her own connection to the ancient lore of the “blue light,” sharing a secret parchment passed down through generations of Romanov women. This parchment speaks of two returning women of purity and a battle to the death, further deepening the mysteries surrounding Oksana’s destiny.
Caught between the agendas of the exiled Romanovs seeking to regain power and the enigmatic Murometz, driven by his obsessive pursuit of the black object, Oksana navigates a treacherous landscape. Her burgeoning abilities, possibly triggered by her encounter with Asherah, draw the attention of both the Grand Duchess, who sees her as a potential granddaughter figure, and Murometz, who recognizes her as a crucial genetic link to the ancient lineage that holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the black object.
As Oksana delves deeper into the ancient texts, she begins to understand her connection to the mysterious blue light and the role she must play in a conflict that spans millennia. Amidst the political upheaval and the escalating threat of the Bolsheviks, Oksana grapples with her growing feelings for Mirko Colombo, a soldier assigned to her protection by the Grand Duke. Their relationship is complicated by the weight of their respective missions and the dangerous secrets they both carry.
As the situation in Crimea deteriorates, forcing the Romanovs to flee Russia, Oksana must choose between escaping with the Grand Duchess or embracing a new destiny in Moscow with Mirko and Murometz. Torn between love, duty, and the pursuit of ancient mysteries, Oksana embarks on a perilous journey north, where she must confront giants, unravel the secrets of the black object, and ultimately fulfill her destiny as the woman of the blue light.
The journey to Murmansk aboard a Cheka-controlled train further complicates matters. The reappearance of Mirko, now a Major in the Red Army but whose real sponsor remains a question, rekindles Oksana’s suppressed passions. During a harrowing night, when Mirko is tormented by vivid nightmares stemming from the genetic legacy they both share, Oksana confronts him. Fueled by a longing that spans years, she bravely steps into the role outlined by Stana’s explicit instructions.
In their passionate union, Oksana and Mirko unlock hidden memories encoded within their genes, catching glimpses of their ancient counterparts, Nanshe and Orzu, fleeing from terrifying giants. These glimpses deepen the mystery surrounding the black object and foreshadow the perilous journey that awaits them in the frozen north.
This enthralling tale combines the elements of historical fiction, mystery, and supernatural suspense, creating a captivating narrative that blends ancient lore with modern political intrigue. The author masterfully weaves together the complexities of love, duty, and the extraordinary powers that lie within the human spirit. Oksana’s journey is a powerful reminder that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the choice to embrace destiny, love, and true freedom lies within us all.
