The Jump begins with The Cliff Edge.

On the planet Korai Uji, on the island of Uji, The Jump is The Mainland settlement’s coming-of-age celebration. Upon turning fifteen cycles, The Government calls every Korainian to City Korai to undergo the process of Adulthood Initiation and Inauguration. The process begins with The Jump from The Cliff Edge and continues at The Orientation Centre.

In cycle 267AL, the third-cycle of Day 76 borns gather in white, high-neck, sleeveless swimwear, dressed identically. They stand shoulder to shoulder at the edge of adulthood. Some are giddy. Some are fearless.

Then they leap.

One by one, then all at once, they disappear over the edge and into the sea below. It lasts only a moment, but it is a moment every Korainian remembers for the rest of the 88 cycles of their life. For many Korainians, The Jump is thrilling. However, Nykia Nykia does not meet the moment as easily as her age mates seem to.