Fire - Betrayal

by Amelia Grace

  In the distance, I could hear the sound of falling water, and the air temperature became much cooler as we came nearer to the sound. Then the thick green rainforest suddenly opened up, revealing a breathtaking and imposing waterfall, its water cascading rapidly and with a deadly destruction, carving its niche through the rocks and boulders that lay beneath the fateful cliff above. The water blasting against the bottom of the catchment was deafening, empowering and yet making one feel insignificant at the same time.

  Ben put his arms around me and brought me close to his side, as if protecting me. Together, we stood watching the enormous volumes of never-ending water come crashing down to start its journey towards its destiny, the vast deep sea, beyond their teal lake. Water, which was the sustenance to all life, water that could save and bring life, or destroy it.

  I looked up into Ben’s eyes. He was in a deep and serious mood.

  He looked down into my eyes with desire for me, he did not speak, but everything that he felt, I could see in his eyes and on his face. My body was overcome with passion for him as I looked deeply into his eyes. He slowly brought his hand up to my face, and touched my lips lightly with his fingers. I felt my body tremble with anticipation. Then his lips touched mine delicately. His lingering kiss was almost unbearable for me. I moved my hand to his hair and pulled his lips harder to mine, moaning at the pleasure that I felt. He released our kiss, but then came again kissing me urgently, breathing heavily. We should have been married by now. We both were becoming extremely frustrated with having to restrain our deep feelings.

  He pulled away, and walked away a little, putting some distance between us. He turned and looked into my eyes again, and then closed his eyes, breathing deeply.

  I walked over to him, and put my arms around him.

  “I love you….forever. Never will I love anyone as much as I love you Ben. If you die, you will take part of my heart with you. The part that belongs to only you, that no other man can ever claim.”

  “Cate,” Ben whispered as a tear fell from his eye at the declaration of my deep love for him. “Cate, if we are ever separated again, in life or death, I will not be able to love another as I love you. I know deep within me that I will never feel this way about another soul as long as I live. My love for you is so deep that I cannot put words to it, I can only feel it, and my body continually aches for you.” Ben looked down and found my hand and placed it on his beating heart. “My heart only beats for you. You and I must be one, or I will suffer for eternity.”

  I lightly brushed my hand up his chest and around to the back of his neck and pulled his lips gently to mine. We kissed slowly, and with such a depth of feeling that the forest went silent in awe of our immense love for each other.

  We released our kiss, but continued to look into each other’s eyes in silence, until our breathing returned to normal. Then we continued on in the journey of the world of Une Autre Terre, with what seemed to be a stream of butterflies following us, bathing in the love that emanated from within us.

  Ben led me to the Une Autre Terrean Magnificent Tree. It was super massive. It was the original Magnificent Tree planted by their Maker. It stood, domineering over all of the plants and trees, its beauty glorious making every other plant in Une Autre Terre look plain and unadorned. It’s very presence was daunting, as was that of the waterfall, my human frailty exposed.

  Again, Ben watched me take in the wonder of the tree, and then I saw him breath in deeply, praising his Maker with every ounce of his being.

  I marveled at the utter peacefulness that shone out of him like a light in the darkness. Une Autre Terre was not just another parallel world, it was a sacred place. I felt honoured and privileged to bear witness to this awe inspiring world, and the Terreans that lived here. It must be protected from invasion. And I vowed I would protect Une Autre Terre with every bone in my body, every ounce of blood and every breath of the air that I breathed.

  We left The Magnificent Tree, and walked the path back past the powerful waterfall, and through the enchanting rainforest. Twilight was now upon the parallel world, and it was time to share in a meal with each other, giving thanks before we ate.

  As we sat to eat, I realized that the Terreans were indeed a highly intelligent race of humans. Yet, in some ways they chose to live primitively, compared to the Earth humans. At every meal they sat together and shared in the food, each taking part in the event, serving each other. They took time with the children, guiding them and teaching them right from wrong. No Terrean ever put their needs first, always thinking of others needs ahead of their own.

  There was no burning of fossil fuels, instead, they had devised a very efficient and spectacular way to capture and store solar energy. There were no televisions or radios. Instead, they gained knowledge and entertainment from others, from books, or from 3d holographic projections generated by their creative minds. Many, but not all had the gift of music, playing many instruments, composing and expressing their souls in a deep, meaningful and fun way.

  Children learned from their parents and their elders, and learned through what looked like play, but in fact were cleverly planned, designed and implemented activities to keep the children’s minds engaged and challenged keyed to their individual needs.

  There was no tolerance for selfishness, self- importance or vanity. Yet, every Terrean exuded happiness, peacefulness and concern for their fellow Terrean.

  I had seen all of this in Grandy’s memories, but now that I was here in person, I was affected a thousand fold. I knew that when I returned to the Earth, I would only see the misery and suffering, the selfishness and the hate, and the destruction of the Maker’s gifts of life and of the plant and animal kingdom.

  The conversation between the people as they ate their meal together was uplifting, and heart-warming. I felt like I had finally come home, after a very long and difficult journey on the Earth. Ben did not speak during this time, instead he chose to sit and listen to the voices of the others. Usually meal times were a silent affair with everyone mind communicating, but for my sake, the Terreans spoke aloud, so that I could be included in the conversations. My face spoke volumes about the respect and affections that I felt for the people of the parallel world, and the Terreans received me with love.

  Once the meal was complete, everyone left Endroit Des Repas, and walked to their homes – a pod suspended in the waters of the sea.

  Ben was leading me to his pod, when he suddenly brought his hand to his head, a pained expression on his face.

  “Ben, what is it?” I asked concerned for Ben.

  “It’s just a small pain in my head. I’ve had it before. It will go away, I’m okay,” Ben said. Then he breathed out audibly.

  “You will need to stay with your Grandy and Poppy. Love that has not be sealed, or married cannot cohabit in a pod together. It is against The Rule.”

  Ben led me to Grandy’s pod. Then brought his lips to mine and kissed me gently, and held me in his arms and whispered good night.

  We parted ways. I settled in Grandy’s pod, and Ben returned to his pod, alone.

  ***

  I had just sat down and was rubbing my head where I had felt the pain, when there was knock at the door of the pod. I opened it to find James standing there.

  Concerned, I invited James in, and we sat on a comfortable sofa, facing each other.

  “James, your visit is unexpected, especially at this hour. What is it that brings you here may I ask?“ I enquired.

  “Ben, I have come here to offer my support to you. I was nearby when you were walking with Cate to your pod. I witnessed the reprimand sent to you via mind communication, and saw the pained expression on your face. You do know that your love with Cate is forbidden in Une Autre Terre. They will never allow it to be sealed, no matter how strong the bond between you is. They will to continue to throw poison arrows at your relationship until your love bond is broken, figuratively speaking that is,” James explained with sympathy.

  I listened intently
to James, reading his non-verbal language and his mind as well.

  “James, how did you survive the attack on your love for Katie?“

  “As she was growing up in the five years that she was with us, I knew that I was falling in love with her. It was a feeling and a connection that I had not felt with any of the Terrean girls. The moment she kissed me right before she left the portal to return to the Earth, I realized that there would be no one else for me. The Terreans, bless their hearts, sensed my feelings of loss, and tried in vain to find someone to console my heart. But the only cure for my broken heart was Katie. After many years of deliberating, discussion and pleading, they finally let me leave the portal to go to the Earth, where I found Katie by sheer luck. It was night time during a fierce snow storm, and Katie was in her house with a man called Thomas, who was about to ask her to marry him. When Katie answered the door, and I was standing there, our two souls were pulled together, we could not be apart. Poor Thomas, and I do still feel for him, was devastated, and left the house early in the morning once he could get his car started. That morning, in front of the warm fire, Katie and I became one, our love was sealed, and we created a baby that very first time. When I learned of the ways of the Earth humans, I asked Katie to marry me, and we lived in bliss, until I became terminally ill. The only way for me to live was to return to Une Autre Terre, and Katie brought me here, putting my needs before hers. She was thanked for returning me to my home land, but was most unwelcome to stay. The Council of Elders decided that the only way that she could stay was to prove her love and loyalty to me and Une Autre Terre by following their rules, which she did, and eventually that is where you came into the picture as The Messenger. Now Katie is accepted as one of our own. But the journey was long and hard Ben. Only love of the purest form can survive the journey,” James explained.

  I looked at James, understanding the hardships that they had been through. All that I wanted was for my love with Cate to be sealed, forever. And if the journey was going to be difficult, I would endure it and defeat The Rule. I was absolutely certain of that. There was no-one for me but Cate.

  I woke the next morning with a heavy heart. I loved being in my homeland, but I could not stay if my love with Cate was forbidden. I had been loyal to Une AUtre Terre and had delivered The Magnificent Tree opal eggs back to safety. So now, I must leave with Cate. I looked out of the large 360 degree view windows of the underwater pod, at the amazing sea life swimming around, and then skipped up the spiral steps and out onto the jetty to return to the land.

  Cate was standing on the beach, looking out over the teal coloured calm water. Emotionally, she was in a very happy place.

  I stood still and watched her, burdened by the numerous incidents that kept us apart. I started to doubt that we would ever be united as one. I started to doubt whether I had any control over my own destiny. I fell to my knees and held my hands over my chest crippled by the thought of being parted from Cate forever. I hung my head in submission to my Maker, knowing that I must do what He had prepared for me. Perhaps then, my destiny would be with the one true love of my life, Cate.

  I breathed deeply, composed my thoughts and my mood and stood up and walked slowly up behind Cate. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closely to my body, knowing that my time with her could possibly be limited.

  Cate turned around with a huge smile on her face, so happy to see me, hugging me warmly. I placed my finger lightly under her chin, and titled her head up and kissed her. Pain surged through my head again. I screwed my eyes up tightly as the pain shot through my head, but I did not release from the kiss, letting Cate be the one to pull away from the embrace. I would not let them rule my heart.

  I knew that I was being watched, but I would not let them have the upper hand where my relationship with Cate was concerned. I would not let them win.

  Cate pulled away from our kiss and looked into my eyes, then brushed her fingers lightly over my lips. I smiled crookedly at her. I loved her so deeply.

  I held her hand as we walked to the Café de Déjeuner, to share the first meal of the day with fellow Terreans. For the remainder of the morning, we walked around the village together, meeting and greeting the people and I explained to Cate what they were doing and what was happening.

  Then I led Cate to the beach to share some crucial together time there, alone.

  We sat closely together, talking and gazing into each other eyes and smiling, frequently touching each other, touching hands, faces, legs and kissing briefly, frequently.

  Then Jacinta silently appeared on the beach.

  “Ben, the Council has called for your presence immediately.”

  I stared out over the teal sea, and knew that the time had come – I must leave with Cate NOW! I stood up and faced Jacinta.

  “Thank-you Jacinta for letting me know. Before I go, I would like to have some privacy with Cate. I will then report to the Council as requested,” I said very calmly, nodding at Jacinta.

  Jacinta looked at me, and then nodded at me in acknowledgement, and left us to be alone.

  “Cate, I need to prepare you for the worst. No matter what happens, I will always love you. I will always find you. Please wait for me. We are to be together,” I said with my eyes burning into hers, my heart starting to break.

  Cate stared into my eyes in disbelief at what I had just said.

  “Be strong for me Cate.” I touched my heart with her hand, “ I love you for always,” I said rawly, with emotion.

  I kissed her lips with passion, not wanting to pull away. But then a severe pain shot through my head. It was the poisoned arrow that James had spoken about. I screwed my eyes shut in pain, pulled away from the kiss and looked deeply into Cate’s eyes again. Then I turned to go with Jacinta to the Council of Elders.

  Chapter 21

  The Warrior

  I walked with Jacinta in silence to the edge of the rainforest, where the lone large black boulder sat next to the tall strong broad leafed tree with a very wide white, brown, pink and orange trunk.

  Jacinta placed her hand on the black boulder. After a second, the boulder glowed blue around her hand. I did the same.

  The wooden platform appeared next to the trunk of the tree again, to take us midway up the trunk of the tree to the stone door.

  Jacinta placed her hand on the stone door opening it sideways where we entered the room of the Council of Elders.

  “Jacinta, thank-you. You may leave our presence now. We will again summon you if needed.”

  Jacinta gently nodded her head, and then turned to look at me before she left the room. It was a look of concern and apprehension.

  I breathed deeply, standing silently still, preparing my mind with strength. These were my people, but why did I feel that they were against me. I had done all that they had asked me, plus more.

  The Highest Elder paced the room, in silence, not making eye contact with me. Then he spoke deeply through mind communication.

  “Ben, our son, we have brought you here to tell you of things that you are unaware of, and we are confident that you are ready to receive the information.

  Firstly, you are The Warrior that we have been waiting for. It is your destiny.”

  “With respect Your Highest, I was the Messenger that completed the mission given to me. I am not the Warrior that Une Autre Terre awaits for, “I said humbly.

  “My son, when you delivered the twenty-one opal seeds from The Magnificent Tree, this was the sign that the Warrior had come, in line with the prophecy of the Book of Life. And when you described how you destroyed the earthly Magnificent Tree to protect Une Autre Terre, we knew that you were The Chosen One. There is no doubt that you are the Warrior,” replied the Highest Elder, “you must accept your destiny.”

  I stood silently, looking at the floor.

  “And secondly, your love with Cate is forbidden. She is not a Terrean. You must relinquish all of your feelings for her. There is a Terrean who is your destined love that will be sealed. If
you continue in your affections with Cate, we promise that we will bombard you with more severe pain felt in your head, rendering you useless when you are with her.”

  “NO!” I yelled out loud, with anger.

  “You must follow The Rule Ben. You are The Chosen One, The Warrior,” the Highest Elder said with authority and annoyance at his rebellion.

  “I refuse to relinquish my feelings for the woman who I deeply love, who is my soul mate. I would rather die than be parted from her forever!” I said out loud with aggression.

  The Highest Elder looked into my eyes. He was reading my mind as I spoke, his expression unreadable.

  Then, I had been locked out of their mind communication. I kept my eyes on the floor. I was absolutely seething.

  The Woman Elder mind communicated to me.

  “We have decided that your importance to Une Autre Terre as our long awaited Warrior is far more important an issue than your love for Cate, as deserving of your love as she may be. We will approve of your relationship and let you seal your love for one another if, and only if, Cate loves you enough to let you go. If she can put you, and the people of Une Autre Terre before herself, and leave you under the impression that she will never see you again, then she has proven herself worthy, and will be accepted as a Terrean. We will not hit you with sharp pain in your head as you spend your final days together. Be warned though, your relationship with her must remain pure, but it must be her choice, not yours. And she must not know any of this conversation. Those are the conditions that we present to you. And your response is?”

  Tears ran down my face as I heard the conditions. I was agonized over how Cate’s heart would be broken again, and wondered if this time it could be healed. My heart ached for her, but it was my only chance to be with her forever.

  “I agree to the conditions that bound me, with resignation that Cate and I must survive the test of fire to have our love sealed forever. The journey will be agonizing for us both, but when we are reunited, victory will be so sweet, and ever so more powerful. Be prepared to accept Cate as your own, as a daughter, as a Terrean. I have absolute and complete faith in her and our bond of love, that cannot be broken,” I replied with conviction.