Awaken the legend of Bluka. There it is again. A voice. Spiritual enlightenment, Bluka, his sister. This is too much all at once. Who is he to tell me what my higher purpose is? How could I have unknowingly sought these things?
I start to panic. He threatens my whole existence, and there is nothing I can do about it but follow his lead to ensure my survival. Once again, I have no control. In the dark, I am blind. Although I have trained in the dark, this one is unknown even to me. It holds all truth. The truth that I seek but cannot take. Like temptation, it urges me to be comforted by it. But still, I stay on the threshold of my sanity and twisted reality, unable to get out of the past for me to see the future. Maybe that’s what the Prince is getting at. Unlike me, his past doesn’t hang him, he has learned to detach its network and use the memories as fuel for whatever he is planning.
The darkness I fear and want no part of. The truth may set me free, but right now it isn’t the right key for my cage’s lock.
“Enlightenment and truth is the way forward.” He says. I rise out of my chair. Two sets of eyes watch me, and I struggle to control my breathing. Not once do I look in either of their direction. Tamari knows what comes next, but he isn’t about to stop me. There is nowhere I can escape. Even if I run from them, I still have myself to deal with at the end of the day.
I imagine myself falling through quicksand. It makes no sense that my mind had willingly guided me to them. The truth cannot be all that I want. I cannot stay here.
My breath feels stifled. My existence stunted.
Avoidance. Flight. Fear.
“I am not one of your chest pieces.” Like a jack in the box, my brain kick starts my legs, and I rush through the wall. With my arms raised shielding my body, my Blue Flame creates a cloak around me. I’m catapulted into the air. Air resistance quickly exerts a more substantial force as I push against the wind.
“I thought you were done running Cali.” The Prince shouts. “What’s the moral code of Supreme Warriors? We don’t run, we face our reality headstrong, fight if necessary and by all means with honour die for the cause. Yet you run. You avoid the truth I readily give to you, that’s more than I can say for others.”
Above I see the Prince standing between the broken walls with Tamari by his side. Then my heart does a little skid. A man walks through Tamari and jumps out of the building, a deep blue rolling off him in waves. The real ghost everyone is looking for. I fall to the ground like a meteor leaving a crater in my wake, followed by a tumbleweed roll, and a sprint in the opposite direction. I frantically search for the waterfalls. I reach a gateway to the outside world.
Over the past couple of months, I had noticed something unusual. The waterfalls surrounded at least half of the land, but behind it on the south side lies a weird energy field that is strangely like what the Earthlings call magic. A shadow that mirrors the likes of black holes. It creates a dome-like-bubble that pulsates with a life of its own. Its ripples become disturbed and soon enough reveal a reflection of me. My reflection portrays what I looked like before my kidnapping. Clean clothes and skin. Neat plaits with silver thread wrapped in my hair. A smile, with eyes that were ready to explore and understand the unknown. Now it is only a partial semblance.
That’s the way we’ve designed it.
Now it makes sense. How is this possible? I may be on Kimarr, but this is an alternate dimension that has tethered its link to the land. My reflection so easily manifests itself before me, not because I will it but because the world is revealing itself to me. This complicates things further. I’m in Rimorr, the mirror realm and there’s no knowing the extent of its power. Is the Kutawala really in control?
Behind, I see the King running towards me. His royal red robe blowing in the wind, eyes determined to stop me. Not that I can leave. Unless he thinks I can. He draws closer, throwing out his jazz hands, and I feel the energy being sucked out of me like water swirling down a funnel. Against the tide, I push forward and keep an eye on my reflection. Soon enough it takes on a life of its own, and I feel it pulling on my anger and pain. My deepest emotions.
With the last of my energy, I shimmer through the barrier. I watch my reflection walk away with every ounce of freedom I wished I had, envious of its self-control, but hopeful that it shall return with more than what I desire.
“The most reliable way to predict the future is to create it.”
14
The Lower self
{The Prince}
A week before Calista decides to take the assignment to Kimarr, I received a vision. It had been years since I received one of this magnitude and was taken aback by its message and the pressure it applied to my mind and body. In my confinement, I underwent a series of harsh sweats before settling into a coma that lasted 24 hours.
When she came to me, she had no face, disguised by the darkness we had once resided in as punishment for our disobedience and rebellion. Her voice set her apart from the ancestors’ voices with the rhythmic sounds of the Shekere and the Djembe. From that night I had wondered why she hadn’t contacted me. Her physical form had been destroyed while her soul stalked the planes, wandering aimlessly in search of attachment and reincarnation. Her purpose had yet to be fulfilled. She would forever be restless until it was.
The message my twin, Ramiyah, provided wasn’t simple. It required strategic planning, constant thinking and mental expansion. There was nothing we could not achieve with the thin lining of ignorance removed. At a set time she would be reborn, in a body that was not hers, but would be useful to her and its original host. Together we created a plan that was essentially long term. One no one would see coming, but one someone had prophesied aeons ago: the ascension of human consciousness to its Godly (Neter) state, with the ability to survive within the human vessel without restrictions. This ascension would help us create and destroy at will with the power of the kundalini energy; more formidable when combined with its other half the Blue Flame. The legend of Bluka. It would restore balance and order; harmony with the universe and oneself. What she planned would virtually destroy the fabrication we’ve all come to accept, this would jeopardise the infrastructure our ancestors had built. Evil and good would become one, inseparable.
Two months later, the plan is in motion. Tamari and I plot our moves against the Kutawala, as well as open Calista’s eyes to her purpose on Kimarr. Over a long game of Aware, we discuss how we intend to encourage Calista to understand from our perspective. Some of our actions may come across as aloof, but it’ll be worth it in the end. Calista will come to know her reality for what it is, the truth unmasked in its entirety, the good and bad sides of life, starting with the fight to the death.
I make my move picking up three beads and spread them over the next couple of holes on his side.
Tamari scratches his jaw. “So, the lower self, what is it?” He knows only the basics, and from watching me regularly read he understands I can provide a holistic view of this theory.
“It is what the Earthlings call hell. They’ve misinterpreted its true meaning to be something external and evil. They’ve given it a physical form in application with the so-called Devil Lucifer. Here the lower self is a state of mind, it has many variations from the chakras being blocked to one’s perception and understanding of life which in turn develops their character and personality. Typically, the lower self-holds the negative energies: desire, doubt, obsession, ignorance.”
“How does this apply to Calista moving forward?”
“She needs to enter her lower self to start her ascension. Her time has come. She will go through these stages that I’ve concluded are the foundation of the lower self, excluding the chakras for now. I’ve decided upon six: depression and doubt go hand in hand, greed, guilt, fear, survival and anger. We witnessed her guilt when she killed Tamika, never had she taken a life and yet she did it with ease and felt deeply ashamed straight after. Over the next couple of weeks, she will become depressed, feel like she’s lost her sense of identity, her purpose, her motiv
ations to accomplish whatever she sets her mind upon; she’ll start to doubt herself and her abilities. After the adrenaline wears off, she will slip into the unwelcoming cocoon of her mind, faced with her darkest fears that will push her to her limit, mentally enable and break her. This will be her test, can she see past her survival, fears and clear her mind, or will she sink into the depths of her lower self-unable to see the light of day again?”
“What if she sinks?”
“There is no room for doubt, we are not subjects to our lower self. She will survive, she is a fighter. Her change is upon her, and she will accept it. I know it seems like a harsh process to put one through, but that’s how de-brainwashing is, we must forget our indoctrinations and redirect ourselves to our true paths. Only then will we find peace and not pain. At first, she perceived me to be the enemy, this is merely a reflection of herself. There is something about her that she must come to terms with. I have confidence in her. Besides she is not on this journey alone. She has us, for now, later on, Dakarai and Khari will come to understand too.”
It’s only a matter of time.
“Sometimes following your heart means losing your mind.”
15
A cry for help
{Calista}
A cold metal is slipped around my wrists, and a firm hand presses against my head, as I’m rushed into the back of a car. People watch me, but I couldn’t care less. I think this whole commotion is funny, just looking into their eyes I know they think I’m delusional, guilty and a prime example of how corrupt young people in my generation have become. I mean they’re not wrong, but they’re not right either. Earthlings are presumptuous and judgemental people, that doesn’t say my people are any different, but even when their assumptions are proven wrong, they refuse to accept the truth. Why? Simply because of stubbornness and ignorance.
The sirens above continue to wail until we reach the police station. Once I’m hauled out of the car, after failing to comply, I’m transferred to an interrogation room. My wrists are cuffed to a chain on the table. A man walks in after the police officer has left. He sits opposite me with his hands clasped together on the table looking menacing, it is all an act to get me to crack quicker. Generally, in these types of situations, the interrogator will get straight to the point wasting no time, but this one is different. Our eyes lock in a staring competition. My eyebrows inch up and I huff. Silence tempts me to fracture its spell. I rattle my chains and smile cunningly. As soon as the clinking sound begins it stops as he places his hands on them.
“Who are you?” He asks with a soft voice that doesn’t match his demeanour.
“Who am I, that’s a good question?” I look to the cameras. “I don’t know. Who are you?” I smile and match his hands now clasped together again with his body slightly hunched over the table. My eyes slip to the badge around his neck. “So, Detective Force…”
He rudely cuts me off and says, “I’ve encountered many people like you before…”
“Oh yes, do tell.”
“…who think they know it all, are above the system and when caught doing their shenanigans can worm their way out of sanctions…”
“Oh really, those thoughts never crossed my mind.”
“Well, I’m going to be concise with this statement. There is no loophole. You commit a crime, it goes on your record.” Correction, I never committed a crime. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time, dressed as the perpetrator who naturally fled the scene.
“Go ahead and speak to me as if I am five and expect me to comply just because of your occupation. No matter what you say, Detective,” I boldly smile cocking my head to the side, “I will get out of this. You know why?”
He quickly looks at the black screen before staring back at me. “I’m all ears miss?”
“Because I am above the system. In fact, there is no trace of me within the system. This is of course why you started off this conversation asking me who I am and not saying ‘you have the right to an attorney Mary’ if that was my name. Oh, and let’s not forget the famous lines ‘Do you understand the extent of your crimes?’”
Silence.
“You think you’re smart, don’t you?” I press my lips together and look up at the ceiling. “I know I am, Detective. This is why I practically don’t exist.” I sigh and lean back in my chair with a satisfying look on my face.
“Why are you not in the system?” His quizzical look is one of desperation and frustration. That expression alone boosted my energy, as I know it won’t be long before he gives up and get another Detective to interrogate me, or perhaps just release me on the basis that he couldn’t charge me with anything.
“Listen, detective, if you’re not going to charge me then…”
I feel a presence I recognise.
He’s here. As if reading my mind, the Detective retrieves a key from his pocket and opens the cuffs. I rotate my wrists and walk to the black screen. I see him watching me with curious eyes almost as if he doesn’t recognise me. I suppose Earth has tampered with his ability to see through glamour, but then again, he always used to say I couldn’t hide my true self from him. “Did I mention, I’m not from around here?”
“Clearly. I don’t suppose this has an answer attached to it?” The Detective said dryly.
“I’m afraid I don’t kiss and tell. Who’s that?” I point at the person on the other side of the glass.
I feel the Detective’s eyes penetrating into the side of my head, with a confused expression streaked across his gruff looking face. I can tell he’s wondering if I can see through the screen. Of course to him it is virtually impossible. “What are you talking about?” Don’t tell me your sanity doesn’t exist too? He thought.
“The Detective with the cornrows.” I point at him tapping on the glass with my nails.
“Alright, I’m done with all this madness.”
Outside the interrogation room, Detective Force confides in his colleague about my situation.
“You know you’re not supposed to be here right?”
“I know just cover for me, it won’t happen again.” Detective Force sighs and fist bumps Michael. The cameras are switched off, and his final words are “she’s delusional man you best be careful with the kind of company you keep.”
The door quickly opens, and he walks swiftly to the chair without looking at me. I read his mind before our eyes come together as one. Around him, I am able to control my new skill better. We’ve always been able to communicate through our minds with the help of technology, but this is a different type of connection.
“Detective Michael. It has been quite a while since I last laid eyes on your handsome face.” I laugh inside, putting on the poshest accent I can muster up.
“What trouble have you gotten yourself into, my love?” He asks dryly, with a smile peeking at the corners of his lips.
“Oh no sir, you must have me confused with somebody else, this situation is most definitely not what you think it is. I have been wrongly accused, I understand you have nothing to charge me with, so if you could kindly release me, that’ll be most gracious of you sir.”
He stands and places his hands on the table. “Am I going to get an explanation?” When you release me, I’ll tell you whatever you want. I whisper into his mind, with all seriousness.
“That’s what I thought.” He walks to the door and opens it for me to leave. We pass the reception, no one notices us leave. That’s strange. He leads me to his car, a Lexus LC black. Once on the main road, I start back up the conversation.
“Michael really, Dakarai?”
“It’s just a cover, just like this is.” He removes a hand from the steering wheel gesturing at my glamour. Not needing the hint twice, I remove it and show my true self. “So, what the hell are you doing here Cali, aren’t you supposed to be on your assignment?”
“I need your help.” I look out the window as I respond with a little sniffle. I didn’t want him to see my expression and me to see his disappointed
one. He takes his eyes off the road for a second and looks at me. “My love, look at me.” My neck tenses, I refused to look his way. After a couple clenches of the jaw, I give in.
Once at the traffic light, he sucks his bottom lip between his teeth. “What’s the problem?”
“Not here.”
He mutters under his breathe. “That serious.”
When we reach his apartment, he flashes his key card at the scanner before walking up all nine flights of stairs to his floor. We could have taken the elevator, but I guess he needed to clear his head and prepare himself for my somewhat disturbing news. When we near his door, I see a woman leave from the apartment opposite. She looks down at first rotating her neck. When she notices our shadow, she looks up and smiles at Dakarai. It quickly disappears as she spots me walking closely behind.
“Hey Michael, who’s this?”
He slots his key card in the hole as he replies. “Why you so noisy man?”
“Damn boy you holding out on me again?” She shakes her head. “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting, I’m Maliyah.” What did she mean again?
“Nailah.” Her hand twitches as if she wants to put it out for me to shake it, but she holds back. There is something odd about her that I cannot place. I guess because of this feeling it is better to give her my middle name. If our hands did meet, I’m sure I would have gotten an answer to that feeling, but only at the expense of exposing myself. She just strikes me as the type of person who could get under your skin just from a brief touch.
“Mali, I’ll talk to you later.” Mali, is that how acquainted they’ve gotten? Dakarai puts a hand on my waist and gently pushes me into his apartment. Even after I’m safely inside his hand remains. I feel Maliyah’s eyes watching us.
The Masterpiece (The shadow I cast Book 1) Page 7