Beyond Prophecy

by Lucia Ashta

  Asara breathed in sync with the unicorn’s deep, rhythmic breath. She felt the unicorn’s essence and let it remain within her, finding a resting place for it within her heart. May I name you? Asara asked without any premeditation. Before Asara could wonder if it was appropriate to ask such a majestic creature that question, the unicorn answered. Yes, my sister. You would honor me in doing so.

  Right away, Asara knew the unicorn’s name. It was Sambaha. It meant pure power. Sambaha bowed her head before Asara to receive the blessing of her new name. Gahla, Sambaha. Gahla. Asara spoke to her. Goodbye, Sambaha. Goodbye. Then, Asara watched Sambaha trot off into the sun's glow after her companions.

  The other light warriors had already begun walking when Asara and Anak strapped their satchels to their backs for the journey. Their swords already fastened at their waists, they took one last look at the campsite. Everything appeared as it had before they arrived less than one week earlier. Area and Arien dissolved the protective bubble so the land would once again blend seamlessly with its surroundings. They’d completed all necessary tasks, and there was no more reason for the twins to be gone from their home.

  For the first time since Archangel Michael appeared to Asara on the night before their wedding, she allowed herself to think of what it would be like to return home. She grabbed Anak’s hand and looked at him excitedly. They were going home! They were returning to the sweet waters of their river and to their pyramids.

  Asara also knew that upon returning to Arnaka, she and Anak would marry. But after the intensity of what they’d experienced and the perspective it gave her, Asara didn’t know if she needed to be married. In the end, it didn’t matter. Creator saw the love in their hearts and knew that she and Anak were already united.

  Chapter 48

  In the same moment that Asara took her first step marking the journey home, a shrill cry broke the calm of nature, confusing the echoing birdcalls. The scream was pitched to curdle blood.

  Asara and Anak set off at a run toward the other light warriors that were well ahead of them. Asara couldn’t tell who was screaming so horribly and insistently, but she was running as fast as she could.

  Asara and Anak untied their bags and let them fall to the ground as they ran. Seconds and speed mattered.

  Soon Asara was able to make out all three of the cousins on the ground, writhing in pain. They were quiet, no longer able to scream. Carn and Baldub had been closest to the cousins and bolted as soon as they heard the cry. They reached the cousins first, followed closely by Thom. Area and Arien arrived just after Asara and Anak skidded to a stop by their friends. But even though they’d all reacted immediately and raced to aid the cousins, they were too late.

  The light warriors had arrived in time to witness the gruesome spectacle, but not in time to prevent it. They’d been caught off guard, complacent in their belief that their need to fight was over. Meena was on hands and knees, shriveling before their eyes. She was the one to let out that first, terrifying scream. Her brother, Mohan, lay flat on the ground, almost lifeless. His energy was spent, and his body was limp, the life force all but gone. Osarus lay next to Meena, trying to reach out and help her but unable to get past the pain that was overpowering his will and his body.

  The attack had come without warning, invisible to the ordinary human eye. Asara looked at the scene, feeling powerless without understanding what was happening. With fierce intention, she willed whatever was attacking to reveal itself. I command, in the name of Creator, that you show yourselves now! Asara’s words rang out in the ethers, and the attackers became visible.

  They were creatures unlike any they’d seen before. It was clear they weren’t human, but they weren’t the combatants of the dark forces they saw in the city either. These beings were pallid gray with sunken eyes and proportions dissimilar to those of humans. Their bodies were long and gaunt, with no apparent musculature, seeming too thin to house organs. Nothing distinguished them as male or female.

  The creatures had no pupils, their eyes, an inert black. Their mouths were toothless and opened wide, poised above the cousins’ bodies. The light warriors gaped at the vile fiends. A whole cluster of them hovered above the cousins, spiking surges of pain through the cousins’ physical bodies.

  In an instant, the creatures sucked out the cousins’ souls from their heart centers and took all of that light and goodness in through their mouths. The attack had only lasted seconds from start to finish, but by the time the light warriors understood what was happening, the damage was done. All three cousins lay lifeless on the ground. Meena’s brown hair fanned out around her head like a halo, her arms and legs outspread. Mohan and Osarus lay next to her, in identical positions, with a surprising look of peace on their faces.

  Anak reacted before Asara and sent out a blast of light that repelled the hovering fiends. The monstrous creatures retreated, slipping through a hole in space and dimension that had allowed them to cross over onto the earth. The hole remained open, beckoning the three beasts that had fed on the cousins. The two that had preyed on the young men beamed up into the opening without looking at the light warriors. But the one that knelt over Meena looked at them and grinned toothless malevolence. The expression taunted the warriors, mocked the crime they’d just witnessed, and reveled in malice.

  This time, Asara did react. She launched herself at the monster with light streaming out in front of her. Surprised, the fiend fled, reaching the warp hole just before Asara’s beam of light fried it. The hole began to close, but in that split second before it sealed, Asara watched in horror as Baldub and Carn, holding each other’s hands in silent agreement and support, jumped through the hole after the abominable creatures. The rest of them watched on as the two light warriors disappeared in a flash. The warp hole swallowed them up. As suddenly and unexpectedly as it had all started, it was over.

  Chapter 49

  Asara was stunned and motionless when Thom went over to the cousins and closed their eyes. Meena was gone. Mohan was gone. Osarus was gone.

  As they’d walked in life, the three cousins lay in death: together on their journey. Their faces looked peaceful in their final rest.

  Eventually, Asara turned to the light warriors that remained. Anak mirrored her shock. Even Area and Arien, whose emotions were reined in by constant serenity, looked shaken and saddened by the sudden, tragic loss of their friends.

  Then Asara had a realization. Those were the extraterrestrial creatures that had succumbed to darkness and were upsetting the universal balance. They were rogues, flaunting their disobedience of universal law and threatening the balance of light and darkness. They’d slipped in from another dimension to attack, and now the light warriors had lost five of their own. Three were gone from this lifetime forever with their souls stolen, blocking their ability to reincarnate, and Baldub and Carn had leapt into the unknown.

  Asara found some solace in knowing that Baldub and Carn could access their guidance in any dimension. She also found comfort in knowing they possessed great skills. Still, Asara shivered at the thought of jumping through a hole into darkness without knowing whether she’d ever be able to come back again. Her eyes welled with tears at Baldub and Carn’s bravery and purity of heart that led them to choose to battle darkness in such a selfless way. They were true warriors of the light. She prayed for their protection. There was no way that she could follow. The portal had closed, but Asara knew prayers could travel anywhere in time and space.

  Thom gathered five pieces of broken wood and held them with his eyes closed. The wood creaked and groaned as it sculpted itself into shovels. In silence, the light warriors dug graves for their fallen friends. Even Area and Arien, usually removed from the common tasks, carved at the earth.

  It seemed incomprehensible that this would happen. The light warriors had survived the battle in the city and believed they were free to return to their homes. It was an abomination that the cousins should die, victims to a surprise attack that had given them no way of defending t
hemselves. By the time the cousins had understood that something invisible was striking them, they were unable to do anything other than cope with the insurmountable pain. They didn’t have the chance to put up the protective green gel, which would’ve done away with the extraterrestrial attackers.

  The way the dark extraterrestrials had assaulted the cousins went against every universal law and convention. Asara was certain that those etheric beings that watched over them were aware of the incident and were even now orchestrating a response. She hoped too that the heavenly protectors were with Baldub and Carn, that they’d been able to follow them wherever the warriors had gone. Asara wondered if she’d ever see Baldub and Carn again, and somewhere within her, she heard the answer: she would. This gave her heart a small leap. She loved both of them dearly.

  They finished digging and laid each cousin in his own grave. In mourning silence, the warriors filled in the tombs, then handed their shovels back to Thom. Please be still while we place protection around you, came Arien’s voice within their minds. So Anak, Asara, and Thom stood still, heads bowed, while Area and Arien placed the protective shield around them. Energy crackled as power surged, and then Asara could see the familiar edges of the bubble glimmering in the light.

  This time as they said their goodbyes there was more emotion and sadness at the parting. There was more of a concern that they might not see one another again. Though they knew the importance of positive thought and that worrying itself might bring the tragedy they didn’t want, it was difficult not to have a sense of it while standing near the fresh graves of their friends.

  Asara held Thom for a long time. She opened her heart so he could feel all the love she held for him. She wanted him to know how special he’d become to her. Asara was taller than Thom, and his head nestled at her neck where one lone tear dripped against her skin.

  These were tense times. The adventure they’d survived together, leaving the city without casualties, had given everybody a sense of joy and triumph. Even though they’d known the respite from battle was only temporary, they felt lighthearted and happy with the loving and supportive companionship they’d shared. Now that this lighthearted joy was gone, the stark reality that the darkness wouldn’t abandon its pursuit of them took its place.

  More than ever, the dark forces would seek them out. They’d shown themselves to be valuable assets to the forces of light. The dark had targeted them before, but now the hunt would be relentless. The light warriors would have to be disciplined, keeping their light strong at all times. They would also need to be constantly on guard. After witnessing the surprise attack that took the lives of their friends, they might never be truly safe. They’d need to cultivate fearlessness and surrender on an even higher level.

  With time, the concern would lift some. Asara and Anak would focus on refining their thoughts. Keeping them pure and uplifted would be one of the best defenses against the dark. Thoughts manifested reality. The twins knew this and, with some time to process what had happened there that day, they’d use their magic wisely. Their alertness would remain heightened, but they would hold their inner peace and trust that all was ultimately perfect in Creator’s world.

  Asara embraced Area, holding this otherworldly woman with appreciation for her lightness of heart. They would meet again; Asara knew that much. She hugged Arien next, whispering blessings for his safety and well-being. Arien wouldn’t be the same when Asara saw him next.

  Chapter 50

  Asara and Anak resumed their journey back to Arnaka, connected as one. They were the prophesied twins of light, the ones who’d come to the planet to help change the world. Now they were even more determined to do what they came to earth to do. They’d fulfill their life purposes, growing ever stronger in the light and more capable of defeating darkness. They’d support Baldub and Carn and find them if they could. They would hunt for the cousins’ souls and free them.

  With that knowing, Asara and Anak walked. With each step, the weight of tragedy faded, and they regained more of their composure. The walk home would take them several days, but they were eager to return to Arnaka. The twins walked briskly until they tired, and then slowed their pace. They took one step after another, knowing that each brought them closer to home.

  After days of incessant walking, the pyramids of Arnaka finally loomed on the horizon. They were still far away, but Anak looked at Asara jubilantly and took off at a run. Asara was a step behind Anak. They ran at full speed like lions in pursuit of their prey. Their energy reserve revealed itself in glory. Their bags bounced against their backs and their swords swung at their sides, but even that didn’t alter the grace with which they ran. Their legs extended—long, lean muscles flexing with each step. Their arms pumped as they ran even harder.

  The twins ran in full freedom, all thoughts and concerns left behind. They ran in love. They ran as spirits and, as they embraced the essence within them, something incredible happened. Unexpectedly, Asara and Anak zoomed forward in a blur of synchronized motion. Time and space bent for them; their protective bubbles broke away. It was the first hint of the greater abilities that were to come. They reached the pyramid in an instant.

  The twins collapsed against the pyramid wall. Their chests rose and fell as their breath came heavily. Suggestively, Anak leaned his body into Asara’s. He kissed her. It was a deep, sweaty kiss where their tongues entwined. Their bodies found each other’s curves and ardor surged within them. Asara laughed. Teasingly, provocatively, Asara nibbled on Anak’s lip before turning and running into the pyramid.

  He chased her.

  She was at the center of the pyramid, waiting for him, breathless with the anticipation of feeling him pressed up against her once more.

  Anak pulled Asara to him and kissed her with a passion that melted her.

  Ah-né Asara. Ah-né Anak. I am Asara. I am Anak. They were one.

  They flattened chest against chest. Anak held Asara to him with such a devotion that she knew he’d never let go of her.

  As they’d done so many times before, they allowed their heads to tilt back. The golden light that was so familiar to their land announced their arrival back home.

  They were back. The golden children of the prophecy had arrived.

  Chapter 51

  Lena and Paolo sat next to their fallen teachers in vigil until the sun overpowered the silver-lit shadows cast by the moon. They stared into the distance in undisturbed stillness while another perfect canvas of glorious pinks and purples colored the sky.

  The twins survived a battle, but the war waged on, and they still had an important part to play in it. They’d need to continue preparing.

  The demons that disappeared into the forest hadn’t run away because the twins intimidated them. There was something brewing that Lena didn’t yet understand. But each day Lena would see more, would feel more, and she’d float between the worlds.

  Lena turned to Paolo and finally broke the silence of hours.

  “So, my love, we’re light warriors. We’re angels on earth. We’re beloveds and twins of the heart, made for each other before the dawn of time. And there’s an ongoing war between light and dark that we’re somehow an essential part of.”

  Lena smiled into Paolo’s eyes. The impossible had become possible. It seemed that adventure would always fill their lives.

  “Now that this is our life, what should we do next?” Lena asked.

  Paolo looked at her and then looked back at the creek as if he were considering what she asked. Finally, he replied, though he didn’t exactly answer her question.

  “I love you endlessly. I’ll go anywhere with you. I’ll do anything with you and for you. You’re my beloved and the twin of my soul.”

  “I’m with you too, my love. All the way,” Lena said.

  They shared a pause, a moment of quiet in which they looked around. They took in the natural beauty of their surroundings and also the destruction that descended there the night before. Everywhere there was evidence of the attack. />
  Lena asked, “What do we do now? What’s our next step?”

  The bodies of their teachers were a vivid reminder of the responsibility they had to all humanity.

  “Well, what do you think we should do? Maybe you should sit with it, and see what you feel,” Paolo said.

  Lena did sit with it. Paolo was good at reminding her that the solution for the moment was always within reach if she just asked in the correct way. Lena went within, quieting her meandering thoughts, and the answer arrived. It was the obvious thing to do.

  “You know these visions I’ve been having of us in this other lifetime where we go into pyramids and emit light from within them?”

  “Yes,” Paolo said. As if he could forget.

  “Well, now that we’ve found each other again, there’s the possibility that we may be able to transmit light in this lifetime. I think it’s the love between us that creates the circumstances for this to happen. Maybe we should try it.”

  Paolo nodded. “Yes. I think you’re right. It’s time for the pyramids.”

  “I haven’t been able to figure out exactly where the pyramids are. It may be Egypt, but I’m not entirely convinced that it is. I don’t know, but Egypt is my best guess based on what the pyramids look like.” Lena turned to look straight at Paolo. “So, what do you think? Should we go to Egypt and see what we feel when we’re at the pyramids?”

  A huge grin spread across Paolo’s face. He knew something. He knew something big.

  Lena smiled back. “What? What is it?”

  “Utah.”

  “What?”

  “Utah,” he said again.

  “Utah?”