Worlds of Waves and Shadows

Sixty Three

She was back, standing in the centre of the void, surrounded by complete darkness. And yet, for the first time since she could remember, Kaenisa felt like she could finally see.

'Back again, are we?' An all too familiar voice jeered, 'Boy troubles?'

In that moment, Kaenisa really wished her Darkside had a body because she'd have loved to punch her in the face.

"Why am I here?" She asked, ignoring her jabs.

'Mmm...Maybe because I'm such delightful company?'

"Of course you are," Kaenisa muttered, rolling her eyes.

Then—out of nowhere—a burst of cold air brushed her neck, subsiding before she could tell it was real.

Kaenisa whirled towards the source, only to find herself surrounded by the same pitch-black void.

'Still so lost, Taara.' Her voice whispered in her ear.

She gasped—eyes wide—turning to find herself staring back at herself.

There she stood, face to face, with the same upturned amber eyes, jet-black hair and luscious lips as hers, yet they were wildly unfamiliar. Maybe it was how her lips were pulled back into a vicious grin or the bone-chilling glint of her golden-yellow gaze, but she seemed to be missing a soul.

"Tell me why you keep bringing me back here!"

'I don't.'

"Stop lying. Every time something happens to me, I end up here."

'Of course you do.'

"What the hell does that even mean?" Kaenisa yelled, frustration boiling over like molten lava. "For once, can you not be all broody and cryptic and answer my goddamn questions?" She snapped, waving her arms.

Kaenisa's alter ego grinned, her smile dripping with malevolence. 'All right. But remember, you asked for it.'

Kaenisa's stomach plummeted. She did not like the sound of that.

'Take a good look Kaenisa, at what they did to you...what they stole from Taara.'

"What are you—" Kaenisa began, but her words died as the shadows shattered around her in an explosion of light.

Blinded, she tried to shield her eyes, and as her vision slowly adjusted, an impossible scene unfolded around her.

She found herself transported to the middle of a busy street—bathed in the simmering heat of a summer day—that looked like something right out of a bustling neighbourhood somewhere in the Gujarat of the 1950s.

The market square was a kaleidoscope of life, vibrant hues embedded in every inch as far as eyes could see. Bullock carts ambled down dusty roads as merchants called out their wares as, women in colourful saris with clay pots placed against their hips ambled by—long braids swaying. The air was filled with the scents of spice and incense, tinged with a sugary undertone. In the distance, the ancient step-wells and ornately carved haveli homes stood as good as new, proud evidence of a flourishing civilisation. It was a scene straight out of history books.

But it was the girl up ahead that left Kaenisa stunned. A girl who was undoubtedly her, yet somehow different. Unburdened. Laughing freely, radiating pure joy as she sprinted through the streets, her dark, unbridled hair dancing in the wind as she glanced back at the man chasing her. Kaenisa watched in disbelief as Deimos' face came into view, his lips pulled back in the most dazzling smile she'd ever seen as he chased her through the market.