When Twin Flames Unite

Loosers Weepers

There was no hiding from the river. Flowing right down the center of the town, even the most determined hermit had to make an appearance. The water reveled in this luxury and listened keenly to the chitchat made by those visiting. Some frequented more than others. While most townsfolk considered the river special because it provided cleanliness and nourishment; the gossips considered it a sacred space to share information. Yes, even the busy farmers, laborers, and tired and bored homemakers could always find an excuse for mindless entertainment. No matter how big the divide was, everyone left their quadrants to visit the river.  

The sun hung low on the horizon, and most had made their way home. But two gossips could not move on with their day. 

Word had spread quickly about a degenerate so drunk he stumbled into his own grave. Imagine their delight to see a man smudged with dirt. Beetles and ants crawling through his hair. 

They talked in time with their scrubbing. 

"This is a place where we wash ourselves to get demons off our backs, yet here comes this ghost. Some nerve." They tsked to hide their glee.  

"His outfit looks like funeral garb at that. A bad omen I tell you." They shook their heads to disguise a smile. 

Word had spread quickly about a desperate woman driven mad by gambling she conspired with spirits to win. Imagine their amusement to hear the fervently clasping of hands, head shakes, and muttering "This can't be true".  

"The guardian gave us this river to keep us satisfied and well-fed, yet we have to share it with the greedy." They sighed to mask their pleasure.  

"She puts her hands up to pray, the guardian doesn't reward the unfaithful." They coughed to stifle a laugh.  

To their joy and shock, these two were about to cross paths. Top-notch gossipers, they gave each other a congratulatory shake. 

"We endure what no one else can." They feigned disappointment. 

***  

Ala preferred the river's cove. Its thicket of trees shielded her from prying eyes. Shen bathed carefully here. He relaxed against the cascading waters.  

She crouched on the river bank and curled into herself. Her heart was torn, she could not tell what was real or fake. You've been enchanted by a demon. You've been enchanted by a demon. She rocked back and forth. 

It was impossible the item had lasted that long. All goodwill toward her had been completely severed. But the glow of the pendant was unmistakable.  

A bit of sunshine peaked through the canopy. Shen stood to embrace it, and imagined it was his phoenix rays. Here I am in all my glory.

The final stench of death had been cleared from Shen's body. He had finished washing himself. Cleared the insects from his hair, and scrubbed the mud from his skin, under his fingernails, behind his ears, and around his neck. Every nook and cranny had been doused. Shen was ready to verify himself. Though the waves had caused ripples in his reflection, he recognized his face. A sigh of relief escaped his lips.  

Ala held her breath. A memory from the past tried to resurface, but Ala could not face it. For the shame surrounding it was too thick. So, Ala pushed it down and fixated on her worry.  If she were easily tricked by the demon, surely the rest of the town was in the palm of his hand. Though the humans had little to gamble, what they had was of great value. It was a shame that they were weak and vulnerable in this way. An even greater shame that she was tasked to protect them. Pity weighed on her, and the spot between her shoulders started aching.  

That's when she noticed a large bruise spanning across Shen's shoulder blades. It wasn't an ordinary bruise, but one that looked like it was starting to rot. Purple faded to green to an aggressive red center. Ala winched as he moved to put his robe on. But he had no reaction or awareness of it all.    

Shen sensed he was being watched and turned around. Perhaps it was because she too was clinging to her reflection that Shen sympathized when she dunked her head in the water. He'd wondered what she thought when she saw herself, and if she thought the same things he did. When she pressed her hand to her mouth for a drink, he wondered what her lips felt like on his fingers, and somehow, he knew the answer. 

They stood there for a moment, taking each other in. 

Ala traced the wet clothing clinging to the width of his chest, and the strength in his shoulders. 

Shen traced the wet hair clinging to her face, and the mystery in her eyes. 

"Weren't you taught it was rude to stare?" They both said at the same time.

Her voice rang a bell inside him. 

"Do I know you from somewhere?" He asked. 

"Absolutely not." 

She slowly started to back away, but he pushed forward. 

"I swear, I've seen you before."

"You have me mixed up with someone else."

Although there was distance between them, Ala felt he was too close. He was seeing too much of her, and the thought of being recognized scared her to her core. 

She darted into the woods, but Shen couldn't help but to follow his gut feeling. In the deliberate way, a hunter chases its prey, they bobbed and weaved through the trees. This tender chase continued on for some time, and the seasons started to change. 

***  

A fine black mist covered the sky. No light penetrated the canopy, but the forest was shiny and bright. A glow from the gemstones on the branches illuminated the silk leaves and gold bark. Though no wind could penetrate, everything swelled and swayed. A bountiful resource of energy was stored here, and the heart of the forest was constantly beating.   

A sentient leaf descended through the air and disappeared in smoke when it landed in Ala's hand. A handprint on the trunk left it shriven and withered.  When she grabbed the gem that looked so similar to the one around the demon's neck, it too disappeared.  

Despair clung to the air, so fine that unless you were once held captive it could not be detected.

Shen detected the source coming from footsteps in the distance. He pulled Ala against him and ducked behind the tree.  

"Where do you get off chasing girls through the forest."  She started to struggle.  

"Shh." 

"Don't tell me to shh." She raised her hand to slap him, but he caught it, with one hand and covered her mouth with the other. She bit his hand but he had no reaction. His eyes were firmly trained on the scene in front of them.  

"Watch." 

"Please, my lord. I'll do anything to be like you."

A human was on their knees in front of a black cat curled on a velvet pillow. It was unconcerned with the human's pleading.  

"I too want to nap all day. I am tired of working. I too want to be adorned with the finest clothing much like your fur. I too want to be beautiful and luxurious." 

They reached a hand out to pet the cat, but it hissed and swatted. The human placed its head on the ground and continued its pleading.  

"Please my lord, I beg you." 

By now the cat was annoyed, so it stood it up to lay down just out of the human's reach. It revealed a coin underneath its body.

The human promptly sat upright, grabbed the coin, and said, "I bet ten years of my life. Heads." 

The loss was a devasting blow to their dignity. With a great cry, the human fell into a heap. As the human's vitality diminished it blossomed as a new jewel grew on the tree. A black mist swelled and burst over their body. Leaving them covered in a sticky black tar.