When Twin Flames Unite

A Lifetime Ago

A lifetime ago...

The appointed time was near. Zuri hadn't need to check the position of the stars or the patterns of growth in the ground. In his mind's eye, he saw how the whimsy and puffed-up clouds rolled and twisted in delight. The plates deep below, trembled in anticipation. Zuri too was amused, for it is not often, that such wonderful catastrophe would strike. Heaven and Earth longed to connect.

Treasure hunting was no easy task. It required days, weeks, and months of waiting. But Zuri was a patient man, for miraculous catastrophes happened once in a lifetime, twice if you lived long enough.

A bright light flashed in the sky and covered everything in darkness. As the blazing ball of fire descended, the memory of the world turned to ash. Cradled in the crater's center was a golden egg - shiny, unbroken, and unblemished. Though the earth had been torn apart, it embraced the impact, and that moment became sacred.

Zuri traced the flames etches on the surface. Felt the warmth and weight of it in his palm. It wouldn't be long before nature would reclaim what was taken. So, he sat cross-legged, eyes closed, and waited for the world to change.

A decade had come and passed. Still the egg, unblemished, and unbroken laid studiously at Zuri's side. Zuri was its master, and it would act according to his temperament. So, it stayed unhatched, waiting for another auspicious day.

While the surface of the world was empty, in his mind's eye, Zuri saw that it was full and rich. Effervescent spirits embedded themselves in the cracks, burrowed in the wilted trees, lounged on the stagnant wind. Embedded in the remnants of the past, their future was waiting. The egg too glowed, pale, and golden.

***

The egg's impact shocked the humans with disgust and horror. Unsure of how to move or where to go next, they sat. No water ran, no plants grew, no animals grazed, and the world had ceased to exist. The humans too, were ceasing to exist, and their muscles faded away, and their skin clung to their bones. Eternity was too much to bear, and they longed for an end to it all. As fortune would have it, another catastrophe would strike. One that humans would celebrate.

Only one human had been brave enough to take a stance. While the earth was barren, the seed of ambition took root in his fertile heart. He set his sights on the horizon and willed himself to stand up. His feet were blistered and cracked, but that did not stop him from taking a step forward. All the others watched with disinterested eyes and turned away when he fell forward. The horizon was right under his nose, just out of reach, and he was left aside.

Zuri was on the right side when the auspicious day came.

The Earth had begun to swell and expand. The ground pulsated, and again it trembled in anticipation. It would return its affection to Heaven. As it split in half its joy sprouted. Out from the crack, a serpent slithered high into the sky. Its iridescent body glittered like waves, and the humans were hypnotized.

Life's first breath is a cry. From the dragon's mouth came rain. It poured so heavily that it was indistinguishable from the human's tears. Earth was moved by their union, and the latent spirits were pushed into action. Green stems were newly awakened. Red roses freshly bloomed. Daffodils danced in the wind. Insects hopped. Hooves beat the ground. Fat heavy fruit swung. A sweet fragrance swelled and ripened, and all inhaled and released their sigh of relief.

Zuri watched the miracle turn into tragedy.

The flowers prepared themselves to cushion the fall. From the form, a woman came into fruition. Iridescent scales changed to skin unfamiliar with the coldness of winter. Horns became tufts of hair plucked from clouds. Flowers fell to cover her nakedness. The only reminder that she was once a serpent at all were green cat eyes that never witnessed decay. Clearly, they could see that the cycle of death posed no threat to her steady fertility. Only the unchanging flower that blossomed under her weight. She was an immortal.

***

For the next few days, the village blossomed. In the springtime it was busy. Early risers emerge with the sun and turn their attention to the work that must be done. Some went to the dense forest and chopped wood that was then stacked into a pile. Others hung clothes that were nothing more than scraps. Some fashioned grass into pallets for them to sleep.

Then in the center of it all, surrounded by the plethora of flowers that bloomed was the grand fig tree. Sitting at the base was the immortal who had not yet been named. Though everywhere else was wild and unkept the paths leading up to her were clear and well-marked. The villagers had managed to drape a plain white robe over her body. Other than that she was untouched. With her legs and feet crossed over one another, this had been her spot.

They worked in tandem in all directions, carefully avoiding her and the image of peace she projected. Hushed whispers surrounded her.

"It is blessed we have abundant land, but it is cursed we must till it. Even more cursed that the stone-eyed serpent watches us like hawks."

"It is normal for a goddess to be an image of perfection. Only divinity could sit still as a tree all day."

"Even the leaves of a tree blow in the wind, and the roots on the ground travel downward."

The truth had nothing to do with perfection. Because her body was new, she had not yet grown accustomed to arms and legs, and for the life of her could not figure out how to work them. A deep ache settled in her joints. Her muscles are stiff. Even the hinges of her jaw were too weak. The only movement was her eyes, which watched their every move.

Though her ears were functioning properly. A hot feeling emerged in her chest, and her gaze was so sharp they cut their chatter. Another feeling clawed at her stomach. As if her stomach was touching her back. The growl from it was so fierce, that it frightened the villagers away.

Night turned to day, and back again. A bone-chilling cold had settled upon her body. A foggy haze permeated her mind. The tips of her consciousness faded out only to be pulled by the fragrance of the figs.

The light of the moon was the backdrop for a ghastly shadow that made its way through toward her. A bone-chilling cold settled upon her body. The tips of her consciousness fading. A foggy haze filled her mind, and out into the glade. Just as the fog parted her consciousness slipped and the world was black.

***

Pale sunlight made its way across the field. As the flowers turned to follow dawn, the immortal was coming too. The grass tried to wake her by making her itch but all she did was scratch it. A bee buzzed and she swatted it. The earth tried and made itself hard but all she did was roll over. Finally, a warm and woody voice tried and said,

"Are you done with your nap?"

Her great bellow shook the earth as she stretched with the urgency of a cat.

Zuri's laugh matched her magnitude. Deep as the root of trees.

"Here." He said.

The fragrant fig wafted up to caress her nose. Its tender touch across her lips made her mouth water.

"I am Zuri. What is your name?"

The immortal never had a name before. The sweet and tender flesh burst in her mouth. Its nectar, full and rich, gave her throat energy to speak. She considered the ground she came from.

"Ala."

"Tell me, what made you burrow above the ground?"

"Sunlight."

Zuri was pleased with her simplicity.

"If you like the sun so much, how about I give you one?"

The golden egg appeared, just big enough to fit comfortably in his palm. Her eyes got too big for her stomach, and she reached for it quickly. Zuri pulled it back just in time.

"You cannot hatch this egg early. That will extinguish its light."

Ala finally looked at him. She appreciated the way the light shone in his eye. Bright and true.

"Mm." She hummed in agreement.

It was smooth and cool in her warm palm. The resident inside unaware to its new owner, though the effect was surely felt. Steam that was too thin to be caught by the eye rose from where they touched.