When Twin Flames Unite

Fool's Gold

On instinct, Ala ran and dropped to her knees in front of the human. With their head cradled in her lap she stroked it with soft fingers. Careful to not pull the hair that fell out in clumps.

The uncertainty of death was a whirlpool of fear pulling them in. So, they clung to a semblance of familiarity to comfort them.

"That evil dragon cursed me and changed my faith. I was supposed to win."

The human's words spat out like poison darts, but Ala let is slide. Great envy and sympathy mixed in her heart. This is what it meant to be human – to battle against death, knowing you can never win. Though they hated her, she would let them have some victory. Unlike her, their struggle would end, but for her this moment was never-ending.

Ala nodded her head.

"Yes of course. Tell me, what has made your life worthy?" Her voice sweet, and hypnotic, coaxed the answer out of him.

Tar dribbled down the sides of his mouth, his eroding teeth chattered.

"Not doing it alone. The angel has blessed me with your company in my hour of death."

"Name those who make you feel connected." The edges of her brown eyes had a green tint as she gazed into his.

"My daughter, my sister, the animals that live on my land, my neighbor, the shopkeeper. Even the nosy townsfolk keep me company."

"You sound quite lucky to have all those people. Don't let a coin convince you otherwise." With those words, his soul was softened just enough to slip out his body with ease.

Like metal left in the rain, the human began to tarnish. Sticky black tar turned their body inside out. Replacing the will to live in their heart, it pumped through their veins. Eating at skin and muscle no longer needed to move weary bones. Turning into a film over their eye, dimming any flicker of hope left. Finally, they withered down to nothing but ash that disintegrated on the wind. The missing weight of them left Ala's arms leaded and heavy.

Shen sat and watched it with the cat cradled between his crossed legs. He stroked it gently. Inspecting for any injury or sign of distress. Ala aimed the weight of her sadness at them.

"Step away from the creature." she said.

"Why?" Shen asked.

"It's dangerous."

"Yes, its greatest weapon is cuteness."

"That is how it tempts you. Do not be fooled."

"The only thing this creature will fool me into doing is overfeeding it."

"It is a guilty demon and must be dealt with."

"This is an innocent creature."

"No, this human was an innocent creature. Tempted by the likes of that."

"Open your eyes. This is a cute, and cuddly creature."

"I'm very sorry to this,"

The mystery of Ala's eyes revealed itself, as the brown completely faded, and glowed green. Shen had an epiphany, and immediately recognized this was who he was looking for. The flask, buried beneath his robes, was hot against his skin.

Her forked tongue slithered out as she spoke. "Give it to me now." She commanded. Her voice echoing and rattling as she spoke.

He would have to deal with the mist. So he gave in the bargaining chip he would cash in later.

"Fine. At least let me say goodbye." He gave the cat a kiss on head and whispered in its ear. "Watch her for me."

With a lazy stretch, the cat walked to her and plopped at her feet.

With a flick of the wrist, Ala contained the cat in a golden cage, that shrunk in size. She placed it in her pocket.

Eyes still glowing, and tongue flickering, she said to Shen. "You'll forget any of this happened."

"I doubt it." Shen said to himself as he watched her walk away.

***

The gold coin flickered as Shen tossed it in the air. He contemplated the pair of dice engraved on the surface. The answer presented itself as he broke through the bush.

Once a pristine collection of expertly crafted wooden buildings, the town was now a city of splinters.

Much like the buildings that lost their valor, the humans had a ghastly constitution. Bloodshot eyes burned with anticipation. Palms twitched for the next catch. Poverty aggregated in bags under their eyes. Fixed into grim lines on their faces. Puffed up their empty bellies. Despite the hysteria accumulating in their hearts, they patiently waited their turn. A line accumulated outside Treasure's Den. Though Shen passed them, they took no notice. For they were hypnotized and focused on their next bet.

He crept around the perimeter until he crossed the scene at the back door.

A blur of gold flashed by. A young man, whose hair went up in a flurry chased the robes that were slipping away. Though the body that filled the robe was shaped like a human's Shen saw that its aura was covered with black mist. It went up in smoke and evaporated through the wall.

Shen jumped out of the bushes to inspect the area it had gone through.

The area was slightly darker than the rest—not enough to be seen with the human eye. It was made up of tightly woven branches that fit perfectly into the surrounding area. It was as if it never opened or closed.

The boy finally caught up. He leaned over with his hands on his knees. "Excuse me, you wouldn't have happened to see a ball of gold running away?"

Shen examined the boy. He was a full-grown human. His skin flushed red, and though he was panting to catch his breath, the run did not seem to wind him much.

"Gold running away? Now that's something you don't see every day."

"Actually, you do. Lennox," he extended a hand.

His body was sinewy and muscular as runner's bodies were. His face was square and hardening. Though the soft cheeks of youth were receding, the eagerness of childhood still filled his eyes.

"Shen," he shook it.

A scowl formed on Lennox's face.

"As you can see, this town is not in the best shape. Everyone is one bet away from losing their minds."

"What about you? Have you lost your mind yet?"

The robust energy of youth filled his aura. He wondered how many bets it would take before the boy dried up.

"I'm not the type to gamble. I prefer a sure thing."

"Then why were you chasing gold?"

"Only a fool would stand still if gold is before them."

A tinge of desperation lingered under that thought. It would be enough to bait him.

"How about we make a bet then?" Shen said, holding up the gold coin.

"I'm not-"

"I bet this coin will open up this door."

"There is no door, this is a solid wall."

"Are you sure about that?"

He narrowed his eyes at the coin, but the challenge in Shen's eye was tempting.

"Sure."

"Heads or tails?"

"Heads."

In a bright flash and ding, the branches retreated.