When Twin Flames Unite

Friends in the Underworld

A single stream connected the living to the dead.

Ala traversed the side of the mountain. Her scales reflected the light like waves. Smoothly floating along, she was carried through a hole, just big enough for a water snake to fit through.

Bypassing the worms that stretched. Over the burrowing animals at home. She trickled down to the heart of the earth. The stream twisted, turned, swelled, and ripped, and she was spat out tof he mouth. Right over the threshold between the living and dead.

A mountain range pressed up against the dark cloudless sky. Only the river shone brightly. Illuminated with the souls of the dead. Dissatisfaction hung over them from their previous lives, making the water chaotic and turbulent. After a wave of frustration, Ala washed ashore.

A chorus of grief signaled her arrival. Deep mournful moans, mixed with high-pitched wails. The low, guttural hiss drew her attention. A vulture circled high in the sky and made its descent.

Now, an arm's reach away, its wings flapped in expectantly. Closer, and farther as Ala shooed it away.

"Chiron! It's me."

But the bird was not deterred. The scent of decay was fresh on her person, and the bird could not be kept at bay.

Smoke mixed with the scent of myrrh and the heavy ash of a funeral pyre approached. From it formed a shadow, condensed into the shape of a woman. Silver silk etched over black velvet, that expanded at the bust and nipped at the waist. Gray skin gave way to long nails sharpened to a point. The silver glittered as her hands curled in anticipation. Much like the fangs that protruded. A lightning bolt was etched on the surface, and they flashed through the fog, an unfortunate reminder of fate.

The myrrh was so strong that Ala's eyes watered and she began to cough.

The silver sparkle of Spinx's eyes twinkled like stardust. She narrowed them in disdain and they snapped open as the smoke cleared to reveal her full grin.

"Ah, the birthday girl is here!"

She wrapped her arms tight around Ala and rubbed a soothing hand down her back. The other caresses her hair.

"My poor girl, I'm so sorry."

Ala relaxed into her touch. Her head tucked safely into Spinx's neck. She offered her own condolences.

"Lay off the perfume."

"You smell this place. A lady must do the best she can."

In each other's embrace, they gave space for mourning.

They found comfort and safety in each other's arms. Sisters through the storm, they embraced each other's grief. Like a carefully applied salve, their presence covered their wounds. Soothing enough to prevent a scab from forming, protective enough to keep from picking at it.

The moment was broken by the hastened caw.

Spinx conjured the carrion of an animal too far gone to identify. He gobbled it up and flew away.

"That will never not be creepy," Ala said, wiping her face.

***

"I hate it when you do this," Spinx said.

The water from the reincarnation pool was the best intoxicant. It was meant to make one forget who they were and reduce them to their divine essence so they could be molded and shaped. But to get to that water, one must swim to the bottom.

"Well, you're going to hate it even more. I'm making a pearl."

Spinx's stomach dropped.

It was an arduous journey. The water pressure was so great that it squeezed out every memory. The hidden, forgotten, cherished. Every painful memory was relieved, every blissful one released. A soul was meant to be stripped of every memory, like, dislike, blood, bone, anything that gave them a sense of identity.