The Prophecy of Arnaka (The Arnaka Saga Book 1) Page 14

  Vilu led her once more out of the river and into the sweet water sea to the same underwater pyramid that he had taken her to before. Again, the beauty of the brilliantly sparkling jewels that adorned the sand at the pyramid’s base struck Ashta, and her hand unconsciously went to the ruby she wore at her chest. She had rarely taken it off since receiving it in this very spot. The pyramid had been well built. It was small, just the right size to fit harmoniously under the waters and not impede sea life.

  Now at their final destination, Vilu raced around the pyramid several times before leaving Ashta there. She was to continue alone. Ashta watched Vilu swim away and sent waves of her love with him. As soon as he was out of her range of sight, Ashta felt a large concentration of energy building beneath her feet. She wondered about it, but before she had time to imagine what was happening, she found herself hurtling through the waters, straight up. Her body broke through the surface of the water, and she flew through the sky without any effort or even conscious intention on her part. Before her whirling mind registered that she was flying, she was deposited at the base of another pyramid above ground.

  Ashta stood cautiously for several moments. Her head spun from the suddenness and momentum of flight. She worked to get her bearings. She brought her attention to the feeling of her feet planted on the ground. Finally, she was steady enough to move forward and did so in a haze of astonishment. She moved closer to the pyramid and leaned into it, finding stillness again. Then she circled the pyramid, skimming her hand along the outer walls, and entered it.

  Ashta stood still for several heartbeats, giving her eyes the opportunity to adjust to the interior darkness of the pyramid. The tunnel-like entryway ensured that no light filtered into the main chamber. She knew she was there to learn some type of lesson. She did not know what it was yet; she waited for guidance with a mixture of nervous apprehension and excitement. She walked to the center of the pyramid and sat with her legs crossed, her hands on her heart center. It was at the point in between the swell of her breasts that she felt the source of her love concentrate, and it was there that she brought her focus.

  She stilled the thoughts of her mind and waited. Soon enough, she heard her guidance. She was to release energy into the pyramid by herself, without Anak. This would be new for her. She had only emitted light once through a pyramid when Anak was not present. That had been at the underwater pyramid, which had felt like a very different sort of energetic experience. Also, when underwater, Ashta had not entered the pyramid, but had held it on the outside and the light transference had happened from there. Aided by the conductivity of the water, the light emission had seemed amplified. She had felt herself an instrument as much as the pyramid was in that moment.

  She sat quietly on the sandy floor of the pyramid, focused on the beating of her heart, and waited for further direction. As soon as she understood what she was to do, she acted. There was no need to think. She focused her consciousness inward with strong intent. She focused on all the love that surged within her. She focused on the peace and acceptance that occupied her heart. She felt the knowing of Creator’s universal love and beauty. She acknowledged the protection that she received constantly from her spirit guides. She felt her fellow angels with her and accepted the gentle support of the other enlightened beings that were there with her too. She connected to Creator’s eternal love and knew she was ready to direct that love and energy outward.

  She willed the light to project out from her body. She directed light from the center of her heart out through the surface of her skin. She allowed it to radiate out of her being in waves, in great surges. Even with her eyes closed, she could sense that there were visible waves of light energy emanating from her and spreading throughout the pyramid.

  Compelled to see how it looked, Ashta opened her eyes. She gasped at the beauty of it. A dance of sparkling light swirled about her. Waves of energy left her body and flowed to the walls of the pyramid’s base. The energy, which appeared as a golden light, bounced off the walls as it spiraled upward, increasing in intensity with each turn. By the time the golden light reached the pinnacle of the pyramid, it had grown even brighter. Then, in an upsurge, it exited through the top of the pyramid where the capstone had moved out of place. From there, it shot straight up into the sky.

  Ashta had not realized that she was capable of directing this incredible power without Anak’s combined strength. Had he done this without her also? The twins allowed each other to learn independently as it became appropriate for each of them. Though their lives were inextricably interwoven, they took caution to honor their individuality. They understood the need to respect their unique rhythms to foster the harmony that existed between them. And so the twins allowed lessons to unfold in divine timing and were sensitive not to discuss them until they felt certain that each had been able to gain the intended wisdom from the lesson.

  Ashta was calm. She felt no immediate need for reflection in search of a deeper understanding. She had been shown another miraculous unfolding of her life that would greatly help others. She was grateful. She uncrossed her legs and sprung up from her seated position. She thanked Creator and walked through the tunnel that led out of the pyramid.

  As in the previous time when she had transferred her light to the underwater pyramid, the light emitted was golden. But when she and Anak worked with the pyramids together, a sky blue light burst forth from them. Ashta forgot her ponderings about the variance in light color as she stepped out into the brilliant sun.

  21 Keep the Faith

  Marco was confused. Was there reason for him to panic as he was? He was worried that Elena was in danger. The message he had received at the Javelina Inn made no sense at all. The only thing that was clear was that someone wanted to bring him to Rome. Was it to separate him from Elena? Now that Marco had found Elena, he would do anything to keep her safe.

  “There is still no answer,” Marco fretted, phone to his ear. The family looked up at him from the kitchen table. “If Elena doesn’t call me back, I am going to leave on the first flight I can get. Something feels wrong even though I do not know what is going on. I cannot stay. You understand that, si?” he asked them.

  Yes, they understood. Marco’s mother and Antonio nodded, Giuseppe smiled, but Carla had an intense look on her face. Carla spoke in a voice that Marco hadn’t heard before. “Marco, do not wait to see if she picks up. Go. Now! Something is wrong. The message was too cruel in light of what happened with Angela. I can think of no one who would do that to you. Something is not right.”

  Marco nodded. He did have to go.

  “Go now.” Carla said. “Just promise to come back and see us very soon. And bring Elena with you. Come on, I will take you to the airport. If luck is on your side, you might be able to catch a late morning flight to the United States.”

  Marco nodded again, unable to believe the strangeness of the last twenty-four hours.

  Carla gave Giuseppe a kiss and rose to her feet. Giuseppe could stay with his grandmother. “Let’s go right now, Marco. I feel what you are feeling.”

  Marco said his rushed goodbyes and got in Carla’s car. She pulled away from the curb before Marco had even fully closed his door and started weaving through the Roman traffic. Cars and Vespas came at them from all directions but, accustomed to the chaos, neither Marco nor Carla flinched. They headed toward the airport.

  When they arrived, Carla went to park while Marco jumped out of the car and made a beeline for the Alitalia counter, saying a silent prayer that he could find a flight. Fortune was on his side as a last minute cancellation had opened a seat on a flight that was about to begin boarding. Carla showed up at the counter as her brother was handing over his credit card.

  Marco had just a few minutes before he had to clear airport security. He turned to his older sister. Marco and Carla had never been very close. Angela and Marco had been inseparable, and when she died, Marco kept everyone at a distance to protect himself; he didn’t think he could survive another loss l
ike Angela’s death. Even so, Marco got along with all of his family members, but he could not remember the last time he had spent any significant amount of time with Carla where it was just the two of them.

  Carla reached out and touched her brother’s arm. “It will be okay. It has to be. If this woman is whom you say she is, you are meant to be together. God has already chosen you for each other. Hold the faith.”

  Marco looked at Carla with gratitude in his eyes. Her encouraging words helped him. Carla seemed to have matured in the four years since he last saw her. Marco hadn’t known his sister could be this wise.

  “Grazie, Carla.” He thanked her. It was important to Marco to remember how strong his faith was. Creator was truly miraculous so Marco turned his thoughts to prayer. God, please keep Elena safe. I am coming to save her. He had this last thought unintentionally, but as soon as the thought was out—I am coming to save her—Marco knew that it was true. He was on his way to save Elena—from what, he didn’t know, but he would do whatever it took. God, just keep her safe until I can get there.

  “What is she like?” Carla asked.

  “She is wonderful,” Marco said. “I can feel her soul, and it is a match to mine.”

  “Marco, that is amazing. I am happy for you,” Carla said. Then she added, “I wish I had that.”

  Marco looked at her. “I thought you were happy with Stefano.”

  “I am, but I do not feel that Stefano is the match of my soul. I love him. He loves me. We love our children. We have a happy life together. But I think I could have that with several people, not just him. I think maybe there are several of us in this life for each other. Maybe it is not just one person. Maybe we can be happy with many,” Carla said.

  Marco shook his head no. “Perhaps for you, Carla,” he said. “For me, there is only her. There is no other. She was made for me by God.”

  Marco saw tears in Carla’s eyes.

  “Call her again, Marco,” Carla said.

  Marco dialed. Elena, pick up, pick up, pick up. I love you. Pick up. Still, there was no answer. He had stopped leaving messages after having left so many. Elena’s phone rang across an ocean, vibrating on the night side table, moving an inch each time Marco called. This time when Marco called, the phone fell to the floor and popped open.

  * * *

  Ashta dove into the water of the River Haakal and emerged, her hair slicked back. It was always to the water that she retreated when she needed to replenish herself, and she left the water’s tranquility with reluctance. The water reminded her of the calming security of the womb. Within her mother’s womb, all of her needs had been taken care of, and she had no responsibilities. Now, though she was grateful to Creator for the life that had been gifted to her, she carried a grand sense of responsibility. There were very important things that she must do in this lifetime. Though she did her best not to focus on the weight of this duty, it was present nonetheless. And on those days when Ashta could not help but feel the enormity of what she and Anak were to accomplish, the comfort of the womb-like water was a welcome refuge.

  Ashta and Anak were now twenty-two. They were much the same as they had been as children of thirteen when they first met. The same vitality coursed through them, the same zest for life. But the greater wisdom that lived within them shone in their eyes and Kaanra, who knew them well, could sense the toll that their life purpose had taken on them. Kaanra knew it could be a heavy burden to carry, but he had never heard them complain. He was as proud of them as if they were children of his own flesh. Though Kaanra had known Ashta longer than Anak, he had grown to love them both equally. The twins lived firmly within the recesses of Kaanra’s heart.

  As Ashta and Anak matured and learned the skills they needed to fulfill their purpose on earth, the messages from their spirit guides grew stronger. Lately, their messages had become urgent, informing them of battles between the forces of light and darkness being waged just outside the realm of ordinary human consciousness. The twins felt they were at a crossroads. Their instincts pricked in alertness at times when they could see no physical reason for it. And they knew; they sensed without sight that things were intensifying.

  The messages they received became as insistent as they were consistent, The time is now. The twins accepted with anxious anticipation that the time would soon come when they would be called upon to step into their roles of light warriors. They did not know exactly what would be asked of them, but their guides had shown them enough for them to realize that much would be expected of them in addition to their light emissions in the pyramids.

  Over the last several months, the twins had felt the need to emit light within the pyramids more regularly. Ashta and Anak incorporated daily visits to them in their practice of connection with spirit. The requirement for light on the planet was increasing.

  Ashta was unprepared to participate in a battle, whether etheric or worldly. She felt a pressing need to ready herself and wanted to learn anything that could help her meet unknown challenges. For several weeks, Ashta had asked the angels to prepare her for what lay ahead, and, after waiting patiently, they presented Ashta with a sword.

  It was a double-edged sword made of a strong metal Ashta did not recognize. Though swords were relatively common in her land, she had never touched one before. She had focused her energy on peaceful pursuits. Although the skill of sword fighting was taught at the temples for those who wanted to learn, Ashta had never felt drawn to it before. Now, she held a sword for the first time and was being urged to use it. She felt ready.

  The angels worked through someone in the community to get the sword to her. Ashta was not surprised. She knew that every person and every situation could be a link in the chain of divine action. Makalah, a man that Ashta admired for his strength of wisdom and spiritual understanding, presented her with his sword. Ashta had seen Makalah several times throughout the years. Every time she encountered him, he greeted her with a silent nod and with peaceful knowing in his eyes. That made him very memorable to Ashta, though they had never exchanged words.

  On this day, Makalah did speak with her. Ashta learned that Makalah had used the sword in battle many times, always fighting for light to prevail. Makalah, accustomed to receiving messages from the angels and following their instruction without question, found Ashta and presented her with his sword. It glistened and appealed to the notion of idealism that surrounded battle in Ashta’s inexperienced mind. But even without having seen fighting firsthand, Ashta knew that the reality of battle differed vastly from the way it was idealized and presented to the people.

  The sword was long and slender, sharpened to a precise point. Though Ashta was amazed at the ease she felt with the sword, she did not know how to hold it or work with it. She could have found someone to train her in many places, even at the temple, but she wanted to learn on her own, just as she had with most of her other training.

  She began to work with the sword that very same day. At first, she would hold it in a fighting stance, repeat to herself, “I am an angel warrior,” and then put it down. After a few days of this simple practice, Ashta felt empowered by the sword and began to swing it. Adjusting to its awkwardness, she learned how to move with it properly and fluidly. It was very different from anything else she had ever worked with before.

  Still, she resisted the temptation to reach out to another for instruction. Even Anak had been working with swords for several years and would have taught her how to wield it, but she remained convinced that it was necessary for her to develop the skill by herself. It was part of her process. A valuable sense of empowerment would surely come from her finding her own sense of comfort and connection to the ways of the sword.

  After several weeks of familiarizing herself with her sword, Ashta enclosed herself within a small, rarely used courtyard at the temple. It was private. Ashta brandished the sword and swung it. Her confidence in moving with it grew, and she learned to handle it with ease.

  Soon, she was swinging the sword to both sides,
advancing as she did. Ashta became fully aware of the grace of her body. Her body had been lean as a child. As a young woman, Ashta’s body was still slender, but it had changed. It now possessed a feminine voluptuousness. She was athletic and capable of performing great physical feats, but still had all the curves of womanhood. She moved forward with the sword as a splendid female warrior.

  Well before Ashta’s introduction to the sword, Anak had been practicing with one. He also learned to use a staff and a bow and arrow, tools common to the warriors of their time. Although Arnaka enjoyed peace with its neighbors across the sea, warriors were instructed every generation as a precaution.

  Anak had become a strong warrior not only due to his physical training, but because he had continued to focus on his spiritual instruction as well. That gave him inner integrity, for a warrior held his true strength in his heart. Anak anchored the light and love within just as strongly as Ashta did. Together, they were becoming skilled warriors of light.

  * * *

  Clouds streaked the sky’s bright blue against a backdrop of reddish orange mountains dotted by spiny cacti and scrubby desert plants. Elena stared off into the distance until her mind wandered back to why she had fled the room. She had torn the note into pieces and thrown it in the trash, hoping that the inn’s cleaning staff would discard it so she would never have to see it again. Did the note mean she would never see Marco again either?

  Elena had been so certain of Marco; she had believed with all of her heart that she had found the man with whom she was meant to share her life. But they would not lead a life together as she had hoped. Elena had been foolish. She had allowed herself to fall in love with a man she did not know. All she knew was what he had told her about himself. Still Elena felt like she had known him. She was disoriented and distraught. She had really believed that she knew his heart. Could her heart have been so easily deceived?