Beyond Prophecy Read online

  Paolo felt it too, and he held onto her. He’d support her no matter where she went and no matter what she needed. He was her champion. He was her twin. As Lena began to lose her hold on this world, she stared into Paolo’s eyes. She watched his countenance around the eyes shift and transform.

  His eyes were the same, but his face turned from Paolo’s into Anak’s. The same yellow hair changed its cut, the face morphed and became more elongated, and the lips altered their shape under Lena’s kiss. His body changed some, but as Paolo shifted into Anak, he remained with Lena as she began to travel in space and time.

  Chapter 21

  The twins woke early the next morning. This time, they rose before the sun and again walked all day. They hardly paused to rest at all. They could feel that they were getting closer to their destination and didn’t want to stop until they reached that place.

  Right before their legs were about to give out, they reached a clearing. It was an oasis within a tumultuous world. The clearing was in the middle of a forest that tingled with magic and beauty. Even though there was no one else there, the twins knew it was the appointed place. They would wait there until their guidance revealed the next step.

  The twins allowed themselves time for rest and leisure—time to be at peace with everything. They had no idea what the next days would bring, but they knew with certainty that much would be required of them so they enjoyed the tranquility of the present moment. Asara walked prayerfully. Her body’s rhythmic movements dispelled the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm her mind and things became silent and still.

  She walked the perimeter of the clearing, smiling at the trees and at the lively fairies that played in the flowers among the trees’ roots. Asara whispered her prayers like a chant to the passing plants that drew her eye. She breathed in the air that was so different from the air of Arnaka. She circled the edge of the plot several times, until she felt her heart was completely at peace with whatever might come.

  Then Asara returned to the center of the clearing where her twin was moving in a controlled body exercise. He moved from pose to pose, unhurriedly and precisely. The exercise appeared deceptively easy when actually the deliberate movements required great strength and agility of body and mind. Anak elongated, stretching his legs and arms out as far as they would go, and then even farther. Then he crouched like an animal about to strike. His stillness was illusory as his muscles were tensed and set to spring into action.

  They were prepared. Their bodies and minds were attuned and ready for action. For the first time, Asara felt a sense of excitement about their expanding duties, and anticipation pulsed through her veins. Their angel guides supported them as they shifted into beings with more advanced capabilities than those of light emissaries. They were stepping into their new role as light warriors. These were exciting times, fraught with uncertainty and challenges, but exciting nonetheless.

  Chapter 22

  Lena and Paolo went down to the creek to meet Victor at sunrise. They’d hardly slept, waking in the middle of the night to make love again, but despite their lack of sleep, they felt refreshed and energized.

  A question popped into Lena’s mind. She hadn’t thought to ask it in the whirlwind that marked their lives since she and Paolo met. Lena broke the still space of the awakening morning to whisper, “When’s your birthday?”

  Paolo looked at her, surprised.

  “August fifth,” he replied.

  “No way!” she said. “That can’t be.”

  Just then, Victor walked up. He stepped as quietly and stealthily as a forest animal. Neither Lena nor Paolo heard him until he was just behind them.

  “What is it?” Victor asked, looking from one shocked face to the other.

  “We have the same birthday,” Lena whispered as if she were sharing some deep secret.

  Victor laughed aloud. It was a joyful cackle. He threw his head back while he laughed, and Lena was able to discern how Victor tricked his body into denying its biological age. When Victor was able to rein his laughter in, he said, “But of course you share the same birthday! You are twins!”

  Victor and Marian seemed to know so much about them; it made Lena wonder how long her teachers had known about their pupils. Then the thought struck her: if she and Paolo were the twins of the light prophecy in this parallel lifetime she kept seeing in her visions, then perhaps they had incarnated to perform a similar role in this present lifetime. Were she and Paolo to emit light, vanquish darkness, and change the world for humanity? Could that be possible? Were they the twins of the light prophecy in this incarnation too?

  Of course you are, dear one. What did you think?

  Lena heard Victor’s voice in her head, and she swiveled his way so fast she almost sprained her neck. She was sure it was his voice! It was Victor, answering her in her mind. He’d heard her thoughts, just as Marian had. Who were Victor and Marian? Who were these people?

  You’ll soon see. In the meantime, follow me.

  Victor walked toward the creek and Lena followed. This man could talk to her telepathically; she wanted to see what he could teach her. Lena and Paolo followed Victor as he led them to choose the right piece of wood for a staff.

  Chapter 23

  Asara was sprawled among the grasses and flowers, watching lazily as her twin continued his exercises. She watched him until her eyes closed to the brightness of the sun, and before long, she found herself in the familiar comfort of the dream world. She saw herself as a small child running amongst fields of wildflowers. Anak, who was also a child, ran at her side.

  Asara had dreamt this dream many times before. This time, something was different. Asara and Anak were younger than when they’d actually met at the Temple of Laresu’u Kal at the age of thirteen. In her dream, they were only seven, or perhaps younger.

  Asara did something she hadn’t done before. She took Anak’s hand and twirled him around until they faced the direction they had just come from. Anak thought Asara turned him as part of their play, and he tried to continue spinning, but Asara stood still. Slowly, she raised her arm and pointed. At the bottom of the hill were the faint silhouettes of eight other children heading toward them.

  Something began pulling Asara out of her dream, beckoning her, but she didn’t want to go. She wanted to meet these children; she sensed they were important. But, despite her resistance, she was waking. She was leaving the dream world in regret without knowing that the eight souls from her dream were approaching.

  Chapter 24

  Lena and Paolo wondered how good Victor would be as a weapons teacher, and they soon saw why there was no one better to teach them. Victor had a lifetime, probably many lifetimes, of experience in battle. He had wisdom and a youthful vitality that belied his seventy-seven years. His body lost any sign of aging when a weapon was in hand; he moved gracefully and expertly.

  Victor walked with them through the forest that edged the creek. It was an oasis within the desert. Victor skirted through the trees, touching each one that called to him, feeling for the right one. The twins imitated him. Lena wrapped her hands around the trees as she playfully swung from one to the other, engaging the mischievous spirit of the forest.

  She walked past one and was ready to release it and swing onto the next when she gasped softly and stopped. She’d found the tree that wanted to work with her. Lena pressed her forehead against the trunk and wrapped her arms around it. There was no hurry and no need to do anything else. Lena let herself feel deep appreciation for the tree, an ancient and beautiful spirit that understood more about life than most people ever would.

  Now that Lena realized Victor could hear her thoughts, she didn’t speak with her voice. She didn’t want to disturb the moment. Instead, she let it ring out in her mind: I found her. I found the one for me. Even with her eyes closed, Lena knew that Victor continued to walk without pause. It was as if he hadn’t heard her, but she knew he had. Lena stayed with her tree while the other two walked on until Paolo found the tree meant for hi
m. Once that happened, Victor backtracked to Lena.

  Victor walked up behind Lena and placed his hand on the tree trunk. He said, “You’re right. She’s the one for you. She’s beautiful.” The tree sighed at his words.

  Victor taught them how to connect with the tree and ask for permission to cut a branch for a staff that they would use in a sacred way. Both trees gave their permission, and Lena and Paolo tenderly cut off the limbs they would need. They carefully used the hacksaws that Victor brought to minimize damage to the trees.

  Then, from his waist, Victor took a leather pouch decorated with beautiful Native American beadwork. He took out the sacred tobacco plant and offered it to the earth around the trees on behalf of Lena and Paolo. The twins bowed their heads in thanks.

  Victor told Lena and Paolo that he and Marian would teach them how to use a staff, a bow, a knife, and a sword and that they would be prepared to carry all of these weapons into battle. But he also told them that they would ultimately need none of them. They would have all the weaponry they needed within their hearts.

  Chapter 25

  Asara opened her eyes to see Anak standing over her, blocking the sun. She pushed herself onto her elbows and saw several people approaching, still scattered specks on the horizon. Some traveled alone, and there were also a couple and a small group, all heading toward the clearing. Asara stood at attention, anticipating the crowd that was drawing near.

  One by one, the travelers began to arrive. They presented themselves as allies, greeting Asara and Anak with an embrace. They didn’t exchange words; instead, there was a silent agreement to wait until the last of them arrived before speaking. The first person to reach the clearing was a big, burly figure of a man named Baldub.

  He was warmhearted and bear-like, with a fur skin draped loosely across his body, leaving his arms and legs exposed. He carried a club and wore a scrubby beard and brown hair that were neither long, nor short, just unkempt. He bordered on being handsome, but Asara couldn’t decide whether he was or not.

  His embrace was surprisingly gentle for such a large man, and the twins instantly liked him. They knew they could trust him with their lives, even though they’d just met. As if Baldub sensed the trust the twins had placed in him, he stationed himself next to them protectively as people continued to approach.

  A pair came up next. It was obvious they were twins, a brother and sister named Area and Arien. They looked androgynous, with few details giving hint as to who was the male and who the female; they were nearly identical to each other. They wore long white robes that draped their bodies loosely. Somehow, their robes were pristine, as if they’d walked through a dream instead of a forest. Not a speck of dirt tarnished their bright white robes.

  They had long, fine blonde hair of the lightest color and pale skin, inconsistent with that part of the world where the sun was so strong that tanned skin was nearly inevitable. In effect, they didn’t seem to come from this world at all.

  Area and Arien had light blue eyes. They were long and lean, as if they were barely in their bodies. They greeted Asara and Anak with an embrace that felt distant, as if it were from another realm.

  In stark contrast to Area and Arien, Carn, a woman traveling alone, approached next. She wore a deep crimson cloak and carried a staff in one hand. A battle-ready bag on her back held a bow and arrows. She was lively, full of internal power, and her embrace was strong.

  She was relatively petite, but that did nothing to diminish her power. She had long, straight auburn hair that glistened with copper highlights on its way down her back. Her eyes were a startling green that held surprising intensity. Carn was a warrior with light in her heart.

  She knew they were all in this quest together, and so she ran up to Asara and Anak and hugged them as if they were childhood friends who hadn’t seen each other in some time. Carn’s openness melted away all barriers that typically exist between strangers. Just as with Baldub, the twins felt immediately drawn to her.

  A group of three ambled up, shy in all the ways that Carn was not. They were cousins, two young men and one young woman, all fresh-faced and excited to be on a great adventure. The two boys had brown hair that was short and shabby. They looked like brothers though it was their mothers who were sisters. They were athletic and strong, with boyish bodies already on their way to manhood.

  The girl was lovely, with long, brown hair that fell in a braid down her back. Her name was Meena, and she was Mohan’s sister. Osarus was their cousin. Together, they walked toward the line of people headed by Asara and Anak. The cousins were dressed in plain, comfortable clothing chosen for freedom of movement. They all carried swords at their sides, sheathed in intricate leather casings they had made. One by one, they moved down the line, giving each person an embrace.

  A straggler, the last of them, neared the group. He walked alone as if he were out for a stroll, took a wrong turn, and ended up at the gathering of spiritual warriors. He had the small frame of a boy of twelve or thirteen years, but as he loomed closer and Asara was able to see his eyes, she realized he was more likely eighteen or nineteen years of age.

  His eyes revealed a wisdom that was beyond those years he’d spent in his physical body. His eyes spoke great truth and Asara found herself drawn to their depths. She wanted to know more about him, to understand his wisdom. The young man’s name was Thom, and he walked up to them empty-handed. He brought nothing but himself in preparation for etheric battle; that was all he needed.

  Chapter 26

  Thom was the last to join them. Once the group realized it was complete, they all gathered around in informal greeting and exchanged names. They quickly learned they spoke many different languages and that verbal communication would be challenging. They would communicate telepathically, a skill they all developed before arriving. Telepathic communication reached the mind as images and thoughts. There was complete understanding.

  In little time, those gathered knew more about one another than most people learn in a decade. Because they all shared a similar calling, they understood each other in ways that others could not. It was a gathering of light warriors, but largely untested light warriors. Surprise was in store for each of them; the battle that loomed ahead would begin to reveal their full potentials.

  The social exploration drew to a natural close. Nightfall was quickly approaching so they divided the necessary tasks for camp preparation. Baldub and Carn would hunt for meat. The cousins, Meena, Mohan, and Osarus, left in search of fruits, grains, and any other growing foods that could nourish them. Thom left to collect firewood. He meandered off by himself, comfortable in his own company. Asara and Anak, always drawn to the water, went off in search of running water to replenish their supplies.

  Area and Arien didn’t choose a task and stayed behind as if it were the most sensible thing for them to do. No one questioned them. They didn’t know one another well enough yet to understand what each could contribute to the group dynamic. Area and Arien watched everyone walk away, standing next to each other in stillness, as the others became smaller and smaller and, finally, disappeared from view.

  It took Asara and Anak quite a while to reach water. They walked steadily, following signs of increasing green and lushness. The sun dipped low in the sky by the time they reached flowing water, but Asara and Anak still dropped their clothes and jumped in. For them, it was instinct. The water drew them to it as if it were part of them.

  Without intending it, Asara and Anak made their way to an inlet where there was reprieve from the current. In seconds, Anak found himself merged with his beloved. Just as they were drawn to the water, they were drawn to each other. It, too, was instinct.

  Though neither had anticipated this sudden rush of passion, it provided a welcome sense of comfort and thrill that took them away from thoughts of the battle that was beginning to take shape around them. Asara gave herself over to the man she loved. All of her was with him, in total rapture.

  Chapter 27

  It was afternoon when
Marian and Victor surprised Lena and Paolo with a ceremony. The teachers led their students down to the creek bed where Marian bestowed Victor’s sword, the same one he’d earlier leant to Lena, to Paolo, representing the divine feminine giving to the divine masculine, and Victor bestowed Marian’s sword to Lena, representing the divine feminine receiving from the divine masculine. The symbolism of the gift made the ceremony a powerful one.

  The swords were double-edged battle swords with intricate engravings on the hilts. Marian and Victor instructed their students to spend time with the swords; they were to explore the swords’ energies and bond with them, making the swords theirs. Lena and Paolo separated, heading in different directions.

  Lena sat against the trunk of a tree. She folded her legs beneath her in lotus pose and placed the sword flat across her lap. She closed her eyes without a specific intention and soon found herself witnessing a young woman in the midst of a chaotic battle, bringing the same sword, which Lena now held, down on a man with eyes that glowed with malevolence and demonic possession. Lena was certain that the young swordswoman was Marian in another lifetime.

  The young woman brought the sword down on the man’s neck and then swirled around, gaining momentum, and stabbed him in the heart. Knowing death was seconds away, the demon fled the man’s body, which allowed him to regain the soft eyes of a human a breath before death. Blood splattered the swordswoman’s unruly copper-colored hair.