13. Isla

The cottage's wooden door creaked closed behind us, sealing out the chill of the evening.

Instantly, a warmth that was more than just physical enveloped me.

The interior of the dwelling was cozy, lit by the golden glow of lanterns hanging from the ceiling.

It gave the entire room a soft, buttery hue.

And then there was the smell.

A hearty aroma wafted through the air, a mix of roasted vegetables, some spices I couldn't quite place, and — was that pie?

My mouth watered at the thought.

Our hosts were a delightful pair of dwarves.

Both had rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and a kind of ageless energy about them.

They buzzed around the kitchen with an agility that belied their apparent age, their short legs propelling them from one end of the room to the other.

Their voices, full of laughter and good humor, filled the air.

"Ah, Isla! Do you remember the last time you were here?" the female dwarf, whose name I recalled as… Mina?

Yes. It was Mina.

She winked at me, her hands busy kneading some dough. "We had quite the feast, didn't we?"

I strained my memory, trying to pull forward any remnants of that past life.

There was a vague, misty recollection of laughter, good food, and safety.

But the specifics eluded me.

Thillak, seemingly more at ease, chuckled. "You always did know how to keep our bellies full, Mina."

Her partner, a stout fellow with a thick beard named Brin, chortled as he stirred a pot. "It's not just the belly we keep full. We fill the heart too, don't we, dear?"

She shot him an affectionate smile. "That we do."

Their banter was charming and brought a smile to my face.

There was a comfort in their presence, a kind of age-old familiarity.

It felt like coming home after a long journey, even though my conscious mind struggled to place them.

It suddenly seemed easy to forget the creatures trying to track us down and… well, I didn't know exactly what they wanted to do with us.

And I sure didn't want to find out.

Brin, ladling some stew into bowls, set them down on the wooden table.

The spice that rose from the bowls was intoxicating. "Eat up. You'll need your strength."

While Thillak dived into his meal with gusto, I hesitated.

The whirlwind of events, from the revelations about our past lives to the threat of the Balance, had left my stomach in knots.

Mina, sensing my unease, sat down beside me. "You're worried about the Balance, aren't you?"

The word struck a chord, sending shivers down my spine.

Brin, taking a sip from his cup, nodded gravely. "It's not just the Balance you need to be wary of. The universe has a way of…correcting itself when things go awry."

Thillak paused, his face turning serious. "I've heard legends, but I thought they were just that — legends."

Mina's hand found mine, its touch cool and reassuring. "The Balance is very real. And with the power you two wield together, you've caught its attention."

The hum of the lanterns, the rustle of Mina's dress, the distant chirping of nocturnal creatures outside, they all faded into the background.

The weight of her words pressed down on me, heavy and ominous.

"We'll help you," Brin declared, determination shining in his eyes. "But you must hurry."

Mina squeezed my hand. "Don't worry, dear. The universe might strive for balance, but love? Love has a power all its own."

I wanted to believe her, to drown in the comfort of her words.

But everything was happening so fast.

The discovery of our repeated love stories across lifetimes, the Balance — how were Thillak and I at the center of it all?

Brin placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "The road ahead might be treacherous, but remember, love is the beacon that'll guide you through the darkest nights."

Mina nodded in agreement. "And you're not alone. We've got your backs, always have, always will."

Thillak looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and concern. "We'll get through this, Isla."

I nodded, taking a deep breath.

The warmth of the room, the soft glow of the lanterns, and the comforting presence of our old (yet new-to-me) friends — it was all so much to process.

And as I leaned into Thillak, seeking solace in his embrace, the weight of our intertwined destinies pressed down on me.

The path ahead was unclear, and the challenges we'd face, formidable.

* * *

Mina and Brin never stopped.

They were a blur of motion, bustling around the kitchen, preparing not only food but various items which they placed in a large hamper.

Their movements seemed to be synchronized, each knowing what the other was about to do.

It was endearing, yet it underscored the gravity of our situation.

"Let's be clear," Mina began, setting down another bowl filled with a steaming concoction.

The aroma was piquant, stinging my nostrils, yet strangely invigorating. "Once you two become fully bonded, the visions won't just be little flashes. They'll be full, encompassing experiences. You'll see all that is to be."

Brin nodded, his voice deep and gravelly. "And with that kind of foresight, you'd be unstoppable."

Thillak took a sip from the bowl, his face scrunching at the strong flavor, but he nodded in appreciation. "We've caught these glimpses before. But what makes this life different?"

Mina smiled knowingly, her fingers caressing an ancient-looking pendant that hung around her neck. "You've always been a threat to the Balance, a force that seeks to maintain the status quo of the universe."

I tried to process everything. "So, in the past, we became these… all-powerful beings?"

Brin's chuckle filled the room, but it was devoid of any mirth. "Oh, yes. Some lifetimes, you two were benevolent rulers, guiding civilizations to golden eras. Other times… less so."

His gaze fell on Thillak, full of a weighty significance. "Power, especially foreknowledge, can be seductive."

Mina placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, her touch cool and reassuring. "But remember, dear, the Balance has its own interests. They believe that by stopping you two, they preserve the natural order."

Thillak leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "How did they stop us before?"

Brin hesitated, his gaze flitting towards the window as if recalling distant memories. "Sometimes, through persuasion. Other times, by force. And when all else failed, they'd cast a dark spell, cursing you."

My heart raced, the weight of countless lifetimes pressing down on me.

The soft rustle of Mina's dress, the gentle bubbling of the pot, even the distant croaking of some night creature — it all faded as one question consumed my thoughts. "What kind of curse?"

Brin sighed. "Memory loss, separation, pain. Anything is possible if they think you're threat enough. They'd do whatever it took to prevent your bond from reaching its full potential."

A cold realization dawned on me. "Our previous life… the one we partially remember. We were cursed, weren't we?"

Mina nodded sadly. "Yes, dear. The memories you've been recovering are remnants of that curse. Bits and pieces of a life filled with love but marred by tragedy."

Thillak's hand found mine, his grip firm. "Then we need to become fully bonded. Before they get to us."

Brin and Mina exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between them. "It's the only way," Mina finally said. "Once bonded, you can stay one step ahead. But to do that, Isla, you must remember everything."

I felt the weight of her words, the responsibility they carried.

I had to unlock the memories buried deep within me, to bring our shared past to the forefront.

Only then could we stand a chance.

Thillak's voice, filled with warmth, broke through my reverie. "We'll do it together, Isla."

The bond between us pulsed, a beacon of hope in the face of impending danger.

With each heartbeat, the memories beckoned, waiting to be unearthed.

And as I looked into Thillak's eyes, I felt the first stirrings of recollection.

A promise of love, strength, and defiance against the odds.

* * *

The soft glowof the morning light bathed the landscape in an ethereal sheen.

Birds (or what passed for birds on this world) warbled, their chorus a serenade to a new day.

Everything felt, smelled, and looked sharper, the impending peril heightening my senses.

The sound of leaves rustling with the soft breeze, the tang in the air hinting at a coming rain — everything felt so profoundly alive.

Brin and Mina, the dwarven couple, were a whirlwind of activity, despite their age.

Brin moved with practiced ease, making sure everything was secured for our journey, while Mina was busy packing a hamper.

The aroma wafting from it was an eclectic mix — fragrant herbs, roasted meats, and some kind of sweet pastry that made my stomach grumble in anticipation.

Once the hamper was ready, the four of us made our way to the clearing where their shuttle rested.

It was sleek and compact, looking every bit a model of efficiency.

The reflective surface gleamed, catching the dappled sunlight, making the vessel appear as if it was carved out of liquid silver.

While Brin and Thillak were engrossed in a conversation that revolved around the shuttle's mechanics and handling, Mina beckoned me over with a knowing smile.

Her gaze was intent as she looked me over, her eyes seeming to pierce through the veil of my existence.

She reached out, her fingers cool against my skin as she gently tilted my face, examining my eyes.

Then, with a look of approval, she motioned for me to stick out my tongue.

I complied, albeit a little confused.

Her nod was brief before she handed me a small vial filled with a luminescent liquid.

"Drink this when the time's right," she instructed, her tone gentle yet firm.

"When will I know when the time's right?" I asked.

She gave me a look as if I had asked the dumbest question in the galaxy. "Why, because it will be the right time, of course."

Confused, I tucked it in my pocket.

"There'll be times when the path ahead seems dark, but always remember, dawn follows the night," Mina whispered, her tone soothing. "This will help you when the memories threaten to overwhelm."

My gaze sought hers, seeking reassurance. "How can you be so sure everything will turn out all right?"

A mischievous twinkle appeared in her eyes, the corners crinkling as she smiled. "You think you and Thillak are the only star-crossed lovers reborn time and again?"

The implication of her words slowly sank in, and my eyes widened in realization. "You and Brin…?"

She chuckled softly, nodding. "Not all stories are writ large across the canvas of the cosmos. Some are quiet, gentle, yet no less profound."

The wistfulness in her voice resonated with a deep truth, echoing lifetimes of love, loss, and reunion. "We've chosen a life of simplicity, of quietude. It's how we've managed to live, love, and elude those who might wish us harm for so long."

Before I could respond, she gently nudged me toward the shuttle. "Now, off you go. Time's a luxury neither of you can afford."

As I stepped into the shuttle, the interior was bathed in a soft, ambient light, the controls subtly humming with energy.

Thillak was already in the pilot's seat, his fingers dancing over the console with ease.

He glanced up, his eyes locking onto mine.

The depth of emotion in that gaze held the promise of eternity, a silent vow that we would face whatever challenges lay ahead together.

Without another word, Thillak initiated the shuttle's engines.

The familiar hum filled the cabin, and within moments, we were airborne.

As we soared higher, the landscape below turned into a vast mosaic of colors and patterns.

The sensation of flight, the sheer thrill of it, was exhilarating.

Drawing in a deep breath, I allowed the events of the day to wash over me.

The revelations, the threats, the love, and the promise of a shared future — all of it was a heady mix.

But at that moment, soaring above the world with Thillak by my side, I felt invincible.

The journey ahead was uncertain, filled with potential dangers and challenges.

Yet, as the horizon stretched endlessly before us, I couldn't help but feel hopeful.

After all, love had brought us together across lifetimes, and love would see us through.

Wouldn't it?