14. Thillak

The hum of the shuttle's engines provided a gentle, ambient soundtrack as we cruised through the vast expanse of space.

The cockpit was bathed in the delicate light emanating from the various displays and buttons, casting an almost ethereal glow that softly illuminated Isla's face.

Her beauty seemed magnified against the canvas of stars, planets, and nebulae that streamed by outside the window.

I tried to break the silence with a quip. "So, who would've thought that space traffic would be so much smoother than planetary side?" I gave her a wink, trying to ease the tension.

But Isla seemed miles away, lost in thought as she stared into the void of space.

The faint reflection of her eyes on the window pane held a myriad of emotions — confusion, fear, anger, and more.

"I know it's been… overwhelming," I started, searching for the right words. "But we'll get through this. We always have."

She turned to face me, her gaze intense. "Before all of this, Thillak, my life was simple. I had a routine, a purpose, and now…" her voice trailed off, the weight of our predicament pressing down on her. "It was peaceful, and I liked it that way."

A rush of emotions swelled within me.

Was she blaming me for what we'd been through?

I suppose it was my fault in a way.

If I had never seen her face, never known she was destined to come to Ikmal, I never would have Claimed her, and none of this would have happened.

But then equally bad things would have happened to her.

She would have found herself at the mercy of countless inmates.

At least I had freed her from that fate.

As I looked into her eyes, brimming with tears, anger was replaced with empathy.

This was hard on her.

Harder than I could imagine.

Drawing in a deep breath, tasting the slight tang of the recycled air, I swallowed my retort.

Instead, I reached over, feeling the soft fabric of her trousers, and gave her leg a reassuring squeeze.

The warmth of her skin was both comforting and grounding.

Tears spilled down her cheeks, and I pulled her into a gentle embrace.

Her body trembled against mine.

"It's not your fault," she whispered, her voice slightly muffled against my chest. "But I'm scared. Scared of the unknown, of what might come."

I rubbed her back, feeling the texture of her clothes under my fingertips. "I know, Isla. But I promise, we'll figure this out. Together."

We sat there for what felt like hours, the universe moving around us, oblivious to our plight.

The serenity of space, the soft lights of distant stars, and the rhythmic hum of the shuttle's engines created a momentary cocoon of tranquility.

Finally, I pulled away, searching her eyes.

The storm had passed, replaced with a steely determination.

"We need a plan," she said resolutely. "And this time you'll tell me what it is!"

Nodding, I began to plot a course on the shuttle's navigational panel.

As I did, memories from my past life started to filter in.

Fragments of places, faces, and emotions.

And then, it clicked.

I remembered our last haven, a sanctuary from our past life.

It was risky, but it could be our best shot at evading our pursuers and buying us some time.

"I think I know where we should go next," I murmured, excitement building. "It's a memory from our last life. A safe place, at least it was back then."

Isla looked at me with hope in her eyes. "Then let's go there."

Plotting the coordinates, I engaged the shuttle's hyperdrive, and we were hurtled forward, stars turning into streaks of light as we raced towards our next destination, and hopefully, a brief respite from the chaos that had ensnared our lives.

* * *

The shuttle descended smoothly,breaking through thick grey clouds, revealing the rain-soaked surface of the planet below.

Long streaks of rain slid down the hull screen, blurring my view.

The wipers engaged automatically, pushing the water away, revealing the looming structure of an ancient temple in the distance.

As we descended further, I could hear the muted patter of rain against the shuttle's roof.

It wasn't the torrential downpour one might expect from such dark clouds, but rather a soft, constant drizzle that seemed to permeate everything.

I activated the shuttle's sensors, scanning the immediate vicinity for any signs of life or hidden threats.

The display flickered to life, showing a patchwork of greens and blues — the signature of local vegetation and the life-signs of small, benign wildlife.

Nothing else.

No other technology.

No other intelligent beings.

Just us.

The planet's atmosphere filtered through the shuttle's ventilation system. "Seems like we're alone here," I remarked, glancing over at Isla.

She nodded, her face illuminated by the dim cockpit lights, her eyes scanning the rain-soaked environment. "It looks desolate," she observed, a note of apprehension in her voice.

A memory, a flash from a previous life, briefly crossed my mind.

This place had been a sanctuary once.

It wasn't about the physical beauty or the surroundings but the security it offered.

A place hidden from prying eyes, away from the relentless pursuit of the Balance.

The shuttle touched down, its landing gear sinking slightly into the marshy ground.

The sound of the rain grew louder, more immediate.

I hit the release, and the shuttle's door slid open, revealing the bleak landscape outside.

The first thing that hit me was the smell.

The rich, earthy aroma of wet soil and decaying vegetation.

It was intoxicating.

Beneath it was another, fainter scent — the mossy, almost musky odor of ancient stone.

Pulling up my hood, I stepped out into the rain.

The droplets felt cool on my skin, each one a tiny, refreshing pinprick as it struck.

I took a moment to savor the sensation, feeling the moisture cling to my clothes, matting my hair against my forehead.

Isla emerged beside me, her face tilted up to the sky, letting the rain wash over her.

The droplets clung to her eyelashes, making them look like tiny jewels.

We stood there, side by side, just letting the world envelope us for a few moments.

"We should move," I said eventually, breaking the spell.

The temple wasn't far, but I didn't want to be out in the open for longer than necessary.

Isla nodded, and we began our trek across the marshy ground.

Each step was met with resistance, the mud trying to pull our boots down, but we trudged on, driven by the urgency of our mission.

As we approached the temple, I could sense its age.

It wasn't just a building; it was a testament to time itself.

The walls, though worn by centuries of rain and wind, stood tall and majestic.

Intricate carvings, faded but still discernible, told tales of ancient ceremonies and long-forgotten deities.

The entrance was framed by two massive stone columns, moss and vines creeping up their sides, nature reclaiming its territory.

But despite the encroaching wilderness, the path to the entrance remained clear, as if some unseen force kept it open for weary travelers like us.

We paused at the threshold, the weight of our journey pressing down on us.

The rain, though light, felt relentless, a reminder of the world's indifference to our struggles.

But this place, with its darkened entryway and promises of shelter, seemed to beckon us.

I looked over at Isla, her face wet from the rain, her expression determined.

Without a word, we stepped forward together, leaving the rain-soaked world behind.

As the darkness of the temple enveloped us, I felt a sense of relief.

This was a sanctuary, a place of refuge.

For now, at least, we were safe.

And as the entrance closed behind us, plunging us into near-total darkness, one thought echoed in my mind — this temple held not just the key to our safety but perhaps the answers to the mysteries of our intertwined destinies.

* * *

The first thingI noticed as we ventured deeper into the temple was the sound.

Or rather, the multitude of sounds that seemed to cascade around us, magnifying every step, every breath.

The cavernous interior transformed the most minuscule noise into an echoing cry, creating an eerie, almost haunting atmosphere.

The occasional droplet of rain, having found its way through cracks in the ceiling, would plummet downward, creating a sharp, distinct note as it connected with the stone floor below.

These droplets, when pooled, formed shallow puddles that reflected the scant light available, casting wavering patterns upon the walls of the temple.

The dim light, combined with the echoing acoustics, made me acutely aware of every sensation.

The cold, almost biting air, filled my lungs as I breathed, tasting faintly of moss and ancient rock.

The ground beneath my feet was uneven, with patches of slippery moss threatening to trip us at every step.

But it was the sight ahead that truly captured my attention, forcing every other sensation to the background.

Two massive stone plinths stood at the forefront of the vast chamber.

The mere sight of them sent chills racing down my spine.

I recognized them.

They haunted my nightmares, their dark and cold surfaces replaying in my mind again and again.

In my mind, I could see the vague imprints of bodies — one clearly mine and the other unmistakably Isla's.

One plinth bore a significant crack, splitting it nearly in half, a scar from some past cataclysm or perhaps an act of violence.

Or from what happened to us.

I felt Isla's grip on my arm tighten, her nails digging into my skin. "I don't like this," she whispered, her voice quivering.

The vastness of the chamber carried her words, echoing them back to us, amplifying her fear.

"I remember," she continued, her eyes locked onto the cracked plinth, "I remember being here, lying on that… bed. The cold stone against my back, the weight of… something pressing down on me."

I turned to face her, looking deep into her eyes.

They were wide, filled with fear and uncertainty. "I don't want to remember, Thillak," she said, her voice breaking. "I don't want to relive whatever happened here."

It was musky and pungent, creating a visceral response in me.

My protective instincts kicked into overdrive.

I wanted to shield her, protect her from whatever memories this place might dredge up.

But deep down, I knew that avoiding the past wouldn't save us from the future.

Whatever had transpired here was a key to our survival, a way to stay ahead of those pursuing us.

I reached out, gently cupping her face with my hands, trying to convey comfort and reassurance. "I know it's hard, Isla," I said, my voice soft, "but we need to face this. We need to remember, to understand."

She looked up at me, tears forming in her eyes. "I'm scared," she admitted, her voice just above a whisper.

"I know," I replied, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "But we're in this together. I won't let anything harm you. Trust me."

There was a moment of hesitation, but then I felt her nod against my chest.

We stood there, in the echoing vastness of the temple, drawing strength from one another.

Finally, I pulled away slightly, still holding her close. "Are you ready?" I asked.

She nodded, wiping away a tear. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Taking a deep breath, I took her hand in mine.

The feel of her fingers intertwined with mine was grounding, a tangible connection amidst the overwhelming uncertainty.

Together, we approached the stone plinths, determined to uncover the mysteries they held, no matter how painful the revelations might be.

* * *

The momentmy fingers grazed the stone of the plinth, the world shifted, colors blurring, sounds melting, and reality twisting.

The cold and ancient temple disappeared, replaced by a scene from my past — a memory I'd kept locked deep within.

There was the unmistakable cold of the stone beneath my back and the restrictive bonds tying me down.

But the sensation that overcame me most was the deep-seated fear and a looming sense of dread.

Burning incense permeated the air, tickling my nostrils with its acrid sting.

A quick glance to my right confirmed my worst fears:

Isla lay on the adjacent plinth, her beautiful green eyes widened in terror.

She stared directly at me, her lips forming a silent scream as they quivered.

Four dark figures loomed overhead, their identities hidden behind ornate masks.

The chilling hum of their chant grew louder, drowning out the sounds of our struggles.

The almost musical cadence of their incantations was hypnotic, but the darkness behind it was unmistakable.

Suddenly, a portal sprang to life beside Isla.

It shimmered and pulsated, giving off an unnatural light that cast a bluish hue across the room.

Its very existence felt like an aberration, something that should not be.

The pull from it was strong, and I could feel the air around us being sucked towards its core.

It emanated a strange, almost musical hum, juxtaposing eerily with the sinister atmosphere.

What was this portal?

Where did it lead?

Intuitively, I knew that nothing good awaited on the other side.

The chanting intensified as two of the Balance approached Isla, gripping her firmly.

I strained against my bonds, muscles bulging, sweat forming on my brow.

I tried to free myself, shouting her name in panic.

"No! Let her go!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the chamber, mingling with the chants and the unsettling hum of the portal.

"Isla!" I called out, reaching for her, but an invisible force held me back.

"This is not your fate to intervene," one of them intoned, his voice echoing in the confined space.

"But she's my fated mate!" I shouted back, desperation evident in my voice.

The lead figure, distinguishable only by the intricate golden emblem on his robe, stepped forward. "And that is the very reason she's here. Her fate is intertwined with yours, Thillak."

I felt a cold dread settling in the pit of my stomach. "What do you want from her? From us?"

The figure remained silent for a moment, the weight of his gaze palpable even though his face was hidden. "Balance," he replied.

Isla's struggle was palpable.

As they hoisted her, her terrified gaze never left mine.

Tears streamed down her face, each one reflecting the bluish light of the portal, creating shimmering trails on her cheeks.

Then, with a final, piercing cry from Isla and a crescendo in the chanting, they suspended her over the portal.

It reacted immediately, tendrils of energy reaching out to envelop her.

I could only watch in horror as the swirling vortex pulled at her, not physically, but spiritually.

Her vibrant green skin began to fade, turning a sickly shade of gray.

The life force, the very essence of Isla, seemed to be getting sucked away.

The chants reached a fevered pitch, and the room vibrated with an unsettling energy.

It felt like hours, but it could have only been moments.

Moments that stretched into an eternity of pain and despair.

Suddenly, with one last, heart-wrenching scream from Isla, it was over.

The Balance let go of her now lifeless form, allowing it to collapse onto the plinth.

The world around me became a blur, a haze of rage and grief.

The bonds suddenly weakened and I broke free.

My senses were overwhelmed: the acrid smell of burnt energy, the cold touch of the stone beneath my feet, the distant echoes of the Balance's laughter.

Ignoring the Balance, who seemed to revel in their dark triumph, I stumbled towards Isla.

Kneeling beside her, I cradled her lifeless body in my arms and it seemed grotesque to the warmth I had always known.

A primal scream erupted from deep within me, echoing throughout the chamber and perhaps, the universe.

A cry of loss, of love, of a bond that the universe seemed hell-bent on breaking.

The memory ended as abruptly as it began, and I was thrust back into the present, the cold, echoing temple around us.

The anguish of that moment, however, lingered, as vivid and raw as if it had just happened.