16. Thillak

The darkness engulfed me, a suffocating shroud of cold, despair, and confusion.

I was in pain; a dull, persistent throb echoed in the recesses of my mind.

My senses floated in a haze, a formless void where perception and time blurred.

* * *

A distant noisepricked my ears, pulling me closer to consciousness.

The chirping, beeping, and occasional electrical fizzling of the shuttle's systems became the soundtrack of my drifting mind.

I tried to move, but my limbs felt heavy, disconnected.

My senses ebbed and flowed.

One moment, I could clearly smell the burnt remnants of the shuttle; the acrid odor of molten metal and charred wires stung my nostrils.

But just as suddenly, it was gone, replaced by damp vegetation and rich, moist earth.

* * *

What feltlike the next moment but could have been hours later for all I knew, I was bathed in a blinding white light, so intense it cut through my closed eyelids.

There was a gentle swaying motion, a feeling of being lifted.

My body felt weightless, as if floating.

The cool air gently brushed against my exposed skin, its touch both comforting and alarming.

Emerging from the veil of half-consciousness, I caught fleeting glimpses of my surroundings.

The vibrant jungle sprawled in all directions; its massive trees with thick canopies provided fleeting patches of shade.

Beneath them, bizarre creatures, unlike any I had seen before, stared back with unblinking eyes.

An insect, the size of a hand, hummed past me with wings that shimmered in iridescent colors.

A creature, resembling a floating jellyfish but with feathery tendrils, wafted lazily among the trees, casting an ethereal glow.

Every so often, my mind would grasp at reality, offering fragmented, disjointed memories.

Panic surged, and I tried to scream, to move, to escape.

But every attempt was in vain, quelled by a numbing weakness that consumed my strength.

* * *

Another flash of awareness,more vivid than the rest, painted the entrance of the temple in my mind's eye.

A cold dread gripped my heart.

The towering stone archway, draped in creeping vines and moss, exuded a malevolent energy.

My instincts screamed against approaching it, a visceral reaction, recalling the horrors that lay within.

Yet, I was moving inexorably closer, the pull too strong to resist.

I struggled, or at least I believed I did.

But my limbs refused to obey, my voice a mere whisper lost in the cacophony of the jungle's symphony.

* * *

Then came the cold,hard touch of the concrete plinth against my back, drawing a shiver from my very core.

The chilling familiarity sent waves of terror coursing through my veins.

The rough texture of the concrete was unmistakable, each minute detail etched into my memory from the nightmares that plagued me.

I could feel thin cords being draped over my limbs, their grasp firm and unyielding.

They tightened, strapping me down, each pull sending jolts of panic and fear.

My mind screamed in protest, a silent plea for release, for escape from the unfolding nightmare.

I tried to summon every ounce of strength, every drop of willpower, to break free.

But the darkness was closing in again, wrapping its cold fingers around my consciousness, pulling me under.

As I drifted into the abyss once more, a singular thought prevailed: I needed to escape.

Whatever lay ahead, I would face it, fight it, and find a way back to Isla.

The world faded, but that resolve burned bright, a beacon of hope in the encroaching void.

* * *

A sudden joltof cool air assaulted my nostrils, drawing me out of the murky depths of unconsciousness.

My mind sluggishly attempted to process my surroundings, but a thick haze muddled my thoughts.

A strange hum of distant chanting reached my ears, compounding my confusion.

Flashing memories of the jungle, the crash, and the dark corridor of semi-consciousness blended together, leaving me disoriented.

When clarity finally began to pierce through, the cold, hard reality hit me: I was back in the temple, on that damned concrete slab.

A chill permeated the air, soaking through my clothing and settling deep into my bones.

Gingerly, I turned my head and, through the dim lighting, spotted Isla on the adjacent plinth.

She was still, her soft breathing the only indication of life.

Her face bore a pallor I had not seen before, a testament to the ordeal she'd just been through.

My heart ached, guilt and desperation mingling in a tumultuous blend.

The bindings were tight against my wrists and ankles, their grip unyielding.

I tried to twist free, but it was futile.

The more I struggled, the deeper the cords bit into my flesh, their rough texture scraping painfully against my skin.

A pungent aroma, sharp and heady, wafted to me.

I recognized the familiar smell of smelling salts.

Moments later, I heard Isla gasp, her body jolting awake, mirroring my own awakening.

"Isla," I called out, my voice hoarse and desperate. "It's me, Thillak. Look at me."

Her large, frightened eyes locked onto mine.

She looked as disoriented as I felt, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

I tried to infuse as much calm and comfort into my gaze, but I knew my own fear shone through.

The Balance emerged from the shadows, their presence announced by the rhythmic chanting that grew steadily louder.

Four towering figures, clad in ceremonial robes and adorned with intricately designed masks, surrounded us.

Their mysterious visages concealed any semblance of emotion, leaving them entirely inscrutable.

"Leave her alone!" I growled, my voice echoing through the cavernous chamber.

Every fiber of my being longed to leap up and protect Isla, but the restraints held me down, rendering me helpless.

As they chanted, a low hum resonated throughout the chamber, the vibrations tingling against my skin.

An eerie, pulsating light surrounded them, painting the room in shifting shades of blue and purple.

"Isla, listen to me," I shouted across the divide, struggling against the overpowering hum. "Remember who you are. Remember us."

She nodded weakly, her eyes wet with unshed tears.

I could see the determination building in her gaze, the fiery spirit I had come to admire and love.

"We've faced this before," I continued, hoping my words reached her. "We'll face it again. Everything is going to be okay."

But as I uttered those words, doubt gnawed at the edges of my conviction.

They felt like empty promises, given our dire predicament.

The chanting intensified, reaching a deafening crescendo.

The air grew thick, charged with an energy I couldn't understand.

My ears rang, and my vision blurred, the overwhelming sensations threatening to pull me back into unconsciousness.

"No!" I roared, summoning every ounce of strength, trying to break free.

But the restraints held firm, mocking my feeble attempts.

I locked eyes with Isla once more, trying to convey all the love and reassurance I could muster.

Despite the uncertainty of our fate, our bond remained unbreakable.

I had pushed her to remember, to confront our shared past and the horrors within.

Perhaps it was my downfall, perhaps it was our shared destiny, but one thing was for certain:

I wouldn't let her face it alone.

Whatever came next, we would face it together.

* * *

Piercing eyesfrom behind ornate masks stared down at us, their unyielding expressions rendering them enigmatic and menacing.

The echoing chants of the Balance had subsided, replaced by an oppressive silence that hung heavy in the air.

The cool stone of the plinth pressed into my back, and the biting restraints chafed my wrists and ankles.

One of the Balance, a taller figure with a mask of deep blues and swirling whites, stepped forward.

Its voice was cold, devoid of emotion. "It's no use," it intoned. "We are as inevitable as you are."

I took a deep breath, tasting the stale air.

I tried to gather my thoughts, fighting back the heady mix of fear and defiance bubbling within me.

Isla's gaze, filled with a mix of terror and determination, locked onto mine.

Her eyes spoke volumes, urging me to resist, to fight.

The ambient lighting cast deep shadows, emphasizing the hollows of her cheeks and the paleness of her skin.

The softness of her hair against the hard stone slab, the glint in her eyes, everything was amplified in this moment of heightened senses.

The smell of her — a unique mix of earthy and sweet — provided a small measure of comfort.

"They're wrong about us, Isla," I whispered, directing my words to her but loud enough for the Balance to hear. "We aren't conquerors or destroyers. All we've ever sought was a life together, a life of peace."

The masked figure tilted its head slightly. "Your natural inclination is to dominate, to impose your will upon the fabric of this universe."

Its voice carried a hint of amusement, which only served to fuel my anger.

"That's not true," I retorted, frustration evident in my voice.

I could hear the faint rustling of robes and the distant patter of the rain outside. "Your plan worked. Isla is human now, changed from her previous form. Our desires and ambitions are not the same."

The figure took a step closer, the intricate patterns on its mask shimmering eerily. "Then you are not the mighty Thillak, with a criminal empire that spans the quadrant? Even with just a hint of your gift of foresight, you have exerted great control."

The accusation stung.

Memories of past decisions, the alliances I had forged, and the enemies I had made came rushing back.

Every choice I had made was for survival, for a future where Isla and I could be together.

The weight of those choices, the good and bad, weighed heavily on me.

"I did what I had to do," I admitted, my voice thick with emotion. "Every step, every choice, was to create a safe haven for us, away from prying eyes and those who would harm us."

The slight hum of energy in the air, a static charge that made the hair on my arms stand on end, intensified.

The Balance were undoubtedly powerful, their very presence exuding an aura of dominance.

Yet, there was a vulnerability there, a hint that they too feared something.

The creature paused, perhaps considering my words. "You wield influence and power, even if not in the traditional sense. Together with Isla, united in purpose, you could rule galaxies. Such a union would tip the scales. It will create imbalance."

For a moment, all I could hear was the thud of my heartbeat and the muted sound of Isla's breathing.

The reality of their words bore down on me.

In our quest for peace, had we inadvertently set ourselves on a path to dominance?

Could our love truly pose such a threat to the balance of the universe?

* * *

The cavernous interiorof the temple held an unnatural silence.

Only the subtle hum of the energy field and the distant howl of the wind breaking that tranquility.

The room was filled with a pungent aroma, a mix of aged incense that reminded me of ozone just after a lightning strike.

The shadows created by the dim lighting danced menacingly on the walls, further enhancing the surreal, dreamlike quality of our predicament.

I felt the icy grip of dread closing around my chest as I stared at the vortex opening beside Isla.

It was an odd, swirling mass of darkness, framed by iridescent streaks of light that seemed to pulsate with a life of its own.

The gentle whirring and whooshing sound it made was deceptive, almost lulling, but I knew the true menace it represented.

There was no lead creature of the Balance.

Instead they seemed to shift control from one to the other in some unspoken way.

One's mask reflecting the ambient light in a kaleidoscope of colors, looked at me with something approaching pity in its eyes.

Its voice, tinged with a note of finality, spoke chilling words:

"Last time, our calculations were inaccurate. The tenacity and adaptability of the human spirit were… unanticipated. They were able to recall their past lives, an anomaly that we believed was not possible."

I felt a rush of anger, and it was all I could do not to scream in frustration.

I glared defiantly at the creature, refusing to show fear. "You can't just play with our lives like this. We're not toys for your amusement!"

The creature remained impassive, although I could've sworn there was a touch of sadness in its voice when it responded. "It isn't about amusement. It's about preserving the fabric of the cosmos. The ability to glimpse the future, combined with your shared intensity, poses a threat that can't be allowed to persist."

The smell of the vortex intensified, reminding me of a stormy night with its electric charge.

Isla's face was pale, and I could see the rapid pulse beating in her neck.

She was trying to stay brave, but I could hear the slight quiver in her voice. "Thillak… what's happening?"

My senses felt heightened, every little detail amplified.

I could feel the texture of the stone slab beneath me, the roughness digging into my skin.

I tried to provide her with some semblance of comfort. "Stay strong, Isla. I won't let them take you from me again."

But as the creature continued, my hopes dimmed. "Your bond, this deep connection you share, is a power unto itself. It's going to be severed. Cast into the vortex, Isla's life force will remain suspended for eternity. And you," the creature's gaze met mine, "in your next life, you might cross paths on some nondescript planet. You'll pass her in a bustling street, and there won't be an ounce of recognition in your eyes. You'll both continue on your separate paths, forever ignorant of the connection you once shared."

There was an undeniable heaviness in the air.

The reality of the creature's words stung like a physical blow, leaving me reeling.

My vision blurred, not from any physical obstruction, but from the emotional onslaught I was undergoing.

For a brief moment, the creature's eyes softened, the mask seemingly unable to hide its genuine sorrow. "This is the way it must be," it murmured.

Desperation gripped me, my senses screaming in protest.

The vibrancy of the colors around me, the distinct sounds, the heightened sensations — everything felt so much more acute in that moment of anticipated loss. "No!" I shouted, a raw scream that echoed throughout the temple. "You can't!"

Isla's eyes were wide, terror evident in every line of her face.

Tears spilled down her cheeks, the droplets catching the dim light, looking like a cascade of shimmering stars.

The vortex began to pull, its suction increasing.

I strained against my restraints, muscles bulging, but it was futile.

The feeling of impending doom was almost tangible, wrapping around me like a smothering cloak.

They were never going to stop.

They couldn't.

They didn't know how to.

How many times had I had this same conversation with them?

How many times had I tried?

Tried… and failed?

And then, just as the pull of the vortex intensified to an almost unbearable level, I screamed one last time, a raw and primal sound, my voice filled with anguish and desperation.

Tried… and failed.