Eclipsed Souls: A Tale of Twin Flames

The Farewell

The sky was a canvas of pale pinks and golds as the first light of dawn kissed the tranquil waters of Dayang Bunting Island. A soft mist clung to the surface, shimmering with the morning glow.

Arnaz and Saliza were silent, taking in the ethereal beauty of the place that had become so much more than a backdrop to their journey. The island had witnessed their trials and triumphs, and now, it felt like an ancient soul bidding them farewell.

Saliza took a slow, deep breath, closing her eyes as the wind tousled her blue hair. The earthy scent of the island mixed with the salty tang of the ocean, grounding her in this moment of reflection.

“This place,” she whispered, opening her eyes and gazing out at the shimmering lagoon, “it will always be a part of us, won’t it?”

Arnaz, standing beside her with his hands in his pockets, nodded solemnly. His amber eyes were sharp yet thoughtful, reflecting the growing light of the rising sun. The quiet strength he carried seemed to merge with the powerful energies of the island.

“It will,” he agreed, his deep voice resonating with certainty. “It’s where we were recognized as Twin Flames. Where we became whole.”

Every inch of this place, from the towering waterfall, and the misty cave to the sacred waters, held a memory, a moment of awakening. And in the stillness of the morning, it felt as though the island itself was remembering them too.

Saliza turned toward Arnaz, her eyes filled with unspoken understanding.

“The pendant’s journey with us ends here,” she said, her voice quiet but resolute. “This island gave it life, and this is where it should remain. It doesn’t belong with us anymore.”

Arnaz’s lips curved into a slight smile, not one of happiness, but of agreement. A recognition that they had grown beyond the need for the pendant’s physical presence. “It has played its role. We don’t need to carry it anymore. What it represents is already within us.”

Together, they turned to Madam Kates, who stood a short distance away with Sir Shakes by her side. The elderly couple, guardians of both the island and the spirits that dwelled within it, watched Arnaz and Saliza with soft, knowing smiles. Madam Kates held out her hands, palms open and waiting, her weathered face calm and reassuring.

Saliza stepped forward, holding the pendant with feeling its weight in her palm one last time. It shimmered faintly, as though alive with the memories of their battles and the power of their union.

“Thank you,” she whispered, the words carrying a deep sense of gratitude, not just to the pendant, but to the island, to the forces that had brought them here. With a careful movement, she placed the pendant in Madam Kates’ hands.

The elderly woman cradled it gently, as though she were holding something precious beyond words. Her eyes gleamed with understanding as she spoke.

“We will guard this treasure, just as it has guarded the both of you. It belongs here, where its power will protect not only this sacred place but also those who come seeking its truth.”

As she spoke, the pendant pulsed faintly, the last of its energy acknowledging its new resting place.

Sir Shakes stepped forward, his usual stoic demeanor softened by the moment. “The island has many secrets yet to reveal,” he said, his voice gravelly yet wise. “But for now, it’s time for you both to return. There will come a day when you might be needed here again, but until then, this place will remember you.”

As they turned to leave, Manja, made her presence known. Perched upon a nearby rock, her sleek fur glistened in the dawn light, her piercing gaze following their movements. Manja barked joyfully, her tail wagging with excitement. She has been their guardian and silent protector throughout their time here. Her eyes glowed with an otherworldly intelligence, and she let out a soft sound, a gentle mix of a purr and a hum, a farewell infused with the warmth of her loyal heart.

Arnaz knelt briefly, extending his hand toward the guard dog. “Manja,” he murmured, his voice filled with respect. “Thank you for watching over us.”

Manja inclined her head, her bright eyes reflecting both approval and a deeper, spiritual understanding. As if acknowledging their bond, she nuzzled Arnaz’s hand before stepping back, her tail swishing in the breeze.

With one last look at the mystical landscape around them, the towering limestone hills, the calm lake, the dense ancient forest, they turned and boarded the small boat that would carry them back to the world outside this sacred space.

The boat’s motor hummed to life, cutting through the stillness, and slowly, Dayang Bunting Island began to disappear from view.

As the distance between them and the island grew, Saliza leaned into Arnaz, resting her head on his shoulder. “We’ve left something behind, but we’ve taken something greater with us.”

Arnaz wrapped his arm around her, holding her close as the wind whipped through their hair.

“We carry the island’s spirit with us,” he said softly. “And now, it’s a part of us.”

Embracing Home

By the time Arnaz and Saliza returned to their bookstore, the sun had dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm amber glow over the quiet street.

The soft hum of distant traffic was the only sound, as if the world itself had slowed to acknowledge their return.

The familiar storefront, with its rustic wooden door and the soft glow of lanterns hanging by the entrance, stood as a beacon of comfort and calm.

But to Arnaz and Saliza, it now carried a deeper, more profound meaning, almost as if the energy from Dayang Bunting Island had followed them here.

Saliza paused for a moment at the entrance, her hand resting lightly on the door handle. She could feel the gentle pulse of the bookstore’s energy.

Alive, warm, and welcoming.

The faint smell of jasmine from the hanging flowers mixed with the earthy aroma of old pages drifting from inside. Their sanctuary, as it had always been, now felt even more sacred. She exchanged a look with Arnaz, who stood beside her, his amber eyes catching the last rays of daylight.

"Home," she whispered softly, and he nodded in agreement.

The small kitchen garden beside the bookstore, lovingly maintained by their neighbor, had thrived in their absence. The rich green herbs stood tall, and the air was fragrant with mint, basil, and lemongrass.

The newest addition to the garden, a true crown jewel, was the Temupauh plant, a thoughtful gift from Madam Kates. Its vivid red flowers seemed to glow like embers in the twilight, their petals radiant and alive.

Saliza knelt, gently setting down the pot and caressing the soft leaves.

“This Temupauh has a flavor of ginger and mango,” she remarked, savoring the plant’s sweet, earthy aroma. It's almost like it’s from another world, isn’t it? I’ve never seen anything like it. Madam Kates really knows how to pick a treasure.”

Arnaz stood behind her, his hands tucked into his pockets, watching her with a soft, knowing smile. “A fitting gift for a healer,” he said. “Something unique for someone extraordinary.”

They lingered outside for a few more moments, taking in the serenity that wrapped around their home like a protective blanket. The lingering tension from their battle with Lila and the mysteries of Sakara felt distant here, softened by the comforting embrace of the bookstore and its garden.

With a contented sigh, they stepped inside, greeted by the familiar scent of old books, candles, and faint traces of incense. The rows of shelves stood like silent sentinels, their wooden frames groaning slightly under the weight of knowledge and stories. The soft, golden light from their reading lamps filled the space with a cozy warmth, inviting them back into its fold.

Saliza traced her fingers along the spines of books on the nearest shelf, the titles a comforting sight. "We’ve been away for three days, but it feels like a lifetime," she murmured, her voice full of nostalgia and wonder.

Arnaz’s laughter was a deep rumble in his chest. "A lifetime packed into three days, maybe," he said. "Battles fought, mysteries uncovered, bonds strengthened… I can’t believe how much has happened. And yet here we are, back where we started."

He moved toward their small sitting area by the front window, where they often spent evenings chitchatting with coffee.

It felt the same, yet there was a subtle shift, a deeper connection to this space they now recognized as their sanctuary.

Saliza joined him by the window, sitting beside him with a quiet sigh. "It’s good to be home," she agreed, though her thoughts were still with Dayang Bunting Island, with the mystical energies they had absorbed there.

She glanced at Arnaz. "Do you think we’ll ever be the same after this?"

Arnaz shook his head slowly, his eyes reflecting the glow of the setting sun. "No. We’ve changed. But maybe that’s a good thing. We’re more connected now to each other and to what we’re meant to do."

They sat there in silence for a while, watching as the last light of the day faded from the sky, and the familiar street outside began to quiet down.

Just as they began to unwind, footsteps echoed on the pavement outside, growing louder as they approached the door.

A shadow passed by the window, and the soft chime of the bell above the door rang out, announcing the arrival of a visitor. They exchanged a glance, already sensing their visitor.

Kelby.

Looking disheveled and frantic, stood in the doorway. His face was lined with worry, his eyes darting around as if searching for something.

He looked like a man at the edge of desperation, and Arnaz and Saliza knew.

Lila.

Kelby's Desperation

“Arnaz! Saliza! I need your help,” he pleaded, his voice cracking with desperation.

Arnaz’s brow furrowed as he stepped toward the man. “Kelby, what’s happened?”

Kelby ran a shaky hand through his hair, his entire body trembling. “It’s Lila. She’s… she’s not herself anymore. She’s obsessed, obsessed with you, with your bond. She talks about nothing else. It’s like… like she’s spiraling, and I don’t know what to do.”

Saliza listened quietly, her empathic senses picking up the deep well of fear and sorrow radiating from Kelby. She exchanged a knowing look with Arnaz before speaking.

“It’s not just her obsession with us,” Saliza said softly, her voice laced with understanding.

“During the battle with Sakara, a fragment of his darkness touched her. It found its way into her deepest fears, her fear of abandonment, her insecurities and it’s been feeding on them ever since.”

Kelby’s face paled. “You mean… this isn’t just her being hurt or jealous?”

Saliza shook her head. “No. It’s deeper than that. She’s been influenced by something darker. But the good news is that it’s not too late. What she needs now is love, your love, Kelby. She needs to be reassured that she won’t be abandoned. That she’s not alone.”

Kelby stared at Saliza, hope flickering in his eyes. “I… I don’t know if I’m enough.”

“You are,” Arnaz interjected firmly. “You’re the one who can save her, Kelby. Not us.”

Lila's Obsession

The evening had deepened into night by the time Arnaz, Saliza, and Kelby arrived at Lila’s apartment.

The dimly lit space was awash in the soft, flickering light of candles that cast long shadows on the walls.

The room was cluttered with an array of notebooks, their pages filled with obsessive sketches of Arnaz.

The scattered drawings, combined with the heady scent of candles, created an atmosphere thick with tension and desperation.

Lila was standing in the middle of the room, her posture rigid and her gaze unwaveringly fixed on Arnaz. The wildness in her eyes spoke of an inner turmoil that was palpable.

As soon as Arnaz entered, her eyes seemed to lock onto him with an intense, almost feverish fixation.

“You don’t understand,” Lila’s voice trembled as she spoke, her tone a mixture of pleading and defiance. “I can be like her. I can be just like Saliza. If you’d only give me a chance, Arnaz… if you’d just—”

Arnaz’s presence was a calming force despite the charged atmosphere. His voice, though gentle, carried a firmness that brooked no argument. “Lila, this isn’t about becoming someone else. You don’t need my love to find your own peace. What you’re searching for isn’t truly about me.”

Lila’s resolve began to falter, her lips quivering as tears began to pool in her eyes. “But… I see it. I see the way you look at her. The way you love her. That’s what I want. That’s what I need.”

Kelby, standing next to Arnaz and Saliza, felt Lila’s anguish deeply. With a voice laced with raw, tender emotion, he stepped closer to her.

“Lila, please, look at me. My heart has been yours all along, even when you couldn’t see it. It’s not Arnaz’s love you’re searching for...... it’s mine. I’m here, with you, every step of the way. I promise you, I will never leave your side. Just open your heart and see the love I’ve always had for you. I’ll be your strength, your support, now and forever.”

The sincerity in Kelby’s voice pierced through Lila’s defensive walls, breaking the spell of her obsession.

Her body trembled as the floodgates of her emotions opened. The grip she had on her unrealistic desires and the twisted vision of love she had been chasing finally loosened.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks as she crumpled into Kelby’s arms. Her sobs were deep and unrestrained, echoing the profound release of her pent-up pain and confusion.

“I’m so sorry,” she choked out between gasps, her voice barely a whisper. “I didn’t mean to… I didn’t know…”

Kelby held her tightly, his embrace both firm and comforting. His voice was soft and soothing, meant to calm the storm within her. “It’s okay, Lila. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. We’ll face this together.”

The room seemed to quiet as Lila clung to Kelby, the intensity of her distress gradually ebbing away.

Arnaz and Saliza exchanged a look of relief.

As the emotional storm settled, Arnaz spoke to Kelby with a serious but kind tone. “Make sure you take good care of Lila. We’re heading home now.”

Kelby nodded with determination. “I’ll keep a close watch on her.”

As Arnaz led Saliza out of Lila's apartment, Kelby and Lila stood in the doorway, watching them disappear into the night.

Saliza sighed and placed her hand on Arnaz’s arm. “Do you think she’ll be okay?”

Arnaz pulled her closer, placing a soft kiss on her temple. “With Kelby’s love, she has a chance.”

Returning to their bookstore, the ambient energy of Dayang Bunting Island still lingered. The immediate crisis had passed. For now, they found solace in each other’s presence.

“Home at last! It’s been such a looooooooong day, full of emotions,” Arnaz said softly, his voice carrying a mix of relief and anticipation. Saliza nodded and offered Arnaz a tired but genuine smile.

-------------END OF CHAPTER 23------------

Dearest Esteemed Readers,

Arnaz and Saliza have lovingly crafted a small Wishing Well just for you.

For every tip you donate into this Wishing Well, you are invited to make one wish.

May your wish be absorbed by the essence of the Twin Flames, and may it bring you the very best in return.

Your generous support will also aid Arnaz and Saliza on their magical journey ahead.

Thank you, kind readers, for being a part of this enchanting tale.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Arnaz and Saliza