Intense Surrender

Rough feet dangling in the humid wind. Attached to a petite fragile body, blistered hands and skin as pale as pearls. The moon kissed the earth’s surface. It’s The only source of light covering the stone prison as far as the naked eye could see. Even though she could not see the world like others, Scarlet had her own perspective. The nights it rained you could find her sitting on the top of the village walls. Hair of scarlet and eyes of ice, drenched with happiness. Pure magic how a frequency of precipitation coming in contact with matter and the moonlight harmonizing gives one sight. She sees she is not alone.

A gentle yet familiar voice.

“I always know where to find you nights like this. All these years and you haven’t changed sweet rebellious child.”

The figure cocked its head to the side giving Scarlet a stern look.

Scarlet doesn’t smile this time. She’s had something on her mind for a while now, eating away at her thoughts; to escape the village.

“If you weren’t a bird, I would almost feel as if you are scolding me. I want to live like you Youmi. I want to live freely soaring through life, mastering my fate. “ Scarlets thoughts began to flood her mind overspilling into distraught emotions.

Youmi lays a wing on her in comfort.

“Have you heard the story of the Gemini twins ? “

Scarlet shakes her head no. Youmi proceeds with her story.

“Years ago this land was beautiful. The Chief married to a beautiful woman many believed was an oracle. She brought peace and prosperity to the village. The universe blessed her with a set of twins. She too was a twin. Her twin sister Olga was not as blissful Yami . Her heart was overwhelmed with evil. She had no riches, no love, no family but her sister. And now the only thing she did have, her powers; were slipping away from her. Magic is passed down once a stronger vessel is manifested into this realm. Olga grew weaker the closer her sister gave birth and with the last of her magic she placed a curse upon the village, Famine to the village that denied her. Scatter the mind of Yami and To separate her nieces from each other causing one to be Deaf and The Other Blind. Ensuring that they felt as alone and out of place as she did.”

Before Youmi could finish the story, the guards on night patrol shouted for scarlet to come down. Youmi flew away and Scarlet reached for her only to fall off the edge of the wall. Rolling down the hill she hit her head and landed in water. The guards rushed to the other side but the current drifted Scarlet away already.

“What happened? Where am I?” Scarlet rubs her head in confusion. Nothing smells the same. The sun is too bright to shape anything. She lays there. Her thoughts ponder about the last thing she can remember.

“What a strange story” she shakes her head. “Silly Bird, there’s no such thing as magic”

The more she thinks the more it hits her that she is no longer within the walls of the village. This is the moment. She is mastering her fate.

Bathing in sun rays with her hands to the sky and her tiny feet twirling in dirt. She’s never felt more free.

A brief moment of gratitude broken by the rattle of bushes.

Scarlet stops twirling instantly. Her location still unknown; she falls to the ground thinking that she is hiding.

The figure moves closer to her; “Tag you’re it Ara !” It was the voice of a smaller child. He was maybe 11. Soft hands and not a lot of force behind that tag. Scarlet knew she was in the presence of a Royal .

The little boy laughed and ran but noticed no one was chasing him. He turned around only to see scarlet still sitting on the ground looking oh so afraid and confused.

He signs to her to come on but it’s as if she’s looking through him. He comes closer to her only to see scarlets eyes do not look like the Ara he knows.

“You’re not Ara, but you have Ara’s face. You’re hair isn’t the same nor your eyes! Did you steal it ? Are you a bad witch ? Where’s Ara? This little boy is bombarding her with questions faster than she could process herself.

“Why would you think I’m Ara? I’m Scarlet from the South village. I fell off the Great wall and ended up here. Where am I ?”

She manages to get that out before the little boy runs away after even more startled. Scarlet shouts out

“Wait! But .. I don’t know .. where I am “

Sitting there all alone, scarlet starts to overthink

“What if they turn me in and send me back to the village” she begins to panic. Stumbling and trying to run, she bumps into someone but they say nothing. Scarlet can hear multiple steps coming her way but she’s not able fast enough to gather herself and run.

“Look Montiti its two of Ara but this one can speak!” He says in excitement.

“Look Kid my name is-“

“Scarlet Bell” an unfamiliar voice states.

“Quick Thomas we must help her; she is Princess Aras twin sister” Montiti’s face light up like never before .

“The Legend of the Gemini Twins is true”

Completely forgetting the figure she bumped into scarlet repeated him

“The Legend of the Gemini twins? Princess Ara twin sister? I must have hit my head harder than I thought. Am I dead? Are you guys are pulling my leg?”

Thomas and Montiti kneel

“What an honor to have been alive to see the day you two are reunited. The two of you standing before me brings joy to my heart” exclaims Montiti

Ara’s legs lost the will of their own . She collapses to the ground. Her emotions so heavy they pulled her down. she always knew her sister was out there. So many scenarios playing out as to how they would finally meet. Those connected by destiny will always come together . Picking herself up, she charged into her other half.

The power behind her steps rattled the ground . So much it caused Scarlets body to jump back. Still scared for her life; but the embrace of Ara met her with comfort before she could process the current situation. This feeling was new to them but felt so natural, so empowering.

A hug that felt like eternity sparked a blue flame around them both. Levitating them into the air circling each other burning brighter the higher they became until a thrust of wind landed them to the ground.

Four eyes watering. Two mouths sobbing. Scarlet could SEE her sister as Ara was able to hear now. The curse was broken .

A happy moment turned sour as Olga and her troops approached the girls riding their black stallions. Hiding her face she shouts “Get those imposters!”

Before the troops could reach the girls a beautiful Scarlet McCaw swooped down transforming into a Beautiful tan skinned woman with Blonde hair. Standing guard with Montiti and Thomas.

Olga’s troops stopped in their tracks but no one was more afraid than Olga.

“Not this time, sister”

Scarlet knew that voice. Still surprised at Youmi transformation she stayed put.

“You took my babies and my life from me once” looking back at Scarlet and Ara with big Blue eyes.

“I won’t let you take them from me again” Youmi said sternly as she teleported the girls and herself to safety.

“Stay here girls, I will return with Thomas and Montiti”

Youmi returned in three seconds.

So many events in one day. Words couldn’t form sentences. Thomas sitting with Scarlet and Ara.

Montiti consorting with Youmi.

Both approaching the three with a platter of fruit conjured from love, but they couldn’t eat.

Youmi breaks the silence

“I’m sure you both have many questions for me, It’s ok to feel scared and confused but you are safe. Here eat and get some rest. Tomorrow I will tell you everything about our past and The Legend of The Gemini twins. The proficiency of how You Scarlet and Ara will unite a Nation.