Lumari

The Journey: Twin Flames

Just like any journey outside the Aurorium, my nerves were frayed. As the Shuttle takes off and we leave Xenovia behind, I can feel my nerves starting to rise. The thought of leaving my home planet and traveling through space is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking at the same time. But as I take a deep breath and look over at Lucia, I feel a sense of calm wash over me.

Lucia is a Verus Lumari, a member of the Lumaris who use their powers for good. She's beautiful, with long blue hair that falls in soft waves down her back and piercing grey eyes that seem to see right through me. Her skin is a soft shade of purple, a trademark of Verus Lumaris, and she carries herself with a grace and poise that I can only dream of emulating.

But Lucia is more than just a pretty face. She's smart, technologically advanced, and highly educated. She invented moon-powered energy on our planet, revolutionizing the way we generate power and helping to make Xenovia a more sustainable place. She's also my confidant, my partner in crime, and my friend.

As we soar through the galaxy, Lucia turns to me and smiles. "Don't worry, Anele. We'll be fine," she says, her voice soft and reassuring.

I nod, feeling grateful for her presence. "Thanks, Lucia. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She chuckles, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You'd probably get yourself into all sorts of trouble."

I grin back, feeling my nerves start to dissipate. "Yeah, you're probably right."

As we continue our journey, Lucia's powers kick in. She's a mind reader, able to pick up on the thoughts of those around her. It's a rare and powerful ability, one that she uses to great effect in her work as a scientist and inventor. All Verus Lumaris have superpowers that kick in after they exit Xenovia - these powers are meant to offer them protection when they are away from their home planet. My father can shapeshift, my mother can astral project, and mine is telekinesis. I have not had a chance to practice enough, as I have barely journeyed outside of Xenovia. I have always joked that I had a very pointless superpower in comparison to Lucia and her sister Pixi. When we took short trips outside of Xenovia with our parents as children, I used to request Lucia's sister, Pixi, to create a protective field around me to block Lucia's powers. Pixi's superpower was protection, and she could use her energy to block any other superpower. The disadvantage of her superpower, however, was that her energy would deplete very quickly as she extended this protection to others. She would sometimes be so overwhelmed that she would faint and only regain consciousness hours or days later, which is why she used her powers sparingly and did not leave Xenovia unless absolutely necessary. Since I didn't have Pixi for help on this long ride, I knew Anele would continually be invading my privacy, much to my chagrin.

"I can sense your excitement, Anele," she says, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "And your nerves too. But it's okay. I'm here with you."

Despite our differences in background, Lucia and I have always had a close relationship. We grew up together, and our families have been intertwined for generations. We were always drawn to each other, sharing a deep connection that went beyond mere friendship. In fact, we were almost inseparable before she met her twin flame, Starla, while travelling to Novartis, a distant planet in our galaxy. I was looking outside the large windows of the Shuttle when my thoughts were interrupted by her melodious voice. "Anele," she begins, "have you ever considered that your twin flame might be on Earth?" Lucia has always been a hopeless romantic, and has been more eager about me finding my twin flame than even I have.

I let out a small laugh. "Lucia, I've spent over 500 years on Xenovia searching for him. I think it's safe to say he's not there."

She nods, but there's a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "Perhaps he's not on Xenovia, but it's not like you have searched the entire galaxy! Your twin flame could be waiting for you on Earth."

I roll my eyes, but I can't help but feel a twinge of hope. "I don't know, Lucia. The concept of a twin flame seems like a fairy tale."

Lucia leans forward, her eyes intent on mine. "But it's not, Anele. I know firsthand. I found Starla on a different planet, and she's changed my life in ways I never thought possible."

I raise an eyebrow. "How did you know she was your twin flame?"

"It's hard to explain," she says with a smile. "But when we met, it was like something inside me just clicked into place. It was a feeling I'd never experienced before. And when we touched, it was like electricity flowing between us. It was like we were meant to be together."

I listen to her words, intrigued by the idea of such a deep connection. "But how do you know it's not just love at first sight?"

Lucia shakes her head. "It's not just about physical attraction, Anele. It's about a deep soul connection. When you find your twin flame, it's like finding a missing piece of yourself. You complete each other in a way that no one else can."

I nod slowly, taking in her words. It's a beautiful concept, but is it really possible? And if it is, where could I possibly find my twin flame?

As she reads my thoughts, Lucia speaks up. "You never know where you'll find your twin flame, Anele. It could be on Earth, it could be in another galaxy. But the important thing is to keep an open mind and an open heart. Love has a way of finding us when we least expect it."

I smile at her, feeling grateful for her wise words. "Thanks, Lucia. You always know how to make me feel better. But I sometimes wonder why I even bother talking while I'm around you, I could just converse with you, without using my energy to speak."

She grins back at me. "But I love hearing you articulate your thoughts in spoken words, Anele. And, honestly who knows? Maybe your twin flame is out there waiting for you. All you have to do is keep searching."

As the conversation dies down, I find myself lost in thought. Could it really be possible that my twin flame is waiting for me out there in the vast expanse of the universe? It's a comforting thought, but also a daunting one. But as I look out the window at the stars, I can't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I'll find him someday. With these thoughts, I drifted off to sleep, hoping Lucia would not be awake to see what I dream of.

****

As I drift off to sleep, my mind takes me to another world, another galaxy. I see a man with golden blond hair, his face is sharp and chiseled, and his eyes are a piercing blue. He stands tall, with a broad chest and muscular arms, and he is dressed in what looks like armor, but it is unlike anything I have ever seen before.

As I watch him, I notice something strange - he has wings, just like the Verus Lumaris of my own world. But these wings are different, they are larger, more magnificent, and they shine like gold in the light. I am mesmerized by his presence, and my heart beats faster as he turns to face me.

He smiles at me, and I feel a warmth spread through me, a feeling of connection and familiarity that I cannot explain. It's as if I have known him forever, as if we were always meant to be together.

I reach out to touch him, but as my fingers brush against his skin, he starts to fade away. I call out to him, but he is gone, and I am left alone, floating in the darkness.

As I feel my body moving back to consciousness, I am left with a feeling of longing, a sense that there is someone out there waiting for me. I don't know who he is, or where he comes from, but I know that he is real, and that one day we will meet.

I woke up to the sound of Lucia's voice. "Wow, he was gorgeous," she said, smirking at me. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the grogginess.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, still half-asleep.

"The man you were dreaming about, silly," Lucia replied. "I saw it in your thoughts."

I blushed, feeling embarrassed. "It's nothing," I said quickly, trying to dismiss the dream.

But Lucia was persistent. "Come on, tell me about him," she urged. "Was he cute? Was he tall? What did he look like?"

I sighed, realizing that Lucia wouldn't let it go. "He had golden blond hair," I began, "and he was in human form, but with wings. It was like he was some kind of angel."

Lucia's eyes widened in surprise. "An angel?" she repeated. "That's not something you see every day."

I shrugged, still feeling dazed from the dream. "I don't know what it means," I said, "but it felt so real. I also feel like I had already seen him before, but I can't recall where."

Lucia studied me intently, her mind racing with possibilities. "Maybe it's a sign," she suggested. "It's very common to have visions when your twin flame is about to enter your life."

I raised an eyebrow, feeling skeptical. "I think this was just a result of the conversation we just had," I said. "It's too much of a coincidence."

But Lucia wasn't deterred. "Oh, come on! Can you stop being so practical for once?" she said, smiling at me. "Besides, you can never know with these things. The universe works in mysterious ways."

"I'll believe it when I see it." I laughed.

Lucia looked at me intently, her eyes glinting with excitement. "You know, Anele, the story of Perseus and Andromeda is just one example of the power of twin flames. Their love story was so strong, it defied all odds and overcame even the greatest challenges."

I leaned in closer, curious about where she was going with this. "Tell me more," I urged.

Lucia settled back into her seat and began, "Perseus was a brave warrior, but he was also a man of great heart and character. He was on a mission to slay Medusa, a fearsome creature with snakes for hair that could turn anyone who looked at her to stone. Andromeda, on the other hand, was a beautiful princess who had been chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster."

My eyes widened in shock at the thought of such a gruesome fate. "What did Perseus do?" I asked.

"Perseus, being the courageous warrior he was, defeated Medusa and saved Andromeda from her terrible fate," Lucia continued. "But it was their love that truly saved them both. They were from warring kingdoms, but their love was so strong that it brought peace between their people." I could not help but think how similar this sounded to Remi and Tran's story.

I felt a lump form in my throat as I listened to Lucia's words. "Their love was really that powerful?" I asked, feeling a mix of wonder and skepticism.

"Yes, Anele. Twin flames have a love that transcends time and space. It's a bond that can withstand even the greatest obstacles and trials," Lucia replied, a hint of sadness in her voice. I was also surprised Lucia did not pick up on my thoughts about the comparison to Remi and Tran.

I could tell that there was more to the story than what Lucia was telling me. "Is there something else?" I asked, sensing her hesitation.

Lucia sighed deeply before continuing. "Unfortunately, not all twin flames are able to be together in the end. Just like Romeo and Juliet, sometimes the forces of fate and circumstance are too great to overcome." I finally understood why she had purposely chosen not to address the possible parallel with my parents' story.

My heart sank at the mention of the tragic lovers. "What happened?" I whispered.

Lucia's eyes grew distant as she spoke, "Perseus and Andromeda were happy for many years, but eventually, war broke out again between their kingdoms. Andromeda was killed in the crossfire, and Perseus was devastated. But even in death, their love endured. Perseus carried Andromeda's memory with him always, and it was said that he was never the same again."

I sat in stunned silence, my mind reeling with the weight of Lucia's words. "That's so tragic," I finally managed to say.

My eyes started welling up with tears as I thought about what my parents had to go through to find each other. Every time I was reminded of their great love, I was also disappointed in my mother for abandoning my father and me. A memory that I have often repressed, of me holding my mother's leg and begging her to stay, flashed across my eyes. I remember pleading with her, asking her to stay a little longer, but she said she couldn't. It was a very emotional day for me, and I have had nightmares about that day ever since. In every dream I have about that event, the ending gets more upsetting. In some of them, I discover that my mother wished to purposely abandon me and thus left us. But the most horrifying and graphic one so far is a dream where I found out which planet she was on, somehow reached there, and found her body on a chair. Her eyes were open, but she couldn't see me. Her complexion was grey, and I could tell that her soul had left her body due to astral projection. I remember crying in the dream and shaking her, but there was no response. One of the downsides of astral projection is that souls can get lost in the spirit realm, and bodies are often captured by the Jins. Since my mother's rebellious ways have gained her many enemies throughout the galaxy, she is in even more danger than anyone else. The most terrifying part about the dream was that it felt so real. I sometimes wonder if I, too, had managed to astral project to where her body is, and what I had seen had not been a dream, but the reality. Just the mere thought of that makes me shudder.

"No, Anele," Lucia whispered softly, "don't think about that." her voice was filled with emotion. "We still don't know why she left. I really believe she went away for a reason. It's not like her to just disappear. Mother believes she received information about a grave threat and went to investigate."

That's what I had believed for years, too. I kept telling myself that she had left to take care of something important, but it was getting harder and harder to believe that as time went on. After all, what could be so important that she could not even share where she was heading, not even with my father?

****

The journey from Xenovia to Earth used to once take several weeks, even with our latest technology. But, ever since the invention of 'warp drive', everything changed. Warp drive compresses space in front of a spacecraft while expanding it behind the spacecraft, allowing it to travel faster than the speed of light without actually breaking the laws of physics. More importantly, Lucia is known to be one of the fastest people to make journeys across galaxies. This is because she has been studying wormholes extensively for years, and now knows almost all the major wormholes in our galaxy, as well as neighbouring ones. While an average Xenovian would take a week to travel to Earth, Lucia takes only 2 days. Wormholes are like tunnels and passages through space-time, which create shortcuts for journeys across the universe. They were believed to be merely theoretical or hypothetical passages for years, but we soon discovered that they were indeed, real. In order to access the wormhole, specific spaceships had to be built. Since wormholes are exotic matters with negative energy density, they are extremely unstable, making them potentially dangerous. Luckily, Lucia has been trained very well. This is why she's an indispensable part of all of our journeys into space.

As we descended into Earth's atmosphere, the transformation was more than just skin deep. I could feel my body changing, adapting to the new environment. My ears seemed to be more attuned to the sounds around me, picking up on nuances that were once lost in the background noise of the spaceship. My eyes adjusted to the brightness of the sun, and I could see the lush green landscape of the planet below.

Physically, I observed my skin as it became warm and soft to the touch, with a light olive tone that glowed in the ship's dim lighting. My hair, once golden, turned into a chestnut color that fell in gentle waves down my back. Even my eyes had transformed, taking on a bright green hue that sparkled in the light, as opposed to the usual violet. It was always fascinating to see my form change so much.

As I looked down at my hands, I could see that they were now human-like, with slender fingers and nails that shone in the light. The most drastic part of my transformation was the fact my height. Even though I stood at 7 feet 3 inches on Xenovia, which was a little above the average height for women, I was only 5 feet and 7 inches on Earth.

I looked over at Lucia, and I could see that she too had undergone a transformation. Her once-blue hair had turned into a striking black color, contrasting with her pale skin and grey eyes. Her features were sharp and angular, and she exuded a sense of power and strength that I had never seen before. She really suited her human form very well, and was of course, as beautiful as she was on Xenovia. More important than her physical appearance, was the fact that she would be able to use her technological prowess and intelligence and achieve immense success on Earth. She has always been keen to help other planets advance to the same level as Xenovia. This is one of the many reasons that I have always admired Lucia so much. Not only is she breathtakingly gorgeous, but she is also a true visionary.

I felt a rush of excitement and nerves as I realized that I was about to embark on a new chapter of my life. It had been over 400 years since I had set foot on Earth, and I wondered how much had changed. I was eager to explore the city, meet new people, and immerse myself in the culture.

Lucia noticed the look on my face and chuckled. "Excited, are we?"

I grinned and nodded. "Yeah, it's been a long time since I've been on Earth. I can't wait to see what's changed."

Lucia smiled at me. "Just remember, although you’re here for a reason, please don’t forget to have fun.”

I nodded, knowing that she was right. I needed to use this as an opportunity to find myself and know who I am beyond my superficial identity.

As we got closer to the ground, I could feel my body completing its transformation. My limbs felt stronger, my muscles more defined. I flexed my fingers and was surprised at how nimble they felt.

Finally, we braced for impact as the shuttle touched down on the ground. The shuttle’s hatch opened, and a rush of cool air filled the cabin. I took a deep breath, savoring the scent of fresh earth and vegetation.

Lucia motioned for me to follow her, and we stepped out of the spaceship onto the soft grassy terrain. I felt a sense of relief to be on solid ground, and I took a few moments to stretch my legs.

Looking around, I could see that we were in a clearing surrounded by tall trees. In the distance, I could see the outline of a city. It looked vastly different from the last time I had seen it.

Lucia put a hand on my shoulder. "Are you ready?"

I took a deep breath and nodded, feeling both nervous and excited.