"What is happening to us? We are becoming unstable," Tomax said into the room.
Tomax was furious and frustrated; furious because Xamot had been successfully closing himself off, avoiding a discussion, and frustrated because he wanted his sibling to do something they didn't do enough of anymore. He wanted him to view a memory in the perspective of one of them. He needed Xamot to see himself how Tomax had seen him. ...Don't hide..never hide.. Tomax thought. He was almost ready to give up, but then knew if Xamot was becoming an emotional wreck, he could manipulate this weakness to get him to listen. He decided to knock out two issues at once. "What do we hope to accomplish taking punches?" he asked, "Are we doing it out of fear or out of selfishness?"
Xamot looked at him warily, as he knew his brother was bringing up an insecurity they both shared. Tomax needed to goad him though. If it worked, he'd have him, and they could start addressing the problem. ...If something were to happen to one of us, should it happen to Brother Xamot? ..should it be preferable for Brother Tomax to face a future being alone...? he thought, then tried to make Xamot imagine what it would be like to be one, alone and confused. "We shouldn't be selfish."
That was the little push Xamot needed, and he got visibly upset. Tomax grabbed his arm and sat him down; they started rubbing the backs of each others hands. "We wouldn't have a future alone", Xamot whispered dolefully.
"It's time we stopped acting like martyrs then crying over it," Tomax replied, "-But see, we keep getting upset over the littlest things. Something has happened to us. I think we are becoming unstable."
This time Xamot didn't go on the defensive or try to retreat into himself, but he felt deeply saddened, shamed his brother was disappointed in him. They sat in silence for a while as Tomax emanated feelings of affection and understanding. Then when Tomax was sure they were both ready, he brought forth a memory that was his alone.
The Brothers of Light were back at the temples shortly before everything fell apart. They were deeply offended because the tunnel rat had knocked out one of their defenses, the light in the pyramid, and they were about to teach him a lesson for resisting them. Out of nowhere, Tomax had been bowled over by Brother Duke and thrown off the altar. Their focus started to break; Xamot called for him in confusion. Then the kick to the chest destroyed their focus completely. ..No, Brother Xamot's.. Tomax corrected himself. Xamot hadn't expected such brutality when he was down on his knees winded, but the tunnel rat hadn't seen vulnerability in him. He had seen a poisonous serpent that needed to be stamped out before it struck. ...I'm here..I'm okay.. Tomax had sent into Xamot's panicked mind, trying to calm him, until he saw brother Jacob and let fear consume him.
The brothers ran for their lives, feeling hostility all around, and fearing the trained soldiers more than Brother Jacob. They had seen Dr. Mindbender in his aircraft as a convenience. Tomax had promised to share all their secrets with the doctor alright, by making him theirs again the moment they were on board. The brothers had an idea they'd make him take them on a nice scenic ride around the area while they put their heads together and figured out their next move. Used to manipulating people unopposed, the twins boarded with complete confidence, then put hands to their necks, their shoulders, as they felt a pinch. ...Darted like animals..trust issues indeed.. they had supposed before falling nervelessly.
Tomax had come to seconds before Xamot. He had been horrified to find himself flat on his back with his wrists and ankles strapped down. The horror was compounded when he felt Xamot get hysterical and try to dislocate his own wrists. They heard the doctor say, "I could stop your hearts in a second with a push of a button, just in case you are thinking about trying to use your psychic mojo against me." Then to show he meant business, he sent a charge though their bodies that burned all over and paralyzed their lungs. As they struggled futilely, the doctor drew their blood, then put their bodies through hours of testing, as he endeavored to unlock the secrets of their abilities. Whenever the twins tried to protest or so much as make eye contact, he didn't hesitate to cause them pain. He also zapped them at random, to keep them passive and frightened, fighting for every breath. Xamot had cried softly when it was all over. Tomax had difficulty fighting the urge, saying in their minds ...Calm down..we are divine beings..divine beings don't cry..calm down..
"Brother.." Xamot said, interrupting his thoughts and bringing forth a memory all his own. Xamot had felt Tomax struggle against breaking down by getting angry, indignant and frustrated at their helplessness. He cursed Xamot's weakness, blaming him. Xamot channeled feelings of hopelessness, rejection and abandonment.
..Sorry...so sorry.. Tomax thought, humbled, remorse flooding his mind over knowing that had been the key moment connecting all the fissures in Xamot's psyche into a gaping trauma. Tomax knew that if he was to be the protector of their future well-being from now on, he had to stop pointing the finger and admit to his own faults as well. During their old life, people had called Tomax the 'quiet' one. He wasn't really, just that Xamot had been wound more tightly. They used to work on each other in positive ways, like Xamot's energy used to be a great motivator, while Tomax's easy going humor would curb their impulsiveness. -Well, mostly. As the years went by, they started affecting each other negatively at times, like vitality became nervousness, and laid-back became languor. Tomax had realized this and worked at spurring them into action more. Now they both sensed he had become the stronger personality.
From now on, it would be Tomax who would step forward and take punches for them, though neither would openly admit this. He felt acceptance and relief flood his mind as Xamot leaned into him. That settled, Tomax spoke fervently of future ambitions. "Those soldiers were mistaken when they thought our power faded when we were separated. It will be amusing to prove someone wrong about that for the first time. If we control our fears, we could hold it together forever. We might not be The Divine, but we are still divine and have had no shortage of willing followers. Maybe there's a chance we can rebuild out there when Tory brings us back.."
The Brothers of Light were treated kindly as guests by Aurora and Mishael for a week, as a favor for Tory, who implied strongly that the twins were to lay low and not leave their property 'because you came seeking safety, so here you go.' Petra and Donte showed up a few days before they were to travel to the sanctuary. All six were curious as to what Tomax and Xamot had done to the place in their care. It had been private property owned by The Six, and their personal symbol of a pyramid with light rays featured prevalently throughout. There had been only a few structures standing at the time Tory saved the twins' lives and placed them there over twenty years ago. That's why they bowed to Tory's authority. They owed more than they could ever repay; they owed their lives. The brothers and their followers had done an impressive job building it up. At the beginning, the grateful two had intended it to be a monument to their six benefactors, but that went to the wayside when personal idols were made by brothers and sisters who only had love for The Brothers of Light.
The eight of them traveled in close quarters by air, courtesy of Petra and Donte's plane. Aurora and Mishael had gotten over their anger at the twins' transgressions, and The Six viewed them with austerity, as if they were wayward children. Though they all appeared to be the same age, The Six were much, much older, though the brothers weren't sure how much. Tory had come to their aid the same ageless beauty when she rescued them from death over twenty years ago. She appeared the same when she found them as children twenty years before that.
Upon arrival at the sanctuary, they saw the only parts of the temple standing were the structures around the twin atlases, although the Xamot side was sagging, riddled with cracks. Most astonishingly, there were still people there, living and working around the structure, tending the fields. All the buildings where the people lived and worked were fine. Just from what they could see immediately, it appeared that one in five were still around. "You didn't think they'd all leave did you? Tory asked the brothers, "With or without you, this is their home, and they are still your big happy family."
Tomax and Xamot were profoundly remorseful, especially when they were approached by three men in red holding staffs which lit up as they were reconnected with the bond. The men rejoiced to feel the twins' presence in their heads again. One of them was Brother Franz, the first lost soul to find them many years back. As they walked closer to the ruined temples, others started noticing and gathered around. Soon they were surrounded by a good sized crowd of brothers and sisters, plus many of their children. They all had questions about what went wrong, as none of them really understood the situation at the time.
"You asked us not to forsake you, then disappeared? Why?" Brother Franz asked Xamot.
A woman stepped forward holding the hand of a little boy who had the twins' lustrous dark chestnut hair, but with hazel eyes instead of their green. They recognized Sister Heather. She asked Tomax, "Why did you say 'The lambs shall not stray without being punished by their lords?' then blow up a wall? Did we do something to offend you? Were you not happy with us anymore?"
Others asked why the temples sank into the ground. Tory explained that was by design. The green eye in the pyramid was to hide the structures and alert her to trouble if the twins ever left. People looked on in astonishment as The Six combined their great powers and lifted the structures back up, minus the idols of course. Those stayed crumbled on the ground. They weren't doing it for Tomax and Xamot this time. The brothers apologized profusely, telling everyone they weren't gods and that leaving had been an act of cowardice. "Please forgive us.." they said, "We only live to serve you."
Their family forgave them everything, rejoicing at the renewed proximity.
For two months, The Six worked alongside the Brothers of Light and their followers, clearing rubble from the fallen idols and bringing in the harvest. The brothers quickly started into idleness, however, sleeping in and standing around watching people work, wrapped up in each others thoughts and chuckling over private jokes. "To think you two are fathers to so many," Mishael said on passing, looking annoyed.
One day Donte caught them in a siesta. They had taken lunch in the fields, then fell asleep where they sat. "What happened to you two?" he asked, prodding them awake with his toes. "You used to be such strapping athletes, and now I'm almost afraid to touch you in case I snap something accidentally." He hauled Tomax up by the front of his robe. He was disappointed because he used to enjoy sparring with them in their old life. There was really no contest though, as Donte possessed Herculean strength, and the twins only used their superior agility to avoid him. Once he got a hold of one, it was over quickly. It was still a challenge because they had been incredibly difficult to catch, seeming to have the ability to fly, like demigods filled with limitless energy. They used to be so full of vitality, and now Donte wondered why Tory would have saved them from death, only to keep them in a place where the life would slowly be sucked out of them. What lesson was to be learned here? Why had nobody checked in on them to see what they were doing in over twenty years?
"You forget we are still..." "...recovering from confinement and torture." the twins replied.
"The masters have always needed their afternoon nap." said Brother Franz upon passing, hearing their conversation.
"THANKS FRANZ." they replied in unison, sardonically.
"I live to serve," he said, departing.
Petra joined them and said, "Your increased languor has less to do with your physical state and more to do with how you haven't focused your powers correctly. It didn't help you spent so long forcing your wills on people. That takes constant focus, as people will consistently struggle against this, even if they appear to be completely enthralled by you. If you were to have gone through with your silly telecomm scheme, you might have found yourselves sleeping the day away."
"Maybe that would be a good thing," Donte quipped, just playing around, "If they were always asleep, then they would stay out of trouble, stop producing children."
Tomax and Xamot looked at each other guiltily. They had stayed celibate during their time with The Six, but had been getting looks of longing from the women who were there one hundred percent by free will. More children might be likely in their future. They hadn't been tortured that badly. They were never too weary for that.
Tomax looked at Xamot. ...Why don't we ask him to spar, like old times.. he thought. They took off their robes and did a quick roll in mid air off each others backs, graceful as dancers. Then they put on a show, seeming to float weightless through their routines, laughing like children, carefree, proving to them all they still had it in them after all. Perhaps there was hope of them returning to what they once were. Petra and Donte watched them for a time, entertained. Finally, Petra said, "It's me you two need to spar with. I'll teach you agility of mind, so that you aren't crushed to death beneath the weight of your own egos."