He was breathing hard, he was drenched in perspiration. His cardiac muscle was allocating oxygen throughout his body system double time. He was running for his life! No matter what, he could not look nor turn back. He was in deep trouble, he knew he was!
Still, the memory lingered in his mind. Replaying each detail down to the minutest. Amethyst would wipe off the smirk on his face with a vengeance! Yes, he pulled off the greatest practical joke! His stomach muscles contracted from so much laughter!
"Valiant, when I get my hands on you!"
Amethyst was keeping her pace to his. No matter what he did to distract her off his trail, it was to no avail. She was on to him. How could she not be, after what he had done?
It was the moment she had been waiting for. A kiss that would seal their fate. Lips touched hers. Peculiar lips. It was somewhat struggling and resisting. It didn't feel right. And so the bitter truth was revealed to her: A mischievous grinning Valiant with a poor, frightened, little furry creature fidgeting for freedom against his hand. Her first kiss, loss to a living and breathing seemingly stuff animal toy! How could he! Definitely, something to remember at old age!
"I promise, I won't smack you." Empty threats did not work, would an amicable plead do? Still, he was wary; better safe than sorry!
"Ha ha, nice try, catch me if you can!" He playfully provoked her further with his tongue and taunting face.
He could be such a child sometimes! Perhaps, the moment got too intense for him, turning it into a joke would be a perfect alibi. Running away, always running away, doesn't he ever get tired?
Love is forgiving. Love is understanding. Love is encompassing. She will always be by his side, every step of the way. Requital is inconsequential yet, she was glad he loved her. He truly loved her with everything that he is. She felt it then; she feels it now. Energy signature and cords could not lie!
In a weird twist of event, she was somewhat enjoying this! Recapture her childhood. She can barely recall her own childhood. Her teen years were colorful but her tender years remained mysterious. Certain portraits, momentos, toys and so forth were unfamiliar. She was often told a traumatic incident activated her defense mechanism to shut the memory off, locking all preceding interrelated memories as well: selective memory loss. One or two flashbacks occur, at times nightmares, but not much of substance. Still, she remembered everyone before and after that incident. It was as if her being repressed the tragedy to the point that it made her consciousness believe it never existed. However, subconscious scars were left; certain reactions and longing were irreconcilable with her current self-image. Until this particularly trauma is resolved, a circle will remain a circle forever. It can be frustrating, especially when everyone gets nostalgic. Yet, she, like any other Neptunian, believed that everything has a time and place. In time, it would resurface. In time, it would be resolved. In time, it would be the pivotal point of her salvation.
"Hey, wait up!" A panting Amethyst is about to concede defeat. Her feet maybe her asset, but it was technically virgin on terrestrial ground, especially strenuous activities. She was a water nymph, water her domain. In Neptune, activities are often involved with the mind: telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation, etc. Physical effort is more of recreational purposes. Neptunians value health and are fitness buffs. The incessant and ubiquitous transmission of energy may be fatal to a weak body despite how robust the mind is. Oh yes, she can run and effective at this, but the benchmark of Valiant is inhumane!
The moment he set foot on their camp, he stood still. He was in shock. Everything was in chaos. Remnants of crucibles, pot and other containers were scattered. Fruits were partly devoured and smashed. The light sillyness replaced by serious alarm.He reflexively extended his arm in a protective manner the minute Amethyst entered the territory. He signaled her to be silent. She responded with a nod. Together, they investigated what brought forth this catastrophe!
Something was subtly moving. A grizzly bear has wandered off, and is now pillaging their fish preserves. It growled when it noticed their attention. It was viciously ready to attack with all its might. Valiant was determined to strike first.
Suddenly, his vision started to be hazy. Reality was being twisted. He collapsed.
He was burning with fever. She refreshed the towel on a basin filled with water, and wiped his face. He was sweating profusely. Cold beads of perspiration shrouded him. He was struggling in his sleep, creating monosyllabic and incomprehensible murmurs of distress. It has been 2 days, and he was still unconscious. A bizarre twist of event with the display of his impeccable health a few days ago, even before his sudden collapse. His aura was weak and bleak. It was filled with toxins she never imagined could even exist. It had to be the consequence of years of repression.
Realization dawned on her. The nuptial, it had to be! His inner demons, issues and unresolved conflict are manifesting. In order for the new energy to flow, he must be cleansed and impurities must be purged. However, there is no option to escape this time. The battle must be fought or death may result.
His life force had exponentially degraded. At this rate, it would be a miracle if he survives the week. The weather had been awful these days, she cannot bring or seek aid, let alone leave him. She was apprehensive but she had no choice. "Reiki" had to be administered.
"Reiki" is a powerful healing technique reserved amidst members of the House of Kaioh. Execution is cautiously prohibited; its potency can be lethal, both for the initiator and receptor. Through out the Neptunian history,"reiki" had only been conducted once. There must be a powerful link between parties for it to galvanize. Trust would be utmost critical for the channeling, circulation and exchange of energy or death will result.
Amethyst can no longer endure anymore waiting while her beloved dies. She cannot afford to lose him. Damn the world! How can she even save the world, if she cannot save her spouse! In good faith, she knew he will be receptive of her energy; his refusal would upset the balance, and result to instantaneous death. To share her life force means halving it. She knew in very being that they were already joined in their hearts even before they existed in this lifetime.
She unbuttoned his upper garment, exposing a well bandage chest. His female contours were revealed. Perfectly formed female breasts were evident despite how muscular his form is. She was in awe of the majesty hidden within. She brushed his hair and looked at his face for the last time. "'Soon, we will be together again, my love."
She stripped her clothes, leaving the necessities intact. She lied on top of him, face to face. Energy glowed and surged throughout her. "Reiki" was her last hope.
Author's note: If there are Reiki practitioners here, the concept is admittedly exaggerated herein. Reiki is an alternative form of healing, tantamount to pranic healing. Reiki was revealed to its founder, Dr. Mikao Usui, during his 21 day spiritual retreat in Mount Kuriyama in pursuit of th healing capability of Jesus Christ. Basically, it is channeling the inexhaustible universal divine energy for healing purposes. "Rei" is spirit in Japanese and "ki" is life force.
NEXT CHAPTER: dark and full of angst, be prepared for allegory!