It was a cold and fresh forest. Deep green and misty. The air was clear, and purifying for one’s soul. The mountains reached up to the heavens, but their frosted peaks were obscured by clouds. It began to rain. The droplets of water caressed each and every leaf that they touched, before soaking into the fertile ground.

In a clearing surrounded by lush and dense foliage, stood Karim. His tanned face was to the sky and he smiled- basking in this scene. He felt his worries melt away. He had made it.

The expedition had been long and hard, and all the members of the team had left due to injury or disagreements. Karim had let them go. Why should one hold so tightly onto something that isn’t meant to be? That was why he had held so tightly to this dream. He knew he could find this fabled place.

He lowered his gaze until it landed on the mounds. Every man-made hill was marked by an ancient stone. Although he was fluent in six languages, Karim couldn’t read the inscriptions. It didn’t matter, for he could feel in his soul that this was the place.

The clouds above were darkening, and encroaching on the few patches of clear sky that remained. Insects buzzed all around. And then someone spoke.

“What doth thou desire?” the language was antiquated, yet the voice was young.

“Uh,” stuttered Karim. This hadn’t been part of the plan. He cleared his throat, “I’ve been searching for this burial ground for almost two years.”

The figure that had called from the shadows seemed to consider the explorer’s words for a moment, sizing him up, before she emerged from the shadows.

Karim stood frozen in shock. Ashaki stood before him. The mysterious woman who had stolen his heart and then disappeared with it. It had nearly killed him. But her eyes were different: no longer a deep, inviting brown, but a glowing, hypnotic blue. And she appeared to be floating above the ground.

“Do not be afraid, gallant explorer,” she said, “this is what thou desired, is it not? To see thine beloved one more time?” The language was becoming more modern. The ethereal being’s behaviour seemed to be shifting to match Karim’s.

“You’re the guardian,” he breathed, “the one who protects this place.”

“Aye,” she closed her eyes. When they opened again she was no longer Ashaki, but a being of pure light. Karim had to turn away.

“You came looking for your heart,” she said knowingly.

“I did.”

“Take my hand,” instructed the guardian.

“Will it hurt?” Karim was afraid.

“No, my child. Your soul will float out of your physical being, and join Ashaki in the Eternal Dimension.” She radiated calm.

“And my body?”

“It shall be buried here- with the others. And I promise to watch over it until the end of days.”

Karim closed his eyes and reached his fingers towards the brilliant promise of his Soulmate.