"Why do you remember me when you shouldn't?"
The words rang out, echoing in the quiet expanse of Tara Vedant's dimly lit apartment. She froze mid-step, her hand clutching the steaming mug of tea, her heart pounding in her chest. Standing in the doorway of her modest living room was Kaelash—no longer the scruffy street mutt she had adopted but a man radiating an aura of timeless strength.
His form was imposing, standing tall with broad shoulders that seemed to carry the weight of centuries. His features were sharp yet calm: a jawline that spoke of unyielding resolve, eyes like liquid gold that shimmered with ancient wisdom, and jet-black hair tied loosely at the nape of his neck. He wore a simple black tunic and trousers that looked both modern and oddly archaic, as though they belonged to a forgotten era. His presence was both reassuring and deeply unnerving, a paradox that left Tara rooted to the spot.
"You... who are you?" Tara managed, her voice a breathless whisper. The mug in her hands trembled as her mind struggled to reconcile the scruffy dog she had taken in just months ago with the radiant figure now standing before her.
Kaelash stepped forward, his movements fluid yet deliberate. His gaze softened, though his voice carried the weight of an unspoken truth. "You know me, Tara. You've always known me. You just chose to forget."
The room seemed to contract around them as his words hung in the air. Tara's breath quickened. Images began flashing in her mind—fragmented memories of battles fought under blood-red skies, a woman draped in black wielding a blade of fire, and a towering mountain that seemed to pulse with life.
"I'm going insane," Tara whispered to herself, shaking her head as she set the mug down with trembling hands.
"You're not," Kaelash replied firmly, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "But you will be, if you don't face the truth."
His gaze bore into her, not with malice but with a quiet determination that unsettled her more than any threat could. Tara swallowed hard, her instincts screaming at her to flee, yet something deeper, something primal, held her in place.
"Why now?" she demanded, her voice rising. "Why is all this happening to me now? First, the dreams. Then the... the attack at work. And now you. What am I supposed to believe?"
Kaelash's expression softened further, a flicker of guilt passing through his features. "Because it's time, Tara. Your past can no longer remain buried. The world is shifting, and you are at the center of it."
Tara staggered back, gripping the edge of the counter for support. Her mind raced as she tried to process his words, her thoughts clouded by fear and disbelief. "You're telling me... that I'm part of some grand cosmic plan? That I'm not just a regular person? That's insane!"
Kaelash didn't flinch at her outburst. Instead, he took another step closer, his voice steady and calm. "You are far from ordinary, Tara. You are the reincarnation of a goddess—a warrior who once brought balance to this world. But your return threatens those who seek chaos. They've already begun to move against you."
The words struck her like a blow. Her knees buckled slightly, and she found herself sitting on the floor, her hands trembling. "A goddess?" she repeated, her voice barely audible.
Kaelash knelt before her, his golden eyes never leaving hers. "Yes. The goddess Kali, the fierce protector, the destroyer of evil. And I," he hesitated for the briefest moment, "am your vahan, your loyal companion. I was sent to guard you, to guide you back to your true self."
Tara stared at him, her mind reeling. She wanted to laugh, to scoff at the absurdity of his claim, but the conviction in his voice and the strange familiarity in his presence silenced her doubts. Deep down, she knew there was truth in his words.
"Then why don't I remember any of it?" she asked, her voice cracking.
Kaelash's expression darkened, a shadow passing over his features. "Because you chose to forget. When you sacrificed yourself in your past life, you wished to be free from the burden of divinity. You wanted to live as a mortal, to feel the joys and sorrows of humanity. But destiny cannot be denied forever."
Tara closed her eyes, her chest heaving as she struggled to breathe. The pieces of her life were no longer fitting together in the neat, logical pattern she had clung to for so long. Everything was unraveling, and she was powerless to stop it.
"Then what now?" she whispered, her voice laced with exhaustion. "What am I supposed to do with all this... this insanity?"
Kaelash reached out, his hand hovering just above her shoulder as if hesitating to touch her. "You don't have to do it alone," he said softly. "I'm here to help you, Tara. But you need to trust me. You need to let go of the life you thought you wanted and embrace the one that's waiting for you."
Tara opened her eyes, meeting his gaze once more. In his eyes, she saw something she hadn't seen in anyone else—a profound understanding of her fears, her doubts, and her pain. For a moment, she allowed herself to believe him.
"I don't even know who I am anymore," she admitted, her voice breaking.
Kaelash smiled faintly, a glimmer of warmth piercing the tension in the room. "You are Tara Vedant, the woman who adopted a stray dog out of kindness. The woman who fights for what she believes in, even when the odds are against her. And, whether you like it or not, you are also Kali, the goddess of time and change. Both are true. Both are you."
The simplicity of his words struck a chord within her, grounding her amidst the chaos of her thoughts. She inhaled deeply, the weight on her chest easing slightly.
But before she could respond, a sudden crash shattered the fragile moment. The window behind Kaelash exploded inward, shards of glass raining down like lethal stars. Tara screamed, instinctively shielding her face, as a dark figure leaped into the room.
Kaelash was on his feet in an instant, his hand outstretched as a glowing blue blade materialized in his grasp. He moved with a speed and precision that seemed almost inhuman, positioning himself between Tara and the intruder.
The figure stood hunched, its form obscured by a tattered cloak that seemed to writhe like living shadows. Its eyes glowed a sickly green, and its presence filled the room with an oppressive, otherworldly energy.
"Tara Vedant," it hissed, its voice like nails scraping against metal. "You should not have awakened."
Tara's blood ran cold as the figure lunged forward, its clawed hand reaching for her. But Kaelash was faster. He swung his blade in a wide arc, the glowing edge slicing through the air with a hum. The figure snarled, retreating just in time to avoid the strike.
"Stay back!" Kaelash commanded, his voice resonating with an authority that seemed to shake the very walls.
The figure laughed, a low, guttural sound that sent shivers down Tara's spine. "You cannot protect her forever, vahan. The end is already written."
Before Kaelash could respond, the figure dissolved into a cloud of dark smoke, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.
The silence that followed was deafening. Tara stared at the shattered window, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of what had just happened.
Kaelash turned to her, his expression grim. "They've found you," he said quietly. "And they won't stop until they've destroyed you."
Tara met his gaze, the reality of her situation finally sinking in. Her old life was gone, replaced by a world of danger, mystery, and impossible truths. And there was no turning back.