Atria (Chapter 13)

After few turns, Ashley got used to Tiara and it wasn’t so bad. For now, she had Casey, Josh, Celeste and Krystal and although Josh, Celesta and Krystal were due to leave as soon as the next intake arrived, and Casey would only be there for half an Orbit, but she knew that Jamie would have to stay almost as long as her so she would never be lonely. Ashley marveled at how different Tiara was to Cantrell. In Cantrell you are basically left to do your own thing, except for the past life meetings of course. In Tiara though, there were organized discussion groups and meetings every single turn. Not to mention that every spirit is assessed four times every moon, rather than just once. Ashley thought she understood now, why Atrius didn’t spend as much time in Cantrell as he used to. Things had changed since the last time she was in Tiara and the world had become more violent, meaning that more people were having to spend time in Tiara before returning Cantrell. The longest Ashley could remember a spirit being in Tiara for was 10 orbits, and because of the fact that a soul cannot start a new life until they have spent at least a full orbit in Cantrell, There were longer periods between lives for most spirits and the spiritual level was packed to the brim. Ashley was worried, this meant that soon, moving on would not be voluntary, as soon as you had learned all of your lessons, you were gone. Also, she heard from Danielle that there were newborns arriving nearly every day now which meant that there was a hell of a lot more people on earth. Ashley was quite surprised at how fast time seemed to pass in Tiara, between the daily meetings and regular assessments, an orbit passed in no time. Sure it wasn’t quite as fun without Casey or Krystal there, but she and Jamie still saw a lot of each other and would catch up regularly to reminisce about the life that they once had. One of the things that Ashley actually liked about Tiara was the Guidance discussions. All of the people who had learnt how to love in their last life, got together every turn to discuss the ups and downs of leaving their lovers behind, as well as guide each other through some of the rough patches. Ashley felt particularly special during these sessions because she and Jamie could sit, hold hands and smile, trying to help some of the poor spirits who couldn’t bring their lovers with them. After One and a half orbits, Atrius approached her. “I am pleased to tell you Ashley, that if this assessment shows be that both you and Jamie are competent to move up to Cantrell that you will be leaving with the next intake” she said softly. Ashley smiled, “Thanks Atrius” she said, “so is the assessment now?” she inquired “Yes Ashley” Atrius replied. He placed his hand on her forehead, closed his eyes and started chanting. After a while, he withdrew his hand. Yes Ashley, you will be able to return to Cantrell prematurely. Now I will go and assess Jamie, I will be back shortly, please remain here. Atrius walked off and left Ashley standing there. After a few minutes, he returned, looking grim. “I am sorry Ashley” he said “Jamie is not yet competent to move on to Cantrell.” Ashley gasped and Atrius continued, “Therefore you have two choices, you may remain here until she is competent to progress, or you may go on without her.” Ashley’s eyes widened. “No way Atrius” she said slowly “I am staying until my girl is right to go” she finished. Atrius smiled and nodded his head. “Good work Ashley” he said, “I just did this test on Jamie as well and you are both good to go, I had to ensure that you truly had learned how to love.” he finished smiling. Ashley shook her head. Typical. She went to find Jamie to laugh about Arius’s joke. The next day, both girls departed for Cantrell. They stepped into the pool together, holding hands and were transported to the higher world. As One1

Again, the girls found themselves surrounded by blackness, the darkness punctuated by flashes of bright colours that hurt Ashley’s eyes. The ground hardened beneath their feet and Cantrell spun into view. Ashley released Jamie’s hand and twirled gracefully. Everything stopped. Ashley opened in her eyes and she and Jamie were standing in the arrival pool, thankfully, both were upright. Ashley looked around. In the distance she could see the fountain of light bubbling contently in the centre of the courtyard. She smiled; she was officially a fifth year. Ashley turned toward Jamie and screwed up her face in concentration. Jamie laughed “What are you doing Ash?” she said inquisitively. “Trying to remember” Ashley replied, “What are you trying to remember” suggested Jamie helpfully “Maybe I can help you look a little less constipated.” she finished, grinning. “I am trying to remember what grade you said you were in” Ashley finished expectantly. Jamie laughed, “Ah hon” she said slowly, “Maybe we should discuss this later, when we are out of the arrival pool, so the next spirit can get through” she said quietly. Ashley looked around, the entire Initiation hall, was packed to the brim and every single spirit was staring at her. “Ah yea, sounds good” said Ashley hurriedly, jumping out of the pool and heading for the doorway. Jamie followed her, and once they were a safe distance from the initiation hall, they sat down. “Now,” said Ashley, “What was I saying” “yoaskedwagradimin” Jamie mumbled. “What was that?” said Ashley smiling. It was unlike Jamie to be this shy and Ashley was starting to worry. Jamie took a deep breath and said “You asked what grade I am in” Ashley wondered to herself why Jamie said these words as if they were dirty. “Oh” Ashley said, and the girls sat quietly for a while. After 20 minutes or so, earth time, Jamie spoke again. “Atrius told me yesterday that “Tasha” was my last life. I stay here for an orbit and then” Jamie paused and gulped down her tears, “I move on” Ashley put her hand over her mouth. “So, what grade are you” she said softly. “Eighth” Jamie replied, burying her head in her hands. “Oh crap” said Ashley. She paused for a moment and then looked at her watch. It was her soul watch. Every spirit was issued with one the day that they were born. It had her name inscribed in the centre and three circles of numbers. The innermost circle had the numbers one to twelve, just like an earth clock. This circle showed earth time. The centre circle had the numbers one to twenty eight, these showed the point in the moons cycle, the time frame that Atria existed around, and the outer most circle had the numbers three to twelve, this showed what grade that the spirit was or how many lives he or she had formally completed. Ashley had lived four lives, there for she was a fifth year, etc. They had missed the past life meeting. Oh well, Ashley thought to herself, sometimes there were more important things.2