Chapter Text
How exactly do you go about explaining your world to someone entirely unaware of how it functions?
How do you explain a science so unique and complicated that it’s composed of more theory than fact?
You start off with the basics.
First off, everyone has a soul. Yes, everyone. You, your next door neighbor, the leader of your country, the homeless man down the street, the prison inmate on the news. It is not measurable by weight nor is it visible with imaging. But it can grow, change, develop, regress, and renew itself – all while maintaining innate and unique qualities. Such a complicated state of being transcends the existence of a human; of a short lifespan that can be cut short in the blink of an eye. No, the universe we know of offers such infinite possibilities that the soul continues beyond the body to live again.
What is the soul made of? No one knows, but what is clear is that the rules of time do not determine its trajectory. There is no specified period or rule that we know of to dictate when a soul once again lives in a fragile human vessel, as that realm is not known or measurable to humans. But the mystery of the soul’s journey is not entirely beyond our reach; within every soul there remain ties to every single one of its previous lives. Through a process neither psychology nor science has come close to understanding, humans recall bits and pieces of these lives through Memories. As vivid as the sights, sounds, smells, and experiences of one’s current life, Memories allow glimpses into the soul’s previous being.
One of the most treasured aspects of the soul’s link to its past is the existence of soul mates. A connection occurs between soul mates if they meet in any given life, and can happen in a variety of ways depending on the nature of the bond. Most often, a moment of emotional or physical intimacy allows a recognizable connection. Sometimes this is in the form of a simultaneous Memory, other times it is described as a rush of energy or emotion that triggers a unique sense of familiarity. Every soul is unique, and therefore every connection is unique, with the number and types of soul mates varying indefinitely from person to person.
Now this world might seem exciting and magical and brilliant, but that’s probably because you’re familiar with the stories, the fairy tales; the exceptions to the rules.
The girl who had a Memory of wearing a crown ended up marrying a prince in her current life.
The happily married soul mates that discovered they were terrible enemies in a past life.
Children’s stories in which souls leave a physical imprint on the human body, leaving a mark guiding one to their soul mate.
A woman with a past life seemingly identical to this one makes a decision which saves her soul mate from the fatal mistake he made in the past.
A man driven mad by his love for his soul mate in a past life, who begins kidnapping lookalikes to try and find the right one.
The two girls that meet in the same way in every single lifetime and fall in love all over again.
These are only a small sampling of the news-worthy stories, the connections that make people talk and gossip and theorize. Many times past lives are just as simple and complicated as any ordinary life. What make them special are the souls connected to your own, bonds so powerful they transcend lifetimes. Love, hate, companionship, trust, lust, and friendship alike are more intense when combined with a soul connection.
Having these Memories is something that connects the entire world; a common thread of the human experience. In media, politics, school, work, society; everyone has their past lives as the core part of their being.
So what happens if they aren’t there?
What are you…without proof of your soul?