"Uwaaaa! Waaa!" The tense silence shattered with the newborn's cry, a sound that mingled with the first rays of the morning sun filtering into the room. But unlike the joyous announcement this should have been for the Tala ng Gubat[1] tribe, the infant's wails ripped through the quiet room, tinged with a despair that belied his tender age unbeknownst to those in the same room. For Elarion Vance, reborn in a new world, the sound was not of a newborn cry, but a lament for the injustice that had befallen his family in his previous life.
Elder Shardani carefully wrapped the floating prince in a luxurious wolf's fur, its softness a stark contrast to the newborn's raw cries, before gently placing him in his mother's outstretched hands.
Dayang Iskra's hands trembled slightly as she reached out, her gaze softening into a pool of adoration, a proud smile gracing her lips. "Rajah," she said softly, her gaze lifting to meet his, "what shall we name our youngest prince?" She held the swaddled infant a little higher, seeking her husband's blessing.
Rajah Bayani approached his wife, his eyes filled with a father's pride as he looked down at his son nestled in her embrace. "The youngest prince of our tribe shall be named… Lakan—" The name caught in his throat. Rajah Bayani's expression shifted, his jaw dropping, and his eyes widening in disbelief. With a swift movement, he knelt on one knee, his left hand clenched into his right fist – a warrior's posture of utmost respect and obedience. "I, Rajah Bayani, shall do as you command, Goddess," he declared, his voice ringing with awe and certainty.
Dayang Iskra, Elder Shardani, and everyone else in the room stood frozen, their faces etched with utter shock.
Had the Goddess Mayari truly spoken directly to their Rajah?
Rajah Bayani rose, a mixture of shock and exhilaration still lingering in his eyes. "The youngest prince of our tribe has been blessed by our Goddess Mayari! He shall now be known as Silak, as the Goddess herself has just commanded," he announced to the stunned assembly in the small chamber.
A wave of reverence rippled through the room. The Elders and warriors bowed deeply towards the newborn prince. "We greet the youngest prince, Lakan Silak!" they exclaimed in unison.
Dayang Iskra looked at Elder Shardani, her brow furrowed with curiosity. "Elder, would you mind sharing your thoughts on the possible meaning behind the prince's name? Surely a name given by the Goddess herself holds a significance beyond the ordinary."
"Though the full depth of the Goddess's wisdom is beyond my grasp, I can offer some possibilities," Elder Shardani replied, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "Silak means dawn in our ancestral tongue. Dawn marks the beginning of a new day, as the darkness of night recedes. For the Goddess to name our prince Silak… it likely signifies that he will usher in a major transformation for our tribe, altering the very course of our destiny."
Rajah Bayani added, a hint of uncertainty in his voice, "The Goddess spoke directly to me, but I sensed no trace of impending doom. This must be a good omen, right?"
"Regardless," Dayang Iskra stated with a resolute nod, her eyes gleaming with determination, "our son – Lakan Silak – will bring a new age to our world and to our tribe. As his parents and elders, it is our sacred duty to prepare him for whatever lies ahead. Cowardice in the face of the unknown has never been the way of our people."
Rajah Bayani turned to face the assembled Elders and Warriors, "Rest today," he commanded, his voice firm and reassuring. "Tomorrow, we begin preparations for the welcoming festivities and the ceremony to present the prince to our ancestors and to the Goddess."
Rajah Bayani is the leader of three Datus that comprised their thriving tribe of the Tala ng Gubat tribe with a population of about 3,000 people, nestled on the edge of the vast forest. The other Rajahnate may have been under different Rajah's leadership across the sprawling woodland, but their origins were intertwined, their ancestry tracing back to a common source..
Meanwhile, the newborn prince, Lakan Silak, had finally succumbed to exhaustion, the weight of grief and the shock of his past life's memories pulling him into sleep. He remained soundly asleep for the entire day, not stirring until the following morning.
Opening his dark eyes, he scanned his surroundings, noting the familiar softness of the high-quality wolf fur that had enveloped him since birth. 'Damn! That crazy research actually worked!' The visions… they hadn't been mere figments of his imagination. 'I really am reborn. A new life, a new world.' He marveled at the reality of it all.
'But where did my ring go?' The realization struck him. The ring was no longer with him. 'Did it share those memories with me just before vanishing completely?' He lamented the loss of his constant companion.
Creak…
The wooden door to the room slowly opened, and a woman entered. Her vibrant clothing resembled the ceremonial dresses worn during special occasions, the rich colors a feast for the eyes. Her hair, as dark as a starless night, cascaded down her back to her hips, held in place by a few intricately crafted ornaments. A pair of eyes, as bright as distant starlight, fixed on the prince, radiating an overwhelming warmth of love and protectiveness.
'Mother?' A lump formed in his throat. This woman, who had just walked in, was his birth mother in this life – something he had never known in his past. Her gaze, filled with such tender affection, felt both foreign and profoundly comforting to Silak.
In that moment, enveloped by his mother's loving gaze, the lingering gloom and grief began to recede. A wave of gratitude washed over him, and he silently vowed to protect those he would come to cherish in this new life. 'My vengeance as Elaraion Vance should not stain the lives of my family and those I care for now.' He wouldn't allow himself to be consumed by wrath. Having been granted a second chance, he understood the preciousness of life more than anyone – once lost, it could never be reclaimed.
"Aww, looks like the little prince Silak is finally awake," Dayang Iskra cooed softly as she gently scooped him up. "I think we should feed you before we take you to the ceremony, don't you agree?" She adjusted her colorful dress and began to nurse him.
Feeling utterly awkward, he stiffened, his mind racing. 'Having the complete memories and consciousness of a sixteen-year-old from my previous life feels so wrong in this situation. What am I supposed to do?' Unfortunately for his internal turmoil, his mother misinterpreted his flailing little arms as excitement and hunger.
"Hahaha! I know, I know, here you go, my little greedy prince," Dayang Iskra chuckled, finding her son's 'enthusiastic' movements endearing.
Oomph?!
[1] Stars of the Forest