Huffing and puffing, Silak leaned against the rough bark of an ancient tree, his young lungs burning. Seven grueling days of self-imposed physical assessment had finally taken their toll. With trembling fingers, he unfolded the worn parchment his father had given him, his eyes scanning the recorded numbers.
Running: 15,053 Dipa
Sprint: 4,024 Dipa
Breathing: Tanghaling Tapat to Takipsilim
Meditate: Tanghaling Tapat to Takipsilim
Push Up: 432
Tree Climbing: 64 Trees
A frown creased his brow. This world's tribal measurements were utterly foreign to him. Dipa, the span of outstretched arms? Tanghaling Tapat and Takipsilim for noon and dusk? It was all so different from what he was used to.
"Physical training is still my weakness," he muttered, tracing the numbers with a finger. "But the breathing and meditation… those are almost too easy." He could lose himself in those disciplines for what felt like eons without sensing any strain.
A wry smile touched his lips. "Still, if my memories of being a two-year-old are accurate, these numbers aren't bad." He couldn't expect his current body to perform miracles just yet.
After a short rest, Silak wandered towards a colossal tree with branches that spread like sheltering arms. Beneath its dense canopy, a large rock offered respite from the afternoon sun. He'd stumbled upon this secluded spot during one of his endless running sessions.
'Alright, time for some breathing exercises and meditation,' he thought, settling onto the cool stone.
He diligently followed the routine his mother had taught him, even if the deeper meaning behind it remained elusive.
Ssss… Hahhh…
'Inhale slowly through the nose, hold… Inhale again, expanding the lungs fully… Hold… Slowly exhale through the mouth. Repeat.' The familiar rhythm of his mother's voice echoed in his mind as he practiced.
Soon, the controlled breathing became automatic, allowing his subconscious to take over. His thoughts began to drift, his focus softening as he relinquished the need to control his surroundings.
Unseen, beneath his simple tunic, faint lines of starlight and lunar crescents began to shimmer on his back – the same markings that had blazed during his ceremony when he was born. Now, however, their luminescence was muted, a mere whisper of its former glory.
Silak's eyes snapped open. The world around him was bathed in the soft glow of the moon and stars. "What happened?" he whispered, a knot of confusion tightening in his chest. "Did I overdo my breathing and meditation?" He hadn't noticed the passage of time.
"Well, I didn't expect you to awaken it this soon. I'm quite surprised, I must say."
Silak whirled around, his heart pounding. A woman emerged from the shadows of the trees, her form as fluid and graceful as the moonlight filtering through the leaves. She wore a dress of elegant black silk, so dark it seemed to absorb the starlight. Her long, black hair cascaded down her back, swaying gently with each step. The jewelry she wore was understated, yet seemed to capture the same ethereal glow of the celestial bodies above.
He instinctively backed away, a knot of unease forming in his stomach. He hadn't sensed her approach. "I… I apologize, big sister," he stammered, trying to keep his voice steady. "Is this your place? I just found it while training. I hope you can forgive me." He wanted to avoid any trouble, especially after the chaos of his ceremony.
The woman chuckled, a melodious sound that didn't quite reach her eyes. "There's no need for alarm, Elaraion Vance. I'm not here to harm you. In fact, you were the one who wished to meet me." Her gaze was intense, as if trying to peer directly into his soul.
'Damn it! How does she know that name?!' Silak's polite demeanor vanished, replaced by a guarded intensity. His instincts screamed danger, even if logic told him fighting was pointless. But after what happened during his ceremony, he wouldn't hesitate to fight if threatened.
"I think you have me confused with someone else, big sis. My name is Silak, son of Bayani and Iskra." He made sure his parents' names were clear, hoping to dispel her strange claim.
"Elaraion Vance and Silak are one and the same," she said patiently, unfazed by his suspicion. "And there is no need for secrets between us. After all, I was the one who guided your wandering soul to this world."
Silak froze, his eyes widening in disbelief.
The tension slowly drained from his body. How could she know about his past life? If her claims were true, her power was beyond anything he could currently fathom.
He sighed. "If what you say is true… then you might be the only person who can answer my countless questions." His voice was direct, devoid of the earlier politeness.
But before he could voice any of them, the woman raised a hand, silencing him. "I know your mind is overflowing with questions, little one. But I cannot answer them tonight. I am here for another reason – to guide you and help you complete the awakening of your ring."
Her voice held a note of urgency. "I do not have much time. I need your help to bring order to chaos. The balance of the world hangs precariously."
"Wait," Silak interrupted, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean, 'ring'?"
"Do you remember the ring your mother in your past life entrusted to you? The same ring that accompanied your soul on its long journey here? When you were born into this world, that very ring went into a deep slumber within your soul, having expended its power to bring you here."
As she spoke, the woman slowly closed the distance between them. Now, she stood just an arm's length away from the small child perched on the large rock.
Silak's mind raced, trying to process this revelation. 'The ring… slumbering within me? It wasn't lost?' A wave of relief washed over him. His past life's parents had sacrificed everything to protect it. He would honor their sacrifice and continue it in their stead.
The woman raised her right hand, her porcelain white skin glimmers in the night like countless stars. While Silak was momentarily mesmerized by her ethereal beauty. Her index finger, cool and gentle, touched his forehead. He barely felt the contact. "Continue to strengthen your soul, Silak, and you will learn more about the ring. I wish I could stay longer, but my presence here might put you at risk. Until next time, little one."
A warm, genuine smile finally touched her lips before her body dissolved into countless motes of light, scattering like a constellation across the night sky.