01 Reincarnation

"Waahh!"

A loud cry of a newborn came from a conical shack among many in the vicinity, and like other dwelling it is supported by a large wooden pole at the center.

While the cover were made from a well sewn animal hides from large prey stretched over the framework of wooden poles. 

To add protection from moisture and rain, dried large waxy leaves with discernable waterproofing properties were draped over the stitching lines.

If observed closely from the outside, it can also be seen that it was stitched with fine vines and tied with a uniquely processed animal skins turned into fine ropes.

Looking at the overall appearance of the shelter, the primitive dwelling can be seen to have a depiction of a wild, savage and primitive culture conveyed through the craft and pictographs.

A primitive belief of animals and beasts, both ferocious and divine, that is common during ancient time where believing in animism and nature is the prevalent religion.

- Newborn Protagonist, POV-

"Waahh!"

I cried loudly as I felt the new environment I am into and feeling uncomfortable with the cold air plus the mucus covering my body.

But with the pain and the cry I made on protest, I feel the air expanding my lungs and expelling the amniotic fluid and mucus.

Feeling the fresh air circulating through my respiratory system as I breathe, activating my biological system required for the survival of a weak newborn individual.

As I observe the surrounding using my infant perception.

 I have become a baby. Yes, a "Baby".

This is the conclusion I made in this new environment after digesting the information presented to me by my weak senses and dull brain that limits my thinking process.

I can see that I am within the confines of a dwelling similar to an Indian Teepee I heard from my past life.

Quite simple but organized home. 

Now that I remember it, all those waking and losing consciousness.

Which I thought to be the norm to rest the soul of the dead or the afterlife.

Is actually the intermittent sleep required of my developing body, a fetus in my mother's womb.

Of course, I only made this conclusion after my birth.

Which is a nauseous process, I am very glad to keep forgotten in my memories. 

I am a different kind of fetus after all.

I thought so, as I observe the young man, that held me and moved me on top of a soft fur. 

My father can be called a teenager in my past life, while my mother that is equally young, lays beside me in the bed of animal hides. 

With awareness and memories of a previous life.

My soul and thinking can be said to be older and mature than my parents in this life. 

No matter what, so that's it.

I am reborn in this new world.

And there is a new family and life for me to live.

While thinking this way in high speed requires no effort, I feel my body disagreeing, especially my stomach.

Regardless of interrupting the happiness I can sense from both my parents as they clean and watch me. 

I spare no effort to cry again to announce my hunger and in need of food.

I believe my parents of this life will be very willing to indulge me.

And I am right to think so, as my father handed me to my mother for my very first breastfeeding. 

- Father, POV-

Hearing the cry of my son as he announce his being to the world, gives me joy of being a father.

And it also washes away the tiredness of assisting my wife with the process of childbirth. 

I look and smiled to my wife who is gasping and tired after such endeavor.

As I held my son and put him on his small heap made of softest fur. 

I can see we are both happy to have our first born, and a son at that.

A son is always welcome to the family, of course having a female offspring is also welcome.

Although I am only of 15 cycle old as is my wife.

We are both young and healthy.

But having a son means better survival in our place and in our tribe.

The men of age in our tribe is already practiced to provide protection, food and shelter to the family.

Coming of age is 10 cycles old for both men and women.

While women of age are already well versed with the learnings of the wife, which means anything related to home chores.

As I thought of the above, I observe my son while he lay on the side of my wife.

While I sit on the edge of the bed, I took the sight of my son covered with mucus as he lay above the softest fur I saved up from hunting, months earlier when I learned of my beloved's pregnancy.

I reach out for another soft fur I plan to wipe and clean my child with. 

With happiness radiating off myself, proven by the glint of my eyes and the smile of my lips.

As I am cleaning him and inspecting his body, I notice him perceiving his new world like a little animal.

"Smart child, being smart is a good quality to have." I say to my wife.

I can't help but think. "I believe my son is as wise as me."

Funny , if my wife knows of my thinking, she will disagree immediately.

"Waahh!" Cried my child.

Obviously he is already hungry, so I held him to my wife for his first meal.

-Mother, POV-

"Gasp!"

My rapid gasping proves the hardship of birthing a child.

I didn't believe the women of the tribe when they previously told me.

Well now I know this fact.

I thought so, as I lay on the bed beside my son. 

It is painful, like having your body divided using rough and pitted bone knives.

But along with the pain and tiredness.

I feel very happy, within my sight I can see my husband as he cleans up our son.

He exudes happiness, with his smile and the soft look in his eyes.

The 9 moons of time bearing the child is worth so much.

The effort and hardship is worth it.

I believe this is the beginning of our happy life.

As the continuation of our family.

Yes, now we are a family of three.

This thought makes me giddy, as I embraced to breastfeeds my child, to solve his hunger. 

- Protagonist, POV-

It has been two days since I was born.

And I am glad to say that I am already named!

Yes, I have a name.

This happened the day after my date of birth. 

That morning after our family of three woke up. 

We had a visitor. 

With him, I learned my parents name.

My fathers name is "Ron" and my mothers is "Lore". 

An older male with imposing stature. 

Although I say old, I mean compared with my parents on their teenage years. 

This visitors age based on my visual inspection is within 25 and 30 cycles old. 

Oh, yes. They count the passing of a year here as a Cycle. 

One Cycle is equal to a year in my previous life. 

Accordingly, A cycle is made off 12 moon or 12 months. 

While day and night terms remained the same use. 

Back to the topic. 

I am given the name "Denov" by this visitor.

He is actually my Grandfather, and his name is "Nald", as I learnt during their conversation. 

But my Grandpa also holds the position of the tribal priest or the Shaman.

Yes, A Shaman!

In this world I am reborn to, there actually exist an extraordinary power!. 

All individuals possess a kind of special energy, using a term from my past life it can be said to be Wishing power or the power of belief. 

But it is not limited to belief, it also includes mental power, emotions, etc. 

As I understood, it is kind of utilizing "thinking" or "thought" that all people have. 

Of course, it doesn't mean that everyone is Godlike or all powerful. No.

Most individual doesn't actually use the power intentionally. 

Only Shamans can deliberately use this power. 

That is why, they hold a very important role in the tribe. 

Leading in ritual like ceremony at the same time safeguarding and occupying the tribe' treasured knowledge.

The Shaman leads and guides the power from the population during a ceremony and utilizing it for their use.

This is usually the case, for healing and setting wards around the place of the tribe, among other uses. 

In this regard, Shamans are very much similar to mages or wizards. 

But unlike these magic casters, Shamans of this life use power to convey intent or desire. 

It is similar to limited use of "Rules" or "reality distortion". 

Although not that overpowered. 

Most effects are with duration while some are permanent. 

The less impact there is, the longer the effects can be. 

For example, germinating a seed is easier and cost less than direct growth to maturity.

The former only activates the seed and allow it to grow on its own, while the latter immediate used up the seeds potential, so it will disappear right after some time, seconds or minutes depending on the cost. 

Throwing fireballs can also be accomplished and while burnt targets remained after the fireball is gone. 

This also means that the fire and heat from the fireball is only temporary while its effects after burning the target remains. 

The discussion of my family, brought me back from my contemplation.

As I heard Grandpa Nald told my father of the upcoming infant ceremony to bless all the newborn of the tribe. 

This is a ritual performed to bless the newborn until they are of 5 cycles old. 

Which signify the passage of infanthood into childhood. 

This is also the time to awaken the inherent talent of children, whether they have the potential of a shamans disciple or remain ordinary.

Needless to say, from 1 to 5 cycle of time there also a teaching program for the children. 

Most of which is learning about livelihood in the tribe, which is hunting, trap, pharmacology, cooking, etc. 

This study will also continue after the effects of the infant ceremony had ended, the only difference is that Shaman disciples have the important lessons on the way of Shamanism. 

Anyway, this information is useless to me who is only 3 days old. 

After the discussion, my Grandpa went away and my parent went to do their chores. 

As for me, I think I need more sleep. "Zzzzzz"

- Day of Infant Ceremony-

Today is the infant ceremony. 

Our family of three woke up early in order to prepare and participate. 

I say preparation even though my parents only wore a more presentable skirts made of animal hide. 

My Mothers skirts length is below the knee while also wearing a animal hide to cover her breast. 

On the other hand, my Father wears a shorter skirt up to above the knee while an animal fur is draped on his upper body. 

I think in my head, this type of clothes doesn't do much covering at all.

Both of them wore a sandal woven from hay and tied with vines on their feet. 

As for me, I am wrapped with fur with only my face and neck visible, like a Pupa. 

Oh, I'm thankful it is not summer season or else I'll be a roasted baby in no time covered with animal fur.

As I waited for my parents to finish their preparation. 

I distract myself with observing our dwelling. 

A very simple home, that's all I can say. 

However, although it is simple, I can not say it is lacking. 

A wooden bed covered with animal hides.

Wooden stumps that serves as chairs and a table with bone tools, mostly for dining and cooking.

And a fire pit at the center that is used for cooking and warming our home during night time and the cold season.

Of course, all other miscellaneous things that completes a home are present situated at their proper places.

Truthfully the place is comparable to the indigenous tribes from my past life. 

My immersed thinking got interrupted when my father picked and carried me out.

It seems we are already leaving home and towards the center of the tribe where the ceremony will take place. 

This is my first time out of our shack. 

As far as I can see with my limited visual range of a baby.

Many dwelling and shelter are distributed in a crescent formation.

The vacant land between each dwelling is enough for outdoor activities.

And some soil can be seen to be planted with indigenous edible plants known to the tribe.

At the center of the crescent formation is the tribes ceremonial place.

There is an altar that is not so tall, at most the size of a dining table from the past life situated at a raised platform.

Torches are also surrounding the place for worship right below the altar.

Looking at the place, I believe worshiping is similar to a Buddhist worship in my past life where individuals sit on a futon.

The only difference is that there is no futon here, only decent animal hides are set up like a picnic mat.

Maybe it can be called a worship mat?

This is what I discern by listening to the conversations around the road to the tribal center.

As we walk further, some tribesmen occasionally greets my parents.

Many of them just gossips and send blessing to my parents.

A lot of neighbors also bring the whole family with them, from the infants to the overly hyperactive children.

If not for the nearing destination of our trip, this tribal street full of people looks just like an ordinary neighborhood.

Well.... except for looking ancient?

As we come closer, I can see my Grandpa already ascended the platform and in his ceremonial shamanic garments.

I'm curious about the upcoming ceremony.

Will it be like the rituals depicted in my previous life.

A ritual full of savagery and blood sacrifice?

Or will there be something else?

Hopefully there won't be human sacrifice.

I don't think I am prepared for it.

Please, a few days is not enough to adjust my modern mentality into that of tribal.

After a while, we've reached the worship mat dedicated for us.

It's very considerate and organized.

I almost forget I am in ancient time.

Now my parents are seated along with many families.

I wondered what will happen next.

I can see my Grandpa arrange his props on the altar.

And with my frontal and peripheral vision.

Most people are sitting upright and started to breathe in a peculiar rhythm.

When this rhythm is present I instinctively feel a different atmosphere.

But I don't understand what's happening.

My grandpa on the other hand started humming tones.

This humming coupled with the sound of unique breathing makes my hair stood up.

I forgot the time.

Maybe it happened in an instant or maybe after half an hour passed by.

Anyway.

Feeling the sacred but subtle dominance of the people's thoughts.

As it escape the confines of the mind and exerts influence on reality.

I feel something attaching itself onto myself.

Invisible but present.

I think this is the blessing for infants like me.

It will be with me until my 5th cycle.

Protecting all infants as the tribe will it.

This ceremony will forever be imprinted in my memory.