Chapter 24 The welcome

I entered the clearing where the tribe had gathered, and the ambience was nothing short of enchanting. Warm glows from the fires, the melody of laughter, and rhythmic beats welcomed me. Children chased each other playfully, their joyous shouts piercing through the night.

Ninsianna approached, a playful glint in her eyes. "So, the guardian decides to grace us with his presence? It's not every day we get a spirit at our feasts," she teased.

I grinned back, playing along. "Only for special occasions. Wouldn't want to miss out on a good meal."

From a distance, the young brothers, Kadash and Surim, snickered, observing our interaction. "Look at him," Kadash whispered to Surim, nudging him, "our guardian is quite the jester!"

As I sat, Zuran passed me a plate of fish, roots, and fruits, laughing, "Eat up, guardian. Wouldn't want you fading away into the spirit realm on an empty stomach!" I smirked, taking a bite of the grilled fish.

Balum, the head hunter, usually reserved, raised his cup to me, nodding with a hint of respect. "To our guardian, who watches over mischievous young hunters and helps keep our tribe safe."

Everyone cheered, and the evening continued in a similar vein, filled with light-hearted banter, shared stories, and lots of laughter. The tribe's warmth was palpable, and it felt like I was becoming part of a family.

As the night deepened, Naman, the old shaman, rose, silencing the gathering with a mere gesture. In his hands was a ceremonial bowl, its contents shimmering slightly in the firelight. "It's time," he announced, his voice steady and calm.

I nodded, preparing myself for the next step in my initiation. Naman began chanting, his voice echoing throughout the clearing. "This is our way, guardian. A journey within to find one's true self. Ready?"

With a deep breath, I replied, "Ready."

The bitter tang of the brew clung to the back of my throat, and as its essence seeped into me, the world around dissolved. A sensation of ascension took hold, elevating me beyond the physical, beyond the known.

Almost instantly, I was back in that familiar space, the very realm I visited every time death claimed me. Colors and lights swirled, the very fabric of this place vibrant and alive. Yet, the vividness of the environment wasn't what caught my attention. It was the beings. Ethereal figures of pure energy, some formless, others taking more discernible shapes, all radiating an intense, boundless wisdom.

One of them, a being of shimmering blue light, approached me. I recognized its aura, having met it during one of my past transitions. With no words, it beckoned me to follow, leading me through a pathway of memories.

I was shown my time in the city, the recycling machine, the pain, and the helplessness. But instead of drowning in despair, the blue entity made me see it from a new perspective. It showed me the resilience of my spirit, the strength that emanated from every cell of my being, and how every challenge was but a stepping stone.

Another entity, this one radiating golden hues, showed me the lives where I had willingly embraced death. The leap off the cliff, the peace in surrender. It emphasized the courage and the beauty of letting go, showing me the larger picture and the patterns of my soul's journey.

But not all memories were passive observations. A fiery red entity challenged me, pushing me to confront my fears, my regrets, and my unfinished business. It was a rigorous test, but with every confrontation, a piece of my soul healed, rejuvenated.

Amidst these profound experiences, a consistent melody played in the background. The same harmonious song of existence that I had encountered previously. It felt like the heartbeat of this realm, connecting every being, every memory, every emotion.

Towards the end of my journey, a massive entity, an amalgamation of all the colors and energies, enveloped me. It felt maternal, protective, and healing. Without any spoken words, it conveyed a message: every death, every life, every experience was a note in the cosmic song. And my soul, with its unique melody, was an integral part of it.

The sensation of descending back to my body began. The chants of the tribe, the crackling of the fire, and Naman's distant voice became prominent. My consciousness started weaving itself back into the fabric of the physical realm.

Opening my eyes, the weight of the experience bore down on me. The tribe's faces, painted in the fire's glow, looked at me with anticipation. I had journeyed far and deep, and though back in the physical realm, I carried the wisdom of higher dimensions within me.