Four months passed in what felt like a blink. Today was a busy day. In fact, everyone was so caught up in preparations, I was practically being ignored. They told me it was my name ceremony, taking place a few months earlier than is traditional.
I filed away a new piece of information from Rudra's earlier rambling story: our village is called Tranquil, located near the border of human and elven territories. This confirmed that I was, indeed, on the same world I had deduced earlier.
A sudden commotion sounded from outside. The first guests had arrived. Reyand, my father, and an old party member of his, Adam, were the first to be heard.
Rudra, who had been decorating the room, bolted from his room and practically tumbled down the staircase, shouting, "Uncle Adam, Aunt Anjela, Helena, and Sis Jasmine! You came!" He rushed to hug a man with a booming laugh.
"You've gotten bigger, Rudra," Helena said, affectionately ruffling his hair.
Jasmine came closer and asked, "So, how is your training going?"
"It's going good!" Rudra beamed. "I'm literally becoming strong!"
"Very nice," Jasmine replied, smiling as she gently rubbed his hair. Rudra's face immediately turned bright red.
Hey, slow down, kid, I mentally groaned from my vantage point in Alice's arms. How many girls are you going to have a crush on? You can't marry all of them, you know.
They all eventually turned their attention to us. They first greeted Alice and Reyand warmly, then moved toward me, making those silly "ooh, aah, eee" noises grown-ups make at babies. I did my best to look like a normal baby and tolerate the spectacle.
"His hair is just like yours, Alice—that perfect orange—and his eyes are the exact color of yours, Reyand," Adam noted.
The Pre-Ritual and the Golden Book
After some friendly talk and the arrival of other guests, like our neighbor, Granny, the pre-ritual began. This tradition involves the baby choosing an object placed before them, which is believed to indicate their future path.
The guests placed their items one by one. Adam, Anjela, and Durden placed the usual ceremonial objects: a sphere (for magic), an axe (for strength), and a magic stick (for spellcasters).
Helena, however, placed an arrow, and Jasmine placed a long, pointed dagger. Reyand placed his sword. Everyone was shocked when Alice placed nothing at all.
"Alice, why didn't you put anything in?" Helena asked.
"No, not this time," Alice replied with a distant look. "Last time, a cursed item haunted me for months."
Everyone fell silent, respecting her decision, and decided not to press the issue.
Suddenly, Rudra rushed back, holding a beautiful golden book. He placed it squarely in the center of all the other items.
It's my turn to choose, I thought. Why didn't Alice put anything? That's strange. Was she hinting at something? Forget it for now.
I began crawling toward the items. Everyone started making excited noises.
"Choose this!" "Choose that!"
Oh, please, everyone, be silent! I can't concentrate.
I had already decided. I would choose the sword, the classic choice for a fantasy hero.
As I began moving toward it, a soft noise drew my attention. I looked over and saw Rudra. His blue eyes were wide, fixed on me, full of hope. He clearly wanted me to choose his book.
What a troublesome kid, I sighed to myself.
I moved forward and touched the golden book. I can't break the child's heart, I rationalized.
Everyone gasped, shocked by my choice. No one had expected the baby to choose the book.
Alice quickly interrupted the silence. "Dear, check what type of book it is!"
Reyand picked up the golden book, his expression shifting from surprise to amazement. "Dear, it's a storybook of a hero who controls all types of elemental magic!"
Not bad. A hero who controls all elements, I thought, a small smirk crossing my face.
Everyone accepted the choice, seeing it as a good sign. The function continued, moving to the main event: the naming.
The name had already been chosen by Alice. "His name is Erik—Erik Lewyine," she announced.
Not a bad name. I like it, I smiled, internally accepting my new name.
As the party continued, guests shared stories about their lives and journeys.
Suddenly, a harsh whisper seemed to enter Rudra's ear: "It's dark; it's cruel."
He looked around frantically, but he was sitting alone. His hand began to shake, though the party continued around him, oblivious.
The gathering ended, and the guests settled down for the night. All the girls and the baby——were sleeping in the main room with Alice, while the men were in the guest house, drinking and playing cards. Rudra was alone in his own room.
Suddenly, the glass in Rudra's window burst open, and a large dark shadow rushed in.
A terrifying cry shattered the night.
The men in the guest house dropped their cards and ran toward the main hall. The girls rushed out of Alice's room.
"What happened, dear?" Alice asked Reyand, cutting through the confusion.
Another scream ripped through the air: "Let me out! It's dark! It's hurting! Please let me out, Mama, Papa, it's hurting!"
Everyone was terrified. Jasmine managed to stammer out, "That sound... it's coming from Rudra's room!"
The scream grew louder and deeper, laced with desperation and agony: "Please let me out! I can't! I can't do that! It hurts! I'm alone! It's hell! Anybody, please let me out, please!"