The world gradually returning by fragments.
First, sound. Muffled and distant, like voices beneath the ocean. A breath, rhythmic and close having a slight soft hum soothing my ears. The rustle of linen cloth against my body.
The swaying of the cradle shifted. Rough fabric chafing against my face.
Then, the jolt.
My body lurched sideways, arms dangling inside the cloth. A grip under my ribs choking me closer to bone. Too tight. Too fast. Every step rattling through my bones like thunder. My head bobbed with each bounce, neck straining under the weight of my own skull. I was being not moved, but almost aggressively shoved.
A beam of golden light bled into my eyelids flickering on and off. I didn't want to open my eyes I shoved my face towards a physical surface. The world started getting louder. I turned shoved blocking one of my ears.
Fingers brushed along my hair. A sweet scent of rosemary water blocking my nose. I was being handed off again. A smell of burnt herbs and green tea.
And then stillness.
Finally I can rest.
A strong pinch on my chin.
"Wake up sweetie," she breathed unto my face.
My eyes snapped open like shutters ripped apart in a storm. Light stabbing straight into the pupil. Sharp. Uninvited. My pupils shouted with fury. The world came back too fast, too bright. Water started filling up my eyes.
I couldn't cry. I am a man. A man who is given a legendary chance.
The tear dripped down my face as my eyelids twitched. Fixing the broken wings of my lashes. Even with tears dripping down my eyes my chest was flaming hot. Silent, speechless and useless. A baby filled with rage.
"Oh no, mama is sorry, mama is sorry," my mother cooed.
I flailed my arms around desiring her elongated index finger. She bought it closer to me whilst trying to remove a stubborn tear. I seized it—gripped it tight like prey caught in the jaws of something small and furious. My gums pressed, desperate and aching.
"Oh, you just wanted my finger dear," she chuckled, gently pinching my cheek once again with her free hand.
"Dinner is served" announced the butler at the doorway, voice crisp and dry. That ridiculous wolf-streak in his hair seemed to twitch with every syllable.
I narrowed my eyes, jaw tightening. Her hand paused mid-motion turning. I lunged with all my strength. My mouth opening wide forcing her fingers between my lips. My gums clamped down with all the fury I could muster.
All of a sudden she raised both her arms.
"YAY!" cheered mother.
My teeth crunched down unto my supple tongue. A sharp pain spiked unto to my face. I tried holding down my emotions but my instincts were too strong releasing a loud cry as blood drips down my mouth. The taste of copper clinged to my tongue as blood pooled my wails reverberated off the chamber walls.
"Holy sweet Mary Mother of Joseph", the butler shouted, stepping closer to me with a pure white cloth.
"The child is quite spirited my lady."
My mothers arm tightened around me, her rosemary perfume and warmth wrapping me in an unwanted cocoon. She swayed me gently, "Shhh, mama is here..." Her voice wavering. Scared. Scared of what is happening to me. Scared of the the stares she is receiving.
A silence fell in the room as my sobbing stopped.
My mother hesitated. Her cheek brushed against my damp lashes as she kissed me, but she nodded. "Yes… send for him. Quickly."
The butler bowed, vanishing like smoke through the doorway once all the food was on the table.
I writhed in her arms, fury burning through my tiny chest. My mind screamed: I am not weak. Do not treat me as something fragile. Yet my body betrayed me, hiccupping sobs and pitiful gasps slipping free.
"When is the doctor going to come?" father grunted.
Once the lunch was finished. The door creaked. A long coat brushing against the floor with a smell of char and iron tinctures. His gaze locked upon me the moment he entered the room.
Mother held me close. "He is powerful, but he bleeds."
The doctor extended his hand. Reluctantly, she surrendered me. The physician's palms were steady, but I could feel it—the faint hum in his fingertips, his aura probing, testing, brushing against mine. It burned and soothed all at once, like fire and wind caught in the same breath.
"Both currents remain there unbalanced. Neither one is more powerful than the other, yet it is restless and unbalanced. I am surprised his body hasn't fallen apart. I have seen many children who learn to hold both of them fail due to imbalance and many who have succeeded but its only due to finding balance. This special child. This special child. This baby." His lips twitched.
"Special child he may be but there are many individuals who are special. Many who are gifted and many who burn bright."
My mother squeezed me close to her chest hiding me away.
"How dare you say such things we ask of you to check on his health not his manner."
The word special echoed in the air — soft, harmless, yet it crawled under my skin. My mother's heartbeat thundered against my cheek as she pressed me to her chest, shielding me from eyes I couldn't see.
My fists clenched instinctively. My tiny body shook with the hum of currents coiling inside me. Mother pressed closer, her warmth a cage I could feel but not escape. I understood every whisper, every judgment, every expectation in the room.
The doctor leaning closer with his monocle zooming into my arm. Soothing my aura, calming the coils of fire and wind inside me. A faint buzz as a bee approaches the doctor. Almost imperceptible but fainted the moment he landed on him. The candle light flickered and my chest shivered.
"Hmmm. Interesting. I shall go speak to your father," he murmured, stepping back. His tone was measured, but the sharpness in his eyes betrayed a sliver of unease, a glimpse of something even he did not expect.
The world echoed inside me, stronger than any spoken baby. No not a baby, a toy? No not a toy.
I am.
"Oh, asleep already. What a restful child he is."