Birthright: A Phoenix is Born

Shield

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Koju

A minute passed and yet Kumar's stench still evoked gags. In all my years, I hadn't yet come across a scent with both a before and after taste. A violent spasm shimmied down my spine, wading off the last remnants of his pungent smell.

Nothing.

I grimaced, hoping my display would elicit some laughter. But nothing. Damian slumped in the chair, chest deflated. And I doubted that helped soften his burden.

What to do? What to do?

I could yell at him to get over it?

No, that wouldn't work. Remember the plan.

Retrieve the prince.

Train him well.

Take back the throne.

I laughed. The irony not lost. Imagining the reactions of all those who fought and were still fighting to see the liberation of their nation. Only to find their collective symbol for hope, hopeless.

It would be better if I brought him back dead.

My sharp out-breath condensed against the cool night air. The vapour disappearing in seconds. My shoulders felt heavy, as did I. Heaviness was a feeling I despised. A feeling my father taught me to despise.

Memories of him before 'Alẹ Iku' were always hard to come by. The one that just arrived was missing a few pieces. All that remained was the heat of the sun's rays tickling my bald scalp and tired legs after failing at some drill. I drifted in that space, though the tug to present-day waxed in strength. Alas, his voice echoed before I was plucked back into reality. Clear as that day, cutting through the gutter I had allowed my mind to fester in.

"Eni tégun nle ko r'oju, bo'se nre eniyan beena l'ónre ara orun."

I tilted my neck to the ceiling and smiled.

"Aro re so mi gan, baba mi. E se."

My palms connected in a boom, jolting myself out of the rut. I was ready. And Damian would be too. If his spirit was broken, then I'd just help him build back stronger.

"Damian."

"Muhm"

His glum glance almost shattered my newfound confidence. But it was a start, even if a depressing one.

"What's the matter?" I soothed. "So some girl doesn't like you. Big deal. Let me tell you something, all these women are scandalous. They rip out the hearts of young men like you and squeeze them until nothing but a bloody pulp in their palm. How does it make sense to cry over a girl who is not evening thinking about you? So cheer up eh?" I nudged him in the shoulder. He leaned so far back, nearly slumping to the floor.

My second attempt fell on dead ears. I sighed, scraping humour for a more compassionate approach. My father's signature. I wrapped my arm around his farthest shoulder and held tight. He didn't budge but remained silent for what seemed like an eternity.

"Come on, Damian, tell Koju what's on your mind."

"What did I do wrong?" He whispered.

Success.

"Go on."

"What did I do for her to see me the way she does? I was there for her. Man, like... I liked her. I thought we had somethi-.... something special. Something that could maybe last. Now I know. I was pathetic in her eyes. A charitable case to take pity on. A nice guy. I guess that would make me a pretty pathetic king, right?"

His dry laugh stole the joy from my heart. If handled carelessly, this sorrow would consume him. A lone plank of timbre amidst an eager inferno. Leaving nothing but a pile of sorry black ash.

"I can't say I appreciate a lot about women. Training to become your protector did rob me much of that experience, for better or for worse. But I can say this, I can't kill myself for anybody."

Damian made eye contact and I noticed his sorrow creeping in. Yet I beamed ear to ear to him. I had him right where I wanted.

"Some of the world's most beautiful women will not even give me a second glance. I can't kill myself for them. Some people would rather cross the entire road than simply past me on the sidewalk. I can't kill myself for them. Some people rather stand than take a seat near me. I can't kill myself for them."

The power in my voice trembled.

"I can't kill myself based on the negative perceptions people may have. Moreover, Damian, you mustn't hurt yourself either. People in this life will disappoint in more ways than you can number. The trick is to not rely on any one person for your sole source for happiness or direction in life. And when you do meet failure, be kind enough to yourself to understand that it's a part of life as well. You can't care about how everyone sees you. Not even those you think are supposed to like you."

Damian's sunken eyes were more alert and his head bobbed in tune with my second declaration. Though hot steams still threatened to swell his down his cheek, I knew he was getting there. But he would need a push.

"Do you want to know of the best way to get over a girl?"

He shook his head slowly. My assignment was now complete.

"Become so great, she regrets losing you for the rest of her life. So Damian, do you accept the challenge. Become a king so great, no one could tell you otherwise?"

At this stage, it was all up to him. To decide how he wanted the remainder of his life to look like. To decide who he wanted to become. He stood up and we embraced. Tears dampening my shoulder.

By the time we finished, he simply nodded. Then he walked out the room.

While he strolled away, the adrenaline in my vanished. Limps now anvils which weighed me down on a crash course with the floor. On my descent, another quote from my father rushed to the surface.

"When a boy is faced with a devastating rejection and accepts it, there are only two outcomes. Either he becomes a monster. Or a man."

I couldn't tell which one I let loose on the world.

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Author's Note

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"Eni tégun nle ko r'oju, bo'se nre eniyan beena l'ónre ara orun."

Literal Translation

He who is being pursued by masquerades should not falter, because the heavenly beings (masquerades) also get tired like humans.

Meaning: Don't give up when facing difficult situations, with endurance you can overcome them all.

"Aro re so mi gan, baba mi. E se. = " I really miss you dad. Thank you."