3 Father and Son Cha (1/2)

Oli stood motionless in thought, ”What!? Wiped out his soul! And why are you acting like you do this every other day? But isn't that impossible? Wait, Uncle Rathe and the panther mentioned something about not being mortal and being a divine beast, whatever that is. What does that mean?”

”Oli!” Ania grabbed Oli tightly, crashing his train of thought. ”You had me so worried! What were you thinking? Wandering off like that can get you killed. At least my brother was good for something.”

”Hey!” Rathe chimed in only to get the cold shoulder.

”Never do that again! You know better than that. You're only three yet your appetite to explore is stronger than I've ever had myself. You must control yourself and never leave your mother's side!” Ania was in berserk mother-mode and rambled on about anything to keep her son by her side.

”But Mom… I'm okay, aren't I?” Oli plead his case.

”That's no excuse to wander off at your age Oli,” Dioro cut in. ”With time you will grow and later in life you will be able to explore the world all you want, but for now, you have no way to protect yourself. Do you understand?”

Oli's head drooped as his mother finally released him. ”Yes Dad, I understand.”

”Good,” Dioro nodded and began to walk away.

”Wait Dad, what's a divine beast? And how did you kill that panther so easily if he isn't mortal?” Oli asked in order to calm his confusion.

”Oh, where did you hear about that?” Dioro made no effort to hide his shock; anyone in the clan would be surprised to hear a three-year-old ask something like that?

”Rathe mentioned that the panther wasn't mortal when the traded blows and the panther said that Rathe was also a divine beast. Does that mean you're also a divine beast?” Oli's questions wouldn't stop until he got a satisfying answer.

”Well…” Dioro scratched the back of his neck as he pondered an answer. ”Usually we wouldn't mention this until you turn ten and coming of age, but I guess I'll explain it now due to the circumstances. Walk with me.”

Happy to learn something that seemed so important, Oli followed Dioro at his side.0

Ania, who wished to shelter him more, was somewhat heartbroken because deep down she never wanted her little boy to grow up.

Rathe chuckled and returned to check on the other gorillas. He wanted to make sure that no one had gotten hurt and take the chance to tell the tale of him scaring the panther away with a single punch.

Dioro and Oli wandered off, far away from the clan. Being out of hearing distance Dioro stopped and sat down cross-legged. Though Dioro's sudden stop surprised Oli, he did the same and sat facing his father.

”Oli, before I explain what you've asked me. There are a few things that I want to ask you.” Dioro's face showed that he too was confused about something. ”Is that ok?”

”I guess, though I don't know what I'll know if you already don't,” Oli replied.

”Oli, did you go through reincarnation?”

Oli's heart stopped momentarily. ”How did you know?”

”I've known since the moment of your birth. You see, I'm an expert in soul arts and techniques, so I could feel that your soul wasn't that of a new born child but of someone who had experienced a lot of trauma.” Dioro's understanding surpassed Oli's expectations. ”Originally, I planned to never reveal this to you, at least not unless you would someday tell us that you were a reincarnate. But I bring it up now because you've got me confused.”

What surprised Oli was how Dioro figured it out but was still confused because he didn't think that there was anything more to it. Not knowing how to respond, Oli stayed silent and waited for Dioro to continue.

”If you were a reincarnate, I shouldn't even need to mention the difference between mortal and divine beasts. Also, you've been far more accepting of us as parents than a typical reincarnate would be. I ask, how is that possible?” Dioro let down all his mental walls and let himself be vulnerable to Oli, in hopes of learning the truth.

”Umm…” it took Oli a few moments to think of a decent answer, ”well, I've definitely gone through reincarnation, but I'm exactly sure as to how.”

”What?” it was Dioro's turn to be dumbfounded. ”What do you mean?”