Milo's Journey

Chapter 9

This episode is part of tonight’s binge release of Milo’s Journey.

New chapters are being released this evening at 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM (ET).

You’re right on time.

Milo didn’t know where he was.

The house was unfamiliar, its rooms dimly lit and heavy with shadow. Old, tattered furniture sat scattered throughout the space, as though abandoned long ago. The walls were a washed-out gray, drained of all color, and the only sound was the soft creak of floorboards as Milo shifted his weight.

Where am I?
I’ve never been in this place before.

He looked down at his hands. To his sight, they glowed softly.

It’s a dream. I’m dreaming.

Milo steadied himself and took in his surroundings. He had been practicing lucid dreaming since he was nine years old, when nightmares plagued his sleep. Silent Hawk had taught him how to walk the dreamworld—how to recognize it, how to wake himself when the visions grew too dark. Milo sent a silent prayer of gratitude now.

But why now? Why am I here? What am I meant to learn?

A voice filled the space, coming from everywhere and nowhere at once.

You cannot save them both. You must make a choice.

The malice in the words made Milo shudder.

Suddenly, the room flooded with warm, golden light. From within it stepped a Taíno shaman, his presence calm and radiant. He walked toward Milo and smiled—

---

Natalia woke with a start.

She sat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea, careful not to make a sound. It was only two in the morning, and she knew Milo would be up again at five to tend the animals. She hoped to sit quietly until sleep returned.

Then she heard footsteps.

Looking up, she saw Milo enter the kitchen. His movements were slow, deliberate—far too measured for a seventeen-year-old boy. His pupils were dilated.

“Mijo?” she asked gently.

She knew at once: he was in a state of possession.

“Natali, mi caballita,” Milo said softly. “Hace mucho tiempo que no te veo. ¿No me conoces?”

Natalia stood, her heart pounding.

“Singing Jaguar,” she whispered. “Why have you taken my son?”

Fear trembled beneath her calm. Singing Jaguar had been her principal spirit guide—before she renounced her gift, before she turned her back on the muertos. She had never expected to see him again, much less speaking through her son.

“Natali, it is time,” the voice said. “The Blood Tiger has returned, and the Princess is here. The twin of his soul has found her way back to him. You turned away from your burden, and now he must stand in your place. He must know—and you must tell him.”

Milo reached out and gently touched Natalia’s cheek.

“We would have walked with you, caballita,” Singing Jaguar continued. “We would have helped you bear this weight. Now we will walk with him. He will not be alone.”

Milo’s hand fell to the table. He shuddered once, sharply. Natalia heard the distant roar of a jaguar.

Then Milo blinked and looked around, confused.

“Mama?” he asked softly. “Why am I here? What happened?”

“Calmate, mijo,” Natalia said quickly. “Everything is all right.”

She poured him a cup of tea and set it in front of him.

“Mijo,” she said after a moment, “tell me about Adriana.”

Milo nodded. “She’s an exceptionally strong clairvoyant. Her mother’s family is Taíno, like ours. She has a powerful spirit guide—a blood—”

“Tigre de Sangre,” Natalia finished.

Milo stared at her. “How did you know?”

“Because tonight,” Natalia said quietly, “you were possessed by a spirit I thought I would never encounter again—Singing Jaguar, my principal guide. I renounced him when I turned away from my heritage. But that is not the whole truth.”

Her hands trembled. Milo reached across the table and took them in his own.

“Mama, don’t be afraid,” he said calmly. “Whatever this is, we’ll face it together.”

Natalia took a breath.

“Mijito, you know Abuela Mireya told you we are descended from the Taíno people. But there is more. We are descended from the royal line.”

Milo’s breath caught.

“Two hundred and fifty years ago,” Natalia continued, “there were two sisters—daughters of a great Taíno chief named Sky Eagle. When it came time for them to marry, they were promised to the fiercest warriors of the tribe—brothers, sons of Sky Eagle’s most trusted advisor, the shaman Tigre de Sangre.”

She paused, steadying herself.

“The sisters were happy. The tribe lived in peace. Then Sky Eagle fell ill, and nothing Tigre de Sangre did could save him. The shaman went into the wilderness seeking answers, and when he returned, Atabey—the Mother Goddess—had spoken to him. Sky Eagle’s time had come.”

Natalia’s voice softened.

“Atabey declared that White Feather, the eldest daughter, would become chief’s wife, and her husband Dancing Fox would lead the people.”

Milo swallowed. “Mama… Elena Santana’s guide—”

“Yes,” Natalia said. “Tigre de Sangre.”

She continued.

“White Feather later learned she was with child. Her sister Falling Leaf stayed by her side. On a storm-filled night, White Feather gave birth to twin boys. That should have been a time of joy—but Tigre de Sangre then spoke Atabey’s final warning.”

Natalia’s voice trembled.

“White Feather could not keep both children. One child would be given to Falling Leaf and Singing Jaguar, and they would leave the tribe that very night. The brothers would be separated, never knowing one another.”

Tears filled Natalia’s eyes.

“White Feather gave her son to her sister. Singing Jaguar took Falling Leaf and the child into the wilderness. White Feather and Dancing Fox stayed behind, grieving both Sky Eagle and the child they had lost.”

Natalia fell silent.

“Singing Jaguar,” Milo whispered, standing suddenly. “That’s the spirit who just possessed me.”

“Yes,” Natalia said. “He was my guide—and the foster father of White Feather’s second-born son.”

She looked at Milo, her gaze steady.

“You are descended from that son. His name was Silent Hawk. He is your six-times-great-grandfather.”

Milo’s words failed him.

“Silent Hawk… my guide… he’s—”

“Yes,” Natalia said softly. “They are the same.”

“But why didn’t anyone tell me?” Milo asked. “Why didn’t Silent Hawk show me this?”

“Because there is more,” Natalia said. “A prophecy passed down through our family. Hear now the words of Atabey.”

She spoke them slowly, reverently.

The soul once whole will become half.
The sons once joined will be parted.
The people once united will be split.

The Blood Tiger will guard the throne.
The Singing Jaguar will raise the Hawk.
Until the two return to the land of the grandfathers.

Natalia lifted her eyes to Milo.

“Adriana is descended from White Feather’s other son—Jumping Wolf.”

She paused, letting the truth settle.

“You and Adriana are bound by blood.”

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