-.This short story takes place 3 years before the 1st arc (Beginnings).-
In the depths of the amazon jungle, within Ka'aguy, the territory of the Tahuayo gorilla troop specifically, the enormous apes fought tirelessly between themselves. The blows they struck at each other were so strong that they made the earth rumble like small earthquakes. Anyone would think that a terrible conflict, or perhaps an internal dispute was going on in the clan. But that idea was far from being true. The gorillas were actually fighting in a very noble and sporting manner. It was a collective session called "The Provings". The apes were putting their strength and skills to test in fair combat to see how far they had progressed in their pursuit of becoming champions. These competitions were an old tradition within the troop. From a young age, most gorillas are taught to aspire to be troop leaders at some point in their lives. Of course, very few succeed in doing so. Only the strong are able to emerge victorious in these savage duels. These duels are the perfect opportunity to demonstrate their potential to become the Alpha.
Sitting on the top of a tall rock, K'uno, the respected leader of the Tahuayo troop, supervised all the encounters taking place in the arena. It was a round perimeter, large enough for several apes to face each other in a head-to-head match. Around the circle, more gorillas were anxiously waiting for their turn to participate in a bout. Among the spectators, the Naka'i female monkey Y'shaati was there, watching with curiousity and fascination. This was her first time to participate in the provings since she was accepted as a member of the troop a couple of years ago, so she was feeling a bit nervous.
Just at that moment, the most recent combat was ending. The gorilla Entu, a newcomer, fell defeated by the gray gorilla Na'ek. The only ape of the entire troop that was still undefeated. Despite his young age, Na'ek was considered a prodigy. No other gorilla possessed the intelligence and brilliance he displayed. He was able to identify weaknesses, predict attacks and learn the combat patterns of his opponents. On top of that, he had unparalleled charisma and personality within the clan. Many elder gorillas already considered him K'uno's natural successor, confident that he would soon become the undisputed Alpha who would guide them all in the near future.
"Ooh ook ook! Entu cannot continue... Na'ek winner! Excellent fight!", K'uno declared to the crowd. The spectators cheered and howled to the sky to celebrate his victory. Meanwhile, Entu was being dragged out from the arena by his peers. Y'shaati watched him in awe, peeking out through the multitude.
"Ook... Na'ek grateful, Master K'uno...", the gray gorilla bowed his head, humbly accepting his leader's praise.
"Na'ek show unrivaled talent. Na'ek overcome all challenges. Na'ek be very close to becoming champion for third time!", K'uno said mentioning his achievements. "However... Na'ek need one more victory before challenging K'uno... so... who confront Na'ek next...?", the gorilla asked to the spectators. The crowd remained in silence. The apes looked at each other, concerned. None of them was brave or fool enough to face him.
"Who...? Volunteers...? None...? Tch! Very well, ook ook... K'uno choose Na'ek's next opponent, then...", K'uno warned. As the leader decided who would be the gray gorilla's next adversary, Na'ek showed off his big pecks and muscles to the spectators to intimidate whoever dared to raise his hand. The males trembled in fear while the females sighed in heat, wishing to mate with him.
"Ook ook! K'uno make decision! Na'ek's next opponent be... ook ook... Y'shaati...!"
All the gorillas gasped upon hearing that name and turned to look at the little Naka'i monkey girl.
"Uh... Ahhhhhh!?", Y'shaati couldn't help but feel a tremendous panic at being chosen by her own master.
Since her arrival as a teenager in the troop, Y'shaati spent days and nights undergoing severe training under the mentorship of K'uno himself. The Naka'i monkeys who raised her, entrusted the mighty gorilla with the task of teaching her all about the arts of combat and turning her into a formidable warrior. That was her destiny. But the girl never imagined that her final test would come this very day.
"What!? Not fair, ook ook! Na'ek not want fight little monkey! Na'ek want fight real Tahuayo! Is master joking!?", Na'ek asked annoyed. The other gorillas also began to complain about their leader's decision. It was no secret in the clan that Y'shaati was treated in a 'special' way by K'uno, but back then no one understood the reason behind this. She wasn't even a gorilla to begin with.
"OOH AHH OOK!!! K'uno never joke!!! Na'ek fight Y'shaati!!! K'uno has decided!!! OOH AHH OOK OOK!!!", the leader howled furious as he heard Na'ek's claim. The apes trembled in fear.
"Y-Yes, master... Na'ek sorry...", the gray gorilla said looking down intimidated. Just then, the blonde girl pushed her way through the crowd to voice her opinion on the matter.
"B-But master! Y'shaati not ready... Y'shaati not finish training yet!", she said worried.
"Not ready!? Hnnggrrrr!! If Y'shaati think that... then Y'shaati never be ready ever!", he pointed. "K'uno stop training Y'shaati from today, then... Y'shaati have no business here! Y'shaati be free to leave troop whenever Y'shaati wants...", the gorilla said disappointed.
"Ahh!? Why!? Y'shaati not want that! Y'shaati make progress! Y'shaati want keep training! Ook ook ook!", the girl pleaded.
"Then Y'shaati demonstrate to all what Y'shaati learned right now!!! OOH OOK AHH AHH OOK!!!", K'uno demanded.
"M-Master! Ughhh... okay... Y'shaati agree...", she said resigned.
"Na'ek accept too, Master...", the gray ape said.
"Good. Y'shaati and Na'ek enter the arena...", K'uno ordered to both combatants. The gorilla and the girl moved to the center of the circle. They both adopted a similar stance, squatting down and putting their knuckles on the ground, staring at each other. Y'shaati looked so tiny and slender compared to the big Na'ek. All the apes watched expectantly, wondering what kind of combat they were about to witness. Probably an easy win for Na'ek. The monkey girl surely didn't stand a chance against him.
"Pssst... Y'shaati no worry! Na'ek finish Y'shaati quickly ook ook... heh heh heh...", the gorilla whispered to her. The girl frowned.
From above, K'uno picked up a small handful of colorful leaves and tossed them into the air, creating a beautiful scenery. The whole place remained in complete silence. When the last leaf touched the ground, K'uno clapped his hands and launched a thunderous roar:
"OOK OOK OOK OOK!!!!! FIGHT!!!!!"
And so, the great battle began. A battle that would give birth to a rivalry with important repercussions in the coming years.
Y'shaati knew that landing the first blow was vital to gaining the upper hand early in the match, so she charged forward to ram Na'ek with all her might. However, as she slammed her body against him, the gorilla didn't back down a single inch. The girl persisted and continued pushing him, but Na'ek was immovable like a mountain.
"Ohhh...? This Y'shaati's all strength? Hmph! Don't make Na'ek laugh... weakling...", the gray gorilla bragged before shoving Y'shaati aside very easily with just one arm. The girl backed away, losing her balance and landing on her butt.
"OOH OOH!! HA HA HA HA OOK OOK!!! OOK OOK HA HA HA HA!!!", all the gorillas pointed and laughed at the sight of Y'shaati sitting on the floor. She looked around, flushed and very embarrassed. This wasn't the start she had planned. K'uno shook his head in disappointment at this.
Y'shaati stood up and prepared to attack Na'ek for a second time. But before this, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath to focus and think about her master's teachings. As K'uno always said:
Concentration is the first thing one must achieve if one wishes to succeed.
Remembering this, she sprinted on all fours towards Na'ek, making it look like she would try the exact same strategy on him. Na'ek smiled, knowing that the outcome would be the same again. But suddenly, she made an unexpected last-second flip to propel herself into the air and deliver three consecutive hard kicks right to the ape's chest. The blows broke Na'ek's composure, making the gorilla kneel down and lose his breath for a second. The crowd gasped astonished. They stopped mocking the monkey girl when they saw their champion being hurt by her.
"Aaarrrggghhh!! H-how... how tiny monkey hit so hard!? Hnnggrrr!!", Na'ek growled with a hand on his chest.
"Y'shaati no weakling, ook ook!", the blonde girl said with determination. This only caused the gray gorilla's anger to explode.
Enraged, the big ape went on the attack to put an end to what he considered to be a bad joke of a combat. The gorilla quickly approached and tried to crush her with his huge fists several times. But Y'shaati was extremely agile and faster than him, so she managed to dodge each of his attacks. With each failed attempt, Na'ek left himself vulnerable for Y'shaati to begin a counterattack, but the girl preferred to wait and keep evading attacks. She knew it was vital to connect a blow powerful enough to damage him, and for that, the opponent had to be exhausted. That was another important lesson her master taught her in training:
Never engage a frenzied rival. Wait for its outburst to end... and then strike with vigor.
After a while, Na'ek's movements became more slower and more predictable. The ape was panted agitated. It was the signal Y'shaati was waiting for. Dodging one last attack, the girl managed to position herself behind the gorilla. It was now or never. Taking the opportunity, she did a somersault and tried to deliver another series of kicks straight to the back of his neck. But unexpectedly, Na'ek turned around at that moment and caught Y'shaati by her leg in mid-air before she could hit him.
"Ahh!?", the blonde gasped in surprise. She never saw the move coming. She fell right into a trap.
"Heh... Y'shaati believe Na'ek not see Y'shaati's plan? Don't underestimate Na'ek, ook ook!!", Na'ek exclaimed before slamming Y'shaati violently to the ground. But the gorilla didn't let go of her after the impact.
Na'ek rolled on the ground along with her until they were both positioned on their backs, facing up with him directly underneath her. Then, the ape grasped each of Y'shaati's limbs with hands and feet. That was a classic but effective Tahuayo wrestling hold from which it was almost impossible to break free. The girl was in serious trouble now.
"Hah hah hah, ook ook! Na'ek caught little monkey! Surrender to Na'ek... or Na'ek break arms and legs!", the gray gorilla threatened Y'shaati to admit defeat. She struggled hard to free herself, but the ape's strength was vastly superior to hers.
"Aaaaaaggghhh!! N-n-no.... Y'shaati.... never.... hhhnnngggaaaaahh!!", Y'shaati groaned, baring her teeth and spreading her toes apart from the pain as she felt her arms and legs dislocating little by little from her torso. If this punishment continued like this, the consequences for her would be fatal. From above, K'uno couldn't help but feel concern for his apprentice. But he could never intervene to help her. That would be against the rules of The Provings. She was alone in this.
All the other gorillas watched closely, waiting to hear the crack of her bones that would mean the end of the fight. It was just a matter of time. Na'ek was very close to becoming champion of the Tahuayo troop.
No comments:
Post a Comment