Chapter 231: Chapter 230:Here we go again.
An awkward silence fell upon the area as we all just stared at each other.
Malachi and myself looking like we’d just heard something ridiculous, whilst the old monkey kept smiling like he hadn’t just said something absurd..
"Pfft.... Bahahahahahahahahhaa...." The silence lasted until Leo’s uncontrollable laughter inevitably shattered it...
"Oh my god.. I can’t.. I can’t.. hahahahahaahahaha.. fuck... I can’t breathe... hahah..." the chicken-cat had fallen off my head in a fit of laughter, his figure rolling and turning on the floor as he tried and failed to control himself...
"Hooo... hooo... fuck... you guys should stop being so funny, you should’ve seen your faces.." creation’s misfire finally held himself, until he looked back up, at mine and Malachi’s still twisted expressions, "yes, just like that... bahahahahahahahahahahahahah..." then he burst right back into laughter...
For my own sanity, I decided to ignore the stupid animal...
"Umm... old dude, I think you’ve got the wrong guy." I shook my head, "I’m not the one you should be addressing, it should be him." I pointed behind the old monkey, at Malachi’s towering the figure..
The aged figure turned, sparing the nervous Malachi a look.
"I greet the anc..." yet before Malachi could even begin sucking up, the old monkey turned away, Malachi’s figure deflating immediately..
"Now I am even more assured of my choice, not only are you virtuous, courageous, a leader, a power figure, you’re also modest at heart."
"Indeed, only you are worthy of bearing the Monkey King’s mandate."
I couldn’t believe my ears.
What the hell was I hearing here?
Virtuous? Modest? Me?
I admit I’m a shameless figure, but even I wouldn’t be shameless enough to agree with those words..
"Hahahahahahahahaha... he called this arrogant bastard modest, fuck my life, I’m going to die here, ahahahahhaha..." Leo’s breathless laughter seemed to say what we were all thinking...
"Listen here, master Oogway," I decided to be respectful, after all, this was Malachi’s ancestor and probably great-great-great-great... you get the gist...
"I’m not even a monkey!" I undid my transformation, returning to my full human form.
"How can I be a monkey king when I’m not even a monkey?" I asked, fully confident in dissuading the old monkey..
"Hahaha... young one, your tricks amuse me, indeed, even if you were not a monkey, the monkey king’s mandate doesn’t care for one’s racial alignment, so long as their heart is true and right, then they shall be accepted, under your leadership, I am assured of my stone ape clan’s ascension." The old monkey was adamant, hell bent on forcing this shit on me.
I snapped.
"Listen here you old fuck! I’m not leading a bunch of monkeys to do jack shit! So you better hand that to the monkey over there before he starts crying!"
"Hey! I’m not crying!" Malachi protested.
"Tell that to your puffy red eyes you motherfucker!! I’m so fucking done with monkey business, it’s just one weird random shit after another!" I cussed, out of breath and patience.
Another heavy silence fell upon the place as only the sounds of Leo’s choking laughter remained...
The old monkey just stared at me, mouth wide in awkwardness...
"Ahem! Of course I knew that, I was merely testing to see if you were fit enough to be friends with the one true monkey king." The old monkey coughed, trying to salvage his face..
"Of course you were."
"Of course you were."
"Hahaha.. of course you were."
"Ahem! Now, Malachi stoneborn, step forward!"
The old monkey finally moved on, a silent breath of relief leaving me as my smile returned...
Malachi shrank back down to his usual 7-foot height, taking a single knee as he bowed his head..
"Do you, Malachi Stoneborn, swear to remember those who came before you, and never allow the deeds of your ancestors to fade into obscurity?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to bear the burdens of the monkey clans as your own, and place their future above your comfort and desires?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to stand unbroken before friend and foe alike, and to be the shield behind which your people may prosper?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to rule with wisdom in times of peace, and with ferocity in times of war?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to preserve the dignity of the Monkey King’s mantle, never bringing shame upon the crown entrusted to your care?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to guide those who follow after you, so that future generations may stand taller than your own?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to face every challenge with courage, every hardship with resolve, and every enemy without fear?"
"I do."
"Then answer me this, Malachi Stoneborn. Should the day come when crown, clan, and kingdom demand your life, will you surrender it without hesitation?"
A silence fell upon the area, as the old monkey waited.
Instead of answering, Malachi raised his head, his gaze landing on my figure as he grinned,
"I can’t."
The old monkey blinked.
"What?"
"I can’t," Malachi replied, yet before the old monkey could ask anything else, the monkey’s grin widened...
"Because I’ve got a brother that will make damn sure such a day never arrives." His gaze settled firmly on my figure.
I looked into his golden eyes, they were steady, no ripple, no doubt, just trust, a pure undiluted trust in a bond I had no idea when we’d formed..
Nevertheless, my own grin returned, as I replied.
"You’re damn right I will."
The old monkey looked between mine and Malachi’s figures as a beat passed and then,
"Hah!" He laughed..
"I guess the age of lonely kings has come to an end, Good!"
The old monkey looked extremely satisfied as he finally placed the golden hoop-like crown on Malachi’s head.
"I name you Malachi "PRIMUS" Stoneborn, first of your name."
Hummmmmmm!!!!!!!
The whole realm trembled in acknowledgment...
"You kneeled as Malachi, now rise, no more as an heir, but as the one true king!
Rise, O’ King Primus!"
The moment Malachi stood to his feet, a golden light washed over his entire figure, as I watched in real time, his features change..
His golden fur turned a glossier sheen, his facial features became infinitely more refined, so much so that if we were ranking handsomeness, he wouldn’t lose out to anybody that wasn’t named Dante, and that was despite being a monkey.
But most impressive thing of all had got to be his aura.
As it grew steadily until eventually.
Clang!!!!
The audible sound of chains shattering rang out through the entire place as Malachi... stepped into the S-rank, finally beginning his transformation...
"Hoooo....." the light faded soon after as Malachi’s figure came to a stand before me.
His height hadn’t increased, in fact, he’d dropped to a height of about 6’5" instead.
"So, how do I look?"
"Short."
"You know what? Fuck you, there’s no way you’re ruining this for me." The monkey snorted, turning away.
"Alright little ones, I have done my task, this will fragment of mine shall soon dissipate, so before that happens, allow me to accomplish one final thing." Saying so, the entire realm flashed white and our figures disappeared...
.......
Outside the secret realm...
"How long do you think until they come out?" Allekai asked.
"That shall depend on what the trial is this time around." Son-Kai replied gravely.
"Hah! I know you’re not putting any hope in that useless child of yours, Son-Kai? Because if you are, then I can only say I’m sorry for your loss." A derisive voice sounded from beside the two monkeys..
"Vultrus.." Son-Kai’s face turns grim at the sound of the voice, turning around, his eyes fell upon an equally massive ape, this one with pitch black fur.
"What do you mean by that?" He asked.
"I mean, my son is going to be the one to become king in this era, so you might as well start begging now..."
"Hah! It’ll be the end of the world before a filthy redstone inherits that crown.."
"You bastard!! What did you just say?" The ape called vultrus flared, yet before any of them could make a move...
HUMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!
A solemn humming filled the air as light flashed and multiple figures started appearing on the vast plains...
It was the surviving candidates, though survivors would be a hard thing to call the pathetic number that had appeared, saved only by the intervention of the ancestor at the last minute.
Yet, the attention of the entire crowd wasn’t on the spawning mobs, no!
It was on the two figures that had appeared within the skies.
On the right, topless, and sitting casually on a golden halberd, a lazy tiny creature on his head, was a human with golden eyes and a bored expression on his face.
On the other side, was perhaps the one that had captured all the attention this time...
It was a monkey.
A golden furred, golden eyed monkey.
Yet what captivated the entire crowd was the unmistakable golden hoop around his head, and the ancient gilded staff he slung over his shoulder.
Eyes radiating majesty and pride stared down.
"BEHOLD!!!!" The ancient voice sounded out once more...
"I present before you, my descendants, King Malachi "PRIMUS" Stoneborn, first of his name and this era’s Monkey king!" The voice faded after its declaration, leaving the place in a heavy silence...
One that was broken soon enough by a loud, solemn voice..
"I GREET KING PRIMUS!" Son-Kai!
He had taken the initiative to take the knee before his son..
"I GREET KING PRIMUS!" Allekai followed.
"I GREET KING PRIMUS!" Sorin, now recovered and having been dropped beside her father, bowed as well.
One by one, the gathered crowds, be they monkey or not, were spurred as they all bowed, voices echoing,
"WE GREET KING PRIMUS!"
......
"Heh! Seems you’re a hotshot now, monkey." I couldn’t help smiling, genuinely happy for the monkey..
"Not without your help I wouldn’t..."
"Heh! Since when did you start getting sappy? No wonder you’re single as fuck!"
"Damn you! Dante!"
"Hahahahahah...." A comfortable silence settled between us as we watched the scene unfolding below..
"I’ll be going on ahead.." I spoke up, voice breaking the silence..
"What? You’ll miss the fun part!" The monkey shook his head..
"Heh! I think I’ve had enough monkey excitement for one arc." I smiled, "besides, I’ve got something really important to take care of." I’d been putting off checking my status for long enough, and I wasn’t willing to waste another few days doing nothing..
"Haaa.... You’re being a killjoy, Dante.."
"Heh! Don’t be like that, think of it like I’m just going ahead to prepare for our next adventure, and when you’re done settling everything you need here, you can join me back at the academy." I laughed, patting the monkey on his shoulder..
"Ma’s not going to be happy."
"I’ll apologize to auntie properly someday."
Another beat of silence...
"You really can’t wait a day or two?"
"I’m afraid not my friend, but don’t worry, we’ll be seeing each other soon, no?" I smiled.
"Heh! I guess we will, don’t go turning the academy upside down without me. I just got a major upgrade, so I’ll need some bozos to test it on."
"Don’t worry, I’ve got you."
We both looked at each other and then
""Hahahahaahahahahah..."" we laughed...
"I guess this is goodbye then?" Malachi asked after our laughter slowly died down.
"Indeed, King Primus.." I snickered...
"Just get out of here before I fight you.."
"Hahahahaha.... I’ll be waiting, hurry and get back.." I laughed boisterously as Leo crushed the teleportation stone in his claw, our figure vanishing from the spot..
"Heh! You bet I will. Now then, let’s get this show started." Malachi grinned as his gaze fell on Vultrus Redstone.
"Time to get rid of the trash."
....
"Damn, Leo! What the fuck? Are you trying to kill me?" I snapped as our teleportation got wonky midway, our bodies being pulled out of space to an unknown location..
"That wasn’t my fault, our route has been hijacked." The chicken-cat replied lazily, not bothered in the slightest.
Yet before I could question him further,
"Dante Draven , you’re a hard man to find. Making us go through all this trouble, I hope you make it worth our efforts." A calm voice interrupted me...
"Haaaa.... Well, here we go again..." I hate my life...
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A/N: And that concludes our monkey king inheritance arc, I hope you guys enjoyed it, because I enjoyed writing it, now onto the next, hahaha...
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Thanks for reading....
