Chapter 04 – Head warrior & Head hunter

I wake up in the morning, the shining rays of the sun paves path through the myriads of branches that serves as our roof. My mother towers above me with a both terrified and stressed expression.

“Metric, our grandfather priest, the chief, has sent summon for all chimpanzees of the younger generation.” she says.

Covering her face with her hands, she softly cries. “Oh my baby boy, you’re going to war…”

I now realize that the day has come, the day when our tribe is finally moving out. I wonder if we’re going to help the orangutans or the gorillas; I hope orangutans. I hated gorillas in my old life, and still do in this one, not only since father was killed by them.

“Don’t worry mother.Your son is going to be just fine.”

She removes her hands, her face quite wet from tears, and looks at me with slightly narrowed eyes. “You must take proper care of yourself. If the enemies are too strong, you have to escape! Don’t forget what happened to father, I can’t let you die like he did!”

“I promise, mother.” I nod, take a deep breath and look her in the eyes. “Mother, I’ll be going now. Be safe until I return.”

I jump down from the tree crown, catch a jungle wine, and slowly make my way to the main camp of our tribe.

...

Once I enter the grove, I see many chimpanzees gathering before grandfather priest. They’re all looking at him, some being quite scared, some very scared, while a few not at all. Very quickly, I locate Pergek in the middle.

“Pergek!” I force my way through the chimpanzees toward him.

As the chimpanzees complains about my sudden intrusion, he turns his head to the ruckus caused, and sees me. Pergek brights up, his face adorning a smile. “Metric!”

Next to him, I can see his sister, Fyirey, a very beautiful chimpanzee, according to other males. She looks at me with a nervous expression, slightly blushing I think.

“Hi Metric.”

I give her a nod back, and then begin to talk with her brother. I get the feeling she likes me or something, but I don’t really know why because I haven't spoken to her much.

“Pergek, what’s happening?”

After hearing my question, Pergek leans closer to me, and whispers in my ear, pointing at two men behind grandfather priest. “You see those two men behind the tribe’s chief?

“They are our war commanders.” He explains. “Terryk and Kerot. Terryk is the fiercest warrior in the tribe, while Kerot is a chimpanzee shrouded in mystery, the head hunter of the village. They both obey the tribe chief’s command.”

“Why are they here?” I ask him, frowning a bit.

Pergek whispers in my ear again. From his voice, I understand that he’s very elated, and is brimming with impatience. 

“They’re here to choose two of the younger generation each to be their disciples. If taken liking to by these two, one is absolutely sure to become a warrior after the war!”

I show an expression of disbelief, my tail even stirs like that of a dog's, my blood boils from excitement. “How will they choose?”

“Duels.” Fyirey says, joining our discussion. “You’ll understand once it starts.”

"Rrrgghooh!" everyone quiets down as grandfather priest clears his throat. 

He speaks sternly. “War has come to us, the time of peace has come to an end. The ancient and wise orangutans need our assistance in battle. They helped us grow, and protected us when we were weak, it’s now our time to give them a helping hand when the gorillas attack.”

Grandfather priest backs away, clearing space for the two men behind him.

“These are my two commanders, Head warrior Tyrrek, and Head hunter Kerot.” 

He gestures for the Tyrrek and Kerot to go forward. 

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“They’re here today to say a few words, as well as to each choose two personal disciples that will follow them . The rest of you, those who aren’t chosen, you will join the army as forces of the Tribe. War demand drastic measures, why such we must take."

Tyrrek looks at us and introduces himself. “I’m head warrior Tyrrek, the general of the tribe’s army. I’m here to choose two disciples to follow me. But only the strongest, fiercest ones can become my disciples. If you want to be my disciple, you need the strenght, ruthlessness, and honor.”

All younger generation chimpanzees have their stars in their eyes. At first when they came here, they were very hopeless. They were going to leave their homes and fight with the big, evil gorillas. But now, after only a couple of words from the head warrior Tyrrek, they burn with passion for the war.

“Yes, head Warrior Tyrek!” they shout in unison as response.

Kerot, wearing a leather armor and a black weil, rolls his eyes. He releases a yawn, and lazily says. “If you want to be my disciple… uhh, well. I don’t think you want to.”

Everyone’s stunned from his sleepy manner, some are even laughing at him.

“But yes, if you really want to be my disciple, which I doubt...” he scratches his head. “...you need speed, wit, and... Never mind. You also have to defeat the one who becomes Tyrrek’s disciple."

A veins bulges on Tyrrek’s forehead, and he forcefully clears his throat loud enough for everyone to turn their gaze to him and stop looking at Kerot.

“There’s no real test for you. Let’s see, anyone wants to become mine or Kerot’s disciple? There are only two spots. Who’s it going to be?”

Everyone’s dead quiet as Tyrrek explains, until a quite large chimpanzee comes forth and roars, pounding his chest. “I, Kerzel, shall become Tyrrek’s disciple. Does anyone disagree?”

“Siiiiiii!”

The crowd draws in a cold breath. They know who he is, and not many want to resist or refuse him the slightest. Even I know who he is, Kerzel, one of the bigger bullies in the tribe. His father’s a strong warrior, and his mother too.

“Pfft, you don’t deserve it, Kerzel!!”

Someone jumps out from the crowd to where Kerzel stands and snorts loudly “I can easily defeat you in my sleep!”

This one has grey fur, which is rather uncommon in our tribe. His eyes are brown, and he has lean muscles instead of the thick and bulky ones like Kerzel’s.

This one is called Urek, another big bully in the tribe. Urek’s father is not as powerful as Kerzel, but is very influential either way being a close friend to the chief. You could say if there are two bully groups in the tribe, it would be Kerzel’s group, and Urek’s group

Seeing the two chimpanzees of the younger generation debate who’s stronger, Tyrrek breaks out into a loud laughter. “I like bold proclaims!”

He chuckles, then turns to us, saying. “If anyone feels like they can beat either of these two, you can challenge them. If you lose, they’ll continue keeping their spot and if you win; for example, if you beat...”

Tyrrek glances at the Kerzel. “What’s your name?”

“Kerzel” Kerzel respectfully answers.

“If you beat Kerzel.” He continues. “His spot is yours. On the other hand, if you defeat…Uhh”

“Urek.” Urek replies hastily, even before he got the question.

“Defeat Urek, his spot is yours, while Kerzel can keep his.” Tyrrek purses his mouth, as if he's afraid to forget something, and says after a while. “If there are any questions, you may ask them to me. Now, let’s begin. Who wants to challenge either Kerzek or Urek?”

Moments after Tyrrek finishes his sentence, I see movement from the corner of my eye. Beside me, Pergek is full of determination, a flame flickers in his eyes and he breathes heavily.

“I want to challenge Kerzel” he screams loudly and stands up!