# Dispatch #10: “A King’s Journey” By [hushedDingo2](https://paragraph.com/@husheddingo2) · 2022-04-28 --- The orange glow from the sun always seemed to hang around the horizon longer this time of year. The way that the dark, heavy hues ran straight up the glasslike face of Mt. Alouatta illuminated the cosmos each night before slowly descending into the cascading lava pools in the distance. Even as the light dissipated and welcomed the night sky, the resonating glow from the embers of the ancestral volcanic giant produced a warm and protective aura over the colony of Simia. Such power and elegance the mountain had, providing its inhabitants with the tools of survival and sustenance for generations upon generations. A force unbeknownst to any outside being, Mt. Alouatta’s energy can still be felt from every inch of the moon despite its dormancy for the last few centuries. Mesmerized by the moon’s landscape, Aras caught himself staring into the wide open sea of lava that leaked out between the cracks of the mountain’s base and stretched into the vast canyons beyond. All he had ever known Simia to be was a place of peace, a prosperous colony that kept to itself amongst the ever expanding and tumultuous quadrant of Zialta. Old tales from many families of Simians ago spoke of tremendous loss and suffering, referring to a period of time called The Great Faction. It has been said that many generations ago, Mt. Alouatta’s energy had been sought after by many in hopes of controlling and using the volcano’s power to unlock the galaxy’s most malleable energy source. The Simian King knew of the mountain’s power through lessons from the Elders, but still wasn’t quite sure why the volcanic moon was a hot spot for galaxy attention. The people of Simia had kept to themselves for as long as he had known, and he intended on keeping it that way. Aras’ daydreaming was quickly interrupted by a shuffling of a few pieces of loose igneous rock outside the temple. The swift, yet quiet presence was just enough for the King to snap out of his troubled thoughts. “Father and Grandfather have prepared you well for this day.” Vira stated, sensing the discomfort in her loved one’s posture. She had always had a knack of seeing right through Aras’ body language, dating back to when they first met a half-century ago as younglings during their protector trials. Her compassionate, radiant fire was as rich and light blue to this day as it was then. A calming presence for the troubled warrior. “I miss them, my love,” Aras whispered as he felt Vira’s warm embrace. “Knowing they are always with me along with the other Elders is only comforting for so long.” Still fairly new to the throne, Aras had sensed unsettlement within the elders, as The High Protectors rarely ever appointed a leader at such a young age. With his father’s sudden passing and his father before him gone, many questioned the inexperienced warrior’s poise and doubted the rumblings of an “all-powerful chosen one”. “You mustn’t fear the day that has been set before you,” Vira said. “Now go, the ancestors await you.” Taking one last look at his Queen’s fiery eyes, Aras smiled confidently as he turned back towards the mountain. Today marked his first trek to the top of Mt. Alouatta, honoring an event called “The Final Trial” that only the current King could fulfill. There, he would meditate with The High Protectors, former rulers of Simia, to honor the ancestors and discover what his fate would be during his time as King. After a moment of silence, the chosen one placed one foot in front of the other and began ascending the ancient ridge before him. * * Aras stopped every so often to take a glance back from the mountain and soak in the beautiful colony of Simia in the valley below. Built upon generations of solidarity and respect to their elders before them, it was a race of persistence, reflection, and innovation. He had made this part of the trek hundreds of times before but was never allowed to pass the second ridge, a passageway that only the King was granted access to. Regardless if he was ready or not, the new King continued to make his way through the jagged mountain. As his feet continued to grow warmer due to the energy given off by the lava rocks beneath he became aware of something deep inside the darkest part of his subconscious, warning of a grave feeling of danger that he’d never felt before. Aras initially shook it off and continued the climb. * The shrine of The High Protectors sat just below the peak of Mt. Alouatta. Mostly undisturbed given the lack of Simians able to set foot on its sacred ground, it was an overwhelming sight to witness upon first glance. Aras took a moment to gather himself and proceeded to go into Lotus pose to begin his journey as the rightful heir to the throne. * After a moment of silence, Aras whispered into the temple, hesitancy all but gone at this stage. It was now or never. * “It is I, Aras. Son of Ramas. I call upon The High Protectors to initiate The Final Trial and reveal my destiny as the reigning King of Simia. Thank you for your continuous protection of our people.” * The wind suddenly shifted as Aras felt a power unbeknownst to him suddenly coursing through his veins. The High Protectors were now present. * “Welcome young one,” A deep voice boomed throughout the temple. “It is now time to reveal your destiny. May the trial begin.” * Aras closed his eyes and began to clear his mind through continuous long breaths of meditation. Each inhalation more drawn out than the last, he could feel himself drifting further and further away from reality. As Aras’ blood pressure dropped, his mind cleared all distraction from the outside world. He had learned as a child through several teachings passed down from The High Protectors to channel the energy sent from the sacred mountain. It was then that he started to feel a power source pulling him out of his body and away from the temple. The sounds of internal breathing were nothing more than faint pulses in the distance as the King joined The High Protectors in their sacred temple of the gods. * * “Aras my son, welcome home” said Ramas in a calm, soothing tone. “The High Protectors have waited a very long time for this day.” * Having not seen his father since his tragic passing, Aras was speechless as he tried to gather himself within the mesmerizing, other-worldly experience. * “You have been brought here today to complete your initiation as the next King of Simia. Like the hundreds before you, the rightful heirs of Simia have climbed Mt. Alouatta for generations upon generations to reveal the next chapter of the moon’s destiny. You are no longer responsible for just yourself, but responsible for the moon of Simia, its inhabitants, and future generations of Simians for centuries to come.” * Aras continued to stare at his father, awestruck of the temple that stood before him. Everything seemed so real, yet so perfect that it couldn’t have been real life. Ramas noticed his son’s lack of words and continued. * “Aras, my son. Simia has been a moon of peace for many, many years. During my time as King and my father’s time before mine, Simians have known nothing but peace and tranquility. However, The High Protectors fear a sudden shift in the future of the colony, a feeling that hasn’t been sensed since The Great Faction.” * Ramas bent down on one knee to meet his son eye to eye. * “Times are going to get bleak over the coming hours, my son. The road will not be as easy as it has once been. Please do not take what I say next lightly.” * The rightful heir to the throne looked directly into his father’s eyes, noticing the change of tone in his voice. His father never used that serious of a tone when he was living. * “A great evil has entered our world once again. While The High Protectors can see these events coming before they happen, it is up to you to defend Simia and stand up to any outside forces. All of the moon’s power is at your disposal.” * “But…but where do I find this power? What evil would ever come here?” Aras stammered as he tried to process what his father was attempting to transcribe. * “You will know when the time is right. Trust your instincts.” Ramas stated, smiling as he stood back up to join the rest of the Elders surrounding him. * Another rush of wind ripped through the air as Aras tried to yell back to his father. * “But how will I know what to do?!” Aras yelled, fighting to stay in the dreamlike state a few moments longer. * “The chosen one will know what to do when the time is right.” echoed Ramas’ voice throughout the temple as Aras drifted back into consciousness on the mountaintop. * * “My King, extreme apologies for the intrusion on such an historic day. An incoming message has been intercepted back at the temple” shouted Zondar, the Simian General. “Ringbolt the Thealuvian claims to be an old friend of yours, shall I patch him through to you?” * A moment of consternation overcame the King. Contact from Ringbolt was scarce in times of peace and good tidings rarely followed. * “Very well, thank you Zondar.” Aras replied with a sense of hesitancy in his voice. “Make your way back to the temple and prepare the warriors, I fear this call isn’t one of pleasantries.” * As Zondar bolted back to the Simian temple, Aras turned towards Mt. Alouatta and took in the stunning sunset that spread across the entirety of the moon’s horizon. His eyes lost in the sea of deep orange, Aras could feel the warmth and residual effect of his ancestral connection speaking to him now clearer than ever. He now knew the destiny that lay before him; a tall task no matter how experienced the leader. * Things were calm in that moment, but the Simian King had come to the realization of what he had seen in the vision quest to be true. A threat bigger than The Great Faction was headed their way. The mountain, the prosperity, and the Simian way of life was in danger once again. * --- *Originally published on [hushedDingo2](https://paragraph.com/@husheddingo2/dispatch-10-a-king-s-journey)*