Chapter Text
The silent monkey watched the alpha monkeys train from his perch high up in one of the trees surrounding The Great Sage’s resting place. He was smaller than the other monkeys and therefore forbidden to train with them but they couldn’t stop him watching and learning from afar. They had tried many times to dissuade his determination even trying to name him, for the next monkey destined to travel to the west held no moniker. After their first attempt he had retreated choosing outcast over risking his destiny. He could feel the time was drawing nigh when The new Destined One would be chosen and had to state his challenge now or never.
Hoping down from his perch he calmly walked into the clearing where the candidates practiced. The elder sighed sadly at his appearance bowing his head in acceptance. “There is no talking you out of this recourse I can see that now. Do you have your challenger?” The silent monkey nodded pointing at the favoured champion. Being the biggest in height and muscle the alpha was his only choice no one would dare deny his rightful title if he defeated the other monkey.
Said monkey snorted picking up his staff as he strutted forward confidently to lord over him. Fighting the instinct to bare his neck in supplication he calmly stared back at the large monkey boring down on him. Reaching in his ear the silent monkey pulled out his own staff as it grew to the correct size twirling it into the ready position. The other monkeys murmured amongst themselves none of them being able to master that ability yet.
“Nice trick. How about you get on your knees and show me another.” The alpha smirked as the other monkeys laughed beginning to walk around the smaller monkey as he looked him over. “I’ll admit you’re not my usual type but I’d make an exception to help put you back in your place Omega.” Saying the last word sarcastically in his ear the silent monkey had to force himself to remain calm and not bare his teeth at the other. Not liking that his taunts were being ignored the alpha grabbed a handful of his hair ripping some out as he forced his head back.
The silent monkey saw the elder’s look of disapproval but before the other could be disciplined he rammed his staff backwards flipping out of reach when the alpha let go to grab his sternum. Wheezing to gather his breath, the larger monkey growled charging forward. His staff forgotten in his rage the larger monkey swung at him with a fist but he dodged it effortlessly waiting for his next opening. In the next combo of blows aimed at him the silent monkey took a shot to the shoulder so he could deliver a hard whack to the alpha’s head with his staff. They both staggered back the little monkey’s shoulder aching painfully as he rotated to test its movement. He pressed forward as the other swayed holding their head, hitting them with a flurry of hard blows. One to the chest had the alpha staggering back and knocked enough sense into him to lineup a shot, hitting the silent monkey square in the face.
Staggering backwards he tried in vain to dodge the charging body but was tackled onto the ground. He gasps at the loud snap as the alpha twists the arm holding his staff fracturing it. The alpha snarls down at him sadistically hitting him in the face before wrapping hands around the omega’s throat.
“Not so confident now are you Omega.” He spat as the little monkey gasped clawing at his arm and face. Vision starting to darken the silent monkey bit his tongue against the pain as he grabbed the staff with his fractured arm. Channeling it to shrink then grow as he wedges it into the ground aiming at the monkey on top of him.
The other was thrown off him by the force hitting the ground hard. Knowing he’d have no chance while on his back the omega painfully gained his footing spitting out blood as the alpha also got to his feet. The alpha smirked at the arm dangling uselessly by his side but the omega only cocked his head grabbing the staff with his toes throwing it high enough to grab with his other arm twirling it into a ready stance.
The silent monkey knew he needed to end this quickly before the pain became too much. Blocking the alpha’s fist with his twirling staff the little monkey countered with a hit to his shoulder dodging away from another to thrust his staff into the other’s chest. Stumbling back a couple of steps the silent monkey saw his opening leaping forward with his staff above his head he brought it down as hard as he could with one arm onto the alpha’s head. The larger monkey swayed but didn’t fall so the little monkey hit him again with everything he had left, swaying himself as finally the alpha collapsed into a heap.
The peak of Mount Hauguo was silent as the remaining alphas watched stunned when the little monkey produced a gourd from his belt chugging half of it until his superficial wounds had healed.
“The gods have spoken and so it must be.” The elder approached looking over the omega before nodding. “It has come time for The Destined One’s journey to the west once more but before you set off I must request you remain here a few moments longer until my return.” Bowing to the elder the silent monkey ignored the alphas as they collected their companion and followed the elder back down the mountain.
Once they were out of sight the silent monkey staggered over to The Great Sage’s stone cocoon, collapsing to his knees he grabbed his throbbing arm. The gourd could only heal so much and his shoulder, arm and larynx would take longer to mend. Trying to distract himself from the pain the silent monkey placed his uninjured hand on the familiar stone.
‘I swear to return with your relics no matter the cost to myself.’ He thought with conviction the stone started to heat against his hand but he couldn’t seem to remove it. The heat grew unbearable until suddenly his hand was let go leaving a golden handprint for a moment before the surface returned to stone once more.
“He has blessed your journey now you truely are The Destined One.” The elders voice made him jump he hadn’t heard the older monkey’s return. “The road to the west is long and arduous more so for one such as yourself.” The elder held out a plain golden band for him to see. “This suppresses the instincts of our secondary nature and cloaks omega scent in a mixture of both beta and alpha.” The new Destined One offered his good arm to the elder as he stopped in front of him. “But be warned our bodies are not designed to be muted and in doing so will likely cause infertility.” Nodding his understanding the silent monkey watched as the band expanded sliding easily over his arm until it came to rest on his bicep. He swayed as it tightened and a numbing feeling cloaked him in nausea. “It is not however fool proof and powerful alphas will sense something isn’t right.”
The Destined One shook his head trying to clear it as his senses were dulled like a thick vail had fallen around him and the rest of the world. “You will grow used to it with time. May the gods watch over you on your journey Destined One.” The Destined One frowned at the thought but bowed to the elder before starting his long trek to Black Wind Mountain.