Further Beyond: Ascension

Sabatsday, 30th of Juno, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

The great venue near the village had once more been converted for formal use by the kings of the Halak realms. As the ceremonies and rites of the Gorians were now largely over and done with, there remained only one more agenda to be met. The great council of kings or the 'Tonggoraja'.

Twenty one chairs were prepared within the venue for the kings of the Halak realms. Each ornate chair was draped with the banners of each Halak kingdom. Parulian sat upon his chair as his son and heir sat on his right-hand side upon the carpeted ground. To his other side were the Archbishop Ludwig as well as his brother-in-law and newly appointed head councillor, Lord Hasudungan Rapmasari. The rest of Goria's elders sat around his throne within the Gorian camp of the tonggoraja.

Parulian's brother, Partogi, sat next to Josias. All of Partogi's actions and rejections of Gorian custom still weighed on Parulian's mind, but he still wasn't fully convinced he should take the King of Saorma's advice. Though, he had to give credit where it was due. King Lombutua of Saorma was quite blatant with his machinations.

Parulian cast a gaze upon all the kings and elders that were gathered there. His right hand was firmly holding the 'tunggal panaluan' staff of his late father. It was the symbol of kingship among the Halak Priest-kings and an important regalia. Yet… even just holding such an item reminded him of the large role he had to fill in the wake of his father's passing.

To calm himself down, Parulian took a sip from the hot cup of tea within his left hand. It was about the only good thing that came out of the conversation with the Saorma elders. It was calming enough and did well to dull a few of his senses. Ever since he tasted the tea, he couldn't go a day without it. Was it a detriment to his health? Perhaps it was, but he needed everything he could to take his mind off of his new responsibilities.

When all the kings and elders of the Halaklands had taken their seats, Parulian nodded towards the Raja Malim of Matanitao. The supreme priest-king nodded back before he stood and thumped his staff upon the ground, signalling the start of the Tonggoraja.

"Before we officially start the first great tonggoraja in decades, it would be most gracious of the King of Goria to allow me a few words." The Raja Malim asked as he motioned towards Parulian. Parulian nodded and thus the Raja Malim continued. "First I would like to once more give my most sincere condolences on the passing of our late Hulubalang Nabolon, Amang Raja Parhal Portibion Sigumogo. Despite his many controversies, it could not be denied that under the late Hulubalang's watch, the Halaklands have experienced two decades of external peace."

"I thank you for your words, Lord king." Parulian accepted the condolences "I can only pray and hope to be even half the man my father was. And if fate allows it, to succeed him in all his works."

"As do we all. Which brings us to the most pivotal topic of discussion within our current Tonggoraja. The election of the new Hulubalang Nabolon of the Halak realms."

Parulian closed his eyes as he took in a deep breath and let out a sigh. It was indeed a most pressing issue. The seat his father had occupied for the past two decades was now left empty. The seat of the Hulubalang was now up for grabs between the reigning kings of the Halak realms.

All things considered, the role of the Hulubalang Nabolon was largely nominal and symbolic. The Hulubalang had the responsibility and honour of leading all the Halak realms during times when a foreign invader sought to intervene within the Halaklands. At least that's what it was in principle.

In reality, many foreign influences had already long infiltrated Halak society. Some more blatant than others. As Parulian recalled it, the moslems of Hutabanua and Sombanaria owed their loyalties to the Jayarkya Sultanate. Whether they'd like to admit it or not was another matter entirely. In the same vein, so did Parik Bolon and Manahan Arus owe their subtle allegiance to the Banuans of Wisnajaya.

All this not to mention the christian influences, both catholic and protestant, on the Southern and Western realms of the Halaklands in which Goria was included. Though, at least with his own realm and the realm of his allies, Parulian was assured that the influences remained more cultural and ideological rather than political. The same could not be said of the catholics to the south with their blatant employment of western Bontarmata mercenaries and institutions.

Thus, the role of 'Hulubalang Nabolon' was indeed merely a symbol. A ceremonial role. But in a land as steeped in tradition and ceremony as the Halaklands, that one nominal role became ever more paramount in importance. Not just for prestige, but influence. It was why the other kings couldn't do much against Goria's more christianising tendencies.

"A few of our brother kings here have also floated to me the topic of reviewing the contents of the treaty of Haumarara signed two decades ago by us or our predecessors." The Raja Malim continued as he gave a subtle yet noticeable look towards the king of Saorma. "...but it would do well for our colleagues here to be reminded that to make a review of such an important document, we need the council to be presided over by a figure of authority we would all respect."

"If I may, ale Rajanami Raja Malim." Elder Honahata of Saorma raised his hand before being allowed to speak. "Considering the fact that you are already presiding over this very council, is it not too much to ask that we would bring this most important topic to the front of today's discussions?"

The Raja Malim smiled but he shook his head towards the Saorma elder's request. "Sadly, I can not take that honour. I am merely speaking here first to lay down the ground rules on how the tonggoraja will proceed. I do so in my capacity as an 'authority' on our ancestral ways. But to lead the tonggoraja itself, I highly doubt most of you even still respect my position. And I'm not just talking about our brothers here who have chosen to adhere to foreign religions.

"Also, considering that the document of the original treaty was signed by the late Hulubalang as the presider of the last tonggoraja, it is only right that we first elect his successor."

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"...Very well then. If that is your opinion, I shall acquiesce to it." Elder Honahata said as he bowed his head and sat back upon the ground. With that, the Raja Malim continued his explanation of the procedures on how the elections were to be carried out.

The candidates of the Hulubalang Nabolon were the kings of the Halak realms themselves. The great council would then engage in long discussions to reach an agreed consensus on who was best fit to become the Hulubalang Nabolon. The consensus method was a way of assuring that the decision that was reached was assented to by everyone involved with the council.

"To start our discussions, is there anyone here who wishes to bring forward their own candidacy towards the seat of 'Hulubalang Nabolon'?" The Raja Malim requested for the kings to step forward with their own candidacy.

Parulian casted his gaze upon the other kings, looking at who among them would be so bold as to propose themselves to the candidacy of the role.

The one-armed blood king of Hutaraja smirked at the invitation before he stood up and raised his hand. "I, Pirma Somarujung Siparsangap, as king and heir to the line of old Tuan Sorimangaraja put forward my own candidacy to the role of Hulubalang Nabolon!"

All the other kings and elders started to murmur at King Pirma's declaration. Parulian scratched his beard at the king's statement. It was a bold statement to be sure but it wasn't unexpected. King Pirma had long since coveted the title and hated the fact he had to acquiesce to the election of the late Hulubalang due to his loss in the battle of Haumarara. But there was indeed a problem with his candidacy.

"Electing a one-armed, half-blind, old fool as Hulubalang Nabolon? Do you think us fools here?!" King Tagam of Hutangali proclaimed his displeasure with a scoff followed by the laughing sneers of a few other kings. "Are we supposed to leave the well-being of our realms to this decrepit old beast?"

"What did you say, you insolent child?!" King Pirma did not look like he appreciated the comments from the Singalion king as he unleashed a little bit of his aura. "Even with only one arm, I can kill you as easily as swatting a fly! A useless ingrate who has been stuck within the realm of a fourth star has no right to say that to a peak warrior like me!"

"I still have a few dozen years left to live. Can you say the same?"

"Cease this foolishness!" the Raja Malim shouted out in frustration as he put in his own aura within his voice. "Let us not sully our names as kings by behaving like little children no better than my youngest granddaughter. King Tagam, it would be much appreciated if you could at least hold a modicum of decorum towards this sacred council!"

King Tagam shrugged before backing down. King Pirma still looked like he had a few things to say to his Hutangali counterpart. However, he would have to hold them back as another king raised his hand. King Benedictus Sinaria of Tanjung Naria had stood up.

"Is the king of Tanjung Naria also throwing in his own candidacy?" The Raja Malim asked.

"Oh, me? No, no. Far from it. I have no interest in the title at all." The old catholic king said "But as a king, I still have the right to put forward my opinion. I am currently still saddened by the death of my apala lae (blood cousin) but even so, I must say thusly. Despite my realm's own disagreements with the Gorians and their allies in terms of religious dogma, for the sake of stability and maintaining the status quo, shouldn't the choice for the next Hulubalang Nabolon be clear?"

King Benedictus then pointed his hand towards where Parulian was sitting. This was also something that Parulian had expected. Despite that, it was still surreal to him how underqualified he felt for even just the nomination to candidacy.

"Raja Parulian Nasilua Sigumogo is the obvious choice to succeed his father to the position of Hulubalang Nabolon." King Benedictus continued "Not only is he the most powerful warrior of his generation, he is also at the cusp of becoming a blademaster himself. I can think of no better ideal candidate than him."

Parulian raised his eyebrows at the praise from the catholic king. Perhaps it was because Goria and Tanjung Naria had an understanding between one another or perhaps it was for other less benign reasons. Regardless, Parulian gave king Benedictus a nod of appreciation.

Obviously, the other christian kings also stood up in support of Parulian's nomination. Even the Kingdom of Nabolga threw in their open support for Parulian. With all of that support, Parulian stood up as he hit the ground with the bottom of his staff several times.

Parulian took in a deep breath and exhaled as he nodded towards his supporters. "Truly, I thank all of my fellow kings for their support and the trust they put on me… Though it is with a heavy heart that I do this, I choose to accept the nominations and proclaim my candidacy towards my late father's role of Hulubalang."

The other kings who supported him all started thumping their staffs as well in approval. The Raja Malim nodded his head in approval before he cast his gaze once more towards the kings there. "Is there anyone else among you, lord kings, who wish to nominate themselves to the candidacy of Hulubalang Nabolon?"

None of the other kings responded. Neither with their own candidacy nor proposing for another king to be given the role.

"Then it shall be so. Let it be known for this session of the tonggoraja that we have arrived at two candidates for the seat of Hulubalang. King Pirma Siparsangap of Hutaraja and King Parulian Sigumogo of Goria!"

Because a vote required more than two thirds of the kings to agree upon a single candidate to be considered a consensus, a fierce round of debates commenced between supporters of each side as well as the candidates themselves. Unsurprisingly, one of the most vocal supporters of King Pirma was none other than King Lombutua of Saorma.

"Is it not clear to the rest of you here that choosing the heir of the late Hulubalang as the next one would only be a continuation of the chaos that has plagued our realms?" King Lombutua said with gusto "I mean no disrespect at all to the late King Parhal, but his policies and his politics are so blatantly in opposition towards our sacred ancestral ways! Were we all not here celebrating along with the Gorians in their customs? While I personally do believe that each realm should be free to choose their own faith, having another blatant opponent of our ancestral ways would only further divide us!"

"What the Saorma king says is true! We need a keeper of the old ways as our new representative!"

"Aye, I second that! Two decades is enough under the heel of people who dare to question and disrespect our ways!"

"Are you all mad?! Who cares what the personal beliefs of each king are! If we choose someone who already has one foot in the grave to be the Hulubalang because of the old traditions, there'd be no one to properly stand up and protect our peoples!"

"You dare say I only have one foot in the grave?! I'll show you!!"

Pandemonium erupted as the venue once more became a place where insults and arguments were hurled at one another between the kings. The Raja Malim was becoming overwhelmed trying to calm the situation down as everything looked like it was starting to get out of hand. Some kings and elders had even started to confront one another physically as they butt heads and chests trying to challenge one another.

Parulian massaged his forehead and the bridge of his nose as he felt a headache coming just from being exposed to all the noise and arguments. If he had been a seventh star warrior like his father, there wouldn't even be a need for such arguments. Alas, his father's absence was even felt in the current venue with all this lawlessness.

Parulian could only pray that a conclusion could be reached sooner rather than later. But for that, he himself had to argue on his behalf. It was looking to be the beginning of a very tiring process.