Further Beyond: Ascension

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

The arguments and debate about the election of the next Huluabalang Nabolon continued. Josias sat patiently beside his father as he heard all the arguments being tossed around. Some made at least a little sense, others less so. Some kings didn't even bother making proper arguments, instead attacking the characters of the candidate they disliked while praising the one they preferred.

The Raja Malim had tried to maintain some semblance of civility, at least for the first hour or so, but alas. Even he's given up after multiple times being ignored by the kings.

"This is going nowhere!" A young-looking king said. He looked to be around perhaps his late twenties or early thirties. He must be King Batara of Hutanaga. "All of us and our elders have been arguing the same few points for hours on end and no side is budging! Now while I'd love to argue with every single one of you for days on end, but sadly I have a realm to govern and I have been away from it for far too long now! I say we call in a vote and see where that leads our position! My own stance has not changed. I believe that my father-in-law, the King of Hutaraja should be given the seat of Hulubalang. It has been more than two decades since the role has been out of the hands of the line of Tuan Sorimangaraja!"

Many of the kings and clan elders – mainly those who supported Josias' father – jeered at the young king's statement regarding the pedigree of the Hutanaga and Hutaraja clans.

"I would like to remind the boy-king that the vast majority of the clans represented here are descended from Raja Marhillong Roha! By right of blood and true-birth, the Sigumogo clan is the most senior line of that branch." King Tagam of Hutangali said "With that being said, my declaration is clear. I and the whole of Hutangali place our unwavering support behind King Parulian of Goria!"

"As I was the one who first made the proposal, it is obvious that my support also goes to the King of Goria to succeed his father." King Benedictus reaffirmed his position once more.

One by one, each king of the Halaklands had sounded out and publicly declared their support for one candidate or the other. Abstaining was not a choice within the tonggoraja.

Supporting Josias' father for the role of Hulubalang were obviously their allies within Hutangali, Rumaparau, as well as Nabolga. The catholic kingdoms of Inamaria and Tanjung Naria had also thrown their support behind the Gorian candidacy.

The most ardent supporters of King Pirma were the Hutanaga. They were also followed by the more staunch traditionalists from Saorma, Tanohisar, Nainiari, Sibolontiur, Aek Rantau, and Nabagak. Josias knew these as the kingdoms who had mainly opposed Goria during his grandfather's wars.

After a little more internal deliberation on their part, the Moslem kingdoms of Sombanaria and Hutabanua threw in their support for King Parulian. They cited concerns that eventually the traditionalists' insistence on maintaining the old ways to the detriment of foreign customs would also harm them in the long run. They saw supporting a christian king as Hulubalang Nabolon would guarantee their way of life be left unimpeded.

"Though I too share many of your concerns in regards towards the christian religion, I can not in confidence throw my support behind a king with such a blatant zeal against anything outside of the Old Ways." King Abdullah Sombasurgo said. "Therefore, in such a situation, my realm shall support our fellow ahlul kitab (people of the book). Insyallah, this will be the best choice for my people."

"Wallahi (By Allah), I am of the same mind as my compatriot." The older, longer-bearded King of Hutabanua said. "So long as King Parulian continues his father's policy of non-intervention with the other kingdoms, it is for the best."

"You damned snakes!!" The one-eyed King Pirma shouted angrily "You lot are the same kind of traitors as those christians! Ancestors damn ye!"

"Your words only work to assure me of my choice, King Pirma!" King Abdullah retorted.

Another round of insults and arguments occurred. So far, the number of supporters both kings had were equal. Eight kingdoms for King Parulian and eight kingdoms for King Pirma. Only four kingdoms were left neutral. Manahan Arus, Parik Bolon, Tamatuak, and Anak Nagogo.

"When it comes to religious tolerance, I feel no sympathy towards the plight of King Parulian and the Gorians." The King of Manahan Arus said "For generations, the Arus clans have lived in peace with the rest of the Halaklands. We accept that what followers of the Old Ways call Debata Mulajadi Nabolon is merely another form and name of the true Parabrahman and see no need to practice one set of traditions exclusively over the other. Because of that, we declare our support for King Pirma."

"We in Parik Bolon also support the king of Hutaraja for said reasons." The other Hindan Halak king nodded.

With this new support incoming, the other backers of the traditionalists let out a satisfied cheer. The remaining two kingdoms who have yet to decide their support were Tamatuak and Anak Nagogo. Both were technically still followers of the Old Ways but their answers did not factor in their apparent adherence to the Old Ways.

Both the kingdoms placed their support towards King Parulian. Josias scratched his chin at the peculiarity but considering the realms of these two kingdoms being in the south it made sense. Their territories were surrounded by the christian realms and Tanjung Naria was heavily exerting its influence over those realms. This decision, though, evenly divided the Halaklands in two. West against east, new against old. The two sides were now stuck in a deadlock.

They continued to debate and argue but it would seem to Josias that there was no longer any convincing any of the kings to change their decisions. The only one to remain neutral was the Raja Malim himself.

"Ale Raja Malim! Our debates and discourse has placed us at an impasse. You alone remain as the one who may break this tie!" King Lombutua of Saorma called out to the high priest who was sitting upon his chair while stroking his beard. "It falls upon you as the highest representative of the gods and the ancestors! We know you would make the right decision!"

Josias saw the assured smirk upon the face of the king of Saorma. It seemed like a foregone conclusion in Josias' mind. There was no way the highest religious authority of the old ways would choose in favour of his father. The Raja Malim sat quiet for a while as the other kings prodded him for an answer before eventually he cleared his throat. He gave an exasperated sigh before answering.

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"Unfortunately, I do not find myself capable of breaking such a deadlock." The Raja Malim's answer caused Josias to raise an eyebrow. Judging by the faces of the other kings, he wasn't the only one taken aback by the answer.

"What are you saying, you fool?! Are you insane?!" King Pirma practically screamed as he arose from his seat "You are the voice of the gods and the ancestors and yet you'd not rule in something as obvious as this?!"

"The fact that you're saying that tells me that you know nothing of how the gods and the great ancestor spirits contact our peoples." the Raja Malim answered back in a flat tone. "The gods and ancestors do not speak into my ears as you would speak to me now. They move me through my heart and through the actions I see their living descendants take. As I see it now, any choice I would make would be contaminated by my own thoughts and emotions. I wish not to see division sown by my own doing."

"Are you blind? Our peoples are already divided enough as is! What difference would it make whether it is through your choice or not?" King Lombutua asked but the Raja Malim firmly repeated his refusal.

The followers of the old ways were beginning to argue with the Raja Malim but eventually King Benedictus arose and gave another opinion.

"If we are truly at an impasse then isn't there only one possible option?" King Benedictus spread his arms as he cast his gaze upon the great council "A duel! If you truly believe it is the will of the gods and the ancestors that the old ways should push on then surely you wouldn't be opposed to having the two candidates fight!"

The great council quieted down as they fell into murmurs and whispers. The one-armed blood king of Hutaraja stood menacingly as he stared down the king of Tanjung Naria. But Josias could see something hidden behind the shaking eyes of the old blood-king. It was a look of fear. And it wasn't just Josias who had sensed it.

"If that is the case, then I propose it myself upon this great tonggoraja." Josias' father finally stood as he thumped his own staff upon the ground "For the role of Hulubalang Nabolon, I, Parulian Nasilua, nineteenth in the line of Tuan Sigumogo, challenge the King of Hutaraja to a duel!"

"You can't be serious! You're challenging an old man almost twice your age to a duel!" King Batara Hutanaga banged the arms of his chair. "How would that duel be fair?"

"Then tell the mad old fool to step down from his candidacy and let a true warrior take the role!" King Tagam of Hutangali responded.

"...I-I am no coward! Not at all…! But before I accept such a thing, I must ask the Raja Malim for his opinion!" King Pirma said as he cleared his throat "While the personal prowess of a warrior is important, surely the charisma and dignitas of wisdom is what makes the Hulubalang Nabolon! If personal strength is all that it took then the late Hulubalang should've stepped down from his role far before his untimely death!"

"YOU HOLD YOUR TONGUE, CUR!" Josias' father screamed as he unleashed his own aura for a split second before retracting it when all the attention was turned towards him. "My father – up to the point of his death – could have still easily ended the likes of you with ease! None of you could even withstand his aura in Matanitao, let alone face him in a real fight! The King of Hutaraja speaks bravely only when he knows my father is resting in the grave."

King Pirma grit his teeth and was about to respond before the Raja Malim raised his hand to speak.

"Now, now. The proposal by King Benedictus and King Parulian is valid and sound. Long have our ancestors held the duel to be a sacred ground of judgement regarding who is right or wrong. But to make sure it is as much a test of strength as it is of wit, the duel would not be to the death but merely to the first true draw of blood! From an external wound…"

"But that still doesn't change the fact that it would be unfair for the two to fight because-...!"

"Silence boy..!" King Pirma shouted at his son-in-law, the King of Hutanaga. "I am not so weak that even you would need to look down upon me! I too am still a warrior of the fifth star! And if the King of Goria wishes to duel a cripple like me thinking it would be an easy match then… all the more dishonor for him!"

"Then I ask the Raja Malim this…" King Parulian spoke up once more as he looked to the Raja Malim "Is it not allowed for the old king to appoint a proxy for himself? Surely the gods won't mind an exercise in wisdom when it comes to choosing warriors fit for a fight?"

Josias saw the old blood king's eyes seemingly brighten at the suggestion. "Hah! It would seem the boy from Goria still has at least a shred of honour left in him! I believe that is indeed what we could do…"

The Raja Malim fell silent once more before eventually he nodded to King Parulian's proposal. "...It is indeed so. As the great ancestor Raja Marhillong Roha fought a proxy of the Homang king for his daughter's hand in marriage, I believe honour doesn't preclude us from doing the same… Yes, we shall allow King Pirma to choose a proxy on his behalf."

King Pirma gave a wolfish grin at the Raja Malim's acceptance of the proposal.

"Very well then! If that is so, then I accept King Parulian's challenge for the duel!"

"If that is so, then I believe the day's meeting could conclude. I don't think it would bother any one of us here to hold the duel and the next session of the tonggoraja in two days time for consideration of our host's weekly observation of worship?"

"But before that, lord king." King Parulian raised his hand. "Before we end today's session, I ask that the Raja Malim appoint his proxy now! I wish to know whose blood I am required to draw to become the next Hulubalang."

"Hmph! Arrogant beyond measure as always!" King Pirma scoffed "But no matter! I… I have plenty of warriors who I've brought with me that could compete against you, yes! I'll show you the true power of the old ways because-..."

"If I may!!" From the Gorian crowd, next to Josias, his uncle Partogi stood up while raising his own hand. What was his uncle up to now? Lately, his uncle's ideas have rarely been any good.

"I wish to volunteer myself to fight on King Pirma's behalf." Partogi said firmly as he held his hand to his chest. "As a true son of the old ways and a believer of the blessings of our ancestors, I wish to right the wrongs done by my clan in the name of their foreign god!

Josias could hear audible gasps coming from the Gorians and their allies. What the hell was his uncle thinking.

"Sit down, you fool! You're embarrassing us!"

"Of all the times he decides to go mad it had to be in front of the other kings?!"

"The death of the Hulubalang have affected us all, but this is no reason to act the fool!"

Many of the Gorian elders were calling out to Partogi, unable to accept such an affront. Josias' father had his eyes widened but not long after that closed his eyes before slumping into his chair. King Pirma, on the other hand, laughed almost uncontrollably at the development.

"The ancestors have not yet fully abandoned the line of the Sigumogo! A true son of the Halak lives on still within their number! I accept your proposal, Lord Partogi of the Sigumogo! You shall act as my proxy in the fight against your nalilu (lost) older brother!"

With that said, Josias saw his uncle walk over to the side of the King of Saorma and take his seat there. Despite the jeers of the Gorians and the cheers of the heathens, Josias saw his uncle having a resolute look on him. There seemed to be no longer any shred of doubt on him. He had drawn the clearest line in the sand.

"...If that is the case, then I have no choice but to accept it as well." Josias' father said in a solemn voice before he pointed towards Lord Partogi. "But know this! By this choice you have made you have made it clear to all! As King of Goria and Head of the Siualuama of the Sigumogo clans, I reaffirm our father's sanctions upon you! No longer will you be considered my brother and no longer will your children be considered yours! Let there forever be enmity between your line and those trueborn of the Sigumogo clan! May my eyes no longer have to gaze upon your countenance after the conclusion of our fight!"

With that declaration, Josias' father stormed off from the venue. Josias could do little but sigh. In front of the entirety of the Halak realms, his family had been irreparably fractured.