The Boy in the Mountain Part 3
But it was no longer his trials he needed to worry about. His people were starving, and their leaders had devised a plan to no longer be the hunted. A dark man in heavy robes was behind their Chief, pointing out several of the orphans in the crowd. One of them was Gon.
Later that day, the boys were assembled over grim, looming fire- “Can a fire be grim?” It was the mood of the fire. “Oh, so fires have moods to.” It’s a figure of-nevermind. The dark robed man pointed to Gon, gesturing him to come forward. Gon, with a gulp, approached nervously to the man. A language that could not be describe was uttered from the main, and soon Gon felt…queezy. His chest began to ache,a mark forming on his right breast-and his arms felt like beefy snakes. His vision became more and more hazy as his body grew and then…nothing. Gons people magically aged him, and put him in a state of bloodlust. “What? Why would they do that to Gon?” Because they need to eat, and they needed strong warriors to help conquer surrounding lands. “Wow, that is very bad.” It is, kid. It really is.
Many months passed where Gon helped his people attack the surrounding villages of the Mountain. Gon did very bad things, but not on his own will. Then, while Gon was sent to a forest- he encountered a bear spirit. That spirit was known as Lo’ten, the Great Bear- Guardian of Cubs. Gon, aged by magic to be a bloodthirsty berserker, saw the spirit as a challenge of his might and immediately attacked. He was no matched for Lo’ten and quickly beaten. When he woke up…Gon felt himself returning. He remembered the bad stuff he had done, feeling sad, angry, and lonely while things pieced together. “What bad things did he do?” I can’t tell you that. “Why not?” You would not want to know, trust me. “This was a story…it didn’t happen, right?” …Right, it’s just a story. Still, I do not need to describe it. They were very bad.
Gon spent many nights huddled in the forest, trying avoid both his people and the people hurt. He wished to see again the mighty dream that awoke his imagination, and stirred his heart with courage. His wish was fulfilled, somewhat, as he saw himself into another vision-another chance to speak with his father, Gin-gar. ‘Father,’ He pleads, ‘How can I forgive myself? I did very bad things to people around the Mountain…I hurt them, Father. I don’t like who I am.’ Gin-gar smiled at his son, shaking his head. ‘You were not in control of your body, your people did.’ He wipes away the tears off his son’s cheeks, continuing. ‘You are boy of overwhelming kindness, Gon. While you bear a hefty burden and a painful curse, you have been freed by the spirits of your world. Our people are cursed to commit bad deeds, for choosing to live in such evil like the Mountain.’ He kneels down, explaining what happened to Gons family. ‘We spoke out against living in the Mountain-we wanted to face judgement for the bad things. Many of our people agreed, but the Chief and his group did not want to face punishment. Me, your mother, and your sister were ended by their treachery.’
“That is so sad…” It was sad, indeed, for Gon felt betrayed- felt angry. He was a tool, a puppet for his people, and they kept the awful secret of their deeds from him. ‘You cannot let your anger take over you, Gon.” Ging-gar told his son. ‘You must avenge our family, but our peoples time has come to an end. They will face punishment soon, and the chief too will pay. But there are some like you, Gon. Those turned into what you are, other orphans left in the Mountain-adults who are desperate for escape.’ Lo’ten appeared by Ging-gar, bowing his head to Gon in approval. ‘You must lead them away and to the places you dreamed. The lush places, the open deserts, the peaceful forests.’ Gon bowed his head, ‘Yes, father, they shall be saved.’
And so, Gon traveled back to the mountain to face his people. Many warriors fell to Gons rageful might as he ventured, but he each gave them honorable deaths by one on one combat. “One on one combat? But they were bad, weren’t they? Couldn’t they have rushed him?” Well, yes. In fact, some of them forsook the honor and charged at him. It did not help, it only hindered their attack.
Gon made it to the mountain, and he knew that his father was right to order the abandoning of his vengeance. The evil things, the spirits, they rose to fight their people. The flying lizards bathed their hordes in flame. Lo’ten was seen to pummel and crush those in their way. Beings of great flame pummeled and lit many of the warriors. Gon found the dark man in robes destroyed, and many of the orphaned-turned killers afraid and despondent. He,too, found many of the innocent men and women of his people scattered about, trying to hide or defend themselves. With confidence and leadership, he lead them out as best as he could. “But he was a child inside, was he not?” He was. But he met to his fathers expectations. Its why he said he would be proud.
The fight out was hard, but they managed to escape mostly intact. As the people began to collect themselves, Gon announced to them. ‘The ways of old are gone. The ways of the Mountain are gone. Out there, away from the Mountain, are lands lush and free. Lands arid and bountied. Lands peaceful and ancient. You must find these places and settle yourselves there-for you are still the blood of our kind. You stood against the treachery of our people. You are chosen to redeem.’
The freed people, rejoicing in their escape from the Mountain, heeded the words of Gon and traveled out to the lush places, the arid desert, the peaceful places and the great forests. It was as he told. Gon traveled to the other world, reaching to the good Oshu’gon. But he felt his heart go raw. He knew he could not go there. ‘When I am ready to speak to you again, Father, I shall return. I am not yet done redeeming myself. I am not yet done learning how to life…beyond the Mountain.’