"I must be perfect!"
"Perfect?"
"Perfect…"
He stared at his reflection in the Indigo colored water, seeing a delicate young boy with lifeless grey eyes and a hairstyle that made him appear much younger than his age. He was often faced with the annoyance of being mistaken for a girl due to his appearance. Looking at his filthy Kameez and Shal war, the remnants of his time spent by the riverbank, he couldn't help but feel flawed and inadequate. He found himself in an unexpected position as the first in line for the imperial throne, now crowned as Karma Khan, the prince of Bulgiss. Sitting barefooted, he contemplated his newfound responsibilities while admiring the untamed beauty of the wilderness.
As he gazed at his reflection in the illuminated Indus River, he wondered if disappearing into the indigo-colored water would offer a better fate, shielding him from the pressures of his role.
Attempting to conceal his fear, he uttered, "I am Sera Pasha," realizing how feeble and apprehensive his voice sounded. Memories surfaced of his childhood and the words of his mother, who deemed him a terrible liar. Despite feeling resigned to his potential execution for this misunderstanding, he refused to succumb to defeat. The haunting words of his abusive uncle, who constantly belittled and berated him, echoed in his mind, fueling his determination to defy them.
He tightly grasped the exquisite Ruby necklace as he strolled through the serene landscape of Bulgiss, heading back to the revered temple of Regisaka where he currently resided. Bulgiss, a country characterized by its rugged mountainous terrain, was blessed with abundant natural beauty. The very name Bulgiss meant the land of rocks, a testament to the country's wealth of natural resources, rare minerals, and an array of mystical creatures with rock-like abilities. Deep in contemplation, he reached the temple, greeted by a temple maid of undistinguished rank.
"Your majesty!" a common maid reverently addressed him, bowing down. Bewildered by this unexpected form of address, he found himself immersed in the melancholy atmosphere that prevailed within the monastery. The pervading sense of sorrow extinguished the smile he had forced upon his face. As he stepped into the Golden Temple, his intention to seek solace in prayer was met with an unanticipated sight. The temple was crowded with people, their tear-streaked faces illuminated by the glow of the television. Embraced by grief, expressions of disbelief and sorrow manifested across the assembled crowd. "Your majesty! You must journey immediately to the Capital," urged a man, his form bowing in respect.
"No!" Karma's reply echoed, filled with nerves and an underlying fierceness, surprising and captivating the attention of all present.
His heart pounding in his chest, he raced out of the ancient temple, the echo of the man's unfinished words ringing in his ears. His urgency propelled him past the startled maid and out into the open air. The sight of grown men weeping within the revered walls of the temple mystified him. What could have caused such distress among the disciples?
As he fled, a gnawing feeling of unease gripped him, and he was overtaken by a sense of inevitability. As he sprinted barefoot across the grassland, the lush summer heat of the Himalayas enveloped him. The Indus River beckoned a hub of life and vitality for the creatures that gathered at its shores. Ignoring the sharp pain of splinters piercing his feet, he pushed on, his clothes clinging to his sweaty body. Collapsing in exhaustion at the river's edge, he grappled with the weight of his destiny. He knew he wasn't prepared to ascend to the throne, yet the absence of viable alternatives loomed over him like a dark cloud. "I cannot bear the burden of kingship. I am not Sera Pasha, nor his reincarnation," he murmured, his thoughts swirling with doubt and fear. The recent power struggle for the throne had thrust him into a position he never anticipated at his young age. As he considered the limited options, the realization of his inevitable fate settled heavily upon him. His ¨cousin¨ was too young, leaving him as the only viable successor to the throne.
Karma pondered that if only he could embody the confidence and charisma of Sera Pasha, his life would have been a lot simpler. Sera seemed to effortlessly know what to do in any situation, while Karma struggled to even speak coherently in public. He had always been the shy, reserved, and diligent student at school, a far cry from the bold and assertive Sera. While Karma viewed himself as a mere failure unfit to lead, he saw Sera as a figure worthy of regal status. Easily distracted, Karma found himself lost in watching ants marching in rows. Playfully, he directed them to form three lines, observing how some ants were larger and seemed to lead while others mindlessly followed. Lost in his observation, time slipped away. Suddenly, a loud growl shattered his reverie, startling the birds into flight. Though he wanted to flee, the temple was too far with his injured feet. He hoped the growl belonged to a Bengal Tiger rather than wolves, coyotes, or black bears, as the wolves usually stayed atop the mountains deep into their terrotory and rarely posed a threat. Karma feared all animals, except for Bengali tigers, which had once saved his life when he was just a child. The people of Bulgiss believed in reincarnation, and many assumed that Karma was a reincarnation, given some of his experiences. As the mysterious sound drew closer, Karma was faced with a magnificent sight - a colossal tiger ablaze with fire. Bengal tigers had developed fire magic, using it to stay warm as the flames wrapped around their bodies. This extraordinary sight left Karma in awe as the tiger sat down before him, bowing its head as if in prayer.
Karma gazed at Asahi, the Bengal tiger he had successfully tamed. The tiger had smelled Karma´s blood and came to his rescue. A faint smile crossed his face, marking a moment of unexpected contentment. He climbed on top of the tiger in a swift motion. As they journeyed through the lush, sun-drenched mountains with remnants of snow adorning the peaks, Karma felt a pang of sorrow. "My summer is ruined," he murmured quietly, his grip tightening on the tiger's neck as they approached a hilly slope leading to a mysterious cave. Near the cave, Karma noticed a small group of blind cubs, stumbling and colliding into each other, unaware of their surroundings. His amazement grew as he picked up one of the newborns, only to find that its fur ignited into flames when agitated. Karma with his quick thinking placed a fire resistance spell on him. Despite this, the cub embraced him, remaining calm until its mother appeared, growling at Karma as she retrieved her offspring. Undeterred, Karma continued deeper into the mountains with the majestic tiger by his side. As he envisioned his future, a sense of power and wealth washed over him. He pictured himself as a formidable and influential figure, admired and respected by nobles who would bow before him. A sly grin crept across his face at the thought of commanding his disdainful uncle to lower his head in submission, reveling in the prospect of surpassing him in both rank and
Power.
"That would be a breathtaking sight," he chuckled, momentarily forgetting about his aching feet. He was fully aware that the military or the special forces would soon be on his trail. That's why he had chosen to journey to a remote and secluded space. His destination was Regisaka, the guardian of the mountains. As he climbed higher and higher up the mountain, the air became thin and each breath became harder to draw. The tiger's agility surpassed that of the rugged mountain terrain. Karma marveled at how the tiger effortlessly navigated the landscape, seemingly unaffected by the weight or the biting cold. It was said that these creatures, often referred to as the Mountain Kings, were the favored beasts of Regisaka. "Only a thousand feet left until we reach the peak," he announced as he leaped off the tiger, which continued its rapid advance. The majestic beast halted and turned back to look at Karma, who gestured for it to return. "We have arrived, Asahi," Karma declared, extending his arms outward. The gusts of wind whipped at his clothes and hair, as if urging him to turn back. He had discovered the incantation to access his god's realm in the clutches of a skeleton dating back thousands of years. It was a grave taboo to disturb the remains of ancient warriors, but the curious teen paid little heed. All he sought was to live as a humble monk in pursuit of enlightenment after the coronation. This was his only means of evading the pursuing army, and his god was known for his benevolence. Beneath the mightiest mountain on earth, known as Balakit, he was to meet his god.
"When mountains rise,"
"Forests flourish with vitality,"
"The bestower and sustainer of all life,"
"When mountains rise,"
"Forests flourish with vitality,"
"The embodiment of Earth,"
"Reveal to us your compassion,"
"Reveal to me your kingdom."