Ghost Monkey, стр. 40
Finish him. Then devour him.
Sugriva held one sword at his side. The other, dripping with black blood, rested on his shoulder. "Not we. You. Your brothers are dead."
The mask howled. The demon grew several times and charged. Sugriva parried bites, then dodged out of the way of flesh spikes. Bones extruded to the outside of the muscle and were flung at Sugriva. They caught another warrior who was not paying attention. The warrior stared in shock. Realization swept over the other soldiers: they were not ready for demons.
Finally the demon gave an opening, overextending. Sugriva ducked under, thrust both swords up, and ran along the length of its body. The demon collapsed, bleeding out. It's muscle withered quickly and turned gray.
Eat it! Don't let it go to waste! They wouldn't understand, but we do.
Sugriva dropped to the ground. The voice nagged, but the rage didn't consume him. He laughed. "You have no power, demon."
It was time to return home and do something stupid.
"GET THEM TO THE INFIRMARY," Sugriva said, as he darted toward Divyan's home. The warriors shouted something, likely in the vein of negligence of duty, but it didn't matter. What Sugriva was about to do would make it inconsequential.
The wedding was over, as it was nearing evening of the next day. The sun was setting, and there were a few guests going in and out, likely close friends. He hung from a tree and watched as Prisha wore her wedding gown, a beautiful red sari with gold lacing. Her husband was definitely an imposing figure, a terrifying hawk janaav who could likely swoop in and kill the monkey in a stroke. It didn't matter. His heart was shattered, the city was safe from the demon, someone else could take on the mantle of protector. Sugriva was going to follow in his parents' footsteps.
"General Ajit," Sugriva called. "I've fought demons. I've spilled their blood in the wild. I killed Fangs when no one helped me. I just slaughtered another demon. What have you done? Who have you killed that you are deserving of Prisha's hand? You come in because of your station, because of your birth, and that gives you rights to her? Then the Ashtadash curse all hawk women with boys who are too afraid to fight."
Divyan rushed out of his home and hollered, "What is the meaning of this? You killed the demon, then came here to spread chaos? Did it bite you? Or are you a fool? You are a dog who bites his master's hand and snarls at his family. Shut your mouth, monkey. I strip you of any ranking or purpose. You are an outcaste and exiled under Prince Anka’s authority." Tears streamed down Divyan's cheeks as he delivered the edict.
Prisha's eyes were wide. If he said they slept together there was only one recourse, and she would lose it all, too. But that was the plan. He could save her from her foolishness by speaking out in the moment. She would have no choice but to cling to him in the wild, relying on him for survival.
Destroy her.
Yet her eyes begged, please don't.
Ajit glared, ready to shift and attack—ready to rip Sugriva to shreds.
"Jaya has given me nothing but pain. It has given my family nothing but pain. It mocks me for my inability to turn into a janaav, though I've slain more Fang or demon than any other. When is the last time Jaya fought demons? More are coming. You are not ready. You cling to decrepit traditions. They will be ripped asunder by a war you can’t understand, and this kingdom will burn while you celebrate your small victory over me."
Chapter FifteenA Prophet and Monkey
Age of Finality
"Those are strict rules. I know a few things about strict rules." Dameneh smirked. "I was supposed to hold to certain tenants. Abstinence was one of them, and I just couldn't."
Saha sat next to Dameneh, joining them halfway through the story. She squeezed his hand and rested her head on his shoulder.
Dameneh asked, "Are the demons really that terrifying?"
Sugriva looked down at the ground and nodded. "Isn't even the worst of them. I'll tell that story if we don't all end up executed."
"Executed?" Dameneh laughed and shrugged. "I don't think the One is done with me yet."
"You upset their power. Either way, if they don't take your head, they're going to take mine eventually." Since returning to Jaya it felt like his entire life was extended through luck. The luck would run out some day, and he would end up dead.
"I didn't find you on accident. The One has great plans for you." Dameneh stood up and went to Sugriva. The monkey knelt, and Dameneh kissed his forehead. "My people will wonder if you killed me and my wife. We should walk the streets."
"I should return to my people. Being here upsets everyone."
"So what? Let them gossip like old women. We won't be their biggest concern much longer, and you and I will both be needed for that." The little man smiled up at Sugriva, eyes filled with wisdom beyond what Sugriva could understand.
Qas signed in the corner.
Dameneh replied, "Don't worry. He will be a fine bodyguard. The One favors him." She signed again and Dameneh just laughed and walked out, Sugriva in tow. Qas, Sapheen, and Saha followed.
"What are you trying to do?" Sugriva asked. "You run around spouting your religion, and one day it will get you killed."
Dameneh shrugged. The walk brought many people out, some of them sick or injured. Dameneh touched them and uttered a blessing, and the sick and injured were healed.