Goro: Pride of the Shokan

Prologue: A leader is born

I cannot remember when I was born. It is really no importance

of when one is born in the Shokan people. No one cares about when one is born but only for what they will accomplish in their future. Of course I was already expected to lead our people from birth since I was the latest in royal line of Shokan.

My mother Queen Mai carefully named me Goro, which meant "leader" in the

ancient language. The ancient language was rarely used anymore for us in the Shokan race as it

was inefficeint for communicating with others in Outworld and the Emperor of it all. Still, however, we often use the ancient language for matters of great importance and for naming the new-born Shokan's.

We Shokan are a race of super-strong people who are quite bigger than

the usual inhabitant of Outworld and we have four arms rather than two, which seems to be the most common number of arms in the rest of Outworld. Most Outworld citizen's cower in fear at our feet . Our demonic red eyes and towering height seem to intimidate them. It doesn't bother us Shokan though, if one is scared so easily, what dangerous feats can they expect to accomplish in the future? They should not deserve to live.

We Shokan reside deep in the canyon's and wasteland's in the realm of Outworld.

Further into the Shokan lands is where the kingdom of Kuaton lay. The King of Kuaton is Gorbak, my father, who rules over all the Shokan with great leadership. I often admired that trait of his and looked forward to when I would age more so I could I fully entail my duties as Prince of the Shokan.

Untill that day would come , however , I would have to live life as an ordinary Shokan boy.

There arn't many Shokan children since the population of Shokan is more than enough to survive and defend itself, and a new generation isn't really neccessary. Shokan don't have much to do as children. Shokan value strength , and wrestling is a major sport. Fighting and arm wrestling is always welcomed as long as it is done in a sporting matter. Another hobby of the Shokan would be to build. Lifting heavy rocks and building forts and settlements felt like a test of strength to Shokan it was a daily practice to build. I would often create weapons from the clay in the canyons to use in our fighting.

Childhood continued as normal with the same daily routine over and over again

untill what seemed like a week was fifty years and I was celebrating my fiftyith birthday. This day was extremely important. I took the hair on my head and tied it so it went straight up and curved back over the back of my head like all Shokan would. I then selected my finest red cape and tied it around my neck. At 50 I was still young, no where near an adult.

" Your father wants to see you tomorrow, " my mother told me. " Do not even dare venture away from him for what things he could do to you, I would not be able to protect you. Oh and wear your cape. "

I remember her words. They were said last night before sundown.

It was true that if a Shokan mother stepped in for her son than the son would be shunned and would never be accepted for an adult . A coward.

The fact that my mother would talk to me gave me the impression it must be important since

neither my mother nor my father would talk to me very often.

I walked down my stairs from my chamber and walked past the great

Shokan statue. A towering statue that matched the Kuaton palace in height that symbolized the power of the Shokan. I found a note on the stairs.

Goro, meet me in the high cliffs of Kuaton,

- Your Father

I Began trekking over the rocky cliff side. I made sure never to slip on any rocks.

I noticed as got higher up that the air became more thick and cold. I eventually came to a nearly completly flat rock wall. I grabbed onto the rough edges with each hand and each of my legs. With six limbs scalling the wall wasn't a difficult task. My 3rd and 4th hands would succeed and save me from where my 1st and 2nd hands would slip. I took a slight pant as I climbed over the edge, but that moment of rest nearly cost me my life as the weak edge of the cliff began to crumble under my feet. I slipped and fell but was caught by a hand. I looked up to see the stern face of my father. " Goro! " He said as he lifted me over the edge. " You won't be able to hunt if you can't climb, for it is where most of our prey reside, up here high in the mountains. "

Before I could reply father quickly spoke up,

" Goro! look" My father pointed.

On the cliff edge was a long thick reptilian creature

crawling along the ground. My father gestured me to step back out of it's range sight.

Father crouched near a boulder waiting for the prey to come near . His brownish skin blending in with the boulder. The reptilian creature failed to notice him and as he walked by father slammed one hand on it's head and with another hand cracked its neck.

" You see? Now you try" He said while he threw his pray into a nearby bag already half-filled.

I spotted another reptilian creature crawling on the upper ledge.

I put my back flat againts the ledge under him and waited. The creature peaked it's head over the ledge and surveyed the place he was preparing to jump to. It bended his legs and leapt off the ledge, a fatal mistake. I caught the head with one hand and the body with another. Then with a 3rd hand I snapped it's neck. " You will make a fine meal for Goro! " I said proudly.

I looked over at father who placed his hand on my shoulder.

He was proud. I threw the creature into the bag and we continued hunting for hours to come.

As father and I climbed back down the mountain he started a conversation. " Son, " He said as he paused to cough. " You know of the tradition of every Shokan when he turns fifty years of age? "

I wish I did but all I could say was ," No."

" Goro, as a symbolism for trust, loyalty, and the will to battle

if your kind needs you, you must construct a weapon of great craftsmen ship." father sighed. " You see Goro, a great king must alway do what is right for his people. As hard as some choices may be at times, the benefit of your people is what your main focus should always be. That is what makes a great king. The quality of your weapon shall symbolize your devotion and loyality. "

When we arrived at the foot of the mountain he only nodded and I nodded back.

He left to take his place at his throne and I left to construct a new weapon. I arrived somewhere very dark in the canyon. No one was there except a few Shokans my age further away. I struck a rock wall with much force so that a large chunk of rock came crashing down. I took 4 sharp pieces of rock and with even greater force shoved them into the large rock and begain scratching out the shape of what would be my weapon. I took some mud and poured it into the shape I had made. I then returned to my chambers to collect some Shokan rubies from my chest of belongings. I carefully placed a ruby on the lower center part of the place into the mud and did the same for the handle and the other side of the blade. After letting it cool and harden for a while I carried the large rock over my head brought it down to the lake of molten rock. Red hot magma spewed from the cliffside and was perfect for heating my blade. I took a long thin rock and placed it over a stream of lava and I placed my sword onto it. I looked around at the other Shokan weapon creater's as I awaited for my perfect weapon to harden. In what seemed like no time I was holding my large clay sword with one hand, taking sometime to congratulate myself.

" Goro " I looked around to see Morrow, a Shokan my age who

I often associated with. He helped me build many forts when I was younger. Shokans do no usually show sentimental feelings but I think I would call Morrow my friend. " The Shokan feast in honor of your birthday is about to begin! If your weapon is not..."

" Fear not Morrow, for my weapon is complete, " I assured him as I held up my sword.

He nodded and we headed back to the palace.

I pushed open the large wooden door's to see many Shokan seated at the long dining table.

Father glared at me from the far end of the table, first I thought he was angry but his frown quickly became a smile as he gestured for me to take a seat right next to him. " I was beginning to worry Goro ," he whispered.

" So I presume you have something for me? " he questioned as others began to feast.

I proudly handed him the sword that was wrapped in cloth.

He unfolded it slowly examining it carefully as he unwrapped it. At times his face became stern and at other times he would make a small smile. It was a very tense moment. The quality of my sword would decide whether I was devoted and loyal and would effect my royal life for years to come.

As he finally examined the handle, which came last, his stern face made a light laugh. He then stood up.

" This is a great day. " He announced. " It is the fifyth birthday of my son, Prince Goro,

who will do great accomplishments of leadership in his future! " As he said that he raised up my sword and everyone gasped.

" Quite a weapon indeed, " said Baros, my fathers adviser who was sitting next to me.

My mother stared at me and smiled.

Everyone else broke down into chatter and begain to feast.

I was handed a plate of food which turned out to be one of the reptilian

creatures father and I had been hunting earlier. I look at the middle of the table to see that the centerpiece was none other than one of my killings. Shokan wine was passed around in mugs after our food was delievered to us.

I began to scan the seats and see who else was present. Sitting

across from me was 2 of fathers top generals, one had brown spots on his back like most but the other had black stripes on his back and his beard was unusually furry, like a feline . Further down the line were young Shokan females which were all chosen as choices for me to marry when I aged. Others included family and companions including Morrow.

" I am proud of you Goro, " father told me as he placed as hand on my shoulder.

To know that others thought I was fit to rule a kingdom pleased me.

" Speaking of weapons, " The first general said through a mouthful of meat." How are the new daggers coming along Verox? "

" They should be prepared in any time now Karakas " Said Verox.

" Do we know when they will attack? " father asked.

" Not any time soon we hope, " Karakas said as he sipped his wine.

" So we have no clue at all? " father asked.

" No not at all. It could be tomorrow, or it can be 100 years from now. But It is certain thet made it quite clear another attack was inevitable last time. " Karakas assured.

" And what do you think Kintaro? "

The feline Shokan savagely ripped into his reptilian creature with his teeth and eating it before answering. " Kintaro believes we should attack them first, to see their blood would be most satisfying and they expect us to defend."

" That may be the best solution but first we have to fortify our defenses here. " Father replied.

Karakas and Baros agreed.

All this talk about war with sparked my interest. The thought

of leading my people into battle against some enemy that threatened the well-being of the Shokan race was exciting. I slept well that night.