The heat. It was hotter than he imagined it would be and at the same time he did not account for the smoke that was oozing out either. It was a thick black-grey smoke that was still viable to see through, but he felt the need to constantly scratch his eyes because it had started to cloud his vision. No time for that, it was now or never. Maimut already did it, first swing of the day. He almost lost his grip when he swung because of his heavy weight but somehow, he managed to come across. Chim could not believe it. He knew that after him it would be Zoi’s turn. Maybe she was right? The doubts about his choice to become a Guardian was stronger than ever. He had somehow let his emotional reactions to words overpower his trust he had in himself.

”... come on Chim! Take the swing and go! Think about my father!” Marcus shouts at him whilst trying to give him some confidence.

This is supposed to be the easy part. Fighting Maimut will be the real challenge.

He took a step back and put all his weight on his tiny left leg and then started to run on the big branch with both his feet and arms, howling towards the blistering heat that radiated from the hole and before he knew it, he had grabbed the liana and was over on the other side.

”That was not so bad. All that worrying I did was for nothing. How is that even a challenge?” He thought. Then suddenly, he smelled some burning hair. It was his furry tail that got roasted while dangling from the rope because he had forgotten to lift his tail close to his body amid all the worrying. The others started to giggle. Even Zoi looked at him as she was preparing.

Zoi was a little smaller in statue compared to Chim. Since he was a chimpanzee and not a bonobo it was to be expected but compared to the other males, she was almost the same size except for Maimut of course.

She started the run towards the liana with both her arms and legs hitting the big branch, the same way as Chim had done. She took a hold of the rope with her right arm and swung over with ease. She felt that it was so easy that she did not let go when she was over the hole and on the side where Maimut and Chim were standing. She wanted to show-off her courage and therefor let the liana swing her back and forth before jumping down on the ground and beating her small chest and letting out a small roar towards them both.

The other challengers were impressed. The Leaders started to look at one and other with hopefulness that today may be the day that they finally get to see a female Guardian.

”Since we have a favorite amongst us, in today’s one on one combat, both our challengers will face Maimut first and if none can defeat him, well, then we have a winner and the faith of Chim and Zoi will be in the tribes hand. But If anyone of you can defeat Maimut then YOU will be joining The Guardians and their leader Zahn!”

“Chim, you will start by facing Maimut. Usually it’s ladies first but not today.” Elen had decided. She wanted to see what he was made of. How much had her husband’s words affected him?

Chim and Maimut were now ready. They were standing on this huge branch. It was so massive in size that it looked as if multiple trees had combined into one.

”BRING IT ON CHIM!” I WILL SHOW YOU WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE!” The voice of Maimut penetrated through the air and went straight into Chims ears. He started to think about the advice the Marcus had given him.

”Let him get tired and maybe take a punch or two, preferably not to the head”

“ I need to have quick feet to be able to dodge his attacks then, thank you M”

“BAAM!”

Out of the night blue, a big hit had landed which followed by a shrieking from Chim.

Chim got a punch to his ribs. The thoughts of how to win against Maimut had made him forget the fight for a split second. The hit was so powerful that he felt that something cracked. Chim could not find any air to fill his lungs with, and he took to the ground. He had begun to shiver slightly. Maimut on the other hand was glowing with confidence.

”YOU WILL NEVER BECOME A GUARDIAN! IS ONE PUNCH ALL YOU CAN TAKE?” Maimut closed his fist again and threw another swing at Chim who was still lying down. He wanted to finish this fight as fast as he could.

Chim saw the swing coming at him but this time he was more prepared. He managed to roll around on his left side and barely escape the fist of fury that came towards him like a comet plummeting down from the sky. The impact was so hard that it left a small hole in the branch.

“I think you were wrong Marcus. I might not survive more than two hits from this giant. I need to dodge all his attacks to be able to win this fight”

Chim was now standing on his back legs. His left hand was placed on his right rib cage and his right hand was pointing at Maimut.

”I am not finished! You haven’t even tasted the might of my blows!” He shouts at Maimut and rushes towards him. The pain was excruciating but this was his moment. He sees a liana dangling in the corner of his eye and in one motion he grabs it. Chim starts climbing the liana higher and higher. Maimut looked up and thought that he might run away.

“Are you afraid little one? Ha-ha” Maimut was now taunting him.

“Where is this mighty blow that you were talking about?”

Chim had climbed so high that he was now above Maimut’s head and at exactly the right moment he let go of the liana and came crashing down towards him.

The landing could have been smoother, but he had successfully landed right on top of Maimut’s big head and started to show him what he was made of. The whole Tribe went wild. They did not consider Chim to have a genuine chance against Maimut, but this turned out to be quite the show. The fact that he managed to get the liana and swing was a brilliant move from Chims part. They all knew that fighting Maimut head on would never work and this showed that little Chim was a cleaver boy that could think of his arms and feet, after all.

Maimut looked perplexed by this surprise move. He had seen him climbing the liana, but he never believed that Chim had the guts to let go from there and continue this fight. Maimut’s muscular size meant that he had a hard time reaching behind his head and his backside and this was exactly where Chim had grabbed him. Chim had his legs pressing against Maimut’s back. He was grabbing Maimut by his neck fur with his left hand and punching him on his head with his right. Chim felt that he had more power in his right hand and therefor it was more natural for him to punch with his strongest arm. The pain from the rib shot was now gone, as if it never happened and a darkness had filled Chims eyes. They were darker than the night itself. Maimut tried to spin around to get Chim of his back and this is when Marcus noticed his black eyes. Marcus had never seen so much anger from Chim before, and he had known him all his life. He had gentle eyes that emitted kindness and trust but now they screamed of despair.

“Maybe it had to do with the war he experienced as a baby ape when his tribe was attacked. He had undeniably been caught up in some terrible incidents and perhaps there was something inside of him that had been lying dormant for some time that finally came to light.” Marcus believed.

That glimpse of darkness that had given Chim the hopes of defeating Maimut, was also the same darkness that had consumed his wits and quick thinking. He had dropped to far down on Maimut’s back and suddenly Maimut’s hand felt something hairy. It was Chim’s tail.

Both their eyes were shining for a brief second, but for opposite reasons. Maimut knew that his was his chance to turn the fight around while Chim’s eyes turned from hoped to anguish. Was his opportunity over? Was that short moment of beating all the time he got?

Maimut grabbed his tail and pulled with all his strength in an effort to throw Chim to the ground.

He pulled so hard that Chim did not stand a chance. He flew to the ground and in his left hand he was holding a patch of fur that had come straight off from the back of Maimut’s neck.

Maimut grabbed him by the chest and raised him upwards towards the sky with his left hand. Chim was still half knocked out from the throw. He started to prepare his fist of fury. Charging his right hand towards Chim’s face.

”THAT IS ENOUGH!” Zahn intervened.

”We are done here. Maimut is the winner. Put him down.”

He carefully lowers Chim towards the ground. He holds him with both his hands and starts hugging and speaking with him.

”That was amazing. What a fight. I beat for you my new brother, for you have proven that you have a heart of a guardian no matter what path is set out for you today” Maimut says with a tone of respect and proudness towards his fellow challenger.

Inside Zoi’s mind all kinds of thoughts were rushing through her head. She was sad for Chim but still thrilled. Somehow the emotion that there still was a chance for her to become a guardian was stronger than she thought it would be. It had filled her chest and heart with optimism. Chim had done her a favor by tiring Maimut and even hurting him and now was the time to grasp the opportunity that was lying before her.

She took a step forward.

”Impressive Chim. You almost had him. Now let me finish him off for you. Maybe it should have been a two versus one fight from the beginning. Then it would be a fair fight! Don’t our precious Elders and Leaders think so?”

The Leaders were amused by the spirit of this young female warrior.

”Maimut. There is only one ape that stands in your way in order for you to join me and my Guardians. Are you going to let her talk to you in this manner or are you going to finish this quickly?” Zahn knew exactly the right words to say to get the best out of every ape in almost every situation.

He had seen many apes fight before, and he saw great potential in Maimut and therefore wanted him to succeed and bring him to his group. He would be a powerful addition and a shame for Maimut to go and become a Spotter.

Meanwhile Chim was still recovering from the blow he got to his head when he got smashed to the ground. Marcus was now beside him, placing his hand on his head while the other challengers started to come and see if everything was alright with their first contender.