Chapter 45: Return
After a week, a bond grew between them.
They communicated through a combination of gestures and expressions that seemed to develop between them.
One evening, as they sat around a crackling campfire, Arthur looked at Koko and said, "One day, you might help me destroy this world..."
The chimp tilted its head, unable to understand what he meant.
"This world is plagued with evil ninjas," Arthur continued. "Those who cannot fathom what's real and what's not are but mere... hurdles in my path."
Koko made a soft clicking sound, seemingly sensing the turmoil within him. Reaching out, it plucked a red fruit from the nearby vine and carefully dropped it into Arthur's lap.
Arthur reached out and picked it up.
"Thank you, Koko," he murmured. But he could never give a genuine smile. A simple gesture and the silent understanding between them were more than enough.
He gazed back at the crackling fire to confess, "But there's more... There's a darkness in this world, Koko. A darkness I need to eliminate to break free of my bondage."
Koko let out a low whine, a sound of concern echoing through the night. She then hopped to try and comfort Arthur. He reached out and gently scratched behind her ear.
"You can't understand now, but you will," he softly said.