TW: slight gore

~~~~

A new day steadily approaches as the sun wakes. The plums on the mighty trees of the forest are still green with youth, a sure sign of the oncoming spring weather that had already begun to wake the earth from its slumber. Old blossoms await to be replaced by what would soon be the fruits of their tree's labour.

The only threat to the tranquil silence of the clearing is the babbling bubbles of a nearby brook, its water racing down and into the wilderness. The sky grows lighter with the dawn of a new day, not a single cloud in the sky can prevent the beams of light that trickle through and past the leaves of the tall trees.

The morning breeze shakes their branches, a few smaller leaves coming loose before being lost to the wind. They twist and spin, twirling and weaving by one another in their slow descent to the ground. The leaves finally float to a dirt path, a path leading to a small village hidden amongst the trees and flora.

A small village engulfed in ash and blood.

Clouds of dust gather amongst one another in the air like a dry fog, a hot mist that carries the lingering memory of fire. Flames that once ran rampant throughout the village have long since died. The houses and buildings that once stood tall amongst the people who built them laid down, reduced to ashes and soot atop the charred remains of those same corpses.

To the bodhisattva and prince who stand amidst it all, the idea of this place hosting life, the thought of families and children living here happily together is near-impossible. This place was once so vibrant, when was the last time they visited? Two, three days ago? Only mere nights ago, children ran up and down the streets in play. There was joy here, their hearts filled with wonder. What filled their hearts last night?

Moksa shakes his head at the horrid thought. "We were too late." He looks down at the young child only metres away from his feet, most likely no older than six. The rancid scent of burnt flesh and the sight of blistering burns do not distract from the gaping slice through their shoulder blade.

The bodhisattva takes a moment to respond, her gaze never leaving the remains of a house now reduced to cinders and rubble. "Not all was lost, Moksa."

The disciple looks up to his master when he hears her words, turning to follow her line of sight back to the destroyed home. His eyes start to widen, understanding sweeping over him. Before another word can be spoken, he rushes towards the debris in a fit of renewed energy.

Careful to avoid the lifeless vessels that once held the people of this village, Moksa reaches the crumpled mess of a house. As he nears, the faint sniffle his master has no doubt already heard reaches his ears. A survivor.

Removing the charred wooden frames that once held up the home and tossing aside blackened planks, a small presence reveals itself amidst the rubble. A child whimpers, her eyes shut tight at the exposure to light after however many hours she's spent trapped under the remains of this home. The girl is curled up, her head tucked into her lap with one of her arms wrapped tight around herself. She's covered in soot, dried blood stick strands of hair together and stains her ripped clothes. It's a pitiful sight, she doesn't look much older than eight.

The girl hugs her legs close to her chest with her left arm, her right is twisted back too far to do the same. Silent tears stream down her cheeks, her face contorting in pain from the sudden exposure of fresh air– or at least, fresher air– coming into contact with the open gash on her leg. How long has she spent like this? There are cuts and scrapes all over from what Moksa can see, dark bruises are blotched over her form. To think this child has been buried under here for who knows how long...

"Hey, hey... it's okay." With caution, Moksa scoops the girl into his arms. She lets out a painful cry in response, but her response is met with soothing words. "It's alright, child. You're safe now. We've got you." The girl looks up at him as he speaks, only one of her eyes is able to open fully, the other too bruised and swollen.

Careful not to cause her any more pain, Moksa hands the girl to his master, the bodhisattva's arms already outstretched to receive the girl. Her cries fall silent as she looks up at the one now holding her close in her arms. Perhaps she didn't survive, and she really is dead. How else can you explain the being that cradles her being here now. The girl has seen her before, in the temple that was cut down just the previous night. She's seen her statue, heard stories passed down from her father and the elders in her village. They called her the Merciful Guan Yin.

The girl's aching body grows warm, pain subsiding as her second eye opens. Her arm moves back into place, every bruise shifting to return the skin to its original tone. The cuts on her person and gash on her leg close, as though they were never there. Her mind that had felt on fire, constantly on edge, begins to slow. It was as though the arms of her saviour were a soothing blanket wrapped around her. She can feel the bodhisattva's heartbeat, steady and calm.

She eases into the hold of the bodhisattva, the girl's exhausted eyes looking up in wonder at the two who pulled her from the wreckage. Moksa turns to his master. "Shall I scout the area for the ones responsible?"

"Yes, go." Guan Yin nods, her gaze scanning over the carnage one last time to find anyone else, a hopeful attempt to hear any other survivors, to catch a glimpse of a struggling soul beneath the debris of their home. But there is none, the only life left in the village lies in her arms. The fact doesn't stop her from wishing it isn't true. "Report back with what you can find."

"Yes, Master." Moksa turns away, glancing back at the girl one last time before taking off to find any sort of trail that may have been left behind. As he leaves, the bodhisattva's gaze falls once again on the young girl. Her eyes are wide, looking back at her saviour in a stunned silence. A hundred thousand thoughts race through her mind, a chaos too intense for her to comprehend it all.

Mere hours ago, everything was so different. In the place of her neighbours, her friends, her family... stands a person she has only ever seen as a statue. Only now, her hands are not cold and unmoving. They carry warmth and hold her gently. Through the hours buried under ash and smoke, in pain and unrelenting dread, she is now enveloped with a sense of security. She's safe.

The bodhisattva smiles kindly, moving a strand of hair that had fallen over the girl's face and tucking it behind her ear. "I am sorry this happened to you, young one. I can take you to get cleaned up, we can't leave you covered in all this soot."

The girl says nothing, her eyes unwavering, transfixed on the one holding her. Saying anything might ruin it all, shatter whatever dream she's in the midst of. She can't do anything to disrupt this, to drag her back into the reality of last night.

Guan Yin moves, keeping the girl facing her so that she can avoid catching sight of the contorted faces on the ground, the empty shells of those she once knew. If only she could have made it in time, if only she could have stopped it. "You must be exhausted, I will find you a place to rest once we return to my home. It is a beautiful mountain by the Southern Sea." Her voice is soft as she steps away from the village. Her lotus platform awaits them both, and she steps on with the girl in her arms.

"I know you must be frightened, having been trapped in there all alone, but you are safe now. I promise you that." She smiles gently at her, she can't show the poor girl any trace of duress. Lifting the two of them into the air, the bodhisattva begins the flight towards her home. The girl watches her every movement with wide eyes, they seem to take in everything. "I will do all I can to keep you safe."

Together, the two fly to the bodhisattva's home, Potalaka Mountain. After bathing the girl and giving her a place to rest, Guan Yin waits for her disciple to return. By nightfall, Moksa arrives and the two turn to walk through the mountain's bamboo grove.

The bodhisattva walks ahead, her disciple following behind. "Were you able to find anything?"

"I lost their trail after a few hours, I'm not sure where they could have gone." He reports, his mastering frowning at the news.

If only they had been there, if they had come sooner... all those people might still be alive. That girl might still have her father. The demons that raided that village, the sheer number there must have been in order for them to decimate that place in one night, yet they vanish without a trace? Who knows where they could be now, where they came from.

Moksa looks up at his master, sharing her worried frown. "Do you know where you will take her?" He asks as they continue their walk. His question is one the bodhisattva has been pondering, herself. The girl should be taken as far away from her old home as possible, but she has to keep her close. What if something else were to happen and they take too long to get there? They can not allow another tragedy like this to happen again.

"...She could stay here."

"No."

"But, Master–"

"She should live a normal life." Guan Yin stops, looking back at the prince with a cross look. "She deserves that much."

Moksa keeps her gaze, his eyes challenging. "And do you think she ever will?" His question is answered by silence. No matter what Guan Yin may want, what she wishes were true, there was no avoiding it. It always ends the same.

"You did not want this, I understand." He continues as his master looks away. "But she is here now. Where else could you possibly take her? Where else could be safer than here, with us?" The bodhisattva can barely entertain the thought. Why couldn't the girl have a life for herself? She's suffered such a loss in only the past day, how could she interfere any more in her life?

Her silence fills the grove, but Moksa pushes his argument further. "Why don't you look into her future? Maybe then you will know what to do."

"...I only wish for her to be happy." She finally speaks, her eyes rising up to the sky above.

Her disciple follows her gaze. "Then look. If it worries you, see which way her life plays out where she's most happy."

It's silent for a moment, but only that. "Leave me, please. We can discuss this further tomorrow."

"Yes, Master." He turns away, leaving the bodhisattva to her thoughts. On her own, she continues to walk through her bamboo grove. She finds her way to her pond, the fish in it dancing amidst the moonlight.

She is responsible for her now, she has always been responsible. But now, she needs to be more. How could she just leave the child, abandon her for a foreign city? Leaving her in even the most secure of human settlements, it would do little to settle her worries, especially after today.

But after everything, could she really keep her here? The thought of this mountain becoming her home, raising her... is it not cruel? She would be safe, but with the consequence of stripping away any possibility for normalcy.

The bodhisattva watches the fish circling one another in the pond. Perhaps one look would help. To see if she could find the answer to her dilemma there. That child has been through enough as it is, she shouldn't have to go through any more. Not if she can help it.

~~~~

The late morning light filters between leaves that sway in the air. Trees reach up to touch the sun, its light bathing the forest in its warmth. A young woman runs over a dirt path, her eyes trained to the sky in a frantic search. You watch from above as she calls out your name, amused when she finally stops with a huff. The woman sighs, resting her hands on her sides to catch her breath. She had nearly found you before you flew off to your new hiding spot amidst the taller branches.

You see her face scrunch up a bit as she scans the space above her for your presence while another runs up to her. She can barely notice the man's presence until he is next to her. "Mei!"

"Auh–!" The woman jumps, her head whipping back to the man next to her with a scowl. "For goodness sake, Lin! You seriously need to wear a bell or something."

The man chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of his head as he does. "Sorry, I forget how jumpy you are sometimes. Anyway, have you found her yet?" He asks, his eyes almost brimming with held-back excitement. You tilt your head a little, interest piqued. There are a lot of things Lin tends to get excited over, he's a naturally curious person. He's silent but energetic, a dangerous combination. Especially when it came to poor Mei's heart.

"Do you think I would be calling her name into the sky if I had?" The woman rolls her eyes. You met the two sometime after arriving in Guan Yin's home, they live in a village not far from Potalaka Mountain that you often find yourself visiting.

"Wow, sorry." Lin raises his hands up in defence. "I hadn't realised I would catch you in such a bad mood."

"Well, maybe you shouldn't ask stupid questions." She grumbles before turning away from her friend to shout into the sky. "How does she do this every time?!"

If it isn't for the fact that you were currently hiding away in your dove transformation, you would be cackling over her frustration. You learned the transformation during your time as Guan Yin's disciple. Although you took every new skill you learned seriously, it was also fun to use for games like this. "I yelled at three other birds this morning because I thought they were her." Mei groans. You were actually present for two of those, it was hilarious seeing her talk to other avians in the trees like they were you.

Lin hums in thought, joining her in patrolling the treetops above. "Maybe one of them really was her, she was probably laughing at you and you couldn't tell– wait, no!" He quickly shakes his head and looks back to Mei. "I need to know where she is. Just say you give up so she'll come out."

"What? Never!" Mei huffs, shooting the man an offended look at just the thought. "What kind of loser do you take me for? You and Guiying give up so easily, I can find her on my own." She pushes her friend aside to continue searching. Mei has always been the more stubborn one out of you and your other friends. You have never met a soul more determined than hers.

Lin steps in front of her, his eyes wide with urgency. "It's important, Mei!"

"Why?" The woman scoffs, frowning down at the man.

"Because we are going to be late."

The two look back to see none other than your fellow disciple and brother. "Prince Moksa!" Mei gives him a surprised look, one you share with her. What is going on? What does he mean we are going to be late? For what?

Lin elbows his friend, earning him a glare. "I told you it was important."

"And you couldn't mention Moksa is looking for her?" Mei hisses at him, pushing him to roll his eyes as well.

"She's using the sun to hide, by the way. There." Moksa points up to your hiding spot in the trees, perched atop a branch just under where the sun glares down at your friends.

The two of them squint to spot your avian form fly down before transforming to your normal self, Mei narrowing her eyes when you do. "Seriously? That's a dirty move."

"Sorry, Mei." You laugh lightly at her grumblings, but are unable to say much else before Lin grabs you by your shoulders.

"Don't apologise, just go!" He urges, pushing you towards Moksa before you have the time to digest the giddiness in his voice. "You need to hurry back so you can tell us what it's like up there!"

What? "Up where? What are you talking about?" You frown, looking back at your brother for answers.

Moksa pinches the bridge of his nose with a sigh. "I told you, Lin, we haven't said anything yet."

Anything about what? "Brother, what is he talking about?"

Moksa looks back at you, his eyes somewhat conflicted. You raise a brow at his silence, and he grumbles a bit in annoyance. "I am supposed to wait until I get you back home... but Master wants you to go with us today." He confesses, his words taking a moment to sink in.

"I am going with you today?" Your brows furrow. Guan Yin and Moksa are meant to be travelling to the heavens today, the Jade Palace! Your master, she wants you to go with them? Today of all days?! "But today is the festival– You're taking me to the festival?!"

Mei's face lights up, the same as yours before crushing you with a hug. "You're going to the Jade Palace!" She shouts, Lin joining in the hug while Moksa watches in amusement.

"You have to tell me what it's like up there!" His grin stretches from ear to ear, giving you and Mei one final squeeze before letting go.

You quickly nod once the two allow you to breathe again. "I will, I promise." It was not uncommon for you to travel with Guan Yin and Moksa, you would always fill Lin and Mei in on what would happen during your travels. But this, going to the Jade Palace? You never go up there, this is beyond amazing!

Moksa clears his throat. "We should hurry, I know you do not like to keep Master waiting."

"Of course!" You light up, turning back to your friends one last time. "Goodbye, I promise to tell you everything once I get back! Tell Guiying where I went, okay? I was supposed to help her go through some papers."

"Lin can do that."

"What?!"

You leave the two to bicker as you transform back into your dove form to perch on Moksa's shoulder. Together, the two of you fly back up to Potalaka Mountain. Excitement cannot describe the joy coursing through your veins at this moment. Being invited to the Jade Palace, and today of all days?! Does this mean what you think it means? Never before has your master taken you to the Heavenly Realm, and today she chooses for you to accompany her on a day of celebration! It isn't just any celebration either. This festival is special.

The Immortal Peach Festival.

Moksa and Guan Yin have gone before, centuries before you were even born. Your brother has told you before how everyone in attendance there partake in the stone fruit. Everyone shared the peaches of immortality. If that is true, does that mean Guan Yin wants you to have one? To eat one of the immortal peaches, to become immortal yourself?

By the time you return home and navigate through the bamboo grove, you find your way home to Guan Yin's temple. You return to your human self when Moksa gets to the hall your own room is, and he wastes no time in pushing you in. "Go put on something nice and hurry up! We don't want to be late."

You slap your brother's hands off of you with a scowl. "You should have told me we were leaving earlier!"

"Sorry, I didn't think I would have to find you hiding in the woods!" He shoots back with an annoying smile, crossing his arms as he does. "To think I actually brought your favourite breakfast to your room to give you the news."

"You did? Where is it?" You look around, but there is nothing aside from your bed and other furniture.

"I ate it." He shrugs, and you quickly deflate. You shoot him a deadpan look, but it only makes him laugh. "What? You weren't here to stop me."

The prince has to act quickly when you swat at him "You pig-headed– gah!" He lets out another bark of laughter while you roll your eyes. "Just get out of here so I can get dressed."

"Try not to take too long, Sister." He snickers before leaving you to get ready.

Moksa can be so annoying at times. Luckily, not even his irritating self can sully your day after the news he's just shared. Jumping to get ready, you start to go through trunks of clothing, something that would be appropriate for the event. Maybe your shenyi? How should you dress? Should your clothing be, what, peach-themed?

It isn't long before you're dressed in a light pink skirt, your matching top wraps around your person and is held in place by the dark green sash tied at your waist. The top is embroidered with twisting vines and leaves with detailed blossoms. This should be good enough, right? No, you should not take more time to think about it, you've made yourself late enough as it is!

You move to your table and mirror to look up at your hair with a sense of dread, loose strands from your ponytail falling over your face. What should you do with your hair?! What do you have time to do? Actually, no, you cannot waste anymore time. Maybe just a bun will be fine. It isn't as though anyone will be looking at you anyway, all the people going to this festival are likely of high importance. You can just talk with Moksa the whole time and keep to yourself. But this is such a grand event, you need to put more effort in!

You begin tying your hair up when a knock at the door makes you swivel your head to the sound. "Just a few more minutes!"

The door opens, and you subconsciously stand a little straighter. "I thought you might like some help." Your master smiles to you, the bodhisattva Guan Yin stepping into your room.

"Master! Do not worry, I am almost ready to leave." You do your best to reassure her, looking around your table for something to add to your hair. Maybe an ornament or something. "I just need to find an–"

"You look so wound up like this." Guan Yin laughs softly, approaching from behind. "Here, allow me." She reaches for a comb on your table. The comb is decorated with jade leaves, the centre holding a peach blossom. Of course, how did you miss that one?

Undoing your hair, she begins to comb through it. You relax a bit as she begins brushing through your hair, smiling slightly to yourself as she does. To think you are about to visit the heavenly palace! Guan Yin wants you to be there with her and Moksa! Why she decided for today of all days eludes you, but it is all that encompasses your mind.

Your master hums as she brushes through your hair. It is already detangled for the most part, save for a small spot you missed in the back. "I am sorry I kept this from you, Squab, I wanted to surprise you."

"I am honoured to accompany you regardless, Master." You smile, doing your best to reign in your excitement when speaking to the bodhisattva.

"And I am honoured to have you with me." She replies, carefully separating the top half of your hair to put up while letting the rest flow down.

A question itching at the back of your mind, you look at your master through the mirror. "If I may ask... is there a reason that I have been chosen to go with you and Moksa for the festival?"

Guan Yin looks back at you through the mirror, her gaze watchful. "What makes you think there needs to be a reason?"

You frown a bit at the question. "Whenever you leave for the Jade Palace, you only take Moksa with you. If not him, then you go on your own." You explain your thinking, your gaze wandering to your table of ornaments and pendants. "I am beyond joyous to accompany you both, I just, I thought there may be a reason behind your decision."

"You have always been perceptive." The bodhisattva chuckles. "Do you remember when I first asked you to become my disciple?" She asks, and you look back at her through the mirror.

"It is a day I will never forget." You perk up, your smile growing at the question. "You said that you saw what I will become, that I could help you heal others and aid them the way you helped me if it was what I wanted."

Guan Yin nods, her eyes focusing on your hair as she relives the memory. "Indeed. I saw a splendid future for you, my Squab, and I promised to do what I could to see you reach that." Setting the comb down, she takes your hair and begins to wrap the top half into a bun. "There is a man you meet, a monk of high importance. In my vision, you lead him to Thunderclap Monastery with the help of his disciples."

You blink in surprise. "Wait, Thunderclap Monastery?" The home of the Buddha? You go to the west mountains to the home of the Buddha?!

"That monk is to deliver the Tripitaka Scriptures written by the Buddha to his own home in the east. For this service, every one of you will be rewarded." She explains. "It is possible you may receive Buddhahood by the end of this pilgrimage."

You look back at her in shock, unsure of what to say. Guan Yin, she wants you to... this is what she saw for you? You can hardly think of a greater honour than that!

"The caveat," She continues, placing the comb over your bun and keeping it in place, "is that this monk has not yet been born."

Oh, so it is going to be some time before it begins, then. "How long will it be before he is born?"

"Over five hundred years." Oh. You go a little bug-eyed at that. Five hundred years? You won't even live that– yeah, this is all making sense now. "That is why you are to join Moksa and I. By eating one of the peaches of immortality, I can see to it that you will see the journey through."

"Of course, thank you, Master." You can't help but smile at the news. Guan Yin has seen you take this monk to the Buddha, what an incredible service! To think, you may receive Buddhahood!

Once Guan Yin is finished touching up your hair and making sure the comb is in place, she steps away. "There. Now, I believe we have kept Moksa waiting long enough. Are we ready to depart?"

"Yes, Master." You nod before following the bodhisattva out of your room. Together you leave the temple, Moksa already waiting for you outside. Taking dove form and perching on Guan Yin's shoulder, you take off towards the heavens.

It's funny, you imagined the flight to the Heavenly Realm would take longer, that it would be farther. Strangely enough, it doesn't take all that long to get there. Maybe it is because of the company you are in, a bodhisattva and a prince. Whatever the reason, your arrival leaves you speechless.

For a... number of reasons.

The Celestial Realm is more beautiful than you could have possibly comprehended it to be. Arriving at the southern gates, you are greeted by grand pillars of jade, its tiles a deep green that almost glows in a way you've never seen the mineral act before, as though it is alive. A thin mist covers the cloud-like ground, shimmering as you take your human form and land next to your brother. You look up to the sky in awe, the stars shining brighter than you've ever seen them. There are waves of colour in the sky, fluorescent green and purples and pink swirling among one another.

It's more gorgeous than you ever thought it could be, but something is wrong. Men in golden armour march past you and out of the gate, all of them carrying scimitars and bows, spears and swords. Officers bark orders at one another, you see some walking through the masses of soldiers with phoenixes on their soldiers. You share a confused look with Moksa, your brother looking as confused as you feel. What is going on?

The three of you cross a golden bridge on your way into the palace, your baffled amazement only increasing as you move forward. You glance down at the water beneath the bridge, and you fail to tell whether it merely reflected the sky or whether the water is made of starlight itself. Inside the palace is even more breath-taking, the floor is the purest of whites, with more jade pillars enwrapped in golden dragons. The walls are filled with pieces of art, paintings and sculptures that fill the room.

However, as beautiful as it is, the inside of the palace is just as chaotic as outside, if not that, then more. Servants run to and fro, officials gathering to share hushed whispers with one another. Guan Yin watches over the panic with a worried frown. "Why don't the two of you take a walk to the gardens? I will speak with the Jade Emperor to ask what is going on."

"Yes, Master." You and Moksa answer in unison, your brother turning to you to nod towards one corridor. "Come, Sister, I promise you have never seen anything like what they keep here." He smiles, and despite the sense of unease growing in your stomach, you smile back.

Following the prince, you find the palace gardens. You have to give Moksa credit, he was right about the flora they kept here. It is unlike anything you have seen before, strange flowers and plants that are almost other-worldly. Despite their beauty, you cannot help but feel on edge over the bizarre greeting at the gate. Why were there so many soldiers? Is there some war you are unaware of? An enemy threatening the heavens? The question of what is going on might just eat you alive, you hope Guan Yin will call on you soon once she finds the answer.

While the two of you walk through the gardens, an arched gate catches your eye. Separated from the rest of the garden are rows of trees, an orchard. You can only see their trunks from where you stand, but it's enough to pique your interest. The walls surrounding the trees are too high for you to see their branches, but that doesn't stop you from guessing what fruit they may hold.

Moksa seems to notice where your mind lies when he nudges your shoulder. "Do you want to take a look?" He asks when you glance back at him.

You turn to face him, your gaze flicking between your brother and the gate. "Are we allowed?"

"Master said we could go to the gardens." He shrugs, stepping past you and towards the walls hiding the trees. "The peach orchard should fall under that umbrella, right?"

So your assumption was right. "You mean, the peaches are in there?" You do your best to hide how your eyes brighten at the revelation. The peaches you will be eating are just beyond those walls? Your offer of immortality, it's right there.

"Why don't we take a look?" Moksa suggests, not waiting for you to follow before moving towards the gate.

You catch up to him quickly, your mind racing with a million questions and thoughts. What do these immortal peaches look like? Maybe they have a glow– no, maybe a shimmer to them. Do they smell different from earthy peaches? Do they taste heavenly? Is it even possible for a peach of immortality to taste bad? Are they small, or bigger than the ones you've had at home? To think that perhaps, in a few short hours, you will be enjoying their sweet juices with your master, with your brother... what a perfect moment that will be.

Sticking close to the wall, Moksa pokes his head out first to look through the gate. You follow his lead, sticking out your own head just under him before frowning. "Brother, did they already harvest the peaches for the festival?"

Your question is met with silence. "...Brother?"

"They never take them all." He mumbles to himself. When you look up to him, you see his brows furrow. But then, what else could the two of you be looking at now? The trees, while plentiful in leaves, are bare in fruit. There is not a single stone fruit you can see amidst the branches. The barrels beneath the trees are empty, there isn't even a single blossom on the ground.

Where are all the peaches?

By the time Guan Yin calls for you, the unease in your stomach has grown to anxiety. She meets you and your brother in a private room, the three of you sitting at a table in the centre of the room. The bodhisattva sighs, her expression perturbed.

"I have been informed of the situation." She starts, looking between you and your fellow disciple. "From what I have been made aware of, there seems to be a demon that has disrupted the events of the festival. A monkey demon by the name of Sun Wukong."

Sun Wukong? You frown, unfamiliar with the name. However, Moksa's brows shoot up in surprise. "The Monkey King? I have heard of him. He is the same one who threatened the Dragon Kings into giving him weapons and his armour." He recalls, and you can't help the look of shock that crosses your face.

"What?" Who could threaten all of the Dragon Kings like that? All of them?

Moksa scoffs as he continues. "He has already caused a ruckus with the ten kings of the underworld– he even picked a fight with the Jade Emperor to give himself some arrogant title, 'Great Sage, Equal to Heaven'. I thought they had taken care of him already." Equal to Heaven? Moksa is right, he does sound arrogant. Some tend to think so high of themselves, you guess.

"Apparently, not." Guan Yin sighs. "The Jade Emperor's army is already on their way to apprehend him as we speak but they are struggling to do so. Moksa, I would like for you to go with them. Tell me if you can find out any more."

"Yes, Master." Moksa nods, getting up quickly before leaving to follow the heavenly army to this disrupter.

You watch him leave with a worried frown. What could this Sun Wukong have done that calls for this much force from the Jade Emperor's army? Why has he even decided to disrupt the events of the festival? What did he do?

"Squab, I am sorry." You turn back to face your master as she speaks, her expression making the worry in your stomach grow. She seems conflicted, but why? Why is she apologising? "I am afraid we will have to find another way to lengthen your life for the journey."

Her words sink into your heart, weighing you down with a sense of dread. Another way? Why do you need another way? "What happened?"

"Sun Wukong. He has eaten all the immortal peaches."

~~~~

That's one way to make an impression 👍

I've had a lot of fun writing this, so I hope it can be enjoyed on here! I'll post chapters to AO3 first, but sneak peeks for future chapters are posted on my tumblr , @googleitlol!