This took longer than I wanted it to, sorry about the late upload! I'm in the middle of packing rn, both for uni and also just everything (my family is gonna be moving houses while I'm across the country I guess??)

Don't expect another upload for a few weeks since I'm gonna be settling into my new apartment and getting ready for this next semester. I should be good in about 2 weeks? Anyways, enjoy the new chapter!

~~~~

You hum to yourself, taking in the decor of the monastery that has so kindly taken you in for the night. After several weeks in the wilderness, spending a night in a place with such civilised and well-mannered individuals feels like a welcome change of pace. The Tang Monk continues to be a good source of company– that is– when he isn't being terrified by the occasional demons you pass that try to attack. However, Monkey King continues to be difficult. You wouldn't expect anything less from him anyway.

The newest addition to your pilgrimage, Ao Lie, has become more of a silent companion. He seems to prefer staying in his equestrian form over his dragon one. Whether it is because of what he mentioned about his clumsiness or because he prefers to avoid getting between your disputes with Sun Wukong like his master often does, you're still unsure of.

The dragon-horse is now being taken care of by some of the attendants that serve in the monastery while the eldest of the monks make conversation with Tripitaka. As old as the elder appears, it was still a shock to everyone, Sun Wukong included, that he has walked the earth for well over 200 years. Despite his age, the old monk's smile is still as lively as the youngest one in the monastery. "So you have already travelled ten thousand miles in your pursuit to deliver these scriptures?" The man questions as he and the Tang Monk walk side by side.

"Yes, I am accompanied by my two disciples and a disciple of the bodhisattva you worship in this monastery." The young monk answers, smiling to you as you nod in acknowledgement. It was a pleasant surprise to find the main hall of the building was named after Guan Yin.

The monk's small smile to you also helps to keep your mind from wandering over to the many eyes that follow your group as you walk. It isn't uncommon for you and your travelling companions to receive strange looks in more populated places or buildings, that tends to happen when you walk by casually with a monkey demon. Still, you would usually stick to the monk's shoulder in avian form under those circumstances. It feels better to hide away from prying eyes as an inconspicuous dove, but if you did that now, there'd be no guarantee they'd give a whole room and bed to a bird. Nonetheless, all those stares tend to make you uncomfortable.

The older man shakes his head lightly to the Tang Monk. "Well then, I am sure you would all like a moment to rest. I will call for tea to be served, then you can be shown to your rooms where you may rest for the night."

Thanking the man, you all move to a room where your group can sit and drink together. You find it amusing how much joy the monk shows when everyone is given their cups, their edges lined in gold. Whatever tea they serve the three of you only adds to his wonder, the brew colourful and fragrant as a flower.

While the two monks continue their conversation, you catch the eye of another approaching cautiously. The watchful eyes of those from the halls are now gathered by the doorway you all entered from, whispering excitedly amongst each other as they watch their fellow monk grow closer to your group. Maybe they want to talk with the Tang Monk? You're sure it must be exciting to hear that the one chosen to collect the Buddha's scriptures is in your very own monastery. Of course they'd want to talk with him.

"Pardon, miss?" You blink, the monk you had noticed approaching now looking at you.

Oh, okay then, you nod at the newcomer with a smile. "Yes?"

The younger monk is quite soft spoken, his voice just above a whisper as he speaks to you. "Is it true what your companion says? Are you a disciple of Guan Yin?" The question takes you off guard for a moment, not expecting it. Looking back at the small group, you see they keep their eyes not just on their fellow monk or Tripitaka, but on you as well, their gaze curious.

This is why you prefer to stay a dove in more crowded places such as this. "Yes, the bodhisattva took me in as her disciple when I was just a young girl." You explain, shifting slightly in your spot as you take another sip of your tea.

Almost immediately, another joins her friend in approaching you. "You mean to say you serve Guan Yin directly?"

"Yes, I–"

"You've met the goddess of mercy? In person?" Another joins them, quickly followed by another.

"Well–"

You can barely get a word out when the rest of the group migrates to your person. "How long have you been her disciple?"

With so many now quickly surrounding you, the words become lost in your throat. You can barely answer one question before another is asked, the group quickly encroaching on your space. You quickly begin to feel flustered as you look to each of them, unable to figure out what to say to who.

And as if it can't get any worse, that stupid monkey just has to butt in. "She was blessed by Guan Yin!"

The group falls silent as Sun Wukong enters the conversation, quickly squeezing through the monks before dragging you to your feet by your arm. "With one touch, her magic will put your mind to rest and vanquish any stress in your mind!" He raises your hand into the air, as if you are some spectacle on display before you're able to snatch it back.

"You blabbering–"

Before you can finish, the first monk steps closer. "Please, could you use your gift on me? These past few days have been stressful, to say the least, and I would appreciate the gesture." He looks at you with eyes as wide as a child's, his gaze pleading.

You pause for just a moment, trying your best to process everything being said before slowly nodding. "A-Alright, give me your hand." You offer a polite smile before taking his hand in your own and using your gift. It only takes a moment, and the monk's eyes flutter close. When he opens them again, his face lifts and his smile grows even brighter.

"Incredible!" He beams, amazed by his newfound peaceful state. His joy makes you smile a bit yourself, but it quickly fades as the other monks jump to join their companion in requests.

Suddenly, the overwhelming crowd from before intensifies, everyone speaking over one another as you struggle in your fluster to pick out one person's question from another. Completely surrounded, you look to Tripitaka and the elder monk for assistance, only to find them walking away with Sun Wukong. "Master, you must show this elder your cassock! It was gifted by Buddha himself, wasn't it?"

"Really? I would like to see that." The old monk hums at that, and the last you see of the three is the Monkey King ushering your last chances of getting out of this mess away. The idiotic ape looks back at you with a devious grin, winking before leaving with the two monks.

Damn that bastard!

~~~~

After what might have been an hour of the constant use of your gift, you're shown to your room for the night. The room is small, but more than enough. A bed lies in the corner against the far wall, just under a window that shows off the vast mountain the monastery resides by. You open the window to let in some of the evening air before lying back on the bed.

You don't have a clue as to where Monkey King dragged the two monks off to, but you imagine they are now in rooms somewhere else in the same hall as yours. Part of you wants to look for them just so you'll know where they are in an emergency, but you honestly feel too tired to go looking around. As much as you want to know where they are, you're sure they'll be fine. If anything, this gives you more space to be on your own for a bit. After getting stuck with all those monks, some distance from everyone will definitely be appreciated.

However, you would still like to share some unkind words with the demon that threw you to the wolves in the first place. You still can't believe he pulled a stunt like that– actually, no, you can believe that. It doesn't make the fact that it happened any less annoying.

You don't have to dwell on that, though. Now is the perfect time to get some rest and push your irritations to the back of your mind. Sleep sounds perfect right about now, even if it is a little early. Exhaustion feels as though it is clawing at you, more so after using your gift so much in such a short amount of time on all those excitable monks. You won't need to toss and turn to fall asleep tonight, that is for certain. You can feel the lids of your eyes growing heavy...

Before a knock at the door leaves you wide awake. You inwardly groan, who could be at your door now? Can't you be left alone for just a little while?? "Uuuggghhh." You groan before getting up to open the door.

When you open it, you find Tripitaka on the other side. The small smile on his face quickly disappears when he sees you, replacing it with a worried frown. "I am sorry, did I wake you?"

"No, I was just lying down." You yawn a bit as you answer. Do you look that bad? "I am just a little tired, using my gift too much can do that to me."

The monk frown turns to confusion. "Who have you been using it on?" He asks, his head tilting to the side a bit in show of his obliviousness to what happened earlier. You fight back a grimace in response to the question.

"I would tell you to ask your disciple, but I wouldn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing his little stunt got to me." You pinch the bridge of your nose before letting out a sigh. "I will be alright, I just need to sleep."

The monk nods in response. "Very well, then. I only thought I would stop by to check on you before retiring to bed myself." He explains, which gets you to smile a little. It's nice that he wanted to check in on you.

"How kind of you." You hum, crossing your arms. "How was your talk with the elder monk?"

The Tang Monk shakes his head with a smile. "He is a very kind man, though I admit he is quite lively for his age."

You nod in agreement. "I don't believe I have met a single human soul over two hundred years old."

"Pilgrim Sun also insisted I show him my cassock from the Buddha, he enjoyed that." Tripitaka sighs, and you refrain from rolling your eyes.

That demon loves showing off as if the whole world needs to know all that he has, even if it's something that's not his own. "Anyone would be thrilled to see something that was a gift from the Buddha.

"Yes, I suppose so." The monk shifts a bit in place, his eyes drifting to the side. "He loved the clothes more than I thought he would, he asked to look at them for the night. In all honesty, I feel a little worried."

You frown a bit at his words. That is a strange request to make, though you doubt the elder holds any malicious intent behind it. "I'm sure there is nothing to be worried about, he seems like a respectable man. I'd calm your nerves for you, but I am already quite spent." You jest, making the monk laugh a bit.

His hand reaches around the back of his neck, his smile apologetic. "Apologies, I should leave you to rest."

You nod and take a step back into your room. "We can meet at breakfast tomorrow, then we can be on our way to the road again."

"Alright, please rest well." He steps back, turning to leave as you wave goodbye.

"You as well." You smile before closing the door. With your visitor gone, you go back to lie down. Your eyes close the second you hit the bed, ready to claim sleep for the night.

A tired sigh leaves you, ready for a restful night, though you can't help the few thoughts that run through your mind as you drift. The crowd of monks from before still leaves you surprised. You thought they would be more interested in speaking with the Tang Monk, but you do suppose he was busy with their elder. Their main hall is also named after your master, it makes some sense that they would be excited.

You can see why they were so persistent with their questions and requests, but it was a bit much for you. It's easy for you to handle groups in moderate amounts, small handfuls of people are fine, but today? Dealing with Ao Lie eating the first horse was less stressful than that crowd.

It irks you how Sun Wukong flaunted your gift around like that, like it was his own. You do your best not to focus on it much, instead letting your mind drift to sleep. Now is the time to rest, and after dealing with the Monkey King for days on end, some deep sleep is exactly the sort of relaxation you need.

Part of you wonders where the mystic monkey is, knowing how he rarely sleeps. You doubt he will be in his room, but as long as he knows to behave, he should be fine. He won't risk upsetting the Tang Monk too much, anyway, so what could he get up to in just one night?

~~~~

This night really is proving to be more entertaining than the Monkey King had hoped.

When his master warned him not to show the old monk his cassock, he thought the man was just being paranoid. Never did he think the old man would be jealous enough to set fire to his own monastery! It's actually hilarious.

After leading the two men away from Dove drowning amidst those others that stayed in the monastery, the elder requested to keep the beautiful cassock in his own room for the night so he could properly admire it. His master was hesitant to agree to such a demand, so Monkey did on his behalf. How was he supposed to know their host had the potential to be an arsonist?

Luckily, Monkey King already has everything taken care of. Not needing sleep like the rest of his party, the sage was already awake to overhear the elder ordering the other monks to set fire to the wing where their group was shown to their rooms. Monkey was quick to make sure his Master and steed stayed safe, borrowing a cloak from a celestial friend to protect them from the fire. And with his master sleeping safe and sound, now he can have some... fun.

If these stupid people are so intent on setting everything ablaze, who is he to stop them? In fact, why not help them?

The Great Sage hovers over the controlled fire set by the monks of the monastery, the bustling sound of feet thumping to and fro to feed it making him smirk. Pressing two of his fingers together, the demon begins to recite under his breath softly, his words cutting through the air swiftly before lifting his head to the fire. Taking a great inhale, Wukong blows out a great wind from his lungs, directly towards the fire. It takes little time before he hears screams, and he tries to stifle his laughter before outright bellowing as the flames spread to the rest of the monastery, growing out of control.

He falls back on his cloud, barking with laughter as monks run out of the building with blood curdling screams. Some of them have to be put out quickly, running wildly with the fire catching their clothes. It's too good! Did not one of them think this plot of theirs could backfire? It will certainly be the last time any of them ever try such a stunt with– Oh, now this is interesting.

One figure runs back in, his companions shouting in protest but he ignores their calls. Does he not see that the monastery is now a lost cause? Is there something he left behind? Why else could he be running back in for?

Curious as to what could spawn such bravery, Sun Wukong follows the young monk back into the monastery, careful to keep back a few paces so as to not reveal himself. It isn't very difficult, the man seems laser-focused on whatever his goal may be.

It's amusing to the King, the way the monk frantically ducks over collapsing wood and bounds over burning debris all while doing his best to cover his face to stop the fog from breaching his lungs. Wukong strolls not too far behind, casually spinning his staff here and there as the man rushes around corners and weaves through the burning building. It's a shame fire can be so harmful to those who aren't immortal. Then again, it's always fun to watch things burn.

The monk begins to slow, seemingly arriving at his destination. It only then makes Wukong realise he had been led to where the fire initially started, the wing his group is staying in. He ran like a madman to get here? But why would he... shit.

Sun Wukong forgot about the woman.

Her sleeping quarters aren't protected by the cloak that is keeping Master safe. The realisation strikes him as the monk approaches her room. Just before he can open it, Wukong jumps into action, revealing himself as he grabs the man by his shoulder so he can turn the monk to face him. Before he can even make a sound, Sun Wukong lifts him by his shirt and holds him in the air with one hand. The young man yelps in surprise before screaming once he realises who the one holding him is. Seeing the monk clearly now, the sage recognises him as the first one who had approached Dove before swarming her with the others.

"Sneaking into the room of a woman this late at night?" Wukong raises an unimpressed brow as the man struggles to pry the demon's hands off his garbs. "And they call me an animal."

The man continues to squirm, clearly distressed. "You monster! Don't you see we are all about to burn?!"

The King laughs. "Oh, I know you will. The woman?" He takes a moment to look back at the door, sucking in a sharp inhale through his teeth while weighing his options in his mind. "I've yet to decide."

The man stops in his feeble attempts at freedom for a moment to cast a look of shock on the demon. "Isn't that your travelling companion?" He frowns, only to receive a mild shrug in response.

"Not by choice."

Seemingly unperturbed by his current predicament, the monk continues to pick at the King's fingers. Wukong almost feels impressed by his persistence. "She did a kindness today, she doesn't deserve to burn!"

Wukong shoots him an offended look. "Seriously? Then why do Master and I deser– you know, actually, I don't care." He mumbles to himself, glancing back at the room again. Why did he have to follow this stupid monk back to her door? If he managed to forget her, he'd have the wonderful gift of her absence in the morning. But if Master finds out he had the opportunity to help and chose not to, he may just recite that stupid spell until his head cracks open.

With a long and exasperating sigh, the sage sets the monk down. "How dare you remind me she was here. Now I have to stop her from burning." His grumbles barely even reach the man before he kicks down the door to her room.

Stepping into the room, he takes a moment to take the sight of her sleeping form in. Smoke fills the air, heat roasting the room with the flames just reaching her door frame, and she's still asleep? She tosses a bit in bed, her fists clenched as she lays on her side, her hands resting by her head. Aside from the occasional mumble and groan, she is still deep into her rest. Wukong hadn't expected her to be such a heavy sleeper.

Crouching down, Monkey King grabs her shoulders to shake her awake. "Hey, wake up." He shakes her a few times, but instead of rousing from her slumber, the woman shoots her hands into his face to push him away. The King steps back and she slumps back into bed, not even the slightest bit more conscious. Even in her sleep, she has to make things difficult for him. "Dove, we have to go."

He reaches out again, but the second his hand touches her shoulder to shake it, she slaps his arm away. With a huff, he extends his hand quickly to slap her before jumping back in preparation for her shock into consciousness. Instead, he just barely misses a leg swinging out to kick him, but she somehow remains asleep! This has to be some kind of joke, right? Even unconscious, she is violent.

"Unbelievable." Sun Wukong groans, his frown deepening. The fire is getting into the room now, and he can't wake her up. When Guan Yin convinced him to help on this stupid journey, he didn't plan on babysitting two incompetent humans. With a roll of his eyes, Wukong takes a different approach, slowly moving to slip his arms under the woman's resting figure.

She remains docile as he lifts her up and carries her out through her window. The other monk can find his own way out, the Monkey King has reached his quota on saving people tonight.

Now with the woman in his arms, Wukong finds a tree just far enough from the carnage to enjoy it. Letting the Dove down onto the ground, he sits back against the tree to watch in peace as hysteria infects those that still believe they can put out the flames. Their attempts are laughable, the King has missed watching such chaos unfold. During the years before his conflict with the Heavenly Court, there had been many villages he and his army terrorised, and watching the fires burn buildings to the ground was always one of the best parts. There's always such a heavy contrast between the screams of the damned and the melodic rhythm of the flames, dancing in every shade of orange and red.

Wukong supposes that now, the serene feeling in his chest comes from more than just a simple fire. He glances down at the woman lying next to him, almost curled up on her side. Her presence, while not as powerful as when she uses her gift, is no less welcome. The Monkey King can feel his heart steady, his mind quiet, and a sigh escape his chest as the feeling of relaxation encompasses him. Were it not for her snide comments and deathly glares– as well as the shackle on his head– Dove might be nice to have around. If she was always this passive, he'd actually enjoy her company.

It would be a lie to say Wukong isn't curious about the bird on this journey with them. Not a question he ever asks her can be given a straight answer. If it wasn't for her hostile nature, he'd be more inclined to feed his curiosity and speak with her more, but that stupid circlet is already enough of a headache and he'd rather not add to it. He'd give her points for cunning, it was admirable, if not for the fact that it was at his expense. Nonetheless, it's nice to be in such a soothing presence without all the usual threats and jabs.

Something rustles in some bushes only a few paces away, Monkey King sitting up immediately at the sound. His head snaps towards the direction of the sound, his eyes meeting another's, black and round, with barely any white visible. He looks to the small round ears barely visible in the dark cover of shrubbery and snout of a bear's before frowning. Before he can investigate, the creature is gone, heavy footsteps lumbering into the forest.

A chase? This night keeps getting better. Sun Wukong jumps up to give chase before nearly falling onto his face, tripping. With a grunt, he lifts his head to look back for the source of his descent, finding the woman's arms wrapped around his waist. His once excited expression drops, an almost silent growl rippling from his chest. "Even while unconscious, she thwarts my every move!"

Sitting back up, Wukong takes her arms in his hands before the woman tightens her hold, a small grunt escaping her form as she does. The King blinks, frowning for a moment at her twisted expression. He can't remember a time where she seemed so disturbed in her sleep, not that he usually paid attention to that sort of thing. On most nights, he would hear nothing much aside from his master's snoring, Dove usually slept like a rock.

Wukong looks back in the direction the creature had run, only to find no sign of it ever being there. With a heavy sigh, the King shifts to lay against the tree once more and continues watching the flames. It was probably just an animal running from the fire. After one last glance at the woman now holding him in a death grip, he turns his attention back to the burning building, occasionally looking over to the wing where his Master sleeps to make sure the area covered in that old cloak remains untouched by the fire.

~~~~

Yelling echoes through your ears. Children cry loudly, using the backs of their throats to let out blood curdling screams. Fire erupts from every house and shop, surrounding the village as a mass of bloody flames jump from building to building.

You trip, looking down only for your eyes to widen, the lifeless eyes of the little girl who lived in the house next to yours staring back, red coating her neck and pooling under her head. The sight nearly causes you to freeze in fear if not for the barely audible sound of metal colliding. The sound is a warning, and it's enough to get you to your feet.

The Eyes, they followed you. Golden and dull. They followed you home and they brought the demons with them. A rhythmic clink of metal makes your heart stop, each clash feels as though it shakes the ground and twists your stomach in guilt as it changes the solid earth you stand on to sand. Turning, you see a shadow of a figure, the Golden Eyes glowing as they approach.

As fast as humanly possible, you run, stumbling as you do. The clinking of metal follows, echoing through your ear drums, growing louder and louder. You clutch your ears and fall to your knees, it only grows louder. Eyes shut tight, you curl into the ground, tears staining your face as you weep. The Eyes sear into your mind as you beg it to stop.

Hands grab you by your arms, not claws or talons, but hands. You just barely get back to your feet in time to be dragged along to get away. Another child, a boy, takes your hand. "Come on, we have to go!" At his words, you cry out, failing miserably to pry yourself away from his hands in a desperate attempt to get away. You've seen this part before, you can never unsee this part.

The boy pulls you towards your house, looking around for anyone that could help. Someone who could–

"Shi!" You shout, your throat shreds as though the claws of the demon impaling the boy with his weapon tore into your neck instead. You stumble onto your back as a blade pierces through the boy. His eyes are pleading, his scream deafening as the blade quickly retracts, allowing blood to spew from the wound. You call out only to find your voice now gone, barely a strangled gasp. A hand grabs your arm, pulling you to your feet.

"Stop! Let go!"

"Aagh! Son of a–"

Your eyes snap open to find the bright morning sun bringing about a new day. The smell of ash and cinders hang in the air heavily, as though traces of a distant memory linger in your waking life. It takes your eyes a moment to adjust to the outdoor lighting before you frown. Outside? But you went to your room before going to bed. You've never been one to sleepwalk, when did you get outside?

"I pity your pillow." A groan from under you makes your eyes bulge wide, the figure of the all too familiar Monkey King underneath you and rubbing his jaw and– why are you holding him in your arms?!

You shout, jumping back and up onto your feet as he remains nursing his jaw on the ground. "What are you... why– when did..." Your face flushes from embarrassment before your gaze lands on where the monastery was only a night ago. "What happened?!"

"Attacks me in her sleep and doesn't even ask if I'm okay." The demon grumbles, rising to his feet.

You feel your gaze harden. "What were you even doing? Why was I on top of you?!"

Monkey King stretches, walking past you and towards the remains of the monastery. "I was busy saving everyone last night. But don't worry, I can just let you burn next time."

This despicable little– wait. "Where's Tripitaka?!"

"AAAAAAAAAAHHH–!"

"Sounds like he's over there." Oh, if only you had Guan Yin's patience.

~~~~

Yes, I changed Jie's name. Yes there was a reason, maybe I'll explain it on my tumblr muahahaha