Son of The Monkey King

Chapter 46

The sun was finally breaking through the night sky. The previous day now a memory. A memory that won't be forgotten.

Raymond let out a low groan. His eyes opened slowly his vision blurry. The half monkey made an attempt to rub his eyes, but pain shot through his body.

"Unnghhh shit." He gritted out. Doing his best to push through the pain Raymond tried to figure out where he was.

"You alright?" He was asked. Raymond let out a sigh. He covered his face with his uninjured arm.

"In the physical sense, it's really hard to breath, and my arm feels like I shoved it into an active volcano. In the mental, and emotional sense I feel defeated and tired." He spoke.

Raymond opened his eyes, and sat up on the old familiar couch. Opening his eyes he saw his mother staring back at him. She had a pensive look on her face. Raymond let out another sigh.

"I've never seen anything like that in my life mom. He turned those guys to ashes. I mean Lyra and I struggled to beat them, how are we supposed to beat that?" He asked her. The half monkey was pacing now.

"I'm sure you'll find a way." She said trying to be supportive.

"Mom I don't think you understand. That thing, that monster, he's unstoppable! I studied every Chinese myth there was as a kid. From Wukong, the Lotus Prince, The Oath Keeper, the Saint of War, the Illustrious Sage." He listed off in a panic. The half monkey was hyperventilating until his mother grabbed his hand.

"Raymond." She said in a stern voice. She tugged lightly on his hand, and he sat down without a word. Inhaling deep he slowly let out a breath.

"I don't know what to do Mom. That monster he was decapitated by the Supreme Divinity, and he got right back up to keep fighting. I'm stronger than most, but if the Supreme Divinity couldn't kill him what the hell am I supposed to do?" He asked his mother. Not since her death has he felt this lost, this defeated.

"Raymond, it doesn't matter who it is. Power changes all whether it's man, beast, or god. Sometimes the change can be good, but more often than not it corrupts." She explained to him. Letting out a sigh he looked to his mother.

"That doesn't exactly help me mom." He told her.

"It will." The half monkey said nothing to that. Eventually he spoke up.

"There's no chance I can stay here with you is there?" He asked.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that, because I know you're not giving up." She said sternly at him.

"I'm not, but I want too." He said to her. She looked on in astonishment. Her son never spoke like this.

"Ray look at me." His mother said. Her blue eyes were soft and understanding. "We both know I don't want you to do this, but I know you; probably more than you know yourself. You can do this Raymond. You just need to know you can." She told him in earnest. The tailed man was quiet. He didn't know what to say to that. "If you don't believe me Ray believe your friend." The older woman added.

"Lyra?" He asked his mom. The woman nodded.

"That girl carried you on her back to safety. She kept you in place as she drove to her mother's house. Who is an awful, awful human being. She did all that to make sure you were safe." His mom said to him. "I know the odds seem impossible right now, but that girl hasn't given up on you. Don't give up on yourself or her." She said. Raymond was amazed at what he heard.

"She really did all that for me?" He asked in a small voice. The woman next to him frowned.

"I wish you didn't think so little of yourself. You're friends, and you saved her life." His mother explained.

Friends. It was something he wasn't used to. His whole life he'd been alone; with the exception of his mother. Now he realizes that he isn't alone. He has a friend, a girl who knows him as who he is. Who saw his tail and didn't immediately think he was a freak. It was a different kind of feeling. A good different.

"Ray I need to tell you something." His mother spoke up breaking his thoughts. She had stood up from their old couch and walked a few steps forward. Her back was faced to him. "I can't stay here anymore." She said.

"What do you mean?" He asked. The half monkey was confused by her statement.

"I only had so much time here. I wish I could help you Ray, but I can't." His mom said. Sadness overcame him.

"I guess it would be unfair if I thought this would be a regular thing. I almost die, come here, you give me a pep talk, and I go back out there." He said mournfully.

"I'll always be there for you Raymond, but I have to move on. To whatever's next." She told him. Raymond stood up and walked to his mother. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and pulled her close.

"It's okay mom I understand. At least I can say goodbye this time." He said tears falling, but with a smile on his face.

"I love you Ray, and I know you can do this. I believe in you." His mother said sincerely.

"I love you too Mom. Thank you." Raymond said. When they pulled away she turned her back to him, and headed to the front door of their old house. The doorknob in her hand, she turned to face him one last time.

"Goodbye." She said to him. A shudder erupted from his body.

"Happy trails mom. Til we meet again." He said with a smile. A few tears rolled down her face, but she returned the smile back. Twisting the doorknob she began opening it. Light erupted from the doorway, bright and comforting. With all the courage she could muster she stepped through the doorway; her figure disappearing within the light. The door closed behind her leaving him alone in their old house.

"Goodbye." He said to the emptiness.

Without another word Raymond layed back down on the couch. Despite how sad he was about what happened he couldn't dwell on it now. His mission wasn't finished, and Lyra was waiting on him. They had to fight what was considered the unstoppable.