CURSES /LMK.

twenty-one

The night sky stretched overhead, a tapestry of vibrant hues painted across the celestial canvas. Stars shimmered like distant beacons, casting a soft glow upon the world below. The air crackled with a sense of energy, as the sounds of nocturnal creatures and the faint rustle of leaves merged into a symphony of nature's abyss. Monkeys leaped and swung through the trees, their playful purrs blending with the night's melody. The cool breeze caressed (y/n)'s knotty hair. A sense of heightened awareness enveloped her as she became attuned to the whispers of nature. She sensed the pulse of the forest, the subtle vibrations that resonated through the soil.

With a silent grace, she began to move, her steps purposeful and unhindered by the need for sleep. The ruined remnants of Wukong's temple loomed ahead, a somber reminder of the past that lay within. Shadows danced around the dilapidated structure, casting eerie shapes upon the moss-covered stones.

In the stillness of the night, she moved swiftly and soundlessly, her presence barely leaving a trace. Her senses sharpened as she scanned her surroundings, acutely aware of the solitude that enveloped her. No one else ventured near, and the silence amplified the weight of her purpose.
As she ventured through the remnants of Wukong's temple, her movements were fluid, almost ethereal, as if guided by a hidden force that navigated her through the darkness.

Her heartbeat quickened, echoing in her chest, as she approached a towering door The weathered stone bore intricate markings, depicting monkeys in reverent worship of Wukong. With a roll of her eyes, she brushed aside the reverence bestowed upon him and pushed the door open with surprising ease. It groaned in protest. Entering the room beyond, she found herself surrounded by an array of artifacts, haphazardly strewn in careless disarray. The room appeared to be a once-prized arsenal, now reduced to a chaotic jumble of forgotten artifacts. Her gaze hardened, her eyes narrowing with a mix of disappointment and frustration. Thoughts swirled within her, as she silently admonished Wukong for his lack of respect toward these remnants of glory. How could one claim the title of warrior without cherishing such items?

Yet, as she surveyed the room, a peculiar sensation tugged at her. It was as if an invisible force beckoned her deeper into the depths of the trophy room. Her heart skipped a beat, a mixture of trepidation and curiosity coursing through her veins. There was something more, something hidden within the room of forgotten relics, calling out to her to be discovered.

Amidst the debris of broken rocks and a collection of unique artifacts, something caught her eye. There, in a golden glass case, stood two sleek black wings, their graceful contours beckoning to her. Her heartbeat quickened, a mixture of awe and anticipation coursing through her veins. These were her wings.

With a hesitant hand, she reached out, her fingertips grazing the cool surface of the glass. The rim of the golden etched case felt delicate yet sturdy beneath her touch, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what lay within. Her wings, once lost and stolen, stood perfectly intact. Filled with emotion of glee and exhilaration, she was about to open the case, to reclaim what was rightfully hers, when a commanding voice echoed across the room, abruptly halting her movements. The weight of the word "stop" hung in the air, causing her hand to freeze, mere inches away from the glass. Her eyes darted towards the source of the sound, searching for the speaker. As her gaze settled, she found herself locked in a tense standoff with Sun Wukong. The room seemed to hold its breath, the atmosphere charged with an unspoken tension.

Wukong stood before her, his chest puffed out and his eyes holding an expression that eluded her grasp. Was it sympathy? Pity? Whatever it was, it revolted her. She glared at him, her gaze filled with a fiery determination, as she swiftly turned her attention back to the glass case. With a flick of her wrist, she deftly opened the handle, and as if by some mystical force, the wings within the case awoke, as if brought to life. They gracefully clipped themselves onto her back, their presence a tangible confirmation of her strength. Without hesitation, she flexed her newly regained wings, feeling the power surge through her. The movement was effortless, as if her body remembered the sensation of flight instinctively. She flapped them once, then again, reveling in the freedom that pulsed through her being.

Wukong watched in silence, his eyes locked on her, as she smiled for the first time in what felt like an eternity. She turned her head to face Wukong, her eyes meeting his with a mix of determination and defiance. "(Y/N).. I.." Wukong's voice trailed off, his expression caught between vulnerability and a desire to explain himself. He attempted to find the right words to convey his thoughts, but she cut him off, her voice dripping with disdain. You knew these were here," she stated, her tone accusatory. The weight of her words hung in the air, casting a shadow over their exchange. Wukong's shock was evident, his features contorted in a mix of surprise and unease. (Y/N) scoffed at him, her eyes fixed on him with a sense of dismissiveness. She refused to let his presence or his words affect her any longer. In her eyes, he had lost any claim to the title he once held. To her, he was nothing more than a child playing at being a king.

Wukong frowned, his frustration mounting. He pleaded with her, his voice strained with exhaustion. "If you could just let me explain!" he shouted, his desperation palpable.
"Oh, please! Enough with your desperate pleas!" (Y/N) retorted, her wings flaring in a display of anger and frustration. The air crackled with tension as her emotions spilled over, fueling the intensity of her response. "Gods, just listen to me!" he exclaimed, his words laced with frustration and a touch of desperation. As he spoke, his fur bristled, agitated.

"I had to! They were going to kill me... you!" Wukong exclaimed, his voice filled with desperation as he pointed his hands towards (Y/N). The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, the truth of his actions finally laid bare. As he spoke, there was a rawness to his voice, a vulnerability that he had kept hidden for far too long. His eyes pleaded for understanding, a glimmer of remorse flickering within them. "You are lying," she said sternly, her voice cutting through the air like a razor-sharp blade. Her stern gaze bore into him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of disappointment and anger.

Wukong's own heart sank under the weight of her words, his expression a mixture of remorse and helplessness. He understood the gravity of the situation, the impossibility of undoing the damage that had been done.