A Mermaid Prince and A Warrior King

The Truth Unravels

Tripitaka paced back and forth in the throne room with an anxious expression on his face with Guanyin, who was standing beside the throne, was watching him with worried eyes. The king and his trusted advisor were waiting for Erlang to come back.

Some of the worry was lifted off Tripitaka's shoulders when his three younger sons came back home. They told him that they tried to go look for their brother since they know all of his little hangout spots but they couldn't find him so they decided to head back home hoping that he came back on his own.

Oh how Tripitaka wished that were the case.

He didn't know what possessed his son, his sweet little monkey to fall in love with a land-dweller, specifically a land demon, he sighed woefully, recalling their last interaction and winced at the memory. Perhaps he had been a bit too harsh, scratch that, he had been harsh and downright cruel but how was he supposed to react when he found out that his son met another land-dweller, much less fall in love with one.

He was pulled out of his reverie when Erlang Shen arrived. He felt all of his worries disappear has he saw his son in the general's arms, he was so full of relief and joy, and he was about to go over to them to hug him but soon all hope dashed away when he saw the anguish and solemn look on the young general's handsome face then fear struck when he notices the red stain on his son's clothes.

"My king, I am truly sorry; I was not able to make it in time to save him."

Erlang's voice was filled with sorrow has he spoke in a soft tone, fearing if he spoke louder than the king would break, and judging by the expression on his face, he was close to breaking down has he stares at the prince's limp body with wide disbelieving eyes.

This had to be some kind of joke, it just has to be.

"How could this be? Erlang what happened?"

"It was those surface-dwellers my liege, I saw a group of surface monkey demons with him and I noticed that one of them was holding a dagger with its blade covered with blood." Erlang spoke with venom has he continues. "Apparently, he's one of those demon kings of the surface and he had the audacity to point the blame to our kin when it became clear that the dagger was Atlantian. I do not know how it came to be in his possession but it was clearly obvious where the fault lies."

Erlang finished his report but Tripitaka only half-listened to it, too busy staring at Wukong's peaceful, sleeping face. Begging him to suddenly wake up and tell him it was all an elaborate joke. He wouldn't even get mad at the prank, in some way, he quite deserves it considering the way he acted but Wukong didn't move, not even an inch, not even when he touches his cheek but instead of feeling warmth coming from his skin, he felt utterly cold.

'No... no, no, no, not my baby... Please...'

He took in a shaky breath and pulled Wukong towards him. Erlang let go and stood to the side. He watched has the king crumples down to the floor and with a look of utter anguish and pain, he embraces Wukong's corpse has his cries echoed across the room. He looks up and sees Guanyin looking utterly distraught has she moves towards the father and son. She immediately broke down when she finally got there, her cries mixing with the king's has she clutched Wukong's limp and cold hand.

Soon, Guanyin and Tripitaka cease crying. Tripitaka handed Wukong to his most trusted advisor and dearest friend has he stood up. Guanyin held Wukong close like how a mother would grieve for her child. In many ways, Guanyin did become a mother to his sons ever since...

He shook his head as he chased the thought away along with the memories of her, when everything seems perfect, until that fateful day. He lost his wife and soulmate on that day and it was the day he also swore to protect their son, their sweet little monkey, from anything that could hurt him. He kept that promise for years, until now.