Molten Iresis (FurnaceRedAU)

15- Summon It

His memories have come back overtime, and soon, Wukong began to wonder about the gold wrapped around his wrist. It had some sort of magic, he could feel it, but he eventually decided to ask Macaque about it whenever he arrived.

The trip to Lantern City was excitable, and Wukong could tell by the blurred swirls of bright colors that the city was beautiful. Macaque sat beside him, oddly quiet, and Wukong quickly scanned him over to ensure the Lady Bone Demon wasn't the reason.

"...Macaque, why did you give me this?" Wukong lifted his arm, showing off the hidden gold. The shadow user bristled, not that the other could see his reaction.

"I need you to keep it safe. I found it, and will help us form a temporary host for the fire." Wukong frowned, rubbing the bracelet gently, "So, how does it work?" Macaque hummed, "I can take care of that. You just need to let me handle it."

Before Wukong could say anything more, something flashing pink landed on the deck.

"Sun Wukong, Six-Eared Macaque! Hand over the Rings of Samadhi." Wukong squinted, "Nezha..? Sorry, bud, but that's not a possibility!" He got ready, standing into position--

Macaque pushed him back.

"Stay with the others, you have a ring and the host's ring, you shouldn't fight. I'll hold him off and come to you. Please don't begin until then." He leapt forward, throwing Nezha into the mountains around them before sinking into his shadows.

Wukong missed the slight outline of white as he turned around to warn the others.

---

The mountain peak was ancient yet beautiful. Not that Wukong would know, but Tang said so. Which meant it was beautiful.

Wukong took off the ring around his neck, followed by the golden bangle around his wrist before taking the other two rings from MK.

Pigsy hummed, "Uh, is it just me, or does this place feel..." Sandy finished his thought, "Familiar?" Tang mumbled in agreement and Wukong laughed, "Well, yeah! You're connected to the pilgrims, so it feels as if you were here with me and Mac all those years ago!"

MK and Mei stood, "So... Now what?" Wukong nervously shuffled his feet, moving to the middle of the area, "I...Mac said to wait for him." The monkey kneeled down, tracing the scorched carvings while laying the rings down. The others simply began to explore, watching the mountains around them nervously.

---

Macaque grunted, clawing at himself desperately.

Nezha paused midair, nervous as he saw blue magic flash across his paling skin. Macaque suddenly lunged forward, but as Nezha threw his arms out to catch a fist, ice overtook him instead.

The brunette yelled as the freezing cold bit into his skin, drying it to the point of hurting terribly. The deity stared up at Macaque and gasped. The warrior had white markings, blue eyes, and ice clinging to his fur as white-tinted shadows swirled below him.

The ice grew against Nezha, pushing his body in jolting compressions against the rock below his trapped body.

He suddenly sank into his shadows, and Nezha took note of the trail of ice marking the warrior's path.

---

Everyone screamed in surprise as the site glowed golden.

Wukong startled, standing up but suddenly able to move, "Guys-?" Pigsy yelled, "TANG WHAT DID YA DO?!" The scholar screeched back, claiming the map did it on its own. Mei suddenly yelled in alarm as ice surrounded them, crowding them.