Unexpected

Chapter 23.

You could say the trip wasn't that bad. Sometimes a gang of demons kidnapped Tripitaka. As recently. Wukong wondered whether to help them. Although the rest insisted that he stay, he watched over the camp. As if he had nothing better to do. Of course he preferred to help them. Without him they would have died. It was quite easy then. They were even surprised that he knew how to fight. Then he got a sermon about non-violence or maybe it was about not killing? Anyway, it wasn't that bad.
But what's happening now? This is too much! It's bad! No one said it would be easy, but seriously, crazy bone witch? He definitely didn't expect this. And he didn't expect it, because he damn told them it was a trick. It's good that he had this golden vision, but did they believe him, of course not! It pissed him off a lot.
When he suggested to them that it would be better to kill the witch, they said no, because it is not allowed. So Tripitaka decided to imprison her in a tomb. Wukong sighed.
The worst thing was this strange slave, this witch. Wukong didn't like it. But it was easy to defeat this man.
Tripitaka was reciting some kind of spell to bind witches. She was wrapped in blue chains and buried alive in a grave.
.
Wukong sat on the edge of the lake, offended. They didn't believe him when he told the truth, but it turned out to be the same for him. It's unfair. It's a familiar feeling... they didn't believe him either... Liuer didn't believe him. They lied all the time. Are these pilgrims lying too? Maybe they shouldn't travel with them after all. What if it ends the same as last time?
This is what he fears. But not only that. What if his husband finds him? Is Liuer even looking for him? Then what? What if he finds it? Will she drag him back to the dark kingdom by force? He doesn't want that. He's afraid of it. She is afraid of meeting him again. It's beautiful here in the wild. Warm. Sun. Everything is so vivid and colorful.
He won't go back there. No way. He had been through too much to return there to return to the prince.
A gentle breeze blew. The tall grass rustled. There were small waves on the lake's yafla.
Tripitaka sat next to Wukong. Wukong didn't look at him. He looked into the distance. For the setting sun. They sat in silence until Tripitaka broke it.
"Why don't you join the rest?"
"I'll be in a moment." Wukong muttered.
"Something is bothering you."
Approx. Now Wukong got pressure. Of course something is bothering him, or rather what happened is that they didn't believe him.
"You're just like them..." Wukong muttered.
"You mean? You know, it would be easier if you told me about it."
"If you really don't know, I'll explain. You didn't believe me when I told you she was some kind of witch or something."
"Oh..."
"You didn't believe me. They didn't believe me either and lied to me. They told me things that weren't true, my husband lied to me. And now it turns out that you are the same."
"Sorry."
"It doesn't matter now anyway."
"Trust goes both ways. I understand that you are disappointed in us, in me. I'm sorry. I didn't believe you. It's true."
"I'm just too gullible."
"We don't know you very well. I see that you don't like talking about your past, but thanks to the conversation we build bonds and trust. I understand that it's hard for you to open up to us. I won't force anything on you when you're ready. I know it's time heals wounds."
"What if that's not the case?"
"Patience. Everything takes time."
A light breeze was blowing. The sun was setting more and more slowly. And darkness was approaching. Wukong shuddered.
"Are you sure there isn't something else that's bothering you?" Tripitaka asked.
"I don't like the dark."
Tripitaka raised his eyebrows.
Wukong sighed. "If you say that conversation builds bonds or trust, whatever... In the kingdom where... I lived and ran away, it was eternal night there. Only the moon was shining."
Now Tripitaka is not surprised why "Sunny" was so happy to see the sun and why Wukong was so pale and his fur was faded.
"How is this possible?"
"The king there cast a spell because he hated the sun."
"Why did he do it? It's unnatural."
"Because of me..." Wukong whispered.
"oh..."
"But it's not just that I'm afraid of the dark, but of what lurks in it."
"It's not a sin. Everyone is afraid of something."
"And what are you afraid of?"
"I...I would be a fool if I said nothing. Maybe I'm afraid of most things. The world is dangerous. And fear determines us to survive. Maybe that's why I'm still alive. Sometimes it's good to face your fears."
"What if I don't want to?"
"You won't know until you try."
"Maybe, but I'd rather not meet him."
"Whom?"
Wukong sighed. "The darkness reminds me of that kingdom, of my husband, whose fury he is. He is looking for me, he will do anything to get me back."
"Oh..."
"have you seen my wedding dress? Yeah... I ran away from my own wedding."
"And why did you do it?"
"Because... because I found out that he lied, they all lied, he just wanted to lock me up there."
A tear rolled down his cheek. "Now I don't even know if it was all worth it. If I had just... not read that book... then I would have been there with him and... pretended everything was fine."
"maybe yes, maybe no. You know, not everyone would be brave enough to run away from their own wedding."
"More like it was stupid... like most of my life choices."
"It's the way we have it, only after some time do we notice our mistakes. Everyone needs time. You also need time. Give yourself time."
Tripitaka stood up.
"Time to get back to the rest."
Wukong nodded. He stood up.
They moved towards the camp.
.
Something was wrong. Wukong knew it. Someone was watching them and he didn't like it. They reached the camp.
"What took you so long?" Pigsy asked.
"We watched the sunset." Tripitaka said.
Pigsy handed them a bowl of noodles.
"Thanks." Wukong muttered.
Ao lie sat down next to him. "it's with that witch. How did you manage to..."
"Are you asking how I knew she wanted to cheat on you?" Wukong sighed. "with my eyes I can see things that others cannot see..."
"Wow. Really?"
Maybe opening up to them isn't such a bad idea after all? As the monk told him, talking is important.
Wukong nodded. "Yes... I have other powers, but I can't control them. Sometimes it happens that I'm lucky, but then... it doesn't work out."
He heard a crack. There was definitely something or someone watching them. The worst thing is that it's dark.
That's cool! I'm a dragon, but now I act as a horse." said Ao lie.
"Why?"
"Come on Ao lie, show off." Zubjie encouraged.
"Yhh.. because I ate a real master's horse."
"What?"
"Seriously. And now I'm here. But how was I supposed to know that I wasn't really allowed to eat it? Yes, and besides, Guanyin encouraged me."
"Really?" Tripitaka was surprised.
Ao lie sighed. "But hey, it keeps me traveling."
"Who is Guanyin?" Wukong asked.
"You don't know who this is?!" Ao lie said exaggeratedly.
"NO?"
"She's the goddess of mercy. And she helps us a lot when things get difficult." Tripitaka said.
"Yeah, when we have no idea how to save you." Zubjie interjected. The rest chuckled.
Wukong turned his head, listening to the sound of something humming. There was definitely someone there.
"Sunny? What's going on?" Sandy asked.
"Are you afraid of the dark?" Zubjie joked.
"Zubjie!" Tripitaka scolded him.
Wukong's eyes glowed gold and that's when he saw them. He quickly stood up and moved back.
"Sunny?"
"they came for me..."
The pilgrims did not understand, except Tripitaka. Tripitaka stood up and ordered the others to get ready. Wukong did not hide his surprise, which lasted for a moment as three figures emerged from the shadows. Monkeys with black fur, dressed in armor. One of them smiled ok.
"Duchess?!" said the pilgrims. Wukong just smiled, but his smile quickly disappeared.
"The kingdom mourns your disappearance. And the prince is distraught." said another.
"Don't you feel remorse for leaving the prince like that?" said another.
"But we know you definitely didn't want to, the prince will forgive you."
Wukong didn't speak.
"Duchess, are you feeling well?"
"How did you end up here with these things?"
"We'll take you home."
They came closer. Wukong slumped.
"Duchess? Don't you remember?"
"Did you hit your head again?"
"Come to us. We must return to the kingdom immediately. You haven't taken your medicine in a long time."
"And I know well how it ends when you don't take your medications."
"What?" the pilgrims looked at Wukong. Wukong was ashamed.
"Duchess, get away from them!"
"No! I'm not going back there!" Wukong shouted. the soldiers moved forward. The pilgrims tried to push them away.
"Sunny! Run!" Ao lie shouted. Wukong did what he knew best and fled deep into the forest.
"Sunny?" one of the soldiers mocked.
"Get her!" another shouted into the darkness, from which several other soldiers emerged and ran after Wukong.
"NO!" Tripitaka shouted. The pilgrims were about to run after Wukong, but were stopped by the others.
The chase began. Wukong ran. He didn't see much, he had to activate that golden vision.
Everything became golden. His heart was beating like crazy. He needed to breathe. He got lost. He's lost in the damn forest!
"Duchess!"
"Don't hide!"
It's definitely a fight for survival.
"We have to deliver you to the king, so please don't hide!"
His heart was beating like crazy. He didn't want to go back there. He can't.
"There you are!"
The soldier grabbed Wukong. Wukong tried to break free from the powerful embrace. The rest of the soldiers caught up with them.
"Stop it! You're coming back with us."
"No. I'm not going anywhere with you!"
"The king only told us to bring you, and he doesn't care what condition you're in."
Wukong broke away from the hug. The soldiers surrounded him on all sides. The worst thing was that they attacked him at the same time. And he tried to block each of their moves.
"You taught us this yourself. Have you already forgotten?" they mocked him. Of course, so that's why he trained the king's soldiers?!
One punched Wukong in the face with all his might. Wukong couldn't have predicted this. He fell to the ground and spat blood. He propped himself up on his elbows. Unfortunately, one of the soldiers sat astride him. He pulled his hair.
"Like I said, the king doesn't care what condition we deliver you in. So don't resist and it won't hurt." the soldier whispered in his ear.
"What?!"
The forest rang with the laughter of soldiers.
"Wait! You can't!"
"So beautiful, yet so much trouble." The soldier grabbed Wukong tightly by the mouth.
"Someone has to teach you obedience. And since the prince hasn't tamed you yet, we'll be happy to do it. So be a good girl and it won't hurt."
"Relax." he whispered.
Wukong started struggling again, pushing his attacker away from him. The soldier whistled. The rest of the soldiers approached them and held Wukong's hands.
"Don't be yours!" Wukong growled. "Touch me and I'll kill you!"
The soldier just snorted. He began to roam Wukong's body with his fingers. Every touch hurt Wukong.
His story can't go like this. He was the goddamn monkey king! A demon that terrifies even the celestials! He was betrayed, deceived and wronged.
He's afraid. Fear motivates us to want to survive.
Wukong's eyes turned red. The soldiers became confused for a moment and loosened their grip. Wukong took down the attackers with all his might. He pulled a cane from his ear. He tightened his grip.
The soldiers had barely collected themselves before Wukong had already started attacking them.
"Yes, I taught you, but not everything."
He was getting better and better every time. "I told you I would kill you and I will keep my word." He grabbed his tormentor by the throat and it only took a moment to crush his neck.
Two soldiers remained alive and lay covered in blood. Entire trees were covered in blood. Wukong put his staff to his ear. He was fueled by anger, an energy that was slowly destroying him. Golden cracks appeared on Wukong's body. His body was overheating.
He crouched down in front of them. "And you. If you manage to survive. Tell the king that if he wants me, let him come for me personally. Do you understand?"
They nodded.
Wukong stood up. He was soaked in blood, his own.
He left in who knows what direction. He definitely overdid it, and now there are consequences. His head is pounding, his heart is racing, he can barely breathe. The golden cracks disappeared, but left behind a trail of wounds. Wukong didn't know where he was. He grabbed onto the tree to keep his balance.
"Sunny?!"
He heard someone calling him. Maybe they're looking for him? He leaned against a tree. He felt like vomiting. He was holding his stomach. He vomited.
"Sunny?!"
"Sunny!"
Someone reached him. Wukong's eyes were half closed. He didn't react to anything. Who would have expected that such a fight would exhaust him? Just for a moment he will breathe, rest.
.
It's good that Ao lie stopped him in time.
"Sunny? Can you hear me? Master! Here!"
The pilgrims ran to them. The pilgrims were shocked and worried at the sight of the "Sunna".
"Master, you must help him."
Tripitaka extended his hand to Wukong, a golden symbol appeared. Tripitaka moved away.
"I do not understand.."
"Master? What's going on?!"
"I can't help him... he's overloaded his body."
"What does it mean?!"
Tripitaka had to wonder, he had never felt such power. Who is "Sunny" really?
"Let's take him to Guanyin."
They nodded. Wujing took Wukong in his arms.
.
.
.
The place where Guanyin was located was beautiful, even though it was night. She wasn't expecting guests, but when she saw the pilgrims she was worried and surprised at the same time, because she thought she was supposed to help them save Tripitaka (once again). But no. They asked her for help to save the life of a light-furred monkey that had numerous wounds. This monkey looked familiar. It's impossible, he's dead, the goddess thought.
The pilgrims explained to her who the monkey was. A new companion on their journey. It also clarified the issue that she preferred him over her, the goddess respected that.
She got to work. The pilgrims waited, can you call it in the living room? Not wanting to disturb her work.
Guanyin checked the condition of "Sunny", he was simply unconscious and needed rest. He overloaded his body. With the help of magic, the wounds healed quickly. To be safe, she administered a spell to help with breathing.
She also checked to make sure he didn't have a head injury... and that's where things got a little complicated. She concluded that he suffered from ammesia. Poor unfortunate soul. He's been through so much.
He didn't look good. After cleaning the wounds and healing them. He looked quite undernourished, with pale skin. And the fur was probably in better condition before.
She checked again to see if he had any internal bleeding. And here's another surprise. "Sunny" was pregnant, about two weeks. This could also be the cause of overload. In this condition he will categorically not be able to travel. As you can see, it is not safe for him or the child.
She left "Sunny" alone to rest.
She returned to the pilgrims.
The pilgrims told how they met "Sunny" and what happened. Guanyin felt sorry for "Sunny". A wretched creature, deprived of memories, deceived. Although the story was not complete and a few issues needed to be clarified.
Guanyin didn't say that "Sunny" was pregnant, he should have been the first to know about it.
Guanyin only informed the pilgrims that it would be best if "Sunny" stayed with her for now. This will keep her safe. She instructed the pilgrims to continue their journey and when the Sunny would wake up, she would inform them.
The pilgrims thanked her for her help and had no choice but to leave.