Rising Moon

Chapter 2

The journey was hard, especially with his still healing wounds in the beginning, but the macaque's spirit was unbroken, damaged but not broken. He climbed mountains that seemed to touch the sky, each peak offering a new view of the world's grandeur. He swam across rivers, their currents carrying the whispers of the earth's history. In the quiet of the night, he gazed at the stars, wondering if Wukong was looking at the same sky if he ever thought of the mate he had left behind.

In the beginning of his journey back to his sister fortress for medical help for his eye. Even though his other wounds have healed his eye refuses to heal back. It's been a difficult journey especially with him constantly pushing magic into his empty eye socket in order to form a stasis permanently in his eye until he could reach his sister's fortress. The unbalance in his steps and the constant tripping has been getting on his nerves.

One evening, as the sun set, casting the world in a warm embrace of oranges and reds, macaque stumbled upon a clearing. The sight that made him wary and cautious, The troupe of beings before him was an intriguing mix of demons and humans, their laughter and conversations blending into a lively crescendo that seemed to echo through the very fabric of the air. He has heard stories of a troupe that was of mixed company but never to this magnitude.Maybe this could be a new change for him, he never talks to anyone other than wukong, his sister or bull king.

As the play unfolded, the macaque felt a longing for the days when he would make his little shadow plays on the cave walls. Those had been simpler times when he didn't have to worry about battles or being left behind.

With a newfound determination, he took a deep breath and exhaled "You can do this macaque, it's just a simple hello" he whispered softly to himself for reassurance.

He could feel their energy pulsating around him, a vibrant pattern of emotions and power. The macaque's nervousness grew as he drew closer, his tail flicking back and forth like a whip. He knew he was taking a risk by venturing into their midst, but his curiosity and need for answers had overpowered his fear.

As he approached, the cacophony of voices grew louder, yet no one took notice of his presence. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of hostility or suspicion. He spotted a few curious glances, but mostly, the demons and humans were engrossed in their own conversations, sharing stories and jokes that sent ripples of mirth through the group. The macaque took a deep breath and stepped into the throng, his paws trembling slightly.

The moment the first person made contact, a gentle hand landing on his shoulder, the entire group fell silent. He turned to face a tall, stately demon with skin the color of polished mahogany and eyes that gleamed like polished onyx. The demon looked down at him with a smile that was both welcoming and a touch amused. "What brings a creature such as yourself to our little gathering?" he boomed, his voice resonating with the warmth of a seasoned storyteller.

The macaque took a tentative step forward, his eye darting from one face to the next. The tension was palpable, yet there was something in the demon's gaze that calmed his racing thoughts. He swallowed hard, his throat dry as sandpaper. "I-I am... I am seeking," he stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Seeking what?" the demon inquired, his smile never wavering.

The macaque paused, gathering his thoughts. "I seek... a place to belong. I have heard tales of your kind, of how you have united despite your differences. I wish to learn from you, to understand the world beyond the shadows from which I come." His words hung in the air, a vulnerable offering to the crowd that now surrounded him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and surprise.

The silence that follows what he says is like he was being coated in ice while his inside burned from the growing shame of his vulnerability to these people. Before he can make a run for the tree line to escape from this embarrassment.

An elderly human woman, her eyes crinkled with wisdom and a lifetime of laughter, stepped forward, her hand outstretched. "Welcome, little one," she said softly, her voice a balm to his frayed nerves. "You have come to the right place. Here, we embrace all who wish to share in our kinship." The tension melted away like wax in the sun as the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. Hands reached out to pat his back, and faces broke into smiles that seemed to light up the very shadows around them.

He was swept into a whirlwind of welcoming embraces, the strength and warmth of the group's acceptance enveloping him like a warm blanket. The scent of roasting meats and exotic spices wafted through the air, making his stomach rumble. He had not eaten in days, sustaining himself only on the meager offerings he could forage from the woods. A plate of food appeared before him, a veritable feast of colors and smells that made his mouth water. He took it gratefully, his eyes never leaving the faces around him, searching for any hint of deceit.

A young demoness with iridescent scales and a mischievous glint in her eye offered him a piece of fruit that looked like a cross between a peach and a dragon's eye. He took it cautiously, his eyes meeting hers, and she winked before biting into her own. He followed suit, the juice exploding in his mouth with a sweetness that seemed to sing a song of friendship and belonging. The macaque felt his shoulders relax, his muscles uncoiling from their tight knot of anxiety.

The conversations around him grew more animated as the group began to ask him questions about his life, his origins, and his journey. He answered as best he could, his voice growing stronger with each word. They listened intently, nodding in understanding and sharing their own tales of hardship and triumph. The demons and humans spoke openly of their battles and alliances, of the complex web of relationships that bound them together in this tumultuous world.

He wasn't ready yet to share about the beginning of the reason on why he is on his journey yet. They all understood and were willing to wait until he wanted to talk about it in his own time.

The macaque's eyes grew wide with wonder as they spoke of ancient pacts and epic battles, of love and loss that transcended the boundaries of species and realms. He felt a strange kinship with these beings, so different from himself, yet so similar in their yearning for understanding and connection. As the night wore on, the stars above twinkled like the eyes of the ancestors, watching over the unlikely assembly with a knowing smile.

Finally, as the whispers of the evening grew quiet and the embers of the fire cast dancing shadows across the ground, the time came for the group to retire. The elderly human woman, her eyes now filled with a gentle warmth, led him to a spare cot set up next to the flickering warmth of the hearth. The crackling fire popped and hissed, a comforting lullaby to his weary soul. The demons and humans began to disperse, some retreating to the cozy confines of their tents, while others, mostly the young and adventurous, lay down their bedrolls around the fire, their forms a patchwork quilt of fur, scales, and skin.

The six-eared macaque looked around, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. The kindness and acceptance he had found here was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the solitude he had known for so long. His heart swelled with gratitude as he realized that he was no longer alone in the world. He curled up on the cot, the softness a stark contrast to the cold, hard ground of his past. The gentle snores and rumbles of those around him provided a comforting symphony of belonging, a promise of safety and companionship.