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~_____𖤓✭✥_____~
The sun peeked lazily over the horizon, its rays gently warming the rocky peaks and lush forests of Flower Fruit Mountain. Birds chirped, trees swayed with the breeze, and all was quiet—until chaos broke through.
"Y/N! TRAINING TIIIME!"
The hut door slammed open with the force of a thunderclap, nearly knocking it off the hinges. Y/N groaned, rolling over in her bed, crimson hair spilling across the pillow like silk. Her voice was muffled and groggy, "MK... if you value your life, shut up."
"But it's morning! It's training day!" MK practically bounced on the balls of his feet like an overexcited puppy. "I even brought my staff! I practiced everything from the noodle shop to here!"
"I haven't even had breakfast yet," she grumbled into her pillow, eyes barely open. "You're yelling like a monkey who drank ten cups of coffee and ate raw sugar straight from the cane."
"I only had five!" he said proudly.
Y/N groaned again and slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. She peeked at the sliver of sun outside the window. It wasn't even fully past the treetops. This is too early for this nonsense.
"Give me five minutes, MK. Go run around the mountain or something. Or punch a rock. Just... quietly."
MK gave a mock salute and dashed off with a happy, "Aye-aye, Master Grace!" disappearing in a flash.
She dragged herself out of bed, stretching her arms high and twisting her spine until it cracked. Her thoughts drifted as she dressed in her dark robes—woven with the remnants of her old celestial patterns, now dulled by her fall. Her fingers grazed the long red strands of her hair. A sign of her betrayal. A constant reminder.
"If I could go back... Would I do things differently?" She sighed, slipping on her gloves and stepping outside.
⸻✧
MK was already doing jumping jacks when she arrived at the clearing. His staff lay across a rock nearby, and he waved excitedly as she approached.
"Ready to be amazed?!"
Y/N gave him a flat look. "We're not here for a talent show, MK."
"But—"
"First lesson," she cut him off. "It's all in the wrists."
MK blinked, confused. "The... wrists?"
She raised her hand, fingers poised with grace, rotating her wrist with perfect control. "Whether it's summoning energy, redirecting force, or defending a strike—it starts here. You don't just swing. You guide. Balance, speed, grace."
"Wow..." MK said in awe.
"And secondly—never get distracted."
"Wait, what do you mean—?"
WHACK!
In a blur, Y/N had swung her leg up and gently tapped the back of his knees, knocking him onto the ground.
"See?" she smirked.
MK blinked up at her, betrayed. "Not fair! I was learning!"
"Lesson three: The battlefield won't wait for you to catch up." She folded her arms. "Now... drop and give me 200 pushups."
His jaw dropped. "Two... hundred?!"
"You heard me."
"But I thought this was about spiritual guidance!"
"It is. Enlightenment begins with discipline." She gave him a smug grin. "Unless you want to spar right now?"
MK whimpered and got down on the ground, muttering curses under his breath. "I didn't sign up for this kind of torment..."
Y/N chuckled, watching him. There was something comforting in this—guiding someone, watching them grow. It reminded her of her younger days. Of Nezha.
He used to pout just like that when I made him do sit-ups. Her smile faltered slightly. I wonder if... he's still angry. Or if he's okay.
The thought sat in her chest like a stone. Ever since she fell, she hadn't been able to sense him the same way. Not like before, when their spirits were connected—teacher and student. Now it was like a wall existed between them. And yet, sometimes at night, she swore she felt him. Longing. Mourning. Like a whisper carried by the wind.
⸻𖤓
"Done!" MK gasped after an hour, flopping to the ground dramatically.
"Great," Y/N said without missing a beat. "Now 100 sit-ups."
He screamed into the dirt.
"I'm gonna die."
"No you won't. You'll just wish you had."
"I miss Wukong! He never tortured me like this!"
"He coddled you. I'm not here to pamper children." She flicked his forehead. "I'm here to make warriors."
Grumbling, MK rolled over and started his sit-ups. Despite the complaints, there was a fire in his eyes. Determination. Resilience. She saw a part of herself in him—and a part of Nezha too. That stubborn heart that refused to quit.
You better not be doing anything stupid, Wukong, she thought as she looked toward the mountain peak. If the Celestial Realm finds out about your "vacation," they'll send someone. And I don't know if I can protect you this time.
Still, as MK groaned and struggled to finish his reps, she smiled again.
Maybe training him won't be so bad after all. ____♡
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