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❀⸝⸝•____❁❁❁_____•⸝⸝❀
The sun rose slowly on Flower Fruit Mountain, the morning mist still clinging to the lush treetops. The air was fresh, birds chirping, monkeys beginning their chatter—but the peace was short-lived.
"NOODLES SHOULDN'T BE USED AS PROJECTILES!"
Y/N's voice echoed across the valley like thunder. Yesterday's dumpling disaster still burned in her memory. She had trained for millennia, held the title of Celestial Grace, commanded legions of starlight warriors—and now she was fending off noodle artillery in her own home.
Suffering is eternal, she thought bitterly, sipping the last of her tea.
The next day dawned slightly better. MK was up early, already stretching and practicing with his staff. He looked up brightly when Y/N approached, dressed in her flowing black and crimson robes, eyes sharper than steel.
"I hope you've learned something after yesterday," she said dryly.
"I did! Like... not to throw dumplings at sacred statues... even if it's a dare."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Sorry..."
She sighed and waved it off. "You're lucky I didn't throw you into the hot spring. Now—question. Do you know how to shrink like Wukong?"
MK blinked. "Shrink? Like—tiny Monkey King size?"
Y/N crossed her arms, looking down at him expectantly. "Yes. You've seen him do it, haven't you?"
MK scratched the back of his head nervously. "Yeah, a couple times. But I never figured out how. I think it's something only he can do...?"
Y/N let out a long, disappointed breath. "So you haven't learned even that yet."
MK looked crushed. "I... guess not."
Y/N noticed his shoulders droop, and guilt tugged at her heart. She reached out, gently patting his head, running her fingers through his messy hair like a big sister would. ____♡
"Don't look so down. You've come far, but you still have a long journey ahead of you." She ruffled his hair even more. "Monkey King didn't master half his tricks until he drove his staff through the heavens."
"Yeah, yeah..." MK muttered, fixing his hair back. "I'll get there."
"You will. You have to."
There was a strange weight in her tone as she said that—something somber that MK couldn't quite place. He looked up at her, but Y/N had already turned away, gazing over the mountain horizon, eyes distant.
"I've got work," MK piped up, breaking the silence.
"Go on," Y/N said, offering him a rare smile. "Try not to destroy the city again."
"No promises!" MK said cheerfully, waving as he leapt from the mountain in a blaze of golden cloud energy.
Y/N waved slowly, her hand lingering in the air.
Once he vanished from sight, her smile faded. Her crimson eyes grew serious as the wind played with the strands of her long red hair. She clutched her sleeve and exhaled.
"Something's coming..."
She turned and went back into the mountain hut. Her limbs ached, exhaustion clinging to her bones. She slid into bed, letting the soft silks wrap around her.
This peace... it's too quiet. Too calm. Wukong's not here. Nezha is watching. Macaque is lurking. And the Bone Demon...
She closed her eyes. Her fingers curled softly over the sheets.
"It isn't good," she whispered into the still air, almost like a warning to the mountain itself.
Sleep came fast, but her dreams were murky. Whispers, spider silk, stone eyes, and the flicker of something ancient... something awakening. ___𖤓
I'm sorry y'all if this is short. I actually planned on making two chapters in one good, but tired and sad from Alien Stage ending this morning. 🥲🥲
