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“NO! NO, PLEASE-!” 
Sun Wukong hit the ground with an earth-shaking thump, air whooshing from his lungs. His body was vibrating with a strange energy, and his vision blurred as he stumbled forward, barely able to stay upright.The golden glow that surrounded him faded, leaving him depleted of his strength.Each step felt like a sharp punch to his joints, forcing him to pause every few feet to wheeze through pierced lungs. His feet dragged in the ash-laden mud, but he kept going, determined to discover what was left of his home.His Tribe, his family, his love- his child! What had become of them??The sky above was darkened by billowed clouds of smoke, consuming his normally peaceful home in fire and destruction.He could hardly breathe as he breached the small cliff face. On the other side, the ground was torn to pieces, dipping in a large crater from something heavy having fallen atop it.Wukong's mind flashed to earlier in the day.
Today was meant to be a celebration, one of joy and love- the day his child would enter the world. The child would be Mihou's and his first- hopefully the first of many little ones. After months of preparation, Wukong could feel the shift of energy within the stone egg, signaling that it wouldn't be long until they were born.

He had been so excited he could barely contain it, and when Mihou embraced him, he let loose a short laugh. A soft whisper of thrill shared between them as they discussed the name of the child once more.

After some time, Mihou swayed them back and forth, "Do you think the child will like the mountain?" He asked, tracing Wukong's chest with his finger.
Wukong's heart fluttered at the gesture. He nodded in haste, "Of course they will." He motioned outward to the expanse of green. Towering trees, an abundance of fruit, and the smell of sweet flowers. A heaven on earth. It was currently decorated in streamers and balloons- all in preparation for the child's entrance into the world, "And they'll love it even more because you are here," Wukong kissed Mihou's knuckles, drawing a snort from the inky monkey.
"You are corny," Mihou shakes his head, tugging Wukong closer to steal a kiss. Already knowing that his sun was bound to steal the heart of their child with that smile of his, just as Wukong had stolen his.

Wukong grinnd, his hands searching Macaque's back the shawl that laid over it. It was weighed down with the most precious weight- their child. The stone egg was secure against its Baba's back, held protectively.

"Almost time," Wukong murmured against Mihou's cheek.
Mihou carefully unwound the soft fabric of the shawl from around a delicate egg, his breath catching in his throat. He cradled it like a small bird, his fingertips barely brushing its smooth surface. He could feel its fragility in the slight trembling of his hands.
The two Kings of the mountain bowed their heads in reverence as they each ran a finger lightly along the curves and spirals intricately carved into the smooth surface of the egg. They exchanged knowing glances and smiled, basking in the beauty and complexity of their future- their everything.
"They're going to be so beautiful," Mihou whispered, his eyes shining with love and wonder. "...I hope they are cheeky."
"You want them to be cheeky?" Wukong's voice was a whisper.

"I want the child to be like you," Macaque admits, offering a sweet tilt of his head.

Wukong's lips curled into a smile, his tail curling around Macaque's waist, "Funny, I wanted them to be like you. I was them to have your ears, and your humor, and your sass~"

"My sass and your cheekiness? This child is going to rule the world," Macaque snickered.

Wukong couldn't agree more. The egg was a work of art, a symbol of their love and union. He leaned in to place a gentle kiss on Mihou's lips, savoring the softness and warmth that engulfed him. They knew that their lives were about to change forever, and they were ready for it.

But... They never got the chance to show their child this beautiful land. To bask the little one in their love and adoration.
Many had come to partake on the occasion. His Sworn brothers, Princess Iron fan, even the young toddling Red Son. Though Wukong had his reservations on bringing the flaming demonic child to a flammable forest, Princess Iron Fan insisted that they had found the means to keep the boy calm.
The means of this was the child being given constant frozen ice cream treats. It wasn't exactly ideal, but it worked to keep the child docile.

If he wasn't so wild and incident prone, Wukong would admit the child was adorable. His pudgy legs and wispy red hair. Even the little spectacles that were kept on his nose using a string that wrapped around the child's head.

Innocent wide eyes when calm...

Once their own child was born, Wukong had agreed to help seal away this little one's power, the Samadhi fire, in hopes that Red Son could grow up in a more stable lifestyle. For now, ice cream treats and his Mother stroking his back was the best way to keep Red Son calm.

He was a really affectionate child when you took away his destructive tendencies. Always holding onto his Mother's skirt and leaning against her.

"Look, Red Son." Mihou squatted closer to Red Son. Close enough for the child to see, but far enough that he could easily retract if the child got out of control. He lifted the stone egg upward, offering a smile. "This will be your new friend soon,"

His face messy with a cherry popsicle, Red Son blinked once and then twice. "Fwiend?" he asked quietly.

"Yes. I hope you two are the best of friends," Mihou nodded, smiling at Princess Iron Fan. She gave a matching smile, reaching her hand down to brush it through Red Son's hair.

Red Son eyed the egg curiously, slipping the popsicle back into his mouth. He leaned his head against his Mother's lap, keeping his eyes on the stone egg.

"The Demon Bull Prince and the child of Sun Wukong, being friends," DBK snorted, butting into the conversation. "My Son shall be their leader," he corrected.

"You aren't even my leader," Wukong grumbled back at him, "So why in the world would your kid be my kid's leader?"

"He is older," Bull King stated simply.

"Soo??" Wukong huffed, "You are older than me and that means nothing!"

"My son is stronger," DBK added, proud and confident in this.

"My kid isn't even born yet!! They could be way stronger than your little baked bean," Wukong grumbled, gesturing to Red Son.

"My child is not a baked bean!"

Princess Iron Fan and Macaque ignored the two squabbling King's, taking their little ones towards the tables to get Red Son some more snacks. "You are being such a good boy," Macaque praised, knowing positive reinforcement always worked well with the boy.

Red Son gave a smile and lifted himself into his seat. "Good boy," he mumbled to himself, pleased. Despite the child being like a ticking time bomb, he was one to please. Sweet and gentle, which was something no one really expected, considering who his parents were.

It was only his inner power that compelled moments of violence and insanity from the boy.

Not long later, Peng and Yellow Tusk arrived, gifts in hand. They greeted Macaque with matching nods, "Congratulations, Liu'er." they spoke.

"Thank you," Macaque says with a smile, dragging Wukong away from his bickering with DBK to greet his other guests.

"Let's just hope this little one isn't a chip off the old block," Peng snickered.

"Which "block" are you referring to?" Wukong frowned, gesturing between himself and Macaque.

"Both of you." Peng says simply. "We don't need a mini Wukong or a Mini Macaque. The world would be doomed."

Yellow Tusk chimed in good-heartedly, "I for one hope the child has Liu'er's taste in culture. Another appreciator of literature would do the world good."

"Thank you, Yellow Tusk." Macaque couldn't agree more. Stepping around to let the two pass to the rest of the party, they paused to smile at their egg.

Wukong took his turn to carry the stone, cradling it against his chest. He lifted the stone to kiss it, saying, "Look like your Baba. Be cute like your Baba. Have your Baba's ears. Have your Baba's smile-" Wukong broke into a snicker when Macaque hit his arm.

"The child can't look just like me," he cackled, his cheeks rosy from Wukong's antics. The cheeky King. "I want our baby to look like you."

"Well I want the baby to look like you," Wukong stuck his tongue out. Hand in hand they returned to the party.

All they were waiting for was Azure Lion and Ao Lie, who would be returning from a short meeting with the Jade Emperor.

It had been quite some time since the two had come together, celebrating their union just a few years earlier. In truth, they most likely would have never met had it not been Wukong to introduce them.

The past had been difficult to all, mistakes made, but through them Wukong had met his companions to the West.

Wukong hadn't exactly expected the two to gravitate to one another, yet low and behold, here they were; Married and parents of a sweet little boy.

Their own little newborn, Ao Emerald.

A sweet chunk of a child that Mihou couldn't seem to keep his hands away from when Ao Lie came to visit. Always holding the infant and kissing his rounded cheeks.

The infant was snow white, taking more after Azure when it came to his appearance. His lion-like features are prominent, except for his tail, which took after Ao Lie.

He was a small child, smaller than one would consider normal, considering how he was born. While not naturally born, it was through highly concentrated magic and the help from a particular Gyuanyin that Ao Emerald came to be.

Wukong could recall being impatient with Ao Lie at the party, who always took his time in everything he did. Which also meant he was late to every event he was ever invited to. Half tempted to drag his brothers down from the heavens himself, Wukong stopped when green came into view. Amongst blue skies and fluffy white clouds, Ao Lie had pierced the heavens.

At first, Wukong thought nothing of it when his Brother flew around the forest canopy at breakneck speed, darting back and forth erratically. It was strange behavior for Ao Lie, so when Wukong followed the trajectory of his brother's movements, he saw a shining object in the sky that seemed to be following them. That's when Wukong realized his brother was trying to dodge the object.

His Brother was being chased...

Wukong had risen from where he sat, his child's warm and readied Egg still clutched in his hands. He had slipped it into Liu'er Mihou's care to check on Ao Lie, knowing it would be safe with his mate.

"What's happening?" Mihou had asked, cradling the egg. His ears were flickering, the strangest noise catching his attention. He turned his head behind them- the opposite direction of what was happening in the sky. He senses something westward. Stomping feet- a lot of them.

People were approaching from the ground.

"I don't know." Wukong shakes his head, too focused on Ao Lie to notice was was entering his kingdom from the ground. He could see Peng also getting up from his seat, reaching for his weapon.

"Something is wrong," Peng says, feeling a shiver up his spine.

"Wukong..." Macaque wanted to warn them all of the charging footsteps heading their way. "There's-!" Macaque's voice died out when he attempted to warn his mate.

His warning was overshadowed by the projectile that was chasing the dragon in the air. The object changed- morphing into a large blade. This weapon came crashing down with an otherworldly force. It quickly ballooned to the size of a mountain, slashing Ao Lie from shoulder to tail with monstrous power. In a single swoop, an uneven wound had Ao Lie crashing to the ground and against the mountain side.
Wukong could remember screaming, " NO! "
The weapon changed again, growing limbs and arms- looking like some godly giant.This weapon was unlike anything they had ever seen. It was Lady Bone Demons' creation, towering in height and slashing through Ao Lie's side like butter.

The Dragon's roar reverberated and echoed through the domain. His shriek filled the air with a terrifying, unearthly pitch that made Wukong want to curl up in a corner and never move again. He knew it would haunt his dreams for years to come.

As Ao Lie plummeted downward, Wukong could make out a glimmer of blue that had been secured to the Dragon's back. Able to see what it was, Wulong recognized Azure Lion clinging to Ao Lie with all his might. Whether it was Ao Lie she had aimed for, or Azure Lion, it didn't matter, The Lady Bone demon had made her move.

After that... Things were blurry.
Wukong could only remember seeing GOLD before he was rushing up to meet her. Peng and him both were seething, blindly catapulting themselves to the Witch to seek revenge, unaware of the army that was at their door.
It was Mihou who warned everyone before it was too late, tugging the young Red Son back as the soldiers erupted from the trees.

The Lady Bone Demon's minions descended on the mountain like a cursed fog, a cacophony of screeches and cries puncturing through the air. While the rest of the brotherhood were tossed into war below, the Monkey King was taking his chances with the Witch herself.

Wukong kept his gaze trained on the Witch as he parried and dodged her relentless attacks, swinging his staff to repel each wave of her magic. His attacks were reckless and wild- driven by pure rage. He had lost sight of Peng somewhere in the fray.

He had always held back, keeping his abilities and raw strength in check. It was something he learned from his Master, wanting to follow his teachings at all times.

But this time was different. He had felt the fiery rage burning within him, the overwhelming need to unleash every ounce of power he possessed. To kill and seek vengeance.

His brothers lay on the ground below him, struck down by an enemy they had all sworn to destroy. How could he be expected to stay calm in the face of such devastation?

With a primal roar, he lunged.

His own fur was ripped and clothes shredded- his blood shot eyes, stained by the trigram furnace years ago, clear for the world to see with no power left to keep up his glamor.

Wukong had been the one to deal the final blow.

The Witch’s mech crumbled at the blow from his fist, skull splintering and sinking into the ground like a broken eggshell. His fingers curled around the remaining pieces of metal with effortless ease, crushing it until nothing remained but a pile of dust and shrapnel.

He felt no satisfaction or conclusion, just emptiness as he looked upon the wreckage. The Witch had vanished without a trace, leaving nothing but an eerie silence that seemed to hang in the air.

What was more concerning however, was the crackling sight of the sky above. The world was falling to pieces, and it took only finding Azure Lion to figure out why.
Drawn back to reality, Wukong's breathing felt choppy when he found Azure. The man, Wukong's sworn Brother, had a pair of wide-eyed, panic-stricken orbs that glowed beneath a furrowed brow.He stood on shaky knees, alone in the pummeled clearing. Tears stained his cheeks as he cradled Ao Lie in his arms- His Mate and chosen love.Ao Lie's once grand form had diminished to something more akin to a mortal, and he lay motionless. His skin was ashen gray, blood slowly seeping from the jagged cut that ran down his flank.
He was dying
"Lie..." Azure's voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes filling with tears. His mouth contorted into a desperate slur, shoulders sagging and hands shaking. "Please, stay with me," He pleaded, desperation in every syllable. Azure dropped to his knees and let out an unsteady wail. Uncontrollable sobs wracked his body as he looked upon Wukong.Wukong stood still in shock; it was the first time he had ever seen Azure cry."Brother," Azure grieved when he saw Wukong, "Ao Lie...!" Azure's hands were shaking as he held them against the Dragon's wound, desperately trying to stem the flow of blood. He could feel it seeping between his fingers and hear its wet plops as it fell onto the ground. The Dragon's breath was ragged, his lips a deep blue from lack of oxygen.Wukong's chest tightened and his lungs felt like they were filled with ice. He was rooted to the spot, unable to move or speak. This image felt fake- surely it couldn't be real. Ao Lie had never been hurt this badly before. Certainly he got bruises from time to time, often from his own klutzy nature, but never this horrid."I-I can't-" Azure's body convulsed, gagging in sharp pain. It startled Wukong enough to move and step closer. Around Azure, the sky was crackling. There was power in the Lion's eyes- The Jade Emperor's power.Azure Lion was now the Jade Emperor."Azure...? How are you-?" Wukong croaked, barely able to take a step from pure exhaustion. He stumbled, eyes searching the area. He had no power left to give- nothing that could save his Brother. They needed help.He put aside his questions for Azure, focusing on saving Ao Lie.Eventually managing to inch his way to Azure. Flinching at the pure energy that made the lion's body pulsate, Wukong settled his hand on Azure's shoulder. He could do nothing but offer cold comfort, moving his hand down Azure's shoulder to Ao Lie's side to try and put pressure on the wound.To wait it out, until help arrived.10 minutes later, filled with Azure's sobs and Wukong's broken breaths, light pierced the area. In the distance, Wukong saw a figure approaching. It was a woman, dressed in a flowing white gown that trailed behind her like a wave. Her hair was black as the void, and her eyes shone like the stars. It was the Goddess Guanyin, bodhisattva of mercy."G-Guanyin??" Wukong whispered as she reached out to cup his cheek. Her eyes pooled with worry, her body untouched and beautiful. A sharp contrast to the bloodied and beaten warriors at her feet."I came as swiftly as I could," her eyes looked over Wukong, then Azure Lion and Ao Lie. Azure shuddered, unable to move less the world crack apart- while his own world lay dying in his arms."Please-" he whispered.Guanyin's eyes narrowed, "Sun Wukong," her voice was soft and calm, like the gentle sway of a wind chime, making the King's eyes widen, "We must act quickly. Ao Lie's time is running out.""C… Can we save him?" Wukong asked, hopeful. Guanyin knelt beside him, placing a hand on Ao Lie's head. She closed her eyes in concentration, and a soft glow emanated from her palms. She took a deep breath and focused her energy, summoning power to her hand. With a forceful thrust, she plunged her other palm into the ground, sending shockwaves that shattered the earth. The ground trembled and split, revealing a shimmering pool of water.After a moment she panted, "Azure," she said, motioning towards the water. "Bring him to the pond. It may save him."Azure nodded, his face contorted in anguish. He lifted Ao Lie's body, which had become increasingly heavy- limp...It took all his strength, but he managed to carry the Dragon to the water and set him within.Ao Lie's body lightened against the pool, hanging slightly above Azure's hands as he floated. Azure stared for a long time, flinching when he felt Guanyin's hand on his back. "Steady yourself. Focus on your breathing and leave Ao Lie to me," she instructed, eyes glancing at the breaking skies.Azure lowered his hands and set them on his lap, his eyes wide and lost. Slowly he nodded, closing them to breathe.Guanyin returned to the pool, focusing her power through it to close Ao Lie's wound.Focus. Concentrate. Breathe.Azure repeated this over and over. Focus. Concentrate. Breathe. Focus. Concentrate. Breathe. Focus! Concentrate-
Emerald
His baby!Azure's eyes snapped open, tremors racing through his body. He spun around, catching sight of the spot where they had been thrown after Ao Lie had been struck in battle. His chest tightened as he remembered holding Emerald close during their fall, and he drew in a desperate breath as terror surged through him.He couldn't see his cub anywhere. He touched his chest mindlessly, searching for what was no longer there."Emerald," he murmured, his voice a gurgle of horror.Wukong, hunched over and catching his breath, lifted his head. "What?" He asked drowsily.Azure stood, startling Guanyin and Wukong both, "Azure, I insist you don't move! Your emotional state could risk the world's collapse!" Neither of them knew how Azure possibly held the Jade Emperor’s power in his hands, but it didn’t matter. They had to focus on keeping him calm. "No," Azure ignored her, turning to scan the area, "Emerald... Emerald...!" He repeated like a chant, his voice ghostly. His son. His baby!! HIS CUB!Wukong choked, "The child was with you??" he stumbled to his feet, pressing his hands to Azure's chest. He hadn't seen any sign of the infant. If Azure and Ao Lie had fallen from the sky, the cub could be anywhere.
He could be...
The entire mountain was covered in cinders and flame. Putrid with death- neither of them knowing who was alive or dead. The fire was- well, it wasn't normal.Wukong had felt the touch of these flames before, knowing it had to be from Demon Bull King's toddler; The Samadhi flame that churned in Red Son's chest.The cub had fallen into the flames, or even at the feet of any of the Witch's army...Wukong felt bile in his throat, making his head spin. A flash of Azure's cub, holding his own finger and smiling a toothless smile. He was so little..."I have to find him-!" Azure took one step and collapsed. He clawed at the ground, forcing himself upright. "I have to find him!!""Azure!" Wukong touched his back to steady him, grabbing his arm."Let me go!" Azure ripped his arm from his brother, wild and desperate.Guanyin was shaking her head, understanding his plight but knowing what was at stake if he left, “You need to focus! The world-""NO!" Azure swung his hand out to hit Wukong away, hopelessness in his eyes. "He's my son!" A second from running off, something sharp smacked against the back of Azure's neck. He saw stars, falling flat on his face on the ground. Unconscious, his body and mind stilled, the skies above steadying.Wukong's eyes were wide, turning to see that it had been Guanyin that had dealt the blow, knocking the Lion out cold. Her expression filled with agony and regret, retracting her hand. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "For his sake and the world, I had to."Wukong swallowed, shaking his head, "It... I understand," he concluded somberly. He stood, overlooking them all. Gathering Azure to lay him more on his back, he looked out to his home. "I have to find the others. I'll look for Emerald as well," he looked back at Guanyin, "Will you be alright alone?""I will be fine," she kept her eyes on Ao Lie, whose chest was rising and falling at a calmer tempo. "Go, find your family Wukong,"He nodded, turning to stumble into the tree line. He couldn't summon his cloud, couldn't move very fast, but he could at least run a little. That had to be enough to find Mihou. To find Mihou and his child. Had to find Emerald and everyone who was supposed to be here!Azure's wails were tormenting his mind. Fear was building in his lower stomach, searching every inch and corner he could get to.It didn't take long for him to delve into the more torn areas of his home. He vaulted over crushed trees and shattered boulders. Flashes of his home, once so beautiful and serene, were tainted. Everything he had was gone."Mihou... Mihou!" He cupped his hands around his mouth and screamed. Surely his mate would hear him and come running too. Surely!He staggered and slipped down a shallow bank of mud, finding himself in a clearing- no, more of a battlefield.Someone had been fighting here- fighting for their life.Moving around the strewn bodies of Lady Bone Demon's forces, he found himself at the tree towards the center. Searching over it, he saw something familiar- a loose red cloth .The fabric was laid across the broken branches, blown in the breeze. Wukong snagged the cloth, untangling it and drawing it closer.He took a smell, recognizing the scent; Nezha. His little brother.Nezha was here?? H-How? Had the Lotus Prince come to look for him during the battle?He looked left, and then right, horror covering his features as he realized that blood stained the garment."Nezha?!" He called, his voice echoing in the silence. "Little brother??" He took a few more steps, his foot catching something metallic. He looked down, inhaling sharply.One of Nezha's wheels lay at his feet, broken and left to rot. There was nobody in sight, but Wukong felt he knew without needing to see.Signs of a struggle, the evaporating dusts of the Witch's army at his feet- and a single lotus petal covered in ash and blood.
Nezha had been killed.
"No," Wukong denied this thought. "No." He wrapped the cloth around his wrist to secure it, turning to scour the area for signs of the Lotus Prince. Nezha couldn't possibly be dead. He wasn't even supposed to be here, so how could he be dead??He was running, uncaring to how his body ached against this action. His mind set on finding his friends, his mate. After several hours of searching, he felt like he couldn't walk much further.He was tired. So very tired.His throat was scratchy, agonizing chirps coming from him when he couldn't bare to call out names anymore. He had found some of his tribe- no longer breathing and gone from his life.He had lost many of his tribe in his years, most due to time and age. Losing them this way reminded him of when he was younger. When the mountain had been torn apart due to his own actions, a free for all to anyone who he pissed off.He was supposed to protect them!He didn't have time to bury them. He worried he might lose too much of the day to save who was still around if he did. So he marked the place in his own mind to return to, vowing to give them a proper burial when he could come back.Getting towards the top of his home, he finally arrived at the entrance of the waterfall. He scanned the area, the river a sickly brown from cinders and torn up ground. "Where-" he lifted his head when he smelled something familiar. Mango...?Crumbled against the river bank was a form with inky fur and stained clothes. Wukong screamed when he found Mihou.His mate lay in a mangled heap at the base of the waterfall, his right eye gouged out and his body ripped open with gaping wounds. Blood pooled around him as he made one last desperate attempt to crawl away, only for it to seep into the stream, dyeing it scarlet.It seemed Macaque had just barely gotten to the location, intending to seek safety, when he collapsed. To his own luck, it had been Wukong who found him before anyone else. Lifting his mate to his chest, Wukong sobbed as he clung to him. His hand cupped the side of Mihou's face, delicately caressing his petaled six ears. "Moon!" Wukong cried out, "Moon, please!"Mihou's chest sputtered with a breath, and Wukong knew he was alive. But the damage was so severe."Hnn." The six eared Macaque's remaining eye flickered open, staring up at Wukong with a mixture of pain and love. Panicked at first, it softened at the sight of Wukong, "Wukong...?" He lifted his head to grasp the King's shirt, "I'm sorry, Peaches," he murmured, "I couldn't protect our home."Wukong's heart clenched, tears stinging his eyes as he shook his head. "No, no, you did everything you could," he said, his voice clammy. "Don't speak. Just stay with me. Please, Moon, stay with me.""I... I couldn't.." Mihou swallowed, his voice crackly. "It's my fault... I lost them.... Nezha tried to get to them, but- Have you seen him? Have you seen Nezha? He might have caught them."Wukong was shaking his head, his mate's words too confusing to piece together, "Nezha?" Wukong asked, confused. His stomach dropped, his eyes flickering to the red cloth he had tied around his wrist. Nezha was...Nezha tired to- I couldn't see.." Macaque whimpered, a tear slipping down his remaining eye. "I'm so sorry...I lost them." He croaked.Wukong shook his head, brushing Mihou's fur out of his face, "Lost who?"Mihou's breathing grew shallow, his body going limp in Wukong's arms. "Our-" his eyes fell shut. Wukong let out a cry of despair, scrambling to press his fingers to Mihou's pulse. To his relief, it still beat strong, his mate only falling unconscious.He stayed there for what felt like hours, cradling Mihou's body protectively. "I got you, Mihou. I got you..." He had to get Mihou back to Guanyin to heal him.Lady Bone Demon would pay for what she had done. And Wukong would make sure of it.No matter the cost.Lifting Mihou tight to his chest, preparing to make the journey back to the goddess, Wukong's hand wandered Mihou's back. He felt the shawl there, knowing Mihou always wore it to carry their child's egg around easily.Wukong's hands brushed the fabric, feeling it flatten below his palm. It was empty.Wukong looked around sharply, knowing Mihou would never part with that egg under any circumstances. Mihou's words carved into his soul, filling it with agony.
I lost them....
Wukong screamed.
Their baby…!

Nezha had been in war before. Practically had been raised in it. You would think then, that he would be used to it- but he still felt like a small child in the face of it's gaze

Hellfire was raining down from the sky, erupting in colors that overtook its great expanse. Nezha was moving as fast as his legs could carry him, tearing across the battlefield.

He gasped for breath as a thick, acrid smoke filled his lungs and burned his eyes. He screamed out, desperately hoping to hear the voices of his comrades or identify the cries of his enemies, so he could assess who had the advantage in this battle.

The Ivory demon, who seemed to go by Lady Bone Demon now, had made her move. She had attacked the Celestial Realm and its inhabitants in one fell swoop.

She threatened to take over the world and destroy everything within. A clean slate is how she referred to it. They hadn’t prepared for her attack- nor could they match it in numbers.

Nezha had come from a previous battle- exhausted, and running of fumes. He couldn't find anyone. He was... scared. He was out of his league, worried he might just be the last left standing.

In the sea of these horrible thoughts, the world seemed to run still.

Nezha froze as the sky broke in two above him, the stitched seams of the universe fraying before his very eyes. He held his breath, watching as it slowly rejoined.

This was a known power to him. This was the Jade Emperor's power, which often kept the sky intact. To see it openly broken like that could only mean one thing...

The Jade Emperor… He truly was…

He was killed.

He had felt it 20 minutes prior, caught in conflict and almost killed in his distracted state. Horror gripped him as he wailed out in distress. The Jade Emperor had been torn asunder.

He knew not the state of the Emperor’s power, but considering the world hadn’t been completely eviscerated yet, it was at least safe to assume someone else had taken the power from running rampant.

There was a new Jade Emperor now- but who??

Without a means to find out, he tracked down the lingering wisps of power. He followed the trail as best he could, leading him far East, where the war raged on.

He could sense the Jade Emperor’s power somewhere close by…

He flew over ruins and burning homes, luckily having been long since evacuated.

Ducking right, he barely avoided a tumbling structure that plummeted from the sky. This war was spreading into the human realm- falling ruins of the celestial realm descending from the sky to cause mass destruction below. This battle seemed to overtake the world and every domain within. Nowhere seemed safe…

Knowing only one who could stop this chaos, Nezha approached the mountain he had been seeking: Flower Fruit Mountain.

Sun Wukong. A man he considered a brother, sharing a drink to swear as such. He just needed to find Sun Wukong and maybe this would be okay.

Whipping around the mountain, Nezha yelled when something large erupted from the surface. It sent him spiraling, a wind tunnel overtaking his path. He yelled, waving his arms frantically to steady himself. When he did, another ricochet of gusts made the mountains tremble.

Pressure- immense pressure, was accumulating before him.

He felt the blood drain from his face when he saw her…

The Lady Bone demon was here, taller than all of the mountains around them in a great machine.

Like a mech suit, it shimmered in silver, blue light coming from its eyes. It didn’t seem focused on the Lotus Prince; instead, it looked out a little beyond to a glowing ball of light that was getting bigger.

From personal experience, Nezha knew exactly what this was.

Sun Wukong.

The King was encompassed by his War Form, as tall as a mountain, and standing to fight back the Lady Bone Demon within her mech. Nezha hadn’t seen that form in a very very long time. To see it now, the power surging from it… It made his stomach drop.

The two gods were practically fist-fighting it out, far beyond anyone else's power in the area. Even if others wanted to help, they would simply get in the way.

With that thought in mind, Nezha retreated backwards, taking to Flower Fruit Mountain instead to see if he could be of any assistance here. He needed to trust that Wukong could handle this!

..He could handle this, right?? He had beaten the Lady Bone Demon before, so surely he could do it again!

With some struggling beliefs, Nezha zipped down to eye the jungle.

Lady Bone Demon’s army seemed to take the mountain over. Of course, she would hit this spot with everything she had- no doubt to satiate her grudge against the Monkey King.

Things like balloons and party favors were torn across the trees- Had there been a party going on before the attack?

Wait, of course! Nezha had denied the invitation due to a conflict in his own schedule, but today was meant to be the day Wukong and Mihou’s child would be born!

He glanced upward, eyeing how the moon was slowly creeping across the sun in an eclipse. In the light of the war, it was easy to forget something so auspicious.

That day, many traveled to Flower Fruit Mountain to celebrate the occasion of Mihou and Wukong's first child.

The Demon Bull Family, Azure Lion and his mate Ao Lie, the Brotherhood- all had been intended to be at the mountain. And all bore witness to the rise of Lady Bone Demon, currently fighting for their lives.

Nezha knew not where any of them were. He wanted to support them all best he could, drawn to the voice of one. At the top of the mountain, where a nursery was, Nezha found Wukong’s mate.

Liu'er Mihou, the shadow to Wukong's light, the moon of his eye, was holding the line. Nezha was making a b-line in the sky to head his way.

Mihou was overwhelmed, surrounded, and clutching at his bleeding eye. The Witch's thralls had managed to snag him across the face, piercing the Monkey’s right eye and blinding him.

Nezha's breath caught in his throat when he saw what was unfolding before him. He propelled himself downwards, cutting through the sky as fast as the wheels on his feet could carry him. He swerved leftward when arrows shot through the sky below him with the intention of cutting him down. The Witch's forces seemed to be everywhere!

Ducking right, he slammed his spear towards the ground- the pure force of power ripping the ground up and scattered the enemies. Panting, he looked back at Mihou, catching his Speer when he shot back at him.

The Second King was being tossed when a large brute of an enemy slammed against him. Nezha heard a sickening crack as Macaque's body met the unforgiving earth below, then a wail of pain as Macaque curled into himself.

But that was little in comparison to what fell from Macaque’s person.

The shawl over Macaque's back, which held the Monkey’s every wish and dream, shifted at the impact. From its contents, a single stone egg slipped free. It rolled, drawing a wail from the ink-stained monkey as he clawed at the ground to collect it.

Nezha was moving, rushing forward as he watched Mihou scramble to gather his unborn child. Seconds from grabbing the egg, the Witch's army was upon him.

The soldiers grabbed at his limbs, pulling and pinning him to the ground. He watched in shock and horror as it tumbled, spinning over the edge of the mountain.

“NOO!” 
Mihou threw his arm out, his piercing scream echoing over the cliffs. The stone was plummeting, disappearing over its edge.

Nezha reacted quickly, shooting like a rocket over the side cliffs. He caught Mihou’s eyes for just a moment. Just long enough for Macaque to register who Nezha was, and feel relief for the safety of his child- knowing that Nezha would catch the egg.

“I got it!” Nezha yelled to Mihou, reaching his arms out. He would come back to help Macaque later. Right now he had to focus on the child!

Nezha had never moved so quickly before, spurred forward under the concept that a life would be lost if he didn't.

As he descended, the area grew dark. The eclipse was fully upon them.

He reached out, grunting, “Almost-!”

Catching the egg between his fingers a second before it shattered against the ground, Nezha reeled upward. His foot caught a branch, forcing the Lotus Prince into a spin that ended with him crashing against a tree trunk. He coiled in on himself, shielding the egg from harm as the trunk split in two from the impact.

Landing on the ground, the celestial panted. Exhaustion burned his eyes. His body ached painfully, creaking in defiance of his will to keep moving. "...I need a vacation." Nezha wheezed, his legs trembling.

The egg!

Recalling his task, he looked down at the gift that was held in his hands. The hope for future generations was held to his chest, small and fragile.

A single-stone egg.

Sitting up, he panted, sweat dripping down his chin. “G-Got you.” he wheezed, smiling at the egg. With it secured, he had to get back to Mihou and aid him. He stood, staggering for a moment. Finding his bearings he lifted himself off the ground to levitate, more mindful of his surroundings with a child in his care. 
“Now I just-“ The stone glowed . 
Nezha froze, looking down at the egg. Was... Glowing normal?

“Huh?” He squeaked, eyes wide. Holding the stone out, the light overtook him, piercing the air in a beam of white light. Shielding his eyes, Nezha winced.

The light was enough to blind and disorient him, forcing him back onto the ground in a heavy heap. His exhaustion was getting to him- the man was starting to see stars.

As his vision returned, able to focus back on his senses, Nezha felt a strange sensation. Something soft sat in his palms. He could hear chirping and whimpering.

He looked down at the stone between his fingers. No… This was no stone anymore. Now there were living beings. Two, to be precise. Twin Monkeys, infants less than a few seconds old, had been born. They were as small as his palms, squished together and crying out for the first time in their life.

Nezha’s jaw fell open, having witnessed the miracle of birth…and freaking out about it!

So he screamed. Loud and high pitched, pacing back and forth in a panic. “I-I oh! Y-You’re- ah! Twins?? Twins?! I thought Wukong said one!! Don’t cry! Shh shh! It’s okay.” He shrieked, looking around wildly for help. Mihou! He needs Mihou! “Oh no no no no no!”

He got two steps before a presence made Nezha pause. He turned to head back, jumping when creatures of inky black and ice began to emerge from the shadows. He had been fighting these things all day, could they not give him just a few minutes to breathe!?

“Shit.” He hissed, stepping back. He looked beyond them to the hillside he had just descended from, wondering if Mihou could hear him but doubting so with how piercing the noise was from Wukong and Lady Bone Demon’s fight. Nezha could hardly even hear himself think.

“GRAH!” One of the monsters leaped forward, attempting to swing at him.

Nezha ducked back, avoiding the attack at the last second. The infants cried in his hand. He cursed a second time, knowing he couldn’t fight his way through and keep the babies from harm. Using half of the ribbon that always circled his shoulders and body, he used it to make a makeshift shawl. Tying it quickly, he secured the infants to his chest, lifting his staff to block a second attack.

"Dont..! Attack...! Infants!!" He screamed at one, slamming his fist right between its eyes in a fit of rage. More were appearing the more Nezha fought them off.

They were forcing him back, away from Mihou and in the other direction. Nezha turned and fled, moving further away from the baby monkey's parent's.

It was the best option for now until he could circle back safely and return to Mihou. Turning, Nezha was ducking through trees and bushes. The inky monsters were hot on his trail, yelling incoherent words and threats.

He could smell smoke, and before long, he could see it too. It was overtaking the forest in blood-red flames. It was suffocating, forcing him back up into the sky to avoid risking getting caught up in its flame.

Which wasn't the safest location either, considering some of these thralls could fly and only flew after him. For now, he tried to focus on avoiding the fire.

Burning magenta and unlike anything else this world had ever seen.

Nezha knew this power; the samadhi fire! Somewhere, the young bull prince was losing control.

Undoubtedly spooked from everything going on.

Nezha wanted to pull out his hair in frustration. They had made plans to help the Bull Family seal away this power. The date had been set for next week after Wukong’s children were safely brought into the world.

Nezha realized they probably shouldn’t have held it off.

Everything was a mess. He was tired, his vision was blurry, and he felt little hope for the situation. He had two infants crying and clinging to him as their only hope and he had no means to comfort them in the despair around them.

Nezha felt the weight of responsibility bearing down on him as he ran, the babies' cries piercing through the chaos around them. He needed to get them to safety, to find a way to protect them from the destruction that was unfolding before them.

Sharply turning his head when he heard a screech, he ducked downward when a flying monster lunged for him.

Getting back to the ground, he used the smoke to mask his movement, ducking behind a few trees. He ran, clutching the children close.

As he ran, he spotted a small valley in the distance, right beyond a narrow crevice. It was just big enough for him to squeeze through. Without a second thought, he sprinted towards it, the sound of the inky monsters' footsteps growing louder behind him.

The undead army were hot on his heels, their dark forms darting through the flames like shadows. Nezha was breathing hard, his lungs aching with the effort of his exertions. He could feel his muscles burning with fatigue, but he couldn't stop. Not now.

The samadhi fire was getting closer, the heat of it searing his skin even from this distance. He hunched forward, circling the flowing red fabric that normally adorned his shoulders around the small cubs in his arms. They whimpered and chirped, clinging to Nezha's chest with all their might.

Nezha could feel the inferno licking at his heels, and he knew that he had to keep moving. Just as he reached the crevice, he felt a searing pain in his back. One of the monsters had managed to land a blow on him with an arrow, leaving a gash that was bleeding profusely.

With a grunt, Nezha stumbled against the crevice, hugging the infants close. Nezha hissed, scraping against the wall of the stone in his desperation to squeeze through it.

He cursed when the arrow on his back snapped in two against the rock, ducking through right as the army was upon him and unable to follow due to their size. Sliding into the open valley, able to leap into the clear sky, he was just about to dive up into the clouds when a large staff landed just feet from him.

The ground curled upward, making him stumble and fall back.

Wukong's staff was crashing into the landscape, having been tossed from his hands with his battle against the Witch. Just as large as Wukong's monstrous size, it would have easily crushed Nezha had he just been a mile ahead.

"You crazy Monkey!" He screeched at the skies, knowing Wukong wouldn't be able to hear him.

Nezha scrambled to his feet, panting, his heart racing. He looked around wildly, taking in his surroundings. The valley stretched out before him, barren and empty. The only sounds were the distant pounding of his pursuers and his own ragged breaths.

Calm- they were going to die- no no, stay calm!

He knew that he couldn't outrun the undead forever. He needed to find a place to hide. But where? The valley was so open and exposed. He needed some kind of cover, some kind of refuge.

There was a faintly metallic smell in the air, but he couldn't identify it.

Wobbling forward towards the tree at the center, he glanced up to see if the area in the sky above was clear. With not a thrall in sight, it might just very well be his chance to enter the skies without being shot down.

Then he could make it back to the six eared Macaque.

Bending his knees he jumped upward, barely making it over the tree's surface before something sharp hit his heel.

An arrow!

He attempted to surge upward into the sky, startled when the wheel at his feet was struck. It shattered at his heel, forcing him back to the ground in a heavy heap. He crashed through the branches below, scratching at his clothes and ripping them.

He twisted to land on his back, wincing but securing the safety of the infants.

The witch’s thralls had surrounded him, cornering him in the valley.

Shit....

Nezha's heart pounded as he searched frantically for a way out. He knew he was trapped, but he refused to give up without a fight. Clutching the infants tightly to his chest, he took a deep breath and turned to face his attackers.

The undead were closing in on him, their glowing eyes fixed hungrily on the infants he was protecting. Nezha could hear their raspy breathing and feel their fetid breath on his skin. He shuddered, trying not to let his fear show.

With a snarl, he unleashed his own powers, summoning a blaze of fire that engulfed the thralls. They screamed in agony as the flames licked at their flesh, but they kept coming. Nezha gritted his teeth, snatching his spear from his back to smash it against one's skull.

He spun, uneven with only one wheel on his foot.

His side ached, his head throbbed- His wounds were taking their toll, and his powers were fading. He knew he couldn't hold out forever.

If he could just-

Caught in his thoughts, and his yelling, he had no time to prepare for the smack he got to the back of the head.

Pain erupted behind his eyes, and then he was falling, darkness taking over.

The last thing he recalled hearing that day was a laugh.

"Take all three. Our Lady will have use for them yet."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Ao Guang felt the warning rumble in the depths of the sea before he got news of the war. There was little time to react, and in truth, he had every intention to not partake. His own Kingdom, hidden beneath the waves, needed his protection. He could not leave it just to join the fray of the heavens.They had many protectors up there in the clouds, but his people? They only had him.So he remained on a vigilant guard over his domain, peering outward to the shadowy floors of the ocean. Left to wonder just how horrible the devastation was at the surface. To wonder if the heavens stood a chance against the Witch's might.Ao Guang exhaled, clearing his head. The water was inky dark, but even at this depth, random flashes of phosphorescent light highlighted the darkness like tiny fireworks. The ground sometimes shook, startling his people as they rushed for cover.The heavens were being torn asunder. Perhaps it was only due to the water pressure that none of the Witch's soldiers could make it down this way- their only saving grace."Calm," Ao Guang spoke to his advisor when he rushed into his chambers, his expression pale. "We must remain calm, and ready,""But my King- the beacon...!" The advisor gasped for breath, his voice choppy.In a meditative state at the head of his Kingdom, Ao Guang had sat deep in thought when the electronic trill of an incoming message sliced into his concentration. An echo to what his advisor was trying to inform him of.A call for aid?Panicked, having never heard the beacon's warning alarm until today, he rose from the ground and crossed the room to the terminal - urgent messages were rarely sent to him this way, and he had no choice but to respond.A sort of, SOS line of contact, you could refer to it as. It was established years ago for emergency use, left to collect dust after it's construction.Should any of the Ao family descendants require aid, they could call upon this beacon for the family to assist. It was rarely put into practice, many of their own being too proud to request aid.This however, came as a rare shock.Far into the mortal realm the signal came, where Ao Guang knew their more human descendants made their home. The current successors of his Brother's sword, the Dragon of the West.Before he could truly think of the consequences of this action, Ao Guang was heading in that direction. Flying as fast as his body would allow, he threw himself from the ocean and into clouds of smoke. The damage was far worse then he first thought. It seemed it was not just the heavens that was dragged into this war- but every realm.The Witch kept true to her word on a "clean slate" for all.The sun had begun to dip behind the horizon by the time he arrived at his distant relatives' home. The orange hue of the setting sun casted long shadows that twisted over rocks and crackling cement.It was far from a towering estate of luxurious machines and artifacts. No, all that was left was rubble and chaos.A fire was still raging on to the remaining structures, taking it from this word.The war had arrived, leaving behind an eerie quiet. Buildings lay in broken ruins, smoke rising from the rubble like a ghostly fog, and charred remains of vehicles were scattered on the street. He looked around desperately, hoping to find anything alive, but all was still; he was too late."No..." Ao Guang whispered. He kept little contact with his distant family, but he knew to at least keep tabs on them- for the sake of his own bloodline. For the sake of nostalgia and the quiet little place in his heart that held his family like precious jewels.His new Niece had been born here recently. Ao Mei, living together with her parents, who were enthusiast of their history.They were known for collecting their culture and preserving it. Ao Guang had wanted to meet them in person, since it was rare for their own family to care for their history in the same way he did.
Fellow collectors of the past.Without hesitation, he darted ahead and scanned the destruction. Shattered glass, charred beams, and an overwhelming dust cloud filled the air as he frantically combed through the wreckage for any sign of life.He found nothing but the dead and destroyed.Then, like a small bell, the softest voice croaked out a fleeting breath.Ao Guang had found his family then, or at least, what remained of it. He had found Ao Long, the recent head of the family in this generation."Master Ao Guang.." Long gave a weakened smile, extending his hand.Ao Guang's gasped, frantically heaving chunks of wreckage from the man. The exposed limbs, though now free, were limp and lifeless; it was clear his efforts had been too late.Long was far too injured for anything to be done, holding on by mere seconds. Ao Guang knelt before him, his white robe stained when Long clutched at his sleeve."I didn't think you would come when I sent the call for help," Long admits, his eyes searching at the god before him. His first encounter with his distant family. An encounter that normally would have him beaming ear to ear with excitement. He could barely muster a small smile, "...You are just as I thought you would be. This is such an honor," Long murmured, quietly amazed. His eyes were a shimmering green, just as Ao Guang remembered his Brother's being. A trait that seemed to pass down the family without fail.The familiarity of this color made Ao Guang's heart ache, "Shh now," he implored the man, slipping his hand below Long's skull to gently lift him higher.Perhaps a man to mortals, but no different from an infant compared to Ao Guang. Soft and delicate- deserving of so much more than this.Why hadn't he come to visit more...?"Save your strength. Who did this?" Ao Guang whispered, looking left and right for help. Finding none, he was drawn back when Long touched his hand."I didn't know who they were. Blue eyed demons whose every breath was like ice." He doubled over in pain, his hands shaking as he clutched at his side. Tears stung his eyes as he desperately met the gaze of Ao Guang. His voice quivered and cracked as he pleaded for help, "My daughter... they took her." He swallowed a sob as he begged for aid, "Please... you must save her.""Your daughter?" Ao Guang felt the air thicken as he stared in disbelief. What would the witch want with their family descendant?? Why would they take her, and not kill her as they did with everyone else?"I don't care what happens to me... But Mei-" Long coughed into his hand, blood dribbling down his chin. "She's just a child.. she is everything to this family."The man was limp in Ao Guang's arms, his life leaving his very eyes. Yet his only concern was his little girl. Ao Guang had no means of tracking these attackers, but if it was true that they simply took the girl instead of killing her, there was a high chance she was still alive"I will find her, Long," he said firmly. "I will bring her back."Long's gaze searched his. For a moment, the glossy green of his eyes brightened, crinkling into a smile. "You'll love her, I'm sure..." Long's eyelids fluttered closed as Ao Guang held him in a gentle embrace. His last breath sounded like a sigh, his pulse slowing to a stop as his spirit departed. As delicate as any creature, the heart of Ao Long stilled, and he was gone."...Find Peace,"The Dragon King carefully lifted Long off of his back, cradling him until the area grew dark and the moon began to rise. He bowed his head in reverence and uttered a prayer. His breath trembled, grief a far too familiar feeling- and one he had so desperately tried to avoid down in his palace.It seemed it was inevitable. He had known Long for the smallest amount of time, yet he had taken something from Guang to his grave. He should have gotten here soon. He should have come to check on them the moment he knew the war had broken out."I will find her," he couldn't save Long, but he would find his child.Ao Mei had been taken, and it was up to him to find her. Rising from his feet, he took the time to bury Ao Long. It wasn't much, far less than one of the Ao bloodline deserves, but he would make it up to them. Searching for any other clues, Ao Guang eventually stumbled upon Ao Long's wife. having left this world long before he arrived.He buried her next to her husband.With nothing else to be done here, he scowered the area, but little was to be found. If they walked away by foot, there was no sign of this, so they must have taken to the sky.He had to return home if this war truly as bad as it seemed, but he would not go back on his word. He would find Ao Mei and return her home. He would be her family.He would protect what was left of their bloodline. No matter how long it took.He rooted through the debris, pushing aside stones and broken branches until he found what he was looking for: his brother's sword, its pristine jade glinting in the moonlight. He snatched it from its resting place and held it close to his chest as he made the long journey home.He would hold onto it until the day he could return it to where it properly belonged.Nezha's head pounded in time with his rapid pulse as he slowly surfaced from unconsciousness. Every part of him felt like it was burning, a deep-seated ache that threatened to overwhelm him. With a groan he forced himself to sit up and took in his unfamiliar surroundings; the thick scent of damp earth mixed with the metallic tang of blood hung in the air.He opened and closed his mouth, trying to rid his senses of the grimey taste that held in his mouth. "Where..?"There was a gentle sound of running water somewhere, echoing against his ears. The ground was solid and damp to the touch.Nezha groaned, brushing his fingers to the side of his head and peering around the darkness that covered him. Eventually his eyes adjusted, finding himself within a cave of sorts. It was wet at his feet, leaving him cold and shivering. How long had he been here? What had brought him here? Puzzled, he checked his person first, finding his injuries bandaged. “Why…?” He let his eyes drift to the wall, feeling a tightness in his chest. He tried to make sense of the broken pieces of his mind, but no answers came. His hands moved on autopilot, flattening against his chest where he knew, objectively, two little ones should be, but were no longer there.Startled when he remembered something vital, he inhaled sharply.The children- the monkey twins!"The babies!" he lurched forward. He jumped to his feet, but it took a split second before dizziness and disorientation took over. Sharp pain ran up his side and he stumbled back, landing hard on his knees.The pain was excruciating. He cursed, swallowing down bile as he searched for any assistance. The wall...Hoping no one would see his shame, he pushed forward on his hands and knees. The skin on his palms was raw and worn from his desperate crawl towards the corner of the cave. He gritted his teeth, cursing himself for his carelessness. With each painful movement, the wall of the cave got closer - offering refuge to help him stand.Using it as support, he heaved himself upward. "Ugh..." Nezha held his bruised side, sharp pains making his vision feel blurry.He fumbled forward with tentative steps, one hand on the slimy cave wall, feeling its clamminess seeping through his fingertips. The darkness ahead was overwhelming, but he kept pushing onwards, following the faintest glimmer of light he could see up ahead.He was positive he was just at Flower Fruit Mountain, trying to avoid death in a pit of cinders and claws. Now he was in an unfamiliar cave. He supposed this could be somewhere upon the mountain, but the type of rock was different. Either way, the children were gone and he needed to find them. He had chosen to be responsible for them when he looked Mihou in the eye, and he was going to bring those children back to their parents. No matter what.He just hoped they were okay.Taking a few stumbling steps, the aching on his body grew worse. He felt like he had been crushed by this mountain rather than placed within it.He reached up to rub his stiff neck and flinched as he felt a solid lump there. He carefully probed with his fingers, brushing against something cold and heavy that hung around his neck. He flinched, jolting with surprise.A gold circlet circled his throat.“W-What?” he stammered, stopping to grasp it with both hands. He gave it a tug, but it wouldn’t budge. It wasn’t necessarily choking him, but certainly was far too tight for comfort. “What is this?!” He gave it another sharp tug, finding no means to slip it over his head or remove it. He tugged and yanked at the ring with all his might, but it wouldn’t budge. His breathing became labored and sweat trickled down his forehead as he frantically tried to twist the metal from his throat. After a few minutes of desperation, he finally let out a mournful sigh and slumped in defeat.A circlet… N-No big deal. He could deal with this. It wasn't as though this was the first time, after all.  His heart raced as he stumbled around in the dark, his hands outstretched and sparking with a single flame to find his way. Eventually he found himself in a more refurbished room. He stepped inside, taking in the sight of furniture and fixtures. Up above him was a skylight that casted in light. He blinked a few times and when his vision cleared, his stomach lurched.In the center of the room, hidden from the peeking light of the sun above, stood a woman. She stood alluring and still, her face and body hidden beneath a deep cowl that pooled around her feet. Her hands were clasped at her waist, ringed by long, tapered sleeves like billowing clouds.The Lady Bone Demon. She stood alone, strands of white hair spilling out from underneath her hood and draped over her shoulders like barbed wire. There was a sound- like music. She was humming.The discordant notes of an unfamiliar song coming from her voice echoed off the walls in a nauseating melody. The walls were thick and packed stone, keeping her voice trapped in the small space. Nezha might almost call it beautiful if he didn’t know who he was looking at.Nezha held his breath, his adrenaline surging. His foot skidded against a pebble and sent it scuttling across the pavement. Her gaze followed the noise and landed right on him.“You-” he hissed, seething. He pushed himself from the wall, uncaring for his shaky knees. "Witch,"The Witch's expression was unreadable, just a placid stare. Then a glimpse of a smile dared to tug at the corners of her thin lips.Nezha was met with frosted blue eyes peeking out from beneath the cloak, the boney fingers of the witch clutch at something against her chest.The bundle was small and tightly wrapped in a ruby-red blanket, secured to her, “I see you are awake,” she speaks, her voice crackly. Nezha felt his blood run cold, tightening against his heart and stealing his breath. Had she been the one to bring him here? He hadn't been saved.. he had been taken captive.Taking a step forward, he stopped when she put a finger to her lips. He looked down at where her eyes flickered, noting the bundle. A small chirp followed.One of Wukong’s children lay clutched to the Witch's chest, her skeletal hands wrapped around its small frame. It was the twin with darker fur, his 6 ears peeking out from the blanket. "You'll make the little one cry," she says with a sickening smile, lifting the child to nuzzle their cheeks together. "This one just settled down after crying for so long,"Everything felt wrong. Never had Nezha felt his stomach twist like it was now. He stumbled forward, not sure what he planned to do. What he could do- but that didn’t matter! She shouldn’t be touching them. Shouldn’t be holding Wukong’s children!! “Get your hands off him!” He barked ready to surge forward, extending his arms out.His fingers were mere inches away from the Witch when he felt an intense, burning sensation in his back. He gasped and stumbled forward, collapsing onto the cold ground as agonizing pain spread through his body. Still dizzy, a hand gripped the back of his neck, forcing his face right into the dirt. A figure he hadn’t realized was there had made its move, pinning the Lotus Prince to the ground. “Is that any way to speak to a Lady?” He felt a warm breath against his ear and he tensed. His eyes shifted to where the voice was coming from, and he saw a tall figure shrouded in shadows. Two bright blue eyes glowed like two icy shards. He knew he stood before the Witch’s lap dog. Nezha's arms shook with the effort of struggling against the man’s strength. His teeth were clenched together, his jaw tight and his fists balled up, yet he could not overpower him. He was pinned, too weak to muster any more strength.An immense weight of the man's foot pressed against Nezha’s back, bearing down so harshly that he struggled to breathe. He felt his ribs creak, certain they would break under the pressure. The seconds ticked by as if time itself had paused in anticipation, promising the fate of a broken spine, until a voice shattered the silence.“Enough.” with her word alone, the Witch's General let up his foot and fell back into line. "Calm yourself.” The Witch spoke in a calm tone. Her voice was soft, even gentle as she bounced the child in her arms.The child’s little hands lifted upward curiously, naively unaware of the evil he touched. Forced to watch, Nezha felt sick. This close and he could do nothing."He's perfect, is he not?" The Witch's face slowly softened, and she allowed a rare smile to crease her pale lips. Her gaze - usually stern - was now filled with warmth as she regarded the child with unmistakeable affection, “This one.” She whispered, her cold lips pressing to his forehead- Like a mother silently claiming her child, “This one shall be mine. My Champion.” She lifted him up, the child chirping in confusion. His three tails swayed in the air below him, curling and twisting as he grew accustomed to using them. He was turning his head left and right, like all curious children did."He isn't yours," Nezha croaked."Finders Keepers," The General sneered, slamming Nezha's nose deeper into the dirt."Come now," Lady Bone Demon says, poking the child's velvety nose. She watched how he looked around. So young and yet so vigilant and aware of his surroundings.Then the child seemed to recognize something the adults did not, his little fingers opening and closing. The chocolate furred monkey turned to the crib that was placed at the corner of the room. The child had found where his brother was laying, the porcelain furred monkey peering at his brother through the bars. The chocolate monkey squealed, trying to twist from the Witch’s grasp to rejoin his brother. The Witch held him with ease as he twisted and cooed, making grabby hands for his twin. "Overly attached," she says to herself. She could sense such raw and staggering power from this Monkey she held, even at this age. His Brother however, not so much. Of course, that didn't imediately subtract his usefulness."There," She lowered the chocolate furred monkey back to the crib, settling him over the other monkey. The two squealed and hugged, unaware that death itself was staring down at them. "They are sweet, aren't they Lotus Prince?" she asked her captive. Giving the twins a long stare, she reached down with her bony finger to brush the lighter monkey’s cheek. The roundness of the baby was bouncy and plush, drawing a chirp from the infant. “Such fragile things.” The Witch mused. “But one day…They'll be so much more,” Her tone was filled with something Nezha couldn't describe. Love? Affection? It felt too wrong to give it a word. To think of everyone that could have “saved” them, it was her. If she was here, what did that mean for Wukong?? Had he been defeated, or had she just run away before the end of the fight- like a coward! The Witch focused back on him, gesturing for her General. He smirked, tugging on Nezha. Forced on his knees, his arms were tugged behind him hard enough to make his bones ache.Nezha gagged, grimacing. After a moment to collect himself he spat, “What do you want?” She stepped closer, her eyes fixed on him as if she were weighing her options. Slowly, she tilted her head towards his, “It’s quite simple,” she gestured to the children. “I want you to raise my children."Nezha’s stopped fighting the General for a moment, his breath coming out in short gasps. His vision was clouded with exhaustion as he tried to make sense of what had just been said. A strand of his hair slipped in front of his face, falling from the bun he normally kept it up in.“What?” His voice was barely above a whisper. What nonsense was she talking about?“They will be my champions when they come of age. The guiding lights to this horrid world. Which will take time,” she says whimsically. She moved slowly, far too slowly for Nezha not to notice. She seemed injured, lacking in the strength she once held. Perhaps Wukong had defeated her after all... “Your "champions"…” Nezha repeated, his voice like venom. He didn't understand what convoluted plan she had, and he wanted no part of it. “Those boys are Sun Wukong’s and Liu’er Mihou’s. Not yours.”“I don't see them anywhere. Practically abandoning their own children if they don't have the strength to keep hold of them,” the General cackled behind him, silenced when the Witch gestured for him to do so.Nezha was about to spin around and bash his forehead into the man's skull for having the audacity to make that remark!“Those simians would only raise a child that is obedient to the corrupted rules of the realms. Such innocence and power would be wasted.” the Witch says, her eyes distant but convinced.Nezha gawked at her. He didn't know what was worse- her backwards logic, or that fact that she wanted him to be a part of it! He couldn't believe what he was hearing. This woman was crazy if she thought he was going to raise someone else's children as her champions."You're insane," he shook his head."It's for everyone's best interest," she said, folding her arms in front of her. "This world is dark and twisted. Selfishness, hatred, cruelty- those are the only things that truly exist in this world. These children will change that,"Nezha fought against the man's hold on him, forcing himself back to his knees to glare at her, "Why me? Why any of this?? How can you claim this is for some greater purpose when it results to- to kidnapping children?! Destroying homes!" he asked, not understanding her objective with this. How does violence fight back against violence?"I don't expect someone who bows his head to the flaws of this world to understand. However, I'm aware of my own limitations. Raising children- training them to fight and correctly respond to situations. I can make someone respond correctly, but my skills aren't as sharp as training. I believe only specific individuals truly thrive in the art of being a mentor." she turned. "I admit I hadn't initially planned on using you, but the situation presented itself none-the-less," her lips curled, "Destiny truly works in funny ways.""Destiny is not something the flows with just your goals in it's intention," Nezha grumbled, "Why would I even help you? Kidnapping children and considering it righteous. It makes me sick,”The Lady Bone Demon's nostrils quivered and her eyes glowed with a fiery rage. "This is your chance to be apart of something greater,""Fuck you," Without warning, Nezha shot an angry glob of spit onto the stone floor at her feet. He opened his mouth to hurl another response, but the General's gauntleted fist shot out and slammed into his temple. His eyes rolled back in pain and he staggered, trying not to lose consciousness.“You seem confused,” Lady Bone Demon's finger slipped below his chin, lifting it higher. “This is an order, not a request.” her smile was wicked. "You are only alive because of this order," His vision swam, head lulling to the side to focus on her. “You wouldn’t be able to make it out of here alive, with or without the children,” her fingers moved towards him, grasping the circlet around his neck. He jolted, flinching at her touch, “Do you like my gift?”His chest tightened in realization. She had planned for this. Whether she intended this from the beginning or not, it didn’t matter. “You-” Nezha began, but before he could finish speaking, the Witch began to recite the words he knew all too well. The cold metal circlet closed around his neck. He could feel every last breath of air being sucked from his struggling lungs. He kicked and fought, but the General seemed to relish in his agony, mocking him with a hideous cackle. After what felt like an eternity of gasping for air, the necklace released its grip from around Nezha's throat. He wheezed loudly, rolling onto his side to clutch his throat. Everything was too loud- too painful. Lifting his head, he looked beyond the Witch’s feet to the crib. The two twins were squishing their faces against the bar, staring at him with wide and innocent eyes. Unaware of what they were witnessing. The Chocolate furred twin's eyes welled with tears. He didn't understand, but he didn't like what he was seeing.  Nezha wished to cover their eyes. Such young souls shouldn't see something this vile...“You're despicable.” he growled, his voice choppy. Heaved back upward, he knew he was trapped. The reality of the situation was becoming increasingly clear; If he said no, he would undoubtedly be killed. If he said yes, he would be betraying everything he believed in. What else could he do? Saying no also meant that the Witch might also steal someone else to raise the children- or worse, trusting one of her lackeys to do the job. If he said yes, perhaps he could find an opportunity or opening? His options were limited. “Your answer, Lotus Prince?” the Witch seemed to be growing impatient, her finger tapping her chin to show her eagerness to move on. She seemed tired- needing rest. "Or, if you truly don't wish to, I could get rid of you now," she mused, tapping her chin. "And use other means to get the children to do what I wish," her eyes flickered down to the circlet.Nezha felt his stomach drop in horror, "You wouldn't dare," They were infants! Did she not understand that concept? Claiming them to be hers, yet so quickly revealing they were nothing but pawns in the greater scheme of things."Destiny has been denied far too long by slithering scum like yourself and Sun Wukong." her voice turned icey, "I will not be denied a second longer." Nezha's head was spinning. How dare she. How dare!! Hunching forward, the decision came at last when the children chirped at him."I'll do it,"Whatever it entailed, from raising, training- as long as he could keep them safe for now, he would do it. As long as he was alive he could at least do something to try and get these kids home... even if it took time.He felt the tight grip of the General's hands on his shoulders loosen, allowed to stand again. “Watch yourself now,” The man's voice was low and serious, like an alarm bell, and he stepped around Nezha to offer his arm. The Lady Bone Demon's thin fingers curled around his elbow, and her gaze darted to the corner of the room, to the infants. The children scrambled over one another and pressed their small faces against the bars of the crib, eyes wide as they watched her approach.“Sleep, little ones,” she reached her hand down into the crib, brushing her fingers through the chocolate furred baby's hair, which convinced Nezha to rush forward to secure the children. He couldn't stand her touching them for a second longer.Pulling her hand away as Nezha got close, she pointed at him. “Ah, not yet,” she shakes her finger, seeing how he was about to pick the little ones up. He froze, hands outstretched. When he scowled, she gestured for him to follow. The children would be fine in the crib for now. "I have something for you to do first,"Despite his best judgment, he obliged. He followed where she led, which was the next room over. Well, not so much of a room, as another part of the cave. He had no means of knowing where in the world they were, but this cave was large and spacious."What is this place?" he frowned, walking a few paces behind the General and his Master."Your new home," Lady Bone Demon answered, as if that were obvious. "But if you need an exact location, we are just a few miles North of the city known as Megapolis."Megapolis? Nezha scowled at the ground, wondering if the Witch had been hidden here all this time before she started her war. He doubted it, considering the lack of soldiers and other supplies. Which meant she still had other locations where she conducted herself."Tell me, Lotus Prince," The Witch mused, "When you were little, I heard you were quite the wild child."Nezha clicked his teeth, his steps slow, matching in the pace of the Witch. Just two wobbling demonic beings that were too tired to really put much more effort into their internal struggle, "Why does that matter?""Well, out of curiosity, if you ever went wild, how were you calmed down?" She paused at a spacious part of the cave, her back to him.Nezha grumbled, "I hardly remember such times," He opened his mouth to speak but stopped when he watched his breath fog in the cold air. He shivered, his eyes widening as a chill ran through him."Hmm, Well, perhaps you should remind yourself."Nezha felt a chill wash over him, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to rise as he shivered involuntarily. A cold unlike anything he'd ever known seemed to emanate from the room as he stepped closer. It was as if he had stepped into a freezer - every ounce of warmth vanishing. The chill was unnatural, refusing to spread beyond a certain distance."What...?" He stepped cautiously into the frigid room, rubbing his arms for warmth. The floor was a frozen lake of glimmering ice, highlighted in the pale blue light cast from the large crystal formation at its center. Icicles dripped down from the ceiling, looking like a hundred glassy daggers.“Your first task,” The Witch side stepped, gesturing ahead. “Is him,” Him? Nezha squinted and looked past her, scanning the terrain for anything of interest.At first, all he saw was crystalized ice in the center of the room. The Witch seemed to put a lot of power into this one act. It was large, similar in shape to an egg. Within, something sparked and moved- barely visible through the ice. Nezha cautiously stepped forward, his eyes never leaving the eerily luminous ice. The chill seemed magnified as he got closer, and goosebumps rose on his arms. He tentatively reached out a hand to touch the crystalline surface, shuddering at its icy embrace. Curiosity overcame fear and he peered within the frozen prison, finally catching a glimpse of what had looked so ominous from afar.It was small- sudden sparks erupting from deep within the ice- which was almost a good thing, considering such flames would have singed Nezha’s nose off had the ice not been between them. This fire was familiar.“No…” Nezha knew who this was. 
Red Son
Trapped in a sphere of ice, having melted an inner circle within it to stumble around, the child threw his arms about. He was screaming, though his voice was unheard through the layers of ice. He was slamming against the walls, tossing fire left and right. The toddler was wailing with fury, pissed to be contained- though for how long was an uncertainty with the puddle of water at the floor. “Why is he here?!” Nezha demanded, whipping around for answers. The Witch’s expression was calm, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers, “I said you would be raising children. I never said how many,” her smile was cruel. “The poor little fella would have been dead without me. Burned alive by his own flames when his parents had lost sight of him. Too weak to calm him down or brace the fire to get to him. They lost right of him the moment they could no longer reach him. As the one who gave him a second chance of life, I took him as my own.” “You-” Nezha trembled, furious. She chuckled, “In fact, it won’t be long now before we get a few more arrivals.”“Arrivals?!” Nezha demanded. Was this Witch intending to kidnap more children?? Where did the madness end? "How could you do this?!"“That isn’t something to concern yourself for now,” she pointed ahead, “As I said, this should be your priority. You see, the child has been within that ice for quite some time and still has yet to simmer down. If I let him out he’ll burn himself alive, as well as everyone close by. If I don’t- he’ll starve.” she made her point very clear, her voice void of any sympathy or care. To her it was preferred that the child cooperated, but if he didn't, she did not need him.  Either Nezha found a means to sooth the child, or the child would die. She had her champion, after all.Nezha raised his hand in the air and extended his middle finger in defiance of the Witch. Her General's mouth fell open in shock, narrowing in tight fury. Steadied by the Witch's hand to stop him from lunging at the Lotus Prince, her pearl-white lips curl into a malicious smile. She threw her head back in laughter.“Hop to it,” she turned, leaving him within the room. Nezha cursed, a slew of slurs coming from his mouth as he angrily stomped around the room. This- was not ideal. This was the worse situation he could find himself in. And what was even worse, which you think it would be impossible to get worse from here but it did, there were children!! His breathing slowed and his arms hung limply at his side, allowing the fear to slip away. He would focus on that later. For now, as the Witch has said, he has a job to do.As he approached the frozen prison, he felt that same chill emanating from the ice block, even from several feet away. The shape of the Demon Bull Prince was shifting and writhing with fury inside the cubicle. His little fists pounded against the walls, and his cries reverberated through the otherwise silent chamber. Despite having been in there for who knows how long, he seemed far from calming down.Nezha tried all he could to settle the toddler down. Make funny faces, talking to him, promising things like treats and goodies- nothing worked. Slouching, it had been an hour since he began. This was not boading well. “Red Son, please,” he pressed his forehead to the ice, uncaring how it burned his skin with it’s sharp cold. The child slammed his fist against the glacier, running around within it. He turned and looked, then paused to touch his chest. His shoulders were heaving, screaming sharply. Nezha winced, pausing when he noticed something. Clutched to Red Son’s chest, was a locket. A gift from his parents the day he turned two. Both set as a compass and a thermometer. Intended to help the child guide his way home should he get lost, as it was set to track their domain- as well as keep a measure of Red Son's internal temperature. Made for easy use for the toddler so he could see where his own emotional state ranged. Green meaning good, and red meaning bad. The more red filled the dial, the more Red Son needed to fetch his parents. The child was holding this device tightly, slamming against the walls and peering out beyond them. He bared his teeth and wailed. If you weren’t looking closely, only seeing the little monster that was going rampant on the outside, you might just miss the tears sizzling on the child’s cheeks. Nezha held his breath, pain coiling in his chest. The child was looking for his parents.  Nezha felt his heart ache. This wasn't some ragging demon, this was a little boy, afraid and lost, wanting his Mother and Father.“You miss your Mother and Father,” Nezha says softly, drawing the child’s eyes.. “I’m so sorry, Red Son.” Red Son's small chest lifted and fell with sharp gasps, his narrowed eyes softening for just a moment. Fear took over his angry expression as he looked back and forth. It was as if he too was starting to understand that his parents were not coming for him.
His hair sparked and shifted, sparks of red returning from its magenta hue. Back and forth it fought, magenta then red, and then magenta again- the child fighting with himself to keep calm."Red Son," Nezha tried to coax, "You are not alone. I'm here." he presses his hand to the ice.Red Son paused, his fists frozen mid-air in front of the thick sheet of ice that separated them. He slowly met Nezha's gaze, his expression a formidable mix of emotions—fear, hope, confusion and a profound longing that made Nezha's throat tighten.Nezha knew what it felt like to be alone and lost. He too had gone through moments of pain like this."I'm here," he says again. "I will protect you. Do you remember me? We've met a few times," Nezha gave a tilt of his head, "I was there for your second birthday. I showed you some tricks," catching the boys attention Nezha stepped back. Despite the aching his body was in, he formed some fire in his hands.A skill he didn't use often, as it reminded him of his past. For Red Son however, he was willing to use it. He tossed the ball of fire between his hands, bouncing it on his knees and shoulders like it was a hacky sack.Red Son drew in a deep breath, his nostrils flaring and eyes flashing with intrigue as the ice cooled his face. The round object Nezha sent skittering across the ground was glowing softly, its pink hue mesmerizing to Red Son. Performing a daring trick with the fire ball, Nezha smiled when Red Son offered the sweetest giggle."Was that silly?" he performed it again, the child giggling once more. He giggled again, and then... he cried.He fell to his knees and sobbed into his hands.As if sensing the boy's calming internal heat, the ice around the Bull Prince began to melt. It dissipated, the icey water moving out of the room like it had a mind of it's own. Undoubtedly returning to it's mistress to inform her of Nezha's success.Scowling at it, Nezha focused on Red Son. He rushed to the child as soon as he was free of his cage, kneeling beside him. Red Son was sniffling, his anger gone, replaced with nothing but lonely tears."Hic...Mama..." he whimpered, pressing small kisses to the locket around his neck.
"Shhh, little one. All will be okay,' Nezha gently placed his hand to the child's shoulder. At contact, Red Son rushed forward to hug Nezha, startling the man. Holding perfectly still he eventually wrapped his arms around Red Son.Letting the child cry as long as he needed, the whimpers slowly simpered down as the child fell asleep.He was still young enough to need naps after all, and that might have been one of many things that had started up his tantrum.With the child’s head resting against his shoulder, Nezha carefully walked him out of the room to rejoin where the twins were. Completely tuckered out from his use of his powers, the Bull Prince was fully unconscious. Minding how he was jostled, Nezha paused to find two more additional cribs in the room, when before there was one."Three?" he mumbled.The twins were still inside their’s, having fallen asleep while Nezha was gone. Carefully walking closer, seeing the first crib was empty, Nezha settled Red Son down within it. He contemplated covering the boy in a blanket, but knew he wouldn't need it with how hot his body normally ran. "There we go," he exhaled, brushing a few strands of Red Son's firey hair out of his face. "Sleep, little one." they would get through this together."Well well," A voice startled him, almost making Nezha jostle the crib. He whipped around,  “I see you have calmed him down.” it was the General, sneering at him mockingly."Yes, I have," Nezha replied curtly, his eyes locked on the Witch's lap dog. He didn't seem to want to say anything further, there only to watch over Nezha and his progress. So Nezha ignored him and turned his attention back to Red Son, glad the little one could sleep.However, there was a concern that needed to be addressed. The third crib...Walking closer, he paused to check in on the monkey twins. They were asleep as well, tossed over each other messily. Their soft tummies lifting and falling as they clung to one another. It made him smile, but that quickly faded as he came to the third crib.The third crib held two more infants- to his horror. It was a girl he personally had never met before, but wasn't hard to recognize with the small bumpy horns on top of her head.It was only a guess, but these horns were unmistakabley the horns of those from the Ao family. He had encountered enough of those dragons to recognize their power and forms with just a glance alone.Ao Lie didn't have any little girl however, and neither did the Dragon to the East as far as he was aware. Then was this a more distant relative? Some of the Ao clan lived amongst mortals in the mortal realm- so perhaps?Leaving that inquiry in the air, Nezha had been avoiding looking at the oh so familiar cub that lay beside the girl. This one he knew, and knew well.Snow white and blinking at him with wide emerald green eyes. “Emerald?” he whispered, having known this child more than the others. Azure Lion couldn’t stop showing off the cub after all, often bringing him with whenever Azure went to meet with the Jade Emperor. Which was always strange in Nezha's mind.Since the cub was also Ao Lie's, he was positive the parents would feel hesitant on them ever interacting- considering his background when it came to the Ao family. He supposed though, it was their shared connection of Sun Wukong that settled Nezha's place in the hearts of those two. Being Sun Wukong's sworn little brother, it made the two of them also want to be the same?That was just speculation though. He never actually asked why they were kind to him, afraid it would go away if he did.Still, none of that mattered right now. All that mattered was the small cub before him. Reaching into the crib to confirm this wasn't some sick joke, he grasped Emerald as his sides. As easy as lifting a small fruit, he took Emerald from the crib to hold."Why...?" he whispered. His shoulders shook, his blood boiling.5 children. 5 children taken from their parents.He spun on his heel, not having to look to know the Witch had arrived. He glowered as he noticed a smirk tugging at her lips. Rage surged through him and he gritted his teeth, wondering how she dared be so bold. “You intended to kidnap children from the beginning??” Nezha whispered, horror and disgust lacing his tone. The Witch's eyes narrowed to thin slits and her face contorted as though she'd been slapped. “Kidnap?” she seethed through gritted teeth, her voice dripping with disdain, “The word you mean is, save,” she corrected. “While the rest of the world would fall to my clean slate, these children would be my champions and fresh starts for the new world. Harboring my teachings and guiding the future of this star to prosperity.” she gave a smile, “A child is innocent, and I thought no one would suit better than the children of those who can’t see destiny for what it is.”It was sickening. "You're a monster," Nezha growled. Her General stepped forward to smack him across the face, but the Witch stilled him with her hand."Think what you will. You will see with time," she says simply. "These five are your responsability now." she turned to cough into her hand, her shoulders shaking for a moment, "Get yourself adjusted to this location, Lotus Prince," she gestured around the cave. "It shall be your new home," with a smile she turned to head down the cave hall. "I shall fetch you whatever you require, so gather your strength. Tomorrow, training shall begin.""Training?" he balked at her. "These are babies??""Only 4 of them are. Red Son is old enough to begin his early stages of training. He will need focus and personal commitment to control that fire within him." with that, the woman disappeared, leaving Nezha alone with the young ones.In silence, Nezha felt the world closing in on him. His thoughts felt like static, the area feeling fuzzy. This couldn't be happening...Ready to fall into whatever dark pit was taking over his soul, he was drawn away with it by the softest touch to his chin. Emerald was looking up at him, his small paws searching his chin for a response.Nezha released the breath he was holding, grasping the child's hand. "Apologies," he murmured, his thumb brushing over the boy's paw pads. The child giggled, trying to wiggle away from the touch.These children needed him… It’s not like he had a choice. Nezha crept forward, his eyes darting from side to side with anticipation. He finally reached the rows of cribs and lowered himself against one. The aged wood creaked beneath him as he exhaled heavily, leaning his head back in relief.What had he gotten himself into?By some miracle, after bouncing the fussing Emerald for a time, the children slept, giving Nezha a moment to just think.Five 5 infants. 5 children to raise in this mad house. This cave was hardly a home, but he supposed he could form it to be one. Certainly big enough to carve rooms and such into. They had water, and he had no doubt the Witch would provide food if she wanted these kids to actually stay alive.Speaking like she held some affection towards them. She perhaps could reign in her crueller tendencies when around them, sure, but there was no true love in her words. After all, she hadn’t even considered a name for the two children of Sun Wukong and Liu’er Mihou- optting to refer to them as her champions instead of deigning them with the first gift they should receive in this life. “Red Son and Emerald” Nezha whispered, only really knowing the names of a few of these kids. He turned onto his knees, reaching between the bars of the crib to the little dragon girl that lay within one. Curiously poking and prodding at her clothes, hoping he would find a sign, he was relieved to find what he was seeked. At the tag of her collar, a name was scrawled on it in fine print.
Ao Mei
“Mei,” he says softly, brushing his fingers through the child’s raven like hair, touching the tips of her little horns. So he was correct to assume she was part of the Ao family, most likely stolen from the mortal realm.  "Red Son, Mei, and Emerald." he looked to the twins.The monkeys… What would their names be? They hadn't been given any officially, as far as he could tell.He sighs, closing his eyes to focus. He could recall Wukong gushing about these children, or well- no, he gushed about A child.Quietly he mourned that Wukong and Macaque didn't realize they had been blessed with twins.Nezha hung his head into his hands, still able to hear how excited Wukong sounded when he spoke about being a Father. Nagging Nezha's ear off about what he would teach them, how he would spend his time with them. And then- ahh yes, a name! He had mentioned a name!Qi Xiaotian.That was one he knew of. They had opted a choice of two names. One for a girl and one for a boy. Qi Xiaotian for the boy and Qí Yùe for the girl. Ah, however… there were two boys. "How am I-?" he bit his thumb, debating between the two twins. Clearly Qi Xiaotian should go to one of them but...Covering his eyes he did the only thing he could think of and chose blindly. Back and forth he brought his finger, counting to 10. When he opened his eyes he had pointed to the fairer furred monkey.The one with two ears and one tail. “You will be Qi Xiaotian. And you-” he paused to stare at the chocolate monkey with 6 ears and 3 tails. The Witch's apparent "Champion". “You will be Qi… um…” Nezha struggled to think. He shouldn't be the one giving such an important thing like names! This was supposed to be a gift from one's parent!Naming someone was such a huge responsibility. After some long debate, he remembered something from a while back. A conversation he had with Wukong in regards to his child. That Mihou and him had been bickering on the name, each agreeing that Mihou would decide the name for a boy and Wukong a girl. “I already got a name for our little girl- cause now I’m insistent we are having a girl,” Wukong huffed, arms crossed. His fingers curled through Nezha's hair, struggling to roll it up into a bun like Nezha so commonly did. 
“Is that so?” Nezha chuckled, legs crossed as he leaned back against his brother, wincing from the few sharp tugs of his hair from time to time.

“Yeah! It’s Yuè,” Wukong declared proudly, shaking Nezha's shoulders a little. “Pretty right?? Though, I know Mihou thought of a name for a girl too.” he shakes his head, “My Moon can’t help himself.”

“...So you are saying you haven't also thought of a name for a boy?” Nezha smirked. The King flinched, ducking his head a little.

“Well… maybe I did.” he mumbled sheepishly. “But we agreed I would figure out the name for a girl and he would for a boy. So

Chu

is off the table.”

“So you decided Chu,” Nezha concluded, mocking the King.

Wukong ruffled Nezha’s hair, grumbling, “Don’t tell Mihou that though! Besides… I like the name he came up with. Xiaotian~’

“Xiaotian and Chu are good names,” Nezha agreed.
Drawn back from his memories, subconsciously touching his hair, Nezha sighed. When would be the next time he could have his Brother do his hair for him like that? Maybe never again.“...Chu,” he murmured. The child’s 6 ears perked up in his sleep, chirping curiously. Nezha smiled. “Qi Xiaotian and Qi Chu.” he concluded. “Perfect.” he reached through the bars to pat the back of Chu, hoping that name would be okay. As he did so, the child stretched his little arms above his arms. Stretching his fingers and toes, his tails puffing how Wukong's always did when he would nap. It made Nezha chuckled, "A mini Monkey King. Monkey Prince? Monkey Kid, maybe?," he mused.They all had names he could address them by.Now his biggest question rattled around in his brain. …How does one raise children!? Sitting in silence, realizing the true horror of this situation, Nezha held his breath. Then, he dropped his head into his hands and groaned.The motion was enough to jostle the crib, ever so slightly.Startling one of the infants within, Emerald lifted his little head. Freezing, Nezha looked at him, seeing the shaky lower lip of the child.
"Wait wait-"The child began to sob, shrieking loudly. His cries spurred the other children awake, who all began to cry out from being awoken."...." Nezha clutched the sides of his head. Oh no...Peng was quiet as they tapped the paste onto Yellow Tusk's horn. It's splintered remains were lost on the battle field, leaving the Elephant with nothing but a single horn."We should file it down," Yellow Tusk mumbled absentmindedly, his eyes elsewhere. "Make it less jagged."Peng grit their teeth in quite remorse, staring their brother over. His wounds were immense, but who wasn't beaten and battered in their group?Peng shook their head, trying to push the guilt away. "It's alright, Brother. You'll heal soon enough and then we can focus on fixing your horn.'Yellow Tusk gave Peng a small smile, but Peng could see the pain in his eyes. They had been through so much together, fighting side by side in countless battles. But this one felt different, heavier. They had lost so much, so had their friends and brothers.It was then that Yellow Tusk broke the silence, his voice low and strained. "I couldn't do anything. Not for you, or Azure..""Don't speak like that, Yellow Tusk," Peng says quickly. "No one could have known what that Witch was planning.' Peng grabbed some bandages, lifting Yellow Tusk's arm to bandage up the wound he had. Wrapping it around a few times, Peng's gaze flickered to the door- waiting for anyone to enter. Anxious if anyone did. Distracted, Peng didn't notice Yellow Tusks hand reach around to brush his finger to Peng's wings.While one was intact, the other was crumpled and bent- almost melted. The golden wing was damaged beyond any flying capabilities for the time being. Peng flinched and then frowned, removing Yellow Tusk's hands, "They can be fixed," They say."It still must have hurt," Yellow Tusk mumbled."It will heal," Peng decided to say instead. For their injuries were small compared to that of those they knew.
Macaque had lost an eye, for heaven's sake. They hadn't gotten a full idea of it yet, but Ao Lie might never walk again.People rushed around them. Celestial beings and demons both scrambling in different directions to care for the wounded. There didn't seem to be a single location that the Witch's fingers didn't scar.Peng could still hear the screams, the smell of death- Peng's own back aching with sweltering heat from the Samadhi flame.Yellow Tusk let out a cough, causing Peng to turn back to him. "You should rest," Peng advised, helping the larger man lay down.Peng perched on a chair beside Yellow Tusk, their back rigid and their fingers playing with the frayed threads of the armor they had on. The clock ticked away the minutes, and the room was thick with anticipation as Peng waited for who knows how long. Peng didn't know what they were waiting for. Good news, Bad, it all felt the same now. Just an update at this point...Letting every second of the clock tick by against their skull, Peng was falling into their memories. The screams, the smell of blood and smoke- the pain. The pain.It was somberly quiet, until suddenly it wasn't.Peng heard screaming- a wail of agony.Peng leapt from their chair, knocking it backward with a loud thud. The Bird's heart raced as they recognized the familiar voice coming from down the hallway. For a moment Peng looked at Yellow Tusk, their eyes matching in the startled fear. "Stay," Peng says, pushing Yellow Tusk back down to the bed to check the situation out. With Yellow Tusk settled, Peng sprinted towards the sound, wildly searching for its source.Two rooms down, in the private section that had been blocked off from the rest of the bustling palace, Peng found Azure with his arms around Ao Lie as dragon wept. Azure was whispering calming words in Ao Lie's ear, though his own eyes were rimmed red.The dragon was sobbing, trying to heave himself off the bed, but Azure him down with gentle hands. Azure's expression was one of profound grief - he knew that if Ao Lie kept pushing himself, it would only rip open old wounds. His voice cracked slightly as he whispered softly, "Lie-""You're lying!" Ao Lie shrieked, clawing at Azure's shoulders to free himself. "Let me see my baby!' As much as Ao Lie tried to stand, his body wouldn't allow him. It's like his legs couldn't hear his brain's command anymore. He was too exhausted to shift back into his natural form, stuck in the mortal body that was too easily pinned by Azure's might.Azure's head hung low in shame, tears streaming down his face as he begged for forgiveness. He draped himself over Ao Lie, murmuring apologies into his sweetheart's ear as he quivered with sorrow.Peng’s shoulders slumped, his hand hanging limply at his side as he watched the couple's anguish. Tears streamed down their faces as they clung to one another, trying to draw solace from their shared agony of a missing child.The boy's body had not been found, but with how little Emerald was, it wasn't hard to guess...."..." Peng quickly slipped out of the room as Ao Lie howled with anguish, crying into Azure's shoulder. Closing the door and pressing their back to it, Peng felt their hands tremble.Peng wasn't one to feel sympathy. To them, it was an emotion only for the weak and pathetic. Peng believed themself to be a hardened warrior, yet here they were, fighting back tears. In their desperation to rid himself of these emotions, Peng slammed their fist against the closest wall until their knuckles bled.Desperate to avert their attention to the pain at their fingers then the pain in their heart.Peng was quickly rushing out of the ward, trying to keep their eyes ahead and not to the rows of beds that lined the room. Every bed filled with someone they knew and cherished- unable to bear the sight of their brothers in passing.Yet still, Peng eyes flickered to them. As much as Peng hated the sight, they couldn't look away either.Macaque was still unconscious, his body torn and scared, his right eye gone. Peng wondered if he too would wake up screaming as Ao Lie had.How Wukong had...Besides Macaque was the Demon Bull King. The towering man was curled against the smaller bed- shuddering. His fur ripped and horns broken atop his head. His entire left arm missing, and his jaw nearly torn from his mouth.Then there was Sun Wukong. The King was chained by celestial rope all to keep the mourning father tethered from the rampage he had gone on after finding his Mate on death's door and his Stone Egg gone. Injuries littered his body, but compared to most, he was in better shape. And so the King was left tied and contained beside his mate. Macaque's limp arm drooped from the edge of the bed, and the King's forehead pressed against the cold skin of his lover's outstretched hand- seeking comfort.Hot tears streamed unchecked down his face as he buried his head in the comforting embrace of his mate, breathing out his sorrow and guilt in soft whispers.Exhaling unsteadily, feeling like something might snap, Peng froze when they almost ran into someone when leaving. Peng choked up, their heart twisting painfully and their blood running cold."Peng," It was Princess Iron Fan.She stepped into the room, her feet softly padding against the plush carpet, slowly and gracefully. She wore a simple gown of white chiffon that draped elegantly around her frame. Her hair, normally up, was a cascade of dark waves that fell down to her waist, artfully concealing the sides of her face, which were heavily bandaged. Her movements were slow, controlled- all hiding the limp she had to her step.Her expression was tired, holding a tray out before her with water and medicine on top. She took in Peng's appearance, saying, "Did you come to visit...?""I-" Peng couldn't bear to look at her, a lump forming in their throat as they fought back the urge to vomit. The singed and raw skin had turned a bright pinkish hue, and the gauze wrapped around her face could barely conceal the destruction underneath, "I'm just leaving," they mumbled, taking a step back. Princess Iron Fan's eyes followed the Bird, an unreadable expression etched across her face."Peng, you should get your injuries looked at," she advised calmly.Peng's head bobbed from side to side and they squeezed their eyes shut, trying to fight back the swell of emotions rising. They opened their mouth to respond, but instead a quivering voice emerged as if being forced through a too-tight throat. "No, I'm- I'm fine," Peng said finally.Princess Iron Fan placed the tray down on a nearby table and walked over to Peng. They were hardly friends, only acquianted through their bonds to Demon Bull King. In a strange way, it made them siblings by marriage."The Witch is gone, and so are her forces. This is the time to recover," she spoke, her voice dulled. "So I suggest you rest. If not...' Her eyes slowly lifted to meet the Bird's, her face lit with a red-hot fury that had been simmering under the surface, "Perhaps you could search the mountain once more?"Peng already knew what she would ask before she even said it. While she might put on the image of regality, insisting Peng rest and care for themself, Peng knew that she would use them if they allowed her.Use them to find her child."To look for Red Son," Peng's lips trembled as they mumbled the name, and their body grew rigid. The child whose fire burned their back.. and the face of his Mother.Peng almost didn't want to find him.Almost."Yes." Iron Fan nodded.Peng couldn't bring themself to meet Princess Iron Fan's eyes. They could feel her gaze burning into their skin, a silent demand for the Bird to comply with her wishes. Peng knew that they should rest, that their body was battered and bruised from the battle, but Peng was so restless. Compared to everyone else, Peng could walk and move. They could go searching for the boy... but the thought of leaving the safety of the infirmary just to find that... kid, made Peng's skin crawl."I...I don't think I'm up for it," The warrior stammered, taking another step back. "I need to rest, to heal properly."Princess Iron Fan's expression hardened, her lips pursing, "I understand that you are in pain, Peng," she said her voice quiet, but there was a sharp edge to her tone. "But I never expected you to be a coward."The angry tension between them stretched taut like a bowstring, and Peng grabbed her arm. The feathers on their wings quivered with rage, "My responsibility is to my brothers, not your brat," the Bird blustered, but their eyes betrayed the truth: this was just an excuse.That boy- A little 2 year old boy had managed what no one else ever did:
He took Peng's wings from them.
Peng meant what he told Yellow Tusk; The wings could be fixed, but they would never be the same."That is the child of the Bull Family you speak of," Iron Fan reminded him warningly."That child is who caused most of this damage," Peng reminded her. Not just their own wings either- Iron Fan's own injuries could attest to that. But perhaps, that wasn't the best thing to say to the Mother of said demon.Princess Iron Fan wrenched her arm free, her eyes blazing with fury. "You dare speak of my son in such a manner?" she hissed, her voice low and dangerous. If she had her weapon on her, Peng had no doubt they would be bodily tossed out the window by now, "That child is my flesh and blood. He blew that Witch's forces into dust the moment he laid eyes on them while you- what did you do other than fly aimlessly in the sky??"Peng glowered at her, their pride hurt and wounded. They knew that they couldn't abandon their duty to the Demon Bull King, but the idea of searching for the child made the Bird's stomach twist in knots. Peng had faced many fierce warriors and powerful demons in their time, but the thought of facing that child...It terrified them.So Peng stood quietly as Iron Fan stalked her way back to her unconscious husband, a limp to her step this time. She'd go herself, but she wouldn't get far with her own injuries.Fleeing from the ward to go back to Yellow Tusk, Peng found that the large man was asleep. Sitting beside his bed, Peng buried their head into their hands, resigning to the choice to stay there.
Coward....

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Azure's voice was soft as he spoke with the physician, "So he'll be alright?"The celestial Physician lowered his spectacles, his face appearing grim and fatigued.The word "alright" wasn't exactly the term he would use, but that mattered little in this case. Yet there was nothing else he could say when the Lion approached him out of the blue. He heard Azure Lion had left the palace grounds to visit the underworld. He had only just returned when he spotted the Doctor in charge of his mate's recovery.The doctor's bleary eyes and sagging shoulders matched the wild curls of their unkept hair. Their usual attire consisted of luxurious robes from the celestial court, but they were now wearing stained and soiled garments, possibly with coffee or blood. It was difficult to distinguish between the two in the dim light of the constantly busy infirmary, as more patients flooded in day after day."With patience and physical therapy, I am confident that he will eventually regain the ability to walk - even if it is at a slow pace. However, walking is only one challenge; his dragon form presents another obstacle. He may be able to fly, but it would strain his body to do so in its current state. In fact, any transformation at all would be incredibly difficult for him."Azure's fists clenched tightly at his sides, and he swallowed hard. His frustration was evident as he gritted his teeth and tried to calm the surge of power in his gut. "Is that all that can be done for him?" he asked through gritted teeth, his demand laced with desperation.The Doctor released a heavy sigh, his tone weary. "We have plenty of specialists who could provide additional aid for your partner," he says, shaking his head. "I personally offered Master Ao Lie everything we had at our disposal for his speedy recovery but..."Azure's eyes sparked with quiet fury. He had not been travelling for days in and out to be told such sour news, "But?"The Doctor somberly continued, "But he refused."The temperature in the room seemed to drop as Azure's expression changed. His face fell, eyebrows knitted together in an expression of disbelief and concern. "What...?" he stammered, his voice cracking with confusion. "Why would he do that?" He asked.The Doctor massaged his temples, trying to ease the headache that had been plaguing him all day, "I wish I could give you a clear answer," he finally admitted with a sigh. "It could be a result of an internalized guilt or simply exhaustion from all that he has already been through... and must continue to confront." He scanned the packed waiting room, filled with anxious patients vying for his attention, "Maybe you can have a talk with him?" he proposed to Azure. "He might be more inclined to listen to you- a trusted family member, than an old man like me," the Doctor suggests.Azure considered the physician's recommendation, trying to understand why Ao Lie was vehemently against receiving any more treatment. Letting out a heavy sigh, Azure reluctantly agreed. "...I appreciate your candor, doctor," he responded gravely, "I will have a conversation with Ao Lie and attempt to comprehend his reasoning." He turned to take his leave, pausing only when the Doctor called out-The Doctor's voice trembles as he speaks, his eyes unable to meet the Lion's. "Injuries and loss can truly damage the mind," he says, with a hint of sadness. "Even the most powerful beings are not immune to love and heartache..."Azure let out a heavy sigh; he was all too familiar with that feeling.He left the hospital wing after that, heading for the small bedroom in the palace where Ao Lie had been staying while recovering.As he marched angrily through the corridors, he stole a quick glance out the window, where the grand throne room of the Jade Emperor used to stand. All that remained was a pile of embers and debris now...Azure felt as if he was still there, in the throne room of the Jade Emperor.He could still recall his comment-
"You seem even older than last we met, Emperor~" As he spoke, he bowed, his fake reverence earning a sharp step on his foot from Ao Lie.

With Ao Lie standing behind him, holding their cub, Azure's mate faced the Emperor and admonished sternly, "Please behave." he told Azure. "Jade Emperor," Ao Lie greeted.

"Okay, okay," Azure conceded with a sigh. But his observation remained the same. He had actually noticed it several times before. The Jade Emperor appeared to be exhausted and aging rapidly. Despite knowing how old he was, it was obvious that the past few years had taken a toll on him physically. It seemed as though a simple gust of wind could knock him off balance.

Azure was half tempted to blow hard enough to test the theory...

"Azure Lion. Ao Lie. I was expecting your company," the Emperor settled back against his chair, a curious glint in his eyes. "To think it would be today of all days," he says whimsically.

Azure pursed his lips, not understanding what that comment meant. Of course, it was today?? They had agreed on today so why was he acting like this was all a part of some greater scheme? Honestly, this old man bothered him like no one else.

"We planned this day weeks ago so, yes, we are here today," Azure says through a gritted smile, "Now then-" There was silence between them at first, this meeting intended to go over some formalities of Azure's plan for the East. It was a plan in progress, like a testing grounds to see if they could secure a sort of stability through the lands.

Lessen the poverty rate within the area and increase personal profit to the citizens.

"I would just need your approval on some supplies," Azure says, confident this plan was full proof. There was no way this man could find any flaw in this-... andddd the Emperor wasn't paying attention, was he?

"Are you listening?" Azure grumbled.

"Yes yes, of course, The Emperor nodded, but his gaze remained fixated on the snow-white cub nestled in Ao Lie's arms. Ao Lie lifted one of Emerald's pudgy hands and waved it, prompting the Emperor to wave back with the hand that wasn't caressing his long beard. "The child looks healthy," he nodded knowingly.

Ao Lie's expression turned into a smug grin as he held up Emerald for everyone to see. "Isn't he adorable?" he exclaimed with delight. The small Cub let out a yawn, its miniature dragon tail swaying beneath it. Azure let out a sigh and rubbed his temples in exasperation.

"Darling-" he pleaded with Ao Lie to get him focused. Their son was the light of their life and cutest thing in the world, yes, but the meeting-!

"Paws like his Daddy, little nose like his daddy, all covered in fur like his daddy- but look~" Ao Lie gestured to their child's dragon tail. "This he gets from me~! And his eyes, also mine~" he squealed. "His tail though has got the same shape my sister's tail had! All cute and stubby-" he paled, "Oh but don't tell my sister I ever called her tail "stubby" please."

"Secret is safe with me," the Emperors voice reverberated, completely ignoring Azure Lion at this point. "A Lion and Dragon mix-" the Emperor rubbed his chin in awe, "Truly a wonder,"

"Can we focus?" Azure sighs. Considering the two had been gushing about Emerald for a while- and he completely agreed his son was adorable, he would like to finish up this meeting to get to Wukong and Mihou's party.

"You are the one who brought him here," The Jade Emperor says simply, waving his fingers towards the child to catch his attention. Emerald giggled, trying to paw at the fingers like they were toys,

"Oh so this is my fault?" Azure scoffed.

"Yes," Ao Lie and the Emperor agreed in tandem, their eyes never leaving the infants.

"Ge-" Azure flinched. He rushed over, snatching Emerald from Ao Lie's hands without further delay.

Ao Lie gasped, "Wha- hey~!" he pouted.

Bringing Emerald against his chest, letting the boy nuzzle into his mane, Azure patted his back. "There, now I have the baby." he says, pausing to give his son a little coo, "Emerald likes his Daddy the best anyway~ Isn't that right?" he cooed in a high pitched voice, gaining the smallest mew. "That's right~ You are Daddy's little angel who loves Daddy so so much and will not be a distraction to this important meeting unlike what your Baba tries to make you do-" he gave Ao Lie a little look.

"Oh you wish," Ao Lie narrowed his eyes at his mate, teasing. Oh but... maybe it was true in a sense. Azure was his favorite too after all~

Azure cleared his throat, adjusting his son, "Anyway-" his voice deepened, scowling at the Emperor's smirk, "We are planning on going somewhere after this, so of course he is coming with." Azure glanced to the side with a huff.

The Jade Emperor reclined in his throne, running his fingers through his flowing white beard. "Ah, Sun Wukong domain, yes?" he remarked. "I had a suspicion that his offspring would be born soon. Those two will surely be rambunctious troublemakers." He chuckled to himself under his breath.

Perhaps had Azure and Ao Lie not been fawning over their own cub so much, they might have taken more note into the Jade Emperor's words and recognized the word "two", but they did not.

"Oh, Azure~ Please come on," Ao Lie said with a playful tone and a kitten-like smile, mirroring their son's expression. "This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Let's not ruin it with a bad attitude." He then made a grumpy face while lifting Emerald up to encourage their son to do the same. Azure couldn't help but smile at their baby mimicking the cutest "grumpy face" they had ever seen. "Babies learn from their parents. If you are grumpy, Emerald will be too~"

"Well-" Azure mused, "We wouldn't want that," Azure turned away, his heart stolen in a moment, "Using the boy is cheating, by the way," he waved his finger to Ao Lie, clearing his throat. "Anyway-" he pulled a scroll from his bag, "This was for you," he gave it a toss to the Jade Emperor's direction.

It floated into the air, unraveling by a mystical force for the Emperor to peer at.

"The update, I see," The Jade Emperor nodded, "My thanks," he closed the scroll. In truth the meeting should have ended there. They should have gone about their day like any other- should have gone the Sun Wukong and Liu'er Mihou's party, met the newest member of the monkey family, sparking friendship between their little one and the Monkey offspring-

it should have been perfect.

It wasn't.

"Oh," The Jade Emperor twisted his eyes in a sharp jolt to the far wall, exhaling softly. "...Unwanted guest," he mumbled.

"What?" Azure asked.

Without warning, a deafening explosion rocked the room from the outside. Glass shattered and debris flew through the air, prompting Azure to bodily turn from it, pressing their son to his chest to shield him.

"Emerald!" Ao Lie was right in pace with him, both of their bodies surrounding the child from any harm.

As the dust settled, a deafening ringing pierced through Ao Lie's ears, drowning out the panicked cries of their child. He snatched the small figure from Azure's protective grasp and held him close, his heart pounding with fear and adrenaline. "Are you hurt?" he demanded, scanning every inch of his son for any signs of injury. Azure's hand on his cheek brought him back to reality, but the terror remained as they both inspected their child. Despite being unharmed, the little one trembled in shock.

Ao Lie's breath hitches in his chest as he lets out a shaky exhale. "He- He's okay," he manages to stutter out, his voice wavering with emotion.

Azure narrows his eyes and lifts his chin, determination and concern radiating from him. "But who did this?" he demands, searching the room for any signs of an intruder.

"Troublemaker," the Emperor mutters under his breath, already aware of who it must be. He hadn't moved from his slouched state within his throne. While one might flinch or duck to avoid a blast, the Emperor hadn't moved a muscle. To Azure's realization... The Emperor COULDN'T move.

"What is going on?" Ao Lie's eyes widened at the sight of the Emperor, who offered the faintest smile. Before he could answer, a voice spoke for him.

"He's at the end of his life,"

Ao Lie's muscles tightened, the voice triggering a sense of unease within him. He leaned against Azure's chest, straining to catch a glimpse of who had made such a forceful arrival.

Blue orbs were visible through the settling dust, followed by a woman emerging from the haze.

"Impossible," Ao Lie gasped as he stumbled backwards, his eyes widening in disbelief as he recognized her face.

Azure's entire body tensed, growling lowly through gritted teeth, "Lady Bone Demon."
As she emerged from the swirling clouds of dust, her laughter echoed through the air. Despite the dusty surroundings, her pristine white and black outfit remained unmarred. She had her hair pulled back in a tight bun, showcasing her sharp features and dark blue eyes.
"Pardon the interruption," she gave a sweet wave, her hands stained a sickly black.

"Why have you dared to enter here?" Azure snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

The Witch gave a slight bow to the Emperor before turning her attention back to them, her eyes flickering with an intense fire. "I am here for a "Chat", as you can see," Her gaze lingered on them, amused,"What a prestigious group we have to witness today. The Mighty Azure Lion, and dare say- Ao Lie in person? One might think you were a rumor with how little presence you hold in the celestial realm." she chuckled. Her eyes stopped over the bundle in his arms, noticing round eyes peering her way. "Oh my~

Is that your child

?"

Ao Lie jerked away from the Witch, bearing his sharp teeth in a snarl. Azure stepped in front of him protectively, arm outstretched like a barrier. "What do you want?" he demanded, his voice cold and hard as steel. He brought his hand to his waist, grasping at the hilt of his blade to pull it into existence.

"It seems everyone here is rather jumpy these days," she remarked, her tone honeyed yet dripping with malicious intent. "Relax, Azure Lion. I am not here for you or your little 'family". On the contrary-" Her eyes flickered back to the Emperor, who seemed the only one not alarmed. "I'm here for you....And here I would think you might have been expecting me~"

The Jade Emperor's voice was powerful, but distant, "I expected something today," he glanced to his own hand. It shook, weak and fragile. His end was close... he could tell. He just wasn't quite sure how it might happen. His time was running out and he could feel it in every fiber of his being. But as he spoke, a glimmer of defiance shone in his eyes. "I know what you seek," he speaks, "but even with my waning strength, I doubt you could withstand the raw power of the heavens."

Azure and AO Lie's eyes widened in disbelief, their gazes snapping to the emperor in terror. It couldn't be true - she was here to kill him? The Witch's facade shattered, her cool composure replaced by a seething anger that crackled around her like a violent storm.

"I assure you, old man, I'm far more capable than any other in this world to claim what you fear to use." She says, jabbing her finger towards him. "You know now the limit of my ambition and the prosperity I seek for this world. It is only something I can accomplish,"

"What a small minded thing you must be to consider yourself this world's only savior," The Jade Emperor mused.

"And you dare to think you're superior?" she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "Look around you, this world is nothing but chaos and destruction. These mortals," she scoffs, shaking her head in disgust, "they are nothing but incompetent and pitiful creatures. They crumble at the slightest provocation." Her arms trembled with suppressed anger as she crossed them behind her back. "Greed and famine plague this wretched world, a perpetual cycle that seems impossible to break," she spat, her eyes flashing with fury. "I searched for someone of greater power, thinking they could bring about change where mortals failed. And yet here you sit on your lofty throne, doing nothing but basking in your own glory," she seethed, her gaze piercing into the Jade Emperor with venomous intensity.

He didn't react- perhaps he knew he couldn't- or perhaps he knew something she did not.

To Azure's immense surprise, her words triggered a response in him, igniting a hesitation on his part. He could relate to her thoughts, and it made him slightly ease up on his weapon. He too had once shared her ambition- or at least, her means in attaining it.

He wanted this world to be better, he wanted suffering to stop- just like her. He once also turned to the Jade Emperor, thinking things might change through that.

He stopped trying to obtain it only when he truly understood that the Jade Emperor's power, as vast as it was, was too much for any one person to grasp. The man on that throne, a prisoner to its seat, had to remain as such less the power rip the world in two.

...Perhaps that is what the Lady Bone Demon wanted, though.

Her voice dripped with false reverence and an undertone of superiority as she tilted her head in a mocking gesture. "You, your majesty, are the perfect vessel for my plans. No one else is worthy enough to carry out such a monumental task." She sneered, her words laced with venom. "But even celestial beings like yourself are not immune to the dark impulses of greed and malice, are you? You are all just prisoners to your own wicked desires."

The Jade Emperor lifted his head, a task that seemed difficult for him to do, "And here I thought the same of you," he gave a wrinkled smile.

The Witch gnashes her teeth in a frenzied rage, her voice dripping with contempt. "You hold the power to shape this world, yet you cower in the lap of luxury, too weak and pathetic to wield it." She lets out a mocking laugh, as if its a sick joke. "Why do you hide instead of seeking out someone who can make real change?" Her eyes blaze with fury. "This world has no use for spineless creatures like you, content to waste their powers on idle indulgence instead of using them for something worthwhile!"

The atmosphere in the palace grew tense as the Bone Witch's words reverberated through the room. The Jade Emperor's eyes narrowed, his regal facade masking the flicker of anger that surged within him. Perhaps it was her audacious nature, or perhaps her misguided ambition- both seemed to enrage the man. He was in no mood to hear about "the better of the world" by this Witch... Especially when it burned below them by her own forces.

"You seem to be making your way just fine without my power," he says. "I can feel the world shriveling at your "loving touch" as we speak." with little effort, flashes of the world appeared around them.

Ao Lie sucked in a breath of horror at the sight of war and chaos surging through the three realms. Towns destroyed, lives lost- families torn apart. What of his own family?? What of his Brothers and friends?!

"Azure..." he whispered, grasping at his Mate's sleeve. Azure felt his blood run cold- fearing for his companions. He grasped Ao Lie's hand, frozen in place.

"It seems it is you who does not understand the value of strength," The Jade Emperor bellowed, almost taunting the Witch to draw her eye.

Ao Lie swallowed, caressing his child's head. Emerald had settled down, whimpering softly to his Baba's neck. "Azure..." He looked at Azure, expecting his husband to act- instead he found Azure frozen. Stuck in place and eyes distant.

Hesitating...

Azure Lion found- he couldn't fully disagree with the Witch in that moment. As horrid as it was, he knew the state of the realms was despicable, soaked in endless bloodshed and suffering while the wealthy few reveled in their opulence and turned a blind eye to the suffering of others. Families torn apart, lives destroyed, all for the sake of maintaining power and wealth.

He himself had similar strife with the Jade Emperor's means of handling this. While he understood the Jade Emperor himself could not lift his hand to personally stop this- as the world might literally shatter if he lost control of his power- that didn't mean he had is advisors and generals do anything to help either.

His advisors were selfish and cruel- the only ones that seemed different were seldom and few. Like Nezha, for instance. But that's 1 of 1000...

It was a thought Azure had never fully been able to snuff out, even when pledging himself to Ao Lie and agreeing to fend a sense of peace between himself and the Emperor. He had only- put it to the back burner to focus on his friends and family.

It was awful, but he was in agreeing terms with this monster. What was worse was that he was furious with himself that he could not counter her statement.

Her actions however- were hypocritical at best.

He peered at the screens, distraught at the destruction he was witnessing. Her logic had twisted into these ruthless acts. He had to do something!

He has to-

"You are not entirely wrong, Witch." To Azure's surprise, Ao Lie stepped forward. Their child was against his chest, flames from the burning world behind him reflected in his emerald green eyes as he spoke. "However, your argument is fatally flawed. You brandish strength," he began, "but strength without compassion is nothing but a hollow facade. The power you seek to wield only brings destruction and suffering. Can one truly claim to have the world's best interest in mind if they are so willing to sacrifice it for their own gain?" The screams of innocent people and the clash of swords echoed in the background, a grim reminder of the consequences of the Bone Witch's actions. "You are no different from what you claim to despise."

The Bone Witch's eyes glinted with malice, a flash of irritation flickering across her face as she listened to Ao Lie's words. To her, all of this was not just necessary sacrifice, but a game of power and control. "Compassion?" she mocked. "What has compassion ever brought to this world but weakness and stagnation? Mortals are nothing but feeble-minded insects, desperate for someone strong enough to lead them, to make the difficult choices they are too weak-willed to make on their own" The Bone Witch's gaze turns cold and calculating as she reaffirms her belief in the necessity of sacrifice for the greater good.

Ao Lie held onto his child tightly, gazing tenderly at the small and delicate face. The baby was his light in the midst of darkness. "You mistake strength for cruelty," he says softly, twirling his finger through Emerald's soft mane, drawing a smile from the baby, "True power is not found in causing harm to others, but in our capacity to safeguard and care for them. It is through empathy that we can achieve harmony and tranquility." he had learned that through his Master- through his friends- through his love.

The Bone Witch's laughter echoed through the room, chilling, "A child's notion!"

"A lesson one learns as a child," Ao Lie corrected, "And one you seemed to have overlooked." his emerald eyes were deadly, "Had you spent time to truly be around mortals- to see their hardship and growth- to see the worse of this world strive to be better, you may have learned this by now."

The Bone Witch's features contorted into a grotesque mask of pure rage, her eyes blazing with an unearthly fire. Her fingers, skeletal and sharp, curled into claws as she prepared to unleash the full force of her dark magic upon Ao Lie. In her fury, she was willing to risk everything to destroy this insolent dragon without hesitation or mercy!

Him and his "companions"- that stupid Monk, the filthy pig, the blue brute- and SUN WUKONG! She would not let these same fools ruins her chances again!

"Lie!" Azure rushed to stand in front of Ao Lie and his child, his sword held out.
Her eyes narrowed in a fierce mix of surprise and determination as she laid eyes on him. She was snapped back to reality, her original goal pulsing through her veins. Without hesitation, she turned her hand behind her, fixing her aim on the Jade Emperor. Ao Lie's desperate shouts were drowned out by the release of her raw power in the Emperor's direction."NO!"
Pandemonium erupted in the room as the Bone Witch's malevolent magic collided with the Jade Emperor's barrier. The sheer force of their clash sent seismic shockwaves pulsating through the palace, shattering windows and hurling everyone to the ground with bone-rattling force. Debris rained down like deadly confetti.

A fire blazes in Azure's veins as he thrusts himself protectively in front of Ao Lie and their child, his sword a blazing beacon in the dimly lit room. But Ao Lie pushes him further into the chaos, gritting his teeth. Refusing to be protected when the Witch's goal was not him, "Go, Azure, go!" he shouts over the deafening sounds of battle, his voice strained.

Azure was moving, running forward as fast as his feet would carry him. The acrid smoke stung his eyes, but he kept his focus on his target: the Jade Emperor. He ducked and weaved between fire and sharp blades of ice, unable to see the Witch but sensing her close.

He followed the sensation, focusing on the magic that surrounded her. Just one good cut and he could finish this.

Finding he was stronger than her, considering her forces were so stretched out and her current attention was on breaking the Emperor's shield, he found an opening to bring his sword down against her skull.

He might have killed her, had someone else not gotten in his way.

Inches before slicing into her skin, a secondary blade came between him and his target. Thrown back, Azure was dazed as he hit the floor.

He fumbled, stumbling to turn back around.

The last thing he expected was to see one of the Jade Emperor's own warriors standing between him and the Witch. He stood in the armor he always wore, his black hair cascading down his back. That third eye of his crinkled in a sneer.
"Erlang?!" Ao Lie's eyes widened in disbelief Erlang appeared before them. With a cruel smirk on his face, Erlang lunged towards Azure with deadly intent. Azure barely had time to register the attack before he was locked in a lethal sword fight, their blades clashing violently as they fought for their lives.
"Erlang, stop! What are you doing?!" Ao Lie's voice faded as he ducked back to avoid an injury to their son.

Thinking of it now, in the present, it made sense to Azure...

It made sense how the Witch was able to get so close undetected- how she knew the location of their armies, their supplies, their allies- this perfect world consuming attack was due to Erlang's manipulation.

He gave her every advantage- every location. In return, he supplied everyone else with reassurances and false information on her movements.

“

You traitor

!” Azure Lion screamed towards Erlang, surging forward to push him back. Erlang's sharp smile grew wider as he parried Azure's furious swings. Despite his anger, Azure knew he had to be cautious- this man wasn't feared for nothing.
With his attention on Erlang, Azure could do nothing as the Witch took aim at the Emperor's shield a final time. With this attack, the shield was broken- shattered with the last fragment of resistance the Emperor could muster.
The Jade Emperor's voice cut out in a sharp wheezing gag, clutching at his chest.

"No!" Azure turned, startled.

He couldn't really explain what happened after that. Something in him just- came to the surface.

It was dark... angry, ruthless.

In all his life he had never really considered himself one for revenge, but in that moment, he sought it. He couldn't fight it.

In his furry, Azure grasped his sword with both hands. With a primal roar, he swings with all his might, sending the Bone Demon and Erlang flying backwards into the wall It wasn't enough to keep them down, but it was all that was needed for destiny to make a turn.

Long enough for Azure to get to the Emperor first.

"

Azure Lion.

" Azure, suspended in the air as he landed before the Emperor, felt a chill run down his spine. For a moment time seemed to stop, the Jade Emperor's voice behind his eyes.

"Time is short, but I trust this will go to the right hands. You- are different then when I first met you. A man that holds something greater in his heart than personal ambition..."

Azure inhaled, startled. "What?" he asked, finding the Emperor looking at him. The normally hardened gaze had softened to a quiet resignation.

"Perhaps I was wrong," The Jade Emperor spoke within Azure's mind. "It was not my path, nor my place... I was too weak. Perhaps now, it is time."

Azure was lost, finding he could hear his own heart pounding, "What do you-"

"I entrust it to you," The Jade Emperor extended his hand, his body illuminated in a golden glow. His fingers, his very body, was fading, the power leaving him.

Azure watched in stunned shock as the Jade Emperor's form slowly dissipated, leaving behind a trail of golden dust in its wake and right against Azure's body. As the last remnants of the Jade Emperor disappeared, Azure felt a surge of energy coursing through him. It was as if he had been infused with the very essence of heaven and earth.

He could feel- see- hear things he couldn't before. It was overwhelming... He looked down at his hands, which now glowed with an ethereal light.

Power.

So much power.

it grew and grew- it wasn't stopping! Azure felt himself fall to his knees, gasping for air as the weight of this essence crushed against his soul.
As the staggering power continued to surge through Azure's veins, he fought to maintain control over his trembling body. He cried out in distress, covering his face with his hands.
Everything was too bright. Every sound was too loud! Every sensation was pelting against his mind. "Ao Lie... Ao Lie!" He called for his mate, needing something to steady himself.

The room around him had fallen into an eerie silence, the chaos of the battle temporarily paused in the wake of the Jade Emperor's disappearance.

Ao Lie, frozen for a moment, rushed to Azure's side by his call, concern etched across his face. "Azure, what's happening? Are you alright?" he held Emerald in one hand, using the other to caress Azure's face. "Look at me... Tell me what is going on."

"I... I don't know," Azure managed to whisper, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and awe. He grasped at Ao Lie's hand, leaning against it. To feel it against his skin and let it soothe him.

His lion-like eyes flickered with the intensity of the newfound power coursing through his veins. Magenta to a vibrant blue, then back to magenta.

"It- Agh!!" Azure could only shake his head in response, unable to find the words to articulate the sheer force that threatened to consume him. Sweat dripped down his brow as he tore himself to pieces just to contain the boundless energy coursing through every fiber of his being.

He couldn't let it out- not with his Son and Mate right there! "W-We... we need to go-" he gasped, his head falling against Ao Lie's shoulder.

"Where?" Ao Lie held him. His gaze lifted when the rubble moved. Erlang and the Witch rose, the look of death in their eyes.

The Lady Bone Demon's eyes widened, hate curling through her eyes. She was seething, "No..." she hissed, her voice growing, "No No NO NOO!"

Her perfect plan. Her destiny!

She would not have it ripped away by some pathetic Lion!

“This is

ALL. YOUR. FAULT

!!" Lady Bone demon's demonic screech pierces the air, furious that her meticulously crafted plan has been foiled by Azure's interference. Erlang stumbles back in fear as she barelled past him in a mad flurry.  
With a guttural roar, Ao Lie thrusts their child Emerald into Azure's arms, "Hold him!" His scaled dragon-like hand bursts out from beneath his robe, forming a protective barrier just in time to deflect the onslaught of dark magic. The force of it reverberates through him, making him wince.
He clicked his teeth to the sheer power of her anger, noticing the cracks in his own defenses.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS, AZURE!" her shriek was unworldly.

Ao Lie's knee buckled, knowing she would over power him soon. Azure was still slumped against, him, trembling as he held their child in a weak hold. Knowing they could do little else but retreat, Ao Lie tugged them both closer.

"Hold on!" In a fierce burst of emerald light, Ao Lie transforms into his dragon form, scooping up his husband and child in one motion. He rockets towards the sky, narrowly avoiding a fiery explosion that erupts beneath them. The force of their flight slams them against the stone wall of the palace and straight through it. Azure clings to his mate's back for dear life as they plummet towards the ground below.

He could do little to help, his own mind struggling to come to terms with this power within him.

His only anchor seemed to be his child against his chest.

"Emerald... Emerald..." he whispered desperately, burying his face against Ao Lie's back. The rushing air cooled his face, the faintest sound of the Bone Witch giving chase behind them.

"Daddy's got you," he whispered when his cub sobbed.

In the end...

Azure dropped him

....
Drawing on his recollections, Azure raised his head to gaze into the palace chamber. It was dark, with most of the curtains drawn closed but one. Its single light highlighted the room in a solo cut beam, casting a dreary light on the face of the dragon within the room.Ao Lie remained in the same spot where Azure had left him, gazing out of the window in his room. Restricted to his bed at the moment, he appeared to be drained and lacking emotion. He held the softest little blanket against his lap, his fingers subconsciously brushing against it.It had been found within Flower Fruit mountain, with their child no longer secured in the safety of it's strings.Azure moved somberly through the room. His strides were sluggish, his eyes lowered in defeat. Feeling, stable, if that was even the right word, he had ventured down below. He had hoped to bring some sort of news to their lives, but returned with just more questions.Settling against the side of the bed, it dipped with him. Ao Lie barely recognized Azure's arrival."Darling?" Azure reached out, his paw cupping Ao Lie's cheek to turn his head towards him, "I'm back," he says. He had left for a short few hours, but it felt like a lifetime, "I spoke with the doctor just now." he waited for Ao Lie to speak. When he didn't he continued, "He said that you'd be able to walk again- but anything further than that would require extra treatment." Azure swallowed thickly. He tried to keep his voice even, suppressing any frustration or overbearing tone, "...Why did you deny the treatment?"Ao Lie remained silent, barely managing to whisper, "What did you discover?"Azure's eyes widened in surprise, but then a hint of sadness appeared. So Ao Lie wanted to avoid talking about this? Azure could understand why. In truth, he was also avoiding something Ao Lie wanted to know too. Letting out a deep sigh, he hesitated, "I..." how could he say this? How could he reveal what he learned down in the underworld?"He died," Ao Lie said in conclusion, finishing what Azure couldn't seem to be able to. His voice was solemn, albeit crackly, "Emerald died."The reason Azure was gone in the first place was to travel to the realm far below... to the Diyu to consult the Book of the Dead. To learn the fate of their son.Azure's heart ached at how quickly Ao Lie seemed convinced this horrible statement must be true. Ao Lie was always one to accept things as they were, however. He just needed to know what was fact to start to move on- if he even could."I..." Azure's eyes were like glass, giving a small shake of his head. "I actually... I'm not sure," he croaked, adjusting himself to turn and hold Ao Lie's hand.Ao Lie exhaled, almost wishing Azure had just agreed with him. The unknown was what terrified him more, "What do you mean you're not certain?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady despite his growing irritation. "Surely the underworld would have some knowledge," Ao Lie added quietly, struggling to contain the frustration that was bubbling up inside him."The book of the dead, while it would normally contain his name, was damaged." Azure caressed his thumb over Ao Lie's knuckles. Just this single touch seemed to soothe him, calming the whispering in the back of his mind. The Emperor's power was surging and swelling- almost uncontrollable when he had learned this information for the first time.Ao Lie furrowed his eyebrows, a spark of terror in his eyes, "What...?" he turned to Azure. "Damaged?"Azure rubbed the bridge of his nose, fatigue evident in his voice as he recalled the situation. He longed to rest his head on his husband's lap, but he kept himself composed. "I was furious with them," he said. "Wukong and Princess Iron Fan accompanied me, but when we arrived to truly see if the children had-" he paused, squeezing Ao Lie's shaking hand. He pushed on with the story, "When they showed us the book, they explained that during the war, the book had come to be damaged.""How is that possible?" Ao Lie couldn't believe his ears, "Then the Witch-!""No," Azure cut him off. "It wasn't her."Ao Lie opened and closed his mouth, stammering, "T-Then how-?""It was burned," Azure's expression was dark. "They said it happened without warning... coming from the book itself."Ao Lie felt his mind fraying, "..W-what do you mean?" flames from the book itself? That was unheard of.Azure squeezed his hand, shifting to steady his mate's swaying shoulders. He settled his large paw on the side of Ao Lie's cheek, cradling it, "The guards on duty, all of them agreed to witnessing the same phenomenon. The were all set to guard the book after the war started. Even some higher officials were there. No one had entered and no one had left, and within the book itself, a fire had started. They said it was unlike any fire they ever saw." his eyes met Ao Lie's, making the dragon hold his breath, "It was the Samadhi fire.""No..." Lie's head snaps back in disbelief as he vehemently shakes his head. The book held the key to their child's fate and it couldn't be possible that they were unable to even open it for answers. It was a cruel twist of fate, mocking their desperation."They rushed to put it out," Azure fermented, "but it had taken so many pages with it. All starting from Red Son's name." That had been the only piece of information the Kings of the Underworld were certain about.The Samahdi fire had been so powerful- so unruly, that even miles upon miles away, it could cause damage? Had Red Son's breakdown truly been so catastrophic that it even burned his own name out of the Book of the dead?"Then Emerald...?" Ao Lie's voice breaks, not even realizing he was crying again. Azure brushes those tears away with his thumbs.He spoke honestly, recalling every detail, "We looked, but we could not find his name. Wukong hadn't been given the chance to name his child, but he knew what their name would have been either way. Those names were not located either. We could only assume that if the names weren't in what remained of the book- then they must have been burned with what was destroyed."It was hundreds of pages before they could still the fire's destruction. So many names last, unable to be located now.For even one name to be erased or destroyed within this book could spell endless destruction and complications- as Wukong himself had proved. But for hundreds...?The Diyu was in turmoil.If their child, if any of their children were alive of dead, they no longer had the means to know. They could be gone- or they could still be out there, waiting for them."No..." Ao Lie hunched forward, covering his mouth. His first impression was of a weak feeling in his stomach and then in his knees; then of blind guilt, of unreality, of coldness, of fear.Then he wished that it was already the next day- that time could just rush forward in a dizzying spell to take him from this moment. To dull the pain as time always seemed to.Ao Lie pressed his forehead to Azure's shoulder, a strange sound breaking from his throat. He wasn't even graced with the confirmation of his son's death. At least if he knew that, he could find some solace that his baby's suffering was over. Or have some spark of hope that his little snow flake was out there somewhere-He was denied both.Just this morning he received his Uncle's message. His family in the mortal realm, distant as they were, had been slaughtered in this war. Their youngest was also gone...Ao Lie wondered if maybe Azure had seen his uncle Ao Guang down in the underworld, both seeking lost children."Lie," Azure murmured against his forehead, drawing his mate closer to comfort him. Ao Lie leaned against him, his eyes distant. His hands didn't lift to wrap around Azure in return, staring blankly at his lap.They had fought so hard, and sacrificed so much, and for what? To be left with nothing but ashes and unanswered questions.Azure held Ao Lie tightly, feeling the weight of their shared grief in every breath. He knew he couldn't take away the pain, couldn't undo the losses they had suffered. But, if nothing else, he could hold his beloved like this.As hours turned into days, and days into weeks, Azure watched Ao Lie slowly retreat into himself. The fire in his eyes had dimmed, replaced with an emptiness that pained Azure to see.He tried everything he could think of to bring Ao Lie back from the edge of despair - whispered words of comfort, gentle touches, reminding him of the love they still possessed. Quietly hoping to convince the dragon to continue with his therapy and gain back some semblance of their life before.Azure could only sit beside his love most days, their bodies snuggled close in a comfortable and familiar way. His fingers would gently brushed through Ao Lie's soft hair, the strands slipping easily between his fingertips like silk.Ao Lie sometimes would lean back against him, seeking comfort and solace in his touch. But most days, he remained quiet and distant, lost in his own thoughts. So Azure would simply hold him, keeping him close and offering a sense of security and stability. As they swayed together, Azure could feel the weight of Ao Lie's body against his own, grounding him and easing the tumultuous waves of power within them both. This physical connection was a soothing balm for their troubled souls."I'm going to do something," Azure murmured against Ao Lie's head one day. He didn't know what. Nothing could make better what had gone wrong, but he had to at least do something. "I'm going to make sure no one else suffers..." he swore to Ao Lie, lips against his forehead. "I promise..."He was going to make sure no other child suffered. No parent lost their baby. No one lost their home."I'll make a world that our son would be proud in,"Ao Lie's glazed expression flickered up to his for a moment, before softening and returning to his stare out the window. "...Okay..."Azure was going to do what needed to be done, and what he couldn't say to Ao Lie, he would mourn to his brothers. They had all lost so much, and in these weeks of struggle, they had been his greatest support.Azure was embarrassed to admit how much he would cling to Yellow Tusk- a good hug from him always managed to give Azure just enough strength to make it through the hour. Plus, he had a feeling Yellow Tusk needed them just as much as him."How is Ao Lie?" Yellow Tusk asked as they stepped away, his hands tight on Azure's shoulders. Peng was close at their side, not quite a hugger, but always patting their backs when they hugged."Has he agreed to further treatment?" they asked."...No," Azure cleared his throat, "N-Not yet, anyway," he wasn't about to give up on Ao Lie's full recovery any time soon. "He needs time. And I ...I need to be better for him,""Azure..." Peng frowned."I can't sit around anymore. I've recovered as much as I can at this point." he felt restless, anxious- it was time for action! "I need to be better than what I am. I can't continue to fail everyone,""No, Azure," Yellow Tusk pleaded with him. "You've never failed us. This was out of your control.""Was it?" Azure murmured, turning to look out beyond. He was there... He was right there when the Lady Bone Demon attacked. He could have defeated her with the Jade Emperor's power- could have stopped her before the Jade Emperor was even destroyed! Before Ao Lie was injured- before their son was...He could have stopped this all if he was just strong enough!If he didn't hesitate!His hesitation brought upon this devastation.He couldn't allow any more uncertainty. He wasn't injured like the others, all of who had recovered enough. No, now was the time for action- for a change.There was still countless souls suffering out there.The Witch's war maybe have quelled, but the flames she started still burned on.This realm was looking for a leader, and there was only one they could turn to.The Jade Emperor.So they did. In vast numbers they swarmed Azure's doors, pleading for him to do something. To lead them beyond this chaos and find a sense of stability. Even now, with his brothers here with him, he could hear them just outside."There are hundreds out there," he murmured. Azure stepped to the window, staring down at them from a room high in the tower above, shielded by the light of the sun with the curtain. Peng and Yellow Tusk paced behind him. It hadn't just been the masses, many of the Emperor's court had approached Azure in a desperate plea for something to be done. All for him, as the bearer of the Emperor's power, to take over his new position- his rightful spot as the Emperor's successor.“You don’t have to do this, Azure.” Yellow Tusk reminds him. This had once been their goal- their dream... but what was a dream when you were handed a mess so large and expected to be the one to fix it single-handedly?This wasn't just a mere prize to be won- it was a desperate, reckless ploy to shift blame onto someone else and avoid taking responsibility for the chaos."The realms are in chaos," Azure remarked as he straightened his robe. "As the holder of the Jade Emperor's power, I am the only one who can fix this." He looked out at the crowd gathered before him, thousands of celestial beings and others alike awaiting his answer.Waiting for guidance after everything was taken from them."Most of the celestial realm doesn't take you seriously, Brother. They just want someone to take the position so they don't have to!' Peng disagreed. "So they don't have to take responsibility for not being properly prepared to fend off the Lady Bone Demon!" or for letting her get so close.There were a set few who's daily duty was to defend the Jade Emperor, yet all three seemed to have vanished without a trace!Erlang had disappeared after the attack - to be expected, according to Peng. If the traitor ever dared to resurface, he would be dealt with swiftly and without hesitation. And if they were to believe what Wukong feared, the Third Lotus Prince Nezha was also defeated within the chaos."Be that as it may, it won't change my mind. I won't hesitate a second time. This world needs a change, and it's going to happen, one way or another. We should get ahead of it before something worse does," Azure turned, a flourish to his cape as he did so. "Gather the Brotherhood," Azure commanded. "I wish for all your advice on this going forward as my own personal council." he didn't know nor did he trust the advisors of the last emperor.A few days later, the Brotherhood had been gathered. It had been a few weeks since they all saw each other face to face like this. Each had seen better days, but seemed to be physically recovered well enough.Demon Bull King lumbered into the meeting room, his new massive metallic arms gleaming in the sunlight. Every movement seemed to release a puff of steam from his nostrils as he took his place on the throne, his metal jaw clanking as he spoke, "Azure,""Brother," Azure says, trying not to stare, but it was almost impossible, "You've fully recovered?"DBK huffed, rubbing at the juncture between his living flesh and metal limbs, "Well enough," he grumbled bitterly. There was a heaviness in his eyes, swallowed by forced rage. "What is this meeting for?""Right, I shall explain when we have all arrived," Azure folded his hands together, looking over the rest of the group. He had hoped to see both of the simians with them today, but it seemed only Sun Wukong had graced them with his presence. "Is Macaque joining us?" he asked quietly.The room fell into an uneasy silence. Sun Wukong, sitting on a nearby chair, a redness in his eyes. They had all heard how he had been subjected to the Trigram furnace in his youth, staining his eyes a blood-colored red. From their understanding, he always hides this fact with a glamor- since his mate prefers the golden hue of his eyes.It seemed Wukong wasn't in a hiding mood today."He isn't coming to this," Wukong said simply, crouched in his seat. "He is still recovering," it was simple and to the point, lacking in a playful or cheeky tone. Straight cut and dull...No one knew what to say."I see," Azure didn't need to ask anything beyond that, nodding. He sat with his brotherhood, somberly letting the time tick down the clock,His voice rumbled through his chest as he spoke, "I will cut to the chase. We all know why we're gathered here." The members of the Brotherhood lowered their heads in a solemn agreement and exchanged knowing looks. "The realms are in pandemonium," Azure continued. "But that's not the only reason I've called you all here today." He stood up from his chair, placing his hands firmly on the table. "I intend to take over the Jade Emperor's position." Despite this bold statement, there were no audible gasps or expressions of shock from the Brotherhood. It seemed like the natural course of action, after all.Wukong's voice boomed, cutting through the tense atmosphere. "And what of the other realms?" The mortal realm, the worse of the three, was a wasteland, ravaged by the war that had consumed every corner of the world. Governments and people alike were torn apart, their broken bodies scattered among the ruins."It will be a difficult task to focus on two realms at once," Yellow Tusk sighed, rubbing his chin. "Especially if our own home front is hardly put together.""Why do we even need to bother with the human realm? They blow themselves up every turn of a new century. They can handle themselves just fine," Peng snorted, drawing an unamused eyebrow raised from Azure."This is unlike anything they have gone through before, Peng," Azure reminded him. This wasn't just between a few countries- this was the entire realm. The entire Earth...As he thought this, Azure noticed Demon Bull King rising to his feet, "They need a strong hand," he put a hand to his chest, "I will put my focus on the mortal realm."Peng sneered, "What?""I have enough supplies, soldiers- The mortals need someone with power."Wukong snorted darkly, side-glancing at him, "And what, is that you?" he scoffed, jeering at the bull."No one would be better," DBK hissed back. He had recovered as much as he possibly could, considering what happened. He needed something to do- something to put his mind to. Something to have control over...Something for his wife and him to put their entire being into to take away from the hurt. To stop them from thinking of their child- their Red Son."The mortal realm is a mess, Brother," Peng says, scowling. The very notion sounded like a burden, "You could perhaps obtain a few chunks of land who would follow with little rebellion, sure. But with the destruction down that way, far too many would be desperate to turn to power- someone to guide them- you would be swimming in meek mortals wanting handouts." Peng's eyes darkened, "And there are far more who aren't too eager to bow a knee when they want to be the one bowed to." it was every man for himself for the demons down in the mortal realm."You know I'm not one for handouts," The Bull King grinded his teeth, "If those mortals want anything they'll have to work for it. Besides... Chunks are better than nothing to start. Gather enough and you start to get something strong- which I'll only grow more and more. My wife has already considered our approach and is acting accordingly," DBK mumbled. "I stand strong with that I will do." He looked to Azure to see if he would go against this. Azure instead stared at his clasped hands on the table, considering the ramifications of this."So world domination," Wukong mumbled bitterly under his breath, slouching into his chair. It wasn't like it was off-brand for DBK to turn to that though."You have something against this?" DBK growled in Sun Wukong's direction.Splayed across his chair, the smell of wine on his stained clothes and his fur disheveled, Wukong snorted, "You do whatever you want, Bull King. I don't give two shits." he waved him off. "Just keep your hooves off my mountain."DBK seemed almost disappointed he hadn't gained more of a fight from the normally cheeky monkey, settling back in his chair, "Any other opposed?"Yellow Tusk sighed, "I'm not exactly for the notion, but I don't deny that many will be trying to take over land and expend what they already have. It will be bedlam in every realm. Some notion of stability needs to be formed.... what do you believe we should do, Azure?" he turned to his friend.Instead of voicing any complaints or concerns however, Azure simply bowed his head.It wasn't as though stopping DBK would stop any humans from doing the same thing. "If that is your next goal Brother, then follow it." he conceded."Truly??" Peng says, honestly stunned."We all must forge our own paths." Azure's gaze was distant. "Order must be reestablished." He looked towards his remaining brothers. "As the new Emperor I intend to guide the celestial realm back to prosperity. However, I am aware that there will be those who oppose my methods and cling to old ways. Your support would be greatly appreciated, and in return, I will offer my support for your endeavors as well."Peng opened and closed their beak, sinking into their chair. After a long debate, they sighed, "We were with you when you first wanted to take over the celestial realm and still stand with you now." they paused to glance at Wukong.The Monkey was the only oddball in this situation. From what it seemed, they all had something to work towards except him."And you, brother?" Azure asked, eyes wide and hopeful. He had always valued Wukong's strength and resolve- he didn't expect anything different from the man even now. Whatever Wukong viewed as right, Azure wanted to trust him in it."And what of me?" Wukong's eyes were downcast, dulled- almost like he was bored. A lackluster response if anything. His mind was on his mate- still recovering on Flower Fruit Mountain. His tribe, was hardly a handful at this point. He was mentally seldom present after the war. It was hard to care about the rest of the world when his own family was so shattered. If these dummies wanted to start taking over the world, who was he to stop them?"What do you want, Sun Wukong?" Yellow Tusk asked, softly touching the Monkey's shoulder. Wukong recoiled, scowling.Want?What he wanted- was to be left the hell alone. He wanted to see Mihou smile again. He wanted to not be able to count his tribe with just his two hands. He wanted his mountain to not be a pit of black charcoal.He wanted... his kid.Wukong took a deep breath, his gaze lifting to meet Azure's. "Listen," he finally spoke, a dullness in his tone, "For the sake that you are my Brothers, I'll do what needs to be done. If you all need something, I'll do it. But my focus will be on rebuilding our home, on healing Mihou. I can't fully commit to the celestial realm, or mortal realm- or any realm, at this time." any thoughts of expanding his domain, taking over new land- held no interest to him. "I'm closing off the mountain, the entirety of it, seal and all. Not just the waterfall, every part of it."No one was getting in or out without his say-so. Nothing was getting near his tribe or his mate ever again. Azure, his expression solemnly, nodded slowly, understanding the weight of Wukong's words, "I respect your decision, Wukong," he replied softly. "Take the time you need to mend your family. We will support you in any way we can. Just name it and we'll help you get it done,"They adjourned the meeting after that. The future was unclear, but their ambitions were set. Nothing was going to be the same after that day.Azure Lion began the Jade Emperor, with his council consisting of Yellow Tusk, Golden Winged Peng, Ao Lie, and Ao Guang upon his arrival to request the aid in finding Ao Mei. Azure would never deny locating what little family his mate had left.Below, in the mortal realm, Demon Bull King and his wife Princess Iron Fan established their newly formed and rapidly growing domain. Salvation offered, but at a price of complete loyalty. Their Empire seemed to stretch far and wide, taking up most of the realm- but leaving a few pieces of unsalvageable land, and a particular domain, untouched.Flower Fruit Mountain, which few knew the current state of, was locked down. True to his word Wukong had sealed the entire mountain, and some neighboring ones, up tight.The seal was miles wide and impenetrable. Should one manage to get past the clones Wukong had patrolling the location's borders, you wouldn't be making any progress past the seals that lined the barrier.It was a new era.In chaos, the strong would rise.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Nezha was not Sun Wukong, in case that wasn't evident. He lacked the ability to create duplicates of himself or conjure objects out of nothingness. Despite his yearning for these abilities, they were beyond his capabilities.He was a Prince of sorts and not just any Prince, but the Third Lotus Prince himself - Nezha. Guardian of children and protector of innocence. Yet, despite his noble title, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he no longer deserved it.Trapped within the clutches of the Lady Bone Demon, he was now forced to be a caretaker for the children she had kidnapped- to raise those in the clutches of who he swore to protect them from.His once honorable role was reduced to that of a pathetic punching bag for the Witch's general.It had been perhaps 8, no... 10 days since he awoke to this nightmare. Ten days was no different than the bat of an eye to an immortal.Yet these last few days were the longest of Nezha's life. Long enough to dig a pit in his stomach, and yet short enough that he couldn't prepare anything of value. The majority of his time was dedicated to constructing a livable space within this hidden cave, suitable for the children to call home.He devoted all his free time to chiseling away at the walls and clearing out debris. Whenever he brought piles of rock out of the cave to discard them, he could feel the circlet around his neck constricting.A quiet warning to not stray too far.Not like he could when the moment he seemed to leave his new charges were wailing for him to return.Despite having 10 full days to work, he was unable to accomplish much. Although his injuries had healed, he could only devote a few seconds at a time to actual work before being interrupted by one of the children needing his attention.Every child had their own unique qualities, which could be both delightful and exasperating.Mei was a bundle of energy and noise, constantly shrieking and making unintelligible sounds. Though she couldn't crawl yet, she had learned to roll around and explore her surroundings. Wrapping her in blankets was the only way to keep her somewhat contained in one spot. Even this attempt was a fruitless endeavor sometimes, as she wriggled and squirmed out of every blanket and barrier with ease.Emerald was the opposite of his cousin Mei. Still tiny and unable to crawl, but... fragile. One might assume he would be easier to handle, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Despite being immobile where Nezha placed him, the child was constantly fidgeting and fussing. His delicate state seemed to make him even more sensitive, as he would wail at the slightest lack of touch or if put down for even a moment.Nezha was forced to carry the boy on his back at all times, using a shawl to secure him. The child required constant attention and care, causing Nezha's duties for the boy to become all-consuming.He could only attribute this behavior to the day the infant was torn away from his parents. The traumatic event had instilled a deep sense of separation anxiety in the poor child. When calm, the child was... sweet. Nuzzling often, purring at any given point, and often pressing his paws to Nezha's back. He believed mortals referred to this as "Making biscuits."These two, after much effort, were finally brought under control. However, Xiaotian proved to be a handful, taking after his father in the most difficult ways. The child was like a whirlwind, getting into everything and anything he could find. Boxes, rocks, even the supposedly secure baby cage couldn't contain his boundless energy and determination. Being a monkey instead of a human gave him an advantage, allowing him to climb up to high places with astonishing agility if given enough time. It was a constant game of chase for those trying to keep up with him.Nezha's voice could be heard repeatedly calling out "Xiaotian!" throughout the day, as he constantly rushed to scoop up the infant and bring him back to the rest of the group.At least... there was Chu.Nezha had only heard rumors about children like Chu, who were known as "star children." These rare babies were exceptionally well-behaved and content, rarely making a peep or moving from where they were placed. Chu was no exception as he happily played with the toy Nezha gave him, keeping himself entertained for hours. The only time he became fussy was when he was hungry - which happened quite frequently - but all it took was for Nezha to roll a peach his way and the child would contentedly gnaw and nibble at it for at least an hour.Yes, Nezha had a lot on his plate. However, he did have someone to assist him in the chaos.Red Son, the eldest and a toddler, followed like a small chick, always standing just a few steps behind his new guardian. His fingers were stained and sticky, holding the ball of frozen juice that he was suckling on.Nezha had discovered the most effective method of calming the fire spark was with frozen treats. He mashed up the fruit he had been given and placed them in a small bowl, then positioned them on top of the mountains of ice that lined the Witch's cave towards the back. With them frozen, he could provide them to Red Son at any point the child was getting overwhelmed. It wasn't a permanent solution, and Red Son could often get frustrated with little tasks, but it could stop many minor explosions from occuring.He was determined to assist Nezha in any way he could. Following Nezha's lead, he collected small rocks and filled the bags diligently with them. Whenever Nezha needed something, he was quick to retrieve it, whether it be a bottle or a piece of fruit. His eagerness to please was evident.The most challenging aspect was managing Red Son's frequent outbursts. While attempts to calm him down were often successful, it was difficult to predict and control his intense emotions.It was becoming increasingly clear that there was one thing that could always trigger Red Son's rage.Whenever the boy requested to see his parents, no matter how small the ask, it would set him off. Nezha would try to handle the situation by explaining that they were unavailable at the moment or preoccupied with other tasks.He couldn’t outright say no, for the boy would react harshly to that. Sometimes he could play it off calmly if he offered other answers, but not always.He would often have to pick up the toddler and carry him away from the other children, as the boy was engulfed in flames. He wasn't afraid to scoop up the toddler, his own body impervious to the blistering heat at this state, and cradle him until Red Son's mournful cries subsided.As the child's cries turned into sobs, Nezha whispered calming words and gently stroked their hair. His touch like a cool balm, soothing the child's fiery emotions and bringing them back to a peaceful state. Yet even Nezha found lesser burns upon his skin after every encounter. They would heal quickly, without the child noticing.For now, a week has passed by and they were still alive. It was an accomplishment, he supposed. He was no closer to figuring out how to get these little ones home, but they were alive. He often wondered how life outside of this cave was faring. There was nowhere in the three realms that had gone untouched by the war. Civilizations were toppled, thousands of lives lost- undoubtedly chaos covered the land, left for those surviving to pick up the pieces and try to rebuild. He wasn’t even sure who of his allies had survived. If he did manage to escape here with the children, would their parents be around to welcome them home? His eyes glanced to Mei, not even knowing where her family was in the human realm. She was the only one he had no ties to connect with. Of course he knew Ao Lie, but he was positive Mei was more of Ao Lie’s sister’s descendant.He let out a deep exhale, wiping the sweat from his forehead and flattening down a spot on the cave wall. The space he was in resembled a room with four walls leading to other tunnels or passageways within the cave.This room would serve as the children's nursery, at least for the time being. The Witch's General had managed to acquire some rugs for him to lay on the floor, and he could easily bring in the cribs to create a designated play and sleep area for the kids.“There.” he exhaled. One room down, and who knows how many more to go. This cavern was vast and expansive, with the potential for countless other rooms to be created. But for now, he couldn't even begin to guess how many there might be.“There!” Red Son threw his hands up to mimic Nezha, dropping his frosted treat. “Uh oh,” He crouched down to retrieve it and immediately put it back in his mouth without shaking off the dirt and sand. “No, no,” Nezha recoiled, taking the object away from his mouth. It was covered in drool, so he quickly wiped it off with a cloth. "Here," he returned it when Red Son reached out for it eagerly.With a serious nod, Red Son accepted the freshly cleaned treat and watched Nezha intently as he took small licks of it. The cold sweetness soothed his stomach but did little to ease the anxious thoughts that continued to plague their mind.The child's silent gaze was heavy, filled with a longing that tugged at Nezha's heartstrings. Clearly, the boy yearned for something he couldn't give—a reunion with his family, perhaps, or the warmth of his Mother's embrace. To snuggle against his Father's strong arms- could be all of them in truth, and none that Nezha could provide.He quietly ruffled the child's hair, "You were a big help today, Red Son," he drew the child's full attention. He had to be strong, not just for Red Son but for all the children.With a concerted effort, he adopted a brighter tone, one that echoed through the stony confines of their makeshift nursery, "Could I ask for one more big favor? I wouldn't be able to finish this without you,"Red Son's eyes widened, touching his own chest to confirm Nezha was talking to him. Confirmed with Nezha nodding he softly gasped and nodded vigurously. "I can. I can,""I thought so," Nezha says, "Let's see about getting those cribs in here."The task at hand provided a distraction from heavier thoughts—thoughts that threatened to overwhelm him if he dwelled too long."Cribs for babies!" Red Son realized, since the children were all on the ground currently. He scampered back down the hall where the cribs were, grasping one with his pudgey fingers to start to tug. "Hhhgg!" he tugged with all his might, scrapping the wood against the ground."Heavy isn't it?" Nezha mused as he walked around the boy."Heavy," Red Son agreed, huffing."Which is why I needed your help. Together we can do it," Nezha gave a little wink. Excited they pushed the crib together. It was easy for Nezha to give some show of "exerting energy" to really play up how heavy the crib was... despite knowing he could effortlessly pick this thing up with just his pinky.Pivoting it through the room they pushed it to the far corner. "Alright, one down. Two more to go," Nezha says. It was quick work to get the other two inside.With the cribs finally in place, Red Son clapped his hands together, a thin layer of smoke puffing into the air from his efforts. "We did it!" he chirped with pride blooming across his features."We certainly did," Nezha agreed, his own face softening at the sight of Red Son's joy. It was these small victories that kept them going, these moments of childlike happiness that reminded him there was still innocence to protect amid the war-torn realms."We did good," With the nursery set up, Nezha let Red Son busy himself by arranging the soft blankets and plush toys inside each crib. It was a chance for the boy to take ownership of their shared space, to feel like he was contributing to something bigger than himself."The cribs look good, Red Son," Nezha sat himself on the ground next to the infants, watching as Red Son's small hands worked meticulously, smoothing out each blanket and placing each toy with care. Red Son smiled quietly to himself, stepping back to nod at his work.Nezha's lips curled upwards, revealing a warm smile as his rough hand gently traced circles on Emerald's rounded stomach. The cave was filled with a serene stillness, interrupted only by the sound of the infant's soft breathing, their tiny chests rising and falling in perfect harmony. In this moment, a sense of tranquility enveloped the small space, bringing a soothing calm.Red Son, finished with his task, came over and sat next to Nezha, his legs crossed and his gaze fixed on the babies. In the silence that followed, it was clear Red Son was scrutinizing the children. He moved closer, resting against Nezha's lap to get a better look at the children."Something on your mind?" Nezha asked."Do babies dream?" Red Son's voice broke the quiet, an innocent curiosity lacing his words.Nezha smiled gently, "I'd like to think so. I don't see why they wouldn't if you can dream and so can I. What do you think they dream about?"Red Son tapped his chin, pointing to each baby. "Food and toys and food," Red Son patted Nezha's knees and gasped, "I dream about those things!" he realized."Oh, seems you are more alike then you realize," Nezha teased. He looked out to the cave, his foot tapping against the stone ground. He contemplated how difficult it might be to add a sort of carpet to the ground. A softer space to run and learn to crawl would be preferred.The room was rather empty too, with nothing but blankets and cribs. He should add a light source for when it got dark, as well as maybe some sort of drawers to store their clothes and toys.They wouldn't be hard to make if he worked fast enough during the children's nap times."I see you have yet to begin the children's training,"Nezha's eyes grew in size when the Witch's voice echoed through the hall. He quickly leapt up from his seat, his eyes wide and frantic and swiftly positioning himself in front of the children to shield them from her presence.Leaning against the door, she flashed a condescending smile. Her billowing robe did little to conceal her frail frame and sunken cheeks. She appeared as though a single gust of wind could easily knock her over.Nezha barred his teeth, but kept his tone calm, "I'm not sure exactly what you were expecting me to do," Nezha admits, smoothing down his wild hair. The Witch looked as ragged as they came- but he doubted he looked any better. Lack of sleep, lack of hygene- he probably looked as bad as her. 5 children tended to do that to you."To begin their training, of course," she says with a wave of her hand. "Or at least for you to have finished the construction of this "base" of yours. I've hardly seen a change," it had been a few days since she last visited. She never lingered in the cave, leaving to do- whatever it is she was up to.Nezha appreciated the respite from her constant monitoring, but was aware that she was still observing him. The icy grip of the circlet became even more intense whenever she left, as if it were ready to clamp down on him if he strayed from his designated path.He stood up and motioned for Red Son to remain still. The young boy obeyed for about 5 seconds before rushing to follow Nezha. The man let out a tired sigh, but didn't protest as the boy wrapped himself around his leg. He turned his attention back to the Witch, who stood a few feet away with narrowed eyes.Nezha's voice held a sharp edge as he spoke, his tone laced with annoyance. "I agreed to your terms," he began, "but I was not aware of any time limit on when I must begin." Her eyes narrowed in response, clearly irritated by his lack of progress. This only served to further fuel Nezha's anger and frustration, "You do realize infants, as the name implies, require constant attention, yes? Most can't even stand at this age,"As soon as the Witch's gaze narrowed, he sensed the circlet around his neck constricting like a vice. His breathing became labored and he let out a sharp hiss in response. The atmosphere was charged with magic as he stood before her, and his eyes blazed with fury. He exhaled a puff of hot steam and fiery breath, a clear sign of his anger, "None of them even have proper rooms separated from the training room. THIS, isn't even a training room." He motioned towards the stone cave that surrounded them. Each room was musty and chilly, cluttered with miscellaneous items that had been carelessly thrown about by the Witch's General. "Half of the children can't even sit up by themselves, let alone "train". You can't expect any sort of progress mentally or physically when they are so young and are unaccustomed to this location. Red Son is still adjusting. Unlike the others, he knows very well that this isn't his normal home. He is 2. Two year olds can recognize what is familiar, and this isn't it. If you truly wish for him to begin training in your name, he needs to feel comfortable.... Less we repeat what happened at the mountain." As he spoke, Red Son scurried to take cover behind Nezha, grasping onto the man's leg tightly. He stared at the Witch, his gaze smoldering with an intensity that was uncommon from a child his age.The Witch's face twisted in a deep scowl, her wrinkled skin creasing and contorting with anger. For a brief moment, Nezha caught a glimpse of fear flicker across her features at the mere sight of Red Son. She appeared to mull over his words, her sharp gaze shifting back and forth as she weighed her options.Maybe she was being too hasty in her eagerness. After all, her plans wouldn't come to fruition until the children were much older. So maybe there was time to spare. "I suppose that's acceptable," she said with a slight bow of her head, the circlet around Nezha's throat lessening as she did so.Nezha exhaled in relief, carefully resting his hand on Red Son's head, "...It will take time to carve out the mountain to a proper home," he said. "I will make sure they are properly cared for and that their training begins when the time is right."The Witch exhaled, but conceded on that point alone "You have 1 year, and then I expect training to begin." She carefully inspected each child, her eyes scanning over their peaceful, sleeping bodies. A wicked grin spread across her face as she laid eyes on her "champion. "Except for that one," her gnarled finger pointed to Chu, the larger of the twin monkeys. "I expect training to start earlier if he can walk before the year ends."Nezha felt the urge to argue, but knew he had no power to do so. His gaze stayed fixed on Chu, his jaw tight with frustration. He couldn't bring himself to refuse, even as he glared at the Witch's retreating figure.As the witch disappeared, Nezha let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his hair. He slowly lowered himself to the ground, clutching at his throat. He exhaled, his mind spinning. Red Son was immediately next to him, grabbing at his sleeve, "NeNe?" he asked."I'm alright," he assures the boy. With a quiet fondness, he ran his fingers through Red Son's soft hair, letting the warmth of it soothe his worries."Scary lady gone?" Red Son asked, pressing his face against Nezha's side to peer where she had vanished. If the Witch intended to not taint the children's view of her, she was doing a poor job."She is gone," Nezha agreed. Noticing the half-melted popsicle in Red Son's hand, Nezha gently guided it back up to the child's mouth, urging him to focus on finishing it before it completely melted, "Better eat that before it melts," he mused. Red Son quickly clamped his mouth down, lips curling into a smile. "Well, Red Son." he said to the toddler, lifting him into his arms as he stood up. "We got a year to get this place looking like a house."The thought of spending a year, or possibly even longer, in this place was terrifying.Red Son tilted his head, "A house?"Nezha nodded, "What do you think best fits a house?" he asked the child.Red Son stroked his chin thoughtfully, savoring his popsicle. "...A spot for playthings. And a spot for literature,""That is a big word," Nezha marveled at the child's word use, "I was thinking the same, however," Nezha nodded. "So, first thing first,"Not wanting to disturb the sleeping children, he quietly carried Red Son out of the room to gather some wood. "We need shelves and dressers," he said as they began their construction project.Red Son clapped his hands, excited as his caretaker settled him back to the ground.As Nezha collected some randomly sized planks, not truly knowing where to start, he noticed Red Son shuffled around. He rummaged through boxes, grabbing various tools and objects with reckless abandon in his impatience to begin their project."What are you doing?" he asked, eyeing the child.Red Son returned, several strange instruments in hand, "A level tool, messuring tape, and a dial indicator-" Red Son began to rattle on several different things and their functions, explaining that they couldn't just "Make a shelf". They had to make sure the ground was flat, and in turn that the shelf and every side of it was equal level- both width, length and height."Um..." Nezha blinked a few times."Sand paper to sand down the edges," Red Son brought some strange rough paper next. "NeNe, do we have finish?" the child asked.Nezha blinked dumbly, "...Finish? Do you mean "are we finished?" he asked."No no, wood finish," Red Son says, delving head first into the boxes again. As he discovered that the necessary items were not available, he turned to the small slip of paper that Nezha typically used to make requests for resources and supplies from the Witch's General. Taking it, it Red Son held the pencil, "F...I..." He looked at Nezha, "How do you spell Finish?""Um... F I N I S H?""Thank you," Red Son finished scribbling the note, "And I want it "Dark Mahogany" so-" he brought the paper back to Nezha to finish writing.Nezha held the paper, squatting down for Red Son to peer over his shoulder, "..What am I writing?" he asked quietly."Dark Mahogany," Red Son repeated, though the word sounded very cute coming from him. Nezha wrote it down regardless, puzzled and confused. When the general returned the following day, he also seemed perplexed, but Red Son persisted in calling out to him."No other finish's! Just the Dark Mahogany, but if you can't find it, I'll settle with a Rose wood since we are using pine!"When the General of the Witch's army turned to Nezha for clarification, Nezha had nothing to offer. "You heard the boy," Nezha replied with forced confidence.Reluctantly, the General took the list and returned with everything Red Son had requested shortly after. The child was filled with excitement as he went through the supplies., "Now we can begin!"Nezha remembered how Princess Iron Fan had proudly declared her son to be a genius. The Lotus Prince had initially dismissed it as parental bias, but now he wondered if there was some truth to it after witnessing Red Son's impressive abilities;The child had a knack for detail, excelling in anything related to engineering- whether it be metal or wood. Despite struggling with simple spelling, the child had a sharp understanding of complex words and systems.With each passing day, Nezha found himself becoming more involved in the world of construction and design that Red Son seemed to live in. The boy had a remarkable talent for imagining elaborate structures and comprehending the complexities of how things fit together. He constantly proposed new ideas and tweaks, and his keen eye for flaws and imperfections was truly impressive. The child almost never seemed satisfied- that everything could be just a little better.Under Red Son's guidance, they were able to convert the space into a comfortable and practical living quarter. They built shelves for storing toys and books, constructed dressers for clothes and blankets, and even squeezed in a small desk for Red Son's "professional work" endeavors, as the child referred to it as."My desk!" Red Son gleefully spun in his chair, which sat before his worktable filled with tools and scattered pieces of machinery for him to tinker with. Having his own space seemed to increase Red Son's mood ten fold.With Mei resting in his hands, Nezha gazed at him intently, gently tapping her back to help her burp. The thought of the upcoming year had been a source of concern for him. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to transform this cave into a suitable living space for himself and the children, let alone take care of them full time. But with Red Son's assistance, they had miraculously completed the nursery in just two weeks' time. The once dank and barren cavern now hummed with warmth and life, adorned with colorful blankets and toys for the little ones to play with. It was a true sanctuary, a safe haven for the young ones to grow and learn in the midst of their challenging circumstances.Nezha was responsible for the majority of the heavy lifting and shaping of the room, but it was Red Son who added a sense of "home" to the space. Whenever Nezha needed to take a break to comfort one of the cubs, or feed a hungry mouth, or walk around with a restless little one until they fell asleep again, Red Son was always there to keep things running smoothly.The child appeared to enjoy it, in fact. Occupying his hands and utilizing his abilities seemed to calm his mind in a way that the popsicle couldn't achieve. Nezha pondered if his parents used similar techniques to keep him settled at home as well..."Next room?? Next Room?" Red Son excitedly gestured towards the "Next Room" in their home, eagerly wanting to outline their plans.Nezha stammered and chuckled, "Yes yes, we can. We just have to decide what it'll be," he says. In truth, there were many things that felt like a necessity to have.They were managing with the meager stream in the nearby cave for their water and hygiene needs, and he had found a way to dispose of the children's waste. But he desired something more reliable. A more updated system, perhaps, would be a better term."A lavatory maybe?" He scratched his chin in thought. It would require tasks such as piping and detailing work within the walls, and if they were to do that, they should probably also consider building a kitchen of some sort.Which required the Witch's General to make another run for "how to" books and many design books. The man didn't appear too thrilled about essentially being Nezha's errand boy, but since Nezha was confined to a one-mile radius, there were no other options for obtaining necessary supplies.Neither of them were Sun Wukong, who could just make things out of his fur- which in truth probably wasn't substainable in the long run."Your supplies," As the General snidely remarked and dropped his bags to the ground, his sharp eyes locked on Nezha's. The Lotus Prince returned his glare, but allowed Red Son to run between them with a gleeful giggle. Unaware of the deadly looks just above his head.Once the man had left, Red Son quickly grabbed a handful of books to read with Nezha. It was an unconventional story time, with all the children crowding around as he flipped through thick manuals and instructional guides on renovating kitchens and bathrooms. Of course, he also made sure to include some traditional children's stories in his repertoire - though their selection was somewhat limited.All stories had to be approved by the Witch apparently. There was little that she allowed...With plans in hand, it was finally time to begin the construction of the next room. Taking a moment to carefully affix wheels to one of the cribs, he settled his two calmer children, Mei and Chu, inside. Unlike their younger companions, Emerald and Xiaotian, these two were content and calm and could be put down for a while without any fuss. Emerald and Xiaotian had to be strapped to his back to both calm them, and keep them from getting into anything.Normally, this technique worked perfectly- except for Xiaotian. His fur always ended up in an amusing pattern, thanks to Emerald being pressed up against him and constantly grooming the side of his head until the fur stuck out at odd angles and dried that way. Even now he could hear the softest sound of Emerald cleaning Xiaotian's head. The Monkey child just stared at Emerald confused, reaching out with his fingers to groom Emerald in return.Neither of them had anyone to teach them these innate skills, so the process was confusing for both. Going off of just instincts for the most part or until Nezha tried to teach them- but as he was neither a lion nor a monkey, the concept of grooming was unfamiliar to him."Alright," he tested the rolling crib, "...This should work?" he pushed the rolling crib into the next section of the cave. The four infants babbled as he did so. It was a bit dark in this direction, but Red Son was practically a walking flashlight as he held onto Nezha's hanging hand.Nezha's first task was to install a proper lighting system before he could continue smoothing out the walls. Utilizing his own magic, he conjured balls of glowing fire to encircle them. The gentle orbs hovered in the air, casting a warm glow and providing enough light for Nezha to work. Red Son giggled as he tried to poke at them. Getting settled in the middle of the cave, Nezha got the infants adjusted and let Red Son set up his workstation."Kitchen~" Red Son sang as he pressed his pencil to the blueprints he laid out against the ground. With a little candle behind him, he laid across his stomach and kicked his legs idly. "Okay, NeNe!" he was eager to begin.The air was filled with the sounds of hammering and sawing as the two labored away. The scent of fresh wood mixed with the sweet aroma of baby powder, a reminder of his growing family.Stepping back to take in the view, Nezha said, "I've never built a house before," he admits to Red Son, "cutting through rock and stone is easy, but making a home..?" he shakes his head, truly having no idea what he was doing. As he stared outward in a daze, he felt a small hand slip into his."I like the room NeNe made with me," Red Son squeezed his hand, referring to the nursery.Nezha offered a small smile, "Wouldn't have done it without you, Red Son," he says this honestly. Truly he might just be lost without this little spark.Once again, he wasn't Wukong, who could just make every day house hold items with his fur. He was half tempted to steal a lock of the twin's fur just to see if he could use that, but he doubt the twins could imagine the concepts he needed.He was just lucky he had a sweet little fire spark with him.Nezha began smoothing down the walls and floor- aided with Red Son to make sure everything was even. "More~" Red Son says, showing an uneven lump against the wall. In some places it was still dripping with water from somewhere and making everything damp.Nezha sighs, leaning against the crib for a moment to rest, "Architects make this look so easy," he says down to Chu and Mei, who were peeking up at him with large curious eyes. He smiled, poking Chu's velvety nose. "And you two don't even know what an architect is,""Tect." Red Son mumbled"Yes Red Son. Ar-chi-tect." Nezha sounded it out, patting the boys head. "That is what we are now. Well, I guess you are more of an engineer, but you got the makings of a good architect too."Red Son giggled, his small hands clapping together in excitement. "Good, good," he repeated, seeming to enjoy the sound of the word. "Ne-Ne is an architect and I'm an engineer." he looked at the babies, "What are the babies?""Babies.""But what else are they?" Red Son pouted."Oh uh-" Nezha glanced behind him at Emerald, unsure. The cub stuck out his tongue, as if just realizing he had one. "Well... Xiaotian and Mei are explorers. And then Chu and Emerald, they are observers.""Obse- Huh?""They like to watch," Nezha explained."Oooh!" Red Son laughed, "Silly babies!" he giggled, reaching out to pat Mei's head.Nezha jumped in front of Red Son, grabbing his small hand just as it was about to touch the fragile babies. The air around them seemed to hold its breath as they all stood frozen for a moment. Red Son's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he looked back and forth between Nezha and the children.Nezha couldn't justify why he did this. It was purely a spur-of-the-moment decision, and his usual excuses for not letting Red Son touch the babies were running out. He was aware of the potential danger of allowing Red Son to get too close when he couldn't control his abilities, but at the same time, he knew that Red Son meant no harm to the babies."Let me- Let me help you..." Nezha concluded, swallowing thickly. Red Son blinked a few times, giving a curt little nod. "You sit down and I'll let you hold one of the babies." he offered.Red Son's breath caught with excitement, and he eagerly hurried over to the stack of blankets. He sat down, clicking his feet together and gazing at Nezha with eager anticipation, his hands reaching out in a grasping motion.Not sure who to grab, Nezha opted to go with Mei. As one of dragon descent, should any fire incident happen, she would most likely be okay. Hopefully.No no, positive thoughts. She would definitely be fine.Gently shifting his weight to the side, he supported Mei's delicate head and placed her on Red Son's lap. The young girl was significantly smaller than the toddler, despite being the biggest baby in the group since she was older. She filled up all the space in his arms, scrunched a little as Red Son struggled to hold all of her."There," Nezha says, still keeping his hand under Mei's head to held support the baby. "Isn't she cute?"Red Son's face lit up with a wide grin, his eyes shining with pure joy as he gazed down at Mei in his lap. "She's is," he murmured, gently stroking the baby's soft head and eliciting a sweet coo from her. His other hand reached out tentatively, carefully extending his fingers towards Mei's face. He looked at her with a sense of fascination and awe, as if she was the most incredible thing he had ever seen.Nezha observed with apprehension, prepared to swiftly retrieve Mei at the first hint of danger, or the slightest spark from Red Son's fingers.However, Red Son's touch held a surprising gentleness, as if he understood the fragility of the baby. He took a moment to examine his own hand, ensuring that his touch was delicate and careful. Fully aware of his own immense power, he also recognized the potential danger it posed..."Is this okay?" Red Son asked suddenly, startling Nezha. The child stared at him hopefully, hoping for a different answer. Hoping Nezha wouldn't see him as someone who couldn't handle holding this little girl. For a moment Nezha saw himself when he was Red Son's age...Nezha's looked down, a pang of sadness making his heart ache, but he reassured the child with a gentle voice, "You're doing great, Red Son." He paused, then asked softly, "Do you recall her name?""...Mei," he says."That's right," Nezha chuckled, patting his head. "Can you remember the other children's names?"Red Son looked over at them, pointing with his finger, "Em," he pointed to Emerald, which Nezha considered a nickname Red Son had chosen for the cub. "Then Xiaota- Xia-... uh... XiaoXiao." he says, pointing to Xiaotian next."Yes," Nezha nodded "And him?" he pointed to Chu, who he thought would be the easiest for Red Son to remember. He was wrong.. "And then... Monkey Kid," Red Son says, pointing to the other infant."His name is Chu," Nezha corrected with a smile."Monkey Kid," Red Son repeats. "I remember. I was told before."Nezha tilted his head, "It's Chu?" he didn't ever recall mentioning any of the monkey twins as "Monkey Kid before? Was that maybe something Red Son had heard from his parents? Perhaps the Demon Bull King? Or perhaps even Macaque or Wukong since the child often visited them?"Monkey Kid!" Red Son knew what he was saying. This was a kid and a monkey- he remembered hearing about it so clearly, so it was Nezha who was in the wrong.Nezha chuckled, "Fine," he relented with a playful smirk. "Monkey Kid it is." Though he didn't understand why Red Son didn't have the same reasoning for Xiaotian, he wouldn't question it.Red Son grinned triumphantly, satisfied that he had won the naming battle. "MK."Nezha huffed, turning from where he was crouched in the cave, "You just said Monkey Kid? Now he is MK?""Monkey Kid- MK." Red Son nodded, simplifying the name further."But you just-??" Nezha held up his hands, finding no sense in trying to argue further. "Fine, you can call Chu whatever you want."Red Son's face lit up at the nod of approval, "Thank you, NeNe!" He said, "Now I gotta teach them my name!" With that, he carefully lifted up the Mei and held her close, cooing softly. "I'm Red Son." he nuzzled his cheek to hers, "Red. Son. Reeeeeddd Soooonnnn" he mouthed to Mei, who was confused.A smile spread across Nezha's face as he observed Red Son engaging with the children. Despite his intimidating appearance, the demon toddler seemed to have a natural knack for babies, as evidenced by his gentle touch and curious gaze that showed his capacity for nurturing them.He was capable of a lot of emotions- a lot of love. It was just the fire that burned within him that made it hard to properly express that.Red Son giggled, delighted when Mei made a few funny noises and whispered, "Okay Mei, you gonna be my butler." Mei gurgled in response, as if she understood the significance of this newfound friendship."Not butler," Nezha shakes his head, knowing the toddler was probably still used to the life he had been living with his parents. He honestly wasn't even sure Red Son fully comprehended what a butler was. "She will be your... friend? Um... family." he concluded, seeing as these kids might be stuck together for a long while."Family?" Red Son asked. "Like a sister?""Yes, like a sister." Nezha nodded.Red Son frowned, "I don't wanna sister. I want a butler."Nezha cringed, "Well, she can't be a butler." Red Son pouted, his lower lip jutting out in a childish display of disappointment. "Look, Red Son," Nezha began, his voice tinged with amusement. "Mei can't be your butler because she's just a baby. She's too small to do all the things that a butler does."Red Son held Mei close, his expression defiant. "But she can learn!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with insistence."What if she doesn't want to be butler?" Nezha countered.Red Son paused to consider that. "Oh.. Well..." he scrunched up his face in deep thought, his brows furrowing in concentration. Red Son was a stubborn child, but a very cute one too."Maybe we can teach her some other things" Nezha suggested, a smile playing on his lips. "But only if she wants to learn, okay?"Red Son's eyes widened with excitement as he processed Nezha's words. He nodded vigorously, his messy hair bouncing with each movement. "Okay! I will teach Mei all things," he looked down at the baby, startled when Mei reached up with her chubby fingers. The toddler froze when Mei touched his nose curiously, grasping it tightly. "...Mei is touching me," he whispered, panicked.Nezha chuckled. "She wants to meet you. Babies explore and learn through sight, touch, smell, and sound- sometimes taste," Nezha glanced to the side, knowing Chu in particular loved to try and eat his hair.Red Son remained stiff and wide-eyed, his glasses perched precariously on his face. Mei snatched the glasses from him, causing Red Son to let out a sharp gasp, "I'm bwind!' He let out a cry as she snatched the glasses from his face, causing his hair to spark a bright magenta. Nezha acted quickly, returning the spectacles to Red Son's nose and instantly soothing the child."There, there, all better!" he spoke reassuringly, and Red Son's hair reverted back to its normal color. Nezha couldn't help but sigh with relief. "Alright, well-" Nezha took Mei from Red Son's hands, "Lets let her get back to her playing." he brought Mei back to the other babies, settling her with them.Finishing as much as they could after that, Nezha returned them all to the nursery. Having some dinner, he settled them down for the night. The babies were never too consistent on sleeping, but they at least went down easy on this particular night.While Red Son he just had to read a few stories too before the toddler was closing his eyes. Leaving the 5 in the room, he excused himself to the entrance of the cave, peering outward to the starry sky above.His fingers subconsciously touched the circlet around his throat, his jaw clenched tight.The night might have been considered peaceful, if he didn't feel a cold rush of air. He knew before he even looked that the Witch had appeared behind him. Sighing, and readying for whatever she might want, he turned.She wasn't alone, standing with two figures in the dark. One was undoubtedly her General, and the other was someone Nezha couldn't make out."I see you are making progress," The Lady Bone demon says, a toothy smile against her blue-tinted lips.Nezha glanced at the two figures behind the Witch, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Progress, you say?" he muttered under his breath, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "You could call it that." He folded his arms, "I assume you have a reason for "visiting" me,"She chuckled, "Straight to business I see," she twirled a strange of long white hair between her fingers, "I come with a gift you see,"Nezha wasn't interested in any "gifts" she had to offer, "A gift," he frowned."Assistance," she corrected herself. "As you have pointed out, it is quite the task to both raise and prepare this location. I figured then, that you needed some support."Nezha regarded the two figures in the dark skeptically. "Support is a strong word." Taking a step back, he unconsciously placed himself between the Witch and the nursery. He may not know who these newcomers were, but he wasn't about to take any chances."Oh, Nezha," the lady purred, feigning hurt, "You wound me. You should be grateful, I'm relieving you of some workload. While all the children's daily needs will be left to you, I suspected that training would require more... assistance." The Lady Bone demon smirked."Assistance?" Nezha scowled, insulted. Not that he was eager to train children to be her soldiers of war, but he didn't doubt his abilities to teach them."A second mentor to the children's progress. You are an exceptional fighter, Lotus Prince... but I need more than just exceptional. I need that which can rival Sun Wukong." she stepped to the side, revealing who her chosen mentor would be.A figure stood before him, draped in a cloak the color of night. His hair, as dark as a raven's feathers, cascaded around his face and framed his striking features. As Nezha met the figure's gaze, he noticed the presence of not one, but three piercing eyes. The Lotus Prince recognized him immediately."...Erlang?" Nezha whispered, stunned to see the man.The celestial being stood tall and regal beside the Witch, his golden eyes fixed upon Nezha with a mix of disdain and mild amusement.At first, confusion swarmed Nezha's cloudy thoughts, followed by a strong sense of denial. He theorized that Erlang, like himself, had been forcefully brought to this place against his will.Why else would Erlang be here? But the longer Nezha stared at him, the more he noticed Erlang's unaffected gaze and unshaken resolve. It became clear that man was not a prisoner here, but rather had willingly chosen to be here.A sudden realization dawned on Nezha, stealing his breath and making his stomach drop. The reason the Witch had caught them all off guard, the reason she could get anywhere near the Jade Emperor...Erlang had betrayed them.Wrath erupted from Nezha's chest, contorting in his voice. "IT WAS YOU!" Nezha was lunging.Erlang's eyes narrowed, but he didn't make any move to dodge the incoming attack. Instead, he calmly stood his ground, allowing Nezha's fist to fly right towards his face. Inches before impact, a golden light erupted from Erlang's body, intercepting the punch and halting it mid-air. The force of the blow sent Nezha stumbling backward, but he quickly regained his balance.He rolled to his feet, seething. He didn't feel the circlet tightening, in fact, the Witch seemed amused at the show."Nezha, Nezha, calm down," Erlang said, his voice laced with a cool detachment that only served to further infuriate the enraged warrior, "Surely you don't wish to make a scene... and with the Children so close?" he dared to look towards the nursery.Nezha's fist clenched at his sides, barely restraining himself from lunging at the traitor once more. With all his might, he willed the flames of his rage to subside, not wanting to alert the kids.His eyes flared, the betrayal still raw in his heart. "Why?" he managed through gritted teeth, "How could you do this?" He couldn't believe that Erlang, of all people, had betrayed them - had betrayed him. He betrayed the Emperor! A man he swore on his life to protect and serve. Did honor and duty mean nothing to this man?Erlang sighed, as if he had been expecting the question but still found it tiresome. His three golden irises were devoid of any remorse or guilt. "Why?" he repeated, mimicking Nezha's tone. "I'm surprised you need to ask. Our so-called 'loyalty' and 'duty' were shackles to follow those lesser than us." His voice dripped with contempt as he spat out the words like they were poison on his tongue. "The Jade Emperor was weak. All the power to rule- and he did nothing with it. "I serve a higher power now—one who understands my true potential." This world would burn under the Witch's hand one day- and he couldn't wait to join the carnage. "The Jade Emperor was but a puppet, bound by outdated rules and traditions. The Witch offered me a chance at real greatness, and I took it." His voice was as cold as ice, devoid of any trace of the camaraderie they once shared. "I suggest you do the same, Nezha."Nezha hissed a cursed word in a tongue that had long been forgotten by this world. It made Erlang chuckle, amused. Nezha clenched his fists so tightly that his fingernails bit into his palms. How could Erlang say such blasphemous words? The betrayal cut deep, like a knife twisting in his gut. He took a deep breath, channeling the flames of his rage into a cold, seething inferno."Come now," The Lady Bone demon mused, wanting to end this bickering- as if the two were children squabbling. "The setup is simple. You will continue what you have been doing thus far, Lotus Prince. Ready this location and raise the children. When the year mark has come around, you and Erlang both will begin their training. I want my Champion under both your tutoring."It was settled then, was it? Even if this was a cold shock to him, what could Nezha say against it? Erlang was not trapped by any circlet, only he was. Now more than ever he realized how truly a daunting task this was. Perhaps, in her weakened state, he could take on the Witch- but not if she had both Erlang and her General by her side. He was trapped...Nezha glanced at Erlang, his eyes burning with a fury he didn't know he was capable of harboring. Erlang smirked, seemingly unfazed by the anger directed at him. The betrayal cut deeper than any physical wound could have ever inflicted. Nezha had trusted Erlang, and considered him a friend once. To think that the celestial being he'd admired for so long was capable of such treachery stung. He gritted his teeth, forcing back the vile words that threatened to spill."Very well," he ground out through grinding teeth. "If that is all," he said slowly, composing himself. "I excuse myself," he turned, storming back to the nursery without another word. Once within, he closed the curtain he had placed against the wall of the door as a makeshift door.He would deal with Erlang tomorrow. Whether the man stuck around in the cave or not, it didn't matter. He should be used to things falling to pieces like this by now. In truth, perhaps he shouldn't have been so surprised that Erlang had done this. None of it mattered. What mattered now, were the children.Huffing, he brought himself to the matt he settled in the center of the room. Crossing his legs to begin some meditation, he closed his eyes. Breathe.None of this was okay, but there was little else he could do now. He couldn't let his own emotions cloud his mind and worry the children. Red Son was already brave enough to get used to this place, he couldn't pile on his concerns.So he closed his eyes and breathed. He focused on his lower stomach, feeling the fire swell there. Pulsating, growing, warming his body to keep steady and calm.Tomorrow would be a new day. He had a lot to prepare for the next year. He was these kids' only ally, and he had to make sure they were ready and safe. He'd find a way to get them back home- even if it took some time. Even if it took his life. He wasn't Sun Wukong... and more than ever, he wished he had his big brother here by his side.Sun Wukong awoke in the dead of night, jolted out of his dreams. For a brief moment, he thought he heard Nezha's voice calling out to him. He sat up in his bed, tangled in blankets, his fur disheveled and unkempt. Blinking groggily, he peered into the darkness surrounding him. His hand reached out to his right...His deep red eyes swept over the room, but he sensed that everything was normal. He released the tension in his shoulders and let his hand drop from the staff leaning against his bedside table. It was still close- just a few inches away in case he needed it.He pressed his hand to his forehead, rubbing his temple with a heavy groan. His body ached, still feeling the aftermath with his fight all those weeks ago.A constant reminder of his failures...He gingerly lowered himself onto the plush bed, careful not to disturb his Mate who lay cocooned in sheets beside him. Liu'er Mihou's dark fur blended seamlessly with the shadows and the soft blankets, creating a cozy den for the two of them. Their huddled form radiated warmth, inviting him to snuggle closer. The room was illuminated by a single flickering candle, casting dancing shadows across their intertwined bodies. Despite the darkness, he could still make out the gentle rise and fall of their chest.With a gentle touch, he traced his fingers along the delicate contours of Mihou's face, tilting it ever so slightly upwards. The injury that marred his mate's features was swollen and rough, angry red lines crisscrossing over once flawless skin. It would surely leave a permanent scar, an unwelcome reminder of the violent attack that had almost taken them away from each other forever.Wukong's strong jaw clenched, his muscles tense with a quiet but seething anger. He could feel the heat radiating from his skin as he leaned over to gently press his lips to Mihou's forehead. His mate had not left their home in weeks, and the weight of their shared sorrow hung heavy in the air. Time seemed to pass by slowly, each moment stretching out into eternity.Mihou was a mere shadow of his former self, both figuratively and literally. Wukong often discovered Mihou lying in the midst of darkness, needing to coax him out and comfort him in his sorrowful state.
"It's my fault... It was all my fault..."
The weight of Mihou's words pressed heavily on Wukong's mind as he pulled his mate closer, shielding him from the outside world. He buried his face in the soft, warm curve of his neck, longing to ease the pain that radiated from Mihou's every breath. If only he were strong enough to vanquish the sorrow that consumed his beloved. Wukong wished he had the strength to ease his mate's pain, to protect him and their unborn child from any harm that may come their way.The mere fact that Mihou had survived was a miracle- a small glimmer of hope in the devastation that had ravaged his people, his home, and his family. But as he looked out at the desolate landscape of his home, the reality of their loss hit him like a tidal wave crashing onto a deserted shore. His tribe, his mountain, his child... all gone, reduced to nothing but lost time- lost life. His heart felt heavy with grief and guilt for being one of the few who remained standing amidst the ruins of their once-flourishing existence.His fur remained pristine, a stark contrast to the battered and bruised sight of Mihou. It was like a cruel joke that made his anger boil over at the unfairness of it all, fueling his desire for revenge.The dwindling remnants of Wukong's once mighty monkey tribe huddled together in fear, hiding behind his sealed-off waterfall that served as their only protection.Outside, the destruction wreaked by the Witch's fury stretched on forever, but inside the mountain fortress that he had meticulously sealed off, there was a dangerous calm.No one dared to question Wukong's actions as he rebuilt their hidden world, his eyes blazing with untold power. No one would ever lay eyes on his people again without facing his wrath.Sun Wukong's monkey tail twitched restlessly as it curled around Mihou's leg, seeking comfort in their closeness. His fingers unconsciously tightened around the staff he had not let go of since that fateful day, the gold cool and reassuring in his grip. He knew he should put it down, should attempt to rest, but the lingering ache in his body and the ever-present guilt was too much to bear.He closed his eyes, trying to find solace in the memories of better times, before the war- before the loss of everything.The brush of feathery fur against his own brought him a small semblance of peace, but it was short-lived. Wukong's mind would not allow him to forget the carnage that had transpired. The cries of his people and the agony in Mihou's voice still rang in his ears, even now, weeks after the fact.He would never, let anything like this happen again. Even if it meant never letting the outside world in again, he would do what needed to be done.