Chapter Text
On second thought, he should have at least accepted a tea or two, maybe even some snacks to go along with it.
“Wukong-!”
”Brother-!”
All he could hear were screams, and his body had already moved on its own as if something deep inside him was triggered. His jaw clenched as he diverted another blow, blocking his attacker’s fist with his own bare hand. His other hand had already moved to summon his staff.
He could feel how his hands were scarred before it quickly healed, the breath came out of him ragged and the heartbeat was wild like an animal being prey upon. Something like this was so foreign, bringing cold toward his back and it stayed there, seeping into his bone.
The worst of it, he knew this memory like the back of his hand.
There was blood… Master’s blood on the ground, a blow to his fragile human head. And his brothers were screaming for him to do something about it.
But that was not so much of an issue if this was but another demon to beat.
Standing before him with his hand bloodied, holding onto a very familiar jagged staff was none other than The Six Eared Macaque.
He knew very well that this memory would come sooner or later, and yet, now standing tall in front of him with the look of disdain on his face, Macaque was once again something that he should overcome.
”What are you waiting for, Brother! That demon had hurt our Master!”
On his back, Zhu Bajie had already begun to complain. Wukong did not pay him much mind.
Out of all of his brothers, however, one seemingly grabs the situation better than the others. “Wukong, is he…?”
He could hear the uncertainty in that tone, maybe Ao Lie had felt bad for him. Or maybe he was scared.
Or maybe he knew what would happen next.
Wukong took a deep breath.
“Macaque…”
He could see the three pairs of ears twisted, but Macaque’s own eyes were filled with the purple of his magic. It wasn’t clear like how he typically does it, something murk inside it and it tinted in foreign orange magic. As if something had tampered with his magic and Macaque could barely have much control over it.
No one had moved. Wukong gritted his teeth and squeezed his golden staff, unsure what to do.
This is just a memory.
He tried to remind himself over and over like it was some sort of chant.
Slowly, Wukong put back his staff. Earning a protest from Pigsy and a shout of concern from Sha Wujing.
“I… don’t want to fight you.”
He walked ever closely, watching the purple eyes that looked toward him, unblinking, nothing indicating any emotion out of him.
…
It happened all so fast.
Not that Wukong couldn’t see or do something about it. But his body had frozen the moment he sensed it happened, all he could do was to watch.
There was a scream, anger rushing from his brothers as they watched their master's blood raining down to the ground, coloring the soil with the red that every mortal has.
Zhu Bajie was the first to reach. Launching himself toward the black furred monkey that has his hands drenched with their master’s blood. Macaque did not spare another glance as he pummeled the pig demon to the ground, shutting him up real fast with one powerful blow on his staff.
He didn’t stop there.
Every single one of his brothers were killed, even the gentle and good natured ones like Ao Lie and Sha Wujing. He watched as he killed them for being in despair, for trying to help both of his master and Zhu Bajie.
And all Wukong did was just fall on the ground on his feet. He looked at Macaque, at the purple glow on his eyes- the orange hue that tainted it slowly faded.
“W-wukong… I…”
Before he could finish what he was trying to say, Macaque had also fallen to the ground. Body soiled with the blood of his own victim.