He took me out of the darkness and showed me a world far brighter than the sun

Chapter 00: The Journey to the West

He took me out of the darkness and showed me a world far brighter than the sun.

It was a time when heaven and earth coexisted peacefully, where demon and man were more than neighbors; they were brothers. Here, civilization and faith were born: the foundations of man. It was Shan-gri-la. But then, the brotherhood of man and demon turned, and man became able to demon's cane. They grew angry and powerful... and hungry. And they convened far to the west, under the command of one…

A voice is calling

"Not again…"

The blonde growled under his breath, resting his elbow on the side of the green jeep as his hand held up his head tiredly. Please don't say this is happening to me again.

"Hey you stupid monkey, you're sitting too close!"

An argument from the back began to occur, as it usually did between the crimson haired half demon and the so called 'handsome monkey king'. All the ill-tempered priest just wished right now was that everything would shut up so he would be left in peace. But, he knew that wouldn't happen. Defiantly not anytime soon anyway, as there was still a long rigorous journey ahead of them. A long journey with all of them. And it had only just begun.

"What, you expect me to be right against the friggin' edge, you perverted water sprite! You need to scoot over; you're taking up all the room!"

"Hey, I sit where I want to punk- now get your whiny little ass away from me!"

"Not until you move over more!"

The blonde's eye twitched, clearly irritated by their foolish quarrels and a vein appeared at his temple, his fists tightening in anger and frustration. He glanced to his side, at their optimistic driver who, as always, just sat there smiling as if amused by them.

How can he stand that?

The priest puzzled at the unfazed demon for a moment, not seeing why or how he could stay so cheerful.

And then this…annoying…gah! I can't be the only one hearing this.

A troubled yet irritated look lay on his face, yet he was way too stubborn to even mention it to any of the others.

"Look, it's not that hard! Here, I'll help you."

"Don't push me you ass hole!"

"JUST SHUT THE HELL UP BEFORE I SHUT YOU UP, DAMMIT!!"

The worldly priest had spun around furiously, his banishing gun pointing at the two. He was practically standing up in his seat, very intimidating which would make nearly any one cower. The two tensed up, both their hands held up defensively, as if they were accused victims of a crime in front of a police officer. He glared threatingly at them as they smiled nervously with strained innocence.

"Yes, of course!"

"Whatever you say!"

Both of them rambled cheap words trying to get on his good side, neither of them wanting to fall victim to his gun. Or more likely, even more rage. But they both knew deep inside he wouldn't shoot any of them.

But the priest was anything but merciful, as he had hundreds dead by his own hands. He held a bad reputation for gambling, drinking, and smoking as well as murder. How he actually beheld the position of "Sanzo", was very mysterious even to the three demons, his closest companions. Though, he really didn't like any of them. Deep inside, he supposed he cared for them at least a little, but his stubborn personality would never let him admit it.

The reason why this worldly priest and his four demon companions were traveling together in a jeep? Well it was an order to the Sanzo priest; 'Genjo Sanzo' for him and three 'friends' to go west to stop the revival of Gyokumen, the demon lord. And through this journey, they've had hell just trying to keep the demons away, and they had only just left.

Some time ago, Sanzo had heard a voice calling from the mountains; as he had once called for his master, Koumyou Sanzo, when he was young. And as his master found the small parentless child in the river Kouryuu (which is what his name until he was thirteen), he found the voice and like he told his master he would do if anyone called to him, he shut the boy up. 'He' was Son Goku, the Handsome Money King; The Seiten Taisei; the great sage whose power was equal to heaven. But of course he couldn't remember any of that that happened in heaven, as he had been locked up in a cave for 500 years. So the demon boy stayed with Sanzo at his temple; even though everyday was trouble for Sanzo as dealing with the hyperactive monkey was quite a task and getting on Sanzo's last nerve, even now.

Then about three years ago, the priest Genjyo Sanzo was given an order from the three aspects to go find the murderer of Hyakuganmaoh's tribe; Cho Gonou. He had gotten orders to get this man, and bring him back to be held before whatever punishment that would lie ahead of him. Unwillingly, the priest left; Son Goku following him as always, not wanting to be left alone. As they reached the town near of the slaughter, Sanzo heard rumors of a man named Sha Gojyo helping a man nearby that was seriously injured. Of course this was suspicious, so he found out where this Gojyo was, came to his residence out in the woods.

Obviously Gojyo did have Gonou in his house, and was trying to hide the fact, by asking questions back to the two. Sanzo and Gojyo fought a bit, then to Gojyo's disappointment, Gonou revealed himself to be in the house, and more fighting commenced until Gonou threatened them with stealing Sanzo's gun, and ran away. The three worked a few things out at Gojyo's house, reminiscing about the "one thing he had to do before he accepted his punishment". After time, the others hurried up to find Gonou, only to see him in the middle of tearing his own right eye out. They luckily convinced him to stop, and they agreed to let him do this 'one last thing' before he would be sentenced. They went to the fallen castle of Hyakuganmaoh, the centipede-like youkai. And that was all Gonou wished.

Believing that Gonou would be put to death, both mainly Gojyo and Goku became very depressed. But it turned out that Gonou had been spared, yet his name would no longer be Cho Gonou, but Cho Hakkai. Thus, that was how the four became friends and how Hakkai's life was sparred.

Such a long, complex story why they were all there, but here they were. Again, together, traveling west. Always toward the setting sun…