Smoke rose from chimneys inside of small wooden huts that outlined the top of a thick wooden outer wall. It had taken a whole day of walking and a couple of breaks, but Monkey and Font had agreed that they made good timing, reaching the small village before nightfall. They went around the palisade until they reached a gate. In front of it stood two beefy humans, looking rather similar except for the difference of their hair-styles. One was bald and the other had thinning brown hair, but both wore a thick braid in their long beards.

"State your business! Demons..." One of them eyed The Font Demon up and down. It made Font take a step back, feeling completely called out. It wasn't like the guy looked at Monkey or even Sandy when he said it.

"We are gods and this is our demon friend, he fights for all things good, just as we do!" Monkey began his tirade as he put his fists to his hips and puffed out his chest.

"I am The Monkey King, awoken to find the seven scrolls and save the world! We are in search of your leader, tell me, have you seen women wearing strange armor around here? Showing their stomachs and the bottom looking like a sort of... Skirt thing?" He did his best to describe. The two men pulled blades from their scabbards and held them tightly.

"What do you know of the witches!?" The bald one questioned as he pointed his blade at Monkey. Monkey frowned at him and brought his finger to the tip of the blade. He pinched it as he pushed it to the side. Monkey opened his mouth to speak, but Sandy beat him to it.

"Our friend was kidnapped by them, we are trying to find information, please, if you know anything!" Sandy said as she took a step forward. There was no time for this nonsense. The clock was ticking. The one with thinning hair lowered his weapon as he scrutinized them.

"We have had..." He eyed Font, looking worried as he did so.

"Look, you gods may enter, but your demon pet may not enter." The one with thinned hair said. Font was about to protest but stopped himself. If he had to stay out here for them to acquire information, he would do whatever it took. They acted as if they did know something.

"What about the demons who wanted Font dead?" Pigsy quickly brought up.

"We can't leave him out here," Pigsy muttered. Sandy frowned as she nodded.

"You're right, what if they come after him again?" Sandy questioned.

"Nonsense, I can handle myself." Font began to mutter. Monkey took his hair down and elongated his staff fully and pointed it at the two humans.

"Look, I don't have time for games! My friend is possibly being tortured as we speak! Bring us to whoever knows anything and then we will leave!" Monkey let out. He was done with this. No more arguing. No more making one person stay behind. They would all go in and see what they could find out, even if he had to make them.

Now wasn't a time for silly games like this, not when Tripitaka was on the line. Font could tell if she was alive or not and if the barrier of dark magic somehow got removed, the demon would immediately know her location. He wasn't willing to leave The Font Demon out here where he couldn't tell them things, where he might be assassinated by other stupid demons. They didn't have time for this. The two men traded looks before the one with thinning hair sighed.

"Fine, Gen will take you to our leader, he can tell you about what's been going on." He stated. Monkey gave him a stern look before looking to the other. The bald man apparently named Gen turned around and pushed open the gate, leading them in.

BoS

Tripitaka stood in the center of the cage. Iron bars ran up on either side and once she stepped in, the floor of it sank in slightly, and one of the doors in the room opened. Tripitaka turned her gaze, watching a man burst through, his eyes were red and large teeth protruded from his mouth with sharp ends looking uncomfortable against his chin. Tripitaka opened her mouth and closed it, panic shooting through her from the top of her head to her racing heart, and making her legs feel antsy and her toes curl apprehensively.

"Mmm, you smell so good." What she assumed was a demon stuck its nose to the air and took a deep inhale before his eyes closed in on her. Tripitaka shrieked softly as she leaned against the cage, shrinking her body as much as she could. The demon smirked at her as he went to the center and gripped his hands around iron and pressed his face between bars.

"Do you know how long it has been since I've tasted meat, little human?" He asked her, his eyes taking her in as if she were an easy target. Tripitaka glared at him, feeling disgusted.

"So long that the hunger gnaws through your stomach and you give in to eating your own woman, but she is in a better place now. Now she won't be hungry, but I won't let that be in vain." He went on and on with his monologue as if he'd planned it as he went around the cage, his hand slapping at the bars as he went by them and pressed his hand slightly with force with each stride.

"Okay, I do admit, I had one other little girl and she cowered in this cage too, too easy it seems. Here you are, just like her." He stopped once he got to the opening and scoured her over once again with his eyes.

"Tell me, how do you taste? Unbearably spicy like my woman? Or sweet and refreshing like the girl?" It asked as it held out a hand for Tripitaka to notice it's long twisted claws.

"Don't forget to scream, I do love it when they scream." He put one foot in the cage as he came forward and now Tripitaka was panicking.

"Back off!" She yelled and felt dumb. Is that really all she could think of to say? She wished Monkey were here with his staff that would dust the demon or even Font who would slice this demon through with his twin blades.

"Oh, yell at me again! That is nice... Nice and pretty voices have the most terrible screams." His next step was quickly taken and his hand came around her throat, clenching it tightly. Tripitaka stared at him through narrowed eyes. Even though she was scared, no tears came down from her eyes, she did not shake nor falter. She was done with this. She was tired of being weak. She was tired of always being afraid. She was tired... She grabbed its wrist and just as she had in the strange illusion that the high priestess had forced her into, she let the energy from her center course through her veins. She focused as hard as she could to push the energy out through her hand she held him with, the one that pained her to grip anything as deep cuts in it formed strange symbols that made a powerful spell.

She almost seemed surprised when ash rained down. It was easier than she had thought it would be. It was... She collapsed against the bars, sinking to her bum as her head lulled over. Never in her life had she felt so tired. She couldn't think coherently, her vision became blurry before darkness overtook her. She closed her eyes gently as she was forced into a sleep from her energy being abruptly drained.

BoS

The three gods and one demon were escorted through the town to a large hut that stood almost center to the place. They were left to wait outside as the bald guard, Gen, went inside to announce their arrival before they went in.

Villagers walked by them slowly, eyeing them suspiciously. One man had been pushing a wheelbarrow with what was probably his daughter behind him. He had grabbed her and put her in the wheelburrow and went off double time. A few others also rushed away, but some seemed more curious. More than once they had heard whispers go around, "demons."

Font seemed to attempt to pull up a hood that didn't exist. After he realized there was no hood, he stepped closer to the gods, between Sandy and Pigsy.

"Alright, alright, they will see you, but you must leave your weapons." They all eyed each other for a moment when Gen popped back out. The guard held out his hands as he waited. Sandy sighed as she relinquished her scythe, Pigsy handed his pitchfork over a little more easily. He could summon his from further distances after all. Gen turned his eyes to Monkey who gave an innocent look.

"Your staff." The guard suggested. Monkey huffed a sigh and brought his hands to the side of his head and gestured to his hair.

"It is also a hair accessory." He explained. Obviously, the guard didn't understand that it was not in weapon mode right now, it was in 'keeping this hair luxurious' mode right now.

"Yes, but it is capable of violence, is it not?" Gen asked. Sandy gave Monkey a nudge on the shoulder. Monkey pouted as he took his weapon out and his hair tumbled against his face. He reluctantly handed over his staff. The guard turned his eyes to Font. The demon gave an awkward smile as he stepped forth. He pulled out several small knives and two orbs. One was definitely an explosion orb, but the other looked different.

"Be careful with those, very dangerous," Font muttered with a nod as he stepped back in line with the gods. The guard looked them over once more but his eyes lingered on Font, growing resentful as his gaze deepened.

"Well, go ahead." He stated. The four of them went inside after he gave the okay. One by one they entered the shabby looking cottage. Wooden walls were thinning and worn, the floor squeaked with every step. They went down a narrow hall that brought them to a much bigger room where what seemed to be a family sat around a table. An old woman sat at the very end with an even older looking man beside her.

"Why have you come?" The old woman questioned, her voice haggard and shrill. Monkey stepped forward.

"Our friend was kidnapped by a bunch of women wearing-" he began, but Sandy interjected.

"Armored robes," she said. Monkey cast her a look but she gestured he go on.

"And we want to know if you have any information," Monkey finished. The old woman seemed to regard them for a moment. She then nodded to a middle-aged man who sat more towards the middle of the table. He stood up quickly, his chair pushing back as he did so.

"They have taken many of our own as well. They take them and they never return. They snatch them straight from their beds," the man said. His eyes turned to them, seeming to glisten with unshed tears.

"Both of my daughters were taken, both of my girls." It saddened him a lot. He grimaced before going on.

"They are witches! Evil witches! Damn them all to hell!" He bellowed out angrily.

"But you do mean real witches?" Sandy questioned and he turned his eyes to her and nodded, looking honest.

"You say you are gods! You say you are here to save the world? Save my little girls, please. They live somewhere in that forest. Please!" The man let out as he slumped back down into his chair. Monkey traded looks with each of his companions, taking in their expressions. He turned back to the man feeling confidant in his decision.

"Just tell us where to go..."

BoS

Tripitaka jerked awake. Her eyes scanned the room wildly to find herself placed back in her closet of a room. She felt her hand throb and clutched it to herself. She noticed it had been wrapped in linen bandages but she still felt uneasy. She felt her stomach churn and twist and for a moment worried she would be sick. She sat up slowly, trying to remember exactly what had happened.

They released a demon in the room to kill her or eat her as he had seemed so inclined. Then she killed it... The demon had been released in the room so that she would be forced to kill it with the symbol they carved in her hand.

A shudder went through her body. Something didn't seem right about all of this.

Creak!

The door came open pulling her from her thoughts. In the doorway stood the high priestess with several others behind her. Daiyu stepped forward with wide eyes as she grabbed Tripitaka's wrist and practically dragged her out of the room. Tripitaka tried to steady herself, but stumbled several times.

"Wait! Where are yo taking me!?" Tripitaka let out, but The High Priestess said nothing. They stopped at a door at the end of the hall.

Another priestess opened it and Daiyu threw her in. Tripitaka roughly landed on her knees, the stone floor tearing through her robes and skidding her skin. She bit her lip from the pain, but swore to herself that she would not cry out. She looked up and around to see a strange, translucent orb floating in the middle of the stony room.

"Now you will truly prove your worth," The High Priestess began as she stepped in, many priestesses filing in behind her, holding long, white, lit candlesticks. Tripitaka felt a shudder tear through her body.

"You were able to kill a demon, but should your spiritual energy prove too weak," Daiyu smirked at her, her eyes lighting up, "Then you will join your other fallen sisters as pure energy for our cause." Tripitaka stared at The High Priestess, her heart thundering. It was one thing after another and then another even.

"No," Tripitaka bit out. The High Priestess narrowed her eyes as an amused look crossed her face.

"Make her," Daiyu stated. Two priestesses handed their candles to others and stepped forward. Tripitaka scooted backward, trying to get away, her legs feeling too much like jello to stand up. They descended upon her and pulled her up by her shoulders before walking her towards the translucent orb that floated in the center. Tripitaka tried to twist out of their grip, but as soon as the were close enough, one priestess grabbed Tripitaka's wrist and pressed her hand to the orb.

At first nothing happened. Daiyu observed for a long moment and was about to command that they convert her from physical existence to pure energy, but then light and shadow poured out. The energy threw several priestesses to the ground, it burst out from the orb like a wave of pure energy, equal amounts of light and dark spilled out all around them and drowned them in a sea of a quicksand-like presence. Tripitaka shrieked at the energy that rushed out of her, shocked. What did this even mean?

"Pull her away, that is enough!" The High Priestess commanded. It took all the energy the two priestesses by her side had to tear Tripitaka away from it, making all three land on the floor as the energy in the room began to disperse.

Tripitaka wasn't really paying attention as Daiyu kneeled and the others kneeled.

"You are the vessel of my goddess, you..." The priestess gazed at Tripitaka in a way that made Tripitaka fear for her life. Daiy's eyes were filled with malice and disgust and hope and hatred all at once.

"Harbinger of evil! Oh, great emissary of darkness, bring forth the end of times and bring forth the death of all immortal beings, I proclaim our champion that holds the capability of being a receptacle of sin. Destroy all injustices and we shall now bow to you, Bringer of Shadows!" Daiyu went on and on but Tripitaka's hearing became fuzzy and her mouth became dry. She couldn't think, she couldn't breathe. They were saying she would be a sort of vessel for evil and that terrified her more than anything.

The others who had gathered behind The High Priestess began to chant over and over again, several stepped forth and pressed hands to Tripitaka's face, touching her with awe. Tripitaka flinched away several times, but everything felt fuzzy and her legs and arms felt weak.

"Take her somewhere fitting for a queen, soon we will summon the goddess and offer our sacrifice," Daiyu announced, and then Tripitaka had been grabbed by either shoulder once again and led out of the room. They all surrounded her. She felt like she was suffocating. How could she get away? Thoughts flashed through her mind, but none of them were good enough. Nothing would get her out of here right now. Instead, she was being walked somewhere where she would await her doom. Fear eased through her completely and she felt shaky. Everything about this place twisted her mind and made lights dance in the corners of her eyes. She felt like she was in a trance that made her head feel fuzzy and it was sometimes hard to even think. She tried to think, she tried so hard to think. Where was a brilliant plan right about now?

She was brought to a room with lavish furniture and many candles that lit up the room. There was even a bathtub but that didn't warm her up in the slightest. Tripitaka had never hated being in a fancy room so much in her life.

A large futon was placed in the center of the room, many soft and colorful blankets were stacked over it. Several mirrors were placed around and there was a table with two chairs at another end.

"Take heed to her wishes, she is exalted now," Daiyu ordered two guards who stood at either side of her door. Tripitaka frowned at the idea of them being here with her constantly, twenty-four seven.

"Wait, don't leave me here!" Tripitaka began to holler but The High Priestess turned and gave her a strange look. Her lips quirked upwards, yet her eyes seemed to narrow with a wretched vility.

"Go to the kitchens or library my lady, you are not imposed to this one room, only to places that are within the limit of your understanding." The High Priestess nodded before turning rather gracefully and leaving. Tripitaka stood there for a moment, panic running through her system before she even processed those words.

"Library..." She whispered the word under her breath. How stupid could the priestess be? Perhaps there might be something, anything that she could learn that would aid in an escape! It was better than staying here. She turned to a guard and frowned considerably.

"Take me to the library," Tripitaka stated. The guard bowed lowly as did the second guard before they opened the door and began to escort her without even a single word. It all made Tripitaka feel even more uneasy. Why weren't they talking? Could they not talk? Or were they just refusing to talk? Tripitaka tried to shrug it off. She had bigger fish to fry.