Not in the least bit expecting the monkey to know he was there, Tripataka froze. The sense of impending threat from just before returning to him in full-rush. He felt his legs had suddenly taken root on the spot. Even if he did want to move, the monk suspected they'd not obey him. Once again, Tripataka couldn't argue against this instinctive impulse. How'd the monkey figured out he was here? His attention had, so clearly, been on the intruders just prior! He'd been perfectly silent- so how!? Tripataka wasn't allowed to continue his panic-stricken train of thought when the Monkey King spoke up again.
"Hello," The simian very exaggeratedly drawled. Clearly annoyed with, seemingly, ignored, "I know your there. It's rude to ignore your host, ya' know? Come and greet me!"
The demand didn't sway, Tripataka, so much as it glued him more firmly in place. The monkey was sealed- yet still making demands, outright at that! And yet, courtesy dictated that he conceded to said demand. He was in the Monkey King's residence, so to speak. His presence had, albeit indirectly, saved him, and not it wasn't like Wukong could hurt him while sealed. Least, far as he could tell, and he readily accepted that possible comfort. So, slowly at first, mostly due to his cramped hiding place, and out of clear…reluctance, the Buddhist exercised himself from behind the cavern centerpiece and presented himself to his unusual host.
Sun Wukong, was readily pleased by the compliance and looked him over. Tripataka was taken aback by his gaze. He hadn't expected the monkey to remotely have scorched red eyes and striking white pupils. Clearly, this monkey was, in-fact, a demon monkey. That explained the quarrel with heaven he'd had. Least, that was the demon's claim, which made it questionable in believability. Even so, the ground being littered with shards of weaponry gave some credence to it.
"Huh." Wukong uttered with a cock of his head, "Didn't expect a monk." Unexpectedly he beamed, "Much better company than those mooks! What brings you here? Old monkey doesn't get much in the way of visitors. Ever." The irritation on the monkey's face left as quickly as it arrived, "By the way, what year is it? And oh, I'm Sun Wukong, as you no doubt heard, the handsome Monkey King- also known as the Great Sage, equal to heaven. What's your name? I'm assuming you're on some sort of pilgrimage seeing as your out on your own- and not in a monastery."
It took Tripataka a moment to process the barrage of words. This monkey was a lot more excitable than expected. His mood towards him was drastically different than it was towards the demons, which he was grateful for. Though, be it far from him to even try to strike anyone. After managing to process the mile a minute talk, Tripataka started his response politely. Hands put together before him he bowed, "I am Tripataka Tang." He noted the monkey seemed placated by his show of respect. That was good. He nodded curtly to Wukong's guess, "And yes, I am, in fact on a pilgrimage. I'm heading west to seek Buddha," Seeing a flicker of agitation, he quickly stuttered on, "uh-on decree of my Emperor to find a scripture to quell the disturbed spirits that plague my home."
Interest caused Wukong's resentment to take a detour, "What a noble quest, but why on your own?" There wasn't so much concern as there was curiosity. He scoffed and chuckled to himself, "A mortal monk like you shouldn't have been even able to get past your kingdom's borders much less all the way to old monkey!"
Taken aback by the bluntness, Tripataka was unable to refute such a remark, "Admittedly…yes." Wukong blinked at this, prompting the monk to elaborate, "You see…I actually did have a pair of attendants." He bowed his head, "But they…sacrificed themselves to save me from demons that had captured and planned to eat me. I continue on for them."
The Monkey King regarded this information for a moment. "Honorable of you, I can respect such devotion. You certainly are a noble monk." His expression twisted to one of disdain, "unlike your underhanded patron who sealed I, the great sage, away." Tripataka was barely able to register the sudden venom when Wukong's mood flipped back to aimable, "By the way, you didn't answer one thing, what year is it?"
What wild mood swings…Tripataka thought to himself, secretly grateful that the spirit-monster was currently sealed away. He couldn't be so sure the monkey would be so conversational towards him if he weren't. Hypothetical aside, he did suppose he had a right to know the passage of time and so, he told him. The look of clear aggravation mixed with something else swiftly caused Tripataka to wonder if he'd done the correct thing, but he knew he wouldn't have been able to bring himself to lie.
"So," The Monkey King's tone dipped to a low tone, "it's been five-hundred years..."
Without warning, Tripataka felt the breath in his throat seize up, stifled by a sudden, overwhelming intensity. It was as if, he could feel the wrath welling up inside Sun Wukong. A wrath that was not to be taken lightly. It left Tripataka- petrified – even at the claws and fangs of demons, he hadn't felt so scared, yet a monkey, a monkey who was sealed away instilled such a raw, primal emotion. Emotion that told him that there was no hope of even escape. The very air trembled in fear. A vibration of which seeped down to the monk's very core. He couldn't even gulp. A sheet of cold sweat swiftly developed over the top of his skin, chilling him ever further. The pressure in the room was unbearable. It was hard to breath. He was too afraid too. That it would, somehow, setting the demon off.
Wukong, in his anger; however, didn't even seem to recognize he was there anymore. He was far too consumed with his building rage. His animalistic teeth ground into each other with a pressure enough to turn metal to dust. He ground out, "That BASTARD. Has Sun Wukong- STILL not suffered ENOUGH FOR HIM?"
The walls of the cavern shook and trembled, small bits of rock and dust fell from the ceiling. Pressure in the air had not just been the manifestation of Tripataka's potent fear. Terrifyingly, he realized, Wukong was straining against the binding of his seal. The various holy chains became stiff, working to keep their prisoner tied down. By the mercy of Buddha, the seal held. Sun Wukong was left huffing, panting heavily from the fruitless exertion. Anger still burned in his eyes, setting them aflame with a red glow, steam fuming from his mouth as he stared daggers into the ground which dared to be in his sights.
The sound of a foot shifting backwards snapped Wukong from his rage-induced stupor, reminding him he had company. His head snapped up to a very terrified monk, who, stilled at his eye contact. Tripataka paper sheet white. He looked to be about to pass out from fear.
"Wait! Hold up there! No need to be in such a rush!" Wukong laughed awkwardly, flashing an almost sheepish grin, conveniently recalling that his guest was a Buddhist. The monk's eyes darted around. He clearly wanted to bolt but wasn't able to commit to the course of action. Still having his attention, Wukong dove right back into talking, "I mean, those demons are still roaming around outside." As expected, this caused Tripataka pause. "They chased you into old monkey's prison, right?"
Tripataka knew where this was going, but there was no refuting the truth. Sure enough, the old stories about this mountain played out.
"No doubt, there are even worse demons beyond this border. A simple mortal has no hope of reaching Thunderclap Monastery on their own. Two bodyguards chosen by the Emperor of a Nation wasn't enough!"
After a moment of silence, Tripataka spoke what was being implied, "You wish for me to release you..."
Wukong wasn't even phased by the monk catching on, in fact, he beamed, "Yes- if you do, Sun Wukong would be forever in your debt! Please, I beg of you! I would be the greatest of aid on your journey!"
With the power to make the very mountain that kept him imprisoned tremble, to cause discord in heaven- to the point Buddha himself had to be the one to punish him, Tripataka didn't doubt Wukong would be immense aid, but it was that very power the caused him to be hesitant. His wrath, mere moments ago, nearly caused his soul to flee from his body. It wasn't something he could, or would, easily put out of his mind. It was clear that this monkey had a hair-trigger temper, anything, anything at all could set him off. Tripataka himself was one thing, but hapless individuals, who didn't know what they were dealing with…if anyone innocent got harmed by him releasing Sun Wukong- Tripataka couldn't consider himself worthy of reaching Buddha's holy land.
And yet, there was no denying, he needed aid to simply survive the journey. He could possibly recruit some aid but- no, he didn't want anyone else killed during what was- his- holy mission. The Monkey King though…the scattered remains of what would kill any mere mortal, well, it was clear this demon was made of far sterner stuff.
Tripataka was left conflicted.
An agitated twitched caused the monk to refocus on the object of his inner turmoil. Quickly though, he doubted he wasn't irate with his indecision, mercifully so, instead it looked like something was troubling the monkey. He was erratically shifting his head, straining his neck to do- something. Puzzled, Tripataka questioned, "What…are you doing?" Then it clicked, "You really have an itch?"
"Yes!" Sun Wukong whined, "It's been here for over the last century! Bad enough old monkey is imprisoned but this plaguing me- it's torture!"
Tripataka sighed, there was no use but to feel pity for the creature, "Here." He strode over to the monkey, "let me help."
While surprised, Wukong didn't object and readily accepted the relief. With a few simple scratches the irritation was banished. Once the Buddhist stepped back, Sun Wukong smiled his gratitude, "Finally! Much better! Thanks for that!"
In spite of the looming dread of the Monkey King's anger, Tripataka felt the thanks was earnestly genuine. The friendliness that Sun Wukong displayed, didn't feel like a ploy. In fact, the monk felt, that the monkey was rather straightforward being. On the other hand, though, it was clear he was conceited and very possibly self-serving. Then there was the concern, his anger. Arrogance and anger were a dangerous combination. One of his biggest worries was: if he said no and left, should someone else come along and freed him…he'd likely suffer the Monkey King's vengeance.
Yet, regardless of all that…Tripataka sigh inwardly. He couldn't get himself to commit to leaving Sun Wukong trapped. The grateful smile he gave him after a simple gesture, it said a lot. One, that was the first kindness had been shown to him since his imprisonment. His eagerness for conversation spoke of prominent loneliness, as did his quickness to attempt to dust away his moment of anger. Mostly, that he did have an ability to show genuine gratitude. It gave the sense that…possibly, there was a chance, that maybe, just maybe, with the correct guidance: Sun Wukong, could be redeemed.
Oh, forgive me Buddha, have mercy on me, should I be making a mistake in what I'm about to do. Tripataka submitted to his sense of compassion and nodded to the Monkey King. The gesture alone told Wukong that he agreed to set him free. The elation in his eyes lit them aglow, excitement already welling up. Finally, finally, finally, at long last! His release was at hand!
"Alright, how do I set you free?" Tripataka questioned, his words were a bit hesitant, stilted, uncertainty whether this was the right decision still lingered.
Too excited, Sun Wukong craned his neck upward as far as his current predicament would allow him to, "On the top of this mountain, something was placed, that keeps me pinned down. Remove it and I'll be able to free myself from there! But, be sure to get as far away from the mountain as possible. Otherwise, you might accidentally be hurt. Simply call out once your far enough away, old' monkey will be sure to hear you."
While Tripataka was certain he'd be able to figure out what kept him sealed, one issue did crop up in his mind, "How…will I be able to get up there, without the demon's noticing?"
"Oh, that's simple!" Exclaimed Wukong, undaunted by the set back, "There's a group of monkeys that live around this mountain. Tell them that you're going to free Sun Wukong and they'll help you!"
"And…where are they? Why haven't you asked them to free you?" Tripataka asked limply, already regretting this decision of his.
"I tried, but they can't hear me from in here." He nodded his head in one direction, "From the sounds of it, they're that way. Good news! That's the opposite of the demons!"
That settled, Tripataka decided there was no use delaying this endeavor. Now or never. His word his vow, he didn't even consider simply fleeing once he climbed out of the cavern. Carefully and quietly, he trekked around the indicated direction of where the monkey group should be, vaguely should be that is. Even though it was away from the demons, he was careful where he stepped and made note of which direction the wind was blowing. Demons had a bad record of having heightened senses. By the mercy of Buddha, he managed to find the family of monkeys hanging around in a tree, grooming one another and doing general monkey behavior. Spotting him, they eyed him with suspicion.
Not believing he was about to do this, Tripataka wearily spoke up, "Uh, ah, I-I've come to set Sun Wukong free."
To his surprise, the monkeys perked up. After a bit of chatter amongst each other, the group of at least thirty, possibly more, showed up out of the woodwork. Tripataka was a bit alarmed by the amount. He knew monkeys could have large social groups but seeing it was a whole different thing. One monkey grabbed his hand and gestured insistently to a rock face, looking at it Tripataka noticed a relatively safe looking path upwards. That said…he was not excited by the rigorous climb.
With the aid of the monkeys, Tripataka's journey up Five Phases Mountain went by rather smoothly, albeit the trek was no less strenuous on his body. He was certainly worn out by the time he reached the summit. With a labored exhale, he straightened up his body and looked around. Uncertain, he turned to the monkeys and asked, "What do I do now?"
They simply looked at him blankly. A few cocking their head to the sides.
It was worth a try…Tripataka thought to himself as he set out on his search for- whatever, was sealing the Monkey King. It didn't take long for him to spot the divine glow coming from the very peak of the mountain. There, was a pillar-like rock formation with a flat top, where the light originated from. It was like a natural pedestal. While beautiful to look at, Tripataka wasn't thrilled to do more climbing. No way around it, he went over and, with yet more effort hoist himself up.
There, lay an immaculate, majestic scroll. The lettering was so pristine that he was too distracted by the brilliance to even attempt reading it. Eeks from the monkey trope behind him pulled Tripataka from his awestruck, reminding him he needed to remove this scroll from the surface of the mountain. At least, it wouldn't have to be destroyed. Perhaps it could be useful later- soon as he laid his fingers upon it, the scroll dissipated from existence and Tripataka's thought came to a screeching halt.
As his jaw lay slack, a violent shudder that went through the mountain reflexively caused him to hold on to the former pedestal for dear life. He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping the tremor would pass before his grip gave out, Merciful Buddha forgive me!
Behind him he could just make out the cries of the monkey group, which sounded rather rejoicing.
Miles below, Sun Wukong, could help but grin in utter delight. He could feel the seal weaken nigh instantaneously, what once felt indominable, became a simple weight on his back. Mere shifts of his arms and shoulders sent ripples through the rock, splintered the wood of the column without effort and cracked the ice. Sniggering to himself, Wukong shuddered with excitement, but barely, just barely, restrained himself from bursting free. The cavern echoed with his giggles. Soon, very soon, Sun Wukong would be free! At long last! The chains connected to his arms rattled as he eagerly flexed his fingers. Oh, how he couldn't wait to smash this mountain into powder! Not for imprisoning him, no, because Buddha had created it. He couldn't allow such a slight continue to be after he was free.
Oh hurry, hurry, my liberator! I can hardly wait! The Monkey King urged, a wide gleeful grin curled on his face, excited giggles bubbling up from his throat. Hurry, hurry, hurry, he kept thinking, his freedom so within his grasp after so long. It was so close, freedom was so close, he could practically taste it!
The tremors didn't fully cease, but they did die down to less worrying vibrations, like the whole mountain was barely containing an eruption or earthquake. Still, it was enough that Tripataka felt it safe to open his eyes. He was surprised to see he was not looking out at the sky or horizon but instead staring straight into rock. Sometime during the quake, he'd apparently slid down the rock pedestal without his notice. His rear placed squarely on solid rock of the mountain summit, Tripataka released his vice grip and sat there a moment. Trying to regather his frayed nerves. He flexed his fingers to loosen the muscles and bones that felt like they wanted to lock in place.
No going back now.
He turned his head to the monkeys which were waiting for him. Shakily, he brought himself up to his knees, "Let's move our way down, no sense in delaying."
Few of the monkeys chattered in response before scampering down a side of the mountain. One popped back up and gestured to follow with a few hurrying cries.
"Yes, I'm coming." Tripataka responded tiredly.
Traversing his way down the mountain, all whilst the tremors continued in the backdrop- by the matter of half an hour later, Tripataka had already begun to be unconcerned by them and began to wonder what would become of this action. As he silently fretted with himself, he stopped when the monkeys ahead of him did so suddenly. He opened his mouth to question what was the matter when they all suddenly leapt back with shrieks of alarm. A sentiment that quickly became contagious as large forms were spotted barreling up the mountain. It was the demons from before.
A yell ripped itself from Tripataka's throat as one of the demons bounded towards him, "Do you have any idea what you've done!?"
Sun Wukong let out a groan of annoyance, what's taking him so long? Even for a weak monk- he should've been at least a quarter down the mountain by now. What gives!? Ugh, I don't think I can wait much longer! This is worse than the itch! The Monkey King's internal lament was cut off when his ears caught wind of something. A yell. It was from his savior- and several monkeys on top of that! Wukong straightened his neck in alarm, realization hitting him, The demons! Instantly, anger flared up in his veins, animal teeth clenched, they dare threaten the handsome monkey king's savior!
Not about to let this indiscretion slide, there was no time to waste. He'd just have to destroy the accursed mountain a different way than planned. With a growl, Sun Wukong snapped his arms down, rending the pillar around him into shattered rubble. The cavern that'd been his unwilling home for five centuries swiftly crumbling down around him, falling like a massive explosion had been set off in the epicenter. The disaster around the Monkey King went unheeded, rock, ice, and even metal shards pinging off of him like mere flecks of dirt.
Frame coiled tightly; Sun Wukong launched him himself straight up in the direction of the Tang monk's cry.
Tripataka laid sprawled out on the ground, as the demon towered over him, teeth bared in anger. This was it he was going to die and be eaten before he even fully left his home kingdom. Shakily he gripped his prayer beads, hoping, at least, it'd be over quickly.
"You idiot you don't know who you-" Before the demon could finish lambasting the monk the ground violently shook anew. Stumbling to keep proper footing the demon stammered out, "Wha-at now!?"
"It's happening again!" Tripataka cried out, latching onto a nearby boulder he'd been cowering in front of. Around him the monkeys, that'd remained, did similar or scrambled down the mountain side in a panic while the demons were too alarmed to take notice.
Unlike prior times, the tremors only seemed to grow more and more violent. The ground began to heave, crack and shift. Tripataka, the demons, and monkey cries became more frantic. Large chunks of solid stone hefted upward like massive splinters as the tremors came to a sudden, explosive, end.
Up from the ground, like a living cannonball, shot a form that landed with surprising force. Enough create a small crater beneath its landing point, in solid stone. There, standing proudly, was the Monkey King, in time aged, battered armor and torn cape. He stood rather tall despite everything but the other monkeys outsizing him. All gawked at the sudden entrance, monk, demons, and monkeys alike were scattered about from his entrance- that and the fact that the one that'd been berating the monk had effectively been launched…somewhere, far, far away.
The Monkey King started stretching, arcing one arm this way, the other that way, his back this way and that, rolling his arms and shoulders, tail jutted out. All the while, humming to himself. Eventually, he exhaled sighing dully, "What? Only twelve of you? Oh well," he chuckled, "guess that'll do for a warm up."
Very unanimously, the demon's faces filled with dread. The Monkey King sneered, "Come'on now, no need to be shy. Old Monkey's probably rusty. Need to shake the dust off. You might get- a -hit in." He grinned sharply, "So, don't go and waste it."
Tripataka stayed stuck to the spot he was in, back braced against the boulder. He, truthfully, wasn't entirely certain that the demonic monkey was here to save him. Though that was the agreement, the monk wasn't completely sold on his trustworthiness. Yet again, he prayed that he'd made the right decision, that Buddha would have mercy on this foolish, poor monk.
As he pleaded silently, beads of feverish sweat glazing his brow, he watched a tense standoff between a group of demons and one, single, monkey. The difference between the demon bandit's appearance and the Monkey King was comical. Big brutes, garbed in rough leather clothing with bones, spikes, skulls and the like, terrified of an animal that was barely half their average-size, in tattered armor- still coated in dirt, rusted with age, and broken in plenty of spaces…it was just boggling. In any other case, the fact that the former was petrified of the later did not seem sensible. Yet, they stood, frozen, stuck still in palpable tension. Wukong, on the other hand, seemed lax, musingly awaiting the first move. Tripataka felt like he was sitting by a bomb, watching the fuse burn away, inch by inch, waiting for it to go off.
Wukong smirked.
Then tension was set off.
Battle cries flew into the air- and were quickly replaced by cries of painful, regret. To call what Tripataka witnessed a fight, would be beyond gracious. The demons swung and attacked, yes, but like their previous weapons, it was ineffectual. Though, at least their weapons in the cave struck, this time they whiffed air to no avail. Easily, monkey danced around their attacks and once through with entertaining their attempts, he turned onto the offensive. One strike each. One hit caved in a torso, crushed a skull, crumpled a spine, or sent the head flying clean off. There hardly seemed to have been any effort put into the strikes. Just as easily the bodies fell to the ground. It only took a handful of minutes for the "fight" to end.
"Whoops," Sun Wukong laughed, hand rubbing the back of his head, "I meant to mess with them more. Guess I've lost touch of my own strength." He shrugged, decidedly indifferent to the result. "Oh well, makes no difference really."
Tripataka stared, horrified. Demons or not, the sight of blood splattered against the slate grey stone was no different than human. Bodies littered the once serene environment, fully show casing the one-sided blood bath with their contorted forms. His horror spiked when the one who committed said acts of violence, the one he released, turned his attention to him. In that moment, Tripataka was certain he was about to be sent to his next life. His goal unfulfilled.
"Savior! Please accept my most grateful bow!"
Thrown by the breakneck change in atmosphere, Tripataka could only gawk as the monkey-spirit kowtowed before him. He earnestly didn't know how to take such a powerful being, that shot up through a mountain and effortlessly slaughtered demons, bowing to him. The moment did allow him to process though, and he concluded that being ungrateful or unaccepting would not fare well. While appalled by the violence…Tripataka could appreciate not being eaten and how else did he think this wild and unruly being would protect him? Honestly, he should've expected that.
He knelt down and helped the monkey up, "Your gratitude is accepted." In turn he bowed, "Please accept my thanks for saving me so- swiftly."
Wukong brushed it off, "Psh, it was nothing! Nothing at all!" He brushed some dirt off of, what looked to have once been, a golden cuirass, "Hardly anything compared to freeing me from imprisonment." He leaned back whilst balanced on his toes, stretching his back out, "Feels great to be able to move again!"
Tripataka smiled at this. "Wonderful to hear, Sun Wukong."
The Monkey King returned the expression with a broad grin, "Same, same! So, let's get going on this pilgrimage of yours! Should be some quest!" He turned and began to look around, "And, with those losers out of the way, shouldn't be much left to get in the way of getting your belongings back."
"Ah! That's right- my horse! I all but forgoten in all the commotion!" Panic returned swiftly to the westward monk, frantically he looked for any sign of his stead. In spite of the fact there was no possible way for him to see it while so high up. Swiftly, he realized this fact. Aimless in his distraught state, Tripataka headed to scramble his way down the mountain all while stammering, "I-I cannot- can't possibly make my journey- without my belongings, much less my horse!"
Before he could make it even a few steps away, something caught his cassock and his feet lost purchase beneath him. Alarm went off in his mind, he'd slipped and fallen. He was about to fall his way down the mountain. Tripataka was he was about to die (or if lucky just suffer, several, broken bones), he hurtled at inhuman speed through the air! The monks' yells of panic were inaudible to even himself as whipping wind filled his ears.
Amused laughter, "You can stop yelling, savior, we've arrived!"
Faintly, Tripataka was aware of the Monkey King holding him up. It took him a moment to do more than wheeze, his voice taken from him by the wind. Once it returned to him, Tripataka wheezed, "…And where, is that?"
"Just look around!" The Monkey King laughed.
When he did, Tripataka was gobsmacked. Behind them was, Five Phases Mountain! "How- how did we get all the way down here!?"
Sun Wukong answered readily, as he placed the monk back down on the ground, "Well that's simple- Old Monkey just jumped down!"
Tripataka held the side of his head with a hand, "I-I thought I'd tripped and fallen, my whole life flashed before my eyes!"
"Well, that mustn't have lasted long!" Snickered the monkey. Seeing the monk rather rattled by the expedited trip down, he figured he needed a moment. It made sense, he supposed, his liberator was mortal. Good thing he hadn't flown. "Hm, Old Monkey just felt the need to stretch his legs, but I see you need a minute. That's fine." Wukong looked before him, cracking his knuckles, "Should take just about that long to get your belongings back."
The remark prompted Tripataka to look forward, which he regrated. All around them, was the rest of the demon bandits. They'd landed smack in the middle of them. Of which, the Monkey King and he were standing/sitting in a small crater generated by their sudden arrival, which by the look of it was a shock to the demons as well. Both the demons and Tripataka realized what was about to happen.
Unable to do anything to stop what was about to happen, Tripataka snapped his eyes shut and his mind went to reciting sutras. Anything his mind could grasp at to take focus off of the one-sided brutality was happening around him.
"Are you meditating? That's some dedication!" Sun Wukong bemusedly remarked. This pause was enough to tempt Tripataka into cracking an eye open. As he expected, he was now surrounded by carnage once again. This time, there was a sliver of positivity. Sun Wukong did indeed have his horse and belongings. It may have simply been the monk's current frame of mind, but he felt that even the stead was terrified. Beaming with a big grin, the monkey held the horse's reigns in hand, "Your belongings! Got to say, you got a nice horse."
"Thank you…" Tripataka said slowly. So much had happened so quickly, it was almost too much to taken in. He got the strong feeling, that…he had only just begun to see what this creature was capable of. It- scared him. It was like he'd let loose a disaster. For the moment though, he was in the being's good graces. He seemed genuinely thankful, going as far as to refer to him as savior thus far. He counted a blessing there.
As he looked around at the various crumpled corpses and the monkey, unscathed, he wondered, what now? How was he, a mere mortal, going to manage such an unpredictable being? He knew next to nothing about him, save what he'd overheard the demons say.
"Wahoo!" The Monkey King rocket up into the air out of sheer jubilation, "I'm free! At long last, the Great Sage, equal to heaven, is free again!"
Tripataka was certain he was about to see the monkey take to the skies when- the being sudden gave a sharp cry of pain.