His body ached from his transformation into the Maitreya-Nirvana, or at least that's what he thought.
His mind throbbed from the sudden influx of knowledge and powers, making his search for peace even more challenging. At least The Loop of Binding, now a soothing jade green, hadn't added to his headache yet.
He had loosened his restraint upon sensing the presence of the goddess and her godlings, intending to intimidate them. It worked—perhaps a bit too well. Mori didn't want the boy to panic that badly.
He sighed as he hovered in the sky. I need to find a place to stay. Blue flames flickered in his hands—the essence of creation.
Mori considered his options. He could make something. Probably. But the pain was a constant reminder that he wasn't quite there yet. His wounds from Ragnarök and the battle with Mubong were still fresh, refusing to heal—a frustrating reality.
His body was like a waterfall of blood, crimson droplets raining down in a relentless stream, staining everything below him. It was as if his body had forgotten how to stop bleeding, or perhaps it simply didn't care anymore.
The ache in his bones and the sharp sting of every cut were ever-present, lingering like unwelcome companions. Yet, strangely, they were also proof that he was still alive. Barely, but alive.
He watched as clouds passed beneath him, white and fluffy.
Perfect.
The blue flames in his hands grew larger, spreading out into a fine mist. He focused intently, his thoughts singular, and the energy began to shift. A cloud, a cloud, a cloud. The blue mist gradually turned whiter and thicker, condensing in his hands before expanding outward, slowly enveloping the surrounding area and transforming into a large, stationary cloud.
"So far, so good," Mori murmured to himself. Satisfaction crept into his voice as he flew higher, inspecting his creation from above. His hand brightened, the flames intensifying as he scrunched it into a fist. The cloud responded, compacting and solidifying, taking on a more defined shape.
He hovered above it, watching as the cloud compressed into something more tangible, more stable. The once amorphous mass was now a solid, cohesive structure, held together by his will and power. It had turned into a storm cloud from all the pressure, dark as the night sky.
He blew a golden strand of hair from his mouth, sticky with blood. Cleaning himself could wait until later.
"Kinto-Un, come out," Mori called. In response, Kinto emerged from his gourd, swirling around his body in a pale mist. It had been a long time since he had summoned it—since before Ragnarök, a time of chaos and destruction.
As the familiar mist coiled around him, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia. It now had jade-coloured veins running through its white body and an ethereal glow.
He wouldn't need Kinto-Un now that he could fly independently, but he wasn't ready to give Kinto up. Mori extended his arm and commanded Kinto to intertwine with the cloud he made to bind it under his will.
Kinto turned into a stream of white and green that shot into his soon-to-be home. The island gave off a light glow, signifying that his plans had worked.
Mori's blood still spilled from his body. He stretched out his arm and let a trickle of blood flow down towards his fingers. Now to bind it with blood. A small pool of blood formed in his outstretched hand, but Mori let it fall towards the cloud.
As Kinto and his blood merged with the cloud, the island below began to change. The once tranquil and empty expanse was now covered with an otherworldly energy. The island's landscape shifted and contorted, reshaping itself to align with Mori's will.
Deep blue rivers carved new paths in the newly formed land. The rivers were teeming with life as fish and other creatures populated them. He would definitely be fishing in there.
Lush green forests sprang up almost instantaneously. Birds of different colours sprang out from the sandy shores of the rivers and graced the air with their winged beats.
The cloud, now infused with Kinto's essence, wrapped a small portion of it around the island, cloaking it in a protective mist. The transformation was swift and dramatic, a testament to the combined power of Mori and his mystical companion.
Nice.
The transformed island was suddenly graced by the appearance of a large, traditional Asian temple in a vibrant red hue, just as Mori had envisioned. The temple stood proudly with its intricately designed wooden beams and curved rooflines, creating a striking contrast against the lush greenery that enveloped it.
The temple was situated next to one of the few rivers on the island, which meandered through the landscape. The water reflected the brilliant hues of the temple's exterior. A charming stone bridge arched gracefully over the river, connecting the temple grounds to the opposite bank.
Inside the temple, an expansive open courtyard unfolded, its smooth cobblestone floor meticulously arranged. The courtyard was encircled by the monastery's bright red walls. They each showcase traditional architectural elegance with gracefully tiered roofs and intricately carved wooden screens.
The air in the courtyard was filled with the gentle sounds of nature, the rustling of leaves, and the soft murmur of the river.
In the centre of the courtyard, a beautifully maintained garden thrived. In the garden was a magnificent sage fruit tree, its branches heavy with ripe, purple fruits that shimmered with a soft, otherworldly light. The tree's presence added a sense of serenity and sacredness to the space.
The opposite bank of the stone bridge is home to a series of natural hot springs that bubble gently. The steaming waters create a peaceful oasis, and their warm, mineral-rich qualities invite relaxation. Stone pathways wind through the lush landscape, leading to secluded spots where one can soak and unwind while enjoying the serene beauty of the surroundings.
Mori grimaced at the amount of power he used in his new home. The large wound on his side ached as he spat out a mouthful of saliva tinged with blood.
"Yoshhhhh! Hot springs!" Now that, was not in his vision. But who cares?
Now, what to name the place? Mori twisted and turned in the air as he thought of names for his little cloud kingdom. As he mulled it over, a gust of wind carried a sage pill over to him.
Despite its bitterness, Mori ate the fruit with gusto. It would speed up his recovery and, hopefully, counter whatever was slowing down his healing. As the pill's energy spread through his body, Mori felt a slight easing of the persistent aches and a faint, warm pulse of life returning to his limbs.
Cloud Palace? No, it was too plain. This place was more than just a palace in the sky. It was a sanctuary, a retreat from the chaos of the world below. It deserved a name that reflected its uniqueness.
Sky Sanctuary? Better, but still not quite right. This was an island born of his power, a creation infused with his essence. It needed a name that resonated with everything he had been through and everything he was trying to build.
Mori sighed, running a hand through his hair as he considered the options. Maybe he was overthinking it. Sometimes, the simplest names were the best. Floating Isle? No, it was still too basic. Silence reigned for a few moments.
He smiled faintly. Sage Realm. That had a certain character. A place where he could reign over his own little world, separate from the turmoil below. It was fitting because he came from the Sage Realm, a place that had shaped much of who he was. This new kingdom, a haven of clouds and serenity, felt like a natural extension of his past, part of it being Kinto-Un.
Yes, he thought, feeling a sense of satisfaction settle over him. Sage Realm it is.
Mori's clothes vanished from his body as the last bits of the fruit were thrown into his gaping mouth.
"Cannonball!"
Mori released his hold on his power and drove towards the hot springs.
It was hot, exactly how he liked it. The blood sped away from his body and faded into the water.
I could stay here forever.
.
.
.
"Let's start listing all we know about the guy."
Thalia was very insistent on finding out who he was. She tried to fill in the role of Annabeth and her brains, but it still didn't feel the same. She even forgot about her apparent fear of heights, all for the guy.
"Well, from what I could tell, he reeked of nature. The local nature spirits all submitted to his presence," Grover replied, still shaken by the man's direct attention. He and Nico were playing a card game, Mythomagic, as Nico called it.
"He fell out of the large crack in the sky," said Bianca.
"Nice one for stating the obvious, sis." Nico snarkily replied.
He got a slap on the back of the head for that. Percy laughed as Nico tried, and failed miserably, to retaliate. His sister, now wearing the silver parka of the Hunters, clearly showing her new allegiance, easily dodged his attempts.
The Sun Bus rode through the sky towards New York City with the hunt and the few extra demigods. Apollo had not been happy turning his nice sports car into a school bus for the lot of us, but the situation was dire.
It was swelteringly hot inside the cabin, but that was expected of the sun. Artemis stood by Apollo's side as she regaled him of the meeting.
"He called himself the Monkey King. He didn't look like a monkey to me anyway."
"As Nico said, an astute observation, fish head. But yeah, the Monkey King is a clue. We can start by looking for his name; maybe Athena would know. She is the smartest goddess on Olympus."
They sat silently for a minute, watching as Nico gave Grover unopened packs for him to start the game.
"Baaaaah! Thanks, Nico, I really appreciate you for this."
"No problem, man. Or goat, I'm still not sure. Sorry." Nico's face turned bright red.
"Satyr, Nico, a satyr," his sister reminded him.
The bus began its slow descent to Mount Olympus, prompting everyone to fasten their seatbelts. Percy was quite frightened if he did say so himself. The son of a sea god and the sky don't mix well.
.
.
"Let's start listing all we know about the guy."
Thalia was very insistent on finding out who he was. She tried to fill in the role of Annabeth and her brains, but it still didn't feel the same. She even forgot about her apparent fear of heights, all for the guy.
"Well, from what I could tell, he reeked of nature. The local nature spirits all submitted to his presence," Grover replied, still shaken by the man's direct attention. He and Nico were playing a card game, Mythomagic, as Nico called it.
"He fell out of the large crack in the sky," said Bianca.
"Nice one for stating the obvious, sis." Nico snarkily replied.
He got a slap on the back of the head for that. Percy laughed as Nico tried, and failed miserably, to retaliate. His sister, now wearing the silver parka of the Hunters, clearly showing her new allegiance, easily dodged his attempts.
The Sun Bus rode through the sky towards New York City with the hunt and the few extra demigods. Apollo had not been happy turning his nice sports car into a school bus for the lot of us, but the situation was dire.
The cabin was swelteringly hot, as one might expect from the sun. Artemis stood by Apollo's side as she regaled him of the meeting.
"He called himself the Monkey King. He didn't look like a monkey to me anyway."
"As Nico said, an astute observation, fish head. But yeah, the Monkey King is a clue. We can start by looking for his name; maybe Athena would know. She is the smartest goddess on Olympus."
They sat silently for a minute, watching as Nico gave Grover unopened packs for him to start the game.
"Baaaaah! Thanks, Nico, I really appreciate you for this."
"No problem, man. Or goat, I'm still not sure. Sorry." Nico's face turned bright red.
"Satyr, Nico, a satyr," his sister reminded him.
The bus began its slow descent to Mount Olympus, prompting everyone to fasten their seatbelts. Percy was quite frightened if he did say so himself. The son of a sea god and the sky don't mix well.
.
.
Apollo had a landing pad for his sunbus.
As we stepped off, blinking against the sudden shift from blinding sunlight to the cool shade of Olympus, Artemis and Apollo ushered us forward. The streets of Olympus were long and winding, like a labyrinth made of marble and gold, but they all led to the same place—the top of the mountain. The city was designed to draw you toward the throne room, the heart of the gods' power.
When we finally reached the massive doors of the throne room, Artemis turned to us, her silver eyes sharp and serious. "Stay quietly inside the hall," she instructed, her voice leaving no room for argument. Listen to what the gods have to say." The large doors opened smoothly, letting the demigods enter.
Hermes was the first to arrive in a flash of bright, quick light.
"First one here, as usual," he said with a grin, though a hint of tension flickered in his eyes.
The others followed soon after. His father appeared in a Hawaiian blue shirt, a fishing pole in hand, naturally.
Lastly, Zeus arrived in a great show of theatrics and light, covered in lightning and formless clouds.
"My daughter, I may suspect why you called for a council meeting," Zeus said. He glanced over to the other demigods and the Hunters.
"Yes... I have seen the Creator walk among us."
"That cannot be true." Lady Athena butted in. She wore a grey toga and tied her brown hair in a tight bun. "Chaos is not a being, merely a combined essence of everything around us."
Ares chuckled, his laughter like the rumble of distant thunder. His eyes, fiery and intense, flickered with amusement and irritation. "Gottem, sis," he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Well, I have witnesses: my Hunters and these members of Camp Half-Blood all witnessed the man."
"A man?" Demeter asked. "Why isn't it a woman? It would've made for a much better story.
"Oh, shut up," someone muttered.
The whole council dissolved into a mess of shouting and threats of action against each other.
"Peace, siblings." A small woman stepped away from the hearth dressed in ragged brown clothes. Auburn hair flowed down the length of her back. "This isn't a good way to present ourselves to the demigods."
The gods quickly settled themselves and had the decency to look slightly embarrassed.
"Now, Artemis, this... Creator. Have those demigods over there witnessed your encounter with him?" She raised an eyebrow in affirmation.
Percy shifted on his feet, feeling the tension in the room rise as Artemis confirmed Hestia's question with a simple nod. "Yes, Aunt Hestia, they have."
Her silver eyes flicked over to the demigods and Hunters as if gauging their readiness to speak. Zöe stepped forward at Artemis's silent command, her stance straight and unwavering, ready to address the council.
"We did, milady," Zöe began, calm but firm. "We saw the being—this 'Creator'—descend from the skies as it cracked like glass. His power was immense, like nothing we've ever witnessed before." Her accent gave her words an old-world weight that made everyone else fall silent.
Artemis carried on from where she left off. "The very air around him couldn't handle his presence. It distorted and ripped itself apart. A blazing red crown floated around his head, and he held a grey staff that changed shape as he willed it."
Athena narrowed her eyes. "And you are certain it wasn't a god? Not a Titan or some other lesser entity?"
Zöe shook her head. "No, Lady Athena. It was... different. Not a Titan, not a god. His presence was overwhelming—natural and unnatural at the same time."
"Did he give a name?" Athena questioned, her sharp eyes focusing on Zöe, the gears of her mind clearly turning.
Percy felt the need to speak up at this moment. "He called himself the Monkey King."
All eyes turned to him. Athena's gaze sharpened, while the other gods seemed to shift in their seats, intrigued. Scary
"The Monkey King?" Athena repeated, her voice laced with curiosity and doubt. "That title is known in some mythologies, but it doesn't align with anything we are familiar with. Are you certain that's what he said?"
"Yes," Percy replied, swallowing the lump in his throat. "He didn't seem like he was trying to hide it. He said it straight out. He called himself the Monkey King."
"The Monkey King?" She echoed, her voice hard and calculating. "That title... it carries weight in the oldest of eastern mythologies. It is a name of legend—one who defied gods, disrupted the balance, and wielded power unlike any mortal or immortal."
Athena said, her voice thoughtful but grim. "If this 'Monkey King' is indeed Sun Wukong, the ancient trickster and warrior... then we may be up against something more dangerous than any Titan. He was said to have been imprisoned by the highest powers for his rebellion. If he's free..."
Zeus's eyes crackled with electricity, his fingers twitching with restrained power. "Then we have a serious problem on our hands. A being who once defied the heavens and disrupted the order of the cosmos is not to be taken lightly."
Hestia, who had remained silent until now, spoke softly, her voice filled with authority. "And if he walks among us again, we must be careful. He is unpredictable, and his motives may be beyond our comprehension."
"What do we do now?" Percy asked, his voice quieter than he'd intended. He was used to facing danger, but this felt different—bigger. Even the gods seemed uncertain.
Zeus stood, his towering figure casting a shadow over the room. "We prepare for war," he declared, lightning flashing in his eyes. "If this 'Monkey King' seeks to disrupt the order of the universe once more, we will meet him with the full might of Olympus."
"And we would lose," Athena interjected. Zeus's gaze hardened, but he remained silent. Ares, who had straightened in his seat at the mention of war, now slumped back, his shoulders drooping with the weight of Athena's rebuke.
"He was unbeatable in a fight," Athena continued, "but peaceful when left alone, and we would do well to leave him undisturbed."
The room fell into an uneasy silence. The idea of not engaging in direct conflict seemed almost foreign; the Olympians were used to facing their problems head-on.
"I see your point," Zeus conceded, breaking the silence. His voice was steady but tinged with frustration. "But if we ignore him, what if his actions threaten the balance we are sworn to protect? What if he chooses to act against us or disrupt the order that we have built?"
Athena's gaze was unwavering. "Then we must find a way to contain or monitor his presence without provoking him. Direct confrontation could lead to catastrophic consequences, not only for us but for the entire world. Sometimes, the best strategy is not to fight but to understand and control."
Artemis nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting respect and concern. "We should consider all possible strategies. Perhaps we could attempt to establish a relationship with the Monkey King."
"But we don't know of his location, do we?" spoke Dionysus. "He could be anywhere in this god's forsaken world."
Zeus muttered to his father in another tongue Percy didn't know of and then settled back quickly enough.
Zeus, his face a mask of thoughtful resolve, finally spoke. "We may have a lead on his location. Some cloud spirits have reported an unnatural cloud formation over Maine. This could very well be where the Monkey King has made his presence known."
The room erupted into murmurs, a mix of disbelief and curiosity as the gods processed the news. Hestia spoke to herself aloud. "Maine? Wasn't that where you said he was first sighted, Artemis dear?"
Zeus nodded gravely. "If the reports are to be believed true, this could be where the Monkey King has chosen to rest. We need to approach this with the utmost caution."
Athena's eyes swept over the gathered gods, her mind clearly at work. "It would be wise to select someone who is both knowledgeable and capable of understanding the complexities of this situation. Someone with experience in negotiation and handling powerful entities."
"I suggest we send Hestia. Her wisdom and gentle demeanour make her an ideal candidate for this delicate task; she can approach him with the necessary respect and understanding." The one who spoke was Hera, who had been a silent figure at this meeting.
"So, Hestia's going to be the one to charm the Monkey King? That's a change of pace." Dionysus raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with irony.
The gods exchanged knowing glances, their unease giving way to reluctant acceptance. Zeus met Hestia's eyes, his expression one of quiet respect. "Hestia, you have always been a voice of reason and calm. If anyone can handle this delicate negotiation, it is you."
Hestia nodded, her face serene but resolute. "I will go. If it helps to prevent conflict and establish peace, then I will undertake the task."
"Then go; I will bring one of the four winds to send you to the location."
Hestia exited the throne room through the hearth, stepping into the flames and vanishing.
"Dismissed!" Zeus left in a flash of lightning and boom of thunder. Hephaestus left in a wake of flames, and the other followed suit. Hermes and Apollo walked arm-in-arm toward the throne room door, talking about 'hot chicks'.
His father, Poseidon, and Artemis were the last to leave. His father shrank from his eleven-foot form to a more reasonable six-foot tall.
"My son, how have you been?" Percy's heart warmed at the recognition his father gave him. Demigods rarely received attention from their godly parents, but Percy felt he was one of the lucky ones.
"I've been keeping well, I guess."
"Your Aunt Hestia is to head to woo the Monkey King, it seems." A large grin formed on his face at that. "Maybe she'll finally marry something, or at least somebody."
"But she's sworn to chastity for like, a thousand and something years."
Poseidon's grin widened, revealing a glimmer of mischief. "True, true. But even the most steadfast vows can be challenged by the right circumstances. Who knows what might happen when she encounters someone as powerful as the Monkey King?"
Artemis standing quietly beside Poseidon raised an eyebrow at this comment. "It's not a matter of romance, Poseidon. It's about diplomacy and ensuring that we don't provoke him into a conflict we're not prepared for."
Poseidonchuckled softly. "I suppose you're right, Artemis. But one can't help but speculate. Hestia's charm and wisdom are unparalleled. If anyone can find a peaceful solution, it's her."
Percy glanced between his father and Artemis, a mix of amusement and curiosity in his eyes. "Do you really think Hestia might find some sort of connection with the Monkey King? I mean, if he's as powerful and unpredictable as everyone says he is?"
Poseidon placed a reassuring hand on Percy's shoulder. "Just remember, my son, that even amid uncertainty, there's always room for hope and possibility. The world is full of unexpected twists."
Percy nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "Thanks, Dad, for the amazing advice."
"Hey!" Thalia yelled out. She looked in a stormy mood. "When can we leave? I'm tired and hungry."
"I will transport you and my Hunters to Camp Half-Blood. I have a monster to hunt.