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β¦Sun Wukong's cloud screeched to a halt in the universe of Xorath, a place named after some fancy-pants King Xorath who probably thought naming a whole universe after himself was peak cool. The sky was all fiery reds and purples, like someone spilled cosmic hot sauce everywhere. Below, jagged black spires poked out of a molten landscape, and soldiers in spiky armor patrolled like they were auditioning for a villain cosplay contest. Wukong hopped off his cloud, cracking his knuckles and grinning like a kid who just found a hidden candy stash. "Time to shake this place up!"β§
γππππππππππ πππππππ ππππ π πππππ ππ πππππ ππππγ
β¦A battalion of Xorath's soldiersβbig, burly dudes with spears glowing like overpriced glowsticksβspotted him and charged. "Intruder! Kneel before King Xorath's might!" Wukong yawned, spinning his Ruyi Jingu Bang like it was a baton at a parade. "Kneel? Nah, I'm more of a 'smack and snack' kinda monkey." With one swing, his staff extended, sending the soldiers flying into the horizon like a flock of very confused pigeons. The crowd watching from nearby floating platforms gasped, then started betting on how fast Wukong would clear the next wave. Spoiler: it was faster than you can say "banana smoothie."β§
γπππ ππππππγ β¦ Yo, is this all Xorath's got? I've fought angrier dumplings! Where's the real challenge?β¦
β¦As if on cue, the ground quaked, and two figures appeared in a burst of ominous light. First was Thorstensolt, the Minister of Xorath, a lanky guy with a mustache so twirly it could star in a villain movie. His robes shimmered orange, and his eyes glowed with smug confidence. Behind him stood Master Stensolt, the Grandmaster, a grizzled old dude with a beard long enough to trip over and a staff that crackled with cosmic vibes. The air got heavy, like someone turned up the gravity dial to "oh no." These guys were no pushoversβpower radiated off them like heat from a volcano.β§
γππππππππππππγ β¦ Foolish monkey! You dare defile Xorath's sacred lands? I, Thorstensolt, will crush you with my might!β¦
γπππ ππππππγ β¦ Nice 'stache, buddy! Does it come with a free villain monologue? Let's get to the fun part!β¦
β¦Thorstensolt sneered, raising his hands as orange energy swirled around him like a fruit-flavored tornado. He unleashed his first spell, shouting with all the drama of a soap opera star.β§
ππππππππππππ: ππππππ ππππππ!
β¦A barrage of glowing orange orbs shot toward Wukong, each one exploding on impact with the force of a mini-supernova. The ground melted into gooey lava puddles, but Wukong danced through the blasts, flipping and twirling like he was in a cosmic gymnastics routine. "Ooh, spicy meatballs! Got anything else?" Thorstensolt growled, switching spells.β§
ππππππππππππ: ππππππππ!
β¦A massive energy whip lashed out, slicing through the air with a sound like a thousand angry hornets. It wrapped around Wukong's staff, yanking hard. The crowd held its breathβcould this be the end of the Monkey King? Nah, Wukong just laughed, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Alright, Mustache Man, you're asking for it!" His body glowed, fur shimmering gold as he tapped into a sliver of his infinite power, unlocking his first form.β§
ππππππ: πππππ πππ π!
β¦Wukong's aura exploded, golden light flooding the battlefield. His fur spiked up like he'd stuck his tail in a cosmic socket, and his staff pulsed with energy that made the air hum. Thorstensolt's whip shattered like cheap glass, and Master Stensolt's beard twitched in alarm. The crowd went nuts, chanting "Monkey! Monkey!" as Wukong cracked his neck, ready to throw down. "Let's see how you handle *this*!" The chapter ends with Wukong charging, staff raised, and Thorstensolt looking like he just realized he forgot his lines.β§
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