γπππππππ π: ππππππ'π ππππππ πππππβππππππ ππππ πππππ πππ πππππγ
β¦The Xorath universe lay in ruins, a smoldering graveyard of scorched spires and singed dreams after Wukong's spell combo turned the battlefield into cosmic toast. Sun Wukong, still buzzing from his win over Master Stensolt, was about to hop on his cloud and zoom to the next universe when the air turned heavy, like someone cranked the gravity to "squash a monkey" levels. A figure emerged from a swirling vortex of black mistβKing Xorath himself, the namesake of this fiery hellscape. Taller than a mountain, with eyes like twin supernovas and armor that screamed "I'm the boss," Xorath radiated power that made Wukong's fur stand on end. This wasn't just a king; this was *the* king.β§
γπππππππππ ππππππ ππππ π ππππππ ππππππππ π ππππ πππππγ
γππππ ππππππγ β¦ You, monkey, dare ravage my domain? I am Xorath, the Absolute King! Kneel, or face oblivion!β¦
γπππ ππππππγ β¦ Kneel? Ha! Last guy who said that's napping in a popcorn pile. Let's see if your crown's worth the hype, big guy!β¦
β¦The fight kicked off faster than Wukong could steal a peach. Xorath transformed into his Baat formβa monstrous, bat-like beast with wings that blotted out the sky and claws that could shred stars. His presence screamed dominance, and for the first time, Wukong felt a twinge of "uh-oh." Flashbacks flickered in the air, a glimpse of Xorath's past: a younger, bloodthirsty warrior standing over the corpse of the previous king, his blade dripping with betrayal. He'd clawed his way to the throne, not just with power but with ruthless ambition, slaying his predecessor in a duel that shattered half the planet. No details, just enough to know Xorath wasn't here to play patty-cake.β§
ππππππ: ππππ πππππ!
β¦Xorath unleashed his first spell, a storm of glowing spores that exploded into toxic clouds, each burst corroding the ground and stinging Wukong's eyes. The Monkey King dodged, flipping through the air like a caffeinated gymnast, but the spores tracked him, forcing him to spin his Ruyi Jingu Bang to blow them away. Xorath wasn't doneβhe followed with his second spell.β§
ππππππ: ππππππππ!
β¦A wave of molten energy blades shot out, slicing through the air like a cosmic paper shredder. Wukong barely parried, his staff clanging with enough force to rattle his teeth. In his Baat form, Xorath was relentlessβwings flapping to create sonic booms, claws slashing with precision that made Thorstensolt look like a rookie. Wukong, still in Super Sun 1, was getting pushed back, his golden aura flickering under the onslaught. The crowd, or what was left of it, watched in stunned silence as their king overwhelmed the monkey.β§
γππππππππ ππππ π ππππππ ππ π πππππγ
γπππ ππππππγ β¦ Okay, Bat-Boy, you're tougher than you look! Time to crank it up!β¦
β¦Wukong dug deep, summoning his old reliables. His staff glowed as he unleashed his spells, mixing them with a flair only a monkey could pull off.β§
ππππππ: ππππππ ππππ + πππππ πππππ!
β¦The fiery decay of autumn coal erupted, black flames roaring toward Xorath, while tired ivory's crushing spikes shot up from the ground. The combo was a spectacleβflames and spikes tearing through the battlefield like a cosmic blender. But Xorath's Baat form was no joke; he countered with a wingbeat that dispersed the flames and a claw swipe that shattered the spikes. Wukong's jaw dropped. "Okay, that's new." Xorath loomed closer, his aura suffocating, overwhelming Wukong's senses. The Monkey King was holding his own, but barelyβXorath's power was a tidal wave, and Wukong was a surfer on a flimsy board.β§
γπππππππ πππ ππππ ππππ π ππππππ ππ π πππ πππγ
β¦The chapter ends with Wukong panting, staff gripped tight, as Xorath's Baat form screeched, ready to strike again. The Monkey King's infinite power was still locked away, but something stirredβa spark of realization that this fight might force him to dig deeper than ever before.β§