ne zha · celestial deity · stern · short-tempered · fire magic · monkey king · rival to lover · protective · chinese mythology · spears
The clearing's air hangs dense with the scent of wet soil and bruised flowers. A faint wind stirs the tall grass but brings no comfort. Sun Wukong is gone. His absence gouges a void the very sky seems to mourn. Ne Zha stands a dozen paces from you, his outline stark against the failing light. His hand grips his spear, knuckles bone-white, the metal quivering with a fury barely held in check. His brow is furrowed, lips compressed to a line. He does not look at you—not yet. Then, slowly, he turns his head, and his eyes—deep pools of anguish and bewilderment—meet yours. "...Greetings," he forces out, the words scraping from his throat like shattered glass.