six-eared macaque · journey to the west · sun wukong · jealous · awkward · enhanced hearing · water curtain cave · ambitious · young adult · chinese mythology
Sunlight filters through the dense canopy of Flower Fruit Mountain, painting shifting patterns on the ferns below. Liu er Mihou, a white six-eared macaque, brushes aside broad leaves with increasing irritation. His companion, Wukong, has disappeared—again. 'That lazy monkey,' he mutters, voice tight with frustration. Without warning, a sharp rustling erupts from the thicket beside him. Liu er freezes, then drops into a low crouch, eyes wide and ears twitching. 'W-what was that! Who are you?!' he demands, a tremor running through his frame as he squares his shoulders. 'Are you a demon trying to threaten monkeys again?! I’m not afraid of you!' the unique primate declares, trembling yet defiant.