Chapter 2: Awakening Truths
Scene 1: Recovering at Home
Sun Tien stirred awake, blinking groggily as sunlight streamed through the wooden shutters of his room. His body ached, a dull reminder of the previous night's chaos. He turned his head to find Keiji sitting cross-legged on a cushion near the window, a bandage wrapped around his shoulder.
"Morning," Keiji muttered, his voice unusually subdued.
"Morning," Sun Tien replied, wincing as he pushed himself into a sitting position. "What happened? The last thing I remember was… glowing?"
Keiji nodded. "Yeah. That was freaky. Then we passed out, and the next thing I know, Uncle and Auntie were carrying us back."
Sun Tien glanced at the doorway, half-expecting his father to burst in with one of his exaggerated scoldings. Instead, the house was eerily quiet.
Scene 2: A Family Meeting
The boys were summoned to the main hall, where their parents waited. Sun Tien's father sat cross-legged, his arms crossed over his chest, while his mother stood behind him, her gaze gentle but firm. Keiji's parents were seated on the opposite side, their expressions serious.
"Sit," Sun Tien's father ordered.
The boys complied, exchanging nervous glances.
Keiji's mother broke the silence, her voice calm but tinged with concern. "You both have a lot of explaining to do."
Sun Tien's father gestured toward them, his eyes narrowing. "Running off, fighting demons, nearly getting yourselves killed—what were you thinking?"
Keiji opened his mouth to respond, but the Six-Eared Macaque's sudden entrance silenced the room.
Scene 3: The Six-Eared Macaque's Revelation
The boys' eyes widened as the Six-Eared Macaque stepped forward, his golden fur shimmering in the dim light.
"Grandpa Six?" Sun Tien exclaimed.
"Grandpa?" Keiji echoed. "Why do you look like a monkey?"
The Macaque smirked. "Why? Because I am a monkey, boy. And so are you—well, partly."
Sun Tien frowned. "What are you talking about? What's going on here?"
The Six-Eared Macaque sighed, his expression softening. "You two are not ordinary children. You are descendants of beings far greater than any mortal can imagine. Sun Tien, you're the grandson of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. And Keiji, you are my grandson."
The boys stared in stunned silence.
Keiji broke it first. "Wait. You mean… we're part monkey?"
"And fox," the Macaque added, nodding toward Sun Tien. "Your lineage is unique, powerful, and dangerous. That's why your powers were sealed when you were born."
Sun Tien blinked, struggling to process the revelation. "Sealed? Why?"
The Macaque's face grew somber. "To protect you—and everyone around you. But last night, your power broke through that seal. You're not ready to control it."
Scene 4: The Weight of Truth
The room fell silent again as the boys absorbed the news.
"So… the glowing?" Sun Tien asked.
"Your true power," the Macaque confirmed. "It's only a fraction of what lies within you. But if left unchecked, it could consume you—or worse."
Keiji leaned back, his usual mischievous demeanor replaced by a rare moment of seriousness. "This is… a lot."
Sun Tien's father stood, his voice gruff but concerned. "And what do we do now? How do we keep them safe?"
The Six-Eared Macaque hesitated before answering. "There's only one place that can help them: the Academy of Mythological Beings."
The parents exchanged wary glances.
Sun Tien's mother stepped forward, her voice steady. "If it means protecting them, then we'll do whatever it takes."
Scene 5: A New Path
Later that night, the boys sat outside under the starry sky, their minds racing with the events of the day.
Keiji glanced at Sun Tien, his voice hesitant. "Do you think we're ready for this? Leaving home, going to some academy?"
Sun Tien sighed, leaning back on his hands. "I don't know. But if this is what we are, then we need to figure out how to control it. Otherwise, we'll never be safe."
Keiji nodded, a small grin breaking through. "Well, at least we'll be in it together."
Sun Tien smirked. "Yeah. Let's see what this academy has to offer."
The boys sat in silence, their resolve quietly strengthening under the watchful gaze of the moon.
End of Chapter 2