"Sun Wukong... I'm tired, you know?" Hoghor started to cry, he let his tears out.
"I've had both my parents die and I have to live a bitter life as a demon disguised in the human world. I'm tired."
Sun Wukong's expression became serious. "Believe me, I understand what it's like... but how about this, what was your name? Hoghor? Whatever it is, our journey will be harder and more complicated than you can imagine, so make sure you're mentally alert."
"You should know..." said Sun Wukong, as he continued, "I had to restrain my anger until I became a Buddha. Tang Sanzang was a bad teacher."
Hoghor was silent for a moment, wiping his tears with the sleeve of his worn black robe. The night breeze blew softly, rustling the leaves around them. The faint sound of crickets could be heard in the distance.
"But at least you have a purpose," Hoghor said hoarsely. "You know what you're looking for. As for me, I don't even know why I'm still alive."
Sun Wukong let out a long breath. He picked up his golden staff leaning against a nearby tree, playing with it casually in hand. "Purpose is not something that has always existed from the beginning. Back then, I was also just an ape who messed around in Heaven out of dissatisfaction. Look at it now."
"But how do you find that purpose?" asked Hoghor, his voice still trembling.
"By keeping going," Sun Wukong replied as he rose to his feet. "Sometimes we have to get lost before we find the right path. The important thing is not to stop looking." He extended his hand to Hoghor. "Come on, the night is getting late. We still have a long journey tomorrow."
Hoghor stared at the outstretched hand for a while, before finally taking it and rising to his feet. Perhaps Sun Wukong was right, he thought. Maybe he would find his purpose along this journey.
"Thank you," he said softly.
Sun Wukong simply nodded. "What you need to remember is, not all demons are evil, you and I, are we evil? Just like not all humans are good. What matters is what you choose to do with your powers."
"Time to start the journey, Sun Wukong. It's morning, come on, Girmora too, wake up." said Hoghor. He was now focused on his main goal, Edna. To create an alternate story or at least he could become more useful than just a fallen angel.
Girmora as Hoghor's subordinate was immediately ready.
Their journey began, as usual, Sun Wukong frolicked and joked on the streets.
"You want a funny story? When I was in heaven, I once disguised myself as a small god because I could change my form as much as I wanted. While I was sneaking around, the gods were having a banquet drinking wine, I then used my powers, and YES! I turned them all into banana juice. Even the Jade Emperor choked to death." said Wukong.
"But, Wukong, that wasn't funny at all." said Hoghor.
Girmora made a silly face while covering his face with his hands from laughing.
"You're laughing, idiot!" said Sun Wukong as he slapped Girmora's head.
"Ouch, it hurts!" protested Girmora as he rubbed his head. "But seriously, imagining the Jade Emperor choking on that banana juice... pfft..." he started laughing again.
"Oh yeah?" Sun Wukong grinned. "Wait until you hear the part where I turn all their chairs into real bananas. The gods fell on their faces! Some even slipped or broke bones!"
Hoghor rolled his eyes. "You two... Don't you have anything more important to talk about?"
"There is!" said Sun Wukong as he jumped in front of Hoghor, walking backwards. "Like how I once stole Nezha's magic wand and replaced it with a candy cane! He only realized it after trying to hit a monster and the stick broke from being eaten."
"BWAHAHA!" Girmora laughed so hard that he tripped over a rock.
"For God's sake..." Hoghor tapped his forehead. "I'm surrounded by freaks."
"Hey, at least we're entertaining freaks!" said Sun Wukong, now walking with both hands for footing. "Unlike those stiff gods up there who can't even tell the difference between tea and coffee!"
"Oh, that reminds me!" Girmora got up excitedly. "Have you ever heard of a demon who's afraid of the dark? That's my cousin! He carries a candle around so much that he's nicknamed the 'Lantern Demon'!"
"Shhh!" Hoghor hissed. "Someone's coming."
The three of them instantly shut up, alert. But what emerged from behind a bush was a rabbit.
"Wow, what a coincidence!" exclaimed Sun Wukong. "It reminds me of the time I turned the entire heavenly palace guard into rabbits! They were hopping around in confusion until..."
"WUKONG!"
"Okay, okay, I shut up..." Sun Wukong raised his hands in surrender, but his mischievous grin was still on display.
Suddenly, the ground shook. From the distance came a rumbling sound that grew closer.
"Eh? What's that sound?" asked Girmora while looking around.
"It's just a normal earthquake," Sun Wukong replied casually. "Or maybe the gods are bowling up there. They suck at-"
BLAR! The ground in front of them exploded, revealing a giant green-skinned figure with twisted horns. The monster scratched its bald head while yawning widely.
"Sorry, overslept. I should have woken up an hour ago to intercept you guys," the monster said apologetically.
Hoghor frowned. "Wait... you waited for us on purpose?"
"Yes, I did! I was assigned to this area!" the monster snorted. "It's hard to get these jobs these days. The economy is tough."
"Ooh, what a professional monster," Sun Wukong nodded. "How much do you make a month?"
"OI!" Hoghor poked Sun Wukong's head. "This is no time to talk about salary!"
"Not bad," the monster shrugged. "There's overtime pay if you work on holidays. But yeah, no social security."
Girmora shook his head. "The fate of monsters today..."
"FOCUS!" shouted Hoghor in frustration. "He's our enemy!"
"Oh yeah!" the monster realized. He cleared his throat and struck a menacing pose. "HOW DARE YOU CROSS MY TERRITORY! I WILL DESTROY YOU!"
"Well, that's it!" Sun Wukong grinned. "Very professional acting. Have you ever been in the theater?"
The monster blushed. "Ah, that's possible. I used to play in musicals..."
"ENOUGH!" Hoghor took out his sword. "Let's get this over with!"
"Okay, okay," Sun Wukong took out his golden staff. "But don't kill him. Poor thing, he won't be able to pay the mortgage."
"Relax," the monster smiled. "We're professionals. Pretending to lose also counts as work."
"How nice," Girmora whistled. "Getting paid to lose."
"Well, not really..." the monster sweatdropped. "Alright, let's start fighting. It's lunchtime soon."
The fight began. The monster swung its fists at them, which were easily dodged. Sun Wukong jumped into the air and swung his staff.
"HEYAAAA!" shouted Sun Wukong. "Uh wait, I forgot to ask. Did your accident insurance cover the magic stick attack?"
"WUKONG! FOCUS!" shouted Hoghor and Girmora simultaneously.
"Yes, it does cover it," replied the monster while parrying. "But the claim is complicated. There must be a certificate from the local god."
"Ah, bureaucracy..." Sun Wukong chuckled. "Alright, I'll just hit you slowly, okay?"
Hoghor tapped his forehead for the umpteenth time. This was going to be a very, very long fight...
"Oh yes, while fighting," the monster dodged Hoghor's sword slash. "Does anyone know of any other job openings? The contract here is about to expire."
"ARGHHHH!" Hoghor shouted in frustration at the sky. "GODS, PLEASE SEND ME A NORMAL PARTNER!"
Up there, the gods chuckled amusedly while sipping their banana juice.
"Okay, end the game," Sun Wukong suddenly put on a serious face. In an instant, his staff spun around and struck the monster right in the stomach.
"Oof!" the monster bounced off. "Hei! Slow down, this really hurts!"
"Sorry," Sun Wukong grinned. "But we're in a hurry. Hoghor is on an important mission."
"Mission critical?" the monster got up clutching his stomach. "What mission?"
"None of your business," Hoghor advanced with his sword drawn. "You'd better get out of the way."
"Uh wait," the monster raised a hand. "If it's important, maybe I can help? Not bad for future work references."
Girmora turned to Hoghor. "That's okay, boss. We need information about Edna."
"Edna?" the monster suddenly turned pale. "You mean... that Edna?"
There was a sudden silence. Even Sun Wukong stopped grinning.
"You... know Edna?" asked Hoghor cautiously.
"Who doesn't?" the monster shuddered. "That is... the monster's place among monsters. Even we professional monsters don't dare mess with that place."
"Wow, that's scary," Sun Wukong whistled. "Scarier than the Jade Emperor when he found out I'd stolen his square fruit?"
"WUKONG!" snapped Hoghor. "Are you serious?"
"I'm serious," Sun Wukong scratched his head. "Jade Emperor is really scary when he's angry. His beard is all standing up."
The monster ignored Sun Wukong's babble. "You guys... want to find Edna? Are you crazy?"
"Maybe," Hoghor sighed. "But I need to see it."
"Hoo... tell me the details," the monster sat cross-legged on the ground. "Who knows if I can help. Consultation fee is per hour."
"HEH!" Girmora protested. "How come it's a business?"
"Sorry, habit," the monster grinned. "Okay, it's free, but please give me a 5-star review on MonsterJob.com."
Hoghor finally told the monster about his mission. About his status as a fallen angel, about his search for meaning in life, and about Edna who might be able to help him create alternative stories.
"Hmm..." the monster nodded. "So that's it. That's why you dare to die."
"We're not looking to die," Hoghor frowned. "We're looking for Edna."
"Same difference," the monster shrugged. "But... I know someone who might be able to help."
"Who?" asked Girmora enthusiastically.
"My cousin," replied the monster. "He works part time as an informant. He happens to have been to Edna."
"And he's still alive?" Sun Wukong raised an eyebrow.
"Well... the definition of 'alive' is relative," the monster scratched his head. "He's been a bit... different since he met Edna. Now he's afraid of bananas."
"What's the connection?" asked Hoghor, confused.
"Nothing," laughed the monster nervously. "He's just a random person. He was afraid of the dark, now he's afraid of bananas. Tomorrow he might be afraid of boogers."
"Focus!" Hoghor flicked a finger in front of the monster's face. "Where can we find your cousin?"
"Oh, easy. He works at the teahouse in the next town over. It's called 'The Scared Devil's Tea House'. You can't get lost, because it's the only teahouse that has a 'NO BIRDS' banner in front of it."
"Okay, let's go there," Hoghor stood up. "Thanks for the information."
"You're welcome! Don't forget the 5-star review!" the monster waved. "Oh yeah, one more thing!"
"What?"
"If you meet my cousin... please don't mention bananas. He'll get hysterical."
Sun Wukong grinned widely. "Wow, this is going to be fun."
"Don't mess around," Hoghor warned. "We're there to get information, not traumatize people."
"Yes, yes..." Sun Wukong pouted. "But can I bring a banana comb? It's something to eat on the way."
"WUKONG!"
"Okay, okay... half a comb?"
Girmora chuckled at Hoghor who was starting to pull his own hair out in frustration. They still had a long way to go, and it was about to get... interesting.
"Oh yeah!" the monster exclaimed again. "If there are any openings in your group, let me know! I'm a good cook!"
"ALREADY! WE'RE LEAVING!" Hoghor dragged Sun Wukong and Girmora away.
"Don't forget to review..."
"I KNOW IT!"