The next morning began with a loud yawn from Wukong as he stretched outside the cave. The rising sun bathed Flower Fruit Mountain in a golden glow, the wind carrying the scents of fresh grass and blooming flowers. Inside, the girls stirred slowly, their exhaustion from the previous day evident.
"Up and at 'em!" Wukong shouted, his voice bouncing off the walls of the cave.
Climber groaned, rolling onto her stomach. Little Sneak sat up, rubbing her eyes and muttering something under her breath. Firebug, as usual, was the last to rise, looking thoroughly unimpressed by Wukong's enthusiasm.
"We got a big day ahead," Wukong said, grinning. "Hope you didn't think yesterday was tough, 'cause that was just a warm-up."
"What are we doing today?" Climber asked eagerly, already grabbing her stick.
"Exploring," Wukong replied. "Time to see what you're made of out in the wilds. Pack up, and let's go."
The girls didn't have much to pack—just a few scraps of food Wukong had scrounged up the day before. Still, they moved with purpose, eager to prove themselves after the previous day's lessons.
The trail Wukong led them on wound through dense forests and rocky hills. He moved quickly, his staff slung across his shoulders, and the girls struggled to keep up.
"Can't slow down just 'cause you're tired," he called back, not bothering to turn around. "The world doesn't wait for anyone!"
Climber pushed herself harder, her legs pumping as she tried to stay on Wukong's heels. Little Sneak was quieter, her focus on moving smoothly through the uneven terrain. Firebug lagged behind, muttering complaints under her breath but refusing to stop.
They reached a clearing where the ground was littered with large boulders. Wukong stopped, turning to face them with a mischievous grin.
"Lesson time," he announced, tapping his staff against the ground. "You see all these rocks? You're gonna move 'em. And no, you can't just roll 'em out of the way. Figure it out."
The girls exchanged confused looks.
"Move them where?" Firebug asked.
"Doesn't matter," Wukong said, leaning against a tree. "Just move 'em. You've got until I say stop."
Climber was the first to try, rushing over to a medium-sized boulder and pushing it with all her might. It barely budged. She gritted her teeth and tried again, this time using her stick to lever it forward.
Little Sneak watched her for a moment before walking to a smaller rock. Instead of pushing, she began digging around its base with her hands, loosening the dirt before lifting it out of the ground.
Firebug stood back, her arms crossed as she observed the others. After a few moments, she grabbed a thick branch and used it to pry a large rock free, leveraging her weight against it until it toppled over.
Wukong watched with growing amusement. "Not bad," he said, nodding. "You're figuring it out."
The exercise continued until the clearing was almost unrecognizable, rocks scattered in every direction. The girls were covered in dirt and sweat, their arms and legs aching from the effort.
"All right, that's enough," Wukong said, clapping his hands. "You've earned a break."
The girls collapsed onto the grass, breathing heavily.
"What was the point of that?" Firebug asked, glaring at Wukong.
"The point?" Wukong repeated, smirking. "The point is, you're stronger than you think. Now you know it, too."
After their break, Wukong led them deeper into the forest. The air grew cooler, the canopy above blocking out much of the sunlight. Strange sounds echoed around them—rustling leaves, distant chirps, and the occasional low growl.
"Stay sharp," Wukong warned. "This part of the forest isn't as friendly as the mountain."
Climber walked ahead, her stick held ready like a weapon. Little Sneak stayed close to Wukong, her eyes darting nervously at every sound. Firebug followed behind, her hands clenched into fists.
They came to a shallow stream, its water clear and cold. Wukong crouched down, dipping his hand into the water and taking a sip.
"Drink up," he said. "We'll be here for a bit."
The girls hesitated at first but eventually knelt by the stream, cupping the water in their hands. It was refreshing, washing away some of their fatigue.
While they rested, Wukong's ears twitched. He stood up suddenly, his staff in hand, scanning the trees.
"What is it?" Climber asked, noticing his change in posture.
"Quiet," Wukong said, his voice low.
The forest fell silent, the usual sounds of birds and insects replaced by an eerie stillness.
Then it came—a low growl, followed by the rustling of leaves. The girls froze as a shadow emerged from the trees.
It was a wolf, its gray fur matted and its yellow eyes locked onto them.
"Stay behind me," Wukong said, stepping forward.
The wolf snarled, baring its teeth. More growls followed as two more wolves appeared, circling the group.
"Great," Wukong muttered. "Guess we're skipping the rest of the lesson today."
Climber clutched her stick tightly, her hands trembling. Little Sneak moved closer to Wukong, her breathing shallow. Firebug, despite her fear, picked up a rock and held it like a weapon.
"Relax," Wukong said, his tone calm. "I've got this."
The first wolf lunged, its jaws snapping at Wukong. He sidestepped easily, spinning his staff and striking it across the side. The wolf yelped and stumbled, retreating.
The other two wolves attacked together, one going for Wukong while the other charged at the girls.
"Stay back!" Wukong shouted, intercepting the first wolf with a quick strike to its head.
Climber reacted instinctively, swinging her stick at the approaching wolf. It wasn't a powerful hit, but it was enough to make the wolf hesitate.
"Nice one!" Wukong called, grinning.
Firebug threw her rock, hitting the wolf squarely in the side. It growled in pain and backed away, its eyes darting between the girls and Wukong.
The wolves hesitated, their confidence shaken. Wukong took a step forward, spinning his staff threateningly.
"Go on, get outta here!" he shouted.
The wolves snarled one last time before retreating into the trees.
Wukong lowered his staff, his tail flicking behind him. "Not bad, huh?"
The girls were still catching their breath, their eyes wide with adrenaline.
"That... was terrifying," Firebug said, her voice shaking.
"Terrifying, but you held your ground," Wukong said. "You're tougher than you think."
Climber looked at her stick, her grip tightening. Little Sneak sat down, still trembling, while Firebug stared at the spot where the wolves had been.
"Come on," Wukong said, gesturing for them to follow. "Let's find a safer spot for the night."
They continued through the forest, the encounter with the wolves lingering in their minds.
As they walked, Wukong glanced back at the girls. Their fear was still evident, but there was something else, too—determination.
"Maybe you've got more fight in you than I thought," he muttered to himself, a small smile on his lips.
The journey was far from over, but for the first time, Wukong felt like the girls were starting to understand what it took to survive..