"Hunt for Theodora" [Part 14] Wukong's Path - An Infinity Kingdom Story

🔷 Introduction

Welcome to my Wukong’s Path series, where we follow Wukong on his journey with 3 incredible fire wielders.

They all have their own unique abilities and troubles, which all sync well with having a wild spirit that is difficult to control. They work together to find balance within themselves, but recently there has been much trouble.

📄 Recap of Part 13: “Healing Redemption”

After Wukong's reckless pursuit of power leaves him gravely injured, Wu and her companions seek the aid of Zenobia, a legendary healer, in a desperate bid to save him. Though Wukong's physical wounds are healed, the darkness within him lingers, and the group must now navigate the fragile hope of his recovery while confronting the consequences of his ambition.

🔷 Part 14: “Hunt for Theodora”

The forest of Norheim stretched out before them like an ancient sea, its towering trees whispering secrets of the past. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and wildflowers, and the rhythmic chirping of birds seemed to lull the group into a trance of wary anticipation. Wukong, still unconscious, lay in a makeshift litter carried by Seondeok and Hippolyta, his once vibrant energy now replaced by an unsettling stillness. Wu walked at the front, her brow furrowed, her thoughts heavy. Each day seemed like a blur, the hope of finding Theodora fading with each step.

The journey was hard, made harder by the burden of Wukong’s mind—his spirit as fractured as his body. The healer’s words echoed in Wu’s mind: “The darkness within him will linger.” The group had hoped Zenobia’s words were just an exaggeration, that with time and care, Wukong might reclaim some sense of himself. But each day that passed brought with it more signs that the once-unyielding warrior was slipping further away from them, lost within the labyrinth of his own choices.

"How much longer?" Wu asked, her voice carrying an edge of impatience.

Seondeok, ever calm, glanced back at her. "Theodora's city is close. We should reach the gates before sunset if the path remains clear."

Their hope renewed with each step, though Wu couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at her heart. The stories of Theodora were legends told in whispered tones—of a princess born with the magic of gods, capable of cleansing even the most corrupt souls. It was their last hope.

As they neared the city, the sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the stone walls that marked the entrance to the great city of Theodora. The towering gates loomed before them, imposing and ornate yet empty, without a single guard in sight. The streets leading up to it were eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of wind through the trees.

“I thought this city was supposed to be bustling,” Wu murmured, her eyes scanning the deserted surroundings.

“It’s not right,” Hippolyta muttered, her hand instinctively reaching for her sword.

Seondeok stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she took in the silence. "Stay alert," she warned, sensing the tension in the air. "Something is off here."

They entered the city cautiously, making their way through narrow cobblestone streets that wound like veins through the heart of the city. The buildings were grand, with intricate carvings and lush gardens surrounding them, but the city felt abandoned—empty of life. There was no sign of the healer, no trace of Theodora.

Minutes turned to hours, and the group found themselves wandering deeper into the city's heart, their hope dwindling with each passing moment. It was then, as they passed a dark alleyway tucked between two towering stone buildings, that they heard the scrape of metal on stone. The sound was faint at first, barely perceptible, but it grew louder as figures began to emerge from the shadows.

A dozen men appeared, their faces covered with cloth, their eyes gleaming with malice. They were bandits, their rough clothes and weapons a testament to their criminal lives. They advanced on the group, blocking the path with practiced ease.

“You shouldn’t be here,” one of the men growled, his grip tightening on the hilt of a rusted sword. "Give us your belongings, and we’ll let you walk out of here... alive."

Wu’s heart pounded in her chest, but before she could react, Seondeok stepped forward, her posture calm, almost serene, as though she were unaffected by the threat.

"You don't want to do this," Seondeok said softly, her voice carrying an icy calm.

The leader of the bandits sneered, his eyes narrowing. "And what are you going to do about it, little girl? We outnumber you."

Seondeok’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "That doesn’t concern me." She drew her bow in a single, fluid motion, her fingers nimbly notching an arrow. In one swift movement, she released it.

The arrow flew with incredible speed, a streak of flame trailing behind it as it arced toward the leader of the bandits. It struck the ground inches from his feet, bursting into a sudden blaze that sent a wall of heat into the air, the fire dancing wildly on the cobblestones. The robbers froze, their eyes wide with shock as they stared at the roaring flames. The leader’s sneer faltered, replaced by a look of utter fear.

"One more step," Seondeok’s voice rang out coldly, "and I won’t miss."

The silence that followed was thick, heavy with the tension of the moment. The robbers exchanged uneasy glances, their bravado crumbling in the face of Seondeok’s precision and power.

"I suggest you leave," Seondeok continued, her voice unwavering. "Before you regret it."

Without another word, the bandits scrambled back, their faces twisted with fear, abandoning their weapons and fleeing down the alley. The group stood in stunned silence, the faint crackle of the fading fire the only sound in the still evening air.

Hippolyta let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “I’ll never get used to seeing that.”

Wu, too, exhaled, her heart still pounding from the confrontation. "We need to find Theodora. And quickly."

Seondeok lowered her bow, her eyes scanning the alleyway one last time before she nodded in agreement. "We’ll keep moving. The healer might not be far."

But the question still lingered in Wu's mind—where was Theodora? Had they been led here under false pretenses? And if so, who would be waiting for them next?

The city seemed even more desolate now, its silence pressing in on them like a weight. Their path forward had become all the more uncertain, but one thing was clear: they were no longer just searching for a healer. They were fighting against something much darker—something that had been lying in wait.

As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, the last of the bandits vanished from sight, and the group moved on, their minds filled with a sense of growing unease. The road ahead was long, and the next steps were unclear—but the journey had become one of survival.

And there was no turning back.

📄 Recap Questions

What will our heroes do in this seemingly dangerous city while they wait to find Theodora?

Will they have enough time to save Wukong before it's too late?

🔷 Conclusion

They have built amazing friendships only to end up tearing each other apart. Their willingness to go to the ends of the earth to find a solution shows where each of their hearts are with Wukong. They have shown time and time again they are together until the end, and this journey is no different than the rest. 

See you next week!

🔷 Hades, Press Officer.

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