After their martial arts match, the training chamber fell quiet.
No winner.
No loser.
Only broken air and mutual respect.
Sun Wukong rolled his shoulders and laughed softly.
…You know what I like about you, Kael?
Kael looked at him.
…What.
…You're absurdly strong…
Wukong spun his staff once.
…But you're still fun.
Ignisia, watching nearby, blinked.
…That might be the strangest compliment anyone's given him.
Kael thought for a moment.
…Noted.
Wukong jumped onto Kael's throne armrest like it belonged to him.
"…I'm staying longer."
Seraphina paused mid-step.
"…You are sitting on the Emperor's throne."
Wukong looked around casually.
"…And?"
The entire hall went silent.
Kael sat down anyway.
"…You may stay."
Ignisia laughed loudly.
"…He actually likes you."Wukong plucked a hair.
A clone appeared behind Kael wearing a fake crown.
Another clone dramatically announced:
"All hail the sleepy king!"
Several wives turned slowly.
Kael looked at the clone.
"…Remove yourself."
The clone instantly bowed.
"…Understood."
Then vanished.
Wukong laughed so hard he nearly fell off the throne.
"…You scared my clone."
Kael replied:
"…Correct."Later, Wukong walked through the empire with Kael.
Beings bowed respectfully.
Wukong copied them exaggeratedly.
"Oh mighty Kael! Please spare us from paperwork!"
Lyra laughed uncontrollably.
Kael remained calm.
"…You are causing disorder."
Wukong grinned.
Mild disorder.
Kael considered that.
Accepted. They entered the royal dining hall.
Wukong sat at the table immediately.
What do gods eat here?
Kael answered:
Whatever is prepared.
Wukong looked offended.
That's not exciting.
So Kael casually created a feast:
Celestial peaches
Flame-roasted dragon fruit
Infinite noodles
Golden dumplings
Star honey cakes
Wukong stared.
"…You could've led with this."
Ignisia took a plate.
"…Move over."
Soon several wives joined.
The hall became lively.Later, while walking with Kael again, Wukong became quieter.
"…You know…"
"…Most powerful beings are unbearable."
Kael glanced at him.
"…Why."
"…They take themselves too seriously."
Wukong spun the staff lightly.
…But you?
…You can erase cosmologies and still go to the beach.
Kael thought briefly.
Both are manageable.
Wukong laughed.
…Exactly.Over the next hours:
Wukong raced Lyra through floating gardens
Challenged Ignisia to target practice
Annoyed Umbryssia on purpose
Asked Seraphina serious questions then gave nonsense answers
Tried to teach guards acrobatics
The empire, usually calm and majestic, felt brighter.
Louder.
More alive.
Even Kael noticed.At sunset, Wukong sat beside Kael on a balcony overlooking endless reality.
…You should laugh more.
Kael looked ahead.
…I do.
Wukong blinked.
…No. Smirking internally doesn't count.
Kael was silent.
Then, very faintly
the corner of his mouth moved.
Wukong pointed dramatically.
THERE! I SAW IT!
Ignisia from below shouted:
…Did Kael just smile?!
The whole palace stirred.
Kael stood up immediately.
…This conversation is over.
Wukong collapsed laughing.As stars lit the empire sky, Wukong grinned to himself.
He had not beaten Kael Veyris.
He had not surpassed him.
He had not challenged his throne.
But he had done something far rarer.
He had made the strongest being in existence enjoy the day.