#s0rr3l

[@s0rr3l ‘s Lǐyú]

Day 1 - Trees Day 2 - Ghost

Day 3 - Fruit Day 4 - Bear

Day 5 - Lotus Day 6 - Cycle

Day 7 - Scripture (Fire) Day 8 - Legacy

Day 9 - Wound/Scar Day 10 - Spider

Day 11 - Creation Day 12 - Underworld (Stone)

Day 13 - Pagoda Day 14 - Lunar

Day 15 - Mercy Day 16 - Tiger

Day 17 - Weapon Day 18 - Snake

Day 19 - Chaos Day 20 - Kasaya/Robe

Day 21 - Bull (Metal) Day 22 - Protection

Day 23 - Shadow/Light Day 24 - Brotherhood (Wind)

Day 25 - Temple Day 26 - Pillar

Day 27 - Family Day 28 - Soul

Day 29 - Monk (Water) [NSFW]

Day 30 - Division (Unity) Day 31 - Unity (Division)

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AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/61597126

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(Thank you to @vorpaldoodles for putting together the prompt list!)

Just two modern humans isekai'd into another world and trying to make the best out of it

            Gao Village faded into the distance, taking the tended fields and modest homes of civilization with it. The road slowly wound its way deeper into the wildness, leading Monkey and Jen through the scenic green of the untamed forest. Ancient trees blocked out the sky, dapples of golden sunlight peeking through to dance along the path. A river would occasionally weave its way close to the road, filling the air with the quiet roar of rushing water. Birds would sing from the trees and the darkness of night brought eerie animal cries but all kept their distance from the travelers.

            “How far do you think this forest goes?” Jen pondered out loud, taking in the emerald greens of the swaying leaves above. A few steps ahead, she saw Monkey shrug a shoulder. “I mean, it’s already been a few days. There’s got to be a town or something up ahead, right?”

            Monkey only hummed, doubling down with another shrug. While he had never outright spoken to Jen, she considered the small responses to be progress. At least he wasn’t outright ignoring her like before.

            “We could use more supplies. And maybe they’ll have an inn or something so we don’t have to sleep out in the rain. Again. I also needed to look for–”

            A loud crack rang out above them followed by the rustling whoosh of something falling. Shadows writhed over the ground as a giant net plummeted from the tree above. Jen had barely looked up when swift hands grabbed her shoulders and shoved, sending her tumbling amongst the leaves. She was clear of the tangle; Monkey wasn’t so lucky.

            The crash took him to the ground, tangled under woven rope and weights. A crackle of energy lit up the net, metal stakes digging themselves into the dirt and keeping Monkey tightly pinned. He thrashed and clawed but the fibers held firm, barely giving him room to breathe.

            “I’ve caught you now, demon!” A cloaked figured appeared from the trees, as silent and swift as the shadows. In one hand, he clutched a stack of paper slips. The other wielded a gleaming dagger. “You will prey on the innocent no longer; I’ll end you here and now.”

            He approached the trap, a smug sneer taunting his catch. The closer the stranger got, the more Monkey fought his bonds. Growls rumbled from him while bared teeth sent a clear warning. Despite the danger, the man only laughed. “Struggle all you like. That net responds to demonic energy; no yaoguai can break its seal.”

            “Hey, wait!” Jen cried out, snagging her bow as she scrambled back to her feet. The man barely glanced her way, still focused on the trapped monkey at his feet.

            “Don’t worry, Miss. You’re safe now,” he waved her concerns away. “No doubt this demon tricked you into following it back to its lair. Rest assured; he won’t do you any further harm.”

            The smarmy smile vanished the instant Jen swung her bow, cracking him across the temple. He flew back, papers fluttering to mingle with the leaves and knife flinging out of his grasp. With his hood down, Jen could recognize the outraged face beneath.

            “Aren’t you that exorcist guy from the village?”

            “I’m a demon hunter,” he snapped, eyes burning and jaw clenched. A red bruise was already beginning to form at his brow. In a move o quick to see, the hunter was back on his feet and stalking towards his target. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a job to do.”

            As he approached, Jen quickly intercepted. She stepped in front of Monkey, armed with only an arrowless bow. “No. You stay away from him,” she said, her voice steady despite the panic rushing through her body.

            The hunter scowled. “Out of my, wench. I’ve saved your life and overlooked your delusional assault; don’t make me regret it.”

            “He hasn’t done anything wrong,” Jen argued, keeping herself firmly between Monkey and the hunter. “Let him go and we’ll just leave.”

            “Either he has you under a spell…” the hunter grabbed Jen’s shirt, nearly yanking her clear off the ground. “Or you’re a damn fool!”

            Jen was flung aside, air knocked from her lungs when she collided with the ground. She could hear Monkey’s snarls as he tried to reach her but the net only glowed brighter from his efforts. Pushing herself upright, Jen took a wheezing breath, blinking the stars from her eyes. It took her a dazed moment to realize the shine wasn’t from the fall. Something was buried in the leaf litter, gleaming in the sunlight.

            The dagger.

            Snatching it up, Jen staggered back to the net, digging the blade under one of the staked ropes and sawing as fast as she could. The razor-sharp metal made quick work of the fibers, first fraying then severing the line.

            A rough hand tangled in her hair and sharply yanked her head back. Jen yelped, dropping the knife as she was dragged backwards. “You idiot!” the hunter shouted in her ear. “If he gets out–!”

            Too late. The rope was cut, the seal was broken, and Monkey was free. Throwing the tangled net off, Monkey leapt to his feet, eyes narrowed and fangs bared. His staff appeared in his hands, already twirling in anticipation.

            As Monkey approached, the hunter loosened his hold on Jen only to shove her forward. On instinct, Monkey cradled the impact as his companion crashed into his chest. He kept her tucked at his side, warily watching the hunter’s retreat.

            “You may have escaped me this day but we’ll meet again. Mark my words, monkey.” He untied a leather pouch from his belt and threw it in the air. Pitch black smoke billowed from it, blanketing the area in a midnight cloud. Hooking an arm around Jen’s waist, Monkey jumped clear of the haze, a breeze already carrying it away.

            “Where’d he go?” Jen coughed through the last whisps of smoke.

            Monkey scanned the forest but the hunter was gone, vanishing as quickly as he had appeared.

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(More early story stuff and early antagonist introduction. This one went on longer than I expected so the ending is kind of rushed. Big thanks to all my readers! Also, @s0rr3l drew some amazing art of my OC Jen! Please go check out her stuff, she's awesome and her OC Liyu is in some adorable comics!)

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AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/61597126/chapters/157478878