"Kids! Come and get your meals, fresh and hot from the kitchen!" The old lady's voice resounded through the corridors of the orphanage, jolting Uni awake from his nap, still feeling a bit groggy.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Uni emerged from his room, joining the other kids at the long table where Yanda, their caretaker, was dishing out the food.

Uni's eyes fell upon the bowls of mushy, grayish substance in front of him, and he couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment. The monotonous meal, devoid of flavor or excitement, had become a daily ritual.

He glanced at Yanda, whose weary expression mirrored his own dissatisfaction.

"Another day, another prison feast."

As they silently consumed their lackluster meal, Uni's mind drifted to the future that lay ahead. His approaching 16th birthday meant he would soon be leaving the orphanage. "Finally turning 16 huh... It's terrifying. What am I going to do? How will I survive out there?"

The prospect of navigating the world alone, without a home or a support system, stirred a mix of anxiety and fear within him. Yet, amidst these worries, Uni refused to succumb to despair.

"But hey, I can't dwell on that now."

Uni finished his lackluster meal and retreated to his room, reaching for his beloved book—the worn fantasy novel that had become his cherished escape.

As Uni dove deeper into the captivating world of the book, his own worries and woes faded into the background, replaced by a sense of exhilaration. Page after page, Uni eagerly flipped, feeling a twinge of envy towards the hero who seemed blessed with a life devoid of any hardship. It was like they were two sides of a coin, living completely contrasting lives.

But rather than dampening his enthusiasm, this contrast only fueled Uni's adoration for the book. He reveled in living through the hero, swept away by the possibility that he too could one day be the champion who saves the day. A mischievous grin played on his lips as he imagined himself in the hero's shoes, conquering challenges and defying the odds. "But who am I kidding?"

However, Uni couldn't deny the bittersweet reality that such a destiny was merely a flight of fancy for him. Trapped in a rundown orphanage, he knew he was destined for a different path, far from the heroic tales he so eagerly devoured in those cherished pages.

This thought made Uni contemplate the Mortal Gods, the ones who forged sacred bonds with divine figures. Uni's voice, tinged with of curiosity, he murmured, "What would it truly be like to be one of them? To possess the ability to connect with gods."

As he delved into the complexities of the Mortal Gods' existence, Uni couldn't escape the ache in his heart, a longing for something he knew would forever elude him.

With a heavy sigh that seemed to echo the weight of the world, Uni closed his book. The room around him felt suffocating, its worn-out walls bearing witness to years of longing and unfulfilled dreams. Tomorrow, on his sixteenth birthday, he would bid farewell to this place that had been his only sanctuary amidst the chaos of life. A lump formed in his throat as he surveyed the few possessions scattered haphazardly on the floor, reminders of a humble existence.

As he gingerly picked up a worn-out teddy bear, a flood of memories washed over him. The orphanage, a place that had been both his refuge and his prison, held him captive in its grasp. But deep within his soul, Uni yearned for something more, something beyond the confines of this crumbling institution. The Mortal Gods, those chosen few who possessed the power to connect with divine entities, were an ever-present source of fascination and longing.

"Why couldn't I be one of them?" Uni whispered softly, his voice choked with unspoken sorrow

Uni gently placed the worn-out teddy bear back on the bed. The weight of his unfulfilled dreams settled upon him like a heavy blanket. It was time to rest, to let go of the yearning and the questions that haunted his thoughts.

As he slipped under the covers, Uni closed his eyes, seeking solace in the realm of dreams.

.....

As Uni reluctantly opened his eyes, he was greeted by a surreal sight. Instead of the familiar confines of his bedroom, he found himself floating weightlessly atop a fluffy, ethereal cloud. The sky above him was painted in vibrant hues, as if an artist had unleashed their wildest imagination upon the canvas of the heavens.

"Am I having a lucid dream?"

Curiosity and wonder washed away Uni's sleepiness as he sat up, his fingers sinking into the softness beneath him. The cloud seemed to respond to his touch, molding itself to his body, cocooning him in a haven of unparalleled comfort. It was as if he had stumbled upon a secret sanctuary, hidden away from the bustling world below.

With a newfound surge of energy, Uni decided to explore this extraordinary realm. He stood up on the cloud, feeling the softness yield beneath his feet like a giant marshmallow. As Uni aimlessly wandered through the vast expanse, he stumbled upon a colossal pillar, its towering height seemingly reaching for the moon itself.

"What is this?" Uni pondered aloud, their voice filled with wonder. But before they could fully grasp the enigma before them, the very ground beneath their feet quivered and trembled, as if responding to his bewildered inquiry. Uni's gaze instinctively returned to the pillar, only to witness structure beginning to diminish, shrinking in size with each passing moment

Uni's eyes widened. The once towering pillar now stood no taller than a mere walking cane, a humbling transformation that piqued his curiosity even further. With cautious steps, Uni approached the now miniature pillar, his fingertips grazing its surface.

Just as Uni leaned in, a haunting howl reverberated through the sky, echoing with an otherworldly resonance. The sound seemed to originate from above, drawing Uni's gaze toward the sky, where their eyes fell upon a monkey, donned in armor, perched gracefully upon a wispy cloud.

"LOOKS LIKE YOU'VE FINALLY COME, BOY!" The monkey's voice boomed, carrying a weight of ages. Uni's mind raced, trying to make sense of this peculiar encounter, as the monkey's words lingered in the air, fueling their curiosity.

"I've been waiting for 16 years, but it pales in comparison to the 500 I spent under a mountain," the monkey proclaimed, his words shrouded in mystery.

Uni's thoughts spun like a whirlwind, grappling with the bewildering events of the past few moments. 'What does this monkey mean? What is even happening right now?' Uni pondered, his gaze fixed upon the enigmatic figure perched above.

As Uni tried to make sense of the bewildering situation, the monkey on the cloud began to descend gracefully, landing in front of Uni with an air of authority. The armor gleamed in the sunlight, adorned with intricate engravings and symbols that seemed to tell a tale of ancient battles and heroic feats.

"You probably know who I am, but I'll introduce myself regardless...In a realm where gods tremble and demons cower, before for I, Sun Wukong, the indomitable Great Sage Equal to Heaven itself, standing as a beacon of raw power that defies the very fabric of existence."

"It's a pleasure to meet, BOY."