The reborn primordial...

A promise through time...

The great sage panicking a bit from probably making it worse
"AH-
I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"
"It's alright..."
She interrupted calmly as she held her hand up for him to silence himself, Walking over to a cushion and sitting on her knees
"I will listen to your request, Come.
Sit."

outside the house with the other pilgrims, Waiting at The monk's request, Have been listening in
"Man this lady has a mood switch..."
Zhu Bajie commented and was lightly tapped on the head by Bai Long Ma's snout in his horse form
The king was cautious but sat down on the other side of the table, Looking over at the elder nervously
"What is the child's name?"

The sage had made a derpy expression as he starts to sweat
"You did name them... didn't you..?"
There was an awkward silence that traveled outside the house as the rest of the group panics quietly
The elder's eye twitched
"How long did you have the baby?"
She asked somewhat calmly
"...A week..."
He admitted as the baby was pulling his side bang

"A week and none of you bothered to name it..?"
She asked, unimpressed and even annoyed
Wukong laughs nervously and avoids eye contact, Elder Liu sighs in disappointment and looks towards the giggle fit cub
"It had better be one that represents their worth as a whole, Every time they are called... they as well as everyone should know who they are..."
She explained the importance of naming a child, Wukong having a puzzled expression at the pronouns she uses
"Why don't you refer the cub as him?
It's obvious... Right?"

He asked with a head tilt and a raised brow, The woman looking in his eyes
"It is not up to us to decide how one is referred to throughout their life... It would be unfair for they are tasked to take their destiny to their own hands by the gods above...

You wouldn't want to be referred to something that makes you uncomfortable for the rest of your life, Would you?"
She asked and Wukong processed this
"I... think I get it..."

He told as he looked down at the cub that fell asleep, Tiny snores one after another, The sage couldn't help but smile
"Tell me, Great sage...
Will you do your best to provide this child a good life..?"

He was surprised by the sudden question and looked over at her
"Wh-"
"Will you?"
She demanded an answer and Wukong once again grew nervous, Growing a serious expression
"Yes."

He responds with determination and the woman smiles
"Very well, Though you don't seem to have a choice in the matter."
She pointed out with a chuckle and got up, Wukong tensing at that as she was preparing a bag
"I will send you off with what you need and what you need to know... It may take time..."

She warned as she took out an empty book and pencil
"R-really?! You'd be a life saver if I could actually die!"
He exclaimed with a grin before he was shushed by the elder, He laughed nervously and after some time the rest of the gang was invited in

As the group took turns of holding the sleeping infant to give the previous holding a break, The elder gave a class of parenting 101
She wrote down her experiences as well as instructions for specific situations, A list of items to have and some to keep on your person at all times

The sun was beggining to set as the group started to leave the elder's house, The monk playing with the cub as it woke up 47 minutes ago
Wukong was the only one who remained in the house as he held a large bag of baby items in one paw and the book that the woman wrote in the other

"I can't thank you enough for helping us!"
Wukong told with a smile as his tail sways
The elder chuckled
"It is the least I can do for my misdeeds, Great sage."
She told with a bow

"Though... May I request you to hold a promise, Even after my passing?"
Wukong's expression turned to one of surprise
"Oookay?
What is it-"

"Promise me you won't let the cub and yourself drift apart..."
He was trying to process her request as he heard some desperation and pain in her voice
"Liu-"
"Promise me!"
She begged as her hands clutched close to her chest, Tears that were held back had began to fall as she stared in his eyes
Wukong couldn't bare to see her like this...

"I promise..."
With that, The monkey king turns and walks out the house as the elder slowly falls to her knees, The sunlight growing dim as the elder broke down in sobs
The interior of the house was only illuminated by lit sticks on a small table near the corner of the house... Two framed drawings of her loved ones that kept her company as her past mistakes would always be there to haunt her... She hoped that The monkey king wouldn't repeat them...