Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 3 2018 | Page 49

A burst of snow and ice rained down on the trio suddenly, accompanied with a loud screech. Just in time,
Sha Wujing managed to shove everyone aside to avoid the falling debris.
For the first time, they managed to get a good look at the creature. It was a huge thing, around 5 meters tall,
with gleaming, bold cerulean eyes that flashed when it stared down at the trio and their master. As chunks of
snow rolled off it’s back, the creature exposed more of its’ strange, crystal-like scales, each scale as big as a
person’s head. Bending down and sneering at the petrified guardians, the creature exposed it’s long, sharp
fangs, each black like tar.
“And who are the people who have awoken me from my slumber?”
It’s voice, low and gravely, made all of them shudder with fear. Only Sun-Wu Kong stood forward,
trembling slightly. Raising his golden staff, he pointed it directly at the creature with a threatening glance.
“We are the guardians of Xuanzang, and we wish to pass through to India.”
Cackling with amusement, the creature’s eyes flashed as he spoke. “Xuanzang. You’re the one with the
special flesh.” Without warning, the monster slammed its’ claws down, a few inches away from Sun-Wu
Kong and the others. Snow and ice sprayed upwards, blinding the three guardians and startling the horse.
“Protect Xuanzang! Sha Wujing and I will get it!” Sun-Wu Kong sum moned a cloud below his feet, Sha
Wujing following close behind. Zhu Bajie stood next to Xuanzang, using his weapon to knock away
boulders and chunks of ice.
Swiping its’ thick, ice-covered tail, the beast tried to attack Sun-Wu Kong, who managed to strike back
with his staff. The creature tried to knock the monkey into the wall, and the monkey tried to shove its’ tail
away at the same time.
“Sha Wujing, a little help here!” Sun-Wu Kong shouted, grinding his teeth. After a moment of grunting
and shoving, the creature’s tail slammed again the steep mountainside, causing the whole ground to rumble.
Taking advantage of the moment, both guardians launched themselves at the beast, wielding their weapons
in the air. Sun-Wu Kong slammed his staff down onto the beast’s scales as hard as he could, but the effort
was futile.
“What can we do?” The monkey shouted at Sha Wujing, who was pounding furiously at the creature’s
neck. Before Sha Wujing could respond, the creature slammed its’ tail into the two guardians, who were
then launched into the air and landed by Xuanzang and Zhu Bajie’s feet. As their bodies made contact with
the ground, they both felt the air rush out of their lungs. Gasping for air, Sun-Wu Kong could barely hear
Zhu Bajie’s comment.
“Look! There are icicles above the lizard.” Head still pounding, the monkey turned to look at the roaring
animal. Indeed, hung above him, near the top of the mountain, hung some icicles, each as long and as sharp
as the beasts’ claws. “If you aim for the icicles, they’ll fall onto the creature and kill him.” Zhu Bajie said,
using his rake to point out the sharp stalactite-like ice.
“Good idea, Zhu Bajie. Go with Sha Wujing to knock down the icicles. Sun-Wu Kong, distract the beast.
I will be fine on my own.” Xuanzang commanded.
“What? Why am I the one distracting the stupid lizard?” Sun-Wu Kong demanded indignantly, his tail
curling up in frustration. “Zhu Bajie should be the one distracting. I’m sure the lizard would like to eat a fat
pig after all this fighting.”
Collapsing to his knees, Sun-Wu Kong felt something equivalent to fireworks going off in his head, pain
sparking left and right. The monkey then reached up to his head and began clawing at the golden band that
was wrapped around his forehead, screaming. “Stop! Stop! I’m sorry!” He cried out, rolling around the floor
as if that could lessen the pain.