Interlude: Brother Piggsy and Brother Sandy

Zhu Baije was in a bit of a bind. Not a deadly one, he was making headway, but a time-consuming one. Fighting a Hydra wasn't something he'd ever planned on doing, after all, and most of the multi-headed monsters he was familiar with were long dead. Xiangliu, for example, had been slain by Zhurong back in the days of Yu the Great, the first emperor of China, and had never produced a whole species of multi-headed serpents to begin with.

In fact, the only multi-headed opponent he'd ever fought, the Nine-Headed Bug King, had defeated him. Brother Monkey had managed to pull off a victory there, but Zhu Baije hadn't come off nearly as well. He'd studied how to deal with such enemies since then, but this would be the first time putting that into practice.

Accordingly, this was a different sort of fight from what Zhu Baije was used to. Another issue was weapons selection, notably, his Jiǔ chǐ dīngbà, or Nine-Toothed Spike Rake wasn't exactly optimized for dealing with this sort of opponent. To kill a Grecian Hydra, you had to cut off the heads and sear the stumps shut with fire. You couldn't do that with a piercing and smashing weapon like his.

He'd resorted to trying to smash in the skulls of the heads before blasting them with Chi attacks in order to sear shut the wounds. It was a fire more involved process and took two or three times the attempts that simply cutting the heads off and then using fire to sear them shut would have taken. It also didn't help that the Hydra's blood seemed to be some sort of caustic acid, searing into Zhu Baije's flesh every time he got close enough to make the attempt.

All this combined to make fighting the Hydra something that, while it would hardly endanger his life, would take up enough of his time that his sworn brothers, Brother Sandy and Brother Drinky, would be on their own for a significant period. This particular Hydra had five heads, and Zhu Baije had only taken out two of them so far, with a third partially damaged.

"I should have let Brother Sandy deal with the Hydra." He grumbled, dodging away from the snapping, sword-like, jaws of one of the remaining heads while parrying a second bite from another head with a swipe of his rake.

It was true, Brother Sandy at least had the Xiangyaobaozhang. The blade at the end of that Monk's Spade would be capable of severing heads easily enough. Honestly, Zhu Baije believed Brother Drinky, with his Butterfly Swords, would have been the best fit to deal with the Hydra, but Brother Drinky had unfinished business with the MacDougal Girl, and who was Zhu Baije to deny his sworn brother the ability to resolve unfinished business?

"Which means I'm stuck doing this." Huffed Zhu Baije.

As he said that, Zhu Baije ducked an incoming bite from the third, already wounded, head and lashed out with the Ice Iron-Shod butt of his rake at the head sailing past above him. The butt-cap of mystical Ice Iron smashed into the skull of the head, shattering it and allowing Zhu Baije to bathe it in the glow of the Strong-Maned Pig's Eyes of Heavenly Fire Technique. Two beams of Divine Flame lanced out from his eyes and seared the wounds shut.

That proved to be too much damage for that head to handle and it flopped to the side, dead. Unfortunately, in doing so, it spattered Zhu Baije with potent mystical acid blood, droplets searing into his skin. His hide was tough, however, and such meager substances would hardly do more than inflict superficial wounds. It was still annoying, however, and the burning sensation almost distracted Zhu Baije enough for one of the other heads to sneak up behind him and bite him. Fortunately, Zhu Baije was a veteran at fighting monsters and demons. He whirled around on instinct, lashing out with his Nine-toothed Spike Rake, the gleaming white spikes of Ice Iron piercing the scales of the Head's face as he batted the Hydra Head away.

"You'll have to do better than that!" Taunted Zhu Baije.

The head shook off the disorientation, punctures already healing and hissed it Zhu Baije. It was soon joined by the second remaining head and together, they breathed out an acidic mist that threatened to boil Zhu Baije's skin off his frame. Zhu Baije was forced to charge through the cloud of acid vapor using the Strong-Maned Pig's Bristly Hide Technique, which thickened his skin considerably.

This technique functioned like a sort of pseudo-armor for him, similar to how the Iron Armor worked for Mortal Cultivators. It did, however, cut down on his maneuverability. Ordinarily, that would be a problem, forcing him to stand still or move more carefully, but Zhu Baije had long since found a workaround for being less able to turn about and maneuver from the thickened skin the technique gave him.

As Zhu Baije charged through the cloud of acidic vapor, he did so in a straight line, charging via the use of the Strong-Maned Pig Charges the Boar Hunter. He erupted out of the cloud like a cannonball, streaking for one of the heads, patches of the top level of skin burned away from the vapor but still more than capable of fighting. As he smashed into one of the heads using the Strong-Maned Pig Stomps the Ground technique, he felt his double punch smash skull and brains, even as patches of skin on his fists sizzled and melted away. He used the rebound to land back on the catwalk in an area that wasn't covered by corrosive mist and bathed the destroyed skull in the divine flames of the Strong-Maned Pig's Eyes of Heavenly Fire Technique.

The head flopped to the side on its neck, dead. Zhu Baije grinned. There was only one head remaining and it wouldn't be long now before he killed the Hydra and could go back his Sworn Brothers up. Unfortunately, the Hydra must have realized that too, because it hissed at him with its remaining head, and then sank back down into the muck of the cistern's reservoir, fleeing from the fight.

"Heh, I don't blame you. There was a time I might have done the same." Smirked Zhu Baije.

His response was the sound of groaning metal. Frowning, he looked over to see the acidic mist had mostly eaten through part of the catwalk by now. It was struggling to hold the weight of even one person as it was, and the longer than mist cloud stayed, the less able it would be to hold him up.

"Shit." Muttered Zhu Baije as the groaning got louder.

Then he was forced to leap away to the stonework near the steam tunnels as the groaning reached a crescendo and the catwalk gave way. Acid-eaten Ironwork fell into the cistern reservoir below as the entire catwalk collapsed under its own weight. Zhu Baije touched down on the steam tunnel side of the stonework as the catwalk collapsed behind him, watching the ironwork splash into the muck water below.

"That was close. I'd have hated to have to fight a Hydra in the water, down heads or not." Mused Zhu Baije.

He only lingered a moment, however, to watch the collapse. As the last of the ironwork tumbled into the muck water of the Cistern Reservoir, Zhu Baije shook his head and straightened up. Then he turned and headed down the steam tunnels in a jog. His sworn brothers needed him after all, and what kind of Brother would he be if he let them fight without him while he was still able? The answer was simple.

Not a Sworn Brother at all. . .

XXXX

Sha Wujing had run into Phobos fairly quickly, the bearded God of Fear looked quite different from the last time they'd met in battle. Somehow, more scarred, and not in a way that suggested battle wounds. Fortunately, Phobos' main tricks, irrational spikes of fear mid-battle, demoralizing shouts that would decrease the effectiveness of his opponents in combat, and so on had little effect on Sha Wujing. After all, when one had faced down the Wrath of the Bull Demon King and lived to tell about it, one tended to become fearless as a result.

Effectively, that meant that Phobos was forced to rely on his sheer physical might and combat prowess to carry him through the fight, and in that, he was at least matched by Sha Wujing. However, their weapon selection was very different and it was causing problems for Sha Wujing due to the mismatch.

Phobos was, it turned out, a sword fighter, though that wasn't the problem. The Problem was that he also used a Hoplon Shield of Orichalcum and Celestial Bronze in addition to his Orichalcum and Celestial Bronze Xiphos. Sha Wujing was unfamiliar with fighting against those who carried shields and the Xiangyaobaozhang, his Monk Spade, had reach that could not be properly exploited due to Sha Wujing's unfamiliarity with shield fighters.

Every time Sha Wujing would set up a blow with the pearlescent weight or the crescent blade, Phobos would simply throw up his shield and the blow would be spent against the defense. However, every time Phobos attempted to get in close to Sha Wujing to strike a telling blow with his sword, Sha Wujing would use the reach of the Xiangyaobaozhang to press Phobos back, thwarting the attempt.

It was turning into a stalemate and one that could conceivably last for days, given the godly stamina of both combatants. Something would have to give at some point if either of them were to overcome the other. Sha Wujing was determined that it would be Phobos who lost, and not him. The question was, how to bypass the shield?

Phobos let out a mighty war cry and charged forward while Sha Wujing was thinking on the issue, forcing Sha Wujing to thrust out with the crescent blade of his Monk Spade. Up came Phobos' shield, blocking the striking blade only for Sha Wujing to swipe his Monk Spade around in a circular motion, trying to gain leverage on Phobos' shield. Phobos, for his part, kept his shield up and in contact with the blade, avoiding the attempt at a disarm, which in turn forced Sha Wujing to pivot around and toss Phobos using his Monk Spade as a fulcrum. Phobos tucked himself into a shoulder roll and came up in a crouch, still maintaining his grip on his shield and xiphos, leaving them back to square one.

"A valiant effort, but for naught." Smirked Phobos.

"This fight is not over yet." Cautioned Sha Wujing.

"No, but how long do you believe your mostly mortal comrade can hold against Nemesis?" Sneered Phobos.

"I am not worried about Brother Drinky. He can handle himself. You ought to be more focused on yourself." Retorted Sha Wujing.

"Perhaps I would be if it didn't seem as if you have no clue how to defeat a foe using a hoplon." Returned Phobos.

"I'm a quick study. No doubt I will learn how to do so in time." Intoned Sha Wujing.

"Time I won't give you!" Spat Phobos, taking up a stance before charging.

That was the opening Sha Wujing had been looking for. Instead of using his Monk Spade to defend this time, Sha Wujing discorporated in a puff of sand, using the Great Sand River Bears Away the Serpent Technique to reappear behind Phobos. Striking for the God of Fear's back with the pearlescent bludgeon of his Monk Spade, Sha Wujing smashed into the backplate of Phobos' Celestial Bronze and Orichalcum Armor. A grunt of pain rewarded Sha Wujing's strike, as Phobos was sent hurtling forward to crash through a stone wall and into some sort of tiled steam room.

Not one to waste an opening, Sha Wujing followed up on the blow using the Great Sand River Wears Away Steel Technique, belching particles of sand at the downed form of Phobos that flensed patches of flesh from his arms and legs while also wearing away the leather straps holding his armor in place. When the sand breath ended, and Phobos stood, he did so bleeding from numerous abrasions and with his breastplate hanging off him by a single strap.

Snarling, Phobos reached up with his Xiphos and cut away the breastplate, severing the remaining leather strap as the Orichalcum and Celestial Bronze plates fell to the tiled floor. He charged Sha Wujing, who thrust out with his Monk Spade, only to find Phobos far more limber without his heavy breastplate and capable of ducking under the thrust. In came the Xiphos, aiming to gut Sha Wujing, only for Sha Wujing to plant his Monk Spade in the tiles, smashing through the marble and blocking the cut on the Celestial Wood haft of his blade. Not to be outdone, however, Phobos smashed his Celestial Bronze helmeted head into Sha Wujing's brow, busting him open and sending Sha Wujing stumbling backward, losing his grip on his Monk Spade.

A shout of triumph was echoed from Phobos as he leaped forward, Xiphos thrusting out in a jumping lunge to attempt to end the fight, only for Sha Wujing to use the Great Sand River Bears Away the Serpent Technique to disappear in a plume of sand. The Xiphos sank into the marble tiles to the hilt as Sha Wujing reappeared behind Phobos. He punched out, using the Great Sand River Courses Through the Mountain Technique to augment his attack. His fist smashed into and through Phobos' back punching out the God of Fear's heart, literally.

"Impatience is the hallmark of an immature fighter. Unfortunately, you will not survive to correct that mistake. Farewell." Rumbled Sha Wujing as he withdrew his hand from Phobos' torso.

The God of Fear collapsed to the floor just in time for Brother Piggsy to arrive. Sha Wujing moved to collect his Monk Spade, shrinking it back down and placing it within his robes before waving to Brother Piggsy.

"Brother Sandy, it looks like you didn't need my help after all." Nodded Brother Piggsy.

"Indeed. Once I figured out the trick to defeating a shield fighter is to strike where the Shield is not, victory became fairly simple. What of yourself, it looks like you were sprinkled in acid." Offered Sha Wujing.

"The Hydra had acid blood and could breathe clouds of the stuff. It's only superficial. What about you? He managed to cut you it looks like?" Questioned Brother Piggsy.

"Also superficial. An unorthodox maneuver, similar to one that the Bull Demon King used to be fond of. It's nothing." Waved off Sha Wujing.

"A headbutt, you mean. With that helmet, I'm betting it would cut you." Snorted Brother Piggsy.

"Indeed. We should go check on Brother Drinky. He's less capable of pulling off a victory with such superficial damage than either of us." Pointed out Sha Wujing.

"Lead the way, Brother Sandy." Agreed Brother Piggsy.

As it would turn out, they needn't have bothered. The Gymnasium room that Sha Wujing had led them to was wrecked up, with several smoldering embers indicating recent fires, smashed masonry, and so on, but no combat. There was a burned corpse, though, from the charred wings and feminine silhouette, it was Nemesis and not Brother Drinky. It was the sounds of combat from outside, through a hole in the exterior wall that drew their attention. Brother Drinky was currently fighting the MacDougal Girl on the street outside.

"Should we help him?" Queried Sha Wujing.

"I think he can handle this on his own, don't you?" Asked Brother Piggsy.

Sha Wujing could only nod in response as the two settled down to watch their Sworn Brother fight. This would effectively be the second fight that Brother Drinky had with the MacDougal Girl. It wouldn't do for either of them to interrupt it unless the need was dire. After all, some things, a Warrior had to do by themselves and this seemed to be one of those. So the pair would only watch their Sworn Brother's fight.

They would only intervene if it looked like she would kill him. . .

XXXX

AN: So here we have Brother Piggsy's fight with the Hydra and Brother Sandy's fight with Phobos. Both came out the victors, not that there should have been any doubts about that. You don't get to be primary characters in Journey to the West by being wusses, after all.

Notably, this shows the difference between where Jackie is right now and where his sworn brothers are. Both can pull off wins against various Gods and whatnot, but Jackie took a lot more damage doing it than either of his sworn brothers did. That shouldn't come as a shock to anyone, though. He's new to combat on this level, after all. Give him time to adjust and he'll be right up there with his sworn brothers.

At any rate, the next chapter will be an interlude showing the fight between Jackie and Aoife MacDougal, followed by an interlude in Tartarus as Wonder Woman, Sun Wukong, Erlang Shen, and Poseidon try to fight their way into Ares and Circe's ritual site to stop the ritual to steal Cronos' power.

Stay tuned. . .