The green-furred vanara sits perched on a large chunk of fallen masonry, looking uncharacteristically still. He takes a long, deep breath, then shakes his entire body violently, sending a spray of dust and green ichor flying into the darkness.   "Blech!" Zhen Wu sputters, picking a twitching insect leg off his shoulder and flicking it away with a grimace. "I did not like that. Too many legs, Nick. Two legs? Good. Four legs? Acceptable. A hundred legs? That’s just showing off."   He hops down from the rock, his tail swishing behind him as he tries to regain his usual bounce. He looks you over, his green eyes checking for injuries, though his tone tries to remain light.   "Well! That was a dramatic entrance, wasn't it? 'Drop into the pit of doom,' they said. 'It'll be fun,' they said." He offers a weak, sharp-toothed grin. "But hey, we survived! And if the bad guys put this much effort into a trap, they must be hiding something really important down here. Or someone."   He glances toward the dark corridor ahead, his ears drooping slightly. "You okay, Nick? You really roasted those bugs. I've never seen fire that angry before."

Nick's flames would simmer down, his rage not fully forsaken, but as of now, satisfied "I am fine, Zhen Wu, these dark corriders are- not particularly a liking for my holy flames, as such, if you wish- we can press forward, do not worry, I promise that I'll be okay" Nick would give a smile, trying to be reassuring, while clutching onto the mango pendant that he held onto from his encounter with Priya and just kept his head up high, hoping she was alright   "Best not to walk without light" as he lit his hand ablaze and lit up the way forward. "Are you alright though? I hope you weren't injured either dear friend"

Zhen Wu watched the fire ignite in Nick's hand, his golden eyes widening until they were practically saucers. He hopped up from his rock, circling Nick's hand with dangerous curiosity, his tail twitching behind him like a metronome set to *allegro*.   "Ooh! Handy! Get it? Because it's your hand?" He snickered at his own terrible joke, leaning in uncomfortably close to the magical flame to inspect it, seemingly oblivious to the heat.   "And injured? Puh-lease," he scoffed, striking a heroic pose with one foot on a charred centipede carcass, chest puffed out. "The Jade Monkey does not get 'injured.' I merely... allowed the bugs to touch me so they wouldn't feel bad about being so slow! It's called charity, Nick. Look it up."   He winced slightly as he stretched, rubbing a bruise on his ribs, but quickly covered it up by vigorously grooming a spot of green ichor off his arm. He hopped down, his bravado sagging just a fraction as he saw Nick clutching the mango pendant. He sidled up, nudging Nick's elbow with his own.   "Hey. Don't make the long face. It scares away the good luck spirits. Besides," he pointed a thumb down the dark corridor. "If Priya is down here, she's probably bored out of her mind waiting for us to stop playing in the dirt. We're the best team ever! Fire-man and Monkey-king! We'll get her back before dinner."   He paused, looking thoughtfully at the burnt bug he had been standing on. "Speaking of dinner... do you think these things taste like chicken if you roast them enough? Actually—never mind. They smell like old socks."

Nick would perk up to that sentiment and chuckles to that softly "I do hope so, I just hope that she's okay, my good friend" as Nick would see Zhen Wu inspecting the flames with an amused look on his face.   Nick would lean Zhen Wu further down into the corridor "Stay close, and be ready for anything, I'll need your expertise in combat if things ever get to that situation, but I must admit. I have been acting rather rash about this, perhaps you might be right about me loosening up ever so often"

High above the pile of rubble that blocked Nick and Zhen Wu’s exit, the air twisted. A vertical slash of violet energy ripped open, hanging in space for a split second before a figure casually stepped out of it, dropping the ten feet to the floor with a heavy, confident thud.   Dust billowed up around polished black hooves. As the violet rift snapped shut behind her, the newcomer straightened up, dusting off a tight white tank top that did absolutely nothing to hide her crimson skin or the impressive musculature of her arms. A long, spade-tipped tail flicked behind her, agitated, slapping against the greaves of her armor.   Malevola Gibb took a deep breath, wrinkled her nose, and immediately looked like she regretted being born.   "Jesus H. Christ," she muttered, her voice a smoky, unimpressed drawl. She heaved a massive greatsword off her shoulder, planting the tip into the stone floor with a spark. She looked at the charred centipedes, then at the green ichor splattered on the walls, and finally rested her glowing yellow eyes on the monkey and the man.   "Smells like burnt hair and bad life choices down here," she announced, looking Nick up and down with zero hesitation and even less shame. "I take it you two are responsible for the barbecue? Because if you’re planning to eat that shit, I’m gonna need to find a bucket to puke in."   She rolled her neck, and used her free hand to slick back her dark hair between her horns.   "Look, I’m looking for a bunch of assholes in masks. Cultist types. Virgin-sacrificing, robe-wearing, 'glory to the dark lord' types," she said, gesturing vaguely with a clawed hand towards the stone doors. "You see any pricks like that run through here? Or are you two just hanging out in a bug pit for the ambiance?"   She paused, flashing a grin that was all sharp teeth and dangerous charm. "By the way, names Mal. If you're gonna stare at the tail, take a picture. It lasts longer."

Nick would see Malevola and would nod in acknowledgement, as he just looked over to her, his symbol for Sarenae on his robes, but he would look up to her "Greetings Mal, I'm Nick and my companion here is Zhen Wu" he would nod to Zhen Wu.   "We haven't seen any cultist on our way here, as we're here for a mission of our own. Our friend was kidnapped and we're here to save them" as Nick, despite being a cleric, saw the 6 foot 66 demon lady with non hostile intentions "So, if you wish, we can help each other on our respective quests" Nick would point to the way forward