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Healer of the Solstice

Cover art by @jamxart

First Arc: Daegu

Chapter 1: "Little Snow"

The river sparkled from where he stood, just like thousands of glimmering stars bathing in the water. Its waves were calm as it had always been: fishes swimming along the current in all sizes and colors; leaves falling from branches and floating on the surface, and stones showing their marvels as they shone like gems under the crystal clear wetness.Pulling the bucket out of the water, Jimin turned around and walked along the pathway lined by tall trees. The woods had been his safe haven ever since he could remember. He grew up confined within its green walls, the canopies of which sheltering him from the scorching heat of the sun. But most of all, he grew up inside the very heart of this majestic place: the Eiron, one of the Seven Great Temples of Healing.Every morning, he journeyed towards the riverbank to fetch fresh water for the sick. The High Priestess had given him this job, as well as a few other chores like scrubbing the floor and changing the sheets of the sickbed. Even though he found the tasks tedious, not once had he complained. He knew the importance of doing these minor tasks, just like when the High Priestess praised him for being diligent, saying that “even the smallest things can save lives.”He was roused, however, because today, he would be accompanying the High Priestess and the other healers in the Hall of Light. It was a place dedicated for the gravest illnesses; those which were incurable and put under the mercy of the healing goddess, Eira.Ironic, Jimin thought. It was supposed to be a sad place, but whenever he stepped inside the room, he could feel a sense of calm and repose within its walls. People were weak and dying, but they had faint, happy smiles in their faces as if their terrible sickness wasn’t bearing them down. During those times, Jimin was in his happiest – seeing them submit their lives willfully to the goddess in hope not for healing itself, but for eternal peace after they died.The goddess, Eira, was also known to accompany the sick in the afterlife, taking the form of a large vessel made of gold and silver, sailing along the River of Life like a weightless feather towards Eon, the Land of the Hereafter.During those times, Jimin was in his happiest. And during those times, he was in his saddest.When he reached the tall white gate of the temple, his dark brown eyes landed on the figure of an old woman standing in front of the temple. She was wearing a long white dress with gilded swirly patterns embroidered on the sleeves, a gold headdress resting atop her head to signify her position, and a blue crystal, the Heart of Eira, was hanging loosely around her neck.The old woman smiled as Jimin approached. “We’re waiting for you, Little Snow.”Jimin couldn’t help but smile at the endearing name. His hair was a pale color of silver, too ashen to be called white, and too light to be of gray hue. Despite the complexity of his hair color, the High Priestess had still opted to call him “Little Snow” even if Jimin argued that his hair wasn’t the color of snow when he was still a little boy.“I’m sorry for making you wait long, High Priestess,” Jimin apologized with a bow of his head, addressing the other priestesses as well standing behind her.The softest of chuckles escaped past the old woman’s lips, the smile radiating towards her dark eyes as deep lines of wisdom graced her features. “We haven’t waited long, Little Snow.” She placed a slightly trembling hand on Jimin’s head. “I just took the pleasure of watching you work from afar. I haven’t seen you for a week now.”The High Priestess was praying in the Chamber of Eira, locking herself for a week every two months to appease the goddess and seek for help. After a week of prayer, the High Priestess would visit the Hall of Light to bless the sick with the goddess’s mercy. And for three years now, after his twentieth summer, Jimin had been accompanying her with the ceremony.He wasn’t allowed inside the Hall of Light when he was still a boy; but a feisty one he was. He would occasionally peek inside through the double doors and every time he did, Yongwon would be there, the bald, bulky man who lived in a shack nearby, both of them serving the goddess’s temple unconditionally.Jimin was frightened of him before, and he still was to some extent, with the man’s perpetual scowl and wide physique that could scare even the wildest boar in the woods. He would shut him out of the way, slamming the door close every time Jimin would peek inside the hall. He used to sulk because of it, complaining to the High Priestess about the man’s mean treatment, but the old woman would just laugh and pat his head.“Yongwon’s a tough nut, yes, but he’s a good man, Little Snow,” she would say. “His wife died inside the white walls of the Hall of Life, and yet he still continued to serve the goddess. Some people lose their faith when faced with great loss. But Yongwon didn’t. He let Eira take care of his wife until her very last breath and devoted himself in serving the goddess until the day he meets his beloved.”Jimin didn’t understand that time, his mind as young as the bud of a flower sprouting amidst the forest ground. But as he grew older, as he saw more and more of the world, of joy, hope and despair, Jimin finally understood Yongwon, even if just a little.It was a rare occasion for Jimin – to enter the Hall of Light. The High Priestess had forbidden him to enter on his own, least of all touch any of the sick. If he’d been lucky, one of the priestesses would allow him to stand and observe behind her, or make him grind the herb that was to be used for treating infected wounds. The High Priestess gave him permission to study all the medical books in their library, sometimes having the old woman teach him herself. He had read hundreds of books, over and over again as he grew up; mastered theories about wound healing and treatment, but he wasn’t allowed to apply his knowledge on an actual person. Never. The old woman had been strict regarding that matter.
“You can’t practice healing other people right now, Little Snow,” the old woman uttered softly to a sulking twelve-year-old Jimin.

“But why?” Jimin stomped his foot once on the ground, defiance apparent in his dark brown eyes. “I know how to make a mangroot juice! The book said it would help with vomiting!”

“I know. I know.” The old woman bent lower to pat his head. “You’re a special one, and soon, you’ll be able to heal any kind of wound that is known to man. When the time comes, I will have you leave the temple and explore the world on your own.”

Jimin’s eyes widened at the horrible thought. “But…” he bowed his head “…I don’t want to leave.” He was scared. He didn’t know what was out there. Would other people be good to him? Would he be able to find home aside from the one that was offered to him by this abode?

There was a knowing and gentle smile on the old woman’s lips. “You will have to leave someday, Little Snow. This place doesn’t deserve to hold someone as precious as you. You’re meant for something greater. Once the war is over, I will tell you what you want to know.”
Jimin didn’t understand even until now. But things changed after the High Priestess told him that. He was allowed to enter the Hall of Light, provided that he was accompanied by the old woman herself or another priestess. Every time his feet hit the wooden floor and a look of sympathy admixed with sadness dawned on his features, the old woman would say, “Don’t touch anyone.”Up until now, the High Priestess had been firm on that condition. Thus never, not even a slight brush, had he touched a single soul inside the Hall of Light.Jimin was standing behind Priestess Ji Yeon, watching as the middle-aged lady applied a salve on a person’s skin. The man was weak, with those painful-looking wounds that kept on appearing on his body for about two weeks now.Without being told, Jimin automatically went towards the end table and grabbed a mortar and pestle. He put a few leaves inside the stone bowl and poured a small amount of water, grinding them perfectly until a viscous extract was produced. After transferring the mixture into a metal bowl, Jimin walked back towards the priestess and offered the medicine.The lady looked at the bowl first, and after recognizing its contents, she smiled and took it in her hand. “Thank you, Jimin.” She turned her head back to the sick man. “This extract will keep the itchiness down. Apply this whenever you feel something tingling under your skin. This young man here made this for you.”The man’s eyes rolled weakly towards Jimin’s direction, causing him to flinch slightly. The faintest of smiles was palpable on his lips as he spoke hoarsely, “Thank you.”Jimin couldn’t help the warmth spreading in his chest. Everytime someone expressed their gratitude towards the medicine he made, he couldn’t help but feel a slight tingling sensation in his hands, like soft flutters of insect wings brushing across his palms. He couldn’t explain it, but somehow the sensation had always been there, magnified further every time he step foot in this hall.“Little Snow.”A voice echoed behind him before he could reply to the man. Turning his head around, Jimin saw the High Priestess approaching him. “Can you gather some armoc roots near the falls? Priestess Min Joo needs to make an extra bottle of healing oil for Ha Eun’s daughter. She’s been complaining of headache since yesterday.”“Of course.” Jimin excused himself from the priestesses’ presence and made his way out of the hall. Closing the door gently behind him, he immediately went to the kitchen to fetch his basket. Casually picking an apple from the table along his way, Jimin heard a snort coming from the fat woman stirring a large pot of hot soup.“Boy, ‘ya don’t wanna eat before lunch is served. Don’t wanna ruin your appetite, aye?”Chuckling, Jimin said, “I’ll be back in two hours, Ajumma. You don’t have to save a plate for me.”The middle-aged woman hummed in understanding. “Running errands again?”“Yes. The High Priestess told me to gather armoc roots near the falls.”She tutted. “That old lady’s exhausting you like a slave. You’re better than more than half of the healers in this temple. But don’t tell her I said that.”Jimin laughed. She had a sharp tongue, but Nam Hyun, the fat lady, had always been a very good friend to the High Priestess. “I won’t,” Jimin assured her, smiling as he turned around and took a bite on his apple.The trip to the waterfalls was a bit tiring, even though Jimin had hiked this same path hundreds of times before. The terrain was quite steep and rocky, the wet soil occasionally causing Jimin’s foot to slip. When he finally saw the splashing waters of the falls, he trod through the big rocks and went near the falling water. The armoc roots were usually found growing in wet soil and high grounds, thus the falls would be a logical place to look for.Jimin climbed a tree, sitting and balancing himself on a sturdy branch as he picked the golden brown roots from the steep slope near the current spilling down from the mouth of the river up ahead. He was high up in the air, but Jimin was never one who was afraid of heights. He loved being in high places, with the smell of the forest wafting under his nose, the cool wind blowing swiftly across his face, and the sun bathing his pale skin with warm glows.After gathering enough armoc roots in his basket, as he was about to go down, Jimin’s vision caught a line of black smoke swirling in the atmosphere. Eyebrows pulling together in confusion, he tried to climb up higher to get a better view. When he was so high up from the ground, the canopies of trees stretching so far and wide and never-ending, Jimin caught four more fumes of black smoke, each distanced away from one another.Hunters? he thought.It wasn’t the first time that hunters got lost in this part of the woods. Some of them even ended up being treated in the temple for being attacked by a wild boar. Jimin once asked the High Priestess why the temple had never been attacked by wild animals before; the old woman just smiled and said that the goddess blessed her with a gift to protect the temple. She spoke of a barrier, an invisible wall keeping them safe from the furious beasts lurking in the wilderness.There were people who were born with Gifts. Just like the High Priestess with her Gift of Protection and Priestess Ji Yeon with her Gift of Euphony which enabled her to play such lovely melodies on any instrument to soothe the hearts of the sick. Their Gifts were wonderful, and Jimin thought for so long how much he envied them. He wanted to have a Gift too, but the gods probably hated him from the time he was born.The High Priestess said that he was an orphan of war; his parents died in the hands of the rebels who were trying to burn down his entire village. The old woman was there when it happened twenty-three years ago. As the High Priestess was escaping, running towards the carriage protected by the castle guards, Jimin’s mother called out to her, begging her to take her son. The guards tried to turn her away but the High Priestess stopped them to grant her wish.“It was motherly love. Pure and unconditional,” Jimin remembered the old woman saying.The High Priestess cradled the baby inside her arms, the frail, innocent child wrapped in a worn out blanket and crying for her mother’s bosom. The woman turned around to save his husband, despite telling her it was dangerous. The fire was huge and unrelenting, eating away everything in its path. The castle guards guided the old woman inside the carriage, telling her that there was no time and that the rebels were already running towards them.Jimin closed his eyes and remembered her words: “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to save your mother.”
Jimin’s eyes snapped open when someone tugged his arm in his sleep. He almost jumped out of bed when he was able to make out a man’s face in the darkness, his instincts telling him to flee when–“Shh. It’s me. It’s me, kid.”After a few moments of focusing on the man’s features, Jimin’s sense of panic started to die down as a familiar face took form amidst the shadows. “Yongwon-ssi?”“The High Priestess told me to help you escape. Come.”“What?” But before he could ask another question, the man immediately walked towards the door and pulled it open gently, careful to not make any unnecessary noise. “Grab your shoes and let’s get out of here, kid.”“Wait!” Sliding his feet inside his shoes and hurriedly approaching the man, he asked, “What’s happening?”“There are hundreds of castle guards outside the temple. The High Priestess is trying to hold them off, but we don’t have much time. Come.” The man grabbed Jimin by the arm and dragged him out of the room and along the corridors.“Wha–” Jimin tried to complain but the man hushed him.He could hear footsteps and distant conversations outside the temple. When Jimin tried to peak beside a huge wooden pillar, he felt his heart drop when he saw a castle guard, probably a general, unsheathe his sword and impale the High Priestess on the abdomen. A scream died inside Jimin’s throat. The priestesses cried as the old woman fell on the ground.“Old witch,” the general spat in disgust and turned around to give an order to his men, “search the temple!”“No. I won’t let you take another step on this holy ground.” The old lady held up her arms in front of her. With her palms stained with blood, a shock wave erupted from her hands which threw the general and some of his men a few meters away from where they initially stood.Jimin saw it this time. A translucent barrier which engulfed the temple grounds like a protective dome. He didn’t know he was already running until a loud shout of his name echoed behind him. “Jimin!” Yongwon yelled.“High Priestess!” Jimin knelt beside her and tried to help a priestess apply pressure on the old woman’s wound. Some of the priestesses were already running inside the temple to find medicine and bandages. There were angry roars of bloodthirsty men, their voices muffled by the barrier as they slashed their swords and aimed their arrows against the protective dome in attempt to bring it down.“Little Snow.”“Shh. Please don’t talk right now. Everything’s going to be all right,” Jimin tried to console and spare her from the burden of having to waste whatever remaining energy she had left. Jimin’s hands were shaking. He knew it. He was scared. He was so goddamn scared.“You need to escape.”“No.” Jimin shook his head as tears started to fall down from his eyes. “I won’t leave you.”“Take your hands off me. You can’t–” the old woman coughed out blood and Jimin felt his heart stop for a second.“No! No! Please!” Jimin pressed harder on the wound. The priestess beside her was trying to calm her down but he couldn’t hear anything. Blood was rushing in his ears and all he could feel was his heart beating loudly inside his chest.“You can’t leave me!” Jimin shouted as tears continued to flow in streams down his cheeks. “You can’t–”Then it happened.Jimin’s palms started to glow, both of his hands feeling that warm rush of tingling sensation which escalated as time passed by. His hands felt like they were soaked in warm water, slightly burning the pads of his fingertips as unseen energy seeped out from the pores of his hands. His eyes were wide with shock as he felt the wound close slowly beneath his palms. Silence hung thickly around them for a moment and he knew for a fact that everyone within the vicinity saw what he’d just done.“You–” the general remarked in disbelief. Jimin whipped his head towards his direction and he could see a smug smirk starting to creep slowly into the man’s lips. The general turned around to shout a command to his men. “It’s him! Bring that boy back no matter what!”The High Priestess pulled the crystal blue necklace from her neck and pushed the pendant inside Jimin’s hand. “You need to go, Little Snow.”“What? No! I won’t–”“Come with me, kid!” Yongwon, with his massive built, tried to lift him up but Jimin struggled, kicking and shouting and shoving the man’s hands away from him.“No! Let me go!”“I’m sorry, Little Snow.” A tear escaped from the old woman’s eyes and Jimin felt his heart crack. “I’m so sorry.”Before he could ask what the High Priestess meant, Jimin felt a sharp blow connect to the back of his neck. The impact made his whole body jerk and his vision blackened in a heartbeat.- TBC

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 2: The Gift, the Word and the Name

“You need to escape.”

No.

“I’m sorry, Little Snow.”

No. You can’t leave me!

“I’m so sorry.”
Jimin awoke with a terrifying scream, his eyes wide and frantic, muscles stiff and heavy. The sudden movement caused a throbbing pain lance through the back of his neck; he winced and rubbed the sore spot on his nape.“Be quiet, kid.”Eyes darting towards the direction of that low voice, Jimin squinted slightly to make out the familiar form of a man sitting a few feet away from him. It was still dark, but the first rays of sunlight started to seep through the canopies above, gracing the man with faint glows of orange and blue. He was holding a knife in his right hand, cutting the long twigs into smaller pieces and throwing them inside the makeshift stone fire pit.“Yongwon-ssi?” he muttered.“How’s your neck?”“Uh–” Jimin continued to rub the soreness away for a moment before letting his hand fall on his lap. “Fine, I guess. Where are we?”“A few miles south Eiron. I carried your skinny ass all night. You should be thankful.”Jimin frowned at the insult. The man had never been gentle or kind to him. He always had this grumpy look on his face which Jimin used to be scared of when he was still a boy. The man’s voice was gruff, like it was a huge waste of his energy to even try and talk to him.Jimin was about to ask why they were here, why he was
with
Yongwon of all people? But then, that terrible dream that woke him up earlier started to return in flashes. The temple. Barrier. Soldiers. The High Priestess.
Blood.
Choking on a gasp, Jimin immediately stood up as adrenaline pumped through his veins. “The High Priestess. She–we need to go back!” He was able to take a few steps forward before he heard Yongwon’s threatening voice.“Take another step and I will tie you up, brat.” The man pointed him the knife and made a motion for him to sit down. “Behave.”Jimin clenched his jaw as both of hands balled into tight fists. “I need to be there,” he said, defiance evident in his voice. “They need me–”“What do they need you for, huh? Can you fight?” Yongwon snorted. “You’re just going to get yourself killed. The castle guards are looking for you and the High Priestess made me promise to get your scrawny ass out of there. So I’m planning to do just that.”Silence fell between them as Jimin stared at the bald man who continued cutting the twigs which he would use to build a fire. Worldlessly, Jimin walked towards him and opted to sit down a few feet beside him, far enough to give them both a sense of comfort and privacy.“Yongwon-ssi.” The man didn’t respond but Jimin continued to speak. “What’s happening? Are the priestesses all right? What’s going to happen to them? To us?”At that, the man’s hand halted from its task and he gave out a deep sigh after closing his eyes for a brief moment, perhaps pondering about the same thing which Jimin was dreading to know right now. “The High Priestess,” Yongwon spoke, “she told me about your
Gift.”“What?”The man sheathed his knife and turned his head to look at Jimin solemnly. “You have a Gift, kid. At least that’s what the High Priestess told me before she asked me to keep you away from the Emperor.”Jimin didn’t understand. What the hell was Yongwon talking about? He had a Gift? All this
time? But why didn’t he know about it? What was his Gift? What–Then Jimin remembered. How his hands glowed as if specks of sunlight were trapped in his hands; how the High Priestess’s wound healed slowly beneath his palms. The warmth. The
tingling
sensation rushing through his arms until the tips of his fingers. The subtle electricity. The
energy.Jimin’s eyes dropped down on his hands, looking at them as if he was seeing a foreign object for the first time. Light. The High Priestess’s blood. There was no trace of them. “You can heal people,” he heard Yongwon say and his gaze snapped back to the man staring at him seriously, “The High Priestess spoke about your blessing: the
Gift of Restoration.”“I…” Jimin’s words got stuck inside his throat. “I can… heal people?”“She told me that the Emperor was looking for the person with the Gift of Restoration. We’re in the midst of war, so he must’ve thought of using your power to his benefit. But the High Priestess wouldn’t comply with his wishes.” Yongwon knelt on the ground and rubbed two stones together until a spark caught the twigs on fire. He blew on it until the fire was large enough to sustain its flames. Jimin waited for him to continue, and when he did, he could feel every pulsation of his heart deafen his ears, just like the earth-shattering truth that was being thrown at his face right now.“The High Priestess knew you had a Gift from the time she first held you in her arms.” Yongwon propped his elbows on his thighs as he stared through the flames. “She knew that your Gift is dangerous, that people will try to have a claim on you. That’s why she kept you hidden in the temple all these years–to keep you away from
them, whoever the fuck they are. That’s also why she forbade you to touch anyone in the Hall of Light…” he turned his gaze towards Jimin “…because your Gift will manifest upon contact, once you felt the strong inclination to help or
heal
someone. She wanted to keep you from the truth to keep you safe. But she also knew that this time would come.”Jimin’s head was spinning. Closing his eyes tightly and gripping both of his hands together, he bowed his head until the dizziness ebbed away. He swallowed thickly, but the lump in his throat was still there, choking him slowly until he could no longer breathe.He felt so empty. Now that he lost the temple–his home–and the High Priestess, who acted as his guardian for twenty-three years, Jimin didn’t know where else to go. Thus, when he finally found his voice, soft and pained like a whisper in a cold night, he muttered, “Where do I go from here?”Yongwon was silent as he skinned his kill.
Rabbits, Jimin realized. After getting rid of the intestines and blood, he poked the rabbits each with a stick and motioned for Jimin to come near the fire. “Hold this.” Jimin complied. “Roast it in the fire and make sure it’s not burnt.”They did so in silence. But the gravity of Jimin’s question still hung thickly in the air. After a few minutes of wordlessly staring at the rabbits’ browning flesh and listening to the crackles of fire, Yongwon finally opened his mouth. “The High Priestess mentioned about a
fortress.”“Fortress?”Yongwon grunted in response. “It’s bothersome to look for something that is so vague.”“Vague?” The skin between Jimin’s eyebrows creased.Rubbing his fingers on top of his right eyebrow, Yongwon sighed as a frown embedded deeply into his features. “She spoke of two things: a
word… and a
name. She said to walk far south until a village is seen.”“Okay.” That was all Jimin could say.Yongwon spared a look at Jimin, taking in his thin frame and pale skin; the dark circles under his eyes; his parched lips; his silver hair grimed with dirt; that tinge of red still remaining on the side of his face – the remnants of that awful and bloody night.“Eat your share, kid.”Jimin blinked at him like a lost pup. When his gaze fell back on his stick, Jimin jerked as he quickly took the rabbit off the flames. “Ah, shit,” he cussed, frowning as he saw a charred area on the rabbit’s skin.“Where did you learn to spout nonsense?” Yongwon scolded him.Jimin was surprised for a moment, caught off guard by the question. He understood though. The temple seemed to be the last thing on earth where one would learn about evil deeds, temptations or vile words. However, as a knowing smile crept slowly on Jimin’s lips, he looked at the bald man who raised a suspicious eyebrow at him.“Ajumma,” he answered, “and Yongwon-ssi.”Yongwon’s eyes narrowed as he stared Jimin down. After a few seconds passed, the man just sighed and shook his head. “Brat.”The smile on Jimin’s lips pulled wider and even though it was a shame that his rabbit would taste like burnt coal on his tongue, the things they spoke of together helped Jimin learn more about the man, even if it was just a speck of who he was. Jimin wasn’t a very good judge of character, but he knew it when a man was kind deep inside. If he managed to get to know him better, even if it was just half a step forward, then Jimin wouldn’t mind if his food tasted like burnt coal at all.
Three days, Jimin counted. Three days of laborious journey.He’d asked a considerable number of times about their destination: how far were they? When would they arrive? Did Yongwon even know where to go? He got an earful from the man, of course, saying that he was such a whiny brat and that he should learn how to keep his mouth shut. Jimin sulked for a whole day, even refusing the food offered to him by his companion.“If you don’t stop being a petulant rat, I won’t blink an eye even if you starve to death, kid,” the man threatened him with a deep scowl on his face.Repaying him with the same intensity of his glare, Jimin huffed and walked away. “Ya! Where are you going?” the man shouted behind him, seated on a huge tree root as he tended the fire.“I’m going to get lunch by myself!” Jimin yelled back angrily without turning his head around. He stomped through the forest, sometimes kicking stray branches and bunch of leaves hindering his way. He was pissed. He thought that he’d been a bit closer to the man, but he was wrong. Even though it was already past noon and his stomach was grumbling and begging him for food, Jimin couldn’t stand another second with that irritable man.Jimin didn’t stray too far but it felt great to breathe a little air far away from his companion. Turning his head around to search for anything edible, he was lucky enough to find a bush filled with wild berries. He’d grown up in a forest, so he was basically aware which berries were edible or not. Once, he accidentally ate a poisonous yellow berry because he saw a deer chewing on the fruit. He got a very bad stomachache because of it and he was lucky to have found his way back to the temple, albeit collapsing near its white gate. A priestess found him unconscious and immediately asked for help.He was strictly put on bed rest for a whole week because of that incident.Crouching and picking a blue fruit from the aggregate, Jimin rolled up the sleeve on his left arm and crushed the berry on his skin. After a few minutes of not feeling any itch or reaction, Jimin smelled the berry and darted his tongue out to taste a bit of its juice. It was sweet and Jimin smiled.He took handfuls of the berries, using the tail of his shirt as a makeshift basket. He chewed and was so delighted of the explosion of succulent sweetness in his mouth. He planned on saving some for later, and as he stood up to walk back to their camp, Jimin felt a rush of wind near the left side of his face. There was a sharp pain on his left cheek and he stumbled back until his rear hit the ground, the berries falling from his shirt and rolling on the dirty soil.His eyes widened as he saw a figure emerge behind a tree and walk towards him. He was wearing a green tunic with its hood pulled up to conceal his eyes. An arrow was nocked and pointed at him dangerously. Feeling a shiver travel down his spine, Jimin sat there on the ground, frozen and with his heart beating madly inside his chest.“You,” the assailant hissed. “How did you find this place?”Jimin tried to speak but his jaw just fell in a wordless stutter. “I–I… I… please–”The assailant was sent flying against a nearby tree, a massive hand pinning him by the neck. The bow and arrow was knocked off his hands and tried to pry the large hand encircling his neck in a vice-like grip. “Run!” Yongwon shouted and Jimin found himself scampering on his feet, adrenaline pumping through every corner of his body.He didn’t even make it a meter away when someone
dropped
from the tree above and flashed a curved blade in front of him. The sharp edge of the weapon glinted in the sunlight and Jimin’s knees buckled with fear.A black cloth was covering the lower half of the man’s face; he took a few steps forward until he was towering over Jimin. He was tall and Jimin couldn’t help the tears that sprang to his eyes. Would he die? Would these people just leave his body in the forest to rot or be eaten by wild animals?Would there be pain?“Hyung!”The man’s eyes shot up at the approaching form of the archer. Jimin’s gaze landed on Yongwon who was standing beside their aggressor. There was a trail of blood on his left arm as his right hand covered the wound on his shoulder. The archer took off his hood, revealing a crown of messy brown hair and pair of dark eyes. He raised his hand as a necklace dropped from his hand. The familiarity of the crystal blue pendant hit Jimin painfully in the gut, causing him to gasp for air sharply.“This man has the old woman’s necklace,” the archer informed his companion.The tall man’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at Yongwon and said, “Do you know the High Priestess?”“Yes,” the bald man answered.“What’s the
word?”
Jimin’s aggressor asked vaguely.Yongwon looked perturbed for a moment, perhaps thinking that whatever word that fell out of his mouth right now would either mean death or survival. After shifting his weight to his other foot, he answered, “Agust.”“What’s the
name?”Jimin saw the muscles on Yongwon’s jaw tense visibly. “Min Yoongi.”A moment of silence passed between them before the tall man lowered his weapon and slid the blade back in its sheath strapped on his right hip. The archer walked towards his companion to discuss something. After a while, both of their heads turned around to look back and forth at Jimin and Yongwon. “Come on,” the archer jerked his head, urging them to follow him before both men walked away.“Hey, brat.”Jimin felt a large hand curled at the back of his shirt as he was immediately pulled up on his feet. “Yongwon-ssi…” Jimin began with a worried look in his eyes. “Your wound.”The bald man snorted and said “insect bite” before following the two mysterious men on their heels. Jimin didn’t know what else to think as his feet took steps in front of the other. Who were those men? Why did they attack them? Why did they stop when they saw the High Priestess’s necklace?There were so many questions left hanging in the air and Jimin closed his eyes for a moment to stop the headache that was threatening to split his head into half. After an hour and a half, as the sun began to hide behind the horizon, the two mysterious men halted in their tracks as they reached a canyon.Jimin gulped as he took in the depth of the crack between the cliffs. The bottom of the canyon was dark, signifying that it was probably the closest gate to hell found on the world’s surface. The masked man gazed back at Jimin and Yongwon and uttered, “We have to jump.”“What?!” Jimin exclaimed in shock.“If you are who you say you are, then your goddess will protect you from harm, won't she?” the archer asked with a raised eyebrow.“You’re fucking mad, boy,” Yongwon snarled.The masked man’s eyes narrowed threateningly. “Then we might as well kill you now after getting this far.” He rested his fingers around the hilt of his kirpan and pulled it slightly to reveal a glint of its sharp blade.Jimin quickly opened his mouth. “I understand.” And as if he thought the man didn’t hear him, he repeated, “I understand.”The masked man’s eyes fell on him, studying his face for a moment. “Hoseok,” he called and the archer’s head turned to look at him. “The bald man and I will go first.”Walking towards the eldest man in the group, he clenched his fist around the back of Yongwon’s shirt but the man batted his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”“Yongwon-ssi!” Jimin said with pleading eyes. “Please stop.”A conflicting look flashed across the man’s face before he closed his eyes in defeat. The masked man curled his fingers against Yongwon’s shirt again and guided him at the edge of the cliff. Without another word, the two men jumped down and Jimin almost gave in to the nauseous lump that hit the back of his throat.The archer walked towards him and gripped his upper arm. Noticing the apparent tremble on Jimin’s body, the archer loosened his hand a bit around his arm and said, “It’s gonna be fine.”Jimin’s eyes shot up to find the man’s gaze fixed gently at him. He was surprised at the slight upturn of his eyes and when Jimin’s stare travelled downwards, he saw a
smile
gracing the archer’s thin lips. Smile. He was smiling at him.Jimin was surprised to find himself calming down. He tried reminding himself that this man in front of him was the same man who fired an arrow at him. The same man who intended on killing him if it weren’t for the High Priestess’s necklace.Despite his internal struggle to trust the man, Jimin found himself walking with him at the edge of the cliff. The archer’s hand slid down until he was clutching at Jimin’s wrist. “I’m so sorry for scaring you earlier. And for hurting your friend.” Jimin’s head whipped beside him to stare at the archer–at Hoseok, just like what the masked man had called him a while ago.“Jin-hyung’s harsh when it comes to his opponents, but once he starts to trust you, he’s a pretty good gent,” Hoseok smiled at him. “And funny too.”Jimin didn’t know how to respond to that so he opted to just cast his eyes down and hopefully shut whatever conversation the man was trying to start with him. Hoseok saw his hesitation and sighed. “Whatever happens, I won’t let you go, okay?”Jimin didn’t answer and when the archer started to count to three, Jimin’s heart picked up its pace. “Three!” Hoseok shouted and they both jumped down the cliff.Jimin screamed, louder than he’d ever had before. The wind was hitting him in an alarming speed and the sheer height of the cliff seemed to keep him suspended in the air longer than he’d imagined. He could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest, every pulsation seemingly bursting through his arteries and pumping him with life. His vision was a blur and he was approaching the void faster and faster.I’m going to die!
Jimin panicked.And after passing through the layers of darkness, Jimin felt his back hit
something
and he was instantly thrown upwards again. He screamed and tried to grasp for something concrete but to no avail. After he bounced for a couple more times, each one lower than the last, Jimin laid there panting with his eyes blown wide in the dark, his heart hammering painfully loud inside his chest and blood ringing his ears from all of the adrenaline in their stunt.It wasn’t long when Jimin saw torches light up the walls of the canyon, illuminating the entire passage like dozens of fireflies. He turned his head to the side and caught the thick strands of a huge net that was keeping him from falling down on a raging river below.When he felt a tug on his right arm, Jimin’s head snapped back to the groaning figure of the archer moving beside him. There was a laugh bubbling inside the man’s throat and then he heard a loud yell echo loudly to his right.“Ya! Hoseok! Jin! I thought I told you two brats to stop using the
Pit
for your stunts!” There was an old man standing inside a tunnel a few meters away from them. Because of the shadows, Jimin wasn’t sure what the old man looked like but his voice sounded quite incredibly pissed.Hoseok burst out laughing, followed by another bout of laughter resounding a few feet away from where he and Jimin laid. “Sorry, harabeoji!” Jin apologized between cackles. “Oh god, this is killing me! It’s so funny! Ah, my stomach hurts!” Yongwon was sitting behind Jin, his hand still clutched over the wound on his shoulder and apparently applying pressure to stop the bleeding. Jin looked behind him and uttered something to the man which made his eyebrows rise up in surprise.When Hoseok’s laughter died down, he helped Jimin sit up and pointed at his hand gripping the silver-haired boy’s wrist. “See?” he said with a wide grin on his face, “I told you I won’t let go.”Jimin
almost
felt the desire to smile if it weren’t for the shock that rattled his being just a few moments ago. “Ya, harabeoji!” Hoseok called the old man. “Jin-hyung and I brought guests!”The old man’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at Jimin. “Who’s that white-haired girl?”Hoseok began to laugh again because of that remark as Jimin felt his face heat up at the insult. “I’m–I’m not a girl!” he yelled albeit a bit scared.“He’s pretty and pale-skinned, but he’s not a girl, harabeoji!” Hoseok reasoned out amusingly.Jimin’s cheeks grew warmer because of the praise but he desperately tried to push that thought away. He couldn’t let himself get flustered in this situation, not when he wasn’t sure if he would still be alive to see the light of dawn on the morrow.“Hey, I’m Hoseok. You are?”Staring at the archer’s smiling face for a few seconds, Jimin hesitated at first, but when the archer waited for his answer patiently, he lowered his head and said in a small voice, “Jimin.”“Jimin,” Hoseok repeated as his smile grew wider, fondness melting his eyes as he locked gazes with him. “Ya, Jiminie. Let’s get out of here, okay? This net is starting to create weird creases on my butt!”And subconsciously, Jimin found himself chuckling.-TBC

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 3: Daegu
The old man kept his gaze on Jimin as they walked through the tunnel, being far from subtle as he would have liked. There were a few people working inside, mending small cracks on the stone walls and replacing old and charred wooden torches with new ones. Jimin could feel their eyes on his skin, how each orb snaked from his head, down to his arms and until his soles. There were few who kept on glancing on his silver hair, seeming perturbed by its unnatural color.Trying to hide the flush of embarrassment tainting his cheeks, Jimin bowed his head as he walked quietly beside Jin whose loud voice seemed to echo in the entire tunnel as he greeted every single person his eyes could see. Jimin risked a glance towards Yongwon, and he was kind of surprised to see him talking to Hoseok without any spite in his voice unlike how he always sounded everytime he conversed with Jimin. He wasn’t certain but he probably could make out a very faint smile tugging the corners of the man’s lips if it weren’t for the shadows dancing along the man’s features.Jimin felt deflated a little. Why did Yongwon hate him so much?“Ya.” Jimin jolted visibly. The old man took a step forward and blocked Jimin’s path with his small and hunched figure. Lifting a trembling finger, he patted its tip against Jimin’s cheek and said, “You’re too pretty to be a lad. Are you sure you’re not bewitched?”Jimin’s jaw fell slack in surprise. Did this old man seriously ask him that?“Harabeoji!” Hoseok walked beside Jimin and placed his arm over his shoulder in a protective manner. “Don’t bother Jiminie with your tales! We all know that witches aren’t real.”“They are!” the old man defended himself. “My mother used to tell me how a witch almost got me in the middle of the night when I was still a babe.”Jin let out a snort. “That’s just probably her scaring you so you wouldn’t stray at night when you were still a boy, harabeoji.” Placing his hands on the old man’s shoulders, Jin steered him back to their path and kept him busy in a conversation.Giving out a sigh, Hoseok slid down his arm and patted Jimin’s shoulder. “Sorry if harabeoji keeps on troubling you. He’s very loquacious. Well, you know, old people.” The archer chuckled beside him and continued walking through the tunnel.Jimin was grateful to Jin and Hoseok for saving him from a very awkward conversation with the old man. The priestesses used to tell him that he had such an angelic face, but no one had really pointed it out so bluntly like the old man. Urging his feet to follow the archer, Jimin fidgeted the hem of his shirt as he mulled over the question that was threatening to split his head into two. He’d been wondering for days what the hell he was doing; where he was going. And now that the answer was an arm’s length away from him, he decided to finally let the words roll out his tongue.“Where are you taking us?” Jimin’s heart stopped for a moment, feeling the rush of heat inside his chest as he waited for the archer’s answer.Hoseok stared back at him quietly, and Jimin was a bit scared that he might’ve asked a very dangerous question. However, to betray his expectations, a wide grin stretched the archer’s lips and he replied joyfully, “Daegu! It’s a village near the fortress. One of my friend’s there right now and I know he can help Yongwon-ssi with his wound.”As he and Jimin walked, he continued, “Your High Priestess used to visit the fortess to heal sick and wounded warriors. She’d always supported our cause and treated all of us like grandsons. I’m happy to have known her.” An affectionate but sad look settled in the archer’s dark brown eyes. “It’s unfortunate that such tragedy befell her. She’s such a kind woman and everyone in Daegu adores her… especially Yoongi.”The muscles in Hoseok’s jaws tensed as a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. “I swear I’ll put an arrow through the heart of the man who killed her… if Yoongi doesn’t catch him first.”A shudder ran down Jimin’s spine at the cold and baleful words. The events of that bloody night in the temple had been replaying inside Jimin’s mind for days, sometimes waking him up in the middle of the night with a loud gasp. He was angry. He was angry at the man who could take innocent lives in a blink of an eye. But no matter how turbulent his emotions were, he couldn’t make himself take another life for the sake of selfish revenge. It didn’t work that way with him. Whenever he was sad, whenever unwanted emotions started creeping inside his heart and mind, Jimin would always sit down in front of Eira’s statue and offer his prayers to the goddess to soothe his worries.He learned to do that from the priestesses. And everytime he prayed, he could feel his burdens break into smaller pieces and gradually ebb away. He’d been praying intensely for the past few days, but the solace that he was looking for was quite bleak. He was angry. He knew it. He could feel it. The unfairness of the world. The despair. The sorrow. And now that he was out of the temple, Jimin could see more from a wider perspective. He was learning, and he was trying to understand why this seemingly kind person walking beside him could trigger bloodlust so easily.“Are you the rebels that the Emperor’s looking for?”As they both made a turn, Hoseok rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t say that we are rebels just because we are fighting a monarchy. Well, maybe we are in the eyes of those controlling bastards, but I say that we are freemen. We’re fighting the Emperor’s corrupted ideals and ruthless ways because we feel the need to liberate the people from his bloodstained hands.” He grinned. “If anyone’s a full-blooded rebel in this country, then I say it would be Yoongi.”Yoongi. Jimin heard the name over and over again. Why did the name ring so much threat to him? Was he their leader? What kind of man was he?“Yoongi,” Jimin began as the name felt foreign on his tongue, “does he fight blood with blood as well?”Hoseok fell silent. He could sense that the archer could read the hidden import in his words. How Jimin was criticizing Yoongi–them–for raising a bloody fist against another soul. How they took lives for the sake of their cause–right or not. As the pregnant pause subsided, Hoseok spoke, “It’s the only way.” He gave Jimin a small smile. “You’re very kind and innocent, Jiminie. You’re a rare find in this bloodshed world and I’m happy to have met you.”“And don’t worry,” he continued, “Yoongi won’t be there when we arrive. He left a fortnight ago to fight a battle north. You’ll probably have a few days more to prepare on what you will say to him. He has to see every new settler in person, you know.”Before Jimin could formulate a response, he heard Jin speak in front of them. “We’re here.”There was a large wooden door barred with steel hindering the exit. Jimin watched as the old man walked beside the door and grabbed the rope attached to the ceiling, pulling it three times. “There’s a bell attached to the rope outside the tunnel,” Hoseok explained to him when he saw Jimin’s bewildered expression.After a while, there was a creaking sound of the door opening as light seeped through the crack, blinding Jimin the instant the harsh brightness hit his eyes. His arm automatically flew over his eyes to shield him from the insult, but as he slowly tried to blink his eyes open, his vision adjusting to the bright light, Jimin couldn’t help but gape at the spectacle playing right in front of him.There were people. So many people walking across a busy road. There were stalls harboring different kinds of goods; sellers urging the buyers to come and take a look on what they had to offer; children playing and running around; men lounging around and sitting on empty barrels, and women carrying baskets filled with fresh fruit and greens.The sight was so beautiful to behold and Jimin felt his knees buckle a little. It was the first time that Jimin saw a market. He’d never left the forest when he was still serving in the temple. He was content by just wandering through the forest and meeting people who stopped by the temple to pray or bring over their sick. It wasn’t really in his interest to see the other side of the world. He wanted to learn how to be a good healer. It was his passion to cure the sick; hence he focused his attention on furthering his knowledge on the arts of healing and the Eiron was the most suitable place to do just that.Jimin had never wanted to see more of the world. Until this moment happened.He felt unusually light; his chest filling with incredible softness as if stuffed with birds’ feathers. As he took in every form of life playing in front of him, he felt the inclination to learn more of the world. The reality of which that might be too burdensome to bear but Jimin was willing to discover them all. He was known to be an industrious lad, perhaps a bit ambitious, but he was a seeker of knowledge. And now that his eyes were opened to a broader horizon, he was more than willing to take a flight.So this is what the other side of the canyon looked like, Jimin thought, the huge rocks serving as high barriers to shield a hidden civilization.“You look awed.” It was Jin and Jimin had to process his face for a moment because the said young man took off his mask, the black cloth now tied loosely around his neck. He's handsome, Jimin thought. Probably the most handsome man he’d ever seen in his life.“I told you he’d gawk at me.” Grinning smugly, Jin laid out his hand to Hoseok, who sighed in annoyance and tossed a silver coin towards the older. Jin tucked the reward inside his breast pocket and grinned at Jimin. “I don’t blame you, Jiminie. People tend to drool over my handsome face on their first time.”“How annoying.” Hoseok rolled his eyes as Jin cackled beside him.“Ya,” the old man called them, “I’ll be separating from you here. I need to go buy something for my granddaughter.”“Smitten as always, aren’t you, harabeoji?” Hoseok teased him.“She’s much more charming than the two of you brats will ever be. And by the way, don’t ever use the Pit for your madness or I’ll tear your hair out of your scalp, got that?” The old man pointed a threatening finger at them before turning around and walking off.Jin snorted. “He always says that.”“But have we ever listened?” Hoseok added and they both shook their heads with a smile.“Yongwon-ssi,” Jin addressed the bald man standing quietly behind them, “we’re going to take you to our friend. He’s a very good doctor.”After the man grunted his approval, the group proceeded to walk through the market and stopped in front of a timber-framed shelter. The structure was large and could probably house hundreds of people. Jin and Hoseok went inside as Jimin and Yongwon trailed behind them.Deciding to brush off the curious stares being thrown at him, Jimin looked around and was amazed by the number of beds lined side by side each other. Even the temple had never had this much space for the sick. “This is formerly an almshouse,” Hoseok explained, “but Yoongi decided to convert this into an infirmary when a plague broke out years ago. Ah, those were hard times.”“I was here when that happened,” Jin said as a laugh started to bubble in his chest, “I caught it, you know. The plague. But thanks to our friend my face was spared from being deformed. It would’ve made the whole world cry if that happened.”Hoseok hit the older’s arm. “Jin-hyung, you’re lucky we have him by our side–oh! Taehyung!” He waved cheerfully at a young man who was wearing a brown garb and crouched beside a sickbed. His short light brown hair swayed slightly when he turned his head around, his dark eyes widening when he saw them.“Oh! Hoseok-hyung! Jin-hyung!” The doctor, Taehyung, stood up and walked towards them, wiping his hands clean with a cloth. “You came back early. How did your hunt go?”“Uh…” The archer scratched the side of his neck. “Well, things happened and we weren’t able to have a good catch. We brought something nicer though.” Stepping aside to let the doctor see their guests, he continued, “This is Jiminie and Yongwon-ssi. They used to serve under the High Priestess.”“Oh. I see.” Taehyung offered them a wide smile and Jimin was taken aback by the sheer happiness radiating from that lone gesture. It almost made him want to smile as well. “But what do you mean by ‘used to serve’? Did they run away?”At that moment, Hoseok and Jin’s shoulders sagged. It was the older who told Taehyung what happened and the look of joy that was reflected on the doctor’s face before slipped away. He was still as he tried to digest the horrible news. But when he lifted his gaze, there was that familiar emotion dancing in his eyes which Jimin recognized instantly. Hatred. The emotion was still there but it was overshadowed by something greater. Worry?“Yoongi won’t take this news lightly,” Taehyung spoke in a low voice. “He adores the old woman too much.”“Yes,” Jin agreed and rubbed a hand at the back of his neck, looking troubled. “I’ll have Namjoon relay the news to him. You know he can talk miracles to any person, even to that stubborn head.”“We’re relying on Namjoon again, aren’t we?” Hoseok sighed in defeat.“Anyway, Taehyung, you have a work to do here.” Jin stepped beside Yongwon. “Hoseok gashed his arm with his dagger when he thought that Yongwon-ssi was an enemy. The bleeding stopped, but I’m still worried about the possibility of infection.”Nodding, Taehyung said, “Right. This way.”
Jimin watched closely as Taehyung stitched the cut close with ambidextrous hands. He envied the young man. He tried to practice his suturing several times secretly, using the cloth of his pillow as a pad, but he always ended up frustrated with his own work. He couldn’t get it right unlike the priestesses. And when he asked the High Priestess to teach him, she refused and told him that he didn’t need to do such a meticulous and arduous task. He never understood why she declined his request but now the subject of his hidden Gift came forth, Jimin was able to reason out with a new light.She was probably referring to my Gift, Jimin thought, that I could close up any wound without having to perform the task. That my Gift would manifest once I touched somebody.“You’ll be alright.” Taehyung offered a friendly smile towards Yongwon as he tied the bandage around his arm. “You’ll recover in no time, Yongwon-ssi.”The man nodded silently and stood up from the stool, walking wordlessly out of the room without expressing his gratitude to the young man who treated his wound. “Uh.” It was Jimin who spoke. “I want to thank you on his behalf. I’m sorry.”“It’s fine.” The doctor stood up and began to clean up his table, discarding excess herbs and capping a bottle of ointment. “I’ve encountered different kinds of people in my practice. Some are kind and soft-spoken while others are loud and rude. And if we’re talking about the worst one I’ve ever had to treat, then my highest bet would be on Yoongi.”Jin and Hoseok snorted. “Ah, yes, that time,” the archer said amusingly as he recollected the memory.“Are you talking about the time when I, you and Namjoon tied him down on his bed because he tried to escape from Taehyung?” Jin asked laughing. “He was weak that time but it felt like I was still holding off a beast.”The doctor sighed and scratched his head. “Yoongi-hyung is so stubborn. I told him to rest on his bed for a few days because his wound got infected. But he just wouldn’t listen. He was training behind my back for days and I begged him to stop doing that.”“Yoongi didn’t however.” Hoseok cackled. “And Taehyung cried because of it.”Jimin’s eyebrows went up to his hairline. “You did?”Taehyung nodded and closed his eyes in shame. “I did. And I didn’t talk to him for days because I was mad.”“Yoongi felt guilty so he apologized to Taehyung and started behaving like how a sick person would. It was painful to see, you know. A compliant Yoongi. You just had to laugh everytime he glared daggers at you!” Jin caught his abdomen as he doubled over with laughter. Jimin felt the corners of his mouth tugging into a smile. Was Yoongi that funny of a man?“Anyway, we’re going to leave and let Yongwon-ssi have something to eat.” Hoseok propelled a hysterically laughing Jin out of the door and turned his head around to look at Jimin. “Are you coming?”Jimin’s eyes landed on Taehyung; the doctor was looking back at him curiously but still featuring that gentle smile on his lips. “I’ll–” he cleared his throat “–I think I’ll stay with Taehyung-ssi for a while and help him clean up.”“Oh, Jiminie! That would be helpful!” As if a child, Taehyung pounced on him and wrapped his arms around his neck. Jimin was too surprised to even utter a single word and he heard Hoseok reminding the doctor not to be a pain on him. After the door shut close, Taehyung released him from the tight embrace and beamed at him with that blinding rectangular smile. “You can call me Tae. It’s nice to meet you, Jiminie.”“Um–” Jimin’s cheeks flushed at the byname “–actually, it’s Jimin.”“Oh.” Taehyung tilted his head. “It’s probably those two hyungs who called you that, right? But I couldn’t care less! It stays! Jiminie.”Jimin would’ve laughed if it weren’t for the bashful red color spreading across his cheeks; he opted to hide his face in his palms to shy away from the doctor’s blatant familiarity. He hadn’t had a friend around his age, so this was all new to him. It was awkward, but Taehyung’s warmth was seeping through every pore in his body and he couldn’t deny the palpable happiness whirling inside his chest. The doctor was like the sun, shining brightly and illuminating even the darkest corners of a person’s heart. His light was contagious and Jimin in some manner wanted to move closer to him and bask under his warm rays.“You’re adorable, Jiminie,” Taehyung praised him as he began to arrange the bottles of herbs lining on the shelf beside his table. “If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your relationship with the High Priestess?”Taking a ragged piece of cloth and wiping the surface of the wooden table, Jimin answered. “She adopted me when I was still very young and kept me in Eira’s temple. She's very dear to me.”Taehyung noticed the sadness in his voice and offered sincerely, “I’m very sorry for your loss.”“Thank you,” Jimin replied with a small smile.As Taehyung proceeded to check his cabinets for stocks of medicine, Jimin walked around to take a good look on the doctor’s collection of rare herbs. He recognized a familiar few, the ones which were used in the temple, but there were also various species of plants which he only knew in the books or were totally new to his cognition. “You have a great collection,” he spoke reflexively.“Why thank you!” Taehyung walked towards beside him. “I take it you’re a healer too?”At that, Jimin’s eyes darted to the young man beside him. “I’m not.”Raising a curious eyebrow, Taehyung asked, “Really? But you’re from Eira, one of the Seven Great Temples of Healing. If the High Priestess took you under the goddess’s roof, then she must’ve seen something special in you. Perhaps you’re a prodigy?”“No!” His own reaction shocked him and he saw how Taehyung’s eyes widened because of what he did. Thus, bowing his head apologetically, Jimin stated, “Sorry. But no. The High Priestess adopted me because my mother begged her to take me when–”–the rebels burned down our village.The words died in Jimin’s mouth and the realization dawned on him like wild fire. Rebels. These people might’ve been the ones who burnt their village and killed his parents. This young man, Taehyung, whose smile was so sweet and kind, might’ve had blood on his hands.No, Jimin. Don’t decide by yourself. Jimin shook the unwanted thoughts away and urged his rationality to reason out for him. The sin of a father is not the sin of his son.“Jiminie?” Taehyung’s eyebrows pulled together in worry. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you.”“It’s alright.” Jimin offered him a gentle smile to ease his guilt. Even though the young man appeared to be so genuine, Jimin chose not to share his secret–his Gift–with him right now. This place was still foreign to him and he sometimes felt like he was sailing on dangerous waters. “Actually, I want to become a healer. If it’s not too much trouble, can you take me as an apprentice?”“Oh.” Taehyung was surprised. “Oh. Jiminie, that’s–” he shook his head “I don’t know if I can–I’m not proficient enough.”“Jin said something about a plague a few years ago. Was it you who cured him?”Taehyung’s eyes widened as his mouth hung open with muted words. “I…” He bowed his head bashfully. “I was.”“Then you’re as great as any proficient healer can be.” Jimin smiled. “You saved hundreds of lives, Tae. You’re one of the best healers I’ve ever met.” The byname sent a warm flutter inside his stomach. It was the first time that Jimin called Taehyung by his name and quite in an endearing way if he were to say. Was it okay to be this familiar? They just met and Jimin didn’t know if he was being too bold.However, Taehyung seemed oblivious to his internal conflict as tears sprang to his eyes and he threw his arms tightly around him. “Thank you so much, Jiminie!” he cried. “I will teach you what you want to know. We’ll learn and be the best together.”Chuckling, the silver-haired raised his hands and patted the doctor’s back. “Thank you, Tae. I’m in your care.”After his statement, a rich and loud sound of a horn echoed from a distance. It sounded like a distant howl, but so much deeper in tone which caused the hairs on Jimin’s arms to rise. He felt the doctor withdrew his arms from his neck and he stared at the look of surprise and utter happiness emanating from Taehyung’s youthful face.“It’s them! They got back ahead of time!” Taehyung exclaimed as he scampered towards the door. “Come! Come!”Bewildered, Jimin trotted as Taehyung held his wrist in a tight grip and guided him out of the infirmary. Outside, there were people scurrying towards the market place and Jimin was lost and bewildered because of the commotion. What the hell was happening?“Hurry! Hurry!” Taehyung urged him as he let out a hearty laugh.“Tae! Where are we going? Who are we looking for?”As the number of people began to pile up beside the wide road of the market place, Taehyung looked back at Jimin as they ran in full speed, his pleasant smile never once leaving his face as he uttered, “It’s Yoongi! He’s back!”-TBC

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 4:
General Min Yoongi
For a moment, Jimin thought that the world was ending. The sun was setting low, with clouds obscuring its rays and hovering like a thick blanket in the sky. Despite the clamorous shouts of the crowd, he could still hear the thundering gallops approaching faster and faster. The ground was shaking under their immense strength and Jimin’s heart leapt to his throat when he saw them for the first time.There were dozens–no, more than a hundred–of horses galloping down the main road. There was a black banner hoisted up onto a long pole with a white symbol of two trapezoids akin to doors half-opened from the inside painted on the cloth. As they approached the bulk of the exhorting people, the herd slowed down and eventually halted on their tracks apart from one person.He was wearing a black tunic strapped with a leather belt at the waist, a pair of dark trousers and leather boots. Mounted on his brown stallion, his short hair swayed in the breeze of the forthcoming twilight, the color as ebony as the darkest night that Jimin could ever imagine. His eyes were small but penetrating, cold and emblazoned with a rich dark brown hue. One look and Jimin could feel him staring right to the very core of his soul, coaxing his deepest thoughts to surface and be laid bare under his mercy.As the stallion walked ostentatiously down the road, Jimin felt a tug on his arm and tore his eyes off the mysterious man to look at his companion. “That’s General Yoongi,” Taehyung said near his ear to block off the cheering voices of the crowd. “He’s never been fond of parading himself in front of people, but Namjoon-hyung has always scolded him for being too closed off.” He laughed. “He needs help with his charms, you know. He leads an entire community of freemen after all.”Never once in his life had Jimin been so shaken by a mere name, the very sound of it sending the hairs on his arms to rise. Without any doubt, the man radiated with strength and as he gazed back to the rebel leader in front of him, he couldn’t help but feel so intimidated. Yoongi pulled the rein of his horse and the crowd’s exuberant cheers died down at once. Jimin was amazed at how quickly the atmosphere changed; no one was saying a word and Jimin could swear that he could hear the breaths of the commoners around him.Yoongi’s eyes wandered around his people for a brief moment and then without further ado threw a sack in front of him, its content spilling out on the dirt road for the whole world to see. Jimin’s eyes bulged out of their sockets as he stared at a bloody severed head of a man rolling on the earth. His breath caught in his throat as his heart stopped beating for a second at the sickening sight.“The Knight of the Eastern Stars,” Yoongi announced and his voice seemed to echo amidst the silent crowd, “has fallen. His scorching light shall never reach any of us and our suffering brothers and sisters out there.”Pulling the right side of the reign, the stallion turned around until Yoongi was facing his men waiting patiently for him. “The cavalry,” he began, “has freed the town of Chilgok from its chains.”The people rejoiced and threw their fists in the air, exalted by Yoongi’s words. The general turned his horse around and cantered away, his shouting men following shortly behind him. Taehyung was talking to him, excitedly uttering about something which Jimin couldn’t pay heed at the moment. His eyes remained glued to the bloody head now being trampled by animal hooves.The sight itself was revolting and he felt a blinding nausea pound against his temples. Jimin immediately turned on his heels and ran, his hand flying over his mouth to suppress the gag burning in his throat. The doctor shouted his name but his feet didn’t stop racing against each other. His mind was in disarray and he was panicking. He didn’t know where he was going but Jimin thought that anywhere was better than standing near that god-awful sight.Another few seconds passed before Jimin’s knees finally gave up their strength. He tumbled on the ground near the mouth of an alley, his fingers shaking and digging on the dirt as he attempted to prop himself upwards. However, as he tried to muster his strength to place his elbows beneath him, nausea hit him harder than before and he expelled the contents of his stomach on the ground. The lump in his throat was burning brighter and tears sprang to his eyes as he continued to vomit, his whole frame shaking from the effort.He gagged and gasped in deep breaths as tears flowed down his face. He was afraid to close his eyes because everytime he did, he could only see red–blood–painted behind his eyelids. It was the first time Jimin witnessed such a horrendous death. The dreadful image would forever be engraved in his mind and that thought alone scared him.Jimin felt a pair of gentle hands grip his shoulders and the next thing he knew was that he was being dragged towards the nearest wall, resting his back against it. “Ya, Jiminie!”Jimin felt like there was a hand wrapped around his neck and choking him to death; his lungs were on fire and every breath he took stung. “Jiminie, listen! Listen to me.”
Through glassy tears, Jimin caught a vision of the young doctor kneeling in front of him, his worry-stricken face speaking volumes of how awful he might’ve looked at the moment. His breaths came out short and fast, and his hands and feet felt numb.“Try to control your breathing, okay?” Taehyung reminded him before placing his left hand on Jimin’s mouth and pushing Jimin’s left nostril close with his right. “Calm down. Concentrate on your breathing.”Closing his eyes as tears glided down his cheeks, Jimin tried to do what he was told. And slowly, as his panic died down, he could feel the sensation going back to his hands and feet. His breathing began to normalize again and he felt an immense flush of relief when Taehyung said, “You’re doing well.”After a few minutes, the young doctor finally withdrew his hands from Jimin’s nose and mouth and proceeded to wipe the tears staining his cheeks. Taehyung’s eyebrows were pulled together in worry and he spoke softly, “I’m sorry, Jiminie. I’m sorry that you have to see that. That was insensitive of me.”Jimin coughed for a few times before shaking his head. “No,” he responded hoarsely, “you–you didn’t know.”
You didn’t know that I was pathetic and weak.
“We’ll talk about it later.” Taehyung squeezed his shoulder and gave him a faint smile. “Let’s go back to the infirmary first.”
Taehyung came back with a wooden cup in hand, settling down on the stool in front of Jimin and offering it to him. Taking it with a whispered thank you, Jimin gazed at the rich golden brown color of the tea, steam rising up from the mixture in delicate swirls and wafting under his nose with a calming aroma.Taking a sip, Jimin’s eyes widened a little when a familiar yet foreign taste graced his tongue. He contemplated briefly before saying, “Is this ginger? Or–?”“It is. To help you with nausea.” Taehyung smiled. “But there’s also Perlin’s bark to help you calm down.”Perlin’s bark, Jimin thought, oh, that rare herb used for relieving anxiety.“I’m surprised you recognized the other medicine despite the strong taste of ginger. You’ll be a very good healer in no time, Jiminie.”Cheeks warming up because of the compliment, Jimin offered him a smile before taking another sip on his tea. He knew he was somehow proficient in discerning tastes of herbs and other medicinal plants, but he was still lacking in experience in the said field. Taehyung was different though. He had been a healer for a long time, making use of his knowledge and perfecting his skills without restraint. He’d been taking care of sick people and probably wounded warriors coming back from battles. The last thought had Jimin’s hands gripping tighter around the wooden cup and he bit his lower lip.“What’s the matter?” Taehyung asked, his voice laced with concern.Breathing in a steady, deep breath, Jimin looked up from his cup to capture the doctor’s eyes. “The people,” he began as the loud cheers of the crowd rang in his ears, “do they find joy in taking another life?”Taehyung’s gaze dropped on his lap for a moment and even though he wasn’t speaking, Jimin saw the sadness in his eyes and he berated himself for making the other feel that way. Reaching for Jimin’s hand and meeting his gaze halfway, Taehyung replied, “Of course not. No one wants to shove his sword through another person’s heart; except maybe if you’re a devil’s spawn. But the people here aren’t.”“But–Yoongi. He–” The words died in Jimin’s mouth. He wasn’t supposed to say it aloud, but he couldn’t stop the words from falling once the thought formed inside his mind. Is Yoongi akin to a devil? he thought, he threw that severed head on the ground, in front of so many people, like nothing. A butchered meat.Taehyung’s hand gripped tighter around his and his voice came out quiet and a bit strained when he spoke, “Especially Yoongi.”Jimin couldn’t understand. The man was literally parading in front of a cheering crowd with a chopped off head in his hand. How could he not find joy in such pompous act?“You see, Jiminie–” Taehyung dropped his hand and straightened his back on his seat “–the people here were once victims under the ruthless rule of the Emperor. They lost their lands, homes, titles and some of their loved ones. They weren’t given the chance to defend themselves; they were laid bare in front of the monarch to slander and use for his bidding. But Yoongi offered them that chance–to leave and fight back against the man who wronged them. To fight for their lives and the lives of those who are precious to them. Yoongi gave them a crack of light in the midst of dark times. He saved them.” Taehyung smiled. “He saved me.”“Taehyung.” It was the only thing that Jimin could say. There was so much sadness and history behind those words. He wanted to know, but Jimin opted to stay silent and listen for now. He knew that when Taehyung was ready, he would be the one to tell him himself.“Yoongi,” the doctor continued, “he’s no different from any of us. And to tell you the truth, he’s the one who’s suffering the most right now. You couldn’t even imagine how much pain he has to bear everytime he took a life with his own hands.”Taehyung gave him a pleading look. “This is war, Jiminie. So please don’t blame Yoongi for fighting for these people. For fighting for me and now, for you.”Jimin’s hands trembled a little because of those words. He was torn between what he believed in and what he had to believe in. These people trusted the general to save and protect them. Now that he was in this place, was he also expected to do the same? Would he be executed for telling them that what Yoongi did was desecration of Eira’s name, the Goddess of Healing, and a breach in the laws of humanity? That no matter which side he was on, killing had never been good and righteous?Seeing the conflicted expression on Jimin’s face, Taehyung sighed. “You’ll probably meet Yoongi in two days’ time. He has... things to take care of first. But for the meantime, let me show you around.”
“You’re drinking that thing again.”Yoongi heard the familiar thunk of heavy boots on the stone floor of his chamber. The pewter tankard in his hand was half-empty but he knew that it still wouldn’t dull the sensation of what was to come. Taking a large swig, Yoongi wiped his mouth through the back of his hand and felt the strong burn of the alcohol sliding down his throat. “Always helps me sleep.”“No.” Namjoon settled beside him on the balcony, hands clasped loosely behind him. “Taehyung’s medicine helps you sleep. That booze, on the other hand, helps you not to think.”“Same thing.” Yoongi gulped down the remaining liquor in his tankard.Namjoon sighed and stared at the lively flames of lit candles and torches in the village under the night sky. It was past midnight, but the place seemed to be still filled with life and buzzing crowds, just like how it would also be the following day. “You know the people always hold a two-day feast in your honor,” Namjoon reminded Yoongi, “the army will also share a toast tomorrow night to celebrate your victory.”“Our victory,” Yoongi corrected him. “It’s not only my success; the army did well in the battlefield.”Namjoon smiled at how humble his commander was. Yoongi had always been like this: selfless. He didn’t bask under the glory of his achievements or bathe with people’s praise. He always knew how to keep his feet on the ground despite his unmatched strength in the battlefield. And because of that, Namjoon respected him more as the days passed by.“As your right-hand and strategymaster, I must advice you to partake in the people’s merriment tomorrow night. They need to see you, Yoongi.”The general let out an exasperated sigh. “You know I hate socializing with people, Kim Namjoon.”“Yes. But you’re their leader and together with it is your responsibility to be… charismatic.” The right-hand smirked as he saw a grimace contorting the general’s face.“Fuck charisma.” Yoongi turned around and walked back to his room, refilling his tankard with another serving of the hard liquor. “I’m fighting shitheads to liberate the people, not to be some sort of god for them to worship.”“Well,” Namjoon began, “the people need to find strength in the midst of war. And right now, you’re their inspiration and only hope.”Walking back beside his friend, Yoongi uttered sullenly, “I’m not sure if I’m worthy of their trust.”“You are,” Namjoon assured him, frowning at the general’s self-deprecating words, “you may appear to be cold to other people, but you care. Damn, you care the most, Yoongi. You’re strict when it comes to the army’s training, but you’re even stricter on yourself because you’re aware that you have to bear the weight of thousands of lives upon your shoulders. They follow you because they believe in you and on the path that you’re leading them to, general.”Namjoon always knew what to say to him. Everytime his friend comforted him, Yoongi always felt gradually at ease. He was eloquent, but what Yoongi really respected about him was the utter sincerity enveloping his words. He’d never been good at expressing himself unlike his friend. He was quiet and closed off. But everytime his friends were around, he could feel the barriers shielding him from the world slowly fall down. That was how much he trusted them. He became a new person who wasn’t afraid of letting his inner thoughts out and fighting his inner demons. His friends were his strength and they would still be in the future to come.“Yoongi.” Namjoon turned his body towards him. “I met with Jin earlier. He said that–” The right-hand’s mouth remained open with unspoken words. Yoongi saw the hesitation in Namjoon’s eyes, but he waited patiently for him.After clearing his throat, Namjoon tried to speak once again. “Jin said that he and Hoseok brought two new people today. I heard they’re servants under the great temple, Eiron.”Raising a curious brow, Yoongi replied, “Did the High Priestess send them?”“I–” Namjoon swallowed “–I’m not sure. But I can have you meet them in two days’ time when you’re doing fine.”“No.” Yoongi looked back at his friend seriously. “I’ll meet them tomorrow. Send them to the castle before dusk.”
Jin poured a lush amount of beef broth in the wooden bowl. Walking back to the dinner table and placing it in front of his visitor, Jin sat on the chair beside him and watched as the man took a spoonful to his mouth.“Ah,” Namjoon uttered in delight, “how I missed your food.”Laughing, Jin crossed his arms and puffed his chest with playful pride, “The greatest cook in the world is giving you the privilege to taste his food. You must be very fortunate.”Namjoon hit his arm playfully against his. “You’re bad at reading books though.”“Well, reading has never been my forte. It’s Taehyung’s.” Jin let Namjoon eat a few mouthfuls first before asking, “How’s Yoongi?”After uttering those words, he felt a heavy shift in the air. Swallowing as he anticipated what Namjoon was about to say, Jin opted to stare at the candle burning brightly in front of them. The flames cast soft orange glows on Namjoon’s face and he wanted nothing but to caress his cheek with his thumb and tell him how much he missed his presence even if it was just a fortnight. How grateful he was to all the gods out there that his lover came back safe and sound to his arms once again.
“I reminded him to take the medicine before he sleeps.” Namjoon frowned. “He’s drinking again.”“He always drinks,” Jin replied.“Yes. What I meant to say was–” Namjoon clarified “–he was drinking devil’s sprout again.”Grimacing and sighing in exasperation, Jin ran a hand down his face. “That stubborn head. We all told him to stop consuming that blasted fermented fruit. Taehyung will be furious if he finds out.” Devil’s sprout was the strongest liquor in the nation, notorious for its high spirit and killing low-tolerance drunkards in their sleep. They were all upset when Yoongi began consuming it a few years back. But to their bewilderment, Yoongi had never demonstrated any side effects. Taehyung was surprised as well, but he strictly forbade the general to drink it for the sake of protecting his health.“I know. I tried to stop him, but Yoongi seemed to be… a bit distant earlier.”“Distant? What do you mean?”Namjoon recalled the look on the general’s face: how his eyes stared out in the darkness without a focus and how his hand trembled slightly at the gentle breeze of the cold night. Winter was on its way, but Namjoon doubted that it was because of it.“He has this lost look in his eyes.” Namjoon chewed his lower lip as he attempted to decipher the general’s expression. “Like something I didn’t know happened. It was because of that that I didn’t have the heart to tell him about the High Priestess’s death. I’m sorry.”“It’s alright.” Jin nodded in understanding. “Did he do well in the battlefield though? Did some of us die under his command?”“He was outstanding as he fought hundreds of the Emperor’s soldiers. Some of us were wounded, but as far as the tally of casualties was concerned, no, all of us came back alive. And it was all thanks to him.”Nodding once again, Jin scratched the side of his neck to think. Yoongi had the predilection to blame himself everytime one of his men died under his command. He was selfless like that. Then a thought struck his mind. Turning his eyes back to his lover who was now busily stuffing his mouth with his food, he spoke, “Namjoon-ah.”“Hm?”“That knight whom Yoongi killed.” Jin bit his lower lip. “Did something happen with him before he died?”
Yoongi jolted awake from his sleep.He was sweating and his breaths were coming out in short labored pants. His hand automatically flew over his left chest, his fingers clutching the fabric of his shirt and digging through pale skin. There was a dull ache throbbing there and he immediately reached out for the vial of medicine Taehyung prepared for him.Opening the lid with a shaky hand, Yoongi poured three drops of the liquid in a cup of water beside his bed. He drank it hungrily and wiped the water on his lips with the back of his hand. He closed his eyes as he waited for the pain in his chest to slowly ebb away. And when it did, Yoongi let out a loud breath and returned the cup on top of the bedside table.The pain is getting stronger, he thought, there may come a time when Taehyung’s medicine won’t work anymore.He could still see it behind his eyes even if he closed them: him, standing at the middle of bloody corpses of soldiers he mercilessly slaughtered in the heat of battle, and his main opponent, the Knight of the Eastern Stars, lying dead on the ground with his severed head clutched tightly in his right hand.This bastard killed half of Chilgok, he reminded himself, he deserved this atrocious end.When he started walking back to his troops, Yoongi heard a loud cry behind him and his footsteps halted. “Father! Father!” the voice sounded.When he turned his head around, Yoongi saw a small boy kneeling beside the fallen knight, his hands gripping tightly against his father’s broken armor as mournful tears came down in streams from his eyes. Yoongi was just a few feet away from him, the danger of being killed by his enemy lingering in the air between them, but no one was there to stop his approach.Because no one was alive to care and tell the boy otherwise.The muscles in Yoongi’s jaws jumped and he turned his head away. Eyes looking forward in front of him, maintaining a monotonous expression as he walked and opted to block off the boy’s cries, Yoongi’s fingers clutched tighter against the head he was holding.He deserved it, Yoongi reasoned to himself once again.He deserved it, a voice inside his mind told him, squeezing his heart with an invisible hand as it said, and you’re the one who killed him.With hands
clenched
on the sheets, Yoongi muttered, “I am. Now his son’s been left alone.”You killed hundreds of soldiers with families waiting for them, the voice added, they didn’t call you the ‘Red General’ for nothing.
-TBC
Hope you like my art!

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 5: Warmth and Coldness
Jimin’s eyes fluttered open, the brightness of the morning light seeping underneath his lashes and making him squint a bit. As he blinked the blurriness away, he shifted on the cushion and became amply aware of the slight body pressed against his side.Taehyung had both of his hands tucked beneath his left ear, breathing in and out lightly and looking so peaceful in his sleep. They slept together in Taehyung’s private quarters in the infirmary. Even though Jimin offered to take residence on the couch, the doctor blatantly refused and pulled Jimin on his bed, effectively trapping him between him and the wall.“You’re my friend,” the doctor had told him, “you don’t get to sleep on somewhere less comfortable if there’s something better I can offer you.” Touched by the young man’s thoughtfulness, Jimin’s cheeks flushed and opted to express his gratitude for the other’s hospitality.The people outside were engrossed with the festivity: drinking, singing and dancing to celebrate another triumph of their army. But Jimin didn’t have it in him to partake in the celebration. He was tired and wanted nothing but to lie down and rest. It had been such a long day and it exhausted him in every aspect.After scrubbing the dirt off his hair and skin, Jimin wore the clothes Taehyung had provided for him. It was just a pair of brown trousers and a simple white long sleeve tunic but the young healer couldn’t keep the compliments to himself. “You’re really pretty, Jiminie!” he praised him as a smile full of admiration graced his lips, “you have such fair complexion and your hair color’s very unique. I haven’t met anyone who has locks as pale as yours.”“I–” he bowed his head as a bashful red color tinged his cheeks “–I’m not.”“You are to me.” The smile on Taehyung’s face grew wider until the joyous expression was reflected in his eyes. “Your hair reminds me of snow.”Little Snow. The familiar soothing voice resonated deep within Jimin’s chest, tugging at his heart a bit painfully as he remembered how the High Priestess used to call him by that silly name. It hadn’t been a whole week since he lost his home, but Jimin already felt like a century had passed if the longing inside his chest was any indication. He missed them. Terribly so.Smiling at his friend’s youthful face, Jimin tried to move as carefully and quietly as he could so as not to wake the other up. However, his efforts were proven futile as the young doctor groaned slightly and shifted on his back, rubbing his hands against both of his eyes to coax the sleepiness away. “Jiminie?” he called with voice still hoarse from slumber.“Ah, Tae. Sorry. Did I wake you up?”Pushing himself up, a sleepy smile tugged the corners of Taehyung’s lips and he replied, “No. It’s about time I wake up anyway.”Jimin chuckled when his eyelids drooped and his head nodded off once, clearly not successful of fighting off the remaining bit of sleepiness lingering in his system. Reaching out a hand, he stroked the young healer’s tousled hair and attempted to fix a few strays stubbornly standing up straight from his scalp. Jimin was surprised at how natural it was to do it; how comfortable he was at touching the young healer so familiarly.Taehyung’s sleepy smile radiated towards his closed eyes, curving them with fondness as he let Jimin brush his hair. “You’re like a kid, Tae,” the silver-haired teased.“Ya.” The young doctor hit his thigh with pretend annoyance. “I’m not.”“Anyway, do you know a place where I can get something to eat?”“Oh!” Taehyung suddenly jumped out of his bed, startling Jimin as his feet stomped on the wooden floor. “You haven’t tasted Jin-hyung’s cooking, have you?” When Jimin shook his head, baffled by his question, the young doctor took his wrist and said excitedly, “Come. It’ll be the best meal you’ll have in your life!”
The remnants of the jubilant affair last night still lingered in the atmosphere around the village. Taehyung said that the army will hold a toast in the castle for their general’s honor tonight. But being one who wasn’t well-acquainted with alcohol, the young doctor had always politely declined the invitation.“This place is getting huge as days pass by,” Taehyung spoke out of the blue as they walked uphill towards the outskirts of the village. “I’m not an expert on demography, but I think more and more people start to settle in this place. Most are refugees from dilapidated towns which served as battlefields between us and the Emperor’s army. Perhaps they regard this place as an asylum in this time of war. With a strong general protecting them and fighting for their freedom, they must’ve felt safe living here despite the harsh terrain.”“Pardon me for asking, but how do these people get here? Do they jump down the canyon, too?”Taehyung burst out laughing. “Of course not–oh!” He patted Jimin’s shoulder. “You mean Hoseok-hyung and Jin-hyung made you and Yongwon-ssi enter the village through the Pit?”“Uh, it appears so.”The young doctor covered his mouth with a hand to stifle his laughter. “Those hyungs. I swear to God…” Wiping the mirthful tears from his eyes, he continued, “The canyon strips this place away from the mainland and the tall mountains surrounding it serve as protective barriers from invaders. Because of its strategic location, Daegu has been regarded as a fortress by many especially with Bangtan castle acting as a stronghold for the military forces.”The Bangtan castle was located at the far south corner of the village, with its high impenetrable walls made up of stones and bricks barring the rest of the world out. It was the training grounds for the army, Taehyung had once said, and the bulk of the military forces were kept inside that fortified defensive structure. There were a few soldiers guarding the village, particularly the entrance to the Pit, but Jimin had never seen so much of them until that day of the cavalry’s arrival in the marketplace.“Only the army and a few trusted ones know the way out of this place,” Taehyung continued to speak. “We have scouts scattered all over the country; that’s how we receive information about the Emperor and his Royal Army. They swore an oath to never speak a word about Daegu even if they’re tortured to death.”Jimin asked, “How certain are you that no one will part from their oath?”“They won’t,” Taehyung smiled, “because they owe Yoongi their lives. They’re former slaves whom he saved from public execution years ago. They were falsely accused of treason but Yoongi saw the truth behind all of it. That those poor victims were just being used as pawns for the Emperor’s theatrical act to remind the people and his subordinates about his authority.” He frowned. “That’s how cruel a man the Emperor is.”“That’s–” Jimin sighed “–very saddening.”“That’s true.” The young doctor let out a small smile. “And with Yoongi’s permission, the scouts will lead the refugees here on one condition: once they enter, they won’t be able to get out until the war is over or unless they join the army themselves. That’s Yoongi’s one and only condition for the people living in this place, and it’s for the sake of protecting the secrecy of the army’s movements and whereabouts.”There were a few things which Jimin found it hard to digest. Did it mean that the people here were trapped? That they were somehow left with no other choice but to be here in search for a better place? That rather than living under the Emperor’s rule, they opted to cage themselves in Daegu and sacrifice their freedom for the sake of fighting for freedom itself? It was complicated, but Jimin couldn’t find it in himself to blame them. They were only humans trying to survive in a world filled with chaos; it was in their instinct to protect themselves and those who were precious to them.The end of the road they were walking on led into a large foundry. There were men walking around and carrying hammers and forged weapons as if they weighed nothing. Jimin was dumbfounded for a moment as the intense labor work unfolded in front him: blacksmiths melting wrought iron and shaping them with hammer and chisel, and farriers carefully crafting horseshoes from steel.“Oh–” Taehyung’s face brightened as his eyes landed on a young man working at the far-end corner of the shop “–Jungkook-ah!”The said young man, Jungkook, turned his head around upon hearing the doctor’s voice. He broke into a smile as his gaze found that tuft of soft brown hair in a heartbeat. “Tae,” he called back.Jungkook was a handsome lad. He had dark brown hair that matched the color of his doe-like eyes; his built was lean and firm, an evidence of his every day’s hard work in the foundry. He had his sleeves pulled to his elbows as he hammered the newly-crafted sword on the anvil.Taehyung walked beside him and took his face in his hands, wiping the sweat beading the young man’s eyebrows with his fingers. “Ya, you’re not working until dawn again, are you?” he chided him.“Uh…” Jungkook averted his eyes “…no?”Face devoid of any emotion, Taehyung crossed his arms over his chest and said, “I’m about to kick you, Jeon Jungkook.”A breathy chuckle bubbled inside Jungkook’s throat and he leaned forward to press his lips against Taehyung’s, serving as a silent apology for upsetting his beloved. Jimin was standing still as statue, eyes wide and mouth agape as he witnessed the unreserved display of affection. He didn’t know the young doctor had a lover. He hadn’t asked, but seeing them share an intimate moment for the first time still surprised him.With a poorly-hidden smile playing on the young doctor’s lips, Taehyung pulled back and looked at Jimin to introduce him to his lover. “His name is Jimin,” he began, “and he’s of the same age as me.”“I see.” Jungkook laid out his arm for Jimin. “I’m Jeon Jungkook. A bladesmith.”Taking the other’s arm and holding it firmly as a sign of respect, Jimin smiled when he said, “Well met.”“Well met.” Jungkook released Jimin’s arm, grinning as he spoke, “Hoseok-hyung told me about you last night. You’re Yongwon-ssi’s companion, aren’t you?”“Yes,” Jimin responded, a bit surprised. “I assume you have met him?”“I have.” Jungkook grabbed the hilt of the sword and dipped the red-hot tip of the blade into a bucket of water. “I was conversing with him just a few moments ago. He’s probably with Hoseok-hyung right now and walking around the foundry. I think he has found interest in forging iron, if I am to describe how his face lit up as I explained to him the process of sword-making.”“Well, that’s good to hear, isn’t it, Jiminie?” Taehyung turned his head towards Jimin, a pleasant expression embellishing his young, handsome face.“It is.” Jimin was quite relieved that Yongwon seemed to be coping well with this place and he sincerely felt that with good people like Taehyung and the others surrounding him, he could gradually find his place in this foreign land.“Jin-hyung’s in the house. I believe he’s about to get done with breakfast and if you’re in need for food, you can drop by and get your fill,” the bladesmith offered graciously and both men thanked him for it.The young doctor reminded him, “Wash up after you’re done with work. We’ll be waiting for you in the kitchen.”After Jungkook nodded, Taehyung grabbed Jimin’s wrist and led him out of the foundry, exhaling in relief as he breathed in fresh air once again and complained to his friend about the heat coming from burning furnaces inside the workplace.The bladesmith’s house was spacious and definitely well-kept. They found Jin stirring a cauldron of soup in the kitchen with another visitor sitting behind the oak wood dinner table. He had various scrolls laid on top of the furniture and Jimin could see the tight crease marring the skin between the young man’s eyebrows.“Jiminie!” the cook greeted him delightfully. “I’m glad you’re here today. Why don’t you join us for a meal?”“He will, hyung.” It was Taehyung who answered for him. “I dragged him all the way here because I was boasting about your food. You should thank me.”Jin snorted. “Yeah, right. You must’ve had your hands full in the infirmary and you just wanted an excuse to pay a visit to your dearest.”“I do not!” the young doctor denied hotly as his face burnt with embarrassment.“You do.” The man holding the scroll laughed when Taehyung gave out a harsh sigh as a sign of protest. His brown eyes shifted on Jimin and the latter stood straighter when placed under a stranger’s scrutinizing gaze. “You must be Jimin, am I correct?”“I–” Jimin cleared his throat “–I am. I’m Park Jimin.”The man stood up from his seat and walked towards him, offering his arm in greeting. “I’m Kim Namjoon.” When the silver-haired took his arm, the strategymaster smiled and said, “Well met.”“Well met,” Jimin replied with a soft smile.“He’s Jin-hyung’s lover.” Taehyung winked at Jimin and the latter’s face flushed, not certain of what to say about that information.Jungkook arrived half an hour later to help Jin feed the smiths. He poured an ample amount of soup into the wooden bowls as the bladesmith took the freshly baked barley bread from the small masonry oven. After bringing the food to the foundry, both men came back to the house with another pair of visitors.“Jiminie!” Hoseok sat down beside him and hooked his arm over his neck. “How’re you doing? Did you sleep well?”“Yes,” Jimin replied with a chuckle. “Taehyung made sure I’m comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep.”The archer hummed in approval and pinched the younger’s cheek. “You’re losing weight, Jiminie. You have to put food into that small stomach of yours.”“You’re exaggerating.” Namjoon tucked the scrolls back into his bag. “Anyway, let’s eat before the soup gets cold, shall we?”After that remark, the young men took their seats behind the oak table and noticing the lack of sufficient number of chairs for their two visitors, Taehyung immediately stood up and offered his seat to Jimin.“No! Please sit,” Jimin refused politely as he held the bowl of soup with both hands and let his rear fall on a worn out couch nearby. “I’m fine eating my share here.”“But–” The young doctor pursed his lips “–I feel bad, Jiminie.”“Yongwon-ssi.” Jungkook stood on his feet as well and offered his chair to the older man. “You can take my seat.”“It’s alright, kid.”Jimin’s eyes followed the bald man’s movements, his heavy footsteps sounding louder as he approached the couch where Jimin was currently sitting on. His eyebrows went up to his hairline when the older opted to sit down beside him, grunting gruffly as if the action consumed too much of his energy. “Sit your ass down,” he spoke when Jungkook remained standing despite his refusal.Jin laughed and patted the bladesmith’s shoulder. “Let him be.” He then turned his eyes towards Taehyung. “Come on, Tae. Jiminie told you it doesn’t bother him if he sits on the couch. I know you mean well, but you must let it go.”Taehyung’s lower lip jutted out childishly as he sat down quietly on his seat. Jungkook sighed and rubbed a hand behind his neck, clearly uncomfortable of having inconvenienced his visitors.“How’s your wound, Yongwon-ssi?” Jimin asked to the man beside him.After taking a spoonful of soup, he replied, “Better. I slept here last night with Jin and that bladesmith kid. Both share this house and they told me that I could use their spare room until I find my own place.”“Oh. I see.” Jimin took a mouthful from his bowl. “I might be staying with Taehyung for a while. I asked him to take me as an apprentice.”The bald man hummed in understanding and both fell into comfortable silence as they watched the others talk and tease each other over the table. Hoseok’s face flushed red for laughing so hard when Namjoon choked on his bread. Jin was smacking his lover’s back and offering him a cup of water albeit joining the archer with his bouts of laughter.“They’re good people.” Jimin’s gaze darted towards his side. “I can now see why the High Priestess helped them for years,” he heard Yongwon say. “They’re different from those belligerent fools who plotted the first uprising against the Emperor many years ago. They don’t fight for domination but for freedom. That’s what makes their bond as beautiful as it is right now.”The bald man turned his eyes towards Jimin. “Eira blessed you with good people, kid. Make sure to treasure their friendship well.”Jimin didn’t know how to respond to that. He had never heard the older man talk about such things, not even when they were still both serving under the goddess’s roof. Jimin’s chest brimmed with warmth at how sincere his words were. And for a brief moment, an image of the High Priestess flashed before his eyes, reminding him of all the wise words the old woman had shared to him all these years.“I will.” The words fell from his mouth before Jimin could stop them and he saw how the corner of the older man’s lips twitch up in silent approval.Their attention was caught by Namjoon when he called their names, regarding them both with a serious look. “General Yoongi requested for your presence today at the castle. He wishes to see you both before the celebration for the army’s victory commences.”Jimin’s hand tightened around his spoon. He… was going to see him today?The mere thought of standing in front of the powerful general sent shudders down Jimin’s spine. He could still remember those dark penetrating eyes; how a single stare radiated with such coldness that could match a hailstorm. Biting the inner side of his cheek, Jimin uttered, “Okay.”“Don’t worry, Jiminie. I’m coming with you.” Taehyung gave him a reassuring smile and it wasn’t long before he found himself mirroring that same gesture. With his friend’s support, Jimin felt a large piece of his nervousness slip away.After mouthing a quiet thank you, Jimin heard Jungkook ask the strategymaster about the general’s condition. “How’s Yoongi-hyung?”“He’s still a bit somber when I left last night.” Namjoon looked at Taehyung. “I reminded him about the vial. You don’t have to worry about that.”The young doctor’s face fell with palpable sadness as he nodded slowly. “I will pay him a visit tonight. I’m still worried how he’s coping with the pain of the recent battle. He must’ve been through a lot within that fortnight.”“He had.” Namjoon sighed and massaged his fingers on his eyebrows as if willing a headache away. “We fought hundreds of the Emperor’s men in Chilgok. On the seventh day, when we managed to drive the remaining enemies towards the far side of the town, a huge fire broke out in the middle of the night, wiping half of the population in a blink of an eye. Yoongi was devastated and in his rage, he stormed alone towards the enemy and killed more than half of them with his glaive.”Jimin’s breath caught in his throat, the thought of utter violence seeming to rack his composure. Then, Namjoon added, “Something must’ve happened between him and the Knight of the Eastern Stars before he died. Because when Yoongi came back to us with his head, there was this blank look on his face as if he had lost the will to live.” The strategymaster shut his eyes briefly. “It worries me.”Silence hung thickly above their heads. No one was saying a word and Jimin felt his palms sweat as the tension continued to pressure everyone in the room. After a few moments of contemplation, it was Jungkook who broke the ice. “We all need to go to the castle,” the youngest suggested, “Yoongi-hyung needs us.”“I agree.” Hoseok nodded. “He tends to keep everything to himself because he doesn’t want to burden us. We have to make him understand that it’s perfectly fine to depend on his friends once in a while.”After a chorus of agreement among the young men, Jimin’s gaze dropped down on the half-empty bowl of soup in his lap. He had lost his appetite. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Jimin tried hard not to think about the general: how his friends spoke of his plight with such worry and trepidation; how shaken they all were when Namjoon told them about his reckless deed in Chilgok, and how afraid Jimin was of meeting the man who had subjected hundreds–probably thousands–of lives under his punishing blade in the battlefield.
Jimin was acutely aware of the small tremors running down his arms as Taehyung hold his hand firmly in his grip. “It’s going to be fine,” the young doctor consoled him. “Yoongi-hyung may appear cold at first, but he’s actually a very kind and generous man.”“Just remember what I said to you and Yongwon-ssi earlier,” Namjoon reminded him and the older man beside him, “please refrain from mentioning about the High Priestess’s death for the meantime. The general has always been close with her and if he finds out–” The strategymaster cut his own words as a strong wave of emotion flickered in his eyes. Sighing heavily, he continued to speak, “Just please. Yoongi tends to be so angry at times, and right now, as his friend, that’s the last thing that I want him to go through.”Jimin clenched his teeth as he nodded his head stiffly. “We understand.” It was Yongwon who spoke on his behalf. The strategymaster thanked them briefly before turning around a corner and halting in front of an oak door. He knocked on it twice with his fist before speaking, “Yoongi?”A few seconds passed before a voice sounded behind the door and instantly, Jimin’s body went rigid with fear. “Jiminie,” Taehyung uttered worriedly as he stroked his arm gently.The door creaked open and Jimin felt his heart beat wildly in his chest. He was squeezing Taehyung’s hand tightly as they walked inside the Map Room. The room was a bit dark, the illumination solely coming from a wrought iron chandelier hanging above a huge hand-painted map. When Jimin raised his eyes behind Taehyung, he felt his heart skip a beat when he saw the figure behind the stone table.He was wearing an ashen herringbone woven tunic and dark trousers matched with dark leather boots. His black hair reflected the soft orange glows of the candlelight above, the flames dancing in his eyes as he stared back at Jimin.“Are these two the new settlers you’re talking about?” he asked with a low voice that seemed to resonate deep down Jimin’s core.“Yes,” Namjoon replied.The general’s dark eyes regarded both him and Yongwon for a moment before saying, “Come forth.”Jimin’s breath hitched in his throat and his hand clamped on Taehyung’s hand tighter. “Jiminie,” the young doctor whispered, “it’s fine.”After taking in a deep breath to suppress his shudders, Jimin willed every bit of his strength to propel his feet forward. Yongwon stood beside him, eyeing the general cautiously as his footfalls became nearer. When Jimin lifted his eyes, he saw the general leaning against the stone table in front of him, arms folded over his chest and foot crossed over the other.Yoongi tilted his head slightly. “Your names?”“Cha Yongwon.”“P-Park–” Jimin winced when his voice broke at the middle. Shutting his eyes close briefly, he said once again, “Park Jimin.”The general hummed and asked, “What’s your connection with the High Priestess?”“We’re servants of Eiron.” It was Yongwon who spoke. “The High Priestess sent us here because of him.”Jimin wanted the ground to split and swallow him whole when the older man turned his head towards him. The general’s eyes followed shortly and Jimin felt himself flinch visibly because of the unwanted attention. “What does the High Priestess want to do with him?” Yoongi asked.“She sent him here because she wants this brat to learn how to control his Gift.”Jimin’s jaw fell slack. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Yongwon blatantly told the general–a stranger–about his secret. He felt hurt… and betrayed. Jimin’s fingers curled on themselves tightly until his nails dug crescent moons against his palms. He wasn’t given the chance to speak as the bald man continued his speech, “The gods bestowed upon him the Gift of Restoration. The Emperor is searching far and wide for him, hence the High Priestess deemed to send him here for his safety. She wishes for him to learn to master his Gift in this place.”It was the first time that Jimin was hearing this. He didn’t know if Yongwon was telling all of these to the general to conceal the High Priestess’s death. However, despite it being true or not, Jimin couldn’t still hide the flicker of anger in his eyes as the older man crossed the boundary which Jimin himself opted not to traverse. It was his Gift; his secret. He was still getting a grasp of it in his own way and yet Yongwon had to blurt it out in front of a stranger. It was for Jimin to tell, not his.The bald man grabbed the necklace from his pocket, the beauty of the blue crystal pendant shining amidst the darkness. “As proof of her words and mine, I present you this necklace, General Yoongi.”The general took the offered item from the older man and stared at it for a long moment. His thumb brushed gently against the surface of the crystal as a faint smile unconsciously graced his lips. He was yearning to see the old woman again. He’d missed her wisdom and warm smiles. Would it be a good idea to pay her a visit soon?“Give it back.”Yoongi’s thumb stilled and his eyes slowly lifted up to view the source of that voice. The silver-haired young man was glaring intently at him, his fists tight and trembling beside him. “The High Priestess entrusted that necklace to me.”“Ya, kid–” Yongwon began to berate him for speaking up so carelessly but was cut off when Jimin shouted.“Give it back!”“Jiminie!” Taehyung was at his side in an instant, holding his arm firmly with both hands. But he wasn’t having it. He couldn’t let this stranger take away the only remnant he had of the High Priestess. She was like a parent to him–a parent he’d never had because of these people.“That necklace belongs to me,” he hissed and Jimin wasn’t certain where all of this courage was coming from.Yoongi’s eyes narrowed. “How dare you speak to me so rudely?”“Jimin–” Namjoon took a step forward and placed a hand on the silver-haired’s shoulder “–calm down.” He then turned his head towards the general. “The High Priestess is very dear to him as well, Yoongi, and he must’ve felt lonely leaving the temple and being apart from her. Let him have the necklace.”“And why should I?” the general said, clearly chafed by those words. “If the High Priestess handed them her necklace as proof of her words and had them travelled this far, then she must’ve intended of giving it to me.” Yoongi placed the necklace on top of the stone table. “I will have the necklace in my possession until I return it safely to her.”A flash of anger boiled inside Jimin’s chest. You won’t see her again! he shouted mutely inside his mind, she’s gone! And that’s the only thing I will ever have from her. You don’t have the right to take it away!Jimin attempted to take a step forward. “I said give–”As soon as his foot hit the ground, Jimin felt his airway constrict as a strong, powerful hand wrapped around his throat. “Don’t you dare,” the general threatened in a low voice. “Take another step and this will be the last time they’ll ever hear from you.”Eyes widening in shock, Jimin’s hands flew over his wrist, futilely trying to pry his hand away from his neck. “Ya!” Yongwon paced forward and attempted to grab the general by the shoulder, but Yoongi shoved his hand away and punched him in the stomach. The older man fell on his knees, clutching at his abdomen as he curled on the floor in pain.“Yoongi!” Namjoon shouted.“Hyung, please–!” This time, it was Taehyung who ran towards them and gripped Yoongi’s arm. “Hyung. Hyung, he’s my friend. Please release him. He doesn’t mean to offend you. Please.”The general’s glare shifted towards the young doctor. There were tears on Taehyung’s eyes, brimming and threatening to fall down. His jaw clenched tightly, the debate seeming to flash across his face for a brief moment before his hand loosened around the silver-haired’s neck.Jimin fell limply on the floor, both hands grasping on his throat as he willed the air to push back into his lungs. He coughed as Taehyung stroked his back for comfort. “Jiminie. You’re fine. You’re alright.”As soon as his strength came back to him, Jimin pushed himself up from the floor and bolted for the door. He barreled himself out of the room, ears deaf from Taehyung and Namjoon’s shouts, as his feet took him further and further away from this place. Away from the cold, punishing hand of the general.He felt a terrible burning sensation behind his eyes and once he was out of the castle, the unshed tears finally came down in streams as a full-body shudder racked his frame and made him plummet to his knees. Jimin’s hands covered his mouth as he tried to suppress the sobs slipping past his lips. He was shaking. He was afraid. He wanted to get out of this place–far away where the general couldn’t reach him.As the warm rays of the setting sun hid behind the mountains, Jimin’s hand clutched at the slightly frayed fabric over his chest, his fingers curling against it firmly as if gripping his heart in a tight hold. The wind blew swiftly across his face and he trembled like a leaf; he was cold. He was in pain.He was scared.The tears continued to fall as Jimin gasped for air. The throbbing in his chest remained until a pair of gentle arms found him and encircled him from behind. “I’m here, Jiminie,” Taehyung whispered softly to his ear. “Let it all out.”Jimin held his friend’s hand firmly as if it was the sole source of his strength at that moment. Taehyung never let him go, not until his shudders stopped and his sobs died down. They stayed like that for a long while, kneeling on the dirt and hugging one another as if the world around them never mattered. “Everything’s going to be fine, Jiminie,” Taehyung comforted him as his hand stroked his pale locks. “I’m here.”-TBC

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 6: When the Night Falls
"What happened?" It was Hoseok. The archer immediately knelt in front of Jimin and Taehyung, placing a consoling hand on the silver-haired's shoulder. Jimin's sobs quieted down, sniffing as he wiped his tears with a slightly trembling hand."I saw you crying and running away. What—" the archer's face fell and he swallowed, seeming to thinking briefly before saying "—did something happen with Yoongi?"Taehyung untangled his arms around his friend, his eyebrows pulled taught with worry and anger, as he hauled himself to his feet. "Hyung." When the archer glanced at him, he spoke, "Please take care of Jiminie. I have words to speak with Yoongi-hyung."
"You shouldn't have done that."Those were the words his right-hand threw at him when he left with Yongwon, bracing the older man's arm over his shoulders as he assisted him out of the room. His friend sounded displeased, disapproving of his actions towards the two newcomers. He sighed and sat down on a wooden chair, placing his elbows on top of the stone table and clasping his hands together as he stared at the blue crystal pendant in front of him.He acted on instinct; he knew he was in the wrong here. But the glare that the silver-haired young man gave him unsettled something within him, like he was the most detestable man he'd ever encountered in his life and the flames which burnt brightly in those dark orbs engulfed him for a split second as they stood in stark contrast with the color of his pale, snow-like hair. The way he spoke to Yoongi with such determination and how he willed himself to appear like an unreckonable force despite his thin frame had alerted Yoongi's senses. His hand darted out before he could stop it, wrapping around the young man's neck as if facing an opponent. For years, he was the first stranger who spoke to him with such conviction in his defiance, and from there, Yoongi thought, that he was one of those self-righteous people who would die young because of their stern and reckless beliefs; who would sacrifice themselves for the sake of what they hold dear.Just so much like him, and it irked him to see himself in other person's shoes, thinking that one suicidal bastard was enough for this lifetime."Gift of Restoration." The words fell from his mouth in a silent whisper. As he took the pendant in his hand, his thumb caressing the smooth surface of the crystal as he pondered, Yoongi's jaw clenched when he thought of him, Jimin, using his blessed ability to cure his illness. A bitter smile slowly crept on Yoongi's mouth. Illness, he thought resentfully, if only it were.He waited. Because any moment now, he knew that someone was going to make his presence known. And when he did come, Yoongi’s dark eyes lifted up from the High Priestess’s pendant to absorb the look of utter indignation clearly reflected on the doctor’s face.“Must you have done that?” Taehyung asked accusingly.Releasing a troubled sigh, Yoongi shut his eyes briefly and massaged his right temple. “I shouldn’t have,” he admitted. “It was my mistake. I’m sorry.”“I’m not the one you should apologize to, hyung.” The anger which seemed to radiate from the doctor’s eyes slowly slipped away; replaced by something which was more similar to being chapfallen and Yoongi wanted nothing but to bury himself alive than to see that expression on his face.“Please don’t hurt my friend again.”The words stung, and Yoongi felt a piece of his heart leaving with Taehyung as his feet took him out of the room. The sound of the slamming door echoed along the four stone walls, deafening Yoongi until it numbed him from the head down. Releasing a shaky breath, the general let his clasped hands fall on the stone table as his head bowed down in shame.As the faintly glowing stars began to appear in the young night sky, Yoongi felt a dull ache in his left chest that caused his breath to hitch in his throat. He swallowed hard. The vial of medicine inside his pocket was getting more appealing as the seconds went on, but the general denied himself of it. He chose to relish the pain. To feel the cruel sensation more. Because at that moment, it was the only thing he could do to punish himself.
Sitting behind a long mahogany table in front of the throne room, Namjoon watched as Yoongi swirled the goblet in his hand slowly, gaze fixated on the grape wine inside. The general had always been a man of few words, but tonight was a bit different. He was eerily quiet, as if uttering a word was considered a grave sin to humanity. He knew why he was like that though. Yoongi was probably berating himself for behaving so rashly towards Taehyung’s friend. He knew that the general could be so impulsive at times, but he never really meant to hurt innocent people. There must’ve been a reason behind his action and whatever it was, Namjoon was debating with himself if he should pose the question or not.He asked Yongwon to stay for the night and have his bruise treated. But the man refused and walked out of the infirmary before the healers could have their hands on him. Hoseok and Taehyung were nowhere to be seen. Jungkook told him that the archer took care of Jimin when the young healer confronted Yoongi in the Map Room. That conversation–however it went–probably added to his guilt, the strategymaster mused. He had a soft spot for the youngest ones and right now, Namjoon could apparently imagine what was going through that skull of his.“Yoongi.” When the general didn’t bother to look at him, he continued, “Tae’s going to get over his anger soon. You don’t have to worry about it.”Yoongi’s hand stilled but his eyes never left the cup when he spoke. “He’s not angry.”Forehead wrinkling in confusion, Namjoon asked, “What do you mean?”“He’s disappointed.” The general’s shoulders tensed. “He’s upset because someone whom he considered as a brother hurt his precious friend.”Namjoon felt a tight squeeze inside his chest as the general uttered those words. It must’ve been painful for him. He knew how sensitive Yoongi could be when it came to his circle of friends. He’d never had a close relationship with his father as well as with his older brother, thus Yoongi considered his friends as his only family. He would go to such lengths for them; Namjoon knew it well. And being the reason why Taehyung was upset and hurt right now tormented the general in more ways than what Namjoon’s intellect could ever fathom.Jin was socializing with the soldiers in the throne room, hopping from table to table and happily exchanging small talks with them. His lover had always been so cordial and affable to other people. He was the light of any event and one word from him could easily shift a heavy atmosphere into a lighter one. No one could even detect a speck of what kind of life he had led before Yoongi met him years ago. Before the general saved him; just like Namjoon and everybody else.“Admirable Bangtan soldiers…”The strategymaster’s gaze landed on the tall man standing below the small flight of stairs leading to where he and Yoongi were currently seated. If only he had known he would be here, then he wouldn’t have insisted for Yoongi to grace this celebration with his presence. The first division commander, Ha Jung Shik, had his cup in hand as he spoke loudly in front of the army, “The Battle of Chilgok was yet another victory for the army. It won’t surprise me if the imperial palace in Seoul will fall in a fortnight if we march our troops towards the capital right at this very moment.”A chorus of laughter resounded inside the hall. Looking pleased, the commander continued as the soles of his boots thudded against the stone floor, “All of these victories would not be written down in history if it weren't for a strong and capable man fighting in the frontlines.”Namjoon’s hands curled into a tight fist when the man stopped in front of them and raised his glass towards Yoongi, an incomprehensible smirk tugging the corners of his mouth as his voice boomed across the entire hall. “To General Min Yoongi!” The soldiers raised their own cups in response. “And long may he serve for the rebirth of our nation.”“Hail to the general!” the army chorused and proceeded to drink their wines.Through his peripheral vision, the strategymaster saw Yoongi flinch as his dark eyes kept a very much conspicuous glare towards the commander. He had never been in good terms with the man; not even then. The words which Jung Shik spoke were nothing but the epitome of hypocrisy. He knew the man hated Yoongi’s guts, since the general was the one who reclaimed Daegu from the hands of the Arson Rebel Ha Kyung So, Jung Shik’s late father. Hence, from him as well. Kyung So was a brutal man, sending imperial towns into flames and ashes with no regards to the lives of innocent ones. He was a mass murderer and Yoongi was no longer able to keep his silence anymore.As a bastard, Jung Shik had always hated his father for favoring his legal son over him. He conspired with Yoongi to overthrow his father and after the battle was won, once the Arson Rebel and his son were killed, Jung Shik challenged Yoongi to a duel to settle the conflict between them: who would stand as the head of this powerful army?Jung Shik suffered an utter defeat and was forced to pledge the remnants of his father’s army to Yoongi. The latter wanted to refuse, of course, but he and Namjoon knew well that they needed as much number as they could have at the moment due to the pressure of the Emperor’s forces in the east. While they fought side by side over the years, the strife between the two figureheads remained nonetheless. Jung Shik was cunning and his political power was getting more and more overwhelming as time went by.Namjoon and Yoongi didn’t raise their cups and their wordless defiance caused the smirk on the commander’s lips to be pulled tighter at the corners. Jin was rendered quiet as well as he glowered at the retreating figure of the commander. Jungkook was leaning against a stone pillar, his back towards the hall as his anger brewed because of the man’s fraudulent words. The cook walked towards him, knowing full well about his turbulent emotion currently churning inside his chest.“If it wasn't for Namjoon-hyung,” Jungkook said spitefully, “I would’ve beaten that bastard to death for spouting nonsense in front of Yoongi-hyung.”“We all do.” Jin sighed. “But Namjoon’s right. We can’t lay a hand on Jung Shik. He owns half of the soldiers we currently have.”Grip tightening on his crossed arms, Jungkook’s ears perked when he heard two hushed voices talking behind the stone pillar. “This celebration is pointless,” one said, speech slurring as if he had drunk a barrel of liquor in a single gulp.“Hush, mate!” the other scolded. “If the general hears you…”“Commander Jung Shik deserves the valor for the battle in Chilgok. He kept the army together as the general went berserk like a wild animal in the enemies’ camp.”“Pipe down!” his companion hissed. “Your head will end up rolling on the ground one day if you don’t control your liquor.”The other hiccupped. “The commander should be the one leading this army, just like how his father did years ago–”“Hush!” The sober one put his friend’s arm over his shoulders and guided him out of the hall. “I swear, man, you’ll need the gods beside you if you want to fight the wrath of the general.”Jungkook and Jin fell silent as they listened to the exchange between those two soldiers. After they left, Jin’s hand went over Jungkook’s as the latter’s firm grip on his arms trembled with restrained rage. “Jungkook.” The younger was seething; he could feel it from the way his muscles pulled taught and the veins in his arms popped under his skin.“How dare they talk shit about Yoongi-hyung,” the bladesmith snarled under his breath. “They don’t know anything about him. About his suffering every goddamn time he takes a life for them.”“Calm down,” Jin placated him even if he himself was aware of the tight hold he had around the hilt of his kirpan. “Even if those people fear Yoongi’s strength and recognize his beliefs in fighting this war, they still remain loyal to their founder. Just like how wolves follow the leader of the pack and abandon him the instant their mother howls.”
Jimin was sitting on Taehyung’s bed, fingers fidgeting in his lap as Hoseok asked him the question which he was afraid of answering at the moment. “Jiminie,” the archer began with a seriously worried look on his face, “why did you raise your voice to Yoongi?”“I–” Jimin cut himself and breathed in deeply “–I’m sorry.”“No. Answer me. Please.” The chair creaked against the floor as Hoseok pulled it closer to him, looking at the younger man searchingly. “What is it that triggers you to behave in such a way?”“It’s just…” Jimin closed his eyes briefly “…Yongwon-ssi. I was galled when he blurted out about my Gift. It wasn’t his place to say; but he still did. And the necklace. It was the only thing I had left of the High Priestess and yet the general insisted on keeping it in his possession–I lost it.”Taehyung settled down beside him and cradled his hand. “Jiminie, I spoke to Yoongi-hyung. I told him to not hurt you again.”“He was in the wrong, Tae. But you know Yoongi-hyung didn’t mean to really hurt him,” Hoseok aided to the general’s defense.“I know. Still, it’s upsetting.”The doctor squeezed Jimin’s hand lightly. “Tell me, Jiminie. Do you loathe Yoongi-hyung?”Jimin’s teeth ghosted over his lower lip, ruminating about his friend’s last statement. Did he detest the general? He feared him, yes, but “loathe” was too much of a word for him. He had never hold grudges against another person. He was furious at the man who killed the High Priestess, but he wasn’t one to pick up a sword and seek justice through its blade. He reproached the general’s way of winning this war–by killing people–but that belief applied not only to him but also to everyone who adhered to bloodshed.Ah, no. It was because of that instead, Jimin thought as understanding dawned on him.Taking in a deep breath as he opted to open himself to these kind people sincerely worrying about him, Jimin opened his mouth to say the words which felt foreign even to his own ears. “My parents… they were killed by rebels when I was still a baby.”He heard Hoseok gasp in shock as Taehyung’s hand tightened around his. “Oh, Jiminie,” the archer expressed sympathetically, “we didn’t know. I’m sorry.”“It’s not your fault. I know you’re not responsible for my parents’ death; it was a long time ago and I trust you that much. General Yoongi as well. But when I saw him throw that severed head in front of a large crowd to feast on, I couldn’t help but put a bit of the blame on him even if it was irrational of me. I began to think if those rebels who burnt down our village
in Busan did the same thing to my parents before they charred them to ashes.”The young doctor took in a sharp inhale of air beside him, unsettled by the truth which Jimin dropped in front of him and Hoseok. It was the archer who broke the heavy silence among them, nibbling on his lower lip as he pondered carefully. “Busan used to be an imperial province
before many of its towns were
burnt to ashes during the historical Battle of the Han River. That battle was the cause of the separation of the North and South; why most of the rebels were driven to live far north in dry lands while some of those who escaped remained in the south and hid in the mountains.”Glancing at the young doctor who seemed to start putting together the puzzle pieces that Hoseok was laying in front of them, he continued, “And among those who escaped the exile was the Arson Rebel, Commander Jung Shik’s father and the same man whom Yoongi killed for burning half of the towns in Mokpo a few years ago.”Jimin stared at the archer with wide eyes, mouth agape in muted horror as the archer’s words slowly sunk in. Was it true? Was the Arson Rebel the one who burnt down his village? Did Yoongi really kill him to save thousands of others from his ire?“That damn old man,” the young doctor hissed under his breath, “it was just to take his life. Yoongi-hyung did the world a favor by killing a rotten man like him.”“Tae.” Jimin pulled his hand from the doctor’s grip to put it on top of his instead, caressing his thumb across his friend’s knuckles to ease the tightness of his fist. “Don’t say that. No one deserves to die.”“Jiminie–” a look of empathy and sadness twisted his face “–you’re very kind to say that to a monster who had killed innocent people in his lifetime. I understand. People shouldn’t die because of selfishness and greed of others. But the reality of war pushes us to make decisions we will regret later on; the impact of which we have to bear until we breathe our last breath.”With furrowed eyebrows, Taehyung dropped his eyes in shame. “Some people have to die for the welfare of the many.”
Jimin was wide awake.It had been a few hours since he and Taehyung lay on the bed to sleep, but all the thoughts running through his head deterred him from quiescence, condemning him to wakefulness under the silence of the night with only the tranquil breathing to his side as the sole source of sound around him.Furtively sliding himself off the cushion and planting his feet on the floor, Jimin stood up and opted to breathe in the night’s cool breeze. As he walked out of the infirmary, the silver-haired glanced around the area. The celebration ended about two hours ago and the solitude was reminding him of the time he’d spent confined within the green walls of the forest miles away from Daegu. The memory seemed to be quite distant now after all of the ups and downs that happened to him after the siege of the temple.He missed a quiet life. However, right now, Jimin’s eyes were opened by the harsh reality of the world around him. And by that sense, he was learning to accept the fact that no man could shun the truth forever.The beautiful stars above were drawing in Jimin’s heart, making him seek for a higher ground to observe the cosmos closer even though millions of miles were keeping them apart. He climbed up a tree near the infirmary, securing his feet on a sturdy branch as he kept a hand rested against the trunk for support. The wind was kissing his face with gentle whispers and he felt his heart melt at the majestic galaxy of stars and constellations.“Ah, the winter star,” he muttered as a soft smile graced his lips. The High Priestess used to show him that bright blue star which only appeared every winter, signifying the season’s imminent approach. As he marveled in the beauty of the universe, Jimin heard a sound of shuffling dried leaves beneath him. And when he looked down on the ground, a small high-pitched gasp escaped past his lips and his foot slipped on the branch he was stepping on.Everything was a blur as he fell down, his arms flailing in every direction and hands trying to grasp on whatever concrete material they could latch on. His heart was beating wildly in his chest as the gravity churned his stomach from the height of his fall. He was expecting to have a cracked skull, a broken spine or perhaps a few fractured ribs.But none of them came about.He felt himself suspended in the air, but not in the way he was expecting it. A pair of strong arms were wrapped around him securely, one of them placed under his knees as the other flexed against his back. When he flung his eyes open, Jimin’s stare was met with a pair of dark orbs staring intently back at him. All of his muscles went rigid and he felt his heart stop its beating.“Careful,” the man said with that same low baritone that never failed to send shivers down his spine.Fear crept inside Jimin’s chest and he flung himself away from him, scurrying for a safe place to hide but the said man reached out for him and held his wrist in a tight grip. “Wait,” he said.“I–I–sorry! I d-didn’t mean to–please–” he stammered out in panic.“I came here to apologize.”Jimin stilled when he heard those words. Swallowing the lump in his throat as he slowly turned his gaze towards his savior, Jimin was taken aback by the sheer sincerity radiating from the intensity of his stare. Jimin couldn’t discern it well because of the shadows, but he could make out the outline of dark circles under his eyes as if sleep hadn’t been a dear to him for several days.“It was wrong of me to hurt you,” Yoongi began, frowning and voice ridden with guilt, “It was our first time meeting each other and no matter what the reason was, I shouldn’t have behaved poorly.”The general released Jimin’s wrist and held his gaze firmly as he spoke, “I’m sorry.”Jimin couldn’t look away. He was rendered speechless by the general’s sudden appearance; furthermore, by his unexpected apology. When the general grew a bit tense and uncomfortable in front of him, Yoongi shifted on his feet and averted his gaze from him. “I'll leave Tae in your care. Be kind to him.”The general didn’t wait for Jimin’s reply before he turned on his heels and left, blending among the shadows and disappearing as fast as he appeared before Jimin a while ago. The silver-haired remained frozen in place, his mind still trying to process what just happened and willing itself to believe that this was not a dream.
As the whirs of insect wings and rustling of dried leaves were swallowed deeper into the night, the skin on Jimin’s wrist burnt where the general had touched him. And for the first time since that ghastly event in the marketplace, he thought about not of severed heads, of red liquids or punishing hands, but of soft, gentle touches, low whispered sounds, and mysterious dark brown eyes.-TBC
Hope you liked the art! I also made an art for Chapter 4. You can view it
here if you still haven't seen it. :)I posted this artwork on
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Chapter 7: To Catch a Rat
“You seem so deep in thought, Jiminie.”Jolting out of his reverie, Jimin’s hands slipped on a bowl of ground herbs; flinging him into consciousness at once. Having been brought up in a forest filled with unforeseen danger, he’d always been proud of his fast reflexes, and at this moment, he was fortunate to put that skill into good use.His hand caught the bowl before it hit the floor. Heart pacing because of the sudden action, Jimin released a relieved sigh as he placed it carefully on top of the table. “Sorry,” he apologized to Taehyung whose hands halted from harvesting the extract of a mountain plant.“Are you tired?” the doctor asked, a worried frown marring the skin between his eyebrows. “We’ve been doing this for a few hours already. I believe you can drop your task and rest for a while.”Jimin gave him a smile and shook his head lightly. “It’s alright. I’m fine. I enjoy doing this with you.”This was his first day of being Taehyung’s apprentice. They visited the sick hall earlier this morning and Taehyung gave him the chance to tend to the sick. He could still remember how his hands shook as he applied salves and bandaged wounds; how his heart picked up its pace every time he thought of not fulfilling his duty well and failing his mentor. But Taehyung guided him through it all, giving him a gentle smile and tapping his shoulder lightly to calm him down. Jimin was so grateful to have him by his side. Taehyung was a great healer, but most of all, a wonderful friend. He learned so much within just a day and realized that healing the sick brought him passion that could never be replaced by any other task for as long as he should live.After their visit, they proceeded to the still room to prepare the medicines for tomorrow’s use. Despite looking a bit exhausted, Taehyung insisted on teaching Jimin on how to classify herbs based on their ancestry and medical use. He was grateful for his friend’s generosity; hence the least that Jimin could do was to not be a burden on him. However, he seemed to be out of his wits ever since he woke up this morning. He was occasionally drifting into a mindless haze which he really found bothersome if he was to say. But he couldn’t help it. And Jimin sincerely wished that he didn’t know why.“Is there something bothering you?” Taehyung wiped his hands dry on a piece of cloth. “Are you still thinking about what happened yesterday with Yoongi-hyung?”Which one? Jimin thought.Realizing that his friend wouldn’t drop the subject at hand, Jimin turned around and leaned his lower back against the edge of the table, pushing his hair back with his hand and sighing visibly. “It’s not that…”“What is?”Nibbling on his lower lip and closing his eyes briefly, Jimin could still see that pair of dark brown orbs staring right into his soul. The image wouldn’t just go away and he felt his palms sweat a little as he reminisced how the general’s hand encircled around his wrist ever so gently. As if the calluses from years of training and wielding a lethal weapon hadn’t flawed his palm as it still felt soft against his skin. He never knew that the general was capable of such gentleness; of such humility that made him travel all the way from the castle to admit his mistake and ask for Jimin’s forgiveness.It robbed him of his breath. Then, until now.“Yoongi… he–” Jimin opened his eyes and turned his gaze towards his friend “–he apologized to me.”“What?” The doctor’s eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “When?”“Last night. I saw him outside the infirmary. He asked for my forgiveness, but I wasn’t able to say anything because I was too surprised to utter a single word.” Jimin groaned as he pressed the heel of his palm against his right eye. “I’m a fool. He went away just like that; I should’ve said something.”“It’s alright, Jiminie. You don’t have to feel bad,” the young doctor assured him. Sitting down on a wooden stool and seeming to ponder on his thoughts for a moment, Taehyung scratched the side of his neck and spoke, “Yoongi-hyung… he’s a difficult one. Most of the time, I don’t know what’s going through that head of his. We all do, even Namjoon-hyung who’s been with him the longest. But despite him being kind of stoic and a man of few words, I still see and love him as a brother.”Taehyung sighed and his shoulders sagged. “I’m the one who should feel bad for hating Yoongi-hyung even for a second. I must’ve hurt him. I should’ve known that he would apologize to you as soon as he realized his fault. That’s just how he is.”Seeing his friend wallow in guilt and sadness, Jimin crouched in front of the young doctor and held his hands in his. “You did that because you were worried about me, Tae. It was very kind of you to speak up for me, so please don’t blame yourself.”Taehyung forced out a smile and tangled their fingers together. “I hope Yooongi-hyung’s doing fine right now.”“Why don’t you pay him a visit if you’re so worried?” Jimin suggested with a smile. “He’ll love to see your presence in the castle. I’m certain of it.”The young doctor hummed in thought. “Maybe, I will.” Helping Jimin stand on his feet, he added, “I’ll have Hoseok-hyung accompany me this afternoon. You can use the library upstairs if you feel the need to pass the time.”“I sure will.” Jimin chuckled. “I love reading books.”As both of them settled back on their tasks, Jimin raised a question which he was mulling over for quite some time now. “Is it still possible for me to go out of Daegu?”“Oh…” Taehyung tilted his head as he mused “…as a citizen, I’m afraid not. The only way to pass through the walls of Daegu is to be in the army.”“Oh.” Jimin let out a disappointed sigh.“Do you still feel uncomfortable in this place, Jiminie?”“No. No, it’s not like that.” Pouring the mixture in a glass bottle, he continued to explain, “I’ve been living in the forest for as long as I can remember, so I’m kind of curious what it is like living out there.”“There’s nothing but pain and suffering outside Daegu, Jiminie,” Taehyung replied. “I’ve seen enough deaths in my lifetime that I dream about dead bodies falling and piling into mountains in front of me.”“I’m sorry. It must’ve been hard for you,” Jimin said with voice laden with sympathy.“It is at first, and I used to vomit every time someone died especially in the battlefield. But as time passed by, I learned to feel nothing…” Taehyung’s jaws clenched “…and that mere thought scares me, Jiminie. It’s like losing a shred of my humanity.”Jimin’s chest ached for the young doctor. He didn’t know that the cruelties of war could change a person’s heart like this. Deaths and violence had been rampant everywhere that people thought of killing as something as easy as breathing. It was awful, and he was afraid of losing himself in the darkness.“Do you fight battles, Tae?” Have you killed people?“I do,” the young doctor responded. “I’m an army doctor, so I travel with the soldiers every time they march to the battlefield. I stayed behind this time because Yoongi-hyung asked me to take care of the sick in the infirmary. He’s been worried about the number of people contracting a contagious flu for several weeks now.”He further added, “Yoongi-hyung taught me how to fight; I need to learn how to pick up a blade if I want to survive in the battlefield. I don’t fight in the frontlines like Jungkook and our hyungs; I stay in the camp and treat the wounded–protect them if I must.”Taehyung told them his stories of war: how he had killed dozens of enemies trying to invade the camp and kill his wounded comrades; how he once threw himself in the battlefield to treat a bleeding Namjoon, and how many times he had failed and let a lot of lives slip through the gaps of his fingers.“It’s gravely frustrating.” Taehyung swallowed. “As a healer, losing a life is agonizing. But what pains me the most is accepting the fact that there’s nothing I could’ve done to save them.”“Hush.” Jimin wrapped his arms around Taehyung’s neck. “It’s not your fault, Tae. You did the best thing you could’ve done at that moment. People die, and this war is at fault. You have nothing to blame yourself for.”Pressing his forehead against the silver-haired’s shoulder, Taehyung muttered. “I know. It’s just… it makes me feel pathetic and helpless.”“You’re not. I can attest to that.”He didn’t know that Taehyung had this much burden and insecurities. That behind that warm sun-like smile hid a troubled and shattered person. Taehyung was akin to a glass, just so much like him: fragile. But the difference was that the young doctor managed to face his fears, learning how to fight for the sake of his comrades and embracing the pain of his suffering and frustration.Taehyung was far from the feeble person he was turning himself to be; he was one of the strongest people Jimin had ever known in his entire life.“Tae…”Lifting his head up when Jimin called his name, the young doctor saw how Jimin’s mouth opened with unspoken words which were begging to be told. He waited patiently for him, and when the silver-haired raised his eyes to meet his in a serious gaze, the young doctor was slightly taken aback by the gross determination radiating from his friend’s eyes.“Is there a way for me to be an army doctor?”
“According to one of our scouts, the caravan will pass along the mountainside to minimize the damage in case of a raid.” Namjoon placed a carved wooden dragon on the map, representing the emperor’s forces. “They will have plenty of escape routes to choose from and the possibility of a counterattack is high. It’s a good tactic, choosing a spacious path to travel on instead of a hidden narrow passageway. But because of the uneven topography of the region–” he put down three wooden Bangtan symbols on the map, one in front of the dragon and the other two to its back and left side “–there’s still a way to subdue them.”“Second division commander Kim Seokjin will lead the foot soldiers and attack from the front. Third division commander Jeon Jungkook and his troop will barricade the caravan’s escape route from the back and archmaster Jung Hoseok and his men will fire arrows from the mountain to the caravan’s left side as they take refuge behind tall trees and large boulders.”The strategymaster placed the last piece of the wooden figure to the right side of the dragon. “Finally,” he spoke, “General Yoongi and I will lead the cavalry and attempt to block their remaining escape routes through the sheer force of our horses. We will impinge them on all sides, fight the guards and take the loot.”Jin whistled. “Our strategymaster indeed.”“What do we do if some of them manage to escape and call for backup?” Hoseok asked, worry slightly creasing his forehead.“As long as we have enough men and horses to pull the caravan to Daegu day and night, I believe it won’t pose a problem. It will take three days before they reach the nearest town and another three to go back to the mountainside. We will be long gone by then.”Yoongi, whose hands were clasped together and pressed against his lips as he listened to his right-hand’s strategy, nodded and said, “Then it’s all set.” He stood up and braced his hands firmly on the map. “We are to embark in three weeks. Jungkook–” he eyed the bladesmith “–make sure the smiths forge enough weapons for an army of ten thousand.”“Yes, general.” The youngest placed his fist upon his left chest and bowed his head as a sign of respect.“Namjoon, Hoseok and Jin-hyung, you’re in-charge of training your trusted troops starting tomorrow at first light.”“Yes, general,” the three spoke in unison.“Commander Jung Shik.” Yoongi’s fists clenched tighter as he felt the vileness of the name poisoning his tongue. “I need you and your men to stay in Daegu to defend our flag. It is vital for someone with power to stay while I’m away.”He saw the commander’s eyebrow twitch in irritation for being ordered around. “Pardon me, general.” The middle-aged man stood and clasped his hand around the hilt of his sword with pride. “I’m a warrior. I belong in the battlefield and not in some… old village. There’s no need for me and my men to stay in Daegu for I trust the strength of its stronghold and natural barriers. You will need more soldiers; the greater the number, the higher the chance you have of winning the battle.”“No.” It was Jungkook who spoke. The bladesmith had a nasty frown in his face, glaring at the commander with such intensity that could scare a tiger in the wild. “Great men win battles. Not numbers.”“Jungkook.” Hoseok placed a hand on the bladesmith’s shoulder to suppress him.“I know you’re the swordsmaster, Commander Jungkook,” Jung Shik regarded him with a scowl, “but you’re still young and green. You don’t have the right to reprimand me about things which I experienced years before you were even born.”The muscles in Jungkook’s jaws jumped as he clenched his teeth in rage. “That’s enough,” Yoongi spoke before his fire broke out.“Commander Jung Shik.” The general looked at the man seriously. “Daegu is our home and it’s the heart of our army’s forces. I don’t want anything bad to happen to her. So until I come back, Daegu is yours.”Namjoon’s eyes widened in surprise as a look of horror contorted his face when he heard his general’s words. And even though his stare was on Yoongi, he was quite sure that the others were mirroring the same expression right now.“Hyung!” Jungkook called out. “What–”“Silence.” Yoongi raised his hand. “I don’t want to hear another word. In three weeks’ time, Commander Jung Shik will be in command until I return from battle. My decision is final.”“General.” Jung Shik smirked and bowed his head. “I will do my best to meet your expectations.”Jungkook looked like he had a mountain of things he wanted to say to Yoongi, but the youngest opted to shut his mouth and avert his eyes. The indignation was clearly reflected in his face, but Yoongi tried not to pay attention to it even though he was silently berating himself for making the younger man feel that way.“Namjoon,” he called, “ask Tae to prepare wagons for the wounded. The emperor will surely station enough guards this time since we have already marauded two of his caravans in the past three months. He will come prepared.”“At once, general.” Namjoon obliged, but Yoongi could still see the remnants of his friend’s frown of disapproval about his earlier decision.“That’s all. You can now take your leave,” the general dismissed them.Apart from Jung Shik, no one moved a muscle and bothered to leave the room. As the door to the Map Room shut close, it was Jin who first spoke. “What is the reason Yoongi?”The general was glad that Jin understood. He wasn’t here to censure him but to hear him out, and somehow, Yoongi was grateful to him for it. “To free the rat is to catch the rat,” he quoted. “To cut its tail is to hear its wail.”The others seemed bewildered by the proverb aside from Namjoon, whose eyebrows shot up high as understanding dawned on him. “Oh!”Yoongi smirked. “Yes. Oh.”“What is it, hyung?” Jungkook asked Namjoon in confusion.The strategymaster grinned in response. “Jung Shik is a cunning man. He will take whatever opportunity he gets to take the power from Yoongi. He may appear detestable to us for we know his true nature, but to his men and to the laypeople, he’s seen as someone who is as mighty as the general himself.”Namjoon grabbed a spare wooden Bangtan symbol and placed it on top of the hand-drawn image of the Bangtan castle. “Enemies in the north, east, west, south… even within the walls of our own home. And to catch the culprit, we need to give him what he wants.”Namjoon should’ve noticed. The general had been dropping signs along the way: enough weapons for an army of ten thousand; training your trusted troops; prepare wagons for the wounded, and he will come prepared.Yoongi had known all along.The general’s dark eyes shadowed as he looked at the carved wooden symbol sitting on top of the castle. The muscles in his arms pulled taught with restrained wrath, his blood boiling with a dire need to put the blade of his glaive, the Agust, through someone’s heart.“We need to prepare ourselves,” he said.Jin, Hoseok and Jungkook all straightened their postures, their hearts thundering loud inside their chests at the general’s heavy words. Namjoon’s hands clenched into tight fists, his glare intensifying as he stared at the Bangtan symbol that seemed to devastate not only the castle itself but also the entirety of Daegu.Lifting his eyes up to his most trusted allies in the world, Yoongi uttered in a low voice, “There will be a fucking mutiny once I step my foot out of this place.”-TBC

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Chapter 8: Tales of Woe
Jimin didn’t expect for the man to be the one to receive them in Jungkook and Jin’s shared home. Shuffling his feet awkwardly against the floor, the silver-haired made his way towards the couch – the same one he had shared with him when he and the others ate breakfast together for the first time.“Hoseok was here this morning,” Yongwon spoke as he poured hot tea for Jimin and Taehyung.Accepting the wooden cup, Taehyung hummed. “He was supposed to work in the foundry all day for the weekends. Did something come up?”“The general sent a messenger for him, Jungkook and Jin.” Yongwon sat on the chair across them. “They rode on horseback towards the castle.”“Ah…” Taking a sip on his tea, the young doctor continued to say afterwards, “It must’ve been a military meeting.”“Aren’t you supposed to join them?” Jimin asked.His friend shook his head. “I’m not really fond of those things. If there’s something I need to do, Namjoon-hyung will inform me eventually.” Directing his gaze back to the bald man, Taehyung inquired, “Is your bruise healing well, Yongwon-ssi?”“It is.” He placed a large hand on his abdomen subconsciously. “I don’t feel anything weird stirring in my gut if that’s what you’re worried about, kid.”The skin between Taehyung’s eyebrows pleated as he said apologetically, “Please pardon Yoongi-hyung for what he’s done. He meant no harm.”“I know. He’s one of those brats who at times act on instinct and forget to bring down their walls. Maybe he got it from years of fighting battles. Always thinking someone will do him harm every time they touch him.”There was silence for a short while, with only the faint sounds of steel hammers pounding from a distance. Taehyung’s thumb caressed the side of his cup, looking at his self reflected on the clear surface of the tea in his hands. “I can’t really blame him if he acts rough at times. He’s been… fighting in the battlefield far longer than any of us have and the wounds he got from those battles are still bleeding until now.”It was a metaphor; Jimin knew. But the words gripped something within his chest which compelled him to stay silent and listen keenly as his friend spoke.“Jin-hyung, Namjoon-hyung, Hoseok-hyung, Jungkook, me… All of us were saved by the same person.” Taehyung closed his eyes as he recalled the occurrences of that one winter morning, wherein the sunlight was bleak and the snow curtained the trees and blanketed the dirt road he was walking on.

“Orabeoni.”

Taehyung startled slightly as he felt cold small fingers brushed against the bruise on his right cheek. His bottom lip was cracked and he could taste the metallic tang of iron in his mouth. The owner of the said hand knelt in front of him, worry and guilt twisting her youthful face. “You didn’t have to do that for me.”

“Ji Seong.” Taehyung lifted up a shackled hand, his forefinger ghosting over the wound beside the girl’s mouth. “I will fight anyone for you. For the others as well. Those soldiers don’t have the right to hurt you.”

They were from Geochang, a town known to harbor proficient healers in the country; passing down knowledge and practices of medical arts from generation to generation for centuries. There was a rumor that slaves had been freed from the capital by an insurgent and in just a matter of few weeks after the news reached every corner of the nation, the Royal Army marched towards their town and captured every breathing person. Geochang had no guards or soldiers of their own to protect them; being a place of peace and for healing, the people despised violence and found no place for swords to linger around the town. The healers embraced anyone who needed repose and cure for their illness no matter who they were. The capital had respected their beliefs and tradition since time immemorial and pledged no political interference on the healers’ duties even if they provided treatment for the crown’s opponents. All things were calm despite the war; there was no maleficence from the rebels or the emperor.

Until five nights ago.

Curls of smoke came out of Taehyung’s mouth as he released out a ragged breath. His ribs ached where the soldiers kicked him when he saved Ji Seong from their punishing hands. The thirteen-year-old girl was tired from miles of journey but the ruthless soldiers wouldn’t let any of them rest. The soles of his shoes were getting worn out from walking day and night, from crossing through frozen rivers and hiking steep mountain slopes. If he was unfortunate, then he would be walking on bare feet soon.

“Orabeoni,” Ji Seong pulled her frayed clothes closer to her small frame as if willing the coldness away, “I’m scared. I don’t want to be sold to the nobles in the capital.”

Taehyung’s jaws clenched and he tried to mask the pain that radiated through the right side of his face where his bruise was. He was frightened as well – horrified. But he couldn’t let his fears show. These kids didn’t have anyone to look out for them; they were orphans just like himself. Their master died fighting for them and Taehyung swore to himself to not let their mentor’s death be in vain.

“Don’t be.” The chain of his iron shackles clanked as he stroked the young girl’s head and offered a small smile. “We’re going to get out of here. I promise.”

“Ya!”

Both of them jolted when a group of soldiers approached them. Taehyung immediately stood on his feet and hid the girl behind him, mustering his most malicious glare against their oppressors. “It’s already dawn. Get your ass moving, slave,” one of the soldiers spat.

Two men pulled Taehyung away from Ji Seong, pushing him forcefully and sending him crashing against the cold snow. “You should know your place,” one said.

Taehyung gathered his strength to thrust himself up, not minding the painful throbbing of his bruised ribs as he let his feet begin another excruciating journey. Seconds became minutes and minutes marched to hours. Taehyung didn’t know how much time had passed since. But the piercing coldness penetrating through his coat, the descending sun in the horizon and the stiffness of his legs told him of yet another day to end. He was so exhausted but it pained him more to see his people drag themselves in the cold. Ji Seong was shivering uncontrollably and the chaps on her lips caused Taehyung’s heart to twist inside his chest.
How far are we? he thought to himself. If this goes on, people will die.
And some did after that night; the coldest one they’d ever had. The children were crying as the soldiers threw away the corpses like animals, abandoning them in the solitude of the forest. Half-buried out there in the cold. Frozen and forgotten.

It was the seventh day and Taehyung could feel his body slowly betraying him. If it wasn’t for his strong resolve, then he would have already let himself be buried in the snow. He needed to be strong not only for himself but for the others as well. He couldn’t break down now.

He just couldn’t.

Taehyung heard a loud piercing cry. Another one. Then another one. Bodies kept falling on the ground as arrows came out of nowhere. There were armed people charging towards them, wielding swords and axes and clashing against the Royal Army’s forces.

Taehyung found himself running. His eyes searched frantically for Ji Seong and the other kids and when he found them, the young healer didn’t waste any time as he darted towards them. “Ji Seong!”

“Orabeoni!” the girl shouted as tears streamed down her face.

“Kill the slaves!” the captain commanded his men. “Don’t let the goddamn rebels take them! Kill them all!”

Taehyung’s heart banged loudly inside his chest and he spun around to eye anyone who would lay a hand on them, spreading his arms widely to his sides to protect the crying kids behind him. “Die, you fucker!” A soldier charged towards Taehyung and he met him halfway, dodging the sword swung at him and planting a firm kick against the man’s chest.

Another one attempted to impale him but Taehyung managed to duck and lift his arms, the sharp edge of the blade scraping against the chain of his shackles. He pivoted and sent a kick towards his opponent, the sword leaving the man’s hand and dropping on the ground.

Taehyung immediately grabbed the weapon and pointed it dangerously towards its owner. “Stay back!” he yelled even if his hands were trembling from the thought of holding a deadly weapon. “Stay back or I’ll kill you!”

The man didn’t listen however and flung himself towards Taehyung, a dagger in hand. Instincts overtook the young healer as he dodged the attack and sent the blade of the sword through the man’s chest. The soldier collapsed on the ground and Taehyung’s grip on the weapon slackened. There was red on his hands and his shoulders shuddered as the reality of what he had done struck him.

He killed a man for the first time in his life.

And Taehyung felt like vomiting.

“Orabeoni!”

Ji Seong’s shout awakened him from his stupor, his eyes catching the glint of a sword hoisted in the air as it swung down upon him. It was too late to move and Taehyung’s heart missed a beat as he realized that he would die then and there.
Suddenly, a blur flashed in front of his eyes and the next thing he saw was a man coated in black and the soldier falling lifelessly on the ground. The said man looked over his shoulder and Taehyung’s eyes widened when his gaze met dark piercing irises. The glaive in his hand sang of bloodshed, mercilessly killing anyone going against the will of its wielder.
But when the man’s eyes landed on the children, Taehyung’s defense instantly fired up and he stepped back to shield them away from him. “Don’t you dare,” he snarled as he glowered at the rebel.

The man didn’t say anything nor gave out any expression. But Taehyung was beyond surprised to find the rebel fighting dozens of soldiers attempting to approach him and the kids. Every move the man did was like a dance of his own, effortlessly swinging his glaive like it was an extension of his being; with such raw power and prowess that seemed to engulf his opponents like wildfire.

The fight ended faster than Taehyung thought as the Royal Army was subdued by the overwhelming force of the rebels. Snow started to fall from the sky as red tainted the whiteness around them. Severed bodies and torn out flesh. Corpses stretching as far as the road they were walking on. Taehyung felt bile rise up to his throat and he retched painfully on the ground. Ji Seong put a hand behind his back and rubbed soothing circles on his skin, willing for the nauseous sensation to fade away.

“Yoongi-hyung.”

Taehyung heard another set of footsteps approaching his savior. When he lifted up his eyes, he saw a young man, probably younger than him, saying, “Namjoon-hyung and the others are now prying the shackles open. I think it will be best to camp out a few yards away from this place. It’s dangerous for the people to travel far after dark.”

Yoongi nodded. “Jungkook, tell Soo Yeong to burn the bodies.” After the bladesmith nodded to his command, the general’s gaze shifted towards Taehyung who was wrapping an arm over his abdomen, the pain on his ribs worsening due to strain. “What’s your name, kid?”

“I’m–” the young healer coughed “–not compelled to answer that.”

The general hummed in thought. “Fair enough.”

“Mister.” Ji Seong scrambled to her knees and pressed her forehead firmly against the cold snow. “Please lend me some herbs and bandages for orabeoni. He’s gravely hurt because of me. Please. I beg for your kindness.”

“Ji Seong, what are you doing?” Taehyung tried to pull the girl to her feet but a searing pain shot up to his side and the young healer winced and doubled over, a slight groan escaping past his lips as his bruised ribs tortured him.

“Jungkook,” the general uttered, “give this girl anything she wants.”

The bladesmith put his hand over his left chest and bowed his head. “Yes, general.”

After Yoongi left, Jungkook crouched in front of Taehyung and said, “You should get your wounds treated.”

“I’m fine,” the young healer responded with a raspy voice.

Jungkook sighed and attempted to grab Taehyung’s arm but the latter shoved his hand away. “Don’t touch me,” he heard him say in a low threatening voice.

“I’m sorry.”

The apology came out as a surprise as Taehyung’s eyes widened. “W-What?”

“We’re not here to do the things that those soldiers have done to you,” Jungkook explained with an understanding gaze. “It was General Yoongi who freed the slaves from the capital as they were wrongly convicted of treason. Namjoon-hyung saw this coming; the Emperor enslaving towns and villages to compensate for the noblemen’s losses. Selling and condemning innocent people into slavery. Hyung assumed that Geochang would be the first one the emperor would lay his hands on for your town holds no fortress or soldiers.”

Jungkook’s eyes cast down as if in shame or guilt. “I’m sorry this happened to you and your people. If we arrived much earlier, then things could’ve turned out differently.”

Taehyung was at a loss for words. He didn’t know how to respond to the young man in front of him who was offering his apology so sincerely that it caused Taehyung’s heart to melt a fraction. He didn’t utter a word as the bladesmith helped him on his feet and beckoned the children to follow them. His wounds were treated as time was swallowed deeper and deeper into the night.

And here Taehyung sat on a mountain of snow, watching as the huge fire engulfed the bodies of the fallen ones – friends or foes. It was such an irony to be born a human in this world, with skin and bones and hair, with dreams and aspirations, only to die and turn to ashes in the end. Leaving all things they had worked hard for behind them as they were gradually forgotten into oblivion.

Taehyung felt someone sit on the space beside him. As he turned his head to the side, his brown eyes landed on the handsome features of the young man who helped him carry himself a while ago. He had dark brown hair that matched the hue of his eyes, a strong set of jaws and pointed nose. His lips and cheeks were red, the coldness of the night causing icy smoke to curl in front of him as he spoke.

“How are you faring?”

A soft chuckle came out of Taehyung’s mouth. “What kind of question is that?”

“Well–” Jungkook shrugged “–you seem sad. I mean, of course you are, but the look on your face tells me that there’s more to it than what you’re letting on.”

Taehyung didn’t how this stranger could read his mind or perhaps read his feelings. He wasn’t that much of an open book to other people but this young man right here seemed to push past his barriers with no such effort. Playing with the fraying edge of his woolen coat, he uttered, “I killed a man.”

“Okay.”

The young healer’s eyes held his gaze for a long while, seemingly confused of his unprecedented response. There was no hint of judgment or mockery in his face; just a keen and sincere expression which urged Taehyung to gradually open up his heart to the world. “I’ve never taken a life before. It feels horrible. As a healer, it’s my duty to preserve life, not forsake it.”

Burying his face in his palms and curling on himself in shame, Taehyung felt the tears burn brightly behind his eyes. He was a failure. His mentor would be ashamed of him. No matter how hard he tried to wash away the blood in his hands, the smell and the stickiness still remained, prickling his palms like little snakes underneath his skin.

“Where the moon hides,

Where the stars shine;

Under the same sky,

Everything will be alright.”

Taehyung slowly lifted his face from his hands, his tearful eyes finding the owner of the softest voice he’d ever heard in his life. Jungkook was staring up the night sky, the moonlight gracing his hair and skin with a rich blue glow.

“Winter will pass,

Soon leaves will grow;

Snow falling on mountaintops,

Nothing but a memory of time.”

Jungkook closed his eyes as he swayed gently to the melody.

“Far away is the light,

How will one take flight?

Wings broken by the wind,

But everything will be alright.”
Taehyung held his breath when Jungkook opened his eyes and stared back at him. He felt an undeniable thump against his chest. He was feeling warm despite the cold and all the pain he was enduring was suddenly gone. Why was the young man’s voice burrowing deep into his heart? Why did the snow stop falling around him? Why did the young man’s eyes bottled up the stars in the night sky?
“As the heavens weep,

We awaken from our sleep;

When all flowers bloom,

The sun will rise.”

Jungkook’s voice left Taehyung stunned in silence, with the gentle falling of the snowflakes seeming to float in the air as time came into a screeching halt and he saw and heard nothing but the young man in front of him.

The bladesmith smiled. “My mother used to sing it for me when I was younger. The heavens decided to free her from her illness and I can still remember how beautiful she looked until her last breath.”

“I’m sorry.” It was the only thing that came out past Taehyung’s lips: a silent whisper of icy smoke.

“Everyone will die. In this war. Even years after it. People are bound to be ashes in the end just like what Yoongi-hyung told me.” When Jungkook hugged his knees near his chest, he looked smaller and child-like, just what he was supposed to be if it weren’t for the hostilities that opened his eyes in such a young age. “It’s not your fault if you had to protect those kids. They are precious to you, so you must fight for them at all cost. You will bear the wound of putting judgment upon your blade; you will bleed. But you will heal. Even if a scar remains, a part of it will fade.”

Taehyung didn’t know what that warm tug inside his chest was, but the feeling was electrifying and frightening at the same time. It was rich and overwhelming and Taehyung thought that Jungkook held the sun in his fingertips.

“Taehyung.”

The bladesmith’s eyes lifted up to his face and when their gazes met, the young healer let out a soft smile and uttered ever so gently, “My name is Taehyung.”

Even after the young doctor left the room to give Jimin and Yongwon the privacy which the latter one requested, the silver-haired could still feel the tears that flowed down his cheeks even after wiping them dry. The story was so sad that Jimin couldn’t help his heart from clenching for the pain which his friend suffered.“We all have stories to tell, Jiminie,” Taehyung said to him.“Hoseok told me you’re mad.” Jimin’s eyes lifted up to the bald man thoughtfully stroking the growing dark beard lining his jaws. “Why is that?”Dropping his gaze on his feet as his fingers fidgeted on his lap, Jimin replied, “Because you told the general about my Gift. It was for me to say and I didn’t want anyone to find out yet. But you blurted it out without my consent. Hence I felt so down.”The bald man remained wordless for a brief moment, seeming to ponder Jimin’s words carefully. But when he spoke, the silver-haired never expected it coming. “My apologies.”His head whipped up so fast at that, eyes widening and mouth gaping slightly in surprise. “The High Priestess had a strong faith in General Yoongi. She entrusted your secret with him and I wanted to help you realize your Gift as much as my old stubborn ass would allow. I know you’re not particularly fond of me and you hate my guts just as much, but believe me when I say that I yearn nothing but happiness for you, kid.”When Jimin didn’t answer, he added, “You were this little babe with pale, snow-like hair wrapped inside a tattered blanket when the High Priestess brought you to the temple. My wife, Eun Hwa–” he paused as his eyes grew warmer as if the memory of his late lover both delighted and pained him“–she took care of you. You probably don’t remember it because your mind was still so young, but she was the one who bathed you, changed your clothes and put you in your crib. You lived in our shack for half a year and she treated you like her own.”Sadness dawned on Yongwon’s eyes as the once stoic man continued to pour his heart out to Jimin. And the latter couldn’t contain how full he was feeling right now. How unusual it was for the man to open up to him of his own accord. “She died in the Hall of Light because of her childhood sickness. It never stopped me from pursuing her even if I knew she wouldn’t be able to give me a child. Instead, I’ve loved her more in each passing day. Until now. Before the heavens took her, she requested to see you for the last time. And when she finally closed her eyes, you cried inside my arms as if you were sharing the pain I was feeling right at that moment.”“I was cold and indifferent to you before. Perhaps, up until now. Because after my wife died, every time I would see you, I would be reminded of her and there would be this uncontrollable pain lancing through my chest. It hurt that the High Priestess spoke to me. She took you in her care and said that it was alright for me to grieve my loss for as long as I would deem so. But she reminded me not to be overshadowed by sadness and gradually find the light at the end of the tunnel. I tried to steer clear of you, but I was there to watch you take your first steps, climb your first tree and read your first book; how fond you became of the arts of healing.” Yongwon glanced at Jimin. “And how you grew up to be the fine young man you are right now.”Jimin’s heart was beating loudly inside his chest, his throat constricting because of the enormous words the man was currently throwing at him. After a while of silence, Jimin finally found his courage to gather his composure and say, “I’m grateful to you and your wife, Yongwon-ssi. I truly am. And I don’t hate you. I never could.”Jimin smiled. “I’ll be living in the castle for a while. Taehyung said it’s vital for me to learn the arts of healing through a formal education if I want to become an army doctor. I don’t know how long it will take. Maybe, forever. But I won’t stop until I realize my dream.”There was determination in his eyes and it didn’t remain unnoticed by the older man. Yongwon hauled himself to his feet, grunting at the effort, and walked towards Jimin on the couch. He placed a hand on a crown of pale gray hair and spoke tenderly, “Live your life, kid. Eun Hwa’s proud of who you have become.” The corners of Yongwon’s lips curved into a faint smile. “And so do I.”-TBC

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 9: Trying Not To Think
Jimin hadn’t had the chance to have a better look at the castle until today. His eyes couldn’t stop from wandering around the wide courtyard, glancing high up the guard towers and curtain wall. Bangtan castle was enormous–magnificent. There were soldiers patrolling everywhere which somehow made Jimin anxious, but the reassuring touch of Taehyung’s hand encasing his own calmed him tremendously.“They’re castle guards,” Taehyung explained, following Jimin’s gaze towards the swordsmen fighting in the courtyard. “There’s a separate training ground for the army but all soldiers either sleep inside the castle or the barracks so it might get a little rowdy sometimes.” Taehyung squeezed his hand. “You’ll get used to it.”Jimin nodded and remained silent as they traversed the corridors. After descending a flight of stairs leading outside the back wall of the castle, they walked up a gentle slope leading to a glass greenhouse standing admirably on top. Jimin couldn’t help a gasp of awe as they entered the conservatory, eyes instantly catching the enormous collection of flowers, herbs and plants lined in thick rows. Some people greeted Taehyung as they tended the foliage; men and women of different ages clad in brown robes.“Orabeoni?”The young healer’s mouth immediately curved up when he saw a younger woman waving towards him. They met halfway in a tight hug before Taehyung patted her head and stroked her hair with affection. “It’s been weeks, Ji Seong. My apologies for not visiting you.”“It’s alright, orabeoni.” She smiled. “I know you’ve got your hands full in the infirmary. I hope the sick are doing well.”“They are. The other healers are making sure of that.” Taehyung gestured towards Jimin. “This is Jimin, my friend. And this is Ji Seong, the grand healer of the castle. She’s like a little sister to me; the one I’ve talked about with you and Yongwon-ssi.”“Oh.” Jimin bowed his head politely. “Well met, grand healer.”“Raise your head, Jimin-ssi.” She smiled. “Well met.”Taehyung was the one who spoke for Jimin, about his desire to formally study the arts of healing under her. The grand healer was delighted, expressing her gratefulness to Jimin for taking good care of her older brother. “The apothecaries sleep in shared rooms, but the healers each has their own,” Ji Seong explained.“You can sleep in my chamber!” Taehyung suggested with a bright smile. “I barely use it. I basically live in the infirmary now which is a lot better, if I am to say. I hate seeing the grouchy faces of castle guards so early in the morning.”Ji Seong let out a chuckle behind a dainty hand as Jimin laughed and elbowed his friend’s arm. “It’s alright, Tae. I’ll go with whatever the grand healer desires.”“You’re orabeoni’s precious friend, Jimin-ssi. I couldn’t say otherwise to my older brother’s wishes.” Ji Seong smiled and Jimin expressed his gratitude for her generosity. “Class will start tomorrow at noon. I’ll meet you here at the greenhouse together with the other apprentices.“I understand, grand healer.” Jimin bowed again as the woman excused herself.“The grand healer before her was Han Myong Do,” Taehyung told Jimin as they walked down the path leading outside the conservatory. “He was a wise old man; prolific in the medical arts. But he died a year ago because of a chronic illness. We tried to do everything, you know. Creating every medicine known to us and reading hundreds of books that could help him with his sickness. But none of them worked and the only thing that we could do was to make sure that there was no pain in his deathbed.”“You did the right thing.” Jimin offered a small sympathetic smile. “It’s the only thing that could’ve been done at that moment.”“You could have done better, though.” Taehyung placed his hands on Jimin’s shoulders, staring searchingly into his eyes. “Your Gift will lead you to great things, Jiminie. I don’t doubt it.”“But–” the silver-haired swallowed and clenched his teeth “–I don’t know how to control it.”Jimin remembered the first time his Gift manifested: the tingling sensation in his palms, the heat, the energy, the white light. There was this strange enigmatic feeling drawing from the roots of his being but he was unsure what to make of it. He tried to summon his blessing a few more times, but it just wouldn’t come out. He didn’t know why and he was determined to learn everything about this “Gift of Restoration.” He was scared of what he might find out, but Jimin wouldn’t let his fears cloud his judgment. He had to do this. Just like what the High Priestess desired for him.“You don’t have to worry.” Taehyung smiled and pinched Jimin’s cheek. “I know just the right person to help you.”
After cleaning up Taehyung’s dusty chamber, the young healer bid Jimin farewell with an exaggerated purse of his lips, stating that he didn’t want the latter to leave him alone in the infirmary. Jimin chaffed him by saying, “I bet you’re scared of ghosts?”“I am not!” Taehyung denied hotly and crossed his arms. “It’s dull without your presence there. I don’t know how I lived without you all these years, Jiminie. You’re like my other half!”Jimin laughed and slapped his arm lightly. “Don’t let Jungkook hear that.”“Ah.” Taehyung grimaced. “Yes. Don’t let him hear that.”After hugging and saying their goodbyes, Jimin decided to roam around the castle until dusk. His feet were tired but Jimin couldn’t get enough of the wonderful view from the parapets. How Daegu seemed to appear small from his bird’s eye view. He thought of climbing one of the guard towers one day to get a better view of the landscape and the rush of adrenaline which pumped through Jimin’s veins at that idea excited him so much.Jimin tried to avoid anyone by bowing his head, pretending to keep himself busy with a medical book he borrowed from Taehyung’s library or purposefully turning around a corner to evade the castle guards. He was like a criminal on the loose, but he knew that there would come a time when he would feel comfortable with all of these new people around him. And Jimin wished that it would be much sooner than later.He was about to go back to his chamber when his eyes caught a beautiful brown horse grazing near the stables. As he moved closer, Jimin noticed the horse’s well groomed fur and curly dark brown hair falling to the left side of her neck. “Hey,” Jimin cooed as he held out a hand to the animal, “you’re such a beautiful one. Can I touch you?”The horse stepped back when she saw Jimin, seemingly cautious of his presence. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.”Jimin approached her carefully, every footstep measured and vigilant. And when he halted in front of her, the brown horse looked at him for a moment before bumping her snout gently against his fingers. Jimin smiled and slowly slid his palms up the horse’s face, gently caressing her fur. “You’re so beautiful,” he complimented as both of them eased at each other’s presence. “Who’s your rider? I bet he’s taking good care of you.”The horse neighed and winded playfully around Jimin. The silver-haired chuckled as he placed his hands on the span of her body when she stopped, brushing her shiny brown fur with adoration. Jimin had always been good with animals as if he was born to be with them. They loved their unique nature, the docility and even their fierceness. There was just something about them that never failed to melt Jimin’s heart or perhaps amaze him to a degree that left him breathless sometimes.“You’re such a sweetheart,” Jimin spoke lovingly when the horse moved her face closer to his hand. “I wonder what your name is.”
“Holly.”
Jimin visibly jolted when the horse suddenly neighed and walked away from him. As his eyes followed the lovely creature approaching a familiar figure standing a few feet away, Jimin couldn’t help the shivers that ran down his arms as that man lifted his dark eyes to meet his gaze. The silver-haired swallowed thickly and willed for his feet to step back but the man’s piercing stare seemed to nail him on his spot. He couldn’t move and was somehow a bit afraid even though he knew deep down that the other meant no harm.“G-General,” Jimin stammered out as he bowed his head in respect to the highest official in the army. “My apologies for… for touching your horse without permission.”The general hummed and stroked Holly’s curly hair. “I’m surprised she didn’t kick you. She doesn’t really like other people touching her.”Jimin didn’t know what to make of it so he just bowed his head lower and apologized once again. “I’m really sorry, General Yoongi.”“Raise your head, kid,” Yoongi ordered with voice laced with slight impatience. “You’re making me look bad here. And don’t apologize.”“Sorry!” Jimin’s head whipped up upon his command, surprising both him and Yoongi. “I–I mean, uh…” Cheeks flushing with embarrassment, Jimin’s hands fidgeted on his sides as he attempted to draw out words from his already melted brain. Speak! Jimin scolded himself. Come on, Jimin!Perhaps among the unnatural phenomena that could’ve happened right at that moment like a total eclipse or a comet falling from the heavens, this was the least that he would have expected.Jimin’s jaws slackened when he heard a low, breathy chuckle escape past the general’s lips. After he mounted his horse, there was this unmistakable mirth in his dark eyes that seemed to penetrate right through Jimin’s barriers.“You’re a weird one, Park Jimin,” Yoongi commented with an amused small smirk before he pulled Holly’s reins and cantered away.Jimin stood there frozen on his spot, his feet forgetting their existence once the general let out those words. Releasing the breath he didn’t realize he was holding, Jimin closed his eyes briefly as he placed a slightly trembling hand over his chest. He didn’t know why his heart was beating louder than usual; why his palms were sweating; why his cheeks were flushing, or why he felt like he was wrapped in thick layers of blankets under the scorching summer sun. That despite the coldness of the imminent winter breeze, he still felt like he was sitting in front of a burning furnace.“It’s okay. You’re fine.” After mentally patting his back for doing a great job of not running away from the general, Jimin grabbed the book he was carrying earlier on the ground and proceeded to walk back to his chamber.As the night fell and candles and torches illuminated the corridors of the castle, Jimin lay in his bed with a groan as he felt his spine crack wonderfully in place. His back muscles were stiff and in need of a few hours of sleep. Jimin rolled to his side and placed his hands beneath his ear, eyes staring at the beautiful candlelight of the golden candelabrum resting on a small cabinet beside his bed.He tried not to think, but his mind was betraying him. After tossing and turning for half an hour, Jimin let out an exasperated groan as he threw an arm over his eyes. He really tried not to think, but the words kept on replaying inside his head like loud ringing bells.
You’re a weird one, Park Jimin.
He tried not to think why the general clearly remembered his whole name.
“Who knows what this plant is?” Ji Seong asked to her apprentices as they toured the greenhouse.Jimin swore he read about that flowery plant this morning before going to his noon class. It had a foreign name since it was imported by Chinese merchants centuries ago.As he rummaged through his brain for the answer, Jimin’s eyes caught Taehyung standing behind a huge leafy plant and flailing his arms in the air to catch his attention. He was mouthing something at him but Jimin couldn’t understand what it was. “What?” he mouthed back.“Rèqíng!” his friend hissed.“What?”“Rèqíng!” Taehyung ran a frustrated hand down his face. “It’s rèqíng!”“Ya.” Jungkook grabbed a fistful of Taehyung’s tunic on his back and pulled him away from his hiding place, his lover letting out a loud ‘oof!’ as Jungkook dragged him away.“Jungkook-ah!”“Stop that. You’re embarrassing.”Taehyung pouted. “I’m helping Jiminie! He has to make a good impression on his first day.”Sighing in defeat, Jungkook held Taehyung’s hand as he led him out of the greenhouse. “Come on. We need to meet with the others right now.”Jimin heard the young healer’s faint grumbling as the bladesmith dragged him away. He stifled a laugh by bowing his head and hiding his mouth behind his hand and fortunately, the grand healer was too immersed in her lecture for her to notice Jimin’s struggle.“It’s rèqíng,” Ji Seong explained. “It means passion in Chinese and represents a woman’s love. It is said that long ago when dragons still roam free in the skies, a princess fell in love with a prince from another nation. But as both of their empires warred against each other, their love came to an end when the prince married another princess from a neighboring nation to strengthen their defenses. The princess was heartbroken and swore to kill the prince. On one summer night, the princess and the prince met to share their last kiss. Her nails dug in the prince’s arms as she held him dearly and he fell on the ground. She mourned the prince’s death but afterwards took her own life for the pain was too much to bear.”“Poison.”Ji Seong’s eyes landed on Jimin who looked a bit surprised by his own words. “Yes,” she encouraged him. “It’s poison. Painted elegantly on the princess’s nails.”“Must she kill her beloved?” one of the apprentices asked.“Passion is powerful... and dangerous.” Ji Seong palmed a red petal. “Love can be a poison just like this flower, just like the princess’s love. But it can also be an antidote if mixed with the right ingredients…” she smiled “…if that love is unconditional and directed to the right person.”Jimin couldn’t help the feeling of awe blooming inside his chest. The grand healer was insightful despite her young age. She’s astounding, Jimin thought.Placing short strands of dark hair behind her ear, the grand healer announced, “We’ll visit the still room in a while. You’ll be making medicines with the herbs I will provide for you. I hope you read the first page of the book I gave you this morning.”Jimin groaned inwardly and smacked a hand against his forehead. He tried to read it; he swore. But the memories of the previous day kept haunting him until he could no longer concentrate on his study. This was bad, Jimin said internally to himself, this was very bad.
“Nock!”Yoongi watched from the balcony above as the archers obeyed Hoseok’s command, arrows placed in their bows and feet steady on the training ground.“Aim!”“Hyung.” The general’s head turned to the side. He saw Taehyung and Jungkook walking towards him, the former having this crestfallen look on his face as if he had lost all of his wealth in a petty bet. If Taehyung was feeling guilty like this, perhaps Jimin told him about that night when he apologized to him and then the young healer berated himself for saying rude things to him? Was that it?“Loose!”Dozens of arrows pierced through the air and hit the dummies nailed on wooden poles. “Good! Next!” Hoseok shouted and the next set of archers lined up for their turn.“Where’s Namjoon-hyung?”Yoongi shrugged at Jungkook’s words. “Probably with Jin-hyung. Writing poetry while his lover trains the foot soldiers.”Jungkook chuckled at that. “You know he loves literature. He can’t just read scrolls and address political problems for you forever. Let him do what he wants once in a while.”“It’s a jest.” Yoongi defended and sighed. “He’s staying up late at night to plan various strategies for us. I appreciate his efforts but I told him to rest if he feels tired.” The general’s gaze shifted on Taehyung who visibly flinched when he called his name.Letting out another heavy sigh, Yoongi leaned against the wooden railings and extended an arm towards him. “Come here, Tae.”The young healer’s head slowly lifted up, but when he didn’t move a muscle, Yoongi added, “Hyung forgives you. Come here.”Taehyung’s lips quivered as if he was trying to hold back his tears. His feet immediately stomped towards the older, ducking his face against Yoongi’s shoulder as the latter placed a consoling hand behind his neck. “I’m so sorry, hyung,” Taehyung muttered against the general’s black tunic.“I’m the one who’s sorry. You shouldn’t beat yourself over something which is completely my fault. You have the right to say those things to me.”“No.” The young healer shook his head, still hiding his face on the general’s shoulder. “I should’ve known better. You didn’t mean any harm.”Closing his eyes briefly and taking in a deep breath, Yoongi patted Taehyung’s arm and said, “It’s okay. Jimin’s your friend. I understand.”“But you’re my brother, hyung.”It was just a simple statement but Yoongi’s chest was already brimming with fondness for this young man. Taehyung was honest and gentle; all of which Yoongi wasn’t. That was why he felt so strongly for this kid. Why he would go to the hell and back just to protect him and see him smiling as brightly as the sun.“Yeah, I’m your brother,” Yoongi agreed with a smile. “And this hyung is telling you that he forgives you. Ah, how I hate consoling tall kids. My neck has already gone stiff.”Taehyung pulled back with a breathy chuckle and teary eyes. Wiping his tears through the heel of his palm, he gave Yoongi his wide smile that could light up even the darkest corners of the world. “I love you, hyung.”Yoongi shifted awkwardly on his feet. “Ah, yeah. Well…”Jungkook barked out a laugh when he saw the flustered look on the general’s face. Taehyung and Jin always expressed their love and adoration for him verbally but Yoongi seemed to get really bashful when it came to expressing his emotions through words. He would stammer out, say “thank you” or scratch the side of his neck awkwardly with his little finger. Just like what he was doing right now.“What feast is this?” It was Hoseok.“It’s the Yoongi Feast, hyung,” Jungkook replied with a grin. “For we all find joy in his misery.”The general groaned. “I hate you all.”The three men laughed when Yoongi palmed his face in defeat. It was fun teasing the older like this everytime.“Ah! Hoseok-hyung!” Taehyung turned around to face the archer the instant he remembered his request. “Can you teach Jiminie how to control his Gift? I’m also thinking of asking Jin-hyung to train him for combat since Jiminie told me that he wanted to be an army doctor.”“He did?” Hoseok asked in slight shock.“Yes. I think it’s a good thing. He’s slowly adapting to the reality of this war.” Taehyung reminisced the touch of Jimin’s small fingers intertwined with his own; how smooth and white they were – unscarred. And somehow, Taehyung despaired at the thought of those same gentle hands holding a weapon and taking another person’s life.“He won’t wield any weapon. I’m certain of it.”Taehyung’s eyes darted towards the general. “But if he doesn’t, then he can’t be in the army.”“Not all soldiers need a weapon to fight in the battlefield.” Taehyung knew that what Yoongi spoke of was kind of like a metaphor but the truthfulness oozing from those words was undeniably apparent.“What are you proposing, hyung?” Jungkook asked.Yoongi crossed his arms over his chest as his dark eyes cast down in thought. “I saw him climb a tree. Maybe he’s one of those swift-footed ones.”It took a brief moment before the concept clicked into place and Taehyung raised a finger as realization dawned on him. “Oh! I get it! That’s a great idea, hyung!”“Jin-hyung is the most agile among us.” Jungkook nodded slowly as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “He’ll do a great job on training Jimin-hyung.”“I’ll make sure to teach him well, too. We both have Gifts after all.” Hoseok nocked an arrow on his bow and aimed for something towards the training ground. The arrow flew a few meters away, undoubtedly hitting its target on the dirt. Hoseok grinned and threw a punch in the air. “Alright!”“What? What is it?” Taehyung asked as his hands gripped the railings, his eyes narrowing to see the thing which Hoseok’s arrow assaulted.The archer laughed. “You won’t see it, Tae.”“Yes, because Hoseok’s the only one who can see it,” Yoongi commented bitterly. “You’re such a braggart.” The archer’s laugh became louder as he threw an arm over the general’s shoulders who aired his protest quite conspicuously.The arrow stood obtusely on the ground several meters away from the balcony where they stood, the sharp tip of its blade buried into the flesh of its target.It was a small worm.And it was a perfect hit.-TBC

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Chapter 10: A Mantra of Your Name
“Ya, Park Jimin. Concentrate.”Jimin let out a small sound which, to his dismay, was very much akin to a childish whine. “Hyung.” He sighed. “I am concentrating. For two hours now.”“Well, it’s not enough.” Hoseok took a bite off his apple, the succulent juices pooling at the corners of his mouth, as he balanced a book in his lap. He was sitting with his legs crossed like Jimin, situated across from the younger and facing each other as both of them perched on a sturdy bricked merlon. The crenellations were an ideal place to train Jimin’s concentrating ability, Hoseok said to him. People had the disposition to be wary of their surroundings when placed on a high place as part of their natural instinct, regardless if they had fear of high altitudes or not. And that was exactly what Hoseok wanted Jimin to get rid off at that moment.“You need to block off everything, Jiminie. I know you’re not scared of high places, but you are aware. You know you’re about eighty meters from the ground and that thought seeps into your consciousness on instinct. The wind, the chirping birds, the faint noises below us: you have to eradicate those. Concentrate.”Jimin couldn’t help pursing his lips at the archmaster’s words. “But hyung! I’m doing my best. We’ve been sitting here for two hours now and my butt’s starting to hurt.”Glancing down woefully on his outstretched palms both mounted on his thighs, Jimin released a heavy sigh when he couldn’t feel the similar rush of energy and heat that cursed through his veins when his Gift first manifested weeks ago. His fingertips didn’t tingle with restrained power and there was perceptibly no white light radiating off his palms. And Jimin was starting to get a little bit frustrated.“You’re a whiny kid, Jiminie.” Hoseok chuckled and munched on his fruit. “It’s your first time trying to control your Gift; of course it won’t be as easy as you have expected. It took me two weeks to summon my Gift at will and a few more to completely control it. You just have to be patient–” Hoseok raised his finger in front of him pointedly “–and work hard.”“I am working hard!” Jimin complained and Hoseok barked out a laugh.“You see, Jiminie…” The archmaster’s eyes cast down on the open book balanced in his lap “…according to the book that Taehyung found in the castle library, your Gift–the Gift of Restoration–will manifest once the bearer feels the strong inclination to heal the wounded.” To this, Jimin nodded. “But I know you can do much better than that.”“What do you mean?” he asked, baffled.Hoseok lifted his eyes to look at the younger man, his gaze emitting a certain kind of glow which fell between amusement and wonder. “‘The soul beseeches the light.’” Facing the book towards Jimin and pointing at an old drawing of Thygon, the God of Light, giving the sun to Rasees, the Keeper of Souls and his forbidden eternal love.“Rasees holds the sun, the light given to her by Thygon as a part of him. But one day as she slept in the dark recess of her chamber, a mortal soul broke a piece of it and used it to shed light into his blind beloved. The woman was then able to see her lover’s hands, glowing brighter than any light she’d ever seen. Rasees was furious and condemned all men to an eternal quest to find the missing piece of the sun, the missing part of Thygon.”Hoseok held Jimin’s gaze as the latter’s breath hitched in his throat in anticipation. “The Gift of Restoration has been passed down from generation to generation just like all other Gifts. But because of man’s greed to possess your blessing, your Gift has been kept secret to the world. Just like how the soul beseeches the light, I believe you can summon your Gift at will: anytime, anywhere. You just have to ask for it.”Jimin didn’t know that his blessing had a rich history. It was probably a myth, or a legend, but he couldn’t help but feel proud and frightened at the same time: proud, for his Gift held so much promise of mending those who had been wounded, and frightened, for he had the whole world as a foe.“I don’t know how, hyung,” Jimin uttered silently as his shoulders sagged. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to.”“That’s why I’m here, Jiminie.” The archer grinned at him. “You have us.”A beautiful smiled bloomed in Jimin’s face. Us. The word sounded so warm and like home to his ears, as if that dark phase of loneliness he experienced weeks ago had never been there.Us.And Jimin contemplated for a moment if Hoseok had the general in mind when he spoke that word.
When Jimin declared that he wanted to become an army doctor, this was definitely not in his list of expectations.Panting as he propped himself up on his knees, Jimin wiped off the sweat beading on his brows through the back of his hand. “Hyung.” He coughed as his parched throat itched terribly. “I… need… to drink.”Jin retracted the wooden staff and straightened his posture. “Alright. Here.” He tossed a waterskin towards Jimin who caught it deftly with both hands. As he opened the lid, Jimin immediately downed the fresh water and felt the liquid slide wonderfully down his throat, hydrating him and seemingly bringing back even just a tiny bit of his energy consumed in Jin’s rigorous training.“Can we slow down a bit, hyung?” Jimin asked with furrowed eyebrows, worried and exhausted.“Speed is what we’re trying to train here, Jiminie,” Jin reasoned out. “Agility is the blade of a weaponless soldier. If you don’t want to wield a weapon, then you have to be as nimble as a deer to dodge your opponent’s attacks.”“I know that.” Jimin groaned and tossed the waterskin back to the older.“Then stop with your complaining,” Jin scolded him with a breathy laugh. Positioning himself once again, feet apart and wooden staff held with both hands, he said, “Let’s begin.”The blunt end of the weapon came as a blur beside Jimin’s face, and if it weren’t for his reflexes then it would’ve left a terrible bruise against his left cheek. “Good!” Jin shouted when he managed to dodge the attack.Jimin’s instinct was to take a few steps to the side to avoid Jin’s attack range, but he was surprised to feel the hard rod sweeping across his ankles and causing him to land painfully on his buttocks. “Ow!” he groaned.“Ya, Jiminie,” Jin chided him. “Don’t act on instinct. Think. Read your opponent’s mind. Observe his stance, the position of his arms and legs and the distance of the weapon from you. If this rod were a sword, then you’d be going home with no feet today.”With his lower lip jutting out petulantly, Jimin said, “But hyung! You’re too fast. I don’t have any experience with fighting. You should first give me instructions like a proper mentor!”“I did.”“What was it then?”Jin smirked. “Dodge and try not to get killed.”Releasing another pained groan as he hid his face in his hands, Jimin heard the older’s high-pitched, boisterous laughter polluting the air around them. Some of the soldiers who were busily lifting weights in the training ground turned their heads curiously towards the loud commander and Jimin wanted nothing but for the earth to crack and swallow him whole.Would he be alright?
“Ow, ow, ow!”Jimin massaged the stiff muscles of his calf as he sat on a hardwood bench near the flowery plants in the greenhouse. This had been his favorite place to spend his quiet nights in, gazing at the wonderful white petals of moon blossoms which only bloomed at night, hearing the faint noises of crickets and the light whirs of insect wings and basking under the magnificent glow of the crescent moon that penetrated the glass walls of the conservatory.“Those hyungs…” Jimin could only sigh at the torture he’d gone through today in the hands of Hoseok and Jin. They were ruthless when it came to training and Jimin wanted to cry in frustration. He had a long way to go–a painful one at that–but Jin and Hoseok assured him that he would gradually get there.Hoseok told him about the time when he was eleven and his Gift had only just manifested. The elders in the village advised him to be a watcher in their guard tower, but Hoseok refused and pursued archery instead.“I wasn’t a fighter before. But the moment I held a bow and arrow in my hands, that was the time I knew that I was given this Gift, the Gift of Clarity, because I was destined to be the best archer in the world,” Hoseok jokingly narrated. “So I trained and trained and trained. Hunting rabbits and squirrels in the woods and shooting flying birds in the sky. My weapon became a part of me, as well as my Gift, and now I can use them as easily as breathing.”As much as how joyful Hoseok’s experience had been, Jin’s, on the other hand, was different. “I learned the hard way, Jiminie,” he said vaguely with a smile, “I’ve been fighting my whole life.”Jimin wasn’t sure what Jin meant by that, but he decided to not pry any further after an uncomfortable look settled on the eldest’s face at the mention of his past.“We all have stories to tell, Jiminie,” Jimin remembered Taehyung telling him once.Crossing his legs on the slab of wood, Jimin placed a heavy book on his thighs and opened it to the page which the grand healer had told the class to read for tomorrow’s herbarium study. He was halfway done with the third page when his peripheral vision caught a moving figure outside the greenhouse. Turning his face towards the glass wall, Jimin’s eyes widened as he saw the general mounted on his brown horse and galloping towards the training ground.With the book and the cramping pain in his calf forgotten, Jimin hastily stood up and jogged towards the wall, eyes never leaving the retreating form of the general. “Wha–?” Jimin muttered in slight shock as Yoongi vanished into the woods, his black hair and clothes blending amongst the shadows of the night. Placing a hand against the smooth surface of the glass wall and with stare still fixed on the path where the general vanished into, Jimin’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion as a curious thought lodged inside his head.It was only a few moments away before midnight and every living thing in the castle was already still and silent. Yet, the general was there in the woods, cantering away in the darkness. What was he thinking?Where was he going?Three days passed and the same thing happened again. With new bruises and scrapes from his training with Seokjin earlier that day, Jimin spent most of his nights tucked in the solitude of the greenhouse. He was comfortable in his personal quiet space, but the general never failed to catch his attention whenever he snuck out of the castle and disappeared into the woods before midnight.“Ya, Jiminie. Are you listening?”Jolting as Seokjin’s face occupied most of his vision, Jimin yelled, “Hyung! You scared me.”“What’s gotten into your head? You’ve been out of it for a while now.” Seokjin eyed him worriedly. “Do you need to take a few days off?”Yes, his inner self answered for him. “No. I’m fine, hyung.”“Are you really?” Jin asked, eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.“Yes. Don’t worry about me.” Jimin smiled. “You’ve been allotting much of your time in training me these past few days. I don’t want to put your efforts to waste, hyung.”“I’m delighted to hear that, Jiminie.” Jin took a step closer and brushed off the dirt on Jimin’s cheek with his thumb. “But your health is my priority. If this training is wearing you down, I can talk to Hoseok and we can both give you time to rest.”“As much as I’d love that, I’m really doing fine, hyung.” Jimin thumbed the inside of his left wrist thoughtfully. “Taehyung told me yesterday about the… the battle that’s going to happen in Daegu in twelve days’ time. I can’t sit idly by while you and the others are working hard on training yourselves and the other soldiers.”A soft and warm look dawned on Jin’s eyes and he ruffled Jimin’s silvery white hair fondly as the younger one whined “hyung!” in protest. “You’re so adorable, Jiminie. You’re just like Tae and Jungkook. Ah, you’re our babies.”“I’m not a baby!” Jimin complained peevishly.Chuckling at the annoyed look on the silver-haired’s pouty face, Jin remained silent for a brief while as he mused. “I’m sorry, Jiminie.”With a gentle crease marring the pale skin between his brows, Jimin asked, “What are you apologizing for, hyung?”Jin smiled, though Jimin was quite sure that there was no trace of joy or happiness in that lone gesture. His eyes were sad as if in mournful sorrow when he said, “I’m sorry that you, Tae and Jungkook have to grow up so fast.”There was an apparent sting behind Jimin’s eyes as the eldest’s words pierced right through his heart. A kid had no place in this war. The younger ones had to learn how to fight and fend for themselves at such a young age in order to survive. That was the harsh reality of their world now. It was either fight or die. Kill or be killed. Like an endless chase of predator and prey.“We have no choice, hyung.” Jimin held the other’s gaze with his own tearful one. “And so do you.”
They were in the woods and Jin had already left before dusk.The eldest told Jimin to call it a day, but the latter insisted to give him a few hours more to venture the woods. With a defeated sigh, Jin conceded to Jimin’s wish. “Just don’t let the darkness fall on you here, Jiminie. It’s dangerous in the woods at night.”With a nod and a smile, Jimin bid the eldest farewell and watched as his tall and slender figure disappear behind the foliage and large trees. Jimin wasn’t scared of the forest; he literally grew up in it, spending countless nights under the dark cloudless sky and counting and tracing stars with the tip of his finger. He honestly missed those peaceful days, if he was to say.Jin was training him in climbing trees, or rather, honing his skills more in the said area. He was surprised to see how adept and swift-footed Jimin was as he climbed a thirty-foot tree. He talked about his time in the forest, how happy he was whenever he was on top of the canopies and inhaling the freshness of the air from above.“That’s good to know, Jiminie,” Jin remarked. “Then my job will be much easier with regards to this matter. After two days, we’ll get you to the next part of the training.”Jimin audibly groaned because of that.When the night fell like a dark blanket over Daegu, Jimin wasn’t quite sure why he wasn’t on his way back to the castle yet. His stomach started growling a bit but a certain thought was stopping him from climbing down the sturdy branch he was currently perched on. Leaning against the trunk and crossing his foot over the other as both of his legs stretched parallel to the branch, Jimin let his eyelids droop and listened to the rustling of leaves around him.He wouldn’t know that he had fallen asleep if it wasn’t for the sound of hooves thudding against the forest floor, jolting him awake in the midst of his dreamless sleep. Jimin rubbed the sleepiness off his eyes as he turned his head towards the sound of a horse’s neigh. His heartbeat sped up a fraction as he caught the familiar figure of the general and his steed in the darkness.Without eliciting much noise, Jimin proceeded to climb down the tree swiftly. The horse’s hooves already sounded a bit faint when his feet met the ground, but Jimin could still hear her. He wasn’t much of a hunter like Hoseok, but he had lived long enough in the wilderness to trace animal tracks on the dirt. The shadows were no help at all, but Jimin was still able to make out the shape of horse hooves imprinted on the ground.He wandered deeper into the woods, already starting to think that this was such a bad and foolish idea. So much for your curiosity, Jimin, he chastised himself.It wasn’t long after he climbed up a slightly steep slope when he heard the rush of falling water from afar. After stealthily moving behind the trees, Jimin finally caught a vision of the magnificent cascade falls hidden deep into the forest. A strong sense of nostalgia hit him and he could honestly cry at how much he missed spending his days sitting beside the waterfall near the temple.A glint caught Jimin’s attention. The general was standing in front of the cascades, knee-deep into the water with his black tunic nowhere in sight, hence revealing his muscled back, bare torso and toned abdomen. He wasn’t thick, but he was considerably lean and had the right amount of taught muscles at the right parts which undeniably screamed of raw power and strength. The moon was bathing his pale skin with rich white and blue glows that made Jimin’s airway constrict for a second.He was wielding his glaive, the Agust, piercing and slashing its blade against the midnight air as if there were imaginary opponents trying to subdue him. Deciding to come closer, Jimin stealthily walked over moist and wet rocks and finally crouched down behind a huge one just enough to shield him away from the general’s view.Eyes peering carefully, Jimin watched as Yoongi engrossed himself into a war dance of his own. He moved gracefully and swiftly, the water splashing around his legs as he occasionally jumped and stomped his feet as if dodging an attack. The Agust spun in the air in a blur, making Jimin thought of insect wings flapping rapidly.The droplets of water from the cascades fell like crystals against the rocks and Jimin found himself entranced at the spectacular performance unraveling in front of him. When the motion of the glaive halted with a final shove of its blade into the air, the general was panting heavily as he held the stance for a bit longer before lowering the priced weapon to his side. Yoongi’s head started to turn around and Jimin quietly gasped in surprise as he pulled himself promptly behind the rock.This is really a bad idea, he thought as he closed his eyes regretfully, berating himself silently for his rashness and foolishness. I’d better get out of here.“You.”Jimin screamed when he saw the general standing on top of the rock he was hiding from, dark eyes piercing into his flesh with his mouth curved unpleasantly at the corners. Yoongi jumped down when Jimin started scrambling to his feet, effectively blocking his way out of this misery.Jimin stared in shocked silence at the general, feeling the slight bolts of shudders running through his arms and causing his hands to slightly shake in his sides. “G-General…”“What are you doing here?” Yoongi asked in a low voice.“I… I…”“Are you following me?”“No! I–I mean…” Jimin swallowed the lump in his throat and willed his rapidly beating heart to calm down. “Yes. I followed you.”Yoongi’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”“I was in the greenhouse every night and I always saw you sneaking out into the woods. I was training with Jin-hyung earlier in the forest and then I remembered you and…” Jimin cast his eyes down in embarrassment “…I was curious what you’re up to.”“Curious.” Yoongi tilted his head slightly to the side as his dark burning gaze never once left Jimin’s face. “Curious can get you killed, Park Jimin.”Jimin’s throat went dry but there was this disturbing feeling brewing inside his chest that prevented him from recoiling under the general’s presence. “You won’t,” Jimin said as if his tongue had a mind of its own. “You won’t hurt me.”Yoongi’s eyebrow raised a fraction. “What makes you say that?”“You won’t,” he repeated as he slowly lifted his eyes to finally meet the general’s stare. “I know.”
You don’t hurt innocent people.
The muscles in Yoongi’s jaws jumped as he clenched his teeth briefly. Now that Jimin had taken a closer look at him, the general appeared soaked, perhaps a mixture of sweat and fresh water, with a few strands of dark hair plastered to the sides of his face. There was a small indelible black mark inked on top of his left pectoral: two circles overlapping
each other like a partial eclipse. Jimin was caught breathless for a moment as his subconscious whispered to his ear, tempting him to run his fingers across the marking, his pads ghosting over the general’s pale skin ever so slightly as he felt the heat radiating from him.

“I’m surprised you’re talking to me.” There was a faint amused smirk curving the corners of Yoongi’s lips. “I thought you hate me.”“I don’t hate you.”“Well, it seems like it to me.”“I was scared,” Jimin clarified. “But I never hated you.”“Was?” Yoongi asked. “So you are not now?”Was Jimin still scared of Yoongi? He undoubtedly felt frightened when the general found him hiding earlier behind that rock. But he couldn’t help but wonder now if what he had felt a while ago was just a spur of a moment feeling–the dread of getting caught while doing an inappropriate deed.As Jimin listened to the sound of his heartbeat right now, he could clearly observe how its pace gradually slowed down as he stared and spoke to Yoongi. How calm his heart was at the moment even at the presence of the mighty general who he once thought was a mere bloody murderer. He was conflicted, but the word fell from his mouth before he could stop it.“No.”Yoongi’s mouth gaped a little, as if he was slightly taken aback by Jimin’s answer. “You should be afraid of me. Many people still are.”“That doesn’t mean I have to be one of them.”Silence hung thickly between them and Jimin felt like drowning. After a few seconds, it was Yoongi who first spoke, “Why are you saying this now?”“Because Taehyung trusts you…” Jimin bit the inside of his cheek “…and you’re not the bad man other people deem you to be.”Another heavy silence fell with only the gush of water heard above their silent heartbeats. Yoongi tore his gaze away from Jimin. “Let’s go back to the castle,” he uttered in a low voice which sent shivers down Jimin’s spine.The silver-haired followed Yoongi, albeit a bit awkward and unsure. The general grabbed a piece of cloth from his leather pouch bag and wiped the wetness off his skin. Casting his eyes down as Yoongi dressed up to respect his privacy, Jimin couldn’t help but feel the heat of the slight flush tainting his cheeks. It was kind of… uncomfortable to be in close proximity to the general while he was in that state.“Have you ridden a horse before?”Jimin’s eyes lifted up, catching a sight of the general fixing Holly’s saddle and sparing him a brief sidelong glance. “I haven’t,” he confessed.“Can I trust you not to fall behind me?”“What?”Yoongi sighed and waved a hand in the air impatiently. “Have you seriously not ridden a horse before?”Eyebrows pulling together, Jimin responded with slight indignation, “I told you. I haven’t.”“Alright.” Releasing another troubled sigh, Yoongi beckoned for Jimin to come closer. As the latter obliged slowly, the general said, “Put your left foot on the stirrup and swing your right leg over the saddle.”Jimin did as he was told and tried not to pay close attention to the pair of hands supporting his waist as he hopped on the saddle. Once mounted, Holly neighed and it wasn’t long when he felt a warm body pressing gently against his back. Yoongi reached around him to place his hands on the pommel and grab the rein. “Hold on tight,” he spoke softly beside Jimin’s ear before pulling the leather strap.As they cantered into the woods, feeling the cold breeze kissing their faces and seeing the bright stars dusting the night sky, Jimin felt his chest burn and his stomach drop when he felt Yoongi’s soft breaths beside his neck and smelled the cascades’ fresh water on his skin. They were too close for Jimin’s comfort and his instinct was telling him to shy away from the general’s touch but a part of him was also craving for the contact so much that his chest hurt.When they both entered the castle grounds, Yoongi asked, “Where’s your chamber?”“T-Tae’s…” Jimin stammered out. He was actually a bit surprised that he was still able to speak a single word after this.Yoongi hummed and directed Holly towards the left wing of the castle. After they halted in front of an oak door, the general alighted first before offering his hands to Jimin. “Thank you. But I can do it myself,” Jimin politely refused his good will.“Suit yourself.” Yoongi took a step back to give room for Jimin as he dismounted Holly.“Um… thank you, general,” Jimin said once they were standing in front of each other. “And I’m sorry for following you.”“If I catch you sneaking on me again, I will tie you in a post and won’t take mercy on you even if you pee your pants.”Jimin couldn’t help the soft breathy chuckle that bubbled inside his throat because of that. As he was about to bid the general a good night, Yoongi stared so intently at him that it effectively wiped out any coherent thought in Jimin’s mind at that exact moment.“Yoongi.” The right corner of the general’s mouth tilted slightly. “You can call me Yoongi.”All air in Jimin’s lungs seemed to block his throat as his breath caught, letting out a soft gasp in response. “I…”“You look stupefied.”“I am,” Jimin answered and coughed to hide the bashful pink tinge on his cheeks. “Well, I suppose we should part ways now?”Yoongi hummed. “Night’s getting deeper.”“Good night…” Jimin’s mouth remained open for a second as Yoongi stood rooted on the ground as if patiently waiting for the word to fall past his lips “…Yoongi.”The corners of Yoongi’s lips twitched up briefly but the mirth in his eyes spoke volumes how delighted he was to hear it. “Good night.”When the general walked away with Holly, Jimin turned on his heel immediately and sprinted towards his chamber. Slamming the door shut and pressing his back against the hard wood, the reality of what just happened hit Jimin like a tidal wave that he had to bury his crimsoned face in his palms to keep him from slapping himself.“Oh gods. What am I doing?” he groaned in displeasure.Gripping the fabric of the white tunic upon his chest, Jimin bit his lower lip and whispered, “Yoongi.” He spoke the name like a chant, a mantra which soothed his nerves and calmed his storm. He had said his name a few times before, but it just sounded so differently now. It felt different and meant different that it kind of confused and scared Jimin at the same time.“Yoongi…” His hands tightened around the fabric as he closed his eyes firmly “…Yoongi.”-TBC

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Chapter 11: Flutters and Shadows
It wasn’t that Jimin was staring – definitely not.It had been two days since his fateful encounter with the general, and as foolish as it might appear so, Jimin was practically avoiding Yoongi like the plague. Not that he was frightened to be reprimanded for following him in secret; it was due to the fact that Jimin was well aware of the troublesome flutters inside his stomach every time he was within the vicinity of the general’s radar, knowing that they breathed the same air and walked the same expanse of land.Deflecting his chances of encounter with the other man had helped calm down the flutters, but the more he avoided him, the more he remembered him. And being in the training grounds right now, with faint echoes of Yoongi’s voice resounding occasionally from where Jimin stood, was no help at all.When his center of gravity tipped for the fifth time within a span of three minutes as he stood on one leg on a rounded wooden post, Jin sighed audibly and nestled his hands on his hips. “Jiminie, why do you seem so distracted today?”“I’m so sorry, hyung.” Jumping down the post, Jimin rubbed a hand on his nape awkwardly. “It’s just... a bit rowdy.”“The battlefield is a thousand times rowdier than this, Jiminie.”Feeling ashamed of himself, Jimin let out a loud breath and closed his eyes. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately, hyung.”When the older sensed the perturbed emotion enfolding Jimin’s voice, Jin didn’t hesitate to take a step forward to pat his shoulder. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”Jimin nodded but didn’t say a word. It was the general’s loud yell sounding a few meters away that made Jimin open his eyes and turn his head reflexively towards that familiar baritone. Yoongi had a dull training sword in one hand, taking on five of his soldiers simultaneously as he continued to shout what his men should do when faced with a stronger enemy. His moves were flawless, honed by hundreds and hundreds of battles he’d fought over his years of existence.It was the first time Jimin saw Yoongi wielding a sword and the memory of the latter’s midnight training flashed into his mind; those ungodly hours spent in the realm of tall trees, cascades and fireflies. The image was burnt behind Jimin’s eyelids, the picturesque so majestic and powerful that it robbed him of his breath.“So that’s what it is.”Turning his head sharply only to be met by a scrutinizing look on Jin’s eyes, Jimin’s teeth clacked together as he realized that he was gaping at the general for god-knows-how-long.“How long have you felt this way, Jiminie?”Jimin’s eyebrows creased. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, hyung.”“Well, to elucidate my prior statement, let me ask you this–” Jin smiled “–how long have you liked Yoongi?”
Jimin was a tad confused. He knew he disliked the general before, but he never hated him. He knew he liked Jin, or Taehyung, or Hoseok, but they were his friends. The general was, well, a little too short in that aspect. They hadn’t had the opportunity to interact on a frequent basis for them to be called as such. Jimin wasn’t scared of him anymore, yes, but he was still a bit uncomfortable in his presence. And gods, he didn’t know why.“I don’t… really get what you’re saying, hyung. I mean, I can’t say I like him because we’re not even friends.”“Friends,” Jin echoed the word as a small chuckle escaped his lips. “I’m not talking about friends, Jiminie.” Seeing the still baffled expression on the younger’s face, he asked, “I assume you haven’t been in a relationship with anyone, is that it?”Feeling warmth spread across his cheeks, Jimin shook his head. “N-No.”He was not to be blamed though. The environment which he grew up in was not exactly conducive to kindle the flames of love. He had read stories about passion between two people; even saw it with his own eyes as husbands and wives visited the temple for healing. But never, in all his years, had Jimin been attracted in a romantic sense with someone. He didn’t know how it felt like, even if the books said that love was like a wildfire spreading inside one’s chest, or like a dam bursting through the cracks once the person felt its high tides. Sometimes he wondered how such powerful emotion could make a person go to such lengths for it, even strong enough to drive the sky and the sea.“You were looking at Yoongi the same way how I used to look at Namjoon before: afraid, but with so much adoration.” Jin eyed him keenly. “You’re confused and frightened of what you’re feeling right now because it’s all new to you. But soon enough, as the sparks grow brighter and brighter, you’ll realize it. Feel it even. And just like what happened to me, that certain emotion will take you by storm and you won’t be prepared for it in the slightest.”
Jin’s words continued to swell inside Jimin’s head until the day after, consuming every corner of his mind like poison. The older was implying that he felt a sense of attraction and adoration towards Yoongi, and that he was still in still waters when it came to it. The notion wasn’t new to him, but rather the actual
feeling of it. Was this how a romantic attraction would feel? Warm flutters and fast heartbeats? Flushed cheeks and stuttering lips? Jimin didn’t know, because he had never felt that way before…Until he met Yoongi.Jimin’s hand gripped tighter on the backbone of the book he was holding against his chest as he walked down the long hallway near the courtyard. He was on his way to his afternoon class–head filled with confusing and lingering thoughts–when his shoulder hit against someone. Gasping slightly in surprise, Jimin hastily bowed. “My apologies–” And when he lifted his eyes to gaze at the person he had accidentally bumped into, his breath hitched in his throat as the features of that certain man filled his vision.Taehyung and Hoseok had told Jimin about him, and even though he had actually seen him a couple of times from afar, never in his faintest dream had Jimin seen himself standing so closely with him.Jung Shik raised an eyebrow as he stared Jimin down, his eyes cold and unrelenting. “You’re a new face,” he commented, “how long have you been in the castle?”Jimin swallowed the lump in his throat. “A-A few weeks, commander.”The commander hummed. “Must be because I’m too confined in my house these days. The castle isn’t really a nice place to stay in, is it?”Jimin couldn’t speak as Jung Shik’s words sounded equivocal to him. Was he referring to the castle itself, or to the people, whom he loathed, living in it?The commander gave him a cursory look from head to foot and when his gaze settled back on Jimin’s face, a small smirk crept into his mouth as he took a step forward, causing Jimin to back away instinctively.Displeased, the commander spoke in a low voice, “Don’t move.”The silver-haired froze on his feet upon the command. He could feel his heart thudding wildly against his chest as the commander lifted a hand to stroke a lock of silvery white hair between his thumb and forefinger. “You have beautiful hair,” he heard him say a little too intimately that Jimin couldn’t suppress the horrifying shudders that ran down his back. “Tell me your name.”That was when he snapped.Jimin smacked the commander’s hand from his hair, his grip on the book so tight that his knuckles turned white. “Please don’t touch me,” he uttered breathily.Perhaps thoroughly taken aback by his action, Jung Shik’s jaws slackened as he stared wide-eyed at Jimin. “You–” the commander’s face slowly twisted into a terrifying frown as he lifted his foot to take a step forward “–you insolent little sh–”“Commander.”A firm and authoritative voice caused Jung Shik to halt his movement. When Jimin turned his head towards the source of that voice, a mixture of warmth and relief flushed down his system that his knees almost buckled under him.Yoongi was walking towards them with a dark look in his eyes, the skin between his eyebrows flawed with hard lines and the corners of his lips pulled down by gravity. When he stopped in front of them, he spoke with barely restrained hostility, “Don’t lay your dirty hands on him.”At this, the commander’s eyebrow raised. But before he could say a word, the general added, “He’s Taehyung’s friend.”Jung Shik seemed surprised but didn’t waste a second as he smiled and said, “Ah, is that so?” He turned to Jimin. “My apologies, young man. I should’ve known.”All Jimin could do was cast his eyes down. He couldn’t nod or accept that apology, not when he could still feel the man’s suggestive fingers on his hair, the sensation of the touch crawling in his scalp like snakes.Shifting his gaze back to the general, the commander tipped his chin up with pride. “My soldiers are ready to be stationed around the castle and on watch towers in the canyon. How are your soldiers faring in the training?”“Better than expected,” Yoongi replied and was pleased to see a slight, irritated flinch in the older man’s eyebrow.“I’m glad to hear that. Make sure the lads are eating well. We don’t want them to faint in the midst of battle, do we?” A smirk tugged the corners of the commander’s lips and Yoongi wanted nothing but to punch his teeth in. “As much as I fancy talking with you, I’m afraid I must excuse myself now, general. Have a pleasant day.”With that, Jung Shik turned on his heels and left without saying another word. Jimin’s gaze slowly turned towards Yoongi and truthfully enough, the latter’s shoulders were tensed as the muscles in his jaws jumped with reserved anger.“Thank you,” he uttered quietly.The general’s eyes landed on him and Jimin saw the tautness on his frame slightly ebb away. “Did he touch anywhere else?”He shook his head.“Did he say something to you?”Jimin swallowed thickly. “It’s… nothing to be worried about.”At this, the general turned his body fully towards Jimin to stare at his face searchingly. “Tell me.”Nibbling on his lower lip briefly and casting his eyes down on his feet, Jimin muttered, “Just… he said that I have beautiful hair.”The general’s teeth clenched as the frown on his face deepened. “That’s a fucking indecent remark.”It was and Jimin couldn’t deny the gruesome taste it left on his mouth. “It’s not a big deal,” he said, trying to calm the general down.“It is to me.” Yoongi let out a sigh and ran a hand down his face. “That man never touched one of my friends. He knows better than to cross that boundary. But he did touch you. Fuck.”Jimin stood there watching the general breathe out frustrated breaths. The sight would’ve been funny if it wasn’t for the fact that Jimin was almost gaping at the other man right now when the realization of what the general’s words meant dawned on him. “I’m your friend?” he asked before he could stop the words from coming out.Yoongi regarded him silently for a moment, seemingly seeking for some indication of disapproval or discomfort from Jimin. “Not if you don’t want to,” he eventually stated.“No.” Jimin shook his head. “I mean, I want to. Be your friend, that is.”The left corner of the general’s lips curved up slightly. “Then you will be.”Jimin’s chest brimmed with warmth and despite the fact that both of them were almost of the same height, when the general reached out and patted his head gently, Jimin suddenly felt small as he submitted himself completely to that fond tenderness. He loved it: the general’s touch. Loved how his long and slender fingers slid along his silver strands. Loved how his dark eyes stared at him. Loved how he smiled at him.The flutters came back again, but stronger this time. And for a curious moment, as they stood closely to each other, Jimin thought not of snakes crawling under his skin or vile taste in his mouth, but of hundreds of flapping butterfly wings threatening to burst from deep inside him.
Jung Shik watched as the woman fidgeted in front of him. He liked seeing people squirm under his presence. It gave him power and control over them, like a hand pulling the strings of a puppet.“Did you find something?” he asked.The woman nodded and looked around nervously for a moment. They were in the unused dungeon, the last place where the general and his underlings would
inadvertently walk into. Seeing no signs of life apart from them, the woman slid an empty vial from her sleeve and offered it to the commander.Eyes narrowing as he inspected the empty vial, he wondered, “Where did you get this?”She kept her head bowed and eyes low as she spoke, “The general’s chamber. Inside the mattress of his bed.”“And what worth does this thing has for me?”“I… showed it to one of the healers. When she examined the dried liquid adhering on the walls of the vial, she said that it’s a mixture she’s never seen before. That it’s a very complex medicine that only highly-versed healers can formulate.” She lifted her eyes briefly. “S-She said that she could only think of the grand healer and the army doctor as the ones who can come up with such mixture.”Ah, Jung Shik thought as an understanding smile curved his lips. “The brats from Geochang.”Taehyung and Ji Seong.“A medicine you say?” The woman nodded. “Have you seen Yoongi drinking it?”Shaking her head, she responded, “The general’s… very cautious about it.”Jung Shik hummed and smirked. “Then let’s find out what his secret is, shall we, Jeohyeon-ah?”The woman flinched when he addressed her so familiarly, even more so when he stepped forward and dragged the back of his forefinger down the side of her face. Jeohyeon was a housekeeper and the wife of one of his soldiers. He had her wrapped around his finger for she knew better than disobey Commander Ha Jung Shik.“M-My husband,” she uttered with a trembling voice, “he spoke of a mutiny against the general. Please. Please don’t let him die. I beg you, Commander Ha.”With a tyrannical smile plastered on his face, Jung Shik leaned down to whisper beside Jeohyeon’s ear. “If you do me this favor, Jeohyeon-ah, then I will promise the safety of your husband’s life.”“Please. I will do anything you ask of me,” she said as tears started flowing down her cheeks.Pressing closer until his lips ghosted over the lobe of her ear, Jung Shik raised a hand and stroked her long ebony strands. “Three days,” he breathed softly, “I will give you three days to find out everything about that young man with silver-white hair.”
Jin scratched the side of his neck as he felt a patch of his skin itch terribly.They were on the other side of the canyon at the middle of the night; they had been going there for more than two weeks now ever since Yoongi revealed his plan to mercilessly confront the upcoming mutiny with an iron fist.The mouth of the cave was guarded by two soldiers, both of them trusted and pledged by Namjoon. Pressing the cloak closer to his body as his lover walked by his side, holding a lit torch in one hand, Jin sighed and spoke, “Why do caves have to be so dark, cold and full of bugs?”Namjoon chuckled lightly. “Bugs won’t kill you, Jin-ah.”“They’re still disgusting and you can’t argue me out of it.”As silence once again settled between them, Jin finally saw a small source of light at the end of the cave. His breath suddenly becoming heavier with every step he took, Jin swallowed the lump in his throat as he and Namjoon continued to venture into the darkness.There was a figure behind the steel bars, his upper body bathed in the shadows as the small lamp lit beside his left leg provided no proper illumination to cover his entire form. When Namjoon leaned the torch closer towards the bars, the shadows moved and revealed a man slumped against the rock walls of the cave.Jin peered down at him, watching as the man moved sluggishly and winced at the sudden brightness. “Han Jeong.”Lifting up a pair of bloodshot eyes, the man opened his cracked and parched lips to utter hoarsely, “Seokjin.”The voice made Jin’s teeth clench tightly and he suddenly felt a warm hand resting on top of his shoulder, never failing to offer comfort every time he needed it. “So you finally talked to me. Stop being so obstinate and spit out whatever shit you know. The general will grant you an amnesty if you cooperate with us.”Han Jeong scoffed, his head drooping to the side due to the exhaustion of his torture. “The general. Ah, yes. The ‘Red General’ Min Yoongi. The ungrateful son of Min Sungjae. The shame of his clan. The deceitful words of a fucking rebel.”“Stop talking shit about Yoongi,” Namjoon spat at him.When the man’s heavy-lidded eyes shifted to the strategymaster, the captive let out a shaky smirk and then he said, “He’s a fucking murderer. All of you belligerent fools are.”“You’re running out of time, Han Jeong.” Jin tilted his head slightly. “You have seven days to keep that head on your shoulders. Tell us what you know about Jung Shik and Prince Taewon’s plans, or else…”“Or else, what? Die like Doh-Keun?” he jeered. “He deserved it. That bloody coward.”Releasing a heavy breath, Jin closed his eyes for a moment to calm himself. Doh-Keun, the other captive, was the one who revealed Jung Shik’s plan to Yoongi when he captured them. He was tortured, gravely so, and he died shortly after that when he was thrown back into his cell with a very much furious Han Jeong waiting for him, choking him to death after what he did.Han Jeong was a messenger for the second prince, Taewon, just like Doh-Keun. They were the bridge of communication between him and Jung Shik. The man hated the rebels with strong, irrational passion. He blamed them for his family’s death when he was still a child and even if he wouldn’t say it, he also blamed them for the rough life he had led and for what he had become.“You killed your friend,” Jin muttered and the words left a bitter taste on his tongue.“He’s nothing but an associate.” A dark look settled on the man’s face. “We lowlifes don’t do friends. You of all people know that, Seokjin.”“Jin-ah.” Namjoon curled his fingers around his lover’s arm, tugging him gently. “Let’s go.”“You know–” Han Jeong coughed out blood which made Jin’s eyebrows crease “–I wonder why you betrayed the second prince? How Kim Seokjin, the Midnight Crow, was ‘killed’ by the Red General four years ago? Why you fabricated your death? And I think I have the answer for a while now.”The man’s begrimed face twisted into a raunchy smile, displaying his bloody teeth. “Do you take it up the ass, Seokjin?”Namjoon banged his fist against the steel bars, the clunking sound echoing inside the cave along with Han Jeong’s loud, derisive laughter. “I’m going to fucking kill you, you filthy rat,” he hissed.“Namjoon-ah.” Jin pulled his lover by the arm. “Don’t let him provoke you. He’s always been like this.”“Don’t think you can come clean by doing this,” the man told Jin. “You’ll always have blood in your hands. You’ve always had.”Jin’s hands balled into tight fists and he turned on his heels to walk out of this suffocating hellhole. However, on his way out, he heard Han Jeong say, “The second prince will know you’re alive, Seokjin. And when he does, he will come for you.”-TBC

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Chapter 12: Torment
Yoongi was certain of the faint throbbing in his chest even after consuming that last vial of medicine. Wincing slightly as he pushed the empty vial through the small slit in his mattress, the general sighed and swallowed thickly, as if trying to wash down the dull ache thrumming in his ribcage. The time had come to talk to Taehyung about it.He grabbed his black cloak from the coat rack and threw it around his shoulders. Despite the troublesome ache in his chest, he couldn’t afford to sit idly as the day of the mutiny drew near and gripped around his throat like a noose. He had to be prepared, to be in his best shape when that happened. He couldn’t let his soldiers and the villagers down. He had to protect them, uphold the sacred oath he had sworn with his blood.Walking towards the glaive mounted on the wall, Yoongi fixed his dark eyes on the sharp blade of his weapon, staring at his reflection. His black hair had gone a bit long; he could ask Jin to cut it for him before the battle. The dark circles under his eyes were proof of his cursed nights of sleeplessness. The muscles on his shoulders were tensed; his slightly chapped lips pressed into a thin line.Yoongi couldn’t deny how tired he must have looked.He’d been training in the forest for days. He couldn’t afford to stop now, not because of a measly throb inside his chest. He’d gone through worse, most of it involving ugly gashes and a lot of blood. This was nothing, Yoongi concluded.He was reaching for the Agust when Yoongi heard someone knock on the door to his chamber. It was an hour before midnight yet someone was still awake and deemed himself as a visitor. Turning around to greet the person behind the door, Yoongi frowned a little when he saw Namjoon standing in front of him.“Do you know how late it is?”“Well, I’m fairly aware of the time, if that’s what you’re asking.” Namjoon eyed him from head to foot, and as realization dawned on him, he inquired, “You’ve been out training again?”“Yes,” Yoongi answered honestly, thinking of no real need to hide the secret from his best friend.“How long have you been out there in the forest? Why didn’t you tell me?” the strategymaster uttered, sounding a bit hurt.“I see no need to inform you. I’m doing fine.”“If how you look like now is ‘doing fine,’ then by all means, tell that to the bags under your eyes.” Namjoon sighed and placed his hands on his hips. “Look, Yoongi. I’m here to tell you about something.”“Go on.”Shifting the weight on his other foot, Namjoon lifted his eyes up to the general. “Jung Shik is now holding a friendly competition for the soldiers. It started as a small celebration to thank the army for their hard work in training, and then things went a bit out of hand and now they’re in the fighting pit, placing bets on the best fighter.”“Well, let them,” Yoongi relented, thinking that the commander was doing this to appease his men and perhaps buy their loyalty with a few shots of cheap ale, “I can’t contest the fact that my soldiers are really doing well. Let the men enjoy the night.”“That’s not the problem here. Jung Shik offered a generous amount of gold for the victor and a rank promotion from his unit…” Namjoon let out an audible breath and massaged the spot above his right eyebrow “…he’s requesting for your presence tonight in the fighting pit, general.”
Jimin’s eyes fluttered open because of hushed voices and thudding boots in the hallway. He was deep in his sleep when the noises at this ungodly hour pulled him out of slumber. Throwing on a brown twill cloak, Jimin made his way out of his chamber and descended the stairs leading outside the tower. The night breeze was cold and biting on his skin, but it never mattered as his attention was occupied by the bustling soldiers half-walking, half-sprinting towards the back gate of the castle.Once outside and as they walked towards the direction of the training grounds, Jimin could now faintly hear the cheering voices of men in the fighting pit. Was there a celebration? A fight? At the middle of the night?“Hurry, lads!” one soldier shouted. “I heard General Yoongi is fighting tonight!”“With whom?”“I don’t know. But we can’t miss this event!”“I said hurry up, you lazy swines!”Jimin’s breath caught in his throat upon hearing the general’s name. He was… going to fight? With whom? And why?Feeling his feet raced against each other more hurriedly, Jimin pushed against the soldiers as the loud booming voices of the cheering crowd hit his ears. The fighting pit was fairly huge, housing probably several hundreds of people, as skilled combat between men in the pit was considered a recreational sport. It was a means to pass time, an entertaining event in Daegu. And knowing that the highest ranking official in the army would be participating in the said event pulled the soldiers like magnet.

Source: [x]
Once situated on the highest platform, Jimin roamed his eyes around to find any familiar faces among the crowd, and when his gaze did land on someone, he hastily excused himself and pushed against the bodies in front of him which earned him a few gasps and muttered curses from the soldiers.“Tae!”That recognizable crown of brown hair turned around upon his call and when the young healer saw him, Taehyung raised his arm and shouted back, “Jiminie!”After struggling his way down to the nearest platform from the arena, Jimin held his friend’s arm and asked, “What’s going on?”“I’m not really sure…” Taehyung uttered worriedly “…but Namjoon-hyung went to the infirmary to get me so I assume it must have been serious. He filled me in about this event on our way. He also told me to watch over Yoongi-hyung throughout the affair. It’s nighttime after all.”Jimin wasn’t really certain of what he was saying but he decided to just give a slight nod instead and ask, “Where are the others?”Taehyung pointed towards the other side of the fighting pit. There on the platform stood the general’s right-hand, Namjoon, and his commanders: Hoseok, Jungkook and Jin. They all had this hard look on their faces as if they were facing a difficult battle right at this moment.Jimin opened his mouth to say something when he was cut by Commander Jung Shik’s voice at the middle of the pit. “Welcome, famed Bangtan soldiers!” he said in a loud voice, arms stretched widely to the sides in a welcoming gesture, “tonight, we shall be witnessing a very unforgettable fight. One that you will replay in the deepest recesses of your memories for years. This is a rare and special moment, as none other than General Yoongi himself has graced us with his presence.”Jung Shik pointed towards the direction of the general on the right side of the fighting pit, making the crowd cheer loudly. Jimin saw how tensed the general’s body was: his crossed arms strained beneath the fabric of his black long-sleeved tunic, his eyebrows pulled together in a tight crease, and his eyes glowing dimmer as he continued to glare at the culprit of this event.“Fifty of my most skillful men,” the commander began, “will take on the fist of the general in a hand-to-hand combat. Only one victor will triumph and receive a generous price.”Jimin heard himself gasp in shock as the utter inequity of the rule caused anger to flare in his chest. Fifty against one? Was he mad? “That’s not fair!”“Yoongi-hyung won’t lose.” Taehyung’s hand gripped on the wooden handrail. “He’s stronger than one thousand of those men combined.”Jimin wanted to believe in that, wanted to cling to that burst of hope his friend was offering. “Why is Commander Jung Shik doing this?”Shaking his head, Taehyung replied, “I’m… not sure. But this is the first time this happened. And why does it have to be at night? It’s quite absurd but I can’t help thinking that he knows.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Yoongi-hyung can’t decline his request, not when the soldiers’ trust hangs on it. Because if he did, then it would raise questions about his skill and leadership. Commander Jung Shik knows all about it, and he’s purposely poking at that inevitable weakness. No matter what happens tonight, he knows that Yoongi-hyung definitely cannot lose.”The tension was there, the pressure gripping around Jimin’s neck so tight that he almost choked. He was so scared for Yoongi; furious at the commander in his stead. Why did the other man have to do this? Despite his unfavorable first impression on the general, his opinion on him had incredibly taken a full turn as their encounters grew in number. He learned that Yoongi wasn’t a bad man after all. That he cared for his friends, his men and the people in Daegu–in their nation–so much. That he was willing to lead this war and sacrifice his life for them. That was how great a man Yoongi was.And now here was a vile soul who wanted to strip him from all that greatness for the sake of glorifying himself. One who would never get off his high horse and prove that he was infinitely greater than the general.As Jimin eyed Yoongi and the smirking soldiers approaching the center of the pit, the commander turned around to make way for the fight, stopping near the wall of the raised platform and pulling out his sword from its sheath. Impaling the tip of the blade on the ground and resting his hands on the pommel, Jung Shik straightened his back, as that of a privileged spectator, and shouted, “Let the fight begin!”At those words, the soldiers screamed their battle cry at once, launching themselves towards the general who was just standing calmly on his feet. As the first punch came, Yoongi stepped to the side and the man stumbled forward due to the sheer force of his attack. Another one came, then another one, but the general kept on dodging them. “Have you forgotten what I taught you?” Yoongi spun around and landed a kick on the spine of the soldier who attempted to punch him in the face. Lowering his foot on the ground slowly as he stared at the men seriously, he uttered in a low voice, “Control your strength. It’s better to land one solid attack than to throw a hundred blind ones.”Some of the men hissed in annoyance but the crowd went wild when they heard what Yoongi said. Jimin couldn’t help but feel proud of him. Even at this situation, the general had never forgotten his persona of being a mentor to his men. He was fighting them, but also teaching them of combat techniques at the same time.Some of the men tried to grab the general but the latter had no interest in yielding to their wishes. He dodged their attacks for a long while, and Jimin thought that he was going to keep doing that until the soldiers gave up on exhaustion. He was proven wrong when the general took down five men at a time, garnering him a round of thundering shouts from the crowd.He took down a couple more, until his opponents were down to twenty. Jimin didn’t notice that his hands were knuckle-white on the handrail, feeling only the loud beating of his heart as he worried and anticipated for the general’s next attack.Yoongi let out a long breath, neck glistening with sweat as a few strands of dark hair plastered to his temples. When he lifted his eyes, Jimin almost jumped on his feet when their gazes locked. Of all the things that the silver-haired could feel at that moment, why did it have to be the stupid flutters that always churn his insides? Why did his cheeks have to warm up despite the coldness of the night?And Yoongi was no exception to that small electrifying moment they shared. The general was standing there at the center of the pit, chest rising a bit heavily as he stared back at him. He wasn’t moving and it was as if the whole world stopped spinning around Jimin as the intensity of the general’s stare caught him off guard.A loud yell broke their connection and Yoongi’s eyes pulled briskly away from him. The general was fighting again but Jimin seemed to remain stunned. He felt a pair of dark brown eyes settling on him, and when he turned his head to the side, he was met by a searching and incredulous look in the young healer’s eyes. “What is that?” he asked.“I–I don’t know what you’re talking about.”“Jiminie, Yoongi-hyung just looked at you like he’s out there fighting for your love.”Hearing those words made Jimin’s whole face flush, causing him to wave his hands in the air in panic. “N-No, that’s not–you’ve got it wrong, Tae!”Before Taehyung could speak, their attention was caught by the loud exultant voices of the crowd. Directing their gazes back to the arena, Jimin saw Yoongi standing in the midst of fallen bodies, wiping off sweat on his forehead through the back of his hand. Jung Shik looked irked as he saw the scene unfold in front of him.Yoongi’s gaze landed on the platform he was standing on and once again, their eyes met. Jimin felt his heart leap at the connection. He couldn’t bring himself to smile at the other man’s victory for his whole body felt like melted candle. Taehyung shouted something beside him and that was the time when the connection broke and the general smiled widely for the first time tonight.All of them thought it was over, until two of the fallen soldiers started to stand up slowly. Yoongi eyed them carefully for a moment before saying, “A Bangtan soldier never gives up. I commend you both for that.”One of the soldiers spat out blood and glared at the general, keeping his wobbly legs steady under him with the remaining strength he had left. Yoongi had started to walk towards them to conclude the fight once and for all when Jimin saw how it all happened.There was a moment of exuberance from the crowd as the general pursued his opponents, but it didn’t last long as nothing but shocked gasps echoed in the fighting pit when they saw the general halt in his tracks, hand gripping the fabric upon his chest so tight that he could rip it to shreds. He stumbled and fell on his knees, his other hand planting firmly on the ground to support his entire frame.“Yoongi-hyung!” Teahyung shouted and hopped over the handrail, jumping down the platform and running towards where the general was currently hunched over.Jimin could feel his pulse thrumming loudly. There was a high-picthed noise in his ears as he watched with wide eyes how the general crumpled on the ground, hand still gripping his chest, eyes shut tightly and face contorting in extreme pain.He was moving. And the next thing he knew was that he was running behind Taehyung. The two soldiers took this opportunity to launch themselves at the general, taking his moment of weakness to their advantage to end the fight.Jimin found himself shouting, “Stop!”But hands never landed on Yoongi as both men suddenly had blades pointed dangerously near their necks. “Don’t move,” Hoseok hissed as he had one of the soldiers on his knees, holding his head down on the dirty ground as he pointed the tip of an arrow behind the man’s neck.“Lay a hand on your general and I will kill you right here.” Jin had his hand on the other soldier’s forehead, forcing his head back to expose his neck as his opposite hand held his kirpan, the sharp edge of the blade cutting a thin slit on the man’s throat and causing a small amount of blood to trail down his collarbones.“Yoongi!” Namjoon knelt beside the general, holding him by the shoulders. “What–what’s happening?”The general groaned as he curled himself into a ball, clutching at his chest with both hands and letting out choked whimpers of pain as if he could no longer breathe. “Yoongi-hyung!” Taehyung hastily fell on his knees beside Yoongi, cupping his face with both hands. “Can you talk to me? What are you feeling?”“It–” the general coughed “–hurts…”Taehyung immediately rolled Yoongi to his back, opening his tunic with trembling fingers to let him breathe easier. But as the clothing exposed the general’s chest, Jimin couldn’t help the shocked gasp that escaped past his lips, his hand reflexively flying to cover his mouth as his eyes stared widely at the dark veins slowly spreading from the inked marking on the general’s left chest. The lines were moving slowly, like black roots crawling over his pectoral and collarbone–poisoning him.“Oh, gods…” Taehyung muttered, utterly devastated.Namjoon was the one who acted quickly and covered the general’s chest at once. “We have to take him back to the castle.”It was Jungkook who carried Yoongi on his back, running quickly towards the gate leading outside the fighting pit. All of them followed shortly and Jimin found himself praying to all the gods he knew to not let Yoongi slip through their fingers.As he neared the exit, Jimin heard Commander Jung Shik say, “Calm down, my beloved soldiers! I don’t know what happened, but I will make sure that the general is nursed to his full health at once. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”The words bled with hypocrisy and Jimin saw how the commander’s mouth twitch up in pleasure. When he turned his gaze towards his direction, Jimin clenched his teeth as fury flamed inside his chest at the man’s jeering smirk. But before he could act on the storm of emotions inside his chest, Jin was already wrapping his fingers around his wrist tightly, his touch moist and cold against his skin, as he encouraged Jimin to run faster than he’d ever had in his entire life.
Jimin was holding a basin in his hands, watching as Taehyung dipped a washcloth in the warm water and dabbed it gently on the general’s skin.Yoongi was in his bed, his eyebrows pulled taut at the middle and chest rising and falling a little too heavily for Jimin’s liking. There were occasional silent groans of pain coming out from the general’s mouth and every time, Taehyung would hush him and stroke his hair tenderly to calm him down. Jimin felt the strong desire to do it. He wanted to tell Yoongi that everything would be alright. That he would be out of his misery soon. That he wouldn’t leave his side until he was feeling better.But he held all of those thoughts back. He knew Yoongi would’ve preferred to have Taehyung by his side instead of him. Even though the general regarded Jimin as his friend, the young healer was still like a little brother to him. And Jimin was anything but. The general barely knew him thus he had no right to demand anything.What I want doesn’t matter at all, Jimin thought to himself, just please let him be well soon.Namjoon was sitting at the foot of the bed, staring at the general’s face with a worried frown; Jin and Jungkook sat closely on the sofa across the room, waiting patiently for whatever Taehyung would say; Hoseok was standing quietly beside Jimin, eyes never leaving Yoongi as if he was scared that something bad would happen again if he did.“I asked Ji Seong to increase the dose of the medicine. Yoongi-hyung must’ve been feeling the pain for weeks now.” Taehyung sighed as he lowered the moist cloth in his lap. “Really, he’s such a stubborn older brother.”“This is bad.” Namjoon ran a hand down his face. “People will talk about this. They saw Yoongi’s mark. They will know. Damn.”It was the first time Jimin saw the strategymaster look so distressed. He was probably worried about the mutiny, the possibility of loyalty shift among the soldiers because of what they witnessed. “Namjoon-hyung,” he began before he could debate himself about it, placing the basin down carefully on the end table beside the bed, “what is it that they will know?”Silence.The lack of response was suffocating Jimin, making him think that he might have made matters worse by asking about the inevitable. His selfish wish of wanting to know more about the general overtook him; the curiosity killing him slowly for he knew his mind wouldn’t be put to rest until he was certain of what caused the general’s condition. In all of his years of serving the sick, he was fairly certain that it wasn’t an ailment that he had seen before. It was something more complex than a mere disease. Something which was quite… inexplicable.“It’s a Curse.”Jimin’s eyes landed on the strategymaster, frowning slightly in confusion. “What?”“There are a few people who are blessed with Gifts, just like you. But there are even fewer ones who are condemned with spiteful Curses.” Namjoon’s gaze shifted back to his best friend. “That mark on Yoongi’s chest is a proof of that Curse. It will eat him away until the Curse serves its purpose.”“And what is its purpose?” Jimin asked.Namjoon looked at him, a dark look settling in his eyes as he uttered, “Death.”Jimin’s jaws slackened as he felt his heart twist painfully inside his chest. “That…” he let out a shaky breath “…that can’t be. Maybe that’s not what it is.”“Yoongi has the Curse of the Solstice,” Namjoon explained. “He draws his strength from the sun, rendering him virtually unmatched in the battlefield. But when the sun hides and the night falls, his power wanes. That’s why he trains himself at night; he can’t afford to lose to his Curse for the sake of his people.”The strategymaster bowed his head and bit his lower lip as an agonizing emotion flickered across his face. “Yoongi is a strong warrior, but that strength comes with a price: he is to bear the pain of all the lives he had taken. Feel their screams of anguish at nightfall. The Curse grows stronger in winter, where the sun sets at its lowest.”“That’s why we’re so worried about him now,” Taehyung added, his voice laced with grief. “Winter’s almost on the castle’s doorstep and if Yoongi-hyung is already this ailed by his Curse, then I can’t imagine how painful more it will be once the first flakes of snow fall.”“The pain will be unimaginable.” Hoseok clenched his fists. “It will be too much to bear that Yoongi-hyung will want to take his own life to stop his suffering.”
“That mark on Yoongi’s chest is a proof of that Curse. It will eat him away until the Curse serves its purpose.”

“And what is its purpose?” Jimin asked.

Namjoon looked at him, a dark look settling in his eyes as he uttered, “Death.”
“He won’t,” Jungkook contradicted. “He’s much stronger than that.”“I believe he is, but we’ll never know.” Jin placed a consoling hand on the youngest’s shoulder. “We’re not the ones who have to endure the Curse’s torment. Yoongi takes all of the pain for us.”Jimin couldn’t breathe. He could feel his heart pounding loudly in his chest; could even feel the strength of its beating in his throat. There were beads of sweat on Yoongi’s forehead and Jimin wanted nothing but to wipe them all off. He wanted to sit on the edge of his bed and hold his hand, caress his knuckles with his thumb and speak to him until he woke up.Yoongi’s soft touch on his head still lingered until now. And he could imagine just how beautiful his smile would be once the general saw him near beside him.However, Jimin was far from certain. It would be presumptuous of him to expect these things from Yoongi as the man would’ve probably first sought for his closest friends–his brothers–the moment he opened his eyes.As a result of pondering these thoughts, Jimin could no longer deny his desire to be closer to the general. The ache was engulfing him like wildfire, conspicuous as the flames of yearning for something he couldn’t have. Yoongi had always been kind to the people around him and Jimin was no exception. Even if he had been feeling that mysterious electricity every time they locked gazes, Jimin refused to dwell more on that matter.The general’s health was the top priority at the moment. Jimin couldn’t burden him with all these confusing questions and strange, tumultuous emotions raging inside his chest like a violent tempest. The mood in the general’s chamber was sullen as all of them waited for him to wake up.With the help of Taehyung and the grand healer’s medicine, the dark veins on Yoongi’s chest were receding gradually. His breathing was evening out a lot more and the stern lines on his face finally started to loosen.Jimin wanted to touch, but just like all other times he had debated himself to it, he swallowed and firmly stood his ground, eyes softening as the lines between Yoongi’s eyebrows disappeared completely. The general was asleep.And Jimin held himself back once again.-TBC

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Chapter 13: The Tears I Shed For You
That idea was the first thing that came into his mind–of course, it would. And now, Jimin was pacing hurriedly towards the archmaster’s chamber, knocking on the oak door with no intention of backing down.“Jiminie?” Hoseok spoke after he pulled the door open.“Hyung…” Taking in deep, calming breaths, Jimin uttered “…can I talk to you about something?”“Of course. Come in.”“Jiminie?”As Jimin entered the room, the silver-haired bowed his head politely to greet Namjoon. “Hyung… I apologize. I didn’t know you’re here.”“It’s alright.” The strategymaster smiled and waved his hand dismissively as he sat on the single couch across the room. “Hoseok-hyung and I are just talking about you. It’s better to hear your opinion personally about the matter we’re discussing.”He tilted his head curiously. “What can I help you with?”“It’s about your Gift,” he continued, “I was asking Hoseok-hyung if there’s any way to make use of your blessing to heal Yoongi.”Oh, Jimin thought and proceeded to sit down at the foot of Hoseok’s bed. “Actually–” the silver-haired rubbed his neck bashfully “–I came here to ask Hoseok-hyung the same thing.”The archer shuffled on the stone floor and plopped his rear down on the mattress, causing Jimin to bounce slightly at the added weight. Hoseok pulled his legs up and folded them together, adjusting his position to completely face Jimin. “Gifts are not as wonderful as they appear to be,” he began, looking at Jimin earnestly, “they have their downfalls as well. Just like my Gift of Clarity. If I use it too much, then I will get a very painful throb behind my eyes that I can barely keep them open long enough to see where I’m walking on.”“The same thing applies to you, Jiminie,” he inferred, “you still don’t know how to control your Gift and that being said, we’re still not certain about its adverse effect. It may be a minor one or something that is detrimental to your body. We’ll never know unless you are able to summon it.”Jimin bit the inside of his cheek as his eyes cast down on his palms tucked in his lap. If he wouldn’t be able to conjure the power of his Gift, then what use would it still have? He would be missing his only chance of saving Yoongi; the prospect of actually being able to heal him.“Then why is it called a Gift if it harms the wielder? Shouldn’t it be considered as a Curse?” Jimin asked, feeling the slight twinge of disappointment in his chest.“No, because we’re never meant to die from our Gifts...” Hoseok had gone silent and the unsaid words hung in the air like thick smoke. However, Jimin could still clearly make them out.
…Unlike Curses which are intended to kill the bearer.

To kill Yoongi.
Jimin shook his head to erase that abominable thought from his mind. No, the general wouldn’t die. He wouldn’t let him. It was still too early to give up.“Jiminie. Hoseok-hyung told me that you unintentionally manifested your Gift on the High Priestess when she got wounded…” he nodded at Namjoon’s words “…how did it happen? How did it feel?”Jimin’s fingers twitched slightly in his lap, trying to reminisce the feeling of that sudden burst of energy through his palms and that tingling sensation which felt like hundreds of small electric currents traveling towards his fingertips. And the light, one that could contest the sun’s radiance. The feeling was overwhelming, Jimin could honestly say, but he was also at a loss of what to do at that moment. Everything was so sudden that his mind couldn’t keep up with all the things unfurling right in front of him.“It felt warm,” Jimin answered as he stared at his palms, flexing his fingers gently as if trying to feel if his Gift was somewhere beneath that span of soft skin, “it was as though the energy was leaking through every pore of my hands. They were glowing and I could clearly feel the transfer of energy from the inner core of my being. Just…” he breathed out “…everything felt so warm that time, like I was engulfed by thick blankets under the summer sun. My blood was rushing through my veins and… I don’t know. I could feel the High Priestess’s wound healing under my touch.”The two older men were quiet for a long while, seeming to absorb every bit of information that the younger one had offered them. After a few more calm heartbeats, Hoseok was the one who broke the silence. “Then that must be it,” he hypothesized, “I can’t say for certain but the price of your gift must be your energy.”“What?” Jimin asked, eyebrows scrunching in bafflement.“Did you feel weak after using your Gift?”He shook his head. “No.”“Perhaps it was because he used it briefly for the first time.” Namjoon was deep in his thoughts, rubbing a hand on his chin. “According to ancient lore, Gifts came from the gods, either bestowed upon the rightful ones as a reward or as a result of man’s love for others, stealing away a piece of the gods’ power to benefit humankind. Once granted or taken, it cannot be undone. And even though the blessed ones have a piece of the gods with them, their bodies still remain mortal–bound by senescence and death. That is why Gifts have to be passed on from generation to generation.”“No one has an immortal soul in this world,” Hoseok continued to explain to Jimin, “the power of our Gifts came from the gods, yes, but we are mortals and we have our limitations. We draw the energy needed to manifest them from our own bodies. That’s why sometimes our Gifts backfire on us.”Jimin swallowed, feeling the itch of his parched throat. “I don’t really understand what you’re trying to say, hyung.”“He means that you can’t use your blessing heedlessly, Jiminie.” It was Namjoon who spoke. “We’re afraid that your healing ability comes from your inner core, from the raw energy of your body, and thus if you transfer too much of it to the person you’re healing…”“You can die from it.”The archer’s words rang in Jimin’s ears like toll of the Reaper’s bells. “Why?” he asked a little too hoarsely for his own liking, “I thought Gifts are not meant to kill their wielder?”“They’re not. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t die from it as a consequence. Your blessing directly depletes your energy and wears out your body much faster.” Hoseok moved closer and placed a hand on Jimin’s shoulder. “Your Gift is a special one. Nothing has been recorded about it apart from the legend of its origin. The people who had the Gift of Restoration before you were all kept hidden from the world because they knew that men could abuse them.”“It’s still a theory so you don’t have to be afraid,” Namjoon assured him with a small smile. “But please don’t use your Gift so recklessly. Learn well from Hoseok-hyung as he teaches you how to control it properly.”Jimin couldn’t do anything but nod with a heavy heart. “What about the general’s Curse? Can I do anything about it?”“Curses are different…” The archer’s hands fidgeted in his lap as he was deeply absorbed in his thoughts. “They are the banes of humanity. Punishment for man’s wrongful deeds. They don’t draw power from their bodies, but on celestial beings. Curses are direct retributions from the gods; hence they are meant to cause suffering and death on those who are inflicted with them.”“But I have a chance against Yoongi’s Curse.” Jimin looked at Hoseok hopefully–desperately. “I won’t use my Gift beyond my limit. Just… please help me find a way to make use of it to heal the general.”“Yoongi doesn’t have an ailment, Jiminie.”Both of their heads turned towards the direction of the strategymaster, a concerned frown dawning on his features as he spoke, “He has a Curse. Not a disease. Taehyung’s medicine has helped with the pain, but it doesn’t cure the Curse itself.”Jimin wanted to cry. He felt so small and helpless. Why did the gods give him this Gift if he couldn’t use it on the person he desired so much to save?“I haven’t heard about a story of a broken Curse before.” Hoseok squeezed Jimin’s hand gently, giving him a piece of consolation. “And even if you can break Yoongi-hyung’s Curse, we won’t let you do it at the expense of your life. We don’t want that heartbreaking sacrifice. And neither does the general.”
Jimin did not need to ask as Taehyung was already the one who approached him and requested his assistance in taking care of Yoongi. He complied instantly, thanking his friend for putting his trust on him and relishing the small burst of joy that erupted inside his chest at the thought of being close to the older man.“Take good care of Yoongi-hyung, Jiminie.”“I will!” he answered, probably a bit too enthusiastically that it made Taehyung giggle pleasantly.“But he’s still an apprentice, orabeoni,” Ji Seong spoke worriedly. “I can’t let my students take on an arduous task–”“Hush!” Taehyung skidded behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, propelling her towards the door as he grinned widely at Jimin. “A-Ah!–” he laughed a bit brokenly “–the grand healer is saying that she’s going to make an exception just this once. Do your job well, Jiminie! I’ll see you tomorrow.”The door was already tightly shut before Jimin could even say a single word. He stood there beside the general’s bed for what seemed like forever, pondering about the young healer’s peculiar behavior a while ago. Well, peculiar was a perfect word for Taehyung. Sometimes he did things that were beyond Jimin’s conception that he just brushed them off as if they didn’t matter at all. He didn’t want to wrack his brains trying to understand Taehyung’s oddity.In the end, Jimin concluded that it was just how the young healer was and that he adored him for it. Well, terribly so.As he stood beside the bed, Jimin stared down at the peaceful face of the sleeping general: eyebrows unstrained; cheeks the color of the palest flush, and mouth slightly parted as he breathed in calm, silent breaths.The strong urge to touch the man returned to Jimin like thunderbolt. And for once, despite knowing how utterly wrong it was, the silver-haired let himself succumb to his selfish desires.Rear falling gently on the cold stone floor, Jimin slowly reached out for the general’s still hand lying to his side. He swallowed nervously as his fingertip brushed softly against the other’s forefinger. His eyes shifted to the man’s face, but the general was still deep in his sleep as that slight gesture failed to evoke any kind of response from him.It had been two days since the unpleasant accident, and yet Yoongi still gave out no signs of wakefulness. A faint throb made its way towards Jimin’s heart and he promised himself to give an offering to Eira, the Goddess of Healing, when the general woke up. He had been praying so much, asking for the goddess’s mercy and guidance. After all, it was all he could do at the moment: hope.Jimin lifted the general’s forefinger slightly and carefully, keeping it steady against his fingertip, and that humble contact alone was already enough to make the butterflies inside his abdomen to go rampant.The desire escalated like wild flames spilling out of the hearth, and Jimin wanted to touch more. Throwing all caution in the air, the silver-haired slid his tiny hand heedfully under the general’s large one, feeling the soft calluses on his pads and the modest roughness of his fingers. A small smile graced Jimin’s lips as he stared with so much fondness at their secret connection.Under the shadows of the night, confined within the four walls of the general’s chamber, this hidden moment was theirs. Even if the other was not aware of Jimin’s thundering heartbeats, the silver-haired thought that being able to touch his hand like this was enough. That even though once the general woke up and everything switched back into place, having this private moment with him, savoring every last bit of pleasurable feeling he could get from this mere touch alone, was enough.Jimin rested his chin on the mattress, eyelids blinking softly as his thumb caressed the general’s knuckles tenderly. He didn’t know how long he was doing it, but the flutters in his stomach and the warmth in his chest had never ceased, burning anew every time his thumb stroked against the general’s pale skin. “Please wake up,” he muttered, the longing in his words drowned by the silence of the night.
“I am.”
Jimin’s whole body stiffened and his gaze darted towards the direction of that voice. And there he was, head tilted to the side as unfathomable dark eyes settled on Jimin’s face. The silver-haired breathed a gasp of surprise and he immediately pulled his hand away as if the general’s skin had burnt him, scrambling on his feet like a panicking child.“I-I’m sorry–I–” Jimin bowed his head “–general, I’m… glad you’re awake.”Yoongi hummed and pushed himself up to sit, slightly groaning upon exerting some effort. Jimin was worried, but before he could tell the general that it would be best to lie down some more, the man asked, “How long have I been out?”Jimin swallowed before saying, “Two days.”Yoongi muttered a curse under his breath. “That’s too long. I can’t afford to rest now. I have to train–” The general grabbed the blanket and was about to pull it off him when Jimin threw himself on the bed, clutching the fabric firmly with both hands and pinning it on both sides of the general’s thighs.“You can’t!” the silver-haired negated. “I have to tell Tae first and… and you have to eat!”“Jimin, I can take care of myself.” The general moved but was stopped by Jimin’s insistent words.“You’re hurt,” he said, “I can’t let you go.”Yoongi sighed. “I’m going to be fine.”“No, you’re not.”The general stared at him solemnly and the lack of words between them caused a heavy sensation to settle inside Jimin’s chest. “You knew.” It was the only thing that the general said but it was enough for Jimin to pull away gradually and cast his eyes down.“Yes, I knew,” he whispered, fingers curling around the fabric of his pants as he sat on the edge of the bed.Another beat of silence passed before Yoongi let out an audible breath, face turning away in regret. “I never wanted for you to find out.”“Why?”When the general faced him once again, the man didn’t wait another second before lifting a finger and pressing its pad between Jimin’s eyebrows, flattening out the crease on his skin which he deemed unbefitting on his youthful features. “Because I know you’ll have that expression on your face.”The general’s lips turned up slightly and Jimin felt his heart skip. “I have enough people who worry about me,” the man explained, “I don’t want you to burden yourself with my problem.”“But I do worry about you,” Jimin confessed before he could even stop himself. His cheeks flushed a bashful shade of pink when he realized what he had just said.The general chuckled despite being kind of taken aback by Jimin’s upfront declaration. The sound that came past Yoongi’s lips was beautiful, a low heartwarming hum that pierced directly through Jimin’s heart, making him think that it was probably one of the most pleasant sounds he had ever heard in his life.“You don’t have to. I’m doing just fine.”Your Curse will kill you if we don’t do anything, Jimin wanted to shout, but instead settled with a quiet utter of “I want to help you.”The light in the general’s eyes snuffed out, as if the words that Jimin had spoken were nothing but bleak to him. “No one can help me. I’ve accepted that a long time ago.”“But–” Jimin’s mouth remained opened with thousands of unspoken words as he felt panic rise in his system “–maybe I can help you. I have the Gift of Restoration and I know that I can heal your Curse if I can just learn how to control it.”“Curses don’t heal, Jimin.” Yoongi looked at him with a hint of sadness in his eyes, as if he was feeling sorry for Jimin for failing him and not for himself for bearing the torture of an unfair Curse.After swallowing the painful lump in his throat and willing the burning sensation behind his eyes to go away, the silver-haired asked, “Have you given up trying to find a solution?”Yoongi fell silent for a brief while, his gaze unfocused and lost in space as he contemplated carefully. “It’s not about giving up,” he finally spoke. “It’s about priority. I can’t leave my men for my own selfish reason. I fight for the people and as we speak now, many of them are suffering unjustly under the hands of the Emperor.”The general flicked his gaze towards Jimin and the latter witnessed the flames of burning courage and determination in those dark orbs–the eyes of a sublime warrior. “I swore an oath to protect the people. To liberate them from slavery and affliction. When I decided to take on the role of being the head of this rebellion, I already gave out my life to fulfill that oath. If I die in the battlefield, or from this baleful Curse, then that’s how far I can get.”The muscles in Jimin’s jaws jumped as he clenched his teeth tightly, taking every ounce of his strength to not let the stinging behind his eyes overwhelm him. “But the people need you.” I need you. “You can’t die.” Please.“No, they don’t need me.” The general shook his head. “There are many other warriors who can take my place and win this war. The difference is that the people put their trust on me. They believed in me. Had chosen me to bring an end to their suffering. I can’t leave knowing that I’m their ray of hope in this time of war. I can never forsake them.”Jimin knew the general was right. That everything he was saying was sane and truthful. But still, that dull ache inside Jimin’s chest continued to grow as he realized just how utterly helpless he was. He wanted to break the general’s Curse, wanted to free him from crucifixion. He was kind, gentle and honest; far from the monstrous likeness that his opponents had referred to him for years. The general never wanted to take a life, but was forced to do so to preserve several thousands more. No, he didn’t deserve any of this...Yoongi didn’t deserve to bear the pain of humanity upon his shoulders alone.“Ya.”A quiet sob went past Jimin’s lips and he hadn’t realized that his tears were flowing until a finger brushed the skin under his left eye. “Why are you crying?” the general asked, worry marring his pale face.Jimin pulled away and rubbed his wet eyes with his hands. “Sorry. It’s just…” The general watched him closely as he continued to wipe away the wetness in his eyes. Why wouldn’t the tears stop? Why did his chest hurt so much?“You’re too kind to cry for me even if you still don’t know me well.”Yoongi’s eyes softened with multitudes of unspoken gratitude and without another word, he lifted his hand and reached out for Jimin, placing it behind his head and tugging the younger man gently towards his chest.Jimin was too surprised to speak, his eyes bulging out of their sockets as tears continued to glide down his cheeks. He was trembling slightly because of the hiccups wracking his small frame, but that miserable state was instantly overcome by the general’s warmth.Yoongi’s long fingers were buried in his hair, entwined with a few silvery white strands as his pads occasionally move to rub soothing touches against his scalp. “I’m happy,” the general admitted as he rested his chin upon a crown of pale hair, “thank you for shedding your tears for me.”

Jimin gasped with a shaky breath and then his heart was soaring. He could smell the faint scent of sweat on the general’s neck and the slight musty odor of metal adhering on the fabric of his black tunic. The warmth and the smell overwhelmed him so much that he felt his fingers tremble when they found refuge on the hem of the general’s clothes, holding on for his dear life as waves and waves of confusing and conflicting emotions made his head spin.“Jimin.”A shudder ran down the silver-haired’s spine when Yoongi spoke his name so softly, like a whisper of ode uttered exclusively for him to hear. He could feel the words vibrate in the general’s throat, causing him to inhale deeply and close his eyes. “Yoongi…”He felt the general’s shoulders tense slightly as he drew in a long breath. Yoongi didn’t speak for a moment, sitting still on the bed as his hand held Jimin’s head closely to his chest. When the tears stopped and the sobs died down, he heard the man say, “If you want to hold my hand, all you have to do is ask.”Heat spread across Jimin’s cheeks and he instinctively peeled himself away from the general’s embrace. “T-That’s–I don’t–!”A hearty chuckle came out from Yoongi’s mouth and Jimin was once again astounded by how wonderful it sounded to his ears. The general wiped the remaining tear tracks on his cheeks as he smiled fondly at the sniffling younger man. Jimin’s lips stretched into a closed happy smile, the pleasant gesture extending up to his puffy red eyes and making them disappear into thin charming slits.Yoongi’s fingers on his face were warm and tender, and Jimin honestly couldn’t ask for more. Right at that moment, as the general ruffled his silver locks with genuine fondness, Jimin swore to himself that he would do everything in his power to keep that beautiful smile on the other man’s lips.-TBC

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Chapter 14: Dark Clouds
Jimin knocked on the door leading to the general’s chamber, balancing a wooden tray filled with a lush amount of food which Jin prepared for him.“Come in,” he heard the muffled voice on the other side say and pushed the door open.Gripping the tray with both hands, Jimin stepped into the chamber and at once saw the general hunched over the edge of his bed, fully clothed in his dark pants, white long sleeved tunic and brown leather jerkin. As he fastened the buckles on his boots, Yoongi’s eyes lifted to regard his guest. “You’re here again?” he asked, a small flicker of confusion ghosting over his face, “where’s Jin-hyung?”“Oh.” Jimin stared down at the bowl and plate of food in his hands. He had been the one serving the general his meal as Jin and Taehyung requested him to do so, practically shoving the tray into his chest and pushing him out of the kitchen every time without hearing his protests or thoughts about the matter. Not that he would, no. Because there was this voice in the littlest corner of his mind whispering to him that he secretly liked being close to the general. That through this simple way, he could find a reason to share the same space with him.However, Yoongi must have been feeling quite disturbed right now. Maybe, he actually wanted Jin to be the one to do this task for him. He was his close friend after all. Perhaps, he was jaded of seeing Jimin all the time that it vexed him.That thought alone sent a painful squeeze to Jimin’s heart. Although the disappointment was pricking his chest like tiny needles, Jimin flashed Yoongi a small smile that seemed to freeze the latter’s hands on the strap of his boots. “I’m sorry. I’ll ask Jin-hyung to serve your meal for you.”“No, that’s–I mean…” Yoongi’s mouth opened and closed for a second, unable to convey the words spilling from his mind. Sighing, the general stood up from his bed and walked towards Jimin, grabbing the tray from his hands and looking at the younger’s baffled expression. “You misunderstood. I’m not telling you to go away.” After placing the tray carefully on his bed, he sat once again and beckoned Jimin to come closer.With his heart beating a bit louder than before, Jimin complied and walked towards the man, albeit slowly and somewhat a bit fluctuant to his decision. The general motioned for him to sit across from him on his bed, and once Jimin was settled, he said, “Jin-hyung’s my cook. He should be the one doing this task, not you. It’s his job. I’m sorry if he’s imposing on your kindness.”“He’s not,” Jimin assured him with a shake of his head. “He asked for a hand and I willingly gave it to him. I could’ve refused, but I didn’t. You don’t have to blame him or apologize for anything.”There was a faint quiver of smile at the corner of the general’s lips when he inquired, “And why didn’t you? Refuse, that is.”Because I want to see you, his traitorous mouth almost answered but he was able to stop the words from falling down his lips. Instead, he cast his eyes down on his lap as his fingers found interest in fussing over the slightly fraying hem of his shirt. “Because I want to be of use?” he uttered, sounding more skeptical than what he had intended to.The general chuckled. “Why do you sound so uncertain?”“I don’t–” he suddenly spoke and became achingly aware of how his voice raised a few notes and how defensive he must have looked at the moment. Thus, holding himself back and clearing his throat, he continued, “Sound uncertain…”
Yoongi looked amused as he crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow, letting his tongue slide across his lower lip and leaving a small trail of wetness over the pink skin. And Jimin–gods help him–swore his eyelids didn’t flicker when the general did that.“Do you really want to see me that bad?”“Of course not!” Jimin slapped a hand over the mattress, flustered by the general’s words as his cheeks perfused with a warm pink color.The general laughed, releasing that familiar pleasant sound which Jimin considered he adored so much. “I’m teasing.” Yoongi gestured at the food between them, a smile still plastered on his thin lips. “Eat this with me.”“Oh–” Jimin waved his hands to kindly reject the general’s gracious offer “–no, thank you.”“I’m the general,” Yoongi reminded him with no actual hostility in his tone, “and I command you to eat.”Jimin gaped at him for a second, never expecting that the man would pull that kind of trick from his sleeves. The silver-haired sighed in defeat and closed his eyes briefly, muttering a silent “That’s unfair” under his breath before taking a slice of bread from the tray.He could never be angry though, not when the general was smiling at him so fondly; mirth lighting up the darkness of his irises like dozens of glowing fireflies.
Jimin was on his way to the kitchen to bring back the empty plates when he heard low, hushed voices of soldiers talking in the hallway. It was not in his nature to eavesdrop on other people’s conversation, but when he heard the general’s name drop somewhere along their exchange, Jimin’s feet automatically propelled him to turn around a dark corner and blend himself among the shadows.Resting his back against the cold brick wall as his hands held the edge of the tray, Jimin swallowed thickly and listened.“So the general has an illness?”“No,” one contradicted, “he has a fucking Curse, dimwit. You’ve seen the dark marking on his chest.”“That’s horrible.”“He’ll bring forth a bloody whammy on this whole army.”“Commander Jung Shik is right. He’ll bring destruction to Daegu.”One of them snorted. “Not just this place, but to the whole nation as well.”“We can’t entrust our lives to the general if he’ll just drop dead in the battlefield one day.”“He’s a renowned warrior, but this is as far as his nobility can get.”Jimin wanted to scream. To shout at their ungrateful faces that Yoongi wouldn’t abandon them no matter what happened unlike what they were doing unto him. They were his men and the general had risked–been risking–his life so no harm would befall on them. They were fighting for them. And yet…Yet…Jimin heard the men walk away, their footfalls silencing into faint echoes as they reached the far side of the hallway. Breathing in deeply and letting his head thumped gently against the wall, Jimin now realized why Namjoon was worried about the soldiers finding out Yoongi’s secret. He had been expecting a reaction like this to happen.Jimin had read about Curses bringing bad luck not just on their bearers but to the people around them as well. How they brought forth tremendous sufferings and ill-fated incidents on them. The hearsays were no different, passing on from person to person about their sinister effects. That was why humanity shunned away from the ones who bore those baleful Curses, the foreboding thoughts keeping them locked inside their own fears for centuries and consuming them like a black abyss.Jimin couldn’t say that he believed those sayings, but what he was certain about right now was that the general was far from the detestable and incapable person those soldiers were implying him to be. He was furious in his stead and he wanted those men to understand just how honorable a man Yoongi really was.When the sound of footsteps disappeared completely, Jimin pulled himself away from the darkness and continued traversing the hallway, turning around a corner to find the castle’s kitchen. Once inside the large room, he was immediately greeted by Jin’s cheerful voice. “So,” the cook said, letting the syllable drag out and flashing Jimin a knowing smirk, “how did it go?”“The general ate his meal, if that’s what you’re asking, hyung.” Jimin knew he sounded lifeless, but he couldn’t care less at the moment for he could feel the small gaping hole left by the soldiers’ words inside his chest.Sensing the younger’s low-spiritedness, Jin tugged him by the arm and pulled him into the farthest corner of the room, away from all the bustling cooks busily preparing food for thousands of soldiers. “Is something wrong, Jiminie?” Jin asked, worry seeping into his voice.“I heard some soldiers talking about the general,” the silver-haired confessed.Jin nodded. “And?”“They’re not…” he bit his lower lip “…saying anything pleasant about him. Not after they’ve all seen that marking on his chest.”The cook pondered on his words for a while, and then he spoke, “People have been talking shit behind Yoongi’s back for years. Now more than ever.” He patted the younger’s shoulder. “Please don’t let yourself be troubled about it. Yoongi doesn’t expect his men to have the best of opinions towards him. What matters to him is that they share a common goal and that is to win this war. That’s all.”“But the general deeply cares about his men.” Jimin couldn’t understand them. “Why would they turn their backs on him just because of a Curse? Because of the hearsays of its untoward effects? Ones which have not been proven at all? Do they have such little faith in him?”“They believe in the general’s strength as a warrior that’s why they follow them.” Jin sighed. “But the Curse… it changes something for people. It’s a matter of upholding or contradicting traditional belief, one that was ingrained by our ancestors to us. Found deeply rooted into our culture. Hence the only thing that Yoongi can do right now is to show them that his Curse is not a reason for him to lose this war.”Jimin saw his vision blur with unshed tears but he didn’t allow a single drop to fall. “It’s so unfair,” he spoke, voice riddled with sadness, “Yoongi is willing to sacrifice his life for them. For the welfare of all the people in this country. Unconditionally. And yet, it pains me to think that they can cast him aside so easily. Hyung…”Jimin stepped forward and held the older man’s sleeves with his fingers, tearful gaze lifting up and exuding sorrow as he met his eyes. “I don’t want the general to die meaninglessly. I don’t want him to die. I–I can’t…”Jin reached out and placed his hand behind Jimin’s neck, pulling him closely for a consoling embrace and giving the younger the privacy to hide the tears falling down his cheeks. “Yoongi needs someone like you, Jiminie. Someone who could make him feel loved more than I, Taehyung, Jungkook, Namjoon and Hoseok ever could,” he muttered, his breath blowing away a few silver strands beside the younger’s ear.For a moment, Jimin was laden with confusion as to why Jin would regard him as someone who could care the most for the general. Loved–it was the term Jin used. And the word itself held so much power that it reached the deepest niche of his core. They were Yoongi’s brothers, while Jimin was merely a friend. Hence how could he love the general more than them?“Promise me you won’t leave his side no matter what,” he heard the man say and he didn’t have time to think about his response as the words fell naturally from his tongue, gasping on a silent sob as he nodded against the cook’s shoulder.“I promise.”
Yoongi sat behind the stone table in the Map Room; the others standing around the large map splayed on its surface and waiting patiently for whatever Namjoon was about to say. Bracing his hands on the edge of table, he took in a deep breath before he let the words come out of his mouth.“The mutiny tomorrow has been called off.”Through his peripheral vision, he saw how his friends’ mouths slackened in shock, their weight shifting on their feet as they appeared unsettled by what he had just said. “What?” It was Jungkook who first spoke. “Why?”“Commander Jung Shik has fallen ill.”“Ji Seong checked on him this afternoon,” Taehyung informed them. “I attest Namjoon-hyung’s words.”“And what might be the cause of his illness?”“She’s still uncertain,” the young healer answered Hoseok, “but she’s fairly convinced that he has eaten or drunk something which might have precipitated his condition.”“A rotten food for a rotten man. Seems like a good blend to me,” Jin uttered for a laugh but they all knew he meant every word he said.“Who informed you about the mutiny?” Yoongi asked the strategymaster, an unreadable expression masked over his face.“One of his men who’s been loyal to you since the beginning,” Namjoon answered.“Loyal.” The general scoffed at the word. “All of his men worship that bastard.”“Not all of them,” the strategymaster negated. “Junseong has always looked up to you. But because his father has served the Arson Rebel before and now his son, Jung Shik, the young man doesn’t really have the freedom to diverge from the path his family has taken.”Yoongi mused for a while, fingers rubbing his chin thoughtfully before flicking his eyes over Namjoon’s direction. “Are you sure his words can be trusted?”“He’s a friend of mine,” the strategymaster asserted. “I’ve never really asked him for anything. We’re on opposite ends of the rope and if Jung Shik finds out that I have a connection with one of his men, then his life will be jeopardized. This is the first time I sought for his help.”After the general nodded in understanding, his eyes then turned towards Jin, asking, “What about the prisoner? Has he told anything about Prince Taewon’s plans?”Jin shook his head. “Han Jeong’s a resilient bastard. He won’t tell you anything until his last breath.”“Starve him then. Nothing breaks a man’s resolve better than hunger.” Yoongi frowned. “And if he still doesn’t yield in three days, I’ll behead him.”The cook’s eyes widened as he swallowed the lump in his throat. “You–” he approached the general “–but if you do that, you’ll be in pain, Yoongi.”“I don’t care.”“I do care.”“He was your comrade before,” Yoongi reasoned out. “You’re not a vile person like him, someone who can kill a friend. I don’t want to put you in a dreadful situation where you have to choose between your emotion and your obligation as a soldier.”Jin was endlessly grateful to him; really, he was. But he didn’t want Yoongi to bear another pain for him. When the man collapsed like a leaf in the fighting pit, struggling to contain all the agony in the world inside his pale chest, Jin felt so frightened that he almost cried.“I’ll do it.”All pairs of eyes turned towards the direction of the strategymaster. Namjoon was looking at Yoongi seriously, as if asking for the general’s permission to carry out this mission. “That bastard owes me for talking shit about Jin. I don’t have any emotion to spare for that scoundrel.”“Namjoon-ah,” Jin spoke, a worried frown creasing the smooth skin of his handsome face.Yoongi nodded. “Do as you please.”The strategymaster put his fist over his chest and bowed his head. “Thank you, general.”“If the mutiny has been called off, then there is nothing to heed, isn’t it?” Hoseok asked as he sat on an empty wooden barrel.Namjoon was the one who answered. “According to Junseong, the plan for the mutiny was relayed to Jung Shik’s men less than a week ago. Even if the plan itself was halted, still, we must stay on guard for at least a couple more weeks until we’re certain that things won’t go out of hand.”“There’s always a threat of things going out of hand as long as Jung Shik holds half of the army,” Jungkook spoke out and to that, the others agreed silently. “I’ll tell my troops to keep on training. We still have a caravan to maraud soon.”The strategymaster shook his head. “No, we can’t go tomorrow. It’ll be risky to leave Daegu in Jung Shik’s hands.”Yoongi snorted. “Forget the caravan. We’ll raid the Eastern Port after this shit has been settled.”Jungkook whistled in amusement and placed his arms behind his head. “Now that’s what I call interesting.”As the others laughed, Taehyung walked closer to the general. “I must be going now, hyung,” he stated, “I’ll meet with Ji Seong in a while. If she finds out anything about the commander’s condition, I’ll tell you right away.”The general nodded and said dismissively, “Very well.”
The white petals of the moon blossoms were in full bloom that night. Jimin sat on the usual slab of wood in the greenhouse, a thick book about the History of Gifts propped on his thighs, as he read a single page over and over again, eyebrows contorted in grave concentration as if expecting to find any hidden meaning behind the words written in black ink.He read in vain though, for as much as he wanted the book to give any form of clue or instruction on how to use the Gift of Restoration to heal a Curse, there was none. The page was all about his Gift’s origin, nothing more.“The soul beseeches the light.” He had been repeating Hoseok’s words in his mind for weeks, dissecting them carefully and ruminating possible interpretations that he could draw out from them.It was another excruciating couple of minutes of abusing his brain when he finally decided to call it a night. Sighing in letdown, Jimin closed the book in his lap and stood on his feet, walking down the aisle of herbs and greens towards the door that led outside the conservatory.The castle, to his bewilderment, was eerily silent. There were no castle guards patrolling the hallways or near the crenellations. If it wasn’t for the flickering glow of candlelight through the windows of the guard towers, then he would have thought that this place had been abandoned. As he traversed the long stretches of corridors, Jimin’s keen hearing picked up noises coming from the courtyard. The voices grew louder as he approached the open area, and when he turned around a corner to step foot on green grass, his footsteps immediately died down when he saw soldiers wearing blue undergarments instead of red occupying the place.Commander Jung Shik’s men, he thought internally. There were a few of Yoongi’s soldiers scattered around the area, but Jimin couldn’t help but feel unnerved by the overwhelming number of the opposing side.“This is outrageous, captain.”Jimin’s heart thundered louder when he heard that voice. And as if on cue, his feet found their will to move and he hastily squeezed himself through the wall of bodies trapping his view. Once near enough to see what the commotion was about, his eyes widened in shock when he saw women and men on their knees, crying, begging and hugging one another as if their lives were hanging in a balance.“It is needed, general,” a man answered, and Jimin recognized him as Commander Jung Shik’s most trusted right-hand. He threw a censuring gaze towards the cooks. “These vile humans attempted to poison Commander Jung Shik.”A chorus of shocked gasps and angry growls aired inside the courtyard. The look on the general’s face was murderous. Jin, Namjoon, Jungkook and Hoseok were also mirroring the same expression as they glared daggers towards Captain Wang So.“It’s a misunderstanding, captain!” a woman begged.“We would never do the commander any harm!” another one of them added and the others agreed in unison.The captain shouted, “Bring him here!”There was a young man being shoved to his knees in front of the captain, a soldier just like the ones grabbing him by the shoulders and baring the sharp blade of the sword behind his neck.“Junseong?” Namjoon uttered in disbelief. He tried to take a step forward but was immediately halted when the soldier who had the sword on Junseong’s neck lowered the blade more to puncture a bit of his skin.“Namjoon-ah,” Jin called, bracing a firm hand around his lover’s arm.“He’s a traitor in our ranks,” Captain Wangso told his men. “You–” he narrowed his eyes at the trembling young man “–tell us who ordered you to spy on your commander?”Junseong opened his mouth, lips quivering in fear for his life. “Commander…” he swallowed “…Namjoon.”The confession caused a ruckus among the soldiers. The strategymaster’s hands balled into tight fists to his sides, his teeth gritting so firmly that he could hear them creaking. He knew the captain had forced the words out of the young man, if the blossoming bruise on his right cheek was any indication of the torture he must have gone through.And it was his fault.There was a moment of deafening silence before the captain nodded his head to his men and all hell broke loose. The soldiers sprinted towards the kneeling men and women at the middle of the courtyard, unsheathing their swords and pointing them near the cooks’ throats.“Don’t,” the captain said when he sensed the slightest of movements came from Yoongi, “or they’ll die.”“General!”“General, please!”“Help us!”“I beg your mercy, captain!”“Please! I have a family!”The muscles on Yoongi’s jaws were straining as he clenched his teeth and closed his eyes, trying to contain a violent tempest of hot fury pumping through every vein in his body. Jung Shik, he thought, that fucking bastard.He couldn’t do anything but yield to the swords pointed to his throat; nails biting painfully on his palms as the commander’s men chained his wrists and ankles; as they tied thick ropes around his body to immobilize his arms, hearing his friends curse under their breaths as the soldiers did the same to them.Jimin swore his heart stopped beating when the soldiers captured Yoongi and the others. He could feel the pump of adrenaline in his body and he was just about to shove himself past the bodies in front of him when he heard the captain say, “Take this fucking traitor to the keep. He’ll hang by the noose at dawn.”“Captain!” Junseong cried. “You told me that you’d spare my life if I confess! Please! Have mercy!”When his cries fell on deaf ears, the young man was pulled forcefully to his feet by his captors. And when he tried to struggle against the hands holding his arms, a small empty bottle fell from his pocket, rolling briefly on the grass before the captain took a few steps forward to retrieve it.“Wha–?” Junseong breathed in confusion.Captain Wangso put the mouth of the empty vial under his nose, sniffing once before his face twisted into a nasty scowl. “Rèqíng,” he spoke, “it’s poison.”Rèqíng? Jimin thought, that red flower in the greenhouse?“No!” Junseong protested. “It’s not mine! I didn’t–”“It’s the same poison collected from the kitchen.” The captain grabbed the sword strapped on his hip, thumb caressing the hilt slowly, ready to draw blood when called for. “Are you saying it’s a mere coincidence?”“I–” Junseong released a shuddering breath “–it’s not mine! I swear to the gods! I would never do such terrible thing to the commander!”“And yet you betrayed him–” Captain Wangso threw an accusatory glare towards Namjoon “–by conspiring with Commander Namjoon.”“Captain!”Jimin saw a soldier with graying hair fall down to his knees in front of the captain–begging. “Please spare the life of my son. Take mine instead.”“Father!” Junseong cried, wild tears gliding down his cheeks in uncontrollable streams.“Stop this madness at once, Captain Wangso.” The general’s low and commanding voice caused the soldiers holding him to go taut. There was rage and darkness in his eyes, like feral flames threatening to engulf their enemy whole.And they knew better than to face the wrath of General Min Yoongi.The display of power and authority irked the captain. “You have no say in this, general. Not when you and your commanders had tried to kill ours.”With a jerk of his head, everything went berserk and Jimin witnessed how it all happened: the blade swinging down on Junseong in a blink of an eye; his severed head rolling on the ground, and blood–red, thick and horrifying–spewing from the arteries and veins in his neck.“Son!” the old man bellowed as he scrambled after the falling body of the young man, clutching at his clothes so tightly and mourning in grief.Jimin felt bile rising to his throat as blinding nausea made his head spin. He wanted to puke. The piercing cries of the old man were breaking Jimin’s heart into thousand pieces, clouding his chest with raw pain and sorrow like smoke, gripping at his lungs so he couldn’t breathe.“You fucking bastard!” the father yelled at the captain, a certain madness enveloping his bloodshot eyes……And then there was a sword sticking out to his chest.The old man fell beside his son’s corpse, choking in his own blood as the men and women in the courtyard wept and begged for their own lives.“I’m going to fucking kill him,” Namjoon growled under his breath and Jin could see the unshed tears in his lover’s eyes, wild and promising a world of pain for the perpetrator of this atrocious act.A soldier bowed in respect in front of Wangso, saying, “Captain, the grand healer and the army doctor are missing from their quarters. We can’t find them anywhere.”Wangso’s eyebrows twitched in irritation and he ordered his men, “Take the general and the others to the dungeon. Kill the two who have escaped once they’re in your field of sight.”A feral sound came out of Jungkook’s mouth, arms attempting to struggle free from the thick ropes binding him. “Touch a hair on Taehyung’s head and I will rip your throat with my bare hands,” he hissed venomously.The captain laughed with contempt. “Such strong words for a brat.” Eyeing his men, he ordered them, “Go.”As the general and the others were shoved away from where they stood, Jimin suddenly felt the rush of blood pulsing stridently in his ears. He opened his mouth to shout, even if he knew it wouldn’t make any difference until he fought the soldiers himself. He wanted to call their names–Yoongi’s name. To show him how much he cared for him.And he would fight. For him. All odds be damned.But before Jimin could take another step, there were already hands clutching around his arms–large, rough and unrelenting. He was shoved towards the courtyard, a pained groan escaping past his lips when he landed with a loud thump to his side.From the periphery of his vision, he saw the general stop in his tracks, slit-like eyes blown wide in shock as he stared at Jimin’s crumpled form on the ground. The captain approached and crouched in front of him, hand curling around his pale locks firmly as he pulled Jimin’s head back forcefully.“Silver hair,” he muttered as he held Jimin’s glare. “You’re the one. Take him to the commander’s chamber.”After those words were uttered, there was a sound of collapsing bodies in the courtyard, dull thuds against the ground and loud echoes in the cold night. Jimin caught a sight of Yoongi thrusting himself towards the soldiers, his knees landing on muscles and bones as much as the shackles around his ankles would allow, knocking the men down with the sheer force of his attack“Yoongi!” Jimin shouted, tears springing into his eyes when the soldiers were finally able to grab him and pin him down, shoving his head to the dirt as more or less twenty men struggled to render him still.Jin moved and threw his body against a soldier, sending them both plummeting to the ground. “Jin-ah!” Namjoon shouted and stepped towards his lover in vain as he was forcefully pulled back and restrained by his captors. Hoseok and Jungkook cursed as they were led away from the commotion, head shoved forward by cruel hands as they walked towards the hallway leading to the dungeon.Some of the general’s men were there, but none of them came to his aid. Jimin wanted to scream at them for being cowards; for believing the captain’s words; for feeling shame for the general; for leaving him in a time of great need.And then there were hands again, pulling him up to his feet rather harshly and restraining his wrists behind his back with heavy shackles. As they propelled Jimin out of the courtyard, he turned his head around and tried to catch a glimpse of the subdued general. Their gazes locked and Jimin’s heart pounded loudly in his chest, achingly and longingly. Wanting to struggle free and take Yoongi’s face in his hands to soothe the hard lines marring his features. Tell him that Jimin was going to be fine and that he should worry more about himself.The night was dark and cold. No stars or moon, just black clouds obscuring the heavens above. A shudder ran down Jimin’s spine as the breeze bit into his skin like sharp little teeth. He was walking farther and farther away from the general, with the bodies of tall soldiers blocking his view every now and then, but Jimin’s gaze never faltered. Nor even Yoongi’s. They shared the same connection until they could not any longer. Until he was pushed forward to turn around a hallway leading to the treacherous commander’s chamber.Jimin steeled himself.He had to be strong for the general.-TBC

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Chapter 15: Low Lulling Sounds
Jimin was pushed harshly down to his knees, an ache pulsating from the gentle scrape on his pale skin, as two pairs of huge rough hands clutched his arms in a vice-like grip.The culprit of the bedlam in the courtyard was sitting on his bed and staring at Jimin with a self-satisfied smirk tugging the corners of his mouth. With a wave of his hand, the soldiers’ tight hold on the silver-haired’s arms ceased and his limbs suddenly felt heavy as if they were molded in lead. Filling his lungs with air as he attempted to calm his rapidly beating heart, Jimin lifted his dark brown eyes to meet the commander’s gaze.“You must be confused,” Jung Shik uttered as the soldiers took residence near the wall across from them. He pulled the blanket off him and dangled his legs at the edge of the bed, planting his feet on the cold stone floor of his chamber.When Jimin didn’t answer, he continued, “I was never poisoned. I took a drug that mimics the symptoms of a flu; a rare extract I bought from the black market in Eastern Port just for this day. I let the grandhealer inspect on me to make things appear more unfeigned. I almost laughed at her confounded look.”Jimin’s shackled hands behind him curled. He was angry at the pretentious man for speaking poorly of Ji Seong, as well as for taking the nature of illness so lightly. Diseases weren’t ones to play with after all. Many died because of them; a lot suffered. They weren’t something to make fun of or be used in hideous plans like his.“How can you take lives around you as if they weigh nothing?” Jimin asked. “The soldiers whom your subordinate killed; they have family and friends. People who are waiting for their return yet you deprived them of their future. How could you?” Jimin uttered the last words breathily–accusingly–as his face contorted with grief in mourning of the fallen soldiers.The man’s stare remained on Jimin’s face, silently basking in his sorrow. Afterwards, he said, “I don’t care about the lives of traitors. Soldiers who cannot uphold their oath of loyalty to their commander deserve to die.” He narrowed his eyes. “Words have reached my ears about one of my men's hidden friendship with the strategymaster. So I fed him with lies, saying that the mutiny has been called off when its core was actually brewing right under their noses. The general must’ve taken me for fool if he thought that I wouldn’t know that he had learned about the planned insubordination.”Lips twisting into a smug smirk, the commander let out a soft amused sound. “I’ve been conspiring with the second prince to take Min Yoongi down. He’s not the rightful leader of this army; I am, as the successor of my late father. But that bastard took the position away from me, winning the hearts of the people, being the stronger warrior and having half of the army behind his back. It’s been a difficult several years for me, so when the opportunity came to expose his weakness–that blasted Curse–I did not hesitate for a second to grab it.”“That game in the fighting pit was a sham. It was intended to let his men know about the Curse, to let them doubt him, and it couldn’t have turned out any better.”So that was why Jung Shik requested a large crowd for the game; why he decided to hold the event at night. Because he knew about the general’s Curse, about its effects once the darkness dripped from the skies.As the commander let out a derisive laughter, Jimin’s stomach churned when he remembered how Yoongi crumpled on the ground as if he was trying to fight off Death himself. How aggrieved and small he was when he tucked his arms and legs in and gritted his teeth, a faint wetness gathering in his lashline as he struggled against the dark veins clawing his chest open. It was not a pleasant sight in the least. For Jimin could tell how deep in pain the general was in at that moment and it broke his own heart to see him suffer and do nothing about it.“You must be wondering how I knew about the general’s plan of counterattack.” His smirk grew wider as his ego prompted him to push further. “Prince Taewon has two messengers who never failed to serve as the bridge of communication between us. The exchange has always been timely until it stopped more than three weeks ago. I was expecting a message in return to solidify our plan for the mutiny, but I never received a word in return. I found it odd and decided to take measures. Expect the worst possible cause I could think of, which was those two men getting caught by the general and spilling their guts about the plan. After that, I opted to devise it myself once I learned about Yoongi’s Curse. Stage out a counterfeit poisoning incident to put the blame on him and his commanders by letting that bastard, Junseong, confess his association with Namjoon.” His eyes glimmered with wicked amusement. “I ordered my men to put a vial of rèqíng in the kitchen and slip another one in that traitor’s pocket. Yoongi would not dare lift a finger if he knew that innocent lives were at stake.”“You–” Jimin breathed out harshly as he tried to suppress the boiling anger in his chest “–you’re a monster. Yoongi has been nothing but good to the people around him.”“Good?” Jung Shik threw his head back and laughed with perceived derisiveness, as if what Jimin just told him was the most hilarious thing in the world. When he shifted his gaze back to the younger, he said, “That man has killed more people than I had. His hands stink with the blood of the woeful souls of his enemies, drinking their cries and throes of dying. You’ve never seen him lose control in the battlefield.” The commander leaned forward to stare at Jimin closer, his voice silencing a fraction as he spoke out the next words with abhorrence. “He’s like a wild, hungry beast uncaged after a hundred years. Thirsty for blood and meat of man. Unmerciful. That every wave of his glaive came with a severed head or limb. He is not called the Red General for nothing.”The image which the commander painted in Jimin’s mind was so vivid that he almost wanted to retch. He couldn’t imagine Yoongi standing in a sea of blood, red color sticking to his body and tainting his pale face which Jimin loved so much. Those slit-like eyes that gazed at him ever so fondly and those thin lips that stretched with a gentle smile as he called Jimin’s name; the silver-haired couldn’t deem how horrifying it would be to see that wonderful person be the cause of such atrocity.“Yoongi is not a beast. He’s a man of honor,” Jimin defended. His fists shook, feeling the edge of his nails dig small crescents into his palms. “Everything he does, he does for his people. If he were given the chance to choose, then he wouldn’t even pick up a blade to hurt another soul. He breathes for this nation. He has given his life to fulfill the oath he swore to his motherland. That is how great a man he is; the man you are trying to destroy.”Jimin’s chest was heaving and he hadn’t realized that he said those words without a pause, letting the syllables fall from his mouth naturally as if they emanated from deep within his heart. And they did. He had never felt words leave his mouth so honestly before that they filled his chest with light feathers as he spoke. Because Yoongi deserved every good thing he said. He was indeed the greatest man Jimin knew in his entire life.The commander was wordless as he kept a stern gaze on Jimin’s face. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if Jimin was a difficult puzzle laid in front of him, searching for even the subtlest hint in every movement he made. “You…” he uttered quietly “…you love him.”Jimin opened his mouth to contest, but the words died in his mouth. His heart started pacing faster inside his chest as warmth spread across his face. He didn’t know why he was rendered speechless by that remark and he was also not certain why he could not bring himself to deny it. He tried his hardest to not let his emotions show, but the pink hue on his cheeks and tips of his ears gave away his crime.Seeing that he had hit the mark, Jung Shik raised an eyebrow and said, “You do. You do feel strongly for the general.”“I–” Jimin stuttered “–it’s-it’s… I–”Jimin gasped when he felt Jung Shik’s hand reach for him and grip his face, the older man’s fingers digging into his cheeks painfully as he tugged him closer. “You’re a despicable one,” the commander hissed, “Do you think those unwanted emotions will get you anywhere? They will get you and the man you desire killed. Love has no place in this bloodshed world. Remember that.”Jung Shik released his face and nodded at the soldiers stationed near the far wall. They immediately moved and pulled Jimin to his feet by the arm, hand curling in his hair and throwing his head back so his pale neck was bared to the commander. Sat on the edge of the bed, the older man then stood and reached out to place his hand on Jimin’s skin, palm resting at the side of his neck and thumb caressing the apple of his throat.The silver-haired’s breath hitched at the contact and he tried to veer away from the man’s touch, desperately wishing for the strong hands holding him still to vanish that instant. “I’ve been observing you for a few days now, Park Jimin,” Jung Shik spoke in a low, slightly gruff voice, “I’ve seen the lightness in your footsteps every time you went out of the general’s chamber, smiling like a lovesick fool. I’ve known about your blessing. Your training with Hoseok and Jin.”Jimin’s airway constricted at the mention of his Gift. How did Jung Shik know about it? Who told him?“Ah–” the commander sighed “–you really do have beautiful hair. And from this distance, I can see that you are prettier than most women in Daegu.”Jung Shik’s right hand crawled upwards until it rested behind his ear, thumb stroking the smoothness of cheek. “I would love to take a bite of that soft skin. May I?”“P-Please don’t touch me,” Jimin choked out. He could feel his pulses thrumming everywhere as his stomach sank in fear. The older man’s other hand was lifting the hem of his tunic, thumb grazing the flat surface of skin under his navel. “Don’t–”“You are more attractive when you beg, Jimin-ah.”The way how Jung Shik uttered his name so intimately made his knees buckle as he recoiled from his touch. He was appalled by the man’s advances; he felt sick. But the soldiers remained firm in holding him up, offering him like a sacrifice to be devoured by an insatiable beast.“It’s a shame you’re smitten on the general.” Jung Shik frowned. “That bastard always gets the good things.”And when Jung Shik’s right hand went up higher to have his thumb stroking the skin under Jimin’s left eye, the silver-haired swiftly turned his head and bit the man’s hand hard. The commander yelped in pain and stumbled back, clutching his wounded hand with the other one as his eyes blew widely in shock.Jimin could taste the strong metallic tang of iron in his mouth but he paid it no heed as he watched with satisfaction how blood dripped from the wound he had inflicted on Jung Shik. He glowered. “I told you not to touch me.”The commander’s face instantly contorted with rage and he lifted a hand to smack Jimin hard across the face. The impact of the assault caused his head to turn sharply to the side, breathing in a loud gasp as throbbing pain bloomed in his right cheek. It would undoubtedly bruise, but he didn’t mind in the least. Jung Shik deserved what he got.“You look like a harmless cat, but you sink your teeth in the moment you need to run away,” Jung Shik spat out. “Now I see why that bastard general made you his fucking whore.”After the older man nodded his head, Jimin was hastily pulled away and thrown across the room, the air in his lungs pumping out of his chest as his body hit the cold stone floor with a loud thud. His vision blurred for a second and he winced at the searing pain booming in his right hip and shoulder. His lower lip was cracked, but whether it was due to the fall or Jung Shik’s hand, he did not know.“Lads,” the commander addressed his soldiers as his eyes remained fixed on Jimin with contempt, “I don’t care if you break a rib or two, just make sure this whore is breathing when you load him in the prison wagon before dawn.”Groaning in pain, Jimin slowly rolled to his left side, forehead resting on the floor as he trembled in every breath he took. He coughed and lifted his mahogany eyes to send a defiant glare to his oppressor. He would not be broken because of this. Not when his friends were still locked down there in the dungeon; not when Taehyung was still in danger of being chased and killed; not when Yoongi had held his gaze in the courtyard as if to show him in some way that he deeply cared for Jimin. That he was gravely worried about him.Jung Shik sneered at the pained and stubborn look on Jimin’s face. “It’s quite admirable of you to fight an already lost battle.” He tilted his head. “I wonder what expression you’ll have in that pretty face of yours once Prince Taewon gets his hands on you.”
The flames of the torch flickered and cast soft orange glows on their bodies. It had probably been a few hours since Namjoon heard the bars in their cell creak and lock from the outside and the lack of window made it harder for him to guess if the sun had already risen up from the horizon.Letting out an audible breath, Namjoon closed his eyes and let his head thumped lightly against the brick wall. His throat was parched and the stale air of the dark, abandoned dungeon was making his nose crinkle unpleasantly. “Namjoon-ah.” Eyes cracking open a little, he let his head lolled to the side to take in the crease between his lover’s brows. “Are you hurt?”He gave out a small smile, mainly for the sake of easing Jin’s concern. “No. Just tired.”Jungkook slid his right foot to bend his knee, chains rattling against the floor as he moved. “I hope Tae managed to get far away as possible.”“That’s very unlikely,” Jin responded. “He’s not the kind to turn tail and leave his friends rotting in a dungeon. Maybe, he’s finding a safe place for Ji Seong to stay in before he sneaks in to free us.”Jungkook did not say a word back but instead settled with an anxious sigh. They all knew Taehyung was not a coward. He would do everything in his power to make those people important to him safe. He would not abandon them here; not in a million years. But it still worried the bladesmith how his lover would slip past through the swarm of Jung Shik’s men. If they caught him red-handed and got killed in the process, Jungkook was not sure how he would ever cope with that terrible loss.“I’m sorry.”All of their heads turned towards the source of that voice. Namjoon was biting his lower lip hard, not minding if the sensitive skin under his teeth cracked. There was guilt in his features, aggravated further when he spoke with a heavily burdened heart. “It’s my fault this happened. I shouldn’t… I shouldn’t have gotten Junseong involved. I was the one who killed him. And I should have thought things more carefully, should have known that Jung Shik could be pulling some sort of trick–”“Namjoon.”His sentence was cut off by the sound of the general’s voice. It was the first time Yoongi spoke after they had all been thrown inside the cell. There was dirt and blood sticking to the pale skin of his face, a faint bruise starting to bloom at the corner of his mouth, but the darkness in his eyes remained steadfast, ready to face any adversity that might come his way.The eyes of a warrior.“You do not owe us an apology for we do not blame you for anything,” Yoongi uttered. “Junseong lent you a hand despite knowing the risks. Because you were friends. If there’s someone who should apologize for getting us in here, then it’s him.” He scowled. “For betraying your trust.”“He did that to save himself,” Namjoon defended him. “As a person, he’s entitled to his own life.”“Yes. But I think everyone in here will agree if I say that none of us will do the same.” Yoongi glanced at his friends. “Our friendship goes beyond blood and swords. We will die for each other.”Namjoon was rendered silent by the general’s words. The others hummed in agreement and Namjoon honestly did not know what he did to deserve such wonderful people in his life. Swallowing the thick lump blocking his throat, the strategymaster let out a small trembling smile, feeling his chest brim with warmth and gratitude towards his friends. “Thank you.”Another blanket of silence hovered over them before Hoseok said in a worried tone, “Do you think Jiminie’s doing fine?”“I cannot answer that,” Jung Kook replied, frowning. “Jung Shik is sick in the head. He torments people; touch them in ways that make them loathe themselves.”“If he lays a hand on Jimin, I will kill him myself.”Jin turned his head towards the direction of the general and his mouth fell open a fraction at the livid look in his dark orbs.
His muscles were strained under the tight ropes and shackles binding him, like a tiger ready to spring on its feet once untied. “Yoongi,” he called him before he could stop himself, “how do you feel about Jimin?”There was a moment of wordlessness among them and the cook could clearly see the baffled expression dawning on the general’s face, as if what he had said was the strangest question the other had ever heard. “What–” Yoongi trailed off, uncertain “–are you talking about?”“Is he your friend?”“He is.”Jin nodded. “Just a friend?”“Hyung.” Jungkook narrowed his eyes at the eldest in curiosity. “Are you trying to say that Yoongi-hyung feels affection for him?”Jin shrugged as the others remained silent, hesitant to put their own words into the conversation. “I’m just asking.” His eyes returned to the hushed general, holding his gaze like an older brother caring for his younger sibling. “You always keep your emotions to yourself. You are not someone who says if you like or hate something. You’re like a closed book to us most of the time. I know I’ve known you the shortest, but I’ve seen you open up your pages for your friends, let them take a peek of who you are, let them see the wonderful and broken pieces of you.”Jin pulled his knees close to his chest, taking in a deep breath as he continued, “But Jiminie... he… he pried those pages open. And you let him.” He saw the general clench his teeth, his jaws straining briefly as he averted his eyes from the older’s incisive stare. “You two did not meet under the best circumstances, but slowly, both of you learned to adapt. You smile at him just like how you smile at Tae and Jungkook but at the same time, it’s different. And you care for him like how you care for us–your friends–but there is definitely something more. Am I just imagining things, Yoongi?”The general swallowed dryly and the lost and conflicted look on his face told Jin volumes of what he wanted know. However, he waited patiently, his and their friends’ silence urging the man to ponder and pick his next words carefully.“I–” Yoongi breathed out, shutting his eyelids fleetingly to compose himself “–you know I cannot hold bothersome emotions like that.”“It’s not bothersome,” Hoseok contradicted. “You may be the light of this rebellion, but you are still a man. You have the right to live your life the way you want to.”“I’ve sworn an oath to protect the people.” The skin between the general’s eyebrows creased. “When I did that, I already lost the capability to choose. I cannot have someone who waits for me at the end of each battle; someone whom I will burden with worry every time. My right foot is stuck in the mud, while the other hangs on a cliff. I don’t want to commit myself with someone if I’ll just be the cause of their pain in the end.”“Give Jimin more credit than that,” Jin replied. “He may have a pure and sensitive heart, but he is strong just like any of us. He is not one to mope around while you are gone. He works hard to learn about his Gift, so he can be of use to you when the time comes.”To this, Namjoon added, “He is fighting in his own way. If you are worried that your enemies will use him against you–to break you–then protect him. Do not let those fuckers interfere between you and him.”Jungkook and Hoseok let out stifled chuckles because of that and Jin could not contain the sense of pride that flared across his chest at his lover’s bold words. The general didn’t reply but there was a ghost of smile curving one corner of his lips in the darkness. Yoongi was such a selfless man and in the midst of his self-sacrifice in this war, he somehow forgot that he could still yearn for love like a normal man. That there was no rule hindering him from giving himself to another. That despite all these scars and wounds marring his being, someone was still out there to make him feel how beautiful a man he really was.
Jimin was slumped against the wall where he dragged himself into. His sides ached where the soldiers kicked him and he was quite certain that they might have cracked a rib or two when they punched him in the gut and flung him across the room. There were tear tracks on his face, but no sound fell past his lips as his oppressors beat him. He could not give them the satisfaction to hear him sobbing in pain. No. Not ever.“Young man.”Jimin’s eyes cracked open when he heard a calm, gentle voice talking to him. A woman was kneeling beside him, holding a bowl of soup as she raised a spoon near Jimin’s lips. “Commander Ha asked me to feed you.”At the mention of Jung Shik’s name, Jimin grimaced and turned his head away from the offered meal. “I don’t want it,” he croaked weakly.Jeohyeon sighed and lowered the spoon in the wooden bowl. “You need to eat. I heard that you’re embarking on a journey before first light. These soldiers won’t take mercy on you.”“Good. I don’t need it.”Jimin’s breath hitched when he attempted to breathe in deeply, barely making it to restrain an agonized groan threatening to spill out of his mouth. He had tried to summon his Gift to relieve a bit of the pain, but it just wouldn’t come out. He sighed and shut his eyes tightly, willing for the nausea that was hammering in his temples to go away.“The general–” he swallowed the iron in his mouth “–how is he?”“He is locked in the dungeon. Together with the other commanders.”“And Taehyung?”“The army doctor is still on the loose.”Jimin hummed, relief somehow flushing his system when he learned that his closest friend was still free and breathing somewhere. “He mustn’t come back. It’s not safe here.”Jeohyeon gazed at the young man’s bruised face for a moment before she placed the bowl of food down on the floor and bowed her head in shame. “I’m sorry.”When Jimin opened his eyes and looked at her, she continued, “It’s my fault. I was the one who told Commander Ha about the general’s curse. I was also the one who informed him about your Gift.” The dainty hands on her thighs curled, trembling with guilt. “My husband is Commander Ha’s soldier and he… threatened to kill me and my beloved if I don’t comply with his wishes. The general has always been good to everyone, yet I betrayed his trust.” Her right hand rested over her abdomen, fingers gripping tightly the fabric of her slightly worn-out dress. “I did it to protect my husband and our unborn child, yet I know that what I did is no excuse for your suffering. I am deeply sorry.”There were silent tears streaming down the woman’s face and Jimin wanted to reach out to console her if it weren’t for his shackled and battered limbs. Thus, he spoke instead, “You did it to protect your loved ones. If you were given a choice, you wouldn’t have picked the one that could hurt other people.”Jeohyeon’s tear-stained eyes lifted up to him in surprise. “Young man.”“I don’t blame you. But if it gives you comfort, then I forgive you.”The woman let out a trembling breath as more tears fell from her eyes. “I don’t deserve your kindness.”The door to the commander’s chamber opened. Soldiers wearing blue bands marched in to retrieve Jimin, pulling him up to his feet and not giving the slightest concern about the pained groan that came past his lips at the harsh treatment. He was dragged out of the room, down the staircases and along the hallways. He could barely feel his legs moving as the soldiers clutched his arms in a vice-like grip.Once outside the tower, Jimin saw a prison wagon waiting for him, guarded by a few more soldiers with lit torches in their hands. Without any word, his captors threw him inside and closed the bars, the chains and the lock rattling against each other like loud death bells.Jimin’s forehead remained planted on the floorboards, mouth opened with harsh pants as the throbbing to his sides intensified further. His hands bound behind him strained against the shackles, trying to pull them free with futile attempts.“Ah, it’s a shame your face is now bruised.”Opening his eyelids weakly, Jimin saw Jung Shik standing on the other side of the steel bars and smirking with smug satisfaction. “Your beloved general will be here in a while. I wonder how he’ll react when he sees his whore battered and broken.”Jimin coughed, groaning silently in agony as the pressure in his abdomen pulled his muscles taut. With tears springing into his eyes, he uttered hoarsely, “You’ll be punished for this. The evil won’t prevail for long.”“Evil?” Jung Shik laughed in scorn of his words. “Evil depends on the man who has the upper hand. And now, as I see it, the general and his commanders are the evil ones.”Despite the haziness in his head, Jimin still managed to hear the sound of hooves and wheels approaching them. And when he focused his eyes on the horrified faces of his friends behind the bars of a prison wagon, a small muttered cry escaped past his lips. The general’s slit-like eyes were wide as he took in Jimin’s crumpled form, his neck and shoulders tensed with fret and fury. The silver-haired’s fingers twitched when they locked gazes, feeling the sudden burst of warmth and longing in his chest as he saw that the man was well and unhurt.“Yoo…ngi,” he whispered.“Jung Shik, you fucking bastard.” The general’s lips curled into a snarl, eyes dark and sinister like a wild creature. “I swear I will kill you even if it’s the last thing I do.”The commander scoffed at the general’s threat. “How does it feel to see your beautiful whore all wounded and beaten up?”A loud banging sound caused the soldiers to jump on their feet and unsheathe their swords. Yoongi’s forehead was leaning against the steel bars, glare so intense that it could set fire to everything it wanted to burn to ashes. “Don’t–” he growled “–call him that.”Jung Shik smirked and took a few steps towards him, eyes lighting up in amusement at the other man’s helplessness. “I’m gravely disappointed that I won’t be the one to swipe a blade across your neck. See your head roll on the ground, sprinkling the grass with your blood. But I’m satisfied to see a part of you break at the sight of your beloved tarnished with bruises and broken bones.”The general’s fists behind him clenched tighter, the chains around his wrists rattling as his whole body strained. He wanted to break everything his hands could hold, snap the necks of those who hurt the kind and cheerful silver-haired young man; put a blade through the heart of those who left him soulless and on the brink of unconsciousness inside that prison wagon.“Captain.”Wangso had a hand fisted upon his chest as he bowed in respect to the older man. “Yes, commander.”Jung Shik told him, “Prince Taewon’s forces will meet you near the border of Jeonju and Daejeon. That brat Taehyung is still lurking somewhere. Make sure to kill him once he’s in your sight.”Jungkook’s scowl darkened further because of that. “Do you think Prince Taewon will leave you alone even if you send us to him as a peace offering? Do you think you will be safe on this side of the canyon after you revealed Daegu’s location to him?”Chuckling, the commander shook his head. “Of course not. But the presence of the most notorious rebels in the capital will pull him and majority of his forces back as your capture means that he will get the favor of the emperor and secure the throne from the crown prince. As they feast on your death in Seoul, I will gather the Bangtan soldiers and plan a surprise attack.”Namjoon gasped as his face paled at the man’s words. “You–you can’t do that. Thousands of innocent people will die if you rampage through the city.”“Innocent? Do you hear yourself?” Jung Shik frowned. “Those ‘innocent’ people you’re trying to defend will be first ones to laugh as you get decapitated. They have slaves in their possession, feasting on fat meals as the poor labor for them. They have gold and silver while the rest of the nation survives on dirt and rotten bread. And now you’re still branding them as ‘innocent’?”“Killing a whole city is not justice. If you mindlessly put your blade down on children and women, then you are no different from your ruthless father.”The commander’s face distorted with rage at Yoongi’s words. “I am not that bastard,” he snarled. “You have no right to reprimand me for killing people if you have killed hundreds of your own. You are a traitor to the crown, but more so to your clan. To your family. You are no different from me.”Yoongi clenched his teeth as a certain emotion flickered across his face. When Jung Shik saw that fleeting moment of weakness on the general, he turned his head towards Wangso and said, “Make sure that their ropes and shackles are tight. There should always be eyes on them all the time.”“Yes, commander.”Jung Shik’s gaze shifted to the silver-haired young man inside the other prison wagon. “And as for that boy, be certain that he drinks and eats. If he refuses, push the food down his throat. He cannot die along the way. Prince Taewon would not be delighted to see his most valuable prisoner infested with maggots.”Jimin swallowed to ease the burning dryness in his throat. From where he lay, he could see the general’s worried eyes staring back at him. He wanted to reach out and card his fingers through his dark hair, brush his thumb against the man’s cheek and whisper to him that he was fine and stronger than this. The wagon shook beneath him and then they were moving; the sound of hooves and wheels echoing into the night as the faintest rays of the sun started to mix the colors in the sky.It wasn’t long when Jimin’s lids felt heavy and they fluttered as he tried to keep himself awake to hold the general’s gaze. “Jimin,” he heard him call his name and his heart skipped at the man’s familiar voice.As the lead in his limbs and the throbbing in his temple caused his vision to swim, Jimin let out a trembling breath as his eyes automatically closed in exhaustion. And through the last string of his consciousness, he could see none other than Yoongi’s dark enthralling eyes boring into his soul and caressing him from within, the man’s lips captivating his heart and whispering his name over and over again in low lulling sounds.-TBC

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Chapter 16: Brewing Tempest
It had not been a whole day since the troop left Daegu and Jin was fairly certain that the sun was still high up in the sky if it weren’t for the thick canopies obscuring its rays, bathing the surrounding with shadows and swirling darkness.The trees and bushes were akin to lurking grotesque creatures with long hands and feet, spinning a miasma of death just like the Land of the Dead. He hadn’t been in this part of the forest even if had spent a considerable amount of time on the other side of the canyon due to his hunts. This was all new to him and from the wandering eyes of the four men sitting around him, he could tell that it was the same case for them as well.“I didn’t know there is another route towards the border of Jeonju and Daejeon,” Jungkook spoke.“Me either,” Hoseok agreed. “I always thought Kwangju Village serves as the crossroad for the neighboring towns.”“This part in the map is nothing but lush growth of trees. That is why the road is rough. This isn’t supposed to be a pathway towards the border.”“You mean like a shortcut?” Jin asked the strategymaster.The latter nodded. “Yes. Sort of like that.”From where Jin was leaning against the rusting metal bars, he heard the youngest release a deep sigh as if there was something burdening him profoundly. “Jungkook.” The young man’s head raised to meet his gaze, dark brows pulled together and forehead etched in a tight crease. “Is something bothering you?”“It’s-it’s just–” Once again, the bladesmith sighed “–Taehyung. I wonder where he is right now.”“He is doing fine. You need to trust him.”“I do.” Jungkook nibbled on his lower lip, anxiety palpable in his youthful features. “But I still cannot help but worry.”“If this is a secret pathway towards the border, then I doubt Tae will be able to find us,” Hoseok remarked in a worried tone.“Yes. It’s highly unlikely.” Namjoon shut his eyes and bowed his head in dismay. He had hoped that the young healer would be able to find and save them but as how things were progressing, their chance of escape was getting bleaker as time passed by. He did not want to see the second prince. Never in his dreams had he seen himself standing in the capital after fleeing his home; not in a way that meant death for him and his friends. He had sworn that the next time the soles of his feet touched the earth of the capital would be the moment when the palace walls would fall; ending the tyranny of the bloody monarch and putting an end to slavery and unjust decrees. He would be there to witness the rebirth of their nation. No bloodshed. No wars. No orphans crying or people dying. Just a peaceful life where everyone was free to hope for a brighter future.And from a distance, Namjoon heard a howl; sounding like a dying call and causing the hairs on his arms to rise. The sound echoed along the trees, reverberating in the green walls of the forest like a mournful cry. Another one. Then another one.“Captain,” one of the soldiers said as he rode on a horse beside the leader of the troop.“They’re just wolves,” Wangso replied as he shrugged off the unsettling sound. “We have a hundred armed men in our line. There is no need to be wary.”Despite the captain’s courageous words, the man still opted to gaze his eyes around for a hint of the wild beast’s lurking shadows. Wolves were not unheard of on this side of the canyon, especially when his troop was traversing an uncharted territory. There were bears and foxes even in the coldest of winter, hunting for their prey in the midst of hailstorm and falling snow.There were rustling of dried leaves and then another howl, but this time sounding louder and stronger.Closer.And then it happened.Namjoon caught a flash of the creature launching at the soldier beside the wagon, toppling him down from his saddle as the man shrieked and struggled for his life. His comrades shouted and pulled their swords from the sheaths, collectively advancing towards the animal devouring the fallen soldier’s flesh.When the animal’s fangs released the bloody arm of its prey, its eyes lifted up and caught Namjoon’s stare. The strategymaster’s breath hitched when he saw those shockingly astounding golden eyes, the irises speckled with green dots and fibers that seemed to radiate from the animal’s round and dark pupils. Its fur was a mixture of black and tan–achingly familiar. As a low growl stirred inside the dire wolf’s throat, Namjoon’s eyes widened as all of the muscles in his body went stiff.“Y-Yeontan?” he muttered.

“Kill the wolf!”The soldiers surrounded the dire wolf–swords bared–as the archers loaded arrows on their bows. Namjoon saw Jungkook stiffen beside him and let out a piercing cry, “No!”The arrows never met the animal’s flesh as each one of the archers fell down on the dirt with a loud thump. There was a moment of confusion among the troops as more and more men dropped on the ground: bloody and lifeless. One brave soldier raised his sword and swung it towards the dire wolf, never fulfilling his goal of butchering the animal as an arrow impaled him from the back.Jungkook’s eyes were wide and frantic; heart beating loudly in his chest as he saw horses galloping towards the line of soldiers, their riders clad in black holding swords, spears and other battle weapons, the sharp blades glinting in the darkness and thirsting for blood.“Protect the prisoners!” Wangso shouted as he unsheathed his sword and impaled one of the men on the chest. “Ya!” He pulled on the reins of his horse and began galloping towards the bulk of the assailants, swinging his blade and meeting limbs and necks that were within his radius; brutally killing his opponents without a shred of mercy.The bladesmith caught a flash of brown hair amongst the rioting crowd and his heart leapt to his throat when he saw the figure of his lover fighting against three soldiers at once. Taehyung was holding a pair of katars in both of his hands, the handlebars molded out of gold and the flat pointed blades crafted with the strongest steel in the nation. There was a Bangtan symbol at the base of the blade, screaming the young healer’s pride as part of the most powerful rebel army in their country’s history.Taehyung dodged a sword and planted a foot forward to shove the blade of his katar towards the soldier’s stomach. Pivoting on his heel, the young healer crossed his blades in front of him as another sword swung down, clashing against his weapon and causing a tremor to run down his arms upon the impact.“Taehyung-ah!” Jungkook shouted and attempted to wriggle his wrists free from the shackles.“Jungkook! Stay still!” Hoseok reprimanded him. “You’ll hurt yourself.”“I can’t just sit here and do nothing!” the bladesmith said exasperatedly as he stood and threw his gaze back on Taehyung. He wasn’t a pure-blooded fighter like him or Yoongi; had never been in the frontlines in the battlefield like Namjoon, Jin and Hoseok. He could hold himself in a fight, yes, but there was a difference between a warrior swinging his weapon in the midst of war and an army doctor who willingly learned how to fight to protect his wounded comrades.With breaths coming out in harsh pants, Jungkook watched with blown wide eyes as his lover crossed the distance between them, fighting his way towards the prison wagon as few of his men covered him from the back. It was only a fleeting gaze shared for a span of a split second, but it was already enough for Jungkook’s heart to bang wildly against his ribcage; the name of the young healer falling from his mouth in worry, tangled with a few muttered curses and prayers for his lover’s safety as he ventured towards where he stood.Taehyung yelled at one of his men, “Break the lock!”Without another word, the man raised his axe and swung it down on the metal lock. The chains broke upon the impact and they immediately pried the steel bars open to hop inside the wagon. The men cut off the ropes binding the general and the commanders’ arms, breaking the short chain of their shackles to completely release their wrists and ankles from the restraints.Once freed, Jungkook immediately sprang to his feet to assist his Taehyung. “How did you find us?” he asked.The young healer smiled as sweat glistened the sides of his neck and face. “Yeontan.”Oh, Jungkook thought.The dire wolf was standing beside Taehyung, sharp teeth bared and a growl rumbling deep inside his chest. “Good boy,” the young healer complimented him.The bladesmith saw a few soldiers advancing towards them but in a blink of an eye, two of the opponents sank down on their knees, arrows pierced through their necks and destroying their airways as they choked in their own blood. “I have your back!” Hoseok shouted from where he was perched on a tree branch, holding a bow and arrow as he incessantly fired shot after shot, the arrowheads looking like lethal raindrops from the sky.Grinning, Jungkook sprinted to grab a fallen sword and those who had dared to lash at him met their ends with an arrow burrowed deeply into their body. There was another archer who aimed at him and he slid across the dirt to take hold of the hilt, the small blade barely missing his head by a fingerbreadth and whooshing past the crown of his hair. He went after him and sank his sword deep into his flesh without a shred of doubt, the other man crying in pain as he coughed out blood and breathed the last air in his lungs. Jungkook spun on the ball of his foot to evade another attack from another soldier, pivoting as he raised his sword to clash against the other’s blade, but–“Look out!”Jin threw himself at the bladesmith just in time to save the youngest from getting hit by a dagger, both of them landing on their sides as harsh pants came out of Jungkook’s mouth; his eyes blown wide with shock. Turning his head sharply towards the source of the weapon, Jin scowled and hastily sprinted towards the direction of the assailant–barehanded.“Jin-ah!” Namjoon yelled after him but the eldest continued to pursue the soldier, running in his full speed until he was within the radius of his opponent; dodging the swing of a sword before putting his hands on the man’s shoulders and lifting himself up, encasing the soldier’s neck with his legs before letting himself fall backwards and dragging the man along with him.The soldier landed on the ground with a harsh thud as Jin’s legs kept on choking his neck. The latter reached out to the man’s belt and grabbed the spare dagger from his leather strap. “I usually fight with two,” he commented, “but one will do the trick.”Namjoon saw how his lover fought: swiftly dodging swords and arrows as if he weighed nothing at all; bouncing on his opponent’s thighs to flip himself over; tossing himself in the air by using their shoulders as leverage; adeptly flinging the dagger towards his opponent’s chest; taking it out, and throwing it again on the next one. Jin was agile and lithe like a leaf being blown by the wind, and Namjoon’s chest bloomed with pride at his lover’s intricate display of a war dance of his own.His attention was instantly caught by the sight of the general running past him, legs pacing with large strides before grabbing the saddle and mounting himself on a black stallion. “Yoongi!” he called.“I’m going after them!” Yoongi yelled back and pulled on the reins, Namjoon’s shouts falling on deaf ears as the general chased after the prison wagon that was holding the silver-haired young man inside.
Jimin woke with a start, his pulse thrumming quickly in his wrist and heart beating wildly within his chest wall as if he had run a thousand miles. His skin was damp despite the cold wind of the forthcoming winter; blood rushing through his veins and releasing heat through every pore in his body.The throbbing pain to his sides was more bearable than what he could remember, a dull ache pulsating every now and then instead of a steady, excruciating one. But the pain wasn’t the reason why Jimin roused from his slumber. It was the loud bang of a body thrown violently against the steel bars of the prison wagon that got his eyes flinging open.There was total chaos outside and his system immediately alerted him to sit up and whip his head around towards the direction of the other prison wagon. He could not see his friends from where he was, but he had a fairly precise guess as to who was responsible for the attack.The air was defiled with the strong smell of blood and Jimin closed his eyes tightly as one or two soldiers got their arms cut off. It was the epitome of hell, one that which he had never imagined seeing while he was still living.Jimin jolted when the metal lock of the wagon broke; the steel bars creaking open and revealing a man who was achingly familiar that tears readily sprang into his eyes at the sight. Hopping on the floorboards and kneeling closely in front of him, the middle-aged man lifted up his eyes to meet his gaze; dark growing beard lining a strong set of jaws and a hairless head which Jimin could never mistaken as anyone else.“I’m here for you, kid,” he said in a low gruff voice.Jimin choked out a sob as the dam broke, hot tears spilling out in streams down his face as tremendous relief flushed down his system. He was here. He and Taehyung were here.
With trembling lips, Jimin uttered, “Y-Yongwon-ssi.”The man immediately swung his axe down on the shackles binding Jimin’s wrists, breaking the chains apart and setting him free. “Look at what they did to you.” Yongwon scowled darkly as he eyed the brown and purple bruise blooming at one corner of Jimin’s mouth, his cracked lower lip, the dried blood staining his nostrils and a few shallow cuts blemishing the sides of his face. “I’m going to kill those fuckers for hurting you.”Before Jimin could respond, a pair of soldiers managed to grab Yongwon by the ankles and throw him out of the wagon. “Yongwon-ssi!” Jimin shouted as he attempted to stand on his feet, wincing and releasing out stuttered breaths as pain pierced his sides like blades sticking in the spaces between his bruised ribs. The silver-haired felt the prison wagon shook beneath his feet and he stumbled backwards as the wheels began to come to life, sending him flying against the steel bars and feeling a new bout of pain lance through his spine upon the harsh contact.The prison wagon was moving; farther and farther away from the middle-aged man who was looking at him with a horrified expression as he struggled to fight for his life. There were horsemen galloping behind the wagon, guarding their retreat as Captain Wangso yelled, “Do not let them get this boy! Advance to the border at all cost!”Jimin’s hands curled into tight fists as he tried to push himself from the floorboards, gripping the bars for support as his knees and feet struggled to keep his balance from the bumpy road they were traveling on, wheeling past rocks and dirt and dried leaves as the horses pulled the wagon in full speed.“Jimin!”A breath caught in his throat when he heard a voice calling out his name. Lifting up his eyes as he clutched his hands tighter around the bars, Jimin’s heart jumped inside his chest when he saw the general chasing after them; riding on a black stallion and gripping the reins with both hands as if his life depended on them.“Yoongi!” he shouted back as fresh tears began to blur his vision.“Fucking–” Captain Wangso spat out. “Kill him! Kill the general!”The horsemen raised their swords and spears, pulling their horses around to meet the general head-on in a deathly battle.The flames in Yoongi’s dark eyes grew larger as his opponents, who were once part of his cavalry, rode towards him with their weapons bared and glinting in the shadows. The first blade aimed for his neck and he bent backwards to dodge the assault. Maintaining his stallion’s speed, Yoongi stretched out an arm to his side as the second soldier approached. He ducked from the blade and caught the rod of the spear with his hand, causing the rider to be dragged backwards and the weapon to be released from the man’s grip.Yoongi felt a rush of energy flow from the rod to his arm, just like every time he had a hold on the Agust, one that never failed to give him a spark of life and raw power in the battlefield. Grasping the spear to his side as he leaned forward to increase his speed, Yoongi braced himself as the bulk of the horsemen started to run past him. He had seen them fight in the battles he had led for years and Yoongi felt a little throb make its way to his chest as he thought of them severing their ties at that exact moment.The general was an unmatched and adroit warrior in the battlefield and he once again proved that as he took down his opponents with every flip and swing of his spear. The soldiers fell down from their saddles, landing on the dirt with bloody necks and broken bones. Dead.Jimin tried to walk on the trembling floorboards with all his might, gripping the bars for support as he crossed the small distance between him and the opened metal doors. He was going to jump. He did not mind if it would cost him a couple of bones. He would jump. To make it easier for Yoongi to pursue the captain.“Jimin!” The general was trailing behind the wagon. “Climb!”The silver-haired gasped at the general’s words, hastily scrambling after the metal doors to plant his foot on a horizontal rod. He pushed himself up the roof of the wagon, feeling his ribs scream at him in pain as he strained his muscles.“Die!” Captain Wangso clashed his sword with the general’s spear, momentarily struggling against each other’s strength before the general flicked his wrist and overwhelmed him with a force that he had never encountered in his life. The man fell from his stallion with a loud shout as the blade of Yoongi’s weapon met his flesh.Blood spurted from the gash that the general had created but he paid him no further attention as his eyes darted back on the silver-haired young man hunched over the roof of the prison wagon. “Jump!” he shouted.Jimin swallowed the lump in his throat as he breathed out harsh trembling breaths. Yoongi was looking at him with wide eyes, panting as he kept one hand clutched on the reins. “I’ll catch you!” Jimin heard the general say and did not waste another second before he pushed himself forwards through his feet, feeling the wind rush past his face and deafen his ears as his pulse pulsated everywhere.His system fired with adrenaline at the sensation of his fall as his mind braced himself for the impact. Jimin’s hands were reaching for Yoongi, fingers desperate to grasp any piece of clothing or limbs that would make him take a hold of the general.Yoongi spread out his arms to catch him, his strong limbs encircling the young healer's waist as Jimin’s chest collided with his violently, toppling him down from the saddle and causing both of them to roll down a slope. It was as though the air was punched out of Jimin’s lungs as the blow of their fall rattled his entire frame. He felt sharp stones and stray branches bit on his back and thighs, the dried leaves rustling as both of them rolled down the slope for what seemed like an eternity.When the movements stopped, Jimin heard a loud ringing in his ear as his heart beat wildly inside his chest, skin damping with sweat and blood still rushing from the adrenaline. Even through the fleeting haziness in his head, he was still quite aware of the strong pair of arms wrapped around him, holding him tight as they served as protective barriers in the throes of their fall.Yoongi’s chest was heaving when Jimin lifted his eyes to see his face. The man’s slit-like eyes slowly cracked open before his dark irises rolled down on Jimin. They stayed like that for a long while, gazes locked and mouths hanging open with labored breaths, unspoken words drowning in their shared moment of silence.Jimin could feel the general’s breath on his face, causing a warm flush of heat to spread across his cheeks and a certain kind of nervousness to stir inside his chest. The general was the first one to move as he slid a hand over the side of Jimin’s face to caress the bruise at the corner of his mouth. The silver-haired’s hold on the general’s tunic trembled at the gentle touch, basking in the warmth of the other man’s palm pressed carefully against his skin, fearing that even the lightest touch could possibly hurt or harm him.“Yoongi,” Jimin breathed out as he continued to stare at the other man’s eyes.“I should have been there when they were hurting you.” The general’s face twisted with guilt. “I’m so sorry.”Jimin sniffed and shook his head lightly, letting the few remaining tears to slip down the corners of his eyes. “It wasn’t your fault. I don’t blame you for anything.”When the general closed his eyes and sighed, Jimin felt the tip of his nose brush lightly against his forehead. And at that humble contact, his heart soared. Jimin wondered for a second if Yoongi could feel his rapid heartbeats through their clothes, sense the heat radiating from his skin, notice his dilated pupils, and see the pink hue tainting his cheeks and the lobes of his ears? He had never felt this strongly towards anyone in his life; that lush and overwhelming emotion stirring right inside his chest like a brewing tempest.Maybe. Maybe… he was indeed attracted to the other man.“I should’ve been able to protect you,” Yoongi muttered.“I could take care of myself.”His brave words made the other chuckle breathily. “I know you could. Still.”Jimin’s eyelids suddenly felt heavy, fluttering as Yoongi encased his arms around his neck, caging him from all the cruelties of the world and shielding him from any harm that might come his way. “Rest,” the general murmured softly against a crown of pale, snow-like hair, “I will be here.”Inside Yoongi’s strong arms, Jimin found refuge. He let his eyes flutter close and all his worries be drowned by the other man’s warmth and quiet breaths. And over the calmest waters of his dream, there was this tiny light ray of hope whispering to him that maybe–just maybe–the general was likely feeling the same kind of affection towards him.-TBC

Taehyung's katar (I edited the Bangtan symbol)

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Chapter 17: Slowly As the Setting Sun
Jungkook gripped the sword tightly as his feet walked towards the fallen man clutching at his throat, preventing the blood from gushing out of the deep wound that Yoongi had inflicted on him.His brown eyes darkened as he approached, fueled by an immeasurable anger that could rip boulders apart. However, an all-too-familiar hand held his arm and that gentle touch alone was enough to halt him in his tracks and extinguish some of the flames burning brightly inside his chest.“We should wait for Yoongi-hyung,” Taehyung suggested, reaching for the younger’s face and brushing his thumb against his cheek. “Calm down, Jungkook-ah.”“This bastard hurt you.” The bladesmith threw a hateful glare towards Wangso. “He ordered his men to kill you.”“That’s–” the young healer hesitated “–it’s… let’s just wait for Yoongi-hyung, okay? He might still be of use to us.”Albeit reluctant, Jungkook conceded to his lover’s proposal. It wasn’t long when they saw the general emerging behind a slope and holding an unconscious young man in his arms. Taehyung gasped in horror and hurriedly sprinted towards them.“Jiminie–”“He’s asleep,” the general spoke before Taehyung could proceed to hysteria. “I told him to take a rest. He looks so tired.”Eyebrows pulling together as the young healer examined the cuts and bruises on his friend’s face, he said, “Hyung, night will fall soon. It’ll better to camp out tonight, preferably near a running stream or river. I have to clean Jiminie’s wounds, as well as everybody else’s.”After the general nodded, Jungkook spoke, “What do we do about this rat?”Yoongi’s eyes fell on the bleeding captain sprawled on the dirty ground, chest rising and falling with fast and shallow breaths. The crease between Yoongi’s eyebrows grew as an unmerciful expression dawned on his face. “Kill him. I’ve had enough talking with men like him.”Captain Wangso let out a strangled wheeze, sounding like a mocking remark at the general’s words. “Min… Yoongi… do you think Commander Jung Shik’s men will swear their loyalty to you after you kill him?” He coughed violently, blood spurting from his mouth. “You are not the rightful leader of this army. You will never be. You, Jungkook and Namjoon. You don’t… belong in Daegu. You are all fucking pawns of the Emperor–”“Jungkook.” The general stared at the bladesmith. “I leave this dead man to you.”The younger bowed his head and answered with a firm voice, “Yes, general.”“Ya.”Turning his head around, he saw the young healer looking at him with worried eyes. “Do you want me to stay with you?”“No.” Jungkook shook his head, giving his lover a faint reassuring smile. “The wounded ones need you. I will be fine.”There was debate in Taehyung’s eyes for a brief moment, not wanting to leave the younger alone with an enemy no matter how debilitated or close to death he was. However, he could not do anything but nod and sigh as he turned on his heels to help Yoongi and Jimin mount on a stallion.With both hands gripping the reins firmly, Yoongi had the silver-haired young man sitting in front of him, letting the younger’s back lean against his torso and his head rest on the curve between his neck and shoulder. Jimin’s breathing was quiet and even, and Yoongi was lost in his thoughts for a second as he gazed at the young man’s ample and slightly parted lips.“Hyung,” Taehyung called him from behind, mounted on his own ride. “Let us go.”Yoongi nodded and pulled the reins as gently as he could, keeping the pace of the stallion steady and careful so as not to rouse the sleeping young man inside his arms.Jungkook's eyes remained plastered on the captain as he waited for the sound of hooves to fade away into the distance. When he started taking a few steps towards the man, Wangso let out a harsh laugh and said, “How will it be, huh, brat? Are you going to impale me with that stick?”Even through his anger, Jungkook kept himself calm. “No. Do you remember what I said to you?” He let the sword fall on the dirt, advancing as he cracked his knuckles. “If you touch a hair on Taehyung’s head, then I will kill you with my bare hands.”A ghost of fear flashed across the man’s eyes but he tried to hide it behind a scornful smile. “You are a fucking monster. Just like your father.”Jungkook grabbed the man by the armor and slid behind him to wrap his strong arms around the other’s neck. Wangso choked in his own blood when Jungkook continued wringing his neck, hands futilely trying to pry the younger’s arms away from his throat. “I may be a couple of years younger but that doesn’t define my strength as a man,” he hissed near the captain’s ear, “and now you are going to die in the hands of the brat you’ve always looked down upon.”The veins in the bladesmith’s arms stuck out as he snapped the captain’s neck, a loud cracking sound reverberating in his ears and filling his system with deep satisfaction as Wangso went completely limp inside his hold. Jungkook stood up and retrieved his sword without sparing another glance to the slain man.Besides, he had more important matters to attend to than waste another second of his life in the company of a dead, mutinous bastard.
It was fortunate that there was a stream of fresh water just nearly half a mile away. The trees weren’t as thick as it were in the deeper part of the forest, thus letting a bit of sunshine pass through the canopies above. The sky was a splash of blue, orange and purple as the sun set behind the mountains. The wind got colder and fiercer, biting onto Yoongi’s skin like sharp little needles.His men gathered firewood and lit them, serving as sources of heat in the midst of a cool night. Jin and Hoseok helped hunting for food, coming back to the camp with carcasses of deer and wild boar thrown over their shoulders.Taehyung was tending on the wounded soldiers, wetting a piece of cloth and cleaning the gashes on their arms, legs and bodies to avoid any kind of infection. Jungkook was there by his side, applying salves and herbs on the men’s wounds to help them heal faster.There was a claymore sword strapped behind his back, the lobed pommel and quatrefoil design crafted in silver as mahogany wood clad the hilt, helping with the firm grip as the wielder waved its long blade in the air.Namjoon was sitting on a large tree root, a double-headed battle axe balanced on top of his thighs as he sharpened its winged blades with a whetstone. For years, Yoongi had seen his best friend swing that heavy weapon in the battlefield and never in his recollection had he witnessed any man ran away unscathed from its blades.Yoongi’s eyes landed on the rod inside his hand. The Agust was firm and tall in his hold, its blade sharp and glinting. He could never put into words the relief that crawled inside his chest when he saw and took a hold of his glaive.Taehyung said that he was in the stillroom with Ji Seong when he heard soldiers bursting through doors in the castle. His instinct told him that something was wrong and he was infinitely grateful to have listened to it that time. As they stealthily ran away, Taehyung saw a glimpse of the happenings in the courtyard and decided to prioritize Ji Seong’s safety before he made a move to rescue them.
“Some of your men sought for me and Ji Seong in the village. They were the ones who brought your weapons before Jung Shik could take a hold on them,” Taehyung spoke.

Yoongi nodded. “Where is she right now?”

“In the infirmary. In one of the hidden rooms.”

“How did you find us?” Hoseok asked.

“Yeontan.” The young healer smiled as the dire wolf put his head onto his lap. Brushing the soft black fur with his fingers, Taehyung replied, “I called for him in the woods.”

“Called?” the archmaster frowned in confusion. “You mean you ‘howled’?”

Taehyung laughed. “Of course! He knows the tone of my voice. He would’ve never mistaken it for anybody.”
“General.”Yoongi’s reverie broke when a soldier addressed him. Several more of them swarmed the general, all dressed in black and staring at him with vulnerable expression on their faces. The said soldier suddenly knelt on one knee and bowed his head in shame. “Our apologies for abandoning you. After Commander Jung Shik has been dealt with, please punish us by all means.”All the other soldiers fell on their knees as well, heads bowing lowly as they uttered in a chorus, “Please punish us, general.”Yoongi was silent as he stood at the middle of his kneeling men, begging for his forgiveness and asking for a punishment for failing their general. Namjoon, Hoseok and Jin were all looking at him, patiently waiting for whatever reply that was going to fall from his mouth.Breathing in deeply, the general uttered, “Stand.”The soldier’s head sprang up in surprise. “You did not abandon me,” Yoongi continued, “if you had, then you would not be here. Punishment is not necessary.”“But, General Min–”“If you desire so much to redeem yourselves, then help me save Daegu and this nation.” The general’s hand tightened around his glaive, eyes seeking for the deepest trench of his men’s souls. “Help me protect the people.”The muscles in the soldier’s jaws jumped as he clenched his teeth firmly. Bowing his head once again in reverence for the esteemed general, he spoke in a voice bleeding with untethered devotion, “We will follow you, general.” He lifted his eyes to meet Yoongi’s gaze. “Until world’s end.”
Jimin woke up with something moist brushing gently against his temple. Fluttering his eyes open, he let out an audible breath as he rested a hand over his forehead to will the haziness in his head away. And when he heard a whimper beside him, Jimin’s adrenaline shot up and he instantly sat and scrambled away from the source of that sound.Staring at him at the moment was a pair of golden eyes speckled with green dusts and strands around dark round irises. Jimin could feel a yell bubbling in his throat as the dire wolf continued to gaze at him so closely. “Wha–”“Jiminie?”The wolf stepped back when Taehyung dropped on his knees in front of him, holding his shoulders with both hands as a worried but grateful smile graced the young healer’s lips. “Ya, are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?”“I-I–” Jimin’s wide eyes darted back on the animal “–it’s–it’s a–”“Oh.” Taehyung chuckled when he saw where Jimin was looking at. “His name is Yeontan. He is my pet.”“Pet? A dire wolf?”“Yes!” the young healer leaned back and scratched the fur under the wolf’s chin. “Isn’t he adorable?”When Yeontan mewled softly and nuzzled his nose against Taehyung’s cheek, the fear that struck Jimin earlier gradually faded and was replaced with a certain kind of fondness as he watched his closest friend stroke the animal’s fur affectionately.“Yes, he is,” Jimin agreed with a bright chuckle that radiated up to his eyes.“He was a cub when I found him on this side of the canyon, too young to survive on his own. Alone and wounded. Probably separated from his pack and got attacked by larger predators, or pursued by a bunch of hunters.” Taehyung’s eyes saddened as he recollected that painful memory. “I took him in and raised him until he was old enough to fend for himself. I wanted to keep him, but he has his nature and his heart belongs to the wild. It broke my heart to set him free, but that was the right thing to do. He lives in the forest now, but everytime I call for him, he never fails to answer.”Taehyung turned his attention to Jimin, smiling as he said, “You should play with him when you’re strong enough, Jiminie! He’s a good boy.”Laughing at his friend’s enthusiasm, the silver-haired reached out and planted his palm on top of the wolf’s head, the soft fur digging into his palm and tugging at his heartstrings pleasantly. “I will.”Taehyung served him his share of food for the night: a roasted rabbit and butchered deer meat. Jimin practically inhaled his meal, choking on them once in a while as Taehyung laughed and offered him a waterskin to drink from. “You’re starving,” he commented and Jimin did not find it in him to say otherwise.They were situated behind a large tree, its roots peeking above the ground and serving as an effective barrier from the bustling noise of the soldiers on the other side. Taehyung told him to sleep here tonight, on a blanket as a makeshift bed and away from rowdy men so he could rest and recover well.“I can sleep with the others, Tae. You don’t have to worry about me.”“No.” Taehyung pouted. “You’re my best friend. I can’t have you sleep with smelly soldiers.”Jimin laughed at that. “You’re exaggerating. What about you?”“Jungkook and I are going to sleep with you here. Just in case something happens.”After Jimin nodded, the young healer inquired, “How are your ribs?”“Better,” Jimin replied after finishing his meal. “They don’t hurt as much anymore.”“The bruise near your mouth is starting to fade too.” Taehyung pondered for a moment. “Your wounds are healing faster than I expected. Is it perhaps an effect of your Gift?”
Oh.“I don’t know.” Jimin shook his head, hand rubbing over his arm as he thought deeply. “I’ve never really felt anything unusual.”“We both know that cracked ribs heal for about a month or two. Yours has just been a whole day, yet the pain already started subsiding. I reckon your Gift is the one responsible for that.”Thinking back on his days in the temple, Jimin once fell from a tree when he was ten years old. His arm got broken and was scolded by the other priestesses for it, telling him to be careful and stop climbing trees at nightfall. He remembered them putting it on a cast and reminding him that his bone wouldn’t be as sturdy as it was before; however, the High Priestess told them that Jimin would heal just fine. That he would perfectly be in shape sooner than they expected. And he had healed. Completely so.Was his fast recovery really due to his blessing?“How–” Jimin hesitated for a moment, fingers fidgeting on the edge of the blanket covering the lower half of his body “–how are the others?”Taehyung raised an eyebrow. “You mean how is Yoongi-hyung?”Heat burst into Jimin’s cheeks and he waved his hands in protest. “N-No! That’s not–I mean…”“Jiminie.” Taehyung sighed and held his restless hands. “I know how you feel about him. You don’t have to conceal it from me.”Jimin gasped in a shaky breath as the warmth spread down his neck and chest. His fingers curled around the young healer’s hands as if Taehyung was the sturdy support he needed as he crossed the bridge between life and death. He held on to his friend desperately, trembling ever so slightly as a wave of uncontrollable emotion engulfed his heart.“Tae,” he whispered, voice sounding so lost and helpless. There was wetness in his eyes when he lifted them up to gaze at the young man. “I don’t know what to do. These feelings my heart holds; they are all new to me. Sometimes they overwhelm me to the point that I feel like breaking. They are warm, rich and… pleasurable. But I am afraid. For the first time in my life, I feel so strongly for someone. Yet, I am frightened to let all these emotions loose. Tae…” His grip on the other’s hands tightened. “Tae, please. Tell me what to do.”Taehyung witnessed how Jimin’s thin shoulders tremble as his emotions went turbulent inside his chest. Smiling and collecting the troubled young man in his arms, the young healer hushed him and ran a comforting hand down his back. “Gods.” Taehyung chuckled. “I didn’t imagine in a million years that someone will cry over their newfound love. You don’t know how adorable you look like now, Jiminie.”“Tae,” Jimin whined as he slapped Taehyung’s thigh lightly, earning him another breathy chuckle from the other man.“I know the feeling can be overwhelming and frightening at first like you claimed. I’ve felt the same thing towards Jungkook. There was a time when I couldn’t look at him straight in the eyes because everytime I did, heat would pool in my cheeks and could you imagine how embarrassing and horrifying that was? I wanted to perish.”Jimin chortled because, yes, he could definitely imagine that happening. “But you see, Jiminie…” Taehyung pulled away to gaze at him, wiping away a few tears at the corners of his eyes. “Loving someone is as wonderful as the morning dew. Fresh, calm and abundant. Peaceful. That everytime you are with your beloved, you can feel eternal repose and tranquility which you cannot find anywhere else in this world. Like a sanctuary in the midst of a tumultuous realm.”“Yoongi-hyung. He is the most selfless man I have ever met,” Taehyung continued, “I can never put into words how much I adore him as a brother and how much I look up to him as a warrior. He always watches over us; protects us even if he has wounds of his own. That is why I support your affection for him. You can heal him, not his bruises and cuts, but his heart. You can put all the broken pieces of him together, make him feel that no matter how many unwanted battles he fights and how much blood stains his hands, he is still a man worthy of love.”Jimin let out a trembling breath, his whole being beset by the other’s heavy words. “But, Tae… I don’t know if I am the one worthy enough for him.”“You are. Believe me, Jiminie. You are.”The silver-haired’s mouth curved into a grateful smile and he threw his arms around the young healer to murmur a quiet “thank you” to his ear. He could never be thankful enough to have Taehyung by his side. Within the short amount of time they had known each other, Taehyung had undoubtedly become one of the stone pillars in his life. Jimin couldn’t imagine himself without him; couldn’t even see himself walking without the young man chuckling happily by his side. Taehyung would always be his closest friend, and Jimin honestly didn’t know what to do if he lost that precious person in his life.A sound of heavy boots treading on dried leaves and stones caught their attention. Jimin’s throat constricted when he saw Yoongi approaching them, holding a small pouch in one hand. “Hyung,” Taehyung regarded him, “do you need something?”“Uh…” Yoongi looked down at the pouch briefly before offering it to him “…Jin-hyung asked me to give this to Jimin. There are wild berries in it.”“Oh, great!” Taehyung quickly stood on his feet. “That’s so sweet of him. Then maybe you can give it to Jiminie since you’re already here.”Yoongi opened his mouth to say something but was cut off when the young healer whistled and beckoned for the dire wolf to follow him, leaving the general and the silver-haired alone under the glittering stars in the night sky. The crackles of the burning wood sounded a thousand times louder to Jimin’s ears as the silence between them stretched on. After several thundering heartbeats, he saw the general walk towards him and offered him the pouch of wild berries.“Here,” the general uttered without actually meeting Jimin’s gaze.Jimin, in all honesty, did not know what possessed him that moment when his hand reached out and encircled around the general’s wrist, causing the man’s eyes to flick at him in surprise and bafflement. “Stay,” he heard himself say, “Please stay.”Yoongi’s gaze remained on him for what seemed like an eternity before he wordlessly let his rear fall beside Jimin and threw the pouch in his lap with a barely audible sigh. They sat in silence for a while as Jimin opened the pouch and took a few pieces in his mouth, tasting the succulent juices of the berries as they exploded on his tongue.“Jin-hyung said that you like wild berries.”Jimin gave him a smile. “Yes. I do.”“May I know why?”The silver-haired’s heart skipped a beat at the general’s question. The man was curious about him, about something he liked, and Jimin did not know that a subtle curiosity like that coming from the other man was enough to make him feel more alive.“I grew up in a forest. On this side of the canyon. I’ve always liked wandering around and spending the day within its green walls, climbing trees and hiking waterfalls. And whenever I felt hungry, I always gathered some wild berries to fill the ache in my stomach.” Jimin chuckled at the pleasant memory. “I’ve learned through time that not all berries are meant to be eaten. There are poisonous ones, which I unfortunately ate once when I was younger.”“What happened?” Yoongi asked, eyebrows pulling together in concern.“I survived, of course. Barely made it to the temple, but I survived. I vomited so much after that I thought I puked out my stomach.”The general let out a laugh at that. “I can’t imagine how awful it must’ve felt. Taehyung and Namjoon once tried to cook for my birthday and I swear to all the heavenly gods, I could’ve killed them for giving me the worst stomachache in my life if they weren’t suffering from it as well.”Jimin chuckled brightly, one that radiated towards his eyes and made them disappear into tiny crescents. “Remind me not to let Tae cook for me one of these days.”“I will.”They remained staring at each other for a long while, pleasant smiles plastered on both of their faces as a comfortable silence settled between them. As the quiet flames of the burning wood cast orange glows on their skin, Jimin put the half-empty pouch beside him and said softly, “Thank you… for saving and taking care of me.”The general held his gaze steadily, wordlessly watching his face that it made Jimin conscious for a brief second. “You’re welcome.”Through the silence and tension hanging above them, Jimin took in a deep breath to calm his nerves and rapidly beating heart. Without a doubt, the general’s mere presence was enough to send his whole being in complete disarray. How did Yoongi do that? How did he manage to light the fire on his skin? Make his blood rush through his veins?“Yoongi,” he called out his name because he was in dire need to say something–anything–at that moment. The silence was killing him, suffocating him and making his heart beat louder inside his chest as the man’s heavy gaze continued to burden him.Jimin felt the churn in his gut and the undeniable pull in his chest as their gazes lingered longer and longer. And he was fairly certain that the man had felt it too, especially when Yoongi planted his left hand beside Jimin’s right thigh and reached for his face with the other. The force was there–had always been there–like a magnet pulling them together. Like two ends of a rope meeting each other in a tight knot. Like two worlds colliding from the opposite ends of the universe.Jimin could see himself reflected in Yoongi’s dark eyes, could feel the man’s thumb caressing his cheek with careful and gentle strokes. The silver-haired’s breath hitched in his throat when Yoongi’s gaze suddenly dropped on his lips. His heart banged against his chest loudly and painfully, causing another warm gush of blood to climb up his neck and spread across his face.Yoongi leaned his face closer, slowly as the setting sun, and Jimin’s hands in his lap trembled when he felt the general’s warm breath on his face. “Yoongi,” he breathed out shakily, eyes fluttering shut as his heartbeats threatened to tear him apart.And as Jimin was about to explode from the sheer nervousness he was currently feeling, he heard a low chuckle vibrate in the air and felt a soft pair of lips press against his forehead. When Jimin’s eyes cracked open, Yoongi was staring at him with a gentle and amused smile on his lips. “You’re trembling,” he uttered, “go and get some rest. Good night.”The general stood on his feet and walked away without another word. Once the man was out of sight, Jimin doubled over and buried his burning face in his hands, barely able to contain the scream brewing inside his throat as every fiber of his being yelled at him at how stupid he must have looked in front of the general. Letting himself fall on the blanket as his heart struggled to find a peaceful rhythm once again, Jimin peeked through the gaps of his fingers and tried to reminisce ever so fondly about his shared moment with the general.Yoongi kissed him on the forehead. He did.Oh gods.Jimin buried his face in his hands once again as he rolled to his side, stomach drowning in butterflies and skin flushing with heat. There was this inexplicable happiness that kept on embracing his heart and he could not do anything but wear a wide smile on his face as the memory and sensation of Yoongi’s lips on his skin kept on replaying inside his head.When the tides were a bit calmer, Jimin stared quietly at the flames as his teeth nibbled on his lower lip to suppress another smile threatening to slip past his defenses. “Yoongi,” Jimin muttered into the night. “Yoongi. Yoongi.”Jimin’s gaze went softer as the corners of his lips curved up. “Can you feel it?” He put a hand over his chest. “Can you feel my heart beating fast upon the sound of your name?”Jimin’s eyes fluttered shut as his fingers curled on the fabric of his grubby white tunic.
Do you feel the same way, too, Yoongi?

Do you?
-TBC

Sarahmin43722094 on twt: "I TRIED DRAWING A FANART OF YOONGI @LadyElocin
:')
Your fic is just the best T^T thanks for the wonderful story and ilysm! And istg that i'll scream happily the next time you update."

Thank you so much! I love
your gorgeous artwork. T__T This is my first fanart for this story and you don't know how grateful I am to you for that. Thank you for sharing your love and talent to us! Keep loving yoonmin!
❤
*Drum roll* Bonus art from me!

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 18: He Is the Night, the Moon and the Stars
The first light of dawn slipped past through Jimin’s eyelids like sun rays peeking through the crack between two boulders. It was warm and welcoming; making him feel more alive and satisfied with every calm breath he took.As he pushed himself up, his eyes landed on the two figures snuggled closely to fit themselves on a single blanket. Jungkook had his arms around Taehyung, hugging him closely to his chest, while the young healer kept him warm by wrapping an arm around Jungkook’s waist and slipping his thigh between his. They looked so comfortable and at peace that Jimin couldn’t stop the fond smile tugging the corners of his lips.As carefully as he could, Jimin made his way towards the heart of the camp where most of the soldiers were still lying on their blankets as some patrolled around and probably had remained awake for the rest of the night. They must have been exhausted, with the fight and all, yet they had no choice but to carry out their duty without complaints and somehow, Jimin felt sorry for them.“Jiminie?”Jimin walked towards the archmaster who was cutting one end of a thin, sturdy branch with a knife. He was making more arrows, the man said to him, as his supplies were running a bit low and they were about to embark on a journey to Daegu in a few days.“Tae said it would take a couple more days for the soldiers to recover.”Nodding, the silver-haired replied, “I wish I could be of use.”“Hey.” Hoseok’s eyebrows pulled together when he saw the crestfallen look on the younger’s face. “I know you’re thinking that you could’ve used your Gift to heal them, and it must be frustrating that you can’t. However, you’re wounded as well, Jiminie. You must concentrate on your recovery rather than think about how to help others.”“That is why I’m disappointed, hyung.” Jimin’s fingers curled on the hem of his tunic, biting on his lower lip for a moment to fight the quiver of emotion squeezing his chest. “I’ve always been a casualty and that frustrates me. You and everyone else keep on risking your lives for me and I feel bad that I cannot do the same to you. I’m such a helpless–”“Stop. Don’t you dare finish that thought.” Hoseok put the knife down and stood from the rock he was sitting on. He walked towards Jimin and placed both of his hands on the younger’s shoulders. “You’re still learning.
You shouldn’t rush yourself too much. You’re like a younger brother and I’ll gladly risk my life for you over and over again.”“Hyung,” Jimin uttered in a small voice as he sniffled.The archmaster chuckled and pressed his palms against Jimin’s cheeks, rewarding him with a charming pout from the younger man. “You’re a sweet thing, Jiminie. You don’t know how adorable you look like now with your plump cheeks pressed together.”“Hyung!” Jimin shoved his hands away as Hoseok continued to laugh at him teasingly.“Ah, I miss my older sister. I hope she’s doing well.”At that, Jimin’s gaze lifted up to him in surprise. “You have a sister?”“Yes. Oh, I apologize. It seems I haven’t told you about her.” Hoseok smiled, one that put the sun’s radiance to shame. “She lives with her family at the far-side corner of the village so you probably haven’t had the chance to run into her. I will let you meet her and her husband after all this shit has been dealt with. I’m sure my niece will instantly take a liking on you.”The prospect of meeting one of the most important people in Hoseok’s life put a warm gush of emotion inside Jimin’s chest. The man trusted him with this part of his life and Jimin could not express how infinitely grateful he was to him for that.Letting out one of his brightest smiles, Jimin answered, “I will be honored to meet her then.”
It was Namjoon who told him that
he
would be here.The older man hadn’t joined them for dinner last night, the strategymaster informed Jimin, and that he vanished as soon as Taehyung knelt beside his unconscious form and tended on his wounds. It wasn’t a surprise to him to see Yongwon standing on a cliff and stacking small stones to offer his prayers; it was a tradition that everyone in the temple had practiced since the beginning, like a form of appeasing the gods and offering their respect to the departed ones.Jimin watched as the man pressed his palms together, shut his eyes and bowed his head. The wind from where he stood was fresh and calming, like soft whispers kissing his face and lulling him to a half-asleep state. He waited patiently for the man to finish offering his prayers and once his eyes opened, Jimin decided to close the distance between them and stand beside him as his eyes gazed softly on the small pile of rocks in front of him.“If it’s not too much, can I ask to whom is this cairn for?”“For my wife,” Yongwon answered. “I always build a cairn for her at the end of each month.”Jimin hummed, feeling a tug of sadness in his heart at the man’s words. “Can I offer my prayers to her?”“Of course you can, kid. Eun Hwa will be happy to hear from you.”The silver-haired smiled and thanked him before he put his hands together and closed his eyes.
Eun Hwa-ssi. I may not have known or remembered you but your husband told me how you took care of me when I was still a baby; how you treated me like your own son, and I want to thank you so much for that. Your name and memory will be remembered as long as I and Yongwon-ssi live. Please continue watching over your husband from the heavens. He loves and will always love you dearly no matter how much time passes by. May the goddess, Eira, be with you as your soul heals.
Jimin’s eyelids opened slowly and dropping his hands down, he uttered, “I want to build one as well for the High Priestess.”Yongwon hummed in agreement. “I know she’ll be grateful for that.”It was just a small cairn, one that was made up of twelve stones, and Jimin promised himself to build her a larger one in Daegu when they got back. She deserved that respect from him; for taking care of him all these years as his guardian. And no matter how many years passed by, Jimin would always blame himself for leaving her when she needed him the most.He thanked her in his prayers; for everything. And for being a mother to Yoongi. He didn’t know how much she meant to the general, but judging from the words of his friends and how the man reacted when Jimin tried to get the necklace back from him, he knew that Yoongi’s feelings towards the old woman ran deeper than he could ever fathom.“Have you told the general about her?” Yongwon asked, eyeing the small stack of stones Jimin made.He sighed and shook his head. “I haven’t. Not with all these things happening right now.”Yongwon nodded. “The truth will hurt, but it will set him free.”At that, Jimin’s eyes watered slightly as he gasped in a deep, trembling breath.
Yongwon decided to leave first while Jimin opted to stay a bit longer, watching as the sun rose above the horizon and painted the skies with splashes of orange and yellow. This moment of silence and solitude reminded him of his earlier days. He was used to being alone, surrounded by nothing but trees, cicadas and the small forms of life. The memory struck him with longing, but he could never bring himself to regret a single thing; not when through those hardships, he was able to meet wonderful people like Taehyung, Jungkook, Jin, Namjoon, Hoseok, and… and…Yoongi.The thought of the general’s name caused Jimin’s heart to jump inside his chest.
Really?
he thought with dread and shame. How would he be able to face the general if everytime he heard his name, his cheeks would flare up as if they were on fire? It was extremely embarrassing and Jimin thought for a moment that throwing himself off this cliff seemed like a rational and viable option.When the sun was midway from its highest peak, Jimin then opted to go down and help himself with some food to ease the ache in the pit of his stomach. He saw his friends gathered around the fire, with Jin passing around sticks with cooked rabbit meat, Jungkook taking two at a time hence earning him a kick to the shin from the cook, and Taehyung wailing to Namjoon and Hoseok about something which had the elders laughing and shaking their heads in amusement.Yoongi–oh
gods, that beautiful and broken man–was sitting quietly between Hoseok and Jin and watching his friends bicker with a fond and soft look in his eyes. Jimin wanted to scream until his throat hurt. Why was his heart betraying him so early in the morning?
I want to die,
Jimin thought as his shoulders sagged a little.“Ya, Jiminie!” Taehyung perked up when he saw him. Springing up to his feet, the young healer half-led, half-dragged Jimin towards the campfire as the latter chuckled brightly to his friend’s blabbering. “–And so you must eat! You see, I helped Jin-hyung skin these rabbits–hyung, you’re in the way!” Taehyung hooked his foot under Hoseok’s knee and kicked him off the tree root he was sitting on, causing the older man to land on his back with a pained groan.The others guffawed when the archmaster shouted “Ya! Kim Taehyung!” but Jimin couldn’t quite hear them as the young healer deposited him on Hoseok’s empty seat beside the general. Taehyung was beaming that wide rectangular smile at Jimin when he sat back on his seat between him and Namjoon.Jimin couldn’t help but gape at his friend.
This cheeky brat!
Jimin thought as the reality of what Taehyung had done dawned on him.But before Jimin could chastise him or perhaps bless him with a solid kick to the gut, the silver-haired turned his head around when he felt a familiar, overwhelming presence leaning closer to his side. “Hey,” Yoongi called as he offered him a stick of cooked meat, “here.”Jimin took it with a stuttering “thank you” and he wanted nothing but to perish at that moment.The bickering of the group continued and through it all, Jimin’s smile never left his face. He loved his friends. He would never tire of hearing them talk no matter how trivial their conversation was. Jin and Jungkook were busily debating about which would finish in a race first–a worm or a beetle–and the others were pretty much absorbed in their petty argument, clapping their hands and cheering on whoever dropped a good claim, when Jimin heard the man beside him ask, “Did you sleep well?”Eyes turning to the source of that voice and being met with an intense and penetrating stare, Jimin reflexively swallowed the half-chewed food in his mouth. “I–uh,” Jimin stammered for a second, “yes, I did. Thank you for your concern.”The general hummed and quirked the right corner of his mouth. “I’m glad then.”“Y-Yeah.” Jimin cast his eyes down as he took a bite on his food, trying his best to extinguish the flames currently firing up his cheeks. But with the general leaning closely and staring at his face like he was a newly unearthed artifact–watching with keen and searching eyes–the task at hand was deeming to be a fruitless one."How are you feeling?" Jimin asked instead to hide his flustered state. "Did your chest hurt last night?""I
have
a vial with me all the time. One that can last a couple of days.""Oh. That's... great." It wasn't his intention to drag his eyes down on the general's mouth as the man spoke. But he
couldn't–to his horror–stop himself from staring at the other man's thin lips especially when they evoked a certain memory which Jimin would appreciate dearly if it wouldn't flash across his consciousness right now.He kissed you, Jimin, the silver-haired heard a traitorous voice in his head say,
last night. On your forehead. But I know you want more.“More?”Jimin jolted when the general’s voice reached his ear. “P-Pardon?"Raising a curious eyebrow, Yoongi repeated, “I said do you want more food?”“Oh.” Jimin let out a nervous laugh, cheeks getting redder than before. “No, I’m good. Thank you.”Yoongi’s gaze didn’t falter though, as if sensing that something was bothering him. “Are you alright?”“Yes, I am. Why won’t I be?”“Just–” Yoongi pointed at his face “–your face is red. Do you have a fever?”Jimin gasped and put a hand over his cheek in futile attempt to hide it from the man. “N-No. It must be the… the weather. Yes. It’s a bit hot.”“No, the breeze is cold. As winter is near.”Jimin, in all honesty, wanted the ground to split and let it swallow him whole. He couldn’t keep his eyes on the other man without his face feeling like it bottled up all the flames in the world. The beating of his heart in his chest was erratic as if he had run a thousand miles albeit he was just here sitting on a tree root with a half-finished rabbit in his lap.“Jimin.” His breath hitched upon the sound of his name. And when he didn’t dare to lift his eyes up, Yoongi spoke in a low voice, “Am I the one making you uncomfortable?”The silver-haired gasped and almost dropped the stick from his hands. His toes were curling inside his shoes and he wanted nothing but to flee at that moment, to shy away from the perceptive and probing stare of the other man. All words seemed to leave Jimin, rendering him speechless as the man continued to unknowingly rope out emotions from deep within his chest.Yoongi lifted a hand and Jimin’s eyes finally met his when he felt the general’s thumb touch the corner of his mouth. The man’s eyes were dark and full of secrets, like a catacomb yet to be discovered, and when they dropped southward to stare at Jimin’s slightly parted lips, the silver-haired’s heart banged against his chest as a warm pink hue spread across his entire face and tinted the lobes of his ears.Jimin was
aflame,
and he was somehow amazed that his clothes still hadn’t caught on fire.After a few more strokes, Yoongi’s thumb retreated from his face although his eyes never broke their gaze. “You have oil on your face,” he uttered.“O-Oh.” Jimin dropped the stick to his lap as his left hand consciously wiped bits of oil on his lips. As he did so, he became painfully aware of the lack of noise and squabbling talks around him. He didn’t know how long their bickering stopped but as the silence stretched on, the hollowing sensation inside his stomach continued to grow. His hand froze on his lips when his eyes lifted up to his friends, only to be met by varying degrees of smiles and knowing looks that made Jimin want to rip his
hair off his scalp.Jungkook whistled and took a bite on his food, chewing as a smug smirk remained plastered on his face. Taehyung was no different as well, staring at Jimin with sparkles in his eyes as he bit his lower lip to keep a wide grin from splitting his face in half.“What?” Yoongi snapped at them.Hoseok snorted. “Nothing, hyung.
Nothing.”“If you’re asking about how you and Jimin looked like two lovebirds wooing each other in their nest, then it’s nothing. Definitely
not
worthy of our attention, Yoongi,” Jin spoke sarcastically as he threw a wink at Jimin’s direction.“Hyung!” Jimin replied in outburst. “We’re-we’re not–”
Lovebirds.
The word caused Jimin’s tongue to coil, sending new sparks of flame to his cheeks to make his face burn brighter. If that were even possible.“Maybe, you are not now, hyung. How about tomorrow?” Jungkook asked him cheekily with a waggling eyebrow.Jimin’s heart dropped down to his stomach at the question and he buried his face deeply into his hands, wishing for himself to vanish into thin air right at that moment.“Ya, kid.” Yoongi threw a stray branch at Jungkook, who just laughed at his hyung’s warning glare. “Stop teasing him.”Jimin shoved the unfinished meal to Taehyung and abruptly stood on his feet, spluttering an embarrassing excuse of “I forgot to do something” before he walked away without sparing another glance to any of his friends. As he swerved around a tree, Jimin heard a faint thud behind him–like a weight falling on the ground–and a yell of “Ow! Hyung!” from the distance.
Was it Jungkook?
he guessed before vigorously shaking his head to derail himself from any thoughts.The stream was calm and crystal clear and it somehow reminded Jimin of the river near the temple where he used to fetch water from. Taking off his shoes and rolling the fabric of his trousers up to his knees, Jimin took a dip into the fresh water and couldn’t help the deep sigh that rolled past his lips upon the contact. The water was a bit cold due to the forthcoming winter, but nevertheless soothing to Jimin’s burning skin. It helped him calm down, reinvigorating him as the coldness seeped through the pores on his feet and ankles.He bent down to cup a bit of that freshness in his hands, splashing his face with the chilly water twice before giving out another sigh of relief. He stayed there for a while, feeling the sun’s rays bathe his face with its warmth and hearing birds, insects and other forms of life echo around him. Then Jimin felt it, the subtle shift in the wind that he learned how to read in all his years in the forest, observing the clouds and the fluctuating colors in the sky.“It’s going to rain,” he uttered.“Then perhaps you shouldn’t be here then.”Jimin let out a startled yelp as he whipped his head around. Yoongi was standing near the stream, just a few feet across from him and enough for Jimin to see the intense gaze that his black orbs were currently holding. The silver-haired’s skin burnt once again despite the coldness of the water beneath him and his eyelids fluttered for a brief second as he rummaged his brain for something to say–preferably one that was
far
from embarrassing. Oh gods.The general saw through that split second of discomfort and his eyebrows immediately pulled together in concern. “Jimin, do I make you uncomfortable?”Yes, Jimin thought at once, but was glad that he managed to hold it in for it would have sounded rude at that moment to the other man.“No, you don’t,” he replied to appease Yoongi’s worries even if they both knew that the man didn’t believe him.The general sighed. “I’m sorry if Jungkook and the others asked inappropriate questions to you earlier.”“It’s… really nothing bad.”“And I’m sorry for–” Yoongi seemed to debate about it for a moment, his tongue licking a wet trail on his lower lip as he mulled over his thoughts “–for being too
forward.
I must have scared you, and I… I apologize for that.”Jimin was stunned into silence because of the general’s words. Why was he asking an apology
for something which wasn’t even his fault? If Jimin was in this state of mess because of Yoongi, then it wasn’t the man’s fault but
his. He was the one who couldn’t control his emotions; couldn’t tell his heart to stop beating for a while to let him breathe; couldn’t order the warm flush on his cheeks to keep from spreading across the entirety of his face and neck.“You don’t–” Jimin swallowed “–you don’t have to apologize for that.”“No.” Yoongi shook his head as a troubled expression twisted his face. “That was inconsiderate of me. Last night as well. If I had known that it would burden you this much, then I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”The general turned around to walk away and Jimin felt all the air in his lungs leave him. His chest
became tighter with every step the man took; his throat constricting because of the swell of emotions threatening to tear him apart from the inside out.He did not feel it when his feet started to stride through the water and across the small pebbles separating him and Yoongi. Jimin reached out for the man’s sleeve, his fingers clutching at the fabric tightly and tugging it backwards just enough for the general to halt in his tracks.Yoongi turned his head back to look at him, eyes a bit wide and full of questions, and Jimin took in a deep breath before he let the words fall naturally from his lips. “It does not burden me. Not in a way that is unpleasant and unwanted. So please don’t apologize for that.”When Jimin saw the confusion in the other man’s face, he continued, “When you… k-kissed me, it felt as though there was something trying to
burst
through my chest. It hurt but it was the kind of pain which I found far from hateful. And whenever you touch me, my skin always feels like it’s on
fire.
It… overwhelms me. But at the same time, it makes me feel more
alive.” Jimin’s heart was thundering inside his chest, beating faster than it had ever before as the confession pulled at his heartstrings forcibly like a door opening after being shut for a hundred years. “You don’t have to apologize for anything. I… I like it. This…
uneasiness
whenever I see a glimpse of you. So to hear you say sorry for it, for what happened last night… it breaks my heart.”Jimin’s hand was shaking and he knew that the man could feel it too. He couldn’t look at him in the eyes after everything he had just said. Yoongi remained silent longer than what Jimin had expected and he was already opening his mouth to take everything back when he felt the general grip his wrist and tug him towards his chest, arms encircling around Jimin’s neck as the silver-haired gasped in shock at the sudden action.The general’s fingers rubbed gently against the sensitive skin on Jimin’s nape, playing with short pale strands of hair as he pressed his lips closer to the younger’s temple. “If my apology breaks your heart, then I take it back,” he whispered.Jimin felt Yoongi’s nose brush against his hair and he let out a slightly strangled noise upon that contact. The general inhaled deeply and muttered, “You smell good.”He did not; Jimin knew that. He smelled nothing but dirt and sweat, so how could the other man tell him that? “I don’t,” he contradicted as his cheeks burnt brighter.“You do. You always smell good.” Yoongi’s fingers trailed up higher until his pads were caressing Jimin’s scalp.“Y-Yoongi.” Jimin’s hands gripped on the other man’s tunic, desperately holding on for his dear life as Yoongi continued to take his breath away.Pulling back slightly to gaze at Jimin’s face, Yoongi placed his other hand on the younger’s cheek to let his thumb stroke gently against his smooth skin. “Your eyes are beautiful,” Jimin heard the general say as a look of fondness and warmth swam in his own eyes that made his gaze even softer.Jimin’s mouth went dry and his heart beat a thousand miles a second. He could not tear his eyes off the other man, as if his stare was the whole world itself and Jimin was
falling
into a deep and dark chasm where he could no longer climb his way back up.Yoongi was the night; his moon and his stars. He was the lullaby that sang him to sleep; the cradle that rocked him to his dreams.Yoongi was
beautiful,
and Jimin could see that much clearer as he continued to stare into the man’s dark and reticent eyes.“As much as I desire to stare at you all day, I have to go back and talk to Namjoon.”Jimin let out a tiny chuckle at that, one that earned him a wonderful smile from the other man. “Are you going back with me?”The silver-haired shook his head. “I’ll stay here a while longer.”The general hummed and pressed his lips against his cheek, the touch so soft and wonderful that it sent shivers down Jimin’s spine. And when Yoongi pulled back, his eyes were still on him as his thumb continued to stroke back and forth against his cheek, treating him as if he was a small and precious thing inside the general’s hold. “Then I will see you later–” the man leaned forward to kiss the pale skin between his eyebrows “–Jimin-ah.”And because of that, Jimin’s heart–once again–soared.
Namjoon sat down beside the general as he sharpened the Agust, eyes fixating on Yoongi’s hand as it slid a whetstone repeatedly against the sharp blade. Perhaps Namjoon had gone quiet far longer than he intended to–absorbed in his own thoughts–because Yoongi’s hand halted from his task; the man throwing a questioning gaze towards his direction.“Is something the matter?”“No. Just–” the strategymaster chuckled brokenly “–I’m a bit worried. About you and Jimin.”At the mention of the silver-haired’s name, Yoongi’s back straightened a little and he put the glaive down beside him. “And why is that?”“You know that the whole nation is after you. And the Emperor will stop at
nothing
to see your head hanging on a spike.” He frowned. “And I know that I told you before that if those fuckers tried to interfere between you and Jimin–”“I appreciate your concern, but you don’t have to worry about that.”Namjoon’s confusion only grew larger when the general gave him a small smile. “I may perhaps put Jimin’s life on the line because of… of what I
feel
for him. But the whole world is already after him because of his Gift. Prince Taewon, he desires to take control of his blessing and I know that there are several others more who want to take him in their possession.”The general’s hands curled into tight fists as a scowl settled on his features. “But no matter who they are, I will
fight
them. No matter how far they take Jimin away from me, I will always be there to save him.”Namjoon saw the sheer determination in the general’s eyes, one that was so achingly familiar to him in all their years of fighting alongside each other. It was one of devotion–the one which made Yoongi strong and who he was right now. And from there, Namjoon knew that there was no need for his worries after all.“And no matter how
goddamn
impossible it may seem…” Yoongi clenched his teeth “…I will always be there to protect him.”-TBC

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 19: Battle in the Storm
It was raining. It had been for a couple of days now.Jimin’s hunch was right; from the moment the wind shifted when he was standing there in the stream, feet soaked in cold water, he knew that rainfall was nothing but certain. What he did not expect, however, was for the storm to rage on for more than a day. As their troop resided in a barren cave uphill several meters from their former camp, Jimin watched the rainfall with a heavy heart as today was the moment they had all been waiting for.“Jiminie.”Throwing a glance to his side, Jimin let out a small smile as Taehyung took the spot next to him at the mouth of the cave. “Have you gotten your cloak?” the latter asked.“Yes, I had.”“Had?” the young healer questioned, eyebrows knitting in confusion. “Where is it now?”“I gave it to a soldier who still has a fever. Probably got his wound infected. I managed to find a few herbs while I was walking around this morning; I applied them to his wound so it doesn’t look irritated as much now.”The cloaks were worn by Taehyung and the soldiers when they snuck out of the main gates of Daegu, under the pretense of carrying out a mission ordered by the general. They were lucky that the guards were still of Yoongi’s men; the mutiny being kept a secret within the walls of the Bangtan castle for the time being until the transaction had been settled. Until he, Yoongi and the others had been handed safely to Prince Taewon’s forces.If they were given the option, then everyone would opt to stay in the town. However, it would be like a prey lured by a trap; the town would be the first place that Jung Shik’s men and Prince Taewon’s forces would look at. They could never be out there in the open while thousands of men were still after their heads. They were down to a force of less than fifty after the battle in the dark forest and Jimin did not want to think that the odds were against them. He really didn’t, but it was hard to do so especially when about half of Yoongi’s men were either wounded or still in the phase of healing.But Jimin had his trust on them; on Yoongi most of all. He knew the man could do it, no matter how high the stakes were. The general would fight, and he would not lose. That was just how great he was. And they had a plan, one which Namjoon, the strategymaster himself, devised. If things went smoothly, then they would be able to infiltrate the castle and take on Jung Shik from within. There would not be a need for bloodshed, something which Jimin was currently thankful for. No one had to lose their life just because of a single man’s greed and twisted beliefs.“We are to journey under the rain for almost a day. I don’t want you to catch a cold,” Taehyung fretted.Jimin chuckled at his friend’s genuine concern, flattered by his thoughtfulness. “I will be fine, Tae. The wounded ones need it more than I do. They will be the ones to fight the bulk of Jung Shik’s men, thus they need the utmost care that they can have before the battle starts.”Sighing, the other replied, “You are making me feel bad by wearing this cloak, Jiminie.”“Don’t be.” Jimin’s fingers carded through his friend’s brown locks. “Yoongi put you and Jungkook in charge of rescuing the workers in the castle. I really wish not, but just in case things don’t go as planned, both of you must be in your best shape when you fight your opponents.”Jutting his bottom lip out in an adorable pout, Taehyung yielded for they both knew that Jimin would not let it go. “Alright. Just tell me if you’re cold. I will give you my cloak anytime you need it.”“Thank you, Tae. I really appreciate it,” Jimin responded and gave his friend a bright smile that could blind even the sun itself.“Did Yongwon-ssi change his mind?”At that, Jimin let out a long sigh. “No. He wants to fight the commander. I told him it would be dangerous, but he still insisted. Sometimes I forget how stubborn he is.”The young healer gave out a hearty chuckle. “He desires to break Jung Shik’s neck for hurting you. That’s a sweet gesture though. And don’t worry, because Yoongi-hyung will be there with him. He will be fine.”It was an hour of preparation before the troop mounted on their horses. Jimin hadn’t had the chance to exchange a single word or two with Yoongi as the general was occupied with orienting his men with the battle plan and ensuring that they all had enough weapons and food supply to last them a whole day. He gave particular consideration to the wounded ones, telling them that it would be alright if they stayed and focused instead on their healing. The soldiers declined, of course, and even though Yoongi was still concerned and doubtful of his men’s welfare, Jimin could see the gratefulness and relief in his face when his men decided to fight alongside him.The selfless gesture did wonders to Jimin’s heart. Yoongi was indeed the best leader out there, thinking nothing but his subordinate’s well-being all the time. Their gazes met a few times and everytime they did, Jimin would feel heat pooling in his cheeks as the man would flash him a bashful but nonetheless, fond smile. The silver-haired yearned to stroke the man’s dark hair with his fingers, feel its softness against his skin. But he couldn’t, not when Yoongi had a great responsibility resting upon his shoulders at the moment. He needed to focus on the forthcoming battle, and if sacrificing a bit of contact would entail the general’s undivided attention, then Jimin would gladly do so. His desires could wait, even if a churning want continued to swell in his chest and lodge in the pit of his stomach. He could wait for Yoongi. He definitely would.Jimin stayed out of Yoongi’s way as much as he could. And as the soldiers walked their horses out of the cave, dark hoods pulled over their heads to shield them from the downpour, Jimin decided that it was time for him to wrap up and seek for Taehyung. He put a mental note to practice his horseback once everything had been sorted out. If only he had learned how to ride a horse before, then he wouldn’t have to burden his friend with the task of taking care of him during the entire journey.Sighing in defeat, Jimin secured the belt bag around his waist and made his way towards the young healer. There were herbs and wild berries in it, as well as a sheathed dagger which Jin gave to him just in case something went wrong. He was doubtful for a moment, slight fear etching on his face at the thought of curling his fingers around the hilt of a dangerous weapon. However, he took it eventually, knowing that it would be better to have it than have nothing at all.Taehyung was already straddling his stallion when he waved at Jimin. The silver-haired smiled and managed to cross half of the distance between them when he was put to an abrupt stop by the general’s approaching figure. Jimin’s heart stuttered in his chest when the said man stood in front of him, filling his vision with nothing but dark warm orbs, pale skin and thin lips.“Is Taehyung going to be your ride?” he asked.Jimin nodded despite the wreck of emotions currently threatening to burst his chest open.There was a flicker of hesitation in the man’s eyes before he steeled himself to say, “Do you want to ride with me instead?”Jimin’s breath hitched in his throat at the gracious offer, making his cheeks burn and heart tremble once more. “I–I would love to,” he replied with sincerity, “but you are to ride at the head of the troop. I cannot be there with you.”Because of this, the general’s eyebrows pulled together in bafflement. “Why not?”“There might be a surprise attack along the way and I don’t want to be a burden to you; someone you will have to protect in the midst of battle.”“You have never been a burden to me, Jimin-ah.”It was the second time that Yoongi said it, but the endearment still sent the same shivers to his heart just like the first time he heard it. He knew that there was definitely something between them, but Jimin wasn’t certain if the general felt deeply enough for him to call him as such. Maybe, he does, a hopeful voice inside Jimin’s head say. But he didn’t want to assume anything; it would be better to ask the man about it, after the problem in Daegu had been dealt with.At the moment, however, Jimin was certain of one thing: he was gravely attracted to Yoongi. More than he could ever think of. He craved his touch, his gaze and his warmth. He wanted to keep the man close to him all the time, shield him away from all the harsh stares of his enemies and take half of his pain just so Yoongi could sleep soundly at night. In such a small amount of time, Yoongi became so precious to him; like he was air itself that Jimin could not continue breathing without him. It was frightening, the realization was. And slowly, but certainly, he would be better at dealing with his feelings in the days to come.“I am glad to hear it.” Jimin smiled. “But I want you to focus on your men. You are their strength and hope. They need General Min Yoongi now more than ever.”The general seemed conflicted, but he later on yielded to Jimin’s wish. “I understand,” he uttered with a sigh. “It’s going to be a bit more difficult journey because of the rain. Make sure you have your cloak on all the time.”At that, Jimin averted his eyes. “I, uh–” he scratched the side of his face bashfully “–don’t have a cloak. But I’m going to be fine. Honest.”Yoongi frowned. “What? I thought some of the soldiers gave you and the other commanders their own cloaks?”They did, as a sign of respect to the higher ranks. They didn’t need to give Jimin one though, but they still did to express their gratefulness when he helped Taehyung tend on their wounds and needs.“I gave mine to one of soldiers who has an infected wound,” Jimin confessed, “he needs it more than I do.”For a moment, there was confusion in Yoongi’s eyes, his irises seemingly darker because of the shadows of the cave, but then suddenly, it was replaced by something more warm and vivid. Something that was akin to fondness and maybe awe, but Jimin wasn’t quite sure. Yoongi did not say a word when he took off his cloak and wrap it around Jimin’s shoulders, causing the younger to gasp and look at him in surprise.“Yoongi–”“Have it,” the general spoke, “if you are against sharing a ride with me, then at least have that with you. I’m afraid the storm won’t pass soon, so that cloak will keep you from the rain.”Jimin was touched by the kind gesture. Really, he was, and his fast heartbeats were the cardinal proof of that. “How about you? You may catch a cold.”The right corner of Yoongi’s mouth quirked up as he pushed away a few stray strands of hair from Jimin’s eyes. The younger’s skin where Yoongi’s fingertips brushed against tingled, the gentle contact making his throat constrict slightly as a soft sigh fell off his lips.“I’ve traveled under harsher conditions. Mere rain won’t be enough to make me sick,” Yoongi assured him. And before Jimin could voice out his protest, the general pulled the hood over Jimin’s head with both hands, looking at the younger’s eyes intently before letting his palm cup Jimin’s cheek, thumb stroking his skin so gently that it made Jimin’s heart quiver ever so slightly.“Travel safely, hm?” he whispered quietly just enough for Jimin to hear it.The feeling of concern from the general was overwhelming that Jimin couldn’t do anything but nod. His face was on fire, there was no doubt about that, and Yoongi could see it too if that small smirk tugging the corners of his lips was any indication. “When the night falls, and you feel pain in your chest, do not hesitate to seek for me or Taehyung, okay?”Yoongi’s eyes lit up despite the darkness surrounding them. With an airy chuckle, Yoongi leaned forward to press a soft kiss against Jimin’s forehead. “I will make sure to call for you when it happens,” he murmured against his skin that it made Jimin flush even more.Reluctantly, the general pulled away and sprinted towards his stallion, mounting it in one swift movement and pulling the reins to catch up with his men. Jimin placed his hands over his cheeks as he let out a deep breath, trying his hardest to soothe his rapidly beating heart. When he began walking towards Taehyung, he was immediately thrown into confusion when he saw Jungkook straddling behind Taehyung with his hands covering the young healer’s mouth.Taehyung’s eyes were wide as he looked down at Jimin, as if the latter was a ghost haunting his most terrible dreams. “What’s going on?” the silver-haired asked.Once the bladesmith released his lover, the young healer instantly released a high-pitched sound which made it a hundred times louder because of the echoes in the cave. “Yoongi-hyung kissed you. Oh gods. He did. Jiminie, hyung really did kiss you. My stubborn, stoic hyung–”“I told him to stay quiet.” Jungkook massaged his temple with his fingers. “But of course, he wouldn’t. So I had to cover his mouth to shut him up.”After jumping down the saddle, Jungkook helped Jimin mount the stallion behind Taehyung while the latter kept on firing him questions which only seemed to deepen the redness on Jimin’s cheeks. As they began to canter towards the back of the troop, with Jungkook trailing behind them, Taehyung asked, “When did it start, Jiminie? When did hyung tell you that he has affection for you?”Affection. Jimin’s face went a bit redder because of the word, feeling warmth despite the cold downpour over their heads. “He… did not.”Taehyung gazed at him over his shoulder, perplexed by Jimin’s response. “What do you mean ‘he did not’?”Hands clutching on his friend’s waist, Jimin’s teeth ghosted over his bottom lip. “He did not utter a response when I confessed. Honestly, I don’t even know if what I did was a confession at all. I just said whatever I was feeling at that moment and then Yoongi just… embraced me and kissed me on the cheek. He never said anything about affection towards me.”“Well, he certainly feels something for you; I can attest to that,” Taehyung mused. “Yoongi-hyung is a man of few words. I don’t even remember the last time he said ‘I love you’ to me, if he ever did.” Taehyung snorted. “He keeps his feelings to himself all the time, but you can see it in his actions when he cares for someone. And from what I see now, Jiminie, that look in his eyes whenever he lays a gaze on you–” he shook his head “–it isn’t something that I have seen on him before. It is the same look that I and Jungkook have, that Jin-hyung and Namjoon-hyung have, when we stare at each other’s eyes. It is a look of adoration and affection.”Jimin took in a deep breath as he felt the flutter of wings in the pit of his stomach once again. “I don’t know, Tae.” He bit his bottom lip. “I need to hear it from him.”To this, the young healer nodded. “That’d be better.”
“We will take the secret passage through the canyon.” Namjoon pointed at the small opening down the slope, a secret tunnel that could lead them past through the rocky barriers. “Unlike the nets, this one has a hanging bridge that enables us to cross the river. The next tunnel will have three different routes: one leading to the general’s chamber, one in the crypt, and one in the sewers.”“The sewers are dangerous,” said the archmaster, “as it would be the first place that Jung Shik’s men would guard in anticipation of intruders. Perhaps they’ve already blocked it for all we know.”Namjoon nodded. “He probably has been informed about our escape for several days have already passed since the rescue. That leaves us with the general’s chamber and the crypt then.”Jimin remained close to Taehyung, standing under the trees to somehow shun the pouring rain. “There is another secret passage in one of the abandoned wells that leads to the infirmary,” Taehyung told Jimin as they waited for the soldiers to scout the place for enemies. “That was the one I used to take Ji Seong to safety.”Pulling the hood of his cloak closer to his face, Jimin said, “Namjoon-hyung said about a bridge that we have to cross. Won’t it be difficult to do it in this weather?”“It will be. But we got you, Jiminie. You don’t have to worry about it.”Once deemed clear of Jung Shik’s men, the troop advanced towards the mouth of the tunnel and lit up torches to illuminate the stony walls of the passageway. It was narrow and suffocating, and Jimin had to grasp the back of Taehyung’s cloak to keep from tripping over his feet in the darkness. The rage of the storm became much more terrifying as Jimin stared at the shaking hanging bridge connecting the tunnels of the canyon. The wind was strong and the river beneath them was gushing. Jimin felt a slight wave of panic course through his veins at the thought of crossing that bridge. One misstep and he could fall down the river and be washed away by its angry waters. The rainfall was no help at all, wetting their torches and the rope railings that one wrong grip could mean death to all of them.Yoongi was at the front of the troop, far from where Jimin currently was and he was suddenly struck with fear as he imagined the man traversing the dangerous bridge. “Will Yoongi be alright?”“Yes. You don’t have to worry about him,” Jungkook reminded him. “Taehyung will cross before you and I will be behind you all the time, hyung. Make sure to not lose your grip on the ropes and to mind your every step.”“Thank you. I will.”After several more of the soldiers started crossing the bridge, Jimin took in a deep breath as he followed Taehyung towards one of its ends, his hands grasping the ropes firmly and willing his fast heartbeats to calm down for a while as he painstakingly took his steps across the wooden steps. “Are you doing fine?” Taehyung shouted over his shoulder, his voice being swallowed by the strong wind.“Yes!” Jimin shouted back.They were at the middle of the bridge when lightning pierced through the sky, carrying with it the loud sound of thunder which seemed to deafen Jimin for a second. And then he felt it, the sudden change in the wind, one that caused the ropes in his hands to tremble violently and the wooden steps to shake up and down. He gasped loudly as he held on the railings for his life, hearing one of the soldiers’ shattering scream as he lost his grip and fell down the river below.“Gods,” Jimin muttered as he shut his eyes, his lower lip quivering as new waves of fear and panic struck his being. His hood was thrown back by the wind, exposing his hair to the harsh rainfall and soaking his tunic with cold raindrops.“Jimin-ah!”Flinging his eyelids open at the sound of that voice, Jimin’s gaze landed on the general who was staring at him with wide eyes at the mouth of the next tunnel. There was grave trepidation and alarm in his eyes, one that mirrored Jimin’s expression at the moment as the winds continued to sway the bridge back and forth.“Jiminie!” Taehyung shouted.“Hyung, move!” Jungkook encouraged Jimin. “I will be right behind you!”And the silver-haired did, one step at a time, heart beating fast and hands white-knuckled on the ropes. It felt like an eternity before his feet finally planted on solid ground, his knees giving out slightly beneath him that he had to grasp on Taehyung’s cloak to keep himself steady.“Are you okay?” the young healer asked as his eyebrows knitted in worry. “Do you need to rest?”“N-No.” Jimin shook his head, panting for breath. “I’m fine–”“Jimin-ah.”Jimin felt the general’s hands on his cheeks, eyes searching for any kind of hurt that would flash across his face no matter how fleeting it was. “Ya, talk to me. Are you hurt?”Swallowing the thick lump of fear in his throat, Jimin gripped the general’s wrist and said, “I’m fine. You have to go.”“You look pale.” Yoongi’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. “I can tell my men to rest–”“No. Please.” Jimin shook his head once again. “Do not falter in my behalf.”There was hesitation in Yoongi’s eyes and to appease his worries, Jimin let out a warm smile. “Please, you must go. Your men are waiting for you.”Albeit exuding reluctance in every way possible, Yoongi managed to pull away from Jimin and throw his gaze towards Taehyung. “Take care of him, Tae.”“I will, hyung.”To this, Jungkook added, “We won’t let anything bad happen to him.”The general nodded and gave Jimin a last worried look before turning on his heels to regain his place at the head of the troop. Once out of sight, Taehyung brushed a few strands of wet hair off Jimin’s eyes, a soft smile clicking into place as he did. “That was sweet and adorable, Jiminie. My hyung was so worried about you.”Jimin’s cheeks flushed a bashful shade of pink at his friend’s words. “Tae,” he whined.“I almost snorted when I saw the frantic look in his face. That was a first for me,” Jungkook uttered with a grin.“Stop saying that. Seriously.” Jimin huffed and pulled the hood back over his head. “We must go.”The tunnel was a bit wider than the last, and somehow Jimin could breathe easier than before. The air was still stale and unpleasant, but nonetheless bearable. There were candle lamps found at the entrance of the tunnel and one could say that this really was a secret passage specially built once the castle was under siege by enemies.They reached the end of the tunnel where a small room could be found. There were three passageways to choose from, each one leading to the specific locations that Namjoon had said earlier. “Yoongi, Jin, Hoseok and I will take the first one with the soldiers. This is the passageway towards the general’s chamber.” He turned his head to the remaining others. “Jungkook, Taehyung and Jimin will take the second route towards the crypt. It is the closest one to the workers’ lodge, so it will be easier for you to help them escape.”Yoongi firmly expressed his desire to put the workers’ safety as their top priority. He didn’t want the brutal event that happened in the courtyard several days ago to occur once again, thus he entrusted the task of their escape to Jungkook, Taehyung and Jimin as he and his men faced Jung Shik’s forces head-on.Namjoon and the others began to walk down the first passageway, candle lamps in hand, leaving behind Jimin and his two companions in the room. Jimin caught a sight of the general making his way towards the entrance of the passageway and he didn’t even dare to stop himself when his feet automatically brought him closer to the other man, striding across and eliminating the amount of space separating the both of them with large decisive steps.Yoongi seemed to sense his approach as his head turned towards Jimin’s direction that instant but before he could say a word, the silver-haired wrapped his arms around Yoongi’s neck in an attempt to convey his worries to the other man. Jimin let their temples touch, the scent of rain and leather on the man’s skin wafting under his nose, and then he spoke, “It’s already nightfall. Please be careful.”He heard the general sigh and felt his large hands rest on his waist, tugging Jimin a tad closer. “I will. Be careful as well.” Yoongi turned his head to the side to brush his nose against the younger’s pale locks, inhaling deeply and eyes fluttering close as Jimin’s scent overwhelmed him. “I will see you later.”Yoongi’s voice was low and quiet, like a whisper in the middle of the night. Jimin shuddered ever so slightly and pulled away a little to brush his thumb against the man’s cheek, staring intently and longingly at his dark orbs. “If things go wrong, and I solemnly wish that they don’t, but if ever things go wrong…” Jimin breathed deeply “…please, as much as you can, refrain from taking a person’s life. It’s not right and you will suffer. Incapacitate them or throw them in the dungeon, but please don’t kill them. Don’t let yourself lose to your anger.”Jimin knew that the words he uttered were heavy; full of depth and burden. He didn’t know if he was in the right place to say them to the other man, but he wanted Yoongi to understand that taking another’s life was wrong and would only aggravate his Curse. He would suffer and Jimin sincerely did not want to see him writhing again on the ground, teeth clenched in agony and hands clutching firmly on his chest, like he wanted to carve out his heart and stop it from beating.There was a flicker of uncertainty in the general’s face and Jimin saw the debate in his eyes when he tried his hardest to look at him without averting his gaze. “Okay,” the general muttered after a while, “I will try not to kill anyone… apart from Jung Shik.”“Yoongi,” Jimin said, worry lacing his voice.“He has to die.” The general’s eyebrows knitted in what appeared to be close to resolution and indignation. “He can no longer live after everything he has done. I need to protect Daegu and thousands of innocents out there from his hands. I am sorry, but I will do my duty as a warrior.”Jimin’s heart ached, but he pushed whatever he was about to say at the back of his mind and just leaned forward to press his lips against the man’s cheek. Yoongi looked stunned when Jimin pulled away. “I understand,” he spoke in a soft tone, a hint of smile tracing his lips, “just… be careful. Okay?”The silver-haired pulled away but was immediately halted by a hand encircling around his wrist, causing him to turn his head around once again. “Jimin-ah.” Yoongi’s eyes were full of regret and doubt, and Jimin felt a slight throb make its way into his chest when he saw that troubled look on the man’s face.“I’m sorry,” the general spoke once again.“Please, don’t be.” Jimin flashed him a soothing smile. “You don’t have a choice either.”It was Jimin who held the man’s hand and pulled it away from his wrist. He squeezed Yoongi’s hand once before he let it drop wordlessly between them and turned around to meet Taehyung and Jungkook at the mouth of their passageway. He was upset, not at Yoongi but at his lack of choices. It was unfair and they were all hurting. Jimin honestly wished that all of this would be over soon. So that he could hold Yoongi’s hand without having to gaze at him so brokenly.So that he could whisper to Yoongi’s ear how much and how deeply the man really meant to him.
“You look troubled.”Yoongi sighed as they walked through the passageway. “It’s nothing,” he answered.“Did something happen with Jimin?” Namjoon further asked.Namjoon knew him very well. No matter how big or small his problem was, the man always knew that something was wrong and that he would always be there to offer his support. Seeing that there was no point in hiding it, he relented, “It’s just… he seems upset.”“Why?”“Because I can’t promise him what he wants.” Yoongi’s hand gripped tighter around the glaive. “I think I… hurt him.”Namjoon chuckled. “You didn’t. He said to you that he understood, right?”“Yes. But that’s just how he is. He will forgive whatever shit I do. He’s the most kindhearted person I know and I feel bad about taking advantage of his kindness.”“You didn’t, Yoongi.” Namjoon patted his friend’s shoulder. “We all know you don’t take advantage of anyone. Jimin wants what’s best for you and he understands your decisions. You don’t have to worry about it.”They had already reached the end of the tunnel before Yoongi could speak. There was a narrow staircase leading towards the third floor of the west tower, towards Yoongi’s chamber. They climbed it and in the last step, Jin stepped forward and pried open the small trapdoor above him, carefully lifting the wood in its hinges. He peeked through the crack first, eyes sharp and observant of any noise and movement. And when he saw that no one was in the room, Jin pushed the door to open it fully, letting the carpet covering it to fall aside.Jin pushed himself up and wordlessly signaled the others to follow him. When everyone was already gathered in the chamber, Hoseok was the first one to open the large double door, waving for two men to follow him towards the guard tower. Jin secured the pair of kirpans strapped behind his waist and before he could take a step further, Namjoon touched his shoulder and mouthed “Be careful” to him.The cook smiled and leaned forward to press a soft kiss to his lover’s lips, a gesture of love and reassurance which the strategymaster needed the most at the moment. Without another word, Jin walked towards the balcony and stepped on the railings, jumping over the roof to stealthily sneak his way inside Jung Shik’s chamber.Yoongi, Namjoon, Yongwon and the rest of the soldiers made their way towards the courtyard, blending in with the shadows as they waited for Jin. The halls were dead and quiet; the stillness of the night lulling every soul in the castle to sleep, apart from the patrolling guards with lit torches and spears in their hands.“It’s too quiet,” Namjoon whispered. “It’s almost as if Jung Shik is luring us into a trap.”Yoongi nodded. “He’s prepared for us. I have no doubt about that.”
Jin let his soles fall on the balcony, soundless and weightless like a cat. He had done this a thousand times before; had infiltrated seemingly unbreachable fortresses and houses, letting himself slip under his enemy’s noses, unnoticed and unscathed.Fingers slowly curling around the hilt of the kirpan strapped behind him, Jin carefully opened the small double door leading to the chamber, feeling the flow of white silk curtains against his skin as the night wind blew. He slipped through the crack like a shadow, footfalls silent but purposeful as he approached the sleeping form of a man tucked under the covers.He pulled the weapon from its sheath, the blade glinting and humming for blood, tingling his fingertips with the desire to kill. Jin loomed over the man and silently lowered the sharp edge of the blade near his throat. There was a slight shift of weight on the mattress and ruffling of blanket as the man stirred awake. Once his consciousness came back, the man’s eyes immediately sprang open and Jin pushed the blade closer to his throat as he threatened in a hushed voice, “Scream and I will slit your throat.”Jung Shik stared at him with wide eyes for a second, seemingly surprised by his presence, but after the shock faded, the corners of his lips quirked up in amusement. “I knew you would be here,” he said, “one lad managed to escape from Taehyung’s ambush and informed me about the matter at hand.”“We know.” Jin glowered at him. “Now, tell your men to lay down their swords or there will be bloodshed.”The commander let out a breathy chuckle, his sharp eyes sinister and mocking. “What can you possibly do with the amount of men you currently have?”“The general has his soldiers waiting for him. We have more than enough to subdue you and your men.”“Do you?”Jin’s eyes narrowed when the smirk on Jung Shik’s lips widened. “What do you mean?”There was a spark of amusement in the commander’s eyes; dark, terrifying and feral. “The general’s men will die tonight.”
Ding.
A dull, ringing sound echoed in the entire castle, filling the halls with horror and dread, blighting the air with its foul and bitter calls. One of the guard towers was sounding the combat bell, the one used to signal an enemy’s approach. Jin startled at the sudden sound and Jung Shik took this moment of carelessness to slide his hand under the pillow and pull out a hidden knife, its blade clashing with Jin’s kirpan as the force of the attack tipped the younger man’s balance. Staggering back, Jin’s head whipped to the side at the sound of double doors banging open.Soldiers began flooding the chamber and Jin had to dodge his head to the side as an arrow flew to his direction. He sprinted towards the balcony, waving his weapon in the air as he attempted to block the arrows hungering for his flesh. He jumped on the railings and onto the roof, his kirpan digging into the bricks to support his ascent as he swung his legs up.He ran, and there were soldiers going after him, swords bared and mouths opened for their battle cry. There were arrows flying towards him, coming from the crenellations below and he jumped onto the next roof, his feet landing skillfully on the bricked covering, feeling his heart pound loudly in his chest.He could make it.He had to warn Yoongi and the others.
The doors to the barracks suddenly burst open, alarming the soldiers lying on their beds and rousing some of the others from their deepest dreams."What is this?" one of the soldiers asked.There was a moment of confusion among them as their own comrades, wearing blue undergarments, unsheathed their swords and slit their throats in their sleep.
The crypt was dark, illuminated only by melting candles placed on the hands of stone statues. They were men with heads of a fox, the guardians of the River of Souls. They said that a man’s soul, one that was forgotten and depraved of prayers, flowed through an endless river until it reached Rasees’s chamber, the Keeper of Souls. She would be the one to decide whether a man was worthy enough to leave her chamber or be trapped in there for all eternity. The ones who escaped would flow through the River of Life, one that which Eira was known to traverse to accompany the sick as they journeyed towards Eon, the Land of the Hereafter.At a certain point, the two rivers would meet, and that was how people came up with the notion of reuniting with their loved ones in the afterlife. Jimin did not know if he would believe it, but just like all crossroads in the world, there would a point in time, at a certain place, where two souls would find each other no matter how far apart they were. Soulmates, that was what people called it. And Jimin didn’t pay the word any attention until he himself found the one who made his soul feel more alive than ever.As they reached the end of the crypt, Taehyung’s hands gripped a bit firmer around the golden handles of his pair of katars. “Soldiers don’t usually go down the crypt. I’m pretty sure the other side of the door is barren of Jung Shik’s men. But still–” he eyed his two companions “–let me go first.”“Jimin-hyung and I will be right behind you,” Jungkook agreed.After the young healer pushed the door open and stuck his head out to search for nearby enemies, he signaled for Jimin and Jungkook to follow him. They stealthily hid behind the pillars and remained near the walls to keep themselves out of sight. Once near the lodge, Jungkook was the one to knock on the door, his claymore sword in hand in case of a surprise attack.The door cracked open, revealing a sleepy fat woman dressed in her slightly worn-out evening dress. When a flicker of recognition flashed across her face, her small eyes suddenly went wide. “C-Commander Jeon–”“Sh.” The bladesmith hushed her and motioned for Taehyung and Jimin to follow him inside. Once confined safely in the worker’s lodge, Jungkook said to the woman, “Ahjumma, the general will take this place back from Commander Jung Shik. I need you and the others to follow me. You have to escape because once a battle breaks out, that bastard will use you once more to have Yoongi-hyung surrender.”There was a flicker of fear in her eyes at the bladesmith’s words, but she nodded still and replied, “I-I will wake up the others. Please give us some time to get our belongings.”“Please be quick,” Taehyung added, “we don’t have much time.”The woman scurried towards the short hallway, opening up doors and rousing them as silently as she could. It wasn’t long when all of the workers had their coats and pouches with them, all gathered in the small entryway and looking at the three of them with anxious eyes.“We will go to the crypt,” Taehyung explained to them, “there’s a passageway in there that will lead us out of the castle–”
Ding.
Jimin saw Taehyung and Jungkook’s shoulders tense, how their grip on their weapons tightened at the loud, dull sound. “What is that?” he asked.“The combat bell,” Jungkook replied. “That can’t mean any good.”Taehyung spoke, “We must go. Now.”Jungkook was about to slide the bars of the door when he heard the sound of thudding footsteps grow louder and clearer by the second. “Shit,” he cursed and turned his head back to Taehyung. “Soldiers. Take them to crypt.”“No.” The young healer shook his head. “I won’t leave without you–”There was a knock on the door, loud and firm, and Jimin felt his heart drop to the ground when he heard a man’s voice say, “Commander Jung Shik orders you to come with us.”Jungkook eyed Taehyung. “I will be there shortly. Take them.”Another round of loud knocks and the voice on the other side of door became more imposing and brutal. “Open this fucking door or I will knock this goddamn thing down!”Taehyung’s frantic eyes were at the door before they darted back to his lover. He let out a loud breath as he wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s neck, placing a chaste but firm kiss on his lips. “You need to come back.”Jungkook nodded as he pulled away, gripping the hilt of the claymore with both hands. “I will hold them off.”Taehyung turned on his heels and motioned for the workers to go through the back door. Jimin was behind him, heart pacing wildly in his chest as they ran down the hallways. Then he heard the main door bang open as loud shout of “Commander Jeon! Commander Jeon is here! Kill him!” pierced through the walls of the lodge and caused Jimin’s hands to curl into tight fists.There were sounds of clashing swords in the entryway and Jimin refused to imagine how outnumbered the bladesmith was right now. “Jungkook-ah’s strong.” Taehyung said when he saw the conflicted look on Jimin’s face. He gave out a faint smile. “He will make it to the crypt even if he has to drag his body with his teeth.”
Yoongi didn’t know how the battle started, but once the combat bell rang, multitude of soldiers began to swarm the hallways and courtyard, the guard towers lighting up with torches and flaming arrows.“Jin-ah!” Namjoon shouted as he saw his lover running on the roof with a group of soldiers chasing after him.The battle broke out and Yoongi tried his hardest not to inflict fatal wounds on his opponents. In every wave of his glaive, he could hear Jimin’s calm and worried voice whispering to his ear. Hoseok was standing by an open window in one of the guard towers, shooting arrows with great speed and precision that they looked like falling stars in the rain.There were soldiers dressed in red undergarments fighting in the courtyard, swinging their swords towards their own comrades, against the people they had fought alongside with for years. Yoongi shouted an order, and his men shouted back in return. He would protect them, Yoongi swore. He would protect his subordinates at all cost.“Yoongi!” Jin sprinted towards him, chest heaving and eyes frantic. “Jung Shik ordered his men to kill your soldiers tonight.”At that, Yoongi’s heart faltered. “What?”“Some of them made it, but I doubt those who are in their beds will survive the attack.”A shattering emotion coursed through Yoongi’s veins, feeling that familiar hot boil in the pit of his stomach, ripping out his chest until he could no longer breathe. Jin saw the wild flames in Yoongi’s eyes and his face paled at the sight. “Yoongi–”“General Yoongi.”Yoongi’s gaze snapped towards the sound of that voice, the one which haunted him for years, the one which he craved to eradicate in this world.Jung Shik stood a few meters across from him, with layers and layers of soldiers surrounding and guarding him from Yoongi and his men. “Do you think you can avoid bloodshed? You, of all people? You, who slays like a fucking monster?” He cocked his head to the side. “Even if you don’t die, your men will. And even if you manage to kill me–” he smirked “–I will make sure that your whore or one of your precious friends dies tonight.”Something inside Yoongi broke and he found himself surging through the bulk of Jung Shik’s forces. Jin and Namjoon called his name but their voices sounded hazy to his ears. His pulse was thrumming and every movement of his glaive came with a severed head or limb. He was surrounded and arrows were being fired to his way, but he didn’t mind. He could see their movements, could see every blade, every arrow, and a rush of wind knocked some of the soldiers down when he spun and waved his glaive in the air.He could faintly hear Namjoon’s cries behind him, his battle axe swinging with such force that he could take down two of his opponents at a time. They were outnumbered, but Yoongi didn’t fucking care. His glare remained steadfast on the traitorous commander, feeling nothing but lush and raw hatred towards him.“I’ll fucking kill you,” he snarled as he slayed four men in one swing.Jung Shik scowled and unsheathed his sword. “Lads!” he yelled at his men. “With me!”The soldiers shouted their battle cry as Jung Shik ran towards Yoongi, sword in hand and smirk in place. Their blades collided, and Yoongi was certain that he could take him on easily if it weren’t for the man’s subordinates defending him.He fought. And fought. And fought. Until his muscles screamed at him in exhaustion. He was tired, but his sheer will kept him alive.“Kid, look out!”Yoongi heard Yongwon’s scream and his head quickly turned around to see Jung Shik’s sword swinging towards him. He ducked and pivoted on his foot, causing the tip of the blade to miss his neck and rip the flesh of his upper arm instead.Yoongi hissed when blood oozed from the gash. His fury ignited a thousand fold and he screamed as he killed, eyes wild and mind hazy, fighting his way towards the man who made all this shit happen. More and more of Yoongi’s men came to the courtyard, aiding their general and commanders in the battlefield.Jung Shik swung his sword, but Yoongi was prepared this time. He held the rod in front of him with both hands, blocking the man’s sword and as he did, Yoongi stepped forward and planted a kick to his chest. The commander staggered back with a groan but before he could lift his sword, Yoongi took another step and pushed the glaive with all his might.Jung Shik screamed when he felt the blade pierce through his stomach, blood immediately pooling in his throat and spilling from his mouth. The soldiers came to the commander’s aid and Yoongi couldn’t do anything but pull the blade back even if every muscle in his body begged him to slice the man into tiny pieces.The commander was being carried away, giving him a chance of escape but Yoongi wasn’t going to have that. He fought as he ran, glaring at the commander’s direction as his men mounted him on a black stallion in the stables. With another swing of his glaive, the last two of his opponents crushed against the ground and he wasted no time as he pulled the brown horse from its stall, hurriedly flinging his leg over the saddle and gripping the reins with one hand.“Ya! Ya!” Holly galloped behind them; Yoongi’s arm outstretched to his side as he held his glaive firmly. His dark eyes never left the commander’s form, watching as blood continued to spurt from his wound. They were heading for the main gate and Yoongi, at all cost, could not let that happen.“Open the gate!” Jung Shik shouted.The guards immediately rolled the winch, pulling the gate up through a pulley placed on top of the wall. Yoongi growled and sped up, aiming to catch up with Jung Shik before he could make it past through that gate.An arrow came out of nowhere and pierced through the guard’s back. The gate stuttered when one of the guards working on winch fell. As if on cue, Yoongi threw a glance behind him, only to be met by a pair of dark brown eyes gazing back at him, one hand tightly gripping on the reins to keep himself from falling off his ride.“I’ll cover you!” Hoseok let the strap of leather go and fired another shot to stop the guards from opening the gate. “Go!”And Yoongi did. He watched as more and more men fell down from their horses. Hoseok’s arrows didn’t cease, not until Jung Shik’s men were down to five, and Yoongi commanded his horse to dash through the remaining distance separating them. With every flick of his wrist, one man would fall. It wasn’t long when Jung Shik was the only one left, and Yoongi didn’t hesitate for a second when he flipped the glaive in the air slightly to change his hold.He pulled his arm back, his shoulder straining for a moment, before he let the weapon pierce through the air like lightning carving its ferocity in the raging skies. The blade hit Jung Shik from the back and the man fell at once.Pulling at the reins, Yoongi alighted from his horse and sprinted towards the fallen man. Jung Shik was heaving when he loomed over him, his glaive still impaled on him as the man struggled for breath. Yoongi put his foot on the commander’s back, earning him a harsh cry from the latter. “You’re a dead man already,” he said as he gripped the rod of his glaive.The corners of Jung Shik’s mouth quivered into a smirk, blood dripping down his chin as he said hoarsely, “Do you… think my men will… pledge their loyalty to you… after you k-kill me?”Yoongi pulled the glaive off the man’s flesh, the latter crying out in pain as he rolled himself on his back, mouth struggling to keep the smug smirk on his lips. “These walls will be filled with the wails of men, women and children. The waters will redden with blood, poisoning Daegu until its very roots. Your men, and those people you hold dear, will die one by one” He coughed. “You will bleed, Yoongi. Until your very last breath.”The general raised his glaive. “Your words mean nothing to me.” He frowned. “As a dead man’s tale will no longer be heard.”Yoongi pushed the weapon down, its blade piercing through the commander’s skull with a sickening sound that Hoseok had to close his eyes and turn his head away to spare himself from the repulsive view. “What are you planning to do now?” Hoseok asked as Yoongi collected his weapon and mounted his horse once again.“I’m going back to the courtyard,” the general said with a blank look in his eyes. “I will finish what Jung Shik started.”
There were shouts coming from every corner of the castle.Jimin held the knife firmly in his hand, sprinting behind the young healer as the latter led them towards the crypt. “Stay alert, Jiminie,” his friend told him.And as they rounded a corner, a bunch of soldiers blocking the opposite pathway halted them in their tracks, making Taehyung cross the katars in front of him in anticipation for the battle to come. “Take them!” he shouted at Jimin.Panic struck every nerve in Jimin’s body and his hand around the hilt trembled. Taehyung blocked the first swing of the sword with his weapon and he turned his head around to look at Jimin. “Now!”Jimin found himself running towards the pathway leading to the crypt, eyeing the workers once in a while to see if everyone was keeping up with his pace. After descending the staircase, Jimin pushed the door of the crypt open to let everyone in. “There is a hidden door behind the last statue at the end of the crypt. Do not open it unless you hear three knocks on the door.” Jimin swallowed dryly. “I will go and help Taehyung. If I, Taehyung and Jungkook don’t get back by sunset tomorrow, then walk straight through the passageway until you reach the end on the other side of the canyon. Please be safe.”The silver-haired didn’t waste another second before he turned on his heels and ran out through the door. His heart was beating so fast that it was making his head spin. Adrenaline was pumping through every vessel in his body, feeling the rush of blood in his ears and the painful throbbing in his temples. The scene that was laid before him was unsightly, with Taehyung slumped against the brick wall and struggling to peel the soldier’s hands away from his throat.Jimin’s feet brought him closer to them, hands trembling as he gripped and raised the knife. The soldier saw his approach and he suddenly loosened his hold around the young healer’s throat to stand and knock the weapon out of Jimin’s hand. The silver-haired fell on the floor with a loud thud, and when the soldier bent down to seize the fallen knife, Jimin’s heart dropped.“J-Jiminie,” Taehyung croaked as bouts of cough wracked his frame.
“Ya, Jiminie.”
Jin’s voice echoed inside Jimin’s mind, alarming his senses as if the older man was there right in front of him.
“Don’t act on instinct. Think. Read your opponent’s mind. Observe his stance, the position of his arms and legs, and the distance of the weapon from you.”
“Die!” the soldier shouted.Jimin rolled to his left just as the blade buried to the floor where his head formerly was. He raised his leg and kicked the man on the ribcage hard, sending him flying against the nearby wall. Jimin sprang to his feet and sprinted towards the young healer, bracing the other’s arm over his shoulders to help him stand up. “Tae! Tae! Come on! We have to go!”“I think I–” Taehyung hissed when he attempted to take a step “–broke an ankle.”All the colors in Jimin’s face left him. No. That couldn’t be. They were in the middle of a battle and if Taehyung couldn’t run–or at least walk–then how could he survive?“I’ll carry you,” Jimin suggested but Taehyung just shook his head.“Just leave me, Jiminie. I will drag you down.”“No. No!” Tears sprang into Jimin’s eyes as he watched pain flash through his friend’s face. “I won’t leave you.”“We won’t survive if we keep this up.” Taehyung cracked an eye open and smiled. “It’s okay, Jiminie. It’s okay.”“No!” Jimin shook his head. “No, it’s not–”Then it happened.The soldier had a knife hoisted behind them, the blade glinting and deadly. Jimin felt arms wrap tightly around him, flipping him around as the knife went down on them in a flash of a second. His eyes widened when he heard Taehyung scream in pain, the sound so horrifying and heart-wrenching that Jimin forgot how to breathe. The blade was piercing through the flesh of his friend’s back, causing blood to gush from the nasty wound, flowing down his spine and staining his clothes–slowly but certainly killing him.Taehyung glared at the soldier and threw his fist towards the man’s face. There was a sickening crack when his knuckles connected with the man’s nose and the latter fell down on the floor with a strangled cry. The young healer grabbed one of his katars and briskly let the blade sink into the soldier’s throat, snuffing the life out of him in a matter of a few seconds.Jimin’s mouth was gaping; his airway constricting with every breath he took as he watched Taehyung collapse beside the dead soldier, like a dry leaf falling from a branch. Limp and lifeless.“Tae!” His feet were moving and in a few thundering heartbeats, he was already kneeling beside his friend. Taehyung’s face was pale and there was blood pooling beneath him. “T-Tae. Tae, no! No! Oh gods. No!”He was crying, but he couldn’t feel the tears gliding down his cheeks, not when all he could feel at the moment was the excruciating pain stirring inside his chest. Jimin flipped his friend around to have him lie on his stomach, trembling hands clutching around the hilt of the knife and pulling it out in one swift motion. Taehyung groaned in pain when the blade slid out of his flesh. If there was already this much blood, then the only thing that Jimin could do was to apply pressure on the wound. And he did, firmly so.“Tae. Don’t–don’t fall asleep. Please.” His hands on the wound were shaking and there were tears falling from his eyes, mixing with the blood bathing his hands and the young healer’s back. “Just–just give me a minute a-and… everything will be alright. Just… please.”“Ji… minie.” Taehyung’s voice was so weak and hoarse, so tired and dull that it made Jimin’s heart break.“Yes, Tae. I'm here." He tried to smile despite the agonizing pain in his chest. "What is it?"
The faintest of smiles graced the young healer’s lips. There was blood in his mouth and Jimin tried to hush him when he coughed. "Jiminie," he muttered, “Thank… you.”And with that, Taehyung’s eyes closed.Jimin felt his heart stop beating in his chest. His eyes were wide as he stared at his friend’s pale and slack face. He was still breathing; Jimin could feel it under his palms. He was breathing–weakly–but still breathing. There was hope. There was still hope.“Please, Tae. Wake up!” he yelled at his friend. He needed to wake him up. He couldn’t keep his eyes closed. No.
No.
And then it hit Jimin. His teary gaze dropped on his palms covering the wound. If… if he could do it… if he could make it, then Taehyung would live. It would seem like nothing happened. Jimin would still be able to see that wonderful smile on the young healer’s face; how the sun’s radiance failed in comparison to the brightness that his every smile held.Jimin closed his eyes and willed every ounce of his strength to flow through the vessels in his palms. He took in several deep breaths to calm himself down. He needed to concentrate. He just had to. And when he didn’t feel any sort of energy flowing through his hands, Jimin sobbed and bit his bottom him hard enough to draw blood.“Please. Please. Just this once. Please.”His heart was breaking; he knew it from the way the pain lanced through his chest. He couldn’t lose Taehyung. He couldn’t. Please. Gods.“Please. Please, don’t take him away from me,” Jimin cried as newfound tears fell from his eyes. “He’s my best friend.”Pounding heartbeats.Painful cries.And then there was light.Jimin’s teary eyes widened when white light burst from his hands, momentarily blinding him as that familiar surge of energy flowed from the core of his being and through the smallest pores in his palms. His hands were warm, so warm, and his fingertips were tingling as the light wavered like the auroras on mountaintops. He could feel it, the transfer of energy from his being to the body beneath him; could feel the wound under his palms slowly knitting together–healing. Yes. It was healing under his touch, and Jimin closed his eyes to let the energy flow uninterruptedly.Then after the blood stopped, Jimin felt the body beneath his hands move. Taehyung! he screamed internally, he’s alive!“Ji… minie?”“Tae!” Jimin sniffled as the wetness on his face never ceased. “I got you. Please, don’t move. It’ll be over soon.”It took a while before the wound closed. And after it did, he helped Taehyung sit up, the latter’s eyes blown wide with shock as he stared at his friend’s crying face. “Jiminie, you–” he swallowed “–your Gift… You–”“Yes.” Jimin hiccupped and rubbed his hands over his eyes. “I did it, Tae. I did–”Jimin’s vision swam as dark spots began to appear at the edges of his vision. “Jiminie?” His friend’s voice was distant to his ears and Jimin felt like he was submerged underwater, deep into the darkness and lying on the ocean floor. His hands dropped to his sides and then he was falling.He felt Taehyung’s arms embrace him; heard his voice screaming his name but he couldn’t keep his eyes open. He couldn’t move and he felt like the ocean was engulfing him whole, pushing the air out of his chest and filling his lungs with water.Jimin was submerged into the sea and he couldn’t see the surface from where he lay. It was dark, cold and frightening. But still he let the waters embrace him and the darkness consume him. He kept his eyes closed. He was just so hurt and so tired and Jimin wanted to rest.He wanted to.And so he did.-TBC
I would like to thank @shenannagations for this wonderful art
for Chapter 17!
Yoonmin look so soft and sweet here. (sobbing)

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Chapter 20: Just Like Us
Jimin felt coldness on his face.He stirred awake, a silent groan escaping past his lips. He heard someone speak, the voice sounding a bit muffled to his ears as he struggled to resurface from his dreams. Jimin’s eyes slowly cracked open to let the subtle rays of light in.“Hyung! He’s awake!”The silver-haired’s eyelids fluttered for a moment before he rolled his eyes towards the sound of that thick voice. “Jiminie. How are you feeling?” the young healer asked, a small smile gracing his lips.Taehyung, Jimin thought, he’s alive.“T-Tae…” His voice was a bit hoarse, probably from hours of sleep.“Yes, Jiminie. I’m here.” Taehyung continued to dampen Jimin’s face with the towel, earning him a relieved sigh from the latter as the cold wetness seeped through his skin.“What… happened?”“You fainted after you used your Gift on me.” The young healer’s eyebrows furrowed. “Jungkook found us and he was the one who carried you here in your chamber.”“You overdid yourself,” another voice spoke and Jimin’s eyes landed on the approaching form of the archmaster.Hoseok let his rear fall on the edge of his bed, staring down at him with worry palpable in his features. “It was the first time you summoned your Gift after its awakening, that’s probably why you fainted when you used it at will. You didn’t just heal Taehyung’s stab wound, but also his broken ankle and every bruise and every cut, no matter how small they were, you managed to restore him into his full health.”“I… did?” Jimin asked, surprised. He didn’t know that his blessing was this powerful; that it granted him the ability to heal any kind of wound no matter how severe it was.“Yes. But because it was your first time to summon it, your energy had been exhausted faster than necessary,” explained the archmaster, “you weren’t able to control it properly because if you had, then you wouldn’t faint like this.”Taehyung carded his fingers through Jimin’s silvery white locks. “I appreciate what you’ve done, Jiminie. But please don’t put your life at risk for my sake again.”At this, Jimin shook his head, a light frown dawning on his face as he said, “I did what I had to do. I can’t just let you die. You risked your life to protect the workers; to protect me. So why can’t I do the same?”“I just…” Taehyung paused “…don’t want you getting hurt.”“And I feel the same towards you,” Jimin reasoned out, “I’m glad we’re on the same page in that aspect.”The young healer was at a loss for words. He sighed, audibly so, and chuckled as he pinched Jimin’s cheek lightly. “I forgot how stubborn you can be sometimes, Jiminie. A feisty one you are.”Jimin giggled as he sat on the bed, keeping the blanket on his thighs. It was warm and comfortable, something which was very much welcome at the moment. “What happened to the battle?” he asked.“We won,” Hoseok answered with a smile. “It was tough, but we won.”“Where’s Yoongi?”Jimin didn’t know why the smile on the archmaster’s face faltered. He didn’t know why Taehyung couldn’t look at him in the eyes as well when he spoke that question. Unbeknownst to his companions, Jimin’s heart began to pick up its pace when an unsettling feeling lodged in the pit of his stomach.“Jiminie…” Hoseok was hesitating, he could see it in his eyes; how his mouth opened and closed as if trying to keep in his words; how his fingers fidgeted on the bed covers. And because of that, the feeling of dread inside Jimin’s stomach grew.“Hyung–” Jimin swallowed “–where is Yoongi?”Taehyung tried to hold Jimin’s hand when he saw the anxious look on his face but Jimin pulled his hand away, wanting nothing but for his question to be answered now. “Why can’t you tell me? Is he–” Dead?The word left a bitter taste in his mouth, so much like a poisoning slowly killing him from the inside. No. He wouldn’t believe it. Yoongi was strong. He was fine. He promised Jimin that he would be careful. That he would see him later.“Jiminie, no–” Taehyung shook his head as if knowing what Jimin meant “–he’s safe. A few gashes and bruises perhaps, but apart from those, he was unhurt.”Jimin felt a wave of relief flush down his system, causing his lungs to release the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Then where is he?”“You can’t go to him right now,” Hoseok explained.“Why?”Taehyung shared a look with the archmaster for a second and Jimin was already starting to get impatient. His friends were keeping something from him; that much he was certain. He was usually a patient man, but when it came to matters concerning the general, it became a whole different thing. He wanted to know what was wrong; why his friends were so disinclined on answering his questions.“Please tell me,” Jimin begged, “I want to know if he really is alright.”Taehyung sighed and held Jimin’s gaze for the first time after he asked where Yoongi was. “He’s at the gallows.”“Gallows? Why?” Jimin was confused. What was Yoongi doing there?“He is going to punish Jung Shik’s men for the mutiny.”All of the colors in Jimin’s face drained and he couldn’t breathe. “Punish… Yoongi–he–” he stammered out “–he will k-kill them?”Taehyung averted his gaze and closed his eyes while Hoseok was the one who spoke for the both of them. “He has to do it, Jiminie. As the leader of this army, he is responsible for his men’s crude actions.”“No.” Jimin shook his head quite violently, refusing to believe. “Those men didn’t have a choice. They were ordered by Commander Jung Shik to–”“I’m afraid that’s not the entire truth.”Jimin’s heart sank and he didn’t wait for another second before he found his shoes and made his way out of the room; his friends following him and gripping his arm to halt him in his tracks. “Jiminie, please. You don’t have to see that,” Taehyung implored him to stop.Hoseok added, “Yoongi-hyung wouldn’t want for you to witness something like that.”“I need to know what’s going on.” Jimin bit his bottom lip. “And if I can do something about it.”
Jimin was panting as he ran towards the gallows, eyes going wide as he saw a line of ten men with noose tied loosely around their necks, silently waiting for their tragic fate as their comrades watched below the platform. Several more soldiers were in shackles, dried blood staining their faces and clothes, all lined up before the stairs leading to the scaffold. Waiting for their turn on the noose. Waiting for their turn to die.Namjoon and Jungkook were standing on the opposite ends of the gallows, hands behind their backs and chin hoisted up as they stared blankly into the crowd. Jin was there as well, standing below the platform and in front of thousands of Yoongi’s men.Yoongi. Jimin’s neck craned to look for him, for that tuft of night dark hair which made his heart beat faster. And there he saw him, making his way towards the platform and pushing his hands inside a pair of black leather gloves.“Jiminie, don’t,” Taehyung grasped his arm, begging, “let’s go back.”But Jimin didn’t listen; he couldn’t, not when Yoongi was about to kill hundreds of men within a single day. Thus, the silver-haired apologized before he pulled his arm away, squeezing his way through the crowd to catch up with the general. He called for his name several times, desperate to be heard. And when Yoongi’s foot was on the first step of the stairs leading up to the platform, he turned his head around to the sound of Jimin’s voice.The general’s eyes widened in surprise and he gestured to his men to give way to the approaching young man. “Let him through.”Yoongi retraced his steps to meet Jimin halfway, his face immediately morphing into one of worry as he stared at the panting young man. “You shouldn’t be up, Jimin-ah.”“Yoongi, please don’t do this,” Jimin begged, brushing off the man’s worried remark, “you don’t have to kill them.”Yoongi sighed deeply, expecting the words that would come out of the silver-haired’s mouth. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”“Yes, you can.” Jimin held the general’s gloved hands firmly, eyes holding the general’s gaze firmly. “Yoongi, you can just throw them in the dungeon or–”“I let them choose between a pledge of loyalty and death. And they chose the latter.” Yoongi pulled his hands away and suddenly, Jimin felt barren. There was a look of dark resolution in the general’s face, one that Jimin sincerely wished to not see on the other man ever again. “They chose their own fate.”Jimin’s heart ached, like there was a hand reaching inside his chest and squeezing it tightly. Jimin desperately bit back the tears threatening to spill from his eyes, gaze casting down in dismay and heartbreak.
“Good? That man has killed more people than I had. His hands stink with the blood of the woeful souls of his enemies, drinking their cries and throes of dying.”
Jimin swallowed the lump in his throat when he heard Jung Shik’s voice in his head.“He’s like a wild, hungry beast uncaged after a hundred years. Thirsty for blood and meat of man. Unmerciful. That every wave of his glaive came with a severed head or limb.”His hands curled into tight fists.“He is not called the Red General for nothing.”Jimin wanted Yoongi to stray away from all the bad things that people were telling about him. To prove them that they were wrong. That Yoongi wasn’t the beast that they were making him out to be.“No, they didn’t choose their own fate.” Jimin’s eyelids fluttered, willing away for the moisture to dry as they clung onto his dark lashes. “You did. This bloodshed has to stop.”There was a flicker of strange emotion in the general’s eyes. His gaze was straight as he clenched his teeth, but it was as if he was looking through Jimin as he did so, like he was lost in the sea of his thoughts and couldn’t sail his way back.“I am the general,” Yoongi spoke, his tone low and steady, “you don’t get to tell me what to do.”With that, Yoongi spun around and made his way towards the gallows, abandoning Jimin in the midst of curious stares and judging eyes. Taehyung caught up to him and he was there standing by his side, talking to him and holding his arm in a loose grip, as if his very hold could shatter Jimin like a fragile glass.And Jimin felt like one. Like he was about to break any moment now after the general gave him that cold stare. Yoongi was heartless when he spoke those words; Jimin could feel it by the way the shudders ran down his bones, when a remorseless look flashed across the man’s eyes. Yoongi wouldn’t stop no matter what he told him. Even if the ground shook or the heavens cried, Yoongi would not falter.It hurt. It hurt Jimin that he couldn’t stop the man from spilling blood to the ground. That he couldn’t convince Yoongi that what he was going to do was wrong; that it would only prove the people’s harsh words about him; that it would only aggravate his Curse once he took their lives with his own hands.Jimin couldn’t do anything but observe; watch as the general stepped onto the creaking floorboards of the gallows, hand seizing the hilt of the sword that would cut off the ropes and bring those ten men to their ends. “Here stand before you are the treacherous men of Daegu,” he heard the man say, loud enough for the crowd to hear, “the foes of this nation. The ones who followed Commander Ha Jung Shik’s violence, the ones who conspired with Prince Taewon to bring me and several others to our ends. To bring horror beyond Daegu’s walls once we have fallen.”Yoongi turned his head to the shackled men. “Are there any last words?”There was silence amongst the crowd as they all waited with bated breaths. Jimin’s heart was pounding, his blood ringing in his ears as he drowned in this moment of silence. Then, suddenly, one of the men spoke, “I was born of Daegu. A native of this very land you are walking on.”The middle-aged man looked at the general, his eyes bloodshot but steadfast, holding firm to his beliefs as he uttered, “Commander Ha was my fellowman. He desired to overthrow the tyrants in the capital and I swore to follow him until my last breath. Whatever he did, he did it for Daegu. We are natives of this place, while you are not, General Min. You won’t understand.”“You are not a spawn of this land,” another said, scowling, hatred evident in his eyes, “you are a traitor from the capital. A nobleman who doesn’t know the pain of the common people. You will bring destruction to Daegu for you are the bane of this revolution.”Jimin held his breath. What were they saying? From the capital? Nobleman?Yoongi’s face was blank, but the silver-haired could see the firm grip of his gloved hand around the hilt; the rigid set of his shoulders; the tautness in his arms. Yoongi was affected but he didn’t want it to show. And for him, Jimin’s heart ached. He was being lambasted in front of thousands of soldiers, being accused of treason to their cause. But the general remained firm despite the harsh words, calm despite the ruckus of emotions inside his chest. A trained warrior. Indisputably so.One of his men in the crowd unsheathed his sword, furious in his general’s stead, but Jin raised his hand to stop him. “Ya,” he rebuked him, “stand back, soldier.”The man did, sliding the blade into its sheath once again reluctantly, as he threw a hateful glare towards his former comrades who spoke ill of the general. Once the commotion had been settled, Yoongi let the tip of the sword sink lightly into the floorboards, hands resting over the pommel as he spoke, “By the power vested in me by the people, I, General Min Yoongi, sentence you to die.”Jimin’s eyes fluttered, his hands trembling to his sides as he watched Yoongi raise the sword and bring it down on the rope keeping the floorboards intact. Once cut, the planks beneath the men opened, dragging them down as the noose around their necks tightened; their feet kicking in the air and trying to grasp for something solid to latch onto.Jimin closed his eyes once he heard their strangled screams and choking voices. His nails were digging crescents on his palms, wishing for the pain to momentarily distract him from the dying noises he was hearing. Taehyung kept close to him the entire time, offering support in case Jimin broke down on his spot. He wouldn’t. Not with all the things he had gone through. He was much stronger than that. He became stronger because of that.The noises stopped, but Jimin didn’t dare lift his eyes. “Next,” he heard the general say. There were sounds of ropes being cut and bodies being dragged. Sounds of footsteps thudding against the wooden floor of the gallows as another line of woeful souls awaited their deaths.It wasn’t long when someone blocked Jimin’s view, standing in his way to spare the younger from the deplorable sight. “Jiminie, you don’t have to watch this until the end.”“I want to,” he said to Hoseok.“Jiminie–” Taehyung began, but he cut him off.“Please.” Jimin let out a trembling breath as he gazed up at the archmaster. “Let me.”Hoseok appeared conflicted, his gaze searching for any kind of burden or fear in Jimin’s eyes, but he found none. For Jimin was determined to see this through until the end. He was hurting, because Yoongi had to do this, but at the same time, he wanted to be there for him. “Okay,” the archmaster muttered, “Taehyung and I will be here.”Jimin uttered a silent ‘thank you’ before he kept his eyes trained on the scaffold. Yoongi said his piece and mercilessly brought the sword down. Dying noises filled the air once again, suffocating Jimin’s lungs and gripping his chest so tightly it hurt so much. Yoongi’s men dragged the corpses away, as if they were nothing but sacks of rice and butchered animals. The nooses hanged there in the gallows like Death’s scythe itself, hungrily waiting for their next victims, for the next lives to take.And all throughout that atrocity, Jimin’s eyes remained open.
The sickbay was flooded with wounded soldiers; the healers in the castle bustling about and pacing back and forth between beds to tend on the soldier’s needs. Ji Seong’s presence helped calm everyone down, giving instructions on what herb to grind, on what salve to apply. She was the stalwart of the healing arts in Daegu and Jimin couldn’t be any happier to have her back.Taehyung was now dressed in brown robe just like all other healers, running around the hall with bandages and vials of medicines in both hands. Jimin envied him; he wanted to wear that robe soon, but patience was a must in studying the healing arts. Thus after wiping off the stains of blood in his gray tunic with a grubby washcloth, Jimin sighed, exhaustion perceptible in his voice, and walked out of the hall to go to the stillroom to fetch some mormoth roots.The night was dark but full of stars; the clouds disappearing into nothingness and letting the moon grace the people below with its luminous glows. The hallways were hushed unlike last night, where wails of pain and clinks of swords could be heard in every corner. The stone floors were washed and scrubbed thoroughly, expunging any traces of horrors that the mutiny had left the night prior.The candles illuminating the hallway that Jimin was walking on were warm and welcoming, their flames flickering slightly and bathing his skin in rich orange glows. He was halfway through the pathway leading to the hall where the stillroom was located when he saw another figure walking towards him, coming from the opposite end of the hallway. Once their gazes connected, both of them abruptly stopped in their tracks.Jimin’s heartbeat was getting quicker the longer the man continued to lay his dark eyes on him. They stayed like that for a moment, a bit stunned because of each other’s presence, before Yoongi decided to continue on his way. Jimin’s breath hitched as the general approached, his lashes fluttering when he opted to flick his gaze down on his shoes.Yoongi went past him as if he wasn’t there, like Jimin was stale air that wasn’t even worth his attention. To this, Jimin’s heart sank and he suddenly felt like he was buried ten feet from the surface.“So you believe them now.”Head whipping around at the sound of that low baritone, Jimin was met by the general’s broad back standing a few feet away from him.“The people’s words,” Yoongi continued. “That I’m a beast in the battlefield. That I am not called the Red General for nothing.”The man turned around to look Jimin in the eye. “I saw the grief-stricken look on your face as I kill those soldiers. The way you glare at my sword as if you wanted to knock it off my hands.”“That’s–no.” Jimin shook his head. “I don’t think you are a beast. Yoongi–”Yoongi snorted lightly. “Your eyes are telling me otherwise. You loathe me because of how I handle things. No matter what you say, no matter how hard you keep it, deep down, you do.”“No.” Jimin tried to take a step forward but was stopped by an invisible hand wrapping around his arm. Why was it difficult to walk towards Yoongi? Why couldn’t he just run into his arms and whisper to his ear that everything would be alright? That Jimin didn’t loathe but love him instead?Jimin’s bottom lip quivered as the realization struck him like lightning. Gods. Love. He was in love with Yoongi. All this time, he was. He loved him so much that his chest hurt, that his airway constricted everytime his heart beat for him. He was in love. Deeply so.Yoongi saw the hesitation in Jimin’s step and his irises grew darker when he lifted his eyes to gaze at the silver-haired once again. “I once told you that you should be scared of me,” he spoke, voice low and intimidating, “you should have listened.”“I’m not. Yoongi, please. Don’t say that.” Jimin’s hands were shaking, his fingers grasping the hems of his tunic to find something to hold onto, something to keep him steady as his knees threatened to buckle beneath him any moment.“We are too different, Park Jimin.” The way the general said his name caused small needles to pierce through his heart. No. That was not it. That was not how Yoongi used to say his name. Not after all those soft smiles and longing stares, after all the warm and gentle kisses they shared. That was not how his name supposed to sound like. Jimin refused to hear that. Refused to believe that.“You save lives–” the general spoke “–while I take them away. You are born for great things, while I am destined for destruction. The day and the night can exist but never mingle in one sky. They chase each other, yearn for each other, but they can never belong together.” Yoongi paused. “Just like us.”Jimin’s throat swelled with millions of turbulent emotions threatening to rip him apart, like a hand clawing at his chest and carving his heart out to clench it tightly in its grasp. He watched Yoongi walk away without another word, and with every step the man took, a piece of Jimin’s heart came along with it. Jimin was hurting–breaking–and he couldn’t breathe properly as hot tears fell down from his eyes in gushing streams. He was sobbing and he let himself crouch at the middle of the dimly lit hallway, hugging his knees and willing himself to be as small as he could be.He wished for the pain to go away, to stop it from ripping his chest from the inside out, from urging on his tears to flow steadily down his cheeks. Yoongi’s words cut through his heart like a knife, forcing the life out of him with every pump of blood, with every painful beat it struggled to make. Jimin was crying, but he didn’t care. He was hurting and he felt so lost.Burying his face in his folded arms, Jimin let his sobs be swallowed by the night, throwing his cries and agony towards the air with the moon as his only companion; with the stars as sole witnesses of his suffering. And with every shuddering breath he took, his heart broke anew.Jimin was in love.But Yoongi wouldn’t love him back.-TBC

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Chapter 21: So Close Yet So Far
It had been a week since Jimin shared the same space with Yoongi; a whole week since that fateful encounter in the hallway where his heart shattered to the ground into millions of tiny pieces.The whole castle was busy with the restoration of the damages, and Jimin thought that his daily life returned to normal as well: attending classes, reading books, grinding herbs and accompanying the grand healer to the sickbay together with the other apprentices. It was a normal week. Or so he thought.He was avoiding Taehyung as much as he could, or any contact with his friends because they would know that something was amiss. That Jimin was carrying a burden which was much bigger than he was. As to why he looked listless as he walked around the greenhouse–his most favorite place in the castle. Jimin couldn’t find a place where he could turn to, a safe corner where could just tuck himself in, curl his body into a tight ball and just disappear.Everytime his eyes would catch a glimpse of the general, his feet would automatically backpedal and retrace his steps, taking him away as far from him as possible. Far from the source of pain that kept on lodging inside his chest once his vision caught that tuft of black hair and pair of alluring dark eyes. It hurt, thus Jimin kept his distance. It was what the man wanted after all.The routine went on for a couple more days, living like a dead man, barely breathing, his consciousness swaying between wakefulness and slumber, like he was stuck in the middle of a barren land where no traces of footsteps could be seen; no hint of the direction where he came from or where he should go.Lifeless. That was how Jimin could describe himself at the moment.The only thing that Jimin could feel was the pain, the sheer agony of having his heart torn apart. He would have nightmares at night, his screams being swallowed by the walls of his chamber, eyes flinging open only to be met by darkness, suppressing his cries of longing into the pillow beneath his head even if his whole body ached. It kept going. This emptiness inside his chest. His breathing was shallow and he was already starting to doubt if he could continue living like this any longer.“Jiminie?”His footsteps halted when he heard that familiar voice call his name. After letting out a slightly trembling breath, Jimin swallowed the forming lump in his throat before he plastered a forged smile on his face, turning around to address his best friend. “Tae. Hi.”Taehyung’s forehead was creased as he approached, searching eyes looking at him up and down, making Jimin’s skin tingle consciously. “I haven’t heard from you for more than a week. How have you been?”“I, uh–” Jimin cleared his throat “–I’m doing fine.” A lie. “I’m quite occupied with the amount of readings that I have to do at the moment. I’m sorry if I wasn’t able to visit you.”“I’ve been in the castle since yesterday and I haven’t seen a sign of you until now.”Jimin’s breathing became a bit labored. He hated lying to people, not to mention to his closest friend. The fabricated words left a bitter taste on his mouth and he wanted to vomit everytime he uttered them. “I’m sorry.” It was the only thing he could say.Taehyung looked so worried when he pressed his hand against the side of Jimin’s face, thumb stroking his cheek so gently and tenderly that the mere contact made Jimin’s heart quiver. He wanted to cry. He missed his friend’s touches. He missed Taehyung so damn much.“Ji Seong was right. She told me that you look… soulless these past few days,” Taehyung spoke, “is something wrong, Jiminie? You know you can always tell me if there is something bothering you.”“I know, Tae. It’s just–” he paused “–I needed time to think. To reflect on myself.”Taehyung hummed and held Jimin’s hand instead, smiling. “How about we pay a visit to Jin-hyung and Jungkook, hm? You need to taste Jin-hyung’s grete pye. It will cheer you up!”A subtle laugh escaped Jimin’s lips–the first heartfelt sound that came out of him after that painful night with Yoongi. Jimin smiled–genuinely–and squeezed the young healer’s hand. “That would be lovely,” he spoke, “thank you, Tae.”
The foundry was full of life and activity when they arrived, the smiths rushing back and forth between furnaces and wrought irons to forge weapons and armors for the guards and soldiers. The armory was exhausted after the last battle, thus everyone in the place had been loaded with the task to meet such a high demand for the castle’s weaponry.“Ya, kid.”Jimin halted in his steps when Yongwon called him, the man walking towards him while wiping sweat and soot off his skin with a piece of cloth. “Are you sure you should be up right now?”Jimin chuckled lightly. “It has been more than a week, Yongwon-ssi. I’m fine now.”The bald man grunted. “You look skinnier since the last time I saw you. Are you eating well in the castle?”At that, Jimin’s heart dropped. He averted his eyes and rubbed a hand over his arm, wracking his brain for an excuse so that the man wouldn’t be worried about him. Jimin knew he wasn’t eating much ever since that time. His appetite just wouldn’t be a dear to him and Jimin felt like every food that touched his tongue tasted like grime and dust. He didn’t, to say it plainly, have the spirit to bring himself to eat.“This young man here–” Taehyung dropped his hands upon the silver-haired’s shoulders, startling him as he did “–has been so busy with his studies that he sometimes forsakes his meals. Don’t worry, Yongwon-ssi. I have already reprimanded him about that.”Jimin was grateful to Taehyung, in more ways than one. They both knew that that wasn’t the case; that Taehyung was making up a subtle lie for him so Jimin wouldn’t have to explain himself to the older man. Yonngwon nodded, believing the young healer’s words, and eyed the silver-haired once more. “You can be a brat sometimes, kid. But don’t forget to take care of yourself.”And before Jimin could reply, the bald man threw the cloth over his shoulder and walked back towards the foundry. “He’s worried about you, Jiminie,” he heard Taehyung say, “we all are.”Jimin didn’t say a word as they traced the path towards the house, feeling guilty for making those people precious to him worry over him. As Taehyung opened the door to the small home, they were both immediately greeted by the smell of flour and other spices coming from the kitchen. “Jin-hyung!” Taehyung called.“Oh, Tae–” Jin looked over his shoulder as he took out the food from the small masonry oven “–and Jiminie! How nice it is to see you.”“Hi, hyung,” the silver-haired smiled in greeting.“You can take your seats for the meantime. I’m about to serve this grete pye in a few.”Sitting behind the oak table, Taehyung remarked gleefully, “It’s the second week of the month, hyung. I wouldn’t miss your grete pye for the world.”At that, Jin chortled, pulling out steel plates and chalices from the cabinets. “Well, you know it’s sort of like a tradition for us to eat grete pye every second Sunday of the month. A bonding time for me and my little brothers, so to say.”Taehyung tapped the table excitedly. “Will the others be here shortly?”“Of course–” When they heard the sound of a door creaking open, the corners of Jin’s lips immediately curved up into a smile “–and speaking of the devils. Here they are.”“Jin-hyung! I’m starving–” Hoseok began to complain but once his eyes laid on the silver-haired, the archmaster hastily went for him to ruffle his pale locks good-naturedly. “I’m happy you’re here, Jiminie!”Namjoon walked in with a smile. “Glad to see you, Jiminie.”Jungkook took the seat across from Jimin, smiling brightly at him as he said, “Hyung, remind me to give you a blueberry pie as a sign of gratitude. I want to thank you properly for saving Taehyung-ah.”“Oh.” Jimin chuckled nervously. “It’s fine, Jungkook. I appreciate the thought–”“Yoongi-hyung!” Taehyung shouted, hand waving in the air. “Sit beside Jiminie!”After that, Jimin’s body went rigid, his breath catching in his throat and slowly choking him to death. His heart banged painfully inside his chest upon the mention of that name, and Jimin, for the life of him, couldn’t turn his head around even if he could sense that one overwhelming presence lurking somewhere behind him.The silver-haired kept his hands in his lap, his eyes on the oak table in front of him, as he observed from the periphery of his vision how the wooden chair beside him pulled backwards. Yoongi sat on it with a slight sigh, rearranging himself on his seat before speaking, “The smiths seem to be doing fine. With the rate things are going, it will be possible for us to travel towards the Eastern Port in a fortnight.”Gods, Jimin thought as he shut his eyes briefly. He missed that voice. That low, soothing tone. So beautiful and warm to his ears. So rich and wonderful. It hurt to be this close to the other man without having Jimin turn his gaze on him, without so much as a slight touch to ease his longing.“We lost eight thousand men in the recent battle,” Namjoon spoke, “and it exhausted our supplies faster than expected. Hence this trip is necessary.”“I will accompany you this time.” Taehyung smiled and turned his head to Jimin. “Jiminie as well.”Jimin’s head had never lifted up so fast in his life. “T-Tae…” He was shocked, never expecting for his friend to have him travel with the army so soon after his admission in the healing arts. He was delighted though, the first time that he had felt alive in the past few days. He wanted to go out of Daegu’s walls, farther from where he had been before, and the mere thought of visiting another town or village made Jimin’s blood rush with excitement.“Will it be okay, hyung?” Taehyung asked for permission, eager stare directing at Yoongi at once.Jimin swallowed when he noticed the man move slightly beside him. The general was tapping his thigh with his forefinger, contemplating about Taehyung’s words for a moment before he said, “Of course. That is if he wants to.”“He does! Right, Jiminie?” The young healer flicked his gaze towards him expectantly, wide smile stretching his lips and sparkles shining in his eyes. Jimin couldn’t do anything but smile faintly and nod. Because how could he deny Taehyung of anything if he looked so overjoyed at the moment?“Okay, lads. No war talks at the dining table.” Jin gave each of them a slice of grete pye, its delectable aroma filling the entire room and causing their mouths to water.Jimin was grateful for the delicious food, really he was, and he complimented Jin for it, but just after a few spoonfuls, Jimin pushed his plate towards Taehyung and said, “Tae, do you want more?”“Sure, but–” the young healer’s eyebrows furrowed as he stared down at Jimin’s plate “–you’ve barely eaten anything Jiminie.”“Is the taste not to your liking?” Jin asked.“No. It is, hyung. Believe me.” Jimin paused. “It’s just… I’m already full.”“You can’t be full, hyung. Look at how little you’ve eaten.” Jungkook gestured at his plate. “My pet mouse could eat a lot more than you.”Jin gasped. “You have a pet mouse? In our house?”“Uh–” the bladesmith avoided the oldest’s eyes for a second before he gave out his sweetest smile “–yes, once. But it’s already dea–hyung! That was just one time! I swear!” Jungkook flinched when Jin grabbed his spoon and threatened to throw it at the youngest.Jimin chuckled as the others laughed. Hand reaching for the chalice filled with grape wine, the silver-haired drank and uttered, “I’m grateful for your concern. But I’m afraid I’m not hungry at the moment.”“Eat.”The smile on Jimin’s lips slowly faded as his gaze landed on a plate of grete pye being shoved lightly to his direction. There were long slender fingers pushing the edge of the dish, and Jimin’s heart picked up its pace once his eyes trailed along the length of the man’s arm, slowly, gradually, until his eyes met those dark orbs which had been the subject of his misery for the past several days.His heart was swelling, containing so much emotion towards the general that Jimin couldn’t help the slight quiver of his bottom lip as he continued to gaze at him closely. For the first time in a long while, their eyes connected, like two pieces of a puzzle joining together. Jimin felt whole once again, staring at the man of his dreams like this, but at the same time, he was breaking; an undeniable pain lancing through his chest and making his breathing difficult. He was hurting, and he knew the man could see it too.“You have lost weight,” Yoongi uttered carefully, as if he was treading through dangerous waters, “take care of yourself, Jimin-ah.”Something inside Jimin snapped.He was averting his eyes before he knew it, putting the chalice down on the table with a trembling hand as he pushed himself up from the table. It pained him to hear his name said like that, to hear Yoongi call him so intimately but refusing to have a sense of affection towards him. All eyes were on him, he could feel them crawling in his skin, piercing and questioning. “I–” his eyelids fluttered, suppressing the tears stinging the back of his eyes “–I have to go and read my books.” He bowed at Jin quickly. “Thank you for the meal, hyung.”He couldn’t last another second with Yoongi sitting so close to him; couldn’t stand to breathe the same air as the man whom he wanted so much; couldn’t bear the pain inside his chest everytime his hands hesitated to touch him.Jimin couldn’t look at Yoongi without showing him how much he loved and longed for him.His feet were moving, taking him far away from the man and towards the door, with Taehyung’s voice calling after him and there Jimin was, deafly shutting him out–everyone out. It didn’t take long before he was out of the house and under the noon sky, the sun high up in the clouds and gracing the village with its bright and warm rays. The breeze was a bit icy however; the coldness seeping through Jimin’s skin faster than the sunlight’s heat, making its way into his chest and engulfing him in ice, breath shuddering and fingers trembling as he pushed the sleeves of his white tunic down into his hands.-TBC

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 22: We Are Different, But the Same
Jimin was sitting by the window, a thick book tucked safely in his lap, the pages old and worn out, as his eyes stared down on a group of little children playing outside the infirmary.This was his favorite spot in this place–in the small quaint library of the infirmary in the heart of the village. It was inferior to the one in the castle, yes, but it offered more peace and calm to Jimin that he visibly relaxed once he stepped foot on its dusty carpet.He had himself cooped up in this place for hours, waiting for the sun to go down, watching the play of life outside the window. It felt nice, the tranquility and view bringing him repose.Taehyung followed him shortly after he left, his friend’s face stricken with worry that Jimin somehow felt guilty for making him feel that way. He told him everything, and Jimin couldn’t hold back the tears as he composed himself once again after his break down. The young healer cried as well, joining him in his misery and sharing half of his burden that Jimin let out a relieved sigh after the last of his tears fell down, feeling the hollow void inside his chest close up a bit as Taehyung provided him a shoulder to lean on.The door to the library creaked open, causing Jimin’s head to turn around only to be met by the tall figure of the strategymaster walking towards him; the soles of his boots thudding into the carpeted floor. “Hyung,” the silver-haired said in surprise, back straightening a little on the stone wall, “what brings you here?”Namjoon smiled as he approached, placing his arms behind him as if he was strolling around the village, shoulders loosened, face soft, as he spoke, “I want to talk to you about what happened earlier this day.”Jimin’s eyes fluttered as he released a quiet sigh, closing the old book in his lap and placing it down on the carpet beside him. He tucked his knees to his chest as he sat on the recess of the window, arms going around his legs, eyes casting down. “I’m sorry if I… spoiled the meal. It’s not my intention at all.”“I believe you,” Namjoon answered, letting his rear fall on the seat across from Jimin, his thigh brushing against Jimin’s bare feet as he did so. “When you left, we tried to ask Yoongi about the problem at hand, but he refused to say a single word. So here I am–” he shrugged “–left with no choice but to talk to you. I want to help, Jiminie. Please let me.”Jimin’s throat suddenly felt dry. He didn’t want to talk about it ever again if he were to be asked, but Namjoon took the trouble of approaching him, asking for Jimin to open his doors to let him take care of him. His friends were worried about him, about the both of them. They wanted him and Yoongi to be happy and Jimin would give everything for it to happen. Sadly, there was nothing he could do. Not when Yoongi made it clear that both them were on the opposite corners of the world. That they would never be together no matter how hard Jimin ran and yearned for his hand.“Yoongi. He–” he paused to swallow the lump of emotion threatening to rise up his throat “–he told me that we could never be together. That we are too different. That I see him as a monster for killing those soldiers. And that I loathe him for it, but I don’t, hyung.” Jimin held Namjoon’s gaze, begging for the other man to believe him. “I never saw him as such and I have never ever loathed him. He is the most beautiful and most wonderful man I’ve ever met. All these things happening to us, all these pain and suffering… it was my own fault. Because I failed to understand him that time.”Namjoon was silent as he listened to him, sympathy and understanding evident in his dark brown eyes. Once Jimin was done talking, he sighed and smiled softly at the younger man. “Jiminie,” he began, “do you know how Yoongi became a rebel?”Of all the things that Jimin expected to hear, this definitely did not cross his mind. “No.” He shook his head.“Yoongi was a nobleman from a renowned clan in the capital. He was born within the walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace.”Jimin’s eyes widened as he let the words settle in his head.
“You are not a spawn of this land,” the soldier said, scowling, hatred evident in his eyes, “you are a traitor from the capital. A nobleman who doesn’t know the pain of the common people...”
His breath hitched in his throat as the dying soldier’s words echoed in his head. Yoongi was… a native from the capital? From the very place that he wished to bring destruction into?“Why did he leave?” Jimin asked, heart pounding against his chest wall as anticipation pricked his skin.“Yoongi has always been different from his kinship, a black sheep like what his family called him. His father was the kingsguard of the Emperor, an outstanding warrior who defeated the monarch’s enemies with an iron fist. His older brother is the same. As the heir to their clan, his brother must learn how to fight so he can take his father’s place once he died. Yoongi, as the second son, was trained to protect his brother, to protect the future of their clan. But Yoongi was far more than that, you see. More than a mere dog that his family and the monarchs raised him up to be.”Namjoon continued, “His heart has always been with the people; being one to journey outside the walls of the palace, watching the common people in their everyday lives, witnessing their struggles and grief, holding mud and dirt with his tiny little hands. His eyes had been opened to the real world at such a young age.”The strategymaster paused for a while, his mouth opening slightly with multitude of unspoken words. Of unspoken memories and history. “He was eighteen when the Ilsan Revolution happened. His father, Grand General Kim Seungjae, was sent to Ilsan to stop the uprising. He was lured into a trap and was killed in the battlefield. The Min clan was furious and they implored the Emperor to punish every man, every woman who came from Ilsan, seeking justice for their clanhead’s death.”Jimin saw how Namjoon’s hands curled into tight fists, trembling slightly with restrained anger and turbulent emotions. “The Min clan, led by the first born, Min Geumjae, waged war against the sole Ilsan clan in the capital, burning their homes and slaying every man, woman and child. And within a single night, the clan was annihilated…” the strategymaster paused as he shifted his gaze to Jimin “…my clan.”The silver-haired gasped audibly at that, hand darting up to cover his mouth as the shock rattled his entire being. “H-Hyung…”“Yoongi and I have been friends since we were children. My father was the Head Minister, the most intelligent official in the palace, an upright and righteous man. Because of his different and non-normative beliefs, he had garnered enemies around him, even the Emperor himself. But because our clan was powerful and supported by many houses in the entire nation, they couldn’t bring us down. However, when the revolution happened, my father’s enemies took that opportunity to put suspicion on our clan, branding us as traitors to the crown.”“What happened?” Jimin asked, voice silent as a whisper. “That night?”Eyes casting down on his feet for a moment to collect himself, Namjoon then spoke, “My clan was known to hold the country’s greatest scholars, while Yoongi’s clan is notorious for their hunger in the battlefield, earning them the name of the ‘Tigers of the East.’ Yoongi was there that night. He was with his brother, but he never hurt anyone. My family died and I would be as well if it weren’t for Yoongi. He saved me, as I was about die from an awful stab wound in my stomach.”Namjoon lifted his tunic to show the younger an ugly scar under his left ribcage. It was smooth and darker than his skin, a remembrance of all the pain he had suffered that night. “That was how I got this scar.” Letting the hems fall once again, he continued, “Yoongi ran away with me. I stopped him, of course, because he would be a fugitive once the Emperor knew what he did. His clan would disown him and he would not have a home where he could go back to. But do you know what he said to me?”When Jimin shook his head, a warm smile tugged the corners of the strategymaster’s lips. “He said: ‘A home is not a place but the people I cherish. You are my brother–” his smile widened “–and you are my home.’”Jimin’s eyes welled with tears and he gasped as the first drop fell down, a sad but grateful smile lingering on his lips as he wiped away the wetness in his eyes. Namjoon chuckled and patted Jimin’s knee. “I know. Who would have thought General Min Yoongi could be an emotional fool sometimes?”The silver-haired let out an airy chuckle as wiped the tears off through his sleeves. “He may be stoic and emotionless to other people, but if you look closer and peek beyond his walls, he is just as caring and lonely like any of us.”To this, Namjoon nodded. “You know him very well, Jiminie. That’s why he needs you. To make him feel that he’s a man worthy of love.”“But hyung–” Jimin sighed “–he doesn’t love me back.”“I’m sorry but I’m not quite in agreement with that.” The older chuckled lightly, making Jimin’s cheeks flush as he stared intently into the latter’s eyes. “You two were born under different circumstances; raised in opposite environments. Yoongi’s life has been of war and blood, while yours is of forgiveness and healing. He has his beliefs and you have yours too. In order for you to meet halfway, you have to understand each other. Every choice and every decision you make, you have to be there to support each other. You and Yoongi can be together, Jiminie. I solemnly believe that.”Jimin’s lashes fluttered as his chest swelled with gratefulness towards the older man. “Thank you, hyung,” he uttered sincerely. “If only I could turn back time, then I would tell Yoongi how much he means to me.”“Well, it’s not too late, right?” Namjoon stood up and motioned for Jimin to follow him. “Come on. I can give you a ride to the castle. You are the only one who can stop Yoongi from being an annoying sulking ten-year-old.”
The sun had already set behind the mountains when they reached the castle. And here Jimin was, standing in front of the oak double doors leading to Yoongi’s chamber, too coward to raise his hand and knock, fists clenching at his sides as his heartbeats paced louder in every passing second.Jimin blew out a steady breath to calm himself. “You can do this, Jimin,” he whispered before he gathered all of his courage to bring his fist into the hard wood. He knocked twice and waited.“Come in.”When he heard that voice from the other side of the door, he almost jumped in place. He could feel his palms sweating and he wanted to turn around and just leave. But, no, Jimin was determined to see Yoongi; to talk to him; to tell him that he was sorry for all the things that he said and did.Thus, steeling himself, Jimin pushed the door open, head peeking around the wood and instantly being blown away by the sight that greeted him.Yoongi was sitting on the railings of his balcony, one foot perched on the marble top rail as the other lay on the floor, arm resting on bent knee and head turned around to gaze at the flickering lights of the village. He was bathed in the moon’s blue glows and Jimin’s breath caught in his throat as he took in how breathtaking the man looked right now.Jimin hesitated in the doorstep, but after finding the courage to shut the door behind him, he urged his feet to move slowly towards the general, carefully and reluctantly. And when Yoongi sensed his approach, the man turned his head towards his direction. Halting as Yoongi’s eyes grew larger by the second, Jimin swallowed and cast his eyes down, mouth opening and closing for a brief while before his brain managed to muster his next coherent words. “I-I–” he stammered out “–I’m here to apologize.”When the general didn’t respond, he continued to walk towards him, keeping a comfortable distance from the man and then he uttered, “I’m sorry for not understanding your decision. For failing to see that you were hurting too. That you did what had to be done because somebody had to. And I apologize for–” he breathed in deeply “–for disrespecting you. You are the general and I’m just… a nobody. It’s not my place to question your decision. I am truthfully sorry for that.”His fingers were fidgeting on the hems of his tunic; his shoulders and neck tensed; his head bowed down in shame. Yoongi was silent, but he could feel his stare on him, like little needles pricking his skin.“Jimin-ah.”Jimin’s breath hitched when he heard him call his name, even more so when the man was now standing closely to him, filling his vision with nothing but his presence alone. “Look at me.”When Jimin hesitated, Yoongi’s fingers went under his chin to lift his face up, forcing Jimin to hold the general’s eyes in a steady gaze even if his knees were melting beneath him. “You are never a nobody to me,” the man spoke softly, so gently that Jimin’s heart trembled ever so slightly, “you are my everything.”At that, a tiny sound escaped past Jimin’s lips, something that was akin to a small whimper as he felt the tears burn behind his eyes. “Yoongi–” he bit his bottom lip “–I am so, so sorry–”“Hush.” Yoongi brushed away a few strands of pale locks from Jimin’s eyes. “I am the one who should ask for forgiveness. I’m sorry for hurting you. For being the cause of your pain these past few days. For being the cause of every tear that falls down your eyes. I don’t want to see you hurting because of me.”Jimin wrapped his arms around Yoongi’s torso before his tears could fall, burying his face in the crook of the man’s neck as he sobbed his heart out because finally, after long moments of longing, Jimin finally had Yoongi inside his arms.Yoongi’s arms encircled around Jimin’s neck, nose burying in pale locks and lips pressing against the younger’s temple. “I’ve missed you so much, Jimin-ah,” he murmured breathily against his skin, his voice low and quiet. “So goddamn much.”“I’ve missed you too.” Jimin sniffled. “I have never s-stopped thinking about you.”Yoongi pulled away slightly to cup Jimin’s face in his hands, thumbs stroking his cheeks tenderly, wiping off wet tears as he gazed affectionately at Jimin’s eyes. “So do I,” he muttered, “not a single day goes by without me thinking of you.”Jimin hiccupped and clutched on Yoongi’s clothes, pulling him as close as possible, to eliminate the space between them so that Jimin could feel his warmth. He was longing for this for the past few days, for the general’s touch and kisses so much that it hurt.“You are the most beautiful and most courageous person I have ever met,” the general whispered, “for someone who has grown up away from all the hostilities of the world, you have been so brave while facing the challenges that came your way. I admire you for that, Jimin-ah. Deeply so.”Jimin held the general’s hand on his face, thumb caressing his knuckles as he spoke with all his heart, “And you are the most wonderful person in the world for me, Yoongi-yah.”The endearment came out as naturally as breathing, and Jimin was surprised at how easily it fell down from his mouth. Yoongi’s eyes were wide as he stared back at him, seemingly taken aback by Jimin’s words, by the show of intimacy from the younger man.Yoongi let out a shuddering breath as his whole body went rigid. His hands on Jimin’s face trembled slightly, eyes fluttering shut for a moment as he composed himself once again. “Jimin-ah.”And when Yoongi’s eyelids flew open, Jimin’s heart skipped when he saw the look of strong desire and longing in his eyes, the emotion so raw and lush that Jimin’s knees almost buckled, the intensity of his gaze escalating as his mouth let out several labored breaths. “Jimin-ah.” Yoongi’s cheeks were flushed as his thumb caressed Jimin’s lower lip. “I want to kiss you.”Jimin gasped when he heard those words come out from the other man’s lips. His chest was swelling from all the love and adoration he held for Yoongi; his pulse thrumming loudly as the general’s warm and heavy breaths continued to tickle his face. “Y-Yoongi,” he uttered breathily as his own emotions became frantic, “Yoongi-yah…”“Fuck,” Yoongi cussed as the tip of their noses brushed, “Fuck, I want to kiss you so bad. Jimin-ah. Jimin-ah… Can I?”Jimin could feel Yoongi’s breaths on his lips–warm and wanting. The general was asking for his permission and because of that loving and reverent gesture, Jimin’s heart melted. Fluttering his eyes close, the silver-haired swallowed and gripped Yoongi’s tunic tighter. “Yes,” he muttered breathily, “yes, you can.”Yoongi let out a trembling breath once before he leaned his face closer, palms burying a bit deeper into the younger’s face as he eliminated the remaining space between them. When Jimin felt Yoongi’s lips against his, his breath hitched at how soft and warm they were. It was just a light press of the man’s lips, of soft skin against skin, but it was enough for Jimin’s chest to explode with millions of uncontainable emotions; making his knees tremble and his head spin.Yoongi’s right hand went lower to his neck, thumb caressing the younger’s jaw as he tilted his head slightly to press his lips firmer, and when Jimin felt the man’s lips move against him, slow and uncertain, a silent whimper sounded from Jimin’s mouth as the flames in his cheeks burnt brighter.Gasping for air as his lungs failed him, Jimin’s mouth opened to breathe, to take in as much air as he could for he was drowning from all of these feelings he held for the other man; for wanting to keep their connection as long as possible for Jimin wanted to never pull away again.What he didn’t expect was for Yoongi to take this chance to bite on his bottom lip lightly, teeth grazing and burying in the plump soft muscle gently and causing Jimin’s heart to jump up his throat. A drawn-out sound came out of Jimin’s mouth, startling him that he almost fell on his feet if it weren’t for Yoongi’s hold on him.He felt the man smile against his lips, a slight huff coming through his nose as Yoongi captured Jimin’s lips once again. The silver-haired’s mind was in a daze; heart pounding loudly as he tasted his own tears on the general’s lips. The kiss was slow and tender, warm and wonderful that Jimin could feel the burst of colors and lights inside his chest.And when Yoongi pulled away, he did so by pressing his forehead against Jimin, noses touching and mouths panting softly. They shared a moment of comfortable silence, eyes closed and only their loud heartbeats as the sole source of sound around them; skin warm and glowing under the moonlit sky; basking under each other’s soft touches and gentle caresses; smelling and feeling only one another.Jimin sighed contentedly, chin lifting up to press a kiss under the general’s left eye. “I thought I would never be this close to you again,” he whispered.Yoongi ran his fingers through his silvery locks and smiled, eyes gazing at him so lovingly that it made Jimin’s chest hurt. “I thought so too,” he confessed, “I thought I would never get the chance to show you how much you mean to me.” He kissed the pale skin between Jimin’s eyebrows. “That I would never get another glimpse of your smile, or hear another laugh from your mouth. You are so beautiful, Jimin-ah. I can never put into words how strongly I feel for you.”Jimin giggled–a pleasant and heartfelt sound that radiated towards his eyes and made the general’s lips curve into a smile. “You are the only person that I have ever felt this way, Yoongi-yah.” Jimin touched Yoongi’s cheek. “And I am happy to give my heart to a wonderful man like you.”Yoongi’s smile went wider and he pressed one last kiss on the corner of Jimin’s mouth. “Do you have anything to do tomorrow?” he murmured.Jimin shook his head. “No.”“Good.” Yoongi blew a few strands of hair from Jimin’s eyes. “Because I am planning to put weight back on your cheeks. You look adorable like that.”“Ya,” Jimin whined as he struck Yoongi’s chest lightly with his palm, making the other man smile and chuckle brightly–a sound which Jimin learned to love so dearly.“Let us have a stroll around the village tomorrow, hm?”Jimin smiled widely at him, puffy eyes disappearing into tiny crescents as he interlaced their fingers together. “Okay,” he answered, “I will see you tomorrow.”The general’s eyes lit up despite the darkness and he lifted up their entwined fingers to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against Jimin’s knuckles and causing a warm pink hue to dust
the younger's
cheeks. “Well,”
Yoongi said with a smile, “I will be counting the minutes, Jimin-ah.”-TBC
End of First Arc: Daegu

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Second Arc: Busan

Chapter 23: “Do I make your heart beat faster?”
Jimin was running late.Yoongi told him that he would wait by the main gates before noon, and Jimin just had to oversleep today of all days. Perople said that he was a heavy sleeper; maybe, he was, but this was the only time that Jimin desperately wished that he wasn’t.Whizzing past hallways, Jimin turned around a corner and was surprised when his body collided against someone, or rather, something.The clattering of books echoed along the hallway as Ji Seong fell down, slightly wincing and groaning in pain as the impact sent her down to her rear. “Oh my–” Jimin uttered breathily as he quickly helped the grand healer to her feet. “I am so, so sorry, grand healer. It’s–I was–uh, I just…”“I am fine, Jimin-ssi.” She assured him with a smile. “You don’t have to apologize.”“Let me carry these for you.” Jimin piled up the books in his arms, wondering for a moment how the young lady managed to carry them all by herself, considering how dainty she was.“I appreciate the help, Jimin-ssi. Thank you. But don't you have somewhere else to be?”“It’s alright. I’m not much in a hurry.” He was though, but Jimin felt guilty for accidentally hurting the lady, not to mention what an awful gentleman he was if he wouldn’t at least do this much for her.Once inside the still room, Jimin placed the pile of books on one of the mahogany tables. “I shall take my leave then, grand healer.” Ji Seong thanked him once again before he turned around to leave. He was already heading for the door when someone grabbed his arm, yanking him from where he stood.“Hyung!” a boy, who was much younger than he was, looked up at him with big round eyes. “I am making this medicine for my grandmother. Can you help me? You are good at grinding herbs!”The silver-haired blinked. “Um, thank you, but I–”“Jimin-ssi.” A lady apprentice approached him. “I picked up some feverfew leaves in the greenhouse. Can I ask you how to dry and grind them? I mean, if it’s not too much of a bother.”Jimin wanted to pull his hair off his scalp.He couldn’t do anything but smile and nod. He was happy that his peers were asking for his help, giving him their trust to teach them about whatever they needed help for. However, to Jimin’s dismay, for the second time in just a span of several minutes, why did it have to be today of all days?Jimin kept on glancing outside the window, dreading to make an escape once he was done grinding the boy’s herbs and helping the lady dry her feverfew leaves. The sun was still high up in the sky, and Jimin could feel his neck sweating as he imagined how impatient Yoongi must be right now as he stood by the gates, kicking rocks and pacing back and forth as he waited for him.What Jimin didn’t expect, however, was for the door to the still room to creak open when he was already on his second batch of medicinal herbs. The silver-haired’s heart pounded inside his chest as he stared wide-eyed at Yoongi’s approaching form. The people around him stopped from their work and took a moment to bow courteously to the highest ranking official in Daegu.The general gave them a nod before shifting his gaze back to Jimin, standing so closely beside him that the silver-haired found it hard to breathe for a second. “I’m sorry,” he said with a sheepish smile, “I was on my way to the main gates when certain things happened and now I ended up here.”Yoongi chuckled lightly. “You don’t have to apologize. I will still wait for you no matter how long you take.”Jimin’s cheeks heated up. How could the man say those words so easily and make Jimin’s heart flutter? He knew that there were people subtly throwing glances at them, even going as far as sending them teasing smiles and knowing looks, but Jimin tried his hardest to brush them off. It wouldn’t do any good to his already burning cheeks and rapidly beating heart anyway.After Jimin explained as to why he was trapped here in the still room, the general just nodded and leaned against the stone wall near the window, arms folding over his chest and foot crossing over the other. “Okay. I will wait for you.”Even if Jimin suppressed his urge to glance at the man whilst he worked on the task at hand, he couldn’t, for the life of him, ignore how intense Yoongi’s stare was on him. The general was watching his every move, as if boring small holes at the back of Jimin’s skull and making his skin tingle pleasantly.“Yoongi-yah,” Jimin finally yielded as he flipped around to look at the waiting general. Yoongi’s eyes snapped back to his face, coming from a much lower location that Jimin’s face visibly reddened when his gaze met the other man’s.Yoongi was no different though, a subtle pink hue swelling beautifully in his cheeks as he averted his eyes and cleared his throat when Jimin caught him in the act.“Uh–” the silver-haired trailed off, because hell, that was so embarrassing “–please don’t stare at me like that.”“Like what?”“Like you’re watching my every movement. I can’t concentrate.”Yoongi bashfully scratched the side of his neck before he said, “Sorry. Please don’t mind me.”Easy for you to say, Jimin thought sadly. How could Jimin not mind Yoongi if the man was standing just a few feet away behind him and the very epitome of beauty itself?“Oh my, he called the general ‘Yoongi-yah.’”“That was so adorable.”“They look good together.”“General Min can’t take his eyes off Jimin-ssi.”“He is so deep into him. Gods.”“They are such a lovely couple.”Jimin almost bolted for the door because of the whispered talks coming from the apprentices. He didn’t know if Yoongi heard them because if he did, then he didn’t pay them further attention. Jimin’s face remained warm as he did his task, and after grinding the last batch of herbs and drying the lady’s feverfew leaves, Jimin bid them farewell and made his way towards the general.Once seeing his approach, Yoongi straightened his posture and asked, “Done?”Jimin nodded. “Yes.”The general’s eyebrows furrowed and lifted a hand to the younger’s face, thumb stroking against his cheek lightly. “You’ve got powder on your face.”“Oh, that’s so sweet of him,” one of the ladies cooed.“Jimin-ssi is such a lucky man.” A giggle.“Hush! They may hear you.”Yoongi let out an airy chuckle as Jimin’s face bottled up all the flames in the world. Why couldn’t they stop talking about them and just let the pair leave in peace? Jimin didn’t know if his heart could take it any longer. Gods.After finally reaching the main gates, Yoongi mounted Holly’s saddle and offered a hand to Jimin, pulling the younger up behind him and securing the latter’s arms around his waist. “Hold on tight,” he whispered over his shoulder as Jimin smiled and rested the side of his face on the general’s shoulder.Yoongi felt so warm and alive inside his arms, the man’s muscles pulling taut as he pulled at Holly's reins and make her canter towards the village. He knew that they were so intimately close at the moment, with Jimin pressing his body against the general’s back and wrapping his arms around him as if his life depended on it. Nevertheless, he felt nothing but indifference towards the people’s curious stares. Because at that moment, Yoongi was all he could ever think of.

(credit to the rightful owners of the pictures)

Once within the village, Yoongi tied Holly’s rope around a hitching post where several more horses were stationed. “Is there any particular place you’d like to visit?” Yoongi asked.Jimin thought for a moment before shaking his head. “No. I will go wherever you take me.”“Then,” Yoongi gestured towards the main road, “do you want to take a stroll for a while?”Jimin grinned at him. “Sure.”The general chuckled and tousled the younger’s hair playfully. “Let’s go.”It was a beautiful day for a walk: the clouds occasionally hiding the sun so as to curtail its heat; the wind crisp and blowing calmly against their skin, and the people bustling and living their daily lives while carrying baskets, bags and some other things towards their destination.The villagers were bowing to Yoongi once they caught sight of him, the man giving back a terse nod in return. Jimin couldn’t help the amused chuckle that bubbled inside his throat as he witnessed that stiff smile on Yoongi's everytime the villagers acknowledged his presence. “Well, you’re a popular one,” he teased.“Not that I asked for it.” The general sighed.Jimin smiled, gaze softening as they walked abreast. “You are not very good at dealing with people, are you?”“No.” Yoongi winced, making Jimin laugh. “I have Namjoon to do the talking for me. He’s much better in that aspect than I am.”“I can somehow see the truth in that,” Jimin agreed. “Namjoon-hyung is such an eloquent orator.”“That indeed.”Yoongi stopped by a small wooden stall offering various types of bread in all shapes and sizes. “Halmeonim, can I have one of these?”“Ah, General Min,” the old woman greeted him with a wide smile, her teeth yellowing and lacking in some places, “how nice it is to see you.”“You too, halmeonim.”The old woman grabbed a piece of cloth and picked up the bread that was to Yoongi’s liking, the man offering her a silver coin in exchange. “It’s rare to see you around the village. What brings you here?”“I am accompanying someone.”“Ah, is it this young man here with pretty snow-like hair?” The old lady turned her gaze towards Jimin, who blushed in return for the compliment.The general nodded. “Yes. I am showing him around.” Yoongi offered the bread to Jimin, who took it with a grateful smile. “That one has berries in it. I just thought you would like it.”And Jimin did. The bread was delicious and the berries were tasty, succulent and sweet on his tongue. “I love it. Thank you, Yoongi-yah.”“Oh.” The old woman chuckled behind a frail, trembling hand. “Is he your lover, General Min?”The general’s eyes widened for second, seemingly surprised of the old woman’s words, but after a while, he nodded and said, “Yes. He is.”“Ah, what a beautiful young man he is.” She smiled at Jimin and bowed. “Please take good care of our general. He is a kind and generous man and the villagers all love him greatly.”“Halmeonim, you’re exaggerating,” Yoongi chided her lightheartedly, an embarrassed flush gracing the lobes of his ears.Jimin bowed to the old woman. “Thank you for your trust, halmeonim. I’ll make sure to take care of him.”The old woman patted Jimin on the head and laughed at the general’s flustered expression.They walked deeper into the village, talking about anything and laughing among themselves. The atmosphere was light and warm, and Jimin’s heart had never ceased from beating quickly inside his chest. Yoongi would occasionally reach out to run his fingers through Jimin’s hair, flashing him a fond smile that completely melted him from the inside.Once they were in an open space where children and families were playing and lounging about, a group of ladies wearing tailored dresses stopped them from their tracks and flocked around Yoongi as if he was a god who had just descended from the heavens, sending Jimin staggering a few steps back.“General Min,” one said as a scarlet flush crept into her cheeks, “I am pleased to see you today. How have you been?”“I am glad that you are well after what happened in the castle. I hope you’re not gravely hurt from the recent battle?”“Thank you,” Yoongi replied albeit looking every bit of uncomfortable from being surrounded by the young women. “I am doing fine at the moment. I am grateful for your concern.”The ladies giggled.Jimin’s forehead creased, and he didn’t know why he was feeling so vexed at the moment. All he knew was that he didn’t want those women to stand so close to Yoongi or for the man to talk to them. Yoongi was with him; he was keeping him company before these ladies took Yoongi for themselves.“Do you want to have a cup of tea with us?” one asked, looking at Yoongi through her lashes and fluttering them that it made Jimin's eyes roll heavenwards.Jimin’s attention went back to the general when the man let out a breathy chuckle, his eyes meeting Jimin’s and lighting up with a certain kind of amusement that made Jimin’s cheeks flush with embarrassment.“I am sorry, my ladies, but I am with someone today,” Yoongi politely declined. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness. If you’ll excuse me…”Walking towards Jimin, the general gave him a smile and said, “Shall we?”Jimin nodded and as they went farther away from the stunned lovely young women, the silver-haired couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride swell inside his chest when the man chose him over them. It was such a petty thing to fuss over, but a part of him told him that he really didn’t care after all.“Were you jealous?”Jimin’s eyes widened. “W-What?”Smirking, the general nudged his elbow. “I saw you roll your eyes at the ladies. Were you perhaps envious that they got my attention?”Jimin snorted and turned his face away, hoping that the man wouldn’t notice the embarrassed flush on his cheeks. “No, I wasn’t.”“Really now?” Yoongi’s tone was teasing–playful. And when the man chuckled after Jimin let out a huff of annoyance, he placed a hand below Jimin’s chin to turn his face towards him, leaning forward to press a soft kiss against the tip of the younger’s nose. Pulling back and watching proudly as a swell of pink bloomed across his lover’s face, Yoongi uttered, “You shouldn’t feel jealous. You know I’ll only have eyes for you.”“Ya.” Jimin hit his chest lightly, making the other man laugh. “Stop saying things like that.”“Why?” Yoongi asked, smirk in place, as he leaned closer to his ear. “Do I make your heart beat faster?”A shudder ran down Jimin’s spine at the man’s teasing words, his voice sounding so full and deep that the hairs on Jimin’s arms stood up. Their little world was disrupted by a passing couple who both let out poorly suppressed chuckles as they noticed how intimate Yoongi and Jimin’s interaction was.After clearing his throat, Yoongi spoke, “I wish to take you somewhere.”“Where?”The general laced their fingers together, tugging Jimin with him as he walked. “You’ll see.”The silver-haired tried not to mind the prying eyes around him. He knew that he was getting all of this attention because of Yoongi, because the man who was currently holding his hand, the one interlacing their fingers together, was the same man who was the head of this village, the renowned general of Daegu. The villagers respected him and were all worried about his well-being. With Yoongi’s presence being a scarcity around the village, the people must have been more than surprised to see him today, and with someone, to say the least, who was as unobtrusive as Jimin.The pair stopped by a tailor shop. As they went inside, Yoongi greeted a middle-aged woman sewing a quilt behind an old desk. “What can I do for you, General Min?” she inquired.“Can I see your newly crafted cloaks?”“That you may.” The woman smiled and gestured towards the other room.It was a small space composed of neatly folded fabrics; dresses, tunics, trousers, cloaks and coats were all beautifully sewn and displayed on shelves and tables. Jimin watched as Yoongi browsed through the items, a firm crease marring the pale skin between his eyebrows as he concentrated on his task. “Ah.” The general pulled one garment from the rest and walked towards Jimin, letting the cloak engulf the younger’s slight frame and watching him with a pleased smile.“It suits you.”Jimin looked at the hooded winter cloak around him. It was woolen, and the color of the sea, with whorls of silver embroidered magnificently on the edges of the fabric and with gray wolf fur covering the shoulders. Jimin was struck in awe at how warm and comfortable the cloak was, and his astonishment was probably reflected on his face because Yoongi grinned and held his face. “Do you like it?”He nodded.“Then I will get this for you.”Jimin gasped and waved his hands in protest. “Y-You don’t have to. This cloak likely cost much and I… don’t want to trouble you.”“You don’t,” the general assured him with a smile. “It pleases me to see you happy.”The smile that boomed in Jimin’s lips was beautiful, so bright that the sun might have paled in comparison to it. Yoongi took the cloak off him and proceeded to the other room to pay for the item. Jimin looked around for a little while, waiting for the man to finish his purpose.His eyes caught a dark green tunic with intricate golden laces around the arms. Holding the garment with both hands, he thought fondly,
This will look good on Yoongi.“A beauty, isn’t it?”Jimin gasped and jolted out of his thoughts as a man, who was not much older than he was, appeared right beside him. “Sorry?”“That tunic you’re holding–” he jerked his chin lightly towards the garment “–it’s beautiful. Just like you.”Jimin’s cheeks reddened and he bashfully bowed his head to avoid the man’s stare. “I apologize, but I do not seem to get what you’re saying.”The man chuckled and leaned his face closer, forcing Jimin to meet his stare. “I can’t recall seeing you around the village. A face that is as attractive as yours should have been noticed by my eyes already.”Jimin’s eyelids fluttered. “I-I–”“Ah, you have such pretty hair.” The man’s brown eyes swam with adoration and something which Jimin wasn’t so sure of. “Young man.” His voice dipped a sound lower. “Tell me your name.”Jimin’s breath hitched in his throat as the man reached out for his face, the latter smiling at his flustered reaction, when a hand suddenly darted out and grabbed the man's wrist, startling him so bad that he audibly gasped and staggered back.The general’s face was stern, a dark frown marring his features as he stared intently at the man who was now trying to pull his wrist free from his grasp.“G-General Min?” The man laughed nervously. “How nice it is to see you–”“He’s my lover,” the general candidly stated that it shocked both Jimin and the other man. “I will appreciate it if you keep your hands off him.”“Of course! Of course…” the man swallowed thickly, the apple of his throat bobbing up and down “…I-I apologize for unintentionally laying a hand on your beloved. It won’t happen again.”“It better not.” After Yoongi released him, the man hastily scampered for the door and left.The silver-haired was still stupefied by the sudden turn of events that he didn’t notice it when Yoongi held his hand and escorted him out of the shop, the woolen blue cloak folded and draped over his other arm. Once the shop was out of sight, it was then that Jimin finally felt the tension enveloping his lover’s frame. Yoongi’s grip on his hand was tight, and the muscles of his neck and shoulders were stiff, like he was currently in the midst of the battlefield and waiting for his opponents to come his way.“Yoongi.” Jimin halted his footsteps and tugged the general back lightly.Yoongi sighed and pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek. “I can’t leave you alone for one second, can I?”The silver-haired’s eyebrows pulled together. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”The general let out another heavy sigh before he turned around to gaze at Jimin, a burdened look gracing his handsome face. “That man was clearly taking his chances with you, Jimin-ah. Damn, I badly want to punch his nose in.”Jimin chuckled at his lover’s petty remark. “It doesn’t matter if he was. I won’t tolerate him.”“I know you won’t. Just–” Yoongi ran a frustrated hand through his dark locks, causing Jimin’s heart to beat a tad faster because of how good the action made the other man look “–I swear... I sometimes want to keep you lock inside the castle just so those bastards’ eyes won’t even have a peek on you.”Jimin laughed heartily and wrapped his arms around Yoongi’s neck, planting a soft peck on the general’s lips and causing the tension to seep out of his lover's system. “Don’t be ridiculous,” Jimin uttered, chuckling still.Yoongi grimaced lightly and kept their foreheads and noses touching. “You are so oblivious to your own beauty, Jimin-ah. What a nasty pain you are.”Jimin bit his bottom lip to keep the wide smile from splitting his face in half. It was Yoongi who was unaware of his own beauty, not him. However, the praise still made him giddy and warm inside, the adoring words meaning so much if it came from his lover’s mouth, making Jimin wonder if he was high up and floating in the sky.“‘You shouldn’t feel jealous. You know I’ll only have eyes for you.’”Yoongi pulled back slightly with a raised eyebrow, noticing the teasing smirk on Jimin’s lips. And when he realized that what the younger uttered was his own words from earlier, Yoongi snorted. “Brat.”Jimin giggled and played with the short strands of dark hair on his lover’s nape. “‘Do I make your heart beat faster?’”The general rolled his eyes dramatically, earning him a heartfelt laugh from the younger. “Stop.” Nevertheless, Yoongi smiled and leaned forward to press a kiss against one corner of Jimin’s mouth. “But, yes… you do.”-TBC

*next batch to follow*

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Chapter 24: The Life Led By a Lowlife
It was not surprising at this point, for Jimin at least, to have their friends make a big deal out of his and Yoongi’s relationship. Both of them were quiet and satisfied on how things were going smoothly between them, but of course, living in the same place and breathing the same air, matters would eventually be splayed out into the sunlight for their friends to feast on.It was a normal day and the men were gathered in Jin and Jungkook’s shared home. With the day of their journey towards the Eastern Port approaching fast, they had all been so busy with the preparations, especially Yoongi, that Jimin hadn’t seen them for at least three days. Fortunately, they were able to spare a night for them to gather and recuperate from a few days’ labor; right there, in the cozy home of their oldest and youngest, all men found respite.The general and his right hand arrived an hour late on horseback, both men appearing tired and rigid from the long day they had. Once Yoongi met Jimin’s eyes, the man immediately smiled faintly and took a seat beside him on the couch. The others were seated into a circle on the carpeted floor of the living room and playing some sort of dice game which Jimin had never heard of before. “Hangman’s bluff,”
Seokjin said as he threw three silver coins at the center of the circle to initiate another round of bets.If Jimin was trying to understand the rules of the game earlier so that he could participate on the next roll of bets, then that task was proving to be quite an impossible feat with Yoongi sitting so closely beside him. He just looked so exhausted and deprived of sleep–roughly just two or three hours every night. He was the overseer of the whole operation, together with Namjoon, and considering the great loss that the army suffered from because of the recent battle, they couldn’t afford this journey to the Eastern Port be in vain.“Ya,” Jimin called at him softly, the raucous laughter of his friends fading into the background.
Yoongi’s eyelids cracked open as his head rested on the backrest of the couch. Smirking slightly and snaking his hand towards Jimin’s, entwining their fingers together, sighing as he found home, he replied in a quiet voice, “Hey.”Jimin reached out to his face in worry, thumb gently stroking the dark circle under the man’s left eye. “You have not been sleeping well, have you?”Yoongi hummed and leaned into the touch. “Certain things keep me up at night.”“Like what?”He shrugged. “The preparations. The journey. And you.”Heat crept into Jimin’s cheeks at the man’s words and he unconsciously squeezed the other’s hand in embarrassment that the small action made Yoongi chuckle lightly. “It’s just three days,” he scolded him.“You know I can’t last a second without seeing your face, Jimin-ah.”Jimin pouted, feigning annoyance to conceal the blush in his cheeks. “You won’t get me with your smooth words.” Yoongi laughed, a subtle and low sound. “You have to take care of yourself, Yoongi-yah.”“Yoongi-yah?!”The two men almost jumped from the couch at Taehyung’s loud voice. All pairs of eyes in the room were on them, with varying degrees of wideness and understanding that Jimin’s entire face flared beautifully.When Hoseok asked if they were together, Jimin and Yoongi seemed to visibly flinch, but after a few moments of calming their nerves, it was the general who nodded his head while still holding Jimin’s hand in his tightly.Taehyung screamed–he did, to Jimin’s dismay–and lunged himself at the silver-haired, hugging his neck so tight that he almost choked to death while uttering his heartfelt and joyous congratulations to him. Chaos ensued and Jimin was sure that he heard Jin bragging about his ‘power to see the future’ to Hoseok and smirking smugly at the other man while laying his hand out to him, saying something about the ‘bet’ that he won and Hoseok owing him ‘two gold coins’ for his accurate prediction.“You could have waited after the Eastern Port, you know!” Hoseok huffed as he threw the coins he owed to Jin’s direction, the oldest catching it deftly with one hand and smirking at him in triumph.“Those two love birds can’t get enough of each other already, Hoseok.” Jin laughed. “I’m surprised this didn’t happen sooner.”Yoongi was reprimanding Jin and Hoseok for betting on such a delicate matter, but the two just brushed his annoyance off and whacked him on the back instead as they laughed, congratulating him and saying that his heart finally found some ‘heat’ in the midst of coldness.Their friends proposed a toast to their relationship and Jimin’s face remained flushed all night, whether it was due to the alcohol, their friends’ teasing or Yoongi’s breath near his neck, Jimin didn’t know and he really wasn’t fond of knowing why.Yoongi and Jimin went to the infirmary in the village two days after, helping Taehyung to keep records of medical wagons and supplies that they would bring in the journey to come. It was nearing noon when Hoseok appeared and requested for Taehyung’s presence. A beautiful woman came with him, holding a little girl in her arms who was probably around the age of three.“Chan-hee has a cold,” the woman spoke and Jimin was caught off guard at how awfully similar her features were to the archmaster’s. Her sister, perhaps? Jimin thought.“I see.” Taehyung put a hand on her forehead. “She doesn’t seem to have a fever. Let’s get inside so I can give her some medicine.”“Yoongi.”Jimin’s eyes widened in surprise when the little girl, Chan-hee, stretched her arms out to the general, fingers opening and closing as her bottom lip jutted out. The man himself was taken aback, a slight flush creeping into the lobes of his ears. The woman chuckled and gave the child to Yoongi, who failed to air his protest when Chan-hee immediately clung onto his neck.Jimin watched in amusement as the child smiled and played with Yoongi’s hair, his lover looking so flustered and horrified to carry such a delicate creature in his arms. “Yoongi,” Chan-hee giggled.“Ya, that’s orabeonim for you.” Hoseok clicked his tongue. “Really, this little kid.”Jimin laughed when a particular hair pull caused Yoongi’s face to twist in pain, Taehyung and Hoseok trying to pull the kid off him so the young healer could proceed checking her up. However, everytime they did as much as touch her, she would scream and cry and wrapped her round arms tighter around Yoongi’s neck.“Chan-hee, you’re choking orabeonim,” Hoseok reminded her, looking so helpless that Jimin’s eyes watered with tears of joy as he laughed.“She adores Yoongi, you know.”Jimin’s eyes darted towards the beautiful woman standing beside him, watching her daughter and the younger men’s interaction with a smile. “I’m Jung Jiwoo, Hoseok’s older sister. And you are Jimin, am I correct?”“Yes, I am.” Jimin bowed to her. “Well met, Jiwoo-ssi.”“Well met.” The lady bowed to him in return, smiling still. “Just call me nunim.”Jimin grinned broadly at her and nodded. Turning his gaze back to the general, a laugh almost bubbled once again in his chest as he saw the distressed look on the other man. Head shaking as an amused smiled still played on his lips, Jimin walked towards the three men and fixed his attention at the little girl in Yoongi’s arms, sniffling as wet tears ran down her round cheeks.“Chan-hee.” Jimin’s smile stretched further, heart melting when the kid’s big, teary eyes landed on him. “Do you like to play?”The little kid gazed at him for a moment, probably trying to memorize face, before nodding and mouthing the tip of her index finger. “Then you should drink your medicine first and when you’re well, we will play, okay?”The little kid nodded again before reaching out for him, the silver-haired immediately taking the kid from Yoongi’s arms and fastening her securely in his hold. “I’m Jimin. Call me orabeonim, okay? Do not forget your manners.”Chan-hee sniffed slightly and stared up at him, eyes unblinking. “Snow.”“Snow?”She nodded and grabbed a handful of Jimin’s hair, tugging the pale strands lightly. “Snow.”Jiwoo chuckled and went towards Jimin to get her daughter, the silver-haired’s lips pouting lightly as he was robbed off the kid’s warmth and softness. “Let’s get inside,” Taehyung said, throwing a brief, grateful smile at Jimin before proceeding to the back door of the infirmary.Hoseok sighed with relief. “You are my savior, Jiminie. Really. Thank you.”Jimin let out an airy chuckle. “I’ve handled children in the temple before; most were much worse than Chan-hee, I assure you that. You can just imagine the bruises I got from their kicks and punches while I try to get them drink their medicine.”The archmaster snorted and patted Jimin’s shoulder before following his sister and niece inside the building. Trying not to laugh at Yoongi’s disheveled appearance, Jimin stepped closer to him and brushed his fingers through dark hair, tidying up stray strands. “Well now, that was poorly handled,” he teased.When the man glared at him, the laugh that Jimin was trying so hard to suppress finally burst out of his mouth. His forehead bumped against Yoongi’s shoulder, his other hand flying over his mouth to stifle his laughs and giggles. “Shut up,” he heard his lover say with a heavy sigh, attempting to sound irritated but the hands on Jimin’s hips tugging him closer gave him away. “I don’t know why Chan-hee always insists on climbing into my arms. I’m not well with kids.”“That I can see.” Jimin pulled his head back slightly to flash a subtle smirk at the general, teeth burying into the plump flesh of his bottom lip. “But you are well with me, are you not?”Yoongi’s eyes darkened a little at Jimin’s remark, a mischievous smirk tugging the corners of his mouth as his fingers dug deeper into Jimin’s hips, making him shudder lightly. “I am,” he affirmed, “sometimes I wonder if you really are as kind as you appear to be. You don’t know how much your words do things to me, Jimin-ah.”Jimin giggled and leaned forward to press a chaste kiss on his lover’s lips, brief and light as a peck, but warm enough to send tingles of pleasure and fullness to Jimin’s heart. “Come on, let’s get back to work.”Albeit groaning and every bit as reluctant as an obstinate child, Yoongi did find the courage to pull away.
The night was still and full of shadows.With the moonlight beating down on the whole of Daegu, Namjoon kept the piece of ragged cloth tightly held by his hand as he walked through the main gates of the castle. His skin was damp with sweat, and his body felt like it was crawling with ants, tearing at his skin, biting, pricking, until all that was left were his bones.Once standing in front of his chamber’s door, Namjoon took out the keys from his pocket and pushed the small iron rod through the keyhole. He was surprised, however, to hear no clicking sound as he turned the lock. Warily pocketing his keys once again, he opened the door slowly, hearing the wood creak in its hinges before being greeted by the sight of an ethereal young man sitting on the finely sewn covers of his bed.“Jin-ah,” he said as he walked inside, shutting the door close behind him. He gave his lover a spare key to his room, and so did the other man towards him for his own chamber.“Where did you go?” the cook asked, tone inquisitive but careful.Namjoon’s instincts told him to hide the piece of mucky cloth from the other’s vision, and somehow he did, but both of them knew that his attempt was nothing but futile. He shrugged. “Looking for some fresh air?” It was not a lie, not really. It really was refreshing to walk into the night, with only the stars and the moon as his companion for his thoughts. He sometimes did it, occasionally, but right now, Jin knew that he wasn’t out just for a simple walk under the moon.Jin snorted lightly. “You are awfully sweaty and exhausted for someone who has taken a stroll.” His eyes landed on the dirty piece of cloth the younger was holding. It was dark in the room, with only the shine of the night peeking through the window as the only source of light. Jin sighed and stood up from the bed, moving towards the fireplace and throwing and lighting the firewood on the hearth.Namjoon watched as Jin did so, the air in the chamber thick and suffocating without any words of exchange between them. He threw the ragged cloth aside and walked towards the basin placed on top of a table beside the fireplace. He dipped his hands into the cold water, rubbing the sickening color and stickiness off his hands thoroughly.As the fire grew and orange glows chased the shadows away, Jin said, “Did you kill him?”The strategymaster’s hands froze momentarily, before reaching for a clean rag beside the basin and wiping his hands dry, eyes remaining still on the red color that he had left in the water. “Yes,” he confessed.Jin didn’t answer for a moment, sitting by the fireplace and gaze hypnotized by its flames. “Did Han Jeong say anything about Prince Taewon’s plans?”“No.”He snorted. “Figures.”“He did say something though.”Namjoon saw how Jin’s head turned towards his direction once those words fell from his mouth. He put the rag down and faced his lover, fleetingly mesmerized by his handsome features as the flames reflected on his skin, bathing him in warm and rich glows. “Just before I slit his throat,” he began, “the last word that he said to me was ‘caw.’”The muscles in Jin’s shoulders stiffened as a troubled look settled on his face.“Does it mean anything to you, Jin-ah?” Namjoon asked, taking residence beside Jin by the fireplace.“Caw.” Jin swallowed the lump in his throat. “The harsh cry of a crow.”Namjoon was staring worriedly at his lover, reaching out for the other man’s hand and firmly linking their fingers together; his other hand hovering over Jin’s knuckles and brushing them softly with his thumb. “You know you can tell me anything, Jin-ah. I will listen.”“I know.” Jin squeezed his hand lightly. “Han Jeong must be goading, trying to make a rise out of me even until his last breath. He had always been a nasty one. And now he hated me for betraying them.”Namjoon hummed and stayed silent, urging for his lover to continue.“You know that I grew up as an orphan in the shadiest alleys of Gwacheon,” Jin said, lashes fluttering lightly, “struggled with everyday life with crumbs of molded bread, a small thief running along the narrow roads of the black market.” He huffed out a light chuckle. “It wasn’t really a surprise when I learned how to hold a blade at such a young age. A tiny child, wielding a knife to rob pouches from market-goers and force stall owners to lend some food. It was… a damaging environment for a little kid to grow up in.”Namjoon’s eyebrows furrowed. He heard Jin’s childhood story before, but not in detail, for the older man himself refused to remember or utter a single word about his dark past. Namjoon understood though, for he knew how painful it was for Jin to live through the same memories again and again.“When I was eleven, I was recruited by an underground dealer to work for him, smuggle weapons and illicit herbs towards the border in exchange for a few pieces of copper and silver. I thought that I would finally be making money for myself, but then me and several other children were imprisoned inside a fancy house instead, and then the next thing I knew was that there was an old, nobleman gripping me by the arm and shoving me inside a dimly lit room, stripping my clothes off and–”Jin swallowed and shut his eyes for a moment as a lump of turbulent emotion threatened to tear him apart. Namjoon felt his grip on his hand tighten and tremble, but he held onto his lover’s hand until the end, offering him some sort of solid support.Jin sighed when his heartbeat calmed down a little. “He did things to me, Joon-ah. Terrible, and disgusting things. I felt nothing but pain and rage that time–a burning wrath that seemed to engulf me whole with its flames. When the old man was sleeping beside me, I reached out for the bottle of liquor and hit it against the bedpost. The old man sprang awake, but before he could say anything, I slit his throat with a shard of glass. There was blood everywhere–a river of it. Then I was terrified of what I did, of what I had become.”“The guards took me out of the room and tortured me for days. And when I thought that I was going to die, that finally, my suffering would end, he came. Riding on horseback like a knight, with the Royal Army behind him. They raided the whorehouse and that was how he found me.”Jin’s lower lip quivered. “The second prince, Prince Taewon, took me in and dressed me. Fed me when I was hungry, tended on my wounds. Together with the other children, he trained me to fight. I remember his words clearly: ‘I am your savior and you are mine. You shall never forget the debt you owe me.’ Those words haunted me, from the moment I worked as a cutthroat for him, from the day people called me the ‘Midnight Crow’ for killing the prince’s enemies, never leaving a trace of my existence, up to this very day. The prince was like… a ghost breathing down my neck.”“You know that he was the one who ordered me to kill Yoongi years ago, right?”To this, Namjoon nodded.“Around four years ago, I pretended to be a captive by the Royal Army so the rebels will not hesitate to save me. I infiltrated our ranks, earned your and the others’ trust, so that I can easily approach Yoongi. I did what I was told, snuck into Yoongi’s tent while we were at camp, planned to slit his throat in his sleep. I failed, of course, because Yoongi knew what I was planning all along.”
“Hyung,” Yoongi said as he held Jin’s hand, the kirpan hanging dangerously between them, “do you really intend to kill me?”

“I have to.” Jin’s resolve was strong when he came into the general’s tent while everyone else was deep in their sleep. But right now, as he stared at Yoongi’s dark eyes, looking at him like Jin was a lost and troubled child, he did not know if what he was about to do was right anymore.

“Why?”

“If I don’t–if–” Jin breathed out “–if I don’t kill you, if I come back empty-handed, my comrades will die. Prince Taewon will kill them all, Yoongi. I can’t let my friends die.”

“But I am your friend, too, am I not?”
Jin was taken aback by his words, feeling the utter shame engulf his whole being because Yoongi was right. He was his friend, a dear person to him, more than the people he was trying to save, but Jin refused to believe that, to lose a vision of his goal, because if he was not him, if he was not Kim Seokjin, the ‘Midnight Crow’ then who else would he be? Where else would he belong to?
“The kindness you’ve shown to me, to Taehyung, Hoseok and Jungkook, and the love you fostered for Namjoon–they all appear as genuine to me, hyung. They are not false emotions that you are trying to convince yourself with.”
Jin’s lips stretched into a faint smile, eyes exuding fondness for the general. “Yoongi told me to fabricate my death, that I was killed by him so I wouldn’t have to go back empty-handed, so that my comrades–the people whom I grew up with–wouldn’t have to die. That was why he insisted for me to wear a cloth over half of my face everytime we go out of Daegu’s walls–to prevent Prince Taewon and his men from recognizing me.”“Yoongi saved me, Joon-ah.” Jin lifted their entwined fingers and pressed a kiss against the back of Namjoon’s hand. “And so did you.”Namjoon reached out for Jin’s face with his other hand, stroking his lover’s cheek gently as he stared lovingly into his brown eyes. “No matter who you are, what you did and what you have become, I will always love you, Jin-ah. Remember that.”The back of Jin’s eyes stung and hot tears filled his vision faster than a heartbeat. He leaned forward to capture Namjoon’s lips in a searing kiss, all the while uttering his love and gratefulness to the other man. “Namjoon-ah,” he breathed on the younger’s lips as Namjoon held his hips, trying to pull him closer as much as their position would allow him to. “Namjoon-ah…” Jin brushed the tip of his nose against the strategymaster’s cheek, showering it with soft kisses before he whispered to his ear, “Hold me.”A shudder ran down Namjoon’s spine and he dipped the man forward onto his back before he could think, pushing and laying his lover over the carpeted floor by the fireplace and seizing his lips once again into a hot, passionate kiss.
Soon, clothes were strewn everywhere as both of their bodies slid against each other, locked in a tight embrace, breathing and tasting each other’s love. Jin’s legs clamped tighter around Namjoon’s hips when he was loved just right, the younger swallowing his moans and beautiful whimpers in his mouth and running his fingers through the soft brown strands of Jin’s hair as they spread out into a halo around his head.Jin’s nails dug into his back, his teeth occasionally finding the flesh of Namjoon’s shoulder in order to suppress his cries whenever the younger couldn’t capture his mouth and devour his breathy and stuttered sounds. And even after they both reached their high, Jin remained flushed, and beautiful, and warm beneath Namjoon. Lips still swollen and red from the intensity of their kiss, his skin smooth and glowing with flames, but definitely not unscarred. There were small and faint white lines contrasting his skin–a memory of the life he had led before Yoongi saved him.Namjoon bent his head down to press a kiss against a particularly nasty scar near Jin’s collarbone, his lips ghosting over the imperfection and hearing his lover sigh deeply when his lips touched his skin. “You’re beautiful, Jin-ah. So damn beautiful.”Jin gasped and pulled Namjoon up for a kiss once again, biting the latter’s bottom lip and earning him a slight moan in return. “I love you so much, Namjoon-ah.” He embraced the younger as his heart pounded loudly in his chest, his overflowing emotions threatening to tear him apart from the inside out as Namjoon’s love unraveled him in the most explicit and mind-melting way. “More than I can ever think of.”
The wooden chess piece in his hand was polished and painted an ivory color. He had been playing this game since he was a child, and not once since he managed to learn its rules had he lost from someone. His tutor, the supposed brightest one in the household, the man who taught him how to play, became much of a bore after he beat him on this game after being instructed only once.“Your Highness,” one of his guards said, “General Kang Chul-soo is requesting for your presence.”Putting the lion chess piece down on the checkered board, he spoke, “Let him in.”A tall man who was in his mid-thirties entered the tent, placing his fist over his chest and bowing to him respectfully. “My prince.”Prince Taewon leaned back against his chair, dark penetrating eyes shifting towards the general’s direction. “Do you bring me good news?”“Yes, Your Highness. I have confirmed the outcome of Ha Jung Shik’s mutiny against the Red General.”“What became of it?”“The Red General has lost eight thousand men in the recent battle and suffered from heavy consumption of their resources and weaponry. As of the moment, they are recuperating from the damages left by the battle.”The right corner of Taewon’s mouth twitched up in pleasure. “I see.” He reached out to hold a pawn and move it a pace forward. “If the Bangtan Army is now suffering from lack of supplies, then it will be logical to assume that they will soon raid a caravan or foray a port to replenish their resources. The former is unlikely, for a mere caravan cannot feed an entire army.” Leaning over to reach for the other side of the chess board, Taewon grabbed the black bishop and moved it diagonally towards the white pieces. “Korea has four main ports: the Northern in Sokcho; Western in Incheon; Southern in Mokpo, and the Eastern one in Busan. Considering how desperate Min Yoongi is right now, he will most probably raid the nearest port from Daegu…” The white horse piece moved and threatened the black bishop. “The Eastern Port.”“Shall I command my troops to station more soldiers in the Eastern Port, my prince?” General Kang asked.“There is no need. I believe in General Son Myon’s capabilities. Or in his contribution, rather, to complete the pieces in my game.” Several more pieces moved, all which seemed incomprehensible to the general, before Taewon spoke again, “Ha Jung Shik was a foolish and greedy man. I have known from the start that his mutiny wouldn’t succeed, so I deliberately sent my messengers to Daegu to maintain contact with him, to make him believe that I was in support to his plans. But as I did so, I made sure to rouse suspicion from Min Yoongi. Doh-Keun, the coward and Han Jeong, the loyal dog. They were essential sacrifices to let the mutiny happen, to provoke conflict and to let the Bangtan Army tear itself from the inside. Nothing is more entertaining to see your enemies fight amongst themselves and fall apart because of their own folly.”“When I was informed that Ha Jung Shik managed to capture the Red General, I was shocked and thought that he would succeed. But I was foolish to think such thing. You were right, my prince. The transport of the prisoners turned into a complete humiliating failure,” General Kang commended the prince.“Of course.” Prince Taewon snorted lightly. “It had reached my ears that Jung Shik wasn’t able to capture the army doctor, so it would be rational to infer a surprise attack while the prisoners were on transport. It’s a shame though. I was looking forward to seeing that silver-haired healer.”“Shall I arrange a group of assassins to abduct the healer, Your Highness?”“No, there is no need,” the prince declined. “Now that my dear father, the Emperor, is in his deathbed, I must make my move to secure the throne from my older brother.” He placed the last chess piece several boxes from the King, smiling in amusement as his opponent had nowhere to run, trapped and awaiting its death. “General Kang.”The man’s posture straightened. “Yes, Your Highness?”“Inform the guards stationed at the entrance of the camp to alert me once someone not bearing our seal and color arrives.” Prince Taewon clasped his hands together, lips pressing against the bones of his fingers and dark eyes glinting in the night. “I will be expecting a visitor soon.”-TBC

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Chapter 25: Eastern Port
The journey to the Eastern Port was uneventful; a whole week’s worth of horseback and camping out in the woods, but Jimin was not in the least displeased by that. They were fortunate enough to not encounter the Royal Army or some bandits on their way, the peacefulness helping the soldiers a lot to recuperate more and ease the tension of throwing themselves again into the battlefield so soon after the mutiny.Yoongi took a total of two thousand men with him, together with all of his commanders, and as Jimin rode on his own white stallion for the first time, he observed how quiet and reserved the general was as he gripped Holly’s reins loosely in his hands. Jimin could see the faraway look in the man’s eyes, as if he was not looking at the pathway they were journeying on but rather staring right into space with his mind all muffled and in a blank slate.He was worried about him, especially when Yoongi opened up to him the night before their travel how anxious he was about it. Even if Yoongi didn’t show it, Jimin knew that he was still blaming himself for his subordinates’ deaths, not only for the mutiny itself but for taking the lives of Jung Shik’s men for treason.As they both sat in Yoongi’s balcony that night, Jimin let the man bury his face in his chest, arms going around Yoongi’s neck and cradling his head gently, letting the dark strands glide between his small fingers as he stroked his hair and murmured soft and consoling words against his temple. He heard the general let out content sighs, locking Jimin’s waist in an embrace that seemed to provide him some sort of stability and comfort as his turbulent emotions continued to torment him.At that moment, the general looked like a kid, a small child longing for someone he could turn to in this cruel world he was living in; to find an abode where he could hide and escape in even for just a while. Jimin’s heart ached when he felt the yearning and desperation in Yoongi’s embrace, saw the exhaustion and troubled look in his face that Jimin wanted nothing but to kiss all his worries away.And so he did. He showered Yoongi’s handsome face with light kisses, with gentle pecks here and there, each time making the general tighten his hold around Jimin as the air hitched in his throat, breaths stuttering ever so slightly.Jimin wanted to keep Yoongi from the world, to just cradle him like this forever and give him the everlasting love that he deserved.Ever since that night, even if they were out on a journey, Yoongi would seek for his company every night and keep himself close to Jimin. Yoongi would sometimes sit down behind him and hug him, resting his chin on Jimin’s shoulder and letting the latter play with his fingers in his lap as they both basked in their own comfortable silence in front of burning wood and dried leaves. And even though Yoongi’s tent was much bigger and more comfortable than the rest, the man would occasionally sneak out and slip inside Jimin’s cramped and cold one just to lie down next to him and wrap his arms around him.
“Are you having a nightmare?” Jimin asked, thumb stroking against Yoongi’s cheek as they both lay down on Jimin’s cold blanket, eyes staring lovingly and bodies flushed against each other.

Yoongi hummed.

“Do you want to tell me about it?”

He shook his head.

Jimin smiled softly and placed a kiss on Yoongi’s forehead, feeling the press of the man’s thumb against his hipbone as the action made both of their hearts flutter in their chest. “In your own time, Yoongi-yah…”

“I just want to sleep beside you,” Yoongi muttered, voice low and gentle that Jimin felt the flapping butterfly wings inside his stomach, “you take all my burdens away, Jimin-ah.”

Jimin hummed contently and pulled his lover towards him, waiting for Yoongi to close his eyes and submerge himself in his dreams whilst bathing in the heat of Jimin’s arms.

That night, Yoongi slept soundly–free of grotesque shadows and red painted walls.
Jimin sighed as he folded pieces of white cloths used in cleaning wounds, piling them up inside a wicker basket. They were now encamped in the forest a few miles away from the Eastern Port, by the side of a river to have easily accessible fresh water.Yoongi and his commanders, together with most of the army, travelled towards the port that morning, leaving Jimin, Taehyung and the other healers behind. There were thirty more army doctors and fifty assistant healers with them and somehow, Jimin felt a bit out of place as he saw himself like a small bud in a meadow of flowers–a student of the grand healer and an apprentice of the head of all army doctors in Daegu, his friend, Kim Taehyung. He was… worried that he would do something wrong, be a burden to them instead of being able to help them.Jimin felt something nuzzle the nape of his neck—one that was soft and moist. Instinctively, Jimin’s shoulder rose to shy away from the stimulus, but when he saw what it was, his lips immediately curved into a fond smile and he reached out to scratch the sensitive spot under the animal’s chin. “Ya, Tannie,” he cooed, “are you looking for someone to play with?”The dire wolf released a small, whiny sound and bumped his nose against Jimin’s hand. The silver-haired bit his bottom lip to suppress his widening smile. “I wish I could. But I have to finish my task first. Later, okay?”“What’s this?” Taehyung approached them with hands on his hips, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Jimin and Yeontan. “Does Tannie love you more now? I’m hurt, Jiminie.”Jimin snickered when the male wolf rested his head on his lap. “Well, Tannie says yes.”Taehyung tutted and folded his arms over his chest, huffing and feigning annoyance. “I hate you both.”Jimin giggled and stroked Yeontan’s fur near his left ear. “I’m glad you let him travel with us. I was worried when I lost sight of him during the night of the mutiny.”Sitting beside Jimin, the army doctor replied, “Yeontan may be a vicious creature in nature, something that can protect itself in times of danger, but we were still in the battlefield with soldiers wielding weapons. I couldn’t let him throw himself into a battle where no one could watch over him. Dire wolves exist in packs; a lone wolf has no stand against a brigade of angry men.”Taehyung’s gaze dropped on the wolf in Jimin’s lap, his gaze instantly melting at the sight of his beloved pet. “I always bring him with me when we travel. He helps me watch over the camp, and also, it is safer here for him.”Humming his agreement, Jimin rubbed his fingers against the wolf’s cheek and felt the vibration of Yeontan’s low purr on his thighs.“Are you worried about Yoongi-hyung?”He nodded. “It’s just… there will be soldiers from the Royal Army guarding the port, and it’s way too soon for him and the others to fight again. I’m–” he sighed “–I don’t know, Tae. I wish I could be there for them.”The army doctor’s eyebrows furrowed and he patted Jimin’s shoulder to console him. They didn’t say a word for a moment, just feeling each other’s presence and support, before Taehyung said, “Hey, do you know the province we are currently in?”“The Eastern Port?”Taehyung chuckled. “No, silly. That is the name of the port. I am asking about the name of the province.”Now that Jimin thought of it, no, he didn’t know. Whenever Yoongi and the others talked about the journey, they always referred to this place as the ‘Eastern Port’ so Jimin assumed that it must have been the name of the place. But considering Taehyung’s question and reaction, he was proven wrong of his assumption.“We are in Busan,” answered Taehyung.Jimin gasped audibly and felt his heart bang painful in his chest when he heard that familiar name, the one that sometimes haunted his dreams before ever since he learned about a bit of his past.
“My parents… they were killed by rebels when I was still a baby.”

Jimin heard Hoseok gasp in shock as Taehyung’s hand tightened around his. “Oh, Jiminie,” the archer expressed sympathetically, “we didn’t know. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. I know you’re not responsible for my parents’ death; it was a long time ago and I trust you that much. General Yoongi as well. But when I saw him throw that severed head in front of a large crowd to feast on, I couldn’t help but put a bit of the blame on him even if it was irrational of me. I began to think if those rebels who burnt down our village in Busan did the same thing to my parents before they charred them to ashes.” Busan.He was here in Busan, a former imperial province where his old village was burnt by Commander Jung Shik’s father, the Arson Rebel, during the historical Battle of the Han River.Where his father and mother died protecting him.Jimin’s hands in his lap shook as Yeontan’s head lifted up to gaze at him. The wolf was whining softly, bumping his nose against Jimin’s hand to soothe his tremors but seeming to be too powerful for him as Jimin clenched his fingers in attempt to keep them at bay. “Will it–” he swallowed the lump in his throat “–be possible for me to visit my old village?”At this, Taehyung’s shoulders sagged as a look of sympathy settled in his brown eyes. “I’m afraid not, Jiminie. Once Yoongi-hyung and the others come back with the plundered goods, we will immediately depart this place and travel back to Daegu. Besides, if your village was burnt more than twenty years ago, then I’m afraid that there is nothing left of it anymore.”His friend was right, and yet Jimin couldn’t let go of that small ray of hope in his heart that his parents managed to escape the fire. They could still be alive, living their lives somewhere far away from this place. But it was already twenty-three years since the incident and Jimin didn’t hear or see any sign of them. He knew they would be looking for him if they were still alive, for his mother was the one who gave him to the High Priestess when their village was burning down.No, they’re not, Jimin thought, it’s better to leave the past behind.

The Eastern Port of Busan
(credits: [x])
“Place the goods inside the wagons! Faster, lads!”Yoongi heard Namjoon shouting at the soldiers who were carrying sacks of rice, wheat and fermented meat towards the wagons. Pulling Holly’s reins, he cantered towards a warehouse where his men were currently confiscating hundreds of swords and throwing them inside wooden cases to keep the blades free from nicks during the journey back to Daegu.The number of soldiers stationed at the Eastern Port was considerably low, and somehow, Yoongi felt a niggling sensation at the back of his mind that this could be a trap; his instinct telling him that the supposed to be increase in the number of guards was deliberately neglected. Prince Taewon was far from foolish; Yoongi had known him ever since he was a little boy. Thus before coming up with their plan of attack, Yoongi had assumed that Prince Taewon might have already known his plan, that the cunning prince had already predicted his move and Yoongi was damn ready to meet his forces head-on. But why wouldn’t the prince prepare his men if he had already foreseen the battle? Why would he not spare a second to defend the port even if he knew–presumably–about Yoongi’s raid?“Hyung.” Jungkook pulled the reins of his black stallion beside Yoongi. “We need you down the docks. There are several merchant ships carrying smuggled goods.”“Have you checked their docking documents?”The bladesmith nodded. “They have papers without the Emperor’s seal. Probably forged ones.”Yoongi licked his bottom lip briefly before he said ‘okay’ and followed the younger towards the docks. There were dead bodies being dragged away, wearing armors embedded with the dragon’s crest—the emblem of the Royal Army. The skin on the bridge of Yoongi’s nose wrinkled slightly, thinking that no matter how long he had seen and smelled that hateful red liquid, he was still far from used to it. Countless of times, he had been covered with blood in the battlefield, both his own and his enemies’ but never had he felt joy in it; not when Yoongi was the cause of grief of sons and daughters and widows after he killed those men. No. Never.The docks were bustling with soldiers and merchants, with the former carrying crates after crates of contraband from vessel ships and with the latter pleading for their lives as Yoongi’s men manhandled them and tied them around wooden posts. Barrels of liquor rolled down the ramps as boxes filled with suspicious-looking white and gray powders were hauled by the soldiers and stacked inside the wagons. Taehyung would have to examine them later, but Yoongi was quite certain that the white powder was probably an illicit substance imported from their neighboring country–to be sold to the nobles in the capital for they were only the ones who could afford to acquire such expensive commodities.“Red General!” one of the merchants cried. “Please spare our lives!”“We are nothing but humble merchants!”“Please have mercy on us!”Yoongi wanted to scoff.“Be quiet, filthy smuggler!” Jungkook hissed at them. “Do not dare address General Min Yoongi by such a foul name.”“It is fine, Jungkook.” Yoongi raised his hand to ease his men when they pointed their swords near the merchants’ throats. “See that these smugglers are escorted back to our camp. They might know something that could be of use to us.”“Yes, general.” Jungkook bowed his head before cantering towards the prisoners.“Hyung.”Yoongi turned his head to the side.Hoseok pushed a man down forcefully to his knees, the latter’s skin marred with bruises and bathed in his own blood. “What do I do with this official?”Narrowing his eyes, Yoongi’s grip around the reins tightened. He knew this man from the capital, a prideful bastard and a loyal subordinate of the royal family. “General Son Myon,” he said with a smirk, “fancy seeing you here… down on your knees.”“Min Yoongi,” the man hissed through gritted, bloody teeth, “you fucking traitor–”Hoseok kicked him on his back, causing the man to groan in pain and his body to shove against the rough stone floor. “Watch your mouth in front of the general, you filthy scoundrel, or else I’m going to cut that sharp tongue of yours.”General Son Myon let out a contemptuous laughter, aiming to mock Hoseok’s threat and to offend Yoongi. When his bloodshot eyes locked firmly with Yoongi’s, he said with a rough voice, “The second prince will kill you, Min Yoongi. All of you. All of you fucking rebels will face your deaths soon–”The archmaster stomped a foot on his back, eyebrows furrowing and the corners of his mouth pulling down with a nasty frown. “You are the one who is going to die. Not us.”“Hoseok,” Yoongi commanded, “throw him inside the prison wagon. I will personally attend to him once we’re back in camp.”“Yes, hyung.” After bowing his head, Hoseok jerked his head to make the soldiers beside him haul the man to his feet and drag him away.Yoongi dismounted his horse and gave the reins to Hoseok. “I will be back. Take care of her for me.” After his friend nodded, Yoongi made his way towards one of the ships where Jin was currently on, waving his hand in the air and instructing the soldiers where to put the raided goods. “Hyung,” he called him.Jin stopped from his task when he heard Yoongi's voice, lips instantly curving up into a smile as he watched Yoongi’s approaching form. “Hey, do you need anything?”“No, I just want to ask something.”“What is it?” Jin raised an eyebrow curiously.“Uh–” Yoongi’s hand rubbed behind his neck, a slight warm flush blooming across his face that didn’t go unnoticed by the eldest’s eyes “–you started… training Jimin again, right?”“Yes. Why? Did I do something wrong?” Jin’s face visibly distorted with worry and Yoongi wanted to punch himself for making his friend feel that way.“No, hyung. You didn’t. I’m just–well–” he sighed “–I just want to ask if he is doing well with training.”Jin looked utterly confused for a moment, wondering why Yoongi would ask him about it instead of Jimin himself. “He is,” he answered, “why don’t you ask him?”Another sigh. “I can’t do that. I saw new bruises on his arms and if he notices that I’m worrying about him, then he would be upset. Jimin is too kind, hyung. He doesn’t want to trouble the people around him.”“Even if you really just want to hold him in your arms and praise him for his efforts?”Jin smirked when the pink shade in Yoongi’s cheeks went deeper. “Y-Yeah,” the general muttered, “I do.”The eldest snorted and smacked Yoongi’s arm in amusement, earning him a death glare from the other man. “You are adorable when you’re disgustingly besotted, Yoongi. I may or may not want to pinch your cheeks right now.”“If you still love your life, then don’t.” Yoongi huffed but Jin just brushed his threatening words off.“Commander Kim. General Min.” The soldier bowed his head in respect to the officials. “We found children locked up in the brig of the ship.”“What?” Jin’s eyes widened in shock and he didn’t waste another second before he sprinted towards the stairs leading down to the lowest level of the ship; Yoongi following him on his heels.The brig was made up of several cells with iron bars dug into the floorboards and ceiling, the pungent air smelling like piss and other wastes that Yoongi wasn’t keen on knowing. Jin slowly approached the hunched little figures bunched together in a cell, all shivering and looking terrified as their eyes landed on Jin and Yoongi. “Shh,” Jin hushed gently and knelt behind the bars, “are you kids alright?”The children, who appeared to be around the ages of seven to fourteen, didn’t respond and tried to make themselves even smaller, an action that caused an ache to lance through Jin’s chest that he visibly swallowed the forming lump in his throat. He could see himself in them, could see his terrible past when a smuggler tried to sell him for other men’s relief. It was horrifying, and he knew how scared these little children were at the moment.“We won’t hurt you,” he said as gently as he could when a young girl stared at him with tears in her eyes, “we are here to save you.”
When the bell near the entrance of the camp rang, Jimin gasped and hastily put the blankets down on the table to run towards the brigade of soldiers who were now entering the camp, their horses pulling nearly two hundred wagons of raided goods. Yoongi was mounted on his ride, sitting elegantly yet so intimidatingly that one couldn’t mistake him as the most powerful man in the army. Jimin’s heart jumped when Yoongi’s dark eyes landed on him, the latter instantly going down from the saddle and meeting Jimin in an embrace when the younger threw himself into his arms.Yoongi buried his nose and mouth into Jimin’s pale locks, inhaling his scent and planting a soft kiss afterwards on his left temple. “I’m back, Jimin-ah.”“Yes.” Jimin let out a relieved sigh. “Welcome back, Yoongi-yah.”He heard Taehyung shout something to the army doctors, his subordinates immediately sprinting towards the wagons designated for the wounded ones and because of that, Jimin’s attention shifted back to the task at hand. Though reluctantly, Jimin pulled himself away from his lover’s warmth. “I need to treat the wounded soldiers. I will see you later.”Yoongi hummed and kissed Jimin’s cheek which made the younger’s face flush beautifully. Pleased by the reaction, the general smirked teasingly. “I don’t want you touching cocks, Jimin-ah. Let Taehyung and the others do that.”Jimin gasped loudly and smacked the other in the chest. “Yoongi!” The general laughed and sprinted away before Jimin could throw a punch into his gut.Jimin’s face was still flushed when he walked back to the tents where less than fifty soldiers were being treated by the army doctors. It was a surprise to all of them, for Jimin and the others expected more casualties from this battle, but thank the gods, everything went well, and more of Jimin’s worries seemed to ebb away.“You did a great job in stopping the bleeding,” Taehyung commended the soldiers who brought their wounded comrade into the tents to be treated, laying him down on the makeshift bed.“He’s my brother, doctor-nim,” a young man said with worried eyes. “Please take care of him.”The young healer nodded and smiled at him reassuringly. “I will have to stitch some deep cuts in his arms and apply medicine on his wounds to prevent infection, but aside from a few bruises, I can assure you that he will be fine in no time.”The stiffness in the soldier’s shoulders went away and they visibly sagged as a relieved sigh fell down from his lips. “Thank you.”Jimin helped Taehyung throughout the procedure, sometimes even stitching some of the cuts himself as his friend encouraged him to do so. And after applying crushed herbs on the man’s wounds and rolling strips of cloth around his arms and body to hold the medicine, Jimin heard a shuffle of footfalls nearing the tent.The soldiers threw an unconscious, bloody man clad in heavy armor on one of the beds. “This bastard just tried to escape when we unloaded him from the prison wagon,” one of them explained to Taehyung, “the general is asking you to treat him, doctor-nim. He will speak to this scoundrel after you’ve bandaged all of his wounds.”The muscles in Taehyung’s jaws jumped. “I understand.”The man was undoubtedly an enemy, Jimin concluded, with that foreign armor with an embedded crest of a flying dragon on his breastplate. “I’ll get the washcloth,” he said and Taehyung thanked him for it.Bringing a bucket of fresh water and a few pieces of washcloth with him, Jimin knelt beside Taehyung as the young man and two of his assistants already took the armor off and started checking the man’s pulse and inspecting his injuries. “Breathing intact, a few broken ribs, a deep cut near the stomach–” Taehyung removed his hands from the man’s torso and placed it on his thigh “–an arrow wound in the right thigh. Ready the threads and needles.”The assistants bowed and hurriedly went away to get the materials. Jimin dipped the washcloth into the bucket of water and squeezed the excess liquid out before wiping the blood off on the right side of the man’s face. There was a purple lump on his right eye, keeping the lids tightly shut, and a swelling on his right cheek. His nose was bent, undoubtedly broken, and his lips were cracked as if he was punched repeatedly until he lost his consciousness.The man stirred but Jimin kept on wiping the blood and grime off his face. And when the man turned his head fully to Jimin’s direction, the silver-haired gasped in shock and the washcloth in his hand fell from his grip as he flinched away from the man as if he was burnt by a mere touch of him. “Jiminie?” Taehyung eyed him worriedly. “What’s the matter?”Jimin’s heart was beating loudly–painfully–inside his chest. His airway was steadily constricting as he remained staring at the injured man in front of him. No, it couldn’t be, Jimin thought as he shook his head, it must be a mistake.But he looked just like him, another part of him whispered, it is him.“Jiminie?” Taehyung placed a hand on his shoulder, unmindful of the smear of blood now staining his tunic. “You look pale. Are you alright?”“T-Tae…” Jimin’s breathing became shallower. He was suffocating, like a fish out of water and slowly dying. “N-No, it can’t be. He–he’s not…”“What? What is it? Who is he?” Taehyung asked, desperation palpable in his voice.“That man…” Jimin felt tears burning behind his eyes, ones that were too painful and full of hatred that Jimin’s chest ached horribly at the sight of that one familiar and sickening face.Jimin’s fingers curled on the dirt, hands clenching into tight fists as his bottom lip quivered with a foul and twisted emotion that seemed to engulf his whole being. “Tae,” Jimin breathed out, “he is the man I was talking to you and Hoseok-hyung about…” he turned his tearful gaze towards the young healer “…the man who
killed the High Priestess.”-TBC

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Chapter 26: Ashes
The night was crisp; it had been for a few weeks now and it wouldn’t be long before the first flakes of snow fell down on plains and mountaintops.Yoongi took off his cloak once inside the tent, throwing it unceremoniously on his bed before taking off the straps of his armor. It fell down on the carpet around his feet, soon followed by his tunic. Yoongi’s arms littered with tiny bumps as the hairs stood up when the cold bit on his skin. Walking towards the table, Yoongi dipped a washcloth into a basin filled with warm water and proceeded wiping the sweat and few splotches of dried blood off his body.His hand paused over his left pectoral when he saw the black mark that had been with him since birth: those two circles overlapping each other like a partial eclipse. It was the reason why he loathed the gods, why he stopped praying at such a young age, blaming them for the punishing pain inside his chest, for the cold treatment he’d had from his family, from his late father. He had always been an abomination for them even though it wasn’t Yoongi’s fault that the gods had condemned him with the Curse of the Solstice.And yet here Jimin was, offering his prayers to the gods for Yoongi, asking for their guidance and mercy upon them all. It wasn’t a secret when Jimin started building small cairns for him. No matter where they were, the silver-haired would always take his time to find rough stones to pile up and utter his prayers to. It wasn’t that Yoongi didn’t believe in the gods; he just wasn’t in the best of terms with them.“General Min.”Yoongi’s sharp eyes shifted on the soldier standing at the entrance of his tent. “What is it?”“Your messenger’s here.”“Bring him in,” Yoongi commanded before throwing the washcloth on the table and walking back on his bed, snatching the white tunic from the quilt cover and pulling it down on him.The curtains opened once again and there walked through a young man draped in gray cloak. He pulled the hood down his head and bowed to the general respectfully. “General Min.”“Have you delivered the necklace successfully?” Yoongi asked.The messenger looked conflicted for a moment, before he lowered his head in shame. “N-No, sir. It’s still with me.”Yoongi’s eyebrows furrowed and he tried not to be irritated by the young man’s lack of competence at his job. “It’s still with you?” He put his hands on his hips. “Why is that so? Hyesung, I sent you five days ago and now you’re telling me the parcel is still in your pocket? The temple’s not that far away from here.”“I-I’m sorry, General Min. I arrived at the temple successfully, but when I got there, everything is…” The messenger chewed on his lip nervously. “…Everything has been burned down.”Yoongi blinked in confusion. “What?” he asked with a disbelieving laugh. “Burned down? How…? Are you sure it was the Eiron you’ve been to?”“Yes, general. The tall white gate of the temple is still intact, but the temple itself was now in heaps of ashes.” Hyesung’s eyes fell down to his feet, his face twisting with grief and torment as if what he had seen had scarred him for life. “And there were… there were burnt bodies everywhere. Skulls and bones. I just… it was horrifying.”The news crippled Yoongi’s mind and heart and a part of his instinct told him that the young man in front of him was lying. He must be. There was just no way that what he was saying was true. The Eiron had been there for centuries. The High Priestess hadn’t told Yoongi anything–Yoongi’s breath caught in his throat. “The High Priestess,” Yoongi said, voice strained and eyes frantic, “where is she?”Hyesung swallowed thickly and grabbed something from the pouch fastened on his belt. He stepped forward and offered it to the general who took it with a slightly trembling hand. It was a piece of white cloth embroidered with gilded swirly patterns and Yoongi’s eyes widened further as the material struck him with a strong sense of familiarity.“I found a skeleton wearing a dress, General Min. Most of the bones and fabric were burned and covered with rubbles and ashes, but…” The messenger paused. “…It was her. I knew the High Priestess for years and I solemnly believe it was her.”A harsh breath came out of Yoongi’s mouth as he shut his eyes tightly. He could feel his airway constricting and his temples throbbing. No. That was… That couldn’t be.“Captain Kisun,” he called out loudly.A man dressed in his armor came in. But before he could pay his respects to Yoongi, the general said with a low voice, “Bring Park Jimin to me.” His hand curled tightly around the fabric. “Right now.”
Jimin was glad that the soldiers had taken General Son Myon from the tents after he and Taehyung treated and stitched up his wounds. He couldn’t stand to look at his face anymore, not when all he could feel was anger towards the man, but as a healer, he must do his job, no matter how vile the person was.He was applying salve on a soldier when Captain Kisun approached him with two of his men. “Park Jimin-ssi,” he said and Jimin looked up to meet his gaze, “General Min is requesting your presence right now in his tent.”“Oh.” Jimin went back to his work. Yoongi would surely understand. “Thank you. Please inform him that I’ll be heading there soon once I’m done.”“Park Jimin-ssi.” Captain Kisun took a slight step forward, hovering over Jimin with a slight frown on his face. “The general wants to see you now.”Jimin froze at the man’s commanding tone.“Jiminie?” Taehyung stood from where he was kneeling beside a wounded soldier, walking towards Jimin and standing beside him when he noticed the tension in the air. “What is this about, Captain Kisun?”“General Min ordered me to take Jimin-ssi to his tent.”“He didn’t go here by himself?”“No,” the captain answered, “pardon me. But I have to take Jimin-ssi right now. The general is waiting.”Taehyung glanced at the silver-haired worriedly, seeming to sense that there was something wrong going on. “I’ll be with you there shortly.”“I’ll be fine, Tae. It’s Yoongi. You don’t have to worry about me,” Jimin assured him with a smile, rubbing a hand over the other’s shoulder before following the captain’s tracks.The guards standing in front of Yoongi’s tent opened the curtains and let Jimin in. Yoongi’s tent was quite huge and comfortable, infinitely better than his own, that much he could say. He found his lover sitting on the edge of the bed, hunched over and head hanging low between his shoulders. Because of the somber atmosphere, Jimin’s heart ached a bit.“Yoongi-yah?” he called him as he approached and settled beside him. “Is there something wrong?”Yoongi didn’t answer but instead let his gaze remain on the ornament inside his hand. And when Jimin followed his gaze, his breath hitched inside his throat when he saw the High Priestess’s necklace on Yoongi’s palm, the silver chain wrapped loosely around his fingers and the crystal blue pendant glinting under the orange glow of the candles inside the tent.“Jimin-ah,” Yoongi spoke and Jimin observed the hoarseness and strain in his voice. “Are you keeping something from me?”“What?” Jimin’s heartbeat doubled.“I’ll only repeat it once.” The general’s hand clutched the necklace tightly as he threw a serious look at Jimin’s direction. “Are you keeping something from me?”Jimin was so taken aback by the question that his mouth opened and closed for a moment, words dying on his tongue as his mind turned into a huge jumbled mess. “Y-Yoongi-yah. I don’t know what you’re–”There was a harsh sound that came out of Yoongi’s mouth that it made Jimin flinch visibly. The general stood up abruptly as his face contorted with undeniable rage. “Why did you keep it from me, Jimin-ah?” Yoongi’s voice rose with every word. “Why the fuck did you keep the High Priestess’s death from me?!”Now that the truth was out, Jimin was at a loss for what to do. It wasn’t his intention to keep it from him. But Jimin should have told him sooner. It was his fault.“No, Yoongi. Listen–” Jimin stood up and gripped his lover’s tense shoulders. “–I didn’t keep it from you. I would have told you soon–”“When?” Yoongi’s voice sounded so hurt that Jimin’s heart squeezed painfully.“Soon,” he repeated. “It’s just… your condition got worse and I thought that it would be better to–”“What?” Yoongi laughed in disbelief, his dark eyes looking at Jimin as if it was the biggest jest he’d ever heard. “The High Priestess died and yet you were still thinking about my Curse? Of what I would feel?”Yoongi brushed his hands away, the younger appearing visibly hurt by his action. “The High Priestess was like a mother to me, Jimin-ah. How could you keep something like that from me?”Jimin bit his bottom lip, hard enough to sting and bring tears to his eyes. “I-I’m sorry, Yoongi-yah. Please–”“What’s happening here?”The tan skin between Namjoon’s eyebrows creased when he saw Yoongi’s mad expression and Jimin’s tears in his eyes. “Yoongi, what’s going on here?”“Stay out of this, Namjoon,” Yoongi spoke seriously before directing his gaze back to the silver-haired. “Tell me who killed the High Priestess.”The strategymaster’s eyes widened and the shock which engulfed his whole system was enough to render him frozen on his spot. Jimin averted his eyes from his lover but Yoongi just stepped closer to grasp his upper arm in a tight grip. “Tell. Me,” Yoongi growled dangerously.“N-No.” Jimin shook his head as he tried to pull his arm free.The general’s eyes twitched. “I’m ordering you to tell me, Park Jimin. Don’t test my patience.”The tears in the silver-haired’s eyes flowed down his face at that. His heart was squeezing so horribly inside his chest, making his breathing worse and his knees weak. The grip on his arm was so tight and strong that Jimin was certain it would leave a mark the following day.“Yoongi.” Namjoon tried to walk towards them. “You’re mad and not thinking properly–”“I said stay out of this!” Yoongi snarled at him that Namjoon’s footsteps died immediately.The general’s dark, wrathful eyes landed on Jimin’s face once again. “Tell me. Or I’ll kill Yongwon with my bare hands.”Jimin’s heart broke and a sob was ripped out of his mouth. He couldn’t believe that Yoongi just threatened him, that his most beloved man in this world had threatened to kill one of the most important people in his life. “How could you?” Jimin grabbed Yoongi’s hand around his arm, eyebrows furrowing as he cried, “How could you say that to me?!”“Hyung!”Taehyung hesitated at the entrance of the tent when Yoongi threw him a warning glare. “Please. Don’t hurt, Jiminie. You’ll regret this later–”“Stay out of this, Tae.” Jimin scowled at Yoongi as his heart was slowly poisoned with anger.“Don’t make this hard, Jimin-ah.” Yoongi bared his teeth briefly, trying his hardest to contain his outburst. “Tell me who killed the High Priestess and I’ll let you go.”“No,” Jimin spoke stubbornly as he matched the intensity of the general’s glare with his own. “Not until you listen to me–”Yoongi growled and tightened his grip around Jimin’s arm, making the younger utter a harsh cry.“It’s Son Myon!”Yoongi froze and his grip around the silver-haired faltered, gaze slowly turning towards the army doctor’s direction. “What?” he breathed.Taehyung had tears in his eyes, swallowing the lump in his throat before he said, “It’s General Son Myon, hyung. Please. Please. Just release Jiminie.”Jimin saw it all. How a blinding anger engulfed his lover’s eyes and ignited the flames of fury in them. He didn’t notice it when Yoongi pulled his arm away, because all he could see right now was Yoongi grabbing the Agust and walking with huge, purposeful steps.“Wait, Yoongi–” Namjoon tried to block his path but the general shoved him away forcefully, causing the strategymaster to stagger back and hit the ground.“Yoongi!” Jimin yelled after him as he sprinted out of the tent, eyes frantic and heart beating loudly in panic.“Take that scoundrel out!” Yoongi ordered his men who immediately obeyed his command, unlocking the prison wagon and dragging the wounded general out. The commotion was attracting attention from the other soldiers now and Jimin tried to push past them in a hurry.After the soldiers hurled the man to the ground, Yoongi stepped closer to him and asked, “Are you the one who burned Eiron?”“What’s happening?” Jin asked as Hoseok and Jungkook followed him to the source of the disturbance.Son Myon groaned in pain, feeling his stitches tear up when the soldiers threw him to the ground. Yoongi saw the flash of a smug smirk in the man’s face, no matter how small it was, and it was enough for his vision to darken and for him to raise his glaive and let the blade sink into the flesh of the man’s thigh.Son Myon screamed in pain, chest heaving with labored breaths as his vision began to blur. Yoongi kept the glaive firm in his hold before he crouched beside the prisoner, eyes dark with spite. “I’m only going to ask you once,” Yoongi threatened, voice quiet and deadly, “who ordered you to burn the temple?”“Yoongi,” Jimin muttered with a shaky breath, hand flying over his mouth to stifle his silent, pained cries.“Jiminie.” Taehyung settled beside him and caressed his cheek, face marring with concern. “Does your arm hurt?”It did, but Jimin just shook his head and Taehyung didn’t push the topic any further.When Son Myon didn’t reply, Yoongi twisted the glaive harshly and made him wail. Jimin wanted to cover his ears, didn’t want to hear a dying man’s screams, but he didn’t. For he was tired of being helpless; had enough of protecting himself from the cruel reality of the world he was living in.The prisoner spoke silently, barely above a whisper and Yoongi let out a huff of annoyance before he shouted, “Louder!”“Prince Taewon!” Son Myon yelled, tears springing into his eyes. “Prince Taewon was the one who ordered me to do it! Please! Please, I’m begging you. Please stop–”It felt as though Jimin’s heart stopped beating when Yoongi raised the Agust once again and let the blade bury deeply into the man’s chest again, and again, and again. Blood spurted from the cuts that Yoongi made, some of it spraying on his boots and trousers but the general couldn’t see or hear anything through his rage.“Hyung, stop!” Hoseok shouted at Yoongi, but didn’t dare to take a step closer to him. “He’s already dead!”Jimin’s eyes were wide and full of unshed tears when Yoongi stopped his assault, feeling the rise of bile to his throat when he saw the lifeless form of the man on the ground–bloody and butchered like an animal.Yoongi glared at his men whose backs straightened up at once. “Take all of this bastard’s men out of the wagons.”“Yes, general,” the soldiers answered in unison before dispersing to carry out his order.Namjoon was the one who gathered enough courage to approach Yoongi, his best friend. “Yoongi,” he began to say carefully, “Son Myon’s men, they–” he sighed “–they might be innocent. You don’t have to kill them too.”“Did you know about it?”The strategymaster’s teeth clenched tightly, hands curling into fists to his sides. “Yes,” he croaked out.The muscles in Yoongi’s jaws jumped as he threw a measuring gaze at his friends. “I take it I’m the only one who didn’t know a damn thing.”Jin, Jungkook, Hoseok and Taehyung all averted their eyes and bowed their heads in shame. And that was all the confirmation that Yoongi needed before a newfound hurt and feeling of betrayal seized his heart.“I was the one who told Jimin to not utter a single word about the High Priestess’s death near you because you were hurt that time, Yoongi. And you’re hurting still,” Namjoon explained, “It wasn’t our intention to deceive you or keep you from the truth. But if you want to blame someone for the pain you’re suffering from right now, then blame me.”Yoongi’s hold on the Agust trembled slightly as he shut his eyes and turned his head away. And when he opened his eyes again, he called for Captain Kisun and some of his men to state another command, “My commanders, Kim Taehyung and Park Jimin are not to step a foot out of their tents until dawn.” He looked Namjoon in the eye. “If they do, then tie them to the posts for two days. No food or water.”“Yes, general,” the captain replied and bowed his head.“Hyung…” Jungkook bit the inside of his cheek, eyes flashing with hurt and concern “…Please, you don’t have to do this.”It wasn’t about Yoongi’s order to keep them locked in their tents. No. Jimin knew that as much. It was about Yoongi killing those potentially innocent soldiers who had never been a part of Eiron’s tragedy, about him protecting his friends from the unpleasant sight of the brutal murder he was about to commit.“You don’t get to tell me what to do, Commander Jeon,” Yoongi hissed and the lack of familiarity with the way he addressed Jungkook was enough to establish his authority and to shut the youngest up.Jimin yearned so much to touch Yoongi, to help him ease the pain in his chest because no matter how imposing and enraged his lover looked like now, he was the one who was hurting the most. He tried, hand reaching slowly for Yoongi’s arm when he walked in front of him.However, the general said, “Don’t touch me.” He looked at Jimin in the eye and there was nothing but hurt and rage and hidden regret in his dark orbs. “I don’t want to see you right now.”Jimin couldn’t do anything but pull his hand back as he watched the love of his life walk farther and farther away from him, with tensed shoulders and a broken heart. Letting out a shuddering breath, Jimin felt the dull pain inside his chest carve its way a little deeper.
The smell of burnt wood and human flesh was thick in the camp. The aftermath of Yoongi’s wrath kept everyone silent, not even a single utterance of what happened the night prior or the morning after. Everyone had their mouth shut, mindful to not fuel the general’s rage any further with careless words and cautious enough for the sake of their own lives.Jungkook’s nose crinkled at the awful smell before making his way towards the entrance of the camp, checking up on the soldiers stationed there as it was his duty to know if someone had breached their defenses. He didn’t blame Yoongi for what he did; he understood the older’s pain. He was just… disappointed at himself because he couldn’t stop Yoongi from doing what he did.“Good morning, Commander Jeon,” one of the soldiers greeted him as the others bowed respectfully.“Good morning.” Jungkook looked around the line of trees. “Anything unusual?”“No, sir.”The bladesmith hummed and lingered for a while longer before he decided to go to Namjoon and ask about Yoongi. He was worried for him, had been since he was locked up inside his tent for the whole night, wondering what the hell happened or how his hyung was.Jungkook was already on his way back when he heard the sound of hooves cantering towards the entrance of the camp. “Halt!” a soldier said.Glancing over his shoulder to look at the newcomers, Jungkook watched as two hooded figures talked with his subordinates. The smaller one, mounted on the frontmost part of the saddle, lifted their head and connected their eyes with Jungkook.There was a split second of recognition flashing in Jungkook’s eyes before he was briskly sprinting towards the entrance, heart thudding loudly inside his chest as the hooded figure–a teenage girl–dismounted the stallion and threw herself inside Jungkook’s arms.“What are you doing here?” he whispered to her ear.The girl’s tearful gaze met his and she instantly smiled when Jungkook stroked her brown locks with his fingers. “I’ve missed you so much.”“I’ve missed you, too, Sooyang.”Sooyang sniffled and wiped the tears on her right cheek. “The Emperor is dead.”Jungkook’s breath died in his throat.“The crown prince ascended the throne, but the whole palace remained restless after the Emperor’s death. There were hearsays about the great houses revolting against the Crown and wanting for the crown prince to step down and have Prince Taewon take the throne instead.” Sooyang swallowed thickly. “The crown prince ordered to kill the other princes and princesses to protect the throne and I… I had to escape.”Before Jungkook could say a word, he heard someone say, “Jungkook?”The pair turned their heads towards the archmaster, who pulled his eyebrows together in bewilderment. “What’s going on here?”“Hyung,” Jungkook said and glanced at the girl once, “this is Princess Sooyang.”“Princess…?” Hoseok’s eyes widened as his jaw fell slack in utter surprise. “You mean, Princess Sooyang of the Choi clan?”
The bladesmith nodded. “I need to speak with Yoongi-hyung.”“I’m afraid you can’t approach the general at the moment. He’s been… inside his tent since last night and his guards never let anyone in.” Hoseok sighed and rubbed a hand behind his neck. “But Namjoon’s in his tent though. I’ll walk you to him.”The archmaster bowed respectfully to the girl. “Well met, Princess Sooyang.”“Well met,” she uttered with a smile. “And what shall I call you?”“I’m Jung Hoseok, my princess.”“Hoseok-ssi.” The princess grabbed her skirt and bent her knees elegantly. “Thank you for taking good care of my brother.”Hoseok glanced at their youngest, eyes softening instantly, before he grinned brightly at the girl. “It is my honor, my princess. Prince Jungkook has been nothing less than a brother to me ever since the day I met him.”-TBC

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Bangtan Army's camp in Busan, a few miles away from the Eastern Port.[Full credits to the artist/s: x x x]

Chapter 27: You Mend and Break Me
Jimin watched as Taehyung put a small amount of white powder on his palm, feeling its texture and consistency. He smelled and darted the tip of his tongue out to taste it, face instantly twisting into a grimace as he spat out the substance.“I think this is a narcotic–the one imported from China,” he stated, “if it’s from a smuggler’s vessel, then it’s most probably intended to be sold in the black market.”Nodding his head once, Jimin asked, “What about the gray powder?”“It’s fire powder.”“What is that?”“It’s used for fireworks. Made up of charcoal, saltpeter and sulfur,” Taehyung explained as he closed and tightened the lid of the wooden box. “However, in books that I read before, some countries use it for their weaponry. ‘Firearms’ as they call it.”Taehyung sighed. “It’s fortunate that the soldiers kept it inside this tent. It’s best not to let any source of light or heat near it.”“You mean it can blow up the whole camp?” Jimin asked anxiously.The army doctor huffed out a laugh through his nose. “No, not really. But it can cause fire. I’ll have to ask Namjoon-hyung to relocate it outside the camp for safety reasons.”Jimin nodded and didn’t speak a word after that.Going outside the tent, the army doctor asked with furrowed eyebrows, “Jiminie. Are you not feeling well?”There wasn’t a point in denying how miserable he felt right now, hence Jimin just bobbed his head slightly before letting his gaze fall to his feet. “I’m worried about Yoongi, Tae. I haven’t seen him leave his tent and I…” He sighed. “…I just want to let him know that I’ll always be here for him.”Taehyung smiled faintly and rubbed a consoling hand up and down Jimin’s upper arm. “I’ve known Yoongi-hyung for years and believe me when I say that he’s probably berating himself now for hurting you last night. For treating us that way and letting his mind be muddled with rage and hurt. Let him be alone for now. He needs time on his own.”Even though every part of him wanted to go to where Yoongi was, Jimin couldn’t help but nod and let his friend guide him towards the healing tents. On their way back, both of them caught Jungkook and Hoseok, together with two strangers dressed in hooded cloaks, walking towards Namjoon’s tent.Halting at once, Jimin’s forehead creased in confusion. “Who are they?”Taehyung didn’t respond as his gaze followed them for a while. “I don’t know.” The girl, who looked like to be in her teenage years, walking beside Jungkook placed a hand on his arm. The bladesmith gave her a reassuring look and smiled, fondness evident with the way his whole face softened and lit up.Taehyung felt a crippling sense of jealousy at the intimate display of affection. It wasn’t like Jungkook to be this close to a woman; his lover was quiet and shy in nature, more so around people with bosom and slit between their legs. He didn’t want to pry, but it bothered him still.Treading to Namjoon’s tent with Jimin following behind him, Taehyung hesitated outside the drawn curtains and said, “Jungkook-ah.”His lover’s eyes shifted to him, a smile forming on his lips as he beckoned for him to come closer. Namjoon and Jin were standing together behind the map table, perhaps discussing about something before Hoseok and Jungkook interrupted them. Once settled beside the bladesmith, Taehyung’s gaze landed on the petite figure of the girl in front of him. She was beautiful–flawless skin, brown eyes and dark tresses. It made Taehyung’s gut churn painfully.“Taehyung-ah,” Jungkook began, “this is Sooyang.”Taehyung froze when the name fell from his lover’s lips. “Sooyang?” he asked, surprised, “You mean, Princess Sooyang? Your sister?”The bladesmith smiled and nodded.Sooyang gripped her dress and bent her knees gracefully. “Well met, Taehyung-ssi. By the way you and my brother address each other, I assume you two are lovers?”Heat pooled in Taehyung’s cheeks before he nodded his head in affirmation, slow and bashful that it caused a chuckle to bubble inside Jungkook’s throat. He bowed his head. “Well met, Princess Sooyang.”The princess beamed at him. “Thank you for loving my brother. I owe you so much for it.”Feeling embarrassed at being the center of attention, Taehyung bowed his head again to the royalty. “I-I am the one who should thank Jungkook-ah. But I’m grateful to your kindhearted words, my princess.”The corners of the bladesmith’s mouth pulled up even more as he interlaced their fingers together. The princess chuckled behind a dainty hand when Taehyung’s face reddened further.“What?”All of their heads turned towards Jimin’s direction. He looked shocked, as if he had seen a spirit lurking around. “Jungkook. He’s–” He swallowed visibly. “He is a prince?”“My apologies, hyung.” Jungkook rubbed a hand behind his neck. “I haven’t gotten the chance to tell you. The others have known for years, because I’m not exactly hiding my identity. It’s just… I don’t really talk about my past. But it’s all true…”The bladesmith straightened his back and held his gaze firmly. “I am Prince Jungkook of the Jeon clan, the third prince and son of Emperor Gwangjae.”Now it all made sense. Why Jungkook had this air of slight reserve and elegance with him despite working in the foundry. Just like how Yoongi and Namjoon carried themselves. Jungkook was a noble too. No, more than that. A royalty. And somehow, the situation was far too surreal for Jimin’s poor brain to catch up.“Then why are you here?” he asked. “Why are you fighting your father?”Jungkook’s eyes cast down briefly, thinking that he owed at least this much explanation to his friend. “I was born under Janghwan–the ‘star of fortune’ as they call it–that was why the Emperor believed that I would bring prosperity to his realm. He kept me in the palace because of that, treated me like a damn charm that chases evil spirits away. My mother was a royal concubine and the Empress Consort, the mother of the crown prince and Prince Taewon, was far from fond of her. My older brothers’ jealousy grew stronger each day because I had the Emperor’s favor, seeing me as a great threat to the throne. But I never wanted it. When my mother passed away from an illness when I was much younger, Namjoon-hyung and Yoongi-hyung took care of me. The Emperor gave me gifts to appease my sorrow as if fucking gold could ever mend it. Words about the third prince taking the throne spread like wildfire and the Empress Consort and the princes made sure to chase me out of the palace because of it.”The bladesmith shifted his weight. “I was sent away to the foundry under the pretense of learning about the country’s armaments. There I met the head smith, Myungsoo, who was also my mentor. He taught me how to forge swords and fight with it. He was outstanding and I was confused as to how a mere blacksmith acquired such tremendous battle skills that could be compared to a veteran knight. Then the Ilsan Revolution happened and the palace was in an uproar to find other traitors lurking within its walls.”Chewing on his bottom lip briefly, he frowned. “They found out that Myungsoo-ssi was a spy from the North.”“What?” Jimin gasped in shock. From the North? Those vast, dry lands where most rebels from the historical Battle of the Han River escaped to?Jungkook nodded stiffly. “The princes took that opportunity to slander me, accusing me of conspiring with a Northerner spy. They never caught him so the Emperor was furious. He threw me in a dungeon and condemned me to death together with the captured slaves for the same accusation–treason.”Taehyung squeezed Jungkook’s hand, offering his silent support to which the youngest was so grateful for. “The night before the execution,” he smiled, “Yoongi-hyung came back to save me.”Jungkook’s bloodshot eyes were wide and unbelieving. After weeks of being locked up in a gloomy and old dungeon, of being deprived of proper food, he came to the point where he began to question his sanity. Was the man in front of him, crouching behind those bars keeping Jungkook in, real? He couldn’t be. He already ran away. Why would he even come back?
“Jungkook.” Yoongi’s black orbs glimmered, a scowl darkening his features as he whispered, “What have they done to you?”

Swallowing to wet his parched throat, Jungkook coughed and doubled over, feeling a bit of his strength slip away every passing minute. “H-Hyung?” he muttered hoarsely. It hurt to even speak. He just wanted to close his eyes, rest, and never open them again.

“I’ve come to save you.” Yoongi’s hands were smeared with red, the Agust held firmly by his right. “Namjoon and my men are letting the slaves escape. We will meet them in the sewers.”
“No. We can’t escape,” Jungkook croaked out. “Just… let me die, hyung.” He was just so tired. Tired of who he was, of being a prince, of being caged in a life which he didn’t want for himself.
“You know I can’t do that.”

“If I die, everything will fall back into place. You and Namjoon-hyung won’t be hurt and I…” Jungkook felt tears stinging the back of his eyes. “…I will finally see my mother. I miss her so, so much, hyung.”

Yoongi’s scowl softened as he offered his sympathy to the younger. “Everything won’t be over when you die, Jungkook,” he said, “The Emperor will still kill innocent people; the princes will continue to fight over the throne, and Namjoon and I will still be hurt. We will bleed for a long time, Jungkook, but we will never regret a single drop of blood.”

Yoongi stretched an arm between the bars, uttering “Come here” to Jungkook and the latter didn’t hesitate even a second before he dragged his shackled self to where the man was. Yoongi’s warm hand reached for him, smearing blood all over his cheek as the older caressed his face tenderly. “You’re like a brother to me, Jungkook,” he spoke softly, “Come. Come and fight with me.”
There was tense silence hanging above their heads after Jungkook told his tale, thick enough to be cut by a small blade. Jimin’s chest felt heavy, as if carrying Jungkook’s burden with him. “I’m sorry,” he offered and made the youngest smile.“I’m the daughter of a royal concubine as well and the seventh daughter of the Emperor. My handmaiden, Mae Hee,” Sooyang gestured to the woman behind her, who bowed politely in return, “and I escaped from the palace when the crown prince ordered the Royal Army to murder our brothers and sisters to protect the throne. My mother begged me to run away and find Jungkook-orabeonim even if I didn’t want to leave her behind. We travelled for weeks and words about the Bangtan Army riding to the Eastern Port reached my ear. So I let fate guide me to all of you.”Namjoon nodded and asked, “How about the second prince? Where is he now?”“Prince Taewon has never been in the palace ever since our eldest brother’s coronation. He must still be in hiding and planning to take over the throne.”“He has always been a greedy bastard.” Jin scowled and crossed his arms over his chest. “He will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants.”Another silence set in before Hoseok said, “We should tell Yoongi-hyung about Princess Sooyang and the Emperor’s death.”At that, Namjoon sighed deeply and massaged the spot between his eyebrows with his thumb and forefinger. “I can’t speak with him at the moment. Let’s wait for a few days until he feels ready to leave the tent. For the meantime, let’s have everything ready for our journey back to Daegu.”Everyone nodded except Jimin. He couldn’t settle with the idea that no one could talk to Yoongi; that no one would even dare to fight the soldiers guarding his tent because he would. He fucking would.“I’m going to talk to him tonight.”“You can’t, hyung.” Jungkook stared at him worriedly. “Yoongi-hyung gave an order and there are guards–”“I’m going to fight my way through. No one can stop me.”The resolve in his eyes was solid that his friends looked visibly shaken for quite a while. “What?” Taehyung gripped him by the shoulders. “Don’t be reckless, Jiminie.”“Yoongi is our brother, but he has the title of a general,” Namjoon reminded him. “If we don’t respect and obey his orders, then this army is doomed to collapse.”Jimin knew about Yoongi’s position and the play of rankings in the army. If Yoongi’s subordinates wouldn’t listen to him, wouldn’t recognize his authority, then there was no point of leading them at all.“Yoongi needs someone, not as a general of a huge army but as Yoongi,” Jimin insisted, swallowing the bile rising up his throat. “I can’t let the love of my life drown in sorrow alone. Not when I’m here and can share the pain with him.”His words rendered every living soul in the tent speechless. Those were brave words coming from someone like him. Someone who didn’t have any experience in the battlefield. Someone who grew up in a peaceful world.His friends shared sympathetic glances first before Jin sighed. “Okay,” he said, “I will help you.”
There were four men lined facing each other in front of Yoongi’s tent. The clouds that night were thick, obscuring the moon and stars and casting swirling shadows down the camp–the flames of torches and candles not enough to illuminate every corner.When everyone was asleep and the patrolling guards were meters away from Yoongi’s tent, Jin blended in the shadows and took four darts out of the steel pocket of his belt bag, careful enough to not let them prick him by accident. They were soaked in a sedative which Taehyung prepared for him and admittedly, they were one of Jin’s favorite weapons to use.When one of the soldiers yawned, he took it as an opening to launch the attack. Jin threw the darts with dexterity, the small weapons slicing through the air and hitting the soldiers’ necks in an instant. When all of them fell to the ground, Jin smirked smugly and glanced behind him to bask in Jimin’s astonished expression. He jerked his head to the tent, signaling for the younger to proceed.It didn’t take a moment before Jimin was already sprinting towards his lover’s tent.
Heart in his throat, Jimin drew the curtains open.His lover was there, seated behind and hunched over a table with a goblet in hand. The half empty glass jar of liquor was in front of him, accompanying Yoongi as his eyes remained staring into space. Jimin’s chest tightened when he took a step inside, the small stones crushing beneath the soles of his boots, and Yoongi didn’t even flinch.“Yoongi?” he spoke quietly as he approached him.When Yoongi’s face, illuminated by a burning candle, came into view, Jimin’s heart sank. Yoongi’s eyes were puffy and bloodshot as dried tears stained his cheeks. He didn’t even register Jimin’s proximity when he went behind him and embraced his neck, face burrowing into soft, dark locks which Jimin loved so much. “Yoongi,” he muttered as he felt tears burning in his throat, “Yoongi-yah…”“You shouldn’t be here.” Yoongi’s voice was hoarse, as if he cried for days and just learning how to speak again.Jimin shook his head. “No. I want to be here. I–” And then he smelled it. Jimin wasn’t fond of alcohol, but he knew that one certain smell which he couldn’t mistaken for anything else. It smelled like strong fermented fruit, one which was known for its very high alcohol content and for killing men who had ingested more than what was necessary.“Y-Yoongi, no.” Jimin immediately took the globlet in his lover’s hand, who seemed too tired to even fight back. “Have you drunk half of the jar?” Worry began creeping inside Jimin’s chest and the thought of Yoongi dying because of a goddamn liquor clouded his mind. “You have to… You have to puke everything out. Please.”“I’m fine.”Maybe he was, because he could still talk despite the amount he had drunk. But still, Jimin worried for him. “Why are you drinking devil’s sprout, Yoongi-yah? It’s bad for you.”Yoongi didn’t respond, still looking dazed and lost. Jimin sighed and knelt beside him, placing a hand over the general’s thigh as he gazed up in concern. “Please talk to me. Please.”A flicker of emotion flashed across Yoongi’s eyes when Jimin pleaded for him to talk. His mouth opened and closed for a while, tongue burning with unspoken words, before he finally said, “I don’t deserve you after everything I’ve done. After I hurt you. You of all people. You, who loves me unconditionally.” Yoongi swallowed. “And I hurt them–my friends. I can never look them in the eye again.”“Yoongi-yah.” Jimin squeezed his thigh lightly. "We forgive you."For the first time since entering the tent, Jimin saw Yoongi’s head turn to look at him. “How can you be so forgiving when I’ve done nothing but hurt you?” the general said breathily, voice shaking.Jimin caught his bottom lip between his teeth before saying, “I’m not a delicate thing, Yoongi-yah. I may not be as strong as you, or Jungkook, or the others, but I’m still a man. I won’t break easily.” He kept his gaze unwavering and hopeful. "You are a good man for realizing your mistake. Don’t let the pain drown you, or your wrath consume you.”Yoongi breathed out a trembling breath. “I can never be at peace knowing that Prince Taewon is still alive. He will continue taking precious people in my life away from me. Take you away from me. And I’m scared, Jimin-ah. I can’t let that happen. I can’t let him–”Jimin gasped loudly when Yoongi doubled over, his forehead smacking against the table that the goblet and the glass jar clattered. “Yoongi? What happened?” Jimin hastily stood up to take Yoongi’s face in his hands.The general was grimacing in pain, teeth clenched and hands clutching at his chest as if… as if…Eyes widening in horror, Jimin took off the lace of Yoongi’s tunic and pulled the fabric down his left shoulder. He could feel his heart hammering in his ears as he stared at the dark veins emanating from the Curse mark on Yoongi’s left pectoral, curling like roots over the chest and side of his neck. There was a weak pulsating glow in them, hot like molten lava, burning Yoongi to his death.“Oh gods…” Jimin shuddered. “T-The… The vial. I have to–”“No,” Yoongi croaked out, shaking his head, the muscles and veins in his neck straining. “No.”“Yoongi-yah, please,” Jimin pleaded, feeling the tears accumulate in his eyes, “You have to drink the medicine or it will hurt you so much.”“I h-have to feel it.” Yoongi breathed deeply and closed his eyes, trying to stay calm. “I want to. All the shit I’ve done. All the lives I’ve taken. I… I have… to feel it. Feel their agony. I should have… been there to protect the High Priestess. S-Should have been there to save her.”Jimin leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Yoongi’s neck, sobbing and curling his fingers on his lover’s back. “Yoongi-yah…. Please, don’t do this. You don’t have to suffer. I can’t let you punish yourself this way. Please, Yoongi-yah…” His closed eyes tightened as he felt the painful tug in his heart. “…Let me in. Let me take care of you.”It wasn’t until a full minute later that Yoongi nodded weakly in his arms. Jimin let out a trembling exhale before he pulled away and grabbed the full vial inside the small pouch strapped on Yoongi’s belt. Pulling the lid of the vial open, the silver-haired knelt and tilted Yoongi’s chin gently to let the liquid slide down his throat. It took a while before the effects of the medicine overwhelmed Yoongi’s senses and fought off the dark veins coming from the Curse mark. But when it did, the general visibly calmed down as Jimin continued to stroke his face with his hands.“Are you feeling well now?”Yoongi nodded stiffly.Letting out a faint smile, Jimin said, “You have to rest, Yoongi-yah.”Yoongi refused, “No. I… I want to talk to you.”When Jimin nodded in understanding, the general said, “The High Priestess was like a mother to me. She loved me dearly even though there was no reason to. She took care of me, treated me like a son, given me the love which I craved from my own mother ever since I was born.” He closed his eyes. “I am so mad at myself, Jimin-ah. She’s very important to me and yet I wasn’t there to protect her. She was killed so brutally and I… I couldn’t do anything to save her from that fate.”Yoongi told Jimin about the tragedy of the temple; how it was burned down by Prince Taewon’s men; how the priestesses and everyone in the temple were now lying in heaps of ashes in the midst of the lush forest. Jimin was quiet as he did so, feeling the ache and longing in his chest weigh down a little more.His lover waited for him, not uttering a single word if Jimin didn’t want him to. After what seemed to be like an eternity, the silver-haired spoke, “When the High Priestess got stabbed in front of me, the fear that I felt that time was so real that I thought it would kill me. I left the temple and abandoned the people I cherish and the home where I grew up in. The thought that I lost everything in my life was devastating, and it was the first time that I felt the twisted, evil fangs of anger surging through my veins. It wasn’t in the least pleasant; it was like a wildfire engulfing me whole and I don’t want to feel that ever again.”Locking their gazes together, Jimin continued, “The High Priestess is important to me as well. I never knew who my parents were; they died when I was still a babe. She took me in and raised me. She was the only one who was as close to a mother that I’d ever have.” Jimin ran a hand over Yoongi’s fringe, pushing the dark locks away as he stared at his lover’s pale, beautiful face. “You’re not the only one who’s hurting, Yoongi-yah. I am too. So please, don’t let the pain consume you. Share it with me.”Yoongi’s face crumpled with an emotion that broke Jimin’s heart. Silent tears fell from his dark eyes as he spoke quietly, “It still hurts, Jimin-ah.” He put a large palm over his left chest, fingers shaking slightly. “Right here. Please help me. Please make the pain go away.”Yoongi wasn’t talking about the Curse anymore. It was the crippling pain that was burrowing deeply into his heart; his sorrow and grief which seemed to weaken him and knock him down to his knees.He held Jimin’s hand in his, fingers wrapping tightly around it like it was the only support keeping him from falling down to the ground, the one hindering him from tumbling further down into a dark abyss of hopelessness and misery.“Shh.” The silver-haired hushed him gently, other hand stroking his lover’s mournful face and thumbing the tears falling down his right cheek. It was the first time that he saw Yoongi cry, the first time that the man really opened up to him. About what he was actually feeling without any barriers and pretenses.Yoongi was laying his heart bare and open for Jimin.“Yoongi-yah… My love…” Jimin nuzzled Yoongi’s wet cheek, who inhaled sharply in return. “…I love you, and I promise to take care of you.”There was a small whine that erupted from Yoongi’s throat. It was the first time that Jimin told him those words, and it surprised him how easily they left his mouth and how right they felt. Like the words were meant to be spoken to Yoongi and Yoongi only.“Jimin-ah…” Yoongi placed a hand behind Jimin’s neck and pressed their foreheads together. “…You have the sun in your fingertips–lighting up the darkest parts of me. I love you so much, my sun. You are everything to me and I’m sorry for hurting you. For failing to see that you’re suffering too.”The breath inside Jimin’s lungs was punched out of him when Yoongi confessed his love; when he uttered those endearing words which made Jimin’s heart soar and the wings in his stomach flutter. His love for Yoongi was overflowing, as vast and endless as the sea stretching far into the horizon. And when he brought their lips together, tasting Yoongi’s pain and love, the corners of Jimin’s eyes moistened with tears. The fire of their passion ceased a little when they parted, lips red and glistening, numb and tingling. Aching for more.“You mend and break me, Yoongi-yah.” Jimin let the tips of their noses touch, lips ghosting over Yoongi’s. “You are the only one who can do that.”One word from Yoongi could make Jimin feel loved, but another word could make his heart shatter into million pieces. That was how big Yoongi’s impact was on him. How terrifyingly in love he was with the other man.“You mend and break me, too, Jimin-ah.” Yoongi caressed the sensitive spot on Jimin’s throat with his thumb, earning him a small whine from the younger. “You are the love of my life.”-TBC

Art by @jamxart on twitter

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 28: Little Black Birds
Namjoon placed five wooden Bangtan symbols on the map, all surrounding the inked drawing of the imperial palace. It had been two days since Jimin managed to haul Yoongi out of his tent–he owed the younger a lot for that. He had talked to Yoongi about Princess Sooyang; the man even greeted her himself.At first, Yoongi looked so hesitant to approach them, but it was Taehyung who first wrapped his arms around the general and proceeded to lecture him about ‘having friends’ and ‘learning to rely’ on them. They all embraced him–each other–after that, like a big ball of linked arms and thrown back heads, laughing, teasing... forgiving.The flame of the candle stood steadily in the cool night air of his tent, still and glowing, casting light on the map laid in front of him. He slumped against the chair, arms placing on the armrests and head tilting backwards as he closed his eyes, heaving out a breath of exhaustion.He heard the curtains of the tent drawing open and the slight cracking sound of stones being crushed underneath a heavy pair of boots. Even if Namjoon’s eyes were shut, he knew who he was by the sound of his approach. It must have been because of the bond they shared, for constantly seeking each other’s presence and getting used to it like breathing.“Why are you still up?” he asked. “It’s past midnight, Jin-ah.”The sound of footsteps halted for a moment, as if surprised that Namjoon guessed who the visitor was, before the sound picked up once again, this time, louder and closer. “I’m not really sleepy.” Familiar arms wrapped around his neck and Namjoon sighed, letting his head fall on his lover’s shoulder behind him.“Why are you here then?”Jin chuckled lightly. Voice silent and gruff, he replied, “Is it bad to want to see my lover?”Moments like this where Jin was craving for his love and attention, playful and tender, never failed to make Namjoon feel flustered and warm inside. “No,” he whispered, “You know I always love to have you by my side.”Pleased, Jin dipped his head down and kissed Namjoon on the cheek. “I see that you’re up so late planning for something, huh, our dear strategymaster?”A grin slowly formed on Namjoon’s mouth. “Well, planning is my job after all.”“But you look tired.” Jin pursed his lips slightly in disapproval. “You should learn how to take care of yourself, Joon-ah. If it weren’t for me, you would have still looked like an oaf.”“Ya,” Namjoon complained, “I have never looked like an oaf.”Jin snorted. “The first time I met you, you had chicken grease all over your chin.”Grimacing because of that embarrassing memory, Namjoon huffed and said, “You are not going to let me live that one down, are you?”“No.” Jin smirked, finding amusement from his lover’s misery. Eyes snapping towards the wooden figures on the map, Jin’s eyebrows furrowed when he noticed that it was probably the first time that he saw the Bangtan symbols so far away from Daegu. “What plan are you devising?”“It’s been years since we started this war and after replenishing our supplies, having eight thousand men cut off from our army and Daegu’s location revealed to the Royal Army...” The corners of Namjoon’s lips tightened as the candlelight danced in his eyes. “...I think it’s time for us to attack.”A small gasp came out of Jin’s mouth and he pulled his arms from the strategymaster’s neck. There were a few moments of silence as Jin stepped closer to the table, fingertips brushing the rough surface of the map, over the illustration of the imperial palace in Seoul–miles and miles away from Daegu. “Are you certain?” he finally asked.“Not yet.” Namjoon leaned his elbows on the table and pressed his palms together, lips touching his hands as he pondered. “I still have to ask for Yoongi’s permission and consult the plan to all of you.”“It will be a big leap, Joon-ah. Thousands of lives will be at stake. Once we take a step forward, there is no turning back.”“I know.” He sighed.“How do you plan on doing it?”Namjoon pointed to the Bangtan symbols surrounding the palace. “We will lay siege around the palace once we breach the high walls. There are secret passages and the only problem I can see now is the acquisition of the blueprints of the palace.”“Blueprints?” Jin asked in confusion. “How do you know about them?”“My late father was the Head Minister; he had access to all the books and scrolls in the Imperial Library. Even the ones in the restricted area. I’ve been there once. And that is where they keep the blueprints.”Jin remained quiet for a moment before saying, “How do you plan on getting them?”“I’ll send some spies to the palace.”“And if they fail?”Namjoon held his lover’s gaze, finding nothing but curiosity and concern in his eyes. “I’ll go get them myself.”A heavy sigh escaped from the older’s lips as he massaged a throbbing spot above his left eyebrow. “Namjoon-ah, don’t be ridiculous.”“I’m not trying to be one.” The strategymaster frowned, seriousness all over his face.“I won’t let you...” Jin gave him a levelled gaze. “...Even if I have to wrestle you to the ground and tie you up.”Namjoon groaned in frustration. “I am the only one who knows where to find them–”“You have a mouth.” Jin glared at him. “Use it to instruct your men.”It was one of the rare times when Jin openly contradicted him and expressed his displeasure. Namjoon knew better than to stand up against him. He just couldn’t bring himself to.“You’re not allowed to do such a reckless, stupid thing,” Jin argued. “You have a brilliant mind, Joon-ah. Don’t let it go to waste.”Namjoon sighed and reached out for his lover, holding his hands and tugging him closer to let him stand between his thighs. He gazed up at Jin, watching the deep frown mar the skin on his forehead and pull the corners of his lips down. It didn’t suit him. Namjoon wanted to take it away. “You are right. I am sorry.” He brushed Jin’s knuckles with his thumb.Jin gazed down at him for a moment, calming down after a while. “Whatever happens, never do something so foolish.”The strategymaster nodded in understanding.There was a brief pause before Jin smiled at him and leaned down to press their lips together. The kiss was soft, slow and full of emotion, sealing their love for one another. Jin pulled away to peck on the side of Namjoon’s mouth. “I love you, Joon-ah. This army needs you as much as we need Yoongi. Remember that.”Throwing his arms around his lover’s waist, Namjoon buried his face into his chest and breathed in the welcoming scent of earth and leather. Jin was so warm in his arms, so wonderful to his touch. “I love you, too, Jin-ah. Thank you.”Jin smiled and curled his fingers on Namjoon’s dark brown locks, leaning down to plant a kiss on the crown of his head.And because of that, Namjoon sighed contently.
Jimin grunted as he lifted the heavy laundry basket with both hands. They would be travelling back to Daegu tomorrow at dawn, thus Jimin thought of cleaning the washcloths tonight so they could readily be used on the wounded during the journey. On his way to the river, Taehyung saw him and asked, “You are washing tonight?”“Yes,” he answered, “I don’t think we’ll pass by a stream or river in days, so it’s better to do it before the journey.”“I’ll come with you.” Taehyung dropped the pestle. “The river is outside the camp. It can be dangerous at night.”“I’ll be fine, Tae.” Jimin gestured to the herbs lying on top of the table. “You should continue with your task.”The army doctor shook his head, eyebrows furrowing. “No. I can’t let you go there alone.”“I’ll accompany him them.”Both of their heads turned to the direction of that voice. Jin was smiling as he patted Jimin’s shoulder with a hand, saying, “The most handsome man in the world will not let Jiminie be harmed. You can go on with your boring task, Tae.”Jimin snickered when the army doctor rolled his eyes at the eldest, feigning irritation but the relaxed set of his shoulders gave him away. “You can do whatever.” Taehyung waved dismissively before turning his attention back to the herbs in front of him.Another giggle bubbled inside Jimin’s throat before he and Jin made their way towards the river. There was a slight slope going down to the riverbank and Jin offered a hand to help Jimin carry the basket. Once settled in the cold water, the legs of his trousers pulled up to his knees, Jimin crouched slightly and let a washcloth dip into the water, scrubbing the dried blood and dirt as much as he could.“How many trees have you climbed and jumped on today?” Jin asked behind him, rear resting on gravel and soil.“Uh,” Jimin thought for a second, “Eighteen?”“Good!” The oldest looked pleased. “You should do twenty when you get back to Daegu.”When the silver-haired groaned, Jin chuckled and asked, “How was your training with Hoseok today?”“It went fine. I could summon my Gift easier now. Look.” Jimin turned around to let Jin see his hands. Closing his eyes and breathing deeply, Jimin felt the rush of energy flowing through his arms from his inner core, manifesting as white light engulfing the entirety of his palms.“Whoa. You’re getting good at it now, Jiminie,” Jin praised him.“Thank you, hyung.” Jimin smiled proudly, pride swelling in his chest at the compliment before letting the light in his palms die down and turning around to wash the other washcloths.A moment of comfortable silence passed between them before Jin spoke, “How is Yoongi?”“He's doing fine.” Jimin’s cheeks heated up. “He… requested for me to sleep by his side every night.”Jin laughed and the pink hue in the younger’s face deepened. “He can’t get enough of you, can he?”“Hyung!” Jimin whined and pouted, making the other laugh more.Another beat of silence, and then Jin said, “I can’t imagine how sad he would be if you leave him, or how angry he would be at the person who would take you away from him.”Jimin was just about to say that that would never happen. That he would never leave Yoongi and that his lover and friends would always be there to defend him. Just like what he would do for them.But Jimin never got the chance to speak.Because before he could even turn around, he felt a sharp sting at the back of his neck, burrowing into his skin deeply that he choked on a loud gasp. The washcloths in his hands fell in the water, splashing droplets on his trousers, as his knees buckled beneath him. And
before he knew what was happening, the swirling darkness had already consumed him.
Namjoon woke up to a distant shout and pacing footfalls. He rubbed the sleepiness out of his eyes and yawned. The first rays of the sun were already peeking into the curtains of his tent, signaling the start of a new day.After washing his face with warm water and dressing in his armor, Namjoon went out of the tent and saw soldiers already rolling up the tents and preparing their horses and wagons for the journey. It wasn’t until he found Taehyung pacing back and forth in front of Jimin’s tent that a frown finally settled into his features. There was concern and panic all over the younger’s face, wet clothes clutched tightly in his hands as Yeontan whined behind him, as if sensing his owner’s inner turmoil.“Tae?”The army doctor halted and looked at him with wide eyes. “Hyung…”“What’s happening?” he asked as he walked closer to him.Jungkook and Hoseok were already approaching them, dressed in their armors and weapons strapped on their backs.“Jimin and Jin-hyung… They–” Taehyung’s lips quivered. “–They did the laundry together last night and I went to the river earlier after I saw that Jimin wasn’t in his tent. Then I–”“Wait, wait. Hold on.” Hoseok raised his hands in the air, looking genuinely confused by the younger’s words. “Maybe they are just in the camp somewhere.”Taehyung let them see the wet clothes in his hands. “These are the clothes they were wearing last night. I found them in the riverbank.”Namjoon frowned, unable to make sense of the situation. “Perhaps you’re just thinking too much, Tae. You said that they did laundry last night, didn’t they? Maybe, they bathed and forgot the clothes–”“Commander Kim.” A soldier bowed in front of him. “The children rescued from the vessel ship in the Eastern Port are missing.”“What?” Namjoon’s eyes widened and he didn’t wait another second before he sprinted towards the children’s tent. And true to the soldier’s words, the tent was empty, the makeshift beds unmade as if they hastily jumped to their feet.“Commander. Sir,” another soldier called him, “You have to see this.”Namjoon followed his subordinate to the western gate, eyeing the wooden fence keeping the camp safe and free from intruders. Once they arrived, Namjoon’s breath hitched in his throat when he saw five men lying on the ground, bloody and with slit on their throats.The soldier informed him, “They were the guards stationed in the western gate last night, sir.”“Did we have any intruders?”The subordinate shook his head. “No, sir. The patrolling soldiers reported no sightings of anyone not bearing our color or insignia.”The children were missing and now, there were dead bodies of his men on the ground. They couldn’t be connected. He was talking about small, harmless children here, the same kids who were shivering and terrified when Jin found them in the vessel ship. They couldn’t have done this. They couldn’t.Unless…“Shit,” he muttered before turning on his heels to run towards Jin’s tent. His heart was beating miles a second, pulse thrumming in his skin, as he ran faster than he ever had in his life. He yanked the curtains open, breaths coming out in harsh pants as he looked around with wide eyes.Jin wasn’t there and his anxiety seemed to double each second he couldn’t see his lover’s fond smile and bright eyes. Walking into the tent, Namjoon’s gaze caught a piece of paper lying on top of the pillow. He took it and flipped it to the other side.There was an inked drawing of a bird at the center of the paper, wings spread fully and flying, its talons sharp as if on a hunt.Namjoon’s hands trembled.It was a black crow.
The dagger in his hand was humming with life–blood. Sitting on a chair and wiping the sharp blade with a piece of cloth, Prince Taewon spoke to the kneeling children, “I see that my little birds have guided their brother home.”Another figure–lean and tall–emerged from the shadows of the night, walking through the curtains of his tent like a ghost, silent as a dead man. Like how he had always been when stalking a prey. He was clad in black, a piece of dark cloth covering the lower half of his face, but the familiar glint in his sharp, dark brown eyes gave away who he was.The man knelt in front of him and bowed his head. “My prince.”Prince Taewon regarded him for a moment before nodding his head briefly. As if on cue, the children kneeling beside the man moved, standing on their feet in a blur and pointing their knives and daggers to his throat. The man remained calm despite the assault, despite of the sharp blades pointed dangerously close to his neck.“You have disappeared for years,” Prince Taewon stated. “How can I be certain that you are not on their side?”“Pardon me, my prince. I had to break our contact to not arouse any suspicion from them,” the man explained, “But to appease you, I have come bearing a gift.”His last statement seemed to catch the prince’s attention. Lowering the dagger on the table, Prince Taewon asked curiously, “A gift?”“Yes.”There was a moment of silence before the prince waved his hand and the children holding the weapons retreated, standing behind the man as if on guard and watching him like hawks.“And what gift is so great that I cannot buy with gold?” Prince Taewon narrowed his eyes at the man, who stood on his feet and looked at him seriously.“The one you’ve been longing to have, my prince.” The man’s eyes darkened, like a predator ready to devour its prey. “The silver-haired healer from the healing temple, Eiron.”Prince Taewon lifted his chin slightly in astonishment, a pleased sensation thrumming in his skin at the news. “Is that so?”“Yes. He’s lying unconscious in the prison wagon as we speak.”Silence.After what seemed to be an eternity of scrutinizing the man, Prince Taewon hummed and leaned back on his chair, knee crossing over the other and hands clasping together. “Very well,” he said, “I welcome you back to the family…” A delighted smirk curved one corner of his mouth. “…Kim Seokjin. My most beautiful and dangerous little crow.”
“Jimin and Jin-hyung are missing, hyung.”Yoongi blinked at Taehyung. “What?”“The children that we saved from the Eastern Port are missing as well,” Hoseok added, “And there are dead soldiers in the western gate.”“I found this in Jin’s tent.” Namjoon offered a small piece of paper to him. “It’s an image of a crow.”
Yoongi’s thumb brushed against the dried ink, his teeth clenching tightly as a certain feeling of dread lodged in his chest. “This is the symbol of the Midnight Crow.”Namjoon closed his eyes and bowed his head, attempting to swallow the painful lump in his throat.“That can’t be.” Jungkook shook his head in disbelief. “Jin-hyung, he… He captured Jimin-hyung and ran away? Why? Is he a traitor?”“He is not.” Namjoon gave the youngest a reprimanding look, feeling the bile rise up to his throat. “Jin-ah is on our side. He has long since severed his ties with Prince Taewon. He won’t betray us.”“We are still not certain about what happened. Let us not jump into conclusions.” Yoongi crushed the paper in his hand, his chest constricting with worry and fear for Jimin’s safety. “I trust our eldest brother. He will not harm Jimin.”“But the prince will.” Taehyung frowned. “We can’t go back to Daegu without them, hyung.”The muscles in Yoongi’s jaws jumped and he turned around to shout, “Soldiers!”The armored men instantly marched to him at his call, bowing their heads in respect and patiently waiting for whatever their general was about to command. Yoongi stepped forward to eye them all. “Ready the horses.” He looked back to his friends with resolution engraved into his eyes. “We will find them both.”-TBC

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Chapter 29: Scents
Taehyung tried to let Yeontan smell the wet clothes left by Jin and Jimin, to somehow pick up even the tiniest hint of their scent, but to no avail; the clothes had been drenched in the river far too long. Namjoon got a tunic each from their tents, albeit fresh and unworn, and when Yeontan huffed and began treading through the forest, Yoongi mounted Holly and shouted, “Follow the wolf!”Yeontan was sniffing the ground and trees on his way, silently picking up the familiar scents. The tracks of horse hooves were there for a while, but after they got into hard soil and uneven terrain, the tracks disappeared and the army had to completely rely on Yeontan’s keen sense of smell.No one was speaking a word, as if too frightened of the thoughts currently swirling inside their heads. Namjoon was the quietest of them all, and Yoongi was damn worried about him. The tension on his shoulders was there, making his whole frame rigid, as the tight crease between his eyebrows and the firm set of his lips made him look twice as old.After a few hours of searching, Yeontan howled and paced towards a line of trees. Yoongi and the others perked up, hearts thundering in their chests, as they galloped behind the dire wolf. Yeontan slowed down and sniffed something on the ground. Pulling Holly’s reins, Yoongi got off the saddle and knelt beside Yeontan. He scratched his scruff, smiling as he praised the wolf for his efforts, “Good boy.”“Yoongi?” Namjoon walked towards him, eyes landing on the empty bottle in Yoongi’s hand. “What is that for?”“I don’t know.” Yoongi stood up and gave the bottle to Taehyung.Placing the mouth of the bottle under his nose, the army doctor sniffed. “What?” He frowned. “There is no smell.”Taheyung took a small amount of the liquid adhered on the walls of the glass bottle from the inside with his forefinger, smearing the sample over his forearm and then sniffing on it again afterwards. Realization dawned on Taehyung’s face, and he pulled away to say, “As I thought.”“What is it?” asked Jungkook.“The liquid is clear, but it’s not water.” Taehyung examined the glass bottle in his hand. “It’s alcovir–a scent-eliminating oil.”When his friends appeared confused, he further explained, “When I applied it on my skin, my scent completely disappeared. It stays on the person’s skin for a couple of hours up to a whole day, masking the smell of sweat and other scents. It is mainly used by those who do not want to be traced by wolves or hounds.”Namjoon shut his eyes and bowed his head in frustration, rubbing soothing circles against his temple to ease the headache pounding his head. “That’s Jin’s,” he said. “Jimin couldn’t have owned something like that. And...” He paused. “...Jin probably knew that we would use Yeontan to track them down.”A heavy silence hung above their heads following Namjoon’s words. Now that the scent had stopped right where they stood, they were at a loss for what to do. Yoongi clenched his teeth and sighed afterwards, feeling frustration and fear bubble up inside his chest. “Let’s go back to camp.”“What?” Taehyung argued. “But, hyung–”“Yoongi-hyung is right, Tae.” Hoseok looked at the younger sympathetically. “It’s pointless to search blindly in the forest. After the night falls, it will be harder to find our way back.”Taehyung’s mouth remained open for a while, as if trying to reason out and air his protest, but when Jungkook placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head, all the fight in him seemed to die down as he resigned himself to silence and accepted everyone’s decision without a fuss.Taking the bottle from the army doctor, Namjoon watched as his friends and the rest of the army mounted their horses to ride back to camp. He let his thumb run over the smooth surface of the glass bottle, thinking that Jin’s scent still lingered on the item.It hadn’t even been a whole day, but Namjoon already missed him. They weren’t the kind of couple to walk with clasped hands or share kisses in public, but the care and love was still there no matter where they were. One gaze into Jin’s eyes and he could see their souls intertwined together. Jin’s love for him was as real as his own for the other; they weren’t forged or carved out of deception. Namjoon felt it, would always feel it, in his heart. He had never doubted Jin’s affection for him and he wouldn’t start to doubt him, even though terrible things were happening right now.Jin was the most beautiful and wonderful thing that had ever happened to him.“Namjoon.” The strategymaster’s eyes lifted up to meet the general’s concerned stare. “Are you alright?”Swallowing thickly, Namjoon nodded. “Yeah.”“We will find them, Namjoon,” Yoongi assured him, even though there was genuine worry and apprehension creeping into his eyes. Yoongi was just as scared as him, fearing for his lover’s life just as Namjoon feared for Jin’s well-being.“We will find them,” Yoongi repeated, more firmly this time, after Namjoon nodded. “One way or another.”
The rough texture of hay woke Jimin from his sleep, pricking his cheek lightly as he stirred. His limbs felt like water and his head seemed to have been stuck in a dreamless sleep for centuries. His throat was parched, burning, and the painful clenching of his stomach urged him to curl himself into a tight ball.He wasn’t wearing his clothes; the tunic and trousers hugging his body were a bit loose, definitely not the ones he owned. Blinking the haziness away, Jimin’s eyes wandered around, taking in the wooden bars running vertically and parallel to the ground, caging him in like an animal. The surroundings were dark, as if he was inside a tent, with the candlelight placed on top of a table a few feet away from him as the only source of illumination.“You’re awake.”Jimin flinched, head turning suddenly on the shadowy figure outside the enclosure. There were two others standing by his side, acting as guards. After blinking a few more times to let his eyes get used to the darkness, Jimin saw a man sitting on a chair, wearing a silken tunic embroidered with gold, signifying his high status.His beard and mustache were dark and well-trimmed, mirroring the color of his tousled hair. The man, who appeared to be in his early forties, spoke again. “You have been out for three days.”“W-Who are you?” Jimin croaked out, feeling his throat burn in every syllable. “Where–” He coughed. “–Am I?”The corners of the man’s lips twitched up. “I am Prince Taewon, second son of Emperor Gwangjae. I welcome you to my camp, Park Jimin.”The silver-haired’s breath hitched in his throat, heart beating louder in his chest as a feeling of dread churned his stomach painfully. Prince Taewon? Why was he here? How did he get here? He was in the camp just... three days ago? What... What the hell happened?Gathering every last bit of his strength, Jimin pushed himself up from the pile of hay, hearing his breaths stutter as the effort took quite a toll on him. “Why... am I here?” he managed to say.The prince turned his head slightly to the right, as if addressing the tall man standing by his side. Jimin’s gaze followed him and his eyes slowly widened in shock and confusion as he recognized the man, all clad in black, staring back at him with a blank look in his eyes.“Jin-hyung?” he gasped out, disbelief evident in his voice.“Your precious hyung delivered you to me,” Prince Taewon stated, smirking. “Do you actually think that he is one of you now?”Jimin couldn’t keep his eyes off the eldest, his brain losing its ability to think any rational thought and his tongue abandoning its aptitude to string coherent words. “Hyung, no.” Jimin shook his head, hope still bright and swelling in his chest. “I don’t believe any of this. You wouldn’t do something like this of your own will.”“I own his will.” Prince Taewon narrowed his eyes at Jimin. “I am the one who made him who he is. If it weren’t for me, he’d be rotting in that damn whorehouse and offering his hole to old noblemen until his very last breath.”The harsh, crude words sent ripples of sickening feeling to Jimin’s gut.Jin remained impassive, however, not even the slightest flinch after hearing the prince’s possessive, derogatory words. “Hyung...” Jimin pleaded. “...Please, don’t do this. What about Namjoon-hyung? I know you love him–”A modest, mocking laugh cut Jimin’s words. “Love?” The prince’s eyes glinted with dark amusement. “I told Seokjin to love Kim Namjoon and break his ties with me. To make it seem like he had a reason to change and stay on your side.” He licked his bottom lip. “Whatever you thought about him, whatever friendship or adoration you forged with him, are all lies.”Jin held Jimin’s gaze, never once faltering or averting his eyes to give him some sort of hint that what the prince was telling was not true. That Jin was just fooling the prince into thinking that he was on the enemy’s side.But Jin didn’t. He stared at Jimin as if he was just a speck of dust, irrelevant and insubstantial, and Jimin’s heart sank as he wondered who was the man standing right in front of him.
It had been days since Jimin last saw Jin.Lying inside the enclosure like a locked up animal drained his strength and morale faster,despite being fed two or three times a day. He couldn’t help but wonder how much longer he would be here. Was Jin safe? Why was he doing this? Yoongi and the others had probably noticed their disappearance by now. Were they searching for them? Were they all fine?The concern and unanswered questions were killing Jimin from the inside. He didn’t know how much time had passed since he left the camp, if the sky had already changed its colors, or if the first flakes of snow had already fallen down. Time was at a standstill where he was right now, the air stale and suffocating.He just... wanted to go back to the camp, more so to Daegu, and throw himself into Yoongi’s arms where he was warm and safe. He wanted to hear Taehyung’s bright laugh, Hoseok and Jungkook’s teasing, and see Namjoon’s fond smiles. He wanted to pull Jin away from this place and escape with him, even if the man would refuse and tell him otherwise. He didn’t believe the prince’s words. He trusted Jin, just as much as he trusted the others. He wouldn’t do something like this without a good reason. Jimin refused to believe that Jin would betray them when he
was always the first one to show genuine concern for them all.The curtains of the tent drew open as a man stepped inside. He was the one who’d brought Jimin his meals religiously for the past few days. They never talked, as Jimin didn’t show any sign of interest or urge to converse with people here, aside from Jin. The silver-haired was tight-lipped and on-guard, careful of his every move.Until now, he’d wondered why Prince Taewon still hadn’t tortured him to death for information. He was in the position to tell him substantial things about the Bangtan Army, about some of their plans and their way of life. However, the prince had opted not to touch him. He was kept prisoner, yes, but why would he go to such lengths if he could just forcefully drag information out of Jimin’s mouth?The young man opened a small hatch at the foot of the enclosure and slid the tray of food in. He stayed crouched as Jimin glared at him behind the bars. After staring at the silver-haired for a moment, he sighed. “I’m Hyosang,” he spoke quietly. “Eat the bread.”That was all he said before the man, Hyosang, stood up and made his way out of the tent. Silence engulfed Jimin’s surroundings once again before he grunted and crawled towards the tray of food.Jimin grimaced when he saw water, soup, and bread on it. He had been eating the same food over and over again for the past couple of days, and his stomach was starting to violently protest against him. Despite the lack of assortment or options, it was still food, and Jimin knew very well that he needed it to survive.He grabbed the bread and took a bite, mind slowly slipping into that world of nothingness again as he ate, when his tongue suddenly felt something strange in his mouth. He frowned as he spat the contents of his mouth onto the ground, slight disgust twisting his features as he looked at the chewed food in front of him.Jimin’s lips parted when he saw a paper among the spat-out bolus. He took the paper in his hands, torn at the edges and wet with spit, and did his best to flatten it. There were words written on it, most of the ink smudged but still legible. With his heart starting to beat louder in his chest, Jimin immediately took the bread and observed a cut splitting it in half. He opened it and found a folded piece of paper, one side of it torn from where he’d accidentally bitten it.His hands were trembling slightly while he unfolded it, chest filled with blooming hope.

Jimin choked out a sob as tears fell in steady streams down his face. He covered his mouth with a hand, hindering the grateful cries and relieved sighs coming out of his throat.Jin was not a traitor. He knew it. He had been planning something all along. Jin would never betray them–his friends, his brothers. And even if what the prince had told Jimin was true, that he had instructed Jin to fake his relationship with Namjoon, somewhere along the way, Jimin knew that Jin had actually fallen in love with Namjoon. That the feelings he felt for the strategymaster were genuine and from his heart.When Hyosang came back a few hours later to retrieve the tray, he took the wrought-iron candle holder from the table and walked towards the enclosure. Crouching in front of the wooden bars, he stared at Jimin, as if he was waiting for the younger to do something.For the first timesince the young man had entered the tent, Jimin crawled his way towards him. Hyosang tilted the lit candle between the bars as Jimin placed the piece of paper above the flame, watching as the edge caught fire. He dropped the note on the ground, waiting for it to become ashes, before lifting his eyes to meet the man’s gaze.There was a faint smile on Hyosang’s lips that made the corners of Jimin’s mouth twitch up. There were no words needed, but the understanding in their eyes was evident and the message was clear as day.
Jin is our friend, and so I trust you.

Yoongi realized that the hummingbirds around him were now soundless, and the sky and trees around him were a dull gray color without Jimin. The silver-haired was his sun, the one keeping him warm, despite the whiteness of snow painting his soft locks. The crescents of his eyes when he smiled, the slightly crooked teeth, round cheeks, plush lips, the sound of his bright laugh and the gentle touch of his hands–Yoongi missed all of it.Jimin was so precious to him, so much so that his heart felt so full everytime he saw him. His chest was swelling with profound love for the younger, sometimes keeping him awake in the middle of the night, thinking about him with a fond smile on his lips.And when Jimin left, he took the sun, colors, and sweet dreams with him.Yoongi couldn’t sleep soundly at night anymore, frightened of the nightmares that seemed to claw on his skin and rip his throat out. There were shadows engulfing his dreams, just like they always had before he’d met Jimin.The silver-haired’s tent was smaller than his, but warmer and more like home. That was why he loved spending the night in it with Jimin, arms linked in a tight embrace as they nuzzled each other’s hair and skin, feeling one another’s breaths, flushed cheeks, and thundering heartbeats.Opening the wooden chest beside Jimin’s bed, Yoongi’s eyes softened when he saw the cloak that he’d bought for Jimin when they’d both strolled around the village. The memory seemed to be so distant now, but the feeling of Jimin’s hands in his and the soft touches of his lips against Yoongi’s cheek were still so real that he could almost feel them.Pulling it out of the chest and running his thumb over the sea-colored fabric, admiring the whorls of silver embroidered on the edges and the gray wolf fur covering the shoulders, Yoongi let out a heavy sigh as he leaned forward to bury his face in the material. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, heart skipping a beat when he thought of Jimin’s scent lingering on the cloak.“It has been days, Jimin-ah,” he murmured and pulled away. Staring at the familiar clothing gave him some sense of peace, and yet newfound loneliness. Would he ever see Jimin wearing this cloak as he walked under the first fall of snow?“I miss you so much.” Yoongi let out a trembling breath as he pressed the cloak closer to his chest, feeling the backs of his eyes burn and his heart clench painfully. “Please come back to me.”
-TBC

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Chapter 30: Burning

“Halt!” One of the soldiers of the Royal Army raised a hand and stopped Jin’s stallion. Inspecting him up and down, he asked, “Who goes there?”Jin’s eyes narrowed. “I am no one.”“Are you one of the prince’s little dogs?” A taunting smirk curved the soldier’s lips, seeing Jin as nothing but a mere animal which the prince used whenever he wanted, obeying his every command.When Jin didn’t respond, the soldier’s eyebrow twitched in irritation and opened his mouth to spout more nonsense, but Jin didn’t let him this time. The kirpan that pierced through the soldier’s throat was faster than lightning, splattering crimson on the ground.“I am a crow,” he hissed as the man fell.The other men bared their swords and snarled at Jin, but the latter seemed unshaken.“Stop.”A girl, who was around fifteen years old, was standing a few feet away from him, wearing a slightly fraying white undergarment, filthy with dirt and dried blood on the hems of the skirt. Jin hadn’t even heard her footsteps, and yet, from there, he knew exactly who she was, or what she was.“His talons are sharper than any of ours,” she told the soldiers. “If your lives are still of great value to you, then lay down your swords this instant.”The men looked quite irked to be commanded by a girl, but they did as told anyway. Jin slid the blade into the sheath strapped behind him and pulled the reins.“Welcome back, orabeonim,” the girl greeted with unwavering, sharp eyes, staring up at Jin. The elder just nodded briefly before walking his stallion towards the prince’s tent.Once his arrival was announced, Jin took in a deep breath and opened the curtains. He hated being here. It was as if there were invisible claws grating his skin and watchful eyes lurking in the dark. He found him sitting behind the oak table, scroll in hand. When their gazes met, Jin let himself down on one knee and bowed his head, trying to mask his reluctance and disgust towards the loathsome man.“Your Highness,” Jin addressed the royal.“You took a while, Seokjin.” The prince closed the scroll and placed it on the table. “It’s been a month.”Standing up and maintaining a blank expression, Jin said, “I apologize, my prince. There was a banquet in the palace and the Royal Guards maintained tight security for the crown prince. I wasn’t able to approach his chamber for a few days.”“Have you succeeded?”Jin swallowed. “Yes.”One corner of the prince’s mouth twitched up. “Did anyone see your face?”“No.”“Good.” The prince leaned back on the chair, eyes narrowing. “And what proof can you give me that you certainly killed my older brother?”Jin stepped closer and pulled something from his pocket, placing the item on the table. The prince’s eyes glinted as he stared at the jade dragon ring, his lips slowly curving with a pleased smile. There was only a lone piece of it in the whole world, unearthed from a sunken pirate ship in the depths of the Yellow Sea.It was the crown prince’s ring gifted by the Emperor himself.“What do you want in return?” Prince Taewon asked, hands clasping together and elbows resting on the table. “Tell me what you desire and I will give it to you.”
I want you to free Jimin, let us escape, and never bother my friends again.
Jin’s teeth clenched tightly, feeling a bit perturbed by the prince’s penetrating gaze. He knew that the prince would be suspicious if he said that he didn’t want anything in return, thus, he matched the intensity of the royal’s stare, the faintest smirk displaying on his handsome face. “I want gold,” Jin demanded. “A lot of it.”Prince Taewon let out a harsh laugh, mirth palpable in his dark eyes. “Spoken like a true assassin.” He licked his bottom lip. “I’ve raised you well, have I not?”“I learned a lot of things from you, my prince.”The prince smirked, pleased. “Then gold it is. Pouches of it.”
It was the middle of the night and Jimin could hear the flapping of wings and high-pitched cries of the crows outside, perched on naked branches of high winter trees. Crows were often symbolic of messengers of death in ancient lore; even the present tales regarded them as conveyors of bad omen. It wasn’t that Jimin hated them; there was just something about their pitch-black feathers and unblinking, dark eyes that unsettled him.Jimin stared at the tick marks he’d made on the wooden bar with a sharp stone. Thirty-one, he counted in his mind and sighed. It had been thirty-one days since he’d arrived at this camp, never once seeing the light of day outside. Sometimes, he would wake up screaming at night, frightened by nightmares and haunted by the dead bodies of his friends–of Yoongi. Those were the times when he would retch and cry himself dry until he fell asleep again.
I will be gone for a while, but please be strong. I will come back for you and end everything. I promise.
Jin’s words were the only ones keeping him from falling down the cliff. His friend had promised him that he would come back for him. That Jimin had to be strong while Jin was away.He’d
promised. Thus, Jimin held on, no matter how hard it was.Sleep was starting to cloud his mind when Jimin heard two soft thuds outside the tent, like someone had fallen and hit the ground. The next thing he knew, there was a man clad in black walking stealthily towards the enclosure. And even though the lower of half of his face was covered, Jimin still recognized who he was.A gasp came out of Jimin’s mouth as hot tears began accumulating in his eyes. “H-Hyung–”Jin placed a finger on his lips to silence him. Jimin shut his mouth, tremendous relief flushing down his system as he watched the elder pick the lock with deft hands.Once there was a click, Jin took off the lock and unfastened the chains as quietly and quickly as he could. He opened the bars and grabbed Jimin’s wrist, murmuring a quiet, “I’m sorry for leaving you here for so long,” before helping Jimin to his feet.The silver-haired just smiled and shook his head, grateful tears flowing down his cheeks, and that was enough to imply that there was nothing to apologize for.The soldiers guarding Jimin’s tent were lying on the ground–dead. But Jimin hadn’t even heard their cries, not even a gasp or yelp as if they’d been muffled, the soldiers surreptitiously killed with no other soul to witness their demise.And somehow, he thought that the man holding his arm right now was probably one of the most skilled–if not the best–assassins in the entire nation.They pulled the corpses inside the tent to hide them, in order to keep suspicions at bay as much as possible. They became one with the shadows while sneaking their way out of the camp, glad that most of the soldiers were already sound asleep in their tents.Once out in the forest, a man, mounted on a horse, waved at them, urging them to hurry their steps.Hyosang pulled Jimin’s hand and helped him settle behind him.“There’s a stallion waiting for you outside the camp and several meters away from the prince’s tent.”“What?” Jimin stared down at his friend. “Hyung, you’re not coming with us?”“No.” Jin patted the younger’s thigh. “I’ll ride east to divert the soldiers’ attention from you. I will meet you at camp.”“Hyung, wait.” Jimin held his hand and swallowed dryly, feeling the sickening sensation churn his insides. “What are you going to do?”Jin averted his eyes briefly, as if needing time to compose himself first, before he lifted up his gaze once again. “I will kill Prince Taewon and end everything.”Shudders went down Jimin’s spine at Jin’s words. “Hyung, no. Please.” He shook his head. “Escape with us.”“None of us has ever been this close to the prince, Jiminie. Not even Yoongi. This is our chance.” Jin took the kirpans out of their sheaths, the blade glinting and humming under the moonlight. “I have to risk it.”“I will take care of him,” Hyosang assured Jin. “You better make it out alive, Jin.”Jin grinned. “I will.” Patting Jimin’s thigh once again, Jin said, “Be careful, Jiminie.”
It wasn’t a surprise when he saw a few soldiers guarding the entrance of the prince’s tent. Holding a large stone in one hand, Jin threw it at the stables to cause a ruckus among the horses. He heard one of the soldiers say, “Check it out,” before half of the men walked away from the tent.There were four soldiers left and Jin stealthily walked behind the tents, footfalls light as a cat’s, confident that he could take them down now without causing any disturbance.He threw the poisonous darts towards their throats, paralyzing their vocal cords to stop them from screaming. Once the men were all motionless on the ground, Jin slipped between the curtains and walked as quietly as he could, the pair of kirpans in his hands thirsting for blood.The inside of the tent was dark, no flames of candlelight to illuminate the corners, but Jin could still clearly see the outline and features of his prey.The prince was asleep in his bed, chest rising and falling evenly beneath a warm quilt, eyes shut and mouth slightly parted.Jin approached him silently, his left hand carefully moving in front of him and clasping the hilt of the kirpan tightly, its blade, sharp and curved,stretching as long as his forearm.His knees brushed lightly against the side of the bed, his shadow hovering over the prince’s form. The anger Jin felt for this man was raw and unbridled, blaming him for destroying his friends’ lives and for killing thousands of innocent lives for the sake of his ambition. One cut to the man’s throat and everything would end. Just one neat and deep cut across the skin was all it would take to end his life–A piercing pain stabbed through Jin’s right thigh. He gasped and staggered back, eyes wide in shock as he stared at a small dagger buried deeply into his flesh. Blood began trickling down from the cut, staining his trousers and snaking down his leg.“You must have forgotten. So let me help you remember.” Prince Taewon sat up on his bed, glaring at Jin menacingly. “I was the one who taught you everything you know, Seokjin.”Jin had taken gashes and cuts his whole life, and no matter how deep they were, he could always stand again and fight. But this time, it was different. There was a burning sensation spreading from the cut even after taking out the dagger, blazing his muscles like fierce flames. He groaned as he winced and fell down to his knees. There was only one logical reason for this sort of pain.Poison.Jin tried to throw his weapons towards the prince, but the latter was fast to uncover his sword and counter his attack, sending the kirpans clattering on the ground.And then there were soldiers bursting through the tent, collecting Seokjin and restraining his wrists behind him with shackles. He tried to fight back, but the searing pain was so strong that he found it hard to breathe. It wasn’t long before he felt his legs lose their strength, being dragged away by the soldiers and thrown outside the tent so forcefully that his body collapsed on the earth.There were several more footsteps around him, maybe hundreds, all unfamiliar and petrifying. And that was when he heard him.“Hyung!”Jin’s heart seemed to drop and shatter to his feet when Jimin’s voice echoed in his ears. Jin lifted his head from the ground, neck straining with effort, as he watched how the soldiers harshly brought the younger to his knees, swords pointed dangerously near his throat as hot, terrified tears streamed down his face.“L-Let... Let go of him,” Jin hissed.A soldier grabbed Jin by the hair and pulled him up to his knees, causing a sharp cry to erupt from his throat.“Hyung! No!” Jimin cried when he saw the small pool of blood beneath the elder. “You’re hurt! Let me heal him!”“He’s poisoned.”Prince Taewon emerged from his tent, a fancy black cloak surrounding his strong frame to keep him warm.“P-Poisoned?” All the colors in Jimin’s face left him. “N-No. No, that’s–” He shook his head. “Please, let me heal him! I’ll do anything!”“Jiminie,” Jin panted out. “Don’t...”“I do not want anything from you.” Prince Taewon basked in Jimin’s horrified expression briefly before directing his attention to his men. “Where is the traitor?”Jin watched as Jimin shut his eyes tightly and bowed his head in shame, witnessing how a soldier pulled out a severed head from the bag and threw it to the ground.Jin swore that his heart just stopped when he locked gazes with Hyosang’s wide and unblinking eyes, the image forever burned in his mind and scarring him for life. Bile rose up to Jin’s throat and he retched, his gut clenching painfully and causing the muscles in his arms and legs to spasm.“I’m so sorry, hyung.” Jimin bit his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. “I-I couldn’t save him.”Prince Taewon walked past the small figures of children standing still like statues, eyes unwavering and blank as if they were puppets controlled by strings.“I heard whispers from my little birds about you, Seokjin,” he said, staring down at Jin. “That you genuinely grew fond of Kim Namjoon. That you found friendship with our enemies. You may be the best crow I have right now, but your emotions have crippled you. The moment you succumbed yourself to humane and fragile emotions like love was the moment you broke your wings and lost your talons.” His eyes narrowed. “And from the time you stepped foot into my camp, I already knew that you were a traitor.”Glaring at the prince with abhorrence, Jin rasped, “I yearn for the day when thousands of people spit on your corpse and see your head hanging on a spike. The general will make sure that you die the most painful death.”The prince let out a mocking laugh. “Ah, General Min Yoongi? That won’t ever happen.” His tongue licked his bottom lip. “Because he and his whole army will perish in the next full moon.”Jin knew that the man was provoking him, attempting to further break him until nothing was left of him. And before he could say another word, the prince placed his sword under his chin and lifted it up, forcing Jin to look the royal in the eye. “Do you remember what I said to you when I found you fifteen years ago?”Jin’s heart beat loudly and painfully in his chest. He remembered the prince’s words as clearly as his own name, so achingly vivid in his mind that they would remain engraved into his soul until the day he died.“‘I am your savior and you are mine. You shall never forget the debt you owe me.’”Jin’s lashes fluttered as he tried hard to swallow the lump in his throat. It hurt him to hear those words from the prince’s mouth again, making him feel owned,like a damn object with no will and freedom. Like he wasn’t a person but a mere tool for the prince’s plans.“You don’t own him.”Both of their eyes landed on the glaring young man a few feet away from them, dried tears staining his cheeks as his lips set into a tight line. “No one owns Kim Seokjin but himself,” Jimin bravely hissed. “He is free to do whatever he pleases. Free to love whoever he wants. You don’t get to decide for him.”The prince’s eyes narrowed at the silver-haired, but the latter’s glare remained intense and steadfast. When the prince walked towards the younger, Jin shouted for him to stop and struggled against his restraints, but the soldiers just grabbed him by his clothes and hair and pinned him down to the ground.“You have fire in your eyes, boy,” the prince spoke as he held Jimin’s glare. “One day it will engulf you and burn you to ashes.”Jimin’s fingers curled into tight fists.“General Kang.”General Kang Chul-soo straightened his back and bowed his head upon the prince’s call.“Lock up both of them and make sure that there are soldiers guarding the tent day and night. Let this boy heal Seokjin; we still have use for him.”“Yes, Your Highness,” General Kang said and obeyed the prince’s order at once.Prince Taewon faced the bunch of children all staring at him. There were new cuts and bruises on their arms and legs from training, perhaps a few from their missions, and it made the prince’s chest swell with pride and delight.His eyes landed on a little girl looking back at him with blank eyes. Her brown tresses were long and beautiful, flowing down the side of her neck and shoulders, making her look like a harmless flower.He chose her.Prince Taewon beckoned to the child. “Come here, little crow.”
“Yoongi-hyung!”Yoongi’s eyes lifted up from the map upon hearing his name.Jungkook was panting when he arrived to his tent, eyes wide and chest heaving with labored breaths. “There is a little girl at the entrance of the camp requesting an audience with you.”Eyebrows furrowing in confusion, he asked, “A little girl? How old?”“Eight or nine?” Jungkook shrugged. “I’m not sure. She won’t say anything but ‘I need to see General Min Yoongi.’”After chewing the inside of his cheek briefly in thought, Yoongi grabbed the black cape from his bed and made his way out of the tent, feeling the gray wolf fur draped on his shoulders brushing against his neck - keeping him warm.Just like what the bladesmith had said, there was a young girl standing outside the camp, the soldiers blocking the entrance and keeping watchful eyes on her.His men made way for him, parting as he walked towards the young girl.“You wished to see me, young lady?”“I have a message for General Min Yoongi.”“You are speaking to him.”The little girl then said, “I am one of Prince Taewon’s crows.”Gasps of disbelief and murmurs of hostility resounded amongst the soldiers.“That blasted prince sent a little girl. A little girl.”“He made her march to the enemy’s camp alone.”“He has no regard for young souls like her.”“Damn him.”Yoongi’s forehead creased as he stared at her. “Go on.”The little girl spoke the prince’s exact words, voice high-pitched and undoubtedly young. “‘The traitor, Kim Seokjin, and the silver-haired healer, Park Jimin, are now held in our captivity.’”The general’s breath hitched in his throat as panic slowly crept into his system.“‘I will let them live in exchange for General Min Yoongi’s life.’”“Hyung…” Jungkook said worriedly beside him.The girl continued, “‘The trade will occur in a fortnight at the village square in Suwon. General Min Yoongi must come with only one companion with him. If the general refuses or brings his army with him…’”Yoongi gritted his teeth.“‘…I will burn Kim Seokjin and Park Jimin alive.'”

-TBC

Artwork by @sugaontaestreet! Dude, thank you so much. You're amazing as always. T__T

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter 31: Brothers
The glow of Jimin’s hands was reassuring, energy flowing from one vessel to another, from the smallest unit of life to the biggest one, healing every wound and every bruise on Jin’s body, granting him another chance to live. The light of the candle flame inside the enclosure danced across Jin’s handsome features, his lashes fluttering open once Jimin pulled his hands away from Jin’s thigh and the luminous light engulfing his palms ceased.“Jiminie?” he muttered hoarsely, hearing the clinking of iron shackles around his wrists behind him.“You’re going to be fine, hyung.”Jimin looked quite drowsy; the older observing how Jimin was trying his hardest to fight off sleep and to keep himself sitting with both hands propped on the ground. The silver-haired had been imprisoned for a month, eating nothing but bland food. The isolation must have taken a toll on him as it wore him down rather quickly after using his Gift. Guilt creeping into his chest, Jin planted his forehead on the ground and bent his knees, attempting to sit up despite his restraints and still feeling quite bleary.“Hyung, your body still needs rest–”“I’m sorry for putting you into this mess, Jiminie.” Jin’s expression broke. “It is my fault that you’re suffering now.”“No, it’s not your fault–”“It is,” Jin interrupted him. “No matter which way we see things at the moment, it’s apparent that I am the cause of this tragedy. A month of captivity has weakened you and yet you still healed me. I sincerely apologize for everything, Jiminie. I don’t deserve your kindness.”Jimin remained silent for a while, looking at the space between them and seeming to mull over his thoughts before he lifted up his eyes and said, “It may be your fault, hyung, but you don’t have to apologize to me as I have never blamed you for anything. I’d rather share a piece of my friend’s burden than see him get crushed beneath it. You would do the same for me.” Jimin’s fingers curled, dirt and small rocks biting onto his palms. “You are as precious to me as the others. I have never doubted you or your intentions. You did what you thought was right and perhaps you did some things wrong along the way, but those mistakes are never meant to be a ground for me to blame or forsake you. I trust you, and I would never abandon you in times of desperate need.”Jin wanted to cry. He didn’t deserve Jimin, or any of his friends. Namjoon, most of all–a man who loved him greatly despite his despicable past.Then suddenly, a flash of memories played inside Jin’s head.
A sharp blade was a hairbreadth away from his neck. His eyes were wide and disbelieving as he stared at a pair of dark, merciless orbs that snuck on him soundlessly at the middle of his sleep.

“What do you want?” Jin asked to the boy holding the knife to his throat; the same little, harmless-looking boy whom he saved several days ago from the smuggler’s vessel ship.

“The prince wants the Midnight Crow back.”

A shudder ran down Jin’s spine. How did Prince Taewon know that he was still alive? Did he send these kids to infiltrate the camp and bring him his message?

‘Caw’ –it was the last thing that Han Jeong, the messenger, uttered before Namjoon slit his throat. Was it a premonition of this event? The prince’s call for Seokjin to come back to the place where he was found?

“When?” he asked.

“Within a week. I will give you the map to the prince’s camp, and you would be wise to keep a silent tongue about it.”

“I still have things to do here. I will comply with the prince’s demand once my mission has been fulfilled.” He was lying to his teeth. There had been no mission for several years now, not after he had given up his former life and found a new one. He couldn’t lose his friends and the happiness that he had now, something which he had thought as bleak before for someone like him.

“The prince said that if you won’t come with us…” The boy tilted the blade gently, the sharp edge slicing lightly through soft skin. “…Our brothers and sisters are free to fly and haunt for the general and his friends.”

Jin was certain that even though the children still had short limbs and youthful statures, they were already capable of killing a man twice as large. They were ruthless killers, honed by none other than the prince himself. They were assassins–hunters. And hunters stalked for their prey until they could gnaw its flesh with their teeth.
He knew; he used to be like them after all.
“Hyungnim,” the boy began. “You have been away for years and the prince will demand compensation for the time lost. You still know what to do to appease our Father, do you not?”

Feeling a sickening feeling lodge in his stomach at the word ‘Father,’ Jin spoke, “I do.”

“‘Information or a head,’” the boy reiterated the prince’s words to them. “The prince will expect no less than what he deserves.”
Jin shut his eyes and hung his head in shame. “I shouldn’t have brought you here,” he muttered. “I was a fool for thinking that Prince Taewon would have still wanted your Gift; that I would be able to regain his trust. Even though I knew you would not be sent to the capital since the Emperor was dead, it was unwise of me to put my friend’s life in danger and to assume that I could kill the prince myself. If I could redeem your life with mine, then I would, Jiminie. Without a second thought.”Jimin breathed deeply and let silence fall between them for a couple of seconds. “Can I ask you this one question, hyung?”Swallowing thickly, the older nodded.Jimin held his gaze sternly, unwavering and searching as if reaching up to the deepest the corner of his soul. He asked, “Did you ever love Namjoon-hyung?”“What–” Jin blinked in surprise, afterwards knotting his brows in confusion and slight indignation. “–What kind of question is that?”“Just answer it, hyung.”“Of course.” Jin huffed. “I have never stopped loving him. Why are you even asking–”The smile that boomed on Jimin’s face was one akin to the sun. It was bright and dazzling, with a hint of what Jin could describe as relief. “Then it’s okay,” Jimin assured him. “That’s all I need to hear, hyung.”

“Your people need you.”
That was the last thing that Hoseok said to Yoongi when the general kept his silence throughout the meeting. Namjoon was there to witness how Yoongi seemed to mull over the options that their friends were giving him.
“I know what you’re thinking, hyung,” Jungkook added, frowning. “Please do not be reckless.”
But they did not have time.
Taehyung noted, “Jiminie won’t forgive you if you blindly sacrifice your life for him.”
It was not just about Jimin; it was also about Jin. Had they forgotten about him?
Yoongi licked his bottom lip thoughtfully before saying, “Thank you for your thoughts and concerns. I will ponder on this matter more on my own. I will meet you all tomorrow morning.”
Namjoon was itching the entire time–listless. His nails were scratching the edge of the table he was leaning on, desperate to take his mind off of the fact that his friends were taking this matter lightly. Jimin and Jin’s lives were at stake; they would burn in a fortnight, and yet Yoongi was still uncertain of what to do. If it were Namjoon, then he would gladly give his life for them–for Jin. There would be no second thoughts, no if’s and but’s. Call him impetuous, but Namjoon would not give a damn. They were important to him, more so than his own life.This was love and war; he was ready to die for someone worth dying and fighting for.It was nightfall but sleep remained scarce for Namjoon. Unbidden and twisted thoughts clouded his mind, seeping through his skull like the grotesque figures with sharp fangs and bloody claws that a tale book once described when he was five years old. They frightened him when he was young, lying down in the solitude of the night while listening to the gentle wind and rustling of trees outside the window of his childhood room.As he grew up, he learned that there were no monsters, spirits or evil creatures lurking in the dark. That what lay amongst the shadows were untamed beasts living in the forest and people who were out to carve his heart out of his chest.The frightening thoughts wouldn’t go away. The crippling sensation of losing someone as dear as his lover was tearing his mind apart. He was supposed to be the cleverest one. Supposed to be the most composed and rational man in the army. But every person had a breaking point, a moment in their life where they just wanted for everything to shut down and vanish into thin air.That was how Namjoon found himself standing in front of Yoongi’s tent, clammy hands grasping the opposite edges of a tray holding two ceramic cups and a teapot half-filled with hot ginger tea–one of Yoongi’s favorites.He glanced once more behind him, observing the snuffed out candles inside the soldiers’ tents and the silent footfalls of the patrolling guards. Inhaling the cold breeze and steeling his resolve for the hundredth time, Namjoon called the general, “Yoongi? Are you awake? This is Namjoon.”He heard a faint shuffle of fabric from the other side of the heavy curtains before a low voice answered, “Yes. You may enter.”Pushing his way through the gap carefully, Namjoon saw Yoongi light up a candle on the table. “I am sorry for bothering you this late at night. Were you perhaps deep in your sleep?”The general snorted. “I haven’t slept soundly ever since Jimin and Jin-hyung went missing.”Namjoon clenched his teeth briefly and swallowed the lump in his throat. “Yeah,” he uttered hoarsely. “So do I.”Sitting at the table and turning his attention towards his best friend, Yoongi asked, “What brings you here?”“Oh, pardon me.” Namjoon forced out a smile and placed the tray on the table. “I wish to talk about what happened earlier. Here, I made us some tea.”The general hummed and watched as Namjoon poured them each of the brewed drink.Offering the cup of tea to Yoongi who took it with a curt nod, he said, “I hope this suits your taste.”“You don’t have to worry about that.” Yoongi sniffed over the steam, letting the rich aroma of the brew overwhelm his system. “This smells good, Namjoon. Thank you.”The strategymaster leaned against the edge of the table by the general’s side, his own cup held by his right hand as his eyes seemed to get lost in deep thought for a moment. “May I ask you a question?”“Go ahead.”“Why did you let the little girl go? We could have forced out information from her; ask about Prince Taewon’s whereabouts–”“Namjoon.”The general’s voice was firm and steady, causing Namjoon’s mouth to clack shut as he looked at him with a deep frown on his face. “Are you hearing yourself? It was a little girl.” Yoongi shook his head. “We do not hurt children. Have you forgotten about that?”“But this is war, Yoongi.” The muscles in Namjoon’s jaws strained. “And that girl is the best chance we have in finding Jin and Jimin. Prince Taewon sent her because he knew you wouldn’t lay a hand on her. We should have proven him otherwise.”Yoongi’s gaze remained on him for a long moment, ruminating about his words. And when Namjoon thought that he would speak at last, Yoongi pressed his lips against the cup and took a sip on the tea instead.Namjoon’s hand tightened around the ceramic cup, his mouth and throat drying up at once. After licking the remaining essence on his bottom lip, Yoongi said, “I am completely aware of the opportunity that slipped through my fingers when I let the girl go.” He sighed and lifted his eyes to Namjoon. “Yes, we are at war and we have killed thousands to protect our cause. This is a ruthless world we’re living in but it doesn’t mean that an act of mercy doesn’t have a place in it. If we are to abandon our last shred of humanity by killing a child, then we are no different than a hyena devouring a lion’s cub.”“But that cub will grow and become a lion, Yoongi.” Namjoon held his gaze. “That little girl is an assassin and as young as she may be, her hands are already tainted with blood.”“You are being blinded by your desire to save Jin-hyung, Namjoon,” Yoongi noted. “Do you not know how much I’ve been restraining myself from burning this whole forest down just to find Jimin? Do you not know how much I long for him? How much I want to have him back?”“Then do it.” Namjoon’s forehead creased as his eyes danced with flames of fury and determination. “Do what it takes to protect your beloved. Because I will. I will not let Jin die when I could have done something to save him.”A heavy silence hung above their heads, thick enough to stifle them both, but neither one backed down from the intensity of their shared gazes.Why couldn’t Yoongi understand? Namjoon thought. Their lovers were in grave danger, and yet here his friend was, the mighty General Min Yoongi, cradled by his tent in the middle of the night and second guessing about his next course of action when he could just call the entire army, ride to Suwon and do the exchange at once. Yoongi had sworn to protect the lives of his people, more so the lives of his loved ones, but why was he turning tail his now?“Yoongi,” Namjoon began, nose flaring with constrained tempestuous emotion, “Is your honor nothing in the face of death?”The general clenched his teeth.“Is your blade blunted by your desire to stay alive?”His chest was heaving, labored breaths puffing out of his chest and mouth, as if he had run a hundred miles. He could feel heat trickling through his veins, fury and disappointment lacing with his soul. “This man in front of me is not the Min Yoongi I know,” he uttered in a low voice.Because of his belligerence, Namjoon failed to see the flash of hurt that flickered in Yoongi’s eyes.The general was silent as he poured himself another cup of the brew. “I understand your pain, Namjoon. I sincerely do.”Namjoon watched as Yoongi drank the whole cup.Sighing, Yoongi locked eyes with him once again. “That is why I am letting you do what you have to do.”Namjoon’s lashes fluttered as his throat constricted awfully. His heart was in chaos inside his chest as a feeling of dread and nervousness clawed at his mind, replacing the bright anger that was burning inside him moments ago. “I–” He swallowed dryly. “–I beg your pardon?”The corner of Yoongi’s lips twitched up with a sad smile. “You never make tea, Namjoon. And you are awfully dressed for someone who would spend the night in his tent after our conversation.”The way that the strategymaster’s face paled made Yoongi’s heart ache. His friend’s eyes averted from him, the cup in his hand dangerously creaking inside his tight, trembling hand. “I–” he heard him say. “–I-I am… sorry, Yoongi.”“Don’t be.” Yoongi’s head throbbed and his vision swam. “The others will never forgive you for this. But I do. Take Jin-hyung and run away. Far away to a place where they could never find you. Especially Jimin.” He chuckled bitterly. “Jimin, my love. He will cry and blame himself, but he will be okay. I know Taehyung will take care of him.”Namjoon felt the back of his eyes sting with tears but he couldn’t let a single drop fall. Because if he did, if he let his emotions take over the best of him, then he was certain that his fragile resolve would crumble to dust on his feet.A trembling breath wheezed out of Yoongi’s mouth when his head fell on the table, knocking the candle down and snuffing out its flame as it rolled on the ground. His whole body was limp and his eyes were fluttering as he fought for consciousness. “Nam… joon.”The strategymaster put his cup down, the tea untouched and gone cold, and unsheathed the dagger hidden in his right boot.“I’m so sorry, Yoongi.” His lower lip quivered.“It’s…” Yoongi gasped for air. “…okay.”
I hope you won’t blame yourself.
Namjoon’s hand tightened around the hilt as he lifted the blade.
I understand.
Yoongi’s breath hitched in his throat.
Jimin-ah. My sun…
A moment of stillness.And then everything went black.
It had been a few days–Jin was certain–since he and Jimin got captured. Staring at the sleeping form of his friend, Jin felt a pang of worry and guilt bite onto his heart once again. Jimin’s lips were parched and chapped, his cheeks hollow and ribs more prominent than before. Jin was used to not getting a decent meal for months; he owed it to his horrible, piteous past. But Jimin–oh gods–the cheerful and caring Jimin; he wasn’t used to this kind of treatment.It had been a month since Jin left him in the prince’s hands, and even though Hyosang had given the younger his meals religiously, the concept of being locked up and isolated for weeks and the pressure of having his life hang on a balance had taken their toll on him. Jimin had used his remaining energy on him, to prevent the poison from claiming his life.How could Jin ever repay him?The hunger churning his stomach was painful, making his shackled hands tremble behind him. He licked his cracked bottom lip for the tenth time in a span of a minute, swallowing to wet his parched throat.“Yoongi…”Jin saw how Jimin curled on himself and burrowed his face on the hay, a single tear falling from his left eye and gliding down the contour of his nose and cheek. “Jimin-ah,” he croaked out and bumped his knee against the younger’s leg. “Wake up.”Eyes fluttering open, Jimin gasped and then groaned in pain as he felt the claws of hunger burying into his stomach. “H-Hyung?”“You were talking in your sleep again.” Jin nibbled on his bottom lip. “You were calling Yoongi’s name.”Jimin’s eyelids closed briefly to let the unshed tears fall. Pulling himself up, he grunted, “I miss him so much, hyung. Will I ever get the chance to touch him one last time?”“Of course, you would,” Jin assured him. “You can touch him as much as you want after he saves you. He won’t let you die, Jiminie.
I won’t let you die.”There was a look of genuine gratefulness in Jimin’s eyes, but the way his lips curved up with a sad, defeated smile broke Jin’s heart. “Thank you, hyung. But I don’t think I will make it out alive.”“Ya! Don’t say that,” Jin frowned as he reprimanded him. “You are strong, Jiminie. You can survive this one out.”“I am not as strong as you think I am, hyung.” Jimin’s bottom lip quivered. “I am trying to hold on for Yoongi, desperately holding onto something so I can be with him again. But everytime I close my eyes, every day that passes by, I can… feel myself slipping away. I feel so weak right now and… I don’t think I’ll last for another week.”“Jiminie…” Jin’s eyes welled with tears as he positioned closer to the younger, his wrists straining against their restraints. “Look at me.”Jimin lifted his gaze up to Jin, slightly unfocused and exhausted.“We will get out of here, do you hear me?” Jin spoke. “You will make it out alive and go back to Yoongi’s arms. Even if I myself won’t, I will make sure that you do.”“How?” Jimin whined. “I am so, so tired, hyung. I don’t want to fight anymore–”“Still a worthless little bird, I see.”Jin’s eyes snapped towards the wooden bars. There was a woman standing outside their enclosure, a hint of smug smirk gracing her lovely features. “You were as battered and helpless as I remembered you, Park Jimin,” she said. “Slumped and on the verge of breaking, just like that day when Ha Jung Shik’s men beat you up.”Jimin’s eyes widened and his jaws slackened as recognition hit him like a tidal wave. “Y-You…” His lips trembled, the words dying in his mouth. “You’re–”
“My husband is Commander Ha’s soldier and he… threatened to kill me and my beloved if I don’t comply with his wishes. The general has always been good to everyone, yet I betrayed his trust.” Her right hand rested over her abdomen, fingers gripping tightly the fabric of her slightly worn-out dress. “I did it to protect my husband and our unborn child, yet I know that what I did is no excuse for your suffering. I am deeply sorry.”

There were silent tears streaming down the woman’s face and Jimin wanted to reach out to console her if it weren’t for his shackled and battered limbs. Thus, he spoke instead, “You did it to protect your loved ones. If you were given a choice, you wouldn’t have picked the one that could hurt other people.”

Her tear-stained eyes lifted up to him in surprise. “Young man.”

“I don’t blame you. But if it gives you comfort, then I forgive you.”

The woman let out a trembling breath as more tears fell from her eyes. “I don’t deserve your kindness.”
“I have seen you before,” Jin spoke, eyes narrowing. “In the Bangtan castle.”“Yes,” the woman confirmed. “I am Jeohyeon, the housekeeper.” She smirked. “Or so you all thought.”“You’re a spy,” Jin hissed. “You are one of the prince’s little crows.”“Of course, I am,” Joehyeon stated pragmatically. “How do you think the prince knew about you and all the things happening within the castle walls?”“But you’re–” Jimin’s breath hitched in his throat. “You said you’re pregnant and… and your husband–”“–Are all lies.” The woman tilted her head. “My ‘husband’ is a crow just like me. And we have been watching in the shadows for years.”Jeohyeon held Jin’s glare, finding amusement in his fury. “You are not the only talented crow that Prince Taewon has, brother. There are several more hatchlings that he nurtured aside from the group you belonged to. We are everywhere.”A lump lodged inside Jin’s throat, especially when he saw a pair of familiar blades strapped on both sides of the woman’s hips. “Those are mine,” he hissed, eyes burning anew. “You don’t deserve them.”“Ah, the kirpans.” Jeohyeon’s thumb caressed the metallic hilt of the blade. “The prince gave me these, as he was certain that you wouldn’t be using them anymore.”A low growl released from Jin’s throat as veins popped out of his neck. “Those kirpans are important to me. They have been with me since I was little–”The woman laughed mockingly. “I couldn’t care less about your history, brother. These are mine now.”She shifted her gaze to the silver-haired, who flinched slightly under her presence. “You will see your beloved general in a few days.” She smirked when Jimin’s eyes widened. “We will ride to Suwon tomorrow at dawn. Make sure you do not die before then.”
“…ng?”“…yung?”What?“…hyung?”He groaned.“Yoongi-hyung!”A piercing headache lanced through Yoongi’s skull and he placed a large palm over his eyes, shielding them from the sunlight that was seeping through the crack of the heavy curtains of his tent. He felt someone touching his neck, his arms and his forehead. When he let his lashes flutter open, he saw a tuft of brown hair and a pair of chocolate eyes staring down at him. “How are you feeling?” Taehyung asked in that deep baritone of his. “Does your head hurt?”Yoongi hummed in response.Nodding, the army doctor said, “You have ingested a copious amount of sleeping drug, hyung.” He frowned. “Why did you do that?”Yoongi’s whole body froze when realization hit him.“You will feel nauseous until the next day, but aside from that, you’re going to be fine–”“Namjoon,” he uttered hoarsely. “Where… is he?”At those words, Taehyung’s mouth clacked shut and his whole body stiffened. He averted his gaze from the older, as if trying to shun the situation at hand, and his long moment of wordlessness only made Yoongi’s heart pace faster. “Tae,” he spoke carefully. “Where is Namjoon?”Taehyung swallowed and dropped his gaze on the hands in his lap. “Namjoon-hyung, he…” He sighed. “He’s been kneeling outside your tent for two days. He won’t say a word when spoken to. He won’t eat, or drink, or sleep. He looks so deathly pale and I just want to haul him to his feet and drag him away but everytime someone touches him, he shoves them away. Jungkook and Hoseok-hyung couldn’t talk him out of it.” Taehyung shut his eyes tightly. “He won’t move a muscle, hyung. I’m… I’m so worried about him.”There was a genuine ache that pierced through Yoongi’s heart. His feet found the ground in a heartbeat, never minding if he was going out barefooted or being scolded by Taehyung. All he knew was that he had to see Namjoon–his dear brother.Yoongi pushed the curtains open, eyes squinting at the bright sunlight. It only took a few staggering steps forward before his vision was already adapting to the sudden change and then he found him.Namjoon was kneeling a few feet away from his tent, legs tucked beneath him, hands resting over his thighs as he tried his hardest not to let his posture droop. His face was devoid of warm colors but the intensity in his eyes remained steadfast. He was functioning out of sheer will alone and Yoongi wanted nothing but to take his friend out of the dark abyss he was currently dwelling in.“Namjoon…”The strategymaster’s eyes lifted up, as if only registering Yoongi’s presence, and then his mouth fell open and his lashes fluttered. The stoic emotion that was once enveloping his face faded away, replaced by something that was akin to relief and heart-clenching guilt.Yoongi watched as Namjoon leaned forward and rested his forehead on the ground, bowing deeply to him in shame. “Y-Yoongi… I–” Namjoon’s voice trembled. “–I am sorry. I don’t… deserve to live after what I did and Jin would have never forgiven me. I could never look at you in the eyes again. I will not beg for my life as I do not have any right, but please… Please, save Jin. I will hang by the noose if I have to. Just… please. Please, do not let him die. This is the last thing I will ever ask of you.”Taehyung gasped and bit his lip to stifle the sobs threatening to rip out of his throat. Jungkook and Hoseok were standing behind Namjoon and looking as broken as the man bowing down to Yoongi. There were tears flowing down Jungkook’s face and he didn’t try to conceal the hurt that he was feeling for his friend.Yoongi’s hands shook, thus he curled them into tight fists on his sides. He breathed out an audible breath before he walked towards Namjoon. Yoongi stared at him for a while, feeling dozens of eyes bore holes on his skin, but he tried to brush them all off. What mattered right now was Namjoon, his head bowed down in shame and his hands trembling with regret.He knelt in front of his friend and spoke, “Lift your head, Namjoon.”When the man didn’t move, he said more firmly, “This is an order from your general.”There was hesitation in Namjoon’s face when he lifted himself up from the ground, his eyes red-rimmed and welling with tears as he looked at anywhere but Yoongi’s face.The strategymaster tried to form words, but his heart and mind were failing him. “Y-Yoongi…” His hands clenched on his lap. “…I–”The general wrapped his arms around him before he could speak further. Namjoon’s eyes blew wide with shock as Yoongi held him tighter. “You are a fool, brother,” he muttered.After those words, all of Namjoon’s walls burst open and the tears flowed down his face in streams. He hiccuped and clutched the fabric on Yoongi’s back, gritting his teeth and shutting his eyes tightly. “Y-Yoongi…” he sobbed. “…Hyung.”Yoongi’s breath hitched sharply in his throat and he felt his heart quiver ever so slightly. It was rare for Namjoon to call him that, to verbally address him as an older brother. They had been friends ever since he could remember; they were equals. And even though they regarded one another as brothers, the last time that Namjoon called him ‘hyung’ was the day after his entire clan was annihilated.To hear Namjoon say this, to see him look so helpless and worn out shattered Yoongi’s heart.“Hyung,” Namjoon cried. “I’m sorry. I–” His grip on Yoongi tightened. “–I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t… I can’t lose Jin. I love him so much. Please, I–”“Hush, Namjoon.” Yoongi pulled away and rested his hand on the strategymaster’s nape, capturing his eyes and saying, “I won’t let anything bad happen to him. I will save Jin-hyung and Jimin. Do you understand me? I will do anything to protect them.”Namjoon sniffled and nodded.“I need you to be strong, Joon.” Yoongi furrowed his eyebrows. “I need you to fight alongside me. Can you do that for me, brother?”His tears were still flowing but the gratitude that flashed across Namjoon’s eyes was enough for Yoongi’s mouth to curve up slightly. Through his sobs, Namjoon bobbed his head up and down, wiping away the wetness on his face together with the pain in his heart. “Yes,” he answered Yoongi, “I will fight with you, brother.”For the first time in a while, Namjoon held his gaze. “Until the last drop of my blood.”-TBC

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Village of SuwonSouth of Seoul
(Credits to the artist)

Chapter 32: Suwon
Yoongi’s shoulders were heavy with tension as his eyes roamed around the village. Suwon was a prosperous land with numerous infrastructures for trade and commerce and a large public market flocked with merchants coming from both within and outside the village. There were no soldiers lurking nearby, as if there was no major military business that was about to take place–just another fine day for the people living there. The village square was no different from the grandeur exhibited by the entirety of the place–a wide, open area covered with cobblestones.And that was where Yoongi found them.Namjoon’s whole body stiffened beside him the moment they set foot on the village square. A large unit of soldiers–just like what Yoongi’s scouts had reported to him several days prior–dressed in suits of
armor, their breastplates embedded with a dragon crest, the unit standing guard around a wooden platform at the center of the square. They had shields engraved with the same insignia, painted black and gold and held firmly with one hand.It wasn’t the sight of hundreds of men facing him that unnerved Yoongi; it was the mere fact that Jin and Jimin were now tied around a wooden post on top of the high platform as if they were to be executed. There were dried branches and hay underneath their soles, circling them like a crown.Once the Royal Army saw Yoongi and Namjoon, General Kang shouted, “Men! In line!”The soldiers huffed and collectively thumped their shields on the ground, the vanguard flipping their spears horizontally and pointing the blade towards the rebels.Yoongi was not intimidated in the least; he had faced many a great opponent in the past, but not once had he ever underestimated them. If he let his poise get the best of him under the threat of an enemy, then that false sense of security would surely lead him to his doom.His gaze immediately found a pair of mahogany eyes in a heartbeat. Though apart, the distance had never been a hindrance for him to recognize that beautiful snow-like hair from afar. Yoongi’s own heart seemed to leap up to his throat when their stares locked, feeling every pump of blood and rush of heat in his neck and face, his hands tingling with the desire to hold the other tightly and never let go again.It has been too long, Yoongi thought. I thought I would never see him again.Jimin’s lashes fluttered when he saw Yoongi standing there far away from him. The mixture of pain and relief in his heart sent ripples of emotions through his system, causing his eyes to turn glassy and his lips to part with unspoken words that could never bridge the strong feelings he held for the other. This moment of connection from afar would not suffice; Jimin was well aware of that. He needed to feel Yoongi under his hand, to trace his thin, rosy lips with his fingertips and to curl his fingers into his soft, midnight locks.“Yoongi…” Jimin gave out a shuddering breath.“Namjoon-ah…” Jin bit his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. There was a deep crease between his eyebrows, genuine worry and fear contorting his features. “That fool.” He sighed in frustration. “Why did he let Yoongi do this? He is his right-hand, his advisor. He was supposed to counsel Yoongi about rash things like this.”“They had no choice, hyung. Maybe this was the best way they could think of–”“Think of what?” Jin almost spat. “Exchanging Yoongi’s life for yours and mine? He, who is the most important person in this whole fucking rebellion and the one who could free the nation from its chains?"Jimin was aware that their lives were miniscule compared to Yoongi’s; however, that was not the case for the general, after all. Jimin could not really blame the elder for feeling frustrated over Yoongi’s sacrifice; the latter viewed them as precious as they viewed him and the rest of their friends. Their bond was mutual, thus it was not really a surprise to both of them when Yoongi appeared before them and complied with Prince Taewon’s unjust demands.Still, having Yoongi and Namjoon stand before them with no weapons or heavy armor made Jimin’s heart tremble with fear.Namjoon looked like he was going to burst with how firmly his fists were clenched at his sides and how taut every muscle in his body was. His chest was aching, every beat of his heart yearning and shouting for one particular man tied against that damn wooden post.“Jin-ah,” he murmured with a shaky breath.Yoongi glanced briefly to his friend, assuring that he was calm enough to continue with the business at hand. And when Namjoon just nodded to him curtly, the general’s gaze shifted back to General Kang, who was mounted on a sturdy stallion in front of the vanguard.“I came with one companion just like what Prince Taewon asked,” Yoongi said. “Where is he?”“You are in no place to demand His Highness’ presence, rebel,” General Kang spat out the last word venomously. “The prince commanded me to represent him and decide in his stead. I shall see through this whole exchange until the end. You have no choice but to answer to me.”A dark scowl settled on Yoongi’s features just as Namjoon inched closer to say, “If the prince himself is not here, then this must be a trap, Yoongi.” The strategymaster frowned. “Just like what we expected.”Feeling a flare of anger course through his chest, Yoongi tipped his chin up slightly and narrowed his eyes. “How can I be certain that you will meet your end of the deal fairly?”“Are you implying that His Highness is a liar?” General Kang spat in offense. “You traitorous bastard.”“Be careful with your words, soldier.” Yoongi glowered. “In spite of you having leverage against me, you must be forgetting that I am still the head of the Bangtan Army, General Min Yoongi. And if you touch a single hair on my friends’ heads, I assure you that death will be swift and unmerciful to all of you, regardless of how many of you are here right now.”Yoongi eyed the expanse of soldiers composing the vanguard. There were some who swallowed thickly, while others tightened their hold on their spear and shield. They knew Yoongi was not talking with empty words. They must have heard about his ferocity in the battlefield, about the praises sung for his skill and about the fear he had instilled on the Royal Army as he fought them constantly in the past.
‘The Red General, who has the eyes of a beast.’

‘The rebel leader who killed more than a hundred men in a single night.’

‘The most sublime and fearsome warrior the nation has seen in centuries.’

‘A man born with hands of steel and an iron heart.’
Those were the words of people who feared Yoongi in the capital. They were right; he’d used to regard himself as a wild, hungry beast in the past, slaying his foes without mercy and winning battles after battle without losing an eye or an arm. That was how it was……Until he’d met Jimin.Dear gods. Jimin, the love of his life, whose voice was as sweet as honey, whose touch was tender and like a promise of forever, whose lips were ample and as soft as a feather on Yoongi’s skin. He made Yoongi feel loved and special, even though he was sure he didn’t deserve the young man’s love, after all the horrible things he had done. Still, Jimin bared his heart to him, had chosen him.And for that, Yoongi was more than willing to forsake his own life for him.The general’s words seemed to echo in the stifling air of the village square as a tense silence fell among the Royal Army. Jimin’s breath caught in his throat, together with the erratic beating of his heart.Jeohyeon moved and lit up a torch beside Jimin, raising her voice for Yoongi to hear. “If you are already thinking of killing us even before the exchange, then we have no reason to trust you, have we, General Min?” She lowered the torch, and flames danced dangerously close to the dried branches under Jimin’s feet. “I might as well burn your friend and your lover and chop their heads off.”A low rumbling sound emanated from Yoongi’s throat as he tried to take a step forward, the soldiers lowering their stance a bit in response and bracing themselves for Yoongi’s sudden attack. However, Namjoon managed to stop him before he could do something he would regret afterwards.“Yoongi, calm down,” Namjoon said with a steady voice, although his grip on Yoongi’s hand was firm and trembling. He was just as frightened for Jin’s life as Yoongi was for Jimin’s. “She is provoking you. Do not be taunted by her words.”“I know, but–” Yoongi sighed in frustration and threw a worried glance towards Jimin. The younger was looking at him with fear in his eyes, lips quivering and slight frame shivering like a leaf in the wind. Had he become thinner? Had he not eaten well for this past month?“It is your choice,” General Kang said to him. “Give us your head and spare the life of your friends, or threaten the Royal Army again and watch them burn alive in front of your eyes.”Yoongi’s jaw clenched, feeling his teeth grit together tightly as he shut his eyes.“Yoongi-yah…” Jimin wished that Yoongi could hear him right now, that he could console him with his words as his lover looked so terrified for his life. Jimin wanted to say that if Yoongi chose to fight instead, then it would be alright. He would not blame him for doing so. Much greater people needed him; the whole nation needed someone like General Min Yoongi to fight for them.Dying for a measly nobody like Jimin was not worth his life.Yoongi’s eyes opened slowly, resolution evident in his gaze as he addressed the enemy’s words. “I will do the exchange.”Jimin’s heart ached. “No, Yoongi-yah. Don’t…”“Then it shall be done.” General Kang threw a pair of iron cuffs towards Yoongi, the metal clattering on the cobblestones near the latter’s feet. “Put those on and do not attempt to trick us.” He narrowed his eyes. “Let’s get this over with without a single drop of blood.”Yoongi seized the shackles from the ground. “Are you sure?” he heard Namjoon ask with furrowed eyebrows.Yoongi looked at him. “You did not put poison in my drink, Namjoon. Instead, you made me fall asleep so you would have a choice to withdraw your blade if you changed your mind, am I correct?”The strategymaster’s lips parted slightly before he bowed his head, nodding weakly as if too ashamed to even remember that dark moment in his life.The general’s eyes softened as the corners of his lips curved up. “You have given me this chance to save Jimin and Jin-hyung.” He shook his head. “I will not break your trust.”Namjoon’s face twisted. “Y-Yoongi–”“Please.” Yoongi offered him the shackles. “Put these on for me.”There was a moment of hesitation in Namjoon’s eyes before he nodded and placed Yoongi’s hands on his back, securing his wrists with the loud clamping of the metal. He released a heavy and stuttered breath before he said, “Be careful, brother.”“I will.” Yoongi smiled. “Take care of Jimin and Jin-hyung for me.”Namjoon could feel tears welling in his eyes and burning in his throat, but he opted to swallow them down and blink them away, nodding to his hyung vehemently. Yoongi let out a slight chuckle at the emotional display before he directed his attention back to General Kang.“I am ready.”Jimin and Jin were being untied from the wooden post, but their wrists remained restrained behind their backs. The men were clutching their hands on their tunics as they guided them down the platform, shoving them past the line of soldiers towards the frontline.When that tuft of silvery white hair became nearer and more vibrant to his eyes, Yoongi swallowed and focused his gaze solely on him.He wanted nothing but to tear himself from those shackles and throw his arms around Jimin, smell his scent and kiss his lips, his cheeks, his forehead–everything. He missed him so damn much it actually hurt.They walked towards each other slowly, matching each other’s pace, and it was hard enough for Yoongi to keep himself from running towards his lover whenever Jimin staggered a little or his knees threatened to buckle underneath him. Jin was there beside Jimin, leaning towards him a bit closely to give him the support he would need if ever he’d fall.The whole square was still as their footsteps thudded against the cobblestones. Yoongi’s gaze never strayed from Jimin, the general watching as the younger’s face crumpled slowly as they got closer to each other. An arm’s length away was all it took before Jimin closed the remaining distance between them and burrowed his face into the crook of Yoongi’s neck.Their chests were pressed flush together, and for the first time in more than a month, Yoongi felt warm once again.“Y-Yoongi-yah…” Jimin choked on a sob.The general shut his eyes tightly before burying his nose into Jimin’s pale locks. “Jimin-ah…” his voice trembled. “I… I have to go.”“No.” Jimin shook his head and pressed further into Yoongi’s skin. “Don’t go. I won’t let you–”“Move,” General Kang commanded them as his hand raised in the air; one slight gesture of his hand and the arrows behind him would fly towards Yoongi and Jimin.“I love you so much, my sun,” Yoongi murmured into his hair before planting a firm kiss on his temple.“Yoongi-yah…” Jimin was shaking, tears now flowing freely down his face. “I love you.” He looked into Yoongi’s dark eyes. “I love you too, with all I have.”“That is all I needed to hear.” Yoongi smiled faintly before pulling himself away from Jimin.Jimin was cold once again, and with every step Yoongi took away from him, his heart broke anew. Jin led him towards their awaiting companion, but Jimin’s eyes never left his lover’s back, watching over his shoulder and making sure that Yoongi was still okay.“Jin-ah.”Namjoon wrapped his arms around Jin, embracing him tightly as if his life depended on that moment of close proximity to his lover. Jin was letting out harsh, trembling breaths against Namjoon’s shoulder, barely able to suppress his cries.“I was so scared,” Namjoon confessed as tears sprang into his eyes. “I thought I would never get to hold you again.”“I am sorry.” Jin sobbed. “It’s… it’s my fault. I am so sorry, Joon-ah. I–”“Hush. It is not.” Namjoon leaned back slightly to kiss Jin on the lips, hasty but firm, conveying his gratefulness and unparalleled love to his lover.Holding Jin’s gaze, he pleaded, “Don’t leave me again. Please.”Jin smiled and shook his head, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes. “I will not. I promise.”Namjoon hugged Jimin after that, but the younger seemed too occupied with watching Yoongi get restrained further by the Royal Army. “They’re hurting him,” Jimin cried, panic rising into his system. “They’re going to kill Yoongi–”“They will take him to the capital for his public execution,” Namjoon told him. “They will not dare kill him before then.”Why did Yoongi have to be the one to suffer in Jimin’s place? Why did he have to die?Why couldn’t Jimin and Yoongi just be together?Yoongi lost count of the number of hands currently restraining him. There was just too much and he could barely breathe from the way the soldiers hovered over him and clouded his vision.“Place the heaviest shackles around his feet as well,” he heard General Kang say. “Make sure he doesn’t lift a finger inside the prison wagon.”General Kang shifted his attention back to the three figures several meters away from him. They were moving back to the village, while still keeping cautious eyes on him and his men.
“Min Yoongi is like a weed competing with a tree like me,” Prince Taewon said as he and General Kang sat in the palace gardens. “To build a better place, I need to eliminate the likes of him.”

The prince looked at him. “Do you understand my words, General Kang?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Good.” Prince Taewon nodded once. “But if you just cut their leaves, the weeds will grow again. Do you know what I will do once I ascend the throne?”
The prince smirked. “I will uproot them,” he stated, a lone red rose in hand. “Not just Min Yoongi, but all of his underlings.” A shadow fell on his eyes. “I will make sure that they will never grow back again.”General Kang narrowed his eyes at the three figures before he raised his hand.“Archers, with me!”He saw how the rebels’ eyes widened in shock as the archers loaded their bows with arrows. He heard a low growl behind him, unmistakably from the wild beast he had captured that day. One corner of his mouth twitched up in pleasure; the prince would surely reward him handsomely for this.“Steady!”The archers pointed their arrows towards the three running figures.“Kang Chul-soo, you fucking bastard!” Yoongi yelled at him, but the way the soldiers pinned the general down purged whatever attempt he had to move towards him.General Kang smirked and raised his hand higher, palm spreading open. Four birds with one stone, he thought smugly.Just when he was about to open his mouth to order the archers to shoot, something was thrown at him that made his horse flinch and stagger back. Taking over the reins to calm his ride, General Kang stared down at a small sack–a pouch–that was lying on the ground near him.Soon, several more were thrown from the higher floors of the brick-walled houses and buildings engulfing the area. And before he could realize what was happening, flaming arrows were already piercing through the orange sky and hitting, not him or his men, but the harmless-looking pouches.In a matter of seconds, scattered explosions filled the air of the village square.
Soldiers with the Bangtan crest engraved on their breastplates came rushing out of the houses, swords and shields in hand–ready to shed their blood.The next thing that Jimin knew, there was a pair of arms encircling him, pulling him into a tight embrace. “Jiminie! Gods–” Taehyung let out a sigh of relief. “–I am so glad to see you again.”“Tae…” Jimin felt like crying. He had missed his best friend. Damn. How long had it been since the last time Taehyung had held him like this?The ropes around his arms were being cut, freeing him, and then he heard the sound of hooves galloping towards them.It was Jungkook, holding his sword and fighting off several enemies on his way.The bladesmith slid off the saddle and told Taehyung, “Take the horse and escape to the camp with Jimin-hyung.”“No!” Jimin shook his head vigorously. “Yoongi–he… he needs me!”“We will not let anything bad happen to him, okay?” Jin assured him and nodded his head briefly at Taehyung. “Take care of Jiminie, Tae.”“I will.”After Jungkook handed Namjoon his battle axe, the latter asked, “What about you, Jin-ah?”At that, Jin replied, “You know me, Joon-ah. Anything can be my weapon.” He gave the younger a confident smirk before he ran towards the battlefield,
barehanded.No matter how many times Jin threw himself into a battle with nothing more than his fists and kicks as his weapons, Namjoon still could not help the string of curses that came out of his mouth as he ran after his lover, worrying about his safety despite the other’s notable combat skills.Jungkook was about to follow them when a hand suddenly gripped his arm. The gaze that Taehyung showed him was one that was hopeful but fearful, just like any other time when Jungkook was about to fight a battle alongside their friends. There had always been a sense of uncertainty everytime they parted ways, but there was also a strong feeling of trust that seemed to overshadow whatever doubt they had.“I will see you later,” Taehyung uttered.The words were not meant to wish Jungkook good luck in the battlefield, because ‘luck’ was a bitch and full of gaping holes and missed chances. Rather, it was apromise that both of them would stay alive no matter what adversity came their way.Jungkook hummed. “I will see you later, Taehyung-ah.”Before the bladesmith could move an inch closer, it was Taehyung who closed the distance between them first, pressing his lips briefly but firmly onto the younger’s lips and pulling away before Jungkook’s heart could adapt to the warmth spreading across his chest.Taehyung mounted the stallion and pulled Jimin up behind him, sparing a brief glance to Jungkook’s retreating form before gripping the reins with one hand and his katar in the other.
Yoongi groaned as the enemy soldiers continued to press him against the ground, immobilizing him thoroughly for they knew how detrimental the situation would be if he would manage to break free from his shackles.“Hold him down!” one of the enemies shouted.“Don’t let the Red General get away–”There was a loud cry of pain above Yoongi, followed by another, and then another. The weight forced upon him gradually lightened as the enemies fell one by one, and, through the dust and red pool of liquid snaking between the cracks of the stone floor, Yoongi saw a man–no, two men–waving a huge battle axe and a heavy claymore sword.Another slash from the double-headed axe completely alleviated the burden on Yoongi’s back and the man helped the general stand up to his feet.“Yoongi!” Namjoon said, “Are you okay?”With a nod, Yoongi asked, “Jimin-ah–where is he?”“He is with Taehyung. They are escaping as we speak.”Without another word, Namjoon lifted his weapon and brought the blade down on the chains binding Yoongi’s wrists.“Hyung!” Jungkook threw something at him and the general’s blood suddenly rushed through his veins.He lifted a hand, palm opened wide, ready to catch the item. Once in his grasp, the rod hummed and pulsated with life until the rush of power surged through its entire length, the blade of the Agust glinting under the twilight sky and hungering for a taste of blood.He saw Namjoon’s hands tighten on his axe as several soldiers ran towards them. Yoongi closed his eyes and let out a slow and deep breath, the air around him suddenly filling with electricity and the sounds of battle magnifying a hundred-fold to his ears. It was as if he could sense every movement and hear every sound surrounding him, from the quietest pants of the soldiers to the loudest gallop of the horses.Yoongi heard a whir of insect wings and he snapped his eyes open, pivoting on one foot as he whipped the blade across the air in a powerful glide, sending the weapons of the Royal Army clattering to the ground as the men staggered back from the sheer force of Yoongi’s attack.Namjoon and Jungkook’s lips tugged up into smirks.With the dust floating around him, Yoongi’s eyes darkened as he brought the rod of the glaive down, the impact seeming to echo in the entire square as his stance intimidated the soldiers, every muscle fiber in his body exuding dominance and power. If Yoongi caught a slight hint of fear in the men’s eyes, then he paid it no heed. His fingers tightened around the Agust and the veins in his arm bulged.He would show no mercy upon those who had hurt his beloved man.
“You are a pesky one, brother.”Jin’s eyebrows twitched in irritation. “Do not call me that,” he hissed through gritted teeth. “The only siblings that I have are those who you wanted to kill.”Jeohyeon gripped the kirpans in her hands tightly, forehead creasing. “You are a traitor to the Crown, and you will die for it.”“And who is the Crown?” Jin scoffed, fingers wrapping tighter around a pair of daggers he’d stolen from his opponents earlier. “Prince Taewon, who has taken hundreds of lives to satisfy his greed?”The woman bared her teeth and surged forward like lightning. Jin’s daggers crossed with her blades, straining but never giving in. “I will not tolerate you addressing our father that way.”“He is not my father.” Jin gritted his teeth. “You must open your eyes to the truth that that man didn’t save you. He ruined your life–”Jeohyeon let out a rumbling sound before she swiped a foot across Jin’s legs, knocking him down to the ground, and then she was straddling him, trying to push past his defense and sink her–Jin’s–blades into his chest. “You will die, Kim Seokjin,” she sneered.“No.” Jin grinned and the woman’s eyes widened. “You will.”In the blink of an eye, there was an arrow piercing through the left side of her chest, knocking the wind out of her lungs, and Jin used this opportunity to kick her off him and pin her to the ground, forcefully sinking his daggers into her chest.Blood oozed out of the woman’s mouth as she dropped the kirpans and gripped Jin’s hands, blunt nails clawing weakly on his skin. “You–” she choked. “–didn’t… fight… f-fairly.”“If you thought that I would fight alone, then you were wrong.” Jin’s eyes flicked towards Hoseok’s direction for a second, the younger’s eyes flashing with concern as his hands grasped the bow and arrow tightly, ready to let go once again if Jin would need his help.He shifted his gaze back to the dying woman beneath him, her eyes blown wide as strangled breaths continued to escape her throat. “Ever since the moment my brothers found me,” he uttered softly. “I have never walked alone.”Jin twisted the blades inside her chest and then it was over in an instant. Jeohyeon’s eyelids fell close and all the light remaining in her body suddenly snuffed out.Getting off her corpse, Jin released the daggers and picked up his kirpans, giving the dead woman one last sympathetic look. “If I hadn’t realized that Prince Taewon was controlling my life in the worst way possible, and if I hadn’t let myself see my friends’ kindness…” A lump formed in his throat. “…Then I would have ended up like you.”
Hoseok hid behind the stone walls, a hand covering the graze on his left arm when an arrow flew past him. It was close, so damn close that if it weren’t for his Gift of Clarity, he would not have been able to see the archer aiming for him from afar.The sun had already set by the time the door, leading to the highest room of the tower he was currently in, started to creak on its hinges. There were enemy soldiers banging against the door, shouting and piercing their swords through the wood.So my men guarding the foot of the tower got killed, he thought bitterly.Cursing under his breath, Hoseok slung the bow around his shoulder and took the ropes with gloved hands. He let the metal claws dig into the stone walls as he stepped on the ledge of the window.The door banged open, and Hoseok jumped.The wind was rushing through his body as he rappelled himself down the side of the tower, his feet landing onto a footbridge below, and then he was running. He notched an arrow again and pulled the bowstring, one of the Royal Army soldiers falling to his knees as his arrow pierced through his throat.The fire powder, which they’d used to take down around half of the Royal Army,had been Namjoon’s idea, but it was Taehyung who had put oil and other pulverized things in it to make the bags explode. The number of opponents they were fighting against had significantly decreased because of that strategy. And just when Hoseok had thought they had the upper hand, that Namjoon’s plan of smuggling soldiers inside the houses and towers had helped them win this battle, he was proven wrong.
There were only a few dozen soldiers left to kill and Yoongi was thirsting to get this damn battle over with. At that moment, he wanted nothing but to seek out Jimin and hold him closely to his chest. They had been apart for so long that Yoongi felt the deep ache of longing inside his chest hurting him physically. He wanted to see Jimin. He wanted to hear his voice and gaze into his eyes.Fuck, he missed him so bad.Once his gaze locked with General Kang Chul-soo’s, fire burnt beneath Yoongi’s skin, and then his feet were running. He would put an end to this damn battle once and for all.General Kang looked alarmed and he pulled the reins of his horse to escape.But Yoongi wouldn’t let him.The general flipped the Agust in his hand and threw the blade towards the man’s stallion. The animal let out a harsh cry before falling to the ground together with its rider. Yoongi collected his glaive once again, the horse’s blood dripping from the blade down to the cracks between the cobblestones.There was fear and anger in the man’s eyes as he stared up at Yoongi. However, he still managed to say, “You will die for this, you fucking rebel.”“I have heard men utter the same things over and over again all these years.” Yoongi looked down at him, eyes devoid of any emotion. “And yet, here I am.”Yoongi raised the glaive in the air and the man’s eyes widened. The general was about to bring the blade down when two arrows flew his way. Cursing as he was forced to dodge, Yoongi threw a glare towards the source of the attack, but right then, right there, his irritation melted away as a look of shock contorted the lines of his face.There were a group of civilians, dressed in anything but heavy armor, holding bows and arrows and aiming at Yoongi. “What the–”And then he heard it–them.There were shouts, no, angry war cries, eventually filling up the entire square. When Yoongi looked around, he saw dozens–hundreds–of civilians flocking the village square, holding weapons and shields and riding on horseback. The night was lit up with torches, obscuring the stars above. And then, no matter where Yoongi looked, all he saw were flames and blood. “Yoongi!” He heard Namjoon’s voice somewhere behind him, but his ears seemed to shut the world out. He was fighting, killing the civilians–archers–who had tried to subdue him earlier.“More enemies are coming!” the strategymaster shouted as Yoongi beheaded the last one of them. “We have to call off the attack!”Yoongi’s throat constricted as a horrible feeling of helplessness lodged inside his stomach.There had never been any civilian in this village. It was a trap; it had been all this time. They had anticipated it, had thought that they had outsmarted Prince Taewon’s plan. But they were wrong.They had already lost this battle right from the moment Yoongi and his men had set foot on Suwon’s grounds.“You have to go. Now,” Namjoon instructed him.“I will not abandon my men,” Yoongi hissed through gritted teeth.“Yoongi,” the strategymaster said in frustration. “This is not the time for–”Yoongi
felt it–the crippling pain that seemed to engulf his whole being in an instant. He choked in a trembling breath before he was falling onto Namjoon’s chest, the other swearing and wrapping his arms around him to hold him up.“Fuck, Yoongi? Yoongi!”Namjoon saw how the general’s hand released the Agust and clawed nails on his tunic as if trying so hard to get the damn thing off him.“Soldiers!” he shouted to their subordinates. “Protect your general!”The Bangtan soldiers ran towards them, forming a protective circle with spears, swords and shields held in both hands. Namjoon knew that they looked like mice that had been trapped or hares snared by hunters, but he couldn’t care less at that moment, not when Yoongi was falling down to his knees and gasping for air in his hold.Fishing the vial from Yoongi’s pouch, Namjoon pushed the liquid down the other’s throat and waited for the pain to subside. There was sweat beading on hi sforehead as he stared intensely at the look of agony on Yoongi’s face. This was the first time that the general had collapsed on the battlefield; the pain must have been so hard to bear that he was unable to quell it any longer.There were dark veins crawling on the left side of Yoongi’s face and neck, the root-like lines glowing dimly like molten lava. “Fuck,” Namjoon swore exasperatedly when Yoongi showed no signs of recovery. “Yoongi. Fuck, Yoongi, you can’t… You can’t die, goddamn it!”The protective barrier that the soldiers managed to put around them was rapidly thinning; piles and piles of dead bodies fell down like leaves, just like that, with every sway of a sword from their enemies. They had lost this battle, Namjoon thought as a bitter taste poisoned his tongue.They would die here, right now.
“Attack!”
Namjoon’s eyes widened when he heard the sound of heavy hooves thudding against the cobblestones. One moment, there was the Royal Army slaying his allies like they were nothing, overwhelming them with their tremendous numbers. And then there were strange men clad in black, riding on horseback, bringing down their weapons on the Royal Army and flocking the square like an avalanche.He heard General Kang Chul-soo call off the attack, but the horsemen galloped around them, trapping them and providing no way of escape.“Protect General Min Yoongi!” one of the strangers shouted and Namjoon held on tightly to Yoongi’s weakened form in his arms.Once the horsemen managed to position their horses around them, Namjoon asked, “Who are you?”The upper half of the man’s face was covered with a silver mask, just like his other companions, so Namjoon could not recognize them despite the torches and flames burning down the houses. The stranger’s eyes landed on Yoongi, and then he said, “Take one of the horses and go. Some of my men will accompany you.”“No.” Namjoon glowered at him. “I see no reason to trust a stranger’s words.”“I am no stranger. I and my men may have been in the shadows, but both of us are fighting for the same cause,” the man replied. “We have been observing General Min for a couple of years now.”Observing? What does that mean? Namjoon thought, confusion written all over his face.Men from the Royal Army were charging towards them, swords bared and horses running at full speed. The stranger turned his stallion around, along with all of his men. “We are here to protect General Min,” he said as he let the long blade of his sword glint under the moonlit sky. “The North
will bleed with him.”-TBC

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

(credits to the artist/s)

Chapter 33: The Fall
“Hold tight!”Taehyung pulled the reins and the horse jumped, sending Jimin’s stomach to his feet as he wrapped his arms tightly around Taehyung’s body. The sound of thudding hooves was drawing nearer despite how much Taehyung tried to put a safe distance between them, making Jimin’s heart bang loudly inside his chest.The trees were getting thicker, more and more foreign to Jimin’s eyes as they ventured deeper into the forest. Risking a glance over his shoulder, he saw dozens of horsemen tailing them, all equipped with weapons, eyes wild and unforgiving–ready to kill.Letting out a shuddering breath, Jimin bit his lip hard enough to draw blood as his arms circled tighter around his friend.“Are you alright, Jiminie?” Taehyung asked, voice higher, fighting with the sound of the wind currently hitting their faces.“Y-Yes,” Jimin stuttered. “I-I…”
I’m scared, Tae.
“Shit!”There were a few soldiers who managed to catch up, running parallel to them and trying to get closer but Taehyung wouldn’t let them. Jimin heard a loud curse leave the other’s mouth as the latter pulled the reins once again, this time punching the air out of Jimin’s lungs as the sudden halt rattled his entire frame. The army doctor gritted his teeth as his hand gripped the katar tighter, glaring at the group of soldiers blocking their path with their horses.It wasn’t long before the whole troop was already surrounding them, swords bared dangerously and promising swift death for the both of them.“Lay down your weapon in the name of His Highness Prince Taewon,” one soldier commanded.Instead of obeying, Taehyung’s glare only intensified. “I see no reason for me to abide by that man’s words. He is no emperor and he will never have any authority over me.”“You shall not address your prince that way, rebel.”A wave of a hand was all it took for the arrows to come flying towards them. Jimin held his breath as the blades burrowed into the flesh of their stallion, the animal crying loudly before falling to the ground and bringing Jimin and Taehyung along with him.“Jiminie,” Taehyung uttered, voice straining when the impact bruised his left ribs.Grimacing as his right arm ached horribly, Jimin sat up and grasped Taehyung’s hand. Both of them were cold–pale–desperately trying to fight off the shudders running through their bodies. “Are you alright?” the silver-haired asked worriedly, despite his own injury.“Yes,” Taehyung grunted. “I’m fine–”“Nock.”Jimin’s heart stuttered inside his chest when the soldier raised his hand once again, eyes growing wider as he scampered towards Taehyung to embrace him tightly.Taehyung paled and tried to pry himself away from Jimin’s hold. He wouldn’t let Jimin protect him. No. He was supposed to be the one to do that.“Jiminie, no!”But Jimin did not relent, wrapping his arms tightly around him and covering Taehyung as much as his slight frame would allow. I will not let you die, Jimin thought, firm on doing just that. I will not let any of my friends suffer anymore because of me.“Captain!” one of the soldiers said frantically as he pointed at the darkness surrounding the trees. “I saw someone–”The soldier groaned in pain when an arrow struck his chest, sending him down from his saddle. Cries of panic and confusion swiftly enveloped the entire troop as they looked around them in search for the source of the attack. But before they could do anything, arrows pierced through the thick air of the forest, causing them to fall down from their horses.Jimin’s eyes were wide as he saw people jumping down from the trees and landing behind the soldiers, slitting their throats silently and moving so fluidly that it reminded Jimin of flowing water. They were dressed in black and wearing silver masks to conceal their identity. And when some of the soldiers attempted to make their way towards him and Taehyung, willing to drag them down to their deaths with them, a loud growl echoed through the forest and a huge wolf jumped in front of them, blocking Jimin’s view and filling his vision with nothing but black and tan fur.“Yeontan!” Taehyung spoke, a hopeful and proud smile blooming on his lips.The dire wolf’s emerald eyes were trained on the soldiers, his sharp teeth bared and nails digging into the earth beneath his feet.A fight broke out and Taehyung found himself fighting alongside Yeontan, standing close to Jimin and protecting him with all he had. “Run, Jiminie!”“No!” Jimin shook his head. “I won’t leave you!”“I will meet you in a while!” Taehyung kicked his opponent on the abdomen. “Just go!”Feeling utterly helpless, Jimin’s face twisted with guilt and frustration. Why couldn’t he fight for Taehyung? Why was he so pathetic like this?Jimin turned on his heels and ran. He wanted to punch himself for being a coward, for being a burden to his friends. Why couldn’t Jimin help them? Why did his friends always have to protect him?There were soldiers chasing him but Jimin kept on running, his whole body straining and legs going numb as he continued to tread through the rough terrain. The wind was crisp and felt like sharp ice pricking on his skin, icy smoke coming out of his mouth as he panted hard, his lungs burning with every breath he took.Jimin heard a rush of water and his heart filled with hope. Was it the stream? Was he getting closer to the camp?Just when Jimin broke through the last line of trees, his feet halted abruptly and his heart sank.A waterfall.Before a feeling of dread could settle fully in his stomach, there was already an excruciating
pain erupting from his right thigh, causing the wind to be knocked out of his chest as he fell hard on the ground. His arms ached where they grazed the soil beneath him, his eyes shutting tightly as he gripped the rod of the arrow buried deeply in his thigh.A pained groan came out of Jimin’s mouth as he attempted to take it out, every muscle in his body aching and every fiber of his being screaming at him with how awfully agonized he was at that moment. He let out a harsh breath when he managed to slide the blade out of his thigh, throwing the weapon to the side as he supported his weight with his hands.He was bleeding. Damn. If only Jimin could use his Gift on himself, then his wound wouldn’t be a problem.“Finally caught the little rat,” one soldier spat out as they approached him.“You are a swift-footed piece of shit.”“Took a lot of time to finally catch you.”Sweat was beading on Jimin’s forehead as he lifted his eyes to them, eyebrows knotting tightly as he tried his hardest to forget the pain and give his enemies a fierce glare.“Get away from me,” he snarled and the soldiers laughed mockingly at him.Jimin did not know how many minutes or hours had passed after he and Taehyung escaped from the village square. Were the others alright? Were they able to save Yoongi?A pang crept into Jimin’s heart at the thought of the general. It had only been a split moment of contact, but Jimin had been so overwhelmed when Yoongi pressed his body against his after more than a month of separation. He had missed him so much that it tormented him, and it hurt even more to think that Yoongi was about to slip through his fingers once again.Jimin just wanted to be with his beloved. Was it too much to ask for?“Men.”The soldiers all halted when they heard that familiar voice.Jimin’s heart stopped when a man dismounted his horse and walked towards Jimin, his armor stained with fresh and drying blood.“We have lost the battle,” General Kang said grimly as he glared at Jimin. “As soon as Min Yoongi fled the battlefield, I rode here in hopes of catching him, but what I see now in front of me is something that equates to that rebel’s life.”Jimin gasped. Yoongi left the square? Why? Was he hurt? Damn, was he alright?General Kang’s eyes were burning with unrestrained fury as he gripped his sword tighter. “I may not be able to kill Min Yoongi in this lifetime, but I will be sure to make him suffer.”Jimin tried to lift himself from the ground, only making it a few steps away from the man before he was falling down again. His thigh hurt so badly and his whole body felt numb. He dragged himself with his hands, earning him a scoff from General Kang.“If you die,” General Kang said as he raised his sword. “Then Min Yoongi is as good as dead.”Jimin held his breath and waited for the sword to come down on him, to slice him in half or maybe sever his neck from his shoulders. But the attack never came as Yeontan lunged himself on General Kang, biting onto his hand and knocking the weapon out of his grip, drawing out a piercing scream from him.“General Kang!”The soldiers raised their swords.Jimin’s eyes widened. “No!”Yeontan jumped off the struggling man and walked towards Jimin, shielding him from the enemies as blood dripped from the severed hand between his teeth. General Kang was in pain, loud curses coming out of his mouth as he ordered his men to kill the wolf.The soldiers obeyed and attacked Yeontan, but the dire wolf was fast, biting and scratching them with his sharp nails. Just when Jimin thought that everything would be over, a blade slipped through the wolf’s defenses and its edge collided with dark fur and warm flesh.Jimin shouted Yeontan’s name when the wolf staggered. There was rage in the animal’s emerald eyes when he tore the man’s throat open, blood spilling from the wound and seeping through the soil beneath his limp body.General Kang took this to his advantage and drove a sword into the wolf’s back, making Yeontan cry and whine pitifully.To say that Jimin was shocked and furious was an understatement.He did not know where he got the energy to stand on his feet and snatch a sword from the ground, but he did, and then the next he knew, he was burrowing the sword into the general’s thigh. “Fuck!” General Kang shouted before he fell.Panting hard and heart beating up to his throat, Jimin knelt beside Yeontan and placed his hands on a wound, shutting his
eyes tightly and willing all of his energy to flow into his palms. “Please. Please,” he muttered. “Please, save him.”The rush of heat came more naturally now than the last time he had attempted to use his Gift on someone. His hands glowed and Jimin let out a sigh of relief, sweat trickling down the sides of his neck as he concentrated on keeping the flow of energy stable.Yeontan’s eyes fluttered open, a low whine emanating from his mouth–a sign of life.Jimin smiled.“You fucking brat,” General Kang snarled as he held his bloody sword with his good hand. “I swear to the gods that I will kill you even if it’s the last thing I do.”Jimin’s hands were shaking after the wound closed beneath his palms. He felt the world tilt terribly and he sagged on top of the wolf’s abdomen, all of his energy draining out from every pore of his body. He’d gone too far. He was exhausted and wounded, and yet he’d still attempted to use his Gift.He might die, but he would not regret a single thing.Jimin heard a clink of metals. And when his lashes fluttered open and his vision fought through the haziness, Jimin saw a man standing in front of him, holding a glaive and panting harshly through his mouth.“Get the fuck away from him,” Jimin heard the man say, voice laced with threat and poison.Jimin did not need to think before he realized
who was defending him. He felt the corners of his eyes sting with tears as a lump formed in his throat. “Yoo… ngi,” he whispered weakly, too tired to move.Yoongi was breathing hard and there were dark veins crawling on the left side of his face, the lines burning faintly like embers.In a span of seconds, Namjoon, Hoseok, Jungkook, Jin, and Taehyung were already there, standing beside and in front of Yoongi as if attempting to protect not only Jimin, but also the general himself.“I can fight,” Yoongi forced out, voice hoarse.“You can’t,” Namjoon insisted. “You are weakened by your Curse right now. Let me and the others handle this.”A groan of frustration brewed inside Yoongi’s throat before one of his knees gave out. His knuckles were white as he held onto the Agust, as if it was the only source of strength he had left at the moment. “Hyung,” Hoseok spoke with genuine concern.“Jiminie.” Taehyung’s face crumpled when he saw the state Jimin was in. His gaze shifted to the dire wolf and the back of Taehyung’s eyes sting with tears. “Tannie…”“Where are the Northerners?” Jungkook asked.Namjoon replied, “They’ll be here shortly.” The muscles in his jaws jumped as he gritted his teeth. “They were caught up in the battle in the forest. But–”“Joon-ah!”Jin threw himself at Namjoon before a knife could bury itself into his chest. The others’ eyes were wide as they grasped their weapons firmer, looking for the perpetrator of the attack. After a while, several figures emerged from the shadows behind the trees, and Jin suddenly felt like vomiting.“What…?” Hoseok muttered in confusion as he stared at the small figures of children in front of him.All of them were holding weapons of their own–knives, daggers, spears, and swords. The sight was so contrary to their youthful appearances that one might wonder if they were living in a bad dream at that moment.“Crows,” Jin spoke carefully as he gripped the pair of kirpans with both hands, his palms suddenly feeling clammy against the rubber hilt.The eldest of the group, a teenage girl, stepped forward and looked at them with dead eyes. And then she said, “Kill them.”Everything was a blur when the children surged forward and clashed their weapons with Jin and the others. Despite their short statures and small builds, the children were lithe and terrifyingly agile, enough that the men found it hard to fight them. All, except for Jin.Jin was as fast as he could be, as swift-footed as the children themselves, and it was no wonder that they came from the same nest. “Stop this,” he said to the girl as his kirpans crossed with her daggers. “We don’t have to fight each other.”The girl’s face remained expressionless, and Jin felt a sense of sympathy and horror in his chest. He used to be like that, functioning like a puppet, only moving and breathing upon the command of the prince. At one time, he’d thought that the prince had saved him from his dreadful life and that he must do whatever he could to repay him. So he’d followed him, obeyed his every command even if it meant losing his humanity piece by piece everytime he took a life with his own hands.But now, he was different, and he wanted these children to see the truth as well.“Argh!”Jin’s head whipped around when he heard Taehyung’s voice. The younger was kneeling before a small boy, holding his shoulder as blood flowed down his arm.“Taehyung-ah!” Jungkook tried to run to him but a pair blocked his way.Cursing under his breath, Jin jumped backwards and regained his stance. He was going to end this once and for all.Jin sheathed his kirpans behind him and took several small knives from his pouch. He saw a flicker of emotion in the girl’s eyes, but he did not wait another second before he ran towards her, throwing the knives, as she struggled to keep the blade from reaching her.She gasped when Jin’s presence loomed over her and she waved the daggers in front of her in panic. Taking this moment of unguarded weakness to his advantage, Jin ducked and swiped a foot behind the girl’s knees.The girl screamed as she felt herself lose her balance. But just before she fell, Jin positioned himself behind her and stole the daggers from her hands. Pointing one of the blades near her throat, Jin shouted, “Stop!”The little children all halted in their tracks and simultaneously turned their heads to him. They had blank looks on their faces, but Jin could see the slight tremors running through their hands as they gripped their weapons tighter.“Stop,” he repeated and pressed the edge of the dagger closer to the girl’s throat, cutting a bit of her skin and drawing blood. “Or I will kill her.”General Kang laughed mockingly. “Do you think that will stop them? They are puppets; they do what the prince tells them to do.” He looked at the children. “In the name of His Highness Prince Taewon, I command you to kill those rebels.”Contrary to his statement, the children did not move, not even an inch.“They are not puppets,” Jin spat at the man. “They are a murder of crows, and a murder takes care of their own.”Jin remembered the prince once saying, “When a member of a murder dies, the crows gather around the deceased not to mourn its death but to investigate. They take whatever evidence they can and then hunt for the predator to avenge their fallen member. That is how I want you to work, my little crows. Take care of one another and kill whoever kills one of you.”“If you want her to live, then let us escape without bloodshed,” Jin said.The children remained still as they stared at him, eyes hollow, like their souls had been carved out of their bodies.After a while, General Kang growled exasperatedly and seized a heavy spear lying next to him. “Useless fools,” he uttered angrily and the children flinched. “If you can’t obey the prince’s orders…” His eyes flamed. “…Then you will die with them.”Jin’s body trembled with rage. “If you lay a hand on one of them, they will kill you–”The girl inside his arms gasped loudly as blood spurted out of her mouth. The spear was impaled through her chest, puncturing her heart and sucking the life out of her. Jin would have felt awfully sorry for the girl’s life……If it weren’t for the piercing pain throbbing between his ribs.Jin’s eyes were wide as the head of the spear passed through the girl’s thin frame and into him. He was in grave shock. It hadn’t immediately set in, what the fuck had just happened, but when he felt the thick red liquid pooling at the back of his throat, that was the time when Jin felt the excruciating pain and tried to ease the spear out of his body.The girl fell completely limp on the ground–dead–after he peeled himself away, hand going over the wound to prevent blood from gushing out.“Hyung!”“Jin-hyung!”It was probably Jungkook, or Taehyung, or Hoseok, but what he would never fail to distinguish amongst all the sounds surrounding him was Namjoon’s voice. The strategymaster was running towards him, and a few rapid heartbeats were all it took before Jin felt the man’s arms wrapping around him.“Jin-ah!
Jin-ah!” Namjoon was staring him with grave concern, eyes blown wide, lips quivering and face contorting so badly that it broke Jin’s heart to even look at him.There were already footsteps and shouts coming from the forest, sounding louder and nearer as the seconds passed by, and Hoseok cursed, “Fuck!” He could feel frustrated tears welling in his eyes. “Let’s get out of here!”The children moved and sprinted towards General Kang, who tried his hardest to defend himself despite his wounds.Jungkook carried Yeontan, as Taehyung and Hoseok both slung Jimin and Yoongi’s arms over their shoulders. “To the river!” the archmaster yelled.Namjoon did not hesitate before he lifted Jin into his arms and headed towards the edge of the cliff.“Jump!”There were arrows trying desperately to reach them, chancing a fatal blow, but the fall managed to save all of them. It was a moment of defying gravity before Namjoon felt the water engulf him entirely. His hands never left Jin’s body, grabbing and clawing whatever garment or piece of his lover that he could lay his hands on. As they broke through the surface, the turbulent waters washed them away with its current, sending them closer and closer to the end.Namjoon tried to hold onto a rock, but a wild splash was all it took for his grip to falter completely. He saw Taehyung frantically trying to keep Jimin’s head above the surface, gasping for gulps of air everytime the water submerged them.Adrenaline was pumping through every vein in Namjoon’s body and he wrapped his arms tightly around Jin. He wouldn’t let go.He wouldn’t let go.No matter what.He let the water overwhelm them, swallowing them whole, until all Namjoon could do was hold his breath and keep his arms around his lover. His skin was being bruised by the pressure of the water, but Namjoon remained steadfast.He wouldn’t let go.He wouldn’t let go.The moment they were able to break through the surface, it was then that Namjoon felt those few seconds of weightlessness once again. The wind was harsh and swift against his skin, a calmer current waiting for him below.Namjoon tugged Jin closer to his chest.They were falling.-TBC

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Chapter 34: First Flakes of Snow
Jimin remembered the image of the moon glowing high up above him, beautiful in a way that was distorted and blurry, but still as luminescent as the one from the previous nights. Someone was latching onto him, keeping a tight grasp on his arm and waist, but all Jimin could feel was the coldness seeping through his bones and the pressure battering his skin.He opened his mouth to breathe, but liquid filled up his lungs. He felt the breeze hit his face as he broke through the surface, but once he tried to push air into his lungs, he found out that water was blocking up his throat. Tears welled up in his eyes as the pain radiated towards every part of his body, the lack of air causing everything in front of him to blur as black dots appeared at the periphery of his vision.Somewhere along the sound of splashing waves and tumultuous current, Jimin could hear someone yelling his name.
“Jiminie! Jiminie!”
Once again, Jimin felt the raging waters engulf him completely; however, this time, he finally let his lashes flutter closed. Was this what death looked like? Painful? Swift? That once faced with its scythe, one could do nothing but surrender?There was a moment of weightlessness wherein Jimin felt that he was falling down, the world tilting in its hinges as if everything just collapsed altogether. There was a tight pressure surrounding him, as if he was being bound by thick ropes, or being crushed by a pair of strong arms. His eyelids felt heavy like lead, and he let himself be swept away by the force of nature, like a leaf falling down from a tree, or a stray branch floating on the surface of a running stream.He was too tired to move, and the next thing that came to his dwindling senses was the sound and the impact of splashing water around him. He felt wetness and coldness on his skin once again, every muscle in his body aching with the force of his fall, but he was too numb and too exhausted to open his eyes.Because even if he did, all he could see was nothing but the dark, endless void of freezing water flowing beneath his feet.
The moment Taehyung lifted Jimin’s limp body out of the water, he already knew that his friend was on the brink of slipping through his fingers.Not minding the pain and blood flowing down his left arm, Taehyung flipped Jimin onto his back and pinched his nose to blow a lungful of air into his mouth. When the silver-haired did not respond, Taehyung began pumping his chest with his hands, cursing as every compression he did seemed to do nothing for the other.“Fuck, Jiminie! Come on!” he swore, panting through his nose.“Hyung!”Taehyung’s eyes lifted up to the sound of Hoseok’s voice, but what broke his heart was the image of Yoongi trying to run towards them, eyes wide and mouth letting out labored breaths, the dark veins still prominent on the left side of his face.Yoongi stumbled towards them, until Hoseok lent his shoulder to support the general’s weight. The look in his eyes was wild, a mixture of dread and worry that seemed to contrast his current state of weakness.“Jimin-ah,” the general’s lips quivered when Taehyung blew into his mouth again and was provided with no response.“No. No. Jimin-ah, please–” Yoongi let out a harsh breath as he held Jimin’s hand. He was so cold; his sun was so cold. He should not feel like this. He was supposed to be warm and bright, supposed to smile and laugh. Yoongi could not bear seeing his beloved sun like this, could not bear to look at his handsome face devoid of warmth and colors. He just… couldn’t.Yoongi could feel his heart breaking.“Jiminie, come on. Come on!” Taehyung said in frustration and blew air into the silver-haired’s mouth again.Nothing.He saw Yoongi’s face crumpling every time Jimin did not give a sign of life.“Fuck!” The back of Taehyung’s eyes was stinging with tears, the veins in his arms bulging as the strain of his compressions began to take a toll on his wound.Gods, please, he prayed. Please, let my friend live–The army doctor gasped loudly when the body beneath him began to cough. Water was coming out of Jimin’s nose and mouth as he tried to let out all the water he had breathed in earlier, his whole body convulsing as the force of his coughs wracked his entire frame.Taehyung rolled Jimin to his side, assisting him, and said, “Oh gods, Jiminie! Oh gods–”“Jimin-ah!” Yoongi placed a hand on the younger’s back, urging him to cough out all the fluids clogging up his throat. “You can do it. Jimin-ah, be strong.”After a few minutes of struggling for breath, Jimin finally opened his eyes, rolling them towards the direction of his lover and instantly finding some sort of warmth from his loving gaze. “Y-Yoo–” he coughed. “–Yoo…ngi-yah.”“Yes. Yes, it’s me, Jimin-ah. Fuck–” Yoongi wrapped his arms tightly around the younger, burying his face into his wet, silvery-white locks. “Fuck, I was so scared. I thought–” his voice wavered. “–I thought you wouldn’t make it. Thought you would leave me alone. Jimin-ah. Jimin-ah.”Jimin could hear the prayer in Yoongi’s voice as the other embraced him firmly inside his arms. Perhaps he had really scared Yoongi so much that the general couldn’t help the tremble in his voice, could not hide the small tremors running through his whole body as the fear of almost losing someone he loved so dearly kept his heart beating loudly inside his chest.Jimin lifted a shaking hand to Yoongi’s face, fingertips brushing the dark veins blemishing the general’s skin. “You are in pain,” he muttered.“I don’t care.” Yoongi sniffled and pressed a kiss against Jimin’s temple. “As long as you are fine, I do not mind whatever pain that burdens me.”Jimin could feel his heart melting at those words, could feel the warmth slowly pumping life into his chest. He wanted to hold Yoongi right now, caress his face until he felt safe with him, take away whatever sort of pain he was feeling at the moment.“Taehyung-ah!”The army doctor’s head whipped around, heart picking up its pace once he saw the figure of his lover sprinting towards them. He hastily got to his feet, about to embrace him, but was suddenly halted by the younger man’s wide and fearful eyes.“Come with me,” Jungkook spoke, his voice cracking slightly. “It’s Jin-hyung.”
Namjoon let out a harsh breath as his hand continued to put pressure on Jin’s wound.His lover was breathing rapidly inside his hold, grimacing and groaning in pain as the action put a strain on his wound. “J-Joon–” Jin gasped for air. “–Joon-ah…”“Shh. Shh, don’t talk, Jin-ah. Just–” Namjoon swallowed dryly. “–Just focus on breathing, okay?”Jin coughed and Namjoon swore that his heart just stopped beating when blood gushed out of Jin’s mouth. The thick, red liquid was sliding down the contour of Jin’s throat, staining his tunic, and the older coughed again.“Fuck, Jin-ah,” Namjoon’s face twisted. “Gods – Jin-ah, please, just–just wait for Tae, okay? He’ll be here shortly.”“Joo…” Blood was pooling at the back of Jin’s throat. “…Joon-ah.”There were tears in Jin’s eyes, and that sight alone was enough for Namjoon’s heart to break and for his own tears to flow down his eyes. The strategymaster could feel heat rising up to his neck and face, making his nose flare and his eyes red, as he gritted his teeth hard to withhold a tempest of emotions threatening to shatter his walls.It took a few more heartbreaking moments before Taehyung got there, the younger’s face instantly going pale at the sight of his hyung struggling for his life. He inspected the wound at once, his eyebrows knotting in concentration. “The blade managed to pierce through his left lung,” he told Namjoon, whose face crumpled once more. “I-I need–” Taehyung was stammering and his hands were shaking. What was he afraid of? “–I need to… To operate on him. Or… Or–”Or else what? a voice inside his head said. Or else, you know what’s going to happen, Taehyung.“Just–” Taehyung swallowed thickly. “–Just keep on applying pressure like that, hyung. Don’t… Don’t let go.”The moment Namjoon glimpsed a look of helplessness on Taehyung’s face when he saw the wound, how his shoulders sagged and how his lips and hands trembled after he knew how grave Jin’s condition currently was, Namjoon felt his whole body go rigid as his fragile heart broke into shards inside his chest.Namjoon’s bottom lip quivered horribly and he pressed his forehead against Jin’s, shutting his eyes firmly as he took in a couple of trembling breaths. “Jin-ah,” he muttered breathily. “Please, you can’t go. You promised me you won’t leave me again. You promised.”Jin’s breaths were hitching in his throat, as if the air was fighting for passage against a pool of blood. And with a voice so soft and silent, Jin replied, “I’m sorry.” Namjoon’s hold around him tightened. “I’m sorry, Joon-ah…”“Don’t…” Namjoon shook his head as his teeth creaked from how forcefully he kept them together. He couldn’t hear Jin apologizing to him. He couldn’t. “Please, don’t.”“I love you.” A tear escaped from Jin’s left eye. “I... love you so much, Joon-ah.” Jin’s voice cracked as a few more tears glided down his face.Namjoon was no different, his own tears drowning him as he pulled away slightly to stare at his beloved’s face, memorizing every line, every detail, every contour of his face. “I love you, too, Jin-ah. More than my own life.”Jin’s quivering lips brushed against Namjoon’s, ghosting over his chapped lips for a while before pressing a soft kiss against his. Namjoon gasped sharply and he kept his lips planted firmly against Jin’s temple, closing his eyes and letting the tears fall down his face in streams.“Take… care of our brothers…” Jin’s eyes fell close as his breathing became shallow. “…For me.”Namjoon sniffled and a low whine came out of his mouth. “Jin-ah… Please….”“Don’t cry...” Jin’s voice was as silent as the night, like a whisper being drowned by the wind as the calm breeze blew gently against Namjoon’s skin. “…My love.”Namjoon witnessed how Jin let himself go, how the rise and fall of his chest came to a halt once his lover breathed his last words, how calmly the flow of his tears ended, and how lovingly he confessed his love for Namjoon for the last time.A harsh sob was ripped out of Namjoon’s throat as all of the painful emotions came crashing down on him in one forceful blow, intensifying his grief further as he held onto Jin like he was afraid that the man would vanish like air or slip through his fingers like sand. The pain in his chest was excruciating and the tears in his eyes seemed like a dam bursting through the cracks.He had never felt pain like this before, had never thought that a pain of this magnitude even existed, not even when his enemies had managed to put a few deep cuts on his body before.Taehyung’s head was hanging low between his shoulders, his fingers buried in the fabric of his wet trousers as he knelt beside them wordlessly, his knuckles paling from gripping the material too hard. There were tears falling from his eyes when he was suddenly pulled into an embrace by Jungkook, the younger man burying his face into Taehyung’s shoulder as they both sobbed their hearts out.Namjoon lifted his blood-stained hand from the wound and pressed it onto the side of Jin’s face to bring him closer to his lips. He kissed his lover’s forehead firmly as he cried, his throat hurting from the raw emotions spilling from the depths of his heart.“I love you,” he sobbed against his lover’s skin, warm tears gliding down his cheeks. “I love you so damn much.”
The waters were calm that morning; the mists floating atop the surface and stretching as far as Jimin’s eyes could reach. The sun was still young and asleep, with only small rays of light peeking through the thin, white clouds above them.Everything was dull and gray, so lonely and lifeless – a mirror to what Jimin was feeling at that moment.When he heard what had happened the night before, when he saw the grief on Namjoon’s face as he held Jin in his lap, afraid that someone would take him away, Jimin cried so terribly. Yoongi was there to soothe his sorrow, but the pain was too much that his lover had to hold him through it.They all cried – of course, they did. And a night was not enough for all of their tears to dry.Jimin’s eyes were welling with fresh tears as he watched the raft carry the eldest’s body further and further away from them, towards the long stretch of the river and out into the vast and never-ending flow of the sea.Jungkook asked if they should burn his body while on ground, but Namjoon insisted for Jin to have a sea burial, for he knew that it was what his lover would have wanted.“The sea is endless and timeless,” Jimin remembered Namjoon saying. “Jin would have wanted to be one with the sea – to see the world and be free. And no matter where we are, or where we go in the days to come, we remain connected by the same sea.”Jimin felt Yoongi’s fingers entwine with his, squeezing his hand lightly as if to give him the assurance he needed. After giving out a faint smile to the general, Yoongi nodded and unlaced their fingers to walk beside Hoseok.Taking in a deep breath as his dark eyes landed on the floating raft, Yoongi spoke, “May Eira sail with you in the River of Life, and may Thygon give you eternal light on your path. Another soul has departed, but shall never be forgotten. A life of suffering has ended, but nonetheless a life filled with love and lush with hope.”Hoseok let the flames of the burning wood kiss the blade of his arrow. Once lighted, he notched it on his bow and pulled the string back, tilting the weapon upwards. Silent tears fell down from Jimin’s eyes as the dried leaves and branches in the raft caught the flames of Hoseok’s arrow, lighting up the raft like a floating sun in the midst of a murky morning.He heard a few quiet cries around him, saw the heads of his friends bow down to the general’s words.Yoongi’s lashes fluttered as a lump formed in his throat. “Today, one of us has fallen. We grieve the loss of a friend, a brother, a lover, and a warrior.” Yoongi’s hands clenched on his sides as the muscles in his jaws jumped, his eyes turning glassy as the seconds passed by. “I may be your general, Kim Seokjin, but you will always be the greatest older brother I could ever wish for.”Yoongi closed his eyes and a few tears fell down his cheeks. “You may rest now, hyung,” he whispered. “Thank you for being a part of us.”

“Where the moon hides,

Where the stars shine;

Under the same sky,

Everything will be alright.”

Jimin held his breath when Jungkook’s soft, cradling voice reached his ears. The bladesmith had his gaze lifted up and fixed on the raft, fresh tears accumulating in his eyes as his voice never trembled.

“Winter will pass,

Soon leaves will grow;

Snow falling on mountaintops,

Nothing but a memory of time.”

The air was icier that morning, the coldness thicker and heavier than it had ever been. And when Jimin lifted up his eyes, there was white falling from the sky.

Far away is the light,

How will one take flight?

Wings broken by the wind,

But everything will be alright.”

Gasping in a breath, Jimin laid out a hand and caught a flake in his palm.

“As the heavens weep,

We awaken from our sleep;

When all flowers bloom,

The sun will rise.”

The flames from the raft now appeared as blurred orange glows behind the mists. And as the first flakes of snow fell on the surface of the water and settled on top of his silvery-white hair, Jimin felt the hollow void inside his chest grow larger.
“Little Snow.”
The calm, soothing voice of the High Priestess echoed inside his head, and once again, after a long while, the pain that had once latched onto his chest when she died came back to him. Would it always be like this? Would the people he cherished slip away from his life like the evanescent white flake on his palm?Would he ever be able to protect them?Jimin felt something nuzzling his thigh, and when he looked down to his side, he saw Yeontan rubbing his nose against him, a low whine rumbling in his throat as if he could sense Jimin’s sorrow and hence offering some sort of support and comfort. A strained smile forced its way onto Jimin’s lips as he let his hand pat the dire wolf’s head.“Thank you,” he whispered.
The journey to the Bangtan camp was as quiet as the darkest night, where all the stars were swallowed up by the clouds and the moon was hiding and curtailing its shine.Taehyung cried in Jimin’s arms once; he was blaming himself for Jin’s death, for not being able to save him despite having the capability to do so.“I couldn’t save him,” Taehyung sobbed. “I’m a doctor and yet… I couldn’t save the life of a person who is important to me.”Taehyung wrapped his arms around Jimin, his face burrowing into his shoulder. “I have s-saved hundreds, Jiminie. I have healed hundreds and yet… Yet–”“It was not your fault, Tae,” Jimin repeated as the back of his eyes stung painfully. “It was mine.”At this, the army doctor pulled back to look into his eyes.“I have a Gift and I could have saved him if I weren’t–” Jimin paused, trying to suppress the hurtful emotions brewing inside his chest. “–If I weren’t so weak, if I weren’t so pathetic…” Jimin shut his eyes and shook his head, feeling the tears glide down his cheeks as the guilt and utter helplessness engulfed his whole being.“No, Jiminie.” The skin between Taehyung’s eyebrows creased, genuine worry and sympathy marring his features. “You could barely open your eyes that time, and if you used your Gift, then you, too, would have–” He shook his head, unwilling to continue that thought. “–It wasn’t your fault.”“Have you seen how devoid of life Namjoon-hyung is?” His hands balled on his thighs. “He barely eats, barely talks. He has been grieving for days and none of us could pull him out of the darkness he’s currently dwelling in. Yoongi tried to coax him out of it, but he just… won’t talk.”Jimin bit his bottom lip. “If only I was able to raise that sword higher, to let it pierce through General Kang’s chest, then Jin-hyung would have still been alive.” His shoulders shook as a sob escaped past his lips. “All of these things happened because of me. Because I was a coward and too frightened to lift a sword and take a life with my own hands.”“Hush, Jiminie.” Taehyung caressed the back of his head. “You are not obliged to take a life to prove your worth. No one has ever wanted to. Not even Yoongi.”Taehyung sniffled and wiped the tears on his cheeks. “I’m certain that Jin-hyung would have never blamed you for it. He loved you as a brother, and he wanted nothing but the best for you.”Giving out a faint smile, the army doctor uttered, “We all have doubts and regrets, Jiminie. Even if time heals our wounds, our scars will remain. And those scars will remind us of our mistakes and failures, of all the mishaps that happened in our lives, of all the good and bad decisions we made, but they will make us a better person than yesterday.”Taehyung held Jimin’s hands. “We bleed so that we can learn. So that we can prevent the same things from happening again and perhaps make the future a little bit brighter for all of us.”
The silver locket in Namjoon’s hand seemed to weigh heavier than a huge boulder. It had been more than a month since Jin passed away, but the ache and the longing and the pain was still fresh in Namjoon’s chest, like a gaping wound that would never seem to close, no matter how much time passed by.A sketched image of his lover was tucked inside the ornament, his beautiful eyes staring at Namjoon as if he were alive, as if he were there in front of him.“Namjoon?”Namjoon’s head turned to the heavy curtains where Hoseok was currently peeking through. He heard him say, “We are to ride back to Daegu in a few hours. Have you collected everything?”Namjoon nodded. “I hauled a chest of Jin-ah’s belongings into the wagon. He didn’t really own much.”A flash of something that was close to sympathy flickered on Hoseok’s face. “I see. Well, I’ll meet you later then.”After the archmaster left, Namjoon sighed and looked around the barren tent of his lover. They used to spend the night in this tent, sharing a cup of drink and talking until their throats hurt or until both of their eyes became laden with sleep. The love that they shared in this very bed he was sitting on made Namjoon’s heart clench horribly.He missed Jin’s gentle touches and kisses, his soft murmurs of passion to his ears and his loving stares into his eyes.Once again, because of those memories, a part of Namjoon’s heart broke.That was the thing, was it not? It was the memories that made everything hurt, the ones that kept Namjoon locked up and unable to free himself. The memories he shared with Jin would continue to haunt him like a ghost, like a shadow that would walk with him forever.Sighing as he felt another pang pierce through his chest, Namjoon wore the locket and hid it behind his cloak, protecting it from the falling snow outside and keeping it close to his beating heart.
“Are you okay?”Jimin’s gaze lifted from the ground, finding the general’s dark eyes looking back worriedly at him. “Yes.” Jimin tightened his arms around Yoongi’s waist as they rode on Holly’s back. “I’m fine.”They both knew that he wasn’t, but each one of them had never been alright ever since Jin’s death. There was just this… sadness and emptiness that seemed to occupy a significant place in their hearts. Like a void that would never close completely, even if the days marched into years.“We are nearing the border of the canyon,” Yoongi informed him. “Just hold on for a few more hours.”Jimin hummed and pressed his cheek against the general’s back, feeling the warmth radiate from his dark cloak and into Jimin’s cold face. The ground was already a mixture of dirt and snow, the whiteness beginning to pile up around him. He was wearing the blue and silver cloak which Yoongi bought for him in Daegu, and somehow, being engulfed with its warmth managed to calm down a piece of Jimin’s turmoil inside his chest.They hadn’t seen a glimpse of the Northerners after they helped the army in the battlefield. And even if Yoongi and the others had attempted to reach out to them this past month, their efforts never bore any fruit as the Northerners and all traces they left seemed to vanish into thin air in the blink of an eye.Two hours into the journey, Jimin’s senses caught a change in the wind – the usual coldness mixing with something that was thick and stifling to his nose. “Wait.”Yoongi pulled the reins. “What is it, Jimin-ah?”The silver-haired pushed the hood of his cloak back and laid out his palm under the falling snow. Something light and dull-colored settled onto his palm and Jimin’s eyebrows knotted in bafflement.What is this? he thought. Under the falling snow? No, it couldn’t be…“Wait here.” Jimin dismounted Holly that instant, turning a deaf ear to Yoongi’s call of his name, as he ran towards the tallest tree within the vicinity that he could lay his eyes on. It didn’t take a long moment to find one, and Jimin took in a deep breath before he impaled the trunk with his climbing knives. The branches of the pine tree were long and sturdy, accommodating his ascent easily.He put the knives back into his pouch once he reached the part where the branching was thickest. Holding firmly onto the branches and never letting his feet slip, Jimin climbed up to the top. He was panting when he broke through the surface of fine leaves, icy smoke curling in front of him with every breath he took.His heart was pounding loudly in his chest; the adrenaline from climbing a tree after a long time made his muscles burn and his skin tingle pleasantly.The air was colder on top and Jimin shivered slightly, pulling the cloak closer to his body as he looked around for the source of the falling debris. Jimin saw the border of the canyon stretching far and wide, splitting the forest apart and keeping Daegu from the rest of the world. Even with the snowflakes partly clouding the topography of the forest, Jimin was able to discern that distinct glow from afar and those dark, hazy lines coursing up to the sky.Jimin’s heart stuttered inside his chest as his eyes went wider every second.“Jimin-ah!” He heard the echo of Yoongi’s voice several feet below him. “Are you okay up there?”Jimin swallowed thickly despite the dryness in his mouth.The debris was floating down in front of him, falling together with the snow, and Jimin felt a sickening churn in his stomach at the sight. He laid out his palm once again, catching a bit of it and rubbing it between his thumb and fingers.It smudged, and Jimin’s heart dropped to his feet.The falling debris was ash, and Jimin let out a trembling breath.Daegu was in flames.

End of Second Arc: Busan

-fin -

BOOK 2 IS NOW POSTED!