FLASHBACK

"Young master?" Commander Lim spoke as he entered the haven. The wooden panels creaked under his steps as he walked closer towards the fireplace where everyone sat. Yoon Chae turned his head over and glanced at the commander in anticipation.

"I cleaned it with boiling water. It does look like silver. "

"Yeah? Then, Commander Lim, is it possible for us to make a dagger out of it?" Yoon Chae asked as he stood up from the wooden floor.

Commander glanced at the now lustrous piece of fragile chain resting on his palm, "By looking at how thin this chain is, I don't think so. But we can coat a normal dagger with its layer instead," he completed in his thick voice.

"We can make 'Elixir of Illusion' and add the water boiled with this necklace to it," Jeong Ho joined in the conversation and suggested.

"It can work, but how are we going to use this? We can't just go and offer their leader this potion," Yoon Chae replied.

"I have a plan. Commander Lim, prepare the dagger," Jeong Ho said while perching his head slightly upwards to meet the commander's gaze. Yoon Chae kept on gazing in his direction, confusion reflecting in his dark brown orbs.

Commander Lim nodded and gestured for his two men to follow him while the other two stayed with the children.

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

In the dimly lit room of Jeong Ho's previous home, the hut of the tribal chief of Kim tribe, a man in the human age of forties sat comfortably on a mattress. He reclined on the cushion supporting his back and straightened his legs. His right hand, with long and dirt-ridden fingernails, held a small earthen cup filled with liquor.

The man named Pyeong's presence was ruthlessly magnetic, drawing the eyes of all who dared to enter the hut, yet it was laced with an unsettling aura that sent shivers down spines.

His features were strikingly sharp, with high cheekbones and a piercing shade of hazel orbs that seemed to bore into the souls of those who approached, revealing depths of cunning and malice. A mane of rough black hair framed his face, drawn back into a low ponytail.

His lips touched the earthen cup and his tongue tasted the liquor. The liquid coursed through his throat with a striking bitterness that was similar to his way of speaking.

"EunJoo!" The man exclaimed.

"Yes, master," a man in the human age of thirties sauntered inside the room.

"Bring me a courtesan," the sinister man ordered the beta of his diverse wolf pack.

"Will be here at nig--"

"NOW!" The older male yelled as alcohol slowly claimed his senses.

"Yes, master!" The younger man flinched from the sudden yell before he turned over and headed out of the room, his messy hair, almost reaching his shoulders, swinging with his movements as he hurriedly moved forward to arrange a courtesan before the sun went down.

┈┈┈┈

The sun was transcending below the horizon when Jeong Ho and Yoon Chae meandered through the forest in search of food and other resources to accomplish what they planned.

And just like that four days passed in the preparatory process to come to an end. And the day to finally execute the plan was here. The air inside the wooden haven was filled with nervousness and determination. The young hearts of adolescent gumihos wavered with fear, yet their strong minds were determined to take a courageous step forward.

"We'll kill or get killed. So prepare your minds," Yoon Chae announced as he stepped out of the haven.

One of the Commander's men stood beside YoonAe as she watched everyone leave," YoonAe if we don't return within two days, you need to go towards the human habitats and never return back," Yoon Chae spoke as he put his hands on his sister's shoulders.

The young girl nodded her head as her eyes welled up with tears, "Please r-return b-back," she stammered in exhortation as her lips trembled from bursting into tears.

The elder brother hugged his sister tightly thinking that this could be the last hug that he's receiving. He said nothing as small yelps coming from YoonAe's lips echoed in his ears.

"Chae, it's already mid-day. We should leave," even though he did not want to, Jeong Ho interrupted.

Both the siblings parted away from each other and with a final nod, Yoon Chae turned over with a heavy heart, followed by his companion and other men.

As they walked through the dense forest Yoon Chae spoke, "Jeong Ho, you know the act, right?"

Jeong Ho nodded before he spoke, "It was my plan after all," he said, making Yoon Chae nod in agreement.

Two young gumihos, along with four adult gumihos, deciding to conquer and take back the land that was taken away by the massive pack of shadow wolves, was undoubtedly a herculean act of bravery.

The image of his father soaked in his blood, and his mother sobbing in anguish flashed inside Jeong Ho's mind when the group of six gumihos arrived at the back of Jeong Ho's previous home.

While reaching behind the hut, Yoon Chae exchanged a knowing gaze with Jeong Ho's which slightly glistened with a saddened expression and fear of what might happen next.

Maybe this was the last time the two boys were looking at each other, or maybe they still had some time left before they parted ways. With thoughts like these, both Yoon Chae and Jeong Ho stepped forward towards their respective destinations.

Jeong Ho succeeded in secretly sneaking inside his previous home from the back door. Memories of the unfortunate event hit him like a strong gust of wind as he stepped inside. With no signs of anyone inside the room that connected the main room of the hut, his hands swirled inside the pocket of his faded white trousers only to take out a small pouch-like bag made with animal skin filled with the potion they skillfully made.

His gaze went towards an earthen cup resting on the low wooden table. Jeong Ho grasped the cup and threw it on the hut's floor making a shattering sound.

A sharp explosion pierced the stillness like a gunshot. As the sound faded int,o silence, the room felt colder, and Jeong Ho gazed towards the entrance of the room in anticipation. He quickly positioned himself beside the small closet embedded into the wall, portraying the act of taking something out of it.

Upon hearing the unexpected voice, the beta of the pack, EunJoo walked towards the room, his eyes widened as he spotted a stranger. He hurried forward, and Jeong Ho tried running out of the room, but only he knew that it was all a pretentious move; it was all a part of the plan.

EunJoo called out for his other men when he succeeded in choke holding Jeong Ho in his place. Jeong Ho struggled for air as the sharp nails of the shadow wolf dug into his skin. When his eyes met the animal pouch in Gumiho's hand, he quickly snatched it away only to eye it in confusion.

"Were you stealing this?! Who are you, kid?!"

Two other men and Pyeong walked inside the room, a shiver ran down Jeong Ho's spine when his eyes met with the striking gaze of the master of the pack. He struggled further to get out of EunJoo's hold, and this time, it was real, the terrifying gaze of Pyeong was enough for Jeong Ho to give up and run away.

"Stop. That's enough, EunJoo," Pyeong spoke in a rather calm tone, totally unfazed as he assumed what threat a skinny boy could bring. He was somewhere right; the chances of physical threat were nil, but the consequences of this arrogance were going to be worse.

EunJoo quickly followed the order of the alpha and a coughing Jeong Ho dropped to the ground with a thud, gasping for air.

"Bring him inside. Let's talk little boy," Pyeong said as he glanced at Jeong Ho before exiting the room.

Meanwhile, outside the hut stood the restless group of gumihos led by Yoon Chae waiting for Jeong Ho to signal them to proceed further.

Yoon Chae's eyes were shut as his fingers constantly brushed his crinkled brows in agitation, "He isn't communicating! I'm trying to make a trail through his mind, but he isn't accepting!" Chae spoke after he abruptly opened his eyes.

"I wonder what might be happening," one of the commander's men spoke in nervousness.

"Young master, should we just break in?" Commander Lim asked as he tried to maintain his posture.

Pyeong fixed his posture as he comfortably sat across a low table, gazing at Jeong Ho who was on his knees.

"This smells like a potion, master. I think he knew where it was hidden and that's why he was here," EunJoo stated.

Pyeong's gaze then shifted to the potion bag resting on the table before he asked, "Who are you, boy?"

Jeong Ho remained silent just cunningly observed everyone's position and stances, but he was bought out of his trance when he felt a strong force on the back of his head.

"Answer!" One of EunJoo's men exclaimed.

"I'm Kim Jeong Ho, the son of the tribal chief of the Kim tribe. The owner of this hut!" He was terrified from the inside when he courageously announced.

EunJoo sighed in confirmation when his intuition became reality.

Pyeong's eyes flickered with wickedness as he smirked and a small amusing chuckle escaped from his mouth, "Then we shall treat our guest," he mockingly added.

"He finally accepted!" Yoon Chae exclaimed in excitement as he stood with his eyes shut, trying to focus on building a telepathic connection with his friend.

"Jeong!? Jeong?! Can you hear me?!"

"Yeah!"

"Tell me what's happening?"

"There are around five men inside the main room; One man is holding me on my knees. Pyeong is sitting just in front of me while others are at the corners."

"The potion?"

"He didn't drink it yet, but I'm assuming he might make me drink it first."

"What? You'll lose your powers for almost twenty days--"

"What's this?" Pyeong further asked as he observed the bag. His brows knitted upwards.

"I-it's a p-power potion, my family's legacy," Jeong Ho stuttered at the fear of getting caught while Pyeong looked unconvinced.

"EunJoo! From the past year, you couldn't find this!?" Pyeong asked with a raised voice while EunJoo lowered his gaze and remained silent.

"Drink it, boy," Pyeong ordered making the hair on Jeong Ho's nape rise in fear but soon a cunning smirk played across his lips, "Are you sure you can handle the aftermath?" He said as he reclined forward and tried grasping the bag.

Looking at the confidence in the gumiho's eyes, Pyeong's mind flickered with confirmation. Before Jeong Ho could reach the pouch he grasped it instead.

"NO! Give it back!" Jeong Ho yelled, completely delving in the character.

Pyeong eagerly swirled the lace off the pouch and within a matter of seconds the potion went down his throat, a strange warmth unfurled within him, creeping up from his stomach like a serpent coiling around its prey. He paused, the pouch trembling slightly in his grip and for a fleeting moment, doubt flickered in his mind.

The warmth intensified, transforming into a searing fire that spread through his veins. His vision blurred as he clutched at his throat, feeling as though a vice were tightening around it, squeezing the very essence of life from him.

"MASTER!" EunJoo half yelled as concern marked it's place on his features.

"Make a move! Now!" Jeong Ho telepathically announced in Yoon Chae's mind.

Commander Lim watched in anticipation when Yoon Chae finally opened his eyes, "It's time, commander!"

Seconds later, Yoon Chae and his men barged inside the hut, sprinkling the poisoned potion in the eyes of humanoid shadow wolves who were guarding the hut. Their eyes burned from the sudden sensation and they abruptly dropped to the floor, howling in pain.

Soon enough, Pyeong realised the situation, he wanted to tranform in his beasty form but he felt the poison coursing through him now. While EunJoo was kept busy dealing with commander's men and the poison that burned his eyes Pyeong realised it was his end. Gasping for air that felt thick and suffocating he limped forward to grab Jeong Ho but the gumiho was quick enough to step aside.

"Now! Commander!" Yoon Chae telepathically ordered inside commander's mind.

Commander Lim, who was still waiting outside the hut smoothly twisted the neck of a now alerted humanoid shadow wolf who came rushing to the back of the hut. With careful steps he entered from the back door, the room was empty, Yoon Chae succeeded in distracting their enemy.

As he moved further Pyeong's limping body came into his veiw and without wasting anymore time he pulled out the silver coated dagger from the strap of his leather shoe and stabbed it on Pyeong's back.

Pyeong held his breath from the sudden strikingly agonizing jerk mouth as he coughed and fell on his knees.
With one final effort, he raised his sinful hazel eyes to meet the two friends that stood beside each other, "H-he will n-not spare yo--"

Pyeong roared, but the defiance in his voice was swallowed by a gurgle as blood bubbled at his lips.

END OF THE FLASHBACK

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

At the royal court of Kim clan

"At least some things could've been prevented," Jeong Ho replied with a striking determination yet his gaze towards the young lad was soft, "I know I cannot and from what I've done, I do not have the right to fill the void inside your heart, but Yoongi, my child, we could've been acquaintance, to the least."

Jeong Ho was a diplomat; he knew just how to play with words and to get his deal done, but here, the words coming out of his mouth were syllables of pure emotions, which eventually made Yoongi's gaze soften.

Yoongi was a broken man. No matter how hard he tried to consume himself in hatred and how worse the situations molded him to turn into an evil man, a small act of kindness teared his shell apart and revealed a compassionate and mellow teenager that still lived inside him.

When Yoon Chae took his life away by cleaving his wrist, Yoongi became deprived of parental affection. Even though Yoon Chae wasn't very good at showing affection towards his son, his presence was enough for Yoongi to feel safe and reassured. After the death of her husband, the Queen took over the throne to manage the clan until Yoongi was ready to take over.

Since then, he always yearned for father's love and his mother's attention. Over the years, the loneliness which was slowly creeping inside his heart changed to something worse when he finally discovered  his father's case which had his belongings and secrets perfectly hidden inside.

A painting of a naive looking beautiful young lady in peachy hanbok, with dragon eyes, full lips, a slightly low nose bridge and hairs covered with intricately designed hairpins intrigued him to dug further.

Up until now, Yoongi was told that his father did that for the sake of some prophecy which he was never convinced of, but when he discovered the letter Yoon Chae wrote just before his death where he mentioned about Jeong Ho's betrayal and his undying love that he failed to express and claim for Namseon made Yoongi felt a wave of emotions that he can't quite figured it out.

And in the end it all changed to hatred for Jeong Ho and that point became the beginning of the cruel act of vengeance.

✧

A/N: Phew! One of the most difficult chapters to write! But it's final done. I hope you'll like the concept which I tried to introduce in this chapter.
What are your thoughts on the characters? Tell me in the comments down below.