The battle cries were deafening. It didn't matter if they were voiced out or not but the cacophony of emotions seemed vehement. Everything was conflicted. One often categorized life as a series of dualities. Black – White. Right – Wrong. Life – Death. Good – Evil. The battlefield presented its own duality, sizing up as two opposing sides. But it remained a tedious task to put them in categories. Neither of them understood why they were doing this but both agreed they were neither good nor bad. It was simply a disharmonious battle. But somehow, the loud noise managed to silence everything. It silenced the mayhem outside, it silenced the chaos inside, it silenced the agony of their betrayal. Nevertheless, it all seemed insignificant. Oh yes, they were belittled by the far greater cry of a single silence. The silence of a life.

Instinctively, another followed. The noise of a hideous bang. And then followed another. And another. It seemed ironic that the treacherous bang of a gunshot marked the end of a life; yet it morphed into the extravagant beats of a bass drum, welcoming the beginning of an unknown journey. Maybe, it was just a petty excuse; a weak attempt at optimism even at the state of adversity. Or maybe, it was the only way to abstain from shattering. Maybe, it was the only way to get past the pain.

Everything around them converged into a staggering stillness. He mourned the silence in deafening silence.

***

Taehyung's hand shook a little as he pushed open the door. He was met with an eerie silence that sent a chill down his spine. He had been preparing himself for this very moment for months. Heck, a part of him had prepared for years. And yet, brave would not be a word he'd choose to describe himself at the moment. He had been battling the internal struggles for a while, wondering if this was a wrong move. But all his other alternatives were exhausted. This remained the only way. And oh boy, did he despise it. Despite his previous thoughtless acts of crime, this certain one felt nerve wrecking. He wasn't certain what the outcome would be but he was certain that it wouldn't be good news. His nervousness was justifiable. Afterall, it wasn't every day you set out to murder your mentor.

It had taken him a while to get to that decision. He wanted to avoid it at all costs but if it came down to that, he would do it. He had anticipated his own end sooner or later. He would be glad if it were later but given the drama he had orchestrated; he wouldn't be surprised if this was his last day. He had been living on the edge for the past few years anyway. As long as it protected the ones around him, he wouldn't mind leaving.

The eerie silence in the room was the first signal that hinted at his triumph. The second being the motionless bodies of those who were too scared to defy M. His plan had succeeded after all. He had made a rather wobbly contract with the devil. He'd pulled the string of some very dangerous people in the city. He had put forth a deal and it was plainly simple. Help him and he'll bring down one of their biggest competitors. With a competitor like M out of the picture, the kingdom was theirs. He walked past the bloody walls and sighed deeply. His hand slid into the smooth pockets of his coat and wrapped around the metallic coldness. He pulled out a stainless-steel Colt pistol and hooked his finger through the trigger loop. With his fingers still on the pistol, he slid it back into his pocket.

The furnished room had a sole occupant on the couch. He took a few steps into the room before someone else stopped him by the entrance. Taehyung looked down at the hand placed on his chest. "Jungkook, it's okay." He murmured before focusing his attention back onto the couch. Taehyung treaded lightly as he approached the sitting figure. He positioned himself across the couch and let his presence be noticed. M looked at him; his watery grey eyes seemed duller as though he was tired. The circles under his eyes were darker and his cheeks looked sullen. It was almost as if he aged eight more years in the span of a week. His lips spread into a small smile as his slightly wrinkled cheeks made way for them.

"You took your time."

Taehyung bit the insides of his cheek. "I had plans."

The older man relaxed back into the couch and chuckled. "Must have been one hefty plan for you to ignore the lovely Park Minjee."

Taehyung's expression hardened. "You didn't have to do that."

"I didn't have to." M agreed. "But I wanted to."

"Why?" Taehyung grit his teeth. "Why are you so hell bent on doing all these?"

"I thought I told you. I despise people betraying me."

"For goodness' sake, will you stop saying that?! I've been hearing this ever since Michael left. I'm sorry but do you even know what betrayal means?" Taehyung paused and took a deep breath, controlling himself from raising his voice further. This was his last straw at avoiding conflict. He kneeled next to the couch, abandoning his position. By the door, he could see Jungkook; his brows dipped down in concentration. An intense spark of desperation and resignation passed as their eyes lingered on one another. He shifted his gaze back to the man in front of him.

"When I first came to Seoul, I was lost. I had only been here a few times to visit my parents but when I shifted without their aid, I was clueless. I guess my parents assumed I knew everything for they left me to look after a conglomerate along with another clueless boy. Jungkook and I only had each other. It was difficult, having no experience but coping up with the reputation and result that was expected of us. And then, you found us. I still don't know what you saw in us but you took us in. You taught us to withstand the burden. You showed us an exciting new path that we could walk upon. It was dark, but with you by our side, we had nothing to fear. You made us feel strong. You made us feel powerful. We even made new friends. No matter what people said, I loved you, admired you. I still do. But it's time we started exploring the world on our own; lead a new life."

Despite the fierceness in his eyes, Taehyung believed he hit a soft spot. He anticipated a reply but all he received was a sympathetic gaze. The silence continued for a while before Taehyung felt the urge to speak again. He wanted to grab every chance of persuasion he could get.

"It's okay to be scared of change. But it is an inevitable part of life. I believe it's time for a change and I want you to stand by me. I want you to stay with me as you always have." Taehyung suspected tears in his eyes. "Hmm? Please?"

Taehyung watched as M placed his index finger on his forehead. His coarse digit stroked away the few strands of hair and Taehyung held his breath.

"How many years has it been?"

Taehyung raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"How many years has it been since you've known me?"

Taehyung was unsure of where this was headed. "S-seven?" he stuttered.

"Seven years." M nodded. "I'm surprised. Seven years and you still don't know me."

"What do you mean?"

"My child, do you not know that when I take a decision, there's no going back?"

"But-"

"My decision is ultimate."

Taehyung sighed and hung his head low in defeat. He was at his wit's end. He had tried everything in his power to change this. He no longer had a choice. In a way, he had lost the game. A series of images flashed through his mind. He thought of Michael, his positivity, his passionate friendship, his assuring smile when Taehyung experienced his first heartbreak, his destroyed state as he said his final goodbyes, his forlorn look as his brushes stroked the vivid colours of his father. He thought of Naoko, her beautiful smile, her mother-like warmth, her gentle fingers as they caressed his wounded cheeks, her far-away look as she saw glimpses of her husband in Luke's cheeky grin, her shivering frame as she sobbed into his chest. And then, he thought of M. His first encounter, his growing admiration for the man, the power he felt when he was handed his first weapon, his strong words of advice, his genuine smile as he addressed Taehyung as his son, his broken self on the day he parted with his family, his coldness thereof, and the final image of his resolute grey eyes.

Taehyung forced himself back to reality. He stood up and took a few steps backwards. With shaking hands, he pulled out his pistol. He aimed it towards his mentor and tightened his grip as tears ran down his cheeks.

"Please don't make me do this." He spoke, his voice barely a whisper.

M cocked his head to the right, as if to observe him from another angle. He eased back on to the couch and folded his arms. He shifted his gaze to the figure that stood by the door. "Jungkook?" he called out calmly.

Jungkook walked towards them, his steps weighing down with uncertainty.

"What about you?"

Jungkook's keen black eyes skimmed over the two people present in the room. His eyes lingered on Taehyung's before he fixed his gaze on M. He tilted his head down in a partial bow and spoke softly. "I'm sorry."

"Those elaborate speeches you made, about loathing Minjee, betraying Taehyung and your allegiance towards me... they were all lies?" M drawled.

"Yes." Jungkook said, still refusing to look up.

"I expected as much." The older man had an unknown smile on his face.

At that, Jungkook looked up in confusion.

"Don't be so surprised. I'm not as foolish as you take me to be." He tugged at the corner of his collar. "If I know something for certain, it's that you wouldn't dare go against one another." He let out a breathy chuckle. "I would often joke to Naoko that the two of you were a package deal. There's no 'one' without the 'other'. Taehyung and Jungkook. Inseparable. It has always been something I've admired. The bond that you carry is strong. Together, you are indomitable. Which was precisely why I took you in."

He paused and took a long deep breath. "I'd always wondered how it'd be if the two of you were separated. I know it would torment you. I know how badly it would affect you. That gave away your pretence, you know? You were obliviously calm. It was very unlikely of you." His brows were furrowed, further deepening his gaze. "But now now.... Now that we're here, all I see is faces of two lost boys. It's hard indeed."

The two young men couldn't make head and tail out of what was being said.

He vaguely motioned his hand towards the outstretched gun. "I assume my end is near."

"It doesn't have to be like that." Taehyung pleaded.

"Yes, it does. There are certain aspects of life that one just cannot evade. You have to experience them to learn and grow. Now, before it's too late; go ahead and shoot me."

At that precise moment, Taehyung felt as though they travelled back in time. He no longer felt like an adult; rather, he felt like a broken boy. The affection that he had nurtured took its final stage as they pleaded. It seemed odd to watch two men beg and plead as though they were children. It felt even more odd to know that they were the ones who possessed control over the trigger. And yet, the shelter and protection they'd received years ago prevented them from pulling the trigger, desperately seeking ways to avoid bloodshed.

A minute of chaos later, M raised his hands to demand silence. He sighed and shook his head, causing his grey hair to tousle unpleasantly. "Very well then. You leave me no choice." He flicked his wrists upwards and counted down from three. The two looked at each other in confusion and curiously watched as his fingers motioned a one. The whole room stood in a hushed stillness, not knowing what to anticipate. Taehyung watched; his eyes keenly concentrated on his mentor. The subtle movement of his lashes, the slight tousle of his hair with the sudden onset of an uninvited wind, the bead of sweat that trickled down his forehead, the twist of his lips as they highlighted a lunatic smile; and finally, the indecipherable gleam in his watery grey eyes.

Taehyung was startled by the sudden loud noise. He was convinced that he hadn't pulled the trigger and yet, the sound was unmistakably a gunshot. Instantaneously, he saw his best friend collapse to the ground. A sniper shot. It took him a while to process it all but a certain scarlet element sent a clear-cut message. Blood oozed lavishly from his struggling body. Jungkook was slowly bleeding to death.

Taehyung felt as though his soul left its vessel. He was in absolute shock. Despite the frenzy, his mind connected the dots and he felt himself to be the target of an ocean of emotions. He was no longer aware of who he was. As though controlled by a puppeteer, his outstretched hand remained. He automatically loaded the gun and his clammy fingers pressed itself onto the trigger. He heard the loud startling noise once again. This time, his mentor reeled back onto the couch. He couldn't stop himself and two more followed the echo. Somehow, even the lifeless body couldn't satisfy him. But he was running short of time.

He knelt down and frantically pulled the writhing body onto his lap. He cradled Jungkook's face in his arms and pressed his palm onto the bullet wound. But no matter what, the bleeding wouldn't stop. "Jungkook, please." He found himself begging. He was aware that it was pointless but he was desperate. Taehyung would have done anything to prevent the death of his friend. He would walk the roads to heaven and hell, he would beg and demand of the gods, he would sign the devil's contract; but most of all, he would have gladly given his life if it meant the survival of his friend. But to no avail. It was inevitable. And he hated every bit of it. It struck him as an epiphany that this was exactly what M wanted him to feel. Death would have been a godly deliverance but this... watching Jungkook bleed in his arms was a torture much crueller than death.

"Jungkook, please. You have to stay with me. Please stay with me." Tears spilled mercilessly from his eyes. Taehyung watched helplessly as the younger one struggled to breathe. Jungkook moved his lips in an attempt to speak but instead, blood spluttered out of mouth. With trembling hands, Taehyung tried to wipe his cheeks only to smear it further. Despite his agony, Jungkook's brown eyes oddly sparkled in peace. He weakly raised his fingers and touched the stream of tears. Taehyung clutched his hand, desperately trying to find something, anything, to hold on to. Jungkook's breathing was painfully slow and the thump of his heart decreased rapidly.

"Shh..." Taehyung choked.

Regardless of his protest, Jungkook struggled to speak. He breathed hard; every bit of struggle evident in its hoarseness. He was granted the luxury of whispering out a single word.

"Hyung..."

He leaned closer to hear more but was greeted with grim silence. Eyes wide with disbelief, Taehyung leaned away to watch his lips move. But they were terribly still. The very hand that he'd desperately held onto, fell limp at the mere loosening of his grip. Taehyung went numb.

Everything around them converged into a staggering stillness. He mourned the silence in deafening silence.