"They're going to kill him."

Hoseok could feel the worry and fear settling into his body at the words, the words slipping out of him faster than he could process. The voice wasn't his own, he could tell that much, but everything coursing through him felt too real to pass like a dream. The movements, the words were not his own, the body was not his— Hoseok wasn't in control of anything. His vision was clearer than he had ever seen before, his movements light and quick, making no noise as he continued to move around. No drawing of breaths, no heartbeat, the exact opposite of what Hoseok was.

"Yoongi, we have to do something!" Hoseok felt himself say as he paced throughout what seemed to be a throne room. "You don't know what they're capable of."

"Jimin, didn't Taehyung say he loathed you?"

So he was playing Jimin.

"We made progress, Yoongi," Jimin responded, balling his hands into fists. "I don't know what they're trying to do to him to undo everything we had progressed on, but now they're holding him prisoner. I think they're doing it on purpose. They know that if we try to get in, we'll cause war, but Yoongi, we have to get him out of there."

Yoongi sighed. "The question is not whether we should help him, Jimin. That much, I promise we will do. But, Namjoon has worked all this time to keep relations with humans peaceful. If we take one of their people, it'll undo everything that he's done. We won't be able to take him without a fight, and you know we aren't in any condition to start a war with them."

"If I can make Taehyung mine, I can save us," Jimin pleaded, putting his hands on Yoongi's shoulders. "As long as I can awaken his insignia, we'll be able to get out without fighting. We don't have to use our abilities."

"We can't use our abilities yet," Yoongi corrected. "We don't have full control of them yet. Our mother warned us about using them without having full control over them."

"We're still vampires," Jimin insisted. "We can get him without harming the humans."

"They can use Taehyung's presumed hatred of you as a weapon," Yoongi said, uncertainty lacing his voice. "As soon as they manage to combine his blood with their weapons, we're done."

"Which is exactly why we have to get him out of there. He'll die if we don't do anything, and I can't have him dying on me. I'll lose him for eternity if I don't save him now."

Yoongi nodded. "Kim Taehyung will survive. I promise you that."

Jimin's lips blossomed into a smile at the words, his arms going to embrace Yoongi. Yoongi stilled for a moment before returning the embrace tightly.

"Mother's not going to be happy at what we're about to do," Yoongi murmured in Jimin's ear. Jimin smiled softly, squeezing Yoongi tighter.

"We're doing what we have to do to save my soulmate," Jimin responded, "I think she'll let it slide just this once. She gave our soulmates to use, after all. It is not her fault that Taehyung's life is being threatened."

"I know," Yoongi said. "I know. Now come on. I know that Namjoon isn't here, but it should be fine, just the two of us. It's just a town, right? A couple thousand, including Taehyung?"

Never mind the fact that Taehyung was the son of the Head of the town, one of the major towns in existence. Though his brother was giving him hope, Jimin knew that even with enhanced abilities that they possessed as vampires, they wouldn't be able to survive not being captured by the town— especially when they weren't able to use their gifts to the fullest yet. Uncontrolled, Jimin's ability could cause immediate death upon the human population, and the last thing he needed was his accident to show as a declaration of war, especially when Namjoon, his brother, had worked so hard in maintaining peace.

All eventual peace came at a cost, and that cost was something that Jimin was willing to pay to ensure that Taehyung would be with him for the rest of time. If he had to break the current peace so that he could save Taehyung, then that's what he would do.

He just hoped he wouldn't have to do anything too drastic.

The next thing Hoseok could feel was warmth. Warmth, laced with exhaustion— ragged breathing, unrelenting heartbeat, and feelings of anger coursing through his system. He was in another place now; the vision he had once possessed dimmed drastically. It was dark, and it wasn't until he zeroed in on the people that were watching him, did he realize what was happening. He felt himself shake his arms, which were tied together with material Hoseok couldn't quite place.

"The bloodsucker has bewitched you, my son," the one in the middle spoke, his hand enclosed on what seemed to be a knife. "But, as we've been praying to the Gods that defend us from the sky, so we have been heard. We can help you get rid of the bloodsucker that threatens to steal you away, to make you one of them. All we have to is break the hold that wretched creature has on you."

Hoseok felt himself burst into laughter, the strain of it burning his lungs and ending with a fit of coughs that resulted in the drawing of blood. He spat the metallic taste that was settling into his mouth, looking at the figure in front of him venomously.

"He'll come for me," Hoseok spoke disdainfully. "Jimin won't forget what you're doing to me."

So this was Taehyung.

"No, Taehyung, the goddess Artemis has been incredibly kind in sharing her knowledge with us." his father insisted, walking closer towards him. "As long as we break the bond that ties you to him and slay him with your blood, you'll be free. She gave us this weapon so that we could free you from the shackles of that monster. Remember your hatred for him. You are tied up because of him. He should have never crossed paths with you. You're suffering because of him."

Taehyung could feel himself become more desperate. "He isn't the one that has me in chains, right now! Father, please, come to your senses. I'm your son! Let me free."

His father shook his head. "As long as we do what Artemis has said, you will embrace your true emotions. Don't worry, my son. We'll get you out of the vampire's spell soon enough. All we have to do is break the bond. Then you'll be used to rid the world of them. Keep him still."

"No!"

Taehyung thrashed around as much as he could, given his bound situation, to no avail. He was immediately restrained, his head forcefully tilted to the side. He felt his father tear open the battered shirt Taehyung was wearing; the knife was already pointed towards the insignia. Everyone had already begun to crowd around him, their expressions full of pity but thirsty for Taehyung's 'cleansing.' Finding nothing else, Taehyung began to yell Jimin's name as hard as he could, to which he was immediately forced quiet.

Tears began streaming down his face, but he shut his eyes closed as his father began muttering his thanks and prayers to the gods, Taehyung's mind begging for Jimin to come. In a town that had turned its back against the leader's son, Taehyung knew the only one that could save him was Jimin, and yet, he was nowhere to be found. Still, he held onto the hope that maybe Jimin would get to him on time and save him.

But when the knife slashed across the side of his throat, Taehyung knew no one would come to save him.

"Blood-shielding," Taehyung's father whispered as he brought the knife coated with Taehyung's blood stained on it. "Look at the beautiful gift that our goddess gifted to us. A silver blade, blessed by Artemis Herself, now coated with the one weakness the Purebloods have. Taehyung's sacrifice will not be in vain, I promise. Now, by the grace of the Goddess, we may bathe our own weapons and prepare ourselves to rid the world of the bloodsuckers, just as Artemis had dictated. When we're done, she promised to bring back our beloved Taehyung to us."

Every cut inflicted on Taehyung seared through Hoseok, feeling the sense of the cuts nearly tenfold. Taehyung's eyes would open momentarily, only to be shut again as the people that he used to trust most were now showing their true colors. The betrayal of his people shook Taehyung to the core, and he couldn't beg for them to stop— they wouldn't, not when a goddess from up above had promised to bring back the version of Taehyung that they wanted to see. Now, he was paying the price for letting himself get wooed by a vampire, even after he'd initially resisted.

He'd been foolish to believe that Jimin would come to save him.

Hopelessness coursed through Taehyung as he continued to fight for consciousness, and with every second that passed, he knew he was one step closer to death. There was still no sign of Jimin, and all Taehyung could do was curse about his fate, only one thought permanent in his head— abandonment from the one creature that was supposed to keep him the safest.

After what seemed like forever, everything stilled. Taehuyng felt his hands and feet unbind, and a pair of arms hoisted him upwards. By then, Taehyung had almost lost most of his consciousness, feeling himself lighter than he'd ever thought. He could feel his head being delicately moved to the side once more, exposing his neck.

"They have all paid for what they did to you, my love," Jimin's soft voice swam through Taehyung's ears. "I'll spend all eternity making up for what they did to you. I promise."

Taehyung was unable to say anything. With as much energy that he could muster, he forced his eyes open— strikes of blinding light hurting them immediately. He could feel Jimin's hand cover Taehyung's eyes, a soft hum coming from the vampire.

"You're on the verge of death, my love," Jimin whispered. "I'll deal with the consequences later. You did good, love. They were unable to blood-shield properly, it seems, so everything that they did was ultimately useless. Guess you never truly hated me."

Taehyung could feel Jimin's lips fall on his neck.

"I'll fix you up, my love. I promise."

When Hoseok awoke, he was in another place. He wasn't Taehyung anymore, but he could still feel the phantom effects of what Taehyung had gone through, though the body he was now in possession of was doing other things.

"The war casualties have gone at an all-time high," Hoseok said, turning towards Jimin. "No one has forgiven Taehyung being Turned and his town being destroyed. Our mother warned us of the consequences of using our powers when we haven't mastered them yet. You didn't even take one full step towards them, Jimin. You caused them to die with just one word."

"They destroyed each other," Jimin spat. "Yoongi and I did not lay a hand on them."

"Yoongi accidentally conjured an illusion to drive those humans insane, and you gave them the order to kill each other," Hoseok snapped, sighing harshly. "Artemis stepped in and brought them back to life as they were not meant to die, but after you'd already Turned Kim Taehyung, who only went back and murdered them all once more, starting a war I'd been trying desperately to avoid."

"I won't apologize for what we did, Namjoon." Jimin snapped, placing himself in front of Taehyung protectively. "That town deserved nothing more than to die twice for what they did to him. They tried blood-shielding! That wretched Artemis gave them the process, and they almost succeeded. If Taehyung had hated me, we would have been killed."

"I understand, Jimin, but it doesn't change the fact that because of you and your beloved, there is a war going on," Namjoon shook his head, pressing his lips together. "The humans are dying at rates much faster than vampires are. They aren't getting help from any of the Gods, so they're being decimated. We're the reason they're ceasing to exist. If we don't try to call a cease fire, then there will be no more humans."

Yoongi cleared his throat. "There's a commander that has requested to speak with us. I met him on the way back here. He didn't seem like he wanted to fight."

"Did you get a name?" Namjoon inquired. Yoongi nodded.

"Jeon Jungkook."

"Alright, that's enough reading."

The book shut in front of Hoseok, breaking the boy out of the trance. His hands immediately went to grab the book, but Taehyung was quicker, pulling it from reach. Hoseok stared at Taehyung wide-eyed.

"I need to keep reading," Hoseok mumbled, attempting to grab the book. Taehyung shook his head.

"You need to eat," Taehyung responded, setting the book down again. "Look at yourself. Pale, sweating, dehydrated. It's what happens when you dive into the history books, Hoseok. I know it's addicting to immerse yourself into our world, but you're still human. Yoongi will have my head if we left you in here. Come on."

Reluctantly, Hoseok followed Taehyung out, walking side by side with him. There was something odd now about them walking together, though Hoseok couldn't place it. It wasn't Taehyung that was giving him a weird feeling— for some reason, it felt like the atmosphere of the place had changed.

"What did you read, Prince?" Taehyung asked, breaking the silence. "It must have been something if you didn't want to put the book down."

Hoseok stayed silent for a couple of moments before asking, "Did your town really betray you?"

If Taehyung was surprised at the question, he didn't show it. Instead, he stopped walking and turned his attention towards Hoseok, a look of annoyance settling onto his face. Gingerly, he grabbed Hoseok's hand, using it to pull down his shirt. Hoseok's eyes widened at the gesture, his lips parting in an 'o', as he noticed the scars that lay permanently painted on Taehyung's skin.

"They hated the person that was meant for me, Hoseok," Taehyung said dryly as he let go of Hoseok's hands. "They were convinced I'd been plagued by some outside force, something that forced me to see Jimin. I thought I hated Jimin, but the more that I had kept meeting with him, I realized he wasn't as bad as they would paint Purebloods to be. I never got around to fully falling in love with him though."

"Your town got to you before you could do so," Hoseok whispered. Taehyung nodded.

"I only learned later that they were partially right," Taehyung shook his head. "I think Jimin and the others had known that something like this would happen, and Jimin had decided to take precautions. He influenced my thinking with his abilities, and ultimately, it's why blood-shielding never worked. Jimin had made it so that I couldn't hate him. No matter what, I'd be tied to him— insignia or not."

"He took your right to love properly?"

Taehyung shrugged. "Of sorts. He just strengthened what was already set in place. It was never about loving someone else. We don't get that choice. Jimin made it easier for me, just as Yoongi is trying to make it easier for you."

Hoseok scoffed. "So, what? You're telling me that I'll be like you?"

"For the sake of what I went through Hoseok, I hope you don't," Taehyung responded, resuming his walking. "Ultimately sacrificed so others could wield a weapon against the Purebloods, who didn't want to start anything, it's not a nice feeling. Your people will see you as nothing more than someone that they can use to be fully liberated against the Purebloods. Humans love being in control— it's the way it's always been."

"And Yoongi's trying to save me from that?"

Hoseok's mind flashed to what he had been shown nights ago by Yoongi. The different realities, possibilities of what the future could hold. He remembered the look on Seokjin's face as he aimed his weapon at Hoseok. Hoseok hadn't wanted to believe it at first, but with this new piece of information, and Taehyung testifying the truth of what Hoseok had read, it was impossible to peg what Hoseok had seen as something more than a lie.

It couldn't be a lie, not when Hoseok's evidence was in front of him at that very moment.

"There's only one weakness the Purebloods have, Hoseok, and it's us," Taehyung pressed his lips together. "Their counterparts. I'm Jimin's weakness. You'll come to learn that Jungkook is Namjoon's. You're Yoongi's and he's the one that humans have been trying to get rid of the most. We were made to be their weaknesses out of spite, something that put us as nothing more than humans."

"Do you think my father knows?" Hoseok asked. Taehyung nodded.

"He's been around since the second major disaster during the First War," Taehyung answered. "He had been just a kid when Jungkook was Turned. Artemis makes herself known when a Pureblood is close to saving their soulmates."

"Soulmates?"

Is that what Taehyung and Jimin were?

Namjoon and Jungkook?

Yoongi and him?

If that was was the case, then Hoseok was in more danger than he thought. If his father knew that Yoongi and Hoseok were always meant to cross paths, and he'd purposefully tried to stop that— that meant that Seokjin was never meant to appear in his life.

"You're starting to get it now, aren't you?" Taehyung asked, somewhat bitterly. "We're pawns to the humans, and as long as you remain human, Hoseok, you live at risk of dying."

"Yoongi hasn't done anything to me yet," Hoseok said puzzled. "If I was that important, he should have Turned me already."

"You wouldn't have wanted that, Hoseok," Taehyung let out a laugh. "You already hate the idea of being in this place. If you were one of us, you would disappear and Yoongi wouldn't be able to stop you. No, you don't force these things. You will be Turned Hoseok when the time comes for it, or you will die. Dying, however, is one of the things that the Purebloods will prevent the most when it comes to us."

Taehyung's right. Hoseok had already been kidnapped, and just that gesture had severely altered his thinking of the Purebloods. If Yoongi would have Turned him, Hoseok would have never forgiven him. Though he didn't have to, Yoongi was giving Hoseok space and time to think for himself, and instead of being forced on the information, he was given the outlet to explore what he wanted to see. Yoongi was giving him the freedom to choose.

If Yoongi was truly the villain of the story, would he care enough to give that much to Hoseok?

"Jimin and I were the reason that the war first started between the humans and vampires," Taehyung spoke once more. "Namjoon and Jungkook were the reason that l'amour lie was something that had to be created. Now, you and Yoongi are the reason war has erupted again. It's not by accident that these things keep happening when a Pureblood finds his soulmate."

Taehyung's fingers circled over the door handle. Silence passed between them before Taehyung finally said,

"Jungkook and I were both wronged by our kind. If history repeats itself, you're next."

a/n: hope that wasn't too confusing. pretty quick author's note today bc i have to get to my niece's birthday party but i hope you enjoyed!