Shock.

Despair.

Fury.

The smell invading Micah's nose was rancid, worse than anything he'd ever smelt. The smoke blinded his eyes, watering them, suffocating him as he tried to maneuver his way through the ember flames. He could feel the ember flames licking his unprotected body, leaving stings and small burns wherever it found possible. Perhaps the adrenaline was fueling his tolerance as the flames relentlessly threatened to scorch him whole.

It all seemed recent.

Was it reckless of him to try to see if there was anything— anyone in the village? From the sounds of his coughing and arms attempting to shield him from the heat, Micah would say yes, but his father had been there, and if there was any chance that he could be alive, well, Micah had to check.

Leave it to him and his apprehension towards the Purebloods. Micah was terrified of them, unlike his father, who always seemed a bit too excited to cross paths with them. Destined, perhaps, that his father, someone who thirsted on being in control, in acquiring all the chess pieces in the game. Micah was the opposite. He wanted nothing to do with the Purebloods.

But, from the looks of it, that's something he'd never learn to avoid.

"You're bold, Micah, for walking through the flames."

At the sound, Micah whipped his head around. He was met with someone he couldn't see, as the flames were too bright to let him see. All he could see was the faint silhouette of the figure, but he could only assume is that whoever this person was‚ if it even was a person, wasn't going to murder him.

"My father has control of the village," Micah attempted to say through coughs. "I have to make sure he's okay."

"No need for that, Micah Jung," the voice replied. "Your father, along with everyone in the village, is dead."

The little air in Micah's lungs left him, and his chest tightened, eyes blurring with tears at the sudden, calm revelation. Despite the sudden emotion, however, Micah swallowed the lump in his throat and spoke.

"Was it the fire?"

The person laughed coldly, the sound of it resonating through Micah.

"These flames have been burning at my control for the past three weeks," the voice said, "And it will not stop until everything that cursed this village has turned into nothing but ashes. You were a fool to try and come here."

"You did this?"

Another laugh, but no confirmation.

"If only you had power, Micah Jung, you could stand a chance." the voice mused. "You're weak. Human. Imagine how much that has cost your father. He didn't stand a chance against anyone. Not me, not the Purebloods. No one."

By now, Micah was shaking in anger. The flames seemed to have taken a life of their own, leaving him enough space to breathe normally, while still being limiting his vision. It was as if whoever was behind the curtain of flames was letting Micah have his space, and Micah didn't know how to feel about it. Was this person trying to help him? Give him advice?

"The royal family has abandoned you, Micah," the voice announced. "You went against them and lost their loyalty. What are you going to do now? Were you hoping your father would persuade them to have them at your side again?"

Micah froze.

"How do you know that?"

"I know a lot of things about you, Micah," the voice responded. "You have something which I have seen in no other human so far, and this war has been going on for years. Not even your father has the desire you have. You conspired to get rid of the Gwan line, a lineage that has been ruling since the beginning of time. Alas, you weren't powerful enough. You never will be powerful enough."

"Who are you?" Micah yelled, unsheathing his sword. "Show yourself!"

Only laughter accompanied the response.

"Does it matter who I am, Micah?"

"If you don't show yourself, you're a coward!"

Silence.

Micah noticed the figure disappear from where it was standing. Frantically, he began to look around, his hands gripping his sword tightly, slashing it around with every step he took as if he were readying himself for an attack. Within seconds, his sword had clattered onto the floor, Micah's hands going up to his throat as he lost oxygen. He fell to his knees, gasping for air as the person that he'd demanded to show their face, finally did. Micah struggled to look up, noticing the boy with mismatched eyes, matching the split black and white hair. The boy grinned mischievously at him, enjoying as Micah writhed in agony.

"You really are a fool, Micah." the boy said, snapping his fingers. The oxygen returned to Micah's lungs in that instant, and he gasped, trying desperately to regain all the lost air the boy had taken away from him. "This is why you need strength. You couldn't go against the Royal Guard, and you can't even land a scratch on me here."

"What are you?" Micah stammered, almost afraid. "Are you going to kill me?"

"Relax, Micah, for I am not here to spill your blood. My aunt sent me here to speak with you." the boy said. "She didn't want to alert anyone of Her meddling, so She asked me to speak with you on Her behalf to encourage you to fulfill your desires. There is only one that can fulfill what you want, and that is a Pureblood— the same one that killed your father on this very ground, three weeks ago."

"Who?"

The question came far faster than Micah had expected it to. He was still in shock— his brain not fully processing that his father had been killed. But, Micah needed to know which Pureblood had ended his father's life. His father, who didn't deserve the untimely death— who in his forties was more of a man than Micah could ever aspire to be. Micah had to avenge him somehow— and as much as he didn't want to involve himself with the Purebloods, it was officially something he could not just leave alone. His father deserved justice, and for that, Micah needed to know who had stolen his father's life so unjustly.

"His name is Min Yoongi, though all the Purebloods played a part in destroying the village," the boy said, gesturing at the barren, burnt land. "I am only here to ensure that all the bodies are returned back into Gaea, so this village can start anew, hence the contained burning flames around you. No trace of the formerly living should stain this place. It must rebirth."

"You want me to seek out the Purebloods?" Micah asked, almost in disbelief. "After what they caused here? After what they did to my father?"

"I'm only the messenger, Micah," he shrugged. "Whatever you do, is up to you. My aunt told me that I should remind you that you have options, and sometimes to get at your enemy, you must keep them close to you. If you get into the Purebloods' good graces, you'll become powerful. Then, nothing is stopping you from betraying them. The question is, are you ambitious enough to obtain power that you know belongs to you? To become the person you know you have to become to get your revenge?"

First, confusion.

Then, resolve.

"Where do they reside?" Micah asked carefully. "The Purebloods."

"You'll know as you walk the path," the boy said, "She will show you the way."

"Your aunt?"

The boy nodded.

"Who is she?"

"That matters not. You will have decisions to make during your journey to them, and that will determine how worthy you are to be in their presence," the boy said. "If you prove to be resourceful, cunning, daring, you will have a bright future ahead of you. She swears it. Now, go, Micah Jung, and be everything your father could not."

The boy handed Micah the fallen sword, a smile settled on his lips that didn't quite reach the eyes (though Micah failed to notice it). Micah stood up, and after brushing himself off, took the sword in his arms, returning it back to its original casing. He looked around a bit, expression troubled.

"You won't find your father here," the boy said, voicing Micah's thoughts. "He has already returned to Gaea. The only remaining trace of him is you. Now go. She will not wait long for you."

"What is your name?" Micah asked, looking back at the boy. "I'd like to have you as an ally."

The boy chuckled, shaking his head.

"I do not do alliances," the boy's lips curved upwards, "However, if you wish to summon me for anything you may need, call my name, Choi Yeonjun, and if the Moon is in your favor, I will appear."

🩸

Bowing down to someone and acknowledging their superiority over you was already embarrassing enough on its own. But to do so to your enemies, well, Micah had never felt so much burning shame in his life.

He wondered what his father would think of him like this.

The Purebloods were already making a mockery of him, tossing him to the wall, and as much as he wanted to fight, he let them have their way, remembering Yeonjun's words. Micah could always get revenge later, but first, he had to play the cards right, and for that, he'd have to show the Purebloods that he was in the place to deserve any type of help for them.

He felt a Pureblood's— Jimin's fingers grab ahold of his jaw. He winced at the sudden touch, and even though Jimin was being careful (as a Pureblood could be), he could feel Jimin's nails digging into his skin.

"Micah Jung, you have a lot of ambition and greed in you," Jimin said, licking his lips as he inhaled Micah's scent. "You desire to be in charge. Hm. You've betrayed your people before. Made a lot of decisions in your time to save yourself. Selfish. Arrogant."

Could Jimin detect all of that with just one smell?

Just how far did the Purebloods' power reach?

As the other two approached him, Micah couldn't help but notice their curious but expectant expressions. Behind those eyes, particularly in the one that killed his father, there lay lingering knowing, as if there was something that Micah was lost on, that he wouldn't be keyed onto. As his father's killer, Yoongi, cupped Micah's cheek, the thought only seemed to permeate throughout his face.

"I will do what you ask."

So the Purebloods believed in his word.

Good.

"The Gwans will cease to exist. History will be rewritten. When you return to your home, you will be referred to as a King."

"He wants a long life," Jimin commented, gaze transfixed on Micah.

It will take a long time for Micah to enact his revenge. It was only right that he live as much as he could so that slowly but surely, he could obtain his weapon for revenge.

"Of course he does. What King doesn't want to live a long life?" Yoongi deadpanned, sighing loudly.

Just listening to his voice made Micah's insides twist with rage. Who was Min Yoongi, to be talking about him as if he knew everything Micah wanted? To look at Micah with such an indignant, all-knowing face.

"I'll give it to him. Of course, the rest of civilization will believe that it's a new king every time. His appearance will change in time. When he encounters the thing he loves the most, he'll begin to age. Does that sound fair, Micah Jung?"

"There's nothing more I love in this world than power." Micah barked, his expression glowering.

At least, that's what he needed at this very moment.

Yoongi shrugged, knowing that for now, that would be the case. It would be a long time before Micah would have the thing he loves the most.

"The catch though, Micah, is I'll be taking the thing you love the most." Yoongi laughed, the sound of it sounding indignant in Micah's ears. "The thing you love the most belongs to me. When the time comes, I'll appear by your side, reminding you of the day you gave yourself up to us. If it's true that nothing comes above your thirst for power, giving the thing you love won't be too hard."

Perhaps Micah was too wrapped in the goal he'd set for himself, but the terms that were given to him weren't too bad. All Micah had to do was make sure that he didn't grow too close to anyone. His mission— the goal to get back at the Purebloods for what they did, was the most important thing on his list. It didn't matter what sacrifices he would have to make to do so.

Besides, he could love a lot of things. So many things.

Or, he could love something just enough.

How could the Purebloods ever know the right thing to take away?

"I accept your terms."

Today, he would be King.

Tomorrow, he would drag the Purebloods to hell.

🩸

"I didn't mean to fall in love."

Micah paced around the room, clearly frustrated. Yeonjun leaned against the wall, only looking at him amused.

"I am not a therapist, Micah, to evaluate what you may be going through right now," Yeonjun said, " but from the sounds of it, it seems your years have finally caught up with you. This is not the first time you have fallen in love. You have loved someone at least ten different times in the past two hundred and fifty six years. Why does this one matter the most?"

"I loved, yes, but I was never in love," Micah looked at Yeonjun. "This is different. She's different. Just the thought of her being ripped from me is tearing me apart. What will happen once Yoongi finds out I belong to another? He'll take her from me. He said so. Any day now."

Yeonjun chuckled. "You have already married her, Micah. I do not think the Pureblood will come anytime soon. The Moon's shining favorably on you two. There is nothing to worry about."

"You don't understand, Yeonjun," Micah shook his head rapidly. "It doesn't matter. They will find me when I am at my happiest and tear it all away. I have a child on the way. I cannot have him be without a mother. You don't know the Purebloods the way I do, Yeonjun. You do not know what they are capable of."

Yeonjun stifled a laugh, before saying, "You have had many children before, Micah. They have aged and perished, while you stay young. Why would this time be any different? Let yourself be for once, bask in your triumph. For two hundred fifty six years you have managed to escape their wrath, and you've only gotten stronger. You've made breakthroughs in their weaknesses. You're almost there. I can feel it."

A small smile began peeking through Micah's lips at Yeonjun's words.

Yeonjun seemed oddly overconfident at the statement. To Micah's surprise, it was comforting. Though Yeonjun and he were more business associates than anything, Yeonjun, every time that Micah had called for him had appeared. He'd stayed by Micah's side throughout the centuries. It didn't take Micah long to realize Yeonjun was someone who didn't age, though he never outwardly said how that was possible. He'd revealed that he was a sorcerer but other than that, he hadn't opened up to Micah about anything else.

He did, however, feel the tension between the two of them after everything that had emerged after Micah had struck the deal with the Purebloods. After the encounter with the Purebloods, Micah had focused more on building his reign, laying the ground stones for his empire so that he could get away with ruling for a long time.

He'd chosen women to love and have at least one son with. He'd been lucky— blessed, all these centuries that every woman he'd had borne him a male. He'd let them grow up, but never let them go out of the castle grounds, though pictures were taken of them to prove that they existed. He'd crown them, act like they were going to be the King, before killing them and taking their place.

His people didn't care. All they saw was the spitting resemblance every Jung child had, so when Micah replaced every one of his kids, there wasn't any hint of objection or question. Micah Jung just had very good genes, they would say, and after not seeing their King for long periods at a time, there would be no question. When it was time for an appropriate death, Micah would announce that everything was done in private, only showing urns with ashes to prove that the King had in fact died.

Micah had done this for the past four generations, and not a single person batted their eye. But, there was still cause of worry. For the first time, he had fallen in love with another woman. Lovers were plenty, but this was someone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. She was the only one that made him wish that he could grow old with her. He wouldn't be able to kill her, and now that she was pregnant, he didn't know what. the consequences would be. Would everything catch up to him?

When it came to the Purebloods, there was always a reason to worry.

"You have slain generations' worth of your own blood, Micah."

Micah jumped as he felt Yeonjun's hands on his shoulders. Yeonjun laughed, gently guiding Micah towards the vanity mirror, forcing Micah to look at himself. He pointed to Micah's crown, one that had yet to leave his head, patting his back rhythmically.

"Look at yourself, Micah," Yeonjun murmured. "Still as youthful as ever, not looking a day over twenty. No one's caught up to you yet, I think you would be a fool to think that something could happen to you now. It's been such a long time, Micah. I think you deserve to enjoy this."

Micah sighed. "Perhaps you are right. It's been such a long time. If the Purebloods wanted to mess with me, they would have done so already."

"Exactly," Yeonjun chuckled. "And if they come knocking at your door in the future, you can do what you always do best. You were considered a prodigy in your day, Micah Jung, son of the late Commander. You can do anything."

"Micah."

At the sound of his wife's voice, Micah turned, smiling brightly. Yeonjun let Micah go, letting Micah go to his wife. He smiled, before bowing at both of them.

"Are you ready, my Queen?" Yeonjun asked, extending his arm to her. "It has been six months since you first began growing the child. Would you like to know the sex?"'

The Queen nodded and guided by Micah, timidly took Yeonjun's hand. Yeonjun lightly held the Queen's hand, while pressing his free hand into her stomach, his eyes flashing with something Micah couldn't put his finger on. It was gone as quickly as it had shown and any trace of the unnatural expression wore off, replaced by a heartfelt, genuine smile.

"Your luck has not failed you yet, Micah."

Micah smiled. "Does this mean..?"

Yeonjun nodded.

"The male heir to the Jung throne will be born in three months' time."

🩸

"You have such a beautiful baby boy, King Micah."

It was a voice that Micah had prayed he wouldn't hear, but as he turned around, he was met with the Pureblood he dreaded the most. Min Yoongi was holding his five month old son in his arms, and all the worry that he had felt months ago came surfacing back, increasing tenfold.

His legs couldn't stop shaking. The terror of his son being taken away from him clawed him whole, leaving his stomach twisting and turning into inexplicable knots. Yoongi, on the other hand, looked serene, as if there was nothing for him to worry about. Micah began racking his brain, trying to find any possible excuse to prevent Yoongi from taking Hoseok.

This was the first time that he had ever felt this strongly about his offspring. Centuries of him doing away with his children after they bore no use, and now he was ready to give up everything for this one offspring. He wanted to protect Hoseok in the way that he didn't bother protecting his past offspring, even more than he wanted to protect his wife. He wanted nothing to happen to Hoseok, and he would give up anything to ensure that Hoseok wasn't in the hands of the filthy Purebloods.

Especially not the Pureblood who had killed his father centuries back.

"There's nothing you can do about it," Yoongi hummed, turning to Micah. "It couldn't be helped, Micah. My insignia claims him proudly as mine."

Of course.

The thing that Micah had thought was a birthmark, signaled something completely different.

"The moment my hand pressed against your cheek, I knew he was going to be mine." Yoongi smiled. "Whether you had come to my family, I would have found out one way or another that your kid belongs to me."

It was inevitable.

No, Micah couldn't accept that.

"You can't have him," Micah interjected, motioning to Hoseok's chest. "He's love inbound to someone else already. He won't love anyone other than the one he is bound to."

"Why are you humans, so idiotic?" Yoongi shook his head, clicking his tongue. "Jimin created l'amour lie for you humans. Do you genuinely think that a bond created by my brother as a gift to your people can evade the inevitable, much less be permanent? Your son is mine. It was agreed two hundred fifty seven years ago. You cannot go back on your word now."

The loom of threat hung in the air as Yoongi spoke those words.

Micah knew that as of now, he had no choice. He couldn't risk dying prematurely. He had eighteen years to figure something out. For now, he'd let Yoongi think that he had his way. That was the only logical solution. He had one kid already, Micah could always have more. Surely Micah would love the others just the same, if not more than Hoseok. Was that not what fathers did? Love all their children equally?

"Don't betray me, Micah Jung," Yoongi stated harshly. "Because the second, you do, you'll be on your deathbed. The same deathbed that you should have been in centuries ago."

With that, Yoongi disappeared into the night, leaving Micah to his own devices.

Micah wasn't strong enough yet to go against Yoongi. All he could do was listen to Yoongi's words. But that didn't mean that he wouldn't stop at anything to make sure that Yoongi didn't take Hoseok. No, he had to figure out a way to save his son.

There had to be something that Micah could do.

There was.

Yeonjun.

🩸

"How many kids have you had so far, Micah?"

Micah snapped up at Yoongi's voice, immediately beginning to fume. Yoongi leaned goodnaturedly on the wall of his room, a widened grin on his perfect porcelain face. Micah resisted the urge to throw something at Yoongi, knowing that nothing would ever come close to touching him. Knowing that Micah wouldn't answer him, Yoongi continued.

"You have such a fertile woman, Micah," Yoongi mused. "To have four different kids in the span of what? Five years? Trying to replace Hoseok so you won't feel empty when he leaves you? Doesn't matter how many kids you have, Micah."

"I am a father."

"A father who has killed all his other sons and lovers throughout the centuries," Yoongi laughed. "Admit it, you tried to get rid of Hoseok, but didn't have the heart to. You couldn't. But everyone else? Well, they're proudly shown off as ashes in those urns you keep for a reason. Should have added Hoseok to the collection. Maybe then you wouldn't have had to make so many kids. "

Was Yoongi taunting him?

"Either way, I have no interest in the kids your wife has birthed for you," Yoongi said. "Do you think I don't know that you were desperately trying to replace Hoseok with one of the other kids you have? None of them bear my insignia, Micah, therefore, none of them will be coming with me. I will not be trading offspring for offspring."

"You said what I love the most," Micah began. "A father loves all his children."

"And yet, the only one you're focused on saving is Hoseok," Yoongi quickly interrupted, smirking widely. "Fathers also have favoritism. Your father had it with you, don't you remember? Though that was centuries ago. I doubt you'd remember your deadbeat of a father."

Micah gritted his teeth but said nothing.

Who was Yoongi to be speaking that way about someone he killed?

Though his father had his weaknesses, he'd always taken care of Micah. Sure, Micah had been raised on tough love, but he knew that was necessary for him to eventually overtake the roles as Commander back when the wars were at their peak. Of course, life took Micah unexpectedly. His father died and now he was under the debt of the person that killed him, who now wanted to take his child. It was a cruel joke that was not spanning the generations. Any which way, a Jung always seemed to be paired with a Pureblood, and now his son, his poor Hoseok, was now someone that had to carry on the burden.

It was cruel.

It wasn't fair.

"I had to kill him, you know," Yoongi said, almost feigning innocence despite him admitting to the crime. "He was going to murder an innocent family. A family that he wanted for his own, but the woman didn't want him. The woman couldn't want him. I'm sure you know who I speak of. The beauty of the village, the one that every one wanted as theirs."

Micah's jaw tightened.

"The child and wife tied up, locked in their own house, and deemed traitors. And then boom, the flame touched the walls and everything was set ablaze!"

Yoongi burst into laughter, his expression almost maniacal as he walked towards Micah, who was already angry beyond anything he'd ever felt. Still, he said nothing, forcing himself to calm down. If he laid a finger on Yoongi, he would die. That's the last thing he wanted to happen. He couldn't die. Not when everything he'd done for was close for him.

"Do you know what I told him, Micah before I crushed him alive?" Yoongi asked, standing in front of Micah. "Go on. Ask."

"What?"

"I told him you'd get everything he'd ever dream of wanting," Yoongi whispered, smiling haughtily. "You'd be a Pureblood's whore, just the same that he'd condemned all long ago. Safe to say, I was right. Look at you, right now. Trying desperately to weasel yourself out of what you willingly jumped into. Typical Jung."

Enraged, Micah grabbed Yoongi's neck, pulling him close. Yoongi let him, only gazing at him amusedly. He tilted his neck, gazing at Micah in wonder, eyes lit up in challenge as if telling— daring Micah to do something.

"I crushed your father dead with the heel of my shoe," Yoongi snickered. "What could you possibly do to me?"

The answer was an easy one.

Nothing.

Micah let Yoongi go, his eyes threatening to leak tears of rage. Yoongi's eyes flashed purple, his fangs peeking out of his already wide smile, before receding to normal. He dusted off his clothes, wrinkling his nose as he touched his neck.

"You cannot prevent the unpreventable, Micah Jung."

With that, Yoongi began to walk away. As his fingers grabbed the door handle, he stopped short. Turning back towards Micah, he smiled.

"For what it's worth, Micah," Yoongi began, as he opened the door. "You have a lovely family. I have met them all. Your wife and kids are most fortunate to have someone like you as a father. I only hope that you learn to love them as much as you love Hoseok."

As it turned out, Micah only had enough love for one person.

Time passed, and all Micah could feel was resentment towards the other members of his family. He began feeling hatred towards his wife for bearing him Hoseok, the one he'd have to give up, and for birthing every other kid, who the Pureblood refused to take in exchange for Hoseok. He began to despise his other children, as they were unworthy of Pureblood want. They'd get to live a happy life, one where they would be able to do whatever they wanted, but Hoseok? He wouldn't get any of that.

The only thing that Yeonjun could help him with was enabling a tracking spell on Hoseok, just in case he ever disappeared because of the Purebloods. But, Yeonjun couldn't stop the Purebloods, as he was someone who honored oaths and promises. Deals were sacred, and there wasn't something to mess around with, so Micah turned to his wife, hoping that maybe some other kid Yoongi would take away.

He despised seeing his other children playing with Hoseok. Laughing with him, enjoying his company, treating him like a sibling. Hoseok had it bad. He had no good future. He had nothing. He was the unlucky one. They didn't deserve to be around him. His mother didn't deserve to be around him. His siblings didn't deserve to be around him. No, the only person that Hoseok should have by his side, apart from his love bound, was him. Only Micah cared about him. He was the only one capable to. Only Micah could understand Hoseok. Only he could love Hoseok.

Everyone else failed to save him.

For that, they had to pay.

All of them.

Not one of them deserved to live.

"Where are you taking us?"

Micah only smiled at his wife's words, holding one of his kids in each hand, while his wife carried the other two, as he led them up the narrow pathway. The place was secluded, with only a small cabin obscured by the wilderness. The only one that hadn't come with them was Hoseok, who was with Seokjin, but Micah had assured his family that Hoseok would be by shortly. A family trip, he had told them, and they bought it.

Perhaps it was his wife's desperation to satisfy her husband, and for him to like the kids, that she agreed. Whatever the reason was, Micah had already decided that it would be their last day alive. He didn't care the way he used to anymore. He didn't need them. They had lived as happy lives as they could. Now, it was them to have similar fates to Hoseok.

If Hoseok wouldn't be free, his children and wife would neither.

It wouldn't be right.

"It's just what you deserve," Micah smiled hollowly. "As my family."

Whether they believed Micah was another question, but as long as the kids kept to him, there was nothing that his wife or anyone would do. They were kids, the youngest only a couple of months old, what could they do? It would be easy to dispose of them.

Just like old times.

So he did.

The next thing he knew, he was watching over each of them, his shoes getting stained in the pools of blood he had created. His clothing lay stained with the blood from his wife's hands, pleading, begging at him to stop his madness. He had paid no attention, slicing through his children as if they were mere blocks of cheese. All of them, including the month old he made sure were dead and as his wife looked at him with those tear stricken eyes, Micah had dealt the final blow, letting her bleed to death among her children.

When he was done, he struck a match and lit the place on fire, not caring if his former wife or children had fully died. The more they suffered the better. They needed to suffer. They couldn't save Hoseok. They couldn't carry on Hoseok's burden. Had he never met his wife, he'd never have gotten Hoseok, and wouldn't have subjected Hoseok to the cruel fate he was going to live.

Micah watched the ember flames light up the night sky, walking away even when he heard the sounds of screaming. He walked to the nearest river, and doused his sword in the cool, refreshing water, letting the blood from which had stained it disappear. He tried taking the blood from his clothes, which proved to be unsuccessful. But, at the very least, he'd managed to save his shoes.

Now, he'd need Yeonjun's help to ensure that no one remembered any of his deceased children's existence.

He strolled back to the cabin that had already burned to the ground, taking with it the bodies of his former family. To his surprise, Yeonjun was already there, looking at the mess with a stoic expression. Hearing Micah's footsteps, he turned to him, wonder behind that stoic expression.

"Micah, what have you done?" Yeonjun whispered, almost horrified. "Your family..."

Micah shook his head. "No. If my Hoseok isn't allowed his freedom, the rest of them shouldn't either. What is done, is done."

"Hoseok is old enough to know his siblings and mother," Yeonjun responded, crossing his arms. "What will be your explanation to him about his family?"

"He won't remember," Micah stated simply. "No one will."

Yeonjun tilted his head. "And how pray tell, will he and everyone else forget?"

"You."

At the statement, Yeonjun raised an eyebrow. He pointed towards himself, to which Micah nodded. Yeonjun burst into laughter of disbelief at Micah's words, before realizing that Micah was serious.

"Do you not know what you're asking me to do for you, Micah?" Yeonjun asked gravely. "Everyone knows of your wife and children. It is the most celebrated feat in the country. You want me to erase their existence from everyone's minds. Who do you think I am?"

"The person who encouraged me to seek out the Purebloods, to begin with," Micah said, jabbing a finger at Yeonjun. "This all started with you. You owe me this."

Yeonjun's expression darkened. "I owe you nothing. You made your own decisions. You knew what you were getting into, Micah Jung. Any action that you have done after that moment has been your own. I thought that your bloodshed would end, but you have proved me wrong."

"I do what I must for my child," Micah snapped. "Hoseok will suffer at the hands of the Purebloods. They don't deserve happiness. He does."

"You killed them the exact same way your father murdered two innocents," Yeonjun snapped back. "Like father, like son."

"Do this for me, Yeonjun. Please."

Yeonjun shook his head in disgust. "You don't deserve anyone to call you family, Micah."

"I don't," Micah agreed. "But I will do anything to protect my son. Hiding him from the truth will do it.

Yeonjun looked at Micah's certain expression and sighed.

"I will do what you ask of me. Your wife will have passed during childbirth. No one will remember your children after Hoseok, not even you."

"You'd be doing me a favor."

"Rather than let you simmer in guilt that will never come, you will suffer from the loss like the rest of them." Yeonjun continued. "But, when Hoseok learns of what you've done, that is when everyone will remember, including yourself. The consequences will follow according to your son."

Micah scoffed. "I do not care, Yeonjun. Hoseok will never find out. Do it. Make everyone forget about them."

Yeonjun's eyes began to glow, a knowing smile spreading across his face.

"For Hoseok's sake, let's hope that you are correct, Micah Jung."

a/n: hi! i hope you haven't forgotten about this fic yet :))))

this was around 6k, and it would have been more but i decided just to put it for next chapter. i finished school last week, but as soon as i got back, i came down with a really bad cold so i've been resting and trying to get better this past week.

the fact that i can publish the 6k too—

thank you so much for 18k! i know it has been such a long time since i've updated, but i'm really glad that you are still here and have made it this far. it's been one year officially since i started this book (on ao3 at least), so this is definitely something.

i feel like im focusing more on the lore than the actual romance but AJH THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN BOOK SO COMPLEX FGHJDFLJKHGFDM WE'LL GET THERE WHEN WE GET THERE

if you're confused, you should be (: everything shall be explained next chapter so any questions feel free to speaks. 

thank you for reading <3