Course the first thing Miok did now that he ban to see Taehyung was lifted was to go seek the Violet Wonder out, racing out in search of him the moment she was allowed to leave the med-bay. They were all out in the Training Grounds, so that was where she headed. However, before she found Taehyung, their was a softer voice who called out her name.

Spinning around she came face-to-face with a silver haired Dragon in human form, a smile lifting Miok's lips at seeing the young Dragon. Dressed in the standard white slip that every female Dragon who were yet to be claimed wore, silver hair matted and falling to her waist, the girl still looked prettier than any human could ever hope to. Even her downturned eyes, glazed golden as she stared at Miok, was too pretty.

"Trilly! How are you doing Darling?" Miok asked even as she veered off her initial course. As impatient as she was to see Taehyung, she figured she could delay it for a minute or two.

After all, during her long month of being Taehyung banned, Trilly was among the few Dragon's she had gone to seek companionship on dreary nights that her nightmares were to loud for her to fall asleep. Miok felt she owed as much to the Dragon. Yet, even as she ran a hand through Trilly messy hair, her eyes darted around, hoping to catch sight of the most mesmerising violet scales or even a messy mop of black hair. Impatience thrumming through her veins, wanting to let him in on the good news as well (even if she knew he wouldn't rejoice at it, at least she will not have to bring herself to kill a Dragon).

In her excitement, Miok didn't see the hurt in Trilly's eyes as she watched her seeking out a Dragon that wasn't herself.

"You didn't... me," Trilly started to say, but cut off with a sigh when Miok's eyes snapped back to her. They were crinkled in the corners with kindness as it always was when she looked at her, but right then they were filled with surprise, her wandering attention fixed solely on Trilly just as the Dragon had always wanted. Maybe the current circumstance wasn't exactly the best way to have it, but she'd take it.

Trilly face reflected the betrayel she felt at having been left behind.

She wasn't naïve enough to believe that the though of making her her Dragon had not once crossed Miok's mind. It was written plain as day across her face along with the shock. She could have sworn the human girl had picked up on the subtle hints shed been dropping about her desire to belong to her, to become her Dragon, have her as her Rider. Sworn she had even reciprocated her desire.

So where exactly had everything gone wrong? When had her focus shifted from Trilly to Taehyung?

Had it been because the Violet scaled Dragon was stronger, more powerful than her? Surely that couldn't be it. This was Miok. Sweet, kind Miok who loved Trilly as if she were her best friend.

So then, why him and not her? What did the pretty Rider see in that brute of a Dragon? He didn't even possess basic manners. He hadn't even looked glad as thrilled as Trilly was to even be in Miok's mere presence. He didn't cherish her the way she did. He didn't love Miok the way Trilly did. So why? Why was Trilly being cast aside?

Miok sighed, her hand lifting to gently cup Trilly's cheek, thumb brushing the apples of her cheek with a distant thoughtful look in her eyes. Miok was always gentle. She wasn't like the other humans who touched Trilly. Her touch never bought her pain.

"Some promises aren't meant to be broken dear one," Miok said, a pained look in her eyes, not seeing Trilly even though she looked her right in her eyes. The Rider looked like she carried a heavy burden. A burden Trilly would have loved to share with Miok, if only she was given the chance. Miok's words petered out with another sigh and shake of her head. "I wish I figured this out earlier, before the trials. I could have helped you pick a good Rider -"

"But they won't be you." Trilly didn't mean to cut her off, but what was she to do? Miok spoke of giving her to someone who wasn't herself.

Miok was still gentle with Trilly. She smiled at her despite her rudeness, not punishing Trilly for talking back or cutting her off.

"It won't be me. It can't be me," Miok explained, her voice soft as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind Trilly's ear. "Do you know who choose you?"

Trilly looked at the ground, holding on to Miok's wrist, afraid she'll pull away. Hanging on to the sliver of warmth that emitted from her palm that cupped her side of her head. "Cadet Reesa."

Miok hummed as her gaze drifted past Trilly, back towards the door she had not long since walked out of.

"Not a bad choice, Reesa is one of the kindest Cadet's from our batch, you'll be in good hands," Miok said as she looked back at Trilly. A relieved, yet encouraging smile on her lips.

Adamant, Trilly shook her head. Pulling Miok's hand down from her head to clutch it at her chest, eyes pleading to understand even as she insisted, " but she isn't you. No one will be you." It wasn't that she didn't know Miok had already made her choice, but it wasn't set in stone just yet. They weren't bonded. If she could make Miok see, if she could only convince Miok otherwise, maybe, just maybe, she'd change her mind.

Their was a pained look in Miok's eyes as she shook her head for the umpteenth time. Her free hand cupping Trilly's nape and making her look directly into her eyes to show how serious she was about what she said next. "Trilly that's... That's not something that can happen. I told you, some promises aren't meant to be broken."

"What about your promise to me! Does that mean nothing to you!?"

Shock was immediate to fill Miok's eyes, head jerking back slightly as she sucked in a sharp breath. Her mouth opened around a soundless o. Trilly didn't get a chance to regert her words before one of the Handlers were already upon them. A gruff voice calling, "Cadet Ryu, kindly step away from the Dragon."

Sucking in a sharp breath, Miok barely took a step back when Trilly tightened her hold on Miok's wrist. Refusing to let her pull away. Miok's gaze, which had wandered towards the woman who had yelled at her, snapped back to Trilly. Annoyance flicking to something unrecognizable when she looked at the Dragon.

"I will come find you later, this conversation is far from over," she whispered, pulling her hand away as she fully stepped away from Trilly. The same Handler who had asked Miok to step away pushing Trilly back before she could reach out for Miok agan.

"I'm afraid I will have to ask you to leave Cadet. We have yet to finish this training session."

Miok simply gave the woman a nod of her head before she walked away. Ignoring the dejected look Trilly had pinned on her, yet unaware of the pair of dark eyes that had watched the entire thing unfold in contemplative silence.

It was close to three a.m. when Miok dragged her tired body back to the Cadet Quarters. Talking to Trilly had not gone well at all. The whole conversation had been going around in circles and circles until Miok had no choice but to give up in the end. No matter it was that she said, Trilly twisted her words, adamant to pin all the blame on Taehyung and refusing at all costs to see rhyme or reason.

That wasn't the sole reason it was the middle of the night when she made it back. She had also stopped by Taehyung's cell to finally give him the good news as well. Not that he was happy to hear the news, but that, at least, had been expected.

Miok was ready to simply flop down on her bed and be done with her day, even if sleep never gave her the peace she needed, she did not have the energy to fight her heavy lids anymore. Unfortunately, there was someone waiting for her on the common room to talk to her when she got back.

"Miok-ah, where have you been?" A voice spoke the moment she had the door shut behind her. A well-built silhouette getting up from the couch in front of the TV.  Thing was, It wasn't news to anyone in the Violet Unit that Miok sneaked out every night to go visit Taehyung. It had been the case since Mira had first introduce her to the Dragon. However, she wasn't in the Violet Unit Quarters right now and the Cadet Quarters matron was a strict woman who didn't take well to rule breakers. 

It was surprising to Namjoon that she hadn't been lock out for returning so late after curfew.

"Namjoonie!" Miok exclaimed, hand over her heart, that was racing with the scare he had given her. It wasn't often that anyone was awake at this hour. And he'd been sitting in the dark too. The moonlight that streamed from the windows barely lighting the room. "You scared me. I was in the Cells, why?" She asked as she walked over to the couch as well.

Namjoon hummed, motioning for her to take a seat as well, as he too sat down. "You weren't with Taehyung when I went finding for you. On another note, you have been cleared for the bonding ritual this Saturday," he said as soon as she had sat down. It was too dark to see the way her eyes lit up with excitement at the news, but it wasn't hard to see the way she perked up and how her body barely contained her happiness.

"Really? That's amazing!" 

She didn't really bother keeping her voice low, the walls soundproof enough that she wouldn't be waking anyone with her shouts. Her excitement palpable as she sat on the edge of her seat, causing Namjoon to laugh.

"It is." Namjoon agreed easily. After all, he'd been in her shoe once, 15 years before. He understood very well the excitement that comes with finally getting bonded to his very own Dragon. And unlike anyone else, he knew that he will not have to teach Miok to treat her dragon with respect. It was one of the reason he had wanted to get her in his Unit before anyone else could appeal to the girl and loose that kind spark she seemed to be born with. "Now calm down for a moment and I will explain what you need to get ready for the Bonding Ceremony," he added giving her knee a gentle pat.

With a sheepish chuckle, Miok sat back on the couch, trying her best to tamp-down her giddiness at the news. It wasn't easy as she wanted nothing more than to run right back to the Dragon Cells to let Taehyung in on the good news as well, even if it wont be good news to him.

Once she had settled down, Namjoon started to explain.

"As I already mentioned, you have 5 day's to get ready for the Ritual, which will take place in Underground Level 7. No one other than you, Taehyung and Litilda, who will be the witch conducting your Ceremony, will be allowed into the chamber. It is something sacred and secret which should be between no one but you and Taehyung. As for the Ritual, I believe Litilda is more equipped to explain to you how that works a lot better than me, so I will tell you what you need to be prepared for.

"First thing you need will be plain white clothes. That will be provided to you from the Faculty before the Ceremony so I wouldn't worry much about it. You just make sure you have nothing on you but the clothes that you are given. Which means no jewelry, especially any gems on your person that can mess up with the spell.

"Secondly, you want to prepare your forever Tattoo, that will be used to link the bond to your skin. Litilda usually have pre-made choices in case someone enters unprepared, but if you want a custom design, get one prepared before-hand.

"Thirdly, the most important thing you want is your command words."

Even in the dark it was very obvious the way Miok's eyes darkened at his words. He'd saved this part for last knowing that she will not like what he had to say next at all. Yet, it was important that she knew and she was prepared for what was to come. He couldn't let her be blind-sided and cause a fuss in front of Litilda. He also did not want to take a chance to give Soohyun any more reason to doubt that she would even be fit to be a rider.

Namjoon took her hand in his. He wasn't sure if he was merely trying to reassure her, keep her calm or make sure she didn't run away from him before he was done explaining.

"You are aware what command words are you not Miok-ah?" he had to make an effort to keep his voice level, to keep the wince out. It felt cruel to even ask that of her.

Her reply came in the form of a tight nod of her head.

"Miok-ah?"

She released her breath slow and long, finger's flexing in Namjoon's hold as if she wanted to pull away, yet she stayed where she was. Eyebrows knitting together, still replying to him as asked. "The words that are used to control our Dragons. One word to make them shift between forms and the other to inflict pain so that they will not even think to fight against our control over them." Her tone monotonous, he knew she was repeating the exact words that had been grilled into her in the Academy.

Namjoon gulped, taking a deep breath himself, trying to loosen his muscles that had tensed at having to breach this conversation with her.

"That's right. I understand that you don't like it, but the Ritual would be incomplete without the words and if you don't do it you will loose not just Taehyung but your status as Rider. Unlike in the Academy, this isn't something you will be able to do over Miok-ah. A broken, or half bond is very dangerous. While you will simply be demoted to either a Handler or given a position among the military Division's, Taehyung will face the very fate you have come this far trying to save him from."

Dropping her gaze to the ground, lips pressed tight, Miok gave him another small nod to show that she understood what he was telling her.

Wanting to offer her comfort even if he knew it wont amount to much, her gave her head a pat. "I know it isn't the most comforting thing, but think of it as a one time thing. You will never have to use those words ever again."

When she looked up at him, he could see the complaint she didn't let leave her lips as clear as day in her eyes. With a chuckle and her unknowingly show of cuteness, her pulled her into a tight hug. "Litilda cannot finish the ritual if you don't cooperate with her dear one. With all the chaos we have already caused for Taehyung, I don't want to lose you quite yet either. I know very well how well you hate this part of the ritual, but it is something unavoidable if you want to keep Taehyung with you. If you want to get bonded with any Dragon."

With a heavy sigh at his words, she melted into his embrace. A petulant "I understand" murmured under her breath. Just enough for him to hear it.

The matron of the Cadet Quarters woke Miok up at three a.m. on Saturday for her Bonding Ceremony. 

Miok had fallen into a fitful sleep only an hour ago, the book she'd been reading - trying to keep herself from falling asleep - tangled among the sheets. Her skin was covered in a thick layer of cold sweat and she felt as if she wanted to crawl out of her own skin. Her nightmare only adding the dread that had settled in her gut since her chat with Namjoon five days ago. The nauseas feeling not having left her since either.

As much as she'd made sure she didn't end up in the hospital again with dehydration, it had been hard keeping anything down.

"Commodore Namjoon is waiting for you outside, are you all packed up to leave Cadet Miok?" The matron was fussing around her even as she roused herself. The woman had always been brusque and strict, but she was one of the only people who had been kind to Miok during her stay in the Cadet Quarters.

Miok knew it was Caren's doing. The Faculty Manager having put in a good word with the matron on her behalf. She was grateful to the elder lady none-the-less who had been like a mother hen to her this past month. of course, she hadn't been aware of her overworking and sleepless nights, hence the whole debacle during the flight testing.

"Yes Matron. I'm all ready to leave," Miok said as she pulled herself out of bed. She felt like she'd been injected with lead, her body not wanting to work with her at all.

The Matron hummed, thrusting a bundle of clothes into Miok's hands. "Your clothes for the Ritual. Go wash up and get dressed, Namjoon can wait for a bit more," she said as she hustled Miok towards the bathrooms.

Grateful to have been told what to do, not wanting to even think with the headache she could feel building, Miok gave the matron a smile before she stepped into the bathroom.

Half-an-hour later, dressed in the plain white, muslin frock she'd been give, she was in the elevator with Namjoon. Both remaining silent. Not due to the late hour, but because Namjoon could tell, with just a look at how pale she looked, that Miok wasn't feeling her very best right then. As worry gnawed at his insides he knew there wasn't much he could do.

This was a step she had to take on her own. Besides, the sooner they get it over with sooner she too will find her peace again.

Miok, lost deep in the guilt that was eating away at her, didn't even notice Taehyung's presence. Nor did she register the dismissal Namjoon gave to his handler so they would have a bit of privacy. Not that it mattered. To even Namjoon's surprise, she didn't so much as spare the dragon a glance. Didn't even seem to feel his gaze boring into her.

So lost in her own head she wouldn't even have noticed the witch stepping into the hallway had Namjoon not whispered into her ear to show respect.

Cape sweeping behind her in almost a breeze that seemed to swirl around the witch, her long black gown swaying around her feet, she strode down the hallway with sure and confident steps. Miok barely got a glance at her gleaming white hair piled on a half bun a top her head, red horns poking through the strands, the black ink patterns swirling around her eyes over the top of her head and the thick black wooden staff she held, before she was dipping into a low bow, following Namjoon's example. What she didn't notice was the gaze boring into her from behind. The way that Taehyung refused to lower his head to the Witch.

After all, he was still more powerful than she could ever hope to be.

Besides, she was as much a slave to the humans, maybe even more so than he was about to be.

Litilda stopped in front of The Commodore and her two charges for the day. Her dark eyes clear and wide awake despite the late hour. Her wrinkle-less, ageless face held carefully blank, not an emotion slipping through that carefully crafted mask of stillness. 

She took her time studying both the girl and dragon before finally speaking.

"Has Commodore Namjoon explained the basics of what will be happening in the ritual?" Her voice was soft, yet enticing. A charm on it's own urging to answer with nothing but the truth.

"I thought I might leave it for you to explain Litilda. you would certainly give her a better one than I can," Namjoon replied, a smile on his lips that poked at his dimples, before Miok even had a chance to pull herself out of the haze Litilda's voice had thrown her into.

She could also have sworn that she felt Taehyung shift closer to her, as if his presence alone could protect her from the witch's charm. However she looked back at him it didn't seem like he had moved a muscle since he had arrived. Arms crossed and a permanent glare fixed on his face, he wasn't looking at anyone in particular.

Litilda's lips lifted in what must've been a smile, mask breaking just enough for her amusement to slip through. "You charm isn't going to work on me Commodore," she said to Namjoon before addressing Miok and Taehyung. "You two step into the room and I will explain the proceedings to you." Without really missing a beat, she pressed the head of her staff to Namjoon's chest. "Not you. Air Marshal is in the back room, you can join him."

Namjoon's mouth twisted downward as if he had bit a lemon, yet he held his tongue. Even if he could have won over Litilda, he didn't want Soohyung to have any more interest in Miok than he already did. Forcing a smile to his lips, it wouldn't do making Miok any more nervous than she already was. She looked like she might vibrate out of her skin if he gave so much as an indication that their was the slimmest possibility something could go wrong. So instead he motioned for the pair of them to go ahead.

He didn't expect Miok to shoot Litilda a glance before she reached over and wrapped her arms around his waist.

The hug was her way of elevating her nerves. She hadn't missed the brief look of worry in his eyes when Litilda forbade him from entering. Beside's, she'd been counting he'd be there the whole way through to make sure nothing goes wrong. Him not being allowed inside only made her urge to run away, hide under her blanket and bawl her eyes out or throw-up worse.

None of which she could do.

She had a promise to keep. One that she couldn't back out of. One she didn't want to back out of.

That, more than anything, was what was killing her the most. The reason she couldn't even bring herself to meet the eyes she could feel boring into her. The hatred she didn't want to face. Her own fear that she was forcing him to something he neither wanted or liked.

There was no coming back from this after all. Their bond was something they will have to live with for the rest of their life. It wasn't something they could remove when they no longer wanted it. A seal of fate that can never be changed. A lifetimes worth promise.

"You will be alright. You're in good hands with Litilda." Namjoon murmured as he pulled her tighter against his chest. Giving her the reassurance that she silently seeked. His hand running down her tangled locks of hair before he gently pulled away.  They couldn't keep Litilda waiting. "I will be watching from the back room alright? Be right here," He promised as he nudged her towards the floor length double doors that stood tall and proud before them.

Imposing.

It was the only way Miok could even think of describing it.

With a final glance back at Namjoon, Miok took a deep breath, feeling more like she was walking into her own death sentence than anything as she entered the room.

Inside was a large circular room, taking up two whole floors of space. Wicker torches were the only source of light, the orange glow of the flames barely enough to throw light to the otherwise dark room. There was a raised circular platform in the center, a set of steps leading up to it. A hearth sat on the center of the dais, the flames here more stronger and letting the magic circle carved onto the platform to be easily discernable.

The walls were all carved in alcoves, on which too there were many markings. It was too dark to make them out, but the glimmer of the gems embedded on them were more visible.

Litilda had already walked to the center of the dais by the time she entered, adding lavender to the fire. Miok spared a glance at Taehyung, her nerves a buzz under her skin, before she made her way over to the hearth as well. The more silent footsteps behind her letting her know that Taehyung followed after her.

She was still unable to look him directly in the eye.

Litilda's eyes were a swirling pool of ink when she lifted her face from the flames to look at them. The tattoo's on her face seemed to shift with the flickering orange glow of the fire. Miok couldn't tell if it was a trick of the eye or if the magic that even she could wrapping around the witch made them dance about her face.

"Let's see, Namjoon said he explained nothing of what happens to you?" Her voice, which had already been tinkling soft and enchanting sounded even more mystical right then. If Miok had to guess she would say it was due to the witch not keeping her magic from pooling out of her.

Gulping, Miok silently gave a nod of her head. Unlike earlier she didn't feel heady and mesmerized by Litilda's voice. Her guilt was eating her out to really focus on it in any case. However she tried her hardest to pay as close attention as she could to everything that Litilda said.

"To be honest, there is not much either of you will be doing. All the two of you have to do is stand in your respective place on each point of the dais and let me form the bond between you and accept it as it is being formed. Try not to reject the bond," here she paused to give Taehyung a look. "We will be here for as long as it takes for you to accept. Half or broken bonds are not only dangerous but can hurt you more than you would realize. The bond is something that is connecting your souls to each other.

"The next step will be your control words. I need you to give the commands when I ask them. The ritual will not be complete without them and we will be here the whole night... now I have a very important question I need to know Rider. I read both your biodata, Taehyung's type was unclassified, yet I get the feeling you are aware what kind of Dragon he is."

Miok sucked in a sharp breath, feeling more like someone had squeezed her lungs in a very tight fist. She didn't think this will be something she will have to disclose. A stupidity on her part. Litilda is not just any witch. She was literally going to be seeing into their souls to form this bond, of course she will know the power that ran through Taehyungs veins. 

Her eyes darted to Taehyung, a quick study of his face showed her that he looked unbothered by the question. This wasn't reassuring. He was better than her at holding a poker face, looking unbothered even if it bothered him. And she hadn't looked long enough to study, just a glimpse to see his initial no-reaction. 

"Arcane." Though her voice came out steady, she felt as if all the air had been punched right out of her lungs.

Litilda's lips quirked up on a lopsided smile, proven her intuition wasn't wrong. After all, no one fought as hard as this girl is being to bond with one certain Dragon the way Miok did without a reason behind it. 

"Yes. He has the power to counter any spell I cast on him, which raises the risk of a half bond to more than 70%, which is why I have been appointed your witch. My Ink magic be the only thing in the Faculty that can keep your bond sealed and not let him unravel it once it is complete, because my magic will seal your bond to your skin, in the form of a tattoo."

Lilitda's eyes turned even darker as her pinned Miok with her gaze.

"Do you understand what I am telling you Rider?"

Miok had her brows furrowed, lines etched deep. This time she didn't look at Taehyung before nodding her head. Eyes glued, instead, to the blazing fire of the hearth. "The only way he breaks the bond is if I die."

Litilda's eyebrows shot up, unable to hide her surprise. It was a rather impressive feat that her words hadn't gone right over the girls head, that she wasn't simply rushing to get the bond over and done with. 

Taehyung wasn't the first Arcane Dragon she was working with, though they were rare even among Dragons. Unfortunately, even concepts less complicated as bonding with an arcane Dragon was something that went over most Rider's heads. She usually had to explain in plain baby language for them to understand the dire straights, the power they were holding and just how easily it could back fire on them.

She cleared her throat, before she quickly pulled her face back to a neutral mask and nodding her head. It took considerable effort not to take a glance at where she knew one-side blacked out glass allowed SooHyun to over-look the ceremony.

She did not know what this girl had done to warrant the Air Marshall himself to overlook that nothing went wrong with the ceremony. The man was too busy to overlook every single rider than bonded with a dragon. Usually it will simply be the Commodore of whichever Sector the Rider had choose.

"This is your last chance to back out if you wish to choose a different Dragon, Rider."

The negative she received was instant. Miok didn't even bat an eye before she was already shaking her head. The stubborn set of her jaw and eyes convinced Litilda there was nothing she could tell to change the girls mind. She was set on her course.

"Very well then, I need the reassurance that you will be giving the command words when prompted before we start." For the first time since entering the room, Miok hesitated. "Rider, we cannot proceed if you aren't a hundred precent sure you will do as said. You need to realise that Taehyung being an Arcane dragon puts you at the end of most dangerous chasm. My magic is already going to be stretched thin forming a bond that cannot be undone by him, I will not have any to spare while you hesitate when after the Ritual starts. The moment I run out of magic is the moment you end up with a broken bond."

The hardness in Litilda's voice sent a shiver down Miok's spine. 

She understood. She was aware this would be something inevitable. Namjoon had said as much.

And she thought she was ready to face. Thought that she was brave enough to do something like that to someone she had promised to protect.

And she knew. Knew she was going to loose him if she couldn't agree. she had no real choice in this matter.

Yet how could she agree?

"Can..." Miok gulped, nails digging crescents into her palm as she squeezed her fingers hard. "Can I have a word with Taehyung? Just five minutes. Please?"

This time Litilda couldn't help the glance she shot over their heads at the blacked out glass on the far end of the wall, hidden so well in the darkness but to those who knew it was there. The girl's request was baffling to say the least. It wasn't something that had ever happened to her before and she wasn't sure how she was to proceed with this.

Se will have to take a chance.

"Very well, five minutes. Just until I ready the circle," Litilda agreed. The girl didn't have to know that everything had already been prepared well in advance. They were all ready to begin.

Miok dipped her head in a thank you before finally turning to face Taehyung for the first time that night. There was hesitancy in her fingers as she reached out, clutching just the edge of the plain white T-shirt he wore, before tugging him away from the Dais.

Taehyung followed her without a sound of protest. It wasn't just the witch, her desire to speak to him had thrown off. Taehyung, who had been expecting her to ignore him was even there for the entire night, as she had seemed so adamant to do, was a bit dumbfounded as well.

She dragged him as far away as they could get from Litilda as they could, wanting him and only him to hear what she had to say.

Yet the moment she stopped and let go of his T-shirt, she looked down and didn't say a word, lost in her own thoughts.

Taehyung couldn't take it any more.

She'd been acting strangely since she had walked into that hallway, maybe even before that. It just wasn't like her not to give him an enthusiastic greeting and throw herself at him. And even if the setting restrained her from throwing herself bodily at him, she at the very least gave him a bright smile, and acknowledgement, something, anything, but this apathy. Anything but this inattention, the lack of interest, the need to keep her eyes well averted from him.

And it was driving him up the wall.

"What is it!?" He snapped when it didn't seem like she was going to talk anytime soon. The ink markings in the wall seeming to hold her attention.

Miok eyes flicked to him, only to look away the next instant. Breath stuttering on it's way out. Her uncertainty only edging his nerves further. Her eyes flitted about, flailing's as if unsure what it was she wanted to say.

"I'm sorry," She blurted out when the silence seemed to stretch. Wanting more than anything to break the stifling air between them, which she knew she was the cause of. It had been five days since she had learned of the bonding ceremony, five sleepless nights trying and trying and trying to figure out how to tell this to him. 

After all, how does one tell the Dragon they are about to be bonded with that their start was going to be with her breaking her first promise to him? That betrayal was going to be the foundation of something that should be sacred? 

How does one tell that?

"I-" She started before cutting herself off. She couldn't allow herself to ramble. She couldn't fall into a rabbit hole of overexplaining and make him hate her worse than he was about to. Yet she did not know where she could even start.

"I know this is something you aren't really doing with a choice and I know the promise I made to you before you even agreed to -" She waved her hand around them, her head lifting to his face, pure anguish shining in her eyes. Yet her gaze was focused on his lips, darting to his cheeks his eyebrows... anywhere that wasn't directly into his eyes. "I'm sorry that -" Breathing speeding up, she was gulping deep breaths as if she had gone jogging than just stand there talking to him. 

Forcing her eyes to meet him, ignoring the sting and swallowing past the lump stuck to her throat, she forced the words out of her mouth.

"I'm sorry that I have to do the one thing I promised you I wouldn't do to you."

Taehyung's brows pulled together, not understanding the meaning behind her words. She was being pretty sceptic though she was trying to hard to tell him something. Something that was clearly eating at her.

When she took a step closer, determination shining on her eyes through the anguish, hand reaching out to clutch at him, he had to trample down the urge her had to take a step back. The feeling that what he was about to hear was not something he would like to hear not simply worsening but turning to dread. 

"I know you neither trust me nor like me. I wish I had gathered the courage to tell this to you before right now, here of all places, but I want you to know before it happens and if you hate me for it... "

The 'so-be-it' that was on the tip of her tongue refuse to let pass her lips. Looking him in the eye, that was a lie she couldn't bare telling. Not even to herself. She hated it. Every aspect of this charade of a bonding ceremony. Destroying something as pure with their sickly, greedy, lecherous touch.

"one aspect of the ceremony will be the command words," she paused to blink at him, watching as the recognition dawned on him. The fear. Felt the way his body locked up, lips parting yet not a sound leaving his lips. 

"I'm -" She dropped her gaze as she let go of his hand. Taking the single step she had taken back. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry that I don't have the power to stop this. Not unless you want to be bonded to another Rider, or go back to square one from where we started."

"You can always keep your other promise."

Miok pressed her lips together in a tight line as she gave a jerky shake of her head. She knew exactly which promise he meant. 

"I kill you right here, they kill me for it. You might be ready to give up, but I have more at stake here than you realize. We leave this room without forming a bond, I get demoted to a Handler at worst and we never see each other again until you are bonded to another. Is that a risk you are willing to take?"

It was at her question she looked up at him again.

The fire blazing in her eyes sent a jolt running through his spine. He couldn't place it, but there was desperation behind that fire. A desperation he had seen in them once before. When she fell at his feet and begged him to not throw away his life.

"I wish I could change it. I wish I had the power to put an -end to this mock of what a Dragon's bond with his Rider should really be. I wish I didn't have to subject you to this mess that a monster created for his greed. Wishing is not going to change anything, it isn't going to make our situation any better. Wishing is getting us nowhere. We have to face our current reality and that comes at the price of you never trusting me, then it comes at that price. 

"The only thing, right now, in my control is the fact that we both still have the option to walk away. But I will beg you if I need to that you accept this bond. Even if my word is worth nothing to you, I will promise you those words will never be used against you after today, that I will never willingly subject you to that kind of pain while you are mine... for as long as you are mine."

He hated it.

Hated the conviction in her eyes. The promise that pore out of every inch of her. How he could see that she meant it. Meant every word that left her lips.

What he hated the most about her was that she made hating her, seeing her as a despicable human with a heart purged in muck, so hard. Not when she showed him more compassion than he expected from a human.

Blowing his breath long and slow in a sigh, he gave her hair a ruffle (it was more of a gentle stoke, but he'd fight anyone before accepting that was what it was). 

"Tell me just this one thing. When did you realise I'm an Arcane Dragon?"

Startled, wide brown eyes fixed on him for a good five seconds before he got a reply.

"The moment I walked into your cell. The markings on your chest in Dragon form."

Taehyung nodded his head, having already expected this answer. Had hoped this to be her answer. So without another word turned around and walked back over to where Litilda stood waiting for them. It had most certainly been more than the allocated five minutes she had given them, yet she waited for them.

It was only a moment before she rushed after him, trying her best to swallow her confusion. She couldn't understand what his question had to do with anything she had been telling him. 

"Do you have a tattoo designed or would you like to pick one from my collection?" Litilda questioned the second they joined her at the dais.

Miok's eyes darted over to Taehyung.

She had asked him to design it for them when she had gone down to his cell to tell him about the command words but chickened out. But also as a peace offering for he'd be sporting it as much as she would.

Taehyung rolled his eyes, fishing out the paper she had given him to draw on from the sleeve of his shirt and handing it to Litilda.

The witches eyebrows twitched as if she was keeping them from shooting to her hairline, taking the paper without a word. on it was the drawing of a burning rose, a phoenix rising from the flames.

"Where do I place it?"

Miok silently pointed to the place just above her left breast. Not necessarily over her heart, but as close as she could get it.

With only a nod to acknowledge she understood, she pointed them out to their places within the Magic circle, ready to get this done and over with.

"Anything you two do, Do. Not. Fight. It. Accept it with an open mind. The spell would dreg up a memory you cherish deeply for the bond to form. It would be a memory you cherish the most," was the final warning she gave them before starting the spell.

A pearly white fog filled the room. Starting out thinly enough, until it filled out so thick it was impossible to see thing directly in front of them, forget the person on the other end of the circle, much less Litilda who stood of the center.

Despite the warning, the memory that Miok cherished the most was one that wasn't so easy to except. It was a loss, 15 years later and she still haven't made her peace with, much less come to accept. It was a loss that still haunted her nightmares.

The whir of helicopters filled the air. Bright flashing lights filtered through the trees, lightening the forest up as much as casting shadows.

Not enough.

Not enough to hide the boy and the girl crouching behind a bush.

Jimin's small hand trembled as they held on tight to Miok's even tinier one. Hanging on to each other as if they their last life line. The though of separating too horrible to even give weight to.

However, when Jimin turned to face her, he held in his hand a string that was glowing muted golden in color. 

Eyes widening, Miok back up as much as she could without tumbling out of the bush, when he held it out for her. His brows furrowing at her refusal and holding it out closer towards her.

"You'll protect it for me, will you not Miok-ah?" He asked, insistent. Voice as gentle as she remembered, the small smile playing on his lips strained but trying to be light for her eyes.

Yet, Miok backed away some more. Head shaking without real thought. 

'he'll leave'

It was the only thing she could think of. That he will jump into the light the moment she accepted. That he'll be caught, tethered to a bond he didn't want. Ripped of his freedom.

She couldn't accept it.

He won't leave if she don't accept it.

Miok stumbled out of the bush, the forest disappearing until only the two of them remained in the fog filled room. 

Because what he offered her was not the gem from her memory. The golden thread was the ink bond that was to form between her and Taehyung. The shackles that were going to tie him forever to her. Give her the power over the one being she would never want to. To Control. To command. To hold his life in her every palm.

"Darling, don't fight it. My most precious treasure -"

Jimin's voice was no longer his own. It reverberated too rough to the point of a growl. His eyes not the pretty amber from her memory, but a dull, muted black. 

Life-less.

"No!"

She couldn't. She couldn't. she couldn't.

Miok's scream rang through the ritual room, both loud and clear, as the girl doubled over in clear pain. Knees hitting the floor, she crouched down, clutching at her head, doing the very thing Litilda asked her not to. She was rejecting the bond.

On the other hand, the dragon didn't seem to be having the same issue. He was still stuck in his trance - or vision - of the forming bond, yet he seemed to accept it much better than her.

What a strange pair they made. In all her years of working for the Faculty Litilda had never seen a Rider reject the bond where a dragon accepted it, reluctant but willing. It was usually the Rider who was excited and eager to get their Dragon whereas the Dragon who didn't want to be tied down to a human.

In these two's case, it felt - to Litilda at lest - that the Dragon had, for the most part, accepted his fate, whereas the Rider struggled to accept him as her own. Litilda wasn't going to lie, she was surprised the girl was even fighting the bond considering she had heard all about how she had fought tooth and nail to get him. Rumour had it that she had rejected a better pairing to be with him, so she couldn't help but be curious what made the girl fight the bond. It was rather unfortunate that she couldn't stop the ritual until the bond was complete.

It was no magical rule. More along the lines of something implanted by the Faculty and forced onto them to carry out. No matter how much pain they suffered in their visions, she wasn't to stop. Litilda wasn't heartless, however she couldn't stop. Not unless she was commanded to - or willing to get punished for doing it. Especially not with the Air Marshal himself watching over the ritual from the one-way blacked out glass of the back room.

It was a famous tale around the Faculty of how Miok had gained the attention of Soohyun, of all people in the Faculty, with her - do you call it bravery or foolishness that she had stormed into the Air-marshal's meeting to save that Dragon? In most people's eyes, it was one dragon sacrificed for their future, not something anyone would go out of their way too help. For a creature like Litilda, who lived for over centuries, this little human rider was both a mystery and a puzzle. She carried a deep secret.

What was it?

Before Litilda could dwell deep into thought and maybe try figuring out Miok's secret a stirring behind her had her turning to face the Dragon.

Taehyung had accepted the bond, now comes the harder part, the part that will have to wait until the Rider accepts her end of the bond - craving the mark into their skin. But it didn't look like she would anytime soon and they were all stuck in limbo until she does.

"Miok, my Darling, you know this is the only way you can save his life. Not for me, not for you, do if for him? Does his life not mean more?" Jimin pleaded, holding out the glowing orb, his fingers coated in blood.

A sob escaped Miok's lips, having backed herself to a corner the two of them stuck in an eternal dance. Jimin insisting she accept the bond while she backed away as if he was trying to hurt her. His eyes glowing insistent and red. The room that had once been filled with light now sucked dry of any color. Darkness the only thing surrounding them and them the only two present. An endless void. A never-ending nightmare.

She couldn't fight it forever.

His words made sense.

Jimin suddenly froze, eyes focusing on the golden thread that was slowing decolorizing until all that was left for him a thread of ink. It snaked around his arm, reaching out for her.

"He accepted the bond." Jimin's voice was a whisper, surprise coloring them. He didn't have the chance to say anymore as he was engulfed by purple flames and turned to mist.

it was familiar to Miok.

Those flames she'd seen time and time again dancing along Taehyungs spine and hind legs. Deadly yet, so familiar.

This was truth she couldn't argue against.

Taehyung had accepted the bond on his end.

Closing her eyes, she silently held her hand out to the thread left behind with Jimin's disappearance.

Like an old friend, the thread coiled around her arm. Snaking it's way up her arm, wrapping around her shoulder, before settling right above her left breast. The ink spreading on her skin in the form of a burning rose, a pheonix rising from the flames, it's wings spread out as if in flight.

The silence that had fallen throughout the room as the bond settled between Dragon and Rider shattered simultaneous at the screams both let out as the bond sealed. Both feeling as if their very blood boiled, their bones cracked and sanity splintered.

Miok's pain lasted not even half a second whereas Taehyung's torment continued. The mark etching not only on the Rider but deep withing the scales and reaching into the skin of the Dragon as well. The effort causing the Dragons own magic to fight back which was the cause of his pain.

Litilda couldn't concentrate on keeping the girl under while she fought with a Dragons magic, so the tendril of magic that wrapped around Miok withdrew, letting her gain her conscience back.

In all the years Litilda had done this, paired Rider with Dragon after Rider and Dragon, in all that time, she had never seen a Rider regain their conscious at the snap of a finger the way Miok did. Sure the girl blinked around at first with disorientation, but all it took was Taehyung's scream to reach her ears before she just snapped into focus. Eyes zeroing on her Dragon with a clarity that was almost impossible to achieve after being under a spell induced dream for as long as she had been.

"Don't move!" Was all Litilda could take the moment to snap at the girl. Thankfully it was enough for her to freeze herself in place. Her worried and pained eyes never once leaving it's focus on her dragon. 

Watching and suffering right alongside him.

To Miok, what could not have been more than a full five minutes of his screaming himself hoarse, almost transforming where he stood until his ingrained defense mechanism won over and he changed form, which in turn allowed Litilda's magic to penetrate him easier, felt like an eternity away.

When Litilda's magic finally turned back from a blaring, blinding white blue back to a gentle mist, when Taehyung stop screaming but remained curled in on himself, it all felt like a lifetime away. Miok's heart was both shattering and she couldn't find the happiness she thought she'd feel when she finally got her own dragon. The novelty had worn off, leaving behind something starkly empty.

Litilda didn't have the luxury of examining the girl's rather strange behaviour, the ritual needed to be finished and she already felt drained. The dragon's magic had been strong, powerful. They made the right choice not putting that power to waste. Taking a deep breath, she extended her magic to connect rider and dragon to the bond once again.

"Alright Miok, your turn to give him the command that will force turn him to change forms."

Litilda could feel the accusation leaking out of the Dragon in heaves as thickly as she could feel the girls guilt and pain - an affect of binding all of them together for the ritual.

Miok's eyes shone, but there was not a tear in sight. Litilda could say she was doing it out of sheer willpower, because she could clearly feel the girls pain. She took a deep breath as if to steady herself, her eyes never once breaking eye contact with the dragon as she spoke.

"Lacuna."

With a bone-chilling crackle, the magic was set in place and with a earth shattering roar, Taehyung was forced into his human form. Fury burned a bright fire in his eyes, the glare directed at the girl who promised to keep him safe. What Miok could see past the fury was the betrayal. Whether she was projecting her own feeling through him, or if he truly looked betrayed, she didn't have the mind-set to be wondering. Not when her conscience was tearing her to pieces at having to even utter the word that would cause him so much pain... and they weren't even at the worst of it quite yet. 

"Alright," Litilda's voice cut across the staring match Rider and Dragon were having. Hands fisted, he looked ready to jump right at her. Litilda wanted to get this over with before he acted on his fury. While he still had himself in control. "The word for control."

Miok hesitated, eyes darting from Taehyung to Litilda. The indecision written plain across her face. Litilda couldn't have the girl backing out right then. Not when they were almost done. Not when her energy was all but zapped and she didn't have the power to keep them in place for much longer.

Before she could encourage, Miok answered on her own. Eyes hardening and shoulder's straightening. Her gaze never wavering from her dragon's. Defiance radiating off the both of them in waves.

"Malfeasance."

Litilda's eyebrows shot up at her choice in words. They had asked to pick something that would not be used in accident, sure, but her choice was ...

A wrongdoing, a violation of trust.

When the magic bond the word to the dragon, he screamed. Louder than when he was forced to transform into human. The pain licking at his very bones like a spreading wild fire. He doubled over in pain, falling on his knee, curling in on himself.

It was Miok's reaction that shocked Litilda than anything.

The girl closed her eyes, not as a means to block out the sound, but to feel it right with him. To let his screams to puncher into her very bones. The tears that she'd been valiantly fighting lost their battle and spilled down her cheeks in rivulets. The thud of her knees hitting the stone floor was drowned out by Taehyung's screams. Miok clutching her stomach and doubling over as if she were the one in pain.

And even as the fog slowly cleared away, the ritual finally coming to an end, Miok stayed rooted where she knelt. Eyes glued on Taehyung's writhing form, unwavering despite them stinging with the tears that continued to spill uncontrollably. Litilda didn't know what kept her from rushing to her dragon's side as she so clearly wanted to. Whatever it was, she remained frozen even after the magic that kept them bonded had faded away.

With trembling legs, Litilda walked over to the girl. Any other day she would have dismissed them and retreated to the backroom to catch her breath. Something about this pair or Rider and Dragon intrigued her. Something so different than usual. Her energy was zapped, her power drained. She wouldn't be casting another spell for another day. It was the reason she had asked to bond an Arcane dragon last. she didn't have any more Riders to bond until the next batch passed their tests.

Bending, she helped Miok to her feet. The girl never looked away from her suffering dragon, moving as if she wasn't conscious of her own actions. Putty in Litilda's hands.

"You are the only one who can stop it," She whispered and the girl's head snapped towards her with such ferocity it was a wander she didn't give herself whiplash. "Ask him to submit to the spell, It will ebb away his pain," she added, lips tilting in the ghost of a smile before she turned away.

Miok didn't need to be told twice, she had dashed to Taehyung's side the moment Litilda let go of her. almost crashing to the floor beside Taehyung as she fell on her knees. Hands gentle despite her rush as she wrapped her hands around his shoulder, pulling him to her chest.

Taehyung's eyes fluttered open, locking eyes with her through the tears in his own as well. The pain, the plead to make it stop so loud that it sent a pang through her heart.  Sniffling,  she brushed the hair out of his forehead. Her fingers cold and soothing against sweat soaked skin.

"It'll be alright Wonder. Submit to it." She whispered, voice hoarse and wavering.

Taehyung huffed, eyes fluttering close, head lolling back on her shoulder.

And that is how Namjoon found the pair when he was finally allowed to enter the room. The pair on the ground, hugging Taehyung to her chest, whispering soothing words to his ears despite the tears that continued to cascade down her cheeks.

"It's alright, I've got you," Miok whispered into Taehyung's hair. Curling around him in a subconscious gesture of protection. As if her fragile body could keep a dragon's from harms way.

Neither of them noticed Namjoon's presence, Taehyung too tired to care after that horrific experience. If he had any strength left in his body he would push Miok away, or so he told himself, not realizing how he curled right back into her protective embrace.

Kneeling by Miok, Namjoon placed a hand on her shoulder.

She flinched at his touch, curling further into Taehyung. Eyes a glower, filled with an in-born protectiveness as she whipped around to face who had touched her. The glower was instant to turn to one of helplessness the moment she saw it was Namjoon. Namjoon got the feeling she would have thrown herself into his arms had she not been cradling Taehyung in hers.

"Why isn't he waking up?" She asked, her voice a beg for the help she couldn't give him. The help she didn't know how to give him.

Feeling helpless under such trust, Namjoon wrapped an arm around her shoulder, bringing both Dragon and Rider into his arms as she refuse to let go. Namjoon knew she wasn't going to like what he had to say, but also that it wasn't something he couldn't keep from her. She had to know what he just went through after all. It had happened right in front of her. Besides, all she would have to do is ask Taehyung. He knew the Dragon wouldn't protect her from the truth the way he had.

"He went through something painful Miok-ah, his body need the rest to recuperate from it," He told her, keeping his voice as gentle and low as he could. Trying to ease her pain. "It'll be a moment before he regains conscience, shall we move him to his new nest? He'd be more comfortable there."

Miok looked reluctant to let go, but she conceded with a little more persuasion from Namjoon, with the promise that he will be more comfortable there (he didn't have the heart to mention that they had been kicked out of the Ritual room).