"We're here." The group had finally arrived at Kai's castle. A fortress surrounded by soldiers and shrouded in thick forest stopping any unwanted guests from entering.

The prince was eager to cut through the vines without a moment's hesitation but Namjoon urged him to be patient. "This forest is impossible to navigate without the help of someone in the court."

"Oh? And when is this help of yours arriving? We're wasting time!" Jungkook brought his sword out, ready to charge through. Yet just as he started to run, he was suddenly yanked back.

"Perhaps you shouldn't do that," said an unfamiliar voice. Jungkook huffed and pulled himself away to face the stranger.

"Who are you?" Asked Hoseok, standing in front of Yoongi protectively. The stranger grinned at him, pushing back his neon pink hair while his large black wings fluttered behind. They certainly compensate for his height seeing as the man was rather short in stature.

"Mark Lee, at your service." The man bowed at them and the others nodded back. However the man's eyes soon wandered over to Yoongi, Mark's grin fading. "Well, if it isn't Agust D, you ought to be dead now. Ah well, I suppose the world isn't always fair." His smile returned. "You'll have your time."

Hoseok pulled Yoongi closer to him, edging towards his weapon. Mark, however, paid them no mind. Instead, he focussed his attention on the thick woods ahead of them. He began tracing the air with several patterns, muttering incoherent and foreign words under his breath until a path had materialised in front of them.

"This path is rarely used, there are fewer soldiers but more environmental dangers ahead," Mark explained. "I can do no more from here."

"Thank you," Jin smiled. Hoseok led everyone through, but Mark stopped Namjoon just before he could follow.

"I am grateful to be of some assistance, however, this never happened, and if anyone dares ask, I helped you. Not Agust D."

"I understand, I am in your debt." Mark grinned, patting the general on the back.

"Indeed you are. I'll see you inside General Namjoon." With that, the winged man took off, sending Namjoon one last smile before flying out of sight. Namjoon knew better than to trust anyone from Kai's court, and as much as he disliked it, sometimes one needed friends in high places. He only hoped they weren't being led to death.

Even with a path cleared, it only told them where to go, not how to get through it. Every part of the forest seemed to come to life, ready to strike at any moment. "Jungkook-ah, slow down!" Jin called to the impatient prince, trying his best to keep up while not getting strangled by venomous plants. Jungkook didn't care though. The only thing his mind was focused on was finding Taehyung.

Once I find him, I can find Jimin. Then they'll be safe with me. Then they'll never leave my side again.

"May I help you my prince?" Namjoon requested. The older man simply shrugged at him.

"If you'd like, there isn't much you can- whoa!" The general lifted Jin effortlessly onto his back and proceeded to catch up with the others, not even breaking a sweat.

He's so strong, and oh my god does he look nice from up here! Jin shook his head. Focus Seokjin! We're on a mission. Now's not the time to think about his perfect hair, or perfectly toned arms, or his beautiful eyes or-

"Wouldn't you like a lift as well Yoongi?" Yoongi looked over at the guard, scowling.

"Do I look helpless? My legs work just fine, thank you." He stormed ahead, not sparing the guard another glance. Hoseok was left there confused and turned to Jin for some sort of explanation.

"Don't mind him," said Jin from Namjoon's back. "Chances are he just doesn't want to get attached."

"Attached? To what?"

"You of course," he continued, laying his face on Namjoon's head and lightly stroking his pink hair. "You can't expect him to want to talk to you, or he might fall in love all over again."

"I can hear you," Yoongi stopped dead in his tracks, turning around to face the duo with a glare. "You're right, I don't want to get attached, but neither should you! Neither should Jimin, neither should Taehyung, none of us!" He shouted.

"We're still here because all of you got so...so...attached to this horrible place! It's why we're in this mess in the first place! When we get them back, we're wasting no time going back home!" Yoongi didn't give them a chance to respond, storming further ahead not looking back for even a second. Jin sighed, hopping off of Namjoon's back and onto the ground.

He put a hand on Hoseok's. He could see the pain in his eyes. "He'll come around eventually. Just give him some time."

"We do not have time," Hoseok sighed. "Best we end the mission as soon as possible. Then things will be as they should."

"Let's not continue with that mindset," Said Namjoon. "Let's just focus on- hold on, where are Prince Jungkook and Yoongi?" The trio looked around frantically, quickly realising they'd both run out of sight.

The general swore under his breath and quickly brought out his staff, Hoseok took out his weapon as well.

------------------------------

Yoongi wasn't paying attention to where he was going. How could he when he had so much on his mind. Unfortunately for him, he had walked right into Hell. I.e. he ended up with Jungkook.

The prince only scowled at him, charging forward without a second thought.

How childish.

Yoongi thought to himself as he followed behind. "Don't follow me!" Jungkook shouted irritably.

"Dumbass, we're going to the same place!"

"At least have the decency to stay back a couple hundred fe- AGH!" Yoongi's eyes widened as Jungkook had suddenly fallen from sight. He rushed to where the prince had been standing, but just as he was about to call for him, fell through the ground.

He landed with a harsh thud, his body being tangled in some sort of vine along the way. Yoongi let out a pained groan and glanced around. His eyes landed on Jungkook who was strangled by the same type of web-like vines that he was trapped in. Only they carefully made their way around his neck and limbs, slowly constricting them.

"Jungkook- Agh!" Yoongi choked as the vines started moving around his body, tangling him further and further in their grasp while stretching his limbs.

"This is all your fault!" The prince shouted, uselessly tugging at his captours. "If I had killed you before, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

"F-For th-the last t-time, I am not Agust D!"

"I don't care! At least I'd have the satisfaction of watching you die!"

Yoongi winced again, sharp thorns starting to dig into his skin. "And you think Jimin and Taehyung would want that? You think they'd still love you if they watched you kill me?"

Jungkook groaned as he tried to reach for his wand. "A-As if y-you know anything about them!"

"Of course I do you idiot! I've known them for years! I know Taehyung doesn't fall in love easily, I know Jimin cares about you with all his heart! I can tell just by the way they called out to you!" The thorns started to crawl across Yoongi's chest, the man grimacing as he felt the blood trickle down.

Despite the pain he continued. "They wouldn't be together if you weren't there to help them recognise their feelings! If you kill me, you're betraying their trust." He stops when he hears a low hiss off in the distance.

Eight, ginormous and horrifying legs emerged from the darkness of the pit, bearing its sharp and poisonous fangs at the duo. "It doesn't matter now though," Yoongi choked out as the spider inched closer. "I'm going to die here...and...I don't even get to tell my sunshine goodbye."

Jungkook's glare softened, looking down with a frown. He felt the vines get tighter and tighter as the beast was only a few feet away from them. "I'm sorry...Yoongi." Was all he managed to say.

Just before the spider reached them, a horrid cry was heard from the creature, its hundreds of eyes wide as a sword came piercing through its skull. As it screamed and hissed in pain, the webs around the two man began to disintegrate and they quickly untangled themselves. Jin came shakily floating down to them while the speed demons jumped to the ground, leaving a crater where their feet stood. They inched the monster back into its hole while Jin irritably removed the rest of the vines.

"Can you two go FIVE minutes without nearly dying!?" Jin shouted angrily. Yoongi ignored him and ran straight into Hoseok's arms, the guard being taken aback but still embraced him.

"Break it up lovebirds, we've got somewhere to be."

------------------------------

At long last, they made it. The group stared up at the fortress with heavy hearts and minds filled with anxiety. If they didn't succeed here, there was a chance they may never get an opportunity to save Jimin and Tae again. "Wait," Jin called just before they snuck in. "We can't go in like this!"

The group was covered in dirt, leaves, vines and spider blood. A horrific sight to enter with. "Then what do you suggest?" Namjoon questioned. Jin began to smirk once he saw a few nobles enter just from around the corner.

"How kind of them to lend us their clothes." Now that they were fitted with decent attire, everyone slowly made their way in. It was relatively easy to go in unnoticed since they crammed in with a large crowd. The hard part was going to be finding their targets. They knew Kai was hosting a celebration, they just weren't sure what it was for.

Jungkook maneuvered his way through groups of people, not caring if he ran into anyone. Which eventually, he did. "Out of my way!" He hissed, pushing past a winged man. Jungkook didn't give him a chance to apologise and continued storming past people.

"This kid will be the death of me," groaned Jin. "Alright, we'll search in pairs. Namjoon is with me, and you two go together." The trio nodded then went off.

"We need to keep a low profile," Jin said to Namjoon. "Converse, act like you were invited and try not to draw too much attention to yourself. Just find out where Taehyung might be."

"Jin, these are demons, monsters and untrustworthy creatures. How am I meant to interact with them?"

The older scoffed. "Well if you go in with that attitude they're sure to hate you." He took his hand and slicked back his purple hair with a grin. "Allow me to show you." Namjoon sighed as Jin waltzed off to a group of guests. He looked so natural, it was unreal.

"So, you made it through the forest?" A voice said. Namjoon turned to see Mark suddenly at his side. "Congrats, I was sure the spider would've gotten you."

"You led us there on purpose, didn't you?" Marked snickered at him, shaking his head.

"I did warn you, didn't I?"

"Regardless, I'm looking for a few people."

Mark tilted his head. "Oh? Pretell."

"Jimin and V. I'm taking them with me." At that, Mark's smile faded. He glanced cautiously around and lowered his voice. "Now just what game are you trying to play General Namjoon?"

"What makes you think this is a game?" he replied, keeping his voice down as well. "We've risked our lives to get here. We just need to take them with us."

"What are you planning to do with my king?" King? Namjoon furrowed his brow in confusion. When Mark noticed, his grin creeped back onto his face. "You truly know nothing about this realm, do you?" He chuckled. "Fine, I will see what I can do. Though, do you mind if I call in that little favour of mine?"

Despite his uncertainty, the general nodded. Mark clapped his hands happily before doing a complete 180, his expression switching instantly. With his eyes dark he said: "For years, I've been waiting for a package. Part of which you and that prince just so to own. I simply ask that you retrieve it and hand it off to me."

As far as Namjoon was concerned, he had stolen nothing from Mark or this empire. Could he be talking about V? "I beg your pardon?"

"You know what I mean!" Mark growled. He yanked Namjoon down to eye level, glaring at him. "The shifters! Property of this kingdom that Gwacheon and Busan have taken! Return them to me once this is all over, and there will be no conflict between us."

"I will do no such thing! They're people, not objects!" There was almost a look of pity on Mark's face, only it seemed much more mocking. He let go of Joon and grinned, sighing with a slight shrug.

"Fine, you wish to see V, do you not?" The lights dimmed suddenly, Namjoon stepping back in surprise. The only area lit was an open space at the front of the room. "I'll give you V, I'll give you V and more." Before Namjoon could even question what he meant, Mark flew into the air and away from the crowd.

------------------------------

Jungkook moved through the halls of the fortress, wandering aimlessly and still vigorously in search of Taehyung. He felt as though he had searched the entire floor, taking out anyone in his path along the way. He let out an annoyed huff just as he reached a large, winding staircase.

Just as he was about to give up and retreat back to the others, Jungkook felt a disturbance just above him. A dark aura drawing him closer and closer to the stairs. His senses were telling him no, but his heart was telling him to follow it.

At the top of the staircase was a single door leading to one of the many towers of the fortress. Voices echoed all around the prince, all whispering indistinguishable words that caused his head to spin. Nevertheless, Jungkook's hand trembled towards the doorknob, scared of what he may find on the other side.

Slowly, the door creaked open, revealing a nearly pitch black room, with nothing but one man visible. "T-Taehyung?"

The man didn't turn to him, his emotionless eyes focused on the outside world of the window. Jungkook rushed to his side, yanking him into his arms and yet, Taehyung still didn't move. He stood there, arms glued to his side as if he was hugging a complete stranger.

Jungkook's eyes widened, his fingers grazing Taehyung's cheek and neck. Black veins rested across his ghostly pale face, rumbling with mist when Jungkook brushed over them. "Hyung...what happened?"

Taehyung didn't respond. He tilted his to the side, a dull look on his face. "Hyung...Taehyung! Please! Speak to me!" The prince cried, cupping his hands on the man's face. He wanted to shake whatever this was out of him.

Jungkook gasped when suddenly felt Taehyung lean into his hand, holding it closer to his face. Jungkook ignored every cell in his body screaming at him to leave, the painful amount of dark energy starting to get to him. Yet he stayed perfectly still, his hands around Taehyung, pulling him closer. "Taehyung...what did they do to you?"

Not a moment later, Taehyung shoved the prince away. His body harshly slamming against the wall. A single letter rang through the room, causing Taehyung to snap his head towards the door and storm out, not sparing Jungkook another glance as he slammed the door shut.

"V"

Jungkook was left wincing in pain. His eyes filled with tears from both the agonising voices swarming his mind and the hurt of being so close to losing someone he loved. He felt frozen as if something was slowly creeping up his body, scaring him in place.

The room suddenly felt colder, the prince able to see the last of his icy breath as it left his lips just before his eyes began to drift close.