You screamed when you saw something squirming under the pile of bags. You were sure nothing was there when they stacked it. What could it be?

You heard several footsteps towards you direction and regretted the moment you screamed.

"What happened?" It was Loeva, behind was her siblings and Luminous. You pointed your finger there, feeling quite sad for disturbing their lovely moment. Their worried eyes fell on it, the squirming thing under the bags didn't stop.

"What could that be?" Ji Ah asked as the shuffling turned faster and harsher. By this time, the whole compartment was filled with all the people. A long rope like thing rose high into air, followed by tiny effort grunts.

"Wait... Is that?" Everyone sighed knowing that there was no danger there. Because it was none other than-

"Ggrrggaaaakaagagga!!!"

"Mr.Mon!" It jumped to Luminous and sat on his shoulder as if it was reserved for it. Everyone was smiling in relief. But, Loeva was not.

"Did any one hear it?" She said as the smile on others face was replaced by a puzzled look.

"Hear what?," said Hoseok, looking as confused as everyone else.

"It said that it suffered a lot to come out!" She was annoyed for sure. How could they didn't hear it when it shouted on top of it's lungs?

"Let's get you some good sleep, sis. Come with me." Jimin pulled Loeva aside with him but she stood her ground.

"I'm not thinking things, Jimin. I heard it!" She said as she looked straight at the monkey.

"How come you heard me while no one could?"

Loeva almost tripped at nothing, thank goodness, her brother caught her in time.

"Did you hear now?!" She shrieked, a hand pointed frantically at the creature sitting on the Dark Prince's shoulder.

"You guys don't get it? That must be the pendant."

"Grggaaa, kkekak hahkegarakka."

"Well said. I could see why you are a Sebran."

"He appreciates you, Joon." Loeva said, still not believing herself.

"I'm glad you could hear me, Princess. Just because I don't speak your language, I'm feeling a lot bored. No one except Chloe could understand me."

Loeva could figure the sadness in it's tone.

"So, what did Mr.Mon say now?" Hoseok asked her.

"He says he's been feeling lonely and he could only talk to Chloe, the Sauger."

"That was not very lonely, I loved to move freely around the huge place and I loved the bamayas here than the bananas on earth. But the bananas in Arcturus looks different... Like pumpkins. I'm not sure whether you know it. Anyway, I'm hungry, I'll go get me something to eat. Oh, and pleasure talking to you Princess." The monkey lowered it's head and jumped away from Luminous towards the food cabin.

"Loeva... Did you... Perhaps activate it without your knowledge?" Jin's purple eyes studied her face thoroughly.

"I... may have been trying to remember the chant mother said... But I didn't activate it. I have to hold it while I do so. I didn't do it, and I know it could be used for limited times. I didn't activate it." She said clearly on her defense, but Seokjin still eyed her, his eyes like Veritaserum, the truth potion which could make any one spill the truth.

"She didn't use it." Luminous said loud and clear to the Urgen, "Moli, the pendant is. It works the other way too."

"So, what happens with this Moali?" Hoseok asked as he was also one among the confused persons standing in the hall.

"Moli." He corrected, "You can talk to a desired group of forest creatures with it. And it works the other way, maybe Mr.Mon was desperate too talk to someone... So, you could hear him."

"Where did you learn that?" Namjoon asked, awestruck, even suspicious over the other Sebran, at the facts he said. "The books about that only exist in the Palace Library. When did you read it?"

The Prince was got off guard at his statement. How could he day he grew up learning the books that were in the Library of the Dark Palace?

"I did a bit of reading after those gifts Queen Inez gave. Wanted to see how mine works and just came across hers." He shrugged, a smirk forming on his lips while seeing Namjoon avert his attention.

"He is right though. Mr.Mon could have been too lonely that he was desperate to talk to someone. So, the creature's need made the Moli pendent unlock for it. However, this doesn't reduce the power of it. So no need to fret." Namjoon's statement stood final and they moved away from the cramped up compartment to free ones.

"Wait... So you're taking this Mr.Mon with you? Because we are not going to get back to the Place anytime soon," said Yeonjun as a matter of fact, earning nods of approval from others. "That's set then. You better pick your bags, you're getting off in a minute."

____________________________________________________

After waving farewell to the duo, you saw a trio standing on top of the train, waving frantically your way.

You heard one of them shout, "We'll see you soon. Next time we'll make sure to be with y'all!" You didn't know who it was, but by the cheerful voice and the black hair, it must be HueningKai and the Laal and Sebran were Beomgyu and Taehyun.

"See you soon then. Thank you for the ride." Seokjin bowed politely for which Yeonjun hit his head.

"Don't you dare be formal with us now. I thought we grew closer with the few hours we spent and now you talk like a stranger?" It was hard to tell whether he was angry or not, but the playful smile said no.

"Alright. Bye then. Be safe."

Many people waved and muttered goodbye to them as the engine let out a huge dark steam. Up it flew into the darkening sky and disappearing into nothing, which you now knew was the work of the other trio.

You heard Ji Ah gasp beside, her mouth hanging open in shock. So you turned around, the now different air holding fresh pine scent swept your hair back, but made you quite sure the hair standing on the back of your neck was not because of that.

"What the hell is this place?" You heard Jungkook say the question everyone wanted to ask. The trees stood up to the height of clouds, some even going past it to the sky. The misty white layer made it hard to say how wide the forest stretch but the same snowy most lingered on either of the edges making you rub your arms for warmth.

"There is no way around, Jin? Please don't tell me we're going in there..." It was sure that the elder Princess never seemed this terrified before, the usual chubby vibe in her was drained out, her flushed face now as pale as Yoongi's.

"I'm afraid not, Ji." Even the General didn't seem very appreciative to take this way. "There is no other way. This path leads faster." He slowly edged towards the long black roots seeping beneath the green sand, almost on top of each other making them look like huge serpents moving among each other.

"What if there are—"

"They are not inhibited by any creatures. Don't worry." Jin cut her off in the middle but she finished her sentence.

"—Reptiles?"

"What?" It was sure that he was confused, but they didn't stop moving into the heavy cylindrical roots tangled beneath.

"You know! Snakes, crocodiles umm... Lizards and frogs?"

"I understand what snakes mean but, not the chocodile point. I told you no creatures prefer this type of environment to live. There won't be any danger, until or unless we get ourselves in it." Jin assured her quietly, making his point firm and final.

Jimin clicked his tongue aloud, "Seriously? We're going to face worse and you are worrying about Lizards and frogs? Grow up, sis."

"Oh they are scary, alright! You wouldn't understand. Boys..." She muttered under her breath and moved away walking away from them towards you and Loeva.

"Seriously," Yoongi muttered, face scrunched as he watched Ji Ah walk away, "couldn't understand them, could you?" He asked Hoseok who shook his head in denial, "Girls..." The Verde shook his head and leapt high into the air. His legs rested on nothing as he was in the air, green eyes glowing and the green dusts accompanied him in his hands. He bellowed from the top,"Couldn't see how far it goes. We're going in the right direction! Let's move!"

With a graceful land, he joined the General in the front wordlessly while the others followed in an utter silence.

The size of each roots tripling over each other were to a size of an elephant leg that you found hard to move on, worse as it could be, it reduced the speed of the travel. The already dimming sky paved way to the darkness and the eery silence accompanied by none other than the footsteps of several people made your heart beat faster every passing second. A strange noise made you held your sword, head snapping at all the direction.

Something's wrong...

It seemed like it was only you who heard it, so you tried to ignore it, not wanting to take the gut feeling seriously.

"Well, well, well..." The breathy airy voice made a shiver run down your spine. A sudden brightness in the dulled up forest made you alert. Heart beating faster and faster as each second past, you turned around frantically to see any of them, but no one was there except you. You ran ahead in the plain land void of the tree trunks through which you were travelling moments ago.

"Stop it, Don't do it Luane. Please..." The familiar voice begged behind you, there you saw, his red eyes filled with tears, hands held by long chains which were the only thing that held him back from dashing towards your... sneering form.

"That won't be fun, would it, Jungkook?" You giggled that was far related to innocent. "Watch it with your eyes open. Look at the end he got just like any of you would get, very soon." You laughed with your head threw back, ignoring the pleas and cries of the boy you dearly love. Your sword that you held tight plunged onto a flesh beneath, the blue eyes stared back at you without any life as you watched him die before your very own eyes.

"No, no... No, t-this wouldn't happen! This shouldn't happen.. Stop!" You cried out hard, but at the same time, your body didn't obey your pleas and your cries. The smile plastered was far from what you would have in such moments.

"Wouldn't it be nice if you join your brother, Jungkook?" He didn't respond to your statement, hard tears fell from his eyes, often a sob leaving his mouth which you knew he didn't want to let out. You slowly neared him, with your sword dangerously dangling in your hands and when you were right in front of him, your sword plunged right at its heart, a crazy look in your face as you called out loud.

"NO! THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN! THIS WILL NOT!" You knew you where thrashing around when sharp hard pains tingled in your arms and legs.

"Oh, of course... It would. You will do it. Kill... Kill... They lost their lives in your hands..." The breathy airy voice swirled around you as you felt your knees sunk on the soil. Loud sobs left your mouth as you saw the two people who you love the most, you whole world, lay before you lifelessly.

"You did it..." said the voice right beside your ears.

"I did it..." You know you did. After all it was your form that killed Taehyung and Jungkook.

"It was your fault," said the voice again.

"Yes, it is my fault..." Quiet sobs left your mouth, the wind rushing past your ears, a sudden ache in your heart as you clutched it.

"Don't believe it, Luane! It is not real! Get up!" You felt a sudden warmth blow in your heart as you heard the voice. The field void of anything now was filled with dots of black creatures floating in the air...

The grumpy voice made you alert. The calm collected voice, face lined by age, very pale pink hair rustling by the wind, clad in his usual dark outfit, there he stood in front of you. The person you were always surprised by.

"Noah?"

"Oho, came back to reality, aren't you?" He gave of a hearty laugh which any old man would give in sheer happiness. You wiped your eyes harshly as you saw him drawing a sword in his hands... out of pink dusts, a thing which reminded you of that someone.

"Thinking about Luminous eh? How ungrateful you are lil girl?" Despite his statement, his voice had the tinge of cheerfulness which made you aware of the situation. Feeling stupid for thinking anything in the presence of this old man, you stood up now, awestruck at how the place changed into a darker horizon.

"Oh, oh," you heard Noah mutter under his breath, "this is something I'm afraid of..." His voice seemed worried as you saw thousands of people were pulled along with a huge chain across their hands. Children's cries echoed over the place along the painful groans and moans of them. This scene was much familiar to you that its effect over you almost got lesser.

"But I will take care of it, Luane. Now you must wake up. Others need you."

"Wake up?"

"Silly girl. How could I come in front of you in my own form when you are awake? Now go. Your friends are in grave danger."

You woke up with a sudden jolt, eyes adjusting to the darkness. The cloaked black creatures retreated from you, already feeling defeated that you didn't believe those were real.

"Luane!" You heard someone calling out and found one. Hoseok came near you, his face flushed to the light colour of his hair. "You're safe." He let out a breath of relief, seemed like he already fought his way out without any help from anyone. "There are plenty of synex here. And they were clever enough to separate us... I couldn't find anyone else..."

"Calm down, Hoseok. We will... Nothing would happen to them." You heard a cry over somewhere, not a human one.

"That must be Mr.Mon! Let's go!"

You two went through the branches, the cloaked creatures never nearing the both of you but retreated farther as they could.

"If you overcome them once, they will not get to you for the time being. How did you escape them, what did they show you?" Hoseok asked, his steps careful and ears attentive to pick up signs from any other members.

"Umm, kinda long story in how I escaped. The same thing as the last time..." Now that you talk about it, the idea seemed Ridikkulus, I mean, ridiculous. You? Killing them? Not even in your dreams you would do that. Even if it cost you your life, you'd die protecting them than killing them with your own hands.

"What about you?"

"Ah, my parents being dragged away from me and even..." He hesitated saying the name, "All of you. I knew that couldn't be real. Took me long enough to trust that it's not the truth." He shrugged as you two walked alongside in the deep cluster of trees.

"Think it would be better if we divide. Just make them know it's not real alright?" You said with a low voice, ears attentive to get any whisper of voices.

"Yes... Be careful." said Hoseok, glancing at you with one last look that could convey every message to know that you would look after yourself.

_________________________________________________________

Leaning on the tree trunk, plucking the invisible dirt in his nails, he closed his eyes with a sigh. The echoes of cries and pleas seemed to enter one ear and exit the other. If it all goes right, at least three of the ten must be out of the game.

The cloaked Synex moved past him towards another direction, not daring to go near him or disturb him in any form, because he was their Prince, the son of the person who promised their freedom. Bring bored of standing there still, he moved away, averting his eyes from a struggling Verde to get rid of almost twenty of those dark creatures.

Walking away from him, he heard someone calling for help whose voice was undeniably the General's. Ignoring the sudden painful pull in his heart to go that direction, he moved in the opposite.

"Vance..."

He stopped dead in his tracks, the whisper of the name floated in the cold biting breeze of the night. No one have used that name for years... At least not after the death of the Queen, his mother. Nobody could've known it... Not until it's...

He ran so fast, the chilly wind rushed over his face, but the tears, maybe the force of the wind could've brought them, or the memory running through his mind.

"Luminous... That would be the name I'd give for him. Because he will light up all our world, what you think, Eve?" He could see Inez's young face smiling over him angelically.

"I reckon something fierce should be there. He's my son after all." Marcus said with a chuckle, "and Inez, you named your daughter without asking me. You think I'd let you name my son then?"

"Call him whatever you want, I'd call him Luminous. And besides, you were not there in earth while we named her."

"Alright, alright."

The scene played vividly in his mind, but he was a mere baby that time. The scene was written in his mother's personal diary and every time he thought about it, it felt so real.

"Oh fierce?," he could imagine the soulful giggle of his mother, "like you Marc? Hmm, in what? Collecting hearts?" Marcus threw the nearby pillow at her, ears slightly red at his wife's statement.

"I'm still here, you know." With a stare from Inez, the trio sat in silence and searched for a name.

"How about... Vance? The word is from Earth, Latin." Evelyn said, her angelic blue eyes often darting to the small figure sleeping near her.

"I'm done with Earth's languages. Studying all the six ancient languages of them and hangul was more than enough for me. I don't remember even a bit of Latin from it. What does it mean, Marc?" Inez said with a tired look.

"Conqueror, if I'm not wrong–"

"You're never wrong" Inez said yawning and stretching her body, "I'm going to bed. Luminous and Ji are both asleep and I can't play with neither of them. G'night."

Inez left the room with a kiss on cheek of the sleeping baby.

"So, it's, Luminous and Vance and the family name, Gonzanez?" Evelyn asked the future King sitting in front of him who carelessly messed up his clean silver hair.

"I don't know. Nothing's as catchy as Marcus Damon Gonzanez, is there?" said Marcus with a light smirk and a wink. Evelyn sighed at the likeliness of both Inez and Marc and called it a night.

Vance. This was the name his mother used to call him most of the time. He pushed away the thoughts that started to suffocate him and finally found the source of the voice. How could he have mistaken? How could he, for a moment thought his mother came back alive? Seeing how stupid he had been for a moment, he neared the body that lay almost lifelessly.

He went closer to her, crouching down as he observed her small face that so much resembled Jimin's.

"Wake up." He said, in his nice gentle, smooth voice. "Ji Ah, wake up." The Synex, seeing the presence of the Dark Prince left the place immediately. Seems like she fought them a long time.

He felt sudden disgust. On nothing but himself. How could he lead them all into such a trap? How could he turn a blind eye to the people who wanted nothing but to save their Kingdom from the clutches of the Dark? How could he turn away from his sister who still remembers him even after he swiped all possible memories of him from her?

She opened her eyes, adjusting for the dark forest. But her eyes widened when she remembered what had happened. "Synex. They are everywhere." Her delicate features held immense amount of worry in them. "Jimin, Loeva..." She stood up, almost stumbling upon her own weight. "We need to find everyone, Luminous. Are you alright?"

Perfectly fine as I watched everyone suffer.

"Yes. Let's find them," he hesitated for a moment before saying, "do you still have that dagger?" She pulled it out from her boot, which became the ideal hidden place for it when Loeva told her how she keeps hers. "Keep it out, just in case." She nodded as they trekked through the branches.

Ji Ah very well knew the memory, the one which came in the attack of the Synex. But what did she scared the most that included the new name which she never knew?...

____________________________________________________

"This can't be real!" He shouted, the moment he opened his eyes against the will of the floating creatures, the flock flew away, scared of loosing their power against the angry Arcturan.

"Taehyung!" He shouted, looking at the Neel surrounded by them. Feeling the presence of a person who overcame their powers, they flew away, leaving a panting Taehyung almost at the state of fainting.

"Are you alright?" Jungkook asked him, sounding so worried that brought a small smile over the Neel's lips.

"Fine." He said, dusting his pants, eyes widening at the lack of people.

"We need to help others, I don't know where Luane is. Last time while the attack, she was nearly dead!" Jungkook said, Taehyung nodded at this.

"Jungkook! Tae!" Hearing their names from the person who they so badly wanted to see right now made both of them relieved. You threw yourself on both of them, feeling glad they are still in one piece and not chopped by your sword.

"You're alright." Jungkook's voice seemed relieved as you heard their conversation before.

"Hoseok is alright too. We parted way to search and get rid of those nasty creatures." You ranted in one breath that after you finished, the eery silence draped over the forest.

"I thought I heard Jimin somewhere." You said as no one seemed to speak up.

"I picked my babies!" Ji Ah's cheerful voice made you smile in relief. There came trailing her like small ducklings, Jimin, Loeva and Luminous.

"Taehyung! Over here." The voice clearly belonged to Jin. You saw Loeva sigh and smile at him, which you were sure Ji Ah noticed too.

"Finally found them both." Hoseok's statement earned a thumbs up from you, now only noticing the floating Verde who had a unrecognizable look on his face. Whatever the illusion the Synex gave, it must've been something terrible.

"This place is dangerous as time passes. We should leave as soon as possible—"

"Where's Namjoon?" Loeva said, cutting of Jim's statement, which made the realization dawn upon their faces.

"I didn't see him anywhere." Hoseok said defensively when everybody turned to looks at him.

"Right, let's divide into two and search him. Stick together." With that, the eldest grabbed the nearest five, you, Jungkook, Hoseok and a floating Yoongi to a direction.

The rest moved the other side, calling out his name could be dangerous as they didn't know what else the forest hid for them.

________________________________________________________

He was standing in the middle of the place he knew so well, hands clenched into fists as he saw the place he never wished to. The small cozy houses, not too royal, but comfy enough for a family to live in. The whole colony had same type of houses, most of them built by the own residents in a way to show that there was no hierarchial differences between them.

"Joonie!" He heard a young voice calling his name. The small boy came running towards him, his eyes filled with tears. Face young and beautiful which had a shining effect on him always, but the bruises on his face seemed to be the reason why he was crying.

He found himself saying, "How can I help you?" The little boy pointed his finger at a group of teens who didn't seem to be a friendly lot.

"T-they," the boy let out a sob, cheeks flushed in the colour of his hair from all the crying, "they want me to hit you."

He didn't know why this was happening now, this memory... The one he wanted to forget so he could easily hate the crying boy before him.

"Why?" He asked a second later.

"They will not give my bag if I don't do so." There was something in his tone that made him angry.

"Go on then. I wouldn't do anything. Hit me and go get your bag."  He returned to read his copy of History Beyond Knowledge, trying to concentrate on the words rather than the unknown crying boy beside him.

"Oi. You don't need your supplies then?"

A loud voice interrupted him. Namjoon clearly knew that it was one of those boys bullying Hoseok. He shut his book loudly, causing the small boy to jump.

"I told you to hit me and get your things, didn't I?"

"I don't wanna hit you..." Hoseok stared at his tiny foot, ruby eyes not daring to meet the silver ones.

"Why not!"

"I- I always liked you. If I hit you, you would not like me back. You wouldn't be my friend."

Amusing it was, how a seven year old can make sense with his words more than the elder people. Namjoon felt his anger rising inside him, not towards the tiny Hoseok in front, but the gang still howling and whistling to Hoseok. He made his way straight to them, hands clenched. Hoseok gasped at what he saw.

Namjoon punched the guy square in his jaw, making him stumble and fall back. Before things could get more worse, a hand stopped him.

"Don't get yourself into trouble. I'll take it from here." Namjoon stopped himself from lunging towards and beating them more. Seeing an Urgen of the same height as the gang, he wondered whether he was the same age as him. He was not someone who paid attention to any of his classmates. He wasn't interested in making friends.

Seokjin seemed to be in higher authority even in school, maybe a prefect. That was the only conclusion he could get into, seeing the people who bullied young Hoseok running away from the scene.

Namjoon picked up the dark bag, dusting the dirt away and went near the red haired boy.

"Thank you." He mumbled, wiping his eyes in his sleeve completely. The tiny Hoseok smiled which somehow was so contagious that he felt his own lips form a light smile. "I'm Hoseok. Same year as you." Hoseok held out his hand and Namjoon, even though weighed the thoughts, shook his hand.

"Thank you, Jin." Hoseok said to the Urgen.

Urgens... Namjoon turned away, not wanting to pick a fight with him. Urgens hate Sebrans and the feeling is mutual for Sebrans too.

"Don't mention it. And that's nice of you Namjoon, standing against them even though they are your seniors." Jin smiled humbly at him.

"I don't care. I'm having classes. Bye." He thought that would be the last time he'd see both Jin and Hoseok but how mistaken he was. How much ever he wanted to stay away from them, he felt himself getting closer and closer day by day. He even got to know the friends circle of them both. Slowly, he felt himself growing fond of the group filled with a bunch of crackheads later on. Crackheads, in a good way.

All the laughter and the lovely scenes went past faster and he was standing alone in a place filled with darkness.

"Look what you have done..." He heard an airy voice that was far from the word comfortable. "You did this for yourself..."

The dark place was so cold that he rubbed himself for some warmth. "What do you mean?" There was not a single sound in the dark place other than him, yet the place seemed familiar.

"Don't you see..." The dark place brightened up, the once colourful houses now in the colour of nothing but grey. The place filled with cozy homes was now filled with... Grave stones.

The very near stone made him let out a breath of shudder. Unable to believe his eyes, he moved on to the next and the next, one by one until he lost the strength and courage to stand still. He felt himself tearing up while watching the names written over it, the name of the persons lying beneath the soil. Resting where he couldn't bring them back.

"No..." He felt his knees sunk to the ground, sobs of agony leaving him in that cold weather.

"Yes, look at this well. This is happening. Just because of you, Namjoon." He felt a hooded figure swirling around him, "Brain of the Palace, are you? What happened to your brain now? How did it help to save your friends? Or you call them a family, don't you?" The airy deep voice made him shiver and now he knew... Something's wrong, but that was too late. He felt himself giving in to darkness. A far call of his name was the last thing he could hear.

___________________________________________________

"No," That was a voice someone you surely knew of, "It was all my fault." His voice was shaking so badly as you ran in the direction, others dashing right behind you.

You just wanted to say 'Expecto Patronum' to the huge flock standing beside him, but sadly this won't work that way! You've got to do something... the silver strands of hair was visible through the gaps between the floating cloaks.

"Namjoon!" You shouted, the creatures moved away from him, as if obeying you was their main priority. He fell on the floor with a loud thud as the creatures flew away so fast as if your touch could kill them.

Namjoon was curled up on the floor, his eyes shut as he sobbed for a mistake he thought he had done but never did.

"I could've saved you..." You couldn't catch on some incoherent mumblings later on but you proceeded to wake him up. You swore you heard him say 'Hoseok', not knowing what to do, you ran near him and shook him awake, trying to coax him with all your words, but nothing seemed to be working.

"Why is he not waking up?" Taehyung asked, drops of water already formed in his hands and splashed it in the Sebran's face, but his mumbling didn't stop and his eyelids... The dull white layer was starting to take over the pretty silver orbs.

What should I do, what! What! What! You were almost plucking your hair out, thinking what to do.

"Remind him something happy, Luane. That should wake him up. Soon before it gets too late!" Noah said, his voice strangely drained out.

Happy, happy... Something that includes him...

You didn't know what to say, with a heavy intake of breath, you said the one thing which involved both of you in a funny manner.

"With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do that dares love attempt;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me."

You finished in a manly voice as you looked at his contoured face wear a light smile. You sighed in relief, as this seemed to be an improvement. You couldn't help but smile as you remembered the play in which you were climbing through the pillar towards him who stood in the balcony. The forest held no sound other than the heavy breathing of the eleven people, even wind's playful dances stopped.

In that heavy silence, you heard him say next.

"If they do see thee, they will murder thee." He said with a light voice, a slightest chuckle added at last, his eyes still not cast open.

"I'm trying to remember the next line but I forgot. Care giving me hints, Junliet?"

"You're too dumb to understand the hints, Lumeo." You smacked him in the head, for which he opened his eyes, glancing at you annoyingly, ears visibly red as he sat up straight.

"Should've known they are Synex." He mumbled quaintly but everyone heard it. The Sebran was aware of all the colourful gazes on him, eyeing his form worriedly. "I'm alright, just... Thought those were real..." He added with a light dimpled smile, holding your hand to hoist himself up.

You heard some angry steps approaching both of you.

"You did something you shouldn't do. How many practices have we gone through? How many times we trained against the dark creatures? And now you say like a pre-school student that you thought it was real?!" His fury was evident just as his worry, "this just makes me want to punch you." Hoseok's hands were clenched at the side, his jaw tightened as he stood before the Sebran.

"I'm sorry," Hoseok's angered face calmed down into more like a shock, "for... everything." The Laal didn't want to come into conclusions, didn't want to bring himself to believe what he wants to believe. Did that 'everything' really meant everything?

"Punch me if you want. I'll not defend." You didn't know in what confidence Namjoon said that. Did he actually think Hoseok wouldn't hit him?

Then Namjoon was terribly wrong. The Laal's hand collided with Namjoon's face with a sickening crack and he fell down with a thud.

"That hurt!" He shouted, holding his aching jaw in his hand.

"That was my intention." Hoseok said coolly and walked ahead to the group who were staring at him shocked and awestruck.

"Well, can't deny, Hobi's intention. You've been an arsehole to us." Yoongi stated calmly, resisting to punch the Sebran again.

"Not to mention, you ignored us." Taehyung said.

"And you acted like you're some little brat who grew up in a castle and didn't have any friends," said Jungkook.

Luminous raised an offended eyebrow which no one noticed.

"You didn't even come to look at us when we came to the Palace. Not only Namjoon. I'm talking to you three too!" You raised an accused finger at the purple, green and red head standing together.

"It started feeling like we're strangers." Jungkook said slowly, pain visible in his words.

The four stood in shame, eyes not daring to meet the you three. Silence stretched for what seemed to be like eternity.

Gladly someone broke it.

"You're together now, aren't you?" His voice was laced with hesitance, "This mission or whatever it is, is not only to defeat the Darkness outside but inside ourselves too. We must be together in this and soon when everything is over, things will come back to normal. So, let's finish it soon and together." You never knew that boy had this much inside to say, the words were very simple, but you could see the impact it had on the others. His baby pink hair was disheveled and coated with dirt from the chaos, his choco brown eyes holding a humble look and with a small smile that put out the flame lit in the their heart.

"We're together." whispered Jin, the words tasting very sweet in his tongue.

Jin could see a part of Queen Inez showing itself from Jimin. His words felt like, some high hope was with them, a flash of light in a dark tunnel...

That time he understood. Happiness is not something that you have to achieve. You can still feel happy while achieving something...

"Gggraagagaaa kakkagghhattha!"

"Mr.Mon!" Hoseok exclaimed as the creature jumped and joined him, "you're alright!"

"Kka grr kkugicoka!"

"He is asking you to not act like you were worried Hoseok." Loeva let out a small laugh.

"No, I was thinking on searching you, you've been a good friend for me, how could I not come for you?" He tried petting it head but it swatted his hands away and jumped down, blowing a raspberry at him.

The forest which had an eerie silent was now filled with genuine laughter of eleven souls, including Mr.Mon's.

"There are still laugher even in dire situations. And that's what makes us keep fighting, encourages us to not give up. Sometimes, winning or loosing doesn't matter if you do your part best."

Loeva smiled at Mr.Mon's words, true it was. Very true.

"I see that we have to go north! And north's that way. The mist cleared up." Yoongi bellowed from above.

"How far we have to go to exit the forest, Yoongi?" Namjoon said, securing the gallery book and the bottle of potion.

"Not very far. A few minutes of flyi-" he stopped himself glancing at Ji Ah. "-a little long walk. That's it." He came and stood down, walking ahead of them and leading the way.

Day one came to an end and not to mention the horrible things that happened in the first day of their journey. What would happen for the days ahead? Taehyung can't help but wonder as he joined the others, ready to fall into the comfy embrace of sleep, his hands feeling the blue stoned chain around his neck.

_____________________________________________________

A/N : Sorry for the delay guys, hope this chap made it up. Got a tight schedule ahead so updates maybe slow.

Did we have a sneak peek of Namjoon's past? Ooh yeah. But there is more to it and will be revealed when the time comes.

I'm really grateful that you chose to give this book a chance. Thank you so much.

Share it with your friends and family if you like!

LOVE YOURSELF, STAY SAFE AND GOLD 💜

with love,
Be 💖

31/5/21