Chapter Text
So many questions lingered in the air. No answers forthcoming while Rang remained unconscious. Moo-young had done his best to patch the younger fox up, and that was all they could do at the moment.
What should have been a joyous reunion was now overshadowed by worried and mixed emotions. Yeo-hee sat near her husband, tears constantly slipping down her cheeks. Their son cradled tightly in her arms, anxiously waiting any news on his condition. “Will he be alright?”
Moo-young sighed as he finished up the bandages. “Most of his wounds are already showing signs of healing. I believe it is extreme exhaustion that is keeping him unconscious. We can only wait to see how long until he wakes up. He’s strong, so I expect it to be in less than a day. In the meantime, I would like to check on you two. This experience must have been traumatizing.”
Moo-young reached for Cheol-min first. Yeo-hee was reluctant to hand him over, but she also was concerned about his well being, so she allowed the man to take him. While he worked, Hong-ju, who had rejoined them, asked, “Can you tell us more about what happened?”
Yeo-hee glanced between them all remorsefully. “I’m not sure how much I can tell. I remember Moo-young leaving in the morning and how nervous Rang was.”
“Yes, he seemed agitated and paranoid. I shouldn’t have dismissed his feelings so readily. But having been there so long without issue, I assumed we were not in any danger.” Bundling up the babe, he was happy to find no injuries. Turning to the tall gumiho, he asked, “Would you like to hold your nephew?”
Taken aback, Yeon was hesitant at first. The doctor encouraged, “I need someone to hold him while I check Yeo-hee.” The older fox had imagined this all happening very differently mere hours ago. How quickly things change. Holding out his arms, Moo-young placed the babe in his hands. Automatically, Yeon brought the boy to his chest.
Instincts kicked in and Yeon was bouncing ever so slightly as he stared at that round face. It was amazing knowing that this tiny being was his brother’s son, their own flesh and blood, kin. Wrapped up in those round cheeks, Yeon caught hints of his brother in those features. In an instant he felt something change within him. He had longed to find his lost love, knowing eventually he would see her again. But another part of him vowed in that moment to protect his nephew, his brother and sister-in-law at all costs. Family had taken on a whole new meaning.
Anger flared. How could anyone attack these precious people? He wished he could find the bastards and kill them himself. Realizing they weren’t even sure if the threat was gone, Yeon asked, “What happened to Heo Jong-dae?”
The mermaid shrugged, “I don’t know. Rang-ah sent me away while they surrounded us.”
“They? How many were there?” Hong-ju inquired.
“I’m not sure. Maybe a dozen or two? They just kept coming. And I couldn’t help him.” She started to cry again.
Hong-ju placed a hand on her shoulder, soothing, “It’s ok. You’re here now, safe.”
Moo-young was pleased that her injuries were very minor. Still she looked exhausted herself. So he suggested, “I think a salt water bath might do you some good. Hong-ju, the girls have set one up, right?”
“Yes, it should be ready by now. I’ll take you.”
Yeo-hee leaned away, “I don’t want to leave Rang-ah or Min-ah. Can it wait?”
“Don’t worry, Yeon will watch your son. And it will be some time before Rang-ah awakes, so if you go now you should be back in time. That way you can be strong and ready for both of them.” The healer insisted.
Yeon reassured, “Nothing will harm your family as long as I’m here. And we will get you should Rang-ah awake early.”
Hong-ju managed to lead the mermaid away. As the women left, the men settled into their own thoughts. Yeon once more marveled at the child in his arms. Those bright blue eyes watched him carefully, filled with equal curiosity. Taking in a deep breath, the fox’s eyes widened as he sought his old friend. Sensing the eyes upon him, Moo-young met the redhead’s gaze squarely. Hushed, in disbelief, Yeon uttered, “He’s human?”
Sighing, the doctor nodded, “As far as I can tell. It’s possible that one of the other physiologies might come through later, but I doubt it.”
“Does he know?” His eyes darted to his unconscious brother.
Nodding slowly, Moo-young explained, “We talked about it late one night. He actually confessed that he was a little relieved that it was so. With two half breed parents, he hoped the curse would not fall on their son. Now he is free to live in that world without fear or ridicule.”
“Rang-ah had a hard childhood. The villagers would often take any bad omens they found out on him. His mother only cared enough for him under threat of our father. Although why my father even cared that much is beyond me. He did nothing to help or protect Rang outside that. In fact, her hatred was so deep she didn’t even bother naming him. She barely fed him and eventually her hate won out when she abandoned him in a forest to be eaten by monsters when a beating from the villagers failed to kill him again. So I am not surprised that Rang was worried about that.”
“And we thought the old hag was bad,” Moo-young attempted to lighten the mood. Unfortunately, with all that has happened recently, it fell a little flat. However, one thing his old friend said did strike him odd. “She never named her own son? Wasn’t he a child when you found him?”
“Yes,” Yeon, still lost in those memories, confirmed, “about 7. She wanted nothing to do with him. So she decided there would be no attachment if she never named him.”
“Then who did?”
“I did. By the time I got him home, the Ah gwi poison had worked its way into his system. He was sick with fever for a few days. When he was finally better, I asked him what he is called. He said his mother mostly called him baby or on the rare occasion son. Most of the villagers called him monster or fox. He then told me that he liked being called dongsaeng. I told him that wasn’t a name and he could choose one if he wanted. He thought for a moment and decided that I could name him. He gave me the brightest smile. It was astonishing that a child born of such strife could offer so much light. So I called him Rang.”
The tiger mulled over this new information. “I didn’t know that.” Even though they had all been on the same side for a while, there was still a lot about the half fox he didn’t know about. He was already stone long before Rang came along. But since he and Yeon reconciled, all their relationships changed. The young man was cautious and sullen most of the time, but in those rare instances, his smile could warm the heart. Like when he first held his son. Grinning at the memory, he agreed, “It suits him well.”
Yeon’s thoughts took him further down the road of their life and to the last time he saw that vibrant child. “Ever since I gave up my position, he has rarely smiled. For so long a sadness has clung to him. One I never thought I would see vanish. Not until he allowed Yeo-hee to love him. And now it is up to you little one,” he said to the babe in his arms. “Succeed where I failed. Give him the family he has always longed for and make him smile all the time.”
Those cerulean eyes seemed to understand and accept the challenge. The babe gurgled in response. Yeon grinned, “That’s my Cheol-min. Be the strong man as you were named and make your father proud.” Yeon pressed a gentle kiss to the child’s forehead and hugged him close. The conversation faded away after that. Yeon sat down, allowing the warmth of the babe to settle on his chest. Eventually, he managed to drift off.
It was only when Doomok returned that the world kicked back into gear. Late into the night, the wolf returned with news. Yeon demanded a full report, “What did you find?”
“Once we located the cave, we found a number of dead wolves in the main chamber,” the wolf began, “The place was a mess. Boss put up a good fight. It took us a bit to realize there was a tunnel off to one side. We managed to squeeze through but it was mostly blocked. So we backed out and searched for another way in.”
Moo-young chipped in, “There should have been a back entrance on the forest side.”
“Yes,” Doomok nodded frantically. “We found it and made our way in. We couldn’t get too far because most of the cave had collapsed. We did find a wolf though under some of the rubble. He told us that Boss was the one who brought the cave down before vanishing in thin air. He also said that his leader was dead. Heo Jong-dae was crushed by the cave. We tried to get him out from under the rocks and bring him here but once he was free he died soon after. Sorry.”
Sighing in relief, the doctor commented, “At least we know that this threat is over.”
“We can only hope there will never be another.” Turning to the underboss, Yeon dismissed, “Thank you. Keep watch just to be sure. And I will let you know when your Boss is awake.”
“Yessir!” Then the wolf was off.
Speculating based on the new information, Moo-young observed, “Does he have some sort of elemental control over earth?”
“Perhaps. His mixed breeding may have altered his abilities from mine. I have always had some control over the wind. It wasn’t until I became a mountain god that I could control the sky. Even after that, I only retained that skill once I became a celestial fox. Rang has not reached a century yet. Who knows what he will be capable of then.” The gumiho speculated.
Sadly, Moo-young mumbled, “I guess we’ll never know then.”
“Why not?” Yeon demanded.
Realizing his mistake, the tiger’s gaze flickered over to Rang, recalling the promise he made. The future he knew may not come to pass in this timeline and this Yeon didn’t need to know of the half breed’s sacrifice. Clearing his throat and thinking fast, he considered aloud, “Well, he isn’t a full fox. He isn’t immortal. Do we know exactly how long half breeds live?”
Frowning, Yeon contemplated the question. “No, but considerably shorter than expected. And that future Yeon said Rang’s time was running out. Perhaps we can find a way to overcome his human side so he can reach celestial status.”
Considering their conversations, Moo-young wasn’t even sure how long Rang would want to live having stolen lives already. Thoughtfully, he suggested, “Perhaps, we should let Rang decide his own course and what fate has in store for him.” Any further discussion was halted when Yeo-hee and Hong-ju returned.
The mermaid immediately went to her husband, sitting down next to him. Her hand automatically carding gently through his hair. “How is he?”
“The same. But you are looking better. How do you feel?”
“Better,” she repeated absently. She grabbed the man’s hand and clutched it to her chest. Whispering in his ear, she begged, “Oh, my love, please come back to me.”
Hong-ju went and sat next to the tiger. They whispered lowly as he shared the news Doomok brought. They were just heading into the early morning hours. And all that was left was to wait.
Managing to get a few hours sleep, the group woke again at their own pace. Moo-young had done a quick check on his patients before heading out. Hong-ju yawned and stretched, with no obvious change, she left to handle the daily affairs of her business. This left the nucleus of their family to wait it out. Yeo-hee was sleeping next to her husband. Yeon was reclining on a bed with Cheol-min on his chest still.
Any time the mermaid stirred, she would snuggle closer. Her hand automatically tracing his features, gently pushing his bangs back, wrapping around him for comfort. Of course it was difficult to say whose comfort, both half breeds needed it. She would whisper in his ear how much she loved him, missed him. And she would tell him that his son was waiting to see him. Anything that might draw him back to the living world.
Now as the fresh sunlight warmed the world, the babe began to fidget. Reluctantly, the new mother pulled herself away and collected the child. Settling in a corner, she fed her child.
Meanwhile, the older gumiho got up. He moved to his brother’s side and sat down. Speaking softly, he encouraged, “Rang-ah, you need to wake up. There’s so much to discuss and your son and wife need you. We all need to know you’re ok. So stop making us worry and open those eyes, dongsaeng.”
The morning stretched on with little change apart from their positions. It was later after Cheol-min’s next feeding that the family was disturbed. Outside voices were talking, escalating. Curious about the commotion, the pair walked out onto the front porch of the building.
Outside, Moo-young and Hong-ju were talking with a rather agitated Taluipa. “You should have told me.”
Arguing, the owl answered, “We don’t know what happened, what would we have told you?”
“You should have at least let me know.”
“Know what?” Yeon interrupted.
Trying to calm her nerves, she started over with the fox. “You should have informed me that the half breed has managed to do something extraordinary, again.”
Echoing his fellow mountain gods sentiment, “And why should we do that when we don’t know exactly what he did. If you saw something, maybe you should be telling us.” Taking a step down, he added, “And his name is Rang.” Her dislike of his brother was really grating his nerves.
The older woman clicked her tongue and looked away. After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “I’m not sure what I saw. There was a surge of power. It started by the sea and then like a string it stretched to here. When I was trying to see it better, it snapped and lingered here for a few moments then vanished. Your brother needs to explain what he did.”
At that, Yeo-hee stepped forward, babe still in her arms. “He does not have to explain anything to you right now. Whatever he did, it saved our lives. And I am grateful we are all here.”
The older woman’s gaze moved to the bundle in her arms. “Is that your child?”
“Yes, and what Rang-ah did was to keep us safe from a pack of wolves wanting to kill us. So any questions you have can wait until he’s recovered.”
Frustrated, the underworld gatekeeper headed for the stairs, “My time is valuable, wake hi-”
“No,” the mermaid blocked her path. “You will do no such thing. He fought to protect us and then managed to get us away. He will get whatever he needs to recover, including time. His time is as precious as yours. If that bothers you, go back to your work. Otherwise, you can wait here until I say you can come in.”
“How dare you talk to me that way!”
“And how dare you threaten a wounded man? I don’t care how you feel about him or me, but you will not treat him that way. He deserves better. Now leave or wait, but if you attempt to disturb him again, you will face my wrath.” With that the young woman turned on her heel and headed inside.
“Insolent child!” Taluipa balked angrily.
“That may be,” Yeon agreed, “but she has a point. Rang-ah did something unimaginable. We still don’t know the details or at what cost. If all he needs is rest, then he’ll have it. Yeo-hee-ah has been through a lot these past months, we all have. It would be wise not to push her now.”
Moo-young placed a hand on the older woman’s shoulder. “Perhaps it would be best to return later. We can send for you once he wakes.”
Glaring at her would be children, she pursed her lips. “Fine, I’ll leave for now. But I will be watching and the moment he wakes, I’ll be back.” Turning, she left to meet her husband and the waiting car.
Now that the commotion was over, the group went back to their vigil.