Chapter Text
Chapter 13
*
Namjoon opens his palm, the soft red glow of his power circle spilling through his fingers and on to the ground where Jungkook stood.
He had only seen his hyung use it once before, all those years ago, when they set his wish into motion. Seeing it now, brought back memories and with it, the fear of once again losing Taehyung.
Jungkook was so sure, the nightmare had ended, only to have his hope broken by the Crown Prince and Namjoon hyung.
Now, Taehyung's life was once again in danger.
And why?
Because of the wings that had threatened Tae's life years ago. They were back again, controlling Taehyung's way of life. And Jungkook hated it.
He hated that they all had tried so hard to stop the disaster, only to have it reveal itself again. And now, Taehyung had rejected his powers as a result.
Jungkook couldn't squash the guilt that settled in his heart.
He couldn't help but think of what would have happened, if Taehyung had grown up with his beastly wings, and had grown to accept his powers. Could they have avoided today's tragedy?
The wings were killing little Tae back then, a small voice reasoned, but the doubts in his head, screamed louder.
He couldn't ignore the fact that, he, Namjoon hyung and Hobi hyung had played a part in shaping Taehyung's life until this moment. They had tried to save him, but in a way, they were no different then Taehyung's power trying to take control of him.
The thought made him pulled Taehyung closer.
"Hobi?"
"Yes, Namjoon?"
"Hold on to Jungkook. This might get a little rough." Namjoon said, and moved his fingers, activating the circle.
Bright red light opened up beneath Jungkook's feet and a waft of warm air wrapped around him, Tae and Hobi. The power circle grew in size, and Namjoon hyung and Jimin took a step back, allowing the red to glow, and encase the three of them, completely.
"Come home safely." Jimin said, to which Jungkook nodded.
"Be careful." Namjoon hyung whispered.
Jungkook stared at him, and the bead of sweat that rolled down his face. Even this much use of power was depleting Namjoon hyung's strength.
"Don't pay attention to it." Hobi whispered from his side, and Jungkook frowned. "It will alert the Crown Prince."
"I know you have a lot of questions. I'll explain everything later." the elder said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "For now, just concentrate on Taehyung and getting safely out of this Realm."
Jungkook nodded, and looked back to see Namjoon's hand trembling ever so slightly.
Just like Hobi instructed, he ignored it, and watched as the power circle whipped up dust, and air and pebbles, turning into a whirlwind with the three of them acting as it's eye.
"Hold on!" Namjoon shouted from the other side of the whirlwind and Jungkook knew this was the signal.
Hobi grabbed on to Jungkook's arm, and they braced themselves.
The ground beneath their feet shook, cracks appearing at the point where they stood.
"Don't look down!" Hobi shouted, and Jungkook squeezed his eyes shut.
He covered Tae with his body, bending over him, and shielding him from the dust and winds. He could feel Hobi behind him.
Jungkook didn't know for how long the power circle lasted.
But when it did slow down, the debris and dust dropped down, as if acting according to gravity. The wind stinging in their eyes lessened considerably, and Jungkook was able to peak through the lingering air around them.
"Where-" Hobi started to say, but was cut off by Jungkook.
"Wait!" Jungkook straightened up, and pulled Taehyung with him.
He let his eyes roam the terrain, picking up a few familiar structures and roads that tickled at his memory. He had been here once...maybe, a long time ago.
But that wasn't why he interrupted Hobi hyung.
It was something else.
He had heard a strange humming sound, just seconds after the wind surrounding them disappeared.
It was low, and came from somewhere on his right.
Jungkook raised a hand to Hobi, pointing to the deserted road on his right, and signaled for him to follow.
They took a couple of steps, and Jungkook stopped again. The humming sound wasn't quite as audible now.
Jungkook glanced at Hobi, who was frowning at him, and traced his steps back to the spot where they had landed. What was this sound?
He was going to turn back, when the ground beneath his feet shook again, and light flared on either of his side.
"Move back!" Hobi grabbed him, and pushed Jungkook away, with he still sleeping Taehyung in his arms.
Hobi hyung lifted his arm, and Jungkook watched, at the arm glowed with a silver light, extending, to form a dainty glass word. He bend his legs and lifted the weapon over his head.
Jungkook looked down at the light, no not just any light - those were two power circles, although the ruins decorating those circles were strange and Jungkook couldn't read them.
Hobi hyung took a deep breath, preparing to attack whoever stepped out of those power circle.
"Before you think about attacking me, I would like to have a friendly discussed with the three of you." The voice came from the pink power circle that was fast fading.
"Ah! I'm glad to receive such a warm welcome." another voice said. This one came from the black and silver circle. Again it was a foreign power circle, that Jungkook didn't recognize.
"What's going on?" Hobi muttered, taking a careful step back, but not lowering his sword.
"Honestly, do I look threatening to you." Someone stepped out of the pink power circle, and stood before them.
Jungkook hadn't seen someone with the kind of features, this person had. It was hard to call him handsome, but he wasn't delicate either. It was a mix of both, spread over pearly white skin, and dressed in a long white coat, with a hood at the back. This person was glaring at Hobi hyung, but not in a threatening way.
Jungkook noticed, the man looked more annoyed.
"Hey! Over here!" Hobi's head snapped in the direction of the black circle, keeping his guard up.
The person stepping out of this circle, was vastly different.
He wore black-red armor and had a sword strapped to his side. His right arm had inked designs spreading from the wrist and disappearing up into his shoulder. His face was small, eyes feline and sharp, as they stared at Hobi with a peculiar sort of amusement.
"Were you sent here by the Demon King? Is he after my head again?"
"Uh?"
"I asked you a question, low-life-"
The man calling Hobi hyung a low-life didn't sit well with Jungkook, and he took a step towards him.
"Who are you calling low-life?"
The man's eyes snapped towards Jungkook, and he raised an eyebrow. "What's this?"
"Are you the one, I'm supposed to fight?"
"No one is fighting anyone!" the other person, with the white coat, chimed in.
"We're going to have a nice, safe discussion."
"Who are you?" the man turned his attention from Jungkook, to the other, as if noticing him for the first time.
"I'm Seokjin, second descendant of the Fye King." the person in white coat replied. "And you are?"
"Yoongi." the man grunted, before looking away.
"Just Yoongi?"
Yoongi didn't bother answering. And Seokjin gave up on him, just as quickly, turning towards Hobi.
"Now, why don't you lower that sword? I'm running out of time, and I need to be on my way to see the Demon King."
"You're invited to the meeting?" Yoongi asked, his face showing a hint of interest.
"Yes, of course." Seokjin gave him a small smile.
"And you my dear, are you also here to meet with the King?" he asked.
"Yes." Jungkook said, making Hobi turn, and frown at him. "We were on our way to meet the King as well."
"With your friend in your arms, like that?" Seokjin asked, his eyes lingering on the way Jungkook held Tae close.
Hobi stood up, blocking Seokjin's view and glared at him.
"My friend fell asleep." Jungkook lied. "I didn't want to wake him up, until we reached the Realm, so I carried him instead."
"I see." Seokjin said, but his eyes were still fixed on Taehyung or the part that was visible at least. Hobi continued to glower at him.
Jungkook felt a pair of eyes on him, and turned to find Yoongi frowning at him.
They still had no idea who he was, but looking at his clothes, it seemed as if he was from the human Realm. Why was he here?
Jungkook got his answer, when Yoongi let out a scoff and set out on the deserted road behind them.
"Shall we?" Seokjin said, tilting his head in the direction of the road.
"Huh?"
"Don't you want to meet with the Demon King?"
"Ah yes." Jungkook gave a quick nod, and followed after Seokjin and Yoongi, with Hobi trailing behind him, still on guard.
"Jungkookie-?"
"It's just a thought." Jungkook whispered, keeping an eye on Seokjin's and Yoongi's retreating back. "But I think we could find something if we get to the Demon King."
"Namjoon hyung said, that Tae's feathers would be located at a place of great power or with a person of great power. Currently, the King of this Realm, the Demon King, holds that kind of power." Jungkook explanation, keeping his voice as low as possible.
"But he called for a meeting, which as far as I have heard, he never does, unless there is an emergency."
Hobi stared at him, realization in his eyes. "You think the reason for this meeting is Tae's feathers?"
Jungkook shrugged. "It seemed to much of a coincidence that the Demon King was holding a meeting, just as we arrived with Tae."
"You might be right." Hobi said.
"I hope so." Jungkook wanted it to be true.
At least then, they would have some sort of head start.
*