Chapter Text
The power of Rising Sun was temporarily reduced to the voice in Hongjoong’s mind, but that made the tormenting even worse. It kept him in a half-awake state, and he wasn’t sure if he was awake or dreaming.
They’ll never find you.
“I can hear your thoughts too,” he coughed, too weak to speak louder. “They have the hourglass. Your fedora men failed you.”
Oh, Hongjoong. I wish I was as naïve as you. Why do you think I let them get the hourglass? They couldn’t have done it without Seonghwa’s chain.
Hongjoong could only open his eyes in realisation, horror seeping into his mind.
The longer they hold onto what power was contained in the chain and the hourglass, Rising Sun’s voice took a playful pause, tormenting Hongjoong even more. The less control they have, and the more power I do. See?
Before him, Hongjoong could see a vision of the boys rushing through the mist, a pack of boys running to his rescue. At the back of the group was Seonghwa, his hair becoming blonder with every passing moment, holding an hourglass in his hand before it disappeared. The Rising Sun version of Seonghwa smiled, the vision burning into Hongjoong’s mind before it disappeared.
Hongjoong could no longer stay awake, his body collapsing from pain.
“Hurry,” he muttered in his sleep, pleading that his dream of freedom would become reality.