Chapter Text
It has been almost twenty five years since the path last opened. The hands of the clock are turning, planets and moons aligning. The fate of the Earth's kingdoms unknown as a nation rises against another. The hushed whispers become loud yells, warning signs of the forthcoming war. At a time like this, there is one question on everyone's heart: are you brave enough to protect what you love?
This is a tale about our history from the time people still used magic and sang to the stars.
✵✯☾✯✵
It's a warm summer day in the year of the Rabbit. It's serene, only a breath of wind rustling the leaves in the forest. The forest where a young man is sitting on the grass surrounded by a fluffle of white bunnies. His hair is black like the night sky but his eyes are wide and starry as they look after the white balls of fluff, eight in total.
"Dia, I told you not to eat- Are you even listening to Jungkookie?"
The boy, Jungkook, frowns as he picks up the snow white bunny and brings her close to his face. Dia has always had a bad habit of nibbling on his clothes.
"Bad bunny," he murmurs but doesn't hold back his giggles when Dia nudges his finger with her snout, looking apologetic.
Jungkook kisses Dia's small head gently before letting her down among the others. Polaris, Lucia, Mira, Sarin, Saturn, Rhea, Carme... everyone's there.
The boy closes his eyes and breathes in the clear air of the forest, letting the familiar scent of wood and grass ground him. The forest is his home and the animals living in it are his friends and family.
Jungkook has named all his animal friends after stars, planets and moons. He knows someone must have taught them to him a long time ago, yet he cannot remember who. Maybe it was his parents, maybe someone else. Jungkook only remembers living in this forest, alongside the animals. He wouldn't exactly say he's lonely, but when the night falls and silence reigns over the forest, Jungkook feels like something is missing. It might be the missing pieces of his memory bothering him or a wish to have someone to speak with, perhaps someone to hold.
Humming a song he remembers bits and pieces of, Jungkook falls asleep with the sun.
The boy has been sleeping peacefully, but the peace doesn’t last as Jungkook is awakened in the middle of the night. There is noise outside his small cottage and it’s so loud it alarms him. He gets up and runs to the door, opening it in a hurry. The sight has him staring, shocked and wide-awake.
It's the animals. All kinds of animals running away as fast as they can towards the south. It's as if they're being chased by something or someone.
What is going on? Was there an earthquake or maybe a wildfire?
Jungkook looks for smoke or anything else that could tell him what the animals are running from. He can't see anything in the dark and he's starting to panic more and more as the last bits of sleepiness fade.
I should pack my things and go with them, is the clearest thought on his mind, hurrying him back inside. As he's packing, he hears another kind of sound. There's knocking coming from his door. No animal has ever knocked on his door. More than a little apprehensive, Jungkook takes the sack containing his belongings and opens the door.
If the animals running away was shocking to him, even more shocking is the human face greeting him behind the door. It's a tall man, seemingly friendly yet serious. He is wearing a strange hat, it has a big and wide brim and the top is pointed. The man has wrapped himself in a heavy-looking cloak that reaches his knees.
"Who?" Jungkook unceremoniously chokes out.
"We can introduce ourselves on the way, for now you must hurry and leave this place. Is anyone else living here?" The strange man nods towards the cottage.
Jungkook shakes his head and before he can say anything, he's being dragged outside. Without getting a chance to even think, he's being seated on a black horse. The stranger sits in front of him and gives the horse a sign to break into a gallop. It takes Jungkook a while before he can get his words out. He has to shout for his voice to be heard over all the commotion.
"Where are we going? What is happening? And who are you?!"
"We're heading south where it's safer. And you can call me Namjoon."
"I'm Jungkook. Why is it not safe here?"
"The Sun kingdom is attacking the land. I was here to make sure all the animals got away when your friends showed your home to me."
"Sun kingdom?"
"I take it you haven't left this forest in a while."
"More like ever," Jungkook admits, looking behind him. He can't believe he's leaving it behind now after all these years. The reality hasn’t really sunk in yet.
"Will they...will they destroy the forest?" he asks in a small voice. Somehow Namjoon still hears him. Or maybe he just knew what he would say.
"I don't know. If they find it empty, they might leave it be. That's what I'm hoping for at least."
Jungkook doesn't know why but Namjoon's voice is somehow calming him. He has just met the man yet he feels like he can trust him.
Is this what it feels like to be able to speak with another person?
The sun is already rising when they arrive at the edge of the forest. Jungkook holds his breath as he takes in the scenery. The land opening before him is vast, a river cutting through the meadow and reflecting the vibrant colours of the morning sky.
The animals had stopped at the river to drink water. Jungkook's heart races at the sight of familiar white bunnies.
"Carme! Lucia, Mira!" Jungkook shouts and gets off the horse. Namjoon is shouting after him but he's not listening. The rabbits perk up at Jungkook's voice. Ears up high and eyes on the boy who’s soon on his knees among them. Dia, Polaris, Rhea, Saturn...
"Where is Sarin?"
The rabbits look at him sadly, ears drooping. Jungkook has known this family of rabbits ever since Saturn was just a baby, the other rabbits are Saturn and Rhea's offspring. Sarin is one of the youngest in the family.
"I'm going to look for him-"
"No. You're not returning to the forest."
It's Namjoon. Jungkook turns around to send him a fiery look.
"This is about my family," he argues, gritting his teeth.
Namjoon sighs and shakes his head as if Jungkook didn't understand what he meant.
Jungkook is already up on his feet and marching towards the forest when he hears a booming sound behind him. He looks over his shoulder and sees Namjoon blowing into a horn. He doesn't know what the man is doing, but soon enough he hears rustling from the forest.
A small bunny emerges from a bush and runs straight into his waiting hands. Jungkook lifts the bunny to take a closer look, looking at him like he’s a miracle. And to Jungkook he is.
"Sarin..."
A wave of immense relief washes over him. From the corner of his eye he can see Namjoon putting the horn away with a small smile on his face.
Just who is he?
✵✯☾✯✵
The animals of the forest have continued heading south and Namjoon and Jungkook are riding the horse alongside them. The animals aren't running anymore, but Jungkook still feels a little restless.
He has yet to find the courage to ask the man about the horn. It's not even on top of his mind anymore, instead...
"Where exactly are we going now?"
"A town called Wennpen. It's a small place but the best thing about it is that it’s well hidden. Some of our most powerful mages live there, they like living quietly."
"You know mages?"
"Yes, I am even close friends with one. I'm planning to ask if he can accommodate us."
He's even friends with a mage... Jungkook is in awe, to say the least.
Around midday they reach the foot of a tall hill. Jungkook still can't see any signs of a town and it worries him a bit since he is quite frankly starving. The fatigue from the night before is catching up to him too.
"We are here," Namjoon states, startling Jungkook.
"What? There is nothing here."
"I told you it's well hidden," Namjoon laughs and gets off the horse. Jungkook watches with rising interest as he walks to the wall of rock and knocks four times. His eyes widen as the rock moves, the hidden door on it opening.
"You can’t be serious."
Even though the town is underground, it's not dark. Jungkook looks around himself with constant awe. There are lanterns everywhere and a lot of green plants, even trees growing inside the enormous cave. There's a beautiful waterfall cascading down one of the surrounding stonewalls and Jungkook thinks the place is just really pretty overall.
"Whoa...I didn't even know places like this exist."
"Glad you like it. This way, his house is here."
Namjoon leads him to a small yet beautiful house. It has a larger courtyard than most of the houses near it. It seems the mage is growing some herbs in his own garden. Jungkook doesn't know what to expect, nervously waiting for the mage to open the door.
He hears the footsteps before the door opens and reveals the person on the other side. A silver haired man, looking only a bit older than him. Shorter than him.
"Namjoon, I was expecting you. But I cannot say the same about your companion over here. Who is he, if I may ask?"
"Why ask me? You're the mage here," Namjoon teases, earning an unamused look from his friend.
"I'm Jungkook, ni-nice to meet you," Jungkook hurries to say. He would rather not see an angry mage, who knows what they are capable of.
"No need to be scared, Jungkook," the mage waves a hand. "My name is Yoongi. Come on in."
Yoongi's home looks just as cosy and welcoming as it had from the outside. There are candles lit all around, creating a beautiful and magical glow. Jungkook sits on a wide armchair near Namjoon while Yoongi sits next to the fireplace.
"Are you hungry? I can get you something," Yoongi offers.
"That would be nice, thank you," Namjoon answers on behalf of them both.
Jungkook is shocked for the nth time that day, seeing Yoongi snap his fingers at the same time as a sound of dishes clattering comes from the kitchen. He turns towards the sound to see the meal prepare itself.
"Giving him a magic show right off the bat, huh?" Namjoon laughs.
"It's more convenient like this," Yoongi shrugs, not caring much about Jungkook’s clear amazement.
Not long after, two plates of warm soup along with cups and spoons float over to Jungkook and Namjoon.
"Thanks for the meal..." Jungkook mutters, staring at his plate in disbelief.
"Go ahead and eat up. As thanks, why don't you tell me more about yourself?" Yoongi smiles.
Jungkook doesn't really have much to tell. Yoongi raises a brow at the mention of his lost memories but nods along.
"I see. So that's how you met with Namjoon. As a guardian, he usually doesn't care that much for humans," Yoongi muses.
"I don't think you can blame me for that," Namjoon defends.
"Guardian?" Jungkook asks softly.
"You didn't tell him?"
"He never asked."
Yoongi sighs as Namjoon shrugs and continues gulping down his food.
"Namjoon here is one of the forest guardians. He takes care of the forest life, that's why he was there."
"Then that horn..." Jungkook thinks aloud.
"Ah, that. I use it to give signals to animals."
"Any other questions?" Yoongi asks.
Jungkook shakes his head and yawns. The warmth of the fireplace and the candles is making him sleepy. Before he knows it, he has fallen asleep on the armchair. Namjoon and Yoongi are still talking, quietly so as not to wake him up. When it gets late, Namjoon carries Jungkook to a proper bed and Yoongi puts out the flames with another snap of his fingers.
If only Jungkook had known it would be the last night he’d have peaceful dreams, he would have taken longer to wake up.
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