Archive of Our Own ^beta

The grand bell announced the opening of the gate. Soon, the stone corridors were filled with the sounds of students chirping. Magic was humming in the air. Today was the first day of the school year at NCT Academy of Magical Creatures. Students literally flew in, teleported, entered a tunnel, and even materialized in the school grounds from all over the world to attend the classes. New and old students appear one by one, everyone excited to start the new year. Old students walk with confidence and familiarity, while the new students approach with curiosity and fear.

Jeno takes his luggage in one hand and walks straight towards his dorm. He stopped once in the middle to look at the big school crest hanging in the hallway. “NCT” curved into a wooden logo, which exudes a unique, traditional, and original feel of it’s own. NCT stands for Nexum Consortium of Transmutation. Many years ago, creatures from different realms came together for peace and harmony, forming the NCT Council. Later, they realised that kids from their realms needed education and training to survive in the real world. But each of them required different care. They also needed to know each other well and get along with other creatures to keep the harmony. So they started an Academy for them. Naming it after the council, NCT Academy. They learnt about all this in the Realm History classes. Jeno breathed in the air from the corridor to feel at home again in this place. His roommates, Haechan and Renjun, were already present in the room when he arrived.

“Jeno, my dude! At last you’re here!” Haechan greeted him as soon as he entered. He hugged both of them and then settled down in his bed.

“Have everyone arrived yet? Did you meet the other guys?” Jeno asked them.

“I think so. I can sense Jisung already. He is calm, so that means Chenle is with him already.” Renjun answered. “I don’t know where Mark is.”

Just then, they heard a high-pitched laughter, which was obviously from Chenle, the siren. “And there you go. Mark is here too.” Jeno concluded.

“Should we go for lunch already? I am kind of starving.” Haechan said while rubbing his belly.

“Haechan, the werewolf should be hungry. Not you!” Renjun complained, pointing at Jeno.

“Please. I wasted so much energy teleporting here. I need food.” Haechan whined.

“Fine. Fine. Let’s call the others and go.” Jeno had to intervene.

The dining area was packed with people. They had picked up the other three guys on their way. Turned out they were hungry too. So now here they are, Haechan clinging to Mark, Renjun coddling Jisung, Chenle laughing at them, and Jeno, the only normal one, looking for somewhere to sit. It turned out to be the hardest job. There were kids everywhere. Old ones meeting their friends after a long time had to catch up. And on the other hand, the new ones were getting to know each other. He kept scanning the whole room when he noticed him. A lone boy, sitting in the corner of the room. There was some weird vibe around him. So cold. Jeno’s eyes stopped on him for some seconds. The boy must have noticed, too. He lifted his head and made eye contact with Jeno. And that’s when Jeno understood he was staring.

“Wow, who’s that?” Haechan asked.

“Looks like a new kid,” Mark answered.

“Yeah, but he doesn’t look like a 1st year. He looks like our age.” Chenle commented.

“Maybe Principal Teuk will introduce him later.” Renjun reasoned.

“Yeah. Let’s not speculate on things for now.” Jisung concluded.

“But he is so handsome. Like a whole new aura. Am I the only one who feels a weird vibe from him? Cold, but there’s a light? That kinda feel?” Haechan asked, looking at the others.

“No. I do too.” Renjun and Jisung replied together.

Jeno was all silent the whole time. The eye contact with the guy was so sudden. He felt like the guy was reading him through his eyes. He was still recovering.

They sat down together and started chatting. Soon, all the faculty members and the principal arrived at the dining hall to greet the students. They started by welcoming the new students in the academy and talking about the foundation and history of the academy for some time. And now it was time to introduce the new students. First, all the juniors were called out one by one. There were different categories of creatures this year. They applauded every time someone was introduced. Jeno noticed that the boy was not called once. Maybe he was not a 1st year at all. It was nearing the end when the announcement came in.

“This year, we have a special someone. He is not a 1st year. But he came here as a transfer student to join the 4th year. Please welcome Jaemin. The only Serpent in our academy.” Principal Teuk announced.

The boy stood up from his seat. Jeno and everyone else looked at the boy out of curiosity. Everyone was whispering at the revelation. But Jeno felt like the boy was actually looking at him. He shook his head and averted his eyes.

“A serpent? Woah! No wonder he is so handsome!” Chenle remarked.

“I know, right?! Sorry Mark. I don’t need you anymore as my familiar. Now I want him.” Haechan rubbed his palms together with a cunning smile.

“Idiot. Stop talking nonsense. He will hear you. He’s a serpent.” Renjun reminded.

Realization hit them, and they again looked at him to check if he heard them. But Jaemin had a frown on his face as he ate silently.

“Poor guy. I think everyone is talking about him.” Jisung tsked.

Indeed, every other table was almost pointing at him and talking among themselves. Even the 1st years were curious. Jaemin looked like some zoo exhibit, with the way everyone was giving him attention. Jeno ignored the conversations. His own hearing caught a lot of unnecessary detail from the other tables. Even he felt bad. But he couldn’t do anything. He was as curious as they were.

After lunch, all the new students were assigned rooms. Mark was getting a new roommate this time as his old roommate graduated. They went to check the noticeboard, and it was none other than Jaemin.

“Oh, dude, you’re lucky. You get to room with the hot guy, and here I’m stuck with … Renjun. Ugh!” Haechan pouted sadly.

“Excuse me? What the hell do you mean by that?” Renjun charged at him.

“What about me? I also stay there?” Jeno mumbled as his other roommates started bickering.

“Let it go, buddy! It’s just their weird mating ritual!” Mark consoled him.

“Oh, for Zeus’ sake, we are not dating!” Renjun and Haechan shouted together.

And the others just giggled.

When dinner time arrived, Mark joined their table with Jaemin at his toe. The others looked up in surprise. They had no time to react when Mark started, “Guys, meet Jaemin.”

Jaemin, on the other hand, just shyly nodded and said, “Hi!”

The other guys were too stunned to react yet. Mark then started to introduce them. “Jaemin, this is Chenle, a Siren. Beside him is Jisung. He is an elf.” Both of them nodded at him and timidly greeted him. “That one with pink hair is Renjun. He is a fairy. The irritating-looking one beside him is Haechan, a wizard.”

“Hey, dude!” Haechan greeted him back.

“Haechan? That’s not your real name, right? I mean, you are a wizard!” Jaemin suddenly asked curiously.

“Umm, no. It’s not.” Haechan chuckled.

“Oh? How did you know?” Mark asked, surprisingly.

“I had read once about it. That wizards don’t tell their real names to anyone. Only some people know!” Jaemin explained. Haechan looked impressed with Jaemin already. Whereas Renjun, beside him, looked rather uncomfortable. Only Jeno and Jisung noticed that.

“And this guy here is my buddy Jeno.” Mark introduced him with a clap on his shoulder. “A mighty strong werewolf!” Jeno looked up at Jaemin this time. Again, the feeling of getting his soul read came back. “A werewolf? Wow.” Jaemin exclaimed. “Nice to meet you, Jeno!”

“You too,” Jeno somehow managed to reply. Beside him, he heard Haechan mutter, “Wow, only nice to meet him? Not us?” He just decided to ignore it. The feeling of being watched kinda irritated him. But soon Jaemin sat down, and Mark was engaging him in conversations.

“Did Mark tell you he is a shapeshifter?” Chenle asked.

“I showed him, dude! But his snake is prettier than mine.” Mark informed.

“Oh my god! I need to see your snake form, too, Jaemin!” Chenle immediately begged.

Jaemin looked really puzzled, so Jisung interrupted to scold Chenle, “Let him eat in peace.” Jaemin looked relieved.

That night in Jeno’s room, Renjun sat on his own bed with a frown. Jisung was on the other side of the room. Haechan looked already done with the conversation going on.

“My grandma had once mentioned Serpents. Said they were… Complicated.” Jisung informed them.

“That describes the aura. There’s something about it. I can’t explain it yet.” Renjun looked frustrated.

“I just think you guys are feeling too much. It’s just his handsomeness. It exudes.” Haechan tried to argue.

“No, Haechan. Didn’t you see? He already knew about your name and wizards. Don’t tell me you didn’t feel him trying to look through us? He is a serpent. From the underworld.” The fairy sat up, trying to reason with him.

“Guys. I kinda agree with Haechan here. I just think he is new here. We just got to know him. And he is like the first serpent here in decades. So obviously, we are not familiar with his aura.” Jeno tried to mediate. “And about serpents being complicated, I think all mythical beings are complicated. Serpents are just very private about their realm. That’s why speculations are out about them. That’s it.”

“I just hope you are right, Jeno.” Renjun sighed.

The first week passed like this. Jaemin was settling in slowly. The wary ones found themselves stealing glances at him throughout the time. He was polite but distant, answering questions with minimal responses and keeping to himself during meals.

It was Jisung who first approached him, his elf's natural empathy picking up on something beneath Jaemin's carefully composed exterior.

"The history of magical warfare class can be overwhelming on the first day," Jisung offered as they left Professor Yeol's classroom. "Professor Yeol has strong opinions about battle strategy. werewolfs you know!"

Jaemin's expression softened slightly. "Thank you. I... have some experience with warfare, actually. My father believes in thorough education."

"Your father?" Mark asked, his shapeshifter curiosity getting the better of him.

"The King of Serpents," Jaemin replied simply, as if mentioning royalty was perfectly normal.

The revelation created a moment of stunned silence. Finally, Renjun spoke up, his fairy nature drawn to honesty and directness. "That explains the aura of authority. But you seem... down."

Jaemin's carefully maintained composure cracked for just an instant, revealing something vulnerable underneath. "Moving to a new place is always difficult."

It was a deflection, but it was also an opening. And despite their initial wariness, the group found themselves including him in their study sessions and meal conversations over the following days.

It took exactly three weeks to start. Three weeks of peace and then suddenly chaos started.

Mark was on his way back from the library, his arms full of research materials for Haechan and his potions project, when the attack happened. He was alone in the corridor when they appeared without warning. Suddenly, there were shadows all around him, taking the shapes of people. They had claws that looked like they could tear through magical barriers, and their eyes were red with fire.

The shapeshifter's first instinct was to flee, but his path was blocked. Before he could even think, razor-sharp claws descended toward him. Mark felt frozen, and he closed his eyes in fear. But then, suddenly, a powerful force slammed into his attackers. An energy, dark and primal, wrapped around the demons and crushed them into nothingness.

Mark slowly opened his eyes to see Jaemin step out of the shadows, his usually composed demeanor replaced by a fierce and protective one. "Are you injured?"

"I... no, I'm fine," Mark stammered, staring at the space where the shadows had been. "How did you…?"

"We should get you back to the dorms," Jaemin interrupted, already moving. "There may be more."

As they hurried through the corridors, they encountered Chenle backed against a wall by three more of those shadows. The siren also looked frozen and helpless. Without hesitation, Jaemin struck again, his serpent magic moving with deadly precision. The shadows again dissolved, making Chenle free. Mark rushed to comfort him. “Are you okay?” he asked.

Chenle just looked between his savior and Mark with wide, grateful eyes. Then he nodded.

"Thank you," the siren breathed. "I've never seen anything like those creatures." He told Jaemin. Who was now sporting a heavy frown. “And you were not supposed to see them, too. At least not here.” Jaemin murmured.

“What are they?” Mark asked this time. “Why were they even here?”

“They were shadow demons. From underworld.” Jaemin replied. “But why and how they were here, I don’t know. And I think I need to know.” The fierce look in Jaemin’s eyes made the other two silent for the moment.

That night, all the students were asked to stay indoors, as the academy's wards, dorms, and corridors were reinforced with magic spells. After the incident, as soon as they returned, they rushed to inform the faculty. The authority searched the entire abandoned corridor, and students were questioned about the attack. Mark and Chenle shared their experience with the other students. Everyone was scared of the shadow creatures as they heard the stories. But Jaemin had disappeared as soon as they reached safety. Some faculty members called him, and he didn’t return after that. The group of six waited for him in Mark’s room as they discussed.

"Maybe we were wrong about him," Haechan said, looking at Renjun. "Anyone who fights demons to save people can't be entirely bad."

"His magic was incredible," Chenle added. "So controlled, even in combat. Most serpents are more... chaotic in their approach."

Renjun, who had been silent through most of the discussion, finally spoke. "He's not what he appears to be. There are layers we haven't seen yet."

“Renjun, I think we should give him more time. I also don’t think he has told us everything about himself. Maybe he doesn’t feel comfortable yet.” Jisung said this time.

“I don’t know all these things. But if he wasn’t there today, Chenle and Mark could’ve been really hurt. He saved them.” Jeno spoke at last.

“Yeah, guys. Let’s just be grateful to him for that. Maybe we can ask him later about those shadow demons. He might tell us then.” Mark also supported Jeno and Jisung.

By the time Jaemin came back to his room, Mark was already asleep. The others were not in sight.

After that, incidents kept happening. Whenever students went outside the academy, they didn’t return for the whole day. Even those who went to loiter around the premises. It happened mostly to the 1st years. They were curious, mischievous, and wanted to explore the school more, despite the initial warnings of not going out alone. Nobody was able to find them even after searching. The faculty and students spent the whole day worried about them. But they came back on their own the next day. Having no memory of the previous day. The last thing they remembered was leaving five minutes ago. The faculty sent them to the infirmary for observation, was nothing was abnormal in them at all. So they just decided to keep an eye on them.

The school issued a strict warning this time, prohibiting students from leaving the school building at all.

The full moon will happen in two weeks. All the students affected by the full moon were asked to complete their transformations inside the school only. Those who needed a sensitive time of their own were given rooms ahead of time. Jeno thought he would be able to handle his own transformation alone, so he didn't ask for any extra space, as the juniors needed it. He knew how painful and isolating it can be in an unfamiliar place away from home. He also left his own room to maintain his roommates’ safety and found a quiet place in the back corridor.

He was just settling in his own space when he heard a groan nearby. Startled, he went to look for the source of the sound. The hormonal rush due to his transformation made him bolder than normal. It could be anything. Another student or something dangerous. But still, he went to look, as the groan sounded painful. And when he found it, he was surprised. It was none other than Jaemin in what appeared to be his own private torment.

The serpent was on his knees, his body convulsing as his skin seemed to ripple and shift. Ancient scales were emerging and shedding in a process that looked excruciatingly painful. Jaemin's usual composure was completely gone, replaced by raw vulnerability as he struggled through what Jeno realized must be his molting period.

For a moment, Jeno hesitated. Getting involved would mean revealing his own transformation to someone other than his family. He was about to break the careful distance he maintained from his classmates during these vulnerable times. He stood there and thought for a moment. Jaemin didn’t seem to notice him yet. But the sound of his pain decided it for him.

"Hey," Jeno said softly, approaching slowly. "You don't have to do this alone."

Jaemin's head snapped up, his eyes wide with embarrassment and fear. "You shouldn't be here. It's dangerous when I'm like this."

"I understand dangerous," Jeno replied, already feeling the first stirrings of his own transformation as the moon reached its peak. "We can be dangerous together."

He didn’t want to leave Jaemin alone in such a vulnerable state, knowing it was his first time away from home. He was not used to the environment yet. So he settled beside him.

What followed was a night unlike any either of them had experienced. As Jeno's bones began their familiar, agonizing shift and his human form gave way to something wilder, Jaemin's ancient bloodline responded to the lunar energy. They found themselves instinctively helping each other through the worst moments. Jeno's steady presence grounded Jaemin when the shedding threatened to overwhelm him, and Jaemin's serpent energy somehow eased the werewolf's transformation. At the weakest point of their creature self, they were able to help each other unknowingly.

By dawn, they sat together in exhausted silence, both returned to their human forms but still recovering from the weakness. An unknown bond seemed to form between them from last night’s shared experience. 

"Thank you," Jaemin said quietly. "I haven't had someone... help me through that since I was very young."

Jeno nodded, unsure how to put his own feelings into words. Something had shifted between them during those dark hours. A connection that went deeper than friendship but felt too fragile to examine closely. So Jeno decided to ignore it totally.

“We should take some rest.” He said for both of them as they looked exhausted. Jaemin just nodded with half-closed eyes. Soon enough, they fell asleep.

Chenle came running to Haechan and Renjun’s room, with Jisung behind him.

“You won’t believe what I just heard.” Chenle had an animated expression on his face. “Someone saw Jeno and Jaemin together this morning. They were sleeping side by side. Like this!” He pulled Jisung to lie his head on his shoulder and lay his own on top of his.

Jisung looked highly bored and sleepy. Clearly, Chenle had dragged him here just to show this. But Renjun and Haechan were highly surprised to hear this. Last night, Jeno left the room for his transformation, like all the other times. Renjun usually feels sensitive during these times as the aura around the campus changes drastically. So Haechan made a potion for him to calm down. They both drank that and slept. So they didn’t know anything about this.

“Jaemin? What was he doing out there?” Haechan asked.

“Serpents get their molting period during a full moon. They shred their skin. It’s equally painful as a transformation.” Renjun informed. “No wonder he was restless yesterday. It was even his first time here.”

“Poor guy.” Haechan agreed.

“You are getting diverted from the main topic!” Chenle exclaimed again.

“What are you guys talking about?” Mark entered the room just as Chenle was again starting to explain.

“Mark my man! You’re here! Did you hear what everyone is saying about your roommate?” Chenle almost jumped at Mark.

“What? No? What happened?” Mark was confused now.

So Chenle again started to describe what he heard from the other students.

He was in the middle of convincing Jisung to show the pose to Mark again, but Jisung was now done with the childishness. “Shut up, Chenle! You got me out of bed for this!”

That’s when Jeno entered his room. “What’s happening here?” Jaemin was behind him, looking equally confused.

Everyone in the room, including Chenle, froze in their spot seeing them. Until Haechan opened his loud mouth. “Did you guys sleep together last night?” Immediately, a painful groan followed that as Renjun pinched his arm.

“What are you even saying?” Jeno looked offended at the question, and even Jaemin got flustered.

The other guys all looked at Chenle with raised eyebrows. Who, in return, just scoffed at them for throwing him under the bus. “It’s just that I heard some students talk about seeing you two together.” He replied, shrugging his shoulders.

Just to fuel it more, Haechan enacted the same pose from earlier with Renjun. “Like this!”

Jaemin was now all red from embarrassment. Jeno was unable to form his answers. They indeed woke up like that earlier. But neither of them dared to talk about it. They just got up and decided to head back to their rooms. Jeno got to know that Jaemin actually had a room last night for his transformation. But he gave that to a 1st year student who forgot to ask for a room in advance.

But now Jeno had to answer his friends; otherwise, they would just keep assuming everything. “Nothing of that sort happened.” He protested weakly. “We were both having our transformations and decided to accompany each other.”

When the others made a “whoa” sound, he decided to continue, “It was Jaemin’s first time here. So it felt right. I would’ve done that for anyone else.”

Jaemin, behind him, somehow looked distraught. He looked hurt, though he tried not to show it. Nothing special.

“Yeah”, Jaemin replied from behind. “It was nothing much.” Making Jeno look back at him, surprisingly. Jaemin just sported an unreadable expression. Thus ending the whole conversation. The other guys also felt the matter was sensitive, so they just dropped it.

But as the days passed and they settled back into routine, the others couldn't help but notice the tension that now existed between them. Where before there had been cautious friendship growing into something warmer, now there was careful politeness masking something more complex.

It might have continued that way indefinitely, but fate had other plans.

Renjun and Haechan were out in the forest compound of the academy. It had been almost two weeks without any attacks happening. So students were again allowed in the surrounding premises of the academy. But till a certain point, not beyond that. So they were sitting beside the lake in the forest. Taking in the nature around them, Renjun felt like breathing again. Being a fairy and getting confined inside the building had him suffocated. So as soon as he got the chance, he came here. With Haechan. More like dragged him there. Haechan, being the carefree one, also agreed.

Renjun stole a glance at the other. The boy had a glowing aura around him all the time. They did bicker most of the time, but there was something else. The other guys always tease them, and they deny obviously. Still, there was some pull towards each other that they couldn’t deny. Neither Haechan. Right now, the wizard was swirling his wand over some branches, playing with the leaves and flowers. He looked the softest in that moment.

That reminded Renjun of his conversation with Jisung not so long ago.

“Renjun? Can I ask you something?” Jisung had asked him while coming back from the dinner on the day Jaemin arrived.

“Hmm?” Renjun had replied unattentively. But the next question from Jisung made him look at the guy.

“You know Haechan’s real name. Right?” Jisung had asked with a knowing smile. “When Jaemin asked about the name, I saw how you reacted.”

“Umm… It’s nothing.” Renjun reacted fast. “I mean, it’s not like he told me. I just got to know it somehow.”

“But he let you know it. You know him. If he wanted, he could’ve just made you forget it.” Jisung tried to make a point. ‘But he didn’t. That means something. He trusts you a lot. And maybe something more…”

“I don't wanna talk about this right now.” Renjun had shut down the conversation even before it could begin.

That day, if they had talked any more about it, he knew Jisung would’ve figured out his feelings for the wizard. Or maybe he already has. But Renjun doesn’t want to know. He has a bigger issue on his hands right now. He needed to talk to Haechan. And mostly that’s the reason he brought him out here.

“Hyuck?” Renjun called him out softly.

Haechan stopped his activities for a split second but didn’t seem startled. He just calmly hummed as a reply.

“So you knew?” Renjun asked him. “That I know ?”

“Yeah. Mostly from the start, I had a hunch. But I chose not to say anything.” He looked at Renjun. “Because it’s you. I trust you.”

Renjun felt flushed at his words. Before he could stop Haechan from saying anything more cheesy, the wizard continued.

“And I got my confirmation just some days ago.” Renjun looked at Haechan, surprisingly. “You actually called me by my name after drinking the potion that day.” Haechan laughed at Renjun’s expression. “You even said many more things.”

This time, Renjun hit him playfully. “Why didn’t you tell me before?” He hid his face behind his hands. “Oh God! I feel so embarrassed!” Haechan just kept laughing at his reaction.

“Hey, hey, hey!! Look at me.” Haechan detached Renjun’s hand from his face. “Do you know how cute you looked when you said all those things?” He chuckled and continued. “Usually, you are this grumpy person, but seeing you like that totally changed my perspective about you.” This time, Renjun would have hit him for real if he hadn’t had his hands in Haechan’s grip. Suddenly, Haechan pulled him closer. They were almost face-to-face. Making Renjun’s eyes go bigger. “Be honest me Renjun. Are you always this cute? Or is this just for me?”

All Renjun could do was look into Haechan’s eyes. The sincerity in them, even while asking such a baseless question, made him wonder. If that really was what he actually meant, or was it something else he was trying to ask? But even before Renjun could answer, he sensed some weird aura near them.

“There’s something here.” He said while looking everywhere.

“No. You can’t escape my question like that.” Haechan insisted.

“I’m not. Believe me. Something is here. I can sense it.” Renjun said with a frown.

And this time, Haechan couldn’t ignore him. He was about to let go of Renjun to look back when darkness surrounded them. His first instinct was to grab his wand and protect Renjun. Although Renjun was a pretty powerful fairy, he was still tiny and needed protection.

The shadow was a lot bigger than they had imagined from all the descriptions. Almost formed the shape of a body. The sharp soul digging nails and the burning fire in the eyes. Haechan was ready to strike. He lifted his wand and cast a spell, throwing the shadow back. But that made the creature more mad. It charged at Haechan, and this time, he was not able to protect himself. He was thrown to the ground by the force of the attack. Renjun shouted at the scene and tried to save him. But got caught by the demonic creature.

"Where is the demigod?" It demanded, grabbing Renjun by the throat and lifting him effortlessly. "We know he is here. We can smell him. Tell us, and your death will be swift."

Renjun was trying to get out of its grip, conjuring a shock pulse for the blow.

"We don't know what you're talking about!" Haechan shouted. He noticed Renjun getting ready to attack, so he prepared himself as he tried to reach him. "There's no demigod here!"

“Lies. What a Snake!” The demon laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "But no matter. We will find him soon enough."

Snake. The word hit Haechan like a revelation, but before he could process it fully, Renjun attacked the demon with full force. Haechan was also prepared with his wand. As soon as the creature hit the ground this time, Haechan cast a spell and captured him. The shadow was writhing inside the bound, trying to get out.

“I won’t be able to hold it off for a long time. Please call for help,” Haechan shouted at Renjun. Who, in return, nodded fiercely and flew off to inform the faculty. Within minutes, they reached there and were stunned to actually see the demon captured. Warlock Young cast another heavy spell on it, and then the principal instructed to keep it captured inside the school under a protective spell. They praised the boys for their courage and asked them to visit the infirmary.

When the faculty left them alone, they sat speechless in their seats for some moments. Then Renjun lifted his hand and asked for Haechan’s injured hand. He gave that without any words. Renjun was healing the wound with his fairy magic silently when Haechan called him.

“Renjun?” Making him look at the wizard. Haechan looked like he had a lot of things to say. But Renjun was not in the mood for listening. He just grabbed his collar with the other hand and pulled him in for a kiss. Haechan was startled at first, but melted into it slowly. It was sweet, longing, and fierce at the same time. When they broke apart, Renjun had tears in his eyes.

“How can you be so careless? What if you were injured more? What if I were not able to cure you like this? What if something had happened to you? What would I have done then? Who would bicker with me all the time? Who would call me a grumpy face? Who wo…” He didn’t get to finish as Haechan pulled into a kiss again. This time, he grabbed Renjun’s face in his hands, caressing his cheeks and wiping the tears.

“Shh… See, I am okay. Nothing happened. I had to protect my tiny fairy. Because I still needed his answers. Which, by the way, was ruined by that stupid demon. But being honest, I kinda like this type of romance.” Haechan tried to joke.

But Renjun was serious. “You already know my answer. Hyuck, I can’t lose you. I hate being cheesy, but I can’t live without you. Remember that.”

Haechan just cooed at his fairy and engulfed him in a hug. They were in their own bubble when they heard a throat clearing. It was their friends.

“Ahem… Are we interrupting something?” Jeno asked with a smirk. In answer, they both just blushed. The five of them entered the room and joined the hug. Jaemin was still awkward, but went with it. He was equally worried about his friends.

“I am glad you guys are safe. We were so scared.” He said to them, and the others agreed.

“Yeah. But it looks like another issue also got solved? Wanna tell something?” Jisung asked them.

“Nothing yet. But maybe soon?” Haechan looked at Renjun, who smiled and held his hand tightly.

By nightfall, faculty worked frantically to strengthen the protective barriers, but the atmosphere of safety that was gradually returning to the NCT Academy was again shattered.

After dinner, he group again gathered in Jeno’s room to discuss the incident. Haechan informed them about what the demon told them. 

“A demigod? Among us?” Mark almost shrieked at the revelation.

“Not only that. But also a snake?” Chenle spoke this time.

All eyes turned to Jaemin, who had gone very still. He was equally confused, just as they were.

"You're the only serpent here," Chenle said gently. “So…”

"Are you?" Jisung asked directly this time. "Are you a demigod?"

“What?” Jaemin laughed awkwardly. "No way.”

“Is anyone in your family a demigod?” This was it was Renjun who asked.

“Not that I know of? I live with my father. I have never seen my mother. And honestly, I don't know her. My father told me stories about an angel when I was young, said my mother was... special. But he's never given me straight answers."

"What about your powers?" Mark pressed. "The way you fought those demons was beyond normal serpent magic."

"I've always been stronger than I should be," Jaemin admitted. "But I assumed it was a royal bloodline. My father is the Serpent King. I always thought I was half angel because of his words. Demigod? I don’t think so!"

Jeno, who had been silent through most of the interrogation, finally spoke. "We need answers. And if these demons are coming for you, we need them fast. And there's only one way to find out." Everyone else looked at him. “We need to ask the demon.”

“Have you gone mad? The academy will never allow you to go there.” Mark shouted.

Jaemin said, decision crystallizing in his voice. "No. I do need to go and uncover the truth if the academy is in danger because of me."

"You're not going alone," Jeno said immediately.

The others looked at him in surprise. It was the first time he'd shown such direct concern for Jaemin since their awkward morning after the full moon. Jaemin was about to protest when Renjun held his hand.

"Jeno's right," Renjun added. "Whatever this is, we face it together."

"The faculty will never let a group of students enter the confinement," Jisung pointed out.

"Then we don't ask permission," Haechan replied, already planning the next steps.

In the middle of the night, they sneaked Jaemin into the highly guarded prison area. It was Haechan and Renjun casting their magic together to create an illusion. Soon their path was clear. They reached the cell where the demon was kept. Jaemin was looking at everything in awe. Cells to keep in magical creatures were surely different. But their surprise came to an end as soon as they saw the enraged demon. It was growling as if boiling with anger. The rage fire in it’s eyes started burning high as it saw them. Or more like saw Jaemin. It seemed to recognise him.

“Oh, the snake is here! At last! Such a lowlife. And he’s trying to be a demigod. We won’t let this happen. He won’t allow this! You’ll die. Soon you’ll die. You disgusting snake!” The shadow kept shouting and cursing at Jaemin so much that he got scared. Jeno noticed this and immediately shielded him behind and instructed Haechan to shut the demon up. Haechan cast another spell, making the demon silent. It looked scarier like that. Opening his mouth and shouting, but no sound came in. Renjun looked at Jaemin, who had his eyes closed in fear and was almost shivering. He asked the others to leave the place. They made sure to lift their magic as soon as they reached outside the gate.

Renjun hugged Jaemin. “Are you okay?”

Jaemin just shook his head in a no. The other guys engulfed him in a hug. “For now, let’s go to our rooms and take some rest. We will talk about this later.” Jeno told everyone.

As they were leaving, a voice interrupted them from behind. “What are you guys doing here?” It was none other than Principal Teuk. The angel’s voice made them shiver at the thought of getting caught.

“We couldn’t sleep. After everything that happened today.” Jisung answered. The principal always had a soft spot for the elf. So the others just nodded with him.

The angel’s ancient eyes held a mixture of concern and resignation. He just sighed and then looked at Jaemin.

"Jaemin, your father has requested your immediate return," he said to him. "And given the circumstances, I'm inclined to grant it. I assume you already know the reason.” He eyed the guys once before paying attention to Jaemin. “But you'll need an escort."

Jaemin looked at his friends, then at Jeno specifically. Who nodded in return. "Can Jeno come with me? "

The principal nodded as if he'd expected this. "Jeno, you have permission to accompany Jaemin to the Serpent Kingdom. But understand something, if these attacks are connected to his presence here, you may be walking into considerable danger."

"I understand," Jeno replied without hesitation.

The angel nodded again, “Alright then. Be ready to leave tomorrow.” Then he looked at everyone else. “Everyone, be safe. After all these are done, I want to see the seven of you in my office. Remember.” And then he left them there stunned.

As the others reluctantly accepted that they would have to remain behind to help protect the academy, Jaemin and Jeno prepared for a journey the next day. One that would change everything they thought they knew about power, love, and sacrifice.

The Serpent Kingdom awaited, along with truths that would shake the very foundations of their world.

The journey to the Serpent Kingdom took them through landscapes that shifted from the familiar forests around NCT Academy to increasingly otherworldly terrain. After passing through the portal, as they traveled deeper into the serpent territory of the underworld, Jeno noticed the change in Jaemin almost immediately.

Gone was the carefully controlled student who had walked the academy halls with measured steps. The shy guy who always controlled his gestures and emotions in front of everyone. In his place emerged someone more fluid, more naturally commanding. Jaemin's movements became more graceful, his posture more regal, and when he spoke to the various serpent guards and officials they encountered, his voice carried unmistakable authority.

"You're different here," Jeno observed as they were escorted through the grand gates of the serpent palace.

Jaemin glanced at him, a slight smile playing at his lips. "This is home. I don't have to pretend to be less than I am."

The palace itself was breathtaking. Carved from what appeared to be a single massive Sepentine gemstone, with corridors that curved and flowed like living things. Like a snake. Gardens filled with exotic plants that seemed to respond to Jaemin's presence lined their path, and everywhere they looked, serpent courtiers bowed deeply to their prince.

Jeno felt somewhat out of place in his simple academy uniform, but Jaemin seemed determined to share his world with the werewolf and show him around.

"These are my precious garden," Jaemin explained as they walked through a section filled with exotic trees. "Each one holds precious memories. You’ll only find them in the underworld. And this," he gestured to a magnificent hall with walls that seemed to shift and move, "is where my father holds court."

"It's incredible," Jeno said, and meant it. The raw power and ancient wisdom embedded in every stone were palpable. Everything was so grand around here. "I can see why you seemed restless at the academy."

"Restless?" Jaemin paused midtour, looking genuinely curious.

"Like you were holding yourself back.” Jeno explained.” Containing something too big for the space you were in."

The insight struck deeper than Jaemin expected. He half smiled, "Well, I've spent so long learning to hide what I am that sometimes I forget what that feels like."

Jeno wasn’t sure what he actually meant by that. But he hoped to get all the answers soon.

They went quiet once the tour was over, leaving only the echo of distant water and soft rustling from the gardens below. Jeno and Jaemin ended up on the prince’s floor balcony, carved into the side of the royal chambers. Natural light draped over the marble railing, making Jaemin shine more.

Jeno had never seen him so relaxed, so relaxed and… belonging.

Jaemin leaned forward, resting his arms on the railing. “You know,” he said softly, “I just have been away for some time. But everything feels familiar and strange at the same time. Is this even normal?”

Jeno hummed, waiting. He had learned that Jaemin opened up only when given space, not questions.

“Maybe because I don’t know if I actually belong here or not!” He continued making Jeno hold his hand assuringly.

Jaemin paused. After a moment, he exhaled.

“There’s something I never told anyone,” he said. “Not because I don’t trust people… but because I didn’t know how to explain it. It felt childish, and they might not have believed me.”

Jeno turned to him, silently encouraging. “If you’re comfortable, I am all ears. I swear I won’t judge.”

Jaemin’s eyes softened. He smiled softly and started. “When I was little, maybe five or six, I used to come to the gardens alone. My father was always busy, and the caretakers were always watching me, but I hated attention. So I’d sneak out through this tiny hole in the wall behind my room.” He pointed in a direction, chuckling. “I don’t even know if I could fit through it now.”

Jeno pictured tiny Jaemin wriggling through stone and hiding in a garden full of sacred beasts. The image warmed something inside him.

“But that’s not the whole story.” Jaemin continued. “One night, I climbed out like I always did. I just wanted to see the little spirit-snakes. They glow when they’re excited, you know? It feels like sleeping beside stars.” Jeno saw the glow in Jaemin’s eyes, like he was there again. “And then… I heard singing.” His voice dropped, fragile. “I followed it. It was so soft I thought I had imagined it. But the moment I stepped into the clearing, all the snakes bent their heads to the ground. I’d never seen them do that.”

“Why? What did you see?” Jeno murmured curiously.

Jaemin swallowed. “A woman. Dressed in white. Her back was to me, but she was glowing, brighter than the snakes, brighter than the moon. I knew I should be scared; I was so little. But I wasn’t. She turned around and smiled at me.” His fingers trembled lightly on the railing as he gripped them. “She… she knew my name.”

Jeno’s breath caught, totally immersed in the story.

“I remember asking her who she was.” Jaemin’s voice wavered. “She knelt and touched my face and said…” He paused, eyes distant. 

“I am the one who brought you into this world, my little serpent.”

Jeno froze. A small gasp unknowingly leaves his mouth. Jaemin also gave a small, helpless laugh.

“I didn’t understand, of course. I thought she was one of my nursemaids or something. Before I could ask more, she kissed my forehead. I remember it so clearly. It felt warm. Like the whole world suddenly loved me.” His smile fell. “And then she disappeared. Just like that. Like she was never there. When I told my father… he cried. That was the only time I ever saw him cry.”

The silence between them thickened. But not heavy, more tender.

Jeno spoke softly. “So… you met your mother.”

“I think so,” Jaemin whispered. “Or maybe it was a dream. Or maybe I just wanted it to be true.” He looked down. “I always wondered why she never came back.”

Jeno’s jaw tightened. Not from anger, but from the ache of wanting to protect him from everything he could not change. The emotions were getting to him badly.

“You must’ve felt very lonely here,” Jeno murmured.

Jaemin blinked, startled by the gentleness in his tone.

“Yes,” he admitted, voice small. “Even in a palace full of people. Even with a father who loved me. I felt like half of me was missing.”

Jeno hesitated only a moment before he slowly reached out and covered Jaemin’s hand with his own again. Jaemin stiffened, but only for a second. Then he let out a shaky breath and intertwined their fingers slightly.

“I hope,” Jeno said quietly, “you don’t feel alone this time.”

Something fragile broke inside Jaemin’s chest, replaced by warmth. He leaned just a little closer. “For the first time,” he whispered, “maybe I’m not.”

Jeno wanted to ask more about him, but was interrupted by the butler greeting them. “My lord, the majesty is here.” He bowed in front of them. And then the Serpent King entered the room. A figure who radiated power and wisdom in equal measure. Jaemin's father was tall and elegant, with the same sharp features as his son but carrying the weight of millennia in his ancient eyes. The father-son duo hugged each other as soon as they saw each other. The king inquired about his son's whereabouts and how he was adjusting to his new surroundings. Jaemin told him all the stories and then asked him about his main concern.

“Father, who am I? Why do those demons keep calling me a demigod? And why do they even want me dead?” Jaemin asked the king, clearly showing his frustration. The king just sighed, hugging his son, until he noticed Jeno.

"Jeno of the Lycaeus line," the King said, his voice carrying harmonics that seemed to resonate in the werewolf's bones. "Welcome to our kingdom. I owe you a debt of gratitude for protecting my son."

Jeno bowed in front of the serpent king. "I would do it again. Anytime." Jeno replied simply and glanced at Jaemin. Who was already looking at him.

The King studied Jeno for a long moment, as if weighing his sincerity. He looked at his own son once and then nodded approvingly. "Yes, I believe you would.” Then he gestured to them, ”Come, both of you. We have much to discuss."

What followed that was a revelation that shattered everything Jaemin thought he knew about his heritage.

The Serpent King led them to his private chambers. Just beside it was a huge library, where ancient tapestries told stories of wars fought between immortals and mortals. Jeno was in awe as he reached there. The place was filled with different types of books, diaries, ledgers, and a lot of other data. In between all of that, they sat down. There, surrounded by the weight of history, he finally told his son the truth.

"Your mother," The king began, his voice heavy with old pain, "was Eileithyia, the goddess of Birth."

Jaemin went very still. "The goddess…? What? But I thought..."

The king shook his head, "I know! I always told you stories of an angel because the truth was too dangerous. During the great war between the realms, she saved my life when I was mortally wounded. We fell in love during my recovery, and for a brief, shining time, we were happy."

The Serpent King was fighting in one of the Great Magical Wars between realms. Though he was feared for his venom, strength, and command over ancient beasts, he was still mortal, and during the war, he was gravely injured by a divine weapon. Bleeding out and moments from death, he collapsed near a portal-crossing where the mortal and divine realms briefly touched.
Eileithyia, who often appeared in moments of birth and death transitions, sensed a life fading too early. She descended out of compassion. Not knowing he was a king, not knowing he was a serpent shifter, only that a living being called out in pain.

So she healed him. And in doing so, she saw the gentleness beneath his monstrous form.
He also saw a goddess who did not flinch from his scales and fangs. The first divine being who looked at him without disdain.

He fell first. She fell slowly.
But she stayed longer than she was allowed to.

The King's eyes grew distant with memory. "But our union was forbidden. A serpent king, tied to the underworld through ancient pacts, and a goddess of the upper realms… it violated the cosmic balance. When you were born, Hades himself came to demand your death."

Jeno felt his protective instincts surge at the casual mention of infanticide, but he remained silent as the story continued.

"Your mother made a bargain," the King said, his voice breaking slightly. "Her freedom for your life. The goddess of birth. No way she was losing you. She returned to her divine duties, and I raised you alone, always knowing that your mixed heritage made you powerful beyond measure... and equally dangerous to those who prefer the status quo."

He paused and sighed again, but then continued. “That’s why I always asked you to suppress your powers, to control your emotions. I was always scared that if you somehow lose control, they’ll track you down.”

Jaemin was crying now, tears streaming down his face as he processed the magnitude of his mother's sacrifice. Jeno moved instinctively to his side, offering silent support.

"The demons," Jaemin managed. "They're coming for me because of what I am."

"Hades grows tired of the balance your existence represents," his father confirmed with his head down. "And now that your powers are awakening fully…" He gestured, and Jaemin realized that his emotional response to the revelation was causing serpentine energy to swirl visibly around them.

"My powers?" Jaemin was very shocked. That was the first time he lost control over his emotions in a long time.

"You are half-god, Jaemin. Your potential is limitless. I actually sent you to the academy for that reason. Only there would you be able to contain these divine powers. Your principal knew everything about it and assured your safety there. Angels can help you control the powers.” The king stood up to support his son this time. Taking him in his embrace. “But Hades will not allow you to reach full maturity. The attacks on your academy are just the beginning."

Jeno stepped forward. "Then we fight. We protect him."

The Serpent King looked at the young werewolf with something approaching surprise. "You would stand against gods for my son?"

"I would stand against anyone for him." Jeno nodded. “We all will. He is our friend.”

The simple declaration hung in the air between them, loaded with implications none of them were quite ready to address. The king was delighted to hear Jeno’s affirmative words. He hugged and thanked him. Then he turned towards Jaemin, “My son, I know today you got to know about so many things, you were not prepared for. But I hope you can forget your father for being protective. I just didn't want to lose you.” 

Jaemin hugged his father tight, “No, Father. I can never be angry or disappointed at you. You were just trying to keep me alive. Protect me. And I am so grateful for that. Don’t worry, I am leaving you anytime soon.” He chuckled as he said that. It was an emotional moment between the father and son. Between the king and the prince, who was always told to control his emotions. But in this moment, they both lost control.

The king just hugged him tighter and then whispered to him, “Also, son, this wolf is a gem. Don’t ever lose him. Okay? Otherwise, you might never find someone like him.” Making Jaemin blush. 

Then the king turned to leave the room. “I will leave you two alone for a moment. I believe you guys need some time to collect your thoughts.” The door closed behind him with a soft thud.

For a long moment, neither spoke.

Jaemin sat on the edge of the bed, fingers curled tightly into the blankets. His father’s words, “demigod”, “hunted”, “destined”, “forbidden union” ... kept swirling in his head. He had lived his entire life not knowing who he truly was, and now everything made sense. Every strange feeling, every dream, every instinct. But none of it hurt as much as the fear that Jeno would look at him differently now. How will his friends think about him?

Across the room, Jeno stood with his back pressed to the wall, arms crossed over his chest as if holding himself together. His jaw was tight, eyes fixed on the floor… but Jaemin could see the storm inside him. Jeno had always been steady, grounded. Yet now, he looked shaken, struggling, almost breathless.

Jaemin swallowed. “Jeno? Say something.”

Jeno lifted his head slowly. His voice was low, rough. “I’m trying to understand everything we just heard.”

Jaemin’s heart clenched. “About me?”

“About all of it.” Jeno pushed off the wall and came closer. “About you being hunted by gods and demons your entire life. About Hades trying to kill you before you were even born. About you hiding so much pain behind that smile.”

He stopped only a few inches away. Close enough for Jaemin to feel the warmth radiating off him. Jaemin’s breath hitched. “Do you… Hate me now? See me differently?”

“Hate you?” Jeno whispered, stunned. “Jaemin, no… I don’t see you as different.” He sighed and continued like he was talking to a child, “Jaemin, we are all some kind of magical creatures. We are different in our own ways. And that is our uniqueness. Some of us have greater powers and greater responsibilities. And you just happen to be one of them.” He broke off, raking a hand through his hair. “But it’s still a lot to take in. I just… I don’t know what I feel right now.’

But Jaemin did. He knew exactly what he had been feeling for months. Ever since that full moon night when Jeno found him writhing in agony and stayed beside him until sunrise.

So he took a step forward. And another. Until their hands brushed.

“Jeno,” he murmured, “Thank you for always being there for me. Even when I didn’t trust myself.” His fingers trembled as he reached for Jeno’s wrist. “I know this is a lot. But I… I am glad you are here with me.”

Jeno froze as Jaemin’s touch slid warm and gentle against his skin. His heartbeat thundered in his ears. He didn’t pull away. Not yet.

He just whispered, “Jaemin… what are you doing?” He gestured at his hands.

“Being honest.” Jaemin’s voice wavered, but he held Jeno’s gaze. “I’ve liked you for a long time now. Maybe more than I should.” A faint smile tugged at his lips. “I know you feel something too. Even if you’re afraid to name it. Don’t you?”

Jeno’s breath caught. He did feel something. Something huge, terrifying, magnetic. But love? He didn’t know. Not yet. And the fear of misinterpreting his own heart wrapped around him like chains.

“I don’t know. I… I don’t want to hurt you,” he murmured, stepping back a fraction.

Jaemin’s hand followed his movement, refusing to let go.

“You won’t,” he said quietly. “Not if you’re honest with me.”

That was when Jaemin leaned in. Not kissing him, not crossing a line. Just hovering close enough for Jeno to feel the warmth of his breath on his cheek. Close enough to make the decision hang dangerously between them.

Jeno’s entire body went tense. He wanted this. But at the same time, he was terrified of this. He didn’t know if the ache in his chest was love or just the instinct to protect Jaemin with everything he had. Jaemin, who was still vulnerable and emotional from the earlier revelations. He didn’t mean to break him anymore. So he opened his mouth to speak, “Jaemin, I…”

But the air tore open in a burst of light.

Two shimmering holographic figures materialized right beside them.

“Shit! Sorry! We didn’t know!” The figure tried to avert their eyes.

“Haechan?” Jaemin gasped.

Renjun’s voice beside him cracked through the static. “Guys, we’re in trouble. Big trouble!”

Haechan’s projection flickered violently. Behind him, the sounds of screams from students, furniture crashing, spells exploding.

“We’re under attack,” Haechan yelled. “The demons… there’s too many…”

Renjun continued frantically, “After you guys left, the captured demon somehow sneaked out.” He looked at Haechan once before continuing. “It not only attacked us, but also called out to the other demons. The faculty thought he would never be able to connect outside because of the protection spell.” The fear in his eyes was evident.

Haechan agreed, “But then the students who went missing before and came back, the ones who had lost memories, started to join his side. It looks like they are in a trance. It’s so scary here. And we just can't attack our classmates.” The line was breaking this time. Jeno and Jaemin listened to them, terrified of the situation.

Renjun shouted one last time before the holograms started to vanish. “Jaemin, Jeno, you need to come back now!. We need you here!”

Before Jeno or Jaemin could respond, the projection crackled, distorted, and shattered like glass. Silence fell through the room again. Jeno met Jaemin’s wide, terrified eyes. There was no space left for confusion. No time for half-answers. He grabbed Jaemin’s hand firmly, “We need to inform your father.”

They ran out to find the king. Once they found him in his chambers, Jaemin described everything to his father.

“Father, we need to go there as soon as possible.” Jaemin finished his explanation.

“I understand that. But how can I let you guys go alone like this? Also in such a sensitive moment?” The king looked puzzled.

“Sir, do not worry. We will take care of ourselves. Even all our friends and faculty are there. I hope we are capable enough to manage everything on our own.” Jeno tried to reassure him.

“Wait.” The king looked at Jaemin, “Before you leave, I need to give you something.”

He went to search for something in another room adjacent to his chambers and came back after some time. "Drink this," he said, producing a vial filled with liquid that seemed to contain starlight. Looking at them being confused, he said, "It is to unlock your full divine heritage. I always kept this handy for such a moment like this. I had to keep your other powers hidden until now. But understand one thing. Once you take this step, there will be no going back to the old life you knew."

Jaemin looked at the potion, then at Jeno, whose eyes held nothing but trust and determination.

"We go forward together," Jeno said.

Jaemin drank. The transformation wasn’t immediate, but it felt overwhelming. Power flooded through him like liquid fire, awakening something inside him. He felt his already formidable serpentine magic expanding exponentially. But more than that, he could feel the new powers stirring inside him, making him more confident.

"Are you okay?" Jeno asked quietly.

Jaemin nodded. "More myself than I've ever been," 

“The potion will take full effect within some hours. After that, your powers will bloom.” The king informed them. “And before you go, please take some soldiers with you.”

They took the king’s blessing and best wishes with them and started their journey. 

“Let’s go,” Jeno said, voice steady again. “We’ll figure the rest out later. I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

Jaemin didn’t answer. He just squeezed Jeno’s hand back, once, tight, grateful. And together they ran toward the storm waiting for them.

The journey back to NCT Academy was unlike their trip to the Serpent Kingdom. Where before they had traveled as student and escort, now they moved as something approaching equals. Though Jeno was still adjusting to the reality of Jaemin's transformed nature.

The prince's new divine heritage manifested in subtle ways. The way shadows seemed to bend around him, how his presence made magical creatures in the forests bow their heads in instinctive respect, and most noticeably, an otherworldly beauty that made even Jeno struggle to maintain his composure.

"You're staring," Jaemin said without looking at him as they came near the portal. After this, they’ll reach the forest behind the academy.

"Sorry. It's just..." Jeno paused, searching for words. "You're … glowing. I mean, I can’t help but notice."

Jaemin glanced at him once. "Does it bother you?"

The vulnerability in Jaemin's voice made Jeno stop walking entirely. "What? No. But it makes me realize how much I am still lost about my feelings for you." Jeno said it without even realising.

It was the closest either of them had come to addressing the tension that had been building between them, and Jaemin felt his newly awakened divine senses respond to the werewolf's emotional honesty. He could feel Jeno's attraction, his confusion, his fierce protectiveness, and underlying it all, something deeper that neither of them had named yet. Jaemin reached for him, and when their hands touched, Jeno felt the force of the transformed prince's nature. Something that didn't frighten him at all.

"When this is over," Jaemin said quietly, "we'll figure it out together."

But as they approached the academy, it became clear that "this" was far from over. The academy was under siege. The protective barriers that had safeguarded the school for centuries flickered weakly, constantly assaulted by waves of demonic energy. Students and faculty worked desperately to maintain the defenses, but it was clear they were losing ground.

Mark spotted them first as they approached the main gates. His shapeshifter abilities had been pushed to their limits. He'd been cycling through different forms for hours, trying to find something that could effectively fight the demons.

"Thank the gods you're back," he gasped, momentarily taking his natural form before shifting into something with claws and armor-like skin. "It started right after you left. The demons just keep coming."

They found the rest of their friends in the Hall, which had been converted into a makeshift command center. Haechan's usual playful demeanor was nowhere to be seen as he coordinated defensive spells with several other wizards. Renjun flitted between groups, using his fairy nature to carry messages and supplies where they were needed most. Chenle's siren nature was creating hallucinations to distract the demons, while Jisung worked with the academic staff to search for weaknesses in demonic magic. Every other student, even first years, was working together to fight off the demons and their classmates.

But despite their efforts, everyone looked exhausted and desperate.

Just then, one student tried to strike an attack on Jaemin. As if they already knew he was their target. Jeno noticed it and tackled the goblin easily. Now even Jaemin was alert. As soon as another student tried to attack him, he activated his sleep venom to make them unconscious.

“What’s happening? What’s wrong with them?” Jeno shouted as soon as he saw Renjun.

"They're helping the demons," Haechan said grimly. "Like they're under some kind of control. We can't bring ourselves to hurt our classmates, but they have no such boundaries about hurting us."

Jaemin stepped forward, and immediately the atmosphere in the hall changed. His divine presence was impossible to ignore, and several students actually bowed to him or held their heads down without realizing why.

"Where are they now?" he asked, his voice carrying authority that resonated with power.

Principal Teuk appeared beside them, his ancient face showing relief at their return. "Contained, for now. But Prince Jaemin..." He paused, clearly sensing the dramatic change in the young man's nature. "What happened to you?"

Jaemin, more confident than he was before, replied, "I learned the truth about my heritage. And I'm ready to end this."

The principal just nodded and asked them to get ready and follow him to the battleground. The battle that followed would be remembered in the academy's history for generations.

Jaemin's awakened powers allowed him to do what none of the other defenders could. He could lure in the controlled students without being overwhelmed by the demonic influence. With the help of the other students, one by one, he drew the shadow magic from their thoughts, purifying them with his divine nature while his serpent abilities helped him to make them unconscious with the sleep venom.

Jeno fought beside him, his werewolf strength enhanced by his connection to the newly awakened demigod. Where Jaemin's power was elegant and controlled, Jeno's was raw and fierce, like his inner animal, protecting his prince from any demon that managed to slip past the magical defenses.

Their friends formed a protective circle around them, each contributing their unique abilities to hold back the endless waves of attackers. Mark cycled through forms optimized for different types of demons, Haechan's spells worked with renewed intensity, Renjun's fairy magic created shields of light and also healed them when needed, Chenle's songs disrupted demonic coordination, and Jisung's scholarly knowledge provided crucial tactical information.

For a moment, it seemed like they might actually win. The situation looked under their control. They had already taken down most of the demons, and the students were put to sleep, confined to a safer place. The soldiers from the serpent kingdom had also arrived. 

But then the sky split open with black thunder. They were all thrown away by the force of it. When the smoke cleared, everyone saw that Hades himself had descended to the battlefield.

The God of the Dead was nothing like the academic descriptions they had read. Where those texts spoke of grim authority and cold power, the reality of Hades was overwhelming malevolence given form. His very presence turned the air frigid, and shadows deepened into pools of absolute darkness that seemed to swallow light and hope alike.

"So," Hades said, his voice carrying the finality of the grave, "the snake finally shows his true colors."

Jaemin got up and stepped forward, his divine heritage allowing him to meet the god's gaze without flinching. "This doesn't have to involve any of them. Your problem is with me."

All his friends looked at each other, confused. The conversation was not what they expected. Only Jeno looked at the situation with fear. He could see the prince now glowing more than before.

“What is happening?” Haechan whispered curiously.

“Jaemin is the demigod they are looking for. He didn't know about his heritage. But now his powers are unleashing.” Jeno informed them.

Their friends just went “Whoa” with the revelation as the scene between God and the demigod played in front of them.

"My Problem is with the cosmic imbalance your very existence represents," Hades replied. "But you're right. It does end with you." He laughed cruelly. “You’re nothing but a coward and a disgrace. Just like your snake nature. A demigod who was afraid to show his powers to anyone. I shouldn't have let you live from the start. It just disrupted the balance of the universe. And Zeus was pissed at it.” He conjured his attacks,” So now I had to correct my mistake and finish you.”

And the clash started. The first exchange of power between them shattered windows throughout the academy and sent shockwaves rippling across the magical realm. 

The demon army was bigger than the last time. All the students got scattered around the ground to defend themselves. Jaemin's newly awakened abilities were formidable, but he was still learning to control them. Hades had millennia of experience and the casual cruelty that came with absolute power. When they came face to face, Hades noticed the rise in his power. He just sneered at him and doubled the attack. Making it difficult for Jaemin to hold up resistance. 

That’s when Jeno leaped to Jaemin's defense. Hades barely glanced at him. "A werewolf. How... quaint." The dismissiveness lasted exactly as long as it took Jeno to land his first strike. The god's eyes widened as he realized he was facing not just any werewolf, but one of the pure bloodline. Descendants of the original Lycaon, with power that could rival divine beings under the right circumstances.

"Interesting, a Lyceaus wolf!" Hades mused, dark energy swirling around him as he prepared a more serious attack. "But still mortal." He struck him with his bident hard enough to throw him off to the ground at a distance.

That scene somehow enraged Jaemin more. He shouted for Jeno. And when he saw the guy hurt badly, he couldn’t control himself anymore. A sudden burst of light emitted from his whole body, blinding everyone. Even Hades stopped for a moment.

When the light faded, Jeno found himself looking at someone who was still unmistakably Jaemin, but elevated to something magnificent and terrifying in its beauty. Divine power radiated from him in waves, and his eyes now held depths that spoke of cosmic understanding. He made a low hum vibration that called forth creatures from the deep places of the earth. Army of snakes, beasts, monsters, and even ancient things that predated even the gods. His divine heritage allowed him to command powers of growth and renewal that directly opposed Hades' dominion over death and decay. Soon, there was an army in front of them. Who all bowed to Jaemin, and in his command, they started to fight off the demons one by one. Overpowering them easily.

For a split moment, Jeno saw a glimpse of fear in Hades’ eyes. And that’s when it became clear to him. It’s not just because of the divine imbalance. The main reason was fear. Jaemin was like a threat to Hades. The apprehension of the demigod being more powerful than him one day, having both the powers of the underworld and the divine. And that’s why Hades wanted him gone from the start.

Renjun and other fairies helped Jeno recover as much as they could. Even his own body was in self-recovery mode. Jeno came back soon and fought with the fury of a wolf defending his mate. His Lycaeus bloodline granted him strength and speed that let him keep pace with divine combat. He became Jaemin's shield and sword, intercepting attacks that could have destroyed the young prince while creating openings for Jaemin's counterstrikes.

Their friends tried to help, too, but the level of power being thrown around made it dangerous for them to get too close. Instead, they focused on defeating demons, evacuation, getting students and faculty to safety while the divine battle raged in the academy's courtyard.

The army of beasts had overpowered the demons and was cleaning them one by one. The students and Jeno were also fighting them off.  Working together, they managed to push Hades and his demon army back, their combined attacks overwhelming even his divine defenses. Jaemin's power was growing stronger by the moment as he learned to fully integrate his heritage. Hades’ continued verbal and physical attacks made him more furious with time. Soon, he was losing control of himself. His friends got scared to see him like that. Even Jeno shouted at him to calm down.

But Jaemin was not listening to anyone anymore. It felt like he was now moving with something different in his mind. Every moment of fear flashed in the mind. His father, crying for his mother. Him not get the motherly love he deserved. His getting protected by his father for life. His friends and Jeno are getting attacked. And everything made him unleash more and more of his powers. He closed his eyes for a moment and raised his arm in front. And when he opened it, inside was a gem shining and spreading light throughout the field, making everyone stop. Jisung gasped at the scene, murmuring, “The serpent stone. Only the worthy can wield it!”

Then Jaemin opened his eyes. Hades in front of him looked somewhat conflicted. He saw the gemstone in Jaemin’s hand. He was ready to attack again when Jaemin suddenly conjured the full strength of the stone to strike Hades. The serpent stone was a divine weapon. It had the power to hurt and injure even gods. And that somehow scared Hades for a moment.

Until the sky split open again, and another divine figure descended in front of them.

This one radiated warmth and life, everything that Hades was not. She was beautiful beyond mortal comprehension, with eyes that held the promise of something new. When she touched the ground, flowers bloomed in her footsteps. Making everyone on the battlefield more confused.

"Eileithyia," Hades said, his voice holding notes of both anger and authority.

The divine figure walked towards Jaemin. "My son," she said, looking at Jaemin with motherly love and regret. She touched his cheek, making him forget all his fury. His eyes and mind again came back to their normal self.

Jaemin stood still in the middle of the ground in front of her. This reunion was everything he had dreamed of and feared in equal measure. His mother was exactly as beautiful and divine as he'd imagined, and remembered from that childhood encounter. But her presence on the battlefield filled him with dread.

"Mother?" he asked, lowering his guard, looking at her.

"My beautiful boy," she said, reaching out to touch his face again. "You've grown so big and strong. So much like your father, but you have my eyes."

“Are you really my mother?” Jaemin again wanted to confirm.

“Yes, my son. I am your unfortunate mother.” Eileithyia replied with love-filled in her voice.

And that’s what it all took for Jaemin to break. He hugged her instantly. “Do you know how much I have missed you? Whenever I craved for a mother and your love, you weren’t there for me.” They both were crying by then. “I saw everyone else getting coddled and coaxed by their mothers, and I wanted that too. Even though I was a prince, even though I always had abundance, I still never had my mother.”

“I did all that for you, my son. I had to sacrifice to save you.” His mother was crying as she spoke. “I wanted you to live a good life.”

“Enough of all the sacrifices. Now I will put an end to this. I will finish Hades, and then we can live peacefully. All of us. Together.” Jaemin was not happy with the ongoing conversation and could feel the dread in his stomach. So he asked, "But why are you here now?"

Eileithyia's expression grew pained. "To stop you from making the terrible mistake."

Before Jaemin could ask what she meant, she turned to address both him and Hades. "This ends now. I won't allow either of you to destroy the balance of the cosmos over your pride."

"The balance?" Jaemin said, confusion clear in his voice. "But Hades here is trying to kill me. I'm just defending myself."

" And if you kill him," his mother said gently, "what do you think happens to the underworld? To the souls of the dead? To the cosmic order itself?"

The truth hit Jaemin like a physical blow. If Hades died, the realm of the dead would collapse into chaos. Souls would spill back into the living world, the cycle of life and death would be broken, and existence itself would unravel.

His mother was right. He couldn't kill Hades, no matter what the god had done to him.

But Hades had no such compunctions about killing Jaemin. He sneered at the mother-son duo, “What a melodrama! The mother and son. Both disgraces. One went to have a kid with a lowlife, and the other is part of the lowlife. Why don’t you tell your beloved son why you’re here?” Hades smirked. “Because Zeus sent you. To stop him and not me. And you’re right, Eileithyia. This should end here now. But with his death. Sorry. Zeus’ orders.”

He struck Jaemin with his bident, conjuring full power. Everything happened even before they understood anything. Jaemin was still recovering from emotional turmoil when the bident hit him with the highest attack. The god's bident, a weapon forged from the essence of death itself, pierced through Jaemin's defenses as if they were made of paper. The blow was devastating, divine power meeting divine flesh with catastrophic results. A huge blast force was spread through the field again. Scattering everyone off their feet. A black cloud filled everywhere. Chaos filled the battlefield immediately.

Eileithyia shouted at the attack. Jaemin collapsed, his newly awakened powers already beginning to fade as his life force ebbed away. The divine energy that had made him so magnificent was consuming itself, burning out like a star going supernova.

In the middle of that, Hades' laughter was heard, with his announcement,” And my purpose here has been fulfilled. So now it is time for me to go back. The war is over.”

When the smoke cleared, all the friends started to look for one another. The students, snakes, beasts, and monsters were all scattered around the whole field. The faculty was also looking for all the students. No demon was seen anywhere. Mark, Chenle, and Jisung found each other and hugged. Then they started looking for the others and found unconscious Haechan and Renjun. Jisung woke them up, and once they recovered, they all hugged each other again. Thanking each other for being safe. And then they heard Jeno scream.

"JAEMIN!" Jeno fell onto his knees in front of the prince, who was on the ground. Cradling him against his chest, he kept calling his name. Blood that sparkled with fading starlight stained his hands. Eileithyia kept shedding tears beside him. Even when Jeno kept shouting his name, there was no response from the prince. Everyone else in the field was shocked at the scene. Their friends have never seen Jeno breaking down like that. Renjun ran to the boy, keeping his hands over the fatal wound, trying to heal it. But even after so much trying, nothing happened. Jisung also joined Renjun, trying to help him. But to no avail. Everyone was getting frustrated.

“Why is my magic not working? Haechan, please do something.” Renjun shouted. 

Haechan tried to conjure spells, but again, nothing happened. Soon, the faculty arrived with the infirmary doctor. He started examining Jaemin. When he found no response, he looked at them and said, “Sorry. I cannot find any life signals in his body. I'm afraid he is no more.” Pronouncing Jaemin dead.

“No! That is not possible. It cannot happen. Please check properly.” Jeno insisted. Renjun and Jisung were crying at the scene, while Mark tried to comfort them. 

Eileithyia knelt beside them, her own divine tears falling like spring rain. "My son, my precious boy..."

That snapped something inside Jeno. "You," He snarled at her, his grief transforming into rage. "This is all your fault. If you hadn't stopped him, he could have defended himself properly."

"I was just trying to save him," she protested in tears. "If he had killed Hades..."

"Then at least he would still be alive!" Jeno shouted at her in rage. He wiped his own tears harshly. "No," Jeno said, his voice deadly quiet. He looked up at Eileithyia, and something in his eyes made even the goddess take a step back. "It's not done. You're going to bring him back."

The goddess was shocked at his demand. "What? I can't…"

But Jeno was not listening to anything anymore. "You're a goddess. You have power over life and death. Bring. Him. Back."

"You don’t understand, son. The cosmic balance…" She tried to make him understand.

"I don't care about the damn balance!" Jeno exploded. "I care about him! Only him! I promised his father that I would always protect him. I will protect my love. Yes, I love him. But I never got to tell him that. Only if I had told him before he was gone forever. All because of you. And if you don't bring him back right now, I swear by everything I hold sacred that I will burn this entire realm to the ground!"

Eileithyia was stunned to see this side of Jeno. She had nothing to say in her defense. And then Jeno continued.

“You very well knew this outcome even before you came here. You knew Hades would always complete his job. And that’s why you came here. You sensed the near end of your son before coming here. Then you got selfish to see him once again before he was gone forever. You wanted to touch him once before he was gone. Didn’t you?” Jeno finished with full of rage. His friends are trying to calm him down.

But his words struck Eileithyia like a bolt. The raw emotion in his voice, the desperate love and fury, resonated with something deep in Eileithyia's divine nature. It made her think again about everything. Her son was living a perfectly normal life before this. Making normal friends, having a normal crush, and a lover. Only if she hadn't interrupted because of Zeus, this wouldn’t have happened. And that made her guilt increase more. She was being eaten alive by her guilt and by Jeno's wrath. It reminded her that she had also made her own bargains for love, sacrificed her own happiness to protect someone precious to her.

Jeno kept shouting at Eileithyia to bring Jaemin back to life. He was desperate at this point. He kept reminding her that she is a goddess and has the power to do divine things. She had to bring him back to life again. Or he won't be able to live without him. Again and again.

And that's when she remembered. She looked at Jeno. He was getting consoled by her son's friends and the faculty.

“There’s one way,” She announced, making everyone there look at her.

“What is it?” Jeno asked desperately.

“Even though I don’t have the power to bring my own son to life, there is someone else who is capable of performing such an act.” Everyone waited for her to continue. “Asclepius - the god of healing.”

Everyone gasped at the mention of the God of medicine. They had all heard about him and his powers, but thought it was just a myth.

Eileithyia continued, “If we can go to him, then maybe he can help. He has the legendary Physician's Cure Elixir, which can revive the dead to life. But Zeus has banned the use of the potion long ago, as it disrupts the balance of life and death. So I don't know how we could get to that.”

But Jeno was desperate. “None of this is Jaemin's fault. It was not his decision to be born this way. As the prince of Serpents or as a demigod. It's just the situation. Then why did he have to suffer?” Jeno argued. “He didn't choose this life, but the life chose him to be worthy of all the powers together. So Jaemin didn't deserve to suffer like this.”

The goddess nodded in agreement to Jeno’s words. “I am ready to guide you and find Asclepius.”

Jeno got ready immediately. All the other guys also wanted to follow them to save their friend. But Eileithyia stopped them. “I am afraid all of us cannot travel to Olympus like that. Only a pureblood can travel there. I can only take Jeno with me. A Lycaeus Wolf. The pure one from the ancient clan. So he can enter the mountains.”

Jeno reassured everyone that he would bring Jaemin back alive. He asked them to keep faith in him. His friends hugged him, wishing him luck. They were still crying from everything that had happened in the span of the day. Renjun caressed Jaemin’s face once again. The faculty members also wished Jeno luck. Principal Teuk offered to go with them. Being an angel, he could enter the mountains. But Jeno asked him to stay back and take care of the academy, as the war had just ended. Also, when he comes back with Jaemin, they will need his support the most. Hearing him, Principal Teuk understood and wished him luck. With that, they started on their way. What followed was a journey to Olympus itself, carrying Jaemin's body to petition the gods for a miracle.

They wasted no time and went straight to Asclepius. When the god of medicine saw them entering his premises, he was surprised.

“What is happening here? Eileithyia, what are you doing here? And with a wolf?” He gasped when he saw Jaemin’s lifeless body. “What happened to him?”

Jeno laid Jaemin in front of Asclepius for him to take a look at him. Even before the god touched the boy, he knew the body was lifeless. He looked at the goddess and asked. “How did this happen?” In a voice full of empathy.

That made Eileithyia break down in tears again. “That’s my son. You have to save him.” She begged the god.

“Your son? But how is that possible? Wasn’t he…” Asclepius paused midsentence. As he saw Eileithyia shaking her head.

So she told him everything from the start. It was the first time Jeno heard everything from her point of view. Before this, he had heard everything from Jaemin’s father, the serpent king’s side. But listening to her made him realise her pain. The way she suffered being away from her only kid. The way no one even knew of his existence. She never could hug her only son. She had to watch him grow up from up above the clouds. When her son stumbled and fell, he cried for his mum, but she was not there for him. It broke her from the inside. But when she actually got to see him again, talk to him, she became the reason for his death. She will never be able to forgive herself for making this happen. How she stole away someone’s love, a father’s son, someone’s friend. It made Jeno emotional again.

Being the kind-hearted Asclepius felt bad for the poor soul. The mother’s cry for her child’s life broke his heart. He looked at Jeno, his distorted state. He looked at Jaemin’s lifeless body again. He thought for a moment again before he spoke. “I can help. I can surely help revive him. But my hands are tied.” He looked at them. “Zeus has banned the use of Elixir a long time ago. The last time I used it, I had to die. So if you can convince Zeus and get his permission, then I can revive this young boy. Otherwise, I am really sorry.”

Jeno felt like they just had the highest hope and also lost it within seconds. He looked at Eileithyia, begging her. She also looked lost for a moment, but then she looked at Jeno and said, “We have to approach Zeus. Are you ready?” And obviously, he was more than ready.

The goddess took Jeno to the path of Zeus’ court. Soon they were standing in front of a huge lightlike door. Behind that was Zeus’ court.  But before entering, she stopped Jeno. “Remember, do not speak unless spoken to,” Eileithyia murmured. “Do not bow. But do not lift your head too high either. Zeus has… a delicate pride.”

Jeno swallowed hard. “Understood.” He was ready to do anything to save Jaemin. Even satisfy the pride of the god who ordered his death. He looked around for any guards to let them enter.

She offered a faint, sad smile. “No worries. Hel already knows we’re here.”

As if on cue, the lightning in front of them parted. A voice swept through the opening like a boom, “Enter.” 

Eileithyia stepped inside first, her glow dimming under the overwhelming radiance of the throne room. Jeno followed her, and every instinct in him screamed to run. The court of Zeus was nothing like the stories. It wasn’t bright, heavenly, or serene. The space was vast, echoing, suffocating, filled with storm clouds caged within marble columns. Each rumble of thunder there sounded like a heartbeat. Divine pressure pressed on Jeno’s bones until even breathing felt like disobedience. Everything was telling him that he didn’t belong here.

At the far end sat Zeus, on a throne carved from storm metal and living lightning. His eyes were white-gold, unreadable, like a storm given shape. Not kind. Not cruel. Simply absolute. A few other gods lingered in the shadows, watching with cold curiosity. 

Eileithyia stepped forward and bowed her head. Not out of respect, but out of necessity.

“King of Olympus,” she said softly. “We seek your permission…”

Zeus lifted a hand. The silence struck like a slap. His gaze swept to Jeno with a weight that made the boy’s knees nearly buckle. “How can a mortal wolf dare to enter my hall?” Zeus said, voice booming like thunder trapped in a jar. “Explain yourself.”

Jeno forced himself to hold his ground.  “I’m here for someone who cannot speak for himself.” His throat felt tight, but his voice did not shake.

Zeus leaned back at the answer, intrigued, or more like amused. “The serpent child.” Making Eileithyia flinch.

Zeus continued, lightning flickering behind him like wings. “I warned you, daughter. The boy was never meant to exist.”

Jeno’s fists clenched. He felt the wolf inside him growling, pacing, pushing against his ribs.

Eileithyia spoke again, voice trembling with restrained desperation. “My son was killed unjustly. Hades…”

Zeus slammed his scepter once. The room shook.

“Hades fulfilled fate,” Zeus thundered. “The child’s existence is a violation. His death restores balance. He served my order.”

Jeno felt hopeless for a moment. Zeus himself was denying their petition with casual indifference.

"The boy was an aberration," the king of gods declared. "His death restores the natural order. The request is denied."

Jeno tried to hold his patience and this time requested himself. “The king of Gods, I pray upon you to have mercy on this poor guy. It was not his fault to be born like that. He is an innocent soul.”

“Nothing of that sort can happen anymore. Justice was served with his death. I can not take back the decision. You may leave.” Zeus shut down his request altogether.

And that broke Jeno’s patience and manners. He suddenly looked up directly in the King’s eyes and decided to speak up. It was his time to reveal his ace, he'd been holding in reserve. A knowledge that could destroy Zeus's reputation and power base if it ever became widely known. 

Jeno bowed before the king first and then started, “Almighty supreme Zeus, I know how you run this world.” He looked at him again, but with hatred this time. “With lies, trickery, and fraudulence.”

Everyone in the court was surprised to hear such words come out of a mere mortal. Even Eileithyia was shocked. She tried to stop Jeno, but he continued.

“How dare you say such things standing in my court?” Zeus’ angry voice echoed through the hall. But Jeno was not stopping.

“Do you all remember King Lycaon?” He addressed the court this time. “The first werewolf! And I know the real reason why Zeus turned King Lycaon into a werewolf. The real reason that was not told to anyone. Everyone knows about the Lycaea ceremony, right?” Jeno looked at Zeus this time. Who had his irritated cold eyes at Jeno. Ready to end this anytime. It did stir Jeno up from inside, but he still held his ground. 

“It was actually Zeus who demanded the Lycaea ceremony to be held. It was he who demanded human sacrifice to please him. In return, he promised immense power.” Jeno paused briefly. “But once other people got to know about this outrageous ceremony and suddenly his name was at risk, he twisted the whole narrative into making everyone believe that it was King Lycaon himself who started this and had offended Zeus through the offering.” Hatred filled Jeno’s voice. 

“Though he did give the immense power he had promised. By making him a werewolf.” He chuckled dryly. “ Zeus had actually wanted to make a whole army of Werewolves like that. A powerful army for him. But after the incident, when his initial plan backfired, he projected the boon as a curse. And that’s how he made the king a villain.”

After finishing, Jeno looked at Zeus, “Am I wrong, Almighty Supreme Zeus?”

The whole court was shocked at the revelation. Even Eileithyia was shocked but not surprised at all by this. She knew very well what Zeus was capable of. 

But on the other hand, Zeus looked at Jeno sternly. “Who are you? And how did you know about all this nonsense?”

Jeno just smiled and proudly announced, “I am a Lycaeus Wolf himself. A pure blood and direct descendant of the King's family. So obviously, I knew about it. I read about this in my ancestral diary. The wound of your so-called curse has made our clan suffer so much.”

Zeus looked at him and asked him again, “What do you want?”

At this, Jeno just laughed. “Just like I know the truth, everyone present in this court right now knows it. I think the whole world should know the truth, too.” He answered sharply. “Rather than blaming my great, great, great, great, great-grandfather every time. So I might just tell everyone. More like the gossipers, who will spread it in no time.” 

At that time, Eileithyia also interrupted, “Oh, you can start with Hermes and Iris. They are very swift with this kind of information. Even I can tell them myself.” She looked at Zeus after finishing, and the king looked somewhat tense. “What happened, Father? Are you thinking of something?”

Zeus was indeed in thought. He couldn’t just let this mere werewolf spread rumours about him. He had very craftily built everything till now. He can’t let go of his reputation like this. So he thought for some time and then sighed.

“I can only allow the resurrection if the mortal doesn't spread the baseless rumour.” Zeus declared at last.

Jeno was waiting for this for the longest time. He was so happy inside. But to maintain the demeanour, he just scoffed. “I agree. But you have to give permission immediately to save the Serpent Prince.” He held his ground again. He made sure to raise his head high this time.

Eileithyia, behind him, clapped his back, supporting him. She had tears in her eyes.

“I demand you return his soul to us.” Jeno ended his argument.

That got Zeus in a tight situation. He also had no other choice but to listen to them. He had his name and reputation on line. So he just agreed to their demand.

“Mortal boy, I am impressed by your faith in love. You were ready to fight the king of God for his love. Even challenged me to confront my whole court. I am impressed by your bravery.” Zeus said with authority. “That’s why I am granting the serpent prince all his powers back, too, once he is revived.” Jeno was so happy that he almost cried. Eileithyia hugged him in delight. 

“Also, I give Eileithyia permission to go meet her son whenever she wants.” Zeus granted them everything. 

Eileithyia started crying when she heard the decision. Zeus successfully altered their anger at him into gratefulness. Then he called in Hades and ordered him to return Jaemin's soul to his mother and Jeno. 

“Zeus? Why are you asking me to return that disgrace’s soul?” Hades was surprised to hear the order. 

“The prince was killed unfairly. While he was defenseless. That is against the war rules. You will return the soul immediately to them. And in the future won’t cause any harm or attack on him.” Zeus ordered him.

After that, Hades didn't dare to disobey. He took Jaemin's troubled soul with him to Zeus. Though Hades was not happy with the treatment, but then also didn't say anything. He let Jeno and Eileithyia take Jaemin's soul. They thanked Zeus for the verdict and ran with it to Asclepius.

The God of medicine was surprised to see them return with the soul. He never thought someone could reverse Zeus’ decision that was taken eons ago. But he also had seen the determination in the wolf’s eyes. Obviously, he made it happen.  

Asclepius retrieved the soul from them and gave Jaemin the Elixir, the reviving potion. He made him drink that. Jeno assisted him through the whole thing. The wound was stitched closed, and it healed in no time with the cure. Once the procedure was done, the doctor of the gods declared that it was successful. “The potion will start it's actions soon. But he needs a lot of rest to recover. Remember that he came back from the dead. His soul was in hell before being retrieved. So give him a lot of care and love. Which I believe he will get from both of you.” He smiled at Jeno and Eileithyia.

They thanked him again and again and then bid him goodbye. On their way to the academy, Jeno felt like he had conquered the whole world. His love was in his arms again. This time alive.

Eileithyia was also very happy to have her son back. She wanted to hug him close. She was also happy to know she could visit him anytime now. “I am so happy today, Jeno. You gave me my son back. Till yesterday, I used to be happy looking at all the mothers giving birth and then hugging their kids for the first time. Seeing them happy, experiencing their child grow in front of them.” She wiped her tears again. “But this time I can see my kid whenever I want. And it wouldn’t have been possible without you.” 

“I have to thank you, too. I said so many things to you, but even after that, you helped me. I got the love of my life back only because of you.” Jeno held Jaemin close as he said those words.

“Jeno, it was for my son. If I have to do it again, I’ll still do it. Also, you opened my eyes. This was the first time I asked for something for myself. So don’t worry.” She gave them her blessings.

Everyone at the academy was still waiting for them. Once they arrived, Jaemin was immediately shifted to the infirmary. Jeno asked the doctor to check on Jaemin again. The doctor was shocked at his demand. He had already checked on the boy before and told everyone the result. But after the faculty insisted he checked it again. And to his surprise, Jaemin's pulse was back again. It was like a miracle. Something he had never seen in his life in the magical being school. “How can this be possible? This is a Miracle!”

All of their friends erupted into cheers and hugged Jeno. They were all crying in relief this time. Jaemin's mother decided to stay in the infirmary with them the whole time. Asclepius had told them that it might take time for Jaemin to come back fully. So now all they can do is wait. Jeno stayed beside Jaemin the whole time. 

It was already midnight when Jaemin started to blink, trying to open his eyes. The first person he saw was Jeno, sitting beside him. He had this immense headache trying to wake up fully. He tried to sit up, holding his head. Asking him, “What happened to me?” 

But everyone else in the room stopped him. That’s when he noticed that everyone was there. His friends, his mother, and even Principal Teuk. He was shocked to see them all there. Then he realised it was the infirmary. He looked at Jeno, who was crying.

“Why are you crying?” He asked him in shock. But Jeno just shook his head.

“Can anyone please tell me what happened?” Jaemin was getting restless. So this time, Haechan told him everything. From the battlefield to Asclepius to Zeus. Everything. Jaemin was beyond shocked. He said he only remembered his conversation with his mother. Then everything is black.

He looked at his mother, who was still there. He was so emotional after hearing everything that he just couldn't control his tears anymore. Jeno, who was controlling himself, broke down in Jaemin's arms this time. 

“Why are you crying again? Jeno, it doesn’t suit you. After all you have done today!” Jaemin tried to joke.

“Shut up. Just shut up. Okay?” Jeno scolded him playfully. “You made me go to hell and heaven for you today. Just because I love you. Yes, you idiot! I love you so much. Do you know how scary it was to think that I won't be able to tell you the words ever? How scared I was to lose him. After everything that happened between us!” Jeno wiped his eyes again as he looked and Jaemin and continued. “You told me we would figure this out together and then left me forever? How was I supposed to deal with it?” He took Jaemin’s hands in his and kissed them delicately. “I love you. Please don’t pull those stunts ever again.” 

Jaemin chuckled heartily while crying, “I love you too. My mighty wolf!” And then he hugged him. The happiness he felt was immense. It was the same with Jeno. Hugging his love made him feel alive again. “Thank you. Thank you so much!” Jaemin kept saying again and again.

Jeno just replied, “Idiot!” and kissed him softly.

Eileithyia was watching the scene with a smile on her face. She was glad to witness the moment of her son’s first love. Then she felt emotional thinking about her own unfulfilled love. Just then, Jaemin's father entered the hospital room. He was informed by the faculty about the whole situation and then ran here. 

“Son? Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?” He asked Jaemin all sorts of questions as soon as he barged into the room. When Jaemin assured him, he engulfed his son in a hug. The news about Jaemin’s demise had shaken him badly. But when he heard about the incidents after that, he became emotional like anything. He couldn’t imagine losing his son at all. When he turned around to thank Jeno, he noticed Eileithyia was also standing there in the room with them. Which just made him speechless.

Jaemin saw the exchange between his parents and asked his father to say greet to his mother. Jaemin's father was still at a loss for words. He just couldn't believe his eyes. His long-lost lover was standing in front of him. He didn’t know how to react. It was even a new thing for Jaemin to see his father like that. It was somewhat funny. But he knew the emotions very well.

Slowly, the king approached her. Eileithyia was so emotional that she held his hand. “I am here. In front of you. I am really here.”

Jaemin was so happy to see them like that and asked them to come to him. Once they reached him, he hugged them both together, tightly. Making them close to each other again.

“I want you both to talk to each other. As I want to stay with both of my parents together from now on.” Jaemin declared.

“Jaemin, what are you even saying? How can that be possible?” His father was surprised by this demand. But then his mother held his hand.

“It is possible. Now I can stay with you both, as long as I want,” His mother confirmed. “Nobody can stop us anymore. All thanks to Jeno here.” And that's how the family of three was now crying from happiness. 

The guys were still there with Jeno, witnessing everything. Renjun and Jisung, being the emotional ones, kept crying, looking at the family reunion. While Haechan tried to coax his now boyfriend Renjun, Chenle started to wipe his own eyes too. 

Jaemin's father then turned to Jeno. He had already heard everything about what the boy had done for his son. He went and hugged him to thank him again. “Thank you. I knew you would always save his son no matter what.” He clasped Jeno’s hand in his. “Now that I  know my son is in the right hands, I feel relieved.” He wished Jeno all the best for their future and also gave his blessings. Then decided that he actually needed to talk to Eileithyia again. So he went to do that.

Jaemin shouted “All the best” behind his parents and then looked at his friends. He called them near and then hugged them one by one. The emotional ones and even the others… everyone cried with him.

“Can’t believe I thought you were weird when you first came here,” Renjun said. “And now look at me. Crying all over you.” The others just laughed at the comment. 

“Well, I always knew you were special. Like, no way you are that hot without any reason.” Haechan stated this time, earning side eyes from his roommates.

“Dude, quit drooling over my boyfriend. And concentrate on yours.” Jeno glared at him. 

Haechan just made a surrender pose and backed up into his own boyfriend, who just pinched him hard. He started complaining about it and made everyone laugh. Mark started talking to Jaemin, asking him about things he was curious about.

Jeno took this time to think again about how Jaemin had changed his life, his attitude, his nature, his everything, and even himself. He looked at the scene in front of him and wished that Jaemin could always be that happy. And it was like Jaemin heard him. He looked at Jeno and smiled, squeezing his hand in his.

Jaemin's parents, on the other side of the room, were trying to start a conversation. He knew they would also come through.

From now on, everything will be good. Jeno thought to himself. Or at least he believed that. If not, he can threaten Zeus again. He can, right?