Chapter Text
The house woke before the sun did.
Nestled deep within the forest, it stood alone among the trees, hidden beneath ivy and old magic. Moss climbed the walls, and wildflowers claimed the path leading to the front door. The surrounding forest protected the house.
And the house protected them.
The morning mist lingered over the ground as the first signs of life stirred within. Minghao stepped outside first. The garden surrounding the house had never truly belonged to anyone. Ferns and flowering vines grew where they pleased, curling around the porch railings and climbing the windows. He brushed his fingertips over a wilted flower and its stem straightened. The petals slowly unfurled, and a soft pink tulip bloomed opened to greet him. Nearby, another flower bloomed. Then another. A floorboard creaked and Mingyu emerged carrying a toolbox beneath one arm. One of the porch steps had broken again. Warm orange light gathered in his hands as he repaired the cracked wood. The step held for a moment before it cracked again.
Mingyu sighed.
"You could at least pretend to appreciate my work."
The house rumbled but gave nothing else. Jeonghan leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching them all work. For a moment, there were two of him. Then three.Mingyu didn’t look up.
"If you're trying to confuse me, it's working."
A soft laugh.
"You always say that," Jeonghan replied.
The duplicates then vanished and he remained. By the large oak beside the house, Wonwoo sat reading. A shadow reached from beneath the roots to turn the page of his book, while another shadow slept at his feet in the shape of a cat. Inside, the scent of tea drifted from the kitchen. Joshua was hanging small charms near the windows for protection, comfort, and luck.
A house full of witches required constant care. Especially this one.
A squirrel darted from the underbrush and stopped beside Soonyoung.
"You've come back."
The squirrel chirped.
"I don't have anything for you."
Another chirp and he sighed.
"Fine. I'll get you something."
The squirrel climbed onto his shoulder. At the dining table, Jun stared into his tea. For a brief moment, he thought he saw another reflection. A stranger. Someone standing beside him. Then it was gone. The dreams had returned, and he’s been trying to make sense of them for weeks.
Across from him, Jihoon drew glowing runes on a scrap of parchment. A tiny bird made of light perched on his finger. It fluttered once. Twice. Then dissolved into silver sparks.
He sighed. Nothing stayed, not for long anyways.
Warm sunlight spilled through the doorway. Seokmin entered with fresh blankets, dried by the sun, Chan and Vernon trailing behind him carrying clothes and other items.
Seungkwan filled a pitcher with water and, as he filled it, the surface rippled beneath his fingertips.
Everyone was here.
Twelve.
And yet his gaze fell upon the table. There were thirteen chairs. It’s always twelve chairs filled while one remained empty. No one could remember why it was there or when it had first appeared.
But none of them had ever moved it. Because it just felt like it belonged there.
Later that morning, they gathered outside.
The wards protecting the house needed renewing. Again. So Jihoon knelt in the dirt and he drew glowing runes. Joshua tied new charms to the oak tree as Minghao sent its roots deep beneath the earth. Wonwoo stretched shadows across the forest floor and Vernon summoned threads of pale starlight. Chan laughed as the breeze tugged at his sleeves and Seungkwan drew water from the nearby stream. Seokmin’s sunlight poured through the spell. And one by one, their magic joined together. The barrier rose around the house. For one beautiful moment, it looked complete. Then the runes cracked and the light flickered.
It always ended like this.
"Twelve shouldn't feel this empty," Mingyu murmured.
Jun looked toward the empty chair visible through the kitchen window.
"No," he said softly. "It shouldn't."
The sound of horses echoed faintly through the trees and everyone froze.
The Royal patrol.
Even after all these years, the sound still made their blood run cold.
"They're closer than usual," Seungkwan said. No one moved and no one spoke.
The sound of hooves had once meant merchants, travelers or friends. Now they meant soldiers.
Years ago, when the first prince and the second prince had fallen on a battlefield where magic had run wild, the king had declared that magic itself was the enemy.
The decree had spread faster than fire. Witches were hunted, imprisoned and executed. Many tried to flee but most didn't survive. So the coven gathered what they could and they came here instead. To a lonely house deep in the forest. To hide, live, and to wait. For what? None of them knew.
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Far beyond the trees stood the royal palace.
Cold stone and silent halls. Portraits lined the corridors. Three princes had once smiled from the golden frames.
Now two were covered in black cloth.
Only one remained. And a young man stood by a window looking over the villages. He had his father's eyes. And his mother's smile, though few ever saw it.
A servant approached.
"Your Highness. The king wishes to see you."
The prince nodded. As he turned, the sleeve of his robe slipped back and a faint golden light shimmered around his fingertips. He quickly pulled the fabric down before following.
The king stood before the covered portraits in the all. For a long moment, he did not turn.
"You remember the rules?"
"Yes, Father."
"And what are they?"
The prince lowered his eyes.
"I do not use magic."
"You do not speak of it."
"Yes, Father."
"You do not let anyone see it."
"Yes, Father."
The king's shoulders sagged and suddenly, he looked very old.
"You are all I have left."
The words were barely above a whisper. The prince swallowed and looked down.
"I know."
The king turned then, staring down at his son with a look that could be either disdain or contempt.
"You must never let anyone know."
"Yes, Father."
The king nodded once and left.
Silence filled the room. The prince remained where he stood. And slowly, he opened his hand. Golden light bloomed in his palm. Warm, soft and beautiful. But forbidden.
For a moment, he simply watched it, then he closed his fingers.
And the light disappeared.