Chapter Text
Go Hyuntak was his name, well not really, it wasn’t. It was just a nickname he wanted to be called. His true name was
M̷̳̥̹̥̒a̶̹͕̞̬̓̈ṁ̷̟̪̅̓́̇͆m̴̡̪͖̗̯̜͒ͅo̸͚̪̲͉͉͔̭̓n̷̬̲̺͖͎͉͌̇̎̑̎́͒͜. He was the Virtue of Charity*.
It was a rather peaceful day at the time. He was just strolling around the royal garden, greeting other angels who passed by with a warm smile. Their wings shimmered beneath the endless golden light as their laughter drifted through the air as softly as the breeze.
Eventually, he settled down at his favorite spot, a marble bench surrounded by blooming white lilies, also called the Annunciation Lily. Their pristine petals glowed with an almost ethereal radiance and immaculate purity that never failed to impress Hyuntak even though he saw it everyday.
Whenever he came here, tranquility settled over him. The lilies reminded him of everything Heaven stood for: purity, hope, and unwavering faith. Sitting among them always made him feel closer to the Father.
Hyuntak leaned against the bench, closing his eyes as the gentle wind brushed through his hair. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to simply exist. Currently, he has no duties to fulfill. It was peaceful as expected. But something deep inside him wanted to feel a ‘thrill’, something exciting, instead of the same routine he went through everyday.
A sigh escaped from his lips before he could stop it.
“What’s got you so stressed, Tak-ie?” An individual suddenly spoke. Even without opening his eyes, he could already sense who it was.
It was the Virtue of Diligence, alias ‘Seo Juntae’.
Hyuntak finally opened his eyes to look at the other properly.
“I thought I told you to drop the formalities? We’re both Virtues now, Juntae.” He said.
Juntae only smiled, “I apologize. It’s simply an old habit. Besides, it just feels wrong not to show the Virtue of Charity a little respect.”
Hyuntak let a sigh, somewhere between
an amused one and an exasperated one, “If you respected that much, you’d listen when I tell you to stop.”
“And deprive myself of seeing you make that face?” Juntae grinned. “Never.”
Hyuntak chuckled and said, “You really should stop hanging out with Baku so much.” Juntae just laughed in response as he sat beside him.
Silence settled between them.
Not until Juntae broke it.
“So, what’s been bothering you?”
“Excluding the fact that you feel so bored and want some thrill in your life, because honestly same.” He giggled to himself.
“You knew that?”
“Of course, I do. I keep track of everyone, including the Virtues and anyone higher than me.” Juntae smiled innocently.
“...Of course, you do.
Then, another quiet moment passed.
“So?...” Juntae turned to him completely, waiting for the answer.
Hyuntak sighed for the nth time that day.
“It’s just… You know about Yeongi’s situation…” His voice faltered.
“I’m afraid there will be an all-out war if the situation gets worse.” He paused for a second before also turning to face Juntae.
“Tae-yah…” His expression softened into something almost pleading. “If the time comes…”
He swallowed.
“Will you protect Yeongi?”
A beat passed.
“The Virtue of Temperance”
And another.
“Our sister?”
Silence enveloped the open space once again.
Juntae didn’t answer.
Not with words, anyway.
His lips parted as if he wanted to speak, but nothing came out.
That was enough for Hyuntak.
Hyuntak looked away before he had to see it any longer.
His gaze drifted back towards the sea of flowers dancing gently beneath the breeze. Petals swayed without a care, blissfully unaware of the strom waiting beyond everything.
“I’ll probably protect her,” Hyuntak murmured quietly. “Even if it means losing my home. Even if it means falling down to the pits of hell…”
Hyuntak didn’t need to turn around to know what expression had overtaken Juntae’s face. He could practically feel the worry radiating from beside him.
Afterwards, neither of them spoke again.
The wind carried the scene of lilies across the garden, sweet and familiar. Somewhere in the distance, bells rang across the Heaven’s endless paths. Every uneasy thought being drowned out by the other angels’ clear voices.
Heaven knew its peace.
However, it wouldn’t be long until the final time.
Before long, the Annunciation Lilies would be stained with ash and blood instead of light.
And the first to fall…
would end up choosing it willingly.