Sunghoon wanted to curse at himself for the mistake.

I can feel their heartbeats? It's part of my power? Really? I should have lied better....

If he was being honest,he hadn't really thought that out. He just...said it because it was the fastest way to agree with Jay's logic.

Ever since they walked closer to that building,he already know that their target was underground,he just didn't know how to tell the others without sounding suspicious.

When Jay told them about his theory,Sunghoon was actually pretty happy about it. It would have been more simple if one of the others had talked about it,so that he could follow without looking out of place.

The day was running out. The sun was setting,the dark was increasing and there was a freezing forest wind accompanying them,with a lot of clouds. And the moon was raising.  Which was a very horrible sign when he looked at it.

Fuck! Today is the full moon! Fuck,Fuck,Fuck!

Sunghoon dug his nails into his arm,squeezing them almost to the point of drawing blood. He had to contain himself,now was not the time.

I had to delay it,I can't–not now.

He hoped with all his heart that the clouds,and being under the roof of a structure,would help him. At least until they could.

Guys. Where are you? We are at the entrance.

Jungwon's voice echoed in his ears, and he had to hide a grimace.

Right,the mental link too.

When Jay and Heeseung proposed it, Sunghoon was almost on the verge of saying no. The idea of having the presence of not just one person,but 5,in his head didn't inspire him. It was a lack of privacy,a privacy he valued.

But they were right. And this was the only way to communicate without being discovered,and whether they liked it or not,they had to use it.

Turn right,the first broken window you see? We're hiding in the bushes next to it.

Heeseung explained.

Alright.

It didn't take long for the other group to catch up. Sunghoon could breathe a sigh of relief at the sight of Sunoo.

He's good,he's fine. Nothing happened.

He said to himself,calming the anxieties he had been carrying around since they separated.

As if hearing his thoughts, the blond turned to him with a slight smile. Sunghoon smiled back,despite knowing that his face was hidden by a mask.

After this,I'm going to take it off. I can't stand it anymore,and they...they deserve to know who I am.

He knew that his father,in hi own way,only wanted the best for him,but that mask,the cap and sunglasses,were becoming too much for him.

Sunghoon wanted friends,not to be ostracized.

"I thought about it,and this is what I think it's the best approach."
Jungwon said,pulling out his map.

"They are under us now,and they don't have idea that we are coming. We need to use this advantage. I know it's risky,but we are going to divide into smaller groups. We will be able to cover more territory like this..."
He explained,while pointing out on the map.

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable,but can I know what you guys powers are? It's better if we know our capabilities and weak points. We need balanced units here."
He asked,switching his gaze from the map to them.

None of them spoke.

Sunghoon wanted to scream. The powers were part of them,but it took a lot of trust to reveal them out. If another vampire,especially an hostile one,could learn what you could and couldn’t do.....it wasn't a pretty thought.

Just because they are civilized,it doesn't mean they are friends: this was the major philosophy that reigned in the empire,vampires weren't the most contemptuous creatures of feelings and trust,werewolves were at the top of the list in that. Maybe that's why they were natural enemies.

"I know I'm asking a lot but I can't organize anything without those information...I'm really sorry..."
Jungwon said,a sad pout on his face.

"Mine is supernatural strength."
Jay was the first to speak.

Sunghoon snapped his head in his direction.

Does he....does he really trust him that much?

Jungwon's face lit up,a small smile making its way across his features.

"Thank you Jay-ssi"
He thanked the older.

"You can call me hyung,you know?"
Jay said,tilting his head to the side.

"I-I...mhm...thank you...Jay-hyung."
A very embarrassed Jungwon said,making Heeseung and Jake coo at him.

"Your welcome"
Jay turned his head to the side,but Sunghoon could see how his cheeks turned pink.

"Jungwonie my turn~ I can manipulate gravity and minds,as you already know,hehe..."
Sunoo said a little awkward,especially after what had happened earlier in the Headmaster's office.

Sunoo went crazy!

Sunghoon wanted so much to strangle him and take him away from there,away from them. Because how could he trust them so much to reveal both spheres of control of his power?! Not even one,both!

I swear to god if they try something I will hunt them down!

"Sunoo-hyung...."
Jungwon whispered,before giving him a smile.

"As you may already know,my power is telepathy,it allow me to converse with others with a mental link"
Heeseung said,getting an elbow from the red-head.

"What-? They already know"
Jake rolled his eyes,clearly annoyed at the oldest.

"Pyrokinesis here! I can create and manipulate fire with my hands"
He said after their little exchange of words.

"Mine is similar to Jay-hyung. It's supernatural speed..."
Jungwon said.

And then their eyes turned towards him. And the ice skater wanted to scream and cry his frustration at the night sky. Because the full moon wasn't enough,now they too.

Sunghoon knew that they were good people,that none of them would try to do anything against him if he spoke about that side of him,a clear example was what they were doing now to recover the imperial prince.

Someone that risks their life to save a vampire that most of them have known for only 3 days can't be bad.

But fear held him back. A fear –a primal instinct that has accompanied him for ages.

"Sunghoon baby,I want you to promise your dad something really important. Can you do that?"
His father bent down to the crying 7-year-old boy

A black umbrella was lowered over them, to protect them from the biting cold of the snow. Flowers placed on a large stone,with a smaller one next to it,were the only thing visible in the white background.

"W-what is i-it,d-dada?"
A 7-years-old Sunghoon asked between sobs.

"Never use your powers again,and don't tell anyone you have them. What happened is not your fault,but horrible people doings,do you understand?"
His dad said,his eyes full of tears that was trying to hold back.

"B-but! Ma-ma a-and Ye-Yeji!...They...t-they–"
Sunghoon said,not even having the strength to finish his sentence.

Suddenly,his dad threw the umbrella to the ground and hugged him. His tears were streaming down his face.

"Oh! My baby! What have they done?! I-It's ok,let it out....you will feel better l-later..."

In the freezing cold of the northern region,the two mourned the two lost votes they had lost.

The gravestones behind them were the only listeners to their grief.

In the agony of the moment,little Sunghoon decided to keep that promise. No one would ever know about his power ever again.

Sunghoon blinked.

Oh...I must have zoned out.

He looked back ahead,watching the others look at him. Under their pressure,he felt nauseous. He took a step back.

"I'm....I'm really sorry but I don't really feel....comfortable...in sharing that with you...sorry"
He said,his eyes searching for Sunoo's.

I hope at least he can understand me...

Even though they had known each other for years,and Sunoo knew of her identity,his powers were off limits to him too. He would have given his life for the one he considered his best friend,but this...this was too personal. Sunghoon didn't want to revive that.

I don't want keep lying to them,but I don't want this either.

"It's fine hyung~ don't worry. The important thing is that we didn't put you in an uncomfortable situation."
Sunoo,the angel he is,came to his rescue.

"Yeah,Sunoo-hyung is right. Don't worry about it,we can came up with something"
Jungwon supported it.

Thanks Dracula.

"Thank you...."
He muttered.

(Sunghoon pretended to not feel sad seeing the disappointed expressions of others,he was used to it anyway)

"Alright! Here's the plan! We need to–"

As Jungwon spoke and explained,Sunghoon sincerely hoped that what he had in mind would work.

There's a lifetime at stake here.

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦

Ta-ki hated being here. Everyday was the same: horrible and without his family.

I really miss them....

His family had been forced to move a lot,they had settled from one house to another but never stayed in the same place for too long. Despite this,however,he loved being with them,his brothers were the most precious thing he had.

Ta-ki had difficulty making friends. Although he was an enthusiastic person,he was also shy. His accent was very thick and he always spoke in his native dialect,so most people ignored him because they didn't like the way he spoke.

It didn't help that he changed schools almost every 2 months and couldn't connect with anyone for long enough. His siblings were completely different from him though.

When they managed to catch him he really thought it was the end for him. He would die tortured without seeing his family and without friends. Hell,his family maybe didn't even know he was kidnapped,or worse,they already thought he was dead.

Maybe that's why they didn't come to save me...

What he didn't expect,however,was for Dardan not to kill him,but to lock him inside his hideout.

That fucking psycho.

He didn't know why they had spared him,but they had enjoyed denigrating him,insulting him,throwing food and dirty water in his face and just humiliate him in general. He had become their personal slave in a couple of day.

Living in all that hate,tyranny and sadism was not good for him. He wanted to escape but he knew that not even his...abilities...would take him far. And Dardan would have then really killed him.

It may seem like cowardice but I want to live.

Vampires were truly horrible. They were cold,devoid of love and positive feelings. They didn't trust no one but themself and saw anyone,who wasn't part of their own race,as prey. They were bloodthirsty and murderous,guilty of many of history's major atrocities and conflicts.

No matter how hard the new rulers try,vampires will always remain the children of the devil.

Or at least that's what he had always said,and what his brothers had told him,up until that moment.

In the atrocity of Dardan's captivity a light had come,a faint light yes,but still a light. A light that loved hope. A light that wanted to escape too,and that actually could.

Ni-ki. The new prisoner was the exception to the rule. He was a good soul that got caught in this whole unhealthy game of sadism.

Maybe we could be friends...

His cell was next to the one where they put Ni-ki and the walls were very thin. Ta-ki could hear every single thing that was said or done.

He had been there less than a day and already they had done a lot of physical damage to him. Ta-ki had heard screams,cries and desperate cries from the other's cell. And then also laughter,speeches and anger. And then cries and screams again. It was a continuous cycle.

He hadn't known the vampire for even 24 hours but he knew he could trust him.

They are inflicting so much agony on him but he still doesn't reveal anything,when now he could already be free without going through all this.

Ni-ki was a good vampire. Maybe the only good one in the whole vampire Empire. And he was also the prince of said Empire. Cool....maybe. He doesn't really care about that.

He had never been good at keeping information about the nobility,where he came from there was no regime o royal families. The classicisms of the empire were the complete opposite of his land. Prince,noble,poor or not,it doesn't metter to him: Ni-ki was Ni-ki and Ta-ki was Ta-ki.

We choose who we are,not our past.

He had visited him twice throughout the day,after his first "chat" with Dardan and when he and Sol had left his cell.

The first time he had been prepared for the fact that he might find the new prisoner in a pretty bad shape. Dardan was ruthless,but his worst abuses came with time. It was some sort of...gradual growth?

What he didn't expect to find the second time,however,was that Ni-ki had gone blind. He was ready for any damage it could been done,but not that.

That bastard!

Seeing Ni-ki realize he was blind after he told him about the lantern was the most horrible thing he had ever seen.
And Ta-ki had been there for a while.

Holding him as he broke down in agonizing sobs was the second most horrible thing of the day.

Oh Ni-ki...what have they done to you?

Seeing someone so strong break was unsettling. He had endured all the tortures that had been imposed upon him since they had brought him here this morning. And now he was reduced to almost a rag.

In that moment Ta-ki promised himself that Nik-ki wouldn't stay another moment in there. He had to go now,or they would make him a shell of himself.

I won't allow them to break you more than what they already did. You're too good for this.

If no one else would do it,Ta-ki would take him out of there himself,even if it cost him his life.

I have nothing left to lose. What does it cost me to try? At least you have a family to return to....

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦

Riki was in pure agony.

The prince could barely move from the pain. And his eyes...

Fuck,he didn't even want to think about his eyes.

"You look like your father,but there is a lot of your mother in you. You both love so much and have the same hope and the same bright emerald green eyes."
His aunt,his mother's sister,had told him this several times as a child.

He hadn't seen his aunt for years,she had died of an illness after she had moved to a region in the south of Eclipsia,but he still remembered her words.

They stuck with him for a long time because ever since he was a child,everyone always told him that he looked like his dad. His aunt was the only one to point out the similarities with his mom.

But now that part of him was gone.

Mom's eyes color is gone!

He had gone blind. He couldn't see anything. He would never be able to see the reflection of his own eyes again,or look into his mother's.

This is so fucking unfair. Why me?! Why this?! Why?! Why?! WHY?!

"Ni-ki"

Ta-ki. Right. Ta-ki was still with him. He wasn't alone in his prison. His new friend was with him in discovering his new liability. Riki really really wanted to answer him,but he couldn't. Not right now.

Too fragile. Too much pain. He wanted to go away.

"I know you won't be happy about this,but I can't see you continue to get hurts....so please....let me help you escape. They will kill you if you stay here another minute!"
The tone of urgency with which the boy spoke those words was like a bucket of cold water.

"They will kill you if you stay"

"They will kill you if you stay"

"They will kill you if you stay"

The phrase repeats itself in his mind over and over again,until it makes him feel nauseous. Because that was the plan wasn't it? Dardan wanted him death,and he was trying to do anything to achieve that.

They can get what they want without doing all this to me. There are other ways,kidnapping me was just the easiest one.

But the current imperial family won't allow that. The Blood Altar was just...so dangerous and guilty of so many war (and not) atrocities. The Emperor and Empress were wasting years and energy trying to make amends for what the vampires had done to the other races and to their own empire.

For him we are an obstacle that must be eradicated. And the best way to reach my parents is through....me. That motherfucker really know his cards.

Ta-ki was right. If he stay here,Dardan will try to finish him off in his next visit. And he couldn't have that happens. His parents need to know that a madman (with followers) is trying to make all their efforts vain. They had to do something to stop them–this.

It's no longer about the Academy,it's about the entire empire. My home and my citizens. I won't let them do as they please.

"What they did to you is truly horrible,they don't deserve to live for how they treated you. I don't care that you are a prince or not,I'm taking you out of here. And don't try to stop me just because you have a martyr complex."

I don't have a martyr complex!

That's what he wanted to tell him,but really,he didn't even have the strength to argue back.

The idea of running away was tempting,it really was,but there was a...bigger problem to think about before we could even come up with a plan.

Riki was fucking blind now.

His other senses worked as usual,but his eyes? The prince did not know if he could ever live without looking at the world. How could he try to escape in a situation like that? He would only slow down his friend.

"I know what you might think right now: 'But Ta-ki,what about my eyes?' You don't need to worry about that,I'll become your sight. I will not leave you behind."
Ta-ki gave him his answer.

"In the time I've been here I've memorized the guards' patrol. There are currently only 2 at the end of the corridor–no,I'm not talking about the ones that shield the room they took you before,when you met Dardan,those are always ther,unfortunately."
Ta-ki started,explain in the details their situation.

"If we make it through the corridor,we only have to deal with the ones at the entrance. If we knock them out,we can get out of the corridor and,after that,another part of hell begins. This place is like a maze. Luckily I know where to go."
The more the boy talked, the more Riki wanted to punch him.

If he knew this place so well,why didn't he run away earlier and stayed here so long?

"We will need to blend in with them,otherwise we will be too conspicuous.We can use the guards' clothes for that. After that,it's a game of waiting and fortune. We have to make our way quietly,without attracting attention,on the outside. I don't know where we are,but I remember that this base is located in a forest."

A forest? Is it the one surrounding the Academy? No...it can't be. No one would plant their base so close to their enemy or knowing they could be easily discovered....right?

"I know it sounds dangerous,but it's our only shot. I don't know if we'll have this opportunity again. Their tempers have been pretty heated lately but I don't know what's going on."
Ta-ki finished his explanation.

Riki remained silent. It was dangerous and crazy,but it was so crazy that it could work. He trusted Ta-ki,even if they had known only for a couple of hours,there was something in his gaze that he could relate to.

The desire to be free and return to their families,it burns in both.

So,for this reason,he gulped down any pain and spoke.

"Alright.....let's get....out of here.... together"
It was pain,every words was pain,but it was ok. He could endure it.

We're getting out of here. Once out I have to figure out how to get back to Riverfield and–the collar!

Of course,the collar. It was the only thing that was separating them from a safe escape. He needs it off of him. Otherwise they will be completely defenseless.

My power can help us a lot in this plan of his,but it's completely useless if I don't remove this stupid inhibitor collar!

(Riki made a mental note to tell his parents about this too. Mom and Dad won't be happy about it at all,but they had to know.)

Riki brought his hands to the black iron gripped at the base of his neck. Ta-ki understood immediately and his face became more serious.

"The keys for the collars are stored away in another part of the structure. I don't know where,but it's close to Dardan's private wing."
Ta-ki said,nervously.

Are you fucking kidding me?! How can I be so unlucky?!

"If we can blend in with the other guards,we can ask about the location. We'll have to divert our escape,but if it helps you then I'm happy to do so."
The more Ta-ki spoke, the more Riki was convinced that his friend was a fallen angel.

Thinking about all this,even giving me the chance to take off the collar,and continuing to hope that we can be able to pull it off....it's truly amazing.
He really is a good friend...

"...T-thanks...."
Riki thanked him.

"You are welcome. Now..."
There was movement beneath him and his body stiffened.

Only later did he realize that Ta-ki had gotten up and gently helped him do the same.

Oh. Right. It's only us here...

His body relaxed,as his grip on the other's hand tightened.

In front of him there was only darkness,his hearing was very sensitive so he could still worked like a normal vampire,but...but hearing and seeing were two different things. And he no longer had a sight,it was just an eternal dark abyss.

Doesn't matter,I need to trust Ta-ki. This is the only way out,and we need to take it. I can figure it out later.

"Let's get out of there"

And following his friend,with small (and painful) steps,Riki left his cell.

He should have been happy to have left his prison,but he didn't see the difference. But he could hear and feel it.

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦

Sunoo was going to murder any of them. If it wasn't for his good nature,all of them would already be death with their brains exploded from his mental manipulation.

Sunoo had to remind himself several times not to use his power like this,his beloved mother didn't want to see him behind bars so young.

Would it be a crime to kill a prince's kidnappers? I don't see what the problem is.

Are you all ok?

Heeseung's voice crossed their mental connection.

Right. Focus Sunoo,you can have your murderous thoughts later. Rescue mission now.

Me and Jay Hyung are ok. What about you all?

Now it was Jungwon.

Hee and me are ok. Sunoo?

We are fine too,Jake-ssi.

Sunoo replied.

It was strange talking without moving his lips. It was more about transmitting his thoughts (only the ones he wanted,Sunoo didn't think others would be happy with his train of dark thoughts) than actually talking-talking.

Let's move with caution,Idon't like how their hideout is planned. Too many intricate corridors....

Alright Jay-hyung.

And their mind connection returned silent.

Jungwon had come up with a good plan. He had split them into pairs before entering their hideout. Several corridors appeared before them,and Sunoo could sense that they all led to the same place,even if they took different roads. He and Sunghoon hyung had been walking for a couple of minutes,and so far no one had gotten in their way.

This place should be crawling with enemies and yet there is none. I hope they are not planning anything...

"Sunoo"

"Yes Hyung?"

The blond turned to the older one,since it was just the two of them,he had finally decided to at least take off his sunglasses.

"Are you feeling better? You look different...since we got here..."
Sunghoon said,trying to not look at him.

Was he feeling better? No. He was still angry at himself. Kim Sunoo was many things,but a coward was not one of these.

They took him in front of me and I wasn't able to do anything. Unforgivable.

He clenched his fists.

He know,deep down,that it wasn't really his fault. He was in pain,he didn't understand anything and he didn't know what was really happening. But.....but a small part of him was whispering in his head that he shouldn't had walk away from Soobin-ssi,bringing the prince with him.

Maybe if the other had been with them,now they wouldn't be in that situation.

Riki was a good person,he didn't deserve everything they could have done to him.

But now that they were here,he wanted to turn every negative feeling he had against these people. They had made him feel like crap,and he will return the honors to the house.

Hold on a little longer,we're here.

So no,Sunoo didn't feel better,but now that he could he wanted revenge.

But he certainly couldn't say that to hys hyung.

"Yeah,I feel a little better knowing that we'll be able to free him now"
He smiled a little,looking back.

"Mhm...I know you Sun,you can't lie to me like that"
Sunghoon replied to his white lie.

Because of course he knew. They had been best friends for years now,It would be problematic if it were the other way around.

Still....something I wish he couldn't read me at all.

Sunooo sighed,turning his gaze back to the other.

"I don't feel better ok? I hate that I couldn't do anything for him when we were together. But the fact that now we are here? I'll make sure that they will pay for what they have done."
The blond uttered his words with such ice that he soon felt shivers.

"I know that. You have you have a vengeful streak in you."
The other said,deadpanned.

"But I also told you multiple time that it's not your fault. Remember what the deputy headmistress told us? They used sound waves to prevent us from moving. Stop blaming yourself,I'm sure the prince wouldn't be happy about that."
Sunoo closed his mouth and turned away again. There was no point in arguing with his best friend. He wouldn't understand. No one of them could.

It's still your fault,the prince had protected you in that blanket of shadows,you weren't affected by their tricks. You could do something

Sunoo ignored the whispers in his head too.

Behind him he heard Sunghoon try to speak to him again,but silenced him as he felt presences approaching.

"Hey,you think that our Boss will finally let us have some days off?"
The voice was deep,and seemed to be coming in their direction.

Sunoo looked around,there weren't many hiding places since the corridor was a one-sided path.

"I hope so! He looked really pleased when our plan worked."
Another voice,this one it was much more shrill.

Two. Two people were coming in their direction. They need to act fast.

Think Sunoo,think!

"There"
Sunghoon whispered,pointing at a medium crack in the wall covered by some crates.

"We can make it work. Let's go"
The two rushed and slipped into the crack,flattening themselves against the wall.

Now we wait. If we get caught here it's the end.

"Mhm! Did you see his face when we told him the prince was in the cell? Now,that expression was amazing. He didn't seem to believe it!"
Guard one said,as they passed in front of them. The boys held their breath.

"I mean,we are totally capable of accomplishing our missions! Did you know they put the prince in the north cell near the entrance to the interrogation room?"
Guard two said.

"Really? I didn't know that. They put an inhibitor collar on him,right?"
The other asked,while they walked further away.

"Oh yes! The keys are near Boss's rooms. Hey,do you know that–"
And then their voice are gone,lost in this maze of a place.

Sunoo and Sunghoon came out of their hiding place. Their minds blank.

"Did you hear?"
Sunoo asked the other,because,what the fuck?!

This is unforgivable! Who the fuck do they think they are?! Using an inhibitor collar...monsters,every single one of them

"Which part? The fact that he's locked in a cell? That they put a collar on him like he's a dog? And that the keys are apparently near the Boss of this place? Because Sunoo,I heard the whole fucking conversation and I want to rip their heads off"
Sunghoon growled angrily.

Oh. He's more pissed off than me. Can relate to him.

"No–yes–I mean! They said that Riki is in the north cell near the interrogation room! Now we know where he is!....And that he can't use his power"
He whispered the last sentence,a pang in his heart at the thought of not being able to use his powers. It may act like a bitch most of the time,but it was still a part of him.

The idea of being blocked from using my other half...isn't fucking right! Oh! I'm going to make sure that they will suffer....

"I'll warn others"
The older said,but before he could call at the other,another voice spoke.

Guys! We have a problem! Me and Hee got caught! 2 guards are chasing us.

The panic in Jake's voice spread to all of them. Sunoo's eyes widened.

"Fuck!"
Sunghoon whispered.

I'd like to tell you that you're stupid,but Jungwon and I are in the same situation! Some guards found us while we were investigating some rooms to find the prince.

Sunoo's eyes widened even more at the sound of Jay's voice.

"FUCK!"
Sunghoon yelled.

Shut up Jay,we aren't in a condition to argue. Sunoo,what about you two?

Heeseung asked,his tone tired,most likely from running or from holding the mental link for so long. Sunoo was hoping for the first.

They haven't discovered us yet. Some guards passed by but we hid and they didn't notice us. We found out where they are keeping Riki.

Sunoo replied.

This is amazing Sunoo-hyung! Where is he?!

Jungwon talked this time,he sounded like he wss running a marathon.

In a north cell,near the interrogation room. We don't know where it is but we will find out. But....

They put an inhibitor collar on him.

Sunoogrimaced at the cold tone Sunghoon used,but he wasn't in the mood to scold him.

The reaction was instantaneous. The voices of the others fell silent for a couple of seconds,most likely to understand what Sunghoon had just said,and then there was only anger and shouting.

Say what?! Are they fucking insine?!

Those piece of shit!

Unforgivable! They are fucking scum!

Who the fuck do they think they are to decide whether or not we can use our powers?! I will killed them all!

Yeeeeaahhh.....Sunoo could relate to all of them in this moment,the feeling of indignation and bitterness hadn't left yet his tongue.

You know,I didn't want to draw attention,but since two out of three groups we made have been discovered,and they are trying to repress part of the price... it seems more than fair that we defend ourselves.

Jungwon are you saying that–

Yes. You can use your power as much as you want and how you want. No pressure.

There's something sinister in Jungwon's tone that makes Sunoo shiver.

"Remind me to never make Jungwon angry...it's always the sweetest ones who are the most horrible"
He whispered,feeling cold.

"Look who's talking...."
Sunghoon said,unimpressed.

Oh fuck,yes! I've been waiting for this moment!

If you say so...

Sunoo-hyung. I know I may ask too much,but since you two are the only one that they hadn't found yet,can you continue the research alone? We will try to draw their attention to themselves so that you can have free rein.

Isn't it dangerous?

What th–
Jay!

Sunoo blinked and brought his gaze to his best friend. The other was biting his lip nervously.

"So? What do you say?"
He asked,waiting for his decision.

It was risky,more risky that their original plan,and Sunoo didn't know if it could actually work,but they had to try,the prince's life was in their hands after all.

"....We'll need be much more careful than before,if they find us it's the end. We only have one attempt Sunoo-ya,we have to play it well and make it work"
Sunghoon declared and Sunoo smiled at him.

Thank you.

His hyung smiled back at him.Sunoo liked to think that he was telling him "you are welcome".

Alright Jungwon,we will continue with the search. Try not to get caught. Once we find Riki,let's regroup as quickly as we can and use the amulet they gave us to get out of here.

And after a couple of positive affirmations,some "good luck" and goodbyes,they were on their own again.

"Let's go hyung,we have a cell to find"
Sunoo said,before starting to walk again faster than before. Sunghoon followed closely behind.

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦

Riki held his breath.

So far,Ta-ki's plan was working. They had snuck out of his cell and Ta-ki had quickly made disguises using the guards' dirty clothes (apparently his friend was forced to do their laundry every day). They hadn't even had to knock out the guards at the entrance. They had mistaken them for one of their own.

They had reached the halfway point,after taking a couple of turns in the corridors and entering some others,to get to the keys.

They were passing a couple of guards (Riki could tell because Ta-ki was gripping his hand more tightly out of anxiety) when they started talking more animatedly.

"What do you mean there are intruders? No one knows the location of this hideout,we are covered. How could we have intruders?!"
One of them shouted and Riki winced.

It wasn't enough the unbearable pain he felt when moving or the fact that he was blind,he also had to put up with the nervousness of the guards.

But suddenly he realized what he had said.

Intruders? What intruders? They didn't discover us,did they?

Anxiety rose up in him. If they were discovered now they would kill him,perhaps torture him even more than before. Riki didn't want his new friend to suffer the same fate because of him.

The grip on his hand tightened.

"It's true sir! The guards found some boys while we were snooping around our rooms! And two more while they were doing patrols of the southeast wing!"
The other guard yelled.

Riki could finally breathe.

It's not us,thanks Dracula.

"WHAT?! What are–"

The grip on his hand loosened a bit before the two could get away from the other guards,their anger got lost in the corridor.

And then–

Fuck! It's not us! Who the hell are the  intruders then?!

"Ta-ki"

"I know. Let's hurry up and get the keys so we can free you and get out of here. This is getting too hectic. I don't like it"
Riki found himself agree with him.

A grimace spread across his face at the mere thought of who it could be. A bad feeling took over.

They said boys right? And it was more than 2.....I swear to god,if they really came here I'll kill them. Risking their lives for mine? It's not fucking worth it.

"Hyungs....please..."
He whispered,hating how his throat was screaming for mercy just for saying 2 words.

It's pathetic.

"Did you say something Ni-ki?"
Ta-ki asked,and he shook his head.

The next few minutes were spent walking through the various corridors while hearing the fast footsteps of other people yelling for reinforcements.

It's too easy with all the guards that run in the opposite direction. Where is Dardan? Shouldn't he know about this?

Riki sincerely hoped that the other had gone who knows where because they were so close to freedom and he didn't want to abandon it only now.

"We are here. There are different room in this part of building,we need to check all of them. One of them contains the key case for the inhibitor collars."
Ta-ki explained.

Riki couldn't see anything in front of him,but he began to feel the surface with his hands.

Rough...Rough....Ew moss they should do a cleaning here...Rough...Smooth. Is this the door?

He quickly ran his hands over the surface until he felt cold metal.

Yes! I found the handle.

He placed his hand uncertainly on the surface before pulling it towards himself. From the sound the door made,and the slight change in the air,it must have open.

"Good job Ni-ki. Even if you are blind you can still go on with your strength. I'm proud of you"
Riki felt his cheeks red at the compliment,but let it go.

Still,it was nice to know that someone believed in him like that,even in this type of...situation.

Ta-ki took his hand again before leading him into the room,closing the door behind them.

The two stayed in there for a couple of minutes,Ta-ki rummaging around and Riki trying to feel for something useful with his hands. He was starting to feel frustrated.

I'm so useless like this....

"I don't think they are here. Let's check the others room"

"Alright...."

The two changed rooms,but this time Riki decided to sit in a corner and do nothing,while Ta-ki searched among the various things.

In the back of his head he could feel the shadows moving,but he gave it little thought.

As soon as he takes the collar off me all these feelings will come flooding back at me. It will be painful to channel all this.

Riki touched the skull ring his parents had given him.

But at the same time I won't be prevented from using the ring. Just one touch and we'll be out of here.

"Yes! I found them!"
Riki turned his head towards the place where the happy voice came from.

"Ni-ki! I found the keys! I just need to see which one is yours"
He said,walking up to him and sit down next to him.

"Let's try with this one first"
He muttered.

Riki turned to give better access to the lock of his collar. Ta-ki inserted the key and tried to turn it,but nothing happened,it seemed to be stuck.

"Ok,this is not it. Next one"
He said,taking it out and using another one.

The second one had the same effect,as did the third and fourth.

"Fifth attempt don't disappoint me..."
Ta-ki whispered,using the fifth key of the minute.

Riki was starting to get impatient.

What if none of them are right? What if Dardan has it with him? What if–

Click.

Thump.

The heavy weight around the prince's neck loosened and the black metal fell to the ground with a thud.

"There it is! I know that you won't disappoint me!"
Ta-ki exclaimed excitedly.

Riki froze.

His body was gripped by a spasm that made him bend over. And then another,which almost made him scream in pain. And another,and another. He could feel his body getting engulfed in a familiar black energy.

"AHHHHHHH!"
He screamed from the pain.

The shadows and darkness around him exploded across the room.

"NI-KI!"
Ta-ki's screams,despite the proximity, seemed so far away.

Fuck,this is worse that what I was expecting!

The shadows had gone mad. They were pounding the walls of the room judging by his deaf ears. And judging by the freezing cold that had descended,darkness had taken over the room.

I have to controll them or they'll eat me because I'm too weak.

So Riki did the only thing he knew how to do in these situations,he yanked them back,trying to take their energy as close as possible to his core,trying to tame them.

They tried to rebel,but the prince made sure to maintain an iron grip on them. In the midst of the chaos he could hear Ta-ki screaming his name,but he will talk to him later.

He bit his tongue,trying to maintain his concentration. After a couple more attempts at rebellion,the shadows realized that they could do nothing,so they settled back around him,the darkness followed them,wrapping him in a protective blanket.

Riki felt his body being enveloped in the same energy as before,before they dissolved into thin air.

Fuck! Finally! My head hurts like a bitch because of them!

Riki sighed, feeling a strange metallic taste in his mouth.

Oh,not again.

"NI-KI! OH MY GOD! ARE YOU OK?!"
Ta-ki's worried voice anchored him to the ground.

He really wanted to answer him,but he was prevented by both tiredness and the blood in his mouth. Wanting to tackle his friend's worries anyway,he nodded with difficulty.

"If I had known you would have a reaction like that I would not have taken it away from you. Or at least not now that we have to run away. Fuck,I'm so sorry!"
His friend said.

If Riki had had the strength,he would have told him that it was absolutely not his fault,and that it was thanks to him that he could once again be in touch with a part of himself. Ta-ki had done everything to help him,it wasn't his fault that Riki now had to suffer the side effects of the collar.

It's Dardan's,not yours. Never yours....

A shrill noise came through signaling the door opening again. With a final effort,Riki forced his body to wrap them in a protective coccon of shadows,so as not to be seen. Ta-ki supported him,wrapping his hands around him.

What he didn't expect,however,was warmth on his face and animated voices. Voices that were really,really,really familiar to him.

"Fuck! They're following us,what do we do Hee?"
A panicked voice asked

Jake hyung...?

"I don't know,ok!? I fucking hope that Sunoo found Ni-ki already,we need to get out of there and fast!"
Another voice said,out of breath.

Heeseung hyung....?

The shadows around them melted away in an instant.

"What happen–NI-KI?!"

"OH MY GOD!"

Riki could hear the footsteps of the two boys approaching them. Ta-ki's grip tightened.

Riki didn't know what was happening,but he heard Ta-ki growl.

"Who are you and what do you want with him!?"
He yelled.

"We are his friends,we come here to get him out of there. We would never hurt him."
Heeseung hyung voice was steady and calm,as if he were trying to calm an animal.

But Ta-ki isn't an animal....he is my friend.

"Yeah! I'm sorry if we startled you,but we've been discovered and the guards are after us. We hid here to catch our breath...we didn't think there would be someone else too..."
Jake hyung said this time,with his soft voice.

"How can I trust you? How do I know you know the truth?"
Ta-ki asked,from his tone of voice Riki could imagine his face frowning.

"Ni-ki dissolved the barrier that kept you two safe as soon as he recognized our voices"
Heeseung said,for a couple of seconds no one talked.

"You can also ask him,we know him ever since he was a child"
Jake hyung added.

"It....It make sense...alright...I'll believe you...."
Ta-ki he declared,letting his grip loosen.

"Thank you."
They both said.

"...Hyungs....."
Riki said weakly,attracting their attention

"Ni-ki! Oh my god! Are you ok? I swear to god I'm going to kill them for what they did to you! They are dead,all of them."
Jake hyung hissed as he came closer to him.

Judging the quick steps that followed,Heeseung hyung did the same.

"When we found out that those bastard put a collar around your neck we saw black. How fucking could they do something like that?! And look at you.....what have they done?"
Heeseung hyung poisonous voice spread through the room.

Riki would have really wanted to let himself go there,in that moment,in the arms of his hyungs,the people who known him better than all the others vampires in their empire.

But he couldn't,not when there was still so much things to do. If they were here,it meant the others were here too,they had to find them and run away together. They had to get out of here and go back to the Academy. He had to inform his parents about Dardan and he had to take immediate remedy. But with his injuries,it seemed easier said than done.

He wanted to fucking cry. Scream to the world that it wasn't fair,that he didn't deserve any of this and that he wanted to rest. But he couldn't. Not now.

Then he took the last of his energy to speak,even though his body was begging for mercy and he just wanted to sleep.

"Hyung....we need to get out of there...before he...comes back...."
Riki said faintly,he felt blood coming down from his nose.

Fucking great.

"He? Who is he?"

Riki really wanted to explain,but the blood loss was starting to get too much,and he started to not hear or fell almost anything.

"F–! Hee–....we need.....him out!"

"I–! Let's–"

"Wait! Whe.....you.....him!?"

"........home!.....want–.....co–with us?"

"......."

"We don't–........time!"

"We need........others."

"Ok.........home"

The darkness welcomed him back. Riki smiled unconsciously at the feeling of his shadows cradledling him

They were finally his again,and no one will take them away from him again. No one.

I'm finally back at home.