An update as promised!

I week later

XL: Jungkook

Don't worry.

That was the message that Taehyung had sent through Hoseok.

He should have known better. I've done nothing but worry for the past week, and trying to take my mind off him by helping Jimin with tasks isn't helping.

The only bit of good news I had gotten was Hoseok and Lisa's arrival. Everyone from Armad had come here, though Jin and Namjoon were making plans to move to their home in the Sirius clan soon. Clinging onto Jimin's advice, I had asked Hoseok and Lisa about the monster. But my hopes were dashed by their answer.

"Truthfully, we don't have much to offer," Lisa had said apologetically. "Taehyung never told us much. We were there to witness how he revived after the dark times, but the monster itself... well, that's a mystery even to us. I'm sorry we can't help you much."

It became clear that many of the vampires still didn't understand what was going on. When I had asked Hoseok and Lisa if they were going to tell them, both shook their heads. "Until things get too out of hand, we won't be the ones to break the news. That's Taehyung's task alone. He'll decide when he's comfortable enough to say it."

In which case, my every waking minute is spent worrying over Taehyung, and visiting the door every chance I get. Even though I never enter, just being close to it seems to rejuvenate some of the bond. Taehyung was right: it does make me feel a bit better, but it's nothing compared to how I felt when I was actually with him. The thought just makes my heart hurt more, so I try to ignore it as best as I can.

Today, I sit on a bench at the edge of a pond, watching the minnows dart in and out of sight. Their scales shine silver in the sun, catching the light and sending glimmers of sparkle across the surface of the water. Everything in this place is beautiful, but this pool holds a special place in my heart.

Suddenly, I feel a movement to my right, and a wet, little nose sniffs my hand. I turn, only to see a bunny cautiously nuzzling my palm. It must have scooted onto the stone bench when I wasn't looking.

"Hey there," I slowly reach a hand out to pet it, smiling when the bunny's ear twitches. "I'm sorry I don't have any carrots. I'll bring some next time, if you like." Wild animals are common in the meadows, especially bunnies and other small mammals. I see them daily, scuffling around in the tall stalks of grass. But none had ever come this close. Perhaps they had finally gotten used to me.

The bunny sniffs my hand one last time, before lying down on the bench, seemingly having lost interest. I stare at it for a while, watching as it sunbathes, eyes closed in what I think to be bliss. I wish I could feel as untroubled as the bunny beside me, with my only concern being to look for food. Sighing, I turn my attention back to the lake. But my vision seems to freeze as I gape in horror at the sight before me.

The lake is pure blood. The red substance splashes against the shores, staining the flowers on the bank a deep crimson. Something has transformed a simple lake into a pool of death. And that's not even the worst of it. I see images reflected in its bloody waters: people dying, cut down by the relentless flames. Whole buildings collapsing into rubble. Darkness devouring everything.

And above it all, a winged figure flies through the skies, daring and bold. The sadistic smile adorning his face reveals sharp fangs already dripping with blood. With a start, I realize that it's Taehyung I'm seeing. His black hair is ruffled from the wind, and a silver mask covers everything on his face except from his lips down. He has a malicious air around him that he never radiated before, and he stares at the ongoing destruction with chilling joy. 

On reflex, I back away from the pond, nails digging into the rough stone beneath me. No, not Taehyung. Not Taehyung. I close my eyes, willing the images to go away, to leave me alone. Wishing for all this blood and destruction to stop. For this evil form of Taehyung to go away.

When I cautiously open my eyes again, the lake has returned to its usual serene state, not a trace of blood in its waters. I blink my eyes once, then twice, trying to fathom what had just happened. The bunny beside me appears equally unfazed, still resting in the exact same spot. Had that all been a hallucination? A dream? But it had seemed too real to be a figment of my imagination.

But if what I saw was real, then Taehyung... oh Taehyung, what had happened to him? I knew how much he hated seeing innocents die. What had the monster turned him into? My hands curl into fists in my lap. What did it matter what Taehyung would think of me? I had to help him.

Getting up from the bench, I run towards the house, opening the door so quickly that I almost hit Jimin in the face. He yelps, taking a step backwards to avoid getting his face smushed.

"Jungkook! What's the rush?" He asks, as I take deep breaths to calm my racing heart.

"Jimin... I need to go back." He raises an eyebrow, giving me a once-over. But the steely determination in my eyes must have surprised him.

"What? Why so suddenly?" Jimin gives me a quizzical glance. I tell him about my vision in the pond, and how the lake turned to blood. As he listens, Jimin's face turns ashen and his eyes narrow. When I finish, he wrings his fingers nervously.

"It may mean nothing. I know you haven't been sleeping well lately," He peers at me, concerned. "Do you want me to ask Jin for some sedatives? It'll stop these hallucinations."

"No, hyung. I don't think they were hallucinations," I say. "I think they're real. I need to go back. I have to confirm my fears. I know it may be just a false alarm, but... I don't want to risk it." Jimin's brows furrow.

"Just a quick glance," I plead, when Jimin starts to shake his head. "I'll come back if there's nothing wrong. I need to make sure that Taehyung's alright."

Jimin lets out a ragged sigh. "I have specific orders not to let you go back." When I start to protest, he holds up a hand. "But if Taehyung is in trouble, honor demands that I do everything I can to help and protect the leader of my clan." He messages his temples, mouth in a hard line. Finally, he looks up.

"Tell you what. If you go back, I'm coming with you. As well as Hoseok. And no running off on your own. I know how worried you are, but you'll accomplish nothing by doing things by yourself."

"Is that the best deal I'll get?"

"Yes. Take it or leave it."

"Fine," I concede. "When can we go?"

"Right now. If we're fast we'll be able to get back here before sundown. Assuming that everything goes according to plan, of course. I'll go find Hoseok." Jimin speeds off, and I'm left alone in the foyer, silently sending a thank you to Jimin for acting so fast.

After a minute, Hoseok comes out, holding a still half-polished scim in his hand. "So, Jungkook, I heard you want to go back to Armad?"

"Not for a long time," I say quickly. "Just to check if Taehyung's fine. If he is, I'll come right back, I promise."

"... And if he isn't?" Hoseok inquires quietly.

At his words, I feel my body freeze up and my heart pound loud in my chest. What if he wasn't? What if the monster had already taken over and was making him do horrible things? The idea is horrifying, but not out of question. I had seen how desperate Taehyung was to get me to safety. He wouldn't have done that if the monster's rising hadn't been close... The temperature in the room seems to drop considerably, and I shake slightly, goosebumps prickling all over my body.

"Then we'll think of a plan there," Jimin comes to my rescue. "We shouldn't be worrying over things that are yet to happen."

Hoseok stares at Jimin for a long second, before nodding. "Fine. Well, then let's go. No point in just standing here talking." He walks out the door, and I hurry to catch up with him. All those years of delivering messages must have made Hoseok fast, because Jimin and I have to jog to keep up with his brisk steps. By the time we get to the door, both of us are panting slightly, while Hoseok just looks on, amused.

"Do you want to rest for a minute?" He asks, but I shake my head. Every moment spent here is another moment in which the monster might take over. If it hadn't already.

Twisting the handle open, I'm met with the brilliant barrier of light that always marks the entrance of other places. When the light fades, I find myself in the kitchen of Armad Castle, with Jimin and Hoseok flanking me with their weapons half drawn.

The kitchen looks the same as always, with clean pots and pans hanging from the hooks on walls, and strings of dried herbs dangling from the ceiling. It looks exactly how we left it, and after a brief look around, it's clear that nothing has been moved. I can even see a bit of dust coating the plates which were left untouched.

"See? There's nothing out of the ordinary," Hoseok says brightly. But when he thinks I'm not looking, he shares a glance with Jimin. Something is unsettling them. Not the room, but a feeling. And after a minute, I feel it too.

It's too quiet.

No one's here.

There's really no words to describe the feeling of the place. With the castle deserted, the ceilings seem too high, the hallways too long, the shadows too dark. I ease open the kitchen door, eyes darting for any sign of Taehyung. Nothing. Jimin and Hoseok follow suit, Jimin's hand never leaving the hilt of his scim.

We walk through the now abandoned hallways, checking every room we come across. I wanted to split up to cover more ground, but Hoseok and Jimin quickly shot down the idea. "This castle may seem deserted, but who knows what's lurking in the shadows?" They had said.

I take a deep breath as I open the doors to the last unexplored room on this floor. "Taehyung?" I call out tentatively. My voice echoes through the large obsidian room, bouncing off the walls. No one answers. I look back at Jimin and Hoseok. They both shake their heads.

"Maybe he's on one of the upper levels," I say hopefully. Jimin nods, but I get the feeling that he's just humoring me.

Climbing the stairs, we continue our search through the second and third floors. When I open the door to Taehyung's office, I half expect him to be there, buried in paperwork with a pen in his hand. He would look up when he saw me coming and hold out his hands as an invitation, smiling his sweet smile meant just for me. I would gladly sink into them, finding comfort in his warmth. His touch. 

But he isn't here.

The paperwork on his desk is all haphazardly thrown about, and all his work is in disarray. It's clear enough that he hasn't been here for a long time. Jimin lightly squeezes my shoulder while I take in the room, heart sinking to my toes.

"Where... where can he be?" I ask, swallowing back my despair. "Armad is his home. He can't be anywhere else!" I feel despair bubbling up inside of me, and force myself to keep it down.

"He could be on one of his missions," Hoseok says. "Kings need to travel frequently to the borders and other clans. Perhaps he's just gone for... a trip." None of us comment on how slim the chances of that were. I'm about to suggest we take a look on the perimeter of the castle, when a smell in the air distracts me. It wasn't there a minute ago, but is now as potent as ever, tainting the air.

"Guys, do you smell that?" I ask, sniffing the air again. There's an unmistakable tang of something sharp, almost like pepper, but thicker... My eyes widen as I realize what it is.

Smoke.

Before I can warn the others, Hoseok has already grabbed my arm and Jimin's, herding us to the staircase. Clearly, he's smelled it too. "Quick!" His voice is urgent. "We need to get back down."

As if on cue, the window behind us bursts into flames, and we all break into a run. Once we get out onto the second landing hallway, my heart sinks to my feet. Flames are already working steadily away at the left side of the corridor, and the smell of smoke is so overwhelming that I cover my face with my shirt.

"This way!" Hoseok tugs us all right, and we dash away from the flames. The end of the hallway is split into two staircases, and we stop, panting. I risk a glance back, only to find that the flames are much closer than I imagined. They are moving too fast for them to be regular flames, and will probably devour us in minutes if we linger. I swallow my fear, turning to Hoseok and Jimin. "What now?"

"I'll go see if the east stairwell's manageable," Jimin says over the sound of flames. "It leads directly to the kitchen, and that's the fastest way out." I can hear him wheezing as he makes his way through the thick smog.

While he's gone, more smoke starts to fill the stairwell, and I distantly hear the crackle of flames. Come on, come on!

"Any luck?" Hoseok yells, and I cross my fingers together, hoping.

"The smoke's too thick," Jimin's voice calls back. "We'll never get back to the kitchen in time."

Hoseok curses. "Then we'll have to use the front entrance. Come on!" We all lock our hands together as we barrel down the left staircase, weaving through blazing hunks of fallen obsidian. An inferno of burning embers fall from the ceiling, and I flinch as they land on Hoseok's bare arms. But he ignores them as he pulls us down, down, down. A huge beam groans, and Jimin barely lunges out of the way as it lands on the stairs with a thunderous crash.

"Ten bleeding hells!" Jimin coughs out as we're forced to go back up a few steps, and I inhale a lungful of smoke. My chest burns with pain, and I double over, unable to stop coughing.

"Hold on Jungkook," Hoseok's shout brings me back. "Just a little longer."

We reach the ground level, just as the stairs are engulfed with burning flames. Oh, I'm such a fool. I should have never insisted we come here. Now, I've put all of us in such danger. It will be a miracle if we can get through the flames alive. The smoke is so thick now that I can barely see Jimin and Hoseok through the gray haze.

The ground level is half-engulfed by the hungry fire, but nothing compared to the upper levels. I see all the statuary crumble into rubble before us as Hoseok grabs my hand and pulls me along. The fire licks at our heels, urging us to go faster as we run, not letting go of each other's hands. And then we are through the worst of the flames, all of us coughing from the heavy smoke. Through my haze-filled vision I can see a pair of massive silver doors looming in front of us. Hoseok mutters some words and they fling open, expelling us into the night. We don't dare stop until we're a safe distance from the fire. Once we reach the boundaries of the forest, all of us collapse onto the ground, hacking our lungs out.

I gasp in the clear air, coughing and wheezing as I fall to my knees. Jimin and Hoseok don't fare much better, as they lean on the trees, clutching at their chest. We're all covered in ash and burns, but none of us have deep injuries. I let out a sigh of relief, my eyes still watery from all the smoke. It takes more than ten minutes for all of us to calm down and ease the tightness in our chests.

"Is―Is everyone alright?" Hoseok's voice is hoarse, but still strong. "No serious injuries?" Jimin and I both shake our heads. Talking is beyond our abilities right now. But no words need to be uttered when I turn my head to see the destruction that the fire had caused. I hear Jimin inhale a sharp breath, and even I can't really believe what's happening.

Armad Castle.

Armad Castle is on fire.

I watch as the tall obsidian towers finally lose against the onslaught of the flames, crumbling down with a terrific bang. The reading room, which I had spent countless hours in, is completely devoured, and I can smell the burning pages of books even from here. Everyone can tell that this fire is no accident. It was strategically placed to create the biggest inferno possible. By someone.

"Who―why?" I choke out, my lungs burning. "Who would do such a thing?" Hoseok opens his mouth to answer, but a silky smooth voice interrupts him, coming from the shadow of tall trees. A voice that sends chills up my spine, so achingly familiar, yet so venomous and malevolent that I scarcely recognize it.

"An excellent question, Jungkook. An excellent question indeed."