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BEFORE Hoseok could answer the humorous man accompanied with a hat paired with three points and jingle bells chiming at the end of each point, he held his ground, eyes not leaving the man's dark eyes layering deep rich brown soil and underneath it laid a plant he'd be able to create with the power of magic just as long if his two hands wouldn't be afraid to do such work like he used to do.

Sorcery.

It was forbidden among and outside of the kingdom of Busan.

He may be a jester carrying light feathered jokes over his shoulders, a laugh that could get you laughing, and the chiming of the jingle bells creating a sense of whimsical, cheerful moments. But he was more than that. Granted the jester here was jolly, however, beyond those jokes and fun were magic-good magic, and how he yearned to play with magic for the better purposes again.

"Who-are you exactly, may I inquire?" Hoseok took steps towards the man and so did he until they were standing in front of each other, just staring, eye to another. The jester dipped his head, chuckling under his breath, and then Hoseok was met with dark rich brown eyes sucking the soul out of him, but when he was greeted with a small smile, anxiousness sunk in his face towards his neck and changed to relief washing over him.

The jester is a good guy.

"Gandalf Caelius-" there was a long silent pause, only the wind was the sound to all of their ears, "but you can call me Callum, almost everyone who knows me calls me that, though Gandalf is my real name," his voice lowered, head dipped once again before he tipped his head up and locked eyes with Hoseok's warm ones.

Still not able to recognize the name or the face, Hoseok's eyes widen. Jungkook, Yoongi, and Taehyung's jaw dropped once the man took off his hat. Strands of hair fell over his eyes like sharp blades and his eyes were deep rich intense brown that softened when Hoseok let out an astonishment gasp quietly. Hair dusky but rich as chocolate threw daggers at them, his surprisingly vanilla face shone brighter at the moonlight caressing his cheeks which were marked by a strong dry blood red scar.

He was the definition of beauty other than the prince of Busan and held sorcery within his palms.

It was a marvelous moment until a large creature stood no bigger than the king's heart, behind them, spreading its red wings, flared its nostrils and breathed out fire, causing Yoongi, Taehyung, Jungkook, and Avalon to whirl around, and stumble. Gandalf reached for the sword at his belt and drew it out, grasping it in his hands. He signaled the others to back away, yelling, he sprinted at the dragon but was met with a deep, warm, sonorous voice and gentle, clear ocean eyes.

"I have no intention of erupting a war with you fellow folks. Indeed I may have appeared dangerous," he chuckled, spooking out the six men. His wings spread farther as if he was about to take flight. He reached out a hand to Hoseok who was slightly nervous. He took hesitant steps, approaching the dragon, and finally, he climbed on to the dragon's palm as he felt being rose in the air.

"Hoseok, Jung Hoseok, you've been a very good boy." The dragon started.

"I haven't been good at all-" Hoseok was interrupted at the dragon shushing him gently and there were tears bubbling in the windows of his soul, then slipped from the corner of his eye. His teeth gritted, hand formed a fist, eyes shut, desperately tried from any vulnerability to not show.

Crying was okay, being weak was okay, but too much of it will affect the person and others.

"I want you to continue to stay strong, okay? You're fierce, bold, strong, amazing, a warrior just like your mother before my very own eyes." Avalon suddenly spoke. "I used to know her. She's one of a kind, ya know? She had these soft caramel eyes you'd get lost in. Her hands were strong of an iron's, her voice immense kindness but also a true leader even reflected in her eyes. Your mother, Hoseok, she was a very brave one at that, stole from the rich, gave to the poor, and kept our kingdom at peace until it was as if world war began and then she fell down-"

"Shut up, Avalon." The dragon quickly said. Quickly to make sure the pied piper didn't go farther with his words of Hoseok's mother's story. "We here are all united and on a very important mission, and for once I shall please request silence and no interruption or it'll be your last!"

The dragon's voice echoed throughout the woods as they were in the center of a fireplace, the light was out due Yoongi grabbing a bucket full of water and splashed it on the crackling light. "Well that's done, now we're speaking," Yoongi was met with the dragon's ocean eyes.

"I'm afraid I haven't introduced myself. I am Eubert Agustus, once a proud knight who guarded the kingdom of Busan, unfortunately, I was cursed at the age of twenty-two and thus was transformed into a dragon. Which I am now."

"You, a knight?" Yoongi laughed.

Avalon and Gandalf gave each other a look and then looked at Yoongi, a small smile playing at their lips with a shake of their head in embarrassment for the poor dragon. Jungkook and Taehyung were amazed, their eyes widen, and let out an anxious laugh when Eubert leaned in their direction so close their faces were almost inches apart.

"You two must be Hoseok's dear friends?"

"Hey, I'm his friend too, you know!" Yoongi hollered, arms folded across his chest.

"Very well, very well. I suppose the raven-haired man didn't quite believe me being a knight?" Eubert chuckled, turned to look at Hoseok softly, whispering in his ear.

"Go forth, precisely, gently, and wisely with arms of an angel and besides you are your wings. You so shall pass the bridge with the help of humor and pass the king's royal room as long as you have three keys. You will enter into a room where all your stress shall be released by an apple of Eve and Adam. Then so shall you ride the veins of a plant, meet fellows that are fond of bananas, go through tunnels of rats which will follow the tune of grim and playfulness. And eventually, you will have to be quick to climb the tower of the rose you've been destined to keep alive before all the lights go out before nature will wither."

And so the dragon took off, flying through the air with his big red wings, leaving the six guys dumfounded, standing there in the middle of a dried out fireplace. Hoseok started for the dragon, reaching out a hand, calling out to him.

"Wait- is there any other way? I don't understand . . . " his voice was faint, almost inaudible than his heart pounding against his ribcage.

"All will be well with the help of your wings and brains. Riddles are quite fancy in those days and still are. I know you will save our kingdom and make sure the world will bloom once again before Shin Han Sol ha plucked the very rose and have it in his hands."

"Well these riddles are baffling all of us, it isn't just me!"

"You see you are on the right track, teamwork restores the peace! But there are three keys, you figure out which three accompany three keys." Then the dragon was suddenly gone quicker than light, and Hoseok fell to his knees, panting. He felt as if his heart would stop beating when he looked up at the sky and saw a grey cloud hovering over the kingdom.

They were close.

But running out of time.

And the lightning shone, sky rumbled, opening and clouds poured rain.

Suddenly a dove flew in the air, dived in a curve. It was very not often doves were present this far in the woods. Between its feet was a key. A golden key-it slipped out as rain continued showering the woods and the boys. Hoseok stood up, closely examining the key falling from the sky and he gasped silently as it dropped into his hands.

Key number one.

A/N: Please don't hate me for this cliffhanger and you are welcome 😎💖💖💛💚💙💜

I need to heavily edit Bridal Mask and I had lots of fun writing this chapter though it was kinda hard to make it dramatic when I have a movie playing out in my head and hope to write that out which is sometimes difficult. Please don't hesitate to comment, I'd love to hear your thoughts and votes are always appreciated. Thank you for reading, and finally, make sure to eat all three meals, get enough sleep, exercise here and there, and do something you love

I'll see you soon in the next update 😉