THEY immediately landed to the factory’s rooftop, the undead dragon immediately disappearing into bits as Wooyoung and Yeosang was on their feet once again. He can see his friends getting uncomfortable with the changes aside from Mingi, which seems to be happy on getting a ride on a fluffy fox as he kept on hugging San’s fox form.

“Mingi, let go of me now. I’m going to transform back into a human,” San warns as Mingi backs off.

“Thanks, man!” Mingi still can’t remove the grin on his face.

“Shall we proceed?” Hongjoong suddenly asks as he looked at all of them.

“Sure, we need to go back as soon as possible too.” San immediately turned back into human but instead of the clothes that he’s wearing a few hours ago, it turned into a white and red temple clothes as his fox ears and tail was still evident, making Mingi grin wider because of the tail, “Oh. And the moment that someone touches my tail, I’m going to rip you into pieces.”

Mingi immediately whimpered as he took a few steps backward, “O-Okay.’

“Pay attention to your surroundings,” Hongjoong told them in shushed tone as he silently opened the door leading them to the lower floors.

“I can hear some growlings in the lower floors,” San muttered as his ears perked up.

Mingi couldn’t help but bit his lip to stop himself on squealing as he held on Yunho’s shoulders which hissed at him, “Shut it, you fucking donkey.”

“But isn't he cute?” Mingi whispers.

“Can you keep your attention on the surroundings instead of me? Yunho is getting pissed off again,” San said as he looked at Mingi before glancing at Yunho, “Take it easy on Mingi, hyung.”

Mingi, which seems to be unaware of Yunho's behavior flinched as he looked towards the older male that immediately looked away. Seonghwa just sighed, they'll be needing to clear everything when they get back to that realm.

“Hush,” he scolded the youngest members as he held on the sniper tightly.

As they arrived on the lower floors, they couldn’t hear a single step as the dimmed lights blocks their eyesight except from San which seems to see clearly despite the darkness that blocks the other’s eyesight.

“I can’t see a fucking thing,” Jongho muttered.

“Yunho.” Yunho immediately understood what Hongjoong is trying to imply as he used his ability and caused the generator to work as the lights went back “Thank you, Yunho.”

“That’s so cool!” Mingi exclaimed.

“Pay attention. With the lights back on, the blackened ones will get curious and wander around the factory.” Jongho reminded them as they nodded, “Should we get some of our stuff in this floor since our rooms are in here?”

“We can also get some weapons and ammos in the weapon room!” San chirps.

“The weapon room is in the second floor while our rooms are in this floor,” Wooyoung, which was keeping his silence started talking that made everyone look at him, “The last thing that we should do is scavenge for food in the ground floor but the blackened ones are most likely to roam around there.”

“We need to distract them,” Hongjoong stated as he looked at the eldest member, “You can cause fires like that, right?”

“Yes. I’ll do it for all of you,” Seonghwa curtly replied, nodding once.

“So this is the plan. We’ll be getting some of our stuff in the rooms then we’ll be meeting up here in the stairs so we can proceed on the lower floor for the weapons and after that, prepare yourself on fighting the blackened ones. We will go to the storage room and grab some bottled waters and food.” Hongjoong said as his eyes turned pink, “Are we clear?”

“Yes.” they said in unison, immediately understanding Hongjoong’s plan and with the help of his leadership abilities as a Valkyrie.

“Let’s split up now,” Hongjoong dismissed the meeting as he immediately ran to his room.

The others did the same as San took Yeosang’s hand as they went to their shared room and for a reason, it seems that no one opened their room aside from them before invading the town’s library. Yeosang immediately opened his luggage and put some of his clothes in his huge bag along with some of the stuff with sentimental value for him. He looks at San which seems to take some of his clothes and just Shiber.

“Is that what you’re going to bring? That's few,” Yeosang remarks.

“I can always buy new clothes and shoes. But Shiber is irreplaceable so I’ll bring him whenever and wherever,” San said as he hugged the plush before putting it inside his bag.

“You really like that plush,” Yeosang stated as he smiled a bit.

“Yes, I do.” San replies as a small smile was also seen on his face yet Yeosang can sense that it’s such a genuine one, “Shiber was given to me by a special someone.”

“I see.” Yeosang immediately ended their conversation, not prying on the Shiber topic any longer.

“How about you? Why aren’t you bringing your drones?” San asked.

“As much as I treasure them, I only need the clothes, a pair of shoes and snacks.” Yeosang muttered as he looked at his drones, “I have to let go of some stuff because they won’t fit in the bag.”

“Oh.” San smiled sadly as he ruffled Yeosang’s hand, “Let’s go?”

As Yeosang nod, both of them made their way back and saw their friends. Just like them, most of them just brought the essential ones except Mingi. Mingi who seems to bring all of his luggage.

“So how are you going to carry that, bitchstick?” Yunho sassed, raising an eyebrow.

“But all of these are gifts from my family! And the clothes too! I can't just leave them! Leaving it means that I don’t treasure my family’s gifts!” Mingi huffs.

“So you’re gonna slow us down with your baggage instead?” Yunho stated as he smirked.

“I don’t know why are you pissed off but if I’ve done something then I’m sorry, okay?” Mingi can’t help but blurt it out because of the offensive words that Yunho had been saying as he looked away.

“Hey, calm down.” Hongjoong immediately stepped in, “You don’t need to fight over this. Let’s put our stuff in the rooftop as we get the weapons, alright?”

“But—” Mingi was about to retort but Hongjoong gave him an apologetic and he sighed in defeat, pouting as he look away on Yunho “Okay.”

Just like what Hongjoong ordered, they’ve went to the rooftop to drop their luggage before proceeding to the second floor where the weapon room is and they’ve been welcomed with some blackened ones that San immediately ripped in half as Jongho attacked as well. As they entered the weapon room, it was still just like how it is—not a single weapon was touched by other people.

“If you’re curious why no blackened one seems to be able to enter some rooms, I actually put some talisman that can ward off evil spirits and any evil elements away from the room.” Jongho immediately explained, “Though creatures of the dark that are stronger than me can enter this room.”

“So that explains why San, Wooyoung and Mingi can enter.” Seonghwa deadpanned.

“I am not a bad person though,” Mingi says, pouting at Seonghwa “I won’t do anything bad at all. Mom and Dad will be mad at me and will ground me in the underworld if I do.”

“We shouldn’t waste time and get some weapons as soon as possible,” Yunho cuts them off on their conversation, bumping Mingi on purpose as he took some ammos and put it on his machine gun.

Mingi wants to retort but before he was able to let go of his remaining patience, Hongjoong tapped his shoulder and shook his head. Mingi took a deep breath as he just nodded in dismay before doing his job just like the others, he doesn’t know why Yunho is acting like that but he doesn’t like it at all. Yunho is usually warm, not this cold.

“Are they alright?” Wooyoung whispered at Hongjoong.

Hongjoong just shrugged, “Who knows? I’ll let them talk about it later.”

“Okay.” Wooyoung went to grab a few daggers and a small bottle that was confined in a drawer before putting it on his pocket.

And as they finished rummaging the room for the weapons that they’ll be needing, they immediately went near the stairs and they can hear the growling and the nonstop ‘Eve..’ from the blackened ones. Hongjoong looked at them and he can’t help but feel bad— doubt, distrust, worry, despair, and longing were the only things that he can see in their expressions.

“Listen to me, everyone.” Hongjoong took a deep breath before suddenly stretching both of his hands towards them, “We’re friends, right?”

“What?” Seonghwa asks.

“We’re friends, right? Ever since we’re young,” Hongjoong said as he smiled at them in such a sad way that Mingi flinched.

Yunho nodded, “Y-Yes.”

“Then why are you all like that?” Hongjoong asked, “Not trusting each other, doubting and arguing nonstop.”

“Well..” Yunho immediately looked away, “I can’t tell you yet.”

“Then, will you be able to tell us later?” Hongjoong asks and Yunho nodded which made Hongjoong smile in relief before looking at Seonghwa, “How about you? Seonghwa, you’re one of the kind-hearted person that I’ve known yet with the way that you’re acting, it’s like you’re not the Seonghwa that I know. Park Seonghwa isn’t like that at all, where’s my bestfriend?”

Seonghwa flinched at Hongjoong’s statement, feeling an ache on his chest as he saw Hongjoong’s pained expression before looking down “I-I’m sorry for acting like this, Joongie. Just like Yunho, I couldn’t tell you why right now.”

“I understand. I just hope that you’ll enlighten us later,” Hongjoong said before proceeding to Wooyoung’s direction, “How about you, Wooyoungie? When will you reconcile with Yeosang?”

“Hyung, not now.” Wooyoung immediately shook his head, “This is not an important problem at all. We can talk about this after all of this.”

“I’m sorry for saying this but what if this is your only chance on reconciling with him? What if something bad happens to him? What are you going to do?” Hongjoong asks as he saw Wooyoung flinched, “I’m doing my best to think positive but worst case scenarios can happen anytime such as death. What if one of you dies?”

“We won’t,” Wooyoung said with gritted teeth as he looked at Yeosang, “H-He might be an airhead and doesn’t know a thing happening around here but he isn’t a dumbass that will let himself die while we’re in a tight situation.”

“And how are you sure of that?” Hongjoong asked, pink eyes brightening as he kept on asking.

“Because I know that he’s like that, selfless as heck. He have been like that ever since we’re young, always giving and not caring about himself. And that’s why I’m here, hyung. I’m here to make sure that he’s doing fine, Hongjoong-hyung.” Wooyoung replied, clenching his fists “And that’s what I'm doing now, assuring that he’ll be able to do some stuff on his own especially when I can’t be with him anytime, I’m making sure that he’s safe.”

“Alright,” Hongjoong smiled in delight as his eyes turned into mild pink as Wooyoung gasped, blushing furiously.

“You literally used your ability on me!” Wooyoung whined as he covered his face.

“I just had to,” Hongjoong replied as he looked at Yeosang, “There you go, Yeosang. He doesn’t hate you and your words kept on reaching him out so don’t give up on our stubborn Wooyoungie.”

“Thank you, hyung.” Yeosang nodded.

“Moving on, we’re gonna raid downstairs.” Hongjoong took both of his cutlass as he raised it, “Eight makes one team?”

They nodded and screamed in unison, “Eight makes one team! Fighting!”

“But I think the 'One us' cheer is better though..” Mingi mumbled and he received a smack on the head from Yunho, “Ow! What was that for?!”

And just like what they’re expecting, a huge number of blackened ones are on the ground floor and on the moment that they’re on their sight, they’ve started to run towards their direction. Some of them even fired using guns and Seonghwa was quick enough to make a barrier for all of them.

“Seonghwa, cast a fire spell now. Jongho, San and Mingi should get the needed items in the storage room while Wooyoung, Yunho and I should distract these blackened ones,” Hongjoong ordered before looking at Yeosang, “Stay here with Seonghwa, Yeosang.”

“Aye-aye, captain!” Yunho cheekily replies as he took his machine gun out and fired towards the blackened ones, hitting them in the head for a sure kill.

Wooyoung opened a portal to the ground where hands suddenly held towards the blackened ones’ feet as Hongjoong ran towards the blackened ones, slashing their heads with both of the cutlass on his hands before they can even react. Hongjoong gave a thumbs up on the younger male which seems to beam with their leader’s actions and Seonghwa glanced at the black-haired male, feeling bad on saying mean stuff towards this ray of sunshine.

Seonghwa had been acting mean towards his friends just because they’ve been blessed with powers and abilities that they didn’t even wanted, they wanted to be normal and that’s why they still kept on acting like onee despite being different. They just want to be normal— just like him.

Seonghwa was into his thoughts that when Hongjoong tapped him, he can see Jongho, Mingi and San carrying some huge bag filled with stuff and maybe it’s on his imagination but iy seems that Mingi carried a rice cooker and a microwave. But his attention turned to San which was looking at him with those michievous glint in his eyes and he frowned, the blond seems to know a lot about what’s happening to them— barely even reacting on the first time that he saw a blackened one or not reacting at all towards the unexpected stuff.

They ran upstairs until they’ve reached the rooftop as Yunho closed the door yet the banging from the blackened ones is too strong that any moment, the door might collapse so they immediately carried all their items as they looked at San.

“Are we going to fly again towards the mountain?” Yunho asks.

“We can but summoning in the mortal realm can take you a few minutes or probably an hour or two especially if it’s a dragon,” San casually stated as he grins, “Luckily, I summoned the portal nearby.”

“Where?” Seonghwa asked.

“There.” San pointed downwards and when they looked through the railings, they saw the portal in the middle of the air, probably between the fourth and third floor of this factory.

“Oh no.” Mingi immediately stepped backwards, “No. Nope. Non. No way. Yada. Andwae. No. No. No in alien language. No in underworld language. Just no.”

“Stop being a pussy and get your ass here,” Yunho hissed at the tall male.

Mingi shook his head, “I have acrephobia!”

“It’s acrophobia, you twat!” Yunho replied.

“Can you please jump already because the portal wouldn’t be able to last long and I’m not that strong to cast an another one in just a minute or two?” San stated, glaring at their tallest friends in annoyance.

“Holy shit..” Hongjoong’s hands and probably even his knees kept on shaking.

“Let’s go?” Seonghwa suddenly said as he crossed over the railings, “Joongie?”

“Together?” Hongjoong asks.

“Yes.” Seonghwa grinned.

Hongjoong took a deep breath, “A-Alright.”

“Then off you go!”

San pushed the two which caused them to fall, hearing their screams as their falling selves entered the portal and disappeared, Yunho's face paled as he looked at San as he shook his head in fear.

“Oh my god!” Mingi kept on screeching as Jongho carried him despite carrying two huge bag along with this giant buffoon and jumped, entering the portal, “Mom! Dad! Ah!”

They can hear Mingi's nonstop screeching and it took all of their restraint not to laugh at the tall male’s misery as Yunho shrugged before looking at the trio that was left, “I should be following those dorks by now. Ta-ta~”

Yunho jumped immediately as Wooyoung's hand was suddenly taken by Yeosang which seems to be giddy about this weird situation, “What?”

“Let’s jump together?” Yeosang said,  tilting his head as he waits for the younger male’s approval.

“It’s not like I asked you to jump with me!” Wooyoung hissed.

“But this is kind of cool. You know? Like double suicide?” Yeosang stated as he smiles a bit, “Dying with your beloved one.”

“W-What?” Wooyoung’s face was immediately painted by red as he blushed furiously, “And double suicide isn’t cool!”

“Now, now. Stop the chattering and go~” San pushed both of them as he can hear Wooyoung’s high-pitch scream that kept on clinging to Yeosang which was laughing that caused Wooyoung and San to froze, “Sangie laughed.”

The moment that Wooyoung and Yeosang managed to arrive on the fox spirit realm, San immediately jumped as he saw the door was ruined by the blackened ones. Too late, bitches. That’s what the michievous fox have said as he arrived in his own realm. And he can’t help but laugh at the sight that welcomed him.

“F-F-Fuck you, San!” Mingi kept on shivering in fear as he sprawled himself on the ground, “Ground, I love you so fucking much. I won’t leave you. I’ll stay with you.”

“We’re never doing that again,” Hongjoong said as he sat on the floor while hugging his knees.

“There, there. It’s alright.” Yeosang still kept on comforting the traumatized Wooyoung.

“Now that we’re back, we should prepare some dinner!” San chirps as everyone looked at him— some were glares from the scared people.

“I’ll cook but unfortunately, there isn’t any equipment that we can use and no electricity,” Seonghwa said.

“I’ve brought us a rice cooker and a microwave!” Mingi beamed as he took it from the huge bag.

“Dumbass, Seonghwa-hyung already said that there’s no electricity here!” Yunho stated, facepalming on his friend’s action.

“We can start a fire using my ability though,” Seonghwa said as he looked at San, “I’ll be needing some firewood though.”

“Oh!” Jongho’s face brightened as he clasped his hand, “Just like a camping trip!”

“Indeed. Let’s have chicken and some beef for dinne—” Hongjoong suddenly stopped as he looked at San in disbelief, “Dinner? I thought we left around morning?”

“Oh. I forgot to tell you this but summoning a portal that isn’t on the fox spirit’s sacred mountains is actually like an eight hour travel,” San said as his tail kept on swaying back and forth, “We actually jumped around 9 A.M. and in the mortal realm, it’s around 5 P.M. so we should be preparing dinner!”

“What the hell?” Yunho stated, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh please. It’s like that when you visit your Goddess too, right?” San stated as he crossed his arms.

“Well, now that you’ve mentioned that. It’s quite accurate since it took me around five hours just to get into the Underworld even just for a few minutes,” Mingi said as he nodded in acknowledgement.

“Okay. Rest for now, boys.” Hongjoong said, “Seonghwa and Yunho will be preparing the dinner as you rest. I’ll be getting some firewood with San.”

“Alright.” the boys said as Hongjoong gave them a small smile before looking at San, “We have to talk, San.”

••••••••••••

A/N: An another update! Sorry if it’s lame! ;; It’s actually a looooong one but I’ve decided to cut it into two parts! owo But it’ll be an another chapter though.

Oh boi. Day three is soooo long ;;;; Share your thoughts in the comments, fellaz! hhhh