The moment that San woke up, he felt cold in all of the sudden. His inner voice kept on muttering horrendous stuff to him which made him whimper in his sleep.

He never thought that it’ll happen to him again. After restraining himself for years and withstanding the voices that tries to lure him into the abyss.

His inner demon isn’t happy with him sleeping soundly while embracing the most precious human being that he cherishes.

And now that he isn’t beside him, it attacks him with no mercy. Whispering such despairful phrases and worst case scenarios that could make him go berserk. He tried to shut them up but the voices just went louder, from hushed whispers into enraged screams.

San barely even had the grasp of the last string of his sanity when he opened his eyes, feeling exhausted despite resting in such a comfortable bed.

“My head,” the blond groaned as he massaged his temple and looked around, “Yeosang. Where is he?”

He probably left you, San. Told you that you should’ve captured him and get him for yourself only. Now, you have two people that could steal him away from you.

San shook his head furiously as he tried to supress his inner thoughts. He didn’t need to go berserk and let his greed consume him, he still needed to save Yeosang. It’ll worsen everything if he’ll let himself get loose without any plan.

He immediately took a chance of taking a decent bath after showering in the dirty stalls of the abandoned factory, letting himself relax on the lukewarm water as he cleans himself until his skin is showing a bit of red. Despite wanting to be pure and clean, he knew that deep inside, he’s nothing but a wrenched and disgusting creature.

“I have to go to Yeosang,” he muttered, stepping out of the bathtub and took a towel before looking at the mirror.

He tried to initiate a smile and does his best to make it look like a sweet one, he kept on forcing himself to smile because he’s getting anxious that the short time of separation from Yeosang can make him do horrendous stuff. He needs to prepare himself mentally in order not to cause a ruckus now that Mingi recently died.

“Okay. Here goes nothing,” San said, after choosing a sleeveless shirt and one of his skinny jeans before retreating out of the room.

He seems to be at peace. He thought as he tried reading the brunette’s emotion while proceeding to the room where he can sense his presence and also an another one—in which makes his blood boil.

The moment that he looked at the opened door, he couldn’t help but glare at the doctor smiling in his sleep while being tangled up with the brunette. Yeosang seems to be in peace on his sleep in which San felt a bit insecure about it. He can still sense Yeosang’s nightmares whenever he’s in his arms but he’s unusually calm on Seonghwa. He couldn’t help but growl as his eyes were turning red slowly, feeling the intense greed attempting on consuming his grasp on his sanity.

“It’s too early for you to lost your control, San-hyung.” San widened his eyes and looked at Jongho which was leaning on the wall behind him.

“I have the right to rip Seonghwa into shreds,” San growled.

“But do you even think that I would let you do that, hyung?” Jongho raised an eyebrow, staring straight at San’s face without flinching at all.

San smirked, “Of course, you wouldn’t. Seonghwa-hyung is a precious creature, right?”

“Your greed won’t get you anywhere, San-hyung.” Jongho stated.

San shrugged while glaring at the youngest, “I’m aware of that, Jongho. And I'm doing my best..”

“Then don’t hurt anyone else. We’ve already lost Mingi so don’t you dare hurt anyone..” Jongho looked down as he bit his lip, “M-Mingi-hyung wouldn't like us to be like this.”

“Well, guess what?” San walked a few steps until he’s an inch away from Jongho as he widened his smirk, “He’s dead. Mingi’s dead. And there’s nothing that you can do about it and he isn’t much of a concern to us now.”

“He still is. He’s our friend. Stop letting your greed consume your emotions, hyung!” Jongho exclaims but not loud enough to awaken the pair that resides in the room in front of them.

“I don’t know, Jongho. Sometimes, I think that relying to my sin can save me and Yeosang from this.” San said as he grinned yet his hands are shaking, “I’m scared of myself, Jongho. I might do something that would hurt all of you just for the sake of Greed.”

“I can understand that, hyung.” Jongho sighed, “We didn’t want these pathetic ‘sins’ at all.”

“I must get away from here. Just sensing their presence nearby is making me lose my mind,” San mutters before excusing himself to the youngest.

Jongho just sighed at the blond male’s action before looking at Seonghwa along with Yeosang. Both of them have a smile on their faces and it warms the youngest’s heart yet he couldn’t help but let out a sad smile before tearing his gaze on the soulmates.

“May the Gods smile upon you,” Jongho mutters before glancing at the man wearing an all-black outfit on the corner of the corridor, “Except you, Monsieur.”

The dark figure disappeared and Jongho just sighed, wondering why he have to be dragged in such a mess when all he wanted is to save everyone and be happy.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

It was already noon when all of them are in the living room, Jongho stayed beside Yunho the whole time and made sure that the tallest male have eaten and would talk to him whenever he starts on not responding on their conversation. Seonghwa, being the eldest male, made sure that everyone is well and checked their injuries, patching them up so they wouldn’t get any kind of infection.

“We have to get out of here as soon as possible, everyone.” They looked at Hongjoong which was resting his chin on his right hand, “As you can see, there’s still a lot of blackened ones roaming around and aside from that, the lunatic might’ve tracked us down so he’ll probably find us and trap us again with one of those alchemy shit.”

“Alchemy isn’t shit at all,” Wooyoung immediately stated, pouting after what their ‘leader’ have said.

“Nevermind that, Wooyoung. So, back to the main topic, we have to get out of here and proceed to the Kang manor. Yet we have an another conflict which is that lunatic that is after our lives,” Hongjoong said as he looked at Yeosang, “We need to distract him and at the same time, proceed to the manor.”

“How about splitting up into teams and the first group will proceed to the manor while the second one is the one that will buy them time to distract the lunatic?” Wooyoung suggested as he looked at Hongjoong.

“That’s quite risky. Look where it got us,” Seonghwa said as he looked down, “Because of splitting up, look where it got Mingi.”

“But it’ll be risky for us to go together," Wooyoung said as he stared at his bestfriend, “His main target is Yeosang and as long as Yeosang is not with us, I don’t think that he’ll focus that much on us.”

“So you’re telling us that Yeosang should be the bait?” San stated as he bared his fangs on the black-haired male that flinched.

“It’s not like that..” Wooyoung looked down.

“Then how are we supposed to do this?” San asks.

“I hate to admit it but Wooyoung have a point on that. As long as we’re together, the lunatic can trap us again and we’ll be vulnerable. It’s better if some of us can already proceed while the others will stay for a while,” Hongjoong said as he looked at everyone once again, “And I’m afraid to say that Yeosang should be in the team that will lure that lunatic.”

“Remember that the lunatic isn’t the only one that’s going to be a hindrance on us,” Yunho spoke, gaining everyone’s attention “Monsieur and the blackened ones.”

“You’re right about that and we haven’t even met the one that the village chief have possessed,” Seonghwa said, “Most likely, it’ll be having the vessel of the current mayor. Since I’ve seen that blackened one initiate the meeting lots of times.”

“Whoever that is, it’s probably going after Yeosang and you.” Hongjoong stated and Seonghwa can’t help but chuckle, “Don’t act like you aren’t the person that he dragged in this curse, dumbass!”

“I’m aware of that and because of it, I should not be in the same team with Sang. As much as I’d want to protect Sang from everything, thinking about the worst case scenario of both of us getting caught is a bad idea.” Seonghwa ruffled the brunette’s hair which leaned to his touch, “And they’ll be ordering a lot of blackened ones to attack the unfortunate team which will lead to a bunch of problems.”

“Sang?” San muttered before looking at the brunette which seems to enjoy Seonghwa’s company before pouting in defeat.

“So you’ll be in separating teams? Got it.” Hongjoong said before looking at San, “You can protect Yeosang so come with him too.”

“Of course, I would.” San nodded furiously, “I won’t leave Yeosang’s side..”

“Yunho is still not well so he should be with Hwa.” Yeosang said as he glanced at the mint-haired male, seeing how dull his eyes were—unlike the sparkly ones that hides the pain before.

“Hwa?” San raised an eyebrow suspciously before glaring at the eldest male.

“I think that the ones that should proceed aside from Yunho-hyung and Seonghwa-hyung should be me and Hongjoong-hyung..” Jongho suggested as he raised his hand.

“And why is that?” Seonghwa asked.

“The main target of that lunatic is actually the four of you. Yeosangie, being the cursed child that he wants to kill. San-hyung, the demon that ruined his plans years ago. Also Wooyoungie because he have been enraging that bastard for a long time and of course, you.” Jongho pointed at Seonghwa, “The one that’s caught up in this curse. He wants all of you dead. I can see it when he was playing around with our lives, he kept on attacking the four of you.”

“Then I guess that it’s settled then,” Seonghwa sighed, “Wooyoung, Yeosang and San will be the ones that will lure the alchemist.”

“Wooyoung seems to have some kind of knowledge on alchemy so he’s kinda useful on this plan.” Jongho mused.

“For the last time, I told you that I barely even know anything about it. I just watched it from anime and the fact that he have a catalyst on his hand proves it,” Wooyoung sighed in defeat, “Aside from that, I couldn’t even sense any kind of magical abilities from him.”

“Then that means that you’re alert and also an observant!” Jongho said, patting the black-haired male’s shoulder.

“Thanks..” Wooyoung shyly smiled as he scratched his nape.

“So how are we going to do this then?” San asked, satisfied on the fact that he’ll be beside Yeosang for a long time.

“Roam around the town while exterminating some of the blackened ones or get that lunatic’s attention while we proceed to the manor. We can use that passage on the church,” Hongjoong said as he looked at Jongho, “We need a copy of the blueprints of this entire city though.”

“We have it,” Seonghwa said as he took it on his bag, “Remember when we raided the city hall on the first day?”

“Oh yes! That’s it!” Hongjoong gasped, clasping his hands in delight “Now, we can proceed with this.”

“Just a reminder that you should go up before you’ve reached the end of it because one more step on the edge and you’ll be falling to the river filled with ‘creatures’ based from Mingi-hyung’s statement.” Jongho quoted as he remembered what the tall brunette have said.

“Noted on that, Jongho.” Hongjoong nods.

“So now that we’ve settled on your team. How about us? How are we supposed to do this?” Wooyoung asked.

“Wait! I have an idea!” Jongho beamed, “How about this?”

They listened carefully to the youngest and Hongjoong agreed, praising Jongho for being such a brilliant child and Seonghwa ruffling his hair. Wooyoung looked at Yeosang and San before sighing in defeat, agreeing to the plan despite it being such a bothersome. His own ‘sin’ kicking in and wanting him to just watch on a corner and won’t get involve on anything that will make him move.

“When are we supposed to leave though?” Yeosang asks, tilting his head in confusion.

“Now.” Hongjoong smiled.

“Oh, rea—wait, what?!” Seonghwa exclaimed.

“I said now,” Hongjoong repreated, “Get the stuff that you’ll be needing and leave your baggages in Seonghwa’s turf before we proceed to our plan.”

“Why?” Wooyoung whined, “I’m still tired.”

“We should end this as soon as possible,” Hongjoong replies, “We shouldn’t keep on resting because we kept on wasting time just to rest. We won’t be able to rest peacefully in a place like this, everyone.”

“We understand, leader~” Seonghwa chimed before looking at Wooyoung, “Come on, Wooyoung.”

“Fine,” Wooyoung grumbled as he stood.

Everyone immediately went to their rooms aside from Jongho and Yeosang which seems to be having a staring contest, none of them are tearing their gaze apart from each other. Yeosang sighed in defeat as he looked away.

“Yeosangie-hyung?” Jongho stated.

“What is it, Jongho?”

“Take care of yourself, okay? It’s alright to be selfish,” Jongho said as he smiled, “Honestly, you’ve been selfless for a long time. I believe that you deserve happiness so please don’t even think of doing anything risky just to save someone else. Save yourself first, you have to.”

“I will,” Yeosang replies.

“I’m anticipating on that, hyung. I just want to save everyone but I’ve already failed on saving Mingi-hyung..” Jongho looked down, “And you’re everyone’s target. Please don’t trust anyone too much and please do your best to survive..”

“I understand, Jongho. I understand,” Yeosang repeated as he cupped both of Jongho’s cheeks, “You’re too young for this, Jongho. I’m sorry for dragging you in this mess.”

“No worries, Yeosangie-hyung. I’ve been trained since I was young,” Jongho assured the brunette as he grinned, “Honestly. I’m a sucker for attention so I’m liking the fact that I stand out and fortunately, I’m quite lucky for gluttony to be in this kind of way unlike eating too much. I’m a glutton for attention and praise but I'm keeping it lowkey because standing out too much might hurt Hongjoong-hyung’s pride as a leader. I don’t want to cause a mess.”

“You’re really thoughtful about this,” Yeosang mused, smiling at the youngest male.

“Let’s just say that I’ve probably know too much and anytime, I might get into trouble so I’m doing my best to be as much as helpful as I can be.” Jongho replies, “Remember what I’ve said, Yeosangie-hyung. You have to survive.”

“I’ll do my best, Jongho.” Yeosang stated, “You’ve said that you’re a choir boy, right?”

Jongho nods, “What about it?”

“After all of this, I want to hear you sing.” Yeosang said.

“I can sing for you now though..” Jongho tilted his head in confusion.

“I meant to hear you sing after all of this,” Yeosang stated, “Be it on the church’s choir or a cover of a song. I want to hear and see you perform after this nightmare that we’re having as if you’re the lullaby that I deserve after suffering on a slumber filled with suffering.”

“Okay then.” Jongho nodded, “That’s a deal.”

“Thank you, Jongho.” Yeosang smiled once again.

“It should be me that is supposed to be thanking you, Yeosangie-hyung. If it wasn’t for you, I could’ve been on my worst state because of my sin now.” Jongho replies, “You never know how much of an impact you are in our lives and how you saved us from our sins.”

-----

henlo! sorry for the delayed chapter. i just got well from a sickness and i’ve been crying for onf, oneus and ateez. like those teasers and oneus’ early perfomance of their title track on their concert a few days ago got me crying and forgetting how to write.

votes and comments are appreciated! especially comments! that’s like the essence of my motivation to write! i love to see lots of ‘em! also! talk to me in twt! my un’s @_hyriette!

dropping this teaser pic of yunsang bc i’m sovbing for ‘em. i recently swerved to yunho’s lane but yeosang literally dragged me back ugh i love them Q wQ

just a few reminders that this chapter contains a bunch of death flags. probably for one person? or is it two? or maybe three? who knows?

:)