"In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain the pain."

                       -Mary Manin Morrissey

You blue eyes never left Hoseok as he ran a hand through his raven locks, a deep sigh escaping his mouth as he stared at you intently.

"It was about two years ago," He began slowly. "I had just come back from war and everyone was preparing to celebrate the nation's victory. A festival was being planned in our honor."

You nodded your head, listening intently, trying to ignore the unconscious figure on the bed as he continued.

"Well, before the celebration, Jungkook's father-Daesung," He sighed. "He pulled me aside and tried to strike a bargain with me-he said he could pay me handsomely."

"What did he ask you to do?"

Hoseok frowned, his gaze slowly moved to Seokjin's form,  a guilty expression falling on his features.

"I was told to get Seokjin drunk." He stated. "Daesung said to make sure that he drank enough wine for two men..then I was supposed to meet him at the lily pond."

You bit your lip, watching as Hoseok raised his gaze to the ceiling above you.

"I knew that something wasn't right, after all, he said to make sure that no one was in the courtyard," He huffed, ruffling his hair. "But, I was young and stupid. I wanted to be paid, and I didn't care who got hurt."

A frown pulled at your lips.

"I did as he told me." He continued slowly. "I got Jin drunk and then I took him to the pond, no questions asked. I made sure that no one was there,and that no one could have access to the courtyard...but that's when things took a turn for the worst."

You glanced at Namjoon, who remained silent, his eyes locked onto you, as if watching your reaction to Hoseok's tale.

"Daesung was waiting for us there.." He paused, looking towards the man that lay on the bed. "He stabbed Jin three times."

You squeezed your eyes shut, running a hand through your h/c hair.

His story was beginning to effect you emotionally, just thinking about what that man did to Jin...it made your blood boil.

"After he was finished, he threw Jin's body into the lily pond and told me to make sure the body was never discovered."

"How did he survive?" You asked softly. "How did he get here?"

Hoseok sighed.

"After Daesung left, I pulled his body from the pond and brought him to Namjoon."

Your eyes moved to the purple-haired man as Hoseok continued.

"He sewed him up and made sure he was okay, but I couldn't leave him in the palace..If Daesung knew he was alive, he'd try to kill him again...so I brought him here." He explained.

"We thought he would wake up," Namjoon blurted. "But he's been unconscious for all of this time. We've barely been able to keep him alive so long."

Hoseok nodded.

"When I started seeing his spirit around the palace, I thought that he had died...but he's still living..Just without a soul.."

You took a deep breath, trying to process the things he had been telling you.

"If-If Jin is Daesung's brother," You started. "Then that means that he's the former Emperor, right?"

He nodded once again.

"That's right." He said. "He's the rightful ruler, but we can't get him to wake up and we've tried..countless times."

"If things don't change.." Namjoon began softly. "He could die."

You frowned in confusion.

"Wait." You popped. "Do you know about all the "spirit" stuff?"

Namjoon rubbed the back of his neck.

"Hoseok informed me of what he saw...and he's told me everything I needed to know.."

  You hummed in response, beginning to understand him.

"Why haven't you told Jin anything about this?" You asked. "He has to a right to know that he's still alive."

Hoseok shook his head.

"When I realized that he didn't remember anything...I decided that it would be best if he didn't know..." He frowned. "His memory was erased for a reason...and I don't know what will happen if he see's his own body...it could be unpredictable."

"He should know." You stated. "We need to tell him."

The former warrior sent you a sad look.

"I know." He digressed softly. "I just don't want him to get his hopes up...We don't know if we can bring him back."

You nodded slowly.

"Maybe the reason he isn't waking up is because his spirit isn't with his physical body." You guessed out loud. "We need to reconnect them.."

"We can try." He said.

"We have to try." You corrected. "If there's even a chance that he can live again...then we should give it to him.."

Hoseok sent you a soft smile of adoration, his eyes filled with awe at your brave words.

He opened his mouth to praise you, but his words were cut off by a soft gasp that came from the entrance of the room.

Your gaze snapped over to the  doorway, blue eyes widening in shock.

Kim Seokjin stood with wide eyes, terror and surprise evident on his face as he stared at his body on the bed in front of him. His chest heaved due to his uneven breathing, his heart plummeting inside of his chest.

"Jin.." You breathed out sadly, causing his gaze to move to you.

"Y-Y/n?" His voice was soft and fragile as he made his way over to you. "J-Jungkook sent me to get you...He-He was beginning to worry.."

Your eyes were full of pity and sympathy as you watched him approach you slowly, his hand reaching out for you on instinct.

"What-What's happening?" He asked you with wide eyes. "Who-Who is that?"

You bit your lip, glancing to Hoseok before reaching up to cup his cheek.

"That's you." You blurted.

He shook his head, swallowing hard in disbelief as he looked at the body again.

"That-That can't be me. I'm dead."He stated frantically. "I'm-I'm dead."

You frowned, moving closer to him as you tried your best to calm him down.

"You're not dead," You soothed. "You're just asleep. That's all it is, alright?"

Your heart ached as he began to shake in your hands, his breathing quickening.

"You've been asleep all this time." You continued. "You just didn't know it...and Hoseok didn't tell you, because he didn't know what would happen."

His blue eyes suddenly clashed onto yours, tears filling his vision for a moment before beginning to roll down his cheeks freely.

"I-I'm not-"

"Y/n, we have a problem!"

Namjoon's voice interrupted Jin's words.

You turned to look at him, only for Seokjin's body to catch your attention.

His sleeping body began to convulse and seize uncontrollably on the bed, thrashing around and jerking underneath the blankets.

Your eyes widened and you shot into action, running over to the man on the bed.

Hoseok grabbed one of Jin's arms, attempting to hold him into place.

"This is what I meant!" Hoseok yelled as Jin's body fought against his grasp. "His spirit is too close to his body, they're supposed to be together and he can feel it, even if he's unconscious!"

You let out a gasp as his body tossed and turned, almost hitting you in the face.

Namjoon pulled you away from the restless man, taking your place at his other side.

He placed his hand at the base of his neck, his eyes widening instantly.

"His pulse is racing!" He announced, turning to look at you. "He's fading!"

Your body froze at that word and the entire world seemed to slow around you.

Fading.

He was fading.

He was dying..

You could feel yourself beginning to become sick to your stomach at the thought, numerous questions filling your mind.

How could you stop this?

What would happen to Jin's spirit if his body died..?

Your blue eyes moved to Jin's, who stood across the room, watching with horror as his body seized up uncontrollably.

You could feel your throat tightening as tears stung your eyes at the thought of losing him.

He had done terrible things to you, there was no denying that...but in that moment..he was everything. He was all that mattered and you were determined to save him..no matter what it may cost.

You slowly approached the spirit, your lip quivering as he looked at you with wide, innocent eyes.

"We don't have much time left!" Namjoon yelled, watching as Jin's movements began to slowly falter. "If you're going to do something, Oracle, now would be the time!"

"Y/n," Jin sobbed quietly. "I-I'm scared...I-I don't want to die. I-I don't-"

You shook your head, wiping his tears with your thumb as you stared at him sadly.

You knew what you had to do...

It was as clear as day..You needed to save him and you didn't care how you did it..

You didn't care how much it was going to cost you..

"Y/n!" Hoseok urged, as Jin's body stopped moving under his hold.

"Kim Seokjin," You breathed out, planting a soft kiss onto the spirit's forehead.

"Y/n?" He started softly, eyes widening in realization.

He shook his head fervently, grabbing your upper arms desperately.

"Oh no. N-No no no!" He shouted at you. "Don't you even think about it! You-You can't-"

"It will be okay." You soothed softly, your own tears falling as you pet his hair.

"It-It won't!" He argued. "Please don't-don't do this!"

"Kim Seokjin," You repeated.

"No Y/n!" He pleaded. "Stop-"

You sent him a sad smile, before continuing.

"I release you."

A/N,

Oops.

Let me just-*yeets tears from eyes*

I hope you all enjoy cliffhangers, because that's what ya got.

I love you.

I adore you.

I purple you.

I'm out!!!!!!!!

-Max