"Loyalty is rare. If you find it, keep it."

                                           -Anonymous

Hoseok's eyes were widened with shock and fear as his gaze scanned over the horrible sight before him, heart pounding in his chest as he resisted the urge to throw up, pushing back the overwhelming nausea that appeared in his stomach.

Daesung wore a wide smile as he sat down on the large throne, his blackened eyes narrowing as he stared at the former warrior.

To Hoseok, it appeared that the process of release didn't go as smoothly as he had intended. Daesung's flesh was gray and rotting, his eyes sunken in and dark, hair a dark gray color and fingernails long and yellow as he snarled at him, the smell of decay filling the throne room entirely.

Hoseok could feel his knees grow weak at the sight and smell, chest heaving as his breathing increased.

The most disturbing thing, however, was not the rotting shell of a man that sat on the throne of the king. It was not his black eyes or animal-like claws and teeth. The most disturbing thing to Hoseok was the numerous spirits that surrounded Daesung, each of them taking a defensive stance as if they were guarding the rotting royal.

He remembered trying to make a run for it as soon as he made eye contact with Daesung, his mind racing in confusion as he questioned how Daesung even managed to gain a physical form.

Judging by the appearance, Daesung was still part spirit, which could only mean that a family member had said his name and released him...probably Taehyung or Jungkook.

"It's so nice to see you again, general."

Hoseok's golden-brown orbs snapped up as the rotting man began to speak. 

"I-I thought you were dead." He stuttered out, trying to put on a facade of ignorance.

Daesung chuckled, shaking his head.

"Come now, general." He scolded. "We both know you're smarter than that. You know exactly what's happening here."

Hoseok swallowed hard, running a hand through his raven hair.

"How did you come back?"

Daesung shrugged.

"I got one of my sons to release me...The ignorant one.."

Hoseok frowned.

"What about them?" He asked, motioning to the numerous spirits that stood around the two of them, their skeleton figures watching their every move.

The decaying royal smiled at the question.

"Impressive, aren't they?" He asked. "Because my own blood released me, I managed to keep some power in the spirit world...I became powerful enough to influence the spirits of Hunter's forest...powerful enough to give them physical forms and strength....All of our enemies that became lost in the forest and starved....their immortal souls are now mine to control."

"Oh god." Hoseok breathed, his eyes wide.

"Indeed." Daesung hummed. "Sadly, I am not strong enough to keep this hold over them for much longer...which is why I need The Oracle by my side."

The black-haired man frowned at that.

"She has control over the spirit realm." Daesung continued. "She can walk between our worlds and she con control the spirits....I need her if I am going to complete my plan...I need her if I am going to take over both the spirit and human world..."

"She won't help you." Hoseok spat. "She'll never help you."

Daesung smiled, causing Hoseok to shiver.

"I know." He stated. "Which is why you're going to help me."

Hoseok couldn't stop the cold laugh that escaped his parted lips, arms crossing over his chest.

"Help you?" He repeated. "I don't think so."

The former spirit raised a brow in amusement, head tilting to the side.

"Is that so?" He asked.

"It is." Hoseok deadpanned. "I'd rather die than even consider helping you."

Daesung hummed, nodding his head as he studied the black-haired man before him.

"She doesn't love you, you know." He blurted.

Hoseok's eyes snapped up, a frown presenting itself on his face.

"What?" He snapped.

Daesung smiled widely at his reaction, a satisfied look overcoming his decaying features.

"The Oracle." He stated. "Honestly, I though you'd be smarter than this. Falling in love with someone you cannot have? Disappointing."

"Shut up." Hoseok growled. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

The man before him, raised a brow.

"How did she react when you told her?" He asked. "Was she happy?"

The black-haired man fell silent, his jaw clenching in annoyance.

Daesung tsk'd.

"She wasn't happy at all, was she?" He said. "Let me guess...she brushed you off, completely ignoring your feelings-"

"It wasn't like that!"

Daesung took a step closer.

"Yes it was." He deadpanned. "You laid yourself before her and she shoved you aside, and ran off into the arms of another man. A man who doesn't treat her as well as you could. A man who doesn't even know who she is...A man you've kept alive for all these years."

Hoseok's body froze at the last sentence, eyes widening slightly.

"I can't force her to love me." He gritted. "Even if she loves him, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Doesn't it make you angry?" Daesung asked. "Knowing that she could be in your arms if only you had followed my orders and allowed my young brother to die? She would be yours if only you had done as I asked."

The black-haired man lowered his head, trying to keep his foggy mind clear.

"Why do you even care?" He snarled. "You've been trying to rape her since she came to us. You have no interest in me or my desires. So, what do you really want?"

The rotting man nodded slowly, eyeing the former warrior.

"I only need The Oracle to keep my hold over the spirit realm." He said. "That and reproduction...But once she is pregnant with my heir-a true heir...she can be yours."

Hoseok's eyes widened at those words, brows furrowing in disbelief.

"You cannot be serious." He awed.

"I am." Daesung confirmed. "When my child is born, you will be free to take The Oracle as your bride...she and you can live out the rest of your days in peace, maybe she will bring you your own children. The two of you can start a family...isn't that what you want?"

Hoseok bit his lip.

"Wh-What about the others? What will happen to them?"

Daesung shrugged.

"I will offer them the chance to submit to me and become soldiers in my army...if they refuse, they will not be shown any mercy."

"And Jin?" He mumbled. "Will he be offered a chance?"

The rotting royal's expression hardened, jaw clenching.

"Leave my brother to me." He said, turning to face him.

"You were my best general." Daesung continued. "I need someone I can trust to lead my army. I need someone ruthless and murderous...I need someone like you."

Hoseok could feel his mind beginning to race at the proposition, his eyes darting around the room at the numerous fallen soldiers, each one bearing different kinds of wound on their bodies....

If Hoseok were to take this offer, he would avoid becoming like them...He would have power and be on the winning side...he would also have you...

He wouldn't have to worry about you running off with another man, he'd be able to wake up to you every day for the rest of his life..you'd bring him children, the two of you would live out your days together....his dream would become a reality.

But...you wouldn't be happy.

Hoseok ran a hand through his hair.

His dream was his alone...in all of his fantasies, you were smiling and laughing with him...but if he accepted this offer...you would be completely miserable...no matter how hard Hoseok tried to make you happy.

He also knew that there was no chance that Jimin, Jungkook, Taehyung and Namjoon would betray you...no matter the cost. They were loyal to you. Through and through.

And Hoseok was too.

"No."

Daesung's eyes widened slightly at the single word that slipped from Hoseok's mouth.

"No?"

Hoseok nodded.

"I won't betray her." He deadpanned.

The rotting man's expression hardened at his words.

"Do you think you're some kind of hero?" He spat. "You're a murderer. You killed innocent people for the sport of it. You're a monster. That's why she doesn't love you. That's why she'll never love you...because you are dangerous to her. You're a killer and you'll always be a killer."

"I may not be perfect," Hoseok breathed, fighting back his emotions. "But I am loyal. I won't abandon her."

Daesung sighed heavily, rubbing his temples.

"Shame." He said. "I had hoped you would help me willingly."

The sound of footsteps caused Hoseok's brows to furrow, a yell of protest escaping his lips as the spirits gripped his upper arms, somehow managing to hold him still and keep him from struggling.

Hoseok's eyes widened as he pushed against their hold.

"Y-You-"

Daesung shushed him, approaching him slowly.

"I gave you every opportunity." He explained. "But you insist on being difficult.."

Hoseok shook his head, fighting against the spirits' hold, body jerking desperately.

"I need a strong leader for my armys." Daesung continued. "Someone that they won't fight. Someone my enemies trust...Someone ruthless."

"I am not that man anymore!" Hoseok protested.

Daesung chuckled, placing his cold hands on either side of Hoseok's head, fingers resting on his temples.

"S-Stop!" Hoseok yelled, feeling his mind begin to slip from him.

"Give in." Daesung cooed. "You will not win this fight. The Oracle has made your mind weak..You do not stand a chance against my new power."

Hoseok continued to struggle, shaking his head to get away from Daesung's touch.

"I don't kill! I won't kill!"

Daesung smiled as Hoseok's eyes glazed over, the golden brown slowly morphing into blue as his body slowly began to be still.

"You will, my friend." Daesung cooed, watching as Hoseok bowed in front of him, his body coming under full submission to the rotting man.

"You will."

A/N,

I told you guys you would hate this chapter.

HeHe.

I love you.

I adore you.

I purple you.

I'm out!

-Max