/DRUM ROLLS
/PAPPAPAPAAAA
WE ARE BACKKKKKKKK TO THE PRESENT!

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Yoona's POV :

I opened my eyes to the feeling of hard stone beneath my back, my body clothed with the white silk dress, hair slightly damp due to sweat and humidity and a taste of chocolate and Jimin on my tongue.

Cracking my eyes open, I noticed that I was all alone, still in the temple and Jimin was nowhere to be seen. Sitting up, I quickly slipped off the slab and walked around the room, placing my hand on the wall and dragging it across, searching for an exit.

I wasn't just Yoona anymore. I felt different. I knew the purpose of my life and that I didn't belong  here. I had to find my way back home..my real home.

The sound of wood cracking echoed around the room and I reached out to grab one of the fire torches, which burned bright. I brought it close to the source of sound, expecting a rodent or an insect but all I saw was a small wooden door that cracked open, as if someone was pulling it  from the outside.

I waited quietly as the small door flung open with a muffled thud. "My lady.." I heard a man's voice, a familiar one call out from the other side.

I bent my knees a little, to be able to look through the door, only to see a figure standing with a torch in their hand and a large cloth that looked like a shawl.

At this moment, all I wanted was to go through that door and get out of this place. There was no harm. I wasn't afraid like my old self anymore. I was Lee Yoona and the fact that I was being this bold, scared me off a little.

Crawling out through the door, I approached the man who was here to help me. He had worn a black hood that covered his face, a form that resembled someone I knew.

When he offered the shawl with a bow, I brought the torch closer to his face, the yellow light of the burning flame highlighting his features, making him visible.

It was the priest. The priest that used to follow me around all the time. The one that grabbed my feet at the bus stand. Everything fell back into place as I recognized him, but why was he here?

Instead of running off like I always had, I stood strong and spoke out.

"What do you want?" I asked the first question that probed my mind. If he had to follow me through all this time, there must be something that he seeks.

"I know who you are" he said, his words measured and careful as they slipped out of his tongue. "I've spent all my life worshipping lord Jimin and I couldn't be happier to have found you- his beloved queen".

I sighed, grabbing the shawl from him and wrapping it around my shoulder as he continued talking, "I only want to help you go back to where you belong. If it isn't selfish.."he swallowed, "- I also want to see him once before I die. Just one time.."

And here I was, thinking he was some creep who followed me around for his own interests. "Thank you" I smiled, "for getting me out" I said cutting him off short. I had no time to stand around in the temple's premises and talk to a priest while the entire town expected me to be gone without a trace.

"No, my lady. I'm at your service. Anything you want-" I smiled at that and he paused.

"Take me to the Cafe I work at" I asked and he nodded. If he used to creep around me everywhere, he'd definitely know where I worked and it was better to travel at this hour with an ally than to walk alone.

"This way" he nodded with a wide grin on his face, making me smile to myself. I couldn't wait to get back to Park Jimin.

Too many questions flooded in and out of my head. There were so many things I had to do. But going to the Cafe to meet a certain special someone would be the first one on the list.

The priest asked me to climb into his chariot  that looked ancient and worn out. The fact that he still used it made me want to chuckle in amusement.

It took us a few minutes to reach the Cafe and i used that time to sort my memories out. The memories of my past life were as clear as day light. They were so bright, they almost over shined my present life.

I remembered my father, here on earth, a man who always drinks. The man I loved for who he was. My step mother, in her pink gloves and white knitted sweaters. My sister who died before I even realised she once existed. My neighbors May and her mother, the geniuses who handed me the lust potion of all things as a gift.

I smiled at the thought of the old lady  who offered me a job at the Cafe and all the acquaintances like Cheonsa who managed to win me over in a matter of days.

When the chariot jerked to a halt, I swung the door open and stepped out of it, the cool air of the night greeting me with a hug.

Signaling the priest to wait outside, I pushed the door open and the tiny bell above made a clinging noise.

I looked around the Cafe lit with candles here and there, which I thought was empty until I found the white haired female sitting on the far end, sipping on her hot cup of coffee.

A large smile split across my face as I rushed towards her and she only looked up at me with a gentle welcoming smile.

"Welcome back" She said and I didn't waste a second before wrapping my arms around her sitting form, pulling her in for a hug.

"Take me home" I asked quietly, the fact that she was there was a major relief.

"I can't" She answered, making me pull away.

"What do you mean?" I sat across from her, on the other side of the table as she pushed another coffee mug towards me, as if she was expecting my arrival.

The owner of the cafe, the old woman, with milky white hair was none other than the goddess in disguise. No matter how much she tried to hide herself and blend in, those piercing eyes that resembled Jimin's wouldn't fool me.

"You have to find your way back home, my dear" She said before taking another sip.

"How's Jimin? Hobi?" I asked quickly.

"They're waiting for you.." She smiled.

"All this time, I had no idea " I shook my head, drinking some of my own drink, somewhat frustrated with myself.

"Of course, you didn't. You took your  own time, making us all wait" She teased.

"I'm sorry" I apologized, drinking more of the coffee that made me feel bold and happy about the fact that I wasn't alone and that my memory had returned.

"How do I come back?" I questioned.

"The portal is open for anyone who's worthy" She repeated her own words from years ago. I looked at her with pleading eyes.

"Take me with you. You are the goddess.." I begged.

"I am. But, nobody can cross my words. Not even I" She reached out to place her hand on mine, "this world has no mercy for you, Yoona. Come back home soon".

"and my sister?" I asked with concern.

"She was sacrificed years ago and brought up to us" the lady spoke and I listened, "but Hoseok didn't accept her. Because of which, she was pushed back into the human world...again".

"Hobi sent her back again?" I gasped.

"Hmm" She nodded.

"Inspite of proving herself worthy?" I frowned.

The lady only nodded quietly, opting to say nothing.

"So she's here? Among us?" I asked, my eyes eyes lit up a little with excitement.

After all, she was my only sister. The one I spent all my childhood with. It's true that she did drag me along for a punishment I didn't deserve. It might be true that she wasn't worthy then. But she was still my sister and I knew she loved me.

"You want to see her, don't you?" The goddess smiled.

"Yes! Do I know her? Did you make her work here like me?" I questioned with hopeful eyes.

"You do know her.." She started, "but she doesn't work here".

"I know her?" I grinned more, "Oh my God!" I reached out to grip the goddess's hands, eyes wide and lips curled up in a small smile as I waited for her to answer me.

"Ashrays" the woman answered, making my heart swell and drop. A frown formed on my face.

Lani is Ashrays? My sister wasn't even human!

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(For those who have forgotten, Ashrays is the female nocturnal sea creature that Yoona is friends with)

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AN-

how have yall been? How's life treating you?