Taehyung's POV

My fingers were at war with each other—fiddling and twisting as I watched the seven men talk before me. I traced the red stoned ring that hugged my finger, twisting it as my gaze switched back and forth between each of them, their discussion every so often fading into nothing but mumblings.

I hated the Obsidian meetings. They were boring, and in most cases too indecisive. The seven members took too long discussing the same thing rather than actually solving it and taking steps forward to improve. Meanwhile me and six replacements watched, or on rare occasion joined in. According to my father, it was a perfect opportunity to experience the job we would soon have though we didn't do anything.

The very thought of having the responsibility over Onavale was definitely something I wasn't really looking forward to, but I knew that I had to do it. Tradition was tradition, and it could never be broken.

"Onto the next thing," Jun said from the other side of the room, pulling me out of my daze, "the Onavalians have been witnessing suspicious activities below," he explained, raking his hands through his aqua coloured hair before his eyebrows furrowed with concern. I scrunched my nose at his presence, it being nothing but irritating.

Ever since we were kids we never got along, spitting fire at each other. It only grew worse when he began working for the Order—because Jun remained the same as his childhood self; always subtly hinting his hate toward me.

The Gem gulped, "people are growing restless down there, more deaths are occurring. And they're afraid something might happen."

My dad stroked his chin in thought. "Do we have proof?"

"Well, you remember the strange fire from a couple weeks ago?" Another Gem named Ari said, as her silky lavender hair flowed like an ocean wave on her shoulders. "We still don't have a culprit."

"We shouldn't do anything," Avaritia said, her green hair tied in a small bun. "Besides, it's only a suspicion, we're not sure if any of it is true."

Another Gem nodded, as he brushed a strand of his greased blue hair out of his eyes. "The Opal Gala is soon, we shouldn't be worrying about this right now-"

"But the civilians might not be safe," another Gem interrupted.

"We have the highest amount of security throughout headquarters. The humans don't have the resources to harm us, so I don't think this is necessary." My father responded, leaning back in his chair arrogantly.

"That's a bold assumption to make." Acacius, a Pearl Gem argued. "The humans may be wild, but we have no idea what they are cooking up beneath our noses."

My father sighed. "Fine then. Let's finish up with the Gala, and talk about this another time."

They all nodded, before Avaritia ended the council meeting. "We'll meet back in a month."

I licked my lips with nervousness, as everyone stood up and left. The thought of headquarters being attacked scared me a bit, especially when there was a human here. Juliana was highly suspicious to me, with her outspoken and non-obedient nature. Though she was hired by my father—and I somewhat trusted him—I couldn't help but question if it was the right choice.

"Taehyung," my father's deep voice said as he approached me.

My eyes met a dark shadow that casted on the dull carpet, and my eyes flickered up to the owner.

My father adjusted his jacket and cleared his throat. "I need you to be on your best behaviour at the Gala, our reputation depends on it. Mr. Han is coming to the Gala, and he wants to meet you," He whispered. "Don't embarrass us." He said firmly, eyeing me with a look that sent a cold wisp of air through my body.

I nodded, feeling my father plaster a fake smile on his face before patting my shoulder rather harshly. I inhaled sharply at the contact, listening to his heavy footsteps leave the room.

I sighed, letting out a breath I was unaware I held. Being in the presence of my father, is like standing before a king; one misstep could result in dire consequences that no one wanted to face. He was strong, yet controlling—even to his own son. I grew up under his rules, where I had to live up to the expectations he created for me. I had to be professional in front of others, and not show any flaws; all because I was going to replace him one day.

"Hey, have you asked anyone yet?" Jin asked with a smirk, as he walked into the room.

I groaned as my hand dragged down my face. The thought of the Gala still lingered in the back of my mind, and I had no intention of addressing it. I didn't know how, and I didn't exactly want to either. It stressed me out, with no concept of fun or enjoyment. It was more of a political event, rather than a gala. Essentially all the people under the Obsidian Order meet to discuss money and future profits. The more people who talk to you, and the nicest date you have, the more attractive to many businessmen and women you become.

It's nothing more than one of those business meetings but with music and fancy clothing.

"No you haven't," Jin finished for me upon noticing my frustration.

We both stepped outside the meeting room into the dark wooded hallway, following behind the others. "You better hurry, because many of the good ones will be taken." Jin chuckled, ruffling his dark green hair.

"I will...eventually." I looked down, and bit my lip. "Anyway, who're you taking?" I asked to continue the conversation.

"Nari."

My face contorted with disgust. "Isn't that the girl you're literally in love with?"

"She's hot!" Jin exclaimed with a light blush on his ears. I rolled my eyes.

Jin chuckled."You shouldn't judge. You pull so many girls without trying I'm surprised you haven't fallen for any."

I sighed in defeat. "They're too fake and surface level. Most are in it for the money and status."

Jin shrugged his shoulders, "well, when that one girl shows up, you'll be just like me—a pussy who doesn't have the balls to do ask her out." He wiggled his eyebrows playfully, and I rolled my eyes at his dark and dirty humour.

"You're so weird." I finished before walking away from him.

***

Juliana's POV

Breathe in—

Breathe out—

My chest raised and lowered rhythmically and deeply, as if I was peacefully sleeping—dreaming. Yet all I saw was black before me, a void of nothingness that was eerie and blank.

A sliver to hope swept over me upon hearing voices. "Juliana?" Someone said, their voice like an angelic echo in my mind.

My eyes fluttered open slightly, the black abyss they stared at fading into a white light, reminding me of the heavens. The smell of laundry detergent flooded my senses, soft blankets coating beneath my arms and back. My hands tightened into fists, relishing the feeling of being alive.

"Where am I?" I asked, my eyes opening slowly, meeting two girls who hovered over my exhausted figure.

"In the slave dorm. I let you borrow my bed since it doesn't involve climbing." the yellowed haired Gem said, and I immediately recognized her warm face as Lisa. "Are you okay? Do you need anything?"

I waved my hand in dismissal. "No, I'm fine. I just wanna know what the fuck happened." My mouth moved on its own, no words escaping as I tried to find the words to describe it. All I could recall were the awful feelings of suffering, and being trapped; emotions I never wanted to experience again. "It felt like a nightmare...but a real one." I said finally.

Ryujin nodded her head, eyes flickering with realization. "First time?"

"What? For what?" I asked in panic, her calm aura scaring the living shit out of me. With the feelings still roaming around in my brain, I wouldn't be surprised if I was still dreaming.

"Punishment," Ryujin said calmly, before handing me a glass of water. "Here this'll help." I took it from her hands and took a sip, the clean and smooth liquid unlike anything I've ever tasted. "Essentially when you disobey the rules, you get punished." She finished.

I gulped, the times of me disrespecting Taehyung flowing into my mind, especially the part where I was outwardly a disobeying every warning and rule given.

I sipped my water awkwardly.

"How did she even know though?" I questioned.

She raised her chin in confidence, "hidden cameras. They are everywhere, we installed them when things started happening between the slaves and Mr. Kim."

I nodded my head, but I still felt confused. None of that explained the feelings I felt, the horrendous images I witnessed. It was that of an alternate reality, unlike anything that could be explained with logic.

I detected something was missing from Ryujin's explanation. "What happened though? Where did those visions come from?"

Lisa leaned forward eyes widened with fear and worry. "You experienced something called an Aisling. It's a realistic nightmarish dream constructed from your worst nightmares. These are created by the Onyx sect. They get in your head, find them and bring them to life. Ms. Jung is under the Onyx sect."

My eyes widened upon realizing something I never would've expected, and my gaze fell on them with surprise. "You're telling me that Gems have powers?" I whispered almost as if I didn't believe it. "All that was by...Ms. Jung?"

"Bingo." Ryujin said, leaning back from her seat on the edge of the bed.

"What are all the different powers, then?" I asked, fascinated. Onavale continued to punch me with new information by the day, and it intrigued me even more. Although I hated the Gems living here, their kind was extremely interesting.

"Let's see, Sapphire can bring out your strengths. Topaz is making someone remember their happiest memories,"

I nodded my head and grinned, recalling the time when I first met Lisa. I vividly remember the feelings she evoked, making me feel happy and in utter bliss.

"Pearl can create flowers, Emerald brings out your weaknesses, Amethyst can tell if you're a nice person or not. And lastly—Garnet."

I adjusted my seat slightly, the word triggering a strange feeling of anticipation inside me.

"When they're passionate about something, their eyes glow red. It doesn't occur often though, since it has to be a true passion."

My eyebrows raised, expecting something more drastic. But it made Garnet's power all the more intriguing to me, because of its simplicity. Passion is one of the few emotions very few people experienced, from having the stresses of life and being forced into obedience. Yet when someone did show passion, it was an amazing sight to witness. Though Garnet's eyes didn't glow red very often, it must be stunning when they did.

I nodded with a slight frown, "how do you know all this stuff? Or is it just general knowledge among Gems?"

Lisa intervened with nodding of her head. "Pretty general, but we don't use our powers often, so it's not discussed."

I leaned across the bed, placing my glass on the table. "I should probably get going, is there anything else I need to know?" I asked with a raised brow, before standing to my feet.

"Well actually, there is-"

Ryujin stopped when a loud thump reverberated through the room as my body collapsed to the ground, and my face met the wood floor.

"That." Ryujin finished, as the two girls watched me in surprise and worry.

"Fuck."

[A/N]

Edited, sorta. 

Jin with green hair...lord take me 🙌 🛐

Anyway, what's your birthstone? ;) If you don't know, you can look it up what your birthday month is then look up the Gemstone associated 

Thanks for reading everybody! Don't forget to vote 💜