If there was one thing that Jung Hoseok had learned from his father, it was the fragile relationship between vampires and humans.

Humans were nothing compared to vampires. They had no power of their own, possessed no immortality, developed little strength, held dependence on weapons, while the weakest vampire held power to decimate an entire town. In any fight against vampires, humans were destined to fail. In the first war, the Purebloods had never interfered, leaving the fight against regular vampires and mortal humans, and it still ended in bloodshed— mostly from the human population. After treaties were struck, all Hoseok was told was all the Kings before his father had preached nothing but peaceful relations, which his father religiously had followed.

Had.

Now, his father had signaled to the Purebloods a renewal of a war they had chosen not to partake in centuries ago. The people only adding fuel to the fire, expressions enraged no doubt inspired by Hoseok's father's words to fight. It was as if rationality had flown out the window— the knowing truth that humans were only asking for their deaths, especially when this was a declaration of war against the Purebloods, who could just as easily be named Gods among vampires and humans on Earth.

All because of Hoseok.

It had to count for something, right? If his father was waging war because the Purebloods had wrongfully taken him, then Hoseok could see the point of his father trying to do the unreasonable. A parent would do anything for their children, even if it was to risk their own lives, but would the Purebloods have taken Hoseok if he was a bargaining piece in the treaty?

The treaty had been hundreds of years old, and Hoseok had only just turned eighteen. For him to be a part of the treaty didn't make sense. It wasn't like it was his father who had been the one to sign the treaty.

Noticing Hoseok's pensive expression, Yoongi said, "Your father is going into a pointless war, all because he could not give up what I asked of him centuries ago. Is it so hard to believe that your father would go to war, even after teaching you how pointless war would be between our species?"

"If I hadn't been taken, there would be no war," Hoseok grimaced, staring at Yoongi condescendingly. "You brought this onto yourself. If you did not want war, you should have never interfered with my family."

Yoongi's eyes glinted dangerously. "I would be careful with that tongue of yours, Prince. I have never bent to the will of man, especially not someone as barbaric as your father. Your father interfered with my family, and all I asked of him was one thing. He agreed, and when I came to warn him I would take you when the time came, he began trying to negotiate."

"My father was not alive centuries ago," Hoseok snapped, feeling himself becoming enraged. "Stop trying to blame him for all the things you have caused."

"Now, listen here, you little—"

Yoongi quickly grabbed Yeonjun's arm, pulling him away from Hoseok. Hoseok looked at Yeonjun surprised, rendered speechless at Yeonjun's suddenly hostile behavior. Yoongi pulled him further back, locking gaze with Yeonjun, whose expression was everything but gentle. If Hoseok was angry at Yoongi's, Yeonjun's fury was more amplified, looking at Hoseok as if Hoseok had been the one to do the damage. For the first time since meeting this sorcerer, Yeonjun radiated hatred, and with his mismatched eyes glowing, he looked just about ready to curse him.

"That stupid human never learns," Yeonjun hissed, struggling against Yoongi's grip. "He talks too much, and you let him walk all over us for the sake of free will. How do you let him continue to talk this way? He fails to listen, over and over again, having himself convinced that he's in the right."

"Hoseok knows not what he speaks of," Yoongi said stoically. "He's been under the custody of his father for the past eighteen years. His father would not want him to know anything about anything he's done. Not the people Micah has killed, the bloodline he has destroyed, the family he sacrificed to keep Hoseok, what Micah did to you—"

Hoseok froze at Yoongi's words. "Family?"

Yoongi arched an eyebrow. "Hoseok, do you not know your own family bloodline? Don't tell me you thought you were an only child all this time."

"My mother passed away giving birth to me," Hoseok said, to which Yoongi chuckled.

"Of course, that's what your father would tell you, sunshine," Yoongi hummed. "I had the privilege of meeting your mother. A fine woman, and if I had known what Micah had planned on doing to her, I would have saved her myself. I was too late."

"Come on, Prince Jung," Yeonjun scoffed mockingly, glaring at Hoseok. "Do you want to continue defending your pitiable father's name, or do you want to know the truth? We've been alive far longer than you have; how would you know more than we do?"

"What Yeonjun asks is simple," Yoongi said, letting him go. "Would you like to see your family's history?"

Hoseok knew better than to trust the Pureblood and sorcerer, but he had to prove to himself that he was right in defending his father. As much as Hoseok hated to admit it, Yeonjun was right. Hoseok only knew what his father wanted him to see— everything that he'd internalized for the past eighteen years of his existence. Compared to Yoongi and Yeonjun, they knew a lot more, been alive a lot more, and as much as he hated to admit it, had yet to lie to him.

Sure, they'd bent the truth a little and hid their motives, but Hoseok had never once been told anything but the truth. All this time, Hoseok had been the one to constantly reject the idea of anything but whatever his father told him. What if they were telling him the truth? What if it was his father, the one that Hoseok had looked up to the most, been the one lying to him this entire time?

No, Hoseok chided himself, straightening up. I can't let them win me over. They are not to be trusted. They only talk lies.

"If you're done, we're taking you back to the library," Yoongi stated, already walking out. "There's no use in you laying on my bed when you could be learning about yourself."

"Why would you have any history on my family?" Hoseok retorted, crossing his arms. Yoongi chuckled, letting Yeonjun go, who was still staring at Hoseok with a murderous expression. Yoongi stood over Hoseok, putting both his arms in between Hoseok, before leaning in. Hoseok immediately leaned back, eyes widening at the Yoongi's closeness, who only cocked his head to the side, arched eyebrow and smirk painted along his lips.

"I keep records of all my creations, sunshine," Yoongi answered sweetly.

"Your creations?" Hoseok said as calmly as he could, considering Yoongi had not moved from his position. Yoongi nodded, leaning in a bit more.

"Of course," Yoongi's eyes narrowed slightly, mostly out of amusement. "Is it hard to believe that I have hobbies other than kidnapping? If you think about it, even history dictates you belong to me. Funny how that works, isn't it?"

Hoseok gulped, finding himself unable to lean away anymore. Not wanting Yoongi to get closer, he said, "Are we going, or are you just going to stand there?"

"What do you want me to do?" Yoongi's smirk grew wider. "Prince?"

"Get off me," Hoseok mumbled, pushing Yoongi's frame back. Yoongi chuckled, letting himself be pushed away. Straightening up, he returned to Yeonjun's side, the sorcerer only side glancing at him, waiting for Hoseok to get up. Once the human did, Yeonjun began walking out with the expectation that he would be followed.

Now back at the library, Yeonjun gingerly grabbed a book off the shelf, tossing it at Hoseok, who fumbled to grab it. Yoongi sighed, shaking his head in disapproval as he caught it before Hoseok did, knowing the human's reflexes would have caused the book to fall.

"That is history you're throwing, Jun," Yoongi chided, taking a moment to wipe off the dust that had collected on the book. "The past is too valuable to lose."

"The Moon has all the knowledge I will ever need," Yeonjun answered, rolling his eyes. "If those books were lost, we could just make new ones utilizing the Moon's eyes. She sees and knows all."

Yoongi smiled, though he shook his head. "She raised us. Of course, She knows all. However, I like to keep records of history on Earth. You understand."

Yoongi turned towards Hoseok, handing him the book. Hoseok hesitantly took it, surprised with how heavy it actually was. Hoseok flipped quickly through the pages, finding lines upon lines of writing. This was easily more than five hundred pages; how did the Pureblood expect Hoseok to read this completely?

Noticing Hoseok's expression, Yoongi chuckled. "We do not expect you to read this all in one night, Prince. Everything is divided into sections. Some of the history you'll be able to recognize— your father utilizes events in history that make the humans look superior."

"How do I know you're not lying to me?" Hoseok asked carefully.

"Have I ever?" Yoongi raised an eyebrow, though he wasn't surprised Hoseok had yet to trust him. "These history books are my prized possession. If anything were to happen them, that would be centuries of history lost— and I will rain hellfire on anyone that dares mess with them."

"But Yeonjun just said that the Moon keeps a record of history too," Hoseok closed the book, glancing at Yeonjun, who only nodded.

"I keep records of all my creations, sunshine," Yoongi responded nonchalantly. "Whatever pertains to me is what I cherish the most. How much do you think I am responsible for? Besides, these history books are not just meant for reading. That would be no fun."

"As a book captivates the reader, so does history," Yeonjun said, walking towards Hoseok. "The moment you fully immerse yourself into it. You become the character that the section is focusing on. You'll come to life as the said person— whoever it is, and live through what they did. It ensures authenticity."

"Careful, though," Yoongi's voice began to take a warning tone. "If you advance too much, you'll lose yourself in the words and become one with whoever you're playing. So if you're looking at history, through my point of view, which will be most of the time as you read, you'll become me. The lines of reality and past will become blurred, and you'll be stuck."

Hoseok's eyes widened in alarm. "If this was your idea of getting me to read your history, you're doing a terrible job of it."

Yoongi cracked a smile. "Not to worry, Prince, I won't let that happen to you. You're of no use if you're trapped in the past."

"This is also your history, Hoseok," Yeonjun pointed out. "The way your father painted life— a black and white, vampires versus humans, it's not real. Especially now that your father has waged a useless war against species that you know can break humans with one twist of a neck."

"We won't make you read it if you don't want to," Yoongi added, surprising Hoseok. "As I said before, your free will is a choice I have bestowed on you. I don't have to let you make your own decisions— I could just make you mine. Be grateful."

Nothing of this situation is worth being grateful for; Hoseok scoffed to himself but only muttered thanks.

"You'll stop loathing me eventually, sunshine," Yoongi smiled. "We'll leave you now. I'll be back in time for a late dinner. If you decide to read, you'll be starving once you get pulled back into reality."

"And if I don't?"

"Then you'll be bored out of your mind until I come back." Yoongi smiled. "You won't be able to leave until I come back."

Hoseok scowled. "You said you would give me a choice."

"And I am," Yoongi smiled wider, almost haughtily. "Be bored or allow yourself to become open-minded through history. Your choice, sunshine."

Despite Hoseok's protests, Yeonjun and Yoongi walked out, closing the door and ensuring that it was locked so that the Prince couldn't escape. Yeonjun and Yoongi walked in silence towards Yoongi's study, where the rest of the Purebloods were already waiting for him, concern etched into their faces.

"We have to get our people out of that city," Jimin spoke first, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We're the reasons they're kept afloat. We have to get some of the civilians out too. If the King finds out that there are friendships between humans and vampires, he'll execute them."

Namjoon nodded. "Some of ours have already been taken captive. They do not want to start anything, though the damage has already been done. If we don't provide our support, they could turn against us."

"They'll force the vampires out of their homes in broad daylight," Jimin continued, a frown on his lips. "If we wait any longer, there may not be any more of our kind to protect."

"I will provide the distraction," Yoongi said. "I still have Hoseok, and they're still his people, so let's not do anything that will cause the boy to further get angry with us. We'll bring the people who don't want to fight here."

"I'll put protections around the territory so no one except those who have your blessings come in," Yeonjun offered, his eyes already beginning to glow. "The declaration of war has been made, but to prevent casualty, I have made it impossible to communicate with any other place in Korea. They're living under the illusion that everything's the way it should be."

Yoongi nodded. "Thank you, Yeonjun."

None of them liked the idea of another war— no matter how amused they had been when the declaration had been made. They'd been lucky enough not to have to interfere in the first war, until the very last second, but, just as Micah Jung had been the reason for the country's unity, so he had now become the reason for the country's downfall. Micah Jung had a lot to pay for, but, their priority right now wasn't to kill him. No, that would be way too easy.

Micah needed to be reminded of where he stood on the playing field. He only held the title of King, though, to Yoongi, it meant nothing. What Micah had valued most, the only person that had ever gotten his love more than his wife, and other kids, was Hoseok because despite all Micah had tried to do to stop Hoseok from coming into existence, no one could meddle with fate. Hoseok came to be, and Micah had no choice but to take him, because the love of a father to son, was something that not even e could be immune to.

Yoongi and his brothers had let everything play out, letting Micah have his way with his son, Hoseok, so that it would hurt when Yoongi finally came to take him. The ultimate payback, however, would be when Hoseok would finally go against his father. Hoseok had been resisting tainting his father's image, but, it wouldn't take long now for Hoseok to stop seeing things the way his father had described them to be.

"Everyone knows what to do, yes?" Yoongi asked. At the nods, he gestured at Yeonjun. "Let's go."

Countless realities, countless possible futures, but one thing had always remained clear. It was a tale told countlessly throughout history— the rise and fall of empires, and now, Micah Jung's empire had reached too high of an ambition.

Micah Jung would fall like Julius Caesar— Yoongi would make sure of it.

🩸

"Your children are causing trouble again."

Selene scoffed, not bothering to look up as she continued to brush her hair with her brush, continuing to hum her simple tune.

"Don't act like you can't hear me, Selene."

"I don't know why you're blaming my children when you were the one who made them this way, Artemis," Selene spat venomously, turning towards Artemis with scorn. Artemis's eyes narrowed at Selene's words, her jaw clenching. "Have you forgotten it was you who scattered their soulmates across the centuries?"

"You should have never had those kids," Artemis retorted, clenching her fists. "I gave you your lover to repay what I did to you, with the conditions that you remain chaste."

"I have, Artemis," Selene spoke stiffly. "After you killed my lover. Don't turn this on me."

"They're going to cause human downfall," Artemis warned, gritting her teeth. "Don't you care?"

Selene paused. Setting her brush down, she stood up, dusting off her gown before walking towards Artemis. Selene smiled, her expression remaining blank as she put her hand on Artemis's shoulder, eyes vacant.

"If ridding the Earth of humans is the only way that my kids can be with their loves, then let that wretched world burn."

Selene giggled, her voice etching itself into Artemis's mind. There was nothing human about the laugh, no trace of the Selene that had once devoted her love and attention to Artemis. Watching Selene's unforgiving stare, Artemis tried reaching out for her, only to be immediately rejected.

"Selene."

Selene's eyes hardened. "I'm no Maiden of yours, Artemis. Not anymore."

"You can't let your children bring about destruction—"

Selene's grip on Artemis's shoulder tightened. "You punished my kids for something I did and took their father from them. I don't give a damn what they do to your precious people, humans that don't even believe in your existence. Now, if you'll excuse me, Hecate is waiting for me."

"Her child is also causing a ruckus!"

"Because of you," Selene sneered. "This is your fault."

Selene let Artemis go, and after straightening herself up, she walked out of the room. Not content with the results of the conversation, Artemis grabbed Selene's arm, forcing her to stop mid-walk.

"Don't make me interfere, Selene."

At the words, Selene tensed. She remained silent for a couple of moments, before forcing Artemis to let go of her hand. Artemis watched as Selene walked out, no words spoken between the two. She watched Selene disappear down the corridor, her expression full of hatred.

"Please."

Artemis received no response.

a/n: sorry for the extremely late updates, it's been hectic here at home (so much stuff i gotta do). y'all know how i said i would make these shorter? yeah, me neither.

so, rather than just telling you guys the history, you guys will be immersed into the story alongside hoseok. of course, it'll be divided into parts because we need to bring hoseok back into reality and develop a friendship with yoongi (and more ofc), but the way i'll present them, is through the speaking of characters.

just like how in the prologue i wrote strictly in the pureblood's point of view, that's kind of how it's going to be. so you're not going to hear hoseok's thoughts b/c he's playing the roles! 

so it isn't a "hoseok watched as yoongi raised his arm", it's more of a "yoongi raised his arm" (to give an example). at the beginning, hoseok will be aware that he's playing the role, but he'll immerse himself pretty quickly, and the writing will continue from there.

(i hope that made senseDKHGDF) 

on another note, the goddesses have finally made their appearance! you can already tell where the allegiances are going to stand. wonder what'll happen 😏

thanks for reading!