Bow and arrows had never been Seokjin's go-to weapon.

He found them outdated, slow, burdensome, and overall, inefficient. Yet, here he was, firing arrow after arrow into nothingness, the fowl he was aiming at disappearing into the wilderness. His hands trembled as he fumbled for another arrow, anger beginning to bubble inside him as he attempted to aim once more but failed, the arrow flying into the opposite direction he'd intended for it to go to.

"This is stupid."

He threw the bow on the floor and crossed his arms, glaring at the Huntress, Astraea, who was watching him, clearly amused.

"You're the first human male I've had contact with in centuries," Astraea said, ignoring Seokjin's remark. "It is a disappointment to see that men have not changed. Temper tantrums will bring you nothing but consequences. Now pick up that bow and begin aiming. You have infinite arrows left. The animals will not hunt themselves."

"Is that all you Huntresses know how to do?" Seokjin scoffed as he reluctantly picked the bow up. "If it's been centuries, why haven't you all advanced to better weapons? Bow and arrows aren't what you all make it out to be."

Astraea chuckled. "We are Hunters. What need do we have for swords and daggers? At least our bloodshed is honorable. But, if you continue to complain, I may just have to step down and put you in your place. You do not insult us Huntresses so brazenly without consequences."

Seokjin shook his head. "You and your consequences. Look I shot an arrow. Happy?"

"I could have my hands tied behind my back and I'd still aim better than you, Kim Seokjin," she responded, shaking her head. "Again. Stop looking so condescending while you're at it. You are not the hero you think you are. Do you think you'll be able to achieve your goal only by feigning superiority? You're a weakling, Kim."

Seokjin's fingers tightened around the grip harder at her words. Lips pressed into a thin line, Seokjin slowly grabbed another arrow, to which Astraea smiled, knowing that she'd struck a nerve.

"I do not care for your romantic affairs but I've heard whispers from the woods that it's been anything but pleasant," she continued, smirking as Seokjin failed once more. "Where's the damsel in distress right now? Locked up in a castle like Rapunzel, hoping that his knight in shining armor will come to whisk him away. We know who the damsel in distress is. But the knight? Now, that's a different story."

With every failed attempt, Astraea upped the comments. It was so predictable, Astraea could almost yawn. Men hadn't changed from the last time that she'd conversed with them. All she had to do was ridicule Seokjin, degrade him to the point where he'd see red. Dangling his motivations right in front of him, insinuating that there's a different end to the story he was trying to change, that was the only way to get Seokjin to do anything.

It was pitiful the amount of strength Kim Seokjin would get after being reminded of the Prince he'd sworn his life to from a young age. Astraea didn't know the details— Artemis only told her what she needed to know, and it wasn't like Astraea cared for human affairs, particularly male affairs, so she didn't know the full story. What she did now, however, was that Seokjin was trying to reclaim the character he had always played from someone Artemis deemed as unworthy. That was more than enough for Astraea to volunteer in helping Seokjin build his strength.

Though Astraea didn't see the need for Seokjin to be graced by Artemis, who was she to question her Goddess's intentions? Maybe it was just her repulse for men that left her in disdain and resentful that Seokjin would soon be blessed, but Astraea didn't view Seokjin as worthy. Not only had he been complaining about shooting a measly bow and arrow, but he carried himself as if he were better than her, and that was something she could not tolerate. He'd gone through all the other pieces of training just fine, but the bow and arrow was the thing that was stopping him?

Men truly are worthless.

"The damsel in distress just slipped from your hands Seokjin," Astraea shook her head. "How'd you let him go?"

The arrow flew faster than Astraea could process it, but luckily her instincts had warned her in time. She jumped off the branch, the silver arrow shooting past her braid with a swoosh, before embedding itself into the branch she had been sitting on moments prior. She raised an eyebrow as her eyes met a livid expression, one that she had yet to fully see from Seokjin. Her lips parted into a wide smile and she began to laugh, the sound of it only getting louder as she processed what had just happened.

"If only you had that precision continuously Seokjin, you would make a fine huntsman," Astraea mused, straightening herself up. "If you continue to keep that precision, then you'll be skilled in no time. Just make sure you're aiming at the right target. Artemis would not forgive you if you kill one of her Huntresses."

Seokjin smiled ruefully. "Somehow I doubt you can die."

Astraea's smile widened. "Now that, Kim Seokjin, I guarantee is something you do not want to find out. Start again. Your damsel won't save himself."

🩸 

"This is the first time you come visit me."

Artemis turned to Selene, who had a stoic expression on her face. Artemis stood up, brushing her dress as she walked to Selene, a serene smile on her face. Selene showed no expression, waiting patiently for Artemis to stop her steps, so she could finally speak.

"Astraea is with a man," Selene said, cocking her head slightly. "I thought you had more watch over your Huntresses, you know after your father lay with your beloved Callisto."

A flicker of anger split through Artemis's otherwise serene expression, though she quickly composed herself. "Astraea devoted wholly to me. She loathes the thought of loving a man, so I know she will not betray me. If only others would have learned from her example, the world would be a better place."

Selene ignored the intentional snide remark Artemis gave her and said, "Your world, Artemis, is one that brings only misery. Just how far are you going to go to succeed? You've never been one to put your Huntresses in a man's way for your personal gain. What are you planning?"

Artemis's smile widened. "You've never been the one to snoop around in my affairs. What are you planning? Don't tell me your son's come begging for help."

"If my son had come to me, I would not be standing in this room with you," Selene answered. "What more do you have up your sleeve? Are you going to force my hand?"

"Even if I did, you are bound by your son's request to stay out of his affairs," Artemis chuckled. "What could you do to stop me? They take after Ambrogio you know. Especially Yoongi. Remember when Ambrogio tried stealing one of my arrows? Good times."

"You have no right to speak his name," Selene said, her jaw clenching. Artemis only continued to smile, though this time, her hand went up to touch Selene's cheek. Selene froze, though her fingers were quick to loop around Artemis's wrist, eyes looking at her in a sign of warning.

"You can't touch Kim Seokjin," Artemis said, removing her hand from Selene's face. "He's already devoted himself to me. So now I'm giving him my grace. When he's ready, he'll be unstoppable. You can't do anything."

Selene watched as Artemis left, a slow smile reaching her lips.

"That's where you're wrong," Selene muttered in a voice too low for Artemis to catch. 

Selene didn't need to touch Kim Seokjin.

There were plenty of other ways to help her children without directly messing with Seokjin. All she had to do now was wait for Artemis to reveal her hand. 

🩸

Hoseok knew what it felt like to wake up next to someone he loved.

At least he was sure he did.

Growing up, Seokjin and he would have sleepovers. It wasn't often— Seokjin was older and he had many things he had to do, but every time that he did stay for the night, Hoseok could distinctly remember the sweet aroma that enveloped him. He would let the smell take over him, and eventually, he'd fall asleep. When morning arose, Hoseok would remember not wanting to leave Seokjin's arms, half wishing that time could stop so that they could stay in each other's embraces.

There were times were Hoseok would wake up alone. Those times were always the hardest. Waking up to Seokjin's side of the bed cold, waking up with that emptiness— it wasn't something that Hoseok loved the feeling of. But, that's what being love bound caused to a person. That overly dependent attachment to someone where it's almost like a craving that can't be satiated. It seemed normal before, Hoseok realized.

That was how he was supposed to feel.

When Hoseok's eyes fluttered open the next morning, Yoongi was nowhere to be found. Hoseok's eyes flitted towards the open window, confirming that Yoongi had slipped away from him. Yet, he didn't feel the sadness he'd feel when Seokjin would leave him alone. Truthfully, Hoseok didn't know what to feel.

It was safer for Yoongi to leave undetected instead of waking up next to him, and right now Hoseok valued Yoongi's safety more than anything. He could wait, Hoseok decided, as he got up from his bed and changed. He'd do some more reading instead and wait patiently for Yoongi to come later in the night.

"Hoseok, I know you're probably missing Seokjin right now, but it's time to start choosing the colors that will be utilized for your coronation."

His father had come in without warning, startling Hoseok as he closed the window shut. He turned to his father smiling hesitantly, "A knock would have been nice."

King Micah waved him off. "You didn't come down for breakfast. It's past noon. Did you just wake up?"

"I may have overslept a bit," Hoseok responded—a lie already prepared in the slip of his tongue. "I stayed up reading the books given to me. Lost track of time."

Seemingly convinced, Micah continued, "We really should get a head start with coronation preparations. We've been holding out long enough and when Seokjin comes ba—"

"Father, I don't think it's the best idea," Hoseok interrupted, crossing his arms. "I'm not ready to be King. I don't want to continue with the coronation."

"No one is ever ready to be King, Hoseok," Micah clicked his tongue. "But, it is something you must do. Think of your people and all the lives that you'll impact by delaying this. I'm only getting older. You can even see the wrinkles starting to show on my face!"

His father was older than he claimed to be, but it was only now that he was beginning to age. Hoseok had remembered that fact, and after reading Jungkook's story, he knew his father wasn't young. He didn't know how old Jungkook was when he was Turned, but Hoseok suspected that his father wasn't too far behind Jungkook's age— which did leave him wondering. How had his father managed to avoid death all these years? Why was it that now he was aging?

How did no one notice that they were ruled by the same person for a long time?

"Father, can I ask you something?" Hoseok said, to which Micah immediately nodded, though his expression seemed to guard itself. "What is the worst thing you've ever done?"

"What brings this question?" Micah inquired, arching an eyebrow. "I'm no saint, but I'd like to think I'm not a monster."

"Even Kings do bad things right?" Hoseok said, looking directly at Micah. "For their interests. For the good of the people. I'm just curious."

Micah stayed silent, though the look on his face did not break. He studied Hoseok, looking through him to see if there were any ulterior motives. Hoseok maintained face, gazing at his father expectantly, waiting to see what he would say. After what seemed like forever, Micah relented.

"The worst things I've done come from me protecting you."

Micah did not elaborate. Instead, he walked to Hoseok and wrapped him in a hug. Hoseok froze, taken momentarily by surprise, before hugging back, patting his father's back almost awkwardly. Hoseok wasn't looking for a specific answer, but he made a mental note of his father's words, a sickening feeling in his stomach.

"I will always do what's best for you," Micah said, "Everything that can keep you safe, I will do. But I cannot protect you forever. It's why you have to take the mantle as King, Hoseok. Becoming King is the only way I know you'll be safe. It's what the people need. It's what you need, even if you don't see it."

Hoseok pulled away from his father. A part of him felt guilty at his father's words. They sounded sincere enough, and even if they weren't true, there was no doubt his father had convinced himself of that. Still, Hoseok couldn't be crowned King. If it ensured his safety, then that meant it would seal his fate with Seokjin, and that's the last thing Hoseok wanted.

"Let me think about it," Hoseok said, taking his father's hands. "You can take full reign over everything, but give me time to reflect and think it over. Give me the space. Our helpers can bring me food throughout the day and then I'll stay in my room. Just please let me think over it. Becoming King is a big deal."

"Of course," Micah smiled, "Our helpers brought your lunch already. I had a feeling with Seokjin leaving you would be out of it. Let me bring it to you and I'll come back tomorrow."

"Thank you."

At least his father still granted him some privilege. Hoseok watched his father leave and come back with a tray full of food, which was set on the table. Micah sighed, nodding at Hoseok before closing the door behind him, leaving Hoseok in the empty room once more. After hearing his father's footsteps disappear, Hoseok walked to his bathroom, taking out one of the books that were given to him, and flipping until he finally found the category that he was looking for.

HISTORY OF JUNG MICAH, CURRENT KING.

Hoseok walked out of the bathroom and settled down in his bed, heart thundering in his chest. He knew that he'd have to stumble across his father's history eventually, but now that it was right in front of him, it felt much more real. This was his father's life that he would be experiencing, and the thought of it was terrifying. If his father committed bad things, Hoseok would know. His entire perception of his father could be shattered.

He had no idea if he'd already thought of his father differently, but with this, reading, Hoseok knew that it had the possibility to break him. But he had to do it. Hoseok had to learn what type of person his father was, even if it completely destroyed him. Micah had told Hoseok that everything bad that he did was for him, and if that proved to be true, then Hoseok would be filled to the brim with guilt by the end of this.

"Okay."

Hoseok let his fingers drag across the starting page, though his eyes did not look down. He took several deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself before letting himself begin to read. The background faded around him the more he continued to read until the landscape had changed to one of a burning territory, ember flames shooting out of the houses and trees, with corpses lying around the now dry ground. He took a step forward, vaguely recognizing the scene before him. Hoseok had been here before.

He'd just been in someone else's shoes.

"I was too late."

a/n: very slow (and probably boring i'm sorry) but we need something so here we are! it's been over a month and i really just want to throw myself bc i've been wanting to write for the longest. i've been so busy but i finally made myself sit down and get to writing! i recently started a job working with preschool kids, have had a couple of interviews for university organizations, and exams have just been kicking my ass lately (i have another one tuesday and i really need to study oops)

as i was writing the end of this i realized just how i could have used the prologue as the chapter. however, when i first came up with made for min, i had already written the prologue, and the trajectory of this book has changed dramatically these past couple of months but not to worry, Micah's history is going to be an extensive one (very revealing and could further cement your hatred for him).

astraea is just a made up character that is part of artemis's hunt. she hates men (she's  lesbian), so whoever thinking that she and seokjin could make a potential couple— absolutely not. it would defeat the purpose of her being a huntress, to begin with (b/c artemis's hunters are maidens who swear off love). no ship will sail with them <3

also forgive any mistakes we not doing too well right now with braincells 😔

i hope you have all been doing good <3 thank you for being so patient with me.

fun fact: i dyed my hair red in august, and for halloween season i decided to do half orange half red and it came out really well.

also (just some self promo bc we like that), i participated in an ao3 sope fest, and i'm pretty sure i'm allowed to upload that to wattpad so i'm gonna do that. this was the fic that i was working on before school started. it's not done yet, and i have to release it in parts here bc wattpad word limits and stuff, but i will be uploading the first chapter shortly after this. if you're even remotely interested, you should definitely check it out (:

thank you so much for reading!