A month ago...

It was a breezy summer evening, and the wind blew whistling through the tall spruces at the residence of the fallen king who now resided in a quaint nook of the royal palace of Kleon.

But a storm was building within the hearts of those who knew what was waiting in the near future.

"These are mere fables! Don't tell me you're going to-" "The world thought Arcana was a myth too...look where it has brought us" Jungkook spoke with a light scoff, kicking a pebble into the water as they continued strolling about the lotus pond "and what I have decided isn't based on a whim Jimin" he sighed before he stopped to turn to his mate "I believe by now you know me well enough to understand that it's not about me being selfish or doing as I please...it's about doing what is right...for the future...for our children...for Kleon..."

Jimin stared up at him, a frown still perched on his brow as he tried to come to terms with what Jungkook had just shared with him.

"I'm sorry, I know you care about him but war always breeds casualties..." Jungkook placed his hands on Jimin's shoulders, trying to soothe his anxious nerves "and we all know that we won't be able to save Seokjin even if we somehow manage to miraculously save everyone else" his fingers grasped on those slim shoulders a little harder as he sensed the pain Jimin's eyes held "Hyung knows it...Hoseok too..." his hands fell away as he resumed his stroll but Jimin caught the words that he spoke next "even my brother does...despite how much of a blockhead he is...he knows it's beyond him to be able to change that fate..."

A tear drop rolled down Jimin's cheek as he held his breath at those words. But he needed answers, he couldn't just give up...how could he when Seokjin was his only friend...how could he when Seokjin was the reason for whom his life had been reformed to be as pretty as it is today.

Jimin hastily followed after him, his eyes still brimming with tears "but why?! You said if the seal is undone then the spirit can transfer-" "Not all seals are the same" Jungkook spoke cutting off Jimin's eager intentions to find a way to save his friend.

"But we have his mother here too! She put it there...she can take it back, right?" Jimin was ready to do all that could be done, he would find a way...he must.

"She can't take it back" Jungkook replied but realized that he was failing to pacify his anxious omega, he hoped Jimin would just let it go because he did not want to say anything more than what he already had "don't you think we'd take that measure into consideration if it was possible?" He was getting a little annoyed now and decided to walk ahead rather than trying to give Jimin answers to his stubborn queries.

"Why?! It is a blood bond that she used...why can't she undo it?" Jimin came rushing, grabbing at Jungkook's arm to get his answers.

"Because there is a price that one must pay for a blood bonding magic!" Jungkook exclaimed watching Jimin fuming at him "and she has already bartered her soul..."

A hush fell between them as they stood under the sparse clouds that veiled the silvery moonlight in intermittent shadows.

"She lost her soul?" Jimin was dumbfounded, not sure about what he had just heard.

Jungkook inhaled deeply before answering that question "it's a very old and very dark magic that she used...she was not supposed to live at all...but something brought her back...something so strong that it could intervene in a blood bonding spell and it could restore her body" he huffed, shaking his head and looking confused "I doubt it was Arcana, why would a spirit that thrives on sacrifices suddenly spare the life that would make it stronger? Unless...something made it do that? And what could that be? It's the only thing I just can't seem to be able to solve...it's really tormenting my head..." he stared up at the sky.

"So, if we want to save Seokjin...then Taehyung has to agree to Arcana's demand to have Kian as a vessel" Jimin relayed his realization "one soul in return to spare another..."

"And doing that will be no less than a catastrophe" Jungkook sighed, eyes moving to reach Jimin's sad teary gaze dropping to the ground. He knew he was going to sound like an absolute maniac if he said what he had been thinking about but Jimin was his mate after all and he could even read his mind, so it was no guess work for him to actually know how much of a maniac his alpha could actually be "there's umm one way though...although it's just an assumption and not to mention it'd sound a little uh-creepy to suggest something like that...but ah well, you know his sibl-" "Jisoo..." Jimin whispered, eyes twinkling as they shot up to meet his alpha's as he read the thoughts that were running through Jungkook's mind "you're right...she can cast the spell and she has a soul too!"

"Wow...and people call me morbid" he chuckled, rubbing away the tears of his mate "you're slyer and more dangerous than you look love."

"Well, what can I say...I learnt from the best" he shrugged and walked ahead, making the alpha break out in a guffaw as he followed after his mate.

Present Day

Jimin's P.O.V.:

I stood stunned at the scene before me, my fingers instinctively clutching Kian's tiny hand a little harder as I pull him closer to myself and think if I am going to regret my decision of bringing the boy here.

I wouldn't say that I hadn't anticipated that there'll be bloodshed, but I hadn't thought that this would be the first thing that the boy would witness.

For a moment everything stands frozen, everyone went dumb with the horror of what had just happened, before a thunderous howl pierces the air and I watch Taehyung, along with his troops lunge at the scene. But before I could take another step, I felt Kian give out a broken shriek, tremors vehemently shaking his little body before he slumped down onto the grass.

I do regret my decision, this must be too much for him to take in.

"I'm sorry little one" I whisper under my breath as I pick him up in my arms "but if my alpha is right about your powers then you're probably our only hope."

I am a little scared and confused but right now Kian is the safest with me because...I can tell what each one here is thinking, and the only one here who can stop Arcana from invading Kian's mind and stop it from snatching its favourite vessel.

That sounds absurd right? Me, a mere omega, having the kind of power to oppose a god's will?

Well, I too thought so...but that was until Jungkook taught me what I could really do with my pureblood omega powers. I just never had anyone who could teach me, or even help me believe in my true capacity.

Yeah, it's not just Seokjin and Taehyung who have been preparing for this war for the past four years. We've all been getting ready for the most unimaginable fight of our lives, a brawl against a god, without the slightest idea of how to win.

Who'd have thought that the day would come so soon.

I check around but do not see Yoongi here either, and hence assume that he must be working to make the needed preparations, and sigh in relief as I realize that he was following the plan as well.

But then again one must remember that you can't really prepare for a war...because chances are that something you haven't calculated at all occurs at the most inopportune moment.

The battlefield has gone haywire right now, unlike in a war where two parties battle against each other, here one could see Kleon's soldiers terror-struck to see their leader at the brink of death, their commander roaring and flaring in rage and anguish yet unable to do anything despite his indomitable powers, while Zion and Eulan waited for orders to act and the other troops of Joran and Helion simply frazzled about what was actually happening.

And then in the midst of such chaos rang the eerie voice of the spirit who looked as fierce and lethal as ever.

"I had warned you...warned you every way..." Seokjin's eyes were devoid of its usual warmth and blazed a brilliant white while blood spilled out of his mouth as he twisted the blade deeper into his own chest "if you do not give me my freedom" his teeth gritted to show the pain and weakness the body was going through because of his actions "I will tear your mate apart and take it any way I can!!"

I had a really bad feeling about this since Arcana seemed to have gone mad with greed to get its hands on the prize it had been direly waiting for.

A sudden sound washes through my inner mind, and I could tell who it was instantly.

Usually, I have to concentrate hard to breach through someone's mind to read their thoughts, but since the time he marked me, Jungkook's thoughts echo in my mind due to the mate link that we've formed. Initially it was very confusing for me, but it is for this link that I got to understand who he really is...and why he is like the way he is.

Ah I see...so Kian has presented, I was curious why Arcana was suddenly acting so outrageously...

In all my life I have never noted such sharp anticipation among normal people, well, except my alpha...his thoughts are truly dipped in a different ink. Seeing me here with Kian, he must have realized why I had to bring the boy here.

Well, not happy that you're here...but brace for impact...

"What do you mean?" I mutter to myself as I try to process the thought that I had just read and try to find where he was "what do you mean brace for impact?" My eyes zero in to where he stood, right where the commotion was ongoing but his gaze met mine and I could tell he was actually trying to give me a heads up, and I stun at his next thought that echoes in my head as well.

That little mystic...you need to wake him up...

I frown as to how he had derived info about Kian's powers or what he might have in mind to say that.

Arcana is trying to ensure that the legion wouldn't be a problem for it to deal with...

I gulp as I realize what those words indicate to...if Seokjin dies then one among the five legions of fate will be lost, and the spell to cage Arcana back in its original place would never be completed.

We need that kid to stop what is happening...

I look down at the unconscious boy in my arms, "he's untrained...he has no idea how to work with his powers"

We have you to take care of that love...

I can literally hear the smirk in his voice, and understand what he meant to say.

But wait for my directions...I have a feeling that the worst is yet to come...

My heart skips a beat to hear him say this, and I instantly try to see what he meant but only saw the blindly bashing crowd that continued to create the ruckus around where Seokjin still bled profusely.

A thought suddenly passes my mind...their mate bond...oh no!

Taehyung could die if Seokjin does, a cold sweat erupts as I ponder on this and fear comes trickling down my spine thinking if this was what Jungkook was waiting for.

I see Queen Jisoo shaking at the scene before her as well and Commander Namjoon trying to guard her from imminent threats as he held her back from rushing to Seokjin, while General Hoseok was struggling as he tried to control the Commander from doing something crazy.

I could see the trueblood constantly urging his mate to listen to him, trying to shake off the pain he was going through and get some sign from Seokjin that he was still there...somewhere repressed underneath Arcana's overwhelming godly powers. He kept screaming at Arcana to stop hurting his mate but to no avail because Arcana was dead-set to get what it wanted.

"I care no more if you die trueblood...give me my freedom!"

"If something happens to my mate, I swear I'll ensure a worse end for you...you filthy parasite!" Taehyung roared, his eyes bloodshot and lips curling into a snarl. His voice made shivers run through everyone present on the battlefield and made my head spin due to the amount of rage and authority that was emanating from him right now.

But who can blame an alpha driven to frenzy in his need to protect his omega?

He looks just as mad as the spirit itself, but his rage was built on fear not greed...the fear of watching the one you love be in pain...the fear of not being able to help the one for whom you'd gather all the luxuries in the world...the fear of being useless when they need you the most.

I trace that look of absolute terror on Taehyung's face now, his eyes unfocused as he tried to devise some possible way to stop the spirit from hurting his mate anymore.

He was at the brink of losing his mind, and the desperation showed on his face.

"I command you Arcana," the trueblood's voice boomed throughout the field, covering every other noise present there "to take my body as your vessel!"

And that's when I realized what my alpha meant when he said he anticipated something worse happening.

Almost instantly an eerie silence grips the scene, no one dared to even think what this could lead to.

The most terrifying soldier on this field had just become probably a hundred times scarier and everyone present here was surely debating if this moment would be their very last.

In such a soul-splitting instance, all I hear is Jungkook's haughty chuckle echoing in my mind.

Told you...he might be the strongest alpha but he's damn slow in the head...

I roll my eyes at his prideful sniggering, but I can't deny that he had actually assumed this happening.

Well, I'm not complaining...he just made it easier for me to work it the way I wanted. Oh! Let the kid sleep...won't be needing him for a while now...

But I barely respond to his words because I'm stunned as I watch Taehyung rushing towards Seokjin, who had now collapsed. It is shocking to see him act as if nothing had just happened, and out of sheer curiosity I walk a little closer to see the trueblood cradle his almost unconscious mate in his arms.

"Heal yourself!" Taehyung orders his mate "you gotta heal yourself Jin!"

Everyone else was just as surprised and curious as to what just happened and why was the trueblood acting as if he hadn't just commanded Arcana to take over his body. So, they assumed that the spirit possibly could not take over the trueblood's mind, which they found to be quite believable given the fact that Taehyung's wolf was no ordinary wolf. People began crowding closer, General Hoseok quickly checking on the damage Seokjin had undergone.

But I could feel something was off...Seokjin seemed to be having trouble in healing himself, still choking and coughing up blood as he struggled to breathe.

And I was scared to read into Seokjin's mind right now...because the moment I did so, all I could hear was...I cannot heal myself, the seal...Arcana reversed it on my powers...

I knew what was the only other way to help him, if I could make Kian use his powers to go back to the time where Seokjin was still unharmed then I could...

"Not what I would suggest" Jungkook grabbed at my arm, stopping me from waking the boy up "stopping time is another thing...but shifting time is no joke Jimin" he whispers into my ear as I helplessly stare at the pitiful scene of Taehyung trying futilely to help Seokjin "everything has its own price...one wrong step and all that we've planned will go to waste."

I feel my eyes brim with tears as I watch the most difficult sight unfold before me, and feel my airways choke with remorse as the same old terrifying memory gripped my heart. I know it has been a long time now but it still breaks me to watch this, no bonded mates should ever have to go through such a terrible fate.

The people dared not move or make a sound as they stood petrified to watch the trueblood gnash his teeth as he blared angrily at his omega's decision.

Seokjin weakly tried to assure his alpha that they couldn't abandon their kids, at the very least it was better if they'd have their father to take care of them.

"Don't you dare Jin! Don't!" Taehyung's enraged voice revealed more of the fear that he was trying to veil under his furious roar "we talked about this...together" he heaved as his voice began breaking to reveal the utter helplessness he was feeling "we do this together...you-you can't...you aren't allowed to do this..."

Seokjin's shaking arm caressed the trueblood's cheek, his voice was feeble but his eyes exposed the reality of how much he treasured his mate. His fingers gently lingered over Taehyung's mouth as he spoke "alpha...I relieve you f-from the bond that holds you t-tied to me" and with that I watched his hand drop.

The howl that the trueblood gave out at the pain of such a dear loss held the enormity of his sorrow, and every onlooker here shared his misery as they stood powerless and grief-stricken.

I felt my knees buckle as well.

But I understand why Seokjin would choose to do such a thing...if you really love someone, the one thing you'd want for them is to be safe.

I held Kian a little closer, and made a mental promise to cherish him, Taehan and Jihyun just as dearly as Jaehwa, always.

It was difficult to watch the trueblood grieve the loss of his mate as he still clung onto Seokjin's lifeless body, his omega's blood staining his skin and soaking his clothes as he screamed out his pain. His heartache was so loud that it shrouded everything else, even the grumbling grey clouds became black with woe and the wind an angry audacious force that whistled across the open field echoing the agony of the trueblood.

I told myself on repeat that if things go as planned, we'll be able to fix this...I'll ensure that it is all better again.

I felt a hand on my back "the price of a life-" "Is another's sacrifice" I complete the statement because I also know the risks, Jungkook had already walked me through what I had to accept, and where I needed to act. But nonetheless, this hurts...Seokjin was the only person who has always seen me for who I am, never doubted me, never tried to use me for my powers and always tried to stand by me. He was my only friend.

I try to gulp the pain in my chest yet again but fail, I don't know if what Jungkook has planned would really work or not, there's no way to know that until I trust the process...till now, he has been right about all his assumptions.

I'll have to give him this...he's one smart sly man for sure!

Over the past four years I have seen him planning extensively, taking multiple variables, considering dozens of surprise instances and preparing to tackle those with varied measures...and from all of those he came up with what I would like to call as 'an arc of action'.

I'm just praying that things go according to that anticipated arc, or else we're literally doomed.

I press my eyes close as another mournful howl erupts, and I can sense the rage and regret that's burdening the trueblood...he is blaming everything, each one of us and himself, for the loss of his mate. I can read the hatred he feels against all of us right now because we're nothing but spectators of his immense pain.

I cannot blame him for feeling so, none of us could help him in this situation however, this was something we couldn't have stopped. So, I try to console myself that we're going through the worst and that it'll get better. It must, Jungkook has assured me it would...and if it doesn't then despite all his warnings to not do anything stupid, I know what I have to do.

After all...war demands blood and sacrifices.

But I was stunned to see the same Taehyung who had forever derided the gods and never believed in praying, was now looking up at the skies. My heart clenched to hear him give out another pained howl, I hear the pleas he sent up above in his helpless wish to get his mate back, his anger and sorrow evidently showing. Shudders raked through his body as he still held his mate dearly cradled to his chest, he looked defeated...and this was also probably the very first time that I saw him shed tears.

It is in such times of utter helplessness that we realize how vulnerable and weak we really are despite all our wealth and power.

I feel a jabbing pain in my heart as I recollect the time when I too had cried to the heavens up above for help, begged for some miracle to occur. But reality, as hard as it may be, stands tall until we find the courage to look it in the eye and accept it.

Today his prayers fell on deaf ears.

Unfortunately, there arose a more threatening scenario now as everyone felt the effect of the trueblood's blazing rage, he was giving off extremely menacing pheromones...they were aggressive, intimidating and purely terrorising for all around him.

I could tell that the people could also sense this abrupt change in the trueblood and rightly began stepping away, those who didn't instantly found themselves wobbling and slumped to the ground. Groans and sounds of discomfort quickly filled the air as they soon realized what was happening.

Taehyung's fury and grief had led his wolf to dominate his human side and hence his senses were now in control of his fierce wolf.

General Hoseok seemed to realise it too, and immediately ordered the soldiers to step away because he knew how dangerous it got whenever Taehyung let his wolf out. It hadn't happened much since Taehyung had been mated and was happily busy with his family, but whenever this had happened before, things had turned ugly. That was the reason Taehyung rarely allowed his trueblood to take over completely.

But right now, I think his human side felt too weak and broken due to the emotional turmoil he was currently going through and therefore his wolf has probably taken over.

Taehyung was heaving, his entire body rigid with rage and his gaze began turning to a fierce red. He stood up, his dear omega's lifeless body still cradled close to his chest and people began fleeing from the scene, his pheromones became too threatening for anyone to tolerate.

"Shit" I hear General Hoseok as I felt my own knees buckling and I struggle trying to hold Kian safely in my arms. He came running to my side, "hand him to me, we've to take him away from here before he gets targeted again".

I understand what he means but without Kian we cannot win this war.

"We need hi-" "Hoseok...countless lives will be lost today if we do not get this child to use his powers"

I look back to see Jungkook walking up to us, his face showed how he was struggling to battle the threatening pheromones as well.

"Are you nuts?! He's fucking four and he just got his powers!"

"He is Seokjin's son" Jungkook spoke very matter-of-factly "the one who had used his powers and killed thirty men the day he turned four and received his powers. I don't think this'll be a problem at all"

This stunned me as well as General Hoseok but to be honest, Jungkook wasn't wrong.

I stare down at the little boy.

"We gotta wake him up before things get worse" Jungkook orders, sharp onyx eyes flickering about the place to trace the current situation.

"But-" I stutter as troubled thoughts swarm in my mind "what is it that you plan to make him do?"

I stare at Jungkook to search for a hint but his face was the same cold and blank one, and this scared me more. He becomes like this when he decides to take tough decisions.

"He is the only one of his kind" Jungkook's gaze stays on Kian "but if the stories are true then as a Mystic he can do things that are beyond our understanding..." there is an odd glimmer in his dark eyes and I trace that mad zeal in them that I hadn't noticed for the past few years "fear makes men more dangerous than magic ever can."

And I get a glimpse of what he meant as I read his mind, but that was enough to scare me as I feel a lump in my throat and a cold shiver runs down my spine.

But is Kian really capable of doing something like that?

I huff as I try to catch my breath, and watch the trueblood swing his sword to slaughter the men who had come to join him in this battle, he is too infuriated and grief-stricken to detect right from wrong. In the midst of such a dreadful situation, I try to concentrate to pierce through Kian's unconscious mind and to wake him up.

But to my sudden astonishment as I venture inside Kian's mind, I feel like I'm trapped in a void, an emptiness filled with voices and shadows and blurred faces.

"What is this?" I try to gather myself as I feel panic fill my chest, howls and cries and laughter circle about me as I try to search for ways to figure out what to do next "where am I? Kian...? Can you hear me?"

Images flash and dissolve in front of me like light glistening on water, I catch snippets of what looked like Yoongi, and there's Seokjin who looks rosy and happily pregnant, there's a young Taehyung, or maybe it's Taehan...they look awfully similar in reality as well. There are a host of other faces but I'm not sure who these faces belong to, are these even his memories? What is going on really?

Theres' faces of people I have never seen while there are some faces, I feel might grow up to look like these in the future.

I turn about to catch more images, and suddenly an image stills in front of me. I feel my breath catch as I watch myself holding a baby girl in my arms and Luhan's arms embracing me dearly. We look happy, and in love.

Something cracks deep within me and as a moth drawn to a flame, I walk closer to the scene playing before me and extend my arm to touch it.

"Do you wish to be there instead?" A little voice calls behind me and I freeze.

"I can take you there if you want to" the voice comes closer and I dare to look who it was.

"K-Kian?" My vision might be a little unstable or is it an apparition?

"You knew, didn't you?" He approaches me and smiles "that I can walk through time and space like one walks in a park?"

"Wha-How?" I am thoroughly startled right now, this is not the little boy I saw being frightened of his own powers. This child might look like him but he is so calm and confident as he casually walks about me.

"I know...it's true that I got scared at first" he nods replying to my thoughts, and surprising me some more "but Appa came and told me what my powers are really like, and I think it's actually very cool"

I was a little surprised yet again "your Appa came to you?"

This wasn't possible because Seokjin didn't even know about the kind of powers Kian had acquired after presenting, and neither did he get to meet Kian.

"Yeah...I grasped at his hand when he was going away and see there he is."

Third person's P.O.V.

And that was the greatest shock that Jimin received as he followed Kian's gesture to notice a bright and glittering electric blue ball of light floating right above them.

Jimin gave out a shriek, and lost his footing as he stared above horrified and realized what Kian had done. The boy had actually held back Seokjin's soul from passing away from this world onto the next.

"I don't want him to go away...but I don't know how to put him back in his body" he pouted, eyes looking troubled as he gazed up at Jimin for help.

"What?! You-You think I know how to put a soul back in a body?!" He was thoroughly startled and terrified, and didn't really know if he should be happy or sad.

"Well, if you don't then can you tell me who does? I'll learn quickly" Kian answers innocently, not really aware of what he had actually done "I don't wanna lose them...please...appa needs to get back, my dad-he is very hurt and upset...I can feel it...his heart-it's-it's not well" tears lined his eyes as he spoke "please help me Uncle Jimin".

Jimin felt a lot of emotions at the moment, but his mind seemed to be running in all sorts of directions as he tried to process everything. He stared up at the glowing blue orb once more and felt the shock run through him again.

"If you can really bring Seokjin back to life, the legion of fate will be complete again" Jimin thought out loud, his gaze came back to settle on Kian "but for now I need you to be awake and I'll help you to get to Seokjin".

And Kian smiled brightly.

Instantly, Jimin found himself back in the battlefield, awake and aware of the horror that was raging there. The place looked as if it had been bathed in blood, howls of pain and fearful screams echoed in the air as the trueblood terrorised all, being driven by the wicked spirit. Jimin's eyes then came to set on how Jungkook was guarding him and Kian, protecting them from harm as best as he could.

"J-jungkook" Jimin's voice was frail as he felt breathless due to the fear and distress that raged within him to see soldiers running haywire in horror and horses screeching and running amuck in the absence of their riders, while necks were being slashed, limbs were being torn off mercilessly and pained screams the only sound that filled the air.

The alpha immediately came to his aid, crouching low to check on his omega while blood dripped from his sword.

"Are you ok? You were shivering and shrieking...I was so worried about what the hell's happening?!"

"I'm fine" Jimin looked to see that Kian was waking up as well "Kian...hey? You, okay?"

The little boy nodded, frightened eyes flickering hither and tither as he witnessed the terrifying reality of war.

"Did you find Seokjin?" Jungkook's question startled Jimin and he frowned at the other to know how the hell could he know that.

"Did you?" Jungkook asked again, eyes bright with intrigue "I wasn't sure if Kian could do it but Mystics are fabled to have curious gifts" his smirk reappeared "being able to see through the layers of the world of spirits is just one of them."

"But he doesn't know how to put the soul back into his body" Jimin sighed getting up, and holding Kian's hand to lead him to where Seokjin's body was.

"He knows" Jungkook's answer was a quiet and decided one "the main problem is to get the body right now" he pointed to where the trueblood was raging havoc, laying a bloodbath as he used his ferocious wolf's fury while still holding onto his dear omega's lifeless body "I tried to retrieve the body but he won't let go of it, and I'm starting to get annoyed with his awful barking".

"We must find a-" but before Jimin could complete the sentence Kian squeaked to point towards where he noticed his grandmas', Lady Hayoon and Seokjin's mother. Jungkook turned to notice them as well and noted something happening there.

He stared curiously, squinting his eyes to catch what they were doing.

"She...she seems to be casting a spell" he spoke trying to look more carefully to understand what she was doing "a summoning spell..." and they saw a halo form around Seokjin's mother, as she used her powers of sorcery summon to entrap the spirit.

Almost instantly Taehyung froze where he was, his enraged trueblood as if tied down by the spell and the halo surrounding the lady now rushed to engulf him.

"What is she trying to do?" Jungkook asked as if to himself "she's human, n barely alive without a soul...she'll die if-" he stopped mid-sentence as they suddenly saw Yoongi rushing towards where Taehyung stood and snatched Seokjin from him, right before the halo completely engulfed the trueblood.

Yoongi hurried over to where Jimin and Jungkook stood with Kian, "here...help him" he spoke staring at Jungkook, "what? You thought you're the only one with the brain?"

Jungkook scoffed, "To tell you the truth, I was actually hoping that at least some one would catch up with me...my brother is an idiot so I had counted him out at the very beginning, he's too hot-headed for his own good."

"Can he really do that though?" Yoongi spoke carefully laying Seokjin's body down, and saw how Kian immediately broke down in tears.

"Come on, now" Jungkook clicked his tongue as he crouched down to sit beside Kian "we shouldn't doubt our little Mystic...after all, he's a divine being."

It was a sad sight to see the little one stuttering about to find a way to wake his Appa while he battled with his pouring tears, but it turned to be a remarkable sight when they saw Kian close his eyes and for an instant all the noise and tremors and howls and clashing stopped, time stood absolutely still. Kian's entire being emitted little sparks of luminescence as he used his divine powers to put back the piece of life where it belonged. The moment he did so, Seokjin's eyes shot open, a bright electric blue hue glimmering in them as he inhaled loudly and Jimin gasped to see the gaping blade-wound and all the scars and injuries on his body healing and disappearing in an instant.

Kian slumped a bit, having lost a lot of energy as he finished healing his appa.

Suddenly, they heard a loud growl and turned to see the halo that had surrounded Taehyung was dissipating now and the trueblood collapsed to the ground.

"Oh!" Seokjin sat up, gasping at the sight "Taehyung!"

"Don't worry...He'll be fine now" Yoongi assured Seokjin "your mother cast a spell to shift Arcana out of his body"

"But a spirit can't survive in our realm without a human body" Jungkook reminded "who did it shift in?"

He instantly turned to check on Jimin, and was relieved to see him fine.

"It's in her body" Jimin spoke, fear filling his eyes "she used a summoning spell, just how she had used to summon it a long time ago."

Seokjin was about to rush off when Jimin grasped onto his arm "no...you have to be careful, Arcana mustn't see you till we find a way to use the powers of the legions of fate"

Jin was utterly anxious, he was terrified of what was happening around, his mind a jumble of thoughts. He wished he could somehow fix it all, make it all back to the way it used to be.

"I-I need to at least try...do something to-" even the words he spoke revealed how disordered his thoughts were.

"Jimin is right...We'll get Taehyung" Yoongi informed.

"We?! Who's we?" Jungkook looked surprised "I have no responsibility of helping that dumb piece of-" "Ohh knock it off Guk...now come on!" Yoongi scolded and for a moment Jungkook froze as he heard Yoongi being the hyung he remembered, before he was dragged to where Taehyung lay unconscious.

Seokjin still looked troubled, "b-but...how am I even-what is going on? I couldn't heal" he checked where the stab-wound should've been but felt an odd change within himself. Even when he used to take the blockers and couldn't use his powers, he still felt the burden of housing that fierce spirit within himself. He had never before felt so utterly 'human' and unburdened.

"You have passed your strength onto your children Seokjin..." Jimin spoke, a soft smile tugging at his lips as his gaze dipped lower.

Jin felt a tug at his tunic and a little arm grasping onto his, Seokjin crouched down to get to an eye-level with Kian "you are truly incredible darling...a very happy birthday" he held his son's shoulders and Kian instantly coiled his arms around his Appa's neck "my fearless child." Seokjin hugged him to himself and breathed a sigh of relief before kissing the side of his baby's head.

Yoongi found it quite hilarious to see Jungkook struggling to carry Taehyung on his back as they both shouldered the large man towards safety. He has never seen them help each other and somehow at that very moment they seemed to be brothers for the first time ever.

"Oh god! My back fucking hurts!" Jungkook complained as they dragged Taehyung's unconscious body to where Seokjin and Jimin stood, and dropped him onto the ground making Seokjin hurry to help the trueblood.

"Stop complaining weakling" Seokjin grumbled at Jungkook, his gaze angry as he sneered at the other "I once carried him all alone on my back" and Yoongi chuckled to himself, thinking how absurd it was that he could actually hear Taehyung's influence in Seokjin's words.

"Why are you getting so worked up eh?" Jungkook spoke watching Seokjin fumble to see how wounded and extremely depleted Taehyung was "he's not even your alpha anymore, you're not bound to save him...you're finally free from him."

And the words made a weird feeling spear through Seokjin as he remembered how he had broken their bond in that fear-stricken situation, how he denied to let Taehyung suffer his cursed fate and how he had to ensure that their children had someone to take care of them. He had not thought that he'd be able to survive and come back again, and now that Jungkook had said that...it felt so bizarre for Seokjin to think that Taehyung was not his alpha.

It just felt so wrong, and out of place...they were mates, mark or no mark, they would be bonded forever.

"I don't think it works like that" Seokjin shook his head, his palm cupped Taehyung's face as he gazed at his unconscious alpha "not for us."

"Here" Yoongi held out his own arm to Seokjin "heal him."

Seokjin accepted the suggestion, his touch healed the cut and bruises Taehyung had earned on the battlefield, the streak of blood on the side of his face, the open gashes on his thigh and his back, the scraped skin on his shoulder, all healed and vanished in a matter of moments. And Seokjin was glad to see Taehyung's stuttering breaths come back to become a steady one.

"Why isn't he waking up?" Seokjin looked troubled, his frown growing deeper as he tried to check the alpha's breathing again and listened to his beating heart.

"He must be lost" Kian's little voice spoke in between, drawing their attention as he came to sit beside his father "don't worry I'll help dad find his way back to us."

He settled closer and Jimin and Seokjin helped him to put Taehyung's head on his small lap, and the boy instantly put his palms on either side of his dad's head.

"Yeah, you do that" Jungkook ruffled his head with a smile "instead of waiting for these slowpokes to understand your powers."

It was evident to Yoongi now that Jungkook was right about his derivations, he had rightly assumed that Kian would acquire powers that would set him apart from any other mortal. He was also beginning to think that all that they had learnt about the legion was somehow relevant to their situation as well. He looked at Jungkook again, and realized that this was probably the first time that all of them were on the same side, the realisation made him edge a little closer to where Jungkook, Jimin, Seokjin and Kian sat huddled trying to help Taehyung.

"Fucking hell! What the heck's happening?!" There were voices screaming and people trying to flee.

A loud shriek caught their attention as they saw Seokjin's mother acting strange, her lips moving in incoherent spells but her eyes looked cold and expressionless, resembling that of a phantom's.

Yoongi frowned to see the soldiers acting strange, attacking each other as they madly struck their swords at one another. Even the horses behaved odd, threw their riders off and ran erratically about. He noticed how the soldiers were bleeding from their ears, they were screaming and running haywire as if driven to madness by some secret spell.

"Arcana..." Yoongi thought out loud when the others caught the bizarre scene as well, "it's using her powers in sorcery to harm everyone."

They were all perplexed as they tried to understand just how devious the spirit was, and how indomitable was its' will to win.

"Look away and cover your ears! Don't look at her! The spirit's controlling her!" Hoseok warned loudly as he came running towards them, "it's using her to curse everyone around!"

Seokjin felt his chest knot up in pain yet again, it was as if this war was meant to break him in every way. No matter how much pain and sacrifice he prepared himself for, it kept testing his limits. His breaths stuttered again, and yet he focused back on trying to wake Taehyung up because somewhere deep within he had this voice telling him that if his alpha was okay then things will fall back into place again.

After all, he had promised to make things right.

"Come on now...we gotta get back there and fix this" Seokjin clasped at Taehyung's hand, "open your eyes...get up Tae..."

He noted how Kian sat frozen beside Taehyung, his little hands still pressed against his dad's head.

"They are alright...they can hear you" Jimin set a hand on Seokjin's shoulder "it's just that Taehyung's trueblood is too enraged, Kian is trying to inform him about you and trying to get him to calm down"

Seokjin blinked up at him to hear that, and then gazed back at little Kian to understand what phenomenal gifts their son had acquired.

"Your sister and Namjoon, and even Lady Hayoon all are busy in ensuring that people would stay away from the curse" Hoseok informed, still panting from the way he had ran away to save his life, "but I don't think it'll work much longer" he points to how almost the entire battlefield was falling under the cusp of the morbid spell.

Seokjin's gaze fell back on his alpha, "what do I do?"

His voice felt so fragile, for the very first time they saw Seokjin feeling as if he was at the brink of losing everything and maybe somewhere deep down, he even felt that he wasn't strong enough anymore.

And Jimin could read all of these thoughts running through Seokjin's mind.

"You must choose" the voice was a grim command as Jungkook came to stand beside Jimin, his gaze momentarily moved to his omega before he spoke to Seokjin "the price of a life is another's sacrifice...that's the reality"

Jimin knew this too, this was the harsh reality that his alpha had repeated to him several times already, and yet he tried to be optimistic enough to wish that they'd not have to make those difficult sacrifices any more. He had barely gotten a few years of happiness to cherish after all that pain he had to survive through, hadn't he sacrificed enough to get where he was today?

"What is that I must choose?" Seokjin turned to Jungkook, trying to understand his words.

"Just remember that a war demands blood, and if you wish for someone to survive then you must also know that there'll be some who won't" Jungkook walked a few steps ahead, heading closer to the place where Seokjin's mother was still under the power of the spirit and was kicking up more chaos in the battlefield. He noticed blood spewing in thin lines from her eyes and ears, this was something he had also known which would eventually happen because she was a human and her body wasn't strong enough to hold the spirit's powers. He knew that the spirit had mere moments to find its perfect vessel.

They didn't have much time, he had to do something quickly. He had wished that his brother would be awake to control everything in here if things went too haywire but they didn't have any time to spare.

"Hyung it's time" his words instantly made Yoongi alert, his grey eyes went towards Taehyung but came back to Jungkook in the next second "we don't have time to wait hyung" and Yoongi replied with a nod.

The eldest alpha gathered Hoseok, Jimin and Seokjin to begin with the plan that Jungkook had already prepared ahead of the war and Yoongi had agreed because it's true that desperate times call for desperate measures.

Seokjin looked puzzled as he tried to catch up to what they were talking about and felt utterly out of place and useless.

"Don't worry, I'll guide you through the plan..." a confused Seokjin heard Jimin's voice echo in his head, "it's not that we wanted to keep you in the dark, relaying the plan to you" "...would also reveal it to Arcana" Seokjin answered with a nod and felt relieved to have Jimin's thoughtful consoling voice helping him to calm down "I'm so sorry Jimin...for everything" Seokjin's eyes dipped low in guilt, he saw how he was causing so much suffering for all and felt like he had done something unforgivable by putting all their lives at risk.

"Seokjin..." Jimin came closer, his gaze bolstered with courage "the last thing you should feel on a battlefield is guilt...you'll be butchered if you sit here accusing yourself" he chuckled as he grasped onto his dear friend's arm "come on, we have lives to save, we'll curse our fates after we survive this" he leaned into Seokjin's ear "and I'll tell you my little secret on how to never feel beaten down."

They gathered to face the enemy head on, their hearts pounding in anticipation as they glanced at each other knowing that what they were attempting might as well be a suicide mission.

"She'll not be able to hold it for much longer...we must hasten" Jungkook huffed as he helped Yoongi and Hoseok to create the markings of Nox's cross, an ancient procedure used to cage immortal spirits so that they wouldn't be able to create disruptions in the mortal world.

Jimin stood in the middle of the cross, his lips moving in silent whispers as he uttered words from an old forgotten language mentioned in the early scriptures of Kleon which was meant to hail the power of the legion.

Seokjin could see blood trickling down his mother's ears, eyes and nose, and as much as he didn't want to believe in Jungkook, he could tell that Arcana was destroying his mother's body from inside out.

"I know you want to save her"

Seokjin was brought out of his thoughts at the voice that spoke behind him and chuckled at the considerate manner in which those were spoken in "reading my thoughts are you? I didn't know you have started sharing Jimin's powers these days eh?"

Jungkook walked closer till he was shoulder to shoulder with Seokjin, he knew that Seokjin detested him, always have...well, he had every reason to and Jungkook was utterly thankful that despite all that anger he felt towards him, Seokjin had still agreed to take care of Jae Hwa.

"I know what it is to crave for a parent who'd love you" his voice was still and hushed as he spoke the words and instantly saw how pale Seokjin's face became "but I'm sorry...it is beyond us to help her, and I think she knew that too when she casted that summoning spell"

Seokjin gulped and turned her worried eyes back to his mother.

"But you must remember that as a leader you are responsible for many more lives, so hurry up now" Jungkook warned him to focus "you can't make the mistakes that I made."

Jin didn't really know what he was thinking right now, neither could he tell what was it that he was feeling...but there was this odd sort of fear that flourished in him at the moment. The feeling of being responsible for many lives, the feeling of knowing that his one decision could affect thousands and that he could not act selfishly.

Power is never in a name, neither is it held in the status of blood but in always remembering our greater responsibilities than the rest, and the amount of strength we can hold while taking the toughest decisions.

"Jungkook..." Seokjin exhaled loudly as he tried to bring his worries under control "I can't believe that I'm saying this but...I'll trust you this time, let's see what you have planned for."

And a smirk appeared on the alpha's face "excellent choice!" Jungkook looked excited to hear Seokjin "let the battle...begin!"

Yoongi and Hoseok were finally done, and that very moment the markings of Nox's cross as if came alive as a striking white glow emanated from it. Jungkook signalled Seokjin and the others to take their positions.

"Now close your eyes and wait for Jimin's instructions"

They saw Jimin still immersed in uttering small whispers into the wind and the sky, before they closed their eyes and waited. Seokjin was a little confused as to how this was going to help them win the war. But little did he know that this was a war that was to be fought on a whole different plain altogether.

In about another minute, Jimin's voice floated within his mind.

"I have connected all of our thoughts" the voice was calm yet strong "the prophecy says when the legions of fate join, they will vanquish the immortal spirit...so this is probably the only way that'd be possible to do"

Seokjin could hear Hoseok's amazement and Yoongi's assurance at Jimin's words.

"Fucking cool! I had no idea you could actually do such a thing!" Hoseok's voice chimed as he praised Jimin.

"Now...we must focus on holding the seal steady until Kian is ready"

And suddenly Seokjin felt frosty fear grasp onto his throat.

"What do you mean Kian...? How'd he...I mean he'll be in danger...and it's not safe for him, he might get targetted-" but the more difficult problem that occurred was that in his startled state Seokjin had blinked his eyes open only to realize that in his fear he had ended up breaking the mind link, and all of a sudden, he felt lost and anxious and terrified of what he had done!

However, out on the field there was another scenario that took him by utter surprise.

"Jin!" Oh my god! Jin!" In an instant, Seokjin was engulfed in that ever-familiar warmth and the scent that had the power to always make him feel safe, and Jin instantly hugged him back, nuzzling into Taehyung's neck as a habit.

"Oh thank goodness baby...you're okay...oh...my god, you're okay..." the hug was almost crushing Seokjin's ribs before Taehyung moved back and cupped his face, his gaze suddenly serious as he checked on him "you're okay right?"

And tears lined Jin's eyes as he remembered that split second when the dagger had been plunged into his chest and a thought had echoed in his mind that he had somehow betrayed Taehyung and ruined the lives of their children.

The fear that their forever would just remain as an incomplete promise.

He could see Taehyung could read that guilt in his eyes and set his forehead against his "how dare you act like you're my protector, and decide to break off the bond? God!...I'm fucking furious with you" Taehyung rubbed his face gently against Jin's, his cheeks getting moist with Jin's tears "how dare you decide that you can leave me all alone here, huh?" His warm breath fanned against Jin's mouth "I had told you long ago darling, I'm not leaving you alone...I'll walk with you even in death."

Jin felt Taehyung's mouth meet his, and their lips moulded together in that usual habit of need and assurance of being there for each other.

"Don't ever..." his breathing stuttered "ever do that again...you've really hurt me Jin" the words were almost a reprimand, and Seokjin could see the genuine pain and anger that resonated not only in Taehyung's words but also in his gaze, he could see that what had happened had really shaken up the trueblood.

But just then something striking happened.

They heard a groan of pain, and then saw Seokjin's mother's body fall to the ground with a dull thud, lifeless and pale.

Seokjin was about to rush towards her when he remembered something, the spirit could not survive in a corpse it needed a live human to stay in the mortal realm. He instantly turned to check if the spirit had found it's way back to Taehyung but just then he, as well as everyone else, saw how Kian's eyes were glowing with a dazzling white light.

"No!" Seokjin rushed towards his son, but felt a hand grasp at his shoulder.

"You said you'd try to trust me this time, right?"

Seokjin didn't understand what Jungkook meant, his brows furrowed in confusion while his eyes still held the fear of what could happen to Kian. But he slowed down to adhere to the other.

"Now" he turned to Taehyung with a deep sigh "I gotta get this thick-skulled idiot in on the plan as well"

"Fuck your stupid hocus-pocus" Taehyung snapped at Jungkook, clutching ferociously back at his sword "I'll fight...my way"

"Well, good luck then" Jungkook chuckled "we don't need you alive anyway" and shrugged before he turned to an awestruck Seokjin who didn't know if he should really trust Jungkook after what he just said.

"I don't know how you chose this idiot to spend your life with" Jungkook tsked "then again, not like you had much of a choice" he exhaled as he walked away with a shake of his head and Seokjin followed after him in hurried steps.

"Stop your nonsense and tell me what is it that you plan to do!"

"Amor fati" Jungkook uttered as a smirk hung at the corner of his mouth "just let it all happen as it is supposed to...you'll see, things will fall in place."

His eyes set on Kian who seemed to be slowly getting engulfed under Arcana's spell, he could see that the spirit had used Seokjin's mother's body to create a blood bond with Kian and had managed to form a link to get the control of the child's body. However, a spirit cannot transform completely until it is allowed by the host.

"Did Kian...just" Seokjin hesitated to say out loud about what he thought "is it possible...that he-" "Yeah...you're right" Jungkook spoke quite matter-of-factly "your kid just allowed Arcana to take him as his vessel, quite the fearless hero eh?" He chuckled "well, what can I say...I guess being stupid runs in the family!"

And before Seokjin could react, Taehyung retaliated in anger "what the fuck did you do?"

"What?! I didn't do anything! It's just that you didn't educate your kid right!"

Seokjin rolled his eyes at the two for picking up a fight in such a situation, these two could never find common ground...not in this lifetime.

"Hey! Stop it...both of you knuckleheads!"

"Oh right" Jungkook found his right senses and turned to Seokjin instantly "quick, focus on the mind link, we need to hurry" he then turned to Taehyung "not you, you're not invited."

And that seemed to infuriate Taehyung some more, he was about to roar up a new fight when Seokjin clutched at his arm.

"Hey, listen to me..." Seokjin saw Jungkook join back into the mind link and also noticed how Kian still stayed frozen, his bright glowing eyes the only sign to trace the spirit's existence in him "if the legion doesn't work, you gotta do it your way"

Taehyung frowned at Seokjin, struggling to understand what he meant.

"You command the spirit to get out of our child, and I'll seal it back in."

"Back in you?" Taehyung looked horrified at the idea.

"We can't allow Arcana to ruin Kian's life!" Seokjin blurted as he tried to hold his tears "and because of my powers, I'm the only one who can survive with Arcana within me...so...you got any better plan?"

Taehyung gulped, his eyes anxious and upset. He pulled Seokjin into a hug again, knowing well that in reality Jin was correct...if Jungkook failed, then there would be no other way to get things back to normal again.

I purple you love💜
Stay safe and healthy!

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