<Jungkook POV>

"Your son is home, sir" says a guard.

"Bring him here at once." Jungkook's father replies dryly.

Two guards accompany Jungkook to his father's office. As Jungkook was preparing a speech to explain why he was days late and why he wanted to spare Taehyung, he felt more and more anxious to meet his father. He was scared of his wrath. It was harder to breathe at every step they took towards his office. When they were right at the door, Jungkook gulps and holds his breath. This is it... Doubtful, Jungkook walks in and stares at the ground to avoid eye contact with the older vampire.

"H-Hello father..." he starts with a small voice.

"Do you have it?" he interrupts suddenly.

"What...?" asks Jungkook, confused by the sudden question.

"The artefact! Do you have it?!" insists his father precipitated.

"Oh, r-right, um... I have it..." Jungkook quietly replies while reaching out in his pocket for the magical object, a dragon-shaped bracelet incarnated of ruby dragon stones, an extremely rare crystal impossible to find today. Before handing it to his father, Jungkook takes a second to think. It is now or never if he wants to set his conditions to his father about Taehyung.

"Before I give it to you, father, I just wanted to say-"

"YES!" his father interrupts again, snatching the bracelet from his hands before he can even continue to speak.

"B-But father, there is something you should know-" Jungkook tries to continue.

"FINALLY! WE HAVE IT!" his father exclaims, completely ignoring his son.

Before Jungkook could even attempt to talk again, his father walks past him and heads to the leader's office as fast as he could, leaving Jungkook behind without even a 'thank you' or a 'how are you'.

Jungkook knew his father didn't realize how he was acting was hurtful sometimes. He knew he was just blinded by revenge and did not mean it that way, but still... A little attention for his son wouldn't hurt, especially after disappearing for a week. It's as if Jungkook had never left... It's actually worse to be ignored than to be yelled at. In a way, Jungkook wished his father got angry at him for disappearing instead of not caring even a bit about his son. He doesn't care I am sacrificing my own love for someone so he can get revenge for his. He wouldn't get it. Whatever... Now that the plan is in action, it's time to get ready for battle.

<Taehyung POV>

"Tae...?" a faint voice calls with a quiet knock on the door. No replies. Namjoon walks in and sees Taehyung sobbing on his bed and quickly hurries to his side.

"Hey... What's wrong...?" he asks softly while placing a hand on his back reassuringly. Seeing that Taehyung doesn't speak or move, Namjoon starts to look around and notices the two pillows in shreds and the feathers. What happened here...?

"Leave me alone." mumbles Taehyung with frustration. This was never a good sign; Namjoon rarely saw Taehyung get angry especially to this extent. It was even a little scary but the concern for his friend was more important.

"Do you want to talk about it? Who did this?" he asks tenderly, in his soft and reassuring voice that usually calms down even Seokjin. Taehyung felt just a little better hearing his friend's voice, but it was not enough to calm the storm inside him. He pushes Namjoon's hand off his shoulder and his hyung gives him a surprised look.

"Was it that Jungkook guy?" he finally guesses, trying to make eye contact with Taehyung. Little did he know that pronouncing his name was a mistake at this moment.

"DON'T SAY HIS NAME!" Taehyung snaps, turning to Namjoon aggressively with tears of anger still running down his cheeks. Namjoon sighs, staying surprisingly calm. He grabs a napkin nearby and gently wipes Tae's tears. Taehyung fights and pushes him away again;

"Stop! You can't even understand. Go away!" he screams at Namjoon.

"Taehyung... I can recognize a broken heart when I know one, trust me..."

"Don't even start, Namjoon, just don't."

Namjoon stares into Taehyung's eyes and notices his glare is unfamiliar. His usually lively sparkle is gone, replaced by a dark anger. He looked so different, he even sounded so different. His voice is monotone and low, like talking was an effort for him, like he was holding back from destroying everything on his path. It was the first time Namjoon ever saw him like that and it scared him a little. The Beta seemed to be zoning out, deep in thoughts.

"Taehyung? Are you still with me?" Namjoon asks hesitant.

"I know what to do."

"What do you mean?"

"I will form an alliance. I will stop him." he replies with determination. It was as if he was talking to himself rather than to Namjoon, like his friend was just a ghost. He stood up suddenly and heads to the door. Namjoon watches him walk away, a ton of questions still in his head. When Taehyung reaches the door, Seokjin suddenly appears in the frame and stands in his way, surprised to see him leaving as he was about to walk in, with puffy red eyes and an angry look;

"Taehyung...?"

"Move." he says while moving Seokjin out of the way, not slowing down or looking at him. His eyes were focused on something in the distance, far away. He was totally different now.

Worried, Seokjin glances at Namjoon and gives him a 'what did you do' look, but Namjoon shrugs to indicate it wasn't his fault. He joins Seokjin at the door and both watch their friend walk away with worry.

***

"Leader Suni, what do we do?" asks the first general.

"We wait." replies Suni, visibly hiding her own stress.

"The time is almost up." adds a second general.

"He said he would come up with a plan and I trust him! So should you!" she retorts.

"There is less than an hour left and we're still defenceless, leader, I vote we start the meeting without him-" begins the third general before being interrupted by the main door of the meeting room opening. None of them could believe their eyes when they recognize the group of vampires walking in. Leading the pack was Taehyung, a proud look on his face, while the two leaders of the Park and Min clan walk in with their respective apprentices.

"What are they doing here?!" asks the second general, grabbing his sword.

"Relax, they are here to help us. I am forming a temporary alliance with their clans to stop the Jeons." explains Taehyung calmly.

Suni stares at him with her mouth wide open, in shock. An alliance... No one would have ever thought of that...

"Your apprentice has already explained the situation, Suni." says Park Sumae, the leader of the Park clan, a clan of strong and talented vampires. "I must say I admire his bravery to show up at the enemy's door like that."

"His plan is clever." adds Min Leehuk, who leads the Mins, a clan of wise vampires with more knowledge than other clans all classified in the largest libraries found among four clans. They also are known to have the best quality education. "If what he revealed about the Jeons planning to invade all clans is true, then I believe it can work if we unite our forces."

Suni looks at them one by one, trying to understand, then gives a confused glance at Taehyung. He takes a deep breath and begins;

"Let me explain. The plan is to wait for the Jeons to attack and-"

"This is already madness!" interrupts a fourth general. "I am sorry, my leader, but how are we supposed to wait for them to come destroy us?"

"Let him finish" says Suni with a glare. Taehyung nods thankfully.

"As I was saying, we make them believe we are not expecting an attack and wait for them to be close enough. Our army will be hiding in the forest, that way they will think the coast is clear. They will not know that the Park armies and Min armies will also be hiding around them... When they are getting closer to the castle, that's when our troupes come out and surround them. Once they are trapped, they don't stand a chance! They will have to surrender or lose." finishes Taehyung triumphantly.

"You are forgetting two things. One, they have the advantage of being a much larger army than us and two, they have the power to control fire now." points out Suni, unconvinced.

"I know this is risky but we can count on the Park's weapons to give us an advantage! The three of us surely will match their army! As for the bracelet... I can handle it." says Tae confidently.

The Min apprentice, Yoongi, steps up and adds;

"Not just anyone can use the bracelet. If it is used by the wrong person, they will combust to flames and turn to ashes on the spot, it is a painful death. Only a very powerful being can use its power. Do you know who will be wielding the artefact?"

"I have an idea, yes."

"This whole plan is based on guesses?" scoffs the first general.

"No" replies Tae sternly. "It's based on the strength of our alliance and the surprise of the enemy. They won't see us coming."

Everyone exchange glances, some nod to each other, hesitant to follow Taehyung's confidence.

"I think it's worth a try. We don't have any other plans and I don't think we could find a better one any time soon. Let's start getting ready and patrolling!" orders Suni, assured. She gives a quick smile at Taehyung, grateful and proud, and he returns her smile.

Jungkook will pay for his mistake.