Wooyoung could feel each beat of his heart as he ran forward, and in turn, each pulse of magic through his veins.

There was something here. Some source of magic that was fueling this place.

He had been slightly confused by how quickly he'd been able to change back into a human, especially since he was still waiting for his scales to grow back. Now he knew he was drawing off the magic here.

"Woo! Slow down!" San called out behind him.

"I can't! I know it's here!" Wooyoung started running uphill, grabbing onto trees and boulders when he needed to keep himself upright.

The tingling sensation filling his body was getting stronger, giving him the energy and strength to keep going. He knew he was leaving the others behind, but it was almost like he couldn't stop, even if he wanted to.

After several minutes of climbing, Wooyoung looked around and realized he had entered some sort of valley. Tall mountains surrounded him on both sides while the ground started to level out.

He continued forward, going deeper into the forest. The trees were incredible. They were so tall he couldn't see the tops through the branches, plus their trunks were wider than his body was. And they just kept getting bigger...

This forest was old.

Suddenly Wooyoung didn't feel like he deserved to be here. The air was heavy, weighted down by an ancient presence that was not to be meddled with. He stopped in a small clearing and turned in a slow circle.

"Wooyoung!"

"Woo! Where are you?"

The voices of his friends were distant and muffled. That's when he realized it was getting darker. Too dark...

"San?" He called how, too afraid to move now.

"Woo!" His human shouted, getting a little closer now.

"S-" Wooyoung started to answer, but then he stopped when a soft, pink glow came from his right.

Then a blue, green, and yellow light joined it. The small clearing he was in started to fill with the floating lights. They drifted slowly back and forth, almost as if being carried by a gentle breeze. But as they got closer, Wooyoung realized they weren't just lights.

Fairies.

Tiny, fluttering fairies danced in the air around him. Their laughter was like tiny bells, a sound Wooyoung had grown to love after San had taken him to a bunch of shops by the beach.

He had read about the amazing creatures back home. His pod had scrolls recording all sorts of magical creatures. Most were classified as 'unknown' now because it had been so long since the merfolk had left their watery homes, but they never destroyed what information they had.

One blue one dared to fly a little closer, tilting her head curiously as she studied him.

They must be able to sense his magic too.

"Hello." Wooyoung said, keeping his voice low and even.

All of them let out a little trill and dimmed their lights.

"No! Please don't go. I'm a friend." Wooyoung held his hand out, palm up, and drew upon his magic to create a small pool of water.

The blue fairy flew closer, then shivered in place, sending a cloud of glue glitter into the air, before settling down on the palm of his hand. She leaned forward so she could put her hand in the water and giggled.

Wooyoung marveled at the fact that she was no bigger than his thumb. Even so, he could see each intricate swirl on her four delicate wings. She was so light, he barely registered t hat she was sitting on him.

Soon, more started to gather round, choosing to either hover in front of the merman or find a place to sit, opting for his arm, shoulders, and the top of his head.

A few branches snapped in front of them and all the fairies dimmed their lights again, shrouding them in total darkness.

"Woo, this isn't funny! Where are you?" San's voice was strained. The worry was evident and it made Wooyoung's chest tighten.

He could feel the fairies squirming so he whispered, "They are friends. It's ok."

Lights started to come back on one by one. The tiny creatures started chittering between themselves, all eyeing the three humans now illuminated at the edge of the trees.

San gasped and took a step forward, lifting his arms up to reach out for Wooyoung.

The fairies instantly rose up to flutter around Wooyoung's head, almost like they wanted to protect him.

"Are those...?" Yeosang lifted a hand to cover his mouth.

"Guys, calm down." Wooyoung giggled and started to move. The fairies followed him, suddenly showing a lot of interest in his shirt and hair. "I told you there was magic here!" He said, looking back at San.

"I had no idea." San's eyes were wide as he took in the scene before him. "This is incredible."

"It is." Jongho said next to him. "If I hadn't seen Wooyoung's tail, I wouldn't believe this was happening."

Several of the fairies turned to look at Wooyoung before flying to hover around his legs or look at his back.

This caused Wooyoung to giggle and crouch down. "I'm a merman," he said, suddenly getting a lot of high chirps and trills from the fluttering creatures.

One of themselves hot off into the trees while the others pulled Wooyoung forward by his clothes.

They were surprisingly strong and very persistent for their size.

"What's going on?" San asked. He started to walk forward, reaching for Wooyoung as he did.

"I have no idea. I can't tell if they are excited or panicking. Sannie..." The merman looked over his shoulder to reach for his human.

San rushed forward to take his hand, making several of the fairies shriek before they flew up to zoom around their heads. "They seem irritated."

"I think it's you." Wooyoung laughed and pulled San up to his side.

Then they both stopped when all the lights went out.

"Guys?" Yeosang said from behind them.

"We're here." San tightened his grip on Wooyoung's hand, then turned them so they were facing each other and he could loop his other arm around Wooyoung's waist. "Can you see anything?"

"No." Yeosang sounded closer this time. The softest sounds of foliage rustling gave away that he and Jongho were moving. "I don't like this."

"Me neither."

Wooyoung continued to look around, trying to figure out what was happening. The magic in the area was getting stronger. He could feel his skin tingling and his hair stood on end.

Then a brilliant white light illuminated the entire clearing. All four boys lifted their arms to cover their eyes. If Wooyoung didn't already know there was a thick mass of branches above their heads, he'd think the moon was falling.

As strange as the situation was, he wasn't afraid. It was like his magic was telling him to stay calm.

Wooyoung slowly lowered his arm, squinting against the bright light, and gasped when he realized what the light was coming from.

It was a unicorn. Pure, and brilliantly white, the majestic creature dimmed her light and walked forward. Her ears and eyes were pointed at the merman, giving him her full attention and ignoring the fairies now flitting around her head.

"Is that what I think it is?" Yeosang whispered.

No one else could bring themselves to answer. They all watched with wide eyes as the unicorn seemed to glide through the underbrush to them and stop in front of Wooyoung.

She flicked her long, luxurious tail, then dipped her head to rest her horn on Wooyoung's shoulder.

The most beautiful, silky voice filled his head and instantly brought tears to his eyes. Welcome, Little One. It has been a long time since one of your kind has come to visit me.

Wooyoung opened his mouth, fully intent on saying something, but the words never formed in his mind. How could he possibly say anything intelligible to a creature this... this... He couldn't even think of a word to describe her.

I trust these humans are not dangerous? Her voice turned slightly cautious as her eyes flicked between everyone.

All the merman could do was nod.

"Woo?" San murmured. He was staring at the unicorn with all the wonder that was normally seen on a child. "Is this real?" 

The unicorn lifted her head and whinnied. It was strange, it almost sounded like she was laughing. She looked directly at San and flicked her ears.

When she returned her horn to Wooyoung's shoulder, her voice was even more glorious now that there was a hint of joy in it. I had forgotten what it was like to meet a human. Such silly things, lost to the ways of magic.

"H-How is this possible?" Wooyoung breathed.

Are you doubting the very thing that fills you and drives you? The unicorn was clearly amused. But I understand. If I could not sense what you are, I may doubt what you told our pesky friends here myself.

Several of the fairies let out a little shriek and started tugging at the unicorn's mane. She responded by shaking her head, causing them to spiral away from her. A few flew to hide behind Wooyoung while others moved to sit on her back, all complaining noisily.

Tell me, Little One. What brings you to my forest?

Wooyoung stumbled over his words for a moment, but then started to give her a brief summary of what had happened to him over the past couple of months. He could sense his friends questioning him when he started, and at one point San even tried to stop him, but Wooyoung just gave him a reassuring look.

He knew he could trust the unicorn. And really, how could he not? Every single thing he had read about the stunning creature talked about how they were the purest being to ever walk the earth. They were wise, caring, gentle, and a source of some of the oldest magic known to any creature. Anyone who harmed a unicorn was said to have a part of their soul ripped away from them.

To have a unicorn guarding this forest meant it would always be protected and continue to grow even more beautiful than it already was.

For you to have gone through so much... You are strong. The unicorn lifted her head to nuzzle Wooyoung's cheek, then touched him with her horn once more. But I will not lie, the fact that humans know about you is worrisome. Are you sure you are safe now?

"Yes. I trust them with my life. They put themselves in danger to save me." Wooyoung glanced over his shoulder and smiled when both Yeosang and Jongho shuffled in place. He could tell they were a little uncomfortable only hearing one side of the conversation, but they trusted him too.

Well I hope that is true for your sake. The unicorn closed her eyes and exhaled for a long time. I fear... Darkness surrounds you, Little One...

Wooyoung felt his heart sink. He knew things weren't over... but hearing it like this made an uneasy weight form in his stomach.

I wish you could stay here so that I could protect you, but you do not belong here. Your heart yearns to return home. And I- Her head shot up before she could finish speaking and her once gentle eyes were wide as her nostrils flared. Little One... They are here. You must run! The unicorn urged. She pushed him away with her nose and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Wooyoung said, his heart pounding in his ears. The other three started to pull him away but he didn't want to leave the unicorn. "What about you?"

The creature reestablished connection once more. I will be fine. The fairies will guide you home. Please hurry.

Then she was gone. Before Wooyoung could even blink.

He hesitated only a few seconds more before looking at San. "We have to leave, now."

Everyone paled at his words.

The fairies flew in circles around their head, waving their tiny arms, begging them to follow before they shot into the trees.

What had started as an unforgettable experience had suddenly turned into a race for their very lives.

Wooyoung refused to let go of San's hand as they pushed their way through the trees and bushes. Whatever had frightened the unicorn must be close if she sensed it, which made him worry for her safety.

If anything happened to her, he knew he'd never forgive himself...

"Yeosang, get to the car and start it. We will grab what we can and just throw it in the back." Jongho panted.

"What about your parents things?"

"I can replace it. Woo is more important."

Wooyoung started to say something, but a sudden dip made him cry out and stumble forward. San caught him easily and pulled him upright so they could keep running.

He didn't want the others to suffer because of him... He couldn't let that happen...

Tears came to his eyes that he tried to rub away with the back of his wrist.

Why... Why couldn't he just be left in peace?