It seemed so simple. Mingi was able to hone in on Wooyoung's magic enough that he had an idea of which direction they needed to go, and he'd be able to fine-tune it the closer they got.

All they needed to do was find a way to sneak in, find Wooyoung, and get him out.

It seemed so simple...

Yet San know it was going to be the most challenging thing he'd ever have to do. They didn't know what to except, how many men would be there, what the place looked like, anything...

As he looked between the four other men crammed in the car, he would be lying if he said he wasn't terrified. They were putting all their stock and faith in the hand of two strangers and their magic.

They had to be insane...

But San had spoken the truth. He was willing to do anything to protect Wooyoung.

The car ride was silent, except for when Mingi sensed a change in direction, which Yeosang did he best to follow while staying on the highway.

At this point they had decided to not worry about authorities. Going faster was worth the risk, and if it came down to it, San was fully willing to steal a car.

A small chittering sound came from the front seat, causing everyone to look around for the source. Then the glove box started to shake. Jongho leaned forward to open it up, yelping in surprise when three fairies, glowing blue, pink, and orange, darted out of it and plopped onto his lap.

"Looks like we have some stowaways." Yeosang chuckled, glancing over for a second before focusing on the road once more.

The fairies giggled happily, breaking the silence in the car with their joyous noises.

San couldn't help but smile when they crawled up Jongho's arm to wave at the two mermen seated on either side of him.

"What are you doing here?" Yunho asked, reaching out a hand with the blue one fluttered over to. She perched on one finger and started waving her hands and chittering quickly. Yunho watched her every move, then smiled gently. "She wants to help, so do the other two."

"I don't know if that's a good idea..." San chewed on his bottom lip. "It could be dangerous."

The little fairy glared at him and crossed her arms, causing Mingi's deep laugh to come from behind him when she started speaking again. "She says if anything it's the most dangerous for you because you don't have any magic."

A happy trill came from the other two, who were now sitting on top of Jongho's head.

San's eyes narrowed, not liking that he was being laughed at by something smaller than his finger.

"This might actually be a good thing." Mingi added, leaning forward so he could look at his mate. "They are small and can get into small places. Plus the more magic we have on our side, the better."

Jongho twisted around in his seat, a contemplating look crossing his face. "So what, when we get there, we send them in to scout ahead? That would give us an idea of what to expect at least..."

"And a way to plan more." Yeosang added.

"We still won't have much time. I need to save my strength." Mingi closed his eyes and sat back. "Keep heading in this direction. He feels stronger..."

Yunho leaned across San to take Mingi's hand, squishing him between them even more than before. He bit his tongue to keep from protesting when the blue-haired man said, "Take some of mine. You're our best bet for getting Woo out of there."

Once more, silence fell over the car. Even the fairies knew how dire their situation was, although they moved so they could watch Mingi, almost as if they were watching over him.

San exchanged a couple of disgruntled looks with Yeosang in the rear view mirror. Maybe stealing a car would be a good idea so he could get some space...

No, no, he needed to be patient. These two were important to Wooyoung, he could put up with this if he needed to.

The followed the highway north for another two hours before Mingi directed them to start heading to the west. That was the only time he spoke now to tell them when he felt Wooyoung shifting in a different direction.

Soon they were out of any major cities or towns and passing by farmhouses and fields.

"He's getting closer. Next time you can turn right." Mingi muttered. His forehead creased and his eyes darted back and forth beneath his eyelids. "Something... Something is wrong. Please hurry."

Yeosang sucked his lower lip into his mouth and pressed on the gas pedal. The engine revved angrily, pushing the car at an even faster rate. He turned when directed and only minutes later they were forced to stop in front of a stone wall that had to be over thirty meters high.

A grand, metal gate marked the entrance, topped with sharp pointed and bold letters that read 'Park Estate'.

"There's no way they are going to let us in, we will have to find another way." Jongho sighed.

At his words, the fairies flew to the window and knocked on the glass until it was lowered, then they darted out, splitting up so they could go both directions.

"Turn around and let's find a place to hide the car." Jongho's hand drifted over to Yeosang's thigh and squeezed it gently as the older nodded.

They managed to find a large clump of bushes that Mingi was able to manipulate to surround the car on all sides. He also erased any tire tracks that may give away they had strayed from the main path. By the time they were done and jogging back toward the gate, all the fairies were flying toward them at top speed.

The orange fairy, who had gone on his own, flew straight to Mingi and started waving his hands in all directions while chittering at top speed.

"He says he found a weak spot in the wall where we might be able to force our way in. Let's go." Mingi's eyes grew wide. An electric current filled the air, expressing the urgency of their situation.

Without another word, the five of them ran after their little friends.

They ran to most the exact opposite side of the complex, or what felt like it at least with how long they followed the curve of the wall, before the fairies stopped next to a section covered by long strings ivy.

It had clearly been neglected. Even the undergrowth around the area wasn't kept up as well as the front near the gate. The grass was tall and wild, grabbing at their clothes and threatening to pull them under.

Mingi's eyes darted over the wall, then placed a hand on the section the fairies pointed to.

A breeze swirled around them, making the grass flow gracefully in beautiful waves, at least until the breeze hit the mer prince. He became the center of a miniature whirlwind and San tight he felt an electric pulse in the air.

Next to him, Yeosang shifted a little closer to take his hand, squeezing it as hard as he could. "Are you ok?" He whispered, never taking his eyes off Mingi.

"I can't really answer that. I don't think I'll be ok until I know he's safe. I need him back, Sangie."

"We will get him. Just..." Yeosang twisted around so he could stand in front of San, forcing them to make eye contact. "Just promise me you won't do anything reckless. You can't go charging in there without thinking. That could put all of us in danger, including Wooyoung."

San scrunched his nose and nodded. He knew the older was right. It was important for him to keep a clear mind, now more than ever.

A soft crumbling sound drew their attention once more. Yunho was checking over Mingi to make sure he was still doing alright, which the prince allowed him to do with a soft gaze.

But then he turned to the three humans, face hard with determination once more. "We're in."

.

.

.

.

When the meal was over, Seonghwa eyed Wooyoung hungrily, but not in the way he looked at Hongjoong. Instead, it was like Wooyoung was his meal ticket and he would devour the merman whole if it meant the perfect key to his immortal life.

It made the merman shiver with fear. Right now all he wanted to do was return to his tank so he could execute his plan. He knew his friend would fight him on it, but it could be the only way.

"I can see the gears turning in that pretty little head of yours." Seonghwa purred, his voice deep and menacing. "You're not trying to plot some grand escape, are you?"

Wooyoung swallowed and kept his eyes on the table in front of him.

That was apparently the wrong thing to do.

His captor was up in an instant, leaning over the corner of the table and grabbing a fistful of the merman's fine purple hair. He yanked hard enough to pull Wooyoung from his chair, making the merman scream in pain. "Don't test your luck, Wooyoung." Seonghwa hissed. "I can be a generous host if I want to be. This table proves it. But I can take it all away, just like that." He said, snapping with his free hand before using it to grab Wooyoung's jaw.

"P-Please." The merman whimpered. He grabbed Seonghwa's wrist and tried to free himself.

On the other side of the table, Hongjoong was watching with wide eyes. Wooyoung tried to shoot him one pleading look, and for a second it almost looked like Hongjoong wanted to, but Seonghwa was too quick on the uptake and threw Wooyoung down on the floor.

"Extraction! Now!" He shouted.

"But Sir!" Hongjoong stood up now, looking panicked. "He can't take another session!"

Doors were thrown open on all sides of the room and it was flooded with men and women dressed in white.

Wooyoung was grabbed by his arms and dragged from the room. He heard several orders for him to shift, but he was going to try and hold out as long as possible. The less scales they took from him, the better.

He was dragged by his tank on the way to his personal torture chamber and he let out a small whimper when he saw his octopus friend slamming her arms into the tank repeatedly. She looked just as panicked as he felt.

Maybe this was his chance. Maybe...

Wooyoung mustered the little strength he had left in his body and guided all the magic within him into one fixed point. He threw his arms wide, his body flailing as he allowed himself to transform back to his true body.

All the humans stumbled away from him because of the sudden, violent change. This gave him enough time to force his remaining magic away from his body, which he pressed into a little shining pearl.

Everyone around him was still stunned enough that they didn't notice him do it. Nor did they notice the quick, spastic movement he made was actually him throwing the pearl into the tank.

Before his vision faded all together, along with the slowing of his heartbeat, Wooyoung saw the octopus grab the little pearl and tuck it beneath her body before she resumed pounding even more frantically on the glass in her desperate attempt to get to him.

He could feel himself fading fast... All the magic was gone. He had dispelled everything he could spare, leaving himself just enough to allow his heart to keep beating.

But without getting more, he wouldn't have long left.

If it meant Seonghwa couldn't use him anymore, then it would be worth it.

His last thoughts were of Jongho and Yeosang and how he hoped they would confess their feelings for each other soon... of Mingi and Yunho, and how they meant more to him than he'd ever be able to express, more to him that he rightfully deserved... of San. His precious, precious San, and how he believed they were destined to meat.

He only wished he could say goodbye.

Just one last goodbye.

One last kiss.

One last...