"I don't want to fight anymore—I don't want to use my powers again." A panicked desperation is laced within Jungkook's voice as he begs Namjoon, yet he still follows the older male obediently down the corridor. They're headed to the training room, he knows this, but he still can't disobey his father's orders—even if he really doesn't want to go through with it again.

Jungkook enters the room quietly, his unwillingness clear in his disgruntled expression and stubborn pout. Namjoon follows, closing the door behind them, and walks to the centre of the room. No words are spoken, though heavy sighs do leave the younger's lips. In fact, he seems to huff every second step—sometimes more. He's slouching, dragging his feet, doing everything to ensure that it's clear, from every aspect of his presentation, that he's being forced to do this. The older male ignores this.

"You can't avoid your powers just because you can't control them, Kook." The nanny sighs, finally acknowledging the sullenness. Jungkook just grumbles, looking less and less like the adult he recently turned by the second. "You'd be better off doing this, learning how to control them, so you can actually use them effectively."

"I can use them effectively... if the aim is killing someone."

"You didn't kill Hoseok." Namjoon gives him a pointed look, eyebrows raised in almost a challenge.

"Yeah, but... I could've." A frustrated sigh leaves the older male's lips. It's clear he's not getting through to the younger; he's too fixated, unable to see anything but the one aspect he chooses to focus on. With the flick of his hand, Namjoon creates a gust of wind—one that's strong enough to lift Jungkook up off his feet, leaving him hanging in the air. Despite his struggles, he can't escape. It's as though the air around him has become solid to a degree, physically holding him in the air. But, still, his body is able to move straight through it as he writhes—just not escape. "Hey, what gives?"

"Do you think I was always able to do this?" Namjoon asks, hand back at his side now. The air still holds Jungkook in place, making him think the hand gesture was just for show. "Because I can tell you now, at school, I was terrible. I could barely do anything with my powers—not even when I really needed to. But, even though I didn't want to, I practiced. I studied, and I got better."

"What a... convenient story." Jungkook groans, his wings unfurling as he pushes against his air prison. It's a little embarrassing, being trapped so easily by air. "Can you put me down now... please?"

The air around him relaxes. Which would be nice, if it didn't leave Jungkook hurtling towards the ground. He lands in a heap, lacking the coordination for a more graceful landing. With a small groan, he contemplates whether it's worth getting up or not. His body's beginning to ache and the training Namjoon is clearly going to make him do hasn't even started yet. Maybe... if he acts well enough, he can convince the owl that he's too hurt to continue. Jungkook groans again, louder.

But Namjoon only picks him up, fixing up his shirt as it gets bunched up, and leaves him to stand on his own two feet.

"Try to focus a little bit of your power." The adoptive father instructs, crossing his arms over his chest. Jungkook sighs, wings dropping in a pathetic display rather unfitting for a king. "Try to stop my hand, or I'll stick you back up in the air again and leave you."

Jungkook would think he's bluffing, in a normal circumstance, but now he's not so sure. So, when Namjoon's hand raises, the dark haired male frowns—he stares intently at the hand, focusing all concentration on it. Freeze, he mentally orders the hand, dammit, freeze! The hand doesn't stop, but it does slow. Glancing up quickly, Jungkook tries to determine whether that's his powers working or not, but Namjoon gives no indication. His gaze drops back to the hand, still gaining height threateningly.

The air around Jungkook stirs, tightening around him. A frustrated groan leaves the king's lips as he fails to stop the older. He can't—he's incapable!

"It's not working!" He cries, throwing his arms at his side. This whole thing is pointless.

"It's not working because you're not trying—not really, not when you think like that." The owl drops his hand again, slight frown on his brow. It's not a disappointed frown, more concerned. He's definitely concerned for his chick, that much is clear—he has been since the amulet went missing. All the older male wants is for Jungkook to be able to survive without it, so they can be free of that blasted gem (which might as well be the rumoured curse on the boy), but he doesn't want him to be helpless either. "Focus on your power. I've found... Mine feels as though it's in my core, here," Namjoon places a hand on his stomach, "try to feel where yours is. Try again, you can do it."

A little more determined, or maybe just worried he'll be thrown into the air again, Jungkook adopts a slightly more serious stance: he stands a little wider, shoulders thrown back, concentrated frown on his brow. Practically glaring at Namjoon's hand, he tries to feel his power—focus goes to his stomach, but that feels empty (maybe he can convince the older to get him lunch after), so he tries higher. Though he feels a bit silly, he tries to sense for a darkness in his body—and his chest clenches. Maybe it's wishful thinking, an unconscious reaction, but he fixates on his chest. Imagining there's a darkness there, he attempts to pull just a little bit out; he coaxes the imaginary darkness down his arm, to his fingertips, where he tries to channel just enough to stop Namjoon's hand. He doesn't think it'll work, but he hopes it will.

And a wide smile stretches across the older male's lips. It takes the younger by surprise and, still not believing he could possibly have some form of control over his powers, he briefly wonders why Namjoon could possibly be smiling.

"You did it, Kook. I told you, you could." The younger almost scoffs, disbelieving, but the owl nods and smiles so earnestly that he can't help but believe him. Slowly, a small smile curls across his own lips, a pleased warmth blossoms in his chest, and he's suddenly feeling incredibly excited. Maybe it's adrenaline. He jumps over and hugs Namjoon, still hopping excitedly. The older laughs, "You're going to have to unfreeze my hand if you want me to hug you properly."

"Oh..." Jungkook stares at the hand, not quite sure how to recall his powers. Tilting his head lightly to the side, he decides to be as foolish as he had before: please come back, powers, he tries even if it feels stupid. Though he doubts his powers are sentient enough to respond to instructions, it does somehow work... It'll have to do, until he's figured out a better way to deal with it.

*  *  *

Yoongi is... absolutely lost. Not only is his understanding on where exactly in the castle he is, he also doesn't quite know where in the investigation he is. So far, wandering aimlessly and asking questions has been working—but he's beginning to wonder how effective they are. None of his wandering has lead him to any substantial evidence, and the most his questioning has got is a suspicious Jimin refusing to cooperate without information Yoongi can't give... which doesn't help clarify if he is the thief, or simply a pain in the investigation.

As he turns down yet another near identical corridor, only differentiated by the different choices in decor, he pauses. There, standing in the centre of the hall, is one of the little creatures—the golem, possibly. It looks around briefly, making eye contact with the older male, before wandering towards him. Then, it starts charging; tiny, clay legs start running towards Yoongi in a way that'd almost be cute if it wasn't so terrifying. Instinctively, the male begins running away from the small creature, sprinting down the opposite hall. Glancing behind him, he sees the golem is keeping up with him rather well for something with legs so small.

In fact, it catches him—it runs into his legs, causing him to trip and, as he attempts to avoid it, fall onto the ground. Pushing himself up into a seated position, the magpie glares at the creature staring at him. He could almost swear its vacant eyes are alight with mischief. The creature tilts its head curiously to the side, still staring intently at him. Peering curiously back, Yoongi notices a 'K' carved into its forehead, which fits what Taehyung said... Maybe he was telling the truth. A heart, crudely drawn, is also carved on its chest.

"Who do you belong to?" Yoongi asks quietly, though he doesn't expect an answer. The golem provides none either. Instead, after one last long stare, it begins to walk away. Though slow at first, it is quickly picks up speed til it runs out of sight. The novice detective watches it go, feeling both confused and a little suspicious.

Then, he hears laughter. With a frown, he looks up to see Taehyung standing there—the source of the laughter. Beside him is Jimin, an amused smirk stretched across his own lips.

"Did the golem get you too?" The wingless male asks loudly, laughter still ringing in his tone. He hurries over, offering a hand to help the older male to his feet. "In the same place too..."

Yoongi's suspicions are only increased as he realises it is indeed the same corridor. He frowns, staring at where the golem went. What was that creature doing?

"Maybe it was on patrol..." Yoongi almost jumps, wondering if Taehyung had read his mind. But the younger male is staring in the same direction, a near identical expression on his face. "It'd have to be doing the same task."

"Golems can only be programmed to do one thing. It usually has to be... carved into them, so they remember. Like, drawing a carrot on the head of one that has to harvest a carrot." The curious pair look towards Jimin, who instantly falters with the four eyes on him. His hand, pointing towards his own forehead, hesitantly drops to his side where it fidgets with the hem of his shirt. "My uncle... He's a farmer and owns golems. I learnt that... from him."

"Huh," Taehyung mutters, lightly frown. His gaze flicks towards Yoongi, who he shrugs at the moment they make eye contact. "Anyway, we gotta go. Jimin said he'd fight me—bet me ten gold to win, too."

"I will win." The seagull assures the younger male. "There's no way I'd lose to you of all people."

"Don't trip over any more golems!" Taehyung sings out, almost teasingly, before the pair wander off. Yoongi looks towards where the golem was, before running down the corridor in what he hopes is the right direction.

"Shinhye, I need help!" Yoongi yells the moment he's enters the younger girl's room. Shinhye, sprawled across her large bed, groans rather loudly. With a huff, she pulls herself up.

"Of course you do!" The girl gets up, frowning at the older male. Yoongi pauses, not sure what he's done to deserve this greeting. "Y'know, just once, I'd like you to want me to just hang out, get something to eat or something. Just once, I'd like to be not help-related."

"I–" A cheeky grin blossoms across Shinhye's lips, followed about a small chuckle.

"I'm kidding, Yoongi. Of course, you need my help—you'd achieve nothing without me." With a more relaxed flop, she sits back down on the bed. Yoongi, still slightly confused, hesitates. "What do you need?"

"I need you to find something out for me." The girl nods expectantly. "Have you noticed any golems wandering about?"

There's a brief moment as the girl thinks, frowning lightly, before comprehension spreads across her face. She nods, smiling again, "Yeah, there was one on our tour. I asked the tour owl about it, after it was all over—he didn't know what I was talking about."

Yoongi shakes his head, "I don't think its part of the castle. There's been one running the same way, twice now, with a 'K' on its forehead—what if the 'k' is kill? What if it's waiting til it can kill the king?" Unconsciously, the older male begins pacing across the area in front of Shinhye's bed. Fingers rake through dark hair, pulling stressfully at the end of the clumps. Still, he continues his theorising—it feels good to talk to someone about it, "Maybe one had an amulet on its head, stole it, and now this one's going to kill him and finish the job... Maybe there's more than one."

"Woah, slow down, who's killing who?"

"The golem—killing the king. Jungkook's lost his amulet, which means he can die now. Someone's trying to kill the king, and I think..." Yoongi's eyes widen as he pauses, a rush of realisation washing over him, and he turns towards the younger girl, "Jimin knew all about the golem. Taehyung and I, we were both tripped by one in the same spot. Jimin was here this time, and he started talking about it. What if he's involved and that's why he's not saying anything?"

"Are you sure it's him?" Yoongi shakes his head.

"No... But I'm not sure it's not him." This is beginning to feel overwhelming. A king's life is at stake—Yoongi isn't used to saving lives. And if he gets this wrong, multiple people are going to end up in trouble (him included) and Jungkook might die. His fingers begin raking through his hair again, loose strands coming free with the harsh tugs. Why did he say he could do this—why did he feel the need to impress Jungkook so badly? He can't do this.

"Hey," A soft hand rests on his arm, pulling his hand away from his hair. Shinhye is standing beside him, having snuck up on him somehow. (Great, now he's letting his guard down, letting people sneak up on him). "I'll take care of Jimin; I'll follow him, keep an eye on him, while you go investigate the golem situation. Find it and follow it—see of it takes you to the king, stop it if it does."

Gratitude warms the older male and he feels like he could cry. Instead, he chooses the less embarrassing option and he wraps the girl in a tight hug. She chuckles lightly, but doesn't tease him. As she comfortingly runs a hand down his dark wings—wings that'll probably need dying soon—he mutters a thanks. Then, he rushes off to find this golem.

Golem-hunting is harder than Yoongi expected. He's wandered up and down that same corridor, searching for any secret exits or hidey-holes, and hasn't found any golem. After carefully searching the original corridor, he'd moved to the neighbouring hallways but had little luck there. In such a large castle, the golem could be anywhere—he doesn't know where to look, where to not. Every guard he's passed, he's told to keep an eye out for one, to increase the number of eyes searching, but none have returned to him.

He's really beginning to think this might be fruitless. His one potential lead, or at least worry, and he's lost it. Can he do anything right? Can't kill a king, can't protect a king, can't find a golem...

Yet, as he wanders the corridors in a cloud of self-pity, hoping the golem will just appear in front of him... it does. The little clay creatures comes to a stop in front of the magpie, staring up at him expectantly. This time, there's a 'Y' on his forehead—is this a message?

"What do you know?" Yoongi asks quietly, crouching down to stare at the golem closer. "Is your friend trying to kill the king?"

Naturally, the golem says nothing. But it does beckon towards the human. After the small gesture, it begins walking off the way it came. A few metres in, it turns around and beckons again. Yoongi doesn't need telling a third time, and rushes to his feet. As it starts walking, he's quickly to follow, easily keeping up with its small legs.

"Where are you talking me?" He asks, as it leads him down stairs and through halls he's never seen before. It doesn't reply, just continues hurrying deeper into the castle.

It stops outside a door, tapping on it once as it stares up at Yoongi.

"In here?" The human asks, receiving another knock in response. Slowly, the golem begins crumbling away, apparently completing its task. Glancing at the door, Yoongi frowns. But, after taking one last look at the pile of dry dirt, he figures he was lead here for a reason—might as well find out what. So, hesistantly, he pushes the door open.

In the centre of the room, amused smirk on his lips, stands a familiar male. Yoongi pauses, gaze dropping to the amulet that dangles from his grip.

"Really? You?" The magpie frowns, shaking his head softly. "Well that was unexpected..."

NOTE: I'm sorry ): I rushed the investigation along a little for two reasons: 1) wasn't really sure if I could stretch what was supposed to be a second chapter into its own full chapter because 2) I'm really bad at this investigation stuff (I need to do a lot of research I'm really not willing to do right now, and even then I'm not sure it'd help)(I don't want to do this investigation stuff anymore, it's not fun)

But like... I'll give you a quicker update to make up for it? Now that these two chapters are done, the hard part's over. I can stop struggling :D

I'm tired though, so that might have to be worked on tomorrow or something. I've been putting off sleep to get this done (I don't feel tired so hopefully that hasn't affected the quality.... though it was already dodgy)

SIDE-NOTE: if anything goes wrong in publishing this, I'll fix it in the morning. It's taken a couple of tries to publish & it's making me nervous (so if anything's weird, tell me)