A woman with ivory skin entwined in white lace stared through one of the many arched windows. Her pointed chin rested over her fist, the morning sunlight rivaling her golden eyes in luminance. Like she had been waiting all night, she sighed through her nostrils and glanced at the human girl she hoped to come across.
Straightening her posture, she said, "You have done well for yourself."
Grey halted midstep, checking her back to make sure no one followed. After sparing a quick look at her ankles to assure Luca's absence, the coast seemed to be clear. "Can anyone see you?"
Variel shook her head. "It is a wonder that I can appear before you."
"What's going on?"
"My visits to you will be scarce as I continue to store power in Vanity. In turn, she will become stronger, but fear not. You and Anaphiel have had just as much growth." Variel's dress twirled around her ankles as she separated from the window and sauntered towards Grey.
Grey let the ghost take and hold her hands. Sighing, she said, "It's not them I'm worried about."
"Your first step of courage was accepting the task I offered. Your second will be enacting it. There will be hands to guide you before and after the journey." The sides of her eyes crinkled from her wide smile. "Thank you for being so brave."
"Don't thank me yet," Grey scoffed.
"Why not? The change you needed to make is already in your eyes. Your shoulders are pulled back, your chin higher than it was before. Prince Namjoon and Prince Yoongi have done wonders in only a few days."
"Jungkook helped too."
Variel's smile turned mischievous. "He did, but I try to stay out of your private moments."
"Thanks, I guess." Grey chuckled, anxiously staring at the floor. She had more training in the next hour, and with that, more time for failure in the name of learning. Her shoulders, back, and abs had been sore from the homework, but the satisfaction that came with completing her physical work outweighed most of the nagging pain. "Any advice for me before you leave?"
"Sure," Variel said, "It might help to envision yourself as something other than a human woman as you face this evil. Until you free me, you are a weapon."
"Why are you just standing there?" Hoseok bumped into her shoulder, the force causing her to lose focus. The luminescent hands and frame and gown were nothing more than rays of light. Variel was nothing more than a dream. Grey's hands fell back to her sides.
"I was zoning out," she lied.
"Thinking about the mission?" He asked.
She said, "Yeah. It's going to be tough, but worth it."
"You're telling me. Two stupid centuries and we finally get a bread crumb. I'm heading to the training room, are you?"
She walked next to him, slipping into the room when he opened the door. Cheers erupted from around the pit, every angel shouting or clapping while two shadows lurched and ripped at one another in the center.
"Oh man, I'm missing it!" Hoseok jogged to the pit, nudging Taehyung. "Who's winning?"
Tae shrugged, eyes wide and glued to the fighters. "It's a stalemate."
Raising an eyebrow, Grey wormed into a space between Hoseok and Taehyung to see what the commotion was about. Lo and behold, Namjoon stood in the center of the ring, both fists clenched at his sides while he shamelessly gasped for air. Sweat dripped from his dark brown hair, onto his shirt, onto the ground. He said nothing, but his eyes. She'd never seen them so wide, so full of bewilderment. And though he seemed to be gathering his wits, he called to the ceiling, "It's not fair when you play hide and seek."
A black cloud of smoke unfurled behind him, Yoongi swinging a wooden stick at Namjoon's back. Joon whirled, casting a perfect counter to the attack with his own stick. In a rhythm, the two danced around one another; Yoongi winnowing from one angle to another, Namjoon predicting and fending him off. Every few seconds, wood collided with wood, the resounding thwack ticking in a beat.
They went in circles like this for another minute. But, the next time Yoongi appeared at Joon's front, the Intellect sidestepped to avoid a wooden pike edge straight to the chest. As he ducked, his free hand reached for his opponent's weapon, using the momentum to snatch it out of the smaller angel's hands. Either that, or Grey squinted. Did Yoongi let it go?
Because as soon as Joon secured it in his grip, the Wraith smiled.
A rippling mass of night sky, Yoongi was behind the leader in seconds, icy hands reaching for the back of his throat. At the same time, Joon, sensing his presence, took both of his sticks and shot them behind his head. The wooden planks crossed to form an "X" centimeters from where Yoongi's neck almost was.
The Wraith bent backwards to avoid impact, both hands ripping the pikes from the leader's hands. Grey didn't have time to blink before he had one pinned on Joon's spine and the other aimed at his neck. The Intellect held his breath. Everyone in the circle held their breath, maybe because a genius suffered from an attack that he surprisingly didn't see coming. Maybe because those sticks suddenly became real and in turn, so did that moment. Grey reminded herself they were in training. He would be okay.
Yoongi said, "You did well."
Namjoon groaned, mumbling a thousand words a minute under his breath all pertaining to how he wasn't prepared. He questioned his calculations aloud, questioned his performance even as he sauntered back to the circle where a few of the lingering angels pat him on the back or ruffled his hair.
"You lasted longer than any of us," Jin said. Namjoon thanked him silently, lowering into an observatory stance to further ramble. Yoongi faced the others that watched and extended both sticks to the audience.
"Who's next?"
Hoseok clapped Taehyung's shoulder. "He's ready!"
Taehyung shrugged and stepped down, taking the stick from Yoongi. The Wraith said, "Who are you challenging?"
The Beast studied each of the angels, patiently circling Yoongi while he checked out his options. Jimin ran a hand through his hair as the two of them locked eyes, a small laugh escaping his full lips. Taehyung couldn't help but smile in return, nodding like he accepted the silent challenge. "I'll take you on later."
Pivoting on his heel, Tae pointed at the youngest man who lounged with his elbow over his knee.
"Come on, sword boy!"
Jimin and Hoseok laughed. A slow grin spread over Jungkook's cheeks as he unfurled from his seat and sighed. The bodyguard snatched a weapon from Yoongi and pushed Taehyung. Both angels chuckled at one another.
"Sword boy?" Jungkook playfully scowled.
"Shut up and fight me," Tae growled.
Hoseok nudged Grey. "Who are you rooting for?"
Grey shrugged. Picking one felt too close to taking sides. Each of them were amazing fighters. Each of them had a special place in her heart. She said, "It can go either way."
"Ooh," Hoseok said, wriggling his eyebrows, "But that's not an answer."
"I'm not going to tell you," she said.
"Fine. I'll just have to challenge you in the next round."
Grey crossed her arms. "You going to hug me to death with your wings or something, Hobi?"
He chuckled, surprised by sass. "Feathers are the best ticklers."
Taehyung twirled the wooden stick in his hands like it was no harder than twirling a ballpoint pen between his fingers. He stopped only to remove a bandana from the pocket of his joggers and tie it around his hairline. Then, he was back to moving the pike like a whirring helicopter blade.
Jungkook, unimpressed by the show, held one arm across his chest in a stretch. As he switched sides, his expression shifted into diligent concentration. His movements became less tired and more graceful. Grey watched him warm up, shamelessly more attuned to his sleeveless shirt and the flexing biceps rather than his technique.
Yoongi stood next to Namjoon, dark eyes ruling over the pit as ringmaster. "When you're ready."
"Transform," Jungkook said to Tae. "I dare you."
"I don't need to transform to teach you a lesson."
Beside himself, Jungkook chuckled. "You aren't a teacher."
Taehyung feigned sympathy, beautiful features softening into a pout. "I have to teach you a lesson because I care for you, Kookie. I'm still your hyung."
"Come at me then!"
"Okay," Tae sighed, but his speed defied his casual tone. In three steps, Taehyung bound to Jungkook, aiming the pike downward--nowhere near Jungkook's legs or feet but into the floor. Fixing both hands around the top of his stick, he lifted the entire lower half of his body into the air, shooting both feet at Kookie's--Jungkook's--face.
Grey gasped as Jungkook stepped away just in time, barely dodging the missile named Taehyung. The Beast landed in a squat, swiping at Jungkook's ankles with one leg. When the bodyguard leapt, Taehyung jabbed his pike upwards. Jungkook shoved it away, the hem of his shirt lifting with him.
Was Grey shocked by the solid wall of abs that Jungkook had? No.
Did she still gawk at them? Yes.
Jungkook landed balanced, his stick crashing against Taehyung's in a flurry of moves that only a master swordsman could have in his repertoire. He was a flash of lightning in the middle of a clear morning sky, laying into his opponent like he was trying to find the perfect way to cut him to pieces.
And yet, Taehyung matched every swing with expert defense. Where he had been low to the ground to stop the first attacks, he raised up to evenly challenge each of Jungkook's swings. The bodyguard raised his sword overhead and brought it down, but Tae blocked even that.
Gritting his teeth, Taehyung pushed. Using both legs, he ran, even as they remained locked in that position. To keep from being overpowered completely, Jungkook backtracked until his heel brushed against the end of the ring.
Grey didn't realize she'd been covering her mouth until Hoseok said, "They're so good."
Jungkook, noticing that he touched the perimeter, grimaced. With Taehyung bearing on him, Grey could see, there weren't many options for where he could go next. Trying to move his stick meant giving Taehyung a direct shot to his stomach. Trying to move anywhere else meant getting shoved in that direction too.
"Figure it out, Kook," Yoongi yelled.
Jimin shouted, "Tae, you're so strong!"
Taehyung used that as fuel to readjust the strength of his block.
Come on, guys, Grey thought. Someone pull through.
Her heart fluttered as Jungkook smirked. Grunting, he kicked his leg upwards between Taehyung's legs. Tae flinched, jumping back to not get nailed in the groin. Then, there was enough space for Jungkook to escape.
Taehyung said breathlessly, "You aim for such a special part of me?"
"You gave me no choice," Jungkook said, lunging at Taehyung's sides.
Instead of dodging as Grey would have done, Taehyung flipped backwards, enough air and height underneath his feet to miss the pike completely. He landed with an impish grin, sweat dripping down his forehead.
Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "When did you learn that?"
Taehyung shrugged, playing dumb. It was him that went for Jungkook this time. He faked a move to the right, whirling to the left last minute.
Jungkook saw it coming from a mile away, preparing to stop him with a simple move. Except, as Jungkook reached to intercept the shot, he wasn't intercepting the other stick, but Taehyung's hand as it grabbed Jungkook's weapon and snatched it from his grasp. Taehyung's arm flexed almost imperceptibly.
The sound of splintering wood echoed through the room. Both halves of Jungkook's makeshift sword tumbled onto the floor of the pit.
Grey blinked as the pieces rolled in opposite directions.
He snapped a pike with his bare hands.
Jin groaned, "Taehyung! You broke another stick?"
Namjoon cheered, Hoseok joined suit. Jimin stood, awestruck.
Jungkook frowned, and despite his calculation of what to do next, he said, "I liked that stick."
"I bet you did," Taehyung teased. The Beast tossed his pike to the side too. And since there weren't any more weapons, Tae cocked his fist back and charged at the youngest angel.
Grey shoved Hoseok. "Is this allowed?"
Hoseok, glowing from excitement, nodded furiously. "Watch this."
Taehyung launched his punch, Jungkook ducking underneath and tackling him at the waist. Taehyung landed with the bodyguard on top, still jabbing blows into the air, barely missing Jungkook's cheeks or chin.
Jungkook wrapped his cold hands around Tae's throat, holding lightly. Even so, Tae was strong writhing and squirming on the ground. Jungkook straightened his legs to readjust.
In response, Taehyung sucked in a breath and curled his lower body into ball--bringing both legs through Jungkook's and kicking his feet into Jungkook's stomach. The bodyguard flew to the edge of the pit as Tae somersaulted onto his feet.
The pair darted for one another again, each of them stopping abruptly to point a broken edge of wooden stick at the other's chest.
And like that, it was over.
"That's enough," Jin called. "Tie."
Jungkook's shoulders rose and fell in rhythm with Taehyung's, both angels locked in battle mode.
Grey swallowed.
Jungkook, the image of polished training and precision. A moving lightning storm of quickness and agility. Versus Taehyung, the insatiable, fearless physical force. There wasn't a word to define him. His strength, his drive. And he hadn't even transformed.
The Assassin and The Beast, toe to toe. Equivalent to one another in their own rights.
The idiot that found her wherever she went, and the idiot that made it a point to know what she loved.
Princes of light, together.
She fell a little bit harder for them both as they pulled apart.
:::
Amelia hummed a happy song while running a brush through her hair. Passion fruit and honey scented the air, and it touched her nose whenever she stroked her head, so she figured it was her new perfume. The room was rather dark, red candles and mysterious wisps of light flickering in corners. Sometimes, these ugly skeleton things would skulk around her or stand in her doorway, but Vanity said not to worry about them.
Plus, she didn't really want to. She had just taken a lovely bath and changed into an impeccable outfit. Not only was she flourishing, but she was completely focused on the good conversation she had with Vanity earlier.
It went something along the lines of this: Grey had to die.
It would make the world a better place, Vanity said. Amelia saw how much it made sense the longer the pretty lady spoke.
Grey was irresponsible, disobedient, and useless. She also said Grey had to be eliminated because she could say something stupid and ruin Vanity's plans? Amelia didn't know, she just basked in the satisfying thought of watching that girl suffer. Because any girl that Vanity hated, Amelia hated too. They were best friends now. That's what best friends did. Supported one another through thick and thin.
Besides, Amelia loved parties and Vanity said there would be a really big party in a few days where, together, they could celebrate. Not only would Grey go down, but some other guys too. Everyone they disliked would get a special treat. Vanity only had to finish sending out the invitations--Amelia's specific job.
Amelia laid her hairbrush down on the dresser and laid down on her bed. It was dusty and very firm. That wasn't the only odd part of her room, though. The painted walls were peeled and stained. There wasn't a window. There wasn't a closet. One other door besides her main one led to a pretty sizable bathroom that was also in tatters. It had been a few days in these conditions though. They were easy to get used to. Plus, Amelia didn't want to annoy her only friend with high-maintenance requests. Wherever she was, as long as she was with Vanity, she was pleased.
"Sit up."
The command drifted from the entryway where two skeleton men parted ways to reveal Vanity. Her lovely red hair draped over one shoulder, her silk robe almost matching Amelia's. She said, "You just got cleaned. Don't dirty yourself again."
Amelia bolted upright, smiling a wolfish grin at the woman that saved her. Finally, Vanity was back. She had come to spend more time with Amelia.
Vanity took a seat on the ottoman at the side of Amelia's bed. "You know, you're pretty once we get the human grime off of you."
Amelia giggled. "I used to do salt scrubs and milk baths all the time. I don't know why I stopped. My skin would have been like yours by now."
"Fascinating," Vanity remarked. "I received word you haven't left your room once. You're on very good behavior."
"I want to see the rest of the place, but it's no big deal." Amelia shrugged.
"Your freedom is not a big deal?"
Amelia shook her head. "I'm with you! You're my best friend. Why does that matter?"
Vanity laughed. "Your loyalty is disgusting."
"Vanity, stop that. I care about you."
"Aelith."
"What?" Amelia frowned.
"My name is Aelith."
The human girl nodded, fine with calling her a nickname if it made her happy. "Oh. Alright, Aelith. Can I braid your hair?"
"Don't touch me," Aelith snapped. "You like me because I made you like me."
Amelia startled, keeping her hands in her lap. "That's not entirely true. You've been so nice to me. Grey was never this nice to me."
"Humans are so pitiful," Aelith swore under her breath. Then, to Amelia, she said, "You were a good friend to her."
"I know," Amelia admitted. "I wish I remembered what happened between us to destroy that."
Aelith tilted her head to the side. "I told you. She betrayed you and me. She has to perish for that."
"You're right. It doesn't matter what happened. She has to go."
"Very good," Aelith smiled. "Are you excited for our party? If the information in your head is correct, it begins the day after tomorrow."
Amelia nodded eagerly. "If we give out the invitations at the right time, Grey will want to be there. I just hope she accepts it, and I hope the others accept them too."
"There is only one invitation, and if she declines, you make her attend."
"I can't wait!" Amelia clapped her hands. "I haven't been able to let my hair down in so long!"
"I would like to reward you for your cooperation." Vanity dug into the pocket of her robe and retrieved a silver ring. The band was thin, but the sapphire diamond in the center was gorgeous. When Amelia took it in her hand, she admired the tiny stones around the teardrop gem. She slid it onto her finger immediately, gasping when it changed colors. Dark sapphire transformed into a muted, sky blue. "Not as bright," Vanity said, "but you've got something pure in you nonetheless."
"It's beautiful," Amelia breathed.
"It's whatever." Aelith stood, brushing the dust from the foot of her robe. "There is something else I wish to show you."
Amelia hopped off her bed and followed Aelith into the hall. Wall sconces riddled with spiderwebs lined the faded walls. They padded over dirty carpet floors in silence. At Aelith's side, Amelia wasn't afraid of the moving shadows. Regardless, she did her best to keep her focus straight ahead rather than in the eye of darkness.
"Aelith," Amelia whispered, "what are you loyal to?"
"Where did that question come from?" Aelith tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with a sharp nail.
"You said my loyalty is disgusting. You must have some of your own. Maybe to the monsters here."
Aelith scoffed. "Those are playthings."
Amelia drawled, "Aelith, 'fess up."
After a while, Aelith cleared her throat. "There is no one I serve, except for one. He is the enslaver of shadows and the prophet of misfortune."
"That's dark," Amelia said. Even though Aelith glared at her, Amelia still scrunched her face up. "I mean, I've had some mean bosses too but I wouldn't describe them like that."
"The one I serve is not mean. That is a pathetic term. He is dusk. He is a servant of Death."
"Yeah, right." Amelia sidestepped a dead rat. Stifling a squeal at the sight of the rodent on it's back, she asked another question. "Do you like him?"
"He forged me from nothing. I owe him my allegiance."
"Okay, but do you like him? How does he treat you?"
Since Aelith went quiet, Amelia figured she'd drop the topic. They went through a side door that led to a circular staircase. They ascended one step at a time.
"I believe he is being careless. Our enemies are ripe for the taking and he spends his time traveling the globe fulfilling a personal mission."
Amelia was shocked that she spoke. The human girl said, "How do you feel about that?"
Aelith stared at the floor for a while as she climbed. "The time away from him must symbolize that he expects much of me. If he refuses to strike them, I ought to await his orders."
"But you won't," Amelia said.
"I'll show him how blind he's been."
They came to a pair of open doors. The next room was circular in fashion, the night sky penetrating through the broken skylight onto the floor. At the furthest wall was a round mirror about as tall as Amelia. She walked up to it as Aelith drifted past it.
"Don't stare at it for too long," Aelith warned.
Nodding slowly, Amelia ripped her gaze away, ignoring the silent beckoning to gaze at her reflection for years. Whatever that mirror was, she wanted no part of it. Shaking the terror from her shoulders, she watched Aelith throw open a final set of doors. The darkness within was nearly staggering, and so was the ensuing roar that caused both Aelith and Amelia to step back.
"MANGRITH!"
Aelith hissed, baring a pair of canines as well as her pointed nails. "Shut the hell up!"
Amelia instinctively hid behind Aelith's shoulder.
"How is the book doing?" Aelith asked.
"Book fine. Book in room."
That voice curdled Amelia's blood. It was low, but layered with the voices of others. Things darker, far more foreboding than she could conjure in her dreams. Mangrith, it called itself.
"Give it to me," Aelith commanded.
"Mangrith want human."
Amelia grabbed the back of Aelith's robe. "No," Aelith said.
"Mangrith. Want. Human."
Aelith's golden eyes shimmered in the moonlight as she glared daggers. "You dare challenge me?"
A low grumble shook the ground. From the impenetrable black hole that filled that room, a book was tossed into the light. Dark brown, leathery, embroidered with golden curlicues and a thick lock. It hit the tile floor and echoed up to the ceiling. Aelith stooped to pick it up, casting one last warning stare at Mangrith before turning around.
She dropped the book on a pedestal in the center of the room with the mirror. The artifact was a nuisance to Aelith, probably like nothing more than a lousy dictionary. But, to Amelia, that book emitted fury, emitted power to the sky. It demanded authority. It's presence made the human girl back down; almost bow to it.
"What is that thing?" Amelia whimpered.
"A dead king's diary." Aelith smiled proudly. "One of the few things from the Eternal Realm I was able to snatch."
"I'm not understanding," Amelia said. "You wanted to show me your favorite book?"
"Tch, of course you aren't getting it. That cute little head of yours holds only air. It may be just a book, but to me, it's my pride and joy. A trophy I've kept for over two centuries. A reminder that I am capable of leading an army." Her fingertips grazed the book's cover.
Amelia grinned. "You're stronger than you think, Aelith."
"I know," Aelith sighed, "I just have to prove it to everyone that refuses to believe it."
"I'm glad you made us best friends," Amelia laughed.
"I made you annoying too." Aelith scratched her temple with a nail. "I'll have to fix that when I figure out how."
:::
(A/N) Shining reader,
Happy Belated Kookie Day! As time would have it, I had to release this on the 2nd, but oh well.
For his b-day, I'll release one of his character aesthetics! Presenting...
Jungkook Aesthetic - Black Version
Next release: 9/6 (September 6th)
With love,
M