Chapter Text
"A group of hybrids?!" Namjoon whispered, shocked. He knew hybrids were pretty rare because they were a mix of two creatures. And, a group of murderous hybrids equaled to destruction.
"Yes!! Let's run." Seokjin said. He crouched beside Jungkook's sleeping form before he lifted his mate in his arms.
Namjoon stood up too.
"Both of you need to go. But I can't go with you." Namjoon said, looking at Seokjin.
"What are you talking about?! Now is not the time for your unnecessary drama. We need to move before they come here!!" Seokjin urged.
"I am not stopping you. You are free to leave with your mate whenever you want." Namjoon said, thinking about what he should do about the hybrids.
Seokjin's jaw clenched. What game was Namjoon was playing now?
"Why are you staying here?! For what purpose?!" Seokjin asked, puzzled and tensed.
"Because I am one of the council members now. The castle isn't very far from here. There is still some time for the morning to come. And, hybrids aren't even affected by the sun. I can't let them ambush the castle when the vampires there are unaware that they are coming. I am supposed to protect my race." Namjoon explained, crossing his arms.
Seokjin looked like he had gone deaf and mute. To be honest, he looked ridiculous, with his mouth hanging open from disbelief.
"Are you serious? Since when did Kim Namjoon care about others?!" Seokjin exclaimed. He couldn't hide the bitterness in his voice. Once, he was thristy for this type of care from Namjoon, which he never got.
"Oh my gosh!! We are so not talking about this now. You need to go. If you stay here, you will put your mate in danger too." Namjoon exclaimed, trying to reason with Seokjin. He knew Seokjin could do anything for Jungkook. That's why Namjoon used his mate's name so Seokjin could understand the situation they were in.
Seokjin wanted to go. To take Jungkook away from this place. He looked down and saw Jungkook peacefully sleeping in his arms. He didn't even know how much danger they were in. Then, he looked at Namjoon. The man, for whom he could once do anything. Seokjin didn't care for Namjoon. Not at all. Then, why was his legs not moving? Why did he feel like he was stuck to the ground?
"Namjoon, you can't even fight me. How are you going to fight all of them at once? It's impossible for you to fight them. If they want to ruin all the vampires in the castle, they will still do it. None of the vampires can defeat them. Even if they fight together." Seokjin said, pleading with his eyes because he was too proud to say anything else.
"I know. I will inform one of the council members in the castle. They will take care of the rest. I can distract the hybrids until everyone is far away and safe." Namjoon said simply. It was as if it didn't matter that saving everyone would put Namjoon himself in danger.
"You are not the same Namjoon, I used to know. That Namjoon was not self-sacrificing like you." Seokjin exclaimed. Nothing made sense to him anymore.
"Maybe, I have changed." Namjoon said, giving a little shrug.
"You will save the others. Fine. Noble deed. But, what about you, Namjoon? What about your safety?" Seokjin exclaimed. He didn't even know how he could make Namjoon understand what he was trying to say when Seokjin didn't even understand it himself.
Namjoon just let out a hollow, mirthless chuckle.
"Me? I have noone. Everyone else, they have someone to return to. A place, they call home. A person, they love. If something happened to me, nobody would care. It's ideal, actually." Namjoon said casually.
Seokjin didn't know why his chest felt so heavy, hearing Namjoon's words. It was like someone placed a heavy rock on it. His eyes burned, warning him about the tears that would follow. Seokjin blinked his eyes rapidly, to ward off any unwanted tears. Namjoon didn't deserve his tears anyway.
But still, those words broke something in Seokjin. It was the way Namjoon said it, without an ounce of sadness. Like it was a fact.
"What about your friends?" Seokjin asked. Then, cleared his throat quickly when his voice sounded raspy. Namjoon didn't seem to catch it, though.
"Yoongi and Hoseok? Oh, they will be devastated. But, they have each other. They are mates. They will get over it together." Namjoon exclaimed, thinking if Yoongi had found Hoseok or not.
Oh, so those two were mates. Seokjin didn't know why he felt so relieved after hearing that. And, he didn't want to know either.
"Namjoon, this is insane. Just come with me." 'Please.' Seokjin exclaimed, not saying the last part.
"No. Seokjin, only you know that I can take care of them if I want. Why are you being so oblivious?!" Namjoon exclaimed, frustrated. They were wasting precious time, when Namjoon could have already reached the castle and informed the others by now.
Seokjin's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What the fuck was Namjoon talking about?! Until, realization dawned on his eyes. Seokjin looked at Namjoon with wide eyes.
"No. You can't seriously be talking about that. Namjoon, no." Seokjin said, shaking his head from side-to-side. Like, he couldn't fathom Namjoon was even considering it.
"Finally. I was waiting for you to remember." Namjoon exclaimed, raising one of his eyebrows.
Carefully, Seokjin put Jungkook down on the ground again. Then, in a millisecond, he was in front on Namjoon. He grabbed both of Namjoon's shoulders before shaking him slightly.
"Absolutely not!! I am not letting you do that!! I will carry you out of here if I have to!!" Seokjin growled, catching Namjoon's wrist and dragging him towards Jungkook.
"Seokjin, enough!! Let me go!!" Namjoon exclaimed. He kept his voice low enough but, the anger in his voice was evident.
Seokjin ignored Namjoon completely. He kept dragging Namjoon forward, the latter stumbling behind him.
"Seokjin, if you do this, I will kill myself." Namjoon said, his voice suddenly ice cold.
Seokjin's steps halted abruptly. He turned towards Namjoon, his eyes crimson red.
"What did you say?" Seokjin asked, not believing his own ears.
"Exactly what you heard. I will do it. You know me." Namjoon said, his voice dangerously calm.
Seokjin let his wrist go at once. Immediately, Namjoon stepped back to maintain a little distance between them.
"Namjoon, this is absolute madness!! You can't control it. This is practically suicide!!" Seokjin exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air in frustration and..... fear.
"Don't worry. I will just put a simple shield around the castle. So, nobody can enter, except me." Namjoon explained.
"And, what about your secret?!" Seokjin exclaimed. He wanted to hit Namjoon again so that the vampire could come to his senses.
"Everyone inside will fall asleep. They won't remember anything. If someone tries to go near the castle, the shield will confuse that person to the point they will turn back and go somewhere else." Namjoon said.
Seokjin almost scoffed. Like, it was that simple.
Seokjin didn't know why he was even bothering. It would be good if this would be the end of Namjoon. Seokjin should be happy. Relieved. He shouldn't feel this terrified. Seokjin decided to ignore the fear. He reasoned that if those hybrids or the secret Namjoon had, killed him, Seokjin wouldn't be able torture Namjoon, like he wanted.
"Namjoon, your body won't be able to handle that much power." Seokjin exclaimed. He didn't understand why Namjoon wouldn't think about himself first.
"I will think of something. Why do you even care anyway?!" Namjoon exclaimed, annoyed. Why were they still standing here, arguing?!
Seokjin was a little thrown by Namjoon's sudden question.
"Oh, please!! I don't care about you!! But, I care about Jungkook. He literally fought with me for you. He won't be happy when he wakes up and hears I left you to fend for yourself." Seokjin exclaimed defensively. He knew his excuse sounded weak but, it wasn't exactly a lie. Jungkook would definitely be angry if Seokjin left Namjoon here alone.
Namjoon rolled his eyes and turned around. But, before he could speed away, Seokjin said, "Let me fight, instead."
Namjoon was caught off guard by Seokjin's words. He turned around with a glare.
"Out of the question!! I know you are strong. But, they are as powerful as you. Even you can't take on a group of hybrids all by yourself. And, you should be ashamed of yourself for even saying it!! You have a mate, Seokjin. If something happened to you, Jungkook would die too. Don't you care about him?!" Namjoon exclaimed, his tone accusing.
Seokjin looked at Jungkook, who was still lying on the same place Seokjin left him.
When Seokjin didn't answer, Namjoon said, "Trust me, I can handle myself. Both of you should go inside the castle too. It will protect you."
Seokjin looked at Namjoon with a steely stare.
"No. I will stay with you outside. I can keep Jungkook safe with me. You do what you have to." Seokjin exclaimed with determination.
"Seokjin, your stubbornness is getting on my nerves!!" Namjoon exclaimed, groaning in annoyance.
"You have said your part. I have accepted it. Now, I am saying my part and I will stick to the decision I made." Seokjin said, looking at Namjoon's eyes directly.
He didn't know what Namjoon found in his eyes but, after a while, Namjoon sighed.
"Fine. Just come quickly." Namjoon said and disappeared.
Immediately, Seokjin took Jungkook and followed Namjoon, towards the castle.
Luckily, the hybrids didn't reach the castle before them.
Namjoon stood in front of the castle.
"Get behind that tree." Namjoon ordered. Seokjin didn't argue. He got behind the tree and leaned Jungkook's body against the trunk before shielding his mate with his own body.
Despite Namjoon's reassurance, Seokjin couldn't calm himself down. He peeked from behind the tree towards where Namjoon was standing.
Then, Namjoon raised both of his hands towards the castle.
Seokjin felt goosebumps on his entire body. He had seen Namjoon doing it only once. That was enough to leave Seokjin with lifelong trauma. The last time Namjoon did this, Seokjin almost lost him.
Seokjin remembered his own agonized cries. Namjoon, lying on the ground, bloody, barely conscious. Seokjin, shaking Namjoon's limp body, calling his name.
Seokjin closed his eyes, the memory still vivid and real.
The wind picked up suddenly. There was a noticeable shift in the atmosphere.
Seokjin's opened his eyes immediately. Even if the dawn was on the horizon, the darkness felt more profound. Oppressive.
The only peaceful thing there, was Jungkook, innocently oblivious to his surroundings.
Seokjin's eyes trained its red gaze on Namjoon's form.
Namjoon's body was pulled tight, his hands visibly shaking, like it was taking a lot of effort to hold it in position. Namjoon's eyes glowed mercury silver. Different from his usual gold color. The wind tousled his hair. But, Namjoon kept his concentration on the castle in front of him.
Then.....
Seokjin saw it. Like a nightmare. Only this time, it wasn't a nightmare. It was a memory coming to life again. A memory, Seokjin wanted to forget. A memory, Seokjin didn't want any repeatition of.
A dark type of energy flowed out of Namjoon's open palm. The atmosphere darkened more. The wind turned into a storm, making dirt and dry leaves fly everywhere.
Seokjin watched, not even blinking. The scene in front of him was mesmerizing, yet equally terrifying. His body shook from the dark energy and power surrounding the area.
Little by little, the shield started forming. It wouldn't be visible to a human eye but, Seokjin could clearly see its translucent form taking place. Like an obsidian blanket covering the castle.
Namjoon's body was bending forward, drenched in sweat. Still, he maintained his form the best he could. Let the power flow through him, guiding it towards his hands before it came out. It was destructive in nature but, Namjoon tried to control it. He didn't let the power control him. It would be destructive if he fell to the energy that was residing inside him. Both for himself and the world.
Namjoon felt like his body would be torn to shreds. Tears kept falling unbidden from his glowing eyes. It was unbearable. The power lashed out at him. Namjoon's vision darkened slightly before he fell to his knees. But, the shield wasn't complete.
Seokjin's body jerked in fear. He looked at Namjoon's slumped figure, terrified.
'Please don't do this to me again.' Seokjin thought.
He couldn't go to Namjoon, when all he wanted was to take the older man in his arms. Interfering in the middle of this would prove catastrophic. Namjoon had warned him about this before. Seokjin couldn't distract Namjoon.
When he saw that Namjoon's eyes were drooping, Seokjin couldn't control himself anymore. He yelled, "NAMJOON, LET IT GO!!"
Seokjin's own voice sounded low to him because of the excessive force of the wind.
But still, it reached Namjoon. Like a tether. Something he could hold onto. Namjoon's half-closed eyes flew open. He staggered to his feet, albeit with difficulty.
Seokjin was in shock. What the fuck just happened? Did Namjoon hear his voice? Seokjin remembered that even the first time, it was his voice that pulled Namjoon back to consciousness. But, they were no longer together. Moreover, Seokjin was tied to another person for eternity. Namjoon didn't even feel anything for him. Then, how?!
At least, Seokjin was thankful that his voice could still give Namjoon some strength.
Seokjin felt like he would chew his fingers off with worry. Namjoon was clearly struggling. He couldn't hold it for too long. If he did, the damage on his body would be irreversible.
Seokjin looked down at Jungkook to make sure he was still alright. He looked fine but, a little tensed. Like, what Namjoon was doing was affecting him too. Like, Namjoon's pain was hurting him too. At least, Jungkook looked alright.
After making sure his mate is alright, Seokjin's eyes went back to Namjoon again.
Seokjin could clearly see how difficult it was for Namjoon to hold that type of dark, raw power in control. The shield was almost complete and Seokjin was about to have a nervous breakdown if it took any longer.
Namjoon could barely see with his eyes. He just felt that the the shield was about to be complete.
The moment the shield formed fully, the remaining power slammed inside Namjoon, like it was their home. Namjoon was thrown to the ground from the force.
And, Seokjin had enough. With a single glance towards his sleeping mate, he was beside Namjoon, lifting his body on his own sideways.
Their surroundings had become normal again. With no trace of any dark power. The shield around the castle had become so transparent that even Seokjin couldn't see it anymore.
Namjoon's body had never felt cold to Seokjin. But, it did now. Too cold. Like the first time Namjoon used his power. Namjoon's hair was wet with sweat. The tear tracks on his face was clearly visible. His lips were bitten raw.
Namjoon looked small, powerless. His whole body fitting in Seokjin's arms.
"Namjoon? Namjoon!!" Seokjin called, tapping Namjoon's tear-stained cheeks lightly. Seokjin's hands were shaking like crazy. Even his voice was trembling.
Namjoon's eyes twitched a little before he opened them slightly. Looked like he was having difficulty in even opening his eyes. His gaze looked hazy and watery. His irises were no longer silver. It changed to his normal light gold.
"Namjoon!! Talk to me!! Are you alright?!" Seokjin exclaimed, voice hoarse.
Namjoon's right fist was closer so he grabbed a fistful of Seokjin's shirt. The grip was weak. But, it was something. Namjoon opened his mouth but, no words came out. He kept opening and closing his mouth for a few times before a whisper came.
Seokjin leaned closer to Namjoon's mouth to listen.
"I..... I don't feel so good. I..... I feel so tired, Seokjin." Namjoon whispered, eyes bleary. He had almost forgot that Seokjin was here with him. And, Jungkook. He half-expected Seokjin to run away with his mate but, the man still stayed. Namjoon didn't understand why.
"I know, baby. I know." Seokjin exclaimed, calling Namjoon like he used to. He didn't even realize he was calling Namjoon baby.
But, Namjoon didn't answer. His eyes closed of its own volition and his head lolled to the side.
"Namjoon!! Namjoon!! Wake up!! Namjoon!! Please!!" Seokjin kept calling him, panicked. He kept shaking Namjoon's pale body.
Before he realized that Namjoon was still breathing. Warm tufts of air tickled his collarbone. Seokjin looked down and saw that Namjoon's lips were parted. He is still alive. Seokjin felt like crying. Not how adults cry. He wanted to cry like a child. Uncontrolled. This type of fear should not be possible for an ex-lover. Worrying for Namjoon and Jungkook had exhausted him completely.
The vampires inside the castle would stay safe. And, the shield would hold until those hybrids were nearby. If they leave, the shield would dissipate on its own.
Seokjin decided that enough was enough. He got up and lifted Namjoon with one of his arms effortlessly. Then, he went to where Jungkook was sleeping and lifted him with the other arm.
The sky was already starting to look bright.
Seokjin couldn't believe that he was about to bring Namjoon to his and Jungkook's home. He couldn't just leave Namjoon here after he helped him in finding his mate. And, for some reason, he didn't want to take Namjoon to his friends. So, Seokjin had no other choice than to take Namjoon to his own home.
He had a car waiting on the road, where the forest began. Seokjin reached there within seconds with his enhanced speed. Carefully, Seokjin lowered Namjoon and Jungkook on the comfortable backseat before he got in the driver's seat. Their car drove away, leaving only gravel and dirt in its wake.