Bricolage [14/20]
Title: Bricolage [14/20]
Author: ixjaydee
Pairing: Jongyu;; TaeSeob;; minor!Minkey;; minor!JongKyung
Rating: PG-13
Genre: drama;; action/adventure;; romance;;
Disclaimer: I own the world, just not the people in it.
Summary: Prince Jonghyun, ruler of the Kingdom of Carmadon had his work cut out for him already. In between taking care of the uneasy townspeople, and searching for a traitor in his midst, he must leave his kingdom in the hands of his younger brother and his royal adviser as he prepares to set out on a conquest to the Unknown World in search for a cure for the disease sweeping through the kingdoms.
The journey wouldn’t be easy. The Unknown World was riddled with shady characters: sorcerers, shape shifters, outlaws, assassins, bandits, monsters of every sort. As if that wasn’t bad enough, things get a little bit more complicated when he falls in love with someone that he should have never fallen for in the first place, a love that would bring the downfall of his kingdom.
-
14
-
Yoseob found himself visiting his father in the town one day. The weather had turned cold already, but it was nothing the castle inhabitants weren’t used to. However, the people in the town were a different story. To see them wrapped up in their jackets and heavy clothing while he was still in a plain shirt with long sleeves and pants and boots made him laugh a little bit while they stared at him like he was crazy.
He could feel the heat radiating from his father’s smithy before he could even open the door. He touched the doorknob tentatively to make sure it was safe to use. He would never forget to check after that time the family insignia got burned into his hand. That was the reason why the smithy door was always open. The burn scars faded into pale while lines on his hands, but the memory of being handicapped for a month made him shudder.
Deciding to be safe rather than sorry, he knocked on the door anyway. “Father! Father!” The loud clanging noises stopped for a moment, then the door swung open, revealing his father’s grinning face. “Still a bit cautious when the door is closed?”
“I’d rather be safe than sorry. I still have the scars.” His father laughed and stepped back inside, allowing Yoseob to follow him into his workshop.
“I know why you’re here. And yes, it’s done. It’s in the case over there.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder to the open velvet lined case, a shiny sword gleaming inside.
“Oh come on now. I can’t visit my father without having an agenda? It just happens to be a coincidence that the sword is done too.”
“Right, of course. How are things in the castle? The town’s been pretty empty since...” His words trailed off as Yoseob nodded. “People only come out whenever they absolutely have to have something done, or absolutely need something. The colder weather may be playing a part too.”
“This is nothing. This is considered warm in the castle,” Yoseob said while walking over to the case, bending over to admire the sword. He had talked to his father about getting one made for Taemin since he didn’t have one. Well, he did, but it was a rusty old hand me down from his brother. He thought it would be a good idea to have Taemin armed, just in case something happened and no one was around. Even though there was always someone around. But just in case.
Yoseob picked up the sword carefully and balanced it on his finger. He nodded while his father sat down and watched. The hilt had a hand guard that covered most of his hand, and twisted around elegantly towards the end, extending to another sharp point. “Looks like it would hurt to get hit with either end of this sword,” he said to his father.
His father laughed again. “I aim to please. Be careful with the blade will you? I went a little bit overboard. You could probably slice through this bench without any trouble. If you threw it at the door, it would go straight through like butter.” His watched his son blink at it a few times before carefully placing it back into the case.
The blade itself had an intricate pattern on it, but Yoseob didn’t have time to get a closer look at it. He was due back at the castle before Taemin noticed that he was late bringing his lunch to the Archives. “Thanks Father. I’ll send the money for your work once I get back to the castle.”
“No need. Consider it a present for the young prince.” Yoseob bowed, closing and tucking the case underneath his arm. “Thank you. I’ll still send some money down. Buy Mother something nice.”
“She already has too many nice things. What about me? I like having nice things too.” Both of them erupted into laughter as Yoseob pushed the door open and made his way back to the castle.
--
Yoseob barely stepped off of the ferry when he heard his name being called. “Yoseob!” He smiled as the prince came running up to him. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for the past half an hour. I need to- What’s that?” He asked, pointing at the case in Yoseob’s arms.
He laughed at his sudden change in attention. Whatever it was he wanted to show him, it could wait. “Come on. I’m not telling you until we get to the training grounds.”
“But-” Taemin barely had any time to protest before he grabbed his hand and dragged him off through the castle.
--
It would be a lie if Taemin said he didn’t miss the sunshine, fresh air, and human contact. Junhyung greeted the two with a grin and a salute with two fingers before turning his attention back to his sparring partner.
Kikwang came running into the training grounds shortly after they arrived, short of breath, eyes wide with worry. “Sire! Please don’t run off like that again. I was running all over the castle looking for you! I ran into one of the attendants that said they saw you coming this way with Yoseob.”
Taemin gave him an apologetic smile and patted his shoulder. “I’m sorry. You just looked so peaceful sleeping there. You looked like you needed it, so I let you sleep.” Kikwang had fallen asleep in the chair across from his desk in the Archives. The bags under his eyes were so dark, Taemin figured he was putting in extra effort to take care of his safety.
“What’s this I hear? Sleeping on the job?” Junhyung said from behind them. He gave Kikwang a glare that Yoseob knew all too well to be a playful glare, but he supposed from the look on Kikwang’s face that he didn’t seem to know that. “I’m sorry sir! I didn’t mean for it to happen, I just- Ow, ow, ow, ow!” Junhyung reached over with a gloved hand and grabbed him by the ear before dragging him off.
Yoseob laughed while Taemin tried to protest, but his words were cut off when he saw Junhyung put him into a headlock and start rubbing his knuckles in his hair with a smirk on his face. Taemin blinked in confusion for a minute until something dawned on him. “Are they...?” His voice trailed off as he raised an eyebrow at Yoseob. He just chuckled and winked at him. Goodness. At this rate, there weren’t going to be any men left for the women.
“Anyway Sire, this is why I brought you here. Besides the fact that you look like you’re turning into one of the books in the Archives.” Taemin frowned and reached over to punch Yoseob in the arm as he laughed and opened up the case, kneeling to the ground on one knee. “A gift from my father.”
Taemin stared in awe at the sword in front of him. “Sire? Could you pick it up? This case is a little bit heavy.” He picked up the blade quickly and marveled at how perfect the weight seemed in his hand. Yoseob closed the case and placed it on the bench near them. Taemin swung the swung the sword around in his hand, nodding approvingly. Jonghyun would’ve been jealous if he could see it. No more hand me down swords for him.
Yoseob flinched away from Taemin as he swung it around some more, slicing the air. The sound the blade made while moving through the air was almost musical. “May I, Sire?” Taemin handed the sword over to Yoseob, hilt first. Yoseob observed the pattern on the blade and smiled. “You really out did yourself Father,” he said to himself before turning to the wooden bench and stabbing the sword through the middle. It went through easier than he expected.
Taemin blinked a few times in astonishment. “Wow. Your father did a good job on that blade.” Yoseob wiggled it back and forth a little bit and watched as it cut through the bench easily. Using just a little more force, he cut through one half of the bench and blinked at the near invisible slice.
Kikwang managed to escape Junhyung’s grasp and sighed as he made his way back over to them before turning to sit on the bench. “Wait! Kikwang, don’t-” Yoseob’s warning came too late though. As he sat down, the bench broke in two, causing him to yelp as he fell to the ground before scrambling to his feet.
“Kikwang! Did you just break the bench?! That bench is the property of the Knights of the Castle of Carmadon-”
“I did it. I’m sorry.” Taemin stepped in swinging his sword around on his finger. “I was just trying out this sword Yoseob’s father made for me. I got a little too anxious.” Junhyung smiled in mid sentence.
“Why Sire. Why didn’t you say so? You could just ask for a sparring match.”
“Don’t mind if I do. Would you mind?”
“I wouldn’t offer if I did.”
“Well, go easy on me then. It’s been a while since I’ve wielded a sword.”
--
The match was, in Yoseob’s opinion, absolutely spectacular. He’d never seen anyone make Junhyung put in so much effort in a simple sparring match. Until today that is. Taemin was very book smart, that was a widely known fact, but for some reason, very few people knew that he was just as athletic as the knights in the castle.
Taemin had been studying and practicing sword play ever since he was a child. Yoseob didn’t know if he remembered, but that was one thing the late king was always proud of him for. Or so his father told him. He supposed his skill was a secret, hidden behind a stack of books and gorgeous script. Those hands were now wielding a sword masterfully, like it was what he was born to do, giving Junhyung a run for his money.
In terms of physical strength though, Junhyung was just a little bit stronger. They clased swords in the middle, each one pushing hard to throw the other one off balance. Taemin was straining under pressure until Junhyung’s eyes widened. He suddenly pulled his blade away and stared at in in disbelief.
“Something wrong?” Taemin asked, breathing deep to catch his breath. He was terribly out of shape. Those months he spent in the Archives were having an adverse effect on his physical condition.
“Look,” Junhyung said, holding out his sword for Taemin to see. He squinted at the blade and laughed. “Yoseob. What in the world is this sword made out of?!” There were little notches cut into his sword where the two swords met repeatedly.
“I can’t tell you. Family secret.”
“I’m practically family!”
“But not.” Yoseob laughed before yelping at Junhyung came at him with a fist raised. “That’s okay. I didn’t like this sword that much anyway.”
Kikwang started laughing from his spot on the floor. “What? You think this is funny?!” Junhyung snapped at him. Kikwang suddenly stopped laughing and shook his head solemnly while mouthing the word ‘no’, which made Junhyung burst into laughter at his sudden change in expression. Kikwang smiled at him brightly.
Taemin looked between the two and smiled sadly. He was a little bit jealous, to be honest. Yoseob leaned on Taemin’s shoulder, looking back and forth between the two of them while shaking his head. “I don’t know how Kikwang puts up with him. I grew up with Junhyung so it’s not like I have a choice.”
“You brat. Don’t make me come over there!”
--
They were sitting in the Archives again, Jinwoon translating diligently even while Taemin was gone. His new sword was sheathed in a scabbard on his waist as he sat on the edge of the chair looking for the last book he translated.
Jinwoon looked up and picked up a book from the stack and handed it to him. “Oh. Thank you Jinwoon.” He smiled at him and turned back to the book he was working on.
“What is he working on?” Yoseob asked curiously. “The memoirs of Explorer Yunho. He just finished up a set and gave it to me to read. It’s a lot more detailed that what I have in his journal.”
“Wait. So you could read his journal, but not his memoirs?”
“His memoirs are written in the First Language. His journal was written in our language for some reason... I still haven’t found an answer to that question yet. Let’s go down to the dungeons. I want Key to know this information too.” The two of them stood up to leave, Jinwoon waving at them. “Don’t forget to eat Jinwoon.” The boy nodded before returning to the books.
--
The pair followed by Kikwang made their way to the dungeons. Key was surprised by the visit so late in the day. “It’s a bit later than when you usually come by,” he said lightly leaning against the cell bars.
“New discoveries in the translations. Jinwoon is working on a set of Explorer Yunho’s memoirs, and it just so happens that the first set details information on the monsters in the Unknown World, in particular, the vampir. There are sentient vampir living there, and he managed to have a conversation with them and record information.” Key nodded pursing his lips.
Taemin opened the book and started to scan the pages by the light of the torches. “It says here that the vampir avoid fire.”
“I could’ve told you that. The torches make me feel uneasy.”
“The feral vampir will run away from it, and the sentient ones avoid it when they can. It burns them almost as bad as the sun does. At least the sun in our world.”
“What do you mean by that?” Yoseob asked, looking over his shoulder at the script on the pages.
“They can walk under the sun in the Unknown World. They just can’t in our world because it’s the world the Gods rule over.” Yoseob nodded while Key digested the information. It was quiet again while Taemin scanned a few more pages.
“This stuff is what we know already, how someone becomes a vampir, the sentient and feral ones, the craving for flesh...” He turned a few more pages and read more intently for a few minutes. “This talks about how the vampir first came into existence....” He turned a few more pages and frowned.
“What? What is it?”
“They were created by something called The Fey that dwell on some mountain in the Unknown World. Explorer Yunho states that he didn’t travel through the mountains because of the warnings of a band of sentient vampir that lived at the base. He says the name of the vampir that warned him not to go was someone named Taecyeon. But there’s not really any information on him...” Taemin turned the page.
“But it has some information on the first vampir the Fey created. His name is Junsu.”
“Is? Meaning he’s still around?” Key shifted, staring through the bars with squinted eyes at Taemin.
“It never mentions his death. It just says that he was the first one created by the Fey. He was an unstable experiment. They used him to turn people into vampir too, but found out that it made their minds unstable like his, hence the feral and sentient vampir. The Fey messed with his mind so much trying to do different things that he’s mad. But mad in the sense of being... child like sadistic? What does that even mean?” Taemin looked up at Key who had his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
“Is there anything else about him?”
“Uhh...” He flipped through the pages until he reached the end. “He calls himself a messenger of the Fates.” Key started before clearing his throat, a grave expression on his face.
“Well then. That means I’ve met him.” Taemin and Yosoeb stared at him in disbelief. “I caught the plague from him. I can smell him everywhere. And that other weird smell has been getting stronger too.” Key looked back and forth between Taemin and Yoseob.
“I want to go into town.” Silence.
“Into town? Do you think you can go into town without going crazy?” He nodded slightly. Yoseob pursed his lips. “My father said the town’s been mostly empty since they saw the body hanging in the town square. It should be okay. But I’ll bring a torch. If something happens, I can at least shock you to your senses.”
--
Prev | Next
Author: ixjaydee
Pairing: Jongyu;; TaeSeob;; minor!Minkey;; minor!JongKyung
Rating: PG-13
Genre: drama;; action/adventure;; romance;;
Disclaimer: I own the world, just not the people in it.
Summary: Prince Jonghyun, ruler of the Kingdom of Carmadon had his work cut out for him already. In between taking care of the uneasy townspeople, and searching for a traitor in his midst, he must leave his kingdom in the hands of his younger brother and his royal adviser as he prepares to set out on a conquest to the Unknown World in search for a cure for the disease sweeping through the kingdoms.
The journey wouldn’t be easy. The Unknown World was riddled with shady characters: sorcerers, shape shifters, outlaws, assassins, bandits, monsters of every sort. As if that wasn’t bad enough, things get a little bit more complicated when he falls in love with someone that he should have never fallen for in the first place, a love that would bring the downfall of his kingdom.
-
14
-
Yoseob found himself visiting his father in the town one day. The weather had turned cold already, but it was nothing the castle inhabitants weren’t used to. However, the people in the town were a different story. To see them wrapped up in their jackets and heavy clothing while he was still in a plain shirt with long sleeves and pants and boots made him laugh a little bit while they stared at him like he was crazy.
He could feel the heat radiating from his father’s smithy before he could even open the door. He touched the doorknob tentatively to make sure it was safe to use. He would never forget to check after that time the family insignia got burned into his hand. That was the reason why the smithy door was always open. The burn scars faded into pale while lines on his hands, but the memory of being handicapped for a month made him shudder.
Deciding to be safe rather than sorry, he knocked on the door anyway. “Father! Father!” The loud clanging noises stopped for a moment, then the door swung open, revealing his father’s grinning face. “Still a bit cautious when the door is closed?”
“I’d rather be safe than sorry. I still have the scars.” His father laughed and stepped back inside, allowing Yoseob to follow him into his workshop.
“I know why you’re here. And yes, it’s done. It’s in the case over there.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder to the open velvet lined case, a shiny sword gleaming inside.
“Oh come on now. I can’t visit my father without having an agenda? It just happens to be a coincidence that the sword is done too.”
“Right, of course. How are things in the castle? The town’s been pretty empty since...” His words trailed off as Yoseob nodded. “People only come out whenever they absolutely have to have something done, or absolutely need something. The colder weather may be playing a part too.”
“This is nothing. This is considered warm in the castle,” Yoseob said while walking over to the case, bending over to admire the sword. He had talked to his father about getting one made for Taemin since he didn’t have one. Well, he did, but it was a rusty old hand me down from his brother. He thought it would be a good idea to have Taemin armed, just in case something happened and no one was around. Even though there was always someone around. But just in case.
Yoseob picked up the sword carefully and balanced it on his finger. He nodded while his father sat down and watched. The hilt had a hand guard that covered most of his hand, and twisted around elegantly towards the end, extending to another sharp point. “Looks like it would hurt to get hit with either end of this sword,” he said to his father.
His father laughed again. “I aim to please. Be careful with the blade will you? I went a little bit overboard. You could probably slice through this bench without any trouble. If you threw it at the door, it would go straight through like butter.” His watched his son blink at it a few times before carefully placing it back into the case.
The blade itself had an intricate pattern on it, but Yoseob didn’t have time to get a closer look at it. He was due back at the castle before Taemin noticed that he was late bringing his lunch to the Archives. “Thanks Father. I’ll send the money for your work once I get back to the castle.”
“No need. Consider it a present for the young prince.” Yoseob bowed, closing and tucking the case underneath his arm. “Thank you. I’ll still send some money down. Buy Mother something nice.”
“She already has too many nice things. What about me? I like having nice things too.” Both of them erupted into laughter as Yoseob pushed the door open and made his way back to the castle.
--
Yoseob barely stepped off of the ferry when he heard his name being called. “Yoseob!” He smiled as the prince came running up to him. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for the past half an hour. I need to- What’s that?” He asked, pointing at the case in Yoseob’s arms.
He laughed at his sudden change in attention. Whatever it was he wanted to show him, it could wait. “Come on. I’m not telling you until we get to the training grounds.”
“But-” Taemin barely had any time to protest before he grabbed his hand and dragged him off through the castle.
--
It would be a lie if Taemin said he didn’t miss the sunshine, fresh air, and human contact. Junhyung greeted the two with a grin and a salute with two fingers before turning his attention back to his sparring partner.
Kikwang came running into the training grounds shortly after they arrived, short of breath, eyes wide with worry. “Sire! Please don’t run off like that again. I was running all over the castle looking for you! I ran into one of the attendants that said they saw you coming this way with Yoseob.”
Taemin gave him an apologetic smile and patted his shoulder. “I’m sorry. You just looked so peaceful sleeping there. You looked like you needed it, so I let you sleep.” Kikwang had fallen asleep in the chair across from his desk in the Archives. The bags under his eyes were so dark, Taemin figured he was putting in extra effort to take care of his safety.
“What’s this I hear? Sleeping on the job?” Junhyung said from behind them. He gave Kikwang a glare that Yoseob knew all too well to be a playful glare, but he supposed from the look on Kikwang’s face that he didn’t seem to know that. “I’m sorry sir! I didn’t mean for it to happen, I just- Ow, ow, ow, ow!” Junhyung reached over with a gloved hand and grabbed him by the ear before dragging him off.
Yoseob laughed while Taemin tried to protest, but his words were cut off when he saw Junhyung put him into a headlock and start rubbing his knuckles in his hair with a smirk on his face. Taemin blinked in confusion for a minute until something dawned on him. “Are they...?” His voice trailed off as he raised an eyebrow at Yoseob. He just chuckled and winked at him. Goodness. At this rate, there weren’t going to be any men left for the women.
“Anyway Sire, this is why I brought you here. Besides the fact that you look like you’re turning into one of the books in the Archives.” Taemin frowned and reached over to punch Yoseob in the arm as he laughed and opened up the case, kneeling to the ground on one knee. “A gift from my father.”
Taemin stared in awe at the sword in front of him. “Sire? Could you pick it up? This case is a little bit heavy.” He picked up the blade quickly and marveled at how perfect the weight seemed in his hand. Yoseob closed the case and placed it on the bench near them. Taemin swung the swung the sword around in his hand, nodding approvingly. Jonghyun would’ve been jealous if he could see it. No more hand me down swords for him.
Yoseob flinched away from Taemin as he swung it around some more, slicing the air. The sound the blade made while moving through the air was almost musical. “May I, Sire?” Taemin handed the sword over to Yoseob, hilt first. Yoseob observed the pattern on the blade and smiled. “You really out did yourself Father,” he said to himself before turning to the wooden bench and stabbing the sword through the middle. It went through easier than he expected.
Taemin blinked a few times in astonishment. “Wow. Your father did a good job on that blade.” Yoseob wiggled it back and forth a little bit and watched as it cut through the bench easily. Using just a little more force, he cut through one half of the bench and blinked at the near invisible slice.
Kikwang managed to escape Junhyung’s grasp and sighed as he made his way back over to them before turning to sit on the bench. “Wait! Kikwang, don’t-” Yoseob’s warning came too late though. As he sat down, the bench broke in two, causing him to yelp as he fell to the ground before scrambling to his feet.
“Kikwang! Did you just break the bench?! That bench is the property of the Knights of the Castle of Carmadon-”
“I did it. I’m sorry.” Taemin stepped in swinging his sword around on his finger. “I was just trying out this sword Yoseob’s father made for me. I got a little too anxious.” Junhyung smiled in mid sentence.
“Why Sire. Why didn’t you say so? You could just ask for a sparring match.”
“Don’t mind if I do. Would you mind?”
“I wouldn’t offer if I did.”
“Well, go easy on me then. It’s been a while since I’ve wielded a sword.”
--
The match was, in Yoseob’s opinion, absolutely spectacular. He’d never seen anyone make Junhyung put in so much effort in a simple sparring match. Until today that is. Taemin was very book smart, that was a widely known fact, but for some reason, very few people knew that he was just as athletic as the knights in the castle.
Taemin had been studying and practicing sword play ever since he was a child. Yoseob didn’t know if he remembered, but that was one thing the late king was always proud of him for. Or so his father told him. He supposed his skill was a secret, hidden behind a stack of books and gorgeous script. Those hands were now wielding a sword masterfully, like it was what he was born to do, giving Junhyung a run for his money.
In terms of physical strength though, Junhyung was just a little bit stronger. They clased swords in the middle, each one pushing hard to throw the other one off balance. Taemin was straining under pressure until Junhyung’s eyes widened. He suddenly pulled his blade away and stared at in in disbelief.
“Something wrong?” Taemin asked, breathing deep to catch his breath. He was terribly out of shape. Those months he spent in the Archives were having an adverse effect on his physical condition.
“Look,” Junhyung said, holding out his sword for Taemin to see. He squinted at the blade and laughed. “Yoseob. What in the world is this sword made out of?!” There were little notches cut into his sword where the two swords met repeatedly.
“I can’t tell you. Family secret.”
“I’m practically family!”
“But not.” Yoseob laughed before yelping at Junhyung came at him with a fist raised. “That’s okay. I didn’t like this sword that much anyway.”
Kikwang started laughing from his spot on the floor. “What? You think this is funny?!” Junhyung snapped at him. Kikwang suddenly stopped laughing and shook his head solemnly while mouthing the word ‘no’, which made Junhyung burst into laughter at his sudden change in expression. Kikwang smiled at him brightly.
Taemin looked between the two and smiled sadly. He was a little bit jealous, to be honest. Yoseob leaned on Taemin’s shoulder, looking back and forth between the two of them while shaking his head. “I don’t know how Kikwang puts up with him. I grew up with Junhyung so it’s not like I have a choice.”
“You brat. Don’t make me come over there!”
--
They were sitting in the Archives again, Jinwoon translating diligently even while Taemin was gone. His new sword was sheathed in a scabbard on his waist as he sat on the edge of the chair looking for the last book he translated.
Jinwoon looked up and picked up a book from the stack and handed it to him. “Oh. Thank you Jinwoon.” He smiled at him and turned back to the book he was working on.
“What is he working on?” Yoseob asked curiously. “The memoirs of Explorer Yunho. He just finished up a set and gave it to me to read. It’s a lot more detailed that what I have in his journal.”
“Wait. So you could read his journal, but not his memoirs?”
“His memoirs are written in the First Language. His journal was written in our language for some reason... I still haven’t found an answer to that question yet. Let’s go down to the dungeons. I want Key to know this information too.” The two of them stood up to leave, Jinwoon waving at them. “Don’t forget to eat Jinwoon.” The boy nodded before returning to the books.
--
The pair followed by Kikwang made their way to the dungeons. Key was surprised by the visit so late in the day. “It’s a bit later than when you usually come by,” he said lightly leaning against the cell bars.
“New discoveries in the translations. Jinwoon is working on a set of Explorer Yunho’s memoirs, and it just so happens that the first set details information on the monsters in the Unknown World, in particular, the vampir. There are sentient vampir living there, and he managed to have a conversation with them and record information.” Key nodded pursing his lips.
Taemin opened the book and started to scan the pages by the light of the torches. “It says here that the vampir avoid fire.”
“I could’ve told you that. The torches make me feel uneasy.”
“The feral vampir will run away from it, and the sentient ones avoid it when they can. It burns them almost as bad as the sun does. At least the sun in our world.”
“What do you mean by that?” Yoseob asked, looking over his shoulder at the script on the pages.
“They can walk under the sun in the Unknown World. They just can’t in our world because it’s the world the Gods rule over.” Yoseob nodded while Key digested the information. It was quiet again while Taemin scanned a few more pages.
“This stuff is what we know already, how someone becomes a vampir, the sentient and feral ones, the craving for flesh...” He turned a few more pages and read more intently for a few minutes. “This talks about how the vampir first came into existence....” He turned a few more pages and frowned.
“What? What is it?”
“They were created by something called The Fey that dwell on some mountain in the Unknown World. Explorer Yunho states that he didn’t travel through the mountains because of the warnings of a band of sentient vampir that lived at the base. He says the name of the vampir that warned him not to go was someone named Taecyeon. But there’s not really any information on him...” Taemin turned the page.
“But it has some information on the first vampir the Fey created. His name is Junsu.”
“Is? Meaning he’s still around?” Key shifted, staring through the bars with squinted eyes at Taemin.
“It never mentions his death. It just says that he was the first one created by the Fey. He was an unstable experiment. They used him to turn people into vampir too, but found out that it made their minds unstable like his, hence the feral and sentient vampir. The Fey messed with his mind so much trying to do different things that he’s mad. But mad in the sense of being... child like sadistic? What does that even mean?” Taemin looked up at Key who had his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
“Is there anything else about him?”
“Uhh...” He flipped through the pages until he reached the end. “He calls himself a messenger of the Fates.” Key started before clearing his throat, a grave expression on his face.
“Well then. That means I’ve met him.” Taemin and Yosoeb stared at him in disbelief. “I caught the plague from him. I can smell him everywhere. And that other weird smell has been getting stronger too.” Key looked back and forth between Taemin and Yoseob.
“I want to go into town.” Silence.
“Into town? Do you think you can go into town without going crazy?” He nodded slightly. Yoseob pursed his lips. “My father said the town’s been mostly empty since they saw the body hanging in the town square. It should be okay. But I’ll bring a torch. If something happens, I can at least shock you to your senses.”
--
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