*Re-edited version 3/24/13*

Sorry for a late update (geez, it's almost midnight). Forgive me for mistakes or confusion and yes I'll be cleaning up other chapters for some details later on. Please comment or subscribe, it makes me happy. :D This chapter has a bunch of action in it. Hope you like it.

(Third Person POV)

Some eight agonizing hours later, the dismissal bell rang to grant the students their freedom. One dashingly handsome student in particular wanted to skedaddle home to check up on his 'kids', anxious if anything good or bad had happened during his absence.

“Slow down, Key-hyung!” Sehun exclaimed as Key sprinted agilely to his fancy, sleek car.

But as Key, Minho, Sehun, and Baekhyun rushed to their cars, the eldest amongst them stopped mid-step when he registered a prickling sensation in his mind, a cold wave coursing down his spine, alerting him of a menacing presence. He narrowed his cat-like eyes sharply.

Minho noticed how rigid he went and reached out towards him. "Kibum?" Baekhyun and Sehun also noted his vigilant stance and tensed.

"Demon," he hissed. His head snapped up as if to locate the monster within the broad expanse stretched out before him. All he saw was the massive school, the lawns, the parking lots, the bordering brick wall, and wrought-iron front gates. Students hurried to leave campus. “I sense one demon near the school,” Key reported apprehensively, “but he's not entering the campus. He's loitering right outside the barrier.”

"Where?" asked Sehun, searching in the distance for a suspicious figure. The slow drawl of the agitated wind hinted that something or someone was watching them from far away.

Minho squeezed Key's dainty shoulder. "Let's leave campus first, and then track him down."

Key nodded and they both got into their respective cars, racing past the front gates. Minho rang Sehun on speaker phone so they could all communicate during the demon hunt.

"Where’s the demon?" Baekhyun queried as he drove, his beautifully-shaped fingers impatiently tapping the steering wheel, his car tailing Key's. "Do you recognize it?"

“Not at all,” Key said flatly. "But I have a feeling he knows us." They sped down the city’s streets, people gawking at the fancy cars as they zoomed by. "He's distancing himself from the barrier – about seven miles away now. I can detect that much."

"He wants us to meet him," Minho realized. He frowned. "A personal confrontation? That’s foolish – he’s all alone."

"But remember what Alaina told us," Sehun reminded, sounding serious, "she said that Zelo's group of demons were powerful and strong. They may be cocky, but brave enough to face us in a fight."

"Now that you mention it, I didn't see Zelo today," said Baekhyun, strawberry lips pressed together in a dissatisfied line. "It's not like he enjoys going to school anyway, but usually he keeps an eye out on us."

"I didn't sense him even if he hid his ES," Key said lowly. He eased the pressure on the accelerator. "Slow down. He's somewhere above these buildings."

They parked their cars down a nearby vacant lot and surveyed their surroundings. The usual large, tall buildings of Seoul were squished together amid suffocating space, but these buildings were a bit older and unappealing. Not one, wandering soul drifted by.

"Well, this is freaky," Baekhyun commented dryly, hearing nothing but their breathing and the distant breeze in the quiet air.

“The wind is irritated,” murmured the mushroom-haired maknae, unpleasant shivers creeping down his spine.

Focusing on heightening his sensory aptitude and implementing an invisible shield around them took a toll on Key’s concentration. He expertly broadened the range of his semi-visible pink shield, and exhaled exertedly, “He’s waiting on the roof of this building.” He pointed to the towering, rectangular structure with dull windows, dingy doors, and flat rooftop. The plaster and faded painting was chipped off and no lights were on inside.

"Should we call hyungs?" asked Sehun, unsure as they crossed the cracked street. If a tumbleweed rolled by, it would complete the deserted, eerie picture.

Key shook his head. Blond strands of his hair was stirred by the dusty, fluttering wind. "I have a feeling they have the same problem."

Minho sighed resignedly. “Don’t we always?”

They simply scaled up the fire escapes, light on their feet.

There, on the tallest rooftop, awaited the guardians’ target. The figure was leaning leisurely against a wall, ducked under the shade, sun blocked by the vents and other obstruction.

"Well, well, well, it’s nice to finally meet you, guardians." He said the word guardians as if he was saying the word garbage. Key could hear a sneer in the demon's deep, drawling voice. He, Minho, Sehun, and Baekhyun were spread out in a loose circle on one side of the roof, facing the demon hidden in the shade.

"Come out, you coward," Key snapped. No physical attacks could hurt them as long as he maintained the barrier.

The demon let out a nasty chuckle. "If you insist." He slowly emerged from the shade and into the sunlight, his pale skin almost ivory – Key could see his spidery blue veins easily. His short, flat mop of hair was dyed into a dark ultraviolet hue, and he had the same tattoo designs like his fellow demon junior Zelo. He was handsome, but the mischievous glint in his diamond-cut eyes and cruel curve of his lips said otherwise about inner beauty. He bowed mockingly at his waist. "Annyeonghaseyo, my name is Himchan."

The diva’s feminine shoulders tensed apprehensively. Details of the demon matched the profile Alaina described him as. Himchan was vicious and unruly, experienced in powers over toxic fumes and poison. Luckily, Key's defensive powers served as a great advantage.

"Don't bother introducing yourselves," Himchan harrumphed cockily. His cockiness was nothing like Kai’s – more uglier. "I know who you are. Let's see...Kim Kibum, Choi Minho, Byun Baekhyun, and Oh Sehun. Very...exceptional guardians." He laughed at some inside joke.

"What do you want, demon?" Baekhyun demanded flatly, edging forward an inch, soles scraping the gritty concrete.

The purple-haired demon shrugged nonchalantly. "I got bored, obviously." He examined his perfectly filed nails. "So, where's the girl?"

"Like we're going to tell you," Minho said evenly, narrowing his double-lidded eyes.

Himchan laughed again. "Hahaha! If you won't hand her over, looks like I get to have my fun."

Suddenly a thick cloud of purple fumes surged from him. It slithered like snakes and lashed out towards them. Key raised his hands and the shield thickened until you could see a reddish-pink, mirror-like dome over them. The smog smacked against the barrier pathetically.

Himchan grunted distastefully. "Kim Kibum," he growled irritably. "I knew I should've taken you out when I had the chance."

Key shot a pretty, bright smile at him and winked. Himchan's flawless face hardened.

Key saw Baekhyun raise his hands, and, therefore, opened a big enough gap in the shield so Baekhyun could shoot a large beam of light at Himchan, then the shield swallowed closed again. The demon dodged it and landed on a vent, the blast of light obliterating the building shack previously behind him. The wind miraculously picked up and lashed out at Himchan, and he jumped out the way. He looked pissed off.

"Stupid guardians," he spat venomously. Suddenly his feet were heavy and forcibly planted onto the ground. He grunted as he tried to jerk his body free, but no avail. Poisonous black orbs glared up at Minho who was pointing at him. Minho lowered his hand and Himchan was slammed into the ground with an audible wham! Himchan was unable to move, his body weighing about a couple of tons. The immobile demon hissed.

"Good job, that was easy," commented Key, but didn't release the shield.

"BASTARDS!" Himchan roared vehemently, struggling under the pressure of invisible weight. He clawed his nails into the gritty ground; it colored from a dusty blackish-gray into an ugly purple-green. The surface rapidly began to crumble and it dipped unstably. Acid dissolved the foundation.

"He's deteriorating the floor!" shouted Minho. He had to release his gravitational hold on Himchan, and Key had to let go of the shield so they could all jump back onto steady ground. Amid the flying debris, Himchan appeared on a neighboring roof and gestured with his hand. A whip of poisonous fumes headed straight towards Sehun who was the closest.

"Sehun!" Baekhyun cried out in horror. Key wouldn't be able to create a barrier in time to save the maknae.

"HA!" Sehun flourished his hands and a whirling blast of wind blew away the fumes.

"Hold your breath!" Minho barked, and his friends obeyed as Himchan cackled amusedly, letting the poisonous gas roam around freely like a snake. He was perfectly able to breath in the toxins, his body suited for it.

Key hastily sheltered his friends with individual barriers, allowing them to breathe. Circling his index finger, Himchan gathered the smog into a toxic cloud between him and his enemies. The disgustingly handsome demon grinned brazenly behind his own purple shield.

"Now, if you try one lame trick again, I'll just bring the whole building down, araso?" Himchan threatened in a sugary tone. "Wouldn't want to make a mess, would we?" He winked, successfully making the veins in Key’s body broil.

"What an egotistic jerk," muttered Sehun, his hard tone concealing his lisp. The guardians regrouped, one barrier housing them all. They felt safer being together.

"What should we do?" Baekhyun asked in a low voice.

"He's not anxious to leave, I know that," Key observed in a whisper. "He really wants to fight us."

"Do you think hyungs were also confronted?" Sehun asked, not liking the idea of all of them stuck in a battle. "What about the princess at home?"

Minho's lips were a thin line. "Let's just hope nothing goes wrong and focus on apprehending the demon."

"The barrier at home is still stable," assured Key. "There's no demons near it."

"Then let's beat up this bastard," Baekhyun concluded, glaring at Himchan who smirked.

...

(Third Person POV)

Jonghyun was certain that someone was stalking him – no, them, the guardians – during the last hour of his lessons. Maybe he was just paranoid and it was just some deluded fangirls, but this feeling was familiar and creepy. Whoever was watching them was careful to hide their presence and not appear in sight.

"Jonghyun?" Onew implored in a hushed tone, sensing his friend’s uneasiness with his disposition over emotional climate. They were walking down the hall to meet up with D.O. and Chanyeol.

Jonghyun scanned their enclosed surroundings. He could feel it – a shadow slipping in and out from the corridors and crevices. "Do you feel it, Onew?"

Onew nodded minutely and said in a low, cautious voice, "I feel someone is eager to harm us. He's impatient. Another person is...exasperated, but otherwise passive. These are not the usual emotions I receive from the humans here."

"Because it's the aura of a demon," concluded Jonghyun. Onew beckoned at D.O and Chanyeol when they were in sight, waiting near the entrance.

"Demons?" D.O inquired, noting their guarded expressions.

Chanyeol grinned in anticipation. "Finally, some action."

The four of them hustled outside, where crowds of students occupied the lawns or lots, talking, loitering, or heading home. The guardians surveyed their unrestricted surroundings, trying to pinpoint the demons. A sea of faces and moving bodies blurred their line of view. Jonghyun narrowed his eyes across the lot where he felt another person staring at him intently. They locked gazes; the world around them went into slow motion. Sound became muted.

Black-inked tattoos. Translucent pale skin. Prominent blue veins. Stylish, chalky blond hair. A fit, leonine body. Eyes like midnight. A similarity. A similarity between him and Zelo.

A demon.

The demon gave Jonghyun a small, cryptic smile and gracefully turned to leave.

The world sped up again.

"There!" Jonghyun hissed, and immediately ran after the demon, pushing past bodies, his eyes never straying from his escaping target. He heard Onew shout his name and pursue after him.

"Wait up, Jonghyun!" Onew yelped, only a few yards behind his friend as they followed the demon to the private outskirts of the university campus. They stuttered to a stop when the demon disappeared as if he slipped into the shadows.

“Dammit!” Jonghyun cursed, whipping his head side to side to catch a glimpse of the blond-haired demon. There was no one. Nothing.

Onew was wary, crescent-shaped eyes flitting back and forth nervously like a spooked horse. “Maybe we were chasing a magician,” he joked lamely.

"Where's D.O and Chanyeol?" Jonghyun asked as they stood back-to-back, cautious of their eerily silent surroundings. A thin woodsy area coated their left and the university building blocked their right. No other breathing humanoid but them.

"Chanyeol spotted the other demon and they both chased after him," Onew replied.

"What are demons doing in the university?" Jonghyun mumbled, perplexed. "Unless…."

"They want to fight us – get our attention," finished Onew. He shook his head. "This is not good. If two demons are here, then Key and the others probably have a demon on their hands, too." He patted his waist sorely, thinking it was his unlucky day because he didn’t carry a weapon.

Jonghyun didn't like the idea of his soulmate fighting without him there, but knew Minho, Sehun, and Baekhyun were capable fighters.

"Your leader is correct," said a male voice above them. They glanced up to see the blond-haired demon balanced on the ridge of the building, his blond hair almost a sandy-gold in the sunlight. He was monotone and stoic, his relaxed body language conveying he was unworried and undaunted. So the impatient demon was with Chanyeol and D.O then.

"Who are you?" Jonghyun demanded, glaring up at him.

The demon bowed his head in curt greeting. "Annyeong, I am Daehyun. My...partner is with the other two. His name is Jongup."

Onew eyes widened in realization, remembering what Alaina had said about them. Jongup and Daehyun were somehow 'unbeatable' when together. It was good thing that they were separated now, but Onew didn't wield any weapons, so most of the fighting would be up to Jonghyun. Chanyeol and D.O were naturally equipped to defend and fight, so no worry there.

Both of them tensed when Daehyun, still perched on the ridge, recklessly stepped forward and dropped. The two guardians flinched when Daehyun was suddenly on solid ground as if he never fell, approaching them, gait unhurried. The odd one out sighed, raising his chin to stare at the sky.

"Knowing Jongup, a ruckus will occur in three...two...one…."

BOOM!

Jonghyun and Onew snapped their heads up at the outrageous sound of an explosion. Their eyes widened.

"I should probably see what he's doing," Daehyun sighed, and turned to leave.

"Stay."

Onew said the command with so much conviction and resolution that Daehyun actually was nailed in place. A knit formed between the demon's brows.

"Ah, ne, Lee Jinki, the voice controller," stated Daehyun coolly, the powers mainly affecting his body movements rather than his entire will. "I never thought it would actually work on me."

"Tell me why you're here," Onew ordered sternly, stepping forward along with Jonghyun.

"Easy, to fight, distract, and render all of you weak," said Daehyun simply.

"What about the other demons in your group?"

"I know Himchan-hyung was eager to fight your guardian buddies at the high school," Daehyun admitted matter-of-factly. "He's probably fighting them now. Leader-hyung is at the hideout and the other two are stationary."

"Why are only half of you confronting us?"

Daehyun smiled the slightest. It was handsome, but very mysterious. "Because we're just following orders."

"Watch out!" someone exclaimed. Jonghyun recognized the baritone voice as Chanyeol.

From above, a handful of tennis ball-sized bags were thrown between Jonghyun, Onew, and the blond demon. Jonghyun and Onew jumped back as the bags exploded. From the smoke, Chanyeol and D.O appeared from one side, facing a buff, stocky-height demon who was grinning manically. Daehyun could now move since Onew released his hold on him. He walked towards his partner leisurely. The guardians were hugging the outskirts of the woods while the two demons were near the building.

"I thought I told you to stay with me," Daehyun scolded Jongup who shrugged uncaringly.

"Your way of approach was boring, but I came back didn't I?" retorted Jongup.

"This is bad if they're together," muttered Onew, the guardians staying close to each other. "Alaina warned us about them."

“I know,” said D.O. “Jongup is a living catalyst. He’s the spark that blows things up to set a flared reaction. He carries some bags of bomb powder with him.”

"I really can't fight him when our powers would only make a bigger mess," Chanyeol said gravely, an unsuitable trait for the Happy Virus.

"Then whatever Daehyun does must help Jongup," said Jonghyun under his breath. "We have to kill him first."

"Here they come!" Onew yelled when both demons decided to charge at them. The guardians split into two teams and backed away from Jongup and Daehyun. The demons stood back-to-back, digging their heels into the ground as they were sandwiched between the guardians.

"TAKE THIS!" Chanyeol shouted. A wave of fire roared at Daehyun. Daehyun merely raised his hand and a rushing stream of – dust? – produced from the area around him to meet the fire halfway and exploded upon collision. D.O stomped the ground and a wall of earth rose to protect him and Chanyeol from the flare. What was that?

Again, Daehyun gestured with his hand and the cloud of surging dust flew over to Jonghyun and Onew. Jongup grinned crookedly and snapped his fingers.

BOOM! CRACK! Jongup had sparked the particles of flammable dust and it exploded.

Jonghyun clapped his hands and, with a loud resonating boom, sent a supersonic sound wave to blow back the fiery wrath away from him and Onew.

"Daehyun can control dust and ash," Onew calculated, seeing the truth why Jongup and Daehyun were teamed up precisely because of the deadly combination of their powers. "It's like he can control whatever particle is in the air and let's Jongup use it as his 'bomb powder'."

"Shoot," grumbled Jonghyun, his pouting lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line. "Yah, Onew, call home and see if they're being ambushed or something. I don't trust Daehyun's words."

Onew nodded and stepped back as Jonghyun defended their side and counteracted with Jongup. D.O was on defense while Chanyeol was on offense, battling it out with Daehyun, but getting nowhere close. Getting out his phone, Onew called Alaina's cell and prayed she’d picked up. Thankfully, she did after a few seconds.

"Onew-oppa?" she said in puzzlement.

"Alaina," he sighed in relief. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she ventured carefully, then gasped when she heard the loud, rumbling explosions. "Onew-oppa!" she cried out. "What's going on?"

"We're being attacked by Jongup and Daehyun at the university!" He had to shout into the phone over the loud commotion. "They say Key and the others are being attacked by Himchan!"

"Nani?!" she nearly screeched. Then the phone was confiscated from her and Onew heard Taemin's voice, "Why is this happening? What's their goal?"

"They say to distract us mostly. I bet they’re probably trying to divert our attention from home, weakening our numbers from protecting Alaina," said Onew distressfully.

"Nothing is happening here," said Taemin, though the fact vexed him. "Kai is checking the perimeter and Suho is here still. No Zelo?"

"No Zelo," confirmed Onew. Without warning, Jonghyun took away their sense of hearing, creating a range of silence around the guardians, except for the demons. Promptly, Jonghyun released an ear-shattering screech that pushed back the surge of dust and rendered the demons disoriented, clutching at their ears in pain. They were barely competent enough to dodge Chanyeol's upcoming fireballs.

"Hyung? Hyung?" Onew heard from the phone when his hearing returned.

“Ah, mianhae, Jonghyun used his silence-and-screech tactic. Anyway, be careful and stay put,” the eldest one heeded. “We'll see if we can exterminate the demons today.”

"Do you want Kai to switch out you and me?" Taemin asked. "I'm a better fighter than you."

"Ani, stay with your soulmate. Hopefully we can capture a demon, and I'll make him spill the beans, araso?"

"Araso," Taemin acquiesced. Onew hung up and sighed loudly, but it was drowned out by roars of loud blasts and the rush of ash as it slashed air. 

...

(Zelo's POV)

At least forty minutes had passed since the plan commenced, and eight minutes since Youngjae disappeared to see the outcomes of the battles. Zelo was about a ten-minute walk from the designated location, his ES hidden, ducked between two houses in the thick shade. He was anxious and unwilling, dreading each minute that ticked by. He tapped his fingers against his thigh restlessly. His hand clenched around the vial more tightly, wishing he could crush it, but would be punished if he did. He counted the minutes in his head.

One...two...three...four...five….

Something morphed into the view before him; it was only Youngjae striding towards him.

"Both teams are holding up. Daehyun and Jongup were forced to have the guardians chase them into the nearby woods. Himchan caused a big mess by collapsing some rooftops and corroding everything he touches," informed the older demon mildly. "Everything is according to plan."

Zelo only frowned. "So we...."

Youngjae nodded. "Time for our part. Stay near me so I can cloak you."

Zelo fell into step by Youngjae's flank as they emerged onto the street unhurriedly. No human or anything non-human could see or sense them so easily. They were out in the open, but their presences unknown. It was just two young men walking down the sidewalks.

Youngjae jerked his chin at the large estate they were approaching and they both halted. "That's the house. We proceed about a mile closer and we're in front of the barrier." They weren't that far away, just a few houses down, but Zelo could easily see the guardians’ precious home and sense the tell-tale ES of a barrier.

"Time to get to work," Youngjae announced dryly, and stepped towards the barrier with Zelo attached to his side. Once in a while, the barrier shimmered into existence, its sheen a polished surface. Only they could tell it was physically there.

"Poor Kim Kibum is distracted, and hence, concentration diverted. Because of that, and combined with depleting his energy, the barrier here is partially weakened and shaky," explained Youngjae and ignored Zelo's huff of 'I know already'. "If we use this-" from his pocket, he produced the dark pebble with the distinct red hue in the middle and held it up against the barrier "-it leaves a gap in the barrier because it wards it off. But its usage is limited." The magic pebble was triggered by Youngjae’s ES to start functioning. The pebble glowed a faint red light, and then the barrier reluctantly opened a large enough gap to squeeze through. "Kaja."

Youngjae and Zelo snuck through the barrier and quickly closed it. They clambered up the driveway as if they owned the residence. If anyone inside the house peered out the windows, they wouldn't be able to see two young men evading private property.

Youngjae still cloaked Zelo as the younger demon scaled one side of the bricked house up to the second-story. Zelo situated himself on a ridge-like hanging by a window and regarded the vial he had in his hands.

Thankful or not, the butterfly was still alive, although weak from the lack of nutrition, beating its delicate wings. Zelo pursed his lips, not wanting to open the vial, but he had to carry on with the plan, especially since Youngjae was below, watching him intently. First he bit his index finger, drawing blood, and then unscrewed the lid of the vial. He coaxed the insect out by beckoning his bleeding finger by the vial’s lipped mouth. Tentatively the butterfly crept forward onto his finger at the metallic smell of blood. Then it sipped up a drop of his blood like it was nectar. The magenta hue of the insect enhanced since it was revived, but it also was blood-contracted to him. The butterfly stayed perched on his finger, staying near its master.

This butterfly was no ordinary insect. It came straight from the Doomworld. It was a rare specimen, famously known for its...special abilities.

Still perched by the window, Zelo froze when he heard a door open in the room he resided by from the outside. He stayed still, though no one could see, sense, or notice him.

Through the curtains of the windows, Zelo saw Alaina enter the room to search for something. A lean figure was leaning against the doorframe, watching her intently.

"Do you really need to study?" asked the figure by the door skeptically. Hinted by the low, husky voice, the figure was a male.

"It keeps my mind off things," Alaina responded, withdrawn, which was unlike her sincere tone. "And I was going to write back to my…halmeoni." She was near the windows, shuffling through her desk. Zelo could clearly identify her facial features – it’s been such a long time since he’d last seen her. She was still beautiful, so down-to-earth that she couldn’t possibly be human enough live on Earth. Her midnight hair hugged the shape of her heart-shaped face and her eyes gleamed softly.

"Araso, araso," allowed the young man accompanying her. "Hurry up, I don't like it when we're apart from the others."

"Hm," Alaina only uttered. While she was stuffing papers in her school bag, she glanced up at the window quizzically, as if sensing he was there but couldn't really. Zelo was transfixed by her gaze focused on him, swearing she was indirectly tearing down his armor. She cutely tilted her head in puzzlement. Losing interest, she shook her head, grabbed her bag, and ambled out of the room with the young man.

Zelo felt his heart drop. Alaina...someone who cared about him...was going to be captured by the wrong hands very soon...

"Hurry," Youngjae cautioned from below, impatient of his idling.

Zelo swallowed the lump of hot coals down his throat and shakily placed the palm of his hand against the corner of the window. Instantly, just how he wanted it, that one part of the glass changed texture and became plastic. He jabbed a small hole in the plastic area and held up the butterfly to the crevice. At his silent command, it flew in and hid somewhere. Zelo reconverted the plastic back into glass.

"Mianhae, Alaina," he whispered ruefully, and nimbly jumped down to the ground. He and his hyung quickly snuck out the same way they snuck in.

Phase one complete.

...

(Third Person POV)

Key was very irritated. Irked, peeved, aggravated. Yeah, all of it.

The poison-controlling demon was rabid, violently assaulting them in retaliation for the injuries they’ve afflicted on him (courtesy of Baekhyun and Sehun). He was battered worse than them, but the guardians were exhausted and didn’t want to make a bigger mess than what they’ve already caused. Key was personally exhausting himself dry by casting too many barriers. The pretty boy couldn’t help but protect himself and the others concurrently. Bless his soul, Minho was still capable enough to fight, having more strength and endurance than his friends, but every time he tried to trap Himchan, the latter would resort into destroying the building or contaminating the air around them to keep the guardians at bay, unwilling to have himself cornered. Sehun was tired from redirecting smog and fumes with his dexterous wind. Baekhyun was most likely sore to the bone and bruised black-and-blue from falling down a caving rooftop. He would’ve been crushed under a collapsing chunk of concrete wall if Minho hadn’t gravitated the debris another direction.  

This demon was a pain in the .

Later on, amidst their battle’s standstill, Himchan glanced up at the sun in the distance as if determining the time. He smirked and backed away from where they cornered him in lot of a vacant property.

"Looks like my work here is done," he proclaimed in his nerve wracking attitude. He grinned wickedly. "I had a nice time fighting all of you pathetic losers."

"What-" But Key was cut off the moment a person melted into view along with his now detectable ES. "You!"

Youngjae bowed his head at them. "Sorry for the trouble, but it's time to go now." He touched Himchan's wounded shoulder and they disappeared from sight.

"Dammit," exhaled Minho, trying to straighten up his aching body.

Sehun was supporting Baekhyun, one arm tucked under the skinny male’s armpit despite being tired. "What now? They escaped."

Sirens wailed in the distance and a crowd of people were exclaiming in terror. “We should get out of here and head home,” Key proposed. “See if anything's wrong.” He looked down at himself and sighed collectively. His school uniform was streaked with dust and stains and fabric ruined. "Kaja."

...

(Third Person POV)

Jongup and Daehyun had long since ditched the idea of fighting head on and made the guardians chase after them, locating them farther and farther away from domestic life. First they breezed through the woods near the university, then past an empty clearing, and finally into a thick forest.

"Goodbye!" taunted Jongup as he and Daehyun slipped into the forest's shadows. "It was fun while it lasted!" His voice resonated throughout the copse of greenery.

The four guardians halted, not daring to brave the forest that hid the demons. They were long gone by now.

"Drat," D.O panted hoarsely, hunched over to regain his breath. They were sweating profusely and breathing hard, clothes dirtied and scorched.

"Let's get home quick," advised Onew. "I'm worried about Alaina." 

"Right," they agreed and hurried off.

...

(Alaina's POV)

In the dining room, I was seated at the table, failing at immersing myself in schoolwork to distract myself from worrying about the welfare of my family. My family, who were out there, fighting the threat to my existence for the past…hour and a half. Papers were strewn before me, my narrowed eyes trained on the white sheets as my non-dominant hand thrummed against the tabletop anxiously.

Taemin, sitting in the chair next to me, sighed knowingly and reached out to take my hand in his, effectively cutting off the thrumming. His action startled me and I looked up in bewilderment.

"You need to calm down," he told me. "You're not exactly making me feel less stressful."

My shoulders deflated. "Mianhae."

Taemin rubbed his thumb across my knuckles - mostly over my ring finger branded with our matching tattoos – as I tried to write a letter to Ayano. I kept crumpling up rough drafts and rewriting again.

"Have you ever told Ayano about me?" he asked me curiously, watching as I wrote.

I paused. "No... Not specifically. I told her I had a bunch of close friends. One, of which, I cared about very much. Guess now I have to add I have two people I care about very, very much."

He chuckled at my attempted humor to lighten the tension. "Guess you do."

Suddenly Kai teleported into the kitchen and we both glanced up expectantly. He appeared relieved. "They're back! I spotted their cars!"

"Oh, thank goodness," I breathed, clutching at my palpating chest.

Suho reentered the house from the patio doors as we all heard the whirring mechanic sound of the garage being opened. We all clamored down the hall just in time to hear the garage door be ripped open hastily.

"Guys?" Jonghyun ventured warily as his congregation shuffled into the main hall.

"Alaina!" Onew ran over to me when he spotted me. He tackled me into a big hug and quickly held me at arm’s length to assess me fervently. "Nothing's wrong with you?"

I nodded, squeezing my guardian’s arm. "I'm fine, nothing happened here."

"That's weird," D.O commented suspiciously, coming up from behind Onew. I noticed Chanyeol and Sehun supporting the weak Baekhyun. The same applied to Minho aided by Key and Jonghyun. They all looked ragged and beat. Kai and Taemin helped their groupmates limp or drag themselves into the nearest lounge room so they could slouch into the couches.

"Any of you hurt?" Suho asked as he fretfully examined his juniors.

"Baekhyun and Minho are bruised and sore. Jonghyun sprained his wrist. I think Chanyeol inhaled too much smoke, and the rest of us are exhausted and battered," Key listed, and then exhaled a draggy breath. He and Sehun looked like they would pass out anytime soon.

I padded over to Jonghyun to check his wrist, which he pretended it didn't hurt, but when I pressed my thumb into his skin, he winced.

"I'll fetch the first aid kit," I decided.

"And I'll get some towels and water," added Suho.

Suho and I were appointed as doctors with everyone, excluding Taemin and Kai, as our patients. My soulmates were the ‘nurses’ as Kai helped Suho patch up his groupmates as Taemin helped me with his.

"This would’ve be easier if Lay-hyung was here," Sehun mumbled, and stifled a yawn as Suho bandaged the scrape on his leg.

"Well, he's not, so it up," Kai said, throwing a wet towel at the maknae's face. With the damp cloth, Sehun rubbed his face of grim and dust.

"I think we caused a devastating mess for the humans," Onew muttered as he watched the news on TV. On screen was the damaged site at the university and supposedly the street Himchan had decimated. Humans were appallingly bewildered at what caused the wreckages. Terrorists?

Chanyeol let out a low whistle seeing the dramatic mess Himchan erected, then broke out into a coughing fit, the smoke he inhaled irritating his throat. "Ah, this ," he rasped. Baekhyun had reacted fretfully at his soulmate’s condition, getting his leader’s attention for aid. Suho made the fire lover drink some cold water and medicine.

Taemin came back with ice packs and handed them to Baekhyun and Minho. There was a frown on his face. "The demons ran away – just like that?"

Minho nodded blearily. "Himchan seemed to be stalling, right, Kibum?"

"Ne," sighed Key. "We may have been only fighting for an hour, but he sure was careful not to get hurt. When he did, he was mad."

"Same for Daehyun and Jongup," added Jonghyun as I assiduously wrapped his wrist with gauze. "We battled at full strength, but our powers counteracted with each other, and, in the end, they baited us to chase after them. Unfortunately, they got away."

"Youngjae appeared to retrieve Himchan," Baekhyun murmured, slumped in his seat, the ice pack a blessed gift laid on his heavily bruised leg. The light guardian was very unpleased his healthy, flushed skin was blemished. "He said something like 'it's time to go' as if they finished an appointment."

"Jongup implied the same thing," Onew said, running his fingers through his dusty, long hair. He murmured quizzically to himself, "'It was fun while it lasted.'? And Daehyun mentioned that they were there to 'distract and render us weak'."

D.O darted his round eyes to the older leader, asking aloud, “Didn’t it seem like they were diverting our attention to buy time?”

Onew nodded. "That's what I thought. Originally, I assumed they would’ve infiltrated the barrier to kidnap Alaina or something, but she's still here and nothing seems amiss." The amber-haired guardian glanced at me queerly while I was puzzled. "Nothing's wrong with the house?"

"Not at all, although Suho was worried about the barrier since it was slightly unstable," I said.

"Sorry about that," Key apologized, taxed from being overwhelmed. "Himchan forced me to kick up my game. Good thing those rats didn't drop by and break the barrier – they seriously could've done it, and I would’ve been useless to stop them."

"Let's just make sure you rest, araso?" Jonghyun told his soulmate gently, reaching out with his uninjured hand to caress the diva’s ashen cheek. "It's important that you rest." Key smiled faintly.

"You guys should probably skip school tomorrow," I suggested, then glanced at the TV and frowned. "Not like people will want to go to the university tomorrow when they think someone tried to rig a bomb there and it went wrong."

"Good idea," D.O agreed, then yawned aloud.

"I know it's only like five-thirty, but you guys look beat," said Kai. "Go take a nap or something."

They took Kai's advice and straggled upstairs to clean up or sleep. Chanyeol basically scooped up Baekhyun in his arms and carried his soulmate to their room. Requested by Suho, Kai teleported Sehun to their room since the maknae had fallen asleep already. Onew went to call Little Town cafe and informed the owners that no one could fill in today and was sorry for the inconvenience. It saddened me that I hadn't worked there in nearly two weeks, still 'ill and bedridden'.

"I'll make some snacks just in case anyone’s hungry!" I hollered from the bottom of the staircase. When I ambled into the kitchen all alone, my shoulders scrunched with perplexity and a troubled sigh escaped my lips. I was reviewing something to myself as I cooked.

What was I reviewing? That time when I had visited my room to retrieve my bag...I swore I felt someone outside my window. It was just my nerves being all weird and telling me there's someone watching you. The feeling of being watched...memories of sitting in class knowing a demon was behind me flooded my mind...it felt like Zelo was watching me. But no one was outside the window at all. It had to be impossible, there wasn't a breach in the barrier – at least everyone hoped not.

"Alaina?"

I snapped from my stupor and glanced up to see Taemin looking at me worriedly. He had been standing there for the past two minutes while I was wandering in la la land. I smiled wearily at him.

"Oh, mianhae, I was daydreaming again," I told him lightly. I busied myself, organizing the platters of food onto trays.

Taemin wasn't convinced. "Doubting what happened today?"

I sighed. "Ne, nothing seems to match up. Sure I know that Jongup and Himchan love to stir up violence, and the fact that B.A.P had a plan up their sleeve, but their actions don't correlate. They suddenly confront everyone and fight, then none-to-soon they run away. What kind of plan is that? I thought their goal was to take me?"

My quiet soulmate reached out for me, pulled me to his side, and buried his face in my hair. "I don't know what they’re plotting, but I'm glad they didn't take you. Not yet, and not ever," he mumbled.

"Me, too," I whispered. Needing to change the somber mood, I nudged him. "Yah, help me carry these trays upstairs."

Taemin pecked me on the lips. "Anything for you, yeobo."

...

"No way."

"Why not?"

"Just no."

"That's not an answer, hyung."

"Well, because I said so. And besides, I don't think Alaina is comfortable with that yet."

I rubbed my forehead in vexation. "Guys, I'm right here," I deadpanned, sighing. 

"Then let me ask her," Kai insisted to Taemin. He peered over the older one’s blocking shoulder, rich mocha eyes locked on me imploringly. "Can we sleep together in your room?"

My cheeks instantly flushed and I ducked my head to hide my reddening face. "D-did y-you ask D.O for permission?"

"Why would I need his permission?"

"More like umma's permission," muttered Taemin and Kai shot him a sour look.

"I can't since he's already asleep," Kai countered wittingly.

"Oh, too bad. Looks like you have wait another day to ask him," Taemin jeered, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Until then, she’s with me.”

Kai pouted, on the verge of stamping his feet as he whined, "Aw, come on! I won't be able to sleep without her!"

I pursed my lips. Kai’s complaints reminded me of the past, thinking back to the first night Taemin and I shared a bed. We had only bonded that early morning and we both couldn't sleep without the comfort of each other. That night, Taemin had snuck from his house to my previous apartment where I had kept tossing and turning in my sleep. Only in the arms of our loved one were we able to sink into oblivion. I sighed.

"I'll sleep in my room with him," I relented, surprising both of them. A bright grin stretched across Kai’s face while Taemin gave me a wounded puppy look (dammit, he’s been learning from Jonghyun). It was conflicting, making one happy but warding the other one off. Grrr.

The pretentious winner snatched me from the sore loser, hugging me close. "Ha, in your face!" Kai mehronged at Taemin.

Taemin irritably tossed his hands in the air. "Fine, be like that!" Under his breath he grouched, "I hate sharing."

I reached out and patted his arm. "You're going to have to adjust. Don't be so biased."

Taemin jabbed a warning finger in Kai's triumphant face. "Don't. You. Dare. Do. Anything."

"I know," Kai said with an eyeroll, still smiling victoriously to irk the older one, but Taemin had his gaze locked on me.

"Can I have a goodnight's kiss?" he asked me.

I blushed and stammered. "I-I-" I groaned. "Fine." Kai reluctantly released me so I could go to Taemin. He cupped my face to kiss me, lips pressed hard against my own. I was blushing to the roots of my hair considering Kai was behind me and Taemin was stalling. I was breathless when he pulled away, grinning.

He pecked my forehead, sneering at Kai over my head. "Night, yeobo." He slinked off to his own room, whistling to himself.

My hair was covering my scarlet face. I fanned myself, hoping to cool down.

"He really is a demon with an angel's face," grumbled Kai. He took my hand. "Let's go to bed." He led me to my contemporary-decorated bedroom. We situated ourselves in bed, Kai tucking the blankets around us and keeping me close to his side. I really didn't need the blankets as long I was snuggled up against Kai. He radiated all the warmth I would ever need. Our breathing synchronized. The night was quiet and tranquil.

"Alaina?"

"Hm?"

That brat was grinning. "Can I have a goodnight's kiss?"

"Kai."

"What?" he asked innocently.

"Taemin said not to do anything," I reminded him.

"But what do you say? Your opinion overrules his."

"Please just go to sleep," I pleaded under my breath. I swear, all this blushing made me a heartbeat away from having a .

"Fine, another time," he relented, and quieted. His breathing grew softer.

Night slowly drawled by. Strangely enough, I hadn’t fallen asleep when Kai did. Restlessness occupied my mind, keeping me wide awake. Fate surely was nudging me to do something. I had a feeling I knew what.

Making sure not to rouse him, I raised my chin to peek at my soulmate. His handsome face was slack as he dreamt. I smiled, wondering what he was dreaming about. Me? Most likely, although it sounded opinionated of me to think that. He looked young and perfect, his healthy, sun-kissed skin paler in the faint beams of liquid moonlight. Did demigods ever sleep? I had no clue.  

Careful not to wake him, I pecked him on the lips, a gooey sensation melting my insides when I realized it was my first kiss with him, and I initiated it. I inwardly chastised myself as I blushed again. Deed done, I laid my head on his chest, listening to his rhythmic heartbeat, and finally fell asleep, a sweet smile adorned on my lips. Kai flecked open his eyes and smiled at me affectionately. He buried his face in my hair, inhaling my lush scent.

"Thanks, angel."

...

(Third Person POV)

It was now midnight, every soul in the house deep asleep.

Hidden at the top of the bookshelf, the butterfly flew from its spot and fluttered towards the bed. It descended until it was hovering over Alaina's chest. The butterfly idled over the spot a little below her exposed collarbone. It landed there, light as a feather, and flattened its wings, beginning to glow in a tiny sliver of magenta, dying, and becoming only a substance of ES and dark magic because...

The magical butterfly fused into her skin, the butterfly-shaped impression glimmered before disappearing like it never existed.

...