Err, so...I'm alive? I know, I know. I've been gone for far too long, but I'll be popping in and out of AFF randomly for reposts. If you're wondering if I'll ever update for any of my fics though...I don't have a clue when that'll be happening because I've been drawing up a blank in writing lately. But please don't abandon me yet, because I plan to at least revise what I have first. Anyways, I hope you're all having great summer breaks! (Excuse me if this chappie has mistakes. I was very sleepy when I rewrote it.)

Disclaimer: I don't own pics.

Repost: 6/9/14

A Savior’s Burden

At eleven at night, sleep evaded Key, rendering him wide-awake and bored out of his mind.

Strange. He was supposed to be tuckered out. Let's see...he traveled from his home planet to the one harboring a priceless treasure of his, spent most of the day touring on foot, then snatched his precious-little-sister-that-was-his-priceless-treasure back from the cruel clutches of her twelve evil kidnappers. How did those tedious activities not exhaust him? He had suspected Taemin to still be awake with his perpetual supply of bubbling energy, but that baby brother of his had dropped out like a light the second his head had hit the pillow. So here he was, bored as he flopped around in bed like a floundering fish.

Key resided in a large guest room that he shared with his four brothers. There, he laid limp in a large, comfy bed, staring absently in a lame attempt to distract himself at the thick folds of shadows that blanketed the high ceiling. Judging from their snoring, his brothers were fast asleep. Snuggled up against him was Taemin, his cute, small face slack as he hugged a pillow to his chest as if it was a teddy bear. On the opposite side of the little prince was Jonghyun, his short brown lashes fluttering as he soundly dreamt. Onew and Minho shared the bed adjacent to theirs, the bed covers tucked up to their chins.

Key grumbled to himself. Nothing could lure him to sleep. He had counted shooting stars in his head, hummed soft lullabies to himself, and even had imagined torturing those blasted EXO princes without mercy. But nothing had worked. Honestly, the more he idled, the more he thirsted for fresh air. This confinement was suffocating.

He sat up. That's it, he decided. I need a late night walk.

It was only when he had wrapped a fleecy white robe around himself and had slipped his bare feet into a pair of matching slippers did he tiptoe out of the guest room and sneak into the hall. He peered left and right. Not a single soul was around. It was just an empty expanse. The hallway lights were dimmed low, producing an eerie, mysterious effect that suited the esoteric presence of night. The spaciousness of the hall assuaged him of his suffocation. He sighed in relief. "Phew."

With his bout of claustrophobia now eased, it left the skinny sorcerer cold and lonely in the absence of his brothers’ warmth and company. He shivered in discomfort, clutching his borrowed robe closer to his slight frame. Perhaps if he checked up on you, it would calm his keyed up mind. He idly wondered if you had ever gotten the chance to speak with King Heechul yet. To confirm this, he quietly crossed the hall over to your room and, being careful not to make a sound, opened the door and peeked inside.

Key blinked. "What the—? She’s not here.” True enough, the bed remained unoccupied and undisturbed as if you had never touched it. He frowned disapprovingly. “Why isn’t she resting? She should be after spending three days with those stupid savages.” He pressed his bowtie-shaped lips together contemplatively. “That’s it. I’m going to go look for her,” he resolved with an adamant nod. He closed the door and promptly meandered down the dimly-lit hallway.

She’s probably talking to the King if not anything else, Key deducted. The most convenient place to find the King would be…at his office! Oh, that’s right! The queens had mentioned that he still had some work to do!

Unfortunately, Key was clueless as to the whereabouts of the King’s office, but wherever you were, he could find you using the family pendants. his red-pink stone, the skinny sorcerer was directed to your location by his magical instincts.

About five corridors later, Key’s magic steered him towards a pair of ornately carved doors, artificial light peeking through the crevices. Smiling in accomplishment, he slinked over to the doors and glimpsed through a crevice, using it as a peephole.

Da da da—oh! There's the King! The raven-haired king was stationed at his massive desk littered with paperwork. Key continued on with his scrutinizing. So that means that little arm on the armrest is Aris. I wonder why they're still talking. It's really late.

Key perked up when King Heechul heaved a big, ascetic sigh. The tired-looking man rubbed at the lines that dented his pale forehead.

“Yes, Princess,” acknowledged the king. “I understand, and we both agree on that, but I don’t favor your side of the plan. I may not be a sorcerer, but my father and your own father taught me some things about your degrees of magic. And based off from what I can comprehend, these spells…are very unpredictable.”

"If my grandmother believed such spells could be used, then I won't let them go to waste," you justified, the tone of your voice different. Your words flowed out more smoothly, a mature, authoritative intonation underlining your alluring voice. This particular voice meant something. It meant that you were down for business. Whatever business this was must have been very grave since you were speaking in such a tone.

"But the ritual is too complex, too grueling," King Heechul argued. "The combined capacity of the spells is too dangerous for you alone. You will mess up. No...you may even perish."

Key felt a sudden jolt of bafflement. Wh-what? Y-you perish? His little sister?

"I will risk it," you dared in a low voice. "Do not underestimate me."

That reminder broke down the king's opposition. He sagged into his chair, looking beaten at his own game.

"Yes..." he murmured regretfully. “No one should underestimate you." He drew in a long breath and expelled it as he spoke up again. "I...I will arrange for a ship to transport you to the nearest moon. The entire transaction will be kept secret."

One problem was checked off, yet there were more to deal with.

"How will you distract your sons?" you asked. Because your back was faced towards him, Key didn’t see how your eyes softened at the mention of your fiancés.

King Heechul pondered for a moment as he raked his fingers through his long, ashy locks. Then he said, "I will use their reckless actions against them by punishing them. They will train extra hours." He peered at you speculatively. "Perhaps I will force them to bond with your brothers."

Key suppressed a gag. Bond with his bratty sons? Absolutely not.

King Heechul leaned forward on his desk, hands clasped anxiously together. "Princess Aris...I beg of you. Please don't afflict such burden on yourself!” He fumbled for a suggestion that could change your mind. “At least...at least allow someone else to do it." He was desperate, to save his best friend's one and only daughter, but you did not yield to the begging.

"This task is my burden to bear," you declared firmly. "Although...Majesty did give me some ideas to lessen the burden."

"What kind of ideas, Princess?" King Heechul looked hopeful at the notion, aphotic eyes probing.

Key had no time to react when your hand snapped out. The office doors magically flew open, causing the snooping boy to topple over flat on his face. "Oof!"

The pain that lanced up his body was dull, but he still groaned as he propped himself up on his bony elbows. He gulped when he remembered where he was. Two powerful gazes were trained on his fallen form.

"Hello, Kibum," you greeted, but it lacked the genuine kindness that you usually possessed. The lovely smile plastered across your lips didn’t reach your eyes either.

King Heechul was baffled, brows raised. "Your brother was eavesdropping the whole time?"

You shook your head, defending your brother before he could open his mouth. "Only the last few minutes." You locked gazes with the king meaningfully. "And the answer to your question is: Kibum will help me. He is considered the second greatest sorcerer of our generation after me. He will be of great assistance."

"Wait a second!" Key interrupted and jumped to his feet. A mixture of confusion and irritation laced his delicate features as he pointed between the secretive two. "What are you two talking about?" he growled, switching into overprotective brother mode. "Forgive my rude manners, your majesty, but I do not like the hidden message between you and my sister."

"Kibum," you said very softly, "I need your help."

"For what?" he demanded, hands on his narrow hips.

The king of EXO released a ragged sigh and leaned back into his chair in a chagrin manner. "Please explain it to him."

Still seated, you patted the spot next to you on the chair. "Sit down, brother. I'll explain the basic situation now and provide the rest tomorrow."

Key warily sat down next to you, hovering over your small form protectively. He was still aggravated by the lack of information he received upon demand. He pouted, but mustered a glare at you. "So, tell me. What's so important? Why did I hear you might d-die?" His voice cracked saying that one word.

You only sighed. Instead of answering outright, you decided to show him. You produced a small rectangular item from your pocket. Under closer inspection, Key saw that it was a pocket-sized book. When you inserted your blue-white magic into the book, it glowed. You began to unfold it—the book doubling in size with each fold—and the end result was a chunky leather-bound spellbook inscribed with elaborate drawings and neat calligraphy. It looked huge laying in your small lap.

Your brother felt like his air supply was cut off. He spluttered in recognition, "I-is th-that grandmother's spellbook? WHERE IN THE WORLD DID YOU GET THAT?!"

You winced at the incredulous volume of his voice. "Hush," you chided. "Yes, this is grandmother's spellbook. Prophet Yesung handed it to me...without father's knowledge."

Key gaped. "You are so dead when Father hears about this."

You shook your head. "Nevermind that, Kibum." You pressed your thumb against the book's lock; it clicked open. With delicate care, you turned to a certain page and handed the book over to Key. "This spell, I want to do it."

Your older brother read the page curiously, then paled seconds later. "This spell...doesn't it...jeopardize your body?"

"I know," you replied gently. "Turn the page."

Key listened and skimmed the page. Dread overcame him. His knuckles turned white because he was gripping the book too tight. "No… No way! Please tell me you were joking when you said you wanted to do this spell!"

"That's what I said," King Heechul whispered dejectedly.

Key was hysterical. He pleaded with all his might, with all his desperation. "Aris, honey, listen to me." He stared at you dead in the eyes. "There is a ninety-nine percent chance that you might not survive. No one has ever accomplished such spell of this magnitude before. Do you even know why grandmother hid it in her book as a secret? Because it's life-threatening!"

"I KNOW THAT ALREADY!" you shrieked, your unexpected outburst stunning both your brother and the king. You inhaled shakily, voice cracking as you whispered, "I know...I know that, Kibum." You pinched the ridge of your nose, vexed. "But beyond this point, I can't even spare the Tree of Life from harm. Exotics will be killed. Blood will be shed on this planet. And yet...all I can think about is making sure my loved ones are safe." Tears welled up in your beautiful eyes. "Everything is telling me that by protecting the EXO princes, it'll ensure that this planet will live on."

Key found himself reaching out to hug you. He disliked the fact how you bottled up all your troubles and torments inside you. "Shh, shh. Don't cry, honey, don't cry." He pressed his lush lips against your forehead. "Whatever the situation is, Aris, I'll help you. Why didn't you tell me earlier? Do you really want to keep your brothers in the dark? It's bad to leave us out."

"All of you hate the EXO princes," you mumbled in his chest.

"But we love you," Key inserted gently, rocking you back and forth soothingly. "And for you, we would do anything. Count us in whatever devious scheme you've cooked up."

You choked on a laugh. "Devious? It's more than just devious." You embraced Key tightly. "Thank you, brother."

“Anything for you, Aris,” he murmured in your hair. “Before Mother passed away, we all promised her to protect you—and that means protecting what you protect.”

“Then it looks like six people will be going to the moon,” spoke up the king. “How much time will you spend on the spells?”

You sniffled and rubbed at your watery eyes. “You should bear in mind that the description of the spells themselves are very elaborate and, of course, the spells are life-threatening if not forbidden. But based on their combined procedures, it’ll take about a total of four weeks to finish them. However, I can shorten it into about three days with my brother’s help.”

Key nodded determinedly. “We can do it.”

King Heechul smiled the slightest to express his utmost gratification. He bowed his head at you and your brother. “Thank you so much, children. You don't know how honored I am to be within the presence of saviors.”

“Oh, please. It's all Aura,” Key said humbly, gently squeezing his little sister's arm. “She's the real savior.”

Your laugh was rusty, and your eyes looked far away. “A savior? I'm just me.”

I may save people; I may hate war; I may want peace, but that's just me.

...