...Alright, so maybe I should've said "don't kill me" for this chapter, not the other one. Hehe, you know I love you guys, right?

BTW, school is restarting for me soon, so sadly that means my writing and updates will be significantly curbed to a minimum again. Sorry, guys. Try to hope that this semester will be merciful to me.

Reminder: No stealing or copying or translating or plagiarizing my fic! I will make your life miserable if you do...

Repost: 1/15/16

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Fiancée

Blinding, indescribable pain that was strong enough to make it seem like the world was spinning a disorienting three-sixty wracked a listless, bleeding body that lay flat on the blackened ground. External sounds were blocked out by the dull ba-dump of a faint heartbeat. At a single glance, it was plain obvious that the body there was mortally wounded.

That body—that person—was you.

Your shield had endured the explosion the best it could, but the amount and strength of the magic behind it had been little and already spent, so the protective film had eventually cracked under the immense blast. You only had time to wheel on your heels and tackle both Yifan and Luhan to the ground—covering their bodies as much as you could with your own—before startling, white-hot pain consumed you. Within just seconds, you had passed out but resurfaced none too soon.

People you loved surrounded your damaged form—some on their knees as they wailed uncontrollably. The two princes you had saved emerged from the aftermath only partially wounded. Yifan had your head cushioned gently on his lap, an utterly lost expression worn on his handsome, angular face, his eyes unblinking and pupils dilated. Luhan was hunched over in despair, sobbing “Why? Why did you do that?” into your injured arm.

Mortally wounded was a fitting description. You weren’t dead—not yet, at least.

Your wounds were much too serious: an entire backside burnt and bleeding, a badly twisted ankle, a ribcage bashed from collision, and an almost busted skull that was throbbing from impact. There was no more energy left inside you—a flower unable to bloom because it’d been doomed from the start, long-since crinkled, dried out, and drained of color.

“We—we have to hurry,” Yixing choked out, then swallowed hard. “We need to get her to a hospital.”

“No, we can’t,” Eunsun objected in a hopeless whisper. “Nothing can save her.”

Snapping his head toward her, Kai yelled at his mother heatedly. “We can’t just let her bleed to death!”

Eunsun shook her head despairingly as she ruefully confessed, “No, she was already dying—even before the explosion.”

Chen in a sharp, hissing breath. “So she was sick.”

“Not sick,” Eunsun corrected softly, listlessly, “but fading. Her heart is strong, but her body was...failing.”

At the voices that sounded like distorted lullabies, you stirred into consciousness, trying to grasp onto something familiar in order to wake. Your eyelids fluttered open weakly, revealing your chocolate brown orbs that everyone loved.

Suho reached forward to delicately touch your cheek with shaky fingers. “Noona? Can you hear me?”

“What can we do to help?” Baekhyun insisted, almost begging, over Suho’s shoulder, clearly shaken up.

“Home,” you breathed, the word practically inaudible. “Home.”

“If that’s what you want,” Yifan consented in a soft, miserable voice. He scooped you up gently into his strong arms, cradling your frail form into the security of his chest, your slack head lolled over his broad shoulder. The movement hurt like crazy, but you only groaned. Yixing winced on your behalf.

Sehun coaxed Luhan to his feet and let his older brother sob loudly into his arm. “It’s not your fault,” Sehun tried to console Luhan, but his comforting tone came out as wan. “Aris-noona wouldn’t have wanted you to feel bad.” The reminder only made Luhan bawl harder. He clutched at Sehun’s tear-soaked sleeve with tight, trembling fingers.

Everyone quietly and hastily retraced their steps back to the SUVs, not exchanging a single word as they all piled in. The drivers sped home as fast as they possibly could, which meant maneuvering past the police cars and ambulances that now clogged the roads. The disaster caused by you and the Techa would most definitely be broadcasted on the news for weeks to come, hopefully speculated as an unknown terrorist attack.

In the SUV, you were laid out on the middle section of seats with your head resting in Yixing’s lap while your legs were draped over Chen’s. Tao was weeping inconsolably in the back with Xiumin hugging the younger one tenderly in his arms. Not saying anything, Yixing gently the grime and dust that smudged your cheeks, his gaze never straying from your face. Through the fuzzy murkiness that shrouded your consciousness, you locked gazes with him, and a small, sweet smile laced your dry lips as if just by looking at you, he had lit up your entire world. It wasn’t fair that you were suffering yet could still find a shred of happiness to smile about. Tears dripped down onto your pale face as if Yixing was crying for you.

It was hopeless, but the boys would do anything for you.

As Yifan carried you to the house, your barely lucid eyes scanned the familiar setting, taking it in for one last time. The cozy, two-story house with faded red bricks. The concrete walkway with that one uneven bump. The colorful potted plants nestled in the front. The light blue sky that was above everything.

You’ve had many homes in the past years. This was one of them.

Inside the house, upstairs in EXO-K’s bedroom, you were gently laid down on Baekhyun’s bed. Luhan, Yifan, and Yixing were the closest to you, taking up most of the space on the bed. Then there was Kai, Baekhyun, and Sehun kneeling in available spots by the bedside. Suho and Kyungsoo stood dejectedly at one end, while Xiumin, Chen, Tao, and Chanyeol stood behind everyone else, shoulders deflated and expressions wiped clean with a gloomy rag. Weeping in the back corner of the room was Eunsun, mourning by herself as if not to distract everyone. The boys deserved to hear the truth from you...and to spend the last remaining minutes they had with you.

Yixing cupped your unmoving hands tenderly in his, rubbing his thumbs lovingly across your battered knuckles. He was agonized. He wanted the power to completely erase the pain that afflicted the people he loved. He wanted to be powerful enough to divert death, to immorally cheat.

He may have been unaware that he possessed the gift to heal, but even if he did, he wasn’t proficient nor competent enough to revive someone on the verge of death.

As if you were reading his mind, you whispered to him lightly but affectionately, “Pabo...you can’t heal everything, Yixing. That’s cheating.”

That did the trick. Yixing burst into heartbroken sobs, holding your hands to his wet face.

“H-h-how c-can you be j-joking in—in a time like this?” he blubbered, sniffling. “Why? W-why am I not strong enough?”

“So you remember something,” you exhaled, the effort to breathe painstakingly burdensome. “That’s my fault. If you remember, then you also remember your powers.”

“What did you do?” Luhan asked, not accusingly but brokenly. “What did you do to us?”

“Who are you?” Suho whispered, staring at you with newly discovered doubt.

You inhaled a deep, raspy breath, the action stinging your dry throat. Carefully yet deliberately, you said, “My real name is Aris, but I am not your real sister.”

Twelve boys felt their worlds tip, lopsided.

“I am your fiancée.”

...And flip upside-down.

Tao gasped out a squeaky “What?!” while Kai profusely muttered, “I knew it. I knew it.”

“I had a mission...and it was to protect you all from the clutches of the Techas,” you explained in a feathery-light voice, your chapped lips hardly moving as you spoke. “Like the machine you encountered earlier. You see, the Techas’ ultimate objective is to wipe the twelve of you out, to ensure that your home planet will fall completely into their hands. You, my dearest fiancés, are the royal princes of EXO and Majesty’s chosen guardians.”

That sweet, pure voice from the shared memory rang in their heads again. Princes! Princes!

“That voice was you,” Baekhyun realized, dumbfounded by the blinding truth. The voice matched yours perfectly, from the tone to the emotions.

It was you. It’d always been you.

A small, affirmative sound rumbled in the back of your frail throat. “Mmm. Yes, we’ve been together since we were kids.” So much affection and adoration—feelings in their purest, rawest forms—could be easily discerned in your tone, which was solely directed at them. It was a tone that made them all feel a hundred times more special and loved. “I was the youngest amongst us, but due to certain circumstances, I had to grow up quickly to protect you all. It’s because, despite being the youngest and the smallest, I was more intuitive, more astute. I possessed an incredible amount of skills and experience, so it was obvious who was best suited and capable enough to protect your lives no matter what. Together, we escaped to Earth while EXO waged war with Techcron. Here, on this planet, I...I stripped you of your memories, of home and of us. That way, without being plagued by your pasts, you all became human almost effortlessly.” Tears prickled at the corner of your eyes as you recalled the worry, fear, and vulnerability that warped the once young faces of the princes. “You had so many nightmares and wouldn’t stop talking about home...”

“Why?” Kai demanded furiously but resigned at the same time. “Why shoulder all the burden? Why render us defenseless?”

“It was my selfish wish,” you answered quietly, knowing that there would be a heated rebuttal of outrage and betrayal. “I wanted all of you to be happy and carefree. Yes, I hated how the Techas ruined our peaceful time together, but as long as you were safe and healthy, I would care less about what would happen to me.” Your smile was subdued, but it clearly conveyed your smug attitude. “And I was right.”

Then came the rebuttal you waited for.

“But what’s the point?!” Kai ranted, his dark, smoldering eyes blazing with anger. “How can you justify anything when you’re the only one who’s hurting while the rest of us—” His sentence broke off because of his fury. He shook his head vehemently. “That doesn’t make us happy!”

“As long as the twelve guardians of EXO breathe, the planet will live on,” you intoned, quoting the old statement that lived with you for years and continuously reminded you of your task—your duty. “If you die, then Majesty dies, which means all of EXO. Everyone. I will not be the reason for that. I promised Majesty. I promised your parents.”

They all cringed, disturbed by the knowledge that they had real parents. Were they even alive?

Then Yifan spoke up, and you could tell how lost he was, beyond comfort or ease of mind or even reasoning.

“I told you not to burden yourself,” he began emotionlessly, on the edge of a stormy temper. His mind was a stew of old and new memories, his flaring emotions accidentally mixing them up, but he was clear on his intent. “And there you go hiding everything from us. If you die, then I would care less—no, care absolutely nothing—about what would happen to EXO.” He said his planet’s name like it was a curse. His sharp, penetrating eyes were fierce and feral. “My happiness is you, and if you’re gone, then there is no such thing as happiness! I wouldn’t want or care about anything else! The damn world—the damn universe—could end, and I would welcome it!”

“Don’t you go spouting lies, Yifan,” you chided softly, flickering your dim, lidded eyes over to him. He instantly felt weak under your knowledgeable gaze. “I’m not that important.”

“You’re lying,” he hissed at you vehemently.

“Not if I believe I’m not,” you whispered, which made Yifan glare at you in disbelief. All you did was give him a feeble smile in return like you were teasing him. “I’m always right.”

How? How could you still drive him insane when you were about to leave him?

“No! You’re not!” Yifan nearly cried out in crazed frustration.

“Love makes you do stupid things,” Luhan dolefully remarked, his head bowed as he continued to sniffle. His brothers helplessly agreed with what he said. It was all too true.

Love is powerful. Love is influential. Love is...unpredictable. Once you’re ensnared, it will never stop tormenting you.

Everyone reacted edgily when your listless body began to glow a faint blue-white color.

Sehun lunged forward to cling to you frenetically, as did Luhan and Yixing. “No! Please! Don’t leave! Don’t!” Sehun begged, his voice pitched with panic.

“I never...got the chance to...” you breathed faintly, your eyelids slowly drifting lower. “My feelings...were always...”

Your body became more and more translucent with each passing second. Despite the heavy lull of oblivion, you only had eyes for them, not daring to look away from their precious, tear-stricken faces. A ringing blur of voices were telling you to stay and to be strong.

I’ve been strong for so long. I just want to rest now. Please...let me sleep.

“I’ve always loved you...that loving you was selfish...so much that it...even became a fitful punishment...for me...for having you...”

“Aris!” Kyungsoo shouted pleadingly. “Aris. Aris. Aris,” he chanted until he faltered, too desolate to continue.

“Don’t go!” Tao whimpered.

“Please!” Xiumin begged for all it was worth.

“Don’t close your eyes!” Chanyeol insisted desperately.

So many tears, so many broken hearts, so many pleas...

But only one farewell.

“See you soon.”

Your velvety voice echoed your favorite goodbye parting, which lingered mysteriously in the mournful air. Finally, your eyes drooped closed, but you could still see them with amazing clarity. They were smiling. They were fine and healthy and strong.

“Eh? Father, who is this?” a nine-year-old Yifan quizzically asked, brows furrowed when he noticed how a little girl was partially hiding herself behind the king. She was skittish, acting as if she was prey amongst predators.

“She’z shy,” Tao remarked simply as any five-year-old would. He was very inquisitive despite his plain tone, marveling at the unknown girl with his cute panda eyes.

King Heechul chuckled in amusement. “My sons,” he started in his rich, strong voice, “this is Princess Aris of SHINee. From this day forth, she is your fiancée.”

Little Kai made a sound of disgust. “Fi-an-cée? Yuck! Do I have to kiss her?”

Suho, who was of eight years of age, sighed exasperatedly while Kyungsoo stifled his giggling at his younger brother’s silly behavior. “Jongin, you...”

Upon realizing something, an eleven-year-old Xiumin released a loud gasp and pointed at the half-hidden princess incredulously. “SHINee?! You’re related to those bratty princes!”

Chanyeol and Baekhyun exchanged wide-eyed glances, remembering the SHINee princes who they found annoying. They wrinkled their noses in distaste, thinking how they probably wouldn’t like their newly discovered fiancée either.

In an urgent manner, Luhan and Yixing simultaneously slapped their hands over Xiumin’s mouth, not wanting him nor anyone else for that matter to be scolded because of a loose albeit rude tongue.

“He didn’t mean that, Father,” Luhan said with a wary laugh. He and Yixing sheepishly gave the king apologetic glances.

King Heechul raised a scary brow but decided to ignore the unmannerly outburst in favor of turning his attention to the little girl clinging to his robes in an attempt to conceal herself. The EXO princes could barely see her at all like that.

“Come on, my dear,” he coaxed her gently, patting her small, thin shoulder. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. They won’t bite.”

Tentatively, the little girl dared to take a peek, and the princes were dazzled by such intelligent eyes that outshone the stars. She was younger than all of them, maybe around three of four years of age. Four-year-old Sehun curiously peered at her and smiled shyly when she returned the favor by touching his gaze with hers. Chen thought she was more adorable than all of his younger brothers combined. Her soft, alluring voice made angels envious. She spoke clearly and aptly, surprising her twelve fiancés.

“Hello, princes of EXO. My name is Aris. It’s nice to meet you.”

That was when they had fallen in love at first sight.

And so had you.

Your body disappeared in a magnificent shower of blue-white magic, the particles filling up the room and illuminating everything with faint light. Your magic was warm and gentle like a caress, and the comfort it gave overwhelmed the wrecked emotions of the princes. They all stuttered out gasps, the horror of you truly leaving sinking unbearably into their skin, piercing so deep that it reached the sanctity of their hearts.

Tears, hot and plenty, streamed down Luhan’s beautiful, woeful face, and he let them fall, not bothering to wipe them away. His throat was clogged as he choked on your name. “Aris...”

Kai was also crying, his cheeks excessively wet with streaking tears. He tightly fisted his hands until his knuckles turned white and his palms stung painfully from his digging nails. “Dammit!”

The shower of dusty magic converged until it formed into two marble-sized orbs. The hovering orbs, still softly aglow, gingerly floated down before halting in front of someone. One stopped before Luhan, the other in front of Kai. They both blinked uncomprehendingly through their blurry vision, not sure what to make of it.

But since it was your magic, without question or thought, Luhan and Kai raised their hands in acceptance. When the orbs made contact with their skin, seals swirled into existence on their open palms. As if that was the consent they needed, the orbs obligingly sunk into the princes’ hands, vanishing as they were absorbed. The spiraling seals promptly disappeared, but then a voice that was musical yet apathetic echoed in their ears; however, there was a different message delivered by the voice to either prince.

The essence of one of her eyes, which saw all and remembered all. An eye that contains knowledge. Use it to see your desires, the voice crooned to Luhan.

The essence of half her heart, which touched and felt the souls of others. Half a heart that perseveres. Use it to keep a straight path, the voice sang to Kai.

“I-I don’t understand,” Luhan uttered, taken aback by the voice and the message.

Kai swallowed noisily. “Neither do I.”

“What do we do now?” Chen dolefully asked out loud. “We haven’t regained all our memories yet, and how are we supposed to...?”

“Umma?” Suho quietly implored, turning to the woman who was staring at all of her sons grievously. Pulling herself together, Eunsun stepped forward and cleared .

“Alright, let’s all sit down. It’s time I tell you everything I know.”

...

Within a crystal temple on a large, distant moon that didn’t belong to Earth, a glassy mineral formation that dominated the back of a spacious, majestic room radiated breathtaking energy, glowing a bright, pure light. The very temple thrummed with this delicious energy like it was revitalizing blood, which coursed through every hall and crevice that acted as veins. The radiance shimmered in the crystal material that formed everything, like sunlight reflecting off the glistening surface of the moving sea.

‘What happened?’

‘The crystal showed signs of...life.’

‘Report this to Motherboard.’

‘Understood.’

...

It was around ten o’ clock at night when all the boys had shaken off their miserable stupors and had trudged downstairs to congregate in the living room. There, they had situated themselves in silence, listening intently to Eunsun as she revealed all the secrets she’d been stolidly hiding from them—the very secrets that you had made her promise not to spill until the time was right.

And that time was now.

Digging up all that she remembered to its most approximate exactness, Eunsun told her adopted sons everything: the rainy day she found them, the conversation she had with you about their true identities and where they came from, her decision to adopt all of them, and you stealing away their memories for their sakes to become happy, healthy humans.

“Aris-noona was the only princess of SHINee World—our allied planet?” Suho rehashed quizzically.

Eunsun nodded slowly, lacing her fingers together as she solemnly assessed the boys. “Yes,” she confirmed. “She said that she had to leave her father...and her real brothers.”

All of the princes cringed at that tidbit of news while Chanyeol gasped, “She—she had real brothers?”

Creases dented Eunsun’s forehead as she did her best to recall the names that you had long since uttered. The names eluded her in the pool that was her fuzzy past, but she managed to draw them out. “She had five older brothers, if I am correct. Their names were...Jinki, Jonghyun, Kibum, Minho, and Taemin. I think she mentioned once that they would bicker with all of you practically every time you guys would meet because they strongly disagreed with your engagement.”

“That sounds like us,” Kyungsoo murmured, trying to imagine himself and his brothers fighting over you with your brothers, but all that was envisioned in his mind were five blurry faces.

There was no disagreement nor doubt that all the princes felt worthless and wretched. They had failed to protect their fiancée. Your brothers had every right to kill them for their naiveté. The only princess of SHINee was gone, just like that.

But you had done your job. Your determination and dedication to fulfill your duty had been epitomized by your very death.

Yifan looked absolutely hopeless, emotionless, as he sat there slouched in an armchair. His deep, husky voice was apathetic and distant as he asked, “Did Aris-jie ever specify how to get back to EXO Planet?”

“The spaceship you used to journey here should still be in that restricted field outside of Seoul,” Eunsun affirmed. “Aris-ah would occasionally go on a trip to check up on it. She asserted that, even after all these years, it’s quite functional.” She cast a narrowed-eye look at her tallest son, figuring out his unspoken intentions. “But even if it does function fine, you don’t know how to pilot it.”

“I piloted it here, didn’t I?” Yifan retorted flatly, not faltering under his mother’s accusatory jab.

“When you completely had all your memories,” Eunsun countered. “Besides, Aris-ah was the one in control.”

Following along with his brother’s train of thoughts, Xiumin perked up, banishing the dolorous cloud that hung over him, and fixed his sharp, approving gaze on Yifan. “That’s it,” he declared. “I say we use the ship to return to EXO.”

“Why?” Tao asked, not catching on to either Yifan’s or Xiumin’s main objective.

“I feel like we can get a better understanding or perhaps clearer answers if we go back...home.” Referring to EXO as home felt weird on Xiumin’s tongue, but he ignored it for now. “And if so...then maybe we can find a way to get Aris-jie back.” He and Yifan exchanged assenting nods.

Hearing that proposal elicited a headshake from Yixing. “I was thinking that we should devote ourselves for what Aris-jie died so hard for,” he said softly. “To save EXO. We’re the so-called guardians, right?”

“I hardly care about saving the planet when our people forced Aris to sacrifice so much for us,” Xiumin growled, his lips curled scornfully. That seething response actually made Yixing glare at his older brother.

“She did it willingly, Minseok!” Yixing snapped, nearly jumping to his feet as if to charge at the opposing other. “We wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for her! Think about what would’ve happened if she had chosen not to! Everyone would’ve died!”

The other princes grimaced at such an outrageously repulsive thought. You not caring? Their people dying? Thinking about it made their stomachs churn violently as if they were sick.

Sehun groaned and buried his face in his hands distressfully. All this spiraling uncertainty and heated arguing wasn’t producing anything decisively helpful for them to act on. “I just don’t know,” he moaned, his breath hitching as a sign of an impending sob. “What do we do? Noona is gone, and we’re just going nowhere...”

Kai, who had been silent for the most part as he vacantly stared at his clasped hands, finally spoke up in a dull voice. “I feel like we should head to EXO to get this mess straightened out first.”

Everyone snapped their heads over to him queerly, wondering what happened to the cocky, laidback Kai. Where did this Kai, a reasonable, levelheaded one, come from?

It was because your death impacted him, and everyone else for that matter, too hard. Reality was insignificant without you. Nothing could ever achieve happiness unless you were in the picture. But now that you were gone...

“So, what?” Chanyeol questioned skeptically. “We learn how to pilot a spaceship? But, even if we managed to, we don’t know EXO’s location. We’ll just get lost in space.”

Kai closed his eyes for a moment to recall a certain, tugging sensation that dwelled deep inside his heart. The musical, monotone voice from before echoed in his head. The essence of half her heart, which touched and felt the souls of others. Half a heart that perseveres. Use it to keep a straight path.

It was like...he knew where to go, what to do.

“I just know that Aris isn’t really gone from our lives,” Kai professed. A tiny smile appeared on his plush lips. “Besides, my Aris isn’t the one to give up so easily without precautions.”

Chanyeol huffed. “Don’t you mean our Aris?”

“I meant what I said,” Kai drawled, his usual cocky attitude returning to its former place, which was undeniably comforting. “So, who’s with me?”

“Me,” Luhan quietly inserted. He brought a hand up to rest it over his heart. “I have a feeling, too. Our life with Aris does not end here. It will keep on going.”

“Count me in,” Suho acceded, giving both Kai and Luhan a supporting smile.

“Me, too!” Sehun hollered, now b with newfound hope and determination.

“If Kai seems so sure, then I’m supporting him one hundred percent,” Kyungsoo firmly stated with a head bob.

“I’m definitely going,” Yixing asserted, more confident in his decision than he had ever been in his life.

Tao raised his chin, his gaze set. “For Aris-jiejie.”

“Anything for Aris-noona,” Baekhyun agreed earnestly.

“Yes, we need to find our answers and solve everything,” said Chen in a reasonable manner.

Chanyeol mustered the energy to crack a grin. “Bring on the mayhem.”

Kai glanced at Yifan who was wordlessly appraising all of his brothers as they made their convictions known. “Hyung?” he urged.

Yifan dropped his speculating gaze and gave a single nod in response.

Xiumin sighed loudly, seeing how he was the only one left undecided. He tossed his hands up in the air defeatedly. “What the heck,” he huffed grouchily. “I’m not letting my baby brothers go on an adventure by themselves. Let’s do this.”

Cheers erupted when the eldest brother sided with the majority. Eunsun felt tears blurring her vision again, but this time in heartfelt realization. “Oh, boys, you really are one.”

“One?” Yifan repeated curiously, peering at her to explain.

Eunsun wore a faint but proud smile. “Aris-ah would say, ‘EXO is one.’ It’s because you boys did everything together.”

“I like the sound of that,” commented Suho.

Yifan raised an intrigued brow, thinking about how you perceived them. “Okay, if that’s what we are.” He stood up and urged, “Alright, everyone, put your hands in.”

Realizing what he wanted to do, the others hurried to huddle together like a football team, placing their hands on top of each other in the center of their midst.

“We are the twelve princes of EXO!” Yifan declared. “We are the guardians of Majesty! We are the inseparable brothers! Together, we strive for our beliefs! We are one! We are EXO! For Aris!”

“For Aris!” they chanted and threw their hands up.

Their proclamation, as if the magic word to reveal a secret chamber, triggered a small surprise—an unexpected reaction.

 Suddenly, from above them, a tire-sized portal whooshed open and spat out whatever it’d been carrying inside it. A box and several packs fell, which were caught by the shocked princes out of mere reflex.

“What’s this?” wondered Chanyeol, lifting up the box he had caught to examine it up close. It looked very expensive with its elegant design and polished wood.

Eunsun gasped loudly in recognition. “That box! Those bags! Those were the exact same stuff you first came here with! Aris-ah had confiscated them and secretly stored them away after stripping you of your memories!”

“Aris-noona hid these in a dimensional portal?” Kyungsoo summarized with a flabbergasted expression. “That’s...smart.”

Suho, Yixing, and Baekhyun rifled through the oddly-designed travel packs. “Just clothes that are sized for kids and some...trinkets,” reported Suho.

Yixing was examining one particular bag that differed slightly from the others. Packed in it were traveling supplies, a semi-colorless gem pendant, and also a pocket-sized, leather-bound book that seemed out-of-place. A nagging feeling told him that the necklace and book were important...like they were tied specifically to you...

“What’s in the box?” inquired Yifan, jerking his chin at it.

Chanyeol squinted at the jewelry box suspiciously. “I’m afraid to open it,” he admitted, then looked at Eunsun beseechingly. “Do you know what’s inside, Umma?”

She shook her head, lips pursed and brows scrunched. “Not exactly—my memory is a bit foggy. But Aris-ah did explicitly tell me that it was of high importance because it belongs to the twelve of you. She insisted that if anything bad happened to her I had to make sure that you all would receive ‘the box.’”

Chanyeol tried to open the simple latch, but it didn’t budge despite how much force he was putting into it. “Ugh, did she lock it? That’s not good.”

Yifan was frowning thoughtfully as he analyzed the case. “Hmm,” he mused. “Aris is a sorceress, so she must’ve put a seal on it to protect whatever importance it holds. But what caused the box and bags to appear before us now when they couldn’t earlier?” He chewed on his inner cheek as he flipped through the scenes that have previously happened, trying to pinpoint a clue or answer. When he did, his eyes brightened. “That’s it!”

“What? What is?” his brothers prodded at his outburst.

“Everyone, touch the box,” instructed Yifan. “That’s how Aris’s magic is triggered by us—because we are one.”

Convinced by such a simple yet unpredicted assumption, they all obeyed him, reaching out to touch the jewelry case. To their amazement and relief, a glowing seal appeared on top of the lid and then c!

“It opened!” Xiumin exclaimed, astonished how effortless the action was. “It actually worked!”

“Aris-noona was always so cryptic, wasn’t she?” Suho said to Eunsun with a dry smile, to which she returned wryly.

With the latch undone and the seal having disappeared, Chanyeol proceeded to lift open the lid and then gasped in admiration at what he saw. “Cool,” he uttered, marveling at the shiny badges that glinted with a sharp, silver gleam.

Luhan counted the pieces of jewelry, then asked, “Twelve symbols? For the twelve of us?”

Chanyeol couldn’t pinpoint what exactly urged him to, but he found himself reaching out for the ring that had a phoenix engraved on its oval surface. The instant his fingertips made contact with it, memories flooded into him, but one distinctively stood out the most.

Swimming in the sea of darkness, a distinctive velvet voice cooed his name.

“Prince Chanyeol. Prince! Priiiiiince! ...Chanyeol.” A hand shook his shoulder gently.

“Urrrff,” groaned the drowsy fire prince. His eyes finally fluttered open to your relief. He awoke with your angelic face mere centimeters from his. He instantly reddened at the proximity. Any closer, and he would’ve accidentally touched your lips with his.

“Princess Aris!” he exclaimed and bolted upright, nearly scraping the back of his head to the wall behind him. He was propped up against a rock wall, safely hidden under a ledge. You were sitting cross-legged at his side, hand still placed on his shoulder.

“Calm down, Prince Chanyeol,” you soothed him. “You passed out. Why didn’t you tell me you were exhausted?” You his pink cheek in a worried manner. He flushed a deeper shade of red.

Chanyeol gulped and pressed his fingers to his heavy head. Did bricks replace his brain? “I-I don’t remember. Was I tired?” His forehead creased as he thought back. He remembered everything up until you and he were standing before the mouth of the cave.

“I waited as you slept,” you stated in a matter-of-fact tone. “Too bad we couldn’t see the phoenix.”

That made Chanyeol wallow with guilt. “I-I’m sorry. I promise to show you next time.”

A promise. A promise he never fulfilled.

The ring glowed softly as a sliver of white removed itself from its hiding place. That tiny, thin thread floated upward and allowed itself to be absorbed into its rightful owner: Chanyeol.

“Chanyeol?! Chanyeol?!” his brothers called out in concern, startled as to why he suddenly seemed so distracted and full of remorse. Baekhyun was waving a frantic hand in front of his dazed face, trying to bring him back to focus.

Chanyeol’s trembling lips parted so he could say, “Princess Aris...I’m so sorry...” Tears pooled into his eyes, and he choked on air as a sob started to build up in his chest. “I remember. I remember her. Princess...”

“So, that’s it? You grab which symbol is yours, and you get your memories back?” Luhan asked, eagerness seeping through his veins as if he had gotten a caffeine boost.

Chanyeol nodded numbly and held out the box towards his brothers. “Pick the one that calls out to you,” he instructed.

The snowflake brooch was luring him in with faint, compelling whispers, so Xiumin acquiesced and took it from its resting spot. His impish eyes went wide when he saw a particular memory that froze him in place.

“You see things too much in an analytical way,” Xiumin complained from under his breath. “Just kick that nonsense out of your mind or you’ll get a headache.”

You chuckled heartily and patted his hand that rested on his thigh. “Alright, alright. But honestly, Prince Xiumin, I’m seeing everything...as a future denizen of EXO.”

“Den-i-zen?” your fiancé repeated in mild puzzlement, then understood quickly. “Oh, you mean as an inhabitant. Well, that’s technically correct since you’re going to marry one of us in the future—which will make you the princess of EXO. But, unless you decide to marry Yifan, then you’ll be the queen.” His last sentence was underlined with sour airiness.

You chided him like he did to you: “You see marriage too much in a competitive way. Just kick that nonsense out of your mind or else I’ll never pick.”

He jolted. “Ah! Don’t walk out of the marriage!”

“Who says I am?” you challenged. “But now that you mention it...”

“ARIS!”

“I jest, Minseok! Calm down!”

“Aris...” Your name, so adored and treasured in its pronunciation, escaped the eldest brother’s lips. His fingers curled over the snowflake brooch as he reminisced about the precious winter day he had with you. It had been one of the greatest days of his life.

Yet he had forgotten it. How did such a fun, loving memory be overshadowed by nightmares?

Tao intuitively sensed the hourglass bracelet calling out to him with a wistful, seeking tune. He eased the yearning of the badge by taking it into his grasp. The return of memories rushed into him like an incoming tidal wave.

Something caught your eye and you paused in your stroll, turning to your fiancé. Beads of sweat clung to Tao’s pale forehead. Concerned, you dabbed at his sweaty forehead with your hanky. “Are you exhausted, Prince Tao?” you asked, alarmed.

He smiled warily, but didn’t deny it. “Usin’ my powas takes a lot of my energy and concentrashun, but I’m fine.”

You cupped his face in your small, slender hands and leaned in close. He cheeks flushed darker.

“Don’t overexert yourself for my expense, Zitao,” you told him gently, voice velvety and hypnotizing. “You could’ve told me you needed some rest before playing around.”

He looked down guiltily at your chiding tone. “I’m sorwy. I’ll tell you next time, I promise.”

Pleased by his promise, you brushed your nose against his, and his panda eyes rounded. An overwhelming surge of delight and exhilaration coursed through him, vitalizing him with energy. Instantly, this moment, this very second, he wanted to freeze time. He wanted to use his powers to completely preserve this moment between you and him, but he knew you would fret about his condition and be heartbroken if he just casted aside his promise not to recklessly overexert himself. He had to become stronger and more powerful to make such an important moment last forever.

Why hadn’t he frozen the moment? Because of his naiveté and shortcomings, it was the one regret he carried that would eat at him for the rest of his life. Tao sniffled as he replayed that dearly prized memory and morosely berated himself for his inability as a child.

With curious, round eyes, Kyungsoo had taken the ring that had the face of a saber-toothed tiger. The smooth metal of the badge shone softly, appearing blissful to be in its master’s possession.

“Are you sure?” you asked uncertainly. “I don’t want to ruin anything...”

Kyungsoo shook his head, unbothered. “Don’t worwy—worry, Princess. I want to. Make some memories.”

“If you put it like that, then it’s a nice thought,” you conceded, sincerely touched. Scanning about, Kyungsoo determined where to carve your names. The two of you searched the area before ambling upon a private gazebo-like area. You could imagine a garden possibly grown here. Your fiancé boldly took your hand and dragged you over to the misshaped gazebo. The ground below you was flat and smooth, the roof’s interior hollowed into a dome.

“Let’s put our namez—names here,” he suggested. “I’ll use my power.”

You watched with unquestionable curiosity as Kyungsoo, using his finger like a pen, wrote his name as if writing with ink and paper. Wherever his finger sailed across the stone’s surface, an impression was left. His name: Kyungsoo.

“Wow, now that is a neat trick,” you admitted, awed at how Kyungsoo manipulated his power.

He naturally blushed at the compliment. “Now you try,” he offered and held out his hand towards you, finger pointed out. “Use my hand.”

You grasped his hand (he blushed deeper) and inscribed your name under his, adding a small, cute heart. Blissfulness blossomed in your chest, overjoyed to create such permanent memories.

“A memory that stays,” Kyungsoo murmured dreamily, his lashes fluttering as if entranced. He fisted his hand around his ring and then brought it up to his chest like he wanted the lingering remnants of your magic once sealed in the badge to be impressed onto his heart.

Unhesitantly, Suho plucked up the water droplet pendant from its cozy bedding and, as he weighed it in his palm experimentally, a nostalgic feeling overcame his senses.

“I love these so much!” You laughed and inspected a sand dollar. “So cute!”

“You know...” Suho began slowly. “If you choose me as your husband...all of this could be yours.” To emphasize his point, he swept out an arm, indicating the sea, the ocean, the blue. Sure the ocean looked like a never-ending sheet of blue from above, but underneath held wonders.

You softened, looking at the guardian of the ocean blue. “Suho...I know. But I think it’s best that I don’t choose a husband so early in our engagement—especially when my feelings are...uncertain.”

Always the attentive listener, Suho nodded, not pressuring you any further. “Of course, Princess. I just wanted you to know.” He stood up, brushing off his sand-littered swim trunks. “Shall we head back?” he inquired.

You nodded and gathered your trinkets, safely pocketing them. Suho offered you a hand gentlementally, but when you grasped his hand so he could pull you up, you also leaned forward to peck his cheek again. This time, under the vibrant sun, you could clearly spot the flush of pink cheeks.

“But honestly, Suho,” you whispered, your nose almost touching his, “thank you for everything. You really would make a...romantic husband.” You grinned inwardly.

Your words had the effect you wanted. He pinched the ridge of his nose and groaned, “You make me blush more than Mother.”

You laughed sweetly. Together, the two of you hit the waters once again.

“That was me,” Suho whispered in belated realization, connecting what you had said to him during that wonderful trip to the beach to the memory he just received now. He chuckled dryly at the irony. “No wonder. I can’t replace myself...”

Cautious but sure, Chen snatched up the scorpion-shaped ring that strikingly resembled a lightning bolt. The rush of memories, which rekindled old feelings and sensations, made him blink lethargically.

“Princess Aris,” he implored cautiously, “you’re not afraid of lightning, right?”

You raised your brows. “No, not really. Although...thunder and lightning can be scary from time to time.” Your gaze penetrated his. “But do you want to know why I’m not scared all the time? It’s because...I know you’ll protect me.”

Ack! I’mgonnadieI’mgonnadieI’mgonnadie! His poor heart twisted and throbbed at your heartwrenching words. Though his face was pinched and flustered, he mustered up the strength to say, “W-would you mind if I s-showed you something?”

“I don’t mind,” you assured him. The lightning prince hopped off the tree and landed on the soft bed of sand. Judging by what he thought was a safe distance, he stood several dozen meters away from you, idling by the shore. From above, the clouds thickened and knitted together into a silver-gray mesh, rumbling and swirling—the tell-tale signs of a thunderstorm. Chen knelt down on one knee and—inhaling once—pressed his palm into the sand’s grainy surface. Static permeated the moist air. The hair on your arms stood up, and then, suddenly, a thin bolt of lightning roared down from the sky, charged into Chen, and coursed down from his palm into the sand. The ground pulsed, steam hissing from electrocution. Your mouth parted in bewilderment.

Seeming satisfied, Chen dug into the sand and picked up something. He dusted off the item of clinging grain and ran back to you. He held it out to you, pink-cheeked.

“Here, a present.”

You gasped. “So pretty!”

The guardian of the Southern Sky had made lightning glass for you. Since the sand was white, so was the lightning glass—other hues like yellow and lavender blended into the heated material. It wasn’t large, but rather long, easily grasped in Chen’s hand. The shape was irregular, almost crescent-shaped, with smooth, bumpy edges. You handled it delicately, afraid it would break, but it felt compact despite its light weight and semi-translucent appearance.

“I’ll make this into a necklace so I can wear it every day!” you gushed. Chen felt absolutely honored, like he had won the award of the lifetime. You leaned forward to unsuspectingly peck him on the cheek. His eyes widened into saucers. He could die right there. Go straight to heaven.

Had that...really been him? He was such a shy little dork back then, but that moment, when he had done something bold and generous for you, he had to admit that he was undoubtedly proud of his actions. Now it was just a wistful wish of his that he could relive that heartwarming moment with you again. Chen sighed in longing.

Sehun pouted his lips quizzically before seizing the vortex-like buckle that had been teasing him with its coos and glimmers.

Sehun stood up and dusted off his hands. “Princess, want to thee thumthing cool?”

You looked at him questionably. “Depending on the definition of cool.”

That was replied with a small grin. Sehun rushed off, positioning himself a mile or two away in the center of the field. You sat down patiently, legs crossed and undivided attention focused on your fiancé.

Solely concentrating on his breathing, Sehun set it to a steady tempo. Then he narrowed his eyes fiercely. He whipped out his hand and a sudden strong gust buffeted the plain, rushing northward—the direction Sehun was facing. He spun and the wind mimicked his movements. The grass and distant trees were battered by the powerful currents, forced to sway left and right. Leaves and twigs were caught in the frenzy, helpless versus the dominating element. Sehun rotated his finger, gathering the torrents of wind in one place. A small, visible whirlwind materialized before him. Gradually the whirlwind shrank, weakening until it completely diminished into nothing.

You clapped mechanically, stunned to your disbelief. “Th-that was wonderful! It was cool!”

The young EXO prince waved his arms at you exuberantly. “Thank you! Thank you!” He ran back to your side.

“That was SPECTACULAR!!” you continued to laud, boosting his self-esteem greatly. “Only Tao and Baekhyun demonstrated their powers to that extent! I see how much you’ve grown from training! Your brothers should watch out! You can flatten them in seconds!”

The accomplished wind prince spread out his arms. “If I did tho good, den can I have a hug?” he requested.

You quirked a brow teasingly. “Are you sure you won’t go ahead and give me an air hug because I can’t stop you?”

Sehun pondered for a split second, then you were yanked into a suffocating embrace, your fiancé burying his face in the crook of your neck. You were breathless, enjoying the moment, too.

“Thith ith better than air hugz,” he sighed contently, his breath warming your bare neck. The ba-dump, ba-dump of your heartbeat reverberated from your chest, filling his eardrums. He loved that sound.

In response, you winded your arms around his neck and cradled him close. Your voice was soft and sober as you whispered, “I agree.”

The two of you didn’t budge for a long time.

Oh, what Sehun would do to have another hug like that from you. Nostalgia constricted his heart tight as if all the air from the muscle was being vacuumed away to render it shriveled and gnarled.

Baekhyun found himself impulsively reaching out for the sun-designed ring that was big enough to also be a bracelet. Warmth coursed throughout his body, its wake leaving behind a familiar, tingling feeling.

“Incredible,” you said, awestruck. Lifting your chin, you mechanically locked gazes with your fiancé’s between the bit of space that separated you two. He blushed involuntarily, but didn’t look away this time. Your natural beauty stunned him, your pale, angelic features enhanced in the shimmer of gold. To you, his amber-brown eyes were warm and tender and adoring. Clocked by the night, he appeared handsome and unearthly, the gold glitter twinkling around him like fairy dust.

“You’re not the prince of light for nothing,” you whispered, afraid that your voice would shatter the fantasy around you.

Baekhyun nodded quietly. He found his voice, soft and low. “That’s why these are my hills. The sunlight is the richest here, and it always has the best sunsets and sunrises.”

“I wish I could see the sunrise,” you confided wistfully, but you knew that you wouldn’t have the time. Especially if something dreadful were to happen in the future—like Prophet Yesung’s vision coming true.

Steps light and easy, Baekhyun closed the distance between you two and gently grasped your hands lovingly in his. His beautiful, feminine hands were as smooth and soft as yours.

“I promise, that one day, I’ll take you to see the sunrise. Alright, Princess?” He sounded mature when he made that vow to you, and it made your heart skip a beat. He squeezed your hands. “I’ll make the best sunrise you’ve ever seen.”

“You shouldn’t be messing around with nature,” you gently , but you leaned forward to kiss his cheek gratefully. “But thank you.”

“For you, I’d break some rules,” you said wholeheartedly and grinned. The two of you shared lighthearted laughs as the magical shower of gold eventually faded, reverting back to the dim, chilly night.

Baekhyun closed his eyes, visualizing the pleasant scene of you and him hanging out on the rooftop to watch the cityscape of Seoul transition from evening to night. He always wondered why he had an attachment to you and sunsets. Now he knew.

And he wouldn’t let go. Ever.

Next was Kai, who had been puzzled as to why he felt this strong urging tug on his heart that persuaded him to pick up the charm that was molded as an intricate pyramid. He was genuinely surprised that he started to remember multiple things all in one minute.

“Aris?”

“Hm?”

“I have a question...”

“Then say it, silly.”

The teleporting prince cleared his throat and tried to figure out how to be subtle and not-so-obvious with his words. “Um...my brothers and I tawked about who you would...I was hopin’ to know that if...out of all of us...who’d you prefer?”

The dragged out question made you halt, and so did Kai who was slightly blushing. You eyed him speculatively.

“What do you mean?” you prodded, tone cautious.

Kai ruffled his hair agitatedly and pursed his lips. He stumbled over his explanation. “Uh, I was wondering that becauze...since I’m closer to your age like Sehunnie and Tao, that you might think I’m not fit to be your husband. Do you consider Joonmyunnie or Baekhyunnie as better choicez becauze they’re...your type?”

That was the first time Kai had ever attempted to be smart and fluctuant with his speech. It caught you off guard momentarily, but when the initial shock wore off, you softened. He had tried his best to articulate his jumbled up thoughts while expressing his insecurity without looking too desperate.

You touched his arm tenderly. “Jongin, you don’t have to worry about that. Right now, all of you are evenly tied for...my heart. It’s only the beginning of our engagement, and I don’t want to be so biased, especially when...” Memory of your conversation with Prophet Yesung clouded your thoughts, but you it out of your mind. “We have lots of time to get to know each other, and really, I have no specific preferences for a partner because I believe love is unpredictable. You may love someone the total opposite of you”—that was directed to him and he smiled faintly—“or love someone you think who suits you. You just don’t know.”

“Promise to tell me if you love me?” he asked in a quiet voice.

“I promise,” you swore from the bottommost part of your heart.

That gorgeous smile appeared again, his dark eyes bright. “Well, I know I love you. Waaaaay before I met you, too.”

Butterflies tickled your tummy, but you restrained such fleeting emotions. You nudged the boy with a playful elbow. “Don’t act cheesy.”

“We were probably soulmates in the past life,” he sang.

“You might not know that,” you said and laughed.

“Exactly.” He grinned crookedly.

I loved her then, and I love her now, Kai thought, positively doubtless but with a rueful edge. His gaze was downcast, but he inwardly felt relieved. He hadn’t really changed all these years, proven by the fact that he was still determined to hear those three special words from you.

Whether it was instinctive or not, Luhan knew that the cuff resembling a field of orbs definitely belonged to him. The transition of having his memories restored was smooth yet abrupt.

“Come here, Princess,” Luhan beckoned, tugging at your hand. You willingly laid next to him on the grass, his slender arm tucked around your slim waist, your cheek pressed against his as you nestled comfortably into his side. The two of you enjoyed the other’s warmth as you stared up at the baby blue sky, replaying the satisfying day you had. An absentminded thought of how overly clingy and eccentric Luhan was crossed your mind, but you let the odd behavior pass just this once. Nothing could ruin your wonderful playdate with him. Nothing.

Luhan’s loving gaze was fixated on your relaxed face as you let the sun warm your skin. The glow that bathed your form was breathtaking. I wish we were older, he thought suddenly. People would think we’re together—they’ll think you’re mine. I only want you to be in my arms and no one else’s. You can’t belong to anyone else, but me. If I was allowed one selfish wish, it’d be just that—having you.

Eventually your breathing slowed into a languid pace, signaling that you had fallen asleep. Your fiancé chuckled, thinking how cute you were. Lifting up his free hand, he brushed aside your bangs that spilled over your precious, dozing face. His fingers traced downward to linger at the bottom curve of your full, plush lips. The gears in his body switched to automatic as he slowly leaned forward and...

...kissed the corner of your mouth.

“One day, I’ll kiss you on the lips,” he murmured, his own lips hovering a hairbreadth away from yours. When he blinked, his lashes swept your cheeks, indicating how close your faces were. You sighed in your sleep, but did not stir. Luhan smiled adoringly. “I’ll wait forever if I have to.” Pressing his cheek once again to yours, he finally fell asleep with you snuggled up against his side.

It was a picture of two angels lying on a soft bed of emerald grass, with the sun smiling down at them and the sky to greet them when they woke up.

He had lost the perfect opportunity back then, and now it sunk into his skin with itching regret. With just the two of you alone and intimately close that cherished day, he should’ve just thrown caution and decorum to the wind and stolen that kiss he fervently desired. But now that you were gone...

Luhan vowed to finish what he started.

In a timid manner, Yixing gingerly pinched the unicorn brooch between his fingers and lifted it up. He swallowed thickly, almost like he was afraid, as memories that were once his resurfaced to his mind.

“Yixing. Yixing,” you crooned while hugging him tightly. He wept on your shoulder, salty tears staining your shirt. He clung to you dearly yet frantically, afraid that if he let you go, he would really lose you this time.

“I-I thought—I thought I’d lost you,” he sniffled. “You d-didn’t respond to my healing and—and just laid there. You were breathing, but—but I was so scared!” He burst into another round of tears. Tears of the Gateway Guardian, you labeled solemnly. It made you feel horrible, like garbage sludge, being the reason why your beloved cried. How could you let that happen?

“I’m fine, Yixing. I just passed out when the energy surged into me.” It was a half-baked lie, but it placated the frightened boy. There was no way you were disclosing the entire truth of what transpired between you and the Tree of Life. Pulling away slightly, you cupped the healing prince’s damp cheeks and deeply gazed into his puffy-red eyes. “Love, look at me.” He did, hypnotized by your vividly sincere eyes. “I’m perfectly fine and breathing. Nothing bad happened. I simply passed out. I just needed to rest. See? I’ve already recovered.”

Chest heaving with unsteady breathing, Yixing nodded remorsefully. You smiled fondly and pressed your plush lips against his smooth, pale forehead. The healing prince nestled his woebegone face in the crook of your neck—finding comfort there—and wrapped his skinny arms around your abdomen. You cradled him tenderly, rubbing his taut back, hoping to soothe him. A sweet, musical sound resonated in your throat and you hummed, rocking the prince back and forth, as if lulling a baby to sleep. It was just the two of you sitting at the base of a huge tree, not a single soul around to witness the intimate interaction that transpired. The Tree of Life glowed a pretty light, humming with marvelous energy. You waited patiently for your shaken fiancé to recover from his scare, his hitched breathing evening out as the minutes passed.

Finally, Yixing was back to normal and straightened up, helping you to your feet. He gripped your hands tightly, afraid that you might stagger, but you didn’t.

“Let’s get out of here,” you suggested. “But let’s not tell anyone about this. They’d go berserk.”

Yixing nodded, exhausted from his emotional breakdown. “Right.”

Something was lodged in his throat, cutting off his air as Yixing struggled to quell an oncoming sob. He really thought he had lost you that frightful day, and now it was certain that he did just lose you. It pained him, enough to make him fall into a depression, to see such a terrible fate be repeated upon you. Then and now, he was so utterly helpless. What kind of a fiancé was he when he couldn’t protect or save the one he loved?

The last one to retrieve his badge was Yifan. His expression was neutral as he emptied the jewelry case by taking the dragon-engraved cuff.

On the way back to his residence, Yifan flew slowly so that he could sincerely apologize to you (he might as well poured out his heart).

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he repeated profusely. “I am so sorry. I should’ve been more attentive and alert. I was irresponsible, putting your safety on the line when I knew—”

You placed your fingers to his rapidly-moving lips and shushed him gently. “Shh, I’m fine, my prince. I was frightened, but not anymore. It’s in the past now. Forget it.” You rested your drooping head against his broad shoulder, feeling tuckered out.

His hazel-brown eyes softened. “I’m glad.”

“What about you?” you asked softly, directing the attention to him. “Your clothes are charred and ripped, but other than that...”

“Not one scratch,” he confirmed with a slight, self-satisfied grin. “No dragon can best me.”

Your tired, blank expression was changed when a tiny, knowing smile laced your lips. “Of course not,” you agreed passionately. “No one can best my Yifan. Because he’s the Dragon King.”

The flight prince thought it was outrageously stupid that you had him smitten like a lovestruck fool, but oddly, he didn’t mind it at the least. He was genuinely touched by your words. Because it was you.

He smiled handsomely. “That’s right. I like the sound of that.”

He especially liked the sound of you saying my Yifan.

You yawned loudly and nestled your slack face against the slope of his neck. Your fiancé carried you tenderly, enjoying your presence all to himself.

Although crippled by misery and exhaustion, Yifan couldn’t help but to chuckle. You had actually said, with conviction, that he was yours. Those mere two words were what made him feel as if he had flown all the way to cloud nine.

I’ll always be yours, he proclaimed sorrowfully but unwaveringly. Wait for me. I’ll definitely save you.

All the magical strands of dormant memories have been respectively returned to their rightful owners at long last. The princes remembered everything—their true selves and the real you. They were finally complete, but the absence of you tore them apart from the inside, threatening them with a future of painstaking torment. They needed you here to comfort them. To take care of them.

Then they all gasped.

Once their past memories had settled down within them, the final piece decided to make itself known. It was a short recollection, just a clip of an image, but...

This one was yours.

How many days have you and the EXO princes been hiding amongst the cluttered streets of Earth’s civilization? These streets were difficult to deal with in order to live, to survive, so you abandoned any thought of keeping count of how long your period of struggle and fright was.

Even when carefully divvied up in small rations between thirteen kids, all the food stored in the packs had been rapidly consumed until not a morsel was left. There was not one reliable, discreet place to settle for shelter, so you and the princes continuously moved from place to place, ducking into empty alleyways and retreating into occasionally barren buildings.

Problems other than the lack of food and shelter became evident: there were bad humans who stalked these same streets. Once, a large group of adult males had tried to mug the thirteen of you and perhaps inflict harm, but you had refused to let that happen. You, Yifan, and Xiumin had bravely fought them off without the use of magic and powers, then you all had proceeded to bolt off when the men had been thoroughly distracted by the mayhem. Aside from the muggers, the policemen of Earth tried to interfere with your lives in an attempt to rescue you all, the abandoned children. With the threat of being taken somewhere abominable or even possibly separated, you made sure to avoid being captured by people like them.

“I’m so tired and hungry,” Chanyeol mumbled, practically slurring as he sank to the ground in exhaustion.

Chen glanced up somberly, examining the thick, gray clouds that tethered together to blanket the sky. He frowned. “There’s going to be a storm.”

“That’s not good,” Suho whispered, his skin visibly pale and haggard. “We have no cover.”

You sighed long-sufferingly, your body spent and sore. Not minding about your own welfare, you slipped off your topmost jacket and draped it around a sniffling Sehun. “Let’s just rest here,” you decided quietly.

Everyone groaned as they slumped heavily onto the hard, dirty ground, but they naturally huddled close together to share body heat...and to spread the only spare comfort they had to each other.

“Wh-what h-happens if another-er b-b-bad per-person comes and h-hurts us?” Kyungsoo asked, trembling hard from trepidation.

You met all of their probing gazes as they stared at you woefully, their faces unhealthily ashen. Spreading out your arms, you tried to gather them all into a big group hug, being that you were the only person who would give up so much to ensure their safety and health. However, when stuck in such a bleak situation, this was as close as you could give.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of all of you. I won’t let them hurt you...ever.”

Aris, you were always the one to keep promises for life. This is a fact about you that we admire and love the most.

...