The First Sense
The Black Phoenix
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TOP’S POV
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I muttered.
“Don’t be such a baby,” she answered.
“You really don’t know what lies ahead of you, do you?”
“I trust you and Han Eul,” she shrugged off as if that settled the situation.
“Dara. . .”
“Look, I’m already nervous as it is but I wanted to do this. You don’t have to be so worrisome; it’s making me more nervous.”
“You don’t have to do this,” I told her.
She then looked at me straight into the eyes, her gaze steady. “You know I have to.”
I heavily sighed. I wanted to say yes, I do know that but no words came out from me. Instead, I just spread my arms wide in a welcoming hug. A smile then played along the corners of her lips. She ran to me and I hugged her tight while she hugged me back.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Do I have another choice?” I joked, making her chuckle. That’s right, it’s better like this than having her cry all night because of the other guy. I’m not delusional – I know she would never forget him, his memories will never be erased from her mind and heart and she might still continue loving him. But I’m not a hypocrite as well to say that it’s okay with me. Of course it isn’t. But then, there’s also this tiny hope that somehow, I might give her warmth that would take away the coldness from the pain she felt with him. Having her love me as well, though, not as much as she loves him, I think that would be enough – for now.
We were silent for a long time. It was like, Dara was actually getting some strength from me to continue going forward without him. And I couldn’t help but feel happy and satisfied that somehow, I am with Dara at this crucial moment. “So, can you survive being a scavenger for two months?”
“You heard Han Eul, it might take three months. If we’re still alive by that time,” she said with a chuckle.
It was true. Han Eul said that we’ll be leaving all types of technology behind – meaning no mobile phones. We will be staying, as Han Eul said somewhere across the South rain forest to train. I don’t really have any idea where that is. I mean, who in their sane mind would even think where that place is when your life is actually a teeny weeny bit at stake? Like, seriously?
We’re actually all packed and geared up to go. Han Eul specified that we’re not to bring anything aside from clothes and some toiletries.
The training for senses actually has two principles:
1. What if you’re only left with one sense, how will you survive?
2. How would you overcome the obstacle in front of you if the sense required for that has been cut off but all other senses are working?
The second principle is obviously easier compared to the first one that’s why it’s rarely used. Remembering about the theory about that, I can’t help but hug the tiny girl tighter.
“Ya,” she chuckled. “Are you actually trying to squeeze the breath out of me so I’ll faint and give you an excuse not to go through this?”
I squeezed my eyes tightly. The images in my head were chaotic and she still had the guts to joke like that? I pulled away a little from her, grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her head up towards me. I crushed my lips on her a little bit violently than I intended so I was actually expecting a protest from her like pushing me away or slapping me or avoiding my kiss. But she didn’t do anything like that. What she did actually surprise the life out of me!
She kissed me back!
And it wasn’t just a simple response. She was kissing me back as violently as I was kissing her. But then, her hands went to my nape and her fingers were making calming that made me change pace gently. In between kisses, she whispered, “Calm down.”
It wasn’t that long to calm me down. When I’ve calmed down, and really started kissing her with all the gentleness and tenderness I could muster, an intense heat started boiling up inside me. She pulled away a little and smiled at me. “Feeling better now?”
“You kissed me back just to make me feel better?”
“No.”
“Then why did you kiss me back?”
“And why did you kiss me?”
I stepped back and looked away, a little bit annoyed. “You know why. . .”
“No, I don’t.”
I looked back at her, my eyes turning into slits. “Are you playing games with me?”
“No.”
I sighed heavily. “Fine,” I said. “Let’s just go.”
“TOP,” she started.
I looked back at her and saw the anxious and worried look in her face. I gave her a smile for assurance that everything’s okay. I picked up our packed things and started heading towards the door. When she didn’t move, I stopped and looked back at her again. “We’re going to be late, you know.”
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The car was silent as we travelled. Han Eul was driving while Dara was in front, in the passenger seat as for me, I’m in the back seat, all alone. I had my arms across my chest and could only stare at the window. Sooner or later, I know I’ll fall asleep. Clearing my throat, I turned my attention to Han Eul. “How long will we get there?” I asked.
“Two more hours,” she said.
“I see,” I nodded. Well, I’ll just sleep then. With that thought, I slumped myself in my seat and closed my eyes.
I was already drifting when I felt the car stopped moving. Involuntarily, I opened my eyes. I saw Dara get off the car and I was about to ask Han Eul where she’s going when the girl opened the door to my side and asked me to move. She then sat beside me, closed the door and leaned her head on my shoulder. “What - ?”
“I feel sleepy,” she simply answered.
I felt heat crawled to my cheeks and I looked around to hide it. But my eyes chanced upon Han Eul in the rear view mirror. She was smiling as she started the car again. I was frozen, not really sure on what I should do next. But when Dara cuddled closer to me, I can’t help but smile as well. I gently wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer to me with her head still resting on my shoulder. I planted a small kiss on top of her head and rested my head on top of hers as well. With another smile, I closed my eyes and went to dreamland.
A while later, Han Eul woke us up and said, “We’re here sleepyheads.”
I stretched out lazily and checked Dara. I saw her looking up at me with a smile. She then gave me a peck on the lips. “Let’s go,” she said.
I just chuckled in response. As we got out of the car, I looked around and gave a low whistle. “Wow, where on earth are we?”
Han Eul just smiled. “Let’s get going.”
All I see are trees, trees, trees, tress. Well, basically, trees. We walked for a few minutes. I pointed out that I could just transport to our location but Han Eul said we have to walk. I don’t really get it but oh well, I’m not in the mood to argue especially with the current things that happened lately. I was smiling as I trailed behind Han Eul and Dara, remembering the kisses we shared today. Ah, this might sound a bit off, especially coming from a guy but, I feel elated.
“Hey, smiling boy, get a grip on yourself and start building the tents.”
“Huh?” I blankly asked.
After building up three tents, Han Eul then let us walk again, higher to the mountains and deeper into the forest. We broke into a vast field where what seemed to be man-made and shapeless towering statues made of black stone stood in the middle. Eventhough they were shapeless, they looked. . . , like symbols for , passion and lust. Ugh! What am I thinking?
“Are those man-made?” I blurted out.
“No,” Han Eul answered.
“They look like symbols for ,” I said.
“They’re not symbols for , fool.”
“They look like symbols for sanctuary,” Dara said.
“Yes they are,” Han Eul answered, sounding impressed.
I looked back at the statues with a frown. “How did they become symbols for sanctuary?”
“We’re not here to discuss symbols,” Han Eul said. She then walked a little ahead of us and faced us. “Okay, since Seunghyun is reluctant to train you, Dara, I decided I’ll do it instead. To give you heads up, we will have two activities today. The first one would be easy – I’ll simply place a blindfold on both of you and I will shoot arrows from random position. You have to rely on your sense of hearing and feeling as well as smelling the air. If you would not be able to avoid my arrows, then you will be hurt.”
“Wait,” I interrupted. “You’re going to test Dara that way? Shouldn’t we give her like a lecture or something on how she’ll be able to use her other senses or a practice or -?”
“This is practice,” Han Eul said.
“But. . .”
“Do you think her potential hunters would consider for one minute that she doesn’t have any practice or training to fight? How do you think she would learn if we give her simple and easy training? Do you really think I’m that heartless that I don’t worry for her safety as well? She’s my niece, Seunghyun. Of course, I’m worried for her as well.”
I was rendered speechless.
“Okay,” Han Eul then sighed. “The second one would be both easier and complicated. I will be cutting off your sense of feeling and will throw both of you in an obstacle where it would require the sense of feeling – like fire, both visible fire and hidden fire. You’ll understand later on. Any questions so far?”
“Yes, I do have a question,” I said. “Are we still alive by the end of this day?”
Han Eul smiled. “It would be up to you.”
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short update, tehee ~ ~ #trolling
Ah, for some weird reasons, I suddenly have some weird cravings for a dara or daragon chibi sock! blame it all on Dara's me2 updates with her cute drawings! keke ~~~~~
anyways. . . . i've been receiving some requests for download links for THL and Shadows. . .
i'm actually thinking if i still should provide DL versions coz of what happened to three of my fics that were compromised, LOL.
i'm not being selfish or anything, but i would really appreciate it if permission will be asked first before reposting the story or copying a few chapters of the fic then insert it in a story. this happened to three of my fics already and i do appreciate those who ask permissions first.. hahaha..
sorry, i'm ranting... kekeke...
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