(Jongdae)

‘Where is that boy?’ I thought to myself as I paced around in the woods behind the family castle. I was just about to go find him when I heard a cat meowing beneath me. When I saw the ever familiar kitten waiting patiently, I pick him up and began my mad dash far away from the castle.

I continued running until I found a clearing with trees formed in a peculiar arch. I place the kitten down and walk closely to examine the branch formations. As I began picking around the tree, I heard Myungsoo’s voice behind me.

“Why exactly did you want me to see?”

I turn back around and unclipped my cloak before handing it over to my brother. As he began to cover himself up, I went to examining the tree. “It’s exactly the same,” I uttered to myself.

“What are you going on about now?”

Now standing beside me, I began to explain to him without taking my eyes off the trees. “Something bad is going to happen.” Hearing nothing from him I continued. “I have been getting visions for the past six months. And they weren’t the same ones I get before.”

Giving me a confused look, Myungsoo ask, “What is the difference than your recent ones?”

“I usually get visions that would be something I could physically see. Not a lot of meaning behind them. The ones I’ve been getting recently were very mysterious, dark almost.” I let out a shiver at the thoughts of my most recent premonitions. “For the most part I kept seeing these trees. They were always glowing and there were these people, but I couldn’t see their faces. It was almost as if they didn’t want me to see them.”

“Do you remember anything?”

“Now that you mention it, I do remember a dragon symbol and it was somehow alive.” Looking off to the side I found dirt that seemed to be freshly dug. “There, it slithered that way.”

Moving over to it, I knelt down and whispered, “Surgere.” (trans. rise)

I didn’t take my eyes off of the moving dirt when Myungsoo came over and knelt beside. It took about a minute before a metal box appeared from the ground. Taking it into my hand I found it unlock. Glancing at my brother, I open it and found a very beautifully crafted golden dragon. It was very enchanting that I completely missed the faint whispering coming from it. Before my hand could touch it, I felt Myungsoo stopping me.

I turn to look at him, and he gave me a hard look. “Don’t.”

“Wh-”

“Didn’t you here it?” At my head shake, he continued on. “It was speaking to you. This thing is evil. We got to show dad.”

“You’re right.”

Shutting the box I began to stand when notice boot prints on the ground a few feet ahead of us. Handing the box over to Myungsoo, I waved my hands over the imprint and concentrated on the faded energy.

In a rush I was pulled into the castle. Looking around I saw my mom and Minjun standing in her study. I walk over and listen in on their discussion.

“-and he’ll be arriving by the winter solstice.”

“Perfect. The timing will be perfect. I’ll be at my most strongest, and  your dad won’t even see it coming.”

“And my brothers?”

“You can do as you want. I just need to get that old man out of my way in order to take out my crown.”

“But why do we need to cross the portal. Our powers are already strong here.”

“You see dear boy, magic in this other world is very iffy. You would have to be long enough to channel its magic. I’ve crossed over many times and I plan on killing that man over there, where he is at his most vulnerable.”

“Then why do we need another kingdom to help us.”

Turning her head as if she could see me she said, “Let’s just say their king and I have some unfinished history to continue.”

Turning to follow her gaze I found a small portrait of mom with a strange man.

“So how do you plan on opening the portal?”

“Let’s just say I found the key legend speaks of.”

“No,” he said with wide eyes.

“Oh, but yes. It’s buried in the woods, by the portal where I plan to use it.”

I would’ve continued watching but I felt myself being pulled out and falling into my brother’s arms. Gasping for air I held onto him for support. What did I just see?

“DaeDae, are you alright?”

Stuttering I began to explain what I saw. “I-I-I-I s-saw mom and M-Minjun. They were planning to overthrow dad. She-she-she said that she plans on using some portal and-and killing him at his most powerless.”

“What?!”

Looking out at the trees formation, I said, “This must be what she was talking about. A portal and key.” Picking up the box I began to see the dark aura I had miss earlier. We must go back and tell dad.”

“You go on and head home,” he said, stripping off the cloak. “I’ll see if I can investigate.” Rolling his shoulder he shifted his body into a dove. As he flew off, I grab my cloak and covered the key before running off towards the direction of home.

--

Waking up from my dream, I found myself on the floor in the upstairs hallway next to Jaeseop. I laid there for a while longer before realizing what got me here in the first place. Groaning in pain I got up and crouch over Jaeseop.

I quickly awoke him with a slap on the face. He grabbed his face while glaring at me. “What. The. Hell.”

“No time.” Standing up I waited for him to get himself together before walking downstairs to find the front door wide open. “Yep, we’re too late.”

“Maybe not yet,” he said as he went down the hallway.

“Hyung?” I ask as I closed the door. I followed him until I found him in front of the closet underneath the stairs. “What are you doing, hyung?”

“Something I never thought I would do.” He pulled out on old key and placed it into the key hole before stepping back. “Patere nos introitum.” (trans. Allow us the entrance)

I watch as a spark shot out of the key hole and the key began turning itself. “What the-” I didn’t get to finish as the door swung open on itself, opening up to a bright blue light filling the room. “Okay, what?”

“This is my own personal portal. Our first time here, I wanted a way back to Valen, so I tried to replicate the portal without the key’s power. I never got it. I did though created a portal close to it. This portal will take us to where the portal is. Hopefully we can make it there before he does."

“Alright, then.” Turning around I gestured toward our jackets and handed Jaeseop his. “Let’s just hope we don’t freeze to death.”

Holding out his hand, I took it and let him pull me into the bright tunnel. I hope we don’t die.