***

The moon is rising soon, the moon is rising, the sky is brightening. 

Don't ask if this is a dream anymore. 

I'm waiting. My heart is burning. Time is being wasted.

The new white light is becoming even brighter. The gray skies shake and split.

Two different space-times – don't know.

There's no time to explain – we gotta go. 

Hurry, hurry! The parallel way into four dimension only opens today!

In my new world, I won't be the same as yesterday. 

There are two moons today, two moons at night, and you... 

Are the chosen knight. 

So... I blinked my eyes open to a brand new day. Let's recap, shall we? 

Just a measly few weeks ago - yes, unbelievable how it's hardly been a month, even though it feels like years in my opinion -, we moved to the remote island of Ookami Shinro, to an itty bitty town named Hanwol. Nothing peculiar or strange about that - until I went to school. That's where I started developing high blood pressure and fervently wished I could go back to my average, unexceptional life and peaceful, mundane meadow with twelve stars back home. 

So far, while moving to this sleepy, but not as sleepy as the brochures make you believe it to be (false advertising right there, I feel like I should sue!), I've been mistaken for a boy, intimidated and looked down upon by twelve ridiculously good-looking idiots, seen those same idiots practically (don't even mention the term 'bacon' and 'junior' in the same sentence, please), been d by one of them, followed them into the woods during a full moon and suddenly running away on all fours myself-, let's see, what else? Ah, yes, I turned out to be able to shape shift into a wolf myself, - that was a pleasant surprise (no, it really wasn't) -, I got buzzed by an electric fence from my father's company, joined a pack of wolves, got stalked by them, I flew, apparently I could connect with others like some kind of freaking powerbank, got attacked by another wolf... what am I missing? Oh yeah, my father shot my friend while we were wolves, coaxed by his coworker who very well could have been the wolf that attacked me before. She came over for dinner last night, which was nothing short of an emotional and mental breakdown for me (one dinner, six people, a physically sick teenage girl, two parents left in the dark, twelve overprotective wolves, thirteen new memories, one earth shattering thunderclap, two earthquakes, and a partridge in a pear tree). 

If that wasn't enough, I wasn't even given rest while sleeping at night. I was plagued by vague dreams and a persistent voice narrating the swirls of images in my mind. I'm not even going to bother to try to figure out what the dream had meant. I was tired. Up to the point that I honestly didn't even care anymore what any of this meant. 

The only thing I was still concerned about was Miss Kumiho. After last night, Suho wanted us to figure out what her deal was and why she was after me. I regretted not asking her last night. I mean, what could a woman like her possibly want with someone like me? 

Wake up, that's what the ghost-wolf told me the night it attacked. Luhan had said that it may not have been directing itself at me, but at something else. At what, though? Mother Nature? Was that the reason for the sudden storms and the earthquakes? Or was that just her? The mysterious Miss Kumiho? 

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I walked past my full-length mirror and tried to ignore how I looked in the morning. Except, something was rather off. I turned around to check my reflection and saw something thin and black sticking to my collarbone. Frowning, I my thumb and went to rub it over my collarbone, but as soon as I touched it, it stung like a son of a - 

"Preacher man! Ow!" the thin black branch paled when I pressed it, but reappeared just as easily. "What the-?" I removed my shirt and hissed through my teeth at seeing several black branches sprout over my skin like an ugly tattoo. I knew something was up with my shoulder - Miss Kumiho had even more or less taken credit for this - but how - "Oh my God, what did that woman do to me?" I flinched when I touched it, but it doesn't look to be all too bad. Yes, it was black and seemed to be sprouting branches under my skin like it was turning my veins black, but it was small-ish (how am I doing at trying to be in denial over the severity of this to keep myself calm?). 

"Ugh," I breathed, walking to the bathroom. If Lay was up for it, I'll ask him to take a look at it. He hadn't been able to heal it yesterday, but maybe he was feeling better today. 

Just the mere thought of having to go to school made feel sick all over again. This whole double life thing was taking its toll on me, and I wasn't sure how long I could keep up. There was the feeling of dread all over again, when I allowed myself to think what all of this meant. What game had I started playing? Could I even win? 

I looked at the reflection in my mirror and sighed. "Not with that hairdo, girl," I commented, preparing myself for school. 

I wasn't paying a lot of attention for most of the day. Classes came and went, and I think I may have even fallen asleep during third period, waking only when I had the same dream all over again, the one I had this morning. That voice saying that little chant... chosen knight? 

I think the only time that I actually started paying attention, was when classes had finally ended and I was walking with Lili on the school grounds. A group of students had huddled around the announcement board on the track field and we went to see what was on it to cause the students to create such a fuss. 

"No! I can't believe this! That is so unfair!" Lili then exclaimed amongst the uproar. "Jae-yah, look!" she grabbed my arm and I limply allowed her to drag me like I was some kind of rag doll. Honestly, I know I'm feeling a bit jaded and fatigued, but this wasn't like me. It was like I just ran out of ducks to give- That's right, ducks! And I freaking love ducks! The way they wiggle waggle when they walk on their flip floppity feet, and they quack so cutely! Donald Duck is my homie! Seriously, why was I feeling so...empty?

I vaguely rubbed my shoulder as I read the announcement on the board and frowned a little. 

Special Announcement: Homecoming Dance has been suspended until further notice. Due to the earthquakes, the dance hall has been damaged. Check on the announcement boards throughout campus for updates on the situation. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

Wow. The Homecoming Dance. I'd completely forgotten about that. The girls around me looked like the notice had announced the end of the world and again, I felt that pang of sincere jealousy that the suspension of the Homecoming Dance were these girls' only concern. Why had I ever wished on those stars? Can I take it back?

"Aww! And I had everything planned out perfectly! This year I thought for sure I was going to ask Luhan-oppa without backing out! I wanted to take him to the sports cafe and share some iced coffee together and then I'd let him talk about soccer all he wanted and then I was going to ask who his favorite team was and whether he could guess who my favorite team was," she rambled, telling me the details of her planned date with Luhan. "And when Luhan-oppa would ask 'who', I would open my jacket to reveal the school's team shirt with his name on it! I had designed mine with hearts and everything! He couldn't say no to me when I asked, right? I can't believe they suspended the dance..." she pouted and for the first time today, I smiled.

"That sounds like a brilliant way to ask him, Lili," I started, linking arms with the girl when her shoulders drooped down and she sadly looked at the announcement again. I pulled her gently with me and it was rather endearing when she gave a devastated sigh before leaning her head against my shoulder. "And you should definitely save it for when the Homecoming Dance is back on schedule. I mean, it's only suspended, not canceled, right?" I tried cheering her up and you know what? It felt good. For the moment, I was just Jae, a girl trying to comfort her friend who was going through a teenage crisis. It was perfectly normal and I loved it. 

"I guess so..." she sighed dramatically while we slowly walked back to the main building. "Oh! I've been meaning to ask, who are you actually planning to ask for Homecoming, Jae-yah?" she piped up in her excitement, the disappointment of the dance having been suspended long gone. "I think Minho wouldn't mind to be asked by you," she suddenly nudged, giggling when she saw the blushes on my cheeks. "Ooh, ooh! Or maybe even Kris-oppa?" she gave an excited squeal and started shaking me. "Are you going to ask Kris-oppa, Jae-yah?!" 

I grimaced when she touched my shoulder and I gently pushed her away, rubbing the soreness. "Actually, to be honest, I wasn't really planning on attending," I confessed quietly, chuckling when I caught Lili looking shocked beyond belief. 

"You're kidding!" she exclaimed as we sat on a stone bench near the stairs that lead to the main building. 

"Nope, I'm totally serious. I'm not much of a dancer anyway and dresses and high heels make me chafe," I added, but Lili wouldn't hear any of it. 

"But, Jae-yah! This will be your first Homecoming with us," she stated, holding my arm. "You have to go! You don't even have to dance if you don't want to, but it's a lot of fun. Everyone is dressed up all pretty and they always decorate the dance hall beautifully. There'll be music and snacks, people get to vote for the Homecoming King and Queen, of course, and there's a photo booth- oh, and we can't forget about the after party, of course!" she explained, leaning forward to whisper in my ear. "I hear the school is planning to put up a fun park, just for the occasion. I think Suho's father may have had a hand in that," she winked shrewdly and I smirked. 

"Well, that does sound like fun. You think there's gonna be a roller coaster at the after party?" I asked, allowing myself to divulge in the Homecoming bonanza. 

"For sure! I'd be utterly surprised if there wasn't," Lili answered, before that twinkle in her eyes reappeared. "So? You're going now, right?" she asked in a sing songy manner. 

I chuckled again. "I don't know. I mean, who would I even ask to come with me?" 

"Well, as long as you don't ask Luhan-oppa, I think anyone will want to go with you, Jae-yah," she said frankly. "I mean, it's not like I'm forbidding you to ask Luhan-oppa, of course, but it's just that I've enough competition as is," she added sheepishly, scratching her cheek shyly. Lili was a sweetheart through and through and I did hope that when she would ask Luhan, that he'd say yes to her, if only to see that bright smile on her face. I'm pretty sure those twelve dudes will be drowning in Homecoming invitations. 

Hm. Maybe I should ask Minho... I bit my lip when a particular memory entered my mind, a bunch of dorks hiding behind bushes and in trees while following me around when Minho was kind enough to show me around town a bit and asked me to watch a scary movie with him, since we found out that we're both huge horror fans. 

You're one of us, Jae. We protect our own. 

I think I really hit rock bottom last night, suffering a freaking meltdown because I had that panicked sensation of not belonging anywhere again, times one thousand, this time. I was so stupid to think I could do this on my own. If it weren't for them, the Majestic Twelve, I don't think I would have made it through until this far. Thinking about them brought a smile to my face, and a sense of security. Sure, they didn't remember me in their memories, but I guess that's okay since I didn't remember them in mine, either. Still, despite of that we were a pack. A second family. We are o-

"Yoohoo? Jae-yah? Earth to Jae-yah? Hey, space-head, what are you thinking about?" Lili's voice woke me from my thoughts and I grinned apologetically at her. 

"Sorry, Lili, I'm a bit tired," I quickly lied. "Um, what were talking about again?" 

Lili laughed and slapped my arm playfully. "Oh, Jae-yah, you're really gonna make me repeat it?" she whined a little, but continued nonetheless. "I said that I was wondering, if it wasn't too much trouble and if it wasn't too awkward or anything, whether you could perhaps do me a little favor? Since I've noticed that you seem to be able to talk to Luhan-oppa without breaking your brain and you seem to be friends, I thought, maybe, that you could put in a good word for me to increase my chances for Homecoming?" she bit her lip nervously, gazing at me with big, puppy dog eyes. "Please?" 

Blinking, I watched the face of devastating cuteness before me and realized that Lili has some major aegyo-power. Gah, how could anyone refuse this face? 

"Well, uh, I mean, I can't really guarantee that it would work, or anything," I stammered, already feeling nervous when I imagined how that conversation with Luhan would be like. "In the end, he's the one that makes the decision, of course," I added, though I didn't see any harm in telling Luhan what a great girl she was, if he wasn't aware of it yet, already. 

"Oh, of course! But it would mean so much to me if you could mention me to him. If only it would increase the chance of him remembering who I am so I'll stand out a bit more," she stated and I poked her cheek endearingly. 

"Sure, no problem," I then said (aka caved because her face looked so freaking squishy I just wanted to pinch her cheeks. No one should be allowed to have this much cuteness!). 

"Wah! Thank you, Jae-yah! You're the best!" I was suddenly trapped in a warm embrace, with Lili nearly bouncing out of joy. I don't think I've met anyone this perky and cheerful before. 

"Now then, we should discuss who you could ask for the dance," she then said, becoming serious again. "Are you going to ask one of the Majestic Twelve- not including Luhan, of course," she winked, making me laugh a bit nervously. 

"Honestly, I really don't know. I haven't thought about it...Maybe I'll go solo, make a statement, or something," I rambled, enjoying the girl-talk with Lili. We started discussing options to be my potential date for the dance, and for a moment, I was genuinely having fun. It was great to not think about other matters going on in my life, and it was nice to pretend that suddenly having to find a date for something oh-so-important like the dance was my biggest concern- even if it was for just a moment. 

That precious moment of normalcy was rudely taken away from me, when I made the mistake to glance behind Lili because I thought I spotted something odd on the green, abandoned sports field. My eyes widened and my heart nearly stopped when I recognized the white dot amongst the green.

Oh my God... The white wolf!

I jolted when I distinctly saw the shimmer of emerald green and I gasped, being reminded how its claws dug their way into my flesh.

"Jae-yah? What's wrong?" Lili asked.

"There's a wolf on the sports field," I blurted, pointing behind her. Lili startled at the news.

"What?!" she quickly turned around to see for herself, and I leaned back when I saw it bear its teeth at me. If that was Miss Kumiho, she'd better not think about hurting Lili! Speaking of which, I frowned at the girl in question when she sighed out of relief and started laughing. 

I was suddenly slapped against the arm and she grinned brightly at me. "Yah, Jae-yah, very funny! You got me," she giggled. "I had no idea you were so playful- oh, you know, Chen-sshi might be a fun date for you, too. He pulls tricks on people all the time," she talked as if there was nothing going on, but I was absolutely astonished. Who was pulling tricks on who here, exactly?

"Lili, I'm not kidding-, i-it's right there," I pointed out,  the wolf standing perfectly still to gaze at us both. "You can't see it?" I breathed. 

"Jae-yah, there's nothing there. It's empty," Lili said with concern lacing her voice as she looked at me this time. "Hm, you weren't kidding when you said you were tired, huh?" she commented, but I shook my head. The wolf was there. Clear as day. Why couldn't she see it? 

"It's-, but..." I huffed. "You can't see it," I stated, suddenly hearing Kris' voice in my head when he told me that there was nothing there after I was attacked. There was no wolf. They hadn't been able to see it either. Ghost-wolf. I don't understand. If that wolf was Miss Kumiho, why couldn't others see her? That wasn't her power, was it? And if so, why only expose herself to me? This is all presuming that the ghost-wolf actually was Miss Kumiho...

Sensing my obvious discomfort, Lili rubbed my arm and got off the bench. "Come on, let's get out of here. It's been a long day," she said sweetly, taking my hand when I nodded vaguely, still looking at the wolf that wasn't there. 

Who are you? I asked. There came no reply. I pretended that things were fine when Lili guided me away from the bench, but I still looked back from time to time. Miss Kumiho? I inquired, and for some reason, it responded. Except, it wasn't in the way I had expected it to. 

I'm waiting. My heart is burning. Time is being wasted... Wake up!

I froze and time seemed to have slowed down around me. A sharp, pressing pain traveled from my shoulder to my chest, until it had me gasping for air and buckling over. I faintly heard Lili's voice exclaim in the far distance, felt a pair of hands grab me, but it felt like a dream to me. 

You don't have time. Wake up.

Who are you? I asked, my voice a whisper, but still echoing around me. Tell me who you are!

You don't have time, the voice repeated. 

Then speak quickly! Who are you?! I yelled, a pair of emerald eyes shooting fire my way. 

You are a knight, the voice spoke, though there was an obvious bite of annoyance in its tone. And I, the voice said before my world slowly started to darken like a cocoon around me. 

I need you to wake up! The voice said angrily, sounding so very far away. I winced and was plunged into darkness, wondering why a vicious beast suddenly sounded so desperately frail when it said,

Please. Or you'll never wake again...