Random Rambles: Sorry, I meant to upload this connecting chapter with the previous one yesterday, but I hadn't reread it yet and I wrote it in the wee hours of the night, so I wanted to make sure there were no errors in it before I posted it. Thanks for bearing with me! <3

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Okay. Strange memories and vague past lives turned aside, having the power of so-called reflection was still pretty damn awesome. 

I still had to adjust when my power was active, since I realized that connecting with each person brought different feelings and effects, catered to whomever I was connected to at the time. But wow, now that I was consciously learning how to use it, it felt amazing. 

Connecting with Luhan is like wandering into a peaceful garden. A quiet, serene paradise that was made just for me. It was a strange sensation to try to explain, but it felt so invigorating. Even though the air was still, I could hear a million and one voices that were so soft, it sounded like all of them were singing a lullaby. It was pretty amazing, how beautiful a human mind is, how it could be powerful and fragile at the same time. 

Can you hear me, Jae?

Luhan’s voice seemed celestial, but I knew that he was close by. 

I can. What am I supposed to be looking for? 

Luhan laughed and I felt warm and pleasant inside. I had to remind myself that we were in each other’s heads now. I’ve given him full access in order for him to be able to try to see if he can read or hear what else the dagger had in store for us. 

Right out of the gate, huh, Jae? Don’t worry, I just need you here with me, that’s enough. 

So, I’m here for moral support, huh? 

Amongst other things, he said, but didn’t clarify. 

Should I worry? I prompted and heard him laugh again. 

I wanted privacy, he stated a bit too boldly and it nearly made me want to break the connection with him. 

Privacy? What do you mean, privacy? I demanded. 

Not like that! came Luhan’s immediate reply. I meant to say that it didn’t seem fair that we were the only ones to gain back our personal memories while you still don’t know who you are, not really, at least. I thought that maybe by connecting simultaneously with you and the dagger, I might be able to unlock more memories, he explained. Though, if you want to have some privacy for other reasons, I won’t complain either, he added teasingly after a brief pause. 

I wish I was physically able to pinch him, but here, in the void, the closest thing to reprimanding him was simply imagining my hand slapping his face. 

Ouch, that hurt, I could actually imagine him pouting at me. 

Served you right! 

He chuckled. Fair enough. Can you feel that, Jae? The energy of the dagger? he then asked as I forced myself to get serious again. 

It’s very faint, I said, trying to grasp onto it. 

Don’t link with it, Luhan warned. Just listen to it. 

But it’s not saying anything, I told him. 

That’s ‘cause you’re not trying hard enough to listen, he retorted. Concentrate a little harder for me, okay? I’ll do the rest of the work. Let me try to turn on a light here, he then mused as I did my best to do as he told me. 

I gasped softly when a brightness appeared and I was squinting, trying to see where I was. I felt around the odd, bright room until I bumped up against someone and a pair of arms wrapped themselves around my waist. 

Ah, that’s better. Found you, Luhan whispered, his smiling face appearing before me. I blinked in surprise since he looked so- for lack of a better word - angelic. There was a light that shone behind him, giving him a glowing aura and putting more shine in his sparkling eyes. 

He chuckled as his finger moved to my chin and pushed it up, having caught me shamelessly gaping at him. I cleared my throat and looked away, but he had already seen the red flushes on my cheeks. 

This is comfy, he continued his teasing and I shivered when I felt his warm breath against my skin. I shook my head and started hitting his shoulder. 

Hey, who’s the one that can’t focus now? We have a job to do, babo! I scolded half-heartedly and Luhan was aware of that. He laughed again, but quieted down when he gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. 

No matter what, Jae, you need to know that you’re important to us- to- t-to me, he suddenly stated out of the blue, leaving me confused and gaping like a fish again. 

I- y-yeah, I mean- what?

Luhan blinked a few times, as if some spell had been broken and he chuckled again. Sorry. Never mind, he apologized with a sheepish grin and slowly let me go. 

The dagger’s voice is close by. I couldn’t find it before, he said, after scraping his throat. It’s very frail, softer than a whisper. It keeps repeating that-

It’s running out of time, I finished his sentence after hearing what he heard. Luhan wasn’t kidding when he said that the voice was ridiculously quiet. It sounded like a little bell, unable to toll louder. 

We should ask it how we can help before that time is up then, I suggested and Luhan nodded seriously. He grabbed my hand with ease and lead the way. I didn’t know how he knew which way to go, since the place we were at was without walls, without paths, it was like walking through space. 

Luhan, I called out when I heard that little bell ring again. It’s saying something. We stood still and I held Luhan’s hand with both of my own as he listened. I remained as quiet as I could, watching Luhan’s expressions as he listened to the little bell. I strained to listen as well, but I saved my energy for him to use instead. 

I see, Luhan suddenly nodded. Please, show us. 

I squeezed into his hand when the environment changed, but Luhan stood straight, strong, unafraid. 

How are you doing, Jae? 

I’m fine, I said softly, though it was more of an automatic response by now. What’s going on? What did it tell you?

We’ll see soon enough. It’s a new memory, but I’m afraid it’s the only memory it’ll be able to show us. 

I swallowed when we were in an unknown office, not a bit of light in sight. The silhouette of a man sat in a chair, but the sight of him brought unpleasant shivers up and down my spine. He scared me, and I didn’t even know why. Luhan sensed my anxiety and pulled me closer to him. 

It’s only a memory, Jae, don’t be afraid, he told me and I nodded, pulling myself together. 

“What must I do for you to unlock your secrets?” the man’s voice sounded deep and slick, but I could hear the hissing of snakes in the air as well. When he turned around, I had hoped to see his face, but it was hidden by the shadows in the room. 

The man’s hand suddenly reached towards us and I realized that we were seeing this memory through the perspective of the dagger. Holy crap, the thing really is alive…

Of course, Luhan chuckled, having heard my thoughts, what did you think? 

I smiled sheepishly before I focused on the memory again. The man’s hand was still hovering over us and a loud, piercing screech sounded when he came too near, followed by a rumbling of the earth below us. Luhan and I clung to each other for balance, seeing the man hiss at the dagger, touching his injured hand. 

The dagger had glowed red then, the crimson light shining at the man in the shadows. His face was scrunched in a frown of anger and there was a distinct serpentine characteristic to his eyes. 

Mr. Yok? I questioned, feeling a tinge of fear despite the fact that this was only an image of him. 

The black Imoogi, Luhan confirmed. 

You remember, or observed? I asked, just to be sure. 

Observed, Luhan replied, though I can’t shake the feeling that he seems familiar. I don’t believe any of us have ever seen the black snake before, but still… he trailed off when the man sighed loudly. 

“What must I do, hm? I only think of your wellbeing. It’s obvious that you won’t be able to keep going on like this. You need something to live- I can give it to you, but you must let me know. What is the secret to your strength? Share it with me, and I can save the both of us!” 

I narrowed my eyes at him, looking at Luhan. Is this guy trying to bargain with a dagger? 

Yeah, and failing too, by the looks of things, he replied. 

“Just tell me what you need!” the man’s angry voice suddenly bouldered, another quake rippling underneath our feet. “You realize that without you, whatever world we travel to won’t survive long,” he continued, voice soft and menacing. “There is no balance, no noble brother, no heir, to protect the world and the pathetic creatures living in it. There is only you and me. We are what’s left. You would rather forsake the world than divulge your secrets with me to save it?” 

The man sounded more and more like a snake as he glared at the dagger. He clacked his tongue and scoffed. 

“I’ll find a way,” he said, the red light glowing warningly in the dark. “There won’t be anything you can do to stop it. This world shall be mine. A new Tree of Life will be born, a Tree of Power and Fire, a Tree so great it shall cast a wonderful darkness over the lands. The roots shall drink from rivers of blood, its black branches shall carry the delectable fruits of poison and all shall bow down to me! It is our destiny, you see,” the man’s eyes flashed. “It was always meant to be. I’m patient. I’ll wait a thousand years if I have to. Do you have that time?” 

The ground below us trembled once more, but this time, it seemed more intense as the vision of the memory shook and rippled before it faded away. The trembling didn’t stop, and it felt as though the world was going to crash down on us. 

Luhan?

He held me close in response, making sure to protect me while I was worried about him. 

Stay close, Jae.

Well, duh! I retaliated, leaning into his chest when the walls of the strange room started to collapse. What’s happening?! Is it the dagger?

I don’t know, Luhan’s eyes gleamed as he held all the falling objects at bay with his mind. There’s something wrong, he stated. 

What should we do? I looked around for an exit or something, but technically speaking we weren’t even physically here- wherever here is. When Luhan hadn’t answered me, I pushed against his chest to get his attention. Hey! Put your head in the game! What should we do? 

It’s outside, he answered sharply, concern in his eyes. There’s something going on outside! 

He had barely uttered the words or the space we were in was ripped brutally in half. I was torn away from Luhan’s safe embrace and thrown back into the unknown. I opened my eyes with a start, the world around me slowly coming into focus. That dreadful feeling of being hungover took me by surprise again, everything spinning about before I could settle my sight on Luhan lying on the ground opposite of me. 

I crawled towards him and shook his shoulders. “Luhan, wake up,” my voice was hoarse, but he stirred and opened his eyes. I could read the symptoms of a bad hangover on his face the moment he woke up and he held onto his head when he attempted to sit up. 

“Gah, talk about a rude awakening. That did not go as planned,” he groaned, blinking his eyes to get them to focus. “What the hell happened?” 

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” I replied. “Where is everyone?” I helped Luhan get up as we looked around the plateau where it was eerily still. 

Luhan seemed to have woken up fully this time, stepping before me to look around. My own senses were heightened, a sense of danger in the air. 

“Jae, where’s the dagger?” Luhan suddenly asked and I panicked, feeling around my pockets, searching the ground. Oh no… You’re kidding me! 

“Jae?” Luhan called out, his eyes widening when he saw the look of alarm on my face. “,” he cursed, the both of us looking at the same direction when we thought we heard the sound of growling coming from the trees below the stone plateau. 

My nose itched as I sniffed the air, a sense of fear settling itself in my heart. “Do you smell burning wood?”

Luhan’s silence was answer enough. He haunched down, a guttural sound coming from his throat. “Stay here!” he commanded, leaping off the stone plateau after closing his eyes so he wouldn’t have to look at the height. 

“As if! Luhan! Wait!” I saw him land on the ground below, running off with high speed. “Unbelievable,” I muttered, looking at the abandoned plateau, the empty cave and the silence. 

“Ugh, as if I would stay here!” I growled myself, jumping off the plateau and changing into a wolf in the process. I followed my nose, and even though the scent of burning wood was nauseating, I quickened my pace to follow the guys. 

That woman must’ve found us, tracked us down somehow. She was quick, though, to run all the way back to hunt us down. I guess Kai hadn’t taken her away far enough. Then again, she had been pretty adamant and desperate to get the dagger back. People in that state of mind would stop at nothing to get what they wanted. She must be working for that Mr. Yok. If I understood this right, that dagger was his yeouiju, so he’d want it back at all costs. 

God, who knew that a megalomaniac like that was the founder of a ecologically responsible company, aimed to cater to humans whilst preserving nature? Everything is so twisted… 

I skidded to a halt when I saw something flying towards me. I ducked to the ground when I realized it was Kris being slung in the air. He landed on the ground behind me and I ran towards him. 

“Okay! That is it! That woman is not my style!” he groaned, sitting up while grasping his waist. He blinked in confusion when he saw me. “Jae? What are you doing here? I thought Luhan told you to stay at the cave,” he said as I changed back. 

“Right, and I always do as you guys tell me,” I retaliated, helping him get to his feet. “Guardians or not, you don’t have the right to start bossing me around,” I told him. 

“Jae, this is serious business. You could get hurt all over again. Get back to safety, please. We got this handled,” Kris implored, pulling me towards him when someone else came sailing through the air towards us. 

“Whoa! That woman is on steroids!” Chen shouted, getting to his feet and shaking his head. 

“What’s the status?” asked Kris, still holding onto me. 

“She got the dagger, hyung,” Chen said soberly, his eyes then flashing towards me. “Noona, you shouldn’t be here,” he started. 

“No use, Chen, she won’t listen,” Kris interjected before I had a chance to open my mouth. “Jae, listen to me. That woman doesn’t play around. It’s dangerous.” 

“Kris, it’s been dangerous since the beginning,” I told him. “How can I help?” 

He gave a wan smile, cupping my cheek. “Getting to safety won’t be an option, I suppose?” he tried. 

“You honestly think you can defeat me?!” a crazed Miss Kumiho shrieked from a little further away. The others did their best to overpower her, but she was on a rampage.  

“You know, I distinctly remember being a bit more powerful than we are now,” Chen noted, his hands buzzing with lightning bolts. 

“More proof that some things are still missing,” Kris said. “We have to get the dagger back. Jae, maybe you can help,” he stated. 

The plan was simple. Chen would distract that woman by shooting lightning bolts at her face while Kris and I would try to dive in and knock her off balance just enough for her to either drop the dagger or be distracted enough for one of us to take it from her. 

I swallowed when Chen lead the charge and I steadied my breathing just long enough to connect to Kris. I was swimming through an ocean of clouds when we connected and even though I was nervous, I trusted him and my body to know what to do. 

“Just follow my lead,” he assured me and I nodded. Chen started the attack, aiming for her face and eyes only, as Kris and I floated in the air and I was starting to feel helpless. All I needed to do was soar towards her to startle her, but that was easier said than done. Still, I was determined to help them, so when Kris gave the signal, I put my best foot forward - so to speak - and soared in after him. 

Chen’s attacks had thrown her off balance and when she saw Kris and I approaching, she actually successfully fell back. I saw a glimmer of silver fly through the air before hitting the ground. 

“It worked!” I called out towards Kris, too late to hear his warning as I looked where I was flying towards and slammed against a tree. I landed on the ground with an equally loud thud, pangs of pain shooting through my body as the connection between me and Kris was broken. 

“Ow…” I panted, trying to get to my feet as quickly as I could. I guess I still had some luck left on my side since I opened my eyes and saw the dagger an arm’s reach away from me. 

As I was recovering from the fall, that woman was doing the same thing. Our gazes met when we looked for the dagger and she glared fire at me, running to get the weapon. On instinct, I grabbed the thing and stood up. 

“Jae-noona! Run!” Sehun yelled at me as a gust of wind picked up, pushing me hastily forward and blowing hard against her to hold her back. 

As I ran away from her again, I started to feel the fear and panic really settle in. I was reminded how she had the ability to poison me and to torture me for her entertainment. I remembered her cold hands wrapped around my neck and how little my life meant to her.

What was I doing again to help the guys out? Why do I always insist on getting into trouble? 

In that moment the black snake appeared in my mind’s eye. My only memory replaying itself in my head as I raced through the familiar woodland paths. 

Hadn’t I died while trying to save the dagger? The Imoogi’s body was coiled around me until I heard the bones snapping. I gave up my life for that freaking trinket- I guess some things really don’t change, provided that memory was true. 

“Get back here, you little worm!” it sounded from far behind me and frantically picked up the pace. 

What was up with this woman?! Seriously! 

“You need therapy!” I screamed behind me as branches whipped against my body. I didn’t really know where I was going, but being far away from that woman was already good enough. My feet would know where to run to. 

“Not as much as your loved ones will need it, darling. Even dental records won’t be able to identify you once I get my hands on you,” she yelled back in a surprisingly, albeit horribly creepy, sweet voice.

“Scratch that! You don’t need therapy, woman- you need Jesus or Buddha or a simple one way ticket to the loony bin!” I screeched, finally making it out of the forest onto solid asphalt, continuing my run with the blasted dagger still in my hand. I would have loved to blame all of this misery on the weapon, but I couldn’t. This wasn’t its doing. That Mr. Yok, he was to blame, I think. 

I must’ve run faster than I thought when I reached the end of the road and it transitioned into the main road that lead towards civilization. In my hurry and panic, I ran to the only place I thought would provide me with safety and shelter, even though it was most likely the worst place to go to at a time like this. 

But me being me, I panicked and didn’t know where else to go to. By the time I opened the front door of my house and hopped inside, I knew that I screwed up. 

“Crap!” I breathed. “Oh, !” I paced around the messy living room a moment, trying to pull myself together. “Okay, okay, Jae, breathe. Calm down, what can you do?” I tried soothe, but I knew I messed up. “I should hide you,” I then said, looking at the dagger, only to cringe and moan because what the ef, Jae, what are you thinking?! If I hid the dagger here, that woman was bound to find it! 

“What do I do? What do I do?” I hated this. I hated being driven into a corner like this and feel so helpless! 

My heart stopped when I heard the front door open slowly. My veins froze as I felt the blood drain out of me at seeing a seething Miss Kumiho stand in the doorway. Her eyes were fixed on me, radiating a menacing aura that haunted her no matter which way she moved. 

“Well then,” she purred, cracking her neck as she approached me. “Here we are again,” she smiled widely, but it never reached her eyes. 

I didn’t waste time and immediately started to run off, but she pounced on me then, knocking over a lamp in the process. I heard it shatter when it hit the floor. 

“So, are you going to cooperate and hand me the dagger, or should I show you the alternative choice instead?” she asked, pinning me to the ground, her hands already making their way towards my throat again. When I was too late to reply, she smirked, hands at the ready to strangle me. 

“More fun for me then,” she whispered. 

“Not if I can help it!” Kai appeared like a knight in shining armor, riddled in black smoke as he grabbed hold of a startled Miss Kumiho and they fought in the living room. 

“Kai!” I cried out, standing up. 

“What are you waiting around for, noona?! Get out of here! Kitchen, backdoor!” he instructed, growling as he fought her again. 

I felt horrible having to leave Kai to do the fighting once more, but I did as he said, making a run towards the kitchen so I could escape through the backdoor. I was nearly there when I heard a loud crash and a distinct whimpering of a young wolf. 

The breath from my lungs was squeezed out of me when only silence followed, and I knew I couldn’t leave Kai behind. Holding the dagger in a death-grip, I ran back to the living room, gasping loudly to see him wounded on the floor. He looked beaten and was bleeding. 

“N-noona,” he said weakly. “W-watch-,” 

“Ack!” my head was pulled back harshly as that woman appeared behind me, yanking at my hair so I had no other choice but follow her movements. I nearly dropped the dagger to be able to hold onto my scalp, but I didn’t. That woman dragged me towards the kitchen and threw me down on the floor. I slid against the cabinet and winced in pain. I wasn’t given a moment of reprieve when she instantly straddled me, making sure I wasn’t able to escape. 

I struggled underneath her, but she had me helplessly pinned. Not wasting any breath, her hands were wrapped around my throat again, panic kicking in full force when she squeezed. 

“I’m disappointed in you, Jae,” she purred, while I kicked and sputtered underneath her. “I thought I told you that I always win the games I play,” she mused, leaning forward. “I need you to know this. I will get the dagger back from you. I’ll walk away with it in the end. The decision you’re left to make is whether or not you’ll be able to see me leave with the dagger, or won’t be consciously aware that I have because you’d be dead,” she tightened the grip around my neck, reacting amused when I made a poor attempt to hurt her hands so she had to let go - which she didn’t.

“I’m out of patience and kindness for you, darling,” she continued. “Last chance. Either you give me the dagger like a good little girl you are, or I’ll pry it off your dead, cold carcass. Your choice,” she said. 

I didn’t want to grace her with a reply. She wasn’t worth anything in my book. I wheezed for air and managed to turn aside, where I saw Kai lying on the living room floor. His eyes were on me as well, and I saw him attempting to make contact with me. 

Of course! 

If I could connect with Kai, then maybe he’ll be strong enough to teleport the both of us to safety! However, there was one problem. 

I was being strangled at the moment. I couldn’t focus, other than on the idea that death soon would come for me and I couldn’t try to connect to him, even if I wanted to. Spots appeared in my vision and I was starting to blackout. I attempted to reach out to Kai anyway, but that woman caught on and smacked my hand down. 

She laughed. “Magic won’t help you now, darling,” she stated. “You’re mine,” she hissed. 

My vision was darkening, but I still refused to loosen the grip on the weapon entrusted into my hands. Just when I thought that I was done for, another silhouette appeared behind that woman. 

I squinted my eyes when I heard a loud clunk and before I knew what had happened, that woman’s grip around my neck loosened up and shock was painted on her face before she fell over- unconscious. 

Still in a state of alarm, I quickly wriggled out from under her heavy body, staring in awe at the mysterious silhouette that saved the day. However, as I directed myself towards this hero, my mouth ran dry and I actually wished that that woman had strangled me a little harder so I wouldn’t have to witness this. 

Mom was still holding onto the frying pan as if it were a long sword, panting slightly and pointing it threateningly at Miss Kumiho’s unmoving body. 

“I don’t know what happened, but, lady, your eggs are beyond scrambled!” she shrieked nearly hysterically before she turned sharply towards me. The movement was so sudden, I instinctively lifted my hands in the air in defense, dropping the dagger with a clatter in the process. 

Mom’s eyes flashed towards the weapon, brow furrowed before she gazed at an unconscious Miss Kumiho, a barely conscious Kai and a messy living room. I saw her freaking out on the inside, but she held it together as best as she could when she pointed the frying pan towards me. 

“Young lady,” she started strictly, Mom-voice style. “I think you have some major explaining to do!” she panted. 

That woman may have nearly killed me, but right now, nothing was more terrifying than Mom threatening me with a frying pan. I was in more trouble now than I was ten seconds ago. 

Whoops…