"Sooyoung. Amber. Taeyeon. The three of you guys should be resting right now." Donghae softly advised as he crouched down in an effort to make eye contact. "You three have been sitting here since they were taken in for surgery."

Taeyeon, who had her hands clasped in front of her shook her head. "I'm going to wait here until I know for sure that they are all okay."

"I don't think any of us will be able to rest until their condition is stabilized." Amber added with a grave tone as she leaned back to rest her head against the wall. The anxiety and fear was too much right now for them.

"Thank you for your concern Donghae. But, we'll just stay here." Sooyoung said with a sad smile as Donghae sighed and had no choice but to concede to their wishes. 

"Fine. But only this one time. As much as I am concerned for Tiffany, Jessica and Krystal, I am also worried for you three. Understood?" He asked, as he noticed that even though he had managed to bandage up their wounds, they were still weak from donating blood. "The amount of blood that you guys gave, shouldn't be ignored."

Just then, a scatter of footsteps could be heard running in their direction along with voices and cries of concern. Taeyeon, Amber and Sooyoung quickly stood up when they saw their girlfriends' parents.

"How are my daughters? Are they alright?" Ms. Hwang frantically asked in a worried frenzy along with Ms. Jung. 

"Answer us. How are they?" Ms. Jung demanded to know, holding Donghae's arm with a tight grasp. "Tell me!"

"Honey. Calm down. I'm sure that the doctors are doing their best." Mr. Jung comforted, pulling his wife in for a hug. "Right Doctor Lee?"

"Their currently in surgery to remove the bullet. For now, all we can do is wait." Donghae professionally commented, giving the parents a pitiful look. "I'm sorry."

Mrs.Hwang broke down sobbing into her husbands shoulder when she heard those words from Donghae.  "Please God. Save them. Please."

TaeSooBer were going to say something but got interrupted by the sudden appearance of the surgeon. Donghae informed who that surgeon was.

"Doctor! How are our daughters?!" Mr. Jung demanded to know as they all crowded around the doctor. 

"Fortunately, the surgery went well. Your daughters will be alright."

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" The parents hugged the doctor and then each other while TaeSooBer could only let out a relieving smile. They were fine...they were alive.

"Can we go visit them?"

"They are now being transferred to their rooms. These nurses here will take you."

"Doctor Lee?" one of the nurses turned to Donghae.

"Yes?"

"You have a visitor waiting for you in the chapel. He tells me that he must meet with you."

"What's his name?"

"James."

TaeSooBer's face darkened upon hearing that name. James was here for them, not Donghae. Donghae faked a smile and thanked the nurse.

The parents was already following the doctor but realized something odd. "Are you three not coming?" Mr. Hwang asked, looking at TaeSooBer.

"We will come in a bit. Don't worry." Amber assured with a smile.

"Alright. But don't be too long."

As soon as they left, TaeSooBer turned around, knowing exactly what they had to do. But was suddenly blocked by Donghae. 

"Move Donghae."

"No. Are you three crazy?! What if he kills you?" Donghae angrily whispered, ignoring the glares from his friends. "I'm not going to risk that."

"He won't. We're the only ones who can give him what he wants." Taeyeon gravely answered before walking past Donghae with her sisters. And as much as Donghae wanted to follow them and be backup, he knew that it was not his place to do so. It wouldn't make a difference anyways.

--------------------------

James's face immediately lit up in glee when he sensed the presence of Taeyeon, Amber and Sooyoung from behind him. James slowly rose up from his seat on the pew and turned to face the sisters, who were not that far away from him. 

"It's an honor to finally meet the three of you in person." James said with a curt bow before looking at them with great interest. Meanwhile, TaeSooBer to just stared at him with an unreadable expression. 

James let out a laugh upon the silent greeting he received. "Did you guys enjoy my homecoming gift I left for you? I surely hope that Shin was a great host." He sarcastically remarked with a smirk, wanting to stir up the vengence and hatred from TaeSooBer.

Sooyoung smiled and simply alked forward until he was standing beside James.Taeyeon and Amber stood in their original spots. "Shin was a wonderful host. Maybe he could provide you with the same hospitality when you join him in hell." She calmly spoke before walking further off again until she was facing the holy statue.

"Must I remind you that we are in a church Ms. Choi. Mind your tongue. Or else I will have to rid you of it." James sharply retorted, earning a dry laugh from TaeSooBer. 

"I'm sure that if God has allowed your presence before Him, He will forgive us this once." Amber said, her hands in her pocket before sending James a sharp stare. "You did not keep your end of the deal James."

"I disagree. You see, it was not me who hurt your pretty girlfriends. It was Shin and the Maniacs." James feigned offense and hurt. 

"You gave Shin permission to do what he wants, knowing that he will use any means to destroy us." Amber continued, standing right in front of James. "You knew. And I won't forgive you for that."

"You know what? You guys need to learn how to prioritize." James began and paced about the aisle as he spoke. "Prioritize who is the most important. I was merely teaching you guys a lesson. That's all."

Now it was Taeyeon's turn to step into the conversation. Her eyes never leaving James as she got closer. When she was only a few inches away from James, she finally spoke. 

"Prioritizing and loving someone is two different things. But you wouldn't know that because you chose to kill your own brother, the only person who ever loved you. And now, you're less than nothing." 

James's smirk immediately disappeared when Taeyeon uttered those harsh words. Taeyeon then walked past James so that she was now with her sisters, who all looked at James with utmost detest. 

James merely brushed off Taeyeon's comment with a mocking laugh. "As I have promised, you have four more days until the end of the month. I would expect you to see all three of you at the promised location. Or else, don't blame me if anything else befalls your beloved girlfriends. Just because I lost my company and everything else, it doesn't mean I can't end some more innocent lives." James said before turning around to leave, cackling evilly as he exited. Everything was in the palm of his hands now...he had the upper hand.

---------------------------------------

2 days have passed and JeTiKrys has not woken up from their coma. Throughout those days, TaeSooBer never left their side, hoping to be the first ones they saw whenever they opened their eyes. But time was running out on them. It was already night time and by tomorrow morning, they will have to leave...and may never return.

Time was ticking.

In their own respective rooms with the love of their life, Taeyeon, Amber and Sooyoung recalled the conversation they had with Donghae and their father the same day after meeting James:

"We will leave as planned Dad." Sooyoung announced to their Jae and Donghae outside in the hospital garden. 

"Are you guys sure about this?" Jae carefully asked, knowing just how worried his daughters are for their lovers. "Especially at this critical time?"

TaeSooBer nodded their head simultaneously. 

"We must go. Or else, James will hurt them again. We can't risk that." Amber continued. "No matter what happens, we don't want anymore innocent lives to be shed because of us."

"What about Jessica, Krystal and Tiffany? What will I tell them when they ask for you guys?" Donghae bitterly asked, not liking the idea. "It may take weeks before they wake up!"

Taeyeon sighed and looked at her sisters before answering Donghae. "You won't have to tell them anything. We have already taken care of it."

"But-"

"Donghae." Jae calmly spoke, ordering Donghae to not say anymore. Donghae looked at Jae in disbelief and shock. 

"You can't let them go through with this! You know how dangerous it is!"

"It's their decision. And they are right. We can't take any more risks with James. You know that already."

"Yes. But...this isn't fair."

Amber forced a smile and placed a hand on Donghae's shoulder, hoping to soothe him. "Donghae. Don't make this harder than it already is. We know that you are looking out for us but please, this is for the best."

"..."

"Before we go, we will spend our last moments as if it were our last. We won't lose hope." Amber stated, holding back her tears. "For now, we just want to spend as much time as possible with Jessica, Krystal and Tiffany."

Donghae agreed to the decision, although stubbornly and hesitantly. But deep down, he didn't want them to go at all. Donghae wanted to just protect them...they knew that...

But, it's not his war. And Taeyeon, Sooyoung, and Amber knew this too well. So did Donghae. If tonight was the last for them, they are glad to have spent it with their loved ones.

----------------------------------------------------------

*3rd day-Departure @dawn*

"Let me help." Hyoyeon insisted the moment she heard of the news from Donghae. She came as soon as she heard that TaeSooBer were going to go to Japan and end everything. "You can't trust James."

"Jessica. Tiffany. Krystal...and everyone else that gets in James' way will be murdered in cold blood unless we do something about it. And its' time Hyoyeon." Amber calmly answered, slinging her bag over her shoulders. "It's time that this ends."

"Then let me help too. What about Sunny and the others?"

Taeyeon clenched her fists when she heard Sunny's name. "Do not worry about them. We will take care of them if its the last thing we do."

"Just how did they manage to capture Jessica and the others? I thought you guys had it all figured out?"

"We were confident that they were given the best protection that we could offer, even if it wasn't us." Amber began in a grave tone as she closed her eyes and rested her chin on her clasped hands. "From what Siwon and Heechul told us, there was a traitor in the squad. He forced Krystal, Tiffany and Jessica to go with him after threatening to kill them. Which was why Siwon and Heechul didn't retaliate. "

"Damn it! Just thinking about it now I want to kill Hyuna!" Amber hit the table with her fist, allowing the loud noise to echo in the living room.

"We took care of the traitor. He won't be of any harm to anyone else ever again." Sooyoung reminded Amber, gently rubbing the young one's back to soothe her.

"Yes. There shouldn't be any more problems in the meantime." Taeyeon finished and looked at Hyoyeon sternly. "We have to do this alone Hyoyeon. It's not something that can be stalled any longer. Too much lives are at stake."

TaeSooBer grabbed their things, ready to board the private jet that Hyoyeon had provided them with. Hyoyeon nodded her head in understanding but quickly ran up to block TaeSooBer from boarding when she thought of something. 

"What do I tell Krystal and them when they wake up?" Hyoyeon asked in a sad and solemn tone. 

"Nothing. Just do what we told you to do. Everything else, we have taken care of it." Sooyoung smiled and placed a hand on Hyoyeon's shoulder, while Taeyeon and Amber playfully punched Hyoyeon's arm, smiled, and boarded the plane first.

"Yah! At least say good-bye." Hyoyeon yelled after Taeyeon and Amber.

"Hyoyeon." 

Hyoyeon turned her attention back to Sooyoung. "Wae?"

"Thank you for everything." Sooyoung stood up straight and put on a playful poker-face. "No goodbyes. You know how much we hate that word."

Hyoyeon sighed and nodded her head with a weak smile."I believe in you guys. So does Jessica, Krystal and Tiffany. This is definitely not goodbye. It will never be. All of you will come back alive." She said with firm determination.

"Be happy." Was all Sooyoung said before she boarded the plane as well. Hyoyeon looked on as they plane flew away, a familiar pain of hurt emerging in her chest. Hyoyeon wiped her tears before turning back around. No matter what happens, she, Sooyoung, Amber and Taeyeon will always be friends, sisters, and family. 

---------------------------------------------------------------

James, no doubt, was the happiest man in the world at this particular moment. It was finally time....all those years of waiting, he was finally going to get what he had worked so hard for. So as he stood by the river, relaxed and enjoying the silence, he couldn't help but smile all the while. 

"Boss." a woman's voice interjected from behind the man, disturbing his peaceful moment.

"Has our VIP guests arrived Yoona?" James asked, eyes still closed, hands behind his back in a calm posture.

"Yes." Yoona briefly answered. 

"Then, let's go. It's rude to keep them waiting. Right?" 

"They're armed." Yoona informed, bothered by James' calmness. "Shouldn't you be alert and careful?"

"No need. Everything is as I expected." He said with an evil smile, before leading the way. "And your sisters?"

"With our guests."

"Just the three of them?"

"Yes."

"Hm." 

---------------------------------

"Ah! The three of you are a sight for sore eyes." James muttered the second he got close enough to TaeSooBer. 

"I can't say the same to you." Taeyeon answered, not caring about how rude her response was, not that James cared.

"Kim Taeyeon. You're feisty. Nothing like your mother." 

Now that struck a chord with Taeyeon, whose eyes immediately darkened. "Don't you dare mention my mother."

"Wae? I killed her. As well as all of your family." His eyes moved to Amber and Sooyoung. "That gives me the right."

"The only right you have, is to pay for your sins."

"Is that right?" James chuckled and pointed at the cave behind him that was inaccessible. "If your parents did what I asked of them nicely, none of you would be orphans."

"Shove it James! Don't try to justify your actions." Sooyoung retorted, trying hard not to fall into James' plan to tire them out. "If anything, you should have died. Not our family."

"We'll see about that. Shall we go? Time is ticking." He stated with a smirk before leading the way back to the cave, with Yoona and her sisters behind TaeSooBer. TaeSooBer agreed...time is ticking. And death, waits for no one.

--------------------------------------------

*Back in Korea*

"What is the meaning of this?!" Mr. Hwang demanded to know as he found two guards in black suits standing in front of his daughter's room. "Who are you?!"

But he go no response. And it only got worse when he saw that Jessica and Krystal's room also had the same problem. Why the hell were they guarding their rooms?!

"Get the f**k away!" Mr. Jung yelled, only to be blocked by the mysterious guards when he tried to enter. "What the hell?!"

"Sorry sir. But we have our orders to stay here until further notice." one of the guards stoically stated, moving back to his soldier posture. 

"Honey." Mrs. Jung softly spoke, fearful for her daughters' well-being. They were soon joined by Mr. and Mrs. Hwang, who was equally confused, enraged and distraught. 

"It's okay. Don't worry." Mr. Jung assured his wife, with Mr. Hwang doing the same for his wife. They'll figure something out.

"Excuse me. Is there a problem?"

The parents turned to look at the person who spoke for their attention. They have no idea who the woman standing in front of them were. But since she's asking, they'll give an answer. 

"Yeah. Who are you? And who the hell are these men and why are they here?!" Mr. Hwang exclaimed, pointed at the men in black with sunglasses and earpiece.

"These men have been assigned to protect you and your family until further notice."

"Family? Oh no! Hana!" Mrs.Hwang nervously exclaimed as she clutched to her husband in fear. 

"Do not worry. She is in safe hands. I promise you."

"How can we trust you? We don't even know you."

"But I know you Mr. Jung. All of you."

"What do you want?"

"Nothing Mrs. Hwang. Do not be afraid. I'm not dangerous."

"Then tell us who you are." Mr. Hwang demanded.

"I'm Kim Hyoyeon. Sister of Kim Taeyeon, Choi Sooyoung and Amber Liu."

'"What? Another sister?!" Now that was a shocker.

"And despite the fact my sisters have caused you trouble and grief, please do not get angry or worried. No harm will come to your daughters as long as I am here."

"Do not mention those three names in front of me again Kim Hyoyeon. Those three are nothing but an omen. Look at what they have done to my daughters!" Mr. Hwang yelled, as he grabbed a hold of Hyoyeon's collar. "It was their fault!"

"As far as you know." Hyoyeon replied, earning a confused look from Mr.Hwang and the other parents. What does Hyoyeon mean by that??

"Please let go of me."

Mr. Hwang gradually loosened his hold and retreated, allowing Hyoyeon to fix her shirt. 

"Now as I was saying, for your own protection as well as your family's, you will be guarded on a 24 hour basis. Do not worry, you will be allowed to see your daughters after I inform the guards." Hyoyeon turned around to leave but stopped when Mrs. Jung called her name.

"Hyoyeon."

"Yes?" Hyoyeon answered, looking over her shoulder.

"Your sisters-" Mrs. Jung softly spoke, as she walked a bit closer to Hyoyeon "-where are they now?"

"I can't tell you."

"And you? You must be here for a reason."

"And what's that?"

"To show you just how much my sisters care and love your daughters."

"Is that all?"

"No."

"Then?"

"I am here because I intend to keep my promise to my sisters." Hyoyeon nonchalantly retorted before walking away again, not bothering to look behind her at the stupefied looks on their faces. As she walked down the hospital hall, she recalled her last conversation with TaeSooBer before the plane had departed.

"Hyoyeon, no matter what happens, take care of Jessica, Tiffany and Krystal. Keep them and their family safe. Promise us." Taeyeon softly uttered in a pleading and sad tone as Sooyoung and Amber nodded their head in agreement.

"I promise."

-----------------------------------------------------------

They finally stopped when their path was blocked by a metal barrier with three slits in the middle that were about a meter apart. It seemed like something had to be inserted into those slits. And that was all there was to it.

As TaeSooBer examined the metal barrier, James took the liberty to explain the mechanisms behind the metal wall. 

"Looks simple right?" James asked, using his fist to hit against the metal. "But in reality, it's not. And we have Mr. Kim Han to thank for this." He stated as he made eye contact with TaeSooBer. "That's right. Kim Hyoyeon's father built this wall. A magnificent and genius piece of work. But of course, you already know this."

TaeSooBer chose to stay quiet as James patted the metal wall with his hands and a smirk. "Well, what are you waiting for? I'm sure my dear old brother Jae already told you what you must do."

TaeSooBer exchanged looks with each other before unsheathing their sword as they stared at James with a murderous glare. But James seemed to be unfazed by such intimidation while Yoona, Sunny and Hyuna immediately got on the defensive. 

"Stop!" James held up his hand to stop his so called 'mercenaries' from taking any further action.  His grin got wider as TaeSooBer walked closer to him, their swords held tightly in their hands. 

Yoona and her sisters stepped back but never let their guard down. Never do that, especially when they are in the same space as TaeSooBer.

"Your parents didn't want this secret to fall into the wrong hands so they used another method to keep it within the families. That's why the three of you were chosen to be the keys."

TaeSooBer raised their sword, placed the blade against their palm, and swiftly brought their sword down. Now their palm was bleeding from the cut as their blood dripped down the edge of their sword. Walking past James, TaeSooBer went toward the metal barrier and inserted their now blood-stained sword into the slit. Once it was securely inside, they turned their sword to the right and then brought it back to its original position before taking it out. 

As soon as they did that, some mechanical noises were heard from within the walls and soon, the metal barrier was sliding apart from each other, revealing an entryway in the middle. The heavy movements of the barried caused the cave to shake and rumble, with small pieces of rocks falling down.  But it was not something that would be of concern.

TaeSooBer had just finished wrapping a piece of their shirt around their cut when James grabbed them and threw them to the ground.

"Go!" James ordered, grabbing TaeSooBer's sword and pushed them into the entrance first as he stayed behind them. "Sunny! You guys follow me." He commanded, holding onto the swords as he carefully followed behind TaeSooBer. 

It was dark. Not a suprise. Sooyoung used the flashlight James provided and led the way as her sisters were right next to her. "How deep is this cave?"

"How the hell would I know?!"

"Maybe because you killed our family for this so called 'treasure'." Taeyeon sarcastically and bitterly retorted, swerving her flashlight around to observe the area.

"And I would have killed you too if they had told me what I wanted to know!!" 

"Boss. Perhaps it would be better if we stayed behind in case they brought help?" Yoona suggested, only to be shunned down by James.

"No! We will all go together." He sent Yoona a dark glare that was illuminated by the dim area, causing him to look very evil. She knew she and her sisters stood no chance against him. Especially with TaeSooBer who undoubtedly harbored intentions to kill them as well. So she complied and followed along obediently.

After 10 minutes, they saw a small glimmer of light in the distance. Could it be?

"Hurry! That's it over there!!" James yelled in excitement as he shoved TaeSooBer harder, focused on getting to the spring as soon as possible. Finally, his dreams and desires will be achieved!

As soon as James saw the spring, he ran toward it, dropping the swords in the process. He had told Sunny to tie up TaeSooBer so they can't do anything. "Finally! After all these years!!"

"I wouldn't touch it if I were you!" Taeyeon yelled from behind, but James didn't care. He doesn't need to be told what he can't do. He knows very well what will happen if he touches it. "Actually, bathe in it. You could use cleansing of that horrid soul of yours. Too late. You gave up your soul too when you tried to kill your own brother!!"

"Ugh!" James stood up, marched over to Taeyeon and punched her in the face, causing her lips to bleed. "SHUT UP!!"

"Yah! You ugly excuse of a man! Hasn't your mother ever taught you not to hit a woman? Or did you kill her too?" 

Sooyoung's snarky comment earned her a kick to the abdomen. Sooyoung bend down in pain, as she struggled for air. James lifted Sooyoung's face up by her chin and was going to hit her again when he suddenly found himself on the ground. 

"F**k off motherf*cker!!" Amber yelled, as she was on her knees after having just used her head to deliver a painful blow to his chin. 

Enraged, James immediately stood up and punched Amber on her jaws and then threw her to the ground and kicked her in teh abdomen. He would have done more damage if not for the fact that he had other plans. 

"No. I won't kill you just yet. I want all of you to witness my glory before I end your life." He laughed maliciously as he looked down at TaeSooBer with a wicked smile. "And then afterwards, I'll kill all of your loved ones. Every.single.one.of.them."

TaeSooBer growled in anger and struggled to free themselves, wanting to tear James apart, limb from limb. But they couldn't. 

James went back toward the life-saving spring, admiring the magical water that works miracles. "Just imagine how this will change the course of history. I will be feared and become the most powerful being in the world. Everyone will bow down to me!" He proclaimed, throwing his hands into the air and then coming back around to deal some more hits to TaeSooBer as Yoona and her sisters stood in the sidelines with a smug grin.

"And I have your precious family to thank. Too bad I murdered all of them so I guess I'll thank you guys in their place instead." He said with a smirk, before dealing continuous hard hits to TaeSooBer as they laid on the floor helpless. "Gosh this feels great!" He yelled in bliss before walking toward the spring once again and crouched down beside it. He looked at it with utmost fascination and insanity.

"I will live forever!" He began to cackle crazily again, stuck in his own world. 

"Not if we do something about it." Taeyeon interjected from behind him. James slowly turned around and was surprised to see that Taeyeon, Sooyoung and Amber had been freed. How is that possible?!

"Yoo-hoo~" Sunny said in a sing-song voice as she held the rope in her hands and then threw it to the side. "Surprise!"

"I should have known. B*tches will alwasy follow the wh*res." He stoically commented, eyes never leaving TaeSooBer, who were now standing a few feet away from him with their swords.

"We changed sides. You see, we have some unfinished business with them, so they can't die just yet." Hyuna added as she took her spot next to Amber. "So sorry James dear." She feigned regret as she smiled wickedly.

"And if they do die, it will be by our hands." Yoona finished with a matter of factly tone as she stepped back. She then took out a small remote control that she had camouflaged to make it look like it was the hilt of her sword. "I'm sure you know what this is."

James furrowed his eyebrows, not happy with what he was seeing. "You really plan on dying down here? Bombing this cave won't do any of us good."

"Correction: Won't do you any good. Who says we're staying?" Yoona innocently stated before smiling evilly. "The four of you, will make the choice." Yoona pointed at James and TaeSooBer. "One push and this whole place will collapse. There is enough bomb to blow this entire place into rubble."

Yoona, Sunny and Hyuna then slowly stepped back from the growing tension between James and TaeSooBer. "Either all of you die or live. Either way, we're the winners." 

Sunny took the device from Yoona and threw it to the other side of the cave. They all noticed how James' eyes quickly diverted to the location of the device.

"But just to be fair, here." Hyuna threw a sword that she had brought in place of her own to the ground. "That's our last gift to you James dear."

"Sayonara!!" Yoona and her sisters bid before leaving.

---------------------------------

Now it was just James and TaeSooBer. James slowly began to move around, staying alert at all times as TaeSooBer matched his every move. 

"Who do you think will live? Who will die?" James asked, picking up the sword and aiming it at TaeSooBer.

"..."

"Do you really think, you can kill me?"

"Ahhhh!!!" Sooyoung yelled and made the first move, jumping up and delivering a downward slice toward James, who quickly dodged it and elbowed Sooyoung from behind. 

"Weak." He insulted. Amber was next and she wasted no time in delivering multiple slices, only to miss each time because of James agility. She too, was only met with a hit to the face.

"Waste of my time."

James barely dodged the small dagger that came whizzing past his face but then he was suddenly met with Taeyeon's fusion of sword and fists. Taeyeon was able to get a roundkick to his face. Amber and Sooyoung joined in and was able to cause damage to James as well. 

James stood up, wiping the blood from his lips and clapping his hands. "Impressive. Wonderful teamwork."

"Who will die?" Taeyeon repeated James' question as she dragged her sword along the ground, until she was standing on his right side. "I don't know."

"Who will live?" Sooyoung repeated his other question, as she placed the blunt side of her sword on her shoulder and stared at James intently. "Definitely not you."

"Do we really think, we can kill you?" Amber was the last to speak as she kept her sword to her side and lifted her eyes to give James a murderous, dark stare. "We can and we will, with every breath that we take. Even if it may be our last."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

wow...this was three hours writing. lol. story is coming to an end soon readers. Comment and do tell me your thoughts. Just so all of you know, comments keep me motivated. *hint hint* I expect alot of comments. I mean, after a long hiatus and i'm back baby!!! lol. i'm happy.