*

                “Wooyoung..?”

                He groaned and tried to open his eyes, only that made him feel even more dizzy. A warm, gentle hand smoothed over his hair.

                “Oh my...” A soft voice above him said. “I didn’t think it would make you feel like this....”

                He looked up and tried to focus on her. Exhaling deeply, he closed his eyes. “You did just rip into my mind...” He murmured and basked in the feel of her fingers combing through his hair. Realising where he was, he sat up quickly and faced her. She wore pastel blue robes over her thin frame. He didn’t know how he knew, but he was sure...this was his mother. He desperately wanted to move forward, to embrace her, to tell her how angry he was, how sad he was, to just feel her arms around him once would be enough. Instead his body edged away from her, causing a sad look to pass over her features, but she made no move to follow him and let him have his space. She was here with him. He had always dreamed what she would look like, how she would sound, if she would or be totally serious. “I know this is a dream...and I don’t know how to express how much it means to me that I can see you, but please understand my hesitation.”

                Finally, she smiled, just like he did. She was seated before him and smiling and just that was enough for now. “Unfortunately I cannot hold this for very long, and I just really wish to speak with you.” Wooyoung nodded reluctantly and sat back down. She smiled fondly and reached out. “My...what trouble graces your face. It makes your mother hurt...” Her fingers trembled against his skin. “I feel a wonderful life has been robbed from you, because of what you have endured your whole life, because I was not strong enough to protect us, to protect you, and guide you...”

               Shaking his head, he gripped her hand and glanced away. “Don’t get me wrong, I was angry at you for the longest time. Do you know what...do you know what..?” It came back to him, his whole life – well, the dream life now he supposed. It hurt him nonetheless. Helios and everything he’d done to him, escaping from him, training with the Hunters, living with Zahi, moving on, finding his intendeds, everything – and it wasn’t real – he wanted to tell her everything, he wanted to scream at her, beg her to take the pain away. This was all too much for him at the moment. He wanted to collapse and cry. He wanted to give into her warmth and not face his cold reality anymore, and all he could muster was a weak “mother...” before beginning to hyperventilate. He was entering a state of panic and anxiety. His old fears crept up into his mind.

               Her confidence seemed to shatter and she came nearer. “My son...” She sobbed and kissed his forehead, and then hugged him tightly. “My beautiful son, I’m sorry I can only help you this way. I wish I could take all your sufferings into my body and give you back all your years so you could have wonderful adventures. All I can do for you is help you through this ritual in a small way to hopefully end him.”

               Wooyoung was forced to look up. Her pained expression broke him more than anything else. How could she look at him like that? He was filthy and nothing more than a monster. “How can you call me your son?” He asked shakily.

                “Because I carried you and I raised you, and I wanted you to have a good life. As your mother I failed. I failed so miserably. You are my only son, Wooyoung. You were and remain an outstanding man. Helios has made you believe you do not have pleasant origins, and I am so terribly and deeply sorry for that. All I can do now is try to help you destroy him in this small way through this ritual...” She brushed her hands over his face and smiled.

                “How?”

                “I’ve managed to forge a connection between the you here with me, and the one who has been working in the periphery. Alana-Maria was still very efficient in that many of your memories of our life, and the life you had before were stolen, but you entrusted me with this small amethyst stone. You told me when the time came you would be needing these memories, and that is what I intend to return. However...It was his ambition which has driven you to this point. All of your altered histories have brought you here...” She explained. “Oh...” She became emotional. “I’ve been waiting ages to tell you these very important things...” She gasped, “and to unlock the memories.”

                Wooyoung stilled in her hold. She rose up and helped him stand.

                “These memories are the truths about those who you have kept close to you, individuals whom you were meant to have different histories with. You have all been forced to quiet your true persons – and by the same one who has caused you so much harm, and they will be revealed to you here, with this small gift which I hope will help in some way.” She held his face tenderly. “Consider it my gift to you. I cannot do it all at once or Helios will become aware of my presence, but I’ve decided to do anything possible to give you these memories in the hopes they will aid you in some way.”

                Wooyoung looked up at her surprised. “How have you come to know of these things? How have you come to be with me here, right now?”

                “Well...because of you. Or perhaps...the other you, the one who has been biding time trying to find a way out. A dream...and Marigold.”

                Wooyoung continued to stare at her, understanding the risk she would have taken to enter the dream, and come to the bridge between the two, to tell him these things. He couldn’t help but feel in awe of her, but now understand just where his own powers and his tenacity had come from: his beautiful and strong mother.

                “I had been curious of his origins...Chansung’s.”

                “The Hwang family is as ancient as ours, the Jang. It doesn’t surprise me you do not know of them. Those memories may have been stolen when Helios brought you here. The Hwang were hidden by Harowen and Turina.” She explained. “I can remember interrupting you two when you first met, I was so ashamed.” She chuckled.

                Wooyoung shook his head, and blushed. He’d never felt like this before. The only parental figure he truly regarded as one, was Harowen, and he wasn’t the best. “And you’re okay with all my partners?”

                She flushed herself and then laughed. “Well, while I hardly have a say when it comes to who you love, I think you may find things very different when you remember.”

                His face grew even hotter. He also wasn’t used to these bodily reactions. His heart was racing.

                “Oh stop being bashful.” She smacked his shoulder. “You’ll make me embarrassed,” she laughed again. She pinched his cheek. “My, my...I know you’ve been fed many stories and lies about what you are and that you’re some type of weird creation – which believe me, my son, they are false. You at least should know love and truth when it is provided to you. If you know loneliness you know love. If you know pain you know love. If you know happiness...you most certainly know love.” He rubbed his cheek and she turned back. “Helios seeks what he calls the ‘ultimate form’, which is a combination of mage, vampire, Wolf, and Hunter, the so-called four pinnacles of immortality. Helios has all of the pieces because he manipulated you into bringing them altogether. However, I think he was also seeking something else but I don’t know what it is, something far older and more powerful.”

                Wooyoung felt weakness in his knees. What of his dreams then? His feelings of wanting to seek out those that satisfied his longing? Were they ever truly his or were they fabricated? His head began to pain and a dizziness overcame him. “What you are suggesting...is that...they were never meant to be with me...” He dared not look up her.

                “Not necessarily – well, yes and no...”

                “But I...I dreamed of them, I sought them out...and...”

                “Yes, here you were forced to dream of them, but that doesn’t mean they were not important to you in real life. Let me rephrase, you were assisted in finding the ones who would become your companions. Helios sped up the process and he twisted what relationship and experiences you would have with them for his own gain. Because through you was his way of finding the power of Inferna once again, because you banished him from ever finding it, and the royal family. You have done everything in your power to protect Inferna, and those you hold dear so much, you’ve even continued this unending dream to keep Helios away. It still isn’t clear if he began the first dream or you did, but this second dream is definitely his handy work.”

                “So, you know where our real bodies are then in the real world.”

                She nodded, “yes, and that is why I am able to communicate with you now. It took me a long time to find you. Marigold helped immensely.” She lifted her hand and four sparks of light descended, revealing his bonds. “Nichkhun, your First, by this dream is a royal of Baxkos, who Helios has dubbed the Hunters. Baxkos was a real kingdom, and Helios used them to try and gain access to Inferna.” Wooyoung couldn’t stand any longer. How did she know all of these things? It was as if she had never truly disappeared. “Junho...has always been by your side, and you trained in the deep magic arts together. Asides from you, he’s the most dangerous to Helios because he is very powerful, and was made moreso when you placed your numerous protections on him.” They came to Taecyeon. “Oh, he’s as handsome as ever.” She sighed, making Wooyoung smile. “Taecyeon...another outlier to Helios plan, he was the bargaining chip between the Wolves of Lunaris and Baxkos to settle a stalemate. He promised to protect the royal family, so long as Baxkos ceased their pointless war against Lunaris. He has history with Zahi and Sano as well.” Wooyoung was startled once more. “In the dream you awoke his dormant Wolf blood. Helios couldn’t have any of the other family members discovered so he killed them.”

                “How do you know all of this?” He asked shakily.

                “I’ve had a number of years to watch the patterns. I had to understand the dream ritual that was originally cast. Council elders were used instead of your comrades, so be assured they are within the glyphs of the first one. However, Helios is at the centre, which means you must have him end the first dream. It took me a long time to weave myself into the glyph without disturbing anything.” Her hand trembled within his. “I was so scared, but I knew that I had to try.” She brushed at her eyes. “Anyway, I injected a piece of my soul into your body...I know you understand the risk of doing such a thing. I want him stopped and I had to lay dormant until he was in a precarious situation such as this.”

                Clenching his fists tightly he shut his eyes and felt weak. “Am I nothing but a pawn for him? And do please answer me honestly.”

                “It is not your fault that he has done these things to you. It is because of our family lineage and his selfish goals of acquiring the power of Inferna. Helios was never pureblood, Wooyoung. He latched onto you, because he was given the foresight that you had the potential to be what he so desired, or to lead him to it...”

                He felt sick. All his life he thought it was by his own will that he had gathered his own companions, his own lovers, equals. His mind was a wreck. He could believe it was dreams, but right now they were all his experiences, and all he ever knew.

                “You hindered Helios’ plans for a long time by keeping everyone safe. That, my son, was your lynch pin.”

                “We all weren’t entirely safe...”

                “Perhaps not, your memories of your previous lives were taken. Alana-Maria has done extensive amounts of damage in the real world as well...People are waiting for this nightmare to come to an end in reality as well, for the terror to end, it has kept all who are trying to help on edge.”

                Wooyoung wanted nothing more than to relinquish whatever shred of life he had left within him. This dreamscape was just revealing how encompassed he was in a larger web of lies. Finally gathering his wits, he returned to standing and faced her. “Are you a projection of my sub-conscious guilt, or are you really here?”

                She smiled. “I truly stand beside you. Where I have been all this time...” Her expression fell. “I shall tell you once this is over. In whatever way, by any means necessary, I will fix things, my son.”

                Wooyoung wouldn’t help but smile. He now knew where he got his stubbornness and perseverance from. “I’ve been told I’ve been living in nothing but a dream. And...upon seeing you I believe it, but I don’t know if this is just some further trickery by Helios to get me to do what he wants.”

                “I can’t make you believe that it is truly me standing before you, telling you these things. I can’t make you believe that I searched for years to find the dream ritual with Marigold to try and give you a chance. I know it feels like whole ages have passed in the dream, it certainly feels like it was an eternity to find you, right under our noses. What you do have are your experiences and what the monster called Helios thinks he succeeded in doing. Only you can be the judge of what was said here...”

                Turning to face the silent projections of his four companions, Zahi’s words came to mind: Devotion, Sacred Devotion, Caring Choice, Freedom. Smiling to himself, he shook his head. “So...this ultimate form, why hasn’t Helios been able to acquire it yet?”

                “Well, a certain son of mine and his darklings are quite good at hindering him of course.”

                “How?”

                “The answer is simple my son, your bonds.” She said with a familiar grin. “Whether that changes once the dream is over...well, that depends on how the end of the dreams unfold.”

                Looking over the four, he wished they could be standing here with him in that very moment. He didn’t know what the dreamscape would entail or what would happen, but it was going to test them. Shrugging, he noticed water beginning to flow throughout the area. “I think...I have a hard time believing anything anymore because I’ve been so hurt...”

                “I know you will figure this out. You have such wonderful and strong companions, so I know if you work together you will overcome this. Even if you may not believe many of the things I have told you, they are truths, truths that I know and which may become different when you get your memories. Raise yourself up and become what is required of you, and encourage Chansung, Junho, Taecyeon and Nichkhun to do the same, or you will surely fail.”

                The question was whether they would survive unscathed.

                “I must warn you, as you probably already know by now that the people you know will be different in the dreamscape. Friends may be enemies, enemies may be allies, and personalities may be altered. I just hope the memories I am able to give back assist in some way...you may not like some of them.”

                Wooyoung couldn’t help but smile. “So...I guess this is what it feels like to have a mother worry for you.” He reached out and she took his hand. “Whether you are real or not...I believe you’re here with me.”

                “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long...”

                Wooyoung shook his head. Her actions spoke volumes to him. “Just, one more question.” He said, the water even higher.

                “Ask away...”

                “Why has it been implied that Nichkhun is important?”

                “Well...I don’t know. You need to think about Nichkhun Horvejkul and what happened to him, and all aspects of his situation. It may come to you in the memories, but I fear, my son, you were not the first to steal his precious memories, and out of all your companions...I feel sorriest for him. But I do not think he is the one that is in the most danger. No...not him. I would instead worry for the one with the most mysterious history.”

                Chansung.

                He never got a chance to thank her. She vanished. However, he didn’t return to the encampment like he thought he would.

* Memory *

                Instead, he found himself chained, and feeling weaker than ever. Hearing the sound of a heavy gate opening, several footsteps came his way. Looking up, soldiers, much like those he encountered when he awoke in the dream stood before him.

                “You’ve really done it now, Jang.”

                He smiled, “oh, the pity party has arrived.” His words came on their own. He realised then that this was a memory.

                “Shut up you pathetic bastard!” A man surged forward.

                He laughed. “Or what? You’ll torture me some more? I can’t change my story no matter how many times I tell it. The attack on Baxkos was not under my control. I would never betray-

                A fist slammed down on his face, knocking him to the ground. “That’s enough, Wooyoung.”

                He slowly looked up and spat blood at Sano’s shoes. “It’s never enough for you bastards. This is why I self-exiled...”

                “You’re going to see the queen.” Sano said and hauled him to his feet. Wooyoung walked along, looking around as he went. He didn’t recognise anything about the place. He couldn’t remember ever being in a situation like this...well, that wasn’t true. If he attacked Baxkos...it would be in line with one of his memories, and he knew who he would see.

                He was brought into a large room and woman with long, long black hair and red eyes sat upon the throne. Her skin was strikingly pale.

                “Well, are you finally ready to admit to your crimes, Jang Wooyoung?”

                Sano dropped him to the floor and he curled up. He was in so much pain. “I don’t know what crimes you think I’ve committed willingly, so no, I declare I am innocent.” He said and struggled up, lifting his upper body and keeping his forehead against the ground.

                “Look at me, Jang.”

                He wheezed and slowly managed to get to his feet.

                “You are a powerful man. You carry the Inferna lineage of Astrum in your veins. You are a man of prestige, wit, and are very dangerous.” Her eyes narrowed and she walked down the small steps of her throne and came to stand before him. She towered over him, ominous. Her hand snapped up, her blackened nails dug into his face, and she leaned down. “Where is my son?!”

                Wooyoung remained low to the ground. “I do not know-

                “Liar!” She bellowed and gripped his throat. “Need I remind you of what you have done?”

                “Please, enlighten me.” He scoffed. “Tell me more of what I did not do.”

                “You killed the royalty of Baxkos, Jang!” She roared and gripped his throat tighter. “You soiled our relations and have subjected us to war. They have taken High Mage Junho prisoner!” She hauled him closer. “You murdered all the members of the Lee Hunter family.”

                Wooyoung’s eyes widened. He knew exactly of what she spoke. “If that is true then it was not by my choice and I will hold firm to that until I am dead! You crazed woman...check my blood and you’ll find the answer. You know I would never turn my back on you or Inferna.”

                “Your hands are already stained.”

                “Not by my choice.”

                “Who?”

                Wooyoung’s eyes narrowed, “a man named Helios.”

                She dropped him and tilted his head. Her fangs sank into his neck deeply. Images of him and Junho walking and speaking with Taecyeon, then the wisps, and Helios; he felt the injection of the berserk serum. His struggle to stop himself as he attacked the guards of Baxkos, and then the royal family, leaving only a few alive – most were injured.

                Wooyoung gasped upon realisation.

                The queen dropped him. “You are either shielding the memories of my son, or you truly do not know.”

                He stared unseeing, tears rolling down his cheeks. Now he knew why Nichkhun had been forced to attack Chansung’s family.

                “Get up, you look pathetic.” She hissed.

                Wooyoung grit his teeth and managed to get back to his feet.

                “This proves that you did indeed attack the family and have caused tensions between us and Baxkos, Jang. However it was not of your own volition.”

                He nodded.

                “It may not have been your choice, but I cannot forgive this. My son is still missing.”

                “Then let me bring him back! I promise I will do everything in my power to bring him back to your side.”

                “There is no reason for me to trust you after what you did to the Baxkos royals and their council. One of their survivors, Changmin, gave his testimony as his whole family had been killed by you. That cannot be dismissed easily, Jang. If I put my confidence in you it will disrupt the truce been my kingdom and Baxkos.”

                “I’m telling you – and you have seen with your own mind – blood cannot lie! I was with them, ready to speak with the council and Helios betrayed the pardons of the Council. If bringing the prince back will be proof of my innocence then put a curse on me. Do what you must to test me and if I fail I will become a slave to Inferna. Let me bring him back.”

                “Very well, bring forth a vial of our lineage. You are aware that this will cause chaos with the Wolf already inside you.”

                “Yes...” He shuddered. “I’ll prove to you, that this will not stop me.”

                Sano knelt beside him and pressed a needle into his skin. “Wooyoung-

                “Don’t have a choice, Sano. I promise I’ll get Zahi on our side, and we’ll end this.”

                Sano sighed and began to press, injecting the blood into his body.

                “We’ll see if you survive this...Jang.” The queen said. “If you do, I hold you under oath that you will bring my son back to me, alive. Jang Wooyoung, if you do this, I will pardon your crimes, and we’ll relieve the madness of the second Wolf, you will help us restore connections with Baxkos and obliterate Helios, what say you?”

                “I swear!” He growled and collapsed. “I will bring him back!”

                “You better, or you’ll pay the price, Jang Wooyoung. Remove him from my sight. If he survives, release him.”

                He is consumed by the rage of the Wolves within him. He is in pain as his body is wracked by their struggle. It takes him days, but he manages to tame the new Wolf. He collapsed from exhaustion. Upon waking, he finds himself looking up the sky, the earth and the blue flowers around him.

* Memory Ends *

                Gasping, he bolted up and struggled for air. Victor was beside him and Zahi at the door. Now he knew how he arrived in that forest. The second dream was mirroring the real world, except Helios was shielding his true motive of finding Inferna. He also now understood why he felt so weak. It may have been a dream yet, having the second Wolf injected into his body did a number on him. He didn’t know. But the Queen’s words rang very clear. He looked at Victor. “Your brother...” He said quietly. “You and your brother wouldn’t happen to be princes of Lunaris, would you?”

                Victor’s eyes shone. “You could say that...”

                “Zahi.” He turned his attention to him.

                “What?”

`               “I...” He shook his head and tried to remember. “What’ll it take to get you on my side confidently?”

                Zahi turned to him with a smirk adorning his lips. “New resolve?”

                “The Queen of Lunaris tasked me with finding her son to regain her favour.”

                “Oh? Finally remembering?”

                Wooyoung glared. “No wonder you treat me so terribly...”

                “I believe your story, that you did not kill the Baxkos royals or council by your will alone. The royalty...well, the children all still live. I don’t know where they stand in all this, no one has heard from them since then. As for the Lee family...perhaps they were working for Helios anyway, and they were just another sacrifice for his plan.”

                Wooyoung hugged his knees and felt the wound of betrayal opening once more. Even now Changmin still haunted him.

                “Fine, let it be the same for me. If you manage to get Hwang Chansung back to Lunaris, yes, I will most certainly fight for you. If you want my services, bring the prince back to us. I will serve on the frontlines for you. Let us all see just how loyal the Prince of the Underworld is.”

***

Next chapter: Chapter 3 The Three Gifts