I hold Taehyung protectively in my arms as he leans against my chest. He is finally asleep, after many painful tears of anguish. The death of the young infant had been especially hard on him - maybe because he'd been fighting all this while for her. And now that Malala was dead, the strong sense of grief and frustration overpowers him.
Perhaps. But I don't know.                      
I have tried for many years to understand Taehyung and I realise that I am still nowhere close. Taehyung's levels of empathy, forgiveness and selflessness were God-like. I don't believe that a touch of evil runs in his blood.
It makes it all the more unfathomable for me, a Creature of Sin, to understand it. Why anyone could be like that - how anyone would consciously choose such a path - I would never understand.
Yet here he is, an aftermath of pain, exhaustion and grief, lying asleep in my arms.
"What do we do?"
I look up at Jungkook's question. The young child is hiccuping as he wipes at his tears. His eyes still shine, his little nose is red and snot runs down his face, which he messily wipes away. Does he even know why he's crying?
"What do you think we should do?" I answer.
Jungkook hiccups again, swallowing a sob unsuccessfully as a few more fresh tears trickle down his face. "I don't know."
I am patient, glancing at the mess around us. Judas' body is by our feet, Luna's body a distance away. Malala is by my side - I'd had to pry the dead infant out of Taehyung's arms even in his sleep.
This is not the place to be.
"What do you want to do?" I ask Jungkook instead, as he turns to me.
"I want to go home," he sobs. "There is too much pain here. I don't like it."
"Where is home?"
"Anywhere," he hiccups. "Anywhere but here."
I nod, shifting to stand. I hold Taehyung against my chest as I carry him. He doesn't even move as I stand. He is that tired.
"Hold it."
I turn around, surprised by the sudden voice but not wanting to move too quickly in order to not wake Taehyung. Caine stands there, staring gravely at the three of us.
"Taehyung will not leave with you," he starts. "Heaven has heard of what has transpired. An internal investigation must be carried out."
"What are you saying?" I ask.
"Taehyung must go up to Heaven to be questioned - and if necessary, disciplinary action will be taken."
"What disciplinary action?" I snap. "He defeated Layla and brought her back. He did exactly as told."
"He killed a member of his own Parliament and elected himself as replacement. He went directly against Heavenly orders and helped Layla," Caine says. "Investigations must be done."
"He already went through a lot," Jungkook pipes up. "Can't you just let him rest?"
"The faster he resolves this matter, the better."
Caine steps forward, ready to take Taehyung.
Surprisingly, Jungkook comes between us, bodily blocking Caine from Taehyung and I.
"He's not a robot," Jungkook reasons. "Just give him one day to rest."
"If we allow this to go on any longer -"
"You know Taehyung," Jungkook says. "You know he's not like that. Please. Just one day."
Caine is silent, staring at Jungkook as if he is evaluating.
"One day."
And Caine is gone just as suddenly.
I stare at the back of Jungkook's head. This little one stays where he stands, small and tired, yet brave and selfless. Just like Taehyung.
He turns to me, all the emotions in his soul evident in his eyes. "Let's go."
 
I watch as Taehyung sits up, panting in panic. He is wet with sweat but shivers despite. I'd watched him twitch and mumble in his sleep for a good half hour before he'd finally forced himself awake. I hated nightmares all the same, but knew every minute of sleep for Taehyung would be precious. There will be many days where sleep will be nothing but a far luxury.
I rise from my seat, coming to him as I hand him a glass of water. Taehyung takes it without a word, gulping it down before he hands the empty glass to me.
"Nightmares will not hurt you," I say, as I rest the glass against the bedside drawer.
"Yeah?" he answers, coughing lightly as he runs his hands through his hair and pulls his legs closer to his chest.
"Yes," I quietly answer, taking a seat on the bed. "They are flashbacks, fears and worries. Even if they do hurt you, you must learn to live with them. They will always be a part of you."
Taehyung rests his arms against his kneecaps, then rests his chin atop them. He consequently looks like a child.
"Where are we?"
"Jungkook's Court," I answer. "It is the only safe Haven. For now. How are you feeling?"
He shrugs. "Tired. Emotionally and physically." He glances to the side, finally noticing Jungkook asleep beside him. The young child is snoring lightly, mouth slightly agape and his body splayed against the sheets from exhaustion. "Where is the Parliament?"
"I don't know. They may still be at your Court, they may have already left."
He is quiet for a moment, twirling a lock of Jungkook's hair distractedly. "I killed Judas," he says, in a voice barely above a whisper.
"I know," I answer.
"And I killed Malala," he continues. "And Layla and Luna and Susan. And my guards and the civilians in Los Angeles."
"Taehyung -"
"I have caused so much death and destruction." He turns to me, the pain and grief in his watery eyes. "How am I still a worthy Aamon?"
A tear rolls down his face as I stare.
"Because you are selfless," I answer. "Because you are empathetic and kind. Because you blame yourself for things beyond your control."
Taehyung buries his face in his arms. I contemplate reaching out, provide him physical reassurance. I hesitate.
"I'm tired," I hear his muffled words.
"I know."
He looks up, wiping at his tears. "I'm tired of being Aamon. But I don't trust anyone else to be Aamon." He pauses to sniffle.
I smile softly. "No one better than you?"
"No one more selfless than me," he says. "Everyone is corrupted. I need to raise a heir to my standards."
"You have Jungkook."
"He's not an initiate. And I also need to find a new member of Parliament to pass this role to."
"…Jungkook?" I suggest again.
"I'm not subjecting my baby to a life of misery," Taehyung rebuffs as he wipes at his nose. "And there's no way you'd be a member of Parliament."
"Why not?" I muse.
Taehyung turns to me, a slightly annoyed look on his face. "You would kill them all."
I frown, contemplating. "I would," I finally confess. "They annoy me."
At that, Taehyung rolls his eyes. "Everyone annoys you."
He falls quiet again, a far look in his eyes. "Do you know why I killed Judas?"
I shake my head. "Will you tell me?"
Taehyung shifts his gaze to me. For a full minute, he stares deep into my eyes. I don't know what he's searching for, and I don't know if he's found it, but he sighs, stretching his legs out and leaning back to rest his back against the headboard.
"At the end of the day," he says, "We're all trying to do what we think is right. Even when our definition of 'right' is not the same as others. Right?"
I continue staring at him. He awaits my reply. "Yes."
There is a shift in the sheets, and our focus immediately turns to Jungkook, who is slowly waking up.
"Taehyung," he croaks, eyes barely open and heavy from sleep. He stretches, turning over on his front before he pushes himself up.
"Hey, baby," Taehyung greets, smiling warmly. "Did I wake you?"
Jungkook shakes his head, frowning intensely before he army crawls towards Taehyung, wrapping his arms around Taehyung's waist and rests his head against Taehyung's stomach. Taehyung reacts by running his hand slowly through Jungkook's hair.
"Everyone in power is fighting for a righteous cause," Taehyung continues as if Jungkook hadn't interrupted us. "But it is only righteous in their own belief."
"What do you mean?"
"I figured out it was Judas who was betraying the Parliament. Twelve Apostles - just like the painting. The first to rise would be the one who would betray me."
"Judas greeted us at the door," I remember.
Taehyung nods. "Layla had been dropping subtle hints. I only got it after she directly attacked my Court."
"What did Judas do?"
Taehyung's gaze becomes pained, as he remembers the events that transpired.
"He realized that the Parliament was becoming corrupt. So he sought to spread the Aamon's power into untraceable infants - stillborns."
I nodded in understanding. A stillborn was destined to die upon birth. Them inheriting the Aamon's power would fall below the radar of the Parliament.
"I was the first successful experiment of his. I survived birth - and Judas' power kept me alive. He passed the Aamon's power down when I was two."
I feel my eyes widen. Even Jungkook looks up at Taehyung.
"In a way," Taehyung continued, "Judas failed. Lucifer got wind of my existence and… well, you know the rest of the story."
I am quiet at the revelation.
"After gathering enough power, Judas created the recent influx of initiates. He hoped to raise them in secret - without knowledge of the rest of the members of Parliament."
"So why was Layla killing them?"
"Layla received visions of my birth, knowing that something wasn't right. What she didn't know was Judas was behind all of them. She confided in Judas. She didn't even trust the Parliament - and he killed her. Because he was afraid she would ruin his plans of saving the Aamon's Court."
"Layla came back down for revenge," I say.
Taehyung shakes his head. "She came back down because she thought she needed to stop Judas. She killed the infants because she thought she was saving the Aamon's Court
 She thought those infants would one day destroy it."
The belief of a righteous cause.
Taehyung was right. We fight for what we believe is right, even when our beliefs are wrong.
"Judas passed his role as a member of Parliament to me when Layla and I possessed him. He was tired. And he was done. He knew that if he remained alive, the only thing that would await him was nothingness - an eternity of void in the Aamon's Court."
"So you killed him," I conclude.
"He'd wanted to die," Taehyung quietly whispers. "He wanted to atone for his sins. And I helped him."
Another round of silence falls upon us, Taehyung's gaze far off and unfocused.
"I am only alive because of him," he says. "And he is only dead because of me."
I don't know what to say anymore. The revelation had been big. If true, and I have no cause to believe otherwise, this could call for a further restructure of the Aamon's power.
"Mama." We look down to Jungkook staring up at Taehyung. "I am only alive because of you. And will only die for you."
Taehyung chuckles lightly. "What a silly thing for you to say," he teases.
"And what a silly thing for you to say too," Jungkook replies. "Judas made his choices, and he will have to live with them. You made your own choices, and you will have to live with them. You are not bound to each other."
It takes a moment, but Taehyung pinches Jungkook's cheek lightly in amusement. "Why is my little one so wise?"
"Your little one just turned nine," Jungkook rebuffs. "I'm not little anymore."
Taehyung chuckles, running his hair through Jungkook's hand.
"What are you going to do now?" I ask.
Taehyung is quiet for a while, unfocused as he stares off into the distance.
"Destroy it."
"Destroy what?"
"The Aamon's Court."
I raise an eyebrow. I keep thinking nothing can surprise me anymore, yet here I am, pretty surprised. "You're going to lose a lot of your power. The Aamon's power comes from his court."
"Exactly," Taehyung says, absentmindedly twirling a lock of Jungkook's hair between his fingers. "I am way too powerful. If I - or the future Aamon go awry, there won't be much to stop us."
I frown. It was a good idea. In theory. But lessening his power could also allow leeway for what had been happening the past few months to happen again - Heaven, Hell and his own Parliament using the Aamon as a tool.
"I'll destroy the Court and separate the Parliament. I'm going to redistribute the Aamon's power into several countries across the globe, with one member of Parliament being guardian of that location. That member will oversee matters related to us in that country, and I'll give them a portion of responsibility to be able to resolve issues. I'll be shifting from Court to Court to make sure everything runs smoothly."
He looks up at me then, finally looking me eye to eye.
"What do you think?"
"Where did you get the idea for all that?" I ask, instead.
"It came to me in a dream, honestly."
I blink. "All of that? In a dream?
Taehyung nods. "Yeah. I dreamt I was speaking to God. He told me about it."
At the look on my face, Taehyung grows insecure.
"Is it a bad idea?"
"No," I answer. "It's good - surprisingly. But it is overly ambitious. You're going to be tired, more so than you usually are. But it is a safer option, knowing how the Parliament already acts. And I suppose it would lessen your earthly duties." I stare at him, gauging his open gaze. "Did you really see God in your dreams? And He gave you that idea?"
He nods.
I wanted to point out to Taehyung that what he'd experienced was basically the textbook definition of a Prophetic revelation. Yet, Prophets had died out centuries ago. Maybe it was true that he was favoured by Him.
"How are you going to build your Courts? Have you decided which countries they'll be based in?"
At that, Taehyung carelessly shrugs. "I want the Parliament to be easily accessible to the people. They're gonna have to be moving quickly and learn some d@mn social skills. No more immense wealth and blind power. Maybe I'll get them a house or they'll stay in hotels or something."
"Wealth is a sign of power," I point out.
"That's classist," Taehyung rebuts. "Power is a sign of power."
I get what he's saying, but at the same time, Taehyung was going against thousands of years of tradition. I don't know how he's going to stand breaking away from it.
"Then where are we gonna stay?" Jungkook asks.
"What do you mean? We can just go back to the ho-"
The realization quickly dawns on Taehyung, his entire body freezing as he remembers what had happened at his previous residence. Pain crosses his eyes and he stops twirling Jungkook's hair.
"I need to go back." 

I stare warily at Taehyung, my arms crossed over my chest as he carefully treads through the mess that was our previous abode - the hotel that was under the ownership of the Victor. Everything is in smithereens now, obvious signs of a battle the guards had lost in Taehyung and my absence. Layla had left pure chaos in her wake - including the death of the guards Taehyung had considered his friends. The signs of death are obvious - blood splatters the walls, broken furniture strewn everywhere, used as makeshift weapons in a desperate fight for survival and burn marks mar the ceiling.
I hear Taehyung stumble, breaking me out of my reverie as I look. He catches himself before he falls, straightening himself quickly as he keeps moving forward. I glance back at what he'd tripped on.
A leg.
Just one, lone limb that had probably been ripped out of a body. Strips of flesh that have obviously been torn from the once connective socket lie against the ground. Perhaps it was good that Taehyung hadn't looked back.
I watch as he makes his way towards his bedroom, stepping gingerly here and there as he sidesteps the items strewn against the ground.
Jungkook is a small distance behind him.
The young child had been present when Layla had attacked the hotel room and had taken both him and Caine. He'd probably seen for himself what had happened, the fight that had ensued - the death that had resulted.
He looks up at Taehyung right then, a wary look in his eyes. It is a small action, but it's enough to make me shift my focus to Taehyung.
He's standing before his bedroom door. It is shut, and Taehyung has a hand resting against the doorknob.
*Don't.*
It is Jungkook's thought, echoed in my mind and probably in Taehyung's as well.
The doorknob twists in Taehyung's hand and he pushes the door open.
Taehyung is blocking most of the view into his room, but even then, it's pretty apparent what's inside.
Dead bodies. Broken, strewn and bloody.
Familiar bodies. Familiar faces.
I tense. Taehyung does not react well in these instances.
He doesn't move, his hand still on the doorknob. I watch as his hold tightens.
A quiet white light emits from Taehyung as I stare. The wind in the hotel room starts to pick up, surrounding him almost like a siren song.
I shift, moving towards Jungkook as I place him behind me.
If Taehyung loses himself now, there are only the two of us to stop him.
With his power levels being where they are now, I'm not sure we'd be able to stop him.
And then the wind stops and the light dies away.
Taehyung finally moves, slowly shutting the bedroom door again.
I straighten, surprised at his control. He turns around, seeing both Jungkook and I stare at him.
"I don't think there's anything salvageable."
There never was in the first place. I keep my mouth shut.
Taehyung's eyes are dead.
His tone Is normal, his posture relaxed.
But Taehyung's eyes, the obvious windows to his soul, are clouded over. They are vapid and flat, almost as if one is staring at a mannequin instead of a person.
He is traumatized - beyond what he's just seen behind that closed door.
"What were you hoping to save?" I ask.
He says nothing, staring off into the distance.
"I don't know," he quietly answers after some time. "Let's get out of here."
I sense a change in the air and I suppose Taehyung and Jungkook sense the same. Jungkook and I whirl around, all three of us standing to face the front door.
The said door suddenly explodes inwards. Taehyung and I have our shields up just as it slams into us. A blast of power follows, strong enough to push me back.
"What is that?" Jungkook yells.
The blast ceases and both Taehyung and I drop our shields, readying ourselves for the offensive.
A fully armoured individual suddenly appears at the doorway, brandishing a bazooka that was supported on his soldiers. He fires in Taehyung's direction.
Jungkook moves, running towards Taehyung when the RPG headed their way suddenly explodes. Jungkook bodily shoves Taehyung away, just as the explosion reveals a weighted net that literally slams into Jungkook, throwing him back.
"Jungkook!" Both Taehyung and I yell just as Jungkook hits the ground, the entire net encompassing his form. The loud buzz of static suddenly crackles through the air, and the entire net becomes alight with electricity.
Jungkook screams as he is electrocuted. I immediately whirl around to face our unknown adversaries as Taehyung runs to Jungkook to try free him.
I throw a fireball at the armed individual, making him slam against the wall behind him. I cast a spell, making a motion with my hands that crushes the ceiling above, blocks of concrete falling atop him.
"I can't get him free!" Taehyung shouts.
"Forget it," I command, "Let's just get out of here!"
I begin whispering the start of an incantation, when suddenly another individual appears, this time crashing through the balcony windows on a suspended rope. I need to take a moment to just stare.
What was he, human?
I notice the bazooka too late, and he fires, this time in my direction. I tense myself to take the hit. I needed to finish the spell to call on to the portal.
Instead, I watch before my very eyes the RPG morph, losing its rigidity and become a tar-like substance.
The tar-like bullet slams against my face, wrapping itself around my jaw, completely sealing my mouth and nose.
The spell is interrupted and no portal appears as I slam against the ground.
I instinctively struggle, hands flying up to my face to try pry the seal off. The individual who'd crashed in - a soldier most definitely, makes a signal that calls more armed men into the hotel room.
They come from everywhere - the windows, the ceiling, the doorway. It was all an ambush.
I give up on the brace - I don't need to breathe to survive. I call on to my power, condensing it in my hands before I fire wildly.
One of the soldiers shoots in my direction.
Another RPG flies towards me and I redirect my power, firing straight at it. It hits the RPG straight on and it explodes in a blinding light that has me wincing away.
I open my eyes and see myself immersed in a bubble. I push myself off the ground and immediately hit my head against the top. . I was trapped inside.
I produce a fireball, hurling it against the bubble walls. It bounces straight off, flying straight into me before I reabsorb it.
Great. I'm stuck.
I turn to Taehyung. This was his fight alone.
The soldiers surround us in a wide circle, cannons all positioned at us. Taehyung hadn't fought back and I suppose the soldiers know who was the most powerful amongst us three.
There had to be twenty soldiers, each with their cannons at the ready.
Taehyung stands, stoic and calculative.
He had a plan.
And he moves, suddenly slamming his foot against the ground. It produces a dust cloud, sudden and thick enough to hide everyone in the room. The sound of the weapons being fired fills the air, flashes of light as the cannonballs hit targets.
*Where are you?* I send the thought directly to Taehyung.
*Chandelier.*
I look up, just as wild flashes of Taehyung's power breaks through the thickness of the dust cloud. Yells and panic ensues, as the soldiers begun firing back.
*Their armour,* I hear Taehyung say.
*What about it?*
*Reflective. Amazing.*
*Is this really the time to be awed?*
*I can't fight without killing them.*
Their lives meant nothing to me - but not to Taehyung. He'd sooner admit defeat than annihilate these soldiers.
The dust cloud suddenly clears, and I see Taehyung standing before me, his back to me as he faces the soldiers.
They reposition themselves, each aiming their weapons at Taehyung before they fire.
Taehyung puts his shield up and the RPGs slam against his wall of defence. They remain suspended in midair, each vibrating at a similar frequency.
*They're eating through my shields.*
I nearly blink. What?
The RPGs simultaneously explode and Taehyung ducks, encompassing himself in a smaller shield to protect himself from the blast.
I slam my fists against the bubble I'm trapped in, frantically worried for him.
*Taehyung!*
The fire and smoke clears and I brace myself for the worst.
But Taehyung is unharmed, staring dead ahead with wild and truly, frightened eyes.
What was he looking at?
I follow his gaze - and immediately feel my nonexistent heart stop.
Seraphim - standing at full height and in true form.
I physically see Taehyung go perhaps three shades paler. One of the true weaknesses of the Aamon were the Seraphim - tasked to not only carry out duties of the Parliament, but maintain order. When needed, a Seraphim's touch was toxic to the Aamon and his initiates. Taehyung's arm had once been torn open from a single graze from the attacking Seraphim and he'd fallen into cardiac arrest.
In this confined space and with the current adversaries, a fight with the Seraphim would be impossible to win.
Taehyung doesn't move, almost frozen in fear as the gigantic form of the Seraphim stares down at him.
The soldiers start to shoot at the Seraphim, perhaps mistaking the Angel as an ally of the Aamon. The RPGs land against the Seraphim's back, exploding and attacking, yet never injuring. Whatever it was wasn't work against them.
Slowly, the Seraphim turns around to face them.
The true form of the Seraphim is never one of beauty. They are designed for dominance - to incite a sense of fear and submission from Creation. Hence, they are terrifying creatures, things of nightmares that haunt you in your sleep.
The soldiers react the same, upping their attacks as they continue to shoot.
Before our eyes, the Seraphim splits itself into three, each standing side by side. Their weapons appear in their hands, a spear their height in one while the other holds a sword which blade grazes the ground.
And then they move.
It is a slaughter house as the Angels start attacking the soldiers, who do their best to evade the attacks while putting on an offensive of their own.
But they are no match, and soon screams and splatters of blood decorate the entire room.
"No!" Taehyung finally breaks free of his frozen reverie and screams after the Seraphim. "Stop it!"
I finally manage to get the seal around my mouth off.
"Taehyung!" I yell, slamming my fists against the bubble I'm trapped in. He whirls around to face me. "Get to Jungkook!"
He runs for Jungkook. The net is no longer alight with electricity and Taehyung pulls the deadweight of the net off.
Jungkook is unconscious, knocked out by the extent of electricity. Taehyung instinctively holds him tight against his chest, hugging him close.
We had to get out of here before the Seraphim turned their focus to us.
A portal suddenly opens a distance away, and Caine practically charges out. He makes a pulling motion, creating a barrier between the four of us and the battle going on around us.
"We must leave," he says, casting a spell that slams against my bubble. I watch as it cracks, leaving a strong enough echo that pounds against my eardrums. "Step back," I hear Caine say, as his hands start glowing.
I back away, hands pressed against my ears as Caine lands several punches against the bubble. It finally shatters, pieces of the bubble falling to the floor before disappearing.
"How is it," Caine gasps as he comes to me, grabbing me by the forearms and shaking me like a ragdoll, "that you three attract trouble like magnets?!"
"Talent," I breathlessly reply as I push his hands away. "And luck."
"We need to get out of here!" Taehyung yells from a distance away, calling us to attention.
"Let's go," I say, coming to him as I pick Jungkook up. "The Seraphim have them distracted."
"Are they on our side?" Taehyung asks.
"I don't know. And we don't have the time to find out."
Caine opens a portal and the four of us jump through. 

We come out the other side and I immediately lay Jungkook on the ground. I produce my dagger, slicing through my palm before I place the open wound against Jungkook's mouth.
"Is he gonna be okay?" Taehyung asks.
"Yes. As long as he has my blood, he should be able to heal through any injury."
By reflex, Jungkook's eyes open, blood red orbs that stare both at everything and nothing. He grabs on to my hand, gripping onto it with his vampire strength, and bites down, his fangs piercing through my skin as he drinks.
After several moments, his body relaxes and Jungkook closes his eyes, asleep again.
Taehyung breathes a sigh of relief as he runs his hand through Jungkook's hair and kisses his forehead. I hear him sniffle as he rises and casually wipes a tear away.
"What happened back there?"
I take a moment to study my surroundings. Caine had probably chosen the destination at random in the rush of the moment. We looked like we were somewhere in Norway, near beaches and cliffs that made the wind around us strong and icy cold.
"P.E.T.R.A," Caine answers Taehyung's question as I shrug off my jacket and cover Jungkook's face with it. It looked like a storm was coming so chances of direct sunlight was low, but it was still daytime. I didn't want to endanger the little one.
"Petra?" Taehyung repeats, confused.
"Pact for Elimination of Terrorism and Radical Associations," I answer him.
"Oh crap." Taehyung is quick to catch on.
I stand and face Caine.
"Who's their target?"
PETRA was the Supernatural equivalent of the UN. They were the global entity to ensure peace between all species. Unlike the UN however, PETRA had the power to eradicate those they deemed threats to peace. They built and dismantled systems, overthrew dictators and were the sole entity responsible for the prevention of World War Three and Four -by ordering the execution of all Heads of Court involved.
When it came to maintaing global peace, PETRA could be as ruthless as Lucifer. The very fact that they were finding us was not good.
"The mess with Layla is not over," Caine explains. "Layla caused the death of many civilians. PETRA would want an investigation."
"So why'd they send their soldiers to attack us?" Taehyung asks.
"It's how they work," I say. "Disarm, capture -"
"Then eradicate," Caine finishes. "We are afraid for now, it is not safe."
"Your concern for Taehyung is telling," I point out, crossing my arms over my chest.
"It is not Taehyung I'm concerned over," Caine corrects. "The Seraphim are bound to Taehyung. He is a member of Parliament now and they will destroy anyone deemed a threat to the Parliament. Taehyung has no control over the Seraphim. As the Aamon, he can't touch them. If the Seraphim perceive threats present -."
"I get it," I say. "Taehyung has to be away."
"In Heaven," Caine continues. "Where the Seraphim will not harm anyone here."
"And for his investigation."
Caine is silent, but nods all the same. He shifts his attention to Taehyung. "Fifth Aamon, you must know that your actions in electing yourself as a member of Parliament, aiding Layla and killing Judas will require a tribunal."
"You said it would only be an investigation," I say, feeling my annoyance rise.
Caine turns his focus to me again, the anger in his eyes matching my own. "We are bound by rules and laws, Azazel. Not all of us live like a lawless renegade. Taehyung must know that his actions will have an effect on those below him. This is not a punishment - this is only an investigation!"
"Wasn't that exactly what you said when you forced Taehyung up to Heaven to stand trial?" I growl. "You ended up trying to kill him!"
"Hey -" Taehyung starts, hands raised to try quell any growing argument.
"I don't trust you," I bite, "If Taehyung needs an investigation, the fcking Aamons and Angels can come down to Earth."
"You must cease acting like Taehyung is a cloud of dust that will be blown away by the wind," Caine says, taking one step towards me. "I too, believe in Taehyung, but he is not above us all."
I take my own step closer, the both of us nearly nose to nose.
"If I have to fight to stop you, so help me God."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Taehyung finally yells, squeezing between the space between Caine and I as he physically pushes us apart. I take the necessary step back, still glaring at Caine. "Stop it. Please."
Caine turns to Taehyung. "Your Highness. With Petra at your tail, you endanger the lives of everyone through the Seraphim."
"Taehyung, don't listen to him," I argue. "The last time Caine asked you to go up to Heaven, we had to fight for our lives!"
"Enough," Taehyung says, turning to Caine. "Jin has a point. I don't know if I can trust being in Heaven alone - even with the restructuring." He then turns to me, a pleading look in his eyes. "But Caine is right. I'll only be a threat here on Earth."
"Taehyung -"
"I had Layla at my tail and countless lives lost in the ensuing battle. If I have the Seraphim -"
"You don't know if Caine is even telling the truth."
"Even if he isn't, I can't rule out the possibility of harming others because of the Seraphim. Maybe up in Heaven I can learn and practice. I don't know. But it's better than putting everyone else in danger."
He shifts his focus to Caine. "I'll go with you. The Aamons have a right to know about what happened too."
Caine nods only once. "The quicker we leave, the quicker you'll be able to get back."
Taehyung comes to me, a soft look in his eyes. "You're angry that I'm not following your decision but… you're not the Aamon. And I have a job to do. In the meantime, Jungkook is acting as my representative, but you're still his guardian. Can you guide him?"
I stare at Taehyung. He was right. I was angry that he wasn't listening. But he had the authority to make decisions on his own. I was his advisor and friend - not his superior or master.
I nod. "Come back quickly. I'll deal with Petra."
Caine opens up a portal behind him, standing to the side as he awaits Taehyung.
"Try not to kill anyone," Taehyung says. "Make sure you keep Jungkook safe and in one piece upon my return."
He runs to Caine, immediately going through the portal. Caine stares back at me. He gives me a nod before he too, disappears into the portal.
I stare at the space he'd stood, now empty.
The wind picks up, blowing hair into my eyes as I tuck locks of hair behind my ear.
"Show yourself," I say into empty air. "Or I'll make you."
At just the right moment, the wind had given away the scent of the hidden individuals in the trees a distance away. I call on to my power, retreating back several steps so Jungkook was directly behind me.
There is the sound of a gunshot, and I instinctively put my shields up. An RPG slams into my shield, before exploding and splattering the entirety of it with paint.
. I couldn't see.
I grab on to Jungkook, keeping a secure hold of his arm, and get ready to shift.
Another gunshot sounds, another RPG slams into my shields, this time exploding with enough force to completely blow Jungkook and I off the cliff.
We fall for two seconds before I shift into my true form and catch us from slamming into the ocean below.
With Jungkook held securely in one hand, I stretch my wings, shooting up into the sky. I glance down below, seeing more soldiers coming out of the trees.
I couldn't risk a fight now - not with Jungkook unconscious. I call to a spell and teleport to safety. 

Jungkook wakes up just as night falls, languidly stretching against his bed as he lets out a long whinded whine.
"Good evening," I say from the workplace table. "How are you feeling?"
Jungkook doesn't answer, reaching for a pillow which he hugs against his chest before he rolls over to lie on his front.
"Where's Taehyung?" he asks, turning his head to face me.
"Away for some Heavenly duties."
"So I'm in charge again?"
"You're in charge again," I confirm.
Jungkook says nothing, staring off into the distance. The little child had that habit. He'd wake up, but he wouldn't be truly awake for a couple of minutes.
I'd shifted us to his Court, which should be a safe enough space for now. I wasn't sure how the PETRA soldiers had found us so quickly back at the beach, but I didn't have the time to investigate. Jungkook would be my top priority for now.
Jungkook finally sits up, running a hand through his hair. It's grown long; his bangs can now be tucked behind his ears and the hair now falls halfway down his neck. Perhaps I should cut it soon.
I vaguely wonder about the times Taehyung and I had left him - had he dealt with things fine?
Jungkook slides off the bed and does his evening stretches. He makes his way to the joined bathroom and brushes his teeth. I hear him turn on the shower and then he comes back out to retrieve a towel which he drapes over his head. He heads back to the bathroom and shuts the door behind him.
I stare at all his actions in silence. Because of his size, I easily forget that Jungkook is nine. He is child-like and simpleminded yes, but had a wealth of experience in his six foot frame.
Jungkook is soon out, fully dressed and smelling like roses.
He hop-skips towards me, wrapping his arms around my head as he rests his chin against my hair.
"I'm glad you're here with me," he practically purrs. "I get lonely without the both of you." He lets go, resting his hip lightly against the table, arms crossed. "So what happened back there?"
I have to blink as I stare up at him. How in the world did this child just switch from acting his age to acting my age in a span of two seconds?
"You ever heard of PETRA?"
Jungkook nods. "Pact for Elimination of Terrorism and Radical Associations."
Wow. I guess he knew a lot more than I gave him credit for.
"After what happened with Layla, they might be after us."
"Why?"
"Layla killed a lot of people in her attempt to get to Taehyung. I think they see us as a threat."
"To who?"
"Society at large."
Jungkook is quite then, frowning lightly.
"They're going to try to kill us?"
"I don't know. PETRA is known to be -"
"Ruthless," Jungkook finishes the sentence.
I nod. "I'm still not at full power yet. If they find us - which they probably will -"
"We're done for?" he quizzes, batting large innocent lashes at me.
I sigh internally. At least Taehyung could hold his ground.
"I can fight," he suddenly says, as if he catches the thought.
"For how long?"
Jungkook tilts his head slightly. "You don't think I'm strong enough."
I stare up at him. "It's not a competition."
"I'm not a kid. I made it even when you and Taehyung left for the Afterlife. I've fought the Seraphim!"
"I'm not denying your strength. I'm just worried. The same way I worry for Taehyung."
"I don't see you treating Taehyung like a baby!"
"Taehyung is the Aamon," I level, aware his tantrum is slowly growing. "And he is not a nine year old child."
Jungkook picks up the book that was on the table, hurling it across the room. It slams against the wall, the sound loud enough to echo. He pushes himself off the table and leaves the room, slamming the door behind him.
I sigh externally this time, rubbing my temples. I did not need another cause to worry.

I wait exactly two minutes before I get off the office chair, silently pushing it in as I slip on my jacket. There is too much happening around us. Jungkook can slam as many doors as he wants, but I'm not leaving him alone. Not for long.
I leave the room, hearing my footsteps echo loudly down the corridor. It is an ancient security measure that has been used for thousands of years, yet somehow remains relevant till today - creaky floorboards.
*Jungkook,* I mentally call on to him. *Where are you?*
*Downstairs.* I'm vaguely surprised that he's answered. I thought he'd sulk a little more. *Come.*
I continue walking down the corridors, heading towards the main stairs.
*Are you alright?*
*Everything is rainbows.*
I freeze.
A little codeword I'd told Jungkook all of one time, four years ago as we prepared ourselves for our Grammy performance.
Everything is rainbows. Nothing was too good to be true.
The little one is in danger.
*They can hear you coming.*
With a hand on the bannister, I calculate my next move.
I could hide. I could ambush. I could straight up attack.
But they heard me coming. Jungkook would be in their midst. The little one would be exactly in the line of fire.
I continue walking, at the exact same pace and with the exact same motions.
*How many are there?*
*Ten. They sought audience.*
*And they were let in?*
*They're PETRA. No one would say no.*
I come down from the third floor to the second, purposefully letting my footsteps echo loudly. I place a hand languidly against the wall as I walk.
The feel of thousands of years of history beneath my fingertips as I brushed them past the dusty walls meant little to me.
I would destroy it all if it meant Jungkook's safety.
I finally reach the balcony overlooking the first floor, twin staircases on either side of me allowing me access to the landing - if I chose to come down.
I take several steps closer to the banister, resting a soft hand against it as I lean over the edge.
I see all that is happening downstairs.
Seven members of Jungkook's guards all positioned behind him, ready to grab him at the first sign of danger and atttack whosoever they needed to. Jungkook stands straight, defiant as he stares at the ten PETRA officers. None of them have their bazookas raised but without a doubt I knew they were loaded and ready to shoot in half a second.
They were all in uniform, all masked with standard protectional gear - save for one. He stands in the middle of the PETRA soldiers, hands upon his hips, looking amused and confident. I hated it.
"Jin." He slowly looks up after calling my name, a slow smile spreading across his lips. "How nice of you to come join us. Come."
I don't move, staring down at him from the upper floor.
"Namjoon."
He answers by smiling, his familiar eye smile diminishing the size of his eyes.
Namjoon had been a member of PETRA long before he'd been a member of BTS. He'd been born and raised in the organization, with his father, his grandfather and his great grandfather being high ranked officials. It was a fitting title for him. He had the personality of a peacekeeper, even if PETRA itself as an organization was pretty questionable.
I rest my weight against my hands as I lean forward, purposely showing that I was unarmed.
"It's been a long time," he says.
"A year," I agree. "I see you've been busy."
"As are you."
I stare at him, not sure what he'll do. Namjoon was a friend, but if he so much laid a fingertip on Jungkook, I would rip him apart.
"What do you want?" I drop the formalities. The weapons those soldiers were carrying were dangerous. In this enclosed space, there'd be a lot more injuries.
"Where is Taehyung?"
"Why do you want to know?"
Namjoon shifts his attention to Jungkook, who'd asked the question. He smiles again. "I just need to ask him some questions."
"Your soldiers attacked us back at the hotel," Jungkook says, his suspicion growing. "You come in with weapons and you tell us you just want to ask questions."
"Baby," Namjoon soothes. "I would never hurt you. I was your leader. Did I ever hurt you then?"
Hesitantly, Jungkook shakes his head.
"You know me," Namjoon continues, taking a few steps forward as he places a hand atop Jungkook's head. "You know I'd never do that." Namjoon's hand shifts to Jungkook's cheek, and perhaps feeling the familiarity, Jungkook leans into it, staring unblinking at our former leader.
"Don't touch him," I growl.
Namjoon looks up again, smiling slyly.
"Why don't you come down?" He says. "We'll talk."
"I can hear you fine from up here."
"Perhaps you didn't hear me," Namjoon chuckles. I am immediately on edge, flexing my power in response to any possibility of attack. The hand Namjoon has on Jungkook's cheek is suddenly wrapped around the little one's neck as Namjoon spins him around and pulls him towards him, pinning Jungkook against his chest.
Weapons are raised, nine bazookas point themselves around the room and a gun I hadn't realised was hidden by Namjoon is suddenly pressed against Jungkook's temple.
Roars sound from all around as Jungkook's guards shift themselves into Lycan form, livid and ready to attack if not for their Head being trapped by a member of PETRA.
"Come down," Namjoon continues, voice as level and as soothing as if he weren't pointing weapons at the youngest member of our boygroup.
Jungkook doesn't even move. His eyes are wide with shock as he is dragged back by Namjoon.
"Let him go." I'm trying very hard to keep my own anger in check. There was no way I could grab Jungkook without endangering the other members of his Court.
"There is enough silver in this bullet to kill every Lycan in this room with a single shot, so I'll make my question very clear. Where is Taehyung?"
I glance at Jungkook, who is looking up imploringly at me. I had no choice. I had to bargain.
"Would you kill him?"
"Would you like to see me try?"
Young Jungkook's eyes immediately start to water at Namjoon's answer.
"He is your child as much as he is mine," I say. "Don't do this to yourself."
Slowly, almost purposefully, Namjoon clocks the gun. It is a loud sound that results in even louder growls from the surrounding Lycans.
"Namjoon." I let the desperation seep into my tone as I raise my hands to show that I'm unarmed. "There is no way you'll get out of this unharmed."
"I love challenges."
One of the Lycans finally moves, provoked and enraged as it roars and charges towards Namjoon, fangs and claws bared. Namjoon doesn't even hesitate. He shifts the position of his gun, pointing it at the Lycan, and fires.
I yell out the spell I'd been building, a time warp powerful enough to slow down all movement in all conceivable galaxies.
And as one would expect, all movement in the room freezes. Faces are warped in anger, a bullet hangs in the air and weapons are firing in different directions. I move, leaping off the balcony.
Any form of time altering was dangerous and power-consuming, because time does not stop for one person, it stops for all dimensions. Halting time halts the movement of air, which places Creation in a deadlock - essentially trapped in a vacuum. And as all sci-fi movies have shown, Creation in a vacuum is Creation in the gullotine. They are not designed to survive.
I push the suspended bullet out of the way, ensuring that it would miss any targets and grab the gun from Namjoon's hand.
The throbbing sensation against my head increases and I know I'm near my limit already.
Slowly, an RPG is fired from one of the bazookas. It inches forward through the air in suspended time and I reach for it.
And as my fingertips brush against the metal, it explodes with a force that threatens to rip the skin off my face. My focus is immediately broken as I quickly produce a spell to try contain the explosion, and the timewarp immediately goes haywire, slamming into me. I am thrown back and slam into both Jungkook and Namjoon in turn.
Now with everything moving at normal speed, I grab Jungkook by the collar, pulling him out of Namjoon's hold. I very nearly fling him back because of the unexpected lack of weight.
"Lycans, fall back!" I yell. I could barely see because of the force of the explosion and the vertigo from a powerful spell. I drop Jungkook, shifting to my true demon form as I roar with enough volume that shakes the four walls around us.
I inhale, readying a round of fire to hit the PETRA soldiers. I didn't care about Namjoon anymore. He'd hurt Jungkook. I wouldn't grieve his death.
I exhale, lighting the whole room up in flames.
Pretty soon my breath dies, and so do the flames.
The fire leaves behind nothing but black soot and burnt walls. No signs of the PETRA soldiers. They must have escaped.
I shift back to human form, panting slightly.
I don't know how, I don't know where, but they're gone. Not even a trace.
Several gasps sound from behind me and I whirl around again, ready for another fight.
What I see makes a gasp of my own leave my lips.
Jungkook stands between us all, dazed and confused. His shirt collar hangs over his shoulder and his hair is askew. He looks up at me and I physically feel the colour leave my face.
He's tiny. 

I continue staring as Sikyung , the Asian Lycan Court's Official Advisor carefully examines Jungkook. He shines a light in Jungkook's left eye, which instinctively makes the young child flinch, and shines it in his other eye.
"Jin," Jungkook practically mewls. He reaches for me, uncomfortable with the examination.
I don't move. I can barely believe that this is Jungkook that I'm staring at. Is it a doppleganger? A shapeshifter? Another djinn?
"It really is him," Sikyung says, as if answering the thoughts in my head. He straightens, hands on his hips as he joins me staring unabashedly at Jungkook.
Some way, some how, the time warp must have messed with Jungkook's physical body. Because of his half demon heritage, the little one grew at an accelerated rate and has since stopped growing for nearly seven years. He was nine with the body and build of a well-developed twenty year old.
But the little one I'm staring at right now is not just rightfully nine years old, he was *physically* nine years old. Jungkook's body had shrunk in mass and size and a petite child - a *literal* child this time, has replaced the original body.
"Are you really Jungkook?" I hadn't realised that my voice had gone whisper soft until after I'd spoken, but that was probably a result of the shock too.
"Yes," Jungkook whines. Even his *voice* is different. It sounds…it sounds…like a child.
I whirl around, immediately pacing from one end of the room to another.
Oh this was bad. This was very, very, very bad.
What was Taehyung going to say once he sees this? I literally had no idea how to fix this. There was a reason timewarps were dangerous and this is apparently one of the reasons why.
I would die for Taehyung and he would die for me, but in a game of rock paper scissors, he would drown me in a bathtub to save Jungkook's life.
Taehyung had trusted me with Jungkook and if I returned him like this, I'd probably die in more creative ways than being drowned in a tub.
I was a demon, heir to the throne of Hell and half Angel and yet even I could not stop the quietly growing anxiety that was most definitely the fear of another round of Taehyung losing his temper and trying to kill me. I didn't know how to fix this.
I halt my steps, turning around to stare at Jungkook who stares right back. The boy, the *physical* boy, yawns right then, rubbing his eyes as though he is tired.
"What should we do?" Sikyung asks. At least, that's what I see when I lipread him. There was a growing sense of doom overcoming me, and all sounds were starting to seem like they were slowly getting more and more distant.
"The Aamon is going to kill me," I sigh.

I lean over the table, analyzing the map that Sikyung has spread over it.
"You're sure these are the only surveillance points that point towards the Court?"
Sikyung nods.
I stare at each one. It would've been impossible to detect me and Jungkook's presence in the Court so quickly, especially since we'd essentially shifted from one continent to another. That had to mean that there were either traces on us, or that PETRA's surveillance was a lot wider than I'd anticipated.
Despite, it shouldn't have been that easy to catch the both of us hiding here. Did they have spies watching this place?
"How far can a human be to catch sight on individuals inside the Court?"
"Not very far," Sikyung frowns. "Their eyes are not able to focus such distances."
"With technology?" Humans, though considered the weakest species in all existence, were by far the smartest. Their levels of intellect surpassed any other specie by miles. And with PETRA comprising almost exclusively of humans, it wouldn't be hard to assume they had invented new ways to spy on us.
"With technology, the only things stopping their eyes are solid walls."
"The soldiers of PETRA tailed Jungkook and I too quickly. They knew where we were going and moved quickly enough to catch us from one place to another. Either they have incredible surveillance or spies tailing us."
"What was your mode of transport?"
I glance up at Sikyung. "What?"
"What did you use to move from one place to another?"
"Teleportation." Even as I say it, I'd figured it out.
"Power signatures," Sikyung says. "You'd teleported in front of them?"
I reluctantly nod.
"It would've left semblances of power. I wouldn't be surprised if the humans somehow found a way to use those traces to open another portal and shift right behind you."
"But they have no magic," I argue. "The only thing they have -"
"Those weapons." That wasn't really the end of my sentence, but Sikyung shuts me up. "What did they contain?"
"Some sort of magic." It was the only explanation I could think of.
"And what if the agents of PETRA have developed new ways to input magic into technology? What if those include tracers for teleportation?"
I slam my hand against the table in frustration. Sikyung was right. If those soldiers had *somehow* figured out a way to harvest magic into technology, there'd be no running away from them.
"What do they want?"
"Taehyung," I answer.
"And why do they want him?"
"I don't know."
"You, as his representative, aren't allowed to act in his capacity?"
"I'm not his representative," I sigh, straightening as I hear the footsteps coming this way.
"Oh?" Sikyung says, leaning against his chair. "Then who is?"
"Jiiiiiin?"
"He is," I answer, as I turn around to face little Jungkook.
Jungkook stands at the doorway, a hand against the door knob which is now level *with his height*.
I study him for a second, seeing what is in his other hand.
"Jungkook!" I immediately scold, coming towards him and taking the French baguette from his hand. I hadn't noticed but he'd been chewing on it. Jungkook makes another mewling sound as he flinches and stares up at me. I suppose he still isn't used to everyone being gargantuan as compared to his meter-high height. "Who gave you this?"
"The chef at the pantry," he squeaks.
"What if you choke on this? Do you realise how big this baguette is? If you choke and die," I quickly realise that I'm nagging as I break a smaller piece off the baguette, but I cant actually stop, "you're going to die Romeo's death!"
"Romeo's death?" I hear Sikyung repeat quizzically.
"A pointless one!" I say, handing Jungkook the smaller piece.
His lips are now shaped in a total bell-curve as he takes the bread.
"Break the bread into smaller pieces before you eat it," I say, handing him the rest of the bread. "Chew slowly. Go sit down."
Jungkook nods forlornly as he enters the meeting room and makes an almost comical struggle to get on the chair since his hands were full.
Sikyung comes forward, respectfully carrying Jungkook by his armpits before he places Jungkook on the chair and pushes it in.
I come towards the table again, staring at the map. Crumbs are starting to fall on the map as Jungkook still continues eating sadly.
"They're going to keep chasing us," I continue as if we'd never left. "I'm not sure how far Jungkook and I can run."
I glance at Jungkook who by the Grace of God, chooses to choke on a particular large piece of bread right then. I come to him, hitting him against his back until he g@gs and finally sw@llows his food. "Thank you!" he chirps, before tearing off another large piece that was about the same size as the previous piece he'd choked on.
I have no words, sometimes.
"The Asian Lycan Court shares an alliance with the Asian Faerie Court," Sikyung says. "We can ask for a favour and hope that they'll accommodate the both of you for the time being."
I shake my head. "Three of Taehyung's guards killed when Layla attacked were Faerie. We're not in their good books for now."
"We don't need to run."
The both of us turn to Jungkook, who had spoken.
"Don't speak with your mouth full, Jungkook," I say.
The little one takes a moment to chew and swallow, before he looks up at the both of us. "We'll talk to them."
"They tried to kill us," I point out.
"No," Jungkook disagrees. "If they were trying to kill us, they would have succeeded. In the first battle, they had me in a net and you in a bubble. They could've destroyed this entire Court but didn't. Namjoon -" Jungkook hiccups, faltering slightly as memories of the same person hit him. "Namjoon put a gun to my head. He had the opportunity to shoot, but didn't."
I am quiet as Jungkook's gaze slowly goes far off, the half eaten baguette resting against his lap.
"He's right." I shift my gaze to Sikyung. "If they'd wanted to kill you, they would've done it. They want an audience."
I roll my eyes, thinking back at all the other times individuals had sought an audience with Taehyung by basically barging right in and creating chaos - my sister Lilith included.
"No one is civil these days."
Sikyung chuckles lightly at me statement. "Times achanging. Pretty soon, we'd be dropping bombs just to say hello."
I smirk. I know individuals who'd do just that. "Do you have contact with PETRA?"
Sikyung stops to consider for a bit. "Not for quite a while, no. The catacombs might have some history of contact with PETRA. I'll have to check to see whether we have good relations with them before proceeding."
I nod my understanding as Sikyung gets up to leave. "Give me a few hours," he says as he shuts the door behind him.
I cross my arms over my chest.
If we were going to initiate contact with PETRA, that meant that Jungkook would have to speak to them. I don't know how I feel, knowing how violent they were previously.
And Namjoon's presence too.
The table is a mess, and I instinctively move to clean it, gathering the crumbs into my palm and heading to the bin to throw them away. I come back to the table to fold the map away, when I notice little drops of moisture on the map.
I look up to see Jungkook, his face red and strained as he angrily tries to hold his tears in. He fails of course, and despite his angry little face, tears trickle down his chin like rain.
I contemplate for a moment what to do. These situations were always dealt with best by Taehyung himself.
But Taehyung wasn't here.
I take the map, folding it carefully before I put it away.
I was as old as Caine yet I could barely figure out how to deal with emotions.
I hide a sigh as I come to Jungkook, kneeling by his side.
I rest my fingertips against his chin, turning his head so he faces me.
"What's wrong?"
He stares at me for perhaps a quarter of a minute before he looks away, shaking his head.
"If nothing is wrong, those tears won't be there," I say, reaching over to wipe away a falling tear with my thumb.
"Are you angry that I scolded you? I apologize. I was just worried."
He shakes his head, but says nothing more, save for a hiccup as he wipes at his still falling tears. So this was a guessing game now?
"Are you angry that you're small?" I ask. "I'll figure out a spell to fix it, Jungkook. You have my word. Maybe not now but -"
"No," he says, his voice stuffed. "I'm not angry. I'm sad."
"Who made you sad?" I ask, squinting my eyes as I go through a list of possible suspects in my head. The things I would do to them. "I'll deal with them."
"No," Jungkook says again, pausing to sob as his crying escalates. His little face turns red and snot starts to drip out of his nose. I wonder if all children look like this when crying. "I'm sad because -" He pauses dramatically to sob. "Because -" Another dramatic pause, another sob. "Because -" Good Heavens. "Because Namjoon was our friend. Namjoon was our family. And he put a gun to my head."
"Oh, baby," I sigh, cupping Jungkook's face between my hands as the little one breaks out into louder sobbing. He wipes almost desperately at his falling tears as he makes sounds of anguish as he cries. "It's alright."
"No! It's not alright!" Jungkook almost banshee shrieks. He flails his arms about in anger and frustration. "All those years meant nothing to him! He doesn't care!"
"Jungkook, people change," I attempt to explain. "Sometimes the people you thought you knew turn out to be the people you never knew at all."
"Why does he hate me?" The little one sobs, "What did I do wrong?"
"Nothing," I say, tightening my hold on his cheeks. "You did nothing wrong, you hear me? Namjoon has a job to do, just like you and I and Taehyung and Caine and so many other people. And sometimes to get the job done, you have to hurt others. Even if you don't want to."
"Why?"
I falter. "Sometimes getting the job done becomes the most important thing to do."
"I hate it!"
I allow myself a half smile. "Me too. I hate it just as much as you do. But one thing I do not hate is you, Jungkook. And I'm sure Namjoon feels the same. He just has to get his job done."
Jungkook hiccups again, although his sobbing has died down considerably. "Are you sure?"
I chuckle, squeezing his cheeks slightly. "Who could hate this adorable little one?"
The adorable little one finally smiles, although it is a warped kind of thing - stuck between amusement and anguish.
I lean forward, placing my lips against his forehead. "No more tears," I say, as I straighten to look him in the eyes. "The official representative of the Fifth Aamon's Court has a job to do."

"I believe I've found the -" The sentence is cut off abruptly when I turn to Sikyung, a finger against my lips.
"Hush," I say. "He's asleep."
Sikyung comes forward, studying the little one asleep against my chest, his head tucked securely against my shoulder.
"It's past dawn," Sikyung chuckles. "It is his bedtime anyway."
I stare as Sikyung takes a seat beside me. "How do you know?"
"Who do you think took care of him while you and Taehyung were gone? Jungkook spent many nights here."
"So you know," I hesitantly start.
"About his vampircy? Of course. There is not much that I as his advisor do not know."
I am quiet, considering. "You accept him as he is. A vampire-demon-lycan hybrid."
"Yes, of course," Sikyung answers as if I'd just asked an obvious question. "The child is heir to the throne. My job is only to ensure he does his duties well for the sake of his people. Who he is does not concern me. He could be a drag Queen for all I care. The only thing I want from him is the ability to be a good leader in the future."
"Is that why you're so accepting of Taehyung's rule as your Alpha?"
"The most important qualities of a leader are bravery and empathy. All other qualities can be taught. Taehyung has both, and that is enough for me."
I run a casual hand through Jungkook's hair, tucking a lock behind his ear.
"How was his mother as an Alpha?"
"Jungkook's?"
I nod.
Sikyung smiles lightly. "Beautiful, strong and charming. A lethal combination."
I nod again, agreeing.
"Erina saw her parents being slaughtered before her as a child. I hoped to raise her to be a good leader, but the incident haunted her. Trauma changes people."
Again, I nod in agreement. I'd seen for myself how that happens.
"What about you?"
I blink, not expecting the question as I turn to Sikyung.
"What do you mean?"
"Aren't you next in line to rule in Hell? You don't seem like someone I'd associate with Lucifer. What happened?"
I let myself chuckle. That was actually a compliment.
"I am half Angel. So maybe it's in me to be different."
"But weren't you raised in Hell?"
"I was," I agree. "But I was rebellious. I'd hated the place - hated my father, hated the throne, hated the very thought of ruling Hell. I came up to Earth to start a new life."
"And then you met Taehyung."
I smirk. Sikyung didn't really know the story behind it.
"And then I met Taehyung," I confirm. "And everything else just… fell into place."
"You love him, don't you?"
I turn to him. That wasn't really the first time I've heard that.
"...I don't know."
"What makes you unsure?"
"I'm a demon," I explain. "We are not designed for such emotions."
"You're Half Angel," he points out. "Maybe you're different."
"A relationship will complicate things. Our loyalties are different." I run a hand slowly up and down Jungkook's back. I don't know why I'm doing it. Maybe it's to soothe my own emotions.
"What's the worst that could happen?"
"I influence Taehyung's decision, he influences mine, my father takes advantage of the relationship to destroy the world, either one of us is accused of treachery, Heaven would send down Holy punishment in my direction… Do you want me to go on?"
"No."
"Good. Because those are depressing thoughts."
"But that just means you really love him, don't you?"
I pause, considering. "I guess it does."
But it didn't mean anything. It shouldn't mean anything.
"I'm going to put Jungkook to bed. Wait for me for a bit."
Sikyung nods as I rise, holding Jungkook securely against my chest. 

I reach Jungkook's room and place him on his bed. The child is still asleep when I reposition his body, though he wakes up in a half stupor when I pull the blankets over his small frame.
"Jin?"
I tuck the blanket around him. "Yes?"
"You love Taehyung?"
I pause momentarily, considering an answer. "Yes."
"Do you love me?"
I smile.
"So long as the waves still move with the sea."
He frowns. "What does that mean?"
"Endlessly."
A satisfied little smug smile is given as an answer as Jungkook closes his eyes again. I kiss the top of his head.
Maybe tiny Jungkook wasn't so bad after all. 

"I need to send a message to the representatives of PETRA."
Sikyung looks up from his papers.
"I won't wait for them to attack this Court again."
"What are you going to do?" Sikyung asks me.
"I'm going to call for audience."
Sikyung falls quiet for a bit, before he slides a brown paper file over to me. "The information is in there. PETRA is a fortress, located in an underground facility that indemnifies magic and is chock full of human technology and weaponry. No one goes in or out without the entire organization knowing your every move."
I open the file and flip through the pages. "How do they move around so fast?" I wonder aloud. The organization was shaped like a maze and was so deep underground that it required generators to equalize pressure so the human brain wouldn't explode.
"PETRA branches are based worldwide, but only the most important matters are done within the main organization. Even the location of it is a secret."
"Then how do I get in?"
"You'll have to have an appointment. Eighty one years ago, PETRA made contact with the Asian Lycan Court for allegations of Crimes against Humanity in Nanjing."
I raise an eyebrow. "Nanjing? As in the Nanjing massacre?"
Sikyung nods. "Erina's grand uncle was subsequently tried and executed for the crimes, before the agents just disappeared. Attempts to contact PETRA on your own are usually unnoticed."
They must have a lot of spies. I flip the file closed and slide it back to Sikyung.
"What do you plan to do?" he asks again.
"I'm going to lead them away from here, let them try find me."
"And Jungkook?"
"Jungkook will choose where he wishes to go. He can stay here or he can come with me. Either way, I'm still meeting PETRA."
And maybe Namjoon too, I add.
"As heir to the Lycan throne, he needs to stay here, where he will be safe," Sikyung points out. "There are no other incumbents and if anything happens to him -"
"The Lycan Court has the capacity to choose their leader," I point out. "Jungkook is not your toy."
"And he is not your bait."
I shift my focus to Sikyung, who stares unflinchingly back at me.
"It is obvious what you plan to do. You want to use him to get to PETRA, because as a representative of the Aamon's Court, only he can call on to an appointment."
"I am not forcing Jungkook to come along," I level. "But even if he chooses to, granted, I will protect him."
"Can you?" It is a simple question, but the gravity of it weighs me down. Jungkook had been hurt multiple times in battle while both trying to fight back or defend himself. I've lost count of the number of times he'd almost lost his life. "He needs to stay here where he will be safe."
"You don't get it, do you?" I snap. "So long as Jungkook and I here, the chances of people getting hurt are sky high. Jungkook has fought in battles you've only prayed to survive in. The longer we stay here, the bigger danger your Court will be in."
"And you put that child in danger by bringing him along with you!" Sikyung suddenly stands and we are nearly nose to nose. "This Court is already in danger with the threat of losing him."
"Stop acting like you own him."
"He is a child," Sikyung breathes. "He knows not what is best for him."
"When PETRA comes back with a larger army, and they *will*, let's see how your Court fares. Don't tell me I didn't warn you."

"Jin?"
I peer over my shoulder to see Jungkook standing at the foot of the stairs, a hand against the banister. I focus back to tying my shoelaces.
"You're awake," I say as I stand and Sikyung passes me my trenchcoat. I slip it on as I turn to the little one.
"Where are you going?"
I glance at Sikyung and our eyes meet for a moment.
"I'm going to meet with PETRA."
"Alone?"
I nod as I turn to him. "It would be safer for everyone."
"I'm coming with you then," he says, not even hesitating as he comes to stand before me. It still disturbs me how he is so *tiny* and now that he has to crane his neck up just to look me in the eye, it's almost like I'm looking at an entirely different person.
"No," I say, resting a hand against the top of his head. He is *so* small that his chin just about grazes my hip. "You have to stay here and protect your Court."
"There are many people in my Court. And we'll protect it by not being here. You know they'll keep coming back."
I glance at Sikyung again. He says nothing, but his eyes are telling.
"Jungkook," I sigh, turning to him again. "I can't keep putting you in the line of fire."
"And you're going to do it to yourself alone? I won't let you."
"I'm not going to fight them. I just want to talk to them. You were right. They don't want to kill us. They just want our attention."
"Okay," Jungkook says, completely unfazzed. "Then you have to bring me. I'm the representative of the Aamon's Court."
"But you're also the Heir Apparent of this Court. You can't leave it unprotected and without a heir."
"If we're just going to talk, it should be fine."
I was beginning to tire of reasoning with this smart child.
I kneel this time, making sure we were eye level. "I promised Taehyung I'd protect you."
"Then protect me," Jungkook answers, holding my face between his tiny hands. "Stay by my side."
I sigh. "Did Taehyung teach you to be this stubborn?"

I cannot believe that I've lost an argument against a nine year old as I put on my leather gloves. Jungkook is staring down at the view below him, half his body hanging precariously off the edge.
"Why did we teleport here?" He asks.
"Public places will make them hesitant," I answer. "Densely populated areas with too many eyes."
"But why on top of a building?" The little one continues.
"Because it would be easier to escape. Come here, Jungkook."
The little one obediently obeys, standing before me.
"Stay close to me, you understand? I'm going to allow us to be captured."
His face immediately shifts to that of worry. "I thought you said you just wanted to talk?"
"I do. But they probably won't want to talk out in the open. They'll probably bring us back to their organization."
"What if we're separated?"
"Humans have powerful laws protecting children. Your current physical size may work to your advantage. Demand to be with me at all times, got it?"
He nods, though his face is still unsure.
"What if they won't let us leave?"
"Then we'll blow the whole place up."
Jungkook giggles as I ruffle his hair. I was banging on the hope that they'd keep us together because I wouldn't be able to trace the little one once we're in the organization.
The only entrance to the rooftop, a stairwell that was shut with a metal door, suddenly bursts open. Jungkook jumps, immediately coming to me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
As expected, PETRA soldiers file out, immediately taking positions with their weapons pointed straight at us. They surround us in a wide circle, and I place a wary hand against Jungkook's back.
There doesn't seem to be a leader amongst them this time, and I see no sign of Namjoon.
"Where's Namjoon?" I demand. "Let us speak to him."
None of the soldiers move, their weapons still held unflinchingly steady.
"We're not here to fight," I continue as I slowly raise my arms. "Just let us speak to Namjoon."
The first soldier fires, and at the sound, I duck, encompassing Jungkook with my form.
I feel something slam into us, before being alight with blinding pain so strong that it knocks me out within seconds.

"Kim Seokjin."
I look up at the sound of my alias being called. I haven't used the name in a long time. Kim Namjoon looks back at me, his bleached blonde hair as usual, perfectly sculpted into a couf.
"Or should I call you Azazel?"
I roll my eyes at the statement. Enough with the formalities.
"You said you wanted to talk," I say. "I'm here and willing to. But where's Jungkook?"
"He's safe, I assure you that," Namjoon replies. "And…small. Why?"
I sigh. "A timewarp backfired. I'll figure out a spell to have him back to normal. When I have the time."
Namjoon only nods, before he comes forward, pulling out the chair across the table from me. He sits down, resting his elbows on the table as he stares at me.
"Are you a representative of the Aamon's Court?"
I shake my head. "I'm only the Advisor. You'll want to get Jungkook for that."
"He's a child."
"You of all people should know what he's capable of."
Namjoon is quiet for a moment. "Being a minor, he won't be questioned without a guardian."
"And you know I'm his guardian."
Namjoon smirks at that. "Always having a backup plan, Seokjin."
I don't know what I should say to that, so I just stare quietly back at him.
"You have my guarantee that neither you nor Jungkook will be harmed here. You are only being questioned as representatives of the Aamon's Court. You will neither be punished for the actions of the Aamon or will be forced to answer questions you are unable to."
"I've heard the same words in many other Courts," I say. "We all know formalities."
"PETRA is not a Court," he corrects me, smiling tightly so his dimple on his cheek pops out. "We adhere very strictly to our internal laws."
I lean forward.
"How did you escape?" I ask. I'd seen with my own eyes how the Seraphim attacked our final concert, destroying the stage and basically wiping out anyone they could get their hands on. Taehyung, then initiate, had been their target, but they saw no wrong in having collateral damage. That was arguably the last time I'd seen the rest of the members before running off with Taehyung and Jungkook.
Namjoon's smile disappears. "A trapdoor in the floor backstage," he answers. "I got lucky. A lot of people didn't."
"Did the rest make it?"
"We know Jimin did," Namjoon answers. "We don't have word on Yoon Gi and Hoseok. But their bodies were never found."
"We saw Hoseok being sliced in half," I say.
"Hoseok is a Shapeshifter. It would take a lot more than being cut in half to kill him."
I lean back against my seat. I feel a quiet sense of relief at the words.
"If you're searching for Taehyung, you might as well stop," I say. "He'll be away for a while."
"Where did he go?"
"He's up in Heaven to settle some matters."
"His actions caused the death of many innocent individuals."
"He's trying his best," I reply. "And I won't be able to answer any more questions without Jungkook in the vicinity."
Namjoon turns to the two soldiers standing guard at the door, nodding once at them. Both leave the room without a word.
Namjoon stands a few seconds later, coming to stand beside me before he reaches into his pocket. I hear the jangle of keys before he leans forward and unlocks the cuffs at my wrists and ankles.
"Sorry about that," he says, as he walks back to his seat and sits down. "Formalities."
I say nothing, bringing my hands to the front as I rub gingerly at my wrists. On any other day, I would have easily broken the links tying my limbs, but being in this place has me as weak as a human.
"How does this work?" I ask. "How do you indemnify such a large area from magic?"
"It comes from the land."
"We're in the Bermuda Triangle," I say, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," Namjoon nods. "And we have some very powerful spells strengthening the same."
A knock at the door shifts our focus, and we turn to see it open and Jungkook enter. He has showered and changed into a new set of clothes, a lollipop in his mouth and a drawing block and a box of crayons in his hands.
I guess humans really did treat children reverently.
Namjoon stands, signalling to the empty chair beside me. "Come in, Jungkook. Have a seat by Seokjin."
Jungkook stares at Namjoon, the lollipop stick poking out his lips. He doesn't move for a moment, before he makes a rushed beeline towards me, placing the drawing block and box of crayons on the table before he throws himself against my legs, making a comical struggle to climb.
I stare wordlessly for a moment. Why was he acting like this?
I pluck him from the ground, easy since he's so tiny, and place him on my lap. Jungkook quickly settles, leaning back against my chest.
"Jungkook," Namjoon greets. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," he replies.
"You look different from the last time I saw you."
Jungkook only shrugs. "I'll grow again."
"Do you know why you're here?"
"You wanted to see Taehyung but he's not here. So you want to ask me questions instead."
"Yes," Namjoon confirms. "Nothing more will happen. You can take me word for it." He reaches over, placing a hand against Jungkook's and squeezes it reassuringly.
Jungkook says nothing, but I anticipate a reaction.
"You put a gun to my head." I freeze. "You promised you wouldn't hurt me."
Namjoon doesn't falter, only smiling reassuringly. "You know I would never pull the trigger."
Jungkook says nothing, and for a moment the silence between them goes heavy.
"What do you plan to do with Taehyung?"
Namjoon straightens, taking his hand away.
"For now, nothing. Taehyung is not a high enough risk for us to take action yet. But he's getting there."
"You can't -"
Namjoon stands, pacing slightly from one end of the room to another. "We understand the gravity of his responsibility, and know that collateral damage is… an unwanted side effect. But if Taehyung can't learn to minimize it, we will commence action to stop him."
"You know Taehyung," I say. "You know he would never do that."
Namjoon turns to me. "Power changes people. Sometimes the people you thought you knew become people you don't."
I stare at him, at his familiar features - his narrow eyes, his sharp chin and his disarming smile. It was all familiar, but it was all foreign at the same time. "You're right."
"If you want to carry out an investigation, we can give you access to the files," Jungkook says. "Taehyung has only done what he feels is right."
"Every leader does what he feels is right. It is not his moral compass that we question, it is the outcome of his actions."
"He ended corruption in his Parliament and stopped -"
"He killed seventy four people," Namjoon interrupts Jungkook.
"He did not kill seventy four people!" Jungkook straight up shrieks, slamming his hand against the table. I immediately have my hand against his chest, shushing him slowly to get him to calm down. "Layla killed seventy four people in a bid to get Taehyung's attention. He would never kill an innocent and you know that. Taehyung never chose to fight in these battles, but he did so he could protect everyone."
"Then that only makes his rule more dangerous," Namjoon continues. "If his enemies are willing to obliterate others to gain the upper hand against Taehyung, then he is the danger."
Namjoon made sense. I wouldn't go so far as to say he was correct, but he made sense. And I know his logic is slowly getting to Jungkook as the tiny child stares dagger eyes at our former leader.
"Every leader has enemies," I say, making Namjoon shift his focus to me. "If your goal is to just eradicate every leader, then society will only fall into disarray. Taehyung has responsibilities he as the Aamon must fulfill. The actions of his enemies are not his fault."
"I acknowledge that," Namjoon agrees. "But I also acknowledge the fact that because of his status and influence, Taehyung has the ability to singlehandedly start an interspecies war. Multiple courts are allied with him. Just today, those Courts received the mangled bodies of their soldiers, of news of the innocents killed. Alliances will fall and strife will occur if he is not careful."
"Don't punish him for something that has yet to happen," I say.
Namjoon comes back to his chair, sitting down as he rests his elbows on the table again. "This is not a punishment. I've told you. This is just an investigation to the events that transpired recently. But if you can't provide me your full cooperation, I can't promise you any safety."
Both Jungkook and I are quiet, considering.
"Can I get a glass of milk?" Jungkook suddenly asks.
The sudden, randomness of the question, after all that emotional conversation has Namjoon backtracking.
"Of course," he answers, straightening slightly. "Warm or cold?"
"Cold."
Namjoon nods only once before he gets up and leaves the room.
Wow. What was that?
"Humans listen to children like they're Gods," Jungkook whispers in a barely audible tone. He is leaning over the table, a crayon in hand as he carelessly draws on paper. "The more childish I act, the more revered I become."
I take a moment to glance around, before I position myself as if I am staring at what he's drawing from the side.
"What will you do?" I whisper.
"Cooperate," Jungkook quietly answers. "I don't know if his patience will last."
I reach up to tuck a few locks of hair behind his ear. "What did you see outside?"
"Corridors. Lots of them. Everything looks like a maze. And there are machines everywhere."
"What kind of machines?"
"Guns, vehicles, screens. Everything."
I hide a sigh. This wasn't good. I wouldn't be able to plan an escape at this rate. "Were you awake when they brought us here?"
"No. I knocked out after they threw the net. Do you have a plan?"
I am quiet, as I lean my cheek against my propped up hand.
"No."
Jungkook slowly gives me a sideways glance. "Really?"
"Yes."
He turns to the front again, starting to colour with a bright red.
The door unlocks and opens . Namjoon enters with a small carton of milk and a tall glass of water. He places the carton before Jungkook and places the glass of water a distance away.
"For you, Jin," Namjoon signals.
"Thanks." I don't touch the glass. Even I would know the danger of open air drinks. Jungkook has no such qualms however, as he reaches for the carton and tears off the straw, quickly stabbing the little box and drinking.
"Have you agreed to cooperate?"
Jungkook looks up at the question, before glancing back at me again. His stare is astoundingly innocent, his bangs falling into his eyes as he sips almost nonchalantly with his straw.
He finishes his drink, placing it back on the table and turns back to Namjoon.
"What are the privileges you've made available to the Aamon's Court?"
I school my features.
Namjoon rests his elbows on the table. "Jungkook, there are no privileges. If you want to count your box of milk as a privilege, you're welcome to. But everyone who enters PETRA comes as an equal. We do not negotiate."
"The Aamon's Court must remain neutral," Jungkook calmly replies. I'm surprised he remembers. "As Guardian of Forty Legions of Heaven and Hell, he cannot grant sensitive information to just anyone."
"We are not 'just anyone.' PETRA wants to ensure peace and stability amongst all Creation on Earth."
"And Taehyung ensures peace and stability between Earth and the Afterlife. If you cannot grant the Aamon's Court privilege, there will be no cooperation."
"If you are unwilling to cooperate, we'll be forced to take active steps to ensure you do. If we deem Taehyung a threat to this Earth, we will -"
"Let me ask you," Jungkook fearlessly interrupts. "Have you seen him in action?"
Namjoon doesn't answer.
"Taehyung has defeated Archangels and Lucifer himself. He has saved this Earth from going up in flames at Lucifer's ascension and has fought civil wars in Heaven and Hell. Taehyung has a job to do and he has been carrying it out the best he can. If you plan to stop him, know that he is under the protection of the Rulers of Heaven and Hell itself."
Again, Namjoon is quiet, staring back at Jungkook with a calculative look on his face.
"So what privileges do you plan to provide to the Aamon's Court?"
"I will negotiate with my superiors."
Namjoon gets up again and leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.
"So what happened to cooperating?" I ask Jungkook.
"Don't worry. I plan to cooperate. But PETRA has to know that our Court isn't to be played with. If they see us as a weaker and willing power, they won't be afraid to step on Taehyung."
I quietly lean back against my seat. I am impressed. 

I sit quietly in the glass box, staring at the two guards who unbotheredly stare right back. Human technological advancement had always been interesting. Though the weaker species by far, human intellect surpassed all other species by a mile. The power of humans to be able to invent things made them almost God-like. Most Courts didn't even have a router to provide internet, but humans used innovation so complex that it matched the powers of magic.
Like this glass box I was in.
It was most obviously a flimsy jail to keep me in, but a blinking red light at two upper corners of the box detected motion - informing the humans outside if I was attempting to escape. Five lenses point at me from different directions - little eyes that recorded all movement, showing humans what I was doing, even though they couldn't see me. The floor of this glass box annoyingly lit up with every step I took, pointing out my steps to the guards, preventing me from creeping around.
I might as well be suspended from the ceiling.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Tacos," I reflexively answer.
Little Jungkook frowns. "You don't even like human food."
"I know." I rise from the floor, coming to stand before the glass wall.
Both guards don't even flinch, their hands unmoving from their sides. It would take probably two seconds for them to reach for their weapons, draw them, then aim and fire. I had no protection in this little box. 
"But being human makes me hungry. It's kind of annoying."
"I know, right? I just had milk a few hours ago. And now I'm hungry again."
I knock on the glass with my knuckle. "We're hungry. Can we get some food?"
For perhaps ten full seconds, the guards stare at me, before one of them reaches for a device on his shoulder and…talks to it?
"Guests requesting food."
Guests, huh. I wonder how they treated their prisoners.
Surprisingly, a voice comes out of the tiny device, answering the query.
"Request granted. Preference?"
The guard glances at me.
"Tacos."
"Cheeseburger, fries and strawberry milkshake!" Jungkook all but screams.
I glance back at him.
"What? I'm a growing boy."
The guard repeats the orders into the little device on his shoulder, before getting back to his original position. I turn to Jungkook, who is still gawking at the device.
"Can we get one of those?"
"Why?" I answer. "We can read each other's minds."
"Yeah, but we don't have one of *those*."
"Don't be wasteful."
The little one sulks. "I never even ask for anything."
"You asked for Fortnite two weeks ago."
He makes a little 'hmph!' sound as he crosses his arms over his chest. "Yeah, but nothing since then."
I hide a sigh. Taehyung usually dealt with the little one's tantrums, not me.
I come to him, sitting cross-legged on the floor as I face him. Jungkook doesn't even want to look at me, his lower lip protruding almost comically.
I rest my elbow against my knee before I rest my chin on my propped up hand as I stare at him.
"Knock, knock."
Jungkook doesn't answer, physically turning his body away from me. His arms go even higher up his chest till they are up to his neck. I don't really get the point of him doing that.
"I said knock, knock," I repeat, prodding him against his side. He flinches, producing a very audible 'eek!', before he turns his head to glare at me.
"Who's there?" he grumpily answers.
"Boo."
"Boo who?"
"Boohoo? Don't cry it's just a joke."
And as easy as pie, Jungkook laughs in glee, his arms falling to his side as he turns his body to face me.
"Another one!"
I pretend to contemplate. "Hmm… you give me one first."
His doe eyes light up, and you can almost hear the gears turning in his head. "Okay!" He pauses, a finger against his chin as he thinks. "What kind of bees make milk?"
I consider for a moment. Jokes didn't make sense, so a plausible answer was a nonsensical answer. "Queen bees?"
"B00bies!" he cheers.
If I was drinking, I would have choked. "…Jungkook."
But the little one is too busy laughing at his own joke. I guess I can't blame him for that kind of humour. He grew up amongst adults after all.
I allow myself a small smile of amusement. "Don't say that when you're this size."
"Your turn," he grins.
"Umm…" I consider for a moment, letting my gaze wander. I coincidentally lock eyes with one of the guards. "What do you call a soldier hit with mustard gas and pepper spray?"
"What?"
I turn to Jungkook. "A seasoned veteran."
Jungkook bursts into another round of laughter. I catch the guards biting back a smile.
"A good one," Jungkook says, clapping his hands in amusement. "My turn?"
"Sure," I nod.
"Knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
"Cows say."
I smile. I've heard of this one before.
"Cows say who?"
"Cows don't say who, they say moo!"
The dramatic way Jungkook tells it has me laughing and the little one laughs along.
"Who told you that one?"
"Louis."
I hide my falter. Louis. Killed by Layla. Just a few days ago.
"It's a good one."
"I know, right?"
There is the sound of one of the metal doors opening, and Jungkook and I shift our attention. Namjoon walks in from the other side of the glass, three paper bags in hand. The guards glance over their shoulders momentarily.
He takes his card out of his pocket, scanning it against the first of three glass walls separating us from him. I watch wordlessly as he goes through the second, then speak casually with the guards. They smile at some things he says, before one of them nudges his chin in our direction.
Namjoon glances over his shoulder at me, a look of surprise on his face before he says something to the guards again. All three of them laugh, one of them pats Namjoon against his shoulder and then both guards…turn around and leave.
I raise an eyebrow.
"Where are they going?" Jungkook asks me.
"I don't know."
Namjoon waits until they leave, before he scans his card against the third glass wall.
"Hey," he greets. "I brought your supper."
Jungkook and I exchange a look.
Namjoon comes forward, standing before the glass box that was our jail. He keys in a set of numbers and alphabets into the machine near the glass, and interestingly, the glass wall falls away.
I stare. Where did they go?
"I got beef tacos. I think I remember you prefer that over chicken." Namjoon steps into our cell, coming to where Jungkook and I were seated, and just takes a seat beside us.
Jungkook and I glance at him, at the food, and then at each other.
Namjoon digs through the paper bags, taking out two tacos which he hands over to me. He goes through the second paper bag and produces Jungkook's milkshake.
"Here you go, Jungkook."
"Thank you," the little one says as he warily takes the milkshake. "Did you get my fries?"
"Yup. And cheeseburger with extra pickles. Just the way you like it, right?"
"Yeah!" Jungkook cheers, breaking out into a grin. "You remembered!"
"How could I forget?" Namjoon reflects the little one's grin with his own as he takes other things out of the last paper bag. "Black coffee as dark as tar." He hands me the coffee cup.
"What will you be having?" Jungkook asks, as he drinks his milkshake. I turn to Jungkook. I didn't realise he'd be joining us.
"Try to guess."
Shawarma and chai.
"Shawarma and chai," Jungkook giggles.
"Shawarma and chai," Namjoon confirms, as he takes them out of the paper bag.
"Just like old times," the little one muses.
I don't remember the old times involving us fighting for our lives and being held in glass cages. I say nothing.
"How much longer will your superiors deliberate?" I ask as I unwrap my first taco.
"The Board is already having an emergency general meeting," Namjoon says, biting into his shawarma. "They haven't been this wary in a while."
"Should you be telling us that?" Jungkook quizzes.
Namjoon only chuckles. "The matters of the Board are not my concern. I receive orders, I carry them out. I get my job done. Anything that happens after is not my problem."
"I have no idea where your loyalty lies," Jungkook says.
Namjoon shrugs. "I am sorry about putting a gun to your head though. I regret that. It shouldn't have happened."
"That's okay." Jungkook turns to me. "You had a job to do."
I take a bite out of my taco.
Namjoon smiles tightly. "The ends shouldn't justify the means."
He takes a long sip of his chai.
"But don't worry," he continues. "Once you've given testimony, that should be the end of it. You won't hear from me or PETRA again at least for a few years. I mean, how much trouble could you get in, right?"
Jungkook answers the question by giving a somewhat perplexed smile. I guess Namjoon had no idea.
"Why did you hide that you've been alive all this while?" I ask. "We thought we lost you. We grieved for you."
"Because it was for the best," Namjoon simply answers. "Just like the Aamon's Court, PETRA must remain impartial."
"And yet here you are."
"And they're not very happy about that." Namjoon picks something out of his shawarma. It looked like a sliced onion.
"Why now though?" Jungkook asks in turn. "We've been doing a lot of stuff. Why did we only get PETRA's attention now?"
"I can't answer that," Namjoon says as he takes another bite. "Because that's confidential. But the gist of it is that the outcome of that battle put a lot of lives at risk."
"What if the Board determines Taehyung to be a risk?" I ask.
"Then they'll call for his execution."
"You know I would tear this place apart limb from limb before I allow that to happen, right?"
Namjoon looks up then, staring directly at me. He has mayonnaise at the edge of his lips as he chews. It's very distracting.
"Don't worry. There are strict guidelines Taehyung has to meet in order to be called a risk. And as to my knowledge, he satisfies none of them."
Jungkook reaches for a tissue, before he wipes Namjoon's mouth.
"Oh thanks," Namjoon says, slightly surprised.
"Have you met Taehyung yet?" the little one asks.
"Not since the incident."
"He'd be happy to meet you."
A beeping suddenly sounds and Namjoon hastily reaches into his pocket. Lo and behold, he produces a pager. I thought those things died out twenty years ago.
He glances at the number displayed on the screen and rises.
"Not in these circumstances," Namjoon mutters. "The Board has reached a decision. I have to go."
He leaves, standing before the machine that locks us in and keys in the necessary code.
"Namjoon."
I stand before the slowly descending glass as Namjoon looks up.
"How sure are you that your superiors won't label Taehyung a risk?"
"Extremely."
I stare into his eyes. They were confident.
"And if you're wrong?"
The glass wall secures itself against the ground with a strong thump, effectively trapping Jungkook and I inside again.
Namjoon comes forward, standing a foot away from me.
"I won't be." He was naive. Way, way too naive.
"And what if you are?" I'd lowered my voice, speaking quickly for fear of any devices picking up what I said. "What if PETRA decides on Taehyung's execution?"
"I thought you said you were going to tear everyone -"
"I know what I said. But where will you stand?"
Namjoon is quiet.
"You've known Taehyung for years," I say. "You know them better than your superiors. If it comes to it -"
"This was what they warned me about," Namjoon answers, staring deadpan at me. "You trying -"
"Namjoon," I stress. "Think about all the years you've known Taehyung. Does he really seem like a risk to you?"
Namjoon says nothing.
"If I were anywhere but here, I'd surely be able to save him. But not here. The only person he has is you."
Another beeping sound. Namjoon glances at his pager again, before he looks up at me.
"Namjoon, please."
He says nothing, turning around and walking away.
I stare at his disappearing figure, until he exits through the metal doors.
For a moment, I almost expect him to suddenly come back, maybe turn around and say I was right.
But there is nothing.
A flash of pure, intense rage suddenly builds up in me, and I punch the glass wall before me. The glass cracks but ultimately holds.
"Jin?"
I turn to the young child, the straw of his drink still pressed softly against his lip.
I turn back to where I'd been staring. There is a quiet crinkling sound that quickly catches my attention. The glass wall is slowly collecting itself, the cracks reforming to reveal smooth surface, almost as if the glass had been untouched.
I take a step back as I stare.
What the hell. Was the glass regenerating?
"Jin."
I shift my focus to Jungkook again. The young child's eyes are calm yet cautious.
"It's okay." I find myself exhaling loudly at Jungkook's words. The tense muscles in my body relax, the weight on my shoulder lightens. "It's going to be okay."
"I'm sorry," I find myself automatically saying. I come back to him, sitting against the floor again. I take my half eaten taco, bringing it to my lips as I'm about to take a bite. I belatedly realise that my appetite is gone. The taco just hangs there, an inch from my mouth.
"You're nervous."
My hand finally falls away.
"You don't think the Board meeting will turn out well?"
I don't need to answer his question. With the way things have been going for us the past few months, 'things turning out well' was a far and dangerous dream.
"Do you think he'll come in time?"
I shift my gaze to Jungkook.
"Who are you talking about?"
"Taehyung."
"I would prefer if he isn't here at all."
"Maybe Taehyung can help us get out of here and then we can just run away forever." Jungkook stabs his straw distractedly into his milkshake. "I don't like it here."
"They'll just trace us, like they did before." It honestly annoys me how they were able to find Jungkook and I so quickly. Humans had no magic, nothing that I could trace back to a source, like a person or a place. If they had somehow created technology that could teleport them around the world, then there would be no escaping them.
I sigh, and Jungkook frowns louder at the action.
"Sorry you're stuck with me."
"I'm not stuck with you," I say. "I choose to be with you. It's this predicament I'm sorry to be stuck in."
"You think Namjoon will help us if anything goes south?"
"I don't know. I thought I could hope."
"At least we have each other."
I allow myself a half smile as I reach up and ruffle the little one's hair. "You're right. At least we have each other."
There is the sound of the main door opening, and Jungkook and I turn to see who it is who has entered.
Two lines of soldiers, bazookas at the ready, march in.
There had to be at least eight soldiers heading towards us, coming forward in sync until they stop right outside our glass box.
"Looks like the Board said yes," I hear Jungkook say under his breath.
It looks like they did. 

"Jeon Jungkook and Kim Seokjin. We welcome you."
I stare at the men and women surrounding Jungkook and I as we sit at the conference table. There had to be at least thirteen members of the Board. Lord knows how they got any decision made with this many people in power.
Namjoon sits to Jungkook's left. No other PETRA member sits near us, save for several soldiers standing directly behind us.
Jungkook reaches up, pulling the mic stand attached to the table lower as he directly addresses the elder woman who had spoken to him. "Your hospitality is duly received."
If the little one was being sarcastic, the remark flew right over everyone’s head.
"Kindly confirm your relation to the Fifth Aamon His Highness Kim Taehyung, Head of the Aamon's Court."
"I am his ward, acting in his capacity throughout his absence."
"Why is the Aamon currently absent in fulfilling his role?"
"His Highness King Kim Taehyung is away in Heaven performing duties."
“You have requested audience with the members of the Board, the Directors of PETRA,” another person – a Director – speaks. “Is that in the affirmative?”
“Yes.”
“And what is the purpose of doing the same.”
“I am exercising my full capacity as representative of the Aamon’s Court when I say that I have the authority to make decisions under his name,” Jungkook starts. “And such decision will be binding unless I or the Aamon proclaim it so.”
The Directors nod in understanding.
“I am informed that PETRA requests an explanation for the events that unfolded several days ago, in a battle between His Highness and one of the previous successors of the Aamon’s Court, Layla Caesar. Your organization requests for testimonials in order to carry out investigations of the same. Is that in the affirmative?”
“It is in the affirmative,” a Director says, nodding.
“The Aamon’s Court is willing to provide our co-operation of the same.”
“We thank you for the co-operation.”
“However,” Jungkook interrupts, making the directors look up. “The Aamon’s Court must remain impartial in order to execute its duties without bias. We will not provide anything if it will threaten the Court’s impartiality.”
One Director leans forward, speaking directly into his mic. “We understand that the Aamon’s Court seeks privileges from this organization. We ask you to bring forward your requests of the same.”
“The first privilege,” Jungkook starts, “is indemnity to this specific event that is to be investigated. Understand that His Highness the Fifth Aamon King Taehyung executes duty not only for the safety and stability of this Earth, but of the Hereafter. As such, there will be events outside your level of understanding. If he is bound to your Earthly laws, then his ability to protect both worlds will be severely affected.”
There is murmuring amongst the Directors before they speak up again.
“State the second privilege.”
“The second privilege is that all records of the investigation, once concluded, will be destroyed. The confidentiality of the Aamon’s Court must be maintained in order to protect the Court. Once these two privileges are given, the Aamon’s Court will provide our full co-operation.”
I am quiet throughout. It is not my position to comment or question the Court’s position in matters dealing with other Courts.
Both requests were not easy. Records were important in order to have proof for accountability and asking for immunity, well… it was basically the same thing. If PETRA agreed with the demands, then it would place the Aamon’s Court at a higher pedestal before the law. If it were rejected, there was a chance that PETRA wouldn’t be in our good books, and vice versa. I wonder if Jungkook had an agenda behind all this.
The Directors are murmuring amongst themselves, and because of my current human ears, there isn’t much I can catch.
“We have deliberated and acknowledge the requested privileges,” the Director who sits in the middle states. I guess he must be the Head out of all of them. “And while we respect the Aamon’s Court and all of its representatives, according to trite human law, statements and actions of a child, no matter his position and granted authority, are not recognized as binding.”
I shoot a glance at Jungkook, who stares right back.
"As such, the requested privileges of the Aamon’s Court shall be kept in view until a proper, able figure of authority is presented to the organization.”
“What?” Jungkook exclaims aloud, as he stands.
“As the requested privileges are still under deliberation, the representatives of the Aamon’s Court will remain in PETRA until the matter comes under discussion again.” 

I sit there, leaning against the wall, almost dazed from the revelation.
We won't know how long Taehyung would be gone and when he'd even be back. Waiting for him, being stuck here without magic, was not on my itinerary.
Little Jungkook is pacing, restless and nervous. He would have a lot more to lose being stuck here than I would. As only existing Heir to his Court and the only representative of the Aamon's Court, him not acting in his capacity would throw the courts in disarray.
The small one suddenly shrieks in anger, landing a hard kick against the glass wall. It doesn't crack - he even bounces back from the force of it. I let him be. A tantrum now was understandable.
He suddenly looks up at me.
"I'm *soooo* angry," he fumes.
"I understand," I reply. "I'm just as angry."
"You don't look angry."
"I'm boiling on the inside. But I'm still in shock."
Jungkook stalks towards me, coming to sit by my side with several dramatic sound effects. "I hate this!" he yells, leaning against me as he hugs my arm. "I hate being stuck here as a human." Unexpectedly, he chomps down - hard - on my bicep. I'm not really sure what to do or say at that, so I let him be.
We had to plan a way to accelerate this waiting process somehow. But I didn't have a way to contact Taehyung *and* I didn't have a way to get us out of here.
What were we going to do?
The lights above us suddenly start to flicker and Jungkook gasps, holding on to my arm tighter. The soldiers guarding our cell look up as well, confusion evident in their eyes. They exchange words for a few moments before one leaves.
I stare as that one soldier walks past the three glass walls before he is out through the metal door.
The flickering continues, slowing down until we spend several significant seconds in the dark before the lights turn on, and then turn off again.
"I think something's coming," Jungkook whispers.
I say nothing, a firm hand against his lap.
The lights finally die out with one final blow, lighting up with such intensity that I have to cover our eyes, before they all collectively explode in a shower of sparks.
"Hey!" Two seconds of silence, before there is the sound of something slamming against the ground. It sounded like a body.
.
I quickly stand, taking Jungkook's hand in mine.
My eyes are now human. I can barely see a foot in front of me in the pitch darkness. "Stay close," I whisper.
Something hits the glass wall with a dull thud. I instinctively back away, keeping Jungkook behind me. Then there is the sound of constant and high speed vibration, high enough that my eardrums start to ache.
And then the glass shatters, exploding inwards till they rain on us and Jungkook screams.
"I'm scared!" he yells.
I consider what to do for a damn second. I had no weapons, no magic, couldn't see and had a minor to protect. I just hope the perpetrator would be dumb enough to come forward for hand to hand combat.
"Jin! Jungkook!" I freeze, knowing who it was.
"Namjoon?"
"Hurry, put these on."
I feel something being pressed against the palm of my hand and against better judgment, follow his instruction.
It's a pair of goggles, bulky and kind of heavy. But I understand the significance behind them. I could suddenly see in the dark.
Vision was pretty grainy and everything was in various shades of green, but it was working and was better than being blind.
"Wow, I can see!" Jungkook pipes in.
"Listen," Namjoon starts. "We have to move before the lights turn back on and people realise you're gone. Here." Namjoon passes something to the both of us. I stare for a moment. It's a…gun? How quaint.
The magazine is too big and the barrel is too long. It was definitely modified.
"Tranqualizers. They knock anyone out within half a second."
"Don't you have bullets?"
"These work a lot faster than bullets. The magazines have 20 rounds each. Use them sparingly because I don't have extras."
I nod, clocking the gun.
"You know how to use firearms, right?" I ask Jungkook.
He nods, pushing the goggles up higher. "My aim isn't very good though."
"We'll work with what we have," Namjoon says. "Let's go."
He starts running almost immediately.
"You think it's a trap?" Jungkook whispers.
"We don't have time to think."
I grab his hand, and we chase after Namjoon.
We are running down the corridors, slipping past confused soldiers when something on Namjoon produces a heavy static sound.
"Namjoon, status report," the grainy device says.
Namjoon takes the device out of his pocket - a very bulky phone? - and places it to his lips. "Power outage from one of the system generators. Turning back up power on as we speak."
He pockets the device again, before turning to us.
"Power will turn back on in approximately two minutes. There's no way we can make it out in time, so we'll be hiding before the lights turn back on."
I nod in understanding.
Namjoon starts running again, and we blindly follow.
We round several bends, stopping only to tiptoe past soldiers rushing past us.
Namjoon finally signals us into a corner, carding a machine and keying in several codes before he rushes us in to enter.
The power returns just then, and I squint my eyes at the sudden invasion of light as we take off our goggles.
"Where are we?"
"Recordskeeping."
Namjoon moves forward, and we immediately follow.
"You guys still use paper?" Jungkook asks.
"When it comes to extremely confidential material, yes. The internet has an extensive history of security breaches."
"Like hacking?"
"Yes."
"There is no security here?" I ask, looking past the rows and rows of shelves filled with paper files.
"Very few people have access to this room," Namjoon explains. "And I've also looped the security cameras for now."
Namjoon walks till he reaches the end of the room, and then turns to his left. "In here."
What greets us when we follow him is another room, presumably a closet of sorts. "Put this on."
He hands me the uniform of the soldiers, complete with the face guard, helmet and armour.
"What about -"
And then the siren goes off, blaring as the lights overhead us turn red.
"What is that?" Jungkook screeches, hands against his ears.
"Alarms. They've realised you escaped. Come on."
"What about Jungkook?" I ask as I zip up the uniform, clicking the armour in place.
"I must confess that I didn't think this through."
"Namjoon!"
"He's very small!" Namjoon replies. "There's no way he'd fit in the uniform and get away with it!"
The sound of static starts again.
"All units assemble. Security breach in Area 12 detected."
I straighten just in time to see Namjoon attach several items across his belt.
He takes out his device, placing it to his lips.
"Copy. All units on standby."
He pockets his device again.
"What are those?"
"Grenades and smoke bombs," he answers, as he hands me one of the bazookas. "*Don't* fire this. There's nothing in the RPGs but fire bombs that will set everything in here ablaze."
I nod as I wordlessly take it. 
"You ready?" he asks, as I slip on the helmet. I liftup the visor to reveal my face.
"No, but let's just get this over and done with."
Namjoon grins. I guess the excitement was getting to him.
He takes something else out of his pocket, a piece of paper folded several times. He unfolds it and places it on the floor before us.
Blueprints.
"We're here," he says, pointing to a spot very clearly marked Area 9. "We need to get to here." He traces a line to the supposed exit, which if I calculate correctly, was about a kilometer from here.
I exhale through gritted teeth.
"That's a long way," Jungkook comments.
"It's the only way."
"There aren't any emergency exits? Like in the event of a fire or an earthquake?"
"The entire place is made to withstand a nuclear explosion," Namjoon replies to Jungkook's question. "So, no. For security purposes there's only one entrance and exit."
I stare at the path Namjoon has traced out.
"There's no way we can make it undetected," I say, calculating our odds. "There are too many corners."
"And this place is filled with cameras. If they don't detect you, they'll detect Jungkook. He sticks out like a sore thumb."
I glance at Jungkook. Namjoon was right. There'd be no way of hiding him.
Unless we didn't?
"I have an idea."

"No! Let me go!"
Jungkook struggles hysterically under my hold as Namjoon and I walk down the corridors.
"Representative of the Aamon's Court, Jeon Jungkook has been found," Namjoon says into the device. "Official Advisor Kim Seokjin still at large."
Jungkook was doing a good job of struggling though. My arm is starting to ache. Being human is exhausting.
I lift him up, throwing him over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I'm going to ask him to walk soon.
"Bring him to the Main Office," the device cackles.
"Copy."
Namjoon pockets the device, moving forward. I say nothing, following his lead.
We walk until the corridors expand into a much wider space, different individuals in different attires walking past us. I manage to see, for the first time, the intricacies of the place. Everything moves like an electric circuit.
There are individuals on small standing devices with wheels that zoom past, travelling like they're chasing for time. There are those that walk with their laptops open, balanced on their hands. This wide area has lifts at nearly every corner, with walls made of glass that clearly show who is inside. The generators on the high ceiling are gigantic as they work beside overhead lights, equalizing the pressure of being so deep underground.
"How far underground are we?"
"Four kilometres."
Amazing.
Namjoon takes us to one of the lifts, entering before he keys in several codes and scans his card. I place Jungkook down - my shoulder was seriously starting to ache - and look behind me as the lift starts travelling up.
The vast expense of the place is slowly revealed, and I realise it stretches much farther than I'd expected.
"You have your gun ready, Jungkook?" I hear Namjoon ask.
"Yeah."
At the far distance, I see several jeeps being driven, transporting soldiers from one place to another. Maybe they were finding for me.
"Your quarters are so busy," Jungkook says, observing the sights below him as well.
"You don't have this much manpower?"
"More subordinates means higher chances of treason and corruption."
"That sounds about right."
We reach our intended floor. I turn back to the front to see Namjoon studying me.
"Ready, Jin?"
"No," I answer, and Namjoon smiles.
"Now or never."
The lift doors open and the three of us step out. Namjoon leads the way again, with Jungkook behind him and me behind them.
There is nothing on this floor but a long corridor with large metal doors at the end shaped like a semi circle.
Namjoon stops before the doors, placing his hand on the sensor as it scans it. The metal doors open and we step through.
Another office, with a secretary seated at the desk and four soldiers situated at strategic locations around the place. I scan the entire place, tightening my hold on the bazooka. Namjoon ignores all of them, until he reaches a pair of heavy oak doors at the other end of the office.
He knocks once, before opening one of the doors. He holds it open, signalling Jungkook and I to enter first. We follow his instructions, and Namjoon shuts the door behind him.
"Jeon Jungkook. It's nice to see you again."
The Director stands as he greets him, smiling amusedly.
He's alone in his office, I notice. There isn't even a security camera in here. Good.
"Please, sit down." He signals to the chair across the table from him.
Warily, Jungkook stares, deliberating, before he comes forward and sits down.
Namjoon positions himself to stand beside Jungkook while I position myself just a distance behind him to Jungkook's right. The Director sits down, opening a drawer. I tense.
He takes out a mint, offering it to Jungkook. Again, Jungkook stares at it, before shaking his head.
"You know, the entire compound has one of the highest  security measures in the entire human world," the Director muses as he keeps the mint back, shutting the drawer.
"Guess it's still not good enough," Jungkook answers.
The Director smiles again, resting his elbows against the table.
"How did you escape?"
"I thought I was a guest here. As I guest, I'm allowed to move in and out as I please."
"Of course," the Director tuts. "With permission. You are after all, still a child. It is my duty as your host to protect you. And it is also my duty to provide you the best accommodation that I have. So tell me how I can improve my security system to help you."
Jungkook is quiet, and the Director shifts his attention to Namjoon.
"Where did you find him?"
"Recordskeeping."
The Director raises an eyebrow, shifting his attention to Jungkook again. "You made it that far in total darkness? I'm impressed."
"I'm not human. My body doesn't work the same way as you."
"Every being that comes within this vicinity becomes human."
"And I'm half a demon. The Bermuda Triangle means nothing."
The Director chuckles. "You're very amusing for a child. It's no wonder you're the Aamon's Representative." He opens his drawer again. "And you're very lucky you're a guest here, because I wouldn't normally tolerate such attitude."
My index finger rests gently against the bazooka's trigger. Just one, small amount of pressure and I could end this annoying man.
I catch Namjoon staring at me. I relax my finger.
"But I'm not the type of man to lose my cool over something so trivial." The Director places a gun on the table and I nearly lose it, biting my lower lip to prevent myself from yelling and grabbing Jungkook out of harm's way.
"Do you know what this is?"
"A gun," Jungkook says.
The Director takes it, sliding out the rotating barrel as he takes out each bullet, one by one. They roll around the table. "Take one."
Jungkook looks up at him, confused.
"Take one bullet. Any one, it doesn't matter."
Jungkook reaches for the one nearest to him, holding it in his hand. The bullet looks huge in his child-sized palm.
"Do you know what it's made of?"
"Copper."
"Silver. And as a Lycan, it should be burning your skin off. You know why it isn't?"
"Because this is the Bermuda Triangle."
"All types of magic are ineffective here. No matter who you think you are." The Director glances at me. Was that a warning?
He takes one bullet, placing it in the barrel. Jungkook is still staring at the bullet in his hand.
"Now tell me. Where is your guardian, Seokjin?"
"What do you want him for?" Jungkook asks, looking up at him.
"A guest needs to act accordingly. He cannot just waltz around the host's house with no manners, right?"
He slides the barrel back in, spinning it with his thumb.
"I'll ask you again." The Director points the gun directly at Jungkook, clocking it loudly. "Where is Seokjin?"
"Sir -" Namjoon starts.
"Is that how you treat your guests?" Jungkook asks.
The Director pulls the trigger and Namjoon yells. Jungkook hides a flinch and I very nearly have a heart attack.
The round is empty.
"A silver bullet may not kill you. But it will hurt. Tell me, where is Seokjin."
"You think acting like this will have PETRA in the Aamon's favour?"
"Sir, please. If you harm the Aamon's representative -"
The Director pulls the trigger again and this time, Jungkook visibly jumps.
"I'm not going to repeat myself."
"And I'm not going to tell you."
He pulls the trigger again and Jungkook screams, cowering as he hides his head between his hands. I am visibly vibrating from holding back the urge to jump this man.
It's another empty round.
"I don't know!" Jungkook screams, straightening as he stares at the Director. "I don't know where he is!"
The Director pauses to stare at Jungkook, squinting his eyes in suspicion. "I think you're lying."
He pulls the trigger again, and this time, a bullet comes out, barely grazing Jungkook as he ducks again. It literally sounds like an explosion as the bullet hits the chair Jungkook is seated at, making small pieces of shrapnel fly.
"You're crazy!" Jungkook screams as he straightens again.
"I just need two answers," the Director calmly says, as he reaches for another bullet and slides out the barrel once again. "One." He slides the bullet in, locking it in place before he spins the barrel. "Where is Seokjin. And two." He points the gun at Jungkook. "How did you get out."
"If you kill me, you won't get answers." Jungkook is starting to panic, his thinking frazzled and his fingers shaking slightly.
"I'm not planning to kill you," the Director confesses. "Just play some mindgames."
He shoots again and Jungkook yells, but it's another empty round.
That's fcuking it.
I take out the tranquilizer gun Namjoon gave me, pointing it at the Director. Namjoon quickly follows my lead, his posture hesitant but his gaze determined.
"Stop it."
The Director only raises an eyebrow in amusement, his gun still very clearly pointed at Jungkook.
I unlock the safety mechanism on my helmet, taking it off and letting it drop to the floor. The Director smiles in pleasant surprise, and it takes all the control I have in my entire being to not shoot him right then and there.
"I'm right here. Drop the gun."
"I should have known," he muses. "Namjoon would obviously betray this organization for a few buddies." He turns his attention to Namjoon, who visibly swallows at his gaze. "Was us raising you since infancy not enough to receive your loyalty?"
Before we can react, the Director moves, pointing his gun at Namjoon, and shoots.
Lo and behold, the round isn't empty, and a shotgun sounds in the condensed emptiness of the office. The bullet hits Namjoon and he falls.
I move before I can even think, shooting the Director, which immediately knocks him out. I drop the gun, running to Namjoon just as Jungkook reaches my side.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no," the little one is murmuring.
Namjoon is wide awake, eyes alert and responsive, though bleeding pretty profusely.
"It's okay," he gasps. "The bullet only hit my shoulder."
"That's not okay, you idiot," I answer, immediately putting pressure on the wound. "What if it hit the subclavian artery?"
"You really think I'd die just like that?"
"You're a human," I seethe. "You guys die from anything!"
I look up, finding something to stop the bleeding.
"Jungkook, take off Namjoon's tie."
"I don't know how!"
"Then press on the wound."
I move over so Jungkook has more space, before I remove the tie.
"Hold your breath."
"For what -"
I loop the tie under Namjoon's shoulder, before tying a knot and pulling it tight over the bullet would.
"HOLY -" Namjoon interrupts himself by biting his lower lip. It takes him a moment to recover but he stares up at me in anger. "No warning?"
"Asking you to hold your breath was the warning. Now get up. We need to get out of here."
I wipe my bloody hands against the uniform, helping Namjoon to stand. "How do we move from here to the exit?"
"We have to get out the office and take the elevator to the top floor. From there, it's a transfer by jeep to Area 2, and then -" Namjoon pauses to take in a shaky breath. "Forget it. You know what? I'm coming with you."
"You sure?" I ask. "Once you're identified, it's over."
"The Director already saw me."
"We could kill him."
"We're not killing anyone," Namjoon breathes. "I owe this place that, at least."
I stare. There were missing pieces of the story I wasn't getting, but now wasn't the time.
"Let's go."
I help Namjoon stand and he gingerly moves to pick up my helmet. "We're gonna act like nothing happened. We're going to walk out of there calmly and not hurt anyone, got it?" He passes the helmet to me.
I nod as I put it on. I turn to Jungkook to ask him to hurry, but see him still seated on the floor, hands bloody as he stares blankly at the knocked out Director.
"Hey," I say, coming to him as I wipe Namjoon's blood off his hands. "We really need to go."
He sniffles and I look up to see his eyes shining with tears.
"I was really scared," he mewls.
"Jungkook," I breathe, "we don't have the time for tears yet if you want to make it out here alive."
His lower lip quivers as he holds back a sob, but the little one nods and rubs his eyes. "Okay."
I take his hand and pull him up to stand. "We're all in position," I say to Namjoon. "You good?"
"Yeah," Namjoon answers he hides a groan. "Lucky I'm wearing black today. Let's move."
He starts walking, Jungkook follows and I trail from behind, pulling the helmet visor down. Everyone in the office looks up at our exit.
"Is everything okay in there?" The secretary asks.
"Yeah," Namjoon answers. "Just interrogation. You know how the Director is like."
Jungkook sniffles just then, either in coincidence or perfect timing. The secretary's gaze immediately softens as she looks at him. "He's just a child."
Namjoon only shrugs.
"Are you done with the meeting? The Director has another in 15 minutes."
Namjoon nods. "He's just recollecting himself. He'll be ready."
We continue walking until we pass through the metal doors. I take one last look behind me as the doors are shutting.
One of the soldiers is knocking on the Director's office door.
Oh shiit.
"We gotta go, we gotta go," I breathe, just as the metal doors shut completely, blocking my view of the inside. All three of us instinctively break into a run, and Namjoon starts to obsessively hit the 'up' button for the lift.
"What happened?"
"One of the soldiers is checking in on the Director. It won't be long before they see him."
"Fcuk," Namjoon breathes.
The lift arrives and we hurriedly enter. I turn to Namjoon.
"How far a distance do we need to travel until we are outside the Bermuda Triangle?"
"Many kilometres."
"Guys," Jungkook whispers.
"Freeze!"
All there of us whirl around to see the metal doors opening and soldiers positioned behind them, their bazookas pointed towards us.
Oh, shiit.
"Close the lift!" Jungkook shrieks.
Namjoon reaches up for a flap above the lift buttons, opening it to reveal a hilariously huge red button. He punches it just as two soldiers fire the bazookas towards us.
The button practically throws the lift upwards, zooming up with such speed that Jungkook falls against the ground. The change in pressure was starting to hurt my eardrums as I press my hands against my ears. I fall to my knees, the g force being too much for me to take.
The lift suddenly slams to a halt and the three of us are thrown upwards, hitting the ceiling before we hit the ground again. I land so hard that I actually bounce.
"Oh my God." I'm so stunned by the pain that I don't even know what to say.
"Being human hurts," Jungkook moans as he gingerly pushes himself off the ground. That was however, a pretty apt description of my human experience so far.
"Let's move," Namjoon says, already heading towards one of several jeeps parked in the area.
This had to be a carpark of sorts, because it was filled with rows upon rows of different vehicles.
"You pride yourself for security but you don't even have a single guard here?"
"This is a warehouse," Namjoon snaps as he opens the side door and climbs in. I lift Jungkook up into the jeep before I run to the other side and climb into the driver's seat.
"Put your seatbelt on," I say to the little one, who immediately obeys.
"You know how to drive, right?" Namjoon asks as he attempts to hotwire the vehicle. I shut the door behind me.
"Yes. Are there weapons in this jeep?"
There are multiple quiet 'ding' sounds, loud in the silence of the warehouse.
All of us whirl around.
Multiple soldiers exit the four other lifts, each armored to the toe with their bazookas ready.
"Namjoon, quickly," I murmur, as Jungkook and I instinctively duck.
"Patience! I'm working with one good arm. And there are bazookas under the backseat and handguns in the compartment."
"You think they'll kill us?" Jungkook randomly asks, as I search for the handguns, passing one to him. "I haven't chosen a successor for my Court yet."
"They definitely won't kill you," Namjoon replies. "Though I don't know the lengths of how far they'll go to stop you."
The engine suddenly starts and I floor it, not waiting for Namjoon to steady himself.
"Hey!" he yells, just as he bangs his head on the dashboard.
"No time," I answer, seeing the soldiers whirl around at the sound of the jeep. "Where do we go?"
"That way," Namjoon answers, pointing to a pathway that lowered to an underground tunnel. It had to be at least half a kilometer away.
"You've gotta be kidding me," I breathe, putting the jeep in reverse. I make the wildest u-turn a vehicle of this size could possibly pull off, and head straight.
We were speeding directly towards a group of soldiers.
"Uhhhh… road work ahead?" Namjoon says, bracing himself for impact, as the soldiers position their bazookas straight at us.
"Uh yeah, I sure hope it does." I jam my foot down on the accelerator, staring straight at the group of five soldiers before me. They were gonna have to choose between their ba11s and five thousand pounds of speeding metal headed straight for them.
Three of the soldiers fly out of the way at the last moment, while another two attempt to fire their bazookas at us. I crash straight into them, with one flying over the roof of the jeep while I run over another.
"Whoa," Jungkook murmurs, as he is thrown off his seat from the soldier beneath the jeep. "Be wary of the speedbumps."
I take a wild left, as Jungkook reaches for the Namjoon's grenades.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Namjoon stutters. "Those are bombs! They're not meant to be played with!"
"Relax, Namjoon," Jungkook replies as I open the overhead window. "I know exactly what they do."
Jungkook's upper body suddenly disappears out the sunroof as he stands and throws the grenades in the direction of some soldiers.
Namjoon turns to me, absolutely bewildered. "You let him handle grenades?!"
I take a moment to give him a look. "Of course?"
Explosions and yells of panic sound from all around us as Jungkook pops back in.
The overhead sirens sound again, a sign that things were about to get dire.
"Is that supposed to happen?" Jungkook asks, pointing to the underground tunnel. There is a metal divider being slowly lowered from above, cutting off our escape.
"Fcuk this," I breathe, before I turn to Namjoon. "How fast can this thing go?"
"This isn't a racecar!" Namjoon answers.
I press on the accelerator until it's literally flat on the car floor.
A cannon from a bazooka suddenly hits the jeep from the back, making me lose control of the vehicle as the jeep is suddenly balanced on its two front wheels, at a very real danger of flipping over. It takes me precious seconds to have it within my control again.
"We're not gonna make it!" Namjoon yells.
The divider is already halfway down, enough to block this unnecessarily large vehicle from going through.
"Oh yes, we are," Jungkook says, taking the bazooka from beneath his seat. He disappears out the sunroof again, aiming the bazooka at the divider. He aims and fires, the resulting explosion strong enough to form an even bigger pathway from before.
I don't waste time, heading straight into the tunnel as the soldiers start getting into vehicles to chase after us.
I see Jungkook turn around as we are suddenly enveloped in the darkness of the underground. He positions the bazooka again, and shoots straight up into the ceiling of the entrance. The entirety of it falls, slabs of rock, concrete and metal effectively blocking anyone from entering.
Jungkook ducks right then, cackling loudly as he stares at the gigantic hole he's made.
"Good job, baby," I say, unable to hide a grin as Namjoon only stares wide-eyed in utter disbelief.
For a few moments as I drive in the tunnel, there is peace.
"So what now?" I ask Namjoon.
When he doesn't answer for a few seconds, I glance at him. He's breathing heavily, weak and pale from the blood loss.
"Namjoon," Jungkook says, a hand on Namjoon's good shoulder as he shakes him slightly. "You okay?"
"Yeah," he answers. "Just… the blood loss."
"We'll get you help once we get out of here," I promise. "What's the fastest way out of the Bermuda Triangle?"
"Helicopter," he answers.
"Also the easiest way to knock us out of the skies," Jungkook points out.
"We don't have a choice. Which way?"
"Keep going straight until you reach a fork, then turn left."
I follow his instructions and within three minutes we are back out in the sunlight. It quickly hits me that we are on an island densely packed with vegetation and forests. If the Bermuda Triangle were in Madagascar, then we were most definitely there.
"Keep going straight until you see a volcano on your left, then turn right until you hit tarmac."
I drive quietly as Jungkook stares out the window.
"How did you hide an entire facility beneath an island?" I hear him ask.
"It's fake. The entire island is man-made. The surface of the island is used almost exclusively by migrating animals or a safe haven for breeding grounds."
"Do turtles come here?"
"Turtles, birds, seals, walruses… It's one of the few places where they're safe from human exploitation."
"Wow," Jungkook marvels, eyes lighting up. I didn't know he had such interest in animals. "What's the weirdest animal to come here?"
"The weirdest? Bees and monarch butterflies," Namjoon laughs weakly, leaning heavily against his seat. "Colonies of them, bringing pollen that birthed thousands of flowers."
"Flowers!" Jungkook repeats, smiling broadly. "What kind of flowers?"
"The strangest combinations," Namjoon muses. "Lilies and orchids, roses and sunflowers, bluebells and frangipanis."
"Amazing…"
"We'll actually drive past some of them later. You can see for yourself."
We hit tarmac soon enough, and I continue driving straight.
"How long?"
"About two minutes until you reach a parting. It will lead straight to the helipad."
"Flowers!" Jungkook suddenly yells, pressing his face against the window. I glance to where he's looking.
A plethora of flowers, ranging in colours, sizes and types, line the roads, growing together in intricate tangles that seem like paint splatters.
Chaotic and beautiful.
"Do you like flowers, Jungkook?" I ask.
"Yeah," he answers, still full of wonder.
"Let's grow some at your Court when we get back."
"Really?" he squeals.
"Why not?"
An explosion suddenly hits us from the side, and I swerve wildly to the left. We veer off the road, straight through the flowers and some branches and nearly crashing headlong into some trees.
"We've been found," Namjoon remarks.
"Obviously."
Jungkook peers behind him, looking out through the back window.
"Uhhh…"
Both Namjoon and I follow his gaze.
"Fffffffffcukk…" I murmur under my breath, pushing down on the accelerator. "Can we make it in time?"
Namjoon is still staring behind him. There had to be at least twelve jeeps behind us, about a kilometre away. Each jeep has a missile launcher fixed on the roof, and they are all pointed towards us.
"I thought they weren't trying to kill us," Jungkook breathes. "This *definitely* looks like they're trying to kill us."
"Jin, give me your bazooka."
I hadn't realised it was still strapped on my back, but I take it off and hand it to Namjoon. He winds down his window, before sticking his upper body out. Namjoon fires with the bazooka and the resulting explosion is so spectacular that it produces a mushroom cloud into the air.
Holy crap. Maybe that's why he said we couldn't use it inside.
"What happened to not killing anyone?" Jungkook exclaims.
"It didn't hit them," Namjoon says as he climbs back into his seat. He drops the bazooka, holding on to his shoulder as he grimaces in pain. "But it'll be a warning shot. Now faster."
I swerve back on the road, driving for perhaps half a minute until we finally reach the clearing, the forest giving way to a wide, blank space that was the equivalent of half a football field.
I see the helipad in the distance, with three helicopters parked in the open. I speed up, stopping the jeep about ten metres from the helicopters.
"Let's go," I say as I exit the vehicle, coming around to help Namjoon off and swing his good arm over my shoulders. "Jungkook, grab the weapons."
"On it."
I have to drag Namjoon out, as even the ground becomes wet with his blood. He's losing too much blood. Namjoon is skimming in and out of consciousness as I force him to walk.
"Come on, Namjoon," I breathe, as we make our way towards the helicopter. "We're almost there. Once we're out of here, I can heal you in a snap."
"I don't know if we'll make it," Namjoon breathes. "Do you think we should surrender?"
"I'll surrender only when I'm before the gates of Hell."
"Jin!" Jungkook's scream has me turning around. "Missile!"
I look up just in time to see the missile whistling across the skies… straight towards us.
"Move!" I yell, just as the missile slams into the helicopter in the middle, producing an explosion that hurls us all back.
I land hard against the ground, knocking the wind out of myself.
The fire produced from the explosion is scorching, feeling like it's trying to out the oxygen from my lungs. I turn over to lie on my front, coughing as I push myself off the ground.
Namjoon is near me, groaning as he lies on his side. Traces of soot are on his face and parts of his outfit are burned, but I took the brunt of the explosion when I blocked it with my body.
"Jungkook!" I yell as I stand, immediately finding for him.
"I'm here," he answers, coming out from behind the upturned jeep. He looks mostly unharmed. "The jeep took most of the blow. But I didn't have time to grab the bazookas!"
"It's fine. Come here." I wave him towards me. The little one obediently comes. I kneel as I wipe traces of tears off his face. "Are you scared?"
He immediately shakes his head, eyes starting to shine with tears again.
"It's fine to be scared," I say, cupping his cheeks. "I'm scared too. But what we're not going to do is give up. Got it?"
He nods, the steel in his eyes gradually returning. I take one gun from him.
"What did Namjoon say these were again?"
"Tranquilizers."
I offer a small smile. "Then that's good enough. We've been through worse, with less."
I straighten, looking over the horizon to what awaits us.
There are at least twelve jeeps now, all lined in a row, all filled with soldiers, all with their weapons pointed at us.
"By order of PETRA," a soldier standing in the jeep in the middle says through a megaphone. "You are to peacefully surrender and return to the organization. We have you surrounded."
I glance at Jungkook, who is staring at the said soldier.
"You want to do the honours?"
"With pleasure," Jungkook answers, raising his gun and shoots. It hits the soldier square on his neck, and he gasps clutching at the dart before his eyes roll inwards and he falls over.
It initiates a chain reaction and all twelve jeeps move, speeding straight towards us.
"Jungkook, let's go! Don't waste any darts!"
We separate, running in opposite direction, aiming and firing our guns at any approaching soldiers. I manage to hit each target and Jungkook misses none. A soldier shoots his bazooka at us and I jump to the side. He misses, and the RPG explodes into an electric net that falls harmlessly to the ground.
I throw a glance over my shoulder to check on Jungkook. He's taken shelter behind our jeep, shooting at the soldiers before one of them fires a missile in his direction.
"Jungkook, run!" I scream.
The little one heeds, just as the missile lands on our jeep. The explosion throws him airborne, and he literally flies a distance because of his lack of weight.
I run, managing to catch him just before he hits the ground, though the force he hits me with sends us both rolling.
"My gun!" Jungkook screeches, scampering off me. "I lost my gun!"
"Jungkook, it's fine. Don't!" But he's already run off, going back to the blazing remains of the jeep. A soldier fires a bazooka at him, and the RPG hits him straight on. It latches on to his leg, forming a chain that wedges itself into the ground. Jungkook was effectively anchored to the ground.
The little one falls, looking bewildered before he sees his ankle being tied down, and he screams in livid frustration as he tugs at it. I stare at the fast-approaching soldiers, vast in number, their weapons at the ready, armored to the bone.
Did we have a chance?
I drop my gun.
For the sake of Jungkook’s safety, for the sake of Namjoon’s life, for the sake of our own individual courts, perhaps this was the best course of action.
I get ready to raise my hands in surrender when a bright, powerful bolt of lightning suddenly whips through the skies, cracking the evening sky in half. The sound of thunder immediately follows, a collective growl of warnings, as clouds suddenly gather, blocking out the light in the skies as darkness gathers before the sun has even set
Winds pick up, howling in volatile anger and even the soldiers pause to look up.
Above our heads, the clouds come together, spinning in a circle before a crack of lightning breaks through, slamming against the space between the soldiers and I. I turn to Jungkook. I think we both know what was coming.
The portal reveals itself, garnering such strength that the clouds are in. The wind seems to scream at its presence and the thunder roars even louder.
Taehyung suddenly appears, falling and landing against the ground. He lands gracefully, his back to us as he faces the soldiers. He is *glowing*, in a manner that was a testament to how powerful he currently is.
The soldiers are frozen in a combination of awe, confusion and fear.
This was most evidently a powerful individual, powerful enough to still retain power, even in the Bermuda Triangle.
Taehyung pauses, staring at the soldiers.
“Tell your superiors that if it’s my attention they want, they have it.”
Taehyung raises his hand skywards, another bolt of lightning cracks through the skies. It hits his outstretched palm before he redirects it, slamming it against the ground. The lightning travels in a straight horizontal line, separating us and the soldiers with a line of fire before Taehyung roars, making a dramatic pushing motion that splits the land in two, forming a crevice with the sheer power of his will.
The soldiers start to panic, backing away as the island begins to move.
Taehyung raises the sea with a powerful pulling motion.
I’d been present when Moses had split the Red Sea, saw the disbelief and shock in Ramses’ eyes. Taehyung was raising a power on a similar sphere.
The wall of water rises higher and higher, until it seemed like it was trying to cut off our view of the sun, before Taehyung lets go, throwing the water forward and letting it crash into the soldiers. They are swept away far into the distance, along with their jeeps and whatever weapons they had with them.
At the loss of the danger, Taehyung calms down, panting heavily as his power dissipates. The thunder and lightning disappears, the skies clear, the winds die down and Taehyung turns around to look at me, smiling warmly.
“Hey.”
I blink. His hair had grown longer. “Hey. Nice hair.”
“Thanks,” Taehyung replies, his eyes wandering over the mess we made. He scans the destroyed helicopter, the upturned jeep and – “Is that… Namjoon?”
“Hey, Taehyung.”
I look behind me to see Namjoon still lying against the ground, but waving weakly at Taehyung.
I turn back to him. Taehyung waves back in confusion.
“Where’s -?” He pauses. I follow his gaze again. He is staring directly at Jungkook, whose foot was still anchored to the ground and was still trying to pull himself free.
“Hi, Mama.”
I see the gears turn in Taehyung’s head, at the dirty and disheveled condition of his ward, at the sight of him being chained to the ground, at the very *fact* that his ward was very, very small when he shouldn’t be.
Taehyung slowly turns back to me, the smile wiped clean off his face. His body is starting to glow again.
“Taehyung…” I start, slowly backing away.
“I asked you to do *one thing*,” he growls, stalking forward as his irises glow white.
“It was an accident!” I weakly try to defend myself.
“Fix him!”
“I will!”
“You better!” Taehyung throws an orb of power at me as I leap wildly to the side to dodge it.
See, I *knew* he’d try to kill me.

I stare at Namjoon's sleeping form. He is resting, an oxygen mask attached to his face as a slow trickle of magic is inserted into his body through the enhanced oxygen. Unlike magical beings, humans did not have the capacity to receive a lot of magic at once. Their bodies were not used to the same and if I'd attempted to heal him the same way I'd heal anyone else, I'd just kill him. An IV drip is attached to his arm, while his other arm has wires attached to it, connected to machines that monitor his breathing and heart rate.
Humans are so…fragile.
The bullet he'd been hit with had gone through bone, shattering his clavicle and knicking his subclavian artery - as I'd suspected. Namjoon had lost three litres of blood from both internal and external bleeding, broken three ribs and hit his head hard enough to shift his brain - calling it a concussion would be an understatement.
It was only by sheer dumb luck that he had survived.
We were back at the Lycan Court - it was the only place we could call home for now. Jungkook is sleeping with his upper body on Namjoon's bed and his lower body still seated on his chair. He was still small. I'd figure out a spell sooner or later, but a tiny voice at the back of my mind is tempted to just let him be. His size is adorable.
The door opens and I glance up to see Taehyung enter. His blazer is draped over his shoulder as he loosens his tie. He'd probably just came back from another round of meetings.
"How's he doing?"
"Healers say he should be awake within two days, good as new. For now, he just needs to rest."
Taehyung smiles softly, coming to Jungkook first to gently rub his back and then kiss his head. The little one stirs, opening his eyes to look up at him.
"Get to bed, baby," Taehyung whispers.
Jungkook slowly straightens, raising his arms above his head as he turns to Taehyung. 
Taehyung stares for a moment, confused, before he gets it and chuckles lightly. He lifts Jungkook up by his armpits, holding him to his chest as Jungkook wraps his arms around Taehyung's neck and legs around his waist. Taehyung does the instinctive rock-and-sway motion as he slowly lulls the little one back to sleep.
He nuzzles his face into Jungkook's hair, inhaling deeply.
*He smells of strawberries.*
*It's his favourite shampoo.*
*Did I mention how cute he is in this size?* Taehyung's thought echoes in my head. 
*I know right?*
*Let's keep him this size forever.*
I smile in amusement. *He won't be very happy about it.*
"I'm gonna put him to bed," Taehyung says aloud. "We have another long day tomorrow."
I stare as Taehyung turns around, starting to walk out the door.
"I'll walk with you."

We walk down the hallways in comfortable silence, only the sound of the creaking floorboards audible. I relish the peace. There had been naught a minute of relative calm for Taehyung ever since he got back from Heaven. From meeting with the Courts affected to discussing reconstructive work to the damage his battle had left behind, Taehyung had barely even been home since he saved us at the Bermuda Triangle.
"How did the meeting go?" I ask him. Just a few months ago, he hadn't been confident enough to man meetings on his own. Now Taehyung walks in with his head held high.
"Umm, tiring. There's a lot of things to figure out."
"You know you can ask me for help, right?"
"That's why you're my official earthly advisor," he jokes.
We reach the bedroom and I hold the door open for him. Taehyung places Jungkook on his bed, tucking him in the sheets. He takes a moment to just stare at his little one, a soft smile against his lips.
"I missed him so much," Taehyung sighs, leaning in to kiss Jungkook's temple.
He straightens, glancing at me. "Come on. There's something I need your help with."

We enter the library room, which Taehyung has used as a place of refuge to quietly do his research and work on his files. He comes to the study table as I follow from behind.
"I need you to help me with these calculations." He unravels an A3 size piece of paper he has propped up at the side, straightening it out as a he lays it on the study table. I stare at the drawing. It's a blueprint of the streets of Los Angeles. There are calculations written in stencil all around the blueprints easily identifiable as Taehyung's handwriting.
I stare as I read the calculations.
"You did all these by yourself?"
"Yeah," Taehyung answers, shifting his books and files away.
"Where did you learn this from?"
"Heaven. Why? Are they wrong?"
They weren't. Taehyung was calculating the amount of power needed to be exercised in order to perform a restoration, powerful enough to reverse all the damage done during the battle. Only problem was that it would be too late now. 
"It's been two days, the humans would have already started working on restoration."
"That's not the restoration I'm talking about," Taehyung says, coming forward on the other side of the table. "I plan to do a human restoration - a memory wipe large enough to affect everyone in the vicinity, technology included."
"How would you explain the damage left behind?"
"I'll fix it as the memory wipe is being taken into effect. It won't take long."
"You're talking about many square kilometres of damage," I point out.
"It would just be surface level," he points out. "What I need to calculate would be how much power I need to use for the memory wipe."
I take the pencil, writing down calculations on my own.
"You learnt all this after being in Heaven for only one day?"
"No. I was there for a long a time."
I knew time between the Earth and the Hereafter was not linear - they did not travel the same path nor at the same speed. Sometimes time on Earth could be faster, sometimes slower. It explained how sometimes me and Taehyung would be gone for what felt like only a few days, but would only return to Earth months later.
"How long were you gone?"
"Two years." 
My writing stops, the calculation hanging halfway. I look up at Taehyung, who is still staring at my writings. He meets my gaze.
"Why did you stop?"
"You were gone for two years?"
Taehyung nods.
"Why?"
"The investigations, the trial in itself, the probation period…"
"What probation period?"
"Punishment. For killing Judas and electing myself as member of Parliament."
I feel the pencil in my hand snap in half as rage fills my entire system. If they had hurt even a hair on Taehyung's head -
"Hey," Taehyung calls me to attention and I refocus. "I'm okay." He smiles slightly. "It wasn't that bad."
"What did you have to do as punishment?"
"Uhhhh, training," he says. "Lots and lots and *lots* of training. Kinda like how we used to."
I find his constant talking reassuring, as I slowly calm down.
"I'm going to speak to Caine about this," I say as I reach for another pencil.
"No need," Taehyung answers, passing it to me. "You guys will just end up fighting again. And Caine was a great help in Heaven."
I continue writing down the calculations. "It must have been hard on you."
"Yeah," Taehyung agrees, sighing audibly. "I missed you guys every day. I didn't know if I'd ever get to go home. All I did every day was train till my legs give way."
I straighten, double checking my work. "Is that why you're so powerful now?"
Taehyung scoffs slightly. "I won't be this powerful for long. I still plan to destroy my old Court and create new smaller ones."
"And you need to choose a new member of Parliament," I point out.
"And that too," he agrees.
I turn the blueprint so it is right side up on Taehyung's side.
"Establishing a memory wipe two days after the event won't be easy. Witnesses would have moved and news of the event would have spread. You're going to not only need to find those present during the battle, but every single person who received wind of it. And that could number millions."
"What do you propose we do?" Taehyung says, deeply studying the writings.
"You can't contain the magic," I say. "You can only spread it."
"But to millions across the globe?" Even Taehyung sounds hesitant. "I'm not sure I even have such power."
"You don't need such power, all you need is a middleman between you and the intended person."
"You?" Taehyung guesses, not really getting it.
"Satellites."
The realization quickly dawns on Taehyung's face.
"Devices that spread information across the globe. But how will we ensure every human receives it?"
"Humans are attached to their technological screens. Literally none would miss it. This way, you wouldn't need to overexert yourself with producing too large a power. A normal burst that reaches the outer atmosphere would suffice."
Taehyung nods as he takes the paper, rolling it to keep it in a box behind him. "I could do that." He sits on edge of the table, as he reaches for one of his files and writes down a summary of the proposed idea.
"I'll get this done tonight. Can you come with me?"
I nod. "I'll handle the restoration spell for the damage."
Taehyung peers over his shoulder at me, smiling warmly. "Thank you."
There is silence as Taehyung continues writing his report. I come to his side, sitting down on the chair which is right beside him. I say nothing and let him concentrate. The faster he could get this done, the better.
He finally finishes, signing the bottom of the page with a flourish as he closes the file, and places it on a neat pile within his arm's reach.
"You didn't tell me about what happened with Namjoon."
I look up, just as Taehyung crossed his right leg over his left, staring at me.
"You were barely in one place for a whole minute."
"I'm here now."
"It's…complicated," I say, resting my elbow against the armrest and leaning my head against my propped up hand.
Taehyung only shrugs. "Simplify it."
"Namjoon works - or worked, I don't know - for PETRA. He was part of the team that came to Jungkook's Court searching for you."
"Did you try to tell them I wasn't there?"
"They didn't believe me, obviously. They attacked, and Namjoon had silver bullets." Taehyung's eyes widen at my statement. "He'd fired a shot and I couldn't risk it, so I threw out a time spell that, although managed to save everyone, malfunctioned and affected Jungkook."
"Which explains why he's so small?" Taehyung quizzes.
"Exactly."
"Namjoon attacked Jungkook," he clarifies, a certain look on his face.
I nod. A frown is growing as he crosses his arms. 
"Continue."
"We managed to get them to leave, but they'd probably come back."
"So you let yourself be captured."
"Yes."
"Duh," Taehyung murmurs, rolling his eyes. "So what happened?"
"They brought Jungkook and I to the facility. We talked to the Board of Directors and suddenly they say that Jungkook's authority wouldn't be recognized because he was technically still a child. They wanted to hold us there until you came back. Namjoon suddenly had a change of heart and helped us escape. And then you came."
"How'd he get hurt so badly?"
"Their leader shot at him when he found out about the betrayal. Namjoon helped us a lot. We wouldn't have made it out of there if he hadn't helped us."
Taehyung nods. "But now we have a new problem."
"PETRA will probably demand we hand Namjoon over," I say.
Taehyung nods, rubbing his neck as he ponders.
"What will you do?"
"I…" Taehyung starts, then trails off. "Will deal with that when the time comes."
"Which is like… tomorrow?"
He sighs, his hand falling to rest against his lap. "You know I'll be jeopardizing my court if I offer him my protection right?"
I nod. "It is your call."
"But if I hand him over…"
"They'll probably just kill him."
Again, Taehyung falls quiet. I feel the air around his head start to sound like static, as the stress of the decision messes up the clarity of his thoughts.
"I owe him a favour," I say. "For saving Jungkook's and my life."
"Then I owe him a favour for saving the both of you."
I am quiet. Even Taehyung didn't sound convinced by his own words. "I will stand by every decision you make." I reach for his hand, holding his fingers in my palm. "And I will follow you wherever that path may lead."
"Don't say that," Taehyung says, taking his hand away.
I look up at him, seeing his gaze turned away from me.
"Taehyung?"
"I hate it when you say that."
I don't understand his sudden moodswing. I stand, moving to position myself directly in front of him.
"Hey," I say, a hand on his chin to shift his focus to me. His eyes shine bright with the threat of tears. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he whispers. "I just don't want you to do that."
"Do what?"
"Lay down your life for me."
"You don't want me to fight for you?"
"One day, it will lead you to your doom. Haven't I caused the deaths of enough people?"
I get it. Taehyung was still traumatized from *that* event. "In what way was Layla killing those people your fault? Who told you that?"
"Heaven." And as he says that, a lone tear falls from his face.
I feel the rage instantly grow in me again. "They're wrong."
Taehyung looks me directly in the eye this time. "They're not. I was too weak to defeat Layla, too focused on fighting her, too selfish to realise the lives of those around me were in danger."
"Taehyung, no -"
"Malala and her mother died, even though I promised them safety. Bystanders who had nothing to do with the fight lost their lives and you know what?" Another tear streams down Taehyung's face. "I can't even bring myself to blame Layla or Judas. They were fighting for what they believed in, for what they thought was right. Me? What do I believe in, Jin? What do I even stand for?"
"Stop it," I growl, coming forward. "Stop saying that."
"Why? Because it's true?" He runs a hand through his hair distractedly. "I heard it, Jin. I heard it every day. What I could've done to save them. What I could've done to stop her. What I could've done if I was just. A little. Stronger." More tears trickle down his face. "And you know what? They're right. I could've saved them, Jin. So I trained. I trained in Heaven until my legs gave way. I trained until I collapsed, until blood came out my mouth and ears. I tried to drown out the voices, but no matter how much I tried, they were always there. Always."
"Taehyung," I whisper. "Please."
"The voices in my head follow me, Jin," Taehyung continues. "Every day, for the past two years, I hear them. Weak, undeserving, selfish. All those thoughts run in my head like a carousel. And I know they're right. I *know*. I know it was my fault. I couldn't stop them."
"STOP IT!"
Taehyung jumps at the volume of my voice, immediately shutting up as he stares at me. I was getting very agitated by the things he was saying, by the things he was told, by the things he was slowly coming to believe. 
"You are not any of those. You were *never* any of those! You wouldn't have defeated Lucifer and the Archangels if you were weak. The power wouldn't have chosen you if you didn't deserve it. You are not selfish. The amount of times you were willing to sacrifice yourself for others denies that. Fcuk Heaven. Fcuk *everything* they made you believe. You don't deserve those thoughts in your head and don't deserve the blame they put on you. I will end *every* entity that says otherwise."
Taehyung only looks up at me, not moving his position.
"Why are you so angry?"
"Why shouldn't I be?" I answer, staring into his eyes. I find myself calming down the longer I stare. "Why shouldn't I be?"
Taehyung laughs right then, looking away. It was a pained laugh, insincere and empty. He wipes at his tears with his sleeves. His eyes are swollen and his nose is red. It pains me to see him like this. "What did I do to deserve someone who sticks by my side like this?"
"I would say the same."
"You would," he drily says. Taehyung reaches up, a hand against my cheek. "Thank you. For always being there for me. And for protecting me and teaching me and all those other things."
I raise an eyebrow. "You don't have to thank me."
"I do. Being in Heaven made me realise how dependant I was on you. How you make everything better just by being there." He drops his hand to rest on his lap.
"I would've died if you hadn't come save me in the Bermuda Triangle."
"No, you wouldn't," he says, rolling his eyes. "They wanted to capture you, not kill you."
"How did you know where to find us anyway?" I ask, legitimately curious now.
"I looked into the orbs," Taehyung answers. "I saw you needed my help."
"Did you know that magic doesn't work in the Bermuda Triangle?" 
He turns to me, a quizzical look on his face. "It doesn't?"
I smile in amusement. "You were willing to walk headlong into battle without even knowing whether your powers would work."
Taehyung shrugs. "I mean… I'm the Aamon, right? There shouldn't be a place on Earth where my power doesn't work."
He made sense. I nod. I come to sit beside him on the table.
"The future days will not be easy," he ominously says.
"And you thought the current ones are?"
He turns to me, an unamused look on his face. "I looked into your orb. I saw glimpses of our future. They weren't pretty."
"It's fine."
He raises his eyebrows in surprise as I turn to him. 
"Not everything has been easy since you became Aamon. But we still made it. I'm done worrying about the future. I just want to enjoy what I have now. You, Jungkook, this peace…" I trail off. Truthfully, there weren't many things to enjoy. Even I couldn't deny the ominous sense of events coming. We had a ton of shiit coming towards us and positivity was… difficult.
Unexpectedly, Taehyung leans to the side, resting his head against my shoulder. "You're right," he quietly says.
I wrap an arm around his waist, pulling him close. 
"What will you do now?" I ask him.
"Survive?"
"No, I mean, like… generally."
"Netflix." He straightens, turning to me as my hand falls away from his waist. "Care to join me?"
I laugh. "You have a meeting in two hours."
"I'm gonna take what I can get." He stands, holding out his hand towards me. "I haven't watched Beyonce's Homecoming documentary. You coming?"
"I don't like Beyonce."
Taehyung's hand doesn't move, his expression doesn't change.
"*One* movie," I say, taking his hand as he laughs and pulls me up.
"Let's go."
One day, maybe a few years down the line or maybe even a few hours from now, this sense of being carefree would be impossible. Taehyung and I would again, be fighting for our lives, for the survival of our Courts or for the safety of the inhabitants of Earth and the Hereafter. There wouldn't be many days like this - quiet, tranquil and happy.
This momentary peace was all we had.

============

I decided to do chapter that focused more on Jungkook since that sweet little child kept getting left out :(

But anyways, guess whos (finally) done with law school yaaaaaas!!!!