In all of Yein’s life, she never really understood what fear was, or is. This may be because what scared her fellow villagers and children which were the demons, goblins, ghouls, creatures of the darkness that lived in the forests and other haunting places. However Yein was never afraid of such creatures because she understood that they feed off fear that you give them; and if you gave them no dark energy then they had no reason to take upon a scary appearance. She also was never afraid of them because her grandmother had told her once that everyone and everything in life had a role to play and the demons, goblins, ghouls and other creatures that people feared, were tasked with a fate that made them into beings which are feared. Yein understood what her grandmother was saying but at the same time she didn’t quite fully understand why such good hearted creatures – that some can be- are forced to become something that people feared.

The Dark forest was filled with a fog that created the illusion that the shadows walking through the endless amounts of trees; that appeared that they were moving and Yein felt that each step she took she was being watched by an unknown apparition in the gruesome place. The light oil candle that Yein used to guide her way through the forest, started to flicker and soon she was losing sight of the dainty path before her. Yein knew something that most other didn’t, which made her almost untouchable to creatures of the darkness. Her friend once said that Darkness is not evil but merely the absence of light and the goodness in life. The creatures of the darkness take advantage of the human’s ignorance and play tricks when the light is taken away from them; merging into shadows and forming their deepest and darkest fear. They fool humans and trick them into believing that something is there in order to use their fear as fuel to create a daunting mirage and further take their fear using it as energy to become stronger. However if you do not give into that fear then, you are untouchable and a creature of darkness would never dare try to fool you. Yein closed her eyes and controlled her breathing as she grabbed her sleeve ripping it and blowing out the candle. Then with the rip material she placed it around her head, cutting off her sight.

She focused all her energy into her hands as she place them in front of her, trying to feel her surroundings. She knew that she could trust her instincts because that was the one thing that he told her she can depend on. He told her that she was the light that attracted the darkness to her but they would never dare to touch her because they were merely looking for a way out of the darkness. ‘ There is nothing to fear about the darkness because it’s only an illusion of ours eyes that trick us into believing that something is there when there is nothing really.’ She breathed in and walked forward, letting go her fear.

“My oh my, what a beautiful offering we have here.” A dark voice appeared next to her but she knew it was best to ignore it.

“Hello, I am talking to you human.”

“What do you want.” Yein asked although her eyes were closed as she kept walking forward. She knew that if she stopped walking then she would lose her momentum and she will never be able to make it to the top of the mountain. Footsteps then started to appear next to her and she understood that this being was following her.

“I am just curious as to why such weak being is here.”

“I am here to take the fruit of eternal life.” She answered and the being took a step back.

“Why would a human seek for eternity?”

“Because a stupid god said that if I can be with him for eternity then he will grant my wish.” Yein replied, the being tried to hold back it’s laughter.

“Who actually sent you here, little girl.” The creature stated, he didn’t ask. Yein who was walking felt something she didn’t before. It was a nostalgic feeling but it was different like she had met this dark creature somewhere.

“The God of War.”

****

“Jungkook aren’t you worried that one of the dark creatures in the forest will kill her?” Taehyung asked out of curiosity. Although he already knew what her fate was, he was still curious to what Jungkook response would be.

The God of War was reading a book, while lying on a velvet couch; he looked rather bored in all honesty. His robe had slipped which revealed his well sculptured body, he didn’t bother to fix himself since it was only Taehyung in the room. The two gods were both in the room, waiting.

“No, nothing will touch her.”

“How are you so sure?” Taehyung smirked, before writing a name in the book of death. It was a special book where he recorded all the deaths he had witnessed and foretold.

“You didn’t write her name, just then.” Jungkook knew that Taehyung was playing.

“Why is that?”

“She isn’t someone that will be taken in by the darkness that easily.” Jungkook replied and Taehyung couldn’t help but remember the night before when he met Yein and Sujeong.

“You must be tired from your journey to this world; I will take my leave for tonight and see you in the morning, Yein.” Sujeong slowly stood up and Yein felt uncomfortable with the thought of her only friend leaving her alone in a room that she supposedly shared with the god of war. As if Sujeong sensed her discomfort, she placed her hand on her shoulder.

“Do not fear, he won’t be able to harm you in any way when you have that amulet on.” She glanced at the red bead that had a fox symbol engraved on it.

“Trust me no one will touch you with that amulet on.”

A voice came from the window which startled Yein. The man was the same person who was there when she met Jungkook. “Not even a god of Death will touch you.” He smirked and Yein could tell exactly who he is by his eyes as there was a certain dark glow to them, ones that reminded her of Jungkook’s but , they seemed darker.

“You are the god of Death.” She stated rather than ask and the man was impressed once again and jumped off from her window sill.

“Indeed I am the one that takes the lives of those who dare to look into my eyes; I am Taehyung the god of Disease and Death.” He introduced himself and looked directly into her eyes and went to caress her cheek but stopped when he saw her amulet light up, which made him smirk.

“I am not here to take you tonight; I am here to take my bride.” Taehyung smiled at her and Yein frowned at him as she swore he was laughing for a second before showing her a bright rectangular smile and turning around to Sujeong who looked at him apprehensively.

“Shall we go my dear?” He walked towards her with opened arms and placed his hand on her waist as he glanced at Yein giving her a wink.

“She’s very observant and clever.” He commented, “She already knew who we were before we even told her.”

Jungkook also noticed this as well, for someone that came from a small village like hers, he couldn’t imagine that the elder knew all the gods and goddess and told them to the children. Moreover it also caught him by surprise when he saw that amulet on the earring, it was something that only goddess had when their husband was away a war he would always give them a guardian to protect them in case something were to happen.

“That’s someone’s guardian isn’t it?” Jungkook asked the other god besides him, “Who is it?”

“I don’t know who exactly it is, but I know that gumiho isn’t a weak one. He’s known as one of the strongest among all of them.” Taehyung muttered, “And he hasn’t been seen in many centuries.”

“Jungkook, did you ever get an amulet from the almighty one?”

The younger god turned to him and smirked, “That person would never give one to a god like me.”

“You’re right.” Taehyung chuckled.

***

“Why would you want to stay with Lord Jungkook?” The dark voice asked her. Yein was suspicious of the dark voice as she wondered why it didn’t address Jungkook as the God of War but as a lord. She remembered distinctively that gods did not give their first name unless they were close to whom ever wanted their name.

“Because it is my fate and duty to the village I am from.” Yein replied.

“But what if I could offer you a better deal than Lord Jungkook?”

Yein halted in her steps and the dark creature smirked.

“Are you saying you can stop the war and return everyone safely to their families?”

“Why of course and I can also send you home.”

Yein was quiet for some time and the being looked at her with curiousity. It wonder what she would choose, Jungkook or freedom. Personally it didn’t believe it was a very hard choice to make.

“What if I want to stay here?”

“Then I will have to kill you, don’t I?”

That was the last thing Yein remembered before everything turned into pitch black, darker than the darkness around her.

***

“Well done, Chanyeol.” Jungkook thanked the familiar that was standing next to Taehyung. Chanyeol placed Yein softly on the bed.

“No problem Lord Jungkook!” Chanyeol beamed, “She’s a tough one to break.”

“By the way, did you know that amulet she’s wearing it belongs to-“

Jungkook placed a finger on his lips and Chanyeol couldn’t help but smile as Jungkook went over to his bride. Taehyung nodded to Chanyeol and the tall man disappeared into smoke; Taehyung didn’t bother to say good bye to his friend as his mistress was waiting for him.

Yein’s eyes fluttered as she felt someone presence with her hair as he threaded his fingers through them while lying near her with one arm supporting his head. She blinked a couple times before she fully opened her eyes and he gave her a warm smile, something she never thought she would see on his face.

“You should sleep, its late.” He nagged softly and she chuckled as she remembered her mother nagging her, “Unless you were waiting for me to try something …” He flipped on top of her and she felt her cheeks heat up but turned her head.

“Of course, I was expecting this…” She pushed her knee close to his crotch and gave him a glare. “You dare touch me then something is going to be crushed till ashes.”

“Hmmph, that’s okay because I am a god so I don’t need to worry about anything-“

“Shall we try?” She grabbed the collar of his robe moved her knee dangerously close to his jewels and Jungkook squealed like a child, before jumping off her.

“I understand!!!!! God for a freaking human, you’re even scarier than a god.” He sighed and she chuckled which made him surprised as he turned and he couldn’t help but chuckle as well.

“Did you save my father?”

Jungkook looked at the small fragile creature beside him and leaned on the palm of his hand as his eyes softened when he saw hers, “Was your father one of the men that went to war?”

She chuckled soundlessly and gave a small smile of regret, “Yeah, that’s why I decided to do this. After all I can’t let my sister grow up without a father; that would break my mother’s will to live and I would have to leave the house to bring in money for them instead.”

“So you just don’t want to take over your father’s responsibility?” Jungkook was amused that she was opened to him, considering he was a god with a gruesome purpose and she was his hostage.

“No, I rather see my father home with a smile and giving my sister and mother warm hugs. I don’t really care if we don’t have money to buy food or if we are starving; I just want my family to be whole again.” She sighed and he was always surprised by this human, she never seems to fit into the personnel of humans he dealt with, “Even if I’m not there.” She whispered.

“You place so much trust in me, even though we have only met recently.” Jungkook felt guilty as he lay next to her, looking at the ceiling.

“Although you are the god of war and destruction, it does not necessarily mean that you are a bad person.” She closed her eyes and Jungkook felt a wave of memories crush him and for some reason his lips curled up into a smile, “And I believe that you would do it, because you always keep your promises.”

Promise me that in the next life, you will learn to love and understand the people around you more

He chuckled at the old memory and turned to see her fast asleep and he leaned in closer as he threaded his fingers through her hair like it was silk. It had been centuries since he had slept next to someone that was his bride and he snuggled closer to her and held her hand as if he was afraid she would leave him in the morning light, it was something he feared.

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