[CHAPTER 24]

"Retrieval "

As planned, InGuk went around the facility to different departments in order to mark the location of where all the Supervisors and students were at. He had to make sure that no one would be near Taekwoon's office while both Jaehwan and Wonshik infiltrates it. He had his eyes on helping the two younger in stealing Hakyeon's book back. In order to 'mess' with the Goddesses or the facility's belief, the first step was to take back Cha Hakyeon's book. 

Whether or not he becomes free of the Goddesses' control and eyes, that is a problem for another day.

Rather than freedom, he felt more satisfied imagining the chaos the facility would experience after Hakyeon's book is gone and the rebellion of both Jaehwan and Wonshik. The two younger was now aware of having their own beliefs and is doubting their positions within the facility. This was all InGuk needed in order to confirm his theory that even those residing in Moirae's Edge is beginning to have a mind of their own. They just needed someone to make them realize. 

They are evolving and their existence is much more than what it was believed to be.

InGuk passed by the council meeting room and took a peek inside. As expected, Jung Taekwoon was there as well. 

Taekwoon was sitting in his spot with his legs crossed and back straightened.

Don't you look confident? Can't wait to see what kind of expression you'll have when you realize that Cha Hakyeon's book is missing later, InGuk smirked. 

Just as he turned around to make another round around the facility, he ran into the chairman - Park Hyoshin.

"Shouldn't you be inside as well?" Hyoshin asked as he was just about to enter the meeting. 

"I wasn't invited," InGuk said and ignored him.

"InGuk-ah."

"What?" he felt rather annoyed.

"Do you hate being here this much? It shows all over your face," Hyoshin told him. "You were never good at hiding how you feel."

"Ha, what and be like you? A statue without any expressions? No thanks," InGuk said.

"You never really liked me even when we first entered the facility, did you?"

"I'm glad you noticed or did it take you that long to notice it?"

"No, it was very obvious since you said it yourself that you didn't like me," Hyoshin sighed.

"Well, I'm glad you remember. Now leave me alone," InGuk said and wanted to walk away until Hyoshin grabbed him by his wrist.

Hyoshin leaned in closely and whispered, "I know you don't like me but just know, that no matter what you're planning... I'll always be by your side."

What? InGuk was surprised by Hyoshin's words and before he could even respond, Hyoshin let go of his wrist and went inside of the meeting room.

"What did he mean by that?" InGuk asked aloud in confusion.

~

"Did anyone follow us?" Jaehwan asked as he glanced left and right around him.

"No. We should be safe," Wonshik told him. "Do you remember how to get through to the vault?"

"Yeah. I just have to enter the code you gave me right?"

"Yeah. I recoded the security system and the combinations to the vault last time I was here during the checkup so there should be no problems but make it fast. We're using a temporary code for the vault and the systems will be down for only a short duration so we can't make any mistakes. It was the only way I could change the system without anyone detecting it. That Jung Taekwoon seriously has some trust issues, he even glares at his own students that get near the vault in that room," Wonshik said.

"He's quite paranoid huh?"

"Yeah... anyways hyung, be quick. I'll keep an eye out here while you get inside. I'll signal you if something happens."

"Got it," Jaehwan nodded. "Wonshik-ah."

"Hmm?"

Jaehwan hugged Wonshik suddenly.

"H-hyung?" Wonshik blushed.

"You becareful too okay? We're going to get through this together and bring Hakyeon's book to Hongbin together," Jaehwan told him.

"Yeah, we will."

Like that, the two parted ways.

Wonshik stood around the office and department in case of unexpected guests. Everyone should be in class at the time and Taekwoon should also be in the middle of the council meeting. 

Jaehwan on the other hand, went inside of Taekwoon's office carefully. In usual cases, the office would have an alarm set up by Taekwoon when he goes out but because Wonshik recoded the system during his checkup, Jaehwan had the time to get in and get out as soon as he can. There was no time to stall.

Jaehwan walked into the office carefully. He scanned around his surroundings to find where the vault was said to be kept. He has never been inside of the office in person but Wonshik have come in here several times during the routine. He went around to the back room and opened the door where the security system was currently down. 

As expected of Kim Wonshik, if you weren't a guardian, you'd make a good hacker instead, Jaehwan laughed to himself as he thought about it.

The room was dark and rather cold. He the lights to see a single vault standing by itself in the middle of the small room. The room was filled with a lot of documents and research that Taekwoon have kept but the vault itself was the most crucial part. It was obviously the center of importance as Jaehwan could see how taken care of it was. The vault was made of hard-heavy steel and covered by intricate engravings too. The engravings were rather strange and gave Jaehwan an uneasy feeling. They were like golden threads... wrapped around the entire vault. 

The golden threads of fate.

Jaehwan gulped. I hope they're not watching me... while he throught about the three Goddesses.

He took a deep breath and tried to calm down. He approached the vault with caution and making sure he was very quiet even though no one was around. 

"Okay, quick and swift. I can do this," Jaehwan told himself as he scanned around the vault and touched the analogical contraption.

There were three gears that turned clockwise and stacked next to each other. They were like a code and there was a specific sequence that it needs to be turned in order for it to unlock the actual vault. Jaehwan took out the note he got from Wonshik which had drawings of how to turn each of the gears properly. 

"Okay, here goes nothing," he said once more and began to turn the dial. 

It if wasn't for Wonshik's precise instructions sketched on the note paper, Jaehwan would have never tried to attempt opening the vault alone. The contraption itself was just too complex and Jaehwan never really liked much of this high-gadget equipment in the first place. It took too much brain work to understand. That being said, Jaehwan finally got the vault ot open up.

The door of the small vault was heavy as Jaehwan opened it. 

Right inside was Hakyeon's book. It stood all by itself inside the vault. 

Yes! Jaehwan pumped his fist through his small victory and grabbed Hakyeon's book right away. Just as he thought though, Hakyeon's book was still in a strange condition as he last saw it, if not worst. He hid the book in his inner coat pocket and closed the vault as if nothing happened. 

"I got it,' Jaehwan said as soon as he exited Taekwoon's office and saw Wonshik standing by outside for his return.

"Good, let's get out of here right now before we're caught," Wonshik suggested.

"Mhmm," Jaehwan nodded.

The two hurried through the corridors without being seen and everything felt too perfect for a second until they saw Taekwoon returning from the otherside of the corridor.

'Hmm?" Taekwoon took noticed of the two of them. "What are you two doing here?"

"We were just double checking the security system around the facility," Wonshik told him in a very calm manner.

"Was it today? There was a meeting at the councils so there's no one in the office," Taekwoon reminded him.

"Yeah, I forgot about that so I was just leaving."

Taekwoon stared at Wonshik for a moment.

"Anyways, I'll be leaving now," Wonshik bowed and signaled Jaehwan to follow quietly along. They had to leave as soon as possible.

"Wait," Taekwoon halt them.

"Yeah?"

"Did you need something as well, Lee Jaehwan?" Taekwoon turned his attention onto the sudden quiet one of the two.

"U-um not really. I was just dropping something in the research room and saw Wonshik by coincidence," Jaehwan answered and almost in fear since as he unconsciously placed his hands around his coat.

"Oh?" Taekwoon stared at him, making him feel rather uncomfortable from the intense glare of his sharp eyes.

Com'on, just leave us alone already. Why are you talking to us so much when you barely even care to talk to us on other occasions? Jaehwan could feel a cold sweat streaming down his head.

"If there's nothing more, we need to return to our own departments now. We'll talk to you later," Wonshik took the initiative to end the awkward and tense atmosphere.

"Okay," Taekwoon finally said and turned around. "I'll see you during the next security check then, Kim Wonshik."

"Yeah," Wonshik said and walked away with Jaehwan.

The two was trying to walk a bit faster as Taekwoon headed back to his own office on the other side.

"Hurry hyung," Wonshik told Jaehwan as soon as they realized Taekwoon was no longer in sight. 

Jaehwan nodded and the two walked away as quickly as they could. 

"That was close," Jaehwan commented. "I thought my heart was going to burst out for a second there because I was so nervous! He's really scary..."

'Yeah..." Wonshik empathized. "Anyways we need to meet up with InGuk Supervisor and tell him about the book right away."

The two left the North of the facility immediately without catching too much attention. They had to hurry and leave before they get caught.

~

InGuk was on standby back in the main facility inside of his office. 

Dammit where are those two? What's taking them so long? he thought as he was growing rather worried that something might have happened to both Jaehwan and Wonshik. Even though the two are very skills and smart, this task was still rather dangerous. The meeting was already long over so everyone have already returned to where they belong. 

"You seem rather restless," Hyoshin came in suddenly.

"What are you doing here?" InGuk asked. 

"I'm just visiting a Supervisor of Moirae's Edge as the chairman, is that not allowed?"

"No... but you never visit me or cared, so what are you doing here now?" 

"I care," Hyoshin corrected him.

InGuk always feel rather annoyed whenever he sees Hyoshin. The two of them started out in the facility at the same time, yet the purpose of their enrollment into the facility was completely different. Even their positions were worlds apart. One became the new chairman of the facility and one because the puppet, bound by the facility. That's why InGuk never liked Hyoshin even if they rarely talk to one another.

"Whatever. If you don't have anything important to talk about, leave," InGuk said while trying to get Hyoshin away before Jaehwan and Wonshik makes their return.

"I know what you're up to."

"Huh?" InGuk felt uneasy. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"InGuk-ah, I know what you're trying to do with Jaehwan and Wonshik."

What the hell is he talking about? How does he know? InGuk was getting worried. Hyoshin was indeed the obstacle that was blocking his way towards a revolution and changing the facility's beliefs.

"I have no idea what you're trying to say here," he continued to deny.

Hyoshin let out a sigh.

"You don't trust me do you?" Hyoshin asked him.

"I don't."

Just leave already dammit, InGuk was growing impatient with Hyoshin's persistence. He's trying to get me talk and reveal myself. I won't fall for it.

"Is it because I'm the chairman of this facility?" 

InGuk averted his gaze, proving that Hyoshin was right. 

"Just because I'm in this position doesn't mean that I'm any different from you InGuk-ah," Hyoshin said.

"What do you mean?" he finally looked back at Hyoshin.

"Being bound here... that's why you hate this place right? Do you think that the Keepers are the only ones bound to this facility?' he asked back. "Being in my position... we're not that different. Being tied down by something we can't see, something we can't control and something we don't know... we're all the same, both you and I. Just because I have this position doesn't mean that I chose it. They chose me, it wasn't my intention to be placed at this position. And even with where I'm standing, I have no powers over anything. If I did... Moirae's Edge would've been long gone."

"What are you trying to tell me?" 

"You don't believe in fate right? And Lee Hongbin doesn't care for fate. That's why the two of you are in the Keepers department, so that the Goddesses can keep a watch on those that might defy them. But everyone in this facility is also in the same position, whether they're conscious about it or not. We're all being watched, our life is on the line and we have no other choice but to believe. We're forced to believe because we have nowhere to go except here. Our existence itself is created because of the Goddesses. We're bound here until the day we're not needed anymore," Hyoshin looked sad, broken and almost too different from how InGuk have always perceived him.

It wasn't just InGuk who felt resentment towards the facility, but also many others who eventually found a way to not 'believe' in the facility. Except unlike InGuk, they were all too afraid to say anything or do anything about it. After all, fate and the Goddesses have power that they cannot see. 

"I don't plan on stopping you, in whatever you plan to do. I just want to let you know that whatever you and the others are planning to do, I'll always be on your side," Hyoshin said.

He looked at InGuk once more with a worried expression on his face but he tried to give the other a reassuring smile. The two have never talked to one another like this before and this was the first time in which InGuk realized how Hyoshin must have been feeling being the chairman of Moirae's Edge. He couldn't help but almost feel sympathy for Hyoshin rather than dislike like how he's felt for decades. 

"So you really won't stop us?" InGuk wanted to confirm and even though deep down inside, he knows the other's answer already, he still wanted to hear it once more.

Hyoshin nodded and left the room.

Unlike InGuk who could boldly revolt against the facility, Hyoshin's position made it impossible for him. He was the man where everyone had eyes on, he had too much at risk compared to InGuk and he couldn't afford to do anything. There are times in which he wanted to resign as the chairman but at the same time, he knew that being in his position meant security for those who wanted to rebel. He can support them in the shadows and keep them safe. If he resigned and let someone else take over, that person might not have the same mindset as he does and might even hinder InGuk's plans. That's why, Hyoshin wanted to support them in his own way even if others might end up misunderstanding him.

~

"We're here!" Jaehwan and Wonshik stormed quickly into the InGuk's office.

InGuk seemed a bit off though as if his mind was somewhere else and didn't realize that the two finally returned from their small mission. 

"Sir?" Wonshik noticed.

"U-uh yeah. Welcome back," InGuk snapped out of it. "How'd it go? Do you have it?"

"We got it but what do we do with it?" Jaehwan asked as he took the book out of his jacket.

"Put it down on the table," InGuk instructed. 

Jaehwan placed Hakyeon's book onto the table with caution. And just as they feared, the book's appearance was rather terrifying. 

"Why is it like this?" Jaehwan asked. "Is it really Hongbin's fault?"

"Not exactly," InGuk told them. "Though I'm not for certain about the cause but there could be other reasons aside from Hakyeon's encounter with both Taekwoon and Hongbin. The character himself probably doesn't realize this but he's fighting against fate himself."

"What do you mean?" Wonshik was confused.

"Cha Hakyeon's existence have been changing over and over again since the day he met Taekwoon. He believes that Taekwoon died trying to help him pay his tuition and working really hard for his sake. He's been rejected by his parents because of his relationship with Taekwoon and lost the faith to attach himself to other people right?" 

"Yeah...?"

"His story changed. It's not because his story doesn't have an ending but it's because the ending changed," InGuk said.

"The ending changed?"

"Cha Hakyeon. I remember that name. I was the one that recorded his story into the logs after all. His name was once recorded in the log of the dead because he died once before."

"What?"

It wasn't simply because Hakyeon had an unpredictable fate or because of his encounters with those that weren't supposed to exist but it was because he had already died once before. He should have died that day... the day where he thought he lost everything and the will to survive. The day he could no longer continue living with himself as he thought he had lost Jung Taekwoon. 

But, his story continues to exist. He survived, no, he came back to life. The course of his story continued by itself and he was given a second chance when the Goddesses have already predetermined his end. Yet, he continued to live and because of that, he was able to meet Hongbin who gave him a reason to live and love. 

A/N: Plot twist anyone? :D