Mending Bonds:

Hayan:

. . .

Author:

When Baekhyun was able to control his emotions enough to stand he doused the mansion in the largest sphere of light he had ever created, singeing out the shadow-being and clearing the house of darkness. Once the test was complete Professor Haru returned, but instead of congratulating them on their success she simply glanced from the mansion to her great granddaughter and motioned for all eight of them to follow her.

No one said anything as they followed the older woman, Kyungsoo and Minseok making a stretcher to carry Hayan’s body on. It was wordlessly agreed upon that they weren’t leaving her behind at that place. They covered her in a sheet and followed behind the professor to what looked to be a portal that the older woman merely stepped through without any sort of directions to the boys. They followed nonetheless.

On the other side they found themselves back at Elyxion, the massive castle like building looming over them as they stepped into the courtyard. Professor Haru was already halfway up the front steps when the last of the group exited the portal.

“Take her to the hospital wing. We’ll hold a ceremony later,” Haru ordered and there was a rise in frustration amongst the eight guys.

Before anything was said the professor disappeared into the school while Kyungsoo and Minseok began the long trek to the hospital wing. There was the sound of heavy sighs and squeaking shoes on the tiled floors as all eight of them escorted the girl to the infirmary, but the calm, heavy atmosphere immediately shifted into one of tension and had them all on high alert as they stood just inside the room.

Standing by the window, white curtains blowing in the early spring breeze was a person who didn’t seem to notice they now had company. Junmyeon was the one who stepped forward to approach the stranger, flanked by Chanyeol and Jongin.

“Who are you?” he demanded in his best intimidating voice.

Snapping out of his daze the stranger turned away from the window and glanced at the group hovering in the doorway. His eyes slipped over all their faces until he reached the sheet covered stretcher and moved forward with his mouth pressed into a hard line. Baekhyun was the one who moved to stand in his way with a dark expression affixed to his face.

“Who are you?” Baekhyun croaked out.

“Ah,” the stranger nodded as he took a step back. He ruffled his hair as he glanced at the group again and offered a halfhearted smile as greeting. “My name is Yixing. I’m a guardian like you guys.”

“Why are you only here now?” Junmyeon questioned.

“Because Hayan is my best friend. I felt what happened,” he replied.

“How?” Jongin inquired with an arched brow.

“Through my power. It’s healing, and I’ve been in-tuned with Hayan’s life force since we were young. I’ve been keeping an eye on her that way since she left for Elyxion,” he explained.

“Then why didn’t you show up to save her?” Baekhyun snapped.