"Lu, we might have a problem" Xiumin whispered at the Gifted who was on standing by.

The moment the two turned around, Hanbin was surrounded by towering blue flames accompanied by Bobby's white-blue ice. Even with a glance, Xiumin and Chanyeol knew that it would be futile to try and fight them.

"Oh boy! This is not good." Chanyeol exclaimed as he looked at the other older gifted.

"Hanbin. Bobby. Snap out of it! You know why we can't go there too. This is a direct order from the Dragon himself!" Xiumin justified, however, it all fell on deaf ears as the two continuously moved forward with blazing flame and deathly cold ice.

"Bobby! Hanbin! Remember your goal! Your goal is to protect Jinhwan and this is not it!" Chanyeol tried as well, but words didn’t seem to register. It sounded like static that needed to be pushed out of their minds but they can’t seem to.

"I want the hyungs to step aside." Jinhwan declared, dark rich purple swaying with the wind as his eyes beaming in lavender hue.

The older Gifted gasped at the sight. This wasn’t the sweet and innocent Jinhwan they knew. Chanyeol immediately stepped closer to the younger, reaching out to him.

"Nani. Love. Listen to hyung, huh? We’re just trying to protect you, dear. It's the only thing we can do." Chanyeol tried to smoothly reason to the youngest. "You trust hyung right?" He smiled as he swayed the resolve of Jinhwan, hoping that the youngest would listen.

"Is it working?" Luhan mentally asked Xiumin. The oldest gifted gritted his teeth as he let Chanyeol handle the three since he knew them better than him.

But Xiumin could see the doubt in Jinhwan’s eyes. It makes him wonder, does Chanyeol truly know them? Xiumin sighed with his mind in turmoil. Worry filling it and uncertainty playing inside it.

"Long shot love. Jinhwan is glowing purple and I don’t think it’s a good thing." Xiumin informed the other who gasped with what he heard.

"I said… I want the hyungs to STEP ASIDE!" Jinhwan exclaimed and the purple glow intensified. It wasn’t just Jinhwan, even the aura around Hanbin and Bobby also intensified into a brighter color which froze the older gifted.

"Or… you can just help us." Dark purple eyes directed to every older Gifted in front of him. "Help us save my parents."

Xiumin knew, at the moment that it would be impossible to sway Jinhwan’s mind. He glanced at Chanyeol who seemed to be nodding unwillingly. He noticed that the other didn’t seem like himself as well. Turning to him with a spark of purple in his eyes. “Let’s help them.”

The oldest swallowed the lump that had grown in his throat. He immediately gritted his teeth as he heard another telepathic message from Luhan. “Min, you have to agree with them for now. I don’t know what’s going on but you can’t take all three of them, especially Hanbin at that power level.”

"Fine. It’s better than letting you three on your own. We’ll help you Jinhwan!" Xiumin uttered before closing his eyes and exhaled in defeat. But he trusted Luhan's judgement and knew that it’s better to follow them than to fight. Decided on his plan, Xiumin looked at Jinhwan again.

"Jinani. We’ll help you… but you’ll have to do it on our terms. You three will stay behind us. Do you understand?" Xiumin uttered with worry still evident in his voice.

"Minie-Hyung is not lying?" Jinhwan asked as he looked directly to Xiumin's eyes, as his own flickered from purple to brown. "You'll really help me?" 

Xiumin held back his defiance and nodded. "Of course. Anything for you. You're hyung's favorite right?" he cooed even more seeing that he is slowly convincing the younger and that the violet aura started to diminish.

"Binnie!!!!! Jiwonnie!!!! Minie-hyung and the others are helping!!!! Let's go save my parents!" Jinhwan cheered in happiness.

And just like that, the two younger Gifted seemed to be awakened from their previous trance.

"So, Chanyeol. Was it a Gift that made those two bozos follow him blindly or their emotional attachment to Nani?" Xiumin spoke obvious bewilderment in his voice.

"I don't know exactly hyung. But I can kinda guess that... it is.” Chanyeol looked at his hand and furrowed his brows, thinking of something. “I’m hoping that I’m correct or else, we'll be blindly guessing"

 

 ----------******-----------

 

Jinhwan stood up, eyes wet with tears. He looked around and he saw his parents lying lifelessly on the floor. He felt empty like a useless son who simply let his parents die right in front of him.

He was alone now, parents unable to help him and guide him or even love him. He was useless. Unable to help his parents from getting murdered despite the feeling that pulled him into the mansion. He was nothing more than a burden who couldn’t get anything done. He was a Normal and he couldn't even do anything to help his parents. He was truly useless.

Slowly, Jinhwan reached for Dara's hand, trying to wake his mother despite the obvious pale body that lies on the floor.

"Omma... he's no longer here. You and Appa can wake up now, huh. You're scaring me… Please wake up already." Jinhwan hiccupped as his voice trembled while he looked at his mother’s body.

His gaze shifted to Chanyeol, eyes desperate with a tinge of lavender slowly creeping out from his iris. "C-Channie hyung, tell Omma to wake up huh? It's a really cruel joke right?! Scaring their kid like this. This is so unfair" He laughed faintly, as he choked on a sob.

"Jinani. Look at me." Bobby tried, worry laced into the whisper as he looked at Jinhwan. Hands on the younger’s cheeks as he wiped the tears that didn’t seem to have any end. "Look at Jiwonie huh? See? My eyes are blue now." Bobby tried to distract Jinhwan but he was obviously failing when Jinhwan pulled away from him.

Hanbin, however, felt this dread eating at him at the sight of Jinhwan. He could see a reflection of himself on the younger and he couldn’t help but grip his hand into a fist. He knew how it felt to see your family dead and it’s something he doesn't want Jinhwan to ever feel, but here they were. Despite Bobby near the younger, Hanbin overstepped the Ice Gifted and knelt in front of Jinhwan before pulling him into a tight embrace.

Jinhwan was surprised when Hanbin pulled him but the warmth that the latter emitted comforted him. His hands immediately found its way around Hanbin, holding him tightly. “It’s okay to cry my angel… Just let it out.”

As soon as Hanbin whispered this, Jinhwan started bawling. None of the Gifted, who were present, can contain their emotions. They’ve never seen the younger breakdown like this before and they can all agree that it was the most heartbreaking thing they have ever seen.

Hanbin can feel his shirt getting damp but that it was the least of his concerns, his hold on the younger tightened and his lips continued to utter comforting words that he hoped he heard when he was alone and afraid. 

It bothered him so much that his angel is broken and in the worst possible way. He can't do anything about it but he was sure that he’ll do something, anything, to help Jinhwan feel better.

On the other hand, Bobby was feeling miserable. He clutched his hoodie as he stared at Hanbin’s back while listening to Jinhwan’s sobbing sounds.

He felt completely useless.

For the longest time that he had his Gift, for the first time, he hated it. He hated the fact that despite being able to control it, he was still unable to protect Jinhwan and the people who raised and helped him.

What’s the use of a Gift if he can’t even protect the people that truly mattered in his life? What’s the use of Gifts if the only one that he truly loves still experiences this kind of pain?

 

----------******-----------

After what had happened, all the other older Gifted members made sure to protect the mansion as much as they possibly can. With Xiumin, Chanyeol and Sehun, they made a mist around the mansion to make sure that it’s impossible to find. Kyungsoo built a dome around the mansion, making sure that it’s covered along with a maze around it so no one can enter it. Aside from the dome, maze and the mist, Luhan also made sure to place illusions so whoever tries to trespass loses themselves in it.

 Jiyong and Dara’s bodies were taken away by the older Gifted, stating that the Dragon ordered them to preserve their bodies so that no one can take it and extract their Gifts which could cause problems in the future.

 Jinhwan was adamant in staying with them at first but Baekhyun managed to convince him that he needs to trust the older Gifted because they still need to take care of him.

 After taking care of the mansion, they all transferred to their makeshift hideout that the Dragon has prepared for the others who have been receiving missions. It wasn’t as big as the mansion that they have but it should be enough for everyone to live in.

As they all settled, the 11 older Gifted gathered in a meeting room when the younger ones had fallen asleep. They needed to discuss what to do next.

"That's all I know. Jiyong-hyung was so secretive of all of these. I’m honestly surprised he still told me parts of it but… I know that the only reason they told me this was to make sure that Jinhwan is guarded is well taken care of. Plus…" Chanyeol trailed, glancing at Kris. “The only plan he told me was about the Cellar.” He explained to the rest. Kris was obviously shaken with what he heard while the others in his team also gave him meaningful glances.

"So basically, Dara-noona and Jiyong-hyung knew that Jinhwan is Gifted but was just unsure of what exactly it is." Kyungsoo confirmed, earning a nod from Chanyeol.

"From what I understand and basing it on what we saw… Jinhwan is another case of a very rare gift.” Chanyeol stated, glancing at Xiumin who only looked back at him.

“I know it’s probably the same with Bobby and Hanbin. I'm sure Xiumin-hyung already figured it out by now."

"No. That Bobby kid has the same gift as mine but his is… how do I say this… ah. It's like seeing the spirit of ice in his eyes. It's haunting and scary. But Jinhwan… His seems different." The oldest explained. 

"I feel the same with Hanbin. I mean, I'm a Fire user as well but Hanbin's gift is just … powerful. He has Blue Flames but fiery Red eyes. It’s very unusual to be honest." Chanyeol supplied.

“I’m thinking that Jinhwan may also be like his father and mother whose Gift is one of a kind.” Luhan suddenly uttered, earning everyone’s attention.

“What do you mean?” Kris asked, brows furrowed and eyes questioning.

“Min mentioned a while ago that Jinhwan was glowing in purple. I knew by then that he was using a Gift especially since he managed to pull that kind of power out of Bobby and Hanbin but there was something else…” Luhan explained, looking at Chanyeol. “I know you noticed it too because you suddenly agreed with him.”

Xiumin’s eyes widened when he remembered, “Yeah! You suddenly agreed to him! I really thought I’d be next. But… why wasn’t I affected?”

“You and I were in constant communication and I was making sure that nothing happened to you so you were under my protection.” Xiumin donned pink cheeks when he heard what Luhan said, nodding with a small smile. “But despite my protection, I felt like something was trying to get to you. I learned a whole lot from Jiyong-hyung and he’s the only one who’s managed to break my protective telepathic shield. So I’m thinking that Jinhwan might also have that kind of Gift.”

“Whatever his Gift is, we’ll have to figure it out and somehow train him to use it. Because we can’t risk him not knowing anything. He might even be danger rather than help.” Suho uttered which made everyone heave a huff.

"We'll have to figure out everything eventually but for now, we have to train those kids to be able to control their Gifts better. We have to make sure that they can manage on their own especially now that the enemy saw Jinhwan. Because if they targeted his parents, he might be the next target." Kris elaborated, everyone eventually nodded at his words. Knowing full well that he was right.

“But knowing Jiyong-hyung… there’s gotta be more to this. It’s impossible for it to be just that.” Sehun stated, looking around the table. “I mean… Hasn’t he told any of you anything?”

“He constantly tells me that the truth isn’t always what the eyes see, there’s always a side that is hidden beneath every word so don’t forget to listen.” Kai said. “I’ve always wondered what that meant by that.”

“It’s always a puzzle when Jiyong-hyung talks. It’s like he wants you to figure it out piece… by… piece.” Suho answered, slowly realizing something which the others didn’t seem to.

With sighs going around, Lay noticed that Baekhyun has been keeping to himself and staring at nothing. "How is Jinan, Baek?"

Baekhyun flinched, surprised to be called. He pulled himself together and simply smiled. Chanyeol narrowed his eyes at his lover, seeing that sadness in his eyes despite the smile that had left his lips.

"Still sleeping. I don't know what will happen as soon as he wakes up… but… we need to keep an eye on him." The light user explained. 

“He’s probably harboring hatred… isn’t he?” Kai suddenly questioned and with the way Baekhyun looked away, everyone knew why.

“Nevertheless, we’ll have to do something to gain back his trust. Right?” Chen chimed and Sehun immediately backed with, “We’ll have to or else we’ll just endanger everyone.”

 

----------******-----------

 

Jinhwan is sitting on his bed while staring outside the window when Baekhyun entered the room. The older immediately noticed that he was silent, unlike the usual cheerful good mornings and that beautiful smile that greeted him. What welcomed the older was a gloomy and unwelcoming aura coming from the younger.

"Hi love… How are you feeling?" Baekhyun probed but was answered by a deafening silence and a blank stare. The older bit his lip still wanting to try his best despite the brewing worry inside his chest.

"You know, the kids are making a ruckus outside. Junhoe and Kyungsoo are fighting again.” Baekhyun chuckled awkwardly, “You should have seen Junhoe's face when his own trainer burrowed him down the ground." He cheerful shared as he fixed the younger's hair but to no avail. 

Baekhyun sighed as he looked at Jinhwan, his chest constricting as he looked at Jinhwan. He felt a tang of guilt inside of him, knowing full well that one of the reasons why the younger looked devastated was that they stopped him.

And before a new attempt left from Baekhyun lips, a knock suddenly resounded from the door. He looked and once it opened, in came Hanbin.

“Hey…” Baekhyun called out, the younger nodding at him. Baekhyun bit his lips before looking away. The way that the younger Gifted seemed to be avoiding them was too obvious and he couldn’t help but feel pained about it.

He sighed before smiling at Hanbin and excusing himself from them. He leaned in and kissed Jinhwan’s forehead before whispering an apology.

When he left, Hanbin carefully sat on the bed while looking at Jinhwan.

He can feel the sadness in his angel's eyes and it broke his heart. If only he can take all the sadness in Jinhwan and crush it all into him but he isn’t here to wallow with him. He is there to let Jinhwan know that he’s there for him.

Hanbin reached for the younger’s hands and placed a stem of a beautiful pink carnation on it. Upon seeing the flower in his hands, Jinhwan, for the first time since the incident, looked at Hanbin with curiosity in his eyes.

"You've been here for days, my angel." Hanbin smiled as he caressed the younger's hand. "I think it's time for you to visit them. Give this to them. I know how your mom loves flowers." 

Jinhwan's eyes started to be glassy as tears started to fall. Hanbin gently held Jinhwan's cheeks and wiped the tears that seemed to go on forever.

With his free hand, Hanbin handed another stem of flower to Jinhwan and this time it's a beautiful white heathen. 

"Now, my angel, this one… can you give it to him? It's a promise I'm making to him." Hanbin explained while looking at Jinhwan's glassy eyes.

"A promise that I, Kim Hanbin will protect his little prince no matter what it takes." he said full of sincerity as he kissed Jinhwan's eyes. “I know I’m not as powerful as he is… and I may not be able to do a great job… but even with my life, I vow to be with you. So… will you stay by my side too?”

Jinhwan still in tears hugged Hanbin tightly and for the first time spoke.

"I will." Jinhwan whispered.

 

----------******-----------

 

Several more days passed and the other younger Gifted were sent into a brutal amount of training. Making each other tired every night whenever they get to their rooms. Aside from Jinhwan who has been constantly under Luhan’s watchful eyes, the others were paired to learn how to merge their powers.

With the twins who’s grown by each other’s side since the day of their birth, they were split apart and paired with others to get to know how to cooperate with the others.

Meanwhile, Bobby and Hanbin were paired together. Which the two think is the most ridiculous thing ever. But Chanyeol and Xiumin were very adamant in teaching them how to cooperate with each other. Despite their continuous complaints, the two realized why this was a needed set-up.

“Fire… is supposed to be something that Ice never goes near to. But…” Xiumin pauses, opening his palm and presenting a large snowflake turning around his hand. “It also becomes a powerful weapon with fire by its side.”

Xiumin looks at Chanyeol and he nods. The snowflake turned bigger and bigger and as it grew bigger Chanyeol suddenly blew a flamethrower towards the center of the snowflake and successfully creating a thick fog.

Bobby and Hanbin stepped back, hitting each other’s back as they wearily waited for the older Gifted. “When fighting with your opponents, you have to make sure that you have a plan.”

They heard a voice from the fog. “This is crazy… How are we supposed to cooperate like this?!” Hanbin asked, voice stricken with impatience.

“That’s what you should learn to do yourselves. Or else…” They heard Chanyeol’s voice but somehow they couldn’t find where it came from.

All of a sudden Hanbin sensed a fireball thrown their way. He immediately pulled Bobby to duck and the guy was slammed to the ground. “What the heck are you trying to do you?!”

“Saving your life!” Hanbin shot back at him.

“This is stupid.” Bobby uttered, his words more to himself than to anyone.

They suddenly felt something wet around them and soon the ground turned into ice. “…” Bobby uttered, holding the ice that had formed on his feet and removing it. Hanbin, on the other hand, melted the ice from his feet.

But the ice came back and they continued to remove it. Despite trying their best to remove it, the ice still came back continuously.

“We told you… You’ll have to work together.” Xiumin’s voice was heard. 

Soon, another fireball was thrown their way. Hanbin managed to hit it with his own fireball and create smoke that thickened the fog. But soon after, several fireballs were thrown at them. Bobby and Hanbin immediately got rid of the fireballs but as soon as they did, icicles were shot right after and managed to hit them.

They both grunted, falling on their knees to the ground which immediately froze their legs. Immediately after getting frozen, the two se fireballs reaching towards them again and what surprised them was inside the fireballs were ice-balls and they weren’t even melting.

The moment they were about to get hit, a wall suddenly appeared in front of them. The fire coated ice balls disappeared and the fog lifted, showing the others with them.

“There were more than two of you?” Bobby questioned, looking at the older Gifted who worked together.

“Yes. And that’s what you guys are supposed to do. Incorporate all of your Gifts together to win over whatever opponent you have. If Kyungsoo didn’t raise that wall you both would’ve been gravely injured.” Chanyeol stated, arms crossed by his chest.

“And if Suho didn’t incorporate with my ice, then you both would be in more danger than you are now. You see, we all know our Gifts and we work around each other instead of working alone.” Xiumin explained.

“You guys… need a whole lot more learning to do.” Kyungsoo said, sighing at them.

Bobby and Hanbin looked away. Seemingly provoke to train even more.

“If you really want to protect Jinhwan… Then I suggest you two start working with your difference before you can even manage to work with the other’s Gifts.” Suho says.

 

----------******-----------

 

Jinhwan heard a knock on the door. He glanced at it and when he thought it was going to be Baekhyun bothering him again, he was about to tell him that he wanted to be alone. But he was surprised to see Kris’ head poke into the room. “Hey.”

“K-Kris-hyung…” Jinhwan uttered, surprised to see the older again.

Jinhwan noticed that the older has been checking on him for days, but the older was mostly there during the night to make sure that he wasn’t in need of someone with him before he slept. It was odd to see Kris that afternoon.

“I just wanted to check up on you. The others have started their training and I’m sure Luhan has been making you go through a lot.” Kris said, entering the room and pulling a chair to sit beside the younger’s bed.

“He’s… doing what’s best for me...” Jinhwan whispered, gaze falling on his blanket.

“Do you believe that? Or do you still question our intentions?” Jinhwan whipped his head up to look at Kris. He could see worry in the older’s eyes with longing that didn’t seem to be for him. He wrinkled his forehead before shaking his head. “You wouldn’t be helping me if I didn’t need it.”

“You’re right… But… Do you really think we’re helping you? The way you answer me… I know there’s still doubt inside you.” Kris said, eyes looking away.

The younger bit his lower lip as he fiddled with his blanket, looking at it intently since he couldn’t even look at Kris. “T-That’s…”

“You… may not know this but… we really didn’t know much about what was going to happen. We were told that a time would come that we’d all have to protect you. That we’d have to make sure to never let you see them. And despite knowing that… we still failed to do it.” Kris sighed as he looked at the younger.

“We failed to fulfill our promise to the Dragon. You were always his priority and that also resonated with us because we’ve been with you since your birth and we all care for you. Jinhwan… You’re… not the only one with questions.” Kris said, almost like a whisper to himself but Jinhwan heard it clearly. “There are things that I want to know too… But right now, I know that we’ve all been too concentrated on what our job should be that a whole lot of us have forgotten to ask you the right questions.”

Jinhwan’s eyes lifted to see Kris with a small smile in his lips but eyes looking at him with something he just couldn’t explain.

“How are you?”