Fear gripped me as I continued forward. I had to leave, it was for everyone’s own good. Yesung was a prince, and all I was, was an orphaned servant. He deserved better as future ruler. The rain was drenching my body and I was getting closer to my destination; even if I had no clue, what that destination was. My horse whined as the area around me began to clear and the image of a burnt town appeared before me. Wooded post crumbled to the ground as I dismounted and walked forward. My wounds from before were acting up, but I chose to ignore it in favor of a new pain that was threatening to take over. My knees began to shake as I gazed at the remains of my family’s home. The place where I was orphaned, the place the king first struck during his reign. Had it been smart to return here? My mind was yelling yes while my heart pained for me to run just as I had so long ago. My fist clenched in anger as I grabbed the sword from my side and it into the ground infront of the soot that was once my home. This was where it began, my hatred for the king, my hatred for the whole royal family. He needed to regain this hate he had lost with Yesung, no his name was Jongwoon. No longer could he call him Yesung they could never be lovers. 

“I’m sorry mother, father. But, I failed you twice. I promise though, I will not fell you this time. This time, I will become the assassin you wanted to train me to be.” Ryeowook whispered his voice barely audible over the falling rain. Fresh tears fell from his eyes. Memories filled my mind as the ruined village returned to life. Children running around as parents spoke and smiled. This was an assassin village once loyal to the royal family. Even he was supposed to become a killer. A man meant to join the royal guard, King Jongwoon’s personal assassin, much like his father’s role of being the previous king’s assassin. It was his duty now to protect his family’s honor, to protect the king, his king. King Jongwoon.

SUJU SUJU SUJU SUJU

Yesung paced back and forth as his friends, Zhou Mi, and Henry watched. Ryeowook had left, stolen a horse, stolen weapons, and now was out there on his own.

“This is my fault, please tell me someone knows where he is.” Yesung pleaded. All heads turned away, unable to tell the future king what he wanted. Yesung cursed holding the note left by his Wookie in his clenched fist.

“Sir, maybe it’s time you read that note, maybe it has information about where he went?” Leeteuk suggested from beside Kangin. Yesung nodded lifting the paper to his face.

“Leave me, I wish to be alone.” Yesung ordered motioning for them to leave his side. Their retreating footprints were all he needed to know that they had complied.  His hands shook, could he open the letter? Ryeowook’s neat handwriting blared at him. When had he been able to write this? Was all of this another game by his uncle? What about his wounds, did he honestly think he could do much with such shoulder pains? All these questions filled his head making him dizzy as things seemed to rush around him. His breath quickened as the onset of anxiety began to come over him. He had always felt safe, calmer when his mother held him during his attack. His father told him stories of how wonderful and vast his kingdom was, but now he doubted all of that. Ryeowook on the other hand, had brought back all the hope he once had as a child. Now though, that hope was missing once again. Did he dare read the note his lover wrote for him? Yesung turned to the fireplace beside him. The answer was obvious……………

SUJU SUJU SUJU SUJU

“Kibum, are you ready?” Siwon asked as they sneaked from the group of friends.

“Yeah, let’s do this.” Kibum nodded as he followed his friend out of the castle and out of the town. Kibum risked one last glance at the village housing his friends, knowing they would soon have the same fate.

“Siwon, I’m scared.” Kibum admitted.

“I would call you a fool if you weren’t.” Siwon replied leading them away. Kibum smiled, they had taken their own forms of weapons from the village. Both males already knowing their path. Hopefully Ryeowook was right, or Siwon and Kibum were going to be killed.

SUJU SUJU SUJU SUJU

“Donghae, are you ready?” Hyukjae asked taking the boy by the hand as Henry approached them. Donghae nodded as he stood straighter, eager to learn the newest style of Chinese fighting.

“Alright then, by the time we finish, everything should be ready.” Hyukjae replied as his face turned serious.

SUJU SUJU SUJU SUJU

Sungmin ushered Kyuhyun from the castle careful to keep silent. They had a mission, and they needed to be prepared. He was no amateur, he had the lives of his friends, his king, and his love to protect. No, this was no longer the simple job of being a cook. This was his purpose, he was born to do this.

“Sungmin hyung,” Kyuhyun whispered once they made it past the village outskirts.

“Yeah,” Sungmin replied.

“I’m right beside you,” the younger man stated holding his head up ready for anything that came their way.

“Good,” Sungmin smiled, happy to have him have his back.

SUJU SUJU SUJU SUJU

“Your majesty, another village has been destroyed per your command.” A guard bowed.

“And have you heard any news of my nephew or his friends?” the king asked.

“No my lord,” the man replied before being ushered away. The king smirked as he eyed the map of his kingdom. One of his servants marked the newest destroyed town with blood. Soon his reign would be unchallengeable.