RAW---may contain incorrect spellings etc.

Chapter 15

Vision

Princess Dhara is in front of an entire council of Elders and Advisers.

“The Axze river dried out…crops are also already dead. The residents are already in the process of vacating the area. However…the nearby villages are close to becoming over crowded. People are already complaining.” Said an Elder

“That’s the same thing on the southern villages. Fishes are dying….no harvest. People are starting to get hungry.” Said another Elder

“What is going on Princess? Where is the King? Is he still unwell? Will he still heal?” asked an adviser.

Dhara knows the time of covering up her father’s death is over.

“Gentlemen…” Dhara stood up “My father…is no longer with us…”

The Elders and Advisers started to talk all of the same time.

“He has left the world and he is the last of our bloodline.” Said Dhara

“That is why Zaruum’s core is losing power!” said an Elder

“Yes.” Said Princess Dhara “I have already asked a search committee to start searching for the next bloodline…but it will take time.”

“How much longer Princess?” asked an Elder

“I can’t tell…They have been on a journey for more than a month now.” Said Dhara

“Who is leading the search?” asked an adviser

“It’s being led by Cha Seungwon and one of our Ace Knight Kris.” Said Dhara

The chaos in the room slowly subsided.

“Cha Seungwon is alive?” asked an Elder

“Yes. A couple of years ago, my father asked him to leave the palace in preparation for this day when the search for the next bloodline has to be done.” Said Pricness Dhara

“So the King has already seen this coming. Shouldn’t he have already searched for the next bloodline before he died?” asked an adviser

“I assure you that if my father is allowed to search for the circle, he would have done it already. But there are only a selected set of people allowed to search for the next bloodline.” Said Dhara “The search can’t begin unless it’s time…but my father has gathered whoever he could even before the time. Only a few would know  about the Anhate prophesy… my father tried everything within his power to prepare the way for the Circle who will look for the next bloodline.”

“Will it be enough preparation? The core…can’t wait forever.” Said an Elder “Zaruum will fall apart.”

“You have no idea how much my father sacrificed in preparation for the search. He has given up the most important things in his life in order to protect Zaruum. The preparation will never be enough. There is no way to prepare for the unknown. But The King has never stopped preparing until his dying hour.” Said Dhara

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Inside a dark room in a southern village a woman is sitting on a high chair. She’s been looking out the window for hours now.

Another woman entered the room.

“Mistress Muklan” the woman who just entered said. “Your food has arrived.”

The woman on the chair smiled.

“Is it fresh?” asked Mistress Muklan

“Still warm…and beating, Mistress.”

“Good. Adah, I feel stronger as days go by…” said Mistress Muklan  “The time for us to reign is near.”

“I have been ready, Mistress.” Adah knelt down “You can tell me and I will attack anytime.”

“Adah, Adah, Adah…you can’t just go out there unprepared. WE need to know what our enemies are like…we can’t underestimate them.” Said Mistress Muklan

“You know the best Mistress. I will wait for your signal.” Said Adah.

Muklan took the beating heart from the plate. She ate it…each bite, blood ooze down her lips.

Muklan took a cloth and cleaned her hand after.

“We need to stop the interfering mice…we can’t let them succeed.” Said Muklan

“I am here for your command, Mistress.” Said Adah

“Let’s test the waters shall we? Let’s shake them…” said Muklan touching the window with the blood left in her hand.  “And Tear them apart.” The woman’s eyes turned red.

Adah smiled. They will finally start.

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It was a rocky area in the forest and Sulli’s shoulder is still aching.

Minho stretched out his hand to help Sulli cross over the rocks. But Sulli just nodded.

“It’s all right.” Said Sulli

Sulli continued walking without assistance.

Yoona slipped on the rocks and Minho caught her before she broke a bone on her fall.

Sulli’s eyes narrowed as her heart constricts… what a helpless woman! They’re just walking right? And the rocks are rough. So why did she slip!

Arrrggg!!! Sulli’s temper is thinning out.

“Be careful. You might slip.” Said TOP chuckling at Sulli

Wow! Does he really have to say it?!

TOP walked ahead.

“I think what he meant is that you’re too obvious. Irritation is painted all over your face.” Said Sunny

What…

Sulli hit her head with her hand. What is happening to her? Why is she sooooo irritated these days!

Sulli looked around…well..she’s not irritated at everyone…just on a specific someone…and that’s that healer woman!

What’s with her that boils Sulli’s blood to eruption!

Sulli saw it as Yoona climbed Minho’s back so that Minho can carry her.

“Did she even twisted her ankle?” asked Sulli

“Nope…I think she just slipped…but no bone injured.” Said Sunny

“But why does she need to be carried?” asked Sulli

“Umm…maybe because she’s clumsy. If no one carries her, she’s bound to get her ankle twisted later.” Said Sunny

“I got my ankle twisted before but I tried not to be a burden to anyone. And does it need to be mInho? Among all the men, he is the one injured! ” Said Sulli

“Well that’s the difference between the 2 of you then.” Said Sunny

“What do you mean?” asked Sulli

“You’re a fighter. She’s a damsel in distress. You’re a comrade. She’s a princess. Who do you think will get the man’s attention?” asked Sunny

Sunny is right…but what should she do…pretend to slip too? With that woman on Minho’s back, Sulli will surely end up on Chanyeol’s back. That won’t ease her burdened heart…

It seems like…her heart is gripping not just at the sight of Yoona….but whenever she’s too close to Minho…

“You speak so mature