He dragged his fingers across the delicate shapes of the wooden oak table as if he was memorising the whole story by hand. A pair of grey and tired eyes watched him, handstand  clasped in front of him as he waited for the young boy to say something. The trio was still in the room, waiting for information. The young boy looked up and met the same pair of eyes that were watching him from across the room. He could not tell how he felt after being away from his twin since they were born. Ever since they heard of each other and had met on few unfortunate occasions, he realises he was different from the other boy. 

 

Except for their physical attributes and the charms to sweep ladies off their feet were similar. 

 

However, he was more interested in the other person in the party. The one that had a lot involved in the prophecy of which he heard once from the dead queen, his biological mother. The King had no interest in him since he found out he was not a full-blooded gnome like the rest of his siblings. With the curiosity of mundanes running in his blood along with the temptations of the Devils running in him as well, he could not possess the full potential of a gnome but he was the best of both worlds. He stared at the young lady who was seated on the couch across the room, her beautiful and soulful eyes staring right at his. 

 

He felt trapped. Exposed. . Never had a lady make himself feel vulnerable like this. He had a thousand of harlots he had back at his kingdom, all of them were for pleasure and quick fixes. However, right now he felt something brewing in him. Something he had never felt before. He had always felt superiority but now he feels inferior. 

 

"What are you asking for my presence here at the Academy?" He spoke, his voice ringing like windchimes on a windy morning. 

 

The older man closed the book in front of him shut and push his oval-shaped glasses up the bridge of his nose. Kal realises that it had been some time since he last saw him in person. He remembered getting a visit from him upon the death of the Queen. He had told him the news that he was not alone and there was a family out there who will take him in. He remembered the day vividly. Of red and sadness. Gnomes had red funerals and the ceremony for a death of a royalty would go for a month before another decides to take its position. 

 

He remembered the photo that was given to him and showed a small family with Kai standing in the photo with an older lady whom he presumes is Kai's mother. There were two other younger siblings by their sides, a boy holding a dirty shovel and a toddler in high socks and flower shoes that match her flowery dress. He heard news of the passing of his biological father in a battle among the other dead-world creatures. Never had he felt more alone after his so-called stepfamily had chosen to ignore his presence after the passing of the Queen. That was when he took matters into his own hands brutally. 

 

"The prophecy," The older man started, raising a hand in the air and a light swoosh passed by Kal's ears. Kal watched as a heavy ancient book landed in the hands' of the wise man lightly, "I'm sure you have heard of it," 

 

Kal felt vulnerable. However, he gave no expression as he took a seat casually across the oak desk and crossed his legs. 

 

"And what is up with the prophecy?" 

 

"We will let you know more details if you agree in helping to fight against him," 

 

Kal widened his eyes slightly in surprise. He thought the rumours weren't real but he didn't expect it to come so soon. Then again, the young lady had presented herself to be the beautiful warrior that was told in the prophecy itself. He tapped his lips and gave a light thought into the situation. 

 

"I would fight alongside if you agree that my kingdom and its civilians will be safe from the harm of your kind and there will be places in this realm that we are able to hunt for our own food sources," 

 

He watched as the wise man glanced at the trio behind him and he could see their expressions through the reflection of the glasses. He gave a small smirk and drummed his long fingers against the armrests of the chair. It was a bargain. He knew their duty was to serve and protect their own kind and mundanes. 

 

"If you would like to hunt... It will only be within the boundaries we both agree on," 

 

He turned slightly to the beauty of the voice, his eyes fixating on the young lady. He stared at her and met her cold yet haunting eyes that reminded him of warm leaves on a cool day. He felt the colour of his face change before he regains control and stood up. He walked to her boldly, his confidence stretched around him. He saw the young lady stumbled slightly but held her ground, her chin up in the air. He could see the details of her brown hair that reminded him of the clouds in the morning sun and his fingers were itching to touch them. He clenched his fists behind his back. 

 

"Of course..." He said, challenging her brown eyes that were captivating his mind, "To when can we actually mark those boundaries?" 

 

"We will discuss this further later on," The older man had moved beside him, his voice was full of control and superiority. 

 

Kal was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the older man. He felt the muscle in his jaw twitched just as he saw the corner of his eyes that the trio was moving slightly. Their heads were together, their voices only in hushed whispers even his ears are not able to fully catch on what they were discussing. He stared at the caretaker, director and professor of this Academy intensely before he picked up what he had left on the oak table quickly. 

 

He stared at the ancient book that was on the table, his mind whirling as he recognised the language written on the title. He felt his fingers turned pale around the hilt of his sickle just as a loud explosion was heard around the grounds. 

 

* * * * * * 

 

A Portal exploded in the middle of the Academy grounds. Leaves whirled up in a circle at the existence of the Portal. A trio clambered out of the Portal, panting and supporting one another out of it. Once the trio successfully reached the Academy grounds, the Portal closed and disappeared. The only trace of it was the black mark of it on the ground. 

 

Sun Min ran along with Taemin and Kai to the sound of the explosion. She could hear the soft footsteps of the other students running out of their classrooms and dorms to take a look at what caused the loud explosion. Sun Min saw the trio and widened her eyes when she recognised who they were. She picked up speed, hearing the footsteps of the other two boys following close behind her. 

 

She dropped to her knees in front of them, lowering her head and stared at one of them. Her eyes trailed the blood rolling of the shirt of the weak one who was in the centre. Jonghyun panted as he tried to hold the weak one up, biting his lip hard. The other one was decked in robes, hiding his glowing eyes behind the hood. Sun Min gasped and stared at her friend. 

 

"K-Kevin?!" She whispered the worry was clear in her voice. 

 

Taemin stared and looked at Jonghyun who met his eyes before glancing at Kai. Taemin looked at Kai who silently nodded and ran to the crowded corridor full of students, trying to get help. Taemin tried to help Kevin up but Jonghyun shook his head. 

 

"Th-there was a fight while we were trying to get Nadir," Jonghyun began, staring at the two of them. "We were outnumbered and Kevin had suggested to open the Portal and let Nadir and I pass through. Kevin had a plan..He had a plan... But when I tried to reach for him before he could close the Portal-" 

 

"One of the Children of the Moon had chewed a chunk out of him just as he saved us," The hooded one spoke. Nadir... Sun Min thought, the one Jonghyun just mentioned. 

 

Taemin stared up at the hooded figure and tried to reach for him. Sun Min stepped in between and stared at Taemin's bloodshot eyes. Sun Min shook her head just as one of the professors came forward and rush to the scene. There was a flurry of movements but it was quick and fast. The students watched and cleared the path as Kevin was picked up and brought over to the infirmary. 

 

Under the hood, he watched as they picked up Kevin and went ahead to the infirmary. He stood his ground, looking away from the students who had turned back and stared at him. He raised his clawed hands, earning the gasps and whispers of the students in the surrounding corridors at his hideous presence. Nadir stared at the mark left by the Portal. The black mark was mocking him as other professors shoo the students back to their classes and dorms immediately. Nadir felt his throat turn dry just as a professor came up to him and escorted him to the Head's office. His focus was dragged heavily away from where there was blood on the ground from the bleeding one as well as the mark. 

 

The mark of the crescent moon. 

 

* * * * * * 

 

Taemin put his hand on Sun Min's shoulder. They had camped the whole time since the explosion was heard and they had found their friend in this state. Now that Kevin was all cleaned up and bandaged well, they could only watch him resting in one of the infirmary beds. Sun Min sighed heavily and rest a hand over Taemin's. Taemin could hear and see her thoughts vividly, squeezing her shoulder gently. 

 

"What if.." 

 

"Sshh.." Taemin whispered, going down on his knees and look at Sun Min. He could read the pain in her eyes as he stared into them. 

 

"They said there is no cure for the bite... What we learn from the books is that it is poison and uncurable..." 

 

Taemin saw how tired and overwhelmed Sun Min looked. He brushed her hair back, feeling a slight grease but ignored it, kissing her forehead. He gave her a reassuring hug as she wrapped her arms around him. The moon was high up and the moonlight penetrated through the windows of the Academy. Taemin stared out of the windows, noting on the shadow that had appeared at one of the towers. 

 

The young boy lowered his hood when he felt free and away from the walls of the Academy. With his clawed-like hands, he lowered his hood and expose his real identity. Being half wolf and half mundane, he felt a significant amount of discipline on himself when he had come to learn of his origins. However, upon coming to the world where he has supposedly belonged in, he felt more outcasted. There was always something weird about him since he came through the Portal that was built by magick since the existence of it. He had watched some of the creatures climbing in and out of the Portal and exploring this realm before going back. He was just an orphan, a young boy when his first experiences his first shapeshift. 

 

He felt the bones in his body start to crack and expand. His skin stretched and the hair follicles had become bigger. The hair on his arms and legs grew thicker with hair. His hearing and sight were heightened. His speed as well along with this endless hunger cravings that he had after his first change. He didn't know what triggered it but according to what he had learned, they usually trigger to those who have reached puberty. Nadir, however, was only a 14-year-old teenager who was still trying to figure out life. 

 

He stared intensely at the moon and suddenly flashbacks of the claws and growlings, along with the snapping of teeth and jaws after consuming two reindeer in the park away from public eyes.

 

He groaned and threw part of the carcuss away after he was done. Standing on his wolf-like legs, he grabbed the robe and pull it over his hideous body. Cracking of bones and groaning of muscles, he was back to being the young boy he was. 

 

A long sigh was heard from his lips as he ran fast like the wind back to the Academy grounds. He remembered how vividly the bite of the wounded one, the one that was named Kevin. He remembered the painful look of his friends when they came running to them after coming out from the Portal. Those hurtful eyes that wanted to kill him on the spot from the boy who accompanied the beautiful girl- 

 

"Sorry.." 

 

He felt someone bumped into him and he blinked. He didn't expect anyone to see him. Afterall, it was said that magick and the whole world of it was glamoured from reality. Only certain creatures are able to show themselves to mundanes if they wanted to. 

 

However, he knew his kind was not one of them. 

 

He blinked and stopped, his bare feet touching the cold pavement. He turned and saw the figure that bump in to him walking away. He noticed it was a young female, her skirt brushing against her legs as she tried to walk away. Her head was down and her bag was dangling dangerously from her shoulder. 

 

Nadir couldn't help but stare, wondering what just happened when the front doors of the Academy opened. He glanced up and saw the same beautiful face that was masked in pain earlier. 

 

He watched as she walked down the steps gracefully. Her footsteps were light. If one could see it, there was a little flight to it as well. He glanced up to her body, which boasts of perfection. He remembered the tales that were told back in his pack about the prophecy and about how the Magick world will be balanced with the power of the chosen one and her comrades. 

 

Her hair was black with tinge of brown where the moon kissed it. Her skin was cream beige, where some of her limbs were showing a slight tan. Nevertheless, she was still beautiful as they had said. Beautiful was an understatement. There was something in her presence that pulls you towards her. 

 

"Nadir," she spoke, her voice light as a feather. He met her eyes and was taken aback by the beauty of  it. 

 

"Y-yes?" He realise he was hesitating. He never felt a slight inferiority in his spot. 

 

She gave a smile, her lips stretched into the most sincere smile. It touched his soul and he felt he would do anything to protect her. He clenched his fists and look at her. 

 

"I forgot to introduce myself," She began, sincerity on the string of words she was about to say, "I'm Sun Min..” 

 

Nadir his lips that suddenly turned dry. His heart was racing, he felt , exposed and suddenly guilty when he remember feasting on two deers earlier on. He looked down slightly and with a hand over his heart, he said, “I’m Nadir..” 

 

Sun Min flashed a welcoming smile and stood her distance knowing he might need it. She turned her body slightly and her arm out, her hand to the door. 

 

“We thank you for coming to help us,” She said, her voice was light like feathers, “Mr Lee would like to have a word with you,” 

 

“I have one question,” Nadir asked quietly, his eyes watching her every move, muscle under her skin, “How is the boy?” 

 

“Kevin?” Sun Min said, hearing the familiar name made his ears perked up. She smile and whispered, “He is.. stable for now, we don’t know yet,” 

 

Hearing the sudden fall in her voice, Nadir looked down and felt a swarm of misery in his chest. He nod once and followed her in. 

 

* * * * * * 

 

Sun Min woke up in the middle of the night, her side of the bed was wet. She realise she had been drenched in her own sweat. She couldn’t recall her dream then, glancing to the side and saw Taemin sleeping with his arm wrapping loosely around her body. 

 

She slipped out gently and went up to the rooftop garden thru the small hidden stairs in the room. Relief at the touch of cold breeze on her cheeks, she closed her eyes and touched the railing gently. 

 

The creepers of the morning glory started growing towards her, listening to her as she tried to find what had her woke up disturbed in the middle of the night. The flowers bloomed and there was a faint scent of it filling the clear night sky. 

 

Sun Min felt her energy touching all four ends of the small rooftop garden and she felt her head clearing out of the forgotten dream. With a whip of her wrist, she open her eyes and open her closed fist. 

 

There lay a small bundle of pink powder, being gracefully wrapped around with a tendril to secure it. She blinked, not realising what she had done. She felt the energy from the garden pulse a soft gentle touch to her and she couldn’t help but smile.

 

”Thank you,” She whispered to them, looking at the plants surrounding her before she took the bundle down with her. 

 

* * * * * * 

 

Taemin yawned tiredly, staring at the digits on the clock by the bedside table. He glanced at the back of Sun Min, her long hair moving with her gracefully as she and the nurse tried to fix up the potion that would cure Kevin. 

 

He glanced at his older friend who looked pale and weak under the faint light of the infirmary. He took a towel and wiped his face gently from time to time since they arrived, sending a silent prayer for him. 

 

Kevin didn’t move much, her body was weak to the poison of the bite. Taemin watched him, his mind growing worried at the dangers they might face as they venture deeper into fighting an unknown evil. He couldnt help but wonder there might be more than just defeating Hye Kyu. 

 

“I can hear your thoughts,” Sun Min whispered as she came over with the nurse. 

 

“Sorry,” Taemin replied with a tired but boyish smile. 

 

He stood up and made way for the nurse to come over. The nurse lay a metal tray on the side table. Taemin saw some sort of gel and potion was made, both in pink hues. He watched as the nurse undress the wound that had started to turn bad, a foul stench had filled the air faintly. 

 

Taemin turned away then as he caught glimpse of the bite mark. He felt nausea slightly until he felt a familiar grip and suddenly the stench was gone. He glanced at Sun Min who gave him a small knowing smile before she turned to look at the nurse who began to apply the gel on the wound. 

 

There was a sudden stillness in the air as the trio watch the gel suddenly glowed and started healing the wound. Taemin’s eyes widen as he watch the gel turned black from its original pink colour and suddenly it crystalised and turned dry.

 

The nurse blink at the magick taking place and took a gauze pad, carefully applying it on to the black crystal. She gasped loudly when the black crystal turned into sand and she slowly and gently clean it off where the wound was once there. 

 

“Sun Min,” The nurse look at her, astonished, “How-“ 

 

“I can’t explain...maybe we can research further,” She replied and grab the potion gently, “Here.. feed him three spoonfuls each before each meal and keep feeding him until there isn’t any left,” 

 

The nurse gave a quick nod, taking the spoon and filled it with the potion. Gently with Taemin’ help, they fed Kevin with the directed amount. Sun Min watched at the foot of the bed as they lay Kevin down gently. 

 

“It will take a while until he is conscious again,” The nurse said, blinking when she saw a little bit of color coming back to his skin. 

 

“Thank you,” Sun Min replied, smiling kindly to the nurse who thanked her again for the amazing discovery and promise again to research more on it. 

 

“Will it work?” Taemin whispered as they walked down the halls back to their room. 

 

“I think so,” Sun Min whispered back, “Did you see how the wound was gone?” 

 

“That was amazing,” Taemin grinned as he pulled his girlfriend closer and kiss her forehead. 

 

Sun Min smiled at her boyfriend as they reach the front of their door. They both quietly got in and slipped back under the covers after ensuring the lock has been sealed on their door. Sun Min found her comfy spot by Taemin before closing her eyes and slipping back into the forgotten dream she had earlier.