I

Goryeo

“Teacher Yoo! Teacher Yoo!!”

An old man, probably in his 70s walked out with a rusty kettle, still half-awake from his deep slumber, “Tch, stop shouting, stupid girl.” said Teacher Yoo, he walked away, back to his homely place, pouring his fresh brewed tea into a cup, “What is it?” He eyed Yoon Ha with his annoyed face.

“We finished our homework!” Seojoon said, holding out a rolled parchment with his name written on it, with a  proud face, of course. Yoon Ha and Joongi also showed their homework with a wide grin on their faces. Teacher Yoo took it, stared at it for a second, then tucked it inside his pocket, “Can’t believe you woke me up just because of this thing.” He raised his hand, about to hit each of them on their head but pulled it back to his side.

“Can we go out tonight then? Come on, Teacher Yoo, there’s a festival today, you should go out and have some fun too.” Joongi shook his head while tch-ed at the older man, earning a light smack on his head. “You brat, making fun of this old guy. Besides I don’t like crowds, you guys go ahead and don’t disturb me.” Shouted Teacher Yoo but none of them look scared, they knew he didn’t really mean it.

Yoon Ha, Seojoon and Joongi were in their early 20s and they had no parents, they got separated from their family ten years ago when Goryeo was suddenly attacked by a foreign kingdom out of nowhere. They had no idea where to find them, and when they almost lost their hope, Teacher Yoo came and adopted them as his kids. He was a widower who has lost his wife at the same time, when the war happened. He taught them how to read and write, also how to make  some money from painting or making caligraphy.

“Make sure you got home before midnight or else-“ Teacher Yoo jabbed his thumb across his neck, threatening them, “Now, shoo.”

The three of them ran with a loud cheer and Teacher Yoo couldn’t hide his smile this time, “If only you’re still here, my dear. You’ll love them just like how much I love them.” He chuckled and coughed, brushing his sleeve as he walked into his study room to check on the kids’ homework.

There were lots of decorations hanging around the town and they can smell all kind of foods scattered around the street-food stall. As the sun sets, the lanterns shined beautifully. Yoon Ha walked around the town with Seojoon on her right and Joongi on her left, she’d gotten used to all the staring from all the girls, how they wish they could stand where Yoon Ha stood at that moment.

“You know, next time we go out like this, remind me to put clay all over your face.” Said Yoon Ha, crossing her arms as she walked about two steps forward. Joongi, who thought Yoon Ha was only talking to Seojoon, bursted into a small chuckle, “You too,” she hissed at the other guy.

Yoon Ha stopped her steps as her eyes caught a shiny thing as if it called out her name, it was a hairpin with a beautiful ruby on it, “Oh, what a beautiful lady! How can I help you, my dear?” A woman in her 40s smiled warmly while patting the dusts off her light blue and yellow hanbok.

“No, I’m just looking.” Answered Yoon Ha, with a rather awkward smile, thanking the older lady afterward.

Soon, Joongi and Seojoon joined her, both of them had their weird face when they found a bunch of girl accessories scattered on the wodden display, “What are you looking at?” asked Joongi as he took one of it to bring it closer to his face, still with his confused look.

“I don’t even know what’s the difference and what’s the use of this thing,” Seojoon shook his head, and somehow Joongi nodded in agreement.

“Don’t touch it then!” Yoon Ha snatched the comb Joongi was holding then put it back to the display, “No wonder why you guys have no girlfriend. Girls love stuff like this, you know.” She pouted at the hairpin, saw the price then patted her chest, trying to cheer up her poor heart.

“Let’s go,” Yoon Ha turned around with her head hung low, walking like a zombie as they left the place.

“Well if you like it, buy it.” That was the last time Seojoon tried to be wise before he got hit by Yoon Ha on his arm, “A-a-aw-“

“Losers,” Joongi smirked for a second, then it vanished when Yoon Ha’s eagle eye landed on him.

“Too expensive, waaaaay too expensive,” protested Yoon Ha, “I’d rather save up to buy good quality medicine for Teacher Yoo, you know. And you boys-“ She pointed at the men with their rounded eyes, “You better not wasting your money.”

“Yes, mam, yes yes,” Seojoon said in an ahjumma’s tone before he gave Yoon Ha a gentle pat on her head, followed by Joongi’s warm hand on her shoulder as the three of them walked back to Teacher Yoo’s house.

“It’s funny how we were once just a bunch of strangers, huh.” Joongi looked up at the starry sky, “I remember what my parents told me ten years ago,” He pointed at the brightest star at the sky, “Whenever you’re lost, follow the brightest star and it’ll lead you to where you belong.”

“That’s really nice,” Seojoon tilted his head up as well. Soon, the three of them were staring at the beautiful night sky, walking side by side, with each other’s warmth around them, “I don’t even remember what I ate before it happened.” He laughed at his own lame joke.

Yoon Ha tried to remember what exactly happened ten years ago but she failed. It feels and it seems like she had lost some of the memories due to her scar on her head, she remember when her mother told her to run before a horse ran into her and Yoon Ha got her head smashed into the ground, “I don’t even remember my parents’ face.”

Seojoon noticed how Yoon Ha gently touched the scar on the back of her head, he gave Joongi’s arm a light smack for bring up an unpleasent topic, “Sorry,” mouthed Joongi almost without any voice then flung his arm around the girl’s shoulder, “Well, wherever they are right now, let’s hope that they’re now in a better place.”

“If we were meant to meet them again, we will,” Seojoon lowered his gaze, meeting Yoon Ha’s gaze, “One day,” he added.

“Aigu,” Yoon Ha said in an old lady tone while hugging the men’s arms tighter than ever, “I’m so lucky to have these two brats, huh?”

Seojoon rolled his eyes as if he was annoyed when his lips couldn’t hide his smile any longer.

“.…Wait-”

 Joongi added all of sudden when he heard lots of noises came from the town, it sounds really weak he barely could hear it, but then some people ran passed them. Their smiles faded as the screaming and shouting voices got louder and louder, “W-What happened?” Yoon Ha felt like she just got punched on her stomach, the noises remind her of what happened ten years ago. She, no, they were traumatized with it. But for the two men, they tried their best to stay calm and protect Yoon Ha.

Seojoon let Yoon Ha hid behind his back as he stood side by side with Joongi, “This doesn’t look good,” Seojoon licked his lower lips and Joongi nodded, “We need to find Teacher Yoo. Now.”

Meanwhile..

“My queen! Oh, my queen!”

The King’s servant ran as fast as he could to the place where Empress Ah (the King’s first Queen) and Empress Min (the King’s second Queen) were having a cup of evening tea. He kneel down as he saw two beautiful women stared at him in confussion, “Forgive me for my impoliteness, my Queen!” he cried.

“Is there anything wrong?” Empress Ah got up from her seat, she dressed beautifully in her glamorous maroon hanbok, on her head a crown of Goryeo’s pride.

Empress Min fixed her purple hanbok as she stood up, about two steps behind Empress Ah.

“T-The King! The King, my Queen!” cried the servant again, louder this time, “The King has passed away!”

After the King’s death was announced, everyone inside that room had their mouths dropped, a collective gasp from the entire room could be heard. Then, both, Empress Ah and Min made their way to the King’s room.

“My King!” cried Empress Ah as she break through the guards, she found her husband lying weakly. She sat on the edge of the King’s bed and stared at his pale face in disbelief.

“At the end, he couldn’t survive from his sickness.” Empress Min muttered in a low voice, “We have to announce the new King immediately, my Queen.” Said Empress Min again.

Empress Ah nodded her head a little, then she said in her shaky voice, “Call the crown prince, we’ll do a coronation to announce the new King.”

As Empress Ah made her way out, Empress Min called another servant, “We need to pronounce the heir of the throne to our people, send some people to go to the town.” She said and the servants bowed down, “Ah, also, tell all the princes to get ready for the conoration.”

She said again and all the servants were gone in an instant to do what the Empress has ordered.

About four hours later, a loud voice could be heard beyond the walls of the palace. Goryeo’s people were crying their heart out, calling for their King who had passed away. Some people were sad, but most of them were just waiting for the coronation of the new King.

Inside the palace, the princes has gathered along with the crown prince. Empress Ah (Which happened to be the crown prince’s mother) sat on the throne along with Empress Min. The crown prince, Wang Mu who’s known as a wise and reliable prince was about to get crowned when suddenly another prince, Wang Yo swung his sword toward Wang Mu, in the context of uprising. At once, the whole guards along with the princes swung out their swords, some of them tried to protect the crown prince, however, some of them were in Wang Yo’s side.

“What Yo, what do you think you’re doing?!” shouted Empress Min (Prince Wang Yo’s mother) furiously, her eyes rounded in anger as she stood up, pointing at her son’s sword, “Put that down this instant!”

“Wang Mu!” cried Empress Ah as Wang Yo pressed his sword harder against Wang Mu’s neck, she almost forgot how to breath when some blood streamed down.

“I’m doing this for our family’s sake, mother. If I become the King, Goryeo will be ours,will be yours, will be mine!” said Wang Yo fiercely, “Now, now, now, aren’t you going to give your throne to me, Wang Mu?”

Wang Mu circled his fingers around Wang Yo’s sword tightly, he was shaking in anger he almost forgot about the pain on his palm, “I’d rather die, Wang Yo. A prince like you-“ Wang Mu laughed bitterly, “Even if I die tonight, I won’t give my throne to you, a prince like you, you should be ashamed!”

Wang Yo turned his head to his troops and nodded, he then turned his head back to Wang Mu, “Let’s see then. Which one would you choose, your throneor your people?”

As Wang Yo laughed, Wang Mu’s eyes rounded in terror, he could heard his people crying for help. Empress Ah and Empress Min tried to stop Wang Yo but they got Wang Yo’s troops’ sword on their neck.

“So.. Which one, Wang Mu?” Wang Yo said as he flashed his slyest smile ever.

“No! You have to go! Go-”

“TEACHER YOO!!”

Yoon Ha cried her lungs out, if only they came a little bit earlier, she would be able to save Teacher Yoo, “Stop! We need- we need to save him! Let me go!” she cried harder as Joongi and Seojoon dragged her away. Seojoon wiped his eyes as he ran and Joongi’s cheeks were wet, they had no idea what just happened but the whole town was in chaos, a total chaos.

“HE’S GONE, YOON HA, GONE.” Joongi roared, “Shit-“ He muttered under his breath when the troops saw them, they began to chase the three of them while shouting furiously, “THIS WAY.”

Yoon Ha bit her lips as really hard to prevent herself from screaming, lots of innocent people died, bloods were everywhere, it was too horrifying. They rushed to hid inside an old rusty house. For a few moments, they thought they were safe, the only thing that could be heard was their shaky breaths.

The three of them hid themselves in the corner while breathing heavily, sweats covered their faces. Yoon Ha reached for her ears while biting her lips, preventing herself from screaming when someone kicked the door, trying to get inside while shouting, "NO!" she cried.

Joongi, also panicked, grabbed the nearest and biggest piece of wood then slammed it against the rusty window, "Yoon Ha- listen to me." he then said after he broke the window, cupping both of Yoon Ha's wet cheeks, "Everything's gonna be alright, okay? You have to go now." He forced a smile through his shaky lips.

"SHE HAS TO GO NOW, JOONGI." Shouted Seojoon, he has his back pressed against the wooden door, trying his best to buy some time, he know that sooner or later, they'll be caught. Too many people outside and there were only three of them inside, "NOW."

Joongi cursed under his breath before he lifted Yoon Ha's tiny body and throw her out through the window. Her body landed pretty hard on the ground but she stood up as soon as possible, reaching her hand out, wanting to help her two friends out as well. Her eyes rounded in confussion as no one hold her hand, "What are you guys doing? Hurry!" She whispered.

Seojoon sighed in relief, and Joongi as well. Both of them were relieved that Yoon Ha was no longer with them, for now. Joongi pointed at a big tree, far away from where they were hiding, on the hill, "We'll meet you there. You have to go now."

Yoon Ha shooked her head, eyes rounded in terror, "No way, I'm not leaving witho-"

"NOW!" Shouted Seojoon and Joongi. It took seconds before Yoon Ha began to run as fast as she can, hoping and praying that her friends will be alright. "Please, don't die. You can't die." Whispered Yoon Ha while wiping her tears, panting as she made her way towards the tree Joongi was pointing at.

Yoon Ha had no idea what just happened, she had waited for hours under the tree, massaging her sore legs.

She waits, and waits..

But both, Seojoon and Joongi never came back..

“If I die tonight, you have to protect her, Joongi-“ Seojoon’s lips were trembling madly as the troops dragged him away from Joongi, “Promise me- P- PROMISE ME, YOU HAVE TO PROTECT HER, JOONG-“ Seojoon’s voice faded as the soldiers dragged him out, and Joongi had no freakin’ idea where will they take him.

Joongi cried for Seojoon’s name, his eyes filled with hatred and anger. He felt his heart drop as the soldier pointed his sword at him. He slowly closed his eyes, waiting for the pain that soon will get him killed.

But no.

He refused to die. He need to save Yoon Ha, and Seojoon as well. When he opened his eyes, the soldier’s sword was only inches away from his neck, he quickly dodged and gave a hard kick on the soldier’s chest. As the soldier dropped his sword, Joongi quickly grabbed it and sliced the soldier’s throat opened, fresh blood splashed into his face.

He laughed, and laughed while wiping the blood on his face. The soldiers gave him a look as they gulped in fear, as another soldier tried to attack Joongi, Joongi got another splash of blood into himself.

“If I die, I’m taking you, all of you.” He laughed again, pointing his sword at the rest of the soldiers, “If I die, we die together."

Merry late Christmas & Happy early New Year everyone! Hope 2017 will be a blast for all of us.

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