Echoes of Darkness: Hwasa's Bargain

First and foremost I would like to apologise for not having Part 2 of Chapter 4 up. I have been inconvenienced by technology and my current limitations plus my own dread to work on it which I don't entirely understand not can explain.

So Mark Tuan's birthday just ed and I wanted to do something concerning him so since he is a featured player why not do a side story with him in it. I hope you enjoy it.

I am Bastion Prince, after spending the better part of a year trapped in another time I have returned and have been spending my days in comfort of my rescurers and suitors. The evil that tried to see mine and Rachel's death in 1799 has come to this time seeking vengeance on a love that still rejects her.

Bastion

I stood there in the kitchen of the Rose Cottage doing my best not to burn the omelette while keeping a watchful eye on the toast. The toaster dinged and out flew the toast. I skillfully moved a plate in the expected direction of each piece of toast cathing them with a grace that I seldom showed.

"That's impressive," said a voice from behind me. I didn't bother to turn around because I already knew exactly who the voice belong to.

"I do have some skills, you know," I said teasing him.

"Oh trust me I know all about your skills," Mark said as he wrapped his bare arms around my waist and laying his chin on my shoulder.

"How long have you practice telling Jackson that lie to make him jealous," I said while removing the perfect omelette I made for him and putting it on the plate next to the toast.

"A few weeks give or take time travel," Mark said kissing my cheek. I set the plate down, turned around, wrapped my arm around his neck and raised myself up to his lips. Just like before I felt a sudden rush of warmth and heat started from our lips and ran throughout my body. It was as if our lips were meant to come together and the ion between us was unmistakable. I quickly pulled away to catch my breath and gave him his breakfast. He gave me a sly smile took his plate and walked over to the table in front of the sink.

"Aren't you going to ask me why I'm not wearing a shirt?" he asked.

"Nope, you are in your own home and you could walk around naked for all I care. Besides who are you trying to impress with your muscles," I said having a seat across in front of him.

"How do expect me to eat this," said Mark.

"If you bother looking down and not at me you will see metal chopsticks on your right," I said demurely.

"What do you say?" I asked.

"Thank you, for walking all the way from Collinwood at 4:30 in the morning just to make me breakfast," he said playfully and began eating.

"Thank you," I said looking at him fondly.

"You're not going to eat," he asked covering his mouth with the napkin I had set on the table earlier.

"No this is just for you. It my way of thanking you for coming to 1799 to save Rachel and me," I said.

"Baz, I would have travelled to Hell and back just for you," Mark said taking my hand with his free one.

"Aw how sweet, this could have been Jinyoung and me, but he betrayed me for Yoon Jae-In," said a voice that chilled my soul. My body grew tense and could feel my heart racing in my chest as Mark and I turned to see Her standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She was dressed in a skin tight full body evening gown with matching gloves. I looked directly in her eyes and knew without a shadow of a doubt it was the witch Hwasa.

"How are you here?" Mark asked as he slowly stood up. Hwasa lifted up one finger on her left hand and suddenly Mark was back in his seat. She waved her right hand and Mark was suddenly fully dressed in a pair of distressed jeans and a basic black shirt with a gray hoodie.

"There your perfectly dressed for entertaining company," Hwasa said as she slowly walked over to us. I quickly jumped up, grabbed the salt shaker that was on the table, twisted the lid off quickly and tossed the shaker towards her. I said a silent incantation that Jinyoung had taught me. The salt then surrounded Hwasa stopping her in her tracks.

"I see Jinyoung has taught you a few tricks, but I'm not the same woman I was back then," she said with a chuckle. She snapped her fingers and the salt vaporized instantly. She lowered her pointer finger on her left hand and I shockingly found myself back in my chair facing Mark unable to move.

"Hwasa, please stop we have no quarrels with you," I pleaded.

" Baz, she framed you and Rachel for witchcraft. You both almost died if 18th century Jinyoung hadn't helped us save you two," said Mark who was desperately trying to move from his chair but like me he was trapped.

"Hahahaha he's right dear Bastion, which means you do have a something against me and I will forever blame you for keeping Jinyoung away from me after I got rid of Jae-In," she laughed.

"Enough Hwasa, you anger should be at me not them," said a voice I was truly shocked to hear in the daytime. I quickly turned my head and over my shoulder I saw Jinyoung Park-Collins standing in the doorway with the morning light shining brightly behind him. I knew in that moment he did the impossible and was human again.

"Aw the man of the hour, look Bastion, he is human once more," said the witch. The chair, I was sitting in, suddenly spun around to face the two ex-lovers.

"Now my love let's make a deal," Hwasa hissed.