Journey into the Knight Ch 13

The sky was unnatural. Thick clouds of grey mixed with the orange hue that came off of the flames that surrounded the world around her. The air was thick and hard to take in, making her want to start coughing immediately. The world seemed angry. The atmosphere was unforgiving, but she still got to her feet. The grass that she stood upon was not lively and fresh but charred and dead. She closed her eyes slightly against the smoke that invaded her site, making her eyes water. She was surrounded by dancing flames that had no beginning and no end. She looked around, it seemed like there was nowhere for her to from here, she was stuck in the middle of a sea of fire.

A flash of white off to her left make her turn. A child no older than ten walked through the flames, as if the heat and smoke did not affect her. Her face was emotionless, long brown hair waving behind her on an invisible wind as she walked closer. YongSun watched in awe as the little girl in the thin white dress approached her through the flames. Neither of them said anything until the girl was no more than four feet from YongSun. “Who are you?” YongSun managed to say without choking on the thick smoke. “Where am I?” Her throat felt very raw. The last thing YongSun ed she drank the unbinding potion in the Knight village and now she was here.

The young girl tilted her head, as if examining YongSun, emotionless face unchanged. “I go by many names Kim YongSun.” YongSun’s eyes widened at the mention of her name, how could this child know who she was? “But I am the essence of the Dal, or as modern times have named me: the Lunarous.”

YongSun could not believe what she was hearing, this was the other half of the Uju. “Is this what you look like in my world?” Maybe this was key to finding the Lunarous in the real world.

She shook her head. “Unfortunately I have been stuck here for some time, you could say in most ways I do not exist in your physical world, kind of like how the Solarous was here with me until you arrived.”

“So what is this place?” She said looking around at the burning world, it looked like hell. “Is this some sort of punishment?”

Another shake of her head. “This is the plane of the SinTag, the place where our past, present, and future exists, it is the one that you are connected to the most being the TaeYang essence.” The girl looked around. “This is the past, we are currently near end of the Night War.” That explained the flames. “You are here to learn of your past to live you present and to make a better future, a better one than we made.” She looked sort of sad. If they were in the Night War, then this was almost a century ago.

YongSun took a look at the unchanging flames that raged on around them. “What am I here to learn?”

The girl moved so she was standing beside YongSun, facing the same direction. “You are here to learn of our mistakes.” She started moving forward, when she realized YongSun had not moved, she motioned for her to follow her. “This was Kim YongSun, you must learn.”

YongSun hesitantly followed the girl, pausing briefly when they approached the flames. The girl stepped right though, leaving YongSun standing alone. She took in a big breath. “Here goes nothing.” She closed her eyes and took a large step forward, the flames caressing her skin, but they did not burn her, they embraced her and engulfed her, until everything went black.

When she opened her eyes again, she was no longer standing in the burning field, she was standing outside a house made of mud. The girl stood outside of it, looking at it fondly. “This was our first existence.” She stepped through the opening. In the middle of the one room building was a sort of cradle, two babies lay inside of it, sleeping. “A set of twins, one  male, one female. They were the beginning of the great force of the Uju, they ensured the continuation of the human race, protecting them.”

YongSun watched the babies for a minute. “So the Lunarous, your spirit, is my brother?”

Yet another shake of her head. “The Uju is not human, whatever form we take in each life is up to the eternal cycle. In our first lives and many lives we were siblings, in some we were lovers, emanies, friends, and in some we were never fated to meet. With each cycle we are reincarnated into the pair that the world needs at the time to restore some sort of balance… all except our last.” She clapped her hands and they we no longer in the mud house, they were back on the field of fire, only this time a battle rage on around them. YongSun could not believe her eyes, not only did humans fight on the battlefield but giants and dragons and an array of other creatures. YongSun had learned from her studies that such things had existed in those times, but they were eradicated with magic at the end of the battle. She motioned to a man, dressed in full armour standing behind the lines, medium white coloured hair tied into a ponytail. His ice blue eyes on the battle, smiling in a cruel way. “YiHun was the last to host my essence, he and JinHan,” She motioned to another man, one on the front lines hacking down any man who came within reach, protecting those behind him, brown hair lining his face, stuck there with sweat. “They grew up like brother, for a short while they were lovers.” YongSun’s heart skipped at that. “But Lee DaeYeon, the former North King captured YiHun and turned him against JinHan, and DaeYeon was able to use YiHun to win the war.” She looked at YongSun, brown eyes full of pain. “YiHun did the most unspeakable things for DaeYeon, even severing his connection to the Uju to gain dark powers, the key they used to rip magic from the southern lands, taking all the creatures with it, it created the unblanance that exists now, the one you must restore.”

YongSun swallowed hard, feeling this new weight on her shoulders that was not there before. “How am I supposed to so that?”

The girl shrugged. “It is up to you Kim YongSun to find out. Though your first step should be finding the Lunarous and helping them gain my essence, you can not do it without them.”

Great, another impossible task for her to do. “What of my powers, do you have any idea what I should be expecting?”

The girl looked at YongSun like she was looking into her soul, which was making her uncomfortable. “Your connection to this place is the strongest, you should expect visions.” Great, more sneaking into other people’s heads, like she did with Byul, that seems very uncomfortable. “I sense some healing ability and the strength of the sun. All aspects are to a high degree as well.”

YongSun sighed. “Anything not extremely cryptic?” The girl tilted her head again, then shook it. “Alright a surprise it is then, anything else?”

“It is time for you to return to your world.” YongSun thought it was too soon, too fast, she hadn’t really learned anything, she didn’t feel any different besides the now impossible destiny that was on her to fulfill. “Goodbye Kim YongSun.” Before she could argue the girl thrusted her palm toward YongSun and her body shot through the war still raging around them, she sailed backward until there was nothing else left but black.

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Byul hadn’t left Ernesto’s place since YongSun drank the potion. It had been a full day since she had been sleeping and Byul just didn’t feel right leaving her alone. TaeOh on the other hand had left almost the second she went under and hadn’t really been back since. He made excuses like he wanted to try and train or he was tired but Byul knew those were excuses, he had done something and now he was hiding from her. She wasn’t sure what it was he had done, but she knew it involved YongSun because of the way she was acting before she drank her potion.

Byul kept herself busy in the long hours she was in Ernesto’s house, learning how to make medicine with Ernesto. She knew quite a bit of first aid from her time on the front lines but it was limited to combat wounds. Ernesto helped teach her how to assess and dress other wounds. She took the time to look over her wound, it had been almost two weeks since she got it, her system had fully recovered from the poison and it seemed with YongSun’s touch, her cut had fully closed and was almost done mending, she was practically brand new.

Byul could see herself getting along quite well with Ernesto, he was staying in the village full time until he was sure YongSun’s training was going well, he sent one of the other villagers to take care of his shop in his absence. Actually, Byul could see herself getting along with a lot of the people here, WheeIn and her gang were even starting to grow on her, they had been more friendly to her after their sparring session yesterday, they were quite impressed with her and even invited her to them on some of their missions outside of the village. She declined the offer for now, she needed to stay near YongSun until she was sure she was okay, and she didn’t want to stray too far away from the village. TaeOh was not invited to , apparently WheeIn’s crew was strictly women only, thought WheeIn said if he wanted to “play with the boys” she would find him some boys to play with. He also declined the offer, but he did spend a lot of time over the last day at the practice field running drills, saying he was way out of practice for his own liking.

Byul was looking over YongSun again. Her features were creased with concern, her temperature seemed to be warmer than normal but there was nothing out of the ordinary, or at least nothing that told her she was hurting. She heard the front door open, assuming it was Ernesto returning from his talk with Joon, she did not move. A second later however, TaeOh appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame. “How is she?” He asked, other concerns flashing over his face, ones she decided to ignore for the time being.

Byul looked over YongSun’s sleeping form. “Nothing new, Ernesto dropped some liquid in her mouth a few hours ago, making sure she wasn’t going to dehydrate with she was sleeping.” His eyes watched YongSun as he nodded along with what Byul was saying. Byul decided she couldn’t wait any longer, the uncomfortable silence she felt from his was too much. “Are you going to tell me what happened between you two?”

His eyes widened a bit in panic but he hid it fast. “Did she say something to you?” His voice sounded rough.

Byul felt her blood boil a bit. “She didn’t have to say anything, you both disappeared yesterday and when she came back she was acting weird, and you have been acting weird since.”

TaeOh wouldn’t make eye with her, he pushed off the doorframe and walked into the living room. “Nothing happened.” He said over his shoulder.

Byul couldn’t help but be angry at the obvious lie, she got up from her seat and followed him into the living room. “When are you going to learn TaeOh that I know when you are lying, just like you know when I am lying. So why don’t you cut the bullshit and tell me what happened. I don’t want to be the awkward third person in your fight.”

TaeOh huffed as he spun around. “I don’t want to tell you.” he sounded defeated.

A cold chill ran down her spine, she had seen this look on his face a few times before, the guilty little boy look. “What did you do TaeOh?” She was trying very hard to keep her voice from shaking.

He looked at her, and that look in his eyes said it all, her blood went cold and then boiled over with anger but she waited for him to it it. “I kissed her.” She could tell he knew that she was about to explode.

“You promised me.” She practically growled. “You promised me that we would let her make that choice on her own.”

“I know.” He said pinching his nose. “I know and I’ve hated myself for it since, I just couldn’t ignore how close you two were getting, I thought my window was closing.”

“So what.” Her voice was close to yelling. “So what if that is what you thought. This isn’t a game TaeOh this is her life.”

“I know that.” He said having the audacity to sound angry at her.

She took a step closer. “Oh, you know do you, you know so that makes it okay?” She crossed her arms to keep herself from hitting him. “Let’s ignore the obvious fact that she would have most likely chosen you anyway. Her life is not a game. Just over a month ago her father died in front of her eyes, she had to leave her whole life behind. And now not even two weeks ago she found out she is some mystical, powerful being and the father she loved so much kept it from her. Then she made the courageous decision to accept that fate, and what she needed was friends by her side, not one of her friends to confuse her more by confessing his feelings for her.” Her voice got louder and louder with each line.

He looked her dead in the eye. “There is nothing you can tell me that I have not beat myself up over.”

“I don’t care!” She yelled this time. “You need to hear this. You need to hear how yet again TaeOh decided to go against his word to his sister to satisfy his own mind.”

TaeOh tried to take a step closer, arms out. “Byul, I am…”

She held up a hand to stop him. “Enough, I forgave you for Lila, for Jasmine, and for YeRi, because I knew in my heart they would never choose me, but I asked you ONE TIME to just leave YongSun alone and make her own choice and you just did what you pleased… again.” She felt tears burning her eyes. “And I don’t think I can forgive you this time TaeOh.” The look on his face hurt her as much as she was sure her words hurt him, but it was the truth and he needed to hear it. “Perhaps we should spend our time in this village finding ways to be our own people.”

TaeOh’s arms dropped to his sides, his face shifted over so many different emotions but finally he settled on defeat. “I think the space will do us some good. And don’t worry I will stay away from YongSun.”

“Oh no you won’t.” Another wave of anger coursed through her and a look of confusion ed over TaeOh’s face. “She needs us both, you will not stay away from her because of your mistake, and you better explain to her that this is not her fault, you owe us both that much.”

He nodded. “Okay I will.” He took a large breath. “I do regret what I did but I understand your point. I never meant to hurt you Byul.”

“But you did.”

“I know.”

Ernesto walked into the house, he took one look at the two standing in his living room. “Should I leave again?” He obviously read the emotional cloud.

“No need.” TaeOh said with one more look at Byul. “I was just leaving.” He walked psat Ernesto with a quiet goodbye to the both of them.

Byul watched him walk out the door, she watched Ernesto close the door behind him. She took one long breath in and then pushed it out, then she burst into tears. Her knees buckled and Ernesto caught her before she could fall on the floor. “Come dear, I think you could use some tea.” She allowed him to lead her out of the room.

About an hour later Byul felt drained but better. Her hands were around her second cup of hot tea and she was still sitting across from Ernesto who sat there and listened to her as she cried, then listen to her explanation, then cry again, and finally he gave her some advice. “Sometimes the best thing we can do is show the people we love that they hurt us, if we continue to go along as if nothing is wrong then they don’t have to opportunity to fix it.” He reached over and placed a hand over hers. “It hurts now, and it will hurt for awhile but it will make you stronger in the end.”

Byul breathed raggedly. “I don’t know if he can change, this isn’t the first time he has done something like this to me.”

“But it is the first time you cared enough to get angry about it and that makes the difference.” He got a knowing look in his eye. “I think he will learn his lesson, take the space for you both to grow, and then your relationship will be stronger when you come out the other side.”

Byul tried for a smile. “I hope you are right, I don’t want to lose my brother over a girl.” That made her heart hurt.

Ernesto nodded. “But it takes the right person to make your realize you’ve been mistreated. Our YongSun is one special girl, she is very lucky to have someone as strong as you in her life.” Byul wanted to cry again but she forced it back.

She took a long sip of her tea. “I am glad you were the back up plan her father had. I don’t know what would have happened if it was anyone else’s shop we walked into.”

He smiled wide at that. “And I am certain I do not think YongSun would have come to her decision if she did not have you both by her side, making her feel safe enough to accept her fate and learn to use her powers.”

Byul sighed. “I hope you are right, I don’t want to do anything to hurt her.”

“I doubt you could even if you try.” He got up and put both of their cups in the sink. “And I am sure you will make some strong allies here.”

Byul thought he was probably right about that. Having any of the Knight on their side through their future journeys would be a very good thing, she thought they all could find a life here, in time. Byul watched as Ernesto stirred the pot on his stove he had been working on all day. He added a few spices to it and gave it a taste. “Is that your dinner?” She asked when he added a few dashes of something else to the pot.

He tapped the spoon on the side of the pot and placed it next to the stove. “No it is a nutrient filled stew for YongSun to eat when she wakes up, she had not eaten anything solid in a day and with her powers being accessible to her now, she will need her strength.”

Byul tilted her head a bit. “Do you expect her to wake up soon?” It was a little early to make a meal if she wasn’t even awake yet.

He nodded. “I expect her to be awake tomorrow morning, her condition is getting a lot better, I can sense the magic building within her.”

Byul’s heart felt like it was getting squeezed in her chest. “She is going to be a very powerful person isn’t she?” She already knew the answer, but the fear for YongSun’s future was making her heart hurt.

“She will be one of the most powerful forces on this earth.” Byul felt sick, how do you protect someone who has so much power? As if reading her mind Ernesto answered. “She already has such a kind heart and soul, she will know how to use the power wisely and we need to keep her on the path to the light, which I am sure with you next to her, it will be an easy task.” Byul wasn’t so sure about Ernesto’s words but she nodded along, she had no choice but to believe him. She just had to hope she was a good enough force in YongSun’s life.

------;

YongSun’s head felt like she was smashed in the head with a rock. The back of her eyes burned against the light. Her whole body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds and it was humming with power. Yes, she could feel her power, it was so familiar as if she always had it, yet so forean to her at the same time. She had stayed in the black for what seemed like months after the girl pushed her away from the battlefield. She felt like she was in some sort of hibernation, her magic slowly building as her body got more and more heavy.

For the last few hours she was aware of the voices. She could make out Byul’s voice, she was the closest to her, voice like a warm blanket. It took her awhile to understand TaeOh was talking with her because his voice was lower and more rough than normal, it seemed very unTaeOh. Lastly she heard Ernesto’s voice every now and again, he didn’t stay around all the time like the other two did. YongSun was waiting for the weight to drop off her body. When her humming body seemed to reach the maximum frequency, the weight started to slowly decrease from her body. She was almost ready to open her eyes but they were the most heavy thing on her body, not to mention the pain in her head, making it easier to keep her eyes shut. She wasn’t sure if she moved or made a sound but she felt someone lean closer, smelling like the forest, fresh leaves and dirt after a rain. “YongSun?” Byul’s voice danced in her head, causing a lot of the ache to recede. “Are you awake?”

Slowly YongSun forced her eyes to open, they wanted to close once the light hit but she made them keep opening. Everything was shaped in blobs and the room was fuzzy, slowly her vision came back to her. Byul sat in the chair next to her bed, blonde hair hanging loose around her face, her brow was creased with worry as she watched YongSun open her eyes. TaeOh stood in the doorway, he had a look of worry and shame on his face, his brown eyes were clouded with it. The fuzz finally vanished and her vision was completely clear, sharp even. She tried to sit up and Byul rushed to her side to help her. One hand firmly on her arm and the other on her shoulder as she guided YongSun to a sitting position. YongSun leaned heavily on the back of the bed. “How are you feeling?” Byul asked retaking her seat, making it slightly closer to the bed.

YongSun’s mind swam with responses, finally she settled on one answer. “I am not sure.” Byul handed her a steaming bowl of stew and told her that Ernesto said she was supposed to eat the whole bowl before she tried to get out of bed so she set to work on it. The flavors danced on her tongue and it felt like a warm blanket over her body, it was making her want to close her eyes again but it was also making her feel stronger. “How long have I been out?” She asked Byul because she could tell TaeOh would rather be anywhere but where she was.

“Two full days, it is going on midday, you took the potion at midday the day before yesterday.” That make YongSun’s head spin but she understood it. “Do…” She seemed awkward in her seat. “Do you feel different?”

YongSun put her spoon down, more than half of the bowl empty, she must have been really hungry. “Yes.” She said after a long pause. “I can feel the magic under my skin and in my blood.” She closed her eyes for a moment, giving her head a shake. “It is hard to explain.”

Byul gave a weary smile. “I think I understand.” The conversation fell as YongSun finished up her stew. “Is there something you would like to try?”

YongSun was slightly taken aback by the question, she was very curious about her powers, she had an idea of what they may be but no idea how to use them, she had only used one of them before. “I am not sure I know how to try.” She itted.

“What do you feel like you should do?” She ventured.

YongSun gave it some thought. The girl had said she had the strongest connection to the SinTag, so her strongest power was the one she used to see Byul’s past. “I think I know how to use one…” When she got looks from the both of them, she quickly explained, Byul looked very shocked. “I am so sorry Byul.” She pleaded. “I didn’t mean to do it.”

Byul shook her head. “No it is okay, you didn’t mean it.” She stayed there for a moment with a blank look. “Would you like to try it?”

YongSun was shocked at the offer, she figured the last thing Byul would want was to have YongSun rifling through her past. “I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to.” She said wearily.

Byul smiled and held out her hand. “I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t okay with it. Besides, you need to learn how to work it, and who better to practice on.”

YongSun stared at her hand for a minute, her eyes flicked over to TaeOh who had not said anything the entire time. She took a very large breath. “Here goes nothing.” She muttered to herself as she reached out for Byul’s hand, grabbing it tightly. White flashed behind her eyes. She felt like she was being ripped from her own body and being pulled through time, when the white faded she was no longer sitting in her bed.

Here goes nothing!!! YongSun's powers have arrived, what part of Byul's past should we see?