A Distant Lament

02. The Moon...

While the sun sets into the horizon, up rises the moon and his children who have kissed the cheeks of the hottest star in the galaxy. In the midst of it all lays a mortal, eyes filled with endearment and secrets. Secrets that he will hold to his grave. "For what is this pain shall I bury it?" He hums to the stars who only listen intently. "Shall I let the secrets whisk away in my soul as I have reached the goal of enlightenment?" The stars are silent at his questions letting his mind take over. "He could be driven mad," the stars communicate with each other quietly. "Then simply let him, this is not our war, it is the mortals." The stars determined and muted watch as the mere man falls to his knees and bellows a horrid scream.

CHAPTER TWO
— the moon and his children.

The palace walls are filled with dread, what a dreary way to end a week of celebration of their newly King. And for long may he reign, what a daft statement.

"You are not taking Hoseok on your mission to suicide. I will not allow it Taehyung. You may steal the throne all you fucking want. But not! Not—not Hobi please Taehyung I beg." Namjoon pleads pacing through the King's new council chamber, tears threatening to push through the prison of his eyes. Taehyung should berate his older brother, break down his pride with a series of beliefs that men do not beg to be spared. Nor do they cry at the thought of their loved ones dying. That would only break Taehyung, make him feel as if he's growing to be a man he does not wish to be ever in his lifespan.

"Namjoon, if I wanted this a different way I would have already found a solution. Hoseok is the only one who can truly protect me with a few other soldiers. I trust him." Taehyung reassures sitting down on the long and jewel studded seat, his hands clasped together as he scans the room. Men, very few of them, for Taehyung trusts no one outside the main royal courts, not even his own brother at times but ‪these men have been hand picked by the King himself. The men he knows would put his life before theirs.

Hoseok stands only a few mere inches from the King, his gaze distant and stern as he watches his lover pace around. At the table where the King stays, seats four men and a woman; Sung Ho Lee, Francis Yi, Bailey Hems, Jihoon Hak, and Nadia Gwan filled with worry as they continue to discuss the threat of this prophecy the witch fueled by emotions 'blessed' him two nights ago.

"The nightmares of the sea? Have you gone mad? The legends of the sea have been explained over centuries and you still want to throw your arms in death?" Namjoon carries on, rage fueling his blood and Taehyung can see it. Can see the worry and thoughts of losing the only man that Namjoon cared for be carried away with a prophecy and waves. As much Taehyung desires for Hoseok to stay placed in his castle where he can demand that he is not harmed. Hoseok would rather die in the hands of a mule than let Taehyung go on a suicide mission without him trailing along.

"I will receive it if I do nothing. So why not?" Taehyung murmurs, head aching at the yells Namjoon gives and as much as Taehyung understands, wants everyone to stay and not get his own self harmed but that would be part of a fairytale bound to never happen. For this is his prophecy, this is what he has to fulfill, it is almost as if his father's soul is testing his worth.

You? The King? I would rather let hot coal clog my windpipe.

Inane boy, you are far too imprudent to be in my throne. My reign is far from over, do not go counting the days for my death.

The former King would not abide a day without mentioning how callow Taehyung was and how twaddle his want to oust his father. Hatred flows in Taehyung's blood at words of the past. If this is just a sick vengeance of his father afterlife then so be it, he shall avenge his worth with the siren in his hand.

"My lover will not die at the hands of your mere will over a prophecy." Namjoon spits harshly, the grip on his sword never falters as he moves closer to his brother. "Made by a powerful witch, Lord Namjoon. You must understand in the majesties name to be already threatened in the midst of the celebration of his new position is scandalous. The subjects are scared, for who is to be their King if Taehyung has left the earth with one last breath?" Nadia Gwan, a fairy swarthy woman that stood tall as she spoke, eyes bright of hazelnut, coils of her dark hair laid up, her honey kissed lips full and plum that stretches at the sight of the King's solace being fulfilled once the attention was brought to her.