Cordolium

Arc 2 : Chapter 1 (8)

The doors to the domain opened wide the moment Minho touched it. He took a step in followed by the others. Pyro energy flows softly around them as they walk along the corridor. The torches lighting up with every step.

Minho could hear Seungmin take a shaky breath behind him. The others seem to not have noticed that one of their companions has become nervous.

An opening appears at the end of the corridor. When they reach the opening they see the pyro archons statue standing tall at the side. A small statue of what seemed to be a dog standing beside it. The statues must have been really old as they have cracks here and there all over. It was to be expected anyway as the domain was abandoned long after the Pyro archon's defeat in the so famous Archon War.

"The Pyro archon," Hyunjin whispers. They all turn to look at the statue. Changbin offers a prayer to his archon. Seungmin looks down awkwardly, trying to get Minho's attention.While Minho was on the other side of the domain already though not too far from them, looking for clues and trying to remember the domain's pattern.

"Is that his pet?" Jeongin asked. Changbin nods, "Probably, since it's standing near him."

Jeongin hums and let's his eyes wander towards his brother and his pet. He stares and says nothing, noticing the way PuppyM moves uncomfortably under his gaze. FoxyIny was also staring back and forth on the statue and onto PuppyM. Feeling uncomfortable by their gazed, PuppyM to hide behinds Seungmin's legs.

"They look kind of... familiar to me..." Jisung says from the side. His head tilted to the side as he observes the statue.

Seungmin coughs, "Let's go. We're getting near."

Changbin squints his eyes at him. Then flicks his gaze over to the statue. Then back to Seungmin and his pet. Something click in his mind and,

"You...you kind of look like him... Even the pet is similar..." Felix muttered beside Changbin beating him to what he wanted to say. He nodded at what Felix said.

"No-nonsense. I-we don't look like him. We look nothing like him." Seungmin denied far too quickly increasing their suspicion. PuppyM clutches Seungmin's leg staying close to his master knowing his master felt more uneasy than him.

"Seung-"

"Let's just go. The faster we get to Chan, the faster we get out of here." Seungmin cutted Jeongin up and shakily turned to carry PuppyM close to his chest. Hoping to calm his heart. PuppyM hugged Seungmin, reassuring him that he is there and won't leave him.

"You are hiding something... you are hiding something aren't you..." Hyunjin whispers but is loud enough for everyone to hear. Seungmin frozed at what Hyunjin said and clutches PuppyM tighter. His heart beats faster and he could feel his eyes starting to get teary.

"There are traces of footprints at the other side of-"

Minho came back to their side with Leebit jogging quietly beside him, but noticed straight away of the tension that was going on and how the attention was all on Seungmin, who was holding back his tears and clutching PuppyM tighter to himself.

"What are you both hiding? Just... what- this is getting more and more confusing and is all happening at once! First Channie-hyung disappeared then, you appeared out of nowhere again and disappeared when i told you about Channie-hyung, only to have you coming back saying you know where he is but also coming back with them... then the fight just then... just- what is going hyung? What is it that you both are hiding?" Felix getting more and more frustrated with how confusing and stressful things that had happened in a short amount of time.

Minho sighed and ribbed his temple and muttered, " I need a drink for this. Fuck"

Before he could say anything more, it was Jeongin's turn to snap at Seungmin.

"Seungmin hyung what are you hiding?! I know I'm your younger brother but I have enough of you and Minho hyung hiding things from me , and now us all here... just... what is going on...? Why- why do you look far too similar to the Pyro Archon's statue hyung?" Jeongin had enough and finally confronted his brother who had been more secretive to him ever since Minho appeared in their life.

He glanced towards Seungmin who was shaking

"Minho-hyung... " Changbin gasps quietly and stares at Minho with a look. A look that stated he might have pieced the puzzles together. Changbin is smart and sometimes, too smart for his own good. Minho thought looking at Changbin with a look that confirmed what Changbin had pieces together.

" i- i..." Stuttered Seungmin.

"You are him aren't you... You are THE Pyro Archon...and... this is your domain... isn't it?" Jisung said after being quiet for a while.

Seungmin stayed quiet but it was clear to everyone there that he was crying again. Jeongin didn't bother anything anymore and rushed to hug his brother who was clutching PuppyM and cried.

"How-"

"But i thought-"

Minho sighs and decides to help Seungmin for a bit till he is calm enough to tell them himself. He glanced at Seungmin who was now in Jeongin's arms, he looked at him and told the rest , himself.

"Reincarnation... Seungmin is reincarnated." Minho stated and earned a lot of gasps from everyone. "He's no longer an ar-" Minho was cut off by Seungmin's vision suddenly glowing bright.

Seungmin gasps at the sensation, looking up in the domain that is making some grumbling noises. He pushes Jeongin to the side as gently as possible, "Someone else is in there. They activated a trap."

Seungmin runs towards where he felt the trap move. Thoughts run through his mind as he runs. Tears running down his cheeks. His past mistakes have haunted him even in his rebirth.

But it wasn't always like that. He didn't know who he was before. His real identity is unknown to him. People have told him before, how he looked alot like the Pyro Archon. He shook it off thinking it was just a mere coincidence.

But then life decided to throw everything to him. His life crumbled to the ground.

(A/N : new chapter is up enjoy! oh no our poor minnie >< )