Storyteller | JHS ✓

Chapter twenty-six; if you

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If you're struggling like I am
Can't we make things a little easier?
I should've treated you better when I had you

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The sun had just risen, blindingly anew and dazzling, gracing Jungkook's kingdom in pure light.

The light that Elysian always seemed to carry around her.

But Jungkook thought it wasn't fair that the sun shone so brilliantly, yet, Elysian kneeled, hair and eyes becoming paler and paler while her dress gradually became the opposite. It was like the sun stole her glamour and selfishly used it for itself. What kind of cruel, unfair world it was, Jungkook wondered.

She slowly maneuvered her arm around until it rested on the arrow's tail. Her arm jerked outward, trying to rip it out.

'Stop!' Jungkook shrieked, 'Don't pull that out! It'll tear your flesh and you'll bleed out!'

Turning a deaf ear, she ignored him and continued to rip the arrow out through gasps of pain. Jungkook fought to cover his ears while the guards stood emotionlessly.

Finally, as the last drop of crimson bled and the stick of death was longer within her, Elysian managed to stand up and face the army.

At her defiance, the captain of the guards prepared to draw another arrow. Although the movement was little, Jungkook's attentive eyes caught it immediately and drew out his silver dagger.

Unfortunately, the knight's vision wasn't lacking either.

'YOU THERE!' the armored man clamored, 'THE KING IS VERY PLEASED YOU RETURNED WITH THE SOUL FROM THE WELL OF LIFE! BUT IT IS OUR JOB TO KILL HER AND EXTRACT HER SOUL! YOUR JOB IS DONE; YOU MAY RETREAT!'

Jungkook's gloves crinkled as his grip tightened on the dagger, eyes narrowing at the man's outrageous statement.

'The name this dagger erases will not be hers.'

A shadow settled over the guard's eyes, '...Then whose name shall it take?'

'Anyone who dare lay a finger on her.'

'NO!' Elysian interjected, 'I won't let you die on my behalf! You know what will happen to you! There's an entire army behind that guard...'

'It's right, you know,' the guard spat, 'more men are coming.'

He gestured to the mass of armored men gathered around in the short time that passed. Before Jungkook could do anything, another arrow shot from a different direction.

Fear coursed throughout his body, paralyzing him. He knew Elysian was born in the same season of the cherry blossoms, so she undoubtedly was just as fragile as them. Pretty, exquisite, lovely, but delicate and weak nonetheless.

He raised his meager weapon against the mass of men and threw a protective arm in front of Elysian. Against an entire army fit to protect the king, Jungkook's chances of winning were slim. He might as well've attempted to penetrate metal with a toothpick.

But, dear reader, a man's choice of weapon does not matter.

Well, sometimes it does.

But, the more important thing is how he uses it.