The Way It Burns - BbangNyu

[37]

Dark night curved between the trees, with no access to moonlight, it was only pitch black. Chanhee took another step into the unknown, hearing the snapping of branches under his feet. He pushed his worries away, determined to find that firefly, for it was the one that had guided him here in the first place. He was merely sleeping, when the firefly flew into his room, dancing over his eyelids, lighting up his dreams. 

Now here he was, alone, no firefly in sight. There was no right way to go, he wasn't even sure where he was anymore. Glancing at the little he could see around him, everything looked the same, it would be impossible to tell any tree apart. He left no markers, or anything to help him find his way back, it was more likely that he'd have to spend all night in this cold, eerie woodland.

Breath hitching, something fluttered past his ear. Chanhee turned, immediately recognizing the sound as the firefly. Yet, when he turned, there was nothing to see. His heart began to pound, tension rising, he was very much on edge. This wasn't what he wanted to be doing, it was incredibly scary.

His eyes frantically darted from place to place, spinning around, as he tried to find where the firefly was. With lack of attention, Chanhee slipped, from the patch of wet leaves underneath him. Landing on the ground, Chanhee let out a frustrated sigh, tucking his head into his knees. 

Eye lids shut, the angel accepted that he was stuck. He couldn't find the firefly, he couldn't find his way back, he was simply destined to spend the night out here. Suddenly, an illumination of light burst through the gaps in his knees, sending waves of yellow beams crashing against his eye lids. Chanhee blinked his eyes open, squinting from the bright light shinning in his face.

Slowly looking around, Chanhee's mouth hung slightly open, as he realized there wasn't only one firefly, he was surrounded by thousands. Completely in awe, it was magnificent, something you'd read about in story books. With no more time to think, Chanhee found himself being circled by the many firefly's, whose speed quickened at a rapid pace. Strong winds crashed against Chanhee's face, as he felt himself engulfed in the whirlwind, created by the creatures. He could barely see anymore, since the light was so bright, he just shut his eyes again, letting whatever happens, happen. 

____

With a flash, the light was gone. Chanhee hesitated to open his eyes, nervously awaiting the reason for the firefly's actions. He felt his body become weightless, like he was carried away, he knew that once he opened his eyes, he wouldn't be in the woodlands. Gritting his teeth, Chanhee let his eyes have access to the world, shocked to see himself, in what looked like an old building. 

Pushing himself off the ground, Chanhee cautiously wandered through the halls, not sure where he was meant to be going. As he reached a dead end, Chanhee had only one way to go, and that was forward, through the grand golden doors, that stood in his way. It was almost as if his worries just faded away, this place felt oddly familiar, though, he had no idea why. 

The doors made no noise, to Chanhee's luck, being opened only enough for the angel to make his way through. Chanhee had to slam his hand against his mouth, to stop himself from gasping. This place was incredible, tall vaulted ceilings, with spectacularly detailed paintings of angels spread across. High shelves, stacked upon one another, filled with more books than Chanhee had ever seen in his life. White, marble tiled floors, that sucked all the heat out of Chanhee's body. 

Taking slow steps, Chanhee felt drawn to one book in particular. It was displayed right in the center of the room, on a golden pedestal. He felt like he was being called to it, as if magnetic, he was pulled to the stand. The book was leather bound, reminiscent of the book Mama Kim had shown him, and there was a very good reason for this. Chanhee gulped, reading the title, everything made sense now, he knew where he was.

'The book of the freeland'

Chanhee was in the great library of the saints, this couldn't be possible. Though he had no time to register this information, hearing voices coming from behind the door. Sprinting to the darkest corner of the room, Chanhee hid himself between two book shelves, hoping that he wouldn't be found. 

"Yes, yes, it's just this way sir." Chanhee heard a man say.

Entering the room, was two figures, Chanhee couldn't make out. They both had halos, and were dressed quite well, in suits. They wandered further into the room, pausing where Chanhee previously was. 

"Ah this looks wonderful, it'll really make Pure Sky a lot of money once its open to the public." 

That voice, he could recognize it anywhere, it belonged to his father. 

"How close are you to finishing the re writes?"

"Almost done sir, all edits you requested, are being input as we speak." 

Re writes? edits? What was the angel talking about?, Chanhee wondered.

"Good, and once everything's fixed, I want the old copies destroyed." 

Chanhee watched his father glare at the golden podium, running his finger along the book that lay on top. 

"Once people see our version of events, they'll never distrust angels ever again." 

As the angles left the room, Chanhee felt his heart drop. His father was really planning on changing history, this wasn't going to end well. Jumping up, Chanhee knew he had to be fast, do what Mama Kim wanted him to. He scowered every section, searching for the documents of the living and the gone. 

Bingo, Chanhee found it. Unfortunately, there had been a lot of people in history, so the shelves were heavily crowded. Trying to think reasonably, Chanhee climbed up the ladder, beside the book case, in hopes that Lucilla's family line, would be in one of the first copies. Scanning the shelf, Chanhee spotted it, a big, red book, labeled, 'Rulers of Pudicitia.' It would have to be in there, since Lucilla's father, was one of the past rulers.

Taking out the book, Chanhee climbed back down. Quickly sitting on the marble, as he flicked open the book. He skimmed each page, attempting to be as precise as he could, but he wasn't sure how much time he had.

Nearly passing it, luck was on his side, as Chanhee rested his finger on Lucilla's name. He traced down the family line, all the way the present day, and...

'Choi Chanhee'

Impossible. Chanhee's jaw hung low, reading the name once again. It couldn't be, could it? He wasn't one of Lucilla's heirs. Though it was written right there. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Chanhee could barely breath, as the name above his took all attention. 

That was not his fathers name, nor his mothers. 

____

Ooh we're really getting into it now🤭