snowflake ☆ k.dy ☆ ayakashi series | ✔

doyoung [twenty-one]

The further you went into the tunnel, the cooler it got. At the first hint of a shiver from you, Doyoung made your small group halt so you could get another jacket, thick parka, and gloves from your bags. He pulled the hood up for you, holding eye contact with you while he did so. Even this far into your relationship, you still found it so easy to be swept away into his dark eyes, mouth falling open just slightly. In the light afforded by the iridia crystal, you could see the dusting of baby blue rising up on his cheeks as you continued staring at him, mesmerized.

"Warm, Onmyoji?" Chaewon's question snapped your focus away from your boyfriend, pushing the three of you to continue your journey.

"Yes," you confirmed, feeling your agility starting to dwindle. So far the path had been an easy one, and you hoped that it'd stay like this. One unexpected rock and you'd surely go down.

"We're almost there, Y/N," Doyoung assured you. "See the pink light coming in? That's the sunset, we're close to the exit."

And sure enough, there was pink beginning to paint the walls of the tunnel, Chaewon's iridia crystal dimming in response. It was the mention of a sunset that intrigued you. It was well after dark when you left the city, you were curious as to how the sun was just beginning to set on the other side. Must be some kind of magic. You filed that away under your mental list of things to ask for clarification for later. When the time seemed appropriate. In addition to how that tunnel got you to a location that was supposed to be hundreds of miles away in just about an hour. Presumably more magic.

"Perfect timing," Chaewon commented. "The gates close at twilight. Come, we're near."

Just a few more steps around a curve in the tunnel, and you could see the exit. It was a gradual slope down onto a trail, but that was just in your periphery. As the tunnel walls gave way to open air around you, your eyes were immediately caught on the sight at the end of the path.

Just as Doyoung had said, the kingdom of Erethulia was carved right into the mountainside. Terraced houses and buildings made distinct by great arches acting as windows and pillars holding up the story above it, with a singular large doorway at the top. It was all carved of the same grey stone as the tunnels and the rest of the mountain, but covered in white snow turned peony pink and sherbet orange by the setting sun. You could see Erethulians milling about, dots of blue, teal, purple, and white. Below it was a green valley that seemed more like an ocean of grass rippling like waves with the wind that cascaded down from the snowy peak and over the city that was along the face.

"Come on, Y/N," Doyoung ushered you down the trail.

You realized that it wasn't quite a trail as you had first thought but was actually a paved road. Along the edges were more iridia crystals, soft glow growing in strength the further down the sun sank, lighting your way clearly. The mountainside was on your right, iridia crystals placed in the face of it to cast light from above you as well. What would have been a precariously sharp drop on your left was made safe by a tall mesh fence that reached well above your head. Upon closer inspection, you realized it was made of ice, solid and sturdy, but woven to be yielding enough that if someone were to be pushed into or fall into it, it wouldn't hurt them. No way anybody could go over, intentionally or unintentionally.

The gates into Erethulia were grand, just like the kingdom itself, looming over you almost ominously. The top of it had larger versions of the tip of Chaewon's spear, probably half your height, but just as razor sharp. It sent a chill down your spine, and you pressed closer to Doyoung instinctually.

Chaewon nodded to the two Erethulians standing at the gate, two women. Over their teal robes were delicately crafted blue breastplates and shoulder pieces. Despite the armor's elegant appearance, you were sure they were as sturdy as the ice fence along the trail. In their hands were spears as well, the leather looking quite a bit newer than Chaewon's had. They seemed to be much younger than her, probably around Doyoung's age if you had to guess.