Aurora's Child - ATEEZ Pirate AU

Chapter VIII: To The Beat

A/N: I'm not sorry for last chapter <3 I think I'm gonna stop putting cussing, shooting, etc. in the trigger warnings cuz it's gonna get repetitive, plus it's expected in a pirate story.

//TW: blood, scars, slight gore

________________

          A black ship with red sails cut its way through the dark foggy waters. The smell blood and gunpowder drawing closer as the ship sailed. The faint sound of chanting could be heard. He couldn't really make out what all the voices were saying. "On my way" and "let me free" being the most prominent.

          The scene changes to a battlefield and the stench of blood ever present. There were torn body parts scattered across the ground, objects burning, broken swords, weapons scattered, it was tragic sight that went on for miles. Not a single sign of life. The chanting was reaching a crescendo.

          In the middle of the chaos, a single torn apart flag waved against the chilled breeze.

          In the distance, the silhouette of a man dressed in all black wearing a fedora could be seen. He couldn't make out his face, but he was getting closer as the chanting was getting more unbearable and frantic. Once he was finally face to face with the man, he pulled down his mask and the sight froze him. His own steel gray eyes stared back at him. The chanting had morphed into shrieking, screaming and crying, and it all ended with an abrupt stop.

          "Wake up, Seonghwa!"

          With a gasp, he jumped himself awake. He was shivering all over as he tried to regain his breath. The covers clung to his sticky body as he had sweated profusely.

          "We have two injured men in one of the rooms and I need you to... Were you crying?"

          Seonghwa touched his cheek and he could feel the fresh tears that were streaming down his face. He made effort to recall what he saw in his dream and he could remember every single detail. He has had the same vision over and over again ever since he started doing witchcraft, but this is the first time he has heard the chanting get so loud or seen someone alive. This felt like a warning. He would consult with Master Juno after he tends to whatever task they had assigned him. Seonghwa wipes away his tears and clears his throat.

          "I-I'm fine, Master Juno. It was... that vision again."

          Juno stared at him pensive for a second before shaking their head. "We'll discuss that later. I need you to get me some blankets and bring them to the other room. I already treated their injuries and they now need to rest."

          Seonghwa finally noticed his teacher's state. Their short hair was messy and there was a few droplets of blood on their clothes.

          "Master Juno, you look tired. Let me take care of them while you rest."

          Juno rolled their single emerald eye and scoffed at him. "You can barely apply ointment without squirming and you seriously believe I will let you take over? Clean yourself up and go fetch me those blankets." They left the room to check up the patients next door.

          Seonghwa just sighed and got up from bed. He looked at his naked torso in the mirror, his eyes tracing over the ink patterns of symbols, flora and fauna that covered his skin from head to toe. His long black hair, messy from sleeping, flowed gracefully down to his waist. His silver eyes finally landed on his left shoulder where a burn mark was left. Remnants of a tragedy that remained imprinted on his skin.

          He quickly snapped out of his trance and finally looked away from the scar. The memories of that night still haunt him.

          If only he had listened...