Star Illusion | ATEEZ Pirate AU

Chapter 79 - (The real) Wonderland

Presenting 10k words chapter (°ロ°) ! Read at your own risk.

[Trigger warning: violent, blood, gore]

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Unlike the fake Wonderland, the real Wonderland doesn't have strange glowing trees that eat humans. Instead, the plants here bear bizarre-looking fruits which I've never seen before. Darkness falls upon the whole island, only a faint light from the purple star above illuminates a narrow trail heading toward the heart of the island.

As we go deeper, the air is less chilly than the beach. However, my body won't stop shivering. Although my fever seems to have broken, the screeching sounds of the sea monsters intensifies my anxiety. Who knows when the invisible barrier will be taken down by the sea witch. I hope that the pirates and I are able to make a wish in time to avoid the bloody fight.

The pirates probably think the same as they move at a fast pace. The master gunner, who carries me, leads the groups and the others follow us in silence.

"So you've made up your mind..." Mingi speaks up after being quiet for a while. "To leave?"

I avert my gaze to him. His expression is slightly gloomy. He avoids my eye contact and looks straight at the path.

Even though I expect that my friends will ask me this question at Wonderland, it's difficult to answer because I don't want to see their hurtful expression. Nevertheless, I want to be clear and not give them false hope. I can't selfishly stay in Alice's body with Seakeeper power. Stealing her identity while Chris and her family are waiting for her doesn't sit well with me. Imagine how heartbroken they will be, when they learn that she ran off with the most notorious pirates.

Hence I nod to Mingi and brace myself for whatever comment from him.

Surprisingly, his mouth spread into a small smile. "Well then, promise me you'll live impressively. And I allow you to have a new best friend so you won't be lonely."

His response sends electric shock to my heart. I bite my lower lip, trying my best to not break down in front of him. I swallow a lump in my throat and give him a smile. "Thank you, Mingi. You'll always be my number one best friend."

Mingi's smile turns into a smug grin. "Of course, you can't find anyone as impressive as me."

Both of us chuckle at his own statement. I rest my head on his shoulder. My chest feels a lot lighter after conversing with him.

Then someone coughs loudly behind us. I glance at a tiny man struggling to keep up with Mingi's long legs. He clutches his chest and continues coughing. As he notices that I glimpse at him, he returns the stare, a flash of mischievousness passes across his yellow eyes that are glowing in the dark. "Aish! The sea water was so salty, I crave something sweet."

I scrunch my nose at him, remembering when he exposed our kiss to everyone by saying he had tasted something sweet. Unfortunately, sea water returned him into a shameless and cunning man. The image of the sacrificial captain was completely thrown away. 

Hongjoong grins when he sees my reaction. My stomach makes a weird flip. I quickly tear my gaze away from him and shake my head to suppress the old feelings. It was already bad enough that he kissed me in front of everyone, but it was worse that he acted the same around me when he was supposed to keep a distance. His action is making my heart sway. And that is what I'm afraid of the most.

"Hongjoong is in the mood to eat now?" Mingi mumbles, making me giggle at his innocence. "Captain, if you're so hungry, we can pick these fruits on our way back!" He shouts at Hongjoong, making me laugh harder.