The Universal Elements

Chapter 23

Seonghwa looked at San, his eyes wide. San's crystal was now missing. 

"How? You had it on you. It was on a necklace"! Mingi nearly shouted. San turned to look back at where they came from before coughing again and dropping to his knees. 

"San"!! Seonghwa ran to him and grabbed him, suddenly noticing a small puddle of water under him. His power was trying to drown him. 

"We need to find his crystal", Yeosang said as they all walked closer. 

"How? We don't even know where it would be"... Jongho muttered. San had tears in his eyes as he gagged, almost feeling more water make it way up his throat. 

"What's wrong with him? His power is turning on him that quick"? Yunho asked. 

"It's water. It's trying to drown him from the inside... It's a slow but painful death", Seonghwa whispered. San looked up at him. 

"P-please don't look so sad... I-I can try and fight it... L-let's just go"... He whispered, trying to stand but fell back to the ground. Seonghwa grabbed him and carried him in his arms. 

"The lady at the store! She might be able to help", Wooyoung said. The others agreed and made their way back to the store. 

~~~~

The boys arrived at the store and entered and was greeted by the young lady, who's face dropped when she saw San. 

"Oh my... I thought you just got your crystal back", She said to Seonghwa.

"I-I did... He took all of ours but San's and Yeosang and when we got ours back and escaped, S-San's one was gone"... Seonghwa whispered. She walked over to him and saw San was asleep in his arms. 

"He's so pale"...

"His power's drowning him from the inside slowly. C-can you  help slow it or even stop it"? Hongjoong asked, worried. The woman looked at them. 

"I sadly can't stop it. But I can slow it. Follow me". The boys followed her to the back of the store and into a large room. 

"Place him on the bed". Seonghwa nodded and placed San down carefully and looked at her. 

"Please slow it down". She nodded and walked over, her eyes glowing a bright purple and Seonghwa moved back. San coughed, water spilling out of the corner of his mouth. The lady muttered something and smiled when she looked over at them. 

"It's done. It'll be slow but coughing up water constantly will continue. He won't die fast". Seonghwa smiled and looked at the others. Hongjoong and Mingi looked at him and returned the smile. 

"I-I'm gonna stay with San". 

"Ok. let us know when he wakes", Yeosang said as they all exited the room. The lady stayed behind for a bit. 

"My name is Jisoo. I've seen these things happen before and sometimes... I-I've had to watch someone die"... Seonghwa turned to her.

"He won't die. We're getting his crystal back. Once we find it"... He muttered. 

"You will. I know you will". Jisoo walked out of the room, leaving Seonghwa alone with San. He took his hand and sighed. 

"I hope what she did will slow it down"... He whispered. San coughed again and more water spilled out and Seonghwa began to worry. He didn't want to lose San.