Long Journey || ATEEZ

INCEPTION

The time was roughly six in the morning of the 24th of October, and the sun had barely even risen, but the port was busy. At least, the people aboard the new ship – or, one should say, Hongjoong's ship – were busy. Hongjoong had let the new crew members sleep in, and so it was just the eight members of ATEEZ above deck, sorting out last minute cargo, chatting casually to each other as they sorted the ropes on the sails so that with just one pull, they'd expand and allow the ship to leave port, and generally just getting ready to leave. They were all dressed up and ready to set off on their journey, their swords and guns – and, in Yeosang's case, bow and arrows – hanging by their belts.

The Zeratik market was barely awake at this hour – with only the owners of the shops setting up their things ready for the day's business – but three figures, heavily masked and cloaked, were roaming about the marketplace, heavily sticking out: one who rose at least a head above the little people that roamed about, one with a scrawny stature and looking absolutely tiny next to the first one, and a bulky, average-height figure that exuded an air of aggressive cruelty.

They seemed to be looking for something – or, perhaps someone – and as they approached the almighty galleon, they found it – whatever, or whoever, it was that they were looking for.

Seonghwa froze as he set down one of the barrels at the edge of the deck and saw the three figures approaching. Despite their coverage, he could tell exactly who they were. After all, he had spent almost five years training with them. He coughed slightly in shock, before pretending not to notice them – since they didn't seem to be doing anything for now – and went back to doing his work. He slyly sidled up to Hongjoong, all the while keeping an eye on the three Cherries assassins out of the corner of his eye warily. He was afraid – not of losing his own life, since that didn't really matter, and he could easily beat the three of them if he tried – but for his friends' lives.

ATEEZ...they were precious to him; one could call them his own treasure, ironically. He knew that Hyungseok was worse than a loose cannon, more unpredictable than the almighty sea itself, and would definitely kill anything and anyone that got in his way – and no doubt the ex-assassin's crewmates would get in his way once they found out their hyung was in danger. As for Eli and Robert – they were trickier to read – but not easy opponents either. He had to tell the captain about this.

"What is it?" Hongjoong asked cluelessly as Seonghwa joined his side and helped him with the rigging. Though he hadn't a clue as to what was bothering Seonghwa, he could feel his friend's agitation. "Something wrong?"

"Oh, something's very wrong here," Seonghwa muttered in a low tone, his lips barely moving, as he shook his head – a trick to throw off the assassins. "We've got some visitors."

"What kind of visitors...?"

"Hyungseok, Eli and Robert," Seonghwa replied, face grim. "And you can very well tell why they're here."

Hongjoong gasped involuntarily.

"I know," Seonghwa said, tightening the knot he had just made. "What are we going to do? I don't want the others to get hurt."

"I'm not sure, I—"

The two's problems were solved for them by the three assassins jumping onto the deck, and lowering their hoods.

"Hello?" Mingi asked uncertainly, no doubt feeling the strange, but somehow familiar presence coming from these three people. "Who are you...?"

The little fairy then squeaked as Hyungseok lifted his gun, pointing it straight at his face.

"Shut the fuck up, you little rat," he growled.

"Oi Hyungseok, stop it," Seonghwa stepped sharply as he stepped forwards. "It's me and Hongjoong you want, isn't it? Leave Mingi alone."