For the Prisoner

12. Rebirth

Once their stomachs were filled and Seonghwa couldn't bear another moment of needless banter by the jitter of his leg, he called for them to begin their preparations. Mingi was on his feet first, ready to perform his spell, and the others followed to attend to his performance. Led by Seonghwa, their procession trudged through the thicket. Yunho held a torch and San's hand, Wooyoung fiddled with his lucky coin and tried to keep Perie from landing on him, and Jongho carried another torch. The jingle of Mingi's staff at every step eerily permeated the night.

They arrived at the clearing and discovered that Perie had found her place on the gargoyle's stone horns after leaving Wooyoung alone. While Fléau circled the meadow and left a round trail in the snow to cast a ring for Mingi's spell, the witch examined the crouched gargoyle.

Behind his eyes, Seonghwa believed to see the amber glow lurking under the stone like a volcano ready to erupt. His heart skipped a beat.

"Stay put, cursed one. Your rage will abruptly end your life," Mingi called over the clearing as he neared the statue. At Seonghwa's wondrous look, his painted lips split into a cruel grin.

"He's just waiting to come at us. Be prepared for the moment he is free. If he tries to stop me before I finish, he dies, but he will not be happy with the results of tonight."

Perie sat down on Hongjoong's shoulder, cosy in the spot between his wing and his head. She nuzzled at his neck.

Coming up short, Seonghwa's eyes widened at Hongjoong.

"Are you saying he has full awareness of what is going on here?"

Mingi chuckled to himself, the sound sinister with knowing.

"He does. He sees all, hears all, knows all. He simply cannot act. Similarly to what he did in your church at home. He reacted once he took notice of the danger. This time, he needs to stay put so as not to trouble the damaged heart further."

Seonghwa lowered his eyes. There was no forgiving him. All he could do was pray on his knees.

"I apologise, Hongjoong. I know this is the opposite of what you wanted, but I must be as egotistical as you were, or else I will lose my sanity."

Jongho and Yunho positioned themselves so most of the clearing was lit. Wooyoung lingered in the back and tried to bait Fléau with a leftover piece of the squirrel. San stuck to Yunho.

Only Mingi remained with Seonghwa ahead of Hongjoong. When he let go of his staff, it floated in the air next to him, ready to be seized once more.

"He lost his position of power in this matter. He will bend to your will as the servant he is born to be. Don't forget you are his master and determine his fate."

Seonghwa made a face.

"I don't like being anyone's master. Hongjoong does best by himself." Even Seonghwa heard the uncertainty in his voice. So far, when Hongjoong had decided upon things, people either died or Seonghwa got hurt.

"You are a fool to pass up on such power," Mingi commented as he came to stand next to the statue. His palm reached for Seonghwa, facing upward. Clawed fingers opened like the bud of a venus flytrap, offering to devour Seonghwa.

"Come."

Hesitant, Seonghwa stared between the hand and Hongjoong's face.

"Lord, make this be the end," he muttered to himself. When he took Mingi's hand, he cringed, for it was so acquainted to him and its warmth had touched him in places that tingled at the reminder.

He almost recoiled, out in the open as all of his friends stared at him. Mingi's knowing grin twisted his stomach.

Brave, Seonghwa exhaled and slipped his palm into Mingi's. The witch pulled him closer so Hongjoong and he were only an arm's length apart. The priest blushed at the proximity, knowing where it had made his mind wander last time.