In aeternum

Chapter 20

"Well, I'm here," Seonghwa said to the tall male who turned and nodded. The first competition was over and the 40 people who passed were allowed to leave to rest until the next competition. Just as Mingi had said, Seonghwa went to meet him at daybreak.

"Follow me."

"You're not being controlled now, right?" Seonghwa asked just to be certain.

"I can't speak when he controls me if that assures you. Though he can take away my voice too."

Seonghwa sighed and guessed he just had to be on guard in case this was a trap. Jongho and Yunho did warn him but he still wanted to see San regardless. Even though he knew he had allowed his son to be captured for his own safety, it didn't mean that he didn't worry.

"He's inside here. Make it quick," Mingi said as they stopped in front of the room that San was held in. Seonghwa nodded and quickly entered the room. He raised his brows at the sight of the cage and his son inside. San looked up from his bed and parted his lips but Seonghwa quickly placed a finger on his own lips to warn San to be quiet. San covered his mouth but his eyes teared up instantly.

"San," Seonghwa whispered and headed to the bars.

"Appa, appa. It's really you," San cried as he reached for the other who held his hands but San pulled him into a hug instead. Seonghwa returned the hug and gently patted his back. "Appa... I was so scared. There are so many things I want to ask and talk to you about. I thought I'll never get the chance to even see you again."

"I know. I'm so sorry, San. If I could take all of this back, I would," Seonghwa apologized.

"No... this is all my fault. I was being selfish and only thinking about myself. I never thought about how you or Wooyoung would feel."

"San... I told you. Turning Wooyoung is the one thing I won't allow you to regret. I know it's difficult but you mustn't regret it or how would Wooyoung live on knowing that you feel guilty over it?"

"I'm sorry, appa. I let us get caught..."

"That's fine... I already expected this to happen," Seonghwa said and they slowly let go of each other.

"Are you here to... save me?" San asked nervously.

"Not yet, my dear. I wish I could but you're safer here than outside. You're not in the same place anymore. This is a pocket dimension created by the first vampire lord for vampires. Out there, there are only vampires. They won't hesitate to kill you and if the Overseer orders you to be captured again, you won't get far either."

"Then...what do I do? Just wait here? Wooyoung is with them too."

"I know. The Overseer is making him compete to be the vampire lord too."

"What?" San dropped to his knees. "But appa... didn't you say... This competition... Is a matter of life and death before too?"

Seonghwa nodded. "I did..."

"Then you have to save Wooyoung!"

Seonghwa opened his lips but nothing came out. He didn't know how to save Wooyoung from the competition just yet and he dared not make empty promises either. It would only hurt San more if he failed to keep them.

"Appa... Why aren't you saying anything?"

"I'm still working on it. I'm sorry, San. I don't know if I can save Wooyoung this time..."

"No, no. Appa, you can't let him die. Please don't..."

"It's... it's not that... we will have to face each other in battle sooner or later. Only one can win this competition... San... I..."