Blue Embers [Lisa x Reader AU]

S4C6: The Master of the Sole

✬ Season 4 Theme ✬

Minjoon took a deep breath. One that filled his lungs to the point where it felt as though they would burst. He then pushed the air out and took another look at the obstacle that was before him. The massive sphere that Khan had called the Oracle floated weightlessly above him. Though he knew that the moment he touched it, the weight would be oppressive.

Another feeling that he hadn't often felt until a short time ago welled up inside of him. Worry. Could he pass this test? There wasn't much of a choice, because if he didn't, he would die. The weight of the Oracle would press him into a visceral mess on the floor. He imagined himself being put into one of those heavy machine presses. The ones that people post videos where they smash things with. Freshly squeezed person juice.

"Whenever you're ready, Minjoon." Khan soothed.

Minjoon nodded and took the first step forward. There was no turning back, now, not that he had planned to. He had decided that he was either going to succeed and help, or he was going to die trying.

Yeji's nerves began to shake her. Her eyebrows lifted in worry and her sharp eyes softened. The hug she had on herself tightened. This was a test that many have failed, and every single failure was messy. It was unclean. She wasn't sure what was happening with her, but she was worried about Minjoon. She had entertained the thought that she was beginning to have feelings for him since they had spent a lot of time the past week together. Even though they hadn't shared anything too personal, she had felt closer to him every moment. But she wasn't sure because she hadn't felt whatever it was she did before now.

Minjoon bent down somewhat, careful not to touch the Oracle until he was prepared.

Once he was under the giant orb, he lifted himself up. His shoulder was the first to make contact. He knew it wouldn't get heavy just yet. Khan had explained before that it wouldn't read his burden and will until both hands were on it.

With another deep breath, he clasped his hands onto the Oracle. The giant orb fell, seeming to have landed perfectly into the indent. Yeji turned her head, a tear rolling down her face. Khan only looked down and closed his eyes, his shoulders dropped.

He saw that Yeji was broken from the sight they had just witnessed and turned to pull her into a hug. She allowed him, and the dam broke, releasing the flood of tears she had held back for a moment. She sobbed into the master's chest, a firm grip on his clothes.

As he comforted Yeji, the faint sound of feet moving across a surface crept into his ear. His eyes furrowed as his head tilted toward the sound. It happened again. This time Yeji heard it. She peeked up from where she had buried her face, the tears now halted while confusion overtook her emotions.

The two separated and focused on the Oracle. It moved. Both Yeji and Khan swore they saw it. Then it moved again. After another short moment, the Oracle began to rise inch by inch.

"Did it kill him?" Yeji squeaked out.

"I don't think so," Khan answered. "It's rising much slower than it would if it were just returning to its position."

Their mouths were agape as Minjoon came into view, letting out a pained scream as he forced it further from the ground. The veins popped from every possible place over his body, and the ground under him began to crack.

"Minjoon..." Yeji gasped.

Khan smiled.

"I refuse to fail!" Minjoon screamed at the top of his lungs.