Horizon | Choi San

15

(that pic is exactly how i felt writing the gaeul x san scene in this chapter lmao)

"That's... crazy," Yeosang breathed, turning to meet eyes with Gaeul who was also staring at the very large tear in space itself- the air was all shimmery and broken around it, distorting her vision. Gaeul took a step back, bumping into Yena who looked equally blown. However, she noticed the others staring at them in confusion.

"What's crazy?" Wooyoung followed Yeosang's eyes, staring into the distance but finding nothing out of the ordinary except a sinking feeling that confirmed there was something out there. Wooyoung stepped at the edge of the cave, looking down at the beach and the waves violently crashing on the rocks, and then looking up into the air again. "Can you see something that I cannot?"

Yeosang turned to look at Yena who nodded. Gaeul also pointed at the distance, however, it looked like none of the others could see it. "What's crazier is that it's using some sort of illusion magic to become invisible to even you guys. Hongjoong?"

"I can't see anything- is there anything I should be seeing?"

"There's a literal tear in the space itself- it's stitched close," Yeosang sighed, not knowing how to explain. San walked to Gaeul and asked if he could enter her mind to see from her eyes- he was able to see it as well, and worse, feel it with a greater intensity- the feeling Gaeul must be experiencing right now.

"I think me and Yeosang can see it because duh," Yena began, "We deal with spaces and portals. Gaeul can see it because she came from it. Interesting none of you can see it."

"I just saw," San raised his hand and everyone else groaned, making him grin despite the severity of the situation. "It's just like Yeosang described. A distortion in the space- you can't even tell. I bet it opens to let the creatures in here."

"Which means the missing faeries might be on the other side," Seonghwa looked at Hongjoong. "We've got to save them if they're... still alive."

"And how do you suppose we do that?" Yeosang interrupted. "You can't just go prowling in there and expect to come back alive. You don't even know what's there, when it opens, when it shuts close. You could become trapped in a world you don't belong in."

"Well then," Jongho looked at Yeosang. "You know better than any of us about other dimensions. What would you suggest?"

"I think the three of us," Yeosang motioned at Yena and Gaeul, "might be able to do something about it- but not until Gaeul is able to get her magic under her control. As much as I want to see if the missing faeries are at the other side and are even alive, all I can do is wait. Even my spirits can't move across dimensions so casually."

"What can you both sense, across that... tear in the space?" Gaeul asked Yena and Yena paled.

"We can't... sense anything across that, we can sense only the tear in the space itself, right Yeosang?" She looked at her brother and he nodded, looking suspiciously at Gaeul. Gaeul rubbed her arms.

"You can't sense the multiple presence of both faeries and... something else across it?" Gaeul asked, looking at each one of them.

"I think I can," Yeosang hesitantly began. "I sense souls across dimensions, so I think I can. What I'm confused about is that unfamiliar presence."

"Me too," Gaeul nodded. "It's not dangerous though."

"It's not?" Yeosang frowned, showing off his arms- he had goosebumps all over. "I think it might be, Gaeul. I'm interested to hear why you think it's not."

"Yeosang-" San warned but Gaeul shook her head at him- Yeosang had every right to question her.

"I just... I don't know," Gaeul sighed, looking around helplessly. "I have never sensed this presence before, but I know it won't hurt me- something like that."