edelweiss - &team

27

In the ruins of an old Japanese temple, long abandoned, there was light activity bustling within. Though the structure may be decaying and falling apart, the foundations were decently strong despite paint peeling and chipped tiles.

As the pouring rain died down to a slow drizzle, Junwon walked from room to room and through the sheltered walkways, lighting lamps and candles to brighten the place up. When he finished, he slipped through sliding panel doors and into a warm, wide room.

The room was furnished with an animal skin rug, for warmth and a few low tables and cushions. In the centre of the room, a handful of people lounged around or sat stiffly.

Hikaru had draped himself over a table, his freshly regrown tentacles swishing across the dusty ground and furniture. Opposite him was Yejun, who was nervously tapping his fingers on the table, making dull drumming sounds.

As Junwon dropped down to the ground with a sigh, Hikaru said, "Yejun, you gotta relax. You'll kill yourself overthinking at this rate."

Yejun shot Hikaru a death glare, "You're awfully chatty for a guy who came back with his tail between his legs after a fight." Hikaru made a face, "I didn't expect light boy to be smart."

"Damn," Junwon scoffed at Hikaru's condescending words.

They fell silent, then the last man in the room, sitting so straight it was a wonder his back wasn't in agony, spoke up, "Is he bringing in the others soon? We've been waiting for ages. At this rate, the world will end with us trapped inside here."

"Patience, Kyungmin. We all know you're dying to fight someone," Junwon chortled. Kyungmin opened his mouth to say something, then the sliding room opened with a slam.

A man even taller than Junwon ducked through the doors, draped in black and his skin a ghastly pale white. His eyes were dark and menacing, as he stepped in the room, all four men seemed to slink back, intimidated and respectful.

Behind the man were two other people, a scrawny, short boy and an older, more confident and energetic man.

As they took their seats, Death sank into the chair right at the head of the room. He swept his gaze across the six men. Then, he smiled. It was a cruel, wicked smile. The smile grew into a laugh, a booming laugh of satisfaction and pride.

All six of them shared the same thought, that this man was completely insane.

After a while, Death collected himself with a satisfied sigh, folding his hands together properly. "Let's get down to business, shall we? I heard that someone paid them a visit before I had instructed them to do so."

Junwon's blood ran cold for a second, but then Death barked a laugh, "Well, we'll just have to rush things, then."

Relief flooded over Junwon, before Death added, "But Junwon, if you pull a stunt like that again..." Death's eyes trailed over to the only empty seat, where Hayate was meant to sit. A warning.

As an uncomfortable tension fell upon them, from thin air, Death retrieved a stack of cards and beckoned them to gather close. Intrigued, Gaku gingerly accepted one, and his eyebrow flicked up when he noted what was written on them.

"My card says Riki," Hikaru said with disdain. "This says Euijoo," Yejun added.

"I thought only they were getting these cards," Hikaru said, more of a statement than a question.

Death shrugged, "Isn't this more fun?"

"Wasn't your magic too weak to summon?" Gaku asked, the only one who dared to ask such dangerous questions. Death shrugged, "We've claimed enough lives. I have enough energy to do this."

Kyungmin then asked, "So will you turn more humans?"

Death shook his head, "No, when I restart the world, I will create new beings." There was a faraway look in his eyes, it was obvious he was envisioning his dream paradise. Then, he cleared his throat and stood swiftly, "I have a few matters I need to settle. All I wanted was to present you with these cards. For now, why don't you all have a chat? It's been a while."

Not open to any refutes, Death strolled out the door and disappeared. Junwon noticed it had started to rain again.

"Well, well, well," Gaku spun on his heels to take them all in, "It sure has been a while." Immediately, everyone loosened up, most stood to get closer, the fear in their eyes melted away slightly.

"I had hoped I'd never have you see you or any of them ever again," Hikaru remarked with a beam on his face, tentacles collected and swirling behind him. He was the most carefree, eyeing the others as if to pick someone to make fun of.

"That, my friends, was the whole reason I spent my centuries a hermit. And still, I was found," Gaku shook his head, disappointed.

"Whatever, we're here now, so might as well do our job," Junwon muttered.

Gaku shifted his weight, "Me, Hikaru, Yejun and the double Mins have a duty, yes, but you?"

"Don't call us that," Minhyung grumbled, the first time he spoke since he arrived. Gaku gave him a dismissive wave, his attention fixed on Junwon. Since the latter was so tight-lipped, Hikaru sighed dramatically, "He so desperately wants to take Yuma's life, of course."

"You're delusional. You think if you kill Yuma you'll become the apple of his eye?" Gaku scoffed, crossing his arms as he leaned against a wall.

"You're delusional to even think you can kill Yuma," Hikaru inserted cheerfully, his tentacles wriggling delightfully.

"You are also delusional to think he would give two shits about you," Kyungmin chimed in.

"Is this a 'let's call Junwon delusional challenge'?" Junwon complained, ignoring their concerns.

Gaku's nose scrunched lightly, "What do you even have against Yuma? The eye? But that's been at least three centuries now. It was also your stupidity-"

Hikaru held a hand to his mouth as he giggled, "You never knew? All his life-" Hikaru's gaze was mildly amused, but there was a hint of pity, "-the only thing he's ever wanted to do was kill off Yuma so Death would love him." Hikaru clasped his hands together mockingly as Junwon's eyes flashed angrily.

"Love? Hah," Gaku said in a bitter tone, "The only ones he's ever loved are the ones we are instructed to kill."

There was a growing discomfort, then Gaku shrugged it off, "Whatever. I'm gonna go find the graveyard."

"There's a graveyard here?" Minhyung looked disgusted. "Where there is no life, there is death," Gaku said sagely, and bid them goodbye. "He's full of shit," Hikaru snickered, and the rain poured on.

an: double update bc im too excited about this chap