𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒 || skz

CHAPTER 7: THE FINAL BREATH

They left Cymfell in the early morning, as early as they possibly could. No one but them were awake.

Seungmin was on edge. There was something within him that told him they would catch up today. And when they did, then what? What would they do? Would they just stop Insu and ask him for the core? He would not give up the core without a fight. And maybe he had gotten far enough to get help from the Shadow. Seungmin's stomach twisted.

"You are very quiet," Minho mumbled as they moved towards the mountain side.

"You are too," Seungmin replied.

"What's on your mind?"

"Insu," Seungmin said. "I do not know what will happen and that frightens me." He took a deep breath, looking out over the mountain range in front of them; then to Minho. "What's on your mind?"

"I had a dream about Hyunjin," Minho said, his voice trembling. "He's... There's something else plaguing him. I couldn't tell what it was in the dream, but I could see that all his flowers had fallen out." The guilt on Minho's face was evident as his hand came up to brush over the leaves closest to his temple. "I saw my tree."

"You are not the reason Hyunjin is withering," Seungmin said, reaching out to take Minho's hand. "You blossoming is completely separate from the reason Hyunjin is withering."

"It does not feel right to blossom while he is withering. I should not-"

"Did you ever blame Hyunjin when you withered?"

"What? Of course not! He had nothing to do with my tree being destroyed."

"Same applies now. You planted the tree, thus you're blossoming. You had nothing to do with the theft of his core."

Minho lowered his head.

"I wish there was more I could do to help," Minho murmured.

"You are here. You are attempting to find the one who stole Hyunjin's core. You are doing enough Minho."

"What do we do when we find Insu then? Do we fight?" Minho asked. "I cannot fight very well. I will not be of good help."

"You have some control of nature, correct? Back in the ruins, when Eunkyung was attempting to kill Felix, I saw you and Hyunjin."

"I have... some control, yes," Minho confirmed. "It's not too powerful but I can offer some help."

"As far as we know, there's only Insu who travels," Seungmin said slowly. "And if we catch him before he reaches Grimholt, he will remain alone."

"Is he just going to give up if we catch up to him?"

"Doubt that," Seungmin replied dryly. "He is not the type to simply give up, but if we catch him in the mountains, we will have a bigger chance against him."

"He is still a blade mage," Minho said, voice tight. "That means he is very powerful."

"Yes. That is true, but he has less magic than me and it is still two against one." Seungmin sighed. "It is a bad idea, but I do not think we have anything better to go on." He ran a hand through his blue hair. "I will approach and I want you to remain the element of surprise."

"I do not-"

"Insu will expect me and my abilities, he will hopefully not expect you," Seungmin said. He paused for a moment. "And if... if you think we need it..." He trailed off and reached for the whistle. Jisung's whistle. He gave it over to Minho. "Call for Jisung."

"How do we know if we need Jisung?"

Seungmin bit his tongue and gave Minho a tightlipped smile. "You will know. I trust you to judge the situation appropriately."