Phantom | WayV [...]

⁛≻Chapter 12≺⁛

◸Chapter 12: The Dread◿

The room was turning into a haze. Mei was losing her mind as she sat on the floor and leaning up against the wall. 

The princess... is dead? Has been dead for more than a decade.

Her fingers dug into her hair, pulling at the roots. Her neatly tied hair was now a complete mess by how many times she had pulled on them. Another male was sat next to her, not doing any better than her. 

Sicheng: We talked to a ghost...

Mei: Apparently. You didn't know? You have been here longer than me, haven't you, sir?

She asked with her voice shaking and lips quivering in fear. 

Sicheng: I have been here only three months... I just thought... the castle didn't care for the princess... I didn't expect...

He sighed and leaned his head against the wall. She turned to him, lingering her stare for a moment before looking back at the others. Xiaojun had a worried look directed to her. The rest were just as confused as she was, except the only living royal apparently.

He was staring her down. Mei couldn't tell the meaning behind the stare, but she didn't think it was anything good. Not backing down from the eye contact, YangYang left the conversation and approached her, ceasing all the talks between the three other workers of the castle. 

He halted in front of her, her eyes trained up to him. Mei's eyes followed his as he crouched in front of her.

YangYang: Y-You saw her? You saw Yuyin jie? Both of you?

He asked sparing a glance at the poet who answered affirmatively. Mei too, gave him a hesitant nod as he let out a shaky breath, running his hand through his hair. 

YangYang: I thought I was going crazy...

Sicheng: You have seen her too, your highness?

YangYang: She used to talk to me. Not anymore. Maybe because I started ignoring her. I just thought she was a hallucination since no one else had ever seen her. 

He explained in a low voice. 

YangYang: Which I guess... Isn't true anymore...

He looked back at Mei who finally looked away to the dead queen. She might have doubted it before. But now she couldn't help but believe the existence of the phantom. She herself, had witnessed a ghost apparently.

There was silence again as Mei buried her head in her knees. She shouldn't have ever come here. Why did she think her life was going to be complete? Why did she think Scorta was the place for her?

The big wooden doors creaked open as a few soldiers walked in. YangYang stood up, taking a stand next to Mei as the guards stopped in front of him, bowing.

Lord Xhang: Your highness, there are no weapons on the guests. And we checked at the entrance. All ceased weapons are present. None missing. None containing remainders of the Queen's blood. The guest count is intact as well. 

Even more reasons pressurizing the crowd to agree. It was a Phantom. It was THE Phantom. He was back. He was truly back. 

YangYang's breath hitched as he finally gave in and sat down as well. A few guards urged him to take a seat on a cushioned chair since he was a royal who was seated next to a maid. But in the moment none of the two cared. 

---

YangYang was losing hope. He was scared. What if this thing was actually back? He was next... He was going to be next. 

He was reaching thirty. He was next to be dead. Of course he was. 

Sighing he sat up and glanced at his mother again, stomach twisting and heart cracking in pain. 

Suddenly there was a strong gust of air that filled the room. The candles blew out and they were covered in eternal darkness as the doors snapped shut. YangYang sat up, using the wall as support as he stood up again. 

There was a tense silence as strong winds made his hair fly in all directions. He felt someone stand in front of him and push him down to sit again. By the strong armour, he could tell that it was the guards who were covering him. 

YangYang's eyes screwed shut as he heard glass breaking and things clattering against the floor of the ballroom. 

A shrill scream echoed in the silent room as the winds died down, leaving the small crowd of people in silence. Something fell with a loud thud against the floor. 

The sound of liquid falling filled in the room as rustles were sounded around them. Something fell atop YangYang's head and he felt something roll down the lengths of his face. His shaky hand brushed the thick liquid, not knowing what it was. But he had a dreadful guess of blood. 

Then it went completely still. Everyone held their breaths before Ten's voice echoed. 

Ten: Get some lights! Now!

YangYang heard the door being thrown open as the sound of rushed footsteps filled into his ears. But he was still. Something was still leaking onto him from up above. Each drop that hit his head, pushed another drop to slide down his face. 

The guards moved away and a light was shone down on the prince who sat in his place, mortified, leaning against the wall, streaks of crimson red blood decorating his skin. There were gasps that sounded around him. But he looked towards Mei, meeting her eyes. Her glossy eyes scanned him before going up to the ceiling. 

A scream escaped her lips as she fell back and scooted away from the prince. 

Another drop of blood fell atop of him and he finally tilted his head upwards to see the body of his guard, Xhang, strung up, blood from his cut open body dripping down on the royal.

I know that YangYang is not actually thirty but like in this fanfic he is :)))

And I'm so sorry it took so long for an upload! I had the entire story planned in my head, but now I can't seem to remember anything. Lol; but I'll try my best to update this more often!