LitN: Running Through The Night

XXXVII

Weeks passed, marked by Jungwon's relentless dedication. He spent hours studying ancient texts, searching for wisdom to guide him.

Yona watched him from a distance, her heart heavy with concern but filled with admiration for his determination. Despite moments of doubt, Jungwon remained convinced that reuniting the realms was possible. As the days stretched into weeks, the burden of their task grew, but so did their resolve.

One day, Leehan proudly arrived at Minji's house with a glass object in hand.

He entered the living room, holding it up triumphantly. "I found this in my grandma's attic," he announced. "It's old and dusty, but it'll work."

Minji tried to cast spells to test the jar, but her efforts failed. Frustration crossed her face as she realized how challenging this task was.

"I took magic classes in high school," she groaned, "but it's like asking someone who studied French in high school to give a TED Talk in French. None of us are really qualified for this. Jungwon, you didn't focus on magic like your great-great-grandmother; you became a warrior."

Minji's frustration bubbled as she expressed her limitations. She compared their situation to someone trying to give a complex speech with minimal knowledge, highlighting their lack of expertise.

Jungwon listened, nodding solemnly. He knew that despite having a powerful lineage, his path was different.

He glanced at Leehan, who sensed Jungwon's unasked question. "Don't ask me to do magic," Leehan interjected, a mix of resignation and defiance in his tone. "I was a Stray; we didn't dabble in magic for noble reasons."

Jungwon understood, his expression softening. Despite their differences, a bond had formed through their shared struggles.

"Let's take a break," Jungwon suggested, weariness in his voice. He was drained from hours of study and experimentation.

Leehan, ever optimistic, suggested they grab snacks. "I'm hungry. You all want food?"

"I'll stay here," Jungwon said, stretching. "Get me something. I'm going to check on Yona."

"Sure," Minji replied. With a collective sigh, they left the house, seeking comfort in their companionship away from magic.

Jungwon climbed the stairs, noticing Yona's absence from their attempts. Concern filled his features as he approached her in Minji's room, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked softly, worry lacing his voice.

Yona gave him a small smile, appreciating his concern. "I'm fine, just needed a moment," she replied, her tone distant. Jungwon nodded, sensing something was off but knowing he needed to focus.

"Yona," he began gently, "I need you to be honest. Are you really okay?"

Yona hesitated, her eyes darting between Jungwon's earnest gaze and the floor. She took a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak.

"It's been a constant fight," she admitted, her voice trembling. "Since I remembered my past life, I've struggled to stay sane. The memories and emotions feel overwhelming."

Jungwon's heart ached at her pain. "You don't have to face this alone," he said firmly. "You always tell me to open up, so you should open up to me."

"But what if I lose myself in the process?" Yona whispered, fear in her voice.

Jungwon cupped her face in his hands, locking eyes with her. "I won't let that happen."

Yona leaned in closer, her voice more intimate. "I guess it hasn't been that bad; I've been trying meditation," she confessed, a hint of excitement creeping in.

Jungwon's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Meditation? That's good! What made you try it?"

"Honestly, I needed some peace in this chaotic brain," she laughed. "It's surprisingly helpful. I can actually feel my mind clearing up."

"That's awesome," Jungwon said, impressed. "I didn't know you could use silence to your advantage. You've always been chatty."

"Shut up!" she playfully pushed him.

In the quiet of the night, surrounded by the comfort of Minji's room, they realized they shared something special—a love that would endure through time and trials.

After their kiss, Jungwon's mind buzzed with inspiration. "Yona, I think I've got it! I know how to perfect the realm connection spell!"

Yona's eyes widened. "Seriously? That's amazing! What's your idea?"

Jungwon's excitement surged as he shared his thoughts. "What if we tweak the incantation to synchronize our energies more closely? We could use our unique frequencies to create a stronger connection!"

Yona's eyes lit up as she grasped the brilliance. "That's genius! We could boost the spell's effectiveness!"

Jungwon nodded eagerly. "Exactly! With our combined efforts, we can make it work. Are you in?"

Yona's heart swelled with pride. "Alright, Jungwon. Let's do this."

With renewed determination, they began working on the spell, their minds buzzing with excitement. They knew that together, there was nothing they couldn't achieve.

As Minji and Leehan returned, laughter filling the room, Jungwon and Yona exchanged a knowing glance, their excitement barely contained. They positioned themselves in the center, hands clasped in unity.

"Hey, what's going on?" Minji asked, surprised by the charged atmosphere.

Before Jungwon could answer, Yona stepped forward, a twinkle in her eye. "We've been working on something big."

Leehan leaned in, curious. "What kind of something?"

With a shared smile, Jungwon and Yona began to chant in unison, their voices blending as they wove magic in the air. A soft glow enveloped them, illuminating the room.

Minji and Leehan watched in awe as sparks of energy danced around Jungwon and Yona. "Whoa," Leehan exclaimed, eyes wide.

Jungwon and Yona exchanged triumphant grins as they continued channeling their energies, their spell reaching its climax. With a final flourish, they released their magic, the room pulsating with their creation.

As the glow faded, leaving a sense of wonder, Minji and Leehan exchanged stunned glances. "That was so cool!" Minji finally exclaimed.

Jungwon and Yona beamed with pride. "Thanks," Jungwon said. "We've been perfecting the realm connection spell."

Leehan grinned. "You definitely succeeded. That was impressive magic. I didn't know Yona could do Vampire magic."

Yona laughed at Leehan's surprise. "Real," she teased. "I guess there's more to me than meets the eye."

Minji raised an eyebrow. "But you're a pure Human..."

Yona nodded, a smile on her lips. "That's true, but with Jungwon's help and dedication, I've picked up a few tricks."

Jungwon grinned proudly. "She's a natural."

"If you were a Vampire, maybe you'd be better than Sunoo," Minji chuckled.

As they shared moments of friendship, Minji and Leehan exchanged knowing glances, their respect for Jungwon and Yona growing. "Well, color me impressed," Leehan said. "You make a pretty formidable team."

With a shared smile, Jungwon and Yona nodded in agreement, their bond stronger than ever. As they continued to explore the wonders of magic together, they knew that with friendship and determination guiding them, there were no limits to what they could achieve.