The Eternal Quest | NamJin

Chapter 1 : The Dream Of Blood And Moonlight

400 years ago

The night garden was peaceful, lit by the full moon. The air was cool, and the scent of flowers mixed with the earthy smell of old trees. A man walked alone on the stone path. He was the king of Gwacheon, walking through his palace grounds without any guards.

The king walked to a pond where the water was still, reflecting the moon and stars like a mirror. His steps were soft and careful. For a moment, the heavy burden of being a king lifted as he enjoyed the quiet beauty of the garden.

He stopped at the water's edge, looking at the calm surface of the pond. The cold air chilled him through his royal robes, but he felt at peace. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and enjoyed the calm around him.

Suddenly, a sharp pain hit his stomach. His eyes opened wide in shock. He looked down and saw the tip of a sword sticking out of his stomach, blood spreading on his robes. The pain and shock were too much. He stumbled forward, trying to hold the wound with shaking hands.

His strength faded quickly. He tried to turn and see who attacked him, but he fell to the ground. His vision blurred, darkness closing in. The last thing he saw was the moonlight shining on the pond as his world went black.

Present(2024)

Seokjin woke up suddenly, his heart racing. He was covered in sweat and breathing hard. The room was dark, lit only by a streetlamp outside. He lay still for a moment, trying to calm down. The dream was still fresh in his mind.

This wasn't the first time he had this nightmare. It haunted him constantly, reminding him of a past he couldn't escape. The pain, the blood, the cold moonlight-it all felt so real, like he was reliving his death over and over again.

Seokjin turned his head and looked at the other person sleeping beside him. His naked figure lay peacefully, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Seokjin gently pulled the bedsheet over the man, covering him fully. He couldn't sleep anymore after the nightmare, so he quietly got up.

Discarding his pants last night after he and Jungkook made up like hungry wolves, Seokjin now reached for them. He slipped them on, trying not to disturb Jungkook. The memories of the night before briefly pushed the nightmare aside, but the lingering dread soon returned.

Seokjin walked to the window, looking out at the quiet street. The city was asleep, unaware of the turmoil inside him. Seokjin took a deep breath, trying to let go of his fear and confusion. He knew he had to keep going, to keep searching for the person who killed him so long ago.

Turning away from the window, Seokjin glanced back at Jungkook one more time before leaving the room. The dream would come again, he knew, but so would his resolve. And with each day, he got closer to finding the truth that had eluded him for centuries.

Seokjin left the bedroom and walked to the kitchen. He glanced at the clock; it read 5:30 in the morning. With a sigh, he decided to make his favorite mocha. The familiar routine of brewing coffee always brought him a measure of comfort.

He started the coffee machine, listening to the soft hum as it began to work. Just as the rich aroma of coffee filled the air, he felt a pair of arms wrap around his naked torso. Jungkook's chin rested on Seokjin's broad shoulder.

Seokjin chuckled lightly, feeling the warmth of Jungkook's embrace. "Can't you sleep?" he asked, his voice soft.

Jungkook nuzzled closer, his breath warm against Seokjin's skin. "Not without you," he murmured.

Seokjin smiled, the tension from the nightmare easing slightly. The steady, comforting presence of Jungkook calmed him. He turned his attention back to the coffee, savoring the moment of peace in Jungkook's arms.