Aurora - You are my light (Ateez x reader)

THREE

Five days later.

I was roughly shoved to the ground, gradually regaining consciousness as my body collided with the hard wooden floor. Ouch. Despite the sack over my head, I could still see nothing and struggled to breathe beneath the thick fabric. I heard the men around me murmuring and the sound of the ocean. Were we on a boat? If so, escape would be impossible. As my world began to sway, my suspicion that we were on the water was confirmed.

Abruptly and without warning, the sack was ripped from my head, and I reflexively shielded my eyes from the sudden brightness, which stung. Thanks a lot. Though it wasn't quite so bright now, as the sun had set just a few minutes ago, my eyes still needed time to adjust to the daylight. As they did, I could now confirm that we were indeed on a ship. In the distance, I could still make out the castle of Seraphil, surrounded by the familiar forests. Odd. Weren't we just in much shallower waters, much closer to land? Because now, the ship was being rocked more vigorously by some rough waves, the kind only found on the open sea. I braced myself against the wooden planks of the ship with my hands to steady myself, while my eight kidnappers stood effortlessly before me. They had all turned their heads away from me and were whispering among themselves. It seemed as though they were deliberating, for suddenly, they all turned their heads toward me, apparently having reached a decision.

They had removed the black masks adorned with silver chains, as well as their hats, leaving only their black robes. I could now discern clearer differences among them, beyond just their height or build. Only now did I notice their varying hair colors. One of them had dark blonde hair, another red, one light blonde, and one of the tallest even had peculiar yellow-orange hair, unlike any I had ever seen before. The other four had black hair. Judging solely by their appearance, I knew these men were not from here. They were foreigners, likely from the Far East. I stared at them unconsciously. Unfortunately, my abductors looked as if they had stepped out of a painting. I didn't know whom to look at first, so I gazed, utterly captivated by their beauty, back and forth between their faces. I had never seen such beautiful people, and then eight of them all at once. They mesmerized me, which must have looked rather foolish, as I was interrupted by a familiar voice, chuckling.

He took a step toward me, and without saying a word, I immediately knew he must be the leader, who not long ago had given the order to have me kidnapped. I recognized him immediately by his distinctive gait and the smooth movements of his body. And even though he might have been the smallest of them, his commanding presence more than made up for his stature. Just by that, I reckoned that no one dared to question him.

"I am Captain Kim Hongjoong. And you, Princess, are our prisoner aboard my ship, the Treasure. At your service," he bowed melodramatically at the last words, while the other seven chuckled in the background. But I found this situation far from amusing and was now eager to understand what was going on.

Of course—I had been abducted, that much was clear, but for what purpose? It wasn't as if I held great sway in my kingdom or possessed any particular value that could serve as leverage. My husband wouldn't give a damn why I didn't come home in the evening. He would only wonder why he couldn't insert his dick into me whenever he pleased. Then he would surely find another poor soul who would gladly take my place in blissful ignorance. 

Wait... I only just realized that King Valthor wouldn't be able to abuse me anymore, provided this gang didn't intend to return me. So, I wouldn't have to endure this hell anymore? It couldn't possibly get any worse, could it? However, it was too early to rejoice. Because my captor, alias Captain Kim Hongjoong, made another significant gesture, and immediately the yellow-orange-haired one sprang into action, hauling some thick ropes.

Panic surged within me, desperately hoping I was wrong about my premonition. 

"Tie her to the mast!" ordered the Captain, and the yellow-orange-haired one and one of the black-haired ones menacingly approached me. Desperate and full of fear, I crawled backward on the ship's deck, where I still sat, just wanting to get away from them. 

"No, please..." I pleaded with a thin voice. "You don't need to bind me. How am I supposed to run away on a ship?" I asked with a shaky voice, trying to stand up, but they already grabbed my arms. One on the left, the other on the right. I was certain it was the same two who had captured me earlier. Half carried, half dragged, they brought me to the large ship's mast. I screamed and struggled, but they never loosened their grip for a second. 

"Please, no..." I whimpered, but the black-haired one mercilessly pinned me to the mast, pushing me down until I sat on the ground, feeling the mast hard against my back. Summoning all my strength, I tried to aim a kick between his legs. He skillfully dodged my kick, raising an eyebrow inquisitively and amusedly, briefly studying me before kneeling on my legs with his full weight. 

I was unable to move under his grip and weight. Not again. I don't want to feel powerless again. Maybe the real hell was just beginning. Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes, only to stream down my cheeks shortly afterward. I grew more panicked as the other of the two began wrapping the heavy ropes around the mast, including my body. I was left breathless as the restraints tightened around me, so firm yet familiar, leaving unpleasant marks on my skin with every sudden movement. 

"Please, I promise. I won't run away!" But there was no reaction. The black-haired one stared at me, his expression unchanged. "Please, no restraints." My voice was reduced to a whimpering whisper, audible only to him. I looked at him with tear-filled eyes. "Shhhh," he said, just as softly as I had, so quietly that I wasn't sure if I imagined it. His gaze was calm yet intense. And before I could plead or beg further, a sense of faintness enveloped me, and my eyes slowly closed.

- Nothing much to say, leave some love if you want to :) See you soon! -