The Untold Truth \ Ateez

Chapter 6: Unexpected Allies

The village of Woorim lay nestled in the shadow of towering mountains, shrouded in mist and mystery. It was a place rarely seen on maps, known only to those who had lived there for generations. ATEEZ had been on the run for weeks, their search for sanctuary becoming more desperate each day. The constant fear of pursuit by the royal forces gnawed at their nerves, and the princesses they had sworn to protect were growing weary.

As they approached the village, the dense forest gave way to a clearing where modest wooden huts stood, smoke gently rising from their chimneys. Villagers stopped their daily tasks to watch the group with wary eyes, whispering among themselves.

"We should move quickly and find a place to rest," Hongjoong, the group's leader, advised. His eyes scanned the surroundings, ever vigilant. "We can't afford to linger in the open."

The villagers' whispers grew louder as they recognized the princesses, their once-royal garments now tattered and dirty. Word spread quickly, and soon, a crowd had gathered, their curiosity mingled with caution.

Among the villagers, a figure stepped forward. She was tall and carried an air of authority, her presence commanding attention. Her dark hair was tied back, revealing a face both stern and kind.

"I am Minji," she introduced herself, her voice steady. "Leader of New Jeans. We are skilled trackers and scouts, and we've heard rumors of your plight. If what we've heard is true, we may be able to help."

San, one of the more impulsive members of ATEEZ, stepped forward, skepticism etched on his face. "Why should we trust you? How do we know you're not working for the king?"

Minji met his gaze without flinching. "You don't know. Trust must be earned, and we are willing to earn it. But understand this: we are no friends of the king. His tyranny has spread far and wide, affecting even the most remote villages like ours."

The villagers murmured in agreement, their expressions darkening at the mention of the king. The shared animosity towards the tyrant seemed to bridge the gap between the strangers and the locals.

Hongjoong exchanged a glance with Yeosang, who gave a slight nod. "Very well, Minji," Hongjoong said. "We accept your offer of help. But understand this: we will not be betrayed. We've come too far to be stopped now."

Minji nodded, her eyes flicking to the princesses. "Come. You need rest, and we have much to discuss."

The Alliance

The village elder, an older man named Jisoo, offered his home as a meeting place. The group gathered in the elder's spacious hut, the air thick with the scent of herbs and the soft crackle of a fire. The villagers had provided food and clean clothes, a gesture of goodwill that did not go unnoticed.

Minji introduced her team: Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. Each had unique skills that made New Jeans renowned as one of the best trackers and scouts in the region.

"We've been fighting the king's forces in our way for years," Minji explained. "Helping those who escape his clutches, sabotaging his supply lines, and gathering information. When we heard about the princesses and their journey, we knew we had to help."

Yeosang leaned forward, interest piqued. "Information, you say? What have you learned about the king's plans?"

Hanni, the group's strategist, spread a map from her pouch on the table. "The king's forces are closing in on this area," she said, pointing to various marked locations. "They're tightening their net, and it's only a matter of time before they discover Woorim."

A tense silence fell over the group. Yunho, ever the optimist, broke it with a determined voice. "Then we need to move before they get here. With your help, we can find a safer route."