Treasure | Ateez

| 37 |

"Dulce bellum inexpertis"

- War is sweet to those who never fought

☾ ☾ ☾

The first thing Aeris's body registered was the sting of the ropes that bound her wrists. 

Her head was throbbing, mind still reeling from the effects of the drug as she hazily opened her eyes- opening her mouth to groan when the gag placed in her mouth caught itself into her teeth, almost strangling her and causing her head to snap backwards in panic. 

What is happening?

Immediately she realised that she was tied to a pole- an upside down one at that. Hands and legs tied behind her back while the pole swung horizontally over an open space below her which led to-

Fire

"Mmph" Panic coursed through her veins as the enormity of the situation crashed down onto her. Furiously scratching her wrist against the bamboo stick she writhed her body in hopes it would push her away from the chasm. It was hot- sweat starting to fall from her face and down her stomach- legs burning from the position they were tied in.

Orange flames licked at the crackling wood a few feet below her- rising upwards with every chant and thud of the dance that continued around her- the clash of bells and ruffle of feathers popped up in the corners of her vision. The red tinged hue reflected itself in the masks that covered their captors faces, drawings of eagles, bears and tigers were streaked with paint and feathers sticking out above them as they continued their chant.

And even if the words were foreign, the menacing looks of the tribals was enough to tell Aeris that they were most definitely not being treated as guests. 

"Uhh" Aeris whipped her head towards her right- hands momentarily stilling from cutting at the rope as she noticed the drooping head of Yunho next to her- a cut decorating his right eye and eyes blearily trying to make sense of their surroundings. 

Sweat was dripping from her brow, collecting above her lip as she shook her head in frustration- trying to get the gag out of her mouth- eyes clashing with the boy who seemed to have come to his senses and had begun to do the same. 

Yunho turned his head to the opposite side and Aeris's eyes widened further as she saw the rest of the crew tied one after the other in a circle- each one suspended over the flame and their weapons lying in the red dirt close to the steps of what she could only assume was a throne- made of banana leaves and twigs.

San, Seonghwa, Wooyoung, Yeosang, Jongho, Mingi and-

No Hongjoong

"Aeris!" It was Yunho- who had managed to pull out the gag from his mouth- shaking his head as sweat dripped from his hair and a crazed look in his eyes. "Aeris you have to push at it with your tongue and-" 

He sputtered to a halt as she heaved out a gasp- the cloth fell around her neck, chest falling up and down in lack of oxygen- not noticing the incredulous look she was receiving and turning to look at the pink haired boy who still hasn't gained consciousness.  "San! San! Get up-" 

Aeris didn't care whether or not the tribals could hear her- "San-" ears ringing from their shouts as suddenly the pink haired boy startled as a conch blew from behind him- body lashing upwards before crashing with the bamboo it was attached to and eliciting a groan from San before it quickly turned into horror. 

"What is happening?" Wooyoung screamt opposite to her- a shriek following his words as the flames rose even higher. "Why- where-"

"No time!" Yunho shouted back, screwing his eyes shut as he conch blew once again. Aeris could see a procession approaching from the corner of her eye- a man raised high on a makeshift throne raised his weapon and the men hollered around him. "Hwa- the knife!"