Forgotten Kingdom

Chapter 4: Echoes of the Past

The night passed slowly, the warmth of the fire providing a cocoon of safety and comfort in the small cabin. As dawn broke, pale light filtered through the wooden slats, casting soft shadows over the sleeping figures of Jungkook and Jimin. Taehyung sat nearby, his back against the rough wood of the cabin wall, his gaze never straying far from the two young men. The events of the previous night had left him shaken, but now, in the quiet moments of early morning, a sense of calm began to settle over him.

Namjoon stirred first, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he looked around the room. His gaze fell on Jungkook and Jimin, who were now stirring from their sleep. The others awoke one by one, each taking in the scene with a mix of relief and curiosity.

Jungkook was the first to fully awaken, his eyes fluttering open to take in his surroundings. He blinked several times, as if trying to make sense of the unfamiliar space. Slowly, he sat up, his movements careful as if afraid that the world around him might shatter if he moved too quickly.

"Where are we?" Jungkook asked, his voice still hoarse from disuse. He looked around the cabin, his gaze lingering on the strange objects and unfamiliar clothing of the people around him.

"This is a cabin in the forest, not far from where we found you," Taehyung explained gently, moving closer to Jungkook. "You're safe now."

Jungkook nodded slowly, though confusion clouded his features. His eyes then drifted to Jimin, who was now fully awake and sitting up beside him. The two shared a look, and Taehyung could see the unspoken understanding that passed between them.

Jimin's gaze shifted to Taehyung, his expression one of both gratitude and uncertainty. "Thank you for saving us," he said softly, his voice tinged with a lingering sense of disbelief. "But... how long have we been asleep?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. The others exchanged glances, unsure of how to answer. Finally, it was Namjoon who spoke.

"We're not sure how long exactly," Namjoon began, choosing his words carefully. "But... this is the 21st century. The year is 2024."

Jungkook and Jimin's eyes widened in shock, the gravity of Namjoon's words hitting them like a physical blow. Jimin's hand instinctively reached for Jungkook's, seeking reassurance in the face of such unimaginable news.

"The 21st century?" Jimin echoed, his voice trembling. "But... that means..."

"It means you've been asleep for over a hundred years," Jin finished quietly, his tone filled with sympathy.

Jungkook shook his head in disbelief, his grip tightening on Jimin's hand. "How is that possible?we were sleeping since 18th century" he whispered, his voice cracking.

Taehyung's heart ached at the sight of their confusion and fear. He couldn't imagine what it must feel like to wake up in a world so completely different from the one they had known.

"We... we were cursed," Jimin began, his voice barely above a whisper. His gaze was distant, as if he was reliving the events in his mind. "The last thing I remember before everything went dark was the day Euphoria fell."

Jungkook nodded, his expression grim as he picked up where Jimin left off. "Our kingdom was once a place of joy and prosperity, a place where the sun always seemed to shine. But that all changed when a dark sorcerer, angry at being spurned by the royal family, cursed the entire land."

"The curse," Jimin continued, his voice growing steadier as he spoke, "was a terrible one. The sorcerer's magic was powerful, and he swore that Euphoria would be forgotten by the world, lost in time. He turned the palace into a prison, trapping us inside. The people were either turned to stone or forced into an endless sleep. We were the only ones left, but even we were not spared."

Jungkook's voice was tight with emotion as he spoke. "I was locked away in the palace, kept in an endless dream. And Jimin... Jimin was turned into a statue, unable to move, to speak, to even breathe. We were separated, but somehow, I always knew he was near."

Tears welled up in Jimin's eyes as he remembered those dark days. "It was like being trapped in a nightmare," he whispered. "I couldn't move, couldn't speak. I was aware of everything, but I was powerless to do anything. The only thing that kept me going was the hope that one day, we would be freed."

Taehyung listened intently, his heart heavy with sorrow for what they had endured. "How did the curse come to be?" he asked gently, wanting to understand the full story.

Jungkook looked down at his hands, his expression pained. "The sorcerer was once a close advisor to my family. He was powerful and respected, but his heart was twisted by greed and jealousy. When my parents refused his demands for more power, he turned against us. He swore revenge and used his dark magic to curse our entire kingdom."

Jimin nodded, his voice trembling as he spoke. "The curse was meant to last forever. The sorcerer wanted to ensure that Euphoria would be forgotten, that no one would ever know of its existence. But there was a part of the curse that even he couldn't control."

"What do you mean?" Jin asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Jungkook glanced at Jimin, and for a moment, they seemed to communicate without words. Finally, Jungkook spoke. "The sorcerer's magic was strong, but it wasn't perfect. There was a prophecy-one that spoke of a time when the curse could be broken. But it required the help of someone from the outside world, someone with a pure heart and a strong will."

Taehyung felt a chill run down his spine as he realized what Jungkook was implying. "You mean..."

"Yes," Jimin said softly, his gaze locking with Taehyung's. "You are the one the prophecy spoke of. You are the one who was meant to free us."

Taehyung's mind raced, trying to process the weight of Jimin's words. He had come on this trip seeking something-anything-to fill the emptiness he had felt for so long. But never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that he would be the key to breaking an ancient curse.

"It wasn't just coincidence that brought you to the palace," Jungkook added, his voice filled with quiet determination. "You were meant to find us. You were meant to help us break free."

Taehyung's thoughts swirled with confusion and disbelief. How could he, a simple doctor from Seoul, be connected to something so ancient and powerful? But as he looked into Jungkook and Jimin's eyes, he saw the truth reflected back at him. This was no accident. Fate had brought them together, and now it was up to him to see this through.

Jungkook's voice broke through his thoughts. "But there's more to the curse," he said, his tone somber. "Even though we're free, the curse still lingers. The sorcerer's magic is still out there, and it's only a matter of time before it comes after us again."

Jimin nodded, his expression grim. "We need to find a way to break the curse completely. Otherwise, everything we've done will be for nothing."

The room fell silent as the weight of their words settled over them. The threat of the curse still loomed large, and they knew that their journey was far from over.

"We'll help you," Taehyung said finally, his voice firm with resolve. He looked at his friends, who nodded in agreement, their expressions determined. "We'll do whatever it takes to break the curse for good."

Jungkook and Jimin exchanged a look of gratitude and relief. "Thank you," Jungkook said softly, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "We can't do this alone."

"We won't let you," Namjoon added, his voice filled with quiet strength. "We're in this together."

As the morning light grew brighter, filling the cabin with warmth, the group knew that they had a long road ahead of them. The curse of Euphoria had bound them together, and now, they would have to face whatever challenges lay ahead. But they were no longer alone. Together, they would find a way to break the curse and bring an end to the sorcerer's dark magic once and for all.