Precious ◈ | Seongjoong/Yungi ✓

Episode 10: Fireworks ◈ Part 2

Families and individuals of all ages cower in their homes or corners of the street as they await their demise. They never know when a door will bust in on them or a soldier will round the corner. What did they even do wrong? Is the Queen upset with them? Is she having a bad week? Did someone make a mistake in town and refuse to own up to it?

Just why?

Nobody knows for sure how late it is but sounds of guns and swords can still be heard around the night-covered city. However, they also start to hear something else—a thunderous boom of music like a wake-up call. It beckons them to step forward through their fear.

Those hiding outside see the lights first, but gradually, civilians riskily exit their homes to search for the hypnotizing sound. Once they do, their eyes dilate at the glittering sky. Vibrant fireworks pop in the night. The mystical spectacle makes no sense with what's presently happening on the island city, but they are undeniably gorgeous.

And they're all over the place. Fireworks can be seen from every corner of the city, startling the soldiers and distracting them from their massacre. Unrelenting and powerful, the colorful lights dazzle the terrified and confused Ilsan people.

"I know you're scared," Hongjoong's voice suddenly rings out around the city. "I'm just like you. It's the fear that drives me to fight. We all have loved ones we want to protect, including ourselves. How much longer will you let your fear control you? You have to turn it into strength."

The citizens exchange uncertain glances, looking around at the survivors and the ones they've lost.

"Open your eyes and embrace that light calling for you, inspiring you. The enemy only scares you if you let them. Don't sit and wait for death like you're told. Stand up and show them who you are. Take a chance for rebellion. Be a fighter. Be a hero for yourself. Be the light. Get up. Let's color this dark world together. Hearts awakened, live alive."

Crouching in a corner, a young boy gawks at the fireworks and cries. A soldier appears in the dead-end alley and lifts their gun. Whimpering angrily, the boy picks up the closest stick of construction wood and makes a run for it. He whacks the soldier with the wood a few times before fleeing.

Bewitched by the light show and the empowering speech from an unknown figure, civilians all over gradually begin to retaliate against their violent oppressors. Not all of them are so lucky, but others put up shockingly fantastic fights. They even team up with the pirates in the streets working hard to defend them.

Standing on a rooftop with his black hat and a super-powered megaphone hooked to all of the sound systems in the city, Hongjoong smirks. Fireworks pop magnificently behind him like the perfect photo backdrop. Now, this is a true rebellion.

The battle carries on into day two, the sunrise shedding light on the red-soaked city. Metallic tastes on the tongue, metallic scents in the air. But the weary citizens press on for their livelihoods. They've done nothing wrong, so why should they sit back and accept this? They've been cowardly for too long.

Seonghwa stands on the deck of the ship with a sad, complex expression. The others have been out all night, and the smell of blood is wafting toward the ship. He's been thinking hard after his talk with Mingi. He wants to be out there, too, helping his friends. Maybe he can't kill anyone without wanting to throw up, but he can at least be on close standby if someone gets hurt.

That's what a support does.

Pivoting on his heel, he goes downstairs to the third level and grabs his white musket from Hongjoong's armory. He prepares reloads and straps the large gun to his back. He also picks up a medical kit from the infirmary. On the way back to the deck, he bumps into Baram.