captains | jikook

Chapter IX

⧞Surprise⧞

The snake wasn't in a rush at all. Probably because it knew wherever she was taking them wasn't a place they really wanted to visit.

They were on the bottom of the crate. Jimin raised his head to watch how high it was but Jungkook nudged him not to worry. On the bottom of it, there stood a bull. Tall, buff and a golden spear in his hand. Swords were ready to defend even though Minotaur didn't seem to wish for a fight. "After so many Moons, a human face in front of mine." The Minotaur spoke in a low and barely understandable voice. Jungkook cleared his throat. "We came here to claim the gold of the Pirate Kings."

Minotaur chuckled, raising his horns higher as he stepped forward, his hooves hitting the ground hard enough for the crew to step back. "Are you worth the gold?" Jungkook didn't tremble as he stepped closer to the bull, looking up into his eyes. "Yes." Minotaur sniffed before lowering his head. "When you feed me, I'm stronger. When you give me water, I die." Jungkook glanced back at Namjoon who shrugged, he had no idea what was the bull trying to say.

"What is it, worthy one?" Jungkook glared at him. "We're playing games now?" "Yes." He didn't expect of the bull to answer so causally. "When you feed me I'm stronger. But when you give me water I die." Minotaur repeated. Jungkook took in a deep breath before talking. "Fire."

Everything was silent, the waves were barely heard as the Minotaur slowly raised his head to look at Jungkook. Jimin was holding tightly onto his sword, his foot stepping forward in case the bull tried to do something to Jungkook. "That is correct." Jungkook let out a breath of relief, along with the entire crew. "In your dream there's a fire-breathing dragon coming for you, ready to burn you to ashes on one side. On the other side demons await for your flesh. They're both coming closer. How will you get away?"

Namjoon held his head in his hands, the riddles weren't simple but they weren't that complicated. Yet he couldn't think of anything. Jungkook lowered his head, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. "In my dream. A dragon. Demons. Where?" He muttered. "In my dream." He repeated again. His eyes widened before he looked up. "I wake up."

Everyone waited. Minotaur showed no signs of acceptance or denying. But when he turned around and pushed the spear in the stone wall behind him, it seemed like the answer was correct. Jimin was immediately by his side, hugging him like there was no tomorrow. "You've passed, captain. But be aware... there's nothing worse than gold." Minotaur closed his eyes before turning into stone. The door that opened showed nothing but darkness. Jungkook, being the captain stepped forward, holding his sword in case there was a trap.

His eyes widened when Jimin ran pass him. "Jimin!" "Jungkook look!" Jimin pointed his finger at something. Jungkook stared in shock at a small body in the cave. He could see ears on top of his head, big ears, and a tail. "Oh my God." "This is not gold!" One of the crew members yelled, taking a step towards the boy. Jimin stood in front of him while Jungkook held his sword against his neck. "It's the key." Jimin stared in confusion, as well as the rest of the crew. "What?" "He's the only one who can unlock the gate to the golden house." Jungkook sheathed his sword and walked over to the boy. "He was saved by the Pirate Kings, he owes them his life. So they left him here to repay his debt."

Jungkook didn't mind much attention to the hybrid with the traits of a cat. Namjoon had explained everything to him, he told him a short story his grandfather had told him many times. Hoseok, the hybrid, was extremely old, he had been through a lot and after everything he wanted the pirates to take his life away. But instead, after saving him from being killed they found out there was a key only he could use. And it was a bonus to the treasure hunt. And they were heading to get that key.