The Stormbringer (Starlight #1) - Kim Taehyung/ BTS Fanfic (#SerendipityAwards)

31.2

                               Taehyung

After the storm, came an even bigger one in the form of confusion spilling out of every nook and cranny of the continent. Word of Ilia’s misdemeanors and machinations had spread like wildfire, leaving a trail of fear and commotion in their wake.

According to our messengers, Veritos was on lockdown, no one allowed to enter or exit as they pleased. Ilia had barricaded herself in the capital city of Loca, and no amount of scrolls and messages could make it through to the palace. We could only pray for the safety of the Veritan citizens and the royal family.

“Or they’re complicit in this whole mess!” Yoongi countered at the emergency meeting that had been convened to make some sense of the upheaval.

Namjoon shook his head as he sat up straighter in his seat. “I doubt it. From what I know, the present royal family has no ties to the Lorens. Only Ilia does. I don’t think they’re aware of her predilections.”

I nodded in acquiescence. “I think Namjoon makes a fair point. We should focus on ensuring that the other Kingdoms set up blockades to prevent Ilia from attacking them and their Crystals in any manner. She still has the lapis lazuli which is capable of draining their powers.”

The Fire Crystal itself had taken more than a day to jumpstart, with all the priests and priestesses working day and night to counteract Ilia’s magic. It had worked in the end, but the damage to the chamber was insurmountable. Repairing it would take weeks if not months.

The aftermath of the conundrum was a heavy spell over us, and the essence of the Solstice had been marred with conflict. Though serious casualties had been kept to a minimum, the number of injured people was still great enough to fill all the sections of the medical wards.

My parents themselves were still recuperating, and all commands of the palace and forces had been thrust into my hands in the interim. Dae Hyun and I had reached an understanding, working together to salvage whatever we could of the situation. Bo Ra served as our advisor, and much needed emotional support.

“I shall return to Brylle as soon as this meeting concludes. I wouldn’t put it past Ilia to dispatch her minions to harm my people,” Jungkook stated, his face lined with apprehension. Bo Ra, seated beside him, placed a reassuring palm over his hand and the prince shot her a grateful smile.

“We should do the same. Only the heavens know how our Crystal has been faring,” Seokjin remarked blandly. “Especially since Ilia has been controlling it for years until now.”

“I’ll be damned if I let her into Misytica, let alone the chamber of the Spirit Crystal, ever again!” Geong Min ground out fiercely and Namjoon had to restrain his sister from leaping to her feet. I watched as Dae Hyun glanced at her, grinning to assuage her emotions but the Princess’s returning smile held no mirth.

“If only I could’ve gotten my hands on that witch!” Yoongi almost shouted, his jaw clenching as he thumped his fist over the table.

“It’s not your fault, Yoongi. None of us were prepared,” Jimin stated evenly as he kept eyeing Ji Hyun who was seated across from him. The brothers had had a small reunion, with Jimin explaining his whereabouts over the past decade.

But when Ji Hyun had demanded a reason for his recruitment into the Pass, the hunter had clamped down, offering no concrete explanation. He had merely asked his younger brother to give him some time, and surprisingly, Ji Hyun had agreed. On the condition that he return to Oris to visit their father.

“I agree!” Hoseok added as he smiled around the room. “We did the best we could. The blame rests solely on that evil priestess.” His face contorted into a weird expression bordering between funny and creepy and even Yoongi sniggered slightly.