What Lies Beneath ✅

Peal 2

"But how? Keonhee and Hwanwoong left with no problem!" Youngjo asked in a bit of a panic.

"I don't know how long it's been here, so it might've not been here when they left. That or it let them leave." None of my magic was working.

"Let me try." I moved out of the way as he kicked a large pearl. It disappeared just like my icicles. "Maybe we can poke a hole!"

"I don't think-" Youngjo had picked up a stick then started poking at it. I shook my head in disbelief.

"It worked..." We watched as the entrapment was now just a pile of rubber.

"Geonhak! Youngjo!" We turned around and saw Keonhee and Hwanwoong charging at us.

"We were so worried! We noticed something weird when we came back and our magic wasn't working. How did you get out?" Hwanwoong asked with his interest piqued.

We laughed awkwardly as they probably wouldn't believe us if we told them. I noticed Dongju stood a distance away from us. "You found him?"

"Yeah. He collapsed somewhere. He still looks drained despite having slept for a while." I quietly approached him and was surprised that he didn't react like he usually did.

"Dongju? Are you feeling okay?" It was unnerving seeing him so unresponsive. "Dongju..." I touched his arm then watched as he slowly swatted at my hand.

"Leave me alone." said Dongju in the most threatening voice he could muster.

"You look hella tired. You expect me to just do nothing? Did you eat something after you ran away? Encounter anything?" I asked in rapid fire.

"No, stop worrying about me. I don't need your pity." At this point I didn't care that he was reverting back, I just want to help him.

"Could you stop being so proud long enough to let me help you? Could you manage that?" I really needed him to work with me. I couldn't stand seeing him like this.

"What could you even do?" he said as if challenging me.

"Don't know until I try." I said with a bit of hope.

I was stumped.

"You really are useless." he said flatly.

"Shut up." I growled at him out of annoyance.

He then rested his head against my chest.

"Thanks for trying...I guess." Dongju said quietly.

I hesitated before giving him a hug. I figured it was something that he needed at the moment. Suddenly I was being pushed away by a strong force.

"What the..." said Dongju as he looked at me.

I looked at him and saw he looked normal again. He curiously inspected his hands.

"I feel better..." he said in surprise.

The others had come over at the sound I had made.

"Dongju, you're better now?" Keonhee asked as he jogged over to us.

"Yeah..." Dongju replied in a small voice.

"That's a relief." Keonhee hugged him tightly while Hwanwoong looked him over. We both locked eyes then confusion settled in. What in Magicia just happened between the two of us?

ㅂㅂㅂㅂ

Morning had rose and Dongju had called for a meeting. "We deem you both worthy enough to leave the coop." Our clapping was full of uncertainty. "So, where do you wanna go?" Dongju asked seriously.