Engraved in Flesh

Monster?

Mook was tired. He was tired of war. He was tired of this ship. He was tired of the Japanese men on the ship. He was tired of not knowing what happened to Aru after he was taken down. It felt like years had gone by while he was on sea, but he knew that he was only out on the sea for less than a month. He supposed the separation from Aru was the reason why he felt so helpless.

How was she? Had they gotten to her already? Had they taken her prisoner? Had they killed her? Mook didn't know what her fate was, but multiple possibilities flashed through his mind. He was terrified for her. The last thing he wanted was to be responsible for his soulmate's possible death.

After what felt like an eternity, Mook felt the ship stop moving. He sat with his back on the wall as he heard footsteps approach his room. Deciding to not let the enemy believe that they had the upper hand, he kept a neutral face and decided to not speak.

The door swung open to reveal two Japanese men. They briefly instructed him to stand and show them that he didn't have any weapons on him. When they were able to clear him, they led him to the deck. They traded him off to soldiers waiting for him. They grabbed him by the arms and led him from the ship and onto land.

He didn't verbally respond to the men who spoke harshly to him. He stumbled and tripped over his feet as the men walked him down a path. All of a sudden, they stopped outside of a building. Mook was instructed to stand in silence outside while being accompanied by two soldiers. He didn't pay them any mind. He couldn't help but frown at how gloomy his world quickly became in such a short amount of time. Everything seemed dark and bland now that he was there. Suddenly, Mook saw something amazing in the darkness. Hidden behind a small pile of rocks, he saw a single sunflower. It was small, but it stood proudly amongst the gloomy cement and gravel. This single sunflower has somehow built hope inside of him, just like Aru had done back in America.

The doors beside Mook opened in an instant, nearly knocking him over. The two soldiers led him inside, much to his displeasure. He closed his eyes to preserve the images of both Aru and the small flower in his mind as he entered the bland building. His feet shuffled alongside the perfect marches of the soldiers. He paid no mind, for he no longer considered himself to be an ally to the Japanese. He never did want to join their army, but he didn't have a choice at the time. Korea was currently under the rule of the Japanese, meaning that Mook unwillingly enrolled when the government set their eyes on him. He wasn't as stupid as they wanted to believe. He knew that the only reason they demanded that he join the army was solely because he was a sea serpent. They wanted him to enroll and fight for them, to become a sea serpent to hurt people.

He never did. He always made believable excuses as to why becoming a sea serpent wasn't a good idea at the various battles. He soon came to the conclusion that he couldn't trust anyone who was apart of the Japanese army. Smiling, he remembered the exception he made to his own rule.

They stopped walking.

As they waited outside another door, Mook let his memories resurface. Closing his eyes, he allowed his brain to play the next memory. He saw his younger selfie and smiled. This memory was of an odd childhood friend named Gang Ho. Gang Ho's parents didn't trust sea serpents. They believed that they were all evil and dangerous. They had planned to teach their son such ideas, but Mook ruined their chance to do so. The two young boys quickly formed a brother-like relationship. As the two grew up, so did their bond. Gang Ho couldn't help but freak out when Mook was forced into the military. He was so worried that he enrolled into the military as well, forcing Mook to make him the exception on trust.

Gang Ho and Mook found a way to stick together while traveling with the Japanese. They had each other's backs no matter where they went. It was nearly impossible to separate the two. Nearly impossible.

"Bring him in."

Mook stiffened at the Japanese voice, but he was quickly ushered along into the room. Soldiers were everywhere. They stood and sat in order as they watched the Korean man walk in. Mook had never felt more at danger than he did in that very moment.

"Lee Mook. You have been missing for over a year while traveling through the sea. You have been found located in America, the enemy's terrain. In order to redeem yourself, you will find a way to smuggle in as many soldiers as you can. That is all, you are dismissed."

Mook became rigid. He didn't budge, not even when the soldiers tried dragging him away. Keeping the innocent American people and Aru in his heart and mind, he finally looked up from the ground with determined eyes.

"No"

Everyone in the room froze. Mook stood in confidence as he glared down the men in the room with him.

"I will not do such a thing."

Murmurs filled the room. Mook just balled his fist and kept a constant expression.

"Very well. I charge Lee Mook with treason. Send him to the frontlines."

With that, Mook was sent away.