Identical {TAEKOOK}

••PART THREE••

Taehyung had an excruciating ache in his head as he woke out of what seemed to be like a blank space in time, supporting himself up on his arms and wincing as he lifted his eyes and peered around. "Jeongguk-ah? Are you here?" He asked weakly, blinking and trying to clear the darkness from his vision.
The dark-haired boy was a few feet from him, starting to sit up and taking a sharp breath of pain. "Y-yeah I'm here.. you okay?"
"I think so..." Taehyung flinched as he pushed himself to his feet, limping towards the second highschooler and falling to his knees again at the sight before him.
With eyes as wide as an owl's, he studied the land surrounding him. The ground beneath the both of their feet was a fluorescent blue-green, with small pink and violet plants and flowers dotting the small ledge piece of land the two were standing on. Just ahead of the small island-like bit of rock was vibrant blue mist, shading the unknown bottom of the valley. Strange animals called and guttural roars and chirps rang out across the place. And about a thousand feet ahead of the seemingly floating piece of land were ranges of grand mountains with waterfalls of all sorts of shades, ranging from light purples to dark greens.
"Pinch me, I must be dreaming,"
Jeongguk decided, shaking his head sharply to clear the vision of the fantastical world before him, thinking that would wake him. He flinched and let out a small "Ow!" as he got what he wanted and was pinched. Nothing happened of course, the amazing flora and fauna around them remained.
Strange, large birds soared across the sky, releasing brassy yet oddly soothing songs.
"Tae, what is that?"
Jeongguk's voice broke Taehyung out of his trance-like state of admiring the land, and the panic in his tone made him anxious. "What? Where?" He asked in response, instinctively inching closer to the boy.
"There," Jeongguk lifted a shaky hand and pointed to a large bird-like creature gaining on the small island in the air.
"Excuse me!" Came the faint shout as the large silhouette of the creature eventually came close enough to arch its large wings over its celestial, crested head and land with a large thud on whatever remained of the island.
What shocked the two boys the most, was that upon a vibrant saddle of sorts of leather laced with gold, there was a rider.
"Sorry for the intrusion." The obviously male anonymous figure slipped off the saddle, stumbling as he underestimated the height of the intimidating bird. "Park Jimin's the name! Call me Jimin." The light haired rider offered his gloved hand.
The feathered creature, mostly shades of pinks and light blues, craned it's head down towards Taehyung and Jeongguk, who were stunned and shocked beyond words. It snorted. With the gesture, the 'bridle' around the beak shook.
"And this is Ephinia, she won't hurt you." Jimin smiled and pat the bird's wing, his light pink hair matching the hues of some of her feathers.
"I-I'm Kim Taehyung," the blonde began uncertainly, taking Jimin's hand hesitantly and giving it a shake. With a small boxy grin he added, "You can call me Tae, Taetae, whatever."
"Tae has a ring to it!" The pink haired boy smiled widely at the blonde, shifting his attention to Jeongguk, who had his arms crossed and eyes slightly narrowed. "You are?"
"Jeon Jeongguk, no nicknames required." The ravenette responded bitterly, watching the rider nod and continue speaking with his high, sweet voice.
"You're newcomers, aren't you? Haven't seen anyone dressed like that in a long while, come on, climb on!" Jimin stepped into a stirrup and hopped into the saddle, offering a hand.
The two boys remaining on the ground looked at each other with a few tints of fear here and there, before Tae, attempting to be brave, took Jimin's hand and climbed onto the saddle behind him, surprised by the height. "Come on, Ggukie! It's nice up here!" He tapped the leftover space on the leather contraption behind him.
Jeongguk muttered something under his breath and his brows knitted as he obliged and grasped onto the blonde's forearm, pulling himself up as well.
"Hold on tight!" Jimin chirped excitedly, and the two high schoolers felt their blood get hot with fear as Ephinia's colossal wings spread wide and she flapped them once to warm up their muscles.
"Where are we going?" The ravenette asked from the back of the saddle, arms wrapped tight around Tae's waist.
Jimin responded with a laugh and a humorous shrug. "Don't be silly! You still need to meet everybody else!"

(Sorry it's so late I was stressed from school, but I'll work to add more often!💜)