The Black Fox & The White Tiger

White Machine

Upset was too weak a word to describe how Baekho felt. It had only been an hour since Minhyun had been taken but to him, it was a dreadful hour. The last time they had been away for this long was when Minhyun had to visit another kingdom by himself but even then, Baekho was less stressed out since he knew where Minhyun was going and that he would definitely come back to his arms at the end of the day but this was different. He didn't know where Minhyun was. He didn't know if the other was safe and warm. He didn't know anything and it made him uncomfortable. Was he still alive? He could only hope that doppelganger of his hadn't harm Minhyun in any shape or form.

The advisor had asked him to stay put in the study room and try to calm down with paperwork but Baekho just wanted to tear everything up as a way to rebel yet he knew he shouldn't since he was a king. He sighed loudly and laid his head on the table. He wanted to go out there and try to find for Minhyun. But a part of him knew no matter how much he search, he may never find him.

No. Don't give up. He stood up and quickly left the study room, unable to sit still anymore with his heart so disturbed. He rushed to find the advisor or Kyulkyung. Either one of them would do. He just needed to know how they were going to find Minhyun. What kind of plans they had. Something that would give him hope. He ran around the whole castle but couldn't find either one of them. Feeling desperate, he even ran down to the dungeons to check. Minhyun had wanted to abolish them for good but there hadn't been time yet.

He grumbled in frustration when he couldn't find them there either. He was walking up the stairs when he heard a familiar voice. He hurried out and chased after the voice, jumping the male himself.

"What the-"

"Aron! What are you doing here?" Baekho squealed, hugging the other tightly. He noticed the advisor right beside him. "I've been finding all over for you, old man!"

"Your majesty..."

Aron chuckled and patted Baekho's arm. "Can't breathe."

"Oh. Sorry." Baekho loosened his hold on Aron and stepped back.

"I heard what happened to Minhyun and I came here to help."

"You can help? You know how to find him?" Baekho sounded enthusiastic at the thought that they could save Minhyun and Aron wished he didn't have to dampen his friend's hope.

"Not quite. You see, the machine the previous king used to travel between worlds isn't really something I've come across before and neither has your advisor. We have been trying to figure it out but there's not much luck there."

"That's right, your majesty. We need more time," the advisor said with a half smile.

"But... but we don't even know if Minhyun is safe," Baekho whined.

"Well, my guess is whoever it was that kidnapped him doesn't want him dead. Or else they could have just killed him on the spot, right? Have some faith. I'm sure Minhyun is still alive," Aron replied, patting his friend's back. He hoped he could trust his own words too. Baekho nodded in defeat.

"Isn't there anything I could do to help?" Baekho asked. "I feel too uneasy just sitting and waiting."

The advisor and Aron exchanged glances. Aron smiled at Baekho. "Sure. You could help us figure out how to use the machine." The advisor frowned but didn't say anything as Aron led Baekho to said machine. It was in a room much deeper underground, right next to the one Minhyun had been locked in before but it was darker and there wasn't as much space. Just enough to fit the whole machine that looked like something straight out of a sci-fi movie with a huge ring and wires poking out everywhere. There were panels at the side and some other stuff that Baekho was completely clueless about. He gaped at the sight of the machine, walking over to it.

"Well, you see now why it's taking us so long to figure out?" Aron asked and Baekho nodded.

"But... how did the king used it then?" Baekho asked and Aron turned to the advisor so he would explain.

"He knew how to use it because another version of him had come here and left this here. He was taught how to use it and wouldn't teach anyone else because he didn't want anyone else using it or risking other kingdoms finding out about the existence of this machine. He had only told me to hide it safely and that no one was to use it except him which is why it has been sitting here for a long time. I'm unsure if it's still usable either," the advisor explained. Baekho pursed his lips and started poking around the panel which ideally wasn't the best decision since he knew even lesser on how to use these technology.

"How long do you think it'll take for you guys to figure it out?" Baekho asked worriedly.

"We don't know, Baekho... These technology is way too advanced for our time much like the other two machines. My best bet is a couple of days," Aron said. He worried for Minhyun too but there wasn't anything more he could achieve now. Baekho didn't like that reply of course. He sighed and walked away from the panel, only to slip from a bunch of tangled wires and crash against the wall carelessly.

A beep sounded and a whirring sound followed as the huge ring lit up. Baekho quickly scuttled away as a bright light shone through the ring. He went over to Aron who was just as surprised as him.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what I hit," Baekho panicked.

"You must have had hit the switch to turn it on," Aron said while chuckling. "You might not understand technology but I guess you have the dumb luck that goes with it. This will probably help us much faster, Baekho. Don't worry. We will do our best to bring Minhyun back."