Metanoia

Chapter 9

"Witch-... Yoongi."

"Witch? What're you- oh wow..." the guard, Jungkook, allowed his jaw to drop as his widened doe-eyes grew in amazement, watching the scene before him as he fully entered the room.

Since having been given the potion room a week previous, the small witch had spent every waking moment there, training his body to be as strong as it once had been, or even stronger. Wearing his long obsidian robes, decorated with silver threads and pretty silver ropes around the waist, designed by the princess Eonjin herself, the witch had been using his powers to bring an array of bottles from the top shelf, and down into his hand before pouring some in the large black cauldron, which was full to the brim with some strange bubbling blue liquid.

The guard dared peak at the witches brew, tearing his eyes momentarily from the floating bottles and ingredients around the room. He grimaced, not finding the thick bubbles to be appealing. The witch chuckled softy, "Can I help you Jungkook-Hyung?"

True to his word, Yoongi never revealed Jungkook and the Princes affair to the King, he'd actually given them as much privacy and silent support as he could. The guard found himself conflicted regarding the witch. He went against everything he knew about witches. The boy was small and soft even, not cruel and unfair as had been the witches he'd known.

While attempting to form a solid opinion on the witch, Jungkook had avoided him. Never going into the potions room, but rather guarding from outside when his shift called for it, apart from this one time. Jungkook had to pause his own thoughts, had to put aside his anger and talk to the witch.

"Wit- I mean, Yoongi-ah, I wanted to talk to you," the guard stood like a soldier, hands behind his back, shoulders straight and eyes unwavering. The witch was surprised surely, but saw no issue with the guards request.

"Okay, go ahead."

It took Jungkook a moment, not thinking about what he would do once he got this far. "I- uh, well, how are you?"

"I'm okay. And you?"

"Good, good. Never better"

Jungkook hated the silence that followed. He had a simple request, something simple to ask the witch. Just words Jungkook, simple fucking words! Speak goddammit!

The witches gentle chuckles filled his ears, followed by a small but comforting hand being placed on his arm. "Take your time," he advised before walking past the guard, taking a jar of dried rose petals and adding a handful to the cauldron.

The guard sucked in a calm and steady breath, moving to stand directly in front of the cauldron, the small witch stood on the opposite side. "Yoongi-ah, I need to ask you a question about necromancy."

Initially the witch didn't react, his finger continued twirling in the air as the large wooden spoon stirred the pot. His dark eyes dropped from the guard and stared blankly into the pot. "Necromancy? What of it?"

There was something about the witches tone that made chills run down his spine, but Jungkook just swallowed dryly, needing answers. "How would one hypothetically make a contract with a necromancer?"

The guard didn't have a second to react when Yoongi was standing directly under his chin, holding his finger against the guards throat in an almost threatening manner, "Why?"

"I-I just need to know-"

"Don't- why? What would you need a necromancer for? Or should I say who?"

The guard shoved the smaller away, the witch stumbling but eyes remaining fixed on the taller. "That's my business."

The pair stared at each other, frustration and unspoken anger floating through the air, tainting the magic within.