New Beginning

Beep beep! Beep beep!

The sound of an alarm rang, indicating the end of the tortuous one hour punishment cum initiation Sungjae and Sooyoung had to endure for their ticket out of the Underworld.

Silence fell upon the amphitheater that was packed with the 17,500 spectators. The only sounds being amplified were Sooyoung and Sungjae's ragged breaths.

Their audience stared at the fallen King and Queen - but were they really considered fallen? They had survived 30 assassins without the use of weapons, killed their current Underworld King, and almost killed the first Lord of the Underworld. Eyes roamed around the bloodbath created. The eldest advisor bleeding to death and the vacant eyes of Woo Dohwan.

"Sir! The police are on their way!" A guard reported to Choi Minsoo.

"Let's start leaving, enough blood has been shed. We cannot risk all of us being exposed." Choi Minsoo replied.

Members of the Underworld Royals from around the world started to file out, some mumbling words of disdain at the fallen gods below and some throwing them pitiful glances. The Underworld was as ruthless as it was promising of power.

Dropping the gun that was now empty of bullets, Sooyoung ran towards Sungjae. It was just the two of them left in the arena. He was curled up on the floor, his breathing shallow and his eyes closed. Both of them had suffered major injuries since venturing into The Stadium as their previous injuries from the Underworld war had not even fully recovered.

"Sungjae," Sooyoung whispered as her fingers pushed aside Sungjae's matted hair. "It's over. We made it through. It's going to be alright."

"Sooyoung," he managed to breathe out, his hands finding hers. "It hurts. Everywhere hurts."

"I know it does," her eyes welling up with tears upon hearing the pain etched in his voice. "Can you hold on for just a while more? The police are coming, we'll get help."

"N-no. You have to leave me Sooyoung," he turned his gaze up to her. "You can't get caught by the authorities."

"I'm not leaving you," she supported him up into a sitting position resting on her, "I'm never leaving your side."

"Why are you being such a brat?" Sungjae tried to chuckle but ended up coughing out more blood.

"Because I love you, snob." She patted his head resting on her shoulder. His breath was still as shallow and she was getting more worried by the second.

"I love you too," his lips grazing over hers, "always." His gaze never leaving hers before collapsing back into her arms.

"Sungjae," her voice quivering as she shook his shoulders, "stay with me!"

Please don't leave me, she pleaded in her mind, her tears spilling out.

Sooyoung's free arm patted his back.

"Snob?" She could hear his breathing. "You can't leave me. I won't allow it."

"But you're safe now," his voice barely above a whisper. "I promised to keep you safe. I'm tired now."

Sooyoung's heart started to race. Damn him for always protecting her, she thought. It was as if he was ready to let her go.

As she was about to shake Sungjae awake yet another time, she heard the footsteps of people running in. She scrambled forward and picked up another gun, aiming at the entrance. She was afraid it was Chanyeol coming to finish her off.

"Sungjae!" The voice called out.

Her head snapped towards the direction of the voice, only putting her gun down when she realized it was Hyungsik and Peniel.