\\ NIGHT\\ Fantasy AU \ ATEEZ Fanfic

// Chapter 5 \\

"What?" Cress's tone turned from anger to worry in a matter of seconds.

The enchantments were still holding me on the floor but have alleviated from their strength as Cress was distracted. However, Cress turned back to me and along with that came the weight of the enchantment.

"You did this!" Cress snarled.

"I'm not working with the Takers!" I snarled back.

I couldn't believe the amount of tears that were in my eyes. And I could've sworn I felt a slight twitch from one eye. A slight one.

"Lies!"

I was struggling to breath now, "But-I-I'm... telling-"

"Park Seonghwa!" San yelled.

Cress stopped as he looked at the commoner in shock at the use of his birth name. Like the usage mattered in this panic but he wasn't used to it, that's for sure.

"She's telling the truth," San spoke, "I can tell."

Cress looked at the man for a little bit before finally releasing me. I laid there on the floor catching my breath. I felt weak but that didn't stop me from bringing my arms up to wipe the tears from my face.

Cress wasn't wasting time though, "Get up. We need to go if the Takers are here."

I nodded as I stumbled onto my two feet. I certainly wasn't going to let this incident slide but the Takers were of utmost priority at this moment. They threatened everyone at the gathering. My friends.

My friends were here.

It was a good thing Cress was in a hurry because I would've bolted before them to get to that ball room. I cladded myself into silver armor with a wave of my hand as we ran through the halls. Cress had done the same, except his were gold. We were all racing as we found our way to the chaos of the ball room.

A chill went down my spine as I heard the screams echoing off the walls. People scattered and ran in all directions. Some were fleeing and some were fighting. Some didn't make it either way as there were either people crawling in a corner, weakened and sobbing that their powers had been taken. The other ones on the floor were corpses— the people who couldn't survive the Taker's process of extracting their magic. I calmed myself then as I scanned the room hoping to not see the worst.

I spotted Hongjoong first. He wore copper-tinted armor though I knew the material was stronger than such. He appeared panicked, from the other side of the ballroom that was now in shambles. He began forming a ring of fire as a figure began approaching him. I didn't need to see the figure fully to know it was a Taker. He shot the ring at the monster which flung it back in flames. I cringed, as it was gruesome to watch since Takers appeared human, but I knew it was necessary.

More began swarming Hongjoong as the fighting crowd swallowed my view before revealing him again. I wanted nothing more than to run up and join him— defend him. I wanted to run to Hongjoong's aid. The Takers began swarming him— no— there were too many. I felt my heart stutter at the sight. That's when a flash of light bursted them away. Their humanoid forms flew back in flames. And a sight no one paused to watch unfolded as a bright shining light slowly dimmed down to reveal the form of a large mighty beast. The reddish-gold creature prowled forward at the Takers became hesitant in surrounding him. His golden main was made of flames and his eyes shone the same silver color. The lion— Hongjoong— roared then as a large ring of fire formed around him. He'd taken on his second form. A form only the High Monarchs could take.