Alone | NCT

Chapter 20

Taeyong was lounging in his bed when he heard his door knock. He opened the door to find Doyoung on the other side.

"What are you doing here?" Taeyong asked him.

"Aren't you going to be lonely, staying here alone." Doyoung pointed out, peering inside Taeyong's room. It was clear that he had no intentions of leaving for the Winter break.

"No, Taeil, Yoora, Seungmin, and Jaehwa are staying here as well." Taeyong said, widening the door. He went back to his bed as Doyoung took a seat in his desk chair.

"Just you three?" Doyoung asked. Taeyong smirked before turning to face the male.

"I mean if you want to join us, you should just stay. You're a grown man, I don't think you need to be told what to do." Taeyong said to him. Doyoung simply smiled before leaning back in his seat.

"I guess that makes four of us staying then."

...

Rena watched as Jaehyun, Jaemin, Jimin, and Seri stood in front of the gravestones, each paying their respects to the fallen.

It was now their winter break. Today was officially the one year anniversary of the battle that had taken the lives of their loved ones. Rena looked away, unable to watch the sad looks that her friends wore.

Seri was the first to leave, taking her side. She gave Rena a small smile.

"There's not much for me to mourn, he wasn't a good person anyways." Seri told her. The two girls watched as the others paid respects. Jaemin and Jimin soon joined them, leaving Jaehyun alone.

Rena watched as Jaehyun cleared his throat, wiping a tear before clearing his throat.

"Let's head back, shall we?" Jaehyun said, making his towards them. Just as they were about to head back down, they saw a hooded figure.

"What are you doing here?" Jaehyun asked, staring lasers into the body. She took off her hood, revealing her face.

"Did you really think I wouldn't come for the anniversary of my daughter's death?" Sora's mother said, staring back at Jaehyun. Rena gulped as she held onto Jaehyun's arm, knowing that he was not happy to see the women.

...

Renjun could feel the tension in the room as he looked around. He was staying with Jaemin's family for a couple of days to get some last minute training before he headed onto his solo mission. He did not go up to the mountains with them but was surprised to see them return with the former Witch Covern Leader.

Jaemin's mother was now staying at the castle, as Seojin was now living in their former home as the new general. The castle was quite spacious as Seungmin spent most of his time at the Academy, providing many rooms for the agents that would be staying there over the winter break.

Rena sat beside him, Jaemin on the other side of her as they sat around the table, Seri's maids bringing out the food. It was clear that Jaehyun was unhappy that Seri had invited the woman, but since she was the Vampire Queen, he couldn't go against her.

Jaehyun was clearly still angry as if Sora hadn't tried to save her mother, she wouldn't have died in battle. Even though she was the main cause of Sora's death, Renjun couldn't stay mad at the woman as he had learned a lot from her during the time that she was the coven leader.

Seri cleared her throat, gaining their attention. "Let's eat before the food gets cold."

The rest of them followed her lead as she began to eat but it was clear from the silence that they all felt awkward and terribly out of place. Their dinner continued in silence, until Seri had decided to break the silence.

"So Renjun, I heard that you're going on your solo mission soon. Are you excited?" Seri asked him. Renjun shrugged his shoulders.

"I mean, I'm looking forward to learn more and experience a mission on my own, but I can't exactly say I'm particularly excited to go to hell." Renjun responded. Suddenly, Sora's mother began choking on her food from beside him.

"Excuse me?" Sora's mother said, looking at Renjun. He looked back at her, confused.

"Um, I'm going to visit the Devil." Renjun said, slightly uneasy.

"Who allowed this? Who's your mentor?" Sora's mother demanded. Renjun looked away, unsure of how to answer. Lucky for him, Jaehyun had beat him to it.

"I am." Jaehyun said, taking a casual bite of his food. Renjun noticed Sora's mother's hands ball into fists, a bad sign.

"You're allowing a mortal enter the depths of hell? Are you out of your mind?" Sora's mother exclaimed. Jaehyun sighed before putting down his fork. This isn't good.

"I'm sure Renjun is more than capable. He's been training hard and we are all aware of his skill." Jaehyun calmly responded. It was clear that Sora's mother thought otherwise as she stood up.

"Thank you for the meal, but I will be heading out now." Sora's mother said, placing her napkin down before making her way out of the dinning hall. As they stared at the woman, Renjun couldn't help but feel the need to speak to her before she left.

"Excuse me, but I think I should talk to her." Renjun said, looking towards Seri. She gave him a small nod, letting him leave the table. Renjun quickly ran after Sora's mother.

"Wait!" Renjun called out just as she was grabbing her robes. She stopped at the sound of his voice, looking up at him instead.

"Renjun?" She asked, staring at him. Renjun nodded his head as he stopped in front of her. There were so many questions running through his head. Why did you leave the coven? Where did you go? What was she so concerned about his solo mission? But Renjun decided to ask another question instead.

"What's a witch's strongest weapon?" He asked her. A smile appeared on Sora's mother's face at the question, and Renjun knew that he had picked the right one.

"Their brain, of course." She replied before letting out a small sigh. "You never cease to amaze me, Renjun."

Renjun couldn't help but feel his cheeks heat up at the compliment. Sora's mother softly patted his head.

"You've grown so much, your mother must be proud." She said to him before removing her hand. "I know you have more questions for me but all I can say is that I have my reasons. I don't doubt your ability, my child, but please be aware that the Devil is no joke. She will do her best to decieve you in every way. Even the immortal are afraid of her but you, a mortal? Your powers stand no chance against hers. Watching you grow up into the fine gentleman you are today is quite a sight to see. Please be careful, alright? I couldn't protect my own daughter and I don't want to lose you as well." A tear fell down her cheek. Renjun couldn't help but give the woman a hug.

"I'll do my best." Renjun told her. Sora's mother nodded before ruffling his hair.

"If you ever need me, you know how to send me a letter." She said, taking his palm and writing a few letters with her finger. It was a spell. Renjun smiled to her as she put her robe on, heading to the door.

"Please be careful, Renjun." Sora's mother said, before leaving the castle. Renjun stood there for a moment, staring at his hand where the black letters were appearing on his skin. After memorizing the image, he closed his palm, whispering another spell. When he opened his palm again, the letters had faded. Please with himself, Renjun turned around, returning back to dinning hall to finish his dinner.

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WayV comeback so soooooon, can't wait!