【Ａｓｐｈｙｘｉａ】 seongjoong

Ashes

Jongho stood on top of a hill in all black as the sun beat on his back. It was an unusually warm day for the beginning of winter. The birds were still singing and everything seemed at peace in the world. 

It was like nature was mocking him.

In the movies, when someone died, the sky was always dark and raining. Like the world was weeping for a lost soul. Well, if that were true, then he figured the Earth would never stop it's watery assault.

Here Lies Son Dong Ju (Xion)
Loving Son, Brother, and Friend
Jan 10, 2000- December 15th 2019

It was funny how our whole lives were boiled down to just one line etched in stone. We have a beginning and an end date but not one mentions the things in between. The good times, the bad, and all the days before or after were right there, but unseen.

It had been five days since the failed operation. Five days since they had let down their friend and teammate. They hadn't even been able to find his body in all the rubble so he was staring at an empty grave. They couldn't even give him the proper burial he deserved.

In less than a month, it would have been his birthday. Even nearer, Christmas. The young agent had hardly even noticed that time was still moving. It seemed unfair that they got to keep living their days while others must stop.

Later, they had found out that back up never came because their com-link to the other units had been severed. They had seen the explosion but were under strict orders not to move unless told to engage. Seonghwa hadn't been happy when he had found out. 

Jongho and Yeosang had managed to follow the exits and get out of the building just in time. Covered in dust they stood together with tear stained faces. They watched as the last of the floors were reduced to nothing but rubble, their friend still trapped inside. 

While the building collapsed, the group of Ghouls had used the distraction and managed to vanish. It made the agents wonder if the building had been their goal or they had just come to make a statement. They were leaning towards the latter since the building they destroyed was just some minor businesses and an accounting firm. Either way, they knew that they would be there and were prepared.

One of the most painful things was having to explain to Ravn and Seonghwa what had happened. As soon as they had reached above ground, Seonghwa had embraced them both tightly, not knowing of their injuries. When they had asked about Xion, all they could do was lower their heads in shame. What hurt the most was Ravn's face. That was his original team and his direct subordinate. It made sense that they would be closer than the others. There was an immense sense of guilt on the two younger agent's shoulders. 

They had failed.

Jongho didn't move as he felt a presence come up from behind him. Yeosang stepped forward and kneeled at the grave, placing down a bouquet of colorful flowers on the gravestone. His broken arm was still in a sling but at least this one was professional and not a crude makeshift. He was also sporting a solid black plaster cast. Yeosang stayed kneeling there for a second with his head bowed in a moment of silence. Once he was finished, he stood.

"The florist said they are Zinnia flowers. They mean 'thoughts of an absent friend,' or 'remembrance'." Yeosang said softly as to not break the tranquil atmosphere. His companion didn't say anything as he kept staring at the gravestone. It wasn't supposed to be this way. They were going to work on the field together and retire after a successful career-.

The younger jolted as he felt a calloused hand from years of practice slide into his. He finally tore his eyes away to see Yeosang staring at him intently. "We're going to find her, Jongho. We are going to find her and make her pay."