Time Lapse

Chapter 4

A/N: It is official! You, reading this, will now be referred to as a Wrinkly. Welcome, Wrinklies.

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Yeji and Haneul's Perspective

"Halt there, Wanderers!"

Yeji and Haneul froze as if they're lives depended on it. Well, when you're being scrutinized and pointed at with a sharp rapier, it sure seemed like they could die at any moment.

"State your names!"

"H—Haneul," he stutters.

The two guys who were pointing their rapier at each of them respectively then looked at Yeji with an expectant look. Yeji chose to not say anything. These people were being rude and over the top, why would she tell them her name? They could be evil, for all she knows. The guy threatening her brought his weapon even closer to Yeji's face, but Yeji stayed silent. Haneul, worried that they were really going to die just when they finally reached civilization, quickly elbows Yeji's side. He gets a glare in response but he only gestures at the guards. Sure, they weren't expecting the first people they discover to be holding weapons at them, but Haneul wasn't going to blow his only chance because Yeji won't tell them her name. Finally, Yeji rolls her eyes as she looks at the man in front of her.

"Yeji."

"Hmm, they're young," the man with his weapon held against Haneul says.

"Clearly," the man in front of Yeji deadpans.

"Well, care to explain why you two were trying to sneak into the city, then?"

"W—we didn't know, sorry," Haneul stammers out.

"What do you think, Yunho?" the man in front of Haneul asks.

"They're new. They don't much better," Yunho says as he drops his rapier, the other man following.

Yeji could practically hear Haneul sigh in relaxation.

"I'm Heechul, this man here is Kyunhoon. We're the front city guards of Eternaland. Now, tell me, Wanderers, state your division."

"..." Yeji stares straight on ahead, not saying anything.

"Maybe I should direct the question to this small fry instead? Well, Haneul? What division are you two in?"

"I—I... I—uh, I don't, uh... I don't—" Haneul stumbles over his words as he looks at Yeji in fear.

"What do you mean, division," Yeji finally speaks up.

"... Heechul, they're kidding, right?"

"Hmm, maybe they use "category" these days instead? Or perhaps "species?" Maybe even "group?" Heechul rambles as he looks between the two young students.

"Omo, Heechul. They must be the Unknown. Didn't think we have any more of those, I thought it was sealed," Kyunghoon thoughtfully says.

"It is. But I don't think they're the Unknown either. Hmm, it's been a while, we're probably outdated or something. Lemme think. Oh, I know! How did you end up here?"

"We, uh, we time traveled," Haneul replies.

The two guards look at each other and share a look of confusion before turning back around to face the two.

"Well then, welcome to Eternaland, young Shifters!"

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