When Angels Fall

Carving by the River

Namjoon left the cavern. He strode down the long walkways, easily finding his way in the labyrinth. He had wandered these caves and been lost in their depths many times over the centuries. Time seemed immeasurable in the Myr. Sometimes he felt as though he'd been lost for decades when it could have been only minutes. Sometimes he'd think he had been walking for hours, only to be told later that Jin hadn't seen him in decades. Time was a curious thing when one seemed to have no purpose. Namjoon knew that was also part of the punishment. Why the Fallen were thrown into this dullest of realms. Eternity here would be torture. The only saving grace had been the Hollow, and even that had not reacted when they arrived. Namjoon had seen it carved into one of the walls that the Hollow only responds when it demands that fates be changed. He'd felt dejected after finding that carving and realising their fates were deserved. The Hollow had not shown anything since they'd been cast into the Myr. The knowledge that this was no longer true spurred Namjoon to walk faster. Entering one of the smaller alcoves he saw it. Reaching down to pick up the object he'd sought he returned to the others. Yoongi cocked his head at the long lethal shard of obsidian cradled in Namjoon's hands.
 
"So, boys.... Who's first?" He asked dryly.
 
The seven of them glanced at one another. Apprehension slowly filling the space. Taehyung sent a challenging look toward Jungkook and then smirked as he watched him square his shoulders and step forward.
 
"I am" Jungkook declared.
 
Namjoon moved the blade into his dominant hand and waited for Jungkook to turn his back to him. Jin shifted his gaze between the blade and the Nyx river recalling its glacial effects.
 
"Wait" He said as Namjoon gripped one of Jungkook's wings.
 
He stepped up to the river and dipped the tip of his left wing into the surface. His wing immediately became numb. He tried to stretch it out wide and found the movement to be impaired. The wing felt almost separate from the rest of his body.
 
"The river will dull the pain" said Jin.
 
Namjoon stepped away as Jungkook moved forward and jumped onto a small pillar surrounded by the depths of Nyx. He placed both wing tips into the black water and watched his feathers blend with the dark abyss. A shiver ran down his spine and he released a steadying breath to manage the odd sensation of feeling detached from his wings. The others watched him in silence a few moments more before he leapt to the shore and turned his back to Namjoon.
 
"Cut them" He said.
 
Namjoon grasped his wing and placed the blade against the flesh where wing met back and felt Jungkook flinch. He looked to Jimin and Taehyung, gesturing with a tilt of his head for them to come forward.
 
"Keep him still. This is still going to be painful"
 
Jimin gripped one side of Jungkook, one arm around his wing and the other curving up over his chest and shoulder. Taehyung mirrored his stance on the other side. Knowing how powerful their wings were, they put as much strength as they could into their hold. Namjoon began to slice at the first wing cutting as fast and as hard as he could. The blade cut deep. Blood so dark it was almostblack streamed over Jungkook's skin and smeared where the other's arms held him. Jungkook's roar echoed through the cavern and down into the labyrinth. His agony etched into his face; he clenched his hands into tight fists. Yoongi went to step toward him when a pulse of Jungkook's power wrought the air. The surface of the river rippled and Jin saw the walls of the cavern shake and begin to crack.
 
"Taehyung" Jin's tone was clipped.
 
"Got it" Taehyung grunted as he tried to keep his grip on Jungkook.
 
Taehyung began to draw Jungkook's power into himself in an attempt to make it less destructive and save the roof from caving in on their heads. At that same moment Namjoon sliced through the last muscles of the first wing and was blasted backwards as Jungkook's back bowed and he released a burst of energy. Jimin and Taehyung clung onto him, trying to pull him back under control. They worked together to bring him to his knees. The ground shook. Taehyung drew Jungkook's power as fast as possible, but it was not enough. The stone walls groaned as they began to crumble. Hoseok peered upward to ensure their keepers had not returned to watch them. Namjoon stood again and rushed forward to complete the task. Before he reached Jungkook, Yoongi stepped in front of the youngest angel and grasped his chin, lifting it so he could look into his eyes.
 
"Enough" He said, voice soft.
 
Yoongi sent his power to surround Jungkook and saw the tension slowly leave his body. He relaxed into a slump and the others loosened their hold. Namjoon quickly sliced into Jungkook's other wing, causing him to grimace but not lash out again. Dust fell from the ceiling as Jungkook's remaining wing fell to the floor with a thud. His breathing was heavy. The others stepped away from him and watched as Hoseok came and placed his hands over the gaping wounds. Jungkook sucked in a breath and then slowly released it as Hoseok pulled his pain from him and sealed the gashes. Taehyung let out a low whistle.
 
"It's been a long time since I've seen your power Hoseok. It's still amazing" Taehyung grinned looking at Jungkook's jagged but sealed injuries.
 
Yoongi looked toward Jungkook and sighed.
 
"I'll go next" He said.
 
It was a long and gruelling process. Yoongi was followed by Jimin, who was followed by Jin and Namjoon. After Hoseok had numbed his wings, he stood on the podium and looked once again to the Heavens. His hand unconsciously reaching toward it, aching to feel something other than the dreary atmosphere of the Myr.
 
"They will not be happy with us" He sighed absently.
 
"It can't be helped" Taehyung replied.
 
Hoseok followed the same process, though he was unable to heal his own bleeding injuries.
 
"Dip your back in the water" Jimin suggested.
 
Hoseok grimaced at the thought but decided to follow through on it. Lowering himself into the water he thought that this might be what death felt like. Chilling straight through the body to the soul. Knowing he'd be unable to pull himself out Jin and Jungkook reached down to grasp Hoseok by the arms and yank him onto the shore where he lay shivering.
 
"You're up Taehyung" Jimin smirked twirling the blade between his fingertips.
 
"Can't wait" Taehyung replied with a grin.