Pirate King

Chapter 13

You awoke yet again to the swaying of a rocky ship. This time you didn't startle when those same red eyes from before were staring right at you.

"You know I'm really getting tired of you guys knocking me out," Y/N said as she sat up. You noticed that the restraints you had before were gone, and you looked up to Hala Yunho with a raised brow.

"You can't control your magic so why should we treat you like a prisoner?" Hala Yunho said, his face tilting to the side. His dark studded mask was covering his mouth, making his voice sound a lot gruffer than you were used to. You huffed, not really knowing how to respond to him. You looked around your surroundings, anywhere so you wouldn't have to look at Hala Yunho's face. He was still leaning against the wall, his black attire allowing him to successfully blend in.

"We would like you to start cooperating," he said.

"Cooperating about what? The treasure? I don't know what you guys are talking about I've already told you," you retorted.

"Forget about that for now. We want you to control your magic, like-- yesterday," Hala Yunho said.

"You want to train me to do evil," you muttered, looking down to your feet. You knew this day would come, but you didn't know it was going to be so soon. Did you want to learn how to harness your magic? Hell yes. But did you want to learn magic through the Halas? Not really. You wanted to go back with Ateez, even if that meant that you would be their prisoner still. At least you knew that they were GOOD.

"Are you good?" Hala Yunho replied as if he knew what going on in your head.

"My magic is red, so maybe I am not good and I'm pure evil like you guys," you said as you pulled your knees up to your chest, wrapping your arms around them. You had a lot of mixed feelings about the compromise that you and Hala Hongjoong struck up. At least Yunho was safe and with his team, you prevented one death so maybe you were good. On the other hand, you couldn't save Eden, and even though you barely knew him you knew that the boys loved and respected him so much. Eden protected you and he didn't have to, and it was up to you to figure out what to do with his sacrifice. You knew one thing for sure, you thought as you looked up to see Hala Yunho. You needed to get back to Ateez, but not without valuable information.

Hala Yunho stared at you, wondering what was going on in your head but he didn't care. He soon started to move towards the door to leave you alone.

You've made your decision, and you stood up to follow Hala Yunho, who looked at you curiously when you met him at the door. You'll pretend to be one of the Hala's and get trained by them-- there wasn't any choice. You needed to be strong so that you can fight alongside Ateez and defeat the Hala's once and for all.

"I'm not evil. But I don't think I am good either," you began. "I'll never know until shit happens, but shit can't happen until I learn to control my magic. So," you raised your chin proudly to stare directly into the devil's eyes. "Teach me your ways."

"We'll arrive soon to land, and once we're there we may begin. Seonghwa will teach you first, ," Hala Yunho said, before nodding and leaving you alone.

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"Sannie, he's not dead for fuck's sake," Wooyoung said.

"But he LOOKS dead, we all could have died, Wooyoung!" San responded.

"Please don't drop Yunho, we don't want him to suffer a concussion because of your tomfoolery," Yeosangs deep voice scolded.

"Joong, they're driving me crazy, can you shut them up?" Seonghwa said frustrated. All Hongjoong had to do was throw the team a glare, the other three falling silent with their leaders' silent command. They were slowly walking across the beach with Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung trying to carry the tallest member to safety. The blazing sun hit against the back of their necks, sweat running down each of the member's brow. Jongho was sniffling and trailing behind the members as he tried to keep to himself after losing the fight after the Hala's. Despite his brother's comfort after the fight, Jongho was beyond inconsolable. Seonghwa looked over his shoulder to check on their crew. Their blue eyes that were normally shiny were dull and He bit his lower lip anxiously, peeling the dry skin off as he realized how beat up they all were.

"We should stop and rest, they all need it," Seonghwa said, turning back around to glance at Hongjoong. Hongjoong nervously tugged at his tattered clothes, knowing that they all looked like this and that they were all in bad shape. Yunho still hadn't woken up from his sleep, and that was concerning him the most.

"I know. But, we have to keep moving," Hongjoong responded, his voice strained. Seonghwa stopped and grabbed Hongjoong by the shoulders.

"Yunho needs shade, water, nutrients, a way to break the sleeping spell he's under. You know we have to go somewhere I can administer first aid to all of us," Seonghwa continued.

"If you think for a minute that I won't put you to rest first--"

"Please," Seonghwa interrupted him, squeezing his shoulder tighter. "I can't go on like this. You're the only one with enough power right now. Do something, anything," Seonghwa said. The rest of the members had paused as well, noticing their eldest brother pleading with their leader.

"I have a bit of power left, I can help you Hongjoong," Yeosang answered. Jongho promptly put himself forward, grabbing Yeosangs hand and silently signaling that he will help too. Hongjoong threw his head back and closed his eyes, feeling the hot, warm rays of sunlight hitting his face.

"It's not enough power to get all of us home," Hongjoong said, rubbing his eyes hard. "It's dangerous Seonghwa and you know that." Seonghwa could only grimace, but he needed to make his case for his crew. It would take them years to arrive home if they walked across the endless beach.

"Then just take Yunho, tuck him into a bed, and then come back for us. The rest of us will stay put and hopefully regain health," Seonghwa continued to plead. Hongjoong could only stare sadly and Seonghwa's dead blue eyes that almost look white now. That frightened Hongjoong because his appearance has never been this shaky before. He let out a soft sigh and nodded his head.

"We're not leaving anyone behind. You're the expert in spells, so make it work," Hongjoong resigned. Seonghwa nodded and placed everyone strategically so the three volunteer's power can surge through all of them. They all placed a hand on someone's shoulder, with Yunho leaning heavily against Mingi. Then, with the utterance of the transporting spell, the eight vanished from the beach back home.