Venatus

-13-

The first thing that Jimin smelled after waking up was the smell of salty ocean. He opened his eyes, blinking furiously to adjust to light. He looked down and removed the strap from around his waist, falling to his knees.

Jimin groaned a little, feeling the numbness spread across his legs. Then he felt two arms wrap around him from under his arms and pick him up.

"Careful" He said, Jimin nodded, standing up with the support of Yoongi. 

The leader looked around to see the other player take their weapons. And somewhere in the crowd, Jimin spotted a faint red halo. He didn't know but for some reason, he couldn't get Fire Crystals out of his head. 

"Jimin" Yoongi called, holding out the younger's sword. 

Jimin thanked quietly, taking the sword in his hand and swishing it around. He smiled a little before putting the sword down. He readied himself to start running the moment the siren sounds. 

3...

2...

1...

All the players shot forwards, racing, tackling and fighting against each other. However, Jimin was pulled behind as Yoongi hid their bodies behind a tree trunk. Jimin struggled a little against the elder's grip.

"Stop moving" The gravity in the elder's deep voice had Jimin frozen in one place. 

When Yoongi felt Jimin completely relax, he let go.  He peered behind the trunk and saw some of the players battling among themselves as they ran. Once everyone else was gone, Yoongi moved.

"Why did you stop me?" Jimin asked.

"We aren't going that way" Yoongi answered.

The younger looked at him confused,"What do you mean we aren't going that way?"

"Come with me" Yoongi replied, and started walking to the woods to their left.

"Where are we going, Yoongi?" Jimin questioned, trailing behind Yoongi. 

"Just follow me, will you? Even I don't know where we are going. I'm just doing as I am told" Yoongi answered. 

Jimin's eyes twitched slightly but he shrugged the annoyance off. He had to remember that Yoongi was no one but a team mate to him. He couldn't let his tone and words get to him.

Hoseok let out a puff of breath as he watched the two miniature holographic figure of Jimin and Yoongi walk through the woods. He zoomed out from the point and looked ahead on the map. He glanced to the other corner of the holographic table. 

While every other team was busy connecting their players to main frame, Hoseok was making changes to the table. After tinkering with a few wiring and codes, he was able to break past the initial protocols. Now, along side his team members, he could keep an eye on the other's as well.

Hoseok found out about this little loophole when he was studying about BMIs one more time yesterday. He knew that he should have told the other members about it but he figured someone might over hear their conversation. Moreover, he wasn't sure if it would work or not.

Suddenly, he noticed something peculiar. His instincts were on the run. His eyes widen as he realized the presence behind him.

The person behind him yelled out, and Hoseok prepared himself for what was about to come. He expected to be hit with something. To be pulled behind and beaten or to have the person strangle him.

But none of that happened. 

He slowly turned around and saw one of the members of Fire Crystals hold back another member from some other teams.

He was more surprised to see that Fire Crystal was protecting him than to see the other player holding a rod in his hand. A rod that could've killed him if not for Fire Crystals.

"What do you think you're doing?" Jin asked, tightening his grip around the other's arm and neck. The other player grunted, trying to move Jin's hand away but in vain.  He then tired to kick but Jin let go at and blocked the attack.

Jin clicked his tongue in annoyance,  "Such filthy little moves"

The other player tried to attack again but Jin intercepted the blow and held him in a death lock. He grunted a little as the player elbowed his guts but instead of letting go, he tighten his grip. The player in his grip was slowly turning blue. 

"I'm going to let you go" Jin said, "And I better not see your shitty face near this place again. Understand me?"

The other player nodded the best he could before Jin removed. The player fell onto the ground, gasping for air as he scurried away. 

"Thanks" Hoseok breathed out, looking up at Jin.

However the other looked back at him with a steely expression, "You better watch out the next time"

Hoseok gulped and nodded. He was a little intimated of Jin, considering that Jin was way taller and sturdier than him. Once Jin was gone, Hoseok groaned, slamming his fist on the table.

Now he owed his opponent. 

He curled his fists further in, till his nails dug into his skin. 

After few moments, took in a deep breath and exhaled, mentally telling himself to focus on the task at hand. He had to stay more alert. He shifted his focus back on the map, and immeidately spotted something. 

Yoongi and Jimin were in danger.

~

What? You thought Hoseok is doing something behind Yoongi's and Jimin's back just because I said - "Why do you think Hoseok held back an important piece of information" ?

Tsk, why do you trust me? This is a Game of deception.

Speaking of deception and trust, why do you think Jin saved Hoseok from getting killed? Hmm? Any ideas? 

Comment your theories, I would love to read them.