Seventeen: A Demonic Prophecy

An Unlikely Alliance

The scene was quite unusual for an alliance. Deck chairs were overturned, windows shattered, floorboards ripped out of their places, and scorched walls. The small group had huddled around two surviving tables and used barrels as chairs. Lisa darted her eyes back and forth from Jihyo to S.Coups. Jisoo had stuck close to Rosé and both were far from S.Coups. Jisoo still seemed traumatized from the incident.

Jisoo-I was almost. . . bit.

Rosé-shh. They won't hurt you anymore.(glares at S.Coups)

Lisa-so. . .

Wonwoo-how do you know each other?

Jihyo-we go back. Way back.

S.Coups-the times.

Lisa-cut the gibberish. Explain?

S.Coups- during the rule of the Tarlacsians, Jihyo was a blood source for a vampire called Kang Daniel. He like many others, hated the Tarlac familyline.

Jihyo- he led a rebellion against them which lasted for 6 years. I was his chief assistant. The Taralc's attacked his household which killed him.

Rosé-that allowed you to escape and regain your freedom right?

Jihyo-yes. . .

Jennie-hold it. Aren't only pure Demons allowed to be guardians? (one who were never bit)

Lisa-that is true. Headmistress?

Jihyo-Daniel never bit me. Not once. Even though Demons were seen as lesser beings of importance during the Tarlacsian rule, Daniel held me as his equal. You see this diamond ring? (holds it out)

Jisoo-wow! It's really beautiful.

The8-(nods)

Lisa-whoo.

Jihyo-this ring means much to me. (her eyes get dreamy) it was two weeks before the siege. Daniel had always dreamed of a republic where all supernaturals were equal. 

He wanted for me to join him. And to be honest, I wanted too. I still remember the scent of roses, the two glasses of wine, a clear sky and full moon. He knelt down and asked me to be his Juliet.

Lisa-he proposed?

Jihyo-yes. I was so happy. Until the Tarlacsians killed him. He sacrificed his life for mine. To this day I wear this ring, until I see him in Hades.

Mingyu-oh, wow. I'm sorry.

Wonwoo-S.Coups-hyung, why are you so chill over there?

S.Coups-I haven't told anyone, but before I became the leader of the Seventeen mansion, I studied Jewelry. I was very good friends with Daniel so I saw Jihyo quite a bit. When Daniel wanted to propose, he asked me to help him.

The8-wait, what?

Vernon-you made the ring.

S.Coups-yes. It was the last thing I made.

Jennie-geez, that's amazing!

S.Coups-thank you. Anyway, I was by Daniel's side when he died. He made me promise to protect Jihyo.

Jihyo-not like I need to be protected.

Lisa laughs.

S.Coups-the problem was, Jihyo had disappeared. I realized later that she must have snuck through the Veil in secret. I never thought I would see her again. . . but here we are.

Jennie- ok. Wow, what a story.

S.Coups-i never knew you were the Headmistress of the Guardian Temple, Jihyo. 

Jihyo-time has passed.

Lisa-guys, where is y/n?

Vernon-that's the issue. She disappeared about 1 hour before you ambushed us.

S.Coups-also, the locket is gone.

Jennie-any idea of where she could have gone?

Wonwoo-we fear she may have jumped overboard.

Rosé-Lisa. . .

Lisa-the Mer.

The8-the what?

Lisa-Mer. Mermaids and Mermen, under the sea?

The8-oh.

Vernon-how can you be so sure?

Lisa-she wrote to me, before she left.

Wonwoo-the Mer, really? Has this girl no common sense?

Jihyo-i am concerned as they are not the most trustworthy creatures.

S.Coups-nor the most friendly.

Suddenly a loud thoom, sounds and a jet of water explodes. A glowing figure rises out of the water.

Rosé-what the. . .

Jihyo leaps to her feet, golden light glowing from her fists. 

Jihyo-Ares!

Ares-hey there, Headmistress.

Jihyo-what are you doing here? How did you escape your prison?

Ares-aw, come on Jihyo. I thought you would understand how sucky it is down there.

Jihyo-of course, it is. Your prison is in Hell.

Ares-see, I knew you would understand.

Jihyo-that doesn't excuse you for just wandering out of it.

Lisa-omg, it is one of Ten Entities isn't' it?

Jihyo-10 seconds to get back where you belong, or I will force you.

Ares-you know, you could be doing something else then tying me up.

S.Coups-and what would that be Ares?

Ares-our friend y/n might die soon, if y'all don't hurry up.

Jisoo-what?

Jennie-where is she?!

Ares-tsk tsk, I thought you were smarter than that. She's at the Mer's palace of course.

Jihyo-Ares, get us down there.

Ares-why?

Jihyo-you know well enough, that all of our magic combined isn't enough to break the concealing barrier.

Ares-no banishing? 

Jihyo-. . .

Lisa-fine. Just get us down there.

Ares-wahoo let's go! (teleports them)

Wonwoo-are we under water?

Rosé-this place is awesome!

Ares-welcome everyone. y/n is just down that left hallway, with the double doors, you better hurry, I believe Kun has condemned her death.

Vernon pales. Suddenly a familiar voice is heard.

y/n-someone, help me please!

Lisa grabs her staff and sprints down the corridor. At a touch from her staff the doors shatter.

Lisa-not today, Bitch!