TREASURE || ATEEZ

01- the beginning of the end

ep. one
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"Sister! Can I play those kids over there?"

Averting your gaze from the vegetable that is in your hand, you look downward to the side to see your younger sister staring at you with her pleading eyes. The little girl jitters in her place as her hand points toward the town center where a group of children are playing with one another.

Taking a moment to observe the small cluster, you reluctantly let out a sigh. "Yes, but make sure you are being careful and that you don't go too far where I can't see you."

With her little arms, the girl hugs your leg with a beaming smile. "Thank you, Sis!"

She then runs off to the area near the fountain, and noticing the architecture reminded you of someone.

It has been years since you have last heard of the boy.

You recall the moment when he presented his hand toward you and you almost took the opportunity to join him, but your mother was there at the exact moment to catch you from making the rash decision. Never once did your eyes leaves his, his hand still out for you to take it even though you were drifting away from him.

After that day, he, along with the other boys, mysteriously disappeared to the public eye. Everyone in the town continued on with life as if he never existed, which was peculiar to you since you were expecting a commotion to occur about the young man's disappearance. Nonetheless, you decided that he wasn't important to be worrying about and that you should focus on your life like how everyone else was doing.

Returning your eyes to the green object in your hand, you place the vegetable into your basket and resume skimming through the produce aisle of the market. A soft tune slips from your lips while you occupy yourself with your task, your skirt grazing your legs every few seconds due to your movement.

I wonder how he's doing, you tell yourself, curious about his whereabouts now that you are reminded of him.

Once you have finished collecting the fruits and vegetables you wanted, you head to the owner of the market with your hand digging into your pants pocket for the money. The person notices your approach and walks over to you with a grin.

"Ah, my favorite customer." The owner softly pats your shoulder. "What have you been up to these days?"

"Nothing much," you reply, struggling to balance the basket in your arm as you try to get your coins. "I've been taking care of my little sister and I, that's all."

"Your parents would be so proud of you."

Hearing that simply makes you smile once more, thanking him for the compliment. However, that smile you wear hides the pain you hold from within.

It was a sad tragedy really, for you and your little sister to lose both of your parents when they were out at sea. Apparently, their ship got stuck in the middle of a storm and no one made it out alive. No shipwreck was washed ashore onto an island, meaning it had been sunk into the depths of the ocean.

You shake your head from the resurfacing memory and focus back on paying for your food. When you manage to get the right amount of money, you drop the gold objects into their hands. The person takes a second to count the coins before giving you a thumbs-up, meaning that the payment has been complete.

Departing from the market, you now take your time observing the little shops of jewelry that have caught your eyes. The shimmering of gold and gems are a pleasing sight to you, and one piece of accessory in particular catches your attention.

A simple moonstone hangs on a silver chain, the stone gleaming under the bright sun. You make your way to the booth with interest lingering in your eyes as your hands reach to touch it. You pick it up and turn it around to see if there is any defective features belonging to the necklace.

"Well, hello Fair Maiden."

You jolt at the sound of the sudden voice, your eyes leaving the jewelry to a mysterious woman wrapped in loose clothing. "Hello?"

She notices the necklace in your hand and a lopsided grin pulls on her lips. "What a lovely necklace in your hand, you may need that in your journey later."

Journey?

You disregard the odd remark she has spoken and takes a few coins to pay for the jewelry since you've grown fond of the accessory. "Is this enough for this?"

She shakes her head, pushing your hand back to your side. "It's okay, dear. I'm willing to give this to you for free. It will be important for you later."

She then tells you to hand over the necklace and turn around, so she can put it on you. You reluctantly do as you are told, and a few minutes later you have a the accessory hanging on your neck.

"Two worlds must be one
Where the beach shore runs.

Arises, does the crescent moon
And so will one's doom.

With the chosen maiden untouched
Can treasure be as such."

You hear the lady mumble those phrases under her breath as she finishes up clipping the necklace onto you. You find it odd for her to be spouting nonsense to you, so you pretend that you didn't hear her.

After thanking and bidding goodbye to the peculiar woman, you make your way to the town center to retrieve your little sister. With every step you take, you close the distance between you and the group of children until you feel a vibration travel through the ground. You immediately halt in your action and turn around to see nothing, but you feel the stone pavement vibrate once more.

In the corner of your eye, you notice a frightened man dashing toward the fountain, stumbling constantly over his footing. All eyes are locked onto him, and he shouts something no one wants to hear.

"Pirates! Pirates are here!"