\\ DUSK\\ Fantasy AU \ ATEEZ Fanfic

// Chapter 5 \\

"Oh, I so wished you all could stay longer," Leeyon made a small pout of her lips. This earned a glance from her Captain of the Guard from where he stood a gap behind her.

"Yes. Well..." Heeyoung fixed her ruffled red skirts of her Southern Court dress before smiling up to Leeyon, "There will always be another opportunity, won't there?"

Leeyon's eyes were fixated on Heeyoung's as she smiled, causing The Serpent to break out into a smile as well. Leeyon chuckled as she jovially commented, "Ah, I suppose you're right."

I watched as Hongjoong broke into a smile from their interaction as he stood next to the glowing oval ring door that— when peered through— revealed a lush green jungle filled with exotic bright colors. The Southern Court looked as vibrant as ever from my view of its portal. Along that could also be seen a bit of red statues which I fondly remember lining the garden entrance to the Southern Court palace.

We'd all gathered for our departure at the top of the tower that loomed over the ocean and, underneath, Venelia. There we stood on the very top platform of the place which glittered in the bright sun that casted its shine across the endless plain of water we could see high above here. The platform we stood on was entirely made out of limpid glass. Three portals stood glowing in their oval forms— thin white currents circulating the gateways that lead to the three different worlds we deemed our homes. The one briefly described was the Southern Court.

The next held a vast dark terrain of blues and greens with now golden stars lining the skies. An elaborate stone brick walkway was there with a few white blooms protruding from over the small stone wall where a garden stood. A few more white plants— along with gold, blue, and other night colors— could also be seen from here. The other side of the brick walkway revealed a river which laid like a reflecting ribbon on the dark ground, weaving back to where a silver waterfall could be seen falling from a different stone wall of the palace. Off in the distance from that was a vast forest which was completely shrouded in darkness or part of its vegetation glowed and illuminated the land. However, the center of all of that— where the walkway led— was a pair of large golden doors where two silver guards were stationed on either side. The Night Court.

The last gate portrayed a picture of a large white and pink palace. Or at least, the gazebo entryway. White and frost green vines curved around the pillars of the gazebo, holding deadly sharp thorns and delicate roses that were a perfect pink or a stunning rose gold. In fact, the white wood-carved floor held a carving of a rose as well. Down the stairs from that was a large white marble sculpture.

It was of a man in an ancient suit of armor and curly bangs tossed over his face, almost hiding his stone eyes. He had large, strange pointed ears that curved behind him. In one hand he had resting at his side, he held a worn sword. The other, he held up in front of his body, of which his body was also drawn towards. His hand was delicately stretched outward, fingers spaced, at the medium sized hoop— or so-called ring— he held there. It was a simple, smooth and round ring of an odd, useless shape. His eyes looked upon it from underneath his bangs with fondness Almost as much fondness as I had looked upon the statue for the thousandth time.

I briefly directed my attention behind the stature to the large white doors that were wide open for Yeosang's return. Not a guard in sight, which always surprised me since Yeosang's court always seemed to have less tragedies in Taker attacks and general conflicts. The entryway looked over the vast meadow of colorful flowers below before it led into a flowery forest barely visible in the distance. The Spring Court.