Chapter Text
Early, the morning sun is brimming through the glass panes. A Large White Butterfly, found its way inside, drawn to the natural magical energy radiating from the foliage. The group of nine boys all lie in slumber around on grass or birchwood planks. The butterfly's wings navigates its way through the air, fluttering. Until it comes to a freeze and digitalizes in its wake. The natural world and how it works is in grave danger. No one knows what happens if the problem isn't solved. At least, not in the long run. But no one is in a rush to find out.
Zhang Hao, or Hao as everyone calls him, is the first of the group to awaken, his ever-growing magical prowess interacts with the flora in the room with a slight glance. For this instant, he only gets a group of carnations to bloom with his magic. The strong fragrance of this kind of flower attracts pollinators. Just like our morning fluttering visitor.
As to not awaken the competition he starts his morning trying to slip away. Hao thinks about the chaos of how this group came to be; his part in each of their stories requires a bit of guidance. Slipping away could be deemed as not honorable actions of a King's Guard Knight, but Hao sees this as tactical. Providing himself an advantage is an advantage for everyone. Maybe even support his instructions to train some in magic or sword. Right now, a majority of them could really use the boost in skill.
However, Hao's attempt at stealth was not enough to get past Ji Woong's sharp cat-like ears. The surprise stimulates his arcane connection to natural phenomena. Foliage begins climbing up the beam he slept against in response. It's a vine named English Ivy. However, unlike a normal growth cycle, where small greenish-yellow flowers bloom, a blue flower of a different structure grows. It's gravitated to his magic, to his aura. It's strong. It surges throughout the greenhouse the boys slumber in in pulses. Waves even, ripple through wind and the veins of life.
Everyone stirs in their respectful sleeping spaces sprawled across the floorboards and dirt. Gyuvin, upon a sudden wake up call, makes direct eye contact with Ji Woong. As the realization of their circumstances is starting to dawn on everyone who's awakening. Hao tried to steal in a head start to their challenge. Mere moments only exist to brush away any traces of slumber from their eyes. Eyelashes fluttering away that god forsaken morning drowsiness that slows.
For a moment, Gyuvin has to ponder: did everyone feel that surge of magical energy from Ji Woong? Did he wake everyone up? Is his aura so powerful that even non-magically gifted individuals could be shaken like a shivering fawn lacking fur in flurries of snow of a brewing snowstorm? Gyuvin has never felt magic in his life, but he doesn't need to ask to understand the sensation that coursed through the building. For the first time ever in his life, he felt magic’s vibrato in his bones.
Gunwook and Ricky begin to rise from their position, ready to react at the drop of a hat. The competition has begun.
Gunwook dashes first, then Ricky close behind. Next are Taerae and Matthew. The first few are in high rivalry spirits as their competitive nature arises. Well except for Ricky. Ricky competes to win, not for fun and he’ll be damned if he doesn’t receive a magical reward at the end of this quest far from the city he called home.
Ricky attempts to shove Gunwook to no avail. "Move, Gunwook! No way you are beating me."
"In your dreams." Gunwook laughs as he gracefully dodges Ricky, his melodic warm voice echoes in the small space.
Regardless of Gunwook and Ricky having athletic prowess, Hao beats them. Seriously thankful his sneaking, at the least, provided a head start. Plucking a bundle of flowers from a bed of rich soil waiting for one lucky morning riser to serve as an ornamental to Zerose. Bouquet, cultivated when he grabs the carnations and a few Baby’s Breath of the Caryophyllaceae family, plus an added touch of flowers from the Compositae family. An added touch to really tie this bundle together. Conjuring a golden ribbon around the stems in an attempt to keep the bouquet of white, yellow and green together while everyone else lags behind.
With Matthew and Ricky so close behind, they can practically reach out and wrestle with Hao. It's beautiful to see the wilted flowers of yesterday are no more thanks to everyone, the greenhouse is healing one step at a time but there's still something off. The butterfly, which Ji Woong happens to catch a slight glimpse of before running out the door following behind the group. It's still anyone's game after all. The butterfly isn’t going anywhere afterall, not in that state of pixelization.
In that slight glimpse, for only briefly, Ji Woong takes a moment to digest the consequences of if they fail their mission, even though it’s vaguely instructed. NeoTech will destroy our natural world. Fauna and flora alike will cease to exist in the way that the world has known it to be for millions of years.
Only a few meters out the door Yujin catches up and snatches the flowers from a shocked Hao. Nothing a little magic couldn’t make possible. Through the wrestle for them though during the snatch, the bouquet rustles between grasps, slightly ruining the perfection Hao merged together. Daisy flower heads and Baby's Breath petals fly about in the air, then onto the street. Yujin sprints off before anyone within reach can intercept him. You’d think he a football player or boxer the way he bobs and weaves as he runs, dodging all attempts to take advantage of the surprise that Yujin’s boost in speed created.
Only moments later Gyuvin sneakily flanks his target and rips the flowers from Yujin's possession. Triumph reigns in his face as he successfully went undetected. However, that wouldn’t last forever as everyone's attention turns onto him and that previous spirit crumbles apart. Upon drawing into the chaos, mild regret creeps in. So he tosses the flowers to Matthew avoiding being pounced on.
Gyuvin and Matthew were band mates in uni and at least one previous connection stands strong no matter the circumstances. Gyuvin didn't have to think twice to pass it to his friend or maybe he was likely to make that quick decision so Matthew could deal with the eyes of hunters instead.
What the boys don't realize is that they simply need to present the flowers for the mysterious Zerose. Is Zerose a person? A system? A magical entity? Or maybe a natural entity. Whatever Zerose is, contact with the group is splotchy throughout their journey. Even if the boys were aware of anything, they'd probably race and fight over the flowers anyways.
A few minutes have passed while running on the paved road and Ji Woong has already separated himself from the competition aspect. Just keeping close proximity to the group. Hao and Yujin catch on to his antics in which they watch everything unfold as well sticking close to Ji Woong.
End of the road, Matthew and company run up stoned stairs into a mysterious building. Introduced to a long hallway that bends only one to make an L-shaped corridor. Doors line the walls but only the door at the very end matters in their eyes.
With a knock and a second, Matthew presents the flowers to the door labeled Zerose which opens all on its own. All the members layer on top of each other shoving their faces to the open door frame, pathetic bundle of flowers sag in Matthew's hands. Together they await the decision. Some are more than likely attempting to get any clues as to who or what Zerose is but through the opening is only an empty dark room into an abyss. No one dares to enter this unknown. A few seconds after the door opened, it slams shut faster than how it swung open. Echoing through the hallway.
Well, that was their chaotic morning.
A stream of mixed emotions washes over the group as they collect themselves to understand their current situation. At least one collective thought is shared amoungst everyone, who or what does Zerose think they are slamming the door like that without a proper answer.
"Well... that was a waste of time." Ricky huffs. "What are we even doing here again?" Prince Ricky, posh and heir to the throne of a less traditional kingdom. The walls of the stronghold never once penetrated in and has evolved with technology over the centuries. On a normal day you can see him riding his horse to royal events and a motorcycle for leisure activities.
Matthew chimes in, "well let's stay positive. We haven't received a text or anything saying we failed right?" Prince Matthew has a boy-next-door air about him, a polar opposite energy swims around him compared to Ricky. Matthew is the heir of a kingdom as old as time. Rumor has it citizens have pet dinosaurs. Which is possible but not many people know how to domesticate a beast that would gnaw on you as an easy snack.
"Are you kidding? Look at what you're holding." Ricky snaps as he gestures to Matthew's hands. "We were told 'someone must bring flowers from the greenhouse as proof', that does not look like proof of healing." Ricky groans.
Matthew checks out the flowers in his hands, but his smile is unwavering. He gives them a sniff before speaking. "Maybe only one person should've been at the door, like we originally assumed? All of us presenting them might've been an issue. Instead of competing, maybe we should just choose who should receive the reward for this particular mission."
In retrospect neither is incorrect with the information provided to them, Ji Woong takes that in as a mental note. But what is he to do? Chime in? They aren't ready.
Gyuvin steps up to both of them to calm their quarrel but really, he only needs to work on Ricky. So he drags Ricky away to simmer his storm. Gyuvin is from a high-tech city, there is no presence of any monarchy or masonry structures, working at a deli market along with Yujin. Well at least they used to.
Once the two of them have left Ji Woong approaches Matthew to say, "keep smiling." Squeezing Matthew's shoulder gently. Was that prominence or possibly a request. Should Matthew ask further questions, what catches him in hesitation is another run-in game of wits with Ji Woong. The mental games Ji Woong plays when being questioned gives Matthew a headache so he'd rather leave it be.
"Thanks Ji Woong," His bubbly personality shines through.
Ji Woong, the oldest member of the group, is filled with mystery. The majority of information the group knows about him is his understanding of a lot of the trials and tribulations the group faces. Never second guesses himself–well if he does it's not apparent. Magical aptitude is also common knowledge but not to what extent.
Everyone begins breaking off into small groups to do whatever they like. The imitate town they find themselves in is deserted but food stays in stock without a staff. Travelers would call this a magic-run rest stop. Very convenient as that means anyone who needs to rest up doesn't need to pay before getting back on the road–not in cash anyway.
Ji Woong, Hao and Yujin head over to a shop to grab popcorn, well Ji Woong heads over while the other two follow as they descend the stairs leading out of the L-shaped building. Gyuvin is attached to Ricky's hip wherever he goes, what started out as a removal from confrontation slowly became a huffed out stomp away as Ricky attempts to cool his head.Meanwhile Matthew, Hanbin, Taerae and Gunwook decided to get breakfast at the tiny Diner.
Let's take a look at each of the three groups and what they're up to shall we?
In the diner, menus appear out of thin air on the table in front of them and sit at a booth to fit all four. As the boys decide on what they want, food appears each time they touch the menu item with their index finger. The table is soon filled with gloating toast, flipping delights, coffee, aeroplight eggs and dragon links. A whole platter for four young men to devour. The menus disappear just as they appeared once the boys toss it in the air.
Gunwook starts the conversation, "so Matthew and Taerae, you guys were in a band before all of this... mess we find ourselves in, do you miss it?" Even though Matthew is of royalty, his boy-next-door personality exposed him to citizens within his kingdom at a very young age. This led him to make the executive decision against his family's wishes to attend a public university in the city, miles away from home. One night applied and the next thing everyone knew he was on a train to the big city. The first person he met was Taerae. Sharing a dorm room builds a bond stronger than blood amoung some people. Once Matthew found out Taerae could sing, he thought this to be the perfect opportunity to take up relearning piano. Soon, they met Gyuvin and they had their trio. Matthew the keyboardist, Taerae the guitarist and Gyuvin the drummer.
"I miss singing as much as I used to, for sure." Taerae replies.
Reassuring him Matthew adds a hum to the air Taerae instantly recognizes. The very first song they practiced together. Taerae nudges Matthew on the shoulder after a smile beams on his face and a roll of the eyes, humming along to the tune for about a minute as the two across the table sit in silence listening.
A pleasant moment was shared but it's lost within seconds after the humming stops. Taerae's posture slacks as he plays with a pocket mirror in one hand and his fork in another. "How about you Gunwook? You played basketball at a rich university with Ricky, correct?"
"Yea it was fun, but all things come to an end," shrugging off any attachment of the memory. Then it dawned on him that 'rich university' had a tone he wasn't particularly fond of. "Also I was at said 'rich university' on scholarship, thank you very much." As though his efforts meant nothing and money easily bought him his seat in one of the most prestigious schools in the city. It irritates him so much but he also realizes no one knows him like Ricky.
Taerae rests his mirror face down. "So you don't come from money or royalty? Our Public University of Technology and Fame at Hister looks nothing like your Yonjai." Taerae meant no harm in his questioning, just had an incorrect impression from the company Gunwook shares.
Gunwook narrows his eyes at Taerae, inspecting him for any ill will which he doesn't find which relaxes his muscles, just now realizing he was tensing. "Not all of us are born into royalty or money and get to be pompous. Some people have to work hard in order to be pompous. No offense Matt."
Matthew, completely unfazed nods before he directs his attention onto Hanbin who hasn't said a word all morning and has just been listening in. "Hanbin right? What's your story?"
Almost choked on a dragon link from the surprise, Hanbin coughs up smoke. "Uh well- I went to university in the city to study architecture. Also, I lived in the dorms with Yujin." Leaving out details of his life as a Mage's apprentice with his studies but he doesn't want to revisit the thought of the archive burning down just before all of this due to a certain someone. Hanbin's experience allows for their revitalization project to really take fruition, his practiced control in many different houses of magic is a crucial role in their success. Training for about 6 years now and shown he's quite adept at magical arts, a real bookworm.
"What kind of architecture? Old school or modern?" Matthew continues his line of questioning.
Pondering for a moment before speaking, he hums first and speaks second. "Hmmm, I guess somewhere in between, as most urban cities transitioned from masonry to steel beams. We all pretty much skipped over an era of structures. Take this cafe for an example, you don't see drywall anywhere like this and it makes me question why that is."
Taking a moment to look around, "I guess this is kind of cute, I've only seen structures like this in textbooks. I guess we have lost a piece of an era, even though dusty castles managed to persevere." Not a soul catches that tone of disdain in Matthew’s voice.
"You get it," resting the conversation topic ready to hear someone else speak. No one else speaks for a beat. Awkwardness grows as they all continue chewing and looking between each other, Matthew and Taerae can practically speak through their eyes no issue but the other two are from different worlds from them. No one particularly knows what else to say.
Gunwook attempts to respark the flow again, “sooo…” he trails off searching for a topic. “Leave anyone special back in Hister? Matthew?” If anyone is to lead their conversation anywhere it would be Matthew but Taerae has a sneaking suspicion about the particular question aimed at Matthew.
“Not exactly, I’m traveling with the two best friends a guy could ask for and now six more friends to get to know on our travels. What about everyone else?” Matthew not catching the slight hint, the slight quique in the eyes suggesting at something more intimate.
Taerae clears his throat, “me neither. I traveled to Hister for school, so no family ties there, same as Matthew.”
“No friends. No lover. My parents are probably worried about me, though they didn’t know much about me in the first place aside from the surface.” Hanbin finalizes the circle for the question.
Huffing through an amused smile Matthew reacts to Hanbin’s response, “what? Why’d you add that part about a lover?” All three simply stare at him as he looks around at each one confused. Hanbin tilts his head, Taerae shakes his and Gunwook stifles a laugh at his obliviousness. “What? What’d I say?” Not long after, his last bits of confusion force a laugh out of all three of them. Like a dam that finally burst, releasing all that pressure. Matthew can only sit in silence as he smiles at his own embarrassment.
At the same time, Gyuvin and Ricky have found a nice plot of grass to talk. Already calmed from his frustrations, Ricky gazes at the sky above.
"Despite everything, why'd you join us?" Gyuvin asks the beautiful prince in front of him.
"I wasn't going to just sit back while Gunwook went on some grand quest without me. Tackling Yonjai without him would’ve been hell, not to mention the basketball team is insufferable." Ricky bluntly responds to the inquiry but even more so with it being Gyuvin.
Ricky motions his head at Gyuvin. "What convinced you to leave your life behind?"
"I set off fireworks in the Deli I worked in right after I committed vandalism."
Ricky takes a moment to digest. "I’m sorry after you were sputtering nonsense I thought you were exaggerating and did you live in those slums of the city?"
"I don’t lie about adventure, also is it that obvious?" Gyuvin answers with a question.
Ricky nods his head. "Well sorry to underestimate your diversion abilities, color me surprised since you lack in certain departments.”
Crunching his facial features and a side of the lip rises. Gyuvin punches one of Ricy’s arms, perching him up above the grass, “rude.”
Winces in pain from the sheer force that was driven into his arm, “ow! Sheesh, I'm sorry. Okay?” Ricky holds his hand to the pain, sitting up. Sucks his teeth then rolls up his sleeve to look for any bruising, “the hell do you eat?” He asks as he notices the skin to flush with red, certain it’ll leave a bruise.
“After meeting Matthew I thought heirs to the throne were all ginger-hearted, next one will be to your money maker.” Gyuvin warns in a half joking manner.
Still focused on his blunt pain, “message received crystal clear – painfully. Anyways, back to your gunpowder-philiac escapades, I'm sure it was a sight to behold. If only I could do that at a stuffy diplomatic meeting without dishonoring my entire family, being not from…” Ricky pauses to mind his words, “-nobility appears to have its perks.”
Gyuvin takes in what Ricky says and is filled with defiance. "You're in a position of power, where you don't have to make extreme actions to make a statement. You just open your mouth and people bend to your will, what other perks could you desire?"
"Well that's over simplifying things. Maybe if it was an absolute monarchy and I was the king." He retorts.
Gyuvin's eyebrows raise, "and if you were an absolute monarch what would you do? Honestly."
Suddenly Ricky is hesitant to answer and biting his cheeks, if there's one thing besides bluntness Ricky possesses, it's honesty with himself. "I'd probably expect people to do as I say when I say it," though he'd more than expect, it would be the law, end of discussion. What? I said he's honest with himself, not with other people.
Ricky is quite aware of the kind of king he’d be. Not unfair in which these people wouldn't be treated fairly but he was raised to throw money at problems and they would go away in time, no matter how brashly he spoke. This is where the trajectory of this group recharts his course. Gunwook was the first person he met who didn't care about money or titles, nor cared about social climbing through connections. He spoke to Ricky like any other run of the mill guy. It was just Gunwook and Ricky. If Ricky didn't feel as though this group of people Gunwook had decided to bear arms with were genuine, it would have been a hard no from him. Though, the corruption of NeoTech quirked his interest as the cherry on top.
A chuckle and a shake of the head from Gyuvin before Ricky tries to smoothly recover, up until something of interest catches his eye. A baby horned duckling of all things waddles from inconspicuous tall grass, safely crosses the road. Gyuvin waits for a response but after hearing nothing he looks over to Ricky to see his gaze focused forward. Now both watching this lonesome tiny creature waddle about without a clear sign of its mother. Ricky doesn’t hesitate to scoop the fragile feathered friend once close enough. There’s a quack at the sudden interruption in the duckling’s plans but soon finds comfort in the cradling of his slender hands.
Gyuvin watches Ricky rise to his feet and march over right into the brush of grass blades. Trying not to lose sight of Ricky, Gyuvin rushes over to follow him right into it all. When he thinks he should have run into Ricky by now he stops in his tracks to listen to some rustling but instead hears faint whispers.
“Ricky!” Gyuvin shouts for an intermediate game of marco polo but not a sound is uttered back except for the whispers. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this isn’t normal grass but instead whispering knives. When trying to turn back the way he came there’s nothing where the road should’ve been. Gyuvin is a city boy and is completely out of his element here, it’ll only be a matter of time until the grass begins shaping into an inescapable horror.
Every direction there’s just more and more grass with no indication of a clearing or the main road. Gyuvin shoots off a warning shot. A spark of flame directed at the grass, which bends out of the flame’s way, as it travels a distance before fizzling out and the grass moves back into its place. Rapid fire shots take place next as he spins a full 360 degrees. Grass reshapes its form at the sudden danger and once Gyuvin sees it, he dashes for the tiny ball of flame. The blades attempt to block the path once again but they aren’t quick enough to fully stop him, only succeeding to trip him and leave a few scratches.
Prone to the ground from the grass, Gyuvin turned his body over in a huff. Exhaling breathlessly from his sudden burst of speed. No way in hell was he going to be a snack to a carnivorous species of plant, but that begs the question of Ricky’s whereabouts and safety. The whispers block any sound from traveling in or out of the thicket. Nothing for him to do except pray for a miracle. A real magic user would be able to burn this whole place down in search of Ricky but those just aren’t the cards that were dealt to him.
While the group at the diner gets breakfast and our pair on the lawn deal with whispering knives. A trio of the remaining members are having a thought stimulating conversation.
Ji Woong walks with purpose towards the popcorn cart. Taking a bag off the surface which is soon replaced with a new bag that floats and unfolds itself from a compartment. Positions itself in the now vacant spot on the counter then the popcorn scoop collects popcorn from the machine and fills the bag.
Hao and Yujin follow behind, Yujin also grabs a bag for himself. Hao, very adamant for answers, asks Ji Woong. "Why'd you stop competing? How come you’re the only one not interested in a prize?" Ji Woong doesn't turn around, just continues walking forward as he answers.
“Why do you think there's a prize?" Challenging their insight. The boys missed something and they're certain Ji Woong won't just give them the answer, he never does.
Yujin inserts himself as a participating member of the conversation. "Well, Taerae got his mirror from the last task." The pocket mirror in question is shrouded in mystery. What's reflected back is almost never the same – well only organic materials in the forefront of its view are never the same.
"Correct, do you remember the words that the text said?" Ji Woong doesn't miss a beat to respond with another question, he already knew how this conversation would play out and how the rest of it would go. They have reached the greenhouse doors and Ji Woong opens the door inviting the other two to enter first.
Hao makes eye contact with Ji Woong in passing and begins to study his face. Ji Woong possesses a small, gentle smile. Hao begins reciting a section of the text as he enters. "Upon completion an individual will receive something they require." Hao is mostly reciting to himself as he's realizing the error they all made. A quiet gasp follows. "Zerose didn't promise us anything after completing this task! So-" he hesitates just slightly. "What's the point? I think it's safe to say everyone here believed this entire arrangement was a give and take. We do a job, we get compensated in some manner."
Ji Woong approaches the butterfly, that's met what should've been an avoidable fate. Attempting to push it with a piece of popcorn left behind in his bag. The Large White has distinct features. Heavy black coloration on the corner of the forewing that expands the edge, unlike a Small White. There are two black spots on the underside. This one must be female as it has a mirrored appearance on the top side of the wing. "Well, would you like this to be you and your loved ones in the near future?" Ji Woong glances over his shoulder at both of them.
Yujin cuts in looking from the butterfly to Ji Woong. "You just said near future... how do you know it's near?" Ji Woong stands to face Yujin. "Figure of speech, you don't need to analyze every word I say. In other light, are you guys training today?" Yujin isn't convinced even slightly, but he lets the matter drop for now.
Yujin and Hao eye each other. Hao does his best to train everyone that has decided they want knightly training. However, Yujin definitely gets more attention. Hao is a spell-sword who stumbled upon Yujin in the strangest development Yujin can remember. Hao wants with everything in his power to awaken his abilities, but he has a ways to go himself to unlock his true potential.
"Maybe, we take a break to allow Yujin's arm to heal more. He's out of the cast, sure! But I'd rather wait to be on the safe side." Hao notes "Plus, I have other students I can give some more attention to." Ji Woong looks off to the side before looking at Hao and nodding. He hums on this thought. "Makes sense."
A buzzing noise echoes through the small rest stop town. It's time. The boys in the greenhouse walk outside, calm and collected with newfound suspicions. Gyuvin gets to his feet as Ricky steps out from the overgrowth unscathed. The boys in the diner rush outside leaving behind their mostly finished breakfast.
A solid green pixelated line stretches across the sky horizontally in the distance. This is not magic at play but technology. Advanced in nature, nanotechnology? No, Neo-Tech. Rapidly growing, advancing many cities.
Kingdoms, if they choose to incorporate technology in their everyday, typically stop somewhere just before Neo-Technology. A person like Matthew, who moved into a city from a traditional kingdom, would view this as alien, still learning about Neo-Tech. No one says anything. Half the group looks in awe. Half looks expectantly. The solid line expands and reveals a message.
‘STAGE 2’