Chapter 4 (1/2)

Chapter 4

<i style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:19.6px;">Two figures were standing on a wide vast room. The floor was wooden and the garden could be seen from where they’re standing as the wooden frame sliding doors were wide open. Cool breeze flew across the room as golden autumn leaves fell.

<i style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:19.6px;">Suddenly one of them moved, jumping and attacking the other one with his bare hand. The other one bowed down, avoiding the attack. A counter attack was launched but the first figure blocked it. It was almost like they knew each other’s too deep as they could read their opponent movement too well.

<i style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:19.6px;">It took a while but eventually one of them fell down on the floor, sweating and panting hard. The other stopped his attack right before hitting the neck as the fallen one gave up. Like their routine every day, they bowed and ended their training.

Junsu cursed silently inside his heart when his head wouldn’t stop replaying a memory he wanted to bury; especially when he’s fighting against Archangel who had the same face as the one in his memories. Junho’s face was expressionless; it’s almost like he’s a programmed being, a robot to kill demons.

“Hyung!” Changmin’s voice brought Junsu back in time before Junho’s arrow landed on his feet. Junsu had to pull himself together; he couldn’t die here. Counter attacking, Junsu used his claws to wound the Archangel, only to be blocked by the divine bow. Junho didn’t waste any time as he shot his arrow immediately, gracing Junsu’s arms.

Changmin threw his dagger as Junsu retreated. Unlike his previous attack, the dagger exploded and caused dust to hide their position. Changmin rushed to Junsu’s side as he healed the wound. He noticed Junsu wasn’t the usual Junsu. His eyes were troubled and confused. Changmin knew what caused it but they couldn’t afford to be careless now.

“Hyung, listen to me,” Changmin’s voice echoed inside Junsu’s head; the older one eventually realized Changmin was using his new telepathy power,” I know you don’t want to hurt Junho hyung but we don’t have any choice. It’s either us or him.”

“…I know,” Junsu spoke in his mind,” I’m sorry…”

“Don’t apologize and just get this done with,” Changmin spoke as he pulled Junsu into his arm. For the first time Junsu felt Changmin was acting older than he was. Junsu’s pride was hurt but he was also proud of Changmin. Then, suddenly an idea popped up inside his mind.

Before he could say his plan to Changmin, Junho’s arrow caused them to break apart. Junsu knew what he needed to do. He jumped forward as he avoided Junho’s attack. Changmin almost thought Junsu had lost his mind if he didn’t know better. The older one’s eyes weren’t confused anymore; they’re full of determination to do something.

“Can’t you just die already?” Junho asked in mocking tone as Junsu ignored it. Junho was about to draw another bow before he felt he couldn’t move. A round-shaped ball wrapped the Archangel as Junsu chanted his spell. Changmin didn’t waste the chance; he threw his explosive dagger into the barrier before it closed. Eventually the round barrier cracked as the inner side exploded.

Junsu retreated back to Changmin as they waited for the void around them to fall down, but it didn’t. Suddenly a fire was shot to them as they avoided it. Another attack typical to the first one, but this time it’s ice. It hit Changmin’s arm and froze it up.

“Changmin!” Junsu rushed to Changmin’s side but before he could examine the wound; the younger one forbade him to touch him. There’s frozen ice on Changmin’s right shoulder and slowly, it spread out.

“I’ll do something about this,” Changmin spoke, trying to look okay but Junsu knew better,” We need to deal with that hyung…”

Junsu looked at the way Changmin pointed. There stood a figure bigger than both of them. It had six wings but unlike Seraph, it had four heads; one lion that breathed fire, one eagle that respired ice, one ox that stoned everything it saw and another man who drew a bow. Junho was nowhere to be seen and the Four Creature had somehow taken his place.

“Did Junho hyung just transform into that ugly beast?!” Junsu asked confusedly; he knew his attack wouldn’t cause such transformation. He wondered about Changmin’s blast though.

“I think we defeated Junho hyung,” Changmin spoke,” Or at least we knocked him out and then this creature showed up; it’s like when we’re fighting against final boss in the game, another boss shows up when we think we finish it; Junho hyung’s advantage of being the Archangel’s leader.”

The creature roared as Junsu couldn’t believe his ears. He wondered if Changmin played too much game or if he really knew so much about Archangel. Junsu shook his head, they had bigger problem now. A beast to deal and they still needed to figure out how to break free from this void.