Life in Purgatory ch 33
Title: Life in Purgatory
Chapter: 33/40
Rating: R
Pairing: KyuJong/YoungSaeng, HyunJoong/JongWoon, JungMin/Zhou Mi, Kevin/KiBum, HeeChul/SiWon
Crossover: Super Junior, DBSK
Genre: Angst, AU,
Summary: Society is crumbling; salvation walks the earth once more.
With most of the school being out of the holidays, there were only a few people hanging around the library. YunHo sat at the front desk, typing at the keyboard before he blinked and looked up as they approached.
"I was wondering when you'd be visiting me," he chuckled, taking off his glasses.
"Well I don't think all of our questions were answered yesterday," Zhou Mi said. "Do you mind if we all sit down somewhere? This might take a bit of time."
"Sure, let's take one of the study rooms," YunHo nodded, standing and placing a small sign on the desk in his place. He led the group to one of the doors by the side of the library, unlocking it for them and opening the lights.
Once they'd all sat down and the door was closed again behind them, YunHo looked at them with a smile. "So, what can I do for you?"
Zhou Mi looked around at the others, folding his hands over each other on the table. "Well, a couple of things. The first being, HyunJoong is up in my office after nearly collapsing. He, and JongWoon, said that they saw... aura's around some of the students. Right, that's what he said?"
"Yeah... that he could feel their pride," KyuJong supplied, sitting next to YoungSaeng.
"That's normal, don't worry," YunHo nodded. "You already know you can influence others around you, correct?"
"Yeah, sins can affect everyone around them but virtues have to be in direct contact," HyungJoon put in.
"Once you awaken, you fully realize your abilities and can see the effects on normal humans. Those auras are, in the case of Pride and Humility, the pride each person feels. The stronger the aura, the stronger their pride."
"But HyunJoong nearly passed out from it," YoungSaeng frowned.
"If it was his first time being exposed to the auras, he would find it overwhelming. The effects on him will lessen with each exposure."
"So each of us will see an orange glow then? Why is it JongWoon could only see the aura when he was touching HyunJoong then?" KyuJong asked.
"The precise color varies. Like before being awakened, the virtue half is still limited in what they can do," YunHo explained. "JongWoon has to be in contact with HyunJoong to be able to both see the aura, and to affect those around him the same as Pride can. The virtue works to balance out the sin."
"That makes... a bit of sense," Zhou Mi nodded, frowning down at the table for a moment.
"Something to look forward to then," KyuJong murmured softly, glancing at YoungSaeng.
"The other thing we wanted to discuss... is nightmares," Zhou Mi said slowly, taking in a deep breath. "Some of us have been having very disturbing nightmares, and yesterday, HyunJoong's came true."
"Nightmares?" YunHo blinked, seeming confused about that. "What sort of nightmares?"
"We can never remember much about them once we've woken up," YoungSaeng said, glancing at the others. "But they all seem to have some sort of attack by the Horsemen in them. HyunJoong said that his dream was exactly what happened yesterday, when Death attacked them. What are the dreams supposed to be? Visions of the future?"
YunHo frowned for a long moment, tapping his fingers against the table.
"I...actually don't know. None of the other three nor myself have the ability to predict the future so precisely, let alone be able to replicate them in dreams."
"We were thinking that it was from the Horsemen, a psychological tactic," Zhou Mi said. "Like the attacks, a way of wearing us down."
"That doesn't make sense though now," KyuJong said, having thought about the situation most of the day. "Once the first attack would take place, then we'd know what the dreams are and then we would prepare for it, right? Why would the Horsemen want to give us an advantage like that."
"I doubt it was the horsemen," YunHo shook his head. "Besides failing as a psychological tactic, they can't predict the future either. Pretend as they might, that power is beyond them all, even Death."
"But then...if it wasn't you four, or the horsemen, who was it?" HyungJoon was sorely confused.
"I will need to consult with the other archangels, and get back to you," YunHo tapped his fingers against the table, frowning.
"I have a question," SooHyun spoke up, straightening in his chair. "As far as I've been aware, archangels serve god... does this mean that there is in fact a god? Are you proof of that? Or is this something else entirely we're not aware of."
"'Archangel' is just one of many names you have given us, over many centuries," YunHo gave the other man an enigmatic smile. "And with each new name comes a new understanding, each with their own truths." He looked back to Zhou Mi. "Is there anything else I could help you with?"
"That wasn't really an answer," SooHyun muttered under his breath to HyungJoon.
"I.. don't think I had anymore questions," Zhou Mi said, shaking his head. "You probably well understand how confused we are about all of this."
Yes, I do," YunHo chuckled, smiling sympathetically at him. "Everything will become clear soon enough."
"I hope so, because this fumbling around in the dark is getting on my nerves," YoungSaeng slumped back in his chair. "You really can't give us more than this?"
"I'm afraid not...the consequences for interfering are severe, and not just for us. I will guide you as best as I can, but it is you who must connect all the pieces."
"So, really not much more than we've done thus far," Zhou Mi said with a small chuckle. "Tell me though, have we done well?"
"Yes," YunHo smiled, standing. "We have faith in all of you."
"Thank you," HyungJoon stood as well, looking back at the others. "Oh...is there anything we can do to make it easier on HyunJoong?"
"Contact with his opposite will lessen the strain until his body becomes adjusted to the change," YunHo replied. "Aside from that, gradual exposure to the auras will be easier for him to handle than all at once."
"Well I don't think you'll have to force HyunJoong to keep in contact with JongWoon," KyuJong said with a small laugh, getting to his feet. "But we should probably keep the partying at the club to a minimum."
"I doubt we'll be doing much of anything fun in the near future," Zhou Mi said, sighing softly. "Thank you YunHo, for answering our questions. I'm sure this won't be the last time... is it safe to say that our questions should be directed towards you and not the other three? How is... KiSeop? KiSeop, how is he doing?"
"He's still recovering after the fight with Death, GyuRi is tending to him," YunHo nodded. "He won't be going anywhere too fast, but he's not in any danger. And yes, if you have questions then come to me. The other three have their own roles to fulfill."
"Figured as much, glad to hear he's alright," Zhou Mi nodded, looking to JungMin as he took the man's hand. "Well, I guess we'll be going. Thank you again," he bowed his head politely to YunHo before starting for the door.
"We should go see how HyunJoong is doing, let them know what we found out," KyuJong said once they were all out of the library. "Maybe get a hold of all the others, have a small meeting?"
"That meeting will be anything but small, there's 14 of us now," JungMin said, wrapping his arm around Zhou Mi's waist. "But it's a good idea." They needed to keep up to date with everything, with how fast things were changing now.
"We'll figure that out once we're back at Zhou Mi's office," HyungJoon said, taking SooHyun's hand lightly as they made their way back.
By the time they arrived at Zhou Mi's office again, HyunJoong was awake and looking much better than he had. Their first clue being that he had JongWoon in his lap and they weren't just talking.
"Ahem," Zhou Mi cleared his throat when he opened the door, shaking his head in amusement as he went around to his chair and sat down. "Well, we did find out some good things HyunJoong, but I think it's best if we get everyone together to talk so we're not just repeating ourselves. Would we be able to use Babtol's, JongWoon?"
Turning bright red, JongWoon climbed back off of HyunJoong's lap. "Yeah, sure, there shouldn't be many people there now."
"I thought he was close to passing out?" JungMin snorted, pointing at HyunJoong.
"He said a kiss might make him feel better," JongWoon mumbled sheepishly.
"And it did," HyunJoong said with an unrepentant grin.
"Well good," Zhou Mi chuckled softly. "I can tell you what he said about this.. aura thing. It's because of the awakening, and it will become easier to manage in time. YunHo said for now to limit how many other people you're around at any given time until you're more used to it, and for you two to stay in contact. It will help."
"Okay..." JongWoon nodded. "I guess we'll find out what else he said once once we're with the whole group?"
"Right," HyungJoon fished out his phone. "I'll reach KiBum and Kevin."
"I guess I'll track down HeeChul," JungMin opened his own cell phone. "Babtol's in...half an hour?"
"Yes, well as near as everyone can get there anyway," Zhou Mi said. "I will call some of the others. SooHyun, get a hold of your roommate if you can."
"It really does make this easier that everyone seems to at least know each other a little," KyuJong said, his arms around YoungSaeng's waist and resting his chin on the man's shoulder.
"It does I suppose," YoungSaeng nodded, watching the others. "And strange to think about, how everyone was connected even when we didn't know each other."
"It's probably easier not to think about it," HyungJoon shook his head, dialing KiBum's number.
At that particular moment, KiBum and Kevin were enjoying what the older of the two would consider a fairly romantic and enjoyable moment. High atop Mt. Namsan, they were enjoying the view from Beacon Lighthouse near Seoul Tower, and KiBum scowled a little when he heard his phone going off in his pocket. "I bet it's my brother," he sighed a little into Kevin's ear, holding the younger man from behind with his arms around Kevin's waist. Lucky for them, there were very few people visiting the lighthouse in the dead of winter.
"Well we were bound to hear from him eventually, he didn't come back last night," Kevin chuckled. He had been enjoying the day to themselves, happy to look around Seoul with KiBum. Turning halfway, he kissed KiBum lightly. "Let's see what he wants?"
"Oh fine," KiBum muttered, freeing one hand to dig around in his pocket for his cell phone. "Yup, knew it," he said, answering the call. "Yes, hyung?"
"Hey! Are you and Kevin around? We just met up with YunHo and have some more answers, so we're trying to meet with everyone at Babtol's."
"We're at the tower," KiBum said, frowning slightly. "It'll be probably half an hour before we get there. Find out anything useful?"
"Yeah, and I think you'll be interested in hearing it," HyungJoon replied. "Have either you or Kevin been having weird nightmares lately? About the horsemen?"
"Nightmares? No... not that I know of," KiBum blinked, looking to Kevin. "Have you had any bad nightmares about the horsemen?"
"...Nightmares?" Kevin paled slightly, before turning back towards the view, shaking his head a little too quickly. "No, none."
KiBum's eyes narrowed. "I'll have to call you back hyung, or we'll just see you at the restaurant," he said, turning off the phone and putting it in his pocket. "Okay, spill." He poked Kevin in the side.
"What, I said there were no nightmares," Kevin flinched away from the poke, not looking at KiBum.
"And you're totally lying to me right now," KiBum said, turning Kevin around to try to look at him. "You can tell me, it's okay."
"I don't want you to think I'm just being a baby or something," Kevin mumbled, looking down rather than at KiBum's face. "I've been having them for months, but they're coming so often now they're really starting to freak me out."
"I would never think you were being a baby," KiBum said, watching him with concerned eyes. "What is it? What has happened in your dreams?" he asked softly.
"My, my, don't you two look... delicious." A squeaky voice startled KiBum and his head snapped to the side. His arms went around Kevin protectively, clinging tightly to him when he saw who it was.
Kevin's eyes widened as he looked up, seeing that same stranger who had stalked them in Babtol's. The one they'd learned was the horseman of Famine. And all those nightmares he'd been suppressing came back to him.
"...This," he whispered, before breaking out of KiBum's arms. He stepped in front of the older man, arms out to stop RyeoWook from reaching him. "L-leave us alone, you can't hurt him!"
RyeoWook's head tilted slightly to the side, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, but I wasn't after him. Guess I am now," he said, his voice like nails on a chalkboard.
"Kevin, we need to get out of here," KiBum whispered, trying to pull his boyfriend behind him.
"Oh no, not so fast little tasties," RyeoWook shot forward, faster than KiBum could see. The horsemen grabbed the front of Kevin's jacket, yanking him forward to backhand him hard across the face.
The inhuman force of the hit sent Kevin crashing to the floor, hitting his head hard against the stone and lying limp.
KiBum cried in dismay, starting forward to do something, protect Kevin, but RyeoWook was standing in between them, and advancing slowly.
"Stay... stay back.." KiBum whispered, holding up his hands, not wanting to look behind him where there was nothing but mountain side to tumble down.
"No," RyeoWook replied simply. "Sorry my little tasty, but I'm looking forward to the way you will sound as you roll down that mountain. I was reserving that for your... other half, but he didn't want to cooperate. All the same, bye," RyeoWook wiggled his fingers a little as he blew out a short breath. The wind picked up and before KiBum could do much else, a strong wind slammed into him, knocking him off of the ledge. It was only by some miracle he was managed to grab onto the stone ledge with his fingers, his toes barely keeping a hold on the rock below.
"Tsk tsk, you are going to be difficult one aren't you," RyeoWook was standing over top of him, one leg lifted as he slowly brought his foot down on top of KiBum's fingers.
Before the horseman could step on KiBum's fingers and make him fall to his death, hands pushed hard at RyeoWook from behind. "STOP!" And Kevin pushed RyeoWook over the ledge of the lighthouse.
Panting and shaking, Kevin didn't wait to see where the horseman's body would hit the rocks below. "KiBum!" He grabbed onto his boyfriend's wrists, bracing himself against the ledge with one foot and pulling as hard as he could.
Feet scrabbling against the mountainside, KiBum tried to get as much leverage as he could to help push himself up. Kevin wouldn't be able to lift him up all by himself. Despite both of their efforts, he could tell that he was still slipping, Kevin's grip on his wrists was slick with sweat. "Kevin!" he cried out, one of the rocks he had been using for support gave way beneath his feet and KiBum slipped even further down.
Shouting when he was dragged forward by the added weight, Kevin struggled to keep a good hold. "I'm not letting go, you're going to be okay," he blinked back tears of fright, bracing himself against the ledge and pulling again. "Come on!"
He couldn't lose KiBum. Not this way, not any way. They belonged together, filled out the missing pieces in each other's lives and Kevin couldn't lose the one who made him complete.
Something seemed to click into place in his head, before strength flooded through his weakening arms. Strength that came from KiBum himself, flowing through the grip on the older man's wrists. It cleared the dizziness and pain from cracking his head against the stones, giving him new hope.
Pulling with all his might, Kevin slowly started to bring KiBum back up over the ledge of the lighthouse.
It was good that Kevin had such a tight grip on him, otherwise KiBum could very well have let go when the power started to flow through them. Kicking with his feet at the rocks, he breathed a huge sigh of relief when he was back over the ledge, collapsing onto his knees when he was clear. "Kevin.." he whispered, looking into his boyfriend's eyes with a wide smile. "You saved me."
Breathing heavily, Kevin looked back at KiBum with wide eyes. He sniffled a little before pulling KiBum into a tight hug, burying his face in the older man's shoulder. "I'm so glad you're safe," he whispered, hold tightening. "I can't lose you KiBum."
"You're not going to lose me, not now," KiBum replied softly, holding Kevin tightly. "I love you, so much." After a moment, he pulled back, touching Kevin's cheek lightly before slowly getting to his feet. "We need to get out of here."
Nodding, Kevin stood and took KiBum's hand again, ignoring for now the strange sense of power. "Do you think he's dead?" he asked, glancing towards the ledge before pulling KiBum back away from the cliff face.
"I'm going to hope so, but if it were that easy to kill them, I don't think we'd be going through all this," KiBum said, starting towards the stairs to get back to the cable car.
"Going so soon?" RyeoWook stepped out from behind a pillar, looking between them with a smirk. "I wasn't done with you yet."
Jumping, Kevin's grip on KiBum's hand tightened, eyes wide. "But...you..." He'd just pushed him off the ledge of the lighthouse! He should have fallen to his death, or at least great pain on the rocks below. How was the horseman back here?
"Leave us alone!" he yelled.
RyeoWook's smile turned into a snarl as he lunged towards Kevin. "I'm not done with you!" he hissed.
"NO!" KiBum's hand tightened on Kevin's. "You can't hurt anymore!" he called. He wasn't afraid of this creature anymore, and he refused to be bullied or hurt ever again.
One moment RyeoWook was moving towards Kevin, the next he was flat on his back and panting heavily as if he'd hit some kind of wall. KiBum didn't want to stick around to see what else would happen, pulling Kevin as he ran towards the exit to get away.
Staggering slightly, Kevin sprinted to keep up with KiBum as they ran towards the stairs. He didn't dare look back to see if Famine was still following them, hurrying down the stairs and to the cable car. They didn't stop until they were in the car and it was slowly moving back down the hill.
"What...what just happened," Kevin panted, eyes wide as he looked back out the window towards the lighthouse.
KiBum shook his head, holding Kevin close to him as he slowly tried to calm down. "I don't know, but I wish I did. He just... stopped. You think, what happened to HyunJoong and JongWoon just happened to us?"
"I don't know," Kevin shut his eyes, pressing himself close to KiBum. Now that the adrenaline rush was wearing off, his head was hurting again. "It was all in my nightmares," he murmured into KiBum's shoulder. "Him pushing you off the edge...I couldn't do anything to stop it."
"... Why didn't you tell me?" KiBum asked quietly, looking down at him in concern. "How long were you having these nightmares?"
"Months, but I never...thought much of them until this whole thing with the horsemen started," Kevin shook his head. "I didn't want you to worry...or think I was losing it. I didn't know this was going to happen."
"Well that makes two of us," KiBum sighed, kissing Kevin's forehead and just holding him. "We'll tell the others what happened, they probably know more about this than we do at this point. Are you okay?"
"My head hurts," Kevin looked up at KiBum. "But I'm not the one who nearly fell down a cliff, are you okay?"
"I feel... odd, but I'm okay," KiBum said, glancing down at his hands. He distinctly remembered the sharp rock of the ledge biting into his fingers and palms, but there wasn't even a scratch. "I'm... fine. I'll feel better once we're away from here. We might want to put the sightseeing on hold for a little bit."
"Yes," Kevin shut his eyes again, shuddering as he remembered how he could have lost KiBum just now. He had a feeling he'd have more nightmares about this for a long, long time. "Can we ask for a lift?" He wanted to be as far away from that horseman as fast as possible.
"Uh.. yeah, I'll call Zhou Mi and see if JungMin will come pick us up," KiBum nodded, searching around for his phone. Dialing Zhou Mi's number, he listened to the other side ring.
"Hello?" Zhou Mi answered, blinking a little at who it was. "KiBum? Is everything okay?"
"Um... not really, could JungMin come pick us up from the tower?"
"That shouldn't be a problem," Zhou Mi frowned, looking to JungMin as he hung up. "We have to go pick up KiBum and Kevin... I think something's wrong."
"Something's wrong?" HyungJoon's head snapped up at that, eyes wide. "Is KiBum okay?"
"We can go meet them, sure," JungMin nodded, frowning.
"I don't know if he's okay, but he didn't sound okay," Zhou Mi said. "JungMin and I will go pick him up, you wait here with the others, don't need you freaking out in the middle of public."
"So he'll freak out here instead," KyuJong mused with a small laugh.
"Distract him with food or something, we'll be back in a few," Zhou Mi said, tugging JungMin towards the door.
"Does he really think I can be distracted that easily with my brother in trouble?" HyungJoon flailed, and YoungSaeng had to grab him by the back of his shirt to stop him from running after Zhou Mi.
JungMin glanced back at them before walking faster, holding Zhou Mi's hand. "That whole opposite thing works fast, I don't think he's zoned out once today."
"Maybe SooHyun was grabbing his ass to keep him awake," Zhou Mi murmured with a small smile. "Either way, he seems happier, and that makes me happy."
"And if you're happy then I'm happy, so let's keep it this way," JungMin smiled back. "I hope those other two are okay though," he frowned. "Did KiBum say anything else when he called?"
"No, just that things weren't okay and to come pick him up," Zhou Mi said. "I'm afraid something happened, he wouldn't ask for a ride if he didn't absolutely need it."
"Well we'll find out soon enough," JungMin pushed the door open, stepping outside and heading to the parking lot. "Where are they?"
"The entrance to the tower, the cable cars," Zhou Mi said, glancing towards where he knew the tower was but couldn't see because of the buildings. "They were sightseeing at the lighthouse. It's a beautiful place to look over the city."
"Oh yeah, I remember going there once," JungMin nodded. "They've gone practically everywhere in Seoul by now." He unlocked the car as they approached it, getting into the driver's seat. "You must have done the whole sightseeing thing too when you came here, right?"
"Yes, well, it wasn't right when I got here," Zhou Mi said, sliding into the passenger seat and buckling the seat belt. "I was so busy with school right away that it wasn't until after a couple months when we were on a break that I was able to. HyungJoon took me actually, since I had no other friends."
"Well, when this is all over if there's anywhere else you wanted to go, we could always go look around," JungMin chuckled, starting the engine and backing up. "A vacation or something."
"A vacation sounds lovely," Zhou Mi hummed, closing his eyes and leaning his forehead against the window. "Is there anywhere you would want to go?"
"Dunno, maybe out of Seoul? Get away from the city for a bit," the bouncer shrugged, getting them on the road towards the tower.
"You know, I would love to go to Japan," Zhou Mi said, smiling softly. "I hear they have a great club scene."
JungMin snorted. "As long as I don't have to work there too, let's go. It's hard to enjoy clubs anymore when most of your night is spent hauling drunk idiots out the door."
"Well I also hear that the hot springs are beautiful and relaxing," Zhou Mi said, turning his head to look at him. "Do you think we're really going to get through this alive?"
"Of course we are," JungMin answered firmly, glancing at Zhou Mi out of the corner of his eyes. "Whatever happens, we're going to get through it. Promise."
"Holding you to that," Zhou Mi said, smiling up at him. "You won't hold it against me if I say I'm still scared right? Because I am."
Honestly, JungMin was scared too, but he wasn't going to let Zhou Mi see it. That would just make things worse for the older man. "That's fine, but don't forget we're all in this together, huh?" he freed one hand from the steering wheel to tweak Zhou Mi's nose. "And you've got a bouncer for a boyfriend, I'm used to dealing with crazy people."
"Even if your boyfriend is one of those crazy people?" Zhou Mi asked with a laugh, swatting at the hand. "What would I do without you? I'm supposed to be the serene calm, patient one, but I have been feeling all out of sorts lately."
"Don't let them get in your head Mi, that's what they want, remember?" JungMin shook his head. "They're scared of us. Whatever happened to HyunJoong and JongWoon, it proves we can fight back and win, and it terrifies them."
Zhou Mi didn't know how to respond to that, biting his lip in frustration as he thought about all the ways that could have gone horribly wrong, that JongWoon and HyunJoong could have been killed. That they were all just muddling their way through a very dangerous situation that they had only just become aware of how dangerous it really was. Especially now that they knew the dreams were real, a look into future events that not even YunHo knew where they had come from, or how to stop them.
As much as Zhou Mi wanted to not think about it, he couldn't get the image of JungMin being shot out of his mind, or the feel of a blade against his neck, digging in, the sound of his own screams in his ear. The nightmares did scare him, and he wished they didn't.
Instead, he just nodded slowly, giving JungMin a small smile. "Right, we can beat them," he said.
JungMin smiled in return, seeing Zhou Mi didn't quite believe his own words and hoping he could provide some sort of support.
They arrived outside the tower, JungMin bringing the car into the pick-up area and stopping. "There they are," he saw KiBum and Kevin waiting, the two heading to the car.
As soon as the two were in the car and doors were closed, Zhou Mi turned around with wide eyes. "What's wrong? What happened?" he asked, seeing how uncomfortable the two looked, and scared.
"Can we get out of here first?" KiBum said anxiously, glancing around even as he scooted closer to Kevin and put an arm around him.
"Sure," JungMin glanced at Zhou Mi with a frown, pulling away from the curb again and turning down the street back towards Babtol's. "Okay, we're on our way, now spill. You both look like you've seen a ghost."
"Not a ghost," Kevin shook his head, leaning against KiBum and wrapping his own arms around his boyfriend. "Horseman."
"What?!" Zhou Mi's eyes widened in worry. "What happened? Did he... oh no.. you're both okay right?"
"Yes, we're... okay," KiBum nodded. "He... pushed me off the side of the ledge, but then Kevin pushed him off and helped me back up because I was just barely holding on but my hands were slipping and I couldn't get a foot hold and then... I think we awakened, like JongWoon and HyunJoong."
"You pushed him off the ledge? Is he... dead? Which one was it?" Zhou Mi asked, shoulders slumping.
"He's not dead," Kevin shook his head. "It was Famine, and he reappeared again after I pushed him off, though I don't know how...He tried attacking us, but it was like he just hit a wall or something, and then we ran."
"Why do you say you awakened?" JungMin glanced at them through the rearview mirror.
"I couldn't pull him up," Kevin's grip around KiBum tightened slightly. "He was going to fall down the cliff, but suddenly my head cleared and I had enough strength to pull him back up, like KiBum was giving me the strength I needed."
"Yeah and when he was trying to attack us after Kevin pulled me up, I felt like he couldn't touch us again," KiBum said. "That we could beat him no matter what, and he was coming after Kevin then just fell down and didn't get back up. You should tell them, Kevin, about the nightmare."
"...I have to, don't I," Kevin's shoulders slumped, looking up at Zhou Mi. "I was having these nightmares for months, maybe since I met KiBum, and it was exactly what just happened. I tried to stop the horseman from pushing KiBum off like in my nightmare, but I think by doing that I made it happen instead of avoiding it."
"..." Zhou Mi stared wide eyed at Kevin after hearing that, feeling his heart stop in his chest. "You... made it happen," he said softly, turning around in his seat and closing his eyes. "Just like with HyunJoong... the dreams are going to come true, even if we fight against them. We can stop it."
"Hey," JungMin frowned, reaching out with one hand to take Zhou Mi's. "Hey, it's going to be fine, okay? How did your nightmares end, Kevin?"
"With KiBum being pushed off, I always wake up right after," Kevin shut his eyes, not wanting to think about the nightmares anymore.
"And you're both fine after, none of you died," JungMin said firmly. "So it's going to be fine, Mi."
"I watch you die, Min," Zhou Mi said, pulling his hand away and looking out the window. "Right before they kill me. How are we going to be okay with my throat slit and you with bullet holes? No, no, we're going to die, there's no saving us."
KiBum's eyes widened at that and he looked at Kevin in worry.
"Hey, listen," JungMin pulled the car to the side of the road and flicked the hazard lights on, turning to Zhou Mi. "It's not going to happen, okay? I'm not letting anything happen to you, and those four creeps aren't going to hurt us."
"But you just heard what Kevin said!" Zhou Mi said, looking down at his hands. "Even when he tried to prevent it, it happened anyway. There's nothing we can do Min, nothing. We're going to die."
Chapter: 33/40
Rating: R
Pairing: KyuJong/YoungSaeng, HyunJoong/JongWoon, JungMin/Zhou Mi, Kevin/KiBum, HeeChul/SiWon
Crossover: Super Junior, DBSK
Genre: Angst, AU,
Summary: Society is crumbling; salvation walks the earth once more.
With most of the school being out of the holidays, there were only a few people hanging around the library. YunHo sat at the front desk, typing at the keyboard before he blinked and looked up as they approached.
"I was wondering when you'd be visiting me," he chuckled, taking off his glasses.
"Well I don't think all of our questions were answered yesterday," Zhou Mi said. "Do you mind if we all sit down somewhere? This might take a bit of time."
"Sure, let's take one of the study rooms," YunHo nodded, standing and placing a small sign on the desk in his place. He led the group to one of the doors by the side of the library, unlocking it for them and opening the lights.
Once they'd all sat down and the door was closed again behind them, YunHo looked at them with a smile. "So, what can I do for you?"
Zhou Mi looked around at the others, folding his hands over each other on the table. "Well, a couple of things. The first being, HyunJoong is up in my office after nearly collapsing. He, and JongWoon, said that they saw... aura's around some of the students. Right, that's what he said?"
"Yeah... that he could feel their pride," KyuJong supplied, sitting next to YoungSaeng.
"That's normal, don't worry," YunHo nodded. "You already know you can influence others around you, correct?"
"Yeah, sins can affect everyone around them but virtues have to be in direct contact," HyungJoon put in.
"Once you awaken, you fully realize your abilities and can see the effects on normal humans. Those auras are, in the case of Pride and Humility, the pride each person feels. The stronger the aura, the stronger their pride."
"But HyunJoong nearly passed out from it," YoungSaeng frowned.
"If it was his first time being exposed to the auras, he would find it overwhelming. The effects on him will lessen with each exposure."
"So each of us will see an orange glow then? Why is it JongWoon could only see the aura when he was touching HyunJoong then?" KyuJong asked.
"The precise color varies. Like before being awakened, the virtue half is still limited in what they can do," YunHo explained. "JongWoon has to be in contact with HyunJoong to be able to both see the aura, and to affect those around him the same as Pride can. The virtue works to balance out the sin."
"That makes... a bit of sense," Zhou Mi nodded, frowning down at the table for a moment.
"Something to look forward to then," KyuJong murmured softly, glancing at YoungSaeng.
"The other thing we wanted to discuss... is nightmares," Zhou Mi said slowly, taking in a deep breath. "Some of us have been having very disturbing nightmares, and yesterday, HyunJoong's came true."
"Nightmares?" YunHo blinked, seeming confused about that. "What sort of nightmares?"
"We can never remember much about them once we've woken up," YoungSaeng said, glancing at the others. "But they all seem to have some sort of attack by the Horsemen in them. HyunJoong said that his dream was exactly what happened yesterday, when Death attacked them. What are the dreams supposed to be? Visions of the future?"
YunHo frowned for a long moment, tapping his fingers against the table.
"I...actually don't know. None of the other three nor myself have the ability to predict the future so precisely, let alone be able to replicate them in dreams."
"We were thinking that it was from the Horsemen, a psychological tactic," Zhou Mi said. "Like the attacks, a way of wearing us down."
"That doesn't make sense though now," KyuJong said, having thought about the situation most of the day. "Once the first attack would take place, then we'd know what the dreams are and then we would prepare for it, right? Why would the Horsemen want to give us an advantage like that."
"I doubt it was the horsemen," YunHo shook his head. "Besides failing as a psychological tactic, they can't predict the future either. Pretend as they might, that power is beyond them all, even Death."
"But then...if it wasn't you four, or the horsemen, who was it?" HyungJoon was sorely confused.
"I will need to consult with the other archangels, and get back to you," YunHo tapped his fingers against the table, frowning.
"I have a question," SooHyun spoke up, straightening in his chair. "As far as I've been aware, archangels serve god... does this mean that there is in fact a god? Are you proof of that? Or is this something else entirely we're not aware of."
"'Archangel' is just one of many names you have given us, over many centuries," YunHo gave the other man an enigmatic smile. "And with each new name comes a new understanding, each with their own truths." He looked back to Zhou Mi. "Is there anything else I could help you with?"
"That wasn't really an answer," SooHyun muttered under his breath to HyungJoon.
"I.. don't think I had anymore questions," Zhou Mi said, shaking his head. "You probably well understand how confused we are about all of this."
Yes, I do," YunHo chuckled, smiling sympathetically at him. "Everything will become clear soon enough."
"I hope so, because this fumbling around in the dark is getting on my nerves," YoungSaeng slumped back in his chair. "You really can't give us more than this?"
"I'm afraid not...the consequences for interfering are severe, and not just for us. I will guide you as best as I can, but it is you who must connect all the pieces."
"So, really not much more than we've done thus far," Zhou Mi said with a small chuckle. "Tell me though, have we done well?"
"Yes," YunHo smiled, standing. "We have faith in all of you."
"Thank you," HyungJoon stood as well, looking back at the others. "Oh...is there anything we can do to make it easier on HyunJoong?"
"Contact with his opposite will lessen the strain until his body becomes adjusted to the change," YunHo replied. "Aside from that, gradual exposure to the auras will be easier for him to handle than all at once."
"Well I don't think you'll have to force HyunJoong to keep in contact with JongWoon," KyuJong said with a small laugh, getting to his feet. "But we should probably keep the partying at the club to a minimum."
"I doubt we'll be doing much of anything fun in the near future," Zhou Mi said, sighing softly. "Thank you YunHo, for answering our questions. I'm sure this won't be the last time... is it safe to say that our questions should be directed towards you and not the other three? How is... KiSeop? KiSeop, how is he doing?"
"He's still recovering after the fight with Death, GyuRi is tending to him," YunHo nodded. "He won't be going anywhere too fast, but he's not in any danger. And yes, if you have questions then come to me. The other three have their own roles to fulfill."
"Figured as much, glad to hear he's alright," Zhou Mi nodded, looking to JungMin as he took the man's hand. "Well, I guess we'll be going. Thank you again," he bowed his head politely to YunHo before starting for the door.
"We should go see how HyunJoong is doing, let them know what we found out," KyuJong said once they were all out of the library. "Maybe get a hold of all the others, have a small meeting?"
"That meeting will be anything but small, there's 14 of us now," JungMin said, wrapping his arm around Zhou Mi's waist. "But it's a good idea." They needed to keep up to date with everything, with how fast things were changing now.
"We'll figure that out once we're back at Zhou Mi's office," HyungJoon said, taking SooHyun's hand lightly as they made their way back.
By the time they arrived at Zhou Mi's office again, HyunJoong was awake and looking much better than he had. Their first clue being that he had JongWoon in his lap and they weren't just talking.
"Ahem," Zhou Mi cleared his throat when he opened the door, shaking his head in amusement as he went around to his chair and sat down. "Well, we did find out some good things HyunJoong, but I think it's best if we get everyone together to talk so we're not just repeating ourselves. Would we be able to use Babtol's, JongWoon?"
Turning bright red, JongWoon climbed back off of HyunJoong's lap. "Yeah, sure, there shouldn't be many people there now."
"I thought he was close to passing out?" JungMin snorted, pointing at HyunJoong.
"He said a kiss might make him feel better," JongWoon mumbled sheepishly.
"And it did," HyunJoong said with an unrepentant grin.
"Well good," Zhou Mi chuckled softly. "I can tell you what he said about this.. aura thing. It's because of the awakening, and it will become easier to manage in time. YunHo said for now to limit how many other people you're around at any given time until you're more used to it, and for you two to stay in contact. It will help."
"Okay..." JongWoon nodded. "I guess we'll find out what else he said once once we're with the whole group?"
"Right," HyungJoon fished out his phone. "I'll reach KiBum and Kevin."
"I guess I'll track down HeeChul," JungMin opened his own cell phone. "Babtol's in...half an hour?"
"Yes, well as near as everyone can get there anyway," Zhou Mi said. "I will call some of the others. SooHyun, get a hold of your roommate if you can."
"It really does make this easier that everyone seems to at least know each other a little," KyuJong said, his arms around YoungSaeng's waist and resting his chin on the man's shoulder.
"It does I suppose," YoungSaeng nodded, watching the others. "And strange to think about, how everyone was connected even when we didn't know each other."
"It's probably easier not to think about it," HyungJoon shook his head, dialing KiBum's number.
At that particular moment, KiBum and Kevin were enjoying what the older of the two would consider a fairly romantic and enjoyable moment. High atop Mt. Namsan, they were enjoying the view from Beacon Lighthouse near Seoul Tower, and KiBum scowled a little when he heard his phone going off in his pocket. "I bet it's my brother," he sighed a little into Kevin's ear, holding the younger man from behind with his arms around Kevin's waist. Lucky for them, there were very few people visiting the lighthouse in the dead of winter.
"Well we were bound to hear from him eventually, he didn't come back last night," Kevin chuckled. He had been enjoying the day to themselves, happy to look around Seoul with KiBum. Turning halfway, he kissed KiBum lightly. "Let's see what he wants?"
"Oh fine," KiBum muttered, freeing one hand to dig around in his pocket for his cell phone. "Yup, knew it," he said, answering the call. "Yes, hyung?"
"Hey! Are you and Kevin around? We just met up with YunHo and have some more answers, so we're trying to meet with everyone at Babtol's."
"We're at the tower," KiBum said, frowning slightly. "It'll be probably half an hour before we get there. Find out anything useful?"
"Yeah, and I think you'll be interested in hearing it," HyungJoon replied. "Have either you or Kevin been having weird nightmares lately? About the horsemen?"
"Nightmares? No... not that I know of," KiBum blinked, looking to Kevin. "Have you had any bad nightmares about the horsemen?"
"...Nightmares?" Kevin paled slightly, before turning back towards the view, shaking his head a little too quickly. "No, none."
KiBum's eyes narrowed. "I'll have to call you back hyung, or we'll just see you at the restaurant," he said, turning off the phone and putting it in his pocket. "Okay, spill." He poked Kevin in the side.
"What, I said there were no nightmares," Kevin flinched away from the poke, not looking at KiBum.
"And you're totally lying to me right now," KiBum said, turning Kevin around to try to look at him. "You can tell me, it's okay."
"I don't want you to think I'm just being a baby or something," Kevin mumbled, looking down rather than at KiBum's face. "I've been having them for months, but they're coming so often now they're really starting to freak me out."
"I would never think you were being a baby," KiBum said, watching him with concerned eyes. "What is it? What has happened in your dreams?" he asked softly.
"My, my, don't you two look... delicious." A squeaky voice startled KiBum and his head snapped to the side. His arms went around Kevin protectively, clinging tightly to him when he saw who it was.
Kevin's eyes widened as he looked up, seeing that same stranger who had stalked them in Babtol's. The one they'd learned was the horseman of Famine. And all those nightmares he'd been suppressing came back to him.
"...This," he whispered, before breaking out of KiBum's arms. He stepped in front of the older man, arms out to stop RyeoWook from reaching him. "L-leave us alone, you can't hurt him!"
RyeoWook's head tilted slightly to the side, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, but I wasn't after him. Guess I am now," he said, his voice like nails on a chalkboard.
"Kevin, we need to get out of here," KiBum whispered, trying to pull his boyfriend behind him.
"Oh no, not so fast little tasties," RyeoWook shot forward, faster than KiBum could see. The horsemen grabbed the front of Kevin's jacket, yanking him forward to backhand him hard across the face.
The inhuman force of the hit sent Kevin crashing to the floor, hitting his head hard against the stone and lying limp.
KiBum cried in dismay, starting forward to do something, protect Kevin, but RyeoWook was standing in between them, and advancing slowly.
"Stay... stay back.." KiBum whispered, holding up his hands, not wanting to look behind him where there was nothing but mountain side to tumble down.
"No," RyeoWook replied simply. "Sorry my little tasty, but I'm looking forward to the way you will sound as you roll down that mountain. I was reserving that for your... other half, but he didn't want to cooperate. All the same, bye," RyeoWook wiggled his fingers a little as he blew out a short breath. The wind picked up and before KiBum could do much else, a strong wind slammed into him, knocking him off of the ledge. It was only by some miracle he was managed to grab onto the stone ledge with his fingers, his toes barely keeping a hold on the rock below.
"Tsk tsk, you are going to be difficult one aren't you," RyeoWook was standing over top of him, one leg lifted as he slowly brought his foot down on top of KiBum's fingers.
Before the horseman could step on KiBum's fingers and make him fall to his death, hands pushed hard at RyeoWook from behind. "STOP!" And Kevin pushed RyeoWook over the ledge of the lighthouse.
Panting and shaking, Kevin didn't wait to see where the horseman's body would hit the rocks below. "KiBum!" He grabbed onto his boyfriend's wrists, bracing himself against the ledge with one foot and pulling as hard as he could.
Feet scrabbling against the mountainside, KiBum tried to get as much leverage as he could to help push himself up. Kevin wouldn't be able to lift him up all by himself. Despite both of their efforts, he could tell that he was still slipping, Kevin's grip on his wrists was slick with sweat. "Kevin!" he cried out, one of the rocks he had been using for support gave way beneath his feet and KiBum slipped even further down.
Shouting when he was dragged forward by the added weight, Kevin struggled to keep a good hold. "I'm not letting go, you're going to be okay," he blinked back tears of fright, bracing himself against the ledge and pulling again. "Come on!"
He couldn't lose KiBum. Not this way, not any way. They belonged together, filled out the missing pieces in each other's lives and Kevin couldn't lose the one who made him complete.
Something seemed to click into place in his head, before strength flooded through his weakening arms. Strength that came from KiBum himself, flowing through the grip on the older man's wrists. It cleared the dizziness and pain from cracking his head against the stones, giving him new hope.
Pulling with all his might, Kevin slowly started to bring KiBum back up over the ledge of the lighthouse.
It was good that Kevin had such a tight grip on him, otherwise KiBum could very well have let go when the power started to flow through them. Kicking with his feet at the rocks, he breathed a huge sigh of relief when he was back over the ledge, collapsing onto his knees when he was clear. "Kevin.." he whispered, looking into his boyfriend's eyes with a wide smile. "You saved me."
Breathing heavily, Kevin looked back at KiBum with wide eyes. He sniffled a little before pulling KiBum into a tight hug, burying his face in the older man's shoulder. "I'm so glad you're safe," he whispered, hold tightening. "I can't lose you KiBum."
"You're not going to lose me, not now," KiBum replied softly, holding Kevin tightly. "I love you, so much." After a moment, he pulled back, touching Kevin's cheek lightly before slowly getting to his feet. "We need to get out of here."
Nodding, Kevin stood and took KiBum's hand again, ignoring for now the strange sense of power. "Do you think he's dead?" he asked, glancing towards the ledge before pulling KiBum back away from the cliff face.
"I'm going to hope so, but if it were that easy to kill them, I don't think we'd be going through all this," KiBum said, starting towards the stairs to get back to the cable car.
"Going so soon?" RyeoWook stepped out from behind a pillar, looking between them with a smirk. "I wasn't done with you yet."
Jumping, Kevin's grip on KiBum's hand tightened, eyes wide. "But...you..." He'd just pushed him off the ledge of the lighthouse! He should have fallen to his death, or at least great pain on the rocks below. How was the horseman back here?
"Leave us alone!" he yelled.
RyeoWook's smile turned into a snarl as he lunged towards Kevin. "I'm not done with you!" he hissed.
"NO!" KiBum's hand tightened on Kevin's. "You can't hurt anymore!" he called. He wasn't afraid of this creature anymore, and he refused to be bullied or hurt ever again.
One moment RyeoWook was moving towards Kevin, the next he was flat on his back and panting heavily as if he'd hit some kind of wall. KiBum didn't want to stick around to see what else would happen, pulling Kevin as he ran towards the exit to get away.
Staggering slightly, Kevin sprinted to keep up with KiBum as they ran towards the stairs. He didn't dare look back to see if Famine was still following them, hurrying down the stairs and to the cable car. They didn't stop until they were in the car and it was slowly moving back down the hill.
"What...what just happened," Kevin panted, eyes wide as he looked back out the window towards the lighthouse.
KiBum shook his head, holding Kevin close to him as he slowly tried to calm down. "I don't know, but I wish I did. He just... stopped. You think, what happened to HyunJoong and JongWoon just happened to us?"
"I don't know," Kevin shut his eyes, pressing himself close to KiBum. Now that the adrenaline rush was wearing off, his head was hurting again. "It was all in my nightmares," he murmured into KiBum's shoulder. "Him pushing you off the edge...I couldn't do anything to stop it."
"... Why didn't you tell me?" KiBum asked quietly, looking down at him in concern. "How long were you having these nightmares?"
"Months, but I never...thought much of them until this whole thing with the horsemen started," Kevin shook his head. "I didn't want you to worry...or think I was losing it. I didn't know this was going to happen."
"Well that makes two of us," KiBum sighed, kissing Kevin's forehead and just holding him. "We'll tell the others what happened, they probably know more about this than we do at this point. Are you okay?"
"My head hurts," Kevin looked up at KiBum. "But I'm not the one who nearly fell down a cliff, are you okay?"
"I feel... odd, but I'm okay," KiBum said, glancing down at his hands. He distinctly remembered the sharp rock of the ledge biting into his fingers and palms, but there wasn't even a scratch. "I'm... fine. I'll feel better once we're away from here. We might want to put the sightseeing on hold for a little bit."
"Yes," Kevin shut his eyes again, shuddering as he remembered how he could have lost KiBum just now. He had a feeling he'd have more nightmares about this for a long, long time. "Can we ask for a lift?" He wanted to be as far away from that horseman as fast as possible.
"Uh.. yeah, I'll call Zhou Mi and see if JungMin will come pick us up," KiBum nodded, searching around for his phone. Dialing Zhou Mi's number, he listened to the other side ring.
"Hello?" Zhou Mi answered, blinking a little at who it was. "KiBum? Is everything okay?"
"Um... not really, could JungMin come pick us up from the tower?"
"That shouldn't be a problem," Zhou Mi frowned, looking to JungMin as he hung up. "We have to go pick up KiBum and Kevin... I think something's wrong."
"Something's wrong?" HyungJoon's head snapped up at that, eyes wide. "Is KiBum okay?"
"We can go meet them, sure," JungMin nodded, frowning.
"I don't know if he's okay, but he didn't sound okay," Zhou Mi said. "JungMin and I will go pick him up, you wait here with the others, don't need you freaking out in the middle of public."
"So he'll freak out here instead," KyuJong mused with a small laugh.
"Distract him with food or something, we'll be back in a few," Zhou Mi said, tugging JungMin towards the door.
"Does he really think I can be distracted that easily with my brother in trouble?" HyungJoon flailed, and YoungSaeng had to grab him by the back of his shirt to stop him from running after Zhou Mi.
JungMin glanced back at them before walking faster, holding Zhou Mi's hand. "That whole opposite thing works fast, I don't think he's zoned out once today."
"Maybe SooHyun was grabbing his ass to keep him awake," Zhou Mi murmured with a small smile. "Either way, he seems happier, and that makes me happy."
"And if you're happy then I'm happy, so let's keep it this way," JungMin smiled back. "I hope those other two are okay though," he frowned. "Did KiBum say anything else when he called?"
"No, just that things weren't okay and to come pick him up," Zhou Mi said. "I'm afraid something happened, he wouldn't ask for a ride if he didn't absolutely need it."
"Well we'll find out soon enough," JungMin pushed the door open, stepping outside and heading to the parking lot. "Where are they?"
"The entrance to the tower, the cable cars," Zhou Mi said, glancing towards where he knew the tower was but couldn't see because of the buildings. "They were sightseeing at the lighthouse. It's a beautiful place to look over the city."
"Oh yeah, I remember going there once," JungMin nodded. "They've gone practically everywhere in Seoul by now." He unlocked the car as they approached it, getting into the driver's seat. "You must have done the whole sightseeing thing too when you came here, right?"
"Yes, well, it wasn't right when I got here," Zhou Mi said, sliding into the passenger seat and buckling the seat belt. "I was so busy with school right away that it wasn't until after a couple months when we were on a break that I was able to. HyungJoon took me actually, since I had no other friends."
"Well, when this is all over if there's anywhere else you wanted to go, we could always go look around," JungMin chuckled, starting the engine and backing up. "A vacation or something."
"A vacation sounds lovely," Zhou Mi hummed, closing his eyes and leaning his forehead against the window. "Is there anywhere you would want to go?"
"Dunno, maybe out of Seoul? Get away from the city for a bit," the bouncer shrugged, getting them on the road towards the tower.
"You know, I would love to go to Japan," Zhou Mi said, smiling softly. "I hear they have a great club scene."
JungMin snorted. "As long as I don't have to work there too, let's go. It's hard to enjoy clubs anymore when most of your night is spent hauling drunk idiots out the door."
"Well I also hear that the hot springs are beautiful and relaxing," Zhou Mi said, turning his head to look at him. "Do you think we're really going to get through this alive?"
"Of course we are," JungMin answered firmly, glancing at Zhou Mi out of the corner of his eyes. "Whatever happens, we're going to get through it. Promise."
"Holding you to that," Zhou Mi said, smiling up at him. "You won't hold it against me if I say I'm still scared right? Because I am."
Honestly, JungMin was scared too, but he wasn't going to let Zhou Mi see it. That would just make things worse for the older man. "That's fine, but don't forget we're all in this together, huh?" he freed one hand from the steering wheel to tweak Zhou Mi's nose. "And you've got a bouncer for a boyfriend, I'm used to dealing with crazy people."
"Even if your boyfriend is one of those crazy people?" Zhou Mi asked with a laugh, swatting at the hand. "What would I do without you? I'm supposed to be the serene calm, patient one, but I have been feeling all out of sorts lately."
"Don't let them get in your head Mi, that's what they want, remember?" JungMin shook his head. "They're scared of us. Whatever happened to HyunJoong and JongWoon, it proves we can fight back and win, and it terrifies them."
Zhou Mi didn't know how to respond to that, biting his lip in frustration as he thought about all the ways that could have gone horribly wrong, that JongWoon and HyunJoong could have been killed. That they were all just muddling their way through a very dangerous situation that they had only just become aware of how dangerous it really was. Especially now that they knew the dreams were real, a look into future events that not even YunHo knew where they had come from, or how to stop them.
As much as Zhou Mi wanted to not think about it, he couldn't get the image of JungMin being shot out of his mind, or the feel of a blade against his neck, digging in, the sound of his own screams in his ear. The nightmares did scare him, and he wished they didn't.
Instead, he just nodded slowly, giving JungMin a small smile. "Right, we can beat them," he said.
JungMin smiled in return, seeing Zhou Mi didn't quite believe his own words and hoping he could provide some sort of support.
They arrived outside the tower, JungMin bringing the car into the pick-up area and stopping. "There they are," he saw KiBum and Kevin waiting, the two heading to the car.
As soon as the two were in the car and doors were closed, Zhou Mi turned around with wide eyes. "What's wrong? What happened?" he asked, seeing how uncomfortable the two looked, and scared.
"Can we get out of here first?" KiBum said anxiously, glancing around even as he scooted closer to Kevin and put an arm around him.
"Sure," JungMin glanced at Zhou Mi with a frown, pulling away from the curb again and turning down the street back towards Babtol's. "Okay, we're on our way, now spill. You both look like you've seen a ghost."
"Not a ghost," Kevin shook his head, leaning against KiBum and wrapping his own arms around his boyfriend. "Horseman."
"What?!" Zhou Mi's eyes widened in worry. "What happened? Did he... oh no.. you're both okay right?"
"Yes, we're... okay," KiBum nodded. "He... pushed me off the side of the ledge, but then Kevin pushed him off and helped me back up because I was just barely holding on but my hands were slipping and I couldn't get a foot hold and then... I think we awakened, like JongWoon and HyunJoong."
"You pushed him off the ledge? Is he... dead? Which one was it?" Zhou Mi asked, shoulders slumping.
"He's not dead," Kevin shook his head. "It was Famine, and he reappeared again after I pushed him off, though I don't know how...He tried attacking us, but it was like he just hit a wall or something, and then we ran."
"Why do you say you awakened?" JungMin glanced at them through the rearview mirror.
"I couldn't pull him up," Kevin's grip around KiBum tightened slightly. "He was going to fall down the cliff, but suddenly my head cleared and I had enough strength to pull him back up, like KiBum was giving me the strength I needed."
"Yeah and when he was trying to attack us after Kevin pulled me up, I felt like he couldn't touch us again," KiBum said. "That we could beat him no matter what, and he was coming after Kevin then just fell down and didn't get back up. You should tell them, Kevin, about the nightmare."
"...I have to, don't I," Kevin's shoulders slumped, looking up at Zhou Mi. "I was having these nightmares for months, maybe since I met KiBum, and it was exactly what just happened. I tried to stop the horseman from pushing KiBum off like in my nightmare, but I think by doing that I made it happen instead of avoiding it."
"..." Zhou Mi stared wide eyed at Kevin after hearing that, feeling his heart stop in his chest. "You... made it happen," he said softly, turning around in his seat and closing his eyes. "Just like with HyunJoong... the dreams are going to come true, even if we fight against them. We can stop it."
"Hey," JungMin frowned, reaching out with one hand to take Zhou Mi's. "Hey, it's going to be fine, okay? How did your nightmares end, Kevin?"
"With KiBum being pushed off, I always wake up right after," Kevin shut his eyes, not wanting to think about the nightmares anymore.
"And you're both fine after, none of you died," JungMin said firmly. "So it's going to be fine, Mi."
"I watch you die, Min," Zhou Mi said, pulling his hand away and looking out the window. "Right before they kill me. How are we going to be okay with my throat slit and you with bullet holes? No, no, we're going to die, there's no saving us."
KiBum's eyes widened at that and he looked at Kevin in worry.
"Hey, listen," JungMin pulled the car to the side of the road and flicked the hazard lights on, turning to Zhou Mi. "It's not going to happen, okay? I'm not letting anything happen to you, and those four creeps aren't going to hurt us."
"But you just heard what Kevin said!" Zhou Mi said, looking down at his hands. "Even when he tried to prevent it, it happened anyway. There's nothing we can do Min, nothing. We're going to die."