Chapter Text
Supernatural creatures such as witches, demons, sirens, fairies, etc. have been banished to woodlands as to not be amongst the humans. They are seen as too wild for human society, and are usually tortured or killed.
Witches live to be hundreds of years old, and there are many types of witches, and well known family lines of magic, such as the Jeons. There are many types of demons, such as shifters, reapers, and merchant demons. Any demons can be bound to witches, but shifters are preferred. Witches can harvest their magic through any kind of being, or from recharging by sleeping.
Being soul bound means being connected through a soul’s wavelength. Through this, two people on the same bond can sense each other’s life forces. This is different from a mating bond.
The Village of Eirlys is located in the South, right on the border of East and West kingdoms
The kingdoms of the East wage war against the West for the Princess’s hand in marriage. The Princess resides with the King of the North West– Kim Seokjin, in the capitol, Chryseis. Kim Seokjin is the older brother of the King of the South West– Kim Taehyung, the village of Dhara being the capitol. Both West kingdoms were previously ruled by their parents, the Kim trio– a king and two queens, as polyamory is normalized, especially within royalty.
---
The legend of the Eirlys Witch was one told for decades. A small child had come home from the nearby woods to bring his mother a moonflower, to which the mother had scolded, “The woods are for demons and witches.”
The boy wouldn’t return until his twentieth birthday, having thought that the moonflower would be a perfect proposal gift to his sweetheart. He was said to have looked around the woods for days, getting lost and developing an affliction of being bewitched by the white witch of the forest.
The boy was released to his village, only to return everyday to the white witch, who had burned their witch’s mark in the boy’s heart.
The man had rejected all marriage and pledged his love for the witch.
All for nothing, it seemed, for the boy was burned at the stake in the town square. Moonflower vines had grown all throughout Eirlys.
---
“Yoongi!” Jungkook called to the trees. “Yoongi, you demon!”
A playful chirp and a little ruffle of bushes gave away Yoongi’s hiding spot.
“Yoongi, enough,” Jungkook whined, stomping over and parting the leaves to pick his familiar from the ground. “We’re too close to the village now.”
Jungkook instinctively started to softly bounce the black cat in his arms, as if the demon shifter was an infant. It was a habit that Yoongi got used to, after being so endeared with his young witch.
Just as Jungkook turns back to the way of their previous path, there are screams in the opposite direction. Both Jungkook and Yoongi are startled and look over Jungkook’s shoulder. There’s no hesitancy in Jungkook. They start back to their isolated cottage. Maybe before, Jungkook would have liked to help, but he knew better now.
As they walked further through the leaves and brush, Yoongi squirmed in Jungkook’s arms.
“Ah, you’re not running off again,” Jungkook scolded. “The townsfolk have gotten themselves in trouble that we won’t be involved in.”
To his surprise, Yoongi nibbled at Jungkook’s forearm through his white lace sleeves.
“Ouch, you brat,” Jungkook grumbled and dropped the cat angrily. “What was that for?”
Jungkook crossed his arms and stared at Yoongi expectantly. That's when he heard it- the ruffling of foliage and murmurs. He then understands Yoongi’s assertive behavior.
He acted fast, running skillfully through the forest towards the safety of his home. He wouldn’t worry about Yoongi, as the little creature could hide easily.
Once he had finally reached his small house in the clearing, he relaxed. He just had to wait for Yoongi to return.
He couldn’t help but think back to the endless scenarios of his ending if they had caught up to him. Public execution was the most probable for his kind, but he suspected torturing was a factor as well.
He couldn’t think about that now. He had Yoongi to wait for, and in the meantime he could watch the sunset, his favorite part of living between the woods and the sea.
---
Jungkook heard the front door creak open. He assumed this to be Yoongi returning after nightfall. Jungkook left his bedroom door open for the cat, but instead of the soft tiptoes of his familiar, there were heavy footsteps entering the house. They were slow, almost mocking Jungkook as his heart rate quickened. He was wide awake now, listening intently to the antagonizing sound, smelling the faint aroma of an alpha.
Perhaps he could convince them that he was just a lonely fisherman, but the cauldron, along with various other things in the house, surely gave him away.
Jungkook sat up against the headboard, contemplating whether he could sneak out of his bedroom window undetected, but it was too late. The footsteps were in the hallway now, still slow and careful as to not make much sound. Jungkook practically vibrated with fear, clutching the blanket to his chest.
The footsteps stopped at the door that Jungkook left ajar- his bedroom door. Jungkook stared, straining his eyes to try and see what could be staring back at him.
There was a huff of breath released, and then a raspy voice spoke after several moments of anticipation. “I don’t mean to disturb,” a princely alpha stepped into the moonlight that illuminated his bedroom. “But his majesty has requested your assistance at the capitol.”
---
Jungkook was uncomfortable, to say the least. He couldn’t fight with a sword held to his neck as he was politely helped out of bed. He felt naked, with only his nightgown and socks on as General Park guided him through the dark woods.
His wrist was held tightly and his other hand was clutched to his chest as he tried to save any dignity he had. The beating of his heart had yet to come to a calm rhythm and his trembling had yet to cease, although the cold nipping at his skin wouldn’t allow it to.
The General had introduced himself as a loyal servant of Kim Taehyung, King of the South East. His actions were so contradictory to the way he interacted with Jungkook. The alpha had an arrogant aura, but his voice was soft and delicate.
General Park was terribly pretty. His burning stare and defined features were a unique beauty. Jungkook could only be tugged through the foliage and into the village by the pretty alpha.
Jungkook could cry but he wouldn’t. He had to keep his composure as he was practically paraded around the town in his nightgown, barely covering his chest and legs. He wished Yoongi were here, but he knew there was only so much the demon could do for him, as he wasn’t in direct danger.
He couldn’t force his eyes to meet the townsfolk, ashamed of being seen so vulnerable. He spotted a pool of blood nearby, but he couldn't dare look. His vision blurred with tears as the general pushed him into the carriage. He sat pliantly, never taking his hands from protecting his body from their eyes, some whispering.
“Thank you for your cooperation, town of Eirlys,” The general announced before turning back to Jungkook.
Jungkook met his eyes as there was a cloak set over Jungkook’s shoulders. “My apologies for being so improper, Witch.”
Jungkook felt rage settle in his chest. Witch. Jungkook stayed silent. He understood Kim Taehyung needed him, but it wouldn’t be too much to ask nicely. Jungkook figured he didn’t deserve the courtesy.
He felt relief, however small, with the familiar cat climbing in just as the carriage door was shut.
---
Jungkook realized the fifth time around that there was no way out of the cell. Five times he had moved about the room and felt up the stone walls for a loose stone or anything out of place, and five times he had been let down.
He slid down the wall, settling on the cold floor and glaring at Yoongi, in his human form, who had been laying on the cot, seemingly unfazed by the uncomfortable mattress and lack of pillows or blankets.
“How could you be so calm?” Jungkook growled. “We’re imprisoned.”
“Would you prefer being killed over being imprisoned?” Yoongi teased.
“Quit your nonsense,” Jungkook scolded. “This isn’t the place, nor the time.”
“Would you rather make yourself comfortable in my arms?” Yoongi purred.
Jungkook softened as the shifter opened his arms. It wasn’t Yoongi’s fault that they were here, and being finicky was not going to change that.
The young witch stood and arranged himself comfortably in his familiar’s arms, facing towards Yoongi’s chest and arms held close to his own chest to preserve warmth.
“Do you think the king will let us go?” Jungkook couldn’t resist asking.
“Honestly,” Yoongi sighed. “I don’t think so.”
Jungkook looked up at Yoongi in alarm.
“That doesn’t mean we’re going to be slain,” Yoongi countered. “Still, he can’t just let us walk freely.”
Jungkook understood, but the sinking feeling of dread and the longing for his old home had settled within his heart. There was nothing Jungkook could do. He was sure he didn’t do anything to deserve this. He knew about the absurd accusations of witches and the many misconceptions, but to be imprisoned with no accusations was almost worse.
Jungkook knew living in peace in his cottage on the beach was too much to ask, being a witch.
“I want to go home,” Jungkook muttered. He could feel the tears swelling in his eyes. “I want to go home, hyung.”
“Me too, bun,” Yoongi said softly.
---
“It’s too far!” Jaehyun called out.
“No, if you just step here,” Jungkook yelled over his shoulder, demonstrating for his brother the way across the stones. “Like This!”
“Jungkook-ah!” His brother whined, but followed anyway.
The two children crossed running water ungracefully, their muddy feet sliding on the rocks. Finally reaching the other side, they sat together under the green leaves of a weeping willow.
“How long do we have?” Jungkook asked, setting his bow and arrows beside him.
“I’m honestly not sure,” Jaehyun replied, bracing his bloody arm. “A few days, maybe.”
“Right,” Jungkook sighed. “We can make it.”
Arranging the set up of their refuge was relatively easy. Jungkook had collected brush, wood, berries, and even struck a squirrel on the way back while Jaehyun constructed a system of rocks and dirt to purify water from the nearby river.
They ate the goji berries in silence, both minds plagued with alertness and anticipation. The squirrel would be cooked in the morning, they decided. That night was Jungkook’s turn to watch the night movement while his older brother slept beside him.
“Jungkook-ah?” Jaehyung whispered sleepily.
“Yes, dear brother?”
“I will make sure you win, instead of me.”
---
The metal was heavy upon Jungkook’s wrists, the iron turning his skin a dark shade of red on his skin. A shiver erupted through Jungkook’s spine as he walked through the corridor, General Jimin guiding him and Yoongi in the form of a cat around Jungkook’s shoulders.
The king had his back to them as they entered the cabinet room. The chamber was bare, except for a few desks and chairs, but what Jungkook noticed the most was the crystal in the middle of the room. Even covered with red cloth, Jungkook felt the magic pulsing through the room. Clear quartz crystals as big as this one were hard to come by for witches.
The king seemed to be in deep thought before finally noticing Jungkook’s presence.
The king was more than ethereal enough to fit his royal title, Jungkook thought. His messy hair complimented his piercing gaze and the sharpness of his features. His tan skin practically glowed– everything about the king screamed royalty.
“Are you prepared?” The king, Kim Taehyung, stepped up to the pedestal of the platform, as Jungkook did the same.
“Yes,” Jungkook swallowed thickly.
Yoongi skillfully jumped from Jungkook’s shoulders, landing on the floor and circling Jungkook’s feet.
The young witch could feel strong magic coming from the crystal, swimming through the room.
“Right,” Taehyung muttered, removing the cloth and landing it on a nearby desk. “First, I need you to predict the Battle of Taeyang.”
What an introduction, Jungkook thought as he stepped forward. Hewas quick to be captivated by the crystal– He’d never used one before, but he couldn’t let them know that. Jungkook decided to make himself as useful as possible as to avoid being disposed of before he can make an escape.
He raised his hand shakily and delicately touched his fingertips to the crystal. As if the touch was activation, the ball lit up with a light array of colors. His chest tightened with anticipation and goosebumps erupted from the shiver along his spine.
The most thrilling feeling came from the magic that seemed to whisper to Jungkook, as if telling him how to navigate the crystal. It told him to close his eyes, to focus, and open his inner magic.
“Can you see?” Taehyung asked, shielding his eyes from the light.
“Yes,” Jungkook gasped.
“Your eyes,” The king lowered his hands. “They’re…” was all Jungkook heard before he felt his surroundings change before him. Jungkook could feel the magic within him pull and push his consciousness outside of his body as the scene before him changed.
In a panic, he flinched away from the crystal. He recognized the white hills of the northern region, the land of his ancestors. Even in early September, the land was a bare canvas with dark tree lines and a gray sky.
Jungkook looked around, only to see that his magic had pulled him to the place he hated the most. He remembered this very hill, the land of the deceased legends of lunar sorcery.
The land was foggy, littered with gravestones. The lone tomb, reading Jeon, had him clasping his hands to his chest, willing himself to blink away his tears. ‘Not now…’
With his eyes closed, Jungkook turned his attention to his task. The Battle of Taeyang.
Jungkook found himself in what appeared to be a dark and empty hallway. The only clue in the environment was the family crest of the Park royal family. The stone walls were covered in dark blue tapestry and white garland, as if for a celebration.
The castle was just as dark and lonely as he remembered. Not a touch different than before, when Jungkook would roam the halls.
“The ground will be caved in by the time they come for us anyway,” Jungkook Heard from inside the room to his right. “That will give us the upper hand, quite literally.”
“Assuming they have heavy armor, which they don’t,” Another voice reasoned. “Dhara soldiers are practically born, not trained, to kill… This battle is happening within such a short time. It's clear they don’t need time to even prepare.”
“They are snakes, however much we are wolves,” Jungkook pressed against the door, praying them to speak more clearly of their strategies- or any piece of knowledge that would hold value to his mission. “When they come, we will use the slick valley after heavy rainfall in between our camps as battle ground, and they will fall beneath us.”
---
Jungkook woke up with a heavy sigh, limbs sore and head aching.
“Yoongi,” He said instinctively, before realizing he was not home, but in his holding cell.
“Are you feeling alright?,” Jimin called from the other side of the iron bars. “You fainted so suddenly.”
“It seems I did…” Jungkook said dreamily. “I do feel fine now.”
“That’s good news,” Jimin said, tilting his head at Jungkook. “Now, what did you see?”
Jungkook shivered, remembering his first vision. He’d hoped to never revisit the graveyard for the rest of his life, and still couldn’t come to a conclusion as to why the crystal had taken him there in the first place.
“Move the battle to another location,” Jungkook said, standing from the bed. “It will rain and Western soldiers will fall underneath.”
“It hasn’t rained in Taeyang for twenty three years,” Jimin smirked. “If you’re wrong…”
“I’m not,” Jungkook snapped. “You will lose.”
There was a beat of silence, the timid witch’s outburst surprising the general.
“His Majesty says to rest. You’ll have an important task next time,” Jimin spoke. “You’ll get your own room if you do well by the king.”
---
It would be a week before Jungkook was brought in front of the king again, this time in his drawing room. He’d spent most of his time meditating and sleeping in order to charge his magic. He’d never fainted from using too much magic before, but the last time he had to use that much magic, he had time to practice. Living in the cottage without a coven did not require much magic throughout the years.
“Jeon Jungkook,” Taehyung said. “I want a protection spell around the capitol.”
Jungkook blushed under the king’s intense gaze. He felt that lightning would come down from the sky to strike him at any wrong movement.
“Uhm…” Jungkook mumbled. “I would need a few things, and It will take me at least a few months…”
“Perfect,” Taehyung nodded, taking a seat. Jungkook followed his lead and sat across from him. “I’ve arranged for you to stay in the Queen’s chambers, as I understand witches recharge magic primarily by leisure and long periods of undisturbed sleep.”
“You’d be correct, Your Majesty,” Jungkook clasped his hands in his lap. “I would also need to build the protection device, which would require me to have access to magic scripts.”
Jungkook glanced up at the king. Taehyung seemed to be thinking for a long moment before shifting forward.
“Our library was rid of magic scripts decades ago,” Taehyung stated. “We would have to find them.”
“Yoongi can retrieve them,” Jungkook suggested. “Being a demon soul bound to a witch would make it easier to access.”
“So be it,” Taehyung sighed, standing to offer Jungkook his hand. “I’ll show you to the Queen’s chambers.”
It was silent most of the way there, Jungkook was sure he wouldn’t remember the way out of any of the Queen’s chambers. Jungkook could feel Taehyung eyeing him the whole walk.
“The Queen’s chambers are the living chambers closest to mine,” Taehyung informed. “It’s intended to be the king’s gift to his Queen after they mate.”
“Would your mate not be offended by me taking place there, then?” Jungkook asked, looking up at the king.
“I won’t have a mate,” Taehyung declared. “My brother will soon be wed to a princess, and I will have no need.”
An alpha refusing a mate was peculiar, as Jungkook understood that in human society, it would be appalling for an alpha with Taehyung’s status to refuse a mate. Maybe seeing all this war caused by his brother wanting to mate the princess had left the king indifferent about the matter. Jungkook understood the feeling.
They soon reached the grand doors of the Queen’s bedroom. It was large compared to Jungkook’s cell, with deep red curtains that complimented the light walls– everything lined with gold detailing.
“I’m afraid I won’t get much sleep here, Your Majesty,” Jungkook confessed, turning to Taehyung, to which the king looked questioningly back.
“The primary purpose of a bound demon is to watch over their witches as they recharge,” Jungkook couldn’t help remembering hearing about witches who laid for a slumber, only to be killed in their sleep. “I cannot be awoken easily, even when I am in danger.”
“Then It will be me,” Taehyung said simply, as if it was no trouble at all. Jungkook reminded himself that it was not customary for humans to do as witches would do, and Taehyung was not offering to risk his life if danger was to appear while Jungkook was sleeping, as Yoongi vowed to do.
“T-then everything is set,” Jungkook flushed.
“It seems so.”