Chapter Text
It was so peaceful. His awakening senses slowly got used to the lighter darkness, to the sounds that had been so far away but were now so close, so clear. He had been in a garden, a white garden with white flowers, and though bleached of colour, it had been as close to heaven as he could ever hope to get. Now the white garden was receding, and heaven's doors were closed - he was back on earth.
Jeonghan sat up in his crypt, suppressed the sigh he longed to release as the memories of the garden faded. "What is it ?" He asked, calmly but without ceremony. Jihoon sat on the edge of his stone coffin, watching him. "I had good reason to wake you up, hyung."
"Hm." He was their master's first sired vampire, as such he was the eldest and deserved his rest. Years of loyal service, centuries of fighting - Jeonghan still woke up every time tired beyond anything. But their master had vanished a few hundred years ago, leaving those he sired to fend for themselves. The younger ones thought of him as their master more or less though he reminded them frequently that that wasn't the case. Some of them had forgotten who their master was - some had barely seen their master for maybe a day before being left on their own to survive. Those Jeonghan had managed to find, he had gathered, he had taught them to survive and once they had established themselves in the human world, when he felt they were old enough, he had gone to sleep.
Thrice they had woken him up, and all three times, they had been in real danger, danger that required the wisdom and cunning of an old vampire to survive. Now he was being woken up, and it was probably serious. He took the clothes that Dokyeom thoughtfully handed to him, and dressed himself. "So what is it ?"
No was seemed to be panicking but they were far too quiet. That couldn't mean anything good. They were usually quick to pour their troubles in his ear after a small amount of time - this time they sat, sombre on various tombs.
"Well ? I can't solve what I don't know." Jeonghan prompted them. "Also, are these clothes meant to be so...tight and short ?"
This might have been the most scandalously tight clothes he'd ever worn. Everything was short and fitting, and seemed to be short on fabric.
Jihoon gave him a small smile. "That is the age we're in at the moment. Here, you'll need this too." He handed a square rectangle that was lit by itself, but it had script floating in the midst of that light. The language wasn't difficult to decipher, but the text floating in a sea of light was fascinating. "What is this ?"
"A telephone." Jun said. "Yes, this is what they look like right now. I woke up to this abomination but they are quite handy, I admit."
"Remind me what a telephone was - oh, I remember." Jeonghan looked at the compact little box in his hand. "Times have indeed changed."
The garden was always a dream, but now it seemed so far away, even more unreal.
He let out a gentle sigh. "Where is Shua ?" The second eldest after him and the one who was supposed to be looking after the younger ones was missing.
"That's why we woke you up. He's been taken - captured." Jihoon explained. "By....Choi Seungcheol."
Jeonghan thought for a moment. "Should I know that name ?"
And then the images rose up - a silver-haired vampire, who even in the age of men with long hair, cut his hair extremely short. A vampire who was brash and ambitious, champing at the bit to prove himself. "What of him ?" Choi Seungcheol's master was one of the more blood-mad vampires, interested only in the flowing of blood, and the ruining of everything he touched. The master had found an apt pupil, Jeonghan had always thought.
Jihoon waited patiently - for the memories to filter back. When Jeonghan looked at him again, he said simply. "He has killed his master, killed the others his master sired, and now he is conquering territory after territory, with those he has sired. He commands almost all the territories around us, and he came for us. Took Shua hyung away himself. He...wanted you woken up, as a price for even beginning to consider sparing his life...infact..." He paused.
Jeonghan's senses were slow. Jihoon gave him the hint and he let his senses spread out wider, to the edges of the crypt, and upwards, to the surface. Jihoon nodded. "We're surrounded. Choi Seungcheol himself is there up above. As is some of those whom he sired. He wants to meet you."
"Why didn't he come here and form a part of the welcome party ?" Jeonghan wondered out aloud. "And if we are captured, why give me this telephone ? Oh..."
Dokyeom nodded. "Yes, he thinks there is no escape from the crypt, but...you can escape. We can fight him off, though he said that if we did that, he'd kill us all." He looked around. "I mean, we're dead already - it's not going to be that big a deal but some of the younger ones are not here - if you escape, you can help them later. Their telephone numbers are stored in that thing you're holding - you just need someone to help you figure it out and you can get in touch with them, take them somewhere safe. We'll give you as much time as we can. Jun hyung has cleared the tunnel upto a distance - you'll have to do the rest yourself...the tunnel's roof has fallen down at several places and it might slow you down but you know the branching tunnels better than us so you have the best chance of survival..."
Jeonghan considered it. "I remember Choi Seungcheol's master as being vindictive and him as eager to follow in his footsteps. Tell me, one of you, did he follow in his master's footsteps ?"
The younger vampires looked at eachother. Finally Jun replied. "He's a strange character but he knows how to hold a grudge. But he doesn't lose his temper as easily as he used to."
Jihoon found that description too temperate. "He massacres families that don't pledge allegiance to him. He's eliminated at least ten old families by my count. He's dangerous. You should go, hyung. I don't know why he let us wake you up alone but once he finds out that he's been betrayed, it won't be pretty. Best you get going."
Jeonghan looked around at the three young faces around him. Dokyeom was one of the younger ones - along with Seungkwan and Chan and yet he was there. He had become stronger, in the time Jeonghan had slept and he could see why Shua and Jun chose to rely on him. But what they were suggesting was suicide. Jeonghan still had faith in his ability to fight, even if he was severely emaciated at the moment.
"Does anyone have any...blood ?" He grimaced. The white gardens would be far out of reach if he indulged but if he had to fight, he'd need it. The younger vampires all shook their head. "He wouldn't allow us to bring any blood here. That's why, we used mine to wake you up." Jun explained.
"I see. Well, let's go upstairs and see what Choi Seungcheol wants." Jeonghan started towards the stairs, and saw that no one was following him. "What ?"
"He will kill you." Dokyeom said, voice pitching up in panic. "It's what he is doing - killing the sires or the oldest ones sired to kill the morale of the rest. That is if he lets the family live. For the ten families that he eliminated completely, he didn't spare anyone, not even the ones sired a fortnight ago." He came forward, tried to drag Jeonghan back.
Jeonghan put a gentle hand on his. "All the more reason that we go up and see what he wants to do with us. He already has all of us in the palm of his hand - I assume I am was the only one asleep - and he wants to kill us all. Very well, we all go down fighting."
"What about the younger ones ?" Jun asked. He had known that they would never convince their eldest to run. He ran, under certain circumstances but this was too dire.
"Good point." Jeonghan leaned in, catching Dokyeom unawares. He let his fingers linger at the base of Dokyeom's throat before tightening them. "Apologies, little one." Dokyeom's eyes closed and he was laid gently on to the ground. Jeonghan turned to Jihoon who backed away. "I...I want to stay and fight. I am not young anymore."
"You and Dokyeom need to leave. Jun - take them both away. Destroy the tunnel as you go." Jeonghan turned to look at Jun. "You won't disobey me, will you ?"
Jun didn't even blink, advanced on Jihoon who put up a real fight but Jun wasn't an aggressive, like Jeonghan and Jisoo, he had tricks up his sleeve. Jihoon was soon slumped on the ground.
Jeonghan nodded to Jun. "Go. Go as far as you can. I'll buy you time."
Jun didn't wait, picked up the younger vampires as though they were feathers and went into the tunnel. He disappeared into the darkness. Jeonghan waited a bit, trying to conjure up the memories of the white garden he'd left, the embrace of someone he loved. They were no longer clear, mere blurry afterimages. He mourned the loss of the memories, and started climbing up the stairs.
There was a vampire at the top of the stairs, another at the end of the long hallway. They were like guards but also guideposts and he followed them out into the courtyard, where a lone vampire stood. His hair was long for a change, and silver. He was dressed similarly to Jeonghan and when he turned around, he seemed to Jeonghan to be so full of life. He had fed recently, his lips were red, and his skin glowing, not pallid like Jeonghan's own.
Seungcheol smiled. "You're awake."
Jeonghan inclined his head. "Choi Seungcheol. It has been awhile. How may I...be of service ?" He chose his words carefully. He still hadn't formulated a plan but Seungcheol wouldn't be an easy vampire to trick or kill. He didn't ask about Shua - if Shua was alive, he could take care of himself. If not, well...that didn't bear thinking about but Jeonghan had faith in the younger vampire. He had to be alive, and Jeonghan needed to focus on getting answers.
Seungcheol was looking at the guard who had been at the top of the stairs, and apparently followed Jeonghan outside. They exchanged a look and Seungcheol looked at Jeonghan again, an appreciative smile on his lips. "You let the younger ones escape, and came up here alone. Brave of you."
"You asked them to wake me up. I believe I am the one you are looking for - oldest of this line ?" Jeonghan said softly. "You already have Jisoo with you. Is it necessary to pursue the younger ones ?"
Seungcheol's smile became bigger. "Surely they told you what I did to ten other families ?"
"Well, if that's what you have in mind for us, why not come down to the crypt and finish the job there ? No, you have something else in mind for us, don't you ?" Jeonghan speculated.
"Yes. That is obvious, is it not ?" Seungcheol turned around to look at the vista - this castle was truly remote and had cost him some effort to locate. "The views are truly spectacular, but, that's not why I am here. Before the little ones in your family ran away, did they tell you what I have been doing all this time ?"
"Consolidating your power."
Seungcheol threw his head back and laughed. "What a diplomatic way to put it ! But yes, I am indeed, uniting the families, and those without families under my banner...though in this day and age, no one raises a banner really." He apparently felt nostalgic about that because he was silent for a moment. "Regardless, I am going to rebuild the Vampire Court, with families of my choosing. And I will lead it of course."
"Of course." Jeonghan nodded. This vampire was still as crazy, but his ambition had reached another level. "And is it my family's loyalty you want ? Because I will be honest, we might be one of the oldest but we don't have the numbers that you need. Regardless, if you want us to bend the knee, we will."
Jeonghan didn't care for things other prized, such as dignity and pride. Yes, they were of course good to have but when cornered like a rat, survival came first. If he needed to kneel before Choi Seungcheol, if that meant living another day, then that was another day that the younger vampires had, to run away, to escape and settle somewhere else. He bowed his head, waiting for Choi Seungcheol to demand his allegiance.
"Hm. Jeonghan, you seem to forget that we were sired at almost the same time - I haven't forgotten the past - yes, your numbers are down because you refuse to sire new ones and your little ones follow your lead for the most part in that." Seungcheol regarded him. "A shame really. In your heyday, you wouldn't have bothered to acknowledge me, let alone bow your head like you are now. Times do change." He laughed. "I remember when you used to arrive at the gatherings - every eye was on you, everyone waiting to catch a glimpse of you."
Jeonghan sighed. "That was three hundred and fifty years ago. If I offended you then, I apologize."
Seungcheol was amused. "So polite. You offended everyone back then but then you were one of the strongest vampires then, so who could stand in your way, let alone complain ?"
Jeonghan had nothing to say to that. He kept his head lowered, wondered when Choi Seungcheol would leave the past and get to the present.
"You seem impatient, Jeonghan. I can see by how your stiff your shoulders are. You want to fight but alas, you don't have blood in you, do you ? Then again, you don't know my weaknesses at present, even if you did have blood, do you think you could best me in a fight ?"
I could. Jeonghan thought dispassionately. I know your weaknesses. Talking too much for instance...
"Wonwoo..." Seungcheol called out to the guard who was still there. "Do you think he could best me in a fight ?"
"If you're not careful, yes."
Jeonghan didn't look up but he was surprised. Did he know Wonwoo too ? And he was even more surprised when Choi Seungcheol laughed at this rather rude reply. From all he remembered and all he'd heard, he didn't seem to be the type to suffer what was effectively an insult.
"Wonwoo would put his money on you, Jeonghan. Isn't that a compliment ? Wonwoo himself has evolved into a very capable fighter. Turn for us, Wonwoo. Go on."
Wonwoo stood still and Jeonghan watched as he slowly transformed. His pale skin turned black, his eyes a glowing milky white and leathery wings sprouted from his back, destroying his jacket in the process. It took a few seconds but a hulking dark vampire stood there, still exceptionally still and silent despite the transformation. He towered over the both of them, but didn't attack.
"Impressive. Turn back now."
Jeonghan was now beginning to understand why Choi Seungcheol was able to 'consolidate' territory as he himself had put it. He had imagined it was due to the man's raw power, and it was still that but it was manifesting in ways Jeonghan had yet to encounter. Wonwoo was probably sired by him, and he had taken a form that only the very old vampires remembered - those wings were functional - and there was a raw strength in those arms and claws. But what Seungcheol had very subtly demonstrated was his control over his vampires - they turned on command, they could probably fight and kill on command as well. More importantly, they turned but didn't go berserk. He had that much control over them and their blood.
Yet, Wonwoo had been pretty frank with him. So he hadn't destroyed their individual natures ?
Jeonghan was confused. He however intended to keep Seungcheol appeased so he nodded. "Impressive indeed. Your...army?...will be like the old ones. A rare sight but if you sired more like him, I can see why you're unopposed...and will continue to remain unopposed when you set up the Court. And if you allow me, I am more than happy to serve you..."
"Right. That's what I was getting to." Seungcheol nodded. "I talk too much, don't I ?" He smiled mockingly at Jeonghan. "Anyway, the Court will have a King - me - and I need someone from one of the older families by my side. My Queen if you will. So...Yoon Jeonghan, that is how you can serve me. Or...you can fight me here and Wonwoo can have his answer. Those are your two options - which will you choose ?"
Jeonghan was taken aback - of all the things he'd expected, this was not it. He stared at the silver-haired vampire, couldn't think of a single polished or clever thing to say. "What ?! Why ?"
"If you were in a position to ask questions, I'd entertain them. But as it happens, you aren't. I want a yes or a no, Jeonghan. Come...if I am to massacre your sire's bloodline entirely, I'd rather not delay. Yes or no ?"
Jeonghan felt like his brains had been replaced by molasses. Nothing was making sense - he couldn't make the connections he needed, or remember the things he ought to have, for any of this to make sense. There had to be a thread of reasoning here, and if it was because he was once of the strongest vampires, then that surely wasn't it. He had long since fallen from those heights, by his own choice, and had gone to sleep moreover. He couldn't take on legions of vampires as he once had. All he wanted was peace, and to return to the white garden of his dreams...
But he had a family, a found family of sired ones to look after. The garden would have to wait. He sighed audibly - not bothering to hide it. "I don't think this is a fair question but we're not in such circumstances that I can demand fairness or justice. So, yes, I would be honored to accept."
He looked up finally, meeting Choi Seungcheol's eyes. "Is there a term to my service ? A hundred years ? Two hundred ? I hope you will take my compliance into account and grant me a time limit ?"
Choi Seungcheol's gaze didn't waver. "Is there a time limit to a marriage ? Until I die, you will not be released from my side."
Jeonghan's head swam. He had imagined he'd be fulfilling a role - the role of whatever compliant Queen Choi Seungcheol wanted - not an actual marriage. Marriages were vampires were rare for a reason - it meant a commitment on a level most vampires were not willing to entertain. He actually stumbled where he stood but held himself upright.
"You cannot be serious ? We barely know eachother. You cannot mean a joining."
"That's what I mean. Those are the terms. And you...are not in a position to refuse."
Jeonghan now bitterly regretted not running while he'd had the chance. "Choi Seungcheol..." A little bit of that haughty tone he had had in the past came back. "You do not want this. Believe me. I am willing to be loyal for a short term - two hundred years. But if you insist on a joining, that is beyond the pale. My lifespan will be tied to yours !"
"While I live, my lifespan will add to, and extend yours. You want to live longer - then guard me well." Choi Seungcheol was smiling but Jeonghan saw the implacable look in his eyes. He wouldn't budge from this.
"I...did I offend you so badly in the past ?" Jeonghan could only wonder out aloud. "This is punishment - you're punishing me."
"Who knows...did you offend me or did you not ?" Choi Seungcheol shrugged. "You have another option - you can always fight me. In your current state, it won't be a fair fight but I am giving you some dignity here."
"It's not a choice, when my family is out there, and when you threaten them." Jeonghan said, with real bitterness seeping into his voice.
"I don't merely threaten them. I know exactly where each of them is. Once I'm done with you, Jisoo will be next to depart into whatever afterlife that awaits us. The ones escaping through the tunnel will contact the ones that are scattered - I know where Seungkwan is and where Chan is and I can be patient. This much I can promise you - I will kill each and everyone of them."
Jeonghan had expected nothing less. "Then, it's not a choice."
"Where I am standing, it is."
"It's not." Jeonghan closed his eyes to compose himself. "You demand a marriage and back it up with threats of murder. You want me to be your Queen, to protect you, but you hold a blade to my throat. Is this how you inspire loyalty ?"
"Naturally as soon as we're married, your family comes under my protection. I can consider any demands you have - I am not unreasonable. But it all depends on you, Jeonghan."
Every word he was saying was unreasonable but Jeonghan didn't think arguing that would get him any results. So many years of fighting, a few hard worn years of rest and freedom - all gone in the blink of an eye. "Had it been just myself, I would not have agreed, so I hope you are not making empty promises."
Seungcheol turned to look at Wonwoo who disappeared. A minute later, he escorted Shua to the courtyard. Shua's hands bound in am odd contraption which Jeonghan recognized as an ancient item to bind vampires. He looked like he'd been battered but he had healed up mostly by then.
"No empty promises. I left this little one alive." Seungcheol observed Shua. "Jisoo was a little disagreeable, so I hope you'll excuse how he looks."
Shua didn't say anything but Jeonghan could see the silent panic in his eyes. He tried to smile reassuringly at the younger vampire. "It's alright. We've reached an agreement. You'll be freed soon." He looked at Seungcheol. "He will be freed, soon, right ?"
"As soon as we're married."
Jeonghan could see his own surprise reflected in Shua's eyes, as they widened to the fullest extent. "What ?!!"
Seungcheol nodded and Wonwoo dragged him back into the castle. He turned to Jeonghan. "You'll see him again soon enough. No need to look so heartbroken. It will take more than a couple of nights as a prisoner to truly break him."
It was the casual way he said it that made Jeonghan turn to look at him. "You haven't changed, Choi Seungcheol. You were a cruel, vindictive vampire back in the day, and you're still the same."
Seungcheol held up a finger. "Except I am now more powerful. There are a few who would be honoured to receive what I am offering you."
"Why not marry them then ?"
"Where's the fun in that ?" Seungcheol laughed, enjoying the way Jeonghan clenched his fists. "I want a lively marriage. I am confident that in marrying you, I will never have a dull moment. I am even excited to see all the ways you will attempt to kill me - you have a week before we're married. Once we're married, killing me will mean your death so...use the time wisely." He winked at Jeonghan. "Now...I have things to do - preparations for our marriage so I hope you'll forgive me for leaving so abruptly but my brothers will take good care of you. Till we meet again..."
He went to the edge of the courtyard, and then jumped off the balustrade. Jeonghan knew it was a steep fall into a ravine several miles below. It was too much to hope Seungcheol had died from that stunt but he didn't see him sprout wings and fly either. Slowly he made his way to the balustrade, looked over but there was nothing to be seen.