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The war is over and White Star is now gone. With all sweat and blood that they sacrifice during the war, it finally pay off as the time of peace started to come to the continents included to the newest empire, Roan Kingdom. Ever since the final battle, everyone has been celebrating the victory of the intense war. The Commander or the people known as the Young Master Silver Shield has been cheered by all the people as the savior from different regions and continents.
The intensity of the last battle is still fresh in everyone's mind, how the young Commander fight the enemy alongside all the ally tried to prevent each blow to them and especially with how the Commander ordered his ally with efficient moves making the enemy lose and they won with almost no casualties in their side.
Right now, as requested by the kids, a grand banquet was underway at their headquarters, Super Rock Villa. The spacious place started to be packed with diverse crowds from different races and origins. Each person present here carried a significant role that should never be underestimated, especially when it came to the power their individual held. In the midst of numerous allies and friends, still in the center of the family, the young master sit silently enjoying the party. Everyone can see his infamous stoic face watching them with warm looks. The kids enjoy the party with a feast over many variant desserts while their guardians just silently take care of them.
The air was filled with happiness, as the memories of the past war lingered in their minds. Rest was a luxury they couldn't afford back then, with countless responsibilities demanding their attention. However, with the first step of the ceremony to turn the Roan kingdom into the newest empire in the land, a sense of ease began to wash over them. Now, they could finally breathe more freely. The booze and food are being served constantly for the parties. Well, Living amongst the wolf kids, tiger packs, and allies from various tribes, made Cale had taken it upon himself to ensure that the Villa never ran low on food. Hans will give him weekly reports about the status of their grocery stocks, just to ensure that there was enough food to go around.
Furthermore, the young Henituse even ordered Ron to move his alcohol collection to their villa from his manor, just in case the adults in the group from their allies were in the mood to drink. Although, Cale insistly said that he did this not for everyone's sake. But, everyone knows that he start doing this after Bud casually said in their last meeting about his infamous alcohol stocks that the original Cale collected, way before Kim Rok Soo take his body.
After they defeat the Sealed God and the White Star, Cale braces himself and finally said the truth about his condition as transmigators and regressor to all his allies and family. Even though he is already on term and accept his life now as Cale Henituse, that doesn't mean his guilt to all his friend and family being less. The last private banquet is when all his allies, friends, and family from many regions are in one place. He announces his condition. In the beginning, there's denial and anger.
"Of course, they gonna feel like that', Cale thought. But after some time they start to accept that he's the one that made them turn into this big family they know, the one that saved all of them. In the end, he's still the Cale that they know.
After the announcement, his heart starts to feel lighter and somehow he happy. It feels nice to be accepted and acknowledge. A week later, during the Henituse family's weekly afternoon tea party, which Cale had begun attending upon his parents' invitation. Deruth and Violan even reassured him again that he didn't need to worry about feeling left out, because, in the end, he's still their son. Cale, who had almost forgotten what it felt like to have a family, almost broke his facade right there, as Deruth said those words to him.
Kim Rok Soo, or Cale Henituse for now, always carried himself as a strict and collected person. His stoic face always passed every crisis with a calm presence. All his allies know how guarded he's with his emotion. It's always a challenge for them to see him have any other emotions other than a small smile and other minor emotions. However, contrary to people's expectations of his image, Cale knows deep down that he's a softie. Not for himself, but for others. When it comes to his own emotions, he prefers to face everything with logic and rationality, avoiding the vulnerability that emotions can bring. In his mind, emotions are intertwined with guilt, a burden he tries to avoid. Living in a world full of monsters and tragedies has taught him to toughen up, shielding his heart from further guilt and unnecessary pain.
As he goes older the wall that he builds is getting higher and higher. The only time he let go of his emotion is only when the memorial day was for his brothers, Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo. On the first day of the spring season, his brother and teammates died. Leaving him as the only survivor of the tragedies.
That painful day is the only time when Kim Rok Soo truly let out his emotions.
He hates the spring season. It reminds him too much of the loneliness. His guilt got bigger each year, screamed and convinced him with how ungrateful he was to be the only survivor. Long before the tragedies happened, Rok Soo usually went on a picnic. It's one of many traditions that he starts doing after getting close to Jung Soo and Soo Hyuk. The day usually goes by with all of them just picnicked on a bright day at the park near the Han River. Just laughing, talking, and playing for the whole day. Tried to forget that they didn't live in the middle of the apocalypse before the cataclysm happened.
However, things start to change after their death. Rok Soo didn't have the energy to keep the tradition anymore, not when his record will automatically start playing every single time he was near the park. Playing all the records of their memory together, like some old broken cassette tapes that keep playing. Memory after memory keep repeating, even without his consent.
Force him to dwell on the guilt and his regret.
In the end, he gave up and only spend his day off drinking in 'thei'-'his' small apartment for a whole day. Try to washed away the pain and the sorrow he feeled through the cheap alcohols he bought in the mini store the day before. His new team understood how he still struggle to let go and move on from the tragedies. Min Ah, as his assistant leader always prepared beforehand. She is the one that always assured and pushes him to use his 'day off' every time the day comes.
She said, "Team Leader-nim, please just go home. Use your vacation time that piled up and just enjoy your day off okay? I take care of everything. You don't need to worry. We are not a kid sir, we can take care of ourselves. If something happens we call you okay."
With how stubborn they asked and plead to him, Rok Soo eventually gave in and followed their request. Of course, he trusts Min Ah and knows that she's even more than capable to lead his team if the circumstances are needed. However, it was difficult for him to let go of his responsibilities and work. He realized how his work is his only way to turn off and momentarily escape from the persistent pain that plague him.
These routines keep continuing till the time before his transmigration happens. After his arrival to this world, it's difficult for him to take time, or even have a chance to drown on the pain from his memories. With how hectic he was when the war happen made 'the memorial day' somehow slipped to the back of his mind and was forgotten. Time flew by, and before he knew it, four years had already passed since he began his life as Cale Henituse.
Every corner of the Villa is full of happy chatter and laughter. The kid run around and play, while the adults talk to each other. On this beautiful night, warm feelings engulf the Young Master's heart. He heart feels contains just by watching how his family in one place and enjoying themselves.Knowing that maybe he's not gonna feels this happy again for a while made him decide to enjoy this moment to the fullest. He allowed himself to drink a little more than usual, attempting to relax and enjoy the party while capturing these moments with his records.
Yet, as time passed, he didn't know why the unsettling and ominous feeling crept back into his heart, despite the happiness and warmth around him. Despite the warm ambiance surrounding him, a small frown started to appear on his face.
Cale blamed the alcohol that he drank. It made him lose some control over himself. He knows maybe....just maybe, he hoped he can trick his heart and mind into believing that today was not 'the day.' However, like natural clocks within his body, soon his control over his emotions started to slip away. A glimpse of his memories from his past began to resurface, and soon, a headache started to follow it too.
Aware there was a sudden discomfort in Cale's looks made Raon ask him, "Human are you okay?"
Raon's questions bring some unwanted stares at him from several people that decided to stay close to him. Ron, that keeps his presence near his side starts asking him too, "Young master, is something wrong?"
Aware that his actions start to make a chained reaction in people around him made he said, "No...no, I'm fine. I'm gonna take a walk. All of you can continue what you did before." He didn't want his 'slipped off' conditions to make the excitement down to the parties. To refresh his mind he decides just to take a walk.
"Then let this servant accompany you for a walk, Young Master" Ron said as he was ready to follow him from behind.
"Human, I'm coming with you too okay!, Who knows how you gonna stumble into unnecessary things with how your condition right now ." Said Raon, and then being followed by On and Hong too, "Yeah we too, nya~"
However, Cale can't let them see his 'slipped off' like this. He wants all of them just focus to enjoy the party and not too much on him. So, he told them, "No...no you don't need to. I want to walk alone. All of you can stay here, I want to enjoy the night a little bit by myself. Ron, I leave the kids with you okay."
He stood up from his seat, holding a glass of wine in his hand. Everyone noticed as he walked away from the center of the party, his shoulders slumped and a slight frown on his face. Feeling confused, by the reasons why suddenly the Young Master go inside the Villa alone. Choi Han went to the kids and asked, "Is something happened?, why Cale-nim goes inside?"
On answering his question with a concerned look on her face, "We don't know either to be honest. Well...earlier he's looks fine and then in another few seconds suddenly his mood start to change, he almost.... look like annoyed. After that, he said he want to take a walk little bit, nya~"
Cale walked with a heavy breath and sweat decorated his face. He staggered, but he didn't stop. His wine already finished not long after his journey to go inside. He left his glass carelessly on the top of one of the small cabinets he saw in the hallway.
As he walks aimlessly, he gradually moves away from the center of the party and towards a more secluded area of the villa. Memories that he tried to push away earlier flood back, trapping him in a never-ending nightmare of his forgotten past. The brightness of his reddish-brown eyes starts getting dimmer as his path gets further. Followed by his signature stoic expressions turn into more like a cold empty look. At this point, the young commander is more like a broken doll that got cut from his strings rather than a human. The creeping feeling in his heart from before gradually tightened, causing him to feel increasingly panicked and alarmed. His anxiety began to kick in as well, and the lots of alcohol he had consumed earlier only made matters worse as it began to mix in his system. The ancient power that followed his journey since the beginning start to panic too, working its hardest to keep Cale calm and sober.
His body and ancient power got into trouble between trying to neutralize his body from the alcohol or trying to calm him down from his mental breakdown. His slipped records slowly start to affect his body. The mix between his fever and delusion made him look like a madman in a trance.
He is whispering over and over to no one, "It's hot..., I ca-..I can't breathe!...". At this point, Cale can only focus on his records.
Stumbling through the many rooms in the Villa, he opens one of the many unused rooms randomly. The rooms were full of white sheets from back to front, covering all the ornaments and decorations. Keeping it away from the dust after many years has never been touched.
From the door he rushed, almost running through the big window across the room. Stumbling on his way over many sheets and interiors. As he finally reaches it, he opens it as wider as he can. He breathed hastily, trying his best to calm himself and take control of his ability again. The ancient power try calm him down and talk to him. Many sounds overlap in his mind, but he only can hear his breaths.
'Ah...I thought I already move on from that shitty nightmare', he thoughts.
The moon shone brightly, almost like a lamp, as it illuminated the room through the open window. The noise of the party from the garden faintly reached Cale's ears. Minutes passed, and his frantic heartbeats and mind gradually began to calm down too. Although he was slowly regaining control over himself, his old records still managed to seep in. Leaving behind a lingering pain in his heart.
The old wounds that he wished to forget began resurfacing once more. It feels familiar to him.
All the heartache that has followed and haunted him for many years slowly crept back into his heart. For a while, his breath is the only sound that occupies the room. In an attempt to calm himself, he tried to distract his mind.
For the first time since he comes to this room, he observes the empty room. 'Huh...I don't know if this Villa has a music room?', he said upon seeing several instruments that were being covered before by white sheets being displayed. There was a variety of musical instruments, ranging from pianos and flutes to even a harp, making it the perfect place for a mini-orchestra.
"You seriously need to explore more the Villa Cale", said Super Rock to him
"Yeah, no shits. You need to walk and explore more Cale. Like this goddamn Villa have way too many variety of rooms more than you guys thought.", adds The Thief.
"Why do you even make so many rooms in the first place, such a waste of space?", grumble Cale to the previous owners.
"Well... when I acquired this place, I might have gotten too excited about decorating it. So, I'm aware that I may have gone a bit overboard with all the details and the variety of the rooms in the villa," Super Rock answered shyly.
He walks slowly around the room, inspecting the musical instruments one by one. It's amazing how committed The Super Rock is to decorating and collecting this variety of musical instruments. 'He truly sincere and commit to making the best rest place for his friends huh', Cale thinks.
His eyes scanned all the instruments there, until it's stopped on the biggest one. A simple black piano, which moments ago was covered by white sheets, is displayed in the middle of the room. It was displayed majestically in the middle of the room, looking sophisticated and quite large in comparison to the others.
His legs unconsciously walked towards it and opened the keys cover of the piano carefully. His fingers grazed all the keys in front of him slowly, almost as if enchanted by them. In the beginning, it felt awkward, so he played around with simple notes and melodies to warm up his fingers since he hadn't played piano in a long time. He was trying to recalled some of the old songs he knew while he still lived as Kim Rok Soo. As he played, memories of his past flooded back to him, transporting him back to a time when things were simpler.
He remembered one song in particular that had become his hyung's favorite. Lee Soo Hyuk said that he love the lyrics, while Jung Soo said that his favorite is the soft melody that is full of longing feeling. It's indeed a beautiful song, he admits it as well.
Cale closed his eyes, and began playing the song. His fingers moved swiftly over the keys as he poured all of his emotions into the notes. Back then, he only played this particular song in rare times. Only on the days when he's more aware than usual with the heavyweights on his shoulders. Only when the time he is really tired of his life, and the loneliness start to feel unbearable again. That's the only time when he touches the old, dusty piano in the corner of his apartment again when he's still alive as the cold Team Leader Kim Rok Soo.
날 스치는 그대의 옅은 그 목소리
Your faint voice that grazes me
내 이름을 한 번만 더 불러주세요
Please call my name one more time
얼어버린 노을 아래 멈춰 서있지만
Even if I'm standing still under the frozen sunset
그대 향해 한 걸음씩 걸어갈래요
I want to walk one more step towards you
Still With You
Cale soft voice filling the room. The notes and melody he played carry unspoken heavy emotions on him. His finger dancing swiftly on the top of many tuts of the piano, playing around with the melody easily. He close his eyes and the surge of memories start coming to him again like a waves. Drowning him in the moment of bliss.
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[ ""Rok Soo, how the heck did you never tell us that you can play piano?" Jung Soo jumped at him while shouting. Today is one of their rare days off. It happened after their management decided to give them a mandatory day off for the whole team, after noticing how much they had missed their days off for the past several months.
Rok Soo, who was disturbed in the middle of his nap, glared back at his 'friend'. If a stare could truly kill, he would have already killed Jung Soo for disturbing his peace. They stared at each other for a while. However, Rok Soo knew that this was almost like a losing game, especially when it came to Jung Soo's antics. Rok Soo decided to just close his eyes again and ignore his friend.
Like the old quote says, 'If you hate it, just block it'.
Hate being ignored, Jung Soo shouted at Rok Soo again, expressing his disappointment that Rok Soo never told them about his talent. The team leader, who was reading on the couch nearby, stared at his two dongsaengs and asked, "How do you even know this Jung Soo?"
Soo Hyuk knows both of his dongsaengs like the back of his hand. If there were a class centered around understanding his dongsaengs, he would undoubtedly graduate with a master's degree at this point. He is confident enough to admits he's know his dongsaeng the best and he know too how Rok soo is pretty much very closed about himself. So it's always fun especially for him to found any new informations about them.
"Well...,it actually happen when I went to library yesterday. You guys know that I like to reading while listening to a song right. So...yesterday I kinda in the mood to listening classical-".
"Pfft...You listen a classical ?, since when??". Soo Hyuk interuppted him, didn't trust with what he listen .
"Hush! hush, team leader-nim, that's not the point!!. So where's I stop again....?, oh ya back to my journey to find the perfect song. I stumble to one of a video in the internet of live recital from several past years ago, and suprisingly I found a video of our favourite maknae in here playing a piano in one of his school recitals like a goddamn pro. So imagine how surprise I am hyung!!"
Watching how red Rok Soo right now made the others thinks how cute he is. Such opportunities to tease their youngest were rare. Eager to join the bandwagon, Soo Hyuk responded to Jung Soo with childlike enthusiasm, as if he had been gifted a new toy. "Really...? Do you have the video? Show it to me!" he exclaimed.
After Jung Soo showed the video he had found to the others, Rok Soo became the target of their teasing. From that day on, they began to used new inside jokes about his supposed genius and being a music prodigy. Despite being the butt of the joke, Rok Soo eventually gave up trying to defend himself and simply left his friends to go back to napping.]
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Despite feeling annoyed at the time, he chuckled at the memories. Back then, being the butt of the joke of course was not an enjoyable moment for him, but as his life went on, especially after their deaths, he began to treasure those moments more.
The soft voices of the young masters carried as bars after bars of lyrics passed getting louder as he's became more immersed in his memories to the points it start to reached where the party being held. Considering that almost all the party participants are enhanced people, made they start to realize that the owner of these soft voices that sing in the foreign language right now it's their young commander.
"Oh... wait a second, guys... did I hear this right? Is the young master Cale singing right now?" asked Lock.
The others around him exchanged glances, trying to confirm if what they were hearing was indeed real. The music that in the beginning being played by the dark elf start to slow down, try to more focus on the faint sound of the singing that they heard.
"Nya~, Cale can sing?" Surprised Hong , taken aback by the revelation. He turned to the little dragon next to him and asked, "Do you know about this, dongsaeng?."
Confused as well, the little dragon tilted his head and replied, "Huh... human never told me he could sing, let alone play a piano. But wait... what language is this even?"
He then asked Choi Han that standing across their table, thinking that maybe he know the answers. "Strong Choi Han, do you know what language is?"
Choi Han replied immediately after making sure he had heard correctly too. "I think... this is Korean."
Everyone, including the Henituse family, was taken aback. They were all aware that Cale rarely spoke about his past as Kim Rok Soo after revealing his true identity to them, let alone speaking in Korean. Occasionally, he would open up about it, but only if the kids asked directly to him or if Choi Han is the one that brought up the topics. It wasn't considered taboo to talk about it though, but everyone could sense that there's a lingering pain and almost grieving expressions on his face every time he talked about his past identity. These emotions would surface from time to time, especially during conversations with the peoples inside the Cintamani.
Eruhaben actually asked him once about the identity of those people that he communicated with, and he only responded it with, "They are peoples whom I am deeply grateful to have known and owe my life to from the time before I became Cale Henituse."
In response to those answers, they collectively just decided to equip every magic orb they had with an auto translation features, especially for a Korean language. This decision came after the kids expressed curiosity over the korean conversations between Cale and Choi Han with the people inside the Cintamani. To ensure a faster learning process and an understanding for everyone, they asked Choi Han to teach them the basics of the language and used it as the input reference for the translation feature for the magic orb too. Not long after that, a research project was initiated, led by Rosalyn and Raon, with all the other dragons serving as consultants. The development progressed smoothly.
They aware of the diversity of their allies that come from various continents. Therefore, with this new features, they hope to have more seamless understanding and connection within the group, regardless of their origins. Apart from Choi Han, they sought other individuals too as references, such as Bud, Jopis, Fredo, Eruhaben, and many more. This collaborative effort was their proved to the commitment for stronger bonds among their allies, especially for the future.
The moments the black dragon heard the faint voices from Cale, he automatically start to search where his location is. Discovered his human presence in one of the room inside the villa, Raon start to activated the hidden magic orb in that room and connected it to his own.
Truthfully, nobody had informed Cale about their little scheme of placing hidden magic orbs in every corner of the villa. The kids convinced everyone with the importance of surveillance in the villa to ensure Cale's safety, but they were aware it could be come across as paranoia. Hence, why they decided not to inform the Young Master. Instead, they discreetly took this security measure just as an extra precautionary step to safeguard Cale without causing him any unnecessary worry. This was just one of the many ways they choose to silently looked out for him, making sure he remained protected and at ease within the villa's walls.
The magic orb is projected largely in the middle of the party, ensuring that everyone could see what was happening. They were all taken aback by the sight of Cale playing the piano being accompany only with a faint light from the moon, illuminated the room through the open window. He looked so defeated and sad. It pained their hearts to witness their Young Master in such distress. While Cale's singing was undeniably beautiful, it was difficult for them to fully appreciate it as their attention was drawn to the lyrics of the song that being auto-translated through the magic orb.
The sorrowful words he sang touched their souls, and it became clear that there was a deeper meaning behind his performance. The atmosphere in the banquet hall turned solemn as they listened to the heartfelt performance, leaving everyone with a mix of emotions and concern for their beloved Young Master.
어두운 방 조명 하나 없이
In a dark room with no light
익숙해지면 안 되는데
It shouldn't feel familiar
그게 또 익숙해
But it's familiar
Choi Han, being someone who knows Cale's past more than others, couldn't help but tear up too while listening to his singing. He fully understood how big the hole that his nephew had left after he died in Cale's life. Choi Han is angry, not for himself, but for Cale. He is angry for the pain and misfortune Cale had been through in his life so far. Subconsciously, he clenched his hand, finding comfort in the touch of his scabbard. As someone who had sworn to stand faithfully by his liege's side, he promised himself to become stronger.
He needs to make sure it happen, for the sake of his liege and his family's peace.
On the other hand, the lyrics of the song triggered memories in Alberu's mind. He gently swirled the wine in his hand as he, too, became immersed in his own memories. He remembered the countless lonely nights he had endured in his desolate castle during his teenage years. Slowly, he built up his knowledge, connections, and power. Only focus on a single goal, to prove himself as the rightful Crown Prince of the Roan Kingdom and to his late mother.
"Haa... Cale, you seriously..." sighed Alberu.
나지막이 들리는
I can hear quietly
이 에어컨 소리
The air conditioner sound
이거라도 없으면
If I don't even have this
나 정말 무너질 것 같아
I really think I will fall apart
He often remembered how his team members would question him why he was so hell-bent to overwork himself, burying himself in reports and monster research, and always pushing to work overtime in his office. He never answers their questions, instead, he just grumbles and tells them to focus back on their own tasks. However, Rok Soo is aware of the answer, he just doesn't want to admit it.
The haunting silence of his apartment was too overwhelming for him to bear. Every corner held traces of memories left behind by his hyungs, and they pierced his heart with an unwanted record. He hated how those memories served as constant reminders of their absence, a painful reminder of what he had lost. Yet, he found himself unable to escape them, and the silence that enveloped his home only intensified the feeling of loneliness he carried within.
함께 웃고 함께 울고
We laugh and cry together
이 단순한 감정들이
These simple feelings
내겐 전부였나 봐
Seems like they were everything to me
언제쯤일까
When will it be
다시 그댈 마주한다면
When i face you again
눈을 보고 말할래요
I want to look into your eyes and tell you
보고 싶었어요
I've missed you
As the song goes by, Deruth becomes lost in his memories too. He vividly remembered the grief that consumed him after Jour left them, and he still remembered the small hand that hugged him strongly at that time, trying to comfort his father rather than focus on himself. As the years passed, Deruth noticed the brightness in Cale's reddish-brown eyes slowly fading, and he felt keenly aware of his own foolishness and selfishness towards his oldest son.
He regretted never trying hard enough to mend their relationship, opting instead to let things be.
Then, unexpectedly, everything changed one night. Cale transformed, becoming the youngest and strongest commander in the history of the Roan Kingdom. Of course, he was confused by the sudden change. However, he decided this time he gonna be a better father, so he support his son wholeheartedly.
And out of nowhere, in one of their private banquets with all the allies that his son held, Cale dropped a bombshell on them, revealing his real identity. The revelation brought confusion and surprise to many present that day. Initially, panic and anger clouded Deruth mind. He was ready to confront the person who had stolen his son's body. Yet, all his profane thoughts vanished when he saw the distress in his son's looks. The patriarch saw how his son's hands trembling, and his lips were bloodied from biting down too hard. Witnessing his son's vulnerability instantly cleared Deruth head. He turned around and saw the confusion on the faces of people around him too.
At that moment, all his anger dissipated. He thought 'Ah... I see, I'm not the only one. No one knows this too...'
His son state made Deruth suddenly remember the little child who had hugged him tightly at his own mother's funeral. That night, he hugged his 'son' tightly and whispered in his ear, "I think it's been tough for you, huh, my 'son'? It's okay, don't worry. Your 'father' is here."
At that moment, Deruth realized that no matter what, he would always be there to support and love his son, regardless of the circumstances.
Year after year, Kim Rok Soo found himself imagining what it would be like 'if' he had the chance to meet everyone again. Countless times, he pictured himself expressing his heartfelt gratitude and apologies... to his parents, the people from the shelters, and most importantly, to his hyung's. He wants to say how deeply grateful he was for having the chance to know them. He wants to apologize for feeling useless too, and for how many times he misses them.
He wants to say many things to them.
However..., he knew that such an opportunity was seemingly impossible until he transmigrated to this magical place. This unexpected turn of events granted him a second chance to meet them once more and mend all his regrets. Along his journey, he discovered more than he could have ever wished for. Not only did he reunite with those he had wished to see, but he also formed deep bonds with many good-hearted people, who became both friends and family to him.
In this magical world, he found his second chance that he had once only dreamed of.
Like his hyung always said to him, "Being alive is the best. You might think it's bullshits right now, but someday you'll understand what I mean." His Team Leader had always reminded him of this, and now, he perfectly understands what he meant.
황홀했던 기억 속에
Inside the blissful memory
나 홀로 춤을 춰도 비가 내리잖아
Even if i dance by myself, the rain pours down
이 안개가 걷힐 때쯤
By the time this fog clears
젖은 발로 달려갈 게
I'll come running on my wet feet
그때 날 안아줘
Then, hold me
As she listened to the lyrics and her silent tears fell, On found herself smiling. Thinking how she couldn't help but be forever grateful to Cale. Memories flooded her mind with the countless nights before they met him. When she had to be strong for her brother, protecting them both from their own tribes. She recalled the moments she need to steal bread and money to provide food for them and endured her tears in silence just to avoid disturbing his brother's sleep. But now, instead of being fueled by anger and revenge, her memories shifted to the many journeys they had taken alongside Cale. He had given them a chance to be kids again, to grow up properly, providing them with a home, food, and education.
Cale had given them hope.
On couldn't help but recall a night when she woke up from a nightmare, not wanting to disturb her siblings she held herself back and silently fought off the panic. Amid her struggle, a warm and strong hand gently stroked her fur. The touch of his human hand brought comfort and reassurance. Pulling her closer to his side, enveloping them both in a calming silence. At that moment, she felt a deep sense of security and warmth that she had never experienced before.
The young master whispered gently to her, "On....don't hold yourself like that. It's okay to cry. You are safe now. No one's gonna hurt you. It's okay.... I'm here" he assured her.
Hiding her face between the young master's hands, On meekly asked him, "You promised?"
Without any hesitation, Cale respond, "I promised. Wherever you guys go and whatever happens, I'll always be here for all of you. Therefore..., you don't need to worry okay. Cry if you're sad and get angry whenever you need to. Don't worry, no one's gonna judge you."
His soothing voice washed over her anxious thoughts instantly. That night, as the gentle words lingered in her mind and the secret conversation between them end, On fell asleep again with a smile on her face.
저 달이 외로워 보여서
That moon looked lonely
밤하늘에 환하게 울고 있는 것 같아서
Because I felt like it was crying brightly in the night sky
언젠가 아침이 오는 걸 알면서도
Even when I know the morning will come someday
별처럼 너의 하늘에 머물고 싶었어
I wanted to remain in your sky like a star
At this point, most of the people there got tears in their eyes. It feels like their breath got taken away by the performance that is being projected from the orb. Everyone exchanged glances and unspoken words, paying close attention to their Young Master's condition as the song continued.
The necromancer only can silently watch his savior perform, while Tasha gently caressed his back. Ever since she met Cale and joined him on his journey, Mary couldn't help but feel how incredibly lucky she is. Watching Cale always standing strong in front of them, while carrying words that never miss make her couldn't help but believe that Cale Henituse was truly an amazing person. She determined and promised herself that this time and in the future, she would be the one to support the Young Master.
"From now on let's protect and support the Young Master Cale", she said.
Tasha heard what she said, responded with the same determination, "Yeah...Sure. Let's do it together." They locked eyes and exchanged smiles.
하루를 그 순간을
That one day, that moment
이렇게 될 걸 알았다면
If I had know this would happen
더 담아뒀을 텐데
I would've absorbed it more
언제쯤일까
When will it be
다시 그댈 마주한다면
When I face you again
눈을 보고 말할래요
I want to look into your eyes and tell you
보고 싶었어요
I've missed you
Cale found recalled his past life, and how many nights he silently lay in his bed, staring at the walls in the dark, after being woken up by nightmares. The guilt and the loathing feelings over his life continued to haunt him every night.
And..., in no time, he found himself increasing the dosage of his prescription pills that he took in an attempt to escape the pain. Despite never having had any religious beliefs or trust in a god, Cale or Kim Rok Soo back then actually found himself silently praying in his darkroom from time to time. These prayers were directed toward the people he had always loved and cared for. The one that had already gone and left him behind. The weight of loss and longing for those departed souls was a constant presence in his heart; those silent prayers were his way of holding onto the memories and the love that still remained within him.
He carries the memories of those times and their sacrifices with him throughout his entire life. Their actions would forever remain etched in his heart, serving as a constant reminder of their presence and the impact they had on his life.
Thus why, despite having been given a second chance to meet them again and even correct his mistakes. He still feels the weight of grief and guilt in his heart. Some days, the emotions would overwhelm him, making him feel choked by the bind of the grief, while on other days, they would silently linger in the corners of his mind, a constant reminder of the pain. At this point, he understood that these emotions would always be a part of him, not to blame him for his past mistakes as before, but rather to remind him of the journey he had been through, and how he survived.
"He's really an unlucky bastard huh...", said the ancient dragon, his solemn words heard by the dragons and whales surrounding him.
To be honest, in their long lives, they never expected to care for a mere human. But here they are, finding themselves worrying and even sympathizing with the red hairs. Throughout their long existence, they had witnessed countless cycles of life and death, kingdoms rising and falling. But never, had they anticipated that they would come to care so deeply for a mere human. It was as if fate had intertwined their destinies, and now, they found themselves bound to this young man's journey too.
Cale Henituse had entered their lives like a fleeting comet, leaving a profound impact on his lane and their life. Since the beginning, his journey had been one of both triumph and tragedy. They watched him navigate through trials and tribulations, facing formidable foes and daunting challenges. He was a walking enigma for all of them, a mix of vulnerabilities and strengths, carrying the weight of past regrets while marching bravely toward an uncertain future. The ancient dragon sighed, his thoughts drifting back to the early days of their encounter. At first, he had regarded the human with detached curiosity, observing his actions from afar. But soon, he found himself rooting for the young human happiness and safety too.
So, as the ancient dragon let his words hang in the air, all the other dragons and whales exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging the feeling of protection to this human too. Besides, they had chosen to stand by his side, not out of obligation, but out of genuine affection and admiration for the remarkable soul of Cale Henituse.
This time, they choose to care.
황홀했던 기억 속에
Inside the blissful memory
나 홀로 춤을 춰도 비가 내리잖아
It's raining when I dance alone
이 안개가 걷힐 때쯤
By the time this mist clears
젖은 발로 달려갈 게
I'll be running with my feet wet
그때 날 잡아줘
Hold me back then
날 바라보는 희미한 미소 뒤편에
Behind your faint smile when you look at me
아름다운 보랏빛을 그려볼래요
I want to paint a purple light
서로 발걸음이 안 맞을 수도 있지만
Our footstep may not coincide
그대와 함께 이 길을 걷고 싶어요
But I want to walk this path with you
Still With You
As the final notes of the song faded away, silence enveloped Cale. His fingers came to a halt, and slowly, so did his tears. He felt a weight lifted off his slumped shoulders, and even though the scars of his past still flickered in his heart, somehow they no longer felt overwhelming. This catharsis moment had left him feeling sober and surprisingly light. It was a different feeling from what he had experienced in the past, and it made him realize that maybe... he was finally ready to let go.
A soft chuckle echoed in the empty room as he wiped away the last traces of tears from his face. He gazed at the moon's bright glow through the window across him.
He knew that the pain would not simply disappear, not now and perhaps not ever, but he also knew that he could now begin the journey of his healing. He could finally allow himself to forgive, just as his hyung's had forgiven him.
In a whisper, he spoke to the darkness of the room, "Thank you for everything hyung's..." His words somehow felt like a tribute to the all memories he held dear, either good or bad.
Not long after, the fatigue washed over him, and he found himself drifting off to sleep over the piano. Despite the emotional breakdown he had just experienced, he slept soundly, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
When he awoke the next morning, he found himself back in his room, surrounded by his children sleeping peacefully around him. Ron gently woke him, opening the curtains to let the morning sun fill the room with warmth. The old butler greeted him warmly, offering tea instead of his usual lemonade, his subtle sign of care and consideration.
In that tender moment, as the morning light gently touched his face and his children surrounded him, Cale felt a sense of peace washing over him. He knew that the healing journey would be gradual, but he was no longer afraid. As he took a sip of the warm tea, he couldn't help but smile. With his loved ones by his side, he felt a newfound strength to face the pain and find solace in the love that surrounded him.
For the first time in his life, he found himself not feeling the guilt to open his heart again.
