Chapter Text
The true purpose of the tree of life was to protect, which is why it abandoned its natural form to cover the First king from head to toe in silver and gold. Heavy armor adorned the King’s body, a white cape hanging from his shoulder and supported by a golden brooch and strings.
A helmet framed his face, yet his golden eyes glowed majestically and brightly as the stars. And between his fingers was a golden sword that had white flowers and leaves crawling from the hilt to the blade. A beautiful sword that contrasted with its purpose.
And despite the enormous power resonating from his form, Jeongguk wouldn't think of backing down. As his wings bloom out from his back, spreading wide and proud with each feather beginning to shake. His wings began to shine and they slowly wrapped around him before breaking apart to reveal the latter’s form.
A red cap with white feathers sits by his shoulders, his white pristine uniform embroidered with purple flowers by his collar and sleeves. For Celestial beings, White is a symbol of power along with gold and blue as it represents the blue sky and the stars. The in which where the angels can soar high and proud. But for Jeongguk, purple embroidery had a different meaning as he makes sure to have his formal attires tailored with it. And everyone knew what the reason was.
As both angels held their swords, their eyes burned differently as their gaze deepens. Jeongguk held his mighty transparent blade in one hand and raises it in front of him as he clenches his jaw. One moment there was a distance between them but within a split second, both of their blades clashed together.
The sound of the swords clashing is enough to bring anyone to an abrupt stop at the intensity. To wield a strong is to protect, however, at this moment neither of the two held that moral. As power and passion collide, an unreadable expression soon finds its way to Jeongguk’s face. But the way he gripped the hilt of his sword says otherwise of his sudden realization.
How powerful was the first king? It doesn't seem like he had any limits— or openings.
And on top of that, how were his blows getting heavier by each clash?
But Jeongguk made sure to keep up with him as he showed no intentions of backing away. This desire fuels a smile on the first king’s face and immediately shortened their distance once again. But instead of his sword, a hand clashes with Jeongguk’s blade, catching the latter off guard. He expected blood but there was none as the first king held his transparent blade easily. Trapped between his palm, the first king held his blade firmly before bringing up his own.
And just like that, there was a blade by his chest. Causing Jeongguk to widen his eyes.
Jeongguk was aware that he had been stabbed through the chest yet he felt no pain and when he opened his eyes, there was no longer an empty white space facing him, but a clear blue sky that clouds resume dancing. His body felt incredibly light as if he were floating.
Jeongguk sat up only to realize that he was lying down on still, clear water. The first King, standing in front of him, with his hands planted on the top of his sword.
“It's reassuring to see that the future is more fruitful than I have predicted.”
“I thought…” Jeongguk slowly brought a hand over to the spot he knows he was stabbed, “You were going to kill me?”
“Kill you? A soul cannot put any harm to the living,” A chuckle slips past his lips, and kneeled in one leg to look at him carefully in the eyes. “All I did was show you how far you may also go when you embrace your potential which I see you are still struggling to grasp.”
“What do you mean..”
“It’s your mind.” The first king draws up his finger while pointing at him, “The place we were earlier on was made by you. It's called the inner domain which allows the owners to take control. However, the one we were on earlier was blank as nothing. There is no doubt that you hold enormous power, but you lack perfect control of the mind. That's why your mind reflects a blank white space. You have no clear vision of yourself. So I’ve brought you here to my domain to see the difference.”
And the difference was clear as the moon and sun. Given the blue of the sky, Jeongguk gained clarity, for in that expanse of calm air is a sense of freedom that continues to blow around them.
“Limitless.” The first king spoke, cutting Jeongguk’s train of thoughts, “We are angels who are meant to explore the sky, that is the purpose of our wings. To spread our feathers, not to be caged as birds, but free to soar the sky. As King, I’ve upheld that vision in my time. And other successors carried that vision in their own time, successfully without fear, without any doubt. However, I can you that you are struggling. You doubt on yourself too much.”
Then the first king turns, his white cape fluttering slightly along with his movement, “You compare yourself to me after learning the truth that you and I are the same souls. If you were strong as me, then people around you wouldn't have passed away. If you were strong enough, you would have prevented your beloved from leaving you.”
His words caused Jeongguk to silence his lips, with hands finding their way to his eyes, Jeongguk said in a trembling voice “How… I have tried so hard. To surpass everyone but seems like I couldn't even surpass myself. I— I have to avoid creating the same mistake of losing people who are important to me. But I am still not good enough... Why am I no good?”
“Instead of asking people around you, ask yourself.” The first king’s voice turned gentle, like how the wind would whisper in his ear, “You’ve always believed that you are unworthy of living because you failed..”
The depth of the sky faces Jeongguk, but hovering above him was a hand.
A hand that belonged to the first king, “To fail, is simply the way of life. It's how you handle what comes next matters. To ponder in the past, won't give you the courage to face the future. We are the same soul, but we are not the same person. I was born from the darkness, you were born from the light. I gained power because of desperation in order to survive this hostile land, while yours grew from love, you nurtured yours with passion and gentleness that I didn't have. Being a king is a heavy burden, but seeing you made me happy, seeing you grow to become a passionate angel of love and determination gave me relief, and seeing you live a life that you deserve gave me strength to believe in the future.”
His words gave Jeongguk a moment of silence as he stretches out to accept his hand. And with generous strength, the first King helps him up. Their eyes meet in the process. There was no hostility, no malice, nor arrogance in his eyes that even his grip was firm yet gentle to note. Jeongguk's lips parted unaware of his own expression softening. But the first king was aware of it thus the soft smile on his face turned into relief.
He was simply giving him the strength, courage even and that simple thing was enough to cause a ripple in Jeongguk's mind. A simple thing yet it was something that Jeongguk had already forgotten. “You are your own person, you are free to create your own choices, write your own fate, you are you. And that goes for our beloveds, they are the same soul but never the same person. And importantly... That we are their partners...”
His smile was elegant, beautiful and for some reason, it touches Jeongguk's eyes to tear up. Looking at the First king right now, reminded him of his father.
"Perhaps this may help you," The same hand that had helped him started to glow into a beautiful shade of gold. And a bud started to sprout from his palm and before he could question the flower that started to bloom, the first king chuckles. "Now remember Jeongguk. Your beloved, remember him well. And don't doubt your love nor his, for your love is bigger than your doubt. Believe in yourself like how I believe in you."
Jeongguk wasn't sure what happened after his words, but the flower on the first king's palm had brought out a blinding light causing him to cover his eyes. Unknowingly the petals surrounded them, specifically the young king. The first king watches as his reincarnation slowly faded from his vision, leaving small traces of golden petals at his spot. The wind twirled lightly around him as if the breeze was giving him comfort.
"Doubt thou the stars are fire. Doubt that the sun doth move, doubt truth to be a liar. But never doubt our love..." He mutters as he smiles, his eyes slowly closing while he softly breathes in, and the marking on his neck and cheekbones began to glow, "...Our wishes, they came true my love."
Once he had spoken those words, the wind started to pick up and his hair softly started to dance along with it. There was tranquility in his fingertips, his chest felt a little lighter and his face relaxed naturally. He was painting himself on the gentle wind when he felt a warm sensation touching his fingers, causing the first king to jolt in surprise. And as he turns his head, his lips parted.
A chuckle brought him back to his senses and he tightened his grip while curling his lips into a feather-like smile. "That's right, even in every lifetime, in every dimension, and in every form, my love for you will remain eternal, and that's the only fate I believe in."
When the light started to fade away slowly from his vision, Jeongguk found himself sitting on a familiar mahogany chair. Sweat beaded on his forehead and he felt his skin soaked in damp clothes. Every inch of his body trembled as he realises he couldn't lift a single muscle. His mind raced but he kept his breathing steady as he recollects his thoughts.
Behind him, there was a soft light coming from the wide glassed window where the moon was peeking at him. At this moment he felt a small breeze from a small crack between making his skin shiver from the cold. He was in his study room, from the walls and ambiance and even the scent of pine, Jeongguk could say that he was back.
Swallowing, he closes his eyes and concentrated his energy to warm up his body, even allowing a simple spell to disperse the uncomfortable feeling his clothes were giving him. When his eyes fluttered open, he slowly adjusted his vision as his room was completely wrapped in darkness. There was no single light in his study room but he was alone. And slowly and carefully he could finally lift a hand and before he could stand.
With a wave of his hand, the room slowly came to life, and immediately his eyes drifted down to his study table and what he saw gave him a surprise. Laid neatly on his wooden desk was an opened chest board next to what seemed to be a note with a feather on top. He couldn't react well as he sees the white pieces surrounding a specific black piece.
The King.
And written on the note was a simple word.
Checkmate
Checkmate? Shouldn't it be check? Check by the queen, rook, and bishop... Jeonngguk narrows his eyes carefully and he found himself corrected by his own observation.
No, it was a checkmate.
And the eye-catching part here was if he moves the white king to obtain the queen, the closest one, then the rook will face him.
And out of all the pieces, the rook was the only one far away from the others.
This formation...
Could it be?