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"I do not understand," Jungkook murmured.
Taehyung did not turn to face the prince.
Taehyung closed his eyes. The heavy chains in his ankles felt like he was carrying the weight of the world.
Just a little more. He had to keep going.
"You mortals cannot comprehend the inner workings of the divine," Taehyung murmured in reply. His eyes opened up and blazed a bright gold. "What you do know can fill a lake. What you don't know can fill an ocean. Do not step further, or else you may find yourself drowning in the bottomless depths."
Jungkook stood up and his eyes were filled with both frustration and anger. He gestured angrily at the cell that Taehyung found himself in.
"You are a god, Taehyung! We should be the ones bowing at your feet! You can easily break free from this cell! We both know that those chains around your feet can do little to trap the divine. No matter if anyone tries to kill you or touch you, you won't bleed. You won't die. What right do us mortals have to chain a god!?" Jungkook cried out angrily, before slamming his fist into the bars. "Why do you allow yourself to be bound like this? Why do you humiliate yourself like this?"
Why did Taehyung allow himself to be so utterly humiliated? He had to endure those who once worshiped him spit his name full of hate and disgust. He had to watch temples once built in his names be desecrated. He had to endure the abandonment of the mortals, who he once loved and the reason he abandoned sitting among the divine to live in this mortal realm.
Truthfully, that is what hurt him the most. It wasn't the mortals tearing down his temples. It was how so many mortals easily abandoned him. The distant back of the mortals he had watched for so many centuries was seared into his mind.
Yet, Taehyung knew his place in the grand scheme of things. He had to be patient and bide his time.
And truthfully, he couldn't find it in himself to harm these humans. Though they may ridicule him and hate him, he still loved their humanity dearly. Their flaws made them more precious to him.
"I have no more words to say to you, young prince," Taehyung said curtly. His tone was distant and cold.
The young man was gutted.
He was still quite immature. He had only recently become of age. He was still a growing sapling, Taehyung thought. Jungkook was still a young prince, and there was so much in the world that he had yet to comprehend.
Taehyung wanted this young sapling to continue growing, or else the shadows may cut him down.
Jungkook's eyes were like a window to his soul. Taehyung could see the young prince's eyes shift from anger to frustration to longing to regret to bitterness.
"Fine then," Jungkook snapped at him before storming out of the cell. Taehyung could only watch in silence as the door slammed with a loud thud.
He was left in the darkness once more. It was just darkness and his thoughts.
Taehyung never understood what he did to deserve such a loyal, faithful follower. He could only hope that Jungkook would let him go, or else Taehyung would once again watch an innocent soul wither from death.
"I don't understand why this is happening!" Jungkook loudly cried, before flinging a vase onto the floor.
"Your Highness, you are bleeding," Hoseok said. He had a deep frown on his face and shook his head sadly. "How about you take a deep breath, okay? I am worried about you."
Jungkook sighed. He slumped into his arms sadly. He kept shaking his head.
"You don't get it! I am worried about him. I just don't understand what he's thinking. What rights do us mortals have over a god? Yet he continues to stand by and do nothing!"
"Isn't that the point? He's a god. We are mortals. We cannot hope to understand what is going on in his mind," Hoseok said. His usual cheerful demeanor looked somber. He crouched down to pick up the broken shards. He examined each shard with an undecipherable gleam in his eyes. "Surely you know that, Your Highness?"
Jungkook flinched. He gave a deep scowl to Hoseok. "Just because he's a god doesn't mean we can't understand him."
Hoseok gave him a knowing look in his eyes. "He said the same thing to you, didn't he?"
Jungkook looked away. "I already hear such things from my father. I do not believe he is right, nor do I believe Taehyung when he says such things."
Hoseok was quiet for a moment, as if mulling over potential responses to give Jungkook. He then looked out the window to see the blue skies.
"It's a nice day outside, isn't it?" the servant asked. Jungkook paused, before looking out the window too.
It was a nice day outside. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and Jungkook could see the birds flying high above them. There was a large contrast of freedom, which sat sour on his tongue. He looked away.
It felt wrong to look at the carefree life outside, when the kingdom just imprisoned their own god. The same god that is said to have built the kingdom with his own hands and each brick laid was guided by his careful eyes.
Hundreds of years of protecting, guiding, and caring was tossed away in a blink of an eye.
"All the more reason why Taehyung should be out there, instead of confined in the darkness," Jungkook murmured, before shutting the curtains closed. "But despite my royal status, I am powerless to stand up against my father, the other nobles, or the people. They have been swayed and want to tear Taehyung apart."
There was a cold fury in his voice.
"He's stronger than any of us can imagine," Hoseok said with a kind, cheerful smile. "He's a god, is he not?"
Despite knowing that Hoseok was just trying to comfort him, his words infuriated him instead.
"Why is Taehyung being a god an excuse for everything!? He's a kind, gentle soul. Did you know he remembers every name for everyone who has died throughout the centuries? He also remembers each birth. He's… caring. He is a good person," Jungkook said, clenching his fists angrily.
Hoseok was silent and examined Jungkook closely. He had a solemn look on his face.
He could see the words in Hoseok's face, though they were unspoken.
But Taehyung is not a person. He is a god.
"Jungkook, why do you care about this so much?" Hoseok asked him calmly. The calm seriousness in his voice made the prince feel uneasy. "Why are you so invested in Taehyung getting justice? As much as this infuriates you, no one can touch him or harm him. If he wishes for it, Taehyung could burn their mortal forms to ashes. A couple years until you rise to the throne will happen in a blink in his lifespan. He can wait. Why can't you?"
Jungkook stared at Hoseok in complete confusion. He did not understand the point that Hoseok was trying to make.
"This is wrong. Why else would I care?" Jungkook replied with bewilderment coloring his voice.
Hoseok seemed to examine him even closer. Hoseok was observant, Jungkook was well aware. But the look in his eyes reminded him of how Yoongi could pick someone apart without an exchange of words.
"No other reason?" Hoseok pressed, but Jungkook did not understand why Hoseok was acting so seriously.
"I am a loyal follower, Hoseok. I knew about Taehyung, but when I met the god during my coming of age ceremony… I truly understood what it was like to be humbled. Taehyung is the type of leader I want to be. He's friendly, thoughtful, and kind to all. I admire him a lot," Jungkook answered, but he had a distant memory lingering in the back of his mind.
He was only 17, but he was struck speechless by the radiance the god shined with. He was playing with homeless children, but looked like the most beautiful creature to grace the land. His silver hair glistened in the sun. His brown eyes flickered with gold. He had beautiful skin that seemed to glow in the sun rays,
A god was sitting on the broken stone steps, dirtying his robes of white.
The god did not seem phased by the dirt, but, instead, sat down, played, and listened to the children.
"Children are the future. Only they have the unclouded outlook on life that many of us are jaded to lose," Taehyung murmured to him as the young prince was shocked that the god noticed him lurking in the shadows. "It's too easy to lose ourselves in the trees of life and forget to smell the flowers. Too many leaders forget that."
Taehyung gave him a sad smile, before he turned back to the children and began to ask them about their days.
Jungkook stole one more glance at the scene, before hurrying back to the palace. He was scolded for sneaking off on the same day he had his coming of age ceremony, but he couldn't find it in himself to care. His mind was frozen in Taehyung's eyes and smile. There was a deep wisdom in his eyes and sadness to his smile.
Jungkook couldn't understand how an immortal could seem so strong and so fragile at the same time. It had been over five years since then, but the image was still engraved into his mind.
Hoseok didn't seem satisfied with his response, but the servant sighed.
"I guess this shows that you're still quite young. Don't worry, young prince. You have time to mature and grow into yourself. Most importantly, you need to gather power discreetly, if you want to take the throne from your father sooner than later. We will help you. The sooner we do that, the sooner our god is freed from his chains!" Hoseok cheerfully exclaimed. His words did not comfort Jungkook.
That implied that Taehyung would not be freed for a while.
Jungkook felt so powerless and hated it.
Jungkook took a deep breath, before his eyes blazed with determination. He gave a bitter smile.
"Looks like we have a coup to plan," Jungkook replied.
The image of Taehyung in chains continued to haunt him for nights to come.
"How pathetic you are!" someone spat at him. Taehyung was unphased as the spit dripped down his chin. There was anger burning in his eyes, but Taehyung's mask never faltered.
They could not lay a finger on him. Taehyung made that very clear. They may chain him, but his divinity could burn them all into ash in a heartbeat. He gave a clear verbal warning, and surprisingly, they have followed it.
It seemed that none wanted to risk burning to ashes. Despite how cocky they may act, they are well-aware that they have chained a divine being, which could easily wipe them from this earth.
Though Taehyung knew if they did try to harm or touch him, he wouldn't be able to stop them, or else all would be lost.
Just a bit longer, he needed to maintain this act.
If they had to resort to such pettiness to rile him up, well, Taehyung wasn't going to stop them.
It just saddened him greatly of how easily these mortals were swayed by the poison dripping from their king's voice.
However, he would not concede. He could not allow himself to snap.
He always knew this day would come and came to term with it centuries ago. He needed to endure the heartbreak of abandonment in his chest.
The cries of children crying for his help rang in his ears and his chains weighed even heavier on his soul.
Taehyung's mask sat firmly on his face and the group grumbled, before they left. They seemed to jeer at him and his lack of reaction. Taehyung sighed in relief and looked up at the darkness, wondering when the moment he would be waiting for would come.
Days blurred together. He didn't know how long he was chained here.
He needed to have faith. It was just a bit more.
"Y-Your Highness!" someone yelped. There was a loud thud, before the doors slammed open and the noblemen who knocked him were thrown onto the floor.
A familiar face walked into the room and held his sword against their necks.
"Kneel," Jungkook said in a cold voice.
The noblemen looked furious.
"I am in your father's inner circle! You have no right-" one nobleman sputtered, but Jungkook paid them no mind.
Jungkook sliced into his skin and a thin trail of blood dripped down onto the clothing of white. The nobleman's face was drained of blood.
"Apologize now. Do not make me repeat myself again. You may have forgotten, but only thanks to Lord Taehyung's mercy that this entire kingdom hadn't crumbled to the ground, if he so wished for it," Jungkook said warningly. "Do not mistake his kindness as weakness."
The young prince looked quite furious and the noblemen exchanged looks and grumbles.
"I don't know why I should possibly apologize to such a weak god," one grumbled and Jungkook narrowed his eyes. He looked furious, especially after the warning Jungkook had just given.
Taehyung could see the resolve in the young prince's eyes.
Oh no.
"I do not mind such ridicule. Their words are of no concern to me," Taehyung cut into the tension. He stared straight at Jungkook. "Do you need something?"
Seizing the opportunity, the noblemen fled the scene. Jungkook, however, now looked even more furious with him.
The young prince certainly had a temper. Taehyung sighed.
"That was foolish of you," Taehyung said quietly. "It is best if you leave."
Jungkook still looked frustrated. When was the last time Taehyung had seen his face? It seemed like it was only a moment ago, but the nights of being in this cell had blurred together into a tangled mess.
"I… I wanted to see you so badly, even against your warnings and my father's wishes," Jungkook whispered so quietly, it felt like a confession one would murmur to him in his temples. "My memory has tortured me with nightmares of you chained here for an agonizing year. Even now, it still infuriates and confounds me that such a gentle god like yourself endures such ridicule. Gods don't deserve it."
Taehyung couldn't help but laugh at the young prince's words. Bitterness and anger sat angrily on his chest as the pain threatened to consume him whole.
"Let me teach you this lesson," Taehyung said warningly, but his voice softened into something kinder. "Surely you know how these kingdoms had risen from the ground? Gods are generous to their subjects, but just as many are tyrants. What separates us from mortals is that we have lived for an eternity that will never stop. What runs through our blood is not the red you all seek to spill and know quite well, but gold dipped in the fury of war and destruction. This peace that you all have experienced is a result of wars that razed many to the ground. In fact, this peace is a simple blink for us immortals. It is why some other gods cannot be kind, for we are monsters bathed in gold and red blood and we don't know anything else."
Taehyung could clearly remember thrusting swords into foes with gold running in their veins, burning flesh not made of red or gold, and leaving a trail of innocent bloody bodies in his wake.
The screams of mortals rang in his ears for centuries, but he once laughed at their pleads. After all, what weight does a mortal life have against a god?
The guilt sat on him heavily. He once breathed destruction as if it was his air. Once upon a time, he had not known anything else.
"You may be a monster," Jungkook suddenly said and his eyes seemed to pierce Taehyung's soul, "but you forget that us mortals are just the same. Perhaps it is something we both have in common. But just as easily, we can both strive for peace. Isn't that why you built this kingdom? Though this kingdom was built on the blood you spilt, you have given us love and peace, while other gods would make us kneel and beg. Even now, you don't raise a hand against us."
The words of the mortal puzzled Taehyung and he couldn't help but look away. It rang in his ears over and over again.
After being bathed in the blood for many centuries, Taehyung had grown weary and tired.
Taehyung wanted to be a mortal at his breaking point, because an eternity was a long, lonely experience. However, that was not possible.
He was well-aware of how different he was compared to the mortals, who hadn't witnessed the horrors he had experienced.
It was a distant dream. Mortals and gods were too different. He had built this kingdom on a whim, as if trying to reach for that impossible dream.
Yet, perhaps his wishes weren't that far off as he had once thought. Perhaps immortals and mortals had more in common than he had believed.
Jungkook then gave him a kind, hopeful smile.
"You are the god that I admire and worship the most, Taehyung. Even if all abandon you, I will kneel at your altar," Jungkook said, before the prince took something out of his pocket and slid it to Taehyung.
It was food and water.
It was kind of him, but a startling sudden departure from what they were just discussing.
As a god, he had no need for such things, but Jungkook was trying to show him kindness and give him offerings, even when he was stripped of his status.
Taehyung was baffled at the change of pace in conversation. He was used to either dictating the conversation or being a bystander. Never before had a mortal… engaged him as much as Jungkook did.
It was fascinating.
Jungkook then held up his head high and clutched the bars tightly.
His lips blossomed into a confident smirk and something inside Taehyung… warmed up.
"I promise you, Taehyung, I will take down these bars and make sure you will never be chained again. I don't know when I will see you again, but someday," Jungkook whispered, but it sounded like an oath to Taehyung's ears that promised to be fulfilled or die trying.
Looking into the prince's eyes, Taehyung could swear that the wonders of the divine were hidden in those eyes.
Those eyes would haunt him every night for days to come. He would sit and wonder about the prince and if the day came that he would see the prince again.
He wondered if he would see the prince again with his head held up high or a lifeless body strewn on the floor.
These thoughts haunted his dreams, so Taehyung refused to dream.
It had been four years since the last time Jungkook had seen Taehyung in that cell. Once his father heard of how he had ridiculed his inner circle, he had thrown Jungkook out.
He had sent his oldest son to the front lines. The king, no doubt, was expecting Jungkook to die there. He was only a young man, after all.
Instead, Jungkook had flourished on the front lines. He rose up the ranks and became a war hero. His father had tried to force him to fight other kingdoms, and Jungkook had defeated them. His father threw up to the far reaches of the kingdom to fight monsters. He slew many creatures.
Jungkook bathed in the blood of both mortals and monsters, but he had emerged victorious.
Ironic, really. He had once spoken to Taehyung about peace when the god once talked about the war running through his veins. Now, Jungkook was the one killing and slaughtering, leaving destruction in his wake.
He understood how easily one could become a monster. Several times, Jungkook tethered on the edge of falling and being consumed by apathy and bitterness.
The kind smile of a distant god would bring him back and his resolve sat firmly in his heart.
He understood the need and destruction of war, but it could also bring peace once one laid down their weapons and armor. That is what Taehyung did and why their kingdom thrived for many centuries, instead of being embroiled in war like many others.
Jungkook knew with his military prowess and the loyalty of the army, he was one step closer to seizing the throne and overthrowing his father.
Freeing a god who was never meant to be chained up.
"I have a letter from Kim Seokjin," Namjoon murmured. Jungkook turned to smile at his trusted advisor and second-in-command.
Namjoon was the oldest from a fallen noble house. Many expected the young noble to desperately pursue a suitable marriage or try to weasel himself into a respectful position of government in order to save his house.
No one expected the young heir to enter the military academy. He was a noble who loved plants and books. He never looked like the sort that could easily slice off the enemies of his foes.
Namjoon had graduated at the top of his class, but most expected him to land a more administrative job compared to serving on the front lines.
In fact, Namjoon had the intention to do exactly that. However, as if the gods were watching, fate managed to make Jungkook stumble into Namjoon's life.
The next day, Namjoon volunteered to serve where Jungkook was heading.
Jungkook was just tossed from the palace to the front lines. He had no experience, so he was surprised that Namjoon had so much faith in him.
When asked much later why during the quiet nights after a battle, Namjoon said, "I knew this country was heading towards war. I wanted to be there to try and steer the country in a direction that would cost the least amount of lives. When I met you, I saw raw talent and potential. Most importantly, I saw a young man that could rise up to meet challenges head on but also strove for peace. I realized you were the best shot to save the most lives."
Jungkook took the letter from Namjoon, humming as he opened the letter and skimmed it.
"What did Seokjin say?" Jungkook asked, knowing Namjoon could summarize it quickly. Seokjin spoke in too flowery terms for Jungkook's taste, but the flare for dramatics was expected.
Seokjin was from one of the oldest noble families and his father was the king's advisor. His support was vital to securing support for Jungkook's ascension to the throne.
Namjoon beamed proudly and there was a spark of happiness in his eyes, which warmed Jungkook's heart.
"He agreed to support you and he said that the current Head of the Park Family was open to supporting you, but an exact confirmation is not quite there," Namjoon said before his smile turned sappy. "This alliance would be binded through the marriage between Kim Seokjin and Jungkook's Second-in-Command."
Jungkook chuckled, before folding up the letter and handing it back to Namjoon. He gave his close friend a sincere smile.
"Congrats on your engagement," Jungkook said while Namjoon blushed deeply. His eyes flickered to the letter and there was a frown on his lips. "Park Jimin worries me though. He continued to give hints, but nothing for certain. I am unsure if I made the right decision to trust him, but compared to the other families, I do not think I can reach out to them. They are too entrenched in my father's inner circle."
"Don't worry," a voice said and footsteps entered the room. A familiar face with black hair and a scar slashed over an eye entered the room. Min Yoongi gave them a smile. "Jimin likes to run circles for his own amusement, but I can guarantee his support. He's just like that. He likes to make things difficult."
Min Yoongi was also from another important noble family. In fact, Yoongi was the one that warned him that support from the nobles was vital considering he already had won the hearts and the loyalty of the military. Jungkook had taken that advice to heart, thus, why he started to make immediate plans to figure out which families. He had already won the support of the Min Family, so he needed to win two more out of the five noble houses.
He had sent Namjoon to convince the Kim heir since Namjoon was familiar with noble culture. He hadn't expected the two to fall in love in the process, but it worked out all the better for him.
However, Park Jimin was much more difficult and he was surprised that Yoongi could proclaim that with such certainty.
He gave Yoongi an uncertain look. The general, however, looked confident in his statement.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Do you know Jimin well?" Jungkook asked. He was acquainted with both Jimin and Yoongi, considering their statuses, but neither of them looked particularly close.
Then again, Jungkook was always busy with concerns of royal life, so perhaps he neglected something.
Yoongi merely shrugged in response.
"Well enough," Yoongi replied and Namjoon snorted. Jungkook and Yoongi both whirled to him, who held up his arms in surrender.
"You know as well as I do that rumors get around," Namjoon said warningly. Yoongi's eyes widened in surprise, before giving a sharp look. Jungkook gave Namjoon an imploring look.
The man looked uncomfortable to choose who to listen to, but sighed and continued, "An heir smitten with another heir can easily become a popular rumor, but add in the fact that you turned down Park Jimin because you were heading off to war and didn't want him to become a widow or become broken hearted just adds another layer. It doesn't help that, despite all these years, Park Jimin has become the Head of his House, but has refused any marriage proposals. The rumors say that he is still waiting for you to this day."
Jungkook turned to Yoongi in shock. The general had shown no interest in sleeping around, nor romance. In fact, many onlookers remark that the general is cold and only knows war. Of course, they all know better and how kind and thoughtful Yoongi actually is, but it is still a shock to Jungkook.
He had thought he knew his inner circle quite well, but it seemed that he didn't know them as well as he had thought.
"Well, are the rumors true?" Jungkook asked. Yoongi flinched and sighed. A dark look was casted over his face like a cloudy sky.
"What do you want me to say? I told Jimin it was just a childhood crush and a young romance. He… should have moved on, especially you know our lives in the military," Yoongi said, but there was a tiredness and brokenness in his voice. "I wanted to spare him the pain and wanted him to move on."
Jungkook snorted. "Apparently he is more stubborn than you thought, so I think you two are perfect for each other."
Yoongi gave Jungkook a withering look, before a smug smirk formed on his face.
It gave Jungkook a bad feeling.
"Then should we mention the rumors that the crown prince, apparently, had his heart snagged by some beauty since he was a teenager. Or perhaps the other rumors that Jungkook would fall at Taehyung's feet and worship him even in chains? Or maybe that other rumor of how the commander of our military is actually in love with a god?" Yoongi murmured, but it sounded more like a smug proclamation instead.
Namjoon bursted out laughing and Jungkook gave his two closest friends a dark look.
He had kept his true feelings for Taehyung deep inside his chest. He knew falling in love with an immortal was a doomed love. There were many myths about it. They rarely ended up well.
However, Jungkook had long since given his heart to the god in chains. Perhaps, the moment since he had met the god, he had fallen in love. It just took many years for him to realize admiration did not summarize the depths he felt for Taehyung.
He had never spoken about it outloud, but his fierce defending of the god was well-known in certain circles. The fact that he had never taken on a lover more than a handful of times did not help. It was only in dire moments when sparring could not quell the anger running through his veins.
It wasn't love in those moments. He was disinterested in anyone.
After all, no one could hold a candle to Taehyung's beauty.
Jungkook thought it was better not to say anything, but it seemed that Yoongi wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine about curiosity.
"I understand why you want to overthrow your father. He is a terrible king. I am sure it is especially motivating with a beautiful god being unjustly locked away. Are any of these rumors true?" Yoongi rather cheerfully asked, which gave Jungkook the goosebumps. The fake cheeriness would haunt him in his waking moments.
Jungkook gave Yoongi the side eye, but considering he forced Namjoon to reveal things against Yoongi's wishes, he might as well make it up to the other.
"It is true," Jungkook admitted, "that despite my head, my heart foolishly gave itself away to a god. And even more foolishly, I do not regret it for a moment. Taehyung… I have met him a few times. He truly is a kind, gentle god. He is not perfect and he knows that, but despite the ridicule that he is currently experiencing, he has not laid a finger on anyone. His heart is full of love for mortals, despite being an immortal.
"He was… different from what I was expecting. I didn't expect to become so enamored with him. I know it is doomed to be a tragic love story, but my heart does not care. Most importantly though, he does not deserve being forced into chains. My father has become a tyrant and forced a god, who has protected our lands for centuries, into chains. That is an injustice if I have seen one, and I refuse to stand by and let it continue," Jungkook stated with determination fueling his voice.
Yoongi and Namjoon were both taken aback. While they knew freeing Taehyung was a part of his plans, neither of them expected for Jungkook to feel so passionate about it. They both seemed to realize that freeing Taehyung was a major drive for Jungkook to walk down this path.
And despite Jungkook's speech, he knew he was only scratching the surface of his feelings.
If he could, he would give Taehyung the world. He only wished for happiness and good things in the god's life. He would worship Taehyung if he was the last mortal alive in a doomed world. He would give Taehyung anything and everything to see him smile without heavy burdens weighing him down.
The life of an immortal is a long, lonely time. Jungkook only wished he could make it warm, even for a moment, during his lifetime. Even if Taehyung regarded it as a blink in his never ending span of memories, he would savor the smile on his lips.
Namjoon and Yoongi exchanged looks. No doubt, they were thinking about how foolish Jungkook was to fall in love with a god.
Little did they know how well Jungkook knew that lesson.
However, neither of them said anything to put down Jungkook's feelings. Namjoon gave him an encouraging, soft smile.
"Then that means we must work even harder to take down your tyrannous father," Namjoon said with a newfound resolve in his voice. Yoongi was always nodding in agreement.
Jungkook gave them both a watery smile of thanks.
However, both were taken aback when someone ran into their tent, interrupting the peace and quiet they previously had.
"A message from the palace! Hoseok said that the king is planning some kind of ritual and has summoned all the nobles, as well as our god. It is unknown what they are planning, but it is undoubtedly bad," the messenger cried out, panting from sprinting across the camp.
Jungkook sat up and adjusted his sword. He glanced towards Namjoon and Yoongi, but they both knew what to do immediately.
"I will send a message to Jimin immediately on our protected lines. I will inform him of the seriousness of the situation and will lead the army to march to the capital," Yoongi stated, standing up tall and ready to summon the army.
Jungkook nodded in approval and turned to Namjoon. Namjoon nodded in reply.
"Looks like we need to create a small rescue team," Jungkook said, narrowing his eyes. "We have a god to break out of jail."
Jungkook refused to fail. He was no longer powerless as he once was.
Taehyung had chains on his ankles and wrist. He was standing in the middle of a ritual circle.
He was surrounded by mortals all around. There was a smugness and excitement in the air as all buzzed about the current circumstances.
Taehyung found them all ridiculous.
He never wanted things to come to this, if he could have helped it, but he was well-aware of the whispers and the signs.
The following events were inevitable.
It seemed like this closing act was finally drawing to a close.
"The closest in my circle, it is finally time!" the king pridefully cried. Taehyung watched him with distant eyes. If for a moment, he could perfectly picture the strings hanging above him. The mortal was completely unaware that he was being played like a puppet on strings.
It was fine with Taehyung though. Someone had set the stage, and it was finally time for Taehyung to give the grand finale that the audience so desperately desired.
The loneliness and betrayal was the buildup to this final performance.
The audience cheered at the king's words. They were all completely unaware that their excitement would doom the kingdom.
However, Taehyung knew better.
The king smirked, before gesturing to the circle and Taehyung standing in the center.
"Unlike this pitiful, weak god, I will raise this kingdom to even greater heights. After all, my people, I am ABOUT TO BECOME A GOD! Gods have sacrificed other gods to consume their powers and become even more powerful. Unlike other gods though, this weak-willed one refuses to war against other kingdoms and kill their gods. Thanks to my army and strength, we have waged war and won! The people's sacrifice has not been in vain. Their sacrifices paved the way for our destiny to become even stronger. Now, I will perform this ritual and become a god! We shall wage war against the world and sit rightfully at the top!" the king proclaimed proudly. He was beaming and there was a spark of madness in his eyes.
The only thought during his entire speech was that Taehyung couldn't find any resemblance to Jungkook. While they both had the same eye color and the same hair color, Jungkook had a look of kindness and love that the king had lost to his frantic climb for power.
Then again, it had been a few years since Taehyung had last seen the young prince. Thinking about it, Jungkook was no longer young. He must have matured into a man by now.
Taehyung always listened to the whispers about the prince and his accomplishments by the other prisoners and guards. In his moments of silence in that dark cell, admittedly, the prince had consumed his thoughts.
He often wondered if Jungkook had turned out like his father and lost himself to the bloody reality of war, rather than his desire of peace that he once proclaimed. He wondered how Jungkook looked now. Did he have longer hair now? How did his face change over the years?
Mortals always changed so fast in a blink of an eye.
Taehyung had heard many guards even swoon over the crown prince. Many whispered about how handsome he had become and how they desired to have him as a partner. There were also whispers of his kindness, but those were even quieter and murmured with some fear.
Taehyung thought of them as rather silly. Jungkook was already quite handsome for a mortal and thought they were rather foolish to have never noticed for so many years.
The thoughts of Jungkook the mortal consumed the immortal's mind more than he wanted to admit. There were the trivial thoughts that he pondered in the never ending darkness.
(There were even more thoughts about whether the next time Taehyung would see the prince, it would be because the king wanted to stamp out any spark of life in the prince's eyes. These thoughts consumed his dreams)
Even worse, Taehyung knew this… interest with a mortal would not end well.
Taehyung would continue living while Jungkook would inevitably die.
The life of an immortal was never ending suffering.
Yet, Taehyung couldn't stop it. After those meetings in the cell, no one had intrigued Taehyung as much as Jungkook had across the centuries.
And so, despite himself, Taehyung couldn't help but think about a mortal prince, even as the prince's father rambled excitedly about conducting a ritual to sacrifice him and take his divine power.
These distracting thoughts almost made him miss his cue in the performance, but Taehyung brushed these thoughts away.
He needed to make his grand entrance, less the audience be fully pulled by the king's delusions.
"Do you really think I would easily allow you to sacrifice myself to take my divine right for yourself?" Taehyung asked loudly. His voice rang out loud and clear throughout the room.
Many were shocked and left speechless.
No mortals had ever seen Taehyung raise his voice before. This was the first time that Taehyung had put up any resistance.
The king seemed shocked, but quickly recovered.
"You're too late! The ritual is already starting and your divine power will be drained away," the king stated bravely. Taehyung simply snorted loudly.
The king sputtered and complained about his disrespect, but Taehyung paid him no mind.
For other gods, this ritual may hurt a bit more. After all, most gods flaunted their powers and used it for grand things. Taehyung, however, had saved his power for this moment.
Instead of a stream of power being flooded away, it felt more akin to water slowly dripping away. Taehyung could hardly feel a thing.
It was nice to see how the traitors gathered all so neatly for him.
While it pained Taehyung to hurt them, they have clearly forgotten that Taehyung was a god, nevertheless.
Taehyung gestured and the entire room started to glow a brilliant gold.
He surveyed each mortal standing before him calmly.
"I am afraid to tell you that the moment you walked into this room, you doomed yourselves to this fate. I had hoped by showing mercy, some of you may change your minds. Some did change out of guilt. Others didn't. I cannot allow you all to leave this room alive. If anything, blame your king. Your king listened to the whispers by other gods, dripping poison into all of your ears. Even if you successfully took my divinity, you would be ants next to the other tyrants. That is exactly what they wanted. In order to keep this kingdom flourishing, the rot must be cut," Taehyung said, surveying the room.
There were looks of horror dawning on their faces. Some fell onto the ground, begging for their lives. Others turned to the king, anger burning in their souls. The rest stood in silent horror and surrender.
Taehyung turned to the king, before summoning his divine weapon. The ax shimmered foreboding colors of red and gold.
Taehyung may have traded his weapons for books to build up this kingdom, but he was still a warrior at heart. He killed the unkillable.
Clearly these mortals needed reminding of that.
As Taehyung slashed at the king, Taehyung could finally see the resemblance between the king and his son.
He wondered if Jungkook would change his mind about him once he learned that Taehyung killed his father.
No doubt, the prince would hate him.
Inside his chest, something hurt. It was an emotion that Taehyung did not understand. It was different than the hurt he felt when the mortals he loved abandoned him, but it tore into him all the same.
The look of disgust on the prince's face was scorched in this mind while Taehyung slaughtered the helpless mortals.
They were too foolish. They were too human.
Taehyung watched apathetically as he cut down more and more mortals.
They were too arrogant. They were too selfish.
They were helpless against a god. This was the difference between immortals and mortals.
The curtain call was finally here and Taehyung would dance in the blood of these egotistic, powerless mortals.
After all, this too was merely a blink in his lifetime.
Jungkook entered the palace. He had immediately gone to Hoseok, who faithfully stayed behind and built an impressive spy network.
Hoseok looked somber.
Jungkook was concerned for his close friend and wondered what was wrong.
The first thought that flashed into his mind was Taehyung.
"Is Taehyung okay?" Jungkook asked while he, Namjoon, and a few other close comrades pulled up to Hoseok.
Hoseok stared at him with cold, distant eyes.
"The king is dead," Hoseok started and the others gasped.
Jungkook's mouth dropped open in surprise and thoughts ran through his brain. What happened? Did someone assassinate him? Was there a coup?
Nothing prepared him for the next words leaving Hoseok's mouth.
"The king and his conspirators planned to sacrifice Taehyung and become a god. Taehyung slaughtered them all before the king's throne. No one has approached him out of fear. He's still there. He hasn't moved," Hoseok finished.
Everyone broke out into whispers at this surprising news. No doubt, Namjoon and the others were looking to him for guidance and leadership.
But Jungkook was only human and his only priority was Taehyung.
Jungkook sprinted to the throne room, where his father often sat and boasted from.
In the throne room, there were dozens of bodies sprawled on the ground. The scent of blood permeated the entire room. If Jungkook was a stranger to war, he would have been gagging from the stench.
Indeed, Hoseok was correct. Taehyung was standing in the center of the room in front of a lifeless body. He was holding an ax, with red blood dripping from the weapon.
Jungkook always thought that a sword or bow would have suited Taehyung's regalness, but somehow, the ax made him look even more striking. He looked even more like a divine being that Jungkook could not touch, but couldn't help but want to.
Taehyung was staring at him. There was no spark of life and kindness in his eyes, but there wasn't bloodlust or anger either.
He looked.. tired.
That pained Jungkook more than anything else.
"I killed your father for his arrogance. He was setting this kingdom onto a path of destruction and I knew his conspirators would do the same. I have waited for this day to kill them all. Now, can you see what I mean by the fact that we gods are monsters?" Taehyung asked, but there was a forcefulness and bitterness in his voice. It was as if Taehyung wanted Jungkook to hate him.
Jungkook walked up to Taehyung. Despite how unworthy he was to touch him, Jungkook couldn't help but reach out.
He cupped Taehyung's cheek and wiped a smear of blood from his cheek.
"You truly love us mortals and this kingdom, don't you?" Jungkook murmured and Taehyung's eyes widened in surprise. He looked uncertain by Jungkook's reaction. "You love us enough to stop a tyrant from plunging us into destruction. You love us enough to pick up your weapon you wished to discard to bring back peace."
"I'm a monster," Taehyung whispered back. He sounded so broken and Jungkook wished he had the powers of the divine to heal the hurt Taehyung was in. "I waited for this day, did you know that? I planned this. I knew the moment they told me to get into chains that I would kill them all. I am bathed in their blood and they were powerless to stop me."
Jungkook gave Taehyung a tired smile.
"Then that's something we both have in common. They were just as much monsters as you were. They were even worse. That is another thing that us mortals and gods share in common," Jungkook whispered back. His words were so soft, as if Jungkook was worried any louder, Taehyung would fall apart.
How was someone both so strong and so fragile?
Jungkook looked at Taehyung closely. There was a steel of determination of how he held himself, but there was a fragility in his eyes. Jungkook could clearly see the god Taehyung clearly was.
He was both frighteningly strong but also heavily weighed down by the centuries he had lived through.
His robes of white were streaked with blood. His ax never left Taehyung's grasp.
Taehyung was always handsome, but Jungkook couldn't help but want to fall at his feet and worship him even more. Somehow, the god stole his breath away even more.
Despite knowing better, Jungkook couldn't help but fall at his feet and kneel before the god. He gave Taehyung a small smile.
"You truly do love this kingdom, Taehyung. Both as a god and a monster. You deserve to be worshiped and loved above all," Jungkook murmured, before gently kissing the hand that held the ax.
Taehyung almost let go of the ax from shock, before he recovered and shook his head.
He had an adorable golden blush on his cheeks and Jungkook thought he could wake up to that sight every morning and every night.
"I… don't get you. Why do you wish to worship me, despite being a monster? I am covered in blood, but you look at me like…" Taehyung trailed off, before shaking his head. There was a small frown on his face, which made Jungkook chuckle. "Don't kneel either! Stand up like my equal."
He stood back up and tenderly took Taehyung's free hand. He gently caressed the god's hand. There were no scars. It was hard to believe such soft hands could wield weapons, but they certainly could.
"Like you are the most beautiful thing in the world? That is because that is exactly how I look at you. I see your strength as a god, your kindness for this kingdom, and your love that's so strong, you are willing to both forgive mortals and take up arms. I know this is foolish of me, as many have told me, but I can't help but want to give you the world, Taehyung. I want to give you only happiness and worship you. If only you could see how I see you, my god," Jungkook replied with a soft smile while looking at the most handsome creature in all the realms.
Taehyung blushed even deeper and there was a deeper frown on his face.
"That almost sounds like a love confession," Taehyung said in an uncertain tone.
Jungkook gave up all pretenses and laughed quietly. He gave a sheepish smile.
"I am a foolish man, Taehyung, who had fallen in love with a god. I know it is wrong of me. You can disregard how I feel," Jungkook chuckled, shaking his head. He was well aware that it truly was the most idiotic thing he could do. He never expected the god to return his feelings either.
However, Taehyung surprised him. The god didn't laugh at him or scold him.
The god was quiet and somber.
"I am an immortal, you know that, right? I can't age like you. I can give you children, but demigods rarely live happy lives. If we marry, you may be doomed to a tragic fate, like most mortals," Taehyung said in a frank tone. "It rarely works out for gods, much like with mortals. There is not a large chance that you will ascend either. Isn't it better to settle down with another mortal so you can be happy together in the afterlife?"
Jungkook was shocked that Taehyung wasn't immediately shutting him down. Despite knowing better, he couldn't help but feel hopeful.
"I am well aware of the many stories and myths… but also, aren't there a few where it does work out? After all, life is a journey. If love can't endure a few hardships, then that makes it easy. Only after the embers of war died down that this peace you worked so hard to obtain was finally created. Even if my father reignited the embers, the fact that we lived through peace for so many centuries is a miracle. Only through your strength of war was this possible. Either way, life is a journey. I will treasure our memories together more than possibilities," Jungkook said with a sincere smile. He looked into Taehyung's eyes, and he swore on his soul that he could see every future in those eyes.
Taehyung bit his lip nervously. Jungkook was unsure what thoughts were going through the god's head. Would Taehyung scold him for being so foolish? Would Taehyung banish him from ever seeing him ever again? He wasn't sure.
He certainly didn't expect for Taehyung to lean in and capture his lips into a kiss.
It only took a moment of his brain freezing from shock, pondering if he was dreaming, before he immediately wrapped his arms around Taehyung and pulled the god into a deeper kiss.
He pulled the god close to him and Taehyung wrapped his arms around his neck, threading his fingers through Jungkook's hair.
It was probably the most magical and surreal moment of his life.
They gently broke apart, despite having a heated kiss. Taehyung's hair was a bit messed up and his cheeks were glowing gold. What made Jungkook's heart skip several beats was the bright smile Taehyung was giving him.
"You're not the only foolish one," Taehyung admitted, but his eyes were dancing with joy. "You consumed my thoughts more than you should have. It is terribly unfair of you to walk in, looking like the most dashing creature in all the realms. You wield words like a sword and wield your sincerity like a shield. I had never fallen in love before, but maddingly, you make my heart feel things that I haven't in centuries. Despite my brain knowing better, I can't help but want to take a chance with you. I want to get to know you. I want to fall in love with you."
Jungkook could feel his heart threatening to both jump out of his chest and his sanity melting at once.
The only response he could think of was pulling the god back into a kiss. With the giggle against his lips, he assumed he made the correct response.
As the sun began to rise outside, there was a new dawn on the horizon. Jungkook's closest allies and friends gathered to usher in a new government and future. With the rot gone, there was an opportunity for this kingdom to grow into something better.
And there was an opportunity for a love that shouldn't be… to truly blossom against all odds.