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“A dew drop falls from a sleek leaf,
The first ray of sun bathes Swan Lake.
Hopeful, the spirits call for the name of their protector,
Waiting, as days, weeks, and years pass by,
for the Chosen to unveil the shining secret,
and save them from the Black Swan devouring
the meadow slowly and steadily.
Only when the protector unlocks their power,
and becomes one with their true love,
Only then will Swan Lake find peace.
And freedom.
Love will liberate them all.”
The first time Hao ventured through the cascading waterfall and into the forest, it was because of a stunning unicorn. He had chased the ethereal creature, drawn by its beauty, all the way to the shimmering source of water, empathy moving him to take care of the animal as one of his hind legs had been hurt because of a violent villager wanting to capture it;
He had run and chased the marvelous white unicorn till Swan Lake uncovered itself to him, the view taking his breath away. The mountains and trees talked to him in an unnatural way, their voices carried by chill winds and whistling leaves; he had found a new sense of belonging, even before he fully knew what his role in the legend was.
Day after day, he returned to Swan Lake, following the muddy trail, encountering magic beings in his journey to discover the location, deeper into the realm, coming in touch with fairies for the first time, the stories and legends being shared with him, dipping his feet into the lake, a sense of relief irradiating through him.
Troubles began when the Spirits of Swan Lake guided him to the Crystal, a magical encased jewel in a puzzle made of stone that unlocked a new kind of energy and magic to flow inside of him; with the awakening of the Crystal, the sinister spirit of his nemesis became known to him, casting a curse upon his soul, transforming his body into that of a white swan.
The fairies and spirits had come to his aid, a counterspell to at least limit the curse, but only making it possible for him to revert to his human form after sunset; like that, Hao found himself forever bound to Swan Lake, hopeful that one day, his one true love would have found him.
The prince pushed through the stinging weeds, his horse trailing closely behind him after entering the gate inside the enormous waterfall.
He was venturing through a dark path, the rhythmic, splashing sound of water reverberating in the cave at every step. His black, heavy boots felt suddenly heavier as they were sinking into the earth; only after getting to the end of the tight tunnel did he watch the dense mud collected on his shoes.
With a resigned sigh, he stomped his feet against the ground, tugging gently on the reins to draw his horse nearer, the rough material biting into his palm.
His eyes fluttered quickly, trying to get used to the sudden brightness. He took a hand to shield his face, as he kept walking until he arrived at what he thought was the opposite side of the waterfall he so absently entered, something deep within him calling out for the entrance.
Hanbin was known to be adventurous yet cautious, a code of honor and discipline that has been at the base of his childhood and training to ascend to the throne; nonetheless, he had stumbled more than once on his path to kingship, his mother often reprimanding him for his impulsive nature.
He still craved action—no matter how hard his mother and mentor insisted on him to settle down and seek a partner to guide the country, his blood yearned for adventure.
That's how he found himself in the beautiful glade that unfolded before him, towering forest trees surrounding him in spectacular deep, light greens and immense mountains rising in the distance; it looked like a location straight out of someone’s fairy tale book, the sun settling warmly, washing the meadow with pretty orange hues as he stepped more into the clearing and watching a vast lake dominate the whole landscape.
“This is incredible, isn't it?” he whispered to his horse, who nudged his arm with his head playfully, eliciting a light laugh out of the prince.
Hanbin kneeled and wrapped the cord in his hand around a big piece of wood, sturdy enough to hold his steed, as he took even more steps closer to the lake.
Just as he brushed the dirt from his brown trousers, the most exquisite prey came into view.
Descending from the pinkest sky and fluffiest clouds, there was a magnificent swan swaying its dusky brown legs, ready to glide into the till water of the crystalline lake. He took out one single arrow from his quiver on his back and steadily brought his trusted bow to align the arrow with, unwavering focus and confidence in his hands.
The target was now in the water, about to leap outside on the green field, when a flurry of sparkles began to swirl around the swan. He blinked rapidly as the sun started dipping lower, and the sparkles and glitters became almost blinding, shimmering whites enveloping the small animal’s body completely.
He had to turn his head to the side in order to avoid direct contact with the phenomenon taking place in front of his eyes. Just as magically as the swan had arrived, there was now standing on the grass an even more beautiful creature.
Appearing at the same time as the candid light of the moon, the human that substituted the swan was now walking on the ground; light blond hair floating as a slender body took the first steps further from the lake, long legs draped with a soft white cloth and airy tulle wrapped around his arms coming to a tight end at the thin wrists. A sparkling pink jewel nestled in the golden locks added to the ethereal beauty.
Hanbin, enchanted, moved in unison with the curious human until said person noticed his presence and stopped every movement.
“The prince?” The voice is clear and melodic, reminiscent of the most delightful harp that is played in the castle on special occasions.
“Who are you?” he asked steadily, despite the swirling mystery surrounding the enchanting figure before him.
“I’m the guardian of the forest,” the stranger said, a subtle smile gracing his lips, the dark-colored eyes darting to show him their surroundings, “and no other human was ever able to pass the gate. How did you manage to do it?”
He moved his arms to his back, getting closer to the prince, who was blinking faster than normal, concentrating on what was being told to him, as well as the white satin ribbon prettily tied in bows around his wrists and the golden details on his hair.
Hanbin was mesmerized. “Does the forest require protection?”
The lovely creature’s smile faded away, leaving his full lips in a fine line as he took one more step towards him, some kind of light ballet-style shoes on his feet barely making a sound, eyes wandering on his body, studying. “Yes, we are facing difficult times.”
“We?”
The blond stranger raised his arms, fluffy ivory tulle following the motion, as more glitter floated in the air. From the big branches of the trees, behind leaves, and perched on white water lilies, there are new tiny spectators; Hanbin recognized them as fairies, though he had never actually seen one with his eyes.
“Who are you?” He inquired, again, the urge to uncover all secrets about the other, making his heart race, an invisible string made of desire and curiosity pulling him to the man more and more.
“I am Hao.”
Hao.
“I used to live in the village before,” Hao extended one hand, pretty long fingers opening up as a small fairy flying in shimmering pink wings sat on his open palm. “Someone wicked cast a curse on me.”
“You turn into a swan?” He whispered, hypnotized by the bright smile Hao reserved for the blond fairy in his hand, little whispers being lost in the air between them.
“I do. The spirits were able to break the spell at sunset, so the night is where I can live in my true form,” he twirled endearingly, showcasing his full human form, a small laughter escaping from the creature in his hand. “But, woefully, at dawn, as soon as the first rays of sun hit the grounds, I turn back into a swan.”
“That is deplorable,” he managed to affirm. “What could possibly drive someone to do this to you?”
While in the middle of the sentence, a dark, dense cloud materialized around them. He noticed all fairies vanishing just like they had shown; Hao’s demeanor changed from serene to worrisome in the shortest span of time as his body moved closer to him, brushing against his arm as if he wanted to... shield him.
“Good-for-nothing humans, couldn’t even throw an arrow.”
The new voice cut his ears like the sharpest dagger, deep black fumes forming at every step taken by the person approaching them. His eyes widened at the sight, the same tulle Hao was wearing but in black is adorning the figure, the same pants but, again, of the opposite color, shadows moving as a maleficent version of the Hao close to him, stood right before him.
Even the facial features were hauntingly identical, with smudged black ink on his eyes and the hair being as dark as the night sky. The gaze glued on them, however, struck him the hardest, a color as dark as the cellars of his castle, when no candles are lit, no light in them, pure void.
“Why are you here?” Hao’s voice sounded a bit different, gloomier, as he stood proud, talking to a twisted form of himself somehow, while Hanbin took note of him and Hao being the same height.
“I came to witness your demise, at last, but it seems like humans have proved themselves incompetent,” he spit out, like poison, darting his attention on him, “once again.”
“Keep him out of this.” Hao warned, putting one arm in front of him, protectively, but Hanbin felt the overwhelming compulsion to do the same and defend the beautiful man with his life if he had to.
“Oh, how sweet,” the dark-haired man cooed, with fake adoration before revealing a diabolical grin with a beautiful yet chilling smile. “You really believe I will let him live?”
“I think it’s time for you to go back to where you came from,” Hanbin suddenly gritted through his teeth, as threatening as he could, while white sparkles started floating all around them. “You won't lay a finger on him,” he added, taking a step forward and putting Hao behind him, gripping the soft fabric of his shirt at the waist.
“You are not only useless, but a fool, too.”
What unfolded next was so quick, a blur, yet lasted an eternity, at the same time. The evil spirit snapped the fingers of his right hand, bringing more dark clouds to life as a crimson diamond on his index sent a suffocating mist toward them.
Hao’s feet moved in the blink of an eye, planting on the ground firmly, his whole figure right in front of him as cloudy luminous energy protected them from the attack. Hanbin was shell-shocked, still clutching on Hao’s thin waist, panting heavily at the magical shield that mirrored the black smoke and yanked it back to its belonger, making him launch in the air and crash on the ground.
“You are not welcomed here, Neul.” Hao lowered the intense light Hanbin noticed came from that beautiful diamond in his blond hair.
“Still relying on the crystal for protection, I see,” Neul sneered, lifting himself up and sending an intimidating look at them both. “But it won’t save you again, trust me.”
Before they could respond, he vanished into a swirling black cloud, leaving Hanbin’s heart racing wildly as he watched the last remnants of darkness fade away.
“Are you all right?”
They both asked simultaneously, turning to each other and knitting their eyebrows while scanning their bodies; a shared smile blossomed on their faces, Hao’s eyes lightening after the intense encounter.
“Who was that?” Hanbin murmured, holding the other by the forearm, gently, the white ribbon tickling his fingers.
Hao lowered his head, taking the prince by the hand. His smooth, delicate skin found Hanbin’s ones, a little bit rougher by all the years of hunting.
“When Swan Lake came into existence, the spirits made it possible for one person, and one person only, to wield the powers of the crystal,” he narrated, pointing with his beautiful deep russet eyes at the top of his head, where his dainty tiara is sitting.
Hanbin listened closely, basking under every word that flowed from the lips of his enchanter, following him as he took them around the lake, the tiny fairies from earlier coming into view from trees and bushes after making sure the wicked character was gone.
“But where there is good, there is also, inevitably, evil. The crystal could not be here without its, even if weaker but still of significant power, counterpart.” Hao talked so softly it made Hanbin want to listen to nothing else for the rest of his life, just his honey dripping cadence telling him tales, speaking to him, and calling his name.
“The ring with the ruby?” he suggested, hoping he had understood him correctly. The slight upward curve of Hao's lips confirmed his guess.
“Neul has sought to dominate Swan Lake since the beginning of time,” he told him bitterly, stopping at the edge of a stream and letting Hanbin go first. The prince wass quick to ground himself on one of the few rocks stuck in the water, crossing to the other side and immediately helping Hao by placing both hands on the other’s waist, gracefully holding him as he set him down again, their eyes locking as the world stopped spinning for both. The silk under his fingertips and the alluring scent of bergamot and jasmine white flowers turned his vision almost blurry.
Hao’s cheek got painted with a little rosy tone, the shyness taking over as he cleared his throat, going back to narrating and walking a few steps ahead of him.
“He uses the darkest of magic, of course, and he has been intoxicating the forest little by little for so long. Until I found the waterfall,” he stopped at the most beautiful spot by the lake, the grand moon sitting in the sky looking over them, casting the most beautiful silvery glow on the water. “And when I encountered the spirits, they led me to the crystal. Neul found me as soon as I touched the stone and tried to subdue me, but the crystal protected me, and it has been ever since.”
While staring at Hao’s flushed cheeks, the plump lips moving and his eyes flickering at him, Hanbin heard a few notes playing in the air. It was strange, yet Hao didn’t comment on it; he just let himself get transported by the sudden melody that filled the lake as he bowed in front of Hanbin, a common courtesy before dancing with someone.
The Prince wasted no time, swiftly taking off his quiver and bow previously on his back to leave it on top of a boulder not too far, the fairies giggling at him as he passed by them, their dazzling wings moving fast with vibrant energy.
When he returned to Hao, he mirrored the curtsy and stared at him from through the long eyelashes, eager to convey the honor he felt at the prospect of dancing together.
Getting closer, Hao’s hands glided over his arms first, caressing, before resting on the shoulders covered by his white shirt, while Hanbin found home on his hips, again, like the most addicting liquor that left him wanting more and more.
“Is there a way to break your curse and free Swan Lake?” he whispered as they began dancing under the moonlight, harmonious movements perfectly matched, like two instruments playing the same piece and creating a new melody.
“True love,” Hao replied with shining eyes. “The legend says that the protector of the forest has one true love, who will become one with him. A love so profound it can destroy the ruby and liberate all beings from Neul’s malefic spell.”
“True love.” Hanbin echoed, lifting Hao up in the air as they surrendered to the music, letting their inner selves direct them.
“If I can’t find them, or if they declare their love for someone else, then I am afraid we will be all doomed.” Hao’s voice lowered at the sentence, a drop of sadness coloring his tone.
“How will you know when you’ve found them?” They spun once, causing both of them to smile to each other, Hanbin studying new details about the other, like, for example, the tiny mole beneath his right eye and another one on the opposite cheek.
“I don’t,” Hao shook his head, holding on to his hand and moving away from him just to get closer again, the music dictating his every step. “There is no other instruction in the book, just the legend about true love as the key to everything.”
He looked so delicate, so close to him; Hao danced like he walked, gracefully and with such utter elegance he didn’t feel worthy of even being allowed to hold him, like he was a work of art, only giving others the liberty to watch him.
“You are truly the most beautiful person I have laid eyes on.” The words left his mouth before his mind could stop him, suddenly receiving another fresh blush on Hao’s cheeks.
“You are very charming yourself, my Prince,” Hao responded, causing Hanbin himself to blush at the compliment, a surge of pride coursing through his veins at the title—something he had never felt before, never cared that deeply for the Crown, but something in the way Hao’s tongue rolled the letters of the words, with the possessive added in front of it, made it much more appealing and desirable. He would give him the entirety of his kingdom if the blond man asked him for it.
“I have never seen you in the village,” he admitted in the middle of a swift move. “Someone like you would have never left my memory.”
Hao let out an airy laugh, spinning featherly, and reuniting with him afterwards. “My family owns the bakery, and that’s usually where I am, helping out as much as I can,” he dragged his teeth slowly on his bottom lip, thoughtfully. “And my prince has never attended any of the balls, if I remember correctly.”
Hanbin sighed, wrapping his left arm around Hao’s waist and bringing their free hands together, a delicate intertwining of ribbons and tulle as his thumb caressed the exposed skin. “You do. I loathe balls and town festivities, for that matter.”
“Then, there’s the answer to your question, my Prince.” He hid his face, oh, so close to his neck, Hanbin torn on whether to feel blissfulness by the direct contact of Hao’s warm cheeks on his skin or sadness because he couldn't admire his exquisite features anymore.
“You can call me Hanbin,” he let the other know, who took a peak from where his head was resting, on his left shoulder.
“It would be a privilege,” he replied, prompting Hanbin to shake his head as Hao looked at him for a fleeting moment, before preparing for the lift that they both felt was coming, like a primordial instinct taking over them, “Hanbin.”
“I can’t express how fortunate I feel,” he grasped at the soft white material on his back. “To be able to speak to you,” he moved his fingers, shivers running wild on his spine. “To hold you,” he lowered his voice, “to exist in the same life you do.”
Hao parted his lips, perhaps speechless, as the gloss on them created little twinkles at every move. “Flattery will get you nowhere,” a note of teasing made a new light appear in the blond’s eyes, amusement, and the faintest shadow of a smirk, “My Prince.”
Hanbin thought he had finally found the only person in the world he wanted to have by his side.
They danced for minutes that felt like infinity, pulling, stretching, and turning, entwined in the most passionate of dances, touching and feeling as they were left breathless by each other, talking and speaking, trying to catch up with each other’s entire lives, condensing the deafening emptiness felt for so long in one night of notes lingering in the air, shimmering lake water, and fairies that bore witness to their love blossom on lily pads.
As the sun was almost about to start a new day, Hanbin held Hao one last time, a soft hug that tried to convey all the emotions he felt within, as the other did the same, tugging lightly at the back of his shirt.
“Please, come with me, Hao,” he pleaded before parting, “Join me at the castle." I will protect you and your family, from Neul and from his magic.”
Hao’s eyes posed on him, so tender and loving, as his fingers left Hanbin’s, a finality in the gesture. “I can’t grant you that wish, Hanbin. I can’t leave the spirits; they need me.”
“There is a royal ball this evening at the castle,” Hanbin told him when gaining the reins of his horse, looking Hao in the eyes, “Just be present tonight, then.”
He must have sounded desperate, but he didn’t mind in the slightest, not when Hao got close and pressed his soft lips on his right cheek, short as the life of a wave and sweet as marmalade. “I will.”
With the promise filling his soul with hope, Hanbin departed from Swan Lake at dawn, leaving behind an enamoured little white swan, resting its head on its fluffy body, weary but joyous, and a pink crystal on its head shining brightly at the rhythm of Hao’s content heart.
As the evening of the ball drew near, Hao found himself full of worries, his heart heavy with the desire of meeting his prince again, but fear knocking on his chest, the most unwanted visitor as he paced, full of thoughts, the glade.
The fairies must have sensed his turmoil or taken pity on him because one by one they started coming out, sitting with their legs dangling on the little rock in front of Hao, his pout visible and his feet unconsciously moving, like a light dance through the field.
“What troubles you, protector of the forest?” One of the fairies, Fleur, with the most lovely dark skin, shimmering in the moonlight, blue sky wings, and the nicest soft cerulean dress, asked him, making Hao turn her way, his movement coming to a halt.
“I am not sure I should go tonight,” he picked at the skin inside his bottom lip, teeth pulling at the flesh, doubt all over his face.
“Why not?” It was Fleur again, her head tilting to the side, confused as the fairy beside her, Magnolia, mimicked the same motion, flowy golden hair following.
“What if he doesn’t like me once he sees me as just,” he paused, kicking a little rock with his right foot, “Hao, the villager?”
“Oh, our little swan,” Fleur flew her way to him, resting on his shoulder, the light wings tickling his neck. “You are more than enough to make anyone swoon over; the prince is already smitten.”
Hao’s heart started racing at the reminder of the words said between him and Hanbin hours ago, the soft touches and adoring glances, “You think so?”
“I know so,” she responded, taking a lock of hair and pulling jokingly, making him smile for the first time in hours. “He will tell you himself tonight, I am sure.”
Magnolia cleared her throat, on the rock, crossing her pale arms and sending a demanding stare at them, which made Fleur sigh, “We are both sure.”
“I don’t even have anything to wear, I can’t go to the Royal Ball like this,” he opened his arms to show his little magic friends the clothes he was wearing.
“We can handle this, right, Magnolia?”
Both fairies started flying over him, the sound of their wings filling the space as sparkling dust showered him, covering him in a mist of magic, his tulle leaving space for a beautiful white shirt, incredibly detailed corset–tight enough to be comfortable, and the softest pair of pants, his feet inside a luxurious pair of creamy shoes.
“Wow,” he breathed out, in fascination as he lowered his head to take a better look at his new clothing, spinning happily, “This is beautiful.”
“Go get your prince, Hao.”
He smiled at the fairies, grateful to them for their help, stepping into the woods and making his way to the waterfall, not aware of the dark presence following right behind him—evil smirk and fiery dark powers planning his downfall.
The ball was pompous and loud, as he had expected, Hanbin not having the strength to tell the Queen about the absurd amount of money and resources spent on solely finding him a partner; his mother had huffed and puffed, indignation all over her face as she commended the preparations and musical pieces she wanted to be played.
The only reassurance of the night was being able to see Hao again, the beautiful swan who turned out to be an even more beautiful human, with blond hair bright as the sun and an even more shining aura.
He had spent the whole day dodging her mother’s incessant requests and the servants of the castle, who kept asking him tedious questions over the organization of the event. Hanbin only wished for someone to magically transport him back to Swan Lake, when dancing under the stars with Hao in his arms was all he knew, but, alas, walking around the biggest hall of his residence, shaking hands with important people he did not care for, was his reality.
His mother looked at him from the opposite end of the room, eyes in focused slits as she tilted her head to one of the princesses present at the ball. The motion made his eyes roll, but he still decided to follow her forceful advice, just to entertain her until the subject of all his desires opened the door.
However, as the night went by as dull as ever, dancing with tiringly talkative and boring princes and different royals from different countries, Hao didn’t make his presence known; his heart started losing some of the hope he had acquired when three dances went by without him entering the hall.
At midnight, precisely, when the big clock of the castle started playing the bells he had grown hearing from his room, the big wooden doors opened; the figure of Hao adorned in the most eyes widening golden decor, white and perfectly straightened trousers looking like the most expensive fabric walked in; a beautiful white shirt tucked inside the most mesmerizing intricate golden details, shining golden necklaces adorning his delicate rosy neck as he strided through the hall, all eyes on him.
“Hao,” Hanbin whispered, handing the glass he was sipping wine from to the prince that had been talking his ear off all night long; he moved so quickly, the idea of clumsily tripping over in front of all guests more vivid in his mind while getting to his destination. He only cared about the pretty man in the room, a vision in white and gold looking at him shyly.
“You are here,” he noted, smiling and offering his right hand to him immediately, not thinking twice about it.
Hao took it almost as fast, interlocking their fingers as they moved to the center of the hall; the shining marble of the floor was way more comfortable than the ground of Swan Lake, where they had danced the night before.
Hanbin tried to mask his uncertainty when they locked hands, a strange, wary feeling spreading through his whole body, but he was fast to make any doubt fly away while looking at Hao, who was getting into position; he gave the fault to his nerves being so highly strung at finally having the other with him again.
As soon as the Queen gestured to the instrument players to start the music with a wave of the hand, the notes filled the hall once again, in a much different way for Hanbin.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispered close to Hao’s ear, as to keep it a secret for all the spectators, not a single one of them worthy enough of their sweet words. “You look gorgeous,” he added, not being able to contain the compliment that had been floating in his mind since he first set eyes on him.
“Thank you,” Hao spoke for the first time since entering, and it made Hanbin’s heart skip a beat, his eyebrows furrowed as he pushed him away the same time Hao pulled back, the piano of the orchestra put together by his mother playing a romantic, heartfelt piece.
Hanbin couldn’t put his finger on what was so deeply bothering him, but Hao looked angelic, his voice was sharper than the night before, but he must be nervous too. He smiled at him, one of the prettiest necklaces around his neck reflecting the warm lights inside the big ballroom and creating a marvelous play of lights.
“I want to ask you something, Hao,” he admitted, holding one of his hands and guiding the dance move as the other spun, the satin ribbons of the corset flowing like water, more decisive than he remembered.
The blond man only nodded, getting caught again by Hanbin’s arms, a passionate hold making them lose their breath; the prince wanted to take a whiff of the other’s scent desperately, but the bergamot was barely there and the jasmine flowers were not accompanying his every move.
“Hao, I think I was destined to find the path to Swan Lake,” he began, swallowing down a large amount of saliva. The anxiety that was only a dot at the beginning of the evening had now become a giant rock inside of him, like a cruel snowball effect. “And it was fate that brought me to you. I want to have you, all of you, forever.”
“Yes?” Hao asked, more like pushed to make him finish the sentence as they stop their dancing and look at each other.
“Will you marry me?”
Hao’s smile grew so big on his face, so intense it made Hanbin’s body feel shiver all over, and he held both of the prince’s hands, big eyes staring into his soul. “Do you love me that deeply?”
“Of course,” Hanbin replied, squeezing both hands into his, before Hao’s expression got even more ecstatic, his chest moving quickly from the concentration of emotions.
“You fool,” he simply said, his smile contorting into something sinister as the same smoke from the lake started swallowing his feet and legs.
Hanbin’s eyes widened shockingly as his mind set in the horror that was taking place in front of him, the white and gold left Hao’s body and turned into a petrol black and sharp silver, the blond strands of hair getting replaced by pure darkness. The crowd around them gasped loudly, and the Queen called for the guards, confusion roaming free through the guests.
“No,” Hanbin whispered, his lips parted in shock. “No, this can’t be,” he kept telling himself. “How is this possible? I would have never mistaken you for Hao.”
“Oh, you silly silly Prince,” Neul belittled him, moving his hands dramatically and circling him with little dark fumes and flames sparkling from his palms, the black shoes creating the worst sound to his ear, paired with the grinning of the evil man. “It was a basic mind manipulation spell; I made you see whatever I wanted you, and this whole crowd of ridiculous people, to see.”
“Where is he? What did you do to him?” He raised his voice the same time the guards gathered around them; he quickly took one of the swords from the sheath of the closest guard to him and pointed it to Neul, threatening as ever, ready to kill if he had to.
“Who, Hao?” He frowned, sarcastically, petrifying with the snap of two fingers of one of the guards and making the sword of another melt completely in his original form, the boiling metal burning the hands off completely of the poor man, a shirek so terrifying it made his knees weak. “I don’t know.”
Hanbin watched horrified, holding the weapon as steadily as possible with his cold and clammy hands and turning his head to Neul again, his jaw clenching so hard it almost hurt him. “If something happened to him...”
Neul jutted his bottom lip out, mocking him, knowing perfectly fine Hanbin was not capable of hurting him or killing him, like he so ardently wished to do—not until that ruby was on his finger, and especially not after he just made the crystal Hao possessed, useless, after confessing his love to the evil manipulator in front of him. “What would you do if something happened to him?”
“Kill me?” His eyes widened for a moment, almost excited at the idea, a dark gaze settling on him, and then the other guards around him said, “I will spare their lives if you agree to come with me.”
Hanbin pointed his sword even closer to him, almost grazing his neck as disgust plastered all over his face. “Where?"
“I want you to see him suffer as I drain the life out of Swan Lake,” he grinned, diabolical as Hanbin shook his head, but the smoke was already enveloping him almost completely, making him drop the sword from the strength of the magic being used on him.
He heard one last shout from his mother before darkness conquered his senses, a few moments of heat paralyzing him before he found himself in the familiar glade, the vegetation almost completely withered. He stood back on his feet, panicking, without any weapons to defend himself, but as he patted his own trousers down to search for the dagger he knew was there, his eyes met a figure on the ground, not too far away from him and the lake.
He paled, all color leaving his face at the same time he moved his feet and ran towards it.
“Hao,” he called out, instinctively, the sight of blond hair sending a knife into his heart, the sick growing seed there poisoning him whole while holding his still body in his arms, the beautiful ensemble he saw at the ball on him. His fingers touching the ribbons behind the corset as he combed through his hair with the free hand, “Hao, darling, please.”
He opened his eyes slowly, eyelids fluttering, getting adjusted to the light as they set on him. “Hanbin?” he croaked out, getting hugged in return, one hot tear carving his cheek as it dropped on the white shirt worn by Hao.
“I’m okay,” he comforted him, enveloping him in his arms, clutching on his jacket. “What happened?”
“I’m so incredibly sorry, Hao; he tricked me; he played a cruel trick, and I couldn't recognize him,” he murmured, stuttering on a few letters as both of them stood up. The blond knitted his brows and many lines drew on his forehead as he took both his hands, listening carefully.
The explanation was cut short by another snap of Neul’s fingers; his tongue clicked, annoyed as the crystal from Hao’s tiara started fluctuating towards the man wearing all black in front of them. The stone was not as bright as he recalled, but it had a faded-out color, so dark it appeared dead.
“And what will you ever do, now, without your precious crystal, Hao?” He played with it, making it float on his palm, black smoke devouring it completely as he kept toying with it, like it meant nothing, like the two of them standing there, breathing heavily and in anguish, meant nothing to him.
“Please, don’t do this, Neul.” Hao’s voice came out broken, a sentiment so dark Hanbin wanted to rip his heart from his own chest and give it to the other, if it meant he could alleviate his pain. “You don’t have to.”
“Oh, my pretty, delicate, White Swan,” he whispered, almost inaudible but loud enough for them both to hear, “I want to.” a sadistic smile taking life on his lips as he raised his arm, and the biggest swarm of black smoke he had seen till then came crashing down on them both, their bodies holding each other, fear and love mixing together in a knot of arms and gasps.
Neul watched as the two protagonists of his wicked play laid on the ground, desperately and pathetically still so close to one another, their hands one on top of the other; an even bigger smile as he passed them by and witnessed the darkness taking control over Swan Lake.
His victory came to an abrupt end when a sting of pain made him groan, black painted nails moving to show the inside of his palm where the crystal started getting vibrant again, a horrified expression taking the place of the joy he was feeling moments earlier.
“This can’t be,” he hushed, another shock wave making him retract his hand and drop the stone on the ground. “No, no!” Neul choked, falling on his knees as the crystal found its owner again, flying to a still unconscious Hao held by Hanbin’s arms.
“I killed him; I killed them both; he confessed his love to me.” Hao was delirious, shouting words and sentences, grasping at his chest, lancinating and aching, squeezing his black heart as he gasped for air, his adored smokes and powers leaving his body, his ruby not being able to help me, as he crawled, in desperate need for relief. “They are dead, they are dead!”
The electrifying wave of energy shocked Hao’s body so strongly his eyes snapped open. At the same time, the crystal’s power took over Neul’s body and made him into nothing but an extinct ruby on the grass, which started turning greener by the second.
Hao pulled himself up, using his hands on Hanbin’s chest as leverage, his beautifully embroidered royal coat under his fingertips as he glanced over the lake and the forest, the vegetation becoming bright again, the water clear, and the crystal laying on Hanbin’s open hand, where his was not too long ago.
“My love,” he heard a soft whisper coming from Hanbin, his eyelids opening slowly, long eyelashes batting and lips quivering. “Hao, you’re safe,” he pointed out, the corners of his lips lifting and his arms embracing him again.
“Yes, you are too,” he managed to say, hugging the other back as they stayed on the verdant grass. “I think Neul is gone, forever.”
“What happened?” the Prince asked, taking a strand of sun-kissed blond hair and gently tucking it behind Hao’s ear, a sense of solace washing over him as he examined the face to assure he was not hurt.
“I became one with my true love.”
He focused on Hanbin’s hand, where the pink jewel was, hovering his own over it and interlocking his fingers with the prince’s; the stone between their skin, safe.
“So you’re safe, now? Swan Lake too?”
Hao nodded before being engulfed into the highest embrace, Hanbin dragging him and flipping them over so he could be on top of him, a big, pretty smile moving strings of his heart he didn’t know could be touched, and delicate, slender fingers caressing his cheek.
“You are everything I have been searching for,” he muttered, a warm breath on his lips, the hovering promise of contact, "And I will not live one other second of my life without letting the whole world know I am, unconditionally and dearly, yours, forever.”
Hao’s heart beating out of his chest, begging to unite with the one in Hanbin’s, as he finally brought their lips together, fireflies flying around Swan Lake, moon smiling down on them, the two parts of the same soul rejoining under the seal of the softest kiss.