#still have no clue who would take sua's role in this

[khr-doodling]

tfw the person you love with all your being loses the round and is killed in front of your eyes

[sadienita]

Maison des cartes - Knight of Swords

Pirate!Sua x Gender Neutral Reader (feat. Jayoung and Iree of Rolling Quartz, and Ateez)

Word Count: 10.9k

Contents: death and dead bodies, gore (pretty much just blood), magic, pirates, sword fights and sword injuries, cannons, a giant snake, mentions of fire

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~

disregard for consequences

~

Your hand shook slightly as you felt the scars on your body and sat up. They didn’t hurt at all, and they felt old, like they had healed from years and years ago. But it chilled you to feel them at all. Didn’t Youngeun say you wouldn’t die? Or you couldn’t? Was she lying? Or did she know something you didn’t?

You tried to shake the eerie feeling you were having as you searched the bed, your fingers finding the scraps of paper. More and more of them were between your fingers and you sat there, trying to keep your mind off of the scars, you pieced them together. More of the sheet was there, only a few pieces remained and that made you feel better. You would only be stuck here a little bit longer.

You dragged yourself up off the bed and into the hallway. The moon had moved again in the sky when you looked outside, you didn’t know if that was good or would have happened anyway. A quick glance around the hallway led you to another door that had swung open. It was creepy but some part of you was a little numb to it now. Something about all of these experiences was getting to you, clearly. But you were almost done, only a couple more cards to find and then you would have the whole paper.

You looked into the creepy child’s bedroom. Old dolls were cracked on the floor and a rocking horse sat collecting dust. You moved quietly towards the bed, only barely registering that that was where the card was as you laid down. A sigh left your lips as you looked over at it and put down the music.

“Here we go again,” you muttered, breathing in deeply before grabbing the card.

~

“Get up!” 

You started as someone shook you awake, scrambling to grab at them and stop the bed from shifting underneath you.

“Where am I?!” Your eyes adjusted to the sunny face in front of you. A woman had her hand on your shoulder and was shaking you, a grin on her lips and long red hair cascading down from under her bandana.

“Sleeping quarters, but you’ll be in quite a bit of trouble if anyone else finds you down here.”

“Uh-h” Something about the way everything was swaying was disorienting you. “A-Are we on a boat?”

The woman looked at you like you’d lost it. “I’d bloody well hope so,” she said, tugging at you. “Now get up we need to get up to the deck.”

You followed her, trying to get your bearings as she led you to the ladder and then up onto deck. Sun streamed in from above and then filled your vision before she pushed back the door to reveal the clear blue sky and salty air above. You climbed out after her and gasped at the sea that stretched out to the horizon, kissing the sky and reaching up for the sun in the form of waves.

“C’mon,” the woman hissed. She pulled you towards a gathering of people and you kept your mouth shut as the men looked up at you and one sauntered up to the woman.

“Finally got your charge out of bed,” he smirked. “My boys have been cleaning the deck since dawn.”

“Shut up Hongjoong,” she hissed. “At least my charge has an important job.”

The man, Hongjoong, opened his mouth to speak again but stopped as he saw something over your shoulder. He barked to the men to line up and the woman pulled you in line next with her.

A small, blonde woman came around to the front of the line. No one moved or said a word and you pressed your lips together as she inspected the line. She muttered things to the different men in the line and got closer to you. You felt your heart beating faster but she merely glanced at you before looking at the woman next to you.

“Just make sure they’re dressed properly tomorrow, Iree.” She sighed. Some of the men snickered. “Shut up!” she snapped at them. “You all have work to do, get going!”

The men scrambled off and you looked nervously between Iree beside you and the blonde haired woman.

“Sua needs my help today. I trust you can take care of getting our new friend acquainted with the ship?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Iree replied brightly.

“Good,” she nodded. “I’ll be in her study if you need me.”

Iree nodded as the woman walked off. She turned to you with a bright smile on her face.

"Okay! Let's get you acquainted with the ship shall we," she said happily, grabbing your hand and pulling you along behind her.

"I-I okay-" you mumbled as she dragged you towards the front of the ship.

"This is the Midnight’s Curse. She's a good ship and she's run by Sua, one of the fiercest pirates out there. We run a tight operation around here so I expect you to be ready every day for it. You need to dress properly but I'll give you a uniform and all that."

"Ah, okay, uniform? And what do I do everyday? You said I have a special job."

Iree stopped, leaning against the railing at the bow of the ship. "Sua's been tracking down a magical artifact. I only know a little about it, she's been very secretive. But we… brought you aboard… because of what you know."

"What I know?" You felt some level of panic rising inside of you. "I-I know about this artifact?"

"Yes!" She smiled. "Well that's what Sua said, that you know what it is and how it works. She says you have knowledge beyond the present or something."

You had no clue what that meant and it scared you. What would happen if you didn't have that info? Did they think you were someone that you weren't? You didn't want to think about it too much but you also needed a clear idea of what you were supposed to do. And who to help. There were so many people on this ship so far. How would you figure out who it was?

"That's where the study is, you might go in there in a bit to talk to Sua." Your brain came back to the present and you realized Iree had been telling you more about the ship while you worried.

"Does she see everyone often?" You asked.

"Usually, she's been checking her maps a lot recently and trying to get us to where the artifact is supposed to be. But she might come out later on too."

"What's she like?" You asked as Iree walked you towards the stern of the ship.

"Sua? She's strict at times but she likes to have fun and she takes good care of us. Jayoung is scarier than her," Iree giggled. "She's the one who inspected us this morning. She's the first mate, and quartermaster. Sua does do it a lot but not much recently."

You mulled that over. "And Hongjoong and the others. Are there more?"

“There are, mostly gunners to work the cannons. They have their own inspections but some of the crew are trained on the cannons too. And don't let Hongjoong fool you, I outrank him," she said proudly.

You chuckled. “I’ll remember that. So he’s in charge of the crew?”

“Yep,” she nodded. “He oversees them and does some of the gunner training, though I don’t talk much with the other gunners since they look after other things. I see the crew around. Seonghwa cooks. Most of the rest of them are in charge of the sails and cleaning. They’re more spare gunners than anything but they do all know how to fight well. You might see them sparring if you're lucky.”

“Don’t they get hurt?” You worried.

“Not usually,” she shrugged. “They’re pretty good. You should see San and Wooyoung spar, or Hongjoong and Seonghwa. Perfectly matched partners, it’s something else.”

“Wow,” you hummed, wondering if you’d get to see that. “So, what’s your role?” 

“Oh yeah!” She exclaimed. “I almost forgot! I’m Sailing Master. I assist Sua in sailing and I look after you now when she’s busy. You’ll be with me, her and Jayoung most of the time.”

You nodded and followed as she walked. “You might as well meet her.”

“N-Now?” You asked nervously.

“I think it’s a good idea. You’ll like her. And she can tell you more than I can about this artifact.”

You followed Iree nervously, playing with the fabric of your shirt and chewing on your lip as you spared glances as the sea. You still didn’t know what it was you were supposed to know to help them. Or what your task was while you were here. It was exciting but you had a feeling it could get dangerous.

Not that any of these trips had been without mortal peril.

Iree led you across the deck of the ship and through a large wooden door. Inside was a beautiful round room made of warm woods. Tapestries with patterns you’d never seen before hung from the walls. A large globe sat near the centre of the room with a large desk and a table set up with a map. Bookshelves on the walls were lined with large tomes.

But what caught your eye was nothing on the walls or tables.

It was the beautiful woman who had just turned to look at you, hair cascading over her shoulders. Her hand rested on the hilt of the long rapier in her belt and she scuffed her book across the floor as she turned on the spot and gave you a dazzling smile.

“I was wondering when you would show up.”

You couldn’t seem to find any words as she approached you, seeming to look you up and down before extending a hand to you.

“Captain Kim Bora of the Midnight’s Curse, but everyone here just calls me Sua.”

You stumbled through an introduction and Sua chuckled at you before ushering you closer to the map, a spot along the shoreline was stuck with a dagger.

“I trust Iree told you why you’re here?”

“She told me I know something about the artifact that you’re looking for.”

Sua threw a quizzical glance at Iree before focusing her eyes on you. “That’s part of it,” she pointed to the dagger. “The artifact is held here, and getting to it won’t be easy. That’s no ordinary cave.”

“There’s magic there, isn’t there?” you asked.

Sua smiled. “Aren’t you a smart one. Yes, there is magic guarding the way. I don't know much about it but I do know that you might know something.”

You bit on your lip as you thought for a moment. “If you think I have magic…”

“Oh I don’t think that,” she laughed. “No one has seen much magic for a while around here. But I heard you have seen things. And we could use all the help we can get.”

You didn’t like the sound of that, no magic in a long time. What did that mean? Was this the same world, much further on? Or a different one altogether? You didn’t know. You weren’t sure that you wanted the answer.

“I think you may also know about the artifact, but I won’t give away too much.”

You quirked an eyebrow at her. “And how do you know so much about me?”

“I have my sources,” she grinned. “Now, we’re about here.” Sua pointed to a spot on the map. “About a day or so out from the cave. You’re welcome to look through the books here if they help you get acquainted with the ideas, and this one,” She grabbed a book and handed it to you, “is about the legends of this cave. Read up.”

“Yes Ma’am,” you nodded.

~

“And he shouted ‘En garde’ and drew his sword,” San cried, reagailed you all with a tail.

“You can’t call a baguette a sword, San,” Seonghwa chuckled.

San ignored Seonghwa and the chuckles from his crew mates as Wooyoung jumped to his feet, as if on cue.

“En garde, you mangy scoundrel,” his tone was dramatic as he and San drew their swords in unison. “Today will not be the day you steal from me.”

“I’ve never stolen a day in my life!” San cried, both of them seemed in character now.

“Then empty your pockets you filthy thief,” Wooyoung sneered playfully.

“And I reach into my pocket,” San mimed the action with his free hand. “And pulled out that delectable sweet roll, the one I stole to share with my dear little sister.”

“Your older sister,” Seonghwa corrected.

“Who worked,” Hongjoong added.

“For my dear little sister,” San reiterated. “The fiend charged at me!”

“With a baguette!” Seonghwa, Hongjoong, and Yeosang called out.

“He charged at me with his sword!” San cried, ignoring the snickers.

Wooyoung let out a cry and charged at San and the sound of steel clashing filled the air. Their swords swung quickly, meeting each other every time as their feet moved lithely across the deck in the dark, only light by candlelight.

“They’re good,” Sua leaned over as she sat next to you and you turned your head to look at her but she was quick to grab your chin and turn your head back to look at them.

“No no don’t look at me,” you could hear the smile in her voice. “This is the best part of the story. Their spars are amazing.”

“Perfectly matched,” you hummed.

“Exactly,” she said quietly. “They work so well in tandem. Of course Wooyoung will start to go easy on San so that San can-”

As if on cue, San's sword spun around Wooyoung’s in a smooth manner and it flew from his hand, landing some feet away on the deck. The point of San’s sword was pressed to Wooyoung’s chest as he fell to his knees dramatically.

“You should have let me have the sweet roll,” San said dramatically before miming running through Wooyoung’s chest with his sword. Wooyoung grabbed onto the sword and died the most dramatic fake death you had ever seen.

For all of their jeering and heckling during the story the crew all stood and gave a round of applause, cheering as San helped Wooyoung up and the two bowed and grinned. Sua stood next to you and you followed her to your feet, clapping.

“You see what I mean?” She asked.

“I do, they’re so impressive,” you finally looked at Sua. “Do you do this every night?”

“Ah not every night, but often enough. It makes the nights feel warmer, safer, when we’re way out here. It can feel very alone being out on the sea.”

“I imagine it would,” you hummed thoughtfully.

“Well then!” Sua’s voice was loud now as she clapped you on the back with her hand, making you stumble a bit. “I think our guest might have a few tales to tell.”

“I wh-what?? No?” You stuttered.

“Aww come on,” Sua flashed you a brilliant smile. “You must have come across something interesting.”

“I-” You thought for a moment, feeling shy with all the eyes on you. Your hand came up to your stomach, tracing the scars. “Have you ever heard of shapeshifters?”

One or two of the group nodded but most shook their heads and quickly turned to sit and watch you excitedly.

“Well then, I guess I have a story.” You chuckled.

~

You slept well that night despite the way the boat rocked under you and moved with the waves. It lulled you and sent you to sleep calmly and you arose with everyone else in the morning, eating breakfast before heading to the captain’s study and immersing yourself in the books. You figured the more you knew about it the better and so far you were recognizing things in the stories, though the way they were talked about like things of the distant past chilled you. How far in time had you traveled in this strange world? How much time had passed?

“Learn anything interesting?” Sua asked as she studied her map closely. 

“I’m seeing things I recognize, so that’s good. I may be of some use after all.”

“Good,” she hummed. “I hoped we hadn’t grabbed you for nothing. If all goes well we’ll be able to explore the cave tomorrow.”

“This artifact you’re looking for, why?” You asked.

“It will allow me to… gain some insight into the future shall we say. It’ll make things clearer and that can be of use to me and my crew.”

You nodded as you digested her words. Your lips had just parted to ask another when the door swung open. You both looked up to find Hongjoong standing there, looking very serious and sword on his belt. 

“Captain, you should come take a look at this,” she said.

Sua gazed at you. “I’ll be back,” she said before following Hongjoong out the door.

You went back to reading, trying to put the looks on their faces from your mind as you did so. If they were worried it could be over any number of things to do with the ship, and there wasn’t much you could help with anyway. The best option was likely to stay put until the matter was solved.

Footsteps rushed around on the deck and you buried yourself further in the book, hoping to tune it put as much as possible. There were many pages in this book about potions and that much you were familiar with. You had seen some potion making and you knew a few of them on sight. The ones you didn’t… well you hoped you wouldn’t need to test anything out to see if it was safe.

A loud bang from the deck made you jump.

You looked towards the door as you tried to make sense of what sounded very much like a cannon. Smaller bangs started but before another loud on as the ship rocked and your stomach dropped as you realized that the ship was under fire.

As much as it scared you you couldn’t just sit here and hide. You had no fighting skill that would help you in a pirate scuffle but you weren’t sure you wanted to stay here with no clue of what was happening. If you could find anyone or if you needed to escape you didn’t want to get stuck if the ship was sinking.

You walked quietly across the room and opened the door.

You were met with mass chaos and you cowered behind the door as you took in the scene.

Another ship was right next to yours and pirates had poured onto the ship. The sounds of clashing metal and firearms going off filled your ears. The air was filled with smoke and the scent of sulfur stung your nose as you slipped out of the room and hid behind a set of barrels.

Everything you could see was bloody and made your stomach turn. Amid the clashes lay bodies on the deck, pools of blood encircling each one of them. You could barely see with the smoke but the fact that so many faces you had never seen were rushing past was a bad sign. You were outnumbered and there was no way for you to help.

Was this right? Was this supposed to be happening? Everything felt strange, as if shifted off center like your whole world was tilting. Your eyes scanned the bodies you could see and you felt your stomach turn and tears well up in your eyes, your hand coming up to cover your mouth and hold in any screams at San’s lifeless face staring off into nothingness.

How many of them had already died? You tore your eyes away from him and caught sight of Wooyoung not too far away. The fighting was already dying down and the blank expression on his face, the numbness told you that he had already seen.

You could barely bear to look at the faces, feeling a horrible twist of your gut with every face you recognized. The men you had been dancing and singing with just last night were lying dead on the deck. A loud bang so close to you caught your attention and you couldn’t help your scream as Iree’s body slumped to the deck, blood pouring from her abdomen and gaze going glassy and lifeless. You tried to run to her, as if you could save her, only to have someone grab you by the back of your shirt.

“And what might you be?” He sneered.

No words escaped you, only a pitiful sound so your eyes locked onto the smoking gun in his hand. You remembered what Youngeun had said. You knew what she had said. You had nothing to truly fear and yet. You couldn’t shake the question, couldn’t forget the scars.

Could you die?

“Ill prepared,” the loud voice caught your attention and you both stopped, looking towards it.

If you didn’t already feel as if your heart was made of lead, you did now. Sua was on her knees, holding her arm that was bleeding all over her jacket and hiding where her hand should have been, giving you the horrible sense that her hand was gone. She was looking up at a man with contempt, the point of his sword against her throat.

“Ill prepared to take us on. You should have known Sua, you should have known.”

“I’ll pay you back for this,” Sua grunted. “I’ll pay you back ten fold.”

“Oh no,” his grin was cold and unfeeling. “I made that mistake last time.”

You screamed as he plunged his sword into her chest, leaning in while she sputtered up blood. “This time I’m not leaving you alive.”

The man stood up and kicked Sua to the ground where she coughed as blood spilled from her body and her mouth until she stopped moving. Darkness spotted your vision and you felt dizzy as the man looked towards you. Your world tilted sideways before you were engulfed in blackness again.

~

“Get up!” 

You started as someone shook you awake, scrambling to grab at them and stop the bed from shifting underneath you.

“Where am I?!” Your eyes adjusted to the sunny face in front of you. The sunny face of Iree, smiling down at you. Iree, who you had just seen die before your very eyes, was shaking you awake again as if it was yesterday.

“Sleeping quarters, but you’ll be in quite a bit of trouble if anyone else finds you down here.”

“Uh-h,” the words slipped from your mouth as you tried to figure out what had happened. Iree was dead. She was supposed to be dead. How was this happening?

Just like she had before she tugged on you. “Get up, we need to get up to the deck.”

You followed her out on the deck, not so disoriented by the setting but more so by what was happening as you followed her up the ladder and out into the bright sunny day, the smell of salt hitting your nose and sea spray in the air.

“C’mon,” Iree hissed. She pulled you towards the other crew members and you tried to quell your confusion and emotions as you saw their faces, lively and smiling. All eight of the boys you had spent the evening with, that had fought, some had died. And here they were, in front of you, very much alive.

“Finally got your charge out of bed,” Hongjoong smirked. “My boys have been cleaning the deck since dawn.”

“Shut up Hongjoong,” she hissed. “At least my charge has an important job.”

Hongjoong opened his mouth to speak again but stopped as he saw something over your shoulder. He barked to the men to line up and Iree pulled you in line next to her.

Jayoung came around to the front of the line. No one moved or said a word once again and you almost tuned out what she was saying as you tried to make sense of it. Iree was dead. San was dead. You were sure so many of the others were dead. Had you gone back in time? How? You had no clue that was even a possibility. 

“Just make sure they’re dressed properly tomorrow, Iree.” Jayoung’s sigh brought you back to reality. Some of the men snickered. 

“Shut up!” she snapped at them. “You all have work to do, get going!”

The men scrambled off and you looked between Iree and Jayoung, letting it all sink in.

“Sua needs my help today. I trust you can take care of getting our new friend acquainted with the ship and how we do things?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Iree replied brightly.

“Good,” she nodded. “I’ll be in her study if you need me.”

Iree nodded as Jayoung walked off. She turned to you with a bright smile on her face.

"Okay! Let's get you acquainted with the ship shall we," she said happily, grabbing your hand and pulling you along behind her.

"Sounds good,” you said, a little dazed as she dragged you towards the front of the ship.

"This is the Midnight’s Curse. She's a good ship and she's run by Sua, one of the fiercest pirates out there. We run a tight operation around here so I expect you to be ready every day for it. You need to dress properly but I'll give you a uniform and all that."

You wracked your brain, trying to remember what you had asked her the day before. “And what do I do everyday? You said I have a special job."

Iree stopped, leaning against the railing at the bow of the ship. "Sua's been tracking down a magical artifact. I only know a little about it, she's been very secretive. But we… brought you aboard… because of what you know."

“Ah,” you hummed. "So I know about this artifact then?"

"Yes!" She smiled. "Well that's what Sua said, that you know what it is and how it works. She says you have knowledge beyond the present or something."

You were reeling still. So that was wrong, the bad ending. Then there was a good ending? Clearly they were not all meant to die being raided by another pirate ship. Clearly you were all meant to be alive and finding that artifact. Were you in charge of changing fate? Was that what you had been doing this whole time? Altering pathways, altering fate, changing history in some way?

"That's where the study is, you might go in there in a bit to talk to Sua." Your brain came back to the present and Iree telling you about the ship all over again.

"Does she see everyone often?" You asked idly.

"Usually, she's been checking her maps a lot recently and trying to get us to where the artifact is supposed to be. But she might come out later on too."

"Is she nice?" You asked as Iree walked you towards the stern of the ship.

"Sua? She's strict at times but she likes to have fun and she takes good care of us. Jayoung is scarier than her," Iree giggled. "She's the one who inspected us this morning. She's the first mate, and quartermaster. Sua does do it a lot but not much recently."

You hummed in response. "Is it just the ones I saw on the ship?"

“There are more, mostly gunners to work the cannons. They have their own inspections but some of the crew are trained on the cannons too. And don't let Hongjoong fool you, I outrank him," she said proudly.

You chuckled a little hollowly. “I’ll remember that. So he’s in charge of the crew?”

“Yep,” she nodded. “He oversees them and does some of the gunner training, though I don’t talk much with the other gunners since they look after other things. I see the crew around. Seonghwa cooks. Most of the rest of them are in charge of the sails and cleaning. They’re more spare gunners than anything but they do all know how to fight well. You might see them sparring if you're lucky.”

“That would be something to see,” you said, “so long as no one gets hurt.”

“They’re pretty good.” She said. “You should see San and Wooyoung spar, or Hongjoong and Seonghwa. Perfectly matched partners, it’s something else.”

“Mmm,” you hummed. “And what about you?” 

“Oh yeah!” She exclaimed. “I almost forgot! I’m Sailing Master. I assist Sua in sailing and I look after you now when she’s busy. You’ll be with me, her and Jayoung most of the time.”

You nodded and followed as she walked. “You might as well meet her.”

“Now?” Your mind was elsewhere. It was eerie hearing her say the same things over again.

“I think it’s a good idea. You’ll like her. And she can tell you more than I can about this artifact.”

You followed Iree almost numbly. You thought you ought to be happy but you felt like you were spinning or falling into some strange dream. And yet this felt right again. The strange feeling, the off feeling was gone. So you were back on track then?

Iree led you across the deck of the ship and through a large wooden door. Inside was the study, so familiar to you now. But your eyes only seemed to care about Sua, the way she turned and smiled at you. Seeing her in front of you alive and well with a fire in her eyes again. Everyone was alive again. Everyone.

So you just needed to keep them all from dying this time.

“I was wondering when you would show up.”

Sua approached you, seeming to look you up and down before extending a hand to you.

“Captain Kim Bora of the Midnight’s Curse, but everyone here just calls me Sua.”

You still stumbled through an introduction and Sua chuckled at you before ushering you closer to the map, pointing to a spot along the shoreline with a dagger stuck in it.

“I trust Iree told you why you’re here?”

“She told me I know something about the artifact that you’re looking for.”

Sua threw a quizzical glance at Iree before focusing her eyes on you. “That’s part of it,” she pointed to the dagger. “The artifact is held here, and getting to it won’t be easy. That’s no ordinary cave.”

“There’s magic there, isn’t there?” you asked.

Sua smiled. “Aren’t you a smart one. Yes, there is magic guarding the way. I don't know much about it but I do know that you might know something.”

“I’m not magical,” you said

“I don’t think you are,” she laughed. “No one has seen much magic in a while around here. But I heard you have seen things. And we could use all the help we can get.”

You still didn’t like the sound of that.

“I think you may also know about the artifact, but I won’t give away too much.”

You quirked an eyebrow at her. “And how do you know so much about me?”

“I have my sources,” she grinned. “Now, we’re about here.” Sua pointed to a spot on the map. “About a day or so out from the cave. You’re welcome to look through the books here if they help you get acquainted with the ideas, and this one,” She grabbed a book and handed it to you, “is about the legends of this cave. Read up.”

“Yes Ma’am,” you nodded.

~

The days were so similar it was eerie. But you did see why people loved San’s story so much, it was just as entertaining the second time, just as much fun watching him spar with Wooyoung. It was just as much fun telling them stories again and for a few moments, you forgot the images of them laying dead, lifeless in their own blood. For a moment it gave you peace and you joy and let you sleep well enough.

The morning went by the same way and once again you found yourself pouring over the book about the cave, looking for what might help you out. You were further into the book now, with a few more things that could help. Still, they might be rumours, they might not be real, you wouldn’t know for sure until you were there.

“Learn anything interesting?” Sua asked as she studied her map closely. 

“I’m seeing things I recognize, so that’s good. I may be of some use after all.”

“Good,” she hummed. “I hoped we hadn’t grabbed you for nothing. If all goes well we’ll be able to explore the cave tomorrow.”

“Are you sure about this?” You asked.

Sua looked up at you. “What?”

“This cave, by all accounts, looks dangerous. Are you sure this thing is worth it?”

“This thing will let me see beyond the moment,” she said seriously. “This will let me know before something happens, what I can expect. I-”

Sua was cut off by the door being thrown open. Hongjoong stood there, looking very serious and sword on his belt. 

“Captain, you should come take a look at this,” he said.

Sua gazed at you. “I’ll be back.”

“No!” You were on your feet before you realized it. This time you had to stop it.

Sua looked surprised. “If you’re sure.”

“I am,” you said seriously.

Sua and Hongjoong rushed from the room and you followed them to the deck, very clearly seeing the problem as he took her to the wheel. The large ship, not too far off in the water. You were just close enough to hear what they were saying.

“They want us to go around, they’ve already fired off a warning shot.”

“No,” said Sua, “I’d know that flag, that ship anywhere. And I know where he’s going.”

“Sua.” As the three of you stopped at the wheel Iree came rushing over. “We need to change course. If we don’t-”

“If we don’t we take out them and their crew.” Sua said darkly. “Or we die trying.”

“Then you’ll die,” your eyes were fixed on the ship ahead of you.

“What?” You heard Sua’s voice as she gripped the wheel.

“If we take them on we’ll die, we’ll all die,” you said bitterly.

“We can take them o-”

“Sua,” your voice was harsh as you turned your head sharply and Sua met your gaze, looking startled. You barely realized you were crying until you felt something wet drip down your cheek. “We are outnumbered. You didn’t plan for this. If we do this, you sentence us to death.”

Sua moved closer to you, her voice dropping to a whisper so only you could hear. “How do you know?”

You just shook your head. “Just trust me when I say I know. We can’t take them. Not like this.”

Sua stared at you, a hard look on her face, nearly unreadable. She pressed her lips together before taking in a sharp breath.

“Iree, change course. Heed their warning shot,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Yes Ma’am,” Iree said, taking the wheel.

“You better be right about this,” Sua growled before turning on her heel and stalking back to her study.

~

You leafed through the book again, dog earing pages for things you recognized and taking note of the things that seemed to be mentioned more than once. The more substantiated the claim the more likely that it would show up in the cave, that it was true. That’s what you thought at least.

You were holed up in a cozy nook under the deck and you had been all afternoon. You thought Sua might be angry and you wanted her to calm down before you spoke with her, or maybe you were just afraid of the conflict. Either way you were hoping to be left alone while you read and reread sections of the book, looking for what you might find in the cave. Hopefully you hadn’t saved everyone just to get them killed again.

“You’ve been down here a while.”

You started at the sound of Hongjoong’s voice. There was a curious look on his face as he leaned against the nearby wall, just able to see where you were hidden from where he stood.

“You startled me, don’t sneak up on me like that.” You muttered.

“And you didn’t respond to what I said.” He hopped up onto a nearby barrel and sat there watching you. “You’ve been down here a while.”

“Yeah I wanted some peace and quiet,” you muttered.

“The study is peaceful and quiet.” He said. You shot him a look and he smirked. “Afraid of the captain?”

“I’m giving her time to cool down.”

“Do you know who that was?” He asked. “I’m betting you don’t. Those are her oldest rivals. They’ve cheated her, they’ve stolen from her. In her eyes they’re to be killed on sight.” Hongjoong leaned a little closer to you.

“What did you say to change her mind?”

You looked back down at your book. “Just that it was a bad idea, okay?”

“Are you okay?”

Your head snapped up to see him. “What?”

“You were crying earlier. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” you muttered. “Just- Let me read okay?”

“Sure thing,” he said calmly. “Iree is looking for you though, and you ought to talk to the captain. She may have been angry about changing course, but whatever you said to her…” He jumped down from the barrel. “Sua wouldn’t have done that for anything. So for some reason, she trusts your judgement. You ought to talk to her.”

You sighed and slumped against the wall as Hongjoong wandered off.

~

It was nearing dinner and you were heading back up to the deck when you felt the ship slowing down, lurching. You rushed up the ladder in time to hear Hongjoong yelling and the crew pulling ropes, the sails bundling up towards the masts. The sun was sinking in the sky and painting it a brilliant array of red and orange. 

You looked around and found Sua standing at the bow of the ship with her telescope. You were quick to rush closer but stopped a little ways away. She was caught up in looking ahead through her scope, hair whipping around her head in the wind, jacket rustling and blowing, the stunning sky her backdrop as she lowered the telescope and caught sight of you, a curious look on her face as she beckoned you over.

“They’re in the cave,” she pointed to the ship and then to the mouth of the cave that looked rather small from here. “They got here before us.”

“So we need a plan,” you said.

She regarded you for a moment. “Indeed. Jayoung, can you grab the small map for me?”

“Yes Ma’am,” Jayong hurried off and Sua stepped closer to you, now alone with her.

“This was your idea,” she said seriously.

“If we had attacked them we all would be dead right now,” you said.

“I believe you,” she said. “I don’t want to but you’re probably right. So now we need a plan for if they come out of that cave. In your reading did you get a sense for how long it might take to get through there?”

“I- uh-” You thought it over. “A day, maybe a little longer. From the writings it doesn’t seem large but does seem complex. If they rush through though they might not make it.”

She nodded thoughtfully, looking back at the cave. “Then we wait, amush them if they come out.”

“And if they don’t?” you asked.

Sua looked back at the cave. “We wait tomorrow, we watch. If we don’t see anything by the next morning then we go in after them, and assume the worst.”

“By worst y-you mean-”

“I mean they get what’s coming to them,” she said bitterly.

~

The day had passed uneventfully and the night as well so you spent the early morning gearing up to explore the cave. You tucked the book away in your bag before heading up to the deck where Hongjoong was fighting with Jayoung.

“I don’t like it either but we’re not going,” Jayoung said. “Now pick who to send.”

“I can’t just send them off, you know I can barely keep them alive as it is-”

“Hongjoong,” Jayoung had a warning in her tone. “If they need us, we’ll go in.”

“Fine,” Hongjoong muttered bitterly. “Take San and Wooyoung, they’re the best fighters. Do you need more?”

“Sua said four.”

Hongjoong groaned, crossing his arms. “I hate this.”

“So do I,” said Jayoung. “Now pick.”

“Jongho, he’s strong and…” Hongjoong gazed at his crew preparing the bags. “Mingi. They can take Mingi.”

“You’re not coming?” You questioned.

Hongjoong glanced at you. “Someone has to hold down the fort here, and come in and get you if you all mess up.”

“We’ll be fine,” Iree said brightly, coming up from behind you and slinging an arm around your shoulder. She handed you a pistol and you took it carefully. “No need to be saved.”

“We need to get going,” You heard Sua’s voice and looked over to where she stood near one of the lifeboats. Iree led you over happily as Hongjoong barked to the four to follow you. They all did as they were told and the crew came over as you got into the boats. Hongjoong’s hands were on the ropes but he stopped when Sua’s hand grabbed his, looking at him and Jayoung.

“If they others come out and we don’t you come in after us,” She said. “But if two days pass and no one comes out you leave, do you understand?”

“Sua, we can-” Jayoung started.

“Do you understand?” Sua growled.

“Yes, Ma’am,” they both mumbled before slowly lowering the boats into the water.

The trip to the cave was quiet. You and Iree rowed your boat as Sua checked her pocket watch and her small map. The four in the other boat chattered happily and teased Mingi for being afraid. 

You thought over what you knew about the cave and listened idly to their laughing until you got to shore, all of you getting out of your boats and tying them up before making your way to the mouth of the cave. You finally felt the fear setting in. What if this just got them all killed? But should the other group have come out by now? Why were they taking so long? You figured they didn’t know what you knew though.

Sua stopped the group, speaking to you all. “We only have some idea of what we’ll be facing. Everyone, stay behind me and move slowly and quietly. Don’t touch anything unless I tell you to. We have a goal and we don’t know what happened to the others. We may very well encounter them inside. Stay on your guard at all times.”

You all nodded and followed her in, you staying close by Sua’s side. The initial entrance looked much like a normal cave, rocky and wet being near the shoreline. You were careful as you walked in, figuring the traps would be deeper. The book had mentioned an uneventful beginning.

Maybe it was because you were all a little scared but no one talked too much as you moved through the cave. Into the first few rooms you moved slowly and quickly, hands on swords or pistols just in case. But the cave had a strange feeling. Like the carnival. As if the rocks around you were just a little strange, too cartoonish, as if time was thick and slow as you moved, as if it was ticking closer to a stand still as you got deeper in.

You stopped Sua in one of the small passageways.

“Check your watch,” you whispered.

“What?”

“Just… check your watch.”

Sua pulled out her pocket watch and a look of shock took over her face. “It’s broken.”

You shook your head before turning to the group. “I think we’ve gotten to the magical part of the cave, and it’ll only get thicker the further we go. Be careful.”

The others nodded and you snuck forward, them at your heels as you slipped into the room and held your breath, freezing at the scene in front of you. The floor was littered with bodies and bones. The other crew, you assumed, was lying dead in front of you. There were swords all over the floor and the air reeked of the stench of blood.

“What killed them?” Mingi whimpered.

Your eyes scanned forward. An army was guarding the way, that’s what the book had said. Ahead of you were empty stone chairs and beyond them stone chairs still housing seated skeletons, swords in their hands or laps.

“There,” you motioned with your head. “The skeletons. They’re the guards.”

Sua took a deep breath while Mingi whined. “Alright,” she said. “Slowly now, let’s do this. Expect them to jump to life. Take them out. They others didn’t know, we do.”

You followed behind the group this time, wondering if a pistol would help you out. Sua, Wooyoung, and San led the way, followed by Jongho and Iree, then Mingi, then you. The creaks of old bones filled the air and you watched in horror as the skeletons moved from their seats. Only twelve of them remained but you fell back more as San and Wooyoung jumped to action. Iree rushed forwards with Sua to take on three of them and Mingi clung to your side as Jongho glanced back at the two of you and sighed, staying where he was to defend you.

The skeletons sparred well but they were fragile. It only took one hit to knock them down and San and Wooyoung were whizzes with their swords, ripping through them with what looked like ease. Jongho fought off the two that made their way back towards you while Iree and Sua fought back to back.

The others must have been ambushed, unprepared, and none had made it, or some were somewhere up ahead. Either way as the last skeleton crumpled to the ground Jongho looked back at Mingi wearily. 

“Really helpful,” he said.

“Shut up,” Mingi muttered.

You joined Sua at the front again and slipped through a set of winding passageways before a room opened up ahead of you. You were slow as you looked through the mist of the room, listening to a quiet sound that moved over the rocks. Hiding in the shadows you slipped along the wall, signalling for silence from the others and happy that they all complied. Soon enough you were closer and fear struck through your heart as a large serpent lifted its head.

Sua raised her pistol but you grabbed her hand and shook your head. Though it couldn’t see you from where you stood in the darkness you could see in its eyes, the look in its eyes.

This was a shapeshifter.

You motioned for the others to be quiet and follow your lead. You knew that this shifter could hurt you, and might. How long had they been stuck here? Was there anything that would help you turn them back? You didn't know.

The large serpent put their head back down and you snuck slowly along the wall again. As the curve of the cave brought you closer you noticed the bodies littering the floor around the snake's body. 

So they would kill you.

Good to know.

Your eyes scanned the room and you noticed a passageway just beyond the snake. Of course. Of course you'd have to go through the snake den.

You stopped the group, looking at the floor. There had to be a way through here. It had to be possible to get past. For those who created the cave, to check on things, to store more deep inside and get things out. Like magical security. There had to be a way past, something to control the creature.

You kneeled down and grabbed a few stones before creeping forwards, toward the light. The serpent stirred in the mist but didn't move too much. The closer you got the more you saw cuts in its skin. Did shapeshifters stay in their form all the time? Did they change when hurt? Wouldn't this one, to hide?

If most of who came in here were wizards they could cast spells to keep the beast still. But this was a person, and if they didn't want them changing form, wanted them to stay a snake. Then…

Even as the stone left your hand you knew it was incredibly stupid. This creature could and would kill you all easily, and here you were trying to draw their attention, not directly to you but still, they might see you.

The serpent stirred, looking up and following the sound. Sua grabbed your arm to pull you back but you stood firm, looking at the snake's body and sure enough.

"There," your voice was barely audible even to you. "Tied on the tail. It needs to come off, that’s the only chance."

Sua nodded before turning to the others. You heard a whimper from Mingi but her voice was too quiet to hear. A hand landed on your shoulder and you looked at Iree who nodded to you with a nervous smile. Beyond her San and Wooyoung were slipping through the shadows. A quick turn of your head told you Mingi and Jongho were going the other way and Sua was still behind you. 

She leaned closer and whispered. "When you hear noise, go. We'll distract the serpent, you and Iree get that thing off its tail."

"Yes Ma'am," you whispered.

Your heart pounded as Sua backed away from you. You trained your eyes on the snake's tail while whispering to Iree. "We need to cut that off. If I'm right that'll make it change forms."

"Okay, a-and if it doesn't?"

You gave Iree a dark look and she nodded quickly before creeping into the light with you. The large snake didn't see you at first, seeming to explore where the rock had hit but stopped suddenly and you both froze as it started to slowly turn its head.

"Hey! Slither boy!" Wooyoung's voice bounced off the walls of the room and the snake snapped it’s head in that direction.

"Over here rats-for-brains," San was quick on the uptake, a little ways away. He mimicked Wooyoung's voice, clearly trying to confuse the serpent. You returned your attention to the tail as the other five popped in and out of the shadows, calling to the snake and keeping its attention away from you and Iree.

Iree dashed as quietly as she could around the edge of the room, trying to get to the far side of the tail. You spared a glance at the beast's head before watching its rattled tail raise into the air, shaking. The snake lunged for someone and you dashed closer, diving for the tail.

You managed to grab a hold but only for a few moments before the snake flicked you forcefully off, throwing across the room. You hit the wall with a groan and looked up, dizzy, at the snake rising above your body and hissing. A flash of red hair out of the corner of your vision just made it into your consciousness before the snake lunged and you rolled to the side, just barely missing it and trying to get to your feet.

The snake let out a piercing cry and you froze, looking at it as it's form shrunk, Iree triumphantly holding up the tie that was on its tail in her hand. Sua and Jongho rushed to you, helping you to your feet. You moved forward slowly with their help as you recovered from the hit. A young woman was on the floor, panting and gazing up at you dazed.

"Where- Who?"

You kneeled down. "Do you know where you are?"

Tears welled in her eyes as she shook her head. "I- I don't r-remember?"

"Shh, it's okay," you hushed her before looking around at the group. Your eyes landed on Sua.

"We can't leave her here." You said.

"I know,"Sua looked around seriously. "Do you have any idea how much longer this cave is?"

You shook your head. "Time doesn't work right here. But there were only a couple more accounts that seem probable."

"Okay," she looked around the group. "Mingi, take her back to the ship, update Jayoung on what we've seen and let her know that no ambush is coming."

Mingi seemed relieved as he helped the girl to her feet. He bid you all goodbye before leading her carefully back the way you'd come. You stood again and beckoned for the rest to follow you onward and you made your way forwards through the passageways in the rock.

As you stepped into the next large space a fire pit sprung to life in the center of the room, throwing shadows on the wall. You stopped the group and whispered to them.

"This one was mentioned in a number of accounts. Terrifying illusions thrown on the walls. None of it is real, but it will play on your fears. The room will look bigger. And…"

"And?" Sua's voice came.

"We won't go any further if we go as a group. We have to go one by one. Stick to the shadows, away from the flame no matter how much you want the light."

"What if something's actually there?" Jongho questioned.

"Nothing is," you said. "I've seen these before, they're terrifying but harmless. Just keep moving and don't let it get to you."

"Who's going first?" San asked the real question and you knew what the answer had to be.

"I'll go first. Sua last to make sure everyone makes it in. Everyone else in between. Okay?"

All of the responses sounded scared but there was little you could do. You took a deep breath and stepped forwards. As you walked the darkness swallowed you, so thick you could only see the light and you moved around it. The room was too big and shadows moved too near to you. Whispers in a woman’s voice seemed to sneak up behind them. It made your hair stand on end but you steeled yourself and kept going, walking around the flame. 

A low growl caught your attention and you glanced into the shadows just long enough to see the outline of a large leopard. Fear struck through your heart as the shadow beast lunged at you and you couldn’t hold back your scream as your feet hit the ground hard and you flew through the room. You kept the flame in your line of sight, out of the corner of your eye as a wolf howled. Shapes appeared on the ground and you realised with a horrified shriek that the ghostly dead faces of San, Iree, and Sua, were staring up at you, glassy and unfeeling. 

You could feel tears on your face and you weren’t sure if the screams you heard were merely your own or the others as well. The beasts behind you were right on your heels and despite the burning in your legs you couldn’t stop, losing sight of the flame behind you now and too busy running through the darkness to care, racing from the beasts, too afraid to look back.

A groan left your lips as you hit a wall. The sounds behind you disappeared in an instant and you noticed light to the left of you, feeling along the wall until you found the passage onwards. You gazed around, panting. You were sure you heard screams but they sounded distant. You hoped the others would make it but you just needed to wait. You leaned next to the passageway.

Iree was the first to come through, hitting the hall near where you did. She had tears in her eyes and was gasping, clambering to you when she saw you and hugging you tight while her body shook.

“Th-That was th-the- the w-w-worst-”

“I know,” you hushed her, hugging her and stroking her hair as she caught her breath. “It’s okay, none of it’s real. It’s just meant to scare you.”

Iree kept her arms around you until Jongho hit the wall not too far away. His breathing was shaky and he kept quiet as he made his way over to you, trying to play it cool but you could see the tear stains on his face and you and Iree pulled him into a hug anyway.

Next was San, who collapsed against the three of you in tears, inconsolable until Wooyoung made it through as well. The two were shaky and teary but no worse for wear and now you were just waiting on Sua.

The feeling of time was off and you knew it, so there was no use wondering how long you had waited for her. Still, it made you antsy that it felt like it was longer than the others. That was probably the way the room worked though, suck you back in, lost in the darkness being chased by your fears forever looking for one another.

“Sh-She’ll be fine, right?” Iree asked.

“She’ll be fine,” you said, more to calm yourself than anyone else. “It’s likely a trick of the room, make you go back looking right when they’re about to make it.”

“Right, b-but what if-”

“Iree, no. We can’t go back, you won’t find her in there.” You said sternly.

“Please I could jus-”

As if on cue Sua hit the wall hard. She was panting as you called her name but she didn’t move right away, seeming to catch her breath first. Finally, she shook out her hair and stood tall, turning to you all, the most stoic exit of any, though she looked incredibly pale.

“Let’s just go,” she said.

You led the way into the passage, praying there was very little left. It didn’t seem to take long before it opened into a much smaller room lit by torch light. At the far side of the room, a glowing passageway and in the center a circular, shallow calderon. A body lay on the floor, on the far side of the cauldron and Sua let out a cold laugh.

“Well, looks like he really did get what was coming to him,” she walked to the pirate captain’s body and rolled him over with her foot. “Serves him right.”

“It looks like we can just go-” Wooyoung started but you cut him off.

“Don’t! That’s what killed him.”

“Yeah Wooyoung, that’s what killed him, keep up,” Jongho teased.

“Geez Wooyoung,” San snickered.

“Quiet,” Sua warned before looking at you. “What do we need to do.”

“Pay,” you said, looking around the calderon. Sure enough there was a dusty old wand hidden in a pocket along the side and you pulled it out. You wondered if you could use it, could you really have come this far for nothing.

“Take what you give,” Iree read off an inscription from the cauldron. “It’s a payment right, so it needs to equal what’s being taken.”

“I’ll do it then,” said Sua. “Since I’m the one taking, just tell me what I need to pay.”

“A memory, knowledge, something like that.” You said.

“Okay,” She thought for a moment. “Okay I think I know what to give. Whenever you’re ready.”

You bit your lip, still unsure. The wand though, seemed enchanted. As soon as you touched it to Sua’s temple she shivered. A long, silvery-grey nearly smoke-like substance was pulled from her head and slowly fell into the caldron. Sua leaned against Iree and you turned to see another entrance open. A smile spread across your face when you saw the riches beyond.

“We did it,” you grinned.

“Good,” Sua’s voice was breathy. “Everyone, look for a mirror, a small hand held mirror. Touch nothing else.”

A chorus of ‘yes ma’ams’ left you all as you spread out into the room. It was stacked high with piles, mountains of gold and jewels. You couldn't see how far it went but could see the light from the fire scones along the walls glinting off the treasure and up to the ceiling of the cave. You wondered if you would have to go back the way you came, not sure you could face the room of darkness all over again.

Beyond the initial piles were pedestals, nestled between the precious jewels.

“Hey, come this way I think it’ll be-” You started to call out but your voice seemed to cut out as you spotted the mirror. The hand mirror, the small, pretty hand mirror with a surface that seemed to move and shimmer like water.

You approached it slowly, picking it up with tears in your eyes. If this was here… 

How long had it been? How long had they been gone? Was it possible this was before Siyeon and Yoohyeon’s time? You had a sinking feeling that it wasn’t, that this had been hidden away here for a long time. That your dear friends were gone. 

Even though you knew that at some point they wouldn’t be around it still pained you. It felt like losing them in real time, felt like you would never see them again.

Though the thought dawned on you that after tonight, you would likely never see any of them again. You had no clue how to get back here on your own. All of these people, the ones you had spent days with, the ones you knew for weeks, or months, would be lost to you forever once you found all the pieces of that paper.

And you were just worried about getting out of the house.

You heard a voice nearby but ignored it as the surface of the mirror moved and an image formed. You saw fire, a room burning and a woman in the midst of before a hand landed on your shoulder and the image vanished.

“You found it,” Sua smiled. “Everyone, come here!” 

Sua took the mirror from you and up ahead a light shone in, the sound of the waves and the view of the shoreline and the ship was in sight. The others gathered round as Sua turned the mirror over in her hands.

“We’ve got it!” She cheered. “And we’ve got a way out!” You couldn’t help the way it made you smile to see them all so happy. They all made their way to the exit and as you got closer you realized it looked more like a portal, like it would jump you back to the outside, and your heart dropped. Just before reaching it you stopped them all.

“When we-” You started, unsure where your words were going. “Going through that portal. I-I might not- I mean I might- uh-”

“What’s wrong?” Asked Iree.

“I-” You sniffed, holding back the lump in your throat. “I think when we go through there it’ll send us back home. But this isn’t my home so I don’t think I’ll be going with you all. Wh-What I’m saying i-is-”

“-that this is goodbye,” Sua finished. You nodded, unable to meet anyone’s eye. They were all quiet for a moment before San stepped forward and hugged you, Wooyoung joining in and then Jongho.

“We’ll miss you,” San mumbled. The other two agreed and you nodded, saying goodbye before watching them walk through the portal. Then Iree stepped closer.

“It feels like it’s been so much longer than a few days,” She sniffed.

“Yeah- yeah it does. Just, take care okay?”

“Of course,” she smiled. “You too.”

“Definitely.” 

Iree hugged you tightly before heading through the portal as well. Finally you turned to Sua.

“You kept us alive,” she said. “I have a feeling that was more than just in the cave.”

“I- Yeah, yeah it was. Sometimes it takes a second chance.”

Sua looked at you curiously. “Thank you, for making me see reason. For leading us through this so I can see reason,” she held up the mirror, “on my own.”

“Take care of them all,” you said. “And have some fun for me.”

“We’ll toast to you, we’ll tell your story, no matter how long you’re gone from here you’ll always be here in our hearts. Of that I can assure you.”

You nodded, sucking down you tears before throwing your arms around her. She hugged you tightly and neither of you said a word more, walking towards the portal together. You let her pass through first, with one last smile back at you, before she was gone.

You took one last look at the cave, one last look at this world before taking a deep breath and stepping through, falling into darkness.

~

action

~

It felt as if you fell onto the bed, but it was still a bed so at least there was that. You saw the puff of smoke out of the corner of your eye but covered your face instead, not wanting to deal with it. You knew the paper was there, you knew you needed to move on, that something was in this house pushing you through.

“I just-” You mumbled. “I don’t know if you’re listening, but I just need a minute.”

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