Finally another story from this fandom. Happy New Year btw :)
I need to tell you that English isn't my first or second language, but I will try my best. There will be historical character or period in this story, but this is a fiction story which means it won't follow the actual event.
To prevent confusion, boldface is past time and lightface is present time.
Okay, hope you will enjoy this one. I don't own POTW and its characters.
Upon A Wish
Ch 1. Past and Present
Once upon a time there was a Kingdom ruled by a great King. Under the reign of the great King, the Kingdom expanded its territory and gained incredible power that no Kingdoms could stand it. Because of the great King's wisdom and generosity, people lived without fear of war. Land and sea produced abundant crops and fish that famine never happened over hundred years. Only joy and gay that existed in the Kingdom.
However, if there was good, there would be also evil.
...
Sounds of galloped horse broke silence of night. Sitting on the horse was a man, a soldier. He gripped reins with both hands while spurring the horse to run faster. A loud sound caused him to turn head aside. It was sound of gong, sign for soldiers. He kicked the sides of his horse to increase its speed. They passed court building and he turned the horse. Some soldiers noticed him and tried to stop him by blocking his way. But he didn't slow the horse. The soldiers jumped aside for their life and he galloped his horse. He needed to reach his destination before other soldiers did.
He spurred the horse into yard and pulled the reins. He had arrived at his destination. Quickly he jumped off and ran to building entrance. An old man with red uniform and matched color hat ran out as he noticed his presence.
"Where is he? I need to take him now."
"Will he be safe? Please save him, don't let they arrest my precious student."
"I promise you I will bring him to the safest place, but we are running out of time now. I believe the King's soldiers will be soon arriving." He said to the old man, a teacher. He took a glance to make sure no soldier had arrived. "We need to leave now."
"He is ready, I will call him."
He waited while the old man going inside. Moment later the old man came out with two young men. He was confused a little for he was told to bring only one person. "Which one is Shin Yun Bok?" The shorter one stepped out. "You are Shin Yun Bok?"
"Yes, I am."
He took a look at the young man for a moment before nodding. "High Priestess sent me to bring you to temple." He was about to turn around but the other young man stopped him.
"I'm going too."
"No, you can't." He said to the taller man. "There is only one horse and we don't have time for looking for another horse." The taller man once again stopped him by catching his arm.
"If he goes then me too, because there is no way I will leave him alone."
He thought to push the man back but then sighed in defeat. How could he ignore those concerned eyes? "Alright, you can go with him." The man finally released his arm. "But since we only have one horse, you go with him. Bring him to High Priestess, she will lead you."
"Thank you sir."
He nodded and watched as the old man enveloped the two apprentices in a hug. "You better hurry now, we don't have much time." He nodded as they bowed before running to his waiting horse.
"I hope they will make it safely."
"Let's hope so." He said while watching the horse galloped outside yard into dark night.
"You okay?"
"Yes, and no."
He smiled a little at the answer. "Don't worry, you will be safe." He tightened his grip on reins. 'I will do anything to make you safe' He spurred the horse to gallop faster. "Hyaa!"
He pulled the reins to stop the horse. They dismounted from the horse and left it outside temple. They ran into entrance and met a Priestess waiting for them.
"High Priestess is waiting inside."
He nodded at his brother and they followed the Priestess. But sound of troop of horses stopped them in their tracks.
"The soldiers are coming, let's go inside!"
He took his brother's arm and they quickly ran into prayer building. They ran into a long corridor, passing confused Priestesses. The Priestess took them to back room they never entered before. Inside the room there was a woman dressed in long white robe, High Priestess.
"Thank Gods you make it safely here." High Priestess approached the young men. "Where is Kang?"
"My apology High Priestess, but I can't leave my brother. Wherever he goes I will go with him."
High Priestess looked at the taller man before turning back to the shorter one. He had soft features for a man, but those eyes shone with confident and passion. 'Such a young man but carries an important duty on his shoulder', she thought. She only wished that heavenly Gods would protect him.
"High Priestess, the soldier is coming."
The young Priestess' worried voice pulled High Priestess out of her thought. "Follow me."
He glanced at his brother and they followed High Priestess, while the Priestess who took them leaving the room. There were voices outside the room. High Priestess opened a door and beckoned them to come. He took his brother's arm and they walked following High Priestess inside. It was an empty room with only an antique wooden wardrobe standing against wall. High Priestess approached the wardrobe, pulling its doors open.
"Come inside."
He couldn't help staring back at the oldest Priestess in confusion. It was his brother who voiced out the question.
"Please forgive me but…it's a wardrobe," He cast a quick glance at his brother before continuing. "We have come along here to hide inside a wardrobe?"
High Priestess kept her gaze steady although at moment there were two pairs of eyes looking at her as if she had said a stupid thing. "This is…" But her sentence was cut off by bangs on door. "Another time I'd be happy to tell you the story, when you don't have soldier looking for you." She stepped closer to the short one. "I need you to trust me. There is no safe place in this Kingdom than here." It seemed can convince him. "You have a duty, a very important duty that will change history of this Kingdom, I am trying to protect you." The young man looked into her eyes and finally gave a small nod.
"I know."
High Priestess noticed the sadness in his eyes. She reached for his shoulder. "Only you can save her name." He nodded. A bang on door reminded them that there were still soldiers outside room. "Now hurry up." She held the door while the apprentices stepping inside. Once they were inside she took the short one's hand. "Listen carefully, it can hear you, whatever you think or wish…" But she couldn't finish her sentence as the soldiers finally broke the door.
"What do you mean?" He asked but High Priestess closed the door, leaving them enveloped by darkness. He felt his brother's hand over his.
"You will be safe, I will protect you."
High Priestess turned around and saw King's soldiers coming in. "Is this place a market or battle field that you need to bring a sword, Commander Jang?"
"Where is he?"
"Who? I am afraid don't get what you meant." High Priestess watched as the commander sent his men to look around the room. She turned her gaze when the commander approached her.
"I ask you once again, where is he?"
"And I had answered already, I don't know what you meant." High Priestess replied with calm voice. The commander clenched his jaw and looked up at the wardrobe behind her. He then looked back at her with a smile at lips.
"I am sorry High Priestess but we don't have time for playing hide and seek right now. Soldier!"
High Priestess kept standing in front of the wooden wardrobe, but commander Jang took her arm moving her aside. She brought hands to chest, sending silent pray to Gods.
"Open it!"
High Priestess closed her eyes, couldn't bring herself to see it. But commander Jang's angry voice caused her to open her eyes, and the sight surprised her.
"Where is he!? He must be here, somewhere! Go and look for them idiot!"
High Priestess watched as the commander scolded his soldiers exasperatedly. He turned around and she held her head up.
"I will find him, even at the end of the world I will."
High Priestess pulled corners of lips up, smiling. "It surely will take hard work, Commander." She noticed his clenched jaw but kept the smile. He turned around, shouting at his soldiers, leaving the room. After they left the room she let out a breath of relief. She then turned around, looking at now empty wardrobe. A smile tugged at her lips.
Present time
Inside security post a man was sitting behind a desk. He wore black uniforms with Seoul National University was written over forearm of his shirt uniform.
"Such a peaceful day, the sun's shining brightly in the sky, but too bright maybe, I forgot to bring my lotion today." He sighed. "But it's boring with nothing happened," He yawned and shook his head. "Don't sleep, don't sleep, you're at work now." He slapped his cheek to send away sleepiness. A blue Hyundai Genesis passing gate got his attention.
He put chin on palm and dopey grin over face, eyes followed the blue sedan. "She's the only reason I could sit here for hours." He lifted another hand, supporting his chin. "Oh Miss…" A sudden ring from his phone startled him that he almost fell off from his chair. Muttering he grabbed his phone. "Hello, what's up?"
...
She took off her Channel sunglasses, putting it inside her bag. She pulled out the key and got out the car. She hung her hand bag on an arm while another one holding her laptop bag. She left parking area and walked toward College of Humanities building.
"Good morning."
"Morning." She gave a smile at the greeting from her juniors walked past her and entered elevator. Leaving elevator she walked toward her room. As soon as she pushed the door open a perky voice greeted her.
"Morniiiing honeeeey!"
Rubbing her ear with fist she turned to the person, her best friend Min Jee, who now had wide grin plastered her face. "I always wonder why they still let you in this room."
"Because I'm pretty, I'm cute." Min Jee replied, making her cutest eyes. She laughed when her best friend rolled her eyes playfully. "Because I'm your best friend, of course."
"Yeah, yeah,"
Min Jee followed the other woman toward her desk. "You busy today, have something?" She leaned against the desk.
"Writing my thesis, yes."
Min Jee palmed her head. "I should know that," She looked up at her friend now putting laptop before her. "Alright, I won't disturb you. But," She held forefinger up. "We have lunch together, okay?"
"Okay." She nodded. "Now let me finish my work first."
"Alright then."
She just chuckled when Min Jee put hand beside forehead before turning around. Taking out USB from drawer of desk she started her work.
"By the way, Professor Kim was looking for you."
She slapped her forehead. "I promised to meet him this morning."
"Lucky you, I told him you'll be late so he said you can meet him after lunch."
"Thank you Min Jee."
"Welcome hon." Min Jee put a thumb up while holding door. "Okay, see you later, Eun Hyang."
"See you later."
After her best friend left the room, Eun Hyang continued her work. She was in the middle of writing her thesis for her Master degree. She thought to finish her thesis before fall semester start which was two months later. It was almost done but there was some information she still needed and unfortunately the object of her thesis was full of mystery. She majored in Korean History and her thesis was about arts during Choson dynasty. And the object of her thesis was a talented painter Shin Yun Bok.
He was one of famous painters, however, very little was known about him. His paintings were not much like other painters of Choson dynasty. It made many researchers study about him, including her. But it wasn't the only reason she chose him as the object of her study. There was something different about him, about his paintings that captivated her.
It was her father who introduced her to the famous painter of late Choson dynasty. Her father loved art and history same like her, and now worked at Seoul National Museum. He took her to museum when she was a child and there where she saw painting of Shin Yun Bok for the first time. Even now she would always visit her father at museum but honestly to see his paintings. Somehow she felt a connection with the painter, although she didn't understand it herself.
Eun Hyang took painting collection album of Shin Yun Bok from her desk and looked inside. Her lips curled up in smile of admiration as she trailed her gaze over the beautiful paintings of his.
She looked at the woman who was sitting over a swing at lakeside. "Dano festival," Smiling she turned the pages. "Is it just me, or…" She leaned her back against backrest of chair, wondering. "It's a same woman?" She bit her lower lip, staring at a woman, a particular woman in his paintings. "Who is this woman? Why is she always there, in his paintings?"
She jumped on her chair at ringtone of her phone. She put the album on desk, reaching for her phone. It was her father. "Yes, dad,"
'Hello sweetheart, how are you doing?'
Eun Hyang just scratched her temple. "We just met at breakfast dad, an hour ago, remember?"
'Eun Hyang,'
At her father's tone she sighed. "I'm fine dad, just arrived and doing my thesis." Her father would always worry about her, she couldn't blame him for she was the only family he had. Her mother passed away when she was a child. Surely she liked the affection but sometimes he was being over protective, a little.
'Eun Hyang darling, you still there?'
"Yes dad, by the way you need something?" She heard small laugh from the other side.
'It's the day! You don't remember?'
She knitted her brows. "What day?" But then she could remember it. "It's the day!?" She rose from her chair. "It's come already?"
'Already.'
"Okay, coming now." But she slapped her head. "I have appointment after lunch,"
'It's alright darling, you can come later. It won't go anywhere.'
She chuckled. "Alright, dad. I'll be there after finish my work."
'Okay sweetie, see you later, and be careful when driving.'
She rolled her eyes but smiling nonetheless. "I will. See you later, dad." She laid her phone over desk and threw herself back against chair. "Finally it's coming today."
Today some paintings of Shin Yun Bok came to Seoul National Museum for exhibition which would be held two months later, and she had been looking forward to see them. Grinning in excitement she took the album back. "I can't wait."
She left elevator hastily for she couldn't wait to meet her father, honestly the paintings. She approached basement door and walked into storage room. She pulled the door close while looking for her father.
"Hello," She looked over at the museum warehouse. "Dad," She glanced at artifacts from over thousands of years ago. She moved to next aisle, and saw many animal specimens. When she was in elementary school her father allowed her to write a project about them, and her classmates envied her for that.
Leaving science area, she walked toward arts. She walked passing statues from ancient Korea and from around the world. It still made her feel creepy whenever she passed them. Quickly she left the area.
"Dad, where are you? It's me Eun Hyang." She called her father once again but still no reply. "Where's he?"
She decided to turn back and call her father when suddenly something touched her shoulder. She screamed out in fear at the skeleton hand on her shoulder and whirled. She groaned in frustration as she saw the person. "Appa, you scared me," (*appa means father)
"I'm sorry honey, but look at you, still scare with this."
Eun Hyang approached her laughing father. She crossed her arms, pouting. "You know that I don't like surprises, I could have heart attack right now."
Director Lee put the skeleton back to its place on artifact shelf, still trying to hold his laugh. "Don't say that. I apologize, forgive me?"
Eun Hyang took a glance and when he lifted both arms she let him hug her. "This time yes, but next time no."
Director Lee chuckled and pinched his beloved daughter's cheek. "So, you ready?" He let out a laugh when she cheered up, nodding. "I wonder why you are fond of him that much, more than me."
"Because he's special," She giggled, taking his father's arm as they headed photos and paintings area. He lifted an eyebrow of confusion and she added. "Because he's handsome, I believe."
"What if he is an old man, with bald head, and only has one tooth left?"
Eun Hyang laughed. "No way, I believe he is…handsome." She glanced at him.
"What makes you so sure?" His daughter turned gaze aside and shrugged.
"I don't know," She crinkled her nose and grinned. "Perhaps I have sixth-sense." She laughed, joining her father. They stopped and she released his arm. Her eyes soon glued to beautiful paintings hanging on wall. "Dad, this is…"
"Amazing." He smiled upon seeing her stunned expression.
"Indeed," Was what she could say as she eyed the paintings one by one. She had seen some of his paintings before and the others in his album, but today finally she could see all of them. And she found herself captivated by them. She stepped closer to a painting of a man and a woman meeting under moon. The lovers under the moon. She couldn't help lifting a hand to touch the painting. Usually she couldn't but it was covered by plastic.
'Hyewon,' She trailed fingers over fine lines of the painting. 'How could you draw this delicate and beautiful painting?'' Her eyes stopped at the picture of man. She inhaled for suddenly she felt something, something she couldn't define it. 'I wish can meet you just for once, Hyewon'
That was the craziest thing she had ever wished for because it was impossible. She would never see him for they live in different time. She shook her head mentally and smiled.
"You like it?"
She turned around, couldn't help bright smile, nodding. "I love them, dad. Thank you for showing them to me."
"I know you will be happy to see them. And actually, I give you permission to use them for your thesis, if you want."
"Really!?" She squealed in delight. She hugged her father. "Thank you dad, I love you."
"You are very welcome honey."
Eun Hyang leaned off, still smiling in excitement that she was allowed to see them for her research. "I will tell my Professor, and, and, my team. They must be happy to hear this."
Director Lee just chuckled seeing his daughter's excitement.
"I will call them tonight, yes tonight, and perhaps we can start next week, or maybe tomorrow. Is it alright dad?"
"Certainly."
She clapped her hands. "Okay, I must go now, and tell them. Oh, and Min Jee too, forgot her."
"Wait, wait," He stopped her exciting daughter as she turned around to leave. "You don't forget something else?"
She grinned sheepishly before leaning to kiss his cheek. "Sorry, too excited. See you later at dinner, dad."
"Be careful," He said but she had already walked off. "…when driving." He shook his head, smiling. "Okay, let's check it before going back."
After making sure everything was in their place he took keys and torch from shelf. However he stopped when the light flickered. "Light problem?" The light suddenly went off, but before he could switch on his torch it returned. "Looks like something's wrong with light system."
He thought to take his phone to make a call but stopped when there was sound. "What's that?" He tried to catch the sound. It was sound of wind. 'Wind? From air conditioner?''
A blast of wind at sudden caused him to lowered his body. And the next second strong wind came from every side. He quickly reached the nearest shelf, holding it tightly. It was like a storm, he couldn't open his eyes and only sound of blowing hard wind that he could hear. He gripped the shelf to keep his body on ground. He let out a hiss as something hard hit his head. The wind must blow off all of artifacts right now.
He tried to reach for his cellphone in his pants pocket. After second try finally he could take it out. But he still had a problem for he couldn't open his eyes due to strong wind. He just pushed whatever button of his cellphone and placed it over his ear.
"Hello! Hello, please help me!"
He felt the storm gradually calm and the wind stopped blowing. He opened his eyes and stunned upon seeing the sight.
'Hello sir, are you alright? Are you in danger?''
He lowered his hand and stood up, with his trembling knees. He cut the line, apparently he had made it to 119. But the sight before him astonished him more. Everything was perfectly placed on their place like the storm never happened. "What in the name…" Something fell on floor startled him. It was his torch. It seemed like the torch had hit his head earlier.
Leaving the broken torch on floor he decided to take a look. For his surprise everything looked like when he entered the room. He was about to walk to the other side when his ears caught voices. "What's that?"
He headed back to paintings area since the voices came from the place. He turned at a corner and knitted his brows when he saw something lying in front of Hyewon's paintings he didn't see before. His eyes widened as he recognized it. "Oh my God, hey are you alright!?"
He ran approaching the person, two persons, apparently man. He thought to wake the unconscious men but their outfits confused him. It looked far from modern outfit, he could tell that for he was a director of museum.
"Where are they coming from?"
Hope you like it :) And you may have noticed that I used some characters from my previous story :p
Okay, thank you for coming and reading, until next ;)
