Content warning: this fiction contains explicit sex scenes, including consensual slave/master relationships, polyamory, femdom, pain and bondage kink, group sex, homoerotica, etc.. Read at your own risk, or your own pleasure.
Inspired by artwork by the wonderful badegg_mm Twitter.
From the author: If you're reading this, you may or may not be as fucked up as I am. I originally meant this to be a oneshot, a few chapters a most, but we'll see how it goes. Thanks for reading! Please leave a review if you have time.
"I thought you were supposed to be watching over her, Luciel?!" shouted Zen angrily in the direction of the redhead, who was busy slouching over his makeshift workstation in Jumin's formal dining room. The lack of response from him, as he concentrated on tracking down MC's whereabouts, only frustrated the musician further, who would've made his way over to him had Jaehee not intercepted him.
"This isn't Luciel's fault," she tried to reason with him, placing her hands upon his chest to still him, "It's no one's fault. Rika's apartment had the best security system and this still happened, so I doubt there was anything any of us could've done to prevent it."
"If only V hadn't insisted on keeping the location secret," Yoosung exclaimed, pacing the length of the room anxiously, "If he'd just let Jumin send security guards to her place, none of this would've happened! It was stupid to expect Luciel to do all the work himself when he's already so busy!"
"Where is V, anyway?" Zen demanded, turning to look pointedly at their host since Luciel was currently too busy to answer him, "There's a few choice words I'd like to have with him about his questionable leadership methods."
"Jihyun is on his way," Jumin answered, none of his current apprehension evident in his stoic frame, "He'll be here soon." He swished the glass of wine in his hand and watched it swirl, deep in thought even as he tried to hold himself together for the sake of the group; for the sake of MC, who was still out there somewhere.
"He's actually coming?" Yoosung queried in surprise, before adding spitefully, "Here I was thinking he'd run away from this situation, too."
"Yoosung," Jumin chided him, shooting a pointed look in his direction, "I understand your frustrations with Jihyun, but now is not the time to fight amongst ourselves. MC's life may be in danger."
The room grew dangerously quiet, save for the erratic tapping of Luciel's fingertips as they raced across his keyboard. Sighing aloud, Zen sunk down into a seat at the table, Jaehee coming up behind him to rest her hands upon his worried shoulders.
Earlier that morning, MC had gone missing from Rika's apartment. There was no telling exactly how long she'd been gone before Luciel had noticed the CCTV feed looping. By the time he'd arrived at the empty apartment, it had gone cold from the breeze drafting through the broken window. There had been signs of a struggle, and MC's phone had been found laying forgotten on the nightstand.
Declaring the situation an emergency, Jumin had gathered the remaining R.F.A. members at his penthouse to discuss the situation. He had his security personnel on standby, ready to send out a missing person's bulletin to the local news stations and join the police force to track down MC, but Jihyun had begged him to wait until he arrived and they were able to talk about it in person. He continued to insist that R.F.A. matters were "too confidential" to risk exposing to the media and involving the police.
Honestly, his friend's continued stubbornness and lack of clarity even in a situation like this had finally pushed Jumin to the edge. He knew that if Jihyun did not start being honest with them about just what was going on with the hacker and what they had to do with the R.F.A, he might have to turn his back on their long-term friendship. MC's life was much more important than keeping secrets; to him, at least. Though, judging from the reaction of those around him, he wagered he was not the only one who cared about MC's safety.
Luciel had barely said a word since'd he'd arrived: Jumin assumed the hacker blamed himself for what had happened, though as Jaehee said the situation had been beyond the control of one man. Jumin wanted to question him as well, knowing he knew at least more than him when it came to this mystery hacker, but he did not want to interrupt his current work.
Finally, the doorbell chimed and Jumin stood as his security allowed Jihyun inside of the penthouse. He intercepted him in the foyer, leading their leader into the dining room where the rest of the group waited on bated breath. Even Luciel paused in his typing to look up at the blue-haired man, waiting to hear exactly what he had to say.
For his part, Jihyun had dropped what he had been doing and rushed over the moment he heard MC had been abducted. Unfortunately, he knew exactly who might have taken her and why, and he was dreading having to spill the truth to the others who had trusted him.
But whatever spite they threw in his direction, Jihyun felt he deserved it. Everything was his fault, after all. It was his failure to protect R.F.A., to protect the love of his life, that had led to this situation.
"V," Luciel breathed, and Jihyun looked into his direction and smiled wearily, "Hello, Luciel. I wish we had met again on better terms. Have you found anything?"
"I'm still working on it," the hacker answered distractedly, already turning his attention back towards his laptop, clicking on his mouse a few times, "This hacker has managed to continue throwing me off his track until now."
"What?" sputtered Zen, leaning in against the table, "Someone has managed to outsmart you, Luciel? Just what sort of person are we dealing with here?!"
"I know you're all anxious to find MC, but please continue to be patient. I'm sure she isn't hurt," Jihyun began to explain, trying to ease some of the tension in the room. Before he could continue, however, Jumin interrupted him with a bite to his words,
"How can you be so sure of that, Jihyun? You said so yourself that this hacker was dangerous. That's why you had me send bodyguards to the other members of the R.F.A., but not to MC."
Running a hand through his hair nervously, Jihyun took a quivering breath and avoided their lingering gazes as he started to confess, "I'm sorry. . . This situation, it's actually all my fault. I tried to protect MC the best I could, to protect all of you, while sheltering you all from the truth. I thought that what I was doing was for the best, I-"
"What "truth", V?" Luciel demanded, looking alarmed by his superior's confession.
"Yes, I second that," Jumin responded coolly, settling back into his seat while his intense gaze never wavered from his friend's form, "What have you been hiding from us?"
"That. . .," Jihyun began, his voice catching inside his throat. He looked between all of them, their expectant faces, and his fears choked him. He couldn't bring himself to tell them the truth as he knew it. They'd never forgive him. They'd. . . They'd never forgive her, especially Luciel.
Just as he was opening his mouth to confess, a shrill siren sound could be heard coming from all of their cellphones. Jihyun fished his own out of his coat pocket, mouth agape as he watched the screen flicker into a line of code and then go black. When at last it turned back on, the background was of a red skull and, above that, a square box appeared and a video feed started to play a bone-chilling message:
"I've taken your Princess," the distorted voice taunted the members of the room, the green symbol of Mint Eye appearing and rotating within the center of the screen, "I've taken her back to Paradise where she belongs. Are you frightened yet?"
There was a pause, and then the voice continued, "You've all been invited to join us here, in Paradise. Come and see the Princess for yourself, if you dare. I will now send the coordinates to Luciel's computer, or, you can simply ask the traitor that you call "V" about where to find us. Either way, we are looking forward to your prompt attendance. Oh, please remember to come alone. This invitation is only for members of the R.F.A. and is not extended to members of the police or Mr. Han's security team. Please, don't keep the Princess waiting long and, remember, no plus ones. MC. . . She's awfully beautiful when she screams."
Garbled laughter was the last thing they heard before the feed cut and their phones returned to normal. Just as the hacker had promised, the screen of Luciel's laptop flashed and a map with blinking coordinates appeared, leading them to the spot where MC was currently being held captive.
However, no one turned to look at the flashing computer screen. Instead, the stunned group turned slowly to look upon Jihyun, who was still staring at the screen of his phone in shock.
"V. . .?" Jaehee asked softly, her hand quivering as she held her phone against her chest, "What did the hacker mean when they said that you knew where MC was being held? Surely you. . . Surely, you haven't known this entire time and not told us, right?"
Shutting his eyes, Jihyun lowered his phone slowly. He couldn't bring himself to open his eyes to face them, even as he parted his lips and at last admitted to them in a soft, broken voice, "I am. . . so sorry."
Magenta. The castle hidden in the middle of the forest, far off the beaten path of civilization. Following the coordinates the hacker had sent, as well as Jihyun's own statement, R.F.A. had come to park in front of the imposing fortress.
Despite his own guilt being exposed, Jihyun had yet to tell them clearly about his involvement. He had sat quietly in the back of one of Luciel's cars, not speaking to any of the other members as they drove, quickly, to where MC was being held, presumably against her will. They'd not expected to find a literal castle out here in the middle of nowhere but, then again, nothing made sense as it was.
"I still don't think it was wise to come without members of Mr. Han's security team," Jaehee fretted as they all stepped out of their respective vehicles, Luciel going around to the trunk of his own and popping it open. He was joined by the mysterious Vanderwood, who stood beside the hacker with a cigarette dangling from between his lips, the two of them fishing something out of the back of the car.
"It would've been too dangerous," Jumin reminded her, adjusting his cuffs as he looked out upon the eerie fortress in front of them, "You heard what the hacker said: he made a direct threat to MC's life should we fail to comply."
"But how come he was allowed to come?" Zen demanded, motioning to Vanderwood as the agent loaded a Desert Eagle in front of him, before slipping the gun into his the back of his waistband, much to the surprise of the other members.
"Holy shit," Yoosung breathed as he looked at the contents of Luciel's trunk, "Luciel! Where did you get all of this?!"
"That's not important," the hacker mumbled under his breath, loading his own weapon before looking pointedly at the others, "Do any of you know how to fire a gun?"
"What the fuck are you talking about? A gun?!" Zen cried, watching as Jumin calmly stepped forward and accepted the offered firearm from the redhead, "What sort of place are we about to walk into?!"
"One that is not easy to walk out of again," Jihyun finally spoke up, having exited the car and now stood staring at the building in front of them. He did not accept a firearm when offered, and Luciel did not ask twice. He slammed the trunk of his sports car and, alongside Vanderwood, circled to the front of the group and headed towards the front door of Magenta.
"Are we just going to walk inside?" Jaehee asked, following behind Mr. Han, who was just as brisk to join the others. She, Yoosung and Zen looked among themselves, suddenly feeling very out of place.
"Yes," came Jihyun's choked response, his eyes focused forward as Luciel grabbed the handles and pulled. Thankfully, the heavy front door had been left unlocked in anticipation of their arrival, and the group was allowed to walk inside without any trouble. In the corner of the archway, a CCTV camera could be seen blinking, watching them closely as they all entered.
The group ventured down a long, carpeted hallway, decorated lavishly in hues of crimson, royal blue, white and gold. The everpresent symbol, the mint and black "eye" that was the organization's symbol, was present on various banners and even engraved on wrought gold decorations.
"It's literally a palace," Yoosung breathed in awe, following the cautious gaze of the others to survey their surroundings. It was quiet, except the further they ventured they soon stumbled upon the distant sound of chanting. The haunting sound of choral music grew louder as they walked until, at last, they came to stand before a massive gilded door behind which the music was the loudest.
Standing guard at the door were two, hooded individuals wearing long, white robes. Jihyun was the one who stepped forward, announcing to the two anonymous individuals,
"Believer A306. . . and guests. . . have arrived," he spoke quietly, miserably. The two Believers looked upon the group, with Vanderwood and Luciel palming their weapons just in case they encountered resistance, before slowly turning towards the heavy double doors and pulling them open for them.
"Welcome, Believers," they spoke in an unsettling unison, their voices devoid of true feeling, "To Paradise. The Savior has been expecting you."
Slowly, the various members of R.F.A. walked into the brightly lit room, following the ornate carpet laid out before them. The room was more like the inside of a massive cathedral, a literal auditorium laid out before them ablaze with candles, the pews lined with cloaked attendees. The auditorium was packed, easily a hundred strong followers who refused to turn from their chanting to watch the group as they approached the pulpit, where a familiar face was waiting for them.
"Rika. . .," Jihyun whispered, staring at the haunting face of his former lover.
Seated upon a throne of crushed velvet, surrounded on all sides by Believers, Rika smiled graciously at her slack-jawed guests. Raising her hands from the armrests of her throne, she extended them in open invitation, crying out over the chorus,
"Welcome, friends, at last, to true Paradise!"
"What the fuck. . .," Zen breathed, and beside him Yoosung dropped to his knees from shock, his face drained of color. Jumin was just as speechless, his normally calm demeanor shattered as he stared at the ghost of Rika with wide, glossed-over eyes.
"Rika," Jumin whispered, the strength in his baritone wavering, "You're. . . alive?"
"Of course I am," chuckled the blonde woman, bringing her lean fingers to rest against her poised chin, "It was Jihyun who made up the lie that I had died. I would never commit suicide. I have too much work to do yet on this Earth. I've yet to cleanse the rest of the world of sin and, tonight, I hope to start with you all, my dear friends."
"What do you mean "cleanse the world of sin"?" Jaehee asked wearily, glancing between the mute Jihyun and Rika who sat regally before them.
Before Rika could answer her, Luciel demanded, "You. . . Where is MC? Where is Saeran? You promised to watch over him. . . Don't tell me, you involved him in this. . . insanity!"
"Saeran serves the cause of his own free-will," Rika embellished, nodding her head towards the edge of the room, "How about you ask him yourself when you have time? Saeran? Come forward. It's about time to introduce our guests to the Princess."
Leaving the camouflage of the mass of cloaked individuals, the white-haired Choi brother appeared from within the crowd, wearing his own set of matching robes. He approached Rika's throne without a second glance in the direction of his twin, falling to his knee before his Savior.
"Savior," he whispered, pressing his lips to her outstretched palm.
"Saeran," Luciel breathed, his mortification written upon his face. Vanderwood glanced in his direction, extending a hand to rest upon his quivering shoulders to attempt to steady his fellow agent.
"Saeran," Rika continued, her gaze not once wavering from the faces of the guests in front of them, "It is time. Reveal to them the Princess. Let them look upon her glory."
Eyes followed Luciel's twin as he stood and walked to the curtained area directly behind the throne. Rika stood from where she'd been seated, taking the hand of a Believer beside her and stepping over towards the far side of the stage. Jihyun's eyes followed her in confusion as three more Believers came forward and lifted the heavy throne she'd previously sat upon, moving it off of the platform with difficulty.
"What's going on?" Jihyun breathed, gaze flickering between his former girlfriend and where Saeran had walked, grasping hold of two massive golden tassels attached to the crimson curtain above, "Rika. . ."
"It will all become clear momentarily," the blonde-haired woman announced cryptically, her gaze moving towards the curtain as it at last began to part down the middle.
There was another short staircase, leading from the already elevated pulpit to an even grander throne. Sitting upon the plush cushioned seat, dressed in revealing latex dress, with one nimble leg crossed over the other and as poised as an elegant, porcelain doll, sat the very woman that R.F.A. had come all this way to rescue.
MC.
"Behold, friends," Rika breathed, her own voice trembling in awe as she looked upon the woman seated higher than anyone else, the Believers all around her falling to one worshipful knee in her presence, "Our long-awaited Princess."