Still unconscious, little one?

Ha Eung blinked. Where was he?

He remembered going riding with Kiku, he remembered commenting on a celadon jug-and he didn't remember how he had ended up in a meadow. Comprised of green grass and spacious skies.

"You are in the land of dreams."

A woman's voice made him turn around. This was no tongue of China. This was his language.

"Umma?"

The woman scoffed at his words, dressed richly in gold.

"I could have been your mother. No, child, I am Gaya. The first kingdom your mother destroyed, with Jeong Hae's help."

Gaya.

He had heard about the land.

"Umma's most famed General, Kim Yoo Shin is of your blood."

"Yes, that's so."

Gaya sounded proud, but Ha Eung had no time to discover anything else about the destroyed Kingdom.

"What... Why am I here?"

"You really are a child, are you?"

Gaya pointed downward, to a pool of water.

"Look."

And so, Ha Eung crouched down to stare at the pond.

"I am the living Buddha, and anyone else who crosses me shall perish!"

A man sat enthroned, his bald head shining against the light. Other men surrounded him, worry clouding their faces.

"My lord, please calm yourself, you are not the man you were, show mercy on your people-"

"Silence, you fool! Somebody, cut off his head!"

And the man was dragged away.

"So... My ruler..."

"Was a cruel man."

Realization dawned on Ha Eung's face. Perhaps, he deserved to die.

"Am I dead?"

"Just continue watching."

Gaya waved on, and Ha Eung could do nothing but stare.

"He's insane. He is not the man we decided to serve."

Men were gathered around a table, fury obviously covering their features.

"He killed his own family, this madman cannot rule."

"Then who-"

"Someone who is kind, just, peaceloving. Someone with a warm heart who can help the people-"

"Who-"

"I am sorry for my tardiness."

The men all turned, staring at a tall man, wearing armor. His face was kind, his voice warm.

"Wang Geon."

"Yes?"

"My lords, we have a future King."

The man looked shocked, then recoiled.

"We have a King-"

"Who is crazy. My lord, please take over, for your own good."

"I cannot-"

"Then for the sake of your people, with Hubaekjae gaining power they are terrified-"

"I will."

"All hail the new King!"

"It is decided, Wang Geon shall be King of us all."

"I have a new King?"

Ha Eung stared, open mouthed.

"Yes, you have. They have also decided to change the capital city."

Gaya stared at him with pity.

"But... I don't know... What is going to happen? Why am I here?"

"You are weak due to inner turmoil. If you grow stronger, you shall return to your mortal body."

"Then, I won't be able to return?"

"You can, and you can't."

Ha Eung felt terror at these words.

:"What about Ha Yeon?"

"Your pain is her gain. If you disappear, she will be able to unite the Three Kingdoms."

He wanted his sister to live. He would stay.

"Then I'll stay, for her."

"Is it really for her?"

Gaya shook her hair, fine black locks falling out of her face.

"Here."

Another image appeared in the pool.

Crying people-Women with their hair running wild, their clothes torn-dead officials-Screams echoing throughout the land-

"What happened?"

"Your sister's King is a violent man. He attacked Silla recently, whereas your King tried to make peace with your mother. Your mother will arrive soon, and she, unlike you, will not leave."

"I do not want my sister to die!"

"Think about your people, your officials, your King-family does not matter. It never did to your fathers."

Now to think about it, his fathers-they had to be here-where were they?

"Your fathers left this land-they decided to take the form of ghosts-to look over you."

"I'm not leaving."

Gaya didn't bug him after that.

ㅂHa Eung would stay for the sake of his sister. He had to, he didn't want her to die like his fathers. And so, he cried himself to sleep. His dreams consisted of voices.

"I want him to wake up, why isn't he waking up?"

"Stop it, Xiang, you're disturbing him."

His family back at Yao-hyung's.

"Ha Eung... Please g...get up... Please?"

Mei-nuna was crying. All because of him.

"Yao promised he'll get up, Mei. Don't fret."

Kiku-hyung sounded angry for some reason, but his voice changed as he addressed Ha Eung.

"Otouto, please get better. We're folding cranes for your recovery."

He wanted to to stop worrying, that he wanted to stay here, but did he?

"All of you, it's time for you to leave."

Yao-hyung. The person who had never liked him.

"But..."

"I need to work with him."

He could hear a door shutting, and a chair scraping.

"Aiya.. You are such trouble, Ha Eung."

If he could flinch, he would have. But he couldn't do anything.

"Ha Yeon has been praying in the shrine."

His sweet twin sister. I can die for her. Even if her King is cruel, even people suffer..

"You must wake for her sake. She... She has been doing everything she could have."

The back of his neck pricked at this. Just what had Ha Yeon done? But then the dream cut.

"Such a lazy boy..."

Gaya stood there, sniffing.

"I'm not lazy."

"Yes, you are. So like your father.."

"My father was a great General-"

"Not that one, Baek Ah."

He noticed Gaya's voice was a bit softer when she mentioned Baekjae- just like China-hyung did when he talked about his mother Silla, when he felt good.

"You knew my father?"

"Of course, we were the best of friends-until Sul Ha went crying to Jeong Hae to help her."

Gaya's gaze was cool, but her voice shook.

"Your mother was practically my sister. And she didn't even have the courage to attack me by herself."

"Did you love my father?"

A sudden question, but Gaya was slightly taken aback.

"And why would I tell you?"

"...Oh."

"Your father had eyes only for Silla, no matter what metal I could offer."

That hit a little too close to home, as Ha Eung recalled all the times he had experienced growing up at China's.

Never complimenting. Never loving. Always stern. He always had time to compliment Japan and Taiwan, and coddle Xianggang. He only gave eyes to Ha Eung when he started trouble..

"Why, little one, you're crying."

"Never mind."

Nobody liked him. He was always second to Ha Yeon to Kiku, Xiang always quarreled with him. Mei only cared for Kiku and played with them because it was expected of her.

He didn't even want to mention China.

"Why do I have to return to a place where no one cares about me?"

"You must return for the sake of your people. They are worried, they are scared for their future."

He could hear voices of concern if he listened hard. His people, scared of Hubaekjae, wanting only to live a peaceful life-his court officials, not wanting to lose to Hubaekjae-his new leader, fretting over all of his people.

But if he stayed, the only person who actually cared about him would be safe.

"My sister is more important than my people-"

"Your sister is sacrificing for your sake, you brat!"

This was a new voice, and Ha Eung felt his head ache as a stick hit him on the head.

"Ouch!"

"Well, this is new."

Gaya sounded surprised, and she bowed at the newcomer.

"You. Boy."

Ha Eung found himself lifted up to stare at an old man. He was white haired, bearded.

"Who..."

"I am the first. The first of your family. My name does not matter."

This was an ancestor?

"What country are you?"

"I was made by Tangun. I prospered, I flourished, but I was killed by jealousy."

The old man set him down, glaring at him, then turned to Gaya.

"You shall not speak of Sul Ha in that way."

"But..."

Gaya sounded indignant.

"Puyeo, Goguryeo, Dongyae, Okjeo, Gaya, Baekjae, Silla. You are all my descendants. It is disgraceful enough that we feud over such tiny land."

Ha Eung didn't like Gaya, but he wasn't going to watch her get scolded at.

"She was speaking the truth!"

"She was jealous of Sul Ha."

"We are all jealous of one another."

"Wise, aren't you?"

The man chuckled, then reached out, patting him on the head.

"You must return, my grandson. Your so-called family suffers from your absence."

"You don't understand, I'm doing this for Ha Yeon-"

"No, you are doing this so that you will feel the love of your family, who have never given you what you wanted or needed."

"I..."

"You felt alone. Unwanted. Unneeded. Let us see if you are truly unwanted in your family."

And he felt himself plunge through the ground.

He was sitting on ground he knew. China's house. His home.

"So, let's see if the brat is still a brat."

"The brat?"

"Never mind."

The old man was also next to him, and he was marched in. Something looked different. The house was no longer the place he knew. Black flags flew throughout the entire place.

"What happened here?"

"See for yourself, won't you?"

Ha Eung, dazed, walked around the yard. Normally, it was bustling, but today, it was quiet. He bumped into something-a white lantern.

"A white lantern? Is someone-"

"Pray continue on your venture. Let us see what you have caused."

The twosome, quietly, strolled into the house. There were a few servants, but none seemed to notice them.

"They cannot see us."

The old man explained.

"Now, I recall your youngest sibling was Xianggang."

"Yes, the little one.."

The man-his ancestor promptly pushed him aside, walking over to the room which was Xiang's, and opening the door.

"Who's there!"

Xiang's voice was no longer childish, but cold and commanding. A younger China. His brother had circles under his eyes.

"Xiang..."

Time had passed, and his brother looked twelve.

"It must be the wind."

Mei. His sister stood there, and entered, passing through him. Her eyes were red, her voice slightly down. That was when he noticed they were all wearing black hanfu. Something had happened.

"Jiejie..."

Xiang rubbed under his eyes, sighing.

"You've stood vigil too long. You need to sleep."

"I don't deserve to sleep. I... I..."

"Shh... You were the best. You tried. It's not your fault."

"But..."

"Xianggang."

Mei put an arm around Xiang.

"We all tried."

"But I couldn't do enough."

His younger brother was sobbing. So was his older sister.

"I... I still regret not being a better sister. I... It isn't your fault, it was all mine..."

There was a scream, and Ha Eung ran. He ran to the sound as fast as he could. The sound was tearful, mourning.

"Nisan!"

Kiku stood in front of him, and dashed out to a figure. His older brother was now sixteen in appearance, a handsome man.

"I told you to keep an eye on her!"

Yao's voice was piercing, and although he had not aged a bit, he sounded tired, even sad.

"She... She snuck in some glass from the look of it."

Kiku looked distressed as he began winding strips of cloth around the wrist of a girl.

Ha Yeon.

His twin looked like Gaya and Silla. Everything about her spoke beauty, even as a fourteen year old. But something was horribly wrong. There were circles under her eyes, and she looked ghastly pale. Too thin. Cold. Uncaring. This was not his sister.

"What happened?"

Ha Eung demanded to his ancestor, but the older man did not answer.

What am I doing? What is happening?

"You should stop such behavior, sister. Think of what Ha Eung would say-he would not want you to be hurt as such-"

"What would he say? What do you know about my twin brother?"

Ha Yeon's voice was cold, but shaking.

"Yeon-chan, please, I beg of you, stop this."

His sister scoffed, lifting her injured wrist to wipe the tears that were streaming down her face.

"I don't want to."

"Foolish child! You are a nation, have some responsibility-for the sake of your brother-"

Yao snapped at Ha Yeon, but he sounded worried, not imposing.

"You promised me!"

Ha Yeon's voice shot up, alarmingly.

"I tried- I did try, little sister, I did."

China wrung his hands, but Ha Yeon ignored him.

"I gave up my freedom just so that you could save my brother. And where is he now? Gone. Dead."

He was dead.

It hit him on full force. This was not the future he had wanted for his sister.

"But... I wanted her to be happy, why is she so sad and miserable?"

The old man did not answer his question.

"I gave up my everything. My chance to be with my brother Balhae. My chance to meet my people. And what did you give me? A dead brother."

"She made a deal with China?"

Ha Eung felt dizzy. He wanted to throw up. He didn't want to stand here and watch this.

"Ha Yeon, I did everything I could. Please, you have to understand.. Your brother could have returned, he had a choice, but he did not- He passed away peacefully-they say he did it for your sake so that you could live-"

"For my sake? What a fool he was, what an ignorant fool!"

His sister screamed out, tears falling rapidly.

"He was my world, he was my everything, and he died! Do you think I look happy because my Kingdom united the Three Kingdoms? No! My ruler is a cruel man, he does not care about the commonfolk. My people scream and wail. I hear it every day and every night. Do you think I wanted unification?"

China bit his lower lip, while Japan tried to soothe his sister, patting her on the back, muttering softly.

"Just kill me."

Silence filled the yard.

"No."

China's voice was cool. Emotionless.

"Kill me!"

Ha Yeon was now on her knees.

"Please, orabuni, I don't want to live, please, please, I'll give you all my lands if you do-"

"No, he can't kill her-"

Surprisingly, China scowled, his face darkening.

"No."

"You have to, I don't want to live-"

Had his sister gone insane? The girl whipped around, now staring at Japan as if she had found one of the wonders of the world.

"Oppa."

Ha Yeon's lip curled, a smile taking place on her pale face.

"Yes?"

Kiku was concerned, obviously.

"Please end this. I don't want to stay here. I'm so tired, I'm so lonely... Be kind and end my misery for me, please? You love me, you can do this one thing for me. It's all I ever ask of you."

Japan's hand flew up in the air, and there was a ringing slap.

"Don't you ever say such horrid, horrid things! I will not- I will never-"

Ha Eung moved toward his sister, even as he knew she couldn't see him.

"Fine."

There was a pause before his sister rose, slightly keeling to one side.

"I give up. There really is no persuading you."

China nodded in grim approval, as Ha Yeon stood, shaking her head.

"You have your responsibility as a nation, you must carry on-"

As the man reached out to Ha Yeon, two things happened. First, his sister's hand reached for the sword in China's belt, pulling it out. Second, the sword no longer was in China's grasp-it was embedded in Ha Yeon.

Wounding her.

Killing her.

"No!"

A nation could be killed physically.

By another nation personification's weapon.

Ha Eung screamed, his face scrunched up in searing pain as his sister's eyes widened in shock, then in cool acceptance.

China looked horrified. In fact, this nation didn't seem like China at all, motionless, rooted to the ground.

Japan was the first to move. Quickly, the older nation pulled the offending blade out, but then retched at the blood.

Blood, blood and more blood. Staining the marble floor. Ruining Yao's shoes. Covering Ha Yeon.

"Do something, don't just stand there!"

Kiku's voice didn't sound like his. His older brother, even as he retched, tried to stem the blood-until a white hand clutched at his own.

Don't. No more.

"N...No."

Ha Yeon's voice was soft, and so was her gaze.

"We can fix this, nisan, you have to..."

"I...I..."

To his infinite horror, he saw China. Saw his face turning pale. Saw him nearly crashing to the ground, with tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

It was a soft voice, but it grew steadily louder.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I really am, I don't know...I do not want you to die... I'll try harder, please don't die on me.."

"Nisan, get a grip on yourself, we'll lose her!"

Yao ignored Kiku, who was still pressing the wound.

"Yongseohageora.(Forgive me.)"

The ancient country next to him stirred, his eyes widened, and the old man was now staring, a new light in his eyes.

"Nisan!"

"Mianhada. (I'm sorry.)"

"China... apologized... in Korean?"

Ha Eung didn't care in the least about China apologizing. He just hoped Yao would stitch her up, make her work.

"I'm... I'm going to be... free..."

His sister's hand slowly crept up, as her eyes found its spark.

"Jaebal... (Please...)"

"And... And I'll see... Ha... Ha Eung... ag...again..."

The hand fell, the eyes dimmed. Slowly, the world fell at his feet, as Kiku's screams and Yao's sobs were resonating throughout the house.

"You should have saved her, you baka!"

Japan shook his sister for several times, clutching, begging, but no response.

"I... I'm sorry. I'm sorry!"

China no longer looked like an adult. He looked like a tired teenager, whose eyes were red and whose voice was hoarse.

"Why did this happen?"

Ha Eung turned to the old man.

"It was your choice. After your passing, she obviously lost the urge to live."

"But I wanted her to live for me!"

He screamed, as he slumped onto the ground in front of his ancestor.

"You should have lived, told her that. Instead you died a coward's death. Your sister's sacrifice was all for naught."

"I... I... I just wanted her to be happy..."

He sniffed, to his horror, and found his eyes brimming over.

His family was ruined-all his fault.

"She loved you too much. She could not take it, she gave up."

"But I didn't want her to die... If I win, she'll die."

"If there is enough difference in you, like yin and yang, she will not. Twin countries are the polar opposites of the land they represent. You were war, you were justice, you were the things that destroyed and conquered to protect."

The man pointed at his sister.

"She was peace, she was quiet, she was all the fragile things like culture and knowledge that needed you."

"So you mean..."

"Each of you cannot survive without the other. Both of you together-now, that is a fine country. But one of you alone-nay, I doubt it."

But what was the point of this talk?

"She's dead! I'm dead! What... What will become of our nation? Why are you telling me this?"

"Because, this is the future that will take place if you do not return."

"So I... I can change this? I'm not dead? I... Ha Yeon can live?"

"Yes, little one."

It seemed that the world was sewing itself back together.

He could make it work! He could, he could, and Yeon wouldn't die...

"I'm going back."

"And for what?"

He had an answer, a good one.

"I'm doing this for Yeon. I'll be the one to unify the Three Kingdoms-but I'll protect her so that she doesn't vanish-so that she won't die."

"Anything else?"

Ha Eung stared at his surroundings one last time.

Kiku had now stood, carrying his sister in his arms, his expression cold yet saddened.

Yao was just on the floor, but tears kept falling from his face.

"I need to save my family."

Whether they loved him or not was not the priority anymore. He needed his family in one piece, all of them happy-all of them.

"Good."

And with that, they were back in the meadow, with Gaya waiting for them.

"How did it go?"

"I'm going back."

At this, he received a bone-crushing hug from Gaya.

"Brave of you, child. I wish the best for you."

Ha Eung nodded-he'd never forget Gaya.

"Now, you must leave."

"Wait!"

He faced the old man, hands now on hips.

"Who are you?"

"I was Joseon-created by Tangun. I faired well through trade, but then..."

Ha Eung saw it in the man's eyes.

The jealousy that had been caused, the war that had gone on for a year, and the blood.

"Yao was not happy."

The fall of Joseon-caused by China, Han China.

"He forgot one very important thing, though. We do not give in. Especially to foreigners-and we do not serve."

Now, Ha Eung could see people fighting-trying to drive Han China and its officers out-and succeeding.

"I don't trust Wang Yao. He's cold, cruel, capable of everything. But he's thawed based on what we saw."

"So you... forgave him?"

Ha Eung's throat was drying.

"Ani(No), but I understand why he did that. As a nation, you only want the best for your people. Remember that, child."

Joseon pulled him close, and he could see the concealed kindness in the man's gaze.

"Enough of this. Your sister is waiting."

And his ancestor let go of him, suddenly-making him fall through emptiness, causing him to yell-

"He's back, he really is!"

Ha Eung blinked, feeling nausea as he pushed himself upright. He was in his room, and Xiang was shouting. Loudly.

"Jiejie, Ha Eung gege is back!"

"Oh, Tian.."

Mei's arms encircled him, wet tears falling on his neck.

"We thought we were going to lose you."

"Welcome back, otouto."

Kiku sounded choked, as he ruffled Ha Eung's hair.

The paper doors slid open, and two figures appeared.

"You've finally rejoined the family. It took you so long-"

China. His black hair was a mess, and there were bandages on his hands.

"Gege got burned slightly-he was looking for your medicine."

Xiang announced, matter-of-factly.

"Oh... Thank god... Thank god..."

Ha Eung's throat clenched as he stared at the girl in front of him. Dark circles covering her eyes due to lack of sleep-his twin was a mess.

"Yeon-ah..."

And he was grabbing onto her, hugging her, tears raining down his cheek, drenching her hanbok.

"I'm so sorry, I won't ever leave again-"

"Don't ever fall ill again-I was frightened-"

Her hands tightly wrapped around his waist, and Hugoguryeo gripped harder.

I won't lose this war.

But I won't lose you.

"Thank you, Zhongguo-hyung."

He needed to thank China for trying. For taking care of him.

China's eyes closed rapidly, then Ha Eung felt his head spark as it collided with a fist.

"Don't you ever cause this sort of trouble. Again."

"I won't."

He'd protect this family to his dying breath.

#History

Hugoguryeo, at its first few battles, was losing to Hubaekjae-but gained the upper hand later on.

Joseon here is Gojoseon. It was originally called Joseon, but due to the 14th Century Joseon we all know, it is called Gojoseon-Ancient Joseon. At this time being, it seemed more accurate to call it Joseon.

Joseon was built by Tangun in 2333 B.C. It had its own style of bronze weapons, had eight laws that most people kept, and prospered through merchandising trade. It occupied the regions of current North Korea, and parts of China, but fell to Han China after a year of war.

However, the locals drove the Han officials out and created their own countries soon enough.

Congrats! China has begun his thaw, and Ha Eung is back! Next chapter... I think... will be something on the unification of the Three Kingdoms... Or the fall of Balhae.

Thank you for reviewing and favoriting. It really gives me the power to go on.