HAK

Hak punched the wall so hard the whole tower seemed to shake. His anger, his rage, all too much, he wanted to burn the whole world.

Had Yona been hurt badly, he would've lost his sanity now. Yona, the only person he came here for...

"Thank you," he finally let out, when his anger had diminished. "Thank you, Jaeha, if it weren't for you, they wouldn't have made it out safe."

"If not for Kija and Shinah," Jaeha corrected him. He was tapping his foot on the floor, either bored or troubled. Hak preferred he was troubled.

It's a good thing that Kija and Shinah were there, wanting to meet Yona ... it sure made Hak disagree. Still and all, it was Kija and Shinah who noticed that something wrong was going on with the castle that night, and they quickly went to tell Jaeha.

And although Jaeha couldn't prevent the whole thing, knowing he shouldn't meddle with human matters, still he saved her - through ways unimaginable, of Minsoo finding those guards, still armed and ready and alive, and that's enough.

"Thank you Jaeha."

"Stop thanking me," Jaeha said, tapping his foot faster. "I went through so much trouble for helping her, but of course I did it anyway for you."

Hak shot him a look so hard. For an instant he wanted to punch him for being selfish, but he remembered he just saved her, and so he held his fist. "Then I owe you a hundred for this. Sorry for the trouble," he murmured. "And will you stop that tapping? It makes me more anxious."

Jaeha let out a deep breathe, crossing his arms. "What are you planning to do now?"

"I don't know, perhaps fly over the clouds and come to her," Hak said sarcastically, resentful. "Why does this have to happen?" He balled his fists again. His left arm was still not in a good condition, and the pain only made it worse. "Stupid body," Hak cursed. "Damn it."

He wanted to cry, but crying is weakness, and it wouldn't do him any good. He gotta do something.

He wasted no time that morning. When he reached Mundok's solar, he found him looking out the window, holding a cup of wine.

"Something's wrong," Mundok said, unmoving, inhaling a handful of air. "I could feel it in the winds, in the sky. Last night I dreamed of blood."

Lord Mundok turned to acknowledge his presence, his long white beard, and old eyes making him look wise, almost like a god.

Hak waited for the old lord to take his seat before taking his own.

"You said if I need anything, I only need come to you, and it shall be mine," Hak said, when he had settled. "I come to you, Lord of the Wind Tribe."

Mundok eyed him, but whatever thing's running inside the old lord's head Hak will never know.

"Can I trust you?" Hak said, uncertain. "Will you not betray me?" Because if you will, then who would aid me?

Silence filled the whole solar, with both of them eyeing each other. One is older than time itself, yet situated in a very young vessel. The other one, older and more knowledgeable when it comes to mankind.

"You saved me twice," Mundok said, laying down his cup on the table. "How could I serve my lord?"

"You call me lord, and it makes me feel superior here. Yet do I really hold power? And how much?"

"You need only ask, and it shall be yours."

Hak sat for a minute thinking, judging the situation. He wanted to tell Mundok everything. He wanted an ally, a friend. Someone he could trust, someone powerful.

"You won't betray me," Hak said, in the most serious tone he could ever utter. "You are wiser now. You are no longer the kid who would tell others about an otherworldly creature. You've grown."

Mundok gave him a nod in return. "I've grown, yes. And wiser, yes." When Hak didn't reply for a moment, he said, "If you won't give me your trust, I won't give mine either."

Now it was Hak's turn to tap his foot on the floor. He let in a very deep breathe, thinking of his next words.

"I will tell you everything," he finally concluded, almost talking to himself. "I will tell you why I'm here."

As he was speaking, Hak feared that the old lord would find him as a fool, who gave up everything for a woman who cannot even remember him. Yet for the whole hour, Mundok sat listening, patient. He didn't ask questions, as if he believed every word Hak spoke of.

When Hak had finished, there was muteness for another hour. Mundok had stood up near the window, and sat on the window seat looking outside, as if thinking. An hour of stillness, it made Hak a bit troubled, perturbed.

"I don't have much time." Hak sighed. "Last night, Lord Il was killed."

At this Mundok's eyes found him, his eyes looking troubled, surprised, stunned.

"A certain Lord from Southern Kai led the attack to the castle," Hak continued. "Lord Il and his wife was killed, and their son as well. But Yona ... Yona has escaped. She's safe. She's on the run, with six of his father's guards, and an attendant."

"How did you know?" Mundok asked, this time, with a hint of doubt.

"I learned it from a friend," Hak said. "Jaeha, if you would be so kind to show up."

At the corner of the solar, a man dressed in green showed up, smirking. Mundok stared, in disbelief, Hak figured. "Another mythical being for my eyes," Mundok uttered. "Just before I die."

"This is Jaeha," said Hak. "He's the one who helped her escape." He sank further into his seat. "As of the moment, I've no idea where they are. All I know is they're headed south and east, through the mountains. Yona's safety is my main priority. I want to make sure she makes it to the Imperial capital alive."

Jaeha walked closer and sat beside Hak, with his legs and arms crossed. "Are you on this poor boy's side?" he directed the question to Mundok. "The next time I help this kid, is the last time I'm stepping in this dry ground. I'm at my limit," he sighed. "Meddling with human matters that much," he muttered. "I'll be in trouble soon."

Mundok cleared his throat. "I will send my men to aid Lady Yona, if that's what you want."

"I will lead them," Hak added in a rush. "I will go."

Jaeha rolled his eyes. "No you won't. Judging from the state of your arm."

Hak looked at his poor left arm, filled with resentment. Then an idea came to him fast as a lightning bolt. "Heal them for me," he suddenly said. "Jaeha, you could heal them for me."

"Are you kidding me?" Jaeha said, in sudden disbelief. "The moment I do that, I would be sent back, and never be allowed to return again, who knows."

"I don't care," Hak said, determination across his face. "It doesn't matter. You will be pardoned after a month or two anyway."

"Oh dear," Jaeha said, running his fingers about his bangs. "This man needs some serious help."

"Jaeha."

"Okay, okay!" Jaeha threw his arms in surrender. "Do I have a choice? No I don't, of course. I guess I'll see you again in a month or two?"

I don't care, Hak thought. I want her safe.

Mundok stared at the two of them, posture composed, face not betraying any hint of emotion.

"Should I do it now?" Jaeha asked, annoyed.

"Later, after planning. I still need you." Hak knew he sounded selfish, but selfish let him be. "By the way, send Kija or Shinah here when you see them. I need eyes and informants."

"That's how you see us?" Jaeha scoffed this time. "I can't believe this man. Desperate." He shook his head. "Why not make them heal your arm, and I become your informant, huh? It's a win-win situation."

"I don't want them in trouble," Hak said honestly. "They're too young." And besides, they're connected to me. I could use them as my eyes. You don't even care about her.

"Right, because making them as informants won't get them in trouble," Jaeha said sarcastically. "Alright I get it. They're connected to you, and you can use them unlike me, huh."

Clever Jaeha.

"We should discuss our plans tonight," Hak said, to divert the topic. "Everything we had talked about, must stay in this room. I can't trust anyone, even the king himself." When Mundok agreed, Hak tapped his friend's shoulder. "Jaeha, I need to know their current situation. Please be back before nightfall."

Jaeha muttered something incomprehensible, then vanished into thin air.

Hak thought he heard the word "idiot."

...

A/N: Hello dears, it's me again. I want to thank you for all the kudos and comments y'all are leaving.

I can't believe how far this story has progressed, I couldn't even write a 300-word essay when I was in high school! When lockdown had started, I only tried to write out of boredom, but then I realized I actually loved writing. It feels just great, isn't it? But uh yeah, when the semester gets heavy I might go missing again *ugly crying intensifies* Anyway, I'm in my third year in college now, so just a little more push and I'm finally graduating yayyyy. I really want to promise you a consistent update schedule, but I don't want to give you false hope :'(((((

Let me know if you have questions, suggestions, comments, anything to say under the sun. Love yall mwahhhhh tc