There she stood staring up at the large pillars, vaulted roof, brick, mortar, and stained glass windows; everything exactly as she remembered from over 1000 years ago. The structure she'd watched burn, only now it was overflowing with the sound of people. Excited shouting, boisterous laughter, slamming doors, and the screeching of chalk on chalkboards.
The sight disoriented her, she'd never imagined coming back to her home. Never imagined the sight of so much pain and suffering used as a university. This had to be some cruel joke the gods decided to play on her while she'd hidden herself away like the coward she was.
"Look out!" A deep voice called behind her, but it was too late. The young man had come crashing down rather harshly right at her feet, he seemed to be racing after someone else, and had tripped on the sidewalk. The person he had been following was now gone. Looking down at the strangely light haired young man, she was taken a back by his beauty. He was a slender man, his tanned skin glowing in the morning sun contrasting drastically with his blonde almost white hair. His ears were pierced and he had large colorful gems and thin, long, delicate, silver chains fixed to his ears. He wore black jeans that hugged his legs and showed everything off, and an oversized white button up shirt with thin black stripes running vertically, a red and black blazer hanging off his one shoulder, from his fall. He looked up at her with the most mesmerizing crystal blue eyes, his thick lashes leaving dramatic shadows cast along his prominent cheekbones. Thick, rose pink lips pulled up into a smirk as he looked into her eyes. Dotted around his face were little beauty marks, they only added to his handsome features. Pushing himself into a sitting position he lazily rolled his head back to look at her better; his sharp jaw on display, along with smooth and unblemished skin no mortal could ever posses.
"Hello, I'm Kim Taehyung." He said, breaking her from her staring. His voice seemed to grow deeper the longer they stared at each other, sending a pleasant shiver to run down her spine. Slowly standing to his full height he then bowed to her. She couldn't help but wonder just how his voice could possibly be that deep, it didn't match the smirk nor did it match his thin frame. He was at least 30cm taller than her. His long limbs hidden beneath his baggy shirt, but what she could see of his legs, he was lean. There was something menacing hiding behind his eyes, but she couldn't quite see what it was before realizing she hadn't greeted the younger man.
Returning the gesture she straightened, analyzing the young man, taking in his features, feeling that same pinch of familiarity and longing she'd felt when looking at the castle a few minutes ago. There was something about this strange man that made her feel safe. Comfort radiated from his thin frame. Cocking his head to the side, allowing his thick blonde locks to fall into his eyes. His smirk fading turning into an excited smile. A glint in his crystal blue eyes making his whole face take on a childlike expression, something she couldn't help but admire. He was truly beautiful.
"You're her!" He exclaimed, rather loudly, drawing the attention of a few students passing by, only to shake their heads and continue on their way once realizing who it was. He quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her up the stairs leading to the large cherry wood doors that were left open to allow students access. He was silent the whole way, not that she minded it had been a few years since she'd spoken with anyone other than her loyal servants, and even then it was a quick update on her well being. However, his large warm hand wrapped around her delicate wrist made her feel at home, like this was a regular occurrence for them. Giving her a strange feeling, she didn't know this man and yet she was allowing him to not only touch her, but drag her into the castle she had sworn to never come near again.
Leading her up a second set of stairs to see the entryway of the castle. It had been modernized, tables scattered throughout, with chandeliers holding florescent lights instead of candles, the burgundy curtains left open to let in the light from the beautiful spring day outside, clear glass windows showing off the woods surrounding them. Her heart clenched painfully at the sight of her safe space now turned into something so easily accessible. People were milling around the corridors holding books or wearing backpacks as they walked. There were quite a few people leaning against the walls and sitting at the tables talking to each other, adding to the chaos surrounding her. Her eyes seemed to gravitate towards the grand staircase that used to be carpeted, now they were covered in a horrible looking tile, more than likely it was easier to clean, the west wing held more chatter, where as to the east she didn't see many people, assuming that's were most of the teachers offices were.
Memories of chasing her nephew through those hallways, hearing her brother shouting at her for riling up his child again, while his wife giggled and cheered her on behind him. Her father walking with her to bed as she talked to him about her fears of the future and giving her the best advice. Seeing her mother's smiling face as she walked out of the library with a large tome under her arm, only to invite her to sit and read with her in the gardens. Seeing Him walk out of his room, a loose cotton shirt hanging from his broad shoulders, and thin wool pants hanging off his hips precariously, running a hand through his thick chocolate brown locks as the candles flickered above him; making her heart flutter as he smiled at her in that way he only did for her. Hearing that angelic voice drift up through the corridors from the music room as her friend played the piano expertly, his unique laugh ringing through the room when he messed up. Watching her brothers race through the halls shouting and laughing as they played. Hearing her mother's laugh tinkling through to her room as she sat in front of her mirror getting ready for bed. Guilt and heartache found her again, threatening to drown her as she walked the familiar halls. The man holding her wrist stopped suddenly causing her to gently run into his back. He let out an amused chuckle before pointing up to the large portrait of a woman stood tall at the top of her once grand staircase.
The woman looked tall and strong, her once beautiful face twisted into an expression of rage, distorting her caring nature, her lips pulled into a snarl and eyebrows furrowed. She stood barefoot on the broken wood, fire burning behind around her with licking at her ankles dramatically, the dark blues and golds bringing out the glowing celadon green of her eyes, her dark complexion accented by the different colored flames surrounding her. She wore a dress of pure silk, clinging to her curves, the top was a mixture of dark greens, blues, and deep reds; the ruffled dark blue skirt blowing around her thin legs showing a small amount of her thin brown legs. A strangely shaped knife held above her head, glinting in the light to show just how sharp it really was. Her black hair billowing around her, adding to the effect. She looked like an angel sent from heaven to avenge the injustices done to her people. She was magnificently beautiful and yet something to be feared. The image of herself represented in the painting was surreal.
Without saying a word she felt herself step closer to the portrait, her delicate fingers reaching out for the painting. Her eyes flashing silver as memories of her past threatened to overtake her, the sights and sounds crashing behind her eyes to be remembered first. The lights around her flickering dangerously as the wind outside began to pick up, thunder crackling menacingly overhead.
Memories of that fateful day playing out in her mind, the screams of her people, the smell of burning wood and blood hanging in the air, the sight of her beloved mother's cold dead eyes staring back at her, her powers uncontrollable as she watched her family die before her and she was powerless to stop it-
"Shut the damn doors!" A voice bellowed from her right, drawing her out of the past and back into the mess she was unconsciously making. As suddenly as the storm started it finished, leaving students running around trying to pick up the things scattered throughout the entrance hall, complaining of the strange weather and their papers being ruined. Teachers rushing from the west wing to assist. Turning her head slightly she saw a man she'd hoped died all those years ago. His beautiful face still the same as her nightmares.