Habaek was in a good mood.
It had been a good day for him, even if it didn't live up to his kingly standards. He'd found some work as a deckhand, having impressed the owner with his knowledge of river depth, currents, weather patterns, and fishng spots – he was a river god, after all – even though he'd never worked on a boat before. The owner, who incidentally was also the cousin of Namsuri's duck boat boss, had promised Habaek that he would keep the job for him if he was able to come for the rest of the week. Soon he'd be able to earn the all-powerful money for So-ah, and they would be set for life.
But when he neared So-ah's clinic, he knew something was wrong. There was an uncharacteristic chill in the air, as well as something else that didn't sit right with him. The lights in the clinic were off, even though So-ah should be there. He checked his phone, but there was nothing from her. Worried, he quickened his pace.
The door was unlocked, and he rushed in, only growing more concerned when he saw So-ah's assistant on the floor. Habaek cursed, and went over to him, placing a hand on the human's neck. He was alive, just unconscious. Satisfied that her nurse was fine for now, Habaek started searching for So-ah herself.
"So-ah!" he called, opening the door to her downstairs office. "So-ah!"
It was so dark, even he, with his superior divine eyes, had trouble seeing. A small tornado was raging in the middle of the room, whirling papers, office supplies, and even a chair around within itself; its appearance took Habaek back a bit, because that was definitely not supposed to be here, but he pushed away his surprise to focus on So-ah. He found her lying on the floor by her desk, unmoving on the ground. He took the remaining steps two at a time and rushed to her side. Just as he reached her, he saw, out of the corner of his eye, the mini tornado throw the chair out of its current, heading straight for them.
A tingle, and then a rush of power flowed through him, powerful and fluid like the water he commanded; he raised both hands, sending a jet of water at the chair that cut it in half and left the two pieces crashing to the ground, and another at the tornado itself, interrupting its flow and causing it to sputter out. Inexplicably, once the tornado was gone the lights returned, blinding after the near-total darkness. Habaek blinked a moment to adjust his eyes, and then knelt down to check on So-ah.
His fingers found a pulse, slower than usual but steady, and he breathed a sigh of relief. She was alive. That was the most important thing - no god, even with their powers working, could bring back the dead, and Habaek was terrified, not just of losing her to death sooner than he should, but the lengths he knew he would go to if that happened.
He tried shaking her, but to no avail. "So-ah," he said, slapping her face a bit. "So-ah, wake up. You need to show me you're alright. So-ah. So-ah, I order you to wake up."
After some more jostling, the woman let out a low groan, and her eyes flickered open. A look of confusion appeared on her face, but then realization hit, and she bolted upright.
"Ha - ahhhh, that hurts," So-ah cried, placing a hand on the back of her head and wincing. "Ha - Habaek, you're here! Wh-what happened?"
Habaek ignored her question, looking her over. She was dirty and had a few cuts on her face, and when he gently placed his own hand on the back of her head, he felt a bump forming. He pressed his lips into a thin line and concentrated, gathering the last remnants of power he could already feel slipping away, healing what he hoped was most of her injuries. His powers faded then, but so, too, did the bump, and her shallower cuts closed completely.
"Habaek? What...what happened? There - there was a - a blackout, and - and then it was so windy, I fell, and..." She gripped his shirt all of a sudden. "Sang-yoo! Is he alright? I heard him upstairs, but - what happened to Sang-yoo?" She tried to stand, but was shaky, and quickly fell down again; Habaek gripped her arm and pulled her, slowly, to her feet.
"He's alive," Habaek answered. He couldn't commit to more than that. "He's upstairs, still." He held onto So-ah as she walked, trying to get to the stairs as fast as she could. When they got upstairs and reached Sang-yoo, she knelt to the ground again and, as Habaek did, felt for his pulse and breath.
"Sang-yoo," she said, shaking him. "Sang-yoo, wake up! Come on, you punk, wake up! If you don't, I'll, I'll, I'll fire you!" Sang-yoo must have hit his head harder than So-ah - or, Habaek thought darkly, someone had hit him harder - because he did not wake, even with his job hanging in the balance. So-ah looked at Habaek, expression fearful.
"We have to get him to a hospital," she said. "He - he could have brain damage, or a concussion, or - and I should get checked, too, just in case -"
"You're fine," Habaek interrupted. "I healed you." He didn't wait for her to answer, instead grabbing his phone and dialing 119. He kept the conversation as short as possible, requesting an ambulance and giving the address. When he was done, he pulled So-ah to her feet again, and then lifted Sang-yoo, picking him up in his arms bridal-style.
"Stay with me," he told So-ah. She nodded, though kept her gaze on Sang-yoo. Habaek wasn't sure what to think of the nurse - he spoke too much for the god's liking, and disrespectfully, and didn't approve of their relationship, mortal-minded as he was. But Habaek also knew, despite her act, that So-ah cared for Sang-yoo and would be devastated if something happened to him.
"Habaek?" The god looked over. So-ah was biting her lip, and when she raised her gaze to meet his, confusion was mixed with the worry and fear. "What...what happened? Was it an attack? Why?"
Habaek took a while to answer. Finally, he sighed, and said. "I don't know." A steely glint entered his eyes. "But I'm going to find out."
...
Sky Country, Realm of the Gods
1,020 years ago
A gentle breeze blew by, bending the flowers in the Royal Gardens. The Gardens, just like the rest of the palace grounds, was situated on a the largest floating island in Sky Country. Here, clouds were solid enough to sit on, and though there were pathways between the grounded and ungrounded properties, most Sky citizens simply flew between them, grabbed onto passing clouds, or rode on the winds.
"Wait, wait, you're what?"
Bi Ryeom pressed his lips into a thin line, then repeated himself, "I'm breaking up with you, Chun Hoo. We're over."
Chun Hoo stared at him. Her hair, loose today, instead of tied back or braided, was swept to the right by one of the constant breezes. "You...you're not serious. All because...because of what?"
The wind god sighed. "Come on, I know you're quicker than this. Our relationship is over. I'm...I'm engaged to be married. To Lady Mura."
Chun Hoo's eyes widened. "Mura? Of Water Country? You're - engaged - to the witch?"
His eyes flashed then, and he took a step toward her, angry now even though he'd wanted to keep this friendly. "Don't call her that. She's a goddess. The Water prince declared it so."
"Oh, so what?" Chun Hoo sneered now, an ugly look on her otherwise pretty face. "She can call herself a goddess all she likes, but the High Priest doesn't make mistakes - he called her the Witch of the Chung Yo Mountains when interpreting her fate, not a goddess. You and Habaek are the only ones who call her that."
"Well, she has all the powers and attritbutes of a goddess, so what does it matter?" Bi Ryeom countered. He turned his head away, wishing this were over. He'd planned to have a very short conversation about this, but already it was longer than he'd like.
Chun Hoo was shaking her head. "I can't believe this. Is this - is it my fault? Did I do something to displease you? Why - why are you doing this, Bi Ryeom?" Reluctantly, Bi Ryeom turned back to face her, and, to his horror, he could see tears glistening in her eyes. "Don't you care about me at all?"
"Chun Hoo -" he started, but found he couldn't continue. Right or wrong, his whole heart belonged to Mura, and he thought he could ignore that and just be with Chun Hoo - nobody expected gods to stay faithful forever, after all, a practice that explained his frequent dalliances nicely - but apparently not.
He reached a hand out, to touch her face, but she pulled back with a start, as if afraid he would hurt her. Well, he already had. She swallowed, twice, and then she raised her chin defiantly. Her tone was icy as she said, "Well, fine, you stupid god. It's not like I cared for you, either. You're just a troublemaker sticking your nose into every other country's business but neglect your own. And you know, that's the only reason I was with you - the king thought I could make you more patriotic. He ordered me to accept your courting." Her hands curled into fists. "You hear me, Bi Ryeom? Do you get it? What do you have to say to that?!"
He stared at her. Finally, he replied, "I'm sorry."
She looked back at him incredulously. "You're sorry? That's your response? Why?!"
"I'm sorry," he repeated, taking a step closer; she didn't draw away this time. "If you say that to me, then I am sorry...for turning you into a liar, like me."
Slap. Bi Ryeom swallowed, letting the initial sting of the slap fade away before turning back to her.
"It's not going to end well," she promised. "You may love her, Bi Ryeom, but she doesn't love you. She doesn't even care about you. The three of you...you, Mura, Habaek...you're all just running after pain and heartbreak. When is it going to end? When will you end it?"
He didn't answer, and she just shook her head sadly. "Fine. Whatever. Congratulations. I hope you're very happy together." She spun on her heel and then called the winds to her, lifting her up and away. He watched her go until she was just a spec in the distance, and then sighed, turning into a hawk and heading in the opposite direction - towards Water Country and his new fiancée.
"...Ryeom. Bi Ryeom. Bi Ryeom!"
Bi Ryeom's head snapped up, turning until he met Mura's gaze. She was looking at him oddly, an eyebrow raised. They were sitting at the table in the kitchen, eating inside for a change. Mura thought eating in their own apartment made even less sense than going out, but she'd been in a gracious mood today and had agreed to his request readily enough.
"What is wrong with you today?" she demanded now. "You haven't heard a word I've said tonight, and you keep spacing out. Why?"
"Ah, sorry," he replied, trying to sound casual. "I was just...thinking."
Mura rolled her eyes. Well, duh, the action seemed to say. "About what?"
Bi Ryeom set his unused fork down, deciding what to tell her. He didn't want her to know Chun Hoo was here – he wanted to keep their life here simple, with no complications from other deities, but he had to tell her something. Finally, in a quiet voice, he said, "I've been thinking...about going back to Sky Country. To visit, or something," he added quickly.
Mura blinked, clearly surprised. "Oh. Well...that makes sense, then. We don't have to stay in the human realm anymore because of the God Stones, after all. When...when did you want to go?"
"I didn't say I'm doing it, I just said I'm thinking about it," Bi Ryeom snapped, harsher than he meant. Mura pulled back, startled, then set her lips in a line. She took the napkin off her lap, placing it on the table, and then rose from her seat. B Ryeom sighed, and got up as well, following her to her room.
"Mura –" he tried, but she closed the door on him with a firm snap. He grimaced, leaning against the door. That had probably cost him quite a few steps.
The buzzing of his phone pulled him from his thoughts. Fishing it out of his pocket, he saw that it was Habaek. He frowned when he saw it, but answered nonetheless – it was a distraction, at least.
"Habaek, if this is you calling for money again –"
"So-ah's been attacked," Habaek interrupted, tone hard.
That was not what Bi Ryeom expected to hear. "What?"
Mura had opened the door a crack when she'd heard Habaek's name – of course she did – and so he put the other on speakerphone.
"She was attacked at her clinic," Habaek said. "I need to find out who did it. It was clearly not of a human nature."
"What?" Mura broke in, leaning closer to the phone in By Ryeom's hand. "Habaek, are you alright? Where are you?"
"What makes you say the attacker wasn't human?" Bi Ryeom added.
"I'm at the hospital closest to her practice. So-ah and her nurse needed to be looked at. I'm fine. But there was a blackout, and a tornado in her office, and when it disappeared the lights came back on."
"A tornado?" Mura repeated, confused. Bi Ryeom clenched his jaw. Surely it couldn't be...
"Bi Ryeom," Habaek said.
"Huh? What?" the wind god answered.
"I need you to contact the minor gods. Make them tell you if they know anything." The king to-be's tone grew darker. "Or if one of them did it."
Bi Ryeom swallowed. "Yeah. Alright. I'll do that."
"Habaek, stay where you are," Mura ordered. "I'm coming to you. You'll need someone with powers in case they come back."
"Alright." The line went dead then; Habaek had hung up.
Before Mura could go, B Ryeom reached out and caught her wrist. She looked at him questioningly. "Hey," he said, voice serious, "be careful."
She searched his face, looking for what he didn't know, but then she nodded. "You, too." Then she offered a tiny smile and raised his hand to her lips, kissing it. There – forgiveness. Then she pulled away, out of his grasp, and disappeared in the blink of an eye, off to protect her king.
Bi Ryeom sighed, before disappearing himself – he had someone to find.
A.N. The idea of Mura being a "witch" instead of a goddess comes from the manwha (and Habaek's kindness in calling her a goddess being one of the reasons she loves him). Curious, how many of you readers have read the manwha, or just watched the show, or both read and watched?