"What was that last thing you did after hacking into your server?" Vanderwood questioned.
Looking up, Saeyoung raised a brow in Vanderwood's direction.
"I saw you writing some strange script"
Scrunching his brow, he remembered when he typed in the messenger before V's phone died, the bluenette sitting in a corner in their cell.
"Oh, that" Saeyoung returned his gaze back to the brunette in his lap "It's the calling command for Meowy, the robot cat I made. I made the language, so it'd look like gibberish to you" Briefly catching Vanderwood's look of amazement, he continued with his previous activity. Running his fingers through brown hair.
After another few minutes of silence, the echo of a soft buzz rang through the stone hallway. Confused, everyone except Saeyoung turned to look out the cell. As they peered out a small white cat wheeled its way between the iron bars, only stopping in front of its creator.
Seeing the creation Vanderwood backpedaled away from robot "Oh god! Isn't that the one that spits fire? Why did you call this thing?!"
Ignoring his panicked ex-supervisor, Saeyoung patted the robot cat, the cat's eyes turning into smiles as it was pat.
"Good job, Meowy. I'm glad I put a lot of care into the evasion algorithm"
"Hey Saeyoung," The red head looked down at MC who had called him "you made Meowy as gift for me, right?" The brunette's eyes went to the white cat before returning to him.
"Yeah" Saeyoung looked at the wheel-fitted feet on the robot, the fur on the paws was dirty "Is there something wrong with him…?"
Hearing the concern in Saeyoung's voice, MC put his hands up "No, no. He's wonderful. I'm just wondering…" He glanced at Meowy "Why would he need an 'evasion algorithm'?"
Saeyoung stuttered a response as MC began to smile "Were you going to use him to scare me?" MC chuckled as the red head turned away muttering a refusal. "Gotcha"
Feeling MC flick his nose, the red head turned back and grabbed the retreating fingers. Without giving MC a moment to react he leaned forward; biting the fingers gently, flicking his tongue on the tips, smirking as MCs face turned red.
"Ugh. No PDA please…"
Pausing, Saeyoung looked up to see Vanderwood turned away and covering his eyes, V doing the same.
Rolling his eyes, he kissed the finger tips before releasing them.
Clearing his throat, Vanderwood pointed to the cat "What's in its mouth, a tomato?"
"Yeah, I saw some growing north of the building through the satellite before we left" Saeyoung patted MCs head at the mention of 'we'
"Spitting out tomatoes meow…! Five in total meow!" Opening its mouth five small, red tomatoes fell onto the floor.
"Gahh! Did it just throw up?!"
Once again ignoring Vanderwood, Saeyoung picked up one of the fruit and handed it to MC "Here, MC… eat this"
MC took the tomato, looking at it he placing it against Saeyoung's lips, the red head looking down at him curiously "As I've said before, I won't eat if you don't eat"
With a sigh, knowing he couldn't convince MC to eat otherwise, he took it and placed it in his mouth, chewing. MC ate one soon after.
After MC had handed a tomato to both Vanderwood and V, Saeyoung displeased but staying quiet when the bluenette was handed food, Saeyoung turned back to the robot cat "Meowy, how's the security here?"
Being called, Meowy closed its mouth, blue eyes lighting up once again "Three humans are guarding staircase meow. And a woman caught me on my way meow"
"Which woman?" Attention now on the cat, they all began to dread the answer to Saeyoung's question.
"Long blonde hair meow!" As if proud of itself, Meowy spun around in a circle, stopping as it faced the hallway.
"You don't think…" V mumbled from the corner, stopping mid bite of his tomato.
"I knew you were a genius the moment I saw you. I can't believe you made that cat" A feminine chuckle echoed through the halls as someone stepped into view of the cell.
"Her meow!" Meowy piped up as Rika turned to face them all.
"We're in trouble, aren't we…" Vanderwood groaned.
"…I'm sure you were shocked when you saw Saeran, but you have to admire his loyalty. He even got a tattoo of Mint Eye on his arm" Turning to Saeyoung she smiled "You'll have to get one too… it's good for twins to stay twins…"
"What did you do to Saeran?!" Saeyoung yelled back to her.
Rika laughed as she stood straight "I saved him. And I'll save you as well soon. But I'll take time to make sure your brains are happy. The process isn't… easy but, Saeran went through it too" She looked down at MC who had since sat up "Don't worry, even if you refused my offer, you will still be of great use to Mint Eye, so I'll take extra time saving you"
"You hurt my brother, now you're threatening MC?! What gives you the right to do that?! I'll never forgive you!" As Saeyoung tried to stand up MC pulled on his sweater.
"You're still hurt, please don't…" MC gripped Saeyoung's sleeve, lightly tugging on it.
Seeing MC pleading and his wound beginning to ache, he sighed. Sitting himself next to MC, the brunette wrapping his arms around him. Saeyoung tuned out Rika and V as they argued.
Finally, after the lover's quarrel, everyone was lead out of their cell.
"For Mint Eye's everlasting paradise!" Several robed believer's chanted as MC, Saeyoung, Vanderwood and V were led into the throne room.
"Let us guide the sinners to heaven through the holy cleanse!" They chanted once more, the believers all raising their hands up in a praying motion.
Vanderwood eyed each of them with shock and fear "What the hell is up with this place…? What good that SOS you sent out did"
Stumbling as he was ushered forward, Saeyoung glared at the believer behind him before turning to Vanderwood "I'm sure Jumin saw it. But he's far away, it'll take more than five hours by car…"
Vanderwood groaned "It's been three so far, are we going to be alive when he gets here?"
Saeyoung turned away from Vanderwood, not wanting to think about if they weren't saved. Stepping closer to MC, he whispered into his ear. "MC… I'll stall for time. Please be safe Jumin arrives"
MC turned to Saeyoung as they were stopped, but as he spoke, another believer shouting overpowered his voice and speech.
"It's the Saviour!"
'What?' Saeyoung mouthed to the brunette. But before he could repeat what he said, someone began speaking.
"For everlasting paradise…" Rika stated as she stepped in front of her throne.
"For everlasting paradise!" The believers shouted in praise.
Smiling, Rika hushed the remaining whispers in the room before addressing the small crowd. "Welcome everyone. We will now begin the cleansing ceremony for new believers" The believers all cheered at the news, MC even catching some of them smiling at them while others sneered at them in jealousy.
"These three here will cleanse themselves of the lies told to them by the world" The room went silent as they turned back to Rika "They will give their all to endure the cleansing, soon pleading to the party of paradise that only pursues everlasting happiness, love, and joy!"
"But before then-" Rika gestured to V, a pair of guards grabbed him and dragged him to Rika. As he was brought to her and the guards released him, he fell to his knees in front of her "-we will proceed with the cleansing ceremony for the arrogant sinner…"
Over the praising crowd Saeyoung heard Vanderwood say something about 'torture' and 'failed agents'. Immedietly knowing the long-haired man was talking about he shivered, not wanting to know what was going to happen.
"Saviour…!" The praising stopped as a white-haired man, Saeran, barged into the room "You said you wouldn't accept Luciel as a believer!" Seeing the red head Saeran snared at him.
As Saeran made his way towards his Saviour, Rika sighed "Saeyoung will be a great asset to Mint Eye, I have told you that, Saeran. Do not interrupt the ceremony, now, leave"
Balling his fists, he swung them back, nearly hitting a believer in his anger "I'm better than him! You told me I'm better than him! You said I have greater potential!"
Rika shook her head, not at all fazed by Searan's fit. "Saeran," She looked at him pitifully "I gave you your chance, yet you never defeated Saeyoung, you even failed to retrieve the Prince of Paradise. You failed, and you must learn to accept that fact"
Stuttering to speak, Saeran stepped back, his fists turning white from his grip "You… you promised… you promised that I would get my revenge…! I risked my like to bring them here but you're going to let him live? He's even invited to our everlasting party?!"
As Saeran continued to yell and question Rika, Saeyoung and Vanderwood were whispering to each other. They were too quiet for MC to hear what they were saying.
"Saeran, how very foolish you are" Rika closed her eyes, sighing as she shook her head "Oh well, I suppose we must rid the tree of rotten fruit if we are to expect a bountiful harvest…"
"What…?" Saeran looked at her confused before becoming angry once again "You mean I have to be happy with him here? He has no right to be happy. Ever! You're the one who told me what he did to me!"
Rika nodded "I did. Mint Eye works for a greater and more beautiful future…! You did well bringing him here. You will be rewarded considerably"
Saeran took a step towards Rika. Fists white at his sides "The only reward I need is seeing Luciel's corpse! Letting him live is betraying my faith!"
Sighing again, only this one more annoyed, she turned to the crowed "Guards?"
"Yes, Saviour!" One of the robed men by MC responded, leaving his side to reach Rika.
As tears began to trickle down Saeran's face he franticly gestured to Saeyoung "Luciel! He won't be able to use his arm anymore…! He's useless, just get rid of him! True paradise will only be achieved once he's gone…!"
As the guard reached Rika she turned to him, her face evident of her annoyed state "Take Saeran away. He needs the elixir, a stronger dose this time"
"Yes madam" The guard bowed and approached Saeran.
"No… I can't let you take Saeran. Not again…!" Bolting, Saeyoung pushed through the believer guards and ran in front of Saeran.
"No… Don't take my brother... Stop all this… If you take my brother, I'll… I'll destroy every one of you!" Defending Saeran, tears started to roll down Saeyoung's face "All of you…! Stop it. Stop doing this to my family!"
"Stop it… we're going home…"
From behind Saeyoung, Saeran glared and snared at his twin "You dare block me…?! You dare?! I'll kill you!"
Huffing Saeyoung looked behind to Saeran "Saeran… please… let's go home…" His breathing got slower as he began to slump "Let's go… back home…"
"Hey… Seven!" Vanderwood shouted as Saeyoung fell to his knees, his breathing becoming increasingly irregular as his body shock.
He had collapsed but still seemed conscious.
"What…?" Saeran mumbled, looking down at the fallen Saeyoung.
"Take away the injured one! Lock the other one up!" Rika ordered, multiple guards now closing in on Saeyoung and Saeran.
"What…? N… no…" Saeran continued to stare at Saeyoung as guards circled them "No…"
"Do not resist!" A believer ordered.
"N… No! Get away from me!" Reaching into his jacket Saeran pulled out a silver handgun "All of you! Don't come near me…!" As one of the guards stepped forward he pointed it at them "If you do… I'm going to shoot you!"
To prove his point, Saeran pulled the hammer back, a 'click' sounding as it went back into place.
As he waved the loaded weapon around the guards slowly backed off, stepping away from Saeran fully knowing he would shoot. As they retreated, other guards escorted believers out of the throne room.
With the room quieter, nearly all the believers gone besides a few guards, MC turned to Vanderwood. "Move away. Slowly"
Vanderwood, confused, stayed put. Only did he move when he looked to MC, the male showing now signs of fear despite shaking.
Raising his hands up showing his palms, MC stepped forward.
"The hell are you doing…?!" Vanderwood whisper-shouted at the brunette. Though he was ignored as MC took another step.
"Saeran…" MC called.
Hearing him Saeran turned and pointed the gun at him "Stay back! Stay. Back!" His eyes swirled mint with adrenaline, ready to do anything at any moment.
"Saeran…" He called again. This time getting Saeran's full attention as he grabbed the handle of the gun with both hands, body still as he pointed it at MC.
Still MC stayed calm.
"Get away from me!" He shouted again finger tensing on the trigger.
"Saeran… I'm not going to hurt you… I promise…" As MC took another step, Saeran groaned, grabbing the side of his head.
"Ugh… my… my head… it hurts…!" His body now visibly shaking, Saeran groaned again.
"Trust me Saeran… show me your arm please. I'm not going to hurt you… I promise…" The young voice of a glasses wearing red head said to another red head, the second one injured.
…
"…Saeyoung… where are you?" A childlike voice asked, tears forming in the child's amber eyes.
"Where are you…? Where did you go leaving me with mommy? Did daddy get you…" Concern filled the child's voice as he searched franticly.
"Saeyoung… I'm hungry… I'm lonely… Mommy's scaring me" The child hid from a stumbling adult, the adult yelling at the hidden child.
"I'm hurt, Saeyoung… you said you'd never hurt me… I'm hurt all over… you promised…" The child cried.
"Saeyoung abandoned me" An older looking version of the child stated coldly.
"No… He would never" The child looked confused.
"He abandoned his real name and became Luciel. He left by himself" The older version shed no tears while the younger teared up.
"There's no way he left me… It's all a lie…!" The child denied.
"He forgot all about me and is living a good life" The older huffed.
"He believed in God, so I'll pray to him too. If you know where he is… please tell me. Just tell me he's okay. I'm weak and worthless…"
"Saeyoung abandoned me. So, I'm praying to you, Saviour. If you know where he is, please tell me. I'm going to kill him so he can never lie to me again"
"He did not abandon me…"
"He abandoned me, abandoned you. Ray"
"I miss you, Saeyoung…"
"The day I see you again, I will make you writhe in pain!"
"God…" Saeran held his head as he grits his teeth "Ugh… what... My head… it hurts…"
V mumbled something to Rika, who drew away from Saeran, moving closer to the remaining believers.
"My head…" Saeran repeated "I feel like my head's going to explode…!" Tears spilt down Searan's face as he gripped his head.
"Disciples!" Rika addressed the remaining believers and guards "Do not be scared! This is only a test given to us!" She turned to a guard "Give him the elixir! Give Saeran the Elixir of Salvation… Now!"
"Saeran…? Are you all right?" MC stepped forward, his hands clasped together in worry.
"My head… Shut up!" He raised his head up, once again pointing the gun at people "Just… Shut up! Ugh… too much noise… my head hurts... Damn it…!"
Saeran turned to Rika, tears falling from his eyes while they still swirled unpredictably "Saviour, there's no way you'd do this to me… You're the one who… who saved me! You're the first person who truly loved me…!" He stepped towards her, the guards moved closer to her as he moved "You'd never betray me…!"
"There's no way you'd do this to me…" Saeran stayed silent before speaking up, his voice quiet "But you've changed…"
Gritting his teeth Saeran turned to V "Ever since that man came…!" Saeran screamed in anger, frustration and every other word that could describe pure rage.
Hearing Saeran's lines, MC stood, stunned. In panic, he focused on V and Saeran… For a moment their forms turned into blurs. A black blur holding a gray object in front of a blue blur. They both regained their shape.
"This is all because of you…" Hissing in anger, Saeran raised his gun towards V "It's all because of you… that this happened to me!"
MC. He knew what was going to happen…
In a flurry, MC dashed to V.
"NO!"
BANG