Body, Mind, Spirit, and Heart

"Are you sure you're not staying any longer?" Yizhuo whined as she stretched languidly on the bed, the sheets curled around her naked body as I finished dressing up. "We could still go for another round, maybe at the shower?" She said with a seductive wink.

I looked out at the window — dawn is breaking. The sun's rays are still not visible but the sky is gradually losing its darkness.

"Tempting," I replied, although it was just a half-truth. "But what would Minjeong and Eunchae say if they walk in on us?" I asked after buttoning my pants back on.

"Hmmm. Fine," Yizhuo grumbled.

"So, I should get going," I said as cheerfully as I can.

"I'll walk you to the door," Yizhuo replied enthusiastically as she unwrapped herself from the sheets, exposing her nakedness once again to me. She looked so soft that I was tempted to jump back in bed with her — but no, I have more important things to deal with. I already had my escape last night, better not to abuse it or else, trigger some bad karma.

"Fine," I sighed.

Yizhuo wrapped her arms around mine and started walking me out of their dorm. She was purposefully pressing her breasts on my arm — an invitation I am fighting the urge to take.

We stopped at the door, our eyes looking curiously at the envelope not too different from the one Sakura and Haerin had when they delivered the werebeasts invitation to train me. The envelope lay at the threshold of the door, just waiting to be opened.

"Looks like it was slipped under," I observed.

"I'll pick it up," Yizhuo perked, letting go of my arm and bending over to pick up the envelope. I watched her then realized she just saw another opportunity to seduce me.

The girl bent slowly, emphasizing her naked butt and her exposed wetness to me. She gave her butt a quick wiggle — another invitation — and I answered with a light tap of her butt.

"I said I have to go, Ning Yizhuo. Stop doing that," I sighed.

Yizhuo giggled, "Worth the tease." She tore the envelope open and unfolded the letter within. She wrapped an arm around me, and began reading the letter with her other hand.

"Kim Minjeong and Ning Yizhuo," she began. "This is in response to Seren's request to give both of you some notes in covert operations. You will be picked up at lunch time. Stay in your dorms until you hear either a cat scratching on your window or a bird pecking at it. MS."

"MS?" Yizhuo furrowed in confusion.

"Miyawaki Sakura," I answered. "She's going to give you some tips while I train later."

"Oh," Yizhuo's eyes light up. "Minjeong's going to love this."

"Would you tell her when she arrives?" I asked, "And, when Eunchae has left," I added.

Yizhuo nodded, then her eyes dropped to my lips, the intent inside them as clear as day.

"Ning Yizhuo —"

"Just one kiss, Seren… before you go."

I rolled my eyes then sighed, "Fine."

Yizhuo smiled widely before looping her arms around my neck and pulling me in for a wet and sloppy kiss. Tongues clashed as she pressed her naked body against my clothed one. My hands reflexively squeezed her waist, and her moans threatened to chain me inside their dorm.

I pulled away before I go over the edge. "I have to go," I whispered.

"Can we do this again?" Yizhuo whispered back.

"I don't know," I replied.

"I'd love to do it again."

My lips curved into a soft smirk before planting a deep kiss on her lips. I pulled away, opened the door, and with one final wave goodbye which was answered by a pouting Yizhuo, I closed it behind me just in time to hear the familiar sound of Eunchae's portal manifesting inside the dorm.

I gave a sigh of relief — that was close, though I was worried how Yizhuo would explain why she was buck naked. Well, the important thing is — they didn't catch me still inside as I heard muffled shrieks and laughter echo from within their dormitory.

"You smell like sex," Yuna greeted.

"Woah! Good morning to you too." I greeted back. "And what are you talking about?" 

The location Yuna sent was a small hill south of Verrath. We can see the cityscape at the peak of the hill. It had a small grove of trees and a smaller stream trickling eastward. The fae met me wearing a fitting shirt, shorts, and a thin see through cardigan. She looked like she just came out of a run or a workout routine without even sweating.

I was sure I showered back home though, is fae sense of smell strong enough to smell through soap, shampoo, and cologne? But she's fae — she can't lie. Which must mean she can smell that I had sex.

"Was it Minjeong or Yizhuo? Or both of them at the same time?" The fae asked, drawing herself closer and sniffing me as we walk towards the small grove.

"The hell, Shin Yuna," I exclaimed.

"Right. Must be Ning Yizhuo. Chaewon will kill you if you have sex with her sister," Yuna continued despite my protest.

"Shin Yuna," I sighed, already weary despite still in the early stages of the morning.

"What? I don't mind who you have sex with. I'm just stating that you smell like sex. No need to be so defensive about it," Yuna snickered.

And again — the girl can't lie. Which only made me feel stupid for actually being defensive.

"So was it good?" Yuna asked with a mischievous grin.

"Yuna!"

Yuna laughed, hearty and full. I would have loved the sound of it if only she wasn't laughing at my expense.

"Alright, alright. I'm just messing with you," Yuna giggled.

We arrived at the grove of trees. In the middle was a circle of small stones. And in the middle sat Sullyoon, in a simple tshirt and track shorts. The dryad looked to be meditating with her eyes closed — or feeding since she angled herself toward the sun.

"So, how do we go about this?" I asked.

"I don't know," Yuna replied. "Which one do you want to tackle first, I guess."

Which one should I tackle first? Flora manipulation or fae glamour. The former seemed easier since I've already done it once and exhibited a sloppy degree of control over it. The latter though, it was only a suspicion borne out of the weird behavior of Ning Yizhuo during our first shift together at the Archives nearly two weeks ago.

"Fae glamour," I answered, making Yuna tilt her head in curiosity.

"I don't really know how it works, or if I really did assimilate that from you. So I think now would be a good time to confirm it."

Yuna nodded, then turned to Sullyoon, "We'll move a little bit further, YoonAh. We'll come back to you in maybe an hour or two."

Sullyoon didn't give any indication that she heard us. Yuna just nodded her head once, looked at me, wrapped an arm around mine, and led me towards the peak of the hill.

"Nice view," I said as we stood at the summit. Verrath sprawled in front of us. The suburbs and residential zones spread loosely to the south and the west with scattered patches of parks and light forests while the city center stretched to the north. We can see both the Archives and the College from where we stood while the royal mansion stood in the plateau of a higher hill further northward. Finally, the industrial and corporate complexes towered to the east, ending with the port of Verrath stretching along the coast.

"It looks so peaceful, looking from this far away," Yuna laced her hand on mine. The wind blew our way, whipping her hair and making her look unnaturally beautiful in her flowing red hair.

I released a heavy breath, thankful for the lightness of the air in this place of nature as opposed to the heavy and oppressive air of the city. I didn't even realize the difference until now.

"I can't believe I nearly died thrice in this city," I said after a few moments.

"Which is why we're here," Yuna replied softly, "to help you defend yourself. So you can also protect the people you hold dear."

I looked at Shin Yuna. "You really look better in casual clothes, Yuna," I remarked, illiciting an enchantingly soft smile from the fae.

She let my hand go then faced me, "Let's start," she said in a light and positive tone, "before you make me fall for you like you did with Jimin and Chaeryoung," Yuna teased. And again — she can't lie, and I don't know whether what she said was a good thing or a bad one.

I gave a light and airy chuckle but decided not to give any snarky comebacks. "So, how should we start?"

"First, I'm curious why you're saying that you took fae glamour from me. What made you say so?" Yuna asked.

I recalled that first shift with Ning Yizhuo at the Archives. "It was two weeks ago," I began, Yuna giving me a serious look. "It was my first shift with Yizhuo at the Archives — my first shift after we were attacked there and the management decided to rotate the shifts and their partners."

"Mhmm," Yuna hummed, silently urging me to keep going.

"We were both just… talking," I continued, "then there was some change, or, or, shift."

Yuna tilted her head in curiosity.

"She ran to the aisles, then when I found her, she seemed… not herself."

"How so?" Yuna asked.

"She seemed… entranced, enchanted… she jumped me, offering herself, her body to me. Then another change… and she was back to normal, well, not entirely normal. She said she felt like her mind was fuzzy, and she felt a little bit dizzy afterwards," I finished.

"And this happened…?" Yuna inquired.

"After the interview," I replied. "After we…" I caught myself before I could say what I was thinking about.

"After we had sex for the first time," Yuna said almost matter-of-factly. "You do know that there are ways other races use to enchant humans, don't you?"

"I do, but…"

Yuna nodded as she understood, "I was the first one you had sex with with that kind of ability."

I nodded. I felt blood and heat rise to my cheeks in embarrassment. "Until now, even," I whispered meekly.

Yuna gave a soft, proud smile, "That's flattering," she teased.

"Don't start, Shin Yuna," I chuckled softly.

Yuna raised her arms in mock surrender, "Alright. I was about to say something naughty but, if you say so," the fae remarked, grinning widely.

"So, what's your assessment?" I asked.

"I think I need to ask a few more questions. Did Yizhuo say something personal that might have triggered that… reaction?"

"Well, she said she admired me — especially when she saw footage of the Archives attack. And also…" I closed my eyes, embarrassment now drawn fully in red on my cheeks.

"And also?" Yuna asked softly.

I hesitated.

"No need to be embarrassed, Seren. I've seen everything you are, and you have nothing to be embarrassed about," Yuna said with a knowing grin, the seductress in her resurfacing for a few moments.

"Shut up," I said, chuckling in spite of myself.

"And also what?" Yuna chuckled back.

I sighed before finally replying, "And also she saw Jimin and me in the aisles in a rather… compromising position."

Yuna's eyes go wide, "You and Jimin were fucking in the Archives?"

"No, we're not fuck —" I sighed in frustration, making Yuna fix a curious gaze at me. "We were kissing and…"

"And what?"

"As far as you can get without having sex. Gods, Yuna, are you really going to make me say this?" I said in visible and audible discomfort.

"Worth a shot," Yuna teased. "I thought about sprinkling you with a little faerie dust just to make you spill more but unfortunately, you're resistant to it."

"Yuna," I said again, exhausted for the second time in a span of half an hour.

"Anyway, as for my assessment," Yuna began — finally, I thought. "If you did use glamour, you may have done it unconsciously, that's how some fae enchantresses discover they can manipulate glamour."

"But what is it exactly, fae glamour and faerie dust? Are they the same or are they different?" I asked.

"Where to start?" Yuna muttered to herself. She looked around us as if trying to find the words in the wind. "You could say that fae glamour exists because of faerie dust."

I tilted my head and Yuna laughed at my confusion.

"Sorry, Seren. I never was good at explaining things."

"It's fine, just… could you elaborate more?"

Yuna chewed at her lip while I waited patiently. Then —

"Faerie dust is the catalyst for the glamour that you see, Seren," a soft voice was carried by the wind as we stood. Yuna and I turned to see Sullyoon standing with her lips pursed, her hands behind her back, and the wind carrying her flowing black hair.

"Yuna is a natural at controlling faerie dust, that's why she'll have some difficulties explaining it to you," Sullyoon continued and Yuna let the wind blow her hair to cover the slight blushing of her cheeks.

"So it's the dust that makes the glamour possible?" I asked and Sullyoon nodded.

"The glamour is just the visual manifestation of what the caster wants others to see," Sullyoon continued.

"It is the most basic form of fae magic," Yuna added. "Manipulating faerie dust to alter visual perception and make people see what you want them to see."

To prove her point, Yuna waves her hand over her face and she was instantly glammed up. Heavy make up, a bright red lipstick that matched the color of her hair, and blood red eyes that could easily pass as a vampire's. She snapped her fingers and her features reverted to her previously bare face.

I stared in awe then said absently, "You look prettier without the glamour."

Yuna's cheeks burned redder than her hair. "Shut up," she whispered bashfully.

I looked back at Sullyoon who just blinked her eyes twice at both of us.

"So, um, what about that enchanting thing when you put people under your spell?" I asked, both to move forward and to break the tension.

"That," Yuna began, still a bit flustered, "is the more advanced application. The dust clouds visual perception when seen, but when in contact with another individual, particularly one who's not fae —"

"— either by blowing on their faces or making them ingest it," Sullyoon added with a sly look on her face, making Yuna and I chuckle. Those were the two methods Yuna attempted to do when she tried to place me under her spell.

"Yeah, those," Yuna quipped back sarcastically. "If you do those, you might be able to, at the very least, influence the target's actions for a few moments —"

"And at the very most?"

"Hallucinations, memory and sensory manipulation, even straight out enslavement if an enchantress is powerful enough, and the target knows nothing about it. They may even think they're doing it on their own free will," Yuna replied.

A shiver ran down my spine. Having the abilities of enchantresses laid out like this makes me grateful I'm resistant to its effects.

"This may be what happened between you and Yizhuo," Yuna continued. "It shows us two terrifying truths about you and the fae abilities you say you took from me: the first is that you have no control over it —" Yuna then hesitated before saying the second truth.

"And the second?" I asked curiously.

Yuna sighed before continuing, "The second is that you have the potential to access the advanced application."

I felt like a bomb was dropped on me. What Yuna said made me want to apologize to Yizhuo about what happened at the Archives that time, but it was quite a long time already, and we both just had sex last night, I doubt saying it would help our friendship in any way, shape, or form — especially now that she's accompanying Minjeong in infiltrating the siren cove.

"And all fae can do this?" I asked.

Yuna detected the anxiety in my voice as she answered tenderly, "No, not all. But it's strongest with females. Males can only usually access the basic level, with some gifted individuals like King Oberon being particularly proficient with the advanced application. The Lady of Spring is also one particular example of someone proficient with both applications."

"And Orion?" I asked cautiously, trying to gauge Yuna's reaction at the mention of her former master who subjected her to a week's worth of abuse just because she "failed" in her mission.

Sullyoon tensed and looked at Yuna in concern. Yuna winced slightly at the mention of Orion, she was quiet for a few moments as the wind blew gently upon the hill.

"Orion…" Yuna started hesitantly. "Orion is a gifted warrior. But like most of his Glade Lords, he only knows the basics of fae glamour. That's why he amplifies his power with his experiments and the artifacts and relics he collects. Who knows what he's truly capable now… him and his Wild Hunt," Yuna answered in a quieter tone but not quite able to hide the disdain and disgust in her voice.

"I'm… sorry… for bringing him up," I said meekly.

Yuna smiled softly, "It's fine, Seren. Just… kiss me everytime you mention him," she teasingly replied, though I can still hear a tinge of pain in her voice.

"Keep count, will you? I'll kiss you after this training," I replied with a gentle smile.

"Deal," Yuna returned the smile, Sullyoon  doing the same.

"So, where do I start? How do I start?" I asked, trying to steer our course back.

"From the basics, of course," Yuna replied.

"And that is?"

"When to release the faerie dust from your body."

I tilted my head in curiosity.

"What happened with Yizhuo was because you had no control nor awareness that faerie dust was released from your body. If you have control when to release it, then no such… mishaps," Yuna tried not to snicker as she said it, "would have happened."

"So faerie dust is something released from your body?" I asked, trying to ignore the embarrassment bubbling in my core.

Yuna nodded, "Remember when I tried to make you ingest my dust?"

I nodded back, "You sprinkled it on my cup of hot chocolate."

"And I held nothing else at the time," Yuna continued, "I spread it by dropping a generous amount from my palms directly to your cup as I stirred it." To prove her point, she raised her palm and dust glittered as it swirled gently on it before being blown by the wind.

"Aaand… how do I do that?" I asked, pointing at her open palm.

Yuna then looked at Sullyoon like she's asking for help.

"You… don't know, do you?" I asked Yuna cautiously.

Yuna gave me an apologetic look, "Sorry. Faerie dust comes naturally to us fae so it's a bit difficult to explain it to —"

"— a non-fae like me. It's alright, I understand."

"Your case may be unprecedented," Sullyoon said. "We're almost as clueless as you are to be honest."

I nodded. I can't even be mad because I understand where they're coming from. I am an anomaly.

"How would you explain it, YoonAh?" Yuna asked Sullyoon, who fixed her with a curious gaze of her own. "You're better at explaining things than me, why don't you take a crack at it."

"Yeah. That might be a good idea," I seconded.

"Okay… um…" the dryad placed a finger on her chin while chewing her lip. "Faerie dust comes out of the body, just like how sweat does," she murmured. "How about you imagine that you're sweating?"

"People don't sweat at will, even fae, YoonAh," Yuna reminded.

"Right, right…" Sullyoon bit her lower lip, her temples furrowed adorably as she was lost in thought. "What goes on in your mind, Seren? When you… access your other abilities," the dryad inquired.

I recalled the times Night Folk abilities manifested on me. "They're mostly werebeasts abilities," I began. "I find Yeji's healing factor and Ryujin's Wild Instinct coming to me passively. With Chaeryoung's speed, I usually just have to be aware of how fast I'm going so I have better control over it, I think. With Seulgi's strength however," I hesitated, making the two girls look at me expectantly. "I… uh… I remember the time she displayed incredible strength when she dispatched three of the four vampires who attacked me the first time we met."

"So some are passive and some require you to have some degree of focus," Sullyoon pondered.

"Makes sense, I think," Yuna added.

"What were you thinking of when you manifested the wooden dagger the night we rescued Yuna?" Sullyoon asked.

"Honestly, just getting all of us out alive," I replied. "But I did feel a familiar wave wash over me. Like your warmth when we…" I hesitated again.

" — fucked?" Yuna suggested and Sullyoon had to close her eyes or else I feared she's going to say the same word just in a totally different context.

"Geez, language, Shin Yuna," I admonished lightly.

"What? Was there any other way to say it?"

"Were intimate? Had sex? Literally a lot of ways aside from being that… explicit," I replied in frustration.

"Why did you hesitate, then?" Yuna bit back playfully.

"Back to the topic," Sullyoon interjected sternly. "The triggers seem to be different. I can't see any pattern at all."

"Try thinking of when we fucked," Yuna teased, her evil grin growing wider.

"Really? This is the time you pick to be immature?" I quipped dryly.

"No, Yuna could be right," Sullyoon said seriously, making me look at her incredulously.

"See?" Yuna cheerfully chuckled.

"What the hell?"

"I'm serious," Sullyoon said.

"I can see that," I replied, "which is exactly why I said what the hell."

"So do it," Yuna pushed.

"Why should I think about the times that we —" I caught myself, which was a bad thing to do now that Shin Yuna was on a roll.

"About the times that we fucked?" This time, even Sullyoon was unable to hide a small smirk.

"I can't see why I should," I sighed, tired of Shin Yuna's teasing.

"This is just a hypothesis, Seren," Sullyoon walked closer to the both of us. "But can you try, maybe, remembering something significant, an interaction, or, or, a feeling you had with Yuna. That connection may trigger something — just like how you do it with Seulgi or mine."

I glanced at Yuna. Her gaze was fixed on me, expectant but gentle and encouraging. 

I closed my eyes and recalled every encounter I had with Yuna. From when she first introduced herself and Sullyoon, then the interview at my apartment, the rescue op we did when Orion decided to punish her, and the recent night I had with her and Sullyoon. 

What stands out most was her rescue, it took me and the combined might of two races to break her out. We faced off against the forces of three of Orion's Glade Lords — me getting a solid hit against Durzan. I recalled when I pulled Yuna out of the wooden maiden and carried her as we rushed to escape. And yet — I felt that it wasn't enough. The memory sticks out, but the emotions were drowned by adrenaline and the thrill and rush of combat.

I dug deeper, to a time where Yuna and I truly connected – and I realized it was during the last night we shared with Sullyoon at my apartment. We just… talked, and in a way, it was then where everything became water under the bridge. It didn't matter that she was once someone who worked against an enemy, it didn't matter that I decided to rescue her despite my better judgment, it didn't even mattered that we now have a comfortable sexual relationship with each other. What mattered that night — is that we became friends. On that night, I realized that I've gained an ally and a friend that I can count on whenever and whatever the circumstances.

Then I felt something warm envelop my body, like sand was crawling out from every pore of my skin. I shuddered slightly, my spine feeling tingly and a little bit itchy. But it didn't feel gross or uncomfortable, instead I felt light, like I am one of these grains of sand who might be blown by the wind at anytime.

"He's doing it," Sullyoon remarked softly.

"Keep doing what you're doing, Seren," Yuna whispered. "Do not think of anything else, just let the dust flow out of your body."

And I did just that while thinking of Yuna's gratitude and of the honesty I know she will give me without hesitation — not because she can't lie, but because we both can absolutely trust each other with each of our truth.

"Now imagine moving them," Yuna's voice brushed my left ear, soothing as opposed to the usual seductiveness. "Make it glide down your skin in a circular pattern."

I then focused on every grain, on every pore of my skin. My brain threatened to overload as it tried to process the millions of dust I can feel covering my body.

"Do not overdo it," another whisper from Yuna, this time coming from my right side. She seemed to be circling me, observing me. "Focus first on one part of your body, one of your hands perhaps."

I gave her a small nod then focused on the dust suspended by my palms. Once again, I tried to focus on every grain that was in my hand, my brain finally able to process the information as it is now able to focus on one small section of my body. Then I willed it to move, slowly but surely in a clockwise motion. I felt each grain sliding down the sensitive skin of my palm.

Then a hand was softly placed on my shoulder, pulling me out of my concentration. I felt the dust either retreat back inside my skin or were blown by the wind. I opened my eyes to meet Yuna's gaze and proud smile.

"That was good, Seren," she said softly. "Now you need to rest for a while."

"No," I replied, "I can still keep going —"

Yuna reached for my nose with a white handkerchief, "Rest. Your nose is bleeding," she withdrew the piece of cloth where a small blood stain now spread across it.

"What? How?" I said in confusion, reflexively wiping my nose with the back of my hand. I didn't even realized or even felt that blood was trickling down my nose to my lips.

"You're not fae, Seren," Sullyoon whispered to my side. "Faerie dust may be incompatible with your biology. You'll probably need some time to allow your body to grow accustomed to it."

My gaze remained locked on Yuna when I nodded.

"I suggest you do this whenever you have some free time alone," Yuna dabbed the handkerchief again at my nose. "We meet again here every Saturday morning to see your progress."

I nodded again. "So what now?" I asked as Yuna withdrew her hand from my nose.

"Now?" Yuna looked at Sullyoon with a smile of satisfaction on her face. "Now we have breakfast."

"And after?" I turned to Sullyoon.

"After?" Sullyoon tilted her head and the left side of her lips curved upward. "We practice nature magic, Seren."

Breakfast was simple, egg sandwich, milk, and Sullyoon's salad. The conversations were simpler; favorite colors, dishes, hobbies. 

Apparently, Yuna is a great dancer while Sullyoon can also sing. Yuna and I were able to convince her to sing a few bars, making me float the idea of her joining Minjeong and Yizhuo in the band but she politely refused, saying that she already has her hands full babysitting Yuna, she didn't want to do it to two girls who do sometimes act like children.

Once we were done, Sullyoon led me to the small circle of stones while Yuna cleaned up. We sat across each other on the soft grass with the trickling of the stream right next to us.

"So, how do you want to start?" I asked.

Sullyoon sighed, "Well, I would like you to try reproducing another dagger like you did the night we rescued Yuna —"

I reached behind me and pulled something I've kept hidden since the start — the same dagger I manifested during the rescue.

"You brought it with you," Sullyoon stated.

I turned the dagger on my hands, "It is a lot rougher than the one you made, a lot more jagged and uncomfortable to hold."

Sullyoon took the wooden blade from my hands. Then her eyes flashed green and in one smooth motion of her hand over the weapon — the jagged edges disappeared and the roughness of the hilt smoothened. The blade now seemed to shine as if newly polished.

I stared at Sullyoon in amazement, "How —?" I was unable to form words as the dryad returned the blade in my hands. I inspected the dagger, it felt comfortably snug and perfectly balanced in my hand. Further, the blade now sported an engraving of a sapling tree with two little leaves sprouting from the crossguard — making it seem like the sapling was growing from the ground.

"That's… really pretty," I said in awe.

"You manifested this by instinct, and earlier you said that you recalled the warmth when we were first intimate wash over you when you did," Sullyoon reiterated and I nodded.

"And I guess you're going to make me do it again?"

"Not yet, let's see you do something basic first, something newborn dryads can instinctively do."

"And that is?"

Sullyoon smiled gently, the gentle breeze blowing her hair. Her eyes were still green — then I felt something stir beneath us, and something wrapping my ankles.

I looked down to see the grass beneath us growing slowly, crawling upward before wrapping snugly around my legs.

I looked back at Sullyoon who fixed me with a neutral gaze. Then I felt the grass retreat until a few moments later, it was as if nothing happened.

Sullyoon exhaled heavily, her eyes reverting to their usual color. "I want to see how connected you are to nature. Nature magic requires communion and respect. You don't control nature, nature lets you influence it."

"How do I do that?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"Close your eyes, Seren," Sullyoon said softly and I followed. "Feel the wind in your face. Feel the grass underneath. Listen to the water by the stream. And feel the sun touch your skin."

The wind felt cool, balancing the warmth that the sun gave. The water sounded comforting, grounding, like reminding me that I am still in this earth. And the grass felt soft, almost too soft that it seemed to be pulling me down to sleep.

"Now feel the circle of stones we are in," Sullyoon whispered. "But do not rely on your senses. Feel the grass, then dig deep and push down. Spread your awareness until you feel like you're touching the stones with your hand."

I tried to do what Sullyoon said. I focused my attention on the parts of my body that were in contact with the grass — from my hips down to my feet. I felt like my consciousness wrapped around a single blade of grass. Then like she said, I dug deep and pushed down — and was nearly knocked out when something like a single vast consciousness blocked me like a thick wall then pushed me back like a shockwave. I winced and grunted softly as I tried to force my way through this metaphysical wall.

Then it calmed down, and I felt like I was floating underwater — or maybe in the air.

"Don't force yourself in, Seren," Sullyoon whispered. "I was able to pull you out before the consciousness of the earth tried to swallow you."

"Thank you," I whispered back, my eyes still closed as I kept my consciousness in the void underneath my body.

"Think like you're growing roots," Sullyoon suggested. "Roots take time to spread. Be patient. Nature does not want to be rushed. It views it as a trespass, any intrusion would be pushed back. Move slowly and with respect."

I nodded, breathed in — once, then twice — then I dove back, but not fast like how gravity pulls you down. Slow, patient, respectful, just like Sullyoon said — just like roots.

The ground felt like a maze as I slowly but surely trudged my way through. I moved sideways, not forcing my way through, but spreading my consciousness like a blanket slowly settling in the surface — until I hit another wall. But this wall was different, it felt like a circle. Then I realized it wasn't a wall at all — it was a boundary — my mind has reached the circle of small stones that surrounded us. 

I wrapped my consciousness around the stones, until I felt sensation in my hands and my mind — my hands moved as if I were touching the stones myself. Some were rough, some were smooth, some bigger than the others — but one thing held them in common — they were tough, they were hard, and they were strong.

I smiled softly, then heard Sullyoon's soft whisper as if the wind carried it straight to my ears and the ground sending the words directly to my brain. 

"Good, Seren," her gentle voice spoke. "Now find me, reach out to me through the ground."

I reached back inward, like a hand straightening out a blanket. Then I brushed on something, heavy yet weightless. I brushed my consciousness on its surface then felt it open like a door. I pushed forward at the same time that a light and gentle consciousness pulled me in.

Then I was with Sullyoon, or rather, I am inside Sullyoon's body? Not physical body, but I can feel her every nerve. I can feel her heartbeat, I can feel her breath, and I can feel the blood rushing inside her veins. Then I had the feeling that she was also seeing or feeling the same with my body.

"YoonAh?" I asked with my mind and using her true name, using her nickname seemed… inappropriate considering the setting.

Her chuckle echoed in my head. "So you did find me," she said proudly.

"What is this? It's like I can feel you, all of you, with just my mind."

"That's because I let you in, Seren — because I asked you to find me."

"And I did."

"And you did."

"This is… surreal," I said as I focused on her slowly rising heartbeat. "Your heartbeat's racing."

"So is yours," Sullyoon replied, which confirmed to me that she could indeed feel or see me in the same way that I do.

"Can all dryads do this to everyone?" I asked.

"No, only to those who commune with nature. Shamans and druids also fall in this category, not just the dryads and the tree-kin. But there's one prerequisite in order to be able to do this," she replied.

"And that is?"

"Consent, Seren," Sullyoon responded.

"But I didn't give you permission…"

"When you brushed against the door of my consciousness and I accepted — the access became mutual. You can't ask for permission if you're not giving the same."

"Respect… and reciprocation," I muttered.

"Exactly. Now slowly return to your body, Seren."

With no rush, I left Sullyoon's body, or was it her consciousness? Then I withdrew from the earth, starting from the tips at the stone circle. My mind slowly retreated until I returned to that single blade of grass — and finally, I returned back to my own body and mind.

I opened my eyes to see Sullyoon smiling proudly at me. "Well done," she said with pride in her voice.

"Thank you, YoonAh."

"How are you feeling?"

"I feel… refreshed," I replied. Contrary to what I expected, I wasn't tired at all.

Sullyoon tilted her head gently, "The earth heals, especially those who respect it."

"I noticed Indarin also had nature magic," I remarked, recalling that the Glade Lord also exhibited flora manifestation when he made a wooden maiden to trap Yuna in.

Sullyoon's face twisted in disgust, "They're not communing with nature. They're bending it, forcing it down under their will."

"They can do that?"

Sullyoon nodded, her expression turned from disgust to barely controlled rage, "I don't know how. Orion's experiments maybe, passed down to his Glade Lords. But it is a perversion and abuse of nature. This is why no tree-kin ever pledged themself willingly under Orion." I shivered, Sullyoon sounded as angry as she was when she saw Yuna's torment continued for almost a week. 

"I'm… sorry… for bringing it up," I hesitated. I admit I was frightened for a moment that Sullyoon might use the grass underneath us to strangle me or pull me down to the earth.

Sullyoon's expression immediately softened, "It's alright. I just got… carried away."

"I understand. So, what now? Do I try to manifest something? Or maybe make this patch of grass grow or move?" I asked.

Sullyoon shook her head, "We're done for the day, Seren."

"What?"

Sullyoon raised a hand before I could keep going, "We've been at it for an hour and a half already."

My eyes widened. It only felt like a few minutes, fifteen at most by my reckoning — but an hour and a half?

"Look," Sullyoon then pointed towards the summit of the hill. "Yuna already fell asleep," she said with a soft smile in her eyes. Indeed, the fae was sleeping peacefully under the shade of a tree.

I can't help but laugh. "I could swear it was only a few minutes," I said as Sullyoon rose to her feet.

I followed her, brushing the back of my pants before joining her in walking towards Yuna. "So, any plans after this morning?"

"Mhmm," Sullyoon replied, "we're reporting your progress to the Lady of Spring."

I turned to look at her with a curious expression. "She knows?"

Sullyoon nodded, "She's… curious, at the very least. You are… unique, amongst humans… and probably even Night Folk."

"Should I be worried?"

"Not at the moment, no," Sullyoon shook her head. "You both have the Wild Hunt as your enemy. She just… wants to know potential allies as much as she can."

I nodded in understanding.

We finally reached Yuna who seemed to sense our approach. She stirred and smiled sleepily at us. "Done for the day?" The fae said as she rose to meet us.

"For the morning, yes," I replied.

"Right, werebeasts after lunch," Yuna said cheerfully. She then looped her arms lazily around my neck and pulled me in a tight embrace. My hands held her waist as she pressed her mouth by the side of my head, "You still owe me a kiss for mentioning Orion," the fae whispered making me chuckle.

"The Hunt was also mentioned during our time," Sullyoon quipped.

"Do you want to kiss him too, YoonAh?" Yuna playfully asked.

Sullyoon shrugged, "If he wants to."

"I'm sure he does," Yuna pulled away. Her arms remained looped around my neck as she searched my eyes. Then a playful smile stretched from her lips, "But I call dibs." And Yuna leaned in, deep and slow, making Sullyoon giggle softly. 

The kiss wasn't hungry, but it was needy. Yuna's body pressed flush against mine, making me squeeze her waist, illiciting a breathy sigh when she pulled away with our foreheads still pressed together.

"I really love those lips of yours," Yuna whispered as our warm breaths clashed on our faces.

"Your ride's here, Seren," Sullyoon said.

I pulled myself away from Yuna to glance at the base of the hill where a gray minivan not too different from the escape vehicle we used during Yuna's rescue waited.

"Well, looks like I need to go," I let go of Yuna's waist then walked slowly towards Sullyoon whose gaze never left the minivan. "But before that, I owe you a kiss," I spun Sullyoon who looked surprised when I wrapped an arm around her waist and crashed my lips on hers. 

The dryad melted in my arms, her hands stroking my chest to my neck. When we pulled away, she was just as breathless as Yuna.

"A little warning next time?" Sullyoon chuckled while breathing heavily.

"So there is a next time," I teased.

"Of course there's a next time," Yuna answered. "And another next time after that."

I can't help but widen my smile as I let Sullyoon go. I walked about five steps backwards until both girls are in my line of sight.

"Thank you, both of you," I said, bowing my head towards both girls.

"No, Seren," Yuna replied softly, "this is our way of thanking you."

"You don't need to, that's why I'm thanking you," I smiled back.

Yuna was about to respond when Sullyoon cut her off with a chuckle, "Alright, alright. If you argue about this now, you both won't see the end of it. Go now, Seren. We'll train here again next Saturday."

"But we'll see you again sooner at campus," Yuna just had to get it one last comment in.

I nodded and managed a chuckle of my own before waving both of them goodbye. I turned around and jogged towards the minivan.

The windows rolled down as I approached, revealing Miyawaki Sakura. "So, how's fae training?"

"Productive," I said as I went around the vehicle. I opened the passenger door and took my seat. "Where's Haerin?"

"She's waiting on site. Minjeong and Yizhuo are on the way as well," Sakura answered. The werebeast then looked at me, "Shall we?"

I nodded, and Sakura drove us away from the hill. My last view was Yuna and Sullyoon seemingly entering and disappearing inside a tree.

"You smell like sex," Ryujin greeted as she emerged from the tree line behind me. I closed my eyes, feeling a sense of deja vu from how Yuna greeted me this morning.

Ryujin then leaned closer to sniff me. "Smells like… sophomore. Was it one of them?" Ryujin motioned with her chin to Minjeong and Yizhuo who were sitting in camping chairs and talking to Kang Haerin, the young werebeast sat comfortably on the ground.

Sakura drove us to what seemed like a campsite. Scattered unlit campfires littered the considerably wide rectangular open space. Some cottages lined one side of the area while a few uninhabited tents also dotted around. Tall trees formed a wall around the site where a thick forest extended outward. I leaned against one of those trees, watching the sophomores and Haerin. Sakura on the other hand, said she'll go get Seulgi after we arrived.

"Give it a rest, Ryujin," I replied wearily before squatting down.

Ryujin smirked, "Tired?"

"Not really, just…"

"Nervous?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "This training will be a lot more physical than what I had with Yuna and Sullyoon."

Ryujin nodded her head once, "You're right on that front."

Then something — no, someone, landed softly from the trees to my other side — Hwang Yeji.

"Think you can handle it?" She asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. But it would be nice to see my limits."

Yeji nodded, "Great mindset."

"Will Seulgi be training me?" I asked.

"No," Yeji shook her head. "She's a senior huntress, she has more pressing matters to attend to."

"Then do you have any idea?"

Yeji shrugged her shoulders.

"Personally, I want it to be us," Ryujin chimed in.

Yeji scoffed, "You're just gonna beat Seren up," making Ryujin and I laugh.

"That's better, I think," I said. "Better to be beaten up by someone I know rather than someone I don't."

Yeji and Ryujin chuckled. "Well there's that, as well," Yeji said, bumping her fist playfully against my arm.

"What is this place anyway?" I asked. "Looks like a campsite."

"It is," Yeji replied. "But it's just a cover. It's a werebeast outpost, and training ground."

"It seems… quiet, right now," I said. It was indeed quiet, well, quiet for a campsite — and on a Saturday. "I expected more people."

"Well, this campsite's reservation and for members only," Ryujin replied this time. "Rich folks who can afford 'an experience with nature'. There's a waterfall a few miles out, it's cliffside also doubles as a rock climbing spot."

"There's also a trail," Yeji added, "for those who want peace as opposed to the thrill."

Ryujin scoffed beside us, "Where's the fun in that?"

"And the rest is forest?" I inquired.

Yeji nodded, "It's dangerous for humans to traverse, but —"

"It's a perfect training ground for werebeasts," Ryujin smirked.

Just then, a slender big cat emerges from the other side of the camp, yellow with brown stripes — Chaeryoung. Sakura emerged behind her in human form. The two waltzed towards Minjeong's group. The sophomores greeted nervously, with Minjeong giving Chaeryoung a small wave.

Chaeryoung approached Haerin who was still seated on the ground and pressed her feline brow upon the young werebeast's forehead. Sakura then said something that I can't hear considering we were a little bit far from them. The sophomores and Haerin nodded then sat back down with Sakura.

Chaeryoung turned to face us and slowly padded her way towards our group.

"Yo, Chaeryoung!" Ryujin greeted.

"I've brought a change of clothes for you," Yeji added as she brought out black shirts, pants, and sneakers.

Chaeryoung ignored her teammates and bounded straight towards me, nuzzling and purring as she rubbed her head on my chest. I laughed, stroking the soft fur of her head and neck. "Yeah, yeah. Good to see you too."

Yeji rolled her eyes, "Just can't help it, can you, Lee Chaeryoung?"

"You'd do the same if you were in her paws," Ryujin teased.

"Shut up, Shin Ryujin. And you, Lee Chaeryoung, shift back now," Yeji said sternly, with a hint of redding in her ear.

Chaeryoung grumbled and disentangled herself from me. Then she morphed back into human form — she pushed herself up on her hind legs and gracefully shifted her features from feline to human. In only about a second and a half, Chaeryoung's naked human form was exposed for us to ogle at.

"Stop teasing the guy, Lee Chaeryoung," Yeji sighed, tossing the clothing towards her teammate.

"What?" Chaeryoung replied cheekily. "He already saw me naked —"

"Twice," Ryujin added with a wicked grin.

Chaeryoung shrugged, "And so do the two of you. I have no reason to be shy, right?"

"Absolutely none," I replied, still ogling her toned stomach, and her small but shapely breasts.

"Get dressed, Lee Chaeryoung," Yeji said sternly, prompting Chaeryoung to dress up right in front of us — and I can't deny, I was getting turned on.

"You look excited," Ryujin observed while Chaeryoung was putting the shirt on. "Well, more than you usually are whenever Seren's involved."

"Yeah," I chimed in. "You're usually soft and gentle, what's gotten you so… giddy?" I asked as Chaeryoung pulled the sweatpants up her hips.

"That obvious?" Chaeryoung giggled.

"It's quite a contrast to how you usually are," Yeji replied.

"Well," Chaeryoung grunted while putting the sneakers on her left foot. "That's because…" another grunt and the right sneaker slid snugly into place. Then the huntress looked at us with an excited grin, "I'll be the one training Seren today."

"Wait, what?" Ryujin stood, her brows furrowing.

"Seulgi's orders," Chaeryoung said before Ryujin can keep talking.

"And how are you going to train him?" Yeji asked.

"Well, since Seulgi said Seren keeps trying to be a hero," Chaeryoung replied, and I had to roll my eyes eliciting a smirk from Ryujin. "She said I'm going to have to teach you the opposite of what heroes do," Chaeryoung said.

"Wait what?" It was then my turn to be confused.

Chaeryoung smiled and extended a hand towards me. I took it and she pulled me up. "Heroes fight, Seren, but today," she hopped backwards from me, "today we run."

"Run?!" I asked with wide eyes.

"Mhmm," Chaeryoung grinned like a kid, still hopping in place.

"Ooh, a good old game of tag," Ryujin chuckled.

"Tag?!" I asked again.

"Haven't you played tag before?" Yeji asked.

"I have, but —"

" — but you haven't played tag against a werebeast in her home turf," Ryujin smirked.

"I don't see how…"

"What's most important in times of danger is self-preservation, Seren," Yeji cut me off. "You can't protect anyone if you're dead. And most of the time, fighting gets you and the people you cherish killed more than running does."

"Also, don't underestimate running," Chaeryoung huffed, "being able to move quickly is one of the most useful skills to have in this world."

"It's boring, but she's right," Ryujin said.

I nodded. Well, they know better than I do so I'll just have to trust their judgment on this one. "So, a game of tag. I'm guessing you're it?" I pointed to Chaeryoung.

"Oh, no," Chaeryoung grinned. "If I'm it, I can catch you in less than ten seconds. You are chasing me, Seren."

"That's why you're extra giddy," Ryujin teased, "having the guy you like chase you around in the forest. Very romantic, Lee Chaeryoung."

I sighed but decided to ignore Ryujin. "And if I do catch you?"

"Then it would be my first time getting caught," Chaeryoung winked.

I looked back at Ryujin and Yeji who both just shrugged. "She's the fastest among us," Yeji said matter-of-factly.

"Good luck, Seren. Make it look fun," Ryujin teased, which I felt was borderline mocking me.

"So, shall we?" Chaeryoung asked softly, betraying the excitement in her eyes and smile.

I stretched a bit and hopped in place. "You're on, Lee Chaeryoung," and Lee Chaeryoung vanished from my line of sight.

Then I felt a hand brush across my shoulder, followed by an arm settling on it. I heard Chaeryoung's sweet voice in my ear, "And this is why you're it," she chuckled. I closed my eyes, hiding how impressed I was. Chaeryoung was too quick that I never noticed her come up behind me.

"See you in the forest," she whispered teasingly. She kissed my cheek before jumping back into the woods.

I glanced at the other side of the campsite where Sakura's group was watching us. Minjeong and Yizhuo cheered me on while Sakura watched with a knowing smirk. Haerin on the other hand stared blankly, like she was still processing what's happening.

"Alright," I said while flexing my neck. "Time to run," I turned and followed the spot where Chaeryoung entered the forest. I jogged for a few meters before spotting Chaeryoung standing in the distance.

"Finally decided to join me?" She asked.

I wasted no words and immediately sprinted as fast as I can towards her — and Chaeryoung just stood. Puzzled, I kept charging, until I felt something snap beneath me — then the ground gave way and with my momentum, me along with it. Long story short — I tripped, and face planted in the soft grass.

I winced in annoyance as I heard Ryujin's laughter from the campsite. I rose with a grunt, and when I looked up — Chaeryoung was standing just about three meters from me.

"You okay?" Chaeryoung asked in genuine concern, the softness I knew from her emerging.

"You never mentioned any traps," I grumbled.

"There are no traps," Chaeryoung replied. "It's just the forest. This training isn't just running, Seren. It's not just about speed, it's about knowing where to step next."

"Lucky for you, you have home field advantage," I finally rose to my feet, brushing off the soil clinging on my clothes.

"Just adds to the challenge," Chaeryoung smirked.

Then I lunged, quick and quiet, well, as much as I can. But Chaeryoung was still quicker — with one hop, she cleared about ten meters away from me.

The werebeast chuckled, "Nice try. Did you honestly think it would be that easy?"

"Of course not," I grinned, finally welcoming the challenge. But you're not the only one who has a trick up your sleeve, I thought.

If the forest is also my opponent in this training — then I should make it that the forest is not my opponent. I adapted a wide stance, planting my shoes on the ground while Chaeryoung looked at me curiously.

Then just like how I did with Sullyoon this morning, I dug down and pushed deep, slowly and respectfully. I cannot spread my consciousness across the whole forest — I'm not strong enough — but I can keep it beneath my feet.

I felt the earth's consciousness brush against me. It felt exhilarated, excited even. Then it came to me — it knows we're playing a game of tag — and it is enjoying it. 

"Don't you think a chase is a lot more exciting than me falling and tripping across the forest?" I asked with my mind though I am not expecting any reply. "Won't you help me out?" I requested.

The wind whistled and the leaves rustled. Chaeryoung remained standing ten meters from me, her face wearing a curious look.

Then I felt it — the ground softly adjusting to my weight. I shuffled my feet softly and the grass gave way, as if giving me space to move.

I smirked then looked at Chaeryoung. "Ready for a chase?"

"Make it one," she quipped back.

Then she smirked — and something snapped. We both lunged sideways, running parallel each other, matching each other's pace. I felt the ground beneath me adjust to my every step — like it's giving me the optimal conditions to run in this terrain. The forest is not my enemy anymore — though it's still not my ally. It wanted to see a good chase — and we will have to give it one.

I decided to slowly turn towards Chaeryoung — running diagonally as I kept pace with her. A line of trees blocked her way, forcing her right and directly towards me. I smiled, "You're mine," I thought.

As we are about to cross each other's paths, I lunged again — and with a smirk on her lips, Lee Chaeryoung leapt. She used the trees around me as platforms as she lightly vaulted from trunk to trunk above my head. Once again, the werebeast landed softly ten meters away as I skidded to a stop.

"Hey! That can't be fair!" I grumbled.

Chaeryoung chuckled, a smile of satisfaction on her lips, "It's tag, Seren. The only rule is to catch me whatever it takes."

I felt the ground underneath my feet rumble — as if the earth is laughing at me. Yeah, well, Chaeryoung has a point. 

We found each other grinning. Then Chaeryoung laughed, uninhibited, pleasant, and free. I laughed back, then pushed my feet forwards — and the chase is truly on. 

We weaved through trees and bushes, jumped over low shrubs and rock formations, and slid below fallen trees. I thought this training would just be a game of tag, but to think that I get to apply what Sullyoon taught me this morning was a welcome development.

I can never outrun Chaeryoung, I realized that a few moments after the chase began. But I also realized what she was doing — she'd let me get in close, then whenever I am an arm or two's length away from her, she speeds up just slightly, making me adjust and push myself faster.

The cool wind in my face was a welcome factor. It was as if it was blowing away the fatigue that I should have felt already. And the ground in my feet also seemed to push my feet every time I step out, giving me a little kick in my step and boosting me a tiny bit.

We ran until we were running parallel to a stream where a little ways further I can hear a constant roar. I furrowed my brows, I'm sure we're running towards the waterfall Ryujin mentioned earlier — and Chaeryoung showed no signs of slowing down.

I kept pace with the huntress, if she slows down at the edge, I may be able to corner her. But she knows this woods, she might be running towards the waterfall for a reason — surely she's not thinking what I'm thinking.

The roar got louder as the current got stronger. I can now see the foam and the water spraying at the edge of the waterfall — and Chaeryoung still did not slow down. Shit — is she really going to do it? Is she really going to jump?

And jump she did.

I followed until I reached the cliff's edge. It had to be eighty — maybe a hundred meters down — and Chaeryoung seemed to float down lightly before touching the shore below.

Chaeryoung turned and looked up at me. I can tell she's smiling even though it's too far to tell. She waved her arms, signalling me to jump down with her.

Does she really believe I can make that jump? I asked myself — and the earth replied. I felt the ground beneath my feet push up slowly, as if urging me to jump as well. I looked down again, and the drop seemed to grow higher by another twenty or thirty meters.

I closed my eyes and breathed, steeling myself for this leap of faith. I planted my feet deeper into the ground, the earth giving way as if telling me to take my time. Then I opened my eyes, looked straight into the sky and the forest ahead. One step, two, three — then I jumped.

I felt the spray of water behind me as the wind rushed in my ears. I flailed my arms, willing and pushing myself forward so I won't dive on the water. And I screamed my lungs out — releasing every pent up emotion in my chest as I fall in the air.

I landed a few meters away from Chaeryoung. Unlike her graceful landing though, I landed awkwardly, forcing me to stumble a few steps to absorb the impact and falling to my knees afterwards. I laid down on the grassy shore, laughing despite myself.

Chaeryoung walked towards me, laughing proudly. "You should have rolled forward when you landed!" she exclaimed.

Yeah — actually, no. I still don't know if I can actually do that — and certainly not from a hundred meter drop.

"Time out, time out," I panted while laughing. "That jump took a lot out of me."

Chaeryoung chuckled as she sat beside me, her hands leaning on the grass as we watched the waterfall. Its roar was comforting to the ears, so does the cool wind blowing at our skin.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" She said after we calmed down.

"You are," I replied.

Chaeryoung turned her head away, though I can see her ear grow red. "Shut up."

"You saw that one coming," I teased.

"Yep. Right after I said it, I know what you're going to say," Chaeryoung chuckled, returning her gaze towards me.

"How did I fare?" I asked with a smile.

"Hmmm," Chaeryoung hummed. "A lot better than I thought. I expected you to have trouble traversing the terrain but — you adapted well."

I smirked proudly to myself, "I was actually using something Sullyoon taught me this morning," I confessed, making Chaeryoung raise a curious eyebrow.

I then explained the nature magic Sullyoon taught and how I applied it during the chase. I expected Chaeryoung to tease me about cheating, but instead she smiled even more proudly at me.

"That's good. You're already using abilities you're being taught. Repetitive use will just make you more proficient in it. Although don't overdo it, rest is part of training as well," Chaeryoung said.

"I'm going to be the first to catch you," I said, grinning as I looked at Chaeryoung's eyes.

Chaeryoung looked back, her gaze soft and full of affection. Then she smiled and leaned down to kiss my lips. Her hands cupped my cheeks as I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. My other hand stroked her hair as she pushed her soft lips deeper against mine.

Chaeryoung pulls away, but her lips remain brushing with mine. We lock gazes while our noses rubbed against each other. We smiled, then a soft laughter pushes its way out of our throats, and Chaeryoung presses her lips against me for the second time.

Then a horn sounds, loud and sonorous, forcing us to break our kiss. "They're calling for us," Chaeryoung whispered as she looked up behind her.

"Killjoys," I quipped, making the huntress laugh. Then she rose and said, "We shouldn't keep them waiting."

I sighed heavily. I then tapped the earth beneath me twice with my hand — a gesture of gratitude, and the earth responded with a small rumble of its own. I rose then stood beside Chaeryoung and we locked eyes.

I grinned, "Race you to the campsite, Lee Chaeryoung?"

Chaeryoung grinned back, "Eat my dust, Seren Vale."

Lee Chaeryoung took off — with me hot on her heels.

The sun was setting when we arrived back at the campsite. The sky was orange as the sun rests halfway down the horizon.

Yeji and Ryujin met both of us — the former with a proud expression, the latter with a wicked grin.

"So, did he catch up to you?" Ryujin asked.

"We can't see anything after you both jumped down the waterfall," Yeji added.

"Technically, he didn't," Chaeryoung replied, making her teammates raise an eyebrow.

"But, damn," Ryujin exclaimed. "You really jumped, huh," she said, tapping my back proudly.

"It took Ryujin nine tries before she mustered the courage to," Yeji teased.

Ryujin fixed her with an exasperated expression, prompting me to double down on the teasing. "Finally," I said haughtily, "something I can brag over you, Shin Ryujin."

"I can still beat you up, Seren Vale," Yeji and Chaeryoung were laughing as Ryujin snapped back though there was no hostility in her voice.

"So, what now?" I asked.

"We have orders to go back to headquarters," Yeji replied. "Sakura knows what you need to do next, I believe the Death Dealers made contact with her."

I nodded. I glanced at the minivan; the sophomores and Haerin were talking outside while Sakura was looking at our group, no doubt waiting for me.

I looked back at the trio of huntresses, "Thank you, for today." Then I turned to Chaeryoung, "Especially to you."

Chaeryoung smiled, her cheeks growing redder.

"Awww, you're making her blush," Ryujin teased.

"It won't take me nine tries to make you blush," I teased back, making Ryujin shoot me with an expression that said "Seriously, dude?"

"See you at campus on Monday, Seren," Chaeryoung said, squeezing my hand once.

"And back here again next Saturday," Yeji added.

"Hopefully it'll be my turn to train you so I can beat your ass up," Ryujin chimed.

"Looking forward to it," I quipped back.

Yeji turned around first, shifting into her feline form — a brown cat with a blonde patch reflecting her blonde hair. Ryujin followed with her pure black cat form. And Chaeryoung shifted last beside me, slender yellow with brown stripes.

I ran a hand down Chaeryoung's spine, making her purr. All three huntresses turned their heads to me and nodded simultaneously before bounding and disappearing in the forest.

I made my way towards Sakura once the huntresses were out of my sight. Like Yeji, she wore a proud expression on her face when she greeted me.

"Productive day?" She asked.

"Very," I replied.

"Good."

"What's the plan now?" I asked.

"I drive the kids back to the city," she replied, motioning to the girls at the minivan.

"They didn't give you any trouble?"

"Kim Minjeong was attentive while Ning Yizhuo was… overly enthusiastic. Both good things I guess, since they show interest," Sakura answered.

"Do you think they'll be fine? Infiltrating the siren cove, that is?" I followed.

"If they don't do anything that would attract unwanted attention, and if they stick to what I told them, they should be fine. Although I also told them to have contingencies in case of… unforseen circumstances. You never really know with the sirens."

I nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, Sakura."

Sakura just answered with a nonchalant shrug.

"And Haerin?"

"Still slow and airheaded at times. Though she responds well to the other girls. You may be right that it could do her some good, interacting with others aside from us werebeasts."

"And me?"

"You," Sakura sighed. "You will wait here until sundown. Then the Death Dealers will arrive and train you."

"Here?"

Sakura nodded, "Yep, here as well."

"I thought this was a werebeast outpost. You're allowing vampires in here now?" I asked.

Sakura sighed again, "The Pale Princess has earned a level of trust and good will with the Triarchy. Which is why they allowed them to conduct your training with the Death Dealers here. It's also not far from their coven, although I still don't know where it is."

I nodded again, thinking how much Joohyun, the heiress of the Verrathi coven, has done so much for me just because she found me a "curiosity" when we first met.

"Thank you again, Sakura," I said. "And take care going back to the city."

Sakura pursed her lips then smiled. She tapped me once in the shoulder before speaking, "You're good, Seren. Better than you actually give yourself credit for."

I furrowed my brows, "What was that for?"

Sakura walked backward, keeping her eyes on me, then shrugged with a playful grin on her face. She turned and made her way towards the minivan. I made contact with the sophomores and Haerin and waved them goodbye. Kang Haerin bowed politely, Kim Minjeong gave me a wave goodbye, while Ning Yizhuo belted a goodbye with an airy vibrato.

I chuckled in spite of myself as they boarded the minivan; the werebeasts in front, and the sophomores at the back. I watched the van drive off and when it was out of sight, I sat down on the ground.

Yuna's words this morning echoed in my ears, telling me to practice when I have free time — this certainly counts as one. I decided however, to take it up a notch. I reached down with my feet to the ground, communing once again with the earth and feeling like I'm a single grain of sand in its vast consciousness. And to top it off, I slowly willed myself to produce faerie dust.

I kept output at a minimum, focusing on maintaining a stable rhythm rather than testing my limits. I then fell into a meditative state as I waited for the darkness to come and for the Death Dealers to arrive.

I felt their steps as they arrived. Three pairs of feet walking lightly, gliding almost, at the soft soil of the campsite. I told myself I'll just maintain a stable rhythm however, I didn't even notice that my consciousness has spread across the wide rectangular empty space of the site.

"Good evening, ladies," I greeted in a whisper, my eyes still closed and feeling them only through my connection with the earth.

"Faerie dust," I recognized Chaeyoung's voice. 

"Explains why we had difficulty spotting you," Soyeon remarked.

"You can't see me?" I asked.

"You look… blurry — hazy," Saerom replied as the Death Dealers huddled around me. "We can smell you though — your blood to be exact, so we know you're somewhere in this area."

I then decided to deactivate the faerie dust, willing it to return to my body. The sensation still tingled every nerve connected to my skin, but it was not as uncomfortable as it was this morning.

"Ah, there you are," Chaeyoung purred.

I opened my eyes to see the Death Dealer, her hood and mask down, sporting the red cloak indicating Bae Joohyun's personal elite and smiling predatorily and exposing the fangs in her mouth. Her squadmates stood beside her, dressed the same way. Saerom had her glaive slung behind her while Soyeon carried a long wooden hardcase that is polished to the point I can see my reflection.

"Good evening to you too, Seren Vale," Lee Chaeyoung said, low, seductive, implicitly inviting.

"Are you ready?" Saerom asked.

I took a deep breath, tapped the ground again as a thank you before retreating my consciousness. I rose and brushed my pants, this would be physical in a way the werebeast training was not — I know for a fact that Soyeon will be training me in combat. I faced the three Death Dealers, and with a grim and serious look — I nodded.

It was dark, the waning crescent moon covered by thick clouds, making it darker. The sound of crickets surrounded the campsite, by the distance, I can hear the gentle roar of the waterfall. The night air was cool and crisp while the trees seemed to lean in to watch in curiosity and amusement.

"Where do we start?" I asked with a smug smirk — and the vampires reacted like what I said wasn't cool — it certainly was in my head, but now, I'm having doubts.

There was no change in Saerom's expression. Chaeyoung smirked as if amused by a child's rambling. And Soyeon just sighed, as if everything that's happening is a drag and she can't be bothered.

Soyeon then dropped the wooden case with a thud. Its contents shook inside, producing a clattering of metals — is that a weapons case?

Saerom and Chaeyoung wordlessly and soundlessly glided away. Lee Soyeon crouched and opened the locks of the case, the clicks echoing across the empty space. Then she opened it, revealing a collection of blades and blunt weapons that every boy dreamed of owning even at least one.

Every weapon I can think of was crammed inside that case. Swords, daggers, maces, even more exotic ones like flails, hammers, and axes.

I knelt on one knee eliciting an amused scoff from the Death Dealer. "How the hell did you manage to fit all that in that?" I asked, gesturing at the weapons then at the case — and the Death Dealer only shrugged.

"We're starting with weapons training. I brought these so you could take your pick at what you're comfortable using," Soyeon said.

"Here she goes again with that 'the weapon chooses its wielder' crap," Chaeyoung chuckled to the side.

"Their first usually is," Soyeon replied lazily.

"What's yours then, Chaeyoung?" I asked.

Chaeyoung shrugged one shoulder confidently, one side of her lips rising in a confident grin. "My body, of course," she replied.

Soyeon rolled her eyes while Saerom's expression remained neutral. "Our princess entrusted this task to Soyeon, Chaeng," she said sternly, yet her tone betrayed the weariness she feels every time she corrects Chaeyoung. "Questioning her methods is questioning our princess's judgment," Saerom finished.

Chaeyoung's smirk lowered and she raised her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, you got me. I'll just stand still out here, admiring how fragrant and delicious Seren's blood smells."

Her comment made me shiver and I felt my hair stand on edge as it pulled goosebumps from my skin. 

"Chaeng—" Saerom was about to admonish Chaeyoung when I spoke up against my better judgment.

"Should I be worried, Lee Chaeyoung?" I asked, my hand hovering above the weapons case. Then I reached down, feeling each weapon with my palm until it wrapped around something smooth and long. I rose and faced Lee Chaeyoung holding a six foot long quarter staff and planting it defiantly in the ground.

Chaeyoung's expression turned dangerously and predatorily sexual. Her eyes narrowed and focused on me and hers was the most wicked and seductive grin I have ever faced. And the worst part — I didn't feel threatened, instead, I felt attracted.

She didn't need vampiric charm, she was charismatic herself. And even just looking at her face, I believed without a shadow of a doubt that her first weapon was indeed her body.

"Ooh, he pushes back now," Chaeyoung purred. She then turned to Saerom, "Just one drop of his blood, please." She smiled, and it would have been alluring if not for the fangs she has for canines — no, scratch that, she actually looks more freaking alluring with it.

"No, Lee Chaeyoung," Saerom replied, putting weight to her words. Chaeyoung just giggled, clearly unbothered.

Saerom turned and gave Soyeon and I a nod.

"So, quarterstaff," Soyeon observed.

"Is there a problem with that?" I asked.

The vampire shook her head, "Just… unexpected. I thought most boys your age would go for a sword, or a battleaxe. Though I was expecting you to pull out a dagger or something similar." 

I smiled softly, reaching behind me as I recalled the morning lessons with Sullyoon. "I already have one," I said, pulling out the wooden dagger.

Soyeon tilted her head as she studied the wooden blade, "Is that—?"

"The dagger I manifested during Yuna's rescue," I replied with a soft smile. "Polished by Sullyoon earlier this morning."

"It's a good blade," Soyeon remarked. "Why didn't you choose it?"

I took a moment to consider her question. Why didn't I? This was the blade I used on my first intentional kill. Then I remembered something Sakura told me the morning after the rescue — "Guilt is lethal in this world," I started, making Soyeon raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"I don't want to kill — unless it's a last resort. I want to protect the people I care about without losing myself to this… conflict," I replied.

The Death Dealer huffed softly, "You may already have lost more of yourself than you wanted."

"And I know I'll continue to lose more," I replied.

"And yet you still fight on?"

I locked eyes with the Death Dealer. "What other choice do I have?"

And Soyeon huffed, a low chuckle emanating from her throat. "You may not be a lost cause after all, Seren Vale," she said, and my heart swelled as I heard a tinge of respect in her voice.

"I do have one question, though," I began.

Soyeon's lazy cadence returned as she rolled her eyes at me. "Go ahead."

"Are you sure we should start immediately with weapons? Aren't you going to train me in hand to hand?"

The vampire scoffed, "You've seen and fought Riders of the Hunt — heck, you even punched a Glade Lord — are you seriously going to fight them with your bare hands?"

"I… uh…" I stuttered. Riders of the Hunt looked massive and certainly stronger and faster than me by default — not to mention the Glade Lords who are beasts even among Riders — Durzan being a perfect physical example and Indarin being a perfect moral, or should I say, immoral, example. "On second thought," I said with a nervous chuckle.

Soyeon smirked, "Seems like you're also not too dull after all."

I didn't know if that comment was supposed to say I'm brighter than she thought I am, or that she assumed I'm just dumb. None of them were flattering though — nor were they confidence boosting.

Soyeon then crouched and pulled another quarter staff from the case — seriously, how many weapons did she fit in there?

"But the quarter staff is a good weapon, especially for beginners." Soyeon gave a few elegant flourishes of her staff, "It's lighter than most, provides good range, versatile in offense and defense, and relatively easy to train with. But once in the hands of a competent fighter —" Soyeon planted her staff on the ground and mirrored my stance, "you can hold off multiple enemies at once, or engage in a duel without encountering a lot of problems."

I gave mine a simple twirl to feel the weight of the staff. It's balanced just right whether I hold it anywhere with one or two hands. I flexed my hand and gripped the staff, spreading my legs wide in a stance I frequently see in action shows.

"Do not tighten your grip too much," Soyeon said. "Your wrist will be stiff and you'll lose flexibility and range of movement."

I nodded, flexing my fingers and wrapping them a little looser around the wooden shaft. Soyeon approached, her eyes on my hands as she stuck her staff on the earth. Then she reached for mine, pale hands cold like porcelain glass — and my hands tighten again around the staff.

"Relax, Vale," Soyeon whispered, slowly adjusting my grip until it rests comfortably on my palms and fingers. My hands may have relaxed, but my body didn't. I tensed, breath hitching, making Soyeon release a mocking chuckle.

"If this gets you turned on, good luck surviving Chaeyoung," Soyeon whispered.

"I'm not getting —"

Then in a swift motion, Soyeon picks her staff then taps both of my ankles, "and spread your feet apart." Another blow hits my waist, "Lower your hips." She raised her staff, gently raising mine in a forty five degree angle, "Don't hold it too low, place it between yours and your opponent's eyes."

"Like I'm pointing at my target?" I whispered, my breath heavy, hyper aware not just of Soyeon's studying gaze, but also Saerom's neutral expression, and Chaeyoung's wicked eyes.

"Exactly like pointing at your target," Soyeon replied.

I moved my staff so that it points towards Soyeon. The Death Dealer's left lip raised into a satisfied smirk — then she tauntingly tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. "Show me what you got!"

Lee Soyeon burst into action, she swing the butt of her staff towards my head. I jerked, moving my own staff just in time to block the blow — which was strong enough to rattle every bone of my body.

Then I saw the other end of her staff high in the air and I blocked with the butt end of mine. Soyeon twirled her staff, forcing me to block with the center of mine. My arms tensed and stiffened, ready to soften what I expect to be a vampirically strong blow. But instead of feeling the power behind her swing, I felt softness — too soft that I felt all strength drain from my arms, bringing my guard down.

Soyeon pushed my staff down not with power, but with finesse — and when she had an open shot on my chest, she thrusted, hitting the round end of the staff directly to my diaphragm. My breath was taken out of my lungs as I staggered back to one knee. 

Soyeon on the other hand, flourished her staff until she held it behind her back with one hand. "Lesson number one, Vale," she said as I put a hand to my chest to steady my breathing, "it's not always about power."

I felt sweat on my forehead and temples and my palms were sweaty as well. It was only the first exchange and I'm already sweating profusely.

Soyeon then walked gracefully towards me, "Lesson number two," she swung her staff, making me scramble to defend awkwardly. The blow hit the center of my staff, but as opposed to the last attack's softness, this one was powerfully heavy. It sent me flying back a few meters and made me land on my side with a grunt. " — sometimes it is about power," Soyeon continued nonchalantly.

I cursed under my breath. I struggled back into the stance Soyeon had instructed me. "Right into the fire, huh," I remarked, my breathing as heavy as my shoulders felt.

Soyeon shrugged, "It always is with the Night Folk," she replied nonchalantly.

Fuck — I thought. I'm going to end up with bruises tonight — a lot of bruises. Hopefully, the healing factor I assimilated from Yeji will make it all disappear after a good night's sleep — if I do get sleep at all — and I can also tell that it's not going to be a good night.

"Learn what kind of strike is coming," Soyeon said. "That way you'll know how to respond."

"How do I that?" I asked.

"Watch the body, Seren," Soyeon replied. She tapped my shoulder, "Watch how their shoulders swing." Then she tapped my hips, "Watch how low their hips are. Look how they twist or pivot on it." Finally, she tapped on my feet, "And watch their feet. See how they are planted on the ground. If it is light and soft, it's most likely a feint or they're trying to maneuver. If it's heavy and resolute, it's most likely a powerful blow."

"I have to keep track of all of that?"

Soyeon smirked and chuckled, "And you're still fighting one person."

I closed my eyes and released a heavy breath. She's right, I'm still facing her one-on-one and I'm already daunted. What happens when I'm faced with multiple enemies at once.

"So I guess lesson number three is watching and observing your opponent?" I asked.

"Exactly," Soyeon replied. "Now raise your guard. I'm going to hammer you for the whole night. Defend as much as you can while observing me. But don't forget to strike if you see an opening."

Soyeon assumed her stance, her staff held with one hand behind her back. I assumed mine, feet spread apart, hips low, and front end leveled with her eye. 

"Good," Soyeon remarked. "Try to last longer this time," and she charged.

I did, in fact, last longer, though only for a few moments. I struggled to focus, my mind says focus on one thing, which makes me immediately forget about all others. I focused on Soyeon's shoulders, sure that the strike would go wide and miss if I duck quick enough — then forgot to watch her hips. She pivoted so fast with her hips that it carried all the power and speed of the swing, hitting me directly on the arm and forcing me to retreat with a painful grunt.

I cursed under my breath as Soyeon allowed me a brief moment of respite. "You're having tunnel vision. Do not focus on the parts, look at it as a whole."

Easy for you to say. I squeezed the area my arm was hit — a sure bruise, I thought.

"You're too good for him, Soyeon," Chaeyoung whistled from the side. "Why don't you let me take over."

"Silence, Chaeng," came Saerom's indifferent voice. "And keep your fangs to yourself," Saerom added, making Chaeyoung snicker.

I forced their words out of my head and focused only on the Death Dealer in front of me. "How do I…?" I heaved. "How do I do it?"

"Practice," Soyeon replied flatly.

"Which means getting my ass beat by you," I sighed. I'm getting my ass beat by a girl a head shorter than me. Then again, maybe the fact that she is a Death Dealer within the Pale Princess's personal elite would soften the hit to my pride.

Soyeon once again shrugged her shoulders and pursed her lips, "No pain, no gain," she said lazily.

Yep, that's oversimplifying it. Too simple  that I can't even form a reply. This isn't going to be meditative like with Yuna and Sullyoon nor would it be fun like Chaeryoung — but still necessary. I gave another heavy sigh. Why does pain need to be freaking necessary?

I willed myself to my feet. If defense won't do it, I'll try going on the offensive. I tapped the ground twice to hype myself then charged.

"Ooh, he's going forward," Chaeyoung observed.

"Big mistake," Saerom sighed, crossing her arms in front of her.

Soyeon just stood, then rolled her eyes as if I was stupid — because I was. With a scream, I swung high — and Lee Soyeon just tilted her head lazily to the side.

Then I felt myself swept off my feet, then my ass and my back was on the ground — and the butt of Soyeon's staff on my chest.

"A for effort, Vale," Soyeon looked down on me and I heard Chaeyoung giggle on the side.

"But you're full of openings. Focus on keeping yourself alive before you worry about taking the offensive."

Soyeon removed the staff off my chest and extended her free hand at me. I took it and she pulled me up. "Rest for a while. We continue in an hour."

Panting, I can only nod. Soyeon released her grip and walked back towards her weapon case. I gave Saerom and Chaeyoung a glance before giving them a slight nod.

I turned and walked towards my bag and pulled out a flask. I emptied it with a big swig and trudged towards the forest. I leaned against a tree, my back towards the open space where the Death Dealers have gathered.

Then a voice, both welcome and unwelcome pulled me out of my trance. Sultry, inviting, charming, and setting off alarms in my head — "Tired already, Seren?"

I turned to see Lee Chaeyoung staring at me. Eyes red in a predatory gaze, and fangs bared in a wicked grin.

I scoffed, "Are you here to drain me dry?"

"Tempting," Chaeyoung replied. "Remember what Soyeon said my idea of fun was?" Her voice dropped, and so did the temperature — but not my body temperature, which seemed to rise as Lee Chaeyoung approached me slowly.

"Sweat, spit, cum, and a little bit of blood on the side," I replied.

Chaeyoung stopped a step away from me. She didn't touch me immediately. She simply looked — no, she evaluated. Slowly — deliberately — her crimson eyes traveled from my face… to my chest… then lower.

"And since," she reached out with her fingers, trailing them along my chest lightly while her gaze lingered just a moment too long on my neck, "I can't have even a drop of your blood," she didn't even try to hide her disappointment. Then she grinned, fixing her crimson eyes on mine, "I'll just settle for a taste test on the other three."

I swallowed a lump in my throat. For a moment — a dangerous moment — the thought crossed my mind.

Then I forced the thought away and shook my head. "And if I say no?"

Chaeyoung scoffed, and replied with utmost confidence — "You won't."

"What makes you so sure?" I bit back.

"Because," her fingers now trailed on my lips. "You're exhausted," her red eyes bore into mine, "you're overwhelmed," her thumb pried my lower lips down, "you're stressed," her cold palm on my cheek made my neck tingle. "Surely, you deserve a reward for the hard work you gave for the whole day."

Just once — I thought again as I felt my walls crumbling like a sand castle swept by Lee Chaeyoung's wave.

Just a little relief after the day I'd had. It can't be that bad right? And they're sworn under Joohyun, they — she — won't dare hurt me… right?

"Tempting," I quipped back, "but I'll pass."

"Are you sure?" She whispered. "You've been strong all day. Let someone else take control for a moment." Then she leaned in close to my ear, "Your day isn't the only thing that's hard," and she cupped the now growing bulge in my pants.

"Chaeyoung —"

"You're big, Seren," Chaeyoung purred in my ear. Then she faced me. I shivered as her palm cupped my cheek while the other stroked on my growing hardness, making me flinch.

Cold.

So cold it made the warmth of my skin feel like it was burning.

She smiled, fangs bared knowing that she's winning. "Call me Chaeng," she whispered.

Her lips hovered inches from mine.
Waiting. Testing whether I would pull away.

I didn't.

And that was all the invitation she needed.

Chaeyoung crashed her mouth on mine. She was rough, not even giving a single pretense that she wanted this to be soft and romantic. My hands moved to her waist instinctively, and I felt leather — like some kind of armor. It doesn't matter though, I felt no heat coming from her body. But I can certainly feel her need when she probed my mouth with her tongue. 

Our tongues clashed, spit against spit — one of the things Soyeon said was involved in Chaeyoung's idea of fun. I hissed as Chaeyoung pulled away, but she bit my lower lip with her fangs, hard enough for her to pull, soft enough not to draw blood. Her eyes stared at mine, crimson red and sparkling with a new found need.

"You taste sweet, Seren," Chaeyoung whispered, her tongues slowly moving down my jaw. Then she moved to my neck, and I tensed as I felt her canines press softly on my flesh, just above my pulse.

She's going to drain me — I thought. Chaeyoung growled, like she was fighting herself from sinking her fangs any further. And with great audible effort, she moved to my earlobe, nipping it with her fangs then whispering in my ear, "I fucking want you, Seren. You, your blood — every fucking thing that makes you you."

"Chaeng —" I whispered, both in nervousness and in pleasure — and the pleasure is slowly getting the upper hand.

"If I had found you first, I would have turned you and made you my thrall," she whispered.

"That sounds… ominous," I growled as I felt her fangs slide down my neck.

"Don't worry, Seren," Chaeyoung grinned as she knelt in front of me. "I still value my life, so I won't turn you. But that does not mean I can't have my way with you." 

The Death Dealer chuckled as she pulled my pants down, exposing my cock to the cool and crisp air. I hissed while Chaeyoung eyed my twitching dick.

"I get to be the first vampire to taste this?" She said in awe and amusement. "You honor me, Seren," she said unseriously with a wink. 

Then my eyes roll to the back of my head, my knees buckled and threatened to collapse under me, and a hoarse hiss escapes my throat as Chaeyoung takes my hardened shaft in her mouth. I expected it to be cold, like her skin, but it was warm - or was it also too cold that it feels warm. Her tongue expertly slides across my shaft, providing friction and pressure I've never felt before.

But what actually drove me to the edge quicker was Chaeyoung's fangs. It slid along the side of my shaft, creating an almost rough and hard friction that was constrasted by her soft and wet tongue.

"Fuck, Chaeng —" I gasped, my hands balling into fists, my back pressing against the tree trunk in order to anchor myself. I looked down, Chaeyoung was bobbing her head in earnest, pleasure evident in her expression like she's actually feeding on something delicious.

Then she released my cock with a pop and looked at me, her cold hands stroking my cock, urging it closer to release. "You're delicious, Seren," Chaeyoung cooed with a twisted smile. "Come on, give me your cum, I can feel it in my palms," she whispered, then took my cock back in her mouth.

I was indeed close, embarrassingly close for a blowjob. But Chaeyoung — I can now understand why she said her body was her first weapon — and she's still using her mouth and hands.

My cock twitched inside her mouth, and I can feel the familiar pressure building up. "Fuck —" I whispered, placing both hands by the side of Chaeyoung's head.

"Chaeng, I'm —" then I thrust my hips forward, making Chaeyoung hum in satisfaction as ropes of my cum shoot directly down her throat. The vampire held me by my thighs, making sure that I don't collapse while unloading inside her mouth.

I felt myself shiver as I emptied out down the vampire's throat. Chaeyoung continued licking my shaft, coaxing the last spurts out. Then she released my cock, and I collapsed on my ass on the cold roots of the tree.

"Fuck, Lee Chaeyoung —" I breathed heavily.

Chaeyoung licked her lips, a satisfied smile plastered on her porcelain face. "That was delicious, Seren. It makes me want to taste you more," the Death Dealer stood and laced her fingers on the hem of her pants. She was about to lower them when we heard someone clear her throat, sharp and punctuated, from the distance. We turned our heads to see Lee Saerom, their captain, looking at us with an expression I can't quite read.

"That's enough, Chaeng," she ordered sternly. "Don't over extend yourself."

Chaeyoung giggled, "I wonder when you'd interfere, Romsae."

"Go back to Soyeon, Chaeng," another command, more pointed and heavy.

Chaeyoung answered with another giggle, "Why? Is it your turn now, captain?"

"I am not you, Chaeng," Saerom replied, never losing her confident tone, "what you did was… inappropriate."

"Hmm. Funny," Chaeyoung rose, "let me ask you, how long were you standing there, watching? And while you're at it, did you enjoy the show?"

A flicker of hesitation flashed on Saerom's stoic expression — which disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "Get back, Chaeng," she replied, colder now, and the wind seemed to carry the temperature of her command.

Chaeyoung continued giggling, "As my captain commands," she said, bowing curtly and playfully before gliding across the ground to rejoin Soyeon.

Saerom made her way towards me once Chaeyoung left. She looked down at me with eyes that were both judging and… hopeful? Damn, I'm so tired I think I'm misreading things.

"Pull your pants back up," Saerom said in a flat tone — like she's commanding a thrall, or disciplining an insubordinate. Shame and embarrassment flooded my cheeks as I pulled my pants back up. I stood, covering myself even though I'm entirely covered up.

"Was it good, Vale?" Saerom asked.

"What—?"

"Was Chaeyoung good?"

"Er —"

"Of course it was," Saerom whispered. Then she looked at me, "but that wasn't everything you felt was it?"

I blinked, surprised at her insight. I sighed, then leaned against the tree, slowly sinking until I was sitting back down on its roots.

"I just can't seem to… resist, everytime something like this happens," I murmured, placing my palms on my forehead.

"Hmm," Saerom hummed softly. "You're young and full of vigor —"

"It's more than that," I interrupted, removing my hands from my forehead and realizing they were trembling. "There are times when I know it's not the right time nor the place, like what just happened with Chaeyoung… and yet —"

"You succumb anyway," Saerom offered.

I nodded.

"Why do you think you can't resist?" the Death Dealer asked.

I breathed heavily and rested my head on the trunk. I felt the earth seem to swallow me comfortably, like it's giving me an embrace as I contemplate.

"There's the incubus theory —"

"That part of your lineage is incubi," Saerom nodded. "That would certainly be an explanation. The Blood of Lilith need sexual satisfaction to survive — but that's not all, is it?"

I shook my head, looking at the Death Dealer's sharp features. "That is still a theory, and even if it's correct it still… leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

Saerom was quiet for a moment as the wind blew her obsidian hair. "You mentioned wrong time and wrong place," she started, "but you never mentioned wrong person."

Her observation hit me like a truck.

"Does that mean that it doesn't matter who it is, as long as the circumstances are right?" She followed.

"I —"

"You're not dating someone, if that is to be believed," Saerom continued. "Nothing stops you from being promiscuous."

"But —"

"But what, Vale? Are you bound by loyalty? By emotion? Why do you feel guilty doing these intimate acts? Why does it feel wrong to you?"

Every question feels like being hit by a bullet. Why was I guilty? No, why does it feel so right in the moment but so wrong after?

"Are you afraid of hurting someone? But then again, all the women you've been with probably know you're sleeping with other women," Saerom continued.

"Or is it because of Yu Jimin?" 

"Jimin," I whispered, her name dropped like one of Uchinaga Aeri's barriers down my very being. We planned to talk tomorrow – I thought. About Chaewon, about all this Night Folk shit, about us.

"You love her, or at least, you clearly feel something for her," Saerom said softly. "But she's human, delicate, fragile — prey." The last word made me meet Saerom's gaze, a protective instinct in me giving me some kind of adrenaline boost — yet Saerom did not stop. "And humans are emotional beings – she knows you're sleeping around, is she really fine with it? Is she why you feel that your promiscuousness is wrong?"

"Do you think it's wrong?" I countered.

Saerom shrugged, "We're Night Folk, Seren. We are not bound by the same morality humans bind themself to," she then gestured towards the field behind us, "Chaeyoung is a perfect example. And to include your other Night Folk friends, the werebeast huntress Lee Chaeryoung, the fae enchantress Shin Yuna, and the dryad Seol YoonAh. Why do you think it is easy for them to engage in these sexual acts with you despite knowing your feelings with Yu Jimin?"

"What the hell are you telling me, Lee Saerom?" I growled low as I felt rage bubble up my chest.

Saerom scoffed indifferently, "Don't talk to me with that tone, boy."

"Screw that. Are you telling me that because the women I was intimate with were not human, does that make me less human —"

Saerom scoffed again, "Why do you insist on your humanity when you clearly know you're not one?"

"Not being one does not mean I can't try to be one!" 

Saerom's lips twitched and her eyes flashed red with both apathy and rage. "Tell that to us vampires, Vale. Us, who were once humans, and are now forced to feed on what we once were in order to survive. Now compare that to your… sex problem."

"Jimin… deserves more," I said hesitantly.

"But does she deserve this?" Saerom followed softly.

My breathing was heavy — defeated. I have no answer, because I don't know what Jimin deserves — only she can tell me that.

I looked at Saerom, her posture hadn't changed, but there is some sort of tension in the way her eyes searched mine.

"What's your story?" I asked softly, making Saerom turn her head. "You, Chaeyoung, Soyeon, how did you become vampires?"

Saerom huffed softly, clearly considering my inquiry. "It was eighteen hundred years ago," she began softly, melancholically, "the coven wars. The vampire war that was purged from all history books, covered up by saying it was some kind of blood plague. It was then that we lost our humanity." 

"I won't tell you all the details, Vale, but know that that war cost the life of seven of the thirteen vampire elders and the destruction of their entire bloodline — main and branch covens included. And it was also a time where a third of the recorded casualties were actually turned into vampires — for manpower, more 'meat to throw in the grinder', if modern terms apply."

That shut me up, there was no record of this coven wars as far as I know. The timeline does coincide with a blood plague as I learned from history lessons, though the exact cause or reason was never clarified — or I just never listened to that part in class.

"And were you… one of those people turned just to fight in this war?" I asked cautiously, afraid that Saerom's rigid posture would break and turn against me.

Saerom nodded, "All three of us were from the same village. One night, six different covens attacked at the same time, we were separated in the chaos."

"You're sisters? Like actual blood sisters?" I asked.

Saerom nodded, "There were seven of us," she replied then sighed heavily, her eyes caught the moonlight — maybe a tear, maybe not. "I was turned by a coven under an elder whose name I didn't even know, and trained to fight and to kill. Five years after the attack, I met five of my sisters in the battlefield, all of them turned and fighting on separate sides."

A faint smile that seemed to be full of pain curved from her lips, "Only the three of us survived, and when the dust settled, Joohyun, still a young two century old noble took us in. But that war — I, no, we, killed indiscriminately Seren, do you understand what that means?" Her voice was soft but heavy. 

"Chaeyoung saw sex as an outlet, much like Shin Yuna while she was serving Orion. And Soyeon drowned herself in training. We did our very best to keep our humanity, but what was left were strands, shattered pieces."

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked.

"Because there might come a time where you must decide," Saerom replied.

"Decide what?"

"That either you keep your humanity, or you turn those around you into monsters."

"Are you saying that.. if I stay down this path," I began slowly, trying to find the words. "If I stay down this path of trying to keep my humanity… I might cost Jimin hers?"

Saerom shrugged but not indifferently, "I don't know. But would you risk it?"

No, I won't — I thought, and Saerom seemed to read my mind.

"For what it's worth," Saerom slowly approached and sat beside me. "I could be wrong, you could be strong enough, Jimin could be strong enough to retain your humanity. But I am sure that something would be lost somewhere, somehow," her tone was soft and comforting, like a weary older sister who has had this conversation too many times than she wanted to.

"But you need to tell her everything —"

"I still don't know everything —"

"Then tell her that as well," Saerom interjected. "Don't hide behind uncertainty, don't hide behind the things you don't know, don't hide behind comfort, don't hide behind the fear of hurting her, and most of all, don't hide behind love. Lay it all down on her if you truly care for her, and if she still chooses you at the end of the tunnel, then you're one lucky guy."

"Would she still be the same Jimin once she leaves the tunnel?" I asked.

"No," Saerom replied with certainty, "you weren't even the same Seren you were when you woke up this morning and to who you are now, am I right?"

I exhaled softly, unable to refute her point, "How does this connect to my… promiscuousness?"

Saerom sighed, "She's human, Seren. She may be expecting you to be hers and hers alone. That's one of the things that separate humans and Night Folk — the desire to be the only one to receive another person's love — and sex is one of the highest forms of expressing it. Can you see where I am going, or do you need me to spell it out for you?" 

I closed my eyes, I felt the tree vibrate softly behind my back, comforting me for the question I already know the answer to, "She'll be forced to choose," I began, "if she accepts my promiscuousness for whatever reason, she discards one of the things that make her human just for us to stay together."

Saerom nodded softly, "And if she chooses the opposite —"

Saerom waited for me to respond, she knows I know the answer but I just can't seem to say it — because saying it makes it real. 

But that's not what Jimin deserves, that much I know, so I answered — "I lose an anchor that keeps me human," I finished.

Saerom's smile was gentle, no sign of pride or victory, just acknowledgment, and relief that I'm still human enough to think about this things. "And there's your crossroads, stay human and keep Jimin in this world that forces the humanity out of you, or turn both of you into something you both do not want to become."

"A rock and a hard place," I responded.

"That just means it is worth fighting for." The Death Dealer then turned to face me, "You do realize that you need to accept one thing in order to be able to truly talk to her," Saerom whispered.

I nodded, "Accept the fact that I am not human, not fully at the very least."

"And do you?"

"No."

Saerom chuckled dryly, "I can't fault you for that, it took me probably a millennia to accept that I was not human anymore — longer probably for my younger sisters back there," she motioned to the field behind us.

"Why are you telling me all this?" I asked.

"Because I don't want you to turn out like us," Saerom replied as she rose gracefully. She extended a hand towards me and smiled gently, "Now come, you're still not done with tonight's training."

I smiled as I accepted her hand and she pulled me up. I was grateful for the conversation — although it left me with more questions than answers and things I'd rather avoid saying or doing. Yet I see the wisdom in it. And I won't be doing this just for myself, I would be doing this for Jimin, and for all the other women I developed intimate relationships with — because even in my twisted heart, I do care, not just for one woman, but for all of them.