Love In A Sinking Realm ⊰BTS⊱ Steampunk

EPILOGUE ✑ A New Life?

The tender breeze carried the grey clouds beyond the edge of the horizon. The sun balstered in the equanimity of the cerulean sky.

When everything seems right with the world, the pit of mirthless emotions entwine with the inevitable quell of the aftermath of a storm.

A tear storm that ravaged the earth for eternity. An earth so big, so vast. But not big nor vast enough to contain the weight of a damaged soul.

It takes so little to crumble. Yet so long to rebuild.

Selenya watched the brothers fall into a taciturn reflection. None of them knew how to translate their feelings into words, or actions.

Is it true what they all say? That time heals every wound. But how about the invisible ones? Hidden beneath the surface.

The airship glided among crowds of migrating birds. The early darkening of autumn lowered the saturation, fading the colors of nature. Yoon flew gently, the muzzle of the craft pointing South, slowly traveling towards the island of Balus.

"Now what...?" asked Jun softly, breaking the silence.

Hosea sighed before replying, "I don't know. I guess...we try to move on. We try to forget..."

"How can we forget...", muttered Jinghim, clenching Namjuniel's diary in his hand.

Hosea looked at him, "We don't. But, that's what Namj---" he choked on his sobs, "---that's what Namjuniel would've wanted."

Selenya took a small medical kit container from the pouch of her belt, sat up and knelt in front of Hosea. He smiled at her warmly while she cleaned his bloody nose.

"I'm so sorry for what they did to you, Hosea," she said as she disinfected the cut, "You, of all people, does not deserve any of this."

The boy's chin trembled as he struggled to maintain his heartwarming smile. He then leaned in and hugged her tightly. Selenya reciprocated.

"And thank you for saving us," he whispered.

"We saved us, Hobi," she corrected him.

Taehberius was sitting next to them. He reached his arm and patted his brother on his shoulder. Selenya parted her hug with Hosea and sat next to her boyfriend.

"Are you alright?" asked Taehberius with his characteristicly low, soothing voice, enfolding her in his side hug.

"Yeah...I'm alright," she replied with tears flowing down her cheeks.

Jihmm exited the pilot's cabin, sat next to the prince and slid an his arm on his wide shoulders.

"Jin," he called to him, leaning closer to his elder brother.

The handsome young man's flooded eyes shifted on Jihmm's angelic smile. He must have not expected it, braking down in spasmodic weeps. Jihmm pulled him in his arms and caressed his raven hair, letting him vent his pain.

It was clear that he would carry the guilt of his brother's death for the rest of his life. And no one could say anything to convince him otherwise. As the eldest and as their prince, he burdened a responsibility that his brothers could not fathom.

They all gathered around him and took turns hugging, or consoling him in any way they were able.

In moments such as these, despite your own inner conflicts and hardships, you show a strength of spirit that you did not know you possessed.

Selenya and Taehberius went back and sat next to each other. The girl wiped a few dropps of blood from a cut in the corner of his lips. He frowned by the burning sensation of the emollient disinfectant. As she gave the finishing touches, with the at most care, as though handling the most fragile thing, he tenderly placed his thumb on her cheek bone, cutting the stream of her tear. A melancholic smile was formed on her visage. She came close to his face, brushed her parted lips against his, and kissed the open cut.