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Chapter 2: Royal Business (part 2)

"I don't know what's wrong with me." Mark groaned, digging his fingers through his roots as he sat down at his desk. Ten sat across from him, leaning back as he stared at the King of Orenda.

To Ten, Mark was still a child, like a younger brother that had yet to grow up. He might be the ruler of all eight realms and the father of two children, but in his head, he still stressed about the same things before all of that.

"There's nothing wrong with you." Ten told him, lacing his fingers in his lap. "There has been trouble in all eight realms and as the King of Orenda, all of that falls onto your shoulders. It's only natural to be stressed. In fact, I would be more worried if you weren't stressed."

"It's just a lot coming at me at once." Mark groaned into his hands, rubbing his face. "First Minsun's dreams and then her journey with Xun. And now all of Orenda seems to be falling apart, I just wish..."

"Wish what?" Ten asked, noticing how Mark's voice had begun to fade. He leaned forward, trying to hear Mark better as the King began talking quietly to himself. "What is it, Mark?"

Ten watched as Mark's eyebrows furrowed, as if he was deep in thought. "Did I ever tell you about my daughter's dreams?"

"What dreams?" Ten asked, curious. "Minsun's?"

Mark nodded his head. "Before she left, Minsun told me that she was having these weird dreams. Dreams where she would live through memories of Grace. She was convinced that there was a connection between the two and I didn't believe it nor do I want to but now that it feels like..."

Mark shook his head and Ten couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his head. "Feels like what, Mark? Give me answers."

"It feels like Grace is alive again. Hyung, I can't explain it but as of just now, it's like I can feel her again. Like her soul has returned or something." Mark confessed, continuing to shake his head. "It makes no sense, she's dead and has been dead for years. Why is all of this happening now?"

Ten didn't have much to say, standing up and grabbing Mark's shoulders so he was forced to stare into his eyes.

"That old lady, where does she live?"

...

"Mark Lee, just so you know, I have a child now so I can't be irresponsible like we were when we were children." Haechan announced as the two men made their way through the forest of Ombra.

Mark rolled his eyes, knowing that even with a wife and a child, Haechan was still the same person he always was. He couldn't help but wonder if he had made the wrong decision, letting his close friend join him for the evening.

His other option was Jisun though, and Mark honestly still didn't have the guts to speak to her after their fight. He needed space away from her for a bit, to clear his thoughts and to get himself organized before seeing her again. The last thing he wanted was to ruin their marriage, Jisun being much too important in his life for him to act foolishly and lose her.

"Can you just be quiet for once in your life?" Mark snapped, not ready to deal with this side of Haechan. He quickly noticed this, the grin on his face quickly fading.

"Sorry." Haechan mumbled, looking away. "So what should I be looking for anyways?"

Mark started feeling guilty, realizing that Haechan was just trying to lighten the mood like he always did. He let out a deep sigh, looking around the forest. "Do you ever miss Haesoo?"

"Every day." Haechan answered, even though Mark had ignored his original question. "I feel guilty for not treating her better when she was alive. I guess there's nothing I can do now though. She's gone and nothing could bring her back."

"That's the thing though." Mark said as the sight became familiar. He naturally threw an orb of darkness, and sure enough, the bubble that surrounded the cottage vibrated. Found it.

"What's the thing?" Haechan asked, stopping and glancing at Mark with wide, glossy eyes. "Is there a chance that our sisters are alive?"

"I think so." Mark said, motion ahead. "And this is the answer."

The two men stepped through the bubble, revealing what should have been the cottage where the old lady lived. Instead, there was a pile of rubble where the cottage should have been, the lady's home completely destroyed.

"No, no, no!" Mark exclaimed, running towards the remainder of the cottage at full speed. Haechan was right after him, neither of them taking long to connect two and two.

"Someone destroyed this place." Haechan breathed out, hand on Mark's shoulder as he knelt by where the entrance should have been. He felt tears burning in his eyes, his last hope of finding his sister gone.

"She has to be here." Mark sniffled, blinking back the tears. "She knew black magic, she couldn't have given up that easily. She... she.. She..."

Mark's eyes quickly scanned the area, landing on a mangled body in the middle of the forest floor. He couldn't help but flinch at the scent of the deceased, feeling more than sorry for the lady that was the reason why he was alive and why he got to see his sister for longer than he deserved.

The body soon lit up into flames, clearly Haechan's doing. Mark stood up, shocked. "Why did you do that?"

Haechan simply pointed and Mark turned to see the familiar necklace that was always around the old lady's neck, completely shattered into different shards and pieces, impossible to place together again.

"She's gone, Mark. She's really gone."

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Hehe marks in big troubleeeeeee :D