It Started With A Kick (Magi: Ren Koumei/OC)

02 | Kou-Shi War

When Koumei collapsed, Hyorin took it as a chance to infiltrate her former residence. However, more soldiers only awaited her inside, so she was forced to flee, hide somewhere in the palace, and wait for another chance.

It was already night. Hyorin was resting on a branch of a high tree, thinking about what happened during the war.

F L A S H B A C K
(a g a i n)

A month had passed after Kou Empire declared war against Shi Kingdom.

General Hyorin and her Hwarangs were sent to the Hanjong Valley, situated near the border of Shi, to intercept the invading army from Kou Empire. With the power of her Metal and Household Vessels, they were able to subdue their enemies.

However, unbeknownst to Hyorin, another battle had already ensued in the outskirts of the capital. Crown Prince Seojun, wielder of another Metal Vessel, assumed that her sister's army had been defeated and had no choice but to leave the palace.

In the battlefield, his forces ran into the army led by Ren Kouen.

The two had a battle of Djinns. Despite Kouen's renowned strength, Seojun was able to keep him at bay. However, little did he know that they had already fallen deep into the enemy's trap.

The sound of trumpet alarmed the Crown Prince and his soldiers. The forces of Shi turned to the direction of the palace, and their jaws almost instantly dropped at the sight of their flags being replaced by those of Kou Empire.

Seojun turned to Kouen with a murderous glare. "What did you do?"

"It was teleportation magic," he explained. "My brother conquered a dungeon just recently. This is his Djinn's ability."

Seojun's eyes widened in realization. No one had a way of knowing that the Kou Empire had just gained a formidable weapon, and that put the final nail in the coffin of their kingdom. The troops that Hyorin intercepted were merely decoys-even the army that Kouen lead was simply a diversion.

"The moment you stepped outside the palace, you had already lost." Kouen stated and pointed his sword at the other prince. "Surrender, Kim Seojun."

Without a King Vessel to protect the Cheonhyeong Palace, Ren Koumei and a troop of elite warriors were able to occupy it. The King and Queen surrendered, ultimately ending the war with Kou Empire's victory.

• • •

A week later, Hyorin's army returned to the capital.

"Hey, what's this? Why is no one welcoming us?" One of the Hwarangs grumbled, disappointed not to have a congratulatory parade readied for them.

Instead, they were approached by a squadron from Kou and were ordered by the general to drop their weapons. Hyorin's army did not wait for further explanation and immediately engaged in battle.

"Come forth, Seir!" Hyorin yelled, and her body was enveloped in a blinding light.

Along with the members of her household, Hyorin rushed to the palace and even managed to reach the throne room. However, her father, the King, had already been taken away and a different man sat on the throne.

"Who are you?!" she hollered and aimed an arrow at the red-haired man.

With head resting on his fist, he watched her with an indifferent gaze. He scoffed, "You don't even recognize the face of your enemy?"

All Hyorin needed was confirmation. She was about to release the string of her bow when something cold grazed her throat.

She cautiously looked down and found a knife-that was floating in the air with a severed hand holding it! Or at least, that's what it looked like to her. Horrified, Hyorin took a step back and almost immediately shrieked upon feeling a pull on her wrist. Her hand and Metal Vessel disappeared in a black hole and she couldn't retract it.

A voice echoed in the hall. "Don't move or you'll lose a hand."

Hyorin froze. That was definitely not an empty threat. It did seem like her hand would be cut off if she moved too much.

"Drop your weapon," ordered the same voice.

Ren Kouen silently watched from the throne as his brother made brilliant use of his newly-acquired powers to make the princess submit.

"The war had concluded a week ago. Your King and Prince had already surrendered to the Kou Empire." Kouen announced and rose a sword, which Hyorin immediately recognized to be the Metal Vessel of her older brother.

Soldiers soon entered the hall. Surrounded and left with no other choice, Hyorin released her Djinn Equip and surrendered.

• • • • • •

Author's Note:

Short chapter! This is just to explain what happened during the war. :)

In case you did not get the part with the severed hand, when Koumei threatened Hyorin with a knaifu, he opened a portal just big enough for his arm to slip through.