Cursed Hearts | ATEEZ

001

And so, the sectors had been forced to watch, to participate in The Trials of The Eight Mountains, hopelessly fighting in and following the trials as the kings stood by and did nothing except watch their allies be slaughtered in the arenas.

We were both going to die.

〄

The sound of someone clearing their throat made Taeyong pull away from me, turning around and stepping back a couple of steps, revealing a man in a black suit who was standing a little further back, looking rather uncomfortable as he awkwardly let his eyes flicker back and forth between the two of us.

I tried to straighten my clothes a little, brushing off some of the dust from the crumbling wall of the Colosseum behind me as I offered him a strained smile.

Taeyong ran a hand through his already messy hair, the strands of copper falling into his eyes as he huffed in frustration and turned completely away from me.

The man in the suit hesitated but tried to keep up his professional attitude nonetheless, "If you would be so kind as to follow me, the car is ready to take you to the capital where you will be meeting the others at The Palace of Atlas," he said, gesturing for the sleek, luxurious black car behind him.

I stood up a little straighter, glancing back over my shoulder only to see people begin to emerge from the Colosseum as The Declaration came to an end, sending curious looks in our direction before making their way over.

I turned back to face the two men in front of me, but Taeyong had already shut the door to the car after getting in, disappearing behind the tinted windows just as the driver did the same.

I rolled my eyes, though followed his example nonetheless as I turned to look back at our horses tied to one of the trees outside the ancient arena one last time before they would forever become part of my past.

The car took off, but I was unable to take my eyes off the window as we rushed through the streets and roads of the old city, my home, practically eating up the familiar buildings, temples bridges, statues, parks, and squares, wanting to engrave them in my mind, to remember every single detail.

Realizing by now, thanks to Taeyong, that it would be my last chance to ever see them.

At the thought of the male next to me, I dared to glance over my shoulder just once to see Taeyong sitting with his back turned to me, staring out of his window as well.

My heart sank at the sight, locking eyes with the chauffeur in the rearview mirror, his eyes asking me a silent question I wasn't willing to answer. I turned away.

Leaning my head against the cool surface of the glass, I let out a heavy sigh.

We were both going to die.

〄

I was awoken as someone gently shook my shoulder, pulling me from the lands of sleep and comfort as my eyes fluttered open. I turned my head to look at Taeyong, still silent, though he motioned for me to turn back to the window as he pointed to the world outside with a strained smile.

I did as told, my jaw going slack as I slowly edged closer to the glass‚ completely in awe as I took in the landscape we were quickly speeding through.

Absolutely mesmerized, I leaned in to put my hands against the window, feeling the steady vibration and low hum of the motor fall into the background as I stared out at the vast fields and hills stretching out into the distance, billowing grass and trees in every colour of the seasons merging together into a wonderful rainbow.