Mark was certain that he gave his sister clear instructions on being nice to Chaehee. Sungchan's wife was a kind girl and he had no problems with her, but Grace sure had other plans.
While on the other side, Grace was able to meet a few other wielders of black magic. She learned a few tricks through them, and had been practicing her powers since. Unfortunately though, after coming through the doors, Grace had no word on their statuses and assumed that Chanyoung had found them first, just like how he had found the witch.
Coming back from the cottage, Mark had to admit, he was disappointed that the key wasn't there. They were still able to retrieve valuable items and spell books, ones that Grace planned on using to teach Minsun what she could.
During their search though, Xun had found a photo, a photo of the witch and a child, one that seemed too familiar. Further investigation allowed them to find a few more photos, and it didn't take long for them to realize that the girl in it was Chaehee.
And to think she was brought up with a single parent, Mark thought, a part of him feeling sorry as he had to watch Chaehee explain to her husband who her mother really was.
Mark really didn't want to believe that Chaehee had been hiding the key from them this entire time. He trusted his people and he had trusted that they would speak up if they had something. When he and Grace got close to her shared bedroom with Sungchan, they could feel the power of the object, making it clear that Chaehee was the one who had been hiding it all along.
When Chaehee finished with Sungchan, she turned towards Mark, glaring at the male. "I'm guessing you want to talk now?"
"We can wait until morning." Mark said but his sister wasn't as kind.
"Where's the key?" Grace demanded, her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. Mark bit his lip as Chaehee rolled her eyes, shaking her head.
"If you ask like that, you make me want to keep it instead of giving it to you." Chaehee mumbled.
"Grace, we can deal with this in the morning, it's late." Mark said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Grace gave Mark a look that Mark returned, using his authority over her. He could tell that his sister had read his thoughts, a deep sigh escaping her lips as she gave in. "Fine but I'm not leaving here without the key."
Grace walked away, not even bothering to say good night. Mark breathed deeply, not liking how his sister was acting.
"I've heard that she wasn't always like this." Chaehee said, breaking the silence as she crossed her arms. "Didn't know death could change someone that much."
"I think it's more than that." Mark said, shoving his hands in his pockets before turning back to Chaehee. "The situation with Chanyoung worries her. That's just her defense mechanism, she doesn't mean it."
"It seems like she could use another one." Chaehee commented before meeting Mark's eyes. "Are you going to wait until I give you the key to leave or are you going to stand by your words?"
"I can wait until morning, don't worry." Mark said, motioning to Chaehee's room. "You should go back to your husband. Sungchan is probably waiting."
"Probably." Chaehee agreed but Mark noticed a moment of hesitation in her movements. "You know, Minsun's not going to forget about you that easily."
Huh? Mark thought, trying his best not to show his true thoughts. "What do you mean?"
"She may not be your real daughter but you brought her up." Chaehee said with a small smile. "And you should tell your sister that Minsun also isn't going to care that her mother had been absent for most of her life. Perhaps that will ease her mind a bit."
"Can you read minds?" Mark asked, curiosity getting the best of him. "How did you know about all of that?"
"I can't but my mother had very good senses. I suppose I inherited a bit of that." Chaehee giggled before her face became serious again. Mark watched as she brought her hand out, Ombra's key appearing in her palm. "Here, take it?"
"You're just going to give me it?" Mark was astonished, not knowing what to do as he stared at the key. "I thought you would take a lot more convincing."
"I've been on the fence about this for a long time." Chaehee admitted, gently extending her arm. "I have to admit, I was worried about this ending in the wrong hands but I think it's clear that your intentions are pure."
"I'm sorry about your mother." Mark said quietly as he took the key from Chaehee. He could immediately feel it's power filling him, needing to take a second to get used to it. How did Chaehee do this?
"It's not your fault." Chaehee said, returning back to her room. "There was nothing you could do about that. Now that you have the key though, I need you to promise me something."
"What is it?" Mark asked, wondering what Chaehee wanted as her eyes darkened.
"You must defeat Chanyoung at all cost."
...
Minsun stared at the eight keys laid out in the centre of the table, members of each realm around it as well. She knew picking the eight that would go close the door was a difficult task, one that required careful selection.
Some realms had too many options, and trying to narrow down on one person was nearly impossible. Others barely had any, with Jeno sighing deeply as he allowed Jisung to join the group despite the fact that he was no longer living in Erde.
In the end, it was decided that there would be eight people going with the addition of a few others to ensure that the door was properly closed. The rest would continue to make sure that their mission was a success by taking care of the creatures, keeping an eye out for Chanyoung as well.
The eight people were Aera, Jisung, Sora, Shotaro, Hendery, Jihyung, Xiaojun, and Xun. Minsun was surprised that they chose two of the children, but their parents were more than convinced that they were ready. Unfortunately, it seemed like some weren't too happy with their decision.
"Are you serious?" Grace asked, staring at her brother. "This is the door we're talking about here."
"You can still go if you want." Mark said, not really caring about the look Grace was giving him. "I'm not stopping you."
"Grace." Minsun heard Jungwoo say, placing a hand on her arm. There must have been something about Jungwoo's touch as Grace instantly backed down,
"I'll be going with Jungwoo." Grace announced, making Jungwoo's head perk up, surprised. "I need to see that the door is closed myself."
"You're neglecting the needs of Orenda for your own wants." Jisun commented, adding fuel to the fire. Minsun couldn't help but stiffen in her seat, feeling uncomfortable to be there. "Don't you think that's a bit selfish?"
It seemed like Minsun wasn't the only one that felt out of place as she heard Hendery clear his throat and the others adjusting their positions in their seats as well. She heard Grace take a deep breath, sighing before glancing back at Jisun.
"As the Queen of Orenda, surely you must understand that what the realms need the most right now is for that door to be closed as soon as possible. Looking around you, ask yourself how many of us have been on the other side of the door and understand how it works." Grace said, glaring at Jisun. Jisun gulped nervously but still kept her head held high as Grace continued. "Not many. So if you want to ensure that the door stays closed, Jungwoo and I are going."
"Grace." Mark scolded from where he was but his younger sister didn't listen, standing up instead. Jungwoo reached out, trying to stop her but she avoided him, giving the people at the table one last look before walking away.
"I'm sorry, let me talk to her." Jungwoo said, quickly bowing to Mark and Jisun before standing up and taking his leave. Minsun was tempted to follow her parents but before she could, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.
"Your majesty, if Grace and Jungwoo are going, can Minsun come as well?" Xun asked, look at Mark.
"Minsun will do no such thing." Jisun commanded but Mark shook his head, placing a hand over his wife's.
"I think we should leave the choice up to Minsun." Mark said, turning to the girl. Minsun could feel all eyes in the room on her, waiting for her decision.
Minsun knew that Jisun's stare was the one she felt bruning on her head, but it seemed like she wasn't the only one as hand came over hands, fingers locking together.
"Do what you want, Minsun, but know that I'll appreciate having you there." Xun whispered softly. Minsun nodded her head, the decision being easier than she expected.
The only problem is what other people want, Minsun thought, avoiding Jisun's eyes as she stared at Mark.
"I'll go with them." Minsun said, giving Mark a small smile. "I hope it won't cause too much trouble."
"It won't, don't worry." Mark reassured her, nodding his head. Minsun couldn't help but feel guilty as she looked away, past Jisun and focusing on Xun who was grinning from ear to ear instead.
"Wait, that's not fair!" Jihyung whined from his seat, earning looks from the others. "If Minsun is going, I want Jingsi to go too!"
"Jihyun!" Jisun's anger was obviously bubbling and her son knew it, and Jihyung quickly settled down with a pout on his face. Hendery, who was sitting beside him, gave the young boy a pat on the shoulder before looking at Mark, speaking slowly as he chose his words carefully.
"If you two will allow it, Sora and I can make sure that Jihyung and Jingsi are taken care of." Hendery told him. "They'll be under my supervision the entire time."
"You have no idea how mischievous those two can get together." Jisun argued. "The last thing I want is for my son to fool around and end up trapped on the other side of the door."
"I don't think it works like that." Minsun heard Xun mutter under his breath, snickers coming from Jsiung and Aera that sat beside him.
Jisun shot Xun a dirty look that made Xun clear his throat, adjusting his clothes. Her focus soon returned to Hendery, who's eyes widened as they met the Queen.
"I don't think that you can take care of those two. I'm sorry Hendery, but I know my son and I know that it's best if he stays at the castle." Jisun told him.
"Aw eomma please." Jihyung begged, grabbing Hendery's arm. "I promise I'll listen, I want Jingsi to go too. It's not everyday where we get to close the portal between the living and the dead."
Sora giggled, ruffling Jihyung's hair before turning back to Jisun. "Jihyung and Jingsi aren't children anymore. They're growing up and I'm sure you know just as well how important it is to experience your powers outside of a training setting."
Jisun opened her mouth again but with the eyes of the others on her, she surrendered to the pressure. "Even if you had my permission, you'll need to ask Jingsi's parents as well."
"Oh, they'll say yes, don't worry. I can convince them." Jihyung cheered, satisfied with his mother's decision.
"In that case." Mark said, clapping his hands together with a smile on his face, giving Jihyun a wink that made the younger male's face contort. "I would like to adjourn this meeting."
"Hope you're ready." Xun said as the people began filing out of the meeting room. "Because for some reason, I have a bad feeling about closing this door."
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HELLO FRIENDS :D
i am back... ish
i'm going to be updating kinda slowly cuz school is kicking me in the butt but i am alive and well and trying to survive school so please forgive me for the super duper slow updates *sobs*
I WILL FINISH THIS BOOK IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO
:D
i'll be back... sometime :D