"I'm sorry guys, I've tried and nothing's working. I'm afraid we can't heal you," Soyeon pouted, her arms crossed over her chest as she stared at Taehyun and Jungkook with obvious sympathy.
The sun was rising higher in the sky, the dewy smell of morning and the soft chirps of the awakening birds filling all of their senses. As of now they were getting rid of all the ashes of the Bulmyeol coven members, Yoongi busy freezing them then dissolving it to get rid of them, others were saying their goodbyes to the spirits since they'd have to get the spiritual witches and warlocks out of their trances soon, or some were being healed from their injuries.
It's just, with Taehyun and Jungkook, they couldn't be healed.
Whatever Taemin did, seemed to be permanent.
Meaning they were blind.
Jungkook looked towards Soyeon, tears glossing over his vacant eyes. He reached around him, obviously trying to feel for either SeokJin or Taehyung. Thankfully both of them were on either side of Jungkook, already ready to hold him, support him, and comfort him in any way they could.
SeokJin kissed his temple, his hand holding Jungkook's trembling one, "It's okay, bun, you're going to be okay." he assured, running his free hand through Jungkook's blue hair.
Taehyung's eyes filled with tears as he wrapped his arms around Jungkook's waist and kissed his cheek over and over again, he hated seeing Jungkook this way. Jungkook was utterly heart broken, the fact he may never be able to see again filled him with pain like no other. It was easier for Earth elementals, since they could use the earth to see, but Jungkook didn't know how the hell he would.
He's never heard of a blind frost elemental and really didn't want to be the first.
Soyeon had tried to heal him with her new power, her and Moira tried all together to heal Jungkook and Taehyun but nothing was working. They couldn't be healed.
The effects of the gods Toph and Zephyr had worn off of Jimin and Taehyung, since it wouldn't last forever, the two calm now though still able to feel some of the power they got from them. Taehyung could see perfectly fine, since Toph's power protected him, but Jungkook and Taehyun weren't so lucky.
While Taehyung and SeokJin were comforting Jungkook, others were saying their goodbyes to the spirits of the people they loved.
"You know i'm always with you, no matter what, you need to remember that Dion," Fera scolded, the warlock nodding as he looked at her.
"It's easy for you to say, you can see me, I can't see you," Dion countered, his arms crossed over his chest as they stared at each other, Fera mirroring his stance.
She scoffed, "Then i'll make sure you know i'm there. I love you, so much," her voice shook and the teasing tone that once enveloped her voice dissipated, Dion was aware she was about to start crying, and he knew he was too.
Saying goodbye again didn't feel great the second time around.
Fera already said goodbye to all her fire babies, she hugged them and kissed them and told them how much she misses and adores each and everyone of them. They were all sad to see her go, but they knew she couldn't be there forever. They just wished she was alive and not just a spirit.
Fera told SeokJin to make sure to break the news to her parents quick, like ripping off a band aid, because the more he tiptoed around it the more it would hurt; she also made him promise to take care of Sterling for her, which SeokJin agreed to in a heartbeat.
They'd all miss her even more now, if that were possible.
"I love you too," Dion assured with a soft smile, he stepped closer to her, his hand cupping her jaw.
He leaned down and connected his lips with hers once more, able to feel Fera wrap her arms around his neck one more time before she had to go.
When she pulled away she had a sad smile on her face, she waved goodbye to Dion and the others as she passed through the portal the spiritual witches and warlocks were creating, disappearing out of sight but never out of mind. Dion's chest and throat hurt from the pent up emotions, but he made sure to wipe his watery eyes before any tears came out.
He'd see her again when his time came.
Soyeon waved goodbye to BM as he walked through the portal, her eyes glossed over as she watched her father go. Seeing him again was amazing, especially after what happened, and him telling her he was proud of her felt better than when everyone else said it, because coming from him it meant more to her.
Dion walked up to Soyeon, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "You did good, Yeon." he proclaimed, Soyeon looking up at him and smiling.
"So did you, D," she replied, which had Dion chuckling as she sighed.
They both did good.
"You didn't want to meet her when you were young, would probably kill your soulmate," Akane shaded as she wrapped an arm around Joonwae, Hayoon and Donghan chuckling at her words as Akida glared at her.
Hayoon and Donghan were enjoying speaking to their mother and father, listening them talk about things that happened in their lives was refreshing, since they never got to when they were children. Plus, watching Akida's annoyed expressions was just a bonus.
"I'm going!" Akida yelled, throwing her hands up and walking away from the scene, once she walked through the portal Joonwae flipped her disappearing form off.
Akane just laughed at the a action, her body leaning into Joonwae's. Seeing them happy like this, smiling and giggling at each other, warmed their children's hearts because it's something they didn't get to see when they were younger, something they wished they could've seen.
Donghan rolled his shoulder and bent his arm, since he'd just gotten it healed and wanted to make sure he could properly move it, Hayoon just snickered as he did.
Joonwae smiled at his twins, wishing more than anything he could've helped raise them, help teach them things he was taught as a child, but he assumes the universe didn't want to grant him that privilege. He'd always, no matter what, hate Akida for ripping that chance away from him.
Songhee walked up to them, her cheeks flush, she quickly bowed towards the parents, "Hi, um, can I-um- borrow Hayoon for a second?-"
"Why are you so nervous, love?" Hayoon inquired, raising an eyebrow in Songhee's direction as she stood.
Songhee swallowed the lump that formed in her throat, her eyes narrowed, "W-well, they're your parents, Hayoon, I'm your... girlfriend and I don't know-"
"We approve, if that's what you want to know," Akane interrupted, a smirk on her face as she watched their interaction, "you're definitely Hayoon's type, and you're gorgeous while powerful, I couldn't think of anyone better for her." she complimented, which made Songhee blush even harder as Hayoon wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek.
Joonwae smiled widely at the two, saying, "You can go borrow her, like you wanted," he assured with a slight tease in his tone, which had Songhee nodding.
Hayoon said her goodbyes to her parents, kissing both their cheeks and hugging them as hard as possible while telling them she loves them before walking away with her girlfriend. Akane and Joonwae smiling even harder as they went.
Joonwae looked back at Donghan, who was smiling softly as his sister went with Songhee, "What about you? Any one you're interested in?" he asked, Donghan sighing, his gaze moving across the field.
"He's aromantic, Joonwae, he doesn't feel romantic feelings. He can-"
"Doesn't mean I don't want a relationship, ma i'm demiromantic not completely aromantic," Donghan interrupted his mother, his gaze landing on her, Donghan got a lot of his looks from Akane, "It's just I don't feel the romantic aspect and don't necessarily fall in love. My type of relationship isn't traditional. Some aromantic's can feel that affection others claim is romantic through sex or intimacy; which I don't see as romantic but you get the jist. With me I need a deep emotional connection before I develop romantic feelings, it takes a lot for me to feel romantic love, that's all." he explained, his mother raising an eyebrow at him.
"Then who is the boy or girl that you're interested in, or have a connection with?" she inquired, Joonwae's arm wrapped around her waist as they spoke to their son.
Donghan didn't respond, instead he yelled, "ILSUNG!" which had the male he called for jumping out of his skin before looking at who called for him.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Ilsung screamed across the field, which had Donghan chuckling.
Donghan motioned for Ilsung to walk over to him, which the earth elemental did after whining about it to Jeongyeon, who was just laughing softly at him as she watched him go. She'd realized what she had felt for Ilsung before was purely platonic, she had just mistaked the feeling.
Once Ilsung was in front of Donghan, he asked, "What?"
"Can you help me up?" Donghan asked, batting his eyelashes as he tilted his head.
Ilsung furrowed his eyebrows, looking around, especially at Joonwae and Akane, he pointed at them, "Can't they help you up? You made me walk over here for that? Are you going to pay me for doing this, with food specifically?" Ilsung inquired, crossing his arms over his chest.
Donghan groaned, rolling his eyes and giving Ilsung a stare that had the earth elemental gulping subtly, "Can you just help me, Sung?" he asked, his voice going softer, which had Ilsung sighing before sticking his arm out to do so.
Instead of Donghan using the limb to help himself up, he pulled Ilsung on top of him, since he was stronger. Ilsung yelped as he tried to catch himself, but couldn't since he fell too fast. Next thing he knew he was on top of Donghan, the fire elemental smirking at him, which had Ilsung's heartbeat accelerating.
Ilsung can't pin point when his feelings for Donghan had started, at first he called it attraction, because all of them could tell Donghan was eye candy. Though, as time progressed and the more time they spent around each other, he realized it wasn't just lust he was feeling. He had talked to Songhee about it and she confirmed it wasn't just plain attraction; especially since the two had actually become good friends.
Though Ilsung never pursued it, because he knew Donghan was aromantic (though never asked if he was fully or demi) and had respect for the elemental to not do anything nor try anything. But as he remained in this position, he couldn't stop his heart from wanting to break outside of his chest.
Donghan smirked, "Well, guess you fell on top of me," he chided in a nonchalant tone, which had his father groaning from how awful that was while Akane giggled.
Ilsung furrowed his eyebrows, not moving, "Technically you pulled me on top of you, smart guy."
"Why are you so literal?" Donghan inquired with a growing smile on his face, his hand moving to cup Ilsung's facial cheek.
Ilsung sputtered out, his cheeks going pink, "W-why are you so weird?"
"Because you make me feel weird," Donghan mumbled before leaning into Ilsung and pressing his lips against the earth elementals.
He gave Ilsung room to pull away, but was happy when Ilsung instead threaded his fingers through Donghan's orange hair and kissed him back, his head tilting and legs moving to straddle the elder's hips as his hands then moved to cup Donghan's jaw.
"THAT'S MY SON BITCHES!" Akane screamed, which had Ilsung startled and pulling away from Donghan, though the fire elemental swiftly rested his hand on Ilsung's nape and kissed him again, Ilsung not pulling away and instead humming into it.
"GET IT ILSUNG!" Jimin yelled, NamJoon shaking his head fondly from beside his boyfriend as the younger fan-boyed over Donghan and Ilsung. Namjoon and Ilsung now good friends.
While Songhee and Hayoon just stood there with their mouths agape, though both couldn't deny they were happy for the two.
"We made some attractive kids," Joonwae whispered to Akane, the female giggling at the feeling of his lips so close to her ear.
She smiled, watching their twins, who had bright smiles on their faces, she looked back at her shadow soulmate with an equally bright smile, "You bet we did."
<><><>
Once all the spirits were back in the spirit world, all of the spiritual witches and warlocks of Moira were yanked out of their trances. When they were back in the material world, they all groaned and laid on the grass, that much power exertion hurting like hell afterward.
Lolie sighed, rubbing her eyes and looking around, "Did we win?"
Dion and the rest smiled at her while nodding, "Yeah, we did, thank you." the spiritual ones smiled, happy all the power they used was worth it and Bulmyeol was finally gone.
As they all calmed down, making sure the area was as clear as it could be, they all finally just collapsed on the ground, especially Yoongi and Hoseok, who felt like they were hit by trucks.
Though their blanket of calm was short lived.
Ilsung furrowed his eyebrows, Donghan sitting right near him with his arm around the younger's waist, "What's wrong?" he asked, Ilsung closing his eyes and when he opened them again they were viney green, he looked around before settling on a bundle of trees.
"Someones here," Ilsung announced, which had the others now on edge again.
Though the stranger came out of hiding quickly, which revealed Elaine, the white eyed witch that had told them how to kill Jiwoo.
"Funny, you show up once the fighting is over," Yoongi commented, full malice in his voice as he stared at the woman who only chuckled softly as she approached them.
"I had said before I wouldn't get involved in Jeon affairs, you guys clearly handled it yourselves," Elaine commented, her voice even as she looked around, "but like hell was I going to let my daughter fight any of those disgraces without me there in case anything happened."
Everyone's eyebrows automatically furrowed, all of them looking at each other, asking with their eyes if they were the child she was referring to.
Though, their answer was given when Lolie began giggling like a madman and after some seconds finally ran up to Elaine and hugged her waist tight.
All of them kept their jaws from dropping.
Soyeon, though, had her eyebrows furrowed even deeper to convey her confusion, "H-how? How come we didn't know?"
Lolie responded instead of Elaine, the woman bouncing on the balls of her feet while Elaine gave her a fond smile, "My momma has always been Elaine, she's immortal but my papa wasn't, which is why I look older even though she's my momma!" her tone was as happy as ever, everyone could tell she was excited to be around her mother.
Dion was the next to ask something, "then how come Lolie's not white eyed like you, Elaine?"
"Her father was a black-eyed warlock, which overpowers white eyed ones. He was a spiritual warlock, which is why she's one as well. I taught Lolie everything she knows, me and her father, I taught her the soup thing you guys most likely already know about." Elaine explained, her hand going through Lolie's dulling purple hair.
They couldn't imagine how much it must have hurt her to stay young as her daughter grew older, even if she did age slower than the average number of people. Knowing one day she'd have to bury and say goodbye to Lolie instead of it being the other way around must have hurt like hell.
Elaine being Lolie's mother explained why Lolie was more powerful than most spiritual witches, the fact she had white-eyed heritage was extremely rare and heightened her own power.
"Why are you here, momma?" Lolie asked, looking at her mother with a serious look the others didn't usually see on Lolie.
Elaine sighed, looking at Hoseok and Yoongi, "You two asked if I could teach you the way of the OneeOnia and the Phoenix, and I came here to tell you i'm willing." this had Hoseok and Yoongi's eyes widening, "You two are immortal, along with your sages, so I have a lot of time to teach you but there is a lot you need to learn. I'd like to start soon."
SeokJin furrowed his eyebrows, walking away from Jungkook and Tae and closer to Hoseok, "I'm immortal?"
Songhee did the same, walking next to Yoongi, the same question on her mind.
Elaine nodded as if it was something they should've known already, "The main whisp sages lives are connected to the Phoenix and OneeOnia vessels, which means when they die you do too, their immortality is yours as well. There is much I can teach you two as well." she spoke clearly, watching every little contort of their faces.
That meant Songhee and SeokJin would outlive their lovers.
That fact already hurt, even if their time wasn't close.
Yoongi and Hoseok would outlive their friends, except Songhee and Jin of course.
Hoseok shook his head, "Then I don't want to leave with you now, if I-I have limited time with them then I want to live it as much as I can. Is there any way we could go to you after?" he asked, Elaine sighing at the question.
She bit her lip, understanding why they'd feel this way about the situation, after some time that felt hours, she nodded, "Yes, i'll allow that, my location though may be secret at the time since I am one of the only white eyed witches left. You may need another witch to find me when you're ready."
Soyeon stepped up, walking over and standing beside Yoongi and Hoseok, "I will," she proclaimed, knowing since she aged slowly, and now would age even slower because of her mother's power, she'd be alive by then, "I'll find you."
Elaine nodded, kissing Lolie's forehead before letting her go, "Very well, see you four in the next couple years." a smirk accompanied her words, and she was about to leave if Jin didn't ask her to wait, she looked over at him.
"Can you heal them?" he gestured for the others to bring Taehyun and Jungkook over, which they did, "Taemin did something that made them blind, you're powerful, can you heal them?" his voice held a desperate underlining, one that made Elaine's heart ache.
She walked closer to Jungkook and Taehyun, whose eyes were looking everywhere but her. She nodded at the others. Elaine placed her hands over both their eyes, she closed her own, when they re-opened her eyes were white and she chanted a spell under her breath, one that had Taehyun and Jungkook screaming out in obvious pain as they writhed against the grass.
SeokJin and the others would've moved to stop her if Lolie didn't push them backwards and keep them from doing so.
When she pulled away, Jungkook and Taehyun looked around and cried out in relief, both their eyes normal again.
She gave them back their sight.
Jungkook smiled, one of pure relief and happiness, he turned towards Elaine, "thank you, thank you so much," he was going to hug her, though Elaine just placed her hand on his chest and patted it awkwardly.
"You're welcome," she smiled softly, "i'll be taking my leave if that's all the healing needed?"
Before she left, she healed Dion back to full health, something Soyeon had requested since she knew how much pain he was in. Once Elaine did him, she healed the rest of them. Elaine asked if Hoseok and Yoongi wanted the cuts on their faces healed, but they shook their heads, if they were immortal, they wanted to be reminded of the fight of their lives.
One that proved just how powerful they were.
Plus, they both thought it made them look extra badass.
And damn were they correct about that.
<><><>
"We'll miss you guys," Aisha commented as they stood near the edge of Caroban, the elementals smiling sadly at her words.
Today, almost 2 weeks after the fight, the elementals would be going back to the Academy.
Hoseok's arm was wrapped tightly around Yoongi's shoulders, Yoongi's arm around his soulmates waist, "We'll miss you too, it's been fun despite the near death moments." his comment had the rest laughing softly.
Dion crossed his arms over his chest, staring at all of them with love, "Don't think you're getting rid of us so easily, we'll make sure to visit and you guys better do the same."
Soyeon nodded a sign that she agreed with Dion, her white hair suiting her as it moved about, "Yeah, definitely."
Jungkook smirked, staring at Dion, who rolled his eyes at what he knew was coming, "Of course, warlock dada."
This now had all of them bursting out into laughter as they began repeating it over and over again towards the elder.
Though as Dion watched them all, Moira and the elementals, smile happily while laughing with overwhelming joy, he couldn't find it in himself to be annoyed.
If anything, he felt happy.
<><><>
6 months later
Sat on the rooftop where everything started, where Hoseok and Yoongi confessed to their friends they were trying to prove the fire and frost rumor false, where NamJoon and Jimin revealed more of what they thought about Akida, where so many memories for them took place, one of the places where their bond formed.
It's been 6 months since their fight with the Bulmyeol coven, and many things have changed since then.
Shinhyun, Fera's mother, took over as Chancellor for Academy Initia until NamJoon and Jimin came of age, the spot reserved for the both of them. After SeokJin told her and Fera's father about their daughter's death, she was heartbroken beyond repair, and she mourned and was still mourning, but she wanted to keep doing the good her daughter was as Chancellor until NamJoon and Jimin were ready. She didn't want anyone changing what Fera had built.
And so far, she was doing a good job as the Chancellor.
Everyone could tell by looking at Shinhyun and seeing how she acted, where Fera got her kindness from.
Malchin knew NamJoon would be a good Chancellor to the Academy, he was kind hearted, and already knew how to lead people into scary situations. Though, Namjoon wouldn't accept the offer until Jimin agreed to do it as well. Jimin was strong, he was an enforcer, and NamJoon wouldn't want to do it alone and he knew having Jimin by his side would be a great plus.
So, when the two graduated and were trained, they'd become the Chancellor's of Academy Initia. And on top of being Co-Chancellor with NamJoon, Jimin would also take the position of wind marshalles for the Academy, since he was one of the strongest ones in Aesthete.
Hayoon, Donghan, and Jeongyeon were officially enrolled into the academy, Donghan only doing it because Ilsung convinced him too, since he had felt no need for it at first. Though after heavy convincing he joined his twin and sister.
In the garden Fera had created for the elemental students who lost their lives in those fights, Cashel grew a stunning red, orange, and black flower, one that stood over the other flowers in an almost protective manner. Fera's name was written underneath in gold writing.
It made all her fire babies happy to see it.
Seokjin also took Sterling into his care, since the horse loved him and could tell Fera wanted him to be with Jin. Shinhyun was grateful for the sage, since he was a good person and an even better care taker to Fera's precious horse.
Jungkook decided that he wanted to be frost marshalle after he graduates, he felt with the experience he has with everything, he’d be able to do it well. While Taehyung would want to have a different job away from the Academy, he loves his boyfriends and friends, but he just doesn’t want to work there after everything that's happened.
Songhee convinced Hayoon to start a class where she would teach elementals defense without their ability, how to use weapons and extend their ability with said weapon. It took a lot of convincing, but eventually Hayoon agreed to do it after graduating from the Academy.
While the others didn't know what they were going to do yet, though they still had time to decide.
“Immortality, huh,” Jimin commented as he looked out over the edge of the building, NamJoon seated beside him with his arm wrapped around Jimin’s waist.
Hoseok and Yoongi chuckled softly, though it wasn’t a sound of amusement, “Yeah.” Even if it’s been 6 months since they found out, it was still a scary thought that none of them have really walked past and come to terms with.
SeokJin’s eyes watered as he held his boyfriends, knowing he’d live past them broke him even if the time wasn’t close, “We still have time, we shouldn’t focus on it or we’re never going to get past it.” he stated, the others humming in agreement though they could hear the hurt in his voice.
Songhee nodded, obviously agreeing with the elder male, “Yeah, that’s still far away.” Hayoon hummed, she was sitting behind Songhee, her arms wrapped around the elder female.
A similar position Ilsung and Donghan were in.
Jeongyeon sighed, which caught the attention of the others, who gave her a confused stare, “Look, Songhee, Jin, Hoseok, and Yoongi are immortal, they’ll outlive us, but that isn’t going to change the time we still have left with each other, which is a lot. So stop being so down, we fought a thousand year old witch and won! I think we can manage spending our time with each other with happiness and fun instead of sadness.” her tone was playful, but all of them knew she was completely serious.
Jungkook stood, pulling his boyfriends up with him, “exactly!” he agreed, pointing at the female, who laughed in his direction.
The rest of them stood, now talking and just laughing with each other, the gloom that shroaded them before evaporating and instead being replaced with joy. Jeongyeon was right, they fought Jiwoo and won, they should be relishing on the high of that victory, even if it was 6 months ago, instead of being down about the fact four of their closest friends would outlive them.
Yoongi and Hoseok watched their friends with fond smiles, the scars on their faces healed and now just reminders of what went down. Yoongi’s back was leaning against Hoseok’s chest, his gaze focused on the water colors of the sun set.
Hoseok leaned into his ear, his hands interlocked with Yoongi’s pale ones, “I love you.” he whispered, which had Yoongi smiling softly at the sound of his soulmate's voice.
He tilted his head up and pressed his lips against the younger’s, pulling away just a bit to remind him, “I love you too.” which had Hoseok’s heart smile adorning his features.
Their moment was interrupted by their friends pulling them into the imaginary dance party they were having, the shadow soulmates laughing even more as they spent time with their closest friends.
They made sure to soak in every second of it.
a/n
Here's a reminder of what the Saito Family looks like
Young Akane Saito
Young Kang Joonwae
Hayoon Saito
DongHan Saito