Six kilometres away from Belfort is the the teng forest.

The trees from that forest are the only ones those are used for making the wands because supposedly they have the power of the veil― the veil is the source of all powers.

"Careful." Jeongguk's father warned as he marched forward with his apprentices following him with their wands in their tight grip.

The dark was engulfing them all in as they got deeper in the forest. The fireflies flying around and the moonlight was the only ones illuminating the place. Their heartbeat louder than ever before teng forest wasn't at all safe at night because of the creature's hiding and lurking around.

Crickets chirp ans they all gulp at the sound echoing throughout the woodland. Jeon Jonhan, the mage plus the headmaster of Belfort was here tonight for the only purpose of checking.

He needed to check how the veil is at the moment, how badly damaged it is and what's the reason. He probably would've waited for dawn but he also couldn't wait because with every moment, the damage might just turn out to be irreparable.

"Slow―" he held out his palm at his back stopping the others behind him the moment he heard those rustling. That soft, muffled and crackling sound made him look more carefully and he could obviously not ignore those glowing pair of yellow eyes in the endless obscurity.

"Sir, is it―" one of them whispered out but the gesture he made with his pointer finger made him shut up instead and fear inundated his body.

"I know who you are," Jonhan blurted out slowly reaching down for his wand in the the pocket of his trench coat but before he could pull it out, they all heard a shriek which resonated through out of the whole greenery.

"Petrifico aubando!"

The spell was only audible to the headmaster. All the others heard was the huge sound still echoing.

With that, Jeon Jonhan froze on his spot, his wand that was in his hand held out to cast a spell also froze with him, the ones behind screamed in horror to see the most learned wizard, the mage himself petrified like this.

But whatever or whoever was the reason for his condition didn't come out maintaining the mystery like it was moment ago and instead decided to leave.

The apprentice couldn't just figure out of it was someone human or animalistic but surely those eyes were terrifying, he saw them disappear in the woods and they all thanked to God that they were still safe.

★

Taehyung bit on his bottom lip, pulling it in and chewing on the skin as he nervously stared at his supposedly rival Jeon Jeongguk's dorm room to which the door was open and a lot of students crowded in front to give him condolences.

"Jimin, he isn't dead. Why are they acting like he already is. Lord, I feel bad for Jeongguk." maybe this was the first time, Taehyung wasn't being an arsehole with the other and talking shit about him because this obviously isn't the time and if he did, that would be so cruel, "Should we go and check on him? Like y'know―"

"There are already so many people there. Let's wait until they leave." the shorter one beside him said and he nodded.

"The healers are with him, the best ones are there for him, he will most probably recover soon." the cotton candy haired male informed, resting his head on the other's shoulder who sighed, "Hope so."

"The mage is almost dead, shouldn't we be worried about us? This is something serious." one of the students murmured softly and Taehyung just fell disgusted. How stinging those words were― he just wondered how can these people be so heartless.

"Now waiting for the next mage."

Someone even joked and laughed at this issue. Taehyung wanted to pick a fight that instant but won't that just worsen the issue even more? Won't that make Jeongguk feel that he did this on purpose just to create a mess at his critical time?

No, he didn't care about his rival Jeon Jeongguk, but he cared about him because he had this human decency and he can't even imagine how hard it must be for him at the moment.

His father almost dying and him being not allowed to see him even once, like he is his son but still no.

"Jeongguk can just close the door," Taehyung pointed out, thinking why didn't he do it yet, but he got his answer when the boy standing beside have him the clarification.

"He thinks he is obliged to answer on behalf of the mage but what's upsetting is people aren't trying to understand his situation and asking him questions in this hard situation." he explained, "A creature successfully attacking doesn't mean the headmaster was incompetent to fight it or something and he is just there to answer those nasty motherfuckers who are talking shit about him."

Taehyung sighed, "Man, why does he think he is answerable. He is definitely not."

Taehyung and Jimin waited for the bunch of people to get out and once they did, they walked in to see Jeongguk sitting on his bed with his palms on his face in utter silence.

"Jeongguk," the brunet called and the younger one quickly looked up and sucked in a sharp breath pulling himself to his feet, "Yeah, Kim. I know what you're thinking but my father isn't worthless and the situation was against his favour. He could fight whatever it was but the timing―"

"Hey no, that's not what I am thinking, I wasn't here to ask any of those stuff. I know things might've been difficult and the circumstances were against him," Taehyung said taking a step closer and Jeongguk stopped talking and nodded pressing his lips together to keep his tears in.

With glassy eyes, he glanced at Jimin and then back at Taehyung who gave him a reassuring nod before doing something he never expected.

The older hugged the other oh so tightly surprising him but soon enough he stopped thinking and hugged back the moment Taehyung whispered, "He will be alright and you― you aren't answerable to anyone."

Jeongguk buried his face in the crook of the other's neck and involuntarily wrapped his hands somewhere about Taehyung's waist and pulled him closer.

All the attempts of keeping those tears in and look like he wasn't that affected by this turned out to be futile when he started started crying silently in the other's embrace.

Jimin held his breath for a moment seeing this and genuinely felt bad for the one they both were after all the time, the one they bitched about like every ten minutes.

Taehyung could feel the tears making his t-shirt wet but no he didn't push him away and let him cry against his skin.

Jeongguk didn't make any sound but Taehyung could feel the amount of pain he was going through, he could sense the other's almost shaking body hugging his own one.

The brunet didn't say anything nor did he move and let the other carry on. Jeongguk didn't realize it was almost some good amount of minutes he was holding onto the other's frame and sobbing on his shoulder.

Once he did realize that, he pulled away and with a croaky, broken voice, he muttered under his breath, "It was a weak moment, Kim. I just―"

"I totally understand it, Jeon and I am letting it pass okay? Won't remember this at all." Taehyung said smiling that somehow managed to get a smile out of Jeongguk who took a step back now.

"I never wanted to say this but thank you, Kim." Jeongguk said with the most genuine tone ever which made the other nod at him, "Yeah, I get it."

"I can't believe y'all now." Jimin said and they both let out a soft giggle.

This whole situation was never expected. None of them expected this but 'expect the unexpected' is how things actually are.

"But Taehyung, I don't think it's some of the teng creatures," Jeongguk said wiping the last batch of tears, "Dad can't just turn out like that because of the sight of any of them."

"I agree with you. He is the most powerful wizard after all, it must be something more than just a teng monster."

"I can't sleep without knowing what that thing was."

★

eid mubarak guys !

and and hope you liked this chap <33