Chapter Thirty-One Sunny
Chapter Thirty-One
Sunny
I come to with a gasp and bolt upright. I woozily glance around the familiar pagoda in the woods, except the pond next to it is drained dry.
The nightmare in the Kingdom of Water crashes into me with my next breath, and I scream, “Haesan!”
“Easy, Stormy. I’m right here.” The in’eo crouches next to me, one forearm resting on his raised knee. “Did you enjoy your na—”
My fist connects with his jaw before he can finish his sentence. The bastard doesn’t even teeter, and—fuck—I might have broken my pinky finger. I don’t get a chance to be infuriated, because profound relief crashes over me, and I throw my arms around his neck with a choked sob.
“You steaming pile of putrid shit,” I wail. “How dare you sacrifice yourself for me?”
“Do you have to paint such a vivid picture? Besides, I only tried to sacrifice myself for you. That scary keeper over there?” He peeks at the scowling keeper on the opposite side of the pagoda. “He somehow dragged me over along with you.”
I shove Haesan away like he’s the one who’s been clinging on to me. “Did everyone make it over?”
“No.” The in’eo thumps onto his ass and scrubs his face with both hands.
Of course everyone didn’t make it over.
I saw it with my own eyes. Lifeless bodies floating in the water, then disintegrating into darkness. I don’t know how many. Too many. I’d repressed the horrifying image for a cowardly second.
“I’m so sorry, Haesan,” I whisper. “I should’ve done more. I could’ve—”
“Don’t.” He reaches out and squeezes my shoulder. “Stop beating yourself up. You helped save so many lives.”
I nod, but I still wish I’d done more—done better.
“Where have they all gone?” I push up to my feet.
There is no time for regrets. I’ll do better next time. I won’t give up.
“The people of the Kingdom of Sky really came through for us.” Haesan’s face lights up. “They are working nonstop to feed and house everyone from the Kingdom of Water.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.” It took an apocalypse to smack the bigotry out of these shinbiins, but at least they stepped up when it counted. “How long was I out?”
“A couple of hours,” he says. “I think you needed the rest.”
“You should’ve woken me up,” I grumble, but he’s probably right. I feel more alert after the nap. I jerk a thumb toward the cranky keeper. “I should go talk to him.”
“Sure thing.” Haesan grins, and I stare blankly at him for a moment too long. I still can’t believe he’s alive.
I spin away from the in’eo before I do something foolish, and I skulk up to Keeper Bae. I cough into my fist and wait for him to turn around. “I, um, thank you for saving my friend.”
The male turns a mottled red, but he manages a curt nod. It seems we’re on our way to becoming best buds.
But in a sudden panic, I step closer to him, and his eyes widen in alarm. He must think I’m trying to hug him or something. Instead, I just grip his sleeves, my knuckles turning white. “Has anyone come through from the Kingdom of Mountains?”
“No, not yet.” Keeper Bae looks relieved not to be hauled into my arms.
“Well, they’ll come over soon.” I don’t like the slight waver in my voice.
They are coming. He’ll be here. “When they’re ready, we need to keep the portal open for everyone to come through.
Do you think the portal keepers from the Kingdom of Mountains will help from their end?
It will make the evacuation much easier. ”
“I’m afraid not.” The keeper’s mouth twists in distaste. “Before they went through, I heard General Bak order the troops to kill the keepers to stop them from trying to close the portal.”
“Gods. Those keepers aren’t soldiers. The general just ordered them to be murdered?” I shudder at the male’s callous cruelty. “D-do you think they succeeded?”
“I can’t say for sure.” Keeper Bae’s voice is grim. “But I was able to keep the portal open for the army without resistance from the other side.”
“Maybe you’re just way better at your job than they are,” I quip, tired of all the ugliness. “Do we need to send someone over there to twirl dirt around like Haesan did with the water?”
“Twirl?” The in’eo scoffs from behind me. “You mean generate a massive vortex.”
I smirk at him over my shoulder. Serves him right. I’m still mad at him for trying to sacrifice his life for me.
Keeper Bae first nods at Haesan, acknowledging his great feat, then answers my question, “No, the portal to the Kingdom of Mountains can be propped open from our end.”
“With what?” I crinkle my nose. “With like a tree?”
“A tree will suffice.” He confirms my wild guess. “A very large tree.”
“Someone has to wedge a giant tree in the portal?” I massage my forehead, my fingers digging into my skin. “How the hell do we do that?”
“I am somewhat restored from enchanting the pond, but my magic will be drained after I prepare the tree,” the keeper says grimly. “I won’t be able to move it.”
“I can help carry the tree.” Haesan raises his hand, volunteering for the job.
“But you expended so much life force generating that massive vortex,” I protest, inadvertently borrowing his earlier words. What he did was really incredible, though.
“I did.” He crosses his arms over his chest with a proud, boyish smile. “This time, I’m merely offering brute strength for the job. I still have plenty of that left.”
“Then I will prepare the token.” Keeper Bae clomps down the stairs to the pagoda and walks over to a stand of trees across from it. He places his palms against the biggest of the bunch and, wearing a bad-tempered scowl, commences berating the tree.
“I like him,” the in’eo says.
“You like everybody,” I scoff, even though I like the grumpy keeper too.
I throw my hand over my eyes when a brilliant green light bursts from one of the wooden pillars of the pagoda, and a beautiful seonnyeo flies out of the portal and lands gracefully on the floor.
“Who—” Before I can finish my question, Jihun flies through the pulsating green portal with Captain Seo in his arms.
A tornado of questions and emotions slams into me at once, and I don’t know what to do. Thank gods, Jihun is okay. Is Cheyun hurt? Where is Ethan? But everything quiets in a heartbeat. My friends need me. I rush to their side.
“Is she okay?” I squeeze Jihun’s arm in silent greeting, even though I want to give him a rib-cracking hug. I scan him from head to toe to make sure he’s unhurt, then sag in relief.
“She was injured during battle, but she will be fine once she gets some rest.” His eyes roam my face, like he’s imprinting it into his memory.
Oh, Jihun. My heart cracks, dreading the moment I have to hurt him.
But Ethan heard my voice. He answered me through the mirror of water.
I don’t know why I’d been afraid to accept the truth till now.
Ethan is my love destined by the heavens.
We are bound by the threads of fate. It will always be him.
I drop my hand from Jihun’s arm.
“She is already fine.” Captain Seo squirms to be put down, but Jihun doesn’t budge.
“Sorry for talking about you like you aren’t here, Cheyun.” I smile sheepishly at her. “But I’m glad you’ll be okay.”
“It’s good to see you, Sunny.” She grins back. “Good job getting the Queen of Water to send her troops.”
“Thank you for leading the Kingdom of Underworld’s troops to Shinsi,” I counter to deflect her praise. Then it suddenly hits me—really hits me—that Jihun and Cheyun are here, standing in front of me. “D-did we win? I-is Ethan . . . safe?”
“Yes, we defeated General Bak.” Jihun holds my gaze. “And the king is safe.”
“Oh thank gods.” I clap a hand over my mouth. I can’t fall apart. Not until Ethan is back at my side. I sniff loudly and clear my throat. Then I jerk my chin toward the unidentified seonnyeo who came through the portal first. “Who is that?”
“She is the Queen of Sky,” Jihun answers.
“The one who gave General Bak the green flag to attack the Kingdom of Mountains?” I spin around and bare my teeth at her. “Against her own nephew? What kind of fucked-up aunt does that?”
“That would be fucked up.” An amused half smile curves the female’s lips. “But I did no such thing.”
“No, she did not.” Jihun sighs, squeezing the bridge of his nose.
What? Did I embarrass him or something? “To truncate, the general poisoned and kidnapped the queen so he could steal her army. But as soon as she regained consciousness, she ordered the soldiers to lay down their arms and stopped the bloodshed.”
“Oh.” I tuck my lips between my teeth as heat rushes to my cheeks. I should be thanking her, not snarling at her like an angry gumiho. “My apologies, Your Majesty. For the accusation . . . and the cursing.”
“We will deal with such pleasantries—starting with a proper introduction—at a better time.” The queen seems to grow in stature as steel enters her eyes. “For now, we have a kingdom to evacuate. Where is Keeper Bae?”
“He’s preparing the token for the Kingdom of Mountains.” I point toward the keeper, where he stands yelling at the tree. His scowl is fainter, and his lips move slower. “But he is exhausted from enchanting the entire pond for the Kingdom of Water.”
“Put me down, Jihun. I’m serious. I hurt my wing, not my legs.” Cheyun pushes against the stubborn male’s chest. “Keeper Choe can help. I threw him in jail at the Suhoshin headquarters. I can bring him here.”
My fists tremble at my sides, my nails digging into the flesh of my palms. My sweet roommate, Hana, gave her life to protect her twin, Duna, who framed her for her own crimes.
And Keeper Choe helped the murderous spy escape.
He was deceived like everyone else, but I still don’t like the arrogant prick.
“I . . . You’re right.” Jihun sets the captain down with a hand hovering behind her back. When she stays steady on her feet, he reluctantly steps away. “And I must go back to the Kingdom of Mountains.”
“Are Hailey and Jaeseok okay?” I grab his forearm, not ready to let him go. When Jihun nods, I force myself to drop my hand. “Did they stay behind with Ethan to help everyone through the portal first?”
“Of course they did.” An affectionate smile curls one corner of his mouth before disappearing. “And I must return now. Ethan promised not to do anything reckless, but I need to make sure he keeps his promise.”
I nod, struggling to swallow. I hate how Ethan has to be noble and brave all the time. But that’s one of the many reasons why I love that stubborn ass.
“Please be—” I jump out of the way when a suhoshin flies through the green portal with an in’eo in his arms. Then another suhoshin follows, carrying a dokkaebi.
Oh, it’s a buddy system.
“Come.” The Queen of Sky motions at the incoming suhoshins, taking charge of the situation. “This way. Quickly.”
“The keeper on the other side is injured and will not be able to keep the portal open for long,” Jihun says, looking at the people streaming into the Kingdom of Sky. “Keeper Bae and Keeper Choe must be ready to take over soon.”
“They’ll be ready,” I assure him, relieved that at least one keeper from the Kingdom of Mountains survived.
“I should be on my way. Be safe, Jihun.” Captain Seo opens her mouth as if to say something more, but she turns to me instead. “As for you, please remember to think before you act.”
“Don’t I always?” I give her a cheeky grin. “Fine. I will use my head if and when the situation calls for it.”
After a two-fingered salute, the captain sprints toward the Suhoshin headquarters to spring Keeper Choe from prison.
I’m not too keen on the idea, but Keeper Bae definitely needs a hand.
I glance at the exhausted keeper, then at the people pouring through the portal.
That sniveling prick better pull his weight.
Jihun turns to go, and I blurt, “Try not to die.”
“I’m not that easy to kill.” His lips curve in a ghost of a smile before he jumps through the portal.
Please stay safe. All of you.
“Wow,” Haesan breathes. My head swivels toward him. I’d forgotten he was here. “You never told me you were close to Captain Song. And to Captain Seo, for that matter. You are so lucky.”
“You are such a fanboy,” I grouse. “You should have asked Jihun for his autograph.”
“I apologize for interrupting the fun,” the Queen of Sky says wryly, “but is the Queen of Water in the Kingdom of Sky?”
Haesan turns a touch green around his gills and stammers, “Y-yes, Your Majesty.”
“Do you know where she is?” She takes a step closer to him.
“Her Majesty is at a nearby village, helping our people settle in.” He stands at attention.
“Take me to her.” Without waiting for the in’eo to respond, the queen glides down the pagoda steps.
“S-see you, Stormy.” He hurries after the queen. “I will be back to move the tree.”
After I wave him on, I’m tempted to slide down to the ground—to sit and be scared. But there is no time for such indulgences. I cast a worried glance at the flickering portal.
The green light grows dimmer with each passage. The keeper in the Kingdom of Mountains will not be able to hold it open for much longer. It is up to the portal keepers of the Kingdom of Sky. But Keeper Bae sways on his feet, his lips barely moving as he continues to chant.
The fate of the Realm of Four Kingdoms feels as precarious as a house of cards. A gust of wind is all it’ll take to bring everything crumbling down. But this has to work—it will work—because I can’t live with the alternative.
Come home to me, Ethan.
Someone behind me cries out in alarm, and I spin back toward the portal.
A being of Mountains falls onto the pagoda, and the suhoshin, who got her through, lies sprawled on his stomach, his arms still outstretched.
But . . . the bottom half of his body is still on the other side of the shrinking portal.
The portal is closing.
“Hold on,” I yell and grab on to his forearms, and he wraps his hands around mine. Calling on the might of my gumiho, I drag him out from the portal, inch by precarious inch. “Come. On.”
I haul the suhoshin into the Kingdom of Sky with one last mighty heave, and the green light blinks out, a hair’s width away from the soles of his shoes.
I fall onto my ass and stare at the wooden pillar where the portal used to be—horrible images of the suhoshin cut in half or embedded in the pillar flashing through my mind. With my chest heaving, I groan and flop onto my back.
Fuck my life.