The scroll case begins to open expelling rays of soft glowing light. He stands back almost stepping on Keku’s paw as they both look at one another and the scroll. Keku stands on guard between Jae-Suk and the scroll aglow on the table with his muscles tight and his ears erect ready for what he thinks may be an attack in progress. Jae-Suk tried to calm him by rubbing his head and ears. “At ease Keku.” He says as he steps forward slowly putting his hand to his side to motion for his trusted protector to stand down. Keku whines softly with concern and reluctantly takes his stance at Jae-Suk's side. Keku and Jae-Suk watch the scroll closely as it begins to glow ever brighter and it slowly lifts from the table.
As the scroll and its case slowly rise and begin to levitate above the table with the letters fully aglow to the point of blinding, it speaks. "Blood of your blood and flesh be one. The path is set and what has begun cannot be undone. At full moon gaze, two become one and rise to conquer in the sun." The scroll sang with the voice of three. The fates have spoken and now unfold the road of Jae-Suk's destiny. The two of them stand in amazement at what just happened. Could this be real or have my brother's pranks gotten even more elaborate than they've ever been?
Jae-Suk takes picks up the sphere and he gets flashes of 2 silhouettes in many different periods in time reaching out to one another through the ages to Eden. He takes the sphere and its stand and places it by his bedside on the nightstand. For some reason he is no longer afraid nor does he believe it is a prank. He brushes his teeth, showers, and readies himself for the day after letting Keku outside and giving him breakfast.
The Tan family is having brunch today and the driver will be arriving within the hour. The housekeeper has now arrived to tidy up and bring in fresh flowers and groceries for Jae-Suk. "Mr. Tan, joh-eun achim-ibnida. Keku my good boy, good morning to you also." Jang Gok Chae-Won says as she brings in her two carts inside the grand entrance as Keku hurries to greet her. She throws a new green rubber ball for him to chase and Keku happily gallops to retrieve it. "Joh-eun achim Ms. Jang Gok. How are you this beautiful chilling day?" Jae-Suk says as he helps Ms. Jang Gok bring the carts into the kitchen. She hugs him and stands back to look at him motioning him to turn around for her so she can see what he is wearing twirling her finger in the air. "You know you have to stop looking so handsome or I may have to wish on a star for youth so I could marry you myself. My handsome boy, what do you have planned for today?" She says hugging him again then starting to unpack the lot.
"Today I am having brunch with the family. I think Seo-jun is going to tell everyone he intends to marry Yumi. Things have gotten pretty serious and she seems to have tamed him to the point where he is almost a normal and fully functional adult. No more playboy behavior. It's kind of bittersweet. I'm going to miss our nightlife together, now that he has to be cuffed up and all. I'm happy for him though, he seems truly happy. I didn't know love could do that to a person. Ms. Jang Gok, when Mr. Jang Gok was still with you did you have an arranged marriage or was it love? How did you know that is what it was and not just infatuation or a fluke?" Jae-Suk eagerly asked as he helped unpack the lot with her.
"When it is right, chin-aehaneun sonyeon, you will not wonder the difference. What is with all the questions today? More curious than your normal self before coffee, did you not sleep too well last night? Up watching that TubeTok again?" She laughed as she continued with her work. "Your driver will be here early, you know how your mother likes you early on time. You look handsome today, Smile okay." Ms. Jang Gok always had a way to make the day bright. I am very lucky to have someone so wonderful looking out for me.
The driver arrives and I quickly unpack the remaining lot placing it on the counter and putting away the shopping bags. I kiss Ms. Jang Gok on the cheek and head off to what seems to be a setup. My mother was way too happy about this "brunch" and happened to invite some new staff, I hear. She must be pretty impressed with whoever it is. My mother does not extend an invitation to just anyone to any event she holds no matter the capacity. Mr. Tan, good morning to you. I have your briefings on hand from the messenger that arrived at 6 am at your office and some information on the project you asked me to look into. My driver Knox Bieler is quite the find. He is allegedly special forces retired, but don't let the grey fool you; This man is a tank fully loaded. Intelligent, hardworking, rather resourceful in all areas in line, above as well as behind the law, and quite fast for his stature.
I had to go to extraordinary lengths to procure his services exclusively. Private army guys are few and far between if not ghosts nowadays. He has been quite loyal to my family for over 30 years. One of the only people in the world I truly trust. If I was Batman, Knox would be my Alfred; Just built like a Terminator. He is tall and as sturdy as a tungsten skyscraper complete upper torso tattooed with some markings I still cannot quite figure out. He is also my trainer, henchman, handler, travel companion, and the all-around go-to guy that is normally the guys-guy from the guy that knows a guy...If that makes sense.
As we pass along our way, I cannot help but pay close attention to the atmosphere. Something feels different today besides what I may or may not have experienced before the sun rose in the late hours of the night. Time seems to be moving differently today...everything appears to be moving in slow motion with the world spinning faster than normal surrounding it. I know I am not making much sense at the moment but stick with me, kid...
As I look through the new personnel files, I couldn't help but relive the moments I experienced late into the night. Keku must have been scared out of his wits. I hope he is ok. I look at my surveillance app to check on my boy. He is fast asleep in front of the fireplace. Looks like Ms. J is relaxing and enjoying her shows. She has been telling me about Itaewon Class. She seems to like Netflix a lot more nowadays. Driving over Banpo Bridge the Han River has a serene appeal today more so than normal. It was all a dream, maybe. Either way, I cannot stop thinking about every facet of that...moment. Knox looks at me through the rearview, concern in his eyes for my absent-mindedness today.
We normally shoot the shit on every drive, but today...today there is so much on my mind I can't seem to concentrate. I affix my attention back to the personnel files. There is one that has no photo, but the resume and skill set are impeccable. Ah, this is my new Senior Director of Cyber Security. Kyliamira is a beautiful name. I wonder why there is no photo enclosed. Is my mother up to something or was this a mistake? This for some reason has Eomma written all over it though. I continue to read about Miss Macena-Lugo, and I see why my father suggested her salary points. She, according to this file is going to be a great asset to the business. Personal interests...hobbies...FAVORITE FLOWER? EOMMA! I am being set up after all. The new director is going to be at the hierarchy brunch today. This should be interesting.
The drive to Gangnam today seems longer than normal. I must be pretty wrecked after that dream and being up so late. "Knox, wake me as we approach the drive please," Jae-Suk says to Knox already dozing off as he finishes his sentence. "Sure thing, sajang," Knox says as he rolls up the partition.
Jae-Suk begins to dream. He is walking in the cosmos as what seems to be a mirrored room reflecting the multiverses all around. There in the center from a distance, there is a large spindle. He can see the sisters aglow and what appears to be energy flowing from him as if it was being pulled. It condenses until it becomes a thread and as Lakesiseu and her sisters Chulsaeng and Jug-Eum weave and cut the glowing threads surrounding them Jae-Suk stands there still as a statue in hopes of not disturbing. "Today is the day sisters, we must weave faster and pull more energy to make the threads of these two stronger. The Fates from the other realms are sending us more energy to aid our cause. Some of our sisters will soon arrive that had to flee. Keep strength sisters. Once they set eyes on each other today...Wait! What was that sound?" Jug-Eum whispered, motioning Chulsaeng to stop while Lakesiseu was motioned to spin faster. "Someone is...listening!" Chulsaeng said in a low voice as they all slowly turn their heads in the direction of Jae-Suk.
"Sajang we are at the drive," Knox says to wake Jae-Suk. Jae-suk jars awake gasping for air. "Fuck!" Jae-Suk screams feeling his surroundings as he was just waking, whilst his feet were being pulled towards the sisters so they could get a closer look at who was spying on them. "Jae-Suk are you alright? Did you have a bad dream, Sajang?" He says stopping the car. "I'm...I'm fine, Knox. Press forward, please. I just need to roll the windows down to get some air. Okay." Jae-Suk softly snaps in reply. "My apologies, sir," Knox says quickly. "No, Knox I should be the one apologizing. Forgive me please I have not been sleeping well, old friend. My attitude is no excuse to speak to you that way. Ever. Thank you." Jae-Suk says as the car stops at the main entrance and Knox places the car in park. Knox opens the door for Jae-Suk and as he steps out of the car, he places his hand on Knox's shoulder briefly making expressively sincere eye contact and with a friendly squeeze and pat before walking away closing his coat.
"It has begun" Knox whispered as he watches his young master walk into his destiny. "I have been waiting for this moment your whole life. No offense taken. You are not alone in this. I will protect you with my life. Stay strong Sajang. They are coming for her soon you will need all your strength to protect my daughter and so will I. I will train you well Jae-Suk. Now that I see you have been touched by the Fates I know she will soon arrive." Knox whispers to himself as he notices the glowing script shimmering where Lakesiseu blessed him with multiverse protection cruxes. Knox turns to move the car to the service garage before standing post at the front door. The double doors open as Jae-Suk walks inside.
"My Kyliamira will be here soon. It has been centuries since I have seen her face. They will both look like their true selves this time. The mother and father of all. The first humans. This time I will not be defeated so easily." Knox says as he stands at the front entrance in wait for the arrival of the remaining guests.
Car after car pulls up to leave their passengers at the entrance to be greeted and checked in for the brunch by way of a biometric keypad that Knox has been charged with for security purposes. No match, no entry. Finally a red Mercedes-Benz E 250 with kissing doors, peanut butter interior, lightly ombre tinted windows, and chrome wheels pulls up. As the door opens Kyliamira steps out she is wearing knee-length black Tory Burch boots with a heel, a Walker Satchel bag, Vintage Chanel tweed high waist navy black and white mini skirt, solid plus fleece tights for her skin type, Chanel Navy Silk Asymmetric Pleated Blouse, and a Tory Burch black classic wool leather belted trench pea coat with Tory Burch miller logo gloves that are black leather/cashmere gold-tone hardware adorned. Her long loose wave curly hair flowed down to her waist black as a raven. Her eyes are hazel green, soft yet determined kissed with a black and navy smokey eye and a tad bit of silver under the lower lid. She has on a small amount of makeup with nothing that stands out as too much or too little. She looks at Knox and greets him with a smile. His breath is taken and as his daughter approaches he softens his demeanor as a father would in his daughter's presence.
She looks perfectly the same as he remembered her. He struggles to maintain his composure as she walks toward him. "Annyeonghaseyo. Nae ileum-eun Kyliamiraibnida. Ileum-i mwo-eyo?" Which means hello. My name is Kyliamira. What is your name? in Korean. She says as she slightly bows and extends her hand to shake his hand. "Nae ileum-eun Knoxibnida. Jang-gab-eul beos-eojuseyo seukaen-e son-eul daesibsio, nohchida." Which means My name is Knox. Please remove your glove and place your hand on the scan, Miss." He lets out softly as she makes eye contact with him removing her glove and placing her hand on the scan.
He looks back into her eyes and says "Thank you." Her eyes smile bigger, then her smile follows because he speaks English. She found it a wonderful surprise. Not that she assumed he could not, it just made her feel less nervous being here alone. He looked down at the Bioscan at her sport-length pearl tip french manicure natural square. "Everyone here speaks English, please do not be nervous. You will do just fine. The fact that you were hired speaks volumes and you have been deemed one of the most important assets in this company. You will be treated very well here. Smile and be at ease, Miss." Knox told her as she pulled back her trembling hand as her nerves began to take over and her smile faded." She looks him in the eyes again and says gingerly "I needed that Knox. Thank you." The doors open for her and she takes a breath and steps inside as the doors close heavily behind her.
My baby girl is here. She's truly here. I can do this. I will save her this time. I will save them both this time. Knox thinks to himself as the wind whistles loudly. He is taken in vision back to the farmhouse where Kyliamira and her mother Aramenta were gathering plums to ferment. Her baby sister Mi-rae was helping clean the cabbage for the Kimchi. The wind was blowing and the clouds were dark. "Weapons!" He roared. As they all prepared for the attack, a Shadowmonger came from the ground and grabbed hold of Kyliamira. She motioned for her father to do nothing with her eyes. She pulled a knife from her thigh and as she struck a blow to the shadowmonger he cut her throat. She died in the arms of her father that day. One more life was spent. Knox stood there hearing the screams of his wife.
Knox's hands tremble. He badly wanted to hold his daughter once again and let her know this time everything was going to be alright. You see he has watched her die at the hands of the shadowmongers many times. This time, however, they will not defeat the luminaries and this realm will be saved once and for all. He lets out a tear as the wind begins to blow with vigor and it blows away from his cheek. The last of the guests are arriving now. Today is to be quite the day for revelations. Stick around so you don't miss a single moment.
What is to come in the next episode of this tale of tales...? Stay tuned!
Comments (1)
See all