Chapter Text
Choi Han had no idea how long he had isolated himself in that forest. Back when the war was raging, this place was a haven for monster and human corpses. Now the place had grown a ten-fold, becoming a cursed place baring mutant beats. A dark energy hung heavy. That small forest he once knew now became a place he couldnt even navigate.
That grave he placed... Lost forever... Surely...
He shook his head, there was no reason to mourn anymore. He knew not of that persons name, nor even remembered their voice. Yet, they still plagued his memory. Even as he nearly forgot even his name, that person's appearance was embed into his mind, like a curse perhaps.
That crimson red hair that looked like blood infecting his pale skin. That stupid arrogant grin. Those mocking reddish brown eyes, that were apparently a colour unseen ever before.
All of it, even the smallest detail, was etched into Choi Han's head. He could probably paint an extremely accurate picture even when he had no artistic skill. He knew knowing this appearance was nothing but vain. No one with such features will ever touch this land again with life. His soul was cursed by the very God of Death and God of Life themselves.
He would never return.
No one even resembling him would be born for the Gods feared his return.
[~*~]
At some point, within his despair, Choi Han ran with all his might, fighting back tears of fear, the falling of his feet broke the softened ground. He was losing his mind. He couldnt bare living here no more, he was forgetting how to pronounce even his own name. he had to get out. he was afraid. Why. Why him. Hadnt he done enough now? His knees finally collapsed onto themselves, causing the boy to double over, falling and tumbling roughly to the floor.
Out of anger he slammed his fist into the mud, then a wave of serenity. Why was he even trying to get out of here...? He isolate himself here for a reason all those years ago.. but why..? He cant remember anymore...
If he wasnt supposed to leave... Shouldnt it be okay to rest now..? His light was long gone anyways... His light? who was that?
As Choi han's mind was rapidly spinning and deteriorating, a small voice caused his head to snap up.
"Oh my-!"
A girl stood in front of his, her hands clasped over her mouth. A basket lay spilled on the floor in front of her, like she had dropped it. She looked no older than 16.
Hold on... A person? Black eyes shone just slightly.. He wasnt hallucinating right?
"I- Ill go get help! Chief! Chief-nim!" The girl completely abandoned her basket in favour of getting help...
No- Dont go- Dont leave me-!
But despite his efforts, Choi Han was unable to put any strength into his legs. Like his body was giving up on itself. However, before he could succumb back into his thoughts of despair, the girl returned.
Not just the girl, various people came running, grabbing Choi Han gently. carefully lifting him up, when they realised he was not able to keep himself standing, a larger man took no hesitation to pick him, a strange person covered in mud and blood, up into his arms.
'The medic?---'
'----for sure. Urgently----'
'---poor boy..'
'----Forest of Darkness'
The words of these people were broken up, perhaps due to Choi han slowly losing consciousness, but he managed to catch a few things... From what they said, it seems hes in much worse condition he thought... And the Forest he was in... Was now called the Forest of darkness.. A befitting name for the place of his eternal slumber....
He knew he shouldnt, but Choi Han found himself drifting off to sleep, letting his mind succumb to its exhuastion.
What greeted him when he awoke was neither monster nor cold. Rather, he was on a soft material, a blanket laid carefully on top of him. The smell of herbal remedies hung in the air. It was quiet, in the forest, this would usually mean danger, but right now Choi Han felt no caution. More so his body felt too heavy to even try to be on alert. He simply observed.
As expected, this place clearly belonged to a doctor, or at least someone who practiced medicine. Various herbs and strange powders were displayed, a couple of empty beds rested beside each other. The candle light was warm...
No that wasnt candle light? Some sort of glowing ball? When did they become popular..? I suppose it really has been a long time...
"Oh you're awake?" A soft voice, clearly used to soothe patients. "How are you feeling?"
"Ah-" Choi Hans voice broke a bit as he struggled to form words. "O-kay"
"Hm? It seems its been awhile since you last spoke, you came out of the forest of darkness right? ah! No need to speak! Just gesture!" This 'doctor' spoke pretty quickly, seems he wasnt that professional as he seemed to forget then remember things he needs to ask
Choi han nodded, its not like theres a need to lie... he wasnt a monster...
"Heyy... Youre not a monster right?~"
Flinch- The swordsman sat up with urgency, trying to deny, only for a sharp pain to shoot through his head, causing him to collapse back down.
"Woah woah! careful! I was just kidding- my bad." The doctor panicked slightly, then let out a heavy sigh, adjusting his patient(choi han) to be in a comfortable position. "Thats my bad, i shouldve known you'd be sensitive after experiencing that place"
Getting used to this strange hospitality took a long time. Choi han hadnt been around others for a long time, and even when he had been, he was around that arrogant bastard so this kindness was definitely something he wasnt used to.
Still... it wasnt so bad.. They helped him relearn how to talk.. Treated his wounds, took care of him like he was their own. It was.. nice..
Choi han settled pretty quickly, easily becoming attached to this village, which he learned was called Hariss Village. The children loved him and the elderly took care of him like he was their grandchild.
A few years passed, Choi han becoming part of them, he never once left the village other than to venture into the forests edge to collect herbs which were edible or medicinal. His knowledge from living there for so long helped a lot.
It felt like he had a family again..
The Village chief called for him. It wasnt unusual. That old lady doted on him so often, yet this time, a stern and concerned look was etched on her face.
"Madam..?" His voice was still weak but his speech was much more fluid.
"Choi Han.. Im sorry.. Roberts scout team left for their normal route this morning in the forest... I know that Robert is very capable however,.."
"he hasnt returned??" That was unusual. Robert was a strict man with schedules. Never late, never early.. The fact he hasnt come back after leaving in the morning and it is now late evening.., is certainly worrying. The pit of his stomach dropped.
"Yeah... Choi Han-"
"Ill go. I know that forest more than anyone."
"Thank you." The chiefs smile was smile, but full of gratitude.
Choi han wasted no time grabbing his sword and darting into that dreary place he once called home. He felt a strange unease leaving the village but pushed past it, thinking it was nothing...
How wrong he was to ignore that feeling...
[~*~]
It was fairly easy for Choi han to find human tracks in a place full of inhuman creatures, especially since this place was practically his home since the ancient times(he learned thats what his prime was called.) But what made his heart drop, was the fact that not only were the tracks bloody with a singular trail like someone had been dragged whilst bleeding out... It that they also led deeper into the forest where their usual scout route would never lead them and Robert would never go into uncharted territory.
Something had happened.
Choi Han quickened his pace, only to find he was far, far too late..
He found the party.. or what remained of them.. His face hardened at the gory scene in front of him. Various scouts with lethal injuries.
Head wounds so deep it was like they were showing off the brain. Eyes ripped out their sockets. Missing limbs. Torn out hearts... But by far the worst of them all?
Roberts body.
It was sliced clean in half, his lower half no where to be seen, but his organs and guts were still slowly seeping out... So it had been the others dragging his body that created that trail... Not to mention..
His head wasnt attached to his body. It was laid neatly next to him, almost like a pretend prop. That metallic scent and foul stench of rot and decomposition reminded Choi han this was not fake at all.
He didnt wince, nor did he retch. He had seen far crueller and gruesome sights.. but it didnt mean he wasnt affected. He certainly was. However a certain narcissistic asshole told him that grief was a weakness. Unfortunately, he stuck to that too.. Though... Why did he mourn that man still? If grieving was a weakness why did you curse me to mourn you till now..
A shriek and black smoke rising in the distance snapped Choi han out of his trance
The village-
No-
No no no no no no no no
he ran back as fast as he could, even tearing down entire trees blocking his path. A devastating sight. The village was in flames, corpses strewn across the paths like a disgusting human confetti display. Various figures in cloaks ran around, taking down any running villagers. No one was spared, neither man nor woman, child or elderly. All of them were slaughtered in cold blood.
Choi Han felt his heart pounding, he didnt even think before he began swinging his blade. It was battle full of blood, rage, and grief.
He had won, killing the assailants... but at what cost... His entire village. his family... they were all dead.. Everyone except him. Again. It had happened again. He had watched everyone he cared for die, again.
He dropped to his knees, the fire blazing not even letting him feel cold. Vivid images flashed across his eyes, those memories which he had forgotten, his comrades whose faces he could no longer remember. Their deaths were now replaying. He clutched his hair with a tight grip, gritting his teeth.
As he held each of them in his arms.. they all looked terrified as they died... It wasnt fair- why-
The worst of them...
Were His final moments. That man did not fall to his knees, nor did he lay in Choi hans arms. No. He stood against his blade as support, that arrogant smile on his face. He spoke to Choi han, though his words could not be heard within the memory..
Even as he took his last breath, he did not falter. He simply closed his eyes as the once stormy sky opened up and the sun blessed the battlefield. As if the Earth was declaring the end and celebrating his death.
A tear ran down Choi hans cheek as he observed a similar sight now in the present. He failed to protect them.
His eyebrows furrowed, wiping his tears, he began to drag each and every body into a neat line, each covered with a cloth. He of course went back for the scout team too..
The work was strenuous, but he prevailed as he dug over 50 trenches to lay his family to rest. After saying his goodbyes and sending each person off. His eyes narrowed on an estate in the far distance.. The lord of this land. Count Henituse.
If he wanted true justice, and a proper burial for his fallen family, he had to report to the Lord. And if this lord was an unreasonable bastard? well, Choi Han didnt care to use force.
[~*~]
That was, of course, easier said than done.. To enter the city, he needed identification. Which he did not have.
No matter.. that wall wasnt too high, he could easily jump it. Tonight..
Choi Han was pretty experienced with such stunts, and it wasnt easy for him to get injured by a mere fall, yet here he was, leaned against the inner wall, coddling his twisted ankle. It wasnt a bad twist, he could probably walk on it again in a few minutes. His gaze wandered to what caused this injury.
His jump was fine, so was his landing. That was until a pair of kittens showed up, the larger once accidentally body slamming the smaller one right where Choi Han was gonna land. He couldnt bear to injure such a small creature, no matter how fair in despair he was, he wasnt that cruel. Thus he sacrificed his ankle to avoid crushing the two kittens.
He whispered a small apology to the two small creatures, who hissed but then tilted their heads watching him leave. Of course, its not like he didnt notice the small patters of padded paws sneaking behind him, he just didnt care to stop them. What harm could kittens do.. Sure they smelled of the Cat tribe, but they were still far too young to match him. In fact, even if they were adults, they still wouldnt match him. So he let them follow.
The Henituse estate was far more extravagant than Choi Han expected, even two small gasps came from behind him... He approached a guard.
"Halt! State your business!"
"..I have come to report an attack on Hariss Village that happened early this morning."
The guards eyebrows lifted slightly clearly suspicious, but if that was true, the lord did need informing. "Alright, follow me Sir.."
Choi Han didnt reply but did follow. The inside of the mansion was as expensive looking, if not more, as the outside. Gold accents shimmered under magic lighting. It made the swordsman have a bitter taste in his mouth. This lord must be trash...
Contrary to expectations, despite Choi hans utter lack of courtesy or respect when he recounted the attack to the Count, the lord was actually very sympathetic and was devastated to hear the news. This took Choi han by surprise... This man was better than he thought. He even offered to not only cover the costs of the proper burials, but also provide manpower to help rebuild Hariss village.
Choi han, who was already deep in despair, felt a bit of warmth.
A knock came from outside the door.
"Come in."
"My lord-" An old man, dressed like what looked like a butler, entered. He had a benign smile on his face that turned cold when he saw Choi han but it quickly switched up. "The Young Master has returned from his playtime 'outing'"
The Count sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "I see, then Ron, please guide this guest to the spare room. Make sure he is comfortable.--"
Theyre even providing lodging...? But the Count wasnt finished speaking.
"--And absolutely do not provoke him. Stay out of sight."
"Of course, my lord." The butler smiled as if that wasnt a round-about insult to Choi han.
Meanwhile,
'Huh? does the Count know my strength? How did he-
Ron simply smiled, but a grin was forming slightly. The count wasnt talking about this guest. He was talking about the Young Master.... His eyes flickered with amusement, leading this 'guest' straight towards where he knew the eldest master was.
Is this really the route to the guest suite..? Seems.. expensively tacky...
As if reading his mind, Ron spoke, he didnt really like this brat that reeked of blood and that organisation. He was testing this bastard. "We are taking a shorter route. And dont get your ego boosted you punk, the Count was talking about a rather ferocious puppy i rear."
What. This bastard old man, i dont like him. Puppy?
Shouting and yelling could be heard in the distance and it was slowly getting louder as the two approached. That benign smile returned to Ron's face as if it never left.
"Young master- Is there an issue again?"
Choi Han's entire body froze.
"Ahhh? Ron! Where the fuck have you been?!" A slurred and vulgar voice with a flushed face. Familiar. Far too familiar.
"My apologies Young master. I was told to escort this guest." Ron stepped aside, allowing his Leige to see the punk he was leading like a dog.
"Hah? Whats with this scruffy bastard? Get him out look how filthy he is- *hic* "
Usually, this wouldve provoked Choi han, he hated assholes like this who looked down on others, but he didnt move, his eyes wide.
Pale skin.
Crimson red, shoulder length, hair almost identical to the blood he saw earlier.
Despite a flushed face and slurred words, his eyes were sharp, observing... and that very unique reddish brown. A colour that the God of Death swore would never be born again.
the attitude.
Theres.. No way-
Choi hans voice came out as a hoarse whisper. His dead eyes now hold a glimmer of light. It was a name he had vowed to forget but never could. A name erased from history. A name erased from the world.
"Cale..?"