┊ ˚➶ ｡˚ 𝓡𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓒𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓓𝓪𝔂 ˚｡➶˚┊
He wished he could turn back time.
If he could, would he had been able to get away? Would he had been able to secure a better life? Those questions warped his mind every time he woke up. Fantasies of an alternate world where he was free plagued his dreams. The shackles that bound him to the bed he slept in were the only things keeping him back from fleeing. There was a sense of honor, duty, and most importantly, fear. Fear was inevitable. It crept up his spine and danced along the back of his shattered bones.
Commander Park left his room in his traditional military clothes. It wasn't like he was allowed to wear anything else. Emperor Donovan never let him buy outfits for himself despite his interest in fashion. Or, his old interest in fashion. It died like all the other likes and dislikes he had. They fizzled away, creating the abyss that was Commander Park. The one who tried to forget his own first name. It was still there, haunting him as he cowered in the corner. It taunted him more and more every time he opened his eyes.
The inside of the castle was as gigantic as the outside. The walls didn't have a single crack, and there were janitors strolling up and down the halls to ensure no dirt stains were there. Commander Park spat on the ground and smeared it across the concrete. He made a mental note to drag in more mud next time.
He entered the first room he saw, swinging open the wooden door and kicking it shut with the heel of his boot. Min Yoongi was there, an ambassador for Emperor Donovan. He was one of the Emperor's most trusted men, even above Commander Park. Park did nothing but serve the Emperor, but it seemed as though it was never enough.
Commander Park"Did you track her?"
For such an enormous castle, this room felt like the size of his pinky. It was cramped to the point where if he moved the wrong way, he'd bump the wall. There was only a single chair in front of a single desk. It had a hologram showing footage from the address. The address just wrapped up a few minutes ago, but Commander Park didn't have the opportunity to follow that woman back. If Park's theory was correct, she was in the rebellion. That meant she could lead him right to them.
The word 'sir' sounded forced. Foreign, maybe.
Yoongi"It looks like she's going to the town. She was heading south with her friend. He's hard to miss. Tall and muscular, hair longer than yours."
Commander Park"I know her face, I don't care about her friend. Any footage from beyond the castle?"
Yoongi"Not much. Nothing past the hills."
Park mumbled a curse and backed away from the man.
Commander Park"I'll go look. If the Emperor asks, tell him I'm on a personal mission."
Before Park could walk out, Yoongi cleared his throat.
Yoongi"He won't like that."
At Park's refusal to answer, Yoongi sighed.
It went quiet for a beat.
He said it slowly, as if rolling the word around his tongue before deeming it worthy enough to pass his thin lips.
Yoongi"I can't guarantee he'll listen to that excuse. Moros is planning another attack, we need you focused on that instead of the rebellion. The rebellion is on the verge of collapse. It's nothing. There haven't been any attacks in three months."
Commander Park"I am focused, which is exactly why I'm going. We need to focus on every threat, we can't pick and choose which one is the most dangerous. Moros could collapse any day now, and the rebellion could rise in its place. I will not tolerate any rebellions trying to take out the Emperor. Not on my watch."
Without waiting for Yoongi's response, he departed the area and the castle as a whole. It was still raining, which caused his hair to stick to the side of his head. He followed the directions Yoongi gave him, moving faster than he had in the past. There were some people lingering, but they left as soon as they saw Commander Park.
He traveled far enough that he entered Thermus Boulevard, the town closest to the castle. It was named after the Islands of Thermus out north. Park had never been there. Then again, he hadn't even gone to the Rocklands. He hadn't even gone to the City up north near Mount Moros.
The town was empty. The streets lacked people, but there were remnants of a society. Markets were set up, but many of them didn't have anything to sell. No food, no drinks, no clothes. Just isolated shelves. Park found himself relating to those shelves more than the man he lived with his whole life.
The cobblestone pathways led to the townhouses on the left and right of him. None of them were more than two stories tall. Most were one. They had slanted roofs and broken windows, doors that didn't shut all the way and welcome mats made by local vendors that were torn up. Some of the flowers were wilting. Park knelt and touched the pedal of a dying Fersin, picking up the fiery red piece and rubbing his gloved thumb over it. He grinned before he could stop himself.
A Fersin
She was older, her voice raspy. When he turned, he dropped his smile and saw an elderly woman approaching from her abode. Her voice was the only sound in the area other than the rain. It didn't help that it smelled of burnt wood, likely from the failed markets burning wood to keep themselves warm.
Commander Park"Can I help you?"
Stranger"Shouldn't I ask you that?"
Park stood, keeping his posture even, like Emperor Donovan taught him.
Commander Park"I am here on personal business. Do not concern yourself with it. Interfere and I will punish you as I see fit."
The woman deflated, stepping aside and motioning for him to continue. He took the offer, strolling through the town and taking in the sights. He wasn't allowed out of the castle unless on duty. The town was a rarity despite it being so close to Park's home. It was beautiful to him. Quiet, no threats around except for Park himself.
He folded his hands behind him and continued his walk, forgetting why he was there until he heard voices. Park ducked behind the nearest building that was made of stone, creeping along the side of it as the trees stretched up and covered the gray sky. Park tip-toed down the wall until he was as close as he could get without revealing himself.
Y/n"Jungkook, he never spares anyone. Why would he spare me? It makes no sense."
Park peeked out from the corner and saw two people standing there, near the building. There was a massive tent hiding behind the trees. It was as big as a house, the strangers staying outside. The woman paced back and forth, chewing on her nails. The man was watching with a frown on his face. It almost hid the mole under his lower lip.
Jungkook"No one knows much about him. We don't even know his first name, how are we supposed to know his motivation for keeping you alive?"
Park stepped out of cover and leaned against the back wall of the house. He crossed his arms over his chest, observing the woman and the man, Jungkook, as they kept panicking. They were a good fifteen feet away, the trees prohibiting a perfect view. Still, Park could see the way the woman was moving. The way she was always doing something with her hands. It was fascinating. Park hadn't seen many commonfolk, let alone rebellion members. It was obvious she was trying to become a martyr to reignite the fire the rebellion once had about half a year ago. That was one of the reasons why he spared her, but there was another reason. A much bigger one.
Jungkook"Stay focused, we have too much going on to worry about that. I know it's groundbreaking, but maybe he knew about your plan. He doesn't strike me as an *, Y/n. If he was, he wouldn't be the commander of the forces."
Y/n slowed her pace, dropping her hand from her mouth. Her shoulders slumped.
Y/n"I don't know how I'm supposed to sleep knowing this. He spared me. He'll recognize my face at every single monthly address from now on. That is if he doesn't kill me before the next one."
Park went closer and pressed his shoulder against one of the trees. His movement caught the attention of the Mimos inhabiting the trees. As they flew away, they mimicked the sound of Y/n's voice, saying "Sleep" over and over as they soared.
Y/n and Jungkook snapped around, noticing Park there. He had one hand on his sword, the other on the tree. Their faces fell. Jungkook went pale but still had enough sense to pull Y/n behind him. The two were quivering, their mouths bouncing up and down as if trying to find an excuse. All Park did was smile and wave before speaking.
Commander Park"Did you miss me?"
┊ ˚➶ ｡˚ 𝓡𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓒𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓓𝓪𝔂 ˚｡➶˚┊
A/N: Remember to add to your favorites for more. Thank you for reading Like Crazy, a PJM enemies to lovers fic.
