Fear was inevitable.
As the time ticked by, the pendulum swung inside her mind. The gates of the monstrous castle walls creaked as they broke apart, spreading their wings like Mimos and crying out for her to enter. The mud squished beneath her, her dark combat boots sinking deeper into the earth as they progressed. A few drops of rain pitter-pattered their way down, soaking her in a sheet of freezing moisture that rushed under her skin-tight jacket that matched the hue of her boots. Her soft nails dug into the palm of her hand as the soldiers barked orders from the sides of the gate.
(A Mimos bird)
Commander Park was there. He was leading the charge and directing the crowd inside the castle. The courtyard was just beyond the gates. She trembled as she stared, fiddling with her fingers and nibbling on her lower lip. She picked at the calluses on her hands.
Jungkook, another higher-up in the rebellion, whispered from beside her, giving her a nudge.
Jungkook"Hey. Commander Park is here."
It was true. Commander Park stood out despite his average height. He had thick boots that were tucked under his dark pants. Near his waist, hanging off the pants, were loops of gold that attached to his belt. The belt was just as gold as the decorations, the dark shirt he had on skin-tight like her jacket. It was split into three sections: black, gold, and white. The lower half near his waist was black, leading into a triangle-shaped row of light gold with a box of white near the top, right by his neck. However, the fabric covering his neck went back to dark colors, and it seemed like it was squeezing his poor throat.
Commander Park"The Emperor awaits you."
He gave siren eyes to every civilian that passed. His gloved hands pushed back his cloak that lacked a hood. Instead, it had a fur collar and crimson shoulder pads that stuck to the side of his arms. Gold surrounded the crimson, but it was a lace fabric that did the same loops the designs on his pants did.
Jungkook pulled her forward, the two taking their spots in line. It smelled of smoke, the aroma swirling inside her nose and living there as they went to Commander Park. Before they could enter, another tried running out. He had his face covered by a mask, his dark hair spiraling out of control as he attempted to flee. Without batting an eye, Commander Park unsheathed his sword and decapitated the man, right in front of them.
She gasped and staggered back, Jungkook holding her upright. Commander Park used his sleeves to wipe off the blood. He sheathed it a few beats later, standing over the dead man.
Commander Park"*ing Nösairs."
Commander Park spat on the corpse. Then, he turned to them.
Commander Park"This is what happens if you join that disgusting rebellion. No disobedience is tolerated. Understood?"
They couldn't bring themselves to reply.
Commander Park"Good. Go inside, the Emperor awaits you."
As they entered, she heard Commander Park give the same advice to the rest of the crowd behind them. Jungkook rubbed her arms as they went inside the courtyard, her still shivering from the sudden death she was subjected to.
The rain continued to fall on her. It was the only thing she could touch and taste. Rain flooded over her tongue, swimming down her throat and causing her to gag. Jungkook brought her closer, attempting to ease the pain. It didn't work.
Jungkook"Y/n, stay with me, we're almost there."
The crowd clamoring caused his voice to drown out, but she still managed to nod as they took their places in the vast space.
The courtyard was massive; trimmed grass shot up and tickled her, the fountain in the center turned off due to the monthly address. Every month, the Emperor held an "address". It was an excuse to lecture the citizens. Not that it mattered. Few citizens had the courage to speak out against the Emperor. If they did, they'd meet their demise. Commander Park was always around the corner, waiting for the opportunity to strike.
There had to be at least a thousand people in the giant courtyard. The Emperor was sitting on the balcony overlooking the vicinity, but he didn't speak yet. Not until Commander Park came back inside, shutting the gates behind him and forcing a handful of guards to keep the entrance safe.
Commander Park slithered his way down the side, and Y/n couldn't take her gaze off him. His long, dark locks were slicked back, showing off his plump lips and sharp jawline. His eyes had a lack of emotion she shuddered at. It didn't help that there was a scar on the side of his neck, the cuff around his throat making it difficult to see.
He kept his hand on the handle of his sheathed sword, standing in the front to spy on the crowd. As soon as he was in position, the Emperor stood and stretched his arms out as if giving the people a suffocating embrace. Right away, no one spoke. Their voices became a hush. A whisper the rain overpowered.
As they drowned in the sorrows of past failures, Y/n kept her attention on the Emperor, who hid behind thick clothes and a mask. Only his shining crystal eyes were visible. Even his hands were covered by lacey gloves that were bejeweled.
The Emperor"Welcome citizens of New Theon. Today, I am presenting you with a special announcement. New Theon has thrived over the past month. The Moros have been pushed back, but I am still not pleased with their presence in our world. That is why I am making the announcement that I am reinvesting our budget. I am adding another ten percent to our military. I trust Commander Park will take this money to create the best version of us that he can."
Commander Park raised his hand in their signature signal. It was a simple fist, a symbol of unity. The crowd returned it. Y/n put her hand down a second earlier than the rest.
The Emperor"Does anyone disagree?"
The pendulum kept banging around the insides of Y/n's mind as time slowed. The Emperor was gazing down at the crowd with a 'loving' expression. Her stomach curled up inside itself, adrenaline pumping until a sour taste was left on the back of her tongue. Or maybe it was bile.
She raised her hand.
All at once, the crowd parted and whispered to one another. None of them offered sympathy, especially when Commander Park came closer. He didn't stop until he was five feet away. Their eyes locked, Y/n wishing she could shrink inside herself. Still, she set her shoulders.
Commander Park"You disagree?"
There was a hitch of joy resting inside his tone. His irises sparked with amusement, his hand tightening on his sword's handle.
Y/n"The City is suffering. Poverty is higher than it's ever been. Moros is not the threat you believe them to be. We only have a 'war' with them because you want to take their mountain away from them. You started this war, not us. Now you want to divert more resources to the military led by a psychopath?"
Commander Park"Psychopath?"
Commander Park stepped closer, peering at her lips before meeting her glare.
Commander Park"Be careful what you call me, sweetheart."
Y/n"The people are suffering, and you're laughing about it. You're laughing and killing without remorse. Maybe Moros has a point."
Commander Park was so close she could feel his breath on her lips. His eyes refused to look at anything other than her. It was as if he was trying to find her soul and rip it out of her, but gently. Like an angel stretching its wings to hug her as she went.
Commander Park"Do you really believe that?"
His voice was smooth. Caring, almost. She couldn't help herself: she backed up by a centimeter, but it was enough to give Commander Park permission to grin. It was sadistic. As monstrous as the concrete castle walls that didn't have so much as a crack in them.
Commander Park"Ignore this one, Emperor."
He raised his voice as he moved away from her, motioning to the ruler of their world.
Commander Park"Continue with your address. She's no threat."
The entire crowd was silent, including her. She was hyperventilating, peeping at the sword that didn't end her life. Commander Park had never spared anyone before. She spoke up knowing she would die. The rebellion needed a fire; a martyr. She was prepared for that, but it didn't work. Commander Park kept her alive.
But why?
┊ ˚➶ ｡˚ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓒𝓻𝓪𝔃𝔂 ˚｡➶˚┊
A/N: Welcome to Like Crazy, a PJM x reader enemies to lovers story. Just a warning that this is a dark enemies to lovers. They are not the typical "argue then smash" relationship. They will physically fight, mentally torment each other, and do everything to cause e/o as much harm as possible. It is a dark, toxic relationship. If you are okay with that, then please add to your library, vote, and follow for more! Thank you for reading!
