•~○Cursed castle[NCT]○~•

>○~°▪︎

~ Jeno’s POV ~

“Johnny, pull harder!” I barked, knuckles white from gripping the stubborn branch.
“I’m trying, Jeno!” Johnny grunted, jaw clenched. “You think I’m just here for decoration?”
“Try harder!” I snapped.
Johnny finally let go with a groan, collapsing onto the soft grass like a defeated gladiator.
“For fuck’s sake, this isn’t working!” he panted, staring up at the sky like it had personally betrayed him.

“Leeteuk hyung!” I called, desperation threading my voice. “Please—help us out!”

“You called?” came a serene voice behind me — and Leeteuk was there, appearing from a shimmer of moonlit dust as if he’d been strolling in on a breeze.

“Holy shit,” Yuta breathed, stumbling back. “Where did you come from?”
Leeteuk bowed just slightly, all composed calm. “Leeteuk. I’m… the three chosen ones’ fairy guardian.”

Yuta blinked. “That actually exists?”
“Indeed,” Leeteuk said gently. “Now — what is it you need?”

“We found the tree,” I said quickly. “But the leaves are impossible to rip off. Even the owner can’t take them.”
“Hm,” Leeteuk hummed, eyes already scanning the trunk and its brilliant, stubborn leaves. “You must cut it with one of the tree’s roots.”

Yuta protested, hands thrown up. “But that’s planted deep in the ground!”
“You do know we have powers, right?” Leeteuk asked mildly.
“Yeah, so—” Yuta stammered.
“We can dig a hole in an instant and sever the proper root in a blink.”

Before Yuta could process, Leeteuk lifted a palm to the earth. Light threaded from his fingertips and the soil sighed open: a wide cavity yawned, revealing a woven lattice of roots and tiny creatures scuttling in surprise. He focused on a thick root, snapped his fingers, and it rose toward us like it had been waiting. Then, with another graceful motion, the ground smoothed and sealed itself as if the wound had never been there.

“And done,” Leeteuk said, as casual as someone tying a shoelace.

Yuta’s jaw dropped. “Why didn’t I get powers?”
“You were given a different gift,” Leeteuk replied with a gentle smile. “Great intelligence — and the patience to understand things.”
“Yeah, but powers,” Yuta muttered, petulant but awed.

“Leeteuk hyung,” I said, holding up the root. “Will you do the honors?”
“I believe the owner should have the first try,” Leeteuk answered.

“How many do you need?” Yuta asked, already reaching for a sharp blade.
“Fifteen large leaves,” Leeteuk said simply.
“And take some for study,” I added.
“Good thinking,” Leeteuk agreed.

As Yuta worked—careful, methodical, reverent—he explained, “If I join your quest, help me research these trees. Let me borrow your nature books.”
“Deal,” I said immediately. “You’re welcome to come. The more help, the better.”

Johnny, still sprawled on the grass, squinted up. “Are the others back yet?”
Leeteuk glanced at a drifting cloud that flickered into a little window showing a different place. “They’ve arrived at the castle.”

“We're done here — thank you, Yuta!” I called.
“No problem,” he huffed, stretching. “Can you zap us to the castle? My back feels like I fought a storm.”

Leeteuk smiled and stepped forward. “First time?”
“Yes.” Yuta blinked.
“Close your eyes.”
“Huh? Wh—”

The world folded into a black portal. Shadows whipped past. Yuta regretted not obeying: images blinked across his vision — eyeless creatures staring in slow curiosity — and he screamed as we tumbled out onto the castle floor.

“What was that?!” Yuta gasped, hand to his chest.
“I told you to close your eyes,” Leeteuk murmured, amused.
“I didn’t expect to see those eyeless animals!” Yuta shivered.
“You get used to it,” I shrugged.

Mark popped into view as only he knows how — sharp, exasperated. “Who’s this?”
“What is with you people and suddenly popping up?” Yuta clutched his chest theatrically.
“This is Yuta,” I explained. “Creator of the trees at the edge of the barrier. He gave us the leaves and wants to join the journey — plus unlimited library access.”
Mark snorted. “Not exactly special…” he muttered, before being interrupted.

A new presence drew the room’s attention: Kun, the leader of the abandoned nature world, stepping forward with a calm that cut through the clamor. “Hello. I am Kun.” His voice was low but steady.
“I’m Johnny, head guard,” Johnny said, coming upright. “Will you join us?”
“Indeed,” Kun replied. “Chenle is close to me. I will help.”

Leeteuk clapped once, delighted. “We now have the last ingredients for the underwater spell.”
“How long will it take?” Jisung asked, breath tight.
Leeteuk’s smile turned enigmatic. “The potion has its own rhythm. Could be five seconds — could be five hours.”

“We don’t have time for five hours!” Jisung snapped.
“Listen, kid,” Yuta said, voice hard now. “You heard the man. Either you wait, or you don’t come at all.”
“I’m royalty,” Jisung shot back, furious and raw. “I won’t be told—”
“Jisung,” Mark barked, cutting him off. “Behave. We need patience. No patience, no mission.”

Jisung’s voice broke: “I don’t have patience when it’s about Chenle. We can’t lose them!”
“Enough,” I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You’ll stay here until the potion is ready. Leeteuk will zap you to us once it’s done.”
“Fine.” He sighed, defeated but not defeated. “Be quick.”

Kun’s gaze softened. “Don’t push it, young blood.”
Jisung huffed, then slumped to the floor, staring at the ceiling with hollow eyes.

We disappeared, one by one, to the tasks at hand—leaves stashed, alliances made, a fragile little hope packed into our bags.

Left behind, Jisung pressed his palms to his face and whispered into the quiet:
“Chenle-ya… hold on. I miss you — your laugh, your embrace. We’re coming. I swear we’re coming.”