•~○Cursed castle[NCT]○~•

*~○°▪︎

Leeteuk: “Cut the mushroom into small pieces — small, not crumbs — and be gentle. Now… bring me my grinding pot, the stone grinder, and that bottle of purple liquid on the top shelf,” he ordered, his tone crisp but almost melodic.

They moved fast, hands grabbing items like soldiers on a timed mission.

Mark: “Will we need to use powers for this?”

Jeno: “Yup. Four people’s powers, minimum. Lucky for us, we’ve got Sir Kun.”

Kun (with a warm smile): “Just Kun is fine.”

Jeno smiled back. “Alright then.”

Johnny: “How’d you even end up as the king of an abandoned world?”

Kun: “When I died, I woke up in a bed the size of a ballroom… and there was this ring on my finger. I wanted answers, so I searched the place and found a book — my book. Everything I needed to know was in there. No clue why or how… but I guess God thought I was the right man for it.”

Yuta: “Why didn’t God give me powers or something cool like ‘King of the Universe’?”

Kun: “If you want, you could join my world — head gardener, chief lab worker… take your pick.”

Yuta’s eyes lit up. “Wait… are you serious?”

Kun: “Dead serious. I’ve only got two people working those jobs, so—”

Leeteuk (snapping his fingers with a flourish): “The spell… is complete.”

A shimmering gold glow radiated from the cauldron, shadows dancing wildly against the lab’s stone walls.

Mark: “That took, like… ten minutes.”

Leeteuk: “Because Jeno’s hands are quick and precise. It’s rare to find both.”

Jeno: “We’re one step closer to finding the underworld.”

Leeteuk: “You’re doing incredible work, all of you.”

Jeno: “Let’s not forget Jisungie.”

Yuta: “That brat.”

Jeno (firmly): “Hyung. He’s stressed about the three angels. He didn’t mean what he said — he’d never use his title to hurt someone.”

Johnny: “So wait, are you really Japanese?”

Yuta: “Obviously.”

Jisung (appearing out of nowhere): “Kinda.”

Yuta flinched, glaring at him.

Jisung: “Sorry about my attitude before…”

Yuta: “Forget it. We just need to move fast to find your friends, alright?”

Leeteuk: “Let’s go. The Sea World… is unlike anything you’ve seen. I know where the main gate is — it’s the only way to reach the ruler’s son.”

Mark: “You’ve been there before?”

Leeteuk (hesitating): “Many times.”

Jisung: “Why?”

Leeteuk (brushing it off): “Not important. What is important… is speed.”

Johnny: “He’s right. Let’s do this.”

Mark: “So… Sea World.”

Leeteuk: “Who’s first?”

Jeno: “Can I try?”

Yuta: “I’ll go with him.”

Leeteuk: “Alright, first duo’s set. Everyone — take your potions.”

The bottles shimmered faintly in their hands, their reflections bending and warping in the glass as if the liquid inside was alive and impatient. Somewhere in the distance, the sound of rushing water began to grow louder… and closer.