Healing Castle | TXT Fantasy Novel ft. BTS

20 - Beomgyu

Beomgyu first notices something's wrong once TXT reaches the library section of COEX Mall. The place is full of students working on the day's homework, middle aged people reading the newspaper, and groups of friends staring at their smartphones. The sight is surrounded by multiple shelves that reach the expanse of two high floors. The books wrap around the escalators and mini staircases like a thousand emblems of knowledge. Each book has its own story, a narrative crafted by an author written on the front and spine.

Beomgyu wonders what author is writing TOMORROW X TOGETHER's story, because the past month has been a crazy ride. And it's only getting weirder from here.

The books begin to emit a faint aura, a dark purple color that hovers inches from the books' spines before disappearing.

"Do you guys see that?" he asks his members. Suddenly, he's thankful for Soobin's rule that they shouldn't go out as lone wolves.

"It's disappeared," says Soobin. "Hopefully it was just something to make us afraid—"

But that isn't the case. A man near the bookshelves jumps up immediately. With a loud stomp, he turns toward the members of TXT with empty eyes.

Beomgyu has already memorized the expression. It's worse than eyes full of heartbreak, a sight he knows well from seeing himself reflected in the mirror--when he first became a trainee.

The gaze is doubly as dreadful because it holds no feeling at all. Rather than pain, Beomgyu's mind is reminded of the times when he's felt absolutely nothing—like when he was told their debut evaluation needed to be redone and he didn't even have the energy to cry.

The man strikes out, bashing his fist against the nearest bookshelf. At least twenty books fall from their delicate balance, falling to the floor and releasing the purple smoke—evidence of the Mage's handiwork.

The curved bookshelves seem to become a being of their own. Its divots hold malice, and Beomgyu immediately distrusts every story held in the vicinity.

"I don't think that man is acting alone," says Huening Kai.

Beomgyu sighs. "I think that's more than obvious."

Falling behind Yeonjun and Soobin, Beomgyu prepares for battle. His motivation is a gathering of at least twenty men and women standing in battle formation. Their shadowy presence and dark irises are enough for the mall to clear immediately.

Because this time, the public can see them. Is this part of Topaz's larger warning, of the Black Mage's power growing?

Parents grab their children and shove them to the nearest exits. Teenagers flock together like schools of fish, heading to the opposite end of the mall as if fleeing a shark. The elderly follow, running faster than Beomgyu on his best days.

Almost instinctively, an orange-shaded pistol appears in Beomgyu's hand. It took him a while to get used to it. But through all the training in the hot sauna, he learned how to wield a weapon half real and half made of imagination.

The image of nearing disaster spreads before him, and time slows while his heart takes a dive. This is it. This is what all of their training so far has led up to. All of their missions Topaz had them pursue. Their first major battle will decide whether TXT really has what it takes to defeat the Mage.

Beomgyu imagines himself heading onto a huge stage. Except this time, his performance will decide whether he and the members will live or not.

He waits for Yeonjun to throw the first dagger. It finds its target easily.

Then he points and shoots at the nearest minion.

Firing the trigger comes easily, as the magic-infused gun is much lighter than the real version. As he visualizes, a multiple rounds of bullets fire away to their target. Upon contact, the dark smoke of the Mage is released from the men and women. But like zombies, they continue to move forward. It seems Beomgyu's bullets were only feathers against their dark defenses.

"I'm going in!" Yeonjun says, at the same time Kai shouts, "Stay behind me!"

Yeonjun darts forward and slashes against a minion. More dark energy is dispersed, but the enemy grabs Yeonjun by his shoulder and shoves him back effortlessly.

"Yeonjun!" Beomgyu shouts. He immediately moves forward, even though their plan involved him staying in the back lines.

Huening Kai moves in between Yeonjun and the minion. Striking out with his fluorescent, yellow sword, Kai makes a direct hit. The dark energy completely leaves the woman. She falls unconscious on the floor.

That leaves... Beomgyu quickly counts while dragging Yeonjun to his feet. Twenty-one more.

Onward, Beomgyu makes sure to fire more directly. He yells out as the bullets deplete his energy. When some of the minions come close, he activates some of his other skills. He kicks and spins, channeling the vision of a captain on his ship. That's right, this is my home. He may be more terrified than he's ever been, but he won't go down sinking anytime soon.

Yeonjun continues to move like a ninja, striking out at vital areas. If Beomgyu weren't so busy, he'd be frozen in awe. He's always admired the legendary trainee for being quick on his feet and cool all-around. But right now he's dancing in another language. His dagger is the center point to every turn and spin.

At the same time, Soobin shoots multiple arrows as if he's been trained by an Olympic archer. The focus on his face makes him more mature. He's still, an unmoving statue while he trains arrows of various elements--ice, fire, and even light--into the fray. Soobin gives his deepest shout while unleashing four arrows at once, taking down one minion and injuring three others.

Taehyun calls down multiple rounds of magic bolts to stun their enemies. He's calm and collected, like his usual self but amplified. As he fires his pistol, Beomgyu can almost make out Taehyun's brain power surrounding the crown of his head--glowing in a ethereal blue. Together, they take down enemies in the middle range.

Huening Kai shows the most surprising performance of all, swinging his sword in wide arcs to strike multiple people at once. Beomgyu almost calls for the maknae to watch out, but he shuts his mouth upon noticing the fury on Huening's face. Huening Kai is normally gentle and shy, but now, his fighting pose makes him a force to even look at.

All in all, it seems their training has paid off. They're moving in tandem just like they would in a performance of their album. Each boy has their role. Each movement is in pursuit of a powerful picture—one that will show their growth as individuals, artists, and fighters.

Beomgyu makes the final move. Aiming for a construction worker about to lunge at Kai from the staircase, he shoots two times at his chest.

The man falls.

Beomgyu surveys the damage, twenty or so men and women lying on the floor. They are unhurt, and some are snoring like innocent babies.

As TOMORROW X TOGETHER gathers together once more, Beomgyu smiles and claps every member on the chest. They made it out of their first major battle. Topaz would be so proud. And so would the members of BTS, the only ones willing to help them during this fever dream.

"Good job," Soobin says, gasping for breath. "We're much more powerful than I realized."

"You bet," says Beomgyu.

Yeonjun smiles. "I thought I was a goner after falling down first. Thanks for the rescue, man."

Beomgyu supposes that they do rescue each other quite a bit. "Namjoon would be so excited if he saw us like this. He's a powerful mage too, right Taehyun?"

Taehyun nods. "He is. Maybe we'll fight together on the Olympic Stadium stage."

Beomgyu envisions the moment. He hugs every one of the members. Then he turns toward the exit.

It's unmistakable—his leather jacket and hair dyed a silvery blue, his height and poise, confidence radiating even from his silhouette. Why is Kim Namjoon walking out of COEX Mall as if nothing important just happened?

Turning toward his members, Beomgyu realizes no one else saw him. They're still basking in the afterglow of the fight, soaking up the victory. He supposes he should do the same.

But seeing BTS' Namjoon turning his back on them... just doesn't feel right.

A/N: What's your opinion on Namjoon leaving the scene? Let me know! Thank you for reading as always.