Palace Of Illusions
Chapter 1
The moon hung like a silent guardian in the vast expanse of the night sky, casting its silver gaze upon the world below.
Loud Footsteps of a person can be heard in the middle of the night.
A boy, no older than seventeen, sprinted across the grassy field, his bare feet whispering secrets to the earth with each urgent step.
He wore brown khaki pants and a white shirt that billowed like a ghostly sail, catching the moonlight as he ran. The grass, swaying gently with the breeze, rustled like a thousand whispered promises, urging him onward with each delicate caress. The symphony of the night was punctuated by the rhythmic chorus of crickets, their song rising and falling like the breath of the field itself, blending with the loud thumping of the boy's heart and the soft, rapid drumming of his feet against the ground. His breath came in ragged gasps, each exhale a desperate plea, a fragile sound lost amidst the night’s cacophony, yet palpable to him as the beat of his own pulse.
Behind him, two men pursued like shadows given form, their breaths harsh and jagged, breaking the nocturnal symphony of crickets and whispering leaves. The boy's heart beat a wild drum within his chest, a primal rhythm of fear and defiance. He was a flicker of light in the moon's serene pool, a shooting star streaking across the field, desperate to outpace the encroaching darkness.
The moonlight bathed the field in an ethereal glow, transforming the scene into a realm of dreams and nightmares. Each blade of grass seemed to reach out, trying to anchor him to the safety of the earth, while the wind, a spectral hand, pushed him onward, urging him to escape.
He glanced back, just once, revealing his delicate features illuminated by the moon’s tender light. His eyes, large and black, shone with tears and fear, twinkling like stars against the backdrop of his pale face. Sweat formed on his forehead, glistening under the moon’s gaze, and his raven black hair clung to his skin, damp and tangled from his flight. The sight of the two men, black specters against the silvered landscape, their forms distorted and monstrous in the moon’s pale gaze, surged panic within him, a wildfire ignited by the sight, and he pushed harder, his legs a blur of motion.
The night itself seemed to conspire with him, the stars winking in silent encouragement. The boy's breath came in short, sharp bursts, the cool air slicing through his lungs like shards of ice. Yet, amidst the terror, there was a strange beauty to the scene – the harmony of his desperate flight, the moon’s tender watchfulness, and the field’s gentle embrace.
Huff! Huff! He gasped; his breath came out ragged and uneven from hours of running in this maze of forest, of which he lost count.
？？？(2)
Stop wasting our time.
？？？(2)
Let us finish our work peacefully.
???
Yeah, Come to us and we will make sure to give an easy and painless death to you.
the boy bit his lips in fear and shook his head refusing to give up this easily.
Desperation carved deep lines into his young face as he shook his head, refusing to give in to the strangers' relentless pursuit.
???
"Why are you doing this?" he cried out, his voice breaking the night’s fragile silence. "I don't understand! What do you want from me?"
the man grimaced at him showing his crooked teeth. His smile looked no more than less of a devil.
Chapter 2
The man asked smirking evilly
at him.
Jungkook whispered under his breath. His breath came out shaky, perhaps due to running for hours or the creeping fear of realizing that these strangers knew him, even though he didn't know them.
This means only one thing, these two men are ordered to kidnap him or worse kill him. He can now only hope none of them to be true. Holding onto the last hope he still tries to know that he is wrong to think that.
Jeon Jungkook
How do you know me?
Jeon Jungkook
Who are you?
He asked biting his lips in fear and maintaining the distance as much as he could in the middle of the forest.
???
We are not allowed to tell you.
？？？(2)
But looks like you are still not far away from being dead, so there is no harm in telling you, so you can die peacefully with your last wish getting fulfilled.
Both men looked at each other and started laughing evilly.
Seeing them laughing carelessly at his death which seems insignificant to others, Jungkook can't help but realize that his life doesn't matter to anyone just like a whisper lost in the night wind.
???
Your greedy old uncle and aunt gave us money to finish you silently.
A cold shiver ran down his spine. His uncle and aunt had hired these men to kill him. The realization had struck him like a physical blow. His parents had died in a car accident just six months ago, and his uncle jeon Jaehyun and aunt Mina had taken him in. Or so he thought. They had seemed kind and supportive, but it had all been a façade. They wanted the house, the money, everything his parents had left him.
He stumbled over a root, falling on his knees, His blood oozing out from his knee due to the fall. The forest was growing darker, the setting sun casting long shadows that twisted and shifted. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a countdown to potential doom.
He needed a plan, a way to escape. Running blindly wouldn’t save him forever. His mind raced. Maybe if he could find a stream, he could mask his scent and lose them. Or find somewhere to hide until they gave up.
Just as he started to move again, he heard something—a faint rustling behind him. Panic surged, and he spun around, ready to flee once more.
He saw a pair of eyes staring at him from the underbrush. A deer. It bolted at his sudden movement, disappearing into the forest. Jungkook let out a shaky breath. He couldn’t afford to be jumpy, not now.He refused to get scared and give up this easily.
No he will not.He can't and He would not die just like that in the hands of his enemies.
He forced himself to focus and stood up from the ground eyes filled with determination. He started running again ignoring the pain in his knees. He ran in the direction he saw the deer. He saw a huge tree and hid behind it.
There was a rocky outcrop to his left. Maybe he could climb it, get a vantage point. He started toward it, moving as quietly as he could. The sounds of pursuit were growing louder, closer. They were relentless.
Chapter 3
As he reached the base of the outcrop, he heard the men again.
???
“He has to be around here somewhere."
？？？(2)
"He couldn’t have gone far. We need to finish this.”
Jungkook’s blood ran cold. They were determined, and they had his uncle’s backing. He scrambled up the rocks, his fingers slipping on the mossy surface. He had to make it. He had to survive.
Reaching the top, he lay flat against the stone, trying to control his breathing. He scanned the forest below, searching for any sign of the men. There—a flash of movement. They were close, too close.
He needed a weapon, something to defend himself. His eyes darted around, but there was nothing useful. Just rocks and more rocks.
Then an idea struck him. He picked up a small, sharp stone and waited. As the men came into view below, he threw it as hard as he could in the opposite direction. The sound of it crashing through the underbrush drew their attention.
？？？(2)
“Over there! Go check it out.”
Jungkook watched as they moved away, their backs to him. It wasn’t much, but it bought him time. He slid down the other side of the outcrop, landing awkwardly but managing to stay on his feet. He had to keep moving.
He ran again, his mind working furiously. There had to be a way to get help, to expose what his uncle and aunt had done. But first, he had to survive the night.
As the darkness deepened around him, Jungkook vowed he would make it. He wouldn’t let them win. He would find a way to escape, to tell his story, and to bring justice. The forest closed in around him, a vast, shadowy maze, but he felt a spark of hope. He was still alive, and as long as he was, he had a chance.
Jungkook refused to give up. Determination fueled his every step as he plunged deeper into the forest. The voices of the men hunting him grew fainter, but he knew he couldn’t afford to slow down. He pushed through the thick underbrush, ignoring the cuts and bruises accumulating on his arms and legs.
After what felt like hours, he stumbled upon a river, its waters glistening in the fading light. Relief washed over him. If he followed the river, he might find a way out, or at least throw off his pursuers. He trudged alongside the riverbank, the sound of rushing water a strange comfort in the oppressive silence of the forest.
As he continued, a glimmer caught his eye—a distant light shining through the trees. It was an ethereal white and blue glow, flickering through the thick forest canopy. Intrigued and desperate for any sign of civilization or refuge, he veered towards the light.
The journey was treacherous, with uneven ground and dense foliage making every step a challenge. But the light grew brighter, guiding him through the labyrinth of trees and bushes. Finally, he broke through the underbrush and found himself in front of a magnificent, albeit damaged, structure.
A palace made entirely of glass and mirrors loomed before him. Parts of it were broken and crumbling, but even in its dilapidated state, it was breathtakingly beautiful. The glass walls reflected the moonlight, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that danced across the ground. The blue and white lights he had seen from afar were emanating from within the palace, casting an otherworldly glow.
* this palace was the inspiration.*
*This is the zwinger palace in Germany.*
Jungkook approached cautiously, marveling at the intricate designs etched into the glass and the way the mirrors seemed to capture and hold the light. Despite the damage, the palace exuded a sense of forgotten grandeur, as if it had once been a place of immense beauty and importance.
He paused at the entrance, his hand hovering over the large glass door. The forest was silent now, the sounds of his pursuers long gone. He took a deep breath and knocked on the grand doors with his pale thin wrist.
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