The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the Han River, their laughter echoing against the backdrop of the city skyline. When Jimin had proposed this trip, all he had in mind was to spend some quality time with his soulmates before they had to go home for the holidays.
As they idly skipped stones across the water, their attention was suddenly drawn to a commotion downstream. A dark sedan screeched to a halt, its doors flung open, and a masked figure leaped out, grabbing hold of a terrified boy, who had been sitting at the river bank.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Momo's voice rang out, sharp with indignation as he ran towards the duo.
The masked figure ignored him, dragging the screaming boy towards the waiting car. Without a moment's hesitation, Mingjue sprinted into action, racing after Momo. Jimin followed close behind, his heart pounding with adrenaline.
"Let him go!" Momo's voice boomed, his fists clenched in determination.
The masked figure paused, sizing up the three boys with a sneer. "This isn't your business, kids. Stay out of it."
But the three soulmates refused to back down. With a shared glance, they launched themselves at the kidnapper, a whirlwind of fists and kicks.
Jimin was about to land another kick when he felt the air around him thicken.
"Da-ge, they have a mage!" Jimin yelled as he pulled qi from his core and created a shild just as the first magical attack came.
Mingjue quickly set of a counter attack, his attack landing a blow to the man holding the boy.
Amidst the scuffle, the boy seemed to freeze before throwing himself in front of Jimin, shielding the older boy from a danger only he could see as he pushed Jimin to the ground. Pain exploded through the boy's side as a magical blade sliced into his flesh, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to let move from where he stood shielding Jimin.
"Jimin!" Momo's cry was filled with panic as he saw one of his soulmates fall to the ground, blood staining his shirt. Momo quickly sent a wave of energy at the mage, knocking him out cold.
Mingjue fought fiercely, his fists a blur as he landed blow after blow on the kidnapper. With a final, desperate lunge, he knocked the weapon from the masked figure's grasp, sending it clattering to the ground. And with a single blow to his face, Mingjue managed to knock the kidnapper unconscious.
Breathless and bruised, the two stood triumphant as the kidnappers fled, vanishing into the shadows. Jimin was kneeling next to the boy who laid crumpled on the ground, clutching his wounded side, but a smile tugged at his lips as he looked up at his saviours.
"You okay, Kid?" Mingjue's voice was shaky, his eyes wide with concern.
The boy nodded weakly, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. "I'll be fine, I think."
"Thank you for saving me." Jimin said softly. He carded his hand through the boys hair as Momo and Minnie used their shirts as makeshift bandages.
"I'm glad I made it on time." The boy said softly.
"We need to get him to Dr. Choi." MOMO said as Mingjue finished tying off the makeshift bandage. "There may have been a curse attached to the spell."
"Help me get him on my back." Jimi said as he stood up. Mingjue gently deposited the boy on Jimin's back m
With the boy now resting on Jimin's back, the three made their way back towards the riverbank, the setting sun casting long shadows across the water. They quickly grabbed their stuff and headed towards the subway station, intending to get the boy the medical help he needed.
------
In the heart of Seoul, the city's hustle and bustle seemed worlds away from the quiet, sterile room where Momo, Jimin, and Mingjue sat in tense anticipation. The white walls of the clinic were stark, only broken by the steady beeping of the machinery that monitored the young boy who lay unconscious on the bed. His small frame seemed almost lost among the white sheets, a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation.
Dr. Choi, a middle-aged man with kind eyes that held the weight of years of medical practice, spellwork and untold stories, stood at the foot of the bed. He had been the boy's physician since Jimin and his soulmates brought him in last night. The air was thick with worry as Doctor Choi cleared his throat and began to speak.
"This boy is a remarkable child." he started, his voice steady but grave. "Not just because he saved your life, Jimin, but because of the trials he has endured."
Jimin, eyes wide with concern, leaned forward. "What do you mean, Doctor. Choi? What trials?"
Doctor. Choi sighed, glancing at the boy's peaceful face. "He has been cursed repeatedly. It's a dark magic that clings to him, affecting his very essence. Each time we break one spell, another seems to take its place, more insidious than the last. The latest one nearly cost him his life."
Momo, always the pragmatic one, asked, "And you said breaking the spell could kill him?"
"Yes," Dr. Choi confirmed. "The curse is deeply intertwined with his life force. Attempting to sever it could have fatal consequences. We have to figure out what the core curses are. All we know is that the base curse is connected to the moon."
Mingjue, who had been silent until now, spoke up, his voice heavy with emotion. "Is there any way to help him? To truly free him from these curses?"
Dr. Choi nodded slowly. "There might be. Ancient texts suggest that a ritual could cleanse him, but it requires a rare combination of ingredients and the participation of those who care deeply for him. The bond of love and sacrifice is essential."
Jimin, Momo, and Mingjue exchanged glances. The brave boy had stepped in front of a blade meant for Jimin. Even if they didn't know him, the thought of him suffering was unbearable.
"We'll do whatever it takes," Jimin said firmly. "Just tell us what we need to do."
Dr. Choi gave them a hopeful smile. "It won't be easy. I already asked Tanaka and Magnus to get the ingredients we need but he'll need a place to rest and recuperate as we work on a way to break the curse. You'll have to make sure someone is with him all the time. While we know that the curses are connected to the moon we don't know what effect the full moon will have on him."
Momo stood and paced "If we move him to Ojisan's house would you be able to portal there for his treatment?
"It shouldn't be a problem." Doctor Choi said thoughtfully.
Mingjue nodded in agreement. "We'll gather what we need and make the arrangements with Shushu. Just keep him stable until we return."
Dr. Choi nodded. "I'll do my best. Time is of the essence, though. The next full moon is in three days."