J

You stared outside the window of your father’s office, motionless. Beyond you, the protective barrier that separated Rosewood Academy from the mundane world rose strong again like an impenetrable wall. You have managed to repair it with the help of the others and its power and protection licked against the edges of your mind now like a comforting balm. Whether it is strong enough to survive another attack, you will never know. Your father’s Arcana has always been the strongest force that had held it up for as long as you could remember, but you and the rest will have to make do with what you have right now.

It’s been three days since he was stolen away from you. Three days since Junho Lee tried to seize control over the family and three days since you have taken headship to stop him. At that time, it seemed like the most sensible thing for you to do, and while you know that the decision remains the same even now, there were many moments when you wanted nothing more but to curl upon yourself in fear. Because the truth is that, you know you will never be enough to patch over the hole that your father left, especially in a time like this when the fate of the family is teetering on the edge of ruin or total erasure from history. 

“You didn’t touch the food left by your door again.” 

You didn’t move away from your spot by the window even as you heard the voice from the doorway.

“I don’t have any appetite.” 

“It’s been three days.” 

“It could be longer.” 

“Taeyong’s heart will break if  he hears you ignored his cooking again.”

A dry smile pulled one corner of your lips. Finally turning around, you leaned against the windowsill and regarded the man in front of you. 

“The door to the office is there for a reason, Kun-ge. What happened to the idea of knocking?”

Any other time, you know that he would have apologized for barging in. Today though, it was quite obvious from the way he looked at you that he was determined to stand his ground.

“You have to be thankful that it’s me who barged in. I’m convinced Haechan or the others will burn down that door soon if you continue to close us all off.”

Haechan’s name hit like physical weight but you forced your expression to remain cold despite it. From the way Kun almost looked guiltily at you though, it was clear that you were doing a bad job at pulling off detachment.

“You know that if you want to check in on them, you can do so anytime, right? They’ve recovered for a while now,” he said almost too gently.

“I almost killed all of them. You and Taeyong, too, if I wasn’t stopped on time. I think I’m the last person in this castle who has the right to ask how any of you are doing.”

“I don’t think they will like hearing that. Nobody is blaming you and—”

“Oh, cut the crap, I beg of you,” you cut him off bitterly and so suddenly you were almost half-surprised yourself. Frustration had started to make your throat almost close up. It was only a matter of time before you exploded and Kun, for all his kindness and care, opened that hatch that had been barely keeping you in one piece. 

“Look at this whole mess we are in right now,” you spat. “My father is gone. We have been betrayed, and now I’ve foolishly taken over the role of leading this family that I almost wiped out. Me, who, as you have all seen, is not even stable enough to properly control my own Arcana. I have two choices. Either I go like a mad fool to save the only family I have or I do what my father has always wanted and send the rest of us into hiding forever just to escape. I don’t have any idea what I am doing. If I wanted all of you to be kind to me, I would wish you all to at least hate me a little so I could feel more deserving of the self-disgust that’s eating me up.” 

You stopped short, suddenly feeling empty as if you’ve vomited something that you’ve been trying to keep in. Kun was quiet. For a moment too long, the two of you just stood there in silence as you tried to catch your breath.

“You didn’t say you’re wanting to leave though.” 

His words were the least of what you were expecting when he finally decided to speak up. Confused, you stared at him, wondering if you heard wrong.

“What?” 

The way he looked at you said that he was able to confirm something that only he understood. Your frown only turned deeper. 

“First  of all, you are wrong,” he continued. “You don’t have two choices. You have three. You can do either both of what you said, or you can choose to abandon all of us and escape on your own. You said you don’t know what you’re doing, and yet you’re still here.” 

It took a while for you to actually process what he was saying. For a flash of a painful moment, a memory of your father stole to your mind’s eye. You dashed it off quickly.

“You cannot brainwash me into thinking that I am a—”

“A potential good Head of the family? No, of course not. You are right. You are a danger to every single one of the masters here. You will probably make a lot of mistakes too, just like how your father did when he first took the role, and the other Chiefs before you both. But you also gave yourself two choices, and from the way I see it, not one of those is saying that you want to abandon the family or the position. It’s the one choice the Headmaster has always given you. Run away. Forget everything. Tell the others to do the same. But you haven’t really considered that, have you? Why? Because you’re scared, naturally. But you’re not giving up.”

You stared at him, dumbfounded. Kun’s words were gentle. Reasonable. They also broke down your defenses like a fucking wrecking ball. 

The tears were already dropping before you even realized it. He simply stood there and allowed you to have them with no judgment or pity in his eyes. It was the most you allowed yourself to freely feel in the last few days. 

“You are acting way too much like him,” you managed to say finally. He gave a short laugh before finally coming over to hand you a handkerchief.

“Don’t forget that the Headmaster raised me and Taeyong during our time here as students. We will never compare to him, but you should know better now.” 

You kept quiet. You knew there was something he was trying to say in between the lines and a part of you wished he would never go through with it. Kun, however, knew that he had to make himself clear.

“I gave my oath to the Headmaster that I will be your guardian and advisor if ever something happens to him. I’ve sworn my loyalty to him and you, and I’m pretty sure Taeyong did the same. We’ll be your Sword and Shield, as we were to him. We’re just waiting for your orders, Headmistress.” 

The title shook you but he only gave you his kind smile as always. Until that moment, it didn’t hit you how much you value his presence in this twisted system you were all forced to live. L’asso di spada e l’asso di scudo. The Ace of Sword and the Ace of Shield were titles only given to the most trusted members of the Arcana family who do not wield any abilities. Grandmasters are tied together in ways that go beyond the reasons of the mortal world, but Taeyong and Kun are mundane. Their servitude is by their own choice. And for that, their loyalty might be the most valuable of all.

“And as my first ever advice, if you really do want to make up with the others for the accident you made, then make a decision for the rest of the family. We need a leader."

“We’ll be ready as soon as you are.” 

*******

The dark crimson tint of the sinking sun stained the horizon like paint in water. Mark kept his eyes set on the academy grounds while the afternoon wind tossed around him. Ever since the attack happened, there seemed like a perpetual undercurrent of tension that had made the halls of the Academy suffocating. Everyone seemed to be dealing with it in their own way and he was no different, choosing to be alone and away from the rest for as long as he could manage. 

In the long years that he had been in Rosewood, this is the first time that the group had seemed so fractured and directionless. And he knew exactly the reason for it. 

His father. The traitor who had sold the secret of the Family for his own selfishness.

He had not talked to you since the last time you both stood side by side at the Headmaster’s office and announced your 'engagement.' It would have been easier for him to say that he wanted to give you space after everything, but he wasn’t shameless enough to at least not admit to himself the real reason behind his silence. 

Because the truth is that he was scared. More than carrying the guilt of being the son of the man who betrayed the family, Mark knew that the clock was also ticking for him before he was forced to make a decision that he had always known he was bound to make. 

Choose between his own blood or make his own path.

Crack!

His Arcana sensed the attack before he even fully comprehended it. A solid wall of rock leapt up in time behind him to shield him from the blow and now crumbled and shook under the force. Mark didn't flinch. He kept his back from where it came from and waited.

“Did you come to finally kill me, Jeno?” 

A darker shadow stepped from the ones that had gathered at the balcony.

“Seemed like you almost wanted me to.” 

Mark finally turned around, his wall of shield crumbling into pieces as he fully faced the other. Tendrils of Jeno’s Arcana, which were just a few feet from actually striking him earlier, seemed to shake in anticipation before finally rearing back and disappearing to nothing. 

“You could have done it if you tried hard enough.” 

His cousin simply stared at him with an expressionless look in his eyes. This is the first time the two of them have been left alone since that day Jeno almost vanished with you. In the dying light of the day, the air between them vibrated with a tension that was so thick it was almost suffocating.

“Did you know that your father was going to betray us?” 

He knew the question was coming. Mark tried his best to keep his gaze from faltering. 

“Yes. She and I had our suspicions.” 

The other boy’s expression didn’t change much, but he knew, after knowing him for so long, how much his answer was received. The Lee branch of the family that Jeno came from was directly connected with his and Haechan’s, though less prominent in influence by their own choice. If not for Jeno being chosen as the first GrandMaster in his direct line, his kin probably would have decided to keep their lives as far away from the rest as they could. 

Despite that, Jeno is still a Lee. And blood knows blood.

“And now you’re her fiance.” 

His words were plain, yet it struck Mark harder than any physical blows he could have gotten. His eyes turned cold at the implication. Jeno mirrored the same icyness with his own.

“I am the last person who will betray her, Jeno.” 

“And if your own father demanded it?”

“I am not the one who almost stole her away from everything she knows,” he said, his words sharp and cutting. Mark almost felt guilty for saying it, but he is yet to get over the fact that he almost lost you forever because of his own cousin. Jeno looked like he was expecting it and stepped deeper into the balcony to face him. 

“Yes. Because I wanted to give her a way out of this fucked up world that you want to keep her so locked in,” his tone was low, his words slow, like blades digging painfully inch by inch upon flesh. “You and I are not the same, hyung. You want to keep her here because you couldn’t bear to lose her, even if you know that being surrounded by all of us brings her closer to her end.” 

“That’s easy for you to say since you will have her to yourself.” 

Mark saw it coming, but he still didn’t move away when Jeno grabbed him by the front of his shirt. He braced himself for the blows, but instead the other boy just stared him down as if he was trying to see something only he could confirm. With shocking realization, he realized what it is. 

There was no anger or even spite that he could sense in him. Instead, Jeno was looking at him to see if he could trust him. 

The two of them stood just like that for a moment longer before the other finally let him go. When he stepped away, Jeno’s expression still looked grim, but there was no longer a trace of storminess there. The cousin and friend that he knew was back. 

“You made the right decision by telling your father that you’re engaged. But tell me, hyung, can you really assure her safety?”

Mark’s jaw locked. Still, he refused to lie.

“No. I can’t. But what I can be sure of is that I’ll never turn my back on her.”

Jeno didn’t react. He looked like there was something else he wanted to say. Instead, he took a step back before turning away. 

“That will be enough. At least for now.” 

The wind whipped around Mark like the hushed whispers of ghosts as he watched him leave. 

*******

The dark stone walls of the academy library rose to your sides like turrets and disappeared into the darkness of its high ceiling. Everything in there seemed dead, except for the small spot of light that you have in your table where you were currently holed up on. Spread out in front of you, piled high on top of each other, were a clutter of books. Some were face down to mark the pages where you left off while others were covered by the notes you’ve managed to collect since the last few days that you’ve started your research. 

Your eyes burned now as you tried to finish a page that was spread out in front of you. Since the day you spoke with Kun, you’ve barely done anything else. You were just about to turn the page when your ears picked up a slight creak from somewhere deep within the shadowed shelves from your side. You paused, then continued reading the next passage. 

There was silence again. Still, you only managed to finish a few more sentences before you finally sighed softly to yourself. 

“You know that it’s rude to spy on someone like that, right?” 

For a moment, it almost seemed like you were talking to dead air. Then, finally, there came the soft sounds of shuffling footsteps. You turned just in time as three figures stepped out of the shadows and into the small ring of light that your lamp threw on the floor.

Renjun, Haechan, and Jaemin stood in front of you, looking wary and a little guilty. The moment your vision adjusted to their outlines, a shot of guilt pierced through your ribs again. This is the first time you’ve seen them since that day in your father’s office and your first instinct was to try and see if any of them were hurt. They looked fine. Still, that wasn’t enough for you to bring down the invisible wall between you yet. 

“Sorry. We didn’t mean to scare you,” Jaemin finally spoke.

“Why are you here?” 

It was not the first thing you wanted to say to them, but it was also the only question you could manage at the moment. Hesitance lingered in the air. Haechan threw an apprehensive glance towards the two.

“We haven’t seen you for almost a week now. We’ve been worried,” the boy answered carefully.

“Yeah? Well, I almost killed all of you.” 

Your tone didn’t have any particular inflection when you said it. If anything, you almost sounded gentle. Still, your words landed so bluntly that Renjun flinched. Jaemin and Haechan looked straight up upset. You waited for any of them to speak up, but they didn’t—couldn’t because you were telling the truth. Before the silence could become more unbearable, however, you finally looked away and slowly picked yourself up from your seat. Three pairs of eyes watched you as you approached them. 

You hesitantly reached out for Jaemin’s hand first. His fingers were cold when you touched them, but he didn’t hesitate in weaving them around yours the moment his skin felt your warmth. The next moment, you were pulled close, his arms tight around you as he buried his face into your hair. You closed your eyes and hugged him back. 

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” 

“Don’t try to shut yourself off like that again, okay?” he said in a strained voice. You smiled even though he couldn’t see it. 

“Okay… Forgive me?” 

There was a feel of lips touching your temple. Your heart squeezed at how much you missed him. 

“You’re forgiven. Always.” 

“Hey, you know Jaemin isn’t the only one knocked out cold right? I hate to be that kind of guy, but why is he the only one getting a hug?” 

You couldn’t help but laugh at Haechan’s whiny voice. Stepping away from Jaemin, you walked towards him and Renjun and, at the same time, pulled both to a threeway embrace. Both boys tried to jokingly push each other off but finally settled after you gave both a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m sorry to you both too. And to everyone else. I didn’t know how to face you all and I apologize for acting so childish about it.”

“Jisung and Chenle wanted to come too, you know. We just told them no because we don’t want to scare you off,” Haechan said.

Renjun nodded. “Kun-ge actually told us to leave you alone until you came for us yourself, but well… we didn’t know what you were up to,” he exchanged a look with the other. “And to be honest, everyone’s growing so restless day by day.” 

You immediately got what he was trying to say. If what Kun said was true, then you know everyone’s on edge about what’s next for the family with your father gone. This, at least, you can say you’ve not entirely failed them. Unconsciously, you threw your pile of books a glance. Jaemin caught the action and for the first time, finally took notice of your cluttered table. He approached it now and picked up the one you currently have spread open. A frown slowly formed on his face as he read the passage illuminated by the lamp. 

“What are you doing with these kinds of books?” he asked slowly. He picked up the title and held it up against the light. “‘History of the Arcana…’,” he stopped then and looked over the rest laid out on your table. You can see the gears on his head working. ‘‘Aether Forces and the Art of their Control,’ ‘Subjugating the Arcane…’. 

“Noona. What are all these for?” 

Similar looks of worry slowly reflected on Haechan and Renjun’s faces too. They glanced at you, but you didn’t say anything, just took the book Jaemin had and sealed it close. Its sound echoed in the hallowed walls of the library. 

“I’ve been checking on a couple of things,” you said simply. It’s a severe understatement for what you have been doing, and by the way the three exchanged looks, they knew better than to believe you. 

Because the truth is, you’ve spent the past few days setting your mind on a plan—one that can only be thought of by a madman. Looking at it from afar, you doubt it’s something your own father will even put his bets on. But then again, this is not his game anymore. 

The chess pieces are now yours to move.

“I’m sorry it took so long, but I need to talk to all of you about it now.” 

You turned to Renjun and, with a steadiness that you haven’t felt in so long, gave your first ever order as Headmistress.

“Can you call everyone? I’ll explain everything.” 

*******

Taeyong observed the room with his usual calmness from his seat. In the gathering twilight, the office of the Headmaster glowed orange from the light of the lamps set high on the wall scones. Scattered around the space, each in their own bubble of thoughts, were the rest of the other Masters. Even Jeno and Mark, who he hadn’t seen for days were there, both quiet in their chosen spots. 

All looked on edge in their own ways, except for Kun who seemed the most collected beside him. Taeyong leaned back against his chair now, eyes unmoving as he addressed the other in a volume only the two of them could catch.

“Do you have any idea what this is about?” 

In his peripheral vision, he saw the man give the slightest shake of his head. 

“No. But I think we’re finally getting the answer we need today.”

That didn’t entirely put his worries at ease. Taeyong fully glanced at the other this time, his handsome face barely covering his emotions.

“Have you told her of our position? What if she comes up with something because she’s afraid we might abandon her?” 

If the current situation wasn’t so serious, Kun would have afforded his friend an actual smile. If he is going to be entirely honest, he also doesn’t have an inkling of an idea about what you were about to do. But he was also here in this very room with you just a couple of days ago, and unlike Taeyong, he had seen you pick yourself up again that day, even though you probably have not noticed it yourself. And for that, he is giving you the credit you are due. 

“Believe me, Taeyong,” he answered now as he fixed his eyes to the door. “Whatever it is she comes up with, it will be closer to being mad than careful. Give her credit.”

“She’s her father’s daughter after all.” 

As if on cue, the aged oak door to the office opened with an almost hesitant swing. Immediately, all eyes in the room swiveled towards it as you quietly stepped inside. Your silhouette stood out starkly at first against the light from the hallway, but then you closed the door again and drowned the room once more in shadows. Even under the cover of the minimal light, however, the way you held your shoulders didn’t betray what you were really feeling. But then your eyes met with Kun’s across the room, and that was enough to push you to make the short trip to your father’s desk. Carefully, you placed a book that you were holding on top of it, then made a point to look at every single face there.

You took your time painfully, and then slowly, you bent, head low. When you spoke, your words sounded too loud in your own ears against the backdrop of silence. 

“I’m sorry. For what I did. I’ve hurt all of you and then acted like a coward after. I was immature and lost control over myself. I am not expecting your forgiveness, but please know that I take full responsibility for my actions.”

Nobody answered. You didn’t dare lift your head up yet. You could feel the weight of eyes on your shoulders and in the silence, you felt the room hum not with just the presence of your friends there, but by the powers they carry. At that moment, you knew that something ancient was listening to your heed, too. You pushed on, replaying the words you’ve practiced a hundred times earlier. 

“I called all of you not only to apologize but to give you a choice. I have taken my father’s role temporarily and I will understand it if none of you will be supportive of it. I did not have the chance to ask any of you back then, but I do want to give you the space now. Please know that whatever your decision, I will respect it. With that I beg, if you wish to express your dissent, please do so now.” 

You waited with bated breath for any answer. Everyone was still eerily silent and you closed your eyes to try and push back the sick feeling that was slowly pooling at the pit of your stomach. Then, when you thought you couldn’t take it anymore, somebody spoke.

“Do you claim the position with confidence?” 

It was Johnny. His tone was neutral, but it still made your heart jump to your throat. Then, without looking up, you gave an answer that was the most true to you. 

“With confidence, no. But with determination, yes.”

Your words landed heavy and raw. The air seemed thicker, denser, tenser. 

And then, something finally broke the silence. A laugh.

“As expected from our new Headmistress. Lift your head up, Princess. I don’t think anyone is going to be leaving anytime soon.”

The answer came to you as a surprise that you immediately straightened up with no hesitation. In front of you, everyone looked at you with an unwavering decisiveness that made your breath catch. It was the least you were expecting when you decided to face everyone again today. On the side, you saw Kun give you a small, proud smile. You knew exactly what he was saying even without words.

“Is that the only reason why you called us here though? Don’t tell me we’ve waited days just to hear you apologize,” Johnny continued. Slowly, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. As the eldest and highest ranking of the Masters, you knew exactly where he was leading you on to. They might have accepted you for now, but you are yet to prove yourself to them. 

“Are you going to tell us what we’ve been waiting for the past week?” 

You met his gaze steadily. You spoke before you even had the room to second guess yourself.

“Yes. I’m going to fight. I’m going to save my father, and if you will allow me, I will need all of your help to do it.”

Johnny’s slow smile told you it was the exact answer he was expecting. Around the room, a shift had immediately happened too. The tension that was once there was instantly gone, replaced by one of steadiness that made you breathe just a little bit easier. The oldest ones, Mijeong included, looked almost relieved to hear your answer. Mark didn’t look surprised at all by your decision. Only Jeno was the one who looked as quiet as ever in his corner. 

You pushed on. 

“I’ve come up with something. A plan—but it’s going to be really dangerous. I want you all to know about it. Then after, you can make the decision if you really do want to be a part of this. It’s the fairest way to move forward.”

“Let’s hear it then.”

You braced yourself by taking a deep breath. Carefully, you pulled open a drawer on your father’s desk and pulled a sleek black folder there. It was unlabeled, but you’ve already memorized all its contents from front to back. 

“First, I’ve confirmed who has him. Cypher Institute is a global corporation that deals with all kinds of experiments and studies from military to pharma. My father knew about them himself a few weeks before they took him,” you gave Mijeong a quick glance. “The Kims were the ones he enlisted to keep an eye on them.” 

“Are you saying that the Headmaster knew that they were after him and still walked willingly into their trap? Why would he do that?” Taeyong asked, confused. 

At this question, you couldn’t stop yourself from giving a bitter smile. 

“To sacrifice himself. Whatever Cypher’s goal is, my father knew that they were after the Arcana abilities. A member of the Triad is the best person to walk straight to them because without the other masters, we are useless. He thought he was doing us a favor.”

“The thing is, I think he calculated it wrong,” you continued. “If the Institute was only after an Arcana user for the sake of a wily study, then they had no reason to keep the rest of us left here alive. They know more about the other masters… And they will probably come after the rest of us, too.” 

Yuta frowned. “But that doesn’t make sense. If they do, then why didn’t they just get all of us when they had the chance? We were the weakest when they compromised the barrier.” 

“Because we pose a higher risk to them if they gather us around in one place together. I have reason to believe that Cypher does not have the full information about all of us yet, our abilities, and which Master holds a particular Arcana. If they did, then the army who attacked the Academy would have been better prepared to take us.” 

“How can you be sure of that?” Jungwoo asked. 

“Because my father is not stupid.” The voice that answered next was the least you were expecting. Every head in the room swivelled to where Mark was. He met your eyes before he continued to address the room. “If he did sell us out to the enemy, then he would be smart enough to not give all the information he knows in one go. They would have gotten rid of him early if he did.” 

“That doesn’t protect us from anything nor does it give us any assurance of what he had already done,” Mijeong answered. Her gaze on Mark was sharp. “He can say whatever he wants anytime. He is a liability and we need to lock him up before he causes more trouble.”

For a moment, you thought your childhood best friend would say something to counter her. This was the very conversation that everyone had been trying to avoid, and now that it was out in the open, the rest waited with bated breath for what’s to come. Instead, Mark only kept his silence before turning to fix you with his gaze. You understood what he was trying to say as clear as day.

He had chosen his side. Clearly and plainly. 

“I will leave it to the Headmistress to decide what to do.” 

You were speechless. Not once had your trust wavered when it came to Mark, but having this moment unfold now still took you off guard. It wasn’t lost on you how big of a decision this was for him, to choose his duty over his loyalty to his own father. You couldn’t find the words, but thankfully, maybe even selfishly, you felt relief for not losing him.

“I don’t think that is going to happen anytime soon though,” Jaemin spoke carefully as he looked at his older friend, then at you. “If he really believed that the two of you are to be married, then he is probably weighing his options. He has as much to gain, maybe even more, in this marriage. What do you think, hyung?” 

Mark finally broke his gaze away from you and nodded. “But I still don’t think we have time. I have not heard back from him for days. I have no idea what he is planning to do.” 

“Should we arrange to have him arrested?” Jaehyun asked you directly now. This, at least, you have an answer for.

“No. We need him to disappear at just the right time.” 

The confused expressions on everyone’s faces were not lost on you. 

“If we take him now, Cypher will immediately know that we’ve found him out. I need him to stay long enough… Until the Institute itself thinks that he had betrayed them by disappearing.” 

“But doesn’t that leave us vulnerable? What if they come after us before we even get to do anything?” Haechan asked, his tone reflecting the same doubt etched on his features. This time, you did pause a bit as you fixed your eyes on a framed photo of you sitting on your father’s desk. You were a child, with your favorite book pressed against your chest.

“That’s exactly what I want to happen. For them to come after us themselves.” 

Everyone was silent. The weight of your words and the confusion that they brought hung heavy in the air. Then, for the first time, Jeno finally spoke. It was a question that he asked, but you knew, from his tone alone, that he had already figured you out. It made your chest clench just to hear him say it.

“What are you trying to do?” 

The way he asked made you feel as if there’s only the two of you in the room. You looked at him steadily, before giving your answer as if he was the only one there too.

“I’m not only going to save my father. I want to know exactly what Cypher wants to do with the Arcana and put a stop to it once and for all. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder, hiding and wondering why people are after my head. That’s the fate that awaits all of us if we don’t fight. Running away will only make things harder for us and the fastest way to do that is to,” 

“Attack them from the inside…” Kun was the one who finished it for you. You tore your eyes away from Jeno and nodded.

“Cypher is a powerful enemy,” you continued. “It’s safer for all of us to think that they have the upper hand for now. If we meet them head-on, we don’t know what we will be facing. But if we meet them inside of their own trap, we’ll have better chances of winning the game. To do that, we’ll let them take some of us as they intended, with others planted as spies, working undercover with them to balance the scales. Someone will have to go in and move the plan along at the right moments until it’s time for all of us to escape again once we have all the information that we need and my father.”

“And who is going to be that person?” Jaemin asked slowly. Unfortunately for him and for his best friend, they already both knew the answer. Jeno’s eyes burned against your skin but you didn’t dare look at him this time. You couldn’t afford to. You answered before you could even waver.

“Me.”

*******

Nobody in the room moved. It was as if the Headmaster’s office had turned into a vacuum and everyone was stuck in the same limbo. You stood stiffly still, waiting for the axe to drop. Mijeong was the one who did it. 

“No. Absolutely not. No. No way,” she said as she looked at you incredulously. In the short time you’ve known her, this is the first that you’ve seen her address you so bluntly.

“You’re the last of the Triads. You are the last person you have to get their hands on.” She swivelled then towards Taeyong and Kun as if to appeal to them. The two, however, remained frozen on their seats just like the rest. “This can’t work.”

“That’s exactly why I am the perfect person to do it,” you only answered her calmly. “The person inside their own walls is the last they will think to be a Triad.” 

Ten didn’t look convinced either. “But even if you have a point, the risk is too high. What if something happens and you are found out? The variables are too uncontrollable. They will have eyes and ears everywhere. Who is to say what will really happen once we’ve infiltrated them?” 

“The risks will lower, if we control where their eyes and ears are set,” you easily answered. “And this is where I will need all of you.” 

Everyone watched as you stepped back from your father’s desk and made your way to the middle of the room. Resting on one of the tables there is an untouched chessboard, with its pieces lying unorganized by its side. You picked up the King and turned the dark piece on your palm. 

“A decoy,” you said calmly as you placed it on one side of the board. “I will need the help of someone to fake the identity of IL Matto and send them far away from the Academy.” You then took the other chess pieces—the Bishops, the Rooks, the Pawns, and the Knights and placed them on their respective places. You left the Queen out of the board, untouched. 

“To convince Cypher, the fake IL Matto will have to be protected by our strongest and best,” you lifted your gaze and looked straight at Johnny, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, and Yuta. All looked pale under the ghastly light of the room. Then, slowly, you turned towards Taeyong. Just as you expected, the man was already looking at you with an unreadable look on his face. When you spoke to him, your tone was gentler.

“I wouldn’t have known until I dug through my father’s files, but it’s what you’ve been doing for years, right, Taeyong-hyung? My father asked you to stand as the decoy IL Matto. He’d planted the rumor himself and let it spread to the lesser families.” 

You heard someone gasp. Taeyong, still looking calm, finally smiled.

“It’s an honor to be trusted by your father.” 

“It’s a big ask. And a selfish one.” 

“And I am still saying yes, now that you’re the one asking me to do it.”

For a moment, you actually felt guilt strike you. You’ve spent sleepless nights trying to convince yourself that this is the best course of action, but looking at Taeyong now, so human and still so loyal made you almost want to trash everything. For the first time, you understood in its fullness the weight that your father carried for the family. The sacrifices and the guilt were prices to pay to keep the game moving. 

“If you are going to send Taeyong and the rest, then what about your plan for Cypher?” Kun spoke up to cut your train of thought before it overwhelmed you. He looked unsure still, worried not entirely for his own self. You felt sick for what you were about to say next. 

“I will need a very specific group of people for it,” you answered and this time, you actually felt yourself almost hesitate. With your head feeling as heavy as lead, you turned blindly to the other side of the room. Mark’s worried face met you first, then Renjun’s whose eyes turned round from where he sat. He had gotten into your head. You allowed him to.

“Seven people to be exact.” 

*******

The lock of the door to your father’s office caught with the quietest of clicks. You stared at it, right at the very same spot where Taeyong’s back disappeared before he left the room. His voice was still echoing in your head as you stared at the empty space now. Somehow, his words seemed to make everything more real than they already are. 

“It’s better if we know less about the other half of your plan. That’s safer, just in case something happens and they catch up with us.”

The brief lull was only borrowed though, because still in the room with you, waiting, were the rest that you’ll need to complete the harder, more complicated part of your scheme. Just thinking about how to put it into words right now was already making your throat close up. Instead of wavering though, you turned quietly to them and took in each of their faces carefully. 

Kun. Ten. And Mijeong. They will be the pieces you need to drive you to the right direction when you need to. 

And then there’s the seven. 

Your seven. 

Mark, Jeno, Renjun, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, and Jisung stared back at you, not knowing how much you’ll be asking of them. 

“I will need you seven to let Cypher take you.”

It was such a simple sentence, and yet it broke something in you after you said it. Your voice had started sounding alien to your own ears as you continued. “The Institute will need a collection of Arcana users other than my father to study. You will be—”

“Your baits,” Jeno finished your sentence. It took you everything not to flinch. Still, you went on, this time turning at the three others in the room. 

“Kun and Ten, you will be our insiders. We will find a way to have you both get hired by the Institute and assigned as doctors to the boys. Mijeong, I looked around the Kims’ connections and your family had been dealing with Cypher for years. I will need your help to let Kun and Ten in.” 

The girl looked conflicted, but it was Kun who decided to voice out her concern. 

“If you want us to infiltrate Cypher, that is fine, but I still do not think it is a good idea for you to be involved in such close contact with them. You are too vulnerable of a target. Even if we successfully plant the boys and ourselves inside of the Institute, there is a huge possibility that they might pull something to make your Arcana act up. Won’t it make the others’ abilities more unpredictable if you let yourself be taken in as a prisoner?” 

“But I am not marching to Cypher as a prisoner, Kun-ge,” you said steadily. “I am coming to them as a doctor too. A fully mundane, powerless one at that.”

He froze, obviously confused. 

“What do you mean?” 

Without looking at anyone, you reached for the book that you’ve carried with you earlier and turned it so that its front faced the rest. Its gold embossed title glowed dully under the lamp light. 

La Historia de la Arcana Famiglia

“About a century ago, a former IL Matto was excommunicated from the roster of GrandMasters. He was discovered to have sided with the Royal Imperial line which found out about the abilities of the Arcana and was trying to possess them. He had the ability of Retroactive Nullification which let him reach out to the immediate past of any GrandMaster to undo any action that they do using their abilities. He can even undo his own death as long as his life force exists. As we all know, even if our physical bodies die, it will take a while for it to merge back into the aether. In other words, he is invincible to the others. As a traitor, they obviously needed him to be gone.”

“Since death is not an option, the other Masters had to think of another way to nullify him. They only thought of one solution.” 

“Erase his memories.”

Everyone stared back at you in total silence. The pieces were slowly falling into place. 

“By erasing his memories, they rewrote his whole being. He was still the IL Matto, but he no longer has the knowledge of his identity to use his ability in any way. As Masters, our powers are tied to what we know about ourselves and our purpose. In other words, they made him a useless piece. He died of his own accord, knowing he was a mundane.”

Your words echoed as if you were speaking to an empty room. When you finally allowed yourself to look at the rest, every face staring back at you was pallid. Slowly, you smiled, even if it didn’t quite reach your eyes. 

“That’s what we will do. Erase my memories and rewrite a different identity for myself. When I enter Cypher, I will not be IL Matto.”

“The master you are talking about lost his memories forever. Are you giving up on your position willingly by abandoning your ability?” Of course, it was Jeno who asked. Out of all the people there, his expression was the hardest for you to break down. While everyone looked horrified, he remained unreadable. Of course, you knew why. He was the only person, other than your father, who wanted you to abandon your destiny.

But you will have to break his heart again. 

“No. We will do it differently. The previous IL Matto’s memories were erased in their entirety before they were overwritten. But mine will be kept temporarily,” you paused. In your head, the seven pieces were finally lining up to their right places. 

“La Papessa will extract my memories and keep it in his power while the plan is still in motion,” from his seat, Renjun stiffened as you called on his Arcana. You glanced at Haechan next who looked so still in his own corner, he didn’t look like he was breathing. “IL Bagatto will create a new identity for me; bend the reality just enough to give me a reason to try and get into Cypher. I will forget all about my life as IL Matto. La Fuerza will be part of this made-up new life. You will be responsible for leading me to the Institute at the right time,” you said then, smiling slightly at Mijeong. “You’ve been with me in the past couple of years anyway, so a history between the two of us will not be hard to reinforce.” 

“Inside Cypher, we need the right mix of abilities and people. L’Imperatore will offer the physical strength, IL Diavolo, the mental manipulation to make sure that we still keep some level of control over the situation if needed. Being kept as patients inside of the Institute will have serious risks, but IL Carro and Asso di Scuti will have to find their way inside of it to provide a level of protection to the others. You’ll need to be directly involved in the study and be ready to support our escape at the right time,” you continued, addressing Ten and Kun directly. 

“La Morte, as the opposite of all your Arcanas, will be our last ace, in case your abilities get out of control while inside. And finally,” you turned to the youngests of the group. Guilt was obvious in your eyes as you tried to smile at Jisung and Chenle. Your heart ached as you stared at them, looking so young—way too young in the semi-darkness of the office. 

“La Luna and IL Sole, you will be our most important pieces. I will leave it to your hands to mend and heal… whatever and whoever it is that might break at the end of it.” 

The silence that followed rang loud like a gavel hitting judgment. Nobody spoke, moved, or even seemed to breathe. You could feel the heaviness of what you’ve just said sit at the back of your throat like poison.

In the middle of the room, flecks of blood orange light bounced off from the chessboard. The Queen’s piece stood on her square, its shadow looking larger than it was in the darkness. 

The game has finally started.