Chapter Text
It happened during the Nebula War. Many nebulas wanted to reach the final scenario and take out their largest contender, Kim Dokja’s Company.
A war against some of the strongest nebulae, and Kim Dokja’s company had surpassed all odds to get here, and with the help of some major constellations on their side, they got too relaxed. They had major powerhouses on their side, such as ‘Father of the Rich Night’ and Dokja’s new status as a Myth Grade Constellation.
No one noticed Dokja’s unsteady footing.
No one noticed till it was too late.
A direct hit. One Kim Dokja had failed to dodge. His unsteadiness and a blow sent him flying back. His head slammed into the ground causing a major head wound. The blood seeped into the ground around him, as Dokja lost consciousness.
Yoo Joonghyuk was the first to notice. The blood drained from his face as he watched the blood drain from Dokja. The scream that left his mouth was done unconsciously and was blood-curdling.
Yoo Joonghyuk continued to rip through his opponents as the other KimCom members began to notice the loss of Kim Dokja’s presence. Lee Hyunsung was the first to get to Dokja, followed by Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung. As the opposing nebula backed off, the more they fled to Dokja’s side. The other side had finally given up, backing away as Yoo Joonghyuk was still driving his sword into them. Finally stopping to breathe, he looked down, his eyes clouded by fear, before rushing to Dokja’s side.
[Nebula has won the inter-Nebula warfare!]
They all scrambled him back to the Industrial Complex. He was still breathing. His slow but steady breaths fueled them. Bursting into the Industrial Complex, Yoo Joonghyuk was holding Dokja tightly in his arms. Dokja’s mother saw him and went cold, before rushing to get Lee Seolhwa. As she did so, Dokja was carried to one of her hospital beds and laid down. All of his companions looked upon him with silent breaths.
Lee Seolhwa entered quickly, her hands shaking as she saw Dokja on the bed. Followed by Lee Sookyung, as she began to usher everyone out to give Lee Seolhwa space.
Lee Seolhwa was fast. Examining him with great rush and care. The others silently gathered around the room. They could hear her fast-paced steps, and the sounds of her equipment being used, but no sounds of movement came from Dokja himself. Lee Jihye clutched onto her master’s shoulders. The kids were gathered at Yoo Sangah’s side. Han Sooyoung was cursing under her breath as Jung Heewon tried to console both her and Lee Hyunsung.
Finally, Lee Seolhwa opened the door. Her tired face looked at the rest of KimCom. She gave them a weekend smile and held the door open for them. Yoo Joonghyuk was the first to run in, followed by the rest of Dokja’s companions. Lee Seolhwa returned to Dokja’s side as Yoo Joonghyuk watched her every move. He had his hand placed on Dokja’s and could see his steady breaths.
Lee Seolhwa cleared her throat, catching everyone's attention. They all looked up at her as they watched her face darken and she glanced down at the sleeping face of their leader. The fear clouded their eyes as she turned to give her verdict. “Kim Dokja is alive.” Tears swelled in Han Sooyoung's eyes, and Lee Hyunsung looked up with hope-filled eyes. Lee Seolhwa took a breath, “but,” she paused and glanced at Yoo Joonghyuk, still tightly holding onto his hand, “it appears he has fallen into a coma.” The room was completely silent. A tiny gasp left Lee Gilyoung’s lips as wiped tears off his face with his arm.
Next to him, Shin Yoosung’s small and shaky voice was heard, “Will he wake up?” Her hand clenched around Lee Gilyoungs. He glanced up at her to see the fear in her eyes.
Lee Seolhwa looked over at the kids, giving them a weak smile, clearly forced. Her shaky voice came out in a whisper, “I don’t know.”
…
As the days drew on. They continued to follow Dokja’s plans. Frequent visits to his hospital bed were done by everyone. Oftentimes, if Yoo Joonghuk was missing it was because he was sitting in a lonely chair next to his bed, squeezing onto Dokja’s hands.
Of course, that was until one day when he went missing. They all gave him some time assuming like them he was off grieving Dokja somewhere privately. They were wrong. As the final scenario approached, Yoo Joonghyuk did not return. Shin Yoosung seemed quieter and began refusing to leave Kim Dokja’s side. At the mention of Yoo Joonghyuk’s name, both she and Lee Gilyoung seemed to falter.
Han Sooyoung ended up breaking down in front of the kids in a panic attack. Yoo Sangah came to comfort her as the kids began to cry at the scene. As they began to break down, they both began to cry out, “I’m sorry, I am so so sorry.”
Yoo Sangah eyed the kids confused, they were shaking their heads rapidly and huddled against each other sobbing. She tentatively asked, trying to sound calm, “What are you two sorry for?”
Their cries got louder as they stuttered out more apologies, “We’re so sorry!” Their rapid words were hard to understand, repeating similar mantras of sorries before Lee Gilyoung blurted out, “We tried to stop him, we really did!”
Han Sooyoung’s head shot up and panic flooded her face. Yoo Sangah’s eyes clouded over and she muttered, “Do you mean Yoo Joonghyuk?” She watched the kids slowly nod before burying their faces against each other's shoulders to cry more.
Han Sooyoung stood up and rushed over to the kids separating them. She kneeled in front of them and pulled Lee Gilyoung up to her. Her loud voice bounced against the walls, “What did he do!?” She was panicked, and Lee Gilyoung began to curl into himself and cry more at her accusation. “WHAT DID HE DO!?”
Sangha ripped Han Sooyoung off of the kids and pushed her back. She gave her a dirty look before also going down to the kids’ level. She gently placed her hands on Lee Gilyoung’s shoulders and calmly asked, “Gilyoung, can you tell us what Yoo Joonghyuk did that's making you so upset?” He shook his head no.
Shin Yoosung quietly stood up and said, “He seemed upset.” They turned to look at her, as she continued, “And then we could hear him talking to his sponsor.” The blood ran cold in Sangah’s and Sooyoung’s faces.
“What did he say to his sponsor?” Sooyoung gritted her teeth to hold back a sob.
Shin Yoosung looked at her, “He asked a question.” Shin Yoosung looked down and began to pick at the skin on her nails. “He asked, if he regressed, would he find Dokja again.”
Both Han Sooyoung and Yoo Sangah got up quickly. They nodded at the kids, and Sangah quickly said a polite thank you before rushing out of the room. The kids broke down crying next to Dokja’s bed in guilt and apologizing to his still unconscious body.
…
Han Sooyoung stormed into Yoo Joonghyuk’s room. Her eyes roamed till they landed on his bed. Yoo Sangah followed after and followed her eyes to the bed. They approached it as Sooyoung picked up the pocket watch the Dokja had given him. Sangah picked up the note next to it, and sloppily written were three words that made her regret letting him out of their sight, “I’ll save him.”