"At least you're coming back now, hyung," Lee Gilyoung whispered, holding onto Kim Dokja while looking up at him. "Then we can get ready for the next scenario!"
"That's right," Kim Dokja confirmed while patting his head. "I'll be back soon."
Ah, yes, the sixth main scenario. It would be interesting to see how that one played out, but for the moment, he had to find his way back to the world of the living.
Dokja looks up the stone stairway that leads only into darkness when the Judge beside him says, [Follow the path here. You'd do best to find your way 'forward'.]
When Dokja turns to clarify their meaning, he sees that there's no one behind him anymore. Left alone in the dark of the stairway tunnel, Dokja grimaces and begins to move forwards, recalling the myth of Orpheus and the importance of not looking back on his journey to returning to the world of the living. As he leaves the area lit by flames, he places a hand against the wall.
The sound of his footsteps are the only thing that can be heard as all light finally disappears. The darkness has closed in around him, and Dokja places his hand on the wall to guide him as he continues walking, step after step. Gulping, Dokja worries about whether just moving ahead will work or not.
If I looked back, there's no knowing what would happen to me.
"Oh that's not creepy at all," Han Sooyoung muttered sarcastically, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes. Honestly, Kim Dokja had to agree—that was probably the most ominous-looking stairway he'd ever seen in his life.
[several constellations are intrigued by the stairway.]
He grimaced when the Judges suddenly vanished as well, leaving him completely alone. What kind of parting words were those?
Shin Yoosung snuggled in closer to him, frowning as she did. "I really don't like the look of that, ahjussi…"
Right, she was still just a kid. Kim Dokja had to wonder if she would have still slept with a nightlight at home before the scenarios, or if she had outgrown things like that. He had never even thought about the kids potentially being afraid of the dark and the monsters that may lurk within. They always seemed far more mature than their years, and the fact that both of his kids were tamers meant that they had a distinct advantage over most things that could be going bump in the night. As for Yoo Mia… well, she definitely knew by now that her brother was far scarier than any monster, so she was probably fine.
Kim Dokja's expression faltered for a moment when he suddenly recalled the other reason why it had never occurred to him before—as a child, the darkness and the silence was comforting because it was safe. Hidden away like that, nothing could hurt him.
Honestly, at that time, Kim Dokja would have welcomed anything that had come for him in the dark. After all, the monster he had feared the most wouldn't be driven away by the light.
"Right, the myth," Yoo Sangah said, drawing Kim Dokja's attention back to the screen. "You don't have her soul with you, but still… looking back might be a bad idea."
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is smiling at the incarnation 'yoo sangah'.]
That probably meant that she was right. Kim Dokja let out a breath as he watched himself leave the last dregs of light behind and proceed into the darkness, hoping that he wouldn't do something embarrassing like trip over a step.
Suddenly, a light flickers in front of him before turning into a sentence in an ornate font, written in such a way that each line appears to be connected by a golden thread.
-You fear what may lie behind you.-
Dokja guesses that the writer is Persephone as the words change.
-That unfortunate child had felt the same way, but never forget that you must know what lies 'behind' in order to know what lies 'ahead'.-
Dokja looks a little annoyed by all the metaphors as he remembers that the Judges also said something similar, but that he has no clue in hell what it means.
Lee Hyunsung placed his hand on his chest as he let out a breath. "That scared me a bit…"
To be fair, random writing appearing out of nowhere in the middle of the darkness would probably freak anyone out. Plus, the words written there were perhaps a bit more ominous than originally intended.
"So is that supposed to be literal?" Jung Heewon wondered, frowning. "Because if she's implying that there are a bunch of monsters in the dark behind you, I would probably pick up the pace."
Kim Dokja bit his lip slightly. That didn't seem quite right, if he was being honest. "I honestly don't know, but I can't prove that it's not true either. A lot of constellations like to talk in circles and use lots of metaphors, so that's my guess."
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is laughing at the constellations who think talking fancy makes them sound smart.]
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' thinks that metaphors are stupid.]
Yeah, that was about what Kim Dokja had expected.
"I wonder if she means something like 'those who don't learn from the past are bound to repeat it'," Lee Seolhwa said curiously, and Kim Dokja had to admit that she had a point. It was completely possible that could be what Persephone was implying, but the goddess didn't chime in to confirm or deny anything.
The light then changes again as the writer remarks that it looks like he needs a little motivation, mentioning that it isn't possible to retrieve 'her' yet since he's still near the entrance of the Labyrinth, before a glowing set of lights in a spherical shape manifest in front of him.
"Ahjussi….?" A confused and hopeful voice asks. Dokja's gaze softens as he looks down and slowly reaches out with both of his hands to cradle the lights. They illuminate the darkness, casting a warm glow on Dokja's face as he looks down at what may very well be a fragment of what he's been searching for.
The 41st regression's…. Shin Yoosung…?
Both stay silent for a moment before Dokja's eyes narrow in a pained look as he remembers that time flows differently near the Labyrinth, and that for her, many years could have passed since she last saw him.
"...Ahjussi. Is it ok if I call you that too?" the light asks. Dokja smiles slightly in return while asking if she's sure about that since she's definitely older than him now, musing if this is an impression left from the younger Yoosung's memories.
The light begins to move, rising to Dokja's cheek and leaving a spark against it—the closest thing she could do to giving him a kiss—before fluttering higher into the air. Dokja's gaze follows the orb, eyes wide and clearly holding back some strong emotions.
Kim Dokja's eyes widened. Wait, she couldn't be implying—
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is gasping in shock.]
Oh… Kim Dokja felt like someone had an iron grip on his heart and lungs. Though her soul couldn't be fully retrieved, had Persephone brought just enough of 41st Shin Yoosung's consciousness to him so they could talk, even if just for a moment?
That was… that was kinder than he had anticipated.
"Thank you," he said quietly, trying his best to choke down the emotion leaking into his voice.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is smiling at the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
"She sounds different," Yoo Mia remarked quietly as she leaned more into her brother's space. "It's like she's a bit less tired now."
She did, but Kim Dokja couldn't focus on that when all he could see was her soul in his hands—so close, and yet so far. He would save her, no matter what. This fragile, beautiful little soul of hers deserved far better than the hand she had been dealt.
Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes looked as pained as Kim Dokja's did when he realized that her soul might be much older than before. After all, time flows differently in different parts of the Star Stream, and there was no telling just how much time had passed for her. Still, if she wanted, she could still call him ahjussi. Kim Dokja wouldn't mind at all.
"Oh…" Yoo Sangah gasped with a small sob as the little ball of light gently tapped Kim Dokja's cheek. "She's so sweet…"
Was she crying? Kim Dokja couldn't be sure, but he felt like he was close to it as well. The poor girl had suffered so much, and even though she couldn't cry in that state, at least Yoo Sangah was shedding tears for her.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' looks down mournfully.]
He apologizes for being unable to save her yet and, when she tries to tell him to not push himself since her story has already ended, he cuts in with fierce determination to state that her story isn't over yet—that she can't let it end when she's suffered for all those years—and that he won't let it end there either.
She goes quiet before talking about how she only knows Dokja through the memories from the younger girl and their short interaction, leading her to ask why Dokja's being so kind to her when he doesn't know anything about her.
"It's such a strange feeling. I know that there's no way we were close, but when you're here with me like this, I feel like you understand everything." An image of the woman in the labyrinth, her hair flowing free, appears on the other side of the orb and looks at Dokja. "Almost as if… a 'God' is standing before me."
Dokja's eyes widen, and the galaxies within begin to shake. He disagrees with her words internally, for if he was really a god, then he must be the most incompetent and helpless god in the world who knew everything but couldn't explain anything.
Lee Hyunsung was full-on sobbing, and Kim Dokja genuinely had to find it admirable that he could do that without struggling. Despite having been in the military for so long, Lee Hyunsung had never let the concept of 'proper' masculinity define him. Jung Heewon reached over and patted his shoulder, and Kim Dokja pretended not to notice when she gently took his hand.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is hoping that the plan of the incarnation 'kim dokja' will succeed.]
"It will," he declared, hopefully speaking it into existence. "No matter what, I'll make sure I save her."
Yoo Joonghyuk looked at him intently then. "You will."
Just two words, and Kim Dokja was shaken to the core. Fuck, the protagonist could affect him so much just with something that simple. Kim Dokja couldn't be sure if it was a side effect of the protagonist halo, or whether it was the simple fact that Yoo Joonghyuk had spoken as though he had complete confidence in what he said.
"You believe her story is worth continuing," he said, his eyes going distant as he kept looking at the screen. "Therefore, you will ensure that it does."
A small, sad smile grew on Kim Dokja's lips. "Thank you, Joonghyuk-ah… for having faith in me."
Yoo Joonghyuk might never truly know how much his words meant to him in that moment, but they would be something he could remember and cling to if the journey ever got too hard. How could he fail when the protagonist himself believed in him?
[several constellations are excited to see how the incarnation 'kim dokja' will accomplish this feat.]
"Ahjussi is just a good guy sometimes!" Lee Jihye exclaimed, as though to respond to 41st Shin Yoosung's musings. Though 'good' was debatable, Kim Dokja still wanted to save her even though she didn't know him. She had no idea just how well Kim Dokja knew her story, and how much he loved it despite its tragedies.
"Of course you understand everything, you read it all," Han Sooyoung said with a sigh. "It only seems magical when you don't know that."
That was true, but reading didn't automatically mean understanding. They were linked, yes, but it was far too easy to read something at surface-level and never truly understand. Kim Dokja had read and re-read over and over until the words were engraved onto his soul. He had lived and breathed TWSA, consuming it like it was the only sustenance he had. Though he couldn't possibly recall everything that had happened in such a massive story, he had still endeavoured to learn and understand everything about it.
Kim Dokja's breath hitched and his eyes went wide when she remarked that he felt like a god, and Lee Gilyoung even exclaimed that he had that idea first. Still, he clenched his hands into fists, feeling disgust build in his gut for not directly contradicting her. Why was he letting her just say such things when they obviously weren't even close to being true?
[the constellation 'scribe of heaven' is narrowing his eyes.]
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is scratching his head.]
[many constellations are amused by the idea that the incarnation 'kim dokja' could ever be a god.]
No… he was the furthest thing from it. She only thought that because Kim Dokja was hiding things from her, not understanding that he only knew her so well because he had read her on a page. It didn't matter how much he knew either—like his future self said, he was helpless in the grand scheme of things. Right now, there was no way to stand on an even playing field with gods.
"Kim Dokja…" Yoo Joonghyuk muttered, looking at him with some kind of complicated expression on his face. Kim Dokja couldn't bring himself to do anything but shrug.
"It's sad, isn't it?" Kim Dokja mused wistfully. "If there is truly a god out there who is in control of everything, then they must be a shitty person for letting this happen."
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is solemnly agreeing with the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Kim Dokja's gaze went distant and he seemed more as though he was looking at something that wasn't truly there as he continued in a whisper. "After all, what use is a god who can't do anything to save even one child…?"
41st Yoosung speaks again, her voice full of emotion as she leaves him with one final plea: "Save me."
"I will," Dokja promises, his voice solemn and heavy as he looks her directly in the eyes.
'Only when something behind you exists, will you be able to face forward'. I think I understand what Persephone's words meant a little better. This is what lies 'behind' me, and is also what I should be heading towards.
Dokja's hand reaches out and he gently taps the orb of light. It sparkles once before breaking apart and causing all the lights contained within to scatter in a brilliant fashion, illuminating his way out of the Underworld. Dokja looks up at them, wondering if this is what Joonghyuk felt.
Forced to regress to the past for eternity, someone whose only way to move forward was going back to what was left behind.
Jung Heewon looked at Kim Dokja seriously. "We'll help. I don't know what we can do, but I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we'll do whatever we can."
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is agreeing with her incarnation.]
"Thank you, really," Kim Dokja said with genuine relief. He wouldn't be alone in saving her this time, and that might make all the difference.
Lee Jihye grinned. "Unnie is right! It'll be different this time!"
Kim Dokja certainly hoped that it would be. Shin Yoosung's tragedy laid behind him, but she was also the one he wished to save, and was therefore his goal. All he could do now was keep forging forward, hoping that he'd someday reach her.
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is smiling mysteriously at the incarnations.]
"See you later…" Shin Yoosung said quietly as the orb of light dissipated. "Ahjussi is gonna keep his promise."
Kim Dokja patted her head, and then patted Lee Gilyoung's as well for good measure.
Yoo Joonghyuk's gaze softened somewhat. "I don't know if it's the same feeling, but it's likely similar."
Ah, was that how it was?
Kim Dokja glanced over at Yoo Joonghyuk, a small smile on his face. "Hey, Joonghyuk-ah? I'm going to save you too, okay?"
He had said something similar in the past, making grand promises of leading him to the end of this apocalypse, but no one had believed him then. Now, though, Kim Dokja watched as Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes widened, and deep within their depths, he could spot a spark of hope.
"This is going to be your last regression," Kim Dokja vowed as seriously as he could, trying to show the protagonist just how dedicated he was to ensuring that was made a reality.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is sobbing over the beautiful display of companionship.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is silently looking at the incarnation 'kim dokja'.]
Though the protagonist didn't say anything further, he nodded, and that was enough.
[I've managed to bring her here temporarily with my power, but if you want to save her, your time is running out,] Persephone says, her voice echoing in Dokja's mind as the lights form a doorway in front of him. As the brilliant multicoloured doorway grows closer and passes over him, the last of Persephone's words can be heard: [Remember, people are the sum of their Stories, and there's no telling how much of her story will remain when you find her again.]
Kim Dokja couldn't focus on the floaty feelings welling up inside of him once Persphone began talking again, washing them away like a sudden cold shower. He only had so much time, and there wasn't enough of it to waste any.
"You have to hurry, hyung," Lee Gilyoung muttered. "We're gonna beat up that snake and then everything will be okay."
As much as he wished it would be as simple as 'beating up a snake', no labour was that easy.
[several constellations are hoping for the success of the incarnations.]
Lee Seolhwa's hands clenched into fists. "Dokja-ssi, if people are made of Stories, then would it be possible for me as a doctor to help fix them?"
Oh, that was not a question he had expected from her.
"Maybe I'm overthinking it, but if I'm able to do anything of the sort in the novel, then maybe… maybe it would increase our chances of restoring her as much as possible."
Kim Dokja smiled sadly and shook his head. "Not at this point. There are ways to fix Stories, but you would have to learn from an expert, and there aren't any on Earth. I don't know when we'd be able to meet one either."
"I see," Lee Seolhwa said quietly, but despite that, she didn't seem discouraged. "When we eventually meet a Story expert, then I hope I will have the pleasure of learning from them."
[the constellation 'guam divine doctor' is praising the intellectual curiosity of his incarnation.]
Saving Lee Seolhwa truly was a good decision, and Kim Dokja couldn't help but smile. If she stayed this dedicated going forward, then they might just end up with a greater chance of success than the Yoo Joonghyuk of TWSA ever had on his side.
Together, they would write an ending to the scenarios that had never been seen before.