THE AWAKENING

Azazel found it amusing how the two devils kept returning to the queen's palace, although their paths never crossing. He lurked in the shadows, a silent observer as the two devils frequented the palace, admiring and conversing with the sleeping queen. Their fascination intrigued him, and he couldn't help but chuckle at their persistence.

But he was there with a purpose, his mind swirling with plans and the urgent need to rally the two devils to aid the slumbering queen. Thus, with determination fueling his steps, he finally made his presence known to Seulgi.

As his eyes met hers, he sensed the flicker of fear in her expression. He understood the weight of her existence, recognizing that Seulgi was no ordinary demon. 

She was bound to this realm, a wandering lost soul searching for her rightful place, and at last, she had found her home—here, in this realm.

Azazel never left the palace after talking to Seulgi. He stayed hidden in the shadows, silently witnessing the unfolding scenes. 

He watched with keen eyes as Seulgi pressed a tender kiss upon the slumbering queen, the gesture b with affection. A subtle ripple of warmth traversed the palace's atmosphere, akin to a fleeting ray of light piercing through darkness, only to dissipate as Seulgi withdrew from the kiss.

Seulgi continued to stare at the queen's face, as if anticipating something to happen. Azazel, too, waited with bated breath, his gaze fixated on the queen's serene expression.

Would she awaken?

As hours drifted by, the queen remained ensconced in her slumber, unmoved by the passage of time. Azazel observed the disappointment etched across Seulgi's countenance, mirroring his own inner turmoil. Yet, amidst the palpable dismay, he vowed never to surrender hope.

Seulgi tenderly caressed the queen's cheek, her touch laden with unspoken longing.

“I'm sorry,” she murmured softly, her words a whisper in the stillness of the chamber. 

“Maybe I'm not the one who will awaken you.”

With a final, lingering gaze at the queen, Seulgi stepped back, resolve firm in her demeanor. Harnessing her newfound power, she summoned the energy to teleport back to her home, leaving behind a lingering sense of anticipation and uncertainty in her wake.

As Seulgi departed, Azazel emerged from the shadows, his steps deliberate as he neared the slumbering queen.

Gazing upon her serene visage, he noticed tears welling in the corners of her closed eyes.

“You felt him, didn't you? Then why do you remain in slumber?” Azazel's words hung in the air, a gentle plea tinged with frustration, directed at the queen. 

Within him, a conviction stirred—an unwavering belief that the final key to awakening the queen lay in one person alone, her daughter.

—————

“Yerim...” A gentle touch stirred Yerim from her slumber, prompting a soft moan to escape her lips.

“Can you wake up now, Yerim?” The persistent voice prodded, coaxing her eyes to flutter open. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, Yerim's gaze focused on the figure before her.

“It's already afternoon, and you're still sleeping.” the girl remarked, her tone tinged with concern. Yerim's confusion mounted.

“Joy? What are you doing here?” Yerim inquired, her voice betraying a mix of surprise and bewilderment.

“I came because you haven't eaten since last night. I'm here to wake you up,” Joy explained simply, her presence a comforting reassurance in Yerim's disoriented state.

Yerim continued to gaze at Joy, her expression clouded with confusion. But as she surveyed her surroundings, a sudden realization dawned upon her—this was her own room.

Memories of the events at Eunwoo's place flooded her mind, the sensation of being attacked still vivid in her memory.

“W-why am I here?” Yerim voiced her perplexity, her mind struggling to grasp the situation.

“What are you talking about? Are you feeling unwell?” Joy's concern deepened as she gently placed a hand on Yerim's forehead.

“Where's Eunwoo? Why am I suddenly back here?” Yerim's questions tumbled out in a flurry of confusion, her mind racing to make sense of the disjointed pieces of her memory.

A crease formed on Joy's forehead as she regarded Yerim with a mixture of concern and suspicion.

“I don't understand you, Yerim. When we returned home last night and checked on you, you were already asleep here in your room. And who is Eunwoo?” Joy's tone held a note of apprehension, her confusion mirroring Yerim's own.

Yerim's mind grappled with the events of the previous night, questioning whether it had all been a dream. Yet, the sensation felt too visceral, too real to dismiss. Glancing down at her clothes, unchanged from the night before, Yerim's unease only deepened.

“Maybe I'm just dreaming..” Yerim whispered.

Yerim shook her head, attempting to convince herself that it was all just a dream and perhaps she had been too exhausted to change her clothes. But despite her efforts to dismiss the events, a nagging sense of unease lingered.

Meanwhile, Joy's suspicions heightened, fueled by Yerim's evasive behavior and the mention of a mysterious man's name. Determined to uncover the truth, she will resolve this and never to let this matter rest.

“Hey Joy, can you wake me up every morning?” Yerim suddenly said, her mischievous nature returning with a grin.

Joy raised an eyebrow, knowing Yerim was up to her teasing antics again. 

“And why is that?” she inquired, playing along.

“Because I want to see your beautiful face every time I open my eyes.” Yerim replied with a playful grin.

Joy rolled her eyes at Yerim's remark, though she couldn't help feeling flustered, quickly concealing her reaction.

“Get up now and let's eat,” Joy declared, rising from her seat. But as she made her way to leave the room, a thought struck her.

“Yerim, could you go check on Seulgi? She's in her room, refusing to eat and avoiding us.” Joy explained, her tone tinged with concern.

Yerim's worry for her friend surged. “What happened?” she inquired, her voice reflecting her growing concern.

“We don't know.” Joy admitted with a shrug.

“Okay, I'll go talk to her. Thanks, Joy.” Yerim said, determination evident in her voice as she prepared to confront whatever was troubling Seulgi.

After taking a bath, Yerim wasted no time and headed straight to Seulgi's room. Knocking softly on the door, she slowly pushed it open.

“Unnie?” Yerim called out as she entered the room. Seulgi lay on her bed, her back turned toward Yerim. Despite the lack of response, Yerim could sense that Seulgi was awake.

Approaching her gently, Yerim lay down beside her and enveloped her in a hug.

“Unnie, what's wrong? Why don't you want to eat?” Yerim inquired softly, concern evident in her voice.

Seulgi turned to face Yerim, revealing a creased expression. Yerim couldn't help but find her unnie's expression endearing, though the situation was serious.

“I don't know, Yerim. I don't understand it myself.” Seulgi confessed, her vulnerability evident in her voice.

Seulgi couldn't shake the image of the sleeping queen from her mind, nor the lingering sensation of the kiss. Disappointment gnawed at her as the queen remained unawakened, leaving her confused by the intensity of her emotions.

“Unnie, it looks like you've been dumped by a sugar mama again.” Yerim quipped, attempting to lighten the mood. Seulgi couldn't help but laugh at the remark, grateful for the brief moment of levity.

‘Yes, she was quite the beautiful mama.’ Seulgi chuckled at her thoughts, still her mind drifting to the enigmatic queen.

A comfortable silence settled between them as they gazed at each other. Yerim's warm smile brought a sense of solace to Seulgi's troubled heart.

“Time flies so fast,” Yerim mused, her laughter tinged with a bittersweet nostalgia. “We were alive once, but now... we are both dead and trapped in this hell that looks like a paradise.”

Yerim's voice trembled with emotion as she voiced her fears. “But what if during the accident one of us had survived? Unnie, I don't think I could bear it. I don't know what I would do if you were taken away from me,” she confessed, her vulnerability laid bare.

Seulgi's heart ached at Yerim's words, and she tenderly caressed her younger sister's face, offering comfort in the face of uncertainty. 

"And it's a good thing we are both here together,” she reassured softly. “I couldn't bear to imagine a world without you either.”

Yerim's sentiment struck a chord with Seulgi, and she nodded in agreement. 

“You're right. We didn't have much in terms of family or true friends back on Earth. But we have each other, and that's all that matters.” she affirmed, her voice filled with conviction.

“Whatever may come in this realm, whatever trials we may face, I want you to know that I will always be by your side. I will never leave you Unnie.” Yerim vowed earnestly, her unwavering loyalty shining through.

“Me too Yerim, I will never leave you too..” Seulgi's smile widened as she hugged her sister tightly. 

Then, with mischievous delight, she launched into a sudden tickle attack, eliciting a shriek of laughter from Yerim.

“Unnie, stop!” Yerim pleaded between laughs, squirming to evade Seulgi's tickles. But Seulgi persisted, both sisters soon dissolved into fits of laughter, their joy infectious.

Just as the pillow fight ensued, Wendy and Joy burst into the room, alarmed by the commotion. However, their concern quickly turned to amusement as they took in the sight of feathers swirling in the air and the bed in disarray.

Shaking their heads fondly at the antics of the sisters, Wendy and Joy couldn't help but smile at the bond shared between them, grateful for the moments of levity amidst the challenges of their existence in this realm.

————

Joy and Wendy, having a day off from their usual duties, decided to treat the sisters to a picnic, eager to share a new experience with them. When Seulgi and Yerim heard the plan, they both jumped with excitement, thrilled at the prospect of their first picnic, a simple pleasure they had never experienced during their time on Earth.

Together, the four of them set out to prepare for the outing. Joy and Wendy took charge of cooking the food, while Seulgi eagerly assisted them in the kitchen. Yerim, on the other hand, lacking culinary skills, found herself relegated to the role of taste-tester, sneaking bites of the delicious dishes being prepared. However, her mischievous antics didn't go unnoticed, and Joy couldn't help but scold her for her impatience.

Despite the playful scolding, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and anticipation as they gathered everything they needed for their picnic. 

Seulgi and Yerim stood outside their home, the scent of freshly cooked picnic food filling the air. Joy and Wendy had returned to their own home briefly to change into more suitable attire for the outing.

Yerim's mind wandered back to the events at Eunwoo's place as she absentmindedly checked her bike, Stratus, for any signs of damage. If the attack she experienced was real, her bike would have surely borne the brunt of the force. Yet, to her relief, there was no damage evident on Stratus.

A sense of unease lingered despite the lack of visible damage, leaving Yerim grappling with the unsettling possibility that the events may have been more than just a dream. She tucked the thought away for later consideration, focusing instead on the impending picnic and the opportunity to enjoy the day with her friends.

Seulgi, noticing Yerim's preoccupation, approached her curiously. “What are you doing, Yerim?” she asked.

Yerim simply answered, “I'm just checking on Stratus.”

“Stratus?” Seulgi echoed, a hint of confusion in her voice. Yerim's grin widened.

“Unnie, I named my bike Stratus. Just like the Nimbus 2000 in Harry Potter.” Yerim explained cheerfully as she hopped onto her pink bike, Stratus.

Seulgi couldn't help but laugh at Yerim's enthusiasm. She approached her own bike, which had been parked beside Stratus earlier.

“Well, if that's Stratus, then my bike here is Cumulus,” Seulgi declared, joining in the laughter. The absurdity of their bike-naming antics only added to their excitement for the day ahead.

As Wendy and Joy returned, clad in their fresh attire and accompanied by their bikes, Yerim's eyes lit up with excitement. Wendy's bike gleamed in a vibrant blue, while Joy's was a striking shade of green.

Eager to enjoy the simple pleasure of riding bikes together, Yerim suggested they forgo using their teleportation powers and journey to the picnic spot on their bikes. She longed to feel the wind in her hair and the freedom of the open road, yearning for a sense of normalcy among her friends.

Approaching Joy and Wendy, Yerim couldn't help but admire how effortlessly beautiful Joy looked in her casual attire. Caught in her admiration, Yerim's mouth hung open, prompting a teasing remark from Seulgi.

“Your mouth is open, a fly might fly in.” Seulgi teased, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes as Yerim grinned sheepishly.

“Let's go now!” Wendy exclaimed eagerly as they gathered their picnic essentials and hopped onto their bikes, ready to embark on their adventure.

Seulgi couldn't contain her curiosity. "Where are we going for the picnic?" she asked, her anticipation growing.

“Just follow us, and you'll find out.” Wendy replied with a wink, adding to the excitement.

With a shared sense of anticipation, they set off on their bikes. Yerim always with her lively chatter and playful teasing. Despite the physical exertion of the ride, Yerim seemed tireless, her energy infectious as she sang and bantered with the others. Wendy couldn't resist joining in, harmonizing with Yerim's songs as they rode along together.

As they continued pedaling through the quiet forest, Seulgi and Yerim couldn't shake their confusion. This didn't seem like the bustling picnic spot they had imagined, and an uneasy feeling began to settle in Yerim's stomach.

“Is this where we're having the picnic?” Yerim voiced her uncertainty, her pace slowing as she scanned the eerie surroundings. She had envisioned a lively gathering with fellow demons, not this desolate forest.

Joy and Wendy remained silent, their expressions inscrutable as they continued to lead the way.

Suddenly, both Joy and Wendy came to a stop, prompting Seulgi and Yerim to halt as well. Confusion etched on their faces as they beheld nothing but a towering wall of plants.

Their confusion turned to awe as Wendy approached the wall, her hand resting gently upon the foliage. A brilliant blue light emanated from her touch, accompanied by a resounding noise, and before their eyes, a grand door materialized within the plant wall.

(Listen to Wings by Red Velvet while reading this part ♡)

“Welcome to our secret place. This is Bloomhaven.” Wendy declared, her voice tinged with a hint of mystery as the door swung open before them.

Seulgi and Yerim's jaws dropped in astonishment as they stepped through the doorway, greeted by the breathtaking beauty of Bloomhaven unfolding before them.

With their bikes in tow, Seulgi couldn't help but whisper in awe, “I can't believe this.”

Bloomhaven unfolded before them, a paradise of vibrant vegetation. Lush greenery cascaded from every corner, while giant trees with twisting branches formed a majestic canopy overhead. Dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow that danced across the forest floor.

Seulgi and Yerim found themselves in a vast meadow carpeted with a riot of colorful wildflowers. Butterflies flitted from blossom to blossom, adding to the enchanting ambiance of the place.

Joy and Wendy exchanged amused glances as they watched the sisters' reactions. Seulgi and Yerim remained silent, their eyes wide with wonder as they took in the breathtaking beauty of Bloomhaven, lost in the magic of the moment.

Serene streams wind their way through Bloomhaven, their crystal-clear waters reflecting the azure sky above. Waterfalls cascade from rocky cliffs, their gentle roar mingling with the chorus of birdsong that fills the air. Nestled within the verdant foliage are hidden grottos adorned with sparkling crystals and delicate ferns. The air is cool and refreshing within these secret alcoves, offering a peaceful retreat from the outside world.

Amidst the natural beauty of Bloomhaven, whimsical structures emerge like something out of a fairy tale. Treehouses suspended in the branches, spiral staircases leading to hidden treetop platforms, and intricate bridges woven from vines add to the enchanting atmosphere of the place.

“Is this even real?“ Yerim mused aloud, her voice barely above a whisper. 

“Hell's Paradise is already beautiful, but this... Bloomhaven is on another level.”

Seulgi nodded in agreement, her eyes still wide with wonder as she took in the breathtaking scenery surrounding them. 

“It's like something out of a dream,” she marveled, her voice filled with awe.

Joy and Wendy exchanged knowing smiles, their own appreciation for Bloomhaven evident in their eyes. 

“Welcome to our secret sanctuary.” Joy said softly, her tone tinged with pride. “We're glad you both could experience its beauty with us.”

Yerim's excitement bubbled over as she dropped her bike and dashed into the meadow, her laughter ringing through the air. 

“This is amazing!” she exclaimed, unable to contain her joy as she flopped onto the grass and rolled around, giggling uncontrollably.

Joy and Wendy couldn't help but laugh at Yerim's adorable antics, their hearts warmed by her infectious enthusiasm. Seulgi joined in, her laughter mingling with Yerim's as she tackled her younger sister in a playful hug.

“This is heaven... I mean, this is hell!” Yerim shouted between fits of laughter, the sheer delight evid