Prince of Shadows

Seonghwa needed a moment to gather himself. The initial fright that had every cell in his body clench painfully lifted when clarity struck. Though the meaning of this place was abominable, it meant their umbras were truly, genuinely gone. They didn't lurk in the mists swathing them. Didn't whisper in their ears. These were their remainders.

ATEEZ' heritage.

"Are- Are we sure about this?" Yeosang asked, having retreated a step when the same understanding penetrated their minds.

They would become what they had sworn to destroy. They would take the role of the worst they could ever imagine.

As Liv's curse fulfilled its purpose and they handed their souls over to this world, they remained as eldritch horror.

"It will nay be the same fer us," Hongjoong assured him. "I also did nay become me umbra. They started as demons born from darkness, but we started 'uman. We can uphold our morals."

Seonghwa glanced at Seungyoun for approval, but the man just lingered in his corner, waiting for them to proceed.

Icy shivers crawled down Seonghwa's spine. The air was filled with ominous hums now, as if demons from all over scrambled to assemble in this place. Where new shadows would be born.

It was no more than a change of garderobe, yet Seonghwa knew their fate was sealed.

Jongho gathered his courage and touched the tattered robes, running the fabric through his fingers. The memories of their umbras could no longer be buried and denied. By wearing their uniforms, the pirates bore a constant reminder.

San exhaled.

"I be ready. On yer call, Captain," he said. His wavering gaze wasn't as determined as his voice, but he shook the others from their daze.

The chattering around them picked up. Did Hongjoong understand them? Would Seonghwa understand once he donned these clothes?

They would find out.

Bravely, Seonghwa stepped in to grasp at the clothes his umbra once donned. He would do better. He would erase the history clinging to these garbs and make them a regular pirate's wear.

When they glanced at Seungyoun, he nodded approvingly.

"Don't be afraid. Embrace everything that overcomes you. Step into the darkness."

Seonghwa clenched his fist into the fabric. With a yank, he freed it from the shuddering scarecrow, leaving it bare. He tugged the uniform around his shoulders, enveloping himself in shadows. Afterwards, he pushed the worn hat on his head and pulled the mask over his scarred features. The jingle of the chains came to lie on him without tangling, as if they were meant to be there.

His eyes fluttered shut when he concentrated.

He felt no pain, no fright. His assumption that they had been so close to these creatures anyway proved right when all that entered him was the creeping coldness. It felt as if he were fusing with his umbra again, only that they became one this time instead of sharing the same space. Seonghwa's heart fluttered erratically to fight the tendrils of darkness until it was tinted with black and slowed to slow, steady beats. His mind dashed left and right with survival instincts until the soothing velvet of the shadows appeased it.

He wasn't assured, didn't calm down. He simply lost his fright.

Seonghwa opened his eyes and looked down at himself. His body didn't change, though he felt it became more powerful. As if he could lift heavier loads, could row a boat for longer.

Their surroundings had shifted. As if Seonghwa earned a new pair of eyes with his transition, he saw other things.

They were in a grand hall in a castle of black. The floor reflected their silhouettes and pale light fell through the gothic windows. Various skulls and feathers decorated the walls, bringing him back in time to Liv's home and the wendigo cave.