The night has long settled itself onto the empire's skies, the moon and stars having already greeted its lands with their ethereal glow. But for tonight, it seemed that they especially favored the forest, their illuminations bright as they bounced gently off the leaves and bush. Animals of the night stir from their slumber, owls and bats take flight to hunt for their daily meal, while fireflies start glowing in their basic imitation of the stars above. The beautiful night was reflected off the tranquil surface of the nearby lake, its stillness making the waters flow like silk. The shimmering reflection teased a secret within its depths.
But as breathtaking as the scene was, there was something out of place. A star that seemed to outshine the rest. Its light no longer able to be contained by the night sky, it fell from its spot amongst the constellations and down to the forest. It hovers above the lake, the star's light blending seamlessly with the moon's glow. The light of the star unfurled to reveal its center, and from it emerged a figure, stepping gracefully onto the lake's surface. Clad in flowing garments as white as the purest snow, the man stands with an air of otherworldly elegance. Any mortal being blessed enough to encounter him would be compelled to drop to their knees in worship.
The man's jet-black hair cascades down his shoulders, its darkness rivaling the expanse of the night sky. His piercing eyes, deep and mysterious, seem to hold the secrets of the universe itself, knowledge that no mortal could ever fathom. With an aura of quiet confidence, he surveys his surroundings, his eyes sweeping across the moonlit forest and the shimmering lake.
As he takes a step forward, there is no splash, no disruption of the tranquil waters. Each step he takes emits a soft glow, illuminating the path beneath his feet, like the very ground recognizes his presence.
Every second that passes, a wave of radiant energy emanates from the man's presence, suffusing the entire forest with a luminous glow. Responding to his touch, the plants, trees, and flowers awaken from their slumber, bursting forth in vibrant hues and blossoms that rival the radiance of the morning sun. The air becomes filled with the intoxicating scent of newly bloomed flowers; the forest life invigorated by his arrival.
One by one, the creatures of the forest emerge from their hidden abodes, drawn to his presence. Like church-goers to mass, they converge upon his location. As they gather around him, a hushed silence falls over the forest. The creatures, from the graceful unicorns to the mischievous spirits, lower themselves in a collective bow, their gestures a testament to the respect they held for the man.
Though Biyoo, a whimsical being, floated towards the enigmatic figure instead. The figure's gaze softens as he looks upon Biyoo, gently patting the creature's head with a gesture of affection.
["We didn't know that you were going to visit, My Lord,"]
OD smiles warmly at Biyoo, his voice filled with reassurance. "It's alright, my child. I'm here for just a quick visit."
["Are you here for Kim Dokja, My Lord?"] she asked somewhat anxiously.
OD's smile fades slightly as he gazes at the sky, lost in memories. "Yes... Kim Dokja," he murmurs, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. A bittersweet smile graces his lips as he continues, "Even after all this time… it's strange to hear that name being used to refer to another…"
Biyoo, with unwavering affection, interjected, ["But you're still him, My Lord... you're both the same person."]
OD's gaze shifts from the sky, meeting Biyoo's earnest eyes with gratitude. A flicker of recognition passes through him. "Our souls have taken different paths and carried unique experiences."
OD's sigh carries a heavy weight of bitterness and regret. "Besides... I'm not the one Joonghyuk fell in love with," he confesses. In the past, nothing he did as Kim Dokja had made Yoo Joonghyuk look his way. Though, how could he ever match up to the man's effortless excellence, always coming in second place. His obsession for Yoo Joonghyuk was all-consuming, driving him to commit terrible acts in a desperate bid for the prince's attention.
He loved the Yoo Joonghyuk whose rage made him stronger, who used his tragic past to tear through any obstacle in his path, whose perfection could not be equaled. In his blinding love for Yoo Joonghyuk, Kim Dokja never thought that the man needed to be healed on the inside, to recover from the abuse inflicted onto him by his family.
But Lee Seolhwa's gentle grace let Joonghyuk do just that, her kind words, listening ears, and patient touch mending Joonghyuk from a man set on the destruction of his family to one who wanted to change the course of the empire for the better. Between the two of them, reassuring words became longing stares, falling into heartfelt declarations for each other. And for this, Kim Dokja was enraged. He loved Yoo Joonghyuk, who only had eyes for Lee Seolhwa.
His space in Joonghyuk's world had disappeared into nonexistence the moment Lee Seolhwa stepped in, so Kim Dokja made a choice. Rather than becoming nothing in the eyes of Joonghyuk, he would become something to despise. He tried courting Lee Seolhwa, and when that failed, he attempted to poison her, punishment for taking away the man he loved.
With nothing working for him, Dokja resorted to poisoning Yoo Sangah, Joonghyuk's cousin, who was rumored to have intentions of seizing the crown for him. He knew that Sooyoung held deep affection for her, but he was driven by nothing but his own desperation.
OD's self-loathing was palpable, acutely aware of his own shortcomings. His need for Joonghyuk drove him to sacrifice everything, including his own family and friends, for someone who would never reciprocate his feelings.
One day he was walking around the Underworld manor, and it was desolate. Servants and attendants had fled from fear, not wanting to become another obstacle in Yoo Joonghyuk's life. His footsteps rang out against the walls, taking in the emptiness of it all. It was in disarray, no one left to oversee it. Usually, a sweet smell would emanate from the kitchen, Persephone baking away whenever she had free time on her hands.
He ate dinners by himself those days, no one to talk to as he brooded over his latest failure with Joonghyuk. He often holed himself in his room, no longer having Sooyoung barge in and drag him out. For everything he'd done, he was truly alone, just as he deserved to be for all his misgivings. The hollow echoes of their voices made him realize just how much he'd lost for nothing.
Dokja attempted to redeem himself, aiding Joonghyuk in his quest to restore the empire. But no matter what he did, Dokja knew that he didn't deserve any kind of forgiveness. He'd always be a pathetic man undeserving of love.
His salvation came in the form of Joonghyuk's sword being plunged through his heart. In the end he still couldn't be sincere to Joonghyuk, the words he'd held onto for his whole life spilling out to Lee Seolhwa instead. Even on the brink of death, he still feared Joonghyuk's rejection.
Dokja thought that death would be the end of everything, that he'd finally be able to rest, and the world would be free from his excused existence. Yet he remained, and so did the pain from his unfulfilled love. Maybe that was his punishment, to be trapped within his own useless existence for eternity. But then, He appeared… the god. Wanting solace and to pay back for his misgivings, Dokja made a deal with them.
In exchange for his eternal servitude and the relinquishment of his identity as Kim Dokja, he was granted the title of the Deity of the Forest, forever known as Oldest Dream. He would watch over the forest and protect its inhabitants with the entirety of his being.
Oldest Dream embraced his new role as the Deity of the Forest, finding solace in the knowledge that his family and friends were content this time around. Though he's no longer the same Kim Dokja who once walked with them, his deal brought them joy and fulfillment. Being able to visit the mortal world as the Deity of the Forest allowed him to witness their happiness and be a part of their lives in his own unique way.
But then…he learned of Yoo Joonghyuk's love for Kim Dokja. Oh, how Yoo Joonghyuk held that Kim Dokja in his arms and cherished him like no other. OD had killed just for the tiny chance of that happening to himself, but witnessing it from the outside was another pain he'd been unready to face. But he was older, wiser with time. He'd been able to reflect on himself and his actions thoroughly.
They were the same person, but still different. Though jealousy still tugged at his heart, Oldest Dream knew that Dokja's journey had been filled with pain and loneliness. In the same way that Kim Dokja gave Joonghyuk a happiness that he himself could never provide, Dokja deserved the affection that Joonghyuk had bestowed upon him.
Oldest Dream's thoughts are interrupted by Biyoo's voice calling out to him. Startled, he turns his attention back to the present. "Yes, Biyoo?" he responded.
Biyoo's voice broke through Oldest Dream's thoughts as she posed her question once more.
["Will you be visiting the Underworld Duchy now, My Lord?"]
Oldest Dream hums softly, considering Biyoo's question carefully. "Perhaps next time, but for now, I am here simply to visit all of you," he replies, his voice filled with warmth. He shifts his attention to the mystical creatures that surround them, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Is Kim Dokja treating all of you well?"
Popo, another mystical creature, chimed in. ["Indeed, My Lord, Kim Dokja treats us well, but you have always treated us with even greater care and kindness."]
Oldest Dream pats Popo's head gently. "There's no need to compare us, Popo," he says, his voice filled with genuine affection. "As long as Kim Dokja treats you well, that's all that matters to me."
As the creatures smile at Oldest Dream, unaware of the hidden presence lurking in the shadows, a figure with piercing red eyes watches them intently hidden behind the body of a tree. His gaze fixates on the man clad in white, his heart captivated by the ethereal beauty before him. Bihyung, whispers in awe,
"He's... beautiful."
-----
"I'm glad that you've made time to have brunch with me, Sir Dokja," the Empress said. A gentle smile graced her face as she delicately stirred her tea with a silver spoon, the clinking sound filling the air.
"Of course, how could I possibly reject Her Majesty's gracious offer," Dokja replied, his smile forced. A simple smile couldn't make him forget the atrocities she'd committed against Joonghyuk, her manipulative nature no doubt scheming beneath the façade to reveal itself sooner or later.
It was kind of impressive how easily she swept her true personality under the rug when the last two times he'd seen her in person, she was practically frothing at the mouth and on the verge of having a screaming match with Joonghyuk. Dokja remained vigilant, determined not to let his guard down in her presence.
The Empress hummed softly as she listened to Dokja's response, her eyes glinting with curiosity. She took a small sip from her tea cup before speaking again. "I've heard that you and Joonghyuk have grown closer recently...it was a bit shocking to discover that the two of you were once lovers," she said lightly with feigned surprise.
Once more, quite the contrast to the screaming fit she threw when she first read of their romantic affair in the newspapers. That day she'd hurled at least five of her aged wine bottles at the wall. Who's to say if they hit a maid or two?
Dokja raised an eyebrow in response to the Empress's comment, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "Yes, I can imagine... I'm simply grateful that we've had the opportunity to reconnect," he responds, his words carefully chosen.
A soft clink sounded as the Empress placed her cup on a matching porcelain plate, her hands going to rest on her lap. "Would you be willing to share how the two of you fell in love?" she inquired, her voice soft but insistent.
Dokja almost recoiled, startled by the question. He lets out a slow breath, his hand nervously finding its way to the back of his neck. "Um... it's a bit embarrassing to talk about," he admits uncomfortably, though he hopes it passes as bashful instead. "But there was a time when one thing led to another and I found myself on the verge of drowning in a lake. Out of nowhere, Joonghyuk, despite his apparent dislike for me, came to my rescue. It was a moment that opened my eyes to a different side of him, and from that point on, we slowly formed a connection."
He'd always heard that the best form of deception was the truth, after all.
Strangely enough the Empress's smile widens, fascination dancing in her eyes. "That sounds like something out of a fairy tale," she sighed out dreamily. She leaned forward slightly, captivated by Dokja's words.
Opening his mouth to respond, not a breath could escape his lips before Dokja was interrupted by a sudden, convulsing sensation coursing through his body. Almost robotically, Dokja reached for his cup and swallowed down the rest of his contents, his movements disconnected and jerky. His eyes went dull and his muscles slacked.
By the time Dokja's mind started racing to regain conscious control over his limbs, all autonomy had already receded from his body. His mind was thrown into hazy limbo.
The Empress's lips curved into a sneer. With her elbows resting on the table, she placed her chin atop her hands, fingers laced together.
"As usual, it works like a charm."
Her hand reaches out, gently brushing aside the strand of hair covering Dokja's forehead.
"Kim Dokja..."
"Yes, My Empress?" he responded, his voice lacking any semblance of character.
"I will ask you a question, and you will answer honestly, understood?"
"Of course, I will answer and fulfill every command, as you wish, My Empress."
The Empress leaned in close, her eyes fixed intently on him as she poses her question.
"Did you transmigrate into this world?"
A short pause before Dokja automatically responded.
"Yes, I did."
The woman let out a satisfied breath. She reached out and placed her hand gently on his cheek, her touch possessive. Her fingers trace a gentle path along his skin as she caresses his cheek, eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
"As I expected."