Junwoo's arm limply fell to his side. He shot a daring glare and yet a contradictory pout at Kaelsu, too. "And I'm not your pet, either," he muttered under his breath.
Thick black smog curled through the room, swallowing everything in its reach. No shape emerged from the darkness. Both stood frozen, waiting, breaths shallow, until the haze thinned enough to reveal only a still body, perhaps even a corpse. It wasn't obvious enough from the darkness that enveloped the room.
"Hey!" A yell echoed through the remnants of the smoke. "Get the hell up and fight."
Junwoo bent down, grabbed a shard of broken debris from the floor, then hurled it across the room. He aimed for the other summoner, but just barely missed as it clattered harmlessly past him when the corner of the room burst into flames, burning persistently.
"Dude, you lost. Get over it," Kaelsu hollered.
"I- No, wait, I-" He stammered. Flustered and overwhelmed, he stumbled back, hands slipping on the gritty wall. "Seriously?! I can still…" Dirtied hands pushed at the floor to pick himself back up, but suddenly colour drained from his face and he was stopped dead in his tracks.
DINK
Kaelsu and Junwoo perked up when a loud noise silenced the group. They paused their advance and stared above them. The deal was done and text flashed on all screens of those involved.
<< Kaelsu has won the duel >>
"It's done," Kaelsu's voice boomed. "The match is over. I assume you'll be upholding your end of the deal?"
Black boots clapped against the ground, kicking up stones with each step. Kaelsu's strong hands grasped the collar of the downed enemy. With a fist raised, Kaelsu dangled the enemy in front of him.
"You serious? All this over some stupid pet in a game?" He tried to scramble to his feet. "You're fuckin' weird, man."
Anger flashed across Junwoo's face. "I-" Junwoo's voice was cracked and quiet, as if out of habit. As if his body knew to silence himself. His throat was full of words, jumbled, disorganised and trapped. His fist balled, pressing against his neck but he couldn't force the words out.
Kaelsu was the winner of the match, but he never realised that his opponent would be so pathetic. A sore loser. He was ashamed he didn't realise what he had at first, but now he wasn't going to let him get away again.
The body flopped to the floor and Kaelsu towered over him menacingly. His expression turned dark and crimson eyes bore holes into Chimi's head. The tip of his staff threatened with an ominous black cloud. He shuffled back, but felt the heat of the Junwoo's fires licking the floor around him.
Kaelsu's jaw tightened. "Leave."
"Dude, whatever. I'm out."
Before Kaelsu had the chance to make his next move, he vanished and text appeared to announce his departure.
"Wait, stop-"
Chimichimichooroo has logged out.
His words hit the air.
A sudden flare forced Junwoo to his knees as the light embedded into his collar, and another light circled at his feet. A burning pulse travelled down his throat and coiled in his stomach.
'Ah,' he thought to himself, grimacing. 'Right, I was part of the wager… doesn't make it any less painful.'
He winced and tried to stand straight as the pain started to subside. A vibration around his neck grew in intensity. Furred hands moved up to feel the collar, it changed in shape and texture from a sharp metal to a dull, smooth leather.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that," Junwoo mumbled and rubbed the base of his neck.
Kaelsu was beside him in an instant and dropped to his knees, reaching eye-level with his prize. Hands desperately clasped shoulders, and the white-haired summoner drew him in close to his chest.
"I promise," he spoke softly and playfully twirled strands of golden in his fingers. "You won't need to go through that again."
Golden hair shuffled in Kaelsu's death grip, tail and ears wagged with his struggle. Pushing Kaelsu back, he'd managed to secure his hands around his master's arms and freed himself from his grip.
"I…" Junwoo's voice got caught in his throat. The words fizzled away when he looked deep into apologetic and sore-looking eyes. Kaelsu had that cat-like glare: unblinking.
"We have a lot to talk about when we get back."
"I'm still mad at you." Arms were crossed, and a pout formed on pink lips. His tail lashed a few times before resting once more.
"I know, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Kaelsu looked around, briefly. "Look, we need to get out of here. It's dangerous."
The floor trembled violently. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling and the crunching of metal could be heard outside. The walls groaned, and the exit opened but was twisted into a peculiar shape. It was almost as if the entire dungeon was being squeezed and shook like an empty bottle of sauce.
Junwoo looked back towards Kaelsu and nodded. "Fine, let's go. But I'm not finished with you, yet. This," he pointed at himself and his master, "isn't over yet."
A faint smile threatened Kaelsu's lips, but that quickly dropped when he took the calloused hands in his own and pulled him towards the exit.
"Good, then you'll live long enough to yell at me later. Come on."
The tremors grew stronger. The dynamic duo sped through the blackened corridor with only a wisp of fire lighting their way. The length of said corridor was seemingly endless with no exit in sight, but thin cracks were growing as they ran.
The air was thick and stale. It was almost suffocating.
Junwoo's arm was starting to hurt from all the tugging and pulling, it felt as if Kaelsu was about to pull it out of its socket. Breathing heavy, it seemed like they'd been running for hours. Junwoo couldn't slow down, even if he wanted to.
Then, light.
A ray of glorious sunshine exploded as they reached the exit.
"I can walk by myself," he sulked. He felt an even harsher tug.
Junwoo yanked his arm back and shot daggers at Kaelsu. "Hey! Would you stop pulling on me?"
"Really? I think if I didn't drag you out, you'd be still in there. Dead." Kaelsu had one hand on his hip and the other firmly planted in his forehead. He leaned over the much shorter Junwoo, and his cloak draped down the side of the gap between the two.
"That's not true," he shot back in between breaths. "I can take care of myself."
Kaelsu deadpanned, rubbing his temples he couldn't fathom the mental gymnastics Junwoo must've gone through to believe that. "Really? After all we just went through?"
Junwoo was stubborn. "Yes."
"I'm not even going to listen to you. Come on, we're going home."
Before any further protests, Junwoo and Kaelsu were absorbed by a ring of light and disappeared on the spot. Almost immediately, they rematerialised back in a familiar zone: one with air that smelled fresh like daisies.
The sunlight was warm as it lightly kissed Junwoo's soft, pale skin and reflected against his golden locks of fur. He took a moment to gaze into the distance, observing the distant line that separated the serene, blue sky and the lush, green grass loosely populated with streaks of gold and white.
He was free. He was… home?
A gentle gust of wind blew his hair and caressed the side of his cheek. The fox exhaled a deep breath in relief, one he hadn't realised he was holding.
Kaelsu broke the silence, "You look happy."
Junwoo turned to face the pale summoner, silent tears streamed down his face. "Something like that."