Phoenix pt 5
credit: unknown
Requests closed // m.list // ao3 // prev // next
Genre: Mature audience (18+ only)
Warning(s): Mentions of blood, sex, abuse (physical and emotional), major character death, mental health, etc
WC: 3.5k
Summary: Â Relationships arenât always what you get. Sometimes itâs hard and heavy, other times itâs messy and disgusting. When it comes to wolves, thatâs completely different within itself. Park Jimin, the leader of a small pack hidden in the forests of South Korea has had a rough life. The things given to him were given because of a tragic ending to a chapter in his life. This new chapter is the story of how he almost lost everything he holds close to his heart, which includes his life.
A/N: At last, the final part that has been written out so far. I hope yâall enjoyed it so far!!
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What transpired next was a blur. Demrius couldn't keep up with the bustling of other people nor could she keep up with what was happening to her. First she was on the ground being covered by blankets, then she was getting up and shoved into the showers by Erza.
Erza's movements were static and rushed. She didn't get Demrius any time to ask questions, instead she just scrubbed away as the cold water was splashed on her.
"Hey, hey HEY!" Demrius yelled grabbing ahold of Ezra's hand ripping it away from her as she stepped out of the colder water. She looked at the alpha's face, noticing that the color had drained and she looked as if she saw a ghost.
Just by the look on the older ones face, Demrius decided not to go off on her. Instead she stood under the now luke warm water carefully searching for something, anything within these murky waters. Demrius didn't want to over step her boundaries, but she could clearly see that there was something going on.
" 'm sorry," Ezra mumbles dropping the sponge on the ground and taking a step back. She starting to rake her hands through her hair, messing up her perfectly braided hair that ran down the middle of her head. Ezra didn't bother to close the curtain, instead she just walked out into the locker room.
Demrius didn't know how she ended up in the locker room under the coliseum because of the blurred moments between this morning and right this very second. But she knew that Ezra had brought her here, even brought her a clean pair of clothes. Demrius slowly bent down to grab the sponge off the floor, rinsing it out in the water and then going to put soap on it.
She started to scrub her body, allowing the soap to do its job while the water ran down her back. The silence between the two was loud enough to where Demrius felt like she could hear Ezra's thoughts. She didn't want to pressure the older one into saying anything because Demrius assumed that Erza would shut down. She gave her the space she seemed to need because if she where in her position definitely would need it too.
Ezra was pacing back and forth whispering to herself in a different language. Her hands were shaking and her eyes were wide as saucers. The deep scar along her back felt like it was burning as memories started to flash across her eyes, clouding her vision. She felt her spirit stirring from within, begging her to transform and run away from this wretched place.
Why would Jimin bring back this punishment out of all of them? Why was he doing this? What was the point of this? Was he trying to prove something to his father, to the pack? Ezra felt her mind spinning that she eventually sat down on a bench just a few paces from the shower.
She listened to the water hit against the tiles, allowing the sound to be some kind of comfort for her. After Jimin declared the punishment, Ezra disassociated completely. She doesn't remember much between the time she was out in front of the town hall to now in the locker rooms when Demrius was yelling at her.
She kept trying to piece together whatever happened so that she could explain herself to the omega but nothing was coming out from it. Instead she just found herself replaying the same memories over and over again.
For years, Ezra had grown up with these horrendous punishments, even if they were called punishments to begin with. They where more like a death sentence to whomever got them. Celyn gave them out to anyone who defied his authority and it would strike fear within the pack. It was how he was able to hold such power and tyranny over the weak and the powerless. Since his death five years ago, Jimin hadn't given a single one of them out, not until today.
Countless wolves lost for innocent crimes just so that her father in law could make a statement, whatever the hell that statement was Ezra never wanted to find out. The ruling usually went as follows.
Celyn would turn into his spirit in front of the crowd watching. The one whom he gave the sentencing to would come out with heavy iron chains on their wrists and neck. Bounding their wolf spirit within themselves so that they wouldn't change when the battle began.
Obviously it was one sided because in mere minutes, Celyn would spill innocent blood. Sometimes Celyn would play with his victim. Allowing them to get a few strikes in and thinking they got the upper hand. Ezra always thought that he did this because he was a wolf hunting it's prey, but he did this because it was all a sick game to him.
After awhile, Ezra got sick of seeing the pools of blood, the games Celyn would play, and the countless wolves that would be lost to their sentencing. She opted to staying in her house during it, defying her leader because it was just too much. She knew that it would lead to a punishment but Ezra really didn't care.
Now that Jimin decided to bring these sentencings back, she had to sit through and watch them. She couldn't just escape to their house and wait it out like she use to do. Her people where watching her every movement now because she was his wife. Ezra didn't notice that she was crying until she felt the warmth of her tears streaking down her neck and onto her clothes.
She blinked a few of them away, bringing her right hand up to wipe her now stained cheeks. The locker rooms where quiet again which meant that Demrius was done with her shower. Ezra glances around the small area trying to find the omega. Eventually her eyes laid on her noting that she was standing there watching her.
" 'm sorry, i shouldn't be crying in front of my people." Ezra says slowly standing now and brushing her hands against her thighs.
"Why are you apologizing for having emotions?" Demrius asks pulling the black sweater over her body. Ezra smiled at how well the clothes fit the young one. She noted that they were the same size, considering that Ezra had given her a fresh pair of her own clothes from her closet. Scrunching her face, Ezra tilts her head a bit to the side. Curious as to why Demrius was asking her such a question.
"It's not right for an alpha to be showing emotions in front of their pack." She mentions crossing her arms over her chest. "It makes them look weak." She further explains chewing on the inside of her cheek afterwards. Demrius paused at the last part of Ezra's answer. She shook her head and letting out a heavy sigh.
"This pack already makes my skin crawl." She answers honestly her blue eyes darkening with emotion. "You don't have omegas work because apparently they're nothing more than just people who give birth and take care of children," her hand coming forward as she starts to list things off. "Suddenly alpha's aren't suppose to have emotion because it makes them look weak," then Demrius throws her hands up in the air. "What are you gonna tell me next, that men rule this society and women are suppose to submit and obey them?!" She cries out waving her hands to further show her emotions.
Ezra's lips thin and the color once again drains from her face. Demrius knew from the silence that was given to her that she hit the nail right on the damn coffin. In the heat of the moment Demrius let's out a high pitched yell that was high enough to be considered a scream. She throws a punch at the wall, cracking a few of the tiles. Ezra jumps a bit, never seeing an omega show this much aggression. It was almost as if Demrius was acting like an alpha.
"Do you know how sexist that is Ezra, c'mon man!" She says spinning around now to face the alpha. "You are more than just your rank, I am more than just my rank." She says walking towards the older one. "Omegas aren't some princess you hear in human tales that need saving from a prince. Women are toys for men to play with," she says waving her hands around to continue to prove her point. "You have emotions Ezra," she says bringing a hand out to place on her shoulder. "And just because you are an alpha that doesn't mean you have to be bottling them up in front of your pack."
Ezra blinks a few times wondering where this conversation was going. She shifts her weight, gently removing Demrius' hand from her shoulder. In doing so, Ezra takes a step back from her, trying to get some space between the two of them. "I am at the top of the ranking system," she mentions her eyes narrowing in a bit. "I am suppose to be a strong leader alongside my husband. I cannot be showing my pack -"
"Oh that's bullshit Ezra and you know it!" Demrius says throwing her hands up in the air. Ezra felt a surge of anger swell within her simply because Demrius had cut her off. No one that was of lower rank should be cutting any alpha off when they speak. "You and your husband aren't some cold mother fuckers that need to show their strength by not showing emotions." Demrius continues on her small rant session. "That message conveys to the pack that you guys don't have emotions which makes you guys harder to speak with." She takes a step back and takes her finger throughout her hair.
Whatever anger Ezra had seemed to simmer down just a bit as Demrius spoke. She listened closely to the young omega, noting that she was getting very heated about whatever laws where in place for the new pack that she arrived to.
"Showing emotions to your pack shows us that y'all are humans" she points out then literally pokes at Ezra's heart. "And not some robots who just go with the flow or whatever the hell you're trying to show us." Demrius says shaking her head and then sighing once again. Ezra doesn't say anything to Demrius because she doesn't know exactly what to say.
Never has an omega talk to her the way that Demrius is talking to her now. She doesn't know how to comprehend what was going on, or how she should navigate her way through it. Instead, Ezra stands there staring blankly at Demrius, expecting to her continue with her rant. But instead, Demrius shakes her head and takes a step back.
Then she turns herself to walk out of the locker room, leaving Ezra to process the one sided conversation that happened between the two of them.
~âą~
The coliseum was packed this afternoon. Every single wolf in town was sitting side by side awaiting the sentencing of the two wolves from earlier. The air seemed all too tense for Jungkook's liking. The last time he had seen one of these was five years ago, and even then he didn't have much of a memory to it.
He knew that his sister didn't like watching any of these. Whenever Ezra didn't show up, he was worried that Celyn would come knocking on their door. The last thing he needed was for his sister to suffer the same fate that their father did but by Celyn's hands. At the thought of their father, a smile came across his face. Jungkook knew that if their father found out that his daughter was dating Celyn's son he would have a fit. Jungkook assumed that on their wedding day that his father was rolling in his grave.
Jungkook sat just a few rows above the small area that her sister was suppose to sit in. The closer the time came for the sentencing, the more worried Jungkook became for her. She hadn't shown up yet and if she was going to avoid it like she use to, Jungkook knew that she was going to get an earfull from Jimin.
The pack would whisper if Ezra didn't show up and whispers was something that no one could control, not even Jimin. Jungkook felt his right leg start to bounce the closer it got. He didn't even get to see his sister shortly after Jimin had announced what was going to go down. He was going to race up and help Demrius but by the time he got up there, both his sister and Demrius was gone.
"Jesus Jungkook," a small voice coming from besides him. Jungkook whipped his head to the side and let out a loud gasp. He wasn't expecting Seokjin to be standing there with his hands crossed over his chest. "I didn't expect you to be so wound up for one of these things." He mentions sliding into the seat besides him.
Jungkook rolled his eyes and stopped the bouncing of his leg. Instead he started to fiddle with his fingers in his lap, his teeth chewing on the inside of his lip. His eyes went back to the small area, taking a sigh of relief when he saw the bright red locks sitting in her normal seat and a new body was right beside her.
Jungkook's heart leapt in his body, his pupils dialating. Out of all the scents that were around him, Jungkook could point out Demrius' from anywhere. Out of the corner of his eye, Seokjin was still watching Jungkook and noticed his change demeanor.
A smug smile starting to spread across his features. "Well well well," he muses catching Jungkook's attention once again. "What do we have here huh?" He teases moving inwards wiggling his eyebrows. Jungkook pushes the delta out of his personal space and huffs at his teasing.
Seokjin laughs at his friend, tsking him and shaking his head. "I can't believe my eyes."
"Oh would you shut up Jin," Jungkook groans putting his hands in his face.
"What?" Seokjin muses cocking an eyebrow. "All of us, Hoseok included thought you where gonna die alone. Considering the fact that you were never interested in any one." Seokjin points out. "Even Tae didn't have any faith -"
"I get it I get it." Jungkook cuts the older one off and puffs his cheeks out. Seokjin makes a small sound in the back of his throat while he leans forwards to pinch the young beta's cheek. "This one is different,"
"That's what they all say" Seokjin teases rolling his eyes and moving his head back to the center of the ring. Before Jungkook could say anything Jimin came walking with just a pair of sweatpants on. Jungkook never understood why his leader wanted to be conservative in moments like these. He didn't need clothes when he switched into his primordial form, and even if he kept the sweat pants on as he was changing, the fabric would simply be torn to shreads.
Shortly after Jimin came out, the two deltas came out behind him. Large heavy iron chains wrapped around their wrists and neck. One held a sword and the other held nothing. Jungkook knew that sword wasn't going to do them any good. This was a literal death sentence, there was no hope for them to get out of here with their lives.
Facing the crowd in a loud voice Jimin listed their names, their crimes, and the punishment. An eerie silence fell over the crowd as it seemed as if everyone stopped breathing at the same time. Jungkook's eyes were on the two teenagers. He watched as one was shaking uncontrollably within the knees and the other seemed to hold his head high. Jungkook frowned, knowing that their fates were already sealed for them and there wasn't much of anything for them to do. Then Jimin took a few paces forward, crossing the middle of the round sand circle. He stripped from the sweat pants, tossing them to the side and then switching into his primordial form.
Jungkook's wolf stirred within him, making Jungkook's toes wiggle within his boots. He watched as Jimin let out a low growl, loud enough to send a small shiver spread down his spin and stop his wolf from stirring. Jimin turned around to face the deltas and in horror, Jungkook watched as the one on the right fell to his knees and started weeping.
His cries could be heard from where Jungkook was sitting, his heart reaching out towards the young one. Jimin waited for the bell to ring and charged forwards. The one with the sword charged towards Jimin, swinging his sword when his wolf came forward.
All Jungkook could do was watch as he was biting the inside of his cheek. Memories were flashing from all the times Celyn had done this and it seemed as if he could even see the ghost of Celyn right beside his son. The way Jimin fought the young delta was almost exactly like his father would.
This fight was already predetermined, but Jimin seemed to play with his victim. Allowing the young one to injure him with the sword and dragging the fight on. The other delta was still on his knees sobbing, not leaving his spot.
With one sweep of his paw, Jimin knocked the delta with the sword into the stone wall right below Jungkook. The wall cracked by the force of the blow, the sword clattering to the side. Jimin's attention turned towards the crying wolf, his teeth bared as he was slowly stalking him.
This was how wolves played with their food in the wild. He could foresee what Jimin was going to do and it made him sick to his stomach. The other delta was slowly getting to his feet, his knees wobbling and a streak of red coming from the top of his head.
Jungkook noticed that he wrapped an arm around his ribcage, noting that he more than likely had a few broken ribs. He also noticed that the delta was leaning against the sword as he used it to get up.
Suddenly the sobbing stopped and everyone held in their breaths again. Jungkook's head snapped up to see Jimin holding the sobbing delta's head in his jaw. Blood soaking his jawline, teeth and now the sand underneath the fallen body.
The next few moments went by a blur. A blood curdling scream could be heard from the crowd, Jungkook assuming it was the delta's mother. Then another scream, one of anguish and anger as the delta with the sword went charging as best as he could towards Jimin.
Jimin discarded the head to the side and charged forwards too. His paws crushing the body underneath him, teeth bared and a loud growl escaping them. Then suddenly it felt like everyone let out whatever breath of air they held in for themselves. Out of the corner of Jungkook's eye, Seokjin turned his head and closed his eyes.
Seokjin's face was filled with sadness and disgust. He hated just as much as Erza did. This sentencing was inhumane and clearly only to instill fear within the pack. It was silently saying
If you defy me you'll end up like this as well.
Jimin now stood naked in front of the crowd. He held the final delta's head by the hair and out in front of him. The body was lying within its own pool of bloody sand, the sword discarded and thrown to the side. Jimin's body was now littered in new scars, his face, hands and feet were as red as the blood spilling from the two bodies.
Then the head was tossed to the side and Jimin walked towards his sweat pants. He snatched them from the ground, the dust from the sand kicking up from the force of his grab. He then walked to the other side of the circle, entering in and leaving the pack to look down at the bloody scene in front of him.
Demrius was the first to stand, her hands shaking as she spun from her seat. Jungkook locked eye contact with her and his heart ached. Her normally pale skin was flushed with emotion, her bright blue eyes darkened with sadness and her cheeks stained with tears. She scowled in Jungkook's direction and turned to leave the coliseum.
Ezra was the second to stand, then the rest of the pack after her. Ezra moved in the same direction as Demrius, leaving Jungkook to watch as they left. Seokjin stood shortly after his hand reaching out and gently grasping Jungkook's shoulder.
Pulling him out of whatever thoughts he previously had. Jungkook shook his head turning to eye Seokjin. His skin seemed pale and his eyes were swimming with so much emotion, Jungkook couldn't point out a single one. Taking a deep breath Jungkook grabbed his jacket and swung it over his shoulder.
He followed Seokjin, his lips in a hard line. As the pack left the coliseum, they all seemed to think the same thing. They hopped that this would be the last time they ever had to see one of these horrendous acts of murder.