A long time ago, in the realm of the humans he had been known. He had been the beaten, the taken that had returned. The mighty warrior of the winter, that only came when he deemed the world worthy of his footsteps against the earth. Now, the humans had forgotten his name, legends had died as tongues were cut from throats and snow had come even without his blessing.
He did not mind, for he was not a creature that longed for might or adoration like the new Gods did. He did not need the validation of the souls to tell him what he was, he was the snow, he was the cold and he was the lilac haze that could be seen in the early winter mornings. Dancing over the virgin flakes, skipping in the crystals that fell from the sky. He was a long forgotten creature from tales that had been shared from generation to generation until those generations did not speak anymore. Their languages dying with their last breathe and their children fleeing the old ways. Yet there were worlds where he was still known, different names than those of the realm of earth.
Here he was the merchant. The one that got what was needed, the one that traded not only in gold but in secrets, alliances and magic. Here he was what he had been all his life, throughout the ages this was what he had craved. Knowledge, a hidden power that surpassed the sword, surpassed ruling kingdoms, surpassed love itself. The sound of his boots against the marble ground echoed through the palace, he did not bother to wait till the guards granted in access for the rhythm of his step was what told them to lower their weapons. His staff, named Gildin to the way the moon lit up the nightsky, floated in front of him, lighting up his face as it shone brightly in the presence of demons. Lilacs were not searching for them, he knew they were there and watching them. He was not afraid, he was not intimidated, he had a mission. White robes danced around him, the silver cloak that danced as he marched towards the grande hall a harsh contrast against the rich colors that decorated the palace. He did not slow down as he walked through doors that opened as he neared, only when the lilacs met de golden orbs. The rhythm of his steps stopped, fabrics coming to a halt around him as the staff returned to his hand.
The elf did not kneel, not for kings, not for emperors and not for- "Prince of the east, prince Ba'al." He greeted, voice soft as velvet as the devious smirk spread over his lips as oil over a sea. Waiting to be lit on fire any moment. "Ninim, the merchant." Was the reply that came and Kibum did not twitch at the sound of his own true name. Something that the prince of hell had gotten from him a long time ago. A name carried a great power, the knowledge that the demonic power in front of him held that was unsettling. Yet Kibum did not fear, not kings, not emperors and not princes. "It is always a pleasure my prince." He said as he tilted his head, a sly expression on his features that was not known to those that he had met since he came from his slumber. The prince agreed, mentioning how long it had been. "Even the merchant needs a vacation," Kibum joked "yet I received your request and I have brought the item you requested." There was a silence as he prince waved at some of his demonic underlings. A small red sachet exchanged for a wooden chest that was given to Kibum. The elf did not check the contents, for he trusted the other to not deceive him. He did not deliver to those that betrayed him.
As Kibum turned to leave, the prince halted him. "Actually, there is one more thing-"
It was almost a week later as Mr. Key entered the academy again. He did not wear his shimmering cloak nor his white robes. Instead he wore the usual darker robes of a soft spoken teacher, a dark grey robe kept him decent, for warmth he did not need the clothing. His hair had been washed, his face cleaned and gildin had been glowing weakly ever since they had returned to the realm of humans. Yet it was not a human he sought out on an early Friday morning. Three loud knocks were the means to wake up a student he had to meet today.
"A son? Well, I think I know exactly who you talk about. Those eyes are such a give away."
As the door opened Kibum straightened his back. "Kim Jonghyun, I am not here as your teacher or tutor. I am here as the merchant and I have a small present for you." He sighed and retrieved a small wooden box from his pocket. "It is not dangerous, I have sworn to protect the students of this institute as long as I am under the service of the headmaster-" He halted and smirked for a second, eyes wandering over the empty halway, before he returned his gaze to Jonghyun and gave him the box. As he spoke, the tone of his voice indicating his sceptic view "I bring this from hell, your father seems in very well health. You must be so glad."