52. Epilogue

"Wow!" The boys exclaimed together as they opened their eyes one by one, slowly taking in the sight before them. None of them said anything for a long time, staring at everything while I grinned sheepishly from behind, wondering how they were taking the surprise.

"This is...beautiful." Jules finally said, opening his arms and spreading it out, the other's giggling and agreeing with him.

"Tell me about it." Victor muttered, before turning to me. "Did fans do all this?"

The excitement in his voice had my heart melting there and then, making me stare at him for a minute longer as I recalled all of our times together in the near future.

Young Victor was so much more playfull and goofy, but in time he matured as he grew, sso much that he even falls in love with a ghost.

Looking at him now only brought back a tidal wave of memories, bile rising in my throat. But I had to answer him. So I nodded slowly, the smile not leaving my face.

"But...but how? When did they get the time?" Noah questioned, sending my brain into somersaults. Noah and his curious brain. I had to make a perfect lie which would make them believe that everything before their eyes is pure man made and not Guardian magic.

"We... kind of had a feeling you guys would win this time, so we prepared the cost and all before hand. The rest of all of this was a last minute decoration. While you guys were busy watching the movie, we did this." I said, gesturing with my hand at all the decorations.

Now you might be wondering what on earth is my Guardian ass talking about. Well, let's just say, I booked the whole Disney World for BTS. But that was not it, booking was an easy thing with Jason's black card, but the main thing was decoration. The whole amusement park was bathed in purple.

Purple trees, purple rides, purple lights and even purple floor. Even the snack booths and the snacks themselves were decorated in purple. Let's just say, there was too much purple everywere.

I knew that in two years from then, Heathens would be getting a lot of that around the world, starting with the USA itself. A lot of fan projects will be held where not just Disney World or the Washington tower, but that would include a city in KSA, malls and stadiums and other countries, a forest for Noah, a hospital for Heli, No. 1 Hot 100 for Justin, Charity for Steven, Jake and Jules, naming a star after Victor and Jukes friendship and satelites and birthday wishing in Burj Khalifa for Victor.

Yes, a lot will happen and a lot may be forgotten. But I wanted this to be Heathens first one and memorable one. On the day they had their first win, a secret gift from secret fans, with just them and only them. No media to butt in. No Itaka crews to give them scripts. Just themselves. And I wanted that.

"Yaaaaaahhhhh!" Heli shrieked, running around like a horse, followed by Jake, then Justin and then Victor. Steven smiled smugly, his gummy smile turning his eyes into crescents. Noah, Steven, Jules and I walked forward, watching as the boys ran towards the merrie go round.

"Well then, off you guys go too. They are finishing all the fun." I said, nudging Jules but the boy's stomach growled in protest. The trio of us stared at Jules, while the orange haired boy stared at his belly.

"I'm hungry too." Steven suddenly said, breaking the ice.

"Me too." Noah piped in.

"I'm sure the other's are too." Jules said, now looking at the boys.

Okay. Food was needed. Did I prepare food? Of course I didn't. That's the kind of idiot I am.

"Hey guys! Do you guys want some fo-" But I did not give Jules a chance to complete his sentence as I stopped everything mid point. Now I didn't stop time here, don't take it like that. The only thing I did was use my super speed to bring whatever food they would need. All the while, Jules and the others stayed rooted to their spots.

"Pasta... should I get Pasta? It's Victor's favourite, so I should take it. Spagetti will do as well, but I can't buy the spicy one! Victor doesn't like spicy!! Okay... and sausages, beef and beer as well. But can Victor drink beer? Isn't he a light weight? Wait, why am I buying everything that Victor likes? SERIOUSLY CILIA! FOCUS!! THERE ARE SEVEN PEOPLE! SEVEN!"

Mentally slapping myself, I looked around the convinience store for other things.

"Justin likes things made out of flour, should I buy donuts? Let me order Pizza. And pasta!! Yoongi loves Pasta as well! And... and... what else? Did I really lose my memory now of all times? Curse my luck."

Cursing to myself, I turned towards the convinience store owner, who was giving me an incredulous look.

"Ah hello, My family and I came for a picnic... but we forgot to bring food. They sent me to buy things to eat, but I don't know what to buy. Can you please choose for me?" I felt like a fool for all that I was saying. I was seriously making no sense. They lady had to work fast before she realizes that she was moving around all of this in less then a second, while the world still remained frozen.

What would have been five minutes in usual timing, the lady finally returned, wheeling a cart in front of her. I stared at the cart, wondering what the lady had brought. My own collection was there, followed by the ladies own Corn cheese, cold drinks. Rice, Beef and pork to grill, seaweed, banana and strawberry milk and beer which was optional.

Okay. We could do with this much.

The bill had been quite huge, which was covered with Jason's black card once again. Before leaving, I picked what ever snacks I could. Gummy beard, gums, candies and chocolates, nuts, spices for grilling the meat. I left the store with a final bow to the lady, who was in cloud nine to have earned so much from one customer.

Once I had reached the park, I placed the contents on a table under a huge umbrella, before getting back to the boys and fishing my phone out.

"-od? We are really hungry." Jules completed, while I simply dialed on my phone. The other's ran up to Jules, agreeing with the orange head. After a few seconds of discussion, they turned to me with such looks in their eyes as if seven begger children were asking their begger mother if they would have food at least today or not.

I looked up at them, before walking away but I knew they were following me. Once I had reached the spot were I left all the food, I turned towards the boys, who had their jaws dropped. I seriously had no idea why they were making such a big deal out of it. This was just convenience store food. Only then did I realize that I missed something.

"Did you prepare all this?" Justin asked, slowly walking towards the carton of banana milk.

I smiled sheepishly again. "Yeah... we all did. That reminds me, there's something I still need to do. You guys go ahead and dig in, I will be right back. The grill is over there, you can bring it and grill the meat."

So saying, I didn't even wait for a response befor running out of the place, searching for the nearest pizza and chicken shop. After spoting KFC, I ran in before placing my takeaway order.

"Two boxes of Chicken please."

"Two boxes of Chicken coming up in fifteen minutes."

Fifteen minutes!! Fuck!

I ran out again before spotting another pizza restaurent and dashing in.

"Three pepperoni and cheese Pizza's and three sour cream Pasta please."

"Three pepperoni and cheese Pizza's and three sour cream Pasta coming up in ten minutes."

For fucks sake guys...

I ran back to KFC, were the cashier smiled at me. "You seem to be running around a lot."

"I had to place another order somewhere else." I said carelessly, breathing heavily.

"Another order? What was it?"

"Pizza and Pasta."

"Pizza and pasta? We have Pizza and Pasta too!"

Since when did KFC sell Pizza and Pasta? Or am I the outdated one?

"Sorry, I didn't know that. When is the chicken ready?" I asked, looking at my watch which had stopped moving after coming here.

"Here you go. Three boxes of Chicken. Would you like Pizza and Pasta?"

"No thanks. I will take some other time."

After paying, I rushed out again towards the Pizza restaurent, were the lady had already prepared my order. Once again I paid the cashier before running out for dear life.

"Here, I bought Pizza, chicken and Pasta. I thought you guys would need it so I- why are you guys not eating?" I asked, walking back to the spot were I left the boys only to find them sitting around the table, the food still packed up.

"What's wrong? Is the food bad? DID IT GO BAD? BUT I MADE SURE-"

"Calm down Cilia. The food didn't go bad. We were just waiting for you." Noah explained, and my heart dropped.

"Waiting... for me?" I asked slowly, not trusting my voice to remain steady.

Heli nodded. "Yeah. You. fans prepared so much for us, but we can't even bring them here. So you have to stay here and eat with us, enjoy with us. You did so much to make sure this project was succesful."

I couldn't bear it. It was all too much. My eyes were already brimming with tears and what Heli just told had me shamelessly breaking down. But thankfully, the boys didn't notice it, for I had wiped away the first tear that fell too quickly for them to notice.

Jake was screaming, saying he can't stop his eyes from blinking rapidly because he was too hungry. Steven was trying to pretend that the sight of the food wasn't having any effect on him. Justin was teasing Jules to try to eat less in case he turned into a pig. While Victor walked towards me, a huge boxy grin on his face as he took the bags of Chicken, Pizza and Pasta from my hands and nudged me to come along.

"It's okay to feel overwhelmed. Trust me, we had that same expression more than a million times today." Victor suddenly whispered to me, before walking away, leaving me dead still in my spot.

He saw. He saw me crying when no one else did. Victor will always, even in this timeline and the next, know everything that goes on in my head.

What will he say, or think, if he were to find out who I trully am? That I;m actually thirteen years old now, and this is the future me, the future dead me, coming back in time to meet them.

That my ghost loved him and he loved me back, and we spent countless nights in each others arms. 

Does he feel it? Or connection?

Probably not.

I smiled softly before joining the rest at the table. Steven and Jake had started grilling the meat, while Justin and Victor were preparing the side dishes. Jules and Heli busied themselves in cutting the sausages and other parsleys, while Namjoon and I munched on the gummy bears and nuts lazily.

"Hey! Don't finish the gummy bear's! Fans gave that for me!"

"Says who?"

"Says Cilia."

"Me?"

"Come on Noah, just keep the damn gummy bear's aside or this old man here will burn all the meat."

"But Cilia wants to eat too."

"Me?"

"CILIA!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

-------------

"Woooohhhooooooo!" Justin shrieked as the four of us went in for a roller coaster ride.

After a fulfilling dinner, with a lot of bickering and a lot of meat piled in my bowl, we had finally decided that it was time for enjoying the rides, which... turned out to be a very terrible idea.

You see, the eight of us made teams, the younger ones which also included me and the olfer ones. As much as I loved Roller coaster's, I always threw a fit whenever the ride once started. While Justin, Victor and Jules were having the time of their lives, I was dying, feeling my dinner bubbling in my stomach.

"Stop the ride. STOP THE RIDE!" I screamed to deaf ears. I really thought this was the end for me.

Wow. Great, powerful Guardian, for whom even the King of Hell was restless and here I was, unable to hold my stomach in. Bravo Cilia. You really nailed it.

At long last, the ride finally came to a halt and I stumbled out, my legs jelly and my hand pressed firmly over my mouth. The others casually walked out, laughing and joking with themselves. From end booth of the train, the older ones jumped out, with a stumbling Heli along. He looked just like me, a hand clasped over his mouth.

"Excuse me but I think I'm going to be sick." He said, running past us and towards a trach can.

"Me too."

What ever we had for dinner, all of it spilled out. Heli and I leaned againt a huge tree, sitting down with our legs outstreatched. We heaved for air, our lungs burning and throats scratchy from the puking. I closed my eyes before opening them again, only to find the six others walking towards us and looking down at us.

"Wow... you both look... wasted." Jake commented, helping Heli to his feet.

"I told you we shouldn't have given Cilia too much meat." Jules said, slapping Jake in the back. Justin walked forward, giving me his hand but I waved it off.

"I will stay in the ground a little longer." I breathed out. Justin turned to Jake as well.

"You fed her too much pork!"

"What about it?"

"Jake, the pork had a lot of fat. The beef was better." Noah stated coolly, starting his EVS lesson here. I only groaned.

"Are you feeling too sick? I feel fine now." Helo said, drinking water from a bottle handed to him by Steven. They all looked at me with worry edged on their faces.

"Perhaps we should head back." Noah said, sending all my alarms blaring out.

"No!" I screamed all too suddenly, making the boys look at me with surprise while the nauseuosness came back to me. However, I didn't let it get the best of me. After so long I was finally seeing them. I couldn't let the night waste away just because I couldn't hold my dinner back.

Come on Cilia! You are a Guardian for fucks sake! Stabilize yourself!

Quickly, I scrambled to my feet, using my healing abilities to mentally heal myself as Victor stepped forward, helping me balance myself.

"What I meant was, we just started, and there are still so many rides left!! We can't possibly leave all of this!" I sounded madly desperate. Good lord! They will surely think I'm a stalker now.

Noah frowned. "It wouldn't hurt to celebrate a little more right?"

I could feel the incoming smile building in my face. "Our Army's prepared a lot. Let's not waste it." Jules whispered, although I could feel his hidden excitement bubbling. Victor, however, didn't wait to beat around the bush.

"I really want to try out all the rides!! Please let's not go home yet!" There was no more room left for argument, once the members had seen the boxy grin stretched across the brunette's face. They all smiled, and once again, we were all playing and messing around.

The terrible roller coaster was forgetten, replaced by other exciting rides, with a much boring merry go round. At one point, I had come to a stop, watching from a bench as the boys ran around, chasing each other for Lord only knew what. I chuckled, watching as Justin tackled a grumpy Steven on the grass while Steven tried to feign annoyance but I knew better. Steven could never resist the younger ones, especially baby Justin.

"Water?" A deep voice suddenly came from behind me, with a bottle swinging back and forth in front of my face.

I turned around only to find Victor grinning at me as I took the bottle, thanking him. Victor took a seat beside me, staying to the furthest edge of the bench. Once I had drunk enough, we both stared ahead at the boys with lazy smiles grazing our faces.

"We are all so happy today. All of this, it feels so unreal. Winning our first music show, a surprise event from fans, all of this feels like a dream." Victor suddenly said, making me turn towards him.

I had missed looking at him. True I had been with them even after everything, but it was different when I knew they could see me as well. I smiled, before turning back ahead.

"Heathens music had always been different than other's. Ever since debut, your music held a difference from the other's. It's just that people didn't recongnize it. Yet." I said in a matter of fact way.

Victor smiled, but said with a shrug. "I guess they will never recognize it then."

"Oh but they will." I said, feeling completely sure of myself.

"How?" Victor playfully asked with a chuckle.

"They will just come to recognise it. In a year or two, things might change for you guys. And I don't only mean in the USA, but the whole world. Fans from all across the world will do numbers of projects far more extravagant than this for all of you, and it will be nothing compared to this." I said, gesturing to everything in front of us.

"I doubt that." Victor chuckled making me smile as well.

"We will see."

The boys had quit playing around, slowly walking towards us with restless laughs and giggles.

"Phew, I'm really tired." Justin admitted, the others agreeing to him as they all sat around, some taking seats on the floor once the bench was already full. Victor and I stood up, giving place for the elders to sit in. I stood standing while Victor sat down beside Justin, massaging the baby boys nape.

"What time is it?" Steven asked, looking at Noah who was the only one who happened to have a watch. My watch was long dead.

"It's 10. We should be... heading back." Noah's words had brought an errie silence around all of us.

The eight of us stared around, drinking in the beauty of fan's gift (which was done by me all along, of course), which was now completely used up. None of us said a word but a million things went said without us uttering a word. The silence was somehow peaceful, but painful for me at the same time, for I knew my time was up, and it was time to say goodbye.

"I don't know how to thank them enough." Jules suddenly said, not actually saying who the 'them' actually were. We already knew, nodding our heads in agreement. The wind blew softly, brushing our hairs across our faces as the breeze kissed our faces, signalling us that it was time to go. The boys stood up one by one, the bile rising in my throat as the incoming tears stung my eyes. The boys stood silently for a long time, as if giving their own silent goodbyes before Cilia finally spoke up.

"Well then, let's go. Cilia?" The boys turned to me, as if waiting for me to lead the way. That's what I was supposed to do. I was supposed to take them home now, considering I was their manager.

But I wasn't their manager for real. This was all just a facade, a skit, a play, which was finally coming to an end. And no matter how much I wanted to stay here, withHeathens were they knew me, were they could see me and talk to me for real, I couldn't. Because this was not the real me. I was not a Heathens manager. I was their Guardian, and there was a time when they once accepted me for who I am. Even if things were different now, with Heathens not being able to see me and all, they still knew what I was to them. This , right now, is just a fragment of their memory now sabotaged by me. I'm not even supposed to be here, and yet I am, so it's time I go back, although it's killing me inside.

"You guys go ahead. Sejin is already outside waiting, I called him earlier. He will take you home." I said, swallowing my bile and blinking away the tears. The boys looked at me in confusion.

"Sejin? Didn't he say he had work? And why can't you come with us? You are our sub manager, you are supposed to follow us." Steven said, knitting his eyebrows in confusion.

I smiled sadly, using all my energy not to break down now. God! I had no idea it would be this hard!

"I really had a lot of fun today, so much fun. I wish we could go for another picnic, but this should do for now. I just hope that you guys don't forget this memory and remember me even if you can't see me in the future. I don't know what destiny has in store for me, whether I can ever reunite with you guys or not, but I hope that someday, we will have a picnic like this again." By now, the tears were freely flowing out of my eyes, much to Heathens alarm. I hated seeing them like this, scared and nervous, just like last time, but I couldn't help it. Everything was just too much.

"Cilia, what are you talking about? What-" But I didn't let Justin finish.

"I'm not your manager. I'm your Guardian. Things will change for you guys ond day. You will recieve a lot of fans, but a lot of haters at the same time. There will be a lot of dark days ahead, but there will be light in them too. You guys are going to change the world with not just your music, but your very existance. Heathens will be the reason many people will decide to wake up in the morning and live on. And that is why you must never, ever give up, because many lives will be counting on you guys. You must stay strong, and I know you will. That's the kind of people you all are, and I, your Guardian, will protect you guys everytime."

Suddenly, the air shifted around, wind blowing everwhere. Once the wind settled, I saw what was the source of it. There stood Julia, just a few feet behind the boys, looking with sympathetic eyes at me.

"It's time to say goodbye." I whispered as the boys slowly gasped at the sight of Julia, who was now walking towards me.

"What-what is-" Heli stammered, unable to make sense himself.

"Goodbye guys. I will see you guys in 2021." And with that, Julia brought out the portal and we jumped in.

The last thing I saw before leaving was Victor's face, who was smiling sadly at me, his eyes glassy with tears.

-----------------

Julia and I strolled the length of the timeline lazily, not saying anything to each other. I stared at the different colored floor, feeling like I was actually floating, while Julia stared at the numerous memories and glimpsed at me now and then. Finally, Julia cleared her throat, trying to gain my attention.

"So... how was your day?" Julia asked cautiously.

"Beautiful." Was my only reply.

'I see.'

Silence.

This whole thing wasn't supposed to feel so awkward, but for some reason it was. It felt like I was a third grader who had a bad day in school but my mommy who happened to be Julia had the opposite, and was finding it very hard to converse with her daughter when her daughter had a bad day but she had a good one.

I had always looked up to Julia as the elder sister I never had, replacing her in place of Sera. But I think that was not the case of Julia. Being immortal since the dawn of time might be the reason. I think she looked at me more of a daughter than a sister.

"The boys seemed so confused at the end." Julia suddenly said, to which I nodded.

"I know."

"Except Victor. He looked like he knew something."

I chuckled at that, knowing exactly why he had acted like that. "Out of all the members, Victor believes in things like a second life, reincarnation, Guardian angels, and Deitys, although he is Christian too. He... he was the first one to start believing that there was someone looking after them when I first came. He was the first one who saw me for who I am, who lent me a shoulder to cry on when things were broken for me, held me when I was in my most helpless situation, protected me in ways a real brother should."

I didn't even realize that saying all that had brougt back all the memories that I had buried back, bringing forth tears. The time when I had confronted my mother in her dream, he had sent Tinn with me.

The time when those fake fans were making fun of Jules and I almost lost it, he held me and comforted me and then later professed his love for me.

The time Noah got abducted, He was the one who helped channel my powers, he was the one who told me it was okay for a Guardian to have weaknesses.

He was the one who saw me for who I trully was even after Lucifer had possessed him. He was my bias, my friend and my lover. And no matter how many guys I'd meet in my lifetime, nothing will ever compare to having Victor King in my life as my sole partner. He is my very being, and I'm nothing without him.

I would be forever indepted to him.

"I guess... he was the only one who could make sense of everything you said back there." Julia noted, to which I nodded, rubbing the tears from my eyes.

"It's okay. We will get through this. We will fix this Lucifer shit and you will be back with your boys in no time." Julia patted my back and I once again nodded, this time more determined.

She was right, none of this would be fixed as long as I don't take Lucifer down. I had to be strong and end this.

Suddenly, Julia stopped walking, bringing me to a halt as well.

"What's that?" She asked, pointing to a certain memory.

"A memory?" I answered more like a question to which Julia gave me that look as if to say 'No shit Sherlock.'

"Don't you see who is in the memory?" She asked, slowly walking towards it which for some reason wasn't flying away like the rest of them. I think Julia had it still.

I squinted at the memory, watching as the scenario unfolded. At first it was blurry, but I could make out at least four people in it. It seemed like the three figures were towering over the fourth, pushing him backwards. It was only after the haziness cleared did I realize what it was.

"It's... it's Clark's memory. It's the moment he... died. I don't want to see it, let's go." I said, walking away from the memory but Julia stayed in her place, still watching.

"There's someone else in there."

I stopped mid track, wondering what on Earth was Julia talking about. I turned around, finding her staring back at me.

"Didn't you tell that there were just three bullies and Clark that day?" The look Julia gave me sent chills all over my skin. I knew what she was thinking, and a part of my had started thinking the same too.

Walking towards her, I stared at the memory. There were the three bullies and Clark, yes, but there were two more figures crouched down on the floor as well. Something about this whole scenario ticked me off.

Why didn't Clark mention the other two kids in the fire? Is it because they didn't die? Or is it because he didn't find it important? If they were not important, why would he hide it?

Unless they had something to do with his death...

Without warning, I jumped into the memory, followed by a frantic Julia.

Once inside, I stared at my surroundings as Julia did the same. We were in a class room, the lights turned off explained that it was late evening and there were no souls in the school, safe for Clark, the bullies and the new comers.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash, making me jump out of my skin. The two of us turned around, only to find a table flipped over with two boys slumped on the floor, another figure towering over them.

"It was you two wasn't it? You ratted out on me didn't you? TELL ME!?" The person screamed so loud, sending the boys flinching.

I knew that voice, it was so familiar, but so different when angry. I stared at the figure, making out the sweat jacket and round glasses in the dark. I knew who it was, but I couldn't believe it. It couldn't be... he wasn't like this. He was innocent.

Or was he?

"You scum!" The figure screamed again before punching one of the cowering boy straight in the face. It was then that I finally got a clear view of the figure face.

"Clark..." I whispered, my heart lurching in my chest. This was not possible. This was not the Clark I knew. He was so soft, so quiet and scared of me. He couldn't possibly be a...

"A bully." Julia completed for me. I couldn't believe it. None of this was making any sense. Clark wasn't just bullied, he WAS the bully. That's why he hid himself from us.

The rest of the incident all happened quickly. Clark hit the shit out of the younger boys, just for the reason that they ratted out on him because he used to bully them before as well. It was still a mystery to me why a victim would do the same to another victim.

Then the three bullies arrived, finding the whole scene amusing before turning the table and making Clark the victim. Beating him up, the boys had gone too far to even drown Clark in kerosine before igniting the room in fire, which also had them along.

Doors locked, windows shut, there was no escape, except for one that the two twin brother's created. Breaking a window, the twins jumped out, staring at the horror inside the classroom.

"Help me!" A burning Clark screamed, begging for help from his victims. The twins, too scared for their own lives, shut the window behind them, leaving the four bullies to burn to death.

The whole incident had me petrified to my spot, unable to move. This whole information was a lot to take in, Clark being the bully and all.

Clark's very existance was a facade, a lie. Everything about him was fake, from the point were he showed he was a scardy cat to the point were he said he was scared of me. No, Clark was more than that. He was more than just a nerd being bullied by his seniors.

"You do know what this means, don't you?" Julia suddenly said as the memory faded, and we were back in the time realm.

"What does it mean?" I asked, my voice draned of any energy left. It was all too much. Clark shouldn't have been like this. One among us at least had to have some innocence.

"He is going out for revenge." Julia stated, but I couldn't bring myself to say anything, so Julia continued.

"Think about it. Clark says he has a different job that he needs to take care of. When asked, he says it's to protect his family. Why would he protect that same family that didn't even fight for his death? Think about it Cilia. It was not to protect his family. It was something else. Just like Alex, he wants revenge. And something tells me Alex might know about it as well, that's why they have been going out together so much. Plotting...hatching."

"Are you trying to say Alex might be in on this?" I asked in disbelieve, unable to comprehend it.

"We can't leave out any options. We have to take our chances." Julia sighed, running her fingers through her blue hairs."We don't know. They might be in on it even right now."

"Where are they now?" I asked, my despair slowly turning into anger, feeling betrayed for the millionth time now.

"I saw them in Gyeongi Province earlier. Why?" Julia suddenly stopped her fingers through her hairs, watching me as I stomped off.

"We need to find them."