Sprawled on the rock where he left him so long ago.

A living corpse, he thinks as he stares at his father. Dirty, skeletal, gaunt. His black eyes are coated by a dull film. Seokga’s stomach twists inside of him, and he tells himself it’s only the pain of Jang’s bite. Thanks to the incline of the rock, Mireuk is perfectly able to see him, as well.

“My son,” Mireuk says, cracked lips stretching into a bloodless smile. “You came.”

“Fuck,” Yeomra breathes, freezing on the spot. Jang smirks.

The enormity of seeing his father for the first time since his imprisonment is like a sudden death to Seokga. His airways work and fail before he can finally find enough breath to compose himself even though he is falling apart on the inside.

“Hello, Father,” Seokga finds himself somehow managing to sneer. The pain in his side has receded and his whole body has gone numb. “You’re looking…terrible.” He sways on his feet slightly, saved only from falling as Kisa darts toward him. Her presence steadies him.

“Ah, Seokga,” Mireuk says with a sigh. “I’ve missed you. All this time, the things I have regretted…” His eyes slide to Kisa. “And this must be her, mustn’t it? She’s pretty. I see why you like her.”

“I’m not freeing you,” Seokga grits out between his teeth. “Your crimes against humanity put you here, and here you shall stay, Father.” A glimmer of pride spans down the bond between him and Kisa.

“You think me so incapable of change,” the Mad God whispers mournfully. “I could prove you wrong. I could undo all of it, if only these shackles were to come off…A world without pain. I could do that. Take it all back…”

“Bullshit,” Seokga snaps. The madness in his father’s mind is not the sort that can be treated or empathized with. They tried. For so long before imprisoning him, they tried. All it led to was death and destruction.

“I can turn back time…You can save Hani…or save Kisa…whomever you prefer…”

Kisa stiffens next to him.

—manipulative—he’s—goading—Lonely God—said—Yeomra—can’t—need—leave—now—now—now—

At his sides, Seokga’s fingers twitch. Kisa watches them until she cannot.

“This will help you, too, Seokga…Don’t pretend it will not…”

All the issues that stem from your relationship with your father can be healed. He wants to start again, like you have…And you, Seokga, can give him that. I know he would be eternally indebted to you.

“My son, my son.” Mireuk’s bloodless smile grows. “Don’t you want that?”

You love him. I think that you would still do anything for him.

“I do,” he rasps before he can stop himself. He can feel Mireuk’s influence encroaching on him like a fungus. His head aches with the effort of withstanding it.