~~chapter 18~~

Y/N collapsed to her knees, her heart shattering into countless fragments as she stared at her parents lying motionless on the ground. The battlefield's chaos faded into an unbearable silence around her, consumed by the overwhelming weight of her loss. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the dirt and blood that stained the ground beneath her.

**"No! No! Please, come back!"** she cried, her voice cracking with despair. The warmth of their presence had been her guiding light, a shield against the darkness of the world. Now that light flickered dangerously close to extinction.

Her father's last words echoed in her mind, **"You did great, Y/N."** A painful smile lingered on his lips even in the face of such mortal danger. Every moment they had spent together flooded her consciousness—the laughter, the warmth, the love; now it was ripped away, leaving a void that felt insurmountable.

Laughter faded, joy crumbled, and the reality crashed down upon Y/N. She had fought fiercely to protect them and felt powerless in the end. Overcome with grief, she crushed her fists into the ground, unwilling to face the world without her parents.

**"Why did this happen?"** she sobbed, her voice drowned in sorrow. **"You promised... you were supposed to be with me!"**

The stars above seemed to dim, mocking her pain as darkness encroached upon her senses. Just as despair began to consume her, an unfamiliar warmth enveloped her, the sensation of a comforting presence.

**Y/N, remember what we told you,** an ethereal voice whispered through the air, wrapping around her heart, soothing the ache. She felt a tremor of energy pulse within her, a bond she thought she had lost.

**"Mom? Dad?"** She looked around in confusion, but saw nothing except for the moonlight casting shadows on the ground.

**"We will always be with you in spirit, guiding you, watching you,"** the voice murmured, encasing her in warmth. **"You must harness that strength."**

Y/N closed her eyes, focusing on the love she had for her family. Their spirits resonated with her, weaving through her grief and reigniting the flame of determination within.

With newfound resolve, she wiped her tears and rose to her feet. The world would continue to move forward, and she would carry their legacy within her.

**"I will honor you,"** she swore aloud, her voice steadying. **"I will protect Jungkook and everyone I love."**

Taking a deep breath, Y/N realized that although her parents were gone, their love and strength lived on through her. She could no longer allow grief to paralyze her; instead, she would use it as a catalyst for action.

As she turned to leave the battlefield, the moonlight illuminated her path. It was time to face her future, both filled with uncertainty and hope.

......................

*back to present*

Y/N jolted upright in her bed, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. The remnants of the nightmare clung to her like a heavy fog, replaying the moments of loss and heartache that haunted her even in sleep. **"No... no!"** she gasped, wiping the tears that streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to regain her composure.

The familiar surroundings of her bedroom offered a brief sense of relief, but the emotions from the dream cost her dearly. It was a cruel reminder of the past, the pain of losing her parents still fresh and raw within her heart. She took a moment to breathe deeply, focusing on the solid reality around her.

**"It was just a dream,"** she whispered to herself, trying to calm the tempest inside. She pushed her damp hair back from her face and closed her eyes, grounding herself in the present.

Glancing at the clock, she saw that dawn was just beginning to break, soft light filtering through the sheer curtains. Y/N swung her legs over the edge of the bed and planted her feet on the hardwood floor, grounding herself in the ritual of a new day.

**"I need to be strong,"** she murmured, repeating the mantra that had become her refuge. Drawing strength from her resolve, she decided to get up, knowing she needed to be there for Jungkook.

As she moved to the kitchen, she thought of him, her brother who had faced unimaginable change and loss recently. She had promised to support him, just as their parents would have wanted.

Y/N busied herself preparing breakfast, the comforting sounds of sizzling eggs and the brewing coffee filling the kitchen. The aroma wafted through the air, a gentle reminder of normalcy amid turmoil.

Just then, she heard soft footsteps behind her. Turning, she saw Jungkook emerging from his room, his expression still slightly dazed but a hint of youthfulness breaking throughout.

to be continued

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