The Palace within the mind
Jungkook didn't remember falling asleep.
He only remembered the cold.
And then—he was there.
A throne room stretched before him, columns of marble drenched in moonlight. Silk banners fluttered gently from the ceilings, bearing the symbol of a blood-red moon. The walls were silent, but the air screamed with something heavy—longing, betrayal… death.
He stood in gold robes, barefoot, a circlet pressing lightly on his forehead. He looked down.
He turned.
Taehyung stood in black armor, crimson cape flowing behind him like shadow fire. His gaze was softer than it should’ve been for a war general. Jungkook took a step back, dazed.
Kim Taehyung
We don’t have much time
Meanwhile: The Ritual Begins
In the darkness of the underground dance studio, Jimin sat cross-legged in the center of a ritual circle, glowing softly with red salt and gold ink. Yoonji stood beside him, arms crossed, eyebrows pinched with worry.
Min Yoonji
This is reckless
Min Yoonji
If you pull his soul too deep, he might not come back
Park Jimin
I’m not pulling him
Park Jimin
I’m just… opening the door wider
Min Yoonji
And if Taehyung goes through first?
Jimin didn’t answer. His eyes were already glowing
In the Vision: Taehyung’s Promise
Jungkook clutched his head. His pulse roared in his ears. Images clashed—his modern dorm room, a bloodied crown, Taehyung kneeling in a storm of arrows, the sound of his own screaming—
Jeon jungkook
“Stop,” Jungkook gasped. “What is this?!”
Taehyung stepped closer, gloved hand reaching out
Kim Taehyung
You’re remembering
Jeon jungkook
I don’t want to—!
The throne behind Jungkook morphed. It cracked, vines sprouting from its stone as blood poured from its sides. The palace faded into flames. Screams echoed.
Kim Taehyung
You died because of me
Kim Taehyung
But this time, I won’t kneel
Elsewhere: Joon, Jin, Hoseok, Jackson
Namjoon slammed the ancient scroll closed
Kim Seokjin
Jin flinched. “You mean the visions?”
Kim Namjoon
No. The binding. The cycle. The same one that killed all of us last time
On the roof, Hoseok paced like a caged animal. Jackson leaned against the railing, watching the red moon climb higher.
Jackson
You still want revenge?
Jung Hoseok
Only if they make the same mistakes again
Jackson cracked his knuckles
Jackson
Then let’s make sure they don’t
With a choking gasp, Jungkook bolted upright in his bed, drenched in sweat. His fingers trembled as they reached for the fading memory. The red moon outside his window seemed to pulse.
It wasn’t his door this time
And something—someone—was asking to be let in.
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