GUNS & ROSES | ꜱᴇᴠᴇɴᴛᴇᴇɴ

xxxvi. ✓

𝒙𝒙𝒙𝒗𝒊.

D-2 to the Eclipse

As I emerged from the portal, a whirlwind of emotions greeted me. Yoojung, with her unwavering support, enveloped me in a tight embrace, her worry and relief palpable. Her touch offered solace, grounding me amidst the chaos that had consumed us.

The other Kings and Elites, their eyes filled with a mixture of relief and concern, encircled us.

Yoojung's voice trembled with concern as she studied my face, searching for any signs of harm. Her genuine care washed over me, reminding me of the unwavering support we shared. "Dani, thank God you're okay," she uttered, her voice laced with genuine relief. "Are you hurt?"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I shook my head, grateful for their unwavering support. "No, I'm fine," I managed to utter, my voice tinged with gratitude.

However, amidst the respite, Seungcheol's absence lingered like a dark cloud. The image of his lifeless form haunted my thoughts, a reminder of the dangers that still lurked in the Rose Clan's clutches. The words spilled out in a choked voice, my anguish breaking through, "But Seungcheol... The Rose Clan has him."

A collective hush fell over the gathering, their expressions reflecting a mixture of concern and determination. Marku, with his wise presence, approached me, his hand resting firmly on my shoulder, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve. "You don't have to worry," he assured me, his voice carrying a soothing authority. "Seungcheol is alive. The bullet narrowly missed his vital organs."

Relief coursed through my veins, a flicker of hope rekindled within me. Seungcheol's resilience had prevailed, and there was still a chance to rescue him from the clutches of the Rose Clan.

Jihoon, ever the strategist, voiced his concern, grappling with the logistical challenges that lay ahead. "Now, what should we do?" he mused, his frustration evident. "Mr. Bae must have taken Seungcheol to the ritual site. The hill is likely heavily guarded. How are we supposed to infiltrate their defenses?"

But before we could delve into the complexities of our plan, my mind was jolted by a realization—a revelation that sent a surge of both shock and hope through my veins. "Wait," I interjected, my voice filled with a mixture of awe and urgency. "Jangmi's alive."

The atmosphere shifted, the gravity of my words sinking in. The others exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring a mix of disbelief and anticipation. Jangmi, a figure from our shared past, had reemerged from the depths of the casket, defying the confines of death.

As Marku's eyes gleamed with a profound understanding, a cascade of revelations began to intertwine, shedding light on the intricate web of deceit and manipulation. "Jangmi's death last year," he began, his voice carrying the weight of revelation, "was no mere coincidence. It must have been a meticulously orchestrated plan by Mr. Bae."

The realization sent a shiver down my spine, as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Mr. Bae, consumed by his lust for power, had woven a web of deception, using Jangmi's supposed demise as a tool to manipulate and control. It was a sinister ploy, one that had unfolded in the shadows, unbeknownst to the world.

"I'm scared we might be running out of time," I whispered, my voice trembling with worry. The weight of our mission pressed down on my shoulders, threatening to crush my spirit.

"No, don't say that," Jihoon interjected, his voice filled with determination. His eyes sparkled with unwavering resolve. "We will make it in time and save Seungcheol. We won't let anything stop us."

His words provided a glimmer of hope, but deep down, I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of impending doom. My heart raced, anxiety coursing through my veins like a relentless current. The stakes were high, and failure was not an option.

But then, Wonwoo, who had been silent since my arrival through the portal, finally spoke up. His voice held a hint of concern as he addressed me, breaking the tense atmosphere that hung heavy in the air. "Dani... you look... different."

His unexpected observation caught me off guard, and I turned my gaze towards him, my curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice laced with a mixture of confusion and apprehension.

Wonwoo's eyes bore into mine, studying me intently. His words lingered in the air, leaving a sense of unease. "There's something about you that has changed. It's hard to put into words, but it's as if a shadow has fallen upon your spirit."

My heart skipped a beat, and an icy shiver crawled up my spine.  "I don't understand. How can I look different?"

Without warning, Marku stepped forward, his eyes filled with worry. He reached out and gently grasped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. The touch sent a jolt through my body, and I could feel his concern radiating from his fingertips.

"This is not good," Marku said, his voice barely above a whisper. The Kings and the Elites, who had been listening attentively, leaned in closer, desperate for any insight. "She's truly sucking the life out of you. I guess that's how she's managed to stay alive. If this continues, Dani, there will come a point where she will consume everything, and you... you will perish."

His words hung in the air, each syllable resonating with a sinister truth. Fear gripped me, squeezing my heart in its icy clutches. The realization that my own existence was slowly fading away, consumed by an unseen force, paralyzed me with dread.

The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone absorbed the weight of Marku's revelation. The fate of Seungcheol and our mission suddenly paled in comparison to the battle I now faced within myself. Time ticked away relentlessly, each passing moment bringing me closer to the brink of oblivion. As the gravity of the situation settled in, a glimmer of determination ignited in my eyes.

"I won't let her destroy me," I declared, my voice filled with defiance. "We will find a way to stop her, to save Seungcheol, and to ensure that no one else suffers the same fate."

"We shall make our move at the break of dawn. Our dawn is hotter than day, after all," I declared, my voice resolute and unwavering. A unanimous nod rippled through the room, each member present reflecting the same unwavering determination.

The weight of our impending mission hung in the air, mingling with the collective sense of purpose. The first light of daybreak would herald the beginning of our offensive, and we knew that it was during this fiery dawn that our spirits would ignite, driving us forward with unyielding passion.

As the room buzzed with anticipation, we shared a silent understanding. Our dawn represented more than just the rising sun; it symbolized our unbreakable resolve, our unwavering loyalty to one another, and our unrelenting pursuit of justice. It was a beacon of hope, illuminating the path we must tread, no matter how treacherous it may be.

In this moment, the flicker of uncertainty that had clouded our hearts was replaced by a blazing fire of conviction. The forces that threatened to engulf us would soon bear witness to the inferno of our collective strength. With each passing second, the anticipation grew, fueling our determination to face the imminent battle head-on.

With a final exchange of resolute glances, we prepared to set forth into the dawn's embrace. The world may have been shrouded in darkness, but we were the bearers of its fiery light. As the first rays of the sun pierced through the horizon, our march would begin, and the landscape of our destiny would forever be transformed.

*****

a/n:

i read from the comment sections that some of you found my books from tiktok? that's really amazing tbh that ppl still recommend my books despite my lack of updates :') thank you for always waiting for me! i'll give my very best to finish the books :)))))