{HIATUS} Éternel: Between Two Worlds (#3)

i. The Way It Has To Be

Warning: This chapter contains substance abuse of alcohol.

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¹ Freedom.

Something I thought they needed, something I believed I had given to them. If only I knew it was the very thing I took away from them. From the men I loved the most, and the men who trusted me the most. But this was the way things had to be.

At least, that's what I had tried to tell myself.

The next morning, I awoke screaming, recurring nightmares of the path I had to take flooding my mind. No matter how many times I tried to explain to myself and justify that I had done the right thing, I had yet to believe it. Every waking moment was a cruel reminder of what I had to do to the people I loved the most.

It was like a swarm, infesting and overtaking my mind until the only thing I could think about was the boys' horrified faces when they woke up in an unknown place, their only memory being the horrors of being held captive by a group of sasaengs.

Using the Fategazer's Animus abilities for such a thing sent waves of guilt crashing through my body, but I knew it was for the better. Without me, the boys would be happy and safe. They wouldn't have to worry about anything anymore.

My fists clenched the bedsheets as I sat up, sweat dripping down the side of my face, my breath heavy and irregular. I glanced at the clock on my wall. 7 AM. Only a few hours of sleep. At least it was something.

I swayed my legs over the bed, letting my toes barely graze over the rug on the floor. My fingers gently touched the necklace around my neck, making sure I could still feel its energy. I inhaled deeply, taking in the familiar surroundings of my house in Earthrealm.

To avoid any prying eyes, I built the house along the borders of the Bukhansan National Forest. It was a quiet area, far away from the city. I even had a barn built in the backyard to hide myself when I used the portal to transport between realms. There was never any suspicion that I may have had another identity I was hiding. To the people of Earthrealm, I was just a normal girl.

I turned my head back, looking at the space beside me. For the first time in forever, it was empty. I was alone again, but it was for the better. It had to be this way.

Slowly standing up, I stretched my arms outwards, groaning from the cold air hitting my skin. I hadn't visited the house for an incredibly long time, so everything felt new and fresh, despite the sorrow that was weighing me down.

I stumbled out of my bedroom and walked down the hallway, making my way to the living room. After sitting down, I picked up the remote and turned on the television, the channel I opened on being an old Western film.

Sighing, a yawn slipped out and I flipped to the next channel, rolling my eyes at the B-Movie that was airing. I laughed, memories flashing back to when Jimin and I watched horror movies together in the theater.

But that was all in the past now.

When I finally reached the news stations, the first headline made me freeze. A cold chill made its way up my spine, settling into my chest, making it impossible to breathe.

BREAKING NEWS

K-POP SUPERSTARS BTS FOUND IN NATIONAL FOREST!

"Last night, an anonymous citizen reported they had found the missing idols in a privately owned cabin within the Bukhansan National Forest. Authorities were quick to arrive at the scene and gave the idols immediate medical attention. The obsessive fans who kidnapped the idols are currently in police custody. Seoul Police has not yet revealed-"