Outworld Mission

6-Epiphania

Jungkook slowly opened his eyes.

At first, his vision was nothing but a blur, like the remnants of a fading dream. He blinked several times, trying to clear his sight, but the world around him remained distorted. His heart pounded in his chest, fear rising with every passing moment.

"Jungkook..." A voice, soft yet full of warmth, called out to him.

The sound was familiar, so achingly familiar. Jungkook...

"I-I'm alive?" he whispered weakly, the words escaping his cracked lips as he struggled to comprehend his surroundings.

"Yeah... you are."

The voice-he didn't need to open his eyes to recognize it. The warmth, the steady cadence, the authority that lingered beneath it... He knew exactly who it was. It was Jin.

"My eyes... I can't see you..." Jungkook murmured, a sense of helplessness creeping into his words.

"It's okay," Jin's voice soothed, the tenderness flowing through each syllable. "You need more rest. You've consumed all your energy. This is the outcome when you don't listen to me... But for now, close your eyes. Sleep."

"I just want to see you... but you-"

Before Jungkook could finish, the figure of the king turned his back, walking away without a second glance.

"Go to sleep," Jin said, his tone softer now, almost like a quiet command. "I need to go. But I'll be back soon."

"Wait! Jin-!" Jungkook tried to call out, but the figure of the King vanished in an instant, leaving only emptiness behind.

His heart ached with a pain he couldn't name, the hollowness of not being able to reach him. He wanted to stop him, to beg for him to stay, but the man wasn't there anymore.

With a heavy heart, Jungkook closed his eyes again. He didn't have the strength to fight it. Almost as if by magic, his body succumbed to the overwhelming exhaustion, and he drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

---

The wind howled, a violent storm of blue dust and red mist, swirling in the air, revealing the figure of the Prince.

King Seokjin, standing tall and immovable, could sense it before he even turned his head. The Prince had arrived. Without turning his body, the King raised his gaze ever so slightly, knowing exactly who stood behind him. His posture remained firm and regal, but there was a glint of something darker in his eyes.

Prince Jimin stood behind him, bowing his head respectfully, but Seokjin could feel the tension in the air, the weight of the unspoken words.

"Your Majesty," Prince Jimin said, his voice calm but laced with urgency.

"I didn't summon you, Prince Jimin," Seokjin replied, his voice low and commanding. "What brings you here?"

His words were heavy with authority, the voice of a ruler who had once commanded the kingdom of fire and still held that same indomitable power.

Prince Jimin inhaled deeply, then spoke again, his tone measured, though with a hint of concern.

"My King, the Shamans... they are asking to see the bearer. His wounds need tending, and-" Jimin paused, his eyes flickering with a quiet unease. "My King... you also need to regain the energy you lost in the incident."

Seokjin's eyes hardened, his gaze turning cold as he faced the Prince. His words were like ice, unyielding and filled with fury.

"So they still think they can fool their King?" His voice was a whisper, but it held the weight of a thousand storms. "They are the ones responsible for Jungwah's suffering. After all this time... you should know by now what is truth and what is lie. But fine... Let them see him. And you know what to do, Jimin. I am giving you full power to deal with the rest."