𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱☪ - Taegyu

Episode IX

"Sith!" Clasping their lightsabers, the Padawan retained their composure. But they were one pace late, the Sith swung his palm open, all three of them were hung in the air, colliding with the wall behind with a thud.

Despite pain, Taehyun fluttered his eyes to evaluate the situation– Not far from them, Jungkook was sprawling over the floor, unconscious, after the Sith brutally expelled him from the security room. On the other side, he saw the dark shadow threatening to edge closer, but was hindered by an arm grabbing his calf– The arm belonged to Jimin, though injured, he crept on the floor, holding the Sith back.

Needless to say, the action itself was hitting a rock with eggs. The Sith restrained Jimin's breath by the Force, choking him effortlessly.

In that parsec, the slaughter was momentarily distracted by a blow– Taehyun erupted from his place, striking the Sith from the back. A cross of crimson and azure: their lightsabers met, clashing in a flurry of sparks. While so, Taehyun cleverly created an opening, allowing his comrades to check on Jimin and Jungkook.

"A challenger." The Sith mused with a wicked smile, parrying his attack with ease.

Immediately, reality dawned upon the Padawan– Taehyun found himself a total amateur. His own bladework, while sincere, appeared basic, even clumsy. Taehyun took in the Sith's obsidian eyes, together with scars on his pale face that held countless wars. He recognized a huge gap between him and the dark Force master. If the Sith ceased toying with him, his life would meet its end by any time.

Even before Taehyun could decipher his enemy's form, the Sith looted his psyche. "I remember you," the devil hissed, carving his words into the Padawan's consciousness, "Helpless, reined by love, a puppet strung by your feelings..."

Can't deny, fear was seeping through the boy as the Sith read him like an open book.

"But with that feeble power of yours, you'll protect no one!"

The Sith's harsh judgment infiltrated the novice, spiraling into a mental flashback– There, Taehyun was transported back to the humble hut of his childhood, where his younger self was kneeling beside his ailing mother's bed. Tears stained his cheeks. An early moment sparked him with the desire for greater strength.

In the next breath, his memory shifted to the halls of the Jedi Temple where he stumbled upon a weeping Beomgyu. His heart ached for the boy, yet it turned out Beomgyu was shielding him.

"I can bestow upon you the power." Like cacophony, the Sith further whispered into his soul, "Safeguard all that you hold dear." The more Taehyun resisted the temptation, the more he found it irresistible. Because the Sith was right–

I am far from being enough!

The Padawan faltered in his own dilemma.

With each successive onslaught, the weight grew beyond endurance. The Sith deftly breached his mind and physique, pressing him against the coldness of the wall. Taehyun found himself ensnared in the clutches of the Sith, barely guarding his own life. It was only a matter of time that he was disarmed.

When it seemed all hope was fading, a blaze of sapphire flashed before them– Beomgyu entered the fray, interposing himself between Taehyun and the Sith. His own lightsaber slashed fiercely to protect his soulmate.

Despite retaliation, Beomgyu, with grace and agility, held his ground. Every movement remained fluid according to Master SUGA's teachings.

"Impressive! You adopted the form of your Master. But your elegance is only meant to impress the boy you so dearly cherish." The Sith warded off his attack effortlessly, redirecting his interest against Beomgyu. He scrutinized the Padawan, "Poor thing. The Jedi's rigid form has confined your true potential."