𝚁𝚘𝚕𝚕 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙳𝚒𝚌𝚎: 𝚀𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚌𝚔

🅞🅝🅔 🅓🅞🅦🅝

18. ONE DOWN

『 Kyujin's POV 』

I felt like one of those witches in fairytales—the ones who chant nonsense until the world crumbles at their feet.

That was me.

Hovering above the volcano, absorbing sunlight like my life depended on it. Maybe it did. Sunoo, in contrast, was deep in the pitch-black core of the volcano, soaking in shadows.

Then, something shifted. My senses sharpened to an impossible degree. I could hear an insect flapping its wings miles away. I could see through realms like looking through glass.

This is insane.

Yuna signaled me down. Everything was ready. But I was momentarily distracted by Sunoo. His eyes had turned a murky black, an eerie mist curling around him like a second skin.

“The two of you look all-powerful now,” Jini commented.

“Yeah, like night and day in human form,” Enya added. When did those two become besties?

Sunoo beat me to it. “When did you two become besties?”

“Enya taught me a lot about fire powers. Besides, she’s fun,” Jini replied.

“Awww, thanks. You’re fun too,” Enya said, smiling. “It’s nice talking to someone who understands fire.”

“Guys, let’s start.” Yuna’s voice cut through the moment as she began the incantation. The stone pulsed, and a deep purple glow radiated from her.

Jini shifted in place, ready to grab the stone. Enya stood next to it, looking unusually solemn.

Sunoo and I channeled our power, and the energy funneled into Yuna. A sphere of red light formed in her hands.

"Jini, Enya, NOW!" Yuna commanded.

Jini snatched the stone, and Sunoo, Yuna, and I directed the raw energy into Enya.

Then… nothing.

Jini frowned. "That’s it? No earthquake? No blinding light? I expected us to collapse or at least for the volcano to explode.”

Yuna laughed. “Thank god that didn’t hap—”

She dropped like a stone.

“YUNA!” Sunoo lunged, catching her before she hit the ground. “Shit, she’s burning up.”

“Kyujin, get Sullyoon!” Jini barked, barely holding Enya upright.

I didn’t waste a second. Flying out of the volcano, I barely registered Jiwoo’s voice before I found Sullyoon.

"Yuna collapsed!" I gasped.

Sullyoon rushed inside, Huening Kai right behind her. Sus...

I turned to Edlynne. “Did the realm change? Is anything wrong?”

“No. It looks like your plan worked,” she said, though her expression was tight with concern.

“You mean Yuna’s plan.” My chest felt heavy.