BETRAYAL | ᴛᴀᴇᴋᴏᴏᴋ

Chapter 8

Hi everyone,

I'm really excited for you to read this chapter. Jungkook's journey is getting more intense, and I hope you enjoy the twists and turns.

Happy reading!

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The man seemed to sense his fear. He took a deep breath, his face contorting with pain and determination. "It's happening," he muttered, his voice thick with strain. "I can feel it."

Jungkook’s eyes widened in terror, his body frozen in place. The man's urgency snapped him out of his daze. The man darted towards the cave's mouth, his movements urgent and desperate. "Stay here," he commanded. "No matter what happens, do not come out."

Jungkook watched, trembling, as the man began to drag large rocks to seal the entrance. His muscles bulged with the effort, and his face twisted in agony as he fought the transformation. "Help me!" he shouted, his voice raw and frantic. "We need to block this entrance, so I don't hurt you."

Though petrified, Jungkook forced himself to move, dragging rocks from the cave's sides and pushing them toward the entrance. His hands shook, and his heart pounded in his chest. As they worked, Jungkook stole glances at the man, watching in horror as the transformation progressed. The setting sun cast long shadows, and with each passing second, the changes became more pronounced.

The man’s breathing grew heavier, his face twisted in pain as he fought to control the beast within. "Hurry!" he urged, his voice a low growl. His skin started to harden, scales emerging slowly. "Just a little more!"

They worked frantically, the cave entrance slowly closing off. Jungkook saw the man's hands morph into claws, his body expanding. The man pushed the last few rocks with a final surge of strength, then turned to Jungkook, who was now struggling with the last boulder inside.

"Keep going," the man managed to say, his voice now more guttural. "Do not stop!"

Jungkook, sweating and exhausted, shoved the last boulder into place, sealing the entrance just as the sun dipped below the horizon. He looked back and saw the man fully mid-transformation. His eyes were no longer human; they were the fierce, golden eyes of the dragon.

The transformation was almost complete. The man's human form was now more dragon than man. Just as Jungkook secured the last rock, he saw the man's face elongate into a snout, scales covering his entire body. With a final, painful roar, the man became the dragon.

Jungkook stumbled back, heart pounding, as he heard the dragon's furious roars from outside. The cave's entrance was securely blocked, but the sounds of the dragon trying to break through echoed inside. Jungkook retreated to a corner, curling up as the fear overwhelmed him.

He heard the dragon clawing and roaring, trying to break in. The rocks trembled under the onslaught, but they held firm. Jungkook squeezed his eyes shut, covering his ears, trying to block out the terrifying noises.

Jungkook finally felt a sense of relief as the sounds of the dragon's roars and clawing faded away. The cave was silent now, and he was safe, at least for the moment. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool, damp air fill his lungs. The terror that had gripped him was slowly ebbing away, replaced by a cautious curiosity.

He took a moment to explore the cave, noticing its details for the first time. The walls were rough and jagged, with small patches of moss and lichen growing in the damp corners. The ceiling was high, with stalactites hanging down like jagged teeth. A small pool of water had collected in a depression in the floor, fed by a trickle of water seeping through the rocks.

Jungkook knelt by the small pool of water, his reflection shimmering on its surface. He cupped his hands and took a deep drink, feeling the cool liquid soothe his parched throat. As he drank, he couldn't help but notice his own face reflected back at him. His features were dulled by exhaustion, and yet there was a lingering beauty there, a resilience that had kept him going through this ordeal.