The Untold Truth \ Ateez

Chapter 28: The Edge of Despair

Seonghwa's Perspective

Seonghwa walked beside Hongjoong, his expression set in a determined frown. The burden of leadership weighed heavily on him, compounded by the knowledge of what their friends had suffered. His gaze remained fixed ahead, though his mind was troubled by the recent happenings.

The enemy had employed psychological warfare with ruthless efficiency. Objects that belonged to the princesses—an intricately woven bracelet, a well-loved book—had been left in their path. Each item was a cruel reminder of their failures and the suffering of their friends.

Seonghwa's fists clenched at his sides. The illusions were the worst part. They were forced to confront visions of their friends in distress, screaming for help, bound and tortured in scenes that seemed all too real. The images haunted his dreams and tainted his waking hours. They were not just fighting physical enemies; they were battling their own fears and doubts.

Lisa's Perspective

Lisa, a fierce warrior with a sharp mind, was beginning to feel the cracks in her normally unshakable demeanor. She had been a pillar of strength for the group, but the psychological warfare was starting to take its toll. Her usually vibrant eyes were dimmed by exhaustion, her movements less certain.

The enemy's illusions had created a chasm between her and the rest of the group. They had seen visions of themselves, twisted and grotesque, appearing as their own worst fears. Lisa had seen herself failing, unable to protect those she cared about. The vividness of the illusions made it hard to distinguish reality from nightmare.

As they walked, Lisa's gaze flickered to the others. New Jeans, with their youthful energy, seemed subdued, their usual light-heartedness overshadowed by the oppressive atmosphere. She noticed their tense exchanges and the growing frustration among them.

New Jeans' Perspective

The members of New Jeans—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—had always been a source of cheer and resilience. But even they were feeling the strain. Their usually playful banter was replaced by strained silence or whispered arguments.

Minji tried to keep morale up, her voice forced into a tone of optimism that did little to mask her own anxiety. "We've been through worse," she said, though her voice lacked conviction. The items and illusions had shaken their sense of security, making it hard to focus on the path ahead.

Danielle, usually the most composed, was struggling with the weight of the false trails they had been led down. "We're being played with," she said bitterly, her frustration evident. "None of this feels real anymore."

Wooyoung's Perspective

Wooyoung, who had always been the emotional core of the group, was now withdrawn, his usual exuberance replaced by a heavy silence. The guilt of not being able to protect the princesses was eating away at him. Every illusion, every object left behind, was a sharp reminder of his perceived failures.

He had stopped responding to the others' attempts at communication. His eyes were hollow, focused on nothing in particular. He had always been the one to rally the group, to lift their spirits, but now he was the one who needed support, and he couldn't bring himself to ask for it.

Yunho's Perspective

Yunho, ever the strategist, was increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress. His mind raced as he tried to piece together their next move, but the constant barrage of false leads and manipulative illusions was making it difficult to form a coherent plan. He knew that their enemies were playing with their minds, and it was working.

He could see the toll it was taking on the group. Arguments had become more frequent, and the sense of unity that had once been their greatest strength was eroding. He tried to mediate, but his own doubts were creeping in, and he found himself struggling to maintain his composure.