Path Of Thorns| Vmin Historical AU

T h i r t y T h r e e

Taehyung and Jimin strolled hand in hand across the bridge, the evening breeze dancing around them like a gentle whisper.

The sky above was a breathtaking blend of dark blue and deep purple, the first stars twinkling softly, creating a perfect backdrop for their peaceful walk back from the bustling market. The scent of fresh fruits and flowers still lingered in the air, mixing with the faint salty tang of the nearby sea.

Laughter spilled from Jimin's lips, a sound so light and carefree that it made Taehyung’s heart swell with warmth. Jimin turned to him, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he tugged at Taehyung’s hand. “Tae, give me a ride on your back, please!” he exclaimed, his playful nature shining through every word, his smile wide and innocent.

Taehyung chuckled, his heart melting at Jimin’s childlike excitement. “Alright, alright! You win!” he agreed, bending down slightly. But just as he prepared to hoist Jimin up, a dark shadow appeared at the other end of the bridge, moving with a slow, deliberate menace that sent a shiver down Taehyung’s spine.

His smile faded instantly as he recognized the figure. Eodum. The very name was like poison, a cold dread creeping over him. His body tensed, and without a second thought, he pulled Jimin behind him protectively. “Jimin, get back!” he shouted, his voice tight with urgency and fear.

Jimin blinked in confusion, his smile disappearing as he peeked around Taehyung’s shoulder. The moment his gaze locked with Eodum’s cold, unfeeling eyes, his whole body stiffened.

A flood of emotions surged through him—rage, grief, and a deep, simmering hatred that eclipsed everything else. Memories of his mother’s pain, her cries, her suffering at this man’s hands, all came crashing back with unbearable clarity. His hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms as he fought to control the overwhelming surge of anger.

“You…” he hissed, his voice trembling with barely restrained fury. “How dare you show your face here?”

Eodum’s lips twisted into a cruel smirk, his eyes gleaming with malice. “Still clinging to those childish grudges, Jimin? Just like your pathetic mother—weak and broken.”

The words cut through Jimin like a blade. Pain and rage mixed in his chest, his vision blurring with unshed tears. His mother’s face flashed before his eyes, her smile, her kindness, and then her screams… He couldn’t think straight; all he wanted was to make Eodum pay, to make him suffer for everything he had done.

“No!” Taehyung grabbed Jimin’s arm, sensing the storm brewing inside him. “Jimin, don’t—he’s trying to provoke you!”

But Jimin was beyond hearing. His heart pounded like a drum, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts. The world narrowed down to just him and Eodum, and the burning need for revenge. With a trembling hand, he raised his arm, channeling all his pain and anger into a surge of magic that crackled and sparked around him.

“You think you can come here and threaten us?” Jimin’s voice was low, filled with a dangerous, almost feral edge. “I’ll make you pay for every single thing you did to her. You’ll feel every ounce of pain you caused.”

As Jimin unleashed his magic, Eodum’s smirk faltered. His body jerked violently as the energy hit him, his face contorting in shock and pain. He stumbled back, clutching his head, a strangled cry escaping his lips.

“Jimin, stop! Please!” Taehyung’s voice broke through the chaos, his eyes wide with fear. He tightened his grip on Jimin’s arm, trying to pull him back. “You’re going to hurt yourself! This isn’t what she would have wanted!”

But Jimin couldn’t stop. His grief, his anger—it all flowed through him, consuming him. He watched with a sick, twisted satisfaction as Eodum fell to his knees, gasping for breath, blood trickling from his nose and ears. The sight, instead of bringing him relief, only fueled his rage. He pushed harder, feeling the magic burn through his veins, the power overwhelming and all-consuming.

“I’ll kill you!” Jimin’s voice echoed across the bridge, raw and filled with a dark, relentless fury. “You’ll never hurt anyone again!”

Eodum’s body convulsed, his eyes wide with terror as he realized the true extent of Jimin’s power. But even in his agony, there was a glint of triumph in his gaze. “Yes… use it all, Jimin…” he gasped out, his voice barely a whisper. “Use… all your power… and see what it costs you…”

“Jimin, don’t listen to him!” Taehyung shouted, panic gripping his heart as he watched Jimin’s body tremble with the strain. “You’re stronger than this! Don’t let him win!”

But Jimin was too far gone. His body shook violently, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The strain of maintaining the magic, of holding on to this much power, was tearing him apart. He could feel it, every muscle, every bone screaming in protest. But he couldn’t stop. Not until Eodum was gone.

The crowd from the market had gathered, their faces pale and horrified as they watched the terrifying display of power. They knew these two men were more than just ordinary people, but witnessing it was something else entirely. They whispered in fear, some backing away, others rooted in place, unable to tear their eyes away.

“Jimin, please!” Taehyung begged, tears streaming down his face now. He grabbed Jimin’s face, forcing him to look at him, desperation clear in his voice. “If you keep this up, you’ll kill yourself! Stop, please!”

But Jimin barely heard him. His vision blurred, his ears ringing. All he could feel was the burning power coursing through him, consuming him. He was drowning in it, and yet he couldn’t let go. Not yet.

With a final, desperate surge, Jimin transformed. His long silver hair shimmered in the moonlight, his eyes glowing a fierce, otherworldly purple. The air crackled around him, the ground beneath his feet trembling. He was pushing himself to his absolute limit, every fiber of his being focused on one thing: ending Eodum.

“Enough!” Jimin roared, his voice booming like thunder, shaking the very air around them. “You will pay for everything you’ve done!” He threatened to Eodum.

"Listen to me please stop this." Taehyung shouted as the wind turned stormy. But Jimin shook his hand away from Taehyung and shove him away, Taehyung flew back and stumbled on the ground at few inches away, his body hit with the wooden bridge and a sharp pain jolted through his human body.

In that moment, Jimin couldn't see anything but Eodum, he couldn't think about anything else besides his revenge. Eodum’s screams echoed across the bridge as the magic tore through him, his body convulsing violently. And then, with a sickening, final crack, his head exploded, blood and pieces of flesh scattering through the air. The crowd gasped, some covering their mouths in horror, others turning away, unable to watch.

For a moment, everything was silent. The power, the rage—it all drained away, leaving Jimin standing there, trembling, his body barely able to hold itself up. His vision blurred, darkness creeping in at the edges. He could feel his strength fading, the toll of using so much power crashing over him like a tidal wave.

“Tae…” Jimin whispered, his voice weak, barely more than a breath. His legs giving out beneath him, and then with a thud he stumbled on the ground.

“Jimin!” Taehyung’s scream tore through the air as he stood up lunged forward, held Jimin close, cradling him in his arms, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

Jimin’s head rested against Taehyung’s shoulder, his breath shallow, his skin pale and cold. The last thing he saw before the darkness claimed him was the look of utter fear and desperation on Taehyung’s face, his eyes filled with tears.

“I… I’m sorry…” he managed to whisper, his voice so faint it was almost lost in the wind.

Then, everything went black. Jimin’s body went limp in Taehyung’s arms, his consciousness slipping away, leaving Taehyung holding him tightly, his own heart breaking with fear and helplessness. “Jimin, please… wake up… please…” he whispered, his voice choked with tears, his hands trembling as he held the person he loved more than anything, terrified that he might lose him forever.