Light and dark (bangpink)

30🌷

(This chapter will contain mentions of insecurities and killing)

JISOO
My whole body freezes as chaos erupts around me. People run toward the exits, screaming in terror and agony. The guards rally, positioning themselves to defend Gardania. And here I am, a princess meant to protect them all, standing still as if rooted to the ground.

Suddenly, someone grabs my wrist and pulls me forward. It's Jennie, her face steely and focused as she drags me toward safety, with Taehyung sprinting beside her. They're ready, of course. They've spent their entire lives fighting for our kingdom, while I've been tucked away in libraries, immersed in books.

Next to Jennie's strength and courage, I feel small—helpless, even. I'm one of the weakest princesses; the realization stings, a cold ache settling in my chest.

"Jisoo, listen to me! Are you with us?" Jin's hands are on my shoulders, shaking me gently. I snap out of my daze, nodding quickly, but I can see the worry etched into his face.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice urgent, his eyes searching mine.

I try to speak, but my voice sounds foreign—strained, unsteady. "I'm... I'm sorry. I shouldn't be—let's go. We have to protect everyone." The words tumble out, forced, as though I'm trying to convince myself as much as him.

Jin's eyes soften, and I can tell he doesn't believe my shaky resolve. Without a word, he pulls me into a hug, his grip warm and steady. "Remember, I love you," he whispers in my ear. Then he releases me, drawing his sword and charging toward the approaching monsters.

As I watch him run into battle, something shifts inside me. I can't stay frozen—not anymore.

I transform, feeling the surge of energy as my wings unfold, and I take flight, soaring straight into the chaos with Flitter by my side. She's now much larger, fierce and agile, her sharp eyes fixed ahead as we push forward, prepared for battle.

I quickly assess the situation: the monsters are emerging in waves, the weaker ones appearing first to drain our energy before the stronger and larger ones come through. Understanding their tactic, I summon a powerful wind current, sweeping through the air and taking down a group of ten in one move. Cherie joins the fray, her powers combining with mine, amplifying each gust and strike. Together, we cut through the first wave with precision and speed.

But just as we begin to catch our breath, a call comes in from Solaria: the second wave of monsters has arrived there. They're planning to infiltrate each kingdom, closing in on the center—toward the school.

Without a moment's hesitation, I climb onto Flitter's back. In the blink of an eye, we soar to Solaria, and I'm the first one on the scene. I land, determination solidifying in my chest, and I begin holding the monsters back, doing everything I can to keep them from advancing.

Soon, one by one, the rest of the knights and our group arrive, surrounding me in a unified front, ready to defend our kingdoms.

As I soar above the battlefield, the scene unfolds like a grotesque tapestry of war. Knights, once proud and valiant, now lie sprawled on the ground, their once gleaming armor tarnished and stained. The ground is a crimson canvas, splattered with the lifeblood of the fallen, pooling around them in dark, glistening puddles. Each breath of wind carries the metallic scent of blood, a reminder of the ferocity of the conflict.

Utilizing my invisibility, I glide stealthily behind the monstrous foes, my heart pounding with adrenaline. With swift, calculated movements, I strike, my blade slicing through flesh with a sickening squelch. Their cries of surprise turn into guttural screams as I unleash a flurry of attacks, each blow more brutal than the last. The ground beneath me becomes a graveyard of the vanquished, their bodies crumpling to the earth, lifeless and grotesquely contorted.

Once the last of the wretched creatures falls, I descend to join my companions, the chaos of battle still raging around us. "They have come to Zenith! We have to hurry there fast!" Jin's voice pierces through the cacophony of despair and destruction. Flitter, a blur of motion, is at my side, her speed unmatched. I leap onto her back, gripping tightly together with Lisa and Jungkook, we race towards Zenith, urgency fueling our every movement as the echoes of battle fade behind us, leaving only the haunting memories of the bloodshed.

As we arrive in Zenith, a scream escapes my lips. The ground is littered with bodies, lifeless forms sprawled across the battlefield, and a few brave guards and fairies still stand, fighting with every ounce of strength they have left.

Without hesitation, I dive into the fray, rage and sorrow fueling each strike as I attack the monstrous creatures threatening our people. My powers surge, and I summon gusts of wind that whip through the enemy ranks, knocking them off balance. Around me, Lisa and Jungkook join the fight, their fierce resolve matching my own as we push forward, determined to aid those still standing and protect the kingdom we love.

With each monster we take down, a flicker of hope begins to spark amidst the devastation, but I know we have to keep fighting if we want any chance of saving Zenith.

ROSÉ
I drop to my knees, the ground cold and rough against my skin. Jennie quickly casts a protective barrier around me, a faint glow surrounding me. I take a deep breath, feeling the energy of nature flowing through me, surging up from the earth. My hands slam down onto the ground, reaching out to the trees and roots that lie dormant beneath our feet. The trees come alive, stretching and twisting as they wrap around the monsters, squeezing them tight.

I keep my focus, feeling the trees and animals respond to my call. A feeling of determination washes over me as I know I must keep fighting. With a burst of power, I stand up just as Jennie provides me with an arrow, and I take aim. Mixing the essence into the arrow, I let it fly, watching it strike true, sending the monster it hit into a deep sleep. The animals and trees continue their attack, fighting off the remaining monsters.

"Move, move, move!" I shouted as the chaos enveloped us. Dodging the relentless assaults, I quickly crafted an arrow of healing, ensuring that the Knights and Fairies received aid for any injury.

As the battle subsided, I took a moment to catch my breath, exhausted. Jisoo approached, her voice grave as she listed the casualties. "Over 385 have fallen across Gardenia, and over 500 now bear wounds. We have no time to lose." We set off towards the neighboring kingdom.
Kingdom after kingdom, we rushed through, rescuing and healing the wounded.

The sight of our school was a gut punch, reminiscent of the horrific dreams that plagued my mind. The campus was marred by bloodshed, and the wounded and deceased numbered high. A large flower took shape in my hands, its healing powers radiating outwards, mending the injuries of those fortunate enough to be touched.

Jennie's voice cuts through the chaos, "Let's do this," she says, casting a magical shield around each person left standing.