Sacrifice || ENHYPEN FF

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 82

~The closest pic i could find to what i was imagining moonlit lillies to look like~

-Start of Chapter 82-

The sun rises then it sets again. 

The days seem to blur into each other, like a never-ending loop.

By the time, dusk falls, the light is faint, but enough to keep us going. The sky holds its last hint of colour, the streaks of orange and red against the horizon fading into shadow. 

We dismount the horses, the coolness of the evening air piercing my skin. 

Heeseung glances around, his voice serious, "There should be a lake around here somewhere" he says, "But be careful. The forest is dense. Poisonous plants, traps- anything could be hidden here"

No one questions him.

We spilt into smaller groups, scattering into the forest to look for the lake.

Jungwon, Sunghoon and I move together, the two of them immediately unsheathing their swords. I also keep my dagger in my hand.

"Stay close" Sunghoon says as we go deeper into the woods. 

The deeper we go, the darker it gets. the trees grow taller, denser, the branches a canopy above us, trapping us more into the darkness.

"It's getting darker" I whisper, my voice barely audible over the sound of the leaves crunches under our feet.

"Not completely." Jungwon replies, his gaze darting around, alert.

The silence is deadly. It feels scary to make a single noise

Suddenly a flock of birds explode out of a tree ahead, the sudden burst of sound echoing through the forest.

The rush of wings is deafening and before I even realize what's happening, two swords cross in front of me. 

Jungwon and Sunghoon.

Their swords gleam in whatever it left of the dying fading light, forming an instant barrier, between me and whatever they think is coming. My heart jumps and I blink, stunned.

"What-" my voice wavers.

"Stay behind us" Jungwon orders sharply, not even looking back at me.

I scoff, "It's just birds." 

"Whatever. They could still hurt you" Jungwon says.

A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips, as I see this new side of Jungwon.

Did Jay add something else to that ointment?

Sunghoon doesn't lower his sword. His eyes stay fixed on the tree, scanning it like he's expecting something—or someone—to appear. "This forest feels wrong" he says under his breath.

"Nah shit." I mutter sarcastically under my breathe.

The silence stretches on, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves overhead. The birds are long gone, but the unease they left behind lingers.

"Let's keep moving" Sunghoon finally says, his tone clipped.

Jungwon lowers his sword but keeps it ready, his posture tense. Neither of them seems ready to relax, and I can't blame them. There's something about this forest—it's too quiet, too still.

After what feels like an eternity, the trees start to thin out, and we step into a clear opening.

"There." Jungwon says, his tone firm but relieved.