Sacrifice || ENHYPEN FF

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 100

~omgaaa!!!! 100 chapters!!!!~

-Start of Chapter 100-

The field is quiet. The grass is cool beneath my hands, damp with evening dew. The only sounds are the soft whispers of the wind and the occasional rustling of leaves. The moon hangs high above, casting a pale glow over everything.

But I don't see the night sky.

I see fire.

The flames rise before me, devouring everything—my home, the village, my family. I can almost feel the heat licking at my skin, hear the crackling of burning wood, the distant screams swallowed by the inferno.

Noona's voice echoes in my head.

"Riki! Run!"

I squeeze my eyes shut, my hands gripping the grass beneath me as if it'll anchor me to the present. But it doesn't.

The memories are too strong.

A twig snaps behind me. My body tenses. I quickly wipe my face with my sleeve before looking up.

Jia.

She stands there, small and hesitant, her dark eyes reflecting the moonlight. I say nothing as she takes a step closer, then another, before finally sitting beside me.

She doesn't speak right away. Instead, she looks down at her hands, as if gathering her thoughts. Then, slowly, she reaches out.

"Sir Ni-ki..." Her voice is quiet, careful. "I think you should keep this."

I look down.

The necklace.

My breath catches.

The silver chain dangles between her fingers, the crescent moon pendant swaying slightly with the wind.

I stare at it. I can't move.

"Take it." she says softly.

I hesitate.

My hands remain frozen on my lap, unwilling to reach out. I don't know why. Maybe because taking it means accepting everything—the truth, the loss, the years I spent believing she was gone.

Jia notices my hesitation.

Gently, she takes my hand in hers, her touch warm against my cold fingers. She places the necklace in my palm, then slowly folds my fingers around it, closing my hand over the pendant.

I swallow hard, opening my fingers as I run my thumb over the pendant, tracing the familiar shape. Nostalgia washes over me like a tidal wave, so strong it nearly knocks the air from my lungs.

Noona...

Jia shifts beside me. "W-What..." she hesitates before continuing, "What was she like?"

I blink. My throat tightens.

She's looking at me now, her expression open, curious. Maybe even a little afraid.

I inhale shakily. My fingers curl around the pendant.

A small, broken smile tugs at my lips.

"She was perfect," I whisper.

Jia's eyes widen slightly.

I let out a breath, my gaze drifting to the sky. "She was strong. Braver than anyone I've ever met. She always acted like she wasn't scared of anything, but I knew she was. She just didn't want me to see it."