The Enchanted Warriors (Dragon Riders AU)

69🖤

As they reached the fork in the path, Jungkook came to an abrupt halt, his entire body tensing.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath.

The others skidded to a stop, their curses mixing together in hushed whispers. A shroud of unease coiled around the group, pressing down like a storm about to break.

"What... what are they?" Y/N's voice cracked as she caught sight of something shifting in the darkness.

Before she could say another word, Jungkook grabbed her and yanked her against him, pressing a firm hand over her mouth. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, not just from fear-but from how close he was. His breath was warm against her skin as he leaned in.

"They can hear us," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N swallowed hard, her chest rising and falling against his.

A suffocating tension clung to the group, thick as mist. The whispers in the wind grew louder, slithering through the trees like unseen predators.

Jungkook tightened his grip on Y/N, his hand still covering her mouth as his sharp eyes darted between the paths. She could feel the tension in his body-coiled, ready to strike. Slowly, he loosened his hold, but his fingers brushed against her jaw before pulling away, leaving her breath caught in her throat.

Yoongi turned, his sharp eyes scanning the way they had come. "We can't go back that way," he said grimly.

"And we can't go forward either," Jimin added, his voice tight.

"They're coming," Jungkook warned, his eyes locked ahead.

Jimin's head snapped back. "They're behind us too."

A cold wind swept through the trees, carrying a whisper-no, a hiss. The shadows around them seemed to shift, twisting unnaturally, closing in.

They are trapped

"We'll have to fight," Hanbin said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We clear the front and push forward."

"We don't even know how many there are," Namjoon countered, his voice tight with urgency. "And without our dragons, it'll be a disaster."

Hanbin shot him a sharp look. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"We don't have time for this," Jimin interrupted, his breath visible in the freezing air as he lifted a hand. Ice crackled at his fingertips before surging forward, freezing the advancing creatures in their tracks.

Y/N took the chance to rip Jungkook's hand away from her mouth. "The eastern path! We still have a way out-"

Before she could finish, Jungkook's hand was back, clamping over her mouth. His dark eyes burned into hers as he leaned close.

"Shut up," he hissed.

She glared at him, her words muffled against his palm. "Better than dying here," she murmured, her breath warm against his skin.

Jungkook's jaw clenched. He knew she was right.

And the vax was getting closer.

Hanbin unleashed his power, fire erupting in twin streams on either side of Tori. The flames roared past her but never touched her, their heat making her hair whip around wildly.

She stood frozen, her eyes wide with horror.

A guttural scream pierced the air.

Behind her, a Vax writhed in agony, its shadowy form twisting as Hanbin's fire consumed it. It had been too close-just a breath away from grabbing her.