Sacrifice || ENHYPEN FF

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 113

~apologise for the late updateeeee. Just been feeing very down and demotivated for the past week~

-Start of Chapter 113-

The afternoon sun casts a golden glow over the duelling grounds, painting long shadows across the stone floor. I stand off to the side with Jay, arms crossed as we watch Jake and Sunghoon face off in the middle of the training room.

The tension crackles between them-but not the dangerous kind. This is familiar, competitive... stupidly competitive.

Jake lunges forward with quick, calculated steps, his expression fierce with determination. But in the blink of an eye, Sunghoon disappears-teleporting-and suddenly appears behind him, tapping Jake's shoulder with a smug grin.

"Are you kidding me?!" Jake spins around, already fuming. "You used your teleportation powers again! That's cheating!"

Sunghoon scoffs, crossing his arms lazily. "Cheating? Seriously? You literally used your elemental manipulation to blast me with a mini-hurricane two seconds ago."

"It wasn't a hurricane-it was strategy!" Jake fires back, glaring. "It's not my fault you're weak against a little breeze!"

"Little?! You nearly blew me off the platform!" Sunghoon snaps, stepping closer like he's ready to restart the duel with fists this time.

I can't help but chuckle, shaking my head at their ridiculousness. "You two bicker more than my brothers" I murmur.

Jay, standing beside me, lets out a sigh and strides forward, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, enough. You're both dramatic. You're supposed to be practicing, not starring in some tragic soap opera."

But before I can enjoy the brewing chaos any longer-cough.

A sharp tickle scratches at my throat. I cough lightly into my hand, thinking it's nothing. Just the dust from the arena.

But then it hits harder. Cough. Cough.

A deep, burning pain claws through my chest. My knees wobble.

No... not now.

I clutch my stomach, stumbling forward as the coughs turn violent, ripping through my lungs like knives. My hand shoots up instinctively-and that's when I see it.

Black blood.

Staining my palm. Dark, thick, poisonous.

The world tilts. The ground rushes up to meet me.

Before I can fully collapse-whoosh!

Strong arms catch me.

"My Lady!" Sunghoon's voice is tight with panic as he teleports straight to my side, one hand gripping my shoulder, steadying me as I sway weakly in his hold. His eyes-wide and terrified-scan my face for any sign of stability.

Jake and Jay are there in an instant. The bickering is gone. Their playful annoyance has dissolved into pure fear.

The coughs begin to slow, but every breath feels like fire.

"I'll take her to her room" Jay says quickly, voice calm but urgent. "I'll get her some medicine."

Sunghoon doesn't let go. His grip on me tightens like he's afraid I'll disappear if he lets go for even a second. "I'm coming too." His voice is low and fierce-no room for argument.