The Black Fox & The White Tiger

Monochrome Universes

A/N : Contemplating ending this sooner than expected because I feel like it'll be a good end at chapter 40 and then maybe make the trilogy happen like I wanted. Or do u guys want a longer story but an open ending that connects to the next book?

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After putting Minhyun and Dongho into a single bed, Baekho contemplated whether to leave them alone or not. What if he comes back again? Xiyeon had taken his bracelet to improve it so he didn't have much of a choice. He sat beside their bed and started rubbing his hand together nervously. The other was really strong and skillful. How was he ever going to win him? Much less get rid of him? He didn't even stand a chance against him earlier. The blonde Minhyun didn't have any advice on how to beat him too. He groaned into his hands, frustrated at himself. Why was he so weak? He couldn't protect Minhyun and now another one got hurt in front of him. Still, being able to meet that guy again made him feel like he was actually getting closer to his Minhyun. He had some progress.

He heard a groan coming from the bed and looked up from his hands. Minhyun opened his eyes and shut them again before opening them to look at Dongho who was beside him. Then his eyes travelled to Baekho who gave him a small smile. Minhyun tried to sit up but the pain made him frown and Baekho quickly got up to help him up.

"Where is that guy?" Minhyun asked once he was seated up.

"He got away," Baekho replied. Minhyun nodded and looked at Baekho.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"Huh? Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You sound angry. And you don't look the most happy now." Baekho was surprised. He didn't realise he had sounded angry.

"I'm okay. I am just angry at myself. You got hurt and I still can't find Minhyun."

"Don't blame yourself for me getting hurt. You may look alike but you weren't the one who hurt me."

"What happened?" Baekho asked, pulling his chair closer to sit nearer.

"I was going to take a nap when he appeared in my room. I fought him, thinking I would be able to win but..." Minhyun looked at the condition of his room. The furnitures were all out of place and his stuff were either on the floor or had fallen over. "Well, you can see the aftermath of the fight." Baekho glanced back and nodded.

"How did you get hurt?"

"His baton. It had a sharp tip. I guess he was surprised at how adamant I was at trying to stop him. Getting hurt actually made him stop attacking me and gave you guys time to help me so I'm guessing he didn't actually mean to do that." Baekho squeezed his hands and nodded. He didn't mean to hurt Minhyun? He wasn't sure why he felt angry over that yet relieved in some ways to know he probably wouldn't hurt his Minhyun then.

"Hey, Minhyun, why won't the others help? I don't get it. Xiyeon keeps talking about him being a parasite and all that but what is actually going to happen if they do help?" He wanted to know even if he probably wouldn't understand.

"This universe that you are currently in can be called as the hub of all universes. We oversee things from here and if there are any anomalies, we are sent over to get rid of them. But it's different if the anomaly is in our own universe. If we get destroyed, our existence all across the other universes gets destroyed too."

"What? Why?"

"You could call us the mother brain of all of our existences. If we die, the rest die too."

"That's just cruel...."

"Perhaps so but that's just how our universe is made. And that Baekho poses a threat because his own universe itself is already destroyed and thus making him an enigma in existence. We don't know what would happen if he suddenly tries to kill a whole lot of us."

"Wait. His universe is gone?"

"Yes. What's left of it is just the lingering souls of those who can't move on," Minhyun replied. Baekho guessed he could understand why they didn't want to help now. They were all scared. He sighed and leaned back against the chair.

"How old are you even?" Baekho asked.

"As old as this universe is. But that doesn't mean I get into a lot of fights. And his universe was uniquely designed in the way where their citizens were overpowered. If I can't win, neither can you."

"Then... what should I do? What does Xiyeon mean to trap him in my universe and cut off all connections?"

"It means to desert your universe. Make it it's own mother hub where nothing else exists on the same field of existence. That way he would be unable to travel between worlds but it would also mean you would be unable to do so too."

"Is that possible?"

"It is... but it also has its own risks."

"That means I can't ever meet the others again?" Minhyun raised his brows, that much he was capable of.

"The others?"

"Yeah. The other Minhyuns and Baekhos and you too. And him." Baekho motioned to Dongho.

"You won't be able to.... I'm sorry."

"But at least you guys will be safe... I think I can live with that. Thank you, Minhyun. I'll go meet Xiyeon now." He started getting up from his chair.

"Baekho."

"Yes?"

"Stay safe. For yours and your Minhyun's sake. If you really can't do it, it's fine to give up." Baekho gave him a sad smile.

"I can't give up. Not when there are others counting on me too. But thank you. Good bye, Minhyun. I wish we could meet again but... that seems unlikely now." Baekho bowed and Minhyun nodded. He watched as the other left the room.

"Don't die...."

Baekho had decided. He was going to do all he could to help the rest and save Minhyun. He still worried about going against the male himself but there was no time to back out now. He entered Xiyeon's room and the other was glad he appeared. She handed him his own bracelet back and gave him a new bag of bracelets as well.

"For the rest. When you save them."

"Hey, Xiyeon. What'll happen if I fail?"

"Then that Baekho would have his way with whatever he's doing to all the Minhyuns there."

"Is there really no other way? Like trapping him back in his own universe?"

"I'm afraid that would be too risky to send you there. His universe is in tatters. Nothing can be salvaged from there either. Enough questions. Are you ready?"

"Yes."