Win No Matter What

CHAPTER 36 - THE RESCUE PARTY

Nam Joon is usually more eloquent with words, and hearing "that thing" surprised everyone. Yoongi wondered whether Nam Joon was more worried about the events that were about to unfold than he let on. They all stare at the waterfall, wondering what lies behind it, awaiting further instructions.

Jung Kook speaks first, "We haven't encountered any demons or malspirits on the way here, so they must not be aware that we found the second portal. Let me go check behind the waterfall. Don't worry, I won't go inside, I'll just take a peek."

The rest of the guys watch as Jung Kook runs over to the bottom of the falls and peeks behind it.

"It's pretty dark so I can't see much, but it looks like there's a cave beyond here. Come on everyone, should be easy enough for us all to go through, no problem," he reports.

"Ok, lead the way Jung Kook but don't go too far ahead. Wait for us," instructs Nam Joon.

The TXT boys are the first to follow Jung Kook inside with the rest of the Bangtan guys lined up behind them. They continue through the cave in silence, mainly to stay alert in case there are any more surprise attacks. But also, the TXT guys are respectfully quiet knowing that they are there to help rescue one of the Bangtan hyungs. Each person is lost in his own thoughts.

This is it, this is actually happening. We're actually going to face Lord Luciferous.

I wonder how Ji Min and Rumi are. I hope we won't be too late.

I hope we will be able to defeat the demons.

Will we actually be able to fight off Ji Min's father? What if things don't end well?

What if Ji Min becomes one of them? What will happen then?

We're really in the demon realm. I never thought I'd ever be fighting malspirits in my life.

I can't believe Ji Min hyung could become a demon king! That's not right, he belongs with Bangtan.

Whatever happens, we cannot let that prophecy become fulfilled.

Why is it so cold in here?

Eventually, they find themselves gathered around the same pool of water as Ji Min and Rumi had previously. This time there is no traitorous figure to show them where to go next. They all quickly look around and it's Ho Seok who speaks first, "I can see another opening there on the left." 

Quietly, they follow in the footsteps of Ji Min and Rumi, eventually staring at the many arched openings.

"Should we split into groups and see where each of these lead to?" Soo Bin suggests.

Nam Joon shakes his head, "No, we stand a better chance of defeating Lord Luciferous and rescuing Ji Min and Rumi if we stick together."

"Then which way should we go? There are too many entrances," says Seok Jin.

"Hang on! My bracelet has started to blink again. Ji Min must be close by," Yoongi interjects. He points his wrist towards the archways on the right and then on the left. It lights up strongly when aimed towards the room in which Ji Min and Rumi had last encountered Lord Luciferous.

"Ok, stay alert. We know they're nearby so look or listen out for any signs of either of them," instructs Nam Joon. "And brace yourselves. We don't know what lies before us. Let's hope Ji Min and Rumi are both ok and we're not too late."

The room is completely empty except for some scattered chairs. Nothing there to give away the fact that, just a couple of hours ago, it had been filled with demons all hailing Lord Luciferous, who then subdued Ji Min and Rumi. The guys follow the steady signal from Yoongi's bracelet which takes them through the room and hallway, down a spiral stairwell. As they carefully make their way down the narrow steps, low-pitched chanting can be heard in the distance.

Nam Joon, who's leading at the front, holds his hand up signalling everyone to stop. He strains to listen to the chants and then indicates that everyone remains silent. They continue down the last few steps and creep to the right along the side of a wall, keeping out of view. The sounds can be heard clearly now, coming from the room on their left. Nam Joon checks discreetly to see who is doing the chanting and then quickly snaps his head back.

Looking at the others, he whispers in desperation, "Guys we have no time to lose, it's happening now."