THE CASTLE OF ASHES AND VENGEANCE
Before Taehyung could even process it, Jimin's power surged, an invisible force lifting him off his feet and hurling him to the floor. Pain detonated through his chest as he landed, a metallic taste filling his mouth as blood trickled down his chin.
Through his haze, Taehyung caught sight of Jimin's twisted smirk, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. A bitter chuckle escaped Taehyung, defiant even as pain racked his body. "Ah... karma's got jokes, doesn't it?" he murmured, blood staining his lips. "Betrayed by the one person I thought wouldn't lay a finger on me."
Jimin's voice was ice-cold, almost unrecognizable. "Keep laughing Taehyung. It won't save you. It's only a matter of time before I tear you to pieces." His words dripped with malice, his tone dark and unforgiving. "I betrayed you long ago, but you were too blind to see it--too eager to mold yourself into my shadow. But it was all in vain, wasn't it?" He leaned closer, his
expression twisted with resentment, "Because she's still alive. The ruler of shadows, the one thing I couldn't eradicate, keeps slipping through my grasp. And as long as she's breathing she'll keep getting in my way."
Taehyung struggled to his feet, his eyes locked on Jimin's darkened gaze. "You need me, Jimin. I'm the only one standing in your way to reach her."
A laugh rumbled from Jimin, deep and haunting. "Oh, Taehyung... I played you all, like puppets on strings. Your fears, your anger-it all fed me, strengthened me. Every cruel act, every innocent life destroyed, I orchestrated it. I twisted your father's mind, drove your family apart, planted the seeds of hatred between you and Jungkook." His voice dropped, venomous. "And I killed your mother, Not Jungkook, not some spirit. It was me, all so I could push you further down the path I designed."
