The next three chapters (including this one) will be filled with fighting scenes, so there will likely be some trigger warnings. Please proceed with caution.
I'll probably release the bonus chapters tomorrow and the epilogue on November 25th (yes... the date when we'll know the fate of NewJeans). Let's hope for the best. I don't want them to suffer again.
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The morning of the departure was filled with solemn and concern. Y/n and Minji stood by the door as their housemates gathered around to send them off. Hyein, with her usual optimistic spark, gave a confident nod. "You two are coming back in one piece, okay? You're, like, the strongest people I know. If anyone's got this, it's you," she said, hands on her hips and grinning as if nothing could go wrong.
Dani and Haerin hovered closer, their expressions full of concern as they rattled off practical advice, like older siblings would. "Okay, if it's cold, make sure to layer up, don't just rely on magic, you can't be wasting it on that," Dani instructed, her voice stern but soft. "And don't forget to ration your food," Haerin chimed in. "I know you two can handle yourselves, but just... be smart, okay? Look out for each other." They said it like they always had, but this time, their words seemed to catch a bit in their throats, as if holding back the real worry they felt.
Minji hugged each of them, trying to ease their worry. Hanni, who'd been standing quietly nearby, stepped forward, pulling Minji into a tight hug. Her arms wrapped around her as though she could somehow shield her from everything that lay ahead. "You better be careful out there, alright? We've got plans when you get back," Hanni whispered, a little laugh slipping out. She pulled away, looking Minji in the eyes for a long, before she finally turned to Y/n.
With a long, resigned sigh, Hanni approached her. Y/n had never seen Hanni look so torn between worry and hope, it was as though she wanted to say everything and nothing all at once. Reaching up, Hanni gently patted Y/n's head, brushing a loose strand of hair away. "Take care of each other out there," she murmured, "You know we'll be here waiting for you. Both of you." Her hand lingered on Y/n's shoulder. Hanni's gaze softened, and with a last, heavy sigh, she stepped back, hiding her own fears within her calm smile.
The last looks, the touch, the way each housemate looked at them, all of it settled into Y/n's heart as they turned toward the path ahead. Their housemates stood by the doorway, watching Y/n and Minji's back until they were nowhere to be seen.
-
As they arrived at Diture Coast, the Elites stood in a quiet circle. They took turns strengthening each other's resolve, clasping hands, and speaking words of protection.
Yujin raised her hand, her voice a bit softer than usual. "None of us are strangers to danger, but this one's different. For each of us, for those waiting at home, we're going to make it out of this, together."
And together, they closed their eyes and prayed, each silently making promises of safety and return.
When they finally reached Suto Coast, the scene felt surreal. The sparkling waters were breathtaking, with the early morning light casting a soft glow over the shoreline. It was Minji's first time here, and for a moment, the mission seemed a distant thought as she gazed out over the beauty of the coast. Her voice was hushed, as she murmured to Y/n, "If only this...this terrible thing didn't exist. We could be here with the others, just taking it all in. Imagine spending a summer like this, just...enjoying everything."
Y/n turned to her, "Then let's make it happen," she said. "Let's promise to come back, to see this place again. We'll come back here together and make real memories, happy ones."
Minji's gaze softened, gripping Y/n's hand tightly.
-
The Elites advanced cautiously toward the base, using the same route as before, eyes scanning every shadow and movement. However, it was strangely quiet, given that their raid had been anticipated. Soobin kept communicating telepathically, signaling no signs of an ambush on their current path. It felt unnatural, especially as they neared the base, and the lack of opposition made them uneasy.
When they finally arrived at the main gate, their suspicion deepened. The guards stationed there looked genuinely shocked to see them, almost as if they hadn't expected anyone to find them so soon. The soldiers scrambled to form a line of defense, raising their weapons in disarray. Without missing a beat, the Elites' knights sprang into action, engaging with the guards. The clash of swords and magic rang through the air as the Elites moved swiftly, slipping past the fray and infiltrating the base.
Inside, an eerie silence greeted them. They scanned each hallway, every corner, as they proceeded toward the main room. When they finally entered, they found the room mostly empty, with only a single man cowering in a corner. His eyes were wide with terror as he stammered incoherently, pointing toward the door. Yujin stepped forward, demanding an answer, and the man barely managed to stutter out his words.
"H-he's gone... The beast... he left, just,- just as you arrived... Headed for the kingdom, where you wouldn't... wouldn't stop him."
The words hung heavy in the air. Chaewon's eyes narrowed, and Y/n clenched her fists in frustration. They'd been outsmarted, of course the beast didn't care about his subordinates. Lured them into this empty base to buy the beast time for a direct attack on the kingdom while they were stranded here. But if the beast had just left, he couldn't have gotten far.
Without a second thought, the Elites turned and sprinted out of the building, rushing back into the forest. They followed the faint traces of disturbed earth and broken branches, adrenaline driving them forward. But as they pressed deeper, Soobin's voice echoed telepathically in their minds, tinged with urgency. Something's wrong. I sense movement... too much movement up ahead.
Just as the realization hit, figures emerged from the shadows, soldiers lying in wait, hidden among the trees. The ambush sprung up around them in a blur, cutting off their path and surrounding them on all sides. The Elites' formation tightened instinctively, their weapons drawn as they braced themselves. The forest suddenly exploded with the sounds of clashing steel, shouts, and the hum of magic.
Yujin moved to Y/n's side, throwing up a barrier of energy as arrows flew from the cover of the trees. "So much for an empty base," she muttered.
Yeonjun leapt forward, cutting through a wave of soldiers, his strikes quick and brutal, while Kai shifted to his caladrius form, diving from above to disorient their attackers. Soobin coordinated them with sharp, focused instructions, his voice calm even in the chaos. "Y/n, Minji, take the left flank! Chaewon, cover us with your flames!"
It felt like they were running out of time. The ambush was only a distraction, meant to delay them long enough for him to reach the kingdom. They knew that they had to break through.
When they managed to deal with the soldiers, something dark suddenly passed over them.
The moment the beast appeared, its sheer presence was enough to make the air feel heavy. Towering over them, it was a fusion of raw muscle and dark magic, emitting aura that seemed to drain light and hope from the surrounding forest. The Elites held their ground, each of them instinctively taking their positions. But despite their courage, a chill crept down their spines as they took in the creature's massive form, surrounded by an ominous energy.
"So, the kingdom has sent its loyal dogs," the beast's guttural voice taunted, dripping with malice. "Come to me then, one step closer, and you'll fall like all the others."
The beast lifted its clawed hand, and dark tendrils of magic shot forward, tearing through the air toward the Elites. Y/n felt the surge of magic building before it hit, and her instincts kicked in. She dove to the side, barely avoiding a jagged burst of energy that left a deep scar in the earth. The others scattered in time, and Soobin's voice echoed in their minds. Everyone, stay sharp! The beast's using both magic and brute force, keep your distance and wait for an opening!
With a feral grin, the beast hurled the sphere toward them. It split mid-air, fragmenting into dozens of smaller, darting orbs that homed in on each Elite with terrifying speed. Each orb left a trail of smoldering shadows in its wake, bursting into dark flames as they collided with the ground and surrounding trees, leaving deep gouges and smoldering pits.
"Scatter!" Soobin's voice echoed in their minds, his telepathic command sharp with urgency.
The team broke formation, diving in all directions to avoid the homing orbs. Minji rolled to the side, narrowly dodging a blast as it incinerated the ground where she'd just been standing. She barely had time to catch her breath before another orb sped toward her, forcing her to deflect it with her blade. The impact jolted up her arm, but she managed to hold steady.
"Is everyone alright?" Kai shouted, his caladrius form already darting through the sky, trying to draw some of the orbs away from the others.
"I'm fine!" Chaewon called back, raising a wall of fire that intercepted several orbs, their shadows dissipating as her flames consumed them. But she was tiring, the constant bombardment of dark magic was taking a toll, and the beast didn't seem to be letting up.
As Y/n dodged another orb, she glanced at Yujin, who was still searching for an opening to reach the beast. But the beast, with its sharp instincts, seemed to be guarding itself fiercely, sensing that Yujin's touch posed a significant threat. Each time she got close, a new wave of dark energy erupted from it, forcing her back.
Seeing Yujin's struggle, Y/n took a deep breath. She clenched her fists, flames sparking around her hands as she wove a spell that would enhance her speed and agility. "I'll draw its attention. Keep an eye out for any opening!"
Y/n charged forward, dodging another cluster of orbs and drawing the beast's gaze. It snarled, refocusing its dark magic on her. Its massive hand swept through the air, summoning a wall of shadow that surged toward her, tendrils snapping like whips.
"Not today!" Y/n shouted, dodging with a burst of flame that left an afterimage. She darted around the tendrils, her fiery movements keeping the beast's attention locked on her as it swung its shadowed arm in frustration, each missed attack fanning the creature's rage.
Yeonjun and Minji seized the opportunity to launch a joint attack, each moving with calculated precision. Yeonjun circled around to the beast's left side, aiming for its vulnerable leg, while Minji struck from the right, but the beast let out an enraged roar, dark energy erupting around it like an explosive shield, knocking them both back.
"Focus, Elites!" Soobin's telepathic message reached them again, tinged with a determination that kept them grounded. "We've faced magic-users before, just remember your training. Keep adapting!"
The beast, its anger seemingly escalating, raised both arms, and a massive shadowy wave surged from its form, spreading in every direction. It wasn't just a physical attack, this wave was infused with magic meant to drain their energy, and the dark tendrils wrapped around everything they touched, tightening like a net.
The Elites could feel the oppressive force as it sapped their strength. Chaewon, struggling against the pull, summoned a burst of fire, burning through the tendrils near her, though she knew she couldn't hold off their advance for long. "We need a counter-spell! Something to disrupt this!"
Minji took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I can try something, but I'll need cover!"
Y/n nodded, rallying her flame to push back the tendrils. "We've got you, Minji, go for it!"
Soobin and Yujin worked together, Soobin mentally coordinating their efforts while Yujin focused on parrying the orbs that still shot toward them. Kai shifted between bird and human form, helping clear the field whenever the tendrils grew too dense around anyone.
With the others holding off the beast's attacks, Minji gathered her strength, channeling her energy into a protective shield around the team. She closed her eyes, focusing on a spell to weaken the dark magic's influence, and a faint, shimmering barrier began to form, pushing back the beast's oppressive aura.
The beast's rage only intensified as it sensed Minji's spell gaining ground. With a thunderous roar, it unleashed a blast of energy even more powerful than before, an attempt to crush them. The force rippled through the clearing, shaking the ground and cracking the earth beneath their feet.
This was their moment.
"Yujin!" Soobin's voice cut through the chaos. "Now's your chance, do it!"
As Soobin gave the command, the beast's expression twisted into a sinister grin. With a swift motion, he conjured massive, razor-sharp ice spears. The temperature dropped sharply as the spears multiplied in the air, suspended like deadly icicles ready to fall, each one aimed directly at the Elites.
Yujin's heart pounded as she realized the severity of the situation. She was within striking distance, but every second lost meant those spears would rain down on her friends. For a brief moment, she knew she had to make the touch happen, now.
She lunged forward and pressed her hand against the beast's arm. A surge of her nullifying magic shot through her fingertips, sending a tremor up her arm and into the beast. Its dark aura shuddered, destabilizing as Yujin's power severed its access to magic.
But it was too late. The spears had already been released.
Time seemed to freeze as the Elites turned toward the incoming threat. They watched in horror as the ice spears rocketed toward Soobin, who stood at the heart of the formation.
A piercing silence filled the air, broken only by the dull thud of the spears as they struck. The first spear found its mark, impaling Soobin's shoulder. Another hit his side, and yet another pierced his leg, forcing him to his knees. His body jerked with each impact, his breaths becoming shallow as blood seeped into the dirt.
The moment Yujin's power took hold, the ice spears dissolved into vapor, but the damage had already been done.
The team stood frozen, the weight of the moment crashing over them as they took in the sight of their leader's figure pierced.