Chapter 74: The Hallowed purging of the Shattered dome.

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A/N: surprise!! I'm not dead!

This chapter's dedicated to that one person who said "see you next year!" when I uploaded chapter73. This is all your fault for jinxing it. Totally. <3

CONTENT WARNING: this chapter contains the following themes (shocking lol. Don't expect sunshines and rainbows anymore)
• violence
• mentions of blood.
• mentions of dubcon
• impaling/stabbing
• gore/depictions of gore
• mutilation

Song Recommendations:
Pls turn up Rok Nardin on Spotify and blast their discography as you read. (I'm too lazy to type each one of em out)

Ahem.

Anyway, don't skip.

Also,

Happy(?) reading.

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Taehyung exhaled softly, resting his head on the smooth ceramic edge of the tub he was doused in.

With a consistency and color that of milk, it was fragrant and sweet smelling, reminding him of flowers.

It surely was an extravagant bath to his tastes- a luxury of sorts which he would never go out of his way to indulge himself with- but would surely have enjoyed for if not the predicament he was trapped in.

Taehyung's mind reeled with thousands of questions that were left unanswered.

A mixture of things he learnt against his will- that led him to question even further, true to his ever persistent curious nature.

Every single day of his confinement had a sense of similarity- yet something about this noon in particular was heedlessly, odd.

The air was prickly warm when he awoke and for once his body was healed in entirety- lest for the few welts of red seemingly deliberate- left behind on his neck, wrists and the inside of his thighs.

Taehyung grazed the tender skin on his wrist with his fingertips and shuddered at the memory of the things had transpired at dawn.

Taehyung is not a blind man to desire.

He knows what he sees in the Devil's aflame eyes- all that of unadulterated lust and cruelty.

It is all it should be. Logically.

It is all his eyes see.

And just so- when he was taken at hours nearing dawn, coaxed and nicked at with teeth, roused rudely from his sleep- all Taehyung did was give in, nestling the Devil between his legs.

It stung until it didn't- the pleasure overriding his senses, in a twisted way where every thrust punched out a desperate needy mewl from his lips.

And because it didn't hurt- because for once, those fingers didn't claw at his skin- because those cruel crimson eyes didn't burn crudely, not once- all because those lips kept whispering his name like a prayer— desperate and frantic, with honey poisoned promises to never leave and never be left behind.

Taehyung, amidst his gruesome nightmares was left entranced- a faux dream that brought him solace- a dream, where he is the one true centre of the whole universe for another.

A haunting dream.

Taehyung buried his face in his hands, ashamed of himself.

It felt so easy...

When it came to Jungkook....it always felt easy to forgive and forget. Even after all that unimaginable horror, he'd jump at the first sign of gentleness.

It was as if he's lost his spine with his sense of reasoning.

Taehyung sighs outloud, lamenting.

Despite his profound delusions, he knows it better himself to put a name to it-

Just another daunting  sign of developing Stockholm syndrome.

His frantic grappling sense of fear had turned into a sticky convoluted sense of devotion towards his tormentor.

"I've gotta get a grip of myself" he grit out, pushing his wet bangs back, his eyes glimmering with forced determination and lips jutted.

That's right.

That was the priority.

For now at least.

The Devil refraining to hurt him now doesn't mean he'd hold it out to a promise.

Even Jungkook failed.

The Devil will not be an exception.

His heart squeezes uncomfortably in his chest.

The Demon, Hyunho's words plagued his mind. For some extent Taehyung believed to not trust the deceitful thing, but as his heart hammered away he couldn't help but wonder if Jungkook would truly kill him.

Jungkook of then, hadn't raised his hand even when Taehyung put a bullet in his chest.

He had afterall promised to protect him, licking away at his wounds.

The Jungkook of now, had certainly clawed its way into his insides- eliciting pain of deceit and flesh, no more grave than death itself- but time and time again had once more, turned to make the same vows- albeit more twisted than any words Jungkook had ever uttered.

A promise nonetheless, to keep him alive.

With every breath of his name and kisses smothered into his tanned skin, he'd said the same thing- overwriting the words of the past in bright bold red.

That he couldn't run nor hide. That he wouldn't ever let Taehyung go. That he'd entwine their blood together and merge to one- so they could never be apart. That he'd always be with him. Him.

Taehyung's mind hated those words, the impression of a bird in a cage- and yet..

Yet.

Taehyung rubbed his eyes, gritting his teeth as he pulled his knees closer to his chest.

Like a moth drawn to an open flame.

A headless creature who could never learn from its mistakes. Human, wholly.

He was drawn to the Devil all the same.

A path indefinitely set to his own doom and yet he couldn't help himself from being enamoured by that blazing flame.

He exhaled and leaned his head sideways in the tub.

It was hopeless.

Taehyung watched light dance off the sheen edge of the tub, casting faint iridescent rays.

He loved Jungkook.

Something he prided and was ashamed in within the same breath.

The memory of the violence inflicted, burned his skin- yet every fleeting touch of his fingertips, was followed by desire, his body and heart reciprocated. Willingly or not.

It was dirty and shameful.

To be desired, to be wanted- even when he is filthy...  everything about it was so damn wretched....

Taehyung is only a man.

His desires flawed, his objectives shredded.

Taehyung stood up from the tub, the milky water running down his slender tanned frame.

He wrapped himself in a robe placed neatly on a tray,  that quickly stuck to his wet skin- the fabric melding into the curves of his body.

He walked away from the bathing area, leaving behind a wet trail of footprints.

He stopped by the bed, casting the extravagant white robe laid on it an expressionless glance and then moved his eyes to the double doors that opened into the garden.

The faux sky outside his confinement was gloomy, with a faint storm brewing in from a place far away whilst the garden reflected the sky.

Desolate and ominous.

Taehyung stepped towards the door, greeted by the odd arrangement.

The plants were ashened and the soil was obsidian, unlike its previous bewitching bright spring bloom.

Long rows of shrubs with deep green leaves and fully blossomed roses of shades deep red and violet, greeted him.

It seemed carefully put together, trying to colour code to the darkest shade on the palette. It was truly breathtakingly haunting, but something within Taehyung's splotchy memory that flared up made him grimace.

He walked on the wooden porch, past the threshold, taking in the sight at a whole once more.

Barefooted he stepped into the garden, his toes melding into the soft dark soil as he carefully inspected the oddity of the garden with his breath hitched in his throat.

His fingers reach out to a rose that was deep wine red- a shade closer to black but not entirely— the tips of each petal, doused in black.

"Huh.." he huffed to himself, pinching the shy quivering petal between his fingers.

He remembers being hounded over his favourite flower the night before and although he has no recollection of responding— these flowers were uncannily similar to those roses Jungkook gave him when he was hospitalised during the Geomjeongbaem case.

His frown deepens, his heart erratic.

He doesn't have a favorite flower.

The petal is soft to his touch, almost velvet smooth... almost too damn real. His fingers let go of the frail thing, moving to caress the rose gently instead, that sways in response chasing after his fingers.

He scratches his jaw and then presses his hand to his reddening nape, irked.

"What is that crazy bastard even thinking?"

*********

"Get outta the way!" A voice snarled.

"Ow!– do you want to be shredded you rat?!" Another snapped, equally angry.

"Fuck do you want a go?! Huh? I'm not scared of a maggot like you!" The necrotic rat faced humanoid hellion hissed in rebuttal.

"Oh will you look at that now?! Eat my shit rat face." The red faced demon cackled, eliciting the laughter from the rest gathered in the crowd.

The rat-faced hellion's expression soured and it immediately pounced on the unsuspecting demon who screeched out a cry as teeth sunk into his throat.

The demon sunk his claws into the hellion's eyes, who cried out in pain as skin tore off its face. The red faced demon jumped back up to his feet, clutching his bleeding throat, and kicked the hellion who was writhing on the floor.

The crowd roared and cheered at the bloodshed whilst the smaller foot-sized hellions creeped out to lick the blood off the grimed stained ground.

"To the return of our King!" The Demon bellowed and the fists spring up in the air in unison.

"TO OUR KING!" The crowd of Demons and Hellions bellowed out, chanting on a repeat.

The red faced demon grinned, teeth uncannily white. He waved his arms, hyping the crowd to chant, gushing with joy himself.

The crowd resonated with his energy, their footsteps thumping and echoing across the land.

The sense of pure elation.

A joy unlike any he has felt or witnessed, after decades of mundane work.

The smile on his face drew all the way up to his ears as he took in the atmosphere with a new vigour.

His celebration was however thwarted with a kick to his leg as he stumbled forward, quite lamely.

"Don't stall! Move ahead!" A voice gruffly spit out and the red faced demon almost lashed out in response but immediately stopped, catching ahold of the Demon's stature- who was almost as tall as a giant, with a grim looking face that was withered with time.

"Alright alright damn it! No need to kick me!" The red faced demon scowled and stepped aside letting the taller demon walk past.

The red faced demon narrowed his eyes and then pranced forward to catch up with the taller demon who was slowly trudging ahead with the rest.

"Say- Barkhil.... Aren't you one of those who've seen our Lord, the King, before he left to conquer the mortal land— you must be the most excited of all here... hm?" The red faced demon cajoled.

The Demon giant gave no response, his hazy blue eyes latched onto the unsteady bright beacon that had for once in a long eternity had sparked down in the heart of hell.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" The red faced demon tutted impatiently.

"Why ask questions to answers you already know?" Barkhil snorted, unamused.

"Then tell me, what was it like seeing our Lord, the King? What was he like?" The red faced demon enquired, a question he's asked numerous times to many like Barkhil- to revel in their descriptions of their Glorious King.

Barkhil didn't reply immediately, eyes latched onto the orange-white beacon that had summoned them all into one place; the residents, demons, hellions, creatures- all those of damned and unholy, every single one of them who weren't shackled to punishment.

They were marching towards it with a single purpose in their mind; to a tune none greater than a Pied Piper's- they'd march anywhere if they're beckoned.

Barkhil has seen many beacons of light since the new King had taken over, yet the one that rivals the current- had happened only once, centuries ago- when their King, as an outsider, had entered Infinite Hells.

It was a day that Barkhil could never forget.

Infinite Hells shook with his roars and cries as he fell from the top and into the pits where no Demon dared to venture.

Despite the radio silence from the pits, there was uncertainity in the air around Civitas Daemonum that extended for days with talks of the possibility that their existing ruler would be overthrown by the new contender that was brewing in the depths.

It was measly gibberish at first, to entertain the mundanity of their extended life in Hell.

Then slowly, everyone forgot about the day the skies of Hell had cracked open to plunge somebody into the hearth of Hell.

And then came a day, months later, where an orange white beacon shot up in the sky amidst storm like a calamity that couldn't be placated- with a sole winged creature whose face shrouded with shadows, except for his startling red eyes that peered down.

Lesser beings cowered and hid away, battered against the fearsome winds before the presence of a Divine-likened creature who'd managed to sneak into Hell.

But Barkhil- Barkhil dropped to his knees, unable to hold his gaze with the thing that had descended to the deepest ends and broke its way out from the shackles of the Pits of Hell.

Infinite Hells had finally given birth to a terrifying monster.

A ruthless creature.

A King.

As He gracefully descended to the ground, his feet were bare whilst his copper gold blackened wings folded neatly behind him, draping across the rugged floor.

Barkhil wasn't courageous from the boot, but he still dared to steal a glance- curious and found his words clogged in his throat.

A creature so human-looking, yet nothing human.

The creature was effortlessly beautiful. Regal.

Terrifyingly so.

The thing was ominous, gifted with blades of the Silver Gates and eyes of Infinite Hells.

Like a cruel reptile with overgrown deathly wings... a startlingly hellish being.

Barkhil as a young Demon didn't know beauty until he had glanced upon the mystifying creature, that had solemnly walked his way to the throne and slit the neck of their existing ruler, placing himself on the seat, claiming the title.

Barkhil has seen foolish weak minded rulers in his life time, that had put an unsavoury taste on his tongue towards the throne- yet that changed when He, their Lord, their King had taken the throne.

"Tell me... why are you dozing off? How was he like?"

Barkhil sighed. "Ruthless."

The red faced demon smiled giddily "ahhh I can't wait- can't wait to see him..."

"You should know... he's not to be trifled with..." Barkhil shook his head, the warning in his tone evident. "Our Lord, the King, is glorious- is just, but I've not seen one being more ruthless than him... his wit, his daunting raven sword and his ability to command the soil from the pits to move at his will- a feat that no resident of Infinite Hells has ever secured- he's an unprecedented and unpredictable being."

"Saying all that will only get me excited" the red faced demon shuddered wrapping his arms around his body and twisted on his axis. "I want to be closer to him."

"The only way you can be closer to him is by securing the position of his guard." Another Demon who had been overhearing their conversation chimed in.

"Then I'll be his guard!" The red faced demon shot out triumphantly.

Barkhil snorted and shook his head, patting the young demon with his walking stick "to get through our King, you'll have to get through his guard dog, the torturer first."

"Then I'll do that! Didn't the torturer also secure his spot as a youngling?! If he could do that, I can do it too!"

"Yeah but you won't be fighting the young torturer, you'll be fighting the current one- to your certain death that is" the other demon cackled rudely.

"Pah!— One can dream even in desolates of Infinite Hells!" The red faced demon snapped back, displeased.

"Sure sure.." the other Demon snickered "what do you say Barkhil? Can this snotty youngling defeat the guard dog of Infinite Hells?"

Barkhil ignored the obvious taunt and snorted.

"Don't just say nothing?!!!" The red faced demon scowled, clutching onto Barkhil's thick wrist and swung about like a child that needs placating.

"You can be loyal but no more loyal than him. That's why he's treasured by our King." Barkhil replied sombrely and it led to even more confusion on the red faced demon's face. He hopped down and walked alongside.

"How can the King treasure something? A creature at that? Our Lord, is the King. He has it all at his feet?"

Barkhil lowered his gaze, having lived a long age from the second ruler to the many that came after him, paying dust- all the way to the current, their glorious conqueror of Infinite Hells– who was righteous and omnipotent.

He doesn't need to claim treasures, for it all- always, from the beginning of time had belonged to him.

"Perhaps because you and I are only demon... we cannot fathom it.."

The red faced demon frowned at the response, watching Barkhil solemnly walk past him.

"Hey! What was that supposed to mean?!"  The young demon shouted, displeased.

"Seriously! What does that mean?!?"

Barkhil didn't bother to respond, eyes once more latched onto the dazzling beacon that beckoned him to welcome his Lord, the King.

His old eyes could fool him into catching that breathtaking silhouette in the sky once more, his knees buckling under his weight whilst his heart thumped, rejoicing.

A winged reptilian creature that could breathe fire and move ash at will was infinitely mighty.

It was a sign of nightmarish omnipotence.

True benevolence.

The Devil, at core was a ruthless dragon who stopped at nothing to conquer all that lay in his path and beyond— blessed and accursed all the same.

And like all tales of mighty dragons, he hoarded his treasures closest to his teeth.

*********

Jimin stared at the red sky, that looked no different than the one doomed to gaze over Infinite Hells for all eternity.

It was nostalgic in ways that twisted his guts with discomfort.

The stench of rot in the heart of Seoul was unprecedented, the brutal aftermath of having claimed the lives of many mortals.

Fire run rampant, incubating the soil under the grime and muck. It was a phenomenon of pure foreboding for what laid in their path.

The day had finally come.

The 7th day of the week.

The blood borne Judgement day.

The Coronation Feast.

Jimin clenches his fist, his fingers missing the texture of the cold metal in them.

He has one last chance, to put an end to all of this.

It was either that or..

The Demon's face turned grim.

Not yet... not yet.

There's time.

He swiftly averted his gaze, facing the empty hallway instead. He clicked his tongue catching the sight of his gaudy cream coloured ceremonial garb he was forced to put on.

It made him look fragile and young, accentuating his features, but the worst part was it could easily leave a blood stain should he even attempt to do anything before the ceremony even began.

The only saving grace was that it wasn't a flimsy robe that restricted his movement. When things would come to the worst, he could trust his nimble limbs to work the best as it has always been.

The hallways were relatively empty, given that every creature except for stationed guards had gathered onto the arena where the ceremony was being held.

He crept down the spiral stairs and into another empty hallway.

It was eerily quiet.

So quiet that Jimin could hear the thoughts in his head aloud.

He tried not to dwell upon them, but he found himself spiralling deep into all those long bygone memories.

He has had demanded for mercy in words before, that no matter what he could never offer his head on a platter to satiate the Devil. For if there should ever come a time of that sort, he wouldn't be able to do it.

His courage falls short. His cowardice growing in bounds.

It was his nature, like all creatures to fear the inevitable end from the omnipotent's hand.

Jimin, a Demon, could only kneel and tremble before his Master's glory.

Yet his face holds not an ounce of despair.

His eyes are sharp and his gaze steely cold.

He's reformed, his values and virtues- all of it, crumbled and rebuilt- every single time he thinks of Taehyung.

For Taehyung, he would tear out his own limbs to make a ladder of, if it could aid the mortal climb out of this hell. It didn't matter the toll it would take to do so-

For Taehyung, he'd do it all.

And for Him, the one who'd asked him so, before his own ideals had solidly set in- Jimin, would do it for him too.

All in a heartbeat.

His face sours catching the crowd of hellions, demons and creatures alike bustling in the arena no different than a hive of buzzing bees.

They were chattering and laughing, all sharing the light of rejoicing.

The King of Infinite Hells has come to claim the mortal land and merge the realms, the true Conqueror of all, has finally returned to raze down all that which lay on his path, to create something beyond anybody's wildest dreams.

They will all be home. This will be their home.

A home reunited with their King.

But against all odds, the spectacle was more focused on a possible Queen for Infinite Hells after millennia.

Jimin grimaced at the words, anger simmering inside him.

Hell is no place for Taehyung.

The bubbling excitement over the Coronation feast turned to hushed whispers when Jimin walked past the crowd that made way for him. The lesson from the other day, where the Guard dog had slaughtered not one but three creatures in the presence of the King himself- showed that the King favoured him and should they step out of line with crude desires, their necks would be slit and their perpetrator would face no judgement over it.

Jimin, who noticed the switch calmly carried on, to find himself a good spot in the crowd that was neither too far out in the back nor too exposed in the front.

He eyes the altar pensively. The stage was decorated with deep coloured fabrics toned red and brown that hung from the ceiling in an astonishing spiral manner. The carpet stretched on the floor also seemed prim and pristine, as if having been pulled out fresh outta a sale shop.

Everything seemed well kept and designed down to the last detail.

Naturally, so was the accursed stone table that was erected in the center of the altar that drove pins and needles into Jimin's eyes, the more he gazed upon it.

Jimin has never firsthand seen a Coronation feast with his own eyes. He was too young to remember when the last one happened, but like all creatures he's heard long tales of it.

The cruelty and the violence, which even Demons shudder to experience it firsthand.

And today, he'd be the one to watch it happen.

Of a friend whom he loves and is loved by at the hands of a person whom he's loved for the longest.

No...

He mechanically shakes his head, his nerves on fire now that the hour was close.

Getting all messed up with fleeting thoughts was the last thing Jimin needed now.

He eases the threads in his sleeves for better movement and waits in anxious patience.

If all things go as he planned...

If it truly does..

"OUR MASTER, THE KING OF INFINITE HELLS HAS ARRIVED!" A voice bellowed and the crowd who momentarily stood in silence grew ecstatic, cheering and yelling.

The creatures screeched and the Demons celebrated with joy, all partaking in their long overdue welcome party.

Some clutched onto each other and cried, as they caught a glance of their King, whilst others sank to their knees in worship. Their fingers inching for a touch of his boot or the graze of his fluttering robe, but they reclined to themselves, fearing their impudence more than their admiration towards their Master.

He was dressed in deep obsidian regal robes that accentuated the dips and muscles of his overpowered reformed body. The flecks of gold embroidery on the fabric moved eerily as did the hems of his robe.

In all, their King looked majestic. The glinting crown dimmed against his stark handsome face. There was quite literally no other face which could encapsulate raw beauty so perfectly. Those crimson eyes of his, glinted like mystifying jewels, entirely bewitching.

The Devil looked more refined and handsome than what Jimin had portrayed in his mind when he was young and full of love towards his Master..

The Devil in all of his royal glory was a sight too blinding.

His cunning crimson eyes scanned the crowd, revelling in their chants.

Scoundrels and sinners, all of them- yet, such filial objects.

The taste of their unrestrained joy was almost palpable on his tongue as he grinned wider, their energy thrumming in his own veins as he savoured every bit of it.

"My unruly pawns of Infinite Hells!" The Devil shot out, arms spread apart  "tonight! I shall magnanimously claim the Jewel of my Father's creations!"

"This land shall come upon you lot as it would like a home. Every crevice and nook, from soil to sea, would be overturned and set ablaze, for I am benevolent and merciful, for I am your King, your Lord!"

The crowd roars in response, barely able to withhold their excitement

"All of you shall be my hands and feet! You shall bring your fruit and lay it before my eyes. Be it victory or your bloodied corpse, blessed you are in my graces as long as you bleed for me, your only King."

Jimin grimaces at the words.

This would have moved the Demon once upon a time, but the words don't elicit the same emotions in him anymore.

It only makes him writhe in silence.

"Take what you want from this land that I'll claim as mine. Take whatever you want for I am benevolent and generous!"

The creatures cried out at the words in worship and delight. Their entire being reverberating with joy.

"Run and scramble to all parts of this rotten world. Tell them the Lord they've long awaited  has finally returned" the Devil grinned maliciously. There was not a hint of sanity behind those crazed eyes in that handsome face of his.

A sight beyond nightmare of nightmares.

He threw his head back and laughed heartily, delirious, his ears deafened by the raucous cheer the creatures returned with.

"Guess it really took a son of yours to bring Judgement Day, as prophesied Father... even if they had mentioned names... how ironic is it, that it is I, who has come to deliver Judgement... haha..." he pressed his hand to his lips, stifling his crooked laughter as his face reddens with delight "seriously... I can't imagine the face you must be making right now..."

"Are you mad at me??? You should be... I am going to slaughter everything you love afterall... I wonder if you'll continue to sit and watch from the sidelines this time as well.... " he peeked out of this fingers, finding the ceiling standing in as a flimsy barrier. Irritated, he flicks his wrist and the ground above him moves at his will, clearing out to reveal the red sky.

"Like all the other bloodshed.... Even your loyal mutt is in my cage.... Who will stop me now Father??? Will you show yourself??? I'd like to see that. I'd like some real competition."

The words were heinously blasphemous but the Devil meant every word in his taunt.

"The Silver Gates will bleed rain and the rivers borne of that shall flood the mortal land."  The Devil announced with promise, his hands once more stretched wide apart with light from above shining over his features. An image of pure mockery of Christ.

The Devil grins lopsidedly, peering at those below him who celebrated him "evil as I am and damned to perish, and not one can shake my heart..." he chuckled shaking his head "how unfortunate truly... that it has come to this.... But I am in no measure going to be merciful to those who banished me...."

His face turns grim once more, his eyes fiercely ablaze.

"You," he calls out to the Heavens, his slender milky finger pointed to the red sky  "eyes divine, shall suffer what I did in worser ways you can't even fathom!"

"In ways you'd beg me the sweet release of death yourself!" He curses out loud, rousing the crowd's excitement.

"You shall regret molding me and stealing my righteous path! You, who watches me, will weep blood at what I'll do with these hands of mine."

"So watch me, as you've always done, Father..." he whispers, licking his teeth feeling the irritating itch in them gnaw at him. He sucks in a breath and turns away, his eyes immediately falling upon the decorated stone table.

Ahh.. that's right...

It was almost time.

He swiftly turns to face the gathered again, his left hand resting on the cool surface of the stone table.

His heart thumped and raced, the excitement in his veins igniting like fireworks.

"I am your King. Your Lord." He announced firmly "I am your only King and I shall continue to be so as long as Infinite Hells is kicking." He cocked his head to the side, peering from his thick lashes. "And I bring a gift, a blessing to my side."

Jimin who hears the words, clenched his teeth.

His fingers curl into fists on his sides.

If all goes accordingly... he'll have only one chance.

The whole plan was riding on this very single window of opportunity.

"Made of flesh and bones, of which I have savoured all with my very own teeth and tongue"

Jimin stiffens on spot, an odd sense of dread filling him up.

The excitement around him dulls in his ears.

He remembers the way Taehyung desperately clung to him and cried out asking, if he'd even survive...

Jimin didn't have an answer back then, only managing to beg him for his survival and his forgiveness as he was forcefully pushed out of the void that day.

Wait.

What had happened after that?

Jimin didn't have time to think of that back then, for he was restrained and then subjected to bloody whipping for attempting to mercy kill.

He was too out cold after that to even think about what had transpired.

But now- every wretched word that spilled out of his Master's mouth, felt as if his heart were plunged into ice cold water.

His stomach churned.

No...

Please... no.. no....

"....and I shall bind him to me for eternity. Your King will hunger for no more... and you, unfortunate will no longer thirst aimlessly- your King, brings you, your salvation..."

Jimin's pupils widened on instinct, his claws drawn out.

"Let your eyes alone feast... for he is home." The words make the crowd go crazy, but just as it happens, blood spills.

His head goes flying across, and drops coldly onto the spotless altar that was now stained with fresh blood.

The noise quickly dies, bewildered and beyond shocked.

Nobody moves, let alone breathes in the moment.

The bloodied head seems cold and long dead, except the vicious crimson eyes embedded into that handsome face blinks once and then twice.

The Devil starts laughing watching the crowd's despondency.

His robes dissipate as does his body that was standing still and flutters towards the head, carefully carrying it up and dutifully placing it back on those broad shoulders that materialises instantly.

"Always first to ruin fun" he clicks his tongue in distaste staring straight ahead, where he finally spots the intruder hiding amidst the wretched. "Isn't that right- gah!!-" he chokes mid-sentence, golden light shining through his right arm. His body freezes under a spell of sorts, his pierced arm trembling under the weight of iridescent light.

The creatures who watch this happen fly into a furious rage and began attacking the Silver Angels who all at once materialise between them.

Many foolish creatures instantly met their deaths from attacking a swinging blade that moved with precision. Each and every attack of those holy swords moved with intent to cut through and sever the life source of all that stood in their way.

A blade so holy, that it was only ever drawn to kill evil.

Celebration turned chaos, the Silver angels that were no longer shackled hacked their way through, cutting bodies after bodies that never went down but infact only grew in numbers.

Many patrolling Creatures and hellions that lurked at the surface of the infected land, craned their necks at the beckon of first distress signalled by their kind and with a snap turned heel to protect their hearth.

The Warriors couldn't be defeated by weaklings such as these... but their numbers were far too great like rats that couldn't be put out and if the fight were to be dragged, they'd be in a very dangerous predicament.

A single second mishap could not only cost their life but also the safety of the rest. It was a race against time.

A fight inscribed in scriptures and prophecies.

They've all become a part of it now. Of this whole bloody chaos.

A battle foretold that would shake the heavens and the only easiest way to win this battle, was to wipe out the rubbish first.

And then... to leave it all to him.

The Devil grabbed onto the arrow, the skin of his palms sizzling and breaking out in pus, just as he made contact with it. He grit his teeth, straining against the pain and pushed against the arrow head, rejecting the intrusion.

He grunted as he threw the bloodied arrow away, the metal clattering over the altar.

" just because you ungrateful runts got me once.... you hoped I'd make the same mistake again???" The Devil smirked wickedly, recovering from the strike instantly as his skin patched over healing him in an instant.

"You even beheaded me with your own hands but here I am... still standing.... tell me, did your hands tremble?" The Devil questions, his tone laced with mockery and taunt. "Speak... brother... I have no reign over you, so how would I know what you have in that head of yours now?"

The Silver Angel who stood before him at some distance apart made no move to respond.

His face was grim, almost ice like cold.

The Devil's robes fluttered into minute particle and the black dust that shrouded him protectively moved from his limbs to his torso and then back again once more.

Its nature and pattern too confusing, as if it were alive like a serpent with a mind of its own.

The Devil perked up watching the Guardian who stood by the end pull out his holy sword wordlessly.

The light was so intensely sharp that two of the hellions that pounced on him just as soon he drew the blade were reduced to muddy ash. It didn't even take the Guardian to raise it in their direction- their shells had long disintegrated.

His fine blade, was forged off the first rays of the sun, when the Lord Almighty created the universe with his hands.

It was a mighty sword, made of pure divine light that shone like a beacon in the chasms, emboldening its owner's cataclysmic profile amidst the darkened pillars and the silhouettes of the rest.

Especially, his bright Golden irises that were doused in thinly concealed wrath.

The Devil laughed menacingly at the sight and unfurled his palm, commanding Caelesti to show itself.

The raven blade, didn't shy away- oozing with unadulterated bloodlust. It glinted with a sheen layer of blue fire with specks of purple dancing over the smoother side, whilst the jagged end dripped tar that corroded the ground underneath.

Caelesti was a cruel sword- its prowess eternally haunting and ever growing. Its hunger for blood rivalling its own master. There was no hint of elegance or sanity in its desires- it was a weapon that should've never been forged.

The frighteningly powerful swords' presence sent the creatures and Silver Angels alike haywire.

Their first and mutual instinct was to step out of the radius of the swords.

The Silver Angels who'd finally glimpsed upon the Guardian's never drawn sword in its whole form, felt awe and admiration, but as they caught onto the imposing presence of the long swords wielder, they couldn't help but feel the twinge of fear.

On the other hand, the unholy and wicked stood no longer in the proximity, already having long witnessed the savagery of Caelesti firsthand, they knew what was to come.

Although their fear alligned with both, but it tilted more towards their own Master rather than the holy- for they've witnessed no death more torturous than to die by Caelesti's edge.

Many quickly scurried out from the arena, fearing their demise. They crept and crawled out through burrows in desperation whilst the Silver Angels continued to slice down the unlucky, one by one.

"..I was wondering why you were sitting duck, but as always- you're always full of surprises brother... tell me, is this Father's design? Did he tell you to ambush me on my banquet???" The Devil sneered "surely an idea as wicked as this, couldn't be sprouted from you"

"You have no right to speak of Father" the Guardian finally responded, his voice deep- laced with firm warning.

"Oh?!" The Devil taunted, "will you look at that? How filial of you!!!"

"Afterall I'm not surprised he's only ever been chatty with you that sometimes I'd have to wonder if he were dead!—"

"ENOUGH!" The Guardian snapped, slashing his sword in the air and light zipped past faster than a trained eye can track, slashing the Devil at his chest who stumbled behind.

The long gash on his handsome face bled profusely, but the Devil only grinned with his bloodied teeth on display.

"If only you'd struck me like this first hand you'd have injured me better but now you can no longer catch me off guard brother..." the Devil chuckled as his wounds once more sealed shut, healing him completely. "My eyes will not leave you."

Namjoon's expression soured at that.

"I will warn you only once. End this madness. Take your kin and return to hell." The Guardian declared and the Devil burst out laughing as if he'd said something incredibly ridiculous.

"You dare bargain with me after slashing me with your sword and ruining my banquet? Your pride will leave you desecrated under my feet today!" The Devil shot back and in an instant rushed towards the Guardian who immediately switched to defence pulling his sword back up.

Metal clanged against each other sending sparks and fire astray. The sound from the impact was no different than an explosion, the sound waves cracking up the huge pillars whilst the weaker collapsed over creatures who died on spot underneath it.

Among the Silver Angels who watched this, Katya couldn't help but feel anxious.

As a Warrior, she could never doubt the Guardian. Doubting him, meant doubting Silver Gates. Doubting, the Lord Almighty, their Father.

It was a mutual thought that every warrior present down in the chasms, had in their minds as they fought their battles, forcing to show their backs upon the Guardian as he fought the Devil alone.

There wasn't much they could do- if they tried, they'd only get in his way.

The Guardian, their brother- is ever kind, ever virtuous. Never have they ever seen the Silver Angel step out of line. He's truly the example of the most powerful, gracious and humblest of beings and yet-

As Katya watched, she could spot the layers being pulled off the Guardian one leaf at a time, to reveal something horrifying.

The grace in his hands over the worn hilt of his long sword, had fully reformed to brutal killing intent. His eyes were shining hauntingly whilst his white robes had turned iridescent like that of lightning in a storm.

Every attack was delivered with an equally powerful counterattack.

His eyes ablaze but hollow.

His sword was too experienced and a Master at its craft by eons when compared to Caelesti.

Yet each of his heavy blows were countered by the Devil who cackled maniacally, his laughter echoing- a sign that he was still warming up.

Katya worried.

She could not doubt the Guardian... but the Devil's stature made her stomach twist.

The Guardian was the strongest of them all- and if he fails-

Katya shook her head and shoved her blade into the hellion's throat who struggled under the intense burn, screeching and choking on blood.

Their brother, the Guardian hadn't fully geared up either, like a machine that needs to warm up before giving its best- it seemed like they were both matching up to each other's pace, going up one notch at a time.

Whilst the Guardian had not cracked a single smile ever since they'd entered the rot filled chasms, the Devil was full of charm and delight and the picture it painted was.. odd.

The Guardian is strong. Stronger than all of them combined.

So why?

Katya swallowed the tempting question.

Killing the Devil is the easiest way to put an end to this so why was he waiting? What is he waiting for? Is there another reason he's dragging this out???

An ugly thought prompted by the miasma in the air slithered into her mind like a wicked serpentine and her heart clenched remembering Kiwoo's words.

There was no way the Guardian would turn his back to the Silver Gates.

That could simply never happen.

But Kiwoo's words haunted her. A promise with conviction, that the Guardian could never kill the Devil? A firm statement that he took upon himself to carry out the heinous path.

The more she through about it, she grimaced.

She'd felt betrayed and hurt when Kiwoo died.

But what about the Guardian?

Would he still—

"SNAP OUTTA IT!" A silver angel roared pushing Katya down, saving her in nick of time. His wings shielding her from oncoming slaughter of a hellion who drops dead.

"Are you okay?!" Shot another voice worriedly overhead, slashing the piling creatures in their proximity.

Katya bit his her lips and looked up, trying to force down the burning pain in her skull, her vision in her left eye obstructed "my eye... I can't see—"

The Warrior, Silla who caught sight of her state visibly winced. "We need to get you to healers immediately."

"No I can still fight—" Katya tried but was immediately cut off mid sentence.

"Stop trying to get yourself killed! We can't afford anymore of us losing on our end in here Katya! Get her outta here!" Silla commanded and the other Warrior immediately hooked his arm around her, raising above the ground swiftly.

Yet as they tried, they couldn't leave the chasms, immediately  being shot down back to the ground. Their impact was slowed only by Silla who flew and caught them in time.

Katya groaned in pain, her head ringing.

"Wha— what—?" She struggled clutching onto her brother's clothes.

"That wicked bastard!" Silla cursed under his breath, settling down on clear ground with the weight of two in his arms. He looked at the intense battle ongoing at the center of the arena  "He's trapped us in here!"

"If we don't clear the high ground it will be brutal for us!" Silla snapped, brandishing his sword against a lower creature that had crawled towards him, reducing it to dust.

"I'm going to go help out the rest. Avael come with me! You wait here and try to get in contact with Yinan!" Silla directed, his blood splattered face fierce, just as his golden irises.  "She might have made it outside by now! The skies need to be clear if Silver Gates need to step in-"

A bright spark shot out from the centre arena that sent the ground rumbling. A cry of sorts broke out and the roaring blades clashed against each other, sliding past and straight into flesh.

Blood spilled onto the ground, crimson burning in his eyes as he stared up at his brother.

The Guardian's face was devoid of any expression as he manoeuvred his nameless sword to split into two rays of light, driving each end into the Devil's throat, impaling him on the spot.

The evil incarnation shook, under pain and wrath as his pristine unblemished skin boiled off his flesh as the latter did off its bones, leaving it festered and unpleasant for an eye to see.

Blood spilled from his mouth and onto the ground where he was forced to kneel upon, to gaze upon the righteous glory of the Holy.

Irked at the ever blazing light, the Devil spit a mouthful of blood onto the untainted robes of the Guardian.

"You're still... too easy on me... haha.. hahahaha" the Devil cackled evily, enjoying the twitch of irritation the Guardian delivered him with at that.

"You cannot beat me. Yield. Go back. Jungkook." The Guardian commanded, his tone serene but there was an uncanny edge to his words.

"There is no going back for either of us." The Devil locked, laughing. "Because you cannot kill me."

More blood spilled out of his lips as his body fought against the burn of the Heaven-forged Divine blade.

"Yield." The Guardian commanded once more, driving his blade into flesh all the way to its hilt.

The Devil struggled at that, choking up. His sanity barely intact against the fierce force that was encroaching upon him.

Just a little more...

He thought to himself, as his fingers secretly and deftly moved behind his back, commanding his black sand to wait with purpose of an attack.

"I said. YIELD!" The Guardian grit through his teeth, pushing the Devil back as the bones in his spine cracked under the pressure.

The Devil winced, shaking yet not from the pain that was burning him alive but the sensation of his dome breaking apart.

His eyes ran across in frantic, the fire inside him bubbling up in an instant. He gripped the Guardian's wrist and black tar flowed out of his palms, that immediately evaporated the fabric of his robes and stuck to his skin, eating away at his flesh- at which, the Guardian immediately let go of his sword.

The Devil swiftly landed a harsh punch at the Guardian who was momentarily thrown off and stumbled back, unable to block it in time.

The voice in the Devil's head told him to gut the Guardian apart with his blade before he could recover from the shock but the Devil couldn't follow it as he flopped to the ground whilst his eyes searched the bloodied crowd in a reckless abandon.

And amidst the chaos of his making, he sees him-

Standing, in pure white robes looking ethereal than ever.

The Devil gripped onto the hilts of the sword in his neck and pulled them out, tossing them away as he struggled to make his way over to his solace-

His beacon standing amidst a bloodbath.

His only ever light.

He stumbles to the ground, as his body tries to rapidly patch his gruesome wounds inflicted by Divinity.

Come to me.

Come to me.

Come to me now.

"Come... come..." the Devil warbles swaying with each step he takes. The sensation of joy and delight that momentarily filled him washing away as he catches onto the fear and disdain on his face.

Kim Taehyung doesn't move, his throat has long dried up.

He could barely catch his breath from when the ground in his confinement had collapsed tossing him out from one nightmare and then into another.

He was seated on the bed for one moment , dressed in fineries. He was told nothing but sternly instructed by the husk that was Leira to not move an inch- which he had succumbed to, patiently waiting and in the next moment the ground had given away, pulling him down with the walls and ceiling surrounding him.

The stench of rot awakened his senses first and then came the blood, the bodies, the screams.

And amidst of it all- he saw him.

Him on his knees, with two swords impaled into his neck.

Taehyung felt the breath in his throat hitch, as a rush of different emotions slammed into him head first.

Fear.

Agony.

Befuddlement.

Worry.

His lips moved, as if he were trying to say something but Taehyung couldn't hear a word.

He looked gruesome with blood shot eyes and bloodied face. His robes torn and his claws drawn out oozing black dust.

If anything, he looked terrifying.

This was not Jungkook.

Taehyung forces his mind.

He almost steps back and a palm slips into his colder one, gripping tight.

Startled, Taehyung flinches and attempts to yank it away but fails to when he caught sight the person's face closely, his heart bouncing right back up.

He returns the gentle squeeze of his hand, welcoming the comfort in the warmth of that rough calloused palm.

"..Jimin..." Taehyung mumbles, his throat clogged and all prickly. His eyes glaze over, feeling hopeful and ashamed.

"I'm sorry... for leaving you..." Jimin whispers, his eyes not meeting him even once but fixated on the King of Infinite Hells who was staggering towards them in slow menacing steps.

Taehyung's lips tremble at the words and all of his wounds that have been healed overnight sparked awake, burning him from the inside.

"May my punishment be death itself, but I'll not let him touch one hair on your head. I'll get you outta here even if my corpse has to carry you out."

Taehyung bit his bottom lip.

Everything he'd been holding in threatened to break out like a dam that could no longer hold back. His body shook as he forced his lips to stay sealed shut.

He doesn't know the extent of Jimin's knowledge, but to know- that somebody has caught onto what he's been through, pushes him more into misery than it does so at freeing him.

"Taehyung!" The Devil calls out to him, his expression wild and frantic, as he trudges through.

"Come to me!!" He yells and Jimin steps forward, putting himself between his Master and his friend.

The Devil doesn't see the blatant opposition, his eyes solely fixated on the only mortal standing in the chaos.

"Come to me Taehyung!" He calls out, again- unsure as to why the mortal wasn't running into his arms, like he thought he would.

This place is not safe.

Not for him.

He could die so easily.

The Devil felt nervousness twitch awake inside him for the first time.

He needs to be taken back.

Back where he is the safest.

Back to their little paradise.

His footsteps were heavy, as he blindly pushed through with all of his senses going haywire.

"Come to me- come to m— kurrkk!—" he choked mid sentence, falling flat to the ground with an overwhelming pressure pinning him down on his back.

The ground underneath him leaves a crater-like impact, as more of the Divine power bared its teeth over him— but the Devil couldn't care less, his eyes unmoving from his precious beacon.

With his hand still drawn out, he calls in desperation.

"Taehyung come to me!"

Kim Taehyung trembles, compelled to move ahead but the fierce grip over his palm grounds him- refraining his movement.

His heart aches painfully, watching the battered face of the man he's loved and writhed under- cry out his name in such agony, begging him to return.

This was the very same man under whose impeccable robes was the Devil- who'd tortured him.

And yet—

He tries not to reason.

Is this still Stockholm syndrome?

He visibly flinches watching the lightning bright figure overhead, produce a ray of light in his palm and pierce Jungkook's palm to the ground, through his flesh and bones. His abrupt cry of pain, wrecks Taehyung- but he cannot move- not towards him.

"I COMMAND THEE! YIELD!" The lightning bright figure shout out and thunder runs rampant over the skies adjoining his fury.

The Devil does not heed those words, his fiery crimson eyes had overturned his desperation into wrath.

"Taehyung... COME TO ME!! BRING HIM TO ME JIMIN" He fiercely yells instead, ignoring the Guardian's command- hearing which, both Jimin and Taehyung flinch.

Fire ran rampant in his eyes, sending a wave of hot air towards them .

"I SAID BRING HIM TO ME!!" The Devil orders and Jimin grits his teeth, squeezing Taehyung's palm reassuringly.

"You dare... you dare disobey you little runt?!"

The fire in his eyes is no different than the very presence of Infinite Hells and Taehyung, who's seen many things- has never seen glimpsed upon a sight more terrifying than this.

Taehyung steps back instinctively, no longer recognising the man- and the Devil, who notices this- grows cold, forcing the calm on his face, like a wolf who's trying to fit into sheepskin.

Even when the Guardian pushes his head to the ground- subduing him, the Devil makes no visible action of trying to get himself freed.

Instead, he goes back to pleading, "Taehyung.. come back to me! Come back to me at this instant–!"

"Run... go!" Jimin whispers turning away with the mortal on tow

Even as he was pulled away, he couldn't tear his gaze off of Jungkook's. Their faces mirroring the pain and desperation in equal measures for different, or if not the same reason.

And as Taehyung finally turned away, he felt the ground rumble under his feet

"GODDAMIT TAEHYUNG! I SAID COME BACK TO ME!!"

He watched Jimin's trustworthy back exit into one of the many tunnels and he followed, resisting the tempting pull that tried to beckon him.

The ground under their feet moved and their shadows grew longer. A beastly roar shook the walls around them, accompanied by more thunderclaps and rumbles.

"Whatever you do! Don't look back!" Jimin shouted over his shoulder.

"YOU CANNOT RUN FROM ME!! I'LL NEVER LET YOU GO!!!!"

"RETURN NOW AND I'LL SPARE YOU!"

"Just run Taehyung! Focus on me!" Jimin cried out in urgency, never once letting go off the mortal imbehijd him as he skilfully dodged and avoided the walls that were trying to cage them in.

"COME BACK TO ME!!!"

The voice was distorted and inhumane, thundering far behind them, but it still gave rise to goose flesh on the mortal's arms.

"I SAID RETURN!!!!"

Thewalls shuddered and the ground split apart, followed by a vicious bestial cry.

"TAEHYUNGGGGG!!!"

___________

____________

Authors note:

If you saw errors. You did not.

I'm gonna nap.

And yes, those are the black baccara roses jk coincidentally planted amongst many other black coloured plants to appease Tae but oh hahhahahahedoesntknowthoseareactuallyTae'sfavoriteflowersfrfr

Also yes, Tae is experiencing Stockholm syndrome towards jk- he needs a break (besides me obv)

Anyway the Devil has officially lost his mind but atleast VMIN reunite?!?! So happy new year to me I guess?????

Also erm- Guardian vs Devil finally happening ayo?!?!?!? Joonie going through it too ;-;

No TBC because I'm tired. (I hopped outta uni and straight into the fiery pits of a 9-5 job so fuck ME in the ass I guess (somebody pls sedate me i beg))

Two more chapters to go holy hell and we're all free.

Also Happy new year yall. I promise I'm completing this book this year (2025) (yes, there's two more chapters left)

Stay safe and healthy.

Until next.

Love,
J