Pneuma, once a revered land for the wolf realm, lay in ruins. The buildings that once stood tall and proud were now nothing more than dilapidated structures made of sticks and stones. Their walls and roofs shattered and collapsed. Despite its current state, one who could sense magic could still feel the lingering power that once held sway over the land.

The air was thick with an aura of mysticism, as if the very essence of the place still held onto the memories of its glorious past. Every inch of the land whispered tales of the ancient wolves who ruled the holy place, their howls echoing through the valleys and mountains, and their spirits still lingering on, guarding the land they once called home.

As Kaya walked through the ruins, she examined every detail around her with a heavy heart. The desolation of the once-thriving city was palpable, and it was as if she could feel the pain and suffering of those who had fought and died in the great war alongside the wolves. Careful not to disturb the spirits of the fallen, she spoke in hushed tones, her voice trembling with a mix of fear. "Why was there no attempt to rebuild the land?" she asked, eyes scanning the rubble and ruins. "My father had told me that Anthropos was left in ruins after the battle, and it took years to rebuild it. Even now, after all these years, some places still need to be reconstructed."

The silence was heavy, and Kaya's question hung in the air, unanswered until Jimin finally spoke up. His voice was barely above a whisper, and his words seemed to carry a weight that Kaya could feel even before he explained. "The difference between Anthropos and Pneuma is that your land still had its ruler after the war. Pneuma did not."

She could sense the sadness in Jimin's voice, but there was something else there, too - a hint of guilt, perhaps? As he spoke, she felt her heart rate increase, almost as if she could sense another heartbeat in her chest; Jimin's heartbeat. Despite her curiosity, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease growing within her as Jimin continued to speak.

"The ruthless attackers showed no mercy towards any male, regardless of their age. Even newborns were not spared from their wrath. They were determined to wipe out the entire male population to ensure that their bloodline would never have a chance to exist. Even the females who already were carrying a babe under their hearts were slaughtered." Jimin had to stop for a breather. His face darkened as if he, himself, went through the war. "As for the royal family, the Glowstones, they suffered the same fate. The attackers left no survivors of their line; even the queen and princesses were killed immediately. However, the unwed females in the realm were not immediately killed. Instead, they were taken away, and what happened to them is_"

Jimin suddenly halted his words, his ears perking up to a sound of weeping that had just emerged beside him. His heart began to beat faster, as he smelled the saltiness in the air. However, the sight that greeted him made him almost crumble to his knees with gratitude. The young priestess who had been traveling with them was shedding tears that flowed down her cheeks like a never-ending stream. The green in her silver eyes was gleaming. Her breathing was shallow and erratic, and her whole body was trembling with emotion.

Jimin watched as the young girl cried for the wolves despite her tender age and lack of experience in the world. Her selflessness and compassion struck him, awe and respect for the human woman filled him. Even though she was shedding tears, her posture was still one of a lady. She stood tall and proud. The general, Jin, shifted behind her but before he could approach the priestess, Jimin acted.

Without a second thought, he reached out and took her wrist, pulling her close to his chest. As he gently patted her head, he could feel the weight of the others' eyes on him, but he didn't care. All he could focus on was her soft, mumbled apologies. "I'm so sorry." Kaya seemed deeply affected by the plight of the wolves, and Jimin couldn't help but admire her for it.

He admired her because someone was crying and felt the horror these species had to go through. Jimin admired the priestess for her empathy, admired her that she could show it so freely without a care of being judged.

Jimin could read the unspoken words in Taehyung's eyes, a silent language that only best friends could understand. Kook and Tae had been like brothers to him for as long as he could remember, and he knew Taehyung well enough to know what he was thinking. What he had just done was a clear violation of the rules - showing any form of affection to a prey was strictly forbidden, yet Jimin had done it recklessly without any regard for the consequences.

As they continued their journey, more ruins came into view, each more captivating than the last. Kaya's eyes were drawn to the distinctiveness of the stones beneath her feet, causing her to pause amid the red rocks and bricks. It was as if she could sense the weight of a once-mighty empire resting beneath the dusty remains. Jimin broke the silence with a quiet declaration, "This was once the palace."

The priestess stood before the trio and Seokjin. She drew in a deep breath, and her eyes filled with determination. Her voice was clear and unwavering as she spoke, her words carrying the weight of her conviction. "I want to offer a prayer for the fallen victims," she declared, "that they may find the peace that they deserve. And I pray for the survivors, that they may never lose hope, that they may find the strength to carry on despite the pain and suffering that they have endured."

Amidst the males, Kaya stood tall and confident, drawing everyone's attention towards her. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as if something magical was about to happen. With a graceful movement, Kaya slipped off her hoodie, revealing her long white hair, intricately braided. She closed her eyes and lifted her hands, palms facing upwards, towards the sky. A gentle breeze blew, tousling her hair and creating a sense of serenity.

And then, she began to sing. Her voice was pure and ethereal, filling the entire space with a melody that seemed to come from a long-forgotten time. The language she sang in was ancient, but the emotions it evoked were timeless. Everyone listened, mesmerized by Kaya's voice and the magic she had brought.

"This language_" Jungkook stuttered, "Where did she learn this from?"

Tae and Jimin looked at their friend with furrowed brows. It was a rare sight to see Jungkook this puzzled. He was usually the calm one between them. Taehyung opened his mouth but before he could ask, Seokjin answered, "The priestess learned it from her late grandmother, Queen Aurora."

"What was her first name? Aurora is their family name." Kook snapped back. It was unusual for him to speak in that tone either. His furrowed eyes were fixed on Seokjin, but the human could only shake his head as if he were searching for the answers in his head.

"I__" Seokjin stuttered

"Say it!" Kook insisted with a louder voice.

"_ I can't remember," Seokjin hit his head as if it was in there, but his mind was empty of information about the late Queen's full name.

Jungkook's mind was racing with questions after hearing Kaya's prayer in an ancient language he was familiar with. He was utterly astonished that he could understand it, as only a handful of people in his world had the privilege of learning such a language. The language of the Seraphim. He turned to Seokjin and scoffed, "How is it possible that you don't know the name of the last Queen? And why do they now address the priestess's parents as Lady and Lord instead of King and Queen?" His curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't wait to find out more. He had so many questions and the priestess awoke his curiosity.

"When the Queen passed away, the human world's hierarchy significantly transformed. The title 'Queen' became outdated as the underworld and skyheaven took control of the human realm," Jimin explained in response to Seokjin's confusion.

Tae chuckled as he spoke, his voice low and amused. "It's quite something. Yet the priestess introduced herself as the heir of the human realm to us - I must say, she's quite a brave little beast."

•°•

As they arrived at their destination, Seokjin and Kaya were left spellbound by the breathtaking sight before them. The place was a veritable paradise, untouched by human hands or any other creature, and had retained its natural beauty in all its glory. The trees surrounding them were various species, each with leaves of varying colors and shapes, creating a kaleidoscope of hues that delighted their senses.

The flowers that bloomed in every direction manifested nature's creativity, the vibrant colors and sweet fragrance filling the air and rendering the atmosphere surreal. The ground beneath their feet was like a shimmering lake, but instead of water, it was made up of countless rocks that appeared to float effortlessly. The sun shone brilliantly overhead, casting a warm, comforting glow on everything around them.

The sky was a deep shade of blue, and the air was infused with a gentle breeze that carried with it the sounds of nature. As they stood there, taking in the sight of this paradise, Seokjin and Kaya felt a deep sense of peace and contentment, knowing they were in the presence of something truly extraordinary.

As Kaya gazed upon the breathtaking scenery, she couldn't help but exclaim, "This place is out of this world!" Seokjin nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on the spectacular view. The priestess strolled through the lush garden, her eyes lit up at the sight of the vibrant blooms. She kneeled down and inhaled the sweet fragrance of each flower. She couldn't help but think how much her mother and Liana would have loved to be here with her; they shared her passion for plants and nature.

Jungkook, still perplexed at Kaya's prayer, had a bright smile on his face, and began to explain the uniqueness of their location. "This patch of land is unlike any other," he said. "It exists in a realm of its own, beyond the reach of humans, underworld creatures, and even the divine of skyheaven. This holy ground is called Eden and belongs solely to itself, a sanctuary of unparalleled beauty."

"This place also connects the worlds," Jimin said and pointed toward two massive gates that stood before them. As they approached, the gates became more and more visible, revealing intricate details that were truly awe-inspiring. The left gate was deep black and decorated with the most complicated and ornate designs - the kind that only the most skilled artisans could produce. The designs depicted ferocious dragons, powerful tigers, mighty lions, and tauruses, each one crafted with a level of detail that made them look almost lifelike. There was also a horned creature that seemed to have been carved with a great amount of care and attention to detail.

The right gate was a stark white and was just as impressive as its black counterpart. It had been adorned with various beautiful creatures, each depicted with incredible detail and precision. There were graceful birds, majestic horses, and winged beings that seemed to take flight right before the viewer's eyes. It was clear that a great deal of care had gone into creating these gates, and their beauty was a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of their creators.

"Ah, I see. So, if I understand correctly, the white gate on the right leads to the realm of the skyheaven, while the black gate on the left takes you down to the underworld, am I correct?" Seokjin inquired, trying to clarify the directions.

Tae sneered at Seokjin and said, "Not bad, human. It looks like you're finally putting that brain of yours to use!" Jin shot Tae a look of annoyance, clearly not amused by the snide remark.

With a curious gaze, Kaya scanned the gates from top to bottom, her eyes scrutinizing every detail. She seemed to be searching for something specific. "Excuse me," she asked, "Is there a gate that leads to the human world? I don't recall entering any portal before."

Jimin drew nearer to Kaya, he reached out and gently turned her by the shoulders, directing her gaze toward the end of their path. There, looming in front of them, stood a massive and ornate gate crafted from pure gold and decorated with an intricate array of carvings and engravings. The gate was a true masterpiece of craftsmanship, featuring depictions of wolves, faeries, animals, flowers, trees, and humans, all intricately woven together in a mesmerizing tapestry of beauty and art. The golden hue from the gate casts a warm and inviting glow over the surrounding area.

Taehyung 's voice was low, "Black resembles death." He stood to Kaya's left, his arms folded across his chest.

Jungkook's voice was clear and unwavering as he continued, "White is divine." He stood on Kaya's right, his hands clasped behind his back.

Jimin finished the explanation from behind Kaya, his voice tinged with reverence. "And gold is life," he said softly, as if in awe of the concept.

An unexpected and unfamiliar voice suddenly disrupted the peace of the moment. "Oh my, what an exquisite explanation," the wicked voice said. "I must say, I couldn't have put it any better myself."

The group of males, including Seokjin , swiftly assembled in front of the priestess, blocking Kaya's view of the unfamiliar figures. However, she could hear their voices loud and clear. Suddenly, another voice chimed in, causing Kaya to strain her ears to listen. "Well, well, I didn't expect you to come here, beloved brother," the voice said.

Jungkook, visibly agitated, snapped back at the speaker, "Shut up and get lost!" Jimin and Tae, his two friends, stood by his side, offering their support.

The two unfamiliar males just laughed at Jungkook's outburst, their eyes glinting with malice. "Wow, did you hear that, Yoongi?" one said wickedly, "We need to show him some manners."

The other one, with a deep raspy voice, responded, "I think he still holds a grudge against you, Hobi."

"What do you want?" Seokjin's voice boomed across the place, demanding an answer. Kaya's heart raced as the tension in the air grew thicker. Suddenly, before she could even process what was happening, her vision was engulfed in a mist of thick white fog. The world around her faded away, leaving her alone with her thoughts and fears as she lost her unconsciousness.

•••

[Again, an early update. As some of you may already know, Ramadan is coming soon. It's the month of fasting and many beautiful things for us Muslims. I will try to stick to my regular updates, but please don't be upset if I won't. I will try.] Love you♡