Jin had to process everything that happened so far. First of all, he witnessed Jimin pounce on a Helian noble and beat the crap out of him for insulting Namjoon. The sight was strange, drawing multiple conflicting emotions from the water gem bearer, but he couldn't help but chuckle as both Yoongi and Emily cheered him on.

Second, being in jail again. Jin honestly was scared out of his mind. He was curled into a ball, knees stuck to his chest as he stared around the tiny place that was his cell. Again, the water gem bearer felt like the walls around him were closing.

Jin wanted to feel Emily's warm hug around him. However, being in a separate cell, the only thing he could do was wrap his arms around himself. Eyes shut, the water gem bearer gritted his teeth at the memory of playing hide and seek as a child, at how he was nearly not found after cramming himself in between the floorboards of his house.

And as if God himself heard Jin's wishes, suddenly his cell door was open. Emily was standing there whilst spinning the keys in her hands. That was his third point— Freedom. Courtesy of General Jisoo, who was given orders not by Taehyung but by Shay.

Jin had difficulty believing that, especially with Shay's countless attempts of killing anyone from his team. Notably, she was consistent when it came to targeting you for some reason. Still, she was Taehyung's little sister. Although the circumstances made it sound impossible— maybe she did have a change of heart.

Feeling Emily's tight grip around his arm, Jin snapped back to reality. He looked down and saw the protector glancing around wearily, her gaze mostly glued at General Jisoo's figure.

Jin knew that he was type of person whose thoughts would drift away randomly despite how deadly the situation was, one of those times being now. Instead of worrying like everyone else, the water gem bearer suddenly remembered what Emily mentioned to be her dream.

A certain thought rang at the very back of Jin's mind and made him smile.

Now that Yoongi retrieved Holly, they were on the way to Taehyung and Sky— in quite a hurry, may Jin add. They were all running. The fire gem bearer was cradling the dragon like a baby, its beady eyes staring back at him. It then yawned loudly and stretched its wing before closing its eyes. Cute.

"Wait," Jungkook spoke suddenly from next to General Jisoo. "You mean to tell me that Tae and Sky are not in the throne room but in Hel's lab?"

Jin shivered at the mention of Hel's throne room. He still remembered the chaos in there— they checked because nobody wanted to trust General Jisoo. There were signs of struggle everywhere; charred patches on the marble ground, carcasses of Helian soldiers scattered everywhere and strangely enough, some black feathers resting on the ground. No sign of you or Taehyung.

"Indeed, Crowned Prince Jungkook," General Jisoo replied in a flat tone. Jin could see Jungkook stiffen at the mention of his status.

"But why the lab?," Namjoon answered instead with a pant. Jimin was holding his hand tight and ran at normal speed. "Why would King Michael want to bring those two there?"

A silence came and Jin could only hear everyone's hurried footsteps. The water gem bearer could feel the air fill tension as dread pooled the area. He turned towards Hoseok, who had a very wry expression on his face.

"The scientists discovered something," General Jisoo's voice was a whisper that Jin could barely hear. "They no longer need moonshine to activate the portal."

"What do you mean?," Jin asked with a tilted head. He heard Emily strum the string of her bow from next to him.

"No," Jungkook suddenly spoke, his voice dripping with dread. The angel's six wings folded desperately behind him. "I refuse to believe that they—"

"Magical extract is even more powerful than any light provided by the moon or the stars," General Jisoo spoke slowly. Jin was impressed by her steady breathing even in the midst of running. "The Crowned Prince and Guardian..."

At that moment, everything clicked in Jin's head. He was so caught up in the shock to notice that Jimin was starting to scribble on some piece of paper. The only thing the water gem bearer truly noticed was how Jungkook looked like he just died a second time.

Jin understood. After all, the mere idea of it; "We have to save them."

"But how?," Yoongi panted loudly. Holly was flying just overhead now, sharp teeth bared as it growled loudly. "If not even Taehyung could beat that king, how the hell are we going to?!"

Jin understood Yoongi's doubt. Taehyung, alongside another Helian like you, were agreeably the two strongest members of the team. Going against someone even they couldn't beat sounded like a death sentence.

But Jin knew better, everyone did. "Those two have done so much for us, Yoongi. The least we could do is save them."

"Jin's right," Hoseok spoke with a heart-shaped grin. He winked playfully from behind the thick lenses of his goggles. "Besides, we're a team. We can do anything."

With that decided, the team made it to the entrance of the lab within a few minutes. Jin stared at the tall doors and studied the designs carved into the marble. They were of Helian scientists holding a variety of flasks of different shapes and sizes. The scientist in the center held a round jewel that spread beams of light that extended to the top of the doors.

Everyone watched in silence as Namjoon stepped forward and planted his hands on the door. Jin gripped his trident tightly, the metal cold against his palms. He scanned his teammates and saw everyone prepare for battle— with the exception of Jimin, who was staring at the crumpled paper he scribbled.

Namjoon glanced at Jimin and chuckled at how he was just staring at that crumpled paper. "Chim, what'cha got there?"

Jimin beamed, his eyes turning into crinkled crescents as he smiled back. "It's a defecation, Joonie!"

"A what."

Before either anybody could try to decipher what the heck Jimin meant, Namjoon shrugged and slammed the doors open. Jin jumped a bit at the sound of shattering rock. The water gem bearer squinted his eyes at the sudden brightness from within the lab as pooled into the area. He pointed his trident forward, its golden body gleaming in the light. When his vision finally adjusted, the blonde let out a loud gasp.

The first thing Jin saw was the portal, which was so tall that it almost hit the already high ceiling of the lab. He glanced around with his glowing blue eyes and spotted King Michael, who was laying on the ground with a pool of blood underneath him. Confused, the water gem bearer spotted you, Taehyung and Shay standing in front of the control panel.

Jimin suddenly stepped forward from behind Namjoon and raised the paper in his hand. "We have come! With a defecation—"

"It's declaration," Namjoon whispered with a smile. Hoseok stifled his laughter.

"A declaration of war!," Jimin's loud voice bounced off the walls of the lab. Jin could see Taehyung cringe. "Release our friends or your asses will get—"

There was a pause. Jimin slowly slithered behind Namjoon and pointed at the three Helians with a pout. With a smile, the earth gem bearer spoke. "Oh. Hey guys."

Jin watched as Jungkook called for Taehyung, then King Michael got up and conversed with the Bristene siblings in low whispers that he could not hear at all from his position. He stared at Shay and observed the way she stood next to the prince with a determined expression. The water gem bearer thought about General Jisoo and the princess' plans of freeing them.

"Cloud! Are you okay?!," Yoongi suddenly screamed with wide eyes. Holly snapped its jaw overhead. "They said something about extracting magic and—"

Turning around, Jin was surprised when he suddenly saw you standing in between him and Emily. Your silver hair was disheveled, cheeks flushed to a bright shade of pink as you took deep breaths. If the situation wasn't this serious, the water gem bearer would have assumed that Taehyung had given you another kiss.

"I'm fine, Yoongi," You glanced over your shoulder and at the siblings. "Shay saved us."

Shay what now. Jin glanced at Emily, who returned the same baffled expression. He turned towards Jungkook, who had a crooked smile on his face.

"She did?," General Jisoo beamed with sparkling eyes. She coughed when she caught everyone's stares. "I mean, of course she did. The Crowned Princess has taken it upon herself to assist her brother."

"So Shay is on our side now?," Jimin squeaked with unconsciously pouted thick lips.

Nobody replied to that. Jin wondered if it was too obvious to confirm or if nobody just knew what to say about it. Still, the water gem bearer was glad that they could make more allies than foes, especially when it came to Taehyung's younger sister.

"Hey, Sky," Emily shattered the silence with her unsure tone. "Your back..."

You questionably turned towards Emily, which gave Jin and everyone else a clear view of your back. Six slanted holes were on both your shirt and jacket. The water gem bearer's eyebrows creased together at the sight.

"Those are some oddly proportional tears," Hoseok massaged his chin as the lens of his goggles whirred and zoomed in. "Almost as if they were intentionally made for—"

"Wings," Jungkook breathed with wide baby blue eyes. He was gripping one of his folded wings. "Oh my Macht."

At that moment, you turned around and made eye contact with Jungkook. Although no words were said, Jin could tell that the two of you somehow communicated merely through gaze.

"Is there something we're missing or—"

"Imbicles," King Michael's booming voice stopped Namjoon midway. "You really think you can beat me?"

Jin glanced at King Michael, who was staring at the Bristene siblings with burning eyes while clutching his wounded chest. Suddenly, the Helian king flicked his eyes towards the water gem bearer, who immediately flinched at the mischievous grin that appeared on his face.

"My son," King Michael chuckled. Purple smoke rose from his wound and seeped between his fingers. "You are aware of what your presence has done to the other wonders, yes?"

Taehyung didn't say anything. Instead, he glanced over his shoulder and at the rest of the team. This time, Jin could read the expression in the darkness gem bearer's eyes and saw regret.

"We have to help him," Jungkook spoke as white mist fogged around his eyes.

You placed a hand on Jungkook's chest before he could step forward. "It's a family matter. Taehyung said so."

Contrary to what Jin expected, Jungkook didn't protest at all. The angel merely whispered curse words under his breath and tugged at his blonde hair in frustration.

"It is our curse, Taehyung," King Michael still had that sick smile on his face. "We bring darkness with us, even to those we care for."

Jin instinctively grabbed Emily's hand as King Michael raised his hands towards the rest of the team. You formed a purple shield in your hands and raised it.

"And the gems are no exception."

King Michael slowly twisted his wrist. Jin suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest, almost as if someone had dug their fingers into his ribcage to squeeze his heart. He looked down and it realized that it was the water gem, which was glowing abnormally bright blue.

Then the core of the water gem turned purple. The dark color swirled within the sea of blue before it was extracted. Jin watched in literal pain as purple mist rose from his gem.

"J-Joonie?," Jimin whimpered with trembling lips. Purple mist was rising from his ring, the thunder gem as well.

"Chim," Namjoon wrapped an arm around Jimin's shoulders. His lips tightened. The earth gem was purple. "It's okay."

"What's happening?," Emily whispered, her grip on Jin's hand tightening.

Jin glanced around. His eyes widened when he realized that the same thing was happening to everyone else's gems— with the exception of Jungkook, who was clutching the light gem in fear.

The darkness gathered in the air and swirled like a magnificent light show before King Michael lowered his hand. Slamming to the ground, the purple mist exploded and blew strong wind on Jin's face.

And when the mist faded, Jin had to do a double take because he was looking at himself.

The other him was like a clone— same blonde hair, pale skin and tall figure (aka same handsome man). Even the clothes were identical, along with the golden trident in his right hand. On the contrary, this thing did have glowing purple eyes and a semi-transparent hue to its figure.

Jin was glad that he could at least tell the difference between himself and this monstrosity. Then he spotted the floating purple-eyed Hoseok copy and realized that everyone except you, Emily and Jungkook were replicated.

"What in the flying fu—"

"You wonders may have beaten my best troops," King Michael chuckled before Hoseok could swear out loud. "But I doubt that you can go against the darkness within yourselves."

Jin watched in complete disbelief as the other him twirled the trident in their hands and pointed it at him. It was almost as if this copy could use the weapon much better than he ever could.

"You know," Yoongi released a dry laugh. Holly was confusedly looking back and forth between the real and fake fire gem bearer. "I might have had thoughts of beating the crap out of myself but this was not what I had in mind."

Looking at the fake Yoongi, Jin noted that Holly wasn't replicated. He looked down at Emily, who nodded and strummed the string of her bow, just as King Michael's voice boomed.

"Kill them."

Just like that, all the replicated wonders charged forward. The team immediately spread out as Jin kept an eye on the other him. The replica spun the trident once more and raised it. Misty waves of purple surged on the ground towards him.

Jin swiped his hand and summoned a wave of bright water that faded once it crashed with the purple waves. Then the replica surfed across the ground with the trident aimed towards his face.

With gritted teeth, Jin raised his trident and clashed with the other, its triple blades poking just at the surface of his neck's skin. He stared at his replica's piercing purple eyes. Its gaze dug into the very depths of his soul.

"A fool, that is what you are," Jin was surprised when his replica started to speak in a voice identical to his own. "You think your so called friends are worth it?"

Jin glanced around. He saw purple and red flames flutter. Yoongi rolled on the ground with a thud as purple flames coated him. Then you charged forward with a scream and struck the fire gem bearer replica's face with your shield.

"Hey, Yoongi?," You asked as you grabbed Yoongi's hands and pulled him up to his feet. "This other you... he looks so—"

Angry. Indeed, Yoongi's replica was literally burning with rage. Bright purple flames scorched from the fake's entire body. Even its eyes were merely bright balls of fire. The sight reminded Jin of that Ghost Rider movie.

This made Jin wonder what these copies really were. King Michael had mentioned something about the corruption that seeped into them curtesy of the darkness gem. The water gem bearer wondered if these things were something more than just replicas.

"Playing the hero like a fool," Fake Yoongi chuckled, his pointed teeth grazing the surface of his lips. "You think doing any of this can make you a better man?"

Yoongi gritted his teeth. Hot blue flames erupted and coated his arms. You glanced back and forth between the two fire gem bearers.

"Whatever you do, think or say— you are nothing. You always will be."

Jin almost fell back when his replica spun his weapon and stabbed it into the ground, pinning his trident and forcing it out of his grip.

"Deep down, you know," Fake Jin leaned forward with a smirk. "That you alone are ten times more valuable than all your teammates combined."

"That's not true," Jin spoke through gritted teeth.

"Is it?," The fake Jin chuckled mischievously. "We are one and the same, Seokjin. You can't hide anything from me."

Jin hissed and eyed his trident, which was resting next to his feet yet out of reach. At that moment, he spotted the bearer couple, the duo standing across their replicas. Jimin was posed in a fighting stance with a stern expression whilst Namjoon looked more hesitant with his trembling fists.

"Heh, look at them," Fake Jimin smirked with his arms crossed over his chest. "Don't they look pathetic?"

Fake Namjoon crooked a brow and chuckled. "He's trembling so much. I'm almost ashamed to be him."

"Shut up," Jimin hissed loudly, his eyes glowing a bright yellow. Electricity crackled in the air around him.

The Jimin replica cackled loudly, which drew out a wince from the actual Namjoon. Shaking his head, the fake thunder gem bearer ran a hand through his hair.

"You two are such... children," Fake Jimin laughed again. "Clinging onto each other in a desperate attempt of acceptance."

Jimin glanced at Namjoon, who stared back with glassy eyes. Somehow, even from far away, Jin could feel the tension circulating in the air around them.

"So," Fake Jimin tilted his head as the Namjoon replica glanced at him with a smirk. "Are you two going to fight or are you going to keep circling around each other?"

"No point in asking," Fake Namjoon shrugged. "We'd probably be through with them before they can even decide on something."

"Joonie, that's mean!," Fake Jimin giggled. "I mean they have a hard enough time protecting people around them— much less each other so this might be too difficult for them."

Jimin's expression instantly darkened as the electricity around them intensified. Namjoon stared. Jin was a bit terrified at the murderous glint in the thunder gem bearer's eyes.

"Poor things."

Jin was grabbed by the collar, diverging his gaze as Jimin released a loud battle cry. Fake Jin pulled him closer until their noses were almost touching. The water gem bearer was honestly a bit uncomfortable at how he was literally being taunted by himself.

"Why do you stay with those peasants? They don't deserve to be with someone like you."

From the corner of his eye, Jin glanced at his trident on the ground. His hand balled into a fist as water pooled underneath his golden weapon.

"For what it's worth, you're better off alone," Fake Jin grinned, his eyes glowing a brighter purple. "Besides, you'll lose them anyway... How long do you think can Emily stand you?"

Jin's eye twitched at the mention of Emily. In one swift motion, a pillar of water rose from the ground and threw the trident upwards. The water gem bearer caught it and stabbed his replica in the side.

Strangely enough, Fake Jin wasn't fazed by it at all. Instead, he kicked Jin in the torso. The water gem bearer fell hard on his back and stared at his trident. Purple blood was dripping down the triple blades of his weapon.

"Smart. It almost makes you more appealing," Rivers of blood were flowing down Fake Jin's wounds. Despite that, he stepped forward with a malicious grin. "Tell me, is there anything people like about you other than your good loo—"

Fake Jin was halted by an arrow that stabbed through his neck. Jin stared with wide eyes and turned to his side. Emily had her arms outstretched with the string of her bow still vibrating a bit.

Emily sprinted towards Jin and stretched out a hand. A playful smile was on her face. "The fake you is way too talkative. Come on."

Jin stared at Emily for a good solid seconds before he grabbed her hand. Wobbling to his feet, the water gem bearer used his trident to keep his balance.

"Jin?," Emily tilted her head as she scrunched her eyebrows together. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Instead of saying anything, Jin diverted his gaze to the ground. His fake's words echoed in his mind— How long do you think can Emily stand you? Even if he didn't want to believe it, those thoughts dug into the very back of his mind.

"Look at me," Emily gently cupped Jin's face. He turned around and met her stern expression. "What that thing told you is not true. I love you, Kim Seokjin. Nothing will ever change that."

Jin smiled. He thought it was ironic, how there could be a scenario as soft and gentle as this in the midst of all this chaos. As the mixture of flames and light beams shot across the air, the only thing he could care about at the moment was Emily.

Then Jin saw something spiraling towards both him and Emily in the air. His eyes widened when he realized that it was Hoseok, who was being tackled by his replica.

Jin immediately pushed Emily to the ground as both Hoseoks flew overhead and crashed a few feet behind him. Jungkook tailed and shot a beam of light at the air gem bearer's replica.

Hoseok stared at his fake, the giant gaping hole in his chest still sizzling. He glanced at Jungkook, who was still levitating in the air, and shot the angel a thumbs up with a matching heart-shaped grin.

Then Fake Hoseok started to laugh. Hoseok's expression instantly shifted into one of dread as the replica's wound slowly healed whilst it glowed a faint purple. A strong tornado of wind blew behind and smacked right into Jungkook, who was thrown across the lab.

"Your confidence is amusing," Hoseok yelped when his fake grabbed him by the throat with both of his hands. "How long are you going to keep blinding yourself?"

Hoseok scratched at the hands around his throat. Surprised at how he could actually feel the fake's hands instead of just mist, his eyes widened.

"Your friends can use mystical magic, have wings, can heal, some even belong to a lineage of royalty," Fake Hoseok cracked a grin, his purple eyes glowing behind the goggles. "All you do is puff air around."

Hoseok whipped up air around his wrists and attempted to shoot at his replica but then his whole body was pinned to the ground by an even stronger force of wind.

"Compared to everyone else, you are nothing," Fake Hoseok's grip tightened. "Heck, if I wasn't your clone, I wouldn't have even noticed you."

"Hoseok!," Emily screamed and grabbed her fallen attempts. As she made an attempt to run towards the air gem bearer, Jin saw his replica stand.

Without hesitation, Jin jumped in front of Emily just as his replica threw his trident. The water gem bearer fell to the ground, the trident's triple blades sticking through his torso. He could taste the metallic blood in his mouth.

"No," Emily immediately halted and kneeled down next to Jin. "Jin!"

"I— I'm fine," Jin coughed, the dark blood spluttering around his lips. He slowly grabbed the fake's trident. "I'll— heal in no time. I just need to—"

Jin paused when he attempted to pull out the weapon. Instead of being rejuvenated (as usual), he felt a stinging pain that shot through his body. The water gem bearer ended up puking a mixture of blood and saliva.

"W-Wait Jin, don't pull it!," Emily grabbed Jin's hand before he could pull it any further. She shook her head in disbelief. "Why... why aren't you healing?!"

At that moment, Jin could feel more stares land on him as the tension in the air thickened. As the healer of the team, he figured that there was a reason why everyone was suddenly filled with dread.

"Ouch. That really hurt, you know?"

Jin weakly looked up at his replica, who merely pulled out the arrow from his neck and tossed it to the ground. Fake Jin stretched his bloody neck as it made a popping sound.

"None of your fancy moves and magic can work on me," Fake Jin looked like a leaking pipe of blood due to all the red liquid flowing down his body. "Haven't you figured it out yet?"

Jin's head was spinning. He glanced at his blood coated hands. Emily was screaming his name as she hugged his head close to her chest.

"I am thou, thou art I— I am the culmination of all your deepest darkest desires and secrets," Fake Jin cackled loudly, his evil laughs bouncing off the walls as the fights continued. "You can't beat me because you can't beat yourself."

"Jin, take deep breaths," Emily's voice trembled. She held Jin closer. "Just— just look at me, okay? You'll be fine, you'll be fine."

Jin looked up at Emily and felt the drops of her tears drip on his cheeks. He could still taste the blood in his mouth as the hot liquid seeped through his hand, which still gripped the gaping wounds in his torso.

"Jungkook, don't you know healing magic?!"

"I— I do but—"

"Help Jin!"

Not really sure who was speaking to Jungkook, Jin kept his eyes on Emily, who continued to cry but still somehow gave him a look of reassurance. He expected to see Jungkook— actually he should have been here by now.

But he never came, at least while Jin's vision started to darken.

"No, no, no, no," Emily lightly tapped Jin's face. "Stay awake, Jin! I— I swear to God, stay awake!"

For a second, Jin closed his eyes. In that moment of darkness, he thought about his replica's words— I am the culmination of your deepest darkest desires and secrets. He thought about his initial thoughts in the early days of joining you and Yoongi, at how he thought being around people outside his social circle was... weird.

Jin realized that everything his replica said was true. All those bad thoughts rooted from his ego crossed his mind at one point. He wasn't sure how his way of thinking changed—

Emily. Suddenly, Jin realized how his thoughts changed. Meeting her and falling for her— it changed him. She was still cradling him, her tears streaming endlessly.

Somehow, in the midst of it all, Jin figured it out. With a weak smile, he gently tugged on Emily's arm. "Hey... Em."

Emily sighed in relief at hearing Jin's voice. "Yes, Jin?"

"Bring me," Jin sucked in a breath and pointed a shaky figure at his replica, who was just staring at them in amusement. "Bring me closer to him."

"Jin?," Emily shook her head. "You're too weak and—"

"Don't worry," Jin chuckled as his eyes glowed blue. He glared at his replica, who cocked an eyebrow at him. "I've got it all figured out."

Emily stared. Jin could feel his insides burning. He knew how high the stakes were and the consequences of his plan failing— but, just as a friend once said, he could always have hope.

"I'm going to kick his ass."

-

Scanning the area, Shay gripped the staff in her hands. King Michael had given a long speech about Hel's history, which the princess honestly thought was a bit unnecessary in this kind of situation. She eyed the control panel and watched as a scientist typed away.

At one point, the machine was activated, Shay wasn't really sure when. She just remembered seeing the pipe connecting the glass cage to the portal glow with a light purple hue. Then you and Taehyung were curling in pain inside.

Shay closed her eyes. She remembered the day her mother passed, when she was still an unripe age of three. The princess could still vividly see both Taehyung and King Michael crying in that room. She couldn't understand it back then, instead she stared at the queen in bafflement.

Brother, where are they taking Mother? — was what Shay asked that time. She couldn't really recall the expression Taehyung had on his young face but his words that day stuck to her. He made a promise, that he'd protect her and stay by her side no matter what.

So when Taehyung attempted to sneak out of the palace that one night, she wondered if he had forgotten about that promise. He asked her to come, that the only way to freedom is to escape.

Shay was afraid but she was not an idiot. Every day within these walls was a gruelling act of survival. It wasn't the ideal but it's a type of grind she was familiar with. Besides, how would she know that the outside would be any different? In the back of Shay's mind—there was no true solace for kids like them anywhere. They can never outrun King Michael's shadow, menacing and sneering. She can't bear that risk.

So why bother?

Taehyung's figure disappeared in the dark night. Shay wondered if she made the right decision. Those thoughts were left hanging in the very back of her mind, up until she met the Great Six's first member— Animo.

Growing up, Shay learned that running meant you were a coward. When faced with a problem, the best way to deal with it was to attack it head on. And Taehyung ran, leaving her and everything else behind.

Then Taehyung came back, as if he had done nothing to contribute to all the suffering Shay felt every single day of her life. She despised him— How dare he had the guts to show up after all these years? How dare King Michael favor a rebellious son over a daughter who stayed by his side?

When Shay caught Taehyung crying by accident that day, she didn't know what to think. When he comforted her during his coronation, the princess couldn't figure out if she really did see a glimmer of sincerity. She couldn't help but lean into it though. Having a taste of the past and all that could've been.

And when Taehyung left again, Shay was ready to give up. She was ready to accept the fact that her own brother would rather be with a bunch of strangers than his own sister. She was ready to accept the fact that he only returned to solidify his title as the heir, nothing more and nothing less.

Truthfully, Shay has always waited for this day to arrive, for her oh-so-loved brother to finally fall. She anticipated to see the figure overshadowing her topple over and maybe at last, she'd finally get to step out of the shadows. Maybe she'd finally get a taste of what it was like to be adored.

Shay stared at the ground. She could feel Taehyung's stare, although far away, bore into her skull. It made the princess wonder if that was what she really wanted.

The portal whirred loudly. Shay gripped her staff as its round edge sharpened into a blade. She turned around and glared at King Michael's broad back.

Shay gritted her teeth. She glanced at the scientists, who were all staring up at you and Taehyung. It only took a few swift steps for her to turn back on everything she was supposed to do.

This lead to where they were now. King Michael had created a corrupted version of the wonders to put them against each other. Shay and Taehyung stood across their father, both in fighting stances.

Shay felt torn. Fighting side by side with Taehyung brought back both good and bad memories. At the same time, the princess realized what she did— she stabbed King Michael. She had done it.

"You two are a disgrace to the Bristene bloodline," King Michael hissed loudly. "Siding with those stupid wonders— what did you gain?"

"The world," Taehyung glanced at Shay, who stared back at him with pursed lips. "And a family."

Shay smiled back. Her thoughts drifted back to the Great Six. The princess' eyes became teary but she blinked away. Instead, she kept a heated gaze towards King Michael. Behind the siblings, the wonders continued to fight their replicas.

"The one time you actually grow a backbone and you use it to betray me."

King Michael whispered under his breath but Shay was somehow able to hear it loud and clear. He waved a hand and made a gesture towards the soldiers circling them.

"Kill them."

"B-But, Your Highness," One of the soldiers stuttered out hesitantly. "They are your chi—"

"Did you not hear me?!," King Michael's booming voice made most of the soldiers wince. "Kill them!"

Despite the hesitation, the Helian soldiers charged towards the Bristene siblings. Shay gulped loudly and gripped her staff tightly. Among the army were familiar faces, some of them the princess had trained herself back in the day. The sight made her grit her teeth.

"Shay," Taehyung whispered, his glare still fixated at the army of soldiers ahead. "You go offense, I'll go defense."

Shay nodded as she had a short flashback of their training. "Let's do Mistify."

"Mistify?," Taehyung raised an eyebrow at Shay, who just gave her a questionable look. The prince smirked. "Don't you hate that technique?"

Shay scoffed and scanned Taehyung's figure, stopping when her eyes landed on the darkness gem resting on his finger. In the middle of the swirling purple color was a single word glowing in its core— Bearer.

Turning around, Shay spotted King Michael hiding behind rows of Helian soldiers. "Do it."

Shay broke into a sprint, leaving Taehyung baffled behind her. Her staff turning to a sword as she charged towards the obviously hesitant soldiers. Swinging her weapon, the princess screamed as she slashed down a few Helians.

One brave soldier swiped his spear at Shay, who bent down to slide across the floor to dodge it, knocking some soldiers off balance in the process as she bumped into their legs.

Taehyung, on the other hand, whispered a spell under his breath. He spun his staff in circles as its snake head tip glowed. A circular purple light shined in front of the prince. Then he slammed it to the ground and opened his reptilian eyes.

"Mistify."

A thick layer of dark purple smoke appeared at the staff's foot and flew towards Shay, who was stuck battling in the middle of a group of soldiers. Once the princess spotted the mist, she smirked.

Shay pushed the soldiers away with her weapon. She pointed two fingers in the air and swiped them diagonally. In that instant, she disappeared just as she was coated by Taehyung's mist.

Confused, the remaining soldiers glanced around. There was a thick layer of mist surrounding them, concealing even Shay's. Then one Helian screamed from far away. He had a large gash across his chest.

Another screamed and another. Then Shay appeared above, her smile menacing to the soldiers. She tackled a Helian to the ground, the sharp blade of her sword piercing through his chest. Then she rolled on the ground and disappeared into an explosion of mist.

One Helian spotted Taehyung from a few feet away. The prince was frozen in position, the eyes of his snake head staff glowing as he held it to the ground. Purple mist was swirling around his feet and made some strands of his dark hair flutter.

"The prince is concealing the princess!," The soldier screamed and raised his spear. "Attack him!"

Shay landed on her feet as her figure appeared within the dark mist. Her eyes widened when she saw a group of soldiers charge at Taehyung, who was still in his spell casting mode.

"Brother!," Shay screamed just before a Helian tackled her to the ground.

As Shay battled the soldier on top of her, she watched helplessly as a Helian swung his spear towards Taehyung's torso. She winced when the weapon went right through him.

Right through him. Shay blinked as the confused soldier moved his spear upwards, then downwards. There was no blood, instead Taehyung's figure faded into a dark shadow.

A purple laser beam pierced through the air and disintegrated the soldiers in an instant. Taehyung slid across the ground, smoke rising from the soles of his shoes as he did so. The mouth of his snake head staff was still smoking.

Shay was impressed, both at how Taehyung used a spell she had never read about in the books and at how his mistify spell hadn't broken yet. Smirking, she pushed the soldier off of herself and stabbed him in the chest.

Taehyung just stood there and stared at his darkness gem. Shay noticed that his eyes were glowing an unnatural shade of purple. "Taehy—"

"Shay, behind you!"

Hearing Taehyung's call, Shay turned around and became face to face with two spear-wielding soldiers. Just before she could attack them, however, the Helians suddenly fizzled as electricity surged through their bodies.

The soldiers fell and revealed General Jisoo, who was standing there with a stoic grin and electric spear resting on her shoulders. Shay and Taehyung stared.

"It's time to accept that we're under new management," General Jisoo grinned as the stepped on one of the soldiers. "Haha! Looks like I won't be able to report to HR after this."

An awkward silence passed as General Jisoo fake laughed. She then caught the stares of both the Bristene siblings and cleared her throat.

"If the royal siblings do not mind, I would like to he of assistance," General Jisoo swung her spear, which hit another soldier square in the face. "I never liked the king anyways."

"Shay!," Taehyung was suddenly next to Shay, who wondered if he teleported or if he was just really fast. "Are you okay?"

Shay stared at Taehyung as he gently grabbed her hand and pulled her to feet. The prince was taking deep and heavy breaths. "Are you okay?"

Taehyung didn't answer to that. Instead, he glanced down at his glowing darkness gem. Shay opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by a scream of someone who belonged to the wonders team— Dang it, she couldn't remember her name.

"W-Why aren't you healing?!"

Shay couldn't see who exactly the female archer was cradling on the ground but she noticed how Taehyung's expression immediately fell. Seeing the water pooled nearby by the two figures, she had an idea.

Macht— Shay thought to herself— she should really make an effort in at least knowing everyone's names other than the guardian's.

"Jungkook!," Taehyung screamed and looked up. Shay followed her gaze and spotted Jungkook flying high up. "Don't you know healing magic?!"

Jungkook winced. "I—I do but—"

"Heal Jin!"

Without hesitation, Jungkook's eyes glowed as he flew towards the two figures and left behind a sonic boom of light. After following the angel's figure for a bit, Shay suddenly spotted someone at the control panel.

Shay initially thought it was a head scientist but the tall and broad figure told her otherwise. Then she saw the crown on the person's head and realized that King Michael was trying to activate the portal again.

"Crowned Prince and Princess, I shall take care of the soldiers," General Jisoo spun the electric spear in her hands and turned around. "Please stop the king."

Shay and Taehyung turned around. She unconsciously grabbed her brother's hand and panic struck her once she realized what she did. The prince, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow at her.

"I'll teleport us both to father," Shay spoke without looking at Taehyung. "Hold your breath."

Shay closed her eyes and inhaled deeply as purple mist wrapped around both their figures. When she opened them, she and Taehyung were standing behind King Michael, who froze instantly upon their arrival.

King Michael turned around and met both of their eyes. Shay flinched a bit at the burning gaze he gave her and for a moment, she couldn't move. When the princess was snapped back to reality, she realized that there was a forcefield surrounding her.

Shay's feet tapped the ground as she looked around in confusion. Hearing faint thumping and muffled screams, the princess slowly turned around as dread pooled at the bottom of her gut. Taehyung was on the other side of the forcefield. His fangs were bared as he angrily thumped his fists on the thick layer of materialized purple mist.

Before Shay could process what exactly just happened, she was grabbed by the throat and pulled backwards. She grunted as she was slammed to the ground, the force making pain shoot up her back like jolts of electricity.

Shay's eyes widened when she realized that King Michael was pinning her to the ground by the throat. She stared at the crackling wire in her father's hands and the triple blades that resembled claws.

"You two are such idiots," King Michael chuckled as he waved the wire in his hands over Shay's face. "You both fell right into my trap."

"Leave her alone!," Taehyung's muffled screams came from the other side of the portal.

Sparks suddenly flew in the air when Taehyung stabbed his snake head staff right at the forcefield. Shay could see it slowly shatter as the prince used all his strength to pierce through it.

King Michael scoffed and turned back towards Shay with a smirk. "It is quite lucky that some of your brother's and the guardian's magic was retained inside the portal but..."

Shay glanced as the screen as it glowed. Sparks continued to flutter from the forcefield as Taehyung screamed. The princess' eyes widened when she finally read the large text on the computer's screen— Ready for maximum output.

King Michael pressed something on the wire and the claws opened up. "We are going to need a bit more."

Shay screamed once King Michael stabbed the triple claws in her torso. Her vision darkened as her body convulsed, the wire in her father's hands glowing a bright purple as the portal started to whir loudly.

Taehyung's figure was still on the other side of the portal, both the sparks and his form only looking like specks of light and darkness in her eyes. She reached out to him and felt tears spill out of her eyes. There were screams but she couldn't tell if it was her's or her brother's.

Shay wondered where she'd end up— in the clouds with Macht or in the underworld with the anti-god Slecht. She wondered if she'd finally get to see Medusa and the others, whether they'd be happy to see her or not. The princess closed her eyes as she was enveloped by darkness.

When Shay came to, she initially thought that she had awoken in the afterlife. She yelped at the sharp pain in her stomach. A dark figure was hovering over her and a voice was speaking from that person as well.

Shay blinked continuously as her vision finally adjusted. Taehyung hovered above her, his eyes red and swollen as the tears continued to flow down his face. He was staring at his glowing palm, which was gently placed over the wounds of her torso.

Turning to the side, Shay saw the bloody claws of the wire connected to the control panel laying next to her. On the screen were bright words that said— Maximum Output achieved at 100%.

Shay wasn't really sure how long she had been unconscious. She turned towards Taehyung, who continued to heal her wounds. "Brother?"

Taehyung's gaze instantly shifted to Shay's face. He stared at her for a solid five seconds before breaking into a loud sob. Cradling the princess, the darkness gem bearer sniffled as he hugged her close.

"I thought I lost you, sis," Taehyung choked. Shay was frozen. "Macht... what would I do if I lost you again?"

Shay didn't know what to say to that. Instead of replying, she slowly snaked her hand up Taehyung's arm and squeezed his shoulder. Somehow, that slight touch made her brother choke louder on his sobs.

"Taehyung, I am fine," Shay said with a bit of a stoic tone and glanced around. "Where is father?"

Taehyung pulled away from the hug and blinked. He turned to the side, where a strong gust of wind was blowing. Shay followed his gaze and gulped dryly.

Just a few feet away, the now open portal stood. The Helian army poured into the swirling purple color like a swarm of bees as they disappeared into it with a loud crackle. Everything close to the portal, including the poor scientists, were forcibly sucked into the machine.

"It's all over," Jungkook's feet tapped the ground as he landed next to Taehyung and folded his wings. "The portal is open and the invasion has begun."

Shay stared at the portal and grunted, both in despair and frustration. She couldn't believe that everyone's combined efforts had gone up to smoke just like that.

"Taehyung," Shay glanced at Taehyung, who hummed as a reply. Her dark hair fluttered in the wind. "Why didn't you go after father?"

Taehyung laughed as if the answer was obvious. "I'm not leaving you."

At first, Shay thought that her ears were playing a game on her that she only heard what she wanted to hear. Then Taehyung tightly grabbed her hand and for the first time in years— she could see the sincerity on his face.

"There's still a way to stop this, Kook," Taehyung turned towards Jungkook, who was staring back at the siblings with a small bunny smile. "We jump in and fight."

"On Earth?," Jungkook raised a brow. "Never thought we'd have to come back."

"Brother, we cannot do that," Shay was slightly intimidated by the gazes he received from the two crowned princes. "Father prepared special armor for himself and the army so that they would not disintegrate during the travel across space."

"I know," Taehyung's answer was what Shay least expected. There was a mischievous smirk on his face.

"Tae?," Jungkook laughed and shook his head. "What have you planned this ti—"

Before Jungkook could finish his question, there was a loud explosion. A stronger gust of wind blew and Shay felt like her whole scalp was going to be torn off due to the force. She raised a hand and formed a forcefield around herself and the two princes before any of them could be hit with debris.

Shay gritted her teeth and stood up. Raising her hand once again, her staff flew through the air and landed right in her palm. Just as she went into a fighting stance, Taehyung held her arm in a reassuring manner.

Confused, Shay watched as the smoke cleared, her eyebrows when she realized what she was looking at. Half of Greta's body had crashed into the lab, its nose creating a large gash on the marble ground. Dust coated the ship's body as debris continued to fall.

"What the feather?," Jungkook's wings straightened behind him as he tilted his head. "Is that Greta?!"

Shay watched in even more confusion as two long haired figures stood up from behind the steering wheel of the ship. The first girl wore a penguin mask and was shorter than the other, who in turn had a white swan mask.

"Oh my!," Chuu pulled her mask upwards, its wire making a snap sound as she did. "Crowned Prince, we apologize for our tardi— oh."

Chuu was staring blankly below. Shay followed her gaze and saw multiple dead Helian soldiers lying across the ground. A short silence fell.

"Guess we missed the party," Chuu smiled, her eyes turning into crescents. "Didn't we, Yves?"

Yves sighed and wobbled as she fixed her tilted swan mask. "I can't believe we let you drive."

"It was me or Vivi, I was obviously the better choice."

"Either of you could have gotten us killed."

"Tae," Jungkook turned towards Taehyung with a big smirk. "How—"

"No questions," Taehyung grabbed Shay's hand again and held it tightly. He faced the portal as the wind made their hair flutter. "We got our ride."

-

A/N - Tag urself which one were you during this chap

Anywhoodles did Jin make it or 🤔 well unfortunately this was only 8k words but the next chap will be the gang back on Earth for one final battle!!! Icb T7W is really ending huhu ;;

Shay is officially in the wonders' team!! Also i hope you guys liked the action!!!

And get ready for the final battle cos i've got a major surprise for y'all ohohohohoho

I love shay BYE

me and hotricebowl bye