"Now you leave me no choice, Ha-Joon," In-Su whispered, his eyes flickering with a sinister crimson glow.
His skin darkened, shadows swirling around him like living darkness, tendrils creeping from his hands.
The wind howled fiercely, tearing through the air as if the very skies mourned what was about to unfold.
In-Su slowly rose, his body radiating a dark, ominous aura. His voice was cold, filled with a deadly calm. "Since we are enemies now, it won't hurt to end you."
With a sudden, savage motion, he struck out his hand. Bats—dark, twisted creatures born from shadows—rushed forward like living nightmares, tearing at Ha-Joon with ferocious claws.
They cut across his face, his arms, his hands, his stomach—cruel wounds opening on his flesh as pain flared through his body.
Blood sprayed in a gruesome arc, staining the ground and splattering across his face, shimmering with a dark sheen.
In-Su's lips curled into a cruel smirk as Ha-Joon staggered, falling to his knees, battered and broken.
But then, a flash of memories burst through the chaos—images of their friendship, pure and bright, flickering like fireflies in the darkness.
He remembered the first time they met, the laughter shared in innocent days, the trust that blossomed between them.
The moments they grew closer, the unbreakable bonds forged through trials and tears, and then—how everything fell apart when his parents shattered his world, turning his life into chaos.
A surge of fury ignited within him, burning hotter than ever.
His voice cracked with raw emotion, trembling with the weight of betrayal and pain. "I was invisible first. I was forced to be a girl, then to be my brother, then to fight my friend. I've never had a moment of freedom. I looked happy when I was with you, but was I really happy?"
Ha-Joon, battered and struggling to stand, saw the pain in In-Su's eyes—an abyss of torment, rage, and heartbreak.
Zepyria, desperate and trembling, cried out, "In-Su is losing control! We have to stop him!"
In-Su's voice grew colder, more venomous. "Maybe if I eliminate you, I'll finally find peace… for a while."
He paused, eyes dark with twisted resolve. "Or… if you kill me, maybe I'll be free forever."
Unaware of Bolt preparing for his final attack, In-Su's focus remained fixed. Bolt clenched his sword tightly, gathering his last reserves of strength.
With a cry of defiance and desperation, he charged forward—his sword shining with a fierce, blue light.
"Arrgghh!" Bolt roared, unleashing everything he had. He swooped through the air, slicing with a silver blade that cut through the shadows like lightning.
His strike connected with In-Su's stomach, piercing the darkness with a burst of blinding light.
Blood erupted from In-Su's wound, splattering like a crimson waterfall that shimmered in the air.
In-Su froze, a flicker of confusion crossing his face—then a wicked smile curled at his lips, amused by the chaos he had summoned.
They collapsed to the ground, the clash finally silenced as Bolt's sword vanished into the shadows.
In-Su's voice was barely a whisper, strained and exhausted. "You finally did it," he murmured, a faint smile curling his lips. "You killed your enemy."
Bolt's tears streamed down his face as he cried out, voice cracking with anguish. " What are you talking about? we're not enemies."
In-Su's lips parted, blood slipping from his mouth as he struggled to speak.
Carefully, he raised his trembling hands touching bolt's cheeks, his eyes one Ha-Joon once adored meeting Bolt's eyes with a gentle, knowing smile.
"You're crying? Don't cry… be happy. You've won."
Bolt's voice caught in his throat, tears falling freely as he whispered, "In-Su..."
In-Su winced in pain, but a strange warmth shone in his eyes. "Don't worry… I will always be with you… Ha-Joon. I… love… you, my friend…"
A heavy silence fell over them, thick with unspoken regret and longing. In-Su's voice was faint, almost a murmur of farewell.
"In-Su, I'm sorry. I never meant for this to happen. Don't go…"
Bolt, trembling, reached out and held In-Su's shoulder tighter, desperate to cling to him even as the life seeped from his body.
"It's already finished," In-Su whispered softly, his voice fading into the darkness.
Then, with a final breath, In-Su's words echoed, a somber piece of wisdom. "Remember this—true friendship isn't about never falling, never fighting… it's about standing by each other, even in the darkest moments. Even when everything else is lost, your friends are what keep you alive."
In that moment, In-Su's body went still. Bolt paused, his heart breaking. At first, he began to laugh bitterly—hysterical, trembling with grief.
But soon, his laughter turned into tears, deep and unrestrained, echoing across the desolate battlefield.
He held In-Su close, trembling as he whispered through his sobs, "I'm sorry..." His voice was fragile, haunted by the weight of loss.
"I'm sorry, In-Su... please come back..." Bolt whispered, voice trembling with anguish.
His tears streamed down his face as he clung to the fading hope. "Come on, don't go... I'll do anything... just don't leave me."
Elara's icy force field shimmered and then dissolved, her breathing ragged and heavy as she clutching her chest, tears threatening to spill.
Zephyria ran to Bolt, wrapping her arms around him in a comforting embrace, while Aquaris covered his face, grief etched into every line.
Terranox watched helplessly, unable to intervene in the sorrowful scene.
Suddenly, a commanding voice echoed through the desolate battlefield.
"It's time. I hereby announce the death of the prince of Night—a cruel... not so cruel prince, whom we hated and loved at the same time," Emberon declared, voice hoarse but resolute.
People who had been hiding within Mire's palace began emerging, their faces filled with pity for Bolt, especially the boy who had been searching tirelessly for Mysta, only to see her give her life for hope.
"All souls of Night realm—monsters, beasts, demons, vampires, wolves—gather here!" Emberon lifted a staff topped with a glowing orb.
Slowly, every soul of the night's creatures, every dark essence, began to be drawn into the orb.
Their spirits, once wild and fierce, entered willingly, then faded into ash and vanished into the ether.
Vespera and Dracula's icy souls joined the others, transforming into shimmering ash before dissolving into nothingness.
Bolt stood, trembling, Zephyria by his side, watching as In-Su's soul was pulled into the orb—how it shimmered and then turned to ash, disappearing in a flash of magical light.
The world around them slowly began to clear—bloodstains fading, dark clouds dissipating as the once-malevolent darkness receded.
Every shadow that had haunted their realm was vanishing, replaced by a fragile dawn of hope.
"Now, I will destroy the orb," Emberion declared, raising her hand.
With a flick of her wrist, she hurled the orb into the air, flames bursting forth as she burned it with her magical fire.
The orb disintegrated into nothingness, leaving only ashes behind.
Bolt looked down, shoulders heavy with grief. "We still have to return the humans," he whispered softly, voice filled with quiet resolve.
A young boy, who had once spoken to Mysta, stepped forward, voice full of gratitude. "Thank you for saving our lives."
Ha-Joon smiled gently, ruffling the boy's hair with a warmth that contrasted the sorrow in his eyes. "It's okay," he said softly.
Amidst the fading darkness, hope flickered anew—a promise that even in loss, life could begin again.