Jin shook with the ground, his jaw dropping as Yoongi stepped away from the crater. It took them a full minute to react to the situation, and even then, Jin was astonished by the sudden realization. It was Namjoon who took charge, him grabbing Jin by the shoulder and pulling him away from the sight. Yoongi was quick to follow, the trio getting back inside only to see Hoseok marching the halls, his brows knit together. Then, he located Jin and tilted his head.

"Sir, why does the ground keep shaki-"

"No time!" Namjoon interrupted in a yell, Jin nodding in agreement. "Yoongi has a theory."

"There was a giant dent outside on the hill, like something slammed into the ground. Whatever's causing that shaking must have done it," Yoongi said, and Hoseok almost lurched forward.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" Yoongi hummed to confirm it, and Hoseok cleared his throat. "We don't have the forces to fight something that big. Are you crazy?"

"We don't have much choice. I fear it could be the same creature that burned down my kingdom. I... I can't let you go through that again-"

Yoongi was cut off by a shake powerful enough to send them flying to the ground. Jin held the carpet and bunched it up in his hands. That was what snapped him back to reality, and he grit his teeth as the others helped him up. As soon as he hit his feet, Namjoon shivered and rubbed his arms.

"Remember those bones we found?" he asked, and Jin gulped in a silent confirmation. "I think we just found the mother of those bones..."

Jin almost cried from that revelation, and he pointed to Hoseok. "Gather what knights we have and prepare to attack."

"Sir, I can't do that." Jin almost asked why, but Hoseok cut him off before he could. "I have an idea. Can you trust me?"

"I already do."

Hoseok dipped his head and bolted off to the back of the castle. More specifically, he disappeared to the dungeons, and Jin blinked but knew he couldn't stop it. He had more important things to do. Namjoon was one of those things, so he turned and met the younger man's dark eyes.

"What do we do, sir?" Namjoon asked, and Jin stepped forward. Yoongi was right by his side as Jin pondered the answer to that question. The ground was shaking, their knights were in low stock, and Hoseok was enacting a plan Jin had no knowledge of. Well, there was only one thing they could do, right?

"Come on, let's go see what the problem is," Jin whispered, and he went off to go do what he said. Yoongi hesitated before following, but Namjoon was next to Jin the entire time. Knights crowded around them as well, and they left the castle in time to see flames. Screams pierced the wind, the cries of his people soaring through the sky and echoing around his mind.

He quaked like the ground was not long ago, his arms cradling him on instinct. Yoongi stood in front of him to get a better look, and the cloaked man froze. "Jin," Yoongi said, and the single word had so much weight in the tone, Jin felt himself getting crushed simply from the change in the air pressure. He regretted not answering right away, but little did he know, his silence was enough of an answer for him.

This was the beast that destroyed Yoongi's kingdom.

Jin attempted not to trip from the sensation whacking his body. His blood froze up inside his skin, the navy shade his veins had appearing more vividly than before thanks to his increased heartbeat. Jin swallowed and followed Namjoon down the hill, Yoongi going slower but still behind them. Hoseok came rushing out shortly after, and much to Jin's surprise and dismay, he had the commander of the north's knights with him along with Shadowcrest knights.

"What's the meaning of this?" Jin asked as Hoseok came over.

"Sir, she's a talented fighter and has no reason to turn on us. I don't trust her, but I believe she can help us," Hoseok said, Jin letting out a huff. "Besides, we don't have much of a choice. If she does anything, I will make myself personally responsible for all her actions."

"I trust you, Hobi. If you think this is a good idea, then I'll take your word for it, no questions asked," Jin replied, and Hoseok hummed his appreciation.

And with that, they traveled to their doom. They went to the center of the kingdom where the fight was happening, and Jin darted his eyes around in an attempt to find his people. Hoseok went after the beast right away, Adamma going with him only to be stopped halfway by a knight who thought she was an escaped prisoner.

"Stand down," Jin said, and the knight reluctantly did. Jin went up to her and decided that utilizing her help was the best course of action. "Adamma, I need you to go around and organize the commoners. We need to put these flames out. Beating the creature will mean nothing if we have no homes to return to." She agreed without complaint and went off to do her task, Jin shifting his attention to Namjoon and Yoongi. Yoongi was still stiff, staring at the sight before him. "Yoongi-"

"I'll fight it," he whispered, Jin swallowing down a protest. "It's been my problem from the start, I need to finish it."

"You won't be alone."

"Honestly, I'm starting to think I should be," Yoongi replied. It was Jin's turn to stiffen, the ground shaking more as the creature attacked. Hoseok and Jimin were attacking it together not too far away, and Jin swore he saw Taehyung laying on the ground near the duo. Jin held back the urge to run to his fallen friend and instead paid attention to Yoongi, who was creeping away.

"Woah, where are you going?"

"I'm going to the castle. The hill will give me a vantage point I can use while attacking it. Try to lead it to me if you can," Yoongi replied, ignoring any further complaints Jin may have had.

Jin didn't bother raising his voice. Namjoon stared, awaiting orders, but Jin had none. "Sir, we need to get out of the open. If Yoongi and the knights are going to fight the creature, then we need to stand back and let them do their jobs."

"We can't just stand here twiddling our thumbs," Jin said, and Namjoon agreed. Jin observed the beast. It was covered in fog, sharp claws dripping with a carmine liquid Jin almost threw up at the sight of. The thing was taller and wider than any man Jin had ever seen, and he had to cope with the prospect that this could be his last day alive. If it killed Yoongi's people, who were stronger than Shadowcrest, how could they survive?

His focus was on survival, and he could worry about their odds later. So that was what he did. "We should help Adamma escort the people out and rid their homes of flames. The faster we have the people under control, the more likely we can escort them out of the kingdom and maintain the Shadowcrest name," Namjoon said.

"Another migration?" Jin asked as they rushed off to do the task.

"Another migration. I'm sorry sir, I know that's not ideal, but-"

"We'll do what we have to do. Anything to save Shadowcrest, no matter how big or little. Maybe we can go out west and explain the situation. Maybe they'll take us in since we're on good terms with them."

"Or we can release the prisoners in the cells and use them as bait while us and our knights escape," Namjoon said, and Jin didn't like the idea of murdering people who were only doing as they were told, but if it came down to prisoners or Shadowcrest, Jin would choose the prisoners.

"Be prepared to run and do that on my orders. If it comes down to it, release the prisoners and tell them we're under attack and need help. They'll be released from prison and let go if they fight. Anyone willing, make them follow you to the creature. Anyone not, conveniently leave their cells open so they can wander off and maybe distract the creature without knowing. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good to me," Namjoon replied.

Jin went to the nearest flaming home and helped the young couple get out, pulling them away. Their hair was burnt off, their tears streaming down their faces. Jin almost cried with them, but little did he know, he had moisture on his face already. It was a mix of tears and sweat, but both of those were from the exhaustion that came with the constant action Shadowcrest was going through. First with the north, now with creatures.

After Jin gathered the couple near the back of the kingdom, Adamma came over and held her stomach, her skin covered with a glistening liquid that trickled down the sides of her face. "Sir," she said, and the formality coming from her had Jin questioning if she was truly their old enemy, or a trusted friend. "You need to come with me."

As soon as he and Namjoon did, they noticed the beast was no where near them. It was by the castle, facing down Yoongi. But that didn't matter in that moment. Jin almost ran into the others. Jungkook and Taehyung were there, Jin knitting his brows together.

"Sir," Jungkook said, his voice nearing an apologetic tone. "Why is Yoongi fighting it alone?"

"He's hellbent on getting revenge," Jin replied, his voice cracking over the last word. "Where's Jimin?"

"Went to check on his wife."

"Hoseok?" Adamma, Jungkook, and Taehyung's faces fell, Jin stepping back and stumbling over his feet. "No, you're joking. Where is Commander Jung? Where's my brother?" None of them replied. That finally had the realization nestle inside his core, nipping away at his organs until they moved like a squirm of eels. "No, we were only separated for a few minutes... minutes!"

Jin's breakdown came as he scoured the land with his eyes, spotting Hoseok's limp body not far from them. He didn't run to hold the dead man. There was no point in doing that now. Jin did his best to keep himself focused, but he was already on his knees, gripping the mud beneath him until his skin was covered with the substance.

"Sir, I know you don't want to hear this, but your kingdom is on fire," Adamma said, tears clogging her eyes. "If we don't do anything, your people will die. We must get back to evacuating the commoners and putting out the fires." Although Jin didn't want to admit it, she was right. Taehyung helped Jin up, and Jin thanked him with his eyes, hoping that would be enough. Jin peeked around the land, but the color was drained out of even the brightest flames. What once was Shadowcrest shifted to something else entirely. It was a wasteland, and Jin didn't mean that in the sense that his kingdom was burning away. He meant that he wasn't sure he could lead the kingdom without Hoseok by his side.

The situation hadn't fully hit him yet, but he knew it would after the fight was over. If he survived, that was. And with that, he set his jaw, adjusting his posture so his shoulders and head was held up high. Hoseok would want Jin to save Shadowcrest. Hoseok would want a proper funeral in the kingdom he loved. In that moment, Jin truly became the king he craved to be. It wasn't because of anything Jin did himself, rather the actions of Commander Jung. Hoseok was heroic enough to sacrifice his life for Shadowcrest. Jin wouldn't let that sacrifice go to waste.

The commander unlocked something deep inside Jin's core. A passion that spiraled out of control, overtaking Jin's actions and words. "I will not let his death be in vain," Jin whispered in such a low pitch, he wasn't sure if it came from his mouth or the monster's. Or maybe they were the same.

"What do we do?" Taehyung asked, and Jin saw Yoongi battling the monster not far from the castle. Yoongi would fight, Jin would lead. For what felt like the first time, Jin would lead his people. To safety. To a future they deserved. And it was all because Hoseok's death brought enough pain, inspiration, and rage to Jin that it acted like a key to the locked door of his mind. It was King Jin now. It was about time he started acting like it. So, he turned to the others, peering at Adamma in particular.

"We survive."