Last chapter before TaeTae arrives ;)

Jimin's clothes were nothing to boast about—light, tattered, and stained with dirt from days of captivity. A small section had been torn from his shoulder, exposing a glimpse of milky skin, smooth and unblemished despite the harsh conditions. The cold air ghosted over the bare patch, sending a faint shiver down his spine, but he ignored it. There were bigger things to worry about tonight.

Seated on the cold, unyielding ground, Jimin absentmindedly gathered a few scattered twigs with his small, delicate hands, arranging them into a tiny pile before tossing them into the empty fireplace. He stared at the feeble stack, sighing softly. "I need more," he whispered under his breath, brows knitting together in frustration. "These are too small." He reached out to grab another branch, his fingertips barely brushing against the rough bark when a familiar voice sliced through the quiet.

"Yes, I want Jimin. The king wants him. Move aside."

Jimin froze. His heartbeat stuttered, then picked up at a wild pace.

Jack's brother—Fuller.

He knew that voice all too well. It was burned into his memory, tied to the nights he wished to forget. Jimin inhaled sharply, steadying his nerves. He had expected this. He had been counting down the hours. Two days had passed since his last night with Jack, and he knew it was only a matter of time before they came for him again. His plan depended on that.

His lips curled into a faint, knowing smile before he quickly turned away, slipping onto the crude mattress, positioning himself just right. He had to make it convincing. His only way out was through Fuller, and he was more than ready.

From the corner of his eye, he saw the heavy door creak open. Fuller stepped inside, the dim torchlight casting a flickering glow over his rugged features. Jimin remained still, forcing his breathing to slow, pretending to be deep in sleep. He felt the weight of Fuller's stare, lingering longer than necessary, roaming over his form. The man was admiring him—he always did. Jimin had long learned that his appearance was both a blessing and a curse, a weapon and a weakness, and right now, it was his greatest advantage.

Fuller approached cautiously, his boots scuffing against the stone floor, hesitating for a moment before he finally stepped closer. Jimin felt his presence looming over him, suffocating, heavy with something sinister. The door shut behind him, but not with the click of a lock. Foolish. He was foolish.

Eren, from his own cell, clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. He gnawed at his hands, watching in tense silence as Fuller lowered himself onto the edge of Jimin's bed.

"Did I wake you?" Fuller murmured, his voice deceptively soft, fingers reaching out to trace Jimin's shoulder.

Jimin let out a feigned groggy sigh, eyes fluttering open slowly, as if disturbed from a deep slumber. He turned his head just enough to meet Fuller's gaze, playing the part of a dazed captive.

"...Yes... I think so," he murmured, his voice laced with carefully crafted innocence. Beneath the thin fabric, his fingers curled around the hilt of a small, concealed knife, the cold steel pressing against his palm, grounding him.

Fuller hummed in amusement, his lips curving slightly as his hand lingered, brushing against Jimin's exposed skin. "Your shoulder is so soft... but cold." His fingers trailed lower, a slow, deliberate touch that sent a shudder of disgust down Jimin's spine. "You must be freezing."

Jimin jerked away, glaring. "Get your hands off me. That's none of your business." His tone was sharp, cutting, though his eyes discreetly flickered to the ring of keys nestled in Fuller's pocket. The keys. His way out.

Fuller chuckled lowly. "Heh... you're cute when you act all tough."

"Shut up." Jimin sat up abruptly, putting more space between them, eyes sharp and calculating. Every move he made was measured, precise. He had to make it seem real. He had to make Fuller believe he was still just the helpless little prisoner, not the threat lying in wait.

Fuller's smirk widened as his hand slithered down, fingers grazing the inside of Jimin's thigh. A revolting touch. Jimin's skin crawled with revulsion, but he did not recoil. Not yet. "You know exactly what I want," Fuller whispered, leaning in, his breath fanning against Jimin's cheek.

Jimin let him get close. Just close enough.

Then, in a flash of silver, the blade sliced through the air.

The scream that followed was nothing short of satisfying.

The knife cut deep into Fuller's face, just near his eye, and blood splattered against the cold stone floor. Fuller stumbled back, clutching his face, howling in agony, while Jimin wasted no time. His pulse roared in his ears as he lunged for the keys, ready to turn the tables in his favor.

The plan had begun.

 Fuller, unable to form words through his agony, stumbled backward with a strangled scream as Jimin drove the knife deep into his thigh. His body convulsed with pain, hands trembling as they reached instinctively toward the wound. Jimin wasted no time. With a swift, practiced motion, he yanked the keys from Fuller's pocket, shoving him aside before sprinting toward the door. His breath came in frantic gasps, his fingers slick with sweat as they fumbled to fit the key into the lock.

The heavy door groaned shut behind him, the metallic click of the lock sending a pulse of relief through his veins. But there was no time to celebrate. Heart pounding, he turned to the adjacent cell, his voice raw as he called out, "Erene!"

The figure inside jerked up, eyes widening in sheer disbelief. "J... Jimin, you—"

"I'm getting you out," Jimin interjected, already flipping frantically through the keys, his pulse hammering in his ears. The cold iron clinked against his shaking fingers, each key jamming uselessly into the lock. He bit his lip so hard he tasted blood. "Come on, come on... damn it!"

A loud crash from behind made both of them whip their heads around. Fuller was slamming against the door with everything he had, fists pounding, voice seething with rage.

"I swear, you little brat, I will rip you apart!"

Jimin felt his stomach coil with dread. His fingers tightened around the keys, trying again. No use.

"Jimin, run!" Erene's desperate voice sliced through the chaos.

Jimin's head snapped up, eyes frantic. "No! I—"

"Go! There's no time, they're coming!" Erene shouted, face pale with fear. The distant sound of boots echoed through the corridors—dozens of them, closing in fast.

"I'm not leaving without you!" Jimin hissed, still wrestling with the keys, his breaths coming in short, uneven bursts.

"Jimin, listen to me! If they catch you now, they'll kill you on the spot. I'm safe here, they don't know about me yet. But you—" Erene's voice cracked with urgency. "Run. Now."

"No, but—"

"Please!" Erene's eyes were wild, pleading. "Just go!"

Jimin's throat tightened painfully. He wanted to argue, to protest, but the shouts of approaching guards drowned out every other thought. He swallowed thickly, taking in one last look at his friend, his heart twisting with guilt. His fingers clenched around the keys before he threw them through the bars, his final attempt to give Erene some chance of escape.

Then he ran.

The cold air hit his face as he bolted through the palace corridors, taking sharp turns, weaving through shadowed hallways he had memorized long ago. His heartbeat was a thunderous drum, his lungs burning as he sprinted past columns and doorways, barely ducking in time to avoid passing guards.

Behind him, Fuller's voice rang out, furious and unrelenting. "Find him! He couldn't have gone far!"

Jimin's mind raced. His only hope was to get out of the palace before they cornered him. But as he neared the outer courtyards, his stomach dropped. The guards were already there, waiting.

He spun around, searching for another escape route, but another squad of soldiers had already flanked him from behind. His chest tightened. There was no way out.

A flicker of movement caught his eye. Two small birds fluttered above him, wings slicing through the air, dipping low before perching near a small opening in the ground—a tunnel. The sewers.

Jimin exhaled sharply. It was repulsive. Filthy. But he had no choice.

A deep breath.

Then he jumped.

Not the time to be disgusted by the sewers now.

Without hesitation, Jimin threw himself into the narrow tunnel, his body slipping effortlessly due to his small frame. The rainwater pooled at the entrance, making the descent slick, his breath catching as he plunged downward. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, his fingers scraping against the damp stone walls as he tried to control his fall. The air was thick with the stench of rot and waste, but survival mattered more than revulsion. He hit the bottom with a dull splash, his body already shivering from the cold that seeped through his thin, drenched clothes.

"Damn it," Fuller seethed, his hands clenching into fists as he watched the scene unfold from a distance. His dark eyes burned with rage, his entire body stiff with fury. Without wasting another moment, he snapped toward his men, voice like a whip cracking through the night air. "After him! The sewers lead to the sea! Spread out along the shore! He will not escape!"

The soldiers sprang into action, their boots pounding against the cobbled paths as they rushed toward the coastline. Fuller wasted no time, mounting his horse in one swift movement and yanking the reins with barely restrained aggression. The hunt had begun.

Jimin, already at the end of the tunnel, reached out instinctively, grabbing hold of the slick, crumbling edge before the current could drag him into the open ocean. He barely had time to steady his breath as he took in the sight before him—towering waves, restless and furious beneath the moonlight. The vast expanse of dark water stretched endlessly, each wave curling like a beast waiting to swallow him whole. His stomach twisted.

He couldn't hesitate.

If he lingered, he would be caught, dragged back, and everything would be for nothing. His fingers tightened around the rough ledge, nails digging into the damp rock.

He had abandoned Erene...

The thought stabbed through him like a blade, a sharp pang of guilt twisting in his chest. He had run—like a coward. He had left his friend behind in that wretched prison cell, left him to whatever fate awaited him. His hands trembled. The waves crashed against the cliffs below, mist spraying against his face. He turned his head sharply at the sound of hooves thundering in the distance, soldiers closing in. There was no time for regret.

Taking a deep breath, Jimin pushed off the ledge and hurled himself into the sea.

"Catch him, damn it! He must not escape!" Fuller roared, spurring his horse forward, eyes wild with fury. His soldiers followed, swords glinting under the pale moonlight as they galloped toward the shoreline. The tide churned violently as Jimin plunged into the frigid depths, his body swallowed instantly by the merciless waves.

Salt burned his throat as he fought to stay afloat, his limbs flailing against the pull of the current. He kicked furiously, forcing himself up, gasping for air as he broke the surface. His lungs ached, his entire body shuddering from the cold. Dragging himself toward the shore, his fingers clutched onto jagged rocks, gripping onto them as if his life depended on it—because it did.

The moment his body emerged from the water, the cold wind sliced against his wet skin, forcing a violent shiver down his spine. His soaked clothes clung to him like a second skin, his white garment now almost translucent, revealing the curves of his shoulders, the shape of his ribs beneath. He exhaled sharply, his breath coming out in visible puffs against the night air.

Then, movement.

Jimin's eyes caught sight of something familiar—two small birds fluttering ahead, their tiny forms weaving through the open space. He watched them, their flight seemingly purposeful as they moved toward a cluster of large rocks in the distance.

Follow them.

The thought came unbidden, but there was no room for second-guessing.

Jimin pushed forward, bare feet scraping against the rough terrain as he hurried after the creatures. His muscles ached, every step sluggish from exhaustion, but he forced himself to move. As he rounded the rocks, his breath hitched at the sight before him.

A lone white horse stood on the beach, its mane catching the faint silver glow of the moonlight.

Jimin stared, stunned for a brief moment. What was a horse doing here, alone? Who had left it?

But there was no time to question fate.

The distant echo of hooves against stone sent panic thrumming through his veins. They were close. Too close.

Without thinking, Jimin ran to the horse, grabbing onto its silken mane. The animal reared slightly at the sudden touch, but Jimin's grip remained firm. Desperation overpowered hesitation as he swung himself onto its back, fingers clutching the strands tightly.

"Go!" he urged breathlessly. The horse hesitated only a moment before breaking into a full gallop, its powerful strides tearing across the sandy shore.

The wind howled against Jimin's face, his wet hair whipping wildly as the landscape blurred around him. His heart slammed against his ribs, but for the first time in what felt like eternity, he allowed himself to believe—just for a second—that he might survive this night.

At last, the villages came into view, their dimly lit streets stretching before him. Relief flooded his chest, but it was short-lived. As he slowed the horse, taking in the scene before him, his breath hitched once more—this time, in anguish.

The people here... they were not his people. Not anymore.

The sight before him was one of misery, of destitution beyond words. The village was filled with those who had been abandoned—both from his own homeland and the neighboring kingdom. Castaways. Exiles. People who had once belonged somewhere but now belonged nowhere.

His throat tightened as he took in their frail bodies, the hollow looks in their eyes. This was what his kingdom had allowed. This was what had been done to them.

Jimin had always known, but knowing was different from seeing.

His heart clenched painfully as his gaze swept over the scattered forms, many of them barely clothed, their ribs pressing against their thin skin. They had nothing. No food, no shelter, no protection.

They were human beings... not animals.

Jimin sat atop the horse, his presence now noticed by the villagers. The murmurs began—hushed whispers, cautious glances. Who was this drenched, shivering boy on the pale horse? Certainly not a soldier. Not a noble.

He was unrecognizable.

Then, a small voice broke through the murmurs.

A little girl stepped forward, her tiny hands clutching the tattered fabric of her dress. She stared up at him, wide-eyed and curious, standing close enough to touch the horse's leg.

Jimin swallowed, his gaze softening as he looked down at her, his own breath catching in his throat.

For the first time since his escape, he felt something other than fear.

He felt seen.

People were already staring at him, their expressions laced with curiosity and suspicion. He was a stranger among them—neither a palace guard nor a noble. Impossible. Even if someone from his own kingdom stood before him now, they wouldn't recognize him. The prince had vanished from their sight thirteen years ago, swallowed by time and tragedy.

Then, a small voice broke through the murmurs.

A little girl stepped forward, her tiny hands clutching the tattered fabric of her dress. She stared up at him, wide-eyed and curious, standing close enough to touch the horse's leg.

Jimin's gaze softened when a small girl approached his horse, her wide eyes filled with innocent hope. Her tiny hands clutched at the fabric of her ragged dress as she asked, "H..did you come here to help us?"

The weight of her words struck Jimin like a blow. Her voice trembled, desperate for an answer that would soothe her fears. His chest tightened. She thought he had something—anything—to offer her. Food, safety, a future. How cruel fate was. He swallowed thickly, his lips parting to say something, anything—

But he never got the chance.

"He's there!" A soldier's voice rang through the streets, shattering the moment like brittle glass.

Jimin barely had time to react before the thundering of hooves filled his ears. His body moved on instinct, yanking the reins of the horse. The beast reared back before bolting forward, hooves pounding against the dirt as Jimin urged it forward. He didn't dare look back, though the gasps and shouts of the villagers echoed behind him.

The chase was relentless. The soldiers didn't falter, their determination burning through the distance between them. Jimin gritted his teeth, guiding the horse with sharp turns, weaving through the outskirts of his kingdom. But his heart clenched when he realized where he had ended up.

A dead end.

Or perhaps something far worse.

The edge of the black forest loomed before him, its towering trees stretching towards the sky like skeletal hands. Fog clung to the twisted branches, curling like fingers ready to ensnare anyone foolish enough to enter. The bark of the trees was scorched black, remnants of an old curse that still whispered through the shadows. A place feared by all.

Jimin sucked in a breath, his pulse pounding in his ears. He had no choice.

With a final glance behind him, he drove the horse forward, plunging into the eerie darkness. The moment they crossed the threshold, the temperature dropped. The silence of the forest was unnatural, pressing against him like a heavy weight. The fog swirled aggressively, making it hard to see. Even worse—the soldiers were still chasing him, their figures nothing more than shadows in the mist.

A sharp, panicked neigh split the silence.

Jimin's stomach twisted as his horse stumbled, its legs sinking into thick, oozing mud. It let out a desperate whinny, struggling against the clutches of the earth. Pebbles and murky water splashed around them as Jimin fought to steady himself, his heart hammering against his ribs.

"No, no—hold on," he breathed, hands tightening on the reins.

The horse thrashed, its eyes wild with fear. Jimin could hear the soldiers getting closer. If they couldn't see him, they would certainly hear the frantic cries of his companion. He clenched his jaw, frustration burning through his veins.

"Damn it," he hissed as the horse bucked, throwing him backward into the mud. Cold, slimy filth seeped into his clothes, staining him more than he already was. Even his face was smeared with it, the damp chill biting at his skin. He scrambled to his feet, ignoring the filth weighing him down, and reached for the horse again.

"Calm down," he whispered, running his hands along its trembling body. "I'll get you out. Just hold on."

But before he could make a move, the sound of hooves pounding against the earth returned. The soldiers were almost upon him.

The horse let out a sharp cry, shaking its head violently. Then, to Jimin's surprise, it shoved him backward. His breath hitched as he stumbled, barely managing to catch himself. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.

It was telling him to run.

Jimin's throat tightened. His eyes burned as he looked at the struggling creature. He couldn't leave it. He had already abandoned his best friend. Was he supposed to leave behind another soul that had helped him escape? His hands curled into fists, nails digging into his palms.

The horse whinnied again, urging him forward.

Jimin swallowed hard, his chest heaving with emotion. He wanted to say something, to apologize, to promise he would come back. But there was no time. Tears blurred his vision as he turned away, his body screaming in protest as he forced himself to run.

The forest swallowed him whole.

The soldiers arrived at the last moment, their shouts and heavy breathing cutting through the thick fog, but before they could even spot Jimin, disaster struck. Their horses charged forward blindly, hooves sinking deep into the unseen mud that sprawled across the ground like a deceptive trap. One by one, both men and beasts were swallowed by the muck, their panicked cries echoing through the eerie silence of the forest. Curses and frantic shouts filled the air as they struggled, but the unforgiving mud refused to release them. Jimin barely dared to believe his luck. He wasted no time—he turned and ran, his heart hammering in his chest, legs aching from the relentless escape.

The deeper he went, the more suffocating the atmosphere became. The towering trees loomed over him, their gnarled branches curling like claws, reaching for him in the dim light. The forest was nothing short of terrifying. It was not just the darkness—it was the unnatural stillness, the overwhelming silence pressing down on him like an unseen weight. The air was thick, heavy with an unidentifiable scent, something old, something rotten. His breath came out in ragged gasps as he forced himself to move forward. He was exhausted—his limbs burned from the effort, and fear clawed at his throat. He risked a glance over his shoulder, his chest rising and falling rapidly, expecting to see soldiers breaking through the trees, but there was nothing. No figures, no rustling leaves, no distant growls of predators. Just the thick, unrelenting darkness consuming everything.

Jimin let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, swallowing hard as he slowed to a walk. His legs trembled beneath him, his muscles screaming for rest, but he couldn't afford to stop—not for long. His gaze lifted toward the towering canopy, hoping for some sign of light, some indication that he wasn't entirely alone in this abyss.

Then, suddenly, he stumbled. His foot caught on something, and before he could react, he was falling—hitting the cold, damp earth with a muffled thud. A sharp sting shot through his palms as he pressed them against the dirt, bracing himself. He gritted his teeth and pushed up, but as his eyes focused on what lay ahead, all breath left his lungs.

A small, lifeless bird lay inches from his fingertips. Or at least, what remained of it. Its tiny body had been torn open, its insides hollowed out as if something had feasted upon it. The delicate feathers were matted with dried blood, and its glassy eyes stared up at him, vacant and soulless.

Jimin's stomach twisted. A cold shiver crawled down his spine, and he jerked away, scrambling to his feet with wide, horrified eyes. He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't have come this far. He took a shaky step back, his mind screaming at him to leave, to run, to get as far away from this place as possible.

His foot landed on something soft.

A strange hissing noise filled the air.

Panic surged through his veins as he leaped away, only for an eerie green vapor to rise from the disturbed plant beneath him. The mist spread unnaturally fast, curling around him, seeping into his lungs before he could react. His vision blurred almost instantly. His head spun, the forest around him distorting, twisting, shifting into unfamiliar shapes.

Jimin coughed, waving his hands in front of his face in a desperate attempt to clear the thickening haze. His limbs felt unbearably heavy, his balance unsteady. The ground beneath him seemed to sway, and with every breath he took, his strength drained further. He staggered forward, forcing himself to move, but his body refused to obey. A numbing cold seeped into his bones, paralyzing him from the inside out.

His knees buckled. The world tilted.

And then—nothing.

Jimin collapsed, the dark forest swallowing him whole.

Now, let me tell you about this place—the very forest that now holds him captive. The Dark Forest. It is no ordinary woodland, no mere stretch of trees dividing lands. No, it is far worse. A place twisted by an ancient curse, tainted by the will of a single man—Jack the Wizard. When he seized control of both kingdoms, this forest became the unyielding boundary between them, a no man's land of nightmares and sorcery. The tales whispered about this place are not mere legends. They are warnings. Stories passed down in hushed voices, tales of those who wandered in and never came out.

The forest is vast, stretching farther than the eye can see, filled with creatures that defy nature, with horrors that lurk where no light dares to shine. And yet, amidst the shadows, there exist places untouched by evil—small sanctuaries of beauty hidden in the chaos. Tiny creatures, delicate and pure, thrive in these secret spaces, defying the darkness that threatens to consume everything else. But they are rare. And the rest? The rest is death, decay, and the kind of fear that seeps into your very soul.

What will become of Jimin now?

Taehyung will be introduced in the next chapter. Tysm for the patience!<3 and ilysm (pls drop some comments or vote)