Darkness.
Not the frightening darkness Jimin had once known on Earth, nor the crimson shadows that filled the Kingdom of Hell.
This darkness was... peaceful.
It wrapped around him like a gentle embrace, carrying neither fear nor pain.
Jimin slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment, he couldn't remember where he was.
The last thing he recalled was Yoongi's voice.
"I'm hiding you."
He quickly sat up, his breathing uneven.
"...Where am I?"
The place before him was unlike anywhere he had ever seen.
He stood inside an enormous circular chamber carved from smooth black crystal. Strange silver veins stretched across the walls, glowing softly like stars trapped beneath stone. Countless tiny lights floated through the air, drifting around him without making a sound.
There was no door.
No window.
No visible exit.
Only silence.
Jimin cautiously took a few steps forward.
His footsteps echoed through the chamber before fading into nothingness.
"This isn't the palace..."
As if responding to his voice, one of the floating lights drifted closer.
It circled him once.
Then another joined it.
Within seconds, dozens of tiny lights surrounded him.
Jimin instinctively raised his hand.
The nearest light landed on his palm.
It wasn't hot.
It wasn't cold.
The tiny light pulsed gently, almost like a heartbeat.
"...You're alive?"
The light shimmered before floating upward again.
Suddenly, ancient symbols appeared across the chamber floor.
They spread outward in a perfect circle beneath Jimin's feet.
He immediately stepped back.
"What now...?"
A soft voice echoed through the chamber.
Not loud.
Not threatening.
It sounded ancient...
As though it had been asleep for thousands of years.
"The forgotten one has returned..."
Jimin's eyes widened.
"W-Who's there?"
No answer.
Instead, the lights gathered together, forming a glowing path leading deeper into the chamber.
Jimin hesitated.
Every instinct told him to stay where he was.
But another feeling...
One he couldn't explain...
Pulled him forward.
Taking a deep breath, he followed the lights.
The path ended before a massive mirror made entirely of silver crystal.
Jimin stared at his reflection.
It was...
Normal.
Just him.
Messy blond hair.
Tired eyes.
A soul carrying too much pain.
He sighed in relief.
"I'm still... me."
The mirror suddenly rippled like water.
Jimin stumbled backward.
His reflection disappeared.
In its place stood another figure.
A young man dressed in flowing white robes.
Six enormous wings stretched behind him, each feather glowing with soft silver light.
His face remained hidden beneath a brilliant glow.
Yet...
For some reason...
Jimin felt as if he already knew him.
The figure slowly raised one hand.
Reaching toward the glass.
Without thinking...
Jimin did the same.
Their fingertips almost touched.
The moment they were about to meet—
CRACK!
The mirror shattered into countless fragments of light.
The mysterious figure vanished.
The chamber fell silent once more.
Jimin stared at the empty space in shock.
"...Who... was that?"
Far above...
Inside the Crimson Palace...
A palace guard rushed into the throne room and dropped to one knee.
"Your Majesty..."
"They have arrived."
Yoongi slowly opened his eyes.
For the first time in centuries...
The rulers of Heaven had entered his kingdom.
The throne room stood in absolute silence.
No demon dared to move.
No one even looked toward the enormous palace gates.
They waited.
Then—
A low, melodic sound echoed through the kingdom.
It wasn't a horn.
It wasn't music.
It was as if the sky itself had begun to sing.
The crimson flames lining the hall flickered uneasily.
Even Hell seemed to recognize the presence that had crossed its borders.
The palace gates slowly opened.
Four figures entered.
None of them carried weapons.
They didn't need to.
An invisible aura surrounded them—pure, ancient, and overwhelming.
At their front walked a tall man with silver-white robes embroidered in flowing patterns that shimmered like starlight. His expression was calm, yet his eyes carried the wisdom of countless ages.
Namjoon.
Behind him came Seokjin, whose gentle gaze concealed an unwavering resolve. Beside him walked Hoseok, observing every corner of the hall with quiet caution.
The last to enter was Taehyung.
Unlike the others, his eyes wandered across the throne room as if he were listening to something no one else could hear.
Every demon remained kneeling.
Not out of loyalty.
Out of respect for beings who had existed since the earliest days of creation.
High above them, Yoongi remained seated upon the Crimson Throne.
His expression never changed.
The silence stretched between them.
Finally, Namjoon inclined his head.
"King Yoongi."
Yoongi answered with the same calm respect.
"Leader of Heaven."
No one spoke for several moments.
The distance between them felt greater than the space separating Heaven and Hell.
Namjoon broke the silence.
"We appreciate your willingness to receive us."
"I wasn't given much of a choice," Yoongi replied evenly.
A faint smile appeared on Seokjin's lips.
"So your sense of humor still survives."
One corner of Yoongi's mouth lifted ever so slightly.
"It occasionally does."
The brief exchange surprised everyone present.
The rulers of Heaven and Hell didn't speak with hatred.
They spoke like two ancient leaders carrying the weight of their own realms.
Namjoon's expression grew serious.
"We've come seeking a soul."
Yoongi rested one elbow against the throne.
"Hell receives countless souls."
"Describe the one you're searching for."
Hoseok stepped forward.
"We cannot."
Yoongi raised an eyebrow.
"You crossed the Boundary without knowing who you're looking for?"
"We know exactly who we're seek," Hoseok answered quietly.
"We simply cannot describe... what they have become."
A flicker of curiosity crossed Yoongi's eyes.
Before another word could be spoken, Taehyung suddenly stopped walking.
His head slowly turned toward the western side of the palace.
His eyes narrowed.
"...Strange."
Namjoon looked at him.
"What is it?"
Taehyung closed his eyes.
The hall became silent once again.
He took a slow breath.
"I can feel a presence."
A few demons exchanged uneasy glances.
"It's faint..." Taehyung murmured.
"...As though it's being hidden."
Yoongi remained completely still.
"Many ancient powers exist within this palace."
Taehyung opened his eyes.
"No..."
His gaze slowly lifted until it met Yoongi's.
"This one..."
"It doesn't belong to Hell."
The throne room fell silent.
Not a single soul dared to interrupt.
For the first time...
The search had become personal.
The silence inside the Crimson Hall became suffocating.
Every demon kept their head lowered, waiting for their king to speak.
Yoongi slowly rose from the Crimson Throne.
The instant his feet touched the floor, the entire palace trembled.
Not from fear.
From recognition.
Hell acknowledged its king.
His crimson eyes never left Taehyung.
"You possess sharp senses."
Taehyung answered calmly.
"They're sharper than they've ever been."
The two stared at each other.
Neither willing to look away.
Finally, Yoongi spoke.
"If you're searching for someone..."
"Then search."
A ripple of surprise spread across the hall.
Even Namjoon looked at Yoongi with curiosity.
"You would allow us to search your kingdom?" Seokjin asked.
Yoongi folded his hands behind his back.
"I have nothing to hide."
His calm voice echoed through the palace.
"But remember one thing..."
"Hell has its own laws."
"No soul may be judged without my permission."
Namjoon nodded respectfully.
"We have not come here to start a war."
"We only seek the one who disappeared."
Yoongi replied,
"I know."
For a brief moment...
No one spoke.
It was as if two rulers, burdened by centuries of responsibility, understood each other without words.
Suddenly—
Far beneath the palace...
Inside the hidden sanctuary...
Jimin collapsed to one knee.
A sharp pain shot through his chest.
He gasped, clutching his shirt.
"What... is happening...?"
The floating lights around him began spinning wildly.
The silver mirror he had touched moments before slowly reformed.
This time...
It showed no mysterious figure.
Instead...
A single white feather drifted across its surface.
The feather touched the mirror—
And the entire sanctuary erupted in brilliant light.
Jimin squeezed his eyes shut.
Fragments of memories flashed before him.
A child's laughter.
Golden skies.
Someone calling his name.
A warm hand gently resting on his head.
Then...
A deep voice.
"When the two worlds lose their balance..."
"...the forgotten soul shall awaken."
Jimin's eyes snapped open.
His breathing became ragged.
"Who said that?!"
No one answered.
Only silence remained.
Back in the throne room...
Taehyung suddenly placed a hand over his heart.
His eyes widened.
"I felt it."
Namjoon immediately turned toward him.
"What did you sense?"
Taehyung looked toward the deepest part of the palace.
"It appeared only for a moment..."
"...but it was definitely there."
Hoseok frowned.
"What was?"
Taehyung whispered,
"A soul..."
"...that carries both light..."
His expression slowly changed.
"...and darkness."
The words echoed through the hall.
Every demon looked toward Yoongi.
For the first time...
The King of Hell remained completely silent.
His silence was answer enough.
Namjoon's eyes narrowed.
"So..."
"He truly is here."
Yoongi finally spoke.
His voice was colder than ever.
"You've crossed into my kingdom."
"I welcomed you as honored guests."
His crimson aura slowly spread across the throne room like living fire.
"But if you threaten the balance of Hell..."
Even the flames around the palace bowed to his power.
"...I will personally escort every one of you back to Heaven."
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Then...
Namjoon smiled faintly.
"It seems..."
"...this visit will last longer than we expected."
Far below...
Jimin looked at the glowing sanctuary in confusion.
Unaware that two ancient realms...
Had already begun moving because of him.
❖ Why did the sanctuary call Jimin the forgotten soul?
❖ What does it mean to carry both light and darkness?
❖ Why did Yoongi stay silent when Taehyung sensed Jimin?
❖ Will the Four Archangels discover Jimin's hiding place?
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