CHAPTER 43
A sudden pulse of magic exploded from Sihyun's body, throwing Yuhyun back like a ragdoll. He hit the ground hard, rolling over with a gasp as dust clouded around him.
"Yuhyun!"
Muwon rushed to his side, catching him just before he sat up shakily, stunned.
The guards immediately raised their weapons,
"He's hostile—what do we do, your highness?"
But they didn't act.
They waited.
Everyone waited.
Muwon turned to the glowing figure ahead.
"He's… supposed to be weak,"
he muttered, sweat forming on his brow.
"How is he channeling that much magic?"
Yuhyun's voice trembled, staring ahead with eyes wide and wet.
"He's never done that to me before…"
His hand clenched the grass.
"He's never pushed me away—not even once…"
Heartbreak wrapped his words like a noose. All he wanted was to hold his brother. Instead, he was met with power.
Muwon placed a hand on his shoulder gently.
"We'll figure this out, Yuhyun. I swear."
Then his gaze returned to Sihyun.
"But right now… something's wrong."
[FOREST CLEARING – STILLNESS BEFORE THE STORM]
The air felt heavier as Muwon stepped forward, his sword drawn, its tip steady but cautious. His other hand slowly revealed the sorcerer's chain, glinting with runes.
"Sihyun,"
his voice was soft, yet firm, echoing through the woods.
"Stand down... or I'll be forced to use this."
Sihyun didn't move.
Didn't blink.
His glowing red eyes just stared—distant and unreadable.
But then… a flicker.
The magic surrounding him began to fade, like embers dying in the wind. His posture loosened just slightly. Muwon saw it.
And he smiled.
A deep, fragile breath of relief escaped him. Behind him, the guards relaxed, and even Yuhyun let out a soft, choked sob of hope.
"You're still in there,"
Muwon whispered as he carefully approached, dropping the chain, then gently wrapping his arms around Sihyun in an embrace meant to anchor him.
But—
CRACK—
Sihyun's hand pressed softly against Muwon's chest.
And then—a shockwave of pure force erupted.
Muwon flew back, crashing into the earth with a thud that silenced the entire forest for a beat.
"Prince Muwon!"
the guards shouted, racing toward him.
Yuhyun rushed too, falling beside Muwon, who was coughing, pain in his eyes—but more from betrayal than injury.
Across the clearing, Vanyul's smirk grew.
Bound and on the ground, he still had the audacity to smile proudly.
"There he is,"
Vanyul muttered under his breath.
"My precious Sihyun."
The guards helped Muwon up, their weapons already up again, their eyes burning.
"Give us the order, your highness. We'll go after him now!"
But Muwon raised his hand.
"No."
Silence.
"But Your Highness—"
Muwon's voice was low, but resolute.
"He doesn't need soldiers. He needs us… and time."
His gaze was fixed on Sihyun, who stood silently at the edge of the clearing, his red eyes slowly dimming, as if unsure whether to run or stay.
"I'll get him back…"
Muwon said, breathless but determined.
"But not with chains. And not with swords."
[FOREST CLEARING – TENSION THICKENS]
Yuhyun turned toward Sihyun, his face twisted in heartbreak and fury.
"Snap out of it, Sihyun!"
he shouted, voice cracking.
"This isn't you!"
He took a step forward, cautiously, but full of raw emotion.
Muwon reached out quickly.
"Yuhyun—wait!"
But Yuhyun had already made up his mind.
"No… I'm going to him. I have to."
His voice trembled.
"He's my brother. I'm not afraid of him."
As Yuhyun took another step, Sihyun's eyes narrowed—his glowing hand flicked subtly.
The earth rumbled beneath Yuhyun's feet.
Suddenly, his legs were bound by vines of red magic, rooting him in place, unable to move forward.
Yuhyun gasped, looking down in disbelief, then up again.
"Sihyun, please—don't do this!"
But Sihyun didn't answer.
Instead, his body jerked suddenly—
His lips parted—
Blood poured from his mouth.
He staggered back, his knees buckling as his hand clutched at his chest, eyes wide and filled with pain and confusion.
"Sihyun!"
Muwon and Yuhyun shouted together, frozen in horror.
Muwon's expression sharpened.
"He's too weak!"
he told the guards.
"He's forcing magic out when he's not ready—it's tearing through him!"
Everyone stood stunned.
Sihyun's chest heaved with labored breaths.
Tears spilled silently down his cheeks, glowing eyes dimming and flickering.
He was breaking.
Muwon stepped forward slowly, lowering his sword completely.
"Now… now's the time,"
he said quietly.
"No weapons. No chains. Just reach him."
He looked back at the others.
"Stay back. All of you."
Then he turned to face Sihyun again—
"Let me through to you, Sihyun…"
he whispered.
Muwon walked slowly—step by step—toward Sihyun, whose body was trembling with exhaustion. His breaths came out ragged, and the glow in his eyes had all but faded.
Sihyun's voice cracked out, low and broken:
"Stay away…"
Still, Muwon moved forward.
Then, with what little strength he had, Sihyun lifted a shaking hand.
A ring of fire sparked to life around him, the flames flickering weakly on the ground.
"I said stay away…"
he repeated, barely audible.
But the flames didn't stop Muwon.
He stepped right through them, the fire parting harmlessly as if recognizing him.
Sihyun let out a soft sob, eyes wide, confused—then hurt.
"Why won't you leave me alone…"
But Muwon didn't answer.
He just stepped close and gently pulled Sihyun into a warm embrace, wrapping both arms around him as Sihyun's fists pressed weakly against his chest.
Sihyun crumbled.
His body shook in silent sobs, tears soaking into Muwon's shoulder as he gasped for air, voice too cracked to speak anymore.
Muwon held him firmly but gently, one hand rubbing slow circles on his back.
"You're not alone, Sihyun…"
he murmured into his ear.
"Not anymore."
Around them, the guards lowered their weapons cautiously, still alert—but no longer hostile.
Yuhyun fell to his knees, both hands over his mouth, overcome with emotion.
And from where he sat, Vanyul, still bound in the sorcerer's chain, watched the scene unfold—eyes wide with disbelief.
His lips curled in silent frustration.
"He chose them… even now."