The smell of ash lingered in the air.Monarch's dressing room was half-destroyed—mirrors cracked, makeup kits scattered, feathers of black smoke still dissolving into nothing.
And Yul stood in the doorway like he owned the ruins.
Golden light clung faintly to his hands, fading, as if the power had just bled from his veins. He tilted his head, the faint smirk tugging at his lips a direct contrast to the devastation around them.
Jiwon still had his blade out, shoulders rising and falling with every jagged breath.
Behind him, Kai whispered, "That's… that's Equinox's Yul."
EO clutched Zayn's arm like a lifeline, eyes wide. Min was trembling, not entirely from fear but from the residual echo of power that still hung in the air—it made his skin hum, his breath uneven.
Zayn stepped in front of them instinctively, his own body taut, every muscle ready to strike again."You knew about this," he hissed at Jiwon.
Jiwon ignored him. His gaze stayed locked on Yul."What are you doing here?"
Yul chuckled, stepping into the room like it was a casual stroll. He brushed invisible dust off his coat. "What does it look like? Cleaning up after you."
The others stiffened.
Kai broke the silence first, voice tight with disbelief. "You… you're not human, are you?"
Yul's golden eyes cut to him, sharp and amused. "Smart one."
EO paled. "Then—then why… why help us?"
Yul's smirk softened just slightly, his gaze drifting back to Jiwon. "Let's just say… I don't like sloppy demons making a mess of my world."
Zayn swore under his breath, stepping forward. "Stay the hell away from us."
But Jiwon's hand twitched at his side, torn between raising the blade again—or reaching for him. His voice was low, dangerous."You shouldn't have come."
Yul took another step closer, closing the space, until the faint glow of his presence brushed against Jiwon's skin."Maybe not," he murmured. "But admit it… you're glad I did."
The air between them was electric.
Behind them, Kai muttered, "What the actual fuck is going on right now?"
Min's voice shook. "Jiwon… do you know him?"
The room went quiet, all eyes on the leader.
Jiwon's grip tightened on the blade. He said nothing. But the silence spoke louder than any confession.
And then—A voice outside the door.
"Monarch? Five minutes until press line. Cameras are already waiting!"
The members froze.
Zayn's jaw clenched. "Shit."
Kai glanced around at the wrecked room, at the scorched walls, the cracked mirrors, the lingering smell of brimstone. "We can't let them see this. We cannot let them in here."
EO scrambled toward the door, pressing his ear against it. The muffled roar of fans and the static crackle of microphones was undeniable. Reporters were waiting. Staff were waiting. None of them could know a demon had died in this room.
Yul smiled faintly, tilting his head toward Jiwon. "So what's the plan, leader?"
Every pair of Monarch's eyes turned to Jiwon—half-shattered with panic, half-demanding answers.
And for the first time in years, Jiwon felt the weight of two worlds pressing down on his shoulders at once:The world outside that worshipped them.And the world inside this room, where shadows bled into the light.