The backstage corridors were heavy with heat and the lingering roar of tens of thousands of fans. Even from the service tunnels, Monarch and Equinox could hear the echo of screams, chants, and the pounding rhythm that had kept the arena alive.
Jiwon's hand still rested lightly on the small of Yul's back, guiding him through the labyrinthine passages toward the secure lounge. His jaw was tight, every muscle coiled, but his eyes softened whenever they met Yul's.
"I'm fine," Yul said, voice low, attempting calm, but it didn't reach his eyes. A flash of gold lingered, almost imperceptible.
Jiwon didn't respond. He had learned long ago to read beyond words.
At the lounge, the rest of Equinox had gathered. Dara, Juno, Rien, and Nox were all tense, but careful to mask it as relief when Yul appeared.
"Look at you," Juno said, arms crossed, jaw tight. "You almost had me calling a full lockdown."
Yul forced a grin. "I'm… fine. Just a little tired."
Nox tilted their head, not fooled. "Tired? You've been glowing weirdly every time we look at you, hyung."
Dara stepped closer, glancing at Yul's hands. "Your energy… it's off. You lied to us."
Yul's eyes flickered downward. "I… I've suppressed him. That's all."
They all exchanged a knowing glance. Vatu's shadow had reached him, and they could feel it.
Meanwhile, in Monarch's penthouse, the boys had finished debriefing Jiwon via monitor feeds.
"He's not lying," Zayn muttered, pacing. "Vatu's influence is real. He's just… clever. And patient."
Min ran a hand over his face. "How do you even fight something like that without exposing Yul to him again?"
Kai leaned back, exhaling sharply. "By not letting him be alone. Jiwon, you're the key here. If anyone can hold Yul's mind together…"
Jiwon's eyes darkened. "I know." He clenched his fists, knuckles white. "We can't wait for him to act. He'll manipulate everything. The fans, the industry… Yul. He'll twist it all into his own empire."
Zayn nodded. "Then we strike first. Strategically. Quietly."
Back at the lounge, Yul sank into a plush chair. His fingers flexed against the fabric as though he could feel Vatu's whispers crawling just beneath his skin.
Dara knelt beside him, soft but insistent. "We're going to protect you. No one else touches you. We'll finish the show safely next time, together."
Yul closed his eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of his friends' presence shield him. "I… I hope I can fight it," he whispered.
Juno's hand settled lightly on his shoulder. "You will. And if not… we'll handle it."
Rien tapped the corner of the table. "We need a plan. Vatu can't touch the fans. If he tries to manipulate the music again, we need countermeasures. Protective charms, energy barriers… whatever it takes."
Nox shuffled excitedly, almost bouncing. "We could also test the new choreography, maybe… distract him through the performance?"
Yul opened his eyes. The gold flecks were faint, but present, glinting under the soft lounge lights. "We have to act fast," he murmured. "Before he regains full control."
Dara's hand tightened around his. "Then we start tonight. No mistakes."
Monarch watched all of this unfold through live feeds and encrypted messages. Jiwon leaned back in his chair, eyes scanning every movement, every subtle flicker of Yul's hands and expression.
"He's fighting," Jiwon said softly. "But only because we're here. He can't do it alone."
Zayn's expression was grim. "Then we keep him close. Every rehearsal, every show, every moment."
Kai cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Time to write the kind of songs that'll kick Vatu's ass. And maybe show Yul he's not alone… ever."
Min exhaled slowly. "We just have to make sure he believes it too. Fully. Otherwise…" His voice trailed off, but the weight was clear.
Jiwon's eyes darkened. "Otherwise, we lose more than just the stage."
Outside, the city continued to buzz unaware. Neon lights reflected on rain-slick streets. Fans were already dissecting snippets from Equinox's performance, posting clips, theories, edits, hearts and emojis exploding online.
Vatu's shadow lingered somewhere in the distance, unseen but potent. Monarch and Equinox—two groups, two teams, one purpose—were readying themselves.
The war for Yul's soul, and for the fans unknowingly caught in Vatu's grasp, was just beginning.