The plan had already been set in motion long before I arrived.
The forest was quiet—too quiet. Even the wind felt restrained, as if it had been warned to stay back. Minho had chosen the place carefully, layering the area with invisible intentions and hidden power. Somewhere in the shadows, Soah was already waiting, concealed like a blade tucked behind silk.
I stood at the center of it all, pacing back and forth, my heart pounding so loudly it felt like it might betray us. Every step I took only made my thoughts spiral faster. My chest felt tight, heavy with questions I no longer had the strength to ask.
Minho stepped forward calmly, as if this were nothing more than a rehearsal.
"Jina," he said, holding out a long rope, his voice smooth and measured. "I think it's time."
My breath hitched.
Before I could react, he shoved me down. The sudden force sent a sharp pain through my knees as I hit the ground.
I turned sharply to him, shock written all over my face. "Minho—what are you doing?"
He smiled.
"It's just part of the plan," he said lightly, as though he were explaining something harmless. "We need him to sense danger."
Before I could protest, he tied the rope around my wrists, pulling it tight—too tight. Pain shot through my arms, and I screamed despite myself.
Minho laughed.
The sound chilled me more than the rope ever could.
He pushed me again, harder this time, and my leg struck a heavy stick buried in the ground. A sharp sting tore through my skin, and when I looked down, blood was already seeping out.
I looked up at him, my eyes wide. "Why are you doing this?"
"Jina," he said, his tone suddenly impatient, "I told you to stay calm. This is all part of—"
He didn't finish.
The air shifted.
A violent splash of energy tore through the space like a crashing wave, knocking Minho off his feet. He flew backward and slammed into the ground behind me.
I barely had time to turn before Raven appeared, his presence sharp and overwhelming, like a storm arriving without warning.
His eyes flicked to me—just briefly—then to the blood on my leg. Something dark passed through his expression, but he forced himself to look away.
His gaze locked onto Minho.
He walked toward him slowly, every step deliberate.
Before I could even process what was happening, Soah burst out of her hiding place, her hand raised, power gathering around her like fire.
Instinct took over.
Something surged inside me—raw, burning, uncontrollable.
I raised my hands, and a violent wave exploded outward. It struck Soah mid-motion, sending her flying backward. She slammed into a tree with a sickening thud, collapsing to the ground.
Minho stared at me in shock.
"Jina… what—"
I didn't wait.
A sudden rush of wind tore through the clearing, followed by fire. The force slammed into Minho, hurling him back. Blood spilled from his nose as he staggered.
My hands trembled as I reached down and tore the rope off my wrists. I barely recognized myself anymore.
Minho laughed as he pushed himself back up.
Raven rushed to my side immediately, his hands gentle as he supported me, his eyes dropping to the wound on my leg.
But before he could say anything—
Minho moved.
In one swift motion, he grabbed Soah, wrapping his hand tightly around her neck. She was already weak from the impact, blood streaking down from her nose as she struggled.
"Minho!" I shouted.
He turned to Raven, smiling wildly. "I'll slaughter her right here."
Raven's expression didn't change.
"And how is that my business?" he said calmly. "Why are you telling me?"
Minho laughed louder. "Oh, I see. I thought you were desperate to see your lovely sister again."
Raven slowly released my hand and faced him fully.
Minho's grip tightened around Soah's neck. "Say goodbye."
Raven vanished.
In less than a heartbeat, he reappeared behind Minho. A powerful blow landed squarely on Minho's face, sending him flying forward. He hit the ground hard, coughing blood.
Raven caught Soah as she fell, holding her steady, his eyes searching her face.
"Let me be," she said weakly.
He didn't loosen his grip.
"I said let me be!"
Her voice exploded with fury. A force erupted from her body, throwing Raven backward. Before anyone could react, she vanished into the trees, disappearing like smoke carried by the wind.
Raven barely had time to recover before Minho surged forward again. Raven caught him, his hand closing tightly around Minho's neck.
"What did you say before?" Raven demanded.
Minho smiled through the blood at his lips. "Are you not a fool?"
Raven's grip tightened.
"You've been fighting your sister all this while," Minho continued, laughing. "Trying to kill her."
Raven froze.
"She is your lost sister."
The world seemed to stop.
Raven released him instantly, stepping back as if struck by lightning. His eyes widened, disbelief crashing over his face.
"Don't ever say that again," Raven said coldly.
"Her name is Soah. Not Siwoo."
He turned to me suddenly, grabbed my hand, and before I could speak, the world folded in on itself.
We vanished.