Shadows In The Ashes

The Hollow Man stepped through the broken wall.

His form was shifting—tall and jagged, wrapped in twisting shadows.

But his grin was the same. Wide. Knowing. Hungry.

Minjun staggered back. “No—no, this wasn’t supposed to happen.”

The Hollow Man tilted his head. “And yet, here we are.”

Jungkook tightened his grip on the locket. “You fed him.” His voice was steady, but his heart was racing. “That’s how this all started, isn’t it?”

Minjun’s hands trembled. “I didn’t mean to.”

Taehyung’s jaw clenched. “You made a deal.”

Minjun’s eyes flickered to the Hollow Man—and the truth was in his silence.

Jungkook felt sick.

Minjun had called the Hollow Man here.

And now—he couldn’t send him back.

---

The Hollow Man turned to Jungkook.

“You’re the stubborn one,” he mused. “Always chasing ghosts. Always trying to fix what’s already broken.”

Jungkook didn’t move. “I’m not playing your game.”

The Hollow Man’s grin widened. “Oh, but you already are.”

Then—he pointed at Minjun.

“I only need one soul.”

The air in the room dropped.

Taehyung stepped in front of Minjun, his voice ice-cold. “Not happening.”

The Hollow Man laughed.

“Then let’s see how far you’re willing to go.”

--

The shadows lunged.

Jungkook barely had time to react before black tendrils shot forward, wrapping around his wrist—dragging him back.

Taehyung tore free, grabbing Jungkook’s arm and yanking him away.

The Hollow Man moved faster.

His form rippled, suddenly behind Minjun—a clawed hand reaching for his throat.

Minjun froze.

Jungkook didn’t.

He threw the locket.

It collided with the Hollow Man’s chest.

The second it touched him—he screamed.

---

The locket glowed.

A harsh, searing light poured from it, cracking through the shadows like fire through ice.

The Hollow Man staggered back.

His form shuddered, flickering—unstable.

Jungkook’s chest heaved. It was working.

Minjun gasped, clutching his head. His face twisted in pain.

“The manor—” he choked out. “It’s falling apart.”

Jungkook’s eyes snapped to the walls—cracks were spreading.

The house wasn’t just shaking.

It was collapsing.

---

“We need to go,” Taehyung said, grabbing Jungkook’s hand.

But Minjun didn’t move.

Jungkook turned, panic rising. “Minjun—come on!”

Minjun’s gaze was locked on the Hollow Man—and something shifted in his expression.

Regret.

Understanding.

Acceptance.

“I have to end this,” Minjun said.

Jungkook’s stomach dropped.

“No,” Taehyung snapped. “We’re not leaving you behind.”

Minjun smiled.

It was the saddest thing Jungkook had ever seen.

“I started this,” Minjun whispered. “I have to finish it.”

---

The Hollow Man snarled, his form still flickering—but he wasn’t done.

He lunged for Jungkook—one last time.

And Minjun—

Stepped between them.

There was a flash of light.

And then—

Everything went dark.