CHAPTER 18
The chamber was dimly lit, the only light coming from the soft amber glow of the lanterns. A gentle breeze passed through the windows, rustling the silken curtains. When Sihyun stepped inside, he found Muwon already waiting, resting near the bed with his hair slightly tousled and eyes tired—but warm.
"Is he asleep already?"
Muwon asked, sitting up straighter.
Sihyun nodded, then walked to him and wrapped his arms around him tightly, burying his face into Muwon's chest.
"He had a long day,"
Sihyun murmured against his robe, his voice muffled.
"A really long one… But he was smiling the whole time."
Muwon held him close, one hand brushing softly through Sihyun's hair.
"I'm glad… I'm glad he's enjoying himself."
They stood there for a quiet moment, two souls wrapped in stillness, hearts syncing after a long, joyful day.
Eventually, they lay down together, the mattress sinking slightly under their weight as Sihyun rested his head on Muwon's shoulder, his fingers gently grazing Muwon's chest as if grounding himself in this moment.
"I didn't think…"
Sihyun started quietly, staring at the canopy above them.
"I didn't think this kind of day would ever come—for someone like me. With Taeyang… and you. It still feels like a dream."
Muwon turned slightly, placing a soft kiss on Sihyun's temple.
"It's not a dream,"
he said.
"It's real. You're here. I'm here. And Taeyang's here—because he wants to be."
"But what if he grows tired of us?"
Sihyun's voice cracked a little.
"What if he starts wishing for a different family…?"
Muwon turned fully to face him now, their faces inches apart. His eyes searched Sihyun's, steady and full of quiet truth.
"He won't,"
he said firmly.
"You saw the way he looks at you? Like you're his entire world."
Sihyun's lips trembled into a faint smile.
"He called me Dada."
"You are,"
Muwon whispered, brushing his thumb over Sihyun's cheek.
"You're his Dada. The one he runs to. The one he trusts. Just like I do."
They held each other in silence, breaths softening as the weight of the day slowly melted into warmth between them. Muwon's arms wrapped securely around Sihyun, anchoring him.
"I don't know what I did to deserve this,"
Sihyun whispered.
"You existed,"
Muwon replied.
"And that was enough."
Sihyun blinked slowly, finally letting his body relax entirely. With one last kiss to Muwon's collarbone, he nestled closer, their hands entwining beneath the blanket.
In the quiet of the night, wrapped in love and soft breaths, they slowly drifted off to sleep—hearts full, a family finally whole.
The chamber was silent, the moonlight spilling through the window like liquid silver, bathing the room in a serene glow. Outside, the world slept peacefully.
But within the bed, Sihyun stirred.
At first, it was a soft whimper, barely audible over the rustle of the curtains. Then it grew—a choked sound caught in his throat as his body began to tremble. His fingers curled tightly into the sheets, breath hitching.
And then—his eyes snapped open.
They glowed.
Not just with gold or red—but both.
His tattoos, once dim and dormant, began to shimmer and shift, bright and burning— like stars blinking to life across his skin. Gold magic pulsed through his veins, graceful and warm. Red magic surged alongside it—chaotic, hungry.
And they clashed.
Flickers of light sparked and crackled from his skin—his aura flaring violently. Golden wisps danced around him like protective threads, while red tendrils slithered over them, trying to devour, to dominate.
"Sihyun…"
came a whisper.
Soft. Familiar.
A voice from the past.
"Fight it, Sihyun… Don't let it consume you…"
It was his mother's voice.
He whimpered, curling slightly, pain evident on his face. His nails dug into the sheets, his breath becoming erratic as the clashing energies began to spiral out of control.
Suddenly—Muwon stirred.
A soft grunt at first, then a frown. His body reacted before his mind did. He turned, eyes blinking open—and froze when he saw the glow.
"Sihyun?"
he sat up instantly, eyes widening.
Golden light and red fire danced around Sihyun's body like opposing storms.
"Sihyun!"
Muwon reached out quickly, grabbing his shoulders.
"Wake up—look at me!"
Sihyun's eyes flew open, the glow inside them fierce—his irises a storm of molten gold and crimson.
He gasped—harsh and broken—as if finally breaking the surface of water. His chest rose and fell quickly, eyes wide in panic.
"I—I can't—I didn't mean—"
he stammered, clutching at his head.
"It hurts, Muwon—it hurts—!"
"Hey, hey, look at me,"
Muwon said, gently yet firmly, his voice anchoring.
"It's okay. You're here. I'm here. Breathe, Sihyun. Just breathe."
Muwon cupped his face, thumbs brushing away the sweat already gathering on his temples. Sihyun's gaze trembled—then locked onto his.
"I heard her,"
Sihyun whispered.
"My mother… she told me not to let it consume me…"
Muwon pulled him in tightly, his arms wrapping protectively around him.
"Then hold on to her words. To me. Don't let it win."
As Muwon's embrace deepened, Sihyun's glow slowly began to fade.
First, the red dimmed.
Then the gold.
And finally, the room fell still again.
The marks on Sihyun's body cooled, returning to their normal state. His breathing began to slow. He clung to Muwon like a lifeline, his entire body trembling in the aftermath.
"I was scared,"
he whispered against Muwon's chest.
"I thought I was going to lose control."
"You didn't,"
Muwon said softly, brushing Sihyun's hair back and kissing his forehead.
"You fought it. And I'll be right here every time you need to fight it again."
Sihyun didn't reply—he simply held on tighter, like he never wanted to let go.
And in the silence that followed, the moonlight continued to spill gently over them, washing the chamber in silver peace once more.
The morning sun filtered gently through the papered windows of the chamber where Muwon, Yuhyun, Dohyun, and Taejin were seated, the quiet stillness of dawn hanging between them. A kettle of tea steamed gently on the table, untouched.
Muwon leaned forward, hands clasped tightly.
"Before Sihyun arrives with Taeyang… there's something I need to tell you all."
His voice was low, but urgent.
The others looked toward him. Yuhyun tensed immediately, catching the shift in Muwon's tone.
"Last night,"
Muwon began,
"Sihyun's body started reacting again. His tattoos glowed — not just the usual flickers. It was… violent. Red and gold magic clashed out of him like they were fighting for dominance."
Yuhyun's breath hitched.
"I tried to wake him,"
Muwon continued.
"And when I did, his eyes were glowing — both red and gold. He was scared, clinging to me. And then... he said he heard your mother's voice."
Yuhyun's face drained of color.
"She told him to fight it,"
Muwon added quietly.
"To not let it consume him."
Silence fell over the room for a beat.
Dohyun sat straighter, frowning.
"You mean… her voice came to him in a dream?"
"I don't know if it was a dream or magic,"
Muwon said.
"But it felt real to him. He woke up shaking."
Yuhyun looked down at his hands, his knuckles turning white. His heart pounded against his chest. He remembered the ancient words from the forbidden scroll…
"When the final horn is carved, the balance shall shift- one shall bring light or ruin to the realm, and none shall bind him but fate." But he couldn't say it. Not yet.
Taejin, ever the calm voice, finally broke the tension.
"If Sihyun was able to calm down — if he regained control — maybe that means the 20th mark hasn't taken over yet. Maybe he can still fight it."
"I believe he can,"
Muwon said, firmly.
"But I'm keeping an eye on him."
Yuhyun swallowed, forcing his voice to stay steady.
"We all should."
Dohyun leaned back, arms crossed.
"Still… odd timing for him to suddenly call a meeting. Any of you know why?"
They all shook their heads.
"I'm guessing we're about to find out,"
Taejin muttered just as the distant sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Muwon stood.
"That'll be them."
The door creaked slightly as Sihyun entered the chamber, holding Taeyang's hand. The little boy looked curious, his other hand holding a small toy rabbit. Sihyun's expression was calm — but there was a flicker in his eyes, something weary yet determined.
"We're here,"
Sihyun said gently, offering a faint smile as he guided Taeyang toward the cushions.
Everyone turned to him with quiet anticipation.