Amidst the chaos, Bolt suddenly halted. His face, battered and blood-streaked, turned upward.
He paused, glancing at his companions—breath ragged, eyes filled with exhaustion and determination.
His gaze lifted to the darkening sky—the gaping Abyss looming ominously overhead.
With a sudden surge of energy, Bolt rose into the air, his form glowing with crackling lightning.
His eyes widened as he stared into the abyss, sensing something deeper—the source of this chaos.
"Who is sending all this creatures?" he muttered to himself, voice strained but steady. Then, slowly, his expression shifted—shock washing over his face.
From the depths of the Abyss, figures emerged—powerful, sinister, and commanding. Vespera, cloaked in a flowing black witch's robe, her piercing eyes glowing with arcane energy.
In her hand, she held a shimmering orb pulsating with dark magic, swirling with shadows and light.
Behind her, Dracula, regal and terrifying, his crimson eyes gleaming, fangs sharp and ready. His presence exuded ancient power and malevolence.
And then, In-Su appeared—dressed in elegant vampire's attire, his dark cloak billowing as he hovered.
His eyes, cold and calculating, fixed on Bolt with a quiet intensity.
In-Su's voice was calm but filled with underlying menace. "Bolt…" he whispered softly, a hint of disdain in his tone.
Bolt's breath hitched. "In-Su…" he muttered, voice trembling with a mixture of surprise and dread.
Vespera, with a cruel smile, suddenly pushed Bolt down with her powers, sending him crashing to the ground.
His sword dissolved into shimmering light, transforming into a delicate flute that fell from his hands.
Vespera lifted her hands, and with a flick of her fingers, all the monstrous creatures froze in place—their violent forms suddenly halted, their roars silenced.
The fallen monsters, the ones already slain, vanished into thin air, leaving behind only echoes of their screams.
The heroes of Mire, exhausted and battered, paused as their tousled hair and bloodstained faces betrayed the brutal toll of battle.
Vespera's voice was cold and mocking. "I believe you saw my little surprise," she said, her tone dripping with venom.
"You said, 'Since Bolt is here, nothing can stop us.'" Her eyes gleamed with contempt as she gestured to the frozen chaos.
Dracula smirked darkly. "Darling, they don't stand a chance against the creatures we've prepared. We've been waiting for this moment. And if you dare to lose… we will take over Nightmire," he hissed, a sinister laugh echoing through the silence.
Vespera and Dracula's evil laughter echoed like a curse, chilling the air.
Bolt, breathing heavily, glanced at In-Su—who looked down, avoiding eye contact, his expression unreadable.
Bolt hesitated, knowing interfering might only worsen things.
Vespera's voice cut through the tense silence.
"Let's see who the real winner is," she sneered before soaring upward, followed by Dracula and In-Su, their figures vanishing into the abyss.
WHY IS IN-SU NOT INTERFERING?
FLASH BACK. >>>>>
The sunlight filtered softly through the gaps in the bridge's structure, casting dappled patterns on the ground below.
The air was warm and gentle, carrying the faint scent of water and earth, a peaceful contrast to the chaos of their world.
Shadows danced lazily across the concrete pillars, creating a cool refuge beneath the busy streets above.
Ha-Joon sat comfortably on a smooth patch of concrete, a sketching book open on his lap.
His eyes flicked back and forth between the pages and the scenery around him—graffiti-covered walls, distant birds soaring overhead.
A faint smile played on his lips as he sketched, capturing the quiet beauty of the moment.
His fingers gently traced the lines of a new drawing, a soft smile touching his face because he knew some of those sketches were him.
Beside him, In-Su leaned back, casually drinking from a can of soda. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he watched Ha-Joon with a gentle, teasing smile.
"You like it?" In-Su asked softly, glancing at the sketchbook.
Ha-Joon nodded without looking up, voice quiet but sincere. "Yes. I mean, half of the sketches are me," he said, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
In-Su giggled, a light, carefree sound that echoed softly in the calm air. "Because you're a great view," he replied, his tone playful yet affectionate.
Ha-Joon rolled his eyes, a shy smile still lingering. "I need to tell you something," he said suddenly, his voice trembling slightly with seriousness.
In-Su's smile faded into gentle curiosity.
"Okay," he replied, leaning forward a little.
Ha-Joon's expression shifted, his face turning somber, shadows flickering behind his eyes.
He stood slowly, clutching the sketchbook tightly as if holding onto a fragile hope. His voice was low, almost a whisper.
"In-Su… we need to stop being friends."
In-Su's eyes widened in shock. His hand froze mid-sip, the can slipping from his fingers and clattering onto the ground.
"What?" he whispered, voice trembling.
Ha-Joon turned away, his shoulders tense. He reached out and handed In-Su the sketchbook.
"Maybe we should go our different ways," he said softly.
"We're tearing each other apart already… very soon, it's going to get worse. Creatures of Mire and Night—we're just… too different. It's already written. We can't change that."
In-Su stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief. His hand hovered over the sketchbook, trembling slightly. "Ha-Joon… what are you saying?"
Ha-Joon's gaze was distant, filled with sadness.
He took a slow step back, then turned to leave, his figure small against the bright sunlight streaming through the gaps in the bridge.
In-Su watched him go, a heavy sadness settling over his face. His eyes were furrowed, confusion and pain swirling within.
He stayed rooted in place as the words echoed in his mind.
"What?" In-Su whispered to himself, voice hoarse. "I thought we agreed not to fight…"
END OF FLASHBACK>>>>>
That's why In-Su didn't interfere. It's not that he hates Ha-Joon or wants to fight him. Rather, he's aware of the heavy responsibility Ha-Joon bears as a prince and a leader.
He understands that Ha-Joon's words and actions are driven by duty, by the need to be strong and prepared for the battles ahead.
It's a complicated situation—In-Su cares deeply for his friend, but he also recognizes that Ha-Joon's role demands sacrifices and a tough exterior.
So, out of respect for that responsibility, In-Su chooses to stay back, even if it pains him to see his friend struggle with such harsh expectations.
The monsters resumed their hunt, driven by a dark hunger, their monstrous forms spreading chaos once more.
Bolt slowly rose, blood dripping from his wounds, eyes blazing with renewed fury.
The battle had only intensified the grotesque, brutal scene—streets stained with black, blue-black, and crimson blood.
Human beings suffered grievously, their screams echoing through the blood-soaked streets.
The elements of Mire fought desperately, elemental powers clashing in a symphony of destruction—water, Ice, Light, Air and Lightning—each staining the battlefield with their own dark hues.