The dim light of the dying moon cast long shadows over the somber gathering. Mysta, still kneeling on the cold ground, was lost in mourning—her tears falling silently as her friends stood behind her, silent witnesses to her pain.
But suddenly, a flicker of resolve ignited within her. She lifted her head, eyes blazing with a fragile yet fierce determination, and bolted upright.
"Hey Guys?" she whispered, voice trembling yet resolute.
'' Glimmer '' Zephyria stepped forward, her expression gentle but concerned. "Yes, Mysta? Do you need anything?"
Mysta's trembling eyes met theirs as she took a shaky breath. "Can I ask you something?" she asked softly.
They all nodded, sensing the weight behind her words.
"What does it mean for an element to give her soul… or her life, to an undead?" Mysta's voice wavered, carrying the gravity of her question.
Aquaris sighed, his gaze distant as he answered quietly, "A creature of Mire's life force is very strong. It can heal wounds, mend broken spirits, even bring someone back from death—since they died as the undead. But…" he paused, voice somber, "when a creature of Mire gives his soul to someone, he leaves his body behind. Until that person's death, he remains trapped within them, living in their flesh and blood, bound by his own sacrifice."
Mysta blinked, her heart pounding. She gulped, her mind racing.
"What made you ask that?" Terranox's deep voice asked cautiously. "Are you planning to give your life away?"
Emberion's eyes flickered with a fiery glow as she added softly, "You're not thinking of doing it, are you?"
Mysta's voice was hoarse, trembling with emotion. "I… I have to. It's a must," she whispered, tears welling again.
She wiped her trembling hands across her face and looked at Ji-Hoo's lifeless, zombified body. "I'm going to give him my soul… so he can live he deserves it."
A silence heavy with despair settled over the group, broken only by the faint sound of Mysta's whispered promise. "I will do it."
Zephyria's voice broke through with gentle urgency, her eyes wide with worry. "No… You can't. You're the last element—without you, our light will fade. Please, don't give your life away."
She stepped closer, grabbing Mysta's trembling hand. "Think of what you're risking. Reconsider—"
Aquaris nodded in calm agreement, his voice like the soothing waves of a midnight sea. "You're risking everything, Mysta. You're not just giving your life… you're giving your essence, your soul, to someone else's fate."
Mysta's voice cracked, hoarse with emotion. "I… I don't have a choice anymore. He's gone. I killed him—Ji- Woo Please… let me do this. For him. For everyone. I have to."
Zephyria's voice softened, her gaze tender and full of understanding. "Think about the people who love you. Your mother—what will she do if you're gone?"
Mysta's eyes softened as she looked away for a moment, then whispered softly, "I know Ji-Hoo… I know he will always visit her. I will always be with him, even if my body is gone. My love for him is eternal."
Her gaze drifted to Bolt, who struggled to hold back tears, his hands clenched into fists. Mysta stepped toward him, her heart aching. She gently placed her hand on his shoulder, her voice trembling but filled with love.
"Ha-Joon, Ha-Joon-ah, Ha-Joonie… I call you all that," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Bolt… it's too formal. You're my best friend, my brother in spirit… my light. And I… I can't imagine my life without you."
Bolt's tears spilled over as he desperately tried to hold back sobs. "Joy… Joy… you're the only one I have," he choked out. "Please… don't do this."
Mysta's smile, fragile yet radiant, shimmered through her tears. "Don't worry," she whispered softly, leaning in to hug him tight. "I'll always be there—always."
Her arms wrapped around him like a gentle, shimmering dawn, holding him close as if to transfer her strength through her embrace. Bolt clung to her, the tears finally breaking free, flowing freely as her.
Mysta turned to Elara, a soft smile touching her lips. "I will miss you," she whispered, voice thick with emotion.
Elara nodded, her eyes shimmering with tears as she pulled Mysta into a tight, comforting hug. The others watched silently, feeling the weight of the farewell.
Mysta then bowed deeply to Terranox and Emberion, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you for making me an element—a cheerful, bright one," she said softly, lifting her head to meet their eyes with a brave smile.
Turning her gaze to Aquaris, she silently approached and embraced him, their connection unspoken but deeply felt. Words were unnecessary—they understood each other.
Finally, Mysta moved toward Zephyria, her voice trembling. "Hey… take care of Ha-Joon for me. Take care of Ji-Hoo," she whispered tenderly.
Zephyria's smile was gentle but resolute. "I will," she promised, her arms opening for a heartfelt hug.
Mysta's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Ji-Hoo's lifeless body. A surge of determination filled her—her last hope. "I will save you," she whispered fiercely, her voice trembling with resolve.
She closed her eyes, spreading her arms wide as a brilliant light burst forth around her. The wind howled fiercely, whipping her hair and clothes into a wild dance. Her eyebrows trembled as her body shuddered with the effort; then, suddenly, Ji-Hoo's corpse began to float, shimmering like a star reborn.
A voice echoed softly from Mysta, almost like a prayer. "An element gives her soul… to save another," she whispered, her voice full of sacred promise. A radiant orb of light—her very soul—rose from her chest, glowing with pure, desperate hope.
"I will save you," she repeated, her words a vow.
The orb of light shot swiftly into Ji-Hoo's unconscious form. His body jerked, shuddered, and then—eyes blazing with renewed life—he began to move.
Hands trembled, and a flicker of awareness returned to his gaze. His limbs twitched as he slowly came back to himself.
Nothing like this had ever been seen before—an impossible miracle.
"What's happening?" Zephyria gasped, her voice trembling as the wind grew heavier, swirling in a tempest of magic and emotion.
Bolt's voice was quiet but firm. "She's doing it… what she wants. Mysta had always been the happiest person Amongst us. And she's also the most stubborn and Naïve. I mean she's giving away her soul to the person she had love the most. The person that started off as an enemy. I my Case it reverse."
The wind intensified, swirling around them in a maelstrom of light and shadow.
Then, suddenly, a blinding burst of radiance erupted—a flash so intense it seemed to swallow the world in pure, divine brilliance.
When the light faded, Ji-Hoo collapsed to the ground, alive, healthy, and whole. Mysta, however, was not unscathed.
Her bright brown-golden hair had darkened to a deep, shadowed black.
Her skin was pale—almost grey—and her clothes had faded into a dull, muted hue, as if drained of all color and life.
At first, Ji-Hoo was disoriented, blinking slowly as his eyes adjusted. His gaze fell upon Mysta, now in that strange, drained state.
His voice shattered the silence.
"Joy!!!" he shouted, rushing to her side. Everyone hurried to gather around her—their hearts pounding with hope and dread.
Ji-Hoo gently knelt, carefully lifting her trembling form into his arms. Tears welled in his eyes as he clung to her, overwhelmed by relief and confusion.
His voice was thick with emotion.
"Why did you do this? why are you so stupid to do this? Joy! wake up." he whispered to himself, clutching her close. "Why?"
No answer came—only the silent echo of her sacrifice.
Bolt, tears slipping down his face, sniffed softly. "She told me to tell you… not to worry," he choked out. "She's always with you. She gave you her soul and You can hear her voice within you she's inside you."
Ji-Hoo pressed his face into her hair, trembling. His shoulders shook as he hugged her tightly, whispering broken words of love and gratitude.
The others stood silently, tears falling freely—Tear of loss, of hope, of love.