The chamber opens like a mouth.
Tall stone walls curve inward, carved with figures that look almost human—except their eyes are hollow, their hands raised as if offering something unseen. The ceiling disappears into darkness, and at the center of the room stands a stone altar, old enough that time itself seems afraid of it.
The air is thick.
Not heavy—expectant.
Wu Suo Wei mutters, "Yeah… this place wants something."
Wei Ying nods slowly.
"A temple seal. Older than the ruins above."
Lan Zhan's voice is calm but alert.
"What does it demand?"
No one answers immediately.
Taehyung already knows.
The Seal Activates
As soon as they step inside—
thud.
The entrance seals shut behind them.
Runes ignite across the walls, glowing deep crimson.
Jungkook swears under his breath.
"Tell me that's not blood magic."
Wei Ying exhales.
"It is."
Chi Cheng looks at the altar.
"So what? We give it what it wants and move on?"
Wei Ying's jaw tightens.
"It doesn't want just blood."
The altar pulses.
A voice echoes—not loud, but absolute.
OFFER WHAT BINDS YOU TO THE PATH.
Silence crashes down.
Wu Suo Wei frowns.
"…That's vague."
Taehyung steps forward.
"It's asking for commitment," he says softly.
"Something you won't take back."
Jungkook's eyes snap to him.
"And how do you know that?"
Taehyung doesn't look at him.
"Because I've stood at one like this before."
Tension Fractures
Wei Ying studies the altar carefully.
"This seal will open the next passage. But only if it accepts us."
Lan Zhan turns to him.
"And if it doesn't?"
Wei Ying smiles thinly.
"Then we stay trapped until the cave collapses."
Wu Suo Wei claps once.
"Love that for us."
Chi Cheng sighs.
"We don't have time for rituals that gamble lives."
Taehyung finally turns.
"This one doesn't gamble," he says.
"It chooses."
The altar flares brighter.
Jungkook feels something tighten in his chest.
"What does it choose based on?"
Taehyung hesitates.
"…Truth."
Lan Zhan × Wei Ying — Choice
Wei Ying steps forward first.
Lan Zhan grabs his wrist.
"You don't have to."
Wei Ying looks at him, softer than usual.
"You'll keep me alive if it goes wrong."
That's not a question.
Lan Zhan releases him slowly.
"Yes."
Wei Ying presses his palm to the altar.
The light reacts—steady, controlled.
ACKNOWLEDGED.
The ground trembles—but does not crack.
Wei Ying exhales in relief.
Lan Zhan doesn't move from his side after that.
Chi Cheng × Wu Suo Wei — Trust Sealed
Wu Suo Wei rolls his shoulders.
"My turn, I guess."
Chi Cheng steps in front of him immediately.
"No."
Wu Suo Wei blinks.
"Excuse me?"
"You don't know what it'll take," Chi Cheng says coldly.
"I do."
Wu Suo Wei studies his face.
Then, unexpectedly gentle:
"You trust me to fight monsters. Trust me to choose."
Chi Cheng's jaw tightens.
Slowly, he steps aside.
Wu Suo Wei presses his hand to the altar—grinning, fearless.
The runes glow warm.
ACCEPTED.
Chi Cheng exhales like he'd been holding his breath for hours.
Wu Suo Wei looks back at him.
"See? Still alive."
Chi Cheng doesn't answer.
But his eyes soften.
Taehyung's Turn
The altar goes quiet.
Waiting.
Everyone knows who it wants next.
"No," Jungkook says immediately.
Taehyung pauses mid-step.
Wei Ying turns sharply.
"Jungkook—"
"You're not touching that thing," Jungkook snaps.
"You're already carrying enough."
Taehyung looks at him—really looks.
"You don't get to decide that," he says gently.
The altar pulses again.
THE YOUNGEST WALKS THE DEEPEST.
Jungkook's breath stutters.
"What does that mean?" he demands.
Wei Ying's voice is low.
"It means the seal recognizes him as the anchor."
Jungkook steps in front of Taehyung without thinking.
"Then take me instead."
The room freezes.
Taehyung's eyes widen.
"Jungkook—"
Jungkook doesn't look back.
"You said it wants commitment. Fine. Take mine."
The altar flares—
Then rejects him.
The light burns sharp.
YOU ARE NOT BOUND.
Silence.
Taehyung gently pulls Jungkook aside.
"Don't," he whispers.
"Not like this."
He steps forward.
Places his palm on the altar.
The glow turns soft.
Almost… reverent.
ACKNOWLEDGED.
The stone floor shifts.
A passage opens beyond the altar—leading deeper, darker.
Taehyung sways.
Jungkook catches him instantly.
This time, Taehyung doesn't pull away.
Just for a second.
"Idiot," Jungkook mutters, voice rough.
Taehyung smiles faintly.
"Yeah."
The path is open.
But the temple has taken note.
And whatever waits ahead—
now knows Taehyung by name.