Chapter Text
The world seemed to slow down as his hands trembled, frantically searching for the map he had with him just moments ago. Every movement felt aimless, every corner of the saddle and every pocket of his jacket explored with growing desperation. With each passing second, his breathing grew more ragged, as if time itself had become his enemy. The pounding of his heart echoed in his ears, louder and more insistent with every fleeting moment.
He knew that map wasn’t just a piece of paper—it was the key to his entire mission. Without it, his journey lost all meaning. The hope of reaching the Sanctuary of Light, of uncovering the truth behind the curse that tormented him, was tied to that fragile scrap of paper, like a flickering flame in the middle of a storm. And now, without it, he felt the darkness creeping into his heart.
His gaze darted around nervously, but there was no sign of it. The crowd around him moved with indifference, oblivious to his rising panic. The wind blew gently, yet to him, the world felt heavier, every breath a battle against the inevitable. Taehyung suddenly felt vulnerable, like a fish out of water, lost in a sea that threatened to pull him under without mercy.
His hands clenched into fists, knuckles turning white as his skin stretched tight. Every motion he made was a desperate search, as if his own body was trying to stitch together an invisible wound. His fingers skimmed the edges of the saddle, dug into the innermost pockets of his jacket—but the map wasn’t there. It wasn’t there.
"It can't be... It can't be gone," he murmured to himself, his voice trembling with both rage and helplessness. "How...?"
Each word he spoke felt carved into the empty air, and the panic threatened to consume him whole. His mind darkened, the thought of losing everything he had fought for suffocating him. But then, like a sudden grip tightening around his heart, a figure emerged from the crowd.
Taehyung felt as if his heart was hammering against his ribs. His hands trembled, his breath caught in his throat, but his attention was entirely locked onto the figure slipping away into the mass of people. The boy with the sharp smile. The way he moved, the confidence in his steps—it had struck him from the very first moment. He couldn’t look away. Something was off. Something wasn’t right.
A few steps behind him, another boy. The one with the bag slung over his shoulder. He was imposing, the shadow of his figure almost menacing, as if he knew he could be dangerous if he wanted to. The bag was too big. Too heavy. Taehyung wondered what was inside. His mind began to race. They had to have the map. It couldn’t be a coincidence. It was too obvious. It had to be them.
"It’s them," he thought, his breath growing more erratic. "They have the map."
The realization terrified him as much as it fueled his resolve. They must have taken it. There was no other explanation. His hand tightened around the collar of his jacket, his grip tense, as if trying to keep himself steady. He couldn’t let them escape with the map—not when everything depended on it.
Without another thought, he broke into a sprint, shoving past people, his steps unsteady but swift. He had no time to waste. He had to reach them. He had to stop them. He had to find out what was going on.When he finally caught up with them, the boy with the sharp smile stopped and stared at him. His eyes were gleaming, as if he had been expecting this moment. The other one, the one with the sack slung over his shoulder, seemed to ignore him entirely—but Taehyung knew better. He was watching, waiting, like a predator that had no need to rush.
The boy smiled, but his expression was disarmingly false. Jimin pretended to glance around, as if he had no idea why Taehyung was looking at him so intently.
"Looking for something?" he asked, whistling softly, as if he lived in a world of his own, as if this conversation was nothing but a passing amusement.
Taehyung didn't let his guard down, his breath still ragged, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "Don’t play dumb. I know you took the map," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Give it back."
Jimin shrugged, utterly indifferent, his smile unwavering. "Ah, the map?" he echoed, as if it were the most trivial thing in the world. "What makes you think I took anything?"
Taehyung’s gaze darkened, but Jimin went on in that maddeningly relaxed tone, as if they were merely exchanging pleasantries. "Why would I take a map? I don’t even like maps. Too… predictable."
A wave of frustration surged inside Taehyung. "Don’t waste my time," he growled, his voice low and firm. "That map is all I have. It’s not something you can just brush off."
Jimin tilted his head, feigning curiosity, as if Taehyung had just said something absurd. "Oh, really? I had no idea it was that important," he mused, a mockery of surprise in his voice. "But, you know, life is complicated. Things don’t always go the way we want."
Without a care in the world, he toyed with a small object between his fingers, his eyes never leaving Taehyung. His smirk said everything and nothing at once.
"That map belongs to me," Taehyung said, his voice trembling with anger yet resolute. "Give it back."
Jimin let out a quiet chuckle, his smirk curling with something between amusement and disdain. "Ah, this is such noble talk, isn’t it?" he said, shaking his head with mock sympathy. "You rich folks never want to put in the effort, huh? You want everything handed to you, and when you don’t get your way… well, this happens. You remind us exactly where we stand in the food chain of this kingdom."
Taehyung's eyes burned with intensity, but Jimin was anything but intimidated. If anything, his smile widened, as if the real game was only just beginning.
"Because that’s how it is, right?" Jimin continued, his voice laced with a sharper edge. "Rich people think the whole world should kneel before them. And when they don’t get what they want, they get mad, they make themselves heard. But you can’t have everything, you know? Not everyone exists to serve your needs."
Taehyung's anger flared, but he held himself back—just barely. "That’s not—" he started, but Jimin cut him off with a lazy flick of his hand.
"I see it in you," Jimin said, his tone turning colder. "That look—‘I’m better than you.’ The kind that only people who have always been treated as special wear on their faces. The kind that says the world owes them something."
His gaze locked onto Taehyung’s, unwavering. "Yeah. I see it in you. But the world doesn’t owe you anything. Not anymore."
The words struck Taehyung like a punch to the gut. For a moment, he felt stripped bare, every illusion of superiority shattered. The weight of reality pressed down on him, suffocating.
But he couldn’t let Jimin see it. Not now. Not like this.
"It’s not like that," he said, his voice quieter, but firm. "I’m not who you think I am."
"Ah, you are," Jimin replied, a triumphant glint in his eyes. "That's why you need your map. Because without it, you feel lost, like a fish out of water. And there's nothing more amusing than watching someone like you, so used to being in control, lower yourself for something so... insignificant."
Jimin chuckled to himself, silencing any chance of rebuttal. "Pathetic."
Every word stung. But Taehyung didn't stop. Not yet. Every fiber of his being screamed that he had to win this battle. He had to. Because without the map, without that key, his entire journey would be in vain. The map wasn’t just a matter of survival; it was something more.
"Don't play dumb!" he exclaimed, his hands clenched into fists. "The map is mine, and you took it. Tell me where you've hidden it."
Jimin raised his hands, rolling his eyes as if he were forced to endure a complete misunderstanding. "Calm down, friend," he responded serenely. "I have no idea what you're talking about. And if I really had taken it, what do you think you’d do about it?"
The impulse overtook Taehyung. Without thinking, he lunged at Jimin, hands ready to grab him, to force him to tell the truth. But Jimin moved effortlessly, as if he had anticipated every one of his moves. Taehyung tried to strike, but Jimin countered with a swift movement, blocking his attack and sending him to the ground with a precise blow to the chest. Taehyung hit the ground hard, his breath knocked out of him.
"Don't underestimate me." Jimin said with a sneering smile, tilting his head slightly. "This is my world, and in my world, rich kids like you don’t even make a dent. You’d do well to stay in your place, rolling around in the dust and dirt."
"A poor wretch like me making a rich boy like you fall," Jimin whispered, leaning closer, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe you should reflect on your place in this world."
Taehyung, panting, tried to get back on his feet, but his breath was short, and his rage clouded his vision. He didn’t want to look weak, despite the sense of loss and uselessness that had followed him for years. Before he could do anything else, a larger, more imposing figure stepped between them, interrupting the fight.
"Stop," Jungkook said firmly, positioning himself between the two. "Jimin, that's enough."
Jimin raised an eyebrow at him. "Let it go, Jungkook. He needs to learn how things work."
Jungkook nodded, but his gaze was serious. "This isn’t the time for fun, Jimin. And you," he said, looking at Taehyung with disdain, "stop. You have no chance against him."
Taking a deep breath, Jungkook moved toward Taehyung and grabbed him with a strength he hadn’t expected, lifting him up effortlessly. Taehyung felt powerless, trapped like a spider ensnared in a web. Despite all the anger and humiliation, he couldn’t break free from Jungkook’s grip, which held him as if he were nothing more than a sack of potatoes. Every struggle was futile. His arms were pinned, and his breathing grew more labored.
"Let me go!" he shouted, trying to wriggle free, but Jungkook’s grip didn’t loosen. His body, powerful and unyielding, was the chain that bound him to the fate Jimin had decided for him.
"Anyway, let’s not waste time. Let’s take him somewhere more private, away from prying eyes."
Jungkook, without saying a word, began to move, dragging Taehyung behind him. His steps were heavy but measured, while Jimin’s figure followed with a light, almost dancing gait. They headed toward a narrow alley, away from the noise and the people who might interfere with what was about to happen.
In the dark alley, where the sound of footsteps and breathing filled the air, Jimin stopped and turned to Taehyung. "Well, now that we’re far enough, this would be the perfect time to know your name, wouldn’t it?" Jimin’s smile was even more bitter, as if he found the situation amusing. "After all, you just heard mine and Jungkook’s. You wouldn’t want to be rude, would you?"
Taehyung, who had never had a chance to escape, resigned himself and answered, his gaze fixed on nothing. "I’m Taehyung." His voice betrayed a note of exhaustion, but not defeat. That answer wouldn’t change anything, but maybe, for a moment, he could seem human in Jimin and Jungkook’s eyes. After all, no one outside the castle knew his name. It was a cursed name, steeped in secrets and a fate that would prevent him from being recognized beyond the palace walls.
Jimin raised an eyebrow, as if he weren’t too surprised. "Taehyung, huh? Well, that’s too bad for you," he said, as if that revelation was just another confirmation of Taehyung’s status as a prisoner. Then, he turned to Jungkook. "And you? What do you think, Jungkook?"
"What should I think? You know I don’t agree with you. You’re just a hothead, so what else could I add to that truth?" Jungkook replied, exhaling in exhaustion.
"The usual. You should pull that stick out of your ass every now and then." Jimin scoffed in irritation before turning his gaze back to Taehyung. "You know, Taehyung, you might actually be useful," he said, his tone shifting suddenly. "I don’t know why, but I think you could serve our purpose. So we’re offering you a deal. Nothing personal. It’s not like we like you, but your map could be useful. At least for now."
Taehyung lifted his gaze, a mixture of disbelief and anger in his eyes. "And what should I do? Follow you around like a dog?" he asked, his words dripping with disdain. But deep inside, a small part of him started considering Jimin’s words. What else could he do? Stay and look for the map on his own? No. There was no time. Maybe this was the only way to find what he needed.
"Why not?" Jimin replied, his smirk turning playful. "We’re not so different, after all. And you, Taehyung, need us. The map isn’t the only thing we’re after. We’ll keep you around, not for your sake, but for ours. And if you’re smart enough, you won’t end up in a bad situation."
Jungkook, who had been silent until now, took a step forward. "This isn’t an offer. It’s a survival proposition. Either you come with us, or you stay here and let whoever finds you decide your fate."
He had no choice. He couldn’t stay here, like a fish out of water, trapped in their hands, and he couldn’t give in to the overwhelming feeling of helplessness either. His pride, which had sustained him until now, was slowly crumbling under the weight of the circumstances. He felt like a stranger in his own body, his mind a carousel of chaotic thoughts.
Every corner of his existence had always been under the control of his family, his origins, the unspoken laws that governed his life. But here, with Jungkook still holding him like a sack of potatoes, it was as if everything he had ever known had vanished in an instant."I’m coming with you," he said, his voice lower than he had ever spoken before. Yet there was a resoluteness in it that he couldn’t hide, not even from himself. The truth was clear: he had nothing left to lose. There were no more power games, no more golden palace to protect him. Only a world that would use him, just as it always did with the weak. And yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that maybe—just maybe—this was the moment when his life would truly change.
Jimin watched him with amused eyes, though there was a hint of contempt in his gaze. It felt like he was peeling away Taehyung’s layers, searching for every last remnant of hesitation still clinging to him. A smile played on his lips, but it was far from friendly. It was victory. And he knew it.
"Perfect," Jimin said, as if he had just gained something far greater than Taehyung could comprehend.
Beside him, Jungkook let go of his grip in a single, fluid motion. The sudden loss of restraint made Taehyung feel disoriented, the sensation of regained freedom fleeting and fragile. Only seconds ago, Jungkook’s grasp had been a stark reminder of his powerlessness—now, even though he was no longer held, he felt even more vulnerable.
Jimin took a slow step forward, measured and deliberate. "Let’s get one thing straight," he continued, his voice dripping with something sharp and poisonous. "We’ll take you with us, but don’t even think about running. Once you enter our game, there’s no way out."
His words hit Taehyung like a punch to the gut. A tight knot formed in his throat, but he forced himself to keep his expression unreadable. "It’s not like I have many options," he muttered, trying to sound less fragile than he felt. But deep down, he knew the truth—he could never really escape this. Even if he wanted to, there was no going back.
For a moment that felt like an eternity, Taehyung stood there, staring at Jimin and Jungkook. His mind buzzed, thoughts crashing over him like relentless waves. Was he really making this decision? Was he truly choosing to follow these two strangers into a path that promised nothing but danger and uncertainty?
And yet, somehow, he knew he had no other choice.
"Then let’s go," he finally said, the words leaving his lips with a strange finality. There was no hesitation left, only the understanding that he was stepping into something far greater than himself—but that he had no choice except to keep moving forward. "Take me. But know this—the map is only the beginning."
Jimin raised an eyebrow, a flicker of intrigue crossing his face. Then, with an enigmatic smirk, he gestured for Jungkook to move. "Let’s see how long you last," he said, his voice a mix of curiosity and challenge.
As Taehyung followed them into the darkened alley, he felt the weight of the unknown pressing down on him. Every step carried him deeper into an uncertain future, and he knew one thing for sure—there would be no turning back.