The stairway spirals downward for far too long.
The deeper they go, the colder the air becomes—damp stone, echoes that don't belong to footsteps, shadows that stretch even when no light touches them.
Wu Suo Wei clicks on a small torch.
"…I officially hate caves."
Chi Cheng snorts softly.
"You hate everything you can't control."
Wu Suo Wei glances back, grinning.
"And yet I'm walking next to you."
Chi Cheng doesn't reply.
But he doesn't move away either.
The Caves React
The moment all six step off the stairs—
click.
Wei Ying freezes.
"Don't move."
Too late.
The floor shifts. Stone plates slide apart, revealing glowing runes beneath—ancient, hungry.
Lan Zhan grabs Wei Ying's arm instantly, pulling him back just as a spike shoots up where Wei Ying had been standing.
Their faces are suddenly very close.
Wei Ying blinks.
Lan Zhan hasn't let go.
"…You holding me for safety," Wei Ying murmurs, amused, "or personal reasons?"
Lan Zhan releases him immediately.
"For safety," he says, ears just slightly red.
Wei Ying smiles like he's just won something.
Enemies in the Dark
From the shadows—
movement.
Not creatures exactly.
More like shapes, stitched together by magic and resentment.
Wu Suo Wei curses.
"Oh those are NOT friendly."
Chi Cheng moves without hesitation, pulling Wu Suo Wei behind him as one of the shapes lunges.
Wu Suo Wei stares.
"Wow. CEO instincts?"
Chi Cheng fires once—clean, precise.
"Don't test me."
Another shape darts toward them.
Wu Suo Wei ducks, rolls, and kicks upward, shattering its core.
He looks up, breathless.
"Still think I'm just a liability?"
Chi Cheng meets his eyes.
"…No."
It's quiet. Honest.
Wu Suo Wei's grin softens.
Lan Zhan × Wei Ying — The Moment
Wei Ying begins a counter-chant, hands glowing faintly.
The magic pushes back—but one shadow slips through.
Straight for Wei Ying.
Lan Zhan steps in front of him without thinking.
The impact throws Lan Zhan back into the cave wall.
"LAN ZHAN!" Wei Ying shouts.
He drops the chant, rushing forward.
Lan Zhan exhales sharply, blood at the corner of his lip—but his eyes are steady.
"I'm fine."
Wei Ying grabs his collar.
"You idiot. You don't jump in front of spells."
Lan Zhan replies calmly,
"You don't stop chanting in the middle of a seal."
They stare at each other.
Too close. Too intense.
Wei Ying's voice drops.
"…You scared me."
Lan Zhan pauses.
Then, quietly:
"I won't do it again."
Wei Ying's grip loosens.
"That," he says softly, "is a lie."
Lan Zhan doesn't deny it.
But he lets Wei Ying stay close.
Chi Cheng × Wu Suo Wei — Trust Earned
The cave trembles again.
A larger shape forms—taller, stronger, fed by fear.
Wu Suo Wei takes one look.
"Nope. That one's mine."
Chi Cheng grabs his wrist.
"You're reckless."
Wu Suo Wei smirks.
"You came with me anyway."
Chi Cheng releases him.
They fight together—back to back, movements sharp, synchronized like they've done this a hundred times before.
When it's over, the creature dissolves into ash.
Wu Suo Wei pants.
"…You trust me now?"
Chi Cheng answers without hesitation.
"Yes."
Wu Suo Wei goes very still.
"…Huh."
He looks strangely pleased.
Taehyung in the Center
Through all of it, Taehyung stands near the cave wall, palms pressed to ancient markings.
His breathing is uneven.
Jungkook notices first.
"Taehyung," he says sharply. "Step away."
Taehyung doesn't answer.
The markings glow brighter—responding to him.
Wei Ying turns.
"He's anchoring the cave."
Wu Suo Wei frowns.
"That's not safe, is it?"
Wei Ying shakes his head.
"No. It's draining."
Jungkook moves toward him instinctively—
The cave roars.
A deeper chamber opens ahead.
And from within it—
something old exhales.
Taehyung finally pulls his hands back, swaying.
Jungkook catches him without thinking.
For half a second, Taehyung leans into the hold.
Then he steadies himself.
"I'm okay," he says quietly.
Jungkook's jaw tightens.
"You will be."
They stand at the edge of the next chamber.
Lan Zhan and Wei Ying shoulder to shoulder now.
Chi Cheng and Wu Suo Wei exchanging a look that means I've got you.
Taehyung steps forward first.
And Jungkook realizes—
He's not afraid of the darkness.
He's afraid of what it might take from them.