It was silent after the storm.
The Hollow Realm had gone still, as if the land itself mourned what had just unfolded.
Mona stood, her hands stained with blood and flame.
But not Niki's blood.
Not entirely.
Because just as the blade pierced his chest—he caught it.
And twisted it.
Not to stab himself.
But to guide it away.
It had barely missed his heart.
He fell into her arms not from death… but from surrender.
Now
She sat beside him on a stone altar deep in the Hollow ruins.
His breathing was shallow. His skin pale.
But he was alive.
Barely.
"You idiot," she whispered, brushing strands of hair from his face. "You said I had to do it."
"I know," he croaked, eyes fluttering open. "But I didn't say I'd make it easy."
She let out a soft laugh. Then a sob.
Sunghoon stood a few feet away, watching them both. Tired. Bleeding. Silent.
"She chose you," Niki whispered.
"No," Mona said. "I chose the world."
Her voice cracked.
"And you're still part of it."
The Burial Ritual
Later that day, beneath the temple ruins, the Enhypen members gathered in a circle.
Not for a funeral.
But for a burial of the bond.
Mona stood between Sunghoon and Niki—both boys bruised, both changed, both alive.
Together, they placed the last pieces of the broken crown into a silver urn and sealed it with flame.
Jay whispered the last rite. Sunoo cried quietly. Heeseung closed his eyes and let a tear fall.
The prophecy had ended.
But their story hadn't.
That Night – On the Balcony
Mona sat on the railing, feet swinging over the edge. The stars were out.
She heard the door open softly behind her.
Niki.
He sat beside her, a thick white bandage across his chest.
"You good?" he asked.
"I will be," she replied. "Are you?"
He was quiet for a moment.
Then: "No. But I want to be."
She nodded slowly.
Then asked, "Do you still love me?"
He looked over at her, half-smiling. "Yeah. But not the same way."
"What way then?"
He exhaled.
"Like… someone I want to become worthy of."
Her throat tightened.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"I'm not," he replied. "Because if I had to become a monster to protect you… I'd do it again."
"But you didn't protect me," she whispered. "You let me go. That's what saved me."
Later that night
Mona returned to her room.
And Sunghoon was waiting there.
He didn't speak.
She walked straight into his arms.
He held her like the end of the world was still coming.
But finally—for the first time—it wasn't.