Mona stood at the edge of the ancient ritual chamber beneath the mansion, her bare feet cold against the stone. Candles flickered all around her, forming a circle. In the center lay a glass dagger—filled with glowing silver liquid and a drop of crimson in the middle.
The Awakening Blade.
Jungwon's voice was steady. "Once you do this, there's no turning back. You'll be one of a kind. Bloodbound to the Light… and the Darkness."
"I need to save Jake," Mona said, eyes glowing faintly. "And I can't do that half-awake."
Sunghoon stepped forward. "Then I'm going with you."
"No," Niki said instantly, appearing at her side. "I should go with her."
"You want to protect her," Sunghoon said coldly, "but I understand her."
"You don't even trust her power," Niki snapped.
"She doesn't even trust herself!" Sunghoon growled.
"I do," Mona interrupted, stepping between them. "I trust myself now. And I want both of you."
They both blinked. "What?"
"I want you with me. Both of you. Because I don't know who I'll become when I touch that blade… but if I forget myself, I need you two to remind me."
Moments Later
Mona picked up the glass dagger.
She stared at it, then pressed the tip to her palm.
Pain bloomed—silver and red light exploded from her body. The mark on her wrist spread across her skin like veins of fire. Her hair fluttered in an invisible wind. Her eyes—one turned red, the other silver.
She screamed.
Sunghoon caught her before she collapsed.
Niki dropped to her side, his voice tight. "Mona, breathe. I've got you."
Her body trembled. She looked up—something ancient now burned in her eyes.
"It's done," she said softly. "I'm Bloodbound."
And the air around her shifted.
They could all feel it—raw power, beautiful and terrifying.
Later, Before the Rescue Mission
Mona stood in front of her mirror, wearing black leather marked with runes, a new moon pendant resting on her collarbone. She didn't recognize the girl staring back. This Mona had shadows behind her eyes… but also light in her soul.
There was a soft knock.
It was Niki.
"Hey," he said, quieter than usual.
"Hey."
He stepped inside, looked at her, then shook his head slightly. "You're glowing again."
"I can't control it fully yet," she said. "But it's not hurting anymore."
There was silence.
Then he whispered, "I'm scared."
"Of me?" she asked.
"No. Of losing you."
And before she could stop herself, before she could think about Sunghoon, about war, about prophecy—
She kissed him.
It was soft at first. Warm. But then—
Flash.
Their powers reacted. A burst of red and silver light exploded between them, pushing them apart.
Niki stumbled back, breathing hard. "That… felt like lightning."
Mona's heart was racing. "It's because of the bond. I think… I think kissing you awakened it even more."
From the hallway, Sunghoon had seen everything.
His fists clenched, eyes shadowed. But he said nothing.
He simply turned—and walked into the night.
Hours Later – The Rescue Begins
The portal shimmered in front of them, dark and violet, like a bruise in the air.
Sunghoon stood by it, his jaw tight.
Mona walked up beside him. "You saw."
"I did."
"I didn't mean to hurt you."
"You didn't." He looked at her finally. "But I don't think I can lose you to him too."
Her heart cracked.
"I don't know who I'll choose," she whispered. "Or if I'll choose anyone. Right now… all I know is that we need to save Jake."
And then, with Niki and Sunghoon on either side, she stepped into the darkness—
Straight into the Rogues' lair.