The portal slammed shut behind them.
Mona, Niki, and Sunghoon landed hard on cold marble—inside what looked like a ruined castle floating in a red sky. Everything was twisted: black vines on the walls, time moving strangely, and whispers that didn't belong to anyone.
"Jake's here," Mona said, her eyes glowing faintly red now. "I can feel him."
Niki placed a hand on her back. "Then let's find him—fast."
They moved quietly through the halls.
But soon, the walls began to shift—like they were alive. Illusions curled from the corners. Mona looked up and suddenly—
She was alone.
Mona's Vision
She stood in a moonlit forest.
A woman stepped out of the trees—long white hair, crimson eyes, and the same mark on her wrist as Mona's.
"Mother?" Mona whispered.
"I am what remains of her," the woman said, her voice like wind and thunder. "I died to keep you hidden. But the Bloodborn in you… cannot be hidden forever."
Tears filled Mona's eyes. "Why didn't anyone tell me? Why did you leave me in the human world?"
"To give you a choice," her mother whispered. "But that choice is ending. Soon, you'll either destroy the Rogues… or become their queen."
Mona gasped.
"But you are not alone," her mother said. "One boy will be your light. One will be your shadow. Choose wisely."
The forest cracked—and Mona woke up with a scream.
Back in the Castle
Sunghoon had caught her mid-fall.
Her body had pulsed with heat—too much.
"You're burning up," he said. "Mona… your light is unstable."
"I saw her," Mona choked out. "My mom. She said— I might become one of them."
"No," Sunghoon said, voice sharp. "You won't. Because I'm going to protect you—even from yourself."
"But what if I can't stop it?"
"Then I'll burn with you," he whispered.
She looked at him, eyes wide—and before she could stop herself, she kissed him.
It was nothing like the kiss with Niki.
This was fire.
Sunghoon pulled her closer, one hand on her waist, the other in her hair. For a moment, the whole twisted castle melted around them.
Until—
"GUYS!!" Niki's voice rang out.
They broke apart.
He stood there, eyes wide, holding a rune map.
"I found where they're keeping Jake. But… there's something else."
"What?" Mona asked, breathless.
"The one guarding him… knows your mother. And he says your power doesn't belong to you."
Mona stepped forward, face stone cold now.
"Then I guess it's time I take it back."