"Hey Ms. Bom," Chaeyoung's voice carried a newfound warmth, a stark contrast to the chilly demeanor she had maintained for months. It was as if a thaw had finally come after a long, frosty winter. Bom couldn't help but feel a surge of pride; her patience and persistence seemed to have broken through Chaeyoung's icy barrier.

"What is it Chaeyoung?" Bom replied, her curiosity piqued.

Chaeyoung's gaze drifted momentarily to where Jisoo sat, basking in the sunlight, her radiant aura almost too intense to behold. It was a reminder of the power within their group, and the mysteries that lay beyond.

"What's in the Shadow Realm anyway?" Chaeyoung's question hung in the air, tinged with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"Why do you ask?" Bom inquired, sensing there was more to Chaeyoung's query than simple curiosity.

Chaeyoung's eyes seemed to focus on something unseen, as if peering into the distant shadows of another world. "It's just... I feel like something is calling out to me, and I don't know what it is."

Bom felt a knot form in her stomach, a familiar sense of unease creeping over her. "Did you follow your instinct?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Yes, I did," Chaeyoung confirmed, her expression grave.

"And where did it take you?" Bom pressed, dreading the answer.

"...to a barren place shrouded in darkness. Nighttime was never-ending, and it was cold," Chaeyoung recounted, her words painting a haunting picture of the realm she had glimpsed. "There was a large fault separating it from our realm, but not impossible to cross."

"Did you... go through it?" Bom asked, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

Chaeyoung met Bom's gaze, her expression inscrutable. "What do you think?"

.

.

.

.

.

"The Shadow Realm is uncharted territory; no one should be allowed in there," 

"Why do you know about it so much?" 

"I just... feel it,"

Jisoo's gaze lingered on the gaping chasm before her, its depths so profound that even the bravest among them would hesitate to approach. She couldn't suppress a shiver, grateful for her usage over the air element that allowed her to navigate such treacherous terrain with ease.

With a deep breath, Jisoo closed her eyes, allowing herself to be carried aloft by the currents of air swirling around her. As she soared across the field, a sense of foreboding descended upon her like a heavy blanket, weighing down her every movement. The closer she drew to the other side, the more palpable the feeling of dread became, chilling her to the bone despite her accustomedness to the cold.

Surveying her surroundings, Jisoo couldn't help but notice the eerie glow of phosphorescent flora dotting the landscape, their luminescence casting eerie shadows upon the desolate landscape. But amidst the dim lanscape, there was one elusive bloom that had captured her attention that she took the risk of getting this far—the Heartless Flower.

With a determined set to her jaw, Jisoo pressed onward, her gaze fixed on finding the elusive blossom that held the key to so many unanswered questions. For in the depths of the Shadow Realm, where darkness reigned supreme, even the most delicate of flowers could hold untold power.

"The Heartless Flower?" Jisoo wrinkled her nose in confusion.

"What even is that?" she asked, turning to Seungri for answers.

Seungri's grin widened as he leaned in to explain. "The Heartless Flower is one of the most potent herbs known to our kind. It acts as a powerful anesthetic, and when infused with light energy, it becomes a tool of remarkable healing."

Jisoo nodded, her interest piqued. "But aren't light wielders cautious about overloading someone with light energy? It can be dangerous, right?" she asked, already aware of the potential risks.

"Exactly," Seungri affirmed, his expression serious. "Too much light energy can be harmful, even fatal. But with the Heartless Flower, time can be suspended within a person's body."

"Time?" Jisoo echoed, her eyes widening in astonishment.

"Yes, time," Seungri confirmed, his excitement palpable. "You've heard the rumors about dark elzards and their supposed ability to manipulate time? Well, the Heartless Flower proves that the dark element holds that power too."

Jisoo's mind raced with the possibilities. "So, by suspending time within someone's body, you could effectively halt any internal injuries or bleeding, giving a skilled light wielder enough time to intervene and heal," she reasoned aloud.

"Exactly!" Seungri exclaimed, clearly pleased with Jisoo's comprehension.

As Jisoo processed the information, a realization dawned on her—the solution to a dilemma that had plagued her dreams. "I see... Thank you for enlightening me," she said gratefully, before turning to leave.

Seungri's voice stopped her in her tracks. "You're not planning to retrieve one out there... are you?" he asked, concern evident in his tone.

Jisoo paused, considering her response carefully. But instead of answering, she simply continued on her way, leaving Seungri to ponder the implications of her silence.

"Interesting," he mused to himself, watching her retreating figure with a mixture of curiosity and excitement.

Jisoo gazed down at the photograph cradled in her hand, studying the image of the enigmatic flower captured within. Its velvety black petals contrasted starkly against the deep ruby hue of its stem, a sight both striking and strangely ordinary. Yet, Jisoo knew better than to dismiss its significance based on appearances alone.

"It may not be common, but it's not entirely rare either," she murmured to herself, her voice carrying a quiet determination as she lifted her gaze to the night sky, where the moon cast its gentle glow upon her.

With a resolute nod, Jisoo's eyes glinted with a soft, otherworldly luminescence. "Don't worry, Chaeyoung," she whispered, her voice tinged with an ethereal power. "I'll ensure that you won't die. Not on my watch."

"Where are you going?" Jennie's voice cut through Chaeyoung's thoughts, causing her to flinch inwardly. "What happened to my subtlety?" she silently cursed, though her expression remained composed.

"Out," Chaeyoung replied tersely, her mind already racing ahead to her next destination.

Thankfully, Jisung and Hyuna were nowhere in sight, but their daughter proved to be a persistent obstacle.

"Now that I think of it, Jennie has been low-key lately," Chaeyoung mused internally, her thoughts drifting back to recent events.

Ever since the Dream Potion fiasco, Jennie had become increasingly elusive, disappearing for hours on end with only brief appearances during mealtimes.

"Our parents say she's been training, but..." Chaeyoung trailed off, a note of skepticism creeping into her thoughts.

"What's keeping her so busy?" she wondered, shaking her head to dispel the distraction. She needed to stay focused on her own mission.

But as Chaeyoung moved to leave, a wave of unease washed over her, her senses tingling with an instinctual dread. Her eyes narrowed as she caught sight of Jennie's scrutinizing gaze, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I really have to go, Jennie. Don't wait up for me," Chaeyoung stated firmly, though the unnerving intensity of Jennie's stare lingered in her mind as she hurried out of the house.

Meanwhile, Jennie closed her eyes, attuning herself to the subtle vibrations of the earth beneath her feet. With a deep breath, she focused her energy, harnessing the power of her element to locate Chaeyoung.

Moments later, as she emerged from the house, Jennie's keen senses detected the faint traces of electricity that Chaeyoung had left in her wake. Determination flared within her as she quickened her pace, her small usage of other elements such as air and lightning lending strength to her strides.

"I'm coming, Rosie," Jennie vowed silently, the weight of her determination fueling her every step.

Unbeknownst to her, a figure lurked in the shadows nearby, observing her movements with narrowed eyes before silently falling into step behind her, trailing them both into the night.

"It's got to be around here somewhere..." Jisoo muttered through gritted teeth, her frustration palpable as she continued to scour the area. She had been walking for what felt like ages, yet the eerie silence that surrounded her was unsettling.

Normally, she would expect the darkness of the Shadow Realm to be teeming with monstrous creatures, but today it seemed unusually quiet, adding to her growing sense of unease.

Closing her eyes, Jisoo attempted to draw upon her light element, hoping to illuminate her surroundings and perhaps uncover the object of her search. But to her dismay, she found herself faltering, her energy depleted and her powers waning.

"Damn it, I'm still too weak," she cursed under her breath, frustration evident in her voice.

A low growl echoed through the stillness, causing Jisoo to tense instinctively. She barely had time to register the threat before a shadowy figure lunged towards her, its tendrils reaching out hungrily.

"Of course they appear now"

With a sharp intake of breath, Jisoo reacted on instinct, summoning her air element to evade the creature's grasp.

"Air Slash!" she called out, sending a powerful burst of wind slicing through the air towards the advancing shadow monster.

The creature let out a guttural roar of pain and anger, its form writhing as it recoiled from the attack. But instead of retreating, it seemed to grow even more enraged, charging forward with renewed ferocity. Jisoo braced herself, steeling her resolve as she prepared to face the creature head-on.

"Dalgom!" Jisoo's voice rang out, a beacon of light in the darkness as her loyal companion bounded to her side.

"Arf!" Dalgom barked enthusiastically, his presence bringing a sense of comfort amidst the chaos.

As Dalgom began to glow with a brilliant white light, the shadow monster recoiled in agony, writhing on the ground in torment. Seizing the opportunity, Jisoo launched her attack.

"Wind Storm!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the howling winds as she summoned a tempest of air to engulf the shadowy creature.

The wind whipped and roared, tearing the monster asunder with relentless force. Jisoo felt the surge of power coursing through her, her eyes glowing with an intensity that matched the fury of the storm.

"HAH!" she exclaimed, channeling her energy into a decisive blow.

With a sickening splat, the shadow monster was reduced to a shapeless mass, scattered in pieces across the ground. Jisoo let out a sigh of relief, the tension draining from her body as she surveyed the aftermath of her victory.

Kneeling beside Dalgom, she offered him a tender smile, her heart swelling with affection for her faithful companion. "The environment is getting to you too, huh?" she murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to his head as he leaned into her embrace.

"You should go back, Dalgom, rest up," she continued, her voice soft with apology. "I'm sorry for bringing you into this."

But Dalgom merely shook his head, his eyes reflecting unwavering loyalty and devotion. With a to her cheek, he seemed to reassure her that everything was alright.

Jisoo laughed, a warm sound that echoed through the darkness, as she watched her beloved companion return to his realm.

"The soon-to-be elzard doctor stood up, closed her eyes, and called out, ‘’Come out, Chaeyoung.’’ Jisoo sighed, ‘’I know you’re following me.’’

As Chaeyoung emerged from the shadows of the realm, Jisoo couldn't help but be struck by her beauty amidst the desolate surroundings. Her heart skipped a beat, momentarily distracted by the fierceness in Chaeyoung's eyes and the way she seemed to radiate strength.

"How the hell does she look so beautiful in this barren realm?" Jisoo thought to herself, momentarily lost in admiration.

"What the hell are you doing in here, Jisoo?!" Chaeyoung's voice cut through her reverie, her glare piercing. "You of all people should know that this place is too dangerous! Even for us!"

"I…" Jisoo clenched her fist, her resolve faltering in the face of Chaeyoung's anger. "I have to do this, Chaeng. This could be a breakthrough if I created something like this."

Chaeyoung looked genuinely puzzled. "What do you mean creating something? Are you making a potion?"

Jisoo nodded, frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior. "What kind of imbecile are you, unnie?" Chaeyoung's voice rose in frustration. "This is the Shadow Realm; we don't even know what kind of ingredients are in here!"

"I'm trying to find something that's only found in this realm! Please, understand," Jisoo shot back, her own temper flaring. "It's for your own good."

"Is it really worth the risk?!" Chaeyoung's frustration was palpable, the worry in her heart not calming down at all. "What if you could have gotten seriously hurt?!"

"If my element hadn't felt the disturbance, I…" Chaeyoung's voice trailed off, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her features as she struggled to voice her fears. "I wouldn't have known what to do if you were…"

A low growl interrupted their conversation, snapping both women back to the present.

"Jisoo, watch out!" Chaeyoung's warning was swift, her eyes widening in alarm as danger loomed on the horizon.

As Chaeyoung, with her lightning element, swiftly scooped up Jisoo, the shadows surrounding them began to coalesce into sinister forms, morphing into shadow monsters that encircled the pair.

Jisoo's gaze flickered over their adversaries, her mind focused even amidst the chaos. Amidst the dark, writhing mass, her eyes caught sight of a gleaming object off to the far right, its presence drawing her attention like a moth to a flame.

"Is that…?" she began to ask, her voice trailing off as she concentrated on maintaining their airborne position with her air element, a move that surprised even Chaeyoung.

"About eight shadow monsters," Chaeyoung replied, her voice tight with concern as she tightened her grip on Jisoo. "But how strong are they?"

"Chaeyoungie, I saw what I needed to come here for. Let's defeat these monsters and we'll go home, I promise," Jisoo reassured her, her voice soft but resolute.

Chaeyoung's expression softened slightly at her unnie's words, though irritation still lingered. "Argh, how much I want to let go of you right now because of this rare stupidity of yours," she growled in annoyance.

"I don't know if that's a compliment or an insult," Jisoo quipped with a smirk as she gently guided them back to the ground, landing softly with Chaeyoung at her side.

With a pat on Chaeyoung's cheek, Jisoo prepared herself for the coming battle, her eyes alight with determination. Back-to-back, they stood against their adversaries, their bond unbroken and their resolve unwavering.

"Ready?" Jisoo whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling energy of the impending fight.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Chaeyoung replied, a smirk playing on her lips.

In a flash of dark violet light, Chaeyoung summoned her lightning golem, the crackling energy coalescing into a formidable fighting force. As the golem leaped into action, Chaeyoung deftly tossed metal cuffs at the shadow monsters, aiming to immobilize them and gain the upper hand in the ensuing battle.

As Chaeyoung's lightning golem sprang into action, Jisoo's air element lifted the remaining shadow monsters into the air, immobilizing them just as Chaeyoung seized the moment to unleash her devastating attack.

"Lightning Scatter!" Chaeyoung's voice echoed through the darkness as bolts of lightning erupted from her, engulfing the shadow monsters in a barrage of electrical fury. The lightning golem, crackling with power, exploded in a spectacular display, disintegrating the monsters ensnared by the metal cuffs.

But their triumph was short-lived as the remaining shadow monsters, unfazed by their comrades' demise, charged forward with renewed ferocity.

"Ack!"

"Jisoo!"

Chaeyoung's heart clenched in fear as she witnessed Jisoo kneel in agony, a shadow monster's slash leaving her reeling in pain.

"Damn it, I almost forgot that I'm weak to Dark!" Jisoo gritted out through clenched teeth, her vulnerability laid bare before them.

In a flash of memory, Chaeyoung recalled their shared past, the trials they had faced together, and the unbreakable bond that had formed between them. With a surge of determination, her eyes began to glow with dark energy as she stepped in front of Jisoo, shielding her from further harm.

"Get the heck out of our way!" Chaeyoung's voice rang out, infused with a dark and venomous power that seemed to reverberate through the air.

As she gathered a potent charge of lightning in her hands, a powerful surge of almost black electricity crackling around her, Jisoo watched in awe, her admiration mingled with a hint of concern for Chaeyoung's well-being.

But to their surprise, the shadow monsters ceased their advance, their formless figures bowing in...reverence?

Their non-existent eyes held a strange glint as they retreated, their submission to her power evident in their actions.

Both girls exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what had just transpired.

"What just—" Jisoo winced, unable to heal herself. "What just happened?" she whispered in confusion, her voice tinged with pain.

Chaeyoung narrowed her eyes, her senses on high alert as she observed the strange behavior of the shadow monsters. They seemed to straighten up, prompting both girls to tense in anticipation.

But their confusion only deepened as the shadow monsters abruptly turned and fled, their path leading towards the border of the Magic Realm.

"The Magic Realm?" Chaeyoung muttered, her guard momentarily lowered as she sensed no immediate threat in their vicinity. Jisoo trusted her to watch her back, allowing her to focus on their surroundings as they approached their destination.

Drawing closer to the Heartless Flower, Jisoo observed its peculiar beauty with a mix of fascination and caution. Its deep ruby stem glinted enticingly, while its petals exuded a dark allure that was both captivating and foreboding.

"This is what you're looking for? What is that?" Chaeyoung inquired, her voice laced with curiosity.

"It's called a Heartless Flower," Jisoo replied, her attention momentarily diverted as she reached out to touch the bloom.

"Careful, or you'll hurt yourself—" Chaeyoung's warning was cut short as Jisoo yelped in pain, earning a roll of the eyes from her companion.

"I told you so," Chaeyoung said, her tone now tinged with concern. "That flower… there's a miasma of dark energy around it, so it will definitely react to your light element if you're not careful."

Jisoo blushed in embarrassment at her own oversight, realizing the implications of her elemental affinity in such a situation.

"Shut up and let's just get out of here quick," she muttered, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment.

Chaeyoung sighed, her gaze softening with exasperation before her body tensed suddenly.

"Is that…?" she began thinking, her senses expanding to detect the presence of two additional figures near the border between the Magic Realm and Shadow Realm.

Ignoring the onset of a headache, Chaeyoung met Jisoo's gaze knowingly as she retrieved a certain object and stashed it in her bag.

"Looks like I'm not the only one following you…" she remarked dryly.

"What?" Jisoo spun around, her eyes widening in alarm at the revelation.

"We better get to them before they cross the border," Chaeyoung declared, her tone firm as she prepared to lead the way.

"...Two in the Shadow Realm and the other two nearing it," a hooded figure whispered, their voice barely audible above the rustle of the night breeze.

"The Heartless Flower, huh? I wonder what Kim Jisoo is going to do with that…" another voice chimed in, tinged with boredom. "I think she's wasting her time though."

"That flower can be a huge help when it comes to healing, though. Maybe that's why?" a third voice interjected, their tone thoughtful.

"Ugh, of course you're being a nerd right now," the bored voice groaned in response.

"What are we going to do?" another voice spoke up, their gaze shifting to their leader, whose eyes gleamed with an eerie intensity under the moonlight.

"...Kidnap the other two. We'll explore their minds using the dark element and maybe glean some useful information," the leader declared, their voice dripping with malice.

Another member scoffed at the suggestion. "As if. Why would we go through the trouble of interrogating them when we already know all we need to know?"

"Too much information can be helpful in our goal, especially since that day is approaching," the leader countered cryptically.

"Are we finally putting the final seal?" one of the figures inquired eagerly.

"...Just do it," the leader commanded, their tone final and devoid of hesitation.

"Ugh, seriously, how did that chipmunk girl slip away?" Jennie grumbled, frustration etched across her face as she navigated the dense, shadowy forest.

The darkness seemed to press in on her, sending shivers down her spine and a sense of isolation creeping over her. She'd been alone for days now because she was busy, and it weighed heavily on her.

"I need to up my game... I have to find Rosie, no matter where she's hiding," Jennie muttered to herself, determination flashing in her eyes despite the ominous surroundings. "This darkness won't defeat me."

"Maybe...me and Jisoo truly are sisters" She thought; she knew Jisoo has been busy with something as well maybe that's why Chaeyoung ran off to follow her own sister. So deep in her own thoughts, she almost burned the whole forest when a sudden voice made itself known.

"Hey, Jennie-unnie, where are you off to?" 

Jennie jumped, her heart pounding as she spun around to find Lisa perched high in a tree, her voice cutting through the eerie silence of the forest and her thoughts.

"L-Lisa?! What are you doing here?!"

Lisa jumped down and crossed her arms. "Following you, obviously."

"And why the heck are you doing that?"

"Because I want to ask what the heck is happening to you, unnie?" Lisa said angrily. "Not just you, but also Jisoo-unnie. Ever since that Dream Potion, both of you have been acting weird."

Jennie scoffed. "Not like you're enjoying the alone time with Rosie."

Lisa blushed and sputtered. "I-I am not! Just answer the question, unnie."

"...I was trying to get stronger." Being in this dark forest made Jennie feel even lonelier, and deep down, she was grateful that Lisa had made her presence known.

"Why? You're already the strongest, unnie. Heck, even I can't beat you despite you being 4x weak to my element," Lisa frowned.

"In the Dream Potion, Chaeyoung was tortured."

That stopped Lisa from talking.

"She was tortured, and for some reason, I...we weren't there. None of us were," Jennie closed her eyes, her fists tightening. "I can't bear the thought of Rosie being trapped and seeing her so powerless."

"That will never happen, Nini."

Jennie relaxed as Lisa hugged her, her eyes glistening.

"Chaeyoung is strong, and I'm absolutely certain she won't let herself be in that position," Lisa said with conviction. "She's our Park Chaeyoung, the stubborn, fiercely protective, and very powerful soon-to-be elzard warrior."

"Lili..."

"Besides, Professor Seungri said that not everything in that Dream Potion is real, unnie. It might just be a hallucination."

"Yeah, but... my gut feeling doesn't seem to agree with you on that, Lisa," Jennie bit her lip, but before she could reply—

A deafening roar shattered the eerie silence, and suddenly, Jennie felt dizzy, her vision blurring and her body going numb as she closed her eyes in pain.

"W-what the?!"

Lisa seemed to be experiencing the same effects, her hand flying to her head as she splashed herself with water to regain her composure.

"Who the heck?!" Lisa growled before being struck by some kind of dark blob, grunting in pain as she felt its stickiness.

"It's the same one that attacked Chaeyoung!"

"Jennie! Get out of here! It's those shadow monste-!!!" Lisa's scream was cut short as a massive shadow creature snatched her up, with two more materializing at its side, all charging toward the two defenseless elzards.

"W-what?! Shadow monsters?" Jennie winced, her head pounding too harshly for her to concentrate properly.

"Jennie!"

"Lisa!"

Those were their final shouts before the shadow monster whisked Lisa away, leaving Jennie alone and defenseless.

Jennie's anger surged. "Get out of our ing way!" She roared, her voice echoing through the forest.

"Fiery Explosion!"

Unable to concentrate, Jennie unleashed her fiery power in all directions, eliciting agonized shrieks from the monsters. But before she could celebrate her small victory, she too was ensnared by the same dark blob, immobilized like Lisa.

"!" Jennie cursed, struggling against her bonds. Opening one eye, she trembled a bit in fear as she saw the massive shadow monster carrying her, charging toward where she last sensed Chaeyoung's presence.

"Let us out!" Jennie shouted furiously. "Stop it! Put me down!"

As Jennie's cries fell on deaf ears, the sound of Lisa's voice grew fainter. "Where are you taking my sister?! What the heck! Let us go!" Jennie's desperation filled the air.

"Let us go!"

Jennie's fiery form burst forth, causing the shadow monster to flinch and growl angrily. But instead of releasing her, its grip tightened, eliciting a pained shout from Jennie.

Amidst her own agony, she could distinctly hear Lisa's defiant cries.

"Water Burst!"

Lisa fought back with all her might, so why couldn't she as well?

"Earth Wall!"

The impact against the wall sent shockwaves of pain through Jennie's body, exacerbating her torment.

With a forceful slam to the ground, the larger shadow monster intensified Jennie's suffering. Dark tendrils obscured her vision, adding to the overwhelming dizziness.

"Damn it! I can't concentrate because of this dizziness!"

Her cry was met with another brutal assault from the shadow monster, seemingly reveling in her pain.

As the ordeal finally ceased, leaving Jennie lying still, she whispered desperately into the darkness, her voice barely audible.

"Someone... Help..."

And then, miraculously, it seemed as though her plea was answered, carried on the wind to whoever might come to her aid.

Jennie felt the breeze shift, growing colder and stronger, until a familiar voice pierced the darkness.

"Frost Beam!"

The chilling attack lessened Jennie's dizziness, offering a welcome reprieve. The shadow monsters were frozen in place, except for Jennie, likely due to her fire element.

With gentle hands helping her sit up, Jennie's heart recognized the touch before her mind could process it.

"J-Jisoo?" she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. Could it truly be her sister, or was this just a cruel trick of the mind?

"I-is it really you?"

Jisoo, equally surprised, cursed under her breath. "She was able to recognize me?"

"Please, tell me it's you," Jennie whimpered, the pain evident in her voice.

Jisoo's gaze softened as she carefully removed Jennie's blindfold.

Blink...blink...blink...

Jennie's bleary eyes focused on the woman before her, adorned with a black mask. Despite the absence of her sister's face, she swore she had heard Jisoo's voice moments ago during the attack.

"...Jisoo?" Jennie's lips trembled, her gaze shifting between the large frozen shadow monster and the space where Lisa had been.

The overwhelming sense of loneliness and powerlessness weighed heavily on her.

Jisoo remained silent, uncertain whether to reveal her identity.

After all

.

.

.

.

.

She had just unveiled her final element.

"Jisoo-unnie," Jennie's voice quivered as she reached out to touch the mask, causing it to waver.

A flood of emotions surged within Jisoo at hearing that cherished word from Jennie – her baby sister. Memories of caring for Jennie and comforting each other during their loneliest nights flooded her mind.

Tears welled in Jisoo's eyes as she whispered in a moment of vulnerability, "I'm here, Jendeukie... my little sister."

Jisoo slowly removed the mask, revealing her face, and before she could fully comprehend what was happening, Jennie flung herself into her arms.

"Oof-!"

Jisoo barely managed to catch Jennie's trembling form as the younger girl started shaking uncontrollably.

"I-I was so scared; I have never felt so powerless a-and these monsters! They just..!"

Jennie's words poured out in a torrent of fear and frustration. Never before had she felt so bound and blind, and it was a punishing realization that trying to handle everything alone had led her to this point.

Stunned by the sudden rant and overwhelmed by the warmth of Jennie's hug, Jisoo felt herself melting into the embrace. Unlike her fiery nature, Jennie's touch wasn't burning at all; it was comforting and reassuring.

"These shadow monsters... it's like they're kidnapping them, but for what? Information?" 

She held Jennie tightly, her gaze sharp with anger and alertness directed at the source of Jennie's tears.

"Listen to me, Jennie," Jisoo's voice was firm as she gripped Jennie to still her shaking. "You are Kim Jennie, daughter of Kim Hyuna and Kim Jisung. The strongest of our department, remember?"

Jennie released the hug, looking at Jisoo with a sense of wonder. "Yeah..."

Jisoo smirked and ruffled Jennie's hair, eliciting a playful pout from her. "Then what are you doing sulking like a baby to your older sister?" she asked smugly, pleased to see the fire returning to Jennie's narrowed eyes.

"You—" Jennie gritted her teeth, but at that moment, the ice encasing the shadow monsters began to crack.

"Less talking," Jisoo rose to her feet, extending her hand to Jennie, who hesitated for a moment before accepting it.

"Show them what the daughters of the council head can do."

Jennie smirked, her grip tightening on Jisoo's hand, just as the shadow monsters roared angrily, breaking free from their icy prison.

"I said let go of me, you murderers!" Lisa's voice dripped with anger as her eyes turned a piercing blue.

"Water Burst!"

Despite her retaliation, Lisa felt even more disoriented as the smaller shadow monster retaliated, delivering a powerful blow to her head. Waves of dizziness threatened to overwhelm her, and she fought to keep consciousness.

She wanted to collapse.

She wanted to give in.

She wanted to just...

.

.

.

.

Close her eyes.

And call out someone whom she knows is always there for her...in every way.

"Chae..." Lisa whispered weakly, her plea barely audible.

"Let go of her."

Lisa's heart skipped a beat as the shadow monster holding her halted, as did the smaller ones.

Struggling to focus, Lisa managed to turn her gaze toward the interruption. Bathed in moonlight, a figure with blonde hair stood before them, her face obscured by a black mask. Lisa could only watch in awe at the unexpected arrival.

"Is that...Chaeyoung? No...she seems different...I think?"

The smaller shadow monster growled menacingly, charging towards the mysterious woman. Lisa's eyes widened in disbelief as she watched the woman effortlessly slash through the shadow monster with her dark-glowing hand, as if it were nothing.

"What?!" Lisa seems to be in shock at what she's seeing right now.

"I won't ask again," the woman's voice dripped with dominance and superiority, her almond eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light.

"Let go of her."

Undeterred by the woman's command, the smaller shadow monsters continued their assault. But the woman leaped gracefully into the air, electricity crackling at her last position.

"Lightning Spark!"

The smaller shadow monsters convulsed in agony as they became paralyzed, their movements halted.

"Shadow Slash!"

Lisa could only stare in shock, agape. "It couldn't be..." Her thought was left unfinished as a grimace of pain contorted her face when the large shadow monster released her and charged towards the woman with ferocious speed and deadly claws.

"Look out!" Lisa's warning came too late.

The shadow monster slashed through the woman's mask with a vicious swipe, prompting a frustrated 'tsk' from her. She retaliated by blasting it with dark energy, but the creature absorbed the attack and pushed her back.

"Lightning Arrow Strike!"

As the woman leaped into the air, her hands glowing with dark violet energy, the mask slowly disintegrated. With a powerful motion, she conjured a massive arrow made of lightning and hurled it at the shadow monster, which caught it with a shiver from the sheer force of its power.

But the woman's eyes widened in shock as the shadow monster managed to stop the arrow and then redirected it towards Lisa.

"Damn it!" Lisa gritted her teeth, feeling powerless as she struggled against the binding force. With the lightning arrow hurtling towards her, she braced herself, preparing to summon her element to shield her.

"...Let's do this."

The voice caught Lisa off guard, and suddenly, she felt the binds on her being sliced apart. Strong, familiar arms swept her up, carrying her to safety just in time to evade the lightning arrow by a hair's breadth.

"That voice..." Lisa blinked in disbelief as she found herself being carried in bridal style by the very person she had just uttered in helplessness. With the mask gone, she could see clearly see her: the blonde hair, the almond eyes, and of course...

Those chipmunk cheeks.

It was indeed Park Chaeyoung, her partner.

"You're..." Lisa could only grip onto Chaeyoung, her eyes fixed on the dark glowing hands effortlessly repelling the shadow monster's attacks.

"You're a dark elzard..."

Chaeyoung finally met Lisa's gaze, her eyes scanning over her partner's encased form, shock and wonder in her eyes...

And bit of nostalgia as if seeing someone in Lisa.

"And you're a wood user..."

Lisa blinked, realizing the wooden protection she had summoned around herself. It had slipped her mind in the chaos of the moment.

"Lightning Strike!"

Chaeyoung's swift action sent a powerful surge of electricity crashing into the shadow monster, temporarily paralyzing it. Setting Lisa down gently, Chaeyoung turned her attention back to the adversary.

"Looks like your ace is out, huh?" she remarked.

Lisa, gathering her composure, shot Chaeyoung a glare.

"And you!" Lisa stepped into Chaeyoung's personal space, disregarding any boundaries. "Hiding your dark element? Hiding your identity? What the heck, Chaeyoung?!"

Chaeyoung gritted her teeth in frustration. "You don't need to know that, Lisa!"

"I have to!"

"Why do you even want to know?! Why does it matter?!"

"What kind of ridiculous question is that?!" Lisa's voice cracked with emotion, tears glistening in her eyes. "Because you're my partner!"

Lisa's shoulders slumped in exhaustion, the weight of recent events bearing down on her. Following Jennie, worrying about her unnies, and feeling utterly powerless against their adversaries had taken its toll.

Chaeyoung finally noticed how close Lisa had drawn to her, and she found herself captivated by the maknae's beautiful, glistening brown eyes. Hesitantly, she reached out to Lisa, and without hesitation, the youngest latched onto Chaeyoung.

In that embrace, they found solace and relief, safe within each other's arms.

"I felt so powerless..." Lisa murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know now that... I need you more than ever, Chae."

"You'll always have me, Lisa," Chaeyoung whispered back, her voice filled with sincerity. "I promised Mom I'd protect you, and I'll do so until my last breath."

Lisa choked back a sob, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over her. "I knew it... you left out some of the story."

With a gentle release from the hug, Lisa looked at Chaeyoung affectionately. Their tender moment, however, was abruptly interrupted by the shadow monster rising to its feet, its anger evident in its darkened form.

Chaeyoung sighed, her gaze hardening as she faced the imposing shadow monster.

"Less talking, let's test our skills against it," she muttered angrily, her eyes darkening with determination. "For Mom and Dad."

"Way ahead of you," Lisa responded, her tone mirroring Chaeyoung's anger as her form began to glow with a lighter shade of brown.

"Wood Spike!"

Chaeyoung watched in wonder seeing Lisa execute it amazingly 

"How long were you hiding this?"

Chaeyoung's eyes gleamed with a dark intensity as she relished the sensation of finally utilizing her dark element – her primary element. Lately, she had felt a surge of strength whenever tapping into her dark power.

The shadow monster found itself ensnared in Lisa's wooden trap, unable to break free. Meanwhile, Chaeyoung's aura radiated a deep black hue, growing larger and more formidable with each passing moment.

"Chae..." Lisa gulped, feeling a mix of awe and intimidation as she watched Chaeyoung freely wield her dark element. The way the moonlight highlighted her, she seemed like a princess of the dark, or perhaps an angel of darkness, dare she say.

"Her aura... it's strangely warm, unlike anything from our professor. It's fascinating, even intriguing; it's like you want to reach out to her," Lisa found herself almost hypnotized by the energy Chaeyoung was exerting.

Chaeyoung glanced at Lisa, sensing her distraction. "What's wrong?"

Lisa blushed and stumbled over her words. "N-nothing."

Chaeyoung nodded slowly before refocusing her attention on the shadow monster, her gaze piercing as if she were its master. With a look of suspicion, Chaeyoung placed her hand on the shadow monster, gritting her teeth against the surge of pain as it howled in anger.

"Chae?!"

"Lisa, stay back," Chaeyoung warned, her voice tinged with urgency. She gathered extra energy and let out a cry of power as she shot the gathered energy, along with the shadow monster's essence, into the sky.

Lisa shielded her eyes, watching in awe as the energy exploded in the sky, raining down black sparkles.

As the last wisp of black power dissipated, Chaeyoung sighed, shaking her hand to rid herself of residual energy.

"Since when?" Lisa's voice was soft as she placed a hand on Chaeyoung's shoulder, surprising both herself and Chaeyoung with the gesture.

"...Since that day," Chaeyoung replied quietly, her gaze distant.

Lisa looked down, her fist clenched in guilt. "I really ruined your childhood, huh..."

"Stop." Chaeyoung's hand gently lifted Lisa's chin, forcing her to meet Chaeyoung's glowing eyes. In that moment, Lisa felt a sense of calm wash over her.

"We'll talk about this sooner or later, okay?" Chaeyoung's voice was gentle, reassuring. Lisa nodded, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks before her eyes widened in realization.

"Oh God, Jennie! We have to help her!"

"Ice Trap!"

Chaeyoung and Lisa swiftly located Jennie and Jisoo, who were locked in a fierce battle with the shadow monster.

"Now, Jennie!" Jisoo yelled out upon freezing the shadow monster in its place.

They both turned their attention to the younger of the two, whose eyes brimmed with exhaustion yet determination.

"Fire Blast!"

"Lisa, trap it quickly afterward!" Chaeyoung instructed the maknae who nodded in understanding.

"Got it!"

The shadow monster roared in agony as Jennie's firepower engulfed it, its black tendrils wilting and the ice easily melting under the intense heat, but it remained standing.

"What the heck?" Jennie panted, feeling the weight of her fatigue hindering her abilities.

"Vine Trap!"

The shadow monster growled furiously as it found itself ensnared once again, but before it could retaliate, it bowed its head in submission as Chaeyoung materialized in front of it, her hand glowing with an eerie black light.

The dark elzard frowned as she witnessed the shadow monster's submission, before absorbing it as she had done earlier.

"Rosie?" Jennie watched in shock as Chaeyoung absorbed the shadow monster, her hand pulsing with black energy before releasing it into the sky, where it exploded into black sparkles.

"You did well," Chaeyoung acknowledged.

Jennie snapped out of her stupor and weakly approached Chaeyoung, her hand reaching out.

"R-Rosie... you're a dark elzard," Jennie murmured in astonishment.

Chaeyoung gently caught Jennie as she stumbled, her eyes closing in exhaustion.

"The shadow monsters really took a toll on her," Jisoo remarked as she approached them, followed by Lisa, who inwardly sighed at Jisoo's lack of reaction to Chaeyoung's dark element.

Of course she would know.

"Not to mention she's been training herself to death," Lisa added, her tone heavy with concern.

"Why?" Chaeyoung tightened her grip on Jennie's waist, seeking answers.

Jennie remained silent.

"Because it's for you, Chae," Lisa explained.

"For me?" Chaeyoung's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"She wanted to get stronger to protect you in the future. That's all there is to it," Lisa continued, averting her gaze.

Jisoo observed the interaction, noticing Jennie's blush and avoidance of eye contact, as well as the unexpected emotion in Chaeyoung's gaze as she looked at Jennie.

"...why don't you look at me like that, Chaeyoung?" Jisoo's fists clenched, a surge of negativity building within her despite the happiness she felt earlier with her sister.

"Pabo..." Chaeyoung lightly bonked Jennie's head before channeling soothing dark energy into her.

"Strange... I feel... so... at... peace," Jennie murmured, her eyes fluttering closed. "Her touch... her energy... it's... soothing."

A small smile tugged at Chaeyoung's lips as she watched Jennie finally find peace, resting comfortably in her arms. Gently, she lifted the cat-eyed girl, regarding her with a tender expression before turning her gaze back to Jisoo and Lisa.

"... Let's head home."

And done! A lot has happened these past few months but I'm just glad people are still reading Blackpink fics! It's has been a year since Blackpink did Coachella and I just can't believe time flew so fast. I guess we all get that feeling especially when we're geting old.

Let's support our girls to their respective companies! (Though Rosie is releasing a new song so we don't know if she really has any plans to start a company but let's support her nontheless!). A rumor has been going on about a new Blackpink comeback but we'll never know until they release official statements. Until then, let's support our girls and have fun in doing so!