And I cried — for Seori, for the friend I might never see again. And for what could’ve been… if he’d just turned back.
Taeyang
The Hollow of her name
The door had barely clicked shut behind me before I leaned back against it—chest rising and falling like I’d just fought a war.
But I hadn’t fought.
I’d run.
Yuna was on the other side of that door, crying in a way that shattered something feral in me. And I’d walked away.
I couldn’t face her—not with my hands trembling and that cursed bond clawing its way through my ribs like it had a voice. Like it had teeth.
You aren’t meant for anyone either.
Gods, why did I say that?
The second it left my mouth, I wanted to take it back. Rip it out and bleed with the apology. But I couldn’t. Because if I opened that door again, I wouldn’t just break—I’d surrender.
And I do not surrender to anyone.
I stormed down the corridor, shadows dragging behind me like a cloak I couldn’t shed. Rheon was still unconscious in the chamber below. Seori would leave soon. The Guild was fractured. The world teetered between realms.
But all I could think of was Yuna’s eyes.
The way they welled with disbelief when I snapped. The silence that followed, heavy as death.
I found the training chamber and slammed the door behind me. The air reeked of sweat, blood, and faded incense—comforting in its violence. I tore off my jacket, my shirt. I needed pain. I needed noise.
I neededanythingbut her voice echoing in my head.
“I think I was meant for you.”
My fist collided with the stone pillar—once, twice—until skin split and bone throbbed.
I was not meant to be anyone’s anything.
I was a weapon. Sharpened by centuries of war. Fed on fury and shadow. Loyalty was the only thing I ever believed in—and I gave it to Rheon. Not to fate. Not to some girl with starlight in her laugh and rebellion in her soul.
But—
I collapsed to my knees.
Pressed my bloodied hand over the mark on my chest.
Itburnedfor her.
Not like Seori’s and Rheon’s did—bright and violent and destined. No, this one whispered. It simmered beneath my skin, slow and aching, like it had waited lifetimes to be felt.
And it had started that day she looked at me like I was more than a monster.
“You’re not just rage, Taeyang. I see you.”
She had said that with her whole chest. No fear. No hesitation. And it terrified me more than any sword. Because what if she was right? What if Iwasmore? What if she was the one who made me want to be?
A sudden sound made my head jerk up. The wind.
