I tug on the red thread next. Even though he was one of the assholes who entrapped my grandmother to preserve his divinity, Yeomla died honorably. Little by little, his redgicomes loose, and some of my anger loosens too.
When I pull on the blue thread, I’m not surprised that Yongwang’sgiresists. Gritting my teeth, I yank it harder, but it clings to life as its cowardly owner had done.
Across from me, the monster lowers herself to the ground with huffs of tired breath, then curls herself into a ball.
My grandmother is helping me.
I push on, swallowing past my tight throat. At last, I unknot the stubborn bluegiand wrench it free. But when my magic reaches for the green gi, the monster jerks and recoils. It is Hwanung’s life force—her husband and fated mate’s gi.
“Grandmother.” I speak into her mind. “You have to let him go. He waits for you in the next life.”
A keening cry—not quite human, not quite animal—slips past the monster’s lips.
“When he lost you, Hwanung transferred his divinegito Dangun and became mortal. He couldn’t live on without you,” I continue. “Now you have to release the last of hisgiso you can join him in the next life.”
The monster moans plaintively. I don’t know if she’ll let go, but I have to try. Trembling from head to toe, I gently tug on the green gi, and it ... slips loose. The evil gripping the Donggul loosens its hold, and the darkness becomes just ... darkness.
I withdraw my powers from her, then look at the Donggul Monster, searching for her gi. I gasp, pressing my hand against my chest.
All four divine life forces flow in harmony inside her.
The monster lies so still that I stop breathing.Did I ... fail?Then, with a sigh that echoes through the cavernous room, she uncurls her body and slides onto her back.
I release a rough breath and drop my head toward my chest. My lips wobble, but I press them together.
Please let my grandmother be finally free.
“My dear child,” a serene voice says.
I jerk my head up.
A beautiful apparition floats above the monster, glowing white.
“G-Grandmother?”
“Yes, Sunny.” She has the kindest smile. “Come closer. Let me get a better look at my granddaughter.”
I stumble toward her, exhausted from unraveling the divinegiinside the monster. I stop less than an arm’s length away and reach my hand toward her. My fingertips brush against the glowing specter, and it ... flickers.
I cantouchher. Ungnyeo isn’t a ghost. She is manifesting her true self through the divinegiof the gods—through the four life forces that I need to absorb.
But once I do, she will be gone.
“Are you afraid, child?” Her ghostly hand cups my cheek. Her touch feels warm.
“Y-yes.” I lean into her hand.
“Good. Only a fool would not be afraid.” She tilts her head to the side. “But you know what you have to do, right?”
“I do.” I bite my lower lip.
“My brave child.” She smooths her hand down my hair.
“But I don’t know if I can do it without my fated love anchoring me,” I whisper.
“Your fated love?” She presses her hands to her chest. “I am so happy the gods have blessed you as they blessed your grandfather and me. Even if he is not with you, his love will anchor you. And I will help. I will not let you lose your way, my dear child.”
“Thank you, Grandmother.” I swallow thickly. We don’t have time. “A-are you ready?”
