Part 21

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"Are you out of your mind?" Suga barked, dismounting and kneeling beside her. His hands hovered over her as he hesitated between checking her injury and scolding her further.

"You're bleeding everywhere," Hyungsik said, his voice strained with worry as he helped steady her. "You could've died!"

"I'm fine," Y/N mumbled, though her voice lacked conviction. She glanced at the downed Goliath, her determination still burning.

"Fine? You're bleeding, and you're barely staying upright!" Suga snapped, his tone sharp, though his expression betrayed his concern.

As Y/N fell and the second Goliath collapsed too, the remaining members of her group-RM, Jin, Jimin, Jungkook, Taehyung, and Hoseok-galloped closer, their faces a mix of shock, worry, and disbelief.

"What the hell is she doing?" Jungkook muttered, his knuckles white as he gripped the reins of his horse.

"She's bleeding," Jimin said, his voice trembling. "That's not just exhaustion-she hit her head."

"She's going to kill herself at this rate," Hoseok added, his tone laced with panic.

Taehyung shook his head, his brows furrowed deeply. "She took down two Goliaths, for crying out loud. And she's still trying to stand. She's insane."

"Insane? She's reckless!" Jin snapped, his voice rising. "She's clearly hurt, but she won't stop!"

RM, who had been watching everything with a calculating gaze, finally spoke, his tone firm but laced with concern. "She's stubborn, but that stubbornness is what's kept her alive this long. Still, we need to intervene before she pushes herself any further."

As they reached her, Suga and Hyungsik were already helping her sit upright, their expressions grim.

"She's bleeding too much," Jin said as he dismounted, quickly approaching with a makeshift medical kit. "We need to treat her now."

RM dismounted next, his leadership instincts kicking in. "Y/N, you've done enough. You need to stop now. Let us handle the rest."

"Are you even listening to yourself?" Taehyung asked, his voice tight with worry. "You just took down two Goliaths, and you're acting like you can take on the world."

Y/N's eyes flicked toward them, exhaustion evident in her gaze, but her voice was steady. "The horde's almost gone. I couldn't risk them getting closer to the base. Someone had to stop them."

"And someone else could've done it without getting themselves killed!" Jungkook interjected, his frustration clear.

Suga glared at Jungkook before focusing back on Y/N. "She's too stubborn to wait for someone else, apparently."

Hoseok placed a hand on Y/N's shoulder, his touch gentle despite his worried expression. "You're not alone in this. You don't have to carry all of it by yourself."

Y/N's shoulders sagged slightly at his words, her defenses faltering. The blood dripping down her neck was a stark reminder of her limits, even to her.

"Fine," she murmured, her voice soft, though the fight hadn't entirely left her eyes. "But if another one shows up-"

"You're sitting this out," RM interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Jin knelt beside her, already tending to her head wound. "You're not moving until this is treated. That's an order."

As they gathered around her, ensuring she was safe and cared for, the remaining stalkers were easily dispatched by Taehyung, Jungkook, and Jimin, who took over the fight.

The group worked seamlessly, but their gazes kept drifting back to Y/N, a mix of admiration and worry reflecting in their eyes. Despite her stubbornness, they knew one thing for sure: she was a force to be reckoned with.

Y/N sat there, her back resting against the cold rock, her body still and yet trembling faintly with each shallow breath. Her half-open eyes flickered across her group, scanning their every movement despite the exhaustion threatening to overtake her. She couldn't afford to let her guard down completely. Even in her fragile state, she stayed alert, her gaze darting from one member to another, assessing the situation, always vigilant.

Jin was kneeling beside her, his brow furrowed in concern as he carefully treated the deep wound on her head. The blood, though not as much now, still stained her shirt and dripped down the side of her neck. Despite the pain, Y/N didn't flinch, not even as the cotton swab pressed against the raw skin. Her breath hitched in response, but she remained focused on her surroundings.

Hyungsik stood a little farther away, still close enough to be within her line of sight, his expression a mixture of worry and determination. He could tell Y/N was barely holding it together, but he didn't push her to rest further. Not yet. He respected her strength but hated seeing her struggle like this.

RM, Suga, Taehyung, Jimin, and the rest of the group lingered nearby, aware of the fragile state she was in. Their faces were a mix of admiration and concern. No one spoke, knowing Y/N would refuse to rest if they pushed her too hard. Her stubbornness, while admirable, was becoming a challenge now.

Jin finished bandaging her head, taking a careful step back. "You need to lie down," he said quietly, glancing at the others for support. "Just for a little while."

But Y/N didn't move. Her gaze was still fixed on the horizon, her eyes barely open but sharp, the tension in her body like a coiled spring. Her fingers twitched at her side, almost as if she were ready to fight at any moment.

Hyungsik, seeing her condition deteriorate, took a step forward. He crouched down beside her, his voice gentle but firm. "Y/N, please," he said softly, his hand hovering near her shoulder, as if offering comfort. "You've done enough. You're shaking. Please let yourself rest. We'll take care of things."

Her eyes flickered toward him briefly, but her gaze quickly returned to the horizon, still on high alert. She didn't speak at first, but the tightness in her shoulders and the tremble in her hands betrayed her exhaustion. Despite the growing concern in the group, they knew that pushing her wouldn't help. She had to come to a decision herself.

Slowly, her body relaxed just enough to lean back against the rock, her eyes closing slightly as the tension drained away, if only momentarily. Still, she didn't stop watching. The exhaustion weighed heavily on her, but Y/N wouldn't allow herself to fully rest-not yet. She couldn't. Her half-open eyes remained vigilant, her body trembling with each breath as the others stood nearby, silently observing her struggle.

They all knew that, despite everything, Y/N was still the one in control. Even if it meant fighting against her own limits.

---

Y/N closed her eyes, her body trembling from the sheer effort of pushing herself this hard. Her breaths came shallow and uneven, but her senses remained sharp, fully aware of her surroundings. She forced herself to relax-though to her dismay, her head was still pounding, making it impossible to find peace even for a moment.

Behind her, RM, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, Jimin, Hobi, Taehyung, and Hyungsik scanned the area, ensuring no stragglers were left behind.

"Not even a speck of dust for us to clear," Jin joked, slinging his weapon over his shoulder.

"Should've known Y/N would take care of it before we even had a chance," Taehyung chimed in, smirking.

Jungkook chuckled, shaking his head. "She's just showing off now."

Still catching her breath, Y/N turned her head slightly, her lips curving into a sly smirk. "Someone's gotta do the heavy lifting around here," she shot back, her voice laced with playful sarcasm.

But just as she finished her sentence, her smirk vanished, and her body tensed. In one swift motion, she was on her knees, head tilted slightly as she strained to listen. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, competing with the faint noise she thought she heard-a distant, rhythmic sound. Hooves.

Her voice dropped, urgent and steady. "Quiet," she hissed, raising a hand to silence the group.

The others immediately froze, their banter forgotten as they exchanged wary glances, their weapons subtly shifting into ready positions. The pounding in Y/N's head faded into the background as her focus sharpened, every nerve on edge.

As Y/N tried to stand, her legs wavered, and she stumbled. Taehyung, standing closest to her, was quick to react, catching her before she could fall. His grip was firm yet gentle as he steadied her.

"You okay?" he murmured, concern flickering across his face.

"I'm fine," Y/N replied curtly, brushing off the worry. Her focus was already elsewhere as she grabbed her binoculars from her bag. She raised them to her eyes, scanning the horizon in the direction where her instincts pulled her.

The group stood silently, watching her with a mix of concern and trust. It was clear she was pushing herself too hard-her trembling hands and pale complexion didn't go unnoticed. But they knew better than to say anything. If Y/N had sensed something, it wasn't to be taken lightly. Her instincts had saved them more times than they could count.

RM exchanged a glance with Suga, who sighed softly but nodded. "Let her do her thing," Suga muttered, his voice low enough to avoid distracting her.

Taehyung stayed close, ready to steady her again if needed, his eyes darting between Y/N and the distance she was studying. The air grew heavier with tension as everyone waited for her verdict.

Through the haze of exhaustion and tension, Y/N's lips curled into a faint smile as she spotted two familiar figures approaching in the distance. Minho and Lee Jong Suk. Relief flooded her chest, washing away the weight that had been pressing down on her. If they were here, she knew her group was safe. They always had been, thanks to them.

No one else seemed to grasp the depth of her relief. The group exchanged curious glances as she lifted her binoculars again, trying to get a clearer view of who was approaching. Meanwhile, Hyungsik, as usual, had slipped away unnoticed.

Y/N let out a soft breath of anticipation before stepping forward. Her feet moved on instinct, carrying her toward the figures in the distance. The rest of the group called after her, but their voices barely registered. Her eyes grew glossy, the weight of her emotions threatening to spill over.

Her body betrayed her exhaustion, stumbling slightly, but she didn't stop. She couldn't. This moment-this arrival-was more than just a meeting. It was her hope, her faith, her belief that no matter how dire things became, she could protect those she cared about.

"Y/N!" Taehyung's voice was firm but tinged with concern as he followed her closely, ready to steady her again if needed.

But Y/N didn't care. Minho and Lee Jong Suk were here. That was all that mattered.

---

As Minho and Lee Jong Suk drew closer, their expressions darkened at the sight of Y/N. Her disheveled form was impossible to ignore-bloodstains smeared on her neck and shirt from the earlier wound on her head, now hastily bandaged. Her clothes were tattered and dirtied from countless falls, dust clinging to her like a second skin.

Lee Jong Suk's jaw clenched, his eyes darting from Y/N to Minho. Without a word, he dismounted his horse, his movements sharp and urgent. Before anyone could process, he sprinted toward her, his concern evident in every step.

Y/N, despite her wearied state, managed a faint smile, her arms instinctively opening to welcome him. "Jong Suk..." she murmured, her voice tired but warm.

Lee Jong Suk didn't hesitate. Reaching her just in time, he caught her as she stumbled, his arms wrapping around her firmly, ensuring she wouldn't fall again.

"What the hell, Y/N?" he muttered under his breath, his voice a mix of exasperation and worry. He pulled back slightly to scan her face, his hands steadying her shoulders. "Look at you. You're a mess."

Y/N chuckled weakly, her head resting briefly against his chest. "You're late," she teased, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her exhaustion.

Lee Jong Suk caught her in his arms, his face immediately softening despite the frustration in his eyes. "You idiot," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "Look at you. I swear, you always manage to make things harder for yourself."

Y/N smirked through her exhaustion, her voice weak but playful. "I'm an idiot, and you're an asshole," she replied with a tired grin, teasing him as she always did, despite the pain.

Lee Jong Suk rolled his eyes, but a small chuckle escaped him. "Yeah, well, you're lucky I'm here to save your ass."

Just as he said that, Minho dismounted his horse and began walking toward them. Y/N, feeling the weight of her exhaustion and the warmth of the moment, suddenly pushed herself away from Lee Jong Suk and staggered toward Minho without warning.

Before he could react, Y/N dropped herself into his arms, catching him off guard. Minho stumbled slightly, but quickly regained his balance, his hands firm on her as he held her up. "Easy," he murmured, concern in his voice.

She tilted her head back slightly, meeting his eyes with a tired but happy smile. "You're late too," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath, but her eyes shimmered with a mixture of relief and joy.

As she spoke, a tear slipped down her cheek, not from pain, but from the overwhelming emotion of finally seeing them after all this time. "I missed you," she added, her voice cracking slightly.

Minho's grip tightened around her, his own emotions masked behind a calm exterior, but his eyes softened as he looked down at her. "I'm sorry, Y/N. I didn't know it'd be this hard. But we're here now. We're not leaving you."

Y/N let out a soft laugh, her body finally feeling the weight of all the days without them. "I'm just glad you're here," she whispered, her tears mixing with a smile.

Behind them, the rest of the group was still approaching, but for now, Y/N didn't care. She had what she needed in this moment-her friends, her family, and the relief of finally being able to stop pushing forward alone.

As Minho caught Y/N, the rest of the group slowly approached, watching in silence. Their eyes were wide with curiosity, confusion, and a touch of concern. It was clear from their expressions that they hadn't expected such a close interaction between Y/N and the two men-Minho and Lee Jong Suk.

Suga, ever the observer, exchanged a glance with Hobi. "Is she really that close to them?" Hobi asked quietly, raising an eyebrow as he watched the tender moment unfolding before them.

Suga shrugged, his arms crossed. "I had no idea. She's always been tight-lipped about things like this."

Jin, walking beside them, looked at Y/N's tear-streaked face with a soft smile. "I guess it's been a long time... she's finally meeting them again."

Jimin nodded thoughtfully, a slight smile on his lips. "She deserves this," he murmured. "I'm glad she's not always keeping everything bottled up."

Taehyung, who had been quiet, now grinned, his teasing side coming out. "She's finally showing some emotion! Maybe now she'll stop being so stubborn," he said, his voice light but filled with affection for their friend.

RM, always the leader, gave a small chuckle. His expression softened as he looked at Y/N. "I'm happy for her. She's always been the one to hold everything in. It's good to see her have these moments."

But just as the group was beginning to absorb the sight of Y/N's reunion, something caught their attention. Hyungsik, who had been walking with them moments ago, was now nowhere to be seen.

Jimin furrowed his brows. "Where did he go?"

Suga's eyes scanned the area, his expression unreadable. "He's gone. He must've disappeared the moment he heard the hooves. When he senses something, he's gone before anyone even knows it."

"Who is he, anyway?" Jungkook asked, glancing at Suga for answers. The group was clearly confused, none of them having seen Hyungsik before.

Suga shook his head. "I don't know, but it doesn't matter."

The others exchanged confused glances, still trying to piece together what was going on. They didn't know who Hyungsik was, nor why he had suddenly vanished. What they did know was that Y/N seemed to trust him, and for now, that was enough for them.

Lee Jong Suk, who had been watching from a distance, raised an eyebrow at the interaction, but his concern for Y/N was evident. He looked over to Minho, then back at Y/N, his expression softening.

As they watched, the group realized that, despite not knowing who these two men were, they could tell from Y/N's smile and the warmth in her eyes that they meant something very important to her.

Lee Jong Suk gently pat Y/N, still with a playful but concerned look on his face. "How have you pushed yourself like this?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "You can barely stand, moron. Seriously, if Haru and Sehun saw me holding you like this, they'd beat my ass. And don't even get me started on IU. She's gonna give me hell," Jong Suk added, trying to keep a straight face.

Y/N couldn't help but burst into laughter, her arms still clinging to Minho. "Well, it's not like I planned on falling into your arms, you know? But, hey, I'm just glad I didn't fall flat on my face," she teased, her voice light but filled with affection.

Minho, who had been watching them with a warm smile, chuckled softly and reached out to ruffle Y/N's hair. "Don't you dare call her a moron or idiot again," he said with a playful warning, his voice soft but filled with an affectionate tone. "You'll regret it," he continued, giving Jong Suk a mischievous look. "I don't think you want to deal with me after that." He looked down at Y/N with a smile, his eyes softening. "My Yniee deserves better than that. Got it?"

Y/N looked up at Minho, her smile widening, clearly amused by the exchange. "I'm okay with being a 'moron' as long as you're around to catch me." She laughed again, leaning into Minho as if to show him just how much she appreciated him being there.

Lee Jong Suk shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. "You two are a piece of work," he muttered, rolling his eyes but unable to hide his fondness for their playful banter. "But fine, fine. I'll go easy on you, Y/N. But seriously, take it easy. You've been pushing yourself too hard."

Minho just shook his head, keeping his arm around Y/N as they both shared a moment of light-hearted laughter, with the group behind them still processing everything they had witnessed.

As the group finally arrived, the tension was palpable. RM, Suga, Hobi, Jin, Jimin, Jungkook, and Taehyung stood behind Minho and Y/N, watching with varying degrees of concern. Jong Suk couldn't help but ask, his voice light but curious, "Are they the ones you were talking about the last time we met?"

Y/N, still nestled in Minho's arms, simply nodded without a word. She didn't have the strength to speak, her exhaustion taking over as she clung to him, eyes half-lidded, though still aware of her surroundings.

Minho's gaze, however, was focused on Suga and Hobi. There was something unreadable in his eyes-whether it was relief, anger, or grief-it was hard to tell. The silent exchange between him and the two men seemed to linger in the air, thick with unspoken history. The rest of the group, sensing the tension, wisely chose not to comment or intrude, letting the moment pass.

Lee Jong Suk, ever perceptive, noticed the shift in Minho's focus but didn't speak up, fully aware that it was a past matter between them. He moved closer to Y/N, trying not to disturb the fragile peace, but his eyes instinctively drifted to her.

And then

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