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SUGA'S POV

Once everyone was safely on the ground, I stood back, watching Y/N prepare to jump from the platform with Haru still in her arms. Her movements were deliberate, confident. She paused for a moment, checking the ladder one last time before making her move. With a controlled leap, she landed halfway down, light as a feather despite carrying Haru.

I glanced at Taehyung, who caught my eye but said nothing. We'd both seen Y/N in action before, yet it still managed to throw me off every time-how effortlessly she moved, always in control, always one step ahead. She set Haru down gently before securing the ladder at the base of the tree.

Y/N straightened and scanned the area, her sharp eyes taking everything in. I didn't need to ask what she was thinking; she had that same look she always did when we were on the move-focused, calculating.

"Taehyung, you and Jiwoo take Ember," she said, her voice steady but commanding as she gestured toward the black mare. "Suga, you and Haru are on Orion. I'll ride Astra."

Taehyung and Jiwoo nodded, heading for Ember, while I gave her a quick, searching look. There was nothing in her expression to hint at hesitation. I nodded once, moving toward Orion.

When Y/N crouched to lift Haru again, the little girl clung to her like she was her lifeline. I watched as Y/N adjusted her hold and spoke to Haru softly, her voice surprisingly gentle. "You'll sit with Suga on Orion, okay? Stay close to him, and no matter what you hear, keep your eyes closed and hold on tight."

Haru nodded, trusting, and Y/N handed her over to me carefully. She was lighter than I expected, her tiny hands gripping my shirt tightly as I secured her between myself and the reins. She didn't make a sound.

Y/N mounted Astra with practiced ease, settling into the saddle like she'd done it a hundred times before. Her confidence was almost unnerving, but it was what kept us alive. "Let's move," she said, her voice low but firm. Without hesitation, she led us downhill along a path I didn't recognize.

The forest closed in around us, the only sound the muffled thud of hooves against damp earth. The moonlight filtering through the trees cast jagged shadows, making the already tense atmosphere even heavier. Haru's hands stayed tight on my shirt, her head resting against me, the motion of the horse keeping her calm.

Taehyung rode beside Jiwoo, glancing back at me every now and then, but we didn't speak. None of us did. Y/N had a way of commanding silence when she needed it, her presence enough to keep us focused. She scanned the forest like a hawk, her grip on Astra's reins steady as ever.

Halfway down the hill, I noticed her posture shift-just a little. Her hand moved subtly to the hilt of her sword, and she slowed Astra. That was all it took for me to pick up on her unease.

"What is it?" I asked quietly, easing Orion to match her pace.

"Ambushers," she replied, her tone calm but tight. "Stay close. They're watching, but they won't catch us if we keep moving."

I didn't argue. I'd learned not to.

Taehyung and Jiwoo adjusted their pace, too, their tension palpable as shadows flickered in the trees around us. Then they came into view-the infected. Shufflers, dragging themselves through the underbrush with the kind of grotesque persistence that turned my stomach. A few Stalkers lingered at the edges, their hollowed eyes glinting faintly in the moonlight.

"Eyes forward," Y/N said sharply, her voice cutting through the rising tension like a blade. "They're too slow to catch us if we don't stop. Haru-remember what I said. Don't open your eyes."

I felt Haru's grip tighten, her small body pressing closer to me. My jaw clenched as I glanced at Y/N, who didn't look back, her focus locked ahead. She led Astra forward with the same calm, deliberate pace as before.

The groans of the infected grew louder, but we outpaced them easily. Even so, my eyes kept darting to the trees, searching for anything faster, anything worse.

"How many?" Taehyung asked, his voice low but steady.

"Too many," Y/N replied. "But none fast enough to worry about. Just keep moving."

The infected faded behind us as the horses carried us further downhill, their uneven groans swallowed by the night. The path opened up into a narrow clearing, the moonlight casting an eerie glow on the ground. Y/N slowed Astra just enough for us to keep in formation. Her eyes never stopped scanning.

She exhaled slightly, her shoulders relaxing just enough to be noticeable. "We're clear for now," she said, glancing back at me. "But stay alert."

I nodded, meeting her gaze for a moment. Haru looked up at me, her wide eyes filled with exhaustion and trust. I tightened my grip on the reins, my attention snapping back to the path ahead.

Y/N urged Astra forward, and the rest of us followed, the rhythm of the horses' hooves a steady reminder of our progress. But I didn't let my guard down. Not for a second. If there was one thing I'd learned from Y/N, it was that silence could be just as dangerous as noise.

And tonight, the silence felt far too loud.

---

Author's Pov

As they pressed onward, the forest began to thin slightly, patches of moonlight cutting through the canopy above. The horses' hooves moved carefully over the uneven ground, their pace slowing as the slope grew steeper and more precarious.

Y/N's gaze caught a familiar glimmer to her left-a small pond nestled at the base of a shallow dip in the terrain. Its surface reflected the faint light of the moon, a silvery mirror that stirred a vivid memory.

It had been just yesterday morning when she had come this way alone. The steep incline had caught her off guard as Astra fell, and she'd slipped, skidding down the hill, sliding all the way and landing hard near the soft moss, bruising her arms and tearing her shirt. Then, clearing herself in the cold water had splashed against her, washing away the dirt and the smell of the zombies. She had looked less like one of them after that, and though she had been shaken by the fall, she had recovered faster than she expected.

Y/N pulled Astra to a slower pace, her eyes lingering on the pond for a moment. It was a clear sign-they were close now.

Her voice broke the quiet as she spoke, low but steady. "We're almost there."

Taehyung, riding just behind her on Ember, noticed her glance at the pond. "What is it?" he asked, his tone curious but careful.

Y/N kept her eyes ahead, urging Astra forward again. "Just a reminder to watch your footing," she said with a faint edge of dry humor, though her tone remained firm. The subtle command wasn't just for Taehyung but for the whole group.

Suga, bringing up the rear with Haru on Orion, gave the pond a brief glance as they passed but didn't comment. He tightened his grip on Astra's reins, his focus sharpening as the terrain began to change, his sharp eyes scanning for any signs of danger ahead.

The group pressed on, the pond fading from view as the forest swallowed it back into darkness. For Y/N, it was more than just a memory-it was a marker of how close they were to their destination, and a quiet warning of how easily things could go wrong.

As the ground beneath them firmed, the shadows of the trees seemed to stretch longer, and the path narrowed. Y/N could feel the tension in the air, the quiet whisper of something amiss, but she kept her gaze forward, not allowing her nerves to show. Her grip on Astra's reins tightened slightly, a quiet reminder that they weren't safe yet.

"Stay sharp," Y/N murmured, her voice steady but carrying a sense of urgency. "We're not safe until we're there."

The group continued forward, the rhythm of their movement steady as they navigated the rougher terrain. Y/N's mind stayed focused, aware of every sound, every shift in the trees. They were so close, but that only made the need for caution greater.

---

The group moved in sync, the weight of the day's travels bearing down on them. Each step taken felt heavier than the last. The exhaustion from the fights, the hours of travel, and the lack of a proper meal all began to take their toll on Y/N. She stayed focused, sharp, determined not to show any sign of weakness, but it was becoming harder to mask the fatigue creeping up on her. Her muscles ached, and her body screamed for rest, but she pressed on, one foot in front of the other.

She had to get them to safety-had to reach the others at the building. That thought kept her moving forward, even as the darkness at the edges of her vision grew thicker. The steady rhythm of Astra's hooves beneath her was the only thing grounding her as she fought to stay conscious.

Apparently, Astra's left leg, already injured earlier in the journey, stumbled on a loose rock. Y/N felt the shift beneath her and, in a split second, the ground rushed up to meet her. Astra's injured leg gave way completely, and both horse and rider tumbled to the earth. Y/N hit the ground hard, the impact jarring her head and knocking her senses. A sharp pain exploded in her skull as her body went limp for a brief moment.

The world spun in front of her as she fought against the growing darkness, her grip still on Astra's reins, but the urge to slip into unconsciousness was overwhelming. She could barely keep her eyes open, her vision swimming, but her will remained strong-she couldn't let herself fall now.

Before she could succumb, a figure appeared at her side. Suga was there, his expression unreadable, but his eyes filled with urgency. Haru was in his arms, and his first instinct was to get to Y/N.

"Suga," Y/N's voice was barely a whisper, strained as she fought to focus. Her vision swam again, but she steadied herself by holding onto the reins with one hand, the other bracing against the dirt. She wanted to stand, wanted to move, but her body refused to cooperate.

Suga's gaze softened with a hint of concern, but he didn't speak. Instead, he crouched down beside her, his hand gently supporting her head, keeping her from slipping further into unconsciousness. "You need to rest," he said quietly, his tone firm yet caring.

Meanwhile, Taehyung had already moved toward Astra. He stood still for a moment, watching the horse, who stood with its head low, eyes on Y/N's fallen form. There was something unnerving about how still Astra was, and Taehyung didn't take his eyes off the horse, his senses alert for any danger.

Jiwoo reached Y/N's side, her hand hovering near her, unsure whether to approach too quickly. But before she could react further, Suga was already there, his attention completely on Y/N.

Suga handed Haru over to Jiwoo carefully, his brow furrowed with concern. "Stay sharp," he murmured to Jiwoo, his voice a quiet command as he helped Y/N steady herself. "She's fighting it, but we need to get her up."

Y/N's breathing was shallow, each intake of air a struggle as she fought to stay conscious. She was on the edge, but with Suga's help, she slowly regained some steadiness. She blinked a few times, focusing on his face, then looked around, as though trying to make sure they weren't surrounded by danger.

The others stood a few feet away, alert and on edge. Taehyung's gaze shifted from Astra to Y/N's fallen form. His eyes were hard, determined, and though his focus was on the surroundings, there was a protective edge to his stance.

"Y/N," Suga spoke again, this time firmer, yet still gentle. "We need to move. You can rest soon, but we're not safe yet."

Y/N's lips parted as if to protest, but no words came out. She felt the weight of her exhaustion, but her mind refused to let go. She had to push through.

With a steady hand, Suga helped her sit up, his hand never leaving her back for support. After a tense moment, her breathing evened out, steadying as she regained her composure.

"You're okay," Suga said, his eyes scanning the surroundings, ensuring they weren't exposed. "Just breathe."

After a minute, Y/N's breathing returned to a more even rhythm. She looked at Suga, nodding slowly, her hands gripping the reins of Astra tightly once more. She was steady, for now, but she knew her limits were nearing. She needed rest, but not yet-not until they were safe.

"Let's move," Y/N said, her voice stronger now, but still laced with the fatigue she couldn't hide. "The building's are not that much far now."

The group was on edge, their eyes constantly scanning for danger. But for now, they had one goal: to get Y/N and the others to safety.

---

As they pressed onward, the fatigue of the day weighed heavily on Y/N, but she stayed sharp, determined to get to their destination. With Astra's injured leg slowing her, Y/N decided to ride with Taehyung on Ember. She signaled him, and without hesitation, Taehyung guided his horse beside hers, making space for Y/N to mount Ember.

The shift was a bit awkward, but Y/N carefully settled into the saddle, her focus still on the path ahead. Taehyung, riding just behind her, kept a supportive hand on her waist, ensuring she stayed steady. His other hand was on the reins, guiding the horse through the uneven terrain. Y/N's back pressed against his chest, and she leaned slightly back, resting her head on his shoulder. His warmth provided a much-needed stability, but exhaustion still gnawed at her edges.

Suga rode Orion behind them, with Jiwoo and Haru sitting behind him. Haru clung to Jiwoo, unusually quiet, as Suga guided their horse forward, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Suga's expression was serious, his focus unwavering on keeping the group moving swiftly and silently. Astra, riderless but loyal, stayed close behind, moving steadily despite her injury.

Yet Y/N's focus was elsewhere. The feeling of being watched-the presence she couldn't shake-clung to her like a shadow.

The forest was too quiet now, the silence pressing in like an unseen force. Each rustle of leaves or snap of a twig beneath the horses' hooves made her flinch inwardly. Her grip tightened on the saddle as her pulse quickened.

Taehyung must have noticed her tension. His voice, soft and low, brushed against her ear. "Y/N, what's wrong?"

Her body stiffened further. That sensation-it wasn't her imagination. Something was there. Watching. Following.

"It's following us," she whispered, her voice almost lost to the oppressive silence. She glanced over her shoulder, but the shadows between the trees revealed nothing. Still, the feeling remained, unrelenting.

Taehyung's grip on her waist tightened-a silent promise of protection. His other hand held the reins steady, Ember's trot rhythmic and deliberate. Y/N could feel his heartbeat against her back, calm but steady, grounding her against the storm of unease building within.

She couldn't let the others reach the building unaware of what followed them. Jiwoo and Haru were vulnerable, completely exposed. Her exhaustion evaporated, replaced by a sharp clarity fueled by adrenaline.

The subtle tension in Taehyung's posture shifted-his body, once calm, was now rigid. She noticed the way his throat bobbed, his breaths coming slower, more deliberate. He was trying to maintain composure, but the unease had reached him too.

Suga, always observant, had already picked up on the shift. His sharp gaze flicked between Taehyung and Y/N, catching the stiffness in their bodies and the weight of unspoken words. His instincts sharpened. His hand hovered near the hilt of his weapon, a silent readiness settling over him.

Y/N turned her head, meeting Suga's gaze for a brief moment. He raised an eyebrow, silently asking if they were in immediate danger. She could only nod subtly. No words were needed. Suga's eyes narrowed as he motioned for Jiwoo to move closer, his gaze flicking back to Y/N and Taehyung.

Y/N's pulse raced as her mind churned. They were running out of time. She couldn't allow it to reach the group-or worse, the building ahead. The others didn't understand the danger, but she did. She had to protect them.

"What's the plan, Y/N?" Taehyung's voice, calm but strained, broke her spiral of thought.

Her response was quick and unwavering. "We need to get whatever it is away from the others. I don't care how."

The tension in the air was palpable, the unspoken dread pressing down on them all. Y/N could feel it creeping closer. The shadows seemed to shift, growing darker with each passing second.

Her exhaustion vanished, replaced by razor-sharp focus. Jiwoo and Haru were vulnerable, oblivious to the danger. Whatever it was, she couldn't let it follow them to the building-or worse, attack while they were unprepared.

Y/N's pulse thrummed in her ears as she took a firm grip of Ember's reins, her exhaustion pushed aside by sheer resolve. She suddenly guided Ember to the side, moving alongside Suga's horse with a speed that drew his sharp gaze.

"Suga," she murmured, her voice low but urgent. Her eyes darted to Jiwoo and Haru behind him before scanning the dense trees once more. "There's something here. A threat. I can't take it to the building where the others are."

Suga's expression hardened, his grip tightening on Orion's reins. "What kind of threat?" he asked, his tone clipped but careful, eyes narrowing as he studied her.

Y/N hesitated. She couldn't tell them. Not fully. She swallowed hard, her jaw tightening as she glanced at Jiwoo and Haru. "Something bad. I need to draw it away, handle it before it gets close."

Jiwoo, clutching Haru tightly to her chest, leaned forward, her brows furrowed with concern. "Is it a Goliath?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, the weight of her fear evident.

Y/N stiffened, meeting Jiwoo's gaze briefly. For a moment, her expression gave nothing away. Then, she glanced at Haru, her features softening with a mix of protectiveness and guilt. She nodded once, but her eyes betrayed her.

Suga caught it instantly. His sharp intuition cut through her feigned calm. Goliaths weren't what worried her-it was something worse. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. "Phantoms," he whispered, the word almost inaudible, but Y/N's sharp intake of breath confirmed it.

"I can't let it follow us," Y/N said firmly, breaking the silence. "I'll lead it away, check it out. You take Jiwoo, Haru, and Astra to the building. Keep them safe."

Suga's expression darkened, his lips pressed into a tight line. "You're going alone?"

Before Y/N could respond, Taehyung's hand closed over hers on the reins. His grip was steady, grounding, even as she felt the faint tremor in her own fingers.

"I'm going with her," Taehyung said, his voice calm but resolute, leaving no room for argument.

Y/N turned to him, wide-eyed. "No. You need to-"

He silenced her with a firm squeeze of her hand on the reins and an arm tightening around her waist. His eyes met hers, steady and unwavering. "I'm not letting you do this alone," he said, his tone leaving no room for debate.

Suga observed the exchange, his own emotions warring inside him. His instincts screamed against letting her go, but Jiwoo's soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Okay," Jiwoo said quietly, though her voice wavered. She held Haru tightly, her expression a mixture of fear and trust. "But you have to promise you'll come back."

Y/N swallowed hard, her gaze softening as she looked at Jiwoo and the little girl clinging to her. "Promise," she said, her voice quieter, though the weight of her words was heavy.

Jiwoo's lips twitched into a weak smile. "Promise me again," she insisted, her eyes searching Y/N's