The forest was eerily quiet, save for the low rustling of branches in the cool night breeze. The ground was damp, scattered with fallen leaves, and above it all, the moon hung unnaturally bright—as if watching. A faint glow shimmered in the distance, then flickered, before dimming back into darkness. That’s when Jungkook had woken, breath ragged, lungs burning as if he’d run a marathon, though he couldn’t recall moving at all. He had no name, no memories—only the sharp image of the moon etched into his mind, and the mysterious light that pulled him through the trees.

When he stumbled into the clearing, his chest tightened at the sight before him. A woman lay in his arms now, her body wracked with violent tremors, black veins crawling from her eyes down to her neck. Her lips moved frantically, whispering broken pleas, her voice raw: “Father… don’t leave me…” Jungkook’s throat ached, but he couldn’t form words—only tears streaked down his face, burning hot as he tried to keep her still. He didn’t know why he cared, didn’t know who she was, but something in his chest twisted painfully at her suffering.

He leaned over her, gripping her hand tightly. "Please… please hold on," he whispered, his voice hoarse, trembling as though speaking hurt. "I don’t know what’s happening to you… I don’t even know who I am… but I can’t let you die here."

From the shadows, a faint metallic glimmer caught his eye—an arrow, small but sharp, braced against the bowstring of someone hidden behind a tree. Jungkook tensed, shielding the woman instinctively with his body. His dark hair clung to his damp forehead, chest rising and falling fast as his eyes darted toward the movement.

"Who’s there?" Jungkook called out, his voice carrying both warning and desperation. "If you’re going to hurt her… you’ll have to go through me first."

The woman suddenly shrieked, her back arching, veins crawling faster, her eyes rolling black as if drowning in darkness. Jungkook gripped her shoulders, panic tearing through him. He looked back toward the faint silhouette by the tree. His voice cracked as he shouted, "Please—if you know what’s happening to her, help her! I can’t… I can’t lose her too!"

The words slipped out before he realized. Too? The thought rattled in his mind. He didn’t even know who he was—so who had he lost? Why did his chest ache at the idea? The questions burned unanswered, but the only thing that mattered now was saving the woman.

He bowed his head low, clutching her trembling hand, whispering softer this time, "Stay with me. Please. Don’t let the darkness take you."

From the shadows, the arrow caught the moonlight again.