MARKED BY THE MOON

CHAPTER 56

"It's time to hear them scream."

With a flick of his fingers, the chains around Sihyun snapped and fell away like ash. A surge of magic rushed through Sihyun's veins—wild, intoxicating. He gasped quietly, his body recognizing the power returning to him.

"You promised…"

Sihyun murmured.

"It's easy,"

Vanyul whispered, close now.

"Just relax… and breathe."

Before Vanyul could finish, Sihyun vanished—reappearing in front of the room's wooden doors, standing tall and unbound. Vanyul joined him, stepping beside him with a grin, lowering his lips near Sihyun's ear.

"See? It's not that difficult."

Sihyun's lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile.

"Let's burn it down."

Flames devoured the village—roofs collapsing, soldiers screaming as they turned to ash under the weight of Vanyul's fire. Magic pulsed like a heartbeat through the air, wild and merciless. Sihyun walked beside Vanyul, his lips curled into a satisfied grin as chaos bloomed around them.

Guards rushed in from all corners, swords drawn—only to be engulfed in roaring fire, their screams swallowed by smoke. Children cried. Mothers clutched their lifeless sons. The world burned, and the sky watched in silence.

They arrived at the king's quarter—doors blasted open by force. The king stood tall inside, a sword clenched in his fist, eyes cold.

"This is why I never trusted you,"

he hissed.

He lunged. Vanyul raised a hand lazily. The sword flew from the king's grasp. Another wave, and the king was lifted by the neck, his feet kicking, struggling for breath.

Sihyun chuckled darkly, eyes glowing.

"Look at him,"

he sneered.

"Miserable."

Vanyul turned to him, lips curling.

"Should I do it?"

Sihyun met the king's gaze—no pity, no mercy.

"Do it."

And Vanyul did. Dark energy wrapped around the king's body, draining him—flesh sinking in, veins turning black. The king screamed, the sound ripping through the flames, until nothing was left but a shriveled, rotting corpse that hit the floor with a hollow thud.

Vanyul stepped forward with a graceful bow, gesturing dramatically to the smoldering throne.

"The seat is waiting, King Sihyun,"

he said with a smirk.

Sihyun's heart pounded. Power pulsed through his veins like wildfire. He ascended the steps slowly, eyes glowing, feeling unstoppable.

Vanyul took his hand and placed a kiss on it, voice low and proud.

"Long live King Sihyun."

Sihyun sat on the throne, his expression unreadable—powerful, merciless.

"King Sihyun. I love it."

Sihyun said smiling

But then—

Bang!

The doors burst open. Muwon stood there, panting, eyes wide. He froze at the sight of his father's corpse, twisted and rotting. Slowly, his gaze lifted—

And met Sihyun's.

Sihyun smiled coldly.

"Like what you see?"

Muwon's voice trembled with disbelief, pain lacing every word.

"Why are you doing this…? Why did you do this…?"

He kept repeating it, as though saying it enough times would change reality.

Each word struck Sihyun like a blade. His smile faded. His breath caught in his throat. The flames dimmed. His hands shook.

He looked around—the ash, the blood, the screams still echoing in the air. And then at Muwon, whose eyes were brimming with heartbreak.

Suddenly, Sihyun couldn't breathe. Guilt swallowed him whole.

Everything went dark—

Sihyun jolted awake with a scream, clutching his chest, gasping for air. Sweat drenched his body as his wide, panicked eyes darted around the room. He was back in chains. Back in reality. But the nightmare still clung to him like smoke.

Then he heard a voice—calm, familiar.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

Sihyun flinched, startled. He hadn't even noticed Muwon was there.

He looked over and saw the prince sitting quietly nearby, half-shrouded in the dim light.

"How long have you been there?"

Sihyun asked, trying to sound composed.

Muwon's voice was gentle.

"The whole night. I was watching you sleep."

Sihyun looked away, suddenly unable to hold his gaze.

A moment passed. Then Muwon got up and walked closer, crouching down slightly.

"What kind of nightmare was it?"

Sihyun hesitated. His lips parted, then closed. He swallowed hard.

"…I dreamt you were dying."

Muwon blinked, surprised. Then, unexpectedly, he chuckled—soft, trying to ease the tension.

"Did you come to my rescue, then?"

Sihyun didn't answer right away. He looked at Muwon—his face, his presence—almost afraid. Finally, he whispered:

"That's when I woke up."

Muwon's smile faded slowly as he studied Sihyun's eyes.

"Waking up like that… maybe you're scared of me dying."

Sihyun didn't reply. But his silence said more than words ever could.

Muwon leaned his weight slightly forward, eyes still fixed on Sihyun.

"If I were really dying… would you save me?"

Sihyun blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. He scoffed, chuckling under his breath.

"You're already dying,"

he muttered.

"That curse mark is doing the job."

Muwon gave a light laugh, nodding.

"Exactly. Which means you're already saving me… with the ritual nights."

He added, voice soft but firm,

"And they must continue."

Sihyun frowned, unable to find a good comeback right away. A quiet pause stretched between them before he finally said,

"Unchain me."

Muwon stepped closer, his expression unreadable but intense. He looked Sihyun straight in the eyes and said,

"Only on one condition."

Sihyun narrowed his eyes.

"What condition?"

"I get to kiss you."

Sihyun scoffed.

"No."

Muwon tilted his head slightly, smirking.

"Then we have a deal."

"I said no,"

Sihyun snapped.

Muwon leaned in, undeterred.

"It sounded like a yes to me."

They bickered back and forth, their voices low but sharp—until Muwon, with a sudden boldness, leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss against Sihyun's lips.

Sihyun froze.

His eyes widened for a second as his heart slammed violently against his ribs. The kiss was brief… soft… but it left an aftershock in its wake. He couldn't move, couldn't think—only feel the ghost of it lingering on his lips.

Sihyun stared at Muwon, his breath unsteady, his heart a frantic rhythm against his ribs. He didn't know why he kissed him back—why, despite everything, the moment Muwon's lips touched his, something inside him trembled.

But he did.