Break Into My World │ Binary Code: EP │ ONEUS FF │Connect With US│

Chapter 5: Disconnected Bonds

Sunny sat on her bed, her hands gripping the necklace as though it could anchor her to reality. "What if I'm just another pawn? What if my bloodline is cursed to serve the gods forever, no matter what I do?" Her voice trembled, frustration and fear blending into one.

RAVN looked up from the other side of the room, but he said nothing. For once, even his usual sharp confidence had softened into silence. The weight of her words hung in the air.

Jae, sitting cross-legged on the floor, was fidgeting with her portal device. "Sunny, I..." Her voice broke, and she bit her lip. "Maybe this is all my fault. If my dad hadn't made this stupid thing, none of this would've happened."

Sunny glanced at her, but before she could respond, a knock sounded on the door. It opened just enough for Keonhee to poke his head in. "Uh, are we interrupting something heavy?" he asked, his voice tinged with awkwardness.

"Kind of," Sunny muttered, wiping her eyes quickly.

Keonhee stepped in anyway, dragging Hwanwoong behind him. "Well, I was thinking we could help lighten the mood. But since you're having a breakdown about your destiny again, let me give you a pep talk instead."

Hwanwoong sighed. "Subtle as ever, Keonhee."

Keonhee plopped down on the edge of the bed. "Listen, Sunny, I know it feels like the gods have got this eternal leash on you, but trust me, if anyone can outsmart them, it's you."

Sunny raised an eyebrow. "What makes you so sure?"

Keonhee shrugged, a small, sad smile creeping onto his face. "Because we've all been through it. When Apollo first granted us with these powers, I felt like my whole existence was just a cruel joke. I mean, teleportation? It's cool, but you don't want to know the places I've been trapped in because of it. But look at me now—I'm here, in the modern world, crashing presentations and figuring things out one step at a time. If I can do that, you can figure this out too."

Sunny didn't reply, but the faintest flicker of a smile touched her lips.

Meanwhile, Xion sat at the corner desk, typing furiously on his laptop. "If we're done with the motivational speeches," he said quietly, "I might have something."

The room turned toward him. "What is it?" RAVN asked, standing to peer over Xion's shoulder.

"I've been researching," Xion began, his eyes fixed on the screen. "If Helios is trying to manipulate fate, then we need to understand how to block him. There are ancient texts that mention something called a 'Fate Seal.' It's basically a shield against divine interference. I'm not saying it'll be easy, but if we can find out how to create one..."

"You think it could protect me?" Sunny asked, her voice cautious but hopeful.

Xion nodded. "It's a theory, but it's better than nothing."

Jae, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. "And what about me? My family's connected to this too, right? I mean, if my dad's device is part of all this, then maybe I'm cursed too."

"You're not cursed," Seoho said firmly, stepping into the room. "You're connected, yes, but that doesn't make you a curse. If anything, it makes you a key. You might be exactly what we need to stop Helios."

Jae looked unconvinced, but Seoho's words seemed to calm her slightly.

As the group sat together, the weight of their individual fears began to feel lighter. Sunny glanced around at the Monarchs and her best friend, and for the first time in days, she felt a glimmer of hope.

"We'll figure this out," she said, more to herself than anyone else. "Together."