Chapter 02: Heartstrings & Hellfire (Male Huntrix x Reader x Saja Boys)
In the underworld, all demons had gathered, making way for the trembling, lone surviving female demon flight attendant. Her legs shook beneath her as she walked toward a towering platform, throne of the King of Demons. Whimpers escaped her lips, echoing in the eerie silence, as thousands of demonic eyes followed her.
She halted at the base of the stairs leading up to the throne. Frozen in fear, she hesitated.
A deafening growl erupted.
Her demonic markings flared red. An invisible force seized her, lifting her off the ground and slamming her down before the throne of Gwi-Ma-the King of Demons. Weakened from lack of soul consumption, he appeared as a massive inferno, only his gaping, flaming mouth visible.
"Let me guess. They got away again?" he asked, eerily calm.
"The Hunters... they're too strong," she whimpered.
"You... you do?" she blinked, surprised by his compassion.
"I understand you're WEAK!" Gwi-Ma roared, launching hellfire at her. Her screams pierced the air as she burned alive.
"Pathetic! Useless! All of you!" he bellowed. The demons trembled, terrified of becoming his next victim.
"Don't you idiots understand? Once the Hunters turn the Honmoon gold, it's over for us!" he snapped. Above them, the Honmoon, a celestial phenomenon had pulsed, glowing gold, expanding steadily.
A soft, melodic pluck of a bipa echoed.
"There once was a mighty demon king," a lyrical voice chimed. The demons turned toward the sound. A male demon in a black hanbok stood on top of a hongsalmun gate. "Stop me if you've heard this one."
"He was in total control. He feasted on souls. The world trembled when he roared."
The demon floated down, a massive demon tiger trailing behind him. The crowd parted, not in reverence, but in fear.
"But then some Hunters sang a song. Now he just starves all day long. Can't touch a soul, his fire's gone cold. Just a whisper in the dark."
~"Will he let the fire go out?"
"Is this the end of him now?"
"Dying king with a crumbling crown?"
"Will he let the fire go out?"~
The singer reached the foot of the throne. Gwi-Ma's mouth smoldered. "I let you keep that voice, Jinu. And you dare mock me with it?" Four more demons materialized behind Jinu.
"I'm not mocking you. I'm here to help," Jinu said. "It's time for a new strategy. We fight the Hunters where they least expect it."
He gestured dramatically. The five of them hovered up to the throne platform.
"Go after the source of their power. The fans."
"A demon boy band?" Gwi-Ma blinked. Then laughed, a massive roar of flame and noise. The crowd forced laughter. "What makes you think that will work?"
With a snap, Jinu transformed his crew into stunning, charismatic idols. The demons gasped in awe.
"Yeah. That's totally gonna work." "Yeah. 100%." All other demons below agree with the transformation, others are even astonished with their new look.
"Okay. I know you, Jinu. In 400 years, you've never done anything that didn't serve yourself. What do you want?" Jinu's smirk faded. A flash of painful memory, a woman and a child. Gone in an instant. "The memories. I want them erased."
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The concert ended. Fans exited the arena, buzzing about the gold shimmer on the Honmoon. In the underground lift, the three Hunters and (Y/n) celebrated.
"Yeah, I can't believe we're doing it."
"Okay. You know what this means boys. It's time to release that song."
"Yes! It's finally time!"
"We're gonna turn it gold. Yay!"
"The moment we waited for."
But Rumi coughed unexpectedly. (Y/n) swayed.
"Whoa. That was weird." Rumi had coughed unexpectedly in front of them.
"Whoa!" (Y/n) exclaimed as she suddenly felt woozy, as all the boys held her steady.
"Good thing we're taking a break."
"Yeah. Sounds like you both need the rest."
"Yeah. Just need a little water."
The lift doors opened. Staff swarmed in, led by Bobby. Meeting the proud smiles of their manager, Bobby.
"Water! Now! What a show! That guy in the demon suit exploding into confetti? Amazing!"
"Yeah... 'special effects,'" Miro said, sharing a look with (Y/n).
"Social numbers are off the charts! (Y/n), since your manager's on vacation, I'll cover you," Bobby said.
(Y/N) walks beside the boys and has someone adjust her robes and take off some of her accessories.
(Y/n) smiled kindly. "Thanks, Bobby, but you don't have to-"
"You really are an angel, (Y/N). But I promise you that everything is fine and I can manage it well. As long as you are with the boys." Bobby said, reassuring the worried girl of his capabilities.
"So, to celebrate, I booked you all a week-long staycation at the fanciest, most exclusive relaxation resort in Korea." As a reward for the success and topping the charts yet again, Bobby organised a staycation at a fancy resort for them. But they promptly denied it.
The boys exchanged glances.
"Sorry, Bobby. We've already got the hottest ticket in town."
"To our couch! Couch! Couch!"
"Bobby, you should go enjoy the resort. This tour has been grueling for everyone." Rumi said to their manager.
"Yeah. You deserve it." (Y/N) Continues as she agrees with what Rumi said to Bobby.
"Me? Ah, no. I couldn't possibly." He tried to deny it at first but accepted it in the end. "Just kidding. Robe me. I'm a 34 short. See you in a couple weeks, boys and (Y/N)!" Since the resort is now available, Rumi states that he should go to the resort instead. Bobby promptly got a robe and face mask on.
"Bye, Bobby!" All four of them greet the manager with farewells.
As he left, he paused. "(Y/n), you okay? You look pale." Bobby questions, pausing her exit to follow the boys. Granted she didn't feel all that fine the past few days but since she didn't want any to worry about it due to it may have been over work and the stress for the concert.
"Yeah, I feel fine, it may have just been the over workload and the stress. But I promise to get some rest." (Y/N) smiled brightly in order to assure Bobby and the other staff members behind him. (Y/N) then caught up with the boys on their way out.
The group left, excited for two weeks off. "All right. Two weeks of vacation."
"Yes. Vacations." Rumi said while smiling deceptively like he was up to something the others didn't know about.
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In the middle of Seoul Korea is a building owned by Hunrix themselves. If it was not obvious to the giant Huntrix logo brightly lit on top of the tower. This was the home of the members of the Huntrix but what the public doesn't know is that this was also the home of (Y/n), who just lived below the top penthouse.
The elevator opened to show all three boys still in their robes arriving home. While (Y/n) went home first to change clothing.
"Mmm! I can't wait to eat kimbap and stare at the ceiling." Miro said dreamily at the prospects of rest and food.
"I already picked a movie for us. It's actually a list of 700 two-second videos to watch, all about turtles." Zane said fast, while in the background Rumi can be seen hyperfocusing on his phone about something. "Mm-hm."
"Sounds super boring. But (Y/n) loves turtles, I'm so down to watch with her here."
"Let's do this." Rumi said gleefully as he pressed the button that said 'launch' on his phone screen, where a new album cover of all three members of the Huntrix wearing black armor with golden chain accessories. While (Y/n) was positioned besides Rumi on the cover was dressed in an all white tube top and high waisted skirt with a gold jacket that resembles the jacket worn by the boys but only it was cropped and it also features her signature wings behind her ears and the tips of the wings were colored blue, purple, and pink to represent the three boys in her life. A new single by Huntrix featuring (Y/n) was released to the public, a new song entitled 'Golden'.
Rumi then went to their vast giant walk-in closet where all their previous concert and hunting outfits were all stored. He stops in front of four specific outfits that were worn by the four in the cover of the song. "It's time." He said, smirking to himself.
"Couch! Couch! Couch!" Chanted by both Miro and Zane while holding various foods towards their couch in front of a floor to ceiling window overlooking the city. As they plop down on the most comfortable couch they have. Both sighed in relief as the tiresome weight already had been lifted from their shoulders. "Couch!"
"Ah, yeah. That's the stuff."
Rumi's head was then seen lifting behind the couch with a giant smile on his face. "Hey. Have a good break?"
"Huh?" Both boys relaxing on the couch were baffled by what Rumi just asked them.
"What? No. We literally just sat down!" Miro declared.
As Rumi then further stood up on his two feet making his costume more visible to the other two boys and even smiled wider. "Why are you in your new costume?"
"Rumi, you didn't." The two tried to convince Rumi but in reality they were convincing themselves that their rest was not interrupted.
"Did you announce the new single?" Miro had this annoyed look on his face.
"The promo starts tomorrow - - tonight?" While Zane looked like he was about to cry.
As Rumi showed the boys their own costumes to wear, both tried to convince Rumi to let them have their break.
"But the pajamas! Time alone with (Y/n). But no! No!."
Both boys were now sobbing and crying out 'No' but knowing their leader it was already too late and they could kiss their vacation time bye bye. The elevator doors open only for (Y/n) to come in her white nightgown as she was looking at her phone, her angel wings on the sides of her head were visible since it indicates comfortability with the boys.
"Hey! Ugh, guys did you know someone had leaked the promotion and the song for Golden on social media?" She query the boys only to meet all three dressed in their 'Golden' outfits, with both Miro and Zane slumped down and crying behind a smiling Rumi, who was also holding up (Y/n)'s own 'Golden' jacket, tube top and skirt.
"Well, I'm out. I seem to forget that I left the stove on. I should probably go home." (Y/n) tried to run out back to the elevator, but a hand on her left shoulder stopped her. She slowly turns her head left to see Rumi's face as chills run down her spine by his unnerving smile towards her.
"Where do you think you're going, (Y/n)?" Rumi demanded from her while he kept on smiling. The silence that followed was frightening to both (Y/n) and the other two boys.
The elevator doors opened once again showing Bobby walking towards the group. Both Miro and Zane were still sobbing while (Y/n) was hugging herself beside Rumi looking traumatized as her wings were still visible, making it so that Bobby will assume it's part of the look.
"Boys, oh! and (Y/n), you won't believe this!"
"Bobby!" Miro uttered dejectedly.
"No more relaxy time!" Zane voiced out down heartedly. While Rumi was standing confidently and smiling, as (Y/n) was quietly standing beside him, traumatized by what just happened.
"Your new single is on fire! Everyone's listening to it." Bobby said frantically happily to the four in front of him. Which caught the attention of the three.
"Yay!" All four of them cheered together.
"So let's go promo!" Bobby then changed into his own version of the 'Golden' outfit consisting of a black blazer with gold design with black slacks.
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A countdown is promoted in every phone of fans waiting for it to reach zero. In the background of the countdown was a gold light surrounding the upper bodies of both Rumi and (Y/n).
"New single?" Everyone in the streets can be seen excited for the new single to be released.
"New Huntrix with (Y/n)?"
In a giant screen in the middle of the street the music video starts to play. The lyrics song of redemption, friendship, and rising from the dark. All four ran into the light together.
Rumi, laying down on a bed with a golden streak from a semi opened door hitting his face. Miro, seated in a window seal as golden light comes from the sky. Zane, leaning against school lockers as golden light shines from the windows.
(Y/n), curled up in a corner in a room filled with nothing but darkness, with her head hiding in her lap hugging her knees, as a golden light comes from above.
All four of them, with the golden light from the sun shines on them as they freely drive, with Miro as the driver, Zane in the passenger seat, and both Rumi and (Y/n) seated in the back seat.
As fans eagerly wait for the start of the music video, the whole crowd counts down in Korean from 5...
~"I was a ghost, I was alone (hah). 어두워진 (Eoduwojin) (hah), 압길 속에 (apgil soge) (ah)"~
~"Given the throne, I didn't know how to believe. I was the queen that I'm meant to be (oh)"~
~"I lived two lives, tried to play both sides. But I couldn't find my own place (oh, oh)"~
"~Called a problem child, 'cause I got too wild. But now that's how I'm gettin' paid, 끝없이 (kkeuteopsi) on stage"~
~"I'm done hidin', now I'm shinin'. Like I'm born to be"~
~"We dreamin' hard, we came so far. Now I believe"~
As the video shows each of the boys having a door opened to them as they are guided by the golden light. While (Y/n) was shown that golden light fills the empty space but then the light was blocked by three figures, she lifts her head up to see all the boys with their hands reaching out to her. Blinded by the golden light behind the boys, she could still see them smiling down at her, renewed by this she took the hand in the middle while the other two helped her stand. As all four of them ran into the light Together as one.
~"We're goin' up, up, up, it's our moment. You know together we're glowin'. Gonna be, gonna be golden"~
Multiple tweets are then shown talking about how amazing the new single, how amazing Huntriz is, how unbelievable it is to feature (Y/n) in a different light with her angel wings looking more realistic on her, and then fans debating whose hand (Y/n) took. "You see my head bobbing?"
~"Oh, up, up, up with our voices. 영원히 깨질 수 없는 (Yeongwonhi kkaejil su eomneun). Gonna be, gonna be golden"~
"Tell us about that new single?" A live interview set up in public where both the Huntrix and (Y/n) talks about their new collaboration song.
"Golden. It's the story of us." Miro started
"It's a song about who we are, and where we're going next." "As well as how our friendship will continue to stay strong." Both Rumi and (Y/n) continued.
"And the first live performance is tonight!" Zane said excitedly as a presentation behind them emphasized the first live performance of Golden.
"It's the beginning of a new chapter for us."
~"Oh, I'm done hidin', now I'm shinin'. Like I'm born to be. Oh, our time, no fears, no lies. That's who we're born to be"~
Thousands of fans chanted and cheered in front of the building of World Cable News for the upcoming performance.
"For the whole world. We're so excited to show you what's next."
Bobby double checked everything with the staff so that the live performance will be perfect.
Miro and Zane in their shared dressing room can be seen laughing and taking selfies with each other.
But with (Y/n) and Rumi in two seperate dressing rooms. Can be seen upset about something.
~"Waited so long to break these walls down. To wake up and feel like me"~
(Y/n) hunched over the table sadly looking into the mirror in front of her and lifting one her feathers to see some already turned black, as Rumi leaned against the wall between him and the other boys wearing a robe looking dejected. As he walked towards the mirror letting go of the robe his demonic purple patterns showed around his arms and chest, (Y/n) slowly pulling down her skirt to show her lower neval a different kind of red demonic patterns can be shown.
~"Put these patterns all in the past now. And finally live like the boy they all see"~
~"No more hidin', I'll be shinin'. Like I'm born to be"~
With a deep breath from the both of them and renewed strength, fixing their appearances. Both went out of their dressing room to see each other and (Y/n) holding her hand out to Rumi. Which he took and faced her while lovinly looking her in the eye, silently communicating to one another and smiling together.
~"'Cause we are hunters, voices strong. And I know I believe"~
~"We're goin' up, up, up, it's our moment. You know together we're glowin'. Gonna be, gonna be golden. Oh, up, up, up with our voices. 영원히 깨질 수 없는 (Yeongwonhi kkaejil su eomneun). Gonna be, gonna be golden"~
All four of them can be seen practising their live performance as fans continue to cheer from outside the station.
"(Y/n) and Rumi's voice!"
"I can't wait to hear them both live!"
Bobby with the camera crew and the other staff can be seen also dancing to the new song. Because of that he also accidentally hit a nearby camera man. "Ah, sorry."
~"Oh, I'm done hidin', now I'm shinin'. Like I'm born to be -"
Rumi was surprised to choke during his singing so he tried to clear his throat. As for (Y/n), she suddenly felt a burst of pain in her abdominal area and put an arm around it but stopped as she covered her pain, so that no one from the boys would be worried.
"You okay?" Miro asked in concern for Rumi, as Zane looked worried also with Rumi none of them saw (Y/n) quickly holding abdomen in pain.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Let's take it again. From the top." Rumi tried to convince everyone that he was okay.
~"Oh, I'm done hidin', now I'm shinin'. Like I'm born to be -"
All four of them started the practice from the top to perfect the performance for the fans with Bobby still dancing in front of them. Rumi once again coughed out of nowhere as the music stopped.
"Um, Rumi, are you okay? Do you need some water?" Bobby asked out of concern to one of the boys he considers as one of his own.
Rumi, still shocked about his voice choking, can't accept it until he remembers about his patterns. "I just need five. I'm gonna take five." He said before walking out of the stage.
"Five minutes? We go live in ten!" A concerned female station staff said.
Both Miro and Zane looked at one another in worry but (Y/n) was already looking in worry to the direction Rumi went.
"I'll go with him, Bobby, just to check on him." (Y/n) announced as she ran after Rumi before anyone could say something, she was already gone.
"Okay, I can handle this. I'm not having a nervous breakdown. Visualized there's not 10,000 fans at the door screaming and sounding scary." Bobby trying to convince himself while smiling nervously.
"Mayday! There's 10,000 fans at the door screaming and sounding scary!" Two security guards, afraid for their lives, said into their walkie talkies as fans surrounding them kept on screaming and wanting to go inside of the station. Both guards were hugging each other for protection against the fans, one of them even took a picture for evidence for hazard pay.
Rumi ran back to his dressing room removing the harness between his jacket, as he slowly walked to the mirror pulling down the zipper in his tight white shirt. Rumi was shocked to see that the patterns increased, growing towards his throat.
"My voice? Ah, no. No." Breathing heavily he couldn't accept with what's happening.
A knock was heard from his door. "Rumi, is everything okay? Is it about that?" (Y/n) asked genuinely concerned since she knew about his patterns.
Rumi looked back at himself in the mirror and hastily fixed his outfit back. "I'm okay, (Y/n). I promise, I just need time for myself."
"Oh, okay. I'll tell Bobby and the others then." She said hesitantly, putting her hands and forehead on the door that separates her and Rumi. "Rumi, you know that I'm always here for you about anything. I'll always be here for you." She said before walking away to inform the others that the live performance needs to be cancelled and rescheduled.
Unknown to (Y/n) and the others, Rumi had left the station by the emergency exit, conveniently avoiding the eyes of the crowd of fans. As Rumi began to run away from everyone, from the pain, from the loneliness, and from everything.
He began to remember a memory from his childhood that he tried to repress. A song he was thought to sing whenever he felt like he was letting everyone down and that his fears and weaknesses are showing. He could hear his younger self sing echoing in his ear.
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~"We are Hunters, voices strong."~
~"Slaying demons with our song."~
A young Rumi singing in front of a grave while Celine made braids around his hair.
~"Fix the world and make it right."~
~"When darkness finally meets the light."~
"Celine, do Hunters kill all demons?" A young Rumi asked as his little mind contemplated the meaning and words of the song.
"So everything that has patterns?" He asked as he lifted up his sleeve to show two purple patterns on his right arm.
"Cover those up. You only have those because-" She said while fixing young Rumi's sleeve to hide the patterns.
"You're not one of them, Rumi. You're a Hunter, like your mother was." Both of them looked to the grave stone in front of them. "When the Honmoon is sealed, all demons will be gone from this world. And so will your patterns."
"Yes. Those will be gone. Rumi... tomorrow there's someone I want you to meet, my daughter. She will be living with us starting tomorrow and I want you to be kind to her."
A young Rumi naively believed in what she said, now is more determined to seal up the Honmoon. While excited to meet someone that can be potentially a friend.
"Rumi, this is (Y/n). She's an angel, protector of the Hunters and the world. Angels have existed even before Hunters were known. She will be living with us from now on." Celine explained as she had her hands on the shoulder of a 10 year old (Y/n).
Rumi was in aw when he saw (Y/n) with wings on her head while dressed in a cute floral white dress. "Hi, I'm (Y/n). It's very nice to meet you Rumi. I... I hope we can be the best of friends." She said while holding her little hands out to Rumi for a handshake which he was hesitant to take since he was flustered with how cute (Y/n) was.
"Me... Me too. Let's be best friends." He said as (Y/n) smiled and giggled at him.
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Rumi kept on running and running even passing by the arena where their last concert was held.
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Rumi as a teenage boy leaning against his bedroom door covering his growing patterns. Behind the door was Miro and Zane asking him to accompany them to the bath house.
"You always say no, Rumi." Zane complained
"You're so modest. It's just the bathhouse. (Y/n), I can understand since she's a girl but..." Miro was his usual sarcastic self.
"Maybe some other time. You guys go ahead."
"Everytime." "Mm-hm." Both Miro and Zane sighed but went to the bath house anyway.
Celine was seated on the kitchen island reading the newspaper in the Huntrix home. Rumi, knowing that the boys were now gone, wanted to ask her something that was weighing on his mind.
"Maybe they'll understand. Like (Y/n) did." He inquired about telling the boys.
"No, Rumi. Nothing can change until your patterns are gone. And (Y/n) she's different from the boys." She firmly said looking him in the eyes.
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As Rumi reached the rooftop of one of the tallest buildings in korea. Breathing heavily and feeling restrictive by his jacket, taking it off and dropping it behind him. As he walked towards the edge of the building overlooking the city of Seoul. He tried to sing again.
~"No more hiding, I'll be shining."~
He was trying so hard to sing out his heart.
~"Cause we are Hunters, voices strong."~
~"And I know I believe!"~
But try as he may, his voice just kept on breaking into coughs. He couldn't help but cry out his heart. As he dropped into his knees triggering the Honmoon to shine.
"How am i supposed to fix the world, fix me, protect (Y/n), when I don't have my voice?" He tried to ask someone for an answer to his questions.
"Why now, when (Y/n) and me are so close?" As the Honmoon continue to shine in it's bright blue hue. Rumi can feel the rising frustrations building inside of him.
"Why?" He asks, feeling helpless. Which didn't feel right for him.
"WHY?!" Rumi's voice turned for the first time demonic as he punched into the ground in anger as a red streak began to flow around the Honmoon. Shocked by what he saw he couldn't breathe normally afraid of what may come as the Honmoon returned back to its normal colors. But the hunting voice of his child self began to sing reminding him of his duty.
~"We are Hunters, voices strong."~
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Rumi covered himself back with his jacket due to the cold temperature as the elevator doors to their home opened. Where he was greeted with Miro and Zane waiting for him. Words didn't need to be said as the both of them comforted Rumi, who let out a sigh of relief. But then, noticed someone was missing.
"Where's (Y/n)?" He asked the other two.
"She's not with you?" Miro asked Rumi in concern.
"She went after you, after she informed everyone that the live performance needed to be rescheduled." Zane informed Rumi as the familiar ding from the elevator doors shows a concerned (Y/n) hugging herself.
"Guys, did Rumi come hom- Rumi!" (Y/n) sighed in relief and hugged Rumi. As he hugged back, Rumi couldn't help but hugged her tighter and inhaled her comforting scent, which caused the other two boys feeling left out and jealous joined in the hugging session. But what the boys didn't notice was how uncomfortable and in pain she was.
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Previously back to the station...
As (Y/n) walked back to the stage area and went towards where Bobby was.
"Bobby, we need to reschedule the live performance. Rumi isn't feeling well and I don't think it's best for him to push himself right now." She said firmly to Bobby and to nearby station staff.
"But... But. No. You are right (Y/n). My boy's health comes first." Bobby was surprised at first at what she said but knowing that the boys and (Y/n) are his top priority agreed with her. But then one of the male staff came running in and stopped in front of Bobby and (Y/n), as he took a deep breath and spoke.
"Rumi is gone. It seems like he went out of the emergency exit."
"What?" Both Zane and Miro said as they walked near to Bobby and (Y/n) as they heard what the male staff said.
"Rumi is gone? Then what about the live performance?" Zane asked.
"It's going to be rescheduled. Bobby, I trust that you can handle things here? Miro and Zane, both of you go back to the tower and wait for Rumi there if he comes home." (Y/n) gave them tasks as she tried to walk towards a different exit only to be stopped by a hand grabbing her wrist, and it was Miro.
"Wait. What about you (Y/n)? What are you going to do?" He asked in concern for her well being.
"I'm going to look for him. I have been with him since we were kids, I know him better than anyone else." She said to Miro as she put her hands on his to let him know that she will be fine on her own.
"I promise that if I don't find him within the hour. I'll come back home." She assured him and her smile. As Miro let her go he couldn't help but felt something would go wrong but trusted her too much to stop her.
As (Y/n) ran around nearby places where Rumi could have gone. Minutes had already passed as she stopped to rest in a deserted park and sat on a bench. She couldn't help but think back to her and Celine have a serious talk about Rumi's patterns.
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As Rumi walked back to his room and locked himself there for the rest of the evening until the boys returned back from their trip to the bathhouse. (Y/n) showed herself to Celine who was still reading the newspaper.
"You know Celine, if you could give the boys a chance. I believe they would still accept Rumi for who he is."
"We already discussed this (Y/n). When Rumi was born with the patterns I made a promise to her that I would love and protect Rumi. You would know that since you were there." A memory flashed of Celine holding the hands of Rumi's mother, the woman she loved and took her last breath. While an older (Y/n) who silently cried over the loss of one of her friends, was sitting at the side of the bed lovingly holding a baby Rumi in her arms.
"I know that very well. But you could never know how deep a friendship like theirs could overcome."
"Then what about you? When are you going to open up that an Angel like yourself has lived for over a thousand years. And when one Hunter die's it's time for you to be reborn as an infant." Celine countered back to what (Y/n) just said. As silence fills the place, Celine already knows the answer to her question.
"Rumi's patterns must be hidden from the boys and your secret must be kept only between us for your safety. You and I both know the value of your soul." Celine said as she left the Hunrix tower to go back home.
And (Y/n) couldn't help but lay down on the couch, thinking about what Celine just said and she rested her right hand on her navel.
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As (Y/n) stood up from the bench thinking of going back to the tower and waiting for Rumi there with the others. A sudden burst of pain made her kneel to the ground and wrap her right arm around her abdomen and her left hand dig into the ground. Suddenly the pain vanished but with shaky hands (Y/n) reached into the left pocket of her skirt to retrieve her compact mirror, only to see some of her feathers from her wings were turning black.
"No. No. No. No" (Y/n) was starting to panic as she tried to block out the noise.
"Please, no. I thought I was free from him. Please." (Y/n) couldn't take it anymore.
"NO!" Just like Rumi, (Y/n) pounded both her hands onto the ground. A powerful surge of red streak flowed throughout the Honmoon before it returned back to its normal color.
(Y/n) Still shocked by what happened just let it go and dusted herself off and went to the direction of the Huntrix tower to go back home.
As the elevator zoomed up to the highest floor, (Y/n) couldn't help but felt cold and hugged herself. When the doors opened she was surprised to see Rumi already there. (Y/n) sighed in relief and hugged Rumi, as the other two boys joined in for the hug she suddenly felt the pain resurfaced once again but hid it from the boys.
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After the hugging session between the boys and (Y/n), Miro and Zane had let Rumi and (Y/n) change their Golden outfit to comfort wear, where Miro lent her one of his shirts since the boys didn't want to part yet with (Y/n). All of them are now seated in the dining room eating homemade garak-guksu, a thick noodle soup made by (Y/n) herself.
"I... I'm sorry about the show." Rumi didn't have any appetite despite his favorite being anything that (Y/n) cooks for him.
"Rumi, it's okay. I'm sure everything will be fine. Bobby can handle it" Zane being the ever positive one in the group, comforted Rumi knowing that they all put each other first before anything else. Until his phone rang with Bobby calling him.
"Boys, I can't handle this!" Bobby expressed his concerns and stress in a very unfortunate time.
"There's thousands of disappointed fans, and the network is losing their minds." Because of what Bobby just said to the phone, it made Rumi even more guilty for causing unnecessary trouble for their manager. (Y/n) seeing this reached out and held his left hand to show him comfort.
"Okay, this is why you pay me 3% and I got commissions for representing (Y/n). Okay, back off! My boys and (Y/n) will sing when they're ready." Bobby finds courage to fight back at what is presumed to be staff from the network. Miro having enough of it ended the call seeing that it only hurts Rumi more.
"It's okay. We can reschedule another live show within days."
"I... I don't know if that's going to be possible. My voice, it's in trouble." Rumi hated having to say that knowing that Hunters are supposed to never show their weakness.
"Wait, in trouble? Then why did you push the 'Golden' release?" Miro genuinely asked Rumi for the reason for their vacation to be cancelled.
"Because we're so close, and it's so important." Giving out his reason for releasing it early despite promising the boys their well deserved break.
"But not as important as your health, Rumi. You... All three of you are important to me... To each other. So we shouldn't prioritise our duty over wellbeing." (Y/n) Said firmly to each boy but mostly especially to Rumi as she squeezed the hand she was holding.
"Okay, how do we handle this?" Zane wanted eagerly to help Rumi both out of care but also of concern that without Rumi's voice the Honmoon could be in danger and how it is important to Rumi as well.
"What do we tell the fans? Maybe we should call Celine?" Zane suggested.
"We know what she'd say, Zane." Miro rolling his eyes at the memory.
"Oh, right." Clearing his throat.
"We are hunters. Voices strong. Your faults and fears must never be seen." Both boys imitated the way Celine repeatedly said to them during their training days. Laughing at the absurdity of how many times they heard that line.
"Whoa. You sound exactly like her." Miro complemented Zane for his imitations.
"Yeah, that's how she says it."
"No. We gotta hide it and fix it." Miro suddenly said to Rumi in seriousness.
"For sure. We have to hide it. Mm-hm." Zane totally agreed with what Miro said. Rumi thinks about what they can do as he looked at (Y/n) eating peacefully and was there as a calming presence for each of them.
"Rumi, why don't we take a break? We'll skip the Idol Awards this year and-" Zane suggested knowing that the stress and over work is maybe getting to Rumi. Who then cut him off. "No. No way."
"It's our most important show. It's when we strengthen the Honmoon for the entire year. And where (Y/n) will be able to ward off all demons with her light. We can't skip it. we just can't." Rumi is resolute and will not waver on it. Due to the significance of the Idol Awards to the Honmoon.
"Not when I'm so close." Miro and Zane shared a look then looked at (Y/n) who was looking at Rumi with sadness in her eyes, also looked at both boys and gave them a nod with a small smile.
"Hey, we'll get through this. We can get through anything. Together." Zane said, putting a comforting hand on Rumi's right shoulder.
"Okay. We have two weeks to fix Rumi's voice. Any ideas?" Miro voiced out while looking at Zane knowing that the youngest male had already thought of something.
"Actually, 57, but let's start with my favorite. Don't worry. It's totally legit." With that final declaration of Zane. Dinner turned lighter, filled with laughter and warm conversation. Afterward, they cleaned up and parted ways for bed.
As each of them departed towards their respective rooms, (Y/n) couldn't help but wonder how to talk with Rumi about his patterns and maybe it was time for her to open up to the boy's but before (Y/n) would even think of it more.
But before she could dwell on it, a ripple of energy pulsed through the Honmoon. The elevator dinged. She ran to the window. No visible cracks or rifts.
"Must be fatigue," she whispered and went to bed, knowing she'd be joining the boys trip tomorrow before her scheduled variety show that Bobby reminded her.
Unbeknownst to the sleeping Hunters and the lone Angel, red cracks silently formed in the Honmoon and through the gap stepped five demons, cloaked in black hanbok and wide-brimmed gat, resembling ancient jeoseung saja, grim reapers of legend.
For them to enter into the human world to fulfill their evil plan to dominate the world.
But perhaps the world wasn't their true target...