Patina (Hypnovember 2025, Day 14, Voice | Song)
The cheers had stopped. That was the first clue to Mira that something was wrong. The fans had gotten behind HUNTR/X at they had fought the hordes of demons, together again. They had cheered wildly as Rumi had dealt the killing blow to Gwi-ma. But now there was an uncomfortable silence. She was sure she could hear the fans breathing.
"We did it," Zoey exclaimed, out of breath. Her usual enthusiasm was replaced by a tired sense of accomplishment. "The rainbow honmoon is in place. The demons have been banished!"
Mira gripped her Gok-do tightly, her eyes narrowing as she focused on her bandmate Rumi. Rumi was facing the stage where she had slain Gwi-ma, her sword at her side, her purple braid trailing down her back.
The exposed demonic patterns on her arms and neck pulsed bright pink. The fingers closed around her sword were dark and… inhuman.
Rumi turned slowly, and even though Mira feared the worst, she was still shocked. Her friend's eyes blazed yellow, twin suns in the dark arena. Her skin had taken on a sickly inhuman pallor. Worst of all was the smile, a sinister, seductive grin that sent chills down Mira's back.
Zoey gasped audibly. "No, it can't be," she whispered, fighting back tears.
"When did they get to you?" Mira sneered. Despite her tough demeanor, her palms were slick with sweat.
Rumi let out a hollow laugh. "They didn't have to," she said, her voice taking on a stringent demonic tone. "I accidentally took Celine's soul. She reached out for me and it was instinct. Effortless. And she was gone. She was like a mother to us, and I reaped her soul, and I couldn't even cry for her, I couldn't feel remorse. Then I knew you were right about me. I'm a monster, and I always have been."
Mira approached Rumi carefully, holding her weapon high. Zoey flanked her holding her knives, but Mira could see she was scared out of her mind. Mira was too, just better at hiding it.
"We're still your friends, Rumi," Zoey said, her voice shaky. "You can fight this. We can help you."
Rumi laughed angrily under her breath. "Like you tried to help me backstage at the award show? Standing with your weapons drawn, just like now? Funny way of showing it." The smile returned to her face, making Mira uneasy. "Why would I fight this? Though you're right, you are gonna help me."
Rumi began to sing. Her fellow hunters were of course familiar with the sound on a near daily basis. But this was the first time Rumi's voice was being used as a weapon against them.
I broke into a million pieces, and I can't go back
Zoey heard it. All those people who say you're too much for them. Those people who think you're not talented because you're just the rapper, and they don't know you write the lyrics they sing along to. You should show them. Show them what too much really is. We'll do it. Together. She shook her head, trying to clear it, as her thoughts slowed and her pupils dilated.
But now I'm seeing all the beauty in the broken glass
Mira heard it too. Rumi's voice, inside her head. I know all your secrets. You don't have anywhere else to turn to, Mira. You should be at my side. No, you should grovel at my feet. It had been bad enough to have Gwi-ma in her head. But this was Rumi. She was like a sister. And she knew where to thrust the knife, and just how hard to twist it.
The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony
Fans. Dozens of them crawled onto the catwalks, closing in on Zoey and Mira, and getting between them. Their eyes were full of crazed adoration. Their smiling faces chanted Rumi's name. Zoey backed up in horror, her sluggish body refusing to move with the urgency required. These are people, I can't kill them! Rumi's voice boomed through the arena even as it slithered through her mind. I know you're tired, Zoey. Just let it go. The honmoon has sealed the demons, that was always our goal. So why are you still fighting? A hand grabbed her wrist, and Zoey screamed, her mind unraveling.
My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like
Mira pulled Zoey away from the throng of clamoring fans. She shook her head. Rumi was corrupting this beautiful song, twisting its meaning. But she was already a demon when we sang it — was this always what it meant? What were the lies? With a stiff shoulder charge, she repelled some attackers, clearing a path to her former friend. She needed to get to Rumi, to free her from her demonic side. One way or another. Always so headstrong, sister. I'd like to see you try.
Rumi watched with glee, her eyes blazing, as Mira approached, dragging Zoey behind her. Let's see if you've got the guts, Mira. To kill one of the the only people who's ever loved you. Rumi's words taunted Mira in her head. Stop talking! Mira raised her weapon. She was only going to get one chance at this. "Zoey! Snap out of it, I need your help!"
Mira started to swing the Gok-do. If they timed this right, Zoey could throw a shin-kal to distract Rumi, allowing Mira to get in a blow. And if Rumi deflected it, Zoey could close on her and get in a shot at close range. Zoey stood expresionless at Mira's flank, slightly behind, the shin-kal's blade flashing in the darkness.
The plan seemed solid, until Mira felt pain in her ribs.
Mira dropped the Gok-do with a loud clang as she fell to the ground, confused. She looked up to see Zoey, in tears, her eyes glassy and vacant, holding a shin-kal knife dripping with her blood. "No, Zoey. Don't do this," she said through a pained grimace.
"Zoey's not home right now," Rumi purred. "She heard the song, and now she's joined the chorus, where she belongs."
"Don't do this to her, Rumi," Mira grunted as she held her bleeding side. "Not to Zoey. Let her go."
Rumi cackled. "Still trying to act tough. I'll make you a deal, Mira. You know my kind loves deals. Join me willingly, and I'll release Zoey from my control."
Mira's eyes darted from Zoey, to Rumi, and back to Zoey. The younger girl's hands were shaking with fear. No. With resolve. Zoey was trying to fight off Rumi's voice in her head. And losing.
Rumi rubbed her hands together. "Perfect. It will be good for us to be together again. Zoey, you are free to leave if you wish."
Zoey stopped struggling as her mind cleared. Her blank expression curled into a wicked smile. "No," she said, her voice altered. "I don't want to leave."
The patterns began to appear on Zoe's skin, which was turning a pale blue. The patterns traveled her skin like lightning, a dazzling purple, as pleasure coursed through her body. As she exhaled into a sigh, her dark eyes turned yellow with demonic presence.
"Zoey." Mira cried, as she too abandoned hope.
"Oh, Mira," Zoey said in mock sympathy. "Good news Korea, HUNTR/X is about to get back together. For good." Zoey let out a cruel laugh, as she started to drain Mira's soul, sealing both their fates.