Chapter Text
Tiger purred as Jinu sat under a decaying tree, the demon realm’s sky a dark, jagged purple, indicating Gwi-Ma’s current mood: angry and hungry. He always was angry and hungry these days, Jinu mused to himself, gently stroking Tiger’s soft striped fur, as Bird slept softly nested in the tree above. A rumble of thunder echoed.
Jinu sighed, gaze moving up to the sky. How long had it been since he had seen white fluffy clouds, or felt a warm breeze on his cheek? Too long, he supposed, and hummed to himself, enjoying the way the vibrations felt in his chest. The sensation always made him want to sing.
Singing was his one peace, his one joy. Here, time seemed to never move. No sunshine. No birdsong. No rise or fall of the sun. Only Gwi-Ma’s presence changed the environment, like a stone dropped into water, rippling outward, distorting the surface, everything it touched. Gwi-Ma made the air itself feel thicker, like the notes his sang had to be pushed through a molasses.
Still, it never stopped him, and Jinu’s hum turned into a small song, one he sang often, but couldn’t quite recall where he had learned it, he knew it was from when he was human, but couldn’t place it exactly. It wasn’t from his mother, the pain of her memory didn’t taint the song.
“A dying king with a crumbling crown…”
Jinu continued to sing, quietly to himself, wishing he could remember when Tiger suddenly perked up, head tilted toward the misty violet woods.
“That sounds nice,” a voice called and Jinu immediately became alert, the song dying in his throat. He stood, warily as a shadowed figure moved toward him.
The demon in front of Jinu stood confidently, arms crossed with a small smile on his face, “You don’t hear that often here.”
Jinu assessed the demon in front of him. He was big, his crossed arms accentuating his biceps, long claws not fully extended, almost lazily sheathed, as if the demon didn’t truly see Jinu as a threat. His eyes glowed gold, the same as Jinu’s own. Then, to Jinu’s surprise, the demon copied his song, just a few notes. But the demon’s voice was beautiful.
“You know this song?” Jinu couldn’t help but ask, totally suprised.
“I don’t, but I like it.”
Jinu hummed.
“Kinda reminds me of what I used to read in books, like a siren, in the Odyssey.”
Jinu wasn’t sure what this demon was referring to, but they weren’t fighting, and it didn’t seem like this demon was even interested in a fight. He seemed bored. Jinu could relate.
“Anyway, I’m just passing through, heading back for my new assignment.”
Jinu hummed again, “I am too, but, I’m taking my time to get the next one.”
“You just sit here? And Gwi-Ma just let’s you?” The demon’s voice was tinged in doubt. “How does he not know?”
Jinu shrugged, and decided to resume his sitting position, “I’ve never gotten in trouble for it. Maybe he knows, maybe he doesn’t. But I don’t think he cares.”
The demon eyed him, and took a step closer. “That's your tiger?”
At the word “Tiger”, the big cat immediately stood up to walk over the other demon, eyes unblinking.
“I think he likes me,” the demon said, amusement, something almost with an undercurrent of glee could be heard in the demon’s voice, making Jinu study him carefully once more. Tiger head bumped the demon as the clawed hands gently stroked his head.
After a long pause filled with Tiger’s purring, Jinu spoke.
“So you like music?”
“Sure, not sure who wouldn’t. Maybe Gwi-Ma doesn’t like it. But I guess everyone else does. Humans especially nowadays.”
“Nowadays?”
“You know, kpop- pop music. Everyone knows about it…You really haven’t taken a mission in a long time huh.”
“No I haven’t,” Jinu replied, intrigued at the words, pop music. Kpop. He wanted to know more. An idea formed. Jinu summoned his bipa, and the demon in front of him jolted slightly back, surprised at the moment and Tiger rumbled in disapproval at the lack of pets. Jinu played a few notes. “What are you called?”
“Other demons call me Abby,” the demon replied, “Probably because I’m a lot bigger than a bunch of them,” Abby flexed, emphasizing his point.
“Hmm,” Jinu was more occupied with his instrument, “I think I should head back for my new mission too, it’s probably time.”
Abby shrugged, “Sure.” With that Abby disappeared into the mist and Jinu couldn’t help but feel they would cross paths again.
Returning to the colorful human realm always made Jinu’s eyes hurt. But it made his ears happy. The world was a kaleidoscope of song; man made carriages, cars, rumbled heavy and clanking, construction workers clattering, wind chimes on doors chaotically echoing in the breeze, Neon signs advertising beautiful people with beautiful things in their hands. Radios played half forgotten songs while laughter spilled from busy cafes. It did not take long for Jinu to complete his mission, finding a large group of souls to harvest for Gwi-Ma gathered watching a street show.
The happy, bubblegum-like songs made Jinu harvest the souls to their beat, and then, the idea came to him. A mission, where he could spend a good amount of time in the human realm, unsupervised by Gwi-Ma. One with an excuse that even Gwi-Ma couldn’t challenge. He would need to find some musically inclined demons. Demons who were ambitious like him, but able to follow as well.
It took time, but slowly, Jinu found what he was looking for.
A near silent demon, with a small, harmonic-like voice. He heard him in the waterfalls near his tree. The demon had long hair covering his eyes, but he nodded when Jinu approached him with his plan. No questions, just quiet agreement. Mystery.
Then a demon all of the other demons never approached. Once a human prince, now fallen and cast down like the rest. A servant of Gwi-Ma like all others. However, none approached him because of his unearthly beauty, making everyone wary in his presence. He smiled when he agreed to Jinu’s plan, but the smile did not quite reach his eyes. Romance.
Then, Abby returned one day, having heard about Jinu’s movements, curious about his plan. Imposing, well-muscled, impulsive. He cracked his knuckles with a small smirk, “You’ll need someone to keep you all from dying.” Fury wrapped in loyalty.
Finally, a demon with a voice so deep, it echoed in other demon’s ribs. Jinu knew after hearing him speak only once. Unassuming, with large eyes and a small smile that made you lean in when he looked at you. Baby.
Even after gathering the demons, it again took time to form an actual cohesive group. But the work paid off. Jinu drilled them in singing, while Baby took to the new art form of rapping, adding a dimension Jinu didn’t even consider, but it only strengthened the group. Mystery took on the choreography, leading the group to synchronicity.
Jinu wanted his memories gone. He wanted to return to the human world without them haunting him, without the echo of his mistakes in every note he sang. He was ready to move on.
The weight of his shame always pulled down his shoulders, coiling in his spine like a phantom he couldn't exorcise. Each memory was a thread tied to his past, to Gwi-Ma, to the things he’d done and the things he hadn’t stopped.
Letting them go wasn’t forgetting. It was survival.
______
Thousands of fans’ cheers fill the stadium as Rumi peeks her head through the curtain off the side of the stage looking out. The lightsticks move in synchronization as the fanchants roar echoing the Huntrix names. Rumi can’t help but smile seeing how excited their fans are, everything they’ve done has been for them, the fighting, the performing, the Honmoon.
Despite the excitement and happiness that Rumi felt she couldn’t help but feel the familiar pang in her chest that she’s been feeling for weeks now rise again. She sighs closing the curtain, turning around seeing Bobby walking around talking to the stage crew making sure everything is perfect.
He sees her and smiles brightly at her rushing toward her, “Rumi! Are you ready for the greatest comeback since those stinky Saja Boys have finally left?”
She knew that Bobby didn’t mean to cause her pain but hearing the name of the group that had caused so many problems. Jinu…
“Yeah Bobby, I’m ready,” Rumi shakes her head putting the smile back on and Bobby nods satisfied with her answer.
Rumi walks through the backstage, her arms crossed looking down at her patterns, she refuses to be ashamed of them anymore, not when she’s finally accepted herself and all of her faults and weaknesses.
Suddenly she’s pushed forward feeling an arm around her shoulder and she hears Zoey’s excited voice in her ear.
“Rumi! Are you ready to rock and turn this Honmoon gold?” Zoey yells and Rumi chuckles seeing Mira not far behind them, coming to stand on her other side.
Rumi sighs, throwing her own arm around Zoey with a smile, she would never forget making Gwi-Ma go back to his realm, away from causing pain and consuming their fans' souls.
“Of course I am, I’ve been waiting to turn the Honmoon golden since forever,” she gushes and Zoey nods excitedly.
Mira stares at Rumi carefully with a smile on her face but Rumi knows her well enough that she’s thinking of something else.
“All of those demons will be cut off, and they won’t be able to hurt anyone again.” Mira says, Rumi can’t help but notice how she doesn’t insult them as harshly as before, and Rumi nods, that familiar pain coming back.
No matter how hard she tries, she can’t stop the hope that maybe just maybe if they leave the Honmoon that he’ll come back.
She thinks about his smile, his laugh, the comfort she felt being around him, what she would give to be near him again.
No.
He sacrificed himself for her, so that she could defeat Gwi-Ma, he gave her his soul, the warmth she felt underneath the pain she was sure was him, his soul comforting her.
“..mi? Rumi, are you okay?” Zoey's voice comes to her and Rumi blinks looking at her friends, seeing them looking at her worriedly.
“I know that it hurts, but this is what he would want, you to be happy and finish this,” Mira said, laying her hand on Rumi’s shoulder.
She nods giving them a grateful smile standing in a circle with her friends, she knew they would always have her back and she knew that they had to do this, to secure the safety of everyone.
“You’re right, sorry sometimes I just can’t help but think about him,” Rumi says quietly looking at her arms, the patterns shining in the backstage light.
“We know, it’s okay to miss him, I know that you guys got close,” Zoey begins before looking excited again, “I know! We can dedicate this performance to him, just for us, and maybe he’ll feel it knowing that you’re singing for him.”
Rumi smiles, gratefulness filling her at how understanding they were. Every time she’s sung since that night she’s thought of him and how he helped her find her voice again.
“That could work, what do you say Rumi?” Mira asks her, both of her friends looking at her and Rumi can’t help the smile that spreads across her face.
“That sounds perfect.” She says, the three of them standing in a circle holding hands, closing their eyes, Rumi’s eyes flutter closed, the thought of him coming to her hand easily.
“To creating the Golden Honmoon, and to the memories of everything it took to get here,” Mira begins squeezing their hands.
Despite how serious Mira always seemed to be, they all knew how soft she was, especially to her friends, how they became her family when hers turned their backs on her.
“To us being the strongest we’ve ever been! And to the Saja Boys,” Zoey says sighing at the end and Mira grunts slightly at her, Zoey giggles at her reaction. Zoey was always the lighthearted one that they needed to keep them on track and remembering that they were more than being Hunters all of the time.
“What? They were funny sometimes,” She says laughing as Mira nudges her and she nudges them back, Rumi clears her throat giving them an unimpressed look as they both freeze looking at her before they all laugh together.
Slowly they quiet down waiting for Rumi to finish the circle, knowing she’s running out time before they have to go perform, hearing the five minute countdown beginning.
She thinks about the Saja Boys, about Jinu feeling her chest thrumming again and she smiles gently knowing that while she’ll never forget him, she has to continue doing what she loved.
“To Jinu, for helping me see how much more I was than my patterns,” She begins, both of her friends squeezing her hands.
“And to wishing that the Saja Boys could have just one more chance, to do the right thing.”
She doesn’t know why she says it but it feels right, they all open their eyes looking at each other, Zoey and Mira saying nothing about the ending but they smile.
“Are you ready girls?- OH, am I interrupting important girl time?” Bobby says coming around the corner before ducking behind the large box whispering at the end causing the girls to laugh.
“We’re ready Bobby,” Rumi says confidently, somehow their dedication makes everything feel better, like she can breathe again and not feel the immense guilt of failing Jinu.
They make their way to the stage, rising up on platforms one by one, they all decided that Golden was the right song to perform. The cheers get impossibly louder as slowly the spotlights highlight each of the girls.
Smoke appears and they all group together hearing the music begin.
Excitement rushes through her veins as she sings the familiar melody, the music flowing through her. The choreography was perfectly rehearsed and prepared for this, she looks out to the crowd seeing so many faces full of smiles.
Some fans singing along, some dancing in their spots, some just watching as though seeing them perform is the only thing they need.
Rumi feels tears prick her eyes as the girsl dance around her, the movements in perfect sync, through the waves of the Honmoon she sees the ripples turning gold.
She turns to look at the girls excitedly as they continue to perform, hitting the final high note perfectly, the song finding its way to her easily, the final move, the ripples form turning golden as the fans scream as they land their final pose.
They did it.
They turned the Honmoon gold.
______
Standing in the familiar garden that she grew up in, Rumi stands by the tree where Celine would brush her hair as a little girl..
She hasn’t spoken to Celine since that night, remembering how Celine said that she had to continue hiding when all it did was hurt her and her friends.
Her eyes squeezed closed, Celine could barely look at her when her patterns had spread, her body was still full of them but she refused to hide them around Celine anymore.
“We did it!” Zoey yells running to Rumi throwing her arms around her and Rumi chuckles, hugging her friend back as Mira walks in behind her. They grew up here, learned about the Honmoon, trained to be Hunters.
“It’s beautiful,” Mira says as she joins them standing in a line looking out seeing the Golden Honmoon shine, she doesn’t think that she’s ever seen something so beautiful.
“It is, we finished the mission, now the demons can't harm anyone ever again.” Rumi says leaning onto Mira’s shoulder, being the tallest of the three, Mira has always been the unwavering one, the solid one that they could rely on.
“I never would have been able to do this without you girls,” Rumi whispers and a beat passes before the sound of Zoey sniffling fills the air, both of the girls look at her seeing her eyes well up with tears and Rumi and Mira quickly follow suit, unable to hold back.
“That’s so sweet,” Zoey cries, Rumi wipes her eyes in vain as the tears continue to fall.
“I love you guys so much,” Mira cries and the sobs increase, all three of them embracing in a hug unable to hold themselves back.
Eventually they all pull back, sniffling as the tears slowly stop, watching the Golden Honmoon shine.
Rumi feels contentment spread through her seeing it before feeling the ground underneath her feet begin to shake. The girls all shriek, feeling the ground shake rippling knocking them off their balance.
Quickly summoning her sword, lights beside her as the girls summon their own weapons.
“What’s happening?” Zoey yells out looking all around them confused.
“Is there something wrong with the Honmoon?” Mira scowls her Gok-do swinging poised ready to fight any demon that could show up.
Rumi catches her balance sword ready at her side, it’s changed since Jinu gave her his soul, longer, broader, making her feel more powerful. They watch as the Honmoon ripples, the ground tearing, confusion and hurt spreading through her.
They turned the Honmoon golden, demons should be able to get out of the demon realm anymore, were all of the sacrifices useless?
She can’t make the death of Jinu be in vain.
Angrily she shouts jumping high raising her sword above her head at the tear, to ensure that no demon could ruin what they’ve done, their accomplishments.
As she swings her sword down, a figure slowly emerges from the ground, the darkness covering them, she yells, the dust slowly clears and familiar eyes look up at her.
Her heart stutters seeing the dark eyes shine in the moonlight.
It can’t be.
Rumi can’t believe her eyes, there’s no way that she’s seeing what she thinks she’s seeing, the figure quickly rolls out of the way, her sword embedded into the ground as she breathes heavily the air not quite reaching her lungs.
“You know, I was kind of expecting a hug this time,” The smooth, familiar voice reaches her ears, her heart feels it’s going to beat out of her chest, slowly she turns her head
Jinu sits on the ground after narrowly escaping her sword, Rumi’s eyes are wide as she takes him in, his black hair, his dark eyes, a small tentative smile on his face, but it’s his eyes that kept drawing her focus.
They’re staring into hers, the emotions in them so loud she can read them, she always thought that she was good at reading him despite how he turned against her.
“Jinu,” She breathes out her mind still racing, how was he here?
“Rumi, I missed you,” He begins trying to stand up before he makes an ‘oof’ sound as she throws herself into his arms.
She can’t help but let out a cry, holding onto him tightly feeling how his body seems to be solid, like he’s not going to disappear the second that she looks away. He seems frozen before his arms slowly raise wrapping around her holding her against his chest.
“How? ” Zoey’s voice breaks through the silence around them and she looks up at Jinu.
Their eyes meet each other and everything seems to fall into place again, his eyes stare into hers, his hands warm wrapped around her waist, she can’t help but gape up at him.
“Oh my god!” Mira’s exclamation causes both of their eyes to widen and Rumi quickly stands up, feeling her cheeks heat up from being so close to Jinu.
“I’m sorry I-” She begins.
“Yeah no problem, I wasn’t upse- uh yeah,” He says scratching the back of his head, both of them standing up, Rumi wants to say so much more but she clears her throat turning to look at the girls.
Rising out of the ground, the rest of the Saja Boys come out of the ground looking confused, Rumi’s eyes widen seeing them, she never thought she would see any of them again. Mira and Zoey stand in fighting positions with their weapons unsure of what’s happening.
“What the-” Abby says looking around taking in his surroundings.
“Everything’s all fuzzy,” Baby complains putting his hands on his head and Romance shakes his head seeing Mira and Zoey.
“This has to be a dream, there’s no way I’m seeing you here again,” He says dazedly, staring straight at Mira who scowls at him thrusting her Gok-do closer to him.
“Wait!” Jinu says he steps forward, his hands up, Rumi can’t help but follow him not wanting to be apart from him for a second, her sword having disappeared from where it was in the ground.
“I think we’re free, I can’t hear Gwi-Ma,” He says, stepping closer to Romance where Mira is still pointing her blade at.
Rumi steps toward Mira placing a hand on her shoulder, Mira looks at her through the corner of her eye before slowly lowering her weapon.
“I can’t hear him either,” Mystery says quietly, both girl and boy groups looking at him, he seems to shrink into himself before Romance nods.
“Me neither, are we… free?” He asks looking at Jinu, his eyes still trained on Rumi.
“I don’t know, but somehow we came back, I didn’t think I would see…” He breaks off, Rumi’s heart pounds as he looks at her, the wonder in his eyes making her take a step toward him looking up at him, a small smile forming on her face.
“Celine might know,” Zoey says, letting her weapons disappear, her eyes glancing at Mystery.
Mira stands off to the side frowning at the group, watching them carefully, Abby moves to stand next to Romance, resting his arm on his shoulder, a common sight they saw in their promos as the Saja Boys.
Rumi frowns at the idea of going to see Celine, she jolts feeling a hand slowly slide into hers, she looks up seeing Jinu standing at her side now as if he couldn’t stand to be apart from her and he smiles at her gently.
“I don’t know what’s happening, but I don’t want to disappear again Rumi,” He says softly, the groups looking at them, Rumi feels herself relax at the touch and she nods, squeezing his hand.
“Okay, I’ll go get her,” She says reluctantly letting go of his hand, Mira looks at Zoey quietly nodding her head for her to go with her not wanting Rumi to be alone.
______
Standing in a half circle, the Hunters on one side, the Saja Boys on the other, Rumi and Jinu in the middle connecting the two, Celine takes in the groups in shock, her mouth parted as her eyes drag across them.
Zoey and Mira watch Celine carefully making sure she’s not going to attack, once Rumi had told them everything that Celine said to her growing up, they became distant with her, not wanting her to hurt their friend anymore.
“I have never heard of a demon coming back after being killed,” She says quietly, looking down the Saja Boys line.
“Celine,” Rumi begins and her adoptive mother looks at her, the first they’ve seen each other in weeks, Celine looks down seeing her holding hands with Jinu.
Rumi refuses to let the familiar shame that came from Celine’s disapproval make her let go of his hand.
”They broke through the Golden Honmoon,” Rumi finishes and Celine’s eyes widen before she turns, bringing her hand to her mouth in deep thought. She turns walking toward the small hut on the side rustling through the materials for a while, and finally bringing out a scroll.
“I didn’t think it was possible, we managed to translate this years ago but we never thought it would work,” Celine mutters to herself opening the scroll walking back to the groups. She turns the scroll around so they can see.
The golden scroll on the inside is filled with ancient lettering, some small visuals, and drawings.
“Uhh what are we looking at?” Abby asks, on Jinu's right side and he nudges him.
“This is an ancient text that says that if someone with a golden heart makes a wish on the Golden Honmoon, a demon can be given a second chance.”
Celine explains and the boys all look confused, Rumi’s eyes widen looking at Zoey and Mira, the dedication before they performed tonight.
“You don’t think that…” Zoey says quietly to the group and Celine looking at her, Mira frowns before speaking.
“If we have the power to do that, it could explain all of this,” She says and Celine looks at the three of them.
“What did you girls do?” She asks and Rumi scowls, looking at Celine before looking up at Jinu, a questioning look in his eyes waiting for her to explain.
“Before we sealed the Honmoon, we just said some encouraging words and I wished, I wished that you guys could be given a second chance to do the right thing.” She says, the Saja Boys all looking at her surprised.
Celine’s shocked face somehow turned even more serious at Rumi’s words, “According to the text, because of the wish, it temporarily weakens the Honmoon, it’s still golden, but some demons might find small cracks, tears, and can make their way back to the human realm.”
Jinu’s eyes stare into Rumi’s as he processes their words, the pause in talking extended until Celine clears her throat. The boys began to murmur among themselves, confused as Mira and Zoey stood taking it in.
“If what this scroll says is correct, you all have to figure out what your shame was in your past life and how to overcome it to stay as humans. You will be given a month, by this year’s solstice, to prove that you have learned your lesson, and change for the better.” She explains, a hushed silence falls over the groups.
“And if we don’t overcome it?” Jinu asks.
“Then you’ll be dragged back down to Gwi-Ma.”