Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The fight was over. The Honmoon was replaced and the world was safe. They had done their jobs, completed their mission.

So why did it feel like something was missing?

A month had passed since the events at Namsan. Since then, Huntrix had been patrolling nightly, unsure of if the Honmoon had banished all the demons back to their realm or just trapped the ones in the mortal realm. But each night, they came up empty.

No demons. No attacks. No stolen souls.

… and no Saja Boys.

Something twisted in Mira’s gut at the thought.

She hated them. They were demons and they deserved what they got. Especially that stupid gym bro and the smiling simp. She hated them the most. They really thought she was going to be an easy target that they could just sidle up to, dazzling her with poetic flirtations and rippling muscles. Well, she’d showed them just how wrong they were.

But there was something nagging at her.

On that stage, Abby and Romance could have easily taken her down. They had flown straight to her, Romance grabbing her weapon and snarling… but he never tried to disarm her. He merely stopped her from slashing him.

Abby was behind her… but never engaged while she struggled against Romance. She’d been momentarily distracted, watching as Baby and Mystery surrounded Zoey, while Gwi-ma’s flames grew steadily higher. And yet… Abby hadn’t taken advantage of the opportunity to strike.

Then Gwi-ma had launched an attack on Rumi and Mira had turned her back on both Saja Boys. Romance had jumped at her, but his high leap was easy enough for her to block. The way he jumped though, it wasn’t strategic at all… as if he were just toying with her, sparring instead of actually trying to end her.

While Jinu sacrificed himself to save Rumi, Abby had managed to grab Mira’s weapon, but she shoved him away. Romance tried to do another predictable flying leap, clawed hand back and ready to swipe, easy to telegraph and defend against. She turned and shoved him back as well before he could leap.

Abby hadn’t attacked her. He had merely posed, trying to distract her with his abs.

This is what bothered her. Two highly trained, highly skilled demons pulled their punches, as if they were simply playing with her, not actually trying to kill her. She refused to believe they weren’t capable of launching a skilled and coordinated assault resulting in her injury or death. There was simply no way that Gwi-ma would have trusted them to pull this off unless they were the best of the best.

Which would make their lack of an actual attack on her intentional.

When she cut Abby to pieces and he started disintegrating, the expression on his face… the horror and despair as he realized what Mira had done…

Mira screwed her eyes shut and flopped back on her bed. “Get out of my head. Get out, get out, GET OUT!”

In the next room, Zoey was wrestling with a struggle of her own. She’d done it. She’d proven herself to be just as much of a hunter as Rumi or Mira. She’d even banished the one demon who’d-

Nope.

She was not going to admit that. There was simply no way she’d fallen for a demon. Pffft, not her. Not Zoey. Sure, he was cute, but that’s all it was. Just those cute bangs… and the cute way he rolled his fingertips across the table at the signing… and the cute way he tried to keep his face straight but cracked the faintest hint of a smile any time he saw her… and the cute NOSHEWASNOTADMITTINGANYTHING!

She felt so powerful at Namsan, when the demons had thought her a powerful enough opponent that they needed to team up against her. Mystery and Baby had flown straight to her, ignoring Mira and Rumi completely. They’d thought her the bigger threat, one that they needed to nullify. At least, that’s how she was choosing to interpret the situation. Because the idea that they’d chosen her as a weak target to quickly knock off before helping their bandmates take on Mira made her want to curl up and cry.

Zoey hated feeling like this… jealous… weak… unworthy…

But she couldn’t help it. As the maknae, people never looked at her the same way they looked at Rumi or Mira. They were beautiful, strong, and powerful. Zoey knew the fans called her cute and adorable… and she loved her fans… but she wanted to be seen the same way her bandmates were.

At the fan meet and greet, Baby could have sat anywhere, but he sat by her. Same with Mystery. They’d chosen to sit with her instead of Rumi or Mira. And, as much as she hated to admit it, that meant something to Zoey.

No matter how their two groups faced off, those two had always gravitated towards her.

Not to Rumi.
Not to Mira.
To Her.

Something in her gut twisted. If they saw her as worthy, why hadn’t they attacked her? They had flown to her, advanced on her. She’d swiped her shin-kals at Mystery, which he dodged with ease, though he clearly hadn’t been expecting her to kick him in the chest. While she fought him, Baby had approached from her left… but he hadn’t attacked her. He watched and waited… observing her movements… working his way behind her as she was momentarily distracted by Gwi-ma’s growing flames. It would have been a perfect time for him to attack because she was off-guard. And yet, he held back. Mystery had also kept his distance.

Baby stepped forward, and she’d turned. She was prepared to fend him off the way Mira was fighting her demons, but Baby didn’t move the way she’d expected him to. Instead of striking, he’d simply caught her wrist, preventing her shin-kals from slicing him open. The way he’d held her wrists was firm, as if she were a child trying to grab a cookie off the counter and he wasn’t letting her. He didn’t twist her wrists or dig his claws into her skin. He just restrained her until she pushed him away.

Then Jinu sacrificed himself to save Rumi. He thought she was worth it.

Zoey doubted anyone would have done that for her.

But the way Baby and Mystery had stared at Jinu as he disappeared…

Zoey bit her lip. The demons had looked shocked. Tricked. Betrayed. Terrified. She couldn’t blame them for that.

One night, Rumi had explained it was Jinu’s idea to form the Saja Boys band, and the others had agreed to help him because they were friends. A band of brothers, united by loyalty to each other. They had supported him and followed him to the human world. They trusted him, put their faith in him, and how did Jinu reward them? By betraying them for a girl he’d known for five minutes.

Zoey felt equally betrayed when she learned Rumi was meeting up with Jinu in secret. Sure, Rumi said it was to try and get Jinu on her side, but Zoey wasn’t sure how Rumi was trying to persuade him to betray his friends. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

As much as Rumi protested there was nothing between her and Jinu, Zoey noticed the small things that indicated otherwise. Just like now that the Honmoon was sealed, Rumi said she was fine, but Zoey noticed the shadows in her eyes, the listlessness of her movements, the hesitance to talk about Jinu or the Saja Boys at all… More than once, Zoey had caught Rumi sitting alone in her room, staring at her sword and crying.

And then there was Mira. Tough, strong Mira had thrown herself into physical training, working herself to the point of exhaustion each morning. She’d stopped eating her favorite noodles, stopped drinking her favorite bubble tea, stopped sitting on her favorite spot on the couch… almost as if she were trying to deprive herself of things that previously brought her joy. Did Mira not think she deserved to be happy?

Zoey sighed, hugging her turtle plushy to her chest. The Honmoon was fine, but now Huntrix was fracturing, and she had no idea how to fix them.

Chapter Text

Droplets of broth flew everywhere, landing on the polished marble countertop and soaking into her shirt. Rumi didn’t care. Why should she?

She failed. Failed to keep her patterns a secret. Failed to protect the Honmoon. Failed to save Jinu.
Okay, sure… Zoey and Mira had eventually accepted her despite her patterns and they managed to create a new Honmoon… but Jinu... Secretly, he had mattered most and she had let him down.

Rumi still had no idea how he reclaimed his soul from Gwi-ma, but she would never know. He’d died to save her. Sacrificed himself. Dissolved into nothingness before her eyes.

Because she was too weak to save herself.

She didn’t deserve to be a Hunter. The Honmoon should have fired her and chosen someone better to replace her. Someone who didn’t have to keep secrets from their best friends. Someone who didn’t destroy the only barrier protecting the mortal realm. Someone who didn’t fail the person they loved.

Rumi wasn’t sure if Jinu’s soul was still in her sword or not. She’d examined it closely, but there was nothing different to suggest it was anything other than her normal weapon. No demon patterns or disturbances in the constellation patterns. No ripple of the colors. She had no idea what she was looking for, but it didn’t matter. There was no sign of Jinu. He was just gone and it was all her fault.

Something clattered outside. Rumi turned, squinting into the darkness, but couldn’t see anything. She sighed and stood, letting her spoon fall noisily back into her mostly empty bowl, and padded over to the sliding glass door. She tugged it open and peered outside.

Derpy grinned widely at her. The potted plant was suspiciously upright, but there was a smattering of loose dirt around the clay pot. Sussie was sitting on Derpy’s head, looking particularly bedraggled.

Rumi stared at them, her gut twisting in knots. She hadn’t seen Jinu’s companions since…
Since he died.
Since she failed him.

Swallowing her grief and guilt, Rumi slipped out onto the balcony and patted Derpy’s soft, warm head. Sussie glared at Rumi until she stroked the bird’s back with a finger. Rumi had learned not to go anywhere near the bird’s head. Sussie was overly protective of the hat Jinu had made.

“Hey there,” Rumi whispered to the animals. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

Derpy purred under Rumi’s hand, the warm rumble tightening the knots in Rumi’s stomach. It was her fault they weren’t with Jinu anymore. Did they blame her? She hoped they did. She deserved their blame.

Derpy’s mouth fell upon and the tiger’s large tongue unfurled, revealing a drool-covered folded paper.

Rumi’s heart leapt into her throat. Jinu! He wrote her a note! He was alive!

She snatched the paper from Derpy’s mouth and unfolded it hastily, slightly ripping the sheet as she did. Then her heart fell and her shoulders sagged.

Not Jinu.

But then she re-read the message.

Save us.

Save us? Who is “us”?

Rumi stared at the paper, turning it over in her hands as if she expected it to reveal a hidden message or explanation. But that was it.

Just… “Save us”.

Rumi glanced at Sussie. “This isn’t from him, is it?”

Sussie shook her head, looking sad.

“Who’s it from?” Rumi asked.

Sussie speared her with a glare. Right. She had to ask the bird yes or no questions.

“Do I know who sent it?”

A nod.

“Is it a trick? From Gwi-ma?”

Sussie sighed in exasperation and glared at Rumi, then shook her head.

Rumi twisted her mouth. “Is it from the Saja Boys?”

A nod. Rumi’s eyes widened. “Wait, they’re alive?”

Sussie nodded, but made a very strange sound, as if she were worried. The bird shifted her weight, hopping from one foot to the other, and warbled.

Rumi swallowed. “They’re in trouble, aren’t they?”

Sussie warbled again, and nodded.

“Is Gwi-ma dead?”

Sussie cawed loudly and took off in a panicked flutter of wings. She swooped and dove at Rumi several times before landing back on Derpy.

“Shit.” Gwi-ma was alive, and from how scared Sussie was acting, it wasn’t hard to guess the demon-king was pissed off. And who better to take his rage out on than the ones who failed him? The Saja Boys were in deep, deep trouble.

Rumi swallowed hard. “Let me talk to the girls. If they agree, can you help us get there?”

Sussie nodded again, bobbing her head nervously up and down. She shifted her wings.

Rumi grimaced. “I’m sorry to ask you to go back… but I don’t know how else we can get there without you.

Sussie cawed and glared at Rumi, who held up her hands defensively. “Alright, I’ll go talk to them! Wait here!”

Rumi slipped back inside. “Mira! Zoey! I need to talk to you! Something happened!”

Crashes and bangs immediately echoed throughout the penthouse as the girls arrived in a whirlwind of panic, stumbling into the kitchen. Both of them held their weapons at the ready, eyes wide.

“What happened?” Mira’s grip on her gok-do tightened.

“Are we under attack?” Zoey wanted to know.

Rumi shook her head. “No, nothing like that. It’s…” She bit her lip, trying to decide on the right way to phrase this. Zoey and Mira had to agree to help her, because there was no way she could save the boys alone. “I need your help.”

“With what?” Mira eyed her suspiciously. “And don’t you dare say anything about dishes. You know how to work the dishwasher. Just make sure you use dishwasher soap instead of dish soap.”

“No, Mira, it’s not about dishes,” Rumi sighed, rubbing her temples. “It’s the Saja Boys.”

Mira’s weapon lifted a little. “They’re back, aren’t they? I knew it. I knew it’s been too quiet.”

“The Saja Boys?” Zoey’s eyes widened. “They’re dead, aren’t they? We banished them, and the Honmoon is back up, so there’s no way they’re back… right Rumi?”

Rumi took a deep breath, praying that she explained this right. “We did banish them, but they’re back. Kind of.”

“Kind of?” Mira interrupted. “What do you mean, kind of?”

“They’re still in the demon realm,” Rumi told her. “But they need our help.”

Mira scoffed and lowered her gok-do. “Help? They need our help? Demons, Rumi, demons need our help? Have you been drinking with Bobby again? You know he can drink anyone under a table.”

Zoey didn’t laugh. “Rumi?”

“I got a note tonight. Derpy and Sussie brought it to me.” She held up the paper for them to see.

Zoey’s lips trembled as she read the note. “Save us?”

Rumi nodded. “Sussie confirmed it. The note’s from them. She also confirmed that Gwi-ma’s still alive.”

“No…” The whispered word unexpectedly came from Mira. She paled, looking horrified. “No, no, he’s- we killed him in Namsan. He-he can’t be.”

Rumi nodded gravely. “He is.”

“Mystery…” the tiny whimper came from Zoey’s direction. Rumi looked at her and saw her friend had put the pieces together. “Gwi-ma’s going to destroy him. And the others.”

“He won’t destroy them. At least not yet.” Rumi glanced from Zoey to Mira.

Mira was staring at her. “No, he’ll just torture them for eternity for failing him.”

That thought once would have made her feel smug, but now, it left her feeling hollow. An eternity of suffering because of her. That’s what she’d doomed Abby and Romance to when she slashed them. They hadn’t even really attacked her, but now they would be subjected to whatever cruelties Gwi-ma imagined for them.

“What do we do?” Mira whispered.

Rumi met the pink-haired girl’s eyes. “We save them.”

Zoey nodded. “We can’t leave them to suffer under Gwi-ma. We just can’t.”

Mira shook herself and squared her shoulders. “We won’t. We’ll get them back.”

“I was thinking,” Rumi said before she could stop herself. “If Jinu was able to reclaim his soul, why can’t the others? I know it might be, well, silly to think that… but what if it isn’t? What if we can free them from Gwi-ma’s control and help them get their souls back?”

“I’m in.” Zoey said, her voice only trembling a little. She still looked shaken but she was determined to put on a brave face. “Let’s go get them.”

Mira put a hand on both Rumi and Zoey’s shoulders. “Let’s go to Hell.”

Chapter Text

Mira hadn’t known what to expect from the demon realm. Sulfur. Screaming. Suffering. She hadn’t been mentally prepared for the barren wasteland they were currently standing in. Dead, skeletal trees were scattered around the bleak landscape, with branches like claws reaching toward a dark and desolate sky. There was no wind here. The air was thick and heavy, full of dread. There was also a distinct lack of sound. Mira’s nerves were already frayed.

“Alright,” she looked at Rumi. “What’s the plan?”

“The plan?” Rumi realized she hadn’t thought that far ahead. “I’m… not sure. Sussie? Do we just start with whoever’s closest?”

The magpie, who was perched in her usual spot on Derpy’s head, nodded. She trembled but didn’t let out a single squawk or warble. That in itself made Rumi feel uneasy. This was the loudest, most opinionated bird to ever exist, but she was careful not to make any sound or draw any attention to herself.

“Who’s closest?” Rumi asked the bird softly. “One peck for Baby, two for Mystery, three for Abby, and four for Romance.”

Sussie bobbed her head, eyeing Rumi, then bent down and tapped Derpy’s head gently.

One.

Two.

Three.

“Abby,” whispered Mira. “Abby’s the closest.”

Her gut twisted and a wave of nausea rolled over her. She would have to confront Abby sooner than she’d expected, see how Gwi-ma punished him.

Because of her.
Because she swung at him after he held himself back.

Oh, how she wished she could summon her gok-do for comfort right now. But doing that would be a beacon to the entire demon realm, exposing them to the hordes.

Rumi straightened. “Alright Sussie. Lead the way.”

Derpy turned and padded off in a direction, Sussie perched on his head. She craned her neck here and there, listening. Keeping a watchful eye out.

The girls followed them, just as alert as the bird. Who knew what kind of traps lay waiting for them?

After what felt like an hour, the barren wasteland dipped, giving way to a jagged river valley. Black water had brutally carved a track through the packed and dry dirt, cutting a vein into the land. Rushes and river grasses lined the bank. Derpy followed the river downstream.

The girls continued to follow. Mira leaned over and peered into the noisy flow of water. She couldn’t tell if the water was actually black or if it just looked that way. She couldn’t see the bottom, so it was hard to tell how deep the river was, but she had no intention of finding out.

The river emptied into a black lake. Derpy led them to a large tree that looked awkward and out of place. This tree actually had leaves, but they were blade-shaped and blood red. The bark was rough, with white and black marbling. A thick, sturdy metal chain was wrapped around the base of the tree. Someone had tossed the other end of the chain into the lake, where it disappeared below the inky water.

Rumi touched the chain, where it clung to the tree in a vicious stranglehold. Her hand jerked back. The metal was freezing. It felt wrong, biting at her skin, driving pins and needles into her nerves. It felt evil.

She shook her hand out. “I don’t see any sign of Abby. Do you think he was chained here?”

Zoey gulped. “I hope not. This place gives me the creeps. Maybe we should keep moving? I mean, since he’s not here?”

Derpy sat beside the tree, tongue lolling out of his mouth. Sussie glared at the girls, and settled herself on the tiger’s head, as if to say ‘I’m not going anywhere’.

Mira followed the chain to the lake’s edge and squinted at the surface of the water. Her eyes lit up. “Wait, I see something.

Zoey edged closer. “What is it?”

Mira shook her head. “I’m not sure. It kind of looks like-” Her eyes widened. “It’s a cage. Oh my god, it’s a cage!”

A cage just large enough to house a certain broad-shouldered demon.

And there, just below the surface of the water, she saw it. A flash of pink.

“Abby!” Mira shrieked, desperately grabbing the chain and ignoring the bite of the metal on her skin. “We have to get him out! Now!”

Rumi and Zoey leapt into action. They grabbed onto the chain, pulling with all their might. The chain lashed out at them, driving aches and pains into their hands and joints. Their nerves were screaming in agony, but they ignored all the sensations.

They had to save Abby.

Zoey slipped and tumbled backward with a cry as a sharp pain ricochetted through her wrist. It wasn’t broken or sprained, she knew that much. But the hard landing had jolted her. Determined not to be the weakest link, Zoey brushed herself off and hauled herself up, grabbing onto the chain once more.

Mira clawed desperately at the cruel metal, heart racing in her chest. Her hammering pulse was a thunderous roar in her ears as she tugged with every last ounce of strength.

But it wasn’t enough. No matter how hard they pulled, the cage remained below the surface of the lake.

Her strength abandoned her and Mira collapsed. Something wet landed on her knees and she looked down, puzzled. She hadn’t even realized she was crying until just this moment, but she couldn’t ignore the tears streaming down her cheeks any longer.

“Abby,” she whispered, staring at the water. Her lower lip trembled as she wiped her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

As much as she wanted to ignore the fact that no bubbles were rising from the cage, she couldn’t avoid the truth any longer. He drowned. She was sure of it. There was no way anyone could survive being underwater for as long as he had likely been. And who knows how long it had been since Gwi-ma locked him in his prison and tossed him in the lake like garbage.

Her heart shattered in that moment. Tears flooded down her cheeks as the dam broke. What a horrible way to die. Stuck in a metal box, unable to do anything as water filled his lungs. Desperately fighting to free himself, clawing at the bars, just inches below the surface. Only Gwi-ma could truly destroy a demon by extinguishing their soul, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t keep killing his demons in an endless cycle of death and revival.

“I might have an idea,” Zoey said hesitantly as she leaned over to inspect the cage. “What if, instead of pulling him out, we go in?”

“Go in?” Rumi asked, uncertain. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” Zoey chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Gwi-ma had to have a way to get Abby in the cage, like a door or something. Maybe the hinges or the lock are rusty? We could try to bust it open…” She shook her head, dropping her gaze to the ground. “Never mind. It’s probably a stupid idea.”

“No!” Mira was already climbing to her feet. “Not stupid at all, Zoey.” Squeezing the maknae’s shoulder, she was rewarded with a small smile.

Rumi was already removing her jacket, but Mira stopped her. “No, Rumi, let me do it.”

The purple-haired girl eyed her. “Are you sure?”

Mira steeled herself. “Yes. I have to do this.”

Rumi just watched her silently for a moment. Mira shifted, suddenly uncomfortable. Why was her friend looking at her like that? What was she looking for?

Whatever it was, Rumi seemed satisfied and she nodded. “Go ahead. You’ve got this. Let us know if you need any help and we’ll jump right in.”

Mira tested the water with a foot, and sucked in a breath. It was as icy as a polar plunge pool. She gritted her teeth and slid into the water, not wanting to draw attention of any creatures lurking in the depths by making a ton of splashes.

She pulled herself forward, slicing through the lake with several graceful strokes. Then she was at the cage. Taking several gasping breaths, she ducked below the frigid surface. The cold was like a punch to her gut and Mira fought the urge to scream.

There, in the middle of the cage, was Abby. His arms were bound behind his back, and his legs were tied together. The bindings… oh Gods, he was wrapped and bound in barbed wire. Metal thorns dug into his skin, piercing his flesh.

This was a level of cruelty Mira hadn’t thought even Gwi-ma was capable of. Abby would have struggled for air, twisting and fighting instinctually to free himself, but his movements would only have driven the spines deeper into him. He would have thrashed in pain, only making his situation worse as his lungs filled with water.

Mira fought the wave of nausea that rolled over her, resisting the urge to throw up. She had a mission. She had to focus. Abby needed her.

Quickly, she located the lock. It had indeed rusted. She fished out a hairpin, jamming it into the lock and fiddling with it. It took a couple tries but the lock popped open with a click. Mira resurfaced, gasping in another breath and flashed a thumbs up to Rumi and Zoey where they waited tensely on the shore. “We got it! I’m going to pull him out now. Be ready!”

She ducked back under the surface, yanking the cage door open. The moment she touched him, Mira hesitated. How was she supposed to get him out without driving the barbed wire deeper into him?

There was no way. She had to hurt him to rescue him.

Fuck this horrible demon realm.

Mira dug a hand between Abby’s bicep and his ribs, pulling hard on his arm. He was heavy, but thankfully, he didn’t sink as she tugged him out of the cage and up towards the surface. She gasped, pulling him onto her so she could support his head above the water by resting on her shoulder. The barbed wire dug into her, but Mira forced herself to push through the pain. She was tough. She could handle this.

For him.

Rumi and Zoey were waiting anxiously at the shore as Mira towed Abby to them. It took all three of them, but they dragged his unconscious body out of the water and over to rest below the tree.

“What…” Zoey’s eyes were the size of dinner plates as she took in the sight of the bound Saja Boy. “What did they do to him?”

“Barbed wire?” Rumi’s fists clenched, knuckles white with fury. “They bound him in barbed wire? Because drowning him in a cage wasn’t enough?”

“Apparently not,” Mira felt her own rage rising. She shoved it back down. It would not be productive for her to get pissed off now. Not helpful to Abby.

“So,” Zoey looked between her bandmates, then down at the limp body on the ground. “What do we do now?”

Chapter Text

Mira dropped to her knees beside the lifeless body on the ground. Pulling a pocket knife out of her pocket, Mira flipped it open and carefully slid the metal tip of the wire cutter between the barbed wire and Abby’s skin. She grimaced as the barb moved, tearing Abby’s skin. A trickle of blood streaked down his ghostly ashen skin. Squeezing, she clipped through the wire, and gently pulled it back from him.

Rumi handed her the only pieces of gauze from the mini first aid kit the girls had packed, followed by an unopened water bottle. Mira accepted the supplies and Rumi backed off. For whatever reason, Mira had to be the one to tend to Abby. Rumi had never seen her like this, with anyone ever, but she wasn’t about to bring that to Mira’s attention.

Mira opened the bottle of water and poured a little out onto a piece of gauze, stopping when the loosely woven fabric started dripping. She set the water aside and began dabbing Abby’s wounds as she removed the barbs. It was slow work, but she was thorough.

Once she’d cleared the wire from his chest, abdomen, and the front of his extremities, Rumi and Zoey helped roll Abby onto his side, so Mira could dig the barbs out of his back. Every time a barb dug deeper into him, Mira felt like it was stabbing her own heart, filling her with guilt.

The last of the wire fell away. Rumi gathered the scraps and set them a short distance away, while Mira supported Abby’s head. They rolled him onto his back and surveyed him. Vicious red marks replaced the wire, winding their way around the demon’s body in a painful embrace.

Mira reached out and gently shook his shoulder. “Abby?”

No response.

Zoey knelt by Abby’s head. She squeezed the muscle connecting his shoulders to his neck, jamming her thumbs painfully into the hollows above his collarbone. Leaning down beside his right ear, she called “Abby? Can you hear me?” Then she moved to his other ear. “Abby? It’s Zoey and Mira. Can you hear us?”

No response.

Mira stared at Zoey. The maknae noticed and shrugged, blushing. “Mom was a nurse when I was a kid. She taught me some things.”

Mira just nodded, dumbly. If Zoey thought she knew what to do, Mira had no objections.

Leaning down again, Zoey placed her ear next to Abby’s mouth and turned so she could watch his chest. “One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand,” she muttered under her breath. “Ten one-thousand.”

Zoey sat up and shook her head grimly. “He’s not responding and he’s not breathing. I-” She paused, chewing on her lip. “Normally, I would try CPR, but he’s a demon. I have no idea if that would even help…”

Mira slid beside her. “Show me what to do.”

“I’m going to press on his chest, to try and pump his heart and lungs. When I say, plug his nose and give him a breath. You’ll have to make sure you seal your lips around his, or the air won’t actually make it to his lungs. Then count to five and give him a second breath.”

Mira nodded, nervously. “Got it.”

Zoey nudged her. “You sure?”

“I said I’ve got this.” She sounded so strong, but concern flickered across her face.

Zoey glanced at Rumi who was keeping watch for anyone approaching them. They couldn’t ignore the possible dangers lurking nearby. “Rumi, you good?”

“Mhmm,” came the reply, as Rumi scanned their surroundings warily. “All good. You guys just focus.”

“Okay, here goes nothing.” Zoey shuffled to place at Abby’s side, hovering over his chest, and pressed on his sternum. Again and again. Up and down. With how sturdy the demon was and how tiny Zoey was, she had to put her full weight into pumping his chest.

“Twenty-nine and thirty. Okay Mira, do the breaths.”

Mira bent over, pinched Abby’s nose and sealed his lips around his mouth. She blew as hard as she could, unsure of what to expect. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw it. His chest rose, just a little. The air was in his lungs!

“One, two, three, four, five.”

Mira blew into his mouth again, watching with relief as her breath made it to his lungs. Abby’s chest rose. She sat back.

“Now what?”

Zoey began pumping Abby’s chest again. “Now we do it again and again and we don’t stop until he either wakes or we pass out from exhaustion.”

Mira raised an eyebrow, and Zoey flashed her a grin. “Okay fine, you caught me. That’s not the official rule. We’re actually supposed to stop before we pass out, but come on, it’s us. We are Hunters and we don’t give up that easily!”

While her words sounded so reassuring, there was another reason Zoey was determined to push herself so hard… to prove to everyone, including herself, that she wasn’t weak. That she was just as strong as Mira.

Mira had frozen, unsure of what to do, and had followed Zoey’s direction. Almost like Zoey was the leader, but no. She didn’t want that job or that title. Those belonged to Rumi and Zoey would never challenge her for them. She was quite content with her position, but she couldn’t deny her pride when she was the only one who knew what to do and leapt into action. Mira had frozen. Zoey hadn’t, and she would remember that.

They had been working on Abby for a while. Zoey had to swap off of pressing on Abby’s chest, exhausted by the sheer effort. Mira refused to let Rumi take over, saying that she was fine to take over whatever it was that Zoey had been doing. Zoey explained how to do compressions and Mira dove right into it. She struggled, like Zoey had, but had a fire inside her fueled by guilt and shame. She was the reason Abby was in this state. She was the reason he’d been in the demon realm, the reason Gwi-mi was able to force him into a cage and drown him in the lake. She would be the one to bring him back.

Abby’s chest heaved suddenly, and he was choking. No, he was coughing. Gagging.

Mira panicked. “Zoey?!”

“We need to turn him on his side!” Zoey was already tugging on his shoulder, trying to roll Abby over.

With a little help from Mira, the girls managed to turn him onto his side. Abby’s entire body heaved, and he vomited water everywhere.

Mira cradled his head in her lap, stroking his pink locks tenderly, and whispering soothing sounds to him. “That’s it Abby, get it all up. You’re okay now. We’re here and we aren’t going to let Gwi-ma hurt you again.”

The vomiting finished and the girls rolled Abby onto his back again. He was panting, breathing heavily. His face tightened every time he inhaled, savoring the air, before exhaling again.

Mira leaned over, cupping his cold cheek. “Abby?”

“Mira?” Golden eyes flicked open, darting about wildly until they landed on her. “Is– is it really you?”

“Yes!” Mira collapsed into him, sobbing as she wrapped her arms around him. “It’s really me, you big dumb idiot.”

Abby grunted as she pressed herself against him, desperate to be as close to him as she could get, temporarily forgetting about his injuries. He struggled to prop himself up on an elbow, wrapping one arm around Mira’s waist and pulling her closer. Burying his nose in her hair, Abby drew in a deep breath, letting Mira’s warm scent flood in. Jasmine, honeysuckle, and brown sugar.

Trembling fingers reached up to brush a lock of hair out of Mira’s face. “You came,” he whispered, body shaking with pain and exhaustion. “I didn’t think anyone would.”

Mira buried her face in his shoulder. “Of course I came. No one gets to kill you but me.”

Abby huffed a small laugh and immediately grimaced. The corner of his mouth curled in a pained smile. “That’s my girl.”

Chapter Text

Mira couldn’t believe it. Abby was alive–or as alive as a demon could be–and he was here. They’d done it. They’d actually saved them. Unlike a lot of things lately, this victory didn’t feel hollow.

Her hand flew to Abby’s back as he struggled to sit up. She and Zoey helped him shuffle over so he could rest against the tree. Abby leaned against the rough, marbled bark, letting his head tilt back, and his eyes drifted shut.

Zoey stood up and went to search her backpack for something, but Mira stayed by Abby’s side. She tried to move away, to give him some space, but a massive hand shot out, encircling her wrist. Startled, she glanced at Abby’s face. His eyes were golden slivers, pleading with her.

Mira swallowed hard. “Fine, I’ll stay. God, you’re such a baby.”

The corner of the demon’s mouth lifted into the faintest hint of a smile, but he said nothing as Mira settled herself beside him. A sharp yank on her wrist had Mira yelping as she was pulled tightly against Abby’s side. The grip vanished as an arm was draped over her shoulders and down to her waist.

Mira brandished a finger at Abby. “Don’t you even think about trying anything.”

The hint of a smile deepened and he blinked slowly at her in a very cat-like manner, reminding Mira of Baby’s sharp cunning looks he would throw them.

“I mean it,” Mira warned him, teasingly. “No funny business or I’ll throw you back in your cage.”

Abby stiffened at her side, all humor gone from his face in an instant. The arm around Mira disappeared as the demon turned away from her.

Shit.

She'd meant it as a joke, but it was in poor taste, and she knew it. She hadn’t meant to hit a nerve. Not like this. Not sending him into this state. She couldn’t take it back, but she had to do something to make it better.

“Abby, no, please, I’m sorry.” Mira pulled gently on his arm, but was met with stoney resistance. “Come back. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have mention the-” She paused to correct herself. “I shouldn’t have mentioned that.”

Abby refused to listen. Her words didn’t matter. The large demon didn’t move an inch. She’d hurt him too badly this time.

Rumi watched the pair. Somehow, despite all the odds, they’d pulled it off. Abby was alive and breathing. They hadn’t failed!

Although technically, it wasn’t like Rumi had actually done anything. She had just stood there, feeling useless. Pretending to watch for enemies was a good cover. That’s why she’d acted like that was what she was doing.

She’d left all the actual work to Zoey and Mira. She’d offered to take over compressions for Zoey when the maknae looked ready to collapse, but was far too relieved when Mira refused her offer. This was just one more thing Rumi was terrified of failing at. She thought Zoey might have seen the look of terror on her face, but the other girl had been to busy with helping Mira and Abby to notice the sheer panic in her leader’s face.

Rumi bit her lip.

Part of her wanted to open up and tell the girls about what was going on with her, but she knew that would be selfish. She’d be making this entire operation all about her instead of focusing on the Saja Boys.

Was she really so desperate for attention and comfort?

No. No, she wasn’t.

Maybe when they got back home, she’d pull the girls away for a private confession over ramen. Until then, she’d have to keep it together… or at least try not to fall apart.

Mira gave up. With an exasperated sigh, she rose, walked over to where Rumi and Zoey were sitting, and flopped down on the ground beside them. “God, he’s being so dramatic. You’d think he’d never heard a joke before.”

Zoey gave her a sideways look. “I dunno, Mira. It didn’t sound like a joke, it just sounded like-”

What, Zoey?” Mira snapped. “What did it sound like?”

Zoey jerked back as if Mira had slapped her. “Nothing,” she mumbled, dropping her gaze to the ground. “Never mind.”

Something cracked inside of Mira. She knew she was being mean, but she couldn’t stop herself. The words came flooding out. “No, please Zoey, I want to hear it. Tell me, what exactly did I sound like? Maybe you should check your notebooks for the answer. You’ve written so much stuff down, wouldn’t it be nice if some of it was actually useful?”

Mira crossed a line. She knew it the moment she said it. Zoey crumbled, tears welling in her eyes, shoulders sagging as she pulled her knees to her chest, as if to shield herself from the venomous words spewing from Mira’s mouth.

She should stop. She should apologize. But she couldn’t.
Instead, she dug herself a deeper hole.

“Seriously? You’re crying?” Mira wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Pathetic. You’re a hunter, for Honmoon’s sake. Try acting like it.”

“Enough!” Rumi glared at Mira. “What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with me?” Mira scoffed. “That’s rich, coming from you of all people… sorry, of all half-demons. You always act like you have the moral high ground, but you lied to both of us from the moment we met. We were open and vulnerable with you in a way that you never were with us. We trusted you, but you never trust us.”

“That’s not true!” Rumi hurtled the words back at her. “You know Celine made me-”

“Oh, my Gods, Rumi, if I have to hear you blame Celine for one more thing, I’m going to climb in Abby's cage and drown myself.” Mira’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not a child anymore. You’re an adult capable of making your own decisions, but you just let Celine make them for you. I don’t know if it’s because you’re too lazy to make them yourself or if its just because you want someone to blame for your actions, but we see right through you Rumi. You gave us this grand speech after Namsan about being honest with each other, but you’ve been hiding something else from us since then.”

“No, I haven’t!” Rumi protested, but Mira caught the flash of fear in her eyes.

“Oh really? Then why do you talk to your sword when you think no one’s looking?” Mira hurtled the words in Rumi’s face. She gestured to Zoey, who was tearfully watching their fight. “We both know you’re trying to figure out how to get Jinu back. It’s so obvious. But you didn’t talk to us about it. You didn’t open up, even though you promised you would. So, I don’t really think you’re in a position to judge me.”

Rumi and Mira stood silently, glaring at each other.

Mira’s fist clenched at her side. Her head was spinning. What the hell was that? She hadn’t meant to say any of those things, and she especially hadn’t mean to wield them like weapons against her friends. Zoey was still sobbing and Rumi looked as if she’d just been stabbed.

She couldn’t take it anymore.

Mira rolled to her feet and took off. She had no idea where she was going, she just needed to put as much distance between her and the verbal massacre she just committed. With a sob, Mira sprinted off into the demon realm.

Chapter Text

Fuck.

Fuck, shit, fuck, and fuck one more time.

Mira pressed her hands to the sides of her head, trying to banish the memory of the pain she just caused. Why did she go off on them like that?

Maybe there was some truth to her words, but she hadn’t meant to unload everything like that. Instead of just talking to the girls, she unleashed her frustrations, lashing out in the worst way she knew how to hurt them.

Leaning against one of the skeletal trees, she drew in a ragged breath. Her eyes closed and an image drifted into focus.
Abby’s humorless face, a shadow of pain dancing across his beautiful features.

She did that.

With a strangled sound, Mira shoved away from the tree, and forced herself to stagger onward, away from all the hurt she had just caused. There was no way Rumi or Zoey would ever forgive her for what she’d just done, because it was unforgiveable.

And Abby… if he looked at her that way again, she’d throw herself off the nearest cliff.

The ground was as dry and cracked as Mira’s lips felt. There was no sunshine here, the sky completely overcast, packed with dark purple clouds, staining the landscape dreary shades of greyish purple.

Mira stumbled on, completely oblivious of the fading light and the oncoming darkness of night. All she cared about was her own shame, guilt, and grief. Her lungs burned with each gasp of dusty air, making each breath feel like she was being raked over sandpaper.

In her haste to get away, she’d left all her supplies behind. Her water, her food, everything. Mira couldn’t go back for her supplies, not after the scene she caused. Even if she did, she didn’t deserve food or water. Just as she didn’t deserve her friends.

Her family had seen who she really was early on. They’d been smart to distance themselves from her. If only they’d been able to cast aside their sentimentality, they could have cut ties with her completely, shielding themselves from the shame she brought on them as she became an idol. She’d been so reckless, not caring how much she drank or who’s sheets she rumpled.

It wasn’t until Celine had found her puking beside a dumpster in a dirty alley that she felt like she finally had a purpose. That she could be worth something to someone.

Mira’s eyes squeezed shut. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
You were a fool, a voice hissed in her head. You’re not worth anything to anyone.

Mira’s pace slowed, her feet dragging in the dry dirt. Her shoulders slumped dejectedly.
The voice was right. She was worthless.

Yes, the voice taunted, you are… and you know what worthless people do?

Mira shook her head, dragging in another painful breath.

They save their loved ones any further shame.

Mira’s brows furrowed. How did they do that?

You know how.

Mira’s back went as straight as a board. Her eyes glazed over, and she turned to her left. There, in the distance, the landscape dipped and swelled again, a jagged cliff rising from the bleak wasteland.

Her salvation.

The first step towards the cliff felt like her limbs were made of lead. The next step equally as heavy. But as she kept walking, the steps got easier, as if a weight was being lifted. This was the right thing to do. She would do this one thing, for them, to make it all better.

To make her pain go away.

Mira reached the base of the cliff and began to trudge up the steep, narrow, winding path to the top. Once or twice, she slipped, but she was beyond notice. She’d completely given into the voice, following its whispered commands to keep going, to push on, and relieve everyone of the embarrassment of being associated with her.

Halfway there. Her heart skipped a beat and something fluttered in her stomach as a calm feeling swept over her. She would only walk this path once, leave only one set of dusty footprints behind.

“Mira…”

She blinked. That name was familiar… maybe it belonged to someone she’d known once. But the speaker was far away, the breeze carrying the sound to her ears. There was no one here. She was all alone. Always alone.

You don’t deserve to have a name.

Mira’s eyes glazed over again. She took a step, then another.

A rock clattered down the path behind her, the sound echoing off the cliff into the valley below. Not far to go now. The top of the cliff was just ahead. Her journey was almost over. A wave of relief crashed over Mira. She was exhausted, in mind, body, and soul. Her tired limbs dragged towards the edge.

Her final destination.

“Mira!”

There was no Mira here. Not anymore.
She spread her arms out and stepped forward, embracing the sweet release of fate.

“NOOOO!”

Awareness jolted back into her body as something huge and solid slammed into her. Her head hit the ground. Hard. The world spun and she cried out, suddenly feeling violently ill. Everything was pain.

You failed. Again. The voice screeched in her mind.

“No!” Mira screamed, choking back a sob. “No, I didn’t! It wasn’t my fault!”

Arms wrapped roughly around her, and she was pressed against something warm and firm. A large hand stroked her hair. “Shhh.”

It’s always your fault.

“No, please…” Her chest heaved as tears flooded down her cheeks.

Warm breath tickled her ear. “Focus on my voice, sweetheart. Only on mine. Not on his. That’s how he gets you.”

Words caught in Mira’s throat. She knew that voice. Lifting her wet face, she peered up into glowing golden eyes.

“…Abby?” She choked out.

The demon smiled warmly down at her, hand stroking her hair softly. “Yes, love, it’s me.”

You'll hurt him again! The voice screamed. Do it! Finish this! End your suffering and theirs!

Mira buried her face in his chest, body wracked with sobs. “I’m so sorry, Abby! I- I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Shh,” Abby held her closer, as close as he could without cracking one of Mira’s ribs. “There’s nothing wrong with you.”

He pressed his forehead against hers. “You’re perfect. My perfect Mira.”

That did it. The voice was gone and her mind was quiet. Tears flowed down her cold cheeks as she squeezed her eyes shut. “But… I was supposed to be the one to save you.”

Fingers slid under her chin, forcing Mira to meet the hungry fire burning in Abby’s eyes. “You did. And now, I’m saving you.”

Their lips crashed together in a desperate kiss, each of them seeking comfort in the other. The kiss was sloppy, but neither of them cared. Abby’s hands slid down to Mira’s waist, pulling her over him. She spread her legs to straddle him as her hands pulled his face closer to hers. She was so hungry, filled with the need to feel his skin against hers, to reassure herself that he was real.

Abby was the one who pulled away first, kissing Mira’s forehead with unexpected tenderness. “We should go find your friends.”

Mira tensed. “Do they hate me?”

Abby arched a brow. “If a force as strong as the Saja Boys couldn’t tear you apart, nothing can.”

Chapter Text

Rumi stared at the horizon where Abby disappeared into the fading light.

After Mira blew up on them and stormed off, none of them had moved a muscle for several agonizing minutes. Zoey focused intently on staring at her shoes, Abby lay like a statue on his side, and Rumi’s eyes unfocused as she retreated into herself. None of them wanted to break the sharp silence first, in case they drew the wrath of the others onto themselves.

Then Abby had sat bolt upright. His head tilted to the side, as if listening to something the girls couldn’t hear. His eyes widened and he sprang to his feet, sprinting off into the distance.

Rumi knew she should stop him, but she didn’t. Drawing her sword would risk alerting every demon in the vicinity to their location. What good would her sword do against Abby anyways? She was here to save them demons, not slay them again. So, she watched him fade into the distant shadows.

“Should we go after them?” A tiny voice squeaked nervously at the purple-haired hunter’s side. “I mean, I know Mira was mean–like, really mean–but we can’t just let her run off alone. What if she gets hurt?”

Then she’ll get what she deserves, Rumi thought angrily. Immediately, she regretted those hateful words. If Mira got hurt or killed, Rumi would never forgive herself. With a sigh, she climbed to her feet and offered Zoey a hand.

“Let’s go find them. Both of them.” She glanced to the tree, where the tiger and magpie had been watching everything unfold. “Can you guys find Mira?”

Sussie rolled her eyes and chirped as Derpy rose from where he’d been laying by the tree. The tiger walked to the girl, kneeling so they could easily climb onto his back. Zoey swung her leg over the tiger, holding onto Rumi’s waist. Then the tiger turned and padded off in the direction that Mira and Abby had vanished. With a running leap, he took off, bounding through the darkening sky.

Zoey’s hands gripped the fabric of Rumi’s shirt tightly, drawing her attention. “Zoey?”

“Look,” the other girl whispered. “There’s nothing here. No demons, no buildings, no sign of life at all. This is the demon realm, so where are all the demons?”

That was the exact question Rumi had been avoiding asking herself since they’d arrived. So far, the only demon they’d stumbled across was Abby. It was easy to find him. Too easy. He hadn’t been guarded or anything.

And maybe it was because he’d been underwater for such a long time, the other demons had grown bored of him. But then again, maybe not.

Her unease grew with each passing second.

“There!” Zoey pointed ahead of them. A jagged mountain rose into view. One side was sheer cliff, a sharp and uninterrupted drop that no one could survive. And just at the edge of the cliff, two figures clung together.

“Mira!” A hand flew to Rumi’s mouth as she stared in horror. “Why is she there?”

“I don’t know,” Zoey’s voice trembled. “You don’t think she-”

“No way,” Rumi shook her head. “This is Mira we’re talking about. She was probably just trying to get a better vantage point to scout out where we should go next.”

“But…” Zoey’s grip tightened again. “She was so angry. Do you think she’s still mad?”

Rumi chewed on her lip, ignoring the twisting knot of nerves in the pit of her stomach. “Even if she is, we aren’t giving up on her. She’s one of us. She’s family.

“Right.” Zoey sat up a little straighter behind Rumi, forcing the tremble out of her voice. “She’s our sister.”

“Exactly,” Rumi nodded. “Sometimes sisters fight, but it doesn’t mean we aren’t sisters in the end.”

Derpy bounded down, landing lightly on a flat spot a safe distance away from the cliff’s edge. Rumi and Zoey slid from his back, and bowed quickly to the tiger, murmuring their thanks for a ride.

Abby strode forward, towing Mira behind him. “Since when can Jinu’s tiger fly?”

Jinu.

Just the mention of his name knocked the air from Rumi’s lungs. She reeled, suddenly dizzy. A hand slipped through her arm, and she clung to the person at her side. Zoey supported her, helping Rumi regain her balance.

Rumi clamped her eyes shut. Breathe, just breathe. In and out. You can do this.

The dizziness faded and when Rumi reopened her eyes, Zoey was studying her, a look of concern plastered on her adorable face.

Rumi could only manage a whispered “Thanks.”

Zoey squeezed her friend’s arm. “Anytime.”

Abby raised an eyebrow at the pair of them. “All good?”

Rumi nodded shakily. “Yup, all good here. Mira? You good?”

“Sure. I’m fine.” Mira looked like she wished the earth would open and swallow her whole, but Rumi kept that thought to herself.

Rumi’s eyes narrowed in concern, not anger. “What happened to you?”

Almost imperceptibly, Mira shifted a little further behind Abby, as if to shield herself from Rumi’s question. Why was she being so guarded? Mira was the one who’s viciously launched a verbal assault on them, not the other way around. It didn’t make any sense.

Abby reached behind his back and Rumi saw him murmur something inaudible to Mira, who looked torn.

The pink-haired hunter paled and shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Yes,” Rumi heard Abby’s whispered reply this time. “You can and you should.”

“I said, not right now. I will, just… not now.”

Abby sighed with a little shake of his head. “Fine,” he mumbled under his breath, “but you can’t avoid it forever.”

Squaring his shoulders, Abby surveyed each of the girls. “Alright, your band’s back together again. And as much as I know you’re all madly in love with me, I assume I’m not the only Saja you came here for.”

Rumi facepalmed as Zoey instantly turned a furious shade of red. Mira lightly cuffed the back of Abby’s head. “Seriously?”

He grinned, snaking an arm around her waist, and dragged her out from behind him. “I wish I was the only Saja you were here for, but I know I’m fated to share your affections with him.” He sighed tragically. “I suppose I’ll have to settle for as much of you as I can get.”

Mira struggled against him, though her heart wasn’t in it. “Consider yourself lucky that you aren’t just stuck with my middle finger.”

Abby was undeterred by Mira’s snapping retort. It was one of the things Rumi secretly thought attracted her friend to the demon. No matter how sassy Mira got, he saw right through her defensiveness. He saw the real her.

“Oh, but the things I could do with just that finger…”

Mira pulled a face, groaning, as Zoey giggled. “That was bad. Like, really, really bad. But also, in a super weird way, you two are kind of perfect for each other.”

Mira speared her friend with a glare. “Did you just ship me with this muscle-bound moron?”

It was Rumi’s turn to rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, please Mira, that ship sailed a long time ago, and if I’m not mistaken, I believe you were its captain.”

The next moment, Rumi ducked as Mira’s shoe whizzed by her head, barely missing its intended target by a fraction of an inch. The Huntrix leader laughed, the sound emptying the tension from the air between all of them. She retrieved Mira’s shoe and passed it back to its owner, who was struggling to hide a small smile.

Mira leaned back against Abby as she tugged her shoe back on. “We’ve collected our first Saja Boy. Where to next, oh fearless leader?”

Everyone looked at Rumi expectantly. Oh, shit. She turned to Sussie. “Who’s the next closest? One peck for Baby, two for Mystery, and three for Romance.”

The bird cocked her head to the side thoughtfully. Then lowered her head.

Tap.

Tap.

She straightened, settling her wings, and fixed Zoey with a knowing look. The maknae glanced between her friends, hearting thundering, and whispered: “Mystery.”

Chapter Text

“Mystery,” Zoey whispered, glancing between her friends. “He’s next.”

Rumi placed a gentle hand on the maknae’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Zoey, we’ll find him.”

Mira stepped forward a pace. “We promise we won’t leave without him. Or any of them.”

Rumi nodded. “That’s right. No Saja Boy gets left behind. We rescue them all or die trying!” She winced. “Though, I’d prefer not to die trying.”

Zoey’s worried pout twisted into the ghost of a smile. “Thank you."

Someone inhaled sharply behind Mira. The girls glanced at Abby. He looked as though he was wrestling about whether or not to say something.

Mira jabbed an elbow lightly into his ribs. “Got something to say?”

“You’re one to talk,” he muttered. Mira blanched, but Abby ignored her and fixed Zoey with a nervous look. “Listen, before we go anywhere, there’s some things you should probably know about.”

“Abby!” Mira protested, betrayal written plainly on her face.

The demon’s hand drifted to the hunter’s lower back. “It’s not about that, so quit your fussing.” He cleared his throat awkwardly. “I just think you should know what you might be walking into.”

“What we might be walking into? Aren’t you coming with us?” Zoey asked, wide-eyed. She’d secretly been counting on the muscular Saja Boy to help her rescue Mystery and Baby.

Abby shot her a grin. “Don’t worry, little hunter. I know how much you’d miss the pleasure of my company and wouldn’t dare be so cruel as to deprive you of it.”

He grunted as Mira’s elbow dug into his ribs again, but he didn’t defend himself. “All I meant was that I’m used to Gwi-ma’s punishments. He sticks to a pattern, so I know what to expect. You don’t.”

The girls exchanged worried glances. Rumi stepped forward, stubbornly lifting her chin as she stared up at the towering Saja Boy. “Alright, go ahead. Prepare us.”

“First thing you need to know about Gwi-ma is he knows exactly what buttons to press. He can sense your deepest insecurities and he feeds on your guilt and shame.” Abby snuck a sideway glance at Mira. “He weaponizes every horrible thing you’ve ever thought and uses it to control you.”

Rumi nodded along. Jinu had told her something similar, but she kept quiet, letting Zoey and Mira have a chance to hear this from a demon.

Abby’s gaze slid from Mira to Zoey, then to Rumi. “His favorite type of punishment is making you relive your worst fears or memories in an endless loop. You can’t fight it and you can’t escape it. You just have to hope you are strong enough to endure it.”

A small hand slid into Abby’s, and he glanced down at Mira’s fingers twining with his. He flashed her a small smile and squeezed her hand. “I’ve always been strong enough to last through his punishments, though sometimes I wished I wasn’t.”

“What happens to the demons who aren’t strong enough?” Zoey's hands clapped over her mouth. "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked that."

"No, it's fine." Abby grimaced. “Gwi-ma parades them out on his stage in front of everyone, rips them apart, and destroys their soul.”

Mira paled. “You wished for that?”

Abby hesitated. “In my lowest moments, yes. But I never gave in.”

Something in Mira’s chest tightened so painful she thought her heart would rip itself free. She closed her eyes, letting her head drop against Abby’s shoulder. “I’m glad you didn’t.”

He kissed the top of her head. “Me too.”

Rumi watched them. “Sorry to ask this Abby, but you said you wanted to prepare us, so I have to know… the cage… was that a fear or a memory?”

Abby tensed, but Mira squeezed his hand. He returned the squeeze, and his muscles relaxed. Just slightly. The demon took a deep breath to steady himself. “Both.”

“What?!” Zoey gasped in horror, mirroring the look of shock on Rumi and Mira’s faces.

Mira pulled Abby’s hand up and lightly kissed the back of it. “You don’t have to tell us if you don’t want to.”

The touch of Mira’s lips against his skin grounded Abby. He flashed her a weary smile that didn’t quite meet his eyes. “I don’t want to, but I think you all need to understand.”

Rumi took a step forward. “Just tell us what you feel comfortable sharing.” Zoey silently nodded beside her.

Abby ducked his head and ran his free hand through his hair. “I always hated water. I was a farm kid, so there was no reason for me to ever learn how to swim. My place was in the fields. I’d watch all the other kids who had wealthier families splashing around and having a great time, but me? I had to work until my fingers bled.”

His eyes flicked to Mira. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I don’t mind hard work.”

Whatever reaction the demon expected to find in Mira's face never materialized. She watched him, expression carefully neutral, and patiently waited for him to continue his tale.

“Well, one day, a caravan of nobles passed through our village. Some self-important Lord, his wife, and…” Abby paused. “And their two daughters.”

“Oh no, Abby you didn’t…” Rumi whispered.

Abby’s eyes flashed with unbridled fury. “Of course not! I’m not a monster! Or at least, I wasn’t. I would never do something so absolutely putrid or cowardly. To force yourself onto another person who’s unwilling…” He closed his eyes, drawing in a painfully ragged breath. “Yes, there are demons in the world, but there are human monsters too. And I wasn’t one of them.”

The heat of his molten gaze burned through Rumi. “Unfortunately, the Lord’s youngest daughter took a shine to me, and the Lord assumed the worst. Just like you did.”

Guilt tore through Rumi’s chest. “Abby, I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking-”

The demon shook his head slowly, refusing to break eye contact. “I don’t need you to be sorry, hunter,” he hissed. “I need you to listen.”

Rumi swallowed hard and nodded. Honmoon help her, she wasn’t going to say another word until the demon was finished his story.

“I was in the barn when the Lord’s personal guard caught up with me. They accused me of forcing myself on the Lord’s daughter and soiling her virtue. I had no idea what they were talking about. I tried to plead my innocence to them, but they didn’t listen.” Abby’s face hardened. “They held a blade to my throat as they passed me around, forcing me to endure what they claimed I’d done to the daughter.”

“No…” The whimper drifted from Zoey’s direction.

Abby glanced at the maknae, fixing her with his steely gaze. “Yes.”

Soft fingers stroked the back of his hand. A tender, grounding, silent gesture.

Abby let his gaze drift off into the distance. “I let them do it. If I fought back, they would have killed me and claimed I resisted arrest. A simple farm boy I may have been, but I wasn’t stupid. They passed me around, taking their turn, and I just… endured it all. At the end, the men decided to wash their hands of me. They thought I’d make trouble for them, on account of my size, and they couldn’t be bothered with the hassle of bringing me before the local magistrate.”

“The cage…” Rumi hadn’t meant to say it, but the puzzle pieces were falling into place. “They locked you in there…”

“And threw me in the lake,” Abby finished. “I heard how peaceful drowning was, that once your lungs fill with water, you stop struggling and feel like you’re floating. Except when you are filled with as much rage as I was, you don’t get peace. You just get Gwi-ma’s voice in your head, promising to grant you the power to avenge yourself, in exchange for your soul. At that point, you figure, hey, I’m dying anyways. What’s the point in holding onto my soul? Then you end up as this,” he gestured to his demon form, “for all eternity.”

Mira pressed her lips against his cheek, kissing away a tear that went unnoticed by the demon. “I like how you ended up."

Abby leaned into the warmth of Mira’s touch. His eyes closed and another tear streaked down his cheek. Mira brushed it away with such tenderness Rumi and Zoey found themselves looking elsewhere. This was a private moment. They respected that.

After a minute or two of murmuring to each other, Abby’s head lifted from where he had nuzzled into Mira’s neck for comfort. He met Zoey’s gaze with sadness.

“Mystery’s story is way worse than mine.”

Chapter Text

Mira’s soft snores echoed around the tiny campfire as she nestled into the crook of Abby’s arm. A faint smile touched the demon’s lips. He pressed his face into the sleeping hunter’s bubblegum pink hair and inhaled. Closing his eyes, the demon appeared to commit the hunter’s scent to memory, searing it into his brain.

Zoey watched the pair from where she lay beside the fire. How she desperately longed to have that kind of connection with someone. Okay, fine. Not just with anyone.

With him.

Mystery.

Her lips spoke his name with such reverence, as if she could manifest the demon out of sound. He hadn’t appeared, but she hadn’t expected him to.

Abby had warned that Mystery’s past was worse than his and Abby’s was heartbreakingly tragic. Zoey couldn’t imagine a worse fate. But she knew she’d have to face whatever horrors haunted Mystery soon. Mira’s pink-haired demon boy said he wanted Huntrix to prepare themselves, but how could anyone prepare themselves for the unimaginable?

The hair on the back of her neck stood up. Someone was watching her. Zoey sat up slightly, glancing around, before her gaze landed on the narrow golden eyes focused on her from across the fire.

“You’re worried about him,” Abby observed, just loud enough for Zoey to hear, but quiet enough to not disturb the sleeping Mira tucked into his side.

Zoey nodded silently.

Abby watched her for a moment. “Whatever Gwi-ma’s putting him through, it won’t be anything he hasn’t experienced before.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better!” Zoey whispered fiercely. “And what do you mean by that?”

Abby shrugged. “Mystery’s the oldest out of all of us. He’s been around for so long, Gwi-ma’s already put him through the ringer countless times. If Gwi-ma sticks to his pattern, Mystery’s already had to endure whatever punishment he’s going through right now.”

Something clenched in Zoey’s gut. “Yeah, it’s official. You suck at this comfort thing.”

The corner of Abby’s mouth twitched. “I never said I was trying to comfort you.”

Zoey rolled her eyes and huffed. “Typical demon.”

There was nothing typical about him and they both knew it. He was far too loyal, too gentle, too protective.

Too human.

Abby winked at her, then eased back and closed his eyes. Within a matter of seconds, he relaxed and a low rumbling rose from his broad chest. Zoey watched Abby subconsciously lean closer into the hunter at his side as she tucked herself tighter against the hard lines of his body.

Zoey curled up, tugging the thin blanket tighter under her chin.

I need to be strong for Mystery the way Mira is for Abby.

Chapter Text

“Where did the sun go?” Zoey pouted. “Or do you just not have sun here at all?”

The four of them had awoken to that same overcast sky from the day before. Unyielding greyish-purple monotony.

Abby snorted. “You think Gwi-ma would let himself be eclipsed by another giant flaming ball of gas? I thought hunters were supposed to be smart.”

“Hey,” Mira jabbed a finger into the demon’s shoulder. “Leave her alone. She’s finally stopped worrying about-” She paused, glancing at Zoey. “Well, you know.”

“Actually, I haven’t stopped worrying about Mystery at all,” Zoey called over her shoulder. “Just got tired of vocalizing my spiral into madness.”

Rumi slid a reassuring arm over Zoey’s shoulder, pulling the maknae closer as they fell into step. “He’s going to be fine. Just like Abby.”

“You think I’m fine?” A wicked grin spread across Abby’s face and his eyes glinted as he leaned down to Mira. “Did you hear that? Your friends think I’m fine.”

Mira glared at him. “As long as you don’t think they’re fine, I don’t see a problem.”

Zoey and Rumi looked at each other and broke into a fit of giggles.

“Careful what you say next Abby or you won’t be feeling fine once Mira’s done with you.” Rumi’s eyes danced with laughter.

It felt good to laugh. Things between the girls had been tense for so long that, despite being in the demon realm, it felt like a breath of fresh air.

Rumi shook Zoey’s shoulder a little. “Sorry I’ve been acting like a ghost since…” Maybe saying it out loud would help drain some of the poison. “Since Jinu died.”

Zoey leaned against her leader. “You don’t have to apologize or explain yourself to me. Not ever. I just worry because I want you to be happy.” She turned and met Mira’s wary gaze. “Both of you.”

Mira flashed her a small, knowing smile and Zoey’s heart leapt. It was the first nice thing Mira had said or done for either of the girls in a while. Maybe whatever storm Huntrix had been caught in was finally starting to pass.

Zoey wasn’t paying attention to what was going on in front of her, so she didn’t realize Derpy had stopped. She crashed right into the tiger, upsetting Sussie. The magpie launched into the air in a whirlwind of shrieking feathers as the Huntrix maknae went sprawling face first into the dirt. Groaning, she pressed her hands flat against the ground to push herself up, but something crunched under her hand. Tentatively, Zoey lifted her hand to get a better look and screamed.

“Zoey!” Mira and Rumi were at her side in an instant.

The youngest hunter flew backwards, scrambling away with a look of abject horror. The blood drained from her face, leaving her deathly pale. “Nononononono.”

Rumi and Mira glanced to what Zoey pointed at. Nausea swept over Rumi and she clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from throwing up while Mira just stared ahead, rooted in place.

Jagged pieces of a fractured skull were pressed into the dirt.

“Oh, I’m going to throw up,” Zoey gagged. “Yup, definitely going to throw up.”

Abby walked over to examine what had drawn the girls’ attention. He frowned and poked at it. “It’s just a skull,” he said, looking bored. “You’re going to need a stronger stomach than that where we’re going.”

“You weren’t the one who touched it!” Zoey protested. “I could have accidentally cut myself and wound up with some kind of demonic skull tetanus. And I’m pretty sure there isn’t even a vaccine for that!”

Abby reached down and plucked the skull from the ground. He blew on it, sending a cloud of dust into the air. Rumi and Zoey recoiled in horror. Mira backed away from the dust, retreating to Abby’s side. He raised an eyebrow at her and held up the skull for her.

Scowling, Mira punched his shoulder as hard as she could, sending the skull tumbling away. “You are not touching me again until you wash your hands.”

Abby grinned, flashing his fangs. “Come on, Mira. Don’t be a coward.”

Mira turned up her nose. “I’m not a coward, I’m just clean. There’s a difference!”

She stomped over to Rumi and Zoey, hooking her arms through theirs, and leading them away from the still-grinning demon. “Ridiculous, I swear,” she muttered under her breath.

Zoey giggled as she scanned the horizon. It was lovely to have Mira back again. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of movement.

Her blood ran cold.

“Zoey, what the hell-” Mira stopped, taking in the look on her friend’s face. “What are you-”

Zoey froze, arm trembling as she pointed. Her knees felt weak, and words caught in her throat, choking her.

Gravel crunched behind the girls as Abby caught up with them. “Okay, so there’s a few skulls lying around here and there. It’s really not that big of a deal.”

Rumi shook her head slowly. “Not a skull. Look.”

The land dipped in a massive crater. Steep edges sloped down, curving into the middle where a lone figure sat.

“Mystery.”

Zoey wasn’t sure who said Mystery’s name aloud. Maybe she had.

Periwinkle hair fell across the demon’s face as he sat motionless, legs folded neatly below him, hand cupped in his lap. He could have been meditating. Or sleeping, she supposed.

Did demons sleep? Abby sure seemed to last night, but then again, maybe he was just resting with his eyes closed instead of actually sleeping-

Focus Zoey! She scolded herself. Remember, you are strong like Mira. Strong for him.

Zoey made to take a step forward, but Mira threw an arm in front of her at the same time Abby grabbed her shoulders and hauled her back.

“Don’t,” the demon behind her whispered, eyes glued on his friend’s still figure.

Rumi glanced back at them. “What’s wrong?”

Abby shook his head slowly, narrowed eyes darting around in suspicion. “Dammed Gwi-ma. He’s broken his pattern.”

Icy fear clawed at Zoey’s throat. “What do you mean?”

“In all the times Gwi-ma’s punished him, I’ve never seen Mystery like… this.”

A heartbreaking wail shattered the quiet, snapping their attention back to the figure in the middle of the crater. Mystery had collapsed, writhing on the ground. He clutched his chest, hoarse screams lancing through the air. One clawed hand thrust out, reaching towards… nothing. Gasping, Mystery pulled himself through the dirt towards the crater’s edge, shrieking and sobbing.

Abby stiffened, mouth hanging open as he watched his tormented friend twist and jerk on the ground.

Zoey ripped herself out of her stupor.
Screw this. She was strong.

“For Mystery,” she cried, vaulting over the edge of the crater.

Chapter Text

Mystery was still screaming when Zoey’s feet hit the bottom of the crater. She ran to him, legs churning as fast as she could make them. As she approached, she heard him cry out.

“No! Not you too! Please, no!” A shriek ripped out of him and he writhed on the ground. The movement pushed the hair back out, revealing a face contorted in agony. “No! Please, stop it! I’ll do anything!”

Then he crumpled. His head pressed into the dirt as he whimpered softly. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… ”

“Mystery?”

His eyes flew open, darting wildly around. “No,” he sucked in a ragged breath. “Not you. Not again!”

Screwing his eyes shut, the demon rocked back and forth, hugging his knees. His shoulders trembled. “Not real, not real, not real.”

Zoey knelt beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, Mystery, I’m real.”

Muscles rippled under her touch as he buried his face in his hands. “No, you’re not. They killed you and now I’m all alone. Forever.”

Blood flowed freely from deep, jagged claw marks decorating his arms. From the look of them, Mystery’s wounds were made some time ago and never allowed to heal. His voice was so hoarse, as if he’d done nothing but scream since returning to the demon realm.

And Zoey was solely responsible for sending him back to Gwi-ma.

Shaking herself, she shoved those thoughts away. They weren’t helpful to Mystery. She had to focus or she’d burst into tears and never stop.

Her arms slid around him, pulling him into her warmth and gently stroking his hair. “You’re not alone anymore,” she whispered. “I’m here to bring you home.”

The heavy head lifted. Desperate golden eyes blinked up at her through a haze of tears that threatened to spill at any moment. “Home?”

Heavy footsteps crunched behind her. “Mystery?”

Golden eyes went wide. “Abby?”

Then his hands balled into white-knuckled fists, pounding against the ground. “No!” Mystery shrieked, yanking out of Zoey’s embrace. “Leave them alone! I’ll do anything! Just stop this!”

Breathing heavily, he turned back to Zoey, mouth curling into a vicious snarl. “You…” He lunged, eyes wild and frantic. “Stop stealing her face!”

Before Zoey could blink, she was shoved aside, just narrowly avoiding Mystery’s outstretched claws ripping her throat open. Abby tackled the feral demon, wrestling him to the ground.

“Man, stop. She’s not Gwi-ma!”

“Yes, she is!” Mystery howled, desperately digging his claws into Abby’s flesh. He bit down, fangs sinking deep into Abby’s forearm.

“FUCK!”

With a brutal snarl, Mystery ripped a chunk of flesh out of Abby’s arm. He spat it out, laughing like a maniac. “I’m impressed Gwi-ma. You really outdid yourself with these new hallucinations. They’re so… lifelike.”

Blood dripped from Mystery’s smiling fangs.

“So much effort to torture one little demon. I’m honored.”

Abby was bleeding badly, but his hold on Mystery never wavered. Not once.

Rumi and Mira leapt between Zoey and the demons. Zoey could feel them reaching for their weapons, drawing the threads of the Honmoon together.

“Don’t!” Zoey grabbed their arms, pulling them back to face her. “No weapons!”

“Are you insane?” Mira demanded, whirling wide-eyed to point at Mystery. “Look what he did to Abby’s arm!”

“He thinks we’re Gwi-ma. But I know I can get through to him, just give me a chance,” Zoey pleaded.

Rumi met Mira’s look, a silent conversation passing between them. Then Rumi nodded.

“Fine, Zoey. You have one chance.”

“But if he hurts Abby anymore, my gok-do is going to skewer him like a marshmallow,” Mira threatened.

“Fair! Totally fair!” Zoey agreed.

She ran to the demons, dropping to her knees beside Mystery’s head and smoothed the hair from his face. “How can I prove to you that I’m not Gwi-ma?”

Mystery snarled, jerking away from her touch. “Tell me something only Zoey would know.”

Zoey chewed on her lip, thinking. What could she say that she would know, but Gwi-ma wouldn’t? Out of the corner of her eye, Zoey saw Mira and Rumi bandaging Abby’s arm, stemming the flow of blood.

An idea popped into Zoey’s head. Reaching down, she tapped the side of Mystery’s head. “Bad Saja Boy.”

A ragged laugh escaped Mystery’s throat. “Nice try, Gwi-ma, but you’ve already used that one against me.”

He snapped at Zoey, powerful jaws just barely missing her.

Zoey jolted back, stunned. She’d really thought that would work. A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. Mystery had asked her to do this one thing–to prove she wasn’t an evil demon king or a hallucination–and she was failing him.

“If Gwi-mi’s seen that memory, then what else can I possibly say to convince you that I’m real?” She demanded tearfully. “Do you want me to talk about how much I love sea turtles? Because I do. I love them so much, just ask Mira. I’ve made her watch so many documentaries and video clips. Or maybe you want me to talk about how my favorite ramen is hamburger flavored or how I didn’t want to sit next to any Saja Boys at our fans meet and greet, but then you sat down beside me and I totally freaked out and made a total fool of myself-”

Her cheeks were wet. When had she started crying?

“Zoey,” a low rumble rippled from Mystery’s chest, his voice straining with the effort of repressing his hope. “It’s really you?”

“Yes! That’s what I’ve been telling you,” Zoey sobbed.

Mystery stopped struggling underneath Abby. Tearfully, he gazed at the demon pinning him into the dirt. “And you…”

The pink-haired demon lowered his head to press against his brother’s shoulder. “It’s really me.”

With a strangled cry, the demons embraced each other, Mystery burying his face in Abby’s neck. They clung to each other, mumbling reassurances. When they finally released each other, Zoey held out a hand and helped Mystery to his feet, while Mira did the same for Abby.

Mystery stumbled, leaning heavily on Zoey.

“How did you know it was me?” She whispered. “What did I say that made you realize?”

“It was never about what you said, but how you said it.” His forehead rested against hers. “Only you can say that many words in a row without taking a breath.”

Chapter Text

“They always started the same way,” Mystery chewed on his lip, staring into the fire, looking a million miles away. He sat between Zoey and Abby, occasionally leaning on one of them, then the other. Almost to reassure himself they were still there.

Still real.

“Someone I loved knelt beside me, whispering how they were here to save me. They’d scream and beg as Gwi-ma pulled them away from me. Then he’d make me watch as he killed them.” Mystery shook his head. “The cycle would repeat, but each death was different, so I never knew if they were real or not.”

His eyes closed with a pained expression. “After enough cycles, you accept that none of them are real and no one is coming to save you.”

Zoey’s hand slid up to Mystery’s cheek. “We’re real. We came to save you.”

Mystery’s head dropped to her shoulder, like how Abby had done with him before. He nuzzled her gently, drawing in her warmth.

Zoey wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer. One hand stroked up and down his back. “You’re safe now. We’ve got you.” Her lips twitched. “Good Saja Boy.”

Large arms enveloped the maknae in an iron hold, smothering her in his inhuman heat. Mystery inhaled, breathing her in, exactly how Abby had with Mira. He let Zoey’s scent wash over him, driving away the madness Gwi-ma left behind in a brief reprieve from the hallucinations. Under the layers of demon realm dust and dirt, she smelled sweet, like strawberries, coconut, and hibiscus. He clung to her scent like a lifeline pulling him out of the darkness

Zoey let the demon hold her for as long as he wanted. Or needed. Maybe a little of both. She refused to be the first one to pull away, not wanting to give him any impression that she was going to leave.

But to Mystery, it felt like an eternity had passed since he’d experienced anything other than despair. He buried his face deeper into her hair, trailing soft, light kisses over Zoey’s neck, then paused. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “Should have asked first.”

“No,” Zoey whispered, meaning to reassure him, but before she could, Mystery tensed suddenly. Zoey realized the demon thought she was telling him to stop.

“No, I didn’t mean, I just-” She sighed and leaned into him. “I don’t mind.”

Zoey could have smacked herself. Not minding is not the same as enjoying. She had to fix this, now, before she screwed everything up.

“Okay, that’s not what I was trying to say…” Mystery pulled back a little further, twisting Zoey’s heart. “Gahh… why do I always say the wrong thing?”

Her hands slid up to the sides of Mystery’s face, guiding the hurt demon to look at her. She swallowed, nervously. “I- I like your kisses,” she mumbled, cheeks flushing a bright pink.

Mystery blinked at her from behind his long bangs. When he finally moved, it was with the slow, fluid grace of a jungle cat stalking its prey. But instead of pouncing, his lips hovered over hers, warily testing her reaction.

Zoey sucked in a tiny breath, lips parting slightly, brushing against Mystery’s. Her eyes met and held his, noting the fear flickering in the golden depths that mirrored her own. He reached for her, long fingers tangling in her hair. Then, with a slight tilt of his head, Mystery kissed her. The hunter melted against the demon, returning his kiss with one of her own.

“Right,” Rumi cleared her throat awkwardly. She wished they could give Mystery longer to recover after his ordeal, but the longer they took, the more time Gwi-ma had to torture the others. She turned to Sussie. “You know how this works. One for Baby, two for Romance.”

Sussie squawked loudly, fluttering her wings, then dipped her head.

Tap.

Rumi held her breath, but Sussie straightened and squawked again. The Huntrix leader turned back to their ever-growing group.

“Baby’s next.”

Chapter Text

According to the rescued Saja Boys, only an hour had passed since Mystery’s rescue. The girls agreed it felt like way longer than that, but the demons just shrugged, saying time worked differently here, but they didn’t elaborate.

They were leaving the barren wasteland behind as Derpy led the group towards a cluster of trees. The damp, stale air held a chill, sending shivers down the hunters’ spines.

Mystery’s throat was raw from Gwi-ma’s torture, so they’d agreed not to ask him any questions until after his rapid healing kicked in. They’d fallen into a somewhat comfortable silence as they searched for the next Saja Boy on the list. Mystery was glued to Zoey’s side, Mira kept pace with Abby, shoulders occasionally bumping into each other. Rumi walked ahead of them, her hand curled into Derpy’s warm, soft fur for comfort.

A piercing scream shattered their calm.

Blood drained from Mystery’s face, turning him paler than a ghost. “Baby…”

He took off running, the others close on his heels.

At the edge of the forest, a figure was suspended between two trees. Chains wrapped around his arms, pulling them in opposite directions. Dirty bare feet dangled useless below him. Cyan hair was dull and drenched in sweat.

Crack.

It sounded like someone stepped on a twig, but no one had moved.
No one, except the suspended figure.

Crack.

The figure jerked, gasping. “Guh…”

CRACK

Mira grabbed Abby’s arm, nails digging into his skin. The large demon didn’t notice, wide eyes fixed on the scene ahead.

Mystery instinctively moved in front of Zoey, shielding her from whatever was attacking his friend. “Stay behind me.”

He’d get no argument from her.

CRACKCRACKCRACKCRACKCCRACK

Baby thrashed, raw bloody screams ripping through the air. Howls dissolved into desperate wails. His slender, shirtless body spasmed.

“What in the-” Rumi choked back a sob. “His chest, look at his chest!”

Protrusions jabbed against Baby’s skin, looking like something inside of him was trying to claw its way out.

His ribcage caved in, cutting off Baby’s frantic screams as bones compressed the air from his lungs. His eyes bulged, and his legs kicked out, spasming.

With popping sounds, Baby's bones mended themselves back together just as suddenly as they had broken, forming back into unblemished ribs.

Baby’s chest heaved as he struggled. Wheezes quickly devolved into a rasping cough as he dangled listlessly above the ground. His head lolled back, mouth opening and closing soundlessly. His body stilled, and for one terrible moment, Zoey thought he was gone–

Golden eyes flew open–
SNAP

An invisible force jerked the large bone in Baby’s leg sideways at an impossible angle.

“AAHHHHHH!”

Mystery lunged first, Abby following a fraction of a second later. Mystery slammed into one of the chains with a roar, slashing claws creating a flurry of sparks. He tore at the bindings, but they didn’t give.

On the other side, Abby grabbed the chains with both hands and planted his feet firmly in the dirt. Bellowing with fury, he tried to snap the chains. Muscles strained in his arms, but the metal would not give.

Another crack sliced through the clearing. Baby screamed as a jagged piece of his collarbone jutted upward enough to make the skin bulge, but not enough to pierce through. His thrashing only drove the bone closer to breaking free.

“HOLD HIM!” Abby barked over his shoulder at the hunters.

Rumi and Zoey were at Baby’s side the next instant, trying to soothe him, while Mira tried to help with the chains. Baby fought them, shrieking under their hands as they tried to hold him still. Almost like his skin burned where they touched him. He kicked out, heel slamming into Rumi’s stomach. She staggered, but didn’t let go

Abby roared, yanking on the chains again, fangs bared in frustration. “Damn Gwi-ma’s magic!”

The air seemed to pulse, heavy with unseen malicious delight. A deep, guttural laugh echoed through the trees.

You think you can set him free? The wind taunted. He’ll never be free of me.

“Fuck you, Gwi-ma!” Mira spat, as she jammed a sharp rock against the chains. Sparks flew, but the stone was useless against the bindings. “I’m going to kill you! You hear me? You’re dead!”

The wind just chuckled.

SNAP

The cyan-haired demon’s back arched as his spine twisted, agonized wail wracking his broken body. He choked, chest convulsing, and his eyes rolled back.

Baby started seizing as Gwi-ma fractured every bone in the maknae’s body.

If they didn’t do something now, he was going to shatter completely.

Chapter Text

Baby was fracturing into pieces before their very eyes.

“Stop!” Rumi cried out. “This isn’t working! We have to be smart about this.”

She stepped back, leaving the job of holding Baby still to Zoey, and examined the bindings.
The seemingly invincible chains wound around Baby’s trembling arms, ending in metal cuffs so tight they were practically embedded in the demon’s biceps. There was no space to fit anything between the metal and Baby’s skin and no lock to pick.

Rumi glanced from Abby to Mystery, then to Mira. “Even if you guys break the chains, we still need to get him out of these.”

Mystery released his grip on the chains, moved in front of Baby. He kissed his maknae’s forehead and fiercely whispered, “I’m so sorry.”

Before anyone could stop him, Mystery struck. He snapped Baby’s arms above and below the binding, causing Baby to shriek in pain and resume his thrashing. The small demon kicked out, catching Zoey in the gut and knocking the wind out of her. She dropped, but Mira was there to catch her as Abby grabbed Baby’s hips, restraining him.

Without pause, Mystery twisted the fractured pieces of bone, manipulating and maneuvering them like pieces of a puzzle he was trying to solve.

One of Baby’s arms slipped free of the binding. He sagged against Abby, still twitching, as Mystery turned his attention to his other arm.

Then Baby was free.

Abby lowered his slumped form gently to the ground, leaning the smaller demon back to rest against the now-sitting Mystery. Zoey sat beside them, pressing her shoulder against his to remind him she was there. He didn’t have to take care of his friend alone.

Golden eyes, delirious with pain, flicked to her, then Mystery. A spark of recognition flickered under the layers of agony. “You…” he drew in a rattling breath. “I know you...”

Suddenly, Baby flinched, whimpering. He held his arm near his body, guarding it as each slender finger cracked and twisted horribly before mending again.

“No!” Zoey’s words caught in her throat, but she forced them out. “We got him out of the bindings, so why is this still happening?”

“Because the chains were only part of his punishment.” Mystery lowered his head, pressing a cheek against the side of Baby’s pale face. “This is… something else.”

“Gwi-ma’s evolving,” Abby muttered, kicking the ground angrily. “That asshole’s cruelty knows no bounds.”

“Any ideas on how we stop this?” Rumi asked, looking from face to face, demon to hunter. “We can’t search for Romance until we figure out how to undo whatever curse Gwi-ma put on Baby.”

“Do it,” Baby wheezed, followed by a gargling strangled sound. “I can… do it.”

“No!” Mystery hugged him tightly, curling himself over the smaller demon’s body. “You need rest.”

“Rest?” Baby laughed weakly. “I can’t. Might as well… find him… put me… on Derpy… and I’ll-”

CRACKSNAP

“GAHHH.”

Baby’s head flew sideways, snapping his neck. His eyes glazed over, losing their golden glow.

“NOOO!” Mystery wailed, collapsing on his lifeless friend, body wracked with sobs. “BABY!

Zoey stroked the damp cyan hair as Baby’s head lolled back, dull eyes half-open. A spark of gold flashed back into existence, rekindling the life behind that glassy stare. Chest heaving, Baby gasped for air, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Zoey held Baby’s face, brushing his hair back. “Maybe we should take a break, just until we figure this out.”

“No,” the Saja maknae rasped, wet tears staining Zoey’s shirt. “I can do this. For Romance.”

Baby insisted they keep moving. They tried to argue with him, but he refused to change his mind. Between agonized gasps, he threatened to drag himself onto Derpy’s back and leave to search for Romance without them.

Abby helped him climb onto Derpy’s back. Baby explained, even if his legs or back or hips broke, the tiger would help him keep up with everyone.

Something was off.

Derpy stopped several times, sniffed the air, then changed course. The demons exchanged worried glances with the hunters, but none of them said a word, because acknowledging the wrongness might make it worse.

They’d spent what felt like forever searching, but found no trace of Romance.

Rumi was exhausted, Zoey’s stomach was growling, and Abby was giving Mira a piggyback ride because her blistered feet felt like they were going to fall off.

As much as no one wanted to do it, they had to stop for a break.

The demons built a small fire, just big enough for the girls to warm their instant ramen over. They’d offered to share with the demons, but all offers had been graciously declined.

Mira eyed Abby suspiciously as they sat around the campfire. She wasn’t sure if he refused a bite of her ramen because he couldn’t eat it or whether he wanted to make sure she ate enough. Part of her suspected it was the third option, though maybe it was a mix of the two.

Zoey watched Baby twitch and spasm where he lay beside Mystery as his slender body snapped and wove itself together in an unending cycle. His demonic rapid healing already kicked in, mending his arms where Mystery had broken them earlier.

Considering how much pain he must be in, Baby was quiet, only whimpering under his breath now and again. But every once in a while, his body tensed and he screamed until his throat bled.

For now, though, he seemed calm.

Baby tucked a hand back under his head. His lithe body curled a little tighter, and Zoey noticed he was shivering. She slipped her jacket off, and draped it over the trembling demon.

A golden eye cracked open, then slowly drifted shut.

Abby stared into the fire, poking the glowing embers with a stick. Mira rested her head against his shoulder. She whispered something to him that Zoey didn’t quite catch.

The muscular demon prodded the crackling embers again. “It’s fine.”

Rumi watched a flurry of sparks rise into the night. Reflections of firelight glimmered in her eyes. A haunting melody echoed in the back of her mind, and softy, she sang:

“We are Huntrix, voices strong
Saving demons with our song.
Fix what’s broken, stand and fight
Heal their darkness with our light.”

The Saja maknae closed his eyes, muscles twitching. Mystery cradled Baby’s head in his lap, while Zoey softly stroked his sweaty cyan hair. Suddenly, she glanced up, confused.

“The song… I think it’s helping!

“What?” Abby leaned over, examining his friend. His brows furrowed. “No, she’s right. I’m not sure what, but something’s different."

Mira sprang to her feet. “Rumi, sing that again.”

So, Rumi did.

“We are Huntrix, voices strong
Saving demons with our song.
Fix what’s broken, stand and fight
Heal their darkness with our light.”

The tension in Baby’s body relaxed as the song drifted through the air. He snuggled closer against Mystery.

As Rumi’s voice faded, Mira’s rang out, sharp and clear:

“Strong and fast, but scared inside
We no longer have to hide
Who we are or who we love
Forget the hate and rise above.”

Baby looked up from Mystery’s lap. He was panting, ragged breaths tearing from his chest. Exhausted and uncertain golden eyes met Zoey’s.

“More,” his voice cracked. “Please.”

Zoey pressed a soft kiss to Baby’s temple.

“Dark as night and bright as dawn
We are real, we are not gone
You’ll survive these broken bones
Take my hand, you’re not alone.”

Rumi rose, watching the trio from across the fire.

“We are warriors, born to sing
Break the chains and fight the king
Listen close, we’ll set you free
Don’t believe us? Wait and see.”

Baby’s fists clenched, but he croaked out a word. “Free.”

The wind shifted and a chill swept over the group. Hair stood up on the back of Zoey’s neck and goosebumps rose across her skin.

Mira hugged Abby’s arm as she sang:

“Stand together, one and all
Side by side, we will not fall
Push back the shadows with our might
When jagged edges meet the light”

Baby let out a blood-curdling scream. His back arched and he thrashed in Mystery’s arms. Loud pops and snaps echoed throughout the campsite. The air shimmered, sparkling with hints of blue and red.

“FUCK YOU GWI-MA!” He shrieked, body twisting and contorting in agony. “GAHH!”

Abby dropped down beside his friend, Mira at his side. Her usually sharp expression was worried. “Did I-”

No,” Abby’s face was pale. “This is Gwi-ma trying to stop you from breaking Baby free of his hold.”

He whirled on Zoey. “Sing!”

She shrank away from the ferocity in his voice and furious golden eyes.

Raw tears flowed down Mystery’s face. “Zoey, please…”

Her heart shattered in an instant. Trembling, Zoey clung to her demons, rocking all three of them back and forth.

“Tears may fall, but hope remains
We love each other, it’s in our veins
Push through the pain, you’re not undone
Souls united, we rise as one.”

Baby shuddered violently, then went still.

Chapter Text

Baby remained unconscious on the ground. All attempts to wake him had failed. Rumi had made the official decision that they would stay camped here until the Saja’s maknae was awake and strong enough to ride Derpy again. After what he’d been though, none of them felt right about asking him to walk.

Mystery refused to relinquish his hold on Baby, wrapping him tightly in a hug and laying by his close side. Zoey tucked herself in on the unconscious demon’s other side. She draped an arm over his still form, fingers brushing against Mystery. The two of them willed their heat to keep the demon between them warm.

Mira and Abby had retreated back to the other side of the fire. The large demon had pulled his huntress into his lap. Her long legs tangled with his as she leaned back against his broad chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head, gazing into the fire.

Rumi sat by herself. It was odd to feel so alone in a crowd, and yet, here she was. Her watchful eyes surveyed the familiar faces of the men and women gathered around the fire, observing how even the smallest of their movements betrayed their feelings towards one another.

And for the briefest of moments, Rumi felt a twinge of jealousy. Or maybe it was just longing. She yearned for Jinu to be here, holding her in a warm embrace while he joked with and teased his friends. Jinu would have known what to do about Baby and how to save the remaining Saja Boy from Gwi-ma.

Almost as if he could read Rumi’s mind, Abby said: “I’m worried for Romance.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Gwi-ma is changing and his punishments are becoming increasingly deranged.”

“Gwi-ma hasn’t changed at all,” Mystery said softly.

“Yes, he has,” Abby frowned. “I’ve seen him weaponize every one of our fears and memories against us, but what he did to you was new. And what he did to Baby was just…”

Abby had no idea how to finish that sentence. What the demon king had done to his friend was beyond words.

“You’re wrong,” Mystery ducked his head, the hint of blush visible through his hair. “Gwi-ma didn’t change… but I did.”

Mira crossed her arms. “Explain.”

Mystery sat up silently. Zoey shifted, sliding a hand across the demon’s back, fingers curling and relaxing in a small, comforting gesture, but stayed next to Baby’s unmoving body.

Rumi tilted her head to the side, watching the trio. They looked so natural, like they were always meant to be together, supporting each other with gentle touches and quiet murmurs.

“He made you watch as he killed someone you loved, right?” The Huntrix leader was cautious not to upset Mystery any more than he might already be. The memory of him savaging Abby’s arm was still fresh in her mind.

Mystery nodded.

“Fear or memory?” Rumi asked gently.

“Fear.”

“And this was a new one?”

Another nod.

“For Gwi-ma to kill your loved ones,” Mystery said slowly. “You have to have loved ones.”

The weight of his words was crushing.

Zoey’s lower lip trembled. “... never?”

He shook his head. “Not until recently.”

“Who?” She asked.

Mystery hugged his knees to his chest, his head lowering forward as he curled into himself. “Baby. Abby. Romance. Jinu.”

The demon hesitated, fidgeting, then slowly tilted his head until his golden eyes captured Zoey’s. “You.”

Her throat tightened, her stomach twisting in a knot. “Me?”

“Mhmm.” Mystery dropped his gaze, then gestured towards Rumi and Mira. “And them.”

Rumi was taken aback. “Us?”

A small nod.

“If you died, it would break her heart.” He hugged his knees tighter. “And that would break mine.”

“And mine,” came the ragged whisper from his side.

A split second later, Mystery was wrapped around a groaning Baby, peppering him with kisses.

Chapter Text

Mystery refused to let go of Baby. Luckily, the smaller demon didn’t protest about being smothered with little kisses. He surprised the girls by returning Mystery’s tight hug.

Eventually, Baby convinced Mystery to loosen his grip, just enough so he could see everyone else. “What did I miss?”

Abby brought him up to speed, with the occasional chime in from Huntrix. He was just explaining the part after they’d rescued him from the lake.

“… and they know Gwi-ma uses our worst fears and memories to punish us.”

Baby raised an eyebrow. “You told them about that? Seems like an odd thing to come up in casual conversation.”

“They said they’re here to save us,” Abby looked from Baby to Mystery. “Preparing them increases the chances they’ll succeed.”

Mystery inclined his head in a subtle nod, but Baby looked thoughtful. “How much did you tell them?”

“Only about Gwi-ma’s pattern for punishments,” Abby shifted, looking uncomfortable. Mira tried to climb out of his lap, assuming his fidgeting was about her, but he tugged her back down. “And how I became a demon.”

“Really?” Baby looked surprised. “You told them?”

He eyed the hunters. “Did you cry?”

Rumi and Zoey nodded, while a faint blush tinted Mira’s cheeks a light pink. She looked away, avoiding eye contact.

Abby winked slyly at Baby and kissed Mira’s warm, pink cheeks. “This one sobbed all night.”

“I did not!” Mira shoved Abby back, drawing a laugh from him, then scowled at the cyan-haired Saja. “I don’t cry over demons.”

Mira regretted the words the instant she said them, but old habits were hard to shake. Still scowling, she grabbed Abby’s arms and wrapped them tightly around her again, like a blanket.

“Sorry,” she whispered, blushing furiously. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I know,” he murmured into her hair. “It’s okay.”

No, it’s not,” she shook her head. “I need to stop saying things to push you away. I don’t want to do that anymore. I’m just…”

“It’s okay, love. You don’t have to say it,” the demon kissed Mira’s neck. “I understand.”

“But I want to say it!”

“Then do it,” he lightly nipped her ear.

Mira took several deep breaths to steady herself as she carefully thought about her exact word choice. “I don’t want to cry over you. Not ever. Because that would mean you’re hurt, or dead, and I can’t handle the thought of losing you again.”

A tear slipped down her cheek as she closed her eyes.

Abby knew he could tease Mira about how she was already crying over him, but he didn’t. The demon was proud to witness his hunter taking down her walls, or at least build a door in them. She was starting to give herself permission to show her softer side and he felt privileged to be one of the few she trusted enough to show it to.

Abby’s father once told him there was courage in vulnerability. Abby had never forgotten that. And the sharp-witted, sarcastic woman in his lap was the bravest person he’d known.

Baby cleared his throat. “Yo, lovebirds, either get a room or turn up the volume. It’s harder to eavesdrop when you whisper.”

Rumi rolled her eyes while Zoey elbowed him lightly. “Hey, be nice. He’s her first boyfriend!”

“ZOEY!” It didn’t seem physically possible, but Mira’s entire body turned bright pink. “GOD, YOU’RE SO EMBARRASSING!”

Zoey grinned wickedly, very reminiscent of another certain maknae. “No lies were told!”

“He’s NOT my boyfriend!” Mira screeched, then hid her face under Abby’s arm. “Oh, my God. Abby, take me back to the cliff so I can throw myself off it.”

He just grinned. “Absolutely not. In fact, I want to hear more about how I’m your first boyfriend. Zoey?”

Mira whirled around, brandishing a finger at her friend like a knife. “Zoey, don’t you dare say one more word! NOT. ONE.”

Zoey giggled as Mystery leaned close, nuzzling into her neck, while his other arm remained slung around Baby’s shoulders.

“And how many boyfriends have you had?” He murmured, lightly flicking his tongue over her delicate jawline.

“Nothing!” Zoey blurted out, blushing as hard as Mira. “I mean, none of your business!”

Rumi was fighting a losing battle to hide the smile tugging at her lips. How long had it been since she’s seen her girls this happy? She wished with her entire chest they could spend more time like this, but somewhere out there, Gwi-ma was inflicting who knows what kind of punishment on Romance.

With a shake of her head, the Huntrix leader turned to Baby.

“Was your punishment a fear or a memory?”

Baby studied her for a moment, then said: “Memory”

“Fuck.” Rumi never swore, but she couldn’t think of a more appropriate reaction.

“It’s a real tear-jerker, too.” Baby lifted the water bottle Zoey handed him to his lips. He took a long sip, eyeing the Huntrix leader. “You sure you can handle it?”

“We can.” Zoey squeezed Baby’s other hand. “But if you aren’t ready... I mean, what Gwi-ma put you through–”

“–was how I died.”

Zoey’s stomach dropped. Her words stuck in her throat. She should say something to comfort him, but her mind was empty. Desperately, she tried to think of what to say, but kept drawing blanks.

“What?!” Mira had been holding Abby’s hand and, without realizing it, dug her nails into him, as she processed the horror of Baby’s words. Instead of pulling away, Abby drew her closer to him, bundling her tightly in the comfort of his large arms. He lowered the side of his face to nestle the back of her head before kissing the sensitive spot behind Mira’s ear.

“It was a long time ago.” Baby shrugged, taking another sip as he looked nonchalantly at Mira. “I’m over it.”

“You’re… over it?” Rumi asked, horrified. “I– how do you get over that?”

Baby’s unbothered golden eyes flicked to the Huntrix leader. “Eventually Gwi-ma puts you through enough memory loops that you either get over it or let it destroy you.”

His expression hardened. “And I’m not weak.”

Mystery stroked Baby’s arm, long fingers gliding softly over his bare skin. “That wasn’t a memory loop.”

“No,” Baby’s gaze softened and he subconsciously leaned towards his friend. “It wasn’t.”

“Something changed, didn’t it?” Rumi asked. “Just like with Mystery.”

Baby’s sharp eyes snapped back to Rumi’s face. “Gwi-ma said he was going to break my bones like we broke his trust.”

Then he sighed and gave Zoey a sideways look. “Last chance to get off the trauma train before it leaves the station.”

She offered him a small smile and shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Baby glanced at the rest of the group. “Alright, then. Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

The maknae sat cross-legged, with Mystery and Zoey on either side. He was still a little unsteady, occasionally swaying, but they were always there for him to lean on.

“My family wasn’t poor, but they weren’t wealthy either. It was just the four of us: my mom and dad, me, and my younger brother. We looked like a loving family from the outside. Mom and dad had a perfect marriage, while San and I were well behaved.”

Mira raised a silent eyebrow.

Baby flashed her a grin. “Okay fine, you caught me. We were little menaces, but never in public and never in front of our parents.”

The hint of a smile touched Mira’s lips. “I knew it.”

“Anyways,” Baby continued. “San and I were complete opposites. He looked like… well, like Abby, so you know I was the hot brother.”

Baby ducked, narrowly avoiding the shoe Abby whipped at his head. “Too slow!”

He tossed it back to Abby, who caught it with ease, before getting back to his story.

“My parents were ashamed of me. They hated that their eldest son was smaller and scrawnier than his younger brother. Another family in our village had a daughter they wanted to marry off. Our families wanted to make an arrangement, but her father refused to marry his daughter off to a weakling like me. My parents hated having an embarrassment for a son, but they were such good actors that they fooled everyone. Including me.”

Zoey could hear Baby’s voice growing hoarse again, and nudged her water bottle into his hand. He uncapped it, took a long sip, then wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. “Thanks.”

He offered the bottle back to Zoey, but she shook her head and whispered: “Keep it.”

He nudged her hand with his before settling himself again.

“I got sick. Like, really sick. Sicker than Abby’s abs.” He forced a smile at his little joke, but there was no humor in his eyes or his voice. “No idea what was wrong with me. It hurt to swallow, so I stopped eating and drinking. It hurt to move or breathe, so I stayed in my bed all day.”

Mystery dropped his forehead to the smaller demon’s shoulder and Baby ruffled his hair.

”Good parents would try to help their sick child, but mine saw it as an opportunity,” Baby’s voice cracked and the muscles in his jaw tightened. “Better to have a dead son than a weak one.”

He took another sip of water, screwing his eyes shut. Then he lowered the bottle, took a breath, and exhaled shakily.

When he opened his eyes again, Baby stared into the fire with a faraway look. “We lived on the edge of town. A field near our house had an old abandoned well that dried up years before.”

He frowned.

“I think it was about a month after I got sick… I’d had a particularly rough day… my fever had worsened. My temperature was so high that I was freezing. I hadn’t been able to eat anything all week, but the nausea was so strong I dry heaved until my throat bled. That was the final straw, I guess.”

He trailed off, looking lost and alone. Shadows flickered in his sad, golden eyes.

“That night, they carried me out of the house. I was so delirious at that point that I was actually relieved to breathe fresh air. I remember thinking they are finally taking me to see a doctor. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Baby laughed bitterly. “What an idiot I was.”

A low warning rumbled from Mystery’s chest. “Don’t insult my friend.”

Baby’s head rested against Mystery’s. “Sorry.”

They stayed like that for several long seconds, murmuring to each other. Then the maknae kissed Mystery’s nose and sat up again.

“My family didn’t take me to see a healer. Instead, they tossed me down the well.”

Zoey let out a tiny gasp, covering her mouth with a hand.

Baby glanced at her, then back at the fire.

“The well was deep and dry, so no soft landing for me. I was in so much pain at that point, I couldn’t move, much less try to climb back out. I remember crying out for my parents, begging and pleading for them to help me. Instead of comforting me, they hurled insults and screamed about what a failure I was, ranting about how I was an embarrassment to our entire bloodline. Then they dropped the first stone.”

All three members of Huntrix stared at him with wide, horrified eyes. Baby didn’t look at them.

“It was about the size of a loaf of bread, landed on my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. I looked up to see what happened and my mom was staring down at me.”

Baby’s breathing was shallower, faster.

“I reached for her, crying for my mom to hold me,” His hands curled into tight fists. “Then that bitch dropped the second stone. It cracked my ribs.”

“What about your brother?” Mira asked, her eyes flashing with anger. “He would have noticed you were missing.”

Baby let out a sharp, cruel laugh. “Who do you think carried me to the well?”

Mira flinched.

“No…” Rumi’s face went ghostly pale. “Your brother, too?”

Baby nodded. “Oh yeah. Even dropped a couple stones himself. Each one broke more bones. I couldn’t escape. Gwi-ma found me suffocating under all that weight. He fed on my shame of being weak and unworthy of a family. In exchange for my soul, he promised to end my suffering quickly. Said he’d welcome me into his family with open arms. I agreed, just as a stone landed on my head. Everything went black and when I woke up, I was a demon.”

“Where was this?” Rumi asked softly.

Baby frowned at her. “Where?”

“Yes.” The look in Rumi’s eye was determined. “Where was your village? Or the well?”

“Why?” Baby regarded her with suspicion. “You want to drop a stone of your own?”

“Wha– No!” Rumi was immediately horrified. “Depending how long ago this was, the well may still be there. And when we get back, I was just thinking maybe…”

She dropped her gaze, hands twisting in her lap. “Maybe we could give you a proper burial.”

Silence.

Baby stared at her, then glanced at Mira and Zoey. “You’d really do that… for me?”

“Yes.” Rumi met and held his gaze. “You deserved so much better. And, if it’s possible, you should be laid to rest, surrounded by people who care about you.”

Zoey hugged the demon. “Absolutely. It’s the first thing we’ll do when we’re back.”

Mira silently nodded, her cheeks wet.

Baby refused to look away, even as tears welled in his large, round eyes. A muscle twitched in his cheek and he swallowed hard.

“I have no idea how long it’s been since I became a demon, because when you’re immortal, what’s the point in keeping track of time? The well may not be there anymore,” He took several deep breaths, willing his voice not to crack. “But give me a map and I’ll show you where I died.”

Rumi’s hand slid into her pocket to retrieve her phone with a maps app, but something else brushed her skin, reminding her of a forgotten question.

“Hey, I meant to ask,” Rumi fished the crumpled Save us note out of her pocket. “Which one of you sent this?”

Baby leaned in, squinting at the paper. “Save us?”

Rumi glanced at him. “I assume it wasn’t you then?”

Baby shook his head. “Nope. Not my style to ask hunters for help.”

“Was it you?” Zoey asked Mystery.

He also shook his head. “I wish I’d had the chance, but no. It wasn’t me.”

“Wasn’t me either,” Abby said, then nodded at Rumi. “Wait, show me that again.”

She passed the note over. Abby studied it for a moment. Then he tensed, blood draining from his face. His breathing quickened as he gripped the wrinkled note.

Mira glanced up at him. “What is it?”

Abby looked as if he were about to pass out.
“That’s Romance’s handwriting.”

Chapter Text

Abby’s declaration lit a fuse that sent everyone into a panic. Well, everyone, but Rumi.

“Guys! You have to calm down!” The Huntrix leader yelled at the top of her lungs.

Everyone froze in shock. Rumi stood, planting her hands on her hips and fixed each of them with a stern glare. “Sit. Down. Now.”

They sat.

“Thank you!” Rumi glared at the wide-eyed faces. “We’re all exhausted and that’s exactly when mistakes are made. It won’t do Romance any good if we get ourselves killed, so we are going to sit and eat. Then we are going to sleep. Once we wake up, then we can keep looking for him. But until then, you rest. Understood?”

“Yes mom,” Zoey smiled weakly, round cheeks flushed pink.

Abby saluted and Mira nodded. Rumi raised an eyebrow at the remaining Sajas.

Mystery just sighed and leaned against Baby. The maknae’s eyes narrowed, just for a moment, then he angrily muttered “fine” under his breath.

“Good.” Rumi took a seat. She waved a hand as if to clear the tension from the air. “As you were.”

The group sat in silence for several long minutes, before small talk eventually broke out. Eventually the conversation drifted back to the topic of demons. The hunters had a lot of questions that Celine refused to answer. The boys politely listened and responded as best they could.

“We know how Abby and Baby became demons,” Mira mused, eyes flicking to Mystery. “How ‘bout you? Did Gwi-ma come to you when you were dying or–”

“Mira, no!” Abby clapped a hand over the hunter’s mouth, but he was too late.

Mystery stiffened. His head jerked forward, eyes closed painfully shut. For a moment, he was frozen, muscles quivering, then he took off in flurry of movement. The demon moved so swiftly that he was out of sight before any of them could blink.

Zoey whirled on her friend, eyes blazing with unbridled fury. “Mira, what the hell kind of question was that?”

“Seriously,” Rumi shook her head with disappointment. “What were you thinking?”

Mira yanked out of Abby’s hold. “How was I supposed to know he’d react like that?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Zoey snapped, rising to her feet. “Maybe because Abby told us how terrible Mystery’s story was? Or do you just not care which Saja you hurt?”

Mira was gutted. Her jaw clenched with the effort of not making the situation worse. She needed to do better or risk Gwi-ma worming his way back in.

“I’m sorry. It was a thoughtless question and it was insensitive of me to ask.” Her head dropped a little. “I’ll go find Mystery and apologize.”

“Oh no the fuck you won’t,” Baby snarled, leaping off the ground to stand by Zoey’s side. “You stay away from him.”

A low growl rumbled from behind Mira. “She said she was sorry. She didn’t mean to upset Mystery.”

“Yeah, well she did,” Baby spat. His pupils narrowed into furious slits. “You stay here. I’ll go find him.”

He stormed off in the direction Mystery had disappear. Zoey’s angry glare was still trained on Mira. “I’m going with him. Don’t follow us.”

Tears sprang into Mira’s eyes. She sagged, chest heaving with sobs. “Fuck, I didn’t mean it!”

Abby sighed. Large arms cradled Mira as he gently leaned forward, pressing her against his chest. “We know you didn’t mean anything by it. So does Mystery.”

Rumi moved closer, gently squeezing Mira’s knee. “Don’t worry, Baby and Zoey will bring him back.”

Mira nodded glumly. Her hair tickled Abby’s nose as he leaned over to kiss her cheek.
“I’m proud of you,” he murmured.

Tearful eyes glanced back at him. “You are?”

“Mhmm,” he smiled softly down at his hunter. “You were so brave, letting yourself be vulnerable like that.”

Mira crossed her arms, hugging herself tightly. “Fat lot of good it did me,” she mumbled.

Breath warmed her skin as his soft lips brushed over her neck. “You refused to given into your fears. You fought to keep him out. I’ve never seen you more powerful or radiant than you were in that moment.”

Mira’s mouth twist in a sad smile. “You’re just saying that so you’ll get lucky.”

Abby tensed. His hand grasped Mira’s chin, pulling her to look at him. “If and when that happens, it will be because you want it to, not because anyone coerced you.”

Mira flinched.

“I did it again, didn’t I?” She sighed, covering Abby’s hand with her own. “Since you think I’m brave when I’m vulnerable, here it is: sometimes I say things without thinking, but no matter what I say, I never mean to hurt you.” She glanced sideways at Rumi. “Any of you.”

It was time to talk about the thing she'd been avoiding.

Mira steeled herself. “Rumi, there’s something you should know. You remember that fight we had, back at the lake?”

“Of course I do,” Rumi hesitated warily. “It’s a little hard to forget.”

Mira bit the inside of her cheek. “After I stormed off, I was angry. Not with you or Zoey, but with myself. And then a voice in my head started saying all these things about how I was worthless and all I did was hurt everyone around me.”

“Gwi-ma,” Rumi breathed. “He got in your head.”

Mira nodded, dropping her gaze to the dying fire. “He hollowed me out and told me to jump off a cliff. Abby saved me just in time. He’s the only reason I’m still alive.”

Rumi met Abby’s sad eyes. He blinked slowly, inclining his head to silently confirm Mira’s story.

“Thank you.” Rumi said softly, holding his gaze. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll never stop owing you for saving her life.”

A shadow of pain and sorrow slid across Abby’s features. “You’re saving me and my brothers. I think we can call it even.”

Chapter Text

“Baby, wait up!” Zoey stumbled, gasping for air.

Her toe caught a stone, sending her sprawling face first onto the ground. Her palms scraped raw over the rough gravel. She spat out a mouthful of dirt, wiping her face on the back of her hand.

Bare feet stepped into view as Baby crouched in front of her, head tilting to the side. “You coming or having a nap?”

“Oh hush!” She pushed herself back up. “I couldn’t watch where my feet were going, because someone was going too fast!”

“Keep up or turn around.” Baby looked like he couldn’t care less either way.

“Rude,” Zoey huffed. Her fists clenched by her side and her shoulder knocked into Baby’s as she angrily marched in the direction Mystery disappeared.

“Do you even know where you’re going?” His taunting voice called after her.

“I’m going to find Mystery,” she snapped. “Either keep up or turn around.”

Baby caught up to her with ease, matching his pace to hers. “Such a fiery temper from such a little hunter,” he smirked. “No wonder he likes you.”

Heat rose in her cheeks as Zoey’s stomach twisted in a bundle of impossible knots. “I’m not that little.”

A hand grabbed her wrist, spinning her into the demon’s chest. He leaned over to rest his chin on the top of her head. “Yes, you are,” he said, sounding entirely too smug.

Zoey’s burning cheek turned beet red. She shoved him. “Get off me.”

“Why?” His golden eyes glittered. “You were all over me back there.”

“Was not!”

Strong, slender fingers slid under her chin, pulling her to meet his sharp gaze. He studied the hunter, searching her face. The corner of his mouth curled in a wicked smile. “Liar.”

Then he leaned down.

Zoey’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

Warm breath mingled with her hair as he inhaled her scent. “Mmm. You smell sweet. Like candy and flowers.”

Somehow, her scraped hands wound up resting on his chest. She sucked in a breath as his face lowered to hers.
“Here’s the thing about Mystery,” Baby murmured, his soft lips brushing lightly over hers. “You don’t find him. He finds you.”

His eyes flicked to something behind Zoey. “Hey.”

A deep, familiar voice answered. “Hey.”

Zoey’s heart almost leapt out of her chest. She whirled around. “Mystery?!”

He stood a few paces away, muscles tense, as if he were about to pounce. Hands clenched and unclenched at his side. “Zoey.”

“We came looking for you.” She took a step forward, then stopped. “I’m sorry for Mira. She shouldn’t have pried.”

The demon’s chest rose and fell as he drew in shallow, ragged breaths. “You think I’m upset about that?”

Zoey hesitated. “… aren’t you?”

“No,” the low growl tore from his throat. “I don’t care she asked me.”

She glanced at Baby, then back to Mystery. “Then I don’t understand…”

Mystery lunged forward, gripping Zoey’s arms with clawed hands. “I’m upset because once you hear it…” He gritted his teeth. “You’ll never look at me like that again.”

“Like what?” She whispered, icy fear rising through her spine.

His lips curled in a snarl, flashing his fangs. “Like I was someone you loved.”

“Oh,” Zoey’s heart ached. Ignoring the biting claws, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely. “You are someone I love.”

He tried to pull away, shadows of pain in his eyes. “I won’t be. Not after you hear it.”

Zoey relaxed her arms, letting them slide down to his hips. Her fingers curled around the fabric of his waistline, pulling him closer. “You don’t have to tell me anything.”

“Yes,” he whispered, voice cracking a little. “I do.”

“He’s right,” Baby said, all trace of his earlier smugness gone. “If you know, Gwi-ma won’t be able to warp Mystery’s story and use it to break you.”

Zoey brushed a lock of Mystery’s hair out of his face. “Do you want to tell me now or wait until we’re back.”

He closed his eyes, letting his forehead drop to rest against hers. “Wait until we’re back. They should hear it too.”

Chapter Text

When the trio arrived back at the campsite, Mystery asked to have a private word with a nervous-looking Mira. They’d stepped away for several minutes, but when they returned, Mira looked as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Everyone settled around the fire to listen to Mystery’s story.

“I was born before the Honmoon existed,” Mystery began. “I won’t bore you with the details of my childhood, but I was orphaned when I was six years old and grew up homeless in a small village. I almost died from starvation or exposure countless times. When I turned sixteen, people stopped giving me food out of pity. They told me I was old enough to earn my own food. I tried to find odd jobs to help with, but work, at least the honest kind, was scarce.”

Mystery stared at the fire, refusing to look at Zoey.

“I– I started selling myself in… other ways.”

“Oh, Mys–” Zoey started to say, but was cut off by the finger Baby pressed against her lips.

He met her eyes and subtly shook his head. “Just listen,” he murmured. “It’s important.”

Mystery continued as if he hadn’t noticed their little exchange. “Some clients treated me gently, but they were few and far between. Most enjoyed it rough, and the nights I fell asleep with bruises and cuts outnumbered the ones I didn’t. Sometimes a client would pay extra to beat me or give me lashes. And I was so hungry, I’d let them.”

Baby’s hand slipped into his. His thumb traced small circles on the back of Mystery’s warm skin. Mystery smiled wanly at the other demon. Then he turned to Zoey.

“The only one who showed me any kindness was a little girl. She had hair as black as night, but her smile shone brighter than the sun. She brought me bundles of food scraps she’d smuggled out of the house when no one was looking and sat with me while I devoured them, petting my hair like a dog.” A sad smile touched his lips. “She even gave me a bracelet she’d woven out of long river grasses. It was my most treasured possession.”

He exhaled and closed his eyes, shifting to lean on Baby. The maknae rested his head on Mystery’s shoulder, subtly stroking his arm with a thumb.

“Demon attacks on our village were becoming more frequent. They were brutal and terrifying, but they never left any bodies behind for us to bury.” He pursed his lips. “At the time, I didn’t know that when a demon steal’s someone’s soul, their body disintegrates, a fact I remained ignorant of until…”

Mystery’s shoulders slumped, his expression bleak. “… until they stole her soul right in front of me.”

Zoey flung her arms around him, pulling him as close as physically possible. He buried his face in her shoulder, tears wetting her hair. “I couldn’t save her.”

“I know,” she whispered. “Shh, it’s okay.”

“No, it’s not,” he mumbled. “And I have to live with that failure forever.”

He paused then said: "You remind me of her... if she'd had the chance to grow up."

Zoey didn’t know what to say to that, so she just held him, stroking his hair. Baby moved closer. Sliding his arms around the pair, he dropped his head to rest against Mystery’s, as if he could absorb the other demon’s pain.

Mystery drew in a shaky breath and straightened.

“The moment she died, I heard his voice for the first time. The whispers were constant, goading me about how weak I was. How worthless. How I couldn't save that little girl. It was endless. I thought I was going mad. Then one day, the voice said I could be strong enough to defend the village and promised that I would never have to sleep outside again. At that point, I’d already sold my body and dignity—why not sell my soul too?”

Zoey cupped his cheek, watching him with sad eyes. She’d known he was going to accept the offer, because, well, he was a demon, but it didn’t make it any easier to hear.

Mystery covered her hand with his, lacing their fingers together.

“My body strengthened. My endurance and agility improved. The next time the demons attacked, I was able to save the woodcutter and his wife. After the demons retreated, the woodcutter invited me to live with them. He had a small shed, but he cleared it out and put down some bedding and a blanket. It was wonderful. I helped the woodcutter with odd jobs for meals and a roof over my head. Life was good… for a while.”

Mystery’s face turned grim.

“Then one night, my door opened and he slid into my bed. He’d been drinking.” Mystery wrinkled his nose. “I could smell it on his breath. He knew of my reputation and wanted to…”

He went quiet. A muscle in his jaw twitched.

“Thanks to Gwi-ma, I was strong enough to push him away. But he got mad that I was refusing his advances. His face warped into an ugly mask, and when I tried to stand up, he shoved me back on the bed. Then he grabbed… me.”

Mystery stared at the ground like he wished it would swallow him whole.

“I went berserk. Everything I’d endured just hit me. I saw red. My teeth lengthened into fangs and I ripped his throat out with my teeth.”

“Good,” Mira’s face was hard. “That bastard had it coming.”

Mystery’s golden gaze flicked to her, then back to the ground. “As his body hit the floor, the demons attacked. I heard cries outside and ran to help.”

He touched the side of his mouth.

“I didn’t realize I had grown tusks until the neighbors saw me. They screamed and pointed, calling me a monster. A demon. I tried to tell them I wasn’t one, but they were right.”

Slowly, he turned to look at Zoey. “Then the hunters showed up.”

“I thought you said you were born before the Honmoon?” Rumi asked, confused. “But the first hunters were the ones who created the Honmoon.”

Mystery nodded slowly, never taking his eyes off Zoey. “That was the night the Honmoon was born and I was dragged down here.”

Chapter Text

Everyone was silent, trying to process what Mystery had told them.

Zoey was the first to move.

Mystery froze as his hunter rose. He knew she couldn’t love a monster like him. He didn’t deserve someone like her, so radiant and filled with light.

A tear slid silently down his cheek.

She was moving away from him. He was unclean and she couldn’t stand to be near him anymore. He didn’t blame her. He understood. Any minute now, she’d break away, running to get as far away from him as possible.

But instead of running away, his sweet, precious Zoey knelt in front of him.

“Shhh,” her hand slid up to wipe away the tear. “None of that.”

“I’m not a good guy, Zoey,” he whispered, voice cracking. The muscles in his face trembled with the effort of not bursting into tears. “And you deserve to be with someone good.”

Zoey placed her hands gently on either side of his face, drawing him to look at her. She arched an eyebrow with mock sternness. “Are you trying to tell me who I can and cannot love, because I’ll tell you right now, Mystery Saja, you’re fighting a losing battle.”

That was the moment his heart shattered. He collapsed into her. She held him tight, rocking him gently back and forth, letting the broken demon cradled in her arms release the pain he’d been holding onto for so long. His body heaved violently as he sobbed with relief. He clung to her like a drowning person clinging to a life raft. She was a lighthouse, guiding him out of the darkness.

The wind shifted and the demons sat up, alert. All of them stared in the same direction.

“Abby?” Mira nudged him, but it was like nudging an immoveable wall. He didn’t even acknowledge her.

Zoey’s gaze slid from Mystery to Baby. “What is it?” She whispered, trying desperately and failing to ignore her growing dread. “Wha–”

Baby clapped a hand over her mouth without looking at her.

Mystery rose, cheeks still glistening with tears. The other demons also stood, their movements so furtive, so tense. They looked as if they were straining to hear something… or someone.

Abby’s eyes went wide. “ROMANCE!”

With inhuman speed, the boys took off. Rumi sprang to her feet, waving a hand to clear the rising cloud of dusted created by the sprinting Sajas. “Okay, people have got to stop doing that.”

They tracked the demons to a creepy-looking, seemingly abandoned village.

The houses were in shambles, sagging under their own weight, wood splintered and gray, looking as if they were one light breeze away from collapsing into piles of rubble. Dust coated the roofs in a thin, even sheet. Windows cloudy with a hardened layer of dust—not shattered, but filmed over as though time itself had sealed them shut.

A wooden bucket lay tipped over by a splintered crate, its fraying rope brittle with disuse.

A faded child’s toy lay forgotten in street, coated in powdery dirt, waiting for hands that would never return.

There was no noise. No wind.
The air was heavy and stale, as though even time had stopped moving through this place.

The girls fought the urge to summon their weapons, but their fingers twitched, ready to call them at a moment’s notice.

Mystery’s head whipped sideways. If he’d had hackles, they would have been raised. A low growl rumbled in his chest. “This way.”

The demons led the way with Huntrix close behind. Their crunching footsteps didn’t echo off the buildings. It was almost as if the leaning, thirsty houses were drinking up every ounce of sound.

The empty street opened into a deserted village square. Tattered banners of once-bright fabric hung limp from sagging beams, faded by time. Every corner of the square felt washed out, bleached, as if color itself had abandoned this place.

And there, on the ground, lay Romance.

Long pink hair framed delicate cheekbones. Hands with long slender fingers were folded over his chest. His skin was ashen–too grey, even for his demon form–and he lay impossibly still.

Baby threw out a hand to stop Abby from rushing to their friend’s side. “Wait.” His slivered pupils darted suspiciously around. “You felt it. We all did.”

“But he’s right there,” Abby gestured frantically at the motionless figure on the ground. “Look at him!”

“I am!” Baby hissed. “Does he look alright to you?”

“That’s why we need to help him!” Abby snapped. “What if he’s torturing Romance’s mind the same way he did with Mystery? We need to snap him out of it!”

Zoey squinted at the Saja’s eerily still form. “He doesn’t look like he’s suffering… just having a nap. Does he remind anyone else of a vampire? Wait, are there vampires here?”

“Zoey!” Mira hissed. “Not now!”

Abby shoved past Baby, ignoring the maknae’s warnings. “Romance?” He called softly. "It’s me. It’s Abby. Can you hear me?”

The silence was deafening. Mira could hear her pulse thundering in her ears. “Come on,” she muttered under her breath, sharp eyes fixed on the unmoving demon. “Please be alive. Come on, Romance.”

Baby’s wide eyes were locked on his friend. His breath hitched. “Romance?”

The figure on the ground stirred, eyelids fluttering open. Red eyes glinted up at the onlookers as that lovely, delicate mouth curved into a vicious smirk.
“Romance doesn’t live here anymore.”

Chapter Text

“GWI-MA!” Mira instinctively summoned her gok-do. The weapon blazed in her hands. “You’re fucking dead!”

Romance stretched lazily, tucking his arms behind his head. “Go ahead, kill me… but then any chance you have of saving your little boy toy dies with me.”

“He’s still alive?” Abby asked, battling the urge to shrink away from the demon king. “You didn’t–”

“What, destroy his soul?” Romance yawned. “Of course not. I’m not letting him off the hook that easily.”

“What did you do to him?” Zoey’s deadly shin-kals shimmered in her ready hands.

“Nothing he didn’t want me to,” Romance winked at the Huntrix maknae.

“What do you mean?” Rumi pointed her sword at his chest. “Explain.”

Romance smirked up at her. “Ahhh, Rumi, leader of the legendary Huntrix. We meet again.” He scanned the group. “What, no Jinu? I thought maybe he’d be joining us. Oh, well, another time perhaps.”

Rumi grip tightened on her sword. “Don’t you dare say his name.”

“What. Did. You. Do. To. Romance.” Mystery ground out each word from between clenched teeth. He’d dropped into his demon form, tusks protruding from the corners of his mouth. Every muscle in his body quivered with rage.

Cruel red eyes fixed on Mystery. “You should have seen how delightfully he begged me at the end. Asked me to destroy him… his soul… said he’d do whatever it took to end the pain. I just gave him what he wanted.”

“He never wanted this,” Baby snarled, hands balling into fists.

Romance's eyes flicked to Baby and he sighed tragically. “I have to say, I’m a little disappointed. I really thought you would be the one to… crack.”

Baby’s white-knuckled fists clenched tighter. “Fuck you.”

Romance shook his head at the maknae, clucking his tongue. “You were my favorite, you know. You and Jinu. I made so many plans...” He sighed again. “But I guess I’ll just have to make do with him instead.”

“You’re lying.” Mira edged forward, keeping her gok-do raised. “Romance wouldn’t just give in like that. He’s not a coward.”

Romance frowned. “Manners, Mira, he can hear you.”

“What?” Abby turned white as a sheet. He lurched forward. “You mean, he’s aware?”

Romance raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t be a much of a punishment if I just let him nap the entire time, would it?”

Rumi stepped forward, her icy voice piercing. “Are you possessing his body or his mind?”

"I could tell you,” Romance tapped his chin. “But I'm not going to.”

Mira took another step. “So, you possessed him—mind, body, whatever—and laid down in the street? That’s the dumbest plan I’ve ever heard.”

Something dark glinted in Romance’s eyes. He rose, licking his lips at Mira. “Is it? Because, so far, it seems to be working out exactly the way I wanted.”

A grin spread across his face, wide and unhuman, like a deranged clown. “Haven’t you noticed a distinct lack of demons on your journey, despite being in the demon realm? You never wondered why your little rescues went uninterrupted?”

His head tilted unnaturally, the motion too precise, too deliberate, and turned to flash a mocking smile at Abby. “Or maybe you were too distracted by these delicious slabs of meat to realize anything was wrong.”

Romance suddenly burst into a bone-chilling cackle. He took a slow step towards Abby, pinning the muscular demon with his gaze. “I wouldn’t blame you for sampling from my menu.”

He reached out, dragged a slender finger down Abby’s quivering chest.

“This one’s a prime cut, grade A beef.” His gaze flicked to Mira. “But then, you already know that, don’t you?”

“Get your hands off him!” She snarled, lunging forward.

Baby tackled her, knocking her weapon away. “Stop that!” He hissed. “Are you trying to get Romance killed?”

Mira struggled against the Saja maknae. He was surprisingly strong for his size. But he was also right. She couldn’t stop Gwi-ma without hurting Romance.

Baby watched Mira regain control of herself, then slid off her. He grabbed her hand and yanked her to her feet.

Romance’s hand was on Abby’s chest, stroking the demon’s skin as he watched the scene between Mira and Baby unfold. He looked… amused. “My, my, such a ferocious little hunter, aren’t you? Don’t worry,” his gaze turned sultry as his claws dug into Abby’s skin. “This one enjoys that sort of thing.” He pressed closer to Abby. “Don’t you?”

Abby’s trembling body stiffened. His throat bobbed, but he just stared ahead. Blood welled around Romance’s claws as he dug deeper into Abby’s flesh. A whimper escaped Abby’s lips, but he refused to move.

“Look how well trained he is.” Leaning in, Romance dragged his tongue over Abby’s entire face. Abby flinched, but didn’t push him away. Romance pressed a finger to his nose. “Did you let the pretty hunter play with you, hmm?”

Abby’s lips curled in a silent snarl, but Romance clucked his tongue again. “Ah ah ah, my little soda pop. Make one move against me and you’ll get to watch as I dismember your friends.”

Abby’s eyes squeezed painfully closed. When they reopened, it was like a light inside of him had dimmed. His body relaxed and he stared straight ahead… at nothing.

Romance stroked his cheek. “There he is.”

“Leave him alone!” Mira roared. In a blur, she leapt forward and shoved him away from Abby. The muscular demon behind her swayed on his feet, dangerously close to falling. Baby and Mystery rushed to his side, holding him up.

“So protective,” Romance grinned, wiping away a trickle of blood on his sleeve. His fang nicked the corner of his mouth when Mira shoved him. “Aren’t you demon hunters, not demon fuckers?”

“Fuck you!” She screamed at him, lunging again. This time, Rumi and Zoey were the ones to grab their friend, pulling her back.

Romance arched an eyebrow. “I’m sure you’re planning to, but unfortunately, we’re unable to take on any new clients right now.”

Everyone froze, staring in horror as his words sunk in.

“… clients?” Mystery rasped. “No…”

Sharp, red eyes twinkled with malice. “Oh yes… you see, sweet little Romance here has been re-living not just his own worst fears and memories, but each of yours as well. Once in a while, we'll re-enact the particularly juicy ones.”

“No,” Mystery shrank back. “Nononnono.”

Romance’s laughed cruelly. “Oh yes yes yes. That spicy one of yours is still on our top five greatest hits.”

“So, what now?” Mira spat. “You’re just going around, whoring Romance out to every demon in the realm?”

The pink-haired demon in front of her chuckled. “I’ll tell you exactly what’s gonna happen, Mira. Romance and I will return to my throne, where he’ll continue to live out each of his friends’ worst fear and memories, for all eternity. Or at least until I get bored.”

He winked at Baby. “Think of all the bone-breaking fun he’s about to have.”

Baby’s fist clenched with fury, but the maknae remained silent.

Romance’s gaze slid over the rest of the group. “If you do find a way to free him, you know where we'll be.”

He saluted, vanishing in a pink cloud of smoke.

Chapter Text

Mira stared at the spot where Romance vanished. Her limbs were trembling as whispering voices filled her head.

You failed. Again.

You’re weak.

You can’t save him. You couldn’t even save yourself.

“Mira!” Baby’s sharp hiss cut through the voices. “Abby needs you!”

The mention of Abby’s name jolted her out of the fog clouding her mind. Mira spun around to find Baby trying to support Abby’s weight entirely on his own.

Mystery had retreated into himself, curling up in ball on the ground. Long hair hid his face, but his lips quivered, whimpering. Zoey was kneeling beside him, murmuring soothing words and running her fingers through his hair.

Rumi was leaning back against Derpy while Sussie perched on her shoulder, looking the hunter over. The Huntrix leader surveyed their group with worried eyes. “We should get off the streets. What Gwi-ma said about us not running into any other demons… I’m a little freaked out.”

Zoey looked up at her leader. “What do we do? Abby and Mystery are in no condition to walk, much less fight, and the campsite’s too far away for us to carry them?”

Rumi chewed on her lip. “I guess we could stay here. The houses could provide us with cover and shelter while they recover and we figure out what to do next.”

Tentatively, the Huntrix leader tried a doorknob. The door creaked open and Rumi peered inside. “There’s not enough room for all of us in one house. We should make sure each group has a hunter with them, just incase Gwi-ma pops back up in the middle of the night. Mira, why don’t you and Abby take one, Zoey and Mystery can take another…” She glanced at Baby. “You can stay with me or–”

“I’m staying with Mystery,” Baby interrupted. Then he ducked his head, looking uncharacteristically apologetic. “Sorry, Rumi, I just… I’m really worried about him.”

“That’s okay.” She offered him a small, warm smile. “I completely understand. Derpy and Sussie can stay with me.” Truthfully, Rumi was glad to have a little time away from everyone. She felt like the glue holding her together could give way at any moment and she didn’t want to shatter in front of her friends.

Rumi guided the animals to a house large enough to fit the large tiger. Baby helped Mira move Abby into one of the houses, then ran back to help Mystery and Zoey.

Mira slid to the floor next to Abby. The back of his head rested against the greyish wood behind him, with a distant look in his unseeing, dull eyes. The demon was still in whatever trance Gwi-ma had put him in.

“Abby,” Mira lay her head on his shoulder. “Come back to me.”

Abby shuddered under her touch, but didn’t move.

Anger rippled through the hunter and something inside her just snapped. “You can’t do this to me!” She slammed her fist into his chest, putting all of her fear and anger into the blow. “You can’t make me love you and then abandon me like this!”

A large hand caught her fist. Through blurry tears, she blinked up into a pair of glowing golden eyes. Shadows of pain echoed in their depths, but there was also light.

“You… love me?”

She collapsed into him, sobbing. “Of course I do, you buffoon! How do you not know that?!”

Powerful arms wrapped around her as he lowered his head to hers. “I knew it. I just wasn’t sure you knew it.” He hesitated. “Mira…”

Her name was a whispered prayer on his lips.

“I–” His voice roughened as the words caught in his throat. “I can still feel him… touching me.”

Her hand slid up to cup his face. “What can I do?”

“Can you…” Abby pulled back. “Sorry… I shouldn’t ask… it’s not fair to you.”

She refused to let him hide from her. “Ask me anyways.”

His throat bobbed as he struggled to verbalize his impossible request. “Can you touch me… where he did? Erase the feeling of him and replace it with you…”

His shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “It’s a terrible thing to ask.”

“No,” Mira shook her head, moving to sit in Abby’s lap, her legs draping over his hips. “I’m glad you asked.”

She let her fingers glide over his skin, coaxing the tension and hurt out of him. Then she pressed a finger to his nose, where Romance had. Mira carefully watched his reactions before tilting her head and tenderly kissing that same spot. “Is this okay?”

Abby nodded, his hands gently gripping Mira’s thighs. “It’s helping. Thank you.”

She moved onto his other cheek, massaging the places where Romance’s tongue had dragged over his skin. Abby whimpered, leaning into her touch. She brushed a tear from his cheek with her thumb. “Keep going?”

He nodded, covering her hand with his, pressing it into his cheek as if to brand the warmth of her into his skin.

She was patient with him, letting him touch her and press her body against his to chase away any lingering reminders of Gwi-ma. Her hands slid to his chest, fingers curling over his skin as she kissed every bloody claw mark the demon king had left behind. And when she was done, she kissed the hollow just above his collarbone.

A little moan escaped his lips. Large fingers tangled in her hair as he leaned back, letting his head rest against the wall once more. “Mira…”

Shifting her hips forward, Mira curled into his broad chest, leaving a trail of kisses up his neck. When she reached the sharp angle of his jawline, she sat back, surveying the demon. “Abby?”

“Mm?”

“Do you want me to stop?”

The glow in his golden eyes blazed. “Fuck no.”

She grasped his chin and firmly kissed his lips. “If you say stop, we stop. Understood?”

He nodded, his cheeks squishing adorably in her hand. “Mhmm.”

She arched an eyebrow. “You have to say it out loud.”

The corner of his mouth quirked in a wicked smile. “Yes, Mistress Mira, I understand.”

Mira rolled her eyes. Just a little.
Then she kissed him again.

Chapter Text

“It’s all my fault,” The demon couldn’t shrink in on himself any more if he tried. He refused to let Baby or Zoey touch him, looking completely miserable. “I whored myself out to the entire village. And now Romance is suffering because of me… because I was nothing but a… slut.”

His voice cracked and he buried his face in his hands.

Zoey crouched in front of him. “Even if that were true, which it ‘s NOT, you never did it to hurt anyone.”

Baby was livid. “Fuck’s sake, man, you were just doing whatever it took to survive. Stop blaming yourself for making a hard choice.”

“It doesn’t matter,” his eyelids were screwed shut with pain and guilt. “Gwi-ma’s still using that… choice… on Romance.”

“Yeah, he is,” Baby snapped. “Not you. Gwi-ma.”

Mystery ignored him, and went back to rocking back and forth.

Baby and Zoey exchanged a look. The Saja maknae jerked his head to the side of the room furthest from Mystery.

“We have to snap him out of it,” Baby kept his voice hushed.

Zoey nodded. “Agreed.”

The maknaes stared at each other silent for a moment.

Baby motioned to Zoey. “Well… what’s the plan?”

“What?” She whispered furiously. “Why are you asking me?”

“Aren’t you the hunter with an entire library’s worth of ideas?” Baby shot back.

“Yeah, I am, but I can promise you there’s nothing in any of them about how to deal with this situation,” she retorted.

“Well, try something,” Baby demanded. “Do something unexpected… maybe the shock will snap him back to normal.”

“Unexpected? What do you want me to do, sit on his face until he stops crying?”

Baby stared at her, wide-eyed, mouth hanging slightly open in surprise. Then he grinned. “You’re welcome to try it out on me… you know, for practice.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she elbowed him. Then looked thoughtful. “I might have an idea… maybe… but I’m not sure if he’ll like it.”

Baby glanced in Mystery’s direction. “At this point, I’m willing to try anything.”

Zoey took a deep breath, then took a seat beside Mystery. “Hey,” her voice was soft and soothing. “Baby and I were talking. I have an idea that could help you, and maybe that would help Romance in some way.”

Mystery stilled. “What idea?”

“Well…” Zoey steadied herself, carefully choosing her words. “Gwi-ma is using your memories of sex to torture Romance. Maybe we could overwrite that memory or at least bleed out some of the venom,” Zoey suggested. “You know, reclaim your power, or something like that.”

Baby arched a brow. “… by fucking?”

“WHAT?!” Zoey was immediately horrified. “OMIGOD NO THAT’S NOT AT ALL WHAT I WAS SAYING!”

He smirked. “It’s exactly what you were saying, minus the shame and stammering.”

Zoey thought of something else. “Wait,” she paused. “Baby, have you…” She had no idea how to finish that sentence without making things awkward.

“Have I ever what?” He eyed her suspiciously.

A blush crept into Zoey’s face. “Have you ever… you know…”

He raised an eyebrow. “Could you be more specific?”

Oh god, maybe he really didn’t know what she was talking about. Zoey felt her blush deepening. “Have you ever had sex?” She blurted out, then covered her face.

Peeking out from behind her fingers, she saw the hint of a smirk on his face, eyes glittering with amusement. Why, that little…

“You!” She poked his chest with a finger. “You knew what I was talking about the whole time, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did,” he grinned. “Don’t let these boyish good looks fool you, Zoey. I’m not as innocent as I seem.”

“So, then your answer is… yes?”

“Oh, no,” Baby chuckled. “I died before I ever had the chance. You just looked so uncomfortable, I thought I’d see if I could make you say it out loud.” He winked. “I win.”

“Unbelievable,” she huffed. Then she realized something. “Wait, you two have never… with anyone who you actually liked?”

The demons looked at each other, then at Zoey. “Nope,” Baby said as Mystery shook his head.

“Okay,” she started, her mind racing. “Gwi-ma is twisting your memories and using them against you, right? I was going to suggest we just sit and talk about what happened to Mysery and help him work through his shame. But… well, we have this place to ourselves tonight, and maybe instead of just talking about it, we could show him…”

Baby smirked. “So… fucking?”

“I want to try.”

Zoey searched Mystery’s face, suddenly hopeful. “You do?”

He shrugged, not meeting her eyes, and sat up. “I dunno if it’ll work, but I guess it’s worth a shot. For Romance.” He hesitated, twisting his hands in his lap. “Where do we start?”

“Well… what do you like?” Zoey could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as she slowly moved to straddle his lap. “In bed, I mean.”

Mystery regarded her silently, then slowly said: “I– I don’t know. No one’s ever asked me that before.”

His hands hovered over her legs, just for a moment, before carefully coming to rest on her thighs.

Zoey’s heart squeezed painfully in her chest. Poor Mystery… all that time… all those people… and not once had anyone ever spared a thought for him.

Then she was angry. How could no one have taken the time to care for this man? He had such a tender, good heart… and they all just stomped on it.

Mystery must have felt her stiffen. He sat back, hands in the air, looking worried. “What is it? Did I hurt you or–”

Zoe’s words caught in her throat. “God, no. You could never hurt me… I’m so sorry, I was just thinking about what happened and I just–”

Mystery flinched, and she knew he was retreating into himself again. She held out a hand to him. “I was angry, but not at you. Never at you. I was just mad that no one ever took the time to love you before.”

He blinked at her. “Oh.”

They sat, unmoving for a second.

Mystery took her hand. “Don’t be mad,” his rough voice was quiet. “They aren’t worth dimming your light over.” He studied her, deep in thought. “Since I’m not sure what I like, and Baby’s never done anything before, why don’t we start with what you like?”

Zoey hadn’t been expecting that, but she could make it work. “Okay. But before we do anything, we should come up with a safe word.”

The demons looked puzzled. “What’s that?” Baby wanted to know.

“It’s a completely random word that you wouldn’t normally say in a situation, and if you feel uncomfortable or we do something you don’t like, say the safe word and we just stop. No judgement. No questions asked. That way, you have complete control over your comfort.”

Mystery and Baby exchanged a look. By the way they stared unblinking at each other, they may as well have been having a silent conversation.

Mystery’s thumb curled and relaxed over the back of Zoey’s hand. “You choose the safe word.”

“Hmm… she tapped a finger to her pursed lips. “Let’s see how about… soda pop?”

The Sajas looked at each other. Baby cracked a grin and the corner of Mystery’s mouth twitched.

“’Soda pop’ it is,” Mystery agreed softly. “Now what?”

Zoey squeezed his hand. “Now I want to see you.”

Mystery looked confused. “I’m right here?”

“No,” she shook her head slowly, her gaze never leaving his face. “I want to see you as you are. No more hiding.”

Baby’s grin faded at her words and Mystery’s jaw tightened. “Why?” His defensiveness said more than words ever could.

“Because you believe you’re a monster,” She lightly traced a circle on the demon’s palm, “and I want to show you that you’re not.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking,” Mystery said slowly, as if each word caused him a great deal of pain. He glanced over to the grim-looking Baby. “We don’t want to scare you.”

Zoey pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Gwi-ma uses shame and fear as a weapon, but he can’t do that if you aren’t ashamed of who you are.”

She cupped the side of his face with a gentle hand.

“I want to see you.” Her eyes flicked to Baby. “Both of you.”

“You’ve already seen our demon forms.” Baby sounded nonchalant, but there was a roughness in his voice that betrayed his nerves. “You were at Namsan.”

“Yeah, I was,” her gaze slid from him to Mystery. “But I don’t recall seeing any tusks…”

Baby huffed a laugh and bumped Mystery with his shoulder. “Sorry man, she’s got us there.”

“Do you have them too?” She asked Baby. “The tusks, I mean?”

He winked. “Nope. That’s a Mystery-specific kink.”

She started to roll her eyes but Mystery leaned forward, capturing Zoey’s chin with a hand and tilting her to meet his burning golden gaze. “Don’t scream.”

Chapter Text

Pink smoke filled the room, clouding Zoey’s vision. Startled, she froze, wide-eyed. Then… the smoke cleared.

Gone were their human forms… well, not completely gone. The Sajas looked mostly human, if humans also had light purple-blue skin. Dark purple patterns glowing a faint pink snaked over their bodies.

Baby still looked very much like himself, only purple. As if he were an influencer doing a body paint stream with cool glowing tattoos all over his body. He wore the sweater she had given him and the same black pants she recognized from the concert at Namsan. His large eyes painted the picture of innocence, but there was a dark hunger burning in those golden depths.

And Mystery…

A smoky aura of something older surrounded him. Something primal. As if he’d been alive to see the world being made from starlight and shadows. Like Baby, he was dressed in the same black outfit he had worn for the Saja's final concert. Zoey assumed he would have a set of upper and lower fans, but with the addition of tusks. She was wrong. His upper fangs had lengthened, slanting down and out of his mouth. They jutted outward, forcing his lips into a permanent feral curve.

Mystery watched her as she silently examined Baby, then him. He studied every movement of her eyes, any micro-expressions that might betray fear or disgust, forcing himself to ignore the icy terror clawing at his heart. Despite the tension in his muscles, he stayed perfectly still, as if afraid any movement would scare her away and send her shrieking out of the house.

Zoey met his eyes. “You are the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

He exhaled. She was still here. She hadn’t screamed or run away. And she’d said man, not monster. That meant more to him than she would ever know.

Zoey’s fingers curled in his shirt, pulling him closer. Her lips brushed faintly against Mystery’s jaw, her breath warming his skin as she...

“Soda pop.”

Mystery blinked, almost startled. Zoey froze instantly, pulling back. Her heart thudded in her chest as her eyes darted to Baby. “What?”

Baby smirked, but his sharp eyes watched her closely. “Just wanted to see if you’d actually stop.”

“… that easy?” Mystery’s voice cracked on the words.

Zoey nodded, meeting his wide golden eyes. “That easy." She shifted slightly, squeezing Mystery’s hand. “You call it, we stop. No questions. No pressure. Every time.”

“You said that,” Baby agreed, leaning back on his elbows. “Now we know you mean it.”

Mystery’s shoulders sagged with something that looked dangerously close to relief.

Zoey tilted her head, watching him carefully. She glanced at Baby. “You knew he needed to see, didn’t you?”

Baby met her gaze. The look he gave her was one she had never seen before. A cautious, wary sort of trust. “Mystery needed to know he wasn’t trapped. That he could choose.” He rested his chin on Mystery’s shoulder. “Hearing it isn’t the same as knowing it.”

Mystery’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “I didn’t want to upset you.”

Zoey brushed her fingers over his cheek, feather-light. The smile she gave him warmed his bones “Now you know.”

Mystery's lips twitched in a small smile of his own. His hands drifted from Zoey’s thighs, lingering on her hips for a moment, fingers faintly tugged the edge of her shirt in a silent question.

Baby knew exactly what he was up to. “You’ve seen us,” his mouth curled, eyes glittering in mischief. “Now, it’s your turn.”

Zoey’s cheeks warmed. Her fingers gripped the hem of her shirt, but Mystery stopped her, hands sliding around her wrists. She hesitated, eyes searching his, but Mystery guided her wrists higher, steady and gentle, to rest on her head.

He leaned in, tusks grazing her skin, sending heat coursing through her veins. Warm lips brushed against her neck. “Let me.”

Zoey held still. Mystery lifted her shirt deliberately, taking care not to tear the fabric. She quietly gasped as cold air met the hot skin of her stomach, and her nipples hardened under her shirt. Baby watched, his arms draped lazily over Mystery’s shoulder, looking like he was very much enjoying the show.

Mystery pulled the shirt up over Zoey's head, slipping her arms out, then folded it and set it aside. He rose, offering a hand to her. Once she was standing, he flicked the button of her pants open. Clawed fingers hooked into the belt loops, pulling it down over her hips. He let out a low growl, delighted to find she wasn't wearing anything underneath. He knelt before her, kissing her skin as her legs were laid bare. When the fabric pooled around her ankles, she stepped out of it. Mystery folded her pants and set them with the shirt, treating the garment with tender care. Then he sat back.

Zoey placed her hands on his shoulders, about to sink back down.

“Wait.” The corner of Mystery’s mouth curved in a naughty smile. “I want to watch you. With him.”

Zoey glanced at Baby. He winked at her and held out a hand.

Mystery leaned back against the wall, hand tucked behind his head, as Zoey climbed into Baby’s lap. She gripped his forearms as he guided her on top of him. “Let me know if I’m too heavy.”

Baby tapped her nose with each word: “Not... a... chance.”

His fingers brushed her hair, tentative at first, as if he expected her to swat his hand away. When she didn’t move, he gently slipped his claws under one of the ties holding her pigtail buns. He fiddled with it, trying to slip the elastic loose. His claw snagged the elastic, sending it flying with a snap.

He hissed under his breath. “Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she murmured. “I have more.”

A tumble of dark hair spilled down her shoulder.

Baby froze.

His grin faltered as the second tie slipped free, the rest of her hair cascading in a shining wave that framed her face. For once, he had nothing clever to say. His golden eyes widened, as though he was seeing her for the first time.

“You…” His lips parted, unable to take his eyes off of her. “You look like a goddess.”

Mystery’s gaze swept over her, his expression unreadable. “He’s right.”

The way they spoke with such reverence lit a fire inside of Zoey. She lifted a hand, fingers gliding over Baby’s cheek as she brushed back a lock of cyan hair. “Thank you… both of you.”

Baby leaned into her touch, his usual mischief nowhere to be found. The rawness in his eyes stoked the fire burning inside her into a raging inferno.

Mystery shifted, taking his place behind Zoey, hands skimming over her shoulders and down her arms. His lips brushed her ear, hot breath making her shiver. “Don’t move.”

Zoey’s heart skipped. There was no waver in his voice, no hesitation. Mystery wasn’t withdrawing anymore. He was transforming.

Mystery tilted his head, looking past her to Baby. His tusks caught the light as his smile turned sly. “Shall we show our Goddess what it’s like to be worshipped by demons?”

Baby returned his grin. “Let’s do it.”

Chapter Text

Mystery dragged Zoey back into his lap and off of Baby's. The Saja maknae sprang to his feet with a wink. He took his time removing the sweater, as if deliberately dragging out the moment, then tossed it onto her neatly folded clothes.

Zoey’s breath hitched. Next to the other Sajas, Abby especially, he didn’t appear muscular. But now, standing before her, was a predator with lean, well-defined muscles. His strength wasn’t obvious or showy like some of the other Sajas, but a dark, dangerous power rolled off of him in waves.

Zoey reached up, sliding her hand down Baby’s stomach. Golden eyes burned with hunger. The corner of his mouth curled into a wicked smile, fangs flashing. He was a ruthless killer… a soul stealer… a demon. Everything she was taught to hate. But when he looked at her with that dark desire… as if he were about to devour her… she didn’t want to fight back. Her pulse raced at the thought of surrendering to him, of fangs sinking into her flesh as he claimed her.

“Do you have any… extras?” she asked, her fingers tracing the firmness of his abdomen.

Baby raised an eyebrow. “Not demon enough for you?

“You know what I mean,” she scolded, hiding a small smile. “Any Baby-specific… kinks?”

His fingers slid under her chin, tilting her head up to look at him. A clawed finger caressed her cheek. “No extras for me. Just one perk of being Gwi-ma’s favorite. Jinu was the same. Abby and Romance weren’t as lucky.”

Zoey opened her mouth to ask about them, then decided against it. She made a mental note to ask Mira about Abby later. Mystery’s grip had tightened at the mention of Romance’s name, so she chose not to push the subject.

Suddenly, Mystery shifted behind her, hooking a claw into the drawstring of Baby’s pants. With a flick of his claw, the tie came undone, black fabric sagging around his hips. Baby stood still, smirking as Mystery tugged his pants down. Zoey couldn’t help herself. Her eyes followed the V-shaped muscles lower…

Zoey blushed. She had seen the demonic markings that covered his body, but for some reason, she’d never pictured them… there.

Glow in the dark dick. Handy. She bit her lip to keep her amusement from showing.

Baby tensed, eyeing her. “Something funny?”

Any trace of her amusement was immediately wiped away. Beneath all that bravado was someone who was nervous, scared even, about letting anyone in. This was his first time having sex, but was it also his first time letting anyone see him naked?

Zoey gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “Not funny. Just wasn’t expecting patterns… everywhere.”

Then, slowly, her hand closed around him.

Baby groaned, instantly hardening under her touch. His golden eyes went wide. “Holy hell–”

Mystery’s burning gaze was locked on Baby, enjoying his expressions as Zoey unraveled him. Mystery ran his own fingers up and down her sides, kissing her shoulder. He shivered with dark pleasure, watching as Baby’s head lolled back, groaning as Zoey traced a circle around his tip.

Mystery pressed his nose into her hair, inhaling her scent. “Wicked little hunter,” he teased. “Is this how you were trained to handle demons?”

"Maybe." Zoey tossed him an impish look, and rolled her hips back over his lap. She grinned as her efforts were rewarded with a growl.

Then strong hands closed around her hips, lifting her easily, as she was passed to Baby.

“Hold her.” Mystery ordered, his voice low and commanding.

Baby’s arms slid around Zoey’s waist, pulling her naked body flush against his own. His tongue flicked over the tip of her nose. “Hunter.”

She snapped her teeth playfully at him. “Demon.”

“I like this side of you,” he mused. “So wild… so fucking hot.”

He’d said hot.
Not cute.
Not adorable.
Hot.

Baby leaned down, looking as though he intended to kiss her, but something over Zoey’s shoulder caught his attention. He grinned. “Looks like someone wants to give us a show.”

He whirled Zoey around, arms wrapping around her, pressing her back flat against his bare chest. He drew her hips back against his and let out a low hiss. “How do you feel this good?”

She turned her head back and winked at him, “Goddess, remember?”

Her attention slid to Mystery. He hadn’t moved yet, but fiery need raged in his eyes as he watched them. Then, with deliberate slowness, his claws caught the hem of his shirt.

Zoey’s breath stalled as he drew the fabric up over the hard planes of his torso. Unlike Baby’s lean sharpness, Mystery’s body carried more weight, muscle carved into him like a marble statue. Pale scars slashed across his skin, in start contrast to the dark patterns that wound over his chest and shoulders. Every inch of him radiated an intoxicating danger, and Zoey was hooked.

He dropped his shirt to the floor, not caring where it landed. His lips curved into a slow, wicked smile, as if he knew the effect he had on his audience.

Baby tensed behind Zoey, his hold on her waist tightening, but his hungry golden eyes were locked on Mystery. He inclined his head, a razor-sharp fang grazing over her shoulder. She leaned back, tucking her arm behind Baby’s head to tangle her fingers in his hair. “Behave.”

He nipped the side of her throat in response.

Mystery’s claws drifted lower, to the fastening of his pants. He dragged the motion out, unhurried, savoring the desire in his little hunter’s face. He pushed the fabric down over his hips, letting it slide to the floor. He stood before them, his body a brutal canvas of scars and demonic patterns. Curving tusks gleamed in the dim light.

His golden gaze captured hers. “Are you ready?”

Zoey swallowed hard. Between Baby’s grip on her body and the raw dominance radiating from Mystery, every nerve in her screamed that she was prey caught between two predators.

And she’d never wanted it more.

Behind her, Baby sucked in a breath, the rise and fall of his chest quickened against her back. Zoey felt the shift in him. The tension in his muscles, the fire burning in his eyes that had yet to be quelled. And he wasn’t looking at her.

In one swift move, Baby released her just enough to lean forward. His clawed hand snaked around the back of Mystery’s neck, yanking the older demon closer. Then his lips crashed into Mystery’s.

Stunned, Zoey watched as Mystery kissed Baby back without hesitation, claws dragging cruelly down over Baby’s chest, leaving a trail of angry scratches in their wake. Baby gasped against his mouth, their fangs clashing. And when Mystery kissed him again, it was wildfire, raw burning passion, and unrestrained.

Zoey shivered at the sight of them together. Baby was a menace, always mockingly self-assured, reckless even, but this was something else. He wasn’t hiding what he really wanted behind a wall of smirks and sarcasm.

When Mystery finally pulled back, his tusks grazed Baby’s lips. His eyes softened as he searched the younger demon’s face. “You alright?”

Baby nodded, a hint of his familiar smirk tugging at his mouth. “All good.”

Mystery’s golden gaze flicked down to Zoey. “Can Baby go first?”

Zoey reached up to cup his face, pressing her forehead to his. “If that’s what you both want.”

His chest rumbled at her touch. He glanced to Baby, then back down to her. “It is.” His lips curved into that dangerous, feral smile that turned her into jelly. “Then I get my turn.”

Mystery’s hands slid to Zoey’s hips, spinning her around. Then she was being lifted into Baby’s arms again, straddling him as he gripped her thighs. Her legs wrapped around his hips, locking together behind him. Mystery’s chest pressed against her back to support her weight.

Baby rolled his hips gently forward, testing, then his eyes widened a little. “Fuck, Zoey. How do you feel this damn good?”

Her heart nearly burst at his words. Praise kink unlocked, she grinned.

Before she could reply, Baby kissed her. It wasn’t anything close to the way he had kissed Mystery. His lips brushed tentatively over hers, questioning, waiting. She responded by opening her mouth and deepening the kiss, stoking the fire raging in her core.

He withdrew, then thrust again, a little deeper. Each time his hips snapped forward, he buried himself further inside of her. Any little noise she made seemed to spur him on.

A moan escaped Zoey’s lips and she arched her back against Mystery as Baby’s thrusts grew harder… faster... His head dropped, hovering over her shoulder and his thrusts became more reckless, almost feral. His breathing grew ragged and she knew he was close.

So was she.

Zoey could feel her release building. Instinctively, her hand flew back and she grabbed a fistful of Mystery’s hair. The grip on her thighs tightened, claws digging into her skin. She whimpered as the swirling sensations of pain and pleasure combining threatened to overwhelm her. Baby snarled as he came, patterns blazing a vivid pink, Zoey following him over the edge a moment or two later.

Baby dropped his head to her shoulder. “Fuck…” He whispered between breaths. “You truly are a Goddess.”

Her arms slid around his neck, cradling him. “And you were amazing.”

He turned his head to look at her, raising an exhausted eyebrow. “Oh, yeah?”

She gave him a crooked smile and winked. “Yeah.”

Baby let go of her, leaning back against the wall with a smug look on his face as large hands snaked around Zoey’s waist.

Warm breath mingled with her hair as Mystery growled. “My turn.”

Chapter Text

“Hands behind your back.” Mystery’s eyes glinted wickedly, daring Zoey to disobey.

Too terrified and aroused to find out what consequences he had in mind, she slid her arms behind her back, rubbing her wrists together.

Mystery watched the hunter obey his order with those large, lovely eyes. His sharp gaze cut to Baby. “Bind her hands. Use my shirt.”

Any old strip of fabric would have worked, but he was suddenly struck by a wave of possessiveness. Only his clothing would touch her skin. Baby guided Zoey’s wrists into place. It was just a twisted shirt, nothing that she couldn’t easily get out of… if she wanted to, that is. But from the little noises she was making, and the way her thighs were pressed tightly together, that was an unlikely outcome.

Baby paused, then glanced at Mystery, who recognized the twinkle of mischief. The maknae retrieved Mystery’s pants, removing the slim fabric belt that fastened them together, then crouched in front of Zoey, displaying it between his claws. Her brows knitted together in confusion. Then realization struck. Her eyes flew open, almost pleading. Baby smirked as he slid the belt over her eyes, around the back of her head, and secured the makeshift blindfold with a knot.

The Sajas took a step back to admire their handiwork, Baby leaning casually on Mystery’s shoulder.

“You’re either really brave or incredibly stupid,” Baby taunted. “You really trust a couple of demons?”

Her silence seemed to stretch forever.

Then Zoey’s lips parted. “Not demons.” Her voice quaked under the weight of that truth. “You. I trust you.”

Mystery and Baby both stared at her, stunned. She really meant every word. She believed in them, trusted them, perhaps even to the point of folly. If they wanted to, they could easily slash the artery in her neck. She wouldn’t see it coming, wouldn’t have time to scream, much less summon her shin-kals, before she bled out.

Their hunter didn’t just trust them with her body.
She trusted them with her life.

When Mystery didn’t move, Baby slid to Zoey’s side. His claws skimmed her ribs, dragging just hard enough to sting before softening into a caress, drawing out sweet little whimpers, moans, and gasps. Zoey’s breath hitched, blindfold leaving her lost in the dark, magnifying every sensation. She flinched when sharp claws scraped too close to her breast, only to melt when his tongue followed, hot and wet, soothing the faint line of pain.

She gasped, squirming in the bindings. “Gods…”

“There are no gods here,” Mystery’s hand closed firmly around her hip, holding her in place as if she were prey pinned beneath his claws. “Only a goddess and her devoted demons.” Then, softer, darker: “Let us worship you the way you deserve.”

He slid beside her, dragging his tongue slowly up her throat to the curve of her jaw, his tusks grazing her skin with dangerous promise. His free hand traced along the line of her bound arms, delighting over the thought of his scent soaking into her skin.

Baby was less patient. He shoved her thighs apart, claws raking lightly along the inside of her leg. A hiss escaped Zoey’s lips as the faint burn bloomed, only to be chased by the molten press of his tongue against the mark. He worshiped her with mouth and claws both — nipping, soothing, biting, kissing — feral and reckless.

Zoey moaned, jerking against the shirt binding her wrists, head tipping back. “Too much—”

Baby smirked, leaning up to nip at her ear. “Not enough.”

Mystery’s hand snapped out, clamping over Baby’s wrist. His golden gaze burned. “We take nothing she doesn’t give.” His voice was a low command, edged with warning.

For a moment, Baby’s smirk lingered. Then he ducked his head with a small, grudging nod. “Fine. But let me taste her.”

Mystery’s lips curved into a dark, approving smile. “Make her scream.”

Together, they descended on her, Mystery’s mouth claiming her throat while Baby’s tongue slid lower, teasing, worshiping, tormenting. Their claws trailed fire across her body, alternating sting with soothing touch, a rhythm of pain and pleasure that left her trembling.

Zoey gasped and writhed. Bound, helpless, all she could do was give herself over. And she did.

A clawed hand tossed her leg over Baby’s shoulder. He kissed the inside of her thigh, hot and merciless, claws digging into the flesh just above her knee to keep her open for him. Every sharp drag and soothing lap made her writhe, breath coming in helpless gasps.

“Mmm. Sweet, like candy.”

Mystery pressed into her back, the heat of him scorching, keeping her bound wrists pinned between their bodies. His chest caged her in, his breath hot at her ear. “Hold still, little hunter.” His teeth grazed the delicate line of her throat. “Or do you want him to tear you apart?”

Her whimper vibrated against his tusks. She arched, but his hand flattened over her belly, forcing her back against him. She wasn’t going anywhere.

Baby growled low against her, tongue plunging, lips sucking at the slick heat until her knees buckled. “Hyung,” he rasped, golden eyes flashing up at them, face wet with her. “She’s dripping. She likes it rough.”

Mystery’s hand shot out, fisting in Baby’s hair, yanking him back just enough to make him snarl. “Control,” he warned again, a growl in his chest. His grip eased, just barely. “Taste her. Worship her. Nothing more.”

For once, Baby obeyed, though his tongue returned with even more fervor, a wicked punishment all its own. Zoey sagged against Mystery, trembling under their relentless attentions.

Her legs gave out first. Mystery caught her easily, lowering her down onto the pile of discarded clothes—his clothes. The hunter’s wrists were still bound behind her, chest heaving, thighs shaking with every flick of Baby’s tongue.

Mystery loomed over her, pressing her into the earth, tusks glinting in the low light. He licked a slow stripe up her jaw, his dominance undeniable. “Ours,” he murmured. “Every sound you make belongs to us.”

Zoey’s cry tore free when Baby sucked hard at her center, her body bowing beautifully beneath them both.

Mystery’s patience finally frayed. He shoved Baby back with a growl, claiming the space between Zoey’s thighs for himself. Baby only laughed, feral and breathless, and slid up behind Mystery instead, draping over his back like a hungry shadow. His claws traced the lines of Mystery’s shoulders, down the ridges of his spine.

Pinned beneath Mystery’s weight, Zoey gasped as she felt him line himself up, heat and hunger radiating off him in waves. Baby’s voice purred hot against Mystery’s ear, a sinful encouragement meant for them both.

“Show our Goddess what it means to belong to us.”

Mystery’s thrusts were deliberate, relentless. Zoey’s body bowed beneath him, trembling and quaking. Every gasp, every arch of her hips, stoked the desire deep in him.

Behind him, Baby’s body pressed hot and demanding, claws dragging over the muscle of his back. The younger demon was panting like an animal, rutting into the hard planes of Mystery’s body, golden eyes fixed hungrily on the way Zoey writhed. “Look at her. Look how much she wants you.”

Mystery’s growl rumbled low, primal. But inside, beneath the dominance and fire, a tremor of something else flickered. For centuries, sex had meant survival— coin, obedience, violence. Never choice. Never pleasure. Always bought, or stolen. Always forced to endure, to survive.

But now... Zoey’s shuddering voice broke through, raw and desperate. “Please, Mystery… don’t stop. Please.”

It wasn’t a demand. It wasn’t a transaction.
It was a plea. For him.

His control wavered, just for a breath, before he sank deeper. “You belong to us,” he hissed, tusks grazing her neck. “Say it.”

Her body arched, thighs trembling, hands twisting uselessly in their makeshift bonds. “I belong to you.”

Baby shuddered at the words, groaning as his claws bit into Mystery’s arms. “Fuck, Myst—”

Mystery thrust harder, each snap of his hips ringing with ownership. Not the kind that had once been forced upon him, but one he claimed — earned, chosen. His own.

He wasn’t property. He wasn’t a body to be used.
He was predator… a demon…
… a lover.

Zoey broke apart beneath him, her scream muffled against his shoulder, body spasming with release. The sound tore through him, igniting something that had long been buried under shame.

And then Baby’s voice, breathless, reverent, in his ear. “Hyung… let go. You’re safe.”

Two words he never thought he’d hear, much less believe.

Mystery’s body shook. His rhythm faltered, every muscle burning, every nerve screaming. For the first time in centuries, he didn’t fight it. He just let himself fall.

His climax ripped violently through him. He buried himself deep, clutching Zoey like she was the only tether he had left, while Baby clung to his back, riding out his release with him.

It wasn’t just pleasure.

It was control. It was healing. It was love.
And it was his.

They lay in a comfortable pile, limbs tangled together. Zoey rested between Baby’s legs, reclining against his chest. Heat radiated from his lithe body, warding off the chill. One arm draped lazily over her hip, his thumb idly stroking her skin. Whenever she shifted, his arm tightened, as if he couldn’t bear to let her go.

Mystery was sprawled on top of her, one leg hooked over hers, utterly spent. His head lay on her chest, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.

Zoey’s fingers combed through his long, silky hair. “You didn’t use the safe word.”

He yawned, eyelids drifting closed as sleep claimed him. “I never had a reason to.”