Chapter Text
“Why the long faces? You’re getting your souls.” Jinu said to the silent crowd of demons below.
“Turn around.” A water demon said, pointing in the direction that was behind Jinu.
Jinu slowly turned around, he had to shield his eyes as the flame of Gwi-ma had grown in intensity since the last time he was here. Gwi-ma now covered the entire base of the floor and his flames were spilling over the sides of the walls, his bulk being evident by the vast amount of souls incoming.
“Your plan is great Jinu but you forgot one critical detail. Did you really think I wouldn’t hear about your little plot you and the hunter girl cooked up?” Gwi-ma said as his flames enveloped Jinu.
Jinu said nothing as he watched his vision be consumed by the purple and pink, that despite being fire, did not seem to burn him.
“That’s funny, because if you really believed what you were saying you would have told her the truth. How you left your family, how you abandoned them for your selfish desires. Just remember, I can always turn those voices up.” Gwi-ma said.
Jinu started to hyperventilate as memories of his past streamed across his mind. Jinu remembered how he left his mother and sister at the gate of the palace, how his sister cried out to him as armed guards held her back. He remembers the look on his mother’s face, one of heartbreak, as the doors close behind him. He remembers enjoying food with palace officials as he knows his family is starving on the street. He remembers the shame of knowing he chose to save himself over them, then the memories stop. Jinu calms down as the memories fade once again and he’s back to being enveloped by the flames.
“It doesn’t have to be way Jinu. There is one way you can still save yourself.”
“What is it?” Jinu asked, wanting anyway to be free of the suffering.
“The hunter who bears my marks, I want you to isolate her. Do this and you may be spared.” Gwi-ma said.
Jinu had to agree, it was either agree or suffer for eternity.
“It will be done.”
Gwi-ma’s flames shifted into what looked like a wide grin.
~~~~~~~~~~
Rumi overlooks the river below while riding on the back of Derpy. The sight looked peaceful and quiet as Derpy’s feet made no sounds. It was almost enough to allow Rumi’s mind to relax from the stress of the upcoming idol awards and hiding her patterns. Rumi was confident the plan would work and that she would be free from her shame. She and Mira had been fighting the last few days, especially since their failure at the train. Mira had accused Rumi of not being serious about their mission, saying Rumi was sabotaging them. Mira was convinced “Takedown” was the song that would win the day, it was designed specifically to capture the hearts and minds of the audience with its lyrics and beat. To Rumi, “Takedown” was too hateful to win and she felt every word pierce her heart like a dagger. Rumi and Mira’s disagreements had also been causing stress for Zoey who had become less talkative during sessions. Rumi was worried that the team she had fought with for years was collapsing around her, and that it was her fault. Soon, Derpy reached the balcony of the room Rumi called home. She dismounted and pet Derpy as he descended into the floor and disappeared. Rumi was exhausted, she had been planning for the idol awards non-stop and with the Jinu meeting, Rumi just wanted a nice, long sleep. Rumi laid on her bed, ready to take a nap but was interrupted by a loud knocking on her door. Rumi jolted upright as anxiety set in.
“Did I forget something important?” Her mind raced.
Rumi nervously made her way to the door, fearful as to what had the person on the other end so furious. She hesitated before turning the knob knowing that what was on the other side was not good, Rumi then turned the knob and opened the door to see a furious Mira staring back.
“Rumi, where were you?” Mira asked, her voice full of frustration.
“We were supposed to practice for the idol awards tonight but you didn’t show up. Zoey and I had to cancel, Bobby was not happy.”
“I’m sorry Mira.” Responded Rumi.
“Sorry? Sorry?! Rumi, tomorrow is the biggest night of our lives and you can’t take it seriously. We should be your priority right now but you aren’t there. What is with you?” Mira said, furry now in her voice.
“I just have a lot going on right now Mira, you wouldn’t understand.” Replied Rumi.
“How am I supposed to understand when you won’t tell me? What are you hiding from us Rumi, you’ve been acting weird all week, even Zoey has noticed.” Mira said.
“Please don’t drag Zoey into this.” Rumi said.
“Zoey’s been there for me more than you have. She's been to every practice and is committed to every mission we've done while you have been god knows where.” Mira said. “If you’re still with us, please just show it. No more secrets and no more lies.”
“Mira… I can’t.” Rumi said as she looked down at the floor.
Mira sighed and turned away from Rumi.
“If you’re with us, please help us with the idol awards, that’s all we need.” Mira said.
Mira then closed the door leaving Rumi with her thoughts.
Rumi didn’t know what to think, she had totally forgotten about the plan to train for the awards, maybe it does prove Mira’s concerns that she is distant from them. Rumi hates that idea because they are her friends, her rocks but they wouldn’t understand what she’s going through, not yet. Rumi hated hiding but they could never see her marks.
“They’ll never accept the real you” A faint voice called in Rumi’s ear.
Rumi looked around her room for the source of the voice but it was nowhere to be seen which freaked Rumi out. Who would call to her? Rumi had an idea of what it might be but she shuttered at the thought hoping it was just paranoia talking. Just then Rumi heard the low sound of Derpy reentering the room. Rumi turned around and sure enough Derpy had come back and was now sitting by her bed. Rumi walked over and gave him a long pet, his fur was soft and comforting. Derpy looked at Rumi and dropped a letter. Rumi opened it and saw it was from Jinu asking to meet again tonight to discuss something rather important. Rumi would go because she needed someone to listen to her and Jinu understood what she was going through.
~~~~~~~~~
Mira slumped onto the couch and grabbed the remote. A rest was just what she needed after dealing with Rumi’s crap once again. She hated always being the bad guy but someone needed to make sure Rumi was alright. Mira noticed Rumi had been strange ever since the Saja Boys turned up. Rumi had been distant, more agitated and more secretive and Mira hated it. She could not help if Rumi didn’t trust her enough to tell her. Their train failure hit the worst, Rumi had exploded at her which was entirely new to her. Mira couldn’t help but feel Rumi was pulling away from them, but enough of those thoughts, it was TV time. Mira turned on the TV using the remote and turned it to the wrestling channel she liked. It may not be much but it takes her mind off the stress. As Mira was relaxing Zoey came and plopped down on the couch as well.
“So… how’d it go with Rumi?” Zoey asked.
“About as well as I expect.” Replied Mira. “I don’t know how she expects us to understand or help her when she won’t tell us. The idol awards are tomorrow and we never felt more disconnected.”
“I wish I could do more. I care about Rumi too but it’s hard when she hides herself.” Zoey says.
“What if she is sabotaging us?” Mira asked with uncertainty.
“No, she wouldn’t. not our Rumi.” Zoey said.
“You’re right Zoey.” Mira said bring Zoey in for a hug.
She needed this right now, with the stress of the awards and dealing with Rumi, a hug from Zoey was the best. Mira’s hug on Zoey was so tight and long Zoey had to tap Mira’s arm to let her know she couldn’t breathe. Mira dropped the hug upon noticing Zoey’s distress.
“I’m sorry Zoey.” Mira said.
“It’s ok Mira. Maybe just a little less squeezing next time.” Zoey says, laughing it off. “Should we go check on Rumi?”
“Yeah, I’m all recharged.” Mira said.
The duo got up from the couch and made their way over to Rumi’s room. They knock but receive no answer. They knock again but the result is the same. Mira then cautiously opens the door to find the lights off and it devoid of the one person they were looking for.
“Rumi?” Mira said hoping she might hear it but no answer.
“I don’t think she’s here.” Zoey said, looking around the room.
Mira felt disappointment wash over her. After everything they had just talked about, about commitment, Rumi disappears again without even saying bye. Maybe she really wasn’t with them. A defeated Mira then left Rumi’s room, not hopeful Rumi will support them at the awards.
~~~~~~~~
“They will turn against you. They already have their doubts.” The voice told Rumi.
“Shut up, I’m not in the mood.” She told the voice, not wanting to really listen.
Rumi was a liar and she knew it, but for good reason. Rumi just hoped that the web of lies she had constructed wouldn’t come crashing down onto her because if this voice was right about anything it would mean the end of her and Mira’s friendship. Rumi couldn’t allow that. Rumi pulled up her sleeve to look at the patterns, luckily there had been no growth over the last few days which gave Rumi hope they could do well at the awards. She wanted to be free of the patterns and be able to repair her relationship with Mira and Zoey.
“This endeavor is foolish child, you can’t go back.” The voice said.
Rumi ignored it as she was almost to her destination, she really needed to talk to Jinu and she hoped he’d listen.
~~~~~~~~
Jinu waited by the wall and looked out over the city. The city looked like a gleaming gem during the night with its endless lights from billboards and the dots from apartments that looked like stars. It was peaceful which didn’t ease Jinu’s mind as he knew what he was going to do was wrong. Rumi would be here soon but part of him hoped she wouldn’t show as to spare her from Gwi-ma’s plan. He didn’t want her to hurt but he could tell from their earlier conversation something was bothering her. Jinu already had regrets about hurting his family 400 years ago and now he regrets dragging Rumi into his world and his personal problem, but he couldn’t help but feel comfort when he talks to her. Unlike the Saja Boys or even anyone else he knew while alive, Rumi listens and sees him as he is. For once in his 400 years he felt human again. As his thoughts continue he sees a magpie with three eyes land on the wall beside him. Jinu smiles at the bird and offers some seeds.
“Hello Sussie, glad to see you here.” He said as Sussie eats seeds from his hand.
Sussie happily tweets and eats seeds but avoiding the sunflower seeds. Jinu never figured out why she hates sunflowers but she would never touch them no matter how hard Jinu tried to get her to eat them. Sussie then flies away from Jinu’s hand as his eyes follow and he notices a large, blue tiger descending from the sky with Rumi.
“Please turn around.” He thinks to himself, hoping Rumi might see his thoughts and take the hint.
Jinu knew as soon as Rumi landed that Gwi-ma would be listening, waiting, making sure he said and did the right things. Jinu had to lie and he hated it. Jinu collected his thoughts as Derpy landed and Rumi dismounted.
“I really need to talk to you.” They both said in unison.
“You first.” Jinu said being polite.
“Ok… I don’t think my friends trust me. Zoey barely looks at me anymore and Mira…” Rumi started but trailed off. “It’s these patterns, if they were gone I wouldn’t have to lie and hide.”
“I understand, it’s difficult to lie to the ones you love.” Replied Jinu knowing all too well what he was saying.
“They act like I’m not there for them anymore and that I’m not committed to the mission. No one is more committed than me, I hate lying to them but I can’t tell them and I probably never will.” Rumi said.
“Rumi… you’re right, they don’t trust you. I’ve seen things from them and I think you should know.” Jinu hated the lies but he had to, for his sake and hers.
Jinu pulled out his phone and opened it up to his camera roll to find the one image he needed.
“Here.” He said, flipping the phone around for Rumi to see.
Rumi’s expression changed to a frown as she read the screen. It was an image of Mira’s account saying
“I question if our group leader is fit to lead, how can she make choices for us when she won’t even talk to us? I have my doubts.”
The comment was also liked by the account belonging to Zoey but the entire thing was faked, fabricated by Gwi-ma for this moment but believable enough that it looked real. Even if Rumi looked online, those comments would appear as real even though the words were never said. Rumi kept scrolling through Jinu’s phone seeing comment after comment of Zoey and Mira expressing their distrust of Rumi, by the end she was nearing tears.
“I… I can’t believe they said these things.” Rumi said.
Jinu could see she was nearing tears so he pulled her into a hug.
“I know it’s hard but I’m here for you.” Jinu said.
“Very good, make her trust you.” Gwi-ma said.
Jinu hated this, hated how fake he was being with Rumi, the one person that cared for him, but he was in fear. His fear of punishment overrode his rational thinking, he wasn’t proud, now the regrets of his actions would forever haunt him.
“You should rest, I’ll help with your plan and maybe they will trust you again.”
Rumi didn’t say a word as she mounted Derpy and took off into the sky. Jinu was once again alone, alone with his thoughts and his regrets.