Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

One more song. Just one more song and then it will be over. The Honmoon will turn gold, Gwi-ma will be sealed along with his terrible demons, and the patterns will be gone. That is what Rumi told herself every hour of the day. Every second of the night, curled in her bed cold and lonely.

Just one more song, and she can allow herself to be free and loved.

❅

❅

❅

❅

"You saw how the Honmoon shined?!" Zoey exclaimed.

The girls had just gotten back from their performance, adrenaline higher than it ever was and their hopes promised in shining gold.

Mira slammed her closed fist on her palm. "One more song and were crushing it in the idol awards!"

Zoey vibrated in her place at the thought of the idol awards and what comes after it. It will only be a two week hiatus before their final performance seals the honmoon, and after that? It would be couch rotting time and maybe they will finally convince Rumi to join them in the bathhouse.

With towels and and robes already wrapped around their bodies, snacks on each hand, the two practically melted into the couch with a satisfied sigh. A vacation like that was deserved and the fans can wait for their return. Little did they know, that there was one person in this entire penthouse who cannot relax if her life depended on it, and she was currently plotting something…right behind their couch.

"Heyyyy. Have a good break?" Rumi said as she slowly rose from behind her band-mates with a smile that only ever meant chaos was about to ensue.

Mira side eyed her "What? no, we just sat down-" whatever relaxation daze she was in left her body as soon as she saw Rumi's outfit.

Zoey lazily followed Mira's gaze and she too, went stiff. "Why are you in you new costume?" Zoey questioned

Rumi only responded by pulling up their outfits.

"Rumi you didn't" Both girls said at the same time

Rumi smiled wider as she pushed the outfits on them.

"You announced the new promo- Tonight?!"

All and any dreams of a relaxation was crushed right then and there, on the white soft couch that was supposed to be infused with their body by the end of their 2 week hiatus.

❅❅❅❅❅

She drank water.

Her voice cracked as she was reaching the intended high note.

Drank water again.

Voice still cracked.

She ransacked the emergency kit for some sore throat medicine.

Yet again, she was unable to sing properly.

Why? why now did her her faults decide to show up when they were so close.

No. she wont let that stop her. She cant. So she will get back on that stage and push down her mistakes and hide them from the world, just like how hid her marks.

❅❅❅❅❅

The promo is within 10 minutes.

Logically, she would be behind the stage preparing the headset, reapplying makeup, and giving some words of encouragement to her girls.

But logic and Rumi did not exist on the same plane. It was apparent from the moment she was born.

She was in her dressing room, staring at purple on her skin. It was slowly but surely wrapping around her like a vine, and soon enough it would coil around her throat.

Her hands shook as she slowly touched the pattern placed on the middle of her throat, and let out a strangle gasp. She cant go out like this. She cant sing like this, and she definitely can let the girls see her like this.

No. She will try. She cant give up now. She has to. She needs to sing. To confirm that these marks will not hold down her talent in her throat.

She tried. She really tried, but her voice gave out.

She kept staring at her own reflection as it slowly got blurry. Her lungs allowing only quick and short breaths. She thought of how close they were to sealing the Honmoon. How close she was to finally become normal and allow herself to be to be seen.

No, she still had a chance. She still can fix it. She just needs to leave this cramped room.

And that is exactly what she did.

She left the stadium in a jog, then broke out in a run. Her legs moved faster than her brain and she ended up on top of a roof where she could see the rest of the city still bright and full of life. She ripped off her jacket, exposing the patterns to the night as if they needed to breath too.

She closed her eyes for just a moment, and then began to sing slowly. She sounded out every word, every vowel while she followed the melody she could still hear in her mind. She hoped with all her heart that her voice would not-

Her legs gave out, causing her fall to her knees down to the cold concrete floor, body curling inward as she let out a sob. It happened again. Her voice, the one thing that contrasted between her and a demon, its gone. She failed them, the world, Celine, her mother, the honmoon, and her girls.

Why? Why when she was so close? Why is this happening to her? Why cant she just fix it? why, why, why, why, why-

"WHY?!" her voice took on a new low octave, causing the Honmoon to ripple in red. She stared at the dark glowing red as it faded. She then stared at the patterns on her wrists, threatening to travel up to her hands. Her mind only ever replayed the melody from her youth over and over as if it could undo all problems that were purple streaks. How can she face herself after this? Celine? her girls?

Oh how she wanted to end it right then and there.

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Rumi has been gone for nearly an hour. The promo? Canceled. So what if they had ten-thousand disappointed fans? Rumi is more important. That is what Mira and zoey agreed.

Mira was pacing from the window to the grand piano. 11 steps to the right, 11 steps to the left. That is what she kept repeating in her mind as she paced for the better part of the ten minutes after they came back from the stadium. Zoey on the other hand had been brewing some herbal tea she found on the internet that somehow had a quick delivery to their location, and she swore on it that it would fix Rumi's voice.

Mira wanted to disagree about the tea somehow fixing, soothing maybe. But fixing? that wasn't possible, she knows that rumi would need to take a break for at least a week but would that even be possible? She thought how rumi would shut down the idea of even taking a 30 minute break. That pissed her off. Sure Rumi is a great leader but at the cost of being the worst workaholic known to man. They can make her rest, they just need to know what to do. If they left rumi to her own devices, she would just end up working, but if they somehow emptied a room, and prepared everything relaxing in it like cushions and snacks then they can trap Rumi in for a week. that surely would get her to rest-

Mira halted her pacing and turned to the sound of the elevator. That must mean-

"Rumi!" Zoey said.

Both girls cautiously approached rumi. she looked disheveled, eyes red rimmed, and arms crossed tightly around a hoodie she has switched out with the jacket costume she previously had on.

"Hey.." Mira started. "Come lets get you something to drink" She gently nudged Rumi towards the dining table.

All three sat down as soon as zoey set cups and the tea kettle on the table. Despite the three cups positioned in front of them, only Rumi's cup was full.

For a while there was nothing but silence between the three. Rumi had her head down, her cup going luke warm in her hands. Her eyes followed rippling of the tea every time she moved her spoon filled honey in her cup. She manged to take one sip before she finally spoke "I am sorry..I'm really sorry about the show."

Mira placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't need to apologize."

"Its okay. Everything will be fine. Bobby is handling it already." Zoey added.

For a moment a small smile appeared on Rumi's face, only for a frown to take its place when she spoke "My voice, its in trouble."

That was unheard of. Rumi's voice never faltered like that, no matter how much she pushed herself. Mira tried to hide her concerns but her voice gave away. "Rumi, why did push up the 'Golden' release?" she asked softly.

There was that look again. Rumi only ever had that look when she was about to expose her vulnerability. It still surprised and warmed the hearts of both Mira and Zoey when their leader would feel safe enough to show her faults like that, even if it was for just a second.

"Because we are so close, and-" Rumi paused shifting her gaze from Mira to Zoey "its so important."

"Okay, okay. How do we handle this?" Zoey asked. She looked at Mira "Maybe we should call Celine?"

"No Zoey, we know what she would say" Mira said.

"We are hunters, voices strong. your faults and fears must never be seen" Both girls spoke in a mock voice at the same time.

Rumi looked between them, a gentle smile forming on her face

"Rumi, we should take a break. Skip the idol awards this year and-"

"No Zoey" Rumi almost stood up from her seat. They can't possibly think that skipping the idol awards was a good idea. what about the honmoon? they cant pass up this chance, not when they are so close to achieving gold.

"Absolutely not." Rumi manged to breath out "Its our most important show, where we strengthen the honmoon for the entire year. We cant skip it, we just can't. Not when I'm so close.." she whispered out the last sentence.

"Hey.." Zoey spoke so softly that it ached Rumi's heart. "We can get through this. All of us. Together."

Rumi doubted that her purple streaked problem can be so easily fixed, but just for now she will allow herself to feel the comfort of Zoey words, and maybe just maybe she might believe it. For the sake of her girls.

❅❅❅❅❅

A letter sealed in gold found its way to Huntrix's network, and with the way Bobby was acting, its pretty much a big deal.

Bobby was practically bouncing off the walls the moment his eyes landed on the golden wax seal. He was rambling too fast for Rumi and the girls to understand what the issue was, if there was one to begin with. After what seemed like 10 minutes, he calmed down just a little to relay the information.

"This... This! This is life changing! It literally never happened before, and I have no idea if it will ever happen again." Bobby waved the letter towards the girls

He eagerly pushed the letter towards Rumi "This is a letter from Arendelle, and this-" he points at the wax seal "is a Royal seal from the Princess herself!" he nearly squealed.

Rumi and the girls looked at the neatly folded paper. Its wax seal was round and perfectly flat with indents engraved in the shape of a reindeer's horns.

"Open it Rumi!" Zoey said, shaking Rumi from her shoulders

"Yeah, hurry" Mira said appearing behind Rumi.

"Okay okay, just give me a second. I need to know how to do this properly" Rumi said, fumbling the letter as if it were made from thin ice.

"Ugh, your taking too long. Its just a letter." Mira said

"We never received something like this we need to- hey!"

Mira snatched the letter from her hands and just tore it open.

"Mira! What if the letter tore!?"

Mira rolled her eyes "Well it didn't. Now are you going to read it with me?"

Rumi sighed and shuffled near Mira, getting a look at what was written. With every word they passed, their faces got closer and closer to the letter until it looked like they were about to jump inside.

There was nothing but absolute silence between the three. This, this was an invitation, to a palace no less. Nothing like that has ever occurred ever since their debut as Huntrix, and what is to say if something like that might ever happen again. This is not only a chance to solidify their name on the to of the board for years to come, but also a chance to strengthen the honmoon, and maybe achieve the gold they strive for.

Only one problem.

"Rumi's voice is still in trouble" Mira blurted out.

"And were still taking our 2 week vacation" Zoey said.

"And that is alright too. You know I am standing by any decision you make." Bobby said, his smile remaining on his face.

"Yeah who needs some fancy palace when we got our fans waiting for us. Right Rumi-" Mira paused her words and looked at Rumi's scheming expression. "Rumi- tell me your not considering this"

Rumi did not respond.

"Your voice is still recovering" Mira said.

"Wait so your going?" Bobby asked

"Yes" "No" Rumi and Mira said at the same time.

"Rumi no, your recovering-" "This is a chance we cant miss" Rumi interrupted.

Oh how Mira disliked it when Rumi would get stubborn like that.

"Not when your voice gives out like that" Mira snapped back

Seeing a fire brewing between the two, Bobby immediately stepped in "Girls. girls, its alright" Bobby said " you can reject the letter its not like-"

"No." Rumi said with finality in her voice. "We have to go, and besides. its not like we will perform the moment we set foot there"

Now both girls looked at Rumi confused.

"What do you mean?" Zoey asked

Rumi handed the paper to zoey and pointed "look here. It says we are welcome to stay at the palace until the 18th. that is when we will perform"

Mira squinted her eyes at the words. "Isn't that in a month?"

"Yes. So we will have all the time to rest and prepare." Rumi said

Zoey looked deep in thought before she looked at Rumi "So what your saying is that were going on a world tour?"

"I can arrange that!" Bobby immediately chirped.

❅❅❅❅❅

"What?!" the girls exclaimed

As soon as the girls where done discussing plans surrounding the very shiny invitation at their hands, Rumi's phone rang. Her phone never rang unless it was one of the two girls, bobby or Celine, and Bobby had just left to PR meetings. Rumi picked up the phone immediately and saw that the caller was none other than Celine. The quality of the call made it clear that she was in the car, and from the sound of it, she was on her way to them. The girls were sitting on the couch, and when the elevator door opened, all three of them stood up at the same time. Celine said nothing as she ushered them towards an office that used to be occupied by her during the first days of the Huntrix's debut. As soon as the doors shut, she spilled.

"How did that even happen?" Zoey said

"The Honmoon shined, we saw it." Mira said

"No..I thought we were being careful." Rumi whispered to herself

"In the past few weeks, there have been more than 20 tears in the Honmoon and all were found in Arendelle. Not major ones, but just enough for it to appear on our radar" Celine explained.

Usually, when a tear appears in the honmoon, its usually close by and they would feel the tear happening. But this was unheard of, Arendelle was 10 hours away by plane, and this tear was far from the main area of the Honmoon. Something of this level must mean that Gwi-ma is plotting. They need to act now.

"I have a plan for you three." Celine laid out a map, and a computer hooked on a radar. "Look here" she pointed at three circles. The first circle is a huge one, it took up most of the map. The second circle is inside of the first one, but it seems smaller. The last circle pales in comparison to other two, it is the smallest of them all.

"Whoa, what is that?" Mira said.

"So many shapes" Zoey whispered.

"Arendelle has 3 regions. they are called Harold's Rings. Each one needs an access that is granted directly by the current Reagent, and with the queen's coronation right around the corner, entering the First ring alone would have took at least 8 months." Celine explained

"With the invitation at our hands, I would confidently say we got very lucky. You will gain access to the Third ring immediately with the Princess's permission."

Celine then pulled out a suit case and placed it on the table. she punched in the access code and pulled out a folded paper, handing it to Rumi.

"The coronation isn't until a month. Find out what is happening within the Honmoon and by the time you do- "

"we will turn it gold" the three of them spoke synchronized

Celine looked at the three girls, pride bloomed in her chest. "Good. Your flights are departing in an hour"

The mission for Arendelle has begun.

❆

Chapter Text

Metal ground against each other, screeching with a visible orange spark as continuous waves resisted violently.

It would turn out one flight did not suffice. The currents of the air circulating around the Atlantic Ocean of Arendelle's region pointed inwards, marking it as a high risk for fatality. Any eastern region planing on a trip to Arendelle follows a mandatory protocol of ship transportation only. If avoiding any form of water transportation, then making five stops by air would be expected, and with the clock ticking, no one had the luxury to complain.

It didn't mean Mira had to like it.

This was hell.

A hellish contraption in the form of a ship, and Mira was in its belly.

The bile in her throat threatened to move up with every wave crashing on the front side of ship, every little sway that came after manged to turn her legs into mush. She couldn't form thoughts with the lack of blood supplying her brain, and the constant dark spots dancing before her eyes. She manged a few calculated heavy steps towards the open window before the ship rocked at an angle that helped her throw her entire body weight towards the opening and empty out her stomach.

One flight and a 16 hour ride to their location by ship. Its was only 16 hours. Just 16 hours and she will be free. Did a minute even pass by? She could have sworn the sun rose, or was that metal welding again. Wait welding? Since when did ship repairments happen on an active transport? She needs to file a complaint, this is so unprofessional and ridiculously danger-

Five rhythmic metallic thumps echoed right outside her door, then a muffled voice spoke "Mira?"

Still slumped against the window with her head hung out in the opening, all Mira could mange was a grunt.

The door opened with a groan, rusted hinges sounded out until it ended with a click. It was Rumi, and she had that look of concern that only ever revealed itself when the three of them were alone.

"How are you holding up?" Rumi asked, hand rested at the frame of the door.

"I feel like I'm turning into a jellyfish, I cant think, I cant even feel my legs."

Rumi made her way to Mira and hooked an arm around her waist and with her help, manged to haul her into bed, the blanket wrinkled up, and pillows damp with sweat. As she got herself comfortable, Mira's nose caught an aroma of spicy citrus with a hint of wood. She trailed her eyes to where the scent wafted until her eyes landed on an item that Rumi was clutching. She didn't even notice that Rumi had anything on her hand until she felt its steam tickle her face.

Rumi sat at the edge of the bed and scooted closer to Mira, gently placing a mug on the night stand "Ginger tea" she said.

Mira muttered a "mmnh" placed her palm against the grounding heat of the mug. She propped herself on her elbow, pink hair cascading along her shoulders and down the side of her neck. Rumi's heart flipped.

Pulling the mug towards her lips, Mira breathed out a sigh.

"Feeling better?" Rumi asked as soon as Mira was done sipping.

Mira nodded.

"I cant remember the last time you were sea sick like that." Rumi said with a thoughtful look.

"Our first encounter with water demons."

"It was also the first time our plane became completely trashed, if I remember correctly" Rumi added

Mira hummed in agreement, hand still clutching the mug.

Then Rumi's eyes widen as she manged to dig out another memory. "It was also the time you introduced ramyeon to our pre-show routine! You should have seen your face when you saw Zoey's burger flavored ramyeon-" Rumi's mini ramble was stopped by a palm being held up flat against her direction.

"Rumi, please. No more food talk."

"Oh sorry, sorry..."

Silence settled between them before Rumi decided to change the subject. "Wanna know what Zoey is up to?"

"Please."

"A bunch of turtles were swimming along the ship and I swear you would think that she glued herself on the handrail."

That manged to get a snort out of Mira. "yeah?"

"Yeah" Rumi mirrored.

Mira took a sip from the mug trailed her eyes to Rumi's neck.

"Hows your voice?" Mira directed a question to her.

That had Rumi straighten up. "Getting better, i guess." she softly spoke the last part, averting her gaze.

A hand found its place on Rumi's knee, and when she looked to see, her breath caught in her throat. Mira was looking at her like that, with those eyes that only ever softened to her. Did she even deserve such kindness from those eyes?

"Your thinking again," Mira spoke in that voice that carried warmth only meant to her.

Rumi blinked, then landed her gaze away from her. That earned her a gentle squeeze from where Mira placed her hand.

"We can get through this. Together." Mira said

Mira took another sip, then, with whatever blood is remaining in her brain, she manged to find the dreaded question that's been eating at her.

"How much time we got?" She asked

"About 2 hours" Rumi said.

Mira hung her head low, letting out groan, and this sound might as well burn itself in her vocabulary because that has been her language for the better part of this trip.

"Cant this ship go any faster?"

Her wishes were granted with a violent jerk, causing Rumi to propel on top of Mira's legs. What came after was a chaos of hot tea splashing over them both, with Mira getting the top part of her shirt wet and Rumi getting her lap wet. Both screamed as the scalding liquid settled into their fabric and right above the surface of their skin. Mira immediately stood up but swayed on her feet trying to get back her balance. When she grounded herself, she immediately pulled at her shirt trying to relive the scald from her chest. Rumi on the other hand looked as if she were a newborn lamb trying to stand with the way she pulled at her sweatpants.

"Ugh, what the fuck?!" Mira

A distinct sounds of collision and clattering metal.

Rumi and Mira looked at each other

Both hurried outside to the deck despite the stinging pain that settled on their skin, and the scene before them was nothing short of absolute chaos. Cargoes swayed side to side, the chains holding them straining with a metallic click. Angry waves coming in a single consecutive line, determined to wreck the ship. Orders were being screamed out, crew members nearly toppling over each other trying to fall into their designated roles. This was too fast, too much and Rumi wasn't able to think of anything other than making sure her girls were not swept away by the ocean's vengeful waters. This was a battle of balance, one misstep and their lives were at the mercy of sea.

"Rob, get the sailings! Catty where the hell do you think your going? go back to the engine!" Captain yelled out.

"What is going on?" Celine said, coming out from under the ship where her room was.

"A fault with the engine I suppose. We got redirected to a different current." Captain explained.

"The engine cap is welded Captain!" Catty yelled

"What do you mean its welded?! All my days I have never seen such incompetence" Captain shouted.

Another wave violently splashed across the body of the ship, forcing it up while gravity had it slam its weight on the waters.

"Where is Zoey?" Rumi said

Somehow hearing her name through all this chaos, the raven haired girl made her way to Rumi, nearly colliding with her as the ship jerked forward again. Her sweater was ruined, her hair wet, and her teeth clattering at the sudden shock of coldness. "N-never standing c-c-close to the dock a-again" she muttered through her clattering teeth.

"Men! secure the cargo! Ladies please go back down" Captain said waving his hand at them.

"Captain! Big one!" One of the crew men shouted, pointing at the jaw of an incoming wave.

The bow of the ship reached out to the sky, as waves went underneath it. Metal groaning and grinding as weight shifted, trying to follow the curve of the wave, and just when it was about to tip over, it went crashing down with its full weight, flooding half of the dock. People were wet, barrels that contained all kinds of goods were thrown overboard and-

Silence.

Absolute silence.

The oceans onslaught that rushed endlessly seemed to have found their end in this very moment. The stars scattered out in the sky like an array of rhinestones that faded at the end of the horizon where the first rays of light licked at the surface of the waters. The ship found its balance immediately, but did not move any further.

The oceans waters were eerily still.

Suddenly silence broke with a red ripple of the Honmoon.

Now all four hunters were wary.

"Stay alert" Celine spoke behind Rumi, her dual swords already drawn.

For a short while, there was not a sound, not a wave, not even the red glow of a fractured barrier. Then 8 tears within the Honmoon appeared simultaneously on the quiet ocean's surface. Slowly creatures rose up from the tear, and it was not like anything they have seen. These were horses, green, large, mossy horses with crooked fangs. For a short while, they remained where they appeared, but then the water broke in ripples as the demons started to circle around the ship. From a slow continuous pace to a sudden blur of speed the demons at them like hungry sharks. They started boarding the ship with a powerful jump and sped towards them.

The first horse was down within the second it appeared in front of Celine, all she had to do was swipe both of her swords upwards and the demon was gone. seven more to go.

The second and third horses surrounded Rumi, trying to throw her off while the other two chased after the crew members. but they didn't get far when Zoey and Mira summoned their weapons and stood against them.

Zoey threw her shin-kals in a wild succession at the demon but only manged to give it a much needed hair cut. She wished she didn't. The demon slowly turned to look at her, its face was long like a horse and it was some how human yet not human enough. Its eyes... its eyes were glowing a brutal shade of amber with veins pulsing around the edges, they were front facing and nearly bulging out of its skull. Its teeth? Horrible, yellow and sharp, it curled out of its mouth as if it was too big to fit in. "God those things are ugly" Zoey said with a scrunched up face.

Mira spun her gok-do with both arms towards the approaching demon. She stopped the spinning, held her weapon vertically, then slammed it on the ground causing an explosion of energy that immediately consumed her opponent. Six more to go.

She turned to give Catty and Rob a look "Go to below and lock the door." They both disappeared as soon as those words left Mira's mouth

Sword clashed into the incoming chomp of the beast. Rumi manged to lodge her weapon into its jaw and just like that she was nearly flying off of the ship with the way the beast shook its head as if it were a dog playing tug of war. She thought of an immediate plan and let go of her sword, which sent her flying into the air. The demon thought of this as a victory but Rumi had other plans. She called back her sword from the honmoon, leaving the beast confused with the lack of weight in its mouth. she then summoned her sword again and used all her strength and momentum to throw her weapon directly between its eyes. The beast disintegrated as she landed back on the dock. Five more to go.

"Oh my days, this is it. This is it! its our end the kelpie will feast on our flesh" Captain screamed out pulling at his hair while runners. Directly into the ongoing battle field.

"Captain get back here!" Celine yelled

"Zoey!" was Rumi all had to say for her to understand. With a speed of a seasoned hunter that she was, Zoey was behind the captain and she struck the back of his neck with the side of her open palm and he dropped unconscious.

"Take him to the back with the others." Rumi spoke as soon as she passed her.

"You got it" Zoey said with a mock salute.

Now it was Rumi, Mira and Celine. They found themselves back to back in a little triangle they formed in the middle of the ship as five of the demons started to circle them. They growled and hissed and chomped at the air as they tried to provoke one of the hunters, and when that didn't work, one of them broke out of the circle and lurched at Mira, knocking her off balance. Mira swiped with her gok-do and rolled back onto her feet. But as she stood up, she felt it. The knot in her stomach pulling tighter, the sudden dryness in her mouth, and the black spots popping in her vision.

Oh no. No,no,no this cant happen now, not now. She didn't seem to notice it but the ship began its rocking with the way the battle was going on and the weight of these beasts being thrown around. She leaned on her gok-do and slapped her hand on her mouth as she gagged.

The slow rocking of the ship, the pungent scent of sea moss, the wet squelching that came with every move, and the froth that flowed like waterfalls from the corner of its mouth.

This was too much.

(TW: VOMIT/PUKING INCOMING)

Saliva accompanied by a strong hint of sourness flooded her mouth and that was her only warning before whatever remained of her breakfast spilled out of her mouth. Liquid and mush solids splayed on the polished wood of the dock.

Immediately Mira felt a heavy weight slamming against her chest, sending her flying towards a wooden crate that had a red paint 'FISH' sign. Her back slammed into the wooden crate and a sound of wood splintering echoed into the night.

"MIRA!" Rumi and Zoey screamed out.

Zoey, had just appeared from under the ship, and was greeted with the sight of Mira's body in a splintered crate. She didn't think, not for a second. She just sprinted towards the demon, with 3 shin-kals on each hand. As she was ready to rain daggers on the beast, she found her vision tilting upside down, and then realized too late that she was tumbling to the ground. She did not account to watch her surroundings because she ate the ground when her foot slipped on Mira's puke. That was all the distraction needed for Mira's previous opponent to change its focus to Zoey. With a speed unlike any demons they have encountered, it sped up towards Zoey, who was trying to get up, but kept slipping on the floor. Zoey only had a second before her eyes caught an incoming hoof towards her face.

(TW: VOMIT/PUKING END)

Rumi decided to play rodeo by jumping on the demon's back. She held on the best she can on its mossy hair, even when she could feel her hands slipping on the slimy texture. The beast was now bucking wildly in the hopes of getting the hunter off of its back, and it was working when Rumi's hand almost slipped again. She loosened her grip, only to wrap her arms around the beast's powerful neck, as soon as she did that, she got a face full of slimy moss with the way the beast was trying to buck her off of its back.

Now she understood why Mira puked, god she wanted to vomit too with the way it's scent overflowed her senses. She could even taste it. She just needs to hold this beast off, and think of a plan while her girls got on their feet, and it wasn't like there was some grand plotting she could perform to get this beast down, so she stuck her right arm out in the open and called for the Honmoon in the form of singing. The weapon appeared, but she wasn't able to cut through its thick flesh, not without her voice. Why wasn't working? why, why, why? Would the accursed patterns prevent her from even protecting the ones she loved? Why? When she was so close-

She went crashing down, her back flat on the floor. For a horrifying second, she thought that she might have met her end. She opened one eye to see that the beast has fallen and was being disintegrated, and the culprit of its doom flicked her wrists to sheath back her dual swords into the Honmoon.

"That's the last of them" Celine said.

While Rumi was busy playing cowboy on the demon's back, the retired hunter manged to eliminate the other four before shifting her focus on the last demon.

Shame.

Rumi should have felt grateful for the save, but how could she? This was the first time in forever that Celine accompanied the girls in a hunt like that and the first thing she sees is her screw up? For a short while she didn't move, not when her stomach coiled in knots for failing like that, for losing her voice when she needed it, and worst of all it was all in front of the one person who has high expectations of her.

She got on her legs, shaky but balanced, and started to look around until her eyes landed on a wide eyed Zoey and a Mira who just regained her consciousness. She immediately made her way to Mira and shot out her hand to grasp her arm. Slowly, she stabilized her and helped her walk to the middle of the dock. Zoey was already on her feet making her way to the two of them.

"This is officially the worst trip ever" Mira said, voice scratchy.

"I second that" Zoey said.

"It is good we came here when we could. This could have gone worse." Celine commented

Rumi wanted to speak, and say what? apologize? Promise to get better? Or explain how her voice might not ever come back? She didn't even get the chance to add to anything when a sharp hiss slithered right next to her ear.

Mira's face contorted, while her own hand reached to where her chest ached.

With a sigh, Rumi adjusted her hold on Mira, taking almost all of the tall girl's body weight.

"Come on, lets get you cleaned up" Rumi murmured in her ear.

❅❅❅❅❅

Pink hair floated on the surface of the water, legs folded close to her chest, her chin resting on her knees.

After the battle, they checked in on everyone and found out that a demon weaseled its way among the crew members, giving it a chance to mess with the ship's controls. That demon was taken care of.

Now Mira was sitting in a bathtub. She was still dizzy, still felt sharpness where a red mark in the shape of a hoof printed in the middle of her chest, but the warm water hugging her body made her forget the better part of the pain. She felt a gentle splash of water against her shoulder. The puke stains have been long gone, yet she still remained in the tub with Rumi's hands ever so gently scrubbing at her skin, careful not to irritate the red that came from removing the wooden splinters.

She can count on her hand the amount of times a hunt left them in scratches and bruises, and even with the Honmoon's healing abilities, they took care of their pain together. Every single time without fail it did something to her heart when Rumi would clean her, or when Zoey would place turtle themed band aids on them.

The creak of the door broke the tranquility between them both. It was Zoey, she was in her fresh fleece crop top and jean shorts, a bucket hat sat on her head with pins of turtles lined around it. She had a white towel hanging on her arm.

"Good news…" Zoey started. "We got 30 minutes until we arrive."

"Finally" Mira breathed out.

She has vowed this will be her last trip on water.

Putting the jug of water down, Rumi clasped her hand around Mira's and just like that, muscle memory kicked in of a dance similar to this that they have done a countless times, whether it was stitching up after battle or preparing breakfast in the morning. They worked around each other, with Rumi helping Mira stand and Zoey approaching with a towel. Now with a towel secured around her body, they all headed to Mira's room where her clothes waited for her.

As soon as the door clicked shut she dropped her towel, disregarding the fact that both girls were with her in the room.

Searing heat climbed up to Rumi's cheeks. She immediately found the floor to be the most interesting thing to look at the moment. Zoey was no better, with her hat pulled all the way down to her nose.

Mira looked behind her shoulder with that wicked grin as she took her sweet time to pull her jeans up. "What? You just saw me ass naked a few minutes ago" She said in a teasing tone, buttoning up her blouse.

When none of them spoke she turned around and stalked towards them "Cat got your tongues?"

Zoey was the first to attempt to speak, but it didn't matter since she was in arms reach for the tall girl to pull her towards the bed "Let's all squeeze in a cuddle pile before we leave. Rumi be our alarm okay?"

Zoey immediately lit up as if she wasn't blushing just a few seconds ago. "Yes! Cuddle pile! Cuddle pile!"

Mira looked at her and smiled then her eyes caught a Rumi shaped figure moving dangerously close to the door.

"And where do you think your going?" Rumi froze at Mira's words.

"I need to check in with Celine." She mumbled.

Mira exhaled through her nose and sighed. "Rumi just chill out, you can rest for 30 minutes. Come and join us."

"Come on we haven't had one in a while." Zoey added in.

Its not that she didn't want to, in fact she desperately wanted to tangle with them. To feel their warmth, but she cant risk it anymore. Not with the way her patterns are spreading.

"I promise to make it up to you later" She lied.

Mira huffed and let go of her. "Okay, but don't overwork yourself. "

Rumi just gave the both of them a practiced smile and left. As soon as the door closed, her back rested flat against the door, and she closed her eyes.

The three of them were something.

She cant exactly remember when their touches became lingering, when those eyes held warmth and when they stole kisses every now and then. Its not like they became girlfriends, they didn't speak about it or put a title to it, but what they had transcended what a normal friendship would be. She wants to be more, even more than what they had established, and she knows they too feel the same. Would that be right though? Appropriate? And how long would she have them wait? She cant just decide to want without exterminating the one thing acting as a barrier between her and the life she desires. If she does then she would lose everything.

She pushed these thoughts to the deepest corner on her mind. She will cross that bridge when she gets there, but now she needs to go to Celine.

❅❅❅❅❅

Dim lights flowed from the small crack of the door, a sign of activity. Rumi peaked through the door and saw Celine on a chair with a table in the middle of the room. Her gaze concentrated on the computer that showed a radar of the Honmoon's barrier. The radar now shows more red pulsing around, threatening to tear at the honmoon. She opened the door and immediately closed it behind her with a silent thump of metal.

"Sit." Celine spoke without averting her eyes from the screen.

Obliging, Rumi took a seat directly in front of Celine, the square shape of the device blocking her view from Celine's.

"You were a beat off." She spoke.

"A minor error. This wont happen again." Rumi immediately adds in, her gaze on her on lap and fists clenching the cotton fabric of her pants.

"How long?" Celine said, her eyes on Rumi's throat.

It took a second for Rumi to look up from her lap before she spilled. "A day ago, when I released the new single."

Celine only hummed in response, letting the silence sit for a while. It wasn't that Celine ever berated or chastised her, at least nothing as bad as her continuous hovering whenever her patterns threaten to show.

"We have a month" Celine finally speaks. She looks up from her computer, landing her eyes on Rumi's. "This still can be fixed. What happened today, take it as a lesson. Do not show your faults and fears."

"How?" Rumi muttered

Celine raised an eyebrow.

"How can it still be fixed?" Rumi said a bit louder "How can any of this work when this is taking the one thing that can seal the Honmoon in gold?" She pulled down the neck of her hoodie far enough to expose the purple streaks. A frown dug deeper into her face at Celine flinching from the sight of her patterns.

"When did it-"

"I don't know" Rumi cuts in. "Celine. Please, I don't know what to do."

Conflicting expression formed on the retired hunter's face, her hand on the table clenched into a fist before relaxing it.

"It will be fixed, the Honmoon's faults will be gone along with this." She answered finally.

She didn't know what to expect. It was a conformation that everything will be fine eventually, but would it? Rumi broke the gaze from her guardian and nodded at the answer she got a thousand times before

With no parting words, she dismissed herself.

❅❅❅❅❅

The ship had its final sway, settling parallel to the wooden docks. Mira was the first one to leave the ship, and she was genuinely thinking of dropping to the ground and kissing it, had she not had a reputation to uphold. The next person to leave the ship was Zoey, she was bouncing on her heels as she pulled the boat cap on, and had her phone out, ready to snap as many pictures as possible. Finally, Rumi was last to leave, trailing behind her girls.

Celine stayed behind for a bit, something about paying off the Captain and his crew, an apology money she said.

While the retired hunter was busy, she left the girls to gawk at Arendelle greatness. It was truly like nothing they have seen before. One might even say that it was straight out of a fantasy book. The street lamps were tall with intricate engravings on them, the roads were clear and grayish blue, different from the generic roads they would see in any of the countries, and the houses? They were a gorgeous mix of wood and stone with a sprinkle of modernity. It truly felt like they were stepping into the past.

And somehow it was more lively than any cities they have been in.

There were people coming and going, people dressed fancy, people brandishing their goods to sell. Many cafes littered across the streets and Zoey gravitated towards a cafe that looked like it was owned by cats with the amount of them just chilling around it. Just as Zoey was going to suggest the idea of taking a break in that cafe, Celine appeared right behind them, pushing them towards a car that was already waiting for them.

As it would turn out, Celine was many steps ahead. She contacted an agency that worked primarily with tourism and booked a tour guide that had the knowledge of every street, and capital in the kingdom. She had the girls hurry and told them to just take their necessary bags that were already at their hands. The rest of the items that were expected for their idol activities would arrive within a few days with Bobby.

Between where they are now and the First ring is 2 hours by car, so what they need to do now is relax in this stylish retro car equipped with modern features.

"Whoa, look at the mountains! That is definitely magical" Zoey said exhilarated. Her face and palms were pressed up against the window. Mira on the other hand was sitting in the middle, she had arms crossed, her head leaned back against the seat and her headphones blasting music. Rumi was also next to the window, but behind the drivers seat where Celine was. The purple haired hunter leaned her head against the window, half dozing, half awake.

The driver, who went by the name Sven, was an interesting man to say the least. The girls caught him speaking to his car when Celine told them the had a car ready. He was also weirdly specific about the position of their bags when they tried to put them in the trunk, so they just let him do it for them since he was so eager to not disrespect the car or whatever that meant, and instead of engaging in conversation, he had the music of the radio on the medium.

2 Hours and 30 minutes in and the first ring was in sight. Colossal was the word. Cracks within adorned the walls in an unspoken history and the gates were just as big, lining up against the walls with heavy chains holding them up. The castle they once saw from miles away was almost swallowed by the walls of the first ring, and the closer they got to their destination, the clearer it was to see that there were less homes and more tower structures that just spoke business and markets.

The car reached a red painted gravel, and a man wearing metal and gold flagged down the car. Sven drove the car near a clearer area where a post and a few more men, who have now been identified as Royal Guards by Sven, were waiting for them. The guard cranked his index finger down and Sven complied by rolling down the window.

"ᚾᚨᛗᛖ?" guard asked

"ᛋᚡᛖᚾ" Sven answered

The guard peaked through the car, his eyes moving from Celine to the girls.

"ᚡᛁᛋᛏᛟᚱᛋ ᛁᛞ" he demanded

"ᚤᛖᛋ ᛃᚢᛋᛏ ᚨ ᛗᛟᛗᛖᚾᛏ" Sven said. He turned around and told the girls and Celine to produce their ID. After a few second of rummaging, Sven held five IDS and handed them to the guard.

The guard took them and started reading through them. For every ID he looked at, he looked back at the person he was identifying, and after a few minutes, he handed back the IDs to Sven and shook his head.

"ᚾᛟᛏ ᚡᚨᛚᛁᛞ."he said

"ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᛞᛟ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛗᛖᚨᚾ? ᛏᚺᛖᚤ ᚨᚱᛖ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛗᛖ, ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚨᚷᛖᚾᚲᚤ." Sven argued back

"ᚨᚷᛖᚾᚲᚤ, ᚾᛟ ᚨᚷᛖᚾᚲᚤ, ᛁᛏ ᛞᛟᛖᛋᚾᛏ ᛗᚨᛏᛏᛖᚱ. ᚾᛟᛏ ᚡᚨᛚᛁᛞ." he retorted

"ᚹᛖ ᚺᚨᚡᛖ ᛈᚨᛈᛖᚱᛋ."

"ᚹᛖ ᛞᛟᚾᛏ ᛋᚲᚨᚾ ᛏᚺᛖᛗ ᚺᛖᚱᛖ. ᚷᛟ ᛏᛟ ᛈᛟᛋᛏ 20, ᚷᚨᛏᛖ 9"

Sven gave nothing but a curt nod as he rolled back his window and put the car in reverse. Celine sat straighter than she usually did.

"Why are we retreating?" She asked

"IDs not valid. We need to get our papers checked" Sven all but briefed.

"What? I had the agency contacts, their signature is on the visitors id." Celine tried to reason

"Its not going to work here. So we go to gate 9" Sven gruffed.

Celine sighed, leaning back on her chair, only to lean forward at a sudden gentle shake of her seat.

"Are we there yet?" Rumi asked, sleep still fogging her mind.

"Soon" Celine answered.

❅❅❅❅❅

It took 30 minutes to reach the 9th gate and when they did they were stopped again. Sven rolled down his window, ID in hand and began speaking to them.

This time the Sven was asked to step out.

Two more guards appeared on each side of the car, knocking on the windows. that was their cue to file out of the car.

A white haired guard was beside Celine, a metal rod lined with red that looked similar to what airport security used. He hovered it around her about 3 times before telling her (or better yet demanded) to remove the coat, and for a moment it seemed like it would be the same protocol as TSA, but weirdly enough, the guard flipped the coat inside out, as if looking for something.

Something felt off. from the way they stood to the sneers ghosting their face, it didnt feel like a check up, it felt more like a-

A yelp caught attention.

Mira stood there shocked while Zoey's hands were on her own head where the bucket hat should have been. A guard had it in his hands, and with lack of care, manged to twist some of the pins with the way he was handling it.

"Are you trying to rip her head off?!" Mira yelled, but the words went from one ear out the other as the bearded guard kept fiddling with the hat.

Trunk of the car flew open, and their bags thrown carelessly on the ground. To the girls horror, their clothes were, and in the nicest way, trashed. There wasn't a single thing that wasn't turned, flipped or crumpled, be it their pajamas or their undergarments.

What was supposed to be an inspection turned into some sort of humiliation ritual.

"Sven! what is the meaning of this?!" Celine demanded. For a woman who schooled her expression and willed away her emotions, she seemed appalled.

Sven himself had his eyes widened at the violation happening right before him. He spun towards the guard beside him and pointed wildly at the other two desecrating the car. "ᚹᚺᚨᛏ ᚨᚱᛖ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛞᛟᛁᚾᚷ!?" Sven yelled at the guard.

"ᚾᛖᚹ ᚱᚢᛚᛖᛋ ᚲᚨᛚᛚᛋ ᚠᛟᚱ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚨᛈᛈᚱᛟᚨᚲᚺᛁᚾᚷ ᚲᛟᚱᛟᚾᚨᛏᛁᛟᚾ, ᚲᛁᛏᚤ ᛒᛟᚤ" The guard said.

"ᛒᚤ ᛞᛁᛋᚱᛖᛋᛈᛖᚲᛏᛁᚾᚷ ᛟᚢᚱ ᚷᚢᛖᛋᛏᛋ ᛚᛁᚴᛖ ᛏᚺᚨᛏ?!"

The guard disregarded the driver's words and threw the coat back to Celine, then made his way to Mira and began his so called inspection by demanding for her golf hat to be removed, and when she refused, he yanked it off with force that nearly had Mira tripping on her feet.

Another guard, lankier than the other two with more hair on his face zeroed in on Rumi. He approached her with the same rod that the white haired guard had. The rod hovered over her a few times, and there wasn't any suspicion of anything on her. Until he spoke.

"Jacket off"

Sleep was punched out of her body at the two words that rang in her ears like a bell chime. She stood still, feet firmly planted on the ground despite the immediate alarms ringing in her mind telling her to run, hide.

Why? Why did he need her to take her jacket off? Its wasn't like Celine's long coat, it could literally pass for long sleeved crop top.

"I-I cant" she manged whispered out.

On the other side of the purple haired hunter stood Mira, who for all her time she knew Rumi, has never seen the girl make an expression like that. It was something between fear and acknowledgement, as if she had accepted the fact that a truck was about to strike her.

She decided that she absolutely hates it.

The honmoon tingled at the tips of her fingers, just enough to be able to reach in and pull out her gok-do. She was going to make it hurt for the audacity they harbored.

"Back off" she spoke, her voice laced with venom. Her gaze broke from the offending man when she caught Celine 's eyes. the look she was giving Mira spoke, , things will get worse if you engage.

Ignoring the threat behind him, his hand inched towards Rumi. "Jacket off" he repeated louder

Muffled voices echoed around her, she didn't know whether it was Mira's, Zoey's or Celine's. Couldn't tell where they were, if they were even near her. Her world narrowed down to the smell of tobacco and the heavy hand holding her jacket collar. One layer, one pull and everything she worked for, everything she loved, the image she built would shatter.

Tears glistening her eyes, Rumi spoke with a waver in her voice "Please no.."

Its not like he cared, because the next thing he did was pull the collar of her jacket. Immediately her chest constricted, her breaths falling fast and short. She was drowning in her tremors, and in some sort of wicked enjoyment, a smirk appeared.

A large hand grabbed at the guard's shoulder. "ᛚᛖᛏ ᚺᛖᚱ ᚷᛟ" Sven was fuming, he was red in the face with veins nearly popping at the side of his head

"ᛒᛟᚤ, ᚴᛖᛖᛈ ᚤᛟᚢᚱ ᚺᚨᚾᛞ ᛏᛟ ᚤᛟᚢᚱᛋᛖᛚᚠ ᛁᚠ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚴᚾᛟᚹ ᚹᚺᚨᛏᛋ ᚷᛟᛟᛞ ᚠᛟᚱ ᚤᛟᚢ" He sneered at Sven

Sven pointed at the car's windshield. "ᛁᚾ ᛏᚺᛖᚱᛖ ᛁᛋ ᚨ ᚲᚨᛗᛖᚱᚨ, ᚨᚾᛞ ᛁᛏ ᛁᛋ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚨᚷᛖᚾᚲᚤ'ᛋ ᛟᛒᛚᛁᚷᚨᛏᛁᛟᚾ ᛏᛟ ᛋᚺᚨᚱᛖ ᛏᚺᛁᛋ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚱᛖᚨᚷᛖᚾᛏ. ᛁ ᚹᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᛚᛟᚡᛖ ᛏᛟ ᛋᛖᛖ ᚺᛟᚹ ᚤᛟᚢ ᚹᛟᚢᛚᛞ ᛖᛪᛈᛚᚨᛁᚾ ᚹᚺᚤ 3 ᚷᚱᛟᚹᚾ ᛗᛖᚾ ᚨᚱᛖ ᚨᚾᛏᚨᚷᛟᚾᛁᛉᛁᚾᚷ ᛏᚺᛖ ᛖᛋᛏᛖᛖᛗᛖᛞ ᚷᚢᛖᛋᛏᛋ ᛟᚠ ᛈᚱᛁᚾᚲᛖᛋᛋ ᚨᚾᚾᚨ." He whispered in his ear.

For a moment, the guard stilled, his hand still on Rumi's collar. Sven noticed this then spoke again, lower "ᛚᛖᛏ. ᚺᛖᚱ. ᚷᛟ"

With a huff he relaxed his hold on Rumi and spun around, slapping away Sven's hand off in the process. He yelled out something to the other two, which had them let go of the clothes and bags at hand.

Mira gave one last nasty look at the guard blocking her from Rumi and then immediately sped towards her. Rumi didn't speak , she just stood there

Celine was now at her side, looking at her with that conflicting expression of wanting to comfort her and fix the problem. Deciding her next actions, she put a hand on her back and winced when she flinched at the contact.

Sven had one last stare off with the guards before turning his back and proceeding to the car

"We are done here." He said, passing by the girls

Whether it was Mira, Zoey or Celine who guided her to the car, she cant remember. She felt herself sitting on a warm leather, the ac's breeze hitting her square in the face, and two presences taking their seat on each of her side. The sound of the engines rumbled back to life and after what felt like an eternity of suffocation, she gasped in a breath , tears finally falling down her face as she tried to muffle her incoming sobs. Her arm tightly hugged her body, while her other hand clamped to her mouth, muffling another sob. Among the blurriness of her vision, she saw two figures closing in on her sides, arms wrapping around her shoulders in that way that struck her with familiarity. She shot up her other hand when another sob spilled out, harder this time. She felt her face hot and wet, she would definitely deny any breakdown happening in a cab but right now, all she could focus on was the closeness between the three of them, and a moment, she would allow herself to believe that everything would be okay.

❅❅❅❅❅

It took another 4 hours, and 5 stops, with no incidents this time, just to finally find someone who wasn't incompetent, jerk or outright discriminatory. And its not like Celine didn't show the royal invitation, its just that these guards didn't care enough to even check its legitimacy, so when they finally reached their final stop at the 6th gate, they were greeted by someone who had connections to the agency. He took one look at the royal seal and immediately demanded for the gates to open. He promised them that as soon as they enter the first ring, the second and third would be smooth sailing.

Finally, they have entered the first ring, and first thing in order is a hotel. Celine, despite her ever standing image is exhausted, but she allowed herself to rest since the girls were busy playing twister in their nap, that would surely leave sore muscles in the morning.

Celine got down and resisted to do a wide much needed stretch. She made her way to the back, and slowly opened the door. That sudden lost of structure that the door held shot Mira awake.

"Come on" She said

If she had words to say, she didn't speak them. She was to tired to do so. She turned towards the soft snores that sounded beside her.

Mira reached over and placed a hand on Zoey's shaking her awake. The raven haired hunter groaned at the stiffness in her neck as she blinked off sleep. Mira looked at her then looked at the one between them. Rumi. Her chest rose and dropped with every breath, her cheeks streaked with tears. This wasn't how the trip was supposed to go, they didn't even expect the guards to violate their privacy like that, let alone threaten to strip their leader like that.

Burning anger bubbled at the memory, they were elite hunters, a bunch of guards had nothing on them, and yet the way Celine looked at her knocked all the senses back. There would be consequences waiting for them if they retaliated the way she wanted to. It was too clear what could happen, the international catastrophe that would be invoked all because Mira wanted to kick in that smug lanky bastard's teeth in.

Mira sighed, she smoothed out the tears with her thumb before unbuckling her seat and slipping her arms arms underneath the purple haired girl's legs, pulling her close to her body. She stepped out of the car and caught Zoey's gaze, and in a silent agreement, they both headed towards the entrance of the hotel.