Fire Pit

by The_Croc

Summary:

You weren't meant to exist.

You should have never of been possible.

Yet you did.

Yet you 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦.

Your birth was an accident, when the Honmoon first laid its ground and Gwi-Ma nearly went out. The Honmoon had weakened him severely, yet a small flame hadn't reattached to the rest when he healed. This little flame of reds and oranges and pinks burned bright in its own little pit. Gwi-Ma waited days for this flame to burn brighter, to reattach, but it stayed cradled in its little pit.

Or!

Demon Reader that ends up rebirthed way too early and falls for some poly demon hunter girlfriends.

Chapter 1: Rebirth

You weren't meant to exist.

You should have never of been possible.

Yet you did.

Yet you 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦.

Your birth was an accident, when the Honmoon first laid its ground and Gwi-Ma nearly went out. The Honmoon had weakened him severely, yet a small flame hadn't reattached to the rest when he healed. This little flame of reds and oranges and pinks burned bright in its own little pit. Gwi-Ma waited days for this flame to burn brighter, to reattach, but it stayed cradled in its little pit.

Gwi-Ma had learned of your conscious state when a demon had managed to get two souls to feed him, and in curiosity, he gave the little fire pit a soul. Your flames bursted up, just a little, with a soft croak of hunger. The demon king saw this new revelation, if only you would grow stronger. Souls were hard to get for nearly four hundred years, the occasional soul that made a deal with Gwi-Ma usually fed him, yet you were starved, cradled in your father's flames.

Then came Jinu with his idea, and suddenly you were being fed. Flames growing stronger, but not enough to escape the pit you resided in. For every tenth sold, you got two, and when Gwi-Ma would take over, you could have more. Your little flame resided in the Night as the demons took to the overworld, ready to eat. Huntrix was broken, allowing Gwi-Ma to rise, the Honmoon gone.

The demon king used this to his advantage, consuming souls left and right as the masses walked mindlessly into his flames. The influx of souls made him grow, and for every three souls consumed, he sent two for you. Being fed at a rapid rate made you grow, steadily rising and almost filling out your little pit. Your conscious state started to understand, not a lot, but enough to realize your hunger. Everything had been going as planned.

Until it wasn't.

Gwi-Ma was defeated, sent back to the Night with the rest of his useless underlings. The Saja Boys were defeated as well, weakened severely with Jinu gone. Gwi-Ma’s flames weakened as they settled back onto their throne. Huntrix had nearly snuffed him out, but he knew the Honmoon wouldn't hold. The demon king yelled, snatching up demons and strangling their weaker bodies, burning them to crisps. His anger turned to a sense of despair when he checked on your growth, but your little pit was empty. The roar he released shook the Night, thinking his little flame had turned to ash.

---------

You could 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡.

That had been the first thing you noticed. The ground was hard and kinda cold, nothing like the molten stone of your pit or your father's flames. You felt solid and heavy, in a way you didn't understand. Your hearing was greater than before, and it hurt. Everything was loud, things chatting and screaming, but it wasn't the sound of demons wailing in pain and anguish.

Your entire being ached in a way that made you want to yell, to cry out for Gwi-Ma, to understand what was happening. Everything was dark, something even more terrifying as usually you could see stone and flames. Even worse was the feeling of being weak, weak in a way that starving usually left you, but worse. Everything was simply too much.

A guttural noise ripped from something deep within you as you finally gained enough strength, and the first thing that happened was something peeling away from your vision. Eyelids. Panic hit as you realized your body was solid. Every new limb ached in a way you shouldn't have felt. The floor was concrete, covered in shadows between two towering buildings. The narrow walkway opened to another row of buildings as you could somewhat see, figures walking by. Tiny humans jumping and squealing in a way that made your ears ring.

Bright light cast down throughout the larger street. The sight of souls was tempting. Your vision blurry as you try to force strength into the rest of your new body. Your stomach clenched, a horrible acid taste filling your mouth as hunger twisted each new organ. Digging your fingers into the concrete, you started heaving, hardly moving in half inches towards the busy street. Each painful drag cut up your fingertips, threatening to break your nails.

Deep purple patterns traced your arms, fading in and out as you channelled any amount of power possible. You didn't even make it a complete foot before your body gave up, patterns darkening to stay as your cheek hit the hard floor. The scrape against delicate skin stung, a whine burning in your throat as your eyes closed. If only you could hear the noises coming towards you, the sound of shoes on pavement.

𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯.

Chapter 2: Hunters

“Couch, couch, couch!”

The chorus echoed down the alleyway, excited to finally relax. Rumi walked between Mira and Zoey, constantly brushing shoulders and hanging off each other. The three had just finished at the bathhouse, feeling refreshed as Bobby urged them to take the week off. “We should totally stop for snacks and like, refill the kitchen.” Zoey giggled, pulling on Rumi's arm. Mira snorted, but didn't discard the idea while Rumi laughed. “You guys already ransacked everything?” The purple haired singer asked, as if she didn't partake. Their steps thundered on solid concrete, their maknae bouncing around the older two.

It was put to a quick stop as Mira's arm flew out, accidentally hitting both Rumi and Zoey. The youngest groaned at the unexpected stop, the singer making an “oof” noise. “What is that?” Mira's voice cut through their banter. Zoey groaned, rubbing her stomach over her shirt while Rumi had to gather herself before focusing.

One the cold concrete laid a body, patterns seeming to be seared into the purples skin. Your hand twitched, sending all three jumping back and drawing their weapons. The Honmoon glowed before dulling when you didn't move. Slowly, the three moved forward together, shoes scuffing the ground. When no reaction came, they shared a look before Mira flipped her Gokdo, using the blunt end to poke at the body.

“Mira!” Rumi scolded while Zoey whined. “What? Not like it's moving.” Mira snorted before relaxing. The singer sighed, dragging a hand down her face as Zoey approached your body. “She's breathing!” The youngest chirped, poking your side. The action provoked a groan and a finger twitch. Their weapons disappeared into thin air as the girls relaxed.

“She's a demon.” Rumi murmured.

“No duh.” Mira deadpanned.

That earned her a glare with no real fire behind it, unable to really be angry at her girlfriend. Once making sure you weren't a threat, they surrounded you like curious street cats. “Those patterns are…different.” Rumi muttered, brow furrowed. Said patterns followed the usual look, except for the fact that they were brighter and more leather looking, like your skin was on fire in those areas. Zoey's fingers were careful in turning your head to the side, exposing your face to the chill of the alley.

Two tusk like fangs curled up out of the sides of your mouth, matching smaller fangs hidden behind your lips. Pointy ears stuck out of the sides of your head, with two small horns on the top of your head, just about three inches above your ears. The horns were dark and a little gnarled, like an old tree's branches. Your eyes shot open, making Zoey pull back. Weapons were summoned back in an instant As you hissed, slitted yellow eyes glaring hungrily at the girls.

A clawed hand weakly swiped at Zoey, forcing her to draw back until it fell limp. A low whine vibrating the back of your throat as you fell unconscious once more. “Is a demon supposed to be this weak?”, chirped Zoey. Both the youngest and oldest seemed to stare at Rumi, as if she had all the answers. The singer only shrugged.

“So..what do we do with her?” Mira questioned with a quirked brow.

“I have an idea!” Zoey squealed.

“Just one?”, asked Mira with a smirk. “More like twenty three and I'm working on twenty four but let's go with my favorite!”

_____

If they knew the idea would involve you being dragged to the penthouse, it would've been an immediate no. Yet now you lay sprawled out on Rumi's bed, her room not as dangerous or chaotic as her girlfriends’. Mira had practically shoved clothing on you, a simple Huntr/x hoodie and some shorts, as the scraps you wore originally were too far gone. Rumi's blanket laid over your shaking form, each inhale rattling your frame.

Mira and Rumi had gone out to distract Bobby before you could have the chance to wake up. This left you with Zoey, the maknae poking and prodding at your face until she grew bored. The Raven haired girl raided Rumi's nightstand for her hidden snacks before plopping on the bed. The sound of crinkling echoed throughout the room before the bag popped open so she could start shoveling shrimp chips into her mouth as she scrolled on her phone, occasionally glancing at you. Zoey was laid on her stomach, feet kicking in the air as she sat up on her elbows. The crinkle of the bag woke you, the scent of a soul and something else filling your nose.

Glancing over, Zoey paused mid chew as slitted eyes stared back. Your mouth opened in a hiss, trying to draw the strength to feed. Only for a shrimp chip to be shoved between your sharp teeth. Your jaw clenched at the disrespect, causing the chip to explode in your mouth. The flavor was new, making you pause again as the crumbs soaked into your taste buds. Zoey watched with wide eyes as your pupils blew wide, yellow gaze flitting down to the bag.

Lips parted to reveal sharp teeth as Zoey carefully dropped another chip into your maw, watching in awe as you chomped down. Gathering strength, a clawed hand flew out from beneath the blanket, snatching the bag. The lyricist giggled as you rolled over, clutching the aluminum bag to your chest. One clawed hand nearly tore the packaging as the other dipped in and out of the bag, shoving handfuls of shrimp chips into your waiting mouth.

Tensing, you paused mid chew as fingers lightly brushed over your pointed ears. Your head turned, dizzying your senses for a mere moment from the quickness before you were growling. The girl before you smelled good, her touch made you feel hot, as if you were still made of flames. Your mouth opened, tusk like teeth pushing your top lip up as you felt the need to inhale her soul.

“They're just like Rumi's!”

Zoey had gasped, fingers hooking into your mouth to skim across sharp incisors. Your heart pounded as your mouth was wretched open for the hunter to prod and poke. Her face flushed just slightly when your tongue, pointed and almost serpentine slipped beneath her finger pads. Crumbs coated your lips, having been interrupted during your little feast. Your back bared down, sinking you further into the soft sheets, skull retreating into the purple pillowcase as this human inspected you like a child in an aquarium touch tank.

A gag threatened to slip out when her fingers pushed on your tongue. Your sharp hearing faltered from the heat in your gut, making you miss the approaching footsteps.

“What do we do with her-” Mira cut herself off when she slammed the door open. Rumi's brow furrowed, mouth opening before closing. Zoey had stilled, fingers deep in your mouth as she stared back at her girlfriends. While you were left wide eyed and practically choking.

“Zoey!” Both girls scolded as Zoey practically ripped her fingers away.

“I didn't do it!”

She squealed, jumping onto her knees, face cherry red and eyes wide as Rumi shut the door behind her. “You can't just stick your fingers in her mouth! She could have bit you.”, scolded Rumi, as if they had brought in a feral dog. You took your chance to wiggle out of the bed, not knowing the surface wasn't completely flat. A loud thud rang out, a groan following as you laid face first on the floor. The purple blanket tangled around your legs, shrimp chip bag squished between your stomach and the floor.

The three stared at the edge of the bed before glancing at each other. Zoey broke first, Mira and Rumi falling right behind her as laughter bounced off the walls. The oldest two fell against each other, Rumi holding her stomach with Mira’s arm slung around her shoulders. Zoey flopped forward onto the bed, muffling her giggles into the soft pillows. Your whines of displeasure finally drew them from their laughing fit, Rumi taking a breath as she steadied herself.

“Let's get her back in bed, and something to eat.” Rumi coughed, masking the last of her own chuckles. Zoey was up in an instant, Mira rounding the bed. You hissed and snapped, looking more like a feral cat than a demon. The singer sighed at the amount of crumbs on her floor and in her sheets, but stood back as Mira lifted your wiggling body from the floor. The lyricist of the group guided your limbs to relax as they placed you back on the bed.

Clawed fingers clutched the ruined snack bag, snarling when Mira tried to loosen it from your grip. The older woman grumbled an exasperated fine before giving up, letting you keep the bag of crumbs. Rumi's lips were pursued, manicured fingers rubbing the bridge of her nose as you ate the crumbs. Shrimp dust covered your cheeks and the chest of the shirt.

“Mira, can you get her some real food? Zoey, stop playing with her mouth.”

Mira nodded, heading out of the bedroom as Zoey stiffened, backing off the follow Mira. Rumi wasn't left to babysit for long, Mira coming back in with fresh food, Zoey with snacks. The scent wafted through your nose, tying a pretty ribbon around your brain. The bed trays made the mattress dip as they were set to the side. The two backed up, all three watching in interest as snake-like eyes narrowed in. Suddenly, claws were snapping out to grab at the different foods before shoveling it down your throat.

The empty feeling that cramped in your stomach began to lighten. ‘Human food was so damn good.’ you thought, salivating with each bite. Zoey gasped as your skin dipped away from its purple tone, turning more human. Your patterns still glowed but not as bright, instead taking on a leathery look. Your horns and teeth didn't fade, and your ears remained pointed. The demon on Rumi's bed sat hunched over, looking stuck between the Night and Day.

Chapter 3: Hunger

You looked more human now. If you looked past the teeth, and ears, maybe the leathery patterns too. The three women shared a look as you finished off the last plate of food, practically inhaling the last kimbap roll. Your tongue snaked out, licking the metal clean before dropping the tray on the bed. The tray slid, bordering the edge of the bed as your hands pushed it forward.

“More.”

You croaked, voice raspy yet demanding. Human food tasted better than souls in that moment, the taste addictive yet not quite filling. Rumi raised a brow as you made another demand, clawed hands shaking the tray as if that would make it appear faster.

“Demanding.”

Mira grumbled, huffing when Zoey elbowed her in the side. “Oh like you aren't, she's hungry! You get the same way.” Zoey whined, arms crossing as a pout settled on her lips. “I don't eat us out of the apartment.”, defended Mira. A half growled gargle itched in your throat as the two bickered, Rumi trying to figure out what to do. You weren't used to being ignored, your father having kept you cradled and safe. “Useless humans..” You muttered, raspy despite the food and drinks you had just inhaled. Your stomach no longer ached, but still held room for more.

"Looks like we'll have to order groceries.”, muttered Rumi, making Mira grumble and Zoey nod.

“We could go out and pick some up in the morning.” Mira suggested.

That suggestion turned to bickering between Mira and Rumi, arguing that it was unsafe to leave you alone. Zoey bounced on the balls of her feet, looking between the two with worry. The scene for you on the other hand, was annoying. You were hungry and tired and felt like peeling off your new skin. The lamps on the night stands were the room's only light sources, forcing a heaviness to your eyelids. Their bickering reminded you of the fighting between tortured souls, making a small grin tug at your lips as you started to lay down and curl up. The food tray threatened to slip off the blanket but you paid it no mind.

“Uh, guys.” Zoey piped, drawing their attention. “She's asleep.”

The choreographer's and singer's heads snapped to the side in disbelief, going quiet. You laid beneath Rumi's comforter, head squished into the large blue pillow with the smaller pink ones caging your sides. Your body was curled up as small as possible, as if trying to fit in the little pit you no longer had. “Well, what now?” Mira questioned, looking between your bundled form and her girlfriends.

Rumi sighed as she stepped closer, piling the empty trays together before lifting them. “We could just lock her in here, she's weak and obviously doesn't know how to be a demon.” Rumi suggested, nodding towards her balcony window. Zoey took the cue, passing around the bed to lock the balcony and draw the curtains. Mira's lips pursued, nose scrunching before finally sighing. Her shoulders dropped as she nodded, agreeing with the shorter woman. Zoey was quick to join them as Mira opened the door, tossing a glance back at your sleeping form before trailing behind Rumi, Mira pulling the door shut and the lock clicking quietly into place.

***

The light scent of food had woken you up, eyelids peeling open with a squint. The ache of hunger hit quickly, making a whine bubble past your lips as you began to sit up. The room was dim despite the brightness trying to break through the curtains. Your hands skimmed along the blankets as you twisted upwards, shoving the pillows beneath your back. Your claws had faded, the extra knuckle gone. Your face scrunched in disdain at the human looking hands.

Your ears twitched as no sound seemed to come from outside the door. A few long moments took place before you decided that you could walk. Fighting the blanket before throwing your legs over the edge of the bed. The blanket slipped to the ground in a pile as you pushed off of the mattress. Your eyes widened, arms flailing as your balance threatened to give out before finally steading. “Pff- easy.” You mumbled, a cocky smile on your face.

Lifting your leg, you were suddenly coming in contact with the floor. Fast.

 

A loud thud rang throughout the room as you laid face first on the ground. The groan of pain that left your mouth could have rivaled the burnings your father would cause towards lesser demons. Pain slugger through your veins, nose throbbing and teeth aching as you lifted your head. Lifting onto your elbows, the ache shot through your shoulders and down each arm. With another grunt, you heaved yourself into a kneeling position.

This time you gave yourself a long moment before standing, wobbling once more as you stumbled forward. Your legs shook, unused and weak as you finally fell against the door. “Human bodies suck.” You hissed, hands wrapping around the doorknob and giving it a hard twist. Heaving it open, you caught yourself on the doorframe, blinking with a squint as bright sunshine hit you dead on.

Your stomach growled, loud and insistent, pushing you to keep going. Stumbling along the wall, you made your way out of the small hallway and into the large living area. The room was empty and quiet, the scent of food still lingering in the air from hours prior. Pushing off the wall, you took sluggish steps to the kitchen, opening cabinets until you came across the pantry.

“Knew they were starving me.” You grumbled, snatching a similar bag of chips from the night before. Without claws, it was difficult to tear into but you managed. The aluminum crinkled, almost ripping down the middle. A loud satisfied groan tumbled from your throat as you shoveled a handful into your mouth. One handful turned to two, then three and four, soon enough the bag was empty on the floor as you reached for the next box of food.

In mere minutes you were eating through crackers and chips, some tasty and sweet while others were bitter. When the pantry started looking bare, you moved over to the big shiny box next to it. Pulling it open, your nose scrunched, lips curling up around your teeth at the chill that washed over you. The hunger squeezing your insides kept you going, popping open containers and bags until you ransacked the entire fridge and freezer.

You didn't notice how your ears shrunk, teeth getting smaller. Your skin had fully changed to a more human tone, patterns lightening. Licking your lips, you walked into the living room, legs stronger and body feeling less fatigued. The sunshine was annoying as you wandered around, messing with small items before coming up to the penthouse's large windows.

The constant commotion on the streets below drew your attention, and curiosity made you press against the glass. Slitted eyes locked onto a nearby billboard, displaying a woman posing with a clear bottle. Hunger shot through your bones, the type that nearly snuffed you out in the Night.

With a puff of smoke, you were suddenly thousands of feet on the ground, hidden in an alleyway. The sudden transportation was a shock, purple smoke simmering off your skin before disappearing into the air. Before the panic could settle in, the scent of a nearby soul blew your pupils wide. The hunger in your belly ignited, hot like a volcanic tar. A man, about in his older forties with a receding hairline, sat limp but breathing against the alley wall. His breathing was slow and drool dripped from his lower lip. He reeked of something strong and acidic.

Disgust graced your features, nose wrinkling and lip curling, but the sweeter scent beneath drew you in. Saliva filled your mouth as you inched closer until you could crouch next to the man, leaning in with a sniff. Your socked feet allowed you to stay quiet, breathes coming out heavy as your pupils dilated. The patterns burned into skin lit purple, slowly shimmering to light as your jaw unhinged.

The man mumbled in his sleep, a bright blue-ish white light flowed from his chest.The Honmoon shook, a magenta light vibrating throughout each line of the barrier.The soul slipped past your parted lips, barely hitting your tongue before pain blossomed through your side as your body flung to the ground. “Are you serious!?” Mira’s voice grated through your ears as you groaned, cracking open your eyes. The tall woman stood over you, Rumi and Zoey checking on the hungover man. Zoey’s arms were heavy with plastic bags, even more sat on the cool concrete filled with groceries. “How are you even moving? I knew we should have just killed you..” Mira started to hiss to herself as Rumi finally finished checking on the man. Zoey put a hand on her arm, Mira’s head whipping to look at her. After a few long moments, she sighed, shoulders dropping as she scrubbed a hand down her face.”Let’s get back to the apartment, we can deal with her from there.” Rumi offered, coming up to Mira’s other side as you groaned on the ground. The girls scooped the grocery bags off the ground while Mira picked you up, a little bit roughly, your body wriggling to kick her away.

“Should we call someone for him or….?” Zoey trailed off,looking back at the drunk man when they started towards the mouth of the alleyway.

Rumi shrugged, face twisted in concern as she kept pace with Mira.

”I think it’ll be okay.”