Chapter Text
The hunt started the same way that almost all of them always did, with the girls of Huntr/x seeing, as well as feeling, the honmoon ripple with a fiery pink, indicating a tear.
It wasn't difficult for Rumi, Mira, and Zoey to track the energy to a secluded alley where a horde of demons were emerging. This was typical, and the girls didn't hesitate to jump right into the fray.
They fought as in sync as they always did.
Mira was their powerhouse. She easily launched Rumi and Zoey off of her gok-do to get them into whatever position they needed. Anchoring her gok-do into the ground, she was able to quickly pivot and slam into an unsuspecting demon. She also used her impressive range to take out many of them in one fell swoop.
Zoey was their wildcard. She'd pop in and out of close and long range combat without a thought, whether that be through grappling a demon or using her shin-kals to take them out. Rumi and Mira never had to worry as Zoey always covered their blindspots. She also simply brought an infectious energy into their fights that could keep them all going for as long as they needed.
Rumi was their leader. She called the shots. With her perfect technique, understanding of all of their weapons, and knowledge of her girls’ limitations, it was easy. Wherever they faltered, Rumi was there with her innate ability to compensate. Her battle instincts were flawless, even if she had the unfortunate habit of being recklessly willing to throw herself between her girls and any hits that were coming their way.
It was because of this habit that Rumi saw it. Some two-headed demon getting the drop on Zoey. Quickly taking the situation in, Rumi rushed towards her. Even if Mira wasn't too far away from Zoey to be able to do the same, she was still holding off far too many demons to come to her aid.
By the time Rumi made it to Zoey's side, one of the demon's snake-like heads was already sucking her soul out of her body.
Rumi's need to protect her girls outweighed all battle strategy as she barreled into Zoey to get her out of the demon's range. If this were any normal demon it would have worked, but all Rumi managed to do was push Zoey into the range of the demon's other head.
The demon's second head continued with Zoey where the first had left off, and now Rumi was the target of the first head. It began to suck her soul out of her body.
Rumi could see the orbs of her and Zoey's souls being dragged out by the demon's heads. Their souls followed along as the demon's heads writhed and wriggled. They came closer together, passing over and under each other as if in some kind of dance. The demon was clearly enjoying this and savoring the stealing of two souls at once.
Whether it was watching her own soul or Zoey's follow the mouths of the demon, Rumi barely managed to summon enough strength to swing her saingeom up through the center of it.
As one half of the demon with one of its heads fell to one side and the other half with the other head fell to the opposite side, Rumi and Zoey's souls practically whooshed back into their bodies. It was as if the orbs were suctioned into the close, empty vessels.
Both girls collapsed to their knees. Apparently having one's soul sucked and then returned acted as a sort of flash bang, temporarily blinding and disorienting the two of them.
They both experienced a weird fuzzy feeling or a kind of numbness as the spots finally cleared from their vision.
Having taken out the rest of the demons, Mira raced over, concerned for her girls. “Are you both okay?”
The responding groan from both of them was all she needed to hear. Mira knew what they'd sound like if they were worse off, even if Rumi never let either of them help with her injuries regardless of the severity, and she instantly relaxed. They were a little banged up. They may feel sore in the morning, but they were okay.
Mira started by helping Zoey up. She couldn't resist teasing her about letting that demon get the drop on her and needing Rumi to come and save her ass.
Instead of getting a typical Zoey response, the black haired woman simply said, “What?”
Mira was a little worried now. Was Zoey more hurt than she initially expected? Did she take it too far, too soon with her teasing? She looked into Zoey's eyes and only found confusion.
Then Rumi, still on the ground rubbing her head, stated, “I so would have had it and you know it.” Mira and Zoey whipped their heads over to look at her as she continued. “How was I supposed to know it was gonna go all hydra on me and grow another head to try and suck my soul out with it?”
Mira's eyes widened, having never heard Rumi talk like this. Zoey's eyes widened too as a quiet, “oh my god,” escaped her lips.
Mira's eyes were back on Zoey, finding a near petrified expression. She was starting to put the pieces together but needed a confirmation. Slowly, she turned back to Rumi, and hesitantly asked, “Zoey?”
Sure enough, Rumi was the one who responded, “Yeah?” finally glancing up to look between the other two women.
Mira finally, fully understood what was going on. “Oh shit.”