Chapter Text
Rumi made good on her promise. Orisa, Michael and Fatima had already been changed with a hate crime, but thanks to the Huntrix pulling a few strings, thanks to Kiho and Zoey, the three hunters would still be deported. But not separated.
The car that would take them to the airport was parked outside of the police station. Hyun, Aera, Yong and their family came to bid farewell.
“It really sucks you guys have to leave already.” Yong said, talking to Fatima. In a short time, the two became fast friends.
“Me too. I really wanted to see those haunted areas you told me about.”
“You said you’ll subscribe to my channel, right?”
“I may have to use an alias.” Fatima said.
“Then how will I know it’s you?”
Fatima pulled out the tiger keychain Yong first noticed from their first battle. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” She winked. Yong blushed.
Hyun and Orisa faced each other. “Thank you. I… I don’t know what I would do without Michael and Fatima.”
“You shouldn’t have to lose another family.” Hyun said. His voice was gentle it made Orisa feel even more guilty. How could she have been so cruel to someone with such a good heart?
“It might be what I deserve.”
“Don’t say that.” Hyun said firmly. “You helped us defeat Gwi-Ma, and freed all those souls. I like to believe that more than makes up for everything. For what it’s worth, I bet your sister would be proud.”
Orisa stared into Hyun’s eyes, and he into hers. The hatred and anger was gone. For the first time, they saw what they refused to see. Realizing they were staring too long, Orisa quickly spoke.
“I should go.”
“Yeah, uh, b-byeee.” Hyun realized how high pitched that sounded and wanted so badly to smack himself. Orisa couldn’t help but giggle.
Aera gave Michael a goodbye handshake. “Well, it was nice knowing ya, faerie-boy.”
“Really?”
“And I wrong?”
Michael laughed. He was, at first, going to just shake Aera’s hand, but the moment they touched, he felt a shock course thought him. In the light, Aera’s patterns sparkled just like their first secret meeting. Michael finally allowed himself to appreciate the beauty from the Otherworld. Maybe, in time, he could learn to see it in himself.
He held up her hand close to his lips and kissed it. Aera’s face became redder than a tomato. Feeling awkward, she pulled her hand back, her posture stiffening. Realizing what he did, Michael self-cautiously stuffed his hands into his pockets.
“I… I hope we see each other again.”
Aera looked back at him, and smiled. “Same.”
“Okay, byeeee!” Jinu came in and pushed Michael into the car. The hunters bid their new friends goodbye.
Yong then received a pin from his phone. “What?! My phone just got hacked!” A message with a chili tiger appeared, winking and with a message that read, ‘Won’t be the first time, demon-boy.’
Yong laughed. “That slipper little slicker.”
(~)
About a month later, Zoey and Kiho got married. During the reception, Mira was at the bar when a familiar addressed her from the other side of the counter.
“We keep meeting like this.”
Mira could not believe her eyes. One of the Saja boys, at least one of the two that got away, was working the bar. Like Jinu, his patterns had changed and his hair, once a bright pink, was now a dark burgundy with his dark roots spreading through
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t pretty-boy.”
“Actually, I go by Joel Kim now. Joe for short.”
“Joe, eh. Never pegged you as a Joe.”
“It’s better than what I got stuck with. ‘Romance’. Blech.” Joe gagged as he poured Mira her drink.
“You didn’t pick that?”
“No way. I wanted to be the abbs guy, but somebody called dibs.”
“Huh.” Mira took a sip of her drink but noticed it tasted weird. “Wait, this isn’t my usual drink.” She took another sip. “It’s… better.”
“I know. I brought in a bottle from the demon realm. Over two hundred years old made from peaches from the Fusang Tree.” He held his finger to his lips, signifying it was secret.
Mira nodded. The drink was better than anything she had ever tasted. “I hear the demon realm is looking a lot better these days.”
“Clear skies and music everywhere.” Joe said as he wiped the counter. “Though, a little too pastel for my taste. That’s why I moved out here.”
Mira found herself taking notice of Joe’s every movement. She can see why he wan’t to be the ‘abbs’ guy. His shirt was pretty tight, and his sleeves were rolled back, giving her full view of his perfectly toned arms.
“Enjoying the view?” He said, snapping Mira back to reality. He laughed, and Mira wanted so badly to punch him.
“Just because I don’t kill demons anymore, doesn’t mean I won’t punch your teeth in.”
“Aggressive as ever.” Joe smirked. “I’ve always liked that about you.”
Mira wasn’t a teenager anymore. She shouldn’t get this flustered so easily. Joe took her now empty cup. “Another round?”
“Sure.” Mira slid him a tip.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s on me.” Joe winked as he poured her another cup.
“You busy tonight?” Mira asked on impulse. And she didn’t care.
“I could be.”
Mira slipped him a piece of paper with her address on it. “Bring the apron.” She purred.
(~)
“Attention, everyone. Kiho and I wanted to thank you all so much for being here to celebrate with us. I especially want to give a shout out to my parents for flying out here.” Zoey waved her parents. Though they had love divorced, they had since become friends and agreed that even if their love story didn’t work out, the good that came from it was their daughter Zoey.
“I also want to thank the rest of my family. Rumi, Jinu, Mira, Bobby, Celine, Hyun, Aera and Yong. You guys mean the world to me. I…” she tried keeping herself together, “I wouldn’t be where I am, who I am, without you. Thank you, for your unconditional love. And now, I would like to welcome to the stage, my babies: Jo-Hwan!”
The guests clapped and cheered as the siblings took the stage. “This song is dedicated to our Aunty Zoey and our new uncle, Kiho.” Hyun waved to the newlyweds. “Sing along if you’ve heard this one.”
Jo-Hwan:
We're shattering the silence
We're rising defiant
Shouting in the quiet
You're not alone
We listened to the demons
We let ‘em get between us
But none of us are out here on our own
So we were cowards
So we were liars
So we're not heroes
We're still survivors
The dreamers, the fighters
No lying, if you’re tired
Just dive in the fire and we'll be right here by your side
We broke into a million pieces and we can’t go back
But you have show me there is beauty in the broken glass
The scars of you and me
From darkness to harmony
Our song without the lies
This is what it sounds like
Celine took a seat next to her girls. She never looked more radiant. Her sins were forgiven, her hatred gone, her heart full once more.
“You did very good with them.” She said, holding Rumi’s hand. “Your parents would be proud.” She looked to Jinu. “As would your mother and sister.”
When Gwi-Ma was defeated, and the souls free, Jinu and Rumi felt the presence of their family. Rumi could hear her mother’s voice, and her father’s. They sung with their daughter, letting her know that they were okay.
Jinu heard his family too. His mother never hated him. She loved him to the end, as did his sister. Even now, they could hear their voices through their children.
The Honmoon was gone. The hunters were no more. But it wasn’t an end. It was a new beginning.
A new story.
A new legacy.
Not gonna cover up the colors edged upon our skin
Get up and let the jagged edges meet the light instead
Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony
Fearless and undefined
This is what it sounds like
A song without the lies
This is what it sounds like
Fearless and undefined
This is what it sounds like
Free after all this time
Our voices all combined
When darkness meets the light
This is what it sounds like