Chapter Text
Zoey was very protective of her friends, she just was. They had bonded over their shared love of music, and the fact that they could help create the solid boundary between their world and the demon world. Which was needed. She had seen how angry Celine was towards Rumi's mother without straight saying that.
Did Zoey know why? Not really. Sure, she had some ideas. And most of them weren't nice because they did surround her beloved friend. She had decided early on, no matter what, she would always side with Rumi. She was her best friend along with Mira.
So when the truth came out of what Rumi was, part demon, Zoey's foundation was crushed around her. She had always been taught by Celine that demons were the worst. How can her lovely, wonderful friend be bad? Could be something that was never supposed to exist. All Zoey wanted was a chance to talk to Rumi's mother. Something she didn't deserve, not like what Rumi deserved.
When the truth came out about Rumi and Jinu, she could see it. Heck, she herself had found how attractive Mystery was. Nothing honestly hurt Zoey more than how Celine had expected Mira and Zoey to hurt Rumi when they discovered the truth. All the pain that Rumi dealt with because Celine thought it was best? She lost a great deal of respect for Celine then.
One night after the battle on the hill, she was practicing by herself, away from everyone because sometimes she still needed moments to herself. She chucked knife after knife, dart after dart, practicing her precision one after another. She was angry, she was pissed. Her best friend was mourning not just her mother but her boyfriend. Some point during the weeks leading up to it, Rumi had fallen in love with Jinu. And at the final battle, he had turned into her sword.
"They'll be back." A voice spoke beside her. It was deeper than she expected. Her eyebrow arched as she pointed her dagger at Baby. He stared at her, his pale face decorated with the light blue and purple markings that decorated Rumi's arms now. Or, perhaps always but never really showed. That thought just caused her to grip the knife harder.
"How are you so sure?" She asked, eyebrow arching.
"I'm back." He stated simply, a shrug to his shoulders. She watched him for a moment, her gaze calculating.
"And how are you back?"
"I... I don't really know." He paused, turning around to look at the sky above them. "Never thought I'd see the stars again." He stated simply, glancing at her before looking back up. "Look, I don't know why I'm here. I don't know how I am here. I just know with a certainty that... They'll return also." He looked at her again fully this time.
"And why should I trust you?" She asked, her arms had long since relaxed by her side, but never letting go or holstering them.
"Cause you already do." He stated simply, going and stepping forward. "I don't know why you do," he countered the words back at her. "But you do." His eyes softened as he looked at her. "All this time, did you really only have eyes for Mystery?" He asked softly.
"Is that what this is about?" She laughed incredulously.
"No, but.." He looked away, like he was keeping some information from her. "You may be a factor as to why I'm still tethered to this world. How and why Jinu will return." He stated.
"How?" She furrowed her eyebrows.
"Connections to the Huntrix. It was something I think Rumi's mom experienced, but I can't be for certain for that." He explained. "But she saw something too."
"Do you know who Rumi's father is?" She asked, stepping forward and jabbing a finger under Baby's chin.
"No." He shook his head, holding his hands up in surrender. "I don't."
"Then how would you?"
"Look, when you are in the chasm abyss that demons are in, you learn a thing or two, and you hear a thing or two." He explained. "When He Who Won't Be Named discovered Rumi had no connection to him, yet he bore her marks, he sent scouts out."
"Wait. For real?"
"Yeah, He Who Shant Be Nammed, is a stickler for wanting all the power." He ran a hand through his hair. "But something about Rumi, about the Huntrix, your guys' voices can break the bond that hasn't happened before. Except, well, maybe with Rumi's dad." He explained. He paused in his explanation to take a deep breath, closing his eyes. "Which is a reason I've came to you." He opened to look at her. "Please, just make me forget." He whispered and Zoey was pretty sure his voice cracked. She had never seen a demon look so... weak. So broken as he did in that moment. It was like that admittance changed his entire personality and demeanor before her.
"What do you mean?"
"Let me swear my life to yours." He reached forward, grabbing her hand and bringing it to his chest, holding it in both of his. "Please." His bright pure blue eyes shinning at her. Not a ounce of gold demon eyes shinning. It truly was just Baby, pure intentions. "If I swear my life to yours, I can forget about my past. I can forget He Who Won't Be Named." He explained.
"Why do you keep referring to ugly as that?"
"Names have power." He shrugged. "It's the first thing we learn as a demon."
"Alright, fine." She sighed, looking at Baby and her heart tugged a little. Yeah, sure. She had a crush on Mystery but honestly? She got Baby. And apparently, he felt it too since he was now tethered to this world via her. "Go ahead."