Chapter Text
The girls were brimming with excitement. The world tour was at its peak, and together with their beloved manager, Bobby, they were traveling from city to city, stage to stage, as if living in a dream.
In just a few days, they would return to their beloved South Korea; Seoul, the city where it had all begun, would also be the place where they would end the tour… just one month before the anticipated Idol Awards.
Between concerts, they worked on their new song, “Golden” , a track that told their own story and, in their eyes, would be the final strike to turn the honmoon into an impenetrable golden radiance against the demons.
That afternoon, their private jet sliced through the clouds over Europe. Outside, a sea of cotton; inside, the comforting aroma of personalized ramyeon filled the cabin as the girls enjoyed their meal, while Bobby, frowning in concentration, worked on his phone, adjusting every last detail to ensure the London show would be perfect.
“Mmm…” Zoey sighed with satisfaction. “I’ll never get tired of eating ramyeon.”
“I completely agree,” Mira replied with a smile. “Plus, the tour’s going so—”
She didn’t finish. Zoey suddenly leaned over, covering her mouth, eyes wide as if she’d just seen a ghost.
“Zoey?” Rumi asked, confused.
“Don’t say it out loud,” the maknae whispered in a low, grave tone that didn’t match her usual cheerful voice. “It’s bad luck to brag before it’s over. What if something bad happens?”
The tension only lasted a second before Rumi smiled reassuringly.
“Nothing’s going to happen.”
Bobby, oblivious to superstitions, lowered his phone and looked at them with amusement.
“Girls, we’ll be landing in London in two hours. Rest up and eat well—we’ve got to shine tonight.”
“Thanks, Bobby. You’re the best,” the trio said in unison.
But then…
A vibration rippled through the cabin. Subtle at first, almost imperceptible—just a faint shift in the air. Zoey felt it first: a shiver racing down her spine. Rumi and Mira exchanged a knowing glance. Without a word, all three stood abruptly.
“Uh? Girls, what’s going on?” Bobby asked, startled.
No answer.
The hallway lights flickered. A low hum filled the air. Time seemed to slow… and suddenly, as if torn from a shadow that shouldn’t exist there, a man in a long cloak and hood stood before them.
Bobby gasped and stumbled back. The girls, in perfect synch, stepped in front of him, summoning their weapons with a golden flash that left shimmering trails in the air.
“Wha—?! Where did those weapons come from?! Who is this guy?! Girls, what’s happening?!” Bobby’s voice cracked with panic.
Rumi glanced back at him, still holding her firm stance, and offered a small apologetic smile.
“We’ll explain in a moment, Bobby. But first…”
She turned toward the hooded man, her gaze as sharp as the blade she gripped.
“It’s not normal for a demon to appear in such a closed space,” Zoey said, fingers tightening on her weapon.
“And especially… not against just the three of us,” Mira added, tilting her head with a half-smile that didn’t hide the danger in her tone.
The stranger raised his hands slowly.
“Greetings, warriors. I apologize for interrupting your meal… but I didn’t come here to fight.”
The girls exchanged surprised glances. Demons didn’t ask permission. Demons attacked.
Rumi stepped forward.
“Then tell me—what do you want?”
A faint smile curved beneath the shadow of the hood.
“I’ve come to show you the future. Yours… and the thousands of souls that could be lost.”
Silence hung heavy. Bobby could barely process the words.
“Souls? Demons? The world of souls?” he stammered. “All of that… is real? And what do you have to do with it?!”
Zoey bit her lip.
“Sorry, Bobby… we’ve been keeping a little secret from you.”
Before Rumi could say more, the hooded figure cut in.
“I’ve met a man called The Guardian. He was the one who chose the first warriors… and he told me that Gwi-ma, the demon king, no longer rules with balance. He’s blinded by power.”
His voice deepened.
“Centuries ago, demons helped lost souls find peace. But one day… the king tasted the soul of someone who had died before their time. And he discovered it made him stronger. Since then… he has controlled all demons, feeding on hatred and fear.”
Rumi tightened her grip on her sword.
“And you want us to trust you… why?”
“Because if you don’t… all of you will die,” the demon said without hesitation.
The silence returned, heavier than before.
Zoey broke it first.
“I think we should hear him out. If he’s telling the truth, we might be able to stop something terrible.”
Mira sighed, and Rumi, after a moment, nodded curtly.
“But if you’re lying…” she said, pointing her sword directly at the demon’s chest, “you won’t live to tell it.”
The demon didn’t flinch. With a snap of his fingers, a circle of bluish energy opened before them, expanding until it filled half the aisle. The air turned cold, and an invisible wind stirred their hair.
“Follow me.”
The girls stepped through first. Bobby hesitated… until a look from Zoey pushed him forward.
One moment they were on the plane. The next, they stood in an ancient temple lit by torches, cushions scattered across the floor, a white wall at the far end… and an old projector humming softly, its flickering beam as if it had been waiting for them.
“Sit,” the demon ordered.
And so, with a strange feeling in their chests, the four of them sat… to witness what the future had in store.