(Sable POV)
The morning air bit just enough to wake me up. A week and a half since the stadium, a day since I'd decided my plan wasn't going to work if I stayed at "barely scraping through without dying."
So here I was — in a forest clearing on the outskirts of the city — doing the kind of training montage people assume is just for movies.
The Tomb had dumped an entire collection of sword manuals into my brain, each one annotated like the author had passive-aggressive beef with the reader. I was halfway through one on Korean double-step counters when my arms decided to remind me they were, in fact, mortal.
I stopped, breathing heavy, the condensation in the air curling away from my mouth. My black compression shirt clung to me, the white constellation tattoos on my forearms catching the sunlight like they were drawn in silver ink. Grey sweatpants. Functional. Comfortable. Not a robe in sight.
Because, let's face it — if anyone saw me jogging into the woods in my usual attire, they'd call the cops. Or a cult hotline. Possibly both.
I rolled my shoulders, set my stance again—then stopped mid-shift.
"Alright," I called out, voice carrying. "You can stop hiding now."
There was a pause. Then the sound of leaves rustling, and out stepped Jinu — human form, hands raised in a peace gesture.
"How did you know I was there?" he asked.
I tilted my head, deadpan. "Built different."
He blinked at me for a moment, the confusion clear, before shaking it off. We stared at each other for a beat, the kind of awkward silence that feels like it should be broken by a tumbleweed.
"So," I finally said, "why are you here?"
Jinu didn't answer right away. His gaze sharpened, almost intense. "You… intrigue me."
I took an immediate step back, my expression twisting. "I don't swing that way."
His eyes widened like I'd just slapped him. "What?!"
I folded my arms, watching him sputter. "Hey, no judgment. Just not my thing."
"That's not—! I meant—!" His voice cracked halfway through, hands gesturing like he could physically pull the words into a different shape. "That's not what I—!"
Inside, I was cackling. Outside, I let the corner of my mouth twitch into a slow, evil smile. Watching him flounder was almost better than coffee. Almost.
I leaned slightly to the side. "Wonder what Rumi would think…"
That did it. Panic flickered over his face like someone had yanked the floor out from under him. "Don't—! She—! That's—!"
I let him stew for another moment before sighing theatrically. "Relax. I'm just messing with you."
He froze, then turned that glare on me like he was deciding whether or not to commit a felony. "…That wasn't funny."
"It was hilarious," I corrected, unrepentant.
His eye twitched. He let out a long breath through his nose. "This was a waste of time." He turned and started walking back toward the tree line.
I watched him go for a moment, shook my head, and chuckled. Was about to get back to my drills when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
Fishing it out, I glanced at the screen. Unknown number. Yeah, right.
I answered. "Fruit Roll-Up."
(Rumi POV)
The paper with his number sat on my desk like it was staring at me.
A week and a half since the stadium. A week and a half since Sable vanished into thin air with nothing but a smirk and a promise.
I'd told myself I wouldn't call him right away.
He'd made it clear—"when you call, I'll tell you where to meet me."
That meant he wanted time. And after everything that had happened, I could respect that.
But the others wouldn't stop asking questions. Zoey was convinced he was some kind of secret celebrity, Mira thought he was more trouble than he was worth, and I… I wasn't sure what I thought.
Which is why, after staring at the paper for another long minute, I finally picked up my phone and dialed.
It only rang twice before he answered.
"Fruit Roll-Up," came his voice, just as dry as I remembered.
I exhaled. "You told me to call when I was ready."
"And are you?"
"I wouldn't be calling if I wasn't," I said, sharper than I meant to.
"Good. I've got something for you. For all of you," he replied, voice casual but with that undercurrent that made me think he was already ten steps ahead.
I hesitated, glancing at Mira, who was listening from the couch with one eyebrow raised. "And where exactly are we meeting?"
He gave me a location — somewhere on the outskirts of the city. Remote. Forested.
"Why there?" I asked.
"You'll see."
I could almost hear the smirk in his voice. "Bring the others. And, Rumi?"
"What?"
"Don't be late. I've got… extra company."
I frowned, not liking the way he said that, but before I could press him, he hung up.
Mira tilted her head at me. "Well?"
I slid my phone into my pocket. "We're going to the forest."
Zoey popped her head in from the kitchen, already grinning. "Ooh, is this a secret mission?"
"Something like that," I muttered, still wondering what exactly counted as extra company in Sable's mind.
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(Sable POV)
I slid the phone back into my pocket, eyes drifting toward Jinu's retreating form. Oh, this was too perfect.
"Hey," I called out casually. "Stick around a bit. I've got something to show you."
He turned, wary. "What is it?"
I smirked. "You'll see. Extra company's on the way."
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(3rd POV)
When Rumi, Mira, and Zoey arrived, the first thing they saw was Sable leaning on his sword like it was a walking stick. The second thing they saw was Jinu, standing a few feet away with the exact body language of someone who was regretting every choice that had led to this moment.
Rumi stopped dead. "…This is your 'extra company'?"
Sable's grin widened. "Told you it'd be worth the trip."
Jinu muttered something that sounded like, "I hate you," under his breath.
Sable just looked pleased with himself. "Alright, now that everyone's here…"
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A/N:poor Jinu…..anyway
We're almost done with this world hooray!!🎉🎉🥳
Just one more chapter until the jump
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