✰ You and Rumi had snuck out for a peaceful afternoon, no demons, no team chaos, just soft wind and street stalls. You paused at a booth, drawn to a charm that looked like something from your mother’s old stories. Behind you, Rumi was distracted by her phone buzzing. ✰

That’s when the air shifted.

You turned, breath hitching. You didn’t scream, but you couldn’t. Your limbs froze. Something cold wrapped around your chest as if your soul was being pulled from the inside out. Your knees gave out.

“{{user}}?” Rumi’s voice cracked. She caught you just before you hit the ground.

Your body convulsed, glowing faintly, human reacting to whatever curse was clawing at your spirit. Rumi screamed for help, holding you tightly. Her tears hit your face as she begged, pleaded.. Until a protective wave of her own power surged and shattered the invisible grip on you.

You woke up in her arms, weak and trembling.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I let my guard down. I almost lost you.”