Chapter 5 - Around Seoul

"He is too beautiful for words, and that's how he gets his victims."

Lee JaeSuk, a man of about thirty-five and some change, pretty much intimidated everyone in the music industry. With his grungy appearance and attitude, most people would have not taken him on as a manager, but Yunho had found him extremely easy to get along with. However, it soon became obvious that he took nonsense from no one. Therefore, it took none of the men by surprise when he slammed his hands into the table and yelled, “Where the hell is Jaejoong?!”

Yoochun leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. “If my memory serves correct, he went home with two very beautiful women last night, so I shall venture a guess and say he’s still at his apartment.”

Junsu whined loudly, “But we have to start recording today! He knew that!”

“Like he actually cares what time he has to be here,” Changmin scoffed. “Let’s just record our solos in the songs, and someone can call him.”

“Let me call him,” Yunho muttered. “I specifically told him to be here at nine, but I have a feeling he’s still asleep and completely forgot. You know…he’s been acting really off lately.” I hope he hasn’t sensed something different about us. I’ve been watching this group for too long, preparing for our time here. He must sense that we’ve changed a bit. Even the stupidest of humans can sense great power from us, though they might mistake it for great self-confidence all idols seem to exhume. “What’s his new number again? Junsu, send it to me.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll teach that boy a thing or two about schedule obligations.”

~~~~

Dressed in nothing but a sheer white shift, Yuri managed to open her front door enough so she could whisper through the crack. “I’m practically naked, so can you guys just wait until I get dressed?”

Siwon threw his head back and laughed whereas Tiffany looked stunned. “Oh my word, you have, like, no clothes. How could we have forgotten about your wardrobe? You’re the one that might have to stay here for a long-ass time! Ugh, how could we forget?” She took off her jacket, leaving her in a pretty turquoise knit sweater from Guess. She handed it to Yuri, who closed the door to slip it on over her shift. At least my breasts are covered now. Can’t do much about my panties showing, but oh well. “Are we allowed to come in, or do we have to wait for you to find a pair of underwear, too?” Tiffany yelled through the door. Yuri heard Siwon guffaw loudly and blushed deeply. Oh, shush. I’m not that indecent.

“Alright, come in.” She opened the door wide as they walked into the apartment. “Make yourselves at home, and I’ll make some coffee.”

“Thanks,” Siwon said, glancing around. “I’m still impressed by your place. R—Krystal and I aren’t housing together, so all I got was a dinky one-bedroom apartment. But you’re living in the lap of luxury,” he noted as he examined a chic red throw pillow. “Beige leather furniture…a freaking massive kitchen and dining room…huge master bedroom upstairs…nice balcony overlooking downtown…I’m jealous,” he laughed. Tiffany smacked him on the arm, and he yelped. “Ow, watch it! You’re wearing rings, woman!”

She snorted at him before turning to Yuri, who stood in the kitchen with her back to them. “So how goes the hunt? Found any leads yet?”

Yuri glanced over her shoulder. “No, sadly I haven’t. Hell, I just got here! Give me a break.”

“We’re not rushing you or anything, just asking.” Siwon studied her treasure glass globe that went everywhere with her. The surface was dotted with silver markings that depicted each and every great kill of hers. The golden stars meant a particularly brutal demon that she had taken out with Yunho. “Actually, the whole reason I came here today is to discuss the new gun with you.” He nodded to her gear hung up next to the door. “You may want to hide that better, lest a burglar comes in and snatches it up. Anyway, about the caliber.” He folded his hands together, looking very business-like. Tiffany muttered something about stuffiness and migrated to the far side of the room, where several paintings hung. “I don’t think a regular 9mm will hold up against a great demon like Bayne. Have you considered a .3006 (check this) sniper rifle? It’d make the kill clean and easy, and you would be able to shoot from a safe distance. No one would ever really notice…well, they would,” he amended at her expression. “Anyone can notice a huge hole in the side of the demon’s head, but with the right gun, the shot will never be heard and the hole will be gone by the time the human resurfaces.”

She thought about it for a few minutes as she poured them coffee. It would make the kill a lot easier and cleaner. He’s not wrong about that. I’ve never had to use a sniper before, though. I’m sure I can adapt to the power, but that pretty much gets rid of the fun of tricking them into getting close. He would never find out who was responsible, at least not the vessel I’m in. Even though I’m a nobody…“I’ll have to think about it, Siwon. What fun is there without having to put the gun against his head?” she said wryly.

Tiffany cackled. “Only you, girl. Now hand over my coffee.” She held out her hand for the steaming mug. “Do you have sugar and cinnamon?” Yuri pointed to the cabinet above her stove, and she skipped over. “Thanks. I hate plain coffee. Oh, what do you say to a shopping excursion this weekend? I can lend you some of my clothes for the time being, but my schedule is way too busy for shopping this weekend. I’m not complaining about getting stuck with SNSD—they’re totally one of my favorite groups—but our schedules suck.”

“I’m sorry, dear.” Yuri slowly stirred her mint stick in her coffee, pondering the choice of weapon she should have and how powerful Lucifer’s lieutenant would be. “Say…” She stopped stirring. “Siwon, what’s the deal with Bayne anyway? Why is he even on Earth?”

He kept studying the beautiful globe as he answered, “Our guess is he’s here to collect a very important soul. Usually, we don’t get a heads up about soul collectors and leave them to the average demon hunters down here. Someone’s soul is special enough to garner Lucifer’s attention, because he’s the one that sends out the head soul collector.” He pointed at her gun. “You know the legend better than I do.”

Yuri eyed her beloved weapon. Ah, yes. Azazel. The yellow-eyed demon. The original soul collector. The one I had spent centuries hunting before I finally found him. Bayne’s predecessor. “Of course I know his legend. I wouldn’t be surprised if I knew more about him than Lucifer.” She paused. “So what’s Bayne’s story?”

Surprisingly, Tiffany spoke up. “He’s easily one of the most terrifying demons I’ve ever heard about. The last time he appeared on Earth was during the height of the Roman Empire.” She took a sip of her coffee. “He is too beautiful for words, and that’s how he gets his victims. That’s how he collects souls. They become charmed, entranced. They trust him. Sound like anyone you know?”

That’s the same way it was with Yellow Eyes. He was…beautiful, and that made him especially hard to get alone. Women and men alike threw themselves at him.

“She’s right, Yuri. Odds are, he’ll be in a vessel that likes attention and…well, is striking, to say the least. He’ll also be cautious to be out in public a lot, so maybe someone who’s reclusive and likes to remain indoors.” He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “You don’t think he could be like me and Tiff, do you? Famous, that is. He could be walking around with a celebrity’s skin on.” He sighed. “That would make things much more difficult for you and it also gives more reason to use a sniper rifle. Think of the chaos it would cause if we walked up to an idol and put a gun in his face.”

“Just like his master,” Tiffany mumbled to herself as she drained the last dregs of her coffee. When both angels stared at her curiously, she smiled. “Why do you think a lot of demons like to pick out human vessels that are attractive? It’s not like a requirement or anything. Certainly not the best camouflage tactic. So it has to be something else.” She paused since they still looked puzzled. “Oh, come on, you two! Who commands the armies of Hell? Who fell from above? Who prided himself as the most beautiful thing in this universe? He wasn’t too far from the truth, even though I always had a thing for Raphael.”

Siwon made a noise of disgust. “Are you talking about Lucifer?”

“…he was beautiful,” Yuri recalled sadly. Despite the ugly tales that now surrounded her fallen comrade and brother, saying that she had forgotten his beauty and his once kind demeanor would be a white lie. “After so many years, I can still remember how the sky would brighten with his presence.”

Tiffany nodded solemnly. “Glorious. That is the best word that describes him. Devastatingly, inhumanly glorious. You guys know that the horns and hooves are just folklore; people made them up to scare their children into behaving. I don’t feel uncomfortable calling him the most gorgeous being in this universe. It’s his hook. He is beautiful, and he is deadly, and he will maim and destroy without question.” She looked close to tears. “What happened to our brother? Yuri, you were there when he fell. What exactly happened? I only know the stories.” She glanced at Siwon, who shrugged; he had also come after the fall of the Morning Star. “So why did he fall? No one’s ever told me why, only that (she had to pause to remember his name in order to keep up the charade) Yunho…” She trailed off shuddering; what had someone told her about the story?

I only know the simple details. Michael, Lucifer, and God are the ones who know exactly what happened. “Lucifer did something very wrong.”

“He went against Father, right?” Siwon asked.

“Something like that.” I’ve never seen Yunho so angry and hurt before. He had condemned our brother and so Father had him cast down from Heaven into the black abyss…and Lucifer claimed it as his own kingdom and named it Hell. What did happen all those centuries ago? “It’s not my place to ask or tell. Talk to Yunho, I’m sure he might tell you.” Yuri checked her phone; the day had only started, and she had nothing on her agenda. “Siwon, did you bring the stones? I want to get to work on molding the powers together and sticking them into my gun. Then do what you must to make it into a powerful caliber.” She sighed. “If Bayne is an idol, then first we have to figure out which one he is. Then comes the hard part of sniping him from a distance.”

~~~~

Yunho sported a murderous expression when Jaejoong finally loped into the studio, wearing a dark muscle shirt and tight jeans. “About damn time you got here,” he snarled. “We’ve worked on our solo tracks, but we had to wait for your ass to get here before real work could get done. Next time, set your freaking alarm and wake up on time.” He shoved past him into the sound booth, hissing under his breath.

“Tough break,” Junsu chuckled. He slapped Jaejoong’s hand, who looked a bit dazed for this time of day. “Wake up, dude.”

The other man blinked a few times before answering. “I’m awake. Just out of it.” He looked around. “Is there coffee anywhere? Yunho’s phone call came before I could properly wake up and get ready.” He sent a heavy glare at the taller singer, who ignored him for the most part minus a slight tic forming in his jaw.

Changmin slipped an arm around his shoulders and hauled him away to a large snack table. “All the donuts and bread items one could ask for, hyung!” he announced cheerily. “Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. This spread was put out just for me, and I’m letting you have at it.” He playfully ruffled Jaejoong’s hair. “Now hurry up and eat so we can start recording ‘Darkness Eyes!’”

Ah, that’s right. For the comeback album, we’re singing a few of our Japanese songs that were translated into Korean. My vast research comes through again. “Right.” He sliced a bagel in half and stuck both parts in a toaster conveniently placed on the table as well. How can they lay out a spread for that idiot and not put out a cream cheese selection? Plain cream cheese is so disgusting. “Yah, Yoochun,” he snapped when the guy in question reached for a blueberry muffin. “Why couldn’t you guys have called me while you were on the way here? I wouldn’t have had to put up with our dear leader if you had just called me earlier.”

“Don’t blame me for your morning,” Yoochun growled. “We’ve got a lot on our plates, Jaejoong. So shut it and get with the program.”

Someone has some balls, daring to speak to me that way. But of course they had no idea who he was. Why would they? I wonder if they would panic if I hit on them. Both Yunho and Yoochun have a great aura around them. Oh, how I wish I could bag them…but not after last night. My energy meter is full. Maybe in a few weeks, if he remembered, he could try—but purity ran off these men in waves. It’s always fun to taint a pure soul. Women were his main target (as long as he had that body, they were easy prey), but perhaps he could make an exception for his two “friends.”

“KIM JAEJOONG!” Their manager stepped forward, spit flying from his mouth. “The next time we have to wait for you to get here, you can consider yourself in deep shit!”

“Chill out, manager-hyung,” Jaejoong groaned while leaning away from the older man. Like I need another shower from you. “I’ll get here early next time.”

~~~~

“Unnie,” Zell said in her so-called “serious business” voice. “Let me see your sketch.”

“Just a second, I’m almost done.” Taz leaned over the big piece of canvas paper, her hand flying across the page as she drew what she could recall from her vision the other day. “It’s just not coming out the same way…all I can remember clearly is the girl and Jaejoong, but there was other stuff. The outline of a café…the silhouette of wings…tattoos, that was a new element she had not paid attention to… “I’ve got it!” She threw down her pencil and backed up to examine her work. “Jaejoong’s distorted, and I guessed at the woman’s face.”

“…Taz…”

“If I concentrate harder, maybe I can bring forth other things…”

“Anastasia.” Zell pointed a shaking finger at the woman. “I know her. That’s Lina from The Grace. Or at least, she looks like Lina.”

It’s not Lina. I know who she’s talking about. There are differences between this girl and Lina. “Okay, she looks like her, but I can safely say that’s not Lina. Her face would have been clearer in my mind. You know The Grace is one of my favorite groups, so I know that’s not Lina. Just someone who looks like her.” Zell, you can’t read my mind. It’s not just images. Feelings and sensations come with the visions, too. What had I felt? “Passion,” she whispered, tracing the side of the girl’s cheekbone. “Lust. And…contentment. Happiness.” Who is this woman? She looked upward at the ceiling. Come on, guys. Give me something to work with…

Suddenly, her little sister gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, my word. Taz!”

“What?!” She looked back at the paper and nearly cried out in surprise. The image of the woman grew brighter and brighter, as if someone had placed a luminescent bulb behind the paper. But while the girl was getting brighter, Jaejoong’s image dimmed and darkened, and the tattoos slid across the paper, coming to a stop on his arms and chest. “What’s going on?!”

It must have been her imagination, but as Zell lifted the paper up to examine it, the sickly sweet laugh of a woman echoed in her ears.

~~~~

The sky had slowly darkened to something sinister; clouds swirled above the heads of the pedestrians, and a few concerned ones pulled out umbrellas from their large bags and backpacks. Still no one questioned why Miura Haruma, a man of Japanese fame, sat with his legs crossed on a peeling bus bench just outside a well-known production studio. Something had drawn him here from his daily walk in the park. He could hardly mistake it for what it was, but he still had to make sure what he felt was real.

I haven’t felt this power in years. Many, many years. Of course I’ve felt others like it, but this particular aura…I know it too well to mistake it for anyone else. He leaned back into the bench, ignoring when a young boy gawked at him with wide eyes. Go away, you filthy creature. When the small child still would not look away, he turned to face him and let his sunglasses slip down his nose, revealing his eyes.

“MOMMY!” screamed the boy, bolting to his mother, who sat reading a newspaper. She looked up in alarm as he pointed to Miura. “He…he…”

“Sir, just what did you do?” she asked rudely.

Miura smirked and sighed softly. The air around him shifted slightly; he would never tire of the effect it had on humans. The mother stiffened and pulled the boy farther away from this strange man who looked oddly familiar; even the most moronic of humans could sense that a great evil walked among them. “I apologize, madam,” he spoke quietly. “Your son caught a glare off my glasses. It must have frightened him.”

She didn’t seem appeased, and quickly turned her back to him, soothing her child with calm words. Poor child. Not even past puberty, and he’s glimpsed more of what’s in store for much of the human race. Another sweet sigh escaped him; how much longer would he have to wait?

His question was answered when a group of five men appeared outside of the production studio. Two of them—a tall, tan one and a smaller, pale one—whispered in harsh voices; they must have been arguing. The others slapped hands as a farewell and parted from the building in opposite directions—two going away from Miura, one coming closer. As soon as the slim young man walked parallel to him, he inhaled deeply and nearly burst into laughter.

Raphael. I wasn’t mistaken after all.

He watched the young man hail a cab just as a screaming group of girls descended on him. The taxi driver sped off immediately, the door hardly closing behind the passenger. “What are you doing here, brother?” Miura mused aloud. A passing runner raised an eyebrow but continued on. “You belong upstairs with gate duty. What could have brought you down here…at the same time I’ve decided to pay a visit?” The mother snatched up her child and hurried away, grumbling about the freaks that lived in the city nowadays. Miura slowly stood and noted the path the taxi had taken. Going that way, traffic would be chaotic. Perhaps he lives downtown. Shall I follow you and see what you’re up to? 

His eyes smoldered. “Soon, but not today. I have business elsewhere, Raphael. Another time, then.” He began to stroll down the sidewalk, quietly enjoying that most small animals and spiritually aware humans cleared themselves from his path. It never gets old.

~~~~

“Celia,” Jaejoong greeted her as he slipped out of his shirt. He tossed it onto his bed and stretched once before facing her. “I see you’ve taken on an identity like the rest of us.” He circled the calm young woman; she hardly showed any interest as she filed down her tapered fingernails. “Let’s see…long black hair. A young, pretty face. Dainty feet and mile-long legs. Wide, innocent eyes.” He chuckled darkly. “Yet another SNSD member. Yoona, right? I swear, half of those girls handle Hell’s work, paper and dirty.” He leaned over his bed, spreading his arms out. “Work your magic on me, witch.”

She sneered, so unbecoming of such a pretty face. “Call me what you will. Lucifer’s already paid me in full to draw these spells and hexes; sweet-talking me is useless.” She withdrew a short, serrated blade from her purse and sliced a clean cut on her wrist. Grabbing a ceremonial bowl from the bedside table, she let her blood seep slowly to the bottom until at least a quarter-inch amount of the red stuff lay there. She then took a long black wand and dipped the edge into the bowl and sat next to Jaejoong’s stretched out body on the bed. “Don’t move. The process isn’t painful, but these must be precise and clear.” For the next hour and a half, she drew various shapes along his skin: a twisted hexagon with a spiral between his shoulder blades; a pair of curving lines on his arms; and crisscrossing triangles above his tailbone.

After a while, she ordered him to lay on his back. Working silently, she traced a semicircle with an eye on his chest and a dagger-like rune on the inside of his arm. “We’re done.”

“Finally,” he said lazily, flexing his stomach muscles taut. She rolled her eyes, and he winked at her. “Pretty, aren’t they?”

“Muscles. Nothing impressive. Nothing I haven’t seen before.” She wiped her wand on her sleeve, staining it red. “Those should last for a few months. I’ll come back if you still haven’t completed your mission by that time.” She inclined her head at his tight-fitting jeans around his groin area. “You get too easily excited, Bayne.”

“Jaejoong,” he automatically corrected. “You never know who’s listening in.”

The witch cleaned her knife on her shirt as well. “Then I suggest you call me Yoona.” She slipped both instruments back into her purse and bowed to him. “It was a pleasure to serve you, Master Bayne. Ah, Jaejoong,” she added when his eyes narrowed. “Good evening to you.” She wrapped her cloak around her and, in the blink of an eye, had disappeared.

He rose and examined himself in the long mirror on his closet door. The blood had long since turned into demonic ink. If one looked closely, the shapes would almost seem alive. Since Lucifer would have his head if they actually moved across his skin as they were supposed to, he would have to make do with stationary body art. A protection rune. Strength rune. Oh, what’s this? He turned slightly to examine a simple curved line on his shoulder. “I’ll be damned,” he whispered. “An actual lust rune. Well, well. That should make my job much easier.”