Author's note: Update schedule is back to 4 chapters per week, every Monday to Thursday!

If it was her only chance at escaping, despite it being a shot in the dark, Cecil would accept the challenge.

"Fine--"

"Ah, hold on," Leonaut raised his eyebrows. "I haven't said my condition for winning."

"What do you want?"

"Of course, the two of you would remain behind and," Leonaut transformed his flute into an ice sword. "You tell me your name."

Cecil furrowed her eyebrows.

What a strange condition for winning.

"Fine, I accept. Let's start." Cecil then turned to Hana. "Hana, stay put somewhere else."

"Mhmm!"

"So eager," Leonaut smirked, before turning to the bandits behind him, his smirk becoming cold. "All of you leave, you useless bastards."

"Yes, boss."

Cecil observed Leonaut, seeing that he was actually bandaged up around the arms and legs. Leonaut noticed her gaze on his body, his smirk becoming a smile.

"Don't worry, you don't need to go easy on me because of these injuries."

"I won't."

"Your expression says otherwise."

Cecil touched her face, puzzled.

Did I unconsciously look at Leonaut like he was Xue?

Leonaut stared at Cecil, seeing her bemused expression.

Weird.

I actually find her cute.

Sensing Leonaut's gaze still on her, Cecil looked away, taking out her daggers.

"Let's begin."

***

After that one terrifying swipe of Xue's spear, Kai only gave him directions when he required to.

On the inside, Zasiok and Alric were playing chess while listening to Kai. Apparently, Alric had a chessboard and chess pieces among his goods in his room.

Kai: "Keep heading straight."

Everywhere Xue looked, it was all trees and it annoyed him. It didn't seem like he was getting closer, but the soul fragments in him were the only clue to leading him to Leonaut. Thus, Xue head on straight without any complaint.

Kai shut off the link connection to Xue. He laid down on the cushion in exhaustion, sighing heavily.

Bang! Thud!

"Shit, what the hell!" Kai was startled, yelping as he bolted up from the cushion. He stared at Zasiok and Alric, seeing the chessboard on the floor as the chess pieces were scattered around.

Alric had reeled back in shock, staring at Zasiok with his wide, black eyes.

"I...I've lost four times in a row!" Zasiok barked, exasperated.

"That's cause...it's your first time playing it..." Alric encouraged softly, still stunned. "Losing four times...isn't so bad...?"

Zasiok waved his hand angrily, marching to his room. His room resembled one of the rooms located in the queen's castle.

Alric and Kai glanced at each other. After which, Alric showed a pitiful expression.

"Who knew he was such a sore loser?" Kai shrugged.

Alric picked up his chessboard and the chess pieces, depressed, and Kai helped him.

Xue: "Still heading straight?"

Kai flashed Alric an apologetic smile, and Alric nodded sadly. Kai sat down again, establishing the mind link connection.

Kai: "Straight."

Xue continued on, and his eyes caught a black, swirling mass in the distance. He narrowed his eyes at it, giving his spear a quick twirl before he hurled his spear at the black cloud.

A fair hand stuck out from the black, swirling mass, catching Xue's spear with ease. The stranger stepped out, his conspicuous cobalt blue hair glimmered in the sunlight.

The black cloud disappeared once he was fully out, and there was a lazy smile present on his alluring face.

Kai: "...this guy again..."

Alric felt like fainting all over again, whereas, Zasiok was still fuming in his own room. He didn't need to know who the blue-haired stranger was.

"Your eyes are sharp as always, Xue." Veau tossed the spear back , and he glanced around Xue. "Oh? Those two aren't at your side again?"

Xue caught his spear, ignoring Veau and walking away. Veau took a step forward, the black void forming once again and he disappeared. The next moment, Veau appeared beside Xue, keeping up with his fast pace of walking.

"What happened to them now?"

"..."

"Did Hana run away?"

"..."

"Were they stolen away from you?"

Xue stiffened before he continued walking and Veau took note of his reaction.

"Someone dared to steal those two from you?" Veau smiled even wider, still walking leisurely beside Xue. "Who is it?"

"..."

"I can just ask your memory then." Veau shrugged, reaching his hand out.

Xue swiftly aimed his spear at Veau's hand. Veau pushed the spear away easily, relaxed.

"A soul fragment." Xue answered tersely, retracting his spear.

"Ah, truly, only you are brave enough to steal from yourself."

Xue disregarded Veau, pretending he wasn't there.

"Why is it everytime I drop by to see Cecil, she isn't here--"

The tip of Xue's spear turned into magma and he lunged it at Veau. At the same time, Veau's hand transformed into claws, his hand entirely black and he stopped the spear with his claws.

"Don't you dare. See her. Ever again." Xue growled out, rage spewing out of his grey eyes, the magma spreading further throughout the spear. "Or even mention her name."

Veau let go of Xue's spear, the lazy smile back on his face and his ebony eyes sparkling, intrigued. "I haven't seen you for a short while, and now you are openly showing your protectivness and possessiveness for her?"

Xue snatched his own spear back, narrowing his eyes at Veau.

"If you are behaving like this, how did you even let your soul fragment snatch her away?"

Xue stormed off.

"Memory." Veau stated lazily.

Xue sighed in exasperation. If it was any other day, he would just allow Veau to see his memory, since he'd rather not talk to him. However, he didn't want to waste any time now, his priority was finding Cecil and Hana.

"He used himself as a distraction!" Xue barked out, unhappy.

"How desperate," Veau mused, sounding interested. "I would like to see this soul fragment of yours as well."

"...you can find him?" Xue reluctantly asked.

"Since Cecil is there, yes."

"What?" Xue paused, glaring at Veau.

"Cecil has a unique life force," Veau explained with his signature lazy smile. "Just like yours, Xue."

Xue didn't respond, though it was newfound information.

"The two of you seem destined for one another."

"I told you to stay aw--"

Veau disappeared from Xue's side without any warning.

Xue glared at the spot beside him, taking his spear and stabbing it into the ground. He huffed, removing his spear, the anger in him slightly quelled.

"The two of you seem destined for one another."

Xue recalled Veau's words, contemplative.

***

Cecil dashed towards Leonaut with her daggers that were still stained with blood, and Leonaut sidestepped, avoiding her smoothly. Cecil halted, spinning around and threw her dagger at Leonaut, who shifted aside, the dagger almost grazing his cheek. 

Cecil took that opportunity to sprint to Leonaut, sliding on the floor, her feet aiming for Leonaut’s legs to trip him over. Leonaut immediately flipped over in the air, dodging her completely and Cecil stopped, picking up her dagger on the floor as she stood up. The next second, Leonaut had already rushed at her with his ice sword, and Cecil defended herself with ease.

Their weapons clashed and Cecil found herself being pushed back from Leonaut’s strength. Her eyes noticed the bandages around Leonaut’s wounds were beginning to turn crimson red, his wounds were reopened.  

Cecil eventually gave in, not wanting to continue the pointless defending game and she ducked as the sword slid past her face, her eyes seeing the flute embedded within the crystal clear ice sword. The handle of the sword was made up of ice as well, and since Leonaut was of water element, the coldness of the ice didn't affect him.

Cecil hurriedly balanced herself, leaping back and catching her breath.

The entire time, Hana was watching the fight silently, an anxious look in her blue eyes.

The fight continued on, one attacking and one dodging the other skillfully. Finally, there was a slight pause from Leonaut, his face twisting in pain and Cecil grasped at the opportunity, spinning around quickly and kicking at Leonaut. Leonaut defended his face with his arms, grimacing when her leg struck his wounds as well. 

“I win.” 

Hana jumped for joy, squealing.

His bandages were stained with even more blood, and Leonaut sighed, looking at his wounds. “Yes, you did. These wounds caused by Xue are really troublesome.” 

“That’s your own problem.” Cecil answered haughtily. 

“Can’t deny that,” Leonaut chuckled, lowering his arms as he stared at Cecil. “You know, since this was an unfair fight from the beginning, take pity on me and let me know your name.” 

“...my name?” 

“That isn’t so hard, right?” 

“No,” Cecil shook her head, furrowing her eyebrows, puzzled. “You are a weird man, why do you want to know my name so badly?” 

“No reason.” Leonaut smirked. 

“Cecil Lan,” she answered, indifferent. “My name is Cecil Lan.” 

"Pretty name." Leonaut seemed gratified, stepping to one side as he gestured. “You may go.” 

“Hana, let’s go.” 

“Mhmm!” 

The two ladies held hands, walking past Leonaut. A second passed and Leonaut smirked, sneaking up swiftly behind them, striking a certain point on Hana’s neck with his hand. 

Hana made a noise before her eyes closed and she collapsed, causing Cecil to gasp as she felt the hand in hers going slack. 

“Hana!” 

Leonaut supported the unconscious Hana gently, still smirking and Cecil narrowed her eyes at him. 

“You lied.” 

“I’m a bandit,” Leonaut shrugged, his hazel eyes glinting impishly. “Promises and trust, they mean nothing to me, Cecil.” 

Cecil glanced at the unconscious Hana in Leonaut’s arms, sighing as she placed her hand on her forehead. 

Just because he is a soul fragment of Xue, it was an instinct of mine to trust him. 

Just because...he is Xue. 

Cecil lifted her head up, staring right at Leonaut.

She seemed rather...hurt.

Leonaut gazed back at her, his smirk gradually disappearing and he found himself lost in her eyes. 

The hurt reflected in her eyes felt as if it was piercing through him.

“That’s right, it was my fault.” Cecil blinked, looking down sadly before she looked back up at Leonaut.

“Without knowing, I trusted you wholeheartedly.” 

Leonaut paused.

Her words echoed within Leonaut's mind, and he could see the conflicting emotions in her crystalline eyes. 

Leonaut remained rooted in his spot, unable to formulate any response. 

"I'm such a fool," a small smile graced her lips, her expression a mixture of emotions. "Just because you are him, and he is also you." 

Cecil looked away, shaking her head. 

Leonaut couldn't find any words to retort, he could feel the sensation of needles pricking at his chest, his heart.

This entire time, after he knew that he was just a small part of Xue and not an actual person of his own, it infuriated him. He couldn’t accept that he was just a part of someone he doesn’t even know about, even the memories weren’t his own. Hence, he decided to steal whatever that belonged to Xue, to make memories of his own. 

However, now that Cecil was making such a comparison, there was a twinge of pain in his heart. For once, in the deepest trenches of his heart, he wished he was somewhat like the Xue she trusted wholeheartedly. 

“Cecil, I…” Leonaut trailed off, reaching his other free hand out to Cecil. “I am--”

“I will stay without any resistance,” Cecil interrupted, glancing back at Leonaut. “You have Hana here, and I cannot leave her alone with you. Until Xue finds us.” 

Leonaut halted, the last sentence breaking him out of his daze. He realised his hand was still outstretched to Cecil, and he also realised what he was going to say.

I am sorry. 

Leonaut inhaled sharply, bewildered at what he was about to utter out earlier. He took a step back in shock, bringing his hand back, unable to believe he was about to apologise to someone.  

What the hell is wrong with me? Apologising to this woman? 

Why am I getting so affected by her?

“He won’t be able to find us,” Leonaut muttered coldly. “Give up.” 

“He will.” Cecil smiled, sounding confident. “You are him, you know better.” 

All of a sudden, a low rumble disrupted their conversation and a bandit ran in, calling out to Leonaut. 

“Boss! Boss! Someone triggered the traps!” 

Cecil widened her eyes, spinning around as the excitement was present on her face. “Is it--”

Leonaut hastily reached out, hitting her neck and Cecil frowned in pain before her eyes shut. Leonaut caught her with his other arm, gently placing her down on the ground while still supporting Hana in his other arm. He carried Hana into his arms, facing his comrade. 

“Catch that person, and bring him to the dungeons.” 

“Gotcha!” 

The bandit scurried off and Leonaut carried Hana to his room, placing her down on the bed. The unconscious bandit was still on his bed, and he dragged the bandit down without mercy, throwing him out of the room as he walked out. Leonaut then shut the door to his room, narrowing his eyes as he started to freeze certain parts of the door. 

The bandit who was tossed out sat up in a blurry daze, wincing and he found Leonaut glaring down at him, immediately awake. 

“Bo-boss!” 

“I’ll deal with you later.” 

Leonaut approached Cecil, keeping his gaze on her the entire time. He crouched down, his gaze lingering on Cecil’s face. 

I can’t let her stay with Hana. 

The both of them will just try to escape again. 

He proceeded to carry her gently in his arms, walking away quietly. 

He left the bandit quivering on the spot, and the bandit knew he could do nothing but to accept his fate awaiting him.

***

The bandits made their way to the entrance of their caverns, there were also lanterns placed around the entrance of the caverns, hence, the bandits were not worried for any elemental battles. However, they treaded carefully, avoiding the spots on the ground and walls that triggered the traps. They wield their weapons, scanning their surroundings with care.

“Over there!” 

There was a figure seated down, leaning against the wall, motionless. A few traps had been activated and some of them had been destroyed, there was also a pitfall filled with spikes, but the intruder did not fall for it. 

A few bandits approached the figure, one of them crouching down and inspecting the intruder closely. 

“Oi.” the bandit nudged the intruder on the shoulder, and the intruder didn’t react, his head tilting to the side. The light from the lanterns shone down on his cobalt blue hair, and his features were rather feminine though he was clearly a man.

“A pretty boy,” one bandit remarked. “Haven’t seen those in a while, how did this poor fella end up here?” 

“Just bring him in, the boss said so.” 

“Sure, who wants to carry him?” 

“Nah.” 

“Not me.” 

“You do it.” 

“...lazy bastards.” 

They chuckled amongst themselves, unaware that the blue-haired man was watching them with one eye open. The blue-haired man smiled enigmatically to himself, pretending to be unconscious as he allowed them to carry him. 

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

I didn't know eyes like that existed.

Her eyes are so beautiful, I could look at them forever.

...this woman...is dangerous.

She is making me feel things I shouldn't feel.

She is making me say things I shouldn't say.

Cecil Lan.

I want to know more about her, but at the same time, I do not want to.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

A cavern hideout--

Traps?

A barrier will do.

Pitfall, how lame.

I can simply walk over.

...I feel lazy, I'll wait here for them to fetch me.

By now, they should know their tiny traps have been triggered.

Maybe I should have teleported in, but I have time to waste anyway.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 3

《 start 》

Destined for one another?

Me and you?

I...I like the sound of that.

《 stop 》