Author's note: Double update, since it is a holiday here today. And to share the holiday mood, here you go! PS. From this chapter onwards, big fluff moments incoming for Cecil and Xue.

Cecil heard the tortured screams from the arena, gasping in shock. Before Leonaut could even utter a word, she had already rushed in and she stumbled upon the gruesome of a man being eaten alive by two big wolves. Horrified, she retreated a few steps and she looked at the unconscious Hana in Leonaut’s arms, widening her eyes in realisation. 

“You let Hana watch this happen?” Cecil asked, her voice grim. 

“Yes, because he was the same guy that tried to take advantage of both of you…” Leonaut answered honestly, staring down at Hana blankly. 

Cecil placed her palm on her forehead, closing her eyes. 

So this was the reason why. This is why Hana reacted in the way she did. 

Cecil opened her eyes, inhaling deeply. “Let Hana rest, she won’t wake up anytime soon.” 

“What?” Leonaut widened his eyes, showing a hint of panic. “Why? What happened to her?” 

Cecil knew Hana was recovering another memory this time, but she wasn’t sure what it was. She didn’t answer Leonaut, only narrowing her eyes at him. 

“You forced Hana to watch this,” Cecil rebuked, pointing towards the arena. “Do you still think you deserve to know what made her like this?” 

She winced, realising she had used her injured arm to point at the arena. 

Leonaut seemed hurt by her words, his gaze lingering on the blood seeping through her right sleeve. 

Cecil couldn’t afford to let her heart grow soft, even though this person was a soul fragment of Xue. What he had done to Hana was wrong. 

I guess, what is bound to happen will happen eventually. Maybe...if I had been a few seconds earlier, I could have stopped it...but would it have made a difference? 

Cecil shook her head, she didn’t want to dwell on it, especially when she was still in this environment. 

“I’ll stay beside Hana to take care of her,” Cecil said softly. “Let her rest somewhere.” 

“But--” 

“I won’t escape,” she stated firmly. “Not with Hana like this.” 

Leonaut opened his mouth, wanting to speak once more but decided not to. In the end, they left the arena and headed towards Leonaut’s room.

***

Hana was in a dream. 

She knew she was in a dream. 

Since, once again, she saw a familiar ash blonde-haired man, but his smile was so amiable, his long hair cascaded down his back, past his waist. Moreover, she was in a place she clearly had not been to before. 

***

Hana was seated down under the pavilion, on the white, porcelain chair. Her legs were crossed over as she read a book with rapt attention, the book placed on the white, porcelain table.

The pavilion was situated next to the water lily pond, one of the many famous ponds in the heavens. The water lilies were in a vibrant purple, and the water was extremely clear, one could see the roots of the water lilies through the water. 

The sky was the same colour as it was, ranging from orange to purple and the fluffy white clouds drifted by slowly. 

There were the gentle ringing sounds of the wind chime as a breeze blew by, and Hana made a noise as the wind blew her hair to her face. She lifted her hand up, her long sleeves brushing against her face as she pushed her hair aside and she heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

“Hana. You are here too?” 

Hana gasped, instantly standing up to bow.

“My lord--” 

She was interrupted by Xue, both her actions and her words. 

“What did I say about calling me that?” Xue warned lightly. “And stop bowing, I’ve seen enough bows today.”

“Xue.” Hana greeted him with a smile, sitting back down as she held the book in her hand. 

“You are reading a book here?” Xue noticed the book in her hand. 

Hana hummed in agreement, flipping back to the page she was previously at. She wanted to read the book immediately, but she was afraid of being rude to the Supreme God; to Xue.

“I envy you, Hana.” Xue remarked, walked over to the railing, resting his body against it as he gazed at the water lilies. 

He was dressed casually this time, unlike an armor, he was wearing a simple robe with two layers. There wasn’t any need for him to show his wings, hence, he kept them. 

“Why?” Hana blinked, confused.

“You can read what you want and do what you want,” Xue sighed, the breeze blowing gently, causing his hair to sway. “All day long, I have to look at documents after documents, settle disputes after disputes.” 

“So that’s what the Supreme God does!” Hana mused out loud, beaming. “I’ve always thought the Supreme God does nothing but sits at his throne all day long!” 

“What?” Xue laughed. 

Hana gasped before smiling sheepishly. “Pardon my rudeness!” 

Xue didn't care, only laughing for a good while.

“We have been coincidentally meeting one another,” Xue commented. “And other than him, you are the only other person that actually talks to me.” 

“Him?” 

“K’xug, my assistant.” Xue nudged his head to the left, there was someone standing on the walkway of the pavilion, his eyes close and arms crossed, leaning against the railing like Xue.

Hana blinked in shock. “Wh-where did he come from? There was no one there before!" 

Xue laughed once again. “That is always everyone’s reaction to K’xug, it’s his speciality.” 

“It's scary!” Hana blurted out without thinking, and the assistant opened one of his eyes, looking at Hana.  

“You hear that, K’xug? Someone agrees with me!” Xue hollered, before exhaling heavily. “This feels nice.” 

“Hmm? Nice? What's nice?” 

“I haven’t chatted this freely in a while with anyone. It is somewhat… relieving.” 

“Then how about this, Xue?” Hana beamed, her blue eyes sparkling. “Every two days, I will be here, and if you ever need someone to talk to, I’ll be here!” 

“Every two days?” Xue straightened his body. “Are you sure?” 

“Hmm!” Hana nodded eagerly. “Very sure!” 

“Thank you, Hana.” Xue smiled back at her. “Thank you.” 

Hana didn't think much of such a simple words, and such a simple promise. However, it helped Xue in the lonely days of his palace life, where he couldn't act however he desired.

Other than K'xug, Hana was the only other person he considered a true friend.

***

The day had already passed, and it was almost dawn. Xue had been following the trail for hours without taking a moment to rest. He couldn't teleport around like Veau, and neither did he have a horse around for him to ride on.

Xue spotted the letters once more, giving them a quick glimpse and he moved on.

Kai: "Xue, I give up! Just follow those damn letters! My head is tired from all the concentration!"

Xue: "Ask someone else to take over."

Kai glanced to Alric, who shook his head immediately, scuttling back into the couch. Kai knew Alric was scared of Xue, throwing him out there to guide Xue...it was as good as putting a pug in front of a lion.

He might even faint.

Kai looked at Zasiok, who was staring intently at the chessboard. There was an intense aura around him that screamed "DO NOT DISTURB" and Kai was unwilling to interrupt him.

They were concerned for Cecil at first, but after seeing how the letters were clearly leading the way, they weren't too concerned anymore.

Kai: "They are both not available."

Xue: "What?"

Kai: "Just follow the letters, man! See ya!"

Kai hurriedly shut off the link connection, and he gave Alric a wave, retreating to his room to get some needed rest.

He felt like his head was going to explode, since Leonaut kept moving around. The man wouldn't remain still in one spot for more than three minutes.

Xue was speechless at being left alone.

Xue: "Hey!"

No response.

Xue gritted his teeth in frustration, looking at the letters.

"Finally looking? Head left from here."

Xue wanted to swipe the damn letters, but he gave up. There was no point in wasting his efforts.

"I'll kill you all someday," Xue muttered darkly. "After I gather every single soul."

***

"You should leave, Leonaut."

"But--"

Cecil sighed, looking at Leonaut. "Just leave, it won't do Hana any good now if you are here."

Leonaut seemed conflicted, glancing between Hana and Cecil, before his eyes drifted to her injured arm.

"Your arm..."

"Leave it, I'll bandage it up myself." Cecil responded, indifferent as she gestured for Leonaut to leave the room.

Leonaut left without another word, his expression still remaining conflicted.

Cecil simply tore at her dress, making a makeshift bandage for her wound.

Hana awoke from her slumber a while later, breathing in deeply and she turned to her side. She was greeted by the sight of Cecil seated beside her, cleaning her dagger. 

“Cecil…?” 

“Hana, you are finally awake.” Cecil spun around, concerned. “Are you feeling okay, Hana?” 

Hana nodded, tilting her head. “Am I not supposed to be okay?” 

“No,” Cecil shook her head and she smiled softly. “Did you dream of Xue again?” 

“Mhmm!” Hana sat up straighter, nodding energetically. “It was the long hair Xue again!” 

“Was it a good dream?” 

“It was!” Hana beamed, chattering animatedly. “In the dream, I was sitting at this place beside a hugeeee pond! The water lilies were so pretty! And I was reading a book--but I don’t remember what it was...oh, and then Xue dropped by! We seem to be friends at that time!"

Hana continued talking about the dream, and Cecil listened on with a smile. It was a relief to know that it wasn’t a bad memory. 

"I wonder where that place was..." Hana pouted sadly. "I want to see it again."

Cecil knew the place she talked about was none other than the heavenly realm. Of course, there was no possible way to reach that place for now.

"You'll see it again someday." Cecil patted her head.

"Really?"

"Definitely, Xue will take you there."

"You must come along too!" Hana grasped at Cecil's arm, excited. "It will be so amazing, Cecil!"

"Ow, ow ow..." Cecil winced, her face twisting in pain.

Hana gasped, releasing her arm. She noticed the blood stains on her torn sleeve.

"Wh-what happened?" Hana reached her fingers out to the wound, wanting to touch it but she was afraid. "And why is your pretty dress all torn up?"

"I was just careless." Cecil managed a smile, and she lifted her torn sleeves. "And these are for makeshift bandages."

"Awww, it was such a pretty dress, and it looks painful," Hana was clearly upset, touching Cecil's wound gingerly that was wrapped up completely. "Are you okay, Cecil? Are you really okay?"

Hana was genuinely concerned, wanting to touch the wound but she didn't dare to. Even though she wanted to ease Cecil's pain somehow, she didn't know how to.

Cecil felt her heart melting.

Hana was the one who suffered more, but here she was caring for a superficial injury on her arm.

"I'm really okay, Hana." Cecil reassured her.

"If...if you say you are, then I believe you!" Hana nodded firmly, but she continued looking at the wound, still as sad. "Xue will be even more unhappy now. Maybe even worried."

"Of course," Cecil nodded, satisfied with her own bandaging job. "Leonaut not only kidnapped you, he even made you faint after forcing you to watch something so bad."

Cecil gasped, realising that she had slipped up, shutting her mouth. "No, Hana, that was--"

"What are you talking about, Cecil?" Hana pouted, crossing her arms. "Xue will be even more unhappy not because of me, but because of you!"

Cecil flinched back at Hana's outburst. She blinked rapidly, pointing to herself. "M-me?"

Hana nodded vehemently.

"Why...me?"

"Because you are kidnapped and injured, and your dress is all torn up!"

Cecil wore a look of pure confusion.

Hana then stopped pouting once she fully absorbed Cecil's words.

"Wait, Cecil." Hana tilted her head. "You said Leonaut did something bad to me? I don't--"

There was a low rumbling noise, and the caverns trembled slightly.

The two ladies seated on the bed glanced around curiously, before looking at one another.

"I wonder what--"

This time, there was a loud explosive noise and the caverns shuddered.

There were rapid footsteps outside the door, and the bandits were yelling incoherently. Cecil raised her eyebrows, taking Hana's hand and pulling her along.

If the bandits are distracted by whatever that is, we can use this chance to escape.

The two ladies approached the door, and Cecil creaked it open, peeking outside.

The bandits were scurrying around, and they were in a state of utter disorder. There was a glint in Cecil's eyes, this was an opportunity she would never miss!

"We can use this chance to run away now, Hana."

"Okay!"

Pushing the door opens, the two of them quietly slipped out, the bandits not taking notice.

"Someone is activating the traps and just destroying them all!"

"Who the hell is the crazy, strong bastard?!"

"Boss? Boss!"

"Should we fight the bastard here? Or at the entrance?!"

The ladies sprinted past the panicking bandits, and one of them finally took notice of them.

"Hey! Those two are trying to escape!"

They were close to reaching the wooden doors that led to the entrance of the caverns. There was no way Cecil would lose this close chance of escaping!

We are so close! So close!

At that moment, the doors were blasted open and the two women stumbled back. Cecil pushed Hana behind her, shielding herself from the strong wind blowing in.

Cecil squinted her eyes, lifting her head up and she saw a familiar silhouette standing at the doorway, the morning sun streaming in, blinding Cecil temporarily.

The figure stepped into her line of sight, and Cecil caught a glimpse of their ash blonde hair, and stormy grey eyes. His outfit was in complete black, a long-sleeved shirt and pants, its design clearly meant for fighting.

There was no possible way Cecil wouldn't recognise this figure.

Her heart fluttered, and she smiled unconsciously.

"Xue!" Hana exclaimed happily, peeking out from behind Cecil.

Xue panted, his entire figure covered in grime, swinging the spear in his hands as he took another step forward. His eyes glanced over to Hana and Cecil, his gaze lingering on the latter.

***

《 start 》

Finally...

I found the both of you.

Especially you.

You...you are finally back by my side.

《 stop 》