After recovering from the two strange dreams he had, Xue found himself back inside the space of his mind. The soul fragments surrounded him, jabbering about how he had finally returned and he disregarded them.

Xue frowned deeply, contemplating.

Veau, that bastard.

He really sent my soul back into the depths.

Isleif was the only one not among the soul fragments crowding around Xue, instead, he was sullen. Xue had returned back too quickly for his own liking.

"...how long was I unconscious for?"

"Hours." Zasiok answered.

Xue sighed, closing his eyes as he stood up from the couch.

"Who is in control of the body now?"

"The one with the yellow hair." Shin responded.

"..."

"..then Cecil..."

Alric spoke up this time. "W-we still haven't...found her..."

Zasiok stepped forward, his arms across his chest. "I'll explain the situation to you."

Zasiok started explaining, and the more he went on, the worse Xue's expression became. It escalated to the point where every one of them could feel the murderous aura drifting out of Xue.

Alric flinched, hiding behind Leonaut. Leonaut only glanced at Alric hiding behind him, raising his eyebrows.

The others only took a step back, feeling uneasy.

Kai: "What's this? I can feel it!"

Kai: "Xue is awake, isn't he?"

Xue: "I'll take over."

Kai could hear the anger lacing Xue's words and he licked his lips nervously.

Kai: "O-okay."

On the outside, Kai halted abruptly.

He could hear the anger lacing Xue's words and he licked his lips nervously.

He had been running around, trying to find clues and traces of anyone familiar, especially Rugi. However, it was futile, and with each passing second, his concern for Cecil grew more and more.

His mind was muddled and with Xue still unconscious earlier, locating Rugi by following his soul was impossible. With only the soul fragments, they could only sense Rugi if he was nearby.

Kai stood still, preparing for Xue to take control of the body as he closed his eyes.

"..."

Xue: "..."

Kai opened his eyes, still finding himself in control of the body. He blinked rapidly, bewildered.

Kai: "...why aren't you taking over?"

Xue: "..."

On the inside, the soul fragments were equally bewildered. It was only Leonaut among them who recovered from the shock first and began to smirk.

Leonaut: "It seems like...Xue is unable to regain control."

Kai: "Wh-what?"

Zasiok: "..."

Alric: "Th-then what now?"

Shin: "We still need to find Cecil either way."

Isleif: "...pathetic."

Xue was baffled at the situation, glancing down at his own body. All of a sudden, something throbbed within him and he found himself kneeling on the ground with one knee.

His eyes were wide in disbelief.

The feeling came back once again, and this time, it was agonizing.

"Argh!"

"Ahh!"

"It--it hurts!"

The soul fragments all cried out in pain at the same time, even Kai on the outside found himself collapsing to the ground on one knee, clutching at his chest.

"It seems like..." Zasiok panted out. "Veau did not just send our soul back into unconsciousness, Xue."

"Doesn't matter, I don't care," Xue gritted his teeth. "I only care about finding Cecil now."

Zasiok smiled slightly.

Xue closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. "All you need to do is find the other soul fragment around here, isn't it? I'll do it quickly."

Leonaut: "Kai, you should be able to sense him now, right?"

Kai: "That green-haired bastard? Yeah! Definitely!"

Xue: "Go! Quickly!"

Kai didn't need to be told twice, surging forward with unbelievable speed. He was surprised himself that he could move like this, but Kai knew it was all to do with Xue finally waking up.

The pain had dissipated and Xue frowned to himself, his hand on his chest.

***

The hidden room inside Tsuki's room was revealed.

Tsuki and the mercenary that barged their way in found themselves growing deaf by the piercing scream from Cecil.

"Wh-what's wrong with you, woman?!" Tsuki barked out, her hands covering her ears.

The mercenary blinked rapidly to himself, shaking his head.

"It's all over! Th-this is why I wanted to hide in here to change in the first place, Miss Tsuki!" Cecil cried out, increasing the pitch of her voice as she gestured very closely to the wound on her shoulder.

Tsuki found herself shuddering at Cecil's exaggerated way of speaking. If Tsuki hadn't interacted and conversed with her earlier, she would have assumed this was how Cecil behaved.

The mercenary was still disorientated, but he was clear-headed enough to realise that Tsuki was really hiding someone in the room.

"Miss Tsuki! Yo-you were really hiding her in the room!"

Cecil gave Tsuki a surreptitious glance, letting Tsuki see the makeshift veil she was wearing.

In an instant, Tsuki understood why Cecil was acting this way. With no other choice, she played along as she regained her composure.

"No, you've got it all wrong," Tsuki pointed to Cecil, who was sniffling to herself in an exaggerated manner as well. "She is a dancer."

...and a very horrible actress.

"What?"

"She begged me to find a private place to change, and not in the locker room where she shared with the other female employees. I have always provided her this room to change in, since she was so sensitive about letting anyone see her change, even me."

Tsuki moved her eyes to the ghastly wound.

"Now I know why, and also why she was always picky about the costumes."

As if on cue, Cecil pulled up her shirt to cover up her shoulders. She hurried to the corner of the hidden room, burying her face into her knees and sobbing.

The entire time, she ensured that the mercenary never caught a glimpse of her face.

On the other hand, Tsuki wanted to hit her face with her palm.

At least...she is acting shamelessly, and that makes it more believable.

The mercenary narrowed his eyes at Cecil, still unable to cast his suspicion aside.

Tsuki noticed it, frowning and she looked back at Cecil. "You there, what are you doing? Are you not going out there to perform? You promised me you would be in the next performance. Don't think you'll be let off so easily from hiding a tattoo like that from me."

Cecil paused before she hastily stood up, rushing out of the area with a dramatic wail.

Tsuki closed her eyes, feeling another urge to smack her face with her palm again.

Maintaining a straight face, Tsuki turned to the mercenary. "What? Don't tell me you plan to chase after her, and strip her naked to check whether she is the person you are looking for? It's enough that you are working willingly for Ephert, and now you want to stoop even lower? Tsk tsk, you already peeped at her almost half-naked."

Hearing insult after insult thrown at him, the mercenary felt like a thousand arrows had pierced into his back.

He really wanted to cough out blood!

"Enough! I got it! We'll leave now!" The mercenary barked out, gritting his teeth, lowering his voice as he said the next few words. "And it isn't like we are working for him willingly...there's a reason why we are not attacking everyone in this town."

"Don't need to tell me that," Tsuki responded, flipping her hair elegantly. "It is your choice, not mine."

The mercenary stormed out of the area, gathering his comrades to go along with him.

Tsuki watched them go with a small, victorious smile.

"Right, now that's settled," she tapped her fingers on her arms that were across her chest. "What should I do about my new shameless dancer I just hired?"

***

Masaru led Hana and K'xug to the chaotic battle between Ephert's men and theirs. The two of them did not waste any time, leaping into skirmish. Masaru wanted to join in the fight, until he observed the two of them.

Their actions were coordinated with K'xug rushing forward with his twin swords, taking Ephert's men down swiftly. Meanwhile, Hana provided support with her ice arrows, shooting those who were still putting up a fight and trying to flank.

Just then, someone sneaked up behind Hana.

"Miss Hana, look out!" Masaru called out.

Hana gasped, almost falling to her butt from dodging that attack. She prepared to take out her scarf for close-ranged combat until she remembered the training she had with Xue and K'xug.

You don't need to switch between weapons now.

Your bow...is all you need.

Hana smiled to herself.

She ducked from another attack, dashing off. She glanced around, looking for a place to push off from and give herself the momentum to punch the man in the face with her bow.

All of a sudden, another person appeared before Hana and prepared to lunge for her. She panicked and she recalled another lesson she learnt from K'xug, and also Cecil.

Slide under them.

Hit their feet.

Knock them off balance!

She struck their ankles with her bow as she slid under their feet. The man collapsed to the ground and she stood up, just in time to see the perpetrator behind her falling over his comrade that fell onto the ground.

"I...I did it!"

Hana raised her hands in the air, smiling.

Just then, another one of Ephert's men aimed for her again. This time, Hana wasn't prepared and she squeaked, closing her eyes.

The next thing she heard was a pained grunt and someone fell down beside her. She slowly lifted her eyes, seeing K'xug standing in front of her with a fond yet helpless look on his face.

Seriously...

I just took my eyes off from you for a second.

K'xug reached forward, bringing down her hands and putting the bow in front of her.

Never relax in the midst of a battle.

Hana spit out her tongue, ashamed. She knew she was guilty as charged.

Just then, the familiar ache in her head came back and her expression twisted. K'xug noticed her change, leaning in closer as inspected her in concern.

Hana felt something warm on her palm and she glanced down.

That was when she saw it.

A faint glimmer of something...bright.

K'xug widened his eyes, seeing the same sight.

He looked at Hana observing the tiny ball of light magic on her palm, astounded.

Hana.

She is regaining her powers.

A frown creased his forehead.

...but her memories...

Will they come back completely?

Hana let out a gasp of awe.

"This feeling...it feels like, I have experienced it somewhere before too..." she muttered to herself, looking up at K'xug.

***

The four of them gazed at the half-burnt ship in front of them, sighing heavily. The crewmates surrounding them proceeded to sigh as well. Under Yun's instructions, they tried their best to save what they could. If it weren't for their relentless effort, the entire ship would have been burnt down.

"We were too careless." Yun adjusted his glasses.

"I...I tried my best! I can't do it anymore!" Ryo groaned out, collapsing onto the ground. "I'm going back to sleep."

A second later, Ryo was already snoring away.

Everyone was used to how he went to sleep immediately after the battle had ended.

"Even if you are a genius tactician," Kiyae patted Yun on the shoulder. "There is no way you can beat reaction time with your intelligence, Yun Yun."

Haru was down on all fours on the ground, on the verge of crying.

"Within the span of these few months, I have lost...three ships! The ships I worked so hard to get!"

"You mean, steal." Kiyae retorted.

"Most of those ships originally belong to Lord Kiba anyway." Yun added on.

"That he stole." Kiyae shrugged.

"Un-uncle Kiba gave them to me in the end!" Haru barked out.

"We would still be able to save it, if we find Rugi," Yun suggested. "He has a capable shipwright with him."

"Ah, Rugi, that's right!" Haru gasped, looking at Yun and Kiyae. "The last time we left him, he was in huge trouble!"

Yun furrowed his eyebrows. "We have to find him quickly, the more we tally on, the more people will die under Ephert's hands."

The crewmates were ordered to stay behind to guard the half-burnt ship. Now that the mercenaries had completed their mission, they wouldn't be back anytime soon especially after facing the battle maniac Ryo.

In fact, once the ship started to burn, many of them bolted out of the area. They did not want Ryo to recover and demand another round of fighting from them. Moreover, Haru and Kiyae were there now.

Haru, Kiyae and Yun were sprinting their way through the forest and into the town...when they realised they forgot someone.

A completely tuckered Ryo.

"Damnit! Ryo!"

"That sleeping idiot."

"Crazy battle maniac."

The three of them rushed back, lifting up Ryo into the air and running off along with him.

The crewmates were accustomed to such a sight as well.

"Hahaha! You know, speaking of a sleeping Ryo..." Haru laughed as he continued speaking. "You remember that one time in that tavern? Kiyae and Ryo were both dead asleep after drinking too much. Even Yun was drowsy himself! But Kiyae woke up and started to grab everyone around her and--"

"Captain, seriously!"

"Now's not the time, Haru."

"Captain...stop talking..." Ryo muttered out drowsily.

***

A green-haired man stumbled his way into the town where many people gathered. The crowd of people wore confused faces, some of them turning into shock once they recognised the green-haired man.

"Owner!"

"Mr. Rugi!"

Rugi was supported by the guards and a few scantily-clad women. His loose kimono slipped, exposing his bare, muscled chest and he coughed lightly. He grabbed onto the collar of the guard, coughing lightly.

"Help support me, and bring me...to Tsuki."

"Of course, owner."

"Mr. Rugi--"

Rugi gently pushed the women away from him, straightening himself as he smiled at them. The mole on his mouth seemed more enticing at his smile, his movements causing his loose kimono to slip, exposing his bare, muscled chest.

"Apologies ladies, I am rather desperate right now," Rugi spoke in his usual mellow yet clear voice, still smiling. "I would ask you to move aside."

They almost swooned.

"Ye-yes, Mr. Rugi."

The guard supported Rugi by the shoulder, assisting him.

"Owner..." the guard glanced over to Rugi as they walked. "Your kimono..."

"Leave it," Rugi waved it off. "I'll adjust it myself later."

The guard felt a drop of sweat rolling down his face.

Owner, this is why...you have the reputation of being wanton.

In fact, you are actually just too easy-going.

At that moment, the guard noticed a black spot on Rugi's body at his abdomen. If it weren't for his kimono still covering it slightly, it would have been distinguishable to everyone's eyes.

"Owner, what is that...on your body?"

This time, Rugi adjusted his kimono without any qualms.

"Nothing, you don't need to care about it."

"..."

A few steps later, Rugi tapped the guard on the shoulder with his hand. "Alright, this far is fine. I'll manage the rest of the way on my own."

They were on the same path Cecil had been led on by the fake guard, and Rugi had come across this path a million times to know where he needed to head to.

The guard bowed his head and excused himself without any other words.

There were still many eyes on him and Rugi maintained an indifferent expression, he walked on ahead in a languid manner.

However, he could not tell anyone about the pain on his abdomen and other parts of his body.

Jehan.

The dark magic he is using is indeed too potent.

Beads of sweat decorated his forehead and Rugi only pushed on forward.

He wasn't lying when he said he was rather desperate.

Cecil Lan.

She has to be in there.

If she isn't...

Rugi finally remembered that the guard he sent her off with wasn't one of his. If she wasn't where he had sent her to...

It would only mean he caused her disappearance...or death.

That was something Rugi did not know how to handle.

...or how he himself could cope with it.

"Please be alright," he muttered out. "Cecil Lan."

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

It doesn't matter if I can't take over.

All I want...

All I want is to see Cecil safe.

All I want is for her to be safe.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

If your memories come back completely...

Will you remember what happened?

On that day?

If you do, how would you react now?

...and how can I face you?

《 stop 》

***

Author's Note: Hello, I apologise for the complete silence for the past two weeks. I went back into hermit mode, and my personal life was kind of in a mess, so I did not even want to glance at any social media, including Wattpad, for the entire time. 

The biggest issues was also...I completely lost the drive to continue writing this story. I could list ten thousand reasons and excuses why I lost the drive, but it eventually boils down to myself as the main reason. 

Some of you might have noticed me posting another story, and that story actually helped me gain back my joy for writing. I'm glad to have it back, and to continue writing the journey for the whole crew. 

I understand the story hasn't been enjoyable as of late, heck, I don't even know what I'm writing half the time. However, I'm happy to see people still waiting for updates despite the lackluster quality ^_^.