Author's Note: Just realised after writing it all out, there is a lot of fluff moments in this arc. Probably an overdose of it. It's probably because I have been watching too much dramas in my spare time c';

Anyway, enjoy! Have a good Friday and weekend ahead, my lovely folks! 

The ship was sailing across the sea.

They could finally return back to Kiba's mansion, and call an end to this tragedy that has dragged on for almost a decade.

Everyone was celebrating as if it was the last moment of their lives, everyone except for the main party which consisted of the group of eight along with Raz. They were gathered inside a private meeting room on the ship.

Haru and the others couldn't let the people outside see what was happening to K'xug and the rest. Moreover, they couldn't deny their curiosity.

Even Ryo wanted to stay awake for this process.

...and surprisingly, Xue and K'xug allowed them to see as they wished.

"K'xug. Are you ready?" Hana asked.

Xue, Raz and Hana were standing before him in the centre of the room. The furniture had been pushed aside, since Raz and Xue had warned the others there would be a sudden fluctuation of powers from K'xug's end, causing an unwanted shockwave once the seals were undone.

K'xug nodded, closing his eyes.

He trusted every single person in this room.

Something he thought he would be unable to feel again.

In the past, he shared many moments with Raz as well, before Raz disappeared on his own accord. Out of every general he met, Raz was one of them he could get along with .

"This will hurt, K'xug," Xue warned, furrowing his eyebrows. "I know you understand how this process is supposed to work."

K'xug nodded again, waving at them to proceed.

Xue, Raz and Hana glanced at one another, standing side by side. They moved at the same time, stretching their hand out and gradually, wisps of light began to coalesce in their hands.

"Don't worry, if anything happens, I have some medicine prepared," Cecil said, a hint of relief in her voice. "Even if medicine here in the mortal realm isn't as effective on angels and demons, they can still help."

At the mention of medicine, everyone's faces except Raz began to twist. They had their fair share of eating her dreadful but effective concoction.

"..."

It wasn't hard to tell that everyone shared the same disgust.

Cecil could see that.

"Don't worry, since I had more time to make them, they are pills instead," Cecil forced a smile, her lips twitching in annoyance. "...there's no need to show such obvious disgust, is there?"

All of them began to panic, a drop of sweat rolling down their faces.

"No, Cecil! We aren't disgusted!" Hana shook her head. "Not at all! Mhmm!"

"That's right, that's right," Kiyae nodded along with wide eyes. "The medicine you painstakingly created for us to drink..."

"Hahaha! That's right, without it, who knows how much more pain we'll be in?"

"The taste is...questionable." Yun muttered to himself, adjusting his glasses.

Kiyae smacked a hand over Yun's mouth. "Shhh! Shhhhh!"

Yun shrugged.

"Yeah, it's really disgusting!" Ryo laughed in a light-hearted manner, glancing over to the three preparing to help K'xug. "Am I right, Xue?"

Xue stiffened.

The soul fragments inside his mind began to freak out.

Kai: "You can't say it!"

Alric: "No matter wh-what!"

Leonaut: "Be nice, Xue."

Zasiok: "...those words don't suit you, Leonaut. But yes, be nice, Xue."

Isleif: "If you say it, you are more of a pathetic vermin than I imagined."

Shin: "Pretend."

Rugi: "Indeed, just pretend. To make her happy, all you have to do is say even if it's the last thing you'll have, you'll eat that medicine."

Jehan: "So, if you tell her the truth...will that make her cry?"

All of the soul fragments gave Jehan a glare. Jehan raised his arms up in the air, a smirk on his face.

Jehan: "I'm joking."

On the outside, everyone was giving Ryo a wide-eyed look.

That's the one question you shouldn't ask Xue, you idiot!

Meanwhile, Raz was confused by the situation. He tilted his head, frowning to himself as he mused aloud.

"In the first place, medicines aren't supposed to taste good."

Some of them placed their palms on their forehead. Raz wasn't making the situation any better.

"..." Xue didn't dare to look at Cecil, swallowing his saliva. "Let's just begin."

Cecil plastered a smile on her face, nodding. "Right, we shouldn't keep K'xug waiting."

K'xug closed his eyes, sighing in relief.

The others did the same, all except Raz.

Nice dodge, Xue!

Their thoughts aligned with one another.

Even the soul fragments thought the same.

The wisps of light that was growing dim became brighter once again, encircling around one another. The actions of the three mimicked one another as they stretched their hand out, aiming it towards K'xug.

K'xug was soon bathed in light magic, making his entire body glow ethereally. This sight was foreign to the rest and they could only watch on in awe.

At that moment, the seals appeared without any warning. Its ominous black glow along with unrecognisable symbols hovered in front of K'xug's face. There was a crackle in the air, the forces of light and dark magic clashing together.

K'xug frowned in discomfort, letting out a small grunt.

On the other hand, the three of them continued to churn out more light magic. The force that they had to exert was no small amount, causing Raz's stark white wings to burst out.

"How is that capricious demon lord still so ridiculously strong?" Raz murmured, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Even after sealing Hana up, he is still able to suppress My Lord and K'xug?"

Hana squeezed her eyes close, letting out a pained groan.

Xue was the only one that remained unfazed, only a drop of sweat was seen rolling down his cheeks.

"It isn't because he is strong, but the powers from sealing Hana up are slowly returning to him," Xue responded. "Her seal is weakening, whether accidental or on purpose."

The crackling started to grow bigger as each party pushed on.

"What a relief." Raz heaved a sigh.

Xue frowned.

He wondered if it was truly a relief.

Sometimes, he wished Hana never recovered her memories.

Xue glanced over to Hana, the time he spent with her in his despair. Now that his mind was clear, he could tell he wasn't the only one suffering.

In one way or another, Hana was suffering with something herself.

He knew what he felt for Hana was familial love now.

Xue swivelled his head over to K'xug, a hint of sadness in his grey eyes.

Sorry, K'xug.

I...wasn't able to protect your most treasured person.

Once she recovers all of her memories...

Xue closed his eyes, exerting more power into his light magic.

You are the only one who can help her.

The seals were beginning to break, and true to their words, there was a blast of wind that made everyone stumble back. K'xug's wings were summoned out involuntarily, the forces of light and dark clashing fiercely making him collapse onto one knee.

"K'xug!" Hana gasped in alarm, lowering her hands.

"No, Hana! You can't lose focus now!" Raz exclaimed.

Hana paused before nodding in determination, focusing back on breaking the seal for K'xug. "Just hang on, K'xug!"

The others murmured words of encouragement to him as well.

"Come on, K'xug K'xug!"

"That doesn't suit him, Kiyae. Though, I'll know you'll never stop calling him that, just like how you'll never stop hitting my ponytail."

"My friend, you still need to fight with me!"

"Are you still going on about that? I pity K'xug, hahaha! Hey, K'xug! Fight me too!"

"Don't even think about sparring while he's injured! Ugh, maybe I should have prepared more pills..."

Their words made K'xug laugh through the agonising pain.

Seeing K'xug's expression, Xue wore a wry smile.

To think this is how we'll actually end up.

Xue found it ridiculous.

"I'm...really tired!" Hana gasped out.

"...!" Xue grimaced, feeling his powers weakening unwillingly.

"Just a bit more!" Raz encouraged through gritted teeth.

The three of them were struggling now, since they could feel their powers being drained away at a rapid pace. Their faces were becoming slightly pale, and their expressions were no longer relaxed like earlier.

The seals came undone, cracking into pieces as the light and dark magic dissipated into the air. At the same time, a shockwave spilled out in the process and caused everyone to be flung away.

"Whoa!"

"Are you sure this wouldn't hit other parts of the ship?! Xue! Raz!"

"It won't!"

"...hopefully."

"Hopefully?!"

Most of them stabilised themselves quickly enough with their own strength or powers, while Hana was the only one who didn't react in time.

She let out a startled yelp, her body flying.

"Gotchu!"

"We got you, Hana."

Hana felt herself slamming into two different people, both of them saving her from crashing onto the wall. She glanced up with wide eyes, realising it was Kiyae and Cecil.

Kiyae winked at her and Cecil gave her a smile.

"Hehe, thank you!" Hana beamed at them.

The shockwave and gusts of wind died down, and everyone regained their balance. They glanced around the room, Ryo letting out a whistle.

"It's all smashed into pieces!" Ryo laughed.

"Why are you guys always damaging my ships one way or another?" Haru sighed in frustration.

"This time, it actually is a ship that belongs to you," Yun nodded. "Just this once."

Raz panted heavily, lifting his head up and he could feel hope welling up in his heart as he did so.

Did it work?

It has to work.

Raz was desperate.

Whether it was to make up for his guilt for failing the lord he admired and his close friend, or his attempt to prove that he could help them...

He didn't know.

K'xug swiped off the debris from his clothing, keeping his wings and bringing his head up. Everyone waited with bated breaths, giving him a hopeful stare.

He gave a breathy chuckle in response to their expressions, his lips starting to move.

"Your method worked, Raz. Thank you."

Everyone heard a low and clear voice from K'xug.

A long silence filled the air before Haru, Kiyae and Ryo broke out into cheers.

"K'xugggg!" Hana squealed in delight, rushing towards him with a hug. "You can speak! You can speak again!"

K'xug grinned, returning Hana's hug with equal joy.

Hana was overjoyed to the point where she teared up, squishing K'xug's cheeks and the man could only blink in bewilderment.

Raz sighed in relief, resting his head on his palm. "It really did work..."

"I'm glad it worked out." Cecil smiled, walking towards K'xug and Hana.

"I would be fine if you didn't talk either, since you never stopped insulting me." Xue walked over as well, naturally placing his arm around Cecil. "Whether it was now or in the past."

"It's hard not to insult you."

Xue narrowed his eyes at K'xug, before scoffing and extending his hand out.

"Good to have you back completely, K'xug."

"..." K'xug looked down at Xue's hand, showing an inscrutable expression.

Cecil looked at Xue's extended hand as well, blinking rapidly.

A handshake?

Doesn't seem...too formal?

Cecil imagined them to be hugging one another in an amicable manner.

"Tsk tsk." Kiyae wagged her finger, her tone full of disapproval. "That's not how you celebrate between good buddies!"

She smacked K'xug on the back, meanwhile, Haru appeared behind Xue and shoved him forward.

Cecil gasped in shock, stepping aside.

K'xug and Xue ended up hugging one another weirdly.

Ryo snickered at the scene.

"Yep! That's how you do it!" Haru grinned, rubbing at his nose proudly.

Kiyae winked over at the two ladies who were giggling to themselves.

Yun shook his head at the antics of his friends.

The two men sighed, giving each other a hug in the end as they patted each other on the back.

"Now that I think of it, you liked going around giving hugs like that as Poop God." K'xug muttered out.

"Shut up."

***

The party that came to halt for the group was finally resumed. This time, the occasion called for another big celebration, since undoing the seals for K'xug was a complete success.

They were in the banquet hall on the ship, accommodating all of the crew onboard as the party went on through the night.

Just like how Haru and the others easily warmed up with Xue and K'xug, they soon became drinking buddies with Raz. They encouraged Raz to chug down drink after drink, and since angels and demons were vastly different from mortals, they had a higher tolerance to alcohol.

It still did not mean they could not get drunk though.

"The more I drink, the more fascinated I am," Raz noted in awe, sipping at the remnants of his wine. "I did not know there existed such a delicious wine in the mortal realm."

"It's great, isn't it?" Ryo nudged at him. "Huh? Huh?"

Raz nodded as Ryo poured him another cup.

"It's a speciality from the town we were previously in," Yun explained. "The fruit used to make this wine only grows in that town and nowhere else."

"If we had such a wine to drink while being stationed at our camps," Raz mused, stirring the wine in his cup. "It wouldn't feel as dreary."

"That's impossible," Xue stated, gulping down his own share of wine as well. "Our land doesn't allow most plants or fruits from the mortal realm to grow."

Raz shook his head, lamenting.

"Our?" K'xug repeated Xue's choice of word, raising his eyebrow.

Cecil heard that word as well, blinking in surprise.

Xue stiffened, closing his eyes as he grimaced. "Force of habit."

"It's not a bad thing." K'xug said.

Xue frowned at K'xug.

"That's true." Raz nodded in agreement.

"What do you mean by that?" Xue questioned them.

"Exactly what I mean." K'xug shrugged.

"Exactly what K'xug means." Raz nodded again.

Cecil sighed.

She figured out the intended meaning behind their words.

She didn't want to see it happen either. A situation where Xue is wholly swallowed up by his hatred and suffering, leaving nothing behind other than a hollow shell of himself.

He had gone through enough.

Why does he have to suffer more like that?

It's unfair.

She did not want Xue to forgive and forget.

She simply wanted him to...live happily.

Nevertheless, it was something easier said than done.

It all depends on the individual himself.

She turned to the man beside her, seeing his irked expression. She smiled to herself, knowing that Xue could probably interpret the meaning of their words. She grabbed her spoon and scooped up a small serving of the dish in front of her.

This was all she could do now.

For him.

"Xue, try this," she smiled at him, offering him the spoon. "It's Hana's new recipe, and it's delicious."

His expression softened and his stiff posture began to ease up.

He gladly accepted the food she offered to him, and nodded his head with a tiny grin.

"Yeah, it's delicious."

The tiny grin was all she needed to see.

Yes, this was all she could for him now.

Cecil smiled wider.

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

Friendly hugs were really his speciality.

So much so that two demon brothers were annoyed with him.

Hah...

Those were...really good memories.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

When will he ever stop using that damned nickname?

I never should have asked that bastard Veau what they called me that day.

No, in the first place...

Why are those moments still so clearly embedded in my memory?

There is no point in remembering them...is there?

《 stop 》