Author's Note: Forgot to update again. I hope you'll enjoy the chapter, thank you for always reading c:

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Linqin rode on her treasured mount, her eyes fixated ahead on the tribal village. She saw smoke rising high up into the sky, cursing to herself.

This entire situation was a mess now.

There was only one plan she had in her mind today.

It was to guide around the honoured guests, who were also friends of Haru, Yun, Kiyae and Ryo. The young lord of the Tul continent and his aides. Moreover, the identity and status of the guests were further affirmed by Lord Kiba himself.

Linqin was expecting a simple, light-hearted day.

Yet...

What was this situation?!

The moment they landed here, a mysterious figure appeared beside them and they turned out to be a red-eyed demon. One of their fated enemies!

All of them ran.

Linqin and her tribe members tried to catch them, just as her brother had commanded.

After that, there was a problem within their group. Linqin knew she wasn't a good person like Cecil and Hana, but she wasn't heartless.

They needed a healer.

Every tribe has one.

Since they decided to give up escaping and seek aid from a healer, Linqin didn't apprehend them like criminals.

She had to admit, Xue still scared her. She didn't even know what she saw in him in the past, eager to travel back in time and give her old self a good beating.

Hence, she went back to her tribe to report everything to her brother. Halfway into the discussion, an informant ran into the meeting room and informed them of the news from their scout.

It was one good news.

Just that one good news, and the rest of it was bad news.

The Sacred Forest was safe now, the angels and demons had disappeared from the area. It was as if both sides decided to retreat all at once.

However, not too long later, the scout observing the Qaelai tribe noticed something amiss.

The Qaelai tribe has its own set of rules like other tribes.

Everything they did was to preserve and share intelligence.

That was when the scout saw one of its leaders acting furtively. There was an artefact within the Qaelai tribe that they safeguarded. A long time ago, the three tribes came to an agreement to allow such an to be safeguarded in the hands of their most intelligent people.

A horn.

It was an object used to communicate, or even control, the animals from the Sacred Forest.

He saw the leader going into the storage area and the leader never left. The scout decided to investigate on his own, and that's when he saw it.

Something bursting out from one of the tents, a white-winged person.

Their other fated enemy.

The scout rushed into the storage area where only leaders of the tribe were allowed entry.

The horn was missing!

...and that wasn't just the end.

"A white-winged angel was disguised as one of the leaders of the Qaelai Tribe. They have stolen the horn and are under attack by the white-winged angels."

"Junnae Tribe is under attack by the red-eyed demons."

"The Sacred Forest is in pure chaos right now, the evolved ones are being controlled while its offsprings and less evolved ones are being trampled on."

Linqin could never forget the horror on her brother's face.

It was just like that day.

"Split our forces into three, right now! Retrieve the horn, assist the Qaelai and Junnae!"

Linqin looked back, clenching down on her jaw. There was a fierce look in her eyes that didn't suit her delicate face.

She didn't come this far just to witness all these happen.

She didn't come this far to see the hopes and dreams of her parents crumble down.

She wouldn't let anything or anyone dishonour their last will.

"My fellow Yaehai warriors! We unite and we fight, and this time..." Linqin tightened the grip on her fan, raising her arm into the air. "We will win!"

The tribe members behind her riding their own mount raised their weapons into the air. They let out a thunderous warcry to share their sentiments with her.

Now, Cecil, Xue, Hana and the others were all out of her mind.

She was only focused on her fated enemies.

The same enemies that made her live through an entire lifetime of hell.

"If you see the intruders from before, leave them be!" Linqin commanded. "Right now, they would prove to be allies rather than foes!"

Linqin furrowed her eyebrows.

The four of you.

You better still be up on your feet and fighting back!

After all, Linqin was heading to the Junnae tribe right now, where Cecil and Xue are.

***

A loud clanging sound was heard and Cecil gasped, stumbling back from the force clashing against her daggers. That attack came out of nowhere, and the person behind the attack seemed extremely frustrated with her.

She was supported by an arm on both sides, making her glance up. She saw Wang Jie and Xu Bolin supporting her, showing them a grateful smile.

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks." Xu Bolin smiled kindly.

"If you are really thankful, show it in your actions." Wang Jie grinned wolfishly.

"..."

Cecil gave Wang Jie a deadpan.

Xu Bolin gave Wang Jie a look, shaking his head. "That's why Linqin likes to call you the Junnae brute."

The three of them decided to leave Veau to Xue, running around to save the tribe members that weren't able to hold their own. After all, it wasn't mortals they were dealing with here.

They were fighting demons.

The entire village was like a sea of fire, the stronger tribe members escorting the weaker ones out of the village first. Meanwhile, the others stayed behind to push back their enemies.

"Your soul fragments are flirting with your woman," Veau taunted, raising an eyebrow. "And you are still hellbent on fighting me?"

The tent they were in was torn apart completely.

Xue summoned out a dozen spears made out of light magic, aiming them towards Veau. Veau summoned out swords of his own, and the swords clashed against the spears.

"You take more priority."

"I should feel honoured." Veau shrugged.

"...and besides," Xue mumbled. "Cecil has no time for them."

Xue glanced over, seeing Cecil dashing off from the two men.

It seemed like Veau and his subordinates were determined to wipe this entire village. Xue did not understand why, since

"I'll be off then, please help the others."

"Ah!"

"Hey, Cecil!"

She left Xu Bolin and Wang Jie blinking in confusion. Sprinting across the tribal village, she summoned vines from the ground to drag the injured and weaker ones away from the battlefield.

"Wha--waah!"

"Ahhh!"

"Help meee!"

Their panicked screams were heard as they found themselves being flung across the air, but Cecil didn't need to worry.

She had already stationed people to ensure the safety of those hapless people, including a proper landing. This was the most efficient way to help them, excluding the minor panic attack she gave them by tossing them into the air.

She had been doing this for the past few minutes, and the demons that were chasing after their prey gave Cecil an unhappy and murderous look.

That was probably why she was attacked out of nowhere earlier. The demons were clearly unhappy about her interference.

"Ahhh!"

A scream was heard and Cecil swivelled her head to her left.

She saw a tribal woman carrying a child in her arms. The demon was preparing to strike down on her with his dark magic.

"Stay still!" Cecil hollered.

She knelt down on one knee, her hands touching the soil. Dozens of vines shot out from the ground, coiling around the demon's hand and body, tugging him back. The next second, another group of vines shot up and formed a protective wall over the mother and child.

Cecil hurried over to them, kneeling down again.

"Are you alright?"

The two of them looked at Cecil, nodding gratefully.

Cecil smiled. "Good, now just stay still again."

"...?"

"What?"

The protective wall was destroyed as the demon broke through with his dark magic. Cecil moved at the same time, grabbing hold of the two with her vines and tossing them into the air.

The mother and child screamed, squeezing their eyes closed.

A few seconds later, they felt a gentle force surrounding them and slowing down their descent. They opened their eyes and glanced down, noticing the tribe members who could use the air and water element helping them.

Just as they landed, there was a commotion further ahead.

"Run away!"

"They found us!"

There was a dark swirling mass ahead, a signature move that belonged to those red-eyed demons.

Everyone gathered here were non-fighters or the injured. The only ones who had a chance against these demons were the ones assisting those who were thrown to this temporary hiding area.

"Please run away!"

"We'll hold them back!"

However, before they could even make their escape, the demons moved faster and blocked their way. Their murderous demonic red eyes searched the crowd, and one of them finally decided to speak.

"Reveal yourself! We know you are hiding here somewhere!"

The tribe members huddled together in confusion.

"If you don't, we'll end up killing everyone here right now."

There were no responses to his words, and the demons nodded at one another. One of them grabbed a child from the crowd while the others held back the ones who were able to fight. The child began screaming and struggling, the mother crying out for her child.

The demon didn't hesitate to plunge his sword right into the child.

Just before he did so, a burst of light magic shot out from the crowd, gripping onto the sword that was almost grazing the child's skin.

"...!"

"...there you are."

A young woman with short, caramel brown hair stood up in the crowd, her white wings expanding out as she hovered in the air.

"No, Feng!"

"Why did you reveal yourself?!"

"You need to remain hidden!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" she exclaimed, seething. "I'm tired of hiding and seeing people getting hurt because of me! You don't need to protect me anymore!"

The presence of the light magic was so strong, it spread all the way to the village.

Cecil, Veau and Xue turned their heads in the midst of their battles.

"...!"

Cecil gasped.

"That's the direction where the people are supposed to hide!"

She didn't wait, rushing off.

Xu Bolin and Wang Jie called out to her as she left once again. They were still preoccupied with helping the others.

"I'll leave everything here to the both of you!" Cecil hollered, summoning vines to boost her speed.

Those were her last words as her figure grew smaller within a matter of seconds.

"So that's where they have been hiding the informant." Veau mused out.

"Informant?"

"A plan hatched by the rebels, in a desperate attempt to overpower us," Veau explained. "You see, within the three tribes, one of them possessed an artefact that controlled the animals in the forest. How else would they be able to live so peacefully with evolved beasts?"

"So they placed a spy in each tribe, to find out the whereabouts of the artefact." Xue deduced.

"That's right," Veau clapped. "Your deductions are always accurate."

"..."

"Now, since there's no point in staying here..." Veau shrugged, smiling lazily as he waved.

Veau's figure disappeared into a dark mist, floating over to the direction of the light magic.

"Bastard." Xue clicked his tongue, following after Veau without any hesitation.

***

K'xug swung his twin swords, sheathing them.

Raz panted heavily, putting away his sword as well and glanced at K'xug, an aggrieved look on his face.

"It seems I am in dire need of training."

"Want me to give you some pointers?" K'xug asked.

Raz started to recall the days he trained alongside K'xug and Xue, forcing a smile on his face as he shook his head vehemently.

"No thank you, I think I can handle myself."

K'xug shrugged.

The two of them managed to defeat the three demons, and they retreated. They clearly weren't ordered to take down K'xug with their lives on the line. Meanwhile, the demons residing here in this town had all escaped.

Fortunately, the buildings were all still intact due to being reinforced. However, their fight left the town in a sorry state. The buildings were rather decrepit to begin with, moreover since this place was a forbidden zone.

The only reason they would reside here would be for the experiments they would use in the forbidden zone, or because they were given specific instructions and permission.

At least, K'xug ensured his attacks did not injure any innocent bystanders, whether they were demons or not.

"What are you doing here, Raz?"

Raz regained his breath, wiping away the sweat on his forehead. "Espionage."

K'xug gave him a questioning glance.

"The remaining angels, those who can fight, are rebelling and desperately finding a way to win over the demons with their dwindling forces," Raz explained. "It isn't just the angels I have to observe, but the demons too."

"Have you found out anything of significance?"

Raz shook his head. "Even if I did, I'm sure you have witnessed them yourself. Hence, I'm guessing that's the reason you travelled back here?"

"...no." K'xug furrowed his eyebrows, taking a moment to answer Raz. "It's not for a good reason."

"...?"

"..."

Right now, the only ally he had here was Raz and nobody else. The angels treated Xue as their enemy, and so did the demons.

Everyone knew K'xug was Xue's closest aide, even now.

"Raz, do you know of the soul-binding spell that utilizes a needle?"

"I have heard of that horrid spell before from a demon, in the past, it was used as a means to cure ailments concerning one's soul. Overtime, it was used for cruel means."

"Zeau used it on Hana," K'xug said bluntly. "And she's here somewhere, now."

"What? How--" Raz widened his eyes in realisation, nodding to himself. "Alright, I understand the situation now."

K'xug sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"What do you need me to do?"

"...you want to help me?" K'xug questioned in surprise.

"I made a promise, didn't I?" Raz grinned. "Besides, Hana is considered a dear friend to me as well."

K'xug smiled.

"First, we need to find a way out of here, discreetly," he added, looking at Raz. "And find out exactly where Zeau is keeping Hana."

"The first one is fairly simple, but the whereabouts of Hana and Zeau..." Raz mused out, closing his eyes thoughtfully.

"I'll search through the entire demon realm if I have to." K'xug growled out.

Raz opened his eyes in shock.

"...even if it's the entire world, I'll do it..." K'xug continued mumbling out.

Raz patted K'xug on the shoulder, nodding. "If it's you, I believe it's possible. Though, I would prefer for that to not happen."

***

In the highest floor of a tower located near the castle that belonged to the demon lords, a red-haired woman was shoved into a room. The room was furnished with a simple bed and cupboard.

"This is where you'll stay."

"...why are you letting me stay here?"

The demon smirked, a mocking tone in his voice. "Didn't you know?"

"...?"

Hana tilted her head.

"The rebels are scrambling high and low looking for you," he answered. "Those idiotic mutts think you are their only salvation, to bring the Supreme God they once betrayed back to their side."

"..."

"The Lord said you are to remain in this room."

"Until when?"

The demon walked towards the doors that led down to a long winding stairway, glancing back at Hana before he closed them.

"Forever."

The doors slammed shut.

Hana spun around, trudging towards the window. Her lifeless eyes stared up, and all she could see was the mauve-coloured skies surrounded by demons.

She clenched her fists, looking down.

"...so it's because of me again."

Hana looked at the doors.

"Don't come for me," she whispered out. "Because, I will never take a step out of here."

***

《 start 》

It's because of me.

It's because of me again.

Again...

And again...

I should just...

《 stop 》