"Rest well, Hannya," Lightless Moonlight whispered as he closed the door to the back room of the council. You survived. But next time, I will not allow such a thing. Even if Master allows it.

  "Kavinash," Lightless Moonlight walked slowly toward him.

  "Hm? What is it, Moony?" Still gathering the shattered remains of the bone gate, Kavinash didn't bother to look up. "Anything wrong?"

  "Calling me 'bastard' never goes unpunished." His voice was cold and emotionless. Slowly, he crouched beside Kavinash. "And I'm sure you know that." His grip tightened over Kavinash's fingers, pulling them back until four fingers snapped at once.

  "Ouch! Son of a—!"

  Lightless Moonlight gave him a cold, amused smile. "You've healed worse than that in seconds. Don't act like it's a big deal."

  "Yeah, yeah, right. Let me just…" Kavinash tore off his broken fingers. Blood spilled from the wounds. In an instant, all four fingers grew back. He clenched his fist a few times, then grinned. "Good as ever!"

  Lightning strikes appeared outside the council. Both of them locked their eyes on the phenomenon. A portal shaped itself, and Lightning Dragon stepped through with Sihil's wounded body in his arms. Alucard followed beside them.

  "Sihil!?" Kavinash rushed toward Lightning Dragon, taking Sihil from his arms. "You dumb shit! What happened!?"

  "He's unconscious, Kavinash. Stop shouting. Hannya is also asleep in the back room," Lightless Moonlight whispered, his hands gently examining the wounds. "Light magic. He must have been out of his mind to challenge you, Alucard."

  Kavinash stood silently beside him. I'm sorry, Hannya… I never learned to be quiet for you.

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  His grip tightened over Sihil's arm.

  "He was successful, Lightless Moonlight," Lightning Dragon said, eyes fixed on him. Please don't notice Darkness Dragon's absence… Please!

  "Master is in the temple. He will be pleased when he sees Alucard." Lightless Moonlight glanced at Kavinash. A small nod was all he gave.

  Lightning Dragon let out a long exhale of relief as Kavinash and Lightless Moonlight moved toward the back room where Hannya rested.

  "Thank the True Darkness he didn't notice…" he murmured.

  "That creature… Lightless Moonlight…" Alucard whispered, his body tensing, eyes widening.

  Lightning Dragon glanced at him, his own form shivering slightly. "He is a living blade… a walking death-bringer… One wrong step—"

  "Might have gotten us both killed here…" Alucard finished the thought. Both of them watched as the Third and Second Generals closed the back room doors behind themselves.

  ---

  The Abyss's back room was unlike anything in the valley, temple, or council. Lit by only a few candles, the wooden roof and walls caught their dim light. Soft cotton-like fabrics lay spread across the ground. The air carried the gentle scent of aromatic incense—rain and jungle—rising from a stone burner on a shell. The pink flower now rested beside them.

  They both cleaned their feet on the magic imbued carpet before stepping onto the fabrics. Kavinash carefully placed Sihil's body near Hannya.

  "They're both breathing steadily…" he murmured, smiling as if to reassure himself. "We should thank Liniah for placing this incense here…" His eyes glanced at the burner. "That country in the human world has a fantastic culture."

  A faint smile appeared on Lightless Moonlight's face—both from Kavinash's words and from seeing Hannya stir.

  "K-Kavinash…?" Hannya raised a hand, fingers tracing along his arm. "I'm not… dead?" A pained smirk appeared on his face.

  "No, you dumbass… You still have to survive my bad jokes." Kavinash smiled, tears of happiness falling freely down his cheeks.

  "You're crying…" Hannya's smirk softened into a tender smile.

  "Shut up… It's—it's the incense smoke. It's blurring my vision!" he protested, but made no real move to wipe the tears away.

  Hannya's eyes darted to Sihil, and he let out a small laugh, hiding it with a cough. "Guess I wasn't the only one who had a near-death experience…" He smiled, letting his hand fall from Kavinash's arm and rest on the ground again. I'm glad I'm not the only one burdening you all.

  "Welcome back, Fifth General of the Abyss." Lightless Moonlight clasped his hands behind himself, watching from two steps away. Welcome home, Hannya. Never make us worry for you like this again.