![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[ canon update ] from 77 to 121
Player: Laena
Character: Hak
Current Canon Point: Chapter 77
Updated Canon Point: End of Chapter 121
Updated Background:
ALL THE WAY FROM 77 TO 121 HERE WE GO. However I will be kind and just summarize each arc event. I lied, it's still long (a lot happened okay).
Nadai Arc [77-93]
Jae-ha is first drugged with something called "nadai." Hak helps deal with his symptoms (as in, restraining him and hitting him until he vomited most of it out), and the group eventually learns that nadai is a drug that is brought it from the Kai province. During their investigations they encounter and save Lili, daughter of the Water Tribe's General Joon-Gi. Along with her aids, Tetora and Ayura, the groups work together. While the girls are together, Hak joins Jae-ha and Kija to go to the red light district where Jae-ha had been drugged. They fake being drugged and deal with the smugglers. However, while this is happening, the girls are attacked by Nadai smugglers and the ringleader himself, Hiyou. They are able to fend them off, but Yona is slashed in the back. Shin-ah finally arrives and starts doing his thing, but before he could attack them, Yona slashes Hiyou's face to give him another scar.
Hak returns with the others after all of those events, so he's clearly shocked that he hadn't been there to protect her. He stays by Yona's side until she awakens. He listens to what she has to say regarding Hiyou and Kai, but then Yona starts feeling self-conscious about her current state. When she asks for water, Hak helps support her and drink. However, during this whole time he has a deep, grave face, one that Yona wishes she could dispell. She tells him that he should feel responsible for her wound, but after she's fallen asleep, Hak only stares down at her and says that she's too important to him not to.
Later when Yona is having her bandages changed, Hak is just watching nonchalant, which makes Yona feel self-conscious and orders him to turn around ("What's the point? Your body lacks sex appeal"). Lili and her aids come to visit and greet Yona before informing the group they are heading back to Suiko to report the incidents and speak with her father. Meanwhile, Yona's group would continue their travels to further their own investigations.
Jae-ha and Yona go scout ahead to Sensui, where they hide until Hak and the rest find them. They then learn that Hiyou is looking for Yona and make themselves known, dispatching assassins and routing out the merchants. Hak and Zeno follow Shin-ah to the harbor, where they notice an incoming fleet of ships. Hak stays with Shin-ah as Zeno goes to warn Yona and the group (who have now met with Lili who has also met Soo-Won and Joo-Doh). After the main group hatch a plan to fight the ships, Jae-ha is sent to inform them. Hak would be part of the attack, and he gets a first hint that Soo-Won is around when Jae-ha mentions him saying "because Raijuu's there."
After dealing with the ships, Hak returns in time to save Yona and Zeno from being stabbed by Hiyou. By using his harm to take the attack instead. After decking Hiyou in the face, and despite the wound and blood loss from pulling out the blade on his own, Hak focuses on one person only: Soo-won. The guards fall easily, including Joo-doh as he lunges after Soo-Won. Kija and Jae-ha try to stop him, with Kija getting punched before Jae-ha grabs him, but he doesn't continue to stop fighting. It's only when Yona comes before him and tells him that she's fine that he finally stops.
Afterward, Hak's wounds have been tended to with the dragons checking up on him. Hak feels a bit guilty about Kija's bruise, and in true Kija fashion, he just said it was a mosquito bite. Hak later goes out to accompany Yona to collect firewood, though he keeps trying to take the firewood away from her. She scolds him, but he takes it anyway. Yona then reaches out and grabs his hand, saying it's limp. There's a moment before he just yanks her forward, proving his grip is perfectly fine. Only after Yona complains about his ridiculous muscles does he laugh a bit, and at this point Yona is so relieved to see him laughing again she starts to cry. At first he wonders what's wrong, but then he pulls her to him. At first it's just a comforting hug, but then Yona fully embraces him.
Once everyone has healed up, they make for their departure. Lili, Tetora, and Ayura send them off with a feast, and it's at this time that Tetora admits to recognizing Hak (although Hak had also recognized her). Hak asks her if they would tell Joon-Gi, but they imply that they won't.
KINSHUU ARC [96-101]
While passing through one of the northern villages close to the Earth Tribe territory, they encounter a boy named Kalgan. He hails from one of the villages in Kai, just across the border. It was a village that used to be part of Kouka before it was taken by Kai. The see soldiers along the river, and decide to head back into Kai to investigate. While Kalgan is pressing Yona on whether she likes Hak, the man himself appears. After hearing that Yona had been staring at him and seemed happy to see him smiling, Hak just stared right in her face, pulled a dumb smile, and asked if it was funny. In other words, he didn't notice anything from Yona's odd behavior.
Along the way, Kija suddenly faints. Kalgan takes them to his village where they try to figure out what is wrong with Kija. One theory includes the possibility of a new dragon warrior being born, which delves into the (short) life cycles of dragon warriors. Then Jae-ha falls, which although kind of troublesome, at least rules that theory out. But because it might be a disease, the villagers become more worried and nervous around them. They then hear of a war between Kouka and Kai, and at that point Shin-ah falls.
Kouka wins the battle that was nearby so the village is spared. Yona and Hak discuss the events together. Hak gives his opinions on the matter, and most of it is strategic. He believes the recovery if this territory was planned and the nadai incident with the Water Tribe was "the perfect excuse." Since Soo-Won had won over Geun-tae, the Earth Tribe general, this win would raise morale within the other tribes. When he mentions that it wasn't just about expanding territory, Yona asks if he understands what Soo-won is thinking. He doesn't, nor does he want to. Yona is starting to see what Soo-won is doing and the potential flaw of her father's rule. She tries to take responsibility for her father's actions (or inactions), but Hak tells her she doesn't need to. That she doesn't need to continue "this journey of atonement."
In the dragon's tent, Zeno informs them that they are likely feeling weak because they are far away from Hiryuu castle, which gives a glimpse of how much Zeno truly knows.
The losing Kai troops start attacking the villages, regardless of whose side they are on. Kalgan manages to run back, with Yona saving him from a chasing soldier. The rest of the cavalry soon arrives and Hak tells Yona to run away with the rest. Yona protests, wanting to fight alongside him, but he refuses. When she starts to tear up and cry, he reaches down and lightly kisses her tears and apologizes. Hak then tells her to go, and once she does, the battle begins. However, Hak doesn't deal with them along for too long. Despite their weakened state, the other dragons appear to help. However, it's clear their conditions are affecting their abilities.
When a group charges toward Yona and Yoon, Zeno dashes forward to shield them. At first, it's pretty gruesome, but then they all witness and discover Zeno's dragon power: immortality. His body hardens to such a degree that nothing can pierce it. If he receives a wound, it heals. Even if he is completely decapitated, the head and body will reattach itself and he is fine. When the soldiers retreat, everyone rushes to him, and afterward after returning to Kouka he explains the basics of his story (their faces when they hear he was once married).
SEIRYUU SIDE ARC [106-108]
When Hak and Yona come back from hunting, they find Yoon in distress because the dragons had disappeared. They eventually find a dragon statue with its head sliced off (Shin-ah's work) and stairs that led underground. As Hak and Yona move in, the opeing closes, leaving Yoon stuck outside. Unable to move back, the two continue forward, only for Yona to collapse. Hak has no choice but to continue forward while carrying Yona, who is actually having a dream about the dragons and learns what is happening. When she awakens, she finds Hak unwell. Apparently the spirits of the previous Seiryuus are all trapped in this place and hold a grudge. They're the reason for Hak's exhaustion. When he shows signs of the effects, Yona grabs him and holds him to her, to which he just jokes around by wondering if this was a good dream. He manages to recover, saying that not being able to see her face in that moment is enough to give him strength.
They eventually reunite with the rest, who had been trying to find Shin-ah and Zeno, and Yona is able to calm Shin-ah and the spirits as well. Yoon also managed to find them through another exit ("Mother!").
SEI ARC [109-121]
The group's travels have once again taken them to Water Tribe territory, this time to the town of Ryuusei. They're out shopping for some new clothes and supplies. After some unintentional flirting between the stupid couple, the group reunite with Ayura and Tetora. Hak asks them what they are doing here and the group learns that Lili was banished from Suiko castle. Of course she can't stay put and intends to go to Sei, another neighboring country. There had been reports of Sei merchants in Water Tribe villages and people disappearing. They would request for the group to go with her.
After comparing Lili to Yona (he's got another princess to handle now), the group stay the night. Hak is still awake when Yona sneaks out from the bedroom she shared with Lili. After finding him, she puts a pendent around his neck. It's a lapis lazuli stone, a charm she had bought in Ryuusui for him before. She bought it as a protective charm. As she turns to leave, Hak stops her, grabbing her hand. He doesn't look at her directly, but he tells her that he's happy for the gift and that he would treasure it. He also tells her that as long as she is happy, the he is "more than happy," too.
When they reach Tousui, one of the reported towns, a festival is occurring. As they go through the streets, Hak surprises Yona, who had been spacing out. He takes her hand as they walk so she doesn't get lost (again) and asks her what's on her mind. However, the problem for Yona is that Hak is the one on her mind so she can't tell him due to how he'd likely react. Just as she tries to move on, the fireworks go off, but amidst the sounds are screams. Hak accompanies Yona, Lili, and Tetora back to the inn, but then they hear about people who have fallen off the bridge into the river. After a glance from Yona, Hak jumps out the window to help.
However, as they group would soon discover, it a was a ploy to get Hak (and later Tetora) out so that Yona and Lili could be drugged and taken away. After almost crushing a thug's leg for information, they learn about a nearby fort and how the kidnapped were used as slaves to build it on the border of Sei so that they could defend themselves and launch an attack on the Water Tribe (an assault later to be revealed to be led by one of the three Sei rulers, Kushibi). Even worse, the water given there is laced with nadai.
And so the group make their way to the fort. Jae-ha and Zeno go to try and find Yona and Lili while Hak, Kija, Shin-ah, and Yoon pretend as slaves to wait on standby before they destroy the fort. They infiltrate, pretending to be slaves, although they actually helped the fort progress faster due to their efficiency. During the night they still hadn't heard from Jae-ha and Zeno, and the group joke about how Hak is and how he's trusting the others now. Because of this realization, Hak wanders off to the fort wall to try and cool his head. There he senses a presence behind Kouka side of the wall, and thinks it might be another slave. However, the voice is not a slave.
It's Soo-won.
While Soo-won speaks, Hak is silent, his rage slowly seething as his nails dig into the walls. But at the end, he answers there will be a signal at dawn, and it's then that Soo-won recognizes his voice. Once again Hak ignores everyone's concerns and has to deal with his inner turmoil. It's only when he remembers Yona's words from before that he manages to calm down.
That dawn, Hak signals to Kija to fire a catapult into the fort. From that point on, Soo-won's group enters the fray and chaos ensues. Hak goes to get rid of the explosives. Old man Mun-dok, who had accompanied Tae-woo (current Wind General in Hak's place) and Han-dae, hears them and goes to deal with them, thinking the explosives are against their side. But just as he strikes, he and Hak exchange looks before the explosive goes off. Hak thinks he was just hallucinating and continues getting rid of them, throwing them at the wall. Han-dae finds Mun-dok on the ground "dead" and charges after the shadow of who he thinks is the one who got rid of him. Once again, there's that split second where it's all clear, only this time Han-dae is able to flick off the explosive with his spear before it goes off. When he sees Mun-dok, he asks what happened to him (of course it was Hak's fault). While Han-dae is crying over Hak, Hak just stares there confused because why are they here.
After he explains the situation, Mun-dok starts throwing the explosives at HIM, which he of course avoids by using Tae-woo's spear. They then learn that there are others and get the idea that Hak has made friends ("no it's not like that") and family ("not really that either...."). They then push Hak into hiding when Joo-doh approaches, and Hak leaves when he sees Yoon signaling them. When they tell him about the Water Tribe and Soo-won's involvement, he informs them that he knows.
They reach the other fort where Lili is kept and prepared to be hung, and there Hak sees Soo-won. There's no time to really react, however, as each side must deal with the enemies. While Soo-won commands his generals, Hak orders the dragons while he goes out to try and rescue Lili. Taking the spear from a soldier, he cuts his way through. Lili is still on the verge of being hung and Soo-won tries to take action by grabbing Joon-gi's bow. He wants to fire an arrow to cut the rope, but who would catch her?
That is when he and Hak lock eyes once more. Without needing to say anything, the moment Kushibi orders for the hanging, Soo-won fires and Hak runs forward. He catches Lili just in time. First Geun-tae rushes in to help Hak, who is unarmed and has soldiers rushing him. He recognizes him, but only focuses on Lili. Ayura and Tetora join in, and Hak leave Lili in their care. Mundok follows and again they pretend to not know each other. When Jae-ha drops in and reports that Yona is fine, Hak actually hugs him, leaving the dragon standing there in shock and confusion ("It was just a greeting.").
While they fight, Soo-won settles things with Kushibi and they are defeated. Hak immediately rushes to Yona side and—
All that emotional rush and relief is going to kick him back into Empatheias WELCOME BACK BRO.
Updated Personality:
While Hak's overall personality hasn't changed, there are a few key developments that have happened over the past 44 chapters. One of the biggest changes is how Hak views the dragon warriors. Before, he just thought of them as a bunch who accompanied Yona and didn't put as much stock or trust in them to protect. It had always been his duty and he had always seen himself as the one to be the most responsible for her. He still believes that, but he does place a lot more trust and faith in the five dragons. Where before he would feel wary if he were not by Yona's side, now he can leave it to any of the dragons and believe in them. This is most evident in the recent chapters when Yona and Lili were kidnapped by Sei. As pointed out by Mundok and Han-dae, it would seem that Hak now considered them like friends or even family—although he would deny it. Regardless, he knows he can trust in them and is grateful for their help, especially when he thinks about what if they had still been alone. He had no one to rely on, but now he does.
In regards to Soo-won, it's been a roller coaster for him. The first "reunion" had sent him into an uncontrollable rage. Contrast it to the most recent Sei arc (roughly 30 chapters later) to where Hak still feels that rage, yet he is able to overcome it. The main reason is Yona. He still has that personal grudge and hatred for Soo-won, but it's also abated a bit by Yona's own testament that she is fine. That Soo-won does not bother her as much as before. Knowing that Yona is all right helps Hak shave off some of that hatred since a lot of it did involve how Soo-won cast Yona aside. And despite that tension between them, the two can still read each other's minds and work together for a greater purpose. There is still some "faith" in each other's actions at least. It's the only reason why he knew and understood what Soo-won was about to do when it came to Lili. In addition, Hak knew Soo-won was there, but instead he focuses on Lili and Yona.
Finally, the development with Yona. Or lack of obvious development. Most of it has been on Yona's side, and Hak just remains dense as ever. However, the moments where his true feelings for the girl make their way known are increasing and becoming more meaningful each time. He said he wouldn't play "jokes" on her anymore with those teasings, but he still gives her a kiss before fighting the soldiers in Kinshuu. There is also the pendant she gives him, which he wears and holds onto. His initial feelings for her haven't wavered—if anything they've deepened. So much so that he can't help but hug Jae-ha in relief when he reports that they found Yona and that she's safe. In addition, and as touched on before, Hak is also allowing himself a little more freedom in regards to his responsibility over Yona. He'll still consider himself at the top, but he can at least feel more comfortable when she's in the others' hands.
Updated Abilities: None.
Other: Coming in a bit battered, but he'll have that pendant and will need—wait, actually his spear will still be in Emp so that works, but he initially won't have his weapon.
Questions: None, just a note that he'll be back on the 4th.
Character: Hak
Current Canon Point: Chapter 77
Updated Canon Point: End of Chapter 121
Updated Background:
ALL THE WAY FROM 77 TO 121 HERE WE GO. However I will be kind and just summarize each arc event. I lied, it's still long (a lot happened okay).
Nadai Arc [77-93]
Jae-ha is first drugged with something called "nadai." Hak helps deal with his symptoms (as in, restraining him and hitting him until he vomited most of it out), and the group eventually learns that nadai is a drug that is brought it from the Kai province. During their investigations they encounter and save Lili, daughter of the Water Tribe's General Joon-Gi. Along with her aids, Tetora and Ayura, the groups work together. While the girls are together, Hak joins Jae-ha and Kija to go to the red light district where Jae-ha had been drugged. They fake being drugged and deal with the smugglers. However, while this is happening, the girls are attacked by Nadai smugglers and the ringleader himself, Hiyou. They are able to fend them off, but Yona is slashed in the back. Shin-ah finally arrives and starts doing his thing, but before he could attack them, Yona slashes Hiyou's face to give him another scar.
Hak returns with the others after all of those events, so he's clearly shocked that he hadn't been there to protect her. He stays by Yona's side until she awakens. He listens to what she has to say regarding Hiyou and Kai, but then Yona starts feeling self-conscious about her current state. When she asks for water, Hak helps support her and drink. However, during this whole time he has a deep, grave face, one that Yona wishes she could dispell. She tells him that he should feel responsible for her wound, but after she's fallen asleep, Hak only stares down at her and says that she's too important to him not to.
Later when Yona is having her bandages changed, Hak is just watching nonchalant, which makes Yona feel self-conscious and orders him to turn around ("What's the point? Your body lacks sex appeal"). Lili and her aids come to visit and greet Yona before informing the group they are heading back to Suiko to report the incidents and speak with her father. Meanwhile, Yona's group would continue their travels to further their own investigations.
Jae-ha and Yona go scout ahead to Sensui, where they hide until Hak and the rest find them. They then learn that Hiyou is looking for Yona and make themselves known, dispatching assassins and routing out the merchants. Hak and Zeno follow Shin-ah to the harbor, where they notice an incoming fleet of ships. Hak stays with Shin-ah as Zeno goes to warn Yona and the group (who have now met with Lili who has also met Soo-Won and Joo-Doh). After the main group hatch a plan to fight the ships, Jae-ha is sent to inform them. Hak would be part of the attack, and he gets a first hint that Soo-Won is around when Jae-ha mentions him saying "because Raijuu's there."
After dealing with the ships, Hak returns in time to save Yona and Zeno from being stabbed by Hiyou. By using his harm to take the attack instead. After decking Hiyou in the face, and despite the wound and blood loss from pulling out the blade on his own, Hak focuses on one person only: Soo-won. The guards fall easily, including Joo-doh as he lunges after Soo-Won. Kija and Jae-ha try to stop him, with Kija getting punched before Jae-ha grabs him, but he doesn't continue to stop fighting. It's only when Yona comes before him and tells him that she's fine that he finally stops.
Afterward, Hak's wounds have been tended to with the dragons checking up on him. Hak feels a bit guilty about Kija's bruise, and in true Kija fashion, he just said it was a mosquito bite. Hak later goes out to accompany Yona to collect firewood, though he keeps trying to take the firewood away from her. She scolds him, but he takes it anyway. Yona then reaches out and grabs his hand, saying it's limp. There's a moment before he just yanks her forward, proving his grip is perfectly fine. Only after Yona complains about his ridiculous muscles does he laugh a bit, and at this point Yona is so relieved to see him laughing again she starts to cry. At first he wonders what's wrong, but then he pulls her to him. At first it's just a comforting hug, but then Yona fully embraces him.
Once everyone has healed up, they make for their departure. Lili, Tetora, and Ayura send them off with a feast, and it's at this time that Tetora admits to recognizing Hak (although Hak had also recognized her). Hak asks her if they would tell Joon-Gi, but they imply that they won't.
KINSHUU ARC [96-101]
While passing through one of the northern villages close to the Earth Tribe territory, they encounter a boy named Kalgan. He hails from one of the villages in Kai, just across the border. It was a village that used to be part of Kouka before it was taken by Kai. The see soldiers along the river, and decide to head back into Kai to investigate. While Kalgan is pressing Yona on whether she likes Hak, the man himself appears. After hearing that Yona had been staring at him and seemed happy to see him smiling, Hak just stared right in her face, pulled a dumb smile, and asked if it was funny. In other words, he didn't notice anything from Yona's odd behavior.
Along the way, Kija suddenly faints. Kalgan takes them to his village where they try to figure out what is wrong with Kija. One theory includes the possibility of a new dragon warrior being born, which delves into the (short) life cycles of dragon warriors. Then Jae-ha falls, which although kind of troublesome, at least rules that theory out. But because it might be a disease, the villagers become more worried and nervous around them. They then hear of a war between Kouka and Kai, and at that point Shin-ah falls.
Kouka wins the battle that was nearby so the village is spared. Yona and Hak discuss the events together. Hak gives his opinions on the matter, and most of it is strategic. He believes the recovery if this territory was planned and the nadai incident with the Water Tribe was "the perfect excuse." Since Soo-Won had won over Geun-tae, the Earth Tribe general, this win would raise morale within the other tribes. When he mentions that it wasn't just about expanding territory, Yona asks if he understands what Soo-won is thinking. He doesn't, nor does he want to. Yona is starting to see what Soo-won is doing and the potential flaw of her father's rule. She tries to take responsibility for her father's actions (or inactions), but Hak tells her she doesn't need to. That she doesn't need to continue "this journey of atonement."
In the dragon's tent, Zeno informs them that they are likely feeling weak because they are far away from Hiryuu castle, which gives a glimpse of how much Zeno truly knows.
The losing Kai troops start attacking the villages, regardless of whose side they are on. Kalgan manages to run back, with Yona saving him from a chasing soldier. The rest of the cavalry soon arrives and Hak tells Yona to run away with the rest. Yona protests, wanting to fight alongside him, but he refuses. When she starts to tear up and cry, he reaches down and lightly kisses her tears and apologizes. Hak then tells her to go, and once she does, the battle begins. However, Hak doesn't deal with them along for too long. Despite their weakened state, the other dragons appear to help. However, it's clear their conditions are affecting their abilities.
When a group charges toward Yona and Yoon, Zeno dashes forward to shield them. At first, it's pretty gruesome, but then they all witness and discover Zeno's dragon power: immortality. His body hardens to such a degree that nothing can pierce it. If he receives a wound, it heals. Even if he is completely decapitated, the head and body will reattach itself and he is fine. When the soldiers retreat, everyone rushes to him, and afterward after returning to Kouka he explains the basics of his story (their faces when they hear he was once married).
SEIRYUU SIDE ARC [106-108]
When Hak and Yona come back from hunting, they find Yoon in distress because the dragons had disappeared. They eventually find a dragon statue with its head sliced off (Shin-ah's work) and stairs that led underground. As Hak and Yona move in, the opeing closes, leaving Yoon stuck outside. Unable to move back, the two continue forward, only for Yona to collapse. Hak has no choice but to continue forward while carrying Yona, who is actually having a dream about the dragons and learns what is happening. When she awakens, she finds Hak unwell. Apparently the spirits of the previous Seiryuus are all trapped in this place and hold a grudge. They're the reason for Hak's exhaustion. When he shows signs of the effects, Yona grabs him and holds him to her, to which he just jokes around by wondering if this was a good dream. He manages to recover, saying that not being able to see her face in that moment is enough to give him strength.
They eventually reunite with the rest, who had been trying to find Shin-ah and Zeno, and Yona is able to calm Shin-ah and the spirits as well. Yoon also managed to find them through another exit ("Mother!").
SEI ARC [109-121]
The group's travels have once again taken them to Water Tribe territory, this time to the town of Ryuusei. They're out shopping for some new clothes and supplies. After some unintentional flirting between the stupid couple, the group reunite with Ayura and Tetora. Hak asks them what they are doing here and the group learns that Lili was banished from Suiko castle. Of course she can't stay put and intends to go to Sei, another neighboring country. There had been reports of Sei merchants in Water Tribe villages and people disappearing. They would request for the group to go with her.
After comparing Lili to Yona (he's got another princess to handle now), the group stay the night. Hak is still awake when Yona sneaks out from the bedroom she shared with Lili. After finding him, she puts a pendent around his neck. It's a lapis lazuli stone, a charm she had bought in Ryuusui for him before. She bought it as a protective charm. As she turns to leave, Hak stops her, grabbing her hand. He doesn't look at her directly, but he tells her that he's happy for the gift and that he would treasure it. He also tells her that as long as she is happy, the he is "more than happy," too.
When they reach Tousui, one of the reported towns, a festival is occurring. As they go through the streets, Hak surprises Yona, who had been spacing out. He takes her hand as they walk so she doesn't get lost (again) and asks her what's on her mind. However, the problem for Yona is that Hak is the one on her mind so she can't tell him due to how he'd likely react. Just as she tries to move on, the fireworks go off, but amidst the sounds are screams. Hak accompanies Yona, Lili, and Tetora back to the inn, but then they hear about people who have fallen off the bridge into the river. After a glance from Yona, Hak jumps out the window to help.
However, as they group would soon discover, it a was a ploy to get Hak (and later Tetora) out so that Yona and Lili could be drugged and taken away. After almost crushing a thug's leg for information, they learn about a nearby fort and how the kidnapped were used as slaves to build it on the border of Sei so that they could defend themselves and launch an attack on the Water Tribe (an assault later to be revealed to be led by one of the three Sei rulers, Kushibi). Even worse, the water given there is laced with nadai.
And so the group make their way to the fort. Jae-ha and Zeno go to try and find Yona and Lili while Hak, Kija, Shin-ah, and Yoon pretend as slaves to wait on standby before they destroy the fort. They infiltrate, pretending to be slaves, although they actually helped the fort progress faster due to their efficiency. During the night they still hadn't heard from Jae-ha and Zeno, and the group joke about how Hak is and how he's trusting the others now. Because of this realization, Hak wanders off to the fort wall to try and cool his head. There he senses a presence behind Kouka side of the wall, and thinks it might be another slave. However, the voice is not a slave.
It's Soo-won.
While Soo-won speaks, Hak is silent, his rage slowly seething as his nails dig into the walls. But at the end, he answers there will be a signal at dawn, and it's then that Soo-won recognizes his voice. Once again Hak ignores everyone's concerns and has to deal with his inner turmoil. It's only when he remembers Yona's words from before that he manages to calm down.
That dawn, Hak signals to Kija to fire a catapult into the fort. From that point on, Soo-won's group enters the fray and chaos ensues. Hak goes to get rid of the explosives. Old man Mun-dok, who had accompanied Tae-woo (current Wind General in Hak's place) and Han-dae, hears them and goes to deal with them, thinking the explosives are against their side. But just as he strikes, he and Hak exchange looks before the explosive goes off. Hak thinks he was just hallucinating and continues getting rid of them, throwing them at the wall. Han-dae finds Mun-dok on the ground "dead" and charges after the shadow of who he thinks is the one who got rid of him. Once again, there's that split second where it's all clear, only this time Han-dae is able to flick off the explosive with his spear before it goes off. When he sees Mun-dok, he asks what happened to him (of course it was Hak's fault). While Han-dae is crying over Hak, Hak just stares there confused because why are they here.
After he explains the situation, Mun-dok starts throwing the explosives at HIM, which he of course avoids by using Tae-woo's spear. They then learn that there are others and get the idea that Hak has made friends ("no it's not like that") and family ("not really that either...."). They then push Hak into hiding when Joo-doh approaches, and Hak leaves when he sees Yoon signaling them. When they tell him about the Water Tribe and Soo-won's involvement, he informs them that he knows.
They reach the other fort where Lili is kept and prepared to be hung, and there Hak sees Soo-won. There's no time to really react, however, as each side must deal with the enemies. While Soo-won commands his generals, Hak orders the dragons while he goes out to try and rescue Lili. Taking the spear from a soldier, he cuts his way through. Lili is still on the verge of being hung and Soo-won tries to take action by grabbing Joon-gi's bow. He wants to fire an arrow to cut the rope, but who would catch her?
That is when he and Hak lock eyes once more. Without needing to say anything, the moment Kushibi orders for the hanging, Soo-won fires and Hak runs forward. He catches Lili just in time. First Geun-tae rushes in to help Hak, who is unarmed and has soldiers rushing him. He recognizes him, but only focuses on Lili. Ayura and Tetora join in, and Hak leave Lili in their care. Mundok follows and again they pretend to not know each other. When Jae-ha drops in and reports that Yona is fine, Hak actually hugs him, leaving the dragon standing there in shock and confusion ("It was just a greeting.").
While they fight, Soo-won settles things with Kushibi and they are defeated. Hak immediately rushes to Yona side and—
All that emotional rush and relief is going to kick him back into Empatheias WELCOME BACK BRO.
Updated Personality:
While Hak's overall personality hasn't changed, there are a few key developments that have happened over the past 44 chapters. One of the biggest changes is how Hak views the dragon warriors. Before, he just thought of them as a bunch who accompanied Yona and didn't put as much stock or trust in them to protect. It had always been his duty and he had always seen himself as the one to be the most responsible for her. He still believes that, but he does place a lot more trust and faith in the five dragons. Where before he would feel wary if he were not by Yona's side, now he can leave it to any of the dragons and believe in them. This is most evident in the recent chapters when Yona and Lili were kidnapped by Sei. As pointed out by Mundok and Han-dae, it would seem that Hak now considered them like friends or even family—although he would deny it. Regardless, he knows he can trust in them and is grateful for their help, especially when he thinks about what if they had still been alone. He had no one to rely on, but now he does.
In regards to Soo-won, it's been a roller coaster for him. The first "reunion" had sent him into an uncontrollable rage. Contrast it to the most recent Sei arc (roughly 30 chapters later) to where Hak still feels that rage, yet he is able to overcome it. The main reason is Yona. He still has that personal grudge and hatred for Soo-won, but it's also abated a bit by Yona's own testament that she is fine. That Soo-won does not bother her as much as before. Knowing that Yona is all right helps Hak shave off some of that hatred since a lot of it did involve how Soo-won cast Yona aside. And despite that tension between them, the two can still read each other's minds and work together for a greater purpose. There is still some "faith" in each other's actions at least. It's the only reason why he knew and understood what Soo-won was about to do when it came to Lili. In addition, Hak knew Soo-won was there, but instead he focuses on Lili and Yona.
Finally, the development with Yona. Or lack of obvious development. Most of it has been on Yona's side, and Hak just remains dense as ever. However, the moments where his true feelings for the girl make their way known are increasing and becoming more meaningful each time. He said he wouldn't play "jokes" on her anymore with those teasings, but he still gives her a kiss before fighting the soldiers in Kinshuu. There is also the pendant she gives him, which he wears and holds onto. His initial feelings for her haven't wavered—if anything they've deepened. So much so that he can't help but hug Jae-ha in relief when he reports that they found Yona and that she's safe. In addition, and as touched on before, Hak is also allowing himself a little more freedom in regards to his responsibility over Yona. He'll still consider himself at the top, but he can at least feel more comfortable when she's in the others' hands.
Updated Abilities: None.
Other: Coming in a bit battered, but he'll have that pendant and will need—wait, actually his spear will still be in Emp so that works, but he initially won't have his weapon.
Questions: None, just a note that he'll be back on the 4th.