Guilford looked up to the dark skies, half relieved and half baffled. It was only a matter of time before dawn falls upon them. This whole mess brought back memories of old, ones that he treasured deeply.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Estella, Daria, Nike..."</span>he mumbled.<span style="color: #0080FF">"You would be proud of your baby girl. Did you see what she just did?"</span>a solemn smile graced his lips as he nurtured the nostalgia he was feeling.<br/><br/>"Captain! Are you alright?! Sorry we're late!" Alfrei bowed in apology as the rest of Squad Eight approached their Captain.<br/><br/>Guilford turned his attention to the speaker, tired eyes falling to a relieved expression at the sight of Fiona. She was shaken up and wounded, but alright nonetheless.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Winded, but I'll live. Your timing is impeccable, no need to apologize."</span>he said and walked past his Vice Captain, patting the man approvingly on the shoulder. He then headed straight for the still shaken Fiona. How would he comfort her? What words should he say? One look was enough for anyone to realize how frightened she was. Though her arms were stiff, her hands were shaking uncontrollably, and it was obvious how hard the female knight tried to still them. Guilford also noticed her eyes, she may be looking at him but suffice to say, her presence of mind was elsewhere. Guilford had to snap his fingers a few times to break her fear-induced trance.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Fiona?"</span>he called out to her, waiting for his newest member to come to her senses.<br/><br/>"Y-yes?" she croaked, swallowing a gulp of air right after.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"If you would excuse me..."</span>he said and reached a hand out, finding its place on her wounded abdomen. "O-oh! I c-can do that myself Captain..." she protested but Guilford paid her no mind.<span style="color: #0080FF">"This is the least I could do. Please, allow me."</span>Even knowing that his own magic reserves was at its lowest, Guilford channeled Healing into his hand that was pressed on Fiona's wound. Light sputtered around his hand, like a lamp losing fuel. This forced the Seraph to concentrate harder, digging deep for any last bits of magic he still has. The remaining members of Squad Eight noticed their Captain struggling with a simple Healing spell but none of them pointed it out. Doing something personally for someone from their squad was just his way of saying thanks had they done something he approved of.<br/><br/>When he had finished healing her, Guilford drew his hand back and placed it on Fiona's shoulder. He gave her a pat of approval and a smile.<span style="color: #0080FF">"You did extremely well today. I am proud of you."</span>he smiled at the female knight, noting that her trembling had somewhat lessened.<br/><br/>Normally, Fiona's grace would tell her to say that 'I am not worthy of such praise' but today had been one terrifying ordeal for her. She was just glad to have made it out alive. "Thank you Captain..." she murmured almost silently. Guilford patted her shoulder again and turned to face his squad. As much as his body screamed and yearned for a much needed rest, there was still so much that needed to be done. He took a step forward but immediately stopped after realizing that he was seriously running on fumes. The aches in his body were starting to feel amplified, no doubt due to the strain of tapping into the Divine Realm so much. Still, a Seraph should never show weakness in front of Knights, a Seraph should always be on top of things. Guilford planted his feet on the ground, making sure he wouldn't lose his balance. He motioned for his squad to come closer when a voice suddenly spoke up from behind him.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Sorry to interrupt, but I’m thinking we should get out of here? The wounded need to get out from under this taint,”</span><br/><br/>Guilford turned around to face the owner of the voice.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“We need to see what the aftermath of this fight was on the forces, get the absolved Sinner recuperated, maybe scour through the ruins if we can get some fresh troops from Bastille..”</span><br/><br/>She looked like hell, though he too was in the same boat.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“and tally up the aftermaths of this fight. Am I forgetting anything, Gil?”</span><br/><br/>She was still in Seraph mode. Impressive really. Had she been anyone else, Guilford doubted they'd have the tenacity needed to keep on going even after fighting such a monstrosity.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Yeah you are. How are you holding up?"</span>he pointed at her wound that looked like minor healing had been done on it.<br/><br/>Lethe tilted her head to the side, perturbed by the idea that she'd missed something. Regrouping, taking stock of injuries, relocating the absolved Sinners: what else could there be? She followed the line of Gil's fingers, coming to a stop on,<span style="color: silver">"Oh."</span>One hand instinctively lifted as if to shield the wound but she stopped herself before she touched it. She lowered her hand back to her side even as she returned her attention to her fellow Seraph.<span style="color: silver">"It's fine, Gil. Nothing life threatening. How about you?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Tired, really tired."</span>he said, trying hard not to sound so. Still, her slightly contorted face failed to convince Guilford that she was fine. Though as Seraphs, he knew all too well that they had a reputation and image to keep. As much as he wanted her out of here to get treatment, her determination to see things through to the end will come out on top. Gil sighed,<span style="color: #0080FF">"Just don't forget that it is also our responsibility to stay healthy. Don't push yourself too hard."</span>he reminded her and turned to look around Santa Olivia.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Regardless, I was thinking the same thing."</span>he continued, jumping back on topic rather quickly.<span style="color: #0080FF">"As much as I want everybody to pull out and call it a day, there is still much that needed to be done."</span>he paused, one hand cupping his chin in thought.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Eve came here for a reason, we need to find out what."</span><br/><br/>After giving it a few moments in thought, Guilford straightened himself and looked to his squad.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Georg, Fiona, Natalia, take Lance with you. You three will be in charge of getting the wounded and the absolved out of town."</span>his gaze then turned to the remainder of Squad Eight.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Alfrei, Vlad, we need to contain this taint and keep it from spreading out. Gather those who are still able and start cleansing the town center. We need a foothold to conduct further investigations."</span>he then turned to the last two from his squad.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Joaquim, Hyuga, I want you two to take a group of able knights and gather what we need so we can set up camp here for the time being. If you could find refreshments from our supplies, we'd appreciate it."</span><br/><br/>With his orders given, Guilford turned his attention to his fellow Seraph.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Santa Olivia is quite big. I would prefer having a small force stationed here but we'll make do with just a skeletal force for now."</span>his eyes then turned to look at Squad Ten, Cricket in particular before falling back to Lethe.<span style="color: #0080FF">"You have one of the fastest knights, could you send him to Rasova to get reinforcements from Knight Commander Romuald?"</span>he cringed at the aches that were starting to get to him.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I'll take the Northern and Western sides of town. As for the other two sides, I'll defer to your best judgment."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Fifty steps laughing at one hundred steps.”</span>Lethe chided in return but otherwise let the topic go. Both wanted to rest; neither could.<span style="color: silver">“Cricket, can you go to Rasova and fulfill Master Guilford’s request? See if someone can lend you a horse. Seraphim, Deimos: join Georg, Fiona, and Natalia in leading the troops back to Santa Olivia please.”</span>All three nodded in acquiescence but none moved. Cricket’s gaze was focused on Valiar; Seraphim’s on all of them.<span style="color: silver">“He’ll stay with me. Now go. Sooner we get reinforcements, sooner we’ll be out of here. But stay safe.”</span>The old Knight grinned and slung an arm around her reassuringly, the action finally prompting the three Knights to turn towards their tasks. Lethe hated to deny a cleric from the wounded, but her squad would just be distracted with worry otherwise. At least now they’d have some peace of mind to focus on their tasks.<br/><br/>She looked at her remaining squad members before focusing on the man next to her. Sure she’d said Valiar would be with her, but that didn’t mean he had to escort her, did it? She didn’t realize she was staring intently at him until Adair spoke up, “No, he doesn’t have to stay with you, but at least one of us will.” She startled at the unexpected sound, just realizing she must have spaced out.<span style="color: silver">“Uhm..”</span>She scrambled to recollect her thoughts,<span style="color: silver">“Right then, please help set up the field base here then, Valiar. As for...”</span>She turned her head to look around her, trying to reorient herself.<span style="color: silver">“Gil, there’s something I need to see in the Western sector. You can take the whole of it, but I’d like to pick up what I saw earlier.”</span>The eye of Sin flashed in her mind, a reminder of what exactly she wanted to ‘pick up;’ it was enough to have her frowning.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“YunQiao, Adair: would you come with me? Leon, if you could help out here.”</span>The Knight ordered absent-mindedly, her mind still on the maps and box—and Bryn—from earlier. She turned to leave but found herself walking into an arm.<br/><br/>“Captain.” Wide eyes settled on an equally parts amused and concerned Valiar, “The Southern and Eastern sides?”<br/><br/>Gil's attention was brought back to his fellow Seraph at the mention of her wanting to pick up something from the western sector. He stopped giving additional instructions and clarifications to Joaquim and Hyuga to look at the female Seraph.<span style="color: #0080FF">"If it caught your attention in the middle of battle, and retain it even after, it must be something important."</span>excusing himself from Joaquim and Hyuga's company, Gil walked back towards Lethe and some of her squad members.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Please, accompany her and see it through. I would appreciate it if you'd let us know."</span>Gil looked at Lethe in particular, giving her the 'be careful' look he had given her so many times when they were still in one squad.<span style="color: #0080FF">"We'll be right here."</span><br/><br/>Having said that, Gil turned around wondering how to help the able knights cleanse a portion of the town center to be used as their temp camp. With his magic reserves emptied out to the last drop, it would be a miracle if he could conjure up Repent in his current state. Still, there has to be something that he can do.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Ahh right... I came from a family of blacksmiths, manual labor would be just fine."</span>he said mostly to himself, dreading the fact that physical labor began to feel like an arduous task.<br/><br/>With the orders given out, time ticked on ever so slowly, each knight seeing through their given assignments. The male Seraph was helping the able knight haul materials they can use to set up camp, all the while wondering about the meaning behind Eve's retreat...<br/><br/><br/>____________________________________<br/><br/><br/>Several hours later...<br/><br/><br/>"CAPTAAAIIINN!!"<br/><br/>There was simply no mistaking that voice. The chipper tone it had wasn't helping either. Guilford sighed, whatever caused Hyuga to be in such an uproar, must be important. Forcing himself back up to his feet with a grunt, Guilford made his way out of his tent. Not a moment too soon, he spotted Hyuga along with Leon. The two of them were sharing the load of a single chest, making their way to Guilford with haste. Upon reaching the Seraph, the two of them dropped the chest with a sigh of relief.<br/><br/>"Captain, you wouldn't believe what we found!" Hyuga exclaimed, appearing to be overly excited about something. The Seraph simply inhaled, motioning for the other to continue. Hyuga then stooped down in front of the chest and popped it open, revealing loads and loads of familiar looking crystals, only they were glowing a golden light. A puzzled look immediately crept its way to Guilford's features.<br/><br/>"This isn't the only one Captain." he informed the Seraph, glancing over to his far left where more knights were bringing in more chests.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Okay, it's hardly surprising that we would find Sin Crystals here Hyuga. What am I missing?"</span><br/><br/>Hyuga stood up slowly, taking one crystal in hand. "The mere fact that these have all been cleansed and powered by the Light is impressive don't you think? I surmise that it has something to do with the incredible Light that bathed Santa Olivia."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Lance..."</span>Guilford mumbled to himself, only to realize that the look Hyuga had was simply pure admiration for the cleansing phenomena. Of course he would be impressed, it takes a lot of effort and Holy Power just to cleanse one of these things.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Okay, this isn't exactly what you want to tell me is it?"</span><br/><br/>"Ask us where we found these." he chimed.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Alright, where?"</span><br/><br/>Hyuga then pulled out a map of Santa Olivia and showed it to Guilford, on it were several markers. "Leon's phenomenal sensing abilities allowed us to find these chests," Hyuga began, "and I'm telling you Captain, they are well hidden. Whoever is stockpiling them definitely had plans on using them for something."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"And that something is?"</span><br/><br/>Hyuga slowly but surely began to act all nerdy. "You see Captain, that's the thing. I've been trying to figure that out but so far I'm running in circles." he turned to the map he held. "As I said earlier, these chests were hidden very well, and not just in random places but predetermined points. Using Oversight, I marked these said points on this map, here, here, here, here, and here as well, then a few more..." he trailed off, flipping the map to reveal its backside where he had another sketch. "Since our knights began cleansing the taint, I started feeling Magnus Vibrations all over town. I just couldn't pinpoint them exactly until I ran into Leon here." he chanced a look at the knight from Squad Ten. "He himself sensed the Magnus Vibrations and were tracking them, though I doubt he knows what he was looking for..." he looked at Leon again, "No offense there buddy, your sensing skills are exceptional." he praised the young knight before turning his gaze back to his Captain.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Wait, you lost me. Magnus Vibrations? You mean like Resonance?"</span><br/><br/>"Similar concept yet entirely different." Hyuga interjected, poising himself for a mini-lecture. "Magnus Vibrations are more faint, more subtle, hard to track easy to lose, and it lingers for a very long time. It can also be felt only by those with ridiculously high magic affinity, or extreme skill of sensing magic like my friend Leon here," he gave the other credit. "whereas Resonance is obviously disturbing and easily identifiable, goes away as soon as the spell ends, and can be felt or sensed by anyone." he lectured his Captain. "It's like when somebody uses powerful magic, you feel it even from far away, that is Resonance. Magnus Vibrations are like the signature of a caster. You feel them mostly from powerful spells that are meant to last." he was about to cite more examples but his Captain cut him off.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Hyuga."</span>Gil looked at him with a slightly bored look.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I think I got it."</span><br/><br/>"W-well, my apologies. Where was I?" he struggled to collect himself after the interruption. "Ahh here, look at this Captain," he pointed at his sketch. "The Magnus Vibrations are strongest at these points, and here..." he pulled out a different piece of paper. "In those points, we found these..." he paused to show the Seraph his notes.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Seals?"</span><br/><br/>"It's more than that Captain," he answered immediately. "Seals within seals within seals... I've never seen anything this complex!" he cried out, "and not only that, it wouldn't come as a surprise if these points intersect to form an even larger seal. I just can't figure out the inscription, it's way beyond my knowledge." he frowned at his own incompetence. "Whoever did this certainly didn't want this to be found." he added before falling silent.<br/><br/>A chill ran down Guilford's spine as soon as a memory struck home. Hyuga was not too far off his assumptions. This was indeed a Seal, Palaugrim's Great Seal, or to be more accurate, one of its many anchor points. Its existence was a closely guarded secret. The lesser the people who knows of this, the safer the four islands will be. Even Seraphs such as him and Lethe were strictly forbidden from talking or sharing information about it. They were also only ever granted superficial knowledge about The Four Great Seals, anything beyond what little they already know, remained a mystery. Guilford swallowed drily. It didn't take a man of Hyuga's intellect to piece the puzzle together. Eve's operation in Santa Olivia without a doubt had something to do with Palaugrim's Great Seal. They were probably trying to corrupt it, and bring the entire island down. Guilford chanced a look over to one of the chests filled with the now cleansed Sin Crystals, that was probably their intended purpose. With this here, it would explain why the Council never opted to have Santa Olivia rebuilt, probably an attempt to make it look like they didn't care about the town; draw suspicion away. Clearly their plan backfired. It wasn't an ideal way of keeping a secret, and it certainly didn't stop the enemy from poking around.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Well done Hyuga, Leon."</span>he praised the two, turning his gaze over to Leon.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I believe you caught all that?"</span>he asked but trusted that the young knight did. He swiped Hyuga's notes from the man and immediately handed them over to Leon.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Go tell your Captain as soon as possible. Tell her I want to talk to her about this in private. She would understand when she sees these."</span><br/><br/>Guilford grew pale, like he had seen a ghost. If Eve knew about the Four Great Seals, it wasn't that hard to imagine the sort of diabolical plans she would cook up with this knowledge. Something needed to be done. Things had just become even more dangerous than the coming thirteenth moon.