<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Day 7: Palaugrim - Fortress Town Hiribah</div></span></span><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"My Light, it is you! Welcome Master Guilford to Hiribah. I trust a night in our inns treated you kindly?"</span><br/><br/>The voice belonged to Knight Commander Heinrich, a famous tactician and the one left in charge of Hiribah after its liberation. He is well known for implementing Hiribah's complex defenses and fortifications. After the battle with Syndra, not once had the town suffered any form of penetration from the taint under his command. He is well respected by his troops and holds considerable influence in the knighthood. Rumor goes that he is striving for a position in the High Council.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"It was adequate."</span>Guilford replied nonchalantly. He was always not the type to pay much attention to worldly pleasure such as comfort.<br/><br/>Eyes panning around the Knight Commander's office, Guilford noted the numerous antiques inside the lavishly designed room. It was a testament to this man's hobby of collecting rare pieces of art, and his inkling to public image and societal status. At a mere glance, this knight office could easily compare to a Nobleman's quarters. It was a fact that did not sit well with the Seraph. What has this knight been doing other than his duties? Guilford's thoughts were interrupted by Heinrich moving in his chair.<br/><br/>"Oh? Was the bed too hard? I guess I would never understand such refined taste Seraphs have." Heinrich mocked and turned around from his seat to face Guilford. "Not to worry, I will immediately have the beds replaced to your liking."<br/><br/>Guilford sighed and motioned for Heinrich's men to leave the room. After making sure that only the two of them were inside the office, Guilford walked over to Heinrich's desk and looked at the knight sternly.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I did not come here to enjoy myself Commander Heinrich. Surely you have heard about <span style="font-style: italic">Liberation</span> despite your absence in Rayitas correct?"</span><br/><br/>The Knight Commander smiled, even though a hint of annoyance was evident in his features. It would seem the renowned tactician has quite a problem with authority. Letting it slide, Guilford watched the man pull out the messages that were spread by the scouts and carrier pigeons from his desk drawer. "I am well aware of your so called operation Master Guilford, but I do not approve of it. This is a waste of manpower."<br/><br/>It took an immense amount of cool for Guilford to restrain himself from flipping Heinrich's desk to epic proportions. When they arrived here, the first thing that Guilford noticed was the sheer amount of reserve knights holed up in town. To see this despite giving clear orders for all Knight Commanders to allocate some of their forces to join the offensive was clearly an act of insubordination. This man had chosen to ignore the call and enjoy his lavish lifestyle while his brothers by oath took to the battlefield.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Is that why you refused to lend some of your men to join the effort? Because you do not approve of my operation? Since when did you start to think that you have authority over a Seraph? Knight Commander Heinrich, depending on your answer, I may or may not be so forgiving."</span><br/><br/>Heinrich gritted his teeth in anger and slammed a fist on his desk. "I have lived my life in Palaugrim while you Seraphs are too busy playing the High Council's good little soldiers! It was with the effort of me and my men that Hiribah survived this long! Where were you when we liberated this town? Where were you when Syndra attacked? Where were you when the taint bared its fangs countless times against this town? I'll tell you Seraph, you were everywhere but here!"<br/><br/>The words hammered Guilford's calm relentlessly. For this man to start thinking only for himself was a telltale sign that he has chosen to live for his own sake and not for the people he sworn to protect. Men like these didn't deserve to be called a champion of the Light. Then it hit him, the name this man mentioned before. What if Syndra's taint started leaking into the people of this town, slowly corrupting those who dwell within the fortified walls to turn them away from the Light? It was a long shot but the possibility was there. Leaning in suddenly, Guilford grabbed Heinrich by his breast plate and pulled the man towards him to gaze into his eyes. It was faint, but the taint was there.<br/><br/>Grabbing Heinrich's forehead with his free hand, Guilford cast Absolve and watched the Knight Commander reel in mild pain as the taint was washed out from him by the Light. Moments later, the Faith necklace that the High Commander wore began to glow dimly, recharging its emptied holy power reserves. It became clear to the Seraph how the taint managed to seep into the Knight Commander, and quite possibly, to the rest of the Pristine Knights stationed here.<br/><br/>"W-What was I...? M-Master Guilford?" Heinrich stuttered, his memories clearly as dazed as he was.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"The taint got to you. I'm assuming your men too are affected. It was slight but still there. Come Commander Heinrich, we have a lot of work to do."</span><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">_________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/><br/>It took them almost four hours to completely cleanse the townsfolk and the knights from the mild taint that seeped into them. After the cleansing, Guilford and his squad along with Knight Commander Heinrich and several of his men made their way into the town square, standing before the only church in Hiribah. Heinrich's men then surrounded the church with Repent to prevent the barely noticeable taint from continuing to spread. Heinrich had in his possession scrolls that documented the last battle with one of Sin's generals, Syndra, and studied it meticulously, looking for a clue of some sort that might have been the cause of the leak.<br/><br/>"Master Guilford, are you absolutely sure that the taint that infected us is coming from Syndra's prison? I find it hard to believe, I barely feel anything and I know that labyrinth is fortified by the Light."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I can only assume that Sin Crystals have been smuggled into town for the purpose of freeing the imprisoned general. Out of all the townsfolk and knights here, the church's keepers are the most heavily tainted people among them."</span><br/><br/>"I don't know how but I guess that's possible. What do you plan to do Master Guilford?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Simple. We're going down the labyrinth and finish off Syndra for good. I want you all to comb the town for these symbols,"</span>Guilford paused and handed Heinrich a copy of Lillith's symbol.<span style="color: #0080FF">"we have reason to believe that these symbols are used to hide the taint from people blessed by the Light."</span><br/><br/>"Okay, we'll do as you say but... won't you need more men if you're going to fight Syndra?"<br/><br/>Guilford shook his head but expressed gratitude for the concern.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Me and my squad should be enough. It's better that we fight her now before she fully regains her powers. Who knows how strong she could be by then?"</span><br/><br/>"As you wish Master Guilford. We'll see to it if we can find these symbols around town. May the Divine Light keep you safe." Heinrich blessed the Seraph and his squad before he turned to attend to his orders.<br/><br/>Just before anyone could leave the town square, a black and red lightning fizzled before the church. One second was all that Guilford needed for him to recognize who came to the party.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">_________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Hiiiiiiiiiii!!!!"</span><br/><br/>Lillith's tremendous tainted presence placed all knights within the town square on edge, as if her irritating, overly gleeful tone was not enough. From the red and black fizzle, Lillith's form slowly came to view. She panned her eyes around town, irking at the sight of the many armored knights within. She spat in disgust and clenched her claws, but when her eyes saw Guilford and his squad, they lighted up followed by a crooked smile forming on her lips.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Did you miss me little boy?"</span><br/><br/>Guilford's heart raced. He could clearly feel every beat of it pounding on his chest, dancing to the tune of anger, anxiety, and to some extent, happiness. Memories from that day swirled inside his head, like snapshots moving in a preset order. His hands trembled, his muscles tensed, and in a way, his aura slowly became that of a predator who found his prey. The same could be said of the rest of his squad. Each of them had their own way of expressing their intent to kill the tainted abomination before them.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Ohhh? What's this? Don't look at me like that little boy... it makes me want to... eat you up!"</span><br/><br/>Not many have ever felt such murderous aura, but the thing that kept every knight frozen in their place, holding their breaths, was not from the newcomer but from the Seraph standing before her. Each knight witnessing this knew that Hiribah, the impregnable fortress town will soon be a battlefield.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"What's wrong little boy? No vengeful words? No smart-ass comments? Cat got your tongue?"</span><br/><br/>She wanted words, but all that he could afford to give her was a taste of his anger. One, Guilford dashed forward, closing the distance between him and Lillith with tremendous speed. Two, the Seraph drew his Nirvana, pulling the blade back for a slicing motion as he slowly waited to come into striking range. Three, a loud and violent cackle filled the town square as Guilford's blade met fierce resistance from a barrier of sin. Three seconds was all it took for the clash between opposing powers to start.<br/><br/>Lillith's earlier expression suddenly turned pale. She realized what was behind the ferocity of the strike the moment it landed on her barrier and started pushing her back. It was the kind of rage she hated the most, the one under strict control. She couldn't read what was in the little boy's heart, the sound it played was like that of a broken record, the impending sound of doom-her doom, over and over and over again. That sense of uncertainty that escaped her eyes was highlighted by Guilford's eyes, the look they had was boring a hole right through her crimson ones, it didn't feel right.<br/><br/>The tide of their deadlock shifted when Lillith heard a cracking sound. She had recovered her powers more than enough and yet her barrier was unable to contain such a basic slash. Truly, Seraphs are a mystery in their own right. Lillith soon felt the ground beneath her rumbling. It was not her doing but she soon realized that she was in danger. The force this little boy was putting into his slash to break her barrier was enough to cause vibrations as their opposing elements clashed. With a grudging expression, Lillith backed away by teleporting a short distance to safety. The sudden loss of restraint caused Guilford's sword to power down into the cobble ground. As soon as the tip of his sword touched the ground, a light explosion tossed away rock and dust followed by a fissure that crept and stopped just before Lillith's toes.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"What's the matter? Did I scare you?"</span>Guilford asked monotonously while pulling his sword off the ground, readying himself for another strike.<br/><br/>The words irritated her to no end. How could such a filthy, Light infested knight hold so much power than her own? More than that, where is this little boy getting his confidence from? Lillith hated the fact that she could not tell what is what but even hated herself for letting this little boy's squad surround her. She was so absorbed with protecting herself that she failed to notice their movements. A bead of sweat, although not evident, slowly tricked down the side of her brow. So this is one of the two who defeated their God? At this moment, Lillith could not comprehend what her own twisted heart was telling her. It was beating wildly from within but the emotion that she was feeling was new to her. Perhaps this wretched boy was right, was she... scared? Lillith screamed.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Do not mock me LITTLE BOY!"</span><br/><br/>Just as she was about to lunge forward, she caught a glimpse of movement from the corner of both eyes, her senses also told her of a third one from her back. Joaquim and Georg was making a beeline for her from the sides and Alfrei was winding up for an attack behind. Even these maggots felt different! The two rear guards raised their swords and simultaneously slashed at her. Lillith simply raised her claws that was wrapped in her barrier of sin. Though she was successful in blocking the two strikes, the power of Georg's strike from her right was forceful enough to make her knees buckle, slightly putting her off balance. It was then that she realized the impending third strike from behind. Using her awkward position, Lillith kicked her right leg back in an upward motion. She lined her foot with a barrier just in time to block the cross slash from Alfrei. She was about to counter but the knights backed away only for her to realize that two bolts of magic were already headed her way.<br/><br/>A furious fire and ice bolt roared towards her direction. It only left her with a few seconds to react. Pulling both arms back into defensive position, Lillith gritted her teeth as both bolts hit her squarely surrounding her with a fused explosion of the two elements. She was getting pushed, these knights truly were different from the usual bunch. Swishing both arms to the sides, Lillith cleared the dust and smoke that impeded her vision. She did so just in time to see a shield forcefully slamming into her chest and tossing her upward. She glared daggers at Vlad who simply smirked at her. By that, Lillith realized that the barrage was not over. Lifting her head up, she saw Guilford airborne, already coming down at her poised for another strike. This time, his sword was glowing brightly, no doubt infused with holy power. These knights were not giving her enough time to cast teleport, their relentless attacks have sealed her movements greatly! Lillith could not forgive herself for falling into their cunning.<br/><br/>She pulled her arms back, forming a cross-guard before her face as Guilford's sea blue sword rained down on her.<span style="font-style: italic">Clang!</span>The sound of heavy impact pierced through the air. Lillith found herself on a crash course to solid earth. Bracing herself for impact, the ground shuddered at the force her body crashed, but it was not over. Multiple arrows of golden light was coming down at her and she could clearly see them, a world of hurt if she doesn't do something. Gritting her teeth once more, Lillith haphazardly cast her teleportation spell. Without a clear destination, she could wind up anywhere in the town square, but that was better than being under that rain of bolts. A fizzle sounded just before the bolts landed. Two seconds later and Lillith was out of harm's way, or so she thought.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I expected more from the one who killed my Vice Captain..."</span><br/><br/>The voice was right beside her. How did he predict where she would end up? Shaky eyes turned to the left, only to see an ominous glowing blade already slicing her from her abdomen, up to her left shoulder. The scream of pain came three seconds later as Lillith staggered back then fell down to her knees a few paces away from the Seraph. Heaving huge breaths, Lillith leveled her vision only for a metal greave slamming the side of her face sending her bouncing up and down the ground a few yards from where she knelt. Why?! Why?! Why?! Why was she being overpowered?! She needed to get away, she needed to escape! Things like this happening, she could not accept! As Lillith tried to summon her power to teleport, the wound she just received stung her sharply causing her to writhe in pain. Then the same metal greave that kicked her turned her to her back and found its way to her throat, putting just enough pressure for her to choke in her own breath. Standing above her was the little boy, with his glowing sword pointed between her eyes, his arms at the ready to thrust the blade forward.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"How does it feel to be hugged by the same fear you love so much?"</span>Guilford asked, mocking the demon beneath his boot.<br/><br/>Lillith's eyes shot forward. The little boy's words were...<span style="color: #FF0000">"Ggaahhk!!"</span>her crimson eyes rolled down only to see Guilford's sword that pierced her chest. She hissed in both anger and pain as the tip of the his sword slid down gently, further opening the wound. Then it hit her, what this man's intention was. Once again, her eyes shot forward to meet the cold purple ones that glared at her threateningly, seemingly pleading for him to stop. But he would not oblige, he couldn't. Today he was not a Seraph, not a child of the Light. The word 'Mercy' did not exist.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I see you finally understand. I will rip your heart out and crush it with my bare hand."</span><br/><br/>Her mind went blank. A plethora of emotions beginning to consume her being, she could feel her heart beating in protest but the metal greave that pressured her throat prevented her words from coming out. No, she didn't want to die again! Not like this... No! No! No!<br/><br/>As Guilford's hand shot forward, Lillith's eyes widened. A strong red and black fizzle engulfed her just in time to save her own heart from Guilford's hands. Seconds later, the Seraph found his left hand empty and the demon beneath his foot gone, so was her tainted presence. The rest of his squad landed behind him, all sharing the same frustrated look. But amidst all that had happened, Guilford's thoughts wandered to a specific moment. For a second there, he thought he saw Lillith cry...