<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Gless - Valley of Tranquil Springs</div></span></span><br/><br/><br/>A day and a half passed. Abel finally arrived at the lone brick house located deep in the valley. Five people were already waiting for his arrival and on first sight of him, rushed over to their unconscious and badly hurt friend. The old knight sent his carrier pigeon ahead telling these five of the situation but the look on their faces was enough telling that they didn't expect it to be this bad. Guiding the two inside the house, the five individuals immediately prepared for an operation. Cora was displeased at the lack of expert care provided for her friend but couldn't blame Abel for it. At the most, first aid had been applied and her patient was kept hydrated. It would have to do. At least Gil was tough enough not to go into shock.<br/><br/>"He's lost a lot of blood. He's definitely going to need a transfusion." Cora said while analyzing her patient and expertly removing the bloodied bandages. "Lance, Alona, ready yourselves. If I recall correctly, you two have the same blood-type as he does." Cora commanded. The other two did not argue and instead, moved as fast as they can to prepare themselves to share their blood. "Akira, Silver, help me stabilize him." she added. The last two did as told. None of them wanted to get in Cora's way if she was treating someone. Realizing there wasn't enough space to move around, Cora turned her eyes to the most useless inside the room. "Sir Abel, please wait in the living room. Light forbid it but I will not hand him over that easily, I promise."<br/><br/>No matter how much he wanted to stay, Abel knew that he had already done all that he possible could and the fate of his former subordinate now rests in the hands of the cleric caring for him. Abel knew that she was one of the best out there but the old knight still couldn't help but worry. Truth be told, he didn't even believe that Gil had enough strength left to make the trip--especially on horseback given his situation--but felt relieved and thankful for his former subordinate's resilience and fortitude. He silently stepped out of the room, catching one final glimpse at the people at work before closing the door behind him.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/>Several hours of anxiety later, Lance stepped out of the back room. He looked pale and wobbled with each step he took. Abel was just about to stand up to help him but the other denied him with a simple hand coming up to stop him. How he was now is a testament to how much he wanted to save his friend. This man probably gave more blood than what was asked of him. Abel watched Lance join him in the living room, slumping hard on the soft couch that creaked under his weight. He sighed heavily and leaned his head back, staring up at nothing in particular. It took several moments of silence before he spoke.<br/><br/>"Man... Gil outdid himself this time. For the record, this is actually the first time I've ever seen him get beat up like that." Lance said, eyes lost in the imaginary thing he was staring at. "I don't want to see that happening again. One way or the other, Eve will get what's coming for her." he vowed, hands curling into fists in his lap.<br/><br/>Abel shifted in his seat. "That is why I decided to fake his death. Right about now, The Knighthood, probably the High Council too, are mourning the loss of a Seraph."<br/><br/>"You did what?!" Lance cried out in surprise. Voice nearly cracking from the shock. "Are you out of your mind?! How do you think Gil's death would impact the knighthood?! His squad?! The people?! The other Seraph?! What are you hoping to accomplish with this?!" the questions almost seemed endless but Lance was stopped when Abel motioned for him to calm down.<br/><br/>"Relax. His parents know. If you don't want to see this happening to Gil again, then wouldn't you agree that he needs to learn more about Divine Magic? That he needs time to prepare? How do you suppose he can do that if he's fulfilling his role as a Seraph?" the old knight questioned. It made sense. Abel isn't exactly the epitome of cunning but Lance knew that this man's actions are always backed with good reason. The orange-head slumped back in his seat and released another sigh. "So, what do you have in mind? Open Pandora's Box in front of him? Tell him about the Hidden Truth?"<br/><br/>The reflection of the fire he was staring at flickered in Abel's eyes. "It has to be done." he said with an icy tone. "I dunno about that..." Lance trailed. "He might turn his back on this fight if he learns of it--I dunno--but since it's Gil, it's hard to say." he added. His eyes chanced at the shaking hands of Abel. It was faint, clearly being forced to stop by the other. "Hey old man, are you okay? Your hands..."<br/><br/>Abel immediately clenched his hands to fists, clearly an attempt to hide the shaking. "I'm fine. I just had to tap into a lot of power since I had to save Gil from Eve's clutches." he responded. Lance shook his head sideways. "You're not as young as you used to be old man. Keep tapping into the Divine Realm and you won't be long in this world..." he trailed and sighed. "Though I understand since you did it to save Gil. Thanks..." Lance sincerely said, smiling faintly after his words. It was Abel's turn to shake his head. "I only did what I could."<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/>Day two. Guilford still showed no signs of moving and Cora was still working her hardest in healing her dear friend. Though the Seraph was looking much better than he did when they first came here, his crushed right leg still needed a lot of work. Cora was kneading her magic carefully into the wound, fixing the veins and torn muscles now after successfully healing the crushed bone. She was already grumpy and the dark skin beneath her eyes indicated she had pulled an all-nighter again. The redness in her eyes told a different story though. She was probably crying her eyes out while treating her friend. It was understandable, nobody actually expected to see Guilford in such a bad shape given how skilled the man is.<br/><br/>"What do you want?" she gnarled at Abel peeking through the door. He didn't make any sound at all but with Cora still noticing he was there was a telling sign of her extreme focus. Abel forced the door open and walked in. They were the only three in the room now. "How is he?" the old knight asked. "I've already healed his left arm and the eight broken ribs. As you can see, all the flesh wounds have also been taken care of." she snappishly said, waving a hand for Abel to close the door. The old knight obliged and didn't dare to take another step into Cora's work space. He was amazed at watching the young cleric work her magic, so this was the rumored Divine Sanctuary. Abel's eyes noted the entire portion of the wound was surrounded by what looked like a lining of white mist that Cora was masterfully manipulating with her fingers to treat her patient.<br/><br/>"I never really understood Gil..." she began. Abel was taken by surprise at the words. "What do you mean?" he asked. Cora continued to move her fingers gently. "Why he fights..." she trailed. "Most of the time I would think he has a hero complex but on rare occasions his actions make it seem like he's not doing it just to become a hero." she added. Abel hummed in his spot which Cora took as a sign to continue. "Why does he fight so hard? Why does he feel like he has to keep on giving? What makes him tick? What would it take for him to stop?"<br/><br/>"I think the only question you should be asking is what does he truly want?" Abel implied. It was the right question which would answer everything she had in mind should she know. Cora stopped kneading her magic temporarily to glance up at Abel. "Do you know what he wants?" she asked. Abel let out a huff. "Gil is the only one who can answer that for you. Ask him when he wakes up." Cora sighed in return and continued kneading her magic into Guilford's wound. "I'll be outside. The others should return by nightfall. I have asked them to check the situation in Caleta."<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/>Purple eyes opened only to snap shut again at the shot of white that he briefly saw. He tried to move but his body had no strength. Guilford assessed himself immediately. He wasn't in pain, he wasn't suffering from exhaustion either. Gently, he opened his eyes once more only to realize that he was floating somewhere...somewhere he doesn't know. He looked around, it was empty and everything was so white. It spanned the entirety that his eyes could see. Was he dreaming? No, this feels too real to be a dream. Then he heard something. It was faint but he definitely heard it. He closed his eyes once more to aid his sense of hearing. A slow and steady heartbeat. Guilford listened more only to come to realize that he was hearing his own heartbeat. What is this? Was he really dreaming?<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Where...am I?"</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"You can call this place the doorway between life and death."</span>said a voice that came walking up to his side.<br/><br/>The voice was shockingly familiar. Guilford turned his head to the right only to see himself staring at something. He followed the gaze of his other self only to see two doorways that were now in the distance. Confused, he turned to his right again and saw nothing.<span style="color: #0080FF">"What the..?"</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Time for you to choose my friend."</span>Now the voice came from his left. Guilford spun around immediately and saw an image of him wearing his full pristine knight gear.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Choose? What do you mean?"</span>Now he was even more confused. Was he alive or dead? He was sure his former captain was able to save him or... did he really die?<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"The door to the right leads to life, the other to death. The time has come for you to choose."</span>this time there was another of himself behind him. This Guilford was dressed casually.<br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"This is ridiculous! Why would I choose my own death?!"</span>he yelled, a little emotion seeping into his tone.<br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Because it's the only door that I have the key for."</span>responded the pristine knight version of himself.<br/><br/>Say what?! If that was the only door that has a key, what was the point in making him choose in the first place? The pristine knight version of himself pulled out the key from his pouch and held it for Guilford to see. No way. There's absolutely no way he would choose to open that door and die! Not when he hasn't done anything yet! The pristine knight Guilford chuckled.<span style="font-style: italic">"The truth is, you've already done enough. I believe it is time to lay down the sword."</span>What in the Light is<span style="font-style: italic">he</span>talking about?! Was this version of himself inside his head or something?!<span style="font-style: italic">"Of course. We are you."</span>responded the casual him.<br/><br/>Reading his thoughts like a book, the two versions of himself chuckled.<span style="font-style: italic">"We think we'll be here a long time. Go ahead, feel free to think it over."</span>they said in unison, finding themselves something to do to pass time. If there will be a first time he would ever think of himself as annoying, this was exactly it. The other two versions of himself could only laugh at the thought.<br/><br/>Several hours and a ton of annoyances from his other versions later, Guilford now stood before the door of life in frustration. Now that he was standing before it up close, he could see that there was no such thing as a keyhole in this door. He tried to force it open which prompted the other versions of himself to their feet and turn to look at him.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"A pity that he wants to live yet doesn't know how to."</span>said the casual Gil. The knight Gil simply shrugged his shoulders and laughed at another thought.<br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Na-uh mister! That won't work! You don't have command over the Divine Light here. You should have already realized that early on!"</span>he yelled at the real Gil who finally gave up on the idea of forcing the door open. The other versions of Gil watched him walk back to them and take a seat between them.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I told you, just take this key I have and get this over with."</span>the knight Gil coaxed.<br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I want to live!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Why? What else is waiting for you there? More pain? More fighting? More suffering? More confusion? Look pal, I'm tired. I don't want any more of that stuff."</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"How can you even say that?! There are a lot more people that still need to be saved!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Saved?! Look at you! You can't even save yourself! Don't make me laugh!"</span><br/><br/>The words hit home. Right now the knight version of himself was right. He needed to figure out a way to save himself first.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Tch! So only now you realize that?! You're such a fool it's irritating!"</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I could say the same to you!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"At least I'm true to myself! Unlike you whose mind is clouded right from the start!"</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"W-What do you mean?!"</span>Guilford asked in surprise. He didn't see that one coming.<br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Come on! I am you! I'm just saying what you already know!"</span><br/><br/>What he already knows? Guilford looked over to the casual version of himself who only smiled at him and shrugged his shoulders. Oh boy, some help this version of him was.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I don't understand..."</span>he trailed.<br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Well duh! Of course you don't! That's why you're here in the first place! You don't understand anything at all!"</span>spat the knight Gil in sweet sarcasm.<span style="font-style: italic">"You're hopeless. Just take this key already!"</span>he offered the death door key once more.<br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I won't! I promised someone that I'd be her strength!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Who Lethe? Don't even get me started about her. Mister, <span style="text-decoration: underline">she doesn't need you!</span> The way I see it, it's <span style="text-decoration: underline">you</span> who needs her. Yeah sure, maybe you're a little more skilled than her but she knows herself well. What her strengths are, her weaknesses...she's in control, you're not. She has purpose, you don't. She has direction and she's completely the opposite of you who is lost! Isn't that why you fell in love with her in the first place? Because secretly you think she's amazing? Isn't that why you always go out of your way to come and save her whenever you think she's in trouble? Because you couldn't bear to think of losing the one who gives you strength? Well tough luck buddy, she's better off on her own than to have you by her side. You keep trying to fool yourself that she needs saving but the truth is, it's you who needs saving. Yet you dare claim you want to be her strength? Are you for real? Are you plain stupid or what?!"</span>scorned the knight Gil.<br/><br/>The words chewed at him. Piece by piece he was being torn apart by his own self. Yet these things, these words, all of them are what he already knew.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I...I..."</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"You...you...what? Yeah, that's right! You don't even understand why you're fighting! You don't even understand yourself! Poor Lucian and many others, to think they were scolded by a hypocrite like you..."</span>knight Gil scowled.<br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I... don't understand... myself?"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"That's right buddy! You don't! When Ricaud died, just who in the Light told you to pick up the sword huh? I swear nobody else did."</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"That was... me. I told myself to fight."</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Heh! Yes you did. But let me ask you these, is it for your own sake or his? Is picking up the sword and becoming a pristine knight the only way to fight Sin?"</span><br/><br/>The question was difficult to answer at that time, it was the only thing he could think of back then. Guilford clenched his hands to fists. Now he realized that it wasn't exactly the only way to fight Sin. Knight Gil shook his head sideways in distaste and glared at Guilford.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"And you were so determined too! If only that determination was used to chase your own dreams. You're a Rosenwulf for crying out loud! Your ancestry was all about skilled artisans! Your lineage was the one who invented Holy Steel! You could have simply become an outstanding blacksmith that forged weapons for the knights! But no..."</span>he drew the word out.<span style="font-style: italic">"you just had to be on the field. You had to be holding a sword. You had to save people directly. You had to learn magic, and you just had to become a pristine knight! But do you even know why you felt like <span style="text-decoration: underline">you had to</span> do those things?"</span><br/><br/>Before Guilford could even answer, knight Gil continued.<span style="font-style: italic">"Because you admired Ricaud so much when he became a pristine knight. He blew your mind away when he told you about his dreams of a Sin free world. Sadly, he died because you. You were so adamant in having him accompany you to look for minerals to forge him a sword fit for a pristine knight! You were stupid. You didn't care of the dangers! As long as you were doing something for him, it was fine. Then tragedy happened and he gave his life to save you. He told you to run and you did. It was also the time you realized your own weakness. You came back, knowing you can't do anything only to watch Ricaud die. For some reason you were spared. Was it luck? Didn't matter. Guilt ate away at you by the day. 'If only I was stronger, maybe I could have saved Ricaud' you were consumed by this thought..."</span>he poured on but was cut off by Guilford's sudden words.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"And I thought that becoming a pristine knight would help me atone for my weakness and earn Ricaud's forgiveness. I became a pristine knight because of him, because I felt compelled to carry on his dreams..."</span><br/><br/>Knight Gil turned his back on Guilford.<span style="font-style: italic">"And all these long years you were trying to become the pristine knight you thought Ricaud would have become."</span>he added.<span style="font-style: italic">"And this is why you began to feel conflicted after some time. Because the path you're walking on, isn't the one you wanted for yourself. Tragic but you know you can't stop, because there's no way for you to know if Ricaud has already forgiven you, if Bryn who also died protecting you would ever forgive you if you do. That's why you keep on..."</span>knight Gil concluded, falling back into silence.<br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Then... what am I supposed to do?"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Do you understand our weakness now?"</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Our...weakness?"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Guilt, you clueless piece of myself. It's the one thing that's slowly killing you inside, yet it's ironic that it's also the same thing that's pushing you forward. It's fueled your life all these years but just look at how far its taken you? Nowhere. Isn't this the reason why you stopped forging weapons? Because every time you hold a hammer, you are reminded of Ricaud? Isn't this the reason why you feel compelled to keep carrying the burdens of a Seraph? Because you think it's the only way to atone? You have punished yourself long enough Guilford. Time to let go."</span><br/><br/>This time, casual Gil chuckled.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Why not just be yourself?"</span>he asked.<br/>Guilford turned to face his casual self with a questioning look.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Be...myself?"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Yeah! There's no use crying over spilled milk. What's done is done. You're now a pristine knight regardless of the reason why. It's not like you actually did a bad job mind you, you became a Seraph for Light's sake! I mean that's something isn't it?"</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I...guess?"</span>he said confused, not really sure where his casual self was taking him.<br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I'm saying, why don't you just stop being a Pristine Knight? Haven't you done enough already? Haven't you proven yourself more than you need to?"</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Why should I do that?"</span><br/><br/>Both of them ignored a harsh "<span style="font-style: italic">Stupid!</span>" coming from knight Gil.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Because it is as your Knight self said! You're living someone's life! Leading yours in guilt! You have to forgive yourself at some point and move on! You can't go on like this forever you know? You're walking down the path of self-destruction!"</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Am I now?"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Yes you are. Just how much longer do you think you can keep this up? Look, whether you wanted to become a knight or not, forced into it or otherwise, it is still you who made the choice. One way or the other, this is still your responsibility. Do you know why you can't let go of Ricaud?"</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Because I can't forgive myself?"</span><br/>Casual Gil smiled.<span style="font-style: italic">"That's a part of it. You can't let go of Ricaud because deep down you're still afraid. Deep down you think that Guilford doesn't have the strength to face these kinds of trials and tribulations. Deep down you're afraid of losing more of the ones you deeply care for, that you yourself don't have what it takes to protect them. When are you going to stop borrowing strength from Ricaud or Lethe and start using your own?"</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Do I... even have such strength?"</span><br/><br/>Casual Gil sighed.<span style="font-style: italic">"Now you're being silly. Of course you do! All that talk about saving people, stopping the fighting, changing the world, becoming someone else's strength! You wouldn't be able to say those things if you know you don't have what it takes! Who defeated the God of Sin? Who freed Palaugrim? Who actually saved a lot of Sinners and people over the course of your knight career? Think about it, it's not Ricaud who is actually out there fighting but you! Give yourself a chance! Let your best friend rest for crying out loud! Stop making him the reason you're doing all these and find your own!"</span><br/><br/>Guilford sighed a long and heavy one. He felt naked. All these years he led himself to believe that he was doing his own heart's desires. Yet all this time, he was clinging to the desires of someone else and trying his hardest to see them into fruition, locking himself up in a cage he especially built for himself in the process. His life was one big lie to himself. What was it that he truly wanted for this world? For himself? For a long time he hadn't been honest with himself and after hearing all the thoughts he kept barred inside him talking to him now, he was sure of one thing. There's no turning back time and he had to keep facing what lies ahead, with his own two feet using his own power.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Oh please!"</span>Knight Gil interrupted his thoughts.<span style="font-style: italic">"Did you just seriously think about that now?!"</span>he scowled.<span style="font-style: italic">"Talk about lame. You're making me want to cry for you!"</span><br/><br/>Casual Gil burst into laughter.<span style="font-style: italic">"So! Will you give up being a knight and just be yourself? Or will you give up on everything all together? If you ask me, the latter is the easy way out."</span><br/><br/>Give up being a knight? Give up on everything? Easy way out? No. Even though he chose to become a knight because of his own guilt, he did it because deep in his heart he knew that he too truly believed in those dreams of a Sin free world. He may have tried to fill the shoes of a long lost friend for the longest time but that doesn't mean he can't start wearing his own pair. No, he wasn't going to stop now. Give up on everything? Ridiculous! Life isn't meant to be easy, it's a journey filled with hardships. To find the strength to overcome those is the true essence of life. There's no such thing as an easy way out.<br/><br/>This time, there were no rebuttals from the scornful knight Gil. He was just looking at Guilford with purple eyes lost in thought.<span style="font-style: italic">"You're really decided on going back out there huh?"</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I am."</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Hmph. Who are you?"</span><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I am...my own self. I am the pristine knight, Guilford Rosenwulf."</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I trust you understand the weight of your words, Guilford. The next time you come here, only one door will lie in wait for you, then you'll have no choice but to take my key."</span><br/><br/>The door to life creaked open, and before Guilford could say anything more to the two versions of himself, he was sucked right into the door.