Finally a break from training! What better way was there to spend this time other than heaving huge breaths? Natalia was lying back first on the grassy ground, her eyes were closed and she hasn't moved ever since they were allowed to take a break. Vlad and Alfrei were still going, how could those guys have so much energy remaining in their tanks? Have they been secretly training all those years? Georg and Joaquim were better off than the two females of the squad. They were already subjected to this kind of training before and all they were doing was getting a refresher course, not that it was any easier, they were just used to the strain this kind of training brings. Georg eyed their newest member, she looked calm and composed but clearly exhausted. She was in the process of healing her bruises while taking a break.<br/><br/>"Oi, how are you holding up newbie?" Georg asked with a warm smile. Fiona's cheeks burned red. The question seemed inappropriate given how their Captain had proven his efficiency in sending her down to the grassy grounds over and over. It was brutal going toe to toe against that man. She wasn't even wearing weighted clothes but she couldn't keep up! Let alone manage to land even a single blow! She thought she had a good idea of how strong the male Seraph really was but she found herself overly surprised now that she saw it firsthand. Was the other Seraph equally as strong? Of course, why wouldn't she be?<br/><br/>"Not so good as you may have already known Lieutenant." she answered curtly. Georg only chuckled at her response. "You're doing great. Consider yourself lucky, the Captain is taking it easy on you." Fiona's mouth gaped. He was still taking it easy?! All this time she thought that he was serious! How naive, this was training! No reason for him to go all out on her. Fiona began to feel shame. She had aspired to be on this squad, confident that her skills was good enough but now, she didn't know.<br/><br/>"He survived the First War, if he couldn't exude that much pressure, then that would be troubling." Joaquim added. Fiona's thoughts drifted to the time of the First War. She was still but a youngster that time playing with dolls and whatnot, but that man she was sparring with was already out in the front fighting. No wonder there's such a huge gap. "Are all First War knights really that strong?" she asked out loud. Joaquim shook his head sideways. "No not all. The difference lies in the training the knights of this time has compared to the knights during the time of the First War. Of course there were knights that really shined back then too. I could name a few of them like White Knight Lethe, our Captain, The Lion Lance, Chevalier Damien, Ferrus Ensis Sigfried, Divine Flash Caldwell, Lightbringer Abel, Grau Ritter Zied and a lot more."<br/><br/>"What about you two?" she asked again, curiosity the basis of her question. She knew these two were also from the time of the First War. "Us? We're just decent knights that time." Georg humbly answered. Joaquim punched him in the shoulder playfully. "Decent my behind. You used to be called Berseker Georg remember?" he teased. The other knight grumbled, cheeks lightly turning red. Now that he was this old, titles didn't seem to fit him anymore. "Says the One-eyed J." Georg laughed. Joaquim shared the laughter, those were harsh times and it was really good just being able to laugh about it now. The look Fiona had in her eyes now was more puzzled. These two were also some of the best ones back at that time? She wondered how strong these two are compared to her. It was only when she understood the reason for this training when resolve began to fill her eyes. The Captain was training them to be on par with the knights of the First War! That was what this is all about. Fiona took to her feet and hurried back to her Captain. The two knights could only look at each other. "Hoh? She's fired up." Georg mused. "You really got her riled up buddy." he turned to Joaquim who simply responded with a shrug of his shoulders.<br/><br/>The day resumed and before the squad realized it, more and more cadets and knights have begun to gather around the training grounds, watching their training session like they were putting on a show of some sort. "Eyes front Vlad!" Alfrei warned, landing a heavy blow on the other's shield. "Sorry Vice Captain, I'm just not used to being watched by a lot of people." he heaved the blow away and stepped back to a defensive stance. Alfrei took a moment to look around and noticed the crowds that have gathered to watch them. He sighed and simply smiled at the realization. "So this is why he was intent on training out in the open and refused the training rooms."<br/><br/>Vlad lowered his guard and took a moment to catch his breath. "What do you mean Vice Captain?" Alfrei shrugged his shoulders and took his stance. "The Captain wanted to show how a Seraph squad trains to inspire the cadets and knights to work harder. He staked his reputation so we wouldn't have any reason to put on a bad show. As if this regimen wasn't enough pressure." he paused and attacked when Vlad resumed his stance. They traded blows continuously and before they knew it, both men have already switched to high gear.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/>Squad Eight's training for the day came to an end. Most of them were relaxing back in the squad quarters, none of them really moving a muscle. One look at his squad and Guilford could already tell the high level of exhaustion they were trying to hide, not to mention the burden of their weighted clothes they were still wearing. The Seraph smiled contentedly. He should reward them somehow and he had just the right thing prepared. Moments later, there was a knock on the door and Guilford made his way to answer it. Corwin and two assistants came in with serving carts. The tired looks each member had was replaced with joy! Food! Not just any food but Quality Food! Guilford knew of his butler's ability to serve delicious and highly nutritious food so he called upon him to temporarily work in the Cathedral kitchen to instruct the chefs and personally oversee his squad's diet.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Help yourselves everyone."</span><br/><br/>It didn't take another second for the rest of the squad to start eating. Guilford smiled at his faithful butler and nodded to him in gratitude. The other returned the gesture and left the squad to their privacy. Guilford took his share and went back to his desk. He was in the middle of revising the training methods and providing insight on how the future training program should be conducted. He was almost done with the proposal and all it needed was his seal. He grabbed the Faith necklace but stopped when he noticed something odd. The etchings didn't feel right. He took off the Faith necklace and looked at the back, a sigh immediately escaped his lips. It wasn't his Faith necklace. Lethe mistakenly gave him her Faith. Wait, did she? It had to be a mistake. Was it? Maybe? Maybe not? His thoughts wandered despite him trying not to overthink things. He recalled that the other was already under Abel's tutelage and knowing how rigorous her training would be, the Seraph figured that she shouldn't be disturbed over a minor issue. She wouldn't be doing any paperwork soon so it would probably take her some time to realize she still had his Faith. Oh well, at least he had a reason to talk to her again. For now, this is fine.<br/><br/>The man resorted to using his spare seal again to deal with his proposal as well as the remaining paperwork he stuffed yesterday. He was perusing through reports from Palaugrim when he stopped at a specific one. Purple eyes slightly turned fierce at what he was reading, it was from the border defenses. The report stated sightings of Sinner packs covertly moving around Palaugrim, like they were looking for something. It also indicated an increase in skirmishes between their forces and the enemy, most likely a diversion to keep whatever it is they were doing in Palaugrim under wraps. The Seraph could only assume that the enemy is up to something but is being careful about revealing their hand. Guilford immediately plucked a clean sheet of paper and began writing instructions for all Knight Commanders in Palaugrim. He ordered them to investigate the matter of the Sinner packs as much as they can and to report back to him immediately. Whatever it is they were looking for in Palaugrim, the reason behind it is undoubtedly no good.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Barrens - Fallen Castle, Eve's Chamber</div></span></span><br/><br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"Do you understand the importance of your mission Lillith?"</span><br/><br/>Her red eyes averted the gaze of Eve who seemed to be evaluating her competence. Though she was grateful that Eve was feeling magnanimous when she healed her vocal chords, Lillith was also reluctant to obey Eve's orders. Most of the time they were near suicidal and she expects nothing less than success, this time was no different. Eve had ordered her to aid Amon's forces in looking for a direct descendant of the Pure. She knew it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack but what choice did she have? Eve would certainly kill her in a bat of an eyelash if she disobeys.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Yes Queen Eve, I understand perfectly."</span>she answered and bowed her head more.<br/><br/>With an unimpressed look, Eve began channeling her magic.<span style="color: #8080FF">"I will strip majority of your power and leave you with just enough so you can escape. This way it would be easier for you to hide your presence. You can have your power back when you return with what I need."</span><br/><br/>Lillith wanted to argue but before she could even voice out a word, Eve began draining her power. Lillith groaned in pain as she felt her power being forcefully siphoned out of her body. Her form began to revert, from being exalted to a Pure Sinner, and from a Pure Sinner to a mere Sinner. Lillith tried to fight it but Eve was relentless. She continued to drain Lillith of her power until the other was left collapsed and heaving on the ground. When Lillith opened her eyes, her vision was hazy and she felt nauseous. The redhead tried to stand up but was surprised when she saw her limbs. Her claws were gone, her hands looked like that... of a human?! Did Eve revert her to this powerless form she despised?! Fear and confusion grasped her heart.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"What have you done?! I thought you were going to leave me with enough power to escape?! Look at me! I'm a human again!"</span><br/><br/>Eve laughed sadistically.<span style="color: #8080FF">"Correction, you are now a 'tainted' human. Though with this, you will have no trouble blending in with the regular humans. You won't attract too much attention from the disgusting knights, and it will be easier for you to move around towns and cities. The more human you become, the less suspicion you draw upon yourself. But don't forget who you really are."</span>she mused and dangled an orb before Lillith.<span style="color: #8080FF">"This is your essence. I will keep it with me until your return."</span>With a wave of her hand, Eve opened a dark gate with her power.<span style="color: #8080FF">"This will lead you to Lindela. I want you to start looking there."</span><br/><br/>Lillith grudgingly stood up but her legs faltered. She was so weak, she couldn't even draw upon the power of Sin! She really was nothing more than a normal human, much like how she used to be before she embraced Sin. How was she going to accomplish her task now?! Eve walked towards Lillith and offered a hand to help her up. The moment she held Eve's hand, she felt herself get lifted off the ground and suddenly thrown into the gate. Her scream echoed in Eve's chambers before completely vanishing upon the gate's closure.<br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"Tch! Such an eyesore."</span>Eve grumbled. She then turned her gaze to Syndra who had just made her presence felt.<span style="color: #8080FF">"If what you said is true about Lillith, that she has grown fond of the dead Seraph, then we don't need your sister anymore. She can die with the rest of them."</span><br/><br/>"If that is your will my Queen." Syndra passively answered.<br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"I have no tolerance for incompetence. Find me a new candidate for a spymaster immediately!"</span>