[[Day 21 of Month --2, Caleta]]<br/>Lethe hissed in disgust as she shook out her now numb hand.  That definitely hadn’t worked.  Her hand looked fine except for the momentary numbness, but she checked on the divine plane as well, just in case.  The words muttered under her breath after her scan were definitely inappropriate for others’ ears.  The chiming of the bells reminded her of the time; she needed to sleep if she wasn’t going to be unconscious for Captain Abel’s training tomorrow.  With one last regretful look at her hand, she turned and walked out of the room.<br/><br/>The corridors were deserted, as to be expected given Training Room Two’s location and the time.  She wished she could say it was peaceful but the silence reminded her too much of thoughts she wanted to avoid: of long corridors and paintings and accusing eyes.  As such, the sound of fighting was a welcome reprieve even if it indicated more work.  She raced down the hallway towards the sounds, uninjured hand gathering holy magic.  Lethe rounded the corner to see two black-garbed people in combat.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~</div><br/>Skassia hummed under her breath some catchy tune she'd heard while exploring: ba-dump bump bump bump.  So after her exciting introduction to the kiddies, Captain had forced her to stick around and help train them. Booo. It looked like none of them had been that happy about her, ah, assessment of them or the previous, more creative regime she'd put them through if the number of projectiles and spells deflected her way was any indication.  Stupid Mei, she’d always preferred Ethera more!  There was the near silent whisper of cloth on stone and the green-haired woman immediately froze.  She couldn't hear anything else, but there was no way she'd imagined that first sound.  Mischief was afoot and it was her duty as a former Knight to investigate it! ...that and maybe she'd get to blow it up? Her grin widened at the thought.  She let her gaze blur, allowing her eyes to naturally wander—there!  What was that?  She tried to focus on the spot but her eyes slipped to the left, then the right.  Oh tsk, tsk.  Skassia turned her attention to a random statuette in the hall and let her peripheral vision examine the questionable spot.  It was definitely a spell meant to deflect attention.  What was hiding behind Door Number Three?<br/><br/>Electricity crackled between her fingers in warning and then lightning struck the spot.  A blur of black jumped out of the way, glints of silver honing in on her position.  She dodged out of the way even as green electricity chased after her opponent.  Her hand went to her pouch for one of her bags of tricks when something latched around her wrist.  What? How could it have—White chains burst into existence around her and pinned her into place.  A groan from her opponent made her note that the other too had been captured.  If it wasn’t him/her, then who?<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “What’s going on?”</span>Skassia turned to see an unhappy woman approaching them, the other’s face clearly set into a frown.  A hand grabbed her hat and pulled it away, revealing her trademark green hair pinned up in a bun.  There was a beat of silence before the woman sighed in disbelief.<span style="color: silver">“Spazz?”</span>The previous irritability had given way to resignation.  Skassia looked up at the exasperated woman.  Spazz? She hadn’t heard that nickname since— “Blanche!!”  Her attempt to engulf her younger comrade was stopped by the chains around her arms.  “How’ve ya been, Blanche?  I was training your team earlier—hoo boy! They need a<span style="font-style: italic">lot</span>of work!  Say, why aren’t you training them instead? Or with us? It could be like old times!”  She struggled futilely against the Penance holding her in place.  “Er, you wanna let me go?”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Once you explain what you and your friend were doing fighting in the hallways?”</span>Both women turned to the third person who had been watching the entire spectacle silently.<br/><br/>“Uh.. he or she is not my friend. For the record.”  Skassia was quick to clarify.  “And I was just.. taking a midnight stroll to.. reacquaint myself! With the Cathedral and I heard this guy skulking around and as a previous Knight, I figured it was my<span style="font-style: italic">duty</span>to apprehend this.. miscreant and bring him or her to justice!”  She nodded decisively: that sounded good.  She ignored how both Blanche and the other person were eyeing her in disbelief.<br/><br/>Lethe walked over to the other person she’d captured and flicked off the cloak to reveal unfamiliar black hair.<span style="color: silver"> “And who might you be?”</span>The girl remained silent.<span style="color: silver"> “You can either tell me now or I can call the guards here and you can tell them in one of the holding cells.”</span>She warned, finally prompting a petulant sigh from the brunette: “Akira Takeuchi.”<br/><br/>“That’s a funny name for a girl..”  Lethe ignored Skassia’s muttering and Akira’s subsequent glare.  Akira Takeuchi.. why did that name sound familiar?<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“And why are you roaming the hallways in a cloak, Akira?”</span>The girl shrugged.  Great.  Lethe grabbed the uncooperative woman’s arm, instinctively striking away the dagger her captive had tried to impale in her.  Both women froze before Akira muttered apologetically: “Sorry. Habit.”<br/><br/>This is better than walking the hallways alone.  This is better than walking the hallways alone.  If she repeated the mantra enough, maybe she’d believe it?  Lethe eyed Spazz then the weapon-happy woman in her grip.  This is better than walking the hallways alone.<span style="color: silver">“Accepted, but I’ll still have to take you to one of the guards, especially after that stunt.”</span><br/><br/>A laugh broke their stalemate and all three turned to the newcomer.  An orange haired man, spear resting comfortably on his shoulder, approached them as he laughed.  He came to a halt by their side, closer than what most would consider polite for strangers, but within her sword’s reach and outside of his spearhead’s range.  Given the other option was to stand way too far away for conversation, Lethe assumed she could take his positioning as non-threatening.<br/><br/>“Seriously Akira, you got caught?”<br/><br/>Sullen purple eyes glared in his direction, all the answer Lance needed to resume laughing.  A sigh reminded the nicknamed ‘Lion’ that he wasn’t alone.<span style="color: silver">“Lance Fitzherberg.”</span>His reputation preceded him!<span style="color: silver"> “Is she one of your subordinates?”</span>She?  As if seeing his confusion, the unknown Knight nodded at Akira.  Akira.. mistaken as a girl..?  Lance snorted in amusement but covered his mouth to physically restrain himself before he fell to the ground laughing once more.  Akira a girl?!  This pervert?!  He ignored the suddenly stronger glare as he composed himself to face the unamused Knight.<br/><br/>“At your service, milady.”  He bowed in response to her recognition before continuing, “Sorry, yeah, she’s one of my subordinates.”  He snickered again at their misconception that Akira was a girl.  Suspicious blue eyes looked between him and Akira before the Knight released his friend and stepped back.  “So what were you doing?”  Lance asked curiously, as if he didn’t already know the answer.  Akira was notorious for wandering around, although this was one of few times he’d ever seen his younger friend caught.<br/><br/>“Roaming the hallways to reacquaint myself with the Cathedral.”  The black-haired man deadpanned, smirking at his suddenly indignant fellow captive.  Lance looked between his friend, the now teeth-baring woman, and the suddenly head-cradling Knight.  Uh, had he missed something?<br/><br/>Lights Above! Was she never going to hear the end of this terrible excuse?  Lethe looked up at the confused Lance, smirking Akira, and hissing Skassia.  This was better than walking the hallways alone,<span style="font-style: italic">right</span>?<span style="color: silver">“Kindly walk your associate back to wherever you are staying, Lance Fitzherberg.  I’m sure she’s reacquainted herself enough for tonight?”</span>The chains holding both Akira and Skassia disappeared.  With a nod of dismissal at Lance and Akira, Lethe walked back the way she had come, dragging Skassia (who was sticking her tongue out at them) with her.<br/><br/>Lance watched the two retreating women with amusement, clearly wondering what joke he had missed.  So far, she’d been one of few people at the Cathedral who had been unimpressed with who he was despite being able to recognize him.  If anything, he had the distinct feeling he’d just been dismissed even though he was pretty sure he ranked higher than her.  Well, it’s not like he really cared, but it was nice to see a woman with a backbone.  A folded paper suddenly invaded his vision and he instinctively accepted it.  When he opened it, there were two sets of three numbers.  He whistled in appreciation for his fellow male’s skill and held a hand up, feeling Akira’s slap his in a high five.<br/><br/>“Done with style my friend! Awesome work!”<br/><br/>The black-haired man rolled his eyes at Lance’s sarcasm: style indeed.  He couldn’t believe he’d been spotted by that green-haired child and then captured by the short one!  He’d had no problems infiltrating the Cathedral earlier and then in one night, two girls had gotten the drop on him.  It was almost embarrassing.  The least he could have done to redeem himself was gotten their measurements.  Hmm, thinking back on those measurements, maybe ‘girls’ was being ungenerous.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~</div><br/>“I can’t believe that girl had the nerve to use my excuse!  Get your own, wanna-be!”  Skassia raged, gnashing her teeth irritably.  It had been surprising to Lethe to see how much Kanna had changed over this past ten years and then it seemed like some people, like Spazz, hadn’t changed at all.  “Ugh! Copy cat!  Anyways, what are you doing up so late?”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Returning you to Lady QianHua, it appears.”</span>Lethe ignored the way Spazz paled in her grasp.<br/><br/>“Uhh, I don’t think QianHua<span style="font-style: italic">really</span>needs to know that I was out and about, you know.  I mean, I<span style="font-style: italic">was</span>just taking a walk, a nice, calm midnight stroll, completely innocent.”  While Skassia was gratified she’d elicited a smile out of Blanche, she really needed the younger woman to understand how important it was that QianHua not know about her jaunt.  “You know, why don’t you just drop me off here and I can make it the rest of the way myself?  It’s getting late; I’m sure you’re tired and… and… you’re not listening to me are you?”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “You won’t believe how many times Cricket’s tried similar pleading on me, Spazz.”</span><br/><br/>“I’m not<span style="font-style: italic">pleading</span>!”  She protested indignantly.  “I’m.. persuading you.”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Not very well.”</span>Lethe ignored the indignant yelp as she knocked on the doors.  Ethera opened the door silently and the former Vice Captain looked over her two visitors.<span style="color: silver"> “Excuse me for coming so late, Ethera, I think Lady QianHua misplaced something.”</span>Black eyes narrowed further on the contrite looking Skassia.<br/><br/>“Yes, it appears so.  Come in.”  The brunette stepped out of the way to grant the other two passage, watching in satisfaction as her errant former teammate slunk past.  The three women made their way to the living room where the last two former pure Magic Squadron members were residing.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/>“So what have you been up to?”  Skassia asked in boredom as she poked morosely at her fallen biscuit structure.  (Don’t think she hadn’t noticed Ethera’s flow manipulation toppling her creation!)  They had exchanged pleasantries (in QianHua’s and Lethe’s cases), scolded the errant one (in Ethera’s and her cases), and discussed Lethe’s team’s progress (shitty, in her opinion).<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Captain Abel is training me on how to use Light’s Blessing.  We were able to solve some of the issued I was having earlier with channeling the divine magic, Lady QianHua.  Now we’ll work on incorporating divine magic with my Heavens Judgment and using a dimensional blade.”</span>At the inquisitive sound from Skassia, Lethe explained what little had been done with the former idea, ending with a frustrated<span style="color: silver">“Of course incorporating divine magic and my Heavens Judgment makes sense, but I can’t help but think there are other possibilities.  Surely I can do more than just… amp up my Heavens Judgment the way Master Guilford increased the strength of his Providence.”</span><br/><br/>Discussion continued fruitlessly on other ways to utilize divine magic.  Most of the obvious uses were either already being worked upon or seemed pointless given Lethe’s skillset.  Finally Mei commented off-handedly, “Seals? Put Anchor points on the swords and create seals with them.”<br/><br/>“Won’t the problem be that Blanche still needs to draw the lines?  We use your seals as one time shots if on the go or we lure them to your already-drawn seals, Mei.  It takes time to draw seals and they’re pretty obvious to spot.  I don’t think Lethe has that luxury of hiding and preparing; her team definitely can’t do what we did for your seals.”  The rest of Skassia’s comments degraded into further complaints about the uselessness of Lethe’s squad, Knights in general these days, and stupid copying wanna-bes and were promptly ignored.<br/><br/>“Yes, but I don’t have access to the divine realm,” Mei pointed out.  Realization was slowly filtering into the non-grumbling women.  “Lethe’s already learning how to attack on the divine realm and transfer the damage to the physical realm. Create the seals on the divine realm and then transfer them to this one.”<br/><br/>“It’s not too hard to see the divine realm..”  The white-haired Knight pointed out doubtfully, even as her mind formulated ways to work out Mei’s suggestion.<br/><br/>“But it’s not common either.  The main worry is that Eve or one of the demons figures out what’s going on and then they’ll be on guard against it but..”  QianHua’s smile was predatory.  “If you’re fast enough, how can they stop you?”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“I don’t have that type of mastery.”</span>Lethe sighed as she leaned back in her chair despondently.  It had been a good idea.<br/><br/>“But Blanche!”  Skassia’s grin was similarly evil, “We have someone here who is.”<br/><br/>There was a moment of silence before the white-haired Knight groaned,<span style="color: silver">“This is revenge for earlier, isn’t it Spazz?”</span><br/><br/>“Of couuuurrssseeeee not.”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“I’m going to be busy with Captain Abel’s training.”</span><br/><br/>“I’m sure you can ask him and he’d understand.  Besides, he needs to start working on those other Knights soon, doesn’t he?  They’ve already told me they need an afternoon’s time tomorrow from your squad to finish the selection test.”<br/><br/>Lethe slowly sat back up and looked over the amused faces of QianHua, Skassia, and Ethera.  With one final sigh of resignation, she turned to the last woman in the room:<span style="color: silver"> “I place myself in your care then, Lady Mei.”</span><br/><br/>The short black-haired woman nodded her head in acceptance.  “Let’s begin then.”<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 2 of Month --2, Caleta]]<br/>A night of sleep hadn’t made Abel’s thoughts any more settled.  Should he tell Lethe about the Hidden Truth?  Should he not?  His follow up discussion with Gil had not made the decision any clearer. His protégé had studiously avoided any mention of the other Seraph, maintaining his insistence that the two hadn’t grown closer in the past decade.  Did the other man think him a fool?  Gil must have seen something in Lethe; how else could the man have fallen in love with her?  Or was the avowed ‘love’ for Lethe one of Ricaud’s personality traits and not the true Gil’s?  The younger man’s startling revelation in the Valley of Tranquil Springs cast everything he thought he’d known about his protégé in doubt.  Maybe Gil’s love for Lethe was just Ricaud’s then; Gil hadn’t shown any particular consideration to Lethe after his decision to act like himself.  Perhaps Gil was telling the truth about having drifted apart and felt guilty for leading Lethe on?<br/><br/>Abel sighed in frustration and gripped his hair in a futile attempt to bring clarity to his thoughts.  Of course he would support his protégé, whatever Gil chose to do.  However, the Seraph certainly wasn’t making this easy on him!  He had been much more open in the Valley about his feelings while now he was as frigid as a pissed off QianHua.  Had something here in the Cathedral prompted Gil’s attitude change towards him?  Abel was tempted to blame Lethe, but that would imply Gil actually cared about Lethe and hadn’t he just determined it was really Ricaud who liked Lethe..?<br/><br/>His groan didn’t seem to properly convey all the emotions he was feeling.  Stupid kids and their overly-complicated problems!  His protégé had been pretending to be someone else all his life and his other former subordinate was completely incomprehensible!  There were some times that he wished alcohol was still permissible under the Immaculate’s current teachings because he really needed some of the clarity that liquid could provide.  Well, he’d put aside the issue of Gil for now.  What was most important was should he tell Lethe about the Hidden Truth?  Should he not?<br/><br/>He fiddled with the metal box’s lock as he mentally fiddled with the question of what to do about his white-haired subordinate.  To tell. To not tell.  His playing accidentally opened the lid and the sight of the Pure’s oldest scripture paused all deliberation.  The Hidden Truth had been entrusted to his family, Gil’s family, and several other families long, long ago.  The Pure had trusted them to maintain the Hidden truth and reveal it when necessary.  It had been an easy choice with Gil: the man was a Rosenwulf; it was practically his birthright to know its contents.  However, could he trust a girl who’d chosen Urilla as her last name?  Was she truly that devout?  Or was she hiding behind such a name?  Abel flipped the lid of the box closed once more and locked it even as the clock chimed seven and he stood up.  Could he trust Lethe with the Hidden Truth?<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~</div><br/>Neither Abel nor Lethe seemed to be in good form this morning, though both were too distracted to note each other’s lack of attention.  The former was still mulling the Hidden Truth and the latter had stayed up much too late having the basics of seal theory pounded into her head.  A knock on the door startled both Knights from their reveries and Abel roared: “What is it?!”<br/><br/>“Excuse me sir!  I was told to inform you that the Seraphs’ squads will be testing for aptitude in divine magic this afternoon, starting in about a half hour!  They’re the last group to be tested and all the other candidates will be here tomorrow.”  There was a pause and then the speaker tacked on with a hasty bang of gauntlet on breastplate, “Sir!”<br/><br/>Why didn’t the speaker just come in instead of shouting through the door?  Abel wondered, still irritable that he had been caught unaware.  Bad habits led to dead Knights!  There was no reason he should not have realized there was someone on the other side of the door!<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Captain Abel.”</span>Abel turned to look at Lethe at the sound of his name.<span style="color: silver">“I’ve recently become aware that Lady Mei from the former Pure Magic Squadron is present in the Cathedral.  As I’m almost finished with the dimensional blade,”</span>Both turned to look at the nearly bisected training dummy,<span style="color: silver">“I would like to request her tutelage regarding seals, unless there is something else you would like to teach me?  I understand you need to teach the other Knights how to access their divine magic.”</span>Lethe looked pointedly at the door through which the message had just come,<span style="color: silver">“and their success in mastering Light’s Wrath may play a pivotal role in this upcoming war.”</span>Maybe that was a bit thick, but Lethe wanted to ensure her former Captain’s accord on switching her to Mei’s command.<br/><br/>Abel frowned at the unexpected request.  While it was true that Lethe was further along with Light’s Wrath than he had expected, he wasn’t sure if he should so carelessly hand over her training to someone else.  Lethe’s command over Light’s Wrath would be important in the battle against Eve, but then so was the other Knights’ abilities to wield divine magic.  He gestured for Lethe to continue her practicing even as he mulled this latest issue.  He trusted the Knights to be able to self-select if they were capable of wielding divine magic, but he didn’t trust any of them with learning how to access divine magic on their own.  They would need his guidance, otherwise every Tom, Dick, and Harry would be able to use divine magic!  But Lethe wasn’t finished with her dimensional blade yet and he’d promised himself he’d make it up to her for faking Gil’s death.  But then again.  He watched as Lethe swung her sword once more and the target finally broke apart.    His former subordinate put aside her weapon and walked forwards to replace the training dummy.  Lethe didn’t look all that upset about Gil’s supposed death or his revival.  It had only been Gil’s suddenly cold behavior that had made him think Lethe had been affected, but if it was Ricaud who liked Lethe and not Gil, maybe Lethe hadn’t really been that affected?<br/><br/>Abel tried not to groan as his mass of questions tried to draw him back into their unanswerable depths.  Had Lethe been upset about Gil’s death?  Did Gil really like Lethe?  Did any of this matter besides needing to tell him if there was anything he needed to repair between the two to make the situation right?  Lethe lashed out once more and a cut appeared on the training dummy.  It still wasn’t fully cut through, but it was very close.  Did Lethe really need him to finish the rest?  She seemed to have a good handle on it.  She probably didn’t need his guidance on the rest.  He’d already helped her increase her efficiency with drawing upon Light’s Wrath, taught her the dimensional blade, and taught her how to augment her Heavens Justice with divine magic.  Surely he’d done everything that needed to be done as reparations?  He hadn’t taught Gil about the dimensional blade; it was a skill he’d only taught Lethe.  Yes, surely that made up for what little anguish she’d probably felt at his deception.  And it’d been for the greater good anyways!  Surely someone so devout could understand his reasoning.  Yes.<br/><br/>“Lethe.”  He called out to the other Knight, finally answering her inquiry from earlier.  “I’d still like to check on your progress now and then.  However, I otherwise release you into former Knight Mei’s command.”<br/><br/>Lethe paused and lowered her arm, letting her sword drop by her side as she bowed in acknowledgment.<span style="color: silver"> “Thank you.”</span>The two stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do now.  Should Lethe continue with her training?  Did Abel have anything else that he wanted to say?  Finally, Abel excused himself, desperate to leave the room: “I’ll go check on how your and Gil’s squads are doing with the test.”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Of course.  May the Divine Light guide you and keep you safe.”</span>Abel mumbled the blessing back and fled the room, releasing a heavy sigh once the doors were closed.  Thank the Light that was over.  He straightened his clothes as he gathered his wits about him once more.  It was good Lethe was still looking to improve, even if it was the Pure Magic Squadron.  It conveniently gave him the time he needed to properly train the other Knights which would help them in this upcoming war.  Yes.  Abel let his hands fall to his sides as he headed for the training room the Knights were testing in.  It was for the Greater Good.  Of course Lethe understood.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 22 of Month --2, Palaugrim, near Luciano]]<br/>“Thanks Floss!”  Kanna called back, letting the door to the medical building fall shut behind her and cutting off the man’s response.  Well, he was no Seien but he was not too shabby.  She rolled her right shoulder back, checking that there was no pain left.  If there was one thing she missed about not having holy magic anymore, it was that her middling healing abilities had vanished.  Well, there was no point crying over spilled milk.  She flashed a grin and returned a passing lieutenant’s wave.  It was kind of nice being with the army again.  Sigfriend might disagree, but there was no way she’d consider these mass of loafers a ‘Pristine Knight Corp.’ Pfft.  They may have holy magic and they may wield swords, but they were an army!  Raucous laughter broke out from a group of off-duty men as if to prove her point.  Yep, Pristine Knights were too dignified to be making raunchy jokes about her knockers.  But just because she enjoyed their liveliness didn’t mean she was letting<span style="font-style: italic">that</span>moron get away with lewdly expressing his appreciation of her figure.  She snagged a partially eaten apple from a passerby’s hand, charged it with electricity, and threw it at her flatterer.  The startled yelp was music to her ears and she gave him a one finger salute as she walked away, the second round of laughter, this time at his expense, telling her he’d gotten her response.<br/><br/>She accepted the congratulatory high fives and fist bumps from others who had seen the interchange.  When she’d first come here, the men had appeared amused at her presence.  Never mind that she and Deimos had taken down more rebels than any one of their squads; well, of<span style="font-style: italic">course</span>it had to have been the man who’d done most of the work!  After all, he was a Pristine Knight and a member of a Seraph squad (albeit, the female one’s).  Their veiled sexism had made her want to release her Flare Lances on the lot of them.  This was one of the reasons the Sisterhood had always insisted on the Immaculate maintaining an all females squad at all times.  This chauvinism had no basis when the Pure Magic Squadron was one of the top ranking combat squads.<br/><br/>Of course, she’d quickly dissuaded Sigfried’s ‘brotherhood’ (it had taken every diplomacy lesson she’d ever had to not burst out laughing when she first heard that self-appointed title of theirs) of the notion that women were weak.  One Mega Super Heaven Piercing Sky Rending Lightning Shredder and one fried three-headed puppy later and suddenly these wanna-be’s were giving her the respect all women were due (and then some, in her case).  Still, though, what was a cerberus doing in Palaugrim?  She’d never heard of any before, not since before the Rising.  And then there were those unusual indents that had been left behind at the destroyed villages: a heart, a smilie face, and a winking face.  What was going on with those?  Kanna paused to look out towards the horizon towards Fleur Terres.  Well, QianHua would take care of it.