"It seems like she's doing a lot better now. What did you do?" Silver asked Cora while observing the four knights in training, eyes focused on the female blonde in particular.<br/><br/>Cora's gaze lifted from her medical tray that had an abundant mix of powders and several other treatment supplies to look at the one in question. Indeed she was doing a lot better now. There was now a fire in her eyes and her mind was set to accomplish something. Cora smiled and went back to concocting her special medicine. "We just talked." she mindlessly told the man standing next to her nurse bench.<br/><br/>"What about?" Silver inquired again, expectant eyes now leveled on the young cleric.<br/><br/>"Why so interested? It's women's talk! Stay out of it." she snarled playfully at Silver, thoughts lingering to what the two of them talked about the previous night.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/><br/>Truth is, it was more than that. Natalia was carrying a burden nobody understood, or at least nobody tried to. Like Cora and Silver, she lost her family, left all alone in a cruel world that didn't welcome her with warmth. She struggled, briefly until she had lost all hope. Then he came, the man that had given her the warmth she long sought for, her savior, Guilford.<br/><br/>At first she didn't know what to make of that turning point in her life. Why did that man take her in? why was she saved? She believed it was fate toying with her, seemingly enjoying watching her suffer. But as she spent time with the man that saved her, she began to understand that it was not fate pulling her strings, but the Light shining down upon her, giving her a second chance. She came to admire the man, even tried to copy him and his beliefs. In the end, she found purpose in this second life, or so she thought.<br/><br/>As time passed on, she came to see sides of her savior she didn't think she would ever see. The man that had saved her, the very image of that strength seared into her mind, somehow somewhere, there was weakness in him too. That was the time that Natalia decided to act, to repay the debt that she would forever be grateful for. She silently vowed to be his strength, someone he can rely on someday. And so she enlisted to be a knight.<br/><br/>She was by no means an extraordinary knight, but she did her very best in everything thrown at her, all for the sake of being a strength that someday<span style="font-style: italic">he</span>could rely on. As if the Light smiled upon her once more, he handpicked her to join his squad. Things were looking up for her and she was honestly excited to be under the guidance of that man. Of course, being a pristine knight didn't mean they would get to stroll in flower meadows no, it was far from that. Being under a Seraph, her knight career was filled with perilous journeys, almost always life-threatening. It was rough for her but she sucked it all up, just so she could prove herself. Yet time and again he would save her, turning the admiration she had for him into something else. However, over the course of those hardships, there was this woman who does things way better than she could ever hope to do... Brynhildr. As if the blow to her face was not enough, that woman also told her how she felt about<span style="font-style: italic">him</span>. She crumbled... and took the back seat.<br/><br/>Once again she was lost. She understood the difference between her and Brynhildr. There was simply no way she could match her in every aspect. That woman has talent, that woman has strength, that kind of woman... suits him. Then the unexpected happened, Brynhildr died. It was sad yes, but somewhere in her heart, as evil as it may sound, she felt just a bit happy. Once more she had the chance to prove herself to him, and this time she promised herself that she won't fail, only to be smashed again when she finally understood why he never looked her way... Lethe. It became clear that she wouldn't and would never have that one special place in his heart.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"What are you fighting for?"</span>A question Cora asked her.<span style="font-style: italic">"I don't know."</span>It was the most appropriate response she could give the young cleric.<span style="font-style: italic">"Are you fighting for him? For the Light? Or for yourself?"</span>Another question she knew she had no answer to. Natalia didn't know what her purpose was anymore, what the reasons driving her were. And with things escalating to a point where they were already way above her head, she wasn't sure if she still wanted to fight, if there was anything or anyone worth fighting for. Once again she was felt left out in the cold, she had nothing...<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Sometimes we love someone who will never love us back. That doesn't mean we should turn our hearts to stone and stop. Lady Natalia, it's not your fault that he doesn't see you the way you wanted him to. Though I can't say it's his fault for not looking because I know his heart belongs to another. We don't have the right to force ourselves on others, but we all have the right to choose."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"It doesn't make you any less of a person to admit loss and move on. Trust me, it will make things easier for you if you let go. Lady Natalia, no matter how much we want or strive for it, some things are just never meant to be."</span><br/><br/>There couldn't be any more truth in the words Lady Cora had spoken. Be that as it may, they were still easier said than done. At this point in time, she was hurting so much that more pain wouldn't make any difference.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"What should I do?"</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"It is as I said Lady Natalia, we all have the right to choose. What you choose to do now, is rests on you. Just remember, should you decide on something, make sure that you're being honest to yourself and give it everything you've got. Regrets are not the kind of luggage you would want to keep dragging around."</span><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/><br/>"All I can tell you is that Lady Natalia has found something to keep fighting for." Cora mused to herself while filling one bottle with her new brew of medicine.<br/><br/>Silver simply closed his eyes and smiled at the thought. "Then there's nothing we should worry about."<br/><br/>Cora hummed thoughtfully. "I don't know about that."<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">____________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/>Mediocre. It was a word he despised so much yet was also the only word that best described him. Well, not anymore. All that mediocrity was in the past now. Vlad clenched his right fist which ultimately led to a fist pump. Perhaps only a few could understand how happy he truly was. His Captain was right, Abel was right, even Valiar and his wife were right. He has found strength, a much needed strength in the darkest of times. Valiar would probably be proud of him.<br/><br/>Training with Abel d'Arques had finally ended for the day. Though he was very much exhausted, Vlad also felt quite satisfied with his progress so far. He had paid little attention to the details and was wallowing in his own thoughts when...<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"At least someone seems happy about what's going on..."</span><br/><br/>The bite of distaste was unmistakable from Hyuga's remark. Vlad slowly drew his gaze towards the man, then to the rest of their squad. Now that they had his attention, he realized that the other four seemed distant, three of them at least. Natalia seemed to be the only one okay with it. It was the least he expected too. Only then did he remember that they didn't qualify for wielding Light's Wrath, the topic of their current discussion. Given everything that has been going on, they could only spend so much time with their respective squads in a day. In a few hours, each and everyone of them will go home, rest up, then start the next day's routine training separately.<br/><br/>"Are you jealous about us having the aptitude for Light's Wrath?" Alfrei asked Hyuga out of the blue. Though it wasn't made clear, there was a certain air of division among the members of Squad Eight, everyone could feel it but didn't have the nerve to even voice it out. They were a squad for crying out loud! Infighting would only serve to be counterproductive. Yet it couldn't be helped...<br/><br/>Hyuga glared at their Vice Captain. This brat had the nerve to stand high and mighty now that he was ahead of them? He wasn't going to take it lying down. "Oh is that it? You think we're jealous of you three? Or is it because you're so full of yourself you're starting to think you've left us in the dust!?"<br/><br/>"What did you just say?! I dare--"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"Enough!"</span></span><br/><br/>Just when things have really started to heat up, the voice thundered in their quarters, much to everybody's surprise. They thought there was nobody in the room when they came in, only to see Guilford coming out of the back room with his head shaking in frustration.<br/><br/>"Lo-Captain?! You were there?" Fiona stammered in shock.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"The whole time."</span>he informed the rest of them followed by a flat stare at everyone.<br/><br/>The tension in the air was instantly dissipated by his presence. It was replaced by guilt and shame. No doubt the Captain heard it all, their bickering and their innermost thoughts voiced out among them. There's no hiding from the coming reprimand that's for sure.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"All of you, take a seat."</span>it wasn't a request, more of an order judging by his tone. The others who were standing reluctantly made their way to the couch and got themselves seated. Guilford slowly walked his way over to his desk, eying each member of his squad who did their best to avoid meeting his gaze.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Listen all of you..."</span>he finally began after a period of smothering silence.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Light's Wrath, isn't to be envied. It's a dangerous power, that's what it is plain and simple."</span>the calm in his voice was not to be mistaken for anything else. Clearly he was disappointed, it was evident in his eyes that laid gaze upon the others who did not pass the Selection Test, until it finally rested on Hyuga.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I'm sure you are all well-aware of what happened to Lethe in Palaugrim."</span>his gaze now shifted over to Alfrei.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Even someone as strong as her was almost, by a hair's breadth, claimed by this power. What makes you think you are any different?"</span>Though addressed in general to the trio, the question was mostly specific to his Vice Captain.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"You are being trained in it's most basic usage, that still doesn't entail that you can and should go around the battlefield wielding it as you please."</span>his tone this time was as cold and hard as steel, enough to send chills down the spines of each and every squad member. The most sensitive ones to changes in energy could have sworn they felt his power spike for an instant. He's really furious they thought.<span style="color: #0080FF">"It's a last resort. Nothing else."</span>Those words carried more weight than any of the three could have realized on their own.<br/><br/>"C-Capt--"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Quiet!"</span>he roared.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I don't want to hear excuses."</span>he abruptly cut Alfrei off.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I want each one of you to reflect on yourselves and find an answer for your own turmoil."</span>he turned his back on them and folded his arms before his chest.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Whether you have Light's Wrath or not, each and everyone of us has a definite role to play in this coming war. Nobody, and I mean <span style="text-decoration: underline">nobody</span> is useless. Do you understand me?"</span><br/><br/>There was no reply this time, no unified ayes or nays, just silence. Guilford couldn't stand the atmosphere any longer. Add his growing disappointment to the mix creates the need to be alone.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Dismissed."</span>Though he phrased it nicely, each member knew that what their Captain probably wanted to say was for them to get out of his face right this instant. The members of Squad Eight filed out of the room one by one, silent in their own thoughts, pensive shoulders and all except for one.<br/><br/>"See? What did I tell you? Your squad is a mess in both ways." Akira commented after dispelling his illusion spell that made him a potted plant to the eyes of many. "Are you sure you want to leave them to their own devices?"<br/><br/>Guilford sighed. By now he began to wonder how many more times he would have to.<span style="color: #0080FF">"They're not kids anymore Akira. If they can't sort themselves out on their own, I doubt I would even consider taking them to battle with me."</span><br/><br/>"You'd be better off taking us than them. I mean, I did some snooping around. The other Seraph squad is doing way better than them. They got their issues but they can at least keep it together. You get where I'm going with this?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"That I'm a bad leader? That I spoiled them too much? Yeah... I got it loud and clear."</span><br/><br/>"Then you know what to do." Akira smirked. "Let your squad have a taste of defeat."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Won't that hurt the pride of the Crests? You all trained them."</span><br/><br/>"Pride is a double edged sword my friend. In battle, it can sometimes keep you alive, but most of the time get you killed. I'm betting it would be the latter for your squad given our circumstance if we Crests choose to protect our pride as their mentors. The real question is, wouldn't it hurt<span style="font-style: italic">your</span>pride? Many believe that Squad Eight is<span style="text-decoration: underline">the</span>strongest pristine knight squad. If they lose to Squad Ten, which I'm sure they would granted the way they are now, it's all gonna fall on you."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"When have I ever cared about being number one hmm?"</span><br/><br/>Akira chuckled. "You never did." he said and walked over to the couch, plopping down on it and getting ready to take a nap. "Remember, to achieve a higher purpose, one must experience failure in order for them to understand how to succeed."<br/><br/>Guilford raised a brow in surprise. Akira had a code he believes in? Him? THE pervert? He never saw this one coming.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Fine. I'll make arrangements for a duel with Squad Ten. I hope you're right about this."</span><br/><br/>"Don't worry, it's a win-win situation for both squads."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">____________________________________________________________________________________</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"Look at her..."</span>Scornful eyes stared into an image within a swirling pool of darkness.<span style="color: #8080FF">"Pretending like she's one of them when she is nothing but a monster prancing around in human flesh! Disgusting!"</span>One hand reached for the swirling image and crushed it in its grasp.<span style="color: #8080FF">"I gave her a mission, her last chance to prove herself to me! Yet she dare disobey me and seek refuge in the Light?!"</span>This time, Eve's eyes began to glow red in tune with her rising anger. She had been observing Lillith since the day she tossed the demon to Lindela. What she saw so far, was not pleasant by her standards.<br/><br/>"Perhaps we shou--"<br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"Silence!"</span>she snapped at the Pure Sinner who dared speak.<span style="color: #8080FF">"I do not recall asking for your opinion."</span><br/><br/>The Pure Sinner reared back, trembling at the immense dark energy now threatening to consume it. "A-Apologies Queen Eve... I meant no disrespect."<br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"That wench!"</span>she cursed inaudibly.<span style="color: #8080FF">"She will rue the day she chose to anger me!"</span>Eve's hand slammed hard into the armrest of her newly crafted throne, effortlessly tearing it apart with sheer force. The Sinners lost count of how many she had already wrecked during her stay.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"What would you have us do Queen Eve? It pains us to see you so angry."</span><br/><br/>The voice drew Eve's attention to the shadows in the far corner of her throne chamber. It belonged to the leader of her newly reborn battle-maidens, Ursula. Eve took a deep breath to calm herself down. She had no plans of letting her battle-maidens loose just yet.<span style="color: #8080FF">"Nothing. I will see to this matter personally. You just focus on recovering your powers, Ursula."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"As you command, my Queen."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"Lillith..."</span>