[[Day 22 of Month -4, Morning :: The Grand Cathedral]]<br/><br/>Valiar sat back in his chair, content to survey the scene around him.  Team Blonde had been reunited and were all in a cheerful mood.  Really, it hadn’t been<span style="font-style: italic">that</span>long since they’d last convened, perhaps a few days, but everyone seemed in a talkative mood today.  Even Deimos was listening intently on whatever discussion YunQiao and Adair were having.  It was a happy scene and it put his mind at ease.  He and Adair hadn’t had a chance to tell Lethe about the Reapers yesterday.  They’d still been building up to it when the carrier pigeon had arrived.  A smile inevitably rose on his lips at the memory of that scene; it had been a light-hearted moment.  Those memories were to be cherished.<br/><br/>Besides, the interruption just meant Lethe got another day to rest easy.  She had enough to deal with and he feared how she’d react to learn Reapers were actually--a dark look crossed his face at the memory.  Of course Sinners were humans and Pure Sinners had<span style="font-style: italic">been</span>humans but the former could be Absolved and the latter, well, it was almost a blessing for the Pristine Knights that they’d lost their human appearances.  However Reapers were un-Absolvable; if they were now looked like humans under their cowls… Would he have the resolve to kill a Reaper, even knowing it couldn’t be saved, if it had a human face?  Would any of these Knights?  Heavy eyes rested on his six squadmates; besides the veterans, they were probably the most experienced Knights the Immaculate currently sported.  But could they withstands the horrors to come?<br/><br/>A weary sigh escaped his lips, inaudible in the chatter of the room.  At least Lethe would have had an easy night of sleep.  Or had she?  Valiar glanced upwards at the Knight who had taken a seat on the arm of his armchair.  The smile that played on her lips made her melancholy all the more poignant.  As always, nothing was easy for his poor Captain.  Unconsciously, his arm reached out and wrapped the young woman in a hug; his body leaned sideways to keep her from toppling into his lap, habits ingrained from six years together.  She startled, as always, but quickly relaxed.  The two sat wrapped together, watching their more carefree squadmates enjoy themselves.<br/><br/>Cricket was the first to notice them.  His snicker slowly faded as he caught sight of the two of them.  Purple eyebrows immediately frowned and he opened his mouth to speak but Lethe cut him off with a shake of her head.  No. not yet.  Still confused, the purple-haired Knight leaned back into his seat, no longer an active participant in his conversation.  His silence caught Leon’s attention and the golden-blonde Knight quickly spotted Lethe as well.  One by one, the Knights of Squad Ten stopped speaking as they became aware of their Captain’s presence.<br/><br/>The silence stretched around them uncomfortably.  Where was Captain’s normal greeting?  Was she that upset they hadn’t noticed her presence earlier?  For once, even Cricket didn’t feel like breaking the solemn atmosphere with a joke.  Finally, Lethe spoke:<span style="color: silver">“I have bad news.”</span><br/><br/>The words did little to alleviate the tension in the room; if anything, it grew worse.  It wasn’t uncommon for Lethe to have bad news.  Being so close to the Council meant she--and thus the rest of the squad--often heard the worst news first.  But the way she was acting now was hint enough whatever was coming was<span style="font-style: italic">really bad</span>, worse than Master Guilford’s supposed death bad.  They all tensed in preparation for what would come next.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“The God of Sin has been resurrected.”</span><br/><br/>Bodies stiffened and eyes widened.  Whatever that had been expecting,<span style="font-style: italic">that</span>had not been it.  Nothing they had feared had even come close.<br/><br/>“. . . What?”  Valiar heard a faint voice ask, barely audible over the rushing in his ears.  It was only when sad blue eyes turned his way that he realized<span style="font-style: italic">he</span>had been the one to speak.  The God of Sin.. was back?  The Second War, sure, okay, he could endure that.  He’d made his peace long ago with his helplessness then.  It would be different this time; he was different this time.  But for the God of Sin to be back?  He had never encountered it himself, else he wouldn’t still be alive, but now he would encounter it.  For the first time since he’d met Marielle and picked up the armor again, he wondered,<span style="font-style: italic">did he have the strength to endure</span>?<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“I’m sorry, Valiar.”</span>Lethe understood.  They were the only ones who really<span style="font-style: italic">understood</span>; they were the only ones who had fought in the First War.  In that long moment of slow growing doubt, he finally became aware of the faint tremors that shook Lethe’s body.  She was no more prepared for this new future than he despite her fake composure.  For one moment, he buried his face in her side.  He’d promised himself he’d help the Seraphs but for this one moment, he needed to add to her burden.  That moment over, the cleric lifted his face and gave her an encouraging squeeze.  He wasn’t stupid enough to say it was okay but it was time to move forward onto the next step.<br/><br/>Lethe looked back up at the rest of her squad now that Valiar was ‘settled’ once more.  It seemed his display had silenced the rest of their reactions though their shock still lingered in the stiff way Adair held himself and the pasty pallor of Leon’s face.  Seraphim’s normally confident gaze was now shadowed by the spectre of her time of a Sinner.  YunQiao’s face was as severe as it had been when he’d first been introduced to her squad, a sure sign he was hiding his emotions.  Cricket’s fingers were turning white with how tightly he was gripping his hands and Deimos’s hand had fallen to his sword, the metal his longtime solace.  These were her Knights.  These were the ones most likely to die.  But no.  She wouldn’t let it.  These were her family; she wouldn’t let them die.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “The disturbance we felt on the fifteenth of last month was his revival.  This knowledge is still very much limited and it will <span style="text-decoration: underline">stay</span> limited.  Do not speak about it outside of this room.  The privacy wards have been enacted permanently since last night.  Master Guilford and I have called a meeting in two days’ time to inform a select group of other Knights.  The people you see there are the only ones authorized to know at this point in time.”</span>Lethe paused, trying to determine if she should tell them the rest.  It wasn’t something they all<span style="text-decoration: underline">needed</span>to know.  Her gaze swept the room but lingered on a few in particular.  But it was probably best they start getting used to the idea now.<span style="color: silver">“There’s one more thing.  With the God of Sin’s return, there is another issue.  We need more leaders.  Specifically,”</span>it was best to just get this over with,<span style="color: silver">“Master Guilford and I need others who can take our place should either of us die.”</span>There was no point denying the very real possibility,<span style="color: silver">“I will be reaching out to those of you who I think have the potential to become Seraphs.”</span>On the other side of the room, Adair flinched.<span style="color: silver">“I know you may not want to do this,”</span>Her gaze sought out Adair’s,<span style="color: silver"> “But this is not about wants.  This is not about us.  This is about something bigger than us, not just the Immaculate, but every person out there, both those who follow the Divine Light and those who have not yet realized the Divine Light in their lives.  We fight for them; we sacrifice for them.”</span><br/><br/>She finally looked away from her Vice Captain, knowing from the defeated hang of his head he would heed her words when the time came.  When she spoke next, her voice had lost the distant professionalism of being a Seraph.<span style="color: silver">“But that’s not to say your lives are unimportant or less worthy than civilians’.  Your lives--our lives--are not so worthless as to throw away carelessly.  We may die, but we will never give up.  I will <span style="font-style: italic">never</span> look to die, so none of you dare go dying on me.”</span><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 22 of Month -4, Noon :: Rasova, Palaugrim]]<br/><br/>He should have known it would be a terrible day when his teacup broke during breakfast.  Despite his gruff appearance, Sigfried could be surprising superstitious at times.  Normally Yulia would have scolded him for such an irrational thought but she had moved onto--well, not bigger and better--other things.  For a moment, the orange-haired Knight Commander wondered how his former Vice Captain was doing.  Maybe it was fate that Yulia would chase after Lance the way Yael had been drawn towards the Lion.  A frown crossed his face at the reminder of what had happened to the elder Schnieder twin.  He’d have to remember to send Lance a strongly worded letter explaining that though the transfer had been entirely by the books, he still expected his Vice Captain returned to him in 100% condition.  He spent a few minutes mentally composing his<span style="text-decoration: line-through;">threat</span>missive and then, satisfied with his wording, sat up to get a piece of paper from his desk to write his letter.  It was then he remembered what had caused his headache in the beginning.<br/><br/>A letter bearing Master Guilford’s personal seal waited for him on his desk.  The<span style="color: red">[HIGH PRIORITY]</span>stamped on the front didn’t help, nor did the seals of both Master Lethe<span style="font-weight: bold">and</span>Head Councillor Cornelius.  Whatever had gotten all three of them to mark the same letter was trouble in capital letters, underline, and bold.  He considered conveniently misplacing the letter for a little bit.  Then he considered how much not better it would be if Master Guilford or Master Lethe came in person to follow up on the letter.  (After all, if the high priority letter was marked by the three most important people in the Immaculate…)  He shuddered at the memory of how Master Lethe had casually threatened him and then shuddered again at the thought of the revenge Master Guilford would enact on him.  The younger Seraph could be surprisingly surprisingly vengeful for someone who was supposed to be a noble and a paragon of goodness!<br/><br/>With a shout of frustration, Sigfried picked up the letter of doom and ripped it open, yanking out the missive inside.  A special meeting being held by Master Guilford, Master Lethe, and Head Councilor Cornelius on Gless in two days time in which his presence was ever so politely requested.  It was to be a confidential meeting and he should expect to be gone for at least a day or two.<br/><br/>The blood drained out of the normally boisterous Knight Commander’s face.  Slowly, as if his strength had deserted him, he placed the letter on his desk.  That… there was no way in Light’s name that was going to be good news.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 23 of Month -4 :: Gless ]]<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Deimos.”</span>Said Knight nodded in acknowledgment, eyes roaming the familiar room. It had been a long time since Lethe had invited him over to her apartment.  Though spacious for one, it was definitely too cramped for eight.  The fact he had been called here... No frown crossed his face despite his unhappiness.  It had to be related to yesterday’s announcement.  His hand instinctively gripped his sword’s hilt; the familiar feel of leather and steel was a comfort against his discomfort.  He couldn’t even take on demons and now the God of Sin was back.  The sound of metal being drawn woke him from his stupor.  He calmly slid his sword back into its sheath as he ignored Lethe’s gaze on him.<span style="color: silver"> “You are one of my nominations.”</span><br/><br/>Yellow eyes widened in shock, his entire body freezing at the words.  A nomination..? Surely not to…  His head jerked sideways to catch Lethe’s gaze.  Yes, she did mean to be a Seraph.  Too uneasy to hide such an obvious tell, his fingers played over the hilt of his sword.  Him a Seraph?  He couldn’t think of a worse candidate.  He’d known--they’d<span style="font-style: italic">all</span>known--Adair would be nominated but he’d figured that would be the end of it.  For him to be a maybe Seraph. . . He didn’t even believe in the cause that strongly.  Cricket and YunQiao were more fervent devotees of the Divine Light than him.  Seraphim had more experience.  Valiar was more self-assured.  Fingers poked nervously through the holes in his pommel.  Leon, perhaps leon would have been worse, but Leon at least was a damn good sensor.  He was just an okay swordsman who didn’t like to talk with an odd sense of humor.<br/><br/>He’d known--they’d<span style="font-style: italic">all</span>known--that Adair would be trained as a potential Seraph.  Adair had the potential, the experience, and the skills.  The younger man was Vice Captain after all, despite being younger than half the squad.   He’d never thought he’d also be considered.<br/><br/>He opened his mouth to speak, most likely to protest, but he paused.  This wasn’t about him and his wants.  Lethe thought he somehow had the potential; it was his duty to try to realize it.  “Yes, Captain..” He muttered sullenly even as his fingers clenched painfully around the metal of his sword.  There was no going back now.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 23 of Month -4 :: Lindela]]<br/><br/>It was a silent pair who rode through the mountains that bordered District Nine.  Most of Lindela was developed, which had earned it its nickname as the Market City, but some parts had been impenetrable to human civilization.  Those inhospitable parts were technically included in District Nine’s jurisdiction but few chose to wander out here.  There wasn’t much to miss, truth be told, just trees, mountains, and stones.<br/><br/>They were here to investigate the Reaper Adair and Valiar had slain two days ago.  Leon and Cricket were present as well, but the group of four had split up to cover more ground.  What exactly they were looking for, no one was quite sure.  However, after yesterday’s revelations, all were eager for<span style="font-style: italic">some</span>form of action, even if it was just wandering through mountains.  Tomorrow was when everyone else would be told; after tomorrow’s conversation, they’d finally take<span style="font-style: italic">steps</span>against the God of Sin, whatever those might be.  But in the interim, they’d had little but their normal routine.  Seraphim wasn’t sure she could have gone through her normal routine.  If they’d had to stay in the Cathedral, she was pretty she might have destroyed a thing or three.  She also didn’t doubt the others felt the same as her.<br/><br/>A<span style="font-style: italic">crack!</span>from above caught her attention and both she and YunQiao wheeled into a defensive position, horses facing opposite directions so their backs were covered.  There was another<span style="font-style: italic">crack!</span>Seraphim glanced upwards to see green light dripping into the sky.  “It’s just a flare.”  Relief colored her voice and she felt her body sag as her adrenaline waned.<br/><br/>“I see it.”  YunQiao confirmed, already looking through his map to try to determine a path they could take  The older Knight pulled out her own set of flares and shot them into the air, confirming they’d seen the signal.  When they finally made their way to the origin of the flares, Leon and Cricket were waiting for them by a stone arch of some sort.  Seraphim frowned when she saw it and voiced the obvious, “What is that?”<br/><br/>A shrug of the shoulders was her response.  Neither Cricket nor Leon had any idea.  Seraphim dismounted from her horse and tied it besides Cricket’s and Leon’s, YunQiao copying her movements.  She strode up to the stone arch, crossed her arms, and stared.  After a few minutes, she concluded, “Yeah, I have no idea either.”<br/><br/>“Thankfully I do,” The last member of Squad Ten spoke up drily.  “Or at least an idea.  Looking at the runes, I’m guessing it’s some sort of door.”  He pointed at a few runes that meant nothing to the pink-haired woman.  “This one, this one, and this one all imply passage of some sort.  However, Captain would know better than me.”  The mage stepped away from the arch with a studious expression.<br/><br/>Cricket sighed but nodded in acceptance.  “Alright then, we should probably tell Captain.”  He turned away from the stone arch, heading toward his horse.  Seraphim followed, as did YunQiao after another backwards glance.  Only Leon stayed in front of the arch; the golden-blonde Knight had his arms crossed thoughtfully as he stared at the archway.  “Leon, coming?”<br/><br/>“No.”  Leon’s distracted reply made his squadmates all pause.  The three turned to look at him questioningly.  “No. Wait.”  He turned to face them, face set in an uncharacteristically determined mien.  “You guys… we all remember what Captain said,” his voice quieted, “yesterday” there was a pause as they all remembered<span style="font-style: italic">yesterday</span>before the Knight rallied, “Not just that but. . . she also said we need more leaders.  Captain is probably busy enough without us coming to her with every problem.”  Hazel eyes burned with conviction, “We’re her squad.  I’ve only been with her a year and a half but. . . you guys have been with her longer.  We’re on her squad because she trusts us.”  He turned to stare at the mysterious archway before turning back, “Surely we can make a decision on our own without having to ask Captain or Vice Captain every single time.”<br/><br/>In the silence that followed Leon’s impromptu speech, Seraphim wondered when Leon had become so mature.  Leon was the second youngest of their squad and the newest to boot; she was second eldest and one of the oldest members.  Yet somehow he was the voice of reason out of all of them.  She felt a bitter taste settle in her mouth.  Why was she the one who always needed guidance?  “Alright,” Practice kept her self-disgust out of her voice and gave her the illusion of confidence, “Leon’s right.  As the most senior member of this expedition, I’ll take responsibility for whatever consequence this has.  Is this hostile or allied action?”<br/><br/>“You think it’s allied?”<br/><br/>“There’s always that possibility.”  Seraphim replied firmly.  “Just because we’re Lethe’s squad doesn’t mean we know everything.  So, what do we think?”<br/><br/>Cricket eyed the structure dubiously.  “Ignoring the fact we’ve never heard about it, realistically, if the Immaculate wanted portals to other places, we wouldn’t put it in the middle of nowhere.  It would be in a barrack or anywhere closer to civilization, really.”<br/><br/>Lethe, and Fidelius, had always loved playing devil’s advocate: “It could be hidden for a reason.”<br/><br/>Leon shook his head in response.  “Who would use a portal in the middle of nowhere?  If it was for us Pristine Knights, there should be an easy path for us since we’d probably travel in full armor.”<br/><br/>“But it could also be for Scouts,  and they wouldn’t leave marks behind.”  Cricket contributed, his gaze now on the trees around them.<br/><br/>YunQiao joined the conversation.  “And there’s no residue of magic at all. . . even though these runes look like they were carved by magic.”  He was careful not to touch the stone as he pointed to one of the runes.  “They’re all an even depth.”  Ever since the Sin box in Jenault and Leon’s interesting comments about the carvings, he’d spent some time understanding basic carving techniques.<br/><br/>“Whoever did this is really trying to stay hidden then.”  Leon concluded.  The conversation had gone nowhere in resolving the issue.<br/><br/>A mirthless smile crossed Seraphim’s face, “Yes.  And we still don’t know who’s behind it.  Alright then, gut check.” Purple eyes swept over her squadmates, “Those who think it’s for nefarious purposes?”  All three hands rose without hesitation.  “Alright, me too.  Come on Cricket, looks like it’s demolition time.  YunQiao, Leon, tell us where to aim.”<br/><br/>“We might tip off whoever’s making these,” YunQiao cautioned even as he moved away from the portal.<br/><br/>Their temporary leader nodded in acceptance even as she rolled her shoulders back to loosen them.  “Yes, but do we have some overarching plan to capture them as they get here?  They can always run into this portal and out of our grasps because there’s no way in Light’s Name I’d authorize anyone to run through it.”<br/><br/>There was a sardonic chuckle but no other response.  “Looking at the structure, you should aim for these runes.”  Team Blonde’s mage suggested as he drew the said runes in the air.  Leon pointed at a few spots on the archway as well, “And I believe these spots are the weakest.”  Circles of water appeared at the indicated weak points, courtesy of YunQiao.<br/><br/>“Alright then,”  Seraphim reiterated as she tapped into her Light’s Blessing.  The air turned heavy around them as divine magic started seeping into the physical realm and the female Knight glowed faintly under the effects of her Valkyrie.  There was a similar glow, though fainter, around a concentrating Cricket.  “Make sure you don’t get hit.”  Drawing her fist back, the pink-haired Knight let it fly at the mysterious arch.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 24 of Month -4, Morning :: Caletta]]<br/><br/>Dietrich sipped slowly from his coffee, enjoying the leisurely walk through Caletta.  They were being given a morning off as their trainers were busy with some other meeting or assignment.  He knew most of his fellow veterans were taking the break to visit their families or friends but as he had none, he instead spent the free time enjoying the liveliness of Caletta.  It was a far cry from the sleepy town he’d spent his last years in.  He was crossing the street when he spotted a familiar figure up ahead.  Swallowing his mouthful of coffee, he lifted a hand to wave even as he shouted out, “Bianca! Bianca!”<br/><br/>The silhouette paused and then started looking around; he must have guessed right.  “Bianca!”  He shouted again, finally getting her to turn in the right direction.  Teal eyes finally alighted on him and then lightened up with familiarity.  “Dietrich!”  Joaquim’s wife exclaimed happily, “What brings you here?”<br/><br/>The brown-haired Knight chuckled sheepishly, feeling oddly flustered around the purple-haired woman.  “Just.. enjoying the morning.”  He mumbled with sudden awkwardness; he lifted his coffee cup as evidence for his words as he resisted the urge to cower behind it.  He was so pathetic.  He couldn’t even speak to Joaquim’s wife without getting tongue tied.<br/><br/>Bianca examined the offering curiously before a smile broke out on her lips.  “Mecca, right?  That’s a good coffee shop.”  Her head tilted to the side before teal eyes widened, “Sorry!  I need to get home!”  She showed off the bags she was carrying, “I need to drop these off and finish my shopping.”  A faux irate look crossed her face, “The downside of having Jessiah at school and Joaquim busy with work: I have to carry these heavy bags all by myself.”<br/><br/>Dietrich eyed the bags uncertainly.  “I. . .  I could carry them for you.”  He offered even as a blush broke out on his cheeks.  He wasn’t used to being the focus of such scrutiny.  “I wasn’t doing anything anyways and… well, it’s the least I can do after coming to dinner so many times. . .”<br/><br/>“Are you sure..?”<br/><br/>“Yes.”  Dietrich drained his coffee and tossed it into a trash bin, mind clearly made up.  He stuck his hands out expectantly and, with a relieved smile, Bianca offloaded her bags on him.  “Thanks so much, Dietrch!  And really, you’re welcome over any time!  I’m glad someone likes my dinners.”<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>Romauld stepped off the wyervia and stretched his arms, glad to no longer be confined in such a tiny space.  The machines were useful for transportation but were in no way particularly comfortable.  It was only when his arms dropped to his sides did he realize the utter silence of the Wyervia port.  Immediately on alert, he slowly looked around him.  He could see other people on the docks; he just couldn’t hear them.  It took less than a second for his staff to appear in his hand, divine magic already gathering around him.<br/><br/>“Romauld.”  A familiar-sounding voice tempered his caution.  Cricket stood up ahead with a hand raised in greeting.  “Lethe sent me to pick you up.”<br/><br/>The casual use of the White Seraph’s name made the Knight Commander relax; only a member of her squad would feel so comfortable to call the Seraph in such an informal manner.  However, he was still puzzled why Cricket was here to fetch him.  It seemed more like a Scribe’s or messenger’s job.  Any joke he would have made died at the grim look on his friend’s face.  Cricket forced a smile to his face to convey his happiness at seeing the other man but it was clear whatever was coming would be unpleasant.<br/><br/>“That bad?”  A nod confirmed his words.  “What--”<br/><br/>“Not here.”  Cricket cut in with a shake of his head, yet another ominous portent.  Romaul fell silent as he accepted the cloak and followed Cricket through the back alleys of Gless.  If the triple-sealed letter hadn’t been indication enough, this secrecy certainly made clear that trouble lay ahead.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/>Abel surveyed the War Room over his crossed arms.  He had taken a spot along the room’s back wall so as to better gauge the crowd.  It was an unusual mix of people in the room.  Master Jung was in a seat near the front talking with Councilor Margarette.  The Crests were the only group standing, seemingly unaffected by whatever announcement was to come.  Lethe’s team were more subdued; they sat in two rows of eight as if isolating themselves from the rest with a Knight Commander, Rasova’s?, sitting beside them.  Brown eyes narrowed on the group of nine.  That wasn’t by chance; Rasova’s KC knew Lethe’s team.  Sigfried had claimed a spot behind Master Jung and two other uneasy looking Knights, vaguely familiar to him, were sitting beside him.  Squad Guilford had taken their own seats as well, opposite Lethe's squad.  Councilor Laith was sitting on his own, a row of seats separating him from the rest of the room.<br/><br/>He scanned the room once more: the Crests, Lethe’s team, and Guilford’s team.  Perhaps this gathering was not as unusual as it first appeared.  Besides the three Knights he wasn’t certain about and Sigfried, all of the people gathered here were very high ranked and very skilled.  His suspicions from earlier sharpened.  As the location of the meeting hadn’t been hint enough, the gathered occupants were a clear sign: whatever was coming was very bad news.<br/><br/>Before he could speculate, the back door to the room opened to reveal the two Seraphs and Councilor Cornelius.  Abel finally uncrossed his arms and straightened.  He would be ready for whatever came next.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/>Never in his lifetime after the First War did Cornelius think that he would be down here of all places.  The War Room, built more for the purpose of having one rather than actually using it.  The room was well-lit, with only one path that led to the podium at the center.  There were a couple rows of semi-arched tables along with already occupied seats on both sides of the room.  After what both Guilford and Lethe brought to him, he had taken it upon himself to be the bearer of such grave news.  The old Councilor looked around, noting the concerned and anxious looks from the participants when they turned their attention on them at their entrance.  Flanked by both Seraphs, Cornelius made his way to the front of the room.<br/><br/>With a grave expression, the old Councilor took a long look at all the faces within the room.<br/><br/>"I never once thought I would stand where I am right now.." he began, "much less be the bearer of this news." the old councilor took a pause, having noted the shift in the bodies of some newer Knight Commanders.<br/><br/>They were in the War Room.  The second war had already begun.  For Krista and Heinrich, the thought of more<span style="font-style: italic">bad news</span>simply caught them off guard.<span style="font-style: italic">There's more to it?</span>The question was clearly painted on their faces.  Only Abel, Sigfried, Master Jung, and the two Seraph squads seem to be unaffected by his words; a true mark of First War veterans and those under the wings of their Seraphs.  Cornelius took comfort in seeing such an act of composure from these few.  If only Chevalier and Caldwell, the Divine Flash were still here..<br/><br/>"Forgive me," Cornelius continued, having realized that he had been momentarily lost in the moment, "While I wish that I do not have to say this, it needs to be said.." he trailed off, took a deep breath and steeled his resolve, "The God of Sin has been revived.”  His audience was too disciplined to react explosively.  However, jerks of shock, gasps, and widened eyes littered the crowd.  It was easy to spot those who had already known; their reactions were much more muted.  He addressed those to whom this was news, "You must be wondering about the validity of this claim.. I can assure you, the evidence is substantial. He is back—this much is true."<br/><br/>The old Councilor bowed his head, weariness making him temporarily mute, before he regathered his resolve.  "Proof of that is the disturbance in the Divine Realm felt by some or most of you, including Masters Lethe and Guilford.  Now you may be wondering why I’m telling you this.  Clearly,” he nodded at the empty space around them, “not everyone is present.  Masters Lethe and Guilford and I believe you all can help lead the Immaculate.  Panic is<span style="text-decoration: underline">not</span>an option, nor is second-guessing what we already know.  We are already undermanned compared to what we once had back in the First War.  If this knowledge spreads among the knighthood, we could lose more of what limited strength we have left before the fight even begins."<br/><br/>He levelled a solemn stare over the twenty six men and women sitting in front of him.  “I say this only for the record’s sake, not because I think you need the reminder, this information about the God of Sin is not to be shared with anyone else.  You are not to speak about it anywhere but under the strongest privacy wards, currently this room, the two adjacent meeting rooms, and the two Seraphs’ squad quarters.  If you want anywhere else warded, you will ask Master Lethe to set up the privacy wards.”  Finally his gaze drifted away from the assembly before him, turning upwards as he requested, “May the Divine Light guide us through these trying times.”<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>“May the Divine Light guide us through these trying times.”  The words fell thoughtlessly from his lips, brain more occupied with what he’d just learned than the blessing.  So, the God of Sin was back.  His heart felt heavy at such knowledge.  As if Eve’s return hadn’t been enough. . . But no, he should have known the instant she returned,<span style="font-style: italic">he</span>would also follow.  Eve would never leave her consort dead if there was any way to revive him.<br/><br/>Against the wave of regret that rose within him, Abel could only bow his head and endure.  If only he’d been strong enough to kill Eve all those years ago.  If only he had admitted the truth so they knew to protect it better.  There were many ifs but none reflected reality.  This was a reality where both Eve and the God of Sin had returned.  He stifled the weary sigh in his throat and instead looked over the room.<br/><br/>The unknown Knight Commanders still seemed in shock.  One was clenching his hands and the dark-haired woman beside him was staring at the ground.  Sigfried was pacing one of the aisles, face dark with anger.  He hadn’t known either then.  Brown eyes scanned the other occupants in the room.  The Crests seemed unsurprised; Guilford’s squad were similarly unaffected.  Lethe’s squad were all grim faced but otherwise fine.  She must have told them.  So far, the only people who hadn’t been told about this development were the ones who had just arrived today and himself.  (It was impossible to tell Master Jung’s reaction given his former subordinates were currently speaking with the old man.)  Why had<span style="font-style: italic">he</span>been the only one excluded from such confidences?<br/><br/>He frowned in Gil’s direction.  He had expected more from his protege, but it appeared the ill will from his faking Gil’s death still lingered.  They’d have to remedy that in the near future.  He couldn’t be acting with delayed knowledge.  A hand beckoned him to approach; Councilors Cornelius and Laith wanted him.  With a nod of acknowledgement, Abel steeled his resolve and walked towards the two men.  The God of Sin had returned.  Now it was up to them to kill it once more.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 24 of Month -4, Day :: Lindela ]]<br/><br/>“Ah-achoo!”  Marielle looked up from the clothes she was sorting at the unexpected sound.  One of the other volunteers rubbed at her nose ruefully, sniffed, and then shot the other ladies a wry smile.  “Forgive me, Olav just recovered from a cold and..” She and all the other volunteers laughed sympathetically.  They were all mothers who dedicated their free time to helping out the Church; they all knew that the moment the kiddy got sick, it was inevitable they’d become sick too.<br/><br/>“It’s certainly been lingering hasn’t it?”  One of the advocates spoke up with a concerned look.  “It seems like the moment someone gets over it, the next person starts sneezing.”<br/><br/>“Isn’t that all colds?”  Someone joked, prompting another round of laughs.  “But it does seem to have come early this year.  Just starting Autumn and we’re all sniffling.”  There were nods of agreement as the group of women considered this revelation.<br/><br/>“Well,” Another volunteer vigorously shook out the towel in her hands in a vain attempt at shaking out the wrinkles.  “Let’s just be happy it’s just a cold and not something worse.”  She folded the towel into a neat square, prompting the others to get back to folding and sorting as well.<br/><br/>Marielle stared drearily into the basket in front of her.  Yes, at least it wasn’t something worse.  She tried to ignore the chill that slithered down her back at those words.