<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Palaugrim - Kaiser Outpost</div></span></span><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Look out beloooooow!!"</span><br/><br/>The piercing scream from the heavens drew the attention of the knights loitering around the outpost skyward. At first they only saw a speck, slowly turning into the shape of a man as it came falling closer. What felt like an extended wait ended in just a couple seconds as the man fell gracelessly into a stack of hay for the horses, head first into the pile. The stunned knights gathered around the man, cautious hands resting on the hilts of their Judgment swords.<br/><br/>"Identify yourself!" one of them yelled at him.<br/><br/>Despite their calls and demands, the man had an awfully hard time getting his feet back to the ground where they were meant to be. When he finally managed to, the orange head looked at the uneasy knights with a sheepish smile plastered on his lips. He picked himself up and plucked out remnants of hay stuck in the ridges and corners of his armor. Lance had failed to take into account the added weight of his armor when picking a decelerator to use before jumping out of the wyviera. He thought it was the death of him but it's a good thing it ended up as nothing more than a big blunder and a few scratches.<br/><br/>Still busy with tidying himself up, the knights questioned him again only this time, their swords were drawn. They no doubt noticed his long spear lying ominously near his feet. Not a moment too soon, just as he was about to answer, Lance caught sight of a figure squirming its way through the congregation of knights encircling him. The silver armor with gold linings stood out in contrast with the darker steel of standard pristine knight gear. Seconds later and there she was, blue scarf dancing with the wind. She stared at him for a few moments before speaking.<br/><br/>"Identify yourself." she commanded him.<br/><br/>Lance smirked. There was calm and composure in her tone. Clearly she was one of the authorities in this joint. With a swift kick to the ground, Lance sent his spear upward, catching the pole with his right hand and skillfully swung the weapon around before letting it rest on his shoulder. He bowed politely before the woman inquiring as a show of respect.<br/><br/>"Lance Fitzherberg milady."<br/><br/>A brow flicked in irritation. "Quite polite aren't we? Considering you<span style="font-style: italic">dropped in</span>on us uninvited. Lance Fitzherberg, does that name suppose to mean anything to me?"<br/><br/>Feisty. Lance thought to himself. Somehow, this lady reminded him of someone. "I suppose not milady. Forgive my insolence." he played along, wanting to see what her reaction would be if she realizes who he was. Already there were murmurs from the others gathered. Some of them probably knew of his identity from the time of Liberation, yet they may have only heard the name but never got to see him in person.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"So the Lion decides to come out of his den did he? To what do I owe the pleasure?"</span><br/><br/>There was no mistaking that voice, that deep, masculine tone filled with authority. The knights gathered around immediately fell into a semblance of order, and the woman previously questioning him moved aside to give way to Kaiser Outpost's Knight Commander, Sigfried.<br/><br/>"It's been far too long Sigfried. Have you been well?" Lance smiled in acknowledgment of the man's presence, keeping his formality intact.<br/><br/>"That's Knight Commander Sigfried to you!" The woman spoke in a burst of annoyance at the man's lack of decorum. Sigfried instantly doused her fire with a flat stare stating that she was out of line. She bowed her head humbly in an attempt to keep herself in check.<br/><br/>"Indeed it has. And the first thing you do is try my patience." the man sighed. "You know that I'm not cut for formalities Lance." Sigfried added and extended his right arm for a handshake.<br/><br/>Lance obliged and briefly shook hands with Sigfried. "I am here under orders from Master Guilford."<br/><br/>"Is it about my report?" Sigfried inquired and received a nod in response from Lance. "Why did he send you? Isn't it a bit too late for that? Master Lethe is already on it."<br/><br/>Of course, it would seem like Guilford was wasting manpower even though he only sent him. Lance scratched his head in defeat. "It's... more complicated than that. I'm here in relation to your report but my orders are different."<br/><br/>Sigfried's composure couldn't hide the confusion in his eyes. Regardless, if he was under orders from the other Seraph, for him to send another prominent figure in Palaugrim must mean it was serious. Sigfried deemed it would be best to talk about it in his office. "Come. We'll talk more of this in my office." he told Lance and immediately looked at Yulia. "Bring some refreshments to us later." he ordered and walked past the female knight into the largest establishment in Kaiser Outpost.<br/><br/>It was Yulia's turn to bow politely, forced if she had any say about it. She was taken by surprise when their Commander went all friendly with the man who was an uninvited guest just a few moments ago. She thought she knew all of Sigfried's acquaintances but this man named Lance Fitzherberg simply drew blanks in her mind. She had absolutely nothing on him and that fact worried her greatly. Yulia looked around and noticed that some of the knights were in a state of bemusement. She approached one of them and asked. "Who is that man?"<br/><br/>The knight she questioned simply came at a loss for words by her inquiry. "Head Captain Yulia, perhaps you should recall our history lessons in the academy. Lance Fithzerberg was a prominent figure during the time of the First War, He was a famous young Captain alongside other names like the Divine Flash, Grau Ritter, Chevalier, and Ferus Ensis. He even helped us during the time of Liberation!"<br/><br/>Yulia couldn't believe what she just learned. If that man was as prominent as this knight claimed him to be, why hasn't she heard anything about him? Then again, Yulia recalled her academy days, she never was one to stay awake during history class. And during the time of Liberation, she got stuck here in the outpost. She sighed in defeat. If all that was true, then that man ranked higher than her and she was quite rude to him. An apology was definitely in order.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">____________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/>"That's the gist of it." Lance concluded and relaxed in his seat.<br/><br/>Sigfried sighed in his own chair and rubbed his temples with one hand. "So you're basically on covert babysitting duty is that what you're telling me?"<br/><br/>Lance frowned. Sigfried just had to be blunt didn't he? "It's not like that. I would say I'm sort of a backup just in case. I am to reveal myself only when absolutely necessary. We can't afford showing the enemy our hands now can we? Come on Sig, why would I babysit someone who's probably on par or even more skilled than I am? It defeats the purpose!" he protested. "I'm just here to make sure nothing happens to them during their stay while looking into 'that' of course."<br/><br/>"Ahh yes, there's 'that' too." Sigfried huffed and looked over a couple documents. "Does Master Guilford truly believe that what's going on here is an elaborate plan by Eve to eliminate the other Seraph?"<br/><br/>"Yes but it's not limited to only that angle." Lance crossed his arms on top of his chest. A drawn out breath from him telling Sigfried that it could be worse. "What's going on here in Palaugrim can be interpreted in many ways. What I said earlier is one point. This could also be a ruse to draw our attention elsewhere..."<br/><br/>"Or a combination of both." Sigfried continued Lance's words. "Just what are they up to? This feels like a calm before the storm."<br/><br/>"A prelude to chaos. I hate to say it but it's true." Lance sighed. "If only we had something to tip the balance. Right now the chess pieces are at a stalemate. One wrong move from either will topple that fragile balance. We must tread carefully."<br/><br/>"Agreed." Sigfried then handed Lance an updated map with information similar to what Master Lethe requested from him. "I don't know where they decided to head first but it would be for the best if you look into the most recent incidents."<br/><br/>A knock on the door stopped both men in the middle of their conversation. Yulia came in carrying a tray of refreshments for both Lance and Sigfried. "Yulia, you're late. What took you so long? We're just about done here."<br/><br/>Lance's eyes widened a little upon hearing the name. Why did it sound so familiar? Yulia. He repeated the name like a mantra silently in his head, struggling to bring out memories related to it. The exchange of words between the other two became a buzz to him as he delved deeper into his memories. It was then that a surname popped into his head, Schneider, followed by an image of his former subordinate Yael. Lance's gaze slowly shifted over to the woman handing him a glass of drink. There was no mistaking it, the genetic similarity between Yael and his female twin became obvious to him the moment Lance began to recall. He took the drink from Yulia quietly and realized that the woman now had an irritated look on her face.<br/><br/>"It's rude to stare you know?" she grumbled.<br/><br/>"M-my apologies milady, you just..." Lance hesitated but continued regardless. "...reminded me of someone."<br/><br/>"Nice try." she sneered at him and walked out of the room. Though she was supposed to apologize, she couldn't understand why she felt a certain air of animosity towards that man. Yulia sighed, her Captain would definitely have her head on a plate later for such a display of rudeness.<br/><br/>Back inside the room, Sigfried was still trying to figure out what just happened until Lance asked him a question. "Is her last name Schneider?" Sigfried nodded but a questioning look remained on his features.<br/><br/>"How long has she been a knight now?" Lance asked again, his tone a little less lively than before.<br/><br/>Sigfried pondered for a moment. "A few years now. She's still a bit green but better than most." he answered as his gaze fell onto Lance. "Why do you ask?"<br/><br/>Lance shook his head and immediately downed the drink he had in one go. He picked up the map provided by Sigfried and got up from his seat. "Don't worry about it, it's nothing. I best head out now if I wish to catch their trail before sundown. Thank you for the hospitality Sig."<br/><br/>Curious as he may be, Sigfried knew well not to pry. He respected privacy and if Lance deemed it nothing, though it concerns his subordinate, it was still between Lance and Yulia. For now he would leave it as it is. Perhaps Yulia would tell him something someday. Sigfried rose from his seat and extended a hand towards Lance. The other gripped it firmly and shook it a few times before he turned his back on the other and left his office.<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;">Lindela - District 10</div></span></span><br/><br/>The cold night offered no reprieve for the restless. Lillith tossed and turned herself in the comfort of her bed to no avail. In her futile effort to catch that ever elusive sleep, her eyes shot open in realization of her troubles. It was the twenty-ninth moon of the second phase. What draws near became apparent in her thoughts. Eve will make her move soon. Lillith sighed, a thousand words could not express the emotions freely flowing inside her, not even if she tried her best. Giving up on the thought of sleep, Lillith slipped out of bed and slowly made her way out of her room. Somehow, the four corners of the room felt like they were closing in on her. She had to get out.<br/><br/>The sound of his wooden stairs straining even under light footsteps awoke Gray. The words of the male Seraph echoed inside his head repeatedly,<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #0080FF">"Keep an eye on her."</span></span>Of course, it was the appropriate thing to do. Guilford knew who this woman really was and only agreed to let him keep custody over Lilac under the condition that should he find her still in collusion with the enemy, he would personally put an end to her. Gray sat up quietly and looked to his left where his old Judgment Sword hung peacefully on the wall. After a few moments of thought, the retired knight reached out to grab the weapon. He strode over to the window of his room overlooking the front of his house and mildly parted the curtains to get a better view outside. Moments later, Lilac came to sight.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"What should I do?"</span>she questioned herself, tormented by the things she did in the past, and by the new-found peace she had now.<br/><br/>All her life she hated the light, yet it was through its mercy that she was able to experience the things she never did in the past. Things like happiness, hope, joy, and all those other emotions she once thought of as useless.<span style="color: #FF0000">"I... I don't... I don't deserve this!"</span><br/><br/>Despite the thoughts she harbored, Lillith froze. This sudden horrible feeling that now surrounded her, caressing her entire body tauntingly could only belong to none other than Eve. Lillith spun on her heels frantically, trying to find the source in the midst of this moonlit blackness of the night. Moments later, a swirling mist of darkness formed a few yards away from where Lillith stood. From that darkness, a figure emerged, her worst fears coming to haunt her personally... Eve.<br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"Having a little moment aren't we? My, how pathetic you've become... Lillith."</span></span><br/><br/>Gray who was watching in silence by the window felt the sudden shift in the tranquil air of the night. For a long time now, he had never felt such an ominous presence of Sin, not since the time of the First War. It felt like ice bolted his feet to the floor, his entire body wrapped in heavy chains restraining him from making even the tiniest movement. Memories of those horrible times flooded him like they only happened yesterday. He couldn't move.<br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"So you chose to side with these vermin and ignore the mission I gave you. How many times does this make it now hmm? How many times have you failed us now?!"</span>Eve questioned the former spymaster as she slowly walked towards her, corrupting the ground with every step she took.<span style="color: #8080FF">"No matter. Your weakness shall trouble us no more. Your time has come Lillith!"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"She definitely knows something. Gray, I want you to find out what that is. I know full well why you retired, but let this be the last task I entrust to you."</span></span><br/><br/>Again, Master Guilford's words resounded inside his head. Gray understood his duty, his last duty to the Light and its importance. However, he realized just a second too late. The next thing he saw was a powerful bolt of darkness fired by the other woman speeding towards Lilac. A string of memories played in sequence inside his head, that bitter time of when he lost those he held dear to him. "NOOO!!!" he yelled, freed from the spell of fear that bound him in place, battle-instinct taking over him completely.<br/><br/>The symphony of glass and wood breaking alerted Eve to another presence. When she turned towards the source of the sound, Eve saw a man rapidly coming down on her with a glowing sword. She had seen this boring attack one too many times and yet her instincts were yelling at her to evade. She did so in a split-second decision, jumping back to safety and watched the sword of that man strike the ground with so much force the earth she stood on rumbled. However, the assault of that man did not end there. Through the dust cloud he created, the man emerged, sword at the ready and closing in on her fast, again with that glowing sword! Eve ducked, cleanly avoiding a slash that was meant to decapitate her. Though she managed to dodge, she still felt the weight behind that slash just above her head. This man was no ordinary knight.<br/><br/>Following that slash was a relentless combination of sword swings. Eve suddenly found herself reduced to two options, either dodge or block. It was hard to believe but Eve wasn't expecting that there was somebody else other than Abel who could pour on the pressure against her. This man is dangerous! Having blocked another overhead strike, Eve countered with a swift kick to the midsection to gain some much needed distance between her and the man. She watched the other skid back defensively and saw no openings to follow through, a telling sign of this man's combat experience.<br/><br/>What was it driving him? Was it bloodlust? Rage? It was quite hard to tell since he was showing no signs of any emotion. Irritated that she couldn't get a read on her opponent, Eve channeled her dark energies for another bolt. She aimed carefully, but the man was unfazed. Much to her surprise, instead of making a move to dodge her bolt, the man charged straight in, seemingly mocking her strength! With a furious roar, Eve fired her power but the man kept coming head on. Even with little protection, the man used his free left arm to swat her dark bolt away, sacrificing it so that he could continue to close the distance and take the opening to strike her with his sword. The next thing she knew was that she was knocked back and lightly wounded across the chest.<br/><br/>She viciously glared at the man, now one arm short, who was already preparing for his next attack despite a grievous wound. Her gaze then darted over the motionless body of her original target, then snapping back towards the man. As much as she hated it, she knew it was time to retreat. Not wasting a second more, Eve vanished into the darkness.<br/><br/>After making sure it was safe, Gray dropped his sword and immediately ran towards the motionless woman. He held her up with his good arm and called out to her. She opened her eyes weakly and smiled at him.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"I'm so...rry..."</span>she whispered, looking at Gray's wound.<br/><br/>"Think nothing of it! Hang in there you hear me! Help is on the way!" he desperately looked around for knights but they were still nowhere to be seen.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"No... I'm.. be..yond help..."</span><br/><br/>"No! Don't you say that!" he retorted and immediately focused his healing magic on her.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Gray... listen..."</span>she coughed.<span style="color: #FF0000">"On the thirteenth moon... of the third phase... Tethel's forces will... attack Palaugrim..."</span>she winced in pain but tried her hardest to continue speaking.<span style="color: #FF0000">"Eve has mustered... enough forces... in the barrens... to stage an offensive... on this island... in concert with Tethel's attack... the war will be fought... on two fronts..."</span>her teary eyes caught a glimpse of Gray's worried ones.<span style="color: #FF0000">"This is all... I know... and Gray..."</span>she trailed and mustered one last breath.<span style="color: #FF0000">"...thank you."</span>