By the time he came to, Guilford found himself and the rest of his squad already gathered to safety. He immediately recalled the last thing he remembered, the sheer force of that unexpected explosion knocked him out cold. A new but familiar face smiled at him politely, it was Valiar Marcus, Lethe's cleric that he had always mistaken to take up the role of a tank. When the other knight held both hands up front and started to channel his healing spells, Guilford suddenly reached out and grabbed Valiar's right wrist then shook his head to the side. He could feel a trickling sensation from his forehead down the left side of his face, but he did not need to think what it was. Guilford instead redirected his stare to his unconscious subordinates, then back to Valiar.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Them first please..."</span>he trailed off, the sight of his entire squad's condition weighing heavy on his conscience. He had pushed them too far even knowing that their combat capacity was less than half of what it used to be.<br/><br/>The other knight stopped, looked back right into Guilford's eyes, as if telling him that Seraphs should be healed first. While any standard cleric unit would often treat ranking officers first and foremost, Guilford does not take the priviledge too kindly. His unwavering stare was enough to convince the other knight to proceed otherwise, no words even need to be said. Somewhere in his heart, Guilford could tell that Valiar knew that had it been Lethe, she would no doubt request the same of the healer.<br/><br/>Groaning as he pushed himself back to his feet, with bits of rubble and dust falling off of him, Guilford scanned the perimeter. Several knights from Lethe's squad had also joined the fray, relentlessly attacking the manifestation of sin along with their captain. A pang of relief washed over him as he watched the fight from a safe distance. Lethe's movements were splendid, as is Team Blonde's coodination. It was testament to the rumors of them being a top notch squad. They pushed the entity to the brink, obviously having the upper hand against it. When Lethe struck the final blow, a victorious cheer from all the other squads maintaining the perimeter with<span style="font-style: italic">Repent</span>rocked the small quarantined space. It was not everyday that squads get to witness a Seraph's combat prowess, they just saw something incredible.<br/><br/>Amidst the triumphant cries, Guilford felt a hint of worry gnawing at him. These knights had no idea that this is just the beginning, that if they do not act soon, adversaries like the one Lethe just defeated would become a common foe. Guilford watched the entity revert back to a crystal and fall broken to the ruptured grounds. Pulling out another empty container from his pouch, Guilford staggered his way to it and picked it up. He tossed it inside the container and locked the lid in place, filling the contraption with what little holy power he had left to form a complex seal. When he finished, Guilford nodded at Lethe and the rest of her squad then looked up to the clear blue skies. He was unable to shake the feeling that something is about to happen, and they will be smack in the middle of it.<br/><br/><br/>__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Grand Cathedral - Three Days Later...</div></span></span><br/><br/><br/>Inside Guilford's squad quarters, all members of his team were gathered. They all exhibited a slight hint of worry on their features while waiting for their Captain's return from the High Council meet. Brynhildr passed the time polishing her armor and weapons, Alfrei was looking out the window listening to the knights that were walking around the cathedral grounds, Natalia was doodling as usual, Joaquim, Georg and Vlad were gathered around a small table talking about new formations and battle strategies, and Hyuga was alone in the far corner of the room, studying the crystal from Master Lethe's last battle. Their squad was finally granted their long overdue reprieve from active duty to recuperate.<br/><br/>"You know..." Alfrei paused and turned to the rest of the group. "there's been talk going around among the knights. When word spread about District 8, they believe our squad just lost the number one spot." he spouted, not really looking for a debate but rather a light conversation. The others with him only looked at him with nonchalance. "Like they know anything..." Brynhildr responded, her polishing strokes becoming a little rougher as she did. "Who cares? We gave them a poor show." Natalia mindlessly mumbled while flipping to another page in her sketchpad. Vlad brooded, his right hand finding his chin to appear in deep thought. "I'm more concerned about us having to get knocked around before being granted a chance to rest." he muttered. Georg turned from his seat to face Alfrei and simply smiled. "I never pegged you to be the type who concerns himself with public image." he stated, with Joaquim seconding the notion. "He's a worrywart. I guess even trivial things get to him."<br/><br/>Alfrei sighed and rubbed his temples with his left hand. "It's not that guys. I'm worried that if they begin to think we've fallen out of shape, they'd lose confidence in the Captain as well." he continued. Upon hearing this, the others failed to come up with a comeback, knowing full well that what the lieutenant just said is not a distant possibility. "The more you deny it, the stronger their suspicion solidifies. It would be best for us to leave things as it is. Let those who truly knows the story take care of the situation." Hyuga inadvertently spouted from the corner of the room. Alfrei chuckled, there was undeniable wisdom from words that came from the man deep in study. "I wonder what's taking the Captain too long?"<br/><br/>__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________<br/><br/><br/>Inside the High Council Chambers, the two Seraphs have been called for an emergency meeting. The huge chamber is well lit, designed simply like any church yet had a profound air of tranquility. Red carpet covered the entire floor, six of the High Council Elders sat in their chairs behind a long table that spanned the length their chairs are positioned. Guilford, still with a bandage around his head knelt respectfully before the six with Lethe to his left. On the table was the container of the crystal sample Guilford procured from the Barrens, along with Lethe's sketch of the runic symbol she had found in the basement from District 8. The elders have finished examining the specimens and were now in debate regarding Guilford's request to sanction an investigation team to the depths of Palaugrim.<br/><br/>With the way Guilford phrased his concerns and request, he had made it clear that he has no intention of taking another squad other than Lethe's with him. The High Council debated it amongst themselves, weighing the pros and cons of having the only two of their Seraphs far away from Gless.<br/><br/>"Guilford tell me, why does it have to be Lethe's squad? Why can't you take Marion's? Or Kobayashi's or Siegfried's or any other squad for the matter?" asked one of the council elders, the only one who wears spectacles. Guilford bowed lightly.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Councilor Aurel, as I have mentioned, if the followers of Sin have already found a way to utilize the crystallized essence before you, taking another squad other than Lethe's would only serve to slow me down. Not only do I have to worry about the safety of my own squad, I will also have to protect them too."</span><br/><br/>"Then why not take several squads with you? Do you belittle the knights below you Guilford?" asked another, the one who has a long white beard.<span style="color: #0080FF">"On the contrary Councilor Liviu, I do not. I merely want to take as little as I can with me so I may rest assured that the defenses on Lindela and Gless would not have to suffer greatly. My reports include neutralizing a Pure Sinner in District 8. We haven't had a Pure Sinner reach Lindela in years, I'm afraid that if what I think is true, they have found a way to slip past the border defenses. Should that be the case, we'll need every able knight ready to deploy at a moment's notice."</span>he answered calmly.<br/><br/>"Do you understand what you ask of us? Lethe and her squad is an indispensable part of The Immaculate, as is you and your squad. Yet you ask us to send you both away to Palaugrim on a dangerous mission? To what end? The Pristine Knights are no longer short-handed as they used to are they not?" asked the youngest council elder. Guilford took a deep breath. Now the rumors he heard and mentioned to Deimos finally started to make sense. It was clear that what the council was doing is to limit Lethe's squad movements. But for what reason? Guilford struggled for answers.<span style="color: #0080FF">"If I may be so blunt Councilor Mihai, I believe it is a Pristine Knight's duty to fight Sin. What I ask of you is in line with that duty I swore an oath to. Why do I feel like the High Council is trying to stop me from doing my duties effectively?"</span><br/><br/>Silence filled the chamber. Nobody, not one from the council expected to hear such words from Guilford of all the knights. Guilford was sure that even Lethe would be surprised. He was not the type to question the High Council but with this, he may have crossed the line.<span style="color: #0080FF">"My sincerest apologies councilors. I did not intend to sound rebelious, I merely wish to understand the High Council's reasons for being hesitant with my request."</span><br/><br/>This time the oldest, said to be the wisest, and the leader of the High Council spoke. "Guilford, we appreciate your dedication to our cause, more than you could imagine. Do not think for a second that what we are doing is hindering your duties. We have a responsibility to protect the welfare of the people who follow the Divine Light, just as you have your duty to fight Sin for the sake of the people. If you feel so strongly about having Lethe come with you, then we will consider it. However, both of you must return no later than a week. Do you understand?" he asked. Guilford bowed his head respectfully.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Yes Councilor Cornelius, I understand. Thank you."</span>he responded timely. "Very well, both of you should rest for the journey. You are to depart in two days. Dismissed."