Two furious<span style="font-style: italic">Banish</span>bolts shot up in the distance. Guilford's eyes noticed it from the corner of his field of vision but there was hardly any need for it. The black and red energy that crackled and tore the dawn-lit sky, followed by the harsh wave of Sin that blew across the entirety of town was enough telling that<span style="font-style: italic">something</span>has been released.<br/><br/>The strength of Sin bleeding in the air wasn't especially strong, it somehow felt lacking but still way above their ordinary quarries. Guilford stared at the distance, ignoring the silhouette of knights that bounded over the rooftops headed to that direction. Now he could clearly feel everyone's presences, eleven towards the direction of the enormous malice, seven on their way to it. Guilford's eyes widened after deciphering the owners of the presences.<br/><br/>He gathered strength under his footing and leaped to the air, cracking the concrete that once served as his foothold in the process. Guilford could feel his heart racing, his mind refusing to let some thoughts take over. Whatever she did, she let herself fall too weak to even put up a fight.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Lethe, hang in there..."</span><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">____________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/><br/>Being the fastest knight in the entire knighthood, Guilford was the first to arrive on scene. He landed with a furious thud in front of a torn establishment. Purple eyes quickly panning the surroundings, he took note of the seven knights circling the manifestation, two civilians bound by penance and one unconscious Seraph in the filthy clutches of the red haired woman. Slowly rising to his feet, Guilford looked at the manifestation before him, it smiled at him almost lovingly.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"My, my, you've grown to become a fine man. How long has it been <span style="font-style: italic">little boy</span>? Two decades?"</span>it asked flirtatiously.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Fifteen years."</span>Guilford answered back with an ice cold tone.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Oh? It's been that long already? But it feels just like yesterday..."</span>it trailed into giggles.<br/><br/>The sound of several other pairs of greaves landing behind the Seraph interrupted the manifestation's moment. She panned her eyes towards the newcomers and a frown of distaste formed on her face. She then turned to look back at Guilford, that wicked smile taking its place back in her lips.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"I could still remember it clearly boy, the day I ripped that knight's heart out of his stuffy armor, and doing it right before your eyes! Oohhhh the pleasure I felt! The ecstasy!"</span>it said, quivering at the hideous memories it has. The manifestation raised the other Seraph she held by her nasty claws and smiled seductively at Guilford.<span style="color: #FF0000">"The look of horror on your face that day, it was priceless! I want to see it again! Can I? Pretty please? Can I do it again?"</span>it pleaded playfully, the childlike demeanor it displayed unsuitable for her image.<br/><br/>Guilford cringed at the thought. "What's it talking about Captain?" Brynhildr asked, sword drawn and fighting stance taken. Guilford gestured for all knights to hold their ground. He knew that one wrong move from any of them and Lillith would do the unthinkable to Lethe. He couldn't let that happen, he<span style="font-style: italic">wouldn't</span>let that happen no matter what.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Let her go Lillith."</span>Guilford counter-offered. The expression on the manifestation's face sharpened after hearing his words. It spat in distaste.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Pah! And why in the world would I do that? You filthy knights wouldn't let a Sinner go even if it pleaded right? I think it's fair I treat your kind the same way you treat us!"</span>it hissed, free claws sharply drawing closer to Lethe's neck.<br/><br/>The instant agitation from the rest of the White Seraph's squad alarmed the manifestation. It traced a lone claw around the entirety of Lethe's neck in response.<span style="color: #FF0000">"Tsk! Tsk! Feisty aren't we? Do you so want to see what her heart looks like so bad? How about I tell you what's inside of it instead?"</span>it teased, eyes gazing at the woman it held captive.<span style="color: #FF0000">"She has been so kind to give me a peek of what's inside when she released me."</span>it continued with a maniacal laughter.<br/><br/>Guilford could only think of no other way to distract Lillith but to talk with it. The manifestation seemed to have an inkling to conversation.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Humor me."</span>Guilford finally replied.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Oh? So you do want to know. Tell me, are you hoping that you would be somewhere in it <span style="font-style: italic">boy</span>?"</span>it asked and giggled in satisfaction. Lillith then raised Lethe to her side, leveling the Seraph's face to her eyes so she could clearly see Lethe.<br/><br/>In this moment, Guilford carefully moved his right hand to grasp the hilt of his sword. The ever so slow movement caught the eyes of the rest of his squad, even some from Lethe's. They already knew that he was on to something and got ready in their own way. Guilford's eyes then flicked to the knights he knew Lethe trusted the most. Adair, Seraphim, and Valiar. How many times has it been since he gave unspoken orders? He couldn't recall but trusted that even if they were not under his command, they would understand the look he gave them,<span style="font-style: italic">take care of her</span>.<br/><br/>The manifestation finally smiled, seemingly satisfied after observing the woman it held in its clutches.<span style="color: #FF0000">"Her fear of Sin... just the feel of it is exhilarat--"</span><br/><br/>There was nothing more embarrassing for someone else to pour one's heart out in the open, and to think the one trying to do it for her is the enemy. Guilford didn't want any part of that, whatever Lethe keeps locked in her heart, is for hers to keep until she decides to share it with someone else. Before the manifestation could even finish her words, Guilford lunged at her with near blinding speed. Using his<span style="font-style: italic">Nirvana</span>in a quick-draw motion, Guilford severed the arm that held Lethe in a death grip. A sharp scream of agony pierced the air...<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Ggh! I will slaughter you! Rip your heart out and tear it to shreds! Boy!"</span><br/><br/>The manifestation moved in towards Guilford for the kill, raising its remaining good arm to slash the man's back. However, Guilford's focus had been interrupted by<span style="font-style: italic">Nirvana</span>, his consciousness slipping out of his grasp as it transcended again thanks to the serious usage of the blade. Had it not been for Alfrei yelling his name, Guilford wouldn't be able to dodge in time.<br/><br/>Rolling out of harm's way, Guilford immediately raised his sword that now glowed brighter with him infusing it with Banish. He blocked the follow up strike and countered with a moon slash that sent the entity flying outwards into the open. The rest of his squad immediately moved out to pursue and contain the entity.<br/><br/>Sheathing his<span style="font-style: italic">Nirvana</span>that threatened to consume his rational thinking, Guilford turned to Adair.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I know I don't have to tell you this but whatever you do, make sure she's alright."</span><br/><br/>Knowing he can't leave that entity in the hands of his squad alone, Guilford rushed towards the direction he had sent Lillith flying.