[[Day 10 of Month -3, Night :: Gless]]<br/><br/>It was always the silence that he noticed first.  He didn’t really like silence, so he always noticed it immediately.  Then came the sense of nothing.  There were no bodies around him, no obstacles to evade; it was just empty.  Cricket opened his eyes and all he saw was grey.  With the force of routine, he sat up, got to his feet, and looked around.  In the distance was a slab of darkness.  A line of white bisected the darkness vertically, letting light spill out into the world before it was muted by the omnipresent mist.  The purple-haired man forced a tired smile to his lips and started walking towards the door.<br/><br/>As usual, Konan was waiting for him; she leaned against the still closed door, making sure to stay in the shadows.  She looked up as he approached but made no other welcome.<br/><br/>“What, no hello for your brother?”  Cricket joked feebly, initiating their now routine conversation.<br/><br/>“Brother,” she finally acknowledged with a nod of her head.  The first time he’d come here, she’d thrown herself into his arms in joy.  Now, with every visit, she grew wearier and more distant.  “I’m glad you’re safe.”  She tried to smile but her sorrow overshadowed the expression.<br/><br/>“Yeah. It was..” He trailed off, unsure what to say.  ‘Safe.’  He’d been the only one of his squad capable of Light’s Blessing who hadn’t been assigned on his own.  He could try to convince himself that it was because he needed to protect the others from Reapers but he knew the truth.  Valiar, YunQiao, and Leon hadn’t needed his aid.  Captain hadn’t trusted him on his own.  He wasn’t good enough.  Deimos and Seraphim were. But not him.  (He didn’t even bother comparing himself with Adair; that was a pointless comparison.)<br/><br/>And he knew the difference between them and him, what had made them worthy of going on their own and him left with the others.  After all, they’d been sent alone to deal with the Reapers and there was one thing that could easily injure the Reapers: Light’s Blessing.  Or more appropriately, he mused, Light’s Wrath.  His eyes were inevitably drawn towards the light peeking through the crack.  He could hardly call it a blessing when it demanded his sister as payment.<br/><br/>Cricket looked away from the light and towards his sister.  Konan was staring at him in worry so he immediately plastered a grin on his face.  “It was nothing!  I kicked their asses!”  His boast rang hollowly in his ears and from the way her expression grew even sadder, he doubted his sister believed him.<br/><br/>The two lapsed into silence, sitting side by side with their backs to the double doors that marked the boundary between him and Light’s Wrath.  Cricket stared dully ahead, his mind lost in contemplation.  Lethe couldn’t trust him on his own.  He wasn’t good enough.  But then he’d never been good enough.  He’d failed his sister.  His arms tightened around his legs, remembering the feeling of—<br/><br/>“Brother.”  Sometime during his musing Konan had stood up.  She stood in front of him now, expression hidden in the shadows cast by her hair.  Hazel eyes snapped open and at once her face was visible.  Determination was etched into every line of her mien and she stared down at him.  “Brother,” she reiterated, “At this rate, you will die.” He was too startled to react, pinned still by her unyielding stare.  “But not before your squad dies.”  He wanted to protest but was unable to speak.  “You know as well as I, the next War is here.  Demons roam the lands once again; Eve has awoken and she won’t stop until the God of Sin returns.”  There was a gravity to her voice that he’d never heard in the fifteen years she’d been alive.  “Why did you become a Knight?  Why did you come here in search of Light’s Blessing?”<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">So others won’t have to feel the pain of losing those they loved to Sin.</span>The answer came without a moment’s hesitation.<span style="font-style: italic">To make up for failing you.  To help Lethe.</span><br/><br/>As if sensing his answer, Konan’s demeanor thawed. “Brother, you need Light’s Blessing.  You need it for this next War, to survive, to protect your team, to help save others.  The odds are already stacked against the Light.  Every chance you have for evening the odds, take it. Seize it.”  No.. how could he?  He stared at her in fear.  He had become a Knight because he had<span style="font-weight: bold">failed her</span>.  He had failed to save his own sister!  How could he abandon her now?!  “I’m already dead!”  She screamed, flinging her arms wide.  One fell into the light and immediately faded.  “I’m. Already. Dead.  I’ve made my mistakes and I’ve died for them.  It’s too late for me!  But you’re not dead yet.  Nor are the others you care about!  So protect them! Protect them with everything you have; take Light’s Blessing and make it your shield.  Live, brother.”  Her voice was weary as if her outburst had sapped all her energy.  “Live.  I will still be waiting for you when it’s your time to return to the Light.”  She placed her remaining hand on his shoulder and leaned forward to press a kiss to his forehead.  With one last sad smile, she stepped fully into light and vanished.<br/><br/>“Ko.. Konan?”  There was no answer.  He was alone.  He was alone again.<span style="font-style: italic">Live, brother.</span>He lifted a trembling arm to his face, wiping away the tears that had gathered there.<span style="font-style: italic">Every chance you have, take it. Seize it.</span>He placed his hands on the ground to steady him as he climbed onto his feet.<span style="font-style: italic">You’re not dead yet, nor are the ones you care about.  So protect them! </span>He stared at the immense double doors and the sun symbol reaching down at him.<span style="font-style: italic"> Take Light’s Blessing and make it your shield.</span>He took one step, then another, walking fully into the light.  It whispered of promise and potential, so close yet so far.  He set his shoulder against the partially opened door and<span style="font-style: italic">pushed</span>.<br/><span style="font-style: italic"><div style="text-align: center;">Live.</div></span><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 11 of Month -3 :: Grand Cathedral]]<br/><br/>There was an audible sigh of relief when Lethe finally called an end to the morning’s training.  None of it had been too physically demanding after Lady QianHua’s and Captain Abel’s instructions but Lethe had been more critical than usual, making them repeat any formations that were even a smidgen incorrect.  All seven of Team Blonde were glad for the break, if only to rest their brains.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “I don’t want any of you straining yourselves.  With the upcoming attack, you all need to be well rested and at peak performance for the thirteenth.  Take the afternoons off to do whatever you need to get done.  We’ll reconvene at nine for more training. ”</span>The white-haired woman ordered, Luna still in her hands.  There was no friendly captain today; she was entirely taskmaster.<span style="color: silver"> “Seraphim, Deimos, can you stay behind?”</span>After receiving acknowledgement from everyone, Lethe took a seat on one of the benches, picking up a folder to read the contents inside.  One by one the members of Squad Ten trickled out until only the two she’d requested remained.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Deimos, there’s a sword skill I’d like to teach you.”</span>She began once she’d placed the file back down, getting back onto her feet.<span style="color: silver">“Seraphim, I’m not sure how useful it’ll be for you but perhaps it can be manipulated to work with your punches and kicks.”</span>The pink-haired woman nodded; she rarely used her sword when her fists and feet were available.  But what sword skill could be adapted for punching and kicking?  Deimos and Seraphim trailed Lethe to where a line of training posts waited by the wall and helped pull them out onto the training court.<br/><br/>Motioning the two aside, Lethe walked away from the lone training post until she was a good ten meters away from it.<span style="color: silver">“Observe,”</span>She instructed needlessly; there was nothing to do but watch her.  Lifting Luna, the white-haired Knight slashed down.  There was an unexpected clatter and Seraphim turned her head in surprise.  Half the target was on the ground while the rest stood obliviously in the air.  What? How?<span style="color: silver">“Again?”</span>She turned back in time to see Lethe slice her sword back up.  Again, a part of the remaining training post fell to the ground, neatly bisected.<span style="color: silver">“What am I doing?”</span><br/><br/>There was no response.  Lethe closed her eyes in lieu of sighing.  Perhaps it was a bit much to hope they’d understand just from looking.<span style="color: silver">“Try sensing my actions instead of just watching.”</span>She swung her sword a third time, extending Light’s Blessing into the strike once more and transferring the damage from the divine realm back onto the ‘real’ one.<br/><br/>“Divine magic?”  Deimos spoke up, yellow eyes narrowed on the rod standing in the air; the training target it used to support was on the ground around it in three pieces.<span style="color: silver">“Yes,”</span>approval was audible in her response.<span style="color: silver"> “Try watching with one eye on each plane.”</span>The fourth attack left the stick at half its length but more importantly, provided Deimos and Seraphim an understanding of what was going on.<br/><br/>“Somehow your strike with Light’s Blessing is being reflected on this realm.”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Yes,”</span>Lethe agreed,<span style="color: silver">“Coat your sword in Light’s Blessing and when you strike,”</span>she pantomimed a downward cut,<span style="color: silver">“let the attack fly.  The Light’s Blessing will travel the distance between you and your target.  If you do it right, the damage you inflicted on the divine realm will transfer onto this one.”</span>Demonstration complete, she released Luna and let it vanish.<span style="color: silver"> “It’s called the dimensional blade.  Captain Abel taught me, just as I’m teaching you two.  It should allow you two to attack at range if needed.  Seraphim, as I said, I don’t know if it will work with your punches and kicks.  Theoretically, I think it should.  Realistically, how well or how much of the damage will transfer, I have no idea.  It’s up to you if you want to try using it or if you’d rather do something else.”</span>Seraphim’s smirk was answer enough.<span style="color: silver"> “Very well,”</span>Finally, a hint of a smile peeked out on Lethe’s face.<span style="color: silver"> “I still have some reports and letters to read so I’ll stay around a bit until the Council meeting.  Remember not to over-exert yourself.”</span><br/><br/>After she was sure both had started practicing, Lethe returned to her previous seat where the aforementioned papers were waiting for her.  She’d already finished reading the most important reports had only brought them to review in preparation for the upcoming meeting.  It would, no doubt, be yet another discussion about what to do regarding the upcoming attack.  As such, she felt no guilt about picking up the envelope she’d received last night to read first.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>Dear Thea,<br/><br/>How are things up in Gless?  The fighting has finally calmed down in Zairyon, but there is still an undercurrent of resentment.  Well, that’s to be expected with how close we were to Luciano.  The Mayor came often to our parties and spread her favors far.  Rhett and I have already been solicited, discreetly of course, to help fund the remnants of the Sovereign Palaugrim Forces.  We’re trying to track them right now but it’s difficult to get our men in; those with an inclination for subterfuge seem to lack an inclination for heroics, though I’m not quite sure why.<br/><br/>Rhett and I are currently working to extend our friend circle into Light Palaugrim.  For better or for worse, your teachings seem to disincline people towards sharing confidences and it’s most difficult getting information from over there!  I daresay it’s harder now than before!  But don’t fear; have faith in me and Rhett.  Soon your information will be ours as well.<br/><br/>I’m sure you’ve already heard, but there are rumors of a Cerberus running amok in Palaugrim’s eastern side.  Luckily one of your Knights was able to subdue it and that has gained some goodwill among the common folk.  (I’m afraid that short of making my fellow elite filthy rich, you’ll never win their favor.)  <br/><br/>More worrying, however, are the rumors of villages being destroyed at random.  So far, three have been attacked.  One supposed witness claims he saw the attacker and it was—I’m sure you won’t be surprised: you!  Apparently white clothes and tremendous power is enough to masquerade as you.  Who knew the requirements were so little?  I’m a bit curious what are the requirements to be a Guilford: long purple hair and a sword?  Speaking of which, how <span style="font-style: italic">is</span> the other Seraph doing?  Please extend him my thanks for letting me stay at his house and thank Corwin for being so welcoming while I was there!  You really should visit him more often; he clearly wants guests.<br/><br/>Thankfully, not everyone believes you are causing mischief here in Palaugrim.  Some claim it the work of Sinners; others the work of the bandits; and yet others are claiming it’s all a ruse.  With only three villages raided, it’s hard to support one cause over another.  However, the random etchings left behind and seemingly random destruction have left many confused, Rhett and I included.  We will keep our ears close to the ground though and tell you of any whispers that travel our way.<br/><br/>Well, I’d wished to chat more but it’s time for me to prepare for another ball.  Seena still isn’t visible so I must maintain my public presence.  I find it funny that even with a regime change, the revelry never end!<br/><br/><div style="text-align: right;">Affectionately yours,<br/>Leia<br/>28th of Month --2</div></div></blockquote><br/><br/>With a fond smile, Lethe folded the letter back up and placed it in its envelope.  While she’d been gone, Leia had sent her a second letter.  Odd that Leia would send one so soon before she responded.  Before they had reunited, they could easily go months without correspondence.  Picking up the second envelope, she broke the seal and unfurled it.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>Dear Thea,<br/><br/>Things have become quite odd down here on Palaugrim.  I mentioned in my last letter that three random villages had been attacked.  The number has increased to fourteen  now and all are marked with those whimsical shapes.  No one thinks it a ruse anymore and on the ground, many of the people are worried.  I’ll include the list of towns I’m aware of having been attacked below though I can make neither rhyme nor reason of them.  Perhaps you will have better luck with them.<br/><ul><li>Erethea</li><li>Kazan</li><li>Sramphia<br/>…</li><li>Jord</li></ul><br/>Also, we’ve found some oddly destroyed areas.  Rhett thinks they might be of use, though there were no funny figures there so I’m not quite sure.  Well, better too much knowledge than too little I suppose.<br/>…<br/><br/><div style="text-align: right;">Affectionately yours and praying you safe,<br/>Leia<br/>5th of Month --3</div></div></blockquote><br/><br/>Blue eyes skimmed back to the list of fourteen names.  Some of them were foreign to her and some were familiar.  But what did they represent?  Were they as random as they seemed?  She knew that the orange-haired demon was behind them but, well, the demon hadn’t seemed like the sharpest tool in the box.  It was possible it was random but.. why strike these locations?  Why not just keep destroying in one continual path?<br/><br/>Lethe idly pressed out the creases in the letter so it stood straight in her hand.  She needed a map to plot out these locations.  Unless they somehow created a word puzzle, she sincerely doubted just a list of names would help her.  The white-haired Knight placed it aside, looking up at a shout of frustration.  Seraphim was glaring at the training dummy in front of her, one fist extended.  The training dummy seemed unaffected.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Is everything alright?”</span><br/><br/>The pink-haired woman withdrew her fist and raked her fingers through her hair in frustration.  “Yeah.. Just.. practicing.”  She shook her hand loose and then formed a fist again, eyes falling half mast as she gathered her magic around her once more.  Deimos watched her with intent eyes, the sheen of Light’s Blessing just visible in his gaze.  The next punch also did nothing but incite another frustrated sound.  Lethe shook her head but picked up the next report.  Just as she’d told YunQiao yesterday, they had to focus on tomorrow’s attack for now.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/>Lethe said nothing as she reviewed the document in front of her.  It looked like one of Livius’s works given the wording and formatting; the Councilor of island development preferred details in his reports and the ten page file on the table in front of her reflected it.  There was only about three pages of relevant information: distribution of forces, location of the troops, and command structure.  The last, she noticed sardonically, was fairly vague.  It was probably a good thing given how well Livius had handled the first two.<br/><br/>“Then if there are no object—”<span style="color: silver">“Councilor,”</span>Lethe spoke up, trying hard not to sound incredulous,<span style="color: silver">“Am I reading correctly that you want half of the remaining troops on Palaugrim recalled to Gless and Lindela?”</span><br/><br/>“The troops were on loan to Palaugrim as Lindela and Gless had excess capacity after the most recent Liberation campaign.  Obviously, being on loan includes an ability to recall them at any time.  Given current circumstances..”  He continued speaking but Lethe didn’t hear any more.  She could try pointing out that the amount of area that needed to be defended by the Pristine Knights on Palaugrim had increased or that troops had already been recalled or one of many other sensible reasons but she’d probably be wasting words.  No doubt the Councilor would have already thought of her arguments and then decided on the current allocations nonetheless.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Councilor Livius,”</span>She couldn’t quite keep her exasperation from her voice but at least the look she gave him was respectful,<span style="color: silver"> “Councilor Aurel, Councilor Mihai, Councilor Margarette, Councilor Laith, Councilor Cornelius.”</span>She looked at each person as she spoke, crossing one hand over the other patiently,<span style="color: silver">“I will take command of the defenses on Palaugrim.”</span>There was a shift in the room, countless voices inhaled and ready to protest but she continued relentlessly,<span style="color: silver">“I have no doubts about Lance’s capabilities, but I would rest better knowing an experienced commander is leading the defenses.  As skilled as Lance Fitzherberg is, he has been out of duty the past ten years and has never led a group larger than a squad. Our intelligence clearly states that Palaugrim will be attacked; as such, Master Guilford, Captain Abel, or I, as the most experienced combat leaders, should lead the defenses there.  And as I have spent the most time on Palaugrim..”</span>she let the others fill in the inevitable conclusion even as she jotted numbers down on the report, running through calculations as quickly as possible.<span style="color: silver"> “Regarding the troop allocation, it will be impossible to mount a proper defense with these numbers.  Although Palaugrim is smaller than Gless and Lindela, it is not so tiny as to only need 15% of our total available troops.  I believe I will need at least 40% of the troops to defend Palaugrim properly.”</span><br/><br/>Councilor Livius looked aghast, “More than half the available troops?!  As you pointed out, Palaugrim is smaller than both Gless and Lindela!  Gless needs at least 20% of the Pristine Knights, though given how large we are, 40% would be more appropriate!”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Gless was not explicitly listed as being attacked,”</span>“It could be a ruse!”<span style="color: silver">“ and with how strong the faith is here and our increased defenses after Eve’s last attack, Gless is already the safest island.  With so many advocates here, there is enough holy magic to maintain a defensive barrier at least long enough for troops to come if that became necessary!”</span>“And all the more reason that Gless cannot fall Just imagine—” Laith cut in passionately.  Lethe knew from a glance that he was already looking beyond her and the Pristine Knights who would place their lives in the line of duty; the Public Relations implications dominated his focus.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“We can’t have any other island under our protection fall either. We have just liberated Palaugrim and turned the people back towards the Divine Light.  How could we face ourselves if we were to forsake them now?”</span>Memories of conversations overheard during the trips on that island rung in her ears accusingly.<br/><br/>“Master Lethe,” Councilor Margarette cut in with suspicious eyes, “you seem very fervent in your defense of Palaugrim.  If I recall correctly, you specially requested time to roam Palaugrim on your own while Master Guilford and Captain Abel stayed in Gless.  The attack on Santa Olivia was also at your personal insistence.”  The old woman frowned across the table at the younger woman, “Is there something we should know about Palaugrim that you are not telling us?  Perhaps a more personal reason for why we should defend Palaugrim so vehemently?”<br/><br/>A more.. personal reason?  Of course Leia was on Palaugrim as were the Pure Magic Squadron but they could take care of themselves.  Why would.. shock slowly filtered into her face as she realized what the Councilor was suggesting.  The other Councilors were exchanging uneasy looks and Laith was scowling, no doubt trying to determine how to handle the outrage if—Lethe opened her mouth to protest but another voice spoke before her.<br/><br/>“Councilor, speculation will get us nowhere.”  Despite his words, even Captain Abel was giving her an assessing look.  “Lethe is correct that it would be better if a more experienced commander were to lead Palaugrim and that the current distribution is too lopsided.  The troops on Palaugrim have been perfectly adequate in defending the island so far.  I’m sure they can continue to do so in the face of Tethel’s attack.  I see no reason to withdraw<span style="font-style: italic">or</span>add troops to Palaugrim.  Lethe brings up a good point that she is most familiar with the island and the troops there.  However, if you do think it better to keep her here, I am also willing to lead the defense of Palaugrim.”<br/><br/>“I can also,”<br/><br/>“No, Guilford, you will lead the defense of Gless.”  Cornelius cut in before the other Seraph could offer going to Palaugrim.  To send him all the way to Palaugrim!  No, Guilford was better kept closer to them; they couldn’t have their strongest Knight so far on the cusp of a battle.  Besides, he had the bad tendency to do what he wasn’t supposed to so all the more reason to keep him under their watchful eyes.  But to have to choose between Master Lethe or Captain Abel?  They needed Lethe to keep Guilford in check and she at least was more obedient, or used to be.  This current rebellious streak was troublesome.  And yet Captain Abel was an important asset as well.  He was one they could trust to not disobey their orders.  Which could they risk?<br/><br/>“Master Lethe then,” Laith decided for the Council by being the first to speak, “Regardless of your reasons, since you are so adamant about Palaugrim, I think it only appropriate that you lead its defense.”  Besides, it was easier to rally troops around a pretty female martyr than an old man.  “Now regarding the impending attack…”<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 11 of Month -3, Afternoon :: Lindela]]<br/><br/>Cricket felt an unexplainable nervousness as he stood in front of the Golden Sun.  He’d been here countless times before, yet right now he was having a hard time mustering his courage to actually approach the store.  He loitered outside the store another thirty minutes before he finally got himself to knock on the door.  Not even ten seconds had passed before the door opened.  There had been no sound of footsteps.  A friendly looking blonde smiled at him.<br/><br/>“Welcome!  Cricket, right?  Are you looking for Adair?”  Grisia ushered him into the store, leading him behind the counter.  “He’s currently training with Roland in the back.”<br/><br/>“Ah, no.”  The words stopped Grisia and the other man turned to look at him curiously.  “I actually came to speak with you.”  Cricket didn’t know that much about Adair’s older brother besides the man used to be an Advocate and, supposedly, had the favor of the Light.  He was banking on the latter being true.  Now that he’d actually decided to try for Light’s Blessing, he needed some help on how to use it.  Everyone he knew who could use Light’s Blessing was busy preparing for the upcoming attack, so he’d been forced to find a noncombatant: someone who had time to train him.  “I need some help with harnessing Light’s Blessing.”<br/><br/>Curious blue eyes turned self-satisfied at the unspoken request.  “Well, I’ll see what I can do.  It’s still my shift at the counter but I’m sure I can get Lesus to take over.”  The words sounded innocuous enough but there was a certain tonal quality that made him think they weren’t.  Before Cricket could turn suspicious, Grisia beamed a 100-watt smile at him.  “Let’s head up.  Lesus will be upstairs and it’ll be better to try in my study.”<br/><br/>Cricket nodded in acknowledgement and then nervously trailed the blonde up the stairs.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/>[[Day 12 of Month -3 :: Tethel]]<br/><br/>Coal black eyes observed the reflection in the mirror as he finished buckling the last pieces of his armor into place.  It was, of course, flawless.  He had appearances to maintain after all.  He raked his fingers through his dark hair, enjoying the sensation of his fingernails scraping against his scalp.  He understood the need for a helmet but it didn’t mean he enjoyed having to wear one all the time.  It was a tolerable nuisance at the best of times.  He lifted his helmet up with both hands, staring into the visor that obscured his face.  It was a complicated piece that needed careful polishing to give it the gleaming finish it currently had.  With an amused smirk, he slipped it on.  Thank Sin he didn’t have to do the polishing anymore.<br/><br/>He reviewed his appearance one more time before turning and heading out of the room.  The hallway was empty; Centienne preferred privacy in their personal quarters and he had no reason to argue.  No people meant he didn’t have to hide his face.  As he exited their section of the palace, the guards clanged their halberds on the ground in greeting, “Knight King!”<br/><br/>He nodded in acknowledgment but continued on otherwise.  Today was an important day and his schedule was full enough without delays.  Unlike his wife, he didn’t have a personal assistant to keep track of his days.  Then again, his social requirements were significantly less than hers.  However, today was different; this<span style="font-style: italic">month</span>would be different.<br/><br/>His mouth widened in a smile full of anticipation, feeling his heart rate already starting to pick up at the thought of what was to come.  When he entered the army complex, the place was already abuzz with activity.  Tethel had not taken part in a major military action since the Island’s Rising.  Even when they’d thrown off Gless’s yoke, there had been no large-scale attack.  The Council had yielded like the cowards they were.  This time, however, would be different.<br/><br/>“Sire, last minute maintenance checks on the Wyervia are almost complete.  We will begin loading up the troops in about two hours’ time.”<br/><br/>“Good. And the men?”<br/><br/>“Last minute exercises before the Wyervia ride.”<br/><br/>“Very well, all seems in place.”<br/><br/>With one last look at the troops amassed before him, the Knight King of Tethel turned and walked into the command center.  Soon enough, battle would come.