The trip back home was a relief like no other. For once in the past week, they weren't fighting any abominations. It was a form of peace they had never understood until now.

With the help of portals, their trip back home was swift, except for a few vomits here and there. Upon arriving in Hallstone, everyone immediately went to their own rooms.

When morning came, a few staff and some guests arrived at their head quarters. Some were from the school, while some were men of the high table, specifically mellaguns.

Unfortunately, due to the secrecy and weight of the information they got, all of the Nightwalkers were restricted from joining the meeting except for Samael. This was mainly due to the fact that he had connections with Timeus and that the man himself ordered the Mellaguns to include him.

Inside a war room within the fortress, there were a few important figures. Namely, the head master was there along with Ajax and three mellaguns. They were representative of the high table and held a transmitter.

After some pleasantries and a few greetings, the headmaster went straight to work.

"Please, instructor Michael, show us what you found," the headmaster said.

Michael gave a nod as he took out a plethora of blueprints and laid them before the Mellaguns, who had an expression of utter shock.

"This...!" The mellagun in the middle spoke; his name was Cena, and he was the leader of this small squad. The other two were named Ori and Orn.

"Documents detailing the creation of a forge!" Cena said as he held the blueprint, his hands visibly trembling.

Meanwhile, Samael was simply curious about the appearance of the mellagun. Although he's travelled far and wide, he's never seen one in the flesh.

Cena was roughly 5'10 in height and had a very muscular frame. His skin was black, with steel scales encasing parts of his shoulder, forearms, legs, neck, and parts of his jaw. He had brown hair tied to a braid, with some enveloped by steel tubes.

But what truly fascinated Samael was that Cena had four arms and three eyes. Two of which were small and located near the cheekbones, while the last one was large and vertical in the middle. The pupils were silver, surrounded by black sclera.

"To think they are still intact..." Cena muttered as he inspected the other blueprints.

"Job well done, instructor Michael. But now, let us address the main issue," the headmaster said.

Michael nodded as he took out a brown case. Setting it down, he carefully took off the lid, revealing a glass orb inside.

"This is the recording device left inside the bunker," Michael said. With one swipe of his hand, the orb ignited.

Watching closely, everyone's expressions slowly turned grim with each passing second the recorder played. When the device finally went off, Cena spoke.

"So the records were indeed true," Cena said.

"What do you mean?" The headmaster asked.

"According to our elders who lived through the attack, the machines that day did not malfunction. No Mellagun would make such mistakes, never," Cena said.

"I can attest to that," Michael chimed in as everyone shot a glance at him. "My students and I fought a battalion of steel Sentinels near the bridge connecting to the inner city."

"Not only that, but those machines were barely damaged," Samael added.

"Then that means whatever that shockwave was took out the machines?" The headmaster asked.

"It appears that is the case. So what is it?" Ajax asked as he crossed both his arms.

"We don't know. But my guess is that it's the work of some form of remnant that could disable the cores of our machines. So it's something that can temporarily kill sun stones," Cena said.

Mellagun inventions mainly revolved around an energy source they called a sun stone. A sun stone is not a natural ore. It is made by infusing a rare stone called a fauna with huge amounts of fire essence. Due to the unique characteristics of a fauna, it can hold that same heat for long periods of time.

"Do you know how a sun stone can be disabled?" Ajax asked.

"Well, you either destroy it, releasing the fire essence, or... you strike it with something cold enough to ruin it's internal structure," Cena said.

"Unfortunately, this does not give any form of evidence that we can use against the ministry of light. For now, keep this a secret," Ajax said.

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"That is a given," Cena replied. "For now, we'll tell all the details to the high table. Once again, thank you for retrieving these blueprints. Your contributions will undoubtedly help change the tide of the war."

With that, the meeting ended. Yet Samael still had questions.

"Can I ask something?" Samael said, halting everyone's movements.

"What is it?" The headmaster asked.

"All my life, I've heard that Saints are powerhouses that stand above many. I'm also told that these beings are rare, extremely rare. Yet, how is it that I've already encountered so many?" Samael asked.

The headmaster stared at Samael blankly for a while before he sat back down.

"I knew this day would eventually come," the headmaster said. "Saints are indeed rare... but it's deeper than that. Although rare, each major faction hides their own reserves of saint-ranked beings. It's what's keeping us from going on an all-out war. What you see is the tip; there are far more than we can count, simply hiding and waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves."

Samael's brows furrowed. Now what Timeus said made sense when he said he'd get a replacement for Ajax once he returned so that they could continue their journey to the other sanctuaries.

However, if that were truly the case, why choose them to help those sanctuaries? It seems he'll have those answers when Timeus returns.

As the meeting ended, everyone went their separate ways, except for Ajax.

"Miss me?" Samael asked.

"Timeus is bound to return soon. His arrival is expected a month from now," Ajax said as he went straight to the point.

"A month? That early?" Samael asked.

"Yes," Ajax confirmed.

"But what about the academy?" Samael asked.

"You'll have to drop out. Once he returns, your job is done, meaning you don't have any reasons to stay here," Ajax said.

A frown made its way to Samael's face. Although he has learned things in the academy, the main thing that made him not leave was Lilith. They haven't seen each other for years, and this was the one time he finally got to know her better. Was that so much to ask?

"You know our job," Ajax said.

"I know," Samael replied.

"Then I'll go now," Ajax said before bolting away.

"Now how do I tell Lilith?" Samael muttered as he sighed.

***

When nightfall came, Samael stood before Lilith's living quarters. Raising his hand, he slowly inched closer to the wooden door before coming to a halt.

Samael clenched his teeth as he did the same thing, only to fail again.

He knew that this news would undoubtedly hurt Lilith. Especially now that they've started to understand each other on a deeper level. But he also cannot just leave the people who truly need their help.

Gathering his courage, Samael knocked thrice on the door before footsteps inched closer, revealing Lilith.

"Samael? What are you doing here?" She asked as she hastily fixed her clothes. It seemed she just finished taking a late-night bath.

"May I come in?" Samael asked.

"Sure," Lilith replied as she made way.

Sitting down in her bed, Samael held the girl's hands.

"What's wrong?" Lilith asked.

"I need to tell you something," Samael said.

"What?" Lilith asked.

Steeling his resolve, Samael spoke. "Me and Ajax... We have missions to help liberate and ease the tensions in other sanctuaries."

Lilith's brows furrowed. "What are you implying?"

"What I'm saying is that I'm leaving to continue that same mission a month from now," Samael confessed.

Ear-deafening silence engulfed the room as Lilith stared at Samael blankly.

Looking her in the eyes, Samael could slowly see the waves of emotions swarming her.

"I don't understand. You're leaving... again?" She asked, her words struggling to leave her lips.

Samael gritted his teeth. "I have to."

Lilith's eyes slowly reddened as tears slowly welled up, threatening to fall any second now.

"Lilith—"

"I know! I understand!" She screamed as she ripped her hand from Samael's grasp. "I... just please give me some space."

Samael felt his heart ache, as though it were being ripped and stabbed repeatedly. Yet, there was nothing he could do.

Rising to his feet, Samael made his way out. "I'm sorry," he said as he closed the door.

Lilith bit her lip as she lied down. The last few years of their separation had been the most painful years of her life. That loneliness that devours you every passing second.

When Samael returned, she finally felt as though all the effort and time she sacrificed were finally rewarded, but now he's leaving again. Her life will once again return to that same old colourless world.

She hates it; she doesn't want him to go. They've yet to do so many things. But she also understands that holding him back will cost hundreds of lives, and she cannot bear that thought.

But was it so bad that she wishes for once to be selfish?

When morning came and training had finally resumed, Samael could notice Lilith's silence. She was hurt, and he understood this, so he gave her some space, as she wanted.

Slowly, the days went by, and a wall of ice stood before them. They did not interact unless needed and avoided talking.

As they did, Samael could feel that same stabbing pain intensify. Each passing second and each passing moment. The same can be said for Lilith.

Slowly, a week passed by without the two talking to each other. They were simply cold and unmoving.

As the encompassing darkness engulfed the sky, Samael went on a walk. He had to somehow clear his mind.

Looking at the stars, he felt troubled. He wanted to stay here with Lilith and spend the time they missed. Yet he also knows the responsibilities he must attend to.

Sitting down, Samael watched the full moon in the sky and the wind caressing his hair. Will they really separate on bad terms?

Crunch...

Samael's eyes darted ahead as he heard footsteps echo in the wind along with a figure he knew very well.

"Lilith," Samael said as he rose up to leave when the girl held his hand.

Samael shot a look at the girl with confusion in his eyes.

"I don't want you to leave, but I know you have to," she said. "And it hurts because I feel selfish for not wanting you to," Lilith uttered as she looked at Samael with tears in her eyes.

Samael felt a pang of pain strike him in the chest. He wanted to hold her and say everything would be fine, but he would be lying.

"But..." Lilith said. "I also don't want us to separate like this."

Without warning, Lilith lunged at Samael as she dug her face into his chest, prompting him to envelope her in his embrace.

"I'm sorry," she said.

Samael tightened his embrace. "Don't... Don't."

"I never hated you, never."

"Then can you promise me something?" Lilith asked.

"Anything," Samael said.

"Can you promise you'll return?" she asked.

"Always," Samael said.