"Go on.. punch me."

That woman's voice annoyed him like a fly. She circled around him taunting him to fist her.

"You did what you believed was right because of me and took the blame for yourself." The black haired girl crossed her arms looking down at Mark with her dim red eyes.

"It's only fair I take your punishment Marky."

"I'm a soldier not an animal." Mark muttered. The girl twirled once in the empty hallway then poked his head forcefully.

"Oh please, they treat you like an animal. But you're a human and I know you have some sort of anger with me deep in your heart. Just let it out for once-"

Mark stood up and delivered the swift punch she wanted. "Go away Midare!" He raised his voice.

Midare stumbled back and grasped onto the nearby dresser. She touched her cheek and grew a wide grin that soon broke out into laughter "Hahahaha… I like you a lot Mark..!"

She was insane to be smiling after that. But she was happy to see his human side. His sorrow, anger, happiness.

Mark awoke in a cold sweat and minor headache. He touched his head which was ringing immensely before fading away after a few seconds passed. A majority of the events yesterday were hazy and he didn't realize he had passed out.

The morning after was quiet and the members of Seraphim were reluctant to speak to each other after losing Clarette, feeling like they were nothing but tools for Imperia’s cardinals. Mark and Amelia were the most distant, refusing to speak together on anything. Sharrion couldn’t get her captain to confess her true feelings on the matter and Mikael didn’t understand why Mark felt more stoic and silent than ever. Mark himself didn't know why he was acting so emotional over the death of an enemy.

Was it justified to kill a man without hope? Amelia thought over the event uncertain of her actions that day. She peeked through the cracks of the doors to see beyond the rows of pews, Mark, staring at the painting Forde held for them back at the church's sanctuary. His gift to the church, his comrades, to the world.

The look in Mark's eyes when he pinned her against the wall was the look of a soldier who simply wanted to kill.

The same look as…

“Ameliaaaa!”

A male vampire pushed her towards the wall and held his sharpened nails around her throat. The young vampire before him was paralyzed in fear, gasping for air as he ranted. "Our peaceful lives were ruined once your family came along wanting to fix a problem that didn't exist. YOU have forsaken our kind and yet you have the audacity to blame God for this injustice. Why… why have you done it? "

Amelia's vision grew blurry at the edge, her throat swelling up with blood nearly clogging her throat and the nails dug deep close to the bone. In a desperate act she rose her trembling arm and thrusted her fist into his chest where the heart was located, the sound of crushing bone and blood spilling loosened his grip. He gasped and slowly looked down to see Amelia's arm struck through his chest. Soon the overwhelming pain of his heart being pierced rushed in and he backed away, falling back into a quick death.

The young vampire girl fell to her knees gasping with tear filled eyes. She looked down at her blood stained hand. She didn't have a choice, this was only to protect herself against the many assassins that wanted her dead. Maybe she should’ve accepted her death for the sake of others. To make up for what her family did to the world, one death to save thousands seemed more reasonable than the alternative. So why…

Amelia closed herself away from Mark and leaned on the door. Everything she did she considered a mistake, believing she could do nothing rightーthat's why she left everything in the hands of people around her.

"Where are you taking us?" Asked Ibuki following Sharrion down a flight of stairs that passed the shaft of a great clock tower that gave the illusion of it standing in the middle of the city. Rigged with missing panels and surrounded and cluttered by hanging platforms, pipes and engineers and construction workers barking orders at each other. Mikael looked up expecting to see the time but only saw the charred and burnt edged tip of this destroyed landmark.

Sharrion stopped and leaned on the side railings "I don't know what's wrong with the Captain. She won't talk to me at all, and Mark is super distant. It's probably because of Clarette being taken but Captain never acted like this when a friend was in trouble." She sighed and brushed her hand through her white hair. "There's a laboratory we can infiltrate but since Captain and Mark aren't feeling well, we're going to need a helping hand."

Helicopters and jets flew overhead fading into the background noise; the distress of war slowly becoming ordinary. Sharrion took them to old friends of Seraphim, walking them to a… unique shop where the founders of the church formerly priests worked after giving the reins to Amelia.

A ring of a bell hanging above the door brought some familiarity to Ibuki and Mikael, but afterwards their nostalgia fell. The shop was cramped with many stuffed dolls, merchandise and other assortment of goods with very high value because of Imperia's rare materials used. It was a store for children that featured mascot characters from something called 'Minty Moose and friends!' , Mikael and Ibuki felt awkward standing in a store for a much younger audience and even more awkward when the store owner swiveled around in his office chair and scooted to the counter from his computer to greet them. An old man with very clear wrinkles not from age but stress. He was still relatively young but his black hair and beard turned gray at the ends and his hair was left to grow long, reaching past his neck. They were expecting something different, well this was different but not the kind they expected, and their brows raised when Sharrion shouted out.

"Gunzard!" she exclaimed with raised arms.

That was the new nickname for the former priest, a mix of the words gun and wizard. That is what he worked as, behind the scenes of a children's store. He motioned his hand towards a couch by the wall seated with large plushies of girls and animals from Minty Moose, "You look on edge. Rest your nerves. I expect you have a lot to talk with me today."

Ibuki and Mikael took a seat having to move aside the plushies first but Sharrion had urgent news. News too important to tell while relaxed, she was on edge and needed assistance for a grand plan to strike Imperia where it hurt to slow down their production of weapons. Gunzard had already heard about Imperia's rapid developments and their one sided battles against the TGA, easily sweeping them out of Imperia territory without the use of magic. However he shifted the topic of conversation towards the newcomers he hadn't seen in Imperia before, newcomers he heard stories about. The rabid cowboy of the TGA and their one eyed sniper who never missed a shot, both infamous for their participation in the early stages of battles leading the TGA into Imperia's borders. After that, their fame scattered into obscurity but their efforts were still noticed by observers and historians cataloging the many battles taking place.

Mikael tilted his hat downwards "At least someone remembers I used to work in the TGA."

"I wouldn't be so proud about having ties to that organization. You should be glad many won't remember." He switched his gaze to Ibuki "And what about you there?"

Ibuki looked left then right then pointed at herself "M-me?"

Gunzard nodded but Ibuki didn't exactly know what he wanted, not understanding the question. "Uh, what do you want me to say?"

Gunzard stroked his bread "Hm, I see."

"I'm not sure I follow what you're asking here." Sharrion said while tilting her head.

Gunzard brought up a pipe to his lips and blew bubbles out of the other end. "How a person views their superiors and orders give insight to where a person's heart and goals lie. I'm certain now those two children aren't hostages of the church nor spies for the enemy, but the cowboy regrets his choice and the one eyed girl enjoyed painting with blood."

Mikael rose from his seat "Are you saying she enjoys killing? How would you even know? You weren't in the TGA."

"Relax cowboy. I can read the hearts of people but what I do with that information is not in my hands." Gunzards pointed his pipe towards Ibuki "And I'm sure you know that she was left with the duty to kill Imperia's child army."

"Y-yeah I know, but I also know she didn't enjoy it." Mikael looked back at Ibuki who had her head lowered. "Isn't that right Ibuki? Say something."

Ibuki took a stuffed giraffe beside her and placed it in her lap, she raised her head, her pupil slightly slit "Maybe I did. I couldn't tell whether or not when I was left with the duty to eliminate those kids…"

She along with 5 others were given the order by the director herself to eliminate the child soldiers before any of the main platoons found out to minimize demoralization in the military and prevent the news of the TGA being child killers from spreading throughout the world. But over the course of time the actions of this secret squad started to weigh on their shoulders and one by one each member left, leaving Ibuki to bear this order alone. She pulled the trigger unfeeling of any sins or consequences because she had a mission not related to the TGA but to make up for her dead sister. The memory was extremely hazy but she knew she had killed her sister similarly to how Mikael murdered his own father.

"Those children didn't look human at all. They held their weapons like they were all apart of a hivemind, brainwashed into participating on the battlefield. I know Cynthia is the reason behind this, that's why I…" she tightened her grip around the giraffe's neck.

Mikael fell back into his seat slouching "Right… I remember your sister died in that accident..?" Though he felt slightly unsure about the validity of this memory.

"What was Captain thinking bringing a couple of murders into the church?" Sharrion crossed her arms firmly.

Gunzard chuckled "Amelia may seem naive on the surface but her heart is in the right place. Everyone is capable of forgiveness but not everyone will be allowed a seat among angels." He placed his pipe on the table and now gave Sharrion his full attention. "What do you need? And where's Amelia?"

"Well that's one of our problems…" Sharrion gave the jist of Clarette's capture and the tension between Captain and Mark. Without them it was left to Sharrion to take action to slow Imperia. "And we need equipment to infiltrate their lab."

"Equipment for what? You have authorization to the lab don't you?" Gunzard blew bubbles from his pipe, the bubble gliding to Sharrion.

"Well, yesー"

Pop!

Gunzard interrupted "Then what do you need my equipment for? I'm just a retired old man. You have everything you need to stop Imperia from growing power."

Sharrion's frown and disappointment grew "Is war not enough to sway your mind on helping us?"

Gunzard turned his seat and closed his eyes stroking his bread "I do intend to involve myself but now is not the time. I assure you when the time is right I will be there to assist you."

Sharrion nodded slowly "Thank you for your wise words Gunzard. Pray for our success!"

And pray he would for it was God's plan to see peace to the end of war even if it meant the death of many noble and heroic warriors of heaven.

Sharrion reconvened at a table outside on the Church's balcony where she rolled out a map of the 7th triad, Research and Development. The triad was circular, buildings surrounded the central lab that laid in the middle of it all. She stabbed a knife where the lab was centered. "That's our target. My connections with the scientists there will allow me to get in from the front. But for you to get in," she placed her fingers at a side district dense with buildings. "These buildings here are small factories where prototypes are produced and tested. It's rarely guarded due to how dangerous being near Imperia's machinery is but be careful of cameras."

"I'm assuming the factory we saw before is where their weapons go to be mass produced?" Said Mikael.

"Yes, but I don't have permission to go there as I'm still an apprentice weapon developer." Sharrion then perked up seeing Amelia approach the table still dressed in dark blue pajamas. "Captain!"

But she didn't reciprocate her excitement, instead she covered her eyes from the sunlight "What are you doing?" her tone dry as sand.

"Since you weren't feeling well, we're making plans to infiltrate the lab on 7th triad. If you're still unwell you don-"

"I'll join you." Amelia interrupted. "There's no time for me to be sulking over my mistakes. The least I can do for Mark is to do something right."

"You don't have to do anything for me." Mark brought a chill down Amelia's spine by surprise. He joined the party and looked at the map briefly then pointed to the prototype testing buildings "I'll enter through there with Mikael."

"Huh? Me? I guess I can use my accelerate ability to sneak past cameras and guards." Mikael snapped his fingers "Then that leaves Amelia and Ibuki. Sharrion, do you have another way of letting them in?"

Sharrion had to think over the entrances into the lab they could take. Security was heavy especially during war times, it was going to be difficult even for Mikael with his ability. Instead, Sharrion had a different way of getting them inside safely. An idea she withheld until nightfall, she would give them a signal once it was safe to enter.

The moon was bright once midnight rolled in for Seraphim set out to put their plans in motion. They had quickly entered the 7th triad and placed themselves out of sight near the laboratory. Thanks to the darkness of night and little to no street lamps, it was easy for Amelia and Sharrion to hide behind a dumpster beside an old building.

The Laboratory was tall and blocky with little to no windows, most of which only on the higher floors for surveillance. The building contained multiple floors from the top down and perhaps many more underground. The only guards present were those stationed at the front gate which Sharrion showed her ID security clearance to get in. Amelia and Ibuki watched through binoculars from a vantage point, hid in snow covered bushes like shadows, wearing a white hooded poncho to blend in with their surroundings. Using a handheld radio, Mikael and Mark reported that they were stationed and ready behind the alleyway that led to the building’s backdoor and just like the entrance, it wasn’t guarded at all for the backdoor was only used to transport supplies.

“Understood Mikael.” Amelia then turned off the handheld radio and watched the lab's entrance. “What exactly is Sharrion's plan here…"

They waited in silence, snow slowly piled up on their heads. What was 5 minutes felt like half an hour until speakers from the building came blaring on with Sharrion's voice shouting loud and clear.

"TGA spies have been spotted around the perimeter! This is not a drill. All squads are instructed to enter emergency code: caution." Her voice echoed throughout the night sky and suddenly the laboratory went on full alert. Spotlights lit up, many entrances opened with soldiers piling out and the sound of sirens went off.

Naturally Amelia's heart sank and her words spurred out "What the hell?!"

To which Ibuki promptly covered her mouth. She looked at the many soldiers rushing out the building “I think I get what's going on here. They were so focused on defending this triad that they would never expect the TGA to come knocking right at their front door. Sharrion's false warning will remove a majority of guards inside, allowing us to easily sneak around freely. For a limited amount of time."

“That’s…that's brilliant!” Amelia gasped in excitement. Though it wasn't very brilliant to surprise Seraphim during an urgent mission like this. Mikael and Mark would have their own complications adapting to this new set of circumstances.

They were confused at first at the shout they heard from afar then quickly pieced together what Sharrion’s signal was. Mikael ordered Mark to climb on his back and shifted into accelerate mode, they became light as a feather. The whole world slowed and became grey for Mikael and he ran forward as fast as he could passing slow moving guards and cameras on the road. He made a turn arriving at a side lot where trucks were parked and soldiers were frozen in place searching for the supposed spy. The steel door they had exited from was close to closing and Mikael could feel his chest tightening over using his ability. He took a chance and slid under the slowly moving door dropping Mark as time resumed to normal with the door closing shut behind them.

He sat up holding his chest panting heavily “I didn’t think… I had to slow time for… that long…”

Mark stood up patting himself down to make sure nothing was dropped. As for Mikael he waved his hand “Just go without me. I need to rest for a bit...”

What surrounded them were sealed metal crates in a variety of colors that dictate what material was inside through color coded fashion though Mark couldn't open any of the crates or cargo and doubted there was anything useful inside for him to see. He helped Mikael back to his feet and escaped to the next room over, stepping into the drab and metallic interior. The wide halls were lit with yellow lights giving a shade of bronze brown reflecting off the walls and a red line that stretched along the lower half of the walls as an indicator of what section of the lab they were in. Only when they reached a door did they know where they exactly were; research ward 1. The door automatically slid to the side open allowing them to walk into a room with tables full of files, test tube holders and other materials they assumed were used for the experiments.

First of which, Mikael picked up a random slip of paper to skim over it briefly “Genetic manipulation… They're trying to alter human DNA with magic." He took another to look through, one of which was the Nightmare Project revival. A project to bring back mobile armors for their military forces to assist in defeating the TGA. These mobile armors varied, many were unrecognized by Mikael but to Mark, he knew the names of few that were being repurposed from their original design and intention.

What was the intended purpose for the project? Was a question Mikael wanted to bring up with Midare who often threatened The Director to reveal the conspiracy to the public. The Nightmare Project was a collaborative plan between Imperia and TGA to create the tools needed for space travel and destructive weapons to repel otherworldly creatures such as dragons though these otherworldly creatures were far far more dangerous. Something Mikael couldn't comprehend since dragons practically shattered the world in 2. The project was now repurpose to fight other countries that posed a threat to Imperia's sovereignty. What caused the initial project when it first began to fail was a mystery to Mikael and something Mark didn't want to bring up for he never understood Midare's perspective.

While Mark was rummaging through looking for anything relating to the event that led to the project's first failure, Mikael had found one detailing the records of another project dubbedThe Angel Project recording the behavior of one of the test subjects.

November 20.

S-020 seems to be successful. Unlike the previous subjects, she has yet to succumb to her artificial EXover abilities. Her magic seems stable and she is able to interact normally with the other test subjects. What interests me is her EXover ability. We seemed to have replicated the origin of Sami’s power, the ability to control..? Just by gazing at a target, she is able to manipulate reality around said target as she sees fit. However most of the time S-020 seems to kill the target, overloading It's mind and causing seizures. What's strange is the target we used to test her abilities displayed no alterations to the mind afterwards. I'm led to believe this is the same phenomenon as a human encountering a holy being. I'm being told by the other scientists that it's the brain creating phycadelics to place itself in a trance-like state but I believe we found something much more. Something we shouldn't be touching.

As Mikael read on, the stories became more morbid.

December 1st.

I am concerned. S-020’s power seems to be ever growing. After having an argument with S-019, she had succumbed to her emotions and killed the boy. We were baffled as S-019 was a test of the angel system. Supposedly he was immortal in order to live so he could reach the top of Imperia to meet God. That is no longer the case… After his death, Warui ordered me to inject S-020 with the angel system. I tried to tell him how damaging that could be to her psyche and how dangerous it was. He ordered me to use the same recipe I gave to my daughters, but I no longer have any vampire DNA samples. Their genetic makeup is similar to rushès with magic circuits so maybe I could…

Mikael was snapped out of his reading when a static voice from the other end on Mark's radio told them to rendezvous on the third floor; security. He nodded slowly at Mark and took one last glance at the files, ‘this experiment was a failure.’ Were the last words he read before following Mark out.

An elevator that took them to the third floor out of the dull yellow lit halls and into a more monochromatic greyish interior. This time a blue line represented the area; security and weapons. They thought such an area was bound to be filled with soldiers ready at every corner but instead what they found were bloodied corpses killed in dramatically different ways. From guards with their heads outright blown to pieces to others that took a direct shotgun hit to the chest, and some Mark couldn't guess since they showed no visible injuries. They heard muffled speaking in the next room and carefully entered with guns drawn, the door slid open and brought them to a scene in the security camera room.

A grey haired scientist with a dirty lab coat held a wounded guard at gunpoint, beside him, a little green haired girl who looked similar to the little girl curled into a ball weeping silently behind the soldier, the same girl Mark encountered on the train. The assumed twin now turned abomination had stitches across the face and her right eye was a bright unnatural magenta instead of forestry green, and The scientist looked deranged, his finger close to the trigger just itching to pull and his speech randomly shifting as he spoke. His eyes darted to Mark, turning to aim at him and Mikael even when they had the advantage of shooting him first.

"Freeze!" Mark said knowing his words would have little to no effect.

The little girl with stitches hid behind the scientist, "Who are you? Are you the TGA spies?!" shouted the old scientist.

Mark saw the girl he encountered on the train lift her head to peek at her saviors, grimacing after her tears cleared seeing what were her enemies now being the deciding factor for whether or not she survived. He tightened his grip on his socom "We're here to retrieve her." He nodded towards the girl.

"Her? The little false angel here you want to retrieve?! Did Warui put you up to this?!" The scientist bellowed "She's an improper idolization of what you see behind me, the true angel set to free humanity from gravity itself. The 21th test subject, Saeko, is nothing more than a failed product of the project that Warui has merely propped up in the meantime until she proves to be a failure like her predecessors."

"T-that's not true! Warui would never abandon me!" Saeko cried only for the scientist to shoot a warning shot at the ground to shut her up.

"What do you know? And what do you soldiers know? Absolutely nothing. From the holy scriptures to humanity's true purpose. You're all the same controlled drones that follow orders." The scientist wasn't going to back down without a fight to the death. Someone wasn't going to leave this room alive.