Kassandra estimated that her troops would arrive in the barracks area in a few minutes or so. She stood by the viewing deck of the area and there were several demons and angels nearby training.

"Lady Kassandra, it's an honor to see you here again as well. Would you like us to grab you a seat?" One of the trainees stationed there asked her. She smiled and shook her head.

"What kind of leader would I be if I greeted my soldiers sitting down?"

The trainee swooned at her "coolness" and could only hope that in the future they would be assigned to her.

"THE ARRAY HAS BEEN ACTIVATED, ANNOUNCING THE ARRIVAL OF THE NIGHT DIVISION!"

Night Division belonged to Kassandra. The nobles all have their own army of soldiers under different division names. Shadow belonged to Amias, Crimson belonged to Azazel, Sparks is under Arda's command, and the last division named Frost belonged to Damien. The Night Division is originally split into Dusk and Dawn. But when Yohann disappeared, Kassandra took over the Dawn Division and merged it with her own to create the Night Division.

"WE GREET OUR MOTHER OF THE NIGHT!" The soldiers who appeared on the array bowed down to show respect to Kassandra. Unfortunately, there were those who could barely speak or move due to their injuries. Kassandra noticed these and quickly made orders.

"And I greet my children of the night. Send the heavily injured to the Caduceus Wing to be treated as soon as possible. Those with minimal injuries, go to the medical bay instead to minimize the occupants in the Caduceus Wing. Each Captain of the 8 Phases from the Dusk Division, present yourselves in the Meeting Hall for briefing. That's all!" 

Kassandra turned around and made her way to the meeting hall to wait for them. When the door opened, there were only 2 captains and 1 member of Team 2 that entered. Kassandra was about to say that they'll wait for a few minutes when Theodora beat her to it.

"My Lady, This is all of us. Team 2's Captain stayed behind to guide the reinforcements. Team 5 and 8's members got wiped out. Team 6 and 7's captains got severely injured while protecting their members." Theodora was the Leader of Team 1 which consisted of the weakest members. Because of the fact that she soon became unfit to lead, her team members were left to idle. But this also prevented their deaths just like how Team 5 and 8's fates were.

"Will you be calling for the captains for the Dawn Division? Briefing us only may lead to arguments between the Vampires and Lycans" Team 3's Leader, Yuri, explains to them.

Kassandra looked at him and she could see that he was actually injured since his arm was in a cast. She may have infused them with demonic powers to make them similar to that of a half-demon. But going up against those monsters of experimentation makes them equivalent to regular humans. Remembering that her brother was once like those creatures, she couldn't help but feel disgusted all the more with Matthew's rebellion.

"I'll be meeting with them separately as well since Emilia did tell me about the current situation you are dealing with... Yuri, how's your injury?"

"My arm broke and because that area got bitten by those creatures, I cannot recover like usual. I apologize for becoming useless" His arm was only collateral damage if it meant his team escaped the ambush while they were still up north.

Kassandra glanced at the third person in this room. He was not a captain and so Kassandra had to remember for a short while.

"You are Levi right? from Emilia's team?" Kassandra asks and Levi nods.

"Yes, I am also the one who forwarded several messages of her Lady Kassandra to Emilia and Theodora"

"Good good… You shall be the new leader of Team 5. Yuri...Theodora... recommend me another member suitable to be the new leader of Team 8 as well as train Levi to be up to your standards"

"My Lady?!" Levi was surprised by the sudden promotion. Yuri and Theodora bowed and responded with a yes.

"Good, you guys are dismissed. Yuri call for the Dawn Division's captains. Theodora, stay here for a moment since I need to talk to you briefly before the others arrive"

"Certainly my Lady" Yuri and Levi left the room. Which only leaves Kassandra and Theodora alone in the Meeting Hall.

"You know what I will be discussing with you right?"

"Yes, my Lady" Theodora already prepared herself for this while they were preparing for departure. Kassandra knew what this child felt since this was the same thing she had gone through once.

"Your husband Stephen... he was a brave soldier. It is my fault for not being able to protect him as promised since I had to protect everyone else in that event. Stephen's contribution will not be taken lightly since he saved multiple guests. Right now, I'm still trying to see what I can do but at most I can only keep his heart beating"

Theodora sucked in a breath and clenched her fists. She was a soldier herself, so she knew the sacrifices that had to be made in this occupation.

"I won't blame you if you hate me right now. But please know I cannot keep his heart beating forever" Kassandra placed out her hand, intending for Theodora to take it. 

Kassandra rarely did this and the moment Theodora did take a hold of it, she showed her condition to her. She only had about fifty percent of her powers and although it would get replenished under the moonlight, the rapid loss still couldn't account for it.

"If I continue to do this, I will die. The majority in the Dusk Division are connected to me in some form. If I disappear, they will all suffer the consequences of living past the capacity of a human's life"

In other words, they all revert to becoming human and the years they've lived up to will catch up with them.

"I understand my Lady. I'm sorry for letting you suffer" Theodora fell down on her knees, she was shaking.

'I thought I was prepared for this' She thought as she started to sob.

"There's something I can do, however"

"W-what is it my lady?" Theodora asked in between her sobs.

"I might be able to bring back his consciousness briefly by forcing my powers. I can also ask the Prince for help since I know Gideon would like to be there as well. It would be enough to say your goodbyes"

Theodora was now faced with two options. One option was to keep Stephen alive at the cost of Kassandra slowly decaying as well. The other was to wake him up one last time then let him rest finally.

"I... would you allow me to speak to Gideon about this first?" This was selfish of her to ask for more time but Kassandra allowed it. She even hugged Theodora and stroked her cheek.

"Take your time my child. After my talk with the Lycans, I'll be staying with my brother in the Caduceus Wing. I wanted to talk to Gideon about this as well but I suppose it is better for you to do so"

.

.

.

When word reached Gideon's ears that Theodora had arrived, he couldn't be more in a rush to meet her. He wanted to hug her and apologize for not being able to keep her promise. He felt really guilty about the entire situation.

"Slow down, you might slip"

The two of them were walking outside on the way to the barracks. Compared to Gideon who had been wrapped up in layers of warm clothes, Kaiden only had a few layers since he could just warm himself.

Gideon looked back at Kaiden and slowed down his walk. He cupped his hands and blew on them to warm them up.

"Cold?" Kaiden saw his actions which made him ask this question.

"A little" Gideon responded and Kaiden took his hand.

"What do you mean a little, you're ice cold... Here let me" Kaiden leaned down and blew on his hand. He could have warmed it up using his hands still but it would be faster to do the same as well.

Perhaps it was the cold winds hitting his face and that's why Gideon's face was red.

"Thank you"

"No Problem, here.. you might slip on that part" Kaiden didn't let go of his hand and continued to hold his hand on the way to meet with Theodora.

"Gideon?" a soft voice echoed and there Theodora stood with an umbrella.

"Aunty?"

"It is you!" Theodora rushed to him and hugged him. Kaiden who had been holding his hand was immediately tossed to the side.

"Are you ok? Why are you out in the cold? I'm sorry I can't warm you up. Are you still feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine I'm fine... I asked Kaiden to take me to you so I could greet you in person"

"ah, I see..." Theodora glanced in Kaiden's direction with malice in her eyes as she shielded her baby from this wolf in sheep's clothing. Kaiden raised his hands in defense with a smile.

"Let's all talk somewhere warmer" Gideon spoke up to break the tension.

"Good idea"

"Good idea"

The two spoke at the same time and they immediately went back to having a staring contest.

'What's going on with these two' Gideon thought to himself.