Sylvie woke up before dawn and mindlinked the squad to meet. They arrived by the training grounds where she had noticed from the mage tower where her room was, that there was an equipment room they could meet away from others. Oscar was yawning still because Gunther kept him up late to go over the new plans of the armor. He wanted him to be prepared in case Eden asked for a plan. She was known for expecting everyone to be one step ahead of her from the way she spoke and asked questions. It might not have been her intention to appear that way, but it made everyone want to always be ready to answer any future questions. Even in her broadcast, she always seemed to detect things in advance. It's why Gunther felt he needed to follow her lead. Sylvie rolled her eyes at Oscar, "You are a Lycan, it's shameful you can't even skip on your beauty rest." Oscar wanted to say something smart ass to her but he knew she would have him pinned to the ground before he could finish it. No one would dare insult her because she was strong and possessed a great amount of hidden power. Being the only female lieutenant among a male dominant pack for warriors was an accomplishment on its own. Lewis mindlinked Oscar, "good decision to keep your mouth shut, or you'd be catching on some beauty sleep for the rest of the year." Lewis snickered as Oscar gave a low growl. The rest finally arrived and Sylvie began to pass out a few fools rings. They all looked at them bewildered. Then she said, "These will change your appearance temporarily. None of you have been seen in your human form. I, however, had revealed myself to her not considering we would end up in this situation. You don't need to activate it, just wear it. I will change my hair color which is the thing most obvious to notice. I'll add a bit of makeup as well." Then Kane said, "so in a way, we are helping you out." Sylvie narrowed her eyes at him. Kane was known for demonstrating sheer strength, but he lacked leadership qualities. When Sylvie was promoted over him, he had a small irk that would come out once in a while. Sylvie wanted to force him to eat the ground, but she calmed herself down. Then she said, "yes, I will pay the consequences for my lack of foresight." Kane gave a little side smile, but Gideon spoke up, "None of us had the foresight that we would end up in this situation." Kane uttered in a low voice, "Kiss ass." Sylvie placed a hand on Kane's shoulder and added a little force. Kane looked like he was struggling to stand straight. One knee began to bend slightly as Sylvie smiled and said, "You're such a team player." She then released him and patted his shoulder and then moved away from him. Everyone else stood silent as she effortlessly showed her strength. Oscar mindlinked Lewis, "I rather be a kiss ass than kissing the ground for dear life." They both held in their laughter. Then Sylvie mind linked them both, "you blokes, I can hear you. You didn't shut out anyone." Both Lewis and Oscar looked surprised at this revelation, but knew they were too groggy from waking up earlier than expected that they forgot to check their link. Kane gave them both an angry look. Then with a straight face Oscar said, "I said what I said." Murphy and Gideon held Kane back from punching Oscar. "Enough," said Sylvie in a raised voice. "The plan is for it to look like we just happen to have rings so it looks ordinary, however it can back fire. This is why we make it seem as natural as possible when we walk in. The best case scenario if we get discovered is we have to become deserters which means we failed our mission." She looked around at them confused. Gideon asked, "Why is deserting and failing our mission the best case scenario?" Sylvie then said nonchalantly, "have you forgotten of her protector already? She could easily render us powerless and slaughter us." Their moods darkened a little. Then Oscar asked, "But shouldn't our best case scenario be that she is a reasonable person? Gunther said he was sure she would not release me into limbo even if she found out." Sylvie clicked her tongue and answered, "I'm ruling out miracles and unrealistic expectations. If I go into battle, I need you all to leave me behind. That is an order." Kane got angry and asked, "you expect us to run and be saved by you?" "I expect you to live and continue to carry out the mission," answered Sylvie. She bit her lip and then said, "there is nothing left for me to return to if I fail my mission." That's when they realized that Sylvie was holding in her tears. She had curled her hands into fists and tried not to furrow her brows. She had made up her mind last night after Celeste informed her of Troy's passing from an attack by a gargoyle. At first she wanted to throw everything and break out to find the perpetrator. But her mission was priority, she was trying to think of other ways to get out from meeting Eden as a group. She knew the squad would not want to leave her behind if she was found by Eden. She previously attempted to talk Gabriel into seeing Eden alone because she felt sick, but the frail looking girl spoke up and said the order was for all to be together. Her attempt to take full responsibility failed. Then she kept thinking it's not so bad to return home with her first failed mission. Troy, her younger cousin, was always there to console her and keep her company. He was the only one of her relatives that got distributed to this realm and saved by Cerberus. But when she inquired last night Celeste gave her the grave news. Celeste explained she did want to hold out on this information, but Cerberus convinced her that it was the best thing for the mission or emotions will get in the way of decisions. Sylvie was distraught for a few hours. She didn't sleep because she kept thinking of how to get out of this predicament and be able to mourn her cousin Troy. She came to a conclusion, be upfront of her mistake. Order the squad and go. The only way to hold back Eden's guard was by providing a decoy. Just a few seconds, even a minute would be more than enough for a Lycan to get away without a scratch. The rest knew there was only one thing that could cause this icy female to feel so much emotion and hold it all in. Then bowed their heads and submitted to her orders. They all felt like cowards for agreeing to it, but what other plans could they come up with in such a short amount of time. Not wearing the rings would only out Sylvie, then they would have retaliated if she was taken down in front of them. The only way they could watch that happen is if they were on the ground too ready to be beheaded. Part of Oscar felt there was another way, like talking to the Monarch. He heard Gunther talk about her all night and she didn't sound like a ruthless ruler.
Eden was sitting in her study waiting for the new hires to arrive and greet them. It was the first time she did that and she wanted to give them a welcome token. Maybe send to everyone a welcome token as well. She thought about it and the only thing she had on hand was her letter seal. It had a symbol of a flying bird, her initials and shield behind it with a crown over the shield. Then she melted some wax on a small sheet of paper and stamped it. It was like a small coin of wax . She made 12 of them for the new hires. Eden smiled at her art and then said, "Erza, could you please stand a few feet behind me so that a non human isn't repelled from you?" Erza nodded and took a few paces back from Eden. Then Eden said," not that I need it, but if I feel threatened all I need to do is call your name and you can come to my aid. Erza smiled and answered yes. The door opened and in came the new hires. Eden smiled widely at them. They all stood in a line facing her with their hands closed together in front of themselves. Eden said, "Good morning!" In unison they responded and said, "Good morning." Eden then went over the basic responsibilities and expectations. She thanked them and then announced that she wanted to show them gratitude for their hard work. Then she asked them to hold out their hand and she will give them a symbolic gift. Soon she will have the forger make coins to hand out to every member.
Eden was passing out her makeshift coins from wax when she got to Sylvie she stopped. She dropped the wax item on her hand when Eden stared at her eyes. Those bright blue eyes she once set her sight on once. Eden asked herself, where have I seen these eyes. She looked at her facial features and then it clicked in her mind. The silvered hair woman that was in the forest after emerging from the cave. "Erza," said Eden and in a swift second Erza switched from her training gear to full on battle armor and pushed Sylvie with just her energy force. Sylvie flew back and hit the wall.