There was an almost inaudible click when Sheridan disconnected the microphone from their connection to Frankenstein's helicopter. Seira was silent for a moment, staring at the small object in Sheridan's hand. She was deep in thought, as well as Sheridan, and neither spoke another word to each other. In the end, Seira strode off to the elevator, presumably to visit Rai's coffin and do whatever she spoke with Frankenstein about.

Sheridan was left in the living room, alone to ponder her thoughts. It was actually the first time since she came to this house that she was able to stop and think. Luckily, Seira was the only one present when she finally gathered the courage to ring the doorbell…

~Flashback~

Ding. Dong.

Seira looked up from her afternoon tea. Though nothing showed on her face, she was slightly startled to hear the doorbell ring; the children never came back to the house since the day Raizel went to sleep. It couldn't be them, could it?

Still pondering who it could be, she stood up gracefully and stepped towards the front door. She glanced at the screen, and was shocked to see a woman she did not recognize. She was a young looking woman; a beautiful one at that. With long dark brown hair that would've hung in wild curls if it wasn't pulled halfway into a ponytail, a tall stature, and a lean build, she looked like any other human. But then she glanced up at the camera, and Seira could not hold back a gasp. Piercing golden-yellow eyes peeked out from fringed bangs, and Seira could not deny that this woman was the spitting image of the photograph of Sheridan.

Could it be?

Five minutes later found the two of them in the living room, sitting across from each other with matching cups of tea. While Seira was quite blank-faced, Sheridan was looking around the house, fascinated by the place.

Her attention was brought back to Seira when the silver-haired noble asked," Is it true you are Sheridan, daughter of Lyle?"

Sheridan regarded her with her yellow eyes, as if weighing the trustworthiness of the being before her. After a long moment, she spoke in a lightly accented voice," Aye. My name is Sheridan, daughter of Lyle, member of the Gaelica clan."

Seira nodded, satisfied with that answer. Next, she asked," Why have you come here? Did you know that Lyle asked us to find you?"

That caught Sheridan's attention, as her eyes widened and her mouth hung open," My father searches for me?"

"You did not know?" Seira questioned," When we asked for his assistance, he employed us to search the Union for you, Devlin, and Jonathon."

Seira could not say for certain, but she thought she saw a tear appear in Sheridan's eye, before it was blinked away. Sheridan's next words were quiet, and her eyes were focused on nothing in particular, as if lost in some far away memory," I can't believe he even bothered to ask for us. For so long, he left me and Jonathon to our own devices, and we remained hidden from the world."

"It wasn't until he sent Devlin after us… that the Union found us… I always assumed my father blamed me for Devlin's capture…"

"But that is in the past," she stopped abruptly and returned her gaze to Seira," Now tell me, how are you acquainted with my father? Nobles do not know of our existence."

Seira narrowed her eyes at the werewolf, noting that Sheridan herself admitted to not knowing that Lyle was searching for her. If that were true, then why now would she reveal herself to them, if werewolves were so secretive and hidden?

"Why have you come here?" she repeated.

At this, Sheridan smiled wryly," Would you believe me if I told you I've been aware of your folk's existence in this city for quite a while now?"

While Seira listened on, Sheridan continued," I always knew the Union had a faction in this city, and that it had been destroyed earlier this year. In the battles that have occurred since then, I was always near, watching and waiting. I know your group consists of three nobles, a human man that is far more than human, and three modified humans formerly of the Union."

"I always knew who you were, but you have never known about me, so I figured I'd even the odds."

Seira was unwaveringly calm as she repeated once again," Why have you come here?"

Though Sheridan frowned at the repeated question, she was slightly amused at the same time. There really was no diverting this one, was there?

Sighing, she told the truth," Because it took me this damn long to work up the courage to come here. I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines, just watching as others risk their lives to protect this city. I want to help; I want to join your group. I don't care if you don't trust me, or if you don't think I can do anything. But please… let me help for once in my life."

~End Flashback~

"Are you ready?" Seira asked upon returning to the living room.

'That didn't take long,' Sheridan mused, but nodded nonetheless. Seira eyed the long trench coat covering Sheridan's form; it appeared like it would be a hindrance during battle, but she said nothing on it. Together, the two of them left Frankenstein's house, heading for the havoc downtown.

Bright flashes of light shone menacingly in the night, engulfing buildings and tearing them down in just moments. Sheridan could hear screams echoing throughout the city, where humans scattered, fearing for their lives. It was painful to hear, and she could feel her heart wrenching for them. Oh how she wanted to return to the ground level and help those poor humans, but her rational side deduced that the best way to save these people would be to take out the threat first. Then she could concentrate on helping the humans recover.

Another building fell and it felt like an earthquake shaking the ground, reverberating deep in her soul.

'How many people were in that building?' she wondered sadly before she shook it from her mind. Now wasn't the time to be distracted. She would need her mind clear if she was to take on any Elders of the Union.

As they approached a tall skyscraper downtown, she could make out three figures standing on the roof. All were dressed in sinister white robes and watching the damage done to the city, not a care in the world.

'There they are.'

All of a sudden, the tallest of them raised his arm at a nearby building. The same blinding light appeared in the palm of his hand before literally shooting out in a deadly ray, aiming to destroy yet another part of the city. Almost simultaneously, Sheridan felt Seira disappear from her side. The next thing anyone knew, the blast had been dissipated, Seira standing right in it's path, forcing the light to scatter like ashes.

All of the Elders turned their attention to Seira, who leaped up to face them head on, standing ever so calmly. Sheridan hung back a moment, observing the situation, trying to find a perfect opening for her to attack. The Elders were only expecting the nobles to interfere; she was an unknown variable and she would have to use that to her advantage.

"Finally, you're here," one of the Elders spoke, sounding amused," You're quite pretty." A compliment, in any other circumstance, as Seira was very beautiful. But an empty one coming from such a vile mouth.

"What is this?" Seira simply asked.

"What?" they shot back, confused.

"You are the Union's Elders," Seira said, stating a fact as if reminding them. Really, there was no necessity to destroy half the city in less than ten minutes.

"Ahhh," the dark haired woman smiled," That? We were just trying to call you. It was a bit noisy, but you're here now." She glanced around, seeing no other noble accompanying Seira," But where are the other nobles? Why aren't they here?"

Seira didn't answer.

Another Elder stepped forward, this time an older man. "Silver hair…" he mused, gazing at Seira's unique traits," Since you're not Gejutel, you can't be of the Landegre."

"A Loyardian?' he guessed.

Seira nodded," That's correct. I am Seira J. Loyarde. Noble of the Loyarde."

There was a moment before the man introduced himself," My name is Jaruga Siriana."

That name struck a chord for Seira, as her eyes widened in an uncharacteristic manner and she gasped out," You can't be…" Sheridan looked on in wonder, not recognizing the name, nor its significance. Then again, she was not familiar with noble business.

"Correct," the Elder continued, not a trace of amusement on his face, unlike his female companion," I was a noble in the past, like you."

Sheridan blinked. Well, that explained it.

"I'm also the one that killed your father, Loyarde's former leader.'

And that was the cherry on top of the ice cream. Sheridan felt her heart go out to Seira, understanding the pain of facing the person who killed someone precious to her. As much as she wanted to run forward, to challenge this arrogant bastard who spoke ill of Seira's father, she held herself back. This was Seira's battle now.

She did not disappoint, as the roof exploded into fire and dust. However, when the dust cleared, the Elders still stood, encased in a blue dome much like the light that destroyed the buildings.

'Hmm,' Sheridan mused, observing,' Not only is it a weapon, but it has defensive capabilities? This will be difficult to overcome.'

"How was that? I blocked a noble's attack!" the blue Elder, the one responsible for the light, gloated loudly, seemingly overjoyed," Good! I was worried because of her title, but this is doable."

The female Elder smiled even wider," Heh… You're quite fiery, unlike the rumors."

Both were ignored completely as Seira and Jaruga glared at each other, until the elder stepped forward. The blue Elder blinked," Eh? 7th, are you going? Can I take her first?" He seemed quite eager.

Jaruga, or the 7th Elder, shook his head," 8th, let me. It is what the Loyarde's Gaju wants anyway."

The 8th harrumphed," Guess it can't be helped."

"Your father was like a child, compared to me," the 7th elder goaded, though Seira's expression did not change," And you, who's barely an adult, having inherited the nobility…think you could take me on?"

'Keep your ground, Seira,' Sheridan urged in her mind, having seen this tactic all to often,' He's just trying to rile you up and make you lose your concentration. Don't fall for it!'

Luckily, Seira was always such a cool headed woman, and Sheridan admired that about her. Because less than a second, literally, a blood based attack was directed at her. Without even blinking, Seira summoned her sythe and cut the attack in half. However, it was merely a distraction, as the 7th appeared behind Seira and quickly delivered a blow to her side.

The battle had begun.