At Golgotha, the Vartan formerly known as Zoltan is inducted into the Knights Templar, renamed as Eclipse. He is joined by those who were once squires with him, formerly known as Cryptic (a Paradysian Sphynx) and Arita (a Vartan), who are dubbed Vague and Silhouette, respectively. A fourth is inducted as well, unknown to Zoltan, dubbed Shade, and apparently a female Sphynx with wings like those of a creen.

They suit up at the Sanctuary of Shadows, and learn that they are being sent on a "training exercise" off the coast of the Nagai Empire, near Fetiss Sky Island, in order to engage in a bit of "saber rattling" with the Nagai, as the Nagai have blown off the Temple's queries about the "boomer". Furthermore, they learn that in Babel, High Prince Boghaz – a friend of Zoltan's – has been murdered … and there is no telling who might take his place.

With that, the Lance is sent out. On the deck of the Intimidator, Eclipse learns that the fourth Lancer is actually Storm-Hand, a sister of Third-Vision, and that her wings are products of magic from the Twelve-times-Twelve. Storm-Hand is a shamaness with power in the Sphere of Spirit, for the purpose of warding evil spirits, and joins the group to help combat magic more than to swing a sword. Despite their earlier differences, Eclipse welcomes Shade into the Lance as a sister.