"So, Sis, what are your plans after you leave home?"

"Isn't that a question a little early for now?" Seraph asked, her smile widening as she looked back to the flaming red hair of her sister, slowly following behind her to the town again.

Kel simply giggled, turning around to stick her tongue out. "Only a few years away, and I'd hate for you to get stuck on this dustbowl with me!"

"Hey!" Seraph called back, giggling as she moves to catch up with her sister, keeping pace until the two reached the well parked behind the settlement dwellings.

A dull, loud rumbling echos in the distance, strange whining and yelling casting through the desert terrain and back to the two sisters. Seraph slowly turned as she squinted her eyes, Kel stopping right before her. Slowly, the objects started to draw closer and closer, sparkling black plates starting to shine in the heated sun. As they draw even closer, alarms start to roar in the town, signalling people to head to safety.

"Shit, raiders," Seraph muttered under her breath. "Kel, we need to get inside, get out of here-"

Before she could finish her sentence, a loud scream of angry engines called out as a black, menacing, angular skiff rocketed around the buildings near them.

The next few moments were a blur. Kelinas quickly bodychecked her sister, and Seraph felt the stone of the well pressing into her legs. Scrabbling for handholds, Seraph felt the cross chain around her sister's neck grip into her hand, but the tension was lost, as she fell backwards, down and down into the dark...


"Rise, Sister Seraph. Rise, and allow your new wings to fly."

Ceramite plates scrape against each other while she moves from her crouched position, hisses of her internal systems assisting the defensive armor to move as easily as she does. Seraph held the chainsword level before her, eyes closed tight and focusing at the system now connected to her interface, power quickly starting to flood around in her equipment. Unhelmeted head bowed, it was a few moments before the soft scream of engines graced her ears. Flames licked from the edges at the metal wings of the newest addition to her personal arsenal, the Seraphium weapons platform roaring to escape the simulated gravity. Weightlessness took her, unerring grace keeping her leveled as she was lifted by the arcane technology, holding her aloft with the gentleness of a lover. Quiet whistling filled the air as she spun her blade around, before bringing it to rest before her horizontally, head rising up and her bright violet eyes open.

"As a member of the Orders Militant, and one of the Emperor's favored daughters, I give my life to the safety and protection to all in the Imperium of Mankind," Seraph recited simply, her eyes focused onto the figure before her.

The Cannoness Superior, Alekxandria Blaskas, gave a curt nod, the whitened hair a stark contrast to the blackened power armor accented with orange. Her height was something most uncommon with many of the Sisters, and even with Seraph now elevated a foot from the ground they were barely in an even stare. "Then with the powers granted by me from the Emperor, and through the Holy Order of the Pandemic Rose, I grant upon you the rank of Seraphium." Drawing her power sword, the cannoness laid it across each of Seraph's plated shoulders, before also moving it to a position before her, similar to Seraph's own. "Hold your status with pride and severity, so you may better serve the Emperor and protect the safety of all his subjects from the Demon, the Mutant, and the Heretic."

As the cheers and claps of the Sisters who had come to watch her ascension echoed into the wide hall, celebrating one of their most devout and serious servants, it was all Seraph could do to avoid a shudder of unease. With the ceremonial part ending, she once again returned to her booted feet returning to the surface of the hall, her head giving a quiet bow to the Cannoness. The religious fervor would have been intoxicating to any of her other sisters, but as it stood now, Seraph only felt like wanting to be alone.

Several of her fellow Sisters would walk by her, giving various words of encouragement or congratulations, eventually the flow ending with just her and the Cannoness left. Ensuring they were alone, Blaskas paced away from Seraph, her face kept away from her.

"Sister Seraph. You are a... oddity to me. Years you have been with us, learned our ways and our creeds, and I have seen very few who match your skill and power in combat. And yet, time and time again, I see you never speak your bows to the Emperor, or outright find ways to escape the daily rituals. All this time and yet no change of heart..." Blaskas states, still facing away from the much-smaller Soritas.

"Mistress Superior, is it so hard to not care for the safety of the Imperium above all else?" Seraph added simply, tilting her head to one side and trying to keep herself impassive.

Blaskas turned to one side, a very small smile on her face. "And that, Seraph, is why I am so curious about what plans the Emperor has for you. Keep your beliefs secret, but your drive strong, and I can see your strength getting you far." Slowly, she walked past her. "Enjoy your evening, Seraph. I expect you will swiftly be moved to assignment soon."

Quietly, Seraph watched the woman leave, leaving her alone in the Chapel's large great atrium. All around her, the Sorita's devotion to the great God-Emperor was along the walls and around her, the stern face of his visage staring at her from all sides. Living saints stood in stoney vigils, and even several of the important members of the Pandemic Rose were either listed as martyrs from the Tyranic War or rewards for outstanding service or pilgrimages.

Even still, she gently looked around to ensure she was alone, before gently reaching into the collar of her armor. Gently, she pulled forth her necklace, looking down at the golden cross that used to hang around her sister's neck. Silently, she watched it, idly looking at it and yet not focused, mind lost in memories and thoughts of simpler, happier times.

After several moments of quiet reflection, she returned it back to hiding into her armor with a sigh.

"Don't worry Sis. One of these days, I'll find you..."


It is the 41st Millennium, and there is only war.

In the Malar System, lost in the far rim of the galaxy, events are conspiring to what will eventually be known as the Malar Heresy Incident. Guarded by many of the Imperial's loyal servants, even it cannot survive from foes from within.

Yet, there is still hope. Although her faith is not strong, her perseverance is unending, and her skepticism may yet be what is needed to defeat this specific coming storm...