(Thank you all for your dedicated interest in this story, as always I strive to make it as enjoyable and intriguing as possible. It's a short chapter today. (Generic Disclaimer))
Notes from Inquisitor Clark's Journals
I once believed that my sister was stronger than I could ever hope to be. In Commorragh, this was revealed to be false. I saw as my sister, once a proud, strong, and independent woman, was reduced to a spineless mewling slave girl. A part of me pities her fate, yet another part of me hates her for her weakness. If she had truly possessed a will of iron, she would have never lost herself the way she did. She should have fought and died rather than submit to Archon Taelbeirt as his personal bedroom toy. I have come to despise her for her weakness, which is only proper. I, on the other hand, came out of the Week of Sorrows with my resolve stronger than ever. My will and my spirit have been forged in the fires of adversity. Ironically, it was the city of Commorragh that began the process of turning me into a weapon for the Emperor. In a way, I should thank them for what they did to me; they gave me my iron will, quick wits, unbreakable spirit, and uncompromising hatred of all Xenos. I look forward to the day when I can show them my "gratitude".
A few days had passed since Taelbeirt's purge, and Nathaniel had yet to see his sister again. As a reward for surviving, Nathaniel and Aun'sal have been promoted to slave overseers. Nathaniel oversees the new human slaves while Aun'sal gets the Tau. Yulnera is still the head slave who they directly report too. Nathaniel found it odd that even though he was 13 years old, he was overseeing slaves far older than him. Then again, all of them were recent captives so Nathaniel was definitely more experienced than them when it came to being a slave. Nathaniel even had a new addition to his outfit, a headband designating his overseer status with the Kabal's symbol; it was the Archon's idea. Nathaniel even got his own private room, a bit of glorified broom closet but he did get his own bed and dresser. It was during his break in his room that he got a visit from the Archon and his sister. The Archon had apparently used some cosmetic procedure on her, because all of her scars were gone and she now had flawless skin. Her brown hair had also been grown out, reaching down to her knees. She was dressed in a suggestive manner, wearing little more than a short skirt, a metal bikini, and a metal collar around her neck with a chain attached to the Archon's belt. She has a broken look on her face, clinging to the Archon's arm. If she wasn't his sister Nathaniel probably wouldn't have been able to recognize her.
"Hello pet, I believe you are acquainted with my new concubine. I have decided to rename her Tarhanena. A rough translation of the name basically means nimble in bed, I am sure you can guess on she got that name." Archon Taelbeirt lets out a hearty laugh, Sarah forces a chuckle, and Nathaniel is fighting the urge to punch the Archon in the face. "In all honesty your sister is definitely living up to my expectations. You should be proud of her; it is a slave's greatest honor to please their master after all. Anyway I am going to meeting with my allies; I don't see any reason why you two can't spend some time together." He hands Nathaniel Sarah's chain and heads off. They both sit down on Nathaniel's bed as an awkward silence follows.
"So apparently you're nimble in bed."
"Don't you dare judge me Nathaniel, you have no idea what he and his minions are capable of, the many ways he has to break someone. I did not want to end up like Sister Ortega, or Rubanza, or Chun. If you were in my position you would of submitted too."
"Weren't you the one who told me not to let them break me?"
"I was foolish, I see that now, neither one of us is leaving this city nor is the Emperor watching over us. We need to do what we can to survive Nathaniel; the only thing that matters is our survival. This is the city where a simple non soul devouring death is the best you can hope for. If I can please the Archon give him what he wants, then maybe I can die in a semi peaceful manner."
"So, that's it, you've given up hope, you just want to submit and hope for the best? I am sorry sister, but I can never give up hope like you. When I was younger I used to look up to you, now I see that I was mistaken. Get out of my room, you're not my sister Sarah, you're Tarhanena the Archon's bitch. You have no right to even call yourself human, you are below human, no self respecting human would lay with a xenos. You have become a subhuman whore, do you understand me, all of my family is dead to me." He is screaming at her by this point.
Sarah now in tears leaves the room while Nathaniel tries to pull himself together.
Later, Nathaniel is hanging out with Yulnera and Aun'sal, not his ideal company but there was no one left.
"So Nathaniel, I heard that you and your sister had a little spat." Yulnera has a grin on her face.
"My sister is dead Yulnera; I am all alone in this dark city." Nathaniel replies
"You still have us, don't we count for something?" Aun'sal asks
"Don't make me feel more depressed than I am Aun'sal."
"Why should you be depressed, you're still alive and now an overseer. If you ask me things are going well for you." Yulnera says
"You know, if you give yourself over to the Greater Good you will find true happiness and contentment."
"Shut up Aun'sal" both Yulnera and Nathaniel reply in unison.