Angels Lament

Hello and welcome! A forewarning this chapter is, like I said it would, not action-packed and more story-driven and about characters so if you don't want to read that or don't care, now you know this might not be something you want to read. If this does interest you nice and welcome to this chapter of Angels Lament...


Chapter Five: Angel's Hope

Nikolaus stepped into the Medicae district and was instantly assailed by the smells common of medical institutions. The primary smell was antiseptic, mixed with the coppery tang of blood. Several other smells intermingled with the two main ones but Nikolaus quickly tuned them out and began his search for the little girl he had saved. The main entrance was a long and tall corridor with high vaulted ceilings that stretched on for at least 40 meters. The walls were alabaster white with blue tiles intermingled into them. This gave the entrance a serene look despite this the main corridor was anything but calm. Medicaes and Hospitaller Sisters worked and ran from station to station helping the wounded or each other in their treatments. While Chirurgeons moved between the Medicaes giving a diagnosis to the patients, followed by basic medical instructions then promptly moving on to the next patient. The walls were lined with hundreds of cots and antechambers that lead to either private rooms or supply and maintenance rooms.

Nikolaus quickly marched to the first Chirugeon who was busy scribbling notes on a dataslate. When the doctor noticed him he raised his head and asked his voice sounding tired. "How may I help you, My Lord. Your brethren are in the executive wing of the Hospital."

Nikolaus shook his head and said. "Thank you But I am looking for a little girl who was brought here she couldn't have been older than 6. It wasn't but two hours ago that she would have arrived."

The Chirugeon sighed and ran his hand across his face trying to think about where the child would be. "I don't know. A lot of children have been brought in recently most being fairly young. People are finally beginning to come out of hiding and coming to get medical aid. She could be in the higher wing just above us. But she could also be in the East Wing both have become cramped with families and children so she could have ended up at either. Sorry, My Lord."

"No, thank you, you have pointed me in the right direction, that will be all I need from you Chirugeon, you may return to your duties." Nikolaus bowed his head in thanks and pressed on down the corridor. The Chirugeon instantly jumping back into the fray of the patients and Medicaes. Nikolaus walked quickly but made sure to remain as out of the way as possible. It was quite hard because of his size but he was able to get out of the way of most of the Medical staff and wounded. He went to the East Wing first, Nikolaus entered the Grand Corridor of the East Wing after maneuvering his way through the side entrance gate.

The corridor was much like the last, high vaulted ceiling and white stone walls, though the blue was replaced with a vibrant and healthy green. The color of trees, Nikolaus had remembered the first time he had seen true trees. He was still back in the 10th company as a neophyte. He and most of his squad had left the Thunderhawk and been instantly mesmerized by the sight of a healthy forest. Most of them had never even left the Baal sector, whose worlds were cursed by irradiated deserts and giant salt wastes. The sergeant of the squad had made a joke about them all looking like starstruck children, though Nikolaus had long forgotten exactly what the sergeant had said.

Nikolaus came back to the moment and absorbed his surroundings in a millisecond. The hall was cramped as the Chirugeon had said. Families in varied states lined the walls. Mothers held fast to children, who wouldn't have left their mother's sides for all the gold in the galaxy. Fathers held to mourning wives or crying children. All had been affected by what had happened. Dozens of beds were arrayed with pure white sheets, which covered the bodies of the deceased. Nikolaus felt deep sorrow take root in him as he noticed most of the bodies on the cots were only showing the shape of smaller bodies. 'Children.' Nikolaus felt a deep rage stirred within him, 'The depravity of the Neverborn knows no bonds! The useless cretins!'

Nikolaus stopped himself from letting the rage guide him, he recited a hymn under his breath before he continued walking into the grand hall. He felt deep despair as he walked past the broken families grieving over the loss of children or parents, and in some instances both. Some looked to him and regained some of their hope of seeing an Angel in their midst. But some looked at him with rage-filled tears welling up in their eyes. One father who had previously been huddled over the two corpses of his wife and child turned to Nikolaus and shouted at him is words bitter and hateful. "You did nothing! You did nothing to save them!"

Nikolaus let his head hang for a second as he felt the words cut deep into him. 'What more could we have done?' he asked himself. Nikolaus turned his hung head to the man and said his voice honest and sad. "I am sorry we failed them."

The man broke down after that falling to the floor crying and flailing about shrieking of how the Emperor had betrayed his family and abandoned them in their moment of greatest need. A Sister Hospitaller quickly ran to his side a syringe in her hand full of sedatives. She held the distraught man down and injected the needle into his arm.

A few moments later he slowed until his flailing eventually stopped and his shrieks became quiet wails and sobs of despair. The Hospitaller helped him to his feet after that then helped him sit in a chair, where she began to speak to him saying in a sweet voice. "They were not abandoned, the Emperor safeguards the innocent. They are with the Legion of Light now. You will see them again someday. I promise you that." She then wrapped her arms around him and let him cry on her shoulder, while he cried for the loss of his family.

After a long time, the man collected himself and left the embrace of the Sister Hospitaller. She gave him an Aquila pendant and said if he needed any other help to see a priest or another Sister and they would help him, she then left saying as she walked away. "Have faith." The man nodded back to her and held the Aquila close to his heart and began murmuring prayers.

After the Sister had left Nikolaus slowly walked up to the man. The man looked at Nikolaus with tearful eyes and said falling to the floor and hanging his head. "I am sorry, Mi'Lord."

Nikolaus looked at the depressed man and said, his voice as sincere as he could make it. "You do not have to apologize to me. But know if I could, I would swap my life for theirs. And all those who died in the horrible incursion. I am sorry they are gone. But we must press on in their memory, so their deaths can mean something and so that others do not have to suffer their fate."

The man bowed his head and said. "Thank you, Milord."

"You are welcome, but know I did nothing but what I should… May you see them again someday."

"I hope so Lord." Said the man letting one last tear fall from his eye.

Nikolaus nodded to the man and pressed to move on, but before he could a small and frail woman walked up. She was hunched over from years of working in confined spaces and her skin had burned skin on her hands, from some workplace accident. She wasn't very old but her body was betraying her and leaving her weak. She stumbled up to Nikolaus and made to bow but Nikolaus quickly said. "You shall not bow to me, I am but a servant of the Emperor's Will, as much as you are. So please stand before me."

She did as she was bid and stood up, a little bit of pride rekindled in her eyes. She then said. "Would you please, Millord, if you can, bless my child. She was hurt, during the battle." She became scared for a moment and quickly clarified. "But not by the Warpspawn simply during the void battle, I swear no monster touched her she is not tain-"

Nikolaus held his hand up to silence the fearful woman and said his voice both patient and kind. "I would not care if she was. All deserve aid, even if injured by the Neverborn. I shall give her a blessing, if you believe it might help her."

"My…" She stumbled to find words to express her gratitude but after a moment she decided on "Thank you, Mi'Lord." She said tears welling up in her eyes.

Nikolaus nodded to her and said. "Of course. Now take me to your child so I might see what I can do."

The frail woman led him down the corridor and into one of the smaller antechambers designated for patients. The woman's child was on the bed in the center of the small room. Nikolaus had to crouch to enter through the doorway, though he could stand once within. The room was dimly light by a collection of incense candles. Though to Nikolaus's enhanced vision, it was as bright as day. The young woman, the woman's daughter lay limply on the medical bed turned to her side. She was covered in severe laceration. But then he saw it, the emblem of the Dark gods, an eight-pointed star. Nikolaus's body swelled with adrenaline on the mere sight of the sigil of Chaos. He looked around the room quickly for combatants but saw no one else but the woman and a man sat next to the injured girl. The man was large but older with wrinkles covering his head, while his face was turned in a worried grimace, he sat on the far side of the bed in a small chair that barely fit him. He held the injured girl's hand, and Nikolaus noticed tears were running down his wrinkled face. Nikolaus turned to the old woman quickly she was staring at him worriedly as if gauging his reaction. He quickly asked somewhat on edge and loudly. "What happened to her!"

The woman became fearful and began stumbling to get the words out. "Mi'Lord... please... I… I swear we can explain!"

Nikolaus breathed in a fresh breath to calm himself before he spoke, his voice now calmer and more controlled. "What happened to her?"

The old woman was silent for a moment as if trying to recall the full story, after a few moments she finally spoke. "She was attacked during the boardings. She worked a floor below us so we," she pointed to the older man, "went to try and find her during a boarding from the Heretics. When we got to her floor we found the guards and workers slaughtered and being cut up and hung up on the walls, by… by heretics… then… then we saw…" She began to stumble on her words as if the memory was still fresh in her mind and it caused great pain.

The older man cut in and said his voice was full of rage and hatred. "We found the Filthy Frakking Heretics defiling our daughter! They were holding her down with her back up and shirt torn off. They were carving marks into her flesh as she screamed for help! They were laughing at her pain! The foul Monsters! I had my Autopistol on me and I killed every last one of those monsters that brutalized my daughter! May they all burn before the God-Emperor's wrath!" the older man became distraught after and began crying. He held his daughter's wrist in both of his hands and he began to kiss her palm fervently and prayed, saying. "Please God-Emperor, help her in her hour of need. Save her soul from this blight."

Nikolaus looked to the woman she still stood before Nikolaus her face tinged with worry. Nikolaus said simply. "What do you wish for me to do?"

"Please just giving her a blessing should surely be enough, Mi'Lord." Said the woman.

Nikolaus said back. "I shall do what I can." Nikolaus walked towards the bed slowly after that. As if approaching a sleeping monster. He knew nothing truly could happen but caution never did anyone harm. Nikolaus walked to the back of the bed and he laid his hands upon her head. He then prayed saying. "God-Emperor, I come before you today to ask that you heal your wounded daughter. I would ask that you heal her physical wounds, but also those done to her soul. That she might recover and help further your great work. I ask this of you as a son of your son the Great Angel. And I ask this as a humble servant of your will. Amen."

"Amen." Said the two parents. Both lifting their heads hoping that they would see their daughter restored, but they were sadly mistaken. She still remained heavily injured and comatose. Nikolaus saw the despair return to their eyes as they looked upon their wounded child.

Nikolaus said. "I am sorry, but she will heal in time."

The old man said his voice tired. "You have done enough Mi'Lord."

'Not nearly enough though.' Thought Nikolaus.

The woman led Nikolaus back out of the room and leave she said as he left. "Thank you, Mi'Lord. God-Emperor bless you."

"No. Thank you for your service to the Imperium." Said Nikolaus giving a deep bow to the woman. But before he walked away, he quickly memorized the room number. He then quickly walked back to the main corridor. Where he found another Chirugeon and got the woman's attention.

"Oh, yes. What is it you require My Lord?" Asked the Doctor.

"I want you to give that child in room 1289 premium care, as if she was an Astartes. Do not question it or try and argue against it. I shall hear none of it, you are to do as I command!" Said Nikolaus the fury he felt for those who had hurt that poor young woman seeping into his words.

The doctor was left speechless for a long moment but she eventually gathered herself and said. "Of… of course, My Lord. What was the room again so that I can mark her for premium care?" She was nervously flicking her notebook in her hands and once she found a blank page she looked back at him, fear written in her eyes.

Nikolaus said to her once she was ready. He spoke without the rage this time. "1289. I am sorry if I startled you but I must see that she is taken care of."

"Of course My Lord." She Said back writing down the number.

After she was done he said. "Also I want you to send a message to the Astartes Reclusiam. Tell them to send Chaplain Efriel, and only him to that room after she has been seen to. Tell them that Brother Nikolaus requests it. They shall understand what I wish for them to do."

She quickly jotted that down as well her quill racing across the page as fast as she could write. Once she finished she said. "Anything else, My Lord?"

"No, and you have my gratitude for hearing me and my commands. I would ask that you see to this personally and as quickly as you can." Finished Nikolaus.

She nodded and wrapped up jotting her notes and bowed to Nikolaus then set off looking for the room. Nikolaus sighed then pressed on scanning all around for the child. He searched the entire East Wing but he didn't find her there. Nikolaus pressed on to the next floor to search there and was ushered into a somewhat different picture. The room unlike the last was free of the sense and presence of death. The room's occupants were more alright then the last, they all still showed signs of having witnessed the Neverborn. But they seemed to have been less affected. Nikolaus noticed the room lacked the high number of dead as well. There were some though they were spread out and less in number.

Nikolaus pressed on through the main chamber many bowed to him as he passed and he would respond by giving them a nod of acknowledgment back. He searched the small rooms along the walls but still, she alluded him. Nikolaus began to think of possible circumstances that could have arisen. 'She could have been found out as a wytch and killed for it. Oh no. I have to find her. She is only a child she still has so much life. Even if she is a Psyker she's only a child and she can be taught how to use her abilities. Or she could have died on the way here and is now in the mausoleum.' Nikolaus quickly continued searching an anxiousness beginning to swell within his twin hearts. His searching became more rushed and his patience began to run thin. Just as he felt he was about to roar out in frustration, he found her.

She was howled up in a small room all alone. She was facing the wall in the far corner her legs clenched tightly to her chest. She was no longer in the rags Nikolaus had found her in, she had been cleaned up so well Nikolaus had nearly mistaken her for another child. But it was when he heard her sob that he realized she was the child. She was pressed up against the wall face firmly in hidden behind her knees. She was dressed in a small pair of medical fatigues that were still too big for her tiny frame. She had an IV tube and stand next to her, the bag about half empty. Nikolaus could hear her still whimpering. "Ma… Da… Ma… Da."

Nikolaus felt deep sorrow for the child, but didn't let it entirely cloud his judgment, he had a task to complete and he would see it done. Nikolaus knocked hard enough on the door frame for the child to hear. Though she didn't seem to notice, so deep was she in despair. Nikolaus knocked one more time before he made his full entrance. Though again she made no other signs of recognition of his presence.

Nikolaus stepped in slowly but loud enough so that the child could hear him. After he was just a meter away he spoke, his voice solemn. "Little One?"

She heard him that time if the twitch she gave was any indication though she made again no other notice of his presence. Nikolaus stepped ever closer to the child and once she was well in arms reach he crouched to look at her on a more even level. Her sobbing still persisted and so did the whimpering prayers for her parents. It made Nikolaus's heartache to hear the child in so much distress.

After a long time of crouching next to her, Nikolaus spoke again. "You are not alone, Little One." The child's whimperings ceased for a moment and she was quiet for a time, but before long Nikolaus could hear the sound of her sobbing again. Nikolaus then as slowly as he could moved even closer. Once he was only a few mere centimeters away he lay his palm upon the child's shoulder to try and comfort her. She in one quick motion turned around, ran into Nikolaus's arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. Nikolaus embraced the child holding her in his arms against his shoulder. She continued to cry for the longest time, calling out for her parents, or to Sanguinius pleading with him to bring them back from the Emperor. She did this for a long time until eventually, she exhausted herself from her grieving.

Nikolaus held her in his embrace long after she had fallen asleep. He would not leave the child now, he decided, he was probably one of a few faces she had seen recently and he, therefore, hoped he would be able to help her in some way. Eventually, she awoke Nikolaus still cradled her in his arms. She woke up and rubbed her eyes, she even seemed to be content for a time, but then her face became pale and her lips blue. Nikolaus felt her heart rate accelerate and in an instant she began to flail about crying out for her mother and father. A Nurse Hospitaller came in ready to calm the child but she stopped in the doorway.

She saw Nikolaus attempting to calm the frenzied child he still carried as she continued to panic. The nurse, still at the door, slowly walked into the chamber, her armor clacking as she walked. She pressed on until she was at Nikolaus's side where she lowered herself to where Nikolaus still remained trying to soothe the heartbroken child. She placed her hands onto her helmet and released the clamps by hand and quickly removed it. She then began to sing a Baalite Lullaby, she had learned since joining the task force from the Baalite crew.

(Lullaby sang in the tune of "Baby Mine")

'Little One, Don't you Cry.

Little One, Dry your eyes.'

The child must have known it for she paused in her panic upon hearing the words. The Nurse continued to sing as Nikolaus slowly lowered the child to the floor. Nikolaus set her down but kept his arms around her in an attempt to help her relax. The Nurse all the while continued singing.

'Rest your head close to my heart,

Never to part, Child of mine.

Little One when it's night,

Pay no heed to the dark.

Let your eyes sparkle and shine,

Never a tear, Child of mine.'

After some time the child's heart rate returned to normal as she listened. The Hospitaller still sang and Nikolaus had joined his voice into the song, for he knew the music well having listened to it himself from his mother. Not long after Nikolaus joined so did the child her voice wavering and sad but still able to hold a tune.

'From your head down to your toes,

You're not much, Goodness knows.

But, you're so precious to me,

Just as sweet as can be,

Close your eyes it's sleepy time

Let the Angels keep, Child of mine'

Eventually, when the lullaby had been sung almost a dozen times they stopped. The Nurse turned to leave but Nikolaus said. "No, please stay, your presence here is helping her." the Nurse stood there for a moment deciding whether to return to her duties elsewhere or to stay with the child.

She ultimately relented and slowly sat back down. When she was situated next to the girl and Nikolaus she spoke her voice quiet, but sweet. "Hello there child, I am Sister Ellia. What is your name?"

The little girl took some time to answer but finally, she spoke. "My name's Kera." Her voice was meek.

The Nurse then continued to speak to the child, asking her about things like her favorite color, her favorite saint, what she wished to do when she grew up, and ultimately helping the child relax and come out of her shell. She succeeded and the child soon was asking her questions in return. This went on for some time until the Sister felt the child was calmed and stable enough for them to see what Nikolaus was there for. The Hospitaller asked Nikolaus's name as a way to introduce him to the child.

"I am Brother Nikolaus of the Sanguinary Guard."

The child immediately asked him a question upon hearing his title. "Like Azkaellon the Herald?"

Nikolaus chuckled and said. "Yes, exactly like Azkaellon. He was the one who founded our order."

"Oh, so you protect important people like he did, people like Lord Warden Dante?" asked the child now waiting for Nikolaus's reply with earnest glee.

"Yes again, my order is dedicated to safeguarding our leaders or whoever we are assigned to protect."

"Who do you protect here, cause I think Lord Warden Dante isn't here?"

"My Brother Donotriel and I were appointed to protect Chief Librarian Antros. Have you ever seen him?"

"Yeah, he had lots of blue armor and he carries a giant sword around and he is trailed by a giant kitty. She was fluffy and her eyes sparkled like his." Responded the child honestly.

Nikolaus chuckled again and said. "Yes, that would be him, and his familiar, Artemis. She is quite the loyal creature, almost always at Antros's side. But do you know what he is as well?"

"No, not really, I just know he is a young Space Marine with a kitty."

"Hmm, but would you know anything about the word Psyker, or Wytch perhaps, Kera?"

"Yeah, I heard of Wytches. They bad people able to hurt people. And they talk to the monsters."

"But what about Psykers?" Asked Sister Ellia, she had caught onto what Nikolaus was there to test. She wasn't angry at the child for being a Psyker, it was her gift and curse by the God-Emperor and certainly not her choice. She only hoped it could be the child's gift were she to be trained rather than her curse.

"Yeah, I heard of them too. They are people able to read others' thoughts and stuff like that. Why are we talking about them?" Said Kera somewhat suspiciously.

"I am simply curious about you, Kera. How about voices, have you ever heard voices when no one is there? Usually, hushed voices that promise to give you something if you promise to do something for them?"

Kera went silent for a long moment her face suddenly losing its childlike curiosity and contorting into what could only be called a frown. After a long moment, she finally spoke her voice sounding more like she was repeating what she was told to say. "No, I've never heard no voices, only my own." She then attempt to look angry. Though despite this she looked more guilty than angry.

'What could have caused her to react like this… Could her parents have known? Did they find out and attempted to hide it from the rest of the world? That would make the most sense as to why what she said sounded so rehearsed. But still, why hide it, we could have helped her to learn her abilities, until she could be taken by the Black Sh… Of course, they feared the Black Ships, for their reputation as death barges. That makes sense now... they feared what could happen to their daughter. But, now I must attempt to get through to her so we can save her from what could happen should she not learn how to control herself.' Thought Nikolaus.

Nikolaus quickly came up with a plan of what he needed to do and said. "It's okay, Little One. We only wish to help you. I know your parents must have told you to lie about this to anyone that asked but we will be able to help you if you speak to us."

Kera quickly folded her arms and frowned, shaking her head saying. "No, Ma told me never to tell anybody."

"I know she must have told you that and with your best interests in mind, but we can help you if you simply tell us the truth." Said Sister Ellia her voice kind and comforting.

"No!" said Kera, anger finding its way fully onto her face.

All was silent for a moment as both the adults weighed their options on what to do until finally, Nikolaus spoke after remembering something Antros had told him about his own Psychic experiences. "What if I told you we could help make the voices go away?"

Kera was silent for a long moment unsure what to say, eventually, when she spoke it was with a desperate edge to it. "What do I do to make them go away?"

"Thank you, Kera. I know you were told not to tell us so this means a lot that you trust us. But know we only wish for your well-being. Now we'll be able to get you to someone that can help you to learn to stop the voices. Though we will need to ask some questions about what kind of Psyker you are." Said Sister Ellia her tone honest and clear.

"There are different kinds of me?" asked Kera puzzled.

"Yes, Little One. There are many types of Psykers, and they further vary in their strength. Here are examples of Telekines, Biomancers, and Divinators. There are many other types or 'Disciplines' as they are called, but all have their own powers rooted within them. Though there are those occasional few that can manipulate two or more Disciplines, though they are a desperate few. Among their numbers are is the great hero Mephiston the Redeemer. As well as the man we will take you too, once we know which you are, is another person able to bend multiple Disciplines to their will." Said Nikolaus, a smile reforming on his lips.

"Oh, what can they do? And who is it you're taking me too?" Asked Kera curious about what more she could learn.

"They all can do incredible things. Telekines are able to throw objects with their minds and bend the rules of reality with their powers. Biomancers are able to heal those around them and are more than capable of doing the opposite to those that threaten them. Divinators are known for their precognitive abilities."

Nikolaus then saw confusion spread across her face and she asked. "What does 'Pre-cognotive' mean?"

"It means they are able to look into the future, and predict what will happen next." Answered Sister Ellia, her voice as ever filled with warmth.

"Yes, and they use these powers to help those around them or to the ill fortune of others." Said Nikolaus.

"What kind am I?" asked Kera intently.

"We do not know yet that is what we must talk to you about. For example, the voices, what do these voices wish from you and what do they offer?" Said Nikolaus cutting to the questions he needed answered.

"They always ask for the meanest things, saying that I have to make other people feel really bad, and in return, they always say they will give me stupid stuff like money or the other thing they say that I'll get more power." Said Kera her voice becoming sadder as she spoke.

"What do they ask you to do specifically, how do they wish for you to hurt people?" Asked Sister Ellia.

"They say they want me to make people sad… sad enough to want to die." Said Kera, tears forming in her eyes as she spoke.

Nikolaus very lightly squeezed her shoulder to reaffirm her, while Sister Ellia said. "Thank you Kera, I understand this must be hard for you to talk about. But know this is only going to help you to get rid of the voices."

After giving Kera a moment to calm down Nikolaus asked. "How are you able to resist what the voices ask of you Kera?"

"My Ma helped me a lot. She would always sing to me when the voices came, and it helped make the voices go away. Other times I'd just tell them to go away a lot and eventually they would leave me alone." Answered Kera her voice solemn, she then whispered to herself, though both the rooms other occupants heard what she said. "They always asked for such mean things."

"You are very brave for being able to fight them, Kera. I think that is enough questions, for now, don't you, My Lord?" said Sister Ellia giving Nikolaus a look that told him the child had had enough for today.

Nikolaus agreed and said. "Yes, this is enough for me to get you the help you require Kera. I thank you for giving me so much of your time, Little One." Nikolaus then turned to the Sister and said. "And thank you for helping me, Sister Ellia."

"Of course, My Lord, it is a pleasure to help such a sweet child." Said the Hospitaller giving a warm and reassuring smile to Kera as the Sister stood up. She slowly turned to the entrance and walked to it, once she reached the doorway she turned back and said. "The Emperor Protects child, the Emperor Protects."

Nikolaus stayed with Kera for a while longer with Nikolaus letting her talk to him and ask him questions she wanted to know once she was in brighter spirits. She mainly asked about silly things, such as had he ever seen a Void Whale, how old he was, what it was like being so big, and her favorite question to ask was what the outside world was like. Nikolaus answered all her questions saying how no he had never seen a Void Whale though he had heard tales about them and he told her he was 135. He also told her that it was at times difficult to fit into places and he had had a hard time becoming accustomed to his new body once he had become an Astartes. Finally, he told her more about ancient heroes like Sanguinius and Sigismund and the times of old like the Great Crusade, hoping in some small way to keep her as far away as he could from the grim darkness of their time.

Then when able he asked his own small questions about what her life on the ship was like and how old she was. She had never truly seen much of the ship only ever really having lived in her families quarters and her families work stations aboard the ship. She even told him that she had only ever seen the light of a star once and the open void only a handful of times. She told him how her parents had had the unglamorous job of cleaning vents and air ducts. Though the way she said it she made it sound more like they were high nobles living in fancy spires and heroes fighting the good fight and saving the Imperium. Then Finally she had told him she was only eight Terran years old, she was older than he had originally thought and smaller than most children her age.

Nikolaus realized she must have been stunted by her poor living conditions and meager rations. Kera then moved on to asking Nikolaus about where he had grown up. He had said to her that he had grown up on Baal Secundus, that had amazed her for the longest time that he hadn't been born on a starship like her. After learning this, she bombarded him with questions of what Baal was like, were there any cool animals, were there any cool places he would go and hide, and what was the feeling of dirt and sand-like.

He told her of how Baal was a tough place to live though it had its 'charms' as it were to share with those that lived there. That there were many interesting animals that roamed Baal Secundus, like the infamous Fire Scorpions. He told her of a cool small oasis his tribe had found and would occasionally go to in times of need. he told her about the course and roughness of sand upon his hands but how it spilled through his fingers almost like water. In closing, he told her of how he had ended up with the Blood Angels and arrived at the Place of Choosing. She had become sad when he had told her of how his entire tribe had been slaughtered.

But he told her also how when all seemed lost and that he would die to the horrible mutants after losing it all he was saved. How the Blood Angels squad had descended from the sky wings of angelic wrath, slaying the remaining mutants that had been about to slay Nikolaus. He told her of how they had offered him in his darkest hour salvation and the possibility to help spare others of his pain and how he had accepted without hesitation.

Not long after this Kera became sleepy and so Nikolaus helped ready her for bed. He had to ask for a few things from a Medicae but in the end, he got her cleaned up some more and he taught her how to brush her teeth and he helped to comb her matted hair. He showed her the proper way to pray to the Emperor. And finally, Nikolaus tucked her into her cot wrapping her up in a blanket. He offered her one last story, the tale of Commissar Yarrick and his exploits against the Ork Warlord Ghazghkull. She enjoyed the tale and soon fell asleep not long after. Nikolaus then slowly and quietly left after he was sure she was asleep.

Not long after Nikolaus left Kera stirred in her sleep, and bolted awake from her nightmares. Suddenly she heard a voice in the back of her head, the tone was raspy, slow, and ancient-sounding. 'Hello, Kera. Would you like to make a deal?'


And that's where I'm gonna end it what will happen next with Kera, Nikolaus, and Sister Ellia? You'll sadly have to wait to see what happens. Thank you so much for reading and have a lovely day, and if you feel so inclined please leave a review, or consider Favoriting and following the story. It helps me know if you want more of this story and are enjoying it.