The Inquisitor
Chapter Two
"Hey, Skit. What exactly are Adepta Sororitas?"
I asked my newly minted servo-skull's namesake with a curious question as I looked up at the chapel quadrant in which I had found finally. The journey here wasn't as bad in the sense of myself getting lost, I just got lost within the sector of the ship that displayed a lot of activities to make it like a miniature hive city. I witnessed grox burger stands and bars along the various small time businesses for all to enjoy, I wanted to eat but I resisted until I had a means to get some food. The last thing I wanted was to reported, or picked up for stealing food on a ship while large but small enough for people to remember my face.
Although my new servo-skull had unfortunately made people give me a wide berth, I guess they knew who I was for sure. Plus I had given him a name as a means to keep myself calm, I liked the name because it was an older nickname of mine back when I sprinted for the gangs. I moved quickly and the nickname stuff when I used to skit across the grounds yet that life ended, so I gave it to the servo-skull as a means to make me happier. The mechanisms within its internal frame had acknowledged that it's designated namesake within moments, I enjoyed so how fast it responded to my questions as we made our day down into the merchant sector.
"Acknowledged Acolyte Eius. Adepta Sororitas, or in Low Gothic, to be known as the 'Sisters of Battle' are a militant branch of the Ecclesiarchy. The Sisters of Battle are used by your own fellow Ordos Herectius of the Holy Inquisition. Founded at the end of the Age of Apostasy in the thirty sixth millennium. They serve as a militant body and are considered zealous in their faith to our God-Emperor." Skit's automated data banks recited to me as he floated over my shoulder, I hummed positively interested. I may have been nervous around Skit initially but he provided answers for my questions. So I had to give my respect to such a useful piece of equipment and he was certainly providing me time to kill today.
It wasn't as bad to walk around alone on a ship when I first considered the idea.
I walked in between a crowd of people, who I guessed they were passengers or something of that extent.
As all of them were immediately getting out my way at the sight of Skit, I figured that wasn't a good sign. If it had been because of who usually had such devices, I'd say these people knew when to break ranks to let an important person past themselves. "I don't suppose you know who exactly is within the Chapel. I don't even know why Tartarus wants me to visit this place. I never was a big devote of the Imperial Creed." Glancing over my shoulder I felt a chill crawl up my spine, I didn't like that feeling and more then often it had certainly saved me some skin. When I had did runs for the hive gangs, I had nearly been jumped and it never settled well with me.
So I looked around for a moment trying to avoid lingering on anyone for too long.
My gaze went back to the floating skull as it kept up with my own pace. I tried to ignore the stares at myself personally, "Up to date reports upon the Glowing Sabre indicate a small Mission of Sororitas have claimed the chapel quadrant to be open to anyone seeking a holy resolution to their misfortunes. Pilgrimage concerns vary on their newest initiates to be assigned within their Orders." I waited for a moment as a beeping sound came from the servo-skull's speakers within its jaw. I understood what that meant as Skit explained in a monotone voice, "Error...Apologies. I have limited information available on their specifics Acolyte Eius."
I shrugged completely fine with it.
"It's acceptable Skit. Not like I'm trying to figure them out, I just wanted a generalized overview on them. So thank you for telling me, I mean it's helpful." Even though the servo-skull didn't reply to me like when someone didn't mind the apology, I did it out of reflex. Besides I may have been technically conscripted, or forced into a new position or whatever. However it didn't mean I'd be a complete ass to people, I figured to move on and at least do my best friend the justice to kill as many daemons as possible in my life. That was as much as I could state to make myself all the more happier to know and I had to bare with this portion of a new life now.
Shaking my head I moved towards the building, or rather makeshift imprinted section that had been renovated for its purpose. I walked through the small archway to see statues of some type of people in armor, I couldn't tell who they were other then the fact both were women. Skit hovered over my shoulder as we made our way into the chapel's interior, I witnessed a lot of lit candles burning a subtly covered incense to make the air stale as a piece of grain. It made my throat clench up slightly when I noted a few passerby people were praying to the statue of the God-Emperor at the head of the room, the podium lay vacant for the resident holy preacher and I looked around.
The Imperium's symbols lay engrained into the walls and various other holy figures were aligned in portraits of some kind in intervals.
"Why do I feel sleepy all of a sudden?"
My eyes strained when I resisted an urge to yawn, I moved down the isles and witnessed benches clear of people. Overall the impression of my first trip to a chapel in my life, I wasn't say it wasn't weird. It was awkward to come into a place so clean and yet smelled literally like nothing. At least the hive city had its unique and familiarity in smell, I mean the place outside certainly brought me back into a more familiar setting. Inhaling sharply I figured to sit down next to one of the pillars to lean against it while dozing off. No one seemed to be manning the chapel apart from the few who walked in here for whatever reasons.
Or rather that would have been my intentions...
Least until my familiar of a Servo-Skull decided upon other things.
Skit zoomed around my shoulder to go towards the wall, I watched in amazement to see the servo-skull literally scan a portion of it. I blinked when another light appeared at the position when I heard a light chime of a door being opened, or rather sliding off to the side. "Whoa." My single word answer appeared when the servo-skull returned to my side briefly before informing on what just happened, I didn't want to believe my ears. "Acolyte Eius, the confirmation has been authorized. Please proceed into the private study and living quarters of the on-board Mission contingent of Adepta Sororitas under the Order of the Bloody Rose. Please proceed toward the inner sanctum for reported combative training and educational curriculum's."
My eyes were wide at Skit's revelations and response as I became so dumbfound. So stunned that I asked a stupid question that I immediately took back. "Skit. Who the heck authorized that so quickly? I thought I'd be just exploring the ship for today?" The servo-skull merely beeped a few times before processing the question full out, I almost started to pray to the God-Emperor just for a sign of relief. Rubbing my hands nervously the familiar piece of machinery finally responded in his usual monotone of voice that got me anxious.
I got the feeling this would be a normal occurrence from now onwards.
Skit hovered in front of me for a moment and the audio banks revealed who. The scanning laser came back over my face as if to request such a task. I almost paled at came next, "Request acknowledged Acolyte Eius. Inquisitor override of authorized task has been confirmed, Lady Tartarus's commands heeded as the following to Acolyte Eius." The servo-skull's tone changed to my newly minted teachers voice. I shivered at how quickly this became intimidating inside a holy place of salvation. I had to resist snorting, now I'd certainly fall asleep inside this place or else this wouldn't be so bad.
Yet in the end I gritted my teeth to listen in to the servo-skull's information.
"Beginning message: 'I have found you a teacher Marcos, or rather it was a convenience in waiting. Go search for the Sororitas on-board, they shall teach you the more holy enchantments and basics of weaponry for someone in your position.' Apologies Acolyte Eius as the message has been completed." Skit's monotone returned as I blinked at how quickly things had changed. Inhaling deeply enough to show my frustrations, I just nodded before doing in what I was told. I needed to clear my head for a bit after this and hopefully going to sleep in a good bed would do that to my will. I just dealt with it to follow the hovering Skit who issued another request. Despite a monotone the urgency could said to be nearly human in another life possibly.
"Acolyte Eius, acknowledgment of task required, please proceed."
I stared at the floating skull with a small grin, "I hear you Skit. Thanks for the news. Do you know the way inside there at all?" Another brief scan of red flashed inside his eye socket as I waited patiently inside the chapel. I could hear murmuring of others inside at my presence, I didn't understand and many people had offered a lot more prayers for whatever reasons. Throne of Terra, I just didn't give a damn about why they suddenly were revering at Skit's presence, I chalked it up as people being themselves. Same concept inside here like the under-city on the hive-world I lived on and God-Emperor help my plight of a painful existence inside my chest. Really I needed to ignore those phantom memories again.
"Confirmed. Please follow this unit, Acolyte."
Skit moved in a propulsion of speed to get himself forward as I followed right behind the said servo-skull. The door behind me slid once I stepped through and the dim lighting made this stairway all the more creepier. Shuddering lightly I managed to guide myself down due to the Servo-Skull's own pulsating lighting and the lighting barely made it any easier, so I made do with what I could. A lesser smell of something akin to fruit came to my senses as it was a stark contrast to what the chapel's main entrance of a stale atmosphere. Despite all this dim lighting that assaulted the means for me to continue on my journey.
It wasn't strange to me.
Oh I had been in worse conditions and to be fair I found it familiar in a way.
Eventually the stair curved into a spiral briefly as I nearly lost my balance. Skit remained in place when I almost bumped my own head against his metallic frame, I could see him scanning another doorway just in front of us and unlike last time. It didn't open straight away in an automatic manner, so I waited in the darkened hallway completely anxious to all of the abyss and back. Scratching the side of my face I managed to shrug off the shiver coursing inside my back again. Reflexively I stared over my shoulder once again to hopefully ward off such a paranoia.
A chime made my eyes drift in front of as the doorway revealed itself, a light washed over my face as I winced at how bright it got. I watched as my familiar of a servo-skull drifted into the room ahead, I followed despite using a hand to ward off the brightness. Blinking several times to clear the bright spots out of my vision and it took a minute to clear them all. Barely I managed to make the details in where I was standing. Not to mention I almost felt my jaw drop at what exactly I was witnessing within this sub-level of a hide away beneath the chapel itself.
In fact I had to blurt out, "What in the feck is this place?"
A massive room filled with racks of weaponry, complete sets of armor parts and what not were aligned all along the walls. Spears, halberds and swords with chains mechanisms aligned along it's length were all stored in open view much to my disbelief. All the weaponry were locked in place by metallic pressurized locking mechanisms of sorts, I could see a small terminal underneath certain sections as if they were needed to be unlocked by a pass-code of sorts on some data slate. My eyes were trying to understand why in the name of the Holy Throne of Terra that a chapel was this heavily fortified on a ship like this in the first place.
What type of chapel had its own weaponry to start a war of all things?
Around the room the symbol on of a rose had been hung from cloth so that a row of them were facing each other in this room and they were all deliberately evened out. Yet at each end to my immediate right, or left-hand side the statues of the Emperor were facing the large space almost as if anyone were to be judged. I felt uneasy to see so many armed weaponry in a supposed place of religious healing. Occasionally flora of sorts were planted in small containers to have a rose like plant wafting smell akin to fruit much to my curiosity in where the source of said smells came from. Walking slowly up to the wall of the nearest weaponry, I witnessed the large weapon that I once saw on a data slate as a bolt gun.
I saw without a doubt that this object was so large, that it'd be impossible for me to lift it physically at the least.
"Dare not touch a blessed weapon provided by the Emperor and not be cleansed of sins boy. No holy weaponry shall be stained by those not performing the Rites of Cleansing. "
This came from a strong yet very cold woman's voice who spoke up behind me less then pleased. My heart practically leaped out of my throat as I jumped back as if the weaponry were acid. Skit simply ascended as I fell down onto my behind for a moment, I witnessed the servo-skull float over me to the source of my would be accuser. Shaking my gaze for a second I got onto my feet to see a person walking from an open doorway leading to a room lit with candles with the Imperium's symbol lit up in a golden glory.
"Acknowledged. Adepta Sororitas Superior Advance recognized, Order of the Bloody Rose. Confirm mission parameters at behest of Inquisitor Tartarus?" Skit's monotone hovered in front of the now newly recognized Sister of Battle, I felt my chest tingle with a pain at how striking this woman seemed. Hair white yet fluent as it circled her entire skulls, eyes blue as ice and with a face that would make any elder hive gangster fall to his knees. I couldn't help but see a small tattoo of sorts just under her right eye and the white near tan like tunic did little conceive in what she looked like much to my guilt. In fact I averted my eyes to avoid staring to see a few other details along the walls to draw my attention thankfully.
Bolt-guns that had tanks of some kind were aligned on the wall, I looked a bit more to see pistols and pieces of reddish armor aligned as if they were ready to be assembled at a moment's notice. So invested in my curiosity I barely heard the woman speak up in a clear yet commanding tone to the servo-skull. "I accept the request to overview this Acolyte of the Emperor's Holy Inquisition." Skit's eye scanned the Adepta Sororita's face briefly as a whirl of mechanisms chimed in affirmation. I felt my stomach churn at the presence of this woman which definitively didn't seem as foreboding as Tartarus's own manners. My body had tingled in a warning to know this wasn't anyone to mess around, or ignore at any given time of the day.
"Acknowledged."
And with that final confirmation the Servo-skull hovered back over my shoulder once again.
Inhaling deeply I faced down the woman who walked over to me, I had to withhold an urge to flinch. She practically towered over me due to my age and small frame alone, I kept my breathing steady as much as I could make do. The Adepta Sororita spoke up clearly, "So you're the conscript the lady Inquisitor has picked up. I'll admit I was expecting someone to be far elder and more despicable at first glance." I winced at how expectant her subtly implied, I had the feeling if I were like one of the older hive gangsters I'd be in real trouble. My eyes took in how she gauged myself in standing her down within the room.
Yet I gave a small smile in return as if trying to reassure my own sense of sanity, "Thank you, I guess."
The taller woman started to circle me as I offered to continue, "So what exactly am I going to be learning? Tartarus wasn't exactly specific to me earlier, I really don't know anything about the Imperial Creed apart from the basics." The Sister of Battle snorted almost amused at how open I had been to her in the initial moments. She knelt down in front of me offering a small yet very all knowing smile, "Be thankful and blessed knowing if you said that to a higher maiden of my order, they'd have whipped you until you memorized that entire Faith to our God-Emperor before training you in any combative prospects..." She trailed off almost gleeful as my eyes went wide at that little piece of information within the Adepta Sororitas as a whole. It didn't sound very nice, or easy for that matter to know that I could be beaten down for saying I didn't know anything.
Even while kneeling my forehead came up to her mid face as I had to relive this moment.
In fact I felt my stomach tighten to the point where I offered an uneasily response, "Okay! Well that's nice to know."
She turned to shake her head at my uneasy expressions. I got the impression she didn't hate me yet but it came pretty close to annoyance straight out. "Young and very ignorant. A blessing yet a curse to all those who don't know what our Order dictates to our God Emperor. Saint Mina would more then likely have arisen to this challenge if she were in this position." That last comment made my head tilt to the side, I had never heard of that person before at all. A rousing temptation to ask the question to learn more came to the forefront of my mind as I hesitantly raised a hand.
The sister looked at me a bit confused, "I don't want to offend you but whose Saint Mina? Lived in a hive-city until yesterday." I admitted a bit guilty while trying to avoid the fresh memories of what happened to my friend. The Adepta Sororita didn't respond to my question immediately before she stood up to walk towards another doorway that led to somewhere beyond my sight. I inwardly felt like I just offended someone clearly like the time when I was in the hive-gang as a runner. I bit the inside of cheek to stop myself from making a pitiful excuse yet I managed to see Skit hover in front of me.
His single mechanical eye glowed a bright red briefly.
In a desperate attempt to avoid any potential bad things coming my way, "Skit do you know who that Saint Mina person is? Any information that's freely able to be given?" I asked my servo-skull familiar with a quickened pace as the machine replied in his usual monotone. "Apologies Acolyte Eius, no information on specifics of the Adepta Sororitas is available within data slate. Recommend applying for expansive data for your convenience." Now that didn't sound too good for me and the blessing of the Emperor must likely ran its course out with this situation. Taking a shaking breath I looked around me in an attempt to stop myself from getting into an anxiety attack for offending a person who clearly didn't sound very friendly.
I waited nervously despite walking towards the wall of weaponry and armor pieces, I stood in front of one set as the reddish piece of metal and what not stood out. They towered over me and I doubted anyone could lift such things, I mean the chest plate alone stood over my height as much as I hated being short. Skit hovered a bit more closer to me as I figured to ask him exactly what this type of armor was in the first place, "Skit. What kind of armor is this, or is it anything special?" The servo-skull scanned the reddish pieces before processing the request and I waited a bit patiently for his response. My eyes looked back to the open hallway to hear hushed voices and other such things.
I guessed the Adepta Sororita had someone to discuss whatever she needed too.
The Servo-skull ascended briefly before scanning several pieces of the armor secured on the wall, "Processing request. Adeptas Sororita external frame armor type classified as Mark VII Aquila. Error! Internal modifications have been detected for lack of gene-seed of Adeptus Astartes." My eyes were a bit wide at this point because I didn't know half the things that Skit was stating to me. Scratching the back of my neck a bit concerned, I watched as his scanner went over the various power armor pieces before returning to my level. I waited a bit curious in what he was revealing to me, I kind of enjoyed the information yet not knowing what it meant kind of sucked.
"Apologies Acolyte Eius. Mark VII Aquila Power Armor of Adeptus Sororitas confirmed but this unit has no details in what incorporates its internal mechanisms. Request expansion of Power Armors design and schematics for further details." I figured as much from what he told me now. I mean I did like Skit informing me about whatever questions I had in store. At least I got answers and it made me smile almost appreciatively at the servo-skull next to my face. "Thanks Skit. So power armor, I can't say that it sounds light to wear but it least looks cool." The piece of floating metal and bone didn't respond before remaining idly at my side.
My eyes looked over the weapons and armor for one last time before turning around.
Only for my body to freeze in place...
I witnessed not one but two women standing in front of me with tunics.
Trembling in how they were similar but one looked younger then the other. I realized I almost had provoked them as both pairs of eyes were tracking my hands. Almost as if they had desecrated something holy. I knew for a fact I didn't touch any part of the armor, or the weapons secured on the wall yet I felt my blood stop. My face paled when the one known as the Superior Advance gave me a chilling warning, "Ignorance is not a sin, so I dare not reprimand such actions if you had touched one of our Holy armors. Fortunately you desired only the knowledge to understand what is in front of you to avoid such ignorance as you had told of myself."
I tried to speak but the white haired woman cut me off, "Do not make excuses for wishing to know something that the Emperor has blessed and we as his servants to cleanse the galaxy in his name. I did not introduce myself due to acquiring a suitable instructor for your lessons here Acolyte, so forgive my abruptness moments ago." She had lowered her briefly at my form. I did manage to retort apologetically to cause her younger compatriot to smirk as if amused by the words alone. "It's fine. I didn't even know I'd be coming down here until like ten minutes ago, I do apologize if I offended you because it's what I thought. Glad to know we could clear that little problem up, so it's okay." My uneasy smile made the younger women chuckle at how embarrassed I felt out about touching another person's property.
I had stolen before when I was younger yet I kept a healthy respect to not do it with said owners around.
"Indeed. Do you wish of me to begin his training and lessons sister?" The younger one asked to her senior as she replied simply, "You may do what you wish. Just at the end of a fortnight will I personally test his combative reflexes and report back to the lady Inquisitor on this vessel. Do not disappoint me with entrusting this task to you, Constantia Advance." The older woman gave me one last glance as if judging me before returning to wherever she needed to be in the first place. This left me with the other woman whose friendlier smile made my face feel a bit warmer then usual. Both Adepta Sororitas weren't ugly in any sense, heck I'd admit that much and Jane would've teased me for days about admitting that type of thing.
Because really I found my new found instructor to be just as striking compared to her elder senior.
"Forgive my fellow Sister, she had been in mid-prayer to the God-Emperor and found this sudden change of routine rather shockingly." She laughed very good naturally as I gave a nervous grin in return. She had to be probably a few years older then Jane, she had been seventeen and that alone got me scared. My best friend never liked discussing her age, or else I'd get kicked in the place to make my soul quiver in agony for days on end. "Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Sister Anora, Constantia Advance of the Order of the Bloody Rose." Anora said with a warm yet very stern tone of voice as she offered her hand to me.
The gesture wasn't meant to be a hoax or even a means to make me feel less calmer inside this inner sanctum underneath the chapel.
I cautiously accepted it as a greeting, I gave a small smile at her polite introduction. "Marcos Eius, newly informed Acolyte of our heart warming Inquisitor." I really wanted to at least get back at Tartarus for something short of mind relieving, plus I hated being forced into things. More so in a place I had next to no clue in where what was located at what point and all that good stuff. Taking an inhaling lungful of air, I managed to at least face down Sister Anora without flinching at how her eyes were gauging my frame.
"Kind words for one whose been conscripted into the service for our Emperor, I pray that you succeed in your future in his service Marcos. I am humbled that my superior selected me to introduce the art of war and cleansing of the Emperor's enemies for an agent of his Holy Inquisition." I resisted to blurt out that I really didn't have much choice but I kept my smile up as much as it hurt me. I wanted to destroy daemons permanently, not just to get back at what they did for Jane. I'd do it for my own sake, I may have banished her killer but it'd return based on what Tartarus had said in her study. So I stood up front with the woman who clearly enjoyed my enthusiasm to learn from her personally.
"Hey if it helps me survive another day, I'll learn all I can. A friend once said to me, 'take what you can and leave nothing behind in doubt.' So where do I begin Sister?" I stated as politely and respectfully as possible from someone in my shoes. Remarkably it wasn't hard to play nice, I just never got the chance to really use this type of front and oddly enough it felt weird. I hadn't ever been this polite to anyone except for Jane, but beyond that no one in the hive under-city I used this tone to in a conversation.
Really to me personally, it was strange that I suddenly picked up on it.
"For starters the patron saint of my order is Saint Mila. That is who my superior sister was referring too when she met you." Anora stated a little too amused as I paled at the symbols and statues aligned in the room near the Emperor's own main idols in the center of the ends. "Further more I have to teach you the Rites of Purification, the proper prayer to our God-Emperor and align your combative training with a training sword into a suitable form within the week. So much to do and so little time to meet the standards." The Adepa Sororita stated all the more eagerly while walking to the wall of armored assortments of varying degrees. I managed to keep my mouth shut knowing I'd be in for a hell of a week upon my fate alone.
In a bid to understand more about her, I got a bit interested in why these Sisters were on-board the ship to begin with.
I hesitantly spoke up while watching the white tunic covered woman stare over her shoulder at my questioning. "Anora, if it's not too personal, where do you stand? I mean are you like one of the top the ladder in terms of a rank? Plus why even be under Tartarus in the first place?" Her white hair swished around when she took hold of a sword like weapon, she thumbed its pommel briefly before swinging out of reflex. I thought it looked akin to an expert but what she revealed next made me wish I hadn't ever asked anyone about their places.
Her voice gently explained apart of her contingent's purpose on-board of the Glowing Sabre. It got my attention immediately, "I'm at the end of my Noviciate Marcos, I was selected to be apart of this pilgrimage to fight and gain experience to become a fully accepted Battle Sister of my Order. My superior and teacher also has selected me to garner experience on this voyage until we return to Ophelia VII in the future." I wanted to know more about them yet I kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to interrupt her and at the same time, I'd think she hate for me to know I'd be rude.
Although Anora looked at me with a smile recognizing my eagerness a little too easily, "Don't be frightened of my purpose Acolyte. You yourself are on a journey of a beginning as I once had been, so don't fear those who guide you, I myself am a maiden of faith for those to believe in the Emperor." I nodded nervously at her explanation as she waved me forward with the weapon in her hand. Briefly she wanted me to hold out my own limb to take it, I attempted too and expected it to heavy due to my thin arms.
Yet to my surprise it felt light and very nimble to swing.
"Here I thought this thing would be heavier."
I mumbled that a bit embarrassed as the Sister of Battle, or known as my newest instructor laughed lightly. "Trust my words to know it's only the basic format for developing a fighter, or any initiate into a respectable warrior to hold bolters within our armors. My task is develop a base for you Marcos, I cannot specifically teach you our ways in direct combative as our Sisterhood is meant for our own and females." Well that made sense because apparently I was being directed to learn how to fight properly? Not like using my fists, or using whatever I could to get out of some person's grip in any manner akin to desperation.
She walked over to me while adjusting my limbs and body in one fluid motion.
Her touch alone made my face flush due to how warm and smooth her skin seemed, "Space your footing equally and adjust your arms for a more natural length of a swing. Do not force your body into a rigid stance since speed and precision will be your primary focuses Marcos. In time strength will accompany your body's natural growth over the years, I used the same methods when I joined my Order years ago, so trust me from personal experience wielding these blades for training." I grunted when I tried to imagine a strike to parry, or do whatever I could to block. Except I didn't account for Anora, she gripped my wrist tightly to make a hiss of frustration seep past my lips in a painful grimace.
"Do not get ahead of yourself, or my instructions."
She kept my stance as naturally loose and prepared as possible when I didn't resist the adjustments. Soon enough she got a similar blade off the secured armory of assorted weaponry, I gulped when her blade touched my own. Anora kept her tone light yet very serious to make sweat down the side of my temples, "Marcos do not ever assume you're the better fighter in a fight. Contrary to that saying in which the Emperor protects, your skills personally can decide the outcome more so and having our God-Emperor's blessing is always a good thing. Still do not become arrogant, or overconfident until you are experienced enough to garner the advantage."
I nodded at her words despite feeling adrenaline inside my veins rushing at speed beyond imagination.
"Good. Now parry my strike and we'll begin." Anora said with a smile at my exuberant expression as she did a quick yet very deliberately open swing. Metal clashed briefly as she nodded, "Once again. This time tilt your blade in a natural angle that suits you, I won't attempt to kill you yet, so for take this time to perfect your natural response to my own weapon." She struck a bit faster as I tiled my wrists to have the edge meet her own in a quick shower of sparks. Her eyes widened a bit at how rapid my adjustment became at my growing smile.
Despite the seriousness of my lesson, I couldn't help but let this slip.
"This is so awesome."
The Adeptas Sororita snorted yet allowed a series of laughter to be released at my honesty. "Indeed it can be Marcos, indeed training can be a boon to those who seek to better themselves. Just remember this is a controlled environment and on the battlefields, that factor is all but destroyed." Anora warned me as I gave a nod, I understood that but I still liked this feeling of improving myself. I'd be an idiot to reject that I couldn't benefit from this yet I'd always remember my times in the under-city of the hive world that was my own home.
For the next few hours, I practiced and fought with Anora.
And for once I actually knew that tonight's sleep would be ideally peaceful.
Yet unknowingly it'd be the first night...
The first night in which I began to have nightmares that would be the first of many to haunt my consciousness.
End Chapter Two
Author's Note: Please leave reviews once per chapter, I really want to know if I'm doing anything wrong or right here. Not to mention I do want to keep this story in the context of 'realistic' despite the idea of having an Inquisition have the power to do whatever they want. I'll justify the sense of why an Ordos Malleus has a contingent of Sisters of Battle or, Adeptas Sororitas, within a ship on an Inquisitor of such a Major Ordos. I'd say it'd be a mutual agreement and to be fair, the entire Lore of Warhammer 40K is absolutely staggering in my books.
It's on par with Elder Scrolls, Dragon Age and god knows what else out there in the world.
Few things that I like to mention, Skit the Servo-Skull is pretty catchy if I'd admit that and getting the correct positions via from the Warhammer40K official site/Codex's on actual ranks within any faction would be nice to know.
Apart from that, I got nothing else to say except I'll try to keep this story somewhat decent in length/quality.
