The Inquisitor

Chapter XXI

Anora hastily leaned aside when whizzing rounds slammed into a building's exterior sending dust and dirt flying dangerously astray. Behind crouched Kriegers stared ahead ignoring enemy fire as their lenses in eye sockets flashed frequently, "They have capable heavy stubbers!" On an internal vox Alicia relayed across peering partially to see orange sparks skimming, or angling sporadically due to unholy munitions, "One vehicle is what I can see! It's positioned up to where we'd needed to advance baring heretical marks defiling our Holy Father's Imperium. But I saw another possibly driving around to despicably strike our backs, Sister!"

Across the tracing lights of hissing enemy fire were half of their contingent pressing onward seeking a servo-skull's sign. The main street was a muck with burnt wreckage's, or smashed vehicles offering suitable protection despite wearing power armored, blessed and unable to be dented by most rounds it'd not safeguard them entirely. Peering enough to slightly see pieces of granite blasted away mere inches from eyes gauging intently, an order soon followed to a fellow Sister of Battle rightfully to enact retribution, "Send word for the master-sergeant to press our attack, advance or die. These heretics are amassing a desperate defense, as if they want us be diverting our path."

An all too humorous agreement came from Alicia's vox frequency, "Indeed, so! We must be close to where our lady-inquisitor is held, or I pray for the Holy Father to bless us." A bolt pistol sent several rounds screaming down the main avenue of road to take pieces of where the heavy stubber's metallic plates shielding said heathen crouched lower. Looking behind her nod sharply gesture as Kriegers poured forward without hesitation to move rapidly advancing, "And I fear the lack of daemon's are because they've been occupied...so we cannot delay, or ignore our Holy Father granting us the blessing of time."

Bullets capable to puncture granite partially sent her stepping back as internal vectors kept tracking Kriegers who moved swiftly. Alicia stepped out firing two shots from the bolt weapon again just skimming an enemy who furious rounded missing korpsmen entirely, "I'll have those here to strike behind when that other vile vehicle comes around, we'll crush them in their own arrogance." Anora mentioned looking towards where two streets conjoined as lasfire crackled ahead signifying the Kriegers ruthlessly charging into heretical forces who'd screamed in alarm. The firefight escalated into bloodied proximity of their bayonets.

"Any sign of the servo-skull?" Anora heard over the vox as a helm scanned rooftops seeking any movement, or familiar sign of the acting-inquisitors last means of assistance, "No, sister." She'd replied expectantly considering it'd have to search on it's own until achieving said task diligently, "The boy made it clearer to said machine, if he finds our lady-inquisitor and to stay put. But he didn't clarify to when it'd have to wait for him to await new tasks, so if anything the servo-skull is probably looking for us more likely!"

The enemy vehicle's gunner fell crying out as korpsmen surged around to climb aboard and began tearing men out who into bloody pieces. A vox channel crackled with her fellow Sister of Battle peering upwards to assist, "Is such a meager machine up to such a task?" Anora warily only imagined by sheer faith and will to believe, "We'll inevitably find out, if our lady-inquisitor's mechaincus's cult are capable and beseeches the boy's request given he's spent time among them! But I fear their ways may not entirely be kind for his intentions, to have been...humored."

There had been times the boy had left to traverse freely, or with little regard considering an appeal of genuine exploration. She grimaced due to the lady-inquisitor's notice had been honed on personal projects, work or consideration for deciphering reports. Or that was what discovered and willingly parted, if questions arose considerably over her apprentice's ventures. Naive child, if you aren't already have passed then I'd strangle you until your ignorance is repented! They don't act to those you've known, or seemingly befriend whimsically!

Ever men who replaced flesh into machine, Anora had long held a distant view of such practices and most among her contingent held similar suspicions. Yet to their strengths not once had she encountered Mechanicus servants, or Orders who'd freely acquiesced to anyone. More so, she'd doubted and felt concern whenever Marcos had spent time among them, to his claims seemingly curious, or inquiring based on his sheer grown reliance on one mere servo-skull of all things! Clutching the bolt pistol tightly she sharply turned around due to hear another heretic manned vehicle, "They're here, Alicia! Send the Kriegers to do their purpose, or we risk potential for growing dangers that we'll be hard pressed to exterminate."

Furious screams due to seeing their own dying beneath divine retribution and holy cleansing Alicia's vox loudly proclaimed, "Send this filth to be judged! Show no mercy, charge and die for our Emperor holy sons of Krieg!" Almost an entire two dozen masked korpsmen burst sending lasfire as an enemy gunned down two into red pastes yet none retreated, or faltered underneath such their fatal positions. One from behind a wreckage being shredded threw forth a grenade viciously as white smoke obscured their advance, "More are coming! The master-sergeant just relayed movement from deeper in the side streets, Sister! Mobs have been gathered, shall I send them on their way?"

Anora laughed harshly pleased to quell uneasy thoughts, "Do what the holy father ordains to vile heretics, Alicia! Give them bolt and sword...for the Emperor!" She raised her own weaponry locking onto distant howling, or screams as indeed enemies began rapidly pushing forward. Their forms armed with either rusted auto-weaponry, or twisted swords which had her smile widened wickedly, "More to cleanse! More to purify and more to die as they're destined, take up your weapons and show them no mercy."

Wounded korpsmen rigidly braced themselves unleashed snapping fire as heathens fell. Despite being maimed in either arms, shoulder or legs did the korpsmen of Krieg hold firm without issue. One angled a fragmentation grenade to send limbs, or bodies shredding violently coloring interior walls of reddish chunks of meat. Sending several on their damned journey to burn before the Emperor, "Where is that machine? It'd must be close to hear battle, to observe us, or seeking..." Her eyes locked onto a small object hovering over several buildings yet it glinted as vectors zeroed to notice one gleaming red to which her heart beat heavily.

Either that machine found those it'd been tasked to search and is returning, or it's seeking out...for the one who gave him them. Resisting sternly to avoid breaking gaze she witnessed the servo-skull moving over rooftops heading in their direction, "The servo-skull is approaching. Gun and cut down our foes to clear our path, we cannot delay any further." She relayed over the vox seeing a chain-sword cutting through several foes who'd thrown themselves forward, as if to buy time itself. Flesh tearing into pieces and death defying screams arose when a similar helm met her own to nod openly.

Running to take partial concealment grunting when an enemy still manning the heavy-stubber all but ignored masked korpsmen. Clangs and shrieking bullets struck where she crouched, "Fool! This armor has been blessed, christened and tested against the unholy who dare to think they'd be able to destroy it's purpose! Die on your blood choking, for I'm out of patience!" Her voice coldly swore to intentionally give the Kriegers a far more suitable opportunity, they'd taken it without hesitation and soon were upon an enemy's positions.

And the firing ceased abruptly to have her stand fully without concern. On both flanks she noted the korpsmen proving to maintain a stabilized line, "You'd best have found them, machine or I'll do what must be done when you see your owner." She promised placidly walking forth to see the servo-skull hovering and descending gradually. Warily keeping an eye on those gunning down heretical men who fell and died. But more of their numbers were surging out of sight, "Have you succeeded in your task that was ordered of you, machine?"

Skit, or she'd humor as such replied obediently, "Parameters have been successfully met, verified and seeking acolyte Eius for further orders." Her gaze hardened considerably to coldly belay that enough to sound unconcerned, "The acting-inquisitor is no longer among our own...Skit." Saying the addressed machine's namesake to gesture where he'd been moments ago, "You shall lead us to where those who yet still live, to secure them and free them to inevitably join your master in his battle against a daemon he's chosen to confront alone."

The eye's optics seemingly brightened openly as it replied acknowledging her commands, "Understood Sororita Anora. Acting-inquisitor Eius commands will be upheld, please follow this unit and proceed to where verified life-signs of Inquisitor Jalena Tartarus are presently." Her heart raced to inquire sternly as Skit faced away preparing to lead them past burning wreckage, "Is she the only who lives? Skit, how many are alive?"

A revealing report made her eyes widen partially amazed, "Inquisitor Jalena Tartarus, Sisters of the Bloody Rose and two inquisition storm troopers scanned by short-range auspects are in relative stabilized conditions, auspects detected possible enemy contact. Confirmed physical trauma and lacerations, as per initial discovery." Lasfire continuously fired as korpsmen began moving back when their fellow kin created ranks, to unleash and hold back mobs which started to physically clog where they'd initially came from.

"Master-sergeant Aladwin!" She called out loudly to have said Krieger look up sharply as a las-pistol shot two heretics dead. Raising her chain-sword to thumb it activated as crimson mist cleaned hungered jagged edges seeking more to end, "Follow Skit and prepare to endure those who foolishly believe they can deny us our purposeful task. Move your korpsmen to our front, we shall not allow those who we've come to secure be left to these heathen's mercy."

The man stared once to look back in seeing his wounded kin taking position among those who assisted all deadly. She narrowed both eyes to bark in affirming their course, "Go! And rally your men, now!" She saw him nod again simply to quickly begin relaying orders, or signs as all began forming several ranks stretching to cover an entire street. Evenly spaced masked korpsmen began backwardly advancing gunning down, or throwing their grenades to send tightly packed mobs to their knees clutching shredded legs. Every moment wasted increased possibly of heathens to finish off those who had a chance to withstand an enemy no man, or yet lone a child was expected to survive.

Staring ahead despite enemies surging behind she looked over to see another power user staring back, "You truly refuse to harbor hope?" Her lips smiled sardonically seemingly appeared regardless whether it was visible as it'd been made clear and earnest, "Hope is poison, Alicia. Letting it fester kills whatever it habits, for daemons are our poison and I will not succumb when I know I have to cure myself with these instruments of divine purpose." She raised both bolt pistol and chain-sword showcasing an ultimatum as per the Emperor's ordained teachings when it came to those who were weak of faith, of mind, or soul.

The helm which motionlessly followed said movement wasn't too assured, "Be mindful of what your intentions are for our acting-inquisitor, Sister. Lest you forget you tread upon heresy, to strike a divine agent of our Emperor's will." She cautioned approaching to ignore ranks of korpsmen who formed ranks and began walking backward gunning down mobs which shrieked angrily, "Do not become the poison which you are enacting, do not shy from hope for it is humanity's divinity in which it never fades and yet we must be cautious when judging, if one has not seen or been tainted to enact such fate itself."

Anora stared coldly biting out words to stare directly at another who'd come close in suggesting treachery, "Do not dare suggest to spare, or look aside when corruption of Chaos is this poison you are doubting! There is no hope to poison ourselves with, a daemon will break men and you dare allow it to spread, Sister?" The other power armor wielder stared back unflinching to proclaim lowly to have her suck in a breath, "Are you so certain Marcos's humanity is that fickle, or weak when one whose lies lay not in his words, but of his actions of holiness? I say do not regret what we not know for certain, I will not hesitate once I see it and I trust that child to do what few have dared and too light say...to have a hope, Anora."

The chain-sword raised itself marginally running idly as neither appeared fazed, "You speak of heresy and are dangerously...confirming my suspicions." Alicia's unseen smile turned frigid to not stand without fear to reply equally as kind, "And your actions now indicate that poison you claim to eliminate are the very words, Sabathiel had whispered to effect you far more than what was admitted to our Sister-Surperior months ago." A weapon refused to lower itself when both power armors hadn't adjusted leaving each other subliminally exposed, or intentionally allowed thoughts and intentions to wander dangerously.

"Heresy is far too dangerous and shall be cleansed, Anora and the lady-inquisitor has decreed neither he, or any among us all were tainted...so to claim." Teeth were gritting fairly based on straining words which made Anora's gaze narrow, "And we now see our Order's warnings of allowing him to live. Witches, psykers and xeno lie to breed doubt, doubt begets heresy and heresy begets death...and you suggest we wait until it is too late." One chain-sword dripping crimson droplets eased itself to the side as a bolt pistol kept parallel to mirror movements both Sisters of Battle which were gauging themselves.

Moments passed dangerously silent before Alicia's bolt pistol ejected a spent magazine intentionally, "Our faith is not in question, Anora but it is our hopes that we harbor to know when holy action is needed to be scrutinized." Openly placing an entire new fresh stock of munitions with confident grace made a lock angrily to guarantee divine purpose, "The Holy Father is looking upon us, to test us and we shall struggle knowing that faith and hope can be found in the unique manners. If the acting-inquisitor has found even a hint of plots from even within the divine hierarchy...what else has been stewing and cannot be allowed to flourish to stain all of the faith?"

Anora hardly seemed deterred to hiss shrilly coming within one step equally one, or another, "You dare to defy to speak ill of the Minisitortum!" Her fellow helm tilted upwards to coldly remark, "If truth of his claims are verified by the lady-inquisitor...you'll have your answer. As I have said, to harbor hope of him succeeding and if not, to let it go." Gauntlets clenched from both were reaching an impasse as gazes locked in a battle of damning wills, neither willing to let their matter slide willingly or else they'd throw away their actions.

Throughout it all neither noticed Skit who'd been hovering with an eye glowing brightly to speak up monotonously informing both Sisters, "Auspects detect acting-inquisitor Eius position rapidly advancing at great speeds to the south-west. Recommendation of seeking Inquisition Jalena Tartarus and retrieval deemed highest priority, as per accordance of Inquisitional protocol. This machine's spirit has deemed an eighty five percent chance of successful retrieval, Adepta Sororita Anora and Alicia of Order of Bloody Rose." Each eyed the hovering machine unwilling to back down whether of damning suggestion, or unshakable will to never ignore heresy ordained in doubt to beget those who claimed otherwise.

Both women stared evenly for several more moments seeking doubt, or hesitation yet neither found enough suitable. Grudgingly standing both they turned with Alicia respectfully thanking said machine reminiscence of another seemingly who it'd call master and turned partially, "Thank you, Skit. May you lead on so we can put an to end to this filth staining our Holy Fathers' Imperium, if you'd be so kind? Please!" The servo's eye dimmed itself faintly to turn around as it obediently spoke ever so slightly quicker, "Acknowledged Sororita Alicia, please follow this unit."

As Alicia bypassed a fellow power armor user she spoke swiftly crushing all doubt, "We will speak no more of this heresy, Sister. The daemon still yet lives, Marcos is alive and time has been wasted of assumptions of which another shall judge accordingly." Turning her back she also spoke knowingly to state coldly promising retribution if questions arose, "And never question my faith, or I shall admit you'll learn why I have kinship with a boy whose origins are not too different from my own. I still remember where to strike where the eight rib is naturally, it is not something I humor but do not test my faith in front of me...again."


Esdainn's grip remained light despite all appearances aside as I stared over distantly in hearing explosions echoing. I kept my expression smiling brightly exclaiming almost indifferently surprised, "They're taking their time, aren't they?" The masked psyker seemingly leaped over another building sounding partially amused to remark in my own tone, "Mon'keigh who view time should not be so assured, if only does fate hinder it. For you are stains upon those looking from above, but alas I expected as such."

The smile I held grew to feel burning sensations growing within as I stared fondly to whisper, "The Emperor protects." I grinned widely clenching the seal which unusually felt far more heavier given I looked below to see streets appearing and soon it'd become apparent. Burning wreckage's smolder faintly as I noticed corpses staring upwards. Millions upon millions were staring with torn eyes, silent screams and all had been impaled in gruesome ways that I whistled loudly. Feck...what a sick fecker I have to deal with.

Every single man, woman or child literally had their eyes torn out and possibly more as my insides tightened strangely. This isn't even the worst, it is Esdainn? I asked mainly to blink away more kept seemingly appearing in varying appearance, or some had been outright fused into structures where moans were carried over the very wind itself. No, if you wouldn't be able to comprehend what you cannot perceive, or yet alone imagine in your most mundane nightmares...mon'keigh. There wasn't any sign of disgust, anger or even retort sensation as I stared merely to look into a blank mask staring ahead without slowing.

Inhaling on a lho stick I exhaled to stare ahead where buildings literally ceased to be as I almost felt muscles drop, "Throne...Emperor protect me." Stakes were arising in numbers I'd never want to find an answer too as arched corpses, or entire families were divided into wicked patterns. Men reaching out to women, or maybe daughters for all I knew, "Amusing." I commented simply to see kids elder, or younger than myself clutching themselves as if they'd died in undeniable agony. So many were arraigned it'd be nothing less than unholy discretion of humanity, I snorted still to know most had probably believed they'd be granted something of their desires.

Interesting design...should I be scared of what you say next, Esdainn? The masked psyker seemingly refused to answer allowing more stakes being intriguingly designed to into horror displays of art, or of an inhumane imagination to capture agony and bliss in some twisted fashion. Perfection, if that thing is going to tempt anyone...it'd done it as such. I thought exhaling smoke to grin since it'd promised such half lies, if only just out of sheer humor. No wonder the xeno found my ignorance utterly loathsome, or maybe it'd been humored itself.

Buildings once proud, purposeful and meant for humane life regardless of how crude melded into blackened shapes. Peering through the warp itself, "You got to be fecking with me!" I hissed when everything turned murky blackened, it'd been pulling and cycling as if someone had been inhaled on some lho-stick towards a central square distantly. Rooftops were stiflingly inward as if being melded, or again I'd couldn't understand how by the Emperor anything. Serrated spikes aligned with corpses were aligned into sharp angles, or circular formations making my smile fade into a flat line when millions of eyes were aligned upward.

"What the literal grox shit is even happening...Esdainn?" Everything to blur in a haze as I struggled to shake it away yet wisps kept crawling upwards. My stomach turned uneasily when laughter soft and far too inhumane followed a sly observation. They are seeking to have 'She Who Thrists' to gaze upon them, if only they'd foreseen such a folly is not without consequence. The Children of Chaos are merely granting them their desires, but only in name and truth.

More of those icons were spaced outward across rooftops in six locations, it'd been always six and I never resisted seeing when passing over them. Buildings turned into literal twisted shrines with light decorations that I found far too elaborate, "And they hang your intestines as art?" I humored whistling ideally to avoid sickening realization to laugh, "Now that's what I call getting fecked over good and it must be good at converting idiots, or am I wrong? If it's an entertainer, consider me entertained and wishing I wasn't!"

The masked psyker xeno hardly seemed fazed, or concerned when I quietly chortled unable to resist finding this entirely a joke. You mon'keigh woefully choose to remain blinded by forces of your innumerable fickle existences, few hardly change to catch a glimpse and yet ironically you have...to only turn away, if only humoring hatred of them. Expected, but not unwelcome. I stared simply to leer excitedly puffing out smoke, "And that's where fun never ends, Esdainn. Why be boring when you got the shiv in your pocket?"

Another moment of silence greeted humor as it turned to stare without breaking stride, or route to chillingly make a gesturing smile. Spoken like many, many of your ilk, mon'keigh child. The joke, the disregard and yet folly, to endure! Far too obvious, yet unable to resist and you carry both seemingly which is the joke you harbor yourself. I shrugging inhaling replying psychically to not seemingly care about people who weren't half as smart as they'd believed. Most probably never never saw my home-world, I'd call it luck or just the Emperor's will being enacted. And again you're concerned over inferior beings you'd not care about, or maybe you're just trying to get me killed quicker to find it a joke, right?

One humors potential, if only in name mon'keigh but you're closer and further then one in your place should know. I rolled my eyes unwillingly to stare towards distant musical sounds that were tempting ears to bleed, or have teeth clenching tightly. Says the xeno whose a jokester, irony! The silver mask's near sheen reflected my face physically. You are naive mon'keigh, child you maybe but the joke itself is but fate weaved among forces you never fail to misinterpret, for destiny are for those who seek it within shadow, or laugh. Lie to tell truth, or truthfully lie is naught for you to think but to enact to those of useful convenience.

My smile returned far too quickly to brightly point out all too innocently, "You do care, Esdainn!" The xeno picked up place towards an open street on the border where reality and it's deteriorating mockery of beautiful perfection began. As one who forges a tool, perhaps but you fail to see use when one forges it with potential of purpose. Run to your death little mon'keigh monster, go seek your desire and meet your fate. It matters not what your ignorance tries to spin, for blood and will does not equate to folly.

We landed when it lightly released my shoulder having me to stand among bloodied streets where distant music echoed. Tools are just fecking idiots who think they have a shiv on hand, don't be the fool who exposes their back, Edainn. You might if the Emperor wills it, to get a wake up call! I replied psychically to walking away to stare back all too innocently to have the silver mask tilt bemused, or intrigued. I couldn't tell which left me to do what it, or I desired most in eliminating a daemon for whatever reason yet I'd find a way to make that thing bleed personally.

It made another smiling gesture to begin fading in place as it left an amused warning in place. Be careful what you find as a joke mon'keigh, few appreciate humor and less care to fall into what was already once was a lie of truth. Faint laughter faded leaving me to inhale a lho stick staring down an entirely dead, or corrupted city of Chaos's playthings. I scowled after a minute to retort hotly, "Fecking xeno! I pray to the Emperor I can slit your throat, it'd make me feel better and you leave me here against whatever is around."

My gaze peered around noticing how incredibly sick, or twisted the warp was when I stuffed both hands into pockets walking forward. Musical sounds equally spine tingling and gut churning were growing in volume whenever I saw various inhabitants moaning along walls. Some of their entire faces were ripped off, or peeled based on precise it'd done intentionally. Others wore skinned masks of others and were equally happy, or terrified to silently go a gasp when I walked by less than amused to stop wicked jokes on display.

Nothing remotely stood out to me as amusement save for unseen humans who'd made their graves far more lively. Ah, lively! I realized sourly to spit blood which grew too much to ignore, "Makes sense people can't see with their own eyes, to spot the lie and joke among truth! Or is that the lie itself?" I pondered with a headache to see internal guts hanging akin to decoration above partially leaking bloodied droplets into systematical puddles to make one long line reaching towards the center yet always in groups of six.

Gross, twisted and capable to drive men mad, huh? I idly humored to agree it'd done so to have millions torn into millions of lesser extensions. Almost as if it were an art, of perfection itself and I shuddered realizing whatever it answered too? I'd seen it somehow, or whatever it desired to show itself to make my body shiver entirely for it'd spoke the truthful lie, or I'd lied enough to spot truth within said lies of promise.

There's no sense yet it makes total sense! I noted keeping an eye out as the warp started shifting akin to waves around my entirety. Either it'd been keeping tabs, or was pleased to see I wasn't too far away given numerous fused corpses were groaning in a symphony of agony, or pleasure. I ignored them all partially seeing buildings shifting into rhythms in tune to whatever played distantly. I inhaled deeply to mutter, "What a fecking mess of a place that earned it. Tartarus you better have an idea as to how, or what can be because I can't even imagine this grox shit."

Walking endlessly forward careful to avoid wisps of blackened influence which seemingly kept trying to harmlessly ensnare me. I side stepped them aggravatingly in realizing that it wasn't instructed, but passive and never seemingly tempted until I slipped both hands igniting fire which didn't fade in the slightest to burn away darkened tendrils indiscriminately. Why bother tempting what is seeking out the best entertainer in this city? It definitely knows I'm coming, throne I hate daemons and I'm beginning to appreciate this things effort...I'm feeling quite flattered. Who knew Chaos is dangerous doesn't even hold a candle to this grox shit alone, Tartarus you knew and I have a gut feeling you weren't just pretending to make me hate you.

Flames burned unhindered as I kept moving not even humoring numerous shrouds which were appearing on rooftops. Humanoids with crab like limbs were hunched over leering, or licking the air to hiss happily with eyes narrowing onto myself. But they remained stationary to follow leisurely, or swaying their hips exposing seductive promises that I eyed less than happily, "Glad to know someone is telling you, or else I'd feel quite tempted to burn you to ash." I spoke casually smiling have them giggle, or outright laugh as more appeared behind hissing hungrily when temptation itself was offered despite I'd be able too.

They're not falling for it, oh Emperor they're smarter aren't they? Their forms started visibly shifting forcing myself to stop as a pleasant smell made me flinch. Despite feeling unnaturally at peace I narrowed both eyes hissing out, "You think you can handle when someone turns up the heat?" Covering my mouth with clothe, I summoned psychic will to have the warp itself began constraining and boiling as an inferno blasted outward spiraling rapidly to smash into one daemonic being into literal ash where it'd stood.

Most backed away yet a few lunged from above shrieking as another torrent of fire sent them crashing into buildings. They were flailing desperately being burnt alive as ash from wind did work all too kindly. Flames seemingly churned around myself in leaving me with ample room yet again most refused to act, or follow suite to giggle in groups from safer distances. Yeah, I'm going to die here! They're not like the ones from earlier, they think and they're not stupid...by the throne! I frowned irritably to lightly pull down clothe to inhale on a lho-stick comfortingly, I only knew they wanted me to keep going in this direction purposefully.

Soon more shrouds reappeared in force as they were considerably darker, thick and far more teasingly appeared further behind myself. They never appeared in front, or from sides unless I deliberately moved past every half a dozen growing puddles of blood. Wonderful, I'm a guest or their next show to put on display for everyone to watch! I was damned to meet an end, or to be converted which seemed likely for whatever end. Fingers tapped rapidly on both sides when I smiled warmly to call out far too pleased, "Never liked being an attention whore, so consider yourselves my reminders and I hope you enjoy it all the way."

My arm burned immensely when I struggled to cool off an internal fire arising in conjunction to so many laughing, or giggling innocently. Is this not what you craved mon'keigh warrior child, to see your desire burn yourself to upmost satisfaction? The lord of xenos slyly whispered as I gnashed teeth tightly to reply fairly annoyed, "I'm enjoying it. Rather not waste time on things which make you impatient, or do you want to fight what's making them wait? Let me know, I'll consider it you being an idiot."

The internal voice hardly seemed angered when it'd instead complimented me rather pleased. Thy will burns unhindered of lesser ones, for truth and lie is but masking your inferior blood and soul, mon'keigh warrior child. But alas battle is approaching, you seek to destroy the greatest of entertainers for you know not of it seeks. Truth of word, lies of action and both burn within your flesh which betrays itself. I rolled both eyes not even willing to humor this xeno which spoke eerily similar to Esdainn, I began to loath it for once. I prayed to the Emperor seeking strength if only to shut it up for a bit at this point.

Flicking ash off a lho-stick I kept pace moving quickly ignoring, or outright suppressing wails of disappointment. They were wallowing moans of longing, grief and anger when these twisted daemons half male, or more female began to call out in hypnotic temptations. Some hug off decorations of humane guts to ferociously snap claws sending other unseen calls as more joined in, they were musically perfecting rhythms of sheer unworldly sound to have my ears bleed. They were either singing, or humming along when offers began in earnest excess.

"Come embrace me little one, seek your grief for I shall tenderly hold you close!" One tempted from above giggling to extend humane limb and pincers as if I'd reach upward. My eye twitched angrily when passing underneath simply, "Feck off!" I barked as another came literally dancing to wink slyly despite having a bloodied mouth, "Don't you want to be spun around, to tenderly have someone whisper, 'it'll be alright?', little one whose heart cries out of pain and sorrow?" The wretched daemon spun in place innocently smiling serrated eat where bloodied remains poured out, I stared coldly to smile if only just.

I bypassed quickly eyeing it amused to send said creature laughing away, "Nice try." I shook my head utterly damned to know I wasn't away from temptation it'd seem. Another flipped from behind myself overhead in a graceful display of acrobatic beauty to get several meters ahead to place a leering grin with legs kicking lazily at air, "Your words grace us with a child's cries, little one. You crave affection, love and it is but one hand away." It extended said literal hand motherly, if only to stare with kindness, love and almost perfected tenderness that made myself stare once pointedly and I hated it entirely.

"Work on your timing a bit and I may have to kill you soon enough." I walked past bored to absently puff out smoke to stare upwards seeking an alternative to ignore irritation. Throne! They're such an eyesore, no wonder I'm starting to find this amusing! Grox shit among grox shit, I bet they're getting off on this entire thing. Tartarus, you better have something in place to send all of it, to where it belongs and not making me wish otherwise!

More harmless giggles were growing in number when several were dancing together laughing and spinning in place underneath walls of those dying in gruesome fates. One actively licked a face off tenderly stroking what was once a man's chest, "Your heart craves for one who knows you inside and out, little one. Shall I be that one for you?" I didn't respond to move quickly bypassing as another wore another person's face in bloodied fashion to stare with eyes no human ever imagined in their nightmares.

Yet those eyes shrouded making me freeze when another voice I recognized. This daemon seemingly twirled into a frenzy as it leaped across my path. I stared merely to witness the bloodied mask perking upward with a gaze so unnatural, too petrified and utterly damning. Those two eyes which turned into a blackened whole leaving nothing view until a pair opened with yellowed slits narrowing bemusing, "Is thy will so sure of thou's heart? Little one?" Those eyes narrowed slyly as a daemon pranced around at speeds without breaking gaze.

Oh...shit! My legs unwillingly froze due to nightmare freshly coming back as I stared into orbs of a creature who laughed through another, "Thou silence is of glee, I wonder?" I faintly agreed to just reply rather curious, "And all it took was me to come here? Why spoil what can be enjoyed?" I questioned folding both arms staring with eyebrows raised despite inwardly cringing underneath an undeniable urge to fall. It's worse to hear it in person, by the throne alone it doesn't come close to sounding in my nightmares.

The entity imposing itself upon a lesser danger laughed merrily as if hearing such wonderful joy from myself. My blood surged to boil, or freeze whose yellow blackened eyes narrow coyly, "Thou asks a unique question, for thy to answer but of glee itself!" It loudly proclaimed happily to stop and dance in place when I stared onto the bloodied mask sharply smiling. There was potent temptation circulating within reality and I flinched seeing the very Immaterium bending to shroud us both in an insane sphere alone.

"Perfection, little one." That word sent my knees into liquid as I harshly laughed pointing out, "Whose lying to who, I wonder? The one who wears the mask gazing from afar, or one who seeks you to ask in person?" The daemonic entity stared briefly to narrow amused eyes which sent my skin fleeing despite ingrained over muscle to musically laugh freely, joyfully and far too happily to know I'd just willing invoked temptation incarnate. I resisted to flinch to instead leer into a monster which wore another face and it witnessed far too obviously.

Whose games are at work, mine, yours or what else? I thought staring with a leering grin exposing teeth as I inhaled a lho-stick. Emperor willing, I'm just crazy enough to find out! The daemon seemingly got closer gradually as if I'd be able to reach out, "You seek I, or has thy sought what of hearts desire alone? The Great Prince is all too willing to embrace you, for I must agree! Does thou wish to meet I, so soon and willingly?"

I smiled far too amused to humor as I just waved a hand knowingly, "I don't have a choice." Fear gripped my heart to shudder when it laughed merrily, "Of thy mind perhaps, but desire alone is earnest and I shall seek thee as of wishes!" The shroud uplifted itself to reveal what exactly it'd done and I stared blinking away blurred vision. Dozens upon dozens of humanoids where crying out happily all dancing in perfected groups of six, if only never stopping dancing and seemingly innocent invitations when all happily smiled stretching out hands towards myself.

I kept my smile in place to nod accordingly not denying it outright, "Nice try!" They were weaving to happily accept my denial as if they'd been praised, or maybe just found it too adorable. Either way I was damned to face what nightmares were warning me for months, if I weren't too aware I'd have probably been dead on my feet since arriving. Nothing made sense, if only instinct and will kept my sanity relatively from tearing itself apart entirely.

Not good...feck it's worse than expected! I soured mainly to hear clacking wheels as I stared utterly perplexed to see something moving beyond throngs of dancing daemons. Twisted creatures shrilly bellowing with humans infused along instruments moaned loudly. Instinctively I withheld trying to stop blood as it poured from wheels spiked and akin to opened mouths crying out. Metallic blackened and purple structures gave off an appearance as some kind of an open ended chariot.

I noticed when it'd arrived no one but two humanoid daemons were heeding its direction. They really, really don't want me leaving room to escape? Throne, I'm starting to see why Esdainn called it madness, feck me because it really is madness. The creatures themselves were repulsive given their eyes were concealed behind ripped off faces of those who'd either they slain, or given themselves to become what was in front of myself. Yet they all shared similar eyes to the lone humanoid dancing dangerously close as a breeze sent my neck rigid.

Staring directly into an eye which shrewdly narrowed playfully beneath two masks it nudged me physically, "Seek I, for I agree if thou heart is so earnest? For I have slain many of your ilk, but thy request is nothing less but unique, little one." Cautiously I conjured fire sending it playfully away laughing as I kept two hands burning brightly. I smiled through boiling air to ask rather interesting considering it'd fled partially surprised, "What's wrong? Can't take some heat, or am I just excited to see someone?"

But I moved forward willing away said flames to have them placed into pockets. Why walk a long way, if someone's giving you a ride for free? Time's against me, so least I can do is make every moment count. The chariot's back end opened from throngs of human arms extending outward as I saw blackened stars of Chaos cut into evened portions of flesh. All were exactly six inches leaving little to understand that these beings praised some sort of number, or by the Emperor I'd have gone mad entirely to stare briefly.

Puffing out smoke I took one step into an area where more clearly could have been held yet only two were there staring. Their lustful expressions only widened further when I commented, "You have some gross tastes. Should get purified and you'd might find something better." Laughter of wicked desires echoed seamlessly when I looked back to see the humanoid daemon who'd been conversing go still, I saw the mask be taken off as it waved cooing. It seemed spoiling an interact meant it'd been preparing a meeting by whatever powers of perfection it'd been spouting, I could only breathe anxiously knowing I was facing damnation, or death.

Yet I stilled resisted cackling because I wasn't afraid to die ironically. I was just afraid of dying being damned as a heretic, so I had enough motivation to make said time count for others. All, or nothing! I gambled recklessly because nothing else mattered, not one decision was worth anything if everything was put up to make it'd count. Whether I was mad, or not mattered little when others who'd be capable to take this down without my insanity had a chance. If the Emperor truly favored myself, I'd hope for a quick and merciful end given I had little chance to survive.

Temptations, huh? I questioned feeling the entire twisted creation churn with shrieks and moans echoing strongly along a hellish street. Daemons flooded behind crying out joyfully, happily and were beyond to disgustingly praise the Prince they so served. Chaos, such a sick fecks! And to think I hate humanity far more because at least they're putting up a good show for speaking truth. They promise so much, they'll give whatever and yet all it takes is the one thing I want to hold onto most...a soul. Starting to realize there's nothing good about this at all, either I die or they do what they've sought since meeting them almost a year ago.

My fists burned when going back into some warehouse where gangs of all powers, of all beliefs and had gathered by another. Yeah...they wanted so many there to slaughter and sacrifice to bring forth that wretched monster of blood, fire and it'd beheaded them all. That'd been before I'd learned of someone approaching our territory, someone who had every official or local planetary member trembling and it was there I'd run into another monster who banished said daemon away. There was no way out then, no where to run and nothing but to die yet I chose to run into someone who'd make everything I'd known fear without question.

The Inquisitor whose powers overlooked myself, the Inquisition which sought to mold me into a weapon as it'd done to another who'd taught me and now I was facing down ironically that same situation to choose once more. And yet they mean nothing to me, do they? What's one life among innumerable humans, what's more doing to do? I smiled warily to stare at two daemons who winked knowingly as if they'd known naturally as well. I shook my head looking around taking in various details of fates worse than death, "They chose...to die."

Ironic I sensed daemons who were guiding me towards damnation and xeno psykers telling me more about something unseen. Humans I rationalized didn't see what was in front of me, they'd already been trapped and I wasn't any different. Temptations, indeed. They'll kill me, not out of assured fact but they'll kill me because I walked into their arms. Whether to strike them at their heart, or embraced them it's good as done...damnation is not allowed to live.

Yet faith alone kept my will together to stare lazily grinning at a purity seal which still seemed cold. I laughed since it'd only done so because I wasn't willing to damn myself, "Not yet." I whispered laughing to know because the Emperor wasn't false, he was here with me and I still had to chose whether to abandon what would never become real, or I'd have to be tempted to know something else existed right in front of me. It all boiled down to desire, will and choice to decide whether I'd see the next sunrise dead, or alive regardless of choice.

There's no escaping being a tool of use, isn't it? I looked around idly flicking ash onto a daemon who steered as it cried out moaning in sheer ecstasy. It arched into what was once pain and shuddered happily to blow a kiss with its tongue lapping up air. Yet it'd been serrated with teeth to coo, "Is your desire so strong now, little one?" I stared right into eyes which promised untold agonies, pleasures and it'd require a price so few dared to think twice about. I inhaled on my lho-stick flippantly to remark, "And yours isn't so?"

Both stared downward to mirror smiles as humane hands descend to lightly brush my upper arms invitingly. They sent shivering electrified sensations to make my lips tighten as warmth from a purity seal angrily burned flesh, "You'll be so much more, little one. Not like one of those who freely give everything." It's tongue slyly slid out gesturing along millions upon millions where dying in fates worse than death as the second continued, "You hold power with but a thought, of will and desire itself to make yourselves stand above all...little one. The Great Prince welcomes those who embrace their excess of love, desire and seek what your heart wishes to see so much...it makes me cry to comfort you."

My vision turned downward when an unnatural stillness caused muscle to wane and lax as I blinked rapidly. Temptation...oh you lying fecking piece of shit! What fecking grox shit! They're going to break me before I even have a chance to face down whatever is making them do, oh I get it! They want me to play games, fine let's play whose the better liar. Emperor help me, or I'm damned.

Smiling lips peeled backward underneath my hood as bloodied droplets fell leisurely onto a surface which drank it in willingly. I rasped out chortling, "Nice try." They laughed melodiously to place hands on my back rubbing and cooing innocently pleased. Even if their eyes were turning hungrily as I rasped out painfully to spit out blood, "Fecking daemons. Don't like a fair fight, glad to know when I turn up the heat...you'll find out when it's real funny."

Staring tensely to rasp out breathes as tendrils of blackened purple teasingly kept inching themselves over my body. I laughed silently knowing they'd truly wanted me to convert, so they'd do all in their power to make it so much easier and I wasn't going to pretend anymore. If there was one thing I understood far too clearly, I spat out blood struggling to regain will and sanity to know they'd picked a good way to get me to fold. This is going to be the longest fecking ride of my life! Should have expected they'd make it too tempting, well only thing left to do is better get used to a fact I'm going to enjoy it.


"How much further, Skit?" Alicia hastily inquired looking back as korpsmen kept firmly marching in place backwards while gunning down dozens among of several heretical mobs. The servo-skull obediently answered to precisely gauge, "One standard city block and closing." Anora looked over sharply firing several shots from a bolt pistol sending several heretics sprawling into mist. They were dangerously going low on munitions pertaining to their side arms since sticking to what had been advised even as she whispered reverently, "Thank you for your blessing to be with us in this unholy place, praise to our Holy Father."

Hordes kept appearing when one seemingly had been broken as the Krieg korpsmen were viciously unleashing volley after volley. Grenades from smoke, or proton were used extensively to send scores to their eyes or stumbling about wildly desperate for air, or clarity to shoot back masked adversaries who never once spoke. Alicia and Anora kept them to never forget the Emperor was with them, "Keep firing and leave not one heretic standing, korpsmen! Blessed is the Emperor's fury, blessed is his light and blessed is our faith to secure victory over these foul traitorous scum. Never forget, have faith and take strength for he is with us!"

The end of this street came into view as Anora gestured to follow as they walked side by side slapping in full magazines of bolt munitions. Conversing over their vox did one sister point out, "No daemons have appeared before us, I dare say they're occupied or lying in wait." Alicia glanced over as a chain sword thrummed hungrily for traitorous blood, "For a time, perhaps. But it gives us ample opportunity to secure the lady-inquisitor, our fellow sisters and those who have perceived underneath the hands of Chaos's servants...I pray none show signs, or else we'll doom ourselves."

Anora grunted grudgingly to acknowledged expectations for both of their arrival and destinations end, "It is why I choose to not poison myself, sister." She acquiesced to such possibility given every moment further damned another without saying, "Indeed, and I choose to harbor hope. For when that time comes, it'll be let go and that is why you must not disregard it. For the Holy Father does not abandon those of faith and will, I trust we'll well have sated our expectations with these traitorous scum that are in need of purification."

Alicia gazed upon the korpsmen of Krieg who wordlessly kept up their worth and continuously show cased their dedication silently. Wait, where's that leeching fool run off too now? Sigur's absence turned quite irritating when the man himself cackled ahead of them from sitting on a vehicles hood, "You looking for a good time, girl?" Both power armor users glowered less than pleased to see him leisurely leaning back looking opposite fiddling with optics to leering taunt them, "Cause ya will scream my name and I'll praise the Emperor for ya!"

Anora's vox crackled angrily, "Filth walks freely and without consequence while those sacrifice everything at their whim." Alicia agreed far too easily to point out, "And you wanted us to save his disgusting flesh. But perhaps he's making use of himself, Emperor be praised." They came to walk standing overhead as Sigur stared towards an end of the street lazily smoking a lho stick to report mildly informative, "Freaks in masks certainly do their job well, to die and move. But ya better take a look at what's waiting for us down the street, kid's come through since I don't see any fecking daemons apart from fecking glowing stars."

Both peered around a building's corner to partially see an open street leading towards some crudely shaped curved circle square. Zooming on figures chained to walls where the storm trooper had acutely scouted were humans limping hanging, "They're alive." Alicia murmured relieved partially knowing information given from their acting-inquisitor had been true to his word, "But how are chains keeping even our fellow sisters locked into place? This armor should be capable in snapping them...what else aren't we seeing?"

Sigur replied fairly flippant to literally point out wheezing since she'd observed openly, "Look above girl and ya see what I mean." Glowing orange stars seethed with unwilling power of unholy blessings and preparations casting a faint light over those bound to blackened chains. Anora whispered over the vox to realize they'd been forcefully enduring manipulations possibly, "They're being converted to by Chaos's filthy tricks, aren't they? Discretion, it's unholy discretion of our Holy Father's servants!" She proclaimed viciously to lift a chain-sword threatening to desire vengeance and blood for what was their rightful purpose.

"Old Sigur maybe a wise grox shit talker." The trooper proudly snickered but pointed lazily with a lho-stick to flick it, "But that is fecking something else! Don't know if we shoot it, or blow it to make said nasty thing go away...or else, kid's fecked for sure!" Zooming in distantly to see orange symbols pulsating with an eerie orange and sickly arcs of purplish lightning provided little to solve, if they had enough firepower to break its incantations. Theories began amounting when Anora spoke up seeking a far more direct measure they'd uphold.

She holstered the bolt pistol and chain-sword in favor a bolt rile, "Our holy rounds could penetrate and break apart stone, trooper. What say you, sister?" Alicia frowned in favor pointing out grimly, "Every shell we send here is less for foes who can be killed, or sent back to the foul depths of the warp. Their absence indicates they'll return, or impede our path to delay us. But I fear we must sacrifice what little we have in order to give us a better chance, or else I have nothing to say would be an alternative to doing it's purpose."

The storm-trooper kept quiet for several moments leisurely peering from one star to another before shrugging to himself. He stretched lazily to speak up, "What about sticky frags?" Both women stared mutely as he cackled happily, "Get a sock from them Kriegers, find some grease or whatever these fecking things I'm sitting on and stuff them to make a sticky boom." He looked away commenting rather dismissively, "That's ya suggestion from my Emperor praised one good blessing of the month. Either that, or we shoot and waste ammo for daemons who'll make ya knees quiver...so feck all, or not to get it done."

Both sisters stared wordlessly in order to look back at the wounded Kriegers who closer and still capable firing adequately. Anora shook her head, "We'd waste time, or we risk wasting more time if we lessen our capability. Use the lecher's idea...Holy Father damn me." Alicia looked towards the trooper who got up to walk past them, "Kiss me later, girl. I got some fun to do, so keep that armor on and I'll make ya a woman soon."

The trooper lightly ran forward meeting a line of wounded korpsmen who sharply looked over in response. They watched the many gesture angrily and point towards where a corner they'd soon pass to have several look among themselves. Several looked towards the sisters who nodded jointly as preparations soon went underway. It left them several minutes to gaze upon a square where movement caught their attention as heretical men, or women desperately began moving as if shock to hear gunfire getting too close.

"Shall we clear the way for that fool to do his deed?" Alicia inquired eagerly to smile lifting a chain-sword and bolt pistol to make Anora nod all too willingly, "Perhaps the lecher can prove useful for a change? Holy Father grant us mercy, I'd never live to see this day." They moved together standing firm against dozens of heathens who'd in their desperation failed to see angled weaponry which hungrily activated roaring for blood and retribution. Neither sister got ahead, or stood ahead to form one even space to draw the bulk into prepared combat.

A budding horde soon came upon them as one sister's vox crackled, "Sister Alicia." Skit's monotonous answer startled her when an update came far too suddenly, "Inquisitor Jalena Tartarus vitals have picked up, scanning array of various auspects have indicated a surge of activity and this unit requests orders." She frowned to reply back quickly in favor facing down heathens that needed to be cleansed and sent damned to the Emperor for righteous fate of those who'd turned from his light upon treachery of Chaos's whims.

"Stand-by and relay what else happens Skit, please." The machine responded quickly much to her small smile sensing it's master had specifically requested an oddity, "Understood. Standing-by and updating at your behest, Sororita Alicia." She took a breath to zealously leer all too happily and faithfully when standing beside a fellow minted Sister of Battle. They'd be enough to cut down these meager fools and would bathe in their agony to see them beg their false gods for aid, if only to know the Emperor of Mankind ordained absolutely elimination of these heretics.

Stay strong of faith, will and trust in those who you gave yourself to endure horrors, Marcos. She prayed silently to feel warmth if only just to smile cruelly upon their enemies. Your actions of holiness have not been blinded, but do not misplace my trust in you, or I shall do what is required for witches who turn to treachery. Burn, repent and rejoice for you will be purified in the flames of holy fire, or you will die by my sister's hand. Fight well, die atoned or pray you'll survive when we arrive...if only to have us judge you as we'd should have done.

End Chapter XXI

Author's Note: Couple things to mention, the friction between the Sisters is technically probably not ever going to happen. I'm not even sure they'd humor most of this on a bad day, so I consider the plot of story and hope enough a lore expert can point them out. Like I mentioned, critique is good but I have a fair suspicion if a hint of corruption is in the Ecclesiarchy? Even the most zealous and unreasonable are given pause, if only through shock because I believe it happens. I only to look at the Primarch of Ultramar dealing with all that bullshit. But it also raises questions, a lot of questions and I doubt most of it would fly but for the sake of story...it's good for what it is, if only in name probably.

Whose technically in the right, if we're going to play name the worst heretic presently. Probably both, or more likely they're considered heretical for questioning some things and I'm not too concerned. Like I said, it's an attempt and critique is needed so in the future I can do better. But this sets an even grander scheme at work which the Holy Church of the Imperium of Mankind is in the spot light. Whether Ordos Malleus has justification to investigate it, is up for debate but I'd imagine the Ordos Herecticus would be interested...immensely. That's typical given how Chaos is really good at getting in heads, I mean I think I'm overshooting how manipulative and defying this things are considering I'm making Daemonettes possibly a little stronger than necessarily. But alas, that is why I love critics who just hash it out and share their thoughts overall...it helps, in all fairness.

Regarding Esdainn, the Eldar have their ways and I highly doubt I'm doing a good job to balance aloof nature with curiosity of humor. But I hope it's enough to do the trick, I'm not too keen on that aspect considering I view them as Elven knock-offs from Token, or inspired if I'm being kinder without irrationally finding them such assholes it's not funny. But like I said again, it's just my take and I know someone out there is going to point out a lot inconsistencies which is fine, so have at it and laugh your ass off finding it humorous. Yet we get to the crux of this chapter's revelations...oh yeah, Marcos actually fooled the Inquisitor fairly well and she's probably not really surprised given his actions have been far too convenient as of lately.

But alas it brings old questions from old views, the 'Jane' thing...I can say one thing, it's never astonishing when lies are repeated and they become truth. There's more to that story alone, I won't go into it but you can imagine in that setting alone? Something did happen, what is up for debate and what is that going to unravel given Marcos's exposure to true temptations. Hence the 'Chariot' which is again, not probably an authentic lore thing but probably fused with some bare bones details yet I think it's possible...if not, rarely ever done. And I'll bring myself to that aspect of this dialogue.

The truth. What is truth, what is the lie and what's the truthful lie of truth's lie itself? You read what's happening, that's not me being coy or stumbling into that one given I was smiling rather sinister to whistle innocently when listening to musical themes. Every part of this story was planned, if not for timing and present freedom I have to finish it hopefully...the pieces are in place. And someone asked me, 'Why Slaanesh' over 'Tzeentch' which seems to be his forte...my response, "I'll have to drink heavily to come up with something about that one!" I'm not kidding by the way, I'd probably have to get drunk and pretend to think schemes are easily done, so you have my justification to keeping it into something far more tempting to write out.

Yet throughout this reveal, these curve-balls or screw-balls, it makes you question one thing: Whose perspective have you seen as the lie, or the truth? It's a question that even in Warhammer 40,000 is dangerous, for Chaos has it's ways to make you bend, break and inevitably give in to the best, or worst of humanity's psyche which they feed on every moment. Until the next update, we'll find out.

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