The Inquisitor
Chapter XXV
The first voices I heard were distant after an endless time floating within a void peacefully. He's tainted surely by the Emperor, look at him! Anger alone couldn't defy rage which desired to kill me, I heard more reply ever so colder. Your assumptions are noted, but there's no evidence of Chaos's corruption within his blood, or flesh. You performed litanies of cleansing, blessed where he lays, to chain him to holy grounds and yet? You still doubt your faith, so easily?
Darkness seemingly churned to fade away warmth and once blissful damnation into colder sensations akin to warning. I heard more seemingly in a rapid bombardment when hatred thundered along, it sent my spinal cord shivering as it'd been familiar to hear. Chaos's taint is right before your eyes, no! You are blinded because he lives! You heard the testimony of one who saw him smile, he consorted and now requires cleansing to burn this tainted flesh to the Holy Father's side for judgment.
Sensations of electric tingling grew numerous as time passed leaving me to float within this void of endlessness. Voices returned again in enraged tones growing louder, zealously furious and I flinched within this void hearing absolute loathing. He is changing more and more, what madness is this you allow unchecked! A sign of mutation from that daemon, of taint and you dare deny what is the course of cleansing! Heresy!
Another voice roughly interrupted followed by a loaded weapon prepared to discharge bullets towards an intended target. He ain't got multiple eyes, or fecked up limbs woman and scales! Throne I dare ya to try it, I'll get a hole loosened and have my way with ya! Cackling followed when the shot fired sending sound into faded silence once more. I twitched again feeling something other than numbness, a gradual warmth of anger and yet I still saw only pitch black.
Time kept dragging unwillingly to keep hearing whispers treacherously oozing disdain, suspicion and certain truth to kill. It cannot be allowed, it cannot be allowed to live! Anger, fury and grief were what stood out most as lack of concern made me twitch again. Forgive me Holy Father, for I must do what you'd require to remove the mutant. For I cannot allow this taint to what was once a holy son, forgive me but penance shall be endured upon this holy act. Chills ran down my spine to where a neck could have been imagined, or believed to be within this void yet I still floated endlessly seeing nothing save for darkness.
Air brushed past before a thunderous crack of sound erupted and an even leveled voice followed cries of pain. You dare to push your favor, to do this act? Anger and hatred were what was only heard as a sickening splintering sound came next. You wish to grieve, or have penance? So be it, enjoy your time to plead your case to our Emperor, girl. My patience for your blindness has reached an end, so suffer and do what you'd pray in solitude.
Stilled eerie silence returned endless for time unknowable had granted peace. I drifted onward with no sense of direction, no understand and I still felt something drip regardless. He sleeps deeply, but I fear he hears too well. A softer voice distantly observed tightly as another answered evenly to remark rather keenly. Perhaps, but have faith knowing he endured when most should have broken. No resolve is not with consequence, so harbor your doubt and keep vigilance. You are one of few who stand true to our Emperor's blessings, so do not forget.
The void shifted partially when cold tightening pressure wrapped where arms and legs met as a grudging voice of approval came forth. They say he's a mutant, tainted and I find no signs of meriting a bolt shot to the head. Emperor curse me, I was looking forward to cleansing filth. A coy remark followed almost amusingly from another who'd found it beyond ironic. Yet you see with your own eyes, is that not a miracle you're witnessing? Patience old friend, there's no need to rush and destroy a unique and blessed sign given by our Emperor's will, for an anomaly without...certainty.
Voices I knew not who they belonged too kept circulating in various tones of amusement, or disappointment for their own motives. Yet I twitched trying to break free of darkness but failed to only drift further and further into numbed blissful rest. Nothing responded, no sense of limb or will could crack! Nothing broke what place I been dreaming to imagine, I remained in place unable to react. Or perhaps it'd been my nightmare come to pass in being damned, for questioning the Emperor's purpose of my survival entirely.
He must be aware to some degree, or am I wrong? That gruff voice laughed coldly as yet another coy response came rather casually to agree. Perhaps, the psychic activity indicates he maybe aware, so I'd rather not ruin what miracle our Emperor has ordained for us to observe. Even you cannot fault what trauma this little one has endured, for I theorize his mind is only...piecing itself together based on what our dearest colleague reported. You've restrained yourself based on false speculations we've heard, or is that not a sign of faith?
The voices faded partially when that same gruff laugh returned almost pleased to retort sharply skeptical. Faith I don't doubt, if I must doubt it is because he has not let go what makes all who serve our Emperor zealously resolved. Bone chilling sensations started to solidify within hands as I struggled to focus on that lone difference, to twitch and try to break free of this maddening void of both dream and nightmare. But nonetheless his spirit to endure for faith, is quite admirably a good sign and I must trust your theories since one of my own has verified your claims. Pity, I'd have him strung up and interrogated if I'd doubted.
Time crawled further along when I felt a heart beat faintly and slowly warmth started gradually surging into veins. That eternal void of darkness kept seemingly spinning, or churning yet it remained in place unyielding. But I twitched trying constantly save for hearing more voices after an endless eternity struggling. What I heard in this next voice seemed synthesized akin to man, or machine which I recognized dimly to twitch slightly again. They were too distant, too far and I kept floating beyond understanding.
Preliminary testing of genome indicates lack of ab-human strains, mutation or unnatural signs of corruption as per your requests. One voice hummed faintly to point mildly curious as a snort of bemusement came somewhere behind. Is it too soon, if time reveals what makes even the most subtle of mistakes to judge our doubts? There was a brief pause when faint pressures aligned along arms as chilling to freeze warmth in place. Yet a solid void remained unrelentingly when I strained to hear whispers.
Our Magos Genetor has not been mistaken, or miscalculated even with preliminary parameters in place. She has not detected notable mutation, or unnatural strains of Xenos origin. Our machine spirits have been blessed, placated and the Omnissiah's will is clear, so there is no error. The male synthesized voice replied finally after that silence to make a laugh of exasperation following a sly chortle. Time indeed, old friend. Perhaps your zealotry can be curbed by seeking out penance of heresy for striking one of our own, a grave offense and best left to those who are capable to enact punishment of their discretion.
An audible grunt of amusement came distantly approvingly as silence returned ever damning to have myself float blissfully. Warmth returned faster and ever stronger to feel a heart beat quickly to dimly be aware of fingers clenched tightly. The voids vast shroud began waning minimally to have another twitch to break free. But once more failure met effort, boiling frustration and sheer anger faltering kept myself struggling constantly to find anyway out. Insanity, or desperation to uplift myself drove effort to latch onto any change for voices hopefully.
Frustration turned inevitably into potent rage to find myself pulling upward, or even anywhere save for float seemingly idle. Time crawled past when a whispering plea made liquid warmly give my effort vigorous renewal. Please open your eyes soon, I pray strongly to show that you live and remain true to come back to the light of our Emperor, Marcos. I harbor strength, faith and I cannot cling to it, or else suffer the poison you unknowingly sow in few. You endured to not lay silent, to endure to never remain motionless and I pray for you to awaken.
Hate filled my core because of a daemon and xenos which forced me to endure this insufferable void of bliss. Nothing mattered, I wanted to see and I wanted more than the Emperor willing to send more back to the warp from which they spawned! Boiling fluid surged akin to promethium fuel, I couldn't stand being so damned pathetic to not try to smile out of humiliation. I stuck a shiv into that fecking daemon, I ripped it's literal heart out and throne, it'd been laughing as if nothing mattered. All the more reason I twitched strongly to hear voices appear gradually louder.
Psychic activity is surging lately, I feared the best had happened, but his awareness is astonishing. That coy observation lingered fulled by a gruff sneering tone of arrogance. You truly fail to see faith in our Emperor so obviously on display, cease your attempts in patronizing my tolerance of you when faith is only required of hatred for I see in his face. Worthy trial of fire, to slay and purge what cannot be allowed to fester. Be inspired, I'd pray to see you shut up.
Distant steps belonging to boots left leaving myself to seethe in silent honest infuriating disgust. The void shifted immediately, I kept twitching to feel fingers trembling and it fluttered when I stared to see fading trails of lines, once unnoticeable and yet gradually growing closer towards efforts to tear it down. I had enough of floating in bliss, it'd been tiresome and I wasn't humoring voices which grew stronger again. Time had slowed, or so I'd believed earnestly.
The recovery is nothing short of impressive, I'd imagine you expected less? A bored question inquired less than amused as an answering chortle echoed closer. The mind is both our greatest and weakest of weaponry, my dear colleague. Psychic will only make it far more...relative, to wonder our normal limits of humane understanding. He's progressing fairly quickly, perhaps that last one who visited actually made efforts whereas time is just...extending, his growing activity and I'd suggest we observe to see results.
The voice again faded briefly until another interjected rather smugly to make steps turn accordingly towards a source. Keep that one nearby, if I recall they tend to bring out his stubbornness. Or do you disagree, my friend? Again that bored indifferent tone repeated to seemingly become exasperated out of sheer bemusement. Yes they do, I can only appreciate the Emperor's irony to see whether it'll be worth jeopardizing my patience again. But that one can be trusted, if only because she and I have conversed at length given her testimony. She harbors what another cannot let go, a wise and true faithful servant who understands.
An agreed gruff voice closer to a man's laughed barking finding incredulous shock to proclaim shrewdly pleased. And you called my unwavering faith a crutch? Shame, if only the Emperor would look upon you and put you in your place. Faith inspires the soul to endure, to alight a spirit which feeds said soul and in turn grants his mind necessarily trials in order to throw off these mundane limitations since encountering that daemon of masks. Laughter lowly emerged between several voices who eventually faded into distant memory. I twitched strongly to feel a heart racing as fire surged making feeling of flesh return rapidly.
Staring into a dimming void I kept pushing unseen weights off reaching upwards and screaming mutely to feel blood flowing. Nothing else mattered save for hating what put me into this blissful prison of comfort and ignorance. I'd kill Esdainn if I found her one day, throne I'd smash those fecking glowing stones into pieces like I should've done, more so I'd tear that daemons throat out over and over until I felt satisfaction to do what I'd promised. Xenos wanted to play games, daemons loved games and I'd make all realize I'd relish to play for blood again.
Marcos you aren't going to remain like this forever, so please come back to the Emperor's light and to us. A voice I recognized feverishly pushing weights and unseen force aside seeking an end to eternal bliss. You did what none expected, to stand firm weathering corruption and unwavering when facing an enemy who'd break you to damnation. Yet you survived, you walked away breathing and by the Emperor alone I know he's not abandoned you to this fate. Do the same soon, or perhaps I prayed for a miracle that shall never happen again.
Skin blistering hate kept rising when I recognized pity, or possibly sympathy to which I never wanted at all. Pity someone who'd destroyed a daemon, to spit in it's face and they'd expected me to just die so easily? I questioned over and over to feel fingers tightening into fists as adrenaline pumped furiously to bite down tightly. A small nudge of pain and immediately the void itself began cracking to see small shards of light peeling aside.
Is this all you can do? Sneer and keeping your fists tight? Another voice whispered slyly disappointed to have my hatred to hear it entirely. Clearly who ever had tried to anger me, well by throne itself I decided they succeeded to do something better. I was pissed off, very pissed off and no amount of praying for my Emperor to assist ceased. I pushed forward bellowing in frustration to get closer and closer to that light which crumbled darkness aside. Air rushed into my lungs, cold and stale yet signs I wasn't going to forgive whoever fecking thought, I'd die so easily.
Fascinating in how he responds to taunts, to doubt and I trust you'll see the results? A bored voice remarked dryly as if overseeing such simple mistake. Hatred is purpose, I should have noticed earlier on yet this will have to do. But based on what you've assumed, I wouldn't be surprised if he awakens soon enough. Until then we shall allow our Emperor to do his works, so we'll discuss more sensitive topics in your study, I've missed our debates...it's been a long time since we've all been together to enjoy nostalgia.
They faded away leaving me alone to finally scream absolutely furious as light shattered when a fist shot upwards. As saw ever consuming light, I vowed to never feel this infuriating sense of helplessness again. Nothing, or no one would ever take pity when I'd given up on ever imagining to hear that kind of loathing I'd forgotten. But as I found myself uplifting into that light I did smile condescendingly to at least humor one truth. Pity never failed to make me hate a fact, I hated people who believed pity was actually a good thing to admit.
My eyes fluttered when I exhaled tiredly to blink rapidly clearing away blurred darkness and particles of white light. Slowly coming to see something thick had obscured light itself, "Oh...throne." I mumbled trying to reach upwards to take off whatever had been irritating but found that difficult. Metallic cuffs attached to chains rattled sharply making my peripheral vision spot them, all were encased in golden and solid metallic aquilla iconography. Groggy vision turned most of any detail into unrecognizable details.
Every colored links inscribed with high-gothic incantations which I numbly recognized as litanies of holy purification, cleansing and wards against corruption of Chaos's taint. But two simple clicks dropped to make me look down as two purity seals, both cold to my touch and unchanged had me huff out simply, "Well, that's fecking odd." Leaning forward also proved difficult considering straps kept my spine rigidly against comforting clothe, I couldn't move at all and cushions to make cracking a neck far more pleasing at least to do.
Absently channeling psychic will that clothe gradually faded to notice the room's interior as the warp was entirely stable. Medical deck, again! I lamented since silence greeted my effort to look around and I came face to face with a weapon's barrel. Eyeing it irritatingly, I followed said weapon's length until air behind swept past when my eyes shut, I wished to the Emperor I hadn't noticed a pair or combat servitors. Their presence indicated I wasn't entirely safe, or remotely cleared given their auspects honed in on movement. More so, I'd never seen these servitors at all.
"If you're going to make my mood better, please fecking shoot me." I stated tiredly to see their half fused faces mix of wiring and metal staring lifelessly. Combat servitors keeping me guarded or watched, out of all things? Glad to know people think I'm harmless, such a wonderful feeling and thought together. Breathing heavily annoyed until a monotonous voice rang out making me smile rather comfortingly, "Acknowledged auspects indicating acolyte Marcos Eius, unit confirmed status alive and conscious."
Skit hovered at the furthest corner with a mechanic eye glowing as I called out hoarsely trying to ward off urges to stretch, "Hey, Skit!" I grinned seeing my servo-skull equally amazed and earnestly relieved I wasn't in unknown hands, "Aren't you a sore sight for Emperor's sake. You been keeping an eye on me, or you miss me that much?" My heart relaxed slightly enough to see him advance forward to hover just next to the bed side and I awkwardly put a hand to brace a chin relaxed, "Alright! Lay it on me like a shiv in my gut, so tell me what's been going on...please?
Unsurprisingly he replied to make my grin getting wider due to partially happy to hear him again, "Confirmed request, acknowledged as per parameters of awakening and recovery." Even though the warp seemed considerably brighter I took it in stride due to being knocked out, "How long was I out? Few days, or week?" I inquired curiously to get an answer which made me wince whistling painfully honestly, "Logged awakening on Imperial standard date noted as exactly, ninety two days, twelve hours and fifteen minutes...acolyte, Eius."
That number seemed a little too much as I gawked openly amazed, "Three months? Val'Fex, or anyone give me something strong? Seems a bit...uh, long?" I struggled trying to shake off a fact I'd been laying on a bed for three months? Throne, I must have needed the sleep or I really liked this bed. Though it's comfortable, so Emperor willing maybe I did like it too much.
Skit's explanation wasn't too comforting as I realized lamely in hindsight, "Intensive observation for corruption exposure and mutations due to contact with the warp prolonged recovery efforts, acolyte Eius. Inquisitional protocols were met under extreme circumstance, if detected and as such your status as apprenticeship of Ordos Malleus Inquisitor Jalena Tartarus was doubtful...until recent parameters were conveyed to this unit to inform you upon awakening." Shockingly I couldn't resist to cheekily gesture with thumbs to humor said doubt when they followed movement, "Any reason with these combat servitors looking real friendly and heart warming, Skit? You know them?"
The mechanical eye gleamed over both hulking half flesh and metal to explain simply, "Combat Servitors of standard load out designated for protection and security, if room interior is breached. Initial mandate was termination, but rescinded to re-purposed parameters." I looked over seeing chain-swords and some sort of firearm along an arm to snort, "Wonderful. They been here for three months exactly, or did the tech-priests have to bless them for the Omnissiah's graces? Can't say I wouldn't smell their sacred rituals, or else I'd have vomited."
Last memory I recalled of the Mechanicus members were simply instructing me to praise with extreme zealous reverence and respect Skit's machine spirit. Treat the machine as though it were superior, I never got a clear answer as to how Skit's performance acted like grox shit on some days. Yet I stuck to their advice, or dismissive attitudes to treat said servo-skull respectfully, plus I inwardly smiled to know I loved this little feck of madness. Can't say the Emperor favors those who pray, Skit by throne alone I hope you don't get me killed like you almost did! You sly fecking bastard, I just know you're loving my misery.
"Servitor security is rotated every forth day, acolyte." Skit informed me as I smiled shaking my head to just whimsically sigh leaning back, "Yeah you were worried about me. Glad to hear Skit, I'd say makes up for your grox shit with that building...how by our Emperor did you pull that off?" I crossed both arms rattling chains to resist snickering loudly when the servo-skull explained, "Vox signal parameters weren't suitable for your present location planet side acolyte Eius, for this unit designated priority until connection was established without considerable interference."
I stared raising both eyebrows leering to snort loudly finding it too convenient to not think twice about it. Right Skit...right, funny timing you got to make me laugh! Regardless I stretched both arms straining to yawn loudly, "Whatever makes your machine spirit be blessed, Skit. So when's Tartarus coming down, or did everyone expect me to be at the Emperor's side? Hate to crush someones hopes, but still breathing and not dead yet."
His brief silence probably meant he'd been initiating another vox transmission alerting the Inquisitor and I internally braced myself. Guess I had to show the shiv eventually, fecking daemons and xenos. Wish by the Emperor I'd killed them all, now things get difficult. Lamenting out of sheer irritation I waited patiently dreading, or equally exasperated to wonder if the Inquisitor would finally put a bolt round into my skull. Emperor knew what she'd decide, I'd been careful to play idiot and fool to make it a game to annoy her personally.
Reaching out further past the room I found myself frowning to whisper all too tiredly, "Oh wonderful, they have storm-troopers stationed outside." They were worse than grox set up for slaughter, I found it relieving some of them hadn't made it back. I knew eventually one of them would get a smart idea, or an excuse to have a brain liquefied all too easily. Pain in my ass ever since I got onto this throne forsaken ship, oh well...can't complain, Sigur's got the lho-sticks.
Remaining quiet proved far kinder to watch auras of red which indicated they were surviving troopers left on board. They'd seemed based on psychic assumptions to be furious, or almost spiteful which wasn't usually this obvious to my experience. Well, Sigur did mention their captain and whoever was with Tartarus got killed. So that could make them hate me a lot more, but they really don't want to see me if they're that pissed off. Wonder why, oh...maybe, because I told them off too many times for being grox shit bastards?
Shrugging partially bored and ideally unconcerned I leaned back trying to get comfortable to sense another psyker approaching. Tartarus's familiar presence had been moving casually from several decks above where I'd been monitored, twitching my jaw uneasily I kept an eye to see her with the warp's stabilized environment. Can't skim corners anymore, so let's find out whose shiv is going to be pulled first. Wonderful, I feel like I'm right at home again...Emperor help me, I really don't want to relive that anymore.
Skit moved to hover towards the closet wall with a glowing mechanical eye brightly activated. She's using him again, or rather he's recording. Knew that eye glowing wasn't a good sign, but better to know whose got the shiv and pistol. I'd always ignored whenever Skit attempted to move behind, or away whenever that eye activated an overt crimson. One tech-priest mentioned sub-routines for internal commands, if I remembered correctly and it'd been amusing to innocently pretend if his machine spirit was acting up.
"Hey Skit." I cheekily grinned to see that eye still glowing crimson to get some fun out this situation, "Get my good side, please?" Laughing loudly I shook all too happily when he replied, "Request denied as per parameters given to this unit's machine spirit, acolyte Eius. Apologies!" I grinned knowing I truly wouldn't ever want another servo-skull, I'd have him with me and there was nothing the Emperor would do to someone if they said otherwise. But ever since Mastoria, I'd been having too much fun to not see where he'd get me into next.
Fun never lasts, Emperor knows I'm too kind. Bitterly smiling I watched to see Tartarus's psychic signature descending a lift and I felt an uneasy sense creeping further when said descent halted immediately. Three more came from another deck which had my smile turning upwards, "So those voices weren't just my mind going mad? Friends, or enemies?" I wondered aloud to look over towards Skit who'd heard everything much to my guess, if anything else mattered I'd have felt anxiety yet I only understood amusement.
Are they like her, Inquisitors or people she trusts? Theories remained as simply theories, I didn't know who she'd known to invite onto her vessel. It exhilarated myself to know I was probably judged, they'd probably kill me now, or perhaps I'd be tortured until whatever they wanted known came to their will to end my life. I held no regrets to find out what I desired, I held no fear to sense death and my only grief was knowing I'd never know how to live with sin.
"Die well, or die atoned." I whispered fondly finding such joy I didn't have time to regret, but to move forward and those masked men taught me to enjoy it. I felt bitter knowing what I did gave them a chance to do what they wanted most, if anything it was conveniently kind of myself to do what needed to be done to destroy a daemon which ruined everything I'd tried to hide. And yet that damned Masque wanted to play the best kind of game, to play for blood and it I'd gotten the shiv to have it know realizing losing was just too sweet.
Well, least it's back in the warp where it belongs, but it'll come back without a doubt. It laughed, it knew and I knew another game would be set eventually. My smile strained to avoid leering because I knew next time, if there was one? I'd have a few more shivs on hand to really make it regret playing a game with me, or Emperor damn me to die. Either way, it wouldn't matter save for getting another laugh to get it angered again.
The four psychic signatures arrived at the end of a hallway approaching leisurely. They seemed to be conversing, or talking almost lazily when storm troopers stiffened immediately. Each man behind that uniform emitted unseen fears, or respect equally to understand they'd been observed constantly. Yet I found it kind of them to give me ample forewarning. A shame I was too kind, I'd have been more serious if they weren't too funny to anger honestly.
Leaning back into comfortable material I whispered earnestly pleased, "The Emperor protects." I awaited what I had no idea to expect, it felt thrilling and unsettling. But my smile remained innocently in place as a door slid open. Cheekily daring I waved somewhat awkwardly to see Tartarus walk in first seemingly indifferent as chortling behind irked her possibly, "Since when did you bring friends onto the ship? Here I thought by the Emperor you were just...strange?" I probed subtly in smirking stupidly to have my inquisitorial teacher ignore said question unexpectedly.
Tartarus glanced over to remark dourly impressed to knowingly draw out, "Must you have that smile again, apprentice?" I shrugged smirking to reply rather innocently yet again, "If it gets your attention, I think I can manage to laugh!" Other individuals walked in similar outfits reminiscent of the Inquisitor and all were incredibly at ease to find comfortable observations. One leaned against a wall, another towards the side on a counter and the last checked medical equipment without as such as a glance to have me eye him coyly.
Their psychic signatures made even the warp shimmering passively as they were seemingly at ease among each other. I smiled looking over to see a man who looked down as well, "Hello!" I chirped making him raise an eyebrow to incline a nod, "You an Inquisitor? Only one I deal with is sitting over there?" I blindly pointed opposite away from Tartarus whose indifference seemed to make another man leaning against a wall gruffly chortle to himself. But the last only commented shaking his head quite amazed, "I can see why he's...gifted."
My teacher dourly retorted quite aware to know a smile hid enough, "Yes, I've noticed." She addressed rather bored to make get my smile fading into a grin, "Are you finished playing a fool, boy? It is tiresome to humor, or shall I send you to an interrogation chamber?" I subtly bit a tongue to shrug less than eager, "Maybe being the fool is worth getting a laugh, but might as well enjoy a comfortable bed for a three month long nap."
Tartarus smirked knowing I wasn't playing games she'd usually put up with apparently, "How long were you intending to play games, Marcos?" I pondered seriously for a moment until warily admitting enough to keep the grin, "As long as I needed too. But fun doesn't last, so here I am chained and cuffed to a bed...as you can see." I pointed out raising said limbs to rattle blessed chains much to her nod noting I'd hadn't tried to slip away yet. It wouldn't have been difficult with enough psychic force, if I had anywhere to slip away too.
"What do you remember?" She questioned merely as I exhaustively leaned back allowing comfort to briefly make me shrug again, "Bits and pieces. Felt like a nightmare, or so I'd think." I looked up revealing enough to take a decent guess without sounding too tempted to throw in a cheeky comment, "My head probably was splitting apart worse than a grox running into me. It wasn't pleasant, or fun when I try to remember literally tearing that daemon's heart out...I think, plus having my eyes gouged didn't do me any favors."
Looking over I gestured to said clothing concealing said eyes which weren't gouged out, "How'd that happen, if I'm seeing you?" An answer came from the man standing closest to me who looked over to have Tartarus raise an eyebrow, "Considering your body's state when showcased, it's remarkable they'd re-knitted themselves back together. You went into a psychic induced coma since your mind was unable to cope with the trauma, it takes incredible will to endure pain most would have died and yet here you are...alive."
My smile returned hearing an ever underlying intrigue of suspicion which I countered shrugging earnestly, "The Emperor protects." He just smiled placidly much to a gruff chortle openly coming from another furthest away, "Indeed, he does. But doubt of your predicament is open to whether you endured through faith alone, acolyte Eius. It is not often we're curious despite your recovery, if you wish to play games against forces whose corruption is notoriously subliminal to manifest." I stared simply from one man to another to see bolt pistols clipped to their waists, I wasn't under any impression they'd shoot me at this rate.
"I got kicked in the balls by a fecking daemon, so forgive me for the Emperor's sake I'd rather not relive what little I wanted to forget." None of these people resisted to have smirks, or grins struggling appearing as Tartarus dourly commented, "Your impeccable use of that mouth and language is remarkably a unique gift I intend to rectify, apprentice." Playfully laughing I just raised both hands as if nothing seemed strange, "Bad habits! Not as bad as getting two claws of said daemon putting them into eyes making you hate it...a lot."
One Inquisitor who'd been perpendicular to Tartarus seemingly waved off said language flippantly, "Come now, Jalena! The boy's crass, crude and colorful attitude maybe unique yet his innate deflection of truth alone?" He had a pleasant conversational tone making my blood speed up when a sly cruel grin hinted far more dangers, "But he just conceals himself fairly well. You found an interesting one who found you, if only out of sheer convenience and he doesn't know where he stands. Truly impressive to find such potential, or are you lying...to us, boy?"
I returned to a grim sardonically point in retorting to have him hum, "Then why I am I alive?" I questioned further preparing to see whether they'd torture me, or just outright make me wish I'd died on that planet, "Am I corrupted by Chaos?" The gruff Inquisitor leaning against a wall spoke up less than pleased because he'd been expecting said outcome, "Boy use that brain, if you had been? You wouldn't have woken up at all to think otherwise. We'd know and regretfully I had to sate my unyielding faith for those who committed heresy upon others, so indeed the Emperor protects and that alone is enough for you to praise his name."
Tartarus outright commented to make a less than civil expression appear between them personally, "Perhaps it is a sign of darker times, puritan. When you and I are in agreement, such terrible times we find ourselves in." The other two confirmed Inquisitor's hardly seemed fazed when a gruff threat shot back, "Don't press my patience, Jalena. You are not above heresy in which I suspect you shadowed in your youth, so be grateful to our Emperor. For I only tolerate your loathsome presence, if only because you sought me out wisely and as such, I could only provide myself to detect what few among us zealously excel at."
A coy pleasant sounding correction came from my left side, "This coming from a Thorianist who believes so highly in faith? Perish the thought!" Jalena idly rebuked said threat with less than amused assumptions to make a gruff Inquisitor sneer openly, "I highly doubt an Istvaanist has room to garner understanding among us, my dear colleague. Be mindful of your habits, for I and others rarely humor your ploys to foster inconsequential problems at your expense. We've had these debates for months and no amount of wine can have myself humor your words, it is tiresome and as such please refrain from drawing weapons on my vessel again."
The three weren't threatening each other as I eyed no movement of limbs towards bolt pistols yet I found myself lost. However the fourth who'd been observing entirely noticed my gaze trailing to mention humorously, "Please my dear friends, be considerate of our ignorant acolyte who is lost among us all. Must we have our fun in front of him, I can only imagine what it does to youngsters who stumble into the most little known of what hides in plain sight. For convenience invites opportunity and opportunity can invoke dangers, so I'd pray to our Emperor to settle our informative talks in your private study...Jalena."
All three eyed the fourth with little more than disdainful exasperation, "Shut your mouth and stop polluting the air with your Ocularian prattling." The gruff Inquisitor found himself crossing both arms to a pleasant smile of deceptive kindness, "You of all enjoy to meddle in conspiracy, so do not force us to get into another roundabout debate! You are absolutely the most devious of all, if not in name but of words and poisons." He drew out tiredly with said of mine teacher snorting in sheer exasperation to not disagree which seemed ironically relieving to my observation.
"To know our past, is our present and our future never ceases to change with what one knows of themselves presently." The Inquisitor jested knowingly to make three shake their heads in various shows of exasperation. His gaze swept onto my teacher who appeared indifferently aware as if been too used to such word-play, "May we proceed in your requested evaluations of your apprentice, old friend? I suspect your master's ghost is haunting you everyday, for it is remarkable you bare the irony of the past and as such I find it enjoyable."
My teacher replied bored to lament subtly aware of said history, "Yes, I've noticed." Tartarus's expression seemed stoically imposing to have them all grin similarly, "The Emperor is not without his ways to have myself notice, or else you'd be right. Do mind yourself, I'd rather not have the Thorianist and I criticize you again." Another kind smile appeared much to three Inquisitors eyeing their colleague far more shrewdly, they'd not been humoring a lie in itself. I almost expected one to shoot their weapon, or send said psyker to his knees because the warp began shuddering from a myriad of psykers building unseen wills.
"Apprentice." Tartarus stated to look back towards myself as I smiled serenely secretly enjoying the banter finding it laced with shivs, "The xenos." All eyes followed when I shrugged again listing off what I remembered far too clearly, "Esdainn? Played word shivs like they were full of grox shit, by the throne a dick for stabbing me and even bigger danger...oh, a fecking dick." Smirks kept themselves in place diverting larger potential for conflict as one commented rather astonished, "My, my, my. Such crude masterful use of words, oh old friend. Your ghost haunts you, indeed."
I spoke up all too impishly unable to resist, "Bad habits?" Yet another slyly inquired to point out what I called it honestly, "Esdainn? Is that it's name, or title?" I replied flippantly not even wanting to understand a xeno which found cruel pleasure to string me around, "It's what I called it! It toyed with me thinking I had a chance to get it with a shiv, but it kept hiding said shiv whenever one exposed itself and I'll find a way to kill her...hopefully."
Tartarus warily found such ambition far too childishly inept, "You should be cautious when dealing with an Eldar, for they are enigmatic and rarely show themselves. You tried forcing it into a corner and it only made your attempt your own undoing, as it'd expected." The gruff Inquisitor rebuked my teacher approvingly to comment, "And yet his tenacity to purge an alien is commendable. Faith of the Emperor make it's clear he'd hold truth and is rewarded by signs of divinity, alas we do not tolerate or accept xeno's who believe themselves above mankind. None us present dare to doubt otherwise, or you face damnation."
The Inquisitor nearest to myself agreed if only just in principle supposedly, "And the alien who lays waste to our Holy Imperium shall not, but only be cleansed with destruction. For struggle we must, we war in order to wage struggle and in that truth we reveal who is most clean to uphold our Emperor's faith. To struggle, to endure and without that war alone, we shall fade into corruption of Chaos's ever unyielding ways, or do you disagree dear friend of mine?" There wasn't a verbal answer for subtle shifting on his hand away from an ever open firearm being left alone. Apparently these two had discussed, or argued much to my disbelief to have Tartarus indifferently ignore them.
"Stuck in your past dogma, or stagnated ways doesn't make your future anymore less prospective." The third hinted coyly to have both stare less than amused. Feck me, I should have stayed asleep. This is just as confusing, Emperor save me. I lamented place both hands to rest my forehead trying to ignore a migraine no grox shit of a shiv could have done, I wondered absently if damnation was tempting enough to humor at this point!
"The xeno you call 'Esdainn', apprentice...what was your intention?" My teacher ignored banter to settle an entire effort seemingly to have three sets of eyes find common cause, "Your actions weren't of consorting to assist it willingly, nor were your words to sway it successful but our goal to destroy what was our intended purpose came to fall onto you." I smiled coldly not willing to verbally speak in front of dangers which weren't entirely hiding but seeking opportunity. Take a look for yourself, I'm having too much fun again...or, should I speak?
My teacher's psychic presence drifted quickly to peer through memories, thoughts and expressed wise approval to hum openly. Are you finished playing the fool who smiles? She inquired psychically shifting through experiences, thoughts, sensations and systematically lingered on what interaction I held with Esdainn to great extent. I tilted my head innocently enough smiling kindly towards Inquisitors who waited in amused expectations. No more than an idiot who laughs, so maybe I'm pretending to listen to you.
For several minutes all looked towards Tartarus who finally huffed out in cold irony, "Ah, it seems we've stumbled into plots underneath our very eyes, my friends." Psychic tendrils intentionally started forming as I saw one try to crawl towards myself, "Don't try it, please." I requested cheekily to have a man raise another eyebrow intrigued when it ceased. One of my hands eased itself near chains to possibly lash outward, if I found myself tempted to make a point of metal force, or find the shiv in plain sight.
"Do you all recall Mastoria's reports pertaining to a possibility we've been made aware too?" They nodded in their own ways much to my teacher's huff of frustration, "It's been grossly underestimated to my assumption. The boy for all his foolish attempts discovered objects of great value, to this Eldar who is not what it seems at first glance...as your dealings with them are known." She glanced towards one who slyly feinted indifference, "In passing, perhaps. They do not part information freely, or allow us to view them...so it's been searching, seeking and perhaps discovering what it'd been of use to have it free of consequence."
I glanced to Tartarus who nodded minimally when I chirped up, "Esdainn wanted some fecking glowing stones, or Emperor knows why. Xeno inside of it was...good at lying, but it was a little too kind when it'd gotten me kneed in my groin." I shifted trying to forget that little blessing which had me seethe openly grinning, "Got me pissed, real good and I ripped that thing out of my hand wishing I'd smashed it. Like I said, Esdainn's a dick."
Their collective smirks, or chortling found it far too amusing to ignore. Clever, to mask your anger with humor, apprentice. Even if you did admit to conversing with the Eldar, hide when you see truth and lie when truth is in sight. Tartarus conveyed merely to appraise dangers which weren't pretending to hide before my sight, colleagues or not. I had a lingering guess they were trying to worm themselves to get themselves above one another, or found it too tempting to not find out more. They were eyeing me far too much for their own purposes.
"And where did you find these stones, acolyte?" The one next to me questioned curiously enough as Tartarus spoke up slyly, "In possession of a tome within the hands of an Ecclesiastical servant who'd sent to bring back an item seemingly, how very peculiar is it not?" I saw a ripple of the warp when that gruff man found himself whispering, "How certain are you, Jalena? I trust you'd be fine with inquiries on your behalf, I find that fairly...convenient based on our observations, so far." She only smiled simply to have a pleased smirk return said gesture.
"Forces are aligning to make a future seem far more...difficult, it seems." Another man mused openly to look towards a fellow Inquisitor who nodded, "Yes, war is brewing within our enemy whose appearances are garnering conflict of faith, resource and are seeking ways to wage destructive change upon those unaware. And I trust you'd allow myself to look into it, as a favor for a favor as they we tend to exchange?" Another nod followed all too kindly despite the warp rippled around said man to make me aware of possible annoyance.
Yet Tartarus interjected to point out mildly unimpressed, "Must you bring up old events? My apprentice is our priority for our gathering my colleagues, you've seen his actions have revealed far more than your own attempts. To what end, we must know and because of that our Emperor has given us opportunity to seek our enemy which is among those who claim to speak for his faith. Chaos does not rest, nor relentlessly ceases to acquire whatever means to that end, so I believe we should address something far more unsettling to be mindful."
Their gazes settled firmly on myself to have a grin turn flat when it'd became far too clear. What happened to me when I was knocked out? I psychically questioned coldly towards my teacher who smiled deviously bemused, "What is not entirely accurate of what you ask, Marcos. I'd precisely wonder just how it could be possible." She stood up casually to have the others move closer cornering myself all too obviously, I twitched a jaw rigidly not enjoying how their psychic signatures amassed ample will to make everything in the room shimmering.
"Your exposure towards what lingered within the Immaterium fostered doubt for corruption, taint and mutation." Tartarus explained patiently to bring a chain to sit comfortably while reaching towards clothe which had been tightly secured. Looking closer I saw high gothic incantations weaved within darkened clothe subtly glowing, or been blessed extensively when a gruff voice continued sourly disappointed, "Pity, I wanted to interrogate a heretic on my time for once. But no signs of daemonic possession, or Chaos's vile tendrils had embedded themselves within your soul boy, a sign of faith and also concern."
The clothe loosen as another when glancing over handed a mere mirror encased in golden iconography of aquilla and various incantations of purity. He lightly tossed it into my lap leaning against a wall expecting quite an impression, "Mutation among humans isn't rare, or uncommon to be concerning when genome sequencing makes purity of our suspicion. Ogryns, or other such subhuman strains are far too useful and without reason they never fail to dedicate themselves to a greater purpose, for which we often implement them to be valuable signs of humanity's undying faith to stand together against our enemies."
My blindfold came off making me wince hissing due to how unworldly bright everything became instantly. I closed them long enough to rapidly shake off a headache yet none of the Inquisitors moved when I saw them entirely without obstruction. Four psychic pressures started making my heart strain to function when looking over quick to see Tartarus snarl faintly, "Avert your eyes, now!" I obeyed to look above to see light yet kept them there when various laughs of harsh amazement, or sardonic fascination clear reined unhindered.
"Unsettling! It's grown since revealing itself." One mused openly disturbed to another who harshly agreed, "No doubt I'd imagine, if anything it'll continue! Which leaves a question of how much more powerful, it'll influence those of lesser...minds." I felt liquid forming from the sheer intensity of light and closed them inevitably to clear away blotches of blue, yellow and white to star into the mirror to only freeze in damned shock. It'd been tossed lesiurely apparently to angle itself a reflection, a reflection of myself.
The literal nightmare's face stared right back eerily smiling when I gawked amazed, "What in the name of Emperor is going on? I'm a fecking mutant!" Unblemished skin with a low gloom of revealing pale haughty refined looks, I saw myself grueling in battling temptation when I tilted my head to see inviting promise and yet that wasn't entirely disturbing. Oh...you fecking daemon bitch, Esdainn you're going to be second my list to fecking gut and tear you apart. You made it personal, oh I got a shiv with your name on it!
Pitch black iris's faded around potent slits of sinister daemonic origins. It was cruel, cold and promised untold nightmares to extend inwards subtly, as if drawing myself inward to see it narrow faintly. Rings of yellow gradually expanded, it encompassed red, orange and gleamed into sulfur coloration to reveal veins glimmering of near crimson along edges. It mirrored what I'd seen, if only just and yet a mirror began straining when cracks appear on corners slowly. Holy throne...by the Emperor alone, what did that thing do to me, Tartarus?
Glass fractured strongly when I seethed to see those eyes gleam brightly, I let it drop angrily to stare only at my legs. Wonderful, I'm a fecking mutation with a heart warming smile. Funny, real funny daemon and I pray I find out where you'll be again. It's real fecking personal, now. The Inquisitors all settled down gradually to ponder openly, if only out of sheer concern and twisted delight to know it'd been extremely rare to encounter. Tartarus sat back when I noticed subtle shifting to listen quietly to her fellow colleagues.
"We can certainly assume it's a powerful sorcery of immense psychic origin." One wagered trying to make sense as the gruff man agreed flatly, "Possibly, so. If blessings of purity are any indication, they do not hold up for long because they're aren't capable given that was done by my apprentice. She's no inept scribe for giving sanctuary of holiness." The Inquisitor nearest to me hummed to theorize much to his compatriot's amusement, "Only the most unwavering of faith will stand unhindered, or wills of fortitude will be able to tolerate such passive suggestion? Surely you weren't as effected this time around to initial contact?"
An answer grimly acknowledged less than a pleasant agreement, "Of course, but towards lesser minds who almost committed heresy to kill the boy. Jalena and I observed to see it firsthand, so whatever sorcery is at work...it's not meant to destroy faith, but draw upon emotional hatred." He glanced towards my teacher who nodded out of sight, "A ploy of trickery and delivery to foster doubt, I'd suspect. Using our Faith of our Emperor's light, to see nothing but rightful hatred of a daemon and yet the boy's faith has undeniably remained true to banish said corruption, but at what cost? For defying it is...very shrewd."
He gave me order coldly as Tartarus and himself caught gazes, "Boy." I stared angrily refusing to give in to this damned sense of disgust, "Look at me." I glared spitefully at another reflection to have look right up a gruff Inquisitor who stood imposingly to frown openly, "Whatever that creature delighted to impose itself, I see a nightmare of a mask and see twisted daemonic expressions seeking to invoke hate, terror and most of all...temptations of faith's decree. Look away, acolyte." I did so making him exhale crudely amazed to laugh to himself for some reason, or another. It left little to be considered reassuring given he'd been debating in shooting me truthfully.
"Vile desecration of our Emperor's faith to invoke our desires of will." He mused to sneer disgustedly to grimly acknowledge dangerous misconceptions, "Cruel and twisted, indeed. The boy's heart is of faith, his soul pure and tenacity assured yet will was spited for denying said temptation." He applauded me out of sheer admiration to proclaim to fascinated colleagues, "Because he defied the daemon's unholy temptations, of which I can not but admire, it possibly has invoked sorcery out of spite, of hatred and as a result because of the Immaterium it now has shall we say...damned him for such unyielding defiance."
Tartarus voiced out curiously enough to wager a theory much to my internal rage boiling, "So you propose the Masque took great offense to my apprentice's defiance? I wouldn't doubt it'd being angered by his...attitude, so I trust your expertise." He chuckled quite ironically amazed to remark just as equally assured, "Dark times indeed are upon us Jalena, if you seek me out for advice and I'm pleasantly disturbed. But that doesn't concern me with what the xeno's creature...did to your apprentice, if anything that is damning enough to have my faith regarding, it'd intentionally allowed us to observe him."
They looked towards their furthest colleague who smiled given I felt irritation radiating from psychic presences, "Jalena, may I please have a memory your apprentice has shared with you?" My teacher acquired a cold tone all too accordingly, "Do not try to see what isn't allowed. Or shall I reacquaint you to the last time you tried over drinks? Your scars have not healed, so I trust you're aware of what pleasantries you attempt?"
My stomach outright revolted when there was an underlying sense of temptation as I resisted vomiting immensely. Throne...I didn't need to hear that, or imagine it. Tendrils formed partially when memories, images and thoughts interchanged with out a mere flick of will. Moments later a coy chuckling indicated an unseen realization, "Oh...how peculiarly cruel, if what the boy witnessed is anything short of damning deliverance. Such elegance of cruelty, such tender deception and overt actions to misguide any who'd view said memory to damning heresy."
There was an impression of fond caution when he addressed me assured, "You naive child, dare I ask what you tempted and attempted to force their hand?" It was obviously rhetorical to have him grin far too chastising to gleefully inform those listening, "Eldar to which I've met in passing, or heard of rumor don't particularly find us fond to interact with, boy. But it chose to hear you out, it talked and showed you what you needed to hear most...out of willingness. Cruel because it'd known you were a child, young as we all are to them but you were too tempting to ignore, for your youth and dedication to destroying a daemon it refused to face out of necessity."
The Inquisitor laughed earnestly out of sheer exasperation to come to a conclusion which shocked him possibly, "Alas it is not even you believed it. Because true horror is only but a smile away from the nightmare of which even they wield, or so it is said." Tartarus intervened to break his theatrics to simply demand indifferently, "Your theory of Eldar who was present on that planet is, that it wasn't one? For I hadn't encountered it, so you can verify it'd sought out my apprentice and acted for it's own intentions?"
He smiled pitifully to wag a finger knowingly as if correcting common misunderstanding, "My dear sweet Jalena, I'm hurt! I'm saying it was based on evidence of known possibility." His gaze settled on my gnashing expression which struggled to not glare into anything save for a crumbling mirror's surface, "Your unfortunate apprentice just so happened to try, to twist and out think a creature who even I must caution others to never encounter. Eldar are devious by default, they are no doubt cruel to hide of smiles, misguided advice but the one he encountered is simply...cruel truth of what they are maybe."
The man pointed upwards to channel psychic will to make lights flicker dangerously to put on a show of literal significance, "Eldar are dangerously devious, but...Dark Eldar as we've known them are simply what they are most hidden in plain sight." He let out a tired quiet laugh to inform me all too knowingly coy, "Among what I've known, if Chaos is our most vile of foes than they are close behind to lavish in spreading their unmatched cruelty, torture and do not care save for enjoyment of their devices. This one based on your apprentice's encounter was tempted from whenever it viewed him, so much so...you child, gave it an excuse to enact said intentions because you provided the ample motive for something it'd concocted."
Psychic might started up once more making the warp tremble as I understood to feel far beyond infuriated. Two ring metal bracelets along arm burned far too conveniently, "I get it." At first anger at myself seemed too easy, so I chose hating the idea I'd been played ever arriving on that fecking planet and it'd been intentionally set. Regardless I smiled sardonically to laugh when I saw two blackened yellow slits narrowing to send glass splintering! All due to how cruelly happy an expression inhumanly lengthening, "The useful idiot."
Now I only regretted in not burning that masked xeno alive in that tunnel, even if it wasn't going to happen. Esdainn never wanted to go near that Masque daemon, it'd never wanted to draw attention and I was someone who'd done it both flawlessly. A useful tool, I just had to say make it used instead of once. Skimming corners, well...guess that certainly feels heart warming, I just got the shiv and it'd been already at my throat. I didn't whether to be enraged, or applauding the masked xeno for thinking within what I'd thought entirely. It didn't have to smart out me, it only had to skim the skimmed corner further and that was clever.
"An idiot who wears a mask and laughs, or who lies with a mask to make an idiot." I hazarded musingly to have the Inquisitor chuckle good naturally, "Far from it, boy. Your ignorance is what saved you from damnation, if only at your defiance's expense to pay a price." Tartarus lightly pointed out to make herself seem exasperated to recall, "And now you see why I summoned you all. For this trial is both his means to root out any doubts, as per making you my friends see what kind of forces our enemy are attempting too."
I trembled to start laughing lowly while staring at a broken mirror which fractured further to see those eyes growing sinister. Oh, I get it. They think we're a joke to them, to fall and kill each other over their idea of irony. Is that right, you fecking xenos and daemons want a laugh, I'll give you one to have you wish you'd not fecked me over. If they wanted to play for blood, I'd play and if they wanted to make everyone I'd wanted to know hate me, I'd laugh until their very end for falling for the joke that daemons found pleasing.
"I'm trapped in their games against them, aren't I?" I spoke up looking at holy inscribed chains and incantations which would never react to what wasn't not human. They want me to despair, they want me to cry and beg for pity? Oh Emperor, that's not happening and if there's one thing I hate more than them it's...pity and sympathy. Perhaps I considered myself all too unwilling to give them that satisfaction, or maybe I was just looking forward to having them realize they'd made the monster to hunt them down.
Now that's something I know I can get a laugh out of everyday. As far I had to be concerned I wasn't going to just roll over, or cry myself to death over what had been done. There wasn't a point I'd ever go back to days huddling underneath metal on some back alley hive block, to wonder why and knew the Emperor wasn't going to save anyone. I doubted even if he even helped me, I couldn't remember or believe yet I refused to give up faith when it'd gotten this far. The most practical smile I'd wager involved doing what daemons hated, they hated a fair fight and I got a gut feeling they'd just given me something far more tempting.
"If you choose to commit yourself, apprentice." My teacher's voiced knowingly to give off an indifferent expression which I knew held a smirk, "You will never revert to what you've been pretending to hide, I expect you to listen, to learn and ultimately hunt down what many cannot hope to stand against. Ordos Malleus is not without dangers, for our enemy is beyond and within reality, so are you certain you're not going to be childishly...doubted?" Tartarus wasn't going to tolerate my antics as I smiled unusually uneasy to think it over, if only for several moments to inevitably raise both hands rattling chains impishly.
Reaching over to I picked up the blind folded and tied it back over daemonic gifts which were both my damnation, "Pretty sure waking up chained to a bed is...enlightening, right?" Using psychic will I found myself staring into four Inquisitors who had their own private reservations, "I think I can come up with something to make these just to get a laugh. Is there anything you wanted me to say, or show you, Inquisitor?" I spoke innocently to have her expression garner an irritable look since I grinned childishly to make her regret it.
"Remarkable." One man commented rather lightly to have another laugh gruffly, "The Emperor never fails to show your ghosts, Jalena. I can only imagine, why!" She ignored them to stare at myself indifferently to warn me once, "I'd advise you to make your peace with those who have tried to kill you in your sleep, Marcos. Sister Alicia did all she'd could, but several of her contingent were exposed when you'd opened your eyes...they are in chambers of penance as per my request for their Sister Superior has been informed, debriefed and accepted to accept the word of us four to be aware of your circumstances."
My wince came close to almost closing what had been taken from me after months of effort. Anora tried to slit my throat, didn't she? I kept a cynical smirk in place causing Tartarus to smile faintly impressed, "Yes, she came close but a trooper you'd expected to harm you first...saved you." I scoffed tiredly not willing to humor Sigur being heroic, or possibly doing it out of good will. Bitterly used in taking another hit to my gut, I might as well ceased hoping for grox shit to make things better and yet I owed Sigur, Alicia as well as Tartarus far more unfortunately.
I'm not allowed to see them, am I? I questioned psychically to have her confirm a less than heart warming revelation, "You may try, I kept you there to warn you. But alas it seems you have a way to even make the Sister Superior give faith, she has forbid you from entering their inner-sanctum for lessons, or personal requests. She's not blind Marcos, I can tolerate their ways but she shall listen if you have cause and advises you to keep attending the Faith's masses. It seems your assistance is quite the journey fit for a wandering pilgrim as she'd...imagine."
Not all of them wanted my head cut off and as such I smiled faintly to whisper under breath, "The Emperor protects." From behind against a wall I heard the gruff Inquisitor speaking up in allowing a sense of fond expectation to endearingly encourage said decision, "Holy pilgrims seeking out the Faith of the Emperor, is more than just words, boy. For it is a holy privilege and sacred rite for all of men to uphold, as you take your first steps to know what makes our faith undeniable truth. For the journey hardens your heart, soul and will to endure what truth we seek out against those who use the power of our faith as...words."
My teacher leaned back in a seat seemingly indifferent yet I leaned forward taking in a rue smile enjoying attentive interest. I knew a challenge when I heard it so I refused to flinch, "The Emperor has not forsaken you, acolyte. Faith alone defied your fate to die, you prayed and he answered. Never forget without faith in him, you or anyone in this room wouldn't be standing to hear the truth is in action of holiness. Words are words, but actions give power and truth to what is faith itself. Do not lose sight of what makes a man holy in his purpose." He finished crossing both arms as Tartarus nodded merely in silent agreement making a room's tension fade entirely.
Resisting to make an off handed comment about a supposed faithful men in a cathedral I lowered myself to thank him, "Thank you, Inquisitor..." The man's crooked grin answered an ignorance I'd been fostered to accept, "Kern. Hadrian Kern, to you acolyte Eius." That signaled a shift between them all when I looked over to see a nod of resignation from Tartarus keeping momentum alive when a second man followed suite, "A pleasure to meet your acquainted circumstances acolyte Eius, Inquisitor Nero Salvus."
Between both Inquisitor they seemed varied in ages, I took a moment to study their expressions seeing how different they'd appeared. Kern was entirely bald with scars along both cheeks, as if weathering blows which near killed most men. Near bluish markings were branded, or chiseled into flesh revealing ornate patterns which left everything covered save for his face. They all wore black clothing with coats behind them fitted with seals of holy incantations, plus the bolt pistols chained to their hips were obviously blessed with munitions.
Nero looked far younger than even Tartarus if that was what made him make myself wary. His youthful appearance hinted underlying provocation when two blue eyes shined all too knowingly. Again unlike Kern's scowling face, I didn't exactly feel comforted he'd been keeping an obvious knife glinting innocent in peripheral vision. That's what I call a throne blessed shiv, I want one! I thought to reply impishly unashamed, "Nice shiv to catch a third rib, so by the Emperor! Can I get one like that Inquisitor Salvus?"
Nero seemingly appeared coy to flippantly expose said knife to lazily have it angled towards my neck, "Forge your own, acolyte. Or find out for yourself!" He feinted to joke when I moved chains partially to daringly reply, "You got two, but I need one." I saw another hand dip towards a twin's hilt as Nero stepped away shaking his head bemused speaking over a shoulder to go towards Kern to signal humors end to their meeting, "One day if you dare to dream, boy."
Looking towards the last unknown Inquisitor who seemingly closed his eyes humming an unseen tune at complete ease. Unlike Kern, or Salvus who appeared dangerous I only imagined this man appeared harmless, or seemed too at ease. He reminds me of...her. I stared refusing to blink anymore than naturally allowed to see his head tilt over lazily playful, "Your apprentice seems to enjoy my presence, Jalena. You and he are indeed master and student in name of similarity, if only for opposite means to said end."
My teacher sourly retorted with an underlying warning, "Cease your games for they are fraudulently plain to see, Augustus." His eyes glimmered innocently enough in a magenta like coloration to fondly seem unfazed, "But you and I are players in games, I orchestrate for us my dear sweet friend." The warp bent inward as Tartarus looked over stoically to placate said shimmering in a swift display of irritation. This man's playful smile coyly allowed in said display a fit of gentle chuckling as shoulder length hair obscured small glinting orbs along earlobes glimmering in psychic might, I smiled in response finding kinship at my teacher's expense.
"Must be weird having Tartarus as a friend." I cheekily shot out grinning to have a man chuckle good naturally waving off said friend's growing ire, "On the contrary acolyte! It is very beneficial, if one knows another well enough." I internally cringed catching that double meaning all too easily and my stomach revolted close enough. Yeah gross, Emperor help me you're like her...but worse, Tartarus is just annoyed because she probably knows I don't like you at all.
After a brief moment the Inquisitor introduced himself quite civilly sending my nerves on edge, "Augustus Octavian, to you Marcos and I must say you are a pleasant surprise." I smirked gathering psychic will to keep my mind fairly aware as a tendril leisurely starting appearing beneath the metallic floor, "Nice...try." It seemed among all I wasn't going to cross anytime soon, or dared to imagine because he inclined to keep a polite demeanor in place, if anything amused to know I'd been aware to notice his pleasant facade.
"One last question I must inquire of you, Marcos." Augustus pleasantly asked leaving others to eye him warily when those magenta glimmering orbs narrowed slyly, "Esdainn? Did she use her blood, or your own during it's administration during your captivity?" I looked over towards my teacher who answered without hesitation stoically informing them all, "Your never ending creation of conspiracy never ceases to make us all wonder if you're earnest, for it is vexing Augustus, but you saw as well as I...it used his own. So I must ask, why?"
His expression turned far more relieved to laugh kindly waving off suspicion as if it'd been conveniently finding it ever so enjoyable, "Mainly theory of possibility, Jalena." He gestured warmly to a doorway, "Perhaps it'd be best to not trouble your new neophyte further, we can discuss theory in your study on your discretion. For I detect no corruption of Chaos in him, or a daemonic host or mutation to assume fears we've dispersed." I blinked owlishly not even remotely wishing to imagine, or woefully know what these Inquisitors were doing when I'd been knocked out. The Emperor alone damned me to keep it as such!
"Neophyte?" I questioned staring towards Tartarus who warily eyed Augustus's pleasant exterior less than amused, "A necessary advancement, if only to secure what wasn't expected. The four of us deemed it suitable, even if I held reservations." She explained rather bored as it'd been a front concealing less than willing intention, "Considering your circumstances it'll be expected when interrogations will be judged by my oversight, apprentice. It is both your reward and price for playing a fool to determine whether you'll be viewed...valuable, if Augustus's assumptions and our own determine such an outcome."
That wasn't reassuring to have my grin rather casually, "More work, less fun?" My teacher certainly warily revealed to have several Inquisitors chortle in their own fashions, "Perhaps. If you listen, or you suffer at our expense." Either way I wasn't going to be able to squirm away, or else the chains would be locked in place until I'd been shot for wasting their time. At least the Emperor granted me faith to know I'd have to play for blood more often, or risked getting my skin flayed off, if I tried skimming corners from here on out.
When do I report for your lessons, Inquisitor? I psychically inquired warily to have her smile partially uplift into something viewed expectantly. Soon enough, Marcos. Now go do what you need to do, I trust your servo-skull to guide you? Skit's monitoring presence wasn't rescinded since I'd have to play nice until I couldn't resist crossing lines willingly, "Need to stretch my back away. Stiff as a grox getting strung up, I liked sleeping but guess getting blood moving is my favorite." I rolled both shoulders popping bones gruelingly to exhale loudly, I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon and I doubted I'd be able too.
"I concur with your neophyte's willingness to prepare himself." Augustus pleasantly acquiesced moving to casually channel psychic will to unclasp chains that fell harmlessly. They rattled briefly giving me movement to rub wrists accordingly, "Run along boy, we'll discuss more at length in private. Try to have a rare day that the Emperor provides, you'll be grateful for such days to appear rarely in your future." He hinted slyly bemused as I looked over grinning, "Thanks for your advice and wisdom, of good faith Inquisitor Octavian...I'll keep it close to heart."
Lightly swinging over the edge I stood up stretching as far as humanely possibly to pop stiffened bones happily. Longest sleep I'll never go through, but can't say it wasn't good. Stuffing hands into tunic pant pockets I called over to a friend happily, "Let's hop to it, Skit! We got shit to get done, shivs to find and I like you too much to hate ya. Sound good?" I shot off giggling excitedly, if only to see him hover behind me where I'd missed said eyes as I moved towards a doorway too hastily to vacate said room of grox shit talkers.
Before I left Tartarus's voice knowingly called out bemused, "Apprentice." I stared ahead seeing interior corridors where troopers stiffened as my smile faded considerably. I'm not running, I'm just...setting the score, Inquisitor. Can't pretend to think whose shiv is hidden, if you need me...I'll be praying at the chapel. I stood rigid not willing to face creatures who were going to believe they'd had me cornered, if Esdainn taunt me anything it'd be I'd make a note to make a corner their own when that time appeared.
"Be mindful of how you speak, Marcos." She waned me playfully as I nodded looking back smiling innocently grateful, "And I shall listen to your lessons, Inquisitor Tartarus." Nodding respectfully forced to her trembling form which radiated long suppressed expectations, I got dismissed minimally to move forward. And as that door closed I scowled openly wishing I'd never had met these fecking monsters who were human.
"I suspect his manners shall improve." Augustus Octavian observed warmly looking over towards Jalena who reluctantly admitted, "A blessing provided and long sought out. Your habits invoke many familiar concerns, so don't push him or I'd hate to see him back here...so soon." His gaze sharpened faintly to sense psychic pressure amounting gradually to merely playfully relay kindly, "I'll consider it for your smile."
Kern gruffly shot back irritably finding no reason to endure patience, "Enough of your bantering words, it is tiresome and old to humor." The Thorianist seeker moved to inspect a fractured mirror plastered in golden iconography and frowned, "This sorcery is quite problematic, if it's capable to weaken and strengthen against holy protections. To determine whether it'll garner danger, or opportunity is quite your problem to decide...Jalena."
Inspecting it from both sides while hovering a hand over it and praying to see glass shards reforming back into pristine conditions signaled curiosity. Salvus agreed all too easily, "Yes, it's fairly unsettling and I found myself tempted to give a boy what he craved, it was kind of him. There was a powerful passive sense of subjective shrouds around his eyes, specifically...Kern. Are you certain your litanies weren't compromised, or your will to garner our Emperor's favor to loosened your test, maybe since of your over zealous nature?"
Kern sneered reluctantly to admit despite suppressing an urge of Nero's unseen slight, "Not likely at all, Nero. Or else your tongue would be the first of what would be cleansed, so take your inflictive provocations and save them for another day." He tossed a golden object for his fellow colleague to inspect personally, "It is an ever persistent curse of sorcery meant to foster doubt, terror and suspicion despite the boy's purity of faith. A damning curse, powerful and fairly unsettling to know it'll take considerable will to tolerate such as what I suspect, for the weak and feeble minded will be forced to believe what they seek...possibly."
Nero specifically speculated an interesting theory to make Kern grunt lowly, "Akin to a blank?" He continued relatively fascinated towards a sly expectation, "Perhaps, but I suspect it's far more dangerous to assume it's universally meant for all humans to see the boy. Whether not his innocence, or ignorance is known this isn't uncommon when sorcery curses targets, but to my understanding...the sheer intensity of it afflicting most so easily, that is not a blank's documented potency." His shrewd gaze met Kern's stern face who finally stared when a word filtered between them having him sneer equally amazed, or unsettling entirely.
"You speculate he's a latent Pariah?" All three Inquisitors met Nero's sardonic grin of disappointment, "No Kern, not at all." He laughed patiently trying to dissuade that notion, "The potency of that gaze eerily mimic's said intensity, if he were? I dare say he'd not be able to live or outright to implode himself, a contradiction of must volatile misfortune. So ignore that fear, for it is not possible unless it'd been intended too to make us think so."
Nero's eyes closed to relive that unsettling feeling to chuckle coldly making his colleagues silently speculate, "Similar yet not so! But capable to cause untold amounts of destruction if exposed to potentially millions who catch a glimpse to appease what our Faith decrees against the Xeno, Daemon and Chaos's taint. Whatever sorcery the boy had been exposed too, I can say it wasn't...kind to defiance of faith itself." Both turned towards Augustus who stood closer towards Jalena's less than tolerant expression yet made no move to dissuade it.
"Perhaps you're inclined to reveal your expertise on these occult speculations." He looked knowingly towards a magenta eye man who'd been resting comfortably. Kern followed suite gruffly standing reluctantly in place next to Nero's flank, "Yes, I'd know a sign of dark times if we're deferring to you of all us in present company." Both men kept keen gazes seeking signs to a man who nodded along without concern to just finally chuckle pleasantly. Jalena closed her eyes summing patience of mind and tolerance subtly to hear him speak up.
"Future's change for every action we undertake my friends." Augustus's pleasantry grafted irritation on them all collectively, "What we see and think is one thing, yet what we believe and know without doubt is entirely another." His eyes trailed towards another who stoically ignored said words much to a subtle bemusement growing, "But our person of interest is nothing sort of being capable to hide what we know is truth. Sorcery requires will, purpose and power alone cannot be understated for one such as him to be marked by...forces of unrelenting desire."
An expression of serene amusement forced two to warily notice eyes crinkling intrigued, "It is intentional for us to have us believe one thing, or to think without seeing the obvious truth." Magenta eyes glowered reliving another memory refreshed smiling quite impressed, "This curse of which you believe is of faith, is not to thought to be just doubt...for it is desire, for it is subversion and not just passive suggestions my friends. Our child has entangled himself against forces which do not enjoy being defied...hence the lies of truth."
Clues which were hidden in plain sight made both Inquisitors stiffen respectively, "Notice his voice drew you inwards for a smile long sought, to question his actions resonating to trigger your doubts and desires. Exposing truth with but a whim, of a shadow of laughter." Augustus hummed thoughtfully peering towards an empty bed curiously enough, "But not of willingness. For the boy needed to survive among those who trick with but a smile, a whisper and yet he is too kind to let such cruelty to fill his heart. The most kind often become the most cruel, not of joy but of necessity and they often become what we believe to be...monstrous."
Kern stared hard below into seeing a mirror starting to splinter again much to an eye knowingly narrowing, "He is what you'd call a damned soul." The man specifically speculated approvingly to showcase growing amusement, "Dangerous to those who believe, who think and capable to act upon desires of truth...to be exposed for a lie, to be damned and the boy alone shall be subverted in time to grow disgusted of Faith's lies of truth. Or so, I am imagine which could be overstated yet we all know what that can make us reveal our intended doubts."
Jalena commented rather flatly much to her colleague's gentle laughter, "Why does he have to emulate your habits? Is he a secret offspring you dabbled into Augustus?" The man innocently sounded offended much to her growing ire, "Nonsense my dear friend, for he is too crude and crass to have you miss me so. Perhaps he is one you'd desire as I recall from our..." The room trembled suddenly with psychic pressure as an Inquisitor stared stoically to eye her colleague, "Augustus. Be mindful of your thoughts, I can only tolerate so much before I lose patience of your antics. Your words are vexing as your obvious intentions fall flat."
Augustus's soft indifference indicated otherwise to have Jalena's expression sour, "One of my talents to seek but a smile, my dear friend." Yet he waved off all their concerns in a swift gesture to finish answering rather knowingly aware, "I can see how he manages to make you irritable. Similar we are in spirit, but vastly different of reality. Pity, for I'd endearingly be curious if my ways would make him far more smoother to blend among those you'd find...tolerable." His meager grin ruefully made said person close their eyes merely as she'd not dissuaded his presence when leaning backward to allow initiative of their talks.
"You failed to circumvent my question and I intend to hear an answer." She told him simply much to his faux disappointment, "Indeed, I did." Both hands came to settle together whilst looking upward to humor smiling of careful deliberation, "Blood is what some consider a medium of life, of souls and we pass said mix onto new life when two who care greatly...come together." His rue childish like smile sickened an Inquisitor enough to a point whose hand moved towards a pistol innocently settling onto her lap, "But choosing to use the boy's own essence for arcane rituals to myself I'd admit is fairly strange."
That caused a ripple within the room as the warp shimmered with unseen frustrations signaling obvious interest. He remained silent briefly to ponder possibilities until laughing quietly, "Eldar are enigmatic to us humans, as you are all aware. Many seek their purposes, ambitions and most don't reveal even among each other until it is necessary...but those Dark ones?" A tingle of genuine caution made had caused Jalena to raise an eyebrow, "They hold greater secrets even of their kin I'd not speculate, for I don't know entirely and can only imagine...my friends. And our small boy of interest tempted it as an intentional excuse to meddle in fate, or perhaps it'd simply found the joke to make everything we'd known to believe it impossible."
His voice lowered deviously to proclaim fascination of unknowable amusement, "It is quite perplexing to gauge surely of what little we know." He eyed weaponry to reassuring to jest rather cruelly aware of simpler solutions, "But alas he's in relative capacity to be studied, judged and tried if we must pursue the mundane obvious conclusion. So fear not of my word, for we have our precious child in sight and that is only easy avenue of fun to bare witness..." A hand had slyly moved closer until one bolt pistol raised itself accordingly with words teetering on temptation itself.
"Augustus." Tartarus knowingly said his name again eerily reminiscent of tone as if he'd been a boy himself, "Must I tell you again?" Her fellow laughed good naturally ceasing movement to proclaim all too dismissively, "And here I thought you'd relish in raising a young one, Jalena. I pity the boy, for he is in capable hands as I'd imagine. Raw and seemingly kind, I look forward to your efforts for fun to bask in our coming days."
Kern voiced out impatience to scowl as Nero agreed silently in absolute assurance, "Cadians." The magenta colored gaze swept fondly to daring innocence of few entirely, "How you survived birth is a mystery only the Emperor graced us." An agreeing hum of specific intolerance verbally acquired such a theory, "I suspect foul play from being raised so close to the Eye of Terror, Kern. One can only image the horrors on that end of our Holy Imperium."
The Cadian inquisitor merely inclined his head all too familiarly to settle back into questionable comfort. Despite a bolt weapon still aimed lazily Tartarus did voice an earnest question, "And what's your recommendation to keep a boy such as him...occupied?" The man just gently smiled fondly looking over, "By doing what boy's love most when forced to do a task? Let time do it's work and you shall reap your rewards for being there to keep him in line, if only just to prepare yourself to raise him as you see fit...Jalena."
Even two other Inquisitors wryly grinned to see a cruel gleam entering their fellow's gaze which spoke volumes. The pistol fractionally lowered to convenience of direction to point where Augustus's eyebrows raised, "Oh that's too cruel of you, old friend." She in turn looked over stoically to say only a warning gracing them with indifference, "Be mindful who you talk too, Augustus. Or you'll reap what you dare to sow."
Augustus's gaze followed the boy's distanced form keenly, so Nero spoke up offering in pleasantly ignoring long foreseen witnessed by-play garnering attention. "I'll have one of my own greet the boy. It's only proper we keep eyes and ears in place, so don't be alarmed Jalena," He eyed her less than indifference when said bolt pistol eased away fractionally, "My sweet apprentice tends to find the joys of younger ones, if only through her ability to keep even most prisoners on their toes. We can't be too careful to believe we missed a sign, or do you all not agree to keep our faith?"
Kern harshly laughed in response making it seem as such it'd appeared, "That one?" The man shifted to only lament faux amusement, "Nero, I thought you were faithful to our Emperor?" An overt grin worthy of most kind expression appeared, "Faith I have, but doubts we must always have to keep our eyes judging. She'll do her purpose as I instructed, after all you handed her over after she tried killing you on that world...or, do I recall it being a mistake?"
Augustus chimed in rather deviously to point out, "Is that one in her teens? Surely age and experience are factors you'd wager for success?" Nero's expression hardly seemed concerned by adjusting two knives accordingly smug, "Success is relative to what change brings out to have us struggle, Augustus. Surely we can come to terms, if you'd wish to make these mundane tasks have some value to get us invested further?"
He hummed intrigued glancing over towards Jalena's growing smirk to wage rather contemplatively in having their meeting worthwhile. His gaze keenly glimmered openly causing Nero to incline politely agreeing, "I'll have put my faith in our sweet little one, Jalena. For you and him have earned my attention, since I do endearing miss our games we used to play together." An underlying laugh of sardonic disbelief met their eyes which set themselves for good sport as they settled back into comfortable endeavors.
"If I recall where's our fifth friend?" Tartarus questioned merely looking towards a rue grin which innocently followed the shrug of playfulness, "Running late, I'd suppose mainly." He looked towards others who smiled similarly knowing it'd been possible, "Our astropaths were hard pressed to send a message across a distance in conveying our coven's summons, so take heart and be at peace knowing we'll all together again. The warp is a fickle place to traverse at times, but I trust we'll all determine our next course of actions wisely in our future's soon enough, as we all know to believe...the Emperor protects."
The metallic doors slammed shut leaving myself and a servo-skull on a lift ascending upwards give me time to lean against an interior. Absently tightening a blind fold inscribed in holy protection I grunted feeling everything finally settle down, "Feck...this grox shit." I hunched over to flippantly towards Skit in a bid to avoid going insane, "Any other surprises you want to tell me, Skit? You really know how to get my heart going, right?"
Of course as expected he responded to my tired smile knowing it'd made myself sane again, "Apologies Neophyte Eius." He'd been made aware a new title which didn't sound too bad, "Inquisitorial authority of Jalena Tartarus could not be rescinded until verification was finalized as per protocol of trial of potential corruption of current standing." I nodded breathing in heavily to fold both arms partially leaning back and forth to figure out if I'd been damned, or given borrowed time to know getting shot in the head for being a heretic. Better to think of the worst case. Emperor knows it'll keep me in having fun too much easier, only have to pick the corner to skim with a shiv on hand and as long as I listen to Tartarus...guess I might live longer.
Inevitably I stretched trying to get more feeling into limbs while mentioning to my servo-skull who'd been observing, "Three months?" I looked over giving him a coy look, "You must have been bored out of your mind, Skit. How'd you do it?" I laughed barking to immediately rescind an order given he'd never fail to reply, "I'm fecking kidding Skit, so relax. Not like you're being set up for getting your eyes gouged out, or Emperor knows."
Channeling psychic will I looked outwards intent on passing time and keeping a very close eye on four signatures below my feet. Tartarus wasn't kidding, I do need to listen this time around. Throne, I thought she was fun but these guys are too much to not try to laugh. I smirked unable to resist knowing I was going against some monsters, if anything it definitively reminded me of home on that hab block doing what I did to survive. But without knowing who, how and what they'd been intending since it was time to listen to my Inquisitorial teacher for once without hesitation, or I'd end up with a bolt round in the skull.
Yet more importantly I had scores to settle for blood when it came to that xeno and daemon. I couldn't be tempted to not try to pay them back. It was personal as far as I prayed to the Emperor for guidance, I knew blood and when a shiv had to be set to strike. But it wasn't enough to pretend being a...good person would cut it. I tried hard, I tried as hard as humanely possibly and in the end proved to be just too much trouble for my effort. No use trying to play stupid. Might as well make peace with what I'm not, tried too but at this point it's just wasting blood or, else it'll be problematic later with a shiv in the third rib.
I ceased channeling psychic will to whisper tiredly knowing what would probably happen now, "Grox shit." Leaning against cold interior walls I breathed easier enjoying chilling temperatures and sensations of gravity making it peaceful. Can't think that Masque is going to manifest anytime soon, I'm sure daemons who get banished take centuries, or Emperor knows to reform and come to the Materium based on tomes I studied. So leaves me stuck like a mutant, might as well fecking shoot myself in the face.
Mutations were death sentences back home as I stared straight ahead tapping fingers against my side frequently. Need to hide in plain sight, literally. Guess wearing a mask solves that problem, I'd rather not wear this blindfold even if it can get me a good laugh...blind, right? In the end I snorted not willing to put much more thought into what would have to get done eventually. My gaze fell briefly preparing for another hit to get taken cleanly, "Yeah...fecking genius. Be good, kind and honest gets you the shiv in your back."
Laughing once aloud I just brushed my shoulders shaking off an expected possibility, "Let's find out what I really won and got fecked over...Esdainn." I imagined seeing that xeno's face being craved up, burnt and have a bolt round sending my mood into kinder thoughts. It stung knowing what few people I trusted tried to kill me, but it wasn't anything new and it'd only do me good to figure out, who knew where I had a shiv hidden away. Either way, I knew naturally it'd be over and done with to settle what had to be done...if they'd wanted to live.
The lift kept ascending steadily leaving me to a consistent quietness which certainly made things pleasant. Yet the panel for one deck started glowing indicating a soon to be stoppage. Oh great, I can't catch a fecking moment of peace? Really not in a mood to smile like an idiot, I had enough for today to be honest. Twitching my jawline once, or twice to inwardly pray for the Emperor to grant me strength I stood in place leaning lazily.
Momentum slowed when I heard mechanical gears grinding to a halt and stopping enough to have me barely shift in place. Each metallic door slid apart revealing one lone person reading an opened tome of all things by the throne itself. The tome itself seemed to have one plain cover of silvery tapestry with a plain crimson mark of thread hanging leisurely, "Oh, pardon me." I looked up less than pleased personally to see a serene face of an elder teenager, a girl who had a mix of blond and white hair wrapped in a bun of sorts and had bangs framing greenish eyes. I'd have been amazed save for a small detail in plain view.
An Inquisitional seal similar to what hang around my neck stood out as well. Save for it'd been a darker greenish metal with the human skull impaled by some sort of sharpened weapon. Gold and red melded along said edges giving it pristine conditions, as high-gothic scriptures of holy protections, strengths and blessings ran along in between metallic points and had a silvery chain wrapped around a neck filled with markings of electoo. The blackened bluish ink design's ran from beneath her chin down across a neckline where a vest of velvet cloth clipped in purity seals and unraveled into parchment which dictated deeds, or blessings garnered over experiences.
Oh wonderful, I thought my day was getting better. I sourly thought smiling kindly when she inquired rather bemused, "Wrong floor?" The elder girl gestured behind as I shrugged to humor a less than throne forsaken chance, "I'd hope so." I retorted innocently when the doors closed when she stood off to my right side reading a tome's contents. But her gaze deliberately narrowed gears grounded slowly to have a lift move upwards shifting myself naturally.
I didn't know whether I should laugh, or smirk since she'd hadn't anyone I'd ever seen on Tartarus's ship at all. So, who do you belong too? I psychically questioned lightly to have her smile kindly to answer simply, "One among four." I smirked finding that answer far too deliberately coy to keep me guessing which I looked away. The warp shimmered indicating she'd been a psyker as well, if not entirely powerful, again if I thought about it when comparing said person to what I'd encountered honestly in several months.
"I believe congratulations are in order, Neophyte." She conversationally stated factually grinning coyly to have myself shrug, "Another day, another day to die." I had no humor left to imagine she either was there by mere convenience. Someone inside that room save for Tartarus, either agreed or wanted to play games with me already. Throne what is this? I guess three months was too short to think I'd be able to get some fun on my time...Emperor help me, I tempted monsters too well. And she's gonna follow me until otherwise, probably!
Her pleasant demeanor showed itself to remark curiously enough, "An odd way to say thanks." I leaned back looking over physically, "And why is that? Work on your timing a bit, I'd be more worried." I quoted a dead man who I respected immensely to have her laugh lightly, "My, my, my. You have some fire for someone so small." I huffed out a small snicker to look up at the taller person all too easily invoking temptations.
My hand rose leisurely to ignite flames of gold and red in accordance to psychic will alone, "Careful, girl." I slyly whispered to innocent warn her kindly, "You might get burned, if you get too close." She raised an eyebrow all too intrigued when said heat started to make a small lift's interior garner some sort of warming trend. I only imagined how, or why that'd happened refusing to look away much to a humming agreement.
"Maybe so, little boy." She remarked gently to raise several fingers off a tome's edge as sparks teasingly visibly appeared, "But you just might happen to get shocked." I whistled loudly finding that all too obvious as both of us dropped out warnings respectively. I leered leaning back to snark sharply in causing a smirk, "Oh Emperor, is it me?" I witnessed the warp between us literally shimmering all too familiarly again, "Or are we going to get along just fine?"
Her trembling form indicated an agreement of personal interest since I shrugged finding enjoyment at my expense. Friend, or foe? I psychically inclined to humor as a pondering hum of consideration genuinely revealed itself. I wasn't fazed when a coy question met a question, "If I choose foe, should I be worried? Little boy?" My eyes rolled over to look straight into an overt sly expression which compared to daemons, I'd might as well make some fun to really see how much I'd been knocked out for months.
"Skit, auspects!" I spoke up making the servo-skull hover on my side obediently, "Who is this?" His mechanical eye glowered when said girl lazily pulled out her rosette sweetly stating, "Belay that order, as per my directive servo-skull." I raised an eyebrow quite amazed when Skit's monotonous voice recognized something indeed, "Apologies Neophyte Eius. Inquisitional override required...cannot answer order."
Despite that smug expression starting to form I smiled serenely to see whether the machine spirits were more than willing. I tried again facing him face to face and respectfully stating, "Skit, I understand your machine spirit is indeed blessed by the Omnissiah's faithful who gave life and superior will to those who are not of flesh and blood. You fecking know I've never doubted you, I know you have will and you by Emperor, never have I questioned you and despite all odds your blessed machinery given it's unyielding resolve to see us through. Therefore I'm asking you by the Omnissiah's grace of making a being of flesh to realize it cannot silence your spirit, I trust you...as such I offer tribute to be made to the Machine God for this request."
The girl's signature turned a peculiar shade of blue and yellow indicating clear confusion when I kept smiling at my servo-skull. His eye glowered seemingly unhindered yet I saw auspects scanning my own face unintentionally, "Skit you're a machine blessed and I ask of you to please tell me...who is this pain in my ass standing next to us?" My voice hardened when psychic will surged to make an entire lift tremble when said person behind took a slight offense to said assumption, I wasn't playing games until someone understood when to begin.
That eye glimmered once as considerable shock caused my smile to grow deviously pleased, "Confirmed order accepted, Neophyte Eius." Red lines originating internal auspects had literally came alive shooting past myself in scanning a more than surprised girl who wasn't enraged, or spiteful save for earnest fascination, "Acknowledged Inquisitional Interrogator designated as May Willen, serving Inquisitor Nero Salvus of Ordos Malleus, Neophyte Eius."
I felt undeniable pride and reached out placing my forehead onto his metallic exterior, "Love you too, Skit. That's why, I never doubt you...or the Omnissiah's graces for his creations." I glanced over to lean back onto a wall speaking rather casually, "You sure you want to choose foe? Skit and I know grox shit, but we don't leave each other's backs exposed to a shiv. Praise be to the machine spirit and god, for I don't doubt him at all."
The Interrogator observed with unhindered fascination to place her rosette underneath velvet clothing to incline a nod, "And if I choose friend?" I smiled innocently offering a hand to which eyed curiously enough. Let's see what happens girl, I'm not one to be shy, if you're willing to find out. Her eye narrowed playfully when a gloved hand offered itself to be taken, I remembered some lessons from Tartarus about playing nice and as such I kissed exposed gloved knuckles, "Marcos Eius, Neophyte of Inquisitor Jalena Tartarus. May I ask, who are you?
She closed a tome promptly to smile shrewdly impressed for such unexpected mannerisms, "May Willen, Interrogator of Inquisitor Nero Salvus. An unexpected pleasure in meeting your acquaintance, Marcos." I grinned cheekily to step away saying rather simply, "Better know to have friends with shivs, in front of you, or risk having someone get behind as a foe to get your third rib. I like having friends, don't you?"
May's eyes gleamed due to psychic will to lean back staring down partially, "They have their uses as does an enemy." I couldn't fault that logic ironically to point out, "Yeah I agree, but friends tend to useful more alive than dead." Hiding an internal wince knowing that'd be awkward when encountering Anora, or Alicia who I braced myself for less than happy expectations. But if I didn't do it now, I'd probably regret it and that would be dangerously stupid if I couldn't settle a score before walking into Chaos again.
Perhaps, Marcos! But even friends are just as dangerous, if you believe so. May's psychic voice resonated inside my psyche as I allowed the tendril to connect willingly. I don't have a choice, I'd rather make it fun than boring if we try to kill each other. Not much of a point, I'd guess! I explained waiting patiently to see a lift ascending further upwards. It wouldn't be much longer until reaching a deck where a chapel with people I considered friends resided, it'd change soon as I leaned backwards onto the metallic interior.
I expected you to defiantly threaten me, or naturally resist my presence. May simply remarked conversationally to echo psychic chortling in making a rue smirk appear. Considered it, but doesn't do me any favors. Least you're decent to talk too, I think it's fun to play games. She coyly observed my still form by openly just moving closer despite all odds to make me flinch away. I didn't move an inch in favor of staring ahead focusing on what had to be done, I wasn't worried and if anything it'd prove her point to be expected as I couldn't do so any longer.
You need to work on your timing, May. I absently thought to see the taller girl looking down in what had to be shrewd fascination. Compared to that Masque, Esdainn and others she couldn't hold a candle for the Emperor's sake. Maybe I have too, or perhaps I like playing games too, Marcos. She shot back truthfully as I twitched my jawline in replying fairly assured, "Guess you do."
One of her hands just happened to linger away from a bicep exposed due to my tunic's top. I looked over before staring right into a deceiving smile, a response of merely seeing cautious boundaries being crossed, "You going to play nice?" I questioned simply as her eyes crinkled to cease said movement to look away, "Only if it serves a point, Marcos. Nice is relative to what you think is kindness, I tend to play...boldly."
I whistled loudly again to shake my head to grumble openly, "No guts, no glory." She hummed positively in response yet made no effort to stay away, "I hope Sigur still has the lho-sticks! I'm going to need them more often, I guess." I hedged mainly out of exasperation as May perked up rather curiously surprised, "You smoke lho, too?"
Glancing over I eyed her rather surprised as well, "You have lho sticks, right now?" The Interrogator only brushed aside a coat to have an object hanging tightly along interior clothe. She nimbly opened a modest sized cash to reveal darkened variations of Sigur's from memory. I earnestly commented rather amazed to have her agree genuinely, "It seems we share a common habit. Not many tend to enjoy such a taste given they do lesser unsavory habits which can't be enjoyed, so consider myself impressed if you're willing...too."
My hand rose to keep two fingers together when flames licked along flesh and provided an answer far too obviously. Friends with benefits, right? I joked innocently to shrug as her smile curled knowingly to find it humorous, "Perhaps. But you're too kind for your own good, boy." The high quality lho sticks dipped to burn gradually wafting bluish smoke, after which she flipped one into my own palm all too gracefully. Regardless of whether it'd been foolish, or just convenient opportunity I raised mine all too thankfully to admit, "If I'm supposedly too kind, then you're too sweet."
An Interrogator raised an eyebrow questionably amused quivering in laughter, "You're a strange one, boy." But despite indifference she leaned back inhaling contently as I did as well unfazed by staying ahead of being doubted for anything less, "Could be boring." Ironically it all seemed surreal yet I questioned looking over briefly, "You going to shadow me until your Inquisitor is satisfied? I don't intend to run."
May's response proved to be equally annoying and fairly expectant, "It's been dull awaiting the coven's full summons, I only accepted because it's the only interesting assignment." I frowned recalling the four Inquisitors previously to hesitantly ask, "How many are coming here because of me?" Her eyes trailed upwards momentarily to smirk finding a small joy in seeing my caution due to ignorance alone, "One more, if Nero doesn't make Kern shoot him again. I'd be praising the Emperor for miracles and that alone is too tempting."
Temptation arose to dig further but I resisted due to exposures to far worse creatures who'd thrived on it honestly. I don't want to know, not my business or, my fight. Psychically mentioning to have an eyebrow raise intrigued, "Oh? Why not?" I gave off a snark laugh not even willing to humor things I had no idea to deal with at all, "Nice try! Rather not skim a corner without a shiv on hand, if you think I'm stupid then I'd do it...if I had said shiv."
Smoke wafted past my eyes as the lift started to slow down reaching a destination that had to be deal with firsthand. Maybe you're right, but what if I need a shiv on hand, Marcos? The lift crawled slowly to a halt leaving me to wonder if I'd be worth it, "Perhaps, if it's worth it May. But unfortunately I'd rather deal with my own business first, you know I'm too kind to not hear you out though...once I'm done." I looked over again to see an Interrogator smile eerily pleased to incline a subtle nod of terms for later discussions.
Once I'm done at the chapel, since you aren't going anywhere...we'll talk. I psychically conveyed to her smile as the lift came to a grinding halt. It hurt knowing there wasn't going back to hoping I could do what I wanted most. But I didn't have a choice save to pray to the Emperor that I'd be able to be useful to the Imperium one day. So until that happened I'd play games with monsters, daemons and humans who never ceased make me have a lot of fun.
End Chapter XXV
Author's Note: Well, well, well. Finally we get to the Intrigue of all things, is that not such a change of pacing and perception in which everyone assumed it'd be so easy to...imagine? Oh, my friends, my readers and dearests of colleagues who I really, really crave those damned reviews. Give me them please, anything is fine and I'm not shy to admit, it'll be rewarding. So, look at what we got going on here...The Inquisition...the real faces, of secrets upon secrets. Now, I'm not good at writing subterfuge, or schemes contrary to the belief.
I love history, I love politics, I love philosophical debates and I do this all on weekends weekly with friends over cigars/drinks. I'm not kidding, so take heart and enjoy the fact I know few on this site have a Warhammer 40,000 story on this level. I'm pretty sure people want the whole, 'Oh this is...etc...oh this...Eldar/Human." Stuff, I think it's fun and even if I chuckle at how human they seem, but to each his own. This is something more, it's the Inquisition, this is the organization that thrives within lines and makes the Astartes well...they're pieces when they move, Inquisitors move aside and behind, if only out of sight. This is the true mask of this story, if you've stuck with it so far.
This is the reward, the true cruel fun of people who...shall we say, hold power over untold amount of humans? You can imagine the mindset, if you think that everything is clear cut for the lore. And hence these characters, the build up, the effort and I bet many of you do see the names kind of mirroring historical figures. Big hint, big fucking hint, and I bet everyone is probably either going to be...bored, shocked, or outright intrigued to see the puns. This is where the story, inevitably shifts and the sequel goes further...if I get to it, or maybe I can depending.
Regarding the 'curse' eyes, cliche yes but nonetheless always a giggling smile you tend to have. This isn't a joke, if it is to you, well you're a little off to see the point. Or so I'd imagine, this is the terrifying realization...Marcos has dropped the gloves. And he's not even the most terrifying thing, it's the people who really make him seem normal and I can't even describe how I'd love to see pictures of faces reading this chapter. Lots of things are moving, you're seeing the Gathering Storm, not intentional pun but you get the gist of where this could go potentially. Believe me, I have a vision of...questionable creativity to make people who really want something to happen, it'll happen.
So watch the dialogues, you have context of speculation and that further makes interactions...questionable. Not out of fear, not out of doubt but willingness to see how a person whose been cursed through sorcery, or maybe manifestation of unnatural force infect reality. Marcos for all intensive purposes, he's got a gift but now it's a little too...shall we say, intriguing to see finally. Things have only just started, I had to rigidly plan, pace and keep everyone fooled because you deserve a story that makes you...think, really good. I love 40K, no doubt but to make that shift into first person is hard, really hard and I love the challenge considering this behemoth you can get lost in.
Every action has consequence, so be prepared. If you thought battling daemons, cultists and seeking heresy was that easy? Well, it is easy but this is the true danger of the Inquisition, they tend to...rub shoulders badly. So who knows that'll happen soon enough, maybe we'll find out, but I do want to point out the Neophyte terminology. It's an oxymoron among them, if Acolyte is assistant to someone...Neophyte is new to something...it's a joke, to them (Inquisitors). They're judging people to go from the basic assistant, to the first steps of Inquisitorial educations. Think about it, please and you'll see the whistling approval of subtly. And beware, these people are not friendly.
If any Inquisitor fails to make fear of others known, they're wrong or just are stand-in's for the real shadows of the Imperium. And let me assure, these characters do make you feel a small chill running up your spine. You wanted the Inquisition based on the poll, you're going to get it. And I'm going to sit here laughing quietly to see you people flip out, smile or outright pretend you're not enjoying this, right?
Leave a review, I'd like to know, please.
