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The Furnace of Aalyana
My sisters had fully kitted themselves out for the Bishop's visit. Their armor was polished and repainted. Purity seals reapplied, and flapped in lightly in the breeze. I myself stood with the other new members just adjacent to the Furnace of the Aalyana. Aaylana was what this world was called. It was named after the Rogue Trader that discovered it and marked it for compliance during the Great Crusade. The Planet itself wasn't all too important. An agriworld with a large half built hive city. It catered mostly to ships that were stopping off to refit before exploring the Typhoon Straits. The region boasted many resources though it was filled with a myriad of hazards. Ork Raiders, Chaos Warbands, the works. Think of a smaller Maelstrom Zone.
So this world was important but only as long as access to the possible wealth of the Typhoon Straights was a destination for rogue traders and miners. Looking at the Typhoon Straits at night often gave me the chills. The way the long purple tendrils looked like backwash of giant ship cannons tearing holes in reality was very disconcerting. Of course, knowing the giants that walked the galaxy millions of years ago, I am not surprised such damage could be done.
I took note of the room, seeing many of my sisters and several ecclesiarchy personnel. The Bishop had arrived being escorted by the canoness herself. He had two individuals with him. He was what you expected, a big hat and voice box pressing into his neck replacing his vocal cords. He was skinny even under his robes, he looked like he could use a bite to eat. Unless he was fasting. That was a thing the priests did. Strangely enough there was another man beside him. He walked up with the Canoness grasping her hand and saying something along the lines of thank you. It was hard to tell.
I found it strange when she gave him a deep bow. I realized he was wearing a similar light robe, same as the newer members of the order wore like myself today. A simple white robe for the ceremony of sticking your hand into the furnace. He had another woman with him. An old lady who I hadn't seen in years. The same old lady from schola. What was she doing hanging out with the Bishop?
I was distracted as the man walked over to us, I was surprised to see how tall he was. Around six and half feet if I had to guess. He went and stood next to me.
"Is this spot taken?" He whispered. I took note of his jet black hair and excessively pale skin. I figured him for my world if his skin wasn't nearly translucent. Voidborn? Or maybe an underhiver? He seemed very well fed for both possibilities I would admit.
I shook my head allowing him to stand beside me. I looked back over to the Bishop. He seemed a bit nervous, but otherwise looked ready to witness the ancient ceremony. I turned my head to see Cally giving the man next to me an rather appraising look. I elbowed her gently. She blushed and snapped out of it.
The Canoness approached us. She stood there a moment taking in those that wished to stick their arm up to the shoulder into the inferno. Then she spoke.
"You will approach the fire one at a time if you desire to. You will not be judged if you do not participate on this day." There was a note in her voice that made her sound genuine. None of that if you don't do it, you're a coward crap in her tone. She continued. "I, myself, only stuck my arm in the flame not a year before you were properly inducted. This act is one of the few that is not for your sisters or the rest of the Imperium. It is a personal covenant between you and He-on-Terra. When you decide to make that covenant is up to you." Her voice was especially calm, yet stern.
"Those who wish to step forward, do so now." There was a long pause. Many of us were suddenly unsure, including myself. We were doing that thing where you are waiting for someone else to go, yet everyone else was also waiting for you to go.
The Canoness was about to speak, when quiet as a mouse, Cally stepped forward. It was a cautious step that evolved into a purposeful stride.
She quietly walked up the furnace and rolled back her sleeve. There was a moment where she seemed to hesitate before she took a deep breath and plunged her arm all the way to the shoulder into the furnace's golden flames.
She held it there for a long moment before pulling it out unscathed. She looked right at me. I smiled. I was impressed. I gave her a quiet thumbs up and she beamed. She made the sign of the Aquilla at the statue of the God-Emperor followed by everyone in the chamber. She was then ushered to stand next to the Palatine and the others who had already taken the plunge.
The Canoness looked back at us. There was another long pause, before the man who stood next to me moved forward. He too stood before the massive everburning furnace. I could see his broad shoulders rise with the calming breath he took. Then he too stuck his arm into the blazing fire.
There was a long moment. Before he pulled out his arm, untouched by the flames. He looked at it for a moment, before looking up at the statuette of the God-Emperor and making the Sign of the Aquilla. He moved to stand beside Cally. He whispered something in her ear. It would be a while before I learned what it was.
I thought for a long moment on whether I should go up there. I knew the God-Emperor was indeed a God of sorts nowadays. But was that the true faith that Cally and the dark-haired man processed. I knew Emps was one of the best hopes humanity had of standing against the darkness and the continuous shitstorm the Imperium was constantly mired in.
That hesitation allowed for someone I didn't expect to step forward. It was Ventra. It was the first time I had seen her do something before Tanya or without some silent approval from Tanya. She stuck her arm in without the hesitation of Cally or the Robed Man. Her dark skin was completely unharmed as well. Ventra seemed pleased with herself before making the Aquilla and being ushered to the side.
Still I looked down the line of us standing there. I looked for the most likely person to have participated. But Bell wasn't there. Where was Bell? I suddenly subtly started looking around the room. Was she in power armor? Some of the sisters wore their helmets, and I didn't see Bell's face. I searched for the only thing that would stand out and that was her eviscerator. Did she join the repentia? No, I looked over toward the back. She wasn't among them either. Where was she?
I took a step forward. Using the excuse of approaching the flame to search the room more.
I caught the Palatine's eye. I mouthed the word, Bell, as I passed. Her one organic eye raised as she immediately started looking around in earnest like I had been. I would let her deal with it. I focused on my dilemma in the meantime. The whole existential "does knowing without a doubt do to written extradimensional knowledge count a faith," playing in my mind. There was really only one to find out. I had to be sure even if it cost me an arm.
I took a breath when I was about five yards from the furnace when the roar of a large chain weapon could be heard. The dark-haired man who partook in the ritual, He was still standing next to Ventra and Cally, had leaped back with cat-like reflexes as an eviscerator nearly bisected him. I heard Bell growl and shout in frustration. The Canoness had drawn her own chainblade in an instant and Bell screamed a bloody war cry at the challenge. She charged the Canoness in blind fury.
The Palatine wasn't far behind and engaged in the melee as well. Bell lacked their experience but made up for it in sheer savageness. I reached instinctively for my ax and bolt pistol, but I remembered I was only in a light robe and felt a bit under armored considering I was not three yards from the whole affair. Many of the sister's present with bolters in hand had moved up and were waiting for an opportunity to fire, but couldn't due to the possibility of hitting a friendly. The problem was Bell was holding her own. Her armor had taken many blows from the superior fighters of the Canoness and Palatine, but it was her incredible ferocity that kept her in the fight.
They moved toward the furnace until they stood right next to it, slowing briefly to engage in more blows yet never allowing their feet to stop in one place for long. The Canoness and Palatine had to be careful as Bell's eviscerator would cleave their ceremite into them with barely a bite. Bell's armor was full of brief but bloody cuts, where she managed to twist out of the other blades. It was like she suddenly gained years of experience along with her madness. Then the three of them locked blades. It was only an instant but the odd angle of which they blade locked caused the three chainblades to break apart and off balance all three. The Palatine's and Canoness' going to the side, with Bell's shooting straight up into the air. It was a rarer occurrence than it should have been considering how bat shit chainblades were to begin with. A bladescrap as they were called, did happen once in an odd moon.
If they hadn't been wearing power armor then the blades would have shot from their hands. However Bell ended up in the better position for a recovery. Simply having to bring her massive blade down before they could bring up theirs'. Yet in that vital moment she was still off balance and I reacted before I could think how bad an idea this was and ran, I leapt toward Bell. With a painful shoulder bash, I sent her stumbling back. She tripped, falling back into the flames, but not before grabbing me and pulling me in after her. Her eviscerator bonked out her remaining hand as it hit the edge of the furnace and bit in and flew off like a slingshot.
I didn't even have time to go "Oh, frak." as the flames enveloped me.
I fell into the ash. I could barely see as the flames licked at my face as I heard a screaming voice. I thought it was my own until I saw the flames violently licking at the power armor of the mad sister. She was grasping at her armor which was starting to glow in the heat. I looked at my own flesh to see if I was burning too. Perhaps my nerves were so damaged that I was just not feeling the flames? My robes seemed to be the only thing burning. Since I was fine I went over to Bell who still thrashed, wailing in agony.
"Bell, If you're still in there? Now is your chance to fight the daemons that possess you. The Emperor's flames will not hurt you so long as you fight them with every fiber of your being."
Bell continued to scream but didn't thrash so much anymore when I risked setting a hand on her shoulder pauldron. There was a moment where she stilled and I thought she was dead. Then she sat up and unclipped her helm. The burns on her face were a mix of second and third degree, and the fire seemed to lick around us even hotter. Yet I could still see, hear, and felt fine, Bell had stopped burning. She reached down and unclipped her bolt pistol. I saw some sort of warp essence leak out of her eyes and was consumed by the flames.
"Thank you," she whispered and blew her brains out before I could stop her. Her body was purified and turned to ash. The plume of the white ash billowed out from the armor and ceramite clanged back against the furnace walls as the flesh inside was now absent. The ashes seemed to dance along with the flames as it rose out of the smoke stack.
Her power armor was heavy but I managed to drag it out. I wasn't sure if having the powerpack remain here for long was a good idea. I set her helm on her breastplate. Closing my eyes I said a prayer for her soul. I meant it. It didn't matter what information I knew about the Emperor. Here and now, he was indeed a god. Better the souls of the warp go to his side than any alternative I could think of at the moment.
I didn't even notice the crowd looking at me in awe as I exited the furnace dragging out Bell's armor. The Canoness approached warily. I stood at attention.
"Canoness, Sister Bell died free of the daemons that possessed her. She took her own life." I said. I couldn't help but let slip a note of sadness in my voice.
She looked at me for a moment, before regaining her composure and making the sign of the Aquilla followed by everyone else present. I followed suit as well.
"May her soul reach the Emperor's side." She said, and I nodded. Then the Palatine threw a blanket around my shoulders and I realized my clothes had been burnt off and I had been stark naked the whole time. I was only slightly embarrassed.
"A miracle!" the bishop shouted as he approached. "You threw yourself bodily into the flames and were unharmed!" Not exactly how it happened.
"Forgive me, Excellency," but the true Miracle was Bell's redemption. She died free of the Warp's taint." Everyone looked at me funny. I realized that denying my role in the miracle in their eyes might not go over well. "Her soul was cleansed in the flames and I bore witness."
"Look at her armor." the unnamed Man in the robes pointed out. I was glad as it drew attention away from me. He was crouching. I took note of what he had pointed out. The Armor down to the visor and silver trim was blackened. Even the cloth tabard had not burned and had turned back, any notes of gold or color were completely gone.
"The damage taken during our battle has been repaired as well." The Palatine noted. She hung her head. "I should have kept a better watch on her. She was acting strange after the purge."
"Palatine," I came to her defense. "I too thought Bell wasn't simply adjusted to her weapon. It was the first time she used it in such a manner against such beasts of the warp in the sewers."
"Sister Ralynor is right, Palatine. Even I dismissed the possibility when I read your report." The Canoness laid a hand on the Palatine's shoulder.
"With all the preparations for mine and Bishop's arrival, I understand completely how this could have been overlooked." the robed man said also hoping to allay the Palatine's guilt.
"Who are you anyway?" I asked. Hoping to divert the attention off the Palatine for a moment.
"Ah, I suppose I didn't want too much fanfare. I am the recently elevated Cardinal Tandem." He said casually.
I went to kneel to one knee, but he stopped me. "Your Eminence."
He stopped me. "None of that at the moment. I am merely here on pilgrimage as a simple lay brother today. The Bishop was kind enough to aid me in that endeavor for the last leg of my journey."
"Sorry, Cardinal Tandem." I said. He moved to speak to the crowd. He asked that the ritual be continued. I was herded to the side with Cally, Ventra, and the Cardinal. I sensed a great many eyes on me after the affair with Bell. The armor was carried out reverently.
To my surprise Tanya stepped forward next. She stood before the flames and for a moment I thought she was going to turn away, but nope. She also leapt bodily into the furnace. I expected a scream but there was none. She walked out a moment later, her robe too completely burnt away. She walked over and stood next to me. One of the servants produced another shift like they did me.
The Cardinal leaned over. "I am beginning to feel a bit outdone." He joked.
I was wondering if I had set a new president from here on out. It seemed so as every sister who had come before the furnace had leapt in after like Tanya. Every single one. It must have been the holy fervor that spawned by Bell's redemption, and I suppose my own jaunt in the furnace. I like to think it was Bell. I still remembered the relief in her eyes as she wilted away. I don't think I would ever forget such a thing. I noted that several sisters bore the armor away on a stretcher with due reverence. It was probably going to the vault with the other noted relics of the convent.
I leaned over to Tanya, "That took guts."
"I couldn't let you of all people outdo me." Tanya said sourly. "And I did it for Bell." She added. "At least you were there to bring her back from the brink."
"I… I am just glad I was able to help." I whispered back.
"I am sorry sister," she barely whispered, "For my attitude toward you and… that day." She didn't have to spell out what day that was.
"Water under the bridge." I said, using an ancient Terran saying. I felt I meant it. My tension with Tanya always seemed to be more a mental hindrance than anything.
Tanya nodded, looking less guilty. I looked over at Cally who was doing her best to secretly and subtly look at the Cardinal. She caught my eye and I raised an eyebrow. She blushed at being caught out. I shook my head and watched the last of our sisters jump into the flames. There were going to be a lot more Golden Arms after this day. I wouldn't be surprised if our entire order, even the outposts, came here upon hearing the news to participate.
The Canoness' office was rather spartan, well for an official of her rank in the Ecclesiarchy. The gold trim that was in the office was just a part of the furniture and the Canoness did little to add to it. I sat opposite her in an uncomfortable chair. Her graying hair and lined face giving off a stern aunt vibes.
The Cardinal sat in a chair off to the side. His red robes of office, with a red biretta slapped on his head seemed too small for him. They might have been made for him on the fly by the Bishop's people. If he was posing as a lay brother, he wouldn't have much on him during his pilgrimage.
The aged woman from the schola sat there as well. She simply sat leaning forward on a cane as gnarled as she was. The Bishop wasn't here at the moment. He was preaching to the mass as a guest of the local Pontifex. There were some minor celebrations due his visit as well. This was most likely the Pontifex trying to make an impression on such an esteemed guest.
Anyway the Cardinal seemed to dwarf his chair almost, waiting patiently for Canoness to take the lead. Most likely this was discussed prior. I said nothing. Other than nervously sitting prim and proper. I resisted the urge to even scratch my elbow. I was allowed to change into my standard habit. The Canoness was dressed similarly.
After what was a long while, she leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. She steepled her fingers and looked at me hard.
"Tell me exactly what happened." She said coolly.
"From the start of the ceremony or…" I tried to think of the best place to start.
"The ceremony is fine. The Palatine filled me in on her suspicions on Bell's corruption earlier." The Canoness said. "Something she said you had an inkling of as well."
"Well I noticed Bell wasn't at the Ceremony. Well until she made her own entrance at least. When I stepped toward the flame I gave the head up to the Palatine that she wasn't there." the Canoness nodded. "Anyway she tried to bisect the Cardinal. Great reflexes by the way." The Cardinal simply inclined his head in acknowledgement.
"The fire, what happened in the fire?!" The Canoness cut to the chase.
I pursed my lips and cautiously continued and explained in the greatest detail I could manage what happened.
"You claim she was redeemed." The canoness said pointedly. "How do you know this?"
"It is hard to explain, but I felt it. I believe the Emperor's fire cleansed her. It came at great cost to her body. I saw in her eyes she was truly free by the God-Emperor's grace."
All three shared a look. I decided to ask my own question.
"Couldn't you see what happened from the outside?" I asked.
"No, when both of you were inside, the flames grew brighter and louder." The Cardinal said. He was a bit awestruck.
The Canoness sighed. She thought for a long moment. "What are your thoughts, Eminence?"
The Cardinal thought for a moment. "I warned the Bishop to not mention this. I believe this is a story that should stay within your order for now. The public at large believes the Sisterhood to be incorruptible."
"I see your point, but what about her?"
"Simple," The Old woman stated plainly as she looked right at me. "Promote her to Sister Superior."
"What if the Inquisition looks into the matter, Canoness Commander?" The Canoness' tone was serious. And my eyes widened in visible shock. That old woman was the leader of our entire order. No wonder I was inducted into the Sisters.
"There isn't much more they could learn that we haven't. Unless you think that the young sister is holding back." The Canoness Commander said. She turned her head and looked at me pointedly. I hoped I didn't look guilty despite being completely honest. Though I did have other secrets, I had been completely forthright on this matter. Her face softened.
"No, I do not." The Canoness said. "Sister Ralynor. You are dismissed." I made to stand. I bowed to the Cardinal and left. I was about to leave the door when I overheard the Cardinal quietly ask.
"What was the name of the sister who stepped up to the furnace just before me?" he asked. I didn't hear much more as the door had shut. Then the door immediately opened and Canoness Commander hobbled out.
I stood at attention. She waved her hand dismissively.
"Don't give me that, I am retired now." She said, I relaxed, yet impressed that she retired from the Order at all. It was quite the feat.
"It is nice to see you dear. I knew you would have what it took to be a Battle Sister." She said beckoning me to follow her. Her gnarled cane tapped loudly through the empty halls.
"It is also nice to meet you again. Though I wonder why such an esteemed Sister was planting flowers in the Schola garden." I asked.
"I like being next to all that youthful energy. You run about thinking missing a class is the worst thing that can happen to you. The innocence is very charming. And I like to make sure the teachers are doing their jobs." she said.
"To be fair, the threat of ending up cemented into the Schola's walls was a great motivator." I remembered. It gave me chills seeing such young faces sticking out of the wall in the Hall of Shame.
The Canoness Commander chuckled. "Perhaps you would have made a good commissar after all. I am glad to have nicked you from the Commissariat."
"Do the teachers really fight over students like that?" I asked.
"Certainly. They all want the best and brightest among the best and brightest." The Old Canoness chuckled.
"I see." I said, figuring it might be the true reason. Something told me it was something else though.
"I better let you get some sleep." the Old woman stated. "It was good seeing you."
"And you." I made the sign of the Aquilla. She made a half one with the hand that wasn't hold her cane and I left to go to my room.
I returned to my room, one I shared with Cally. She was sitting and staring at an old cast iron lantern which sat upon her nightstand. On her side of the bedroom. It burned brightly. The flames inside were a familiar golden color.
"Is that lantern lit with the Flames of Aalyana?" I asked. Cally startled and quickly shut the shutter on the lantern. She tried to hide it by standing in front of it.
"Of course not." She said as innocently as she could.
I raised an eyebrow. "Cally, have you ever known me to be a stickler for such things?"
She nodded, conceding the point. "I just found this old lantern in the basement the other day, when we were clearing space for the Bishop's servants. I thought it would look nice in our quarters and then I passed by the furnace and well…" She raised the shutter on the lantern. The room lit up a bit brighter.
I raised my hand to shield my eyes. "While I am honored to have the Emperor's Light in our chambers, could you keep it at least half shuttered so I can get some sleep." She nodded sheepishly. I felt bad, "It does make the place look more comfy, I will admit."
She smiled.
I remembered the last thing I overheard the Cardinal saying.
"Oh, I heard the Cardinal asking about you." I said.
She blushed. "Really."
"I didn't hear much, he just wanted to know your name." I said in a bored tone, yet laced enough to give off a hint of intrigue.
She turned away in embarrassment. I smirked. I quickly undressed and threw on a night gown before flopping into bed. At least Cally had a good night's sleep. I just hoped that my little stunt with redeeming Bell hadn't caught the attention of the Inquisition.
Bell, As I layed there my thoughts drifted to her actions. I found it odd she wasn't screaming the Khornate war cry like a maniac. She talked of Blood after the raid, it had to be Khorne. Yet her first contact with the ruinous powers was a Tzeetch cult. Her first target was the Cardinal. A death that would no doubt sow, well, chaos in the sector. The loss of morale would crush the planet. With the Cardinal's death hanging on the planet's populace, it would be a low point the enemy could exploit. What frightened me was the speed of her corruption. Just a few days? Something wasn't right.
No, I was looking too far into it. Still, such a target and the ferocity. It was just a feeling but something was no doubt going to happen. I just didn't know what.
The next day was business as usual. Until I arrived at the training grounds. I thought I was late when I arrived. The Palatine was there which was good. She didn't join the Repentia at least out of guilt. What was strange was everyone else was in parade formation.
"Attention!" One of them called out and they stood straight from parade rest.
"Sister Superior," The Palatine said. She gestured to the assembled sisters. "Your Sisters await your presence."
"Right," I said, hiding my nervousness. "At ease." I was so glad I wore a helmet as it covered up my embarrassment. I knew this was likely to occur. The old Canoness Commander had suggested it and even if she was retired, the Canoness no doubt acquiesced.
The Palatine handed me a new roset. I unclipped the old one hanging from my waist and exchanged it. I clipped the new one in its place denoting my new rank.
I nodded and stepped into formation. In the front, the obvious spot left open for me. It contained my squad. We got back to our daily routine. Now that I was technically an NCO I had to do a lot more shouting but otherwise the day went the same as any other.
I still had a nagging feeling in the back of my head that things were going to get a lot worse. I would look to the sky now and then. It was how I noted the Cardinal was watching us. I made no move to point it out. His presence might cause the sisters to hesitate during full combat training. Something I had to monitor now. I eventually had to face off against another Sister Superior. Got my ass handed to me in the long run, but I like to think I made a good account of myself. Hopefully I proved myself more worthy of the role in the battles I could sense were coming.