Small patrols of zealots in armored vehicles scoured the streets of Hyperia. Civilian traffic was halted and everything within 1 kilometer of the central spire was cordoned off to be searched. Normally, this would have been a herculean task which could have taken days… but that would only be if Leman didn't intend to be found in the first place.
When Leman and Melinda had reached the warehouse where Lucas was hiding, Melinda and her husband shared a teary-eyed reunion. He was left bruised by the beatings inflicted by the zealots before Leman arrived, sporting a large black eye. Thankfully, he was still well enough to stand and walk on his own and didn't appear to need immediate medical attention. The couple embraced, finding comfort in each other's arms amidst the chaos unfolding around them. Leman, however, was already anticipating the next and final stage of his plan.
"It won't be long until the Cardinal's men find this place and surround us. I'll barricade the entrance." Leman said.
"Sh-shouldn't we escape while we still can?" Melinda said.
"If you want to spend the rest of your lives running from the Inquisition and let a daemon-worshiping Cardinal continue to rule this world, then go ahead." Leman said, pushing a massive piece of machinery in front of the main entrance. "I have a plan that will stop the Cardinal and allow you two to live freely."
Lucas placed a hand on Melinda's stomach, and she grabbed his hand tightly.
"Alright, Enoch… but how are you so sure that the Cardinal will come here himself? Why would he not simply have his men storm the building and take us captive?" Lucas said.
"The Cardinal is a coward… but he is also extremely egotistical. After being humiliated and scared to such an extent, he will want to make a show of his purity for all to see. He would not want to risk another escape attempt… he will try to enact his diabolical plans here before anything else can go wrong."
"But… how can I prove my innocence?" Melinda said, massaging the painful burn on her hand that marked her as a scapegoat.
"That's where my friend comes in… when she gets here." Leman said, with a slightly worried tone.
It didn't take long for the Cardinal's men to find the warehouse where Leman and company were hiding. The Primarch had taken some steps to leave subtle hints and clues for them to follow, namely the pile of unconscious and badly beaten zealots he'd dumped onto the streets outside. As a result, the Cardinal's soldiers also had to deal with a massive crowd that had gathered to find out what the source of the commotion was. The guardsmen had erected a series of barricades to keep the pedestrians out while they encircled the warehouse, threatening any trespassers with their stun batons. Nonetheless, the frightened and confused citizens wanted to know the reason for the alarms.
"I don't understand…" one of the zealots said. "Why are we just waiting out here? Shouldn't we go in and nab 'em?"
"We're waiting for the Cardinal to arrive." Ophelia said, her arms crossed. "He wishes to apprehend the fugitive and pass judgment upon her as soon as possible, with everyone here as witnesses."
"Whatever you say, boss…" the zealot said, with his shoulders raised.
"OPHELIA!" a booming voice shouted, making the hairs on Ophelia's neck stand straight.
She turned around to see a detachment of fully armed Sororitas emerging from an armored troop carrier, with a very incensed Canoness at their head.
Leman paced back and forth inside of the warehouse.
Where the hell are those two? I told Fen to meet us here over an hour ago! Leman thought.
"I can hear the men outside… are you sure about this, Enoch?" Lucas said.
"If they attempt to storm this place, they'll have to get through me." Leman said.
Lucas and Melinda both knew from personal experience that this was no mere bluff.
"However, it would only complicate things. The only way I can ensure your safety is if-" Leman said.
Suddenly, one of the floor panels on the other side of the room began to shake. There was a banging noise, and the panel came loose. To the astonishment of the couple and Leman's relief, an abnormally tall girl and a large dog crawled out of the hole in the floor. Both were covered in copious amounts of blood.
"Ad- I mean, Tia! Thank goodness you're here." Leman said, running over to them.
"Oh, it's nice to see you again too!" Admu said, lifting Leman up in a suffocating embrace.
After letting him down again, Leman noticed their… strange appearance.
"Why are you two covered in blood?" Leman said.
"Well, I, um…" Admu said.
Why is this building surrounded by armed guards? Fen said.
Leman narrowed his eyes.
"Fair point." Leman said. "Alright, Tia… I need your help."
The red eyes of Canoness Bellatrix's helmet seemed to be glaring at Ophelia.
"What is the meaning of this!?" Bellatrix said. "Not only has that Cardinal locked down half the city, sending his unsanctioned, armed gangs to ransack homes, but now I hear that it's all so he can interrogate a prisoner accused of witchcraft without my knowledge, and without any Inquisitorial or Ecclesiarchal witnesses? He's making a mockery of the Ministorum!"
"C-canoness, I can assure you, the Cardinal has very good reasons for making… exceptions to the Ecclesiarchy's guideli-" Ophelia said.
"Guidelines? They are holy statutes! The Inquisition may find creative ways to skirt around procedure, but I expect higher standards from a representative of the Church!" Bellatrix said.
The enraged Canoness and her student were interrupted by a loud commotion coming from the street, as an armored motorcade pulled up to the barricaded stand-off. Cardinal Bogomil, flanked by his cadre of armed thugs, emerged from the transport bearing a slightly panicked expression.
"Cardinal!" Bellatrix shouted, turning from her student and marching towards Bogomil. "You had better have a good explanation for all of this."
"Ah, if it isn't the esteemed Canoness, Sister Bellatrix. How ar-" Bogomil said.
"Cut the flattery, Cardinal. I know what you are up to. The arrests, the interrogations. Do you have anything to prove that your accusations and investigations are valid?" Bellatrix said.
"Worry not, dear sister. When the woman hiding in that building is apprehended, all will be revealed, and all doubts assuaged. Of that, I can assure you." Bogomil said, regaining his composure.
Bellatrix stared at the man through her unblinking helmet.
"I will be the judge of that. Remember this, Cardinal. You may command some of my sisters, but I reserve the right to command all of my forces as I wish, regardless of your authority." Bellatrix said, in a clearly threatening tone.
"Cardinal, I see someone coming out!" One of the zealots shouted.
Out of the building emerged Melinda, followed by her husband Lucas. Leman stood hidden in the shadow of the warehouses' entrance, unseen by the rest of the crowd. The husband was immediately grabbed by two of the guards, while one zealot grabbed Melinda and brought her to the Cardinal. He pushed her down on her knees, and she looked up at the Cardinal with a scowl. She was covering her marked hand with her other one, something that greatly pleased Bogomil. Despite the numerous setbacks, he had ultimately been granted the perfect opportunity to fulfill his destiny, here and now, for everyone to see. He would be the savior of Vigilus, and the people would love him for it.
"Canoness… men and women of Hyperia…" Bogomil said. "This woman has committed the ultimate sin, the greatest transgression against our great God-Emperor! She has consorted with daemons, carrying out their foul works, and as a result she has been marked…"
He grabbed her arm and yanked it towards him, lifting her hand up into the air for everyone to see.
"With the sign of Chaos!" Bogomil said.
He stood there for a moment, basking in the glory of his ultimate victory. The crowd was silent, and even his own guards seemed too stunned to speak, merely standing around and looking at the woman. After a few moments of silence, Bellatrix spoke up.
"Cardinal… what exactly is going on here?" Bellatrix said, her low voice concealing her seething rage.
The Cardinal appeared confused for a moment, furrowing his brow and looking around at the silent crowds. He then glanced at the woman's revealed hand, and what he saw caused his face to instantly become pale.
Nothing. Her hand was completely unblemished, not even a small scratch or scar to speak of. What had been less than an hour ago a deep, painful burn in the shape of an eight-pointed star was now nothing but unmarked skin. He mouthed words in silence, attempting to find something to say but coming up with nothing. At last, words managed to reach his tongue.
"I-I-Impossible!" Bogomil shouted, rubbing the place on her hand where the mark should have been. "It must be an illusion! A trick! She's cast a spell to remo-"
Bellatrix began to storm towards the Cardinal, but Ophelia stepped in her way.
"Canoness, I can assure you this is-"
"Ophelia, stand aside." Bellatrix said, in a voice so firm and resolute that Ophelia seemed helpless to disobey her.
"Cardinal, this is the last time I let you run circles around this hive-city, wasting valuable resources on this frivolous nonsense!" Bellatrix said, grabbing the Cardinal's arm and pulling him away from Melinda. "My patient with you has run thin. I am going to formally request an Ecclesiarchal investigation into your qualifications to determine whether or not you are fit for your position, Cardinal." She turned to the zealots holding Melinda and Lucas captive. "You three, unhand them!"
The three zealots looked at one another, unsure of who to listen to. Then they noticed the heavily armed Sororitas surrounding them.
"I said, unhand them!" Bellatrix said, a command which the zealots hastily followed.
Lucas ran towards his wife, embracing her once again.
"I apologize for this gross misunderstanding. This is not the first time the Cardinal's incompetence has led to false accusations." Bellatrix said, looking at the Cardinal as she emphasized her words.
"The Cardinal…" Melinda said. "...he is the one who consorts with daemons."
Everyone gathered fell silent once again.
"...That is a serious charge…" Bellatrix said. "...do you have any evidence?"
"Canoness, you surely cannot be-" Ophelia said, silenced by a stare from Bellatrix's visor.
"Beneath his left arm… he bears the mark of Chaos." Melinda said.
The Cardinal turned as white as bleached bone. Bellatrix looked over at the Cardinal. She began approaching him, and he backed away in terror.
"Esteemed sister, surely you would not believe the words of a… a… a random pedestrian?" Bogomil said, laughing nervously.
He continued backing up until he ran into a solid wall, looking behind him to see two armored Sororitas blocking his path. The Canoness had cornered him.
"If you have nothing to hide… you should have nothing to fear, Cardinal."
"This- this is an outrage! I am a loyal servant of the Emperor, a representative of his holy will on-"
Bellatrix grabbed his arm and tore the sleeve, revealing the mark underneath his arm. Some people in the crowd gasped at the unthinkable sight, covering their mouths in disbelief. Many of the zealots dropped their weapons out of sheer shock. Ophelia fell to her knees, her eyes wide open as her mouth quivered in horror.
"It's an illusion!" The Cardinal shouted. "Th-the witch! She used her magic to-"
"Take him away. Now." Bellatrix said.
The two sisters dragged the Cardinal away kicking and screaming, loading him into the armored transport. Bellatrix turned to Ophelia, who was simply slumped over with a face that expressed her completely broken spirit.
"I don't believe that you knew." Bellatrix said. "But I can't allow this lapse in discipline to go unpunished. I'm sending you back to the Schola to be re-educated and re-assigned. I am deeply disappointed in you, Ophelia."
Ophelia simply stared at the ground, tears dripping from her face as everything she knew crumbled around her.
Melinda began to weep tears of joy, as their nightmarish ordeal had finally come to an end.
"I can't believe that actually worked…" Lucas said, laughing cathartically. "Enoch… you truly are a miracle worker."
Lucas turned to the warehouse where Enoch was standing previously, only the mysterious stranger had disappeared.
Leman, Fen, and Admu snuck through the crowd, using the commotion of the Cardinal's unveiling to escape without notice. For good measure they had altered their disguises, using the magic phrase to change their appearances. Admu and Fen had also used the opportunity to wipe the copious amounts of blood off of themselves. They snuck their way to the transport station where Leman had originally intended to go, and where they had planned to meet at the end of the day, when Admu had finished shopping and Leman had finished retrieving their equipment… neither of which they had managed to accomplish. Leman took a deep sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose as Admu and Fen looked at him with curious expressions.
"I'm not going to ask where you were or how you ended up covered in blood…" Leman said. "as far as I can tell, our cover still hasn't been blown. Besides, it would be… hypocritical for me to lecture you about it. Here's a deal. Admu, you and Fen go back to the lodgings. No detours, no wandering, nothing - and tomorrow, we'll go to the market district… together."
Admu couldn't hold in her smile, her hands shaking excitedly. After resisting the urge for a few seconds, she wrapped Leman in a tight hug and swung around with him.
"Oh, thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!" She said, before putting him down again.
"After that, we wait quietly and patiently until our transportation arrives, and we can leave this damned glittering rock for good. Everyone in agreement?" Leman said.
"Aye aye, sir!" Admu said, doing a little salute.
Sounds agreeable to me. Fen said.
"All right, I'll see you both later tonight." Leman said.
Admu waved goodbye, at least temporarily, as Leman boarded the transport departing for Megaborealis.
Beyond the veil of Realspace, in the tumultuous, heaving tides of the Warp, a lone daemon rages in futility. Morax was a whirlwind of hatred and fury, blaring psychic cries of frustration at his pawn's miserable failure. His incorporeal body twisted and contorted in horrific shapes that defied the laws of reality, though he was still unable to affect the material world.
"How could that bumbling idiot have ruined my plans!?" he raged.
All around him, the meager fiefdom he had built in the empyrean wastes of undivided chaos was crumbling as his sway over the mortal realm evaporated into nothing. Soon, he would be nothing more than another daemon crawling around in the squalor, hoping to catch the favor of one of the four Great Corruptors.
"It was so simple! All he had to do was sacrifice a single woman, those stupid humans do that all the time!" Morax said.
He remembered back to when he felt the mark placed upon the sacrifice become severed, though what could have possibly done so was a mystery to him. Daemonic pacts, even unwilling ones, could typically only be undone by the daemon or god who sealed it, or by the death of the victim. The only other way was to undergo a long and arduous process of purification, and even that wasn't always successful. Yet, somehow, his mark had been erased like it was nothing! What sort of power could have done such a thing?
While Morax was preoccupied with fuming and tantruming, he wasn't aware enough to notice the growing tendrils of frost accumulating around him.
"I was so close! I could have had that entire planet under my dominion! I could hav-"
The daemon stopped, becoming aware of the chilling presence behind him. He turned his non-euclidean head to observe an armored figure, wreathed in obscuring shadow, standing amongst the ruins of his former warp-hold. He wore a horned helm, and carried a black sword wrapped in flame that seemed to burn his eyes as he looked upon it. In his left hand, a gauntlet of ice-claws crackled with cerulean energy. Behind him, a wavering tear in reality rippled like a torn sheet.
"...Who ar-"
"You know," Leman said, raising his black blade. "I've slain my share of daemons… more than I count, to be honest. Yet, that was with my old sword. Unfortunately, I've yet to kill any daemons with this sword. I simply cannot say how effective it would be. Care to help me find out, Morax?"
Suffice to say, Morax would not trouble the material realm for some time to come.