"Lita, can you please stop fidgeting? Because seeing you nervous is making us nervous."

"Sorry."

With herculean effort Lita slowed her pacing to a stop, pressed the tip of the Singing Spear to the smooth bone white ground and leaned into it. That didn't stop her from tapping her booted feet though, the rapid tune echoed loudly across the high vaulted hallway she, Laura, Yuki and Nikki currently occupied. It was a nice clean place with swooping seamless symmetry common with the Aeldari people, the flowing panorama etched with impossible artistry into the walls and pillars were of such grandiose magnitude that it transcended all establish notion of beauty. Lita would've love to spend days lost within such a masterful architectural landscape, unfortunately she was stressed out of her mind and any joy that can be gleaned from the Aeldari temple had withered to ashes.

"You know what, go back to pacing," Nikki rolled her eyes. "At least it's quieter than the tapping."

"I'm nervous, okay?!" Lita shot back. "And I don't believe for a second that you're not anxious too."

"Of course I'm anxious, but I'm good at burying them deep, it's a trait of the Slavic people," Nikki shrugged. "But to tell you the truth, the nervousness is starting to bubble."

"Yeah, I rather be charging an ork horde right now," Yuki grunted, hands on hip, her agitated posture contrasting with her calm timbre. "So many fucking things can go wrong, and knowing how the universe like to fuck with us this is gonna end in blood."

"You lasses do know this is simply a conversation between allies, yes? Yvraine requested a meeting with Isha, and she agreed to it," Laura piped up, the British inquisitor appeared most nonchalant by this latest development the Immortal Spirit battlegroup was embroiled in. "I'm sure all parties involve can remain civil for an hour or so, I mean, not everyone behave like we do, so it goes without saying that the dramas will likely be kept at the minimum."

"From all the grumbling I heard, I wouldn't hold my breath," Lita nudged her head at the snow white double door behind them, fashioned into a perfect sphere that gleamed in the soft fae lights that permeated the interior. Flipping open her data-pad, Lita grunted when the digital clock showed that Yvraine was already ten minutes late. "Personally, I'm questioning the wisdom of sending the boys away."

"You seriously want Tangmo and Yvraine in the same room? You saw how she talked to Henry, our friendly commissar ain't gonna last five minutes before he tells the leader of the Ynnari to go fuck herself," Yuki grinned at the image. "Besides, the boys will be too distracted by Yvraine's right hand woman."

"Who's coming with her again?" Lita asked, in the chaos that followed their landing and the subsequent mop up operation she had neglected to check who was accompanying Yvraine.

"Lelith Hesperax," Yuki answered her question, "the deadliest Drukhari to ever live, and the hottest too."

"I caught a glimpse of her when she landed a few hours ago," Laura added with clear enthusiasm, an enthusiasm that was shared by Yuki. "She still wears the bikini love, and I hope to God she doesn't change her attire for the meeting."

"And the boys are the problem in this instance?" Nikki's face was a study of undiluted annoyance, Laura and Yuki returned the Ukrainian exarch extremely judgmental regard with cutesy innocent smiles. "I'm more concern with you two. Seriously, you're already drooling. And I've seen both your search history, especially when it comes to fan arts of 40k characters, Lelith came second only to Celestine."

"Okay, now that's a breach of privacy on the most intimate level," Yuki snapped her head at Nikki. The Japanese exarch's very crossed visage was met with the Ukrainian exarch's sleepy yawn, conveying how little the threat was having its effect. Nikki remained unmoved even when Laura scooted closer to loom menacingly over her. "We welcome you, laugh with you, and at the first opportunity you hack into our computers? Shame on you Nikki."

"You fucking showed me all the ecchi pictures, and then Laura started bragging about the websites you visited by literally showing me your search history," Nikki tilted her head smugly at the pair, the combined admonition coming to a croaking halt. "You weren't drunk when this happened. Don't tell me you already forgot?"

"I…may have vague recollection of such incident," Yuki and Laura traded sheepish look, Nikki further exasperating the situation by flashing a very haughty grin. "But you should forget all of that! It's not politely remembering other people's internet activity!"

"Tough shit," Nikki shrugged then folded her arms across her chest. "On a more serious note though, the risqué fanart was really good. Shit, I didn't know 40k was popular enough in Japan for that much hentai and doujinshis to come out. They really love Lelith in the land of the rising sun."

"What can I say, my people have impeccable taste," and just like that the conversation turned amiable, the hostility draining from Yuki as she leaned conspiratorially close to Nikki. "So, what's your favorite then?"

"Call me a romantic sap, but I like the Celestine and Greyfax pairing best," Nikki said, earning appreciative nods from Yuki and Laura. "It's really strange that most fan arts we found of them leaned more toward actual romance than smut, super-hot and sexy, yes, but also warm and fuzzy."

"I wholeheartedly agree," Laura nodded enthusiastically. "Just so you know a couple of new arts just drop, and it's great."

"You have to show me."

"Here, let me get my data-pad out real quick, I got it saved on…"

"Will you perverts cut it out already?! Yvraine and Lelith are here!"

Lita was very thankful that her sharp hiss swiftly settled Laura, Yuki and Nikki down, the three snapping at attention and stood with formal rigidity, although the Mexican Warseer could do without the childish pouting they shot her way. A sharp glare from Lita wiped away the last vestige of immaturity as the great door directly adjacent to them swung open and two very contrasting figures strolled down the awning hallway toward the waiting quartet.

Although both hailed from the Ynnari faction, Lita was struck by how different Yvraine and Lelith Hesperax was, their presentation and body language spoke clearer and louder than any words can ever hope to convey. Yvraine held herself like royalty, but while Isha was the motherly archetype, the perfect kindhearted monarch, the herald of Ynnead was dagger sharp in poise and exuded such palpable aura of power that it reminded Lita of fierce queens like Isabella of Spain and Saint Olga. The heel of her boots clicking loudly against the bone white floor, Yvraine's posture was immaculate, hands clasped behind ramrod back, the raised angle of her elegantly chiseled chin made her look down at everyone before her.

Lelith on the other hand, couldn't have hailed from a more opposite spectrum of femininity.

Lita had to give Laura and Yuki credit, the British inquisitor and the Japanese exarch maintained their professional countenance even after catching sight of the mistress of the Wych Cult of Strife, something the two must have taken godly effort to accomplish. Although she'll never admit it aloud, especially to Laura and Yuki, Lita found her breath taken away as her eyes roamed over Lelith. Because yes, she was clad in nothing but a micro bikini that left very little to the imagination, every gait she took oozed such confident and amorous intent that no mortal woman can emulate. The sashaying of the hip, the springy bounces accompanying her barefooted steps, flaunting her perfectly sculpted assets, Lelith's charm was that of a resplendent blooming flower, inviting all who witness her to fall into an embrace of thorn and poison. An ethereal beauty that kills all who comes near, a death many willingly walked into with smiles and joy.

"We have answered the summon of her eminence Isha," Yvraine came to a stop before the quartet and was met with unmoving silence. "You will move aside and grants us entry into the chamber immediately."

"Now, now Yvraine, for all of your lecture on etiquette, you seem to be failing your own preaching," Lita's grip tightened around the shaft of her Singing Spear, not because she was in danger or anything, but to stop herself from making a reaction when Lelith leaned closer. Keeping her eyes fixed ahead was hard enough, Laura and Yuki's gaze had already drifted down the valley between the Drukhari's breasts, but Lita's composure almost broke when Lelith's sultry timbre caressed her ears. "They are not our enemies and have done nothing to deserve our scorn yet, therefore a little courtesy shown wouldn't be amiss?"

"Fine," Yvraine grated and Lita found her disposition to be strange. From everything she had read, Yvraine was a calm, calculating and ultra-intelligent leader, her moments of passion were not absent but very much under control. The Aeldari woman before Lita was indeed calculating and intelligent, but her temper was obviously frayed and held together by extremely strained nerves, something was making her agitated. Yvraine took a deep breath, and when she spoke again it was softer in octave. "We have arrived to meet with her eminence Isha, may we please enter?"

"A human in the midst of Aeldari, how quaint," before Lita can respond, Lelith slid soundlessly across the floor to come and stand before a startled Laura. "Of the inquisition no less, one who display no hostility toward us. What is your name lady inquisitor?"

"Lady inquisitor Laura, mam," Laura introduced herself, managing to look away from Lelith's cleavage long enough to tip her awesome inquisitor hat in greeting, "a pleasure to make your acquaintance, lady Lelith."

"The pleasure is all mine, and yours too I presume?" Lelith's giggling chimed like a bell, carrying with it a hint of sweetness that tickled the soul. Laura was stammering for a reply when Lelith tilted her head to the side like a curious cat, long lashes fluttering as she blinked. "Your voice, I heard it as my transport made planetfall, our intercom picked up your rousing performance as the Immortal Spirit battlegroup crushes the Federation's force. Now I remember, you're the singing inquisitor. I dare say that your voice truly exceeded my expectation."

"Thank you, lady Lelith," Laura was starting to sweat. Red flushed her skin as Lelith continued to invade her person space, not that the British inquisitor was doing anything to stop the encroachment. "I try my best."

"So humble, you must give yourself more credit lady inquisitor," Lelith reached her hand out suddenly, faster than the quartet could react. If Lelith had wanted to harm Laura then there was nothing they could do to stop her. Instead the Drukhari ran her perfectly manicured finger across the British inquisitor's lips and the contour of her chin. "Perhaps in the near future I can tempt you to a private performance?"

"Enough Lelith, stop toying with the human we've wasted enough time already," Yvraine snapped sharply at her compatriot, prompting Lelith to let go of the heavily panting Laura with a parting wink. Once Lelith was standing beside Yvraine again, the leader of the Ynnari turned her gaze to Lita with a poignant stare. "I apologize for the delay lady Warseer, we are ready to meet her eminence Isha now. Please be so kind as to escort us to her."

"She's waiting just inside, lady Yvraine," Lita tapped her Singing Spear and the doors behind them swung soundlessly open, "after you."

Yvraine bowed shallowly at Lita then, with Lelith matching steps with her, walked into the domed hall beyond, a seamless chamber bathed in warm white lights that appeared to have been carved from a single massive slab of stone. Even Yvraine and Lelith couldn't help but gander at the intricate friezes carved immaculately into the curvaceous wall, but the Ynnari leader's appreciation for long lost pre-fall Aeldari artistry ended when she saw who was inside the room with Isha.

"What is she doing here?" Yvraine demanded, sharp piercing eyes locked on Saint Celestine, Lelith on the other hand quirked an interested of a brow. When it became clear that Celestine will not leave Isha's side, Yvraine's visage morphed flawlessly into one of concern beseeching as she turned to the goddess. "Your eminence, I must warn you against being so near that woman, she is dangerous to both her own kind and ours."

"Saint Celestine is my stalwart companion and had earned my absolute trust after the many tribulations we've endured together. Without her help, I would've been lost and damned," Isha's polite timbre echoed powerfully across the room without effort, and from the very minuet flinching of her frame Yvraine didn't missed the jab thrown her way. But being the friendly and forgiving individual that she was, Isha offered Yvraine and Lelith her warm soothing smile and beckoned the pair over to the long dark mahogany table the battlegroup had set down earlier. "There is no need to fear lady Yvraine, you are amongst friends here. Under this roof there will be no hostility between Aeldari and human. Lady Saint Celestine is here at my behest, to be the representative of the Immortal Spirit battlegroup in this meeting and to provide protection upon my person. The same goes for lady Warseer Lita, lady exarch Yuki, lady exarch Nikki, and lady inquisitor Laura. Now, it must've been a long journey, please be seated."

"Thank you your eminence, we are humble to be in your most divine presence," Yvraine and Lelith bowed, walked over to the chairs on their side of the table, and sat down. The very human furniture, dark in hue, was a stark contrast to the bone white chamber.

"You actually kept your cool, mostly at least," Lita grinned at the very dazed Laura as Nikki and Yuki pushed the double door close and locked them. "I'm very proud of you. I'll admit, even I'm a little flustered."

"Yeah? Try getting touch by her mate, I thought I was gonna cream myself then and there. And the perfume, good God it was divine, like the best part of every flower distilled to create the most perfect scent known to man. It was like a little piece of heaven," Laura's dreamy recollection ended when Yuki, an unamused Yuki, closed her distant with the British inquisitor. "I'm sorry, but, you can't be mad at me it's fucking Lelith Hesperax, she fucking cast a fucking spell on me! Please Yuki don't be jealous, I still love you!"

"Oh I'm jealous alright, jealous of you!" Yuki grinded her teeth, grabbed the collar of Laura's awesome inquisitor coat, and pulled her close until their foreheads touched. "It should've been me! Not you!"

"Okay, that's enough fucking around from the both of you," Nikki proceeded to smack Laura and Yuki across the head, Lita wincing from the very audible smack as the British inquisitor and the Japanese exarch hissed stream of curses in their native tongues. "Stop jumping around and get your shits together, our guests are watching. Let's get into position."

"And I shall be playing mother, as you posh English women like to say," Lita grinned brightly at the scowling Laura and walked primly to a side table positioned next to the conference table, on it was a tea set and a boiling porcelain kettle with floral design. With the expected finesse from the most mature person amongst the Eight, Lita poured the cups and then used her magic to levitate the beverages to the four women at the table. Isha and Celestine thanked her with a nod, Yvraine spared a glance at the cup and nothing else, and Lelith winked. When everything was in place Lita took forty steps back and joined Laura, Yuki and Nikki, the quartet stood facing the table.

"It is very good to finally meet you, lady Yvraine," Isha began after taking a small sip of the tea. "I have heard great things about you. Your gallantry is well known to the Immortal Spirit battlegroup."

"My reputation precedes me, I am humble by your kind words, your eminence," Yvraine easily went through the motion of polite conversation, her bow conveying the necessary respect, befitting Isha's status as a goddess. After a moment Yvraine put on a very convincing apologetic face, one filled with such deep regret that even Lita was moved by the display. Celestine on the other hand, wasn't buying any of it. "I would like to begin by making my deepest apology to your eminence, for I know that the Ynnari did not response to your call for aide those years ago. I can speak in defense of my action, of my reason for not answering your distress, but that would be nothing but cheap excuses for having failed you in your direst hour." Yvraine drew herself taller and raised her chin, like a woman offering her neck to an executioner. "From this point on myself and the full might of the Ynnari are at your disposal. If it takes a lifetime to repent for the grievous sin done upon your person, then we welcome the burden."

"Oh lady Yvraine, such extremes are not needed," Isha held up a calming hand and smiled softly, prompting the Herald of Ynnead to relax, the tautness leaving her frame. "I understand that you also carry a great burden, one that also pertains to the survival of the Aeldari race, and a mission of such magnitude demands hard decision. I beg you not to blame yourself for what had transpired, the past can never come again, so let's us tread the present together and forged a better future for all."

"Your mercy and generosity is truly depthless your eminence, I thank you for showing pity upon my unworthy self," Yvraine truly was a consummate actor. The body language, the emotion playing across her face, the trembling of the lips that accompanied every regretful utterance, Yvraine had proven herself a thespian of the highest caliber. Granted, Lita didn't know whether Isha bought the performance or not, Celestine sure as hell didn't, and judging by the amused grin neither did Lelith. "I am glad we are able to put this all behind us."

"So do I lady Yvraine, friends and allies are very hard to find in this dark epoch," wait a minute, did Isha just give Yvraine a verbal bite? Nah, Lita must be reading too much into things, the Aeldari goddess wasn't the sort to be catty and poisonous. "So then lady Yvraine, what shall we be discussing today?"

"Matters pertaining to the Standard Template Construct that reside within this temple," Yvraine began then shot a very rude gaze at Celestine, the Living Saint was poise and stern on her chair, not a speck of amiability can be found on her granite visage. "I wasn't informed that a representative of the Imperium of Man would be presence, belonging to the Ecclesiarchy no less. Forgive me your eminence, but I must caution against this, members of the Adepta Sororitas are not known to be open-minded."

"You need not fear lady Yvraine, I trust lady Celestine with my life. There is no secret between us," both Yvraine and Lelith's eyes widen when Isha reached out and laid a gentle hand on Celestine's arm, the touch easing the Living Saint's wind up muscles. Sighing audibly, Celestine smiled at Isha, prompting the goddess to end the physical contact. "Now, where were we? Oh yes, the STC, please continue lady Yvraine."

"As you know, the information inside are exclusively about the Aeldari Empire before the Fall, a repository of knowledge that would be invaluable to the eldar race," Yvraine went on, if she was irked by Isha and Celestine's close companionship, she didn't show. "I would like to request that Bonesingers and engineers of the Ynnari be granted access to the STC. The machine is ancient and I believe the battlegroup will require expert hands to assist them in dealing with such an important relic."

"What do you want, Yvraine?" Celestine spoke up, forgoing the usage of title.

"I beg your pardon?" Yvraine responded sharply, the politeness she had afforded Isha was completely absent.

"The Ynnari do not hunt for knowledge unless it benefits their goal of bringing about the ascendency of Ynnead," Celestine pressed on. "Yet here you are, launching a full-scale invasion on a rouge system. Perhaps it is because this STC is devoted to the Aeldari pantheon?"

"How well informed," Yvraine retorted, the venom in her timbre wasn't so overt as to be rude but enough to sting. "I must confess to being surprise, lady Celestine, for I did not believe it was in the capability of the Adepta Sororitas to understand the machination of such a complex and archaic device. You have been taking advice from her eminence Isha I assume, it is always wise to listen to those more knowledgeable than yourself."

"You are too kind lady Yvraine, the God Emperor teaches us to be humble and seek knowledge lest we fall prey to the deadly sin of ignorance. And in recent days I have learnt a great deal," at this Celestine traded friendly looks with Isha, which had the intended effect of annoying Yvraine. "But I must confess, on matters of Aeldari lore I am but a neophyte, despite her eminence Isha best effort. It is a good thing then that the STC was of human made, created by a long-forgotten civilization that was lost during the Age of Strife."

"Is that so?" Yvraine managed to hide her surprise, but not before Celestine caught a little twitch on her face, "how very peculiar."

"Our engineers are transferring all the files back to the Immortal Spirit," Celestine continued. "They are not tackling this task alone, for Aeldari Bonesingers are assisting in the recovery operation. This STC is very unique you see, for it possessed both human and eldar technological construct, indicating that both races had worked together to preserve the knowledge within."

"Then it is imperative that the Ynnari be allowed access to the STC," Yvraine raised her voice and sat up straighter. "The expertise of my cohort will be of great benefit to both our parties."

"I thank you for the offer lady Yvraine, but the fact remain that your help is not required," Celestine's smile was so acidic that it made Lita's skin prickled, goosebumps dancing across her arms. "Once we are done with the extraction process, we will naturally make a copy of the data and give them to you."

"That is not acceptable," Yvraine pressed on. "The knowledge within the STC rightfully belongs to the Aeldari. You cannot claim possession of it."

"I must admit confusion Yvraine," all eyes turned to Lelith, the Drukhari was slouching provocatively on her seat, legs crossed seductively. Finishing her tea, Lelith sighed indulgently then nodded appreciatively at Lita, "a superb brew lady Warseer, my deepest complement."

"What had gotten you confused, Lelith?" Yvraine demanded. The gaze she fixed upon the Drukhari was sharp enough to cleave an Astartes in two.

"Are we not on the same side?" Lelith waved her hand across the table, exaggerated bafflement playing across her face. "That was the term you struck with Primarch Guilliman, was it not?"

"I am aware of the fact," Yvraine said and by God the woman put no effort into being likable in the least.

"And she's not an imposter masquerading as a god either, as you were so fond to make such a claim," Lelith pointed at the stunned Isha. It took a moment for the implication of Lelith's words to sink in, when it did Celestine blistered visibly at Yvraine, who impressively kept up her poker face. "You can put your suspicion to rest Yvraine, we Drukhari had fought actual gods enough time to confirm that, sitting before us, is indeed her eminence Isha, hale and free of Nurgle's Garden. Then again, you already knew this the moment we landed on the planet."

"What is the point you are trying to make?" Yvraine was doing her best to ignore the disappointed look Isha was casting her way.

"That we drop this farce," the speed in which Lelith sat up straight and laced her fingers together in a Gendo pose was both breathtaking and horrifying to behold. There one moment, gone the next, Lita felt her throat going dry at the possibility of having to fight the bodacious dark eldar. "This little dance of politic serves no purpose and is a complete waste of time." Lelith shifted her gaze to Celestine then. "To answer your earlier observation, lady Saint, the STC is important to us because there could be information inside pertaining to the hastening of Ynnead resurrection."

"You know this for certain?" Celestine actually looked relieved to be shifting her attention away from Yvraine.

"We do not," Lelith also deserved credit for engaging the Living Saint with meaningful conversation, "that is the reason why we've requested this meeting in the first place, to make certain of this possibility. In the end, our enemy is She Who Thirst. Wouldn't it be more beneficial to the Immortal Spirit battlegroup and the Ynnari to combine our effort in fighting this foe?"

"I cannot deny the fact of your words lady Hesperax, because I agree that we share a common enemy. My reservation however lies with the issue of trust," Celestine said. "Can you be trusted not to imperil the battlegroup?"

"Can we trust you not to endanger the Ynnari?" Lelith retorted easily with a cheeky smile.

"Now you see the impasse between us," Celestine leaned back into her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. "All of us here can declare honorable intention and vowed that it will be followed as strictly as a scripture written by the God Emperor himself, yet I will be the first to admit that such covenant will be broken without hesitation if it meant saving the humans and eldars of the battlegroup. This is the same sentiment you share, yes?"

"Oh yes lady Celestine, you are indeed correct in your assumption," Lelith nodded. "But unlike the battlegroup, we wouldn't wait for an opportunity to rear its head, we'll seize it."

"Then let me propose a compromise," Isha spoke up before Celestine can react to Lelith's very carefree confession that the Ynnari were already moving against the battlegroup. "As it stands, we can all agree that hostility between our two factions yield no benefit and will embolden the Chaos Gods if they are to discover our location."

"What do you proposed your eminence?" Yvraine asked, the mask of propriety slipping easily back over her visage.

"I want to request that the retrieval and custodianship of the Standard Template Construct remains with the Immortal Spirit battlegroup, only during the first initial phase," Isha made her decision, and it took Celestine every ounce of control she possessed not to crack a triumphant grin. Yvraine appeared unmoved, but then, no one can tell how the current moved beneath the placid surface. Lelith on the other hand smirked in surprise, not at all shy of displaying her emotion. "On my word and honor, all that we have found will be given to the Ynnari."

"A very hefty request, your eminence," Lita tightened her grip around the Singing Spear. Yvraine's tone was very icy, border lining on threatening, "with barely a benefit to me and mine."

"I'm sorry you feel that way," Isha offered an apologetic nod, her expression heavy with emotion, translating clearly that the decision was not an easy one to make. "I know this is not what you want to hear, but circumstances demand that compromises be made, and I dearly hope that you will agree to it."

Yvraine sat silently, her posture so absolute in stillness that Lita had to do a double take and check if she was still breathing. Black hostility exuded from the Herald of Ynnead, her invisible aura clashing silently with Isha's white welcoming light. The confrontation can be felt rather than seen. Isha was starting to lose her composure when Yvraine broke the silence, "the Ynnari concede the custodianship of this temple to the Immortal Spirit battlegroup."

"Thank you lady Yvraine," Isha bowed with her trademark smile, yet it was clear Yvraine didn't share the goddess's enthusiasm. "We will make sure that everything within the STC is given to you without delay."

Yvraine didn't response immediately, electing to sit soundlessly for several heartbeats before finally consenting to speak, "the term is acceptable."

"Wonderful! Now let's us…"

"I would like to make a proposal, your eminence," Yvraine cut in before Isha can get a word out, the piercing quality of the interruption startling the occupants, even Lelith appeared perturbed by the brazen display. Isha was a goddess, yet Yvraine was addressing her as if the roles were reversed. "The temple and its immediate vicinity will be under the control of the Immortal Spirit battlegroup, but the rest of the planet remains untamed. Therefore I would like to request that the Ynnari be given freedom to scour the planet and search for more Aeldari artifacts."

"That sounds very acceptable," Isha turned to Celestine, who nodded with clear reluctance. "The findings will be shared with us, yes?"

"Of course," with deliberate slowness, her politeness strained to the point of breaking, Yvraine rose from her seat, prompting Lelith to follow suit. Isha was about to rise but Celestine placed a firm stopping hand on her arm. The Aeldari goddess locked eyes with the Living Saint questioningly but complied and remains seated. A correct decision all things considered, Isha shouldn't let Yvraine dictate the direction of the meeting. "If it pleases you, your eminence, I do believe that this meeting have been concluded, I shan't be taking more of your precious time. I thank you for your hospitality."

"My blessing be upon you and the Ynnari, lady Yvraine, I have enjoyed our conversation," still seated, Isha waved at the door, prompting Lita to open it with her magic. "Be safe."

With a noticeably stiffer curtsey, Yvraine spun around and headed for the opened door, Lelith following after a theatrical but polite goodbye bow, the Drukhari skipping was soundless as opposed to the pronounced clanking made by the Ynnari's boots. When the two guests were appropriately far enough away, Lita eased the entrance close, the two partitions made barely a whisper as the locks fall into place.

"Well shit, nobody got into a fight, I'm impressed," Nikki spoke up as the quartet closed in around the table. Celestine was sighing and shaking her head while Isha was rubbing slow circles across her temples. Smirking, the Ukrainian exarch turned to the British inquisitor and the Japanese exarch. "You two must be disappointed no catfight happened."

"The thing is, it won't be a catfight, and it won't be hot," Yuki shrugged then nodded at Isha and Celestine. "But seriously my lady, your eminence, I'm glad nothing bad happened."

"Agreed exarch Yuki, but I must confess there were moments I thought confrontation was nigh," Celestine drained the rest of the cold tea then turned to Isha. "I warned you about meeting Yvraine."

"And I should've listened to you," Isha exhaled dejectedly and slump into her chair. "I did not expect to be received with such…open distrust."

"I'm used to it. You wouldn't believe the amount of hostility I received from the higher echelon of Imperium leadership, the inquisition especially. Just ask Greyfax," Celestine offered Isha a little grin, but her visage hardened a moment later. "The way Yvraine spoke to you was unacceptable, and if Lelith was to be believed she assumed you be an imposter until very recently."

"Perhaps that was the reason why she didn't come to my aide back at Thima-Chantra," Isha offered, ever the optimist who always sees the best in people. "The galaxy is a treacherous place, so it would be prudent to exercise caution."

"The reason she didn't answer your distress was because she saw you as a threat," Celestine, taking the role of the straight woman, gave Isha a heavy dosage of truth. "You are a direct competition to Ynnead."

"Oh, I see," Isha's expression took on a sadden aspect then. "I didn't mean to cause grievance for Yvraine and the Ynnari, truly. I believe I should arrange another meeting with her, this time in a more relax environment, that way we can discuss how to improve the relationship between the battlegroup and the Ynnari."

"My lady Isha, please forgive my language but fuck that," naturally Isha gasped at Yuki's very direct language, while a ghost of a grin played across Celestine's lip, the Living Saint was very much in agreement with the Japanese exarch. "You owe Yvraine and the Ynnari no apology, because that bitch was just jealous of you, nothing else."

"Jealous?" Isha was taken aback by this observation. "Surely you jest? How can an accomplished warrior and leader like Yvraine harbor envy for someone like me?"

"Isha, there are moment when your modesty truly irks me," Celestine gave Isha an amused sideway glance before continuing. "And yes, lady exarch Yuki is correct, Yvraine is envious of you."

"About what?" Isha was flabbergasted.

"Beside the fact that you're a goddess, you unintentionally stole her thunder," Lita answered the goddess's question. "Before you made your escape from Nurgle's Garden, Yvraine took pride in knowing that she's the Aeldari one and only hope in having an afterlife free from torment and bondage. Unfortunately, once you've joined our merry little battlegroup and activated the Harmony Nexus, the Aeldari no longer have to prostrate before Ynnead. A goddess of life will always be more popular than a god of death, after all."

"But isn't that a good thing?" Isha went on, "for the Aeldari to have gods who can safeguard their souls from Slaanesh? Yvraine must see that this is a boon to every eldar across the galaxy."

"If she's not the one saving the Aeldari race, then everything else is automatically bad," Yuki shrugged apologetically. "Politicking 101 I'm afraid your eminence, you're her enemy because you have the audacity to do what she was supposed to do, and doing a better job at it too. To Yvraine the Ishari eldars, as we have taken to calling ourselves, are a threat to the Ynnari as much as any enemy across the galaxy."

"That's depressingly shortsighted," Isha exhaled sadly. "I had expected better from them."

"Such is the way of the universe," Celestine frowned, her brow drawn tightly downward. "I'm more concern with what Lelith Hesperax had said though, she as much admitted that the Ynnari were already moving against the battlegroup. We need a plan to counter this."

"Don't worry my lady Saint, my mates are already on top of things, we don't need to worry about the Ynnari for the foreseeable future," Laura pipped up with a grin. "If anything, I'm more concerned about our Ishari. Marwen and Fanduin and Celalira and Tanrion are all clamoring to go on the offensive."

"And they were denied this request?" Celestine asked and Laura nodded in response, "why? If treachery is afoot then we must strike first before it comes to fruition."

"Because an escalation right now is not in best interest of the battlegroup, an uneasy stalemate with the Ynnari is better than open conflict, and they're our ally unless you've forgotten," Laura explained. "Besides, we have insurgency to worry about. Despite glassing the planet a large number of Federation civilians and officials managed to survive and…"

Consecutive thunders rumbled outside, faint vibration rippling beneath their feet. The eldar temple was vast, and if an explosion was loud enough that it can be felt within the chamber then the payload must be devastating in magnitude. Lita felt ice crept down her spine, Yvraine and Lelith were probably still inside the temple complex and now bombs were going off, this is gonna be very bad.

"So it has come to this," Isha squawked when Celestine rose from her seat and summoned the Ardent Blade out of thin air. "The Celestian squads are on standby across the temple, along with Celalira and the Fire Dragons and the Howling Banshees. They should be able to apprehend Yvraine and Lelith."

"I'm very doubtful of that statement, so before you go and make that mistake let me check in with the lads first," Laura spoke up and tapped her earbud. "Tangmo, mate, what's happening up there love? I gotta say, things are sounding very dicey outside."

"Don't worry about it, Federation insurgency. Our control zones are okay, but the Ynnari part of town are in flames right now – hang on a minute," before the room can give a collective breath of relief, Tangmo got into an argument with a woman who Lita quickly recognized as Yvraine. Compared to the restrained display of dislike from earlier, Tangmo and Yvraine were only a few decibels away from outright shouting at each other. The spat went on for about a minute before Tangmo resumed communication with Laura. "Fucking stuck up bitch asking for a fucking Thai kick up the ass – that was Yvraine by the way, she's trying to blame us for what just happened. I told her to go fuck herself, and we parted with sunshine and smiles. Oh, and Lelith was super fucking hot."

"I wholeheartedly agree. She touched me too!" Laura squealed in delight then gathered her composure. "Just a warning though, Lelith said the Ynnari are planning some kind of covert ops against us, be on your toe."

"Copy that, we already got multiple counter-insurgency plans drawn up, we'll be fine," Tangmo told her. "Gotta go dude, duties call, I'll catch you in a bit."

"Stay safe love," Laura terminated transmission with Tangmo then turned to Celestine and Isha. "Righty ho then, I believe it's time to get your eminence to a secure location?"

"Is that truly necessary lady inquisitor?" Isha primly got up and joined Celestine. "I believe I am quite safe within these walls."

"One should never be lured into the trap of complacency," Celestine waved away the Ardent Blade and turned sternly at Isha. "You heard Lelith, espionage from the Ynnari are already underway and you are the likely target. If I was to make a guess, we're looking at either a kidnapping attempt or an assassination."

"That does sound rather horrid," Isha offered Celestine an amused look. "And lest you forget, I'm a goddess. I can't be killed in a mundane way."

"If I recall correctly the entirety of the Aeldari pantheon was destroyed, with you being the only survivor," Celestine's tone was anything but amused. "Also, considering that Yvraine is the herald of Ynnead, a god who is a direct anathema to you, there's no telling what that woman can and will do."

"I see your meaning," Isha swept her gaze across the smooth bone interior around them, determination glinting fierce in her eyes. "Still, I would very much like to explore this temple. Long ago, my brothers and sisters frequented these halls. I wish to retrace their steps."

"And we shall provide the best security the battlegroup can offer," Lita grinned brightly. "Now, where do you want to go first?"

"We got your back dude!"

Tangmo made sure his eyes were bulging psychotically when Henry and Erik emerged from an archway leading to a large charcoal black area that used to be a manicured garden, the American general and the Swedish elf weren't gonna win any Oscar with their piss poor performance of coming to the Thai commissar's rescue. Like cops at the end of every movie, they showed up after the hero had won and the dust had settled.

"Both you ass clowns are late," Tangmo adjusted his awesome commissar coat, his extremely unimpressed gaze caused Henry and Erik to lower their guns, at least the two had the decency to be sheepish. "I already chased away the big evil elf woman."

"Top job dude, we knew we could count on you!" Erik gave Tangmo a thumb up. "But seriously, I honestly thought Yvraine was gonna turn you inside out."

"I'm just that damn good," Tangmo huffed before turning to Henry with a shrug. "Sorry about that, I kinda fucked up your diplomatic overture with the Ynnari."

"What diplomatic overture? I was just being polite to Yvraine earlier, there was never any diplomacy between the battlegroup and the Ynnari to begin with," Henry snorted. "Thank you for giving Yvraine a more honest dialogue."

"How about being my wingmen next time? Because that shit was scary, and not in the good way like when I pissed off our nuns and elves," Tangmo shook his head but a seedy grin crept up his face a moment later. He then tapped off his earbud to make sure the next part of the conversation remained private, Henry and Erik doing the same a second later. "Holy fuck, Lelith was smoking hot. Like, damn son, it's like a laboratory crafted her to be a perfect murderous femme fatal."

"And you get to see her up close," Henry wasn't very successful at hiding his jealousy. "Was she wearing the bikini?"

"Yes, and it was fucking awesome," Tangmo and Henry bumped fist while chuckling like absolute idiots. "Didn't really get my fill though, what with Yvraine getting on my case, but the glimpses were spectacular."

"Not like we have a war on or anything," Erik rolled his eyes, arms crossed over his chest and huffing sanctimoniously like the buzz kill that he was. "You better hope Leilatha and Ladaee doesn't find out about this, they're gonna flay you two alive."

"They won't know anything unless a certain asshole decided to snitch," Tangmo stared dementedly at Erik, then shrugged. "Fortunately things are far from settle on this planet, we'll all get to see Lelith again."

"That's actually what I wanted to talk about," Erik took out the data-pad from the fold of his awesome ranger coat, tapped the screen, and summoned a 14k incomplete holographic map of the capital the battlegroup had just conquered. If Tangmo looked closely, he can see the details getting updated in real time. "After we made the seismic sonar, because the underground metro system is like the one in Tokyo but a thousand times more convoluted, we found this."

"…Okay, now that's fucking strange," Henry narrowed his eyes and pointed at the vast black spot situated directly beneath the temple Celestine and Isha currently occupied. "That empty space appears…deliberate."

"Not only deliberate. Look at the dimension, all of that is handmade, built into the very crust of the planet," Tangmo made his observation and Henry and Erik concurred with sharp nods. Although the details were for the moment sparse, Tangmo saw how the Federation's subterranean buildings and transport systems skirted around the black unmarked void, giving it a very clear cylindrical shape. The structure was burrowed deep, but at least they weren't underwater this time. "What is it?"

"Could be part of the temple we occupied," Erik spoke up.

"Not to sound like a freaky ass tinfoil conspiracy theorist, but should we even go down there?" Henry raised a very legitimate point. "I mean, if it's sealed, then doesn't that mean something dangerous is down there?"

"Eh, we'll win like always, I'm not worry," Tangmo shrugged. "We just kicked Cthulhu and Nyarlathotep in the ass, homebrew eldritch 40k monsters should be easy picking."

"But we didn't kick Cthulhu and Nyarlathotep's ass," Erik pointed out. "Nyarlathotep decided we weren't worth his time and just walk away, as for Cthulhu that dude wasn't even in 40k, we just saw him for a moment before the portal closes."

"Semantic, that little bitch pussy out," even Henry and Erik saw how forced Tangmo's boastful statement was, the nervous grin and the fidgeting of his awesome commissar coat only made matters worse. Deep down, Tangmo knew the only reason all of them were still enjoying the hospitality of the grim darkness of the 42nd millennium was because Nyarlathotep decided to fuck off without a fight, for reason known only to him. Maybe he didn't care, maybe he was bored, maybe he was withdrawing to strategize, regardless of the motive the fact remained that the Immortal Spirit battlegroup survived purely because of luck. Coughing lowly, the only concession Henry and Erik were gonna get from him, Tangmo pointed at the map. "Ahem, anyway, how do we get into the unmarked area?"

"There are several possible entry points, but we could be running into complication soon," Erik made an audible tsk. "According to communiques coming out of the Aeldari channels, Isha had agreed to Yvraine's request that the Ynnari can claim other spot of lands across the planet, where they can then operate without the battlegroup interference. So far, we don't know if they're aware of the place under the temple."

"Time for the battlegroup to start picking up free real estate then," Tangmo chuckled then cast a quick glance across the debris and detritus filled courtyard he and his homies currently occupied. Many of the outer buildings and miscellaneous decorations had been flattened when the Sororitas's church made planetfall, said church was looming about fifty yards away from where he stood. Guardsmen, Sisters of Battle and Ishari eldars patrolled the area, their number having increased after Yvraine and Lelith made their exit, but Tangmo couldn't find his query. "Where are Damien and the Marines?"

"Fifty kilometers to the east," Henry pointed to the horizon. If they listened carefully sporadic gunfights can be heard across the decimated urban vista, the muted symphony of lasers and bullets coming at frequent intervals, rumbling like faraway thunder. Following Henry's finger, Tangmo noticed how things were kinda quiet in that direction. "The Astartes went after the Federation's Ministry of Defense headquarter, where surviving military personnel were gathered. Things went as well as you would expect for the poor bastards. Ten minutes ago Damien reported that every living thing had been neutralized."

"Now we only have to worry about the millions probably lurking underground. Fucking hell, it's like the Metro books and games, only this time it's the size of several cities," Tangmo stroke his chin thoughtfully as he committed the many highways and tunnels snaking across the holographic map to memory. "We'll be diving head first into a hornet nest."

"Nothing new for us," Erik shrugged then tapped the screen of his data-pad, summoning several red dots across the surface of the city. "I got a feeling we'll be pulling some Zero Dark Thirty shit soon, so I ordered the Rangers and the Vypers to make quick preliminary sweep of the entire city, while the air force made a comprehensive map. After cross referencing everything with the seismic reading, I've marked out where the likely entry points can be found."

"Excellent," Tangmo looked over the many blinking targets, making several mental picks. "We better get a move on, after our little spat Yvraine will more than likely speed up the Ynnari operation."

"I'll get the fast response unit ready," Henry snapped his fingers then, a brilliant idea having come upon him, and tapped his earbud. "Damien, do you read me?"

"No one's alive, don't worry," Damien responded. "God fucking damn it was kinda sad though, those dumb fucks fought for a whooping ten seconds before we cut them down. Anyway, what's up?"

"I need the White Scars let loose on the city," Henry told the Canadian Marine. "We're about to move on multiple targets and we don't want the Ynnari to know what we're doing. The White Scars can blind them to our true intention as they attack remaining Federation's assets across the planet."

"Say no more lord general, we shall be like the storm!" Brother Sergeant Subutai answered boisterously, in the background the rest of the White Scars were roaring in exaltation.

"Happy hunting Brother Sergeant," Henry terminated transmission and turned to Erik. "Tell Zolwyken and his Winged Hussar to perform similar maneuvers across the city too."

"Alright good, now we know what to do next," Tangmo swept his gaze across the courtyard, toward the rubbles of glass and steel that surrounded the Aeldari temple, smoke still rising from the smoldering ruin. Beyond the thick cluster of fallen buildings was the no man's land that separated the battlegroup from the Ynnari, no bullet flew yet but Tangmo knew the longer the stare down continues the likelier someone was gonna get trigger happy, "better than sitting around and waiting for things to go wrong."

"We need to be quick," Henry tilted his awesome general cap down to shield his eyes as he gazed at the vast Aeldari temple behind them. The grand house of worship has been built over by the Federation, using the original structure as a base for a gigantic Burj Khalifa like skyscraper that had towered proudly over the city just a few hours ago. Twisted rebar, steel ledges and shattered panes of razor sharp glass hung from the eldar temple like grotesque deformed limbs, cancerous growth clinging desperately to a healthy body now trying to shed the corruption of millennia passed, "surgical and hard before the Ynnari can claim more area of operation."

"There is…something I need to mention," Erik put away his data-pad and clasped his hands behind his back, a steely seriousness coming over his visage. "Members of the Ishari eldars, our eldars, are starting to feel strange, for the lack of better term."

"Oh fucking great, here we fucking go again," Henry threw up his hands in exasperation and Tangmo kicked the dust at his feet like it had just flipped off his mum. Can't they go through a single mission without having to deal with daemonic eldritch gods for once?! "Fucking Chaos Gods, because why the fuck not?! Eldars seriously can't have their moment in the sun, can they?!"

"Uh…I didn't say anything about Chaos Gods," Erik went on. "I'm just saying the eldars are feeling strange."

"These strange feelings are spiritual and meta-physical in nature?" Tangmo deadpanned.

"Oh yeah," Erik nodded.

"Then it's the Chaos Gods," Tangmo spread his arms wide dejectedly.

"I thought so too at first," Erik said. "But then I brought this up with Isha, and she confirms that the permeating sensation enveloping the planet is not Ruinous in nature. She said it felt familiar but can't quite put her finger on it. That's the reason she and Celestine are searching the temple right now."

"Okay, that doesn't sound so bad," Henry and Tangmo traded nods. "Lita, Laura, Yuki and Nikki are with them, correct?"

"Yeah, along with most of the Sororitas and Aeldari," a thoughtful look came over Erik then. "Should we send some reinforcement their way?"

"Nah, that'll just pissed the nuns and elves off, I rather we concentrate on our mission," Tangmo adjusted his awesome commissar cap and struck a cool pose as he gazed into the horizon of shimmering dust and smoke. Henry and Erik joined him a heartbeat later, the trio looking like indomitable heroes about to embark on their next quest to save the world. "Let's find out if the Aeldari dug too deep and too greedily."