NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: The Emperor's Call
The acrid stench of promethium and scorched metal still lingered in the air of Hive Helsreach, a grim reminder of the recent Ork incursion. Within the reinforced walls of the Orphanage of Saint Celestine's Mercy, life had begun to settle back into its familiar rhythm, but an undercurrent of tension remained. The orphans went about their daily routines with an added vigilance, their young eyes constantly darting to the hastily repaired sections of the perimeter, half-expecting green-skinned monsters to come bursting through at any moment.
Lilith stood before a cracked mirror in the communal washroom, carefully examining the fresh scar that ran along her right shoulder. The wound from the bolter's kickback had healed with remarkable speed, leaving behind a pale, slightly raised line that served as a testament to her impulsive act of bravery. She traced the scar with her fingertips, marveling at how quickly her body had knitted itself back together.
"The Emperor protects," she whispered, the words falling from her lips more out of habit than genuine belief. Even after years in this grim, distant future, Lilith—once Maverick Lopez—still grappled with the concept of unwavering faith in the corpse-god of mankind.
A familiar voice called out from beyond the washroom door. "Lilith, dear? Are you decent? I need to speak with you."
It was Sister Mercy, her tone carrying an unusual weight that made Lilith's stomach clench with apprehension. "Just a moment, Sister," she called back, hastily adjusting her simple robes to cover the scar. Whatever this conversation was about, Lilith didn't want her unusual healing to be at the forefront of it.
Stepping out into the corridor, Lilith found Sister Mercy waiting, her usually serene features marred by a mix of emotions that the young girl couldn't quite decipher. "Come with me to my office, child," Sister Mercy said softly, placing a gentle hand on Lilith's shoulder. "There's something we need to discuss."
As they walked through the winding corridors of the orphanage, Lilith's mind raced. Had they finally decided what to do about her rapid healing? Was she to be sent away for examination by the Adeptus Mechanicus? Or worse, had the Inquisition somehow caught wind of her abilities?
Sister Mercy's office was a small, austere room dominated by a worn wooden desk and a looming statue of the Emperor in one corner. As always, the Emperor's penetrating gaze seemed to follow Lilith as she took a seat across from Sister Mercy, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.
"Lilith," Sister Mercy began, her voice wavering slightly, "do you remember your conversation with Sister Victorine about joining the Adepta Sororitas?"
Lilith nodded, confusion evident on her face. "Yes, Sister. I declined the offer, preferring to join the Steel Legion instead."
Sister Mercy's lips tightened into a thin line. "Well, it seems the Emperor has other plans for you, my dear. Your actions during the Ork attack... they've not gone unnoticed."
A cold dread began to seep into Lilith's bones. "What do you mean, Sister?"
"Word of your bravery has reached the ears of the Steel Legion," Sister Mercy continued, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "They've expressed a keen interest in recruiting you, Lilith. Not just as a regular trainee, but as a potential candidate."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with implication. Lilith felt her heart begin to race, a mix of excitement and terror coursing through her veins. This was what she had wanted, wasn't it? A chance to finally start her journey, to finally find the reason why she was brought into this world. And yet...
"A candidate? Why suddenly?" Lilith protested weakly, thinking that maybe it is too soon for her.
Sister Mercy's smile was sad and proud all at once. "You've always been exceptional, Lilith. Your intellect, your dedication to your studies, and now your courage in the face of the xenos threat. The Steel Legion sees in you the potential for a valuable asset in their ranks."
"When?" Lilith asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"They want to begin your training immediately," Sister Mercy replied, her composure finally cracking. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "You would leave the orphanage within the week."
The words hit Lilith like a blow to the chest. Leave the orphanage? Leave Sister Mercy, and all the others who had become her makeshift family in this grim, dark future? The thought was almost too much to bear.
"I... I don't know if I'm ready," Lilith stammered, her own eyes filling with tears. "Sister Mercy, I don't want to leave you."
Sister Mercy rose from her chair and came around the desk, kneeling before Lilith and taking the girl's hands in her own. "Oh, my dear child," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I don't want you to leave either. These past eight years, watching you grow and learn... you've become like a daughter to me, Lilith."
Lilith threw her arms around Sister Mercy, burying her face in the woman's shoulder as sobs wracked her small frame. For a long moment, they stayed like that, each drawing comfort from the other's presence.
Finally, Sister Mercy pulled away, her weathered hands gently cupping Lilith's tear-stained face. "The Emperor has a plan for you, my child," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We must trust in His wisdom, even when the path He lays before us is difficult to tread."
Lilith nodded, unable to find words through the lump in her throat. As she left Sister Mercy's office, her mind reeled with the implications of what lay ahead. The Steel Legion awaited, and with it, a future shrouded in uncertainty and danger.
The days that followed passed in a blur of preparation and farewells. As word spread of Lilith's imminent departure, each of the Sisters who had played a role in shaping her life at the orphanage sought her out to impart final words of wisdom and comfort.
Sister Prudence, the stern-faced teacher with augmetic eyes, found Lilith in the library late one evening. The girl sat surrounded by stacks of medical texts and historical tomes, frantically trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible before her departure.
"Knowledge is power, guard it well," Sister Prudence intoned, her metallic gaze fixed on Lilith. "You have a remarkable mind, child. It has been... a privilege to witness its growth."
Lilith looked up, surprised by the uncharacteristic warmth in the Sister's voice. "Thank you, Sister Prudence. Your lessons have been invaluable."
The older woman's augmetic eyes whirred softly as she focused on Lilith's face. "You've always asked questions, sought to understand rather than simply accept. It is a dangerous trait in our Imperium, but one that may serve you well in the trials to come." She paused, her expression softening almost imperceptibly. "I pray the Emperor protects you, Lilith. May His light guide your path."
As Sister Prudence turned to leave, Lilith called out, "Sister, I... I'll miss your lessons."
The teacher paused at the door, her back to Lilith. "And I shall miss having a student worthy of them," she replied, her voice tinged with an emotion Lilith had never heard from her before. Then she was gone, leaving Lilith to ponder the complexities of the woman who had challenged her mind for so many years.
The next day, as Lilith assisted in the medicae ward, Sister Marian approached her with a small, worn leather case. "Lilith, dear, I have something for you," she said, her usually cheerful voice subdued.
Lilith set aside the bandages she had been rolling and turned to face the Sister. "What is it, Sister Marian?"
The older woman held out the case, her hands trembling slightly. "This was my personal field medicae kit when I served with the Sisters Hospitaller. I want you to have it."
Lilith's eyes widened as she carefully took the case. "Sister Marian, I... I can't accept this. It's too precious."
Sister Marian shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "Nonsense, child. You have a healer's heart and a scholar's mind. This kit has saved countless lives over the years. I pray it will serve you well in the battles to come."
As Lilith opened the case, revealing an array of specialized instruments and medications, Sister Marian continued, her voice thick with emotion. "You've been a blessing to this ward, Lilith. Your thirst for knowledge, your gentle touch with the patients... The Emperor truly smiled upon us when He brought you here."
Lilith felt her own eyes welling up with tears. "You've taught me so much, Sister Marian. I don't know how to thank you."
The Sister pulled Lilith into a tight embrace. "Thank me by using what I've taught you to save lives, my dear. The path of a healer is never easy, especially in times of war, but it is a noble calling. Never forget the compassion that drives you to help others."
As they parted, Sister Marian wiped her eyes and managed a watery smile. "Now, let's go over the contents of that kit one last time. The Emperor knows when you'll next have access to proper medical training."
The two spent the next few hours hunched over the medicae kit, with Sister Marian imparting every scrap of knowledge she could about its contents and their uses. It was a bittersweet lesson, filled with the unspoken understanding that it might be their last.
That evening, as Lilith made her way back to her dormitory, she was intercepted by Sister Victorine. The Battle Sister's face was a mask of conflicting emotions as she gestured for Lilith to follow her to a quiet corner of the orphanage's chapel.
"I've been... wrestling with how to approach this conversation, Lilith," Sister Victorine began, her voice uncharacteristically hesitant. "When I first met you, I saw a spark of potential that I believed would flourish within the ranks of the Adepta Sororitas. Your decision to join the Steel Legion instead... it troubled me."
Lilith opened her mouth to speak, but Sister Victorine held up a hand to silence her. "Let me finish, child. I've watched you these past years, seen your dedication to learning, your compassion for others, and yes, even your moments of doubt. And I've come to realize that perhaps... perhaps the path you've chosen is the right one for you."
The Battle Sister's armored gauntlet came to rest on Lilith's shoulder, the weight of it a tangible reminder of the crushing responsibility that came with serving the Imperium. "The life of a soldier is not an easy one, Lilith. You will face horrors beyond imagination, and your faith will be tested in ways you cannot yet comprehend. But I believe you have the strength to endure."
Lilith felt a lump forming in her throat. "Thank you, Sister Victorine. Your words mean more than you know."
Sister Victorine's grip on Lilith's shoulder tightened slightly. "Remember this, Lilith: faith is our shield against the darkness that threatens to consume us all. You may not wear the habit of a Sister, but you carry the Emperor's light within you. Never let it dim, no matter how dark the path before you become."
With that, the Battle Sister pressed a small, silver Aquila into Lilith's hand. "May the Emperor's wings shelter you in your darkest hours," she intoned solemnly before turning and striding away, her power armor whirring softly with each step.
Lilith stood there for a long moment, the weight of the Aquila in her hand a stark reminder of the immense responsibility she was about to shoulder. The enormity of what lay ahead threatened to overwhelm her, but she took a deep breath, steeling herself against the fear. She had made her choice, and now she would face the consequences, whatever they might be.
As the day of her departure drew near, Lilith found herself spending more and more time with Sister Mercy. The woman who had been the closest thing to a mother she had known in this grim, dark future seemed determined to impart every scrap of wisdom and love she could in the time they had left.
On her final night in the orphanage, Lilith sat with Sister Mercy in the small garden they had tended together over the years. The filtered air of the hive dome above them carried the faint scent of the hardy, radiation-resistant plants that struggled to grow in the harsh environment of Armageddon.
"Do you remember the day you arrived, Lilith?" Sister Mercy asked, her gaze fixed on a particularly stubborn flower that had managed to bloom despite the odds.
Lilith nodded, the memories of that terrifying day still vivid in her mind. "I was so scared and confused. You were the first person to show me kindness in this... new world."
Sister Mercy reached out and took Lilith's hand in her own. "You were such a tiny, frightened thing. But even then, there was a strength in you that I had rarely seen in one so young. I knew from that moment that the Emperor had sent you to us for a reason."
"I'm not sure I believe in the Emperor's plan," Lilith admitted quietly, half-expecting to be rebuked for her doubt.
But Sister Mercy only smiled, a sad, knowing expression that spoke volumes. "Faith is a journey, my child. It is not always an easy path, nor a straight one. But I believe that your questioning nature, your desire to understand rather than simply accept, will serve you well in the trials to come."
The older woman's grip on Lilith's hand tightened. "I want you to know, Lilith, that watching you grow these past years has been the greatest joy of my life. You have faced challenges that would have broken lesser souls, and you have emerged stronger for them. I am so proud of the young woman you have become."
Lilith felt tears welling up in her eyes once more. "I couldn't have done it without you, Sister Mercy. You've been... you've been everything to me. A mother, a teacher, a friend. I don't know how I'll manage without you."
Sister Mercy pulled Lilith into a fierce embrace. "Oh, my dear child," she whispered, her own voice choked with emotion. "You are stronger than you know. The Emperor may have brought you to us, but the strength and compassion you've shown have been your own. Carry that strength with you, always."
As they held each other, the weight of their impending separation pressing down upon them, Sister Mercy began to softly recite a prayer. It was not one of the formal litanies of the Ecclesiarchy, but a simple, heartfelt plea for protection and guidance.
"May the Emperor's light guide your path through the darkness," she murmured. "May His strength fortify your spirit in times of doubt. May His wisdom grant you clarity when all seems lost. And may His love, reflected in the bonds you forge with others, be a constant reminder of the humanity you fight to protect."
Lilith found herself whispering the words along with Sister Mercy, not out of any sudden surge of faith, but as a way to capture this moment, to burn it into her memory. She knew that in the dark days ahead, she would cling to this memory of love and safety like a lifeline.
As the prayer ended, Sister Mercy pulled back slightly, cupping Lilith's face in her hands. "Remember, my child, that no matter where your path may lead you, you will always have a home here. And a mother who loves you more than words can express."
Lilith nodded, unable to speak through the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. In that moment, she was acutely aware of the dichotomy of her existence; the memories of a past life as Maverick Lopez warring with the experiences of Lilith, the orphan of Armageddon. Both identities, both sets of memories, had shaped her into the person she was now. And it was that person, that unique blend of past and present, who would face the challenges that lay ahead.
The next morning dawned grey and somber, as if the very air of Armageddon mourned Lilith's departure. The entire orphanage had gathered in the main courtyard to bid farewell to the girl who had touched all their lives in some way.
Lilith stood before them, her meager possessions packed into a standard-issue Imperial Guard duffel bag. She wore the simple grey fatigues of a Steel Legion recruit, the fabric stiff and unfamiliar against her skin. The weight of Sister Marian's medicae kit hung at her hip, a constant reminder of the knowledge and care that had been invested in her.
One by one, the Sisters and fellow orphans approached to say their goodbyes. There were tears and embraces, whispered prayers and heartfelt wishes for her safety. Lilith did her best to memorize each face, each voice, knowing that she might never see them again.
Finally, Sister Mercy stepped forward. The older woman's eyes were red-rimmed, but her voice was steady as she addressed the gathered crowd. "Today, we send one of our own to serve the Emperor and the Imperium of Man. Lilith has been a shining example of the virtues we strive to instill in all our charges; compassion, dedication, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge."
Sister Mercy turned to face Lilith directly. "You go forth now, not just as a soldier of the Imperium, but as a bearer of hope. Remember the lessons you have learned here, the love you have been shown, and let them be your guiding light in the darkness that you will face."
With trembling hands, Sister Mercy fastened a small, silver chain around Lilith's neck. From it hung a tiny vial containing a single, pressed flower petal; a remnant of their shared garden. "May this remind you of the beauty that can bloom even in the harshest of environments," she said softly. "And may it be a constant reminder that you are loved, Lilith. Always and unconditionally."
Then, Sister Mercy reached into the folds of her robe and pulled out a small, worn book bound in faded leather. "This," she said, her voice thick with emotion, "has been my constant companion for more years than I can count. It's a collection of prayers, meditations, and words of comfort that have guided me through my darkest hours."
She pressed the book into Lilith's hands, curling the girl's fingers around its worn edges. "I want you to have it, my child. Let it be a piece of me that goes with you, wherever your path may lead. When you feel lost or alone, open its pages and know that I am with you in spirit, always."
Lilith clutched the book to her chest, feeling the weight of its history and the love imbued in its pages. "Sister Mercy, I... I don't know what to say," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
Sister Mercy smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. "You don't need to say anything, my dear. Just promise me that you'll carry it with you, and that when you read it, you'll remember that no matter how far you go, no matter what trials you face, you will always have a mother who loves you and a home to return to."
Lilith nodded, unable to speak through the lump in her throat. She carefully tucked the precious book into her duffel bag, knowing that it would indeed become her anchor in the turbulent times ahead.
As a transport rumbled up to the orphanage gates, Lilith took one last look at the place that had been her home, at the people who had become her family. She squared her shoulders, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall, and spoke in a clear, strong voice.
"Thank you," she said, her gaze sweeping across the assembled faces. "For everything you've taught me, for the love you've shown me, for helping me become the person I am today. I promise to carry your teachings with me, to strive to be worthy of the faith you've placed in me. May the Emperor protect you all."
Lilith took a step towards the waiting transport, then paused. She turned back, her eyes shining with determination and a hint of defiance against the grim future that awaited her. "And I promise you this," she declared, her voice ringing out across the courtyard, "I will come back. No matter what challenges I face, no matter how far I go, I will return to you all. This I swear, by the Emperor and all that you've taught me."
Her words hung in the air for a moment, and then, like the sun breaking through Armageddon's perpetual smog, smiles began to spread across the faces of the assembled Sisters and orphans. Sister Mercy's face lit up with pride and hope, tears streaming freely down her cheeks. Sister Prudence's usually stern countenance softened, the corners of her mouth turning up in a rare smile. Sister Marian clasped her hands together, beaming at Lilith with maternal affection.
Even Sister Victorine, standing tall in her power armor, nodded approvingly, a glimmer of respect and perhaps even fondness in her eyes. The smiles of her family, this unexpected burst of joy in the face of their parting, seared itself into Lilith's memory. It was an image she knew she would carry with her through whatever trials lay ahead, a reminder of the love and faith that would always be waiting for her.
With a final nod to her assembled family, Lilith turned and walked towards the waiting transport. As she climbed aboard, she allowed herself one last glance back. The sight of Sister Mercy, standing tall amidst the crowd, her hand raised in a final blessing, her face alight with a proud smile, seared itself into Lilith's memory.
As the transport's engines roared to life, Sister Victorine turned her gaze from the departing vehicle to her fellow Sisters. Her eyes fell upon Sister Mercy, whose face was streaked with tears she seemed unaware of shedding. The Battle Sister's stern features softened for a moment as she observed the raw emotion on display.
Sister Prudence and Sister Marian stood nearby, their own eyes glistening with unshed tears. The usually stoic Sister Prudence's augmetic eyes whirred softly as she struggled to maintain her composure. Sister Marian clutched her medicae kit to her chest, as if holding onto a piece of Lilith herself.
Sister Victorine stepped forward, her power armor humming with each movement. Her voice, when she spoke, carried the weight of conviction that had been honed through years of service to the Emperor.
"Sisters," she began, her tone commanding attention, "I see the sorrow in your hearts, the fear for Lilith's future. But remember, she goes forth to serve the Emperor's will, just as we all do in our own ways."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the assembled crowd of Sisters and orphans. "The path of a soldier in the Astra Militarum is fraught with peril, this is true. But Lilith carries with her something far more powerful than any weapon the Imperium could provide; she carries our faith, our teachings, and our love."
Sister Victorine's hand came to rest on the hilt of her chainsword, a gesture both protective and proud. "The Emperor protects, Sisters. This is not merely a platitude, but a truth we have witnessed time and time again. Lilith's journey may take her far from us, but she will never truly be alone. The Emperor's light shines upon her, just as it shines upon us all."
She turned to Sister Mercy, whose tears had finally slowed. "Sister Mercy, you have raised a daughter of the Imperium, a true servant of the Emperor. Take pride in that. Lilith's strength, her compassion, her thirst for knowledge. These are the gifts you have bestowed upon her. They will serve her well in the trials to come."
Sister Mercy nodded, wiping her eyes with a trembling hand. "You speak truly, Sister Victorine. It is selfish of me to weep when Lilith goes to do the Emperor's work."
"No, Sister," Victorine replied, her voice softening. "Your tears are not selfish. They are a testament to the love you have given Lilith, a love that will be her armor in the darkness of the void and her beacon in the heat of battle."
Sister Victorine turned back to address the entire gathering. "Let us not mourn Lilith's departure but celebrate her calling. She goes forth as a shining example of what we strive to cultivate here; faith, duty, and unwavering devotion to the Emperor and the Imperium of Man."
The Battle Sister's words seemed to resonate with the assembled crowd. Backs straightened, chins lifted, and a sense of pride began to replace the sorrow that had permeated the air.
"And let us remember," Sister Victorine continued, her voice rising with fervor, "that Lilith made a promise to return to us. We must hold fast to that promise, for it is a reflection of the unbreakable bonds we have forged here. In the Emperor's name, I say this: Lilith will return to us, stronger and more devoted than ever before."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. Sister Mercy stepped forward, her voice steady despite the emotion still evident on her face. "Sister Victorine speaks wisely. Let us offer a prayer for Lilith's safe return."
As one, the Sisters and orphans bowed their heads. Sister Mercy's voice rang out, clear and strong:
"Emperor of Mankind, we entrust to Your divine care our beloved Lilith, who goes forth to serve You in the ranks of the Astra Militarum. Shield her with Your mighty presence, guide her steps through the perils that await, and grant her the strength to uphold the virtues we have instilled in her. May Your light be her constant companion, and may she find her way back to us, victorious and unbroken. In Your name, we pray. The Emperor protects."
"The Emperor protects," the crowd echoed, their voices joining in a chorus of faith and hope.
As the prayer concluded, Sister Victorine surveyed the scene before her. The sorrow that had gripped the orphanage had transformed into something else; a mixture of pride, determination, and unwavering faith. She nodded, satisfied that the Emperor's will would be done.
In the distance, the transport carrying Lilith disappeared into the smog-choked sky of Armageddon. But within the walls of the Orphanage of Saint Celestine's Mercy, a fire had been kindled; a fire of hope that would burn brightly, awaiting the day when their Lilith would return, forged in the crucible of war into a true daughter of the Emperor.
The gathered Sisters and orphans began to disperse, their hearts heavy but their spirits lifted by Sister Victorine's words and the shared prayer. As they returned to their duties, there was a new sense of purpose in their steps, a reminder that each of them, in their own way, served the Emperor's grand design.
Sister Mercy lingered a moment longer, her gaze fixed on the point where the transport had vanished from sight.
"Emperor protect you, my child," she whispered into the acrid Armageddon air. "And when you return to us, I will be here to welcome you once again."
With those words, Sister Mercy turned and walked back into the orphanage. The door closed behind her, but the sound of Lilith's promise lingered in the air, a testament to the strong bonds of faith and family built upon years that would endure across the vast, uncaring expanse of the galaxy.