Part XIV

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A day passed and Rosetta sat there in the corner of a cathedral, ruined by war. Rubble laid scattered all over the place. Alexis dead, Mirabel dead, Aura, the real Aura, long dead for many years now. She grew ever so alone. She wrapped her arms around her legs and pressed her knees up against her weeping face.

She buried her face as she shivered in the cold empty wind. Her only warmth was the hot tears spawn from her despair. Even when surrounded by guards she felt ever so alone. Deprived of the entity Aura's presence she felt cold, empty, weak.

The entity's presence had been warmth, it was an intoxicating addiction. It provided her with the love she craved so dearly, it presented her with a sweet alternative. Like a daemon, Gwen'thalas had lured her from the Emperor's light and into its own arms.

She realised she was so much more. She was a Sororitas, exemplar of the faithful and scion of the imperial church. She bore this truth with all her heart. Never again will such entities lead her astray. Never again will she rely on something that can be taken away.

The sound of metal smashing against stone followed by the loud stamp of boots against marble. Out from the shadows, Mimir appeared as he usually did and out from a hall came the Inquisitor.

"It is not here!" The Inquisitor barked.

"Lord Theodosius, I never said its presence here was a certainty." Reminded Mimir.

The two met in the centre of the hall, before the cathedral's altar. The Inquisitor stood as tall and proud as ever in his anger. He gestured to everything around.

It had been the first time Rosetta had heard Inquisitor Theodosius' name. With it came a sense of authority no mortal should have.

"Time grows short and all you have to present to me is empty ruins and some whimpering girl!" Theodosius said.

"It must have been moved somehow..." Mimir's eyes turned towards Rosetta as he spoke "...If only I could-"

"I've had enough of your empty promises Hermit! Chaos moves faster than I can track it and you stand around bandying worthless words! You-"

Theodosius cut himself off as a message reached his personal vox set. He looked away as muted clicking emanated from his hood. A moment later the Inquisitor looked back at Mimir.

"Another of your... Solutions is about to present itself... Do not test my patience Mimir." He warned as he turned about and went back the way he came.

-//-

Mimir then turned his attention to Rosetta and approached. He stared at Rosetta for but a moment. He seemed perplexed, confused even.

"Where is Freya?" He asked.

Rosetta looked up at him blood-shot eyes then looked away.

"The daemon is dead."

"No. I can feel Freya's power... Her essence is still anchored within you... She is not here. Where is she?"

Rosetta scowled at him for a moment. A deep hatred sparked within Rosetta's heart. For all he had done, she wanted to kill the man. Yet, her strength had left her. She could barely stand, let alone face him in battle.

She rolled her eyes as she turned away from him. For a time, silence fell as the two paused in thought.

"So what becomes of me now? The daemon is gone. Release me. " Rosetta said suddenly.

"I think not, girl. Naivety is a nice trait to exploit but I am too old to hide behind lies... You are useful to us... Nothing more."

"Honourless bastard. Is your precious daemon all you care about?" She growled.

Suddenly, a pair of massive servants, comparable in size to an Astartes, stomped into the place dragging along between them a captured traitor Astartes. His once perfect face was bruised battered and scared.

Their presence captured the attention of all within the building. Even the Inquisitor came out from the depths of one of the cathedral's many chambers to greet them. The loud footsteps of many echoed throughout empty halls as heavy boots hammered against ancient marble.

Mimir looked back at her, drawing her attention.

"Yes. She is everything that matters to me. You... Already touched by the warp... A perfect symbiote and host for her... I will serve my purpose as you will serve yours." Mimir remarked as he finished his eyes flashed with radiant light in the darkness of his hood. His words were almost a warning as he left to meet the others.

Oh, how the anger within her burned brightly. Boiling blood and blasting a restless unease throughout her body. The tears stopped flowing. Nothing but fire remained.

Mimir joined the others as they converged at the altar, the servants in their black cloaks held the Astartes in place while the Inquisitor inspected him. When all was done, he stepped aside, looked at Mimir and pointed to the captured Astartes with his palm.

His eyes were set ablaze with unnatural fire. He raised his hands and clasped both the Astartes' temples. They began to combust as he scoured the traitor's mind for information.

The Astartes shivered and a grim smile stretched from cheek to cheek. He almost let loose a vile cackle but he could only choke on his own spewing blood.

The Inquisitor seemed almost amused to see such treatment befall the giant. Soon Mimir's own flesh began to flay itself from his bones as his flame burned blindingly bright.

Then, it was over. The Astartes was dropped to the floor dead and Mimir staggered backwards for a moment as flesh returned to his hands. He recomposed himself and fell silent as he processed a completely new set of memories.

After some time he finally spoke.

"The other fragments... They fight each other in the depths of the citadel."

"New hosts?" Asked Theodosius.

"Indeed... All three fragments... Exploited like powerhouses by the warlord and that Sister, Mirabel." Mimir answered. A hint of annoyance and anger evident in his voice.

"You better not lie, Hermit... One last strike is all we need!"

The inquisitor's red eyes seemed to gleam with hope.

"Summon the iron guard. Summon my household. We will muster all we can before the day is done." Theodosius announced.

-//-

True to his word, Theodosius gathered a great host to his cause in a matter of days. His inquisitorial authority reaching far and wide. His very name overriding the authority of those commanders who resisted.

Regiment after regiment poured into the countryside surrounding Wyvern's Citadel. Infantry, artillery, tanks, nothing was spared.Theodosius allowed no chance of failure to persist.

Rosetta watched as they travelled through familiar forests. She was almost intrigued as the inquisitor busied himself with the monstrous task of governing an army.

With Aura's power fading she found herself hungry for the first time in a while. For now, she contented herself with consuming provided rations as she watched the world around her get very busy.

As countless men and women ran back and forth around the inquisitor she faded into the background. Without her strength, she could not defy those who kept her by their side.

She grew tired of this war of gods and daemons. This never-ending struggle. This painful conflict she was ready to do away with it all. Yet, to her annoyance, Mimir's watchful eye was upon her at all times.

She was left with no choice but to linger on in this living purgatory. Free to be constrained to the confines of Mimir's watchful presence. So she carried on without responsibility or

-//-

Then, as night fell that day she fell into a deep sleep. She struggled and strained as she was taken into the realm of dreams. She found herself surrounded by a roaring firestorm. Even as it raged on just beyond reach in all directions it seemed strangely calm. It was as if a presence held it at bay.

That familiar and intoxicating feeling of love and assurance flowed through her once more. She could feel it fill her heart and flood her mind. She felt that familiar warmth embrace her again. There, in her dreams, Aura appeared once more.

The entity greeted Rosetta with a smile and open arms.

Hello, Sister.

Lashing out, Rosetta rejected her.

"Get away from me daemon."

Shock froze Aura.

Is this... hatred all of a sudden?

"You are warp spawn! Just as they are!"

No, I- Argh!

Aura seemed to almost fade away in static as she dropped to her knees, gripping her head. Breathing deeply she looked up at Rosetta who stared at her with contempt.

Please... Nothing else matters. I-I... S-should I- Argh!

Aura's voice became distorted and inhuman. It warped into a mechanical groan as Aura moaned and suffered in her degrading state.

Please I-I beg you S-Sister... Have we not been through enough as one?

Such was her sorry state that Rosetta took pity on her. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe Aura was just as trapped in this hell as she was. Her heart softened.

Kneeling down to join with the entity she wrapped her arms around Aura. Embracing the daemon and truly forsaking her past. She could not allow herself to succumb to sorrow so she replaced it with anger and a blinding rage.

In an intoxicating outburst of love and joy Aura embraced her back and almost seemed to a have recovered in the action.

Please, Sister... Collect the last f-fragments... End this and restore us.

As she spoke she faded into nothingness and all faded to white.

With a gasp, she awoke from her sleep. She sat up and looked around in the darkness. She felt the warmth bleed out of her. It was as if the emperor's own grace had left her. A tear rolled down her eye as loneliness hit her heart hard. She curled up into a ball.

"Aura... Forgive me." She uttered.

-//-

As the sun rose that morning and with inhuman silence and almost robotic efficiency the men and women of the Mordian Iron Guard cleaned and polished their kit and prepared for battle. Theodosius watched them all form up beautifully from his high vantage point.

He watched with silent admiration and pride as perfect columns began to form around a central column of heavy armour. Trio after trio of Leman Russ Battle Tanks all formed up in single file on the road. Flanked on both sides by Mordians they became a splendid sight to behold.

Rosetta watched him from the open-topped back of a salamander command tank. With the ever vigilant Mimir at her side she could not be free. All she could do is watch and watch her fate unfold.

Soon everyone was in position and the fifes began playing a tune. It was upbeat tune designed to encourage allies and intimidate enemies. Soon after the resounding boom of beating drums filled the air.

As one the entire army moved out to the beat of the fife and drums. Dozens of mighty armoured tanks. Thousands of troopers. All of it moved as one through ruined streets on the road to war. All Rosetta could do is watch on as the mighty sledgehammer of the emperor marches into battle.

-//-

Rosetta's eyes became watery as all there was was war. All there could be was war. War consumed the land, its people and everything it touched. Yet, war must remain. It is necessary, it is survival, it is all that can be done.

To hope for anything but war is futile. To refuse it, heretical. It the darkness of the forty-first millennium there is only war. That is the way it must be until victory or death becomes of them all.

Rosetta thought of this and almost gave in to despair. This was a universe that evolved without her. It pulled her all as it toiled in the dark and flailed at the light. All she could do is watch as she witnessed a thousand souls prepare for a bloodbath.

Yet in these grim times, she was reminded of a single sliver of hope. Aura shone in her memories like the warm blaze of a torch in the cold darkness of reality. She could not give up. Not now, not when she was so close to destiny.

-//-

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