Adeptus Mechanicus

  Dataliad Vingh - Tech-Priest

  Kira Heptrix - Skitarii Alpha

  Kryptorer Cykell - Arch Tech-Priest Dominus

  Adepta Sororitas

  Order of The Shining Beacon

  Alicya Sabatith - Probationary Palatine

  Diadinah Grace - Canoness

  Markeylla Merett - Celestian Superior

  Zharphia Abaiyo - Seraphim Excelsior

  Welminah Maeyer - Sister Dialogous

  Inquisitorial Warband

  Amael Frieden - Interrogator, Retinue

  Herlindya Winsen - Acolyte, Retinue

  Fulton Murdini - Sanctioned Psyker, Retinue

  Niandra - Imperial Assassin, Retinue

  Tahsya Burnadis - Pilot, Retinue

  Thaberus Thorn - Inquisitor, Ordo Hereticus

  Tsalieh Hennard - Sanctioned Psyker, Retinue

  Rantor Crane - Henchman, Retinue

  Veritta Kern - Sister Hospitaller, Retinue

  Nusquamese

  Arradus Rein - Astropath

  Khatalina von Klaeus - Planetary Governor

  Grand Northern Army

  Borrin Yalstin - Rearguard General

  Kaithan von Klaeus - Lord

  Luthor von Norden - Lord General

  *characters who appeared only for one chapter or not too involved with major plots not included.

  Sneak Peek

  WIP, subjected to change and further edit.

  Spoiler :

  ‘Why wasn’t I notified of this?’

  Palatine Alicya Sabatith stiffened upon receiving a direct question from the Holy Daughter. The palatine had personally known Syrine for quite some time now and had never heard her sounding like this, but Alicya persisted and stood her ground.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  ‘I… eh, I know it is not my place to make such a request, but please, let me handle this.’ In the middle of the business district, a full contingent of Sororitas strike force was moving forward but their commander was standing still, talking frantically in a vox conversation.

  ‘Alicya, I am coming to you.’ Syrine still sounded courteous as ever but it was clear no argument was to be made of this decision.

  ‘Please wait, I can explain…’ the palatine desperately tried to push her point across but it was no use, Syrine had already cut the line.

  A short while after that, Alicya watched in trepidation as the sky above was split open with a bright flash. A sonic boom later, a single petite figure wrapped in a fabulous white hooded cloak materialised in the midair and started dropping leg first straight from the heavens.

  Even at this distance, there was no mistake about it. Alicya recognised the spiritual leader of her Order had arrived via teleportation. People around gasped, not knowing what to expect from this sudden development. The hooded figure continued her free fall, moments before she hit the ground, a pair of glorious huge angelic wings suddenly appeared on her back. The wings broke her descent and she landed gracefully.

  As soon as Syrine’s feet touched the ground a pulse of energy burst forth from her, touching everyone in the vicinity. Those familiar with the “Saint’s Embrace” would know for certain the undisputed authority figure of the realm had arrived. The surroundings went quiet, a few nearby sisters were already down kneeling. Syrine nodded in acknowledgement and started walking as her wings melted into the air, the sight of it made Alicya forget to breathe.

  The Holy Daughter retracted her hood, revealing a face of engineered perfection with soft golden light bursting forth from her eyes, she settled her sight on the newly promoted palatine.

  ‘Alicya.’ Syrine called out. There was a paradoxical quality about her voice, it sounded soft and barely a whisper but was heard clearly by everyone around them.

  The young palatine lost herself momentarily in the presence of a legitimate child of her God-Emperor. Alicya vividly recalled the first time she had met Syrine, back then the prophesied Holy Daughter was brilliant enough but more mundane and approachable. That had changed, Syrine had since risen to a new level of presence both in person and the weight she carried. It was not as if she had purposely put distance between herself and the people she knew but none had dared to position themselves as peers with the Emperor’s daughter.

  The palatine found herself kneeling in the next instance without remembering doing it, she looked up and saw Syrine looking down at her with a slightly troubled expression as she said her next words.

  ‘Rise and explain.’

  It was only a short sentence but the richness of her tone conveyed many emotions; the happiness of seeing a friend, a bit of worry, a tiny bit of confusion and Throne forbid, hints of slight disappointment. The very notion that she had somehow disappointed their Holy Daughter sent Alicya into a mental panic.