Elizabeth was sent to the Schostica Psykana, the Imperium’s institution for psyker training. There, she was taught to trol her abilities, resist daemonifluence, and shield her presen the . For untrained psykers, resisting a daemon’s invasion was nearly impossible. But those who survived the Psykana’s grueling regimen stood a ce of serving the Imperium.

  As always, Elizabeth excelled iraining. She mastered the teiques to hide her "light" in the , outwit the entities that prowled its depths, and wield her abilities as she will. Upon graduation, she was saned and assigo the Ordo Hereticus, the branch of the Inquisition tasked with hunting witches aics.

  The academy’s choir performanded, and the young girls filed out i rows, their voices fading into the stillness of the hall. Yet Elizabeth’s mind was restless. There were questions she couldn’t shake.

  The higher-ups of the Inquisition seemed relut to dig further into one particur question: Was Kayvaan truly what he seemed? Or was he something far more dangerous? The Inquisition’s higher-ups seemed divided. Some argued that Kayvaan, now far beyond the Imperium’s rea the distaern Fringe, posed no immediate threat. The Eastern Fringe was a realm of chaos and shadows, a region where Imperial influence was tenuous at best. Even finding a reliable star map of the area was a challehers, however, saw pcy as heresy in itself. Whether Kayvaan was an enemy, or even a daemon, no longer mattered. As far as the Inquisition was ed, he was someone else’s problem now.

  Still, there were whispers. The higher-ups had pns for Kayvaan and his newly f Chapter. For now, they seemed tent to let him go, hoping perhaps to turn his jouro their advantage.

  Another reason for their ina was Elizabeth herself. As the inquisitor responsible for reviewing Kayvaan, she had found no solid evidence of his corruption. Yes, he bore the curse of Sanesh, one of the most feared chaos gods among daemons. But curses were plicated, and there was no proof he had fully succumbed. Exeg him without evidence would only invite backsh, tarnishing the Inquisition’s reputation. And Kayvaan was no ordinary man; his background made him a dangerous adversary.

  But Elizabeth couldn’t let it go. Her sd sense of justice screamed against the idea of turning a blind eye. What if Kayvaan truly was a daemon? What about the people under his and? How long before they became his unwitting pawns—or worse, his victims?

  Elizabeth didn’t believe him. Her intuition whispered that there was something off about Kayvaan, something she couldn’t ignore. Elizabeth had learo trust her instincts.

  “Elizabeth?” A familiar voice called out, pulling her from her thoughts. She turned her head and froze. A young sister in a pristine white robe stood before her, her slender figure framed by the sunlight streaming through the arched windows. The nun’s golden hair, styled in a simple, doll-like cut, shimmered as she smiled. Her delicate features—round nose, small mouth, and big, expressive eyes—radiated both warmth and innoce.“Is it really you, Elizabeth? It’s me, Hilsa! Do you remember me?” The young woman’s voice was filled with disbelief and joy.

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened in surprise as the familiar figure stepped into the hall. “Sister Hilsa?” she asked, her voice steady but tinged with disbelief. “By the Emperrace… it is you.”

  Elizabeth and Hilsa had grown up together. They had faced tless challenges side by side, building an unshakable bond over the years. But after being Battle Sisters, they had been assigo different group, separated by duty and the relentless chaos of war. To meet again, alive and well, was nothing short of a miracle.

  Their reunion was like a rare beam of sunlight breaking through storm clouds. For a moment, the weight of duty and war seemed to lift, and they spoke as they once had. “I’ve been blessed with and,” Hilsa said, gesturing to the heraldry on her armor. The golden cross, etched with the Roman numeral III, marked her as a Sister Superior. “The Emperor has granted me the honor of leading a squad of Battle Sisters.”

  Elizabeth’s smile faltered, and her expression grew somber. “Me? I… I ’t fight anymore.”

  Hilsa’s eyes widened, her expression one of restrained . “What happened, Sister?”

  Elizabeth sighed, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I entered an enemy beyond anything I had faced before. My Sisters… they all fell in battle. I was the only one who survived.” Her voice faltered, heavy with sorrow. “When I returned, I was deemed unfit for active service. They reassigned me to advisory duties within the Ecclesiarchy.”

  Hilsa’s brow furrowed. “Unfit for service? You? That doesn’t sound like the Sister Elizabeth I know. You were the fi among us—the most disciplihe most faithful. If anyone could e would be you.”

  Elizabeth forced a bitter smile. “There’s no choice. Orders are orders. I have to accept it.”

  Hilsa’s gaze softened, but there was a glint of uanding in her eyes. “A, here you are, serving the Emperor in your own way.” She paused, leaning slightly closer. “Tell me, Elizabeth, are you truly w for the Ecclesiarchy?”

  Elizabeth’s expression tightened, and she remained silent. Hilsa smirked knowingly. “I see. So, it’s true. You’ve been seded to the Inquisition.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you—?”

  Hilsa chuckled softly. “Sister, we traiogether. I know you better than you think. The Emperor’s light shines brightly on you, and your skills have always set you apart. You may wear a different mantle now, but your purpose remains the same.”

  Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat. She lowered her gaze, steadying herself with a deep breath. When she looked up again, her expression was posed. “Yes, Sister Hilsa. I am seded to the Inquisition. But this is not a matter for open discussion. You’ve been briefed, I assume?”

  Hilsa nodded, her tone shifting to one of seriousness. “Yes. My team has been assigo your operation. When I saw your name listed as the anding officer, I thought it was an error. It’s been a long time, Sister.”

  Elizabeth offered a faint smile. “The Emperor’s will guides us both. I trust you and your team are prepared.”

  Hilsa looked around seeing only both of them her facade dropped, with a iious smile she asked. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you for so long. Meeting you here feels like a blessing. But tell me, Sister, why were you praying to the God-Emperor? Is something troubling you?”

  Elizabeth already know her true personality so she doesn’t find it weird. “How did you know?”

  Hilsa tilted her head with a knowing smile. “We traiogether for years. I know you well, Sister. Your silence speaks volumes.”

  Elizabeth sighed i. “Fine, I’ll tell you.” She hesitated but eventually shared her s, skimming over the details to avoid anything cssified.

  Hilsa listetentively, nodding now and then. When Elizabeth finished, Hilsa cpped her hands together. “Oh, is that all? Sister, you’re overthinking this. You’re still adjusting to your role as an Inquisitor, that’s all.”