Rae van Daleon – The Roots of the Storm
by Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 37: With All Honours
The main hall of the Scola was silent now, the weight of the Inquisition’s presence lingering like a shadow. The instructors who remained loyal—or simply untainted—stood in solemn rows, their faces a mixture of shame and determination. The surviving stormtroopers stood at rigid attention, their flamers and bolters slung across their backs.
Rae and her team were gathered near the front, their bodies still battered from the battle below, their hearts heavy with the weight of Talia’s death and the truths they had uncovered. Yet despite the loss, there was something in the air now that hadn’t been there before: clarity.
Inquisitor Kael stood at the head of the hall, her presence as imposing as ever. Beside her was a makeshift altar bearing the Aquila, hastily constructed but no less holy. She raised her voice, calm but powerful, and the echoes carried her words across the cavernous space.
The Address
“Brothers and sisters of the Scola,” Kael began, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. “The darkness that festered beneath this institution has been purged. The demon is destroyed. The cult dismantled. The heretics rooted out and judged in the Emperor’s name.”
Her voice softened, but her authority remained unwavering. “But this victory was not without sacrifice. Many gave their lives to ensure that the Emperor’s light would prevail here, including one who bore this place’s greatest betrayal.”
Kael turned her gaze to Rae, her tone shifting, almost reverent. “It was the courage of these young warriors—novices still in training—that led us to the truth. They uncovered the heresy that had poisoned this Scola, and they fought against a foe far greater than themselves. It is because of them that this place stands cleansed.”
Rae stiffened under the weight of Kael’s words, unsure whether to feel pride or sorrow. Celestine gave her a subtle nudge, a flicker of a smirk crossing her lips. “You heard her. We’re heroes now.”
Talia’s Honour
Kael motioned for one of her stormtroopers, who stepped forward carrying a small, crimson-draped casket. On top of the casket lay a golden Aquila, shining brightly in the dim light of the hall.
“Talia van Rhys,” Kael said, her voice resonating with respect. “Though taken by the forces of darkness, her blood was the spark that lit the fire of this victory. She is a martyr in the Emperor’s service, and her sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
The hall was silent as the casket was placed at the altar. Rae stepped forward, her hands trembling slightly as she placed a single flower—an iron bloom, one of the few things that grew on the barren world of Tertius Primus—on top of it.
“She deserved better,” Rae said softly, her voice carrying an edge of pain. “But we’ll make sure her name is remembered.”
Kael nodded, her expression grave. “With all honours, Rae. Her name will be recorded in the annals of the Ordo Hereticus, and her sacrifice will be known across the Imperium.”
The Emperor’s Recognition
Kael turned back to the assembled crowd, raising her power sword high. The Aquila on the altar caught the light of the blade, casting a faint glow over the hall.
“In the name of the Emperor, we honour those who have fallen and those who have risen. Let their courage guide us. Let their strength inspire us. And let their loyalty remind us of what it means to serve.”
The stormtroopers raised their weapons in salute, their voices ringing out in unison. “The Emperor protects!”
Rae and her team stood at attention, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they joined the salute. Despite the weight of loss and the scars they now carried, there was a sense of purpose—a reminder of why they fought, and for whom.
The Path Forward
As the ceremony concluded, the crowd began to disperse, returning to their duties with a renewed sense of vigilance. Kael approached Rae and her team, her sharp gaze softening ever so slightly.
“You’ve proven yourselves far beyond what was expected,” Kael said. “The Emperor has plans for you, whether here or beyond. If you choose to remain in the Scola, you will do so as guardians of its future. But should you wish to serve in a greater capacity, the Ordo Hereticus would welcome you.”
Rae looked at her team, seeing the same resolve mirrored in their faces. “We’ll stay for now. There’s still work to be done here.”
Kael nodded. “Then may the Emperor’s light guide your steps. If ever you find yourself in need of aid, the Inquisition will remember what you’ve done here.”
A New Beginning
That night, as the Scola settled into a wary calm, Rae and her team gathered in their chamber. The events of the past days weighed heavily on them, but there was a new determination in their eyes.
“We did it,” Tyren said, breaking the silence. “We stopped it.”
“For now,” Celestine added, her tone tempered but firm. “There’s always another fight waiting.”
“And we’ll be ready,” Marcus said, his voice steady as stone.
Rae sat on her cot, her blade resting across her knees. The memories of Talia’s face, the blood-soaked altar, and the glowing demon were still vivid in her mind. But so was the light—the light they had fought to preserve, the light they carried within them.
“For Talia,” Rae said quietly. “For all of them.”
The others nodded, their voices joining hers in a quiet vow. “For the Emperor.”
As they prepared for the trials yet to come, Rae felt a flicker of hope. The darkness would always return, but so would they. Together. With all honours.
