Rae van Daleon – The Roots of the Storm
by Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 38: A Return to Family
The Scola stood eerily silent, its ancient corridors devoid of the usual hum of discipline and order. The once-thriving halls of training and instruction were now shadows of their former selves. The Inquisition had declared the institution closed indefinitely, its remaining staff arrested and the novices placed under strict scrutiny. Every student was interrogated, their loyalties tested and their minds examined for even the faintest taint of chaos.
Rae and her team sat together in the emptied mess hall, the echoes of their whispered conversations filling the cavernous space. The weight of the recent events lingered, but the decision had already been made. With the Scola shuttered and their lives temporarily uprooted, they would return to Rae’s home on Tertius Primus.
“It’ll give us a chance to regroup,” Rae had said, her voice steady but tired. “My parents will understand.”
The Departure
Their departure from the Scola was unceremonious. The few remaining staff who hadn’t been implicated in the corruption gave them perfunctory nods as they boarded the waiting transport. The atmosphere was heavy with a mixture of relief and uncertainty. Rae couldn’t help but glance back at the towering spires of the Scola as the transport lifted off, the sight of its damaged structure a bittersweet reminder of their struggles.
Soren shifted nervously in his seat, glancing out the small viewport. “Do you think it’ll ever reopen?”
Rae shrugged, her voice calm but distant. “If it does, it won’t be the same. Too much has happened.”
“And too much trust has been broken,” Celestine added, her tone sharp. “It’ll take years to rebuild what was lost—if they even can.”
Homecoming
The transport landed smoothly in the bustling city of Makropole, where Rae’s family resided. The sheer scale of the metropolis was staggering, its towering manufactories and sprawling districts stretching as far as the eye could see. Despite the familiar sights, Rae felt a pang of unease—returning home under these circumstances was far from the reunion she had imagined.
Her family’s estate was nestled within the industrial heart of the city, a surprising oasis of calm amidst the chaos. The towering gates of House van Daleon, adorned with intricate carvings of the Aquila and finely wrought steel, opened as the transport approached. Servitors and household staff stood ready to greet them, their movements precise and mechanical.
As Rae stepped off the transport, her father, Master Irik van Daleon, stood waiting. His broad frame and weathered face betrayed years of service and experience. Beside him, Rae’s mother, Lady Astra van Daleon, radiated an air of elegance and strength, her piercing eyes locking onto Rae with a mixture of relief and concern.
“Welcome home,” her father said, his voice a deep rumble.
A Warm Reception
The team was ushered inside, the grandeur of the van Daleon estate a stark contrast to the harsh realities of the Scola. Rae’s siblings, who had been training in the family’s various trades, greeted her with enthusiasm, though the undercurrent of curiosity about her unexpected return was palpable.
At dinner, the conversation was subdued but warm. Rae’s parents asked few direct questions about the events at the Scola, sensing the weight their daughter carried. Instead, they focused on making Rae and her friends feel at ease, offering food, comfort, and a rare sense of normalcy.
“We’re proud of you, Rae,” her mother said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. “No matter what happened, you’ve shown courage and strength.”
Rae nodded, her voice quiet. “It wasn’t just me. We all stood together.”
The Workshop
The next morning, Rae’s father invited the group into his workshop—a cavernous space filled with the hum of machinery and the glow of forges. The air was thick with the scent of oil and molten metal, and the walls were lined with racks of meticulously crafted weapons.
“This is where we build strength,” Irik said, his voice resonant. “Not just in weapons, but in discipline, in focus. Rae knows that well.”
He gestured to a workbench laden with parts and tools. “While you’re here, you’ll each build something of your own. A blade, a pistol, whatever suits you. Something to carry forward.”
The team exchanged glances, their expressions lighting with intrigue. Tyren stepped forward first, his eyes scanning the array of components. “I think I can work with this,” he said, picking up a delicate cogitator interface.
Marcus grinned, cracking his knuckles. “And I’ll take the biggest piece of steel you’ve got.”
Forging Bonds
Over the next few days, the group immersed themselves in the workshop. The act of crafting was therapeutic, a way to channel their emotions and find focus amidst the uncertainty. Rae worked alongside her father, her hands moving deftly as they shaped a blade together—a weapon that would be both functional and symbolic of her resolve.
Celestine crafted a pair of knives, their edges razor-sharp and their balance perfect for her quick, lethal movements. Tyren modified a small cogitator, integrating it into a wrist-mounted device for rapid data analysis. Marcus forged a massive hammer, its weight a testament to his raw strength.
As they worked, Rae’s father shared stories from his days in the Astra Militarum, each tale carrying lessons about resilience and the importance of unity. The bonds between the group deepened, and for the first time in weeks, they found moments of laughter and peace.
A New Purpose
On their final evening at the estate, Rae and her team gathered in the family’s grand hall. The weapons they had forged rested before them, gleaming in the firelight.
Rae’s father stepped forward, his gaze steady. “These tools are yours now. Not just to fight, but to remind you of who you are—and who you can become.”
Rae picked up her blade, feeling its weight in her hand. It wasn’t just a weapon; it was a symbol of everything she had endured, and everything she still had to fight for.
Her mother approached, placing a hand on Rae’s shoulder. “You’ve seen the worst the galaxy has to offer. But you’ve also seen the strength within yourselves. Whatever comes next, you’ll face it together.”
Rae nodded, looking at her team. “We will. For Talia. For each other. And for the Emperor.”
As the night wore on, the group shared stories, their laughter echoing through the halls. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, they allowed themselves to hope.
Tomorrow, the fight would continue. But tonight, they were home.
