Rae van Daleon – The Roots of the Storm
by Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 45: New Scola, Same Novices
The towering gates of the newly rebuilt Scola loomed before Rae and her team as the transport touched down in the central courtyard. The structure was different now—its once weathered stone replaced with reinforced steel and polished ceramite. The banners of the Aquila hung proudly from the parapets, their golden sigils gleaming in the sunlight.
But while the exterior was new, the air of the place remained heavy with its purpose. The echoes of their previous trials whispered through Rae’s mind as she stepped onto the paved courtyard.
Beside her, Marcus let out a low whistle. “Looks like they spared no expense.”
Celestine crossed her arms, her sharp eyes scanning the pristine surroundings. “All the new walls in the world won’t change what this place is about.”
“Maybe that’s the point,” Tyren said, his cogitator buzzing faintly as he tapped at its interface. “They rebuilt it to show it’s stronger now. Like us.”
Rae adjusted the strap of her blade across her back, her expression unreadable. “Let’s hope so.”
A Familiar Welcome
As they moved through the courtyard, the atmosphere shifted. Novices in crisp uniforms marched in orderly lines, their faces a mixture of determination and uncertainty. Instructors, many of whom Rae recognized, observed from the edges, their gazes sharp as knives.
One figure emerged from the shadows of the central tower—a tall woman in a black-and-gold cloak. Her presence was unmistakable: Inquisitor Kael.
“Welcome back,” Kael said, her voice carrying the same commanding authority they remembered. Her sharp eyes swept over the group, lingering on Rae for a moment. “I see the time away hasn’t dulled your edge.”
“Nor yours,” Rae replied, her tone even but respectful.
Kael allowed a faint smirk. “This Scola is different now. The corruption has been purged, the staff replaced, and the novices tested. But its purpose remains the same: to prepare you for the galaxy’s darkest battles.”
Her gaze hardened. “And you’ll need every lesson this place has to offer. Chaos doesn’t rest, and neither will you.”
New Faces, Old Rivalries
Inside the Scola, the team was greeted by a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Many of their peers had returned, though the shadows of the past were etched into their expressions. Whispers followed Rae and her team as they passed—some awed, others resentful.
Soren leaned closer to Rae, his voice low. “Looks like we’ve got a reputation.”
Celestine smirked. “Good. Let them wonder.”
Not everyone was so welcoming. Erik Krenz, a novice known for his arrogance, stepped into their path. His lip curled as he looked them over. “So the heroes return. What’s it like, being the Inquisition’s pets?”
Marcus bristled, his massive frame tensing. “Say that again.”
Rae placed a hand on Marcus’s arm, her tone calm but cold. “We’re here to do our part, Krenz. Same as you. Don’t forget that.”
Krenz snorted but stepped aside, his gaze lingering for a moment before he walked away. Tyren let out a low breath. “Guess some things never change.”
The First Briefing
Later that day, the novices were gathered in the newly built auditorium, its walls adorned with the golden insignias of the Imperium. Kael stood at the podium, flanked by the new head instructor, Commissar Varn, a stern man with a scar running down his cheek.
“Your training will be different this time,” Kael began, her voice steady and firm. “The galaxy grows darker by the day, and the threats you face will not wait for you to be ready. This Scola is no longer just a place to test your loyalty—it is a place to refine it.”
Commissar Varn stepped forward, his gaze cutting through the crowd. “Your training will be harder. Your tests will be harsher. If you think you’ve seen the worst this galaxy has to offer, you’re wrong.”
Kael’s gaze swept the room. “Those who falter will be sent home—or worse. But those who succeed will stand as the Emperor’s sword and shield. You’ve been chosen for this. Prove you deserve it.”
Back in Formation
The day ended as it began, with the novices assembled in the courtyard. Rae and her team stood at the center, their weapons at their sides. The setting sun cast long shadows across the polished stone, the weight of the day’s events settling over them.
“New Scola,” Celestine muttered, glancing around. “Same pressure.”
“Maybe,” Rae said, her voice steady. “But we’re not the same novices we were.”
Marcus nodded. “We’ve faced worse.”
“And we’ll face worse again,” Tyren added, adjusting his cogitator. “But we’ll handle it. Together.”
Soren glanced at Rae, his voice quiet but firm. “For Talia.”
Rae looked at each of them, a faint smile breaking through her usual seriousness. “For Talia. For each other. And for the Emperor.”
As the bells of the Scola rang out, signaling the start of their new chapter, Rae and her team stood ready. The trials ahead would be daunting, but they had been forged in fire, and they would face whatever came next—together.
