A void surrounded Beraal. He knew not how long he had been falling. Seconds? Minutes? Weeks? Months? It could have been years. He had nothing to focus his mind on except the infuriating peace that whispered in his ears and threatened to never allow him to feel rage again. To never pleasure in the shower of blood that resulted from ripping off the head of his enemy. He struggled with every fiber of his being to muster up a bestial war cry. He loosed it, the sound ripping through his throat. Nothing. No echo, no foe to hear it and be cleaved in two. No blood to spill, no bones to snap. Something within him finally gave in, just a little bit. He couldn’t muster the energy to recoil against this weakness within, only consider what it could mean for his future.

  *  *  *

  We were there. I could feel it. A boundless connection to my father that I could scarcely grasp. Simeon stood at my door, his helmet betraying nothing, but I knew that through me he could feel it too. As did Elisaria, who'd been managing my ailments during Warp Travel. Her Aeldari abilities allowed her to handle me better than Simeon, which I could see bothered him. I knew I'd have to find other ways to show my appreciation for him. Elisaria leaned in towards me and whispered.

  "It feels like a slow burn here... The sparks have ignited, and the flames spread, yet the fire has yet to truly roar, no matter how the coals are stoked."

  I glanced at her, and I wasn't sure if I should be proud my father was succeeding from my research, or frightened that such a man was successfully ascending to godhood.

  "Then things are proceeding according to his plans. In the pursuit of the base goal, at least..."

  "We are in Ophelia VII, my lady."

  I turned my gaze to Simeon and smiled warmly. "Thank you, my son. I should like to view it from the observation deck."

  Simeon nodded and exited the room, and I got changed.

  "The tech priest did a fair job of handling your wounds."

  I glanced down at the bandage around my thigh and hand, and the new bandages that encircled my chest. "Yes, he has. He requested I keep him as retainer."

  Elisaria helped me into my clothes, careful of my bandages.

  "You should."

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  I glanced at her. "Of all the people who would discover your origins..."

  Elisaria shook her head. "I showed my face to the other sisters. They believe me to be human. An exceptional one, but human nonetheless."

  "Your ears..?"

  Elisaria moved behind me and continued to help me dress. "They look human. Nothing a little Aeldari magic couldn't accomplish."

  I could feel there was more to it than that, but I let her keep her privacy.

  "I see."

  She knew she hadn't fooled me. She knew of all beings in the galaxy, she's one of the few that can't mask their feelings from me. Yet, she hadn't simply said she didn't wish to discuss it further.

  Is this simply how all conversation is? Everybody lying to one another to for the sake of ease and comfort? My brothers could usually trick me... Need I question my sons and daughters as well? I pushed those thoughts aside as Elisaria finished dressing me. I clicked my tongue, and Navah alighted up on my shoulder. She looked in my eyes, and I pet her as we walked out of the room. Simeon and Elisaria escorted me through the gloomy halls of the Judicial Pyre. Even as I knew the spirits of the vessel and crew had brightened since I'd first boarded, all still seemed dragged down by an overwhelming spirit of malice that gripped the hearts and minds of all aboard.

  I was left wondering if that was my father's doing, and just how far his powers now reached. Crew members acknowledged me as I walked past, yet they did not bow. They had heard from me enough times to know better. I noticed Ordo Hereticus Sisters following both ahead and behind at a distance. I wasn't sure yet if they were there to protect me or to put me down at the slightest sign of corruption. I wouldn't let them. Human they may be, they were not my children. I would kill them if it meant I lived to redeem myself. We reached the observation deck and I looked out at the planet we approached. I began to wonder why father didn't manifest me here, at a conduit of his power. Perhaps he didn't make me a new body. If I was interned on Miqdash... Then he resurrected me there because my body was there. But my body was fully healed in the process...

  I felt my heart twist in my chest as my hands rested on my womb. A cyber cherub landed on my free shoulder looking at me expectantly. I couldn't stop myself. I reached up and cradled it, holding it close. I knew the weakness this showed. I knew the confusion it would cause. Yet it brought peace to my storm. The cherub didn't struggle, but it also didn't respond as an infant should. It was cold against my skin, it's one remaining eye looking at me, but not seeing. I could only hold it closer, trying to impart my warmth. Yet I knew its core would remain apart from me.

  The storm within kicked up and died out in a vicious cycle, slowly tearing away at me. We reached the observation deck doors, and I released the cherub to its duties, and it moved along as Simeon opened the doors. I stepped out onto the observation deck, looking out at the temperate world below. Even amidst the faith in my father, there was a dark undercurrent beneath it all. It was then I recognized the world: the first world my father employed my abilities on. A shiver went through me as I felt the fingers of chaos trail up my spine, the whispers of the Lord of Change in my ears. He still clutched a piece of this world, deep in the bowels of its crust. He would come for me. But there was nowhere else to go.