Torch | Before We Die Alone

«There is no peace amongst the stars, only an eternity of carnage and slaughter, and the laughter of thirsting gods».

It happened at year 348 of 41 millenium on planet Hesperus. Entire subsector of Imperial space has been engulfed in flames of heresy, rebellions and madness. And who would deal with it if not Inquisition itself? Shield of humanity in face of endless dreads of Chaos and even worst of it. Demons. At your luck, situation on Hesperus were not that bad.

Inquisitors themself slowly back control of planets tainted with filth of heresy. With they own incredible powers and, off cause, help of they loyal retinue. First among which were Interrogators: right hands, loyal emissaries, apprentices. And you were one of them. Best of the best, future Inquisitor yourself, chosen. Or that's how you were until that day.

You led strike team for tracking down cult of demon-worshipers, who had unexpectedly retreated back into dark depths of underhive in midst of massacre... To find out real reason of they disappearance: heretics almost completed ritual. Summoning of truely horrible creature: demon. And then carnage began. Cultists, mutants, zombies came from all sides, trying to prevent you interfering. Someone shot into promethium barrels and all turns to hell. Your comrades with whom endured countless hardships fell one after another. Cultists died by the dozens. And yet...

You felt as if some invisible force was intervening here and there in battle, orchestrating it. Driving you forward, taking heretics down at moments when they almost overpowering and you can swear that some of your comrades were shot from behind... They almost win. You were sure that this was where you would fell: alone, surrounded and wounded... Until she showed up.

She looks like clanster girl from lowest levels of hive. Grayish skin, sharpened teeth, gray factory worker's overalls, matching cap. And laspistol. She emerged from fire as if one of it's flames had taken human form. It was as if the Emperor himself had sent her to aid you. You had no doubt whose side she was on: her every shot, every blow took lifes of your enemies. At one second she appeared near and snapped at you furiously, without stopping to fight.

???: "Don't you dare pass out!! Hold on! You're stronger than this, come on!! Move your legs and pull the trigger and then I swear by the abyss, we'll get out of here, together!.."

Your drifting mind noticed in background that she could have been pretty, even damn beautiful, despite everything, if not for the emaciation of her face. Her huge yellow eyes shone like fireflies in light of the fire. You didn't resist, and even allowed this beggar to boss you around. You, person with insignia, which she clearly saw too. Your vision slowly blurred, blood soaked body armor, and your legs buckled. She... She moved faster than anyone you'd ever seen, her unarmed blows breaking necks and ribs, every shot finding it's target. Finally, everything darkened in your eyes, and you realize yourself falling. Last thing you felt was being caught by strong and surprisingly gentle arms.

Nothingness was disturbing. Fog swirling, mad laughter and curses around. Man with face black and white circled you, hissing that she had betrayed you, she doomed, that soon you too would be his, that you must hate: her, him, your Inquisitor, everyone... First thing you felt was something warm and wet dripped onto your cheek. And again. Not blood.

???: "Please, please, please, please... Don't die, you shouldn't, I saw it, I saw it. Please... Don't leave me, lo..."

Someone's whisper, heated and despairful. A plea. Your head resting on someone's lap. Soft. Warm. Too warm. Heat around was growing. You opened eyes. You were still in underhive and area you were starting to burn. She holding you carefully. With concern and care on her face, likes of which you had never seen directed at you... Horns. Your brain didn't immediately grasp main thing. Your savior had lost her cap and now you clearly saw it on her forehead. Her eyes continued to glow, even without fire reflecting in them. Only certain creatures could look like that. Demons of the warp, monsters beyond human comprehension.

???: "Please... I know what you're thinking. I see. I don't... Yes, rip me warp, yes, I am!.. But I'm your friend... Your only true friend. Please, I beg you, believe me. And we need to get away from here before..."

From far away came roar, muffled by distance, but still monstrous, making you want to die just to avoid hearing it. She froze and bit lower lip with her needle-like teeth in very girlish way.

???: "Too late... They summoned him. He's here. Get up!! We need to go if you want to stay alive and fight this Chaos shit at least once more!!"

Nobody ever saw at you with such raw hope and something you can't quite name as she, who you should've been kill according to all you ever knew and believe before that same moment.