The Testing of Faith (TentanariX) GMed by ranger

Sister Karen Celeste knelt in the chapel in the midst of her evening prayers, alone within the large stone chamber. There were many altars here, as the heads of the Academy had, for a long time, welcomed all religions that did not have the bringing of harm upon others as tenets. The heavily decorated shrines dedicated to the ancient gods of the desert peoples from the far South West sat to her left, and to her right, the fairly plain altar bore the scroll dictating the twenty teachings of an ancient monk from the far East. There were a dozen altars and shrines within the temple, as well as a long series of pews facing toward the back of the building, pointed toward the altar at which she now knelt. The Star God had once been worshiped across the world, by humans and elves and all races imaginable, or so went the teachings of the church that Sister Karen ascribed to. But, gradually, men had lost faith, and had fallen to worshiping demons and pretenders, and ascribed to mortal philosophies that dared to compare their wisdom to that of the one true God.

The god had become angry at this, and as such had abandoned their world and all upon it to the sin that now ruled it. But, if the church could spread once more to all corners of the world, the Star God might return, and fill the world with his beauty and peace once more. Such were the teachings of the church, at any rate, and as she completed her final prayer, Sister Karen could only sigh, sorrow weighing upon her heart. The Church had once been powerful all across the lands, its members teaching the Truth within the lands of the Su-Ku-Ta, and within the Amazons wretched jungle alike. That had been centuries ago, of course, and now, with those lands long lost to sin and false gods and lies, and with Badaria to the South, which had once held the beating heart of the church, lost to its abominable undead king and the atheism he had forced upon all of his slaves, the only place that the Church of the Star God still had any real presence was here, in Crolia.

Her mother had brought her to the North many years ago, when she had been driven from Badaria along with the last members of the Church. Here, her unnatural powers, inherited from her mother, had been allowed to grow, and she had even been taught by the teachers of the Academy to control them. One of the masters, an old priest of a pagan religion that had fallen from the minds of men, even called her his star pupil, and when she'd graduated, the old man named Father Tivor had issued her a title from his own church, one that had almost fallen completely into disuse. Battle Maiden. It was an apt description, given that the only things Sister Karen had done since she had arrived here other than prayer and lessons had been to befriend an old soldier from the village that lay only a mile or so from the Academies doors. Vartath had once been a Badarian soldier, but had deserted and fled to the north many years ago before settling in Buttersville, and he had been the one to teach her how to use the two handguns that had been the only earthly possession that her mother had left her.

Sister Karen was suddenly roused from her reverie by the creaking of the large oaken door that stood at the entrance to the church, followed by heavy booted footsteps coming directly toward her. She turned to behold a girl dressed in heavy-looking armor, her skin an unnatural porcelain white that went surprisingly well with her blue eyes and shiny blond hair. Her armor was surprisingly revealing of her figure, and she ignored Sister Karen as she stepped past her to kneel in front of the alter that she had been praying at only moments ago. The girls eyes were closed, and she remained silent, her hands clenched before her. As she breathed in, Sister Karen Celeste felt the sinful urges she had always fought so valiantly awakening, and even though they were easy to quash, she couldn't help but glare down at the girl. Only then did she notice the small, bat-like wings that stuck out from the girls back, a clear mark of sin if she'd ever seen one, as the only way to get such vile, unnatural attachments was to remain in the presents of demons.

A scream, that of a young woman, suddenly issued from outside, the shrill cry penetrating the heavy wooden door and thick stone walls with surprising ease. Something was happening outside. The girl rose in surprise and turned back toward the door, seemingly noticing Sister Karen for the first time since arriving as she did. "What was that?"

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)

Oh, most truly blessed and holy bringer of true and righteous light; please forgive your disobedient and unruly children for their careless abbandonment. Forgive them for turning to the ways of corruption and darkness that sweep across the land. Heal those that have become warped from your perfect design. Pardon their sins and protect them from the machinations of the spawnlings of Hell. And bring your fearful but roghteous power and judgement upon those who would lead them astray. I also ask you watch over my body mind and soul as I go to spread your word, law and guidance to lost souls out in the world. Amen. Karen finished her routine prayer as she got up to leave the chapel as she noticed the armored and beautiful woman making her way down the isle. Her almost angelic and to many lost individuals' discernment, unearthly beautiful face and revealing attire immediately brought the threat of lust briefly into Karens mind once again, but the incredibly faithful maiden easily and quickly quashed the sinful urges from her presence, even though she could not help but to look back down at the kneeling woman, which is when she would see her batwings protruding from her back, Star God, preserve us! She's been tainted! Poor misled soul, she's been plagued by infernal beings. she thought, she was going to address the woman when the shrill cry of a panicked woman penetrated the serenity ofthe chapel, the woman turning and finally taking notice of her beating her to the question in mind.

"I don't know! But my conscience tells me we must hurry outside and see for ourselves, and help in any way possible if we can!" she answers the woman before makings dash for the chapel's doors to investigate the matter. Testifying and witnessing to this woman will have to wait. U fear there are much more dire events preparing to unfold here...... she thought to herself as she rushed out into the city not sure of what she was gojng to be in for once she got out there..........

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)


The young girl headed for the door beside Sister Karen, worry evident on her face, and the pair opened the heavy oak double doors at the same time as they reached them and pushed them open, letting the late afternoon sun flood into the church. Outside, in the small courtyard that stood outside of the church, in the far North-Eastern corner of the Academys large, sprawling complex, chaos had erupted. The light was dimmed by a massive figure floating overhead, a bloated grey blob of flesh with massive tentacles spreading out from its main body, which glistened in the light of the sun that it partially blocked. As the sun was already setting the scene of chaos in front of them was wrapped in crimson light, putting the colors of everything just a little bit off. Students and faculty of the school were running, fighting, being raped, or simply lying limply upon the ground, exhausted or wounded to the point of unconsciousness.

There were about thirty people up and fighting in the courtyard, against almost a hundred monstrous beings, more of which were falling from the sky as Sister Karen and the strange girl stood watching. Most of them were small creatures, about three feet tall and standing on four thin, spindly legs. They had a dozen or so tentacles spreading out from their main body, which was little more than an orb of grey flesh, and slime coated their bodies. Across the courtyard, which was about seventy feet across and seventy wide, there were a trio of reptilian creatures, their flat faces held in savage grins as they held their extremely long arms out wide, six inch claws evident on the tips of their fingers as they cornered three women in different nuns habbits. Each of them was of a different religion, but Sister Karen knew that each of them was a person of virtue who had given their lives over to the service of their gods, a noble action no matter how pagan their beliefs. Finally, there were three massive behemoths, their heavily muscled, humanoid forms still horribly alien for their utter lack of anything resembling human features.

Students and teachers alike fired bolts of fire and lightning, ice and force, and energies of all types to ward off their foes. They were all in danger of being overwhelmed, however, as more monsters fell from the sky, floating down on ethereal light. That is, until a powerful wind suddenly came up from the South, the monstrous creature floating above them lurching to the side as it was struck. All of the smaller monsters floating in the air were caught up in the wind, and sent tumbling through the air well away from the Academy. The creatures on the grounds were no less dangerous, but at least there wouldn't be any more of them. Even as the wind cut off the monsters reinforcements, one of the behemoths broke off from the battle and charged directly toward the two of them, a tooth-filled mouth appearing in its face as it unleashed a high, piercing howl. The girl besides her drew massive sword from behind her, holding the large blade in both hands and moving to stand between Sister Karen and the approaching monster, which was only twenty feet away.

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)

Karen forze in place as she saw the horrendous sight that awaited her and the winged woman, a giant bloated blob hovered in the sky blocking out the sun from all the citizens of the city and academy; slime covered betentacled spider like beings were dropping from the sky and a trio of reptilian monstrosities were advancing on some unsuspecting nuns and priestesses. GREAT STAR GOD! IS THIS YOUR PUNISHMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORKD FOR ABANDONING YOU!? she thought to herself as she beheld the carnage taking place in her home, the giant brutes stalking the city streets especially captured her attention, and she was about to go and help the nuns who were being approached by the reptiles before she felt the gust of wind drag several of the monsters away and she noticed the giant approaching them and the winged woman take charge after the beast, "WAIT!" Karen cried after her and ran behind her before focusing her spirit powers to try to chain the monster down to allow her winged acquaintance a better chance against the titan.

((Activating Binding (X=10) spending 10 EP to try to hold the Juggernaut))

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)


Rolls

Sister Karens magical chains appear and wrap around the massive creature, and the being tensed its muscles against the chains to no avail before falling to its knees. The winged girl shot a grateful glance back to at her before charging forward and swing her blade. Flesh parted beneath her powerful swing, but the behemoth continued struggling against the magical bindings that it was wrapped in. It screamed again in challenge, but it couldn't respond with any violence.

Meanwhile, a trio of the tentacled creatures started toward them, their slimy appendages waving violently as they came toward the two women. The trio of monsters was less than thirty feet away from the pair of them, and looked as though they would arrive to attack within the next few moments unless they were stopped somehow.

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)

"I must........ concentrate!" Karen growled to herself as she continued focusing her energy on the behemoth in front even as three new monsters started approaching them in another direction with alarming quickness, "FOUL BEASTS! BE CONSUMED BY THE STAR GODS RIGHTEOUS FLAMES AND DEFILE THIS HOLY PLACE NO LONGER!" she cried out loudly as she unleashed a mighty wave of flame at the trio of horrors intent on burning them to ashes. She also continued to focus and pour her energy into the bindings she was using to keep the giant at bay, but knew also, that she was stretching herself thin.

((Pour 10 energy into Holy Fire thirty feet in the direction of the three monsters, and 8 to upkeep the Binding))

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)


Rolls

Sister Karens spiritual binding draws greatly upon her power, but still the massive behemoth lays helpless under its power, unable to move more than to scream in rage and try to bulge out its massive arms in order to break the chains holding it. Small burns appeared on its arms where the chains touched, likely caused by the friction of the thing trying to free itself, but far more grievous a wound was caused as her companion slammed the blade of her sword into its chest, cutting out a vast swath of putrid, grey flesh.

Meanwhile, her wave of white fire surged out, and completely disintegrated all three of the beings before they could get even a step closer. All that was left of them now were three tiny piles of ashes, all a much darker grey than the creatures they had once been, and the putrid odor of burnt meat, which quickly faded.

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)

As the three Reptilian horrors were burnt to ashes, eliminating them as a threat, Karen would return her attention and focus to the gargantuan brute before her, keeping her spiritual energies focused on maintaining it's bindings, but now attempting to focus some on aiming as she unholstered one of her firearms that had been left to her from her mother, and tried to get into a position where she could aim it squarely betweens the behemoths eyes, while still avoiding her newly met companion. If her shot was not successful she would take out her other one and try to unload it's round in the monsters heart, if it had; both shots aimed for very vital areas with the intent of being fully lethal.

((spend 8EP to maintain bindings, Activating Called Shot, and using Two Weapon Fighting))

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)


Rolls

Sister Karens binding held the monster, and she quickly drew both of her guns and took aim. The wildly powerful firearms shouted, their twin thunderous roars audible throughout the entire battlefield, and though it didn't have any eyes to aim between, Sister Karen Celeste had pointed her weapons directly at the center of its head before she squeezed the two triggers. One bullet went wide, hitting a building and blowing a hole in the side of it, but the other struck home perfectly, putting a hole big enough that she could have stuck her arm through it in the behemoths head. Its ceaseless scream stopped, and it slumped to the ground, motionless forevermore. The girl stared at her, and her pair of now empty hand cannons, in awe for a moment, before recovering and nodding her appreciation.

All around them, dozens of aliens were dying by spells and powers akin to Sister Karens own, but still, some had fallen, or were in dire straights. Directly ahead of them, a woman was being savagely raped by one of the massive behemoths, tears of pain rolling down her cheeks as it thrust something larger around than Sister Karens arm into the poor elven girls hole. There was no aid for her in sight, as all those around her were already engaged. A trio of men with glowing energy blades on their hands, dignitaries from Celesis, in the Amazon as far as Sister Karen knew, were cutting apart a horde of the smaller tentacled aliens, trying to reach a pair of women who were also being raped, though they actually seemed to be enjoying the lewd act, as they screamed and bucked in pleasure while tentacles pounded into their holes. They were making good headway, but a pair of reptilian creatures were sneaking up behind them, six inch claws extended and closing in for the kill. That group was on their left. Finally, on their right, a woman, a teacher from the Academy, was being backed into the corner, clutching at a bloody wound on her shoulder, as three more of the green skinned reptilian creatures closed in on her from different directions.

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)

Karen quickly reloaded her weapons and surveyed her current surroundings and the happenings in the city. The woman ahead of them seemed to be in the most dire need, followed by the wounded teacher being cornered by the reptiles. The spirit warriors going to help the tentacle raped women could probably do okay for the time, even though there were more reptiles going after them as well. She would promptly turn to her blonde companion and request, "QUICK, go help the teacher the best you can! I'll try to at least distract if not dispatch the monster raping the poor woman in front of us! Star God be willing, I'll be able to come join swiftly!" she said before pulling her pistols back up and aiming at the massive creatures head, hoping to do much the same thing she did to the last one without harming his victim while her friend went to deal with the reptiles and help the teacher.

((Called Shot again, aiming at the juggernaut raping the woman in front of her.))

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)


Rolls

Karen reloaded her weapons as the girl charged toward the cornered teacher. Both of her guns thundered loudly and jumped in her hands, and once more one of her shots went wide, hitting nothing, while the second thudded into the beings chest. It screamed, and roughly yanked the girl off of its member and threw her aside. She hit the ground rather hard, and the being immediately turned toward Sister Karen, whos guns were once more empty, and charged directly at her. It was within fifty feet already, and getting closer by the second.

The three monks advanced, but out of the corner of her eye, Sister Karen saw the two reptilian creatures sneak up behind the unaware men. Two were suddenly seized from behind, and a second later, torrents of bright red blood erupted from their throats as the beasts simply tore them out. Both men collapsed, and Sister Karen knew that both would be dead within seconds, if they weren't already gone. The last turned, his energy blade flashing brightly as a look of grim desperation became present on his face, and though he wounded one of them with a quick strike, Sister Karen knew that the man was not likely to live long.

The winged girl surged forward, and with one swing, decapitated one of the reptilian creatures. They turned from their prey immediately, and set upon her with their claws, but the girl took both hits without complaint and stood steadily. The teachers wound stitched itself shut, and she prepared to respond to the two remaining monsters, so at least that front should be alright.

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)

Karen knew her reserves of energy were running pretty low but she once again cast her energy into spiritual bindings to hold the behemoth in place adage would try to quicky reload her weapons before quickly bringing them back up and empty both shots into the beasts head, hoping to seriously wound it if not kill it, she would then focus her thoughts and energies to the two reptiles facing the lone remaining monk and send out another wave of spiritual fire to burn the the creatures, again hoping at the very least to distract them from the monk and give him at least a slightly better chance of survival. She felt comfortable and had faith that her winged companion would be able to handle the reptiles she was facing, with the help if the teacher. But from here on out she would have to hold back on her spiritual powers.

((Use Binding on the Juggernaut, X=5; then reload and try to use Called Shot on it, both shots going to the head. Finally Holy Fire, again X=5 on the two hunters going against the monk.))

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)


Rolls

The juggernaut fell face first on the ground as chains of energy wound around its body, writhing in fury and screaming against its mystical bindings. It thrashed wildly, but her bindings held as she reloaded her guns, and then put two shots into the things had at close range. This time, neither missed, and her weapons more or less blew most of its head completely off. It stopped moving rather abruptly, after that.

Meanwhile, the monk who now stood alone slashed forward with his glowing blade, this time cutting one of the lizard-like monsters in half. Its surviving fellow tore into his belly with its claws, however, and he only avoided being disemboweled by a quick jump backwards. He slashed at it, but the blow wasn't mortal, and the vile creature screamed in triumph as it took advantage of the mans moment of weakness, and tore out his throat in one vicious slash with one its hands. He fell next to his brethren, never to rise again as blood flowed freely from his torn throat. Sister Karen sent a bolt of holy fire at the reptilian monster, and struck it in the back, causing it to turn toward her, a wide ricktus grin on its face, and begin pelting at her. Exhaustion began to set in, as she felt her energies beginning to wane...

The winged girl brutally swung her heavy blade around, slaying another of her foes in a single powerful swing. Unfortunately, the last of them tore at her body with its rending claws, and she very narrowly avoided a fate similar to the one that had befallen the monk only moments ago by hunching her shoulders. Instead, claws raked against her face, drawing long gashes, but the girl barely seemed to notice. Instead, one more swing killed the last of the ones she'd been after. She nearly collapsed onto the ground, but the teacher she had rescued caught her, and she softly chanted something. The girl seemed steadier then, and both came back toward where Sister Karen stood. Her companion was breathing heavily, and blood covered her face, but she still glared at the approaching hunter, while the teacher was gazing around in concern at the scene of carnage that was still enfolding.

Magic flew freely, and the battle seemed like it would end very soon, the lack of reinforcements for their foes proving to be their ultimate downfall. Most of them were already dead, and the hunter coming toward them got caught in a blast that also charred a group of those short, grey tentacled monsters into dust. Within another few moments, the battle was over, and they were left to survey the devastation.

Many were dead, or dying, or unconscious, and the teacher that had been saved moved away to tend to them. Her companion stood panting, and then collapsed backwards, sitting on the church steps where Sister Karen had made her stand. The teachers and students were all mostly busy mopping up what was left, or gathering the injured, and the dead. A man did approach her, however, one of the heads of the departments, though Sister Karen wasn't entirely sure which one exactly, and said; "Thank you for your assistance, Sister. Might I ask that you allow us to take the wounded into the temple?"

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)


Karen's heart sank some as she saw the monks fall to the creatures' talons, disgusted and saddened by the loss of life. And she was fearing nearly exhausted, having expended a great deal of her energy battling the monstrosities that had attacked her home. She winced as she saw one of the reptiles rake it's claws against the winged woman's face after she had destroyed it's compatriot. She let out a sigh of relief though as she saw her fell the last one though before collapsing into the teacher's arms, who looked to immediately begin healing and pouring energy into her. But her relief was seeming to be short lived, as she felt her energy leaving her and she saw the last reptile coming towards where she was standing and where the teacher and her friend had come to sit down at, and was preparing to try to reload her mighty weapons, and empty another mighty shell into the creature, hoping to finish it; when a blast of fire came out of no where, incinerating the unholy beast and disintegrating the remaining tentacled beasts. It looked like, for at least now, it was all over for good and Karen allowed herself to slump down on the stairs of the temple along with the teacher and the winged girl.

Karen sat there for several moments, with a heavy heart and tears beginning to form in the corners of her eyes at the nightmare that had unfolded upon her once peaceful home. So many lives were lost, and people were in grim dire need. Those that hadn't died, would probably not last long without good care, constant care. Such pointless bloodshed. Such devastation. In her heart, she began to wonder if even if they had abandoned Him, how the Star God could allow such tragedy and pain to befall innocent and relatively good and decent people. When the man approached her and asked her if she could use the temple to house injured people, she promptly stood up and bowed to him. "Yes. Please, you need not ask Father. I, in my own heart, my own mind; cannot seeing the Star God opposing you to use his house to host and care for poor suffering people. No matter how changed, or worldly and ungodly the people may be, they are ultimately and truly HIS children, and he has instructed me to show them his love through ME. So you may feel entirely welcome to bring the survivors in here." She said sincerely to him before turning to the winged woman who had come to pray in the temple before the madness broke out, "I am afraid I have not introduced myself dear, unfortunately, this horror befell us before I could talk to you. My name is Sister Karen Celeste, "Pure of Heart". Might I ask you for your name, and if you don't mind whom you worship?"

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)


The wind howled above them as Sister Karen sat upon the steps of the church, the aftermath of the battle they'd fought in directly in front of them. The girl sat near to her, panting, and she seemed about to fall asleep where she sat. She remained seated when the teacher came over to speak to her.

The man seemed slightly uncomfortable after her words, starting with when she'd referred to him as 'Father,' but he nodded and quickly replied; "Bless you Sister." He bowed slightly and walked away from her, leaving her to speak to the girl. She looked up at Sister Karen through bloody eyes, but she was completely attentive. A grimace came upon her face, and she said; "My name is Grace, Sister Karen, and it was my pleasure to fight beside you. I... I used to be a follower of your Church. But, after.... I sort of lost my faith."

People were being carried up the steps to the church to the doors, which were held open by two men. Some were on stretchers, while others were carried on the backs of summoned creatures, and some were simply carried bodily. Sister Karen recognized the two girls whom the monks had been trying to rescue, both of them covered in vile looking fluids from head to toe, and unconscious. The girl who had been in the process of similar treatment at the hands of one of the behemoths, hobbled up the steps, helped on both sides by another student. She gave Sister Karen a slight smile of thanks as she passed by her.

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Grace. And do not feel bad for your faltering. We are merely mortal creatures after all, and nothing remotely close to perfect, or unfaltering. We all buckle under the weight and attack of the world's nature at times. All have weaknesses. Even if many here do not serve or believe in the Star God, as long as they follow tenets of peace, love, forgiveness and do not serve ways of evil, then I bear them no ill will and will not look harshly upon them. I believe that the Star God's forgiveness is unending and unlimited. So do not think poorly of yourself if you suffer moments of weakness." Karen spoke softly and openly to the blonde, bat winged woman. She found herself continuously looking back to her wings however, distracted by the woman's mutation, surprisingly even more then she had been by her physical beauty earlier before the attack. She wouldn't try to draw attention to that and would simply ask, "Excuse me Grace but, would you happen to know of any healing magic or posses any spiritual powers for healing others? We need all the assistance we can to help these poor people, and I am afraid I am only cursed in combative abilities." she asked kindly, before heading on into the chapel, smiling kindly back to the woman she had helped free from the Juggernaut earlier in the melee.

As they would enter the temple her heart would be heavied and terribly troubled by the pain and the suffering the recent invasion had caused the innocent people of her home. The women who had been ravaged, violated; the monks and other faithful and righteous men and women who had fought valiantly to protect weak and innocents. The damage that had been wrought to home, workplaces and the likes. She would stop along the way, kneelling down by the injured and in need of help and pray for the Star God's blessings and care for those poor suffering people. Half way down the way, or when and if Grace were healing others, her curiosity would finally get the better of her and she would gently tug on the woman's arm and whisper into her ear, "Forgive me, Grace. But there is something I can not help but be curious about, so whenever you get a spare moment, I would like to talk to you in private." She said before continuing her ministrations and blessings upon the injured.

Once things were in good enough condition, or calmed down enough, she would lead Grace back to the Star God's schooling chamber, and sit down with the woman before asking, "If you don't wish to answer I understand, but I couldn't help but wondering if you had perhaps, been to a wild or corrupted land, fighting or ministering sometime before....... before you lost your faith. I won't lie to you that I could not help but notice your wings, and I mean you no offense, but I was just most curious about how they came to be." She said gently awaiting the woman to answer.

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)


Grace shook her head at the question about healing magic, and said; "I'm afraid not..... I can apply bandages, and help in more menial ways, but I possess no skill in magic." The winged girl followed Sister Karen into the chapel, and as she had little else to do, when the nun asked Grace to follow her, Grace rose from the man whos broken leg she'd been setting and nodded. "I have done all I can for him. It should heal alright, so long as he doesn't move it too much."

Grace followed her back to the chambers where young children would have been taught the teachings of the Star God. It had seen little attendance, the Academy itself having few if any children and the village below generally taught their children the worship of Naya, a pagan fertility goddess. Grace nodded slightly at her question, and sighed before saying; "I... Have been adventuring, yes. I went to Artmirst, two years ago. I.... Thought that I might be able to do some good there, but.... Things didn't turn out so well, as you can see. I was captured.... Taken, by demons. It wasn't pleasant. But, eventually, I was freed, and I came back. My mind... Recovered, over the years, even though I was told that the corruption was great within me, great enough that I could spread it to... To those I was close to. My faith did not survive it."

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)

"I see...... That is alright, Grace. I'm sure any sort of help would be more then appreciated. And I am sure there are healers and doctors present in the academy and city." she said as they walked through the aisles administering to the injured and wounded. "Do not worry, I am sure there are healers here who can fix him the rest of the way. In any case, he will be in good care here." she replied to Graces assessment of the man's condition as she finished ministering to him and mending his leg. As they walked down to the area where younglings used to be instructed and taught in the ways of the Star God long ago, Karen sat down and listened to the woman's story. She felt sorry for her, but not in a condescending or arrogant way, but sorry to see one who used to have such great faith, and hoping to do good for the path of light seized, violated and hurt by the forces of darkness so badly. And to hear that they had robbed her of her once inspiring and shining faith. After she finished, Karen leaned over to the women and cupped her face gently in one hand and began stroking her hair softly, comfortingly and lovingly with the other. "I'm so sorry.... To hear of your loss, Grace. To hear you were, dirtied, hurt, violated and corrupted in such a way. But even sorrier to hear that the fiends robbed you of something so precious, valuable, important and great as your faith in the Star God. Corruption is sadly, omnipresent in our world these days. It is why Battle Maidens, Crusaders, and Missionaries are sent out into the world to preach the word of truth, light and love to others. We are all human or humanoid creatures; finite, weak, fragile, carnal beings; we will fall, falter, fumble and fail several times in our mortal lives. But the Star Gods love and forgiveness is infinite and unfathomable. I won't press you on the matter, but I truly wish for you to find that lost faith and nurish it and nurse it back to the blazing light in the world I'm sure it once was." she encouraged and comforted her new friend, continuing to soothe her and comfort her for several minutes wanting to let her words soak in good before disengaging from her petting. Once she was done she would sit back up straight and place her hands in her lap before asking cautiously, "So..... If you..... Do not mind indulging me, would you mind telling what you came to the temple to find before the attack started?" she asked wishing to know more about her new friend.

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)


Grace seemed surprised when Sister Karen grabbed her face, but didn't recoil away. Instead, she seemed to relish the touch, and quietly replied; "After today.... I don't know. Maybe. I'm... Not sure, about anything anymore." She remained in Sister Karens embrace for as long as she could, the blood staining her hair and keeping one of her eyes shut from swelling sticky, but the bleeding seemed to have stopped. The wind bombarded the church from without, its strength assailing the sturdy stone building. But the chapel had been built to withstand such magical storms, and it battered against the roof without effect.

After she sat back again, and asked why Grace had been in the church, the young corrupted girl quietly said; "I don't know.... I hadn't any other responsibilities to fulfill at the time, and I've tried to keep going to the chapel... To pray, from time to time. I can't, or don't always go... But, it's something I try to keep in mind. Why do you ask? I've seen you before, but I never did catch your name, Sister. I've seen few wield their power as you did earlier. And those weapons... Where did you get them?"

Re: Sister Karen Celeste (TentanariX)

After she had released Grace from the embrace Karen held her hand in hers and looked her deep in her eyes before replying, "I understand your feelings. After so much happening, seeing so much pain and suffering, it is understandable for one to question things. The gods, their faith. It's hard to find faith or believe in things when things seem to be without hope or light. I know if you were to regain your faith and fire, it will not be something that happens overnight. But I truly hope that you will find it again one day." she said sincerely and encouraging to her friend.

Upon hearing Graces question Karen answered back honestly, "I..... I thought at first you might..... might not be in the faith. A practitioner of another diety, or faith. And at first I had in mind to minister to you once the battle was over. Although after hearing your story and that you yourself are or at least were a faithful servant of the Star God, I felt the urge to encourage you and try to restroke your faith. I did wish to talk to you though, I...... I was to be honest..... Drawn to your beauty...... And then when I saw your wings, I was..... Even more curious. I hope I...... have not..... offended you." she said nervously and shyly having admitted so much to the woman before answering her next questions.

"I'm sorry, I was likely busy or too focused in my meditation, prayer, and other duties. You also never came to speak to me yourself. My mother and Father Tivor a pagan priest that taught in the academy helped me focus and hone my spiritual powers that I got from my mother. The guns I wield are also my mothers own. She used to be a priestess in Badaria before her powers were discovered and she was forced to flee from her home to avoid being enslaved like all the other women and spirit users in that land. A former Badarian soldier named Vartath who lives in a village a mile outside of the academy instructed me and taught me how to wield and utilize them to the level I do now. Is there anything else you might like to know about me or ask of me, Grace?" Karen letting out a deep breath allowing the blonde haired and bat winged woman to respond.