Another left behind

Looking down you want to cry. All this debauchery taking place in one of the orders holiest sanctuaries. Glancing back up with a tear in your eye you watch Sister Constance for only a moment longer, realizing she is completely lost in her lust. When they finally switch positions again, it places their backs to the door.

Seizing the moment, you step lightly past. In mere seconds you cross the threshold into the chapel. Every sister in the abbey can feel the presence of the wards as they pass through the doorways into the chapel, this time however you don't. You almost fall to your knees as you look about the destroyed room.

The chapel itself is a relatively small room in the direct center of the abbey located behind the main hall. The room itself is protected by powerful wards placed by the War Mother. Every sister is taught how the barriers have two functions. One is guarding from evil. The other is to increase the spiritual connection to the Goddess. All sisters are also taught that the barriers only have one weakness. If the War Mother dies, they disperse immediately. It is why the War Mother is such a sacred and guarded position.

The grand statue in the middle of the room is shattered, ruined into a pile of marble rubble. The tapestries are shredded and defaced with pentagrams. Near the altar though is the one thing that has kept you standing through all this so far. The War Mother herself, lying still sprawled on the ground beside the altar. Near her lies Sister Jania, impaled with a short sword and missing an arm from the elbow down.

Through wobbly knees you sprint over to the altar and kneel before the deceased War Mother. There isn't a scratch on her body. Just a bit of, now dried, blood that has run out of her nose and mouth. Clutching her still body you start to cry. "Noooo...." That's when you hear something stir behind the altar. Reaching for the hand axe on your belt you spin to face it, still on your knees.

There you see High Sister Yukari, second only to the War Mother and next in line for the position. Her body is broken and beaten as she leans against the altar. Just looking at her you can tell her ribs must be broken and she is bleeding profusely from her abdomen. Crawling over to her, you place your shaking hands on her wounds to try and stop the bleeding. "By the heavens!" Yukari yelps as you touch her skin.

Looking at you, Yukari blinks several times and looks around. "Sister Sabine? Have you been defiled, my child?" she asks her voice shaky and strained. "No, High Sister. Several demons have tried however the goddess blessed me and I was able to defeat them."

Through a sweat covered and furrowed brow Yukari speaks "Good, all is not lost then. I don't have much time child, these wounds will take my life soon. You must do as I say and without question." You nod through welling tears.

Yukari speaks softly "Be brave and without fear in the face of your enemies. Do good and be chast, so that the goddess will protect and love thee. Bring her fury with you at all times to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Always speak true even if it leads to your ****. This is your oath, do you accept as a paladin of the burning rose?" You nod "Yes, high sister."As your words finish, High Sister Yukari musters her strength and smacks you harshly. "That is so you never forget it."

Her words strained and growing softer "I am deeply sorry there will be no celebration for your achievement of this position, for you it will only hold sorrow. However, the Goddess now calls you to duty. Paladin St. Croix this is your first charge in the name of the Goddess. We were betrayed, the War Mother was poisoned and as soon as the wards fell the attack came. Our former Sister Ivona has taken the Holy Sword of St. Magdalena and the War Mothers signet ring. She intends to use them to betray the High Abbey in Gerlangen to Thoros as well. You must stop her."

Your eyes open in shock and you murmur "I don't know if I..." The High Sister looks at you with an icy stare and cuts your words off "Redemption or ****. Those are all that await the traitor." She closes her eyes and her head droops slightly, her words turning into a whisper "You must save the high abbey......"

Yukari looks up, her eyes filled with delirium this time as she gazes upon you. "The goddess her self has come to take me to the gardens. I am truly blessed." She mutters faintly as she passes away.

You cry into her shoulder, squeezing her and looking over to the deceased War Mother. Laying her body down, you are about to stand ready to leave. You stop and begin thinking of the best escape route. You know there are still demons roaming the place freely. You have been blessed so far, you wonder how long that will last if you keep fighting them.

You are sure it would be a fight to get out the front door, and you also know there is a demon near the library exit. You have heard rumors there is an exit in the kitchen but you are not for sure. You also think you might be able to get out of the abbey via the baths. Your brow furrows, both the bath and the kitchen route would take you by the fat pig thing, your skin crawls at the thought for just a moment. No way to avoid a fight it seems. Yet, a choice must be made.