Face-Off.

The heavenly voices of the choir of sisters singing hymns were the first thing that Cielo heard as she woke up from her slumber.

The soothing and melodic voices made the last memory from her dreams slip away, as the frantic beating of her heart started to relax. The golden locks of her hair covered her flushed visage as she looked over the ceiling of her room.

Moving both hands towards her chest she tried to regain her tranquillity while her mind came slowly back to reality.

'It was that dream again... My Emperor, what do you want to show me?' She asked herself in frustration, as the same dream and some variants started to fill her dreams two months ago.

In that dream, she met a tall man with wild looks, savage eyes, and a deep voice. He would then lead her around battlefields and save not only this world but many others.

'...How I can be shown such heresy!? W-we e-even make a family! No one but the emperor should have access to my body!...' The embarrassment she felt was overwhelmed by indignation at the notion of such a thing happening. She has given her mind, soul, and body to the emperor for all eternity.

"...I shall repent today with Legatine Myriam..." She murmured to herself as she resolved to expel impure thoughts out of her mind. Getting up from the plain bed she put on her humble clothes while praying to the Emperor.

After finishing up her morning ritual she made her way towards the monastery dining room as she greeted the Novices, Cantus, and other sisters on the way. Pious were the words they exchanged as they hurled praises at the Emperor, causing the guilt in Cielo's heart to rise.

Once she entered the room, she was able to spot Legatine Myriam who was talking along with other sisters who were listening attentively to her words.

Cielo decided not to eat breakfast, fasting was going to be necessary for repentance.

"Legatine Myriam, I am sorry to disturb you at this time, but may I have a moment to speak with you?" Cielo asked as the Legatine looked up and observed her figure.

The Legatine only needed a moment to look into Cielo's troubled eyes to understand that Cielo needed her guidance. Smiling, she nodded as she replied, "Of course, Sister Superior Cielo, go to my room and wait for me."

"Thank you, Legatine Myriam" Cielo sighed in relief and nodded her head while she turned around and did as she was told. On her way, she repeated the chants that the various cherubim and servitors praised.

Before long she turned towards the last corridor before reaching the Legatine chamber, there she saw various sisters walking with urgency as they were followed behind by numerous unknown battle sisters who were led by a dark-haired woman with a stern look.

They were carrying heavy armor that could only be identified as the Adepta Sororitas power armor. One that on the whole monastery, only Legatine Myriam owned.

Seeing their Sister Superior looking over them, the sisters that were leading the guests sighed deeply in relief as they spoke to her while stopping "Sister Superior Cielo! We are looking for Legatine Myriam as thes-"

She wasn't able to finish her words as the black-haired woman cut her short while saying "I am here on behalf of the Order, there is work to be done, the Redeeming Fire of the God-Emperor has to purge heretics and enemies of mankind."

Her words stunned her, as although she was aware of the duties they all pledge, it was all too sudden and unexpected. Nonetheless, she was able to recompose herself as she nodded her head in understanding.

Cielo then led the way toward the Legatine Myriam location as she inquired about the identity of the woman, who presented herself "I am the Palatine Ursula Creed, from the Order of The Redeemed Flame, the same one you all belong to."

Her tone when saying those words was strict and sharp. Her long black hair gave her stern face a detached look. Her large frame was the cherry on top to give the woman a commanding and imposing figure.

Once they reached the dining hall and left behind the surprised sisters and Novices. Ursula raised her voice before Cielo could even announce her presence and who she was.

"Legatine Myriam Serith, the call of duty for your mission has come. By the order of our Canoness, I am here to inform you and guide you to assist the purge of heretics, unholy, traitors and xenos from this world." Informed Ursula with a strident and dramatic tone in her voice.

The sisters of battle behind Ursula spread out as they looked with solemnity at the rest of the people in the hall.

Myriam who remained silent until now, rose to her feet as she eyed Palatine Ursula into her eyes, and with a calm and pious tone said to her "And my Mission would answer gladly to the call made, we shall impart the Emperor's will."

Her words brought shock to the sisters under her care, as it marked the beginning of the warmongering part of each sister's life.

For many of those who lived in the monastery, all of their lives until this point were reduced to preaching, training, and helping the local garrison to curb witches.

Yet now they were called into arms.

As such many sisters felt their blood pump into excitement as the time to prove themselves to the emperor and bring fort his will was here.

Cielo was one of them, her tumultuous heart was beating like a drum on her chest as she felt this was the opportunity sent by the emperor himself to showcase her loyalty and adherence to her oath.

Legatine Myriam then ordered the monastery to prepare for war, as the Novices, Constantia, and Cantus helped the many Sisters and Novitiate to arm themselves while the various cherubim and servitors sang hymns and battle chants. The smell of incense invaded the monastery as they blessed their blades, armor, and shields.

Cielo wore her armor proudly, the fiery rose on her chest plate shone brightly as everyone could see how well each piece of her equipment was maintained.

A long and heavy two-handed sword was pointed towards the floor as she gripped the handle with both hands. At her side, the Novice Adelana alongside the Constantia Serena prayed while moving the incense bathing each piece of her armor in its holy smoke.

After a good amount of time passed, they exited Cielo's room and walked towards the exit of the monastery. Outside dozens of Sisters could be seen forming ranks alongside the Novitiates and Cantus who were trying to remain calm and serene.

Solemnity encroached the atmosphere as each sister remained silent while chanting in their minds. Only the melodic voices of the Novices and Constantia could be heard as they sang pious hymns to bless them.

As more and more sisters walked out and formed their ranks, it wasn't long before the Palatine Ursula and Legatine Myriam walked out clad in their power armor, behind them the many other sisters that followed Ursula to the planet.

In total, there were more than two hundred battle sisters, alongside one hundred Novitiates and Cantus whose purpose was to aid and serve the sisters in the command zone and fulfill a more logistical role.

Aside from Cielo, there were five other Sister Superior who were in charge of a small group of sisters of battle.

Cielo was in front of her group as she eyed Ursula and Myriam who were overseeing the ranks formed.

"I've heard from Legatine Myriam about the encounter you suffered a few years ago. How a bunch of wretched witches and witchers attacked the monastery while they slain a couple of sisters." Ursula said as her words brought memories to some sisters. One of them being Cielo.

The sudden memory of a pair of kids flying while completely obliterating some of her sisters in an effortless but gruesome way remained intact in her memory.

"It is with that in mind that we're here today to bring down those wretched soul and cleanse this world from those abominations that escape the Emperor's light. Under the command of the Inquisitor Gannicus, we shall illuminate this land and slain the Empire's enemies." Ursula said with solemnity.

Yet before she was able to continue with her words, booming sounds started to resound and were quickly followed by an earthquake that made many lose their balance.

Amidst the cries of surprise and alertness, they all looked around in search of any explosion in the vicinity.

However, nothing could be seen. The servitors then sent a distress signal and inquired for information towards the Imperial guard and the command base.

There they received the direction and presumably foes that were the cause behind such an event. Ursula ordered the Mission to move towards it as they marched with fervor burning bright on their soul. As they sang together more and more sisters fell into a trance that promised blood and fierceness upon the enemies of the Emperor.

It was then that Cielo spotted a figure approaching at extreme speeds, one second it was a dot on the horizon before long a moment later was in front of them.

Clad in a whitish aura and accompanied by extreme winds and a thunderclap, was a lavender-haired kid in strange armor. Wearing a black spandex that accentuated her childish figure.

For Cielo however, it was the reminder of a foe that scarred her mind. Those same blue icy eyes were the ones that slain her sisters and brought shame to their monastery.

The same red-colored lens was at the side of her face. And a more disgusted look was splattered all over her face.

At the sight of the kid, not only Cielo but all the sisters of the monastery roared in rage. Shouts of "Witch", "Heretic", "Scum" and many other swearings could be heard in the vicinity.

The kid seemed to understand their words as her face contorted in anger as she screamed at them "GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE I KILL YOU ALL!"

Hearing her roar and the threat, the sisters raised their bolt guns and shot at her figure. Yet all they saw was a clear spot before many were stripped away of their guns, swords, and shields.

"It's only because of Bann's pity that you're all still alive!" Her childish voice sounded calmer, yet the cold threat of unveiled despise could be seen on her face.

Following the origin of it, they saw all their weapons tossed beside the little girl. Ursula eyed the lass in stupor as she muttered under he breath "...impossible..." As never before in a battle someone showcased such speed.

*BUZZ*

Suddenly the silence became deafening as the sky dimmed and a whitish explosion appeared on the horizon.

Everyone looked in the direction as the sisters looked at everything with intrigue and dizziness.

"Those idiots, tch." The little girl muttered under he breath that only Ursula, Myriam, and Cielo were able to hear amidst the silence.

The whitish explosion soon gave way to the gigantic mushroom that followed. As the shockwave and explosion sound hit the group.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOM*

The thunderous roar hit everyone's chest and ears it was soon followed by the buzzing sound of dizziness.

The earth trembled once again and Cielo felt as if a cataclysm approached the land.

"As I told you all, begone and live at peace, or else you will force me to visit your house once again." The girl's voice brought back everyone to their reality, although the more experienced sisters never stopped paying attention to their foe.

Ursula growled in rage as she cursed the girl "We will never stop until we see your body extinguishing from reality itself under the Emperor's fiery blaze! You wretched being of evil!"

Hearing her words the girl laughed maniacally as if hearing the biggest joke she ever heard.

"YOU AND WHOM? All of you are bugs that I could squeeze whenever I want, it is only Bann and his words that prevent me from showcasing to you all how much difference lay between us." The girl seemed to look distressed at the lack of understanding.

Yet before letting Ursula open her mouth once again, the girl disappeared from her position and reappeared in front of the Palatine.

Choking the woman with her hand, she raised her as she floated over the rest of the sisters who were simply too slow to react.

Ursula who struggled and tried to use her enhanced strength to even damage an inch of the kid's body, felt as if every part of the girl was the hardest of metals.

The iron grip of her little hand threatened to rip the throat of the Palatine as she said to her "Just look at you, see how helpless you are when I'm not even trying to kill you. No one but me can prevent your death." The kid said to her with a hateful look.

Ursula unable to speak could only glare at the girl with fire in her eyes, as the bright flame of faith made her able to even look at the horrors of chaos without falling into madness.

Seeing that she wasn't getting the response she wanted Seleri threw away Ursula to the ground as she looked over the figure that displayed the highest lecture of ki.

Landing her eyes on the golden-haired woman with ample figure, Seleri felt her blood boil in annoyance and envy as she appeared in front of her.

Grabbing her by the hair she said to her "You're coming with me." And flew away.

Meanwhile, the battle sisters could only watch helplessly as the two women figures disappeared from their eyesight. Leaving only behind a sonic boom.

The Cantus that were not accustomed to such extent of force fell to the ground as blood flowed from their ears.

Meanwhile, Ursula coughed with effort as she screamed "Inform the base of what happened! We cannot let such offense go unpunished nor let our sister be taken away!"

She then continued to curse under her breath while the mark of Seleri's handprint was for all to be seen.