The Corruption - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The day was a somber one for the inhabitants of the hospice.

While the priestesses mourned the loss of Sister Anya, Sister Joanna stayed in her room the entire time. It would be impossible to hide her much younger appearance, and it would raise too many questions she dared not answer.

When Uley and Elrika did not return from their expedition, Sister Teresa and her confidants bore the additional burden of remorse for probable fates of the warriors.

That evening marked the surprise arrival of Dieter von Middenheim, one of Altdorf’s highest-ranking constables. Sister Heidi, who had been at the hospice for five years, greeted him at the main gate.

"Greetings, Sister," Dieter introduced himself. "I'm searching for two local mercenaries who were seen yesterday talking to one of your Sisters. I need to question them, and I am here to ask if you know of their whereabouts."

"Do come in, Constable. There are terrible happenings here that you should be informed of," Sister Heidi invited him in, opening the door for the tall, imposing man.

Throwing his travelling cape to the side, he revealed leather armor and multiple blades to the priestess. Taking several seconds to look around, he finally began walking towards the kitchen, the location of which he knew from previous visits to the hospice.

"Actually, Sister, I haven't eaten a thing since noon. Before we get started, might you fetch me some supper."

Sister Heidi frowned a little bit at the request, but nonetheless led the nobleman towards the dining area.

As midnight approached, Sister Joanna remained fully awake. Having removed all of her clothing, she stood naked in front of her mirror, wondering, hoping if she would again grow younger for the third night in a row. Sure enough, when the appointed hour came, the strange sensation ran through her and her body underwent changes before her eyes. Her breasts rose, losing all of their middle-aged sag and regaining their youthful glory. Her remaining wrinkles disappeared and her skin became smooth, positively radiating its pale beauty. Her hair grew longer and lost the grey streaks, becoming the lovely raven tresses of so many years ago.

Unable to contain her joy at the sight of herself, Joanna burst into a brilliant smile as she admired her gloriously young figure. Almost immediately, however, movement in the mirror prompted her to turn around.

Once again, the smoky figure swirled into being before her, and began to speak in its soothing, seductive voice.

"I see that you like your renewed beauty. But if you want to keep it, you must follow my instructions," informed the smoky figure. "Take several candles and pieces of chalk down to the cellar storeroom. Draw a summoning pentagram and place a candle at each point. Then get on your knees and bow to your new Lord. Praise the name of Slaneesh and forsake Shallya. Do this, and you will be rewarded for your submission to the Lord of Pleasure. Do not, and you’ll be alone, trapped once again in your old, decrepit shell for what little time is left you. The choice is yours..."

The last sentence came seemingly from the air, as the figure faded and was gone.

The naked Sister Joanna stood still for several minutes, unable to move while she contemplated this terrible choice. Why was she even remotely attracted by this creature’s offer? Slaneesh was not someone she wanted to associate with under any circumstances, let alone worship. But maybe deep within her soul was a different person that she had been suppressing all these years. In any event, despite the fact that her internal debate still raged, she finally moved, almost without conscious thought.

Shortly, she soon found herself descending the stairs to the cellar, carrying the candles and chalk required. She was only vaguely aware that she had failed to put on any clothing.

Bolting the door to the small storeroom shut, Joanna began preparations for the ritual. She was still not convinced that she would actually perform it. Several tables and crates had to be cleared from the center of the room to make a large enough space for the pentagram. After a few minutes of labor, she carefully drew the summoning circle on the stone floor and placed the five candles in their proper positions.

Then she stood, staring at the pentagram, still torn by indecision. One part of her insisted seductively that she kneel and begin the ritual, claiming her prize of youth. But the other part of her screamed in defiance that no reward was worth the price of becoming a servant of Chaos.

And then, at that moment, the decision was taken out of her hands. The storeroom door burst open with a tremendous crash, the old deadbolt unable to hold against the force exerted on it. Having been informed by Sister Heidi of the horrible events of the last two days, the Constable had taken it upon himself to patrol the hospice, and had spotted the naked Sister on her way to the cellar.

Now he forced his way into the room, took one glance at the compromised High Priestess and shouted, "Die! Servant of Chaos!"

Joanna jumped with fright. This crazed man was going to kill her!

Charging the startled woman, Dieter plunged his sword deep into her stomach. Joanna staggered back from the pain. Dieter pulled his weapon out of her to ready another strike.

Looking down, Joanna was astonished to see no blood. In fact, despite the awful pain, there was no wound at all.

*Kill Him!* sounded a voice in her head. *Kill or Be Killed.*

Reacting more from instinct than anything else, the naked Joanna lunged forward and swung her fist at Dieter, a look of anger on her face.

To her astonishment, her blow knocked the Constable across the room, where he slammed hard into the stone wall and slumped to the floor unconscious. Joanna stood silently, staring at her hands. The pain in her stomach rapidly faded away.

"Could I have done that?"

*Finish Him,* sounded the voice in her mind. *Use His Blood for Nourishment.*

Though she was still dazed, Joanna realized she didn’t have much choice. If this fanatical witch hunter lived, she would die at his hands. And she now knew that life was what she wanted more than anything. Reluctantly, she knelt down, lifted his arm and pressed his wrist to her lips, biting into his flesh. She was surprised at how easily the skin broke beneath her teeth, and at how sweet his blood tasted. She began sucking and swallowing with abandon as it flowed into her mouth.

Dieter’s body began to wither as the life was sucked out of him, his skin pulling taunt against his bones until nothing was left but a desicated husk.

When she could drain him no further, Joanna dropped the withered arm and sat back. Staring at Dieter's body, she was overwhelmed by what she had just done.

"I have plummeted farther than I could ever imagine. I deserve whatever happens to me now."

Before Joanna had any more time to reflect on the recent events, the summoning circle she had drawn let out a loud bang and released a puff of smoke from each of its points. Joanna fell flat to the ground and covered her eyes as a bright, crimson red glow began to emanate from the center of the circle. She squinted as she attempted to see what was happening. Flames leapt up from the circle and Joanna could feel their heat on her face and hands.

Then, suddenly, everything returned to normal. The smoke and flames were gone. However, in their place stood a horrific sight...

To Be Continued...