The next two months were hard moths, as Teliandra did not let up on her training for even a single day. It was the sole, singular focus of her intent, and Emia barely saw the outside world for all the work she had to do. Reading literature till her eyes bled, practicing her speaking skills, learning how to bring a girl to Holy Release with the most enjoyment on both sides, and even a whole new language, which was required because some of the prayers and litanies were written in it. Some of this “High Gothic” was similar to the Low Gothic, but not similar enough to be at all intelligible without Teliandra’s teachings. A small popup gave her the progress she was having in learning this, and that she could spend xp to speed up the process. But, considering she had no more chores and this studying gave her stats to her intelligence and wisdom rather than outright exp, she did not do that.

Each area she passed, was rewarded with another piercing, adding to the weight she was bearing and symbolizing the weight of responsibility she was going to be taking on. Finally, after much suffering, the last piercing was inserted. Such a sensitive place made her squirm and mewl, but Teliandra had a soft and practiced hand, and so it was little problem ultimately. At the same time as gaining the piercing, she got a popup in her sight, though her eyes were closed and she did not get to it for some minutes because she was just, floating in the bliss of satisfaction that came with completing Teliandra’s course. But, she eventually opened her eyes and saw the boxes.

Quest - Teliandra’s Tutelage completed

You have leveled up

You have leveled up

Well, there was the experience she was missing out on. The points went into Faith, which pushes her up to 101. Having broken the milestone, she was wrenched from her body in an orgasmic manner and thrust into a plane of bright light. Here she stood in front of a young child in a reed boat, who planted a hand on her head gently. Light and Hope flooded into her body, and then she was suddenly and abruptly back in her body, panting heavily and sweating buckets. Whatever that thing was, she felt like a mote of space dust drifting by a Supermassive Star. Whatever that thing was, she felt like it was larger than the mind could comprehend, something that was beyond mortal ken and expanding into the Immortal Grace that only The Emperor could truly acknowledge. And beyond that, a strange and loving connection to the faith she held so dear.

“Need a shower first” she muttered, looking at her shaking, soaking hands, and peeling herself off the bed to go clean off all the sweat. The damn pop-up box in her peripherals could wait. Her body was trembling from the experience of meeting whatever that was, and her brain whirring at the meaning of such enlightenment. It was something too profound for her to get anything out of however, and so she would just relax under the soothing spray of the shower until her body stopped shaking and finally relaxed. Drying herself and getting dressed, she headed out to get some air, wandering until she got to the main square. Zali was there, with the wide-eyed doe look that she had been getting progressively more and more every day. Like she was worried about something, or a very least anxious.

“Zali” Emia said, her voice sounding...different to her own ears. All the work with Teliandra had given her a whole new way of voicing herself, but this was different. There was something to it that sounded bright, as insane as that was.

And it wasn’t just Emia that heard that either. Zali turned away with wide eyes and stared amazed at Emia for a few moments before smiling and almost collapsing from relief.

“Well, there is no doubting your alligance” Zali exclaimed, her heart thumping and her hands tight against each other as she stood in front of a Saint. The reaction reminded Emia to check the box that popped up, which certainly explained Zali’s reaction.

100 Faith - Aura Of Benediction: your very existence calls down The Emperor’s eye, and His favour is clear to all who would look upon you. You act as a conduit for His blessings, and are true anathema to the foul beings of The Warp. Allow other people to use Faith Powers using your Faith stat/2 and for 1 faith a second, deals constant damage to Daemons within [Faith/2] meters (Can be turned off). Additionally, for every 10 Faith above this, you gain/upgrade another Act Of Faith

That, was quickly turned off, and Emia wondered why on was its natural setting to begin with, but she had to damage control Zali’s sudden religious euphoria.

“I just finished Mother-Superior Teliandra’s training. I guess I am a bit high on life right now” she explained. With the aura now off, Zali seemed stunned, but nodded gently and accepted that.

“G-g-great. Yea. I, am, looking to set up an expedition outwards, to gain some public recognition. A woman has currently come into need of manual labour and we have plenty of that. I was wondering if you would lead them?” Zali asked. She stuttered at the start but then recovered and took control of the situation, which made Emia smile.

“I would love to. We certainly need to get some public recognition. I shall talk to Mother Superior Teliandra about this” Emia stroked Zali’s cheek tenderly, and then took off to find Teliandra.

For Zali’s part, she let out a deep exhale and slumped against the pillar. Getting Emia and the Faithful out of the city would allow the Stormtroopers to clean said city of Corruption without having to worry about collateral. Not, that they did, but it helped Zali’s own personal conscience.