In This Life

(1) Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength—He dwells in His city, does marvelous things, and says, Be still and know that I am God.

The night was still young. Around seven o'clock. The nightlife was starting up and the distant sounds of music flooded each and every street, all different songs but all with the same thumping base. Beatrice had found herself in Berlin a couple days ago, Camila had sent her to survey a group of individuals who she suspected were Adriel acolytes. The OCS was tasked with making sure all of the First Born Children were neutralised, especially after Adriel had murdered the Pope on live television. Whilst they had no leader or so called 'God' to worship they were even more dangerous. Plus, a vast majority of the acolytes were still possessed by demons.

This specific group were all teenagers. Beatrice had been tailing them for about a day and the groups spent every minute of their days in clubs, bars or any side alleys to pop the occasional pill. To the general public they were just some party hard kids but to a skilled tactical nun that spent many years of her life fighting demons, she knew that they were possessed. Camila had said to use the group to identify any other acolytes but it seemed to just be the four of them. Usually, protocol would be for Beatrice to call for backup and wait to engage but she wasn't apart of the order anymore, so it meant she could take them on herself. Months ago, she wouldn't of even thought to take on four possessed without any sort of plan but as of recently, she couldn't find the strength to care.

The group stopped at this small bar and almost instantly started ordering drinks. Beatrice swiftly walked past their table and sat at a booth across the room, close enough that she could hear them but far enough away that she wouldn't be noticed for staring. The conversations on their table wasn't anything she found interesting, just about how Adriel is soon to make a grand return and he'll bless them for never giving up hope on him. So when the waitress asked Beatrice what she'd be drinking she ordered a couple shots of Lemon Drops. She couldn't bare to listen to that kind of talk sober.

As the night went on, the group of possessed got drunker and drunker whilst Beatrice had only had three shots which was her stopping point. She refused to get drunk. Eventually, a girl from the group left to go toilet and Beatrice took it as her chance to finally start picking them off. She followed the small blonde into the bathroom and just before the stall door locked and closed, Beatrice quickly put on a pair of glasses and slammed her way inside and made quick work of killing the wrath. The Warrior Nun is the one who'd be coordinating the attack but since Ava had disappeared the OCS had to find ways to fight them alone. Jillian, had devoted herself to the OCS. Helping in any way she could and her first act was a special type of glasses, one that could see things a normal person wouldn't. Whilst she couldn't see the wrath or what it looked like but rather she could see the outline and the fluctuation of energy around them. A bit like her Quantum Energy glasses but a bit more aimed towards unidentified energy.

That's how she's spent most nights. Tailing possessed and attacking them off guard. In between that she was exploring the world. Seeing everything she could. It's something she had wanted to do with Ava but time hadn't been their friend. She quickly shook her head as though it would save her from her thoughts and she stepped out the bar. With a sigh she took out her phone and dialled Camila.
"Beatrice, how are you?" She will admit though, the warm friendly tone that greeted her was definitely something she missed about the OCS. Camila was a sister to her, a younger one that was smart and kind but very much a finger on the trigger kind of girl. Always ready for anything.

"I'm fine. Just calling to let you know those four possessed are dealt with."

"Good, I'll let Mother Superion know. How's Berlin, been to sightsee yet?"

"It's nice. A change of pace from Hungary but nice. How are things over there?"

"Coming along nicely. Yasmin is now officially a Sister Warrior. The new recruits are learning quickly and Vincent is yet to betray us again."

"Tell Yasmin congratulations from me. I'm glad to hear everything is well."

"Do you wish to hear about Jillian's progress with the Ark?" Beatrice didn't know if she truly wanted to but she found herself agreeing before her mind could stop her.

"Well she's managed to find away to turn the portal on and off, so for about an hour every week she turns it on, to see if anything passes through but nothing. She tried to send in a few drones but they never return, however she's working on sending in a person. Divinium seems to be the key for passage so she's building drones out of Adriel's armour to see if they'll have better luck at returning."

"And Ava?" She knew what the answer would be but yet she still asked.

"I'm sorry. She's still missing. I'll be praying her her safe return and for you."

"Thank you Camila. Call me with anymore news or jobs."

"See you soon, Bea."

◥✥◤

"How is she?" Camila turned around and faced another Superion with a saddened smile. "She says she's fine but of course we know better." Mother walked to Camila and took her hands into her own with a soft expression. Since Ava had saved Mother Superions life, her features had become much brighter. The nun felt light after so long of darkness. "We all miss Ava. But Beatrice, she misses her most of all. She had to let go of her to save her, despite her feelings and her love for her. Right now, she's giving herself the time to heal and to forgive herself. Not that she needs to be forgiven but because she has to accept the fact she did the right thing."

Whilst Mother spoke, Camila for a split second thought back to the time when she confronted Beatrice. She had never been blind to the tension between Ava and Beatrice, even since they first initially met. From the time Beatrice shot her with a tranquilliser to when Ava was bleeding out while smiling in the back of the van, there was always a softness to her eyes like a shine of sorts. At first, Camila just observed. Watching how they looked at each other like they were the only two in the room, how they stood next to each other comfortably, how they spoke with one other so fondly. The breaking point had for the sister had to have been when they met again at the theatre. Beatrice may have been high off tranquilliser but Ava wasn't. Camila saw how she held her so gently almost like she would break, she saw how they were holding each other's hands so tightly and especially how they just looked so happy.

Even during all the craziness, Camila saw they loved each other and apparently so did everyone else.

"I know, I just can't help but miss them both. It's too quiet without Ava around and Beatrice is my sister." Mother clenched her fingers around Camila's hand. "Yes. Even with all the new recruits it's missing that...thing that Ava seems to bring." The two laughed before breaking away. They had had their moment of emotion but it was time to get back to work. "The two new transfers should be arriving soon, I want them teamed up with Yasmin." Mother ordered in her stern but kind way. Camila nodded and passed her an envelope. "I found it in Ava's belongings. I'm surprised no one found it before but it's addressed to Beatrice. You're the only one who can reach her directly without a phone." Mother thanked her before leaving the room. She'd send Vincent to go deliver the letter. She hadn't finished making him repent yet.