Anointment

Carla knelt down before the winged figure, bowing her head and laying her blade on the ground before her. The figure had called out to her, flown down from the heavens, and chosen her. She had been blessed by the gods. She was to be not a champion of man, but of angels. She had also felt that her purpose was greater than that of the earth, but she had never had any reason to truly believe that, and had merely resigned herself to fighting for the causes of king and country. But this was something more. This was something greater.

She closed her eyes as she saw the angel lift her blade off of the ground. She was prepared. Whatever this process would be like, however she was to be judged, she was prepared. She would do anything that she was asked to do to become the champion that she had always dreamed that she would be. She could hear the angel muttering words in a language she couldn't understand, felt warmth envelop her as light on the other side of her eyelids shone brightly. Her skin felt like it was on fire, but she endured the feeling, ready for hat would be on the other side of it.

Her own sword pushed down against her shoulders, feeling as though it was slicing into her shoulders, causing her blood to fall down her front. Still she waited, patient, ready to take from it what she had waited so long for. The pain was ever growing as the burning sensation seeped into the spaces where her sword had pierced her own shoulders. She used all of the willpower she had to keep her eyes closed.

The angel murmured words again before speaking aloud in English. "Rise," it called out, its voice unlike anything Carla had ever heard, "and receive your final judgement." Carla stood slowly, only opening her eyes once she was fully risen. She was completely surrounded in flames, dancing against her skin, and she could see her blood spilled on the ground in front of her.

"You have been judged," spoke the angel, "and found lacking."

"Wait, but I-"

And the sword was flying through the air, aimed directly at her neck.