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Chapter 19
Bertrand held his brother’s head, it was a ruined mess of ceramite and flesh, yet all he could feel was disappointment. He wondered why did Gawain refuse? Why did he want to die like the rest? He looked around the temple hall, at most the beasts were playing with the pieces of his brothers, yet he was not happy seeing such a thing.

He furrowed his brow slightly while bringing his gaze back to his brother “the emperor wanted all of you to suffer and die...I wished...to give all of you a chance.” A well of sadness began enveloping his hearts, the shrill screaming stopped as he felt that and instead it changed to soft singing. It was a hymn, he could tell that much.

The song was easing the sadness, he smiled slightly “I must tried harder...push more further…” he threw the head aside. “I need more tools, I need to understand the mortal body more…” He nodded “yes it’s all coming together…” It was so simple. He had to forget his old habits, he has to let go of his limits and then more people will see sense in what he is doing to them. “Ahem…” the voice broke his thoughts, he turned to see Asriel looking up at him. “What is it?” Bertrand asked.

The young man rubbed his neck, it seemed like he was not sure to say what was on his mind. Seeing him like this was strange, all of the bravado and arrogance was gone. Bertrand folded his arms “spit it out.” Asriel sighed slightly “I know someone who will be interested in...working with you.” That information caused his eyebrow to rise, he stroked his chin. “You are aware I will have to determine if this individual is a heretic correct?” “I am aware but I am quite sure he will surpass your expectations.” At the mention of surpassing his expectations he grew curious. “Very well, while the beasts play with my brothers I must retrieve my wargear.” He walked past the human, he could notice he was smirking.

Bertrand shook his head, that was one fact that remained the same. Asriel was still sure of himself, that he was in control. He wondered if the opportunity arises he should take time to correct him? He then smiled as he reached the hallway leading to the armoury. “That sounds like a good idea…” he pressed the button to open the door and stepped inside.

***
Reiner advanced through the district with his squad, per Rolan’s order they have been fighting constantly through the poorer areas of the city. No matter which street they walk or path they take all he saw were heretics in engaging in wanton acts of depravity. He has noted things from debauchery, self-mutilation and even cannibalism. Seeing all of this filled him with anger due to the fact all of this could of been contained. He tightened his grip on his chainsword, he took deep breaths to calm himself down. He needed to avoid blaming the marshal, the one he should blame for this was the heretics who caused this situation.

He continued onward, he made sure that his augar readings detected any slight movement for the cultists wearing black leather are known to use ambush tactics. He has already lost one brother to such an attack and he has no desire to lose another.

As they made a corner he heard something strange, it was like a song but not the pleasant kind. All of the notes sounded warped, but he could tell it was coming from a guitar. “Brothers we are heading to the sound source.” They all gave an acknowledgement, and as one they advanced to the source of the sound.

As they made the journey Reiner noted that flesh marred the streets and half eaten bodies were hanging from lamp posts, but what he found concerning was the fact that there were no heretics to be seen. He kept track of the music despite the streets being empty, the closer they got the runes and text display on his auto-senses started to flicker. He blinked several times to adjust it but it wasn’t working. “Sorcery…” he hissed under his breath. He said a prayer, at the same time spoke a basic tech prayer to perhaps ward the machine spirit within his armour.

It was perplexing that they did not have a tech-marine with them, even so he doubted that any would help them for the task was a punishment to reclaim his honour. As such thoughts crossed his mind his auto-sense display began to flicker more heavily. His brothers names then vanished, his vision went with it as well. He twisted around “brothers!” They did not respond.

He returned to his original position, he then realized the music was still playing. He shouted into the darkness “you think to use sorcery!? Coward!” He ran forward, following the music. If he could silence the song perhaps it would end the darkness? So he kept running, the music was unrelenting but the terrible song was becoming louder with each step so he knew he was heading the right way. As he blinked his autosenses returned, yet he still could not see.

It was welcome but as his eyes moved to the names of his squad they were flickering from orange to red. His eyes went wide “they are dying...how!?” The runes then flickered, all of the text began to warp and shift into bright pink lettering. The text displayed words that set him on edge. “It’s his fault…” Reiner mouthed slowly. Saying those words caused his hearts to ache for some reason, as those emotions consumed him the text changed again.

This time the text displayed the words I did nothing wrong. Reiner ground his teeth, the ache soon transformed into anger. “I….” the words were stuck in his throat. He stopped running and simply stared at the words. He wanted to say them out loud but he couldn’t, he didn’t want to. He remembered his brothers names flickering to red, his brothers are dying and he is allowing himself to think unclean thoughts? He thumbed the activation rune on his chainsword and he shouted in a clear voice. “Uphold the honour of the emperor! My duty is my life!” He was not made to question, to doubt or to second guess his marshal.

He bought up his weapon, despite the darkness he could see it, clear as day. Reiner committed to a cross a slash, the movement was quick and somehow his weapon tore at the darkness. There was a clear X before him, light leaked through it. Reiner charged forward, smashing through the darkness. A white light played across his vision, the text vanished like it was never there yet the music kept playing.

As his vision cleared he found himself in a plaza, it was covered in gore and he saw humans holding large pieces of red meat, they were simply chucking it onto the ground and walking away. “Welcome.” The voice was strangely soft, his gaze was brought to the middle of the plaza, what he found standing there was a aberration. He saw a group of astartes surrounded by pieces of his brothers, he recognises the honour markings and purity seals on the scattered limbs.

Reiner focused on the leader who was playing on a disgusting guitar. The voice came from him, the sight of the heretic disgusted and angered him. The need for vengeance consumed him, he took a step forward. “The emperor’s justice has found you heretic…” At the mention of justice the traitors before him gave cold chuckles, he was not interested on what they found funny, nor he could understand why an astartes would cover their armour in leather straps and garish colours.

He also suspected the darkness from before was an attempt to corrupt him, to make him question. The leader then smiled at him “I am called Faust by the way…” He played a riff on his guitar, the music grated on his ears. “You my lost soul was bought here for a purpose..” Reiner paid no heed to him, he charged at them, while shouting. “For the emperor!” Faust then bought his hand down the strings, releasing a sharp note and along with that came a shockwave.

As the wave smashed into his body, Reiner grunted and staggered back. “Coward!” he barked at the traitor. The heretic started to play a riff, the meat and blood within the plaza started to bubble, slowly the meat started to crawl and meld together to form humanoids with pale skin. But what he found truly disgusting was the mouths that covered their bodies, all of them spoke with the voices of men, women and even children.

What was happening blunted his charge, he slowly ground to a stop. There was now a host of these monstrosities blocking him from the traitors. Faust smiled broadly at him while still playing. “Suffer little lost soul...hear your heart screaming out in agony!” as the traitor spoke so did his puppets. All of them spoke with one voice “What does he know! I guided Heriot! I taught him of duty! This situation is his fault!” Reiner took a step back while shaking his head. “I-I...don’t thi-” “Countless dead because they do not understand sacrifice! They do not understand duty!” Reiner roared back at the meat puppets “I don’t think that at all!”

Instead of stepping back, fury thrummed through his body again. He charged at the monsters, his chainsword whipping out in an arc. His weapon tore through the bodies, heads flew up in the air as tides of gore splashed onto the ground. But with each swing, no matter what he did the mouths kept moving. Even the severed heads on the ground were speaking with the crowd. “None of them know their duty, we will die because of his failure.” “Shut up!” he barked back.

He bought up his free hand and punched a puppet in the face, their head exploded he turned to another and slashed off a limb of a puppet that stood to his side. Despite what he was doing they were just taking his attacks, they were not fighting back. Reiner kept up his assault, his voice roaring with his chainblade. “I will never doubt! I will never question!” “But you do…the song of slaanesh has reached your soul...” Reiner’s eyes moved to Faust.

Suddenly his finger movements changed, his fellow traitors bought up their strange weapons, after that the voices from the puppets stopped. “At will brothers.” Faust said calmly. The traitors unleashed distorting sound waves in his direction, the air rippled and despite wearing a helmet Reiner could feel his ears bleeding.

The sound wave crashed through the puppets, tearing skin and blasting apart their bodies. As the wave hit him he was sent flying to a wall, his mind rattled as his back hit the solid surface. Reiner shook his head in disbelief, he wondered how he would prevail against such enemies? That ill thought consumed him, it’s becoming evident that he was doomed. He then looked up, his eyes went wide as the puppets broke down and started to fuse together into a greater form.

The monstrosity stood several heads taller than him, the creature was also covered with mouths that chattered endlessly, but now instead of the voices of those killed coming from their maws it was his own voice. “This is the end…” the creature said in a flat tone. Reiner tried to respond, to rebuke what was being said but he couldn’t, he simply watched as the monster advanced towards him.

He then felt a strange emotion rising within his chest he did not know how to deal with it. Reiner tried to force his body to move, to continue fighting. “I am too afraid to fight…” The creature now stood over him, he looked up shaking his head. “N-No...I am not afraid. I do not know fear!” The flesh puppet then reached down and grabbed his leg. In reaction Reiner bought up his chainsword and slammed it onto the hand frantically, blood gushed over his body and despite the recycled air within his helmet he could smell the rotten blood. The scent held onto his nostrils tightly.

He roared in frustration, no matter what he had to free himself, he had to get away. Yet the assault was doing nothing, the flesh was knitting and his chainsword motors were struggling to move the teeth due to the gore. “What has dedicating myself to my duty given me? I lost Heriot, I lost my brothers and death’s maw comes to claim me. I won’t be remembered with honour, the marshal stripped it away...” the creature kept talking calmly, but each word it spoke caused the emotion that was consuming him to intensify.

The creature then picked him up, he was now upside down, looking towards the ground. Reiner struggled “it can’t end like this!” The monster then slammed him on the ground, the impact caused several bones to break, blood was gushing from his mouth. Slowly he felt himself being pulled up from the ground again, the pain that was now consuming his body kept him from speaking but the creature kept running it’s mouths. “It hurts! It hurts! Make the pain stop!” The monster wailed in agony.

Reiner tried to say something but it came out a gurgle, the creature slammed him on the ground again and in return he gave a wet wail of pain. He then felt himself rising from the ground again. He coughed up a gout of blood, now he could not think, he did not want to fight back in defiance, he just wanted this to end. He wanted an end to the music that’s playing, he craved silence.

Reiner felt himself moving, he knew the next slam was coming but after a few seconds of nothing happening he blinked in confusion. “So the Black Templars aren’t mighty at all.” Reiner turned his head, he was now in front of Faust, the creature lowered him to his face and oddly enough the music has slowed as well, Faust’s fingers moved gently over his guitar. “How should I make you suffer further? Should I use my song to bring your brothers together? To make them dance and laugh as I torment you?” The traitor grinned in amusement.

Reiner in return slowly shook his head “I-I…” it was too painful to speak, overall he did not know what to say. “I don’t want to die.” As he heard that his eyes went wide “Please stop..” the creature said in a sad tone. Faust laughed in return “you want me to stop? Hmm...maybe.” Reiner felt his hearts skipping a beat as he heard that and right away a sense of revulsion gripped him at the same time.

He did not want to admit truly that the flesh golem was speaking for him or knew what he truly felt and the fact he desired mercy from a heretic. Reiner watched Faust mumble for a moment, he then nodded. “I thought tormenting a lost soul would make me feel better...he is being difficult...putting on a poor show as well…” the traitor mumbled away to himself for several seconds, he then smiled. “Very well, you will join us. That’s how I will spare you.” Right away Reiner struggled for release, he had no desire to join them he did not want to.

The traitor stopped playing, Reiner suddenly fell to the ground with a thud as a wave of blood washed over him. As the tide stopped he looked up to see Faust running his head hair back using the lifeblood, his face was also matted with gore. “Now brothers...please sing for our new troupe member.” Faust then took a step back, the other traitors came forward.

Reiner watched them lower their strange weapons, each traitor then reared their head back and unleash an ear splitting scream. Right away he covered his ears, the soundwaves were pounding upon his body, the pain consuming his flesh was far worse compared to when the creature was slamming him on the ground. What also made all of this worse was the fact that in those screams, mixed in with each voice was a soothing song. The torment being inflicted on him was terrible but at the same time the song made him yearn for it, this song of pain was trying to make him scream in desire for it.

He started to run through every canticle, every prayer but the song was just sweeping them aside, consuming them utterly. He thought to say the vows but his mind always became more focused on the song and the pain. Reiner started to roll on the ground in agony, he couldn’t bare it anymore, he couldn’t stand it.

So he let go, the walls in his mind fell, they crumbled to darkness and he let the song in. He thought that he would feel a weight lifting off his shoulders, that he would be free but the pain got worse. He then screamed with the traitors as darkness consumed his vision.

***
Faust gestured for his brothers to stop, the Black templar was now unconscious but he could tell he submitted. He stroked his chin looking upon the new warband member and suddenly he thought of Asriel. “Oh...he will be upset won’t he? I can see him pouting that I delivered a Black Templar to our lord.” Faust grinned “oh wait…” An idea spawned in his mind. His troupe has secured a Black Templar, in return for such a prize Tetricus might give him and his noise marines something in return.

He chuckled slightly to himself, he dreamed of seeing such a show again. It consumed his every thought. Playing on this blasted instrument was the only way he can recall that wonderful moment and now experiencing such a thing again might be within his grasp.

Chapter 20
The drop pod door opened, Tetricus thought to sniff the air but remembered his current state. He thought to get a small wiff of the war outside, to smell the mangled bodies and broken dreams. He could use his gifts to pluck at the echoes but sometimes, he had to admit he missed his flesh. He sighed and looked over to Cassius “are you ready?” The prefector nodded, he then gestured his head to the other members of the squad “are they ready? I don’t want them to slow me down.” At the mention of slowing him down his brothers grunted.

Tetricus had to admit that Cassius was right, they are going to face the sword brethren who should be advancing to this position at any moment. They are about to face the best of the crusade and if the whole squad is not up to par they might not see the end of that battle.

He watched Cassius undo his belt, he approached the door and hopped out, Tetricus did the same. As the feet of the whole squad touched the ground Tetricus looked around. There were dead bodies strewn about on lamp posts, roads and even buildings. Cassius removed his helm and breathed in heavily “smells wonderful.” Tetricus frowned “are you trying to annoy me?” Cassius looked over to him while smiling, he breathed in and then out. “No. I am just enjoying the fragrance enveloping this battlefield.” He knew he was lying, Tetricus wondered how did the tables turn on him? He was meant to be the one throwing barbs and slights.

He decided to bring Cassius’ focus to the reason why they are here, he pointed down the road. “According to my auguries they should be making the corner soon. Get ready.” His brother nodded, he smirked and placed his helmet on. As it clicked into place he removed his blade from it’s sheath. “Remember all of you, I will take the head of the Marshal.” Cassius was addressing the whole squad, even him. Tetricus was about to say something until he heard the movement of treads, he chuckled in amusement. “They have heavy armour?” he whispered to himself.

Cassius looked at him in annoyance “they were in a rhino before, why didn’t you check upon them again before we came here!?” His anger spread to the rest of the squad, he ignored it for he could easily deal with predators.

Tetricus watched the vehicles making the corner along with a rhino. What his brothers saw was possible doom, but to him this was an opportunity.

He watched the armoured vehicles advance, they stopped several metres away and it was evident they were preparing to fire. Everyone dove to cover but he held his place, Tetricus shook his head as pink flames enveloped his body, his armour melted off revealing bone and he gave a mad laugh. The flames consumed him, he took a fitting shape of phoenix, he rose up into the air and right away the sword brethren left their vehicles. They knew what was coming.

The predators adjusted their aim to him, they loosed a shell but the giant bullet melted as it reached his body. Tetricus then dove down to the predators, they kept firing to no avail. He then crashed down into the first, melting through the hull, he could even see the astartes piloting the vehicle screaming before being enveloped by a raging inferno.

Tetricus then shot through the fire and wreckage of the predator he destroyed and right away the side sponsons of the next predator shifted to him. The heavy bolters barked releasing a volley of shots that also melted on contact with his form. He charged through the second predator, incinerating the crew. He passed through the other end and flew up and looking down he watched the second vehicle suddenly go up in a ball of fire and smoke.

He could also see the Marshal was looking up at him, despite wearing a helmet he could sense or even feel the contempt oozing from him. Tetricus set his eyes on the last predator, he zoomed down at high speed, as he crashed into it he was covered in a wreath of fire. He then drew in the flames silencing the orange fire and looked over to the rhino. “Can’t have you escaping…” he rushed through the transport, destroying it in an instant.

He could see the sword brethren jumping out of the way as he reduced the vehicle to a smouldering wreck. Then with a graceful movement he flew back to his original position, he shut off the power and he slowly floated to the ground. Cassius and the rest of the squad stepped out of cover, the prefector was staring at the smouldering ruins he created. “So...you can turn into a giant bird…” Tetricus nodded “indeed I can!” he pointed at the sword brethren who were now making a shield wall. “I have delivered you chance to kill the Marshal. But I will stay back.” Cassius looked at him in annoyance, he could tell by his body language. “What!? Why!?” Tetricus gestured to himself “no armour, comes with turning into a living embodiment of flame. Or can’t your small mind comprehend that there is a cost when it comes to sorcery?” His words caused the prefector’s annoyance to shift to anger.

Tetricus merely shrugged “don’t get angry h-” “Advance!” the shout was from the Marshal, everyone shifted their gaze to him. Cassius grunted “at least break the shield wall.” He nodded at the request, it was simple enough. Tetricus generated a great fireball, the sword brethren braced in reaction but such a thing would not help them. Tetricus grinned “they think simple shields can stop me?” He launched the orb of fire, it raged down the street and on impact the sword brethren were consumed by a raging conflagration. Tetricus scratched his head at the spectacle “oops, perhaps I put too much power into it?” Cassius then shouted at him while pointing his blade at his chest. “You idiot! I didn’t want you to reduce them to ash!” “Eh.” said Tetricus while shrugging. “There are plenty of other champions in the galaxy brother.” The prefector was livid at him, he was about to say something until Tetricus heard the marching of boots.

The sword brethren emerged from the fire, their armour was still pristine, their tabards were not burnt either. Tetricus looked upon them with shock, if he had eyes they would be wide at the moment. “By Fulgrims scaly arse how did they survive that!?” he shouted. Cassius chuckled at him “seems you are not all powerful. Don’t do anything stupid, this is my battle now.” Tetricus watched Cassius charge with his brothers, watching them run to the shield wall Tetricus folded his arms in annoyance. “Damn loyalists with their tricks…”

***
Cassius charged onward with his fellow brothers, his sabre should be sharp enough to get through the shields but his worry is that those with him won’t be able to pull their weight. As they approached the sword brethren braced again. Cassius specifically aimed for Marshal Rolan, he was his target and his desire.

He smiled joyfully at the thought of killing him “what gift will the dark prince bestow on me? What form of blessing shall I be graced with?” He brought up his blade, he was so close to hitting close combat he was just a few breaths away. The smile grew broader and broader until it suddenly fell into despair.

Suddenly from the side streets, fiends of slaanesh ran at the sword brethren from all directions at high speed. They fell upon them with a mad frenzy, savaging them in but moments. The charge was blunted, Cassius looked at the Marshal in dismay as several fiends was upon him. He was desperately trying to fight back swinging his sword in mad arcs but the fiends claws snapped around his legs severing them from the knees. As the Marshal’s body fell to the ground, the fiends pinned him in place, all of the sword brethren were held down.

Cassius ground his teeth, he threw his blade to the ground in frustration. “Why are you denying me!” He shouted at the neverborn. He took it as a sign that perhaps the dark prince hates him? Maybe he will never be blessed? One fiend raised a claw and brushed it against the gorget of the Marshal, Cassius thought to intervene but what’s the point? He would be killing a cripple, not a champion. “Don’t kill him, I want him alive.” The voice was deep, there was a slight edge to it. From the same side street a Black Templar stepped out, going by the skull helmet and the weapons he bared it was evident that he was a chaplain.

But what made his appearance even worse was the fact the slave was following behind him as well. The one before him them was the corrupted chaplain Bertrand. Still what surprised Cassius was the fact the fiend removed their claw from the gorget, their tongue flicking in and out in excitement. The chaplain walked over to the daemon and stroked it’s neck, it cooed in reaction. “Do not worry you will soon have a whole city to visit you attention upon.” He then looked down to the Marshal. “I will make you see Rolan.” “Traitor! Heretic!” the marshal spat. “How dare you!” One of the sword brethren pinned down then spoke up. “I told you he was a traitor! Once I get fre-” Bertrand gestured, the fiend instantly severed the head of the sword brethren who just spoke out.

Cassius strode up to the chaplain upon seeing that, he won’t let him steal what is his even if he won’t get a blessing out of it. “He is mine! He was meant to be mine! The Marshal’s life belongs to me!” As he raised his hand to the Chaplain the fiends locked their gazes upon him. Cassius stepped back in reaction, his eyes did not leave the one who stole glory. “I will get you for this…” he hissed.

***
Bertrand stared at the misguided warrior, his wants and desires are small. He could not allow such a beast to end the life of the Marshal. The emperor wanted him to work on this one specifically, he could feel it. “I seek something greater than a simple sacrifice. Tell me who is your leader misguided one?” At the mention of leader a walking skeleton strode up to him, he pointed at himself. “That’s me by the way.” He then gave a thumbs up to Asriel. “Good work. A shiny new Black Templar for the warband.” The human bowed “I...did what I could. I hope you are happy.” “I am now...Bertrand correct? I am Tetricus of the Emperor’s Children, leader of the 4th company. You shall join me.” His offer was so brazen, he expected his loyalty? Bertrand pointed his Crozius at the warband leader. “Before I join you, I have to make sure you aren’t a heretic. Even if your legion bares the name of the emperor you must prove that you truly follow him.” The misguided one barked at him “we don’t follow the false emperor you fool!” Right away Tetricus whacked the misguided warrior with his staff. “Don’t insult the emperor idiot!”

The warrior reached for his waist in reaction to the strike, like he expected a weapon to be there but his eyes moved to the blade on the ground and grunted. Bertrand smiled at that gesture he lowered his weapon “so you aren’t a heretic then.” “We just worship the same god by different names. I apologize for my imprudent brother, he does not know his manners or can recognise a true believer either. He is quite….straightforward.” Bertrand nodded in agreement “I can see that, thank you for correcting him or I would of been forced to obliterate him.” “Obliterate?” Tetricus said in amusement. “That would be interesting to see.” The warrior pointed at him “he is not one of us Tetricus! You can’t just let him join!” “Why not? He commands the dark princes daemons with ease, I haven’t seen you do anything like that.”

Bertrand watched the misguided one look away, he seemed defeated. Tetricus then swept his arms out. “So what are you going to do with your brothers?” Bertrand looked at each of them and then Fulco’s severed head. “I only need one.” As he said that the rest of the fiends dove into the rest, they savaged them with an animal glee.

As the ones holding down the marshal moved away he tried to crawl and swipe at them with his blade. Tetricus pointed his staff at the Marshal “brothers please take him to a transport, put him in a cell for our new member.” at his order the astartes did as they were told. Tetricus then offered his hand “welcome to the 4th.” Bertrand stared at the skeletal hand for a moment, he was strangely hesitant for a moment, then with a smooth motion he took Tetricus’ hand and shook it slowly. “Thank you, I am eager to work with people who will understand my work.” Tetricus cocked his head. “Your work?” Bertrand smiled at his new leader. “You’ll see.”

So I am going to say we are approaching the end of book 3, after the end of the next book. It's going to be ARC 3 just want to set expectations for that.

But to hype people up with the next book I will leave this image.

Impressive! Do you know how many word document pages you currently have of this story. Seriously considering rereading it.

 Dayknight wrote:

Impressive! Do you know how many word document pages you currently have of this story. Seriously considering rereading it.

The current one? Or all together? Lord of Pain is going onto 145 pages, the rest are at least 180+ pages. Since I write in google docs each story has their own file.

Chapter 21
Tetricus watched the slaves being marched onto the mass carriers, what he found interesting was the fact Bertrand was whipping them. He told him pain is a window or something like that.

He held his hollow eyes on the ex-Chaplain, he tries to appear wise but what he sees is a sadist looking for an excuse to torment people. He smiled, while giving a low chuckle. “That’s not a bad thing…” “Master?” He looked to his right, Asriel was standing there holding a robe as always his mind frayed with warnings that he was a threat. He hoped that they would lessen in the time, he did not even feel it when he first encountered his servant with Bertrand. Tetricus took the robe and wrapped it around his frame, he thought should he ask his servant that question? As the robe covered his skeletal body fully he bought his eyes back to him. “Would you ever kill me?”

Asriel looked hurt by the question, a great frown began lining his face. “Why would you ask such a thing? You doubt my loyalty to you? After everything?” His facial expression was genuine, he could tell that much. Tetricus mind moved to another question, one that he thinks Asriel would find difficult to answer. “if you had to choose between the survival of the 4th or me. What would you choose?” Now his servant looked away, he wasn’t sure that was evident. In Tetircus’ mind the 4th is everything, it’s more than him or his departed captain. “Now you can’t answer? Can you?” Asriel shook his head, his grey eyes met his own. “I would choose you without hesitation.” “So you would sacrifice everything? This company? Just for me?” he gave a curt nod to his questions “Yes.” Tetricus looked away, he focused on the whipped slaves, now he knows where his servant truly stands. “I see...that is interesting.” “Why is that the case?” said Asriel.

Tetricus did not answer, his servant was simple not in a bad way. In the end he knows his loyalty will count when he needs it. He had to admit truly, deep down he did not trust his brothers, Cassius was livid with his decision. He descended into the city, slashing and cursing at the top of his lungs. For now his connection to the prefector is frayed, he then thought of Faust. He has his loyalty because he desires to see him play, that’s it. “No..that is not loyalty at all but lust...desire.” “What are you talking about?” Asriel was curious, he ignored him he was just speaking out loud. His servant sensed he was not in the mood to talk, so he kept to himself.

Tetricus then mused on Erastus, he allowed the apothecary to examine him. He was absolutely delighted with that fact. But they did not bond, not truly. He loves his research foremost and in the case of Justus he desires to prove his immortality again and again. “You are thinking about something troubling? Aren’t you?” Asriel did not look at him, he sighed in return. “Yes.” The need to speak now enveloped him, he wondered if he would truly understand what he sees? What he feels at the moment? “I am thinking about the loyalty of my brothers.” “Again?” “Yes, again.” “They won’t betray you my lord.” Tetricus shook his head as he said that. “The third are selfish creatures, I am selfish as well. I wonder? Am I looking beyond the horizon? Are my hollow eye sockets truly looking to the future where the 4th is prominent?” Asriel said nothing, such things weren't his concern nor did he care. The only thing he cares for is him and nothing else, his servant rubbed his neck. “Then why not seek another world? A tougher world?” Tetricus grumbled “it’s not good enough.” He tapped his chin in annoyance, normally he would go to Eidolon but in the end his victories belong to the lord commander, most would see him as a witch doing the bidding of his rightful lord.

He never thought about working for Eidolon in such detail until now. A flare annoyance gripped him, he thought it would be simple. But he wondered if he has actually made any progress? “My lord, I have come bearing a gift.” Tetricus turned to see Faust and his noise marines, they were dragging a broken black templar to him. Faust smiled, he allowed his squad to hold him while he gestured to the supposed gift. “I have corrupted another Black Templar for you. Asriel is not the only one who can bring people to the arms of the dark prince.” Tetricus could see what his brother was trying to do, it was clear as day. He pointed at the astartes “he is an initiate, I can tell by his broken armour.” Faust furrowed his brow “is that a problem?” Tetricus pointed back at Bertrand “he is a Chaplain, even though the one you bought before me is a Black Templar it does not take a great amount of work to bring over someone who is just a footslogger, a simple warrior.”

As he said that his brother face flashed with anger, he bit his lip drawing blood. Tetricus expected him to start complaining, or perhaps to suddenly cry but he simply turned and walked away with his noise marines taking the initiate with him. As Faust walked away he could see Erastus approaching with a woman, he recognised her even though she looked a little different. She wore pink loincloth and her body was covered in leather straps that hooked into the skin, both of them stopped in front of him. “What is it?” he asked.

Erastus bought up a tentacle “a proposition Tetricus.” At the mention of proposition he would of rolled his eyes if he had any. “Out with it.” The apothecary gestured to the maverick he understood to be Dancer. “Replace the cults with her group. They are more effective killers and far more dedicated to us.” Tetricus nodded at his suggestion “very well, I have a special order for everyone anyway. Tell me Dancer is this what you desire?” She gave a bow in return. “Yes my lord, the Flowering Blades will follow your every word. I always desired to leave that hellhole one day.” At the mention of Flowering Blades Asriel chuckled, he was staring at the slaves still. In the end Tetricus did not care for the name, he wanted to put the “Flowering Blades” to the test. “Well then, I want both your group and Asriel to do something.” At the mention of a task Asriel turned, Dancer folded all four of her arms. “I don’t need his help.”

Tetricus pointed at his servant “he will be my eyes, I thought you are going to follow my every word? You want to live in finery don’t you? You crave to sleep on a good bed? To have every desire at your fingertips?” Dancer looked away slightly, that said everything. Erastus coughed, bringing his attention to him. “I assume this task is going to involve us isn’t it?” Tetricus smiled at the apothecary “Oh yes but...I changed my mind in one area.” Erastus looked confused “how so?” Tetricus looked over to their new warband member, he is so diligent, focused and he wants to see what he could do.

***
The broken priestess prayed at the altar, strangely the panic consuming the church made it easier to pray she knew the purge was coming. She knew the sorcerer would destroy them. She has seen it and she knew she could not avoid it, not anymore. She could hear Nolan barking out orders, the floor screeching with the sounds of benches being moved to block the door. She smiled and raised her hands up to the statue “give me their suffering oh great prince of darkness...that is all I ask…” That was all she wanted, it was her desire.

She wanted a vision, a specific one. So many small threads played across her eyes, they were vanishing one by one. Then came the sounds of muffled gunshots outside of the door, The oracle turned to the door, the threads still loomed around her eyes but she could also see her followers, looking to her for salvation. She remembered how majority of the slaves lived in the muck, toiling without purpose or direction before the cult’s coming. They were used as meat by the astartes, she aimed to secure a future without them but that has now fallen to ashes. She then watched the doors explode, Nolan along with her personal guard was consumed by a wreath of fire and shrapnel. The broken priestess felt their spirits fluttering away to the dark prince’s bosom.

From the smog the new cult streamed through, their bodies were lean...and strong. To a normal eye they looked perfect. Each of them wore leather, along with loincloths that were a mix of garish colours. Every single one seemed to be hooked up to a stim pack, pumping their bodies full of narcotics. The oracle tutted in disgust “they are dogs…” They swarmed the church cutting down her followers with serrated blades, yelping and shouting in glee with each death.

Her followers were dying in a ignoble fashion, blood flowing from their mouths as they screamed for her aid. The broken priestess knew there was no point, she focused on the threads, she kept searching for the likely path, the future that will come to pass.

The new cult started to advance upon her, she could even spot the leader walking up the aisle smiling ear to ear while covered in gore. The broken priestess placed her hand on her chest. “Why do you do this?” The four-limed killer stopped and shrugged “I do this for myself. I also enjoy killing people.” She had to buy time, she could see a thread glowing with a pink light. “That’s it? You are aware our “lord” sees us as dogs to be used and cast away?” The mad killer shrugged again. “Everyone is a dog to someone else, we all answer to the same God anyway. I know you of all people if you saw him would want to lick his feet like the animal you are. We are honest, my cult is honest. You like to dress everything up in ritual and scripture...pah!” She ran towards her, The broken priestess raised her hands, drawing from her well of inner energy to blast the fool away.

She need to see the thread for herself, it was beaming with a bright light. She was almost there. But before any power left her hands, she felt a sharp pain in her gut. The oracle looked down to see a blade protruding out of it. Blood was now mixing with her robe, it was trailing down her legs. The blade twisted, pain erupted through her body. The weapon left her frame with another sharp twist, the sheer trauma of the wound caused her to lose her footing and fall to the ground.

The broken priestess gripped her stomach, the thread was now expanding and what she saw was beautiful.

***
Asriel looked down to the broken priestess, she was holding her stomach tightly as blood pooled on the floor. Dancer was now coming up the steps to the altar, by her body language she was not pleased. “I could of handled her!” she barked. Asriel flicked the blood off his weapon and sheathed it. “I know, but I wanted to kill her.” Dancer tilted her head, he could sense confusion leaking off her. “The main reason is our lord. I should of never listened to her, perhaps if I did not follow her Tetricus might of not suffered as he did. I have learned that the future is malleable, oracles are a bloody sham.” “And you learned this how?” “I….” He was drawing a blank, he recalled his father but he knew there was a time that he was caught in the manipulations of one who claimed to control fate.

He shook his head “it doesn’t matter, our part is done anyway.” Dancer tutted “fine, but you better give a good report to our lord.” “I will now we should ge-” The broken priestess gasped, she was chuckling even though her voice was weak. “I see...a bright white light, consuming everything you hold dear...A young man full of brilliance, a beacon of the great enemy.” Asriel drew Taurus, he aimed the daemon revolver at her head. The broken priestess shifted her gaze to him, she looked him right in the eyes. “I also see your brains on the floor…” she hissed with a hoarse breath. Asriel had enough, he shot her several times causing her head to explode. “Always with the prophecies…” As he lowered the gun it started to vibrate +things are moving…+ It’s been a while since his captain last said something he frowned, while bringing the weapon up. “What is it?” A long grumble passed through his mind, he could tell the daemon was not sure. +be careful…+

The vibration stopped, Asriel placed the weapon into it’s holster. He sighed “let’s leave I tire of this place.” He walked down the steps but Dancer shook her head. “No I think we will stay here.” Asriel looked back to her “why?” “Don’t worry my cult will convert this place to make it more homey. Afterall we can use the skin of those we just killed…” Asriel bought his eyes to the cult, they were already at work using flensing knives to skin those they killed.

He could see why Tetricus agreed to the proposition, this cult is far more simple. Simple is easier to control.


***
Clavin stood at the side of his master’s throne, they have recruited many during their time on this ship but the numbers they had was nothing next to the might of astartes. He could see his mistress was greatly annoyed. She stared at the door, muffled screams were erupting from it. Clavin felt a question spawning in his mind, but it would not be his place to ask such a thing.

His queen frowned “we can’t win this fight. We will not charge them.” Clavin nodded “as you say.” The door of the throne room then opened, his fellow brothers and sisters slinked back from it keeping tight grips on their blades. Clavin drew his own weapon, he stared into a darkness and suddenly a spiked whip flicked out and wrapped around the neck of one of their fighters. They were then dragged into the darkness, he could hear screaming and gunshots. The sounds lasted for but moments as a figure emerged from the darkness.

His armour was covered head to toe in gore, you could barely see the black underneath it. Clavin did not know who he was, but Shidonai rose from the throne. “Where is the sorcerer!?” The astartes skull face helm caused his heart to skip for a moment, just for a fraction of a second doubt flared in his heart. The warrior said nothing, he gripped the whip tighter, strangely the blades that covered the whip lengthened at the same time and in his other hand he wielded a cruel looking mace.

His queen shouted again “I demand to kno-” The astartes spun the whip around him, heads rolled on the floor. The space marine drew the whip back and cracked it on the ground. “Be silent alien. Such a disgusting creature should not breathe the same air as us. The emperor only graces humanity, your death’s will be fast and quick. You have no right to feel the love of the holy master of mankind gracing your flesh.” Shidonai pointed at the warrior “kill him!”

Clavin charged at the space marine with his brothers and sisters, if they attack him all at once they can kill him, he knows it. The space marine in reaction to their charge readied his mace, he started to smash heads, pulverising them to nothing. He did all of this in grim silence, the contempt he had for all of them was oozing off his body. Clavin knew he had to approach this carefully, he circled the astartes and decided to attack him from behind.

The astartes was distracted with murdering his brothers and sisters, he grinned as he approached his back. Clavin raised his power sword, but in a fraction of a second the space marine twisted, his red eye lenses boring into him. He was now flying in the air, his head was spinning, he was watching his family being torn apart with ease. He felt his eyes rolling back, the last thing he saw was the whip wrapping around the neck of his mistress.

***
Bertrand pulled the xeno creature to him, the whip was a gift from the beasts and he has used it excessively since then. He could see the panic the alien’s eyes, when Tetricus told him of this “cult” he demanded the right to exterminate them. Only humans can be pure in the eyes of the master of mankind, that is the only the truth. The only joy he is getting from this is the panicked eyes of the alien leader, he wanted to draw her close in, to destroy her utterly. The creature screamed while trying to pull at the whip gripping her throat “I-I can’t use my powers! What have you done!?” He wanted to ignore her cries but he found her lamentation pleasing, that was the place of the alien, to be on their knees. To be bent and destroyed by humanity.

Finally as the the abominable alien reached his body, she clawed at his breastplate. Her strikes were feeble and weak, if he was honest to himself he was expecting more. Bertrand raised his crozius, the creature gave a long wail as he crushed her head. Blood splattered over his armour, her corpse collapsed onto the ground and his whip unfurled from the stump. “The deed is done.” He attached his mace to it’s holster, he grabbed the leg of the alien and dragged it out of the room.

***
Tetricus wove his staff in the air while eating an apple, he wanted to find a planet that would definitely put the 4th on the map. It can’t be a simple raid, nor should it be a place that they can corrupt. He has to choose a planet that will push them to their limits, a place that might even break them. He shifted through the planets, one at a time until he landed on a world. It shined with a white light, but staring at it caused a sense of revulsion to wash over him. Despite the sense of unease gripping him he zoomed in, the further he dove the revulsion soon turned to pain, agony ripped through his body.

He could see fragments of the planet, he caught sight of a reaver titan looming over the city as if it’s standing guard, it stood tall in the middle of it. He then saw ministorum priests marching with Astra Militarum, chanting a name he could not perceive and finally he saw a face of a young man. He had short black hair, but his eyes shone with the same white light. He thought to stare at him, to hold his face but a slam broke his concentration.

The light vanished along with the pain. He turned in annoyance while taking a bite out of his apple, on his table he saw the corpse of Shidonai and Bertrand was standing in front of him. “The alien is dead along with her brood.” “Why did you bring her corpse here?” “To show you proof of my kill.” The annoyance drifted away, he had to admit he was diligent that confirmed it. “Good, do you want a reward?” Bertrand raised his hand “No, killing the creature was enough. Also I thank you for my new quarters it’s spacious enough to do my work.” At the mention of work he recalled the marshal was taken to his room, according to reports all that comes from his room were screams. “That’s good now… I am busy.” At the mention of busy Bertrand bowed and left.

Now alone he turned back to his work he waved his staff over the planet. A name in pink letters hovered over it. “Prolis…” “we are attacking a new world?” He grunted, he did not turn this time but the fact his visitor did not flare warning signals within his mind was a plus. A part of him suspected the alien might of had something to do with it.

“So Asriel is it done?” “Yes master they are dead, the flowering blade are using the skin of the slain to make curtains.” His servant walked to his side. “So...what’s on the world?” “A titan.” he responded. At the mention of titan Asriel frowned “we don’t have the firepower to take one on.” “I will figure something out, but...this is the place.” He took another large chunk out of the fruit. “Here we will make our name, this light….should not exist.” As Asriel stared at the white orb he shivered “agreed. How long before we reach the place?” “We won’t attack right away, as you said we have to face a titan it will not be easy to take down, but if we do...” “The 4th will be famous?” “Exactly! Defeating the odds, doing the impossible? It’s the core of who the third are and I think it will be thrilling attacking such a world.” His servant stroked his chin “but I wonder why is a titan on the world? What is it defending?” Tetricus nodded in agreement “that’s the grand question isn’t it?”

Epilogue
Solanid Thay held his power mace and hand flamer at the ready, the carapace armour buckled as he ran, it was mixed with his ministorum robes which made it an odd fit but he could deal with it. His eyes moved to the small throng of missionaries, they were lead by Zuriel the pious. He wore flak armour that was mixed with a black robe, a winged I also dangled around his neck, he whispered a prayer to it as they ran. His personal flamer was jostling with each movement.

Next his gaze moved to Golden Eagles, an infantry regiment that was stationed on this world which was lead by Colonel Albrecht he was not with them at the moment but his soldiers were disciplined. Their armour was tinted with the colour yellow, each soldier was ready for were they were heading to.

Finally his eyes drifted to the one who lead them, their imperial saint. Rangel Calgoza, his golden power armour hummed with each movement, his thunder-hammer sparked with each step. The young man had short black hair and blue eyes, but what made him special was his link with the master of mankind. He could sense the heretic, even annihilate them completely. He has seen it with his own eyes and now they are hunting again. “Confessor.” His voice was strong, but soft Solanid made the sign of the aquila. “Saint, what do you need of me?” “We are nearing our destination, make sure everyone is ready.” Solanid looked ahead, they were nearing the back entrance of the theatre.

As he saw the door he raised his mace, he could hear Zuriel finishing his prayer and the guardsmen checking their lasguns.

Rangel was the first to reach the door, as all of them stopped running Solanid scowled “the heretics are arrogant to think they have hidden themselves.” The saint nodded, he gave a reassuring smile “they use sorcery to protect themselves but…” “But what?” Solanid asked. Ragnel shook his head “be ready we are going in.” He shoulder checked the door smashing it down, all of them advanced into the corrupted theatre.

In the hallway they saw two men wearing purple robes, Zuriel stepped forward. “Begone foul heathens!” They turned at once in shock. The missionary unleashed a gout of flame from his flamer, Solanid would of rejoiced in their deaths but what was disturbing was the fact instead of crying out in pain they screamed pleasure. As the blackned forms fell to the ground, Zuriel relaxed “they spread their heresy, to the poor...to the rich.” Ragnel gave a sad smile “station does not matter, anyone can give away their souls.” Solanid nodded in agreement “aye, the masses don’t understand what we do.”

They all continued onward, they needed to reach the stage. The hallways were rife with heretics, Solanid disliked Ragnel taking point but the cultists gunfire from their small arms bounced off his armour. His hammer tore apart those who sought to impede him, like before none of the cultists died in pain it just showed how far they are gone.

Eventually they reached the stage the crowd looked impassive in the seats despite the fact they are here to purge them. The small warband locked their eyes upon the cult leader, she stood at the middle of the stage. Solanid curled his lips in disgust at what she was standing next to. It was an almost naked man on his knees, his arms were fused to monstrous piece of metal and what looked to be his nerve tendons were attached to it to form a grotesque harp.

The cult leader sighed, she kicked the man who convulsed slightly. He shifted on his knees to face them somewhat and the leader took the position to play the instrument. “Welcome.” her voice was soft, the word dripped from her mouth. Save him and Ragnel everyone flinched, their saint pointed his hammer at her. “Vile creature...twisting hearts of men and women!” The cult leader placed a hand on her chest “me? Twisting their hearts?” She chuckled, she plucked a string on her instrument, the man gasped and with that action her form started to shift.

Her skin turned pale, horns jutted from her brow and her features were now androgynous. Solanid could feel a musk swimming through his nose, he growled in anger as he saw the others being taken in. “Close your hearts and minds! Do not desire the foul thing!” One guardsman ran forward towards the creature crying with desire, Ragnel twisted and removed his head in one swing. He faced the monster “you manipulate people, you take them from the true path..all you bring is suffering!” The creature started to play a melody on her harp, the soul being used as an instrument gave a scream of pleasure.

The song was beautiful, Solanid sagged to his knees, everyone did save Ragnel but he could see he was struggling. The creature licked her lips with a black tongue. She moved her foot on the thigh of the one she is playing on. “I manipulate people? I give them joy, in degradation they forget the factories, the hard labour and the noble forget their days of boredom. But I loooove how you twist us into the villians...did you know twenty people died making your armour? The ones who made the pommel and head of your hammer were whipped to death by their overseers...but who cares about? They are suffering because that’s their place right? You set walls around them, turn these wonderful souls into caged and beaten animals...but with me? They know ecstasy, they forget all their perils and their love for the anthema is replaced by love for my dark prince. Like this one here..” The creature looked down to the man, “he offered himself and now he will know bliss forevermore…”

Solanid felt his mind wandering, he tried to rise but the song felt so good. Rangel roared out “the emperor protects!” His eyes were consumed by a white light. The creature grinned “scream your mantra, it doesn’t matter your doom is coming…” Their saint raised his hand, a wave of white light washed over everything. Solanid was blinded by the display. But instead of cries of pleasure consuming his ears, he heard screams of agony.

He slowly stood up, they all did as the infernal song was silenced. The white light soon vanished to reveal ash lining the seats of the theatre, the man who was being used as an instrument was also a pile of ash. Solanid could see bone protruding from it. Their saint turned to them, he smiled “No doom will ever come. Not while mankind stands.”

Solanid made the sign of the aquila over his chest, he was right as long as mankind endures they can defeat whatever comes their way, no matter what shape or form it takes.

Yes I used the awesome new model, who knows I might get it's lore right.

This book is shorter because the next book? Well...big things are going to happen. As you know what happens with a new arc? Soo I have to plan this out, got a few notes but I want to do more.

Chapter 1
His quarters was filled with the moans and screams of the unfaithful, hands reached out of square cages, they begged him for release, they cried for an end but he would not give it. To seek an end shows they have learned nothing, so he would continue to teach them until they expire. At the current moment his focus was held on Marshal Rolan, his legs were now stumps, his skin was covered in scars and his face was twisted. The scorn he had for him bled off his ruined form.

Bertrand cracked the whip and lashed it across Rolan’s chest, his body was dangling on the wall. He ensured the chains are strong of enough to hold him there, he did not want him escaping. “Submit!” He spat, the word overpowered the lamentations of the other unfaithful. Rolan held his mouth, he refused to scream and that angered him, it was vexing that he refuses to give in. “Why do you resist? What do you hope to achieve?” He whipped Rolan again and again, blood ran like rivers down his body. “Y-You c-coward!” Bertrand froze, he has refused to talk after weeks of torture, the fact he is now hurling insults means he has made progress. “I only see one coward.” he responded. “I seek to make you see, the emperor is there if you let him in.” At the mention of the emperor Rolan shook his head, he gave a raspy chuckle. “M-Making excuses are you? I-I only see a sadist, not a warrior of faith…you s-sold y-your soul.” Bertrand lashed the fallen Marshal several times for saying that, for daring to doubt the work he does.

Normally when he uses this whip mortals break easily, they know the joy of following the master of mankind but the Marshal was being difficult. In the end he saw this as a test, the emperor wanted to see if he would give up on trying to enlighten Rolan. “I only seek to help you…” his lashes were unceasing until eventually Rolan’s head sagged. Bertrand stopped, he relaxed and smiled. “Lost conscious eh? We can pick up where we left of tomorrow.” He turned and approached a cage, the mortal inside crawled to the back of it while shaking his head.

Bertrand unlocked the door, he grabbed their leg and dragged them out despite their kicking and screaming. He held the mortal upside down, they were crying for mercy. “You expect mercy? I am giving you mercy. The pain I inflict upon you is compassion and once you accept it glady the emperor will forgive you.” He dropped the mortal and readied his whip. “Open your heart to him…”

***
Asriel sat at the dinner table with Oktai, they were eating scrambled eggs. The meal had no taste, he wondered if it was the fact they have eaten the same meal too many times? “We could go back to the kitchen.” said Oktai. The old man was smirking at him. Asriel frowned heavily “why? The kitchen belongs to Dorene now.” “Technically it’s your kitchen, you can easily take it back.” “I don’t want to take it back, if I do that means I have to be responsible again. Being here? Is much more fun.” The old man gave him a bemused look “aren’t you bored of killing? Everyone is easy pickings in the slums save Cash.” As he said Cash he thought of the sharpshooter, he had his firing range installed into his house, but he got bored of it within a few days. Even so Oktai is right, everyone within the slums was easy pickings and they haven’t attacked a planet in ages. His master was consumed with putting together the plan to attack Prolis. Asriel started to play with his food, he began thinking about his lord. At the moment Tetricus was developing something that could deal with the Titan, he pretty much has essentially locked himself up in his chamber.

Asriel thought of teleporting there, it would be easy but he did want to distract him. As the days moved on he has found it hard to concentrate. Killing has grown stale, even murdering people in creative ways does not alleviate his boredom either. He did not want to admit such a thing to Oktai, but he guessed the old man was aware of this hence the question whether he was bored of killing. Asriel sighed “I don’t feel like eating.” He sat up from the table, Oktai raised his eyebrow. “Are you going somewhere?” he asked.

Asriel nodded “Yes, I am going to see master. He might need some help.” He knew that he was busy but perhaps being productive might ease what he is feeling now?

***
Tetricus channeled warp energy into the floating orb, this was to be his weapon against the great machine, an artifact of brilliant destruction. He drew his hand back, stopping the stream of energy. The orb sparked, it was vibrating due to the energies contained within it. He flexed his hand, ever since becoming a walking corpse he has never felt...weary. The pain was constant and he got used to it, but fatigue was something that has left him utterly until now. He turned and standing at the other end of the table was his servant, he smiled at him. “Busy?” Tetricus took a moment to glance at the orb “not at the moment, what is it?” “Oh...nothing. I was wondering if you need anything done, do you want me to kill someone? I can serve you in whatever capacity you see fit.” He could see Asriel was expecting to be instructed, but he had nothing for him to do at the moment. “I do not require anything at the moment. Why don’t you go and amuse yourself?”

Right away Asriel frowned he rubbed his neck. “I...are you sure?” Disappointment consumed his servant, his hand twitched slightly. Tetricus sighed when he saw that “so you are only happy when I am ordering you around?” His servant seemed oddly confused. “Not exactly master...I-” Tetricus gestured to the chair in front of Asriel. “Sit.” right away he did as he asked. Tetricus shook his head and sat at the table as well, he then picked two apples out of the basket, he threw one over to Asriel. He caught the fruit with ease “I always wondered what these tasted like.” Tetricus took a bite out of his own while chewing he said “it tastes good to me, I assume the fruit basket was a gift.” At the mention of gift Asriel frowned “it’s from him isn’t it?” At the mention of him he thought of his father, he was not sure what to think of the fact that he drew his interest.

Overall drawing the interest of the lord of the third was a dream many of his brothers craved for. His meeting with father simply confirmed he was not a being to be worshipped but respected, nothing more, nothing less. “Go on, eat it. After all I am spending time with you.” said Tetricus. As he said that Asriel’s frown drifted away, he slowly took a bite out of the apple. Tetricus could see Asriel’s face brightening as he started to chew, he smiled. “Good isn’t it?” His servant nodded, he swallowed and then took another bite.

Tetricus then sat back in his chair while looking upwards to the projected map. He stared at the Prolis, the glowing orb was disgusting to look at but he knew, he had a feeling this raid would be the thing that would set them on the path to greatness. He wanted, dreamed of the time where he would be called captain, he won’t be just another witch the third spits and looks down upon.

His imagination ran wild with possibilities but a cough caused said possibilities to shatter, his hollow eyes were now on his servant, he was coughing violently. Time seemed to slow, he watched Asriel drop the apple on the floor he was now gasping for air, his eyes then met his own as his veins pulsed black. “M-Master..” he croaked.

Asriel fell off his chair, his eyes slowly closed as he released a long rasp.

Tetricus felt time return to it’s normal pace, he sat like a stone on his chair trying to process what just happened, what he just saw. He then found his body moving by itself, he rushed over to his servant and scooped him into his arms. As he faced the door he spotted Asriel’s revolver vibrating slightly he thought to reach for it but shook his head. “No time...I mu-” he stopped speaking he rushed out of the room, he knew exactly where to go.

***
Dorene cleaned up the kitchen with Wade it’s been expanded greatly since she took over but with expansions comes the increased cleaning time. She moved the mop around, she could of easily left the work to slaves but when it came to the kitchen she prefers a personal touch.

Steadily she finished her spot, she looked over to Wade who was cleaning the tables. “Are you done?” she asked. Wade turned, his snake like tongue flicked in and out of his mouth. “Almost done, this is the last table.” He turned back to it and continued cleaning. Dorene stared at his back, she wondered when knives would cover it completely. A frown crossed her lips, as that happened Wade stopped cleaning. He turned to her again. “Stop thinking about it.” he said firmly.

Dorene shook her head “two whole cults hunted to extinction, the only reason we have been spared is because we cook the food.” “Exactly hence why no one will touch us, our people are finally safe.” Dorene chuckled as he said that. “You are aware that the whims of those we serve can change at any time? I have been at their...gatherings. Watching the suffering of others is like a pastime to them.” She could see that Wade could not believe what she was saying, he sighed heavily. “But as you said we cook the food.” “What if they no longer needed food? What if they get bored of what we cook here?” She looked over to the locked door, the room belonged to him and it was the one place she could not crack no matter how hard she tried. “He might come back and kill us.” Wade looked over to the door as well, he shivered slightly. “He won’t do that.” “You honestly believe that?” he turned back to her and smiled. “I do, we would not be here without him. So stop worrying.”

Wade returned to cleaning, but she kept her eyes on the door. She knew what type of creature he was now. She has seen how he goes about his work when he dealt with the Chaplain, he would destroy everything they built if he felt it was for the best. “I won’t let that happen…” She walked over to where Wade was and smiled. “Let me help.” he shrugged “fine.” She grabbed a extra napkin that sat on the table and aided Wade. She had to admit ever since taking over as head chef she has built a strange affection for everyone that worked here. This place was hers, it belonged to her completely and she won’t let anyone destroy it.

***
Tetricus stared at Asriel, he was hooked up to multiple machines his chest was rising and falling slowly. The one thing that hasn’t changed were his veins were pulsing black, he turned to Erastus who was going through a dataslate. “What’s wrong with him?” Erastus moved a tendril over the pad he nodded. “Nothing extreme, he seems to be in a coma.” At the mention of coma he tensed. “Can you wake him up?” “I...well the drugs I aminstered should of caused some stimulai but...he did not respond.” Flames began dancing around his body, pink flames started to leak from his eyes. “Why can’t you fix something so…” “Simple? You are the sorcerer, I don’t know why you simply did not look into his head. Plus the apple you gave me to analyze is just a normal apple.”

As the apothecary said that he calmed himself, in the end Erastus hasn’t done anything wrong. His servant was in this state because of him, he should blame himself for the state Asriel is in. Even so Erastus’ idea was a good one. He approached the bed and placed his hand on Asriel’s forehead. He sent his mind forth, he expected to see something to be drawn into his mind space but nothing was happening. “What?” Erastus looked at him in confusion “so...did it work? I assume a single second was like a age for you.” Tetricus shook his head “I can’t enter his mind...what is going on?”

He removed his hand from his forehead, his eyes when then drawn to the gun it was still vibrating. He knew what was held within the weapon and that’s why he was apprehensive, but he guessed his old captain might know something. He removed the revolver from it’s holster and right away the weapon reformed into a bolt pistol, the magazine was also a cylinder as well. +You are a fool.+ The voice was cold, harsh even.

Tetricus narrowed his eyes at it. “I assume you know something?” as he said that Erastus stared at the weapon in almost wonder. +You delivered the human to him, now he is his plaything as are you.+ He knew who the daemon was referring to, but the question is why? Why now? “Let me ask something, the xeno creature ate an apple one time. How come nothing happened to her?” +You think that he would claim an alien? Plus he had no interest in the creature.+ Tetricus cursed, it was a precarious time and he was worried, extremely so.

He placed the bolt pistol into a unused holster, he looked over to Erastus. “So...you know what’s wrong with him?” Tetricus nodded “indeed I do, our father is a bastard.” As he said that Erastus blinked in shock that he could say such a thing. Tetricus clenched his hands “a bastard that moves all of us on a board when it suits him…” he hissed. He looked up to the ceiling “are we that damn amusing!? Huh!? Tell me!” Erastus shook his head “you may not want to draw his ire, could be bad luck.” Tetricus snorted “I am one of his playthings, he won’t get rid of me so easily and you should also be worried.” Erastus looked confused “how so?” “Asriel and I are the main players.” Tetricus leaned in towards Erastus face. “Something big will happen. He is maneuvering pieces into place for an outcome that will give him the most pleasure and that should worry you.” The apothecary gave a small smile “but we have something other warbands lack, the attention of our great father. That is a boon.”

Tetricus leaned back as he said that he gave a cold chuckle, his teeth chattering at the movement. He did not respond to what Erastus just said, he wouldn’t understand. +None of them will.+ He had to agree with the daemon. He then strode to the door, he turned his head back slightly to the apothecary “I want Asriel transfered to my chambers.” Erastus grunted “you don’t trust me?” “I trust the the fact that you like to experiment, now do as I say.” He did not put any force behind his words, he could see right through his brother.

Erastus simply sighed “very well.” Tetricus nodded and stepped out of the room, now standing in the hallway he stroked his chin. He had to move carefully, a important and loyal piece is now off the board for the Prolis invasion. He ground his teeth in frustration “what are you planning oh father of mine?”

Chapter 2
Cassius swatted his blade through the air, anger dripped from his body. As the weeks passed he could not contain himself, he could not think clearly due to the fact that Bertrand holds his prize. A prize he stole. As his blade moved through the air Myra was humming, working on another piece of art. His chamber walls were lined with her works from tortured slaves who were in the throng of dying to portraits of himself. He hissed a curse and smoothly sheathed his blade, he started to pace his room in frustration. He thought to appeal to the foolish skeleton again but he knew that would get him nowhere, or he could kill Betrand himself? “You shouldn’t do that.” His personal slave turned on her seat, strangely he allowed her to speak her mind, in his old warband he would remove the tongue of any slave who attempted such a thing. “Why?” he asked.

She gave a soft smile “I don’t want to paint something like that…” he had no idea what she meant, he walked over to her to see what she was working on. The canvas was huge and the painting itself was of a city. The metropolis held great spires, houses and factories. Strangely there was a titan in the distance as well. The piece has been barely started but he liked the colours she used so far and the blending as well. “I could kill him.” Cassius said firmly.

Myra turned back to the painting and continued, she smiled weakly “then I will need red, a lot of it.” A chill ran down his spine as she said that, but it was only for a fraction of a second. He then grabbed her face and turned it to him. He stared into her eyes and he could tell that she had something he didn’t. Cassius could see it in her eyes. “You are blessed.” his lips curled into disgust. “The dark prince speaks through your art.” She looked at him in confusion, he was quite sure she never gave such things even a fraction of her attention. All that mattered was her work and strangely him. All he did was give her tools, meals and a bed and she worked away creating masterpieces.

He removed his hand from her face and almost like a robot she went back to work. Sometimes he had to almost tear her away from her painting to get her to eat for she would forgo any form of nutrition to finish her work. Cassius folded his arms and simply watched her paint, doing so calmed him down, the sight of a master weaving a grand creation. But in a few minutes she stopped while shaking her head. “I can’t paint anymore.” “Why can’t you?” Cassius responded.

Myra started to clear up her equipment, a frown lined her face. “Why do you think that you aren’t blessed master?” The question threw him off guard, he looked away. “All of my brothers are changing, even the slaves change yet I remain the same. No matter what depravity I commit, no matter who I kill I remain how I am.” “So...what were you like before you came here? What was your old warband like?” As she packed away her tools into the golden cupboard she turned to him, curiosity spinning across her face. Cassius tutted “my old warband was dubbed the Rapturous Lions. We sought delight with a mad fury, every want could of been mine if I desired it. Slaves, food and even narcotics. I grew fat on my lusts and those I fought with and including myself couldn’t see the betrayal coming, I was blind.” His slave nodded, taking in what he told her. Yet speaking of it out loud, he strangely did not feel any sense of longing. His old warband leader was a fool like Tetricus, but a different kind of fool. He allowed the warband to stagnate, they only attacked weaker worlds to fill the slave pens, yet no one chafed under such things apart from him and his palatine blades.

His slave smiled at him “and how does this warband compare to your old one?” He actually thought on her question, he had to admit he has done things with this warband that normally would get his last one killed. How he has survived so far he has no idea. Plus the fact Tetricus forgave him as well after his betrayal.“Tetricus keeps throwing us into crazy gambits, he wants the 4th to ring through the third legion...but that’s impossible.” “How come?” Myra asked. “He is a witch, that fact won’t ever change.” As he said that he felt, or detected a hint of sadness in his voice.

His slave nodded in understanding “then...why do you follow him if you think he is not capable?” The next question threw him off “I-” he couldn’t answer. His mouth was hanging open slightly like he wants to say something, but the word or thought would not come. He shook his head to shake off the feeling. “I have no choice, where would I go? Anyway if better opportunities arise I might take it.” Myra held the look that she didn’t believe him, he cursed and turned away in frustration. He did not know why he is gracing a slave with such information, he tried to push the discussion away from his mind.

Cassius then returned to his original spot, he unsheathed his blade and started to make random strokes, the anger came back and strangely along with it confusion.

***
He ran down the endless white corridor, he needed to get away from it. He needed to find somewhere safe. Asriel looked back to see an orb of pink fire following him, his heart twisted in fear just staring at it. He did not exactly know what it was but he had the feeling that if he got caught by the orb of fire that will be the end, he will be trapped. Asriel looked up and shouted “master! Master!” nothing was happening, he cursed.

He had no idea how long he has been running for, he does not get tired either. The only thing he could think of was the apple, soon as he started eating it his mind was going blank and now he is here. He bit his lip in frustration, Tetricus needed him since they could attack Prolis at any moment, his work could be done in the next hour or even day. +He will attack without you.+ The voice shot through him like lightning, he felt his legs sagging but hearing the voice caused the fear he felt before to flood his entire system.

Asriel pushed his legs harder “no, no, no, no, no!” A laugh rippled through his body he clutched himself as he could feel the one talking to him plucking at his nerves. “G-Go away! I don’t need you!” +Well I need you, don’t tell me you have forgotten me already? Or does your “family” not extend to me?+ His teeth started to chatter, Asriel could now hear the licking of lips. +You have forgotten so many “family” members already...+ The sides of the walls started to be lined with portraits, from humans to astartes he recognised none of them. But glancing at them caused his head to hurt. He closed his eyes and clutched his head tightly. “I-I don’t know them!” +Oh please, do you think a pitiful procedure can make you forget those important to you?+ Names started to flood, his mind a whole list of them. “Marthas help me! Please!” the name just spilled from his mouth. He thought of Marius, Tarkhan and so many others, but one name particular caused his run to slow to a crawl, he stopped and opened his eyes, his hands lowered themselves from his head.

Asriel was now standing before a wall and giant portrait hanged upon it. The astartes had somewhat long white hair, his features were androgynous and a monstrous mace was rested on his shoulder. “Adelram…” he said quietly to himself. He recalled when he died, what they did together in the past. All of these emotions coming at him at once was too painful, there was no joy in it. He clutched his chest “H-He killed himself…” +Oh no, if you were never there he would have lived.+ “What are you talking about?” As he said that flashing before his eyes he saw him as he was when he was an apothecary. His warband was great, strong even. All those who questioned his rule was cast aside.

Slowly the portrait bled back into view, Asriel shook his head “I-I didn’t do anything.” +If you weren’t there, he would of never sold his soul to the dark prince..I would have never devoured him. He would have his own reason, his own will…ruination has been left in your wake wherever you go..+ The portrait shifted to display Adelram beaten and bloody, such a sight wounded his soul, it tore right through it.

The portrait then crumbled away to reveal Taurus, seeing his countenance, so strong and fierce...tears welled up in his eyes. “I…..” +He died because of you.+ “It was a mistake!” he shouted. +A mistake you made. Who payed for that mistake? Now in return you have a broken daemon...+ He couldn’t bear it anymore, Asriel keeled over slightly, tears dropping onto the white floor. “I...just wanted to be more like him...” +and in doing so you destroyed him.+ Asriel found himself looking up to the picture again, now Taurus was a warped monstrosity. His striking face was now grotesque and wailing in agony.

Asriel started to find his breathing becoming hard, the portrait now shifted to Tetricus before he was burnt at the stake. His white hair was combed back, he held a smile on his face. +The new prospect, so much potential…but...+ Asriel watched Tetricus’ skin fall away to reveal bone, he was still grinning as well. “Another mistake.” Asriel said harshly. +Oh yes, that priestess pulled one over you...the possibilities if you hadn’t listened to her...but you should be worried.+ His heart jumped as he said that, the portrait of his master started to crumble to ash. “W-What!? Why!? Why is this happening!?” Asriel shouted.

He could hear the one he fears most tutting +Why? Because that is what will happen. He will fight and his end will come hurtling towards him...so unfortunate.+ Asriel now turned, the sadness shifted to fury he couldn’t contain it. “Who dares!? Who!? I will flay them! Tear our their eyes! Cut out their tongue!” The orb of fire was now floating before him, it started to move around him. +such things can be...averted in a sense. Hence why I wish to protect you.+ At the mention of protection the gears of his mind started to turn, he then realised this is what the one before him does, he makes chinks in the armour to allow himself in. “Y-You could be lying.” Asriel said meekly.

The orb stopped before him again +me? Lying? To one who loves my sons so dearly? Oh you poor child...I merely wish to preserve one of my children, to watch him grow and reach grander heights. No one is as loyal as you within his company, hence why I am approaching you.+ At the mention of loyal his heart swelled, he did not know why or how it happened. His eyes were darting from the orb and to the ground rapidly a part of him wants to believe but he couldn’t. Accepting his help comes with costs, costs that may harm the 4th. “Lord Fulgrim I-” +You care nothing for the 4th, you only have eyes on my boy. He is your only connection, yes there are costs with everything but I come to you because you are the one who can handle what will come. Do you wish to abandon my son? Do you want to make another mistake? Refuse me and that will mark Tetricus’ end.+

As he said mistake, Asriel now stared at the orb his mouth was dry. He wondered if he should take the risk? “If I accept...what will happen?” +By the end you will be broken, but my son will be preserved.+ As Lord Fulgrim said that, his words did not affect his body in anyway. He did not feel a thing. From that Asriel felt he was telling the truth. “Fine, what do I have to do?”

Asriel could sense the joy from the orb, just for a moment he could see the perfect face of the lord of the third, he was grinning ear to ear. +It’s quite simple...let me into your heart.+

Chapter 3
Oktai entered Tetricus’ chamber and there he was, his young lord lying on a bed hooked up to strange machines. He almost sighed in annoyance as he stared at him. “What sort of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?” As he spoke, Tetricus turned to face him. “Ah, you are here.” Oktai approached the sorcerer while folding his arms. “I got your message.” “Good.” Tetricus gave a curt nod, he then gestured to a glowing white planet. “Prolis, a world covered in light.” Oktai stared at it, he could also see Tetricus shifting slightly. “Is something wrong?” he asked. The hollow eyes of the sorcerer fell upon him, he began stroking his chin. “Don’t you feel anything?” “Feel what?” “A sense of...revulsion, the planet to me is disgusting to look at.” Oktai shook his head “I feel nothing at all, maybe because I don’t care for gods.”

Tetricus gave a small laugh “that might be the most simple answer…” he then turned slightly to Asriel “I want you to stay on the ship when the attack occurs. Be by Asriel's side at all times during the conflict.” The request-no order was a surprise, but something was off he could feel it. “To protect him? Or are you worried about something else?” The sorcerer said nothing for a moment, he then cursed. “There is an individual I do not trust, I respect them but I do not trust them. They will twist my servant and make him do something stupid.” “He is pretty stupid sometimes.” Oktai said with amusement. Tetricus nodded in agreement “indeed he is...but he is my foolish servant, a loyal one at that.” Oktai could see what was going on, this invasion seems important and he wants to eliminate any possibility of something going awry. He knew that loyalty was something that does not exist within the legions of chaos, he has seen it so many times among mortals and astartes. Every single follower is out for themselves, but his young lord was an oddity in a sense, his sense of loyalty was excessive, extremely so. “Tetricus if something happ-” “If something happens to me and Asriel wakes up?” The sorcerer let that question hang in the air.

Oktai then rubbed his temples in frustration “he is not that stupid.” Tetricus gave a small chuckle “then you overestimate him. Hearts can be so frail, desires can run wild given the right spark or push. So...if something happens and I do not return...kill him for me. Make sure you remove his head because he can regenerate.” Oktai now sighed heavily. “Why me? You could ask anyone else, for one I am not loyal to you.” The sorcerer turned to him, he looked into his eyes. “I ask you because you are loyal to him, he might come back as something far more worse than what he is now. Don’t forget he is not fully human either. Once the deed is done if it ever comes to that...you are free to leave this warband.” As he said that Oktai shook his head “hmm...fine. Only if he comes back as something else.” The sorcerer smiled “good, you may go I will call you before the assault starts.” Oktai turned away, he thought the task would make his heart heavy but strangely he felt nothing at all.

As he walked to the door and entered the tunnel he bought his hand up. “Killed far too many to get too attached to anyone.” He gave a grumble of annoyance. “Yet as always astartes underestimate mortals…”

***
Ragnel stood at the balcony rail of the grand temple, he gazed at the Reaver-class Titan that stood in the middle of his city. He watched the gatling blaster whirl, the plasma blastgun churching with energy, he frowned in disappointment. “You are not wrong to expect enemies...but the god-machine is like a restrained beast..” He closed his eyes and he could see the vision the emperor gave him, meteors raining from the skies, the titan leveling buildings and incinerating his people.

As he thought of his people, Ragnel opened his eyes. He recalled the day when the title of planetary governor was stripped from the previous noble family and given to him. It was not his choice, Solanid pushed for it along with the inquisitor who verified that he was a saint. “Saint.” he said that word out loud, he did not feel like one nor did he feel holy. At most he could..taste corruption or sense it. At times he would also see visions, visions that normally come true. The one thing he could also not explain was the white light, it’s always summoned forth for an express purpose. Sometimes he thought that he could feel the emperor’s intentions.

Whenever the light is summoned in battle his heart is filled with a cold rage it was an icy anger that wanted to see the corrupted purged and the heathen scattered. In a sense he thirsted for it when fighting the corrupted. “My lord.” Ragnel turned slightly to see Solanid, the confessor was a built man and scars lined his aged face. He gave the confessor a warm smile “when we are alone you don’t have to call me that.” The old man gave a chuckle “but you are not just the young boy I saved from the streets anymore.” He walked over to the rail, he nodded in satisfaction. “You are a leader of a world, a leader blessed by the master of mankind.” “But I have many detractors.” “You speak of those against your coronation? The nobles who grew fat on sin? Or those who shout that our glorious emperor is not a god?” Ragnel simply looked out again to the distance, his adopted father shook his head. “They use the holy primarch as a shield.” “Yet he denounces his own divinity.” The confessor shifted slightly “just like you.” Ragnel gave a small smile “Just like me…”

The old priest placed his hand on his shoulder, Ragnel turned his head and stared into his blue eyes. He could see his belief, his faith radiating from them. “Only the truly divine deny their divinity.” said Solanid. “If one reveled in such things it would prove they are a follower of darkness, the more the lord primarch denies what he is the greater his divinity shines. He rose when we needed him most, he wields the emperor’s blade into battle. There is proof in front of us despite what he says or believes.” As he said that he thought back to how they gained the aid of the mechanicus, he looked back to the Titan. Solanid’s hand was still on his shoulder, his own eyes also were brought to the Titan. “The mechanicus were one of your detractors. Do you recall how you made them believe?” Ragnel nodded slowly “within their temple, when I presented myself I calmed all their machines with my presence.” “Not only that…” “I also could fix things with but a touch, engines that were battered and broken woved themselves anew and then they called me machine-touched. I denied it of course.” “Yet they still believe, you are living proof to all of us. No matter what you do you walk within the light of the emperor and all of us will follow you.” Strangely he felt better as Solanid said that, his hand then left his shoulder. “Still...I wish to improve conditions within the factories.” The priest shook his head “dismiss what the creature has said, yo-” “that does not change the fact that we provide the seeds to allow them to corrupt the unsuspecting.” “They only become corrupted because they are of weak faith, if those within the factories focused on their duties to the master of mankind their souls are secure.”

He knew where this conversation was going, Solanid was like a father to him but he was stuck in his ways. “So if our people live in hell already what do they have to lose? Have you considered that?” The confessor’s eyes turned to him, they were now wide. He knew if anyone else said that to him he would have them burned at the stake. “You said that no matter what I do I walk in the light of the emperor. So if I decide to improve the conditions of the factories that is the emperor’s desire no?” “Well…” “Well what father? Tomorrow we will go to every factory, every single one and I will show them, I will show my people that the emperor is with them.”

Light start to leak from the reims of his power armour as he said that, the confessor stepped back and made the sign of the aquila over his chest. “I-I am sorry.” As the light ebbed away Ragnel approached the confessor and placed his own hand on his shoulder. “We all walk in the emperor’s light.” His adoptive father gave a slow nod in return, that meant he has backed down. Arguments were normal between them, they did not get heated but such discussions emboldens faith that it was he thought.

He gave one last quick look at the Titan, deep down he hoped it would never have to be used.

***
Justus strode around with his autocannon, it was for personal use only. The weapon never saw battle but on the ship? He used the weapon to chase slaves, sometimes to alleviate boredom or it was used to convert heretics, but now? He looked around, the hallways were empty. “Our new brother is diligent.” He grunted in frustration, Bertrand was efficient but it made things boring. That lash brings pain and obedience to the meek, he uses it like a master. His mind rattled with the thought of seeing it in action, up close.

Those thoughts then slowly came together as an idea and a broad grin lined his features. “I should go visit him!” No one has made the ex-loyalist feel truly welcome and he found that to be a great shame. He broke into a small jog, his feet thundering with each step. He made twists and turns, as he made his way he started to hear the crying lament of mortals, it was like sweet music. Their suffering was far greater compared to whenever he uses his autocannon, he could admit that much.

He then made a corner and what he saw filling the hallway was rows upon rows of cages stacked upon each other, the cages stretched across both sides of the hallway walls and reached Bertrand’s chamber door. But what held his heart were the cries of agony and the wails despair. He slowly walked down the hallway and within each cage he could see battered and tortured slaves. They huddled in their prisons, whimpering, crying in pain. Justus licked his lips he could easily break a cage and sup their torment, there was so many to choose from.

As that wonderful plan bounced within his skill his eyes locked on Bertrand’s door, it was plain but he could see the blood leaving the bottom crevice of the door. He then shook his head “he can’t hog all the slaves for himself…he is being far too greedy...” Justus then looked around and grinned. “Let me hear you scream!” he held down the trigger of the autocannon and spun around. Bullets tore into the cages and right away the screams grew louder. Since he was not aiming, some of the slaves did not die right away, rounds would catch legs annihilating them utterly. Arms would explode with showers of gore and as his weapon tore through the cages, rivers of blood fell upon the ground.

All of the screams bouncing within the hallway was an oragastic chorus of mutilation and destruction. Along with the screams Justus laughed, shrill joy was consuming both his hearts as the empty shell casings clattered unto the floor. He licked his lips lavishly, he could not recall the last time he has bought such suffering.

He wanted to do this forever, for eternity but the sound of a chink caused him to frown. He looked down to his autocannon to see a barbed whip was now wrapped around the weapon stopping it from firing. “Heretic! How dare you!” Justus turned to the door to see Bertrand gripping a part of the whip with his other hand. His power armour was covered in gore as well.

Justus gave a small shrug in return “I thought to welcome you but seeing you hog all of the slaves made me jealous and a tad upset.” The whip strangely tightened around his weapon causing the metal of the barrels to bend and distort. “You free them from their joyous suffering! You robbed them of the chance to see wisdom! They will no longer get the chance to see the light of the master of mankind!” As he spoke of the false emperor he cocked his head in confusion. “Emperor? Do you still worship the false emperor? Brother do not compare the dark prince to that rotten co-” The whip moved like a snake it wrapped around his body and the barbs bit deeply into his terminator armour.

Justus grunted, the ex-loyalist did not know who he was nor he knew of the strength he wielded but he is new, a thin blood so he can forgive this. “Now, now brother. Relax you have plenty of slaves to torment.” The whip grew tighter, if he moved his body the servo’s of his power armour were actually straining. Bertrand strode up to him “you insult the emperor...you are foolish to utter such words in front of me!” Justus grumbled in annoyance “stow it, you worship slaanesh not a corpse.” The whip tightened again, the ex-Chaplain then hissed. “Submit...on your knees.”

As he said those words Justus felt strange, his mind started to haze slightly and his heart wished to obey, he sank to his knees. “W-What?” he stammered. Bertrand relaxed as he kneeled in front of him. “You must be taught the proper ways to worship the emperor, if you resist my sermon and treatment you will die.” Justus chuckled as those words passed his lips. “I am immortal fool, I cannot die. I am high in the eyes of the dark prince and you are in the mud, you haven’t even caught the sight of our lord he merely blinked at you.” He still disagreed with his brother Rothac, he has been blessed for a reason he will obey his wishes for now due to it being the will of their father. “So do your petty torments, you are a child compared to me when it comes to pain and worship.” The chaplain nodded “Oh yes I still have much to learn...but if you are immortal I will have an eternity to correct you.” As he uttered eternity something clicked within his mind. “W-Wait a minute! You can’t do that! I am o-” “Come, up you get we have much work to do.” Strangely he rose and started to walk with Bertrand to his chamber.

As the door slid open all he saw was darkness, a bead of cold sweat dribbled down his brow. Right away he blinked through the feed on his autosenses and connected with Rothac. “What is it?” his voice was slightly laced by static but he had contact he also ensured to blink off outgoing sound. “I...need some help.” “What?” his brother sounded confused. “What have you done now you idiot?” “The Chaplain is going to teach me about the emperor…I-I will send you my coordinates.” He did the required blinks to send the information, as the transfer of data completed his brother grunted in annoyance. “If I did not need you alive I would leave you to rot. Are you aware of that Justus?” “Just help me dammit!” Justus shouted.

Rothac did not respond, the link simply cut off and just as it did he entered the darkness of Bertrand’s chamber.

Chapter 4
The way before him split and cracked like glass, it then reformed into past events from his life. Asriel had no idea why the lord of the third is showing him this, he found exploring the past irrelevant. His mouth twitched slightly due to lingering in whatever plain Fulgrim has dragged him in. +It’s relevant...stop being a fool and watch or do you want me to leave? Without me he will be truly lost…+ Asriel flicked to the orb and raised his hands “I-I am sorry my lord. Please forgive my thoughts.” The flaming orb flickered slightly he imagined that if he was truly here at the moment he would tear him apart and put him together again. “I am thankful for your time, I am sure you have so many other things to take care of.” +Indeed I do..my brother is wandering the galaxy and for once...I feel excited.+ The voice was distorted but he could sense the yearning, what he aims to do if he ever confronts Roboute Guilliman he has no idea. +Dismiss the useless thoughts from your mind and watch what I am showing you.+ Now came the threat lining his voice, Asriel did as he was bade.

He tried to clear his thoughts, he focused on what was before him. The glass began coming together again, reforming until they now stood in a church. Right away he recognised where he was. He saw himself and Charlie along with a few others. They were escorting people to the back of the church, keeping their guns trained on them. Asriel frowned heavily “a bad memory.” He said bitterly. +But an important one.+ Fulgrim said in a amusement.

Asriel shook his head “I was stupid, I should of seen what that Dark Apostle was doing.” +He did not make you summon the daemon, he simply armed you with knowledge.+ “I-” +Do not disagree with me, I am right you are wrong or do you want me to leave? You need me to ensure to the life of my...precious son.+ At the mention of precious he clenched his hands, with his unwanted memories returning he recalled Adelram’s death, he desired the recognition and the love of Fulgrim. Yet in the end he was devoured and lost everything. +He lost nothing, I gave him what he wanted.+ Asriel bought his gaze to the orb, it started to pulse like a heart, expanding and shrinking in a rhythm. “He wanted to serve you...he...adored you my lord.” +As is his place and he should be thankful that he graced my palette.+ Asriel looked away as he said that, he had to remember who he was dealing with. +You should remember, you are like a grain of sand, a pebble compared to my magnificence. I know your mind because you let me in.+

The daemon primarch spoke true, he knew his every thought and he could destroy him in an instant if he desired it. At the moment it’s obvious to him the return of the lord of Ultramar is most likely spurring the other daemon primarch’s into action. +See you are smart…+ a cold chuckle ran through him Asriel tensed as the sensation crawled through his body. He sighed and continued to watch what was before him.

He saw himself arguing with the female priest over philosophy, after that Charlie was called over to the window and announced astartes were coming. They then discussed their options and escorted the prisoners down to the storage room. Asriel winced when he watched them leave. “What am I meant to see here?” Fulgrim started to fly around him he could hear him tutting. +Your obsession spurs you on. When something you care for comes under threat you seek to eradicate it, other times you commit acts of madness thinking that you are helping your loved ones.+ The room shattered and reformed, now they stood in the basement and the ritual that was being committed upon the female priest was underway.

Watching her sink into the pool caused his blood to run cold, he saw flashes of what the daemon did to him under the church. The lord of the third stopped dancing around him, he hovered next to his shoulder. +You are fortunate to have been graced by such a being, it happened twice no?+ Fulgrim’s voice was now like a whisper in his ear, Asriel bit his lips drawing blood. “It was terrible…” he hissed. +You wanted to die, but she put your body back together with each touch and light kiss, then she will start again tearing out your eyes, nerves an-+ “Stop! J-Just stop!”

The flaming orb floated back slightly, Fulgrim laughed at him, his voice reverberated in his skull. He grasped his head and shut his eyes tightly but the bombardment of visions were constant. He could hear his screams and his torturer, gnashing her teeth and flexing her claws. “S-Stop…” The phoenician kept laughing at him, he thought he was here to help? But it seems he is just here to torment him.

The laughter continued until it suddenly turned silent, the visions ceased as well. Asriel slowly opened his eyes to see he was now in a space of pure darkness. He could see himself but everything around him was just black. “Is this another trick?” He looked around there was no flaming orb and strangely he felt at peace. “Because I am here.” The voice came from behind him, he could not identify the gender but strangely a sense of reverence gripped him.

He slowly turned to see a figure with long flowing blonde hair and sprouting from it were six black horns. Their face was androgynous and their frame was lean. There also wearing a purple silk robe, but he could tell at least that he looked vaguely male. Asriel gulped “are you? Is it trul-” “Does it matter? What am I really?” He spread out his arms while giving a smirk.

Their response to his question made him apprehensive, now he thought this could be a trick. Asriel rubbed his neck “Tell me...why am I here?” That was the only thing that came to his mind, it could be a trick but right now he wants to return to Tetricus. The strange male shook his head “you are here because my child is bored.” “Child?” “Do I have to say his name?” Asriel shook his head “no, I know who you are talking about.” Now he had the feeling that God was in front of him, but why he is here he has no idea. “I want to go back.” Asriel said meekly.

The great deity placed his hand on his chest “tell me...what do you want?” The question was a surprise, Asriel smiled he got a little excited as well. “I need to go back to my master! Please!” “Is that what you truly want?” He gestured around “this place is quite empty.” Asriel raised his eyebrow “what do you mean?” His god sighed slightly “your heart is empty, you care for one one.” “Huh?” Asriel found himself walking towards them. “What do you mean!?” He felt his anger rising, he stood before the one he worshipped. “I need to go back to him!” “Why?” his god asked. “B-Because I care! He is like family to me! I hav-” “No one else? What of Oktai?” Asriel closed his mouth slowly, the one who thirst flicked their hair. “Silence is your answer? Oh dear…” He grinned showing pearly white teeth. “You care for nothing...you change to suit the needs of the one you have attached yourself to…I know your heart better than anyone. You are trying to fill a void that will never be filled...” Hearing him say that he wanted to deny it, but no words would come out.

His god then tapped his cheek with one finger “perhaps putting you here with this warband was a mistake?” Asriel blinked in shock “W-What are you saying?” His god then moved his finger to his mouth, as he did that his gender shifted to appear more female. She tapped it lightly with her somewhat thin finger. “Ruination…” “Ruination? What does that have to do with me?” “Everything my dear darling…” She reached out with her pale hand and touched his cheek. Her hand was warm, it strangely comforted him. “Right now my child is talking to part of you, at the moment you are nodding away and suffering like you are meant to. But what he wants is not all that interesting to me…” Asriel nodded listening to her words without an inch of conflict, he thought he would argue against her but he can’t he didn’t want to. “Both of you are my slaves, one is just more grander than the other. He thinks he is more than he is but perhaps you need someone that will say….please instead of thinking of grandeurs they will never have?” Asriel felt another question clawing at him, his mouth was moving to say it but it was like his voice was taken from him. “You may speak.” his god said softly.

Asriel’s mouth felt dry he asked “please what?” She gently placed her other hand on his cheek. “Please...more.” She then vanished leaving him in darkness. Asriel touched his cheeks, the warm sensation was still there. He didn’t understand what she meant, he looked around until his eyes landed upon a small speck in the distance. He narrowed his eyes trying to make out what it was, strangly he found himself walking towards it his curiosity has entalged him completely.

***
Justus struggled on the table, he was without his armour and what he found strange was as he was chained down he obeyed Bertrand without so much as a protest. He shifted his head to the whip wrapped around his forearm, he growled at the fool. “You think you can break me!? I have tasted the six-thousand delights and walked with the greatest being in the galaxy!” The ex-Chaplain was setting several bottles and syringes onto a push table. He then turned and pushed it towards him, Bertrand nodded “well it seems we can begin.” Justus grunted in return “I am immortal, I told you remember?” Bertrand smiled “well...I thought about that one fact as you were stripped of your wargear.”

Justus then felt his hearts skip for a moment, just for a fraction of a second. “No matter what you do I won’t suffer, all pain is like nectar to me fool.” He moved his head around the chamber, cages lined the walls and the screams of mortals filled the room. But he found himself staring at the astartes chained to the wall. “Now let’s start.” Justus’ turned his head back to Bertrand who was using a syringe to extract the solution from the bottle.

The thinblood bought the syringe up and threw the bottle aside “painkillers, but to inject a high dose into you in one go would be unwise and pain is different for everyone.” Justus felt his own sweat flowing like rivers down his face he clenched his hands. Bertrand then bought the needle to his arm. It was just a prick but as he injected the solution into his body he felt nothing for a few moments and then strangely his fingers started to feel strange, the world darkened as well. It’s luster ebbed slightly. Justus lurched in his chains he gnashed at Bertrand almost like an animal. “Free me!” he screeched.

The ex-Black Templar placed the empty syringe on the push-table and took another. He waved it around. “Each dose will increase at incremental levels, you will slowly lose everything. Your despair and fear will grow with each injection…” Justus thrashed, he roared out in fear, his hearts were beating rapidly. Bertrand nodded “you are producing the correct response, agony will make you see his light and perhaps you might change your ways?”

Justus continued the onslaught upon his bindings he needed to get out of this torture chamber he could not wait for Rothac. He screamed himself hoarse but the ex-Chaplain simply smiled in return, Justus could see it in his eyes he was enjoying this.

***
Tetricus worked to divine what is exactly on Prolis, he disliked having so little information but the confounded light keeps him from seeing things clearly. At most he could see the general city and the titan, but it’s like staring into the sun. He grunted and lowered his hand from the planet, he looked over to the weapon he developed. The orb was barely containing the power stored within it but he hoped it would be enough. “Enough to render the the Titan to nothing…” He had the perfect means to deliver the weapon to the Titan, seeing weapon activate will be grand.

He then thought of the other phase of the plan he hoped to put in action, he looked over to Asriel who was lying on the bed. He hoped to use his servant to assassinate key personnel, Cash was another option but the issue is that he does not trust him. There was also the other factor of the reward they will desire in return for their work.

He grumbled in annoyance as he recalled how hard it was to gather the meat for Valerie, it’s evident that the mavericks will ask for more, far more than before. He sighed in frustration and looked down to the bolt pistol that was held in his holster. “Speak, tell me how to wake him up.” The daemon was silent for a moment, a voice then trailed through his mind. It sounded nothing like his captain. +I have no knowledge on how to wake him or the power to do so. But I can tell you something greater is now involved in his predicament as well.+ At the mention of greater he cursed, there could only be one thing greater than his father. “Slaanesh…” Tetricus walked over to the bed he stared at Asriel’s face, he seemed to be at peace but he knows that is a lie, there is no peace this life. Not even in your dreams. +You are correct to think so, I say kill him now.+ Tetricus shook his head “no, never. He will only die if I do not return from Prolis.” +Because you fear what he will do?+ “Yes I fear what he will do to the 4th. You sa-no the 4th is greater than me, as long as one member exists it will persist.” +Even if they don’t share your dream? What if they ruin the name?+ Tetricus chuckled “you should know that all members of the third seek to be the best, no matter who they are. Even the most base of us desires it.” +How little you know…+ The daemon responded.

Tetricus grunted “you aren’t like us anymore, you would not understand.” +I don’t understand, being one with me is perfection. I chose to stay in this infernal contraption due to…+ “You fear my father, I can tell. I swear Asriel is far too soft sometimes.” +Yet you wield me.+ “So I can return you to my servant once he awakens. Now I grow tired of talking to you, be silent.”

The daemon did not speak up, he fell silent as he ordered. Tetricus then found his hand reaching out, his hand was reaching for Asriel’s forehead. As his gauntlet rested upon it he strangely felt alone, just like when Taurus died. “Wake you idiot…” he whispered.

He looked up to Prolis, a sense of foreboding ran through him but as with all things the greater the risk, the greater the reward.

***
Asriel trudged on through the darkness he was getting closer to the thing he saw and now that he has been walking for an age he could make out that the one he was looking at was a person. He then thought on what god said, that part of him was here, but he wondered where exactly he was? Recalling the past conversation supposedly this was his heart. He didn’t also like the fact that he was told that he cares for no one. He cared for plenty of people, he touched his chest. “I care for the old man...I care for Tetricus and our departed captain.” He looked around this blackened space “lies…” he hissed.

The thought of Tetricus possibly dying aches his heart, if he did not care for him he would not feel such a thing. He remembered the pain he felt when his captain died and the joy when he returned even if he is now a daemon. Asriel also recalled his anger towards his captain when he devoured Oktai, plus the need to save him overwhelmed his mind and heart.

Asriel kept asking himself questions until he bumped into something, Asriel stumbled a few steps back rubbing his nose. He looked up to see a large figure wearing a black robe and hood, but what surprised him was when he heard snoring. Asriel frowned and walked around them, perhaps he could see their face? As he reached there he looked up to see the hood contains nothing but darkness. Yet if he looked down he could see his hands. They were somewhat pale in complexion. Asriel nodded and bought his gaze upwards slightly, going by the height they could be either an ogryn or an astartes but considering the figure is quite lean it’s more likely that they are a space marine.

Asriel cleared his throat and said “excuse me, who are you?” The snoring stopped right away, they looked around and eventually their gaze was brought to him. “Oh? What’s this?” He sounded young, but as with most members of the third their voices are far more softer compared to what you would expect from an astartes. But what he found strange from this one was his accent. The space marine leaned forward slightly “how interesting...can’t see your face either.” He then leaned back and looked around “oh...this place. I hate coming here.” Asriel raised his eyebrow in confusion “wait a minute you are inside me, why are you here?” As he spoke the space marine shrugged “whatever..so are are you going to help alleviate my boredom?” “I don’t answer to you.” Asriel said firmly.

The space marine gave a small chuckle in return to his words “my...if any mortal talked like that where I am from they would be begging for death. Tell me what gave you the courage to speak in such fashion?” Asriel could hear the curiosity in his voice, he smiled as he said that. “I serve the lord of the 4th company, I am sure you have heard us.” The space marine cocked his head “who?” “The 4th company, we have completed impossible tasks for Eidolon. We used to be lead by Taurus but now we follow Tetricus. I am Asriel and I serve the lord of the warband, I have killed many, even astartes.” The space marine before him nodded “I see...right then.” Asriel folded his arms “So don’t don’t expect me to give respect to someone I don’t kn-.” His face suddenly became awash with pain, he was now flying through the air. As he crashed to the ground he felt a bone breaking, Asriel grunted and sat up. He quickly healed the damage and got to his feet. “What’s the big idea!?” he shouted. The space marine was now walking towards him he was laughing harshly “you’ve killed astartes...show me then...by the way you may call me Alexandrel.”

Asriel wiped his nose staining his hands with a hint of blood. He fell into a battle-stance. “I don’t care for your name since you are going to die.” The laughter died down, Alexandrel clicked his neck. “Oh...these few moments have been agony you know, I am glad that you are here...” he stopped walking and spread his arms out. “You know what? I will let you attack me first.” Asriel frowned “are you underestimating me!?” “Oh yes I am, but I think you are special so I am giving you a chance.” His arrogance annoyed him, Asriel charged and unleashed flurry of punches each one released a shockwave of force. Being hit by such a thing would put a hole in someone but Alexandrel was dodging each blow with slight movements.

Asriel got the feeling he was smiling despite not being able to see his face. Asriel kept up his assault but with each blow his face would sting, but at the current moment Alexandrel is still dodging his attacks, he is not seeing his arms move either. As Asriel drew his hand back for another punch his face exploded with pain again, he was also flying back. He crashed to the ground with a thud, he gasped but this time he did not break a bone. Asriel quickly got up, blood was trailing down his nose and mouth. He kept his eyes on Alexandrel who was simply standing still, he then folded his arms. “So you are not just a normal slave…” He started to walk up to him, Asriel kept up his guard. “I am not a slave, I work for my master.” “That’s still a slave.” The astartes now stood over him. “But an interesting one nonetheless, tell me you said that I am inside you at the moment?” Asriel nodded “in my heart to be specific.”

The space marine looked around again “quite empty.” “It’s a trick that’s why.” “A trick? By whom?” “By your father. You might not even be real.” At the mention of his father Alexandrel turned visibly excited and looked down at him. “He is here!? Where!?” Asriel smirked, he must be like all the others searching for the lord of the third. It’s what makes his master different compared to everyone else. Alexandrel placed his hands on his shoulder and shook him. “Tell me where he is! Tell me!” “W-Why do you want to know!?” He was becoming slightly dizzy due to the shaking but he stopped with his question. “To kill him of course.” Asriel blinked as he heard that “huh?” Alexandrel let go of his shoulders as he spoke it sounded like he was drooling. “To kill such a being...I wonder how his blood smells like? I wonder what expression he makes before we start destroying one another? I wonder what his flesh tastes like?” He held his face “o-oh I need to see him!”

Asriel chuckled “he would kill you.” Alexandrel made the motion to wipe his mouth “even better….” he cooed. Asriel’s eyes went wide “what are you?” The space marine shrugged in return “all my brothers say the same thing before I kill them. Then I mount them in my hallway on metal spikes.” “M-Metal spikes?” he gulped hearing that. Alexandrel nodded ethustistically “Oh yes..it’s the one thing I recall from my homeworld before I became this…” he gestured to himself. “We impaled heretics on metal spiked rods. It would enter the rectum and protrude from their mouth but what’s really interesting is the fact that the ones in my hallway wiggle sometimes.” Asriel’s blood ran cold, the one before him must be a fearsome chaos lord, there can be no other explanation. He had to be careful around this one. “I-I see I assume you must rule a warband?” Alexandrel waved him away slightly “oh gods no. Too much responsibility, being a leader is a form of shackle.” He then suddenly sat on the ground and crossed his legs. “Now tell me about yourself.”

Asriel slowly sat down before the space marine, he thought whether he should lie or not but staring at him he got the feeling he would be able tell. “What do you want to know?” he asked “Everything. I want to understand someone who has a heart as black as mine.” he responded. “We are not alike.” Asriel hissed. Alexandrel looked up slightly and shouted “Hello!” his voice strangely reverberated, he then looked back down to him. “Pretty empty I am afraid. So talk.” Asriel grumbled, he then sighed “fine I will tell you everything.”

Alexandrel clapped his hands joyfully “Oh boy! Start the story! Hurry!” Asriel creased his brow he wondered why he was stuck with such a person?”

Chapter 5
Ragnel stood within the factory, the lights flickered, grease covered the floor and he could taste foulness in the air. His escorts were also eyeing everyone, even the walls themselves for any threats. He hoped to come here with a small entourage, but the Colonel Albrecht and Solanid were against it. At this moment his adoptive father stands by his side, frowning heavily. “You are scaring them.” Ragnel said softly.

The confessor grumbled in return, he shot a glare at a worker who was passing by. The elder man jumped and dropped the pieces of metal he was carrying, right away the overseer who wore a mechanicum robe came over with a shock prod. The man raised his hands “W-Wait! P-Please!” Ragnel rushed over “stop!” he called out. The tech priest froze, he blurted a string of binary and stepped back. The worker started to pick the metal pieces up in a hurry. Ragnel bent down to help, as he handed the last piece to him the factory worker kept his eyes cast downwards. “Is something wrong?” Ragnel asked, he did not reply. The worker was biting his lips heavily he simply stood up right and bowed. “Thank you my lord for aiding me, I am not worthy to be in your presence.” Ragnel slowly stood up as well, he raised his eyebrow and stared at the man. After a moment of staring he could see he was terrified, Ragnel placed his hand on his shoulder “there is no need to be scared my friend. I hope I could talk to one of you.” He still did not look at him, he said nothing in return.

Ragnel expected this, looking around he could see the other workers were focusing on their tasks, even the forklift drivers have not even stopped their vehicles to wonder who has come to their workplace. He could also see that everyone looked malnourished and pale, worse of all were the burn scars that covered their bodies. All he could see was pain and hardship. Ragnel bought his gaze back to the man he gave a slight frown. “I am sorry…” he couldn’t think of anything else say.

The worker edged back roughly, breaking free from his grip. Now he looked him in the eye and all he saw was resentment, hatred. These two emotions were buried deep within the man, he could tell. “You think saying sorry will fix things!? You have no idea what we go through!” Ragnel nodded “I don’t, but let m-” “J-Just leave us alone! L-Leave m-” Before the worker could say anything else he was rushed by missionaries, they drew clubs and began beating him to death. When the sound of crunching bone met his ears, he stepped forward “What are you doing! St-” He then felt someone grasping his shoulder, he looked back to see Solanid shaking his head. “He should know his place, how he is speaking to you is an insult to the emperor.” Ragnel ground his teeth in anger “this is why they can keep taking our people.” “If you refer to the enemy they are taking no one, the weak of heart and soul are offering themselves.” Solanid gestured to the other workers. “The faithful are concentrating on their duty to the emperor. If this man truly loved the emperor he would of showed you the proper respect and went about on his way.”

Ragnel shoved his old man back slightly, he did not approach as he stumbled back. He then bought his eyes to the missionaries who were now standing back from the worker. The man was now broken, shattered. He was lying in a pool of his own blood. What made it even worse was the fact that no one stopped to look, they carried on like normal. “This is normal…” he whispered to himself. “This is what the emperor desires…” he whispered a prayer to the master of mankind, so the factory worker would find his way to emperor.

In the end such deaths can only be stopped with the destruction of the great enemy, everything is bent towards their annihilation, even him. As long as the heretic and alien threatens the imperium everyone suffers. He promised himself, he swore once the galaxy shines with his light he will fix this.

***
Asriel sighed, he told Alexandrel everything he simply sat there and nodded, he wondered if he was actually listening. “So...you know everything.” The space marine then chuckled, strangely he found his story funny. “You found my story amusing?” Alexandrel shook his head. “Oh no, I just wonder why I encounter the foolish wherever I go.” Asriel grunted “so I am foolish then?” “Oh yes, so is your master.” Asriel rose “don’t insult him.” he hissed.

Alexandrel rose as well he spread his arms out “So let’s say your master, Tetricus takes Prolis what then?” The question was a surprise, he thought about it a moment, the answer quickly came to him. “He will get the respect he deserves.” “From who?” “From the third legion.” Alexandrel slapped his thigh and laughed harshly. “They won’t care, the galaxy won’t care either.” Asriel frowned “They care about Eidolon, Lucius and even Fabius.” “They are just names, names that are pebbles compared to this galaxy.” Now he was starting to get annoyed, he wondered what he was getting at. “Do you have a point?” Alexandrel stopped laughing, he nodded. “But there is no point see?” “Huh?” “Everyone in this galaxy cloak murder, violence and depravity with veiled reasons. There is no sense, no purpose. This galaxy is a charnel house that grounds down purposes...reasons and spits it out as a mangled mess.”

Asriel found sweat starting to build in his hands, how Alexandrel was speaking at the moment it sounded like he truly believed what he was saying. “What of the gods then?” “What of them? They don’t matter either, spectators that simply enjoy the show. People bay and cry to them, trying to add some sense to what they do.” The space marines walked forward and leaned down. “Loyalty, sentiment, faith...and humanity. All chains, they are also excuses. There are those who think they can rule the galaxy, tame the mighty beast, there are others who kill in the name of gods and fools who kill in the name of brotherhood or glory. All lies.” Now he was sweating all over, the insanity that was coming out of his mouth it sounded so wrong but it made sense as well. “W-What of you then? Why do you still persist?” “Because I enjoy this galaxy Asriel…” Just for a fraction of a second he saw a flash of blue eyes, they were silts, he could also see a mouth opening wide and the lower and upper canines looked to be fangs. “You see mortal, this galaxy let’s me do what I want until I am torn apart and added on the pile of corpses. I have no desire to rule, no desire to be more...joy is the only reason I exist….” The eyes and mouth vanished, Alexandrel leaned back. He folded his arms “people say I am insane, others say I am a monster or that I am blessed by our “patron.” I have even had offers from the Black Legion..” At the mention of the Black Legion Asriel asked. “What do you think of Abbadon?” “He is a good lying to people. Remember what I just said?” Alexandrel chuckled “I imagine he caught those who followed him through appealing to their sense of “brotherhood” or “hatred.” You see Asriel many of us can’t accept that we are walking weapons, astartes desire a reason to be pointed at someone.” “So you kill and commit depratities on yourself and others because…” “Because I can, because I want to.”

Asriel shook his head, he made it sound so simple. But a part of him thought it must be nice living like that, he must have no worries whatsoever. A question then spawned in his mind, he wondered what he should do now? He still wants to save Tetricus, that one fact hasn’t changed. “If you were in my position Alexandrel...what would you do?” “Follow your obsession to the end.” “So I should just keep going?” “Why not? You are just like me save you haven’t fully admitted it. You don’t even know how to savour true misery yet. I wonder what face you will make in the end?” “I am...nothing like you.”


Alexandrel shrugged “denial will get you nowhere, but I find you quite interesting. Maybe I should give you a little help?” He offered his hand. “I can also show you many things, I can aid you in shattering your chains fully.” Asriel looked at the hand, he cocked his head. “You just want to see me suffer. Still...God would not put you here for no reason.” Asriel could hear Alexandrel licking his lips. “Am I that obvious? But when I refer to chains, I also mean my father.” At the mention of Fulgrim his heart jumped.

But now came the question should he stick to the devil he knows? He thought about all his encounters with the lord of the third, none of them have been good. “Tell me what made you offer you hand? How do you know you can free me from Fulgrim?” Alexendrel sighed “take or not, I am getting bored.” Asriel grasped his hand, Alexandrel clenched tightly not enough to cause any pain.

Asriel did not feel anything but as he stared at the space marine, strangely he was hood was coming down, now he could see his face. He had somewhat long hair but strangely it obscured his eyes. The part of his face he could see looked young as well, Alexandrel smiled. “So that’s what you look like, your warpaint is disgusting by the way.” Asriel was about to retort, but the space marine vanished in a puff of darkness.

Asriel was still holding his hand up in the air, he blinked in shock. “W-What just happened?” The darkness bled away and now he was standing where he was before. Fulgrim was dancing around him as a flaming orb, he was cackling to himself. As the laughter entered his ears again he was bombarded with visions of his time with the greater daemon. Yet they did not bother him in the slightest, he felt nothing at all. No fear or shame.

Fulgrim stopped in front of him. +What’s this? Gotten over it already?+ Asriel frowned in return. “Yes I have.” +Pity…” the disappointment was evident in his voice. Asriel felt a small flare of annoyance. “What is the purpose of all of this? Don’t tell me this is for Tetricus, you don’t care for him at all.” The orb enlarged, the heat pressed against his face. +Don’t make demands of me dog. Be glad I am allowing you play a part in my son’s future. A future where you stand by his side, I am ensuring you don’t break when your work begins and ends.+

The thought of walking with Tetricus should make him happy but it didn’t, he will only be allowed to be on that road by Fulgrim’s terms. +I should destroy you for that insult and for smothering your thoughts. I stay my hand because I need my son.+ As he mentioned smothering of thoughts that surprised him, he could no longer read his mind. He wondered if this was part of the help Alexandrel was providing? Asriel bowed “forgive me my lord. I don’t know why you can’t read my mind.” The orb shrunk, the heat died down. +Now let us continue.+ Fulgrim said curtly.

The storage room shattered into a million pieces, he wondered what memory Fulgrim will pull up this time?

You did the inception vision very well, it's hard to pull off but you made it completly clear what was going on. If i was a millionaire id hire you on the spot to make this story a tv show haha.

 Dayknight wrote:

You did the inception vision very well, it's hard to pull off but you made it completly clear what was going on. If i was a millionaire id hire you on the spot to make this story a tv show haha.

Glad you liked it, need to make a few edits and re-frame a few sentences though.

Chapter 6
Tetricus started to draw up the plans for the attack, he waved his staff through the air creating a projection of the city. It took several tries due to that damnable light but he managed to put something together. As some measure of a map formed he lowered his staff and right away he could see the Titan patrolling the plaza. His hollow eyes then moved to the north of the city that held the palace, he could see a white orb moving around. “Who are you?” he hissed.

Staring at it for a period of time caused a headache which was impossible since he was but a skeleton. He moved his sight towards the most westernmost part of the city. It held the factories and the fact a Titan was on world must mean there was a high chance that the skitarii have a presence in that area. His sight then shifted to the south, despite the map not giving him heavy details it was evident that guardsmen were stationed on the world. Finally his gaze moved to the eastern part of the city, that area was dotted with churches.

Taking all of this information in he stroked his chin, his sight then became fixated on the white orb despite the headache it gave him. “No...wait…” A wonderful thought crossed his mind, he wondered why he didn’t notice the prize on the world? “A saint..” he whispered to himself. He became giddy with joy, the thought of killing a saint consumed him. The act of ending the life of such a being would catapult the 4th to great heights. Everyone will know who they are, the third will look at them with envy and jealousy. “How wonderful...I can’t let this chance slip by. I must do great things...Reach higher and higher to the stars themselves.”

He then looked up to Prolis, instead of revulsion gripping him he felt excitement.

***
Rothac trudged with his phoenix guard to the thinblood’s chamber. He took his time, he was in no hurry. He has seen this Bertrand from a distance, he has seen how he drags slaves into the dark and just by how he walks it was evident to him that the ex-Chaplain was an artist. Yet he was not an artist in the traditional sense, he wields pain like a brush and the body is his canvas and when Justus sent him that communication an idea spawned within his mind. Out of all the people on this ship he might be the only one who can “fix” his brother. Their father wishes for Justus to live, he needs to live for that is one of the requirements for his ascension.

He recalled that time, his father gracing him with his splendor, he told him specifically that in order for him to join him, to be his true son he must keep Justus alive until the end of the conflict on Prolis. If he does that his father will raise him up personally. He found it strange how everything was lining up so perfectly. Rothac chuckled to himself “a perfect being can create perfect plans.” After his father told him of the requirement he detailed how Justus’ “immortality” works, that he could die. His father noted whenever the dark prince graces one with such a gift there is a catch to it, the same applies to Lucius. He could die as well if the one who killed him felt no pride, but to avoid such an emotion after battling someone like Lucius would be impossible.

Rothac smirked “I wonder if he would take requests?” He let that question hang in the air, it was not aimed at his squad but it was a question to himself. He wondered if Bertrand took requests? He kept repeating that thought until they reached a hallway full of cages. He recalled that the coordinates he received came from here, walking down the hallway he could see corpses within torn apart by autocannon fire. “It seems Justus got ahead of himself…” Rothac approached the door, he gestured for the phoenix guard to halt. Their timing was perfect, their boots hit the ground all at the same time. Hearing the sound just reminded him of how Justus always breaks from ranks, running forward and ignoring his command it aggravated him to no end.

Rothac sighed, he bought up his fist and banged on the door. It just took but a moment for it to slide open to reveal the gore-stained astartes. “What is it?” He could hear the annoyance lining his voice. Rothac’s normal reaction would be to teach a thin blood his place but not now, not at this crucial time. “Greetings, you have my brother.” Bertrand raised his eyebrow “you would like him back?” “How about we talk inside your chamber?” He could see the ex-chaplain thinking for a moment, he then nodded. “Come in.” He gestured inside, Rothac walked in and right away he could see Justus chained down to a table, he ignored everything else for his brother is the key.

As the door slid close behind him Bertrand walked up to the table, Rothac followed him. Upon reaching it he could see Justus’ eyes have rolled back. Inwardly he smiled to seeing him in such a state, he turned to his torturer and asked. “Can he hear us?” “No, he is not lucid at the moment due to the sedative.” “Good, for I have a request.” Now Bertrand was frowning slightly. “A request?” “Yes, I require your abilities. My brother is rebellious, a fool who does not know how to obey and I assume he has done something to offend you.” “He did offend me and the emperor.” At the mention of the emperor he had to try hard to keep the revulsion from lining his face. “So you understand, you have a great gift Bertrand and I wish for you to use it in correcting my brother.” Rothac watched his frown drift away, he nodded approvingly. “I can see you noticed the same things I have. It can be done, I will wear at his spirit and body until he becomes the servant the emperor requires.”

Rothac gave a small smile to the ex-chaplain and placed his hand on Bertrand’s pauldron “thank you. I am glad you understand I look forward to meeting my brother again. I am sure you can put him on the right path again.” Bertrand smiled in return “No thanks is needed, I am just a vehicle for the emperor’s light and wisdom.” That sealed the deal, Rothac could barely contain himself, now he would have a warrior that will obey. He eyed his foolish brother. You are just a key, a stepping stone. He said to himself.


***
Faust sat on his chair staring at the swinging corpse within his room, he rarely used his personal chamber but ever since the last invasion he needed to unleashed his pent up emotions, his frustration. He rose from his chair and strode over to the corpse, the gift his lord rejected. The corpse was the only piece of decoration his chamber held, he looked into his lifeless eyes while he swung on the chain, upside down. “Why do you keep rejecting me? Why? What must I do for you to give me what I want?” He slapped the face of the corpse causing it to sway “Why!? Why are you not with us! Why are not playing within the theatre!? I-I need it! That joyous sound of cacophonic destruction!” He tried to recall the show but now it was like a haze which made it far worse, it caused his yearning for another one to increase.

He caught the swinging corpse, steadying it gently he then grasped it’s face with both hands. “I can barely look at you… you are a painful reminder of the rejection. Keeping you alive was too painful.” He slapped the corpse again, causing it to sway. He then turned away and gave a great sigh. “I feel slightly better.” He looked over to his weapon and setting his eyes upon it caused his hearts to twist into a knot. The monstrous instrument was another painful reminder, he kept it for he thought he could replicate what he saw, what he felt. But with each pluck of the string his hearts twist even tighter.

He walked over to the instrument and picked it up, he held it tightly. “I could refuse….” he could refuse to use the weapon, he could bury his want, his desire. Faust shook his head “no, that would be heresy...but...I could refuse.” He kept saying that word within his mind again and again. “Yes I could refuse!” he shouted. It was so simple, he could refuse to do what Tetricus wants. It’s evident another invasion was coming due to the fact they have not touched a world in weeks. He grinned “it’s so simple to get what I want….”

***
Asriel watched himself murdering those who his previous lord held dear. He could see himself killing Amethyst and Agoston, all of these events appeared before him as fragments. “I still wonder what you are trying to show me my lord.” A wistful sigh came from the flaming orb. +Must I explain it to you?+ Asriel said nothing, he could sense Fulgrim was getting annoyed. +very well...I shall explain, since you are but a low bred animal I should of not expected you to understand.+ Fulgrim hovered around the fragments. +You do what needs to be done, no matter the consequences. If you felt you could aid your lord in some way you will do it.+ “But only misery comes from my choices and acts.” +oh yes but such a mindset will be needed for what is to come. You are the only one who can bare this burden...+ “you haven’t explained how I will stop Tetricus from dying.”

Asriel watched the glass shards vanish, Fulgrim drifted down towards him. +my son will die, there is nothing you can to do stop that.+ Asriel’s eyes went wide “t-then what I am doing here! I need to be with him!” +Patience…+ “I don’t care! Tell me who will kill him! Free me so I can get to them first!” +Relax n-+
A great darkness washed over him, just like before. He looked around in annoyance “this is all pointless…” he hissed. Asriel then picked up the sound of snoring again, he turned to see Alexandrel lying on the ground. Seeing this he crossed his arms “wake up.” The space marine blinked lazily “h-huh?” he then started to blink several times, most likely he is clearing his vision. “Oh! I am here again!” He shot up to his feet, this time Asriel could see his face, at least partially due to his hair. “You need to get me out.” he said firmly. Alexandrel looked at him in confusion “what do you mean?” Asriel felt his anger building, he clenched his fists. “You’re a sorcerer aren’t you?” “Nope.” The space marine said curtly.

Asriel’s mouth almost fell agape, he pointed at him. “Then how did you block Fulgrim from my thoughts then!? Soon as I took your hand he could no longer read my mind! This must be some sort of joke, you are just….just another illusion Fulgrim uses to torment me...” he deflated as those words left his lips. “I-I can’t do anything...he will die and I won’t be there to stop it.” “If he was going to truly die my father wouldn’t be wasting his time with you.” As he said that Asriel looked up, hope began to fill his chest. “That makes sense...I see...maybe I was being too hasty?” Alexandrel shrugged in return “still you have to remember you have to wait for the right moment to break your chain.” Asriel bought up his hand “you said you were going to help me do that.” The strange astartes tapped him several times on the shoulders with both his hands. “I have, I just helped you gain the confidence to be free. You taking my hand was your desire for freedom. Freedom from all chains, the first link had to be broken to end your attachment...”

Asriel pushed his hands away “I want to be with my master.” “That’s what you think.” Alexandrel said in amusement. “You just haven’t had your obsession tested yet, when it becomes truly hard you will want to break but that’s the most important point. The light towards freedom.” “Fulgrim doesn’t want me to break” said Asriel. The space marine smirked “of course he wouldn’t want such a thing...that would ruin his plans...” Alexandrel placed his hands around his neck, strangely they were with soft and for some reason he does not know why he is allowing it. “My father wants that collar tight around your neck, he wants to make chains of diamond that will bind you forever.” He tightened his grip, Asriel clutched Alexandrel’s large hand. “Seeking to follow Fulgrim, to be in his shadow to chase glory so you can gain his affection is a trap. A trap too many have fallen to and my father uses such things for his own amusement.” Alexandrel released his grip, Asriel watched his hair swissh at the movement and just for a moment he caught sight of his blue eyes before they vanished under his hair. “What of you then? You seek to fight Fulgrim...aren’t you the same then?” Asriel said this while rubbing his neck. “Huh what?” “You said that you wanted to fight Fulgrim.” “Did I say that?” Alexandrel scratched his head, the confusion was evident to him. Asriel sighed “whatever, so how are you going to help me this time?”

The astartes folded his arms, he mumbled while thinking for a moment, after almost of minute of mumbling Alexandrel nodded. “Be selfish.” “What?” Asriel furrowed his brow “I heard that line plenty of times.” Alexandrel shook his head, he placed his hand on his primary heart. “You don’t truly understand what it means to be selfish, do you care for the happiness of others?” Asriel was about to open his mouth to speak, it took him a moment to answer. “I do, I want my master to be happy.” “Why?” “Why not? If you care for someone you want them to be happy.” The space marine leaned down towards his face. “Liar.” “I am not lying.” Alexandrel then leaned back and gestured to the darkness. “If this is your heart…” “It’s not empty.” Asriel said firmly. “It can’t be empty.” “everything you do is for your own happiness, this Tetricus views his warband to be bigger than himself. Can you live in such a warband without him?” “I….” Asriel could not say anything to that, he had no desire to be in such a place. Tetricus is meant to be the leader of the 4th, it would be pointless following anyone else. “Yet I assume Tetricus would want you to carry on. He wants you to be as loyal to the 4th as he is.” Alexandrel said flatly.

Asriel did not like how he was stating it like it was a fact, he did not know why he is listening to a random astartes. “So who are you to lecture me like this?” “Well you are the one asking for help and when I offered it you took my aid.” said Alexandrel. “That’s not want I meant.” Asriel said harshly.

The space marine nodded in understanding “Oh...I know what you mean. Well I am a thin blood technically.” “thin blood?” “It refers to an astartes who was not around during the horus heresy or those who are not of legion stock.” “Which are you?” “Well I am the former.” Asriel smirked and folded his arms “so if you have never fought during Horus’ war what right do you have to speak with such authority?” Alexandrel leaned in towards his face again, for some reason his hairs were moving showing his eyes through the threads. The silts of his blue eyes tightened, Asriel gulped in reaction as a wash of cold fear erupted through his body.

The space marine then smiled while showing his fangs “because I killed those who seek to tell me otherwise...if they an authority they should be able to defend their point. I ask them to tell me why am I hated while I pull out of their eyes and peel their skin. I ask them why does my warband leader have interest in a thin blood as I tear out their tongues and devour them…in the end I don’t care for his interest but you see my point….” He leaned back. “They all call me soulless now for some reason.” He started to click his fingers abnormally, each crutch caused Asriel to shudder as waves of killing intent started to pound upon his body. “You know one time I drowned my brother in my own bath tub, he called me a low-born bastartd, a creature who should know his place….” Alexandrel cackled to himself. “It took several hours to drown him but...I could wait…” Asriel wondered why he is telling him such a story, he watched the astartes give a small groan. He then rubbed his neck causing his fingers to click back into place. “Asriel what were talking about again?” The killing intent vanished in an instant, Asriel clutched his chest tightly. “Er...about how you are going to help me.” “Oh...right. Just bide your time and take your shot for freedom when it comes!” Alexandrel smiled displaying his pearly white teeth.

The space marine shook his head “ still that’s down to you to find. Seems we can only speak when I decide to take a nap.”Asriel grumbled to himself, so it’s down to him then but he wondered what he meant by a nap? “are you actually sleeping?” “Indeed I am! I hate falling asleep, so boring seeing only darkness but unless I find something interesting to do I get quite tired. But….that changed.” Alexandrel licked his lips “I wish I could be there personally to watch you fall or rise.” “I am not doing this for your amusement Alexandrel.” “But I don’t really care about your feelings, I am just sad I can’t see you crash or destroy your chains.” Asriel detected a hint of actual sadness as he said that, he did not know what to make it of it but he hoped he would never have to meet him in the flesh.

He suspected that it’s likely he would tear him apart if the thought even crossed his mind. Despite his bouts of philosophy on the predicament of third legion warbands the astartes before him is just a mad hedonist. Tetricus and his departed captain held the 4th together and lead it to great victories, they have actual direction. If Alexandrel was in charge of anything it would crash and burn. “Anyway I must thank you for the advice Alexandrel.” The space marine smile vanished, his face was flat. “are you thinking about me?” “Excuse me?” “You were thinking about me weren’t you?” Asriel tried not to flinch “no...I wasn’t.” Alexandrel stared at him and after a few moments the smile from before returned. He began tapping him on the shoulders with both hands again “well good luck! I am getting quite bored of talking to you now!” Asriel was about to say something but just like before the space marine vanished in a puff of darkness, the surroundings ebbed away from black to white again.

He was now standing before Fulgrim, he was rattling away about his importance and how he is needed. Asriel looked deeply into the fire, how it blazed with a great brilliance. He then clutched his arm tightly, the need to get away overwhelmed him. Fulgrim tutted +something happened...I can see it.+ The orb grew in size, Asriel started to stagger back. He raised his hands trying to deny what was being said. “W-Wait! I don’t understand what is going on either!” +Ah so something did happen, thank you for admitting it.+ Asriel blinked in surprise “what? I don’t understand.” +I can read body language you fool, I tell you now I am the only one who has your best interests in mind. Whatever you saw, whatever our dark prince told you…+ The orb moved close to his face. The heat caused him to wince +I am the one that holds your master’s salvation in my hands. I hold the keys to save him so listen to me alone...+ Fulgrim moved back, Asriel bit his lips in frustration.

Fulgrim then started to bounce around in the an erratic fashion +Oh looks like it starting!+ “What is?” Asriel asked. The lord of the third said nothing, the glass pieces started to rearrange themselves and what he saw was himself lying on a bed. But his eyes quickly moved to Tetricus, he has gathered his brothers within his chamber. Asriel thought to shout but he had a feeling he would not hear him, Fulgrim wants him to watch, to be a spectator to his master’s supposed fall.

The thought of Tetricus dying caused his heart to ache, the need to do something caused him to grit his teeth but at the moment he is Fulgrim’s prisoner. He felt like he was being chained down, Asriel touched his neck. “It’s like a collar…” That’s what it felt like. It was a chain collar that was made out of diamond and with every passing moment more links are being added to it.

Chapter 7
Tetricus could strangely feel something was different within his chamber, each of his brothers seemed different in some pronounced way. But what troubled him deeply was the fact Rothac was present with Justus. The immortal space marine was also quiet as well. He would normally be boasting about his strength and immortal status.. The only one who seemed alright was Erastus or perhaps it was because he was spending time with the cult? Even so he summoned the map before his brothers. His staff then gestured to the Titan in the middle of the city “No-” “Is that a titan!?” Cassius exclaimed. Tetricus sighed to his brother’s outburst “yes it is a titan but I have developed a way to deal with it.” His hollow gaze fell upon Justus “our dear brother will carry a weapon to it.” Cassius raised his eyebrow “a weapon?” Tetricus stood aside so all can see the floating orb. “I condensed a great amount of warp energy into this sphere, at the moment it’s volatile but I primed it to activate when it approaches the Titan.” Erastus started to stroke his chin “I assume a great explosion will consume the titan correct?” He nodded to the apothecary’s question. “Yes it will, but as I said Justus will deliver it to the titan. After all he is immortal.”

Justus shook his head “N-No….” “Excuse me?” said Tetricus. “I-I can’t.” Justus sounded meekish, Rothac sighed. “How sure are you that Justus will survive this?” The sudden question from Rothac was a good one, but it was a question he he did not need at the moment. He has seen enough of what Justus can do to be assured that he will survive, plus he thought that his brother always wanted to be tested? “So you doubt him Rothac?” “No, I am quite aware he is blessed but if he is caught in an explosion that can down a Titan there will be nothing left of him. In all instances of him coming back to life a portion of his body remained. Plus the question is how will he carry it to the Titan without getting blasted to pieces?” He could see his brothers nodding in agreement, especially the part about how he will carry it. Tetricus tapped his chest “he will carry it within his soul. I believe his immortality rests within his soul not his body. The orb will bond with it and explode from within taking the titan with it.” Rothac snorted “then it’s far more dangerous, how sure are you that his soul won’t be obliterated?” “Because Justus is…” He was about to say something, he was not sure what.

He looked at the immortal phoenix guard, he stood behind Rothac instead at the front. That is when he suspected something has happened to Justus. His gaze then moved to Rothac, he looked assured of something. He thought to question him but not now, this raid is too important. “What is that light?” Everyone eyes shifted to Bertrand, he was pointing at the white orb moving around at the palace. “A powerful psyker.” Tetricus answered. Bertrand cocked his head, he could see that everyone was unsure by his answer.

If he revealed they were aiming to kill a saint they would all get cold feet, he knows it. He felt it in the air despite being only bones. “You should carry it.” Rothac said with an air of authority. Tetricus frowned “why?” “To prove you are favoured, I will be frank it’s obvious to me everyone's desires is running hot in the air. If you are truly favoured by the dark prince, the leader we should follow you should be fine detonating a device of your own hand. The dark prince should protect you, after all you are a walking corpse.” Bertrand nodded in agreement “Rothac has a point, you say you follow the emperor’s will but I want to see it.”

Tetricus wanted to shout at them, to push back at what was being said but now he can see everyone is looking at him differently, even Cassius. The prefector folded his arms “even though I despise the newest edition to this warband you are a noisy skeleton. A skeleton who should not be walking around.” “I am only a skeleton because of your betrayal Cassius.” “True, but despite being burned at the stake you still live.” Tetricus clutched his staff tightly, to refuse would be seen as weakness, to break away from this raid will also be seen as him being a coward.

Tetricus glared at Rothac, he could feel the flames spilling from his eyes. “Fine.” he said firmly. He then focused on the map. “Faust your noise ma-” “I refuse.” Tetricus looked up to him “what?” “I refuse.” Faust gave him a large frown “I won’t do as you ask unless you give me what I want.” Flames erupted from his body, Tetricus could barely contain his anger. The noise marine did not even flinch to this. He was prepared to die for his desire, he saw no fear in his eyes.

Faust swept his hair back “my previous lord was far more fearsome. I thought I could trust you, but you lied to me again and again.” As he said that the flames consuming his body ebbed away, Tetricus grunted. “Alright, after this raid I will play for you.” “I don’t believe you.” “Then you will have to take my word for it.” Faust did not seem convinced, but he did not care. Now thoughts of having him killed started to bounce around his skull.

He was going to assign Faust to the church district but after this? He was a liability he will place him in an area he is likely to die. It’s becoming evident that he might have to find new brothers, none of them share his desire. “You will attack the factories, destroy their industry and supply chain.” The noise marine simply nodded, Tetricus moved his staff to the imperial guard garrison. “Cassius you will lead the bulk of the astartes forces in taking the imperial garrison to the south. Rothac and the terminators will be part of this detachment.” Cassius smirked “so I command Rothac then?” “Yes you do.” He could see Rothac did not seem to find this outcome undesirable which was something he disliked. Tetricus wondered what he was plotting?

Tetricus inwardly sighed and shifted his staff to the church district “Bertrand you will attack the church district with Erastus, the cult will be part of the assualt as well.” Tetricus could see Erastus’ tentacles wiggling in excitement, Bertrand thumped his chest with his hand.

With the assignments settled he waved them away “you have your orders go and prepare to attack the world. I have to get ready.” All of his brothers left the chamber, after a few moments of being alone Oktai came in. Tetricus stared at him, the mortal smirked. “I can tell things aren’t going well.” “No...they aren’t.” Tetricus dismissed the map as Oktai walked up to him. “They will betray you eventually.” “I know.” “So aren’t you going to kill one of them to prove a point?” “If I do that all of them will start plotting my death, trust is required for the 4th to reach the heights of glory. I will just need new brothers.” “Right then...so you are going to kill all of them?” “Perhaps...but I don’t want it to come to that.”

The mortal shook his head “if you want such a thing like glory or purpose you are part of the wrong legion in my opinion.” Tetricus chuckled as he said that, he knew where he was going and what he was about to say. “The black legion.” “What else?” Oktai took several more steps forward. “Your desire does not mesh with the third legion Tetricus.” He frowned heavily as the mortal said that. “tell me who have you worked for in the past?” Oktai raised his hands “I am just a drifter, I simply found some interest in my young lord here. But...think about it. That’s all.”

Tetricus shook his head “I will never do that, now you are here to end Asriel’s life if I do not return.” Oktai gave a curt nod in return. “As you say.” Tetricus then turned and approached the floating orb. He raised his hand over it and started the bonding process. +The mortal is not wrong.+ The daemon whispered. +Abandon this fool course, death only awaits you.+ Tetricus chuckled, that confirmed the daemon was not his captain. Taurus would never say such a thing, he ignored the creature and finished the bonding.

He watched the orb break down and enter his palm, now he felt it thumping in his chest like a heartbeat. He clutched his chest “I won’t die, not yet….” he turned and approached his chamber door. Before he left he looked back to Oktai who was standing over Asriel, for some reason despite having no hearts he could feel them twisting like a knot.

He then left the chamber and readied himself for what was to come.

***
Asriel clutched his arm as he watched Oktai stand over him, but what worried him truly were his lord’s brothers. He was not sure what some of them were planning but it’s clear to him what was happening. He looked up to Fulgrim “my lord do you care for what Tetricus wants?” The flaming orb pulsed +is that a serious question?+ Asriel looked down, he told himself yes it was a serious question. He hoped to expect a different answer, but now what Alexandrel has told him was reverberating in his mind in light of what Fulgrim just said. He has no hope. Asriel said to himself and he hated himself for admitting such a thing.

He looked back up to the flaming orb and finally wondered how could he beat a primarch? How as a mortal can he overcome a being of such might and perception? He did not have Tetricus’ best interests at heart, he does not care for his wants or desire for the 4th to be great. Asriel narrowed his eyes at the lord of the third, he expects nothing and views him as a low bred animal but it’s evident that he is important to his plot. He seeks to use me to manipulate Tetricus. That was what made the most sense to him, that was the only endgame he could think of.

Strangely he has also accepted that Tetricus will die, but death means little in the grand scheme of things when you have a primarch in your corner. The question is what comes after his lord is returned? His eyes were then brought to fractured glass, Oktai was chuckling to himself. “So...he expects me to kill you if he doesn’t come back?” He bought his thumb over his throat. “I am sure you won’t return if your head is removed from your body…” He then rested his hand on the pommel of his blade. “Yet I don’t feel like following orders...my young lord can you prove to me that you are an adult?” He unsheathed his blade with a smooth motion and placed it on his throat. “Being eaten by a daemon wasn’t pleasant but I have been through worse...now if you can prove to me you have grown up I won’t remove your head right here and now. I know you can hear me.”

Fulgrim pulsed with rage, +what is he doing!?+ Asriel blinked in shock to what he was seeing. But... looking at how the daemon primarch was raging he did not see this coming at all. He smiled and shouted to the fragments at the top of his voice. “Freedom for myself and Tetricus!” He watched himself mumble slightly in reality. “F-Freedom..” Oktai nodded and sheathed his blade. “Wasn’t so hard was it?” He tapped his head “both of us had some good times, but now I have to go.” Oktai turned away from the bed and left the chamber.

Asriel strangely smiled, voicing such a thing out loud was...liberating. Before he could revel in this new found emotion Fulgrim zoomed down towards him. +You have no freedom, none at all. Despite your words you will act how I expect you to act...like you always do.+ the primarch hissed. The lord of the third was no longer pulsing with rage, he was simply seething at something unexpected happening. Asriel shook his head “I won’t allow you to use Tetricus as a pawn.” +You are in no position to make demands dog.+ “I know that, but I now see what you are doing. You wish to greet your brother, but your legion is in tatters and at the end of the day you need reliable warlords. Warlords who will look to the horizon despite being in the grip of debasement and hedonism, but I guess such warlords are in short supply?” The orb returned to its normal shape, Fulgrim gave a small laugh. +very well...struggle to break free from your chains. At the end of the day actions speak louder than words.+ He flew upwards and as he did so the fragments adjusted themselves to display Prolis as drop pods shot towards the city.

Asriel clenched his hands in anticipation for what is to come, no matter how Tetricus dies he knew it was not the end. He had to grasp for freedom at the right moment, he has to be ready to endure whatever Fulgrim has in store for him.


***
Myra worked on the next section of the painting. The city was in the throes of misery and pain, people were reaching up with bloody hands to a white orb in the skies. She then got the purple and pink ready, she painted tiny burning birds flocking to attacking the white orb but strangely she stopped and shook her head. “No...that’s not right.”

She redid the skies again, clearing them of the birds and instead painted a single large one coiled by a snake, it sought to attack the white orb alone. She painted an open mouth in challenge as well. “Perfect…” the remaining birds were moved to the bleeding hands, they were smiling and cackling glee while they pecked at them. Yet one of them were looking up in curiosity towards the large one, they were wondering what it’s larger brethren was doing.

She smiled and nodded in satisfaction “that part is done...but the next?” Myra’s eyes were drawn to the next part of the canvas. It was empty, she placed her brush on the canvas and started to draw the outline of a titan.

Oh and small note, I might be returning to my genestealer novel due to troubles writing my own personal novel.(It was too close to warhammer)

So...I scrapped the idea and started researching greek mythology. That means I have to redo tons of notes, re-plan the story again which in turn leaves me somewhat free to return to my other 40k story.

Why can't you write for the black library itself? Seems like your meant for it.

Cant lie id rather see you keep writing this lol but follow your heart.

 Dayknight wrote:

Why can't you write for the black library itself? Seems like your meant for it.

Cant lie id rather see you keep writing this lol but follow your heart.

That's the thing, Gav Thorpe said it's far easier getting into Black Library if you are a published author already, the chance of getting in through the writing competition is small since you are most likely competing against thousands of other people. Anyway thanks for the support!

Edit:Also I find GSC extremely fascinating, going by the Vigilus book it seems they might get a lot more character when their codex comes out.

Chapter 8
Ragnell looked up to the skies from his balcony, small meteors were raining down towards his city but he knew they weren’t pieces of rock. He clutched the rail tightly he bit his lip in frustration and anger. You come to bring suffering and death...That’s all he could think of. That single thought kept repeating in his mind again and again. He relaxed and closed his eyes, he muttered a small prayer to the emperor.

As the prayer passed his lips he saw flashes of devastation, people reaching up in agony and horror, worst of all they called for him. They screamed for him to save them, but then he would see himself standing at the entrance of his palace before a leering skull. Gouts of perfume and fire left his mouth, but strangely he felt that was where he was meant to be. He opened his eyes and now he saw said devastation washing over his city. The Titan was already moving to action launching plasma blasts from it’s plasma annihilator each round was leveling surrounding buildings. But he could also see scores of heretics dying along with his people. His heart screamed to go to their aid, it would be the right thing to do. But the skull he saw in his vision was pronounced and clear. “Great master of mankind are you telling me that is my enemy? Should I trade my people to face the monster?” He bought up his hand, a soft white glow consumed it, with that he gave a grim nod. “So be it.”

He lowered his hand and continued to look out to the carnage, they will think he has abandoned them. He shook his head as he thought that “no, they always felt abandoned. It’s because of them…the heretics who force us to bend every facet of this imperium to war...” “My lord!” He turned to see Solanid racing towards him, he was fully armed for war. “Confessor, I am aware of what is happening.” His adoptive father frowned “ you seem resigned...why?” “A vision.” An air of excitement gripped the Confessor “what did you see?” “I saw myself standing before a skull at the palace entrance, I assume this must be the enemy I must face. The emperor...he...he.. Tells me to wait for the monster to come.” “You are thinking of your people, aren’t you?” Solanid walked towards the railing as well, he kept his eyes on the city. “Many will die, but the emperor has a plan. If he is telling you to wait...trust in him.” The confessor met his gaze “over ten covenants of the adeptus sororitas are coming to our aid. Every single message and plea for help was received without any issues. The emperor is watching us my boy, even I can see it.” Solanid smiled “so no matter what happens the heretics will be driven off. We just need to hold, do not forget that the Titan puts the battle in our favour so we may not even need their aid.” Ragnell touched his chest, he understands what Solanid was trying to say.

His adoptive father was simply saying to have faith, that’s it. Having faith in the emperor has seen him through thick and thin. There will be great pain and death due to this invasion but in the end the light will triumph over darkness.

***
Cassius sliced a guardsman in half, he screamed with the purest agony as his body hit the ground. He hacked the head off another who was charging at him with their bayonet, but strangely with each kill he kept glancing back to the road that leads to the plaza. “What’s the matter?” Asked Vardas.

He was dancing around a mortal delivering small cuts, killing him slowly. Cassius shook his head “I wonder how he will take out the titan?” Vardas finally stabbed the guardsmen in the chest killing him. He pushed the mortal off his blade. “Why does it matter?” “Whether we can take this world hinges on getting past the titan.” He looked around, there were many buildings acting as cover but in time the Titan will level them, giving it an open killing ground to unleash its full capacity. “We are mainly and infantry force, if we can’t take out the leader of this world the mortals will keep fighting.” Vardas stepped on the head of a twitching guardsmen, he snorted. “They are only human, such fragile things will break the more of them we kill.” He had to agree with the young astartes, but he knew better.

Cassius recalled Tetricus’ projection, the white orb set him on edge. He knew it was not a psyker, Tetricus was preparing for this attack for weeks. It was more than that, plus he could tell he was lying. “Vardas, what if the leader of this world was special?” “Special? How so?” Cassius mumbled to himself, he tried to think of something more special than a psyker. “How about a saint? An actual saint?” His brother gave a great laugh “Tetricus wouldn’t be that stupid!” “But he is…” In a good way. He had to admit, if the leader was a saint the glory achieved from killing one would be grand.

Vardas’ answer proved why he kept it a secret, everyone would shy away from such an outing. “Even so, if a saint was on this world...wouldn’t you want to face a living vessel of the false of emperor?” Vardas shook his head “no, why do you think about such things? You are not even in charge.” “I know bu-” “Look around you!” Cassius looked around, it was only the both of them. “It’s only us two.” “Exactly and you know why?” He knew where the conversation was heading and he had only one answer to it. “No.” Cassius said firmly.

Vardas sighed heavily, he walked up to him. “Listen...everyone broke off to do their own thing. They don’t care for what the witch wants, if he dies during this raid there will be a voi-” “No.” Despite their disagreements, he will not betray him again. Vardas raised his hands “I am not saying to kill him, I mean let’s say if we are here to kill a saint...no one will follow him. Everyone can see his plan, he will take out the titan and by the time that’s done this section of the city should be broken. He will then order us to converge on the palace.” He had to admit the plan was sound, but it was evident that this will have a treasonous bent. “I assume you want me to ignore the order?” Vardas nodded “aye, if you let everyone know we are here to kill a saint they will refuse the call order. No one likes to commit suicide, they can outright destroy daemons completely. Imagine what a saint could do to us?” Cassius chuckled slightly “so you actually believe we are facing a saint?” His brother looked away slightly “it doesn’t matter, but think about what I said.”
Cassius gave Vardas’ idea a thought but then dismissed in but a second “come we must kill loyalists.” He walked onward crunching the dead bodies in his path. He could hear Vardas pouting behind him, he ignored it and strangely his whole detachment going awol did not bother him either. If the warband desired glory as any self-respecting member of the third should there shouldn’t be any problems.

***
Rothac was holding the head of the garrison leader, the supposed colonel was clawing at his gauntlet. In a mad frenzy, he looked around the makeshift base, the bags were ruined, bodies littered the ground and for once Justus did as he was told. He turned to see his obedient brother stabbing a mortal, but what was more joyous than the death of the mortal was the silence. No more of Justus shouting over him, no more boasting and the most important thing he keeps with the squad.

He crushed the mortal’s head and threw the body aside. He strode up to Justus and said “how are you feeling?” Justus shifted to him, he gave a curt nod. “I am well Rothac….” His voice was so meekish now, Bertrand’s work was beautiful. He placed his bloodied hand on his shoulder “Good, I assume we must wait for the witch’s order. No-” A name was blinking, he did not recognise it he thought to dismiss it but considering it was a priority message he opened it up. “We have been lied to…Tetricus hid what was on this world.” listening to message it sounded like a recording. “A saint is on this world, he desires that we face it. That’s all I will say.” The name clicked off, Rothac grumbled in annoyance. “Not yet…” he hissed. “Is something wrong?” Justus asked.

Rothac kept himself from flinching it’s clear that he hasn’t received the message. “It’s nothing Justus, nothing important.” Justus simply nodded which was a good response. Rothac ran the message through his mind again, he wanted to curse but kept it in. Now a difficult decision had to be made, he couldn’t risk Justus against a saint, the probability of death was too high.

He then grumbled a power play was at work...That was the only thing he could think of. He had to use it to his advantage. In the end Tetricus is a witch if a new leader came forward, following them would be much more preferable.

He smiled “come brothers we must kill more mortals!” He turned away, his phoenix guard fell in behind him, this time everyone was one. All of their boots hit the ground at the same time.

***
Erastus watched the flowering blades work their way through the temple district, he stayed a respectful distance away so he could record their battle data. With all things there are variables, each cultist was different and used a mix of narcotics he personally developed. Each mortal was far more deadly compared to the crusader fighters that seek to hamper them. He gave a broad smile “how can I improve my concoction?” He murmured to himself while shifting through the data that dotted his auto-senses. “Break heretic!” The shouts were a distraction, he turned to the fanatic. “Please be quiet while you kill people!” Bertrand crushed the head of a kneeling crusader, his body looked utterly brutalised. Bertrand then nodded and faced him. “Are you frowning upon my holy work apothecary?” “No, I just want you to do your work in more quieter fashion, the dins of battle are expected. Your screaming is a distraction. No-”

A name started to chime on his auto-senses, when he saw it he sighed heavily. He blinked to open it. “We have been lied to...Tetricus hid what was on this world. A saint is on this world, he desires that we face it. That’s all I will say.” Erastus narrowed his eyes “Vardas…” he hissed. He wondered if Cassius was attempting to betray Tetricus again? He shook his head “no...he is not that stupid.” “What is it?” Bertrand asked.

Erastus gave a heavy sigh “it seems a saint on this world.” “Saints are lies.” Bertrand responded. “Excuse me?” Erastus stabbed the fanatic’s chest with his finger. “You of all people should believe in saints.” “They are false prophets, they are most likely powerful psykers that’s it. The true saints are those who have the favour of the emperor, like Tetricus. He walks despite being only bone.” He drew his finger back and thought to argue the point, but he knew he would not get anywhere. Still the news was troubling, he glanced at the cultists. “I can’t let this project be ruined...I am learning so much...” A decision had to be made.

Erastus clenched his hands “my projects come first…” that’s what was important. If Tetricus wants to run to his death that’s his prerogative.

He then watched the fanatic turned away from him. He returned to tormenting mortals, Erastus wondered if Bertrand cared at all for what Tetricus wanted on this world? “Do any of us?” He asked himself. He cocked his head slightly. All he could think of were chemical compounds, splicing and gene-enhancement. He gave a small shrug “no matter, I am sure someone will take the reins if he dies.” Erastus went back to watching the cultists, eagerly digesting the data that streamed into his helmet.

***
Faust screamed with his brothers, they shattered the metal bodies and scattered the foul contraptions of the adeptus mechanicus, the dirty factory shuddered with each wave of sound. He enjoyed the sound of broken binaric cants, as silence fell upon the factory he gave a wistful sigh. “That makes factory number four…” He could see what Tetricus was doing, he sent him here to die.

It’s evident that the factories were the most heavily defended area, but despite that the skitarii could not withstand the song of slaanesh. There was a reason why the kakophoni are favoured, a smile lined his lips. “I could refuse again? I should refuse the next order, aggravating him even more could...it could…” He quivered with pleasure. “Why am I enjoying this?” He had to admit this was far more enjoyable than the song Tetricus played for him. He wanted to see his anger, his frustration. He knew that he did not have the gall to kill him directly, if he did that would cause a chain reaction, plots would run like wildfire. It’s no secret that the warband would find any other leader far more preferable. “He is innocent in a way.” he said out loud.

As he turned to leave with his kakophoni a named popped up on his auto-senses. He did not bother to open it, he guessed what Vardas was attempting to do and no matter what Tetricus asks of him he will refuse. As that thought crossed his mind another jolt of pleasure hit him, he licked his lips. “I could get used to this…”

***
Asriel was dismayed to see what was happening, everything was falling apart so quickly. It’s clear to him save Cassius everyone seeks another path compared to the one Tetricus has laid out before them. He looked up to Fulgrim “you knew this would happen?” +Oh I did, when desires run hot it’s very hard to control. Tetricus has no idea how to direct their needs so they look to other pursuits.+ “Then why do you want to control him? If he can’t do something like that...why do you need him?” The lord of the third said nothing and that worried him greatly.

A cold chill ran through his body, a dark possibility fell upon him. Fulgrim just said it’s possible to control someone’s desires or at least direct them. The glass image then shifted to display a thunderhawk flying above the clouds, he had a good feeling who was on it. Asriel started to panic “Stop this please! Call the retreat!” +Oh please stop shouting, you can’t change what is about to happen. Just enjoy the show, as I said I-+ “You lie!”

The orb started to pulse, he could feel the heat from it increasing. He recalled in the past Fulgrim has done nothing to help him, all he wants was pleasure and self-gratification. He was a being of immense power, to most in the galaxy his word would cause them to bend to his will. That’s when he remembered his various conversations with Taurus“You don’t need him at all…” Asriel hissed.

The orb stopped pulsing, Fulgrim gave a great laugh in return. +Humour me, what makes you think that?+ “Taurus.” +What of him?+ “He criticised you greatly but when you gave him an order he obeyed without question. It’s bred into them, all of them wish to do your will and you use that…” +Mhmm, go on…+ “You use their desire, their loyalty to amuse yourself, that’s it. Roboute Guilliman has been around for awhile now, you could of easily called your legion together. You just don’t feel like it yet.” +So you aren’t stupid.+

Asriel narrowed his eyes “I can’t be here anymore.” +Too bad you’re trapped. Let’s enjoy this show together shall we? I want to see your reaction when he dies...+ The crystal fragments surrounded him, no matter where he turned he was forced to look. He was wrong the whole time, Fulgrim has no desire to help him or Tetricus, this was just a distraction, a show. “Ale-”

Darkness shrouded over him again, the name died halfway as he saw the space marine was lying in front of him sleeping. Asriel got to his knees, panic washed over him as he shook the astartes. “Wake! Please wake up!” Alexandrel’s eyes opened, he sat up and yawned. “Oh...it’s you! Great! I am not trapped in darkness again!” The space marine stared at him “hmm, you realised something important I can see that.” “He is not going to save him!” Asriel shouted.

Alexandrel shrugged “I could of told you that.” Asriel blinked in shock “w-what? I thought you were going to help me?” “I am helping you, but I can see you are the type of person that needs to realise things by themselves.” Asriel clutched his head “h-he won’t let him die, Tetricus is reliable...strong...I-” Alexandrel poked his head bringing his attention to him. “What are you doing!?” The space marine gave a long frown, he caught a hint of his blue eyes, the black slits were tightening. “He dug his own grave. But when I said you have a shot for freedom I meant it.” “I don’t care about that! I-” Alexandrel’s hand shot out, he grasped his neck and started squeeze. “Hey, hey...don’t be boring now okay?” Asriel clawed at his hand, “S-Stop…” “I endured falling asleep to see your progress, don’t let me down for if you falter here I will...wait I can’t kill you here can I?” He released his grip, Asriel crawled away from the astartes and quickly got to his feet, he turned to face him and pointed. “Y-You are are insane! Just like the rest of them!” “Why thank you!” Alexandrel said with a smile.

The astartes chuckled “see how easy it is? How I accept my insanity so readily? So easily? Just admit it Asriel you are just like me.” “I am nothing like you! I actually have someone to worry about!” “Soon you won’t....” “I will stop him! Just watch! I won’t let Fulgrim keep me caged like this!” “So you are going to fight against a primarch then? Provoke the fury of the spiteful Phoenician?” Asriel froze as he said that. “See...look at you hesitating, I thought you care for your master?” Alexandrel said mockingly.

From that point he decided that he hated Alexandrel, he despised him with every fibre of his being. Then just like before Alexandrel vanished in a puff of smoke, the darkness cleared and he was standing where he was before. +How was your talk with your friend?+ Asriel looked up to see Fulgrim hovering above him. “W-Wait you know?” +See how good I am at acting? It’s all in the tone of voice and doing the correct movements…+ “He says I can be free of you…” +Are you really going to listen that fool?+ He was about to respond but held his tongue, Fulgrim could be lying again. He might not know anything, this could be him actually acting to gain information. “What is his name?” +I don’t need to answer your questions.+ Asriel’s heart thundered in his chest, he wondered if he pushed would Fulgrim destroy him? Here and now? “You don’t know do you?” +Stop acting like the dumb dog you are...jus-+ Asriel chuckled and shook his head “you have no idea and that annoys you! You hate being the pawn in someone else's game! You prefer to control the stage and it’s actors! It’s obvious now!”

There was a long silence, Fulgrim did not erupt with anger he simply came down and hovered next to him. +Let’s watch the show.+ he said curtly.

He knew now that he truly has no idea of the content of his discussions with Alexandrel or who he is. His eyes then drifted to the thunderhawk racing above the clouds, he hoped, he prayed that his master would make it through this conflict alive.

Going over my notes, I am getting the feeling this story will be shorter but the ending is going to be er...sad? Explosive? A mix of me rolling my death die? (I don't have a death die...or do I!? )

This story is not quite near the end yet but the next Arc is going to be squad base, think the night lord series. It's going be different.

Chapter 9
Tetricus placed his helmet on as the thunderhawk shuddered, he then shifted slightly due to the weight of the jetpack. “I am going to die...aren’t I?” He was so sure that he would make it through this when he left the ship. But he could tell everything was falling apart, he could sense it and somehow he allowed himself to be put in this precarious position. He clenched his staff tightly in annoyance. “What would he do in this situation?” Doubt clawed at him, it ravaged his body. +Fleeing is the only correct choice. The saint will destroy you.+ “I am not worried about the saint daemon.” As he said that the daemon laughed +You are aware that he will send you to your eternal doom? He will break you soul, shatter it into million pieces.+ Oddly that fact did not worry him, his issue was getting to the saint.

He sighed as he walked up to the button to lower the landing bay. As it lowered he frowned “I can’t see a way around this..the weapons will end me before I reach the titan...if I make it there…” He touched his chest, he would simply explode. He had faith Justus would survive, but it’s evident that Rothac has done something. He grumbled as he took a step, suddenly Sagax’s name was glowing on his auto-senses, the shipmaster rarely if ever contacts him.

He opened the channel and right away he sounded annoyed. “My lord a shuttle from the docking bay has been stolen, some of the workers have been killed as well." Tetricus cursed under his breath “do you have any idea who it is?” “According to the security feed the perpetrator is Oktai. I was unable to shoo-” The fires gripping his body grew hot he growled in frustration and closed the channel before Sagax could finish. He should of known better to trust him. +See how all of them burn with their own desires...everything is going against you. Listen to me for I know perfec-+ “Shut up! Just...shut up...”

He unclipped the jetpack it fell upon the floor and he simply sagged into one of the seats. “This is impossible…I-I...can’t..” Another person was seeking to contact him, but this time the name was unknown. He thought to dismiss it but instead he opened the channel. “Let me guess you are sitting down, despairing at what to do next?” The voice belonged to Oktai. Tetricus scowled “I will kill you for this...do you know that?” “I doubt you will, because we will meet again after you die first. This is not the thing that will kill you, after that...we will talk.” If he had brows, they would be furrowing at the moment. “What do you mean?” “I haven’t been completely honest, I will say first that we can speak freely. To...unwanted onlookers you are simply sitting in the chair. Save your weapon none can hear us.” +Don’t listen to him! he seeks to pull you away fro-+ Tetricus removed the gun from his holster and threw it aside. As it clattered on the floor the daemon said nothing else. “The fact he doesn’t want me to listen to you makes me inclined to give you my ear. Speak then.” “Pacts have been made to ensure we have this conversation. My actual employer wishes more from you, all I will say is proceed without fear. The gods needs us more than we need them, that is the reason why they love us so dearly. In that is the key to survival.”

Tetricus chuckled as he said that “love? Really? Did the dark prince love my captain when he reduced him to a spawn and destroyed our company?” The doubt gave way to bitterness “It’s not fair….” “Fairness? This galaxy does not know the meaning of it, to answer the question on your captain...was he given a second chance?” He glanced at the bolt pistol “he is not the same anymore, he is dead.” “But Tetricus...none of the powers give out daemohood for free.” Tetricus gaze lingered for a moment more on the weapon, he then looked away. “I did receive closure before he became...that.” He rose from his seat and walked to the landing bay. “So I am loved right? It’s why I walk even though I am like this…but I will still die. What will happen after that? You said we will meet again.” “Trust him.” “Who?” “Do I need to say his name?”

Tetricus chuckled, he did not know why he asked such a thing. “I might not have a ship if he finds out I die. It’s why told you to kill him. Tell me though...what of my father? What is he planning?” “It doesn’t matter what he is planning, he is shackled to the power he serves. The plots of the phoenician are also the plots of the one who thirsts. He may not realise it, but he can only act if the dark prince wills it. It is the same for all daemons of the warp.” “Then why is the dark prince allowing the daemon weapon to speak? He wanted to dissuade me from talking to you.” “Maybe because he knows you won’t listen to him? So why keep him silent? There could be a thousand other reasons, but I think we talked enough. Move onward and you will prosper, I am eager to meet you again.”

The channel clicked off, Tetricus walked to the jetpack he was about to pick it up but stopped. “I won’t die here…” He shifted towards the landing bay, as he was walking towards it the daemon started screeching again, he could hear the weapon rattling on the ground. +He lies! Your glory will be absorbed by another if you press on!+ Tetricus gave a small laugh as he heard that. “Who cares for the glory of the 4th in this company? No one…” Tetricus raised his hand and made a fist. “I want to revel in victories with my brothers! I want them to walk with me as we destroy and raid worlds! I want glory for us! For the 4th! Not for myself! But...I will that will not happen. So...I will say one last time...be silent...”

The daemon started to roar in fury, he assumed that was some vistage of his captain rebelling against his decision. He had to admit in a sense he is abandoning the 4th. Tetricus then shook his head “No...the 4th is dead. His brothers are dead, his true ones.” He broke into a run and jumped off the landing bay. He dove downwards, if what Oktai said was true he won’t die here. Not yet.

As he passed through the clouds he shouted “prove that you love me then!” The orb that rested near his soul started to beat rapidly. His bones rattled, as he made his way through the clouds he could see the city. But he was focused on the titan, swathes of his company members who were on the fringes of the district were blown to pieces or incinerated by it’s mighty weapons.

The orb then began to thunder in his chest even more, he watched as the titan shifted upwards. It’s defensive turrets also shifted as well. Bullets started to fly towards him, but none of them landed. It could of been chance or perhaps the dark prince was actually watching. But that thought died as the plasma blastgun started to move.

Tetricus made the motion to shut his eyes, despite not having any strangely his vision went dark. He could hear the hiss of the plasma blastgun charging up. He could even hear the bullets from the defense turret passing him by. But he clutched his chest as the sound of plasma discharging smashed into him.

He waited, he waited for one possible end to come. He then heard a crack, the orb in his chest stopped pulsing and the sound of burning plasma vanished, along with the sound of bullets. All he could hear was fizzles. Tetricus opened his eyes to see everything around him was awash with a bright pink light, his descent was slowing to a crawl. It was now like he was floating. Tetricus smiled “well this is interesting.” As those words passed his lips, he could hear the sound of a hull buckling and straining.

That lasted for only but a few moments as screams graced his ears. His body was then adjusted by an unseen force, he was now on his back. “I wonder what’s happening?” said Tetricus. Then in a gentle fashion he felt himself landing softly on his back. The light vanished and now he was looking to the skies.

He around himself he could only see molten scrap. He slowly got up and beheld the destruction around him. “I am alive...plus no titan…” He turned in the direction of the palace. He gave a wistful sigh “so Oktai was right, but the question is will my order be followed?” He started to prepare a message for his...brothers. “Who will respond?” he said with some measure of sadness.

***
Cassius looked up to the glowing pink sun consuming the Titan, Vardas was also captivated as well. The great machine buckled as the pink orb consumed the machine completely. He smiled as the sun steadily vanished due to the buildings. “So...he can turn into a sun.” Vardas shook his head “he is most likely dead, you know that right?” Cassius bought his head down, he wanted to retort but decided against it. He started to walk towards the plaza. “Where are you going?” Vardas asked. “Tetricus is expecting us.” “No one will come. I tell you that now.” The young astartes said firmly.

He was now a few steps away from him, Cassius had a good idea what Vardas has done. He stopped and turned his head back slightly. “Don’t you desire glory?” “As we discussed it’s suicide.” “We might actually kill a saint, don’t you want that?” “I want to live Cassius, I want to live so I can drink my favourite wine and torture slaves when I will it. I have no desire to be obliterated.” “Ah...a coward then.” Vardas raised his blade as he said that, but he knew he would not strike. “Then stay here, I am moving onward.” He bought his gaze back to the road and continued on.

Vardas started shouting at him, calling him a fool and the fact he is throwing away his chance to rule the warband. As his voice turned distant a priority message opened on his display. Cassius blinked to open it. “The Titan has been removed, converge upon the plaza. We are advancing to the palace.” He blinked again to send an acknowledgement.

Cassius then fell into a run, the journey was uneventful. As he reached the plaza it was full of smouldering wreckage, he navigated it to see Tetricus standing at the road leading to the palace. The sorcerer turned to him and gave a small laugh. “Ah...you would be the foolish brother who would run towards death.” Cassius walked up to the skeleton, he frowned. “Why are you calling me foolish? We are here to kill a saint and you are acting like we already lost.” “Of course you would figure it out what we are truly here for. Your head not so empty after all.” Despite the insult he could see Tetricus seemed weary. “We are going to win. Glory awaits us.”

At the mention of glory he sighed “Cassius...just go back. I appreciate you being here but it’s clear you are the only one who answered the call.” “I am not a coward!” He strode up to Tetricus until they were face to face. “I thought you desired glory? You wanted the 4th to ring through the cosmos! Are you getting cold feet now?” “That’s not the point.” “Then tell me! Why are you sending me away!?” “Because you are better than them…” As the sorcerer said that Cassius found his brows furrowing. “What do you mean?” “It means I trust you, when I walk down that road I will die. I can feel it, I don’t want you to share in that fate. So...you are in charge.” Tetricus turned away from him and started walking towards the palace.

Cassius found himself stunned, he simply watched his back. He shook his head and ran to his side. “Don’t think you are getting rid of me that easily.” he growled. “Do you really think that?” Tetricus responded. “Oh yes, I know what will happen. You will do something stupid and destroy the saint. Then you will come back gloating about it as well. I know how you are.” He felt annoyed, but strangely excited as well.

The sorcerer did not look at him as he said that, he simply gave a great laugh like he said something funny. He then slapped his back. “I gave you what you wanted and yet you want to walk with me towards death? Oh you are really stupid.” “Who said you given me what I wanted?” Tetricus stopped laughing “I want to be the best, to tower over everyone else. Killing a saint will help me reach that goal. Those who are too afraid to face such a being are not worthy to be part of the third.” Cassius declared.

Tetricus’s hand then slid back to his body, Cassius clicked is neck. “Also attacking the palace might make this raid actually interesting.” The sorcerer shook his head as he spoke, he then chuckled. “Thank you.” “What?” “What’s the matter?” said Tetricus. “What are you you thanking me for?” Cassius asked. “I didn’t thank you, what are you talking about? Most likely you are imagining things.” The sorcerer briskly walked forward.

Cassius upped his speed to keep up with him. “We aren’t going to die.” Cassius said firmly, Tetricus did not respond to his words, but for some reason he could tell he was smiling under his helmet.

***
Myra finished the Titan section of the painting, it was destroyed by a glorious pink sun. She moved to the next part, first she painted a palace a grand one at that. The entrance was covered in corpses and two birds were pecking at the corpses. She then prepared the white paint and at the entrance she painted a man surrounded with white flames, after that she readied the pink and at the steps she painted a snake looking at the coming battle in dismay.

With that she smiled “I can’t wait to finish this! Just one more part!”

Chapter 10
“So he knows he is going to die.” Asriel said with a measure of sadness. +But you know it’s not the end.+ Fulgrim responded with amusement. He did not look at the lord of the third, he kept his eyes on the glass, he watched his master walk to his death with Cassius. When Tetricus said he could feel his end coming, he felt it as well. A saint is known to hold the power of the emperor within them, to combat the psychic might of the one who sits on the golden throne was pure insanity. Daemons fear saints for good reason, Asriel hoped that Cassius would convince his master to deter from his path but instead he is walking it with him.

Asriel found himself reaching out, he touched the glass and as he did so the picture flickered. “It’s not fair.” +What are you talking about? You’re master will come back.+ “He won’t be the same…” +He will be better…+ He found his head flicking to the floating orb of flame. “You will change him...won’t you?” +It won’t be me who changes my son, as I said you will act as I expect you to.+ “What do you expect from me!? Tell me!” +I have tried to tell you. Since you are an animal you simply don’t like to be taught by your betters. So I shall watch and enjoy the show.+ Asriel grunted, he drew his hand back to his body and faced the glass. He could see Cassius and Tetricus making their way to the steps.

Asriel felt his heartbeat quickening, he prayed with all his might that his master will come out of this battle alive.

***
Ragnell gripped his power hammer, looking over the balcony he could spot two black dots approaching his palace. He narrowed his eyes at one of them, even though he could not clearly see them he knew who they were. “My enemy.” he said calmly. He turned away from the balcony, he smiled as he saw Solanid standing at the door leading back inside. “Are you here to stop me Confessor?” He could see his adoptive father looked grim in aspect, he shook his head. “Leave it to us. There are only two astartes.” Ragnell gave Solanid a sad smile “You will die.” “Then I will die for the emperor, I will take those bastards down with me.” He tapped his power maul on his shoulder plate. “Zuriel will be with me as well, along with your personal guard from the Golden Eagles. It’s two astartes vs over a hundred elite soldiers. We are armed to take down such monsters.”

Ragnell shook his head “you recall the pink sun devouring the titan?” Solanid slowly nodded. “Yes I do bu-” “The one who destroyed the Titan is coming here, one hundred men mean nothing to such an individual.” He strode over to his adoptive father, he placed his hand on his shoulder. White light began to spill from his body “Go and take my personal guard, preserve their lives in the palace underground bunker. The heretics will only kill those who guard the entrance of the palace. This is an order...from your saint.” The light ebbed away, Solanid obviously moved to protest his order . “I-” “No, say no more father. Please...go, the emperor wills me to face the monster alone. Stay in that bunker until the sisters of battle come.” As his hand drifted from his shoulder the confessor turned away. “The emperor protects.” Solanid said firmly. “That he does...father.” The priest walked back into the building.

Ragnell was about to follow him, but he raised his hammer. “Do I need this?” he asked himself. It just took only a moment for him to come to an answer, he threw aside the hammer and strode into the building. His time has come, he will meet it gladly.

***
Tetricus could still feel the orb in his chest, he could feel it cracking with each step they take. He then wondered if he should use his powers to make Cassius obey? He wondered if he did that at the start would his supposed brothers respected his authority? He shook his head They wouldn’t, they would see me as another witch to free themselves from...The thought was not all that hard to accept. He looked over to Cassius “you still have a chance to change your mind, we are reaching the steps.” His brother grunted “I am not a coward.” “But you are a fool, a fool who does not understand what we are about to face.” Cassius chuckled “there is only one fool here, he acts like he is the centre of the world. He is a fool who makes poor jokes and insults to hide the difficulties they face.”

Tetricus grumbled in annoyance “I hope you are talking about yourself?” “See you are doing it again.” said Cassius. “Now enough trying to dissuade me, think of the glory to come.” As he said that Tetricus could not help but smile to himself, he recalled that he had a similar conversation with Cassius in the past. He did not understand the need for glory, but now in a sense they have swapped places. He could not exactly see the glory in killing the saint anymore, at most he feels this is something he just has to do.

As their boots hit the first step, both of them broke in a run towards the top. Tetricus clutched his staff tightly, he could feel the orb cracking further. He wondered if it was an omen? Or perhaps some measure of its power is still there? He cursed to himself “no use worrying about it now…” As they reached the top of the steps he spotted guardsmen guarding the entrance. Right away they opened fire, Tetricus raised a psychic shield to block it the streams of red energy. “We are moving forward!” He shouted at Cassius, the prefector simply nodded.

While keeping the shield up they charged, he could see the mortal’s panicking as they witnessed their lasfire was having no effect. Once they reached close combat range, he lowered the shield. Right away he watched Cassius’ blade flick out, severing five heads in one stroke. Tetricus raised his free hand and fired a gout of warpfire, the screams would of been pleasing but knowing what he will face stifled it. Whether it was fear or wanting to be careful he could not say.

As they killed it was evident to him the mortal’s were like children. They died like dogs as well. As he crushed the head of the last guardsmen with his staff, he found himself flying through the air. His armour sparked as he slid on the ground. Once he slowed down he shifted his head to see Cassius went flying as well. The prefector staggered up, his gazed was locked onto the entrance of the palace. “H-He is here.” Cassius stammered.

Tetricus slowly got up as well, he focused on the entrance. He saw a man in golden armour, he was covered in a shower of white light. White feathers hovered around his form, grey liquid was also spilling from eyes that were just as white as the feathers. +Monsters…+ the saint’s voice boomed across the plaza entrance. It was like he was hearing his voice, but at the same time he was speaking in his mind Tetricus winced at the sensation.

The saint took a step towards them, the ground cracked as his foot hit the ground. Pebbles began the rise around him, Tetricus couldn’t move. Deep down he had to admit he was too afraid to act. “T-This was a mistake…” he said under his breath. +Your vice lead you here, your pride and desire for glory overwhelmed you. I can see that.+ Cassius growled “I won’t be deterred!” He charged at the saint, Tetricus reached out and shouted. “No! Stop!” He watched his brother run to the vessel of the false emperor.

The saint simply raised his hand and sent his brother flying back again, this time he landed near the steps. Tetricus watched the saint close his eyes for a moment as he opened them he smiled. +I can see the best path in destroying you….a fate worse than death…+ Tetricus took a step back in fear. “I-It wasn’t meant to be like this! I-” the saint suddenly interrupted him, the vessel said +your warband will be annihilated. You will fall to despair and after that you will be hunted and killed. A hundred other worlds will be saved with this act...this sacrifice.+

From his raised palm a small white ball was manifested, time then suddenly seemed to slow down. Tetricus looked back to his brother was struggling to rise and then he slowly bought his gaze to the saint. The orb unleashed a giant beam of white energy. Tetricus felt the orb’s cracking quickening, he thought to run but a voice held him in his tracks. “That beam is not for you...it will kill your brother then split to destroy the rest of your brothers in the city. The anathema is pushing the vessel to the limit...what will you do?” The voice was sensuous, he cursed in frustration.

It was evident that the beam will divert, he can see it slightly. “Not for them...they aren’t my brothers...my brother is right here…” He moved in the way of the beam of light, he raised a shield to block it. His mind strained as the energy battered the shield, he could feel his consciousness fluttering away to the winds.

***
Cassius looked up to see Tetricus defending him from the psychic attack, he tried to rise but the saint raised his other hand, suddenly he was forced to the ground. +Both of you will die here, I underestimated the witch. I thought he would let you die.+ Cassius shook his head “w-what?” +It doesn’t matter what he does. The monster will break and the 4th will die.+ He could see Tetricus was struggling to keep the psychic shield up.

Cassius tried to fight against the force pushing him down, he raged in frustration. “Dammit!” he roared. He could see the shield cracking and as it gave way the Tetricus caught the beam on his body, he howled in agony but he stood firm. “Why!? What are you doing!?” he shouted at the sorcerer. Tetricus started gasping, he could see his form was breaking apart. “C-Can’t you let me have this m-moment!? S-Stop s-shouting you idiot!” Tetricus barked. Cassius watched him push back against the beam, he took slow steps. “T-This...thing thinks it can beat me!?” Tetricus cried out.

He watched the sorcerer struggle, pieces of his armour was falling from his body. Cassius wanted to say something else, but he simply watched. Tetricus took another step, but the beam suddenly expanded enveloping everything in a white light. Cassius shut his eyes to shield them, the light was too much, but in the darkness he could hear the sorcerer screaming in pain.

Once the screams stopped, he felt the pressure on his body vanish. Cassius opened his eyes to see Tetricus slowly looking back to him, half of his helmet was gone. The pink flames in his hollow eyes has vanished as well. “I...can’t see…” Tetricus’ form collapsed into ash.

What just happened caused him to shake his head, he slowly got up and walked over to the ash pile. “What just happened?” +This is unfortunate…+ His gaze flicked to the saint, he was on one knee. Cassius clenched the handle of his weapon, he strode over to the creature. “What did you do to him?” He hissed. +The worst outcome...fear should of taken hold...but it didn’t…the beam should of split and killed you all...his...treasure...” The saint then looked up to him. +I only see...black and… gol-+ Cassius cut the saint down, he didn’t want to hear his voice anymore.

The stroke cleanly severed his head, but as the body hit the ground it turned into feathers and fluttered away in the wind. It only took a moment more for the same to occur to the head.

He looked back to the ash pile, he thought he would feel a rush of euphoria with killing the saint. But instead he only felt anger. Like the feathers the wind began to blow away the ash. “All of them are cowards…” he hissed under his breath. He then began his journey back to the plaza. He prepared the message to have everyone gather there.

***
Asriel gave a howl of despair, he clawed at his face. “No, no, no, no, no!” He rummaged his hair in frustration, fury and sadness. “He can’t be dead!” he screeched. Flashes of the ash pile kept playing in his mind, he could barely hear Fulgrim laugh.

As he thought of the lord of the third he flicked to him “is this funny to you!?” +Oh yes it is.+ he said joyfully. +I was waiting for this moment...but I give my boy a gold star for trying. Now I must be going, one of my boys need to start the process to slowly ascend. Also...I had no intention of doing anything...as you said...this was but a show. I simply wanted a front row seat to your despair.+ The orb vanished so they did the glass.

He was left alone in this white landscape, he simply stood there stupefied due to what the lord of the third just told him. “What? Why?” he muttered. Darkness washed over him, he did not hear snoring but instead the voice of God. Right away he turned to see her there, despair still clutched his heart. “You are coming to gloat aren’t you?” She shook her head and walked towards him. She then offered her hand to him, like she wants to give something to him.

He was about to say something, but she placed her finger on his lips, keeping him from speaking. Asriel’s eyes was still locked onto her offered hand, like he was expecting something to be there. Then suddenly a crystal fragment manifested in her open palm. God gave him a daemonic smile, her lips slowly began shine with a purple sheen. Her voice became distorted and started to blend with that of a male. “Just listen, my faithful serpent.” God’s eyes diverted to the fragment. “He had no idea what he created, it was just meant to be a weapon but at the same time it is his salvation. Parts of his soul were caught in it when he died, so he can be restored but it will take many sacrifices.” Asriel felt the despair crumbling, he slowly nodded. God continued speaking “my favoured child thinks he is directing the stage when he is but an actor as well. My will is the only one that matters it is my desire that this show goes on. So...my serpent listen carefully...”

Asriel simply nodded one more time, he opened his ears and listened carefully.

Part 1 Epilogue
Cassius waited for everyone to gather in the plaza, every single member of the warband was covered in gore. They all seemed so...satisfied and that vexed him to no end. “So are all of you happy!?” He shouted. Their attentions were drawn to him, disgust ran through his body like water. “The saint is dead!” he announced. Vardas came out of the crowd, he knew what he was going to do. “Where is Tetricus?” “Dead.” murmurs spread through the crowd, he could see no one would miss him, but none of them have any idea that if it was not for him they would not be standing here at the moment.

Cassius closed his eyes for a moment, he steeled himself for what he was about to do. Afterall it was Tetricus’ wish. “I am now in charge. Are there any objections?” Vardas smiled “who would gainsay the one who killed a saint?” Rothac chuckled “aye, I assume you were the one that killed the creature?” Cassius could see the phoenix lord seemed slightly larger for some reason, he sighed to his question. “Yes, I removed his head. After that his body broke down into feathers.” Bitterness and annoyance welled up within him, he felt bitter that Tetricus had to die for these cowards and annoyance at the gall for what Vardas has done.

Cassius sheathed his blade and gestured to the young astartes “Vardas come over please.” He nodded and walked towards him. “What is it? Am I to be your champion?” he whispered. Cassius leaned in towards his face and whispered back. “No.” Before Vardas could react he punched him in the face sending him to the ground. Cassius did not give him the chance to rise, he fell upon the young marine and began savaging his face with his fists.

He pounded his face into the ground, the bitterness overwhelmed him as it gave way to fury. Soon he found himself punching mush and then ground itself. As a small crater formed he stopped, he rose and he saw everyone looking at him with a mix of concern and fear. “We are leaving this world...move now!” Everyone rushed to obey him.

The anger was still there, killing Vardas did not give him any pleasure. A part of him did not even want to lead. “This...is not right.” he said under his breath.

Fantastic, another great arc in the books. Well done, glad theres some hope for tetricus!

 Dayknight wrote:

Fantastic, another great arc in the books. Well done, glad theres some hope for tetricus!

I am glad you liked it! Hope you like the second part.

Chapter 11
Cassius ate at the table with Myra, since he became leader his entire chamber was expanded. His slave now has a a workshop built into his room, weapon stands lined his walls and what was most important of all was the dinner table. It was far more larger than before, everything now exists to please him, but as with all things there are distractions. His eyes shifted to the portrait of Prolis, how close the piece of art matches the events on that planet was distracting. It’s been months but he could never get past it, he grimaced as his gaze lingered on the last part of the painting. It was a bird standing over another as it crumbles away to dust, white feathers lingered in the background but what was more chilling was the snake that looked to be slithering away.

The head of the animal was looking back slightly, it’s eyes were a stark blue and all he felt if he looked into them was death. “Are you alright master?” His gaze drifted from the artpiece, he smiled at his slave. “I am fine.” Myra nodded “are you going to destroy it again? You can if you like.” As she said that he sighed heavily, he has tried to destroy the painting several times, he even shot it out the airlock but everytime he comes to his chamber it’s there, sitting on the wall. At this point he has given up trying to get rid of it. “It’s alright, I can deal with it..now…” he clapped. His chamber door opened, one of the cooks entered and walked over to the table.

They reeked with fear, sweat trailed down their brow. “Y-Yes my lord?” “The food is dropping in quality. I would like to know why.” He turned the meat over with his fork “I asked for medium, this is medium rare...please explain why this is the case.” The cook blinked several times, he was most likely fearing for his life. The cook then gulped and said “Madam Dorene along with many others are...preoccupied at the moment. We have less staff than usual within the kitchen.” “Can you tell why that is the case?” Cassius said curtly.

The cook rubbed his neck “well….”

***

Wade fired his lasgun down the hallway, the black shadow was dancing between the shots slaughtering those who served him. The enemy was a being of darkness, he could only see a humanoid outline, this...creature has been hunting them weeks.

He watched as the shadow’s blade strokes were slicing throats, removing arms and legs. He cursed in frustration “Dorene! He is here!” The combead was full of static, the shadow was so close. Wade drew his blade “Damn you! Why are you doing this!” “Why else?” The shadow responded, he recognised the voice it sounded distorted and sensuous at the same time. The shadow moved in to attack, Wade raised his blade to guard but the shadow’s weapon melted right through it, as the slash gashed his chest, cutting through his armour. Wade staggered back with a hiss. He looked down to his wound, blood was leaking down his body like a stream, as his head came up the shadow’s blade was now on his throat.

The darkness that covered his enemy seeped away to reveal who he expected, Asriel’s face was flat but within his grey eyes he could see blue spots, they were tiny but looking at them for too long caused a chill to run down his spine. “S-Stop this…” Wade stammered. “T-The astartes will hunt you if you keep going!” Asriel gave a soft smile in return “you should give your life for him.” As he said that he started to tremble in fear. “G-Give my life to who!? I-I don’t understand!” Wade shouted.

Right away Asriel narrowed his eyes, they shifted to blue with slits and then slowly back to the grey with blue spots. “You wouldn’t have this life if it wasn’t for him! It was through his blessing! His will! If….any of them were in charge you would be swimming in your own refuse while they worked you to death! Or...you would be a plaything. So...trust me, this is for the best.” Before Wade could even blink he felt cold steel brushing against his throat, then he couldn’t breathe. As Asriel turned away from him, he dropped to his knees gripping his throat, he could feel his lifeblood pouring from the open wound.

He slowly sagged to the ground, he watched Asriel walking away and finally the static from his combead cleared. “Wade! Where are you!?” Dorene’s voice was erratic, but he couldn’t speak the pain was too much. His eyes slowly slid close while Dorene’s voice pressed into his ear.

***
Cassius listened to the cook’s story, it sounded far-fetched that a shadow was murdering slaves randomly and the fact none of them can defend themselves. “So have you determined who this shadow actually is?” “We have our suspicions.” said the cook. “Then speak of them.” Cassius declared. The chief simply nodded “Dorene thinks its Asriel.” At them mention of his name he scowled, he did not think much of the empty bed when he went to seal Tetricus room, afterall Asriel was a mortal. “Tell me what makes you think that it is Asriel?” The cook wiped sweat from his brow “he has been explicitly aiming for us, maybe he wants revenge?” “Not revenge.” said Myra.

Cassis looked over to the painter, she was nibbling on a piece of meat. “What do you mean?” Myra shook her head “you can’t stop him master, please don’t try.” As she said that he rose from the table. “I can’t ignore it, everyone on the ship gets a tad touchy if they can’t have good meals. Also why don’t you want me to look in this?” His slave diverted her eyes, like she was holding something back. “I command you to speak.” Cassius said firmly, he put a slight edge on his voice. He would never harm her due to her talent, but he wanted to make it appear that he would. “He will take you with him…” she said meekly. He scoffed as he said that, he looked back over to the cook who jumped slightly as his eyes fell upon him. “Go into hiding, don’t do anything stupid. I will take it from here.”
The chief bowed and left his chamber, as the door slid close behind him screams erupted from it. As he heard a thud Cassius drew his blade slowly.

He watched his chamber door open again, Tetricus’ slave walked in. He looked around his chamber and eventually his eyes fell upon him. “My lord…” he bowed and walked over to the table, Cassius kept his sword drawn he leveled it at the slave. “I didn’t summon you slave.” Asriel smiled while spreading out his arms. “Here I thought you were loyal…anyway enjoy being leader for now...They’ll betray you eventually.” “Don’t listen!” He could hear Myra speaking in almost whispers, like she doesn’t want to draw the slave’s attention. He frowned and edged his blade closer to Asriel’s face. “I am the lord of this warband, everyone is loyal to me.” “Oh really?” said Asriel. “Were they loyal to Tetricus? Once you start expecting things from them they will let you down, just like they let my master down.” Cassius lowered his blade slightly, thinking of the sorcerer was strangely painful, he disliked the sensation. “He...did not deserve to die.” “I agree, hence why you have to help me.”

As he said that he could not help but feel that was something wrong with the slave, especially his eyes. He has seen true madness many times within his old warband and at the current moment he can see the same hints of such madness developing in Asriel. “You’ve been killing the cooks.” Tetricus’ slave nodded “I have, they are part of the requirement you see.” “Requirement?” “Yes, Slaanesh wants six thousand lives, added on top of that are certain individuals.” “Let me guess the cooks are on that list?” Asriel gave a curt nod in return.

Cassius sighed heavily, he gave Myra a glance, she was shaking her head vehemently. “Y-You migh-” “She knows nothing, the dark prince just graces her with chance through her art.” Asriel interrupted. “I tell you now...if you want to live...help me.” At the mention of him dying, he looked back to the slave. “What do you mean?” “A play is on right now, if you don’t follow the right director you will die. My master liked you, so it would be nice to have you around when he returns.” At the mention of return he sheathed his blade, a furrow lined Cassius’ brow. “Now it all makes sense….” he put the two together, the six thousand lives and the death of the cooks. “I assume you are working on a ritual to bring Tetricus back?”

This time Asriel gave a smile showing his teeth, he then licked his lips. “Yes, but one part is problematic….” Cassius clenched his hand, he had a feeling this will have a high cost but if there was a way to return Tetricus back to life he will pursue it. “Speak, I will aid you.” The slave’s smile turned warm, his eyes flashed from grey to blue for a moment and then returned to how it was before. “Thank you, now you have to kill Rothac.”

Cassius blinked in shock “what!?” “Malleable flesh is needed for this ritual. His head will suffice, we don’t need too much.” “No..hang on, why does it have to be Rothac!?” Asriel scratched his cheek “as I said malleable flesh is needed. Rothac is shifting into a daemon, he will likely kill you after he ascends and take over the 4th. He might even kill you before that.” Cassius rubbed the side of his temples in frustration, it was obvious. Rothac has been steadily growing in size since Prolis, it could be just a random gift but it’s clear to him the slave is not lying, he can sense it. As he lowered his hand from his face he sighed “very well, after I take his head what else do you require?” “Nothing else, meet me on the lower levels after you are done. As I said Tetricus liked you I don’t wish to put you in harms way but I have no choice. Now I have work to do...” Asriel then turned and left his chamber.

Once he was gone it was then he realised he allowed a mortal to order him around, he grimaced. “Why did I accept so easily?” He shook his head “no use thinking about that now.” He turned to Myra while removing his helmet from the table. “I am leaving to run an errand, seal the door after I leave.” Mya frowned at him. “This is dangerous...” “I know, killing one of the phoenix guard is not easy.” She shook her head as he spoke. “Not that, how sure are you that Tetricus will be the same after he comes back? A saint killed him.”

As he heard saint he placed his helmet upon his head and pointed at the door “they killed him, not the saint.” He hissed. “If the cowards did not get cold feet that battle could of ended differently!” Bitterness and anger started to well up inside him again, he narrowed his eyes at his slave. “I have a chance to reverse that terrible day, I will take it.” his slave was about to speak, but he ignored her. He simply made his way out of his chamber, he has a task to complete.

As he got outside the sound of a wet crunch graced his ears, he looked down slightly to see the dead cook that has been crushed by his boots. Cassius felt a frown crossing his lips “he could at least clean up after himself…”

Just finished scourge of fate, an AOS(I recommend it) chaos book and you know? Robbie captures chaos so well, I sort of feel I could do more in this story from here on. I hope readers can spot a small difference. Also as a slaanesh fan the book pleased me.

Chapter 12
The elder looked upon the black pool, the black waters rippled and groaned as the liquid fell upon each other. He smiled at his life’s work but the sense of foreboding that gripped him caused the smile to drift to a frown. “One of my flowers are rotten...the petals are falling from the stem.” He then heard footsteps, the one he was expecting. “Cash?” he did not look back, but the biggest believer in the idea of the slums is what is needed to defend it. “I am here elder.” he said respectfully.

The elder kept his gaze on the pool his heat started to twist, the thought of it possibly being destroyed along with the hopes of freedom. Through it those on the lower levels obtained power, the ability to do what they want. He gave a wistful sigh “Asriel will soon come here to destroy the pool.” “What!?” Cash’s shock was well placed, he understood the gravity of what that meant. “I tell you now Cash...There is no hope.” The pool rippled displaying the slaughter that was to come, but the dying flower would not go unpunished the pool showed him that much. He could see untold suffering being heaped upon him for his transgressions and heresies.

Cash then started ranting, saying how he will stop him or prepare to meet him. He did not pay much attention to it, but he wanted to at least try and preserve the wonderful lives they have here. As he picked up the sound of Cash walking away he smiled again. He hoped the sharpshooter will kill him, that’s all he has. A slither of hope.

***
Dorene looked over Wade’s body, the cuts were clean. “He will pay for this.” she hissed. As she thought of Asriel hatred consumed her heart. She thought the murders were simply the flowering blades having fun, but when her cooks started the to be targeted she confronted the grandmaster. She simply said they had nothing to do with it, her own people were being killed as well. After that Dorene knew there could only one culprit, the day has finally come.

She closed Wade’s eyes, he was adamant that this “shadow” was not Asriel since that’s all the survivors saw. But she was not convinced. “Look at you, I wonder what you were thinking when you died?” She stood up right, she decided to continue this hunt alone. The reason why was simple, the astartes desired the food the kitchen provides and they did not care for excuses. Each and every single one of them were terrible and need be they would end their lives in but a moment if it was their desire.

In the end if they killed all of them they would just mourn the lost food for a few days at best and move onto the next vice. It’s through food that her people can have some measure of safety on this ship and to enjoy the delights it provides as well.

She then took a step forward but stopped as she caught the sound of heavy boots. She raised her weapon at the darkness and the one that pierced it was the lord of this warband. She lowered her weapon and bowed. “My lord.” Cassius strode up to her. “Hmm, I did expect to see you here.” he looked around at the corpses “having some trouble?” Standing upright again she shook her head. “It’s a minor one but will be dealt with in time.” “Good the food quality is dropping, don’t think I haven’t noticed.” She froze as he said that, she gave another bow. “Apologies my lord, I will be honest this problem isn’t minor.” The best course of action would be honesty. Cassius loves their food and if Asriel is harming that it’s very likely that he will deal with him.

She held the second bow for a moment longer and stood upright again. “He is murdering my people, what you see here is his handiwork. I did not want to draw every single one of my cooks into this, if I did such a thing the meals would’ve stopped.” The lord of the warband gave a curt nod. “I see…”

As he said that she felt a sharp pain and strangely she was falling to the ground. As her eyes came up she saw her own body slumping to the floor and Cassius walking on while sheathing his blade. She then felt her eyes rolling back, the last thing she saw was the ceiling of the ship.

***
Cassius grumbled in annoyance, he could live without food and it was fortunate that he crossed paths with Dorene. Now Asriel could easily slaughter the rest of the cooks, his brothers ire will only last a day at most. He then made a corner and continued walking down the hallway, Rothac’s room should be a few doors down. After a few minutes of walking he stopped and turned to his left. He stood in front of the door and knocked, it took a few moments for the door to slide open and what greeted was a beaten slave. “Move aside.” Cassius said firmly.

The slave looked back and then to him rapidly, he leaned and said again. “Move aside.” The slave finally did as he was bade. He dashed away allowing him to walk in. As he entered the room the depravity that gripped it surprised him. A purple mist swam through the room, the floor was flesh and made a squishing sound as slaves walked about, he even noticed small holes on the floor spewing out more of the mist. But the final touch were the slaves that hung on hooks, their bodies swaying in the air and instead of whimpering in pain they were groaning. In the middle of all this was Rothac sitting on a marble throne. To his side two slaves held his spear at the ready, their eyes sunken full of a mix of delight and despair. Cassius walked forward, he stopped a few paces from the throne.

The phoenix guard smirked, his skin was now almost porcelain, even though he was sitting he could see Rothac has grown even larger in the last few days. “So what do I owe the pleasure?” Rothac said in amusement. Cassius could hear the arrogance dripping from his voice, it was evident that he would kill him one day. The phoenix guard sounded assured of some victory. “I just came to visit you Rothac.” Cassius said flatly.

The large marine gave a harsh laugh “please, we both know why you are here. Father warned me before hand in my dreams. I can see his plan now, I ascend and rule this warband guiding it back to the true path.” “True path?” Cassius was confused, he did not know what he meant by that.

Rothac simply gave a curt nod to his question “the presence of the dark prince is weak on this ship. The more I grow…” he clenched his hand. “The more I feel it. I tell you this now, Tetricus was never worthy to serve father. He was far too careful, just like you are.” Cassius folded his arms “Me? Careful?” “Oh yes, for you see so many are afraid to jump down into the pit of darkness, to fall and embrace true excess.” He rose from the throne, Cassius took a step back, Rothac continued speaking “That is why father singled me out for ascension, I can feel his greatness...his power…” Rothac bought up his fist and clenched it. “Join me Cassius, I am sure there will be much blood when I decide to take over. There will be fools who resist, but once I am perfect we can share a skull and sup the blood of slaves from it.”

Strangely his words were caressing his mind, his legs were trembling. Despite wearing a helmet he caught the sweet smell of a musk invading the recycled air within his helmet. He wanted to drop to his knees. Rothac unfurled his fist and offered his hand “come take it, walk with me and one day we will see our great phoenix again…” Cassius took a step towards him, he was reaching out to grasp his hand but stopped. Mixed in the groans of the swaying slaves he could hear screams, the screams of Tetricus he saw flashes of that battle against the saint. His hand then went for his blade, he drew it in a smooth motion and pointed it at the coward. “If you are so great why didn’t you face the saint with Tetricus?” Rothac’s eyes shifted to black, he frowned. “It was father’s wish.” “Lies! Don’t use our father as an excuse!”

The phoenix guard sighed “he wished for Justus to live, I saw to that. I would not risk glory on a fool’s errand. I would choose my father’s orders over anyone else.” Cassius smiled hearing that, proof that he was simply making excuses’ for himself. As he moved in to attack, the slaves dropped Rothac’s phoenix spear, he then caught it in mid-air.

As Cassius’s blade came down, Rothac bought up his spear to block the strike with it’s haft. Cassius pushed down with both hands but he could see the phoenix terminator was not even struggling he simply smiled at him. “Struggle more…” he whispered. “Make this exciting for me!” Rothac pushed back, the force was so great Cassius found himself a few paces away. He cursed under his breath, he could see by Rothac’s jovial smile that this was just a game to him.

Rothac cackled and charged he swept his spear out in an arc slicing several of the swaying bodies in half, they cried out in rapture as the lower halves of their bodies hit the fleshy ground. Cassius tried to dodge back but the blade brushed across his breastplate. He felt the tip of the spear entering it and lightly cutting his skin. Rothac chuckled “See? I could of killed you at any moment, I thought you would be wise but that does not seem to be the case…” He bought his spear back and twirled it around him. Despite the fancy play with his weapon Cassius could not see any holes he could exploit, he felt that if he attacked without thinking of a plan that would be the end. The phoenix terminator stopped twirling his spear and gripped it in both hands. “Cassius I am not going to kill you quickly, I can assure you of that.” Cassius winced as he said that, it made it seem that he could read his thoughts. Rothac charged and this time he started to thrust, Cassius tried to dodge each blow but just like before when the blade met his chest knicks were starting to cover his body.

It was clear that he does not aim to kill him immediately, but he didn’t have long soon his back would meet the door and then he would have no room to dodge the quick thrusts safely. He cursed in frustration, he could not die here, not yet.

Steadily he advanced back and as his back hit door Rothac grinned, the thrust was coming towards him. Cassius grunted and decided to take a chance, he threw himself aside, the thrust caught his pauldron, the blade sliced off his arm. He bit back the need to scream and as he hit the fleshy ground he heard the clanging of metal and with it snarls of anger. He looked up to see Rothac spear was lodged into the door, he was pulling it furiously but could not get it loose.

Cassius used that chance, he tried to ignore the stinging gripping his stump and got to his feet. He charged the side of the phoenix guard and implanted his blade into his waist. Instead of yelping or screaming in pain Rothac simply gasped, whether it was pain or pleasure Cassius could not say. He then made an arc motion and sliced Rothac’s waist open. Blood poured like rivers down the side of his body.

As his blade left it, Rothac finally pulled his weapon out of the door but as he shifted towards him Cassius has already risen his blade to deliver the killing stroke. The phoenix terminator was open, his guard was lowered. The slash caused a great line across his armour, the strike was deep and caused even more blood to flow down his body, Rothac sagged to one knee while coughing up blood. “mmmm...s-so much pain.” he groaned.

Cassius almost winced in disgust, Rothac looked up to him and smiled with bloodied teeth. “Y-You find this disgusting? I was...right about...you…” he coughed one more time. Cassius frowned and stabbed him in the throat, the phoenix terminator gurgled but what made it worse was the fact he pushed himself further on his blade. Cassius grimaced and flicked his weapon removing the head.

The phoenix terminator’s body toppled to the side as the head rolled onto the floor. Cassius looked at it but staggered back onto his bottom. He cursed as his vision went hazy, most likely due to blood loss. He was blinking several times trying to keep himself awake, the slaves Rothac kept were making their way over to his dead body and head. “N-No! I need his head!” Cassius shouted.

But the slaves eyes were glazed, they were drooling as well. He struggled to keep his eyes open, but he was so tired. As darkness started to grace him the last thing he heard was the sound of metal warping and bending.

***
Asriel repaired Cassius’ arm in the hallway, the prefector’s was slumped back on the wall. He smiled as he worked he thought to come to Rothac’s room after seeing Dorene’s corpse in the hallway. The prefector didn’t have to kill her, he was aiming to do it himself but since he done the deed he decided to help Cassius with his task. In the end his help was not truly required. Asriel stared at Cassius face, it was covered in sweat. “It couldn’t be anyone else...even I am not all that confident in facing Rothac.” As his eyes lingered on his face for a moment more, Cassius eyes fluttered open. “W-What? Where am I?” Asriel removed his hand from his shoulder, the ceramite had been bonded with the rest of the armour again and his arm has reconnected with the rest of his body. “In the hallway.” Cassius blinked in shock “the head!” “Is right next to you.” he responded. The prefector looked to his right to see Rothac’s head resting next to him, he then relaxed. “What of the slaves?” Cassius asked.

Asriel rubbed his neck “as I entered the room they scattered from the corpse, I used telekinesis to move you and the head out of the room. After that? Well...the slaves started to lap up Rothac’s blood and devour his corpse.” He watched Cassius shudder, for some reason he could not understand why he gave such a reaction. He has found ever since he has agreed to this plan he felt no hesitation, he did not even second guess himself. At most Asriel assumed that it was his love for his master guiding him on this path. “Now…” Asriel stood upright. “I have a few more kills to take care of, can you meet me on the lower levels?”

Cassius grasped Rothac’s head and stood upright. “You mean the rest of the cooks?” “Yes my lord, I am referring to the rest of the cooks. I also wish to thank you for killing Dorene, you didn’t have to do that.” He watched Cassius test his repaired arm, he grunted. “I am not doing this for you.” Asriel smiled as he said that and he meant it. Still he could only trust Cassius to a point. “I know, it’s why I can count on you.” he said half-heartedly. Cassius grunted again and walked away.

He turned away himself and started to make his way to last set of targets, he could not reveal who they were to Cassius, if he did he would falter and he could not have that happening. He searched himself again for doubt or hesitation he couldn’t find any. Once he turned a corner he went into his pouch and pulled out the fragment holding parts of his master’s soul. It was warm to touch, but ever since he started doing this it vibrates violently. With each kill, with each death the intensity grows. He kissed the fragment. “Soon…we can be a family again.” The ritual must be working, restoring his master bit by bit.

He placed the fragment into his pocket and continued walking.

This book is coming to close, so is the arc. The chapters will be up soon, as I said this book was going to be shorter. For the next arc I want to build up the warband more. Reading recent AOS and 40k books has made me feel I could do a lot more, plus make chaos more weird. Which it should be in my opinion.

Also the next book is squad based. I hope people will like it.

Chapter 13
Sagax turned the page of his book it detailed ship manoeuvres and strategies, it was quite a boring read but this was his way to kill time. He then gave a great yawn. “When is the next raid? I want to see if these actually work.” “Sir….” the voice of one of his bridge staff caused his lips to tuck down slightly into a frown. He lowered his book “wha-” He saw Asriel standing in the middle of the bridge holding a head, everyone has stopped working and were staring at him. Sagax raised his eyebrow “what is it?” Asriel threw the head over to him, as it landed on his lap he saw it was the face of the navigator, he recognised the silk that covered his third-eye but everything else was a mangled mess.

Most would question the individual who has done such a thing, but instead he shifted over to his communications console, right after that the screams started. His hand was reaching for the button to open all channels, but he couldn’t reach it he felt a sharp pain in his gut. His hand sagged down on the console he heard a click and that was it. His eyes slowly slid close.

***
Asriel removed his blade from Sagax’s chest, he could see he opened a channel to Justus, he smiled slightly. He twisted to the rest of the crew and summoned tendrils of darkness, the tendrils flailed wildly dragging people down and melting skin. The gravity of what he has just done would see him killed, but he didn’t care. Sagax could be replaced in time but the navigator? Travelling the tides without one was dangerous and full of risks, but he didn’t care about that either.

Once the whole bridge was silent, he turned to the console and closed the communication link. Asriel suspected Justus was most likely aware of Rothac’s death by now along with the rest of the phoenix guard. Everything is proceeding as the dark prince desired. Asriel cocked his head, he now just realised that he no longer refers to slaanesh as God. The only reason why he guessed that might be the case was likely due to his lack of hesitation, it was better to detach yourself from those you are going to murder.

He started to leave the bridge, the shadows were drawn around his form. “Just one more stop..” he felt the fragment rattling violently in his pouch. “Relax master, you are coming back soon..Alright?” He tapped his pouch before teleporting away.

***
Cassius grumbled in annoyance, he hated the lower levels it was full of unidentifiable muck, the smell of piss and refuse permeated the air as well. He was thankful for the recycled air of his power armour. He looked down to the head attached to his belt, he hoped once Tetricus comes back the bitterness he feels from time to time goes away. He was dwelling on that thought for a moment until the communication channel came to life, Erastus’ name was glowing green. Cassius blinked to open it. “Since you are in charge this is technically your problem.” “What are you talking about?” The apothecary grumbled frustration “Justus is on a warpath, he is slaughtering anyone that comes his way. Along with the phoenix guard he is roaring at the top of his lungs for the killer of Rothac. You see it’s quite troublesome since everyone is now stuck in their rooms, can’t really deal with someone who can’t die. Still I am sure you don’t know anything about this situation do you?” Cassius could hear the accusatory tone in his last sentence, he glanced down to Rothac’s head “He will calm down eventually.” “Oh no, he is also ranting about how the br…..cr...we…” Static started to consume the channel and suddenly it was cut off. “Hey.” he turned back to see Asriel, how he got here without him noticing unnerved him. “How did you sneak up on me?” Cassius asked.

Asriel simply pointed as his face, he then lowered hand and gave a smile. “We are almost there, just a little bit further. Please follow me.” The slave walked past him, Cassius followed. As they made their journey the lower levels were eerily quiet, Cassius frowned and gave voice to his concerns. “Where are all the slaves?” “Hiding, or it’s due to the fact the people of the slum are preparing to kill us.” said Asriel “Slum?” Cassius raised his eyebrow hearing that. “It’s where those of the lower levels live, it’s a form of haven. But it won’t be that for much longer.” Cassius wondered what he meant, the slave did not elaborate further. The journey was uneventful but they took twist and turns and he was sure they crossed the same path several times. He would voice a complaint but it looked like Asriel knew where he was going.

Soon enough they encountered a group of slaves, all of them were armed. Such a thing would not bother him but what they were wielding was. A few among them had bolt pistols and plasma guns, how they got their hands on such things he had no idea. The slaves turned them and pointed. “There he is!” one of them shouted.

Asriel bound down the hallway, Cassius followed behind while drawing his blade. The slaves starting firing their guns, Asriel raised a shield blocking the fire, the pink wall barely buckled under the hail of bullets. Seeing this caused Cassius to grind his teeth, he saw flashes of the battle against the saint. When they hit close combat, the visions stopped as he sliced the head off a slave, he stabbed another in the chest and drew his blade upwards destroying bone and flesh. As he killed with Asriel he slowly started to notice he was killing the slaves slowly, even Asriel was not killing his own opponents right away.

Once the slaves were lying in pools of their own blood, Cassius could see many of them were still alive. That was when Asriel started kneel to each one, uttering words of dark power. He would gently draw his blade across their necks. Cassius could see he was doing this with extreme care, once he was done he nodded. “You were of a great help my lord.” Asriel’s tone was not exactly flat, but he could not help but be worried by that comment. “I assume something is going to happen to the corpses?” “Oh yes, extending their suffering was part of the process. I could also feel you are frustrated by Tetricus’ death. Now watch...” Cassius bought his eyes to the corpses, they started to bend and twist, some of them lurched up right again.

Crab like claws burst from limbs, they began tearing away the flesh to reveal perfect and genderless forms. The handmaiden’s tongues flicked out tasting the air, their black eyes darted around looking for fresh prey to kill. Cassius tensed looking at them, he wanted to remove his helmet and breathe in the musk that exuded from their bodies. Yet he held back, he looked down to to the head and had to remember what he was here for.

Asriel simply pointed down the hallway speaking in the same tongue from before. The neverborn gave shrill screams and charged down the hallway. Cassius sheathed his blade, he then folded his arms. “Shouldn’t we follow them?” Asriel shook his head, “give them a moment to build up a tide and then we will move. Also I am worried if we journey with them you might get distracted.” At the mention of him getting distracted he scoffed “I am not like the rest of them.” Asriel gave a weak smile in return. “As I said it’s why I can count on you. Now...let’s move.” They advanced down the hallway, Cassius gave the head another look. “I wonder if you going to make a stupid joke when you come back?” he whispered to himself.

***
Cash stood on the steps firing his rifle, daemons were swarming the slums and the remaining shadows were trying to defend the well with their lives. He cursed in frustration as he let loose another shot, the bullet landed in the face of a laughing daemon. As the creature toppled from the steps the others fell upon it in a mad frenzy, devouring it completely. “You should run.” He shook his head “no can do!” he fired again, blowing off the arm of another daemon, it was wearing Valerie’s face, the daemon most likely peeled it off and thought it was a good mask.

The daemon’s tongue flicked out of Valerie’s mouth +You wife is dead, you are simply giving voice to you-+ He did not let the thing finish, he blew off it’s head silencing the creature. He knew of daemons but never seen one in the flesh, but what were annoying about these ones was the fact they like to lie. They use lies to make fools jump into their arms so they can tear you apart, the worst part was the fact he seen people enjoying it.

He grunted and continued the defense with the others. “You will die, this is too dangerous.” “I know…” he hissed under his breath. They were slowly stemming the tide, he then spotted two individuals walking down the road towards them. He recognised one, his target and the second was a minion of the light a space marine. Cash aimed his rifle at Asriel’s head “I should of never bought you here…” He was about to fire but someone tackled him from the side. As he fell to the floor he lost his grip on his rifle, one of the shadows who was part of the defense was pinning him down. “What are you doing!?” he shouted. The shadow’s eyes were dilated, his face was trapped in the picture of rapture. “They promised me! They whisper of eternal delights! I want the-” His head was then torn off by a daemon, as the body slumped on top of him the creatures encircled him. They were giggling wondering how they would divide him up between themselves.

Cash panicked, but that drifted away as he saw his wife standing over him, instead of daemons it was Bessy smiling down at him. Her brown hair was perfect, she even had that little speck of mud on her cheek. Her smile was gentle, tears welled up in his eyes. He could even feel the grass on the back of his neck, it reminded him of home. That joy lasted for a second as Bessy descended upon him tearing out his throat with her teeth.

Now he realised where he was, pain washed over his body and he started to scream.

***
Asriel reached the top of the steps with Cassius, he looked over to his right to see Cash being savaged by the handmaidens. He thought he would feel something but just like before he felt nothing, he smiled at the fact that no conflict gripped his heart. After all he was loyal to Tetricus, his master was the one that matters. “So...why did you summon the daemons?” Cassius asked. Asriel looked up to the space marine, he pointed at Cash. “To deal with him, we wouldn’t be able to get near this place without them. He could kill either of us easily, plus the fact we can’t fight through the slums. It’s almost the size of a city. Now...” He turned to Cassius “can you give me the head? The dark prince said I have to do this part alone.” He could sense the confusion starting to consume the prefector, he smiled at him. “Please trust me. If not trust Slaanesh.” Slowly he detached the head from his belt and handed it to him, Asriel hooked it to his own belt and nodded. “My lord can you guard the entrance? This part is quite delicate.”

Cassius shook his head “no, I will come with you.” “Bu-” “I don’t care for your reasoning, I am following you whether you like it or not.” Asriel tried not to frown, he simply turned to the entrance “very well.” They both entered the temple and as expected the Elder was waiting in front of the well.

He faced them as they entered, but Asriel could feel his eyes were upon him. “Of course...the rotten flower comes to bring the final ruination.” He did not have time to debate with the old man, he didn’t have to even kill him. “Let me use the well.” Asriel said firmly. The Elder shook his head “if I let you use it..” he pointed his cane at Cassius. “We will all be fodder for the space marines again.” Cassius chuckled “you are fodder, well the useless ones that is.” The elder ignored the prefector, he kept his gaze on him. “So tell me space marine...has he told you everything?” Asriel could not let him speak, he drew his blade and charged at the old man.

The elder frowned, he reached for the large blade on his back and as his hand touched the hilt he began to enlarge. The phenomenon blunted his charge, the elder then threw aside his cane, he now stood three heads higher than Cassius. Great amounts of muscle rippled across his body and he now wielded the large blade with one hand. Asriel chuckled “no wonder no one could kill you.” “Aye, but I let every single one of them live for all you were my flowers.” From his legs a field of flowers consumed the room, they were of all different colours. Asriel looked around “is this meant to impress me?” The elder pointed down to his legs “look around you.”

Asriel glanced down to see the flowers around him were rapidly dying. He bought his gaze up back to the Elder. “So what?” “This is what you do, I thought being here with us would correct this behavior...but I guess I was wrong.” The Elder charged at him while bringing up his blade, the movement was so graceful and quick despite his size. As the blade came down he barely had time to dodge the attack, Asriel rolled to the side. The blade slamming the ground kicked up the petals, Asriel rose and charged his side he planted his blade into the gut of the Elder, he barely even winced at the attack. The Elder looked down at him as one would a child. “So have you told him?” Asriel removed the blade and stabbed him again, he did not even move to avoid the attack. “Does it matter?” he answered back. “It does to many on this ship, your act of summoning daemons will make the lower levels dangerous forever. It will be a cycle of pain and torment.”

Asriel pulled his blade out and took a few steps back he cursed. “Why aren’t you fighting back!?” He shouted. “I am” said the Elder. He looked over to Cassius “Have you ever questioned the six thousand sacrifices?” Asriel could see curiosity has now started to fall upon the prefector, he thought to scream that the Elder is a liar, but then that would make suspicion fall upon him. If he attacks to silence him, that would place doubt upon himself as well. “Speak then.” said Asriel “Cassius will do the right thing.”

The Elder frowned as he said that. He cleared his throat “the six thousand were key personnel across the ship, at the moment with the final set of kills the ship is fully crippled. You have no bridge crew, no astropaths, the navigator is dead as well and the people who do the repairs. The ones who even lead the chiefs are now dead, the most prized cooks and without them to lead the others all those glorious meals you enjoyed are now gone. You are crippled, you may not care but what about the others on the ship?”

Asriel tightened his grip on the blade as Cassius sighed and walked over to the Elder. He looked up to him. “Thank you for letting me know.” Asriel could barely pick up the movement, Cassius implanted his blade in his throat. The Elder grabbed the blade with his other hand. “F-Fool….” “Don’t get me wrong, I am absolutely livid at the moment. But I suspect Tetricus will punish the slave adequately. You wish us not to use this..well but I need it you see.” He turned his blade and sliced open the Elder’s throat, Cassius’ weapon carved right through the fingers holding the blade.

Asriel watched the Elder’s blood drip from his sabre onto the flowers, staining a few of them red. The Elder slumped to his knees, he was coughing up blood. He gave a weak chuckle as he bought his bloodshot eyes to him again. “O-Oh he will be punished.” He then fell to his side, Asriel relaxed, he walked over to Cassius “I knew I could rely o-” he didn’t get to finish, the prefector twisted to him and punched him in the gut. Asriel felt several of his organs rupturing, he fell to the ground coughing up blood.

Cassius looked down at him. “I am doing this for him, I assure you that Tetricus will punish you when he comes back. I will see to it.” Asriel slowly healed the damage, he staggered up right. “Their lives mean nothing next to his!” he hissed. The prefector tutted “just hurry up already.”

Asriel frowned at the space marine, he didn’t need him anymore. Cassius has done his part. He removed Rothac’s head from the belt and wrenched his mouth open, he then picked out the fragment from his pouch and at the current moment it was burning hot. He did not care for the pain, he placed it into the head’s mouth and closed it. “Now the head will go into the pool.” He walked over to it and knelt. He threw the head into the black waters and right away it started to bubble. Cassius came over “what do we do now?” Asriel smiled “Tetricus needs someone to connect with, so his soul can rebuild. It’s why the dark prince chose me. Now...”

He placed his hand into the pool and then he felt something grip it. Next came waves of pain, he screamed. The prefector stood back and watched, clearly detached at what was happening. Asriel could feel his essence being drained away, he could see himself withering. Blemishes and wrinkles started to line his body. The pain was too much but something was holding his arm in place but he did not know what. He wanted this to stop, he pulled with all his might. +Asriel…..+ The voice was distant, but he recognised it. He smiled “Master!” +Asriel….+ he ignored the venom lining his voice as he said his name.

He was just happy to hear him again, he could bear the pain he could handle it. But steadily as he was being drained he felt hesitation crawling into his heart, he wondered truly would Tetricus be happy to see him? He wondered what he would think of him killing many of the key personnel on the ship? Justus was most likely on a warpath killing many more, so many questions began to pound his mind again and again. He then thought of all the people are that dying in the slums right now due to his actions, he clenched his teeth. “W-Why am I hesitating?”

Fear started to crawl into his body as he heard his own voice, he sounded like an old man. He tried to pull his arm out of the pool again, but he felt so weak. The waters of the well were transitioning from black to white, the colour of the void faded from the pool and steadily the bubbling stopped.

Asriel now felt weary, he sank back onto the ground. As he fell his hand was free from the pool. His bones ached, it was hard to breathe as well. He then heard the waters moving, something was rising from the pool and as a shadow loomed over him he looked up to his master. He was no longer bone but flesh, his hair was swept back as he remembered but his hands were only two large digits and a large thumb. Both ended with claws.
Asriel wanted to reach up but he had no strength. “M-Master…” he croaked. Tetricus knelt and that’s when he realised he had grey eyes. His lord frowned at him. “Why?” he asked. The question confused him, he did not know what he meant. “I-I don’t understand, I thought you would be happy…” He watched Tetricus take a deep breath and then exhaled. “Lingering in that fragment was like having a thousand voices screaming at you at once. They were my own voices by the way…” He picked a flower from the ground and crushed it. “Then one voice cut through it, silencing all others. He told me of the task the dark prince set you upon. Our...god had you cripple the ship, you followed the plan to the letter not even once thinking about what you were doing and why.”

Asriel’s eyes were starting to widen with shock “B-But the sacrifices!” “Were pointless, they weren’t even necessary. You didn’t even need Rothac’s head, all you had to do was throw the fragment into the pool. Guess who told me all of this?” “W-Who?” “Abbadon, he went on for a long time about the third...Following the gods and my father. Now I see he is right.”

Asriel shook his head “I-I don’t understand.” “Of course you don’t! Those who bow to the gods without thinking never understand anything! Do you know what even makes it worse!? Father was hoping that I would die on Prolis so he could place a bloody puppet in charge! So at least you helped Cassius in one area….Still I should be thankful somewhat to the dark prince, he kept father’s scheme from working and I know what he will do next.” Asriel watched his master rise and glance over to Cassius.

***
Tetricus wasn’t wearing any clothes, but that was definitely him. The surprise was Asriel who was now lying on the ground as a destitute old man. Cassius chuckled “He didn’t see this coming…” He watched the sorcerer rub his neck and gestured for him to come over. As he walked through the flowers he knew he was no longer leader, he didn’t even need to be a psyker to realise Tetricus radiated power. As he reached the sorcerer he smiled “so you didn’t make a stupid joke.” Tetricus shook his head “I am not in the mood.” “I can see why.” He looked down to the slave “what of him?” Now his brother looked weary. “I am tired of all this…But he has to be punished. The 4th won’t accept anything else, especially Justus.” He tapped a claw on his chin. “Take Asriel, we will place him in a cell.”

Cassius shook his head “how will a cell hold him? He is a psyker.” “A weak psyker, by placing his hand into the pool I...Drained his essence. His favour or corruption in other words. At most he can now only move small objects.” He took Tetricus’ explanation and nodded, he grabbed the slave and flipped him over his shoulder. “M-Master! W-Wait! I-” “Just be quiet.” said Tetricus. “You are making this harder for me. Now let us go.” The slave closed his mouth, he started to sob.

Cassius started to walk with the sorcerer, he wondered what he would do to restore order. But considering how his grey eyes flash with the warp from time to time he suspected many will die.