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Shorter chapter today, plus I made a change to dialogue. Found I have been doing it the "wrong" way this whole time.

Chapter 2
Alexandrel sat back on his seat within the lounge while grumbling to himself. Garim hovered towards him he was holding a tray it was propped with a glass of wine. ‘My lord, I pre-” “Go away.’ The Soulless said firmly, again his slave insisted. ‘I can see that you are irritated, I thought to whip together your favourite beverage.’ He nudged the tray a little closer, Alexandrel was about to reach out and crush his throat until Chershi spoke up. ‘You should stop human. He might crush your skull, tear out your intestines or simply crush your throat.’ His slave’s eyes didn’t leave him, but he could see Garim was paying attention to his associate. The slave grimaced, he bowed and left the lounge.

Alexandrel grinned to the daemon, she was splayed across the sofa. ‘I was going to crush his throat by the way.’ Chershi raised her eyebrow in return to his words. ‘Are you that irritated?’ The Soulless nodded ‘I have no desire to torture him, too busy thinking.’ ‘You still haven’t thought up a plan?’ ‘No, I haven’t.’ Alexandrel wiped his hands down his face ‘Asriel made this sound so simple….’ Chershi sat upright ‘by the way, why are you listening to the human?’ The question took him off-guard, he didn’t expect it. ‘I want this warband to change, to become...better.’ ‘So you’re seeking perfection?’ ‘If you want to call it that, but…..’ he leaned forward, self-reflection has always been one of his weaker areas but his recent loss and his discussion with Asriel opened his eyes. ‘Anger drives me Chershi.’ ‘Anger?’ He could hear the genuine curiosity in her voice, her eyes were also glittering. Sometimes he forgets excess and desire was like meat to a daemon.

Alexandrel decided to feed her ‘all I do, all my acts is due to the fact I am upset with everything around me. Everyone, everything on this ship in my eyes is inadequate and in the past I couldn’t change it. So instead I lashed out.’ ‘Like how you lashed out against Zayden?’ Chershi added. Alexandrel nodded to her question ‘in a manner of speaking you are right. At the same time I always hated Zayden, but now I realise in order to get what I want I need to bring the whole system down instead of cutting lightly at it. We have to all be mad fools if we aren’t and the legion gathers again….’ His associate clapped joyfully ‘look at you being serious! Oh I should of used your anger in the past, if I did I wouldn’t be in this humiliating position!’ The Soulless grunted at her joy ‘I’m not being serious, I can plot and plan.’ ‘You are only smart when something has your interest. Outside of that you are quite simple.’

Alexandrel shrugged to the barb, he just saw her comment as her way of rattling against her bonds. He leaned back in his chair ‘anyway I wonder when Asriel going to turn up?’ As he spoke the chamber door slid open, he glanced over to the door to see his slave standing there. He shot up to his feet and hurried over. ‘So you’re alive!’ The mortal smiled at him ‘I didn’t get off lightly.’

Asriel pointed to his new eyepatch ‘I got leashed, still that’s not a bad thing.’ Alexandrel raised his eyebrow ‘so is Arzin in on the plan?’ ‘He is, you can’t really get one past him. Most can’t see the forest for the trees. After all your old man planted the whole damn forest.’ He knew of what his slave was speaking of ‘so what you think that he has been getting things ready on the side while he played on his pleasure world?’ The mortal nodded ‘time is wonky in the warp, how many lives has your father lived? How many wars or wonders has he seen?’ Alexandrel frowned and gave Asriel a dismissive wave ‘ok, I get it. Enough fawning over Fulgrim we have a problem.’ ‘A problem?’ ‘Well...I killed Zayden.’ ‘He chopped his head off because he hurt his feelings!’ Chershi added.

Alexandrel glanced back to the daemon, he glowered at her, his associate merely gave him a playful smile in return. As his gaze came back to Asriel he was wincing in pain ‘The Black Angel didn’t like that.’ Asriel declared. The Soulless folded his arms ‘Arzin just has to deal with the fact he’s dead.’ ‘True, I didn’t expect you to do such a thing but that’s your nature. You do the unexpected, even so this works to our advantage.’

The news that this helped them surprised him slightly, Alexandrel stroked his chin ‘I see...so how exactly does this help us?’ ‘It’s quite simple my lord, from my understanding Zayden was the stabilizing factor within your squad, am I right on that front?’ The Soulless gave a curt nod to the question ‘he was.’ ‘with him dead you can now bond with the other members of your squad.’ As he mentioned the word “bond” Alexandrel screwed his face into disgust. ‘Do I have to...bond with them?’ ‘You have to my lord, even if you may not like it. This ship is going to be attacked soon, I don’t know exactly when. You will need the trust of those in your squad in order to obtain your desire.’ Hearing his explanation the Soulless puffed out his cheeks.

***
Asriel could see his master was upset, his face made it obvious. His cheeks were puffed out and he was narrowing his eyes. Alexandrel said nothing as his cheeks deflated, his lord placed his hand on his shoulder and moved him gently aside so he could leave. As he watched his new master walk out of the chamber Asriel bought his eyes to the daemon. ‘Enjoy the show Chershi’ Chershi smiled at him ‘oh I will, by the way Alexandrel placed you items in your room.’ The daemon hopped off the sofa and walked away.

Now alone Asriel rubbed his neck ‘I should get dressed.’ he strode over to the corridor entrance, stepping through he spotted Garim standing a few paces away from him along with several other slaves. Asriel folded his arms ‘what is it?’ Garim scowled in return ‘you haven’t been here long...You think that you can give Alexandrel advice? Who do you think you are!?’ ‘I am working for a god, it’s why I am advising our lord.’ Asriel stated calmly.

His words caused Garim to clench his hands into fists. He was trembling with fury. ‘He doesn’t need your advice! We have served him for years! You will not take him from us!’ Asriel found his outburst to be earnest, his voice was even straining. He could also see in the eyes of the other slaves that they shared in Garim’s grief.

He couldn’t help but smile at the heartache all of them were displaying. ‘Sorry, I am quite a greedy individual. Some would say I am voracious. I can’t function without the love of others. I need to be wanted by someone, to serve someone.’ The slaves began staring at him in confusion, seeing this Asriel smiled. He saw the perfect opportunity to lift Alexandrel’s spirit and to impress Arzin. He raised his hand, he clicked the joints in each of his fingers and made a fist. ‘I won’t ignore your desires….’ Garim began taking a few steps back ‘k-kill the witch!’ he shrieked.

The slaves drew weapons, Asriel chuckled when he said he would not ignore their desires he meant it.

***
Alexandrel knocked on Thalis’ door he didn’t know how to open the conversation. How about we do some brotherly bonding? The Soulless shook his head ‘no, he will suspect something...’ he said in a hushed tone. As he spoke the door slid opened to reveal the apothecary, Alexandrel gave him an awkward wave. ‘Greetings brother!’ Thalis raised his eyebrow and moved his pipe around his mouth. ‘What do you want?’ The Soulless forced a smile ‘I just wish to...bond with you.’ At the mention of bond an aghast look crossed his face. ‘You might want to talk to Salazar about that…’ ‘No! That’s not what I meant, I mean…’

Alexandrel rummaged his hair in frustration, it would be easier to kill his squad and torture Aamon, he could do that. He could easily get what he wants that way. Thalis removed his pipe from his mouth ‘you’re acting awfully strange. Oh...I see how it is.’ ‘W-What?’ ‘You want to get into Aamon’s good graces? I’m not going to help you. You really burnt the bridge with how you acted on the last world.’ The Apothecary was about to turn away, Alexandrel decided to reach for his blade but he quickly bit down on his lip hard to stop the impulse. He then spoke calmly while blood was flaking his lips. ‘I thought it would be a good idea to bond over a story. I am inviting everyone at the moment. Zayden already refused.’ At the mention of story Thalis half turned back. ‘What type of story?’

The Soulless had to think of something quickly, a story that could hook everyone in his squad. ‘Well do you want to hear how I acquired the Drukhari?’ Speaking of the Dark Eldar Thalis’ eyes went wide. ‘When?’ he said firmly. ‘In about an hour or two.’ The Soulless answered.

The Apothecary faced him fully he quickly placed his pipe back into his mouth. ‘Hmm...interesting how about you tell it in Salazar’s chamber?’ Hearing his name Alexandrel winced slightly ‘we could just go to my chamber, I still have the wine from before.’ ‘Nope, it has to be Salazar’s, I don’t trust you at the moment. Getting our little prince on board is a way for me to see you are taking this situation seriously.’ Thalis then turned away, his door then slid shut.

Now alone in the hallway Alexandrel cursed in annoyance. He decided to head to Salazar’s room next.

What do you mean your been doingthe dialogue wrong?

 Dayknight wrote:

What do you mean your been doingthe dialogue wrong?

In British English when writing dialogue you use inverted commas. 'Like this'

The american way of writing dialogue you use quotations marks "example"

If you read 40k books you would notice they used inverted commas, it's not all that serious but I found it helps my writing especially when someone is quoting another character or making a sarcastic remark.

Chapter 3
The sofa was soft his slaves were at work filing his finger nails. Salazar took a moment to look over to where his helm bearer was sitting within the longue, her eyes were sunken, her face a mix of confusion and despair. Isa hovered at her side, she seemed satisfied with her work. In the end he didn’t care for the one who carries his helm, he couldn’t recall her name. She was but a prop, an instrument that has been blessed to be in his personal space. He was about to relax before he heard a pluck of a string, Salazar scowled at his brother. ‘Efron, why must you tune your instrument here?’ The noise marine seemed oddly serious, he was hoping that he would be playing a song for him but instead it seemed he only came to his room to contemplate. He was about to ask his brother to leave but he spoke up again. ‘I can sense it...the disquiet...but who is doing this?’

Efron plucked another string, causing a keening wail to erupt from guitar. Save his prop and Isa the rest covered their ears. Salazar shot a look to the slaves filing his nails. He didn’t need to say a word, both of them quickly returned to their work. Yet there was a problem, he felt sweat on his right hand. The clangy human fluid was difling his hand. ‘Isa deal with the slave to my right.’ She bowed, she glanced at the slave who offended him. The mortal was confused until Isa’s eyes briefly took a pink glow.

Then using the iron file, the slave began stabbing his throat repeatedly with the tool. When the mortal collapsed onto the ground Salazar tutted, he shook his right hand and focused on Efron. ‘Disquiet? What do you mean by that?’ He would rather be talking to Zayden, he knew how to appreciate him but he had to take his mind off the slave who dirtied his hand.

The Noise Marine perked up at his question. ‘You can’t feel it?’ ‘No, all I feel at the moment is mild annoyance.’ Efron grunted ‘we’re being hunted. Whenever I play I can see them, gliding through the void. It is only a matter of time before they are nipping at our heels.’ Salazar became interested in the tale his brother was imparting to him, he pulled his hand from remaining slave who was filing his hand. He leaned forward and grinned. ‘So tell me more, who is chasing us?’ The Noise Marine shook his head ‘I don’t know, I can’t see them clearly.’ At the mention he couldn’t identify them his interest began dipping, he was about to tell Efron to leave but a knock at his door stopped him.

Salazar called for his favoured slave ‘Isa, go see who it is.’ She bowed and walked over to the door, he heard it opening and then a mumbled discussion. Isa then came over, she bowed again as she said ‘my lord it’s The Soulless he wishes an audience.’ ‘Tell him to go away.’ ‘He insists my lord, it’s quite important.’ ‘I don’t care, if it was important Aamon would contact me.’ ‘Very well my lord, I will let Lord Alexandrel know.’ She left his side there was more mumbling and after a moment his chamber door closed. Isa was now walking back to his prop’s side. Salazar sighed ‘ever the troublemaker….’ Efron nodded in agreement ‘he always is. You did the right thing.’ ‘Why do you say that?’ ‘He is part of the disquiet.’

He didn’t understand what the Noise Marine was talking about, Alexandrel always caused problems that was his nature. He waits eagerly for the day for when Aamon wants him dead, when that time comes he would be the first within the squad to offer his blade.

***
Alexandrel stood in front of the closed door, he didn’t know how to react or move from here. He didn’t know what to do. He nodded and drew his blade ‘I could kill them. That would make me feel better.’ It would be simple, knock on the door again kill Salazar’s slave and then kill him. He was about to knock again, the back of his hand was inches from the door. ‘No...I can’t...not yet.’ He bit down on his lip. I want to kill him! His instincts were screaming at him. His reason and desire were colliding together, blood began to lace his tongue. He banged on the door harshly, causing large dents. ‘Open the door!’ he shrieked. No response was given, the slaves within the hallway were scattering due to his outburst. He didn’t care for them he only desired to kill Salazar.

After almost ten minutes of his fist slamming the door he stopped. The dents have warped the metal, the craving for his brother’s life subsided. He took several deep breaths he turned away from the door and sheathed his blade. ‘Well at least I tried.’ It was clear his brothers had no interest in “bonding” and oddly he was happy with that fact. He decided to return to his chamber, he found there was light skip in his steps. The Soulless assumed this could only be relief. As he reached his chamber Asriel was walking out, his slave smiled at him. ‘So you’re back how did it go?’ Asriel asked.

Alexandrel grumbled ‘it well as well as expected. They have no interest in “bonding”.’ His slave didn’t seem surprised. ‘I see, that was expected.’ ‘Then why did you tell me to try and bond with them?’ ‘To plant a seed.’ As Asriel said seed it clicked. ‘They know that I have the capacity to change.’ The Soulless said slowly.

His slave nodded ‘correct, but since I care for your well being I made a gift. It’s inside. Now I have my on tasks to do.’ His slave turned away and left. Alexandrel folded his arms ‘gift?’ He entered his chamber and sitting within the middle of the longue was...something.

It looked like a flower which was fused to the ground but this flower was made out flesh. Each petal was veiny and held various tones of colour. Lining the stalk of this flesh flower were androgynous faces crying out in agony. The Soulless recognised one of them, it was the eyes that held his attention. He walked up the flower and stared at the face it was then he recognised who it belonged to. ‘Garim?’ Speaking his name out loud the eyes of the face went wide slightly. ‘You look amazing!’ he said to his tortured slave.

In return Garim continued to wail, Alexandrel sat down and stared at the marvel before him.

***
Asriel walked the corridors of the lower level. The signs of his fellow slaves was falling into factions was clear to see. Slaves wearing bondage and leather were staggering around the hallways they were also partially nude as well. While others have clearly self mutilated themselves through piercings and nails embedded in skin. Exploring the lower levels he also found both groups fighting as well, the question was which group should he approach first? Asriel decided to avoid the cutlists that evidently belonged to Stella. The bondage in his eyes he viewed it as a form of submission towards her. Their cries praising her name also made it clearly evident who they followed.

So he approached a young man who was sitting down and pushing nails into his skin. ‘Excuse me, a question.’ The young man looked up to him, his eyes were glazed. ‘W-What is it?’ he stammered. ‘I’m looking for Antonius where can I find him?’ The young man grinned at him with bloodied teeth. ‘H-He will find you, p-praise him by offering up y-your p-pain. T-There is c-comfort in torment…’ He didn’t have time for such things, he guessed that Antonius feasted on the pain of his followers. The fact that they praise him and not the dark prince was concerning. Asriel pointed at the slave, he seemed confusion for a moment until blood began pouring out of his eyes and mouth. The young man wasn’t crying in pain, but in pleasure he said that his misguided friend will come if he offers his own pain but he doubted that.

He suspected that his friend could feast on any form of pain self-inflicted or otherwise. Once the young man was a twitching corpse Asriel continued down the hallway, he killed any of Antonius’ followers he came across. He made sure not to kill them quickly, the more painful the death the better. He had to admit he was somewhat enjoying this hunt.

Yet he encountered a coward who ran, he chased the slave down the hallway until they reached an open space. He stopped chasing the slave as he saw his friend guarded by several more of his followers. Antonius was two heads taller than him now, his body was lined with muscle and his arms were impaled by thick nails. How he moved them around he had no idea.

The slave he was chasing ran up to his misguided friend and knelt before him, the slave pointed back in his direction. ‘G-Great one this her-’ the slave didn’t get to finish, a female slave who was dressed in a similar fashion to Antonius removed a stubber from her belt. She shot the slave several times. ‘You ran from pain, we do not abide cowards.’ The slave sprawled back onto the ground as the bullets riddled his body.

He didn’t care for the one who died, Asriel now had what he wanted. He approached Antonius. ‘I can see you are already at work making a cult.’ he stated to his friend. Antonius was wearing a gag, but he could understand him. He wondered what he was going to say instead it was the female who spoke. ‘Yes I am, but I have new method of communication. The Tyrants of Pain speak to each other through our joint worship of misery and torment.’ His friend wasn’t gurgling he stood still like a stone.

Asriel had no desire to speak to his second, he reached into Antonius’ mind and as they touched he flinched back. It was just whirlwind of agony, misery and joy. ‘So you’ve grown.’ ‘I did’ the female responded. ‘This is Nefi, speak with her you are not worthy. Not yet.’ Antonius turned and walked away, Asriel wanted to stop him but at the same time he didn’t want to make war upon his friend. He focused on Nefi ‘so you’re his favourite?’ ‘Ardent believer.’

Asriel chuckled ‘so do you worship him?’ He wanted to make sure that his friend hasn’t strayed. Nefi pointed her stubber at him ‘yes, we all do. He gave us purpose, he gave us joy and he showed us we aren’t alone.’ ‘So heresy it is…’ he said under his breath. ‘Very well I will leave you for now.’ Nefi narrowed her eyes ‘it is good that you do not seek conflict. Master Antonius sees you as a friend. If it was anyone else who attacked us we would’ve of flayed you. This is your only warning...heretic.’ As he was called heretic he felt a flare of anger. He clamped down upon his hatred and left the pain seekers.

Walking down the hallway he wondered if he should approach Stella’s group. It’s clear she was lost as well, she made it obvious that she wanted to be worshipped. He continued down the corridor until a group of her followers approached. The leader was male who was wearing a black leather suit. He grinned ‘Are you Asriel?’ ‘Yes I am, what do you want?’ ‘My name is Alec, I have orders from my Mistress to bring you to her.’ ‘What does she want?’ ‘Why do you need to ask? The fact that she wants to see you should cause your heart to swell with joy. Or are you a heretic?’ Being called a heretic again annoyed him slightly, yet this was an opportunity. ‘Take me to her.’ ‘You’ve made the right decision, if you would follow me.’ Asriel fell in with the strange group, he had the expectation already that Stella would be just like Antonius but worse.

As they passed Stella’s worshippers they threw hateful slurs and the signs of murderlust were in their eyes. He clutched his cane in reaction, he wondered how he would solve this situation? Both Stella and Antonius were lost to him, like Alexandrel he has his own difficulties to face. +This situation would be easy to solve…+ The brands on his body thrummed, it was a promise to Lord Fulgrim and an agreement. What can do I do? His thoughts can be discerned by the primarch, he gave him a playful laugh. +It’s quite simple, you take their love, you take their respect. You were so close to that truth when you were trapped in that iron maiden one time. You allow even a moment of a weakness, a moment where they can look away and then they will gain their own ideas, their own desires. You can be kind, but forceful as well. Obey your nature….+ The voice of Fulgrim trailed away as they arrived in front of a set of double doors.

Alec then pushed the doors open and gestured in ‘be respectful in her presence, if you wish to live.’ Asriel ignored the threat and walked in, what he found was throngs of sycophants kneeling and praising a woman sitting upon a golden throne. He understood the meaning behind this, any throne worshipper would pop a vein or worse seeing such a sight.

Asriel found his eyes meeting with Stella’s, she smiled thinly. ‘I require a bridge to reach my guest.’ she ordered. The cultists threw themselves onto the ground, making a road towards him. Asriel raised his eyebrow to the display.

Stella then walked upon the mass of bodies, they were twitching and crying in praise to his lost disciple as her feet touched their bare backs. As she reached him, Stella was looking down, it was clear she viewed him as ant. ‘I wish to give you a chance.’ she said softly ‘worship me, serve me and you will know purpose. I can see it in your eyes, the lack of direction the desire to bring everyone to the truth….’ +Lash out….+ ‘I know you’ve spoken to Antonius, you see when we came to the ship we couldn’t agree on how to proceed. Ironically it’s his group that attacked first. You see how friends are quick to betray one another when it’s convenient?’ +Destroy her pedestal…+ As Fulgrim finished speaking Stella offered her hand. ‘Join me.’

Asriel stared at her offered hand, he slapped it aside which caused her human bridge to shriek in anger. Stella almost seemed sad by his gesture. ‘That’s unfortunate.’ She said warmly. Asriel shook his head ‘I tire of the heresy both of you are displaying. I should of educated you all properly. I made a mistake.’ Stella was about to speak but he didn’t want to hear it anymore, he gestured to send her flying back to her throne. As she crashed upon it her human bridge came apart, they roared in fury, they screamed for his life.

Asriel pointed his cane at the onrushing horde and unleashed a wave of fire incinerating them, burned husks were rolling on the floor. Asriel walked up to the throne, he frowned at his fallen disciple. ‘You can demand people to worship you...but…’ He grasped her chin and lifted her head up. ‘Slaanesh is above you, don’t ever think otherwise. You persist because he wills it and he can destroy you at a moments notice. I’ve seen it happen.’ Stella grasped his wrist, she was trying to remove his hand to no avail. ‘L-Let me go!’ she hissed. ‘I refuse.’ Asriel responded. His clawed gauntlets placed more pressure on her face if he applied anymore it would draw blood. His disciple’s eyes went wide. ‘W-wait, don’t harm my face.’ Her words caused a measure of amusement to flutter over him. ‘A “goddess” can’t look ugly can she?’ He thought about scarring her as a lesson until he heard Alec rushing into the chamber. ‘Mistress!’ he yelled. Asriel threw his cane back, it clacked onto the ground and but few moments Alec’s shouts were replaced with screams and hissing. Stella could see what was happening the fear in her eyes was evident. Asriel couldn't be bothered to turn around he was confident Violo could handle Stella’s sycophants.


Asriel cocked his head ‘Next time I won’t be so lenient.’ he said firmly. ‘Gather your forces.’ ‘All of them?’ He could see she was confused, she had no reason to be. ‘Yes all of them. My dear friend needs to be disciplined as well.’

She took a moment to respond, he assumed she wasn’t used to taking orders. He pointed his finger at her, it was threaded with purple lightning which caused the false goddess to wince. ‘F-Fine..I will get them ready.’ ‘Good.’

Asriel removed his hand from Stella’s face, he turned back to see his escort cowering before his familiar, there was also a large lump on her stomach. He assumed that was Alec, if they are cowering before a single familiar he had a lot of work ahead of him to turn these people into a well functioning cult.

Chapter 4
‘Keep moving forward!’ Asriel shouted. Stella’s slaves were poor fighters but there were many of them his aim was to win the war of attrition. It was evident that they were spurred on by Stella’s whip more than anything else. The hallway was clogged with corpses, but there was not even a hint of blood on the ground. It was like the ship was feeding on the carnage. ‘We won’t win.’ Stella stated out loud. Asriel frowned at her ‘what makes you say that?’ ‘Most of my followers can’t actually fight.’ ‘You didn’t train them for war?’ ‘My followers are meant to serve me, not make war.’ He found her answer pathetic he would correct this once he has full control.

Asriel pointed his cane down the hallway and unleashed a wave of fire immolating both groups alike, clearing the way. ‘What are you doing!?’ Stella shrieked. ‘Clearing the way.’ Asriel answered. He walked forward by a few paces ‘we can’t waste time. I-’ A sharp pain throbbed across his gut. He looked down and saw a blade protruding from it. An arm was then wrapped his neck and he was pulled tightly towards someone’s chest. ‘You are ruining everything…’ Stella whispered in his ear.

She twisted the blade causing blood to erupt from his mouth. Asriel sagged slightly in her grip. ‘You know I have to thank you for opening my eyes, that’s why I wanted you to submit to me. I would’ve treated you well, given you all my love.’ She twisted the blade further. ‘But you spat my offer back into my face, sent my subjects to die. You don’t own me, you don’t own Antonius either.’ She then pushed him forward, Asriel fell to the ground with a thud.

He tried to rise but a foot came down onto his back. Stella stamped on his wound several times. ‘Dammit! I hate you for what you did! Only I can kill my slaves! Only I can send them to their deaths!’ She continued shrieking, Asriel wondered if he was going to die here before doing anything? He had so much he wanted to do.

He was about to beg for Fulgrim’s aid but he knew the primarch would not intervene in a matter he considered trivial. He tried to rise but Stella’s foot came down pushing him to the ground again. He gave a gurgled roar of fury, that was when he began sinking into the ground. Stella stepped back ‘W-What sorcery is this!?’ Asriel didn’t know what was going on. He struggled to no avail it was like he was sinking into quicksand.

Asriel screamed.

***
Alexandrel was slicing apart the flower Asriel made, he was now bored of it. The piece of flesh was displeasing to the eye. Staring at it for too long reminded him of his current situation. This moment of bliss would be temporary, what he truly wanted was to forge Aamon into something better. He sighed and sheathed his blade, he stared at the puddle of blood. ‘It was fleeting...nothing more.’ He began pacing the room, he wondered how to proceed from here? His thoughts were muddled but his contemplation ceased as he heard a knock on his door. ‘You may enter!’ he called out.

The voice command caused the door to slide open, he turned to see it was Aamon. His face was the picture of fury. ‘What did you do!?’ he hissed. Alexandrel cocked his head in confusion. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Where is Zayden!?’ At the mention of his name The Soulless tried to keep his face neutral. ‘I don’t know what you are talking about.’ ‘I called him to my chamber, he always answers to my summons but for some reason he hasn’t appeared yet!’ ‘What does that have to do with me?’ ‘It has everything to do with you!’

Alexandrel was inwardly cursing, why was everything going wrong? It was miscalculation after miscalculation. ‘Please explain why you’ve come to me? What of the others?’ Aamon folded his arms. ‘It’s quite simple, I questioned Thalis and he told me that you’ve spoken to Zayden. Next I hear how you have utterly destroyed Salazar’s chamber door! I know how you are! I know what you are like! So tell me did you kill him!?’ The Soulless shook his head ‘they are spreading lies about me aren’t they? It’s fine, but tell me why would I want to kill Zayden?’ ‘Do you need a reason!?’ Aamon spat back ‘you never have a reason for anything you do! So I have come here personally to tell you that you are no longer part of the first squad! You’ve constantly sought to ruin me! Again and again! No more! I am calling the squad together, I better not see you here in an hour!’ Aamon turned away.

Watching his back Alexandrel reached for his blade again, as always everyone has to be difficult. No one on this ship will ever understand what he wants or what he seeks this warband to be. He allowed Aamon to leave, hie desire to make him a champion was stronger than his bloodlust. ‘Alright, I will head back to my old room.’ Aamon didn’t respond as he left his room. Now that he was alone he didn’t know what to do or think.

He stood still like a rock until he heard a squishing sound above him, Alexandrel looked up to see his slave falling from the ceiling. He caught Asriel with both hands, he was injured but he could see it would take more to kill him. ‘So how did it go?’ he asked his slave. He was gasping, so he doubted he could answer clearly. ‘Poorly then.’ Alexandrel stated. ‘By the way we are going back to my old room.’ Again he didn’t say anything, looking over his body he could see he didn’t have his cane either.

The Soulless sighed ‘Chershi!’ ‘What?’ Alexandrel turned to see his associate folding her arms. She was tapping her feet causing light splashes from the puddles of blood. ‘We are going back to my old room.’ said Alexandrel. The daemon sighed ‘You burned the bridge again?’ ‘Yes unfortunately I did.’ ‘Right then.’ She clicked her fingers, her masked servants marched out of the corridors. ‘Shall we go?’ she said joyfully.

Alexandrel raised his eyebrow ‘can’t you get your slaves to mo-’ ‘No, I won’t have my slaves act as your pack mules. If you want your items moved do it yourself.’ The Soulless grumbled, he would have to leave behind his belongings ‘right then let’s go.’


***
Arzin held the eyeball of the human. Through it he could see that for once Alexandrel was troubled, he was at his wits end. So far the plan of his father has gone completely off the rails, he was oddly happy about that fact. His father no longer understood his children, how could he be expected to lead when had no interest in their future? +Adonis…+ His champion looked up to him, he was on one knee. ‘Yes my lord?’ +The Soulless is struggling can you believe that?+ ‘It was going to happen eventually my lord.’ +True, but I expected more after my father sold me on his future.+ As he said future Adonis perked up ‘what do you mean?’ +His slave has been keeping secrets from his master, but at the same time It is clear that the human did not expect to fail either. I suspect the human also doubted that future as well.+

Again the word future was capturing the curiosity of his champion, he was enthralled by that word. He decided to sate it. +Would you believe me if I said The Soulless would become a fanatic? A raging demagogue that would cow the Astartes of this warband?+ The revelation caused Adonis to tremble, it wasn’t fear but the opposite. +You may laugh champion.+ Adonis nodded and laughed harshly in disbelief. ‘Him!? He can’t inspire anyone! He can’t rouse anyone hearts!’ His champion kept laughing, the reaction was expected. He found the news amusing as well but he was well aware that at times the unexpected can happen. +What if it did happen Adonis?+ His champion stopped laughing, he shook his head. ‘I...don’t know. We are talking about the Soulless, it’s hard to determine his plans.’ +Correct, but look at the last world Axiam. All of that happened because his slave was under his instruction. I think Alexandrel hasn’t made note of his talent yet.+ Adonis stood upright, ‘do you want me to kill him?’ +No, to be honest I wish that he succeeds.+

His champion didn’t say a word, he suspected it was jealousy. But that didn’t matter at the moment Adonis was a simple creature with simple desires. Despite the trouble Alexandrel causes he finds the mad Space Marine to be far more interesting.

***
The lower levels were a warzone, but his very presence along with Chershi cowed the slaves from attempting anything. He wondered if it was his emotions running high as well? He wasn’t hiding the fact that he was annoyed, neither was he hiding that he didn’t know what to do next. He clutched his slave tightly ‘so much for having a primarch in our corner…’ he whispered to himself. ‘You really think he would help you directly?’ He glanced over to Chershi who was fluttering her fan. ‘You’re quite the fool sometimes.’ Alexandrel narrowed his eyes at the daemon. ‘I’m not in the mood.’ ‘Yet you never are in the “mood”.’

The Soulless rolled his eyes ‘I will never get what I want Chershi, I lost completely.’ ‘But you still want it don’t you?’ ‘Yes...I do…’ ‘So how about first you admit that you have a soul? I would know because I still want to eat it.’ Alexandrel frowned ‘are we really having that discussion?’ ‘Yes we are. The lower levels are ripe with opportunity.’ +She’s right.+

Chershi hissed in anger, but to him the voice set him at ease. A snake slithered out of his the ear of his slave. It smiled at him. +But you can’t make use of that opportunity, not yet.+ ‘Hello father.’ hissed Alexandrel. The snake cocked his head +why are you upset?+ ‘Well look at me, I am nowhere near close to getting what I want.’ +So you’re blaming me for that?+ ‘I am.’ His father sighed +you fail because you hold back. There is nothing wrong with being angry. You fail because you are still holding that anger back and direct it at the wrong things. You feel only contempt for everyone on this ship because they hold back, they don’t give into their darkest desires.+ ‘Correct, but how would my anger get me anywhere? Who should I direct it at?’ +It’s quite simple, you direct it at the flaws you perceive in your brothers. See what I like about you is that despite being knocked down you wish to get up again, some would just lie on the floor. Think about it everything went wrong soon as you received your new slave.+

His father was right, before Asriel came everything was fine. He glanced at his slave’s face ‘but it’s not his fault, pure circumstance. I am not like his old masters.’ +Good, you’ve got the right mindset. Perhaps you can teach the human to be a little more cruel as well? He is far too kind for his own good...+ The snake was about to slither back but it stopped suddenly +by the way I left a few items in your room. Make good use of it.+ The snake vanished into his slave’s ear, he groaned slightly.

Alexandrel frowned he has heard stories of Fulgrim’s “gifts” he hoped he would not end up dead like the many other Astartes who received them. He looked over to Chershi who was visibly annoyed. ‘He stole your thunder.’ His associate flicked her head away, Alexandrel chuckled at her displeasure.

When they reached his golden doors Chershi’s slaves pulled the large door open. Walking inside Alexandrel growled in annoyance at what he found. His room was full of books and random pieces of paper. ‘What kind of gift is this!?’ Chershi gave a great laugh ‘I think he wants you to read all of them.’ ‘W-What! I-I…’ He walked to the middle of the lounge and set Asriel down. He approached a stack of books and picked up one from the top. The cover was made out of skin, runes of the dark prince was dotted all over it. He flicked through the book, it described torture techniques and ancient rites to inflict pain.

Some of what was described in the tome was “colourful” but he imagined inflicting some of this upon his brothers or upon himself. ‘You’re salivating.’ Chershi called out. Alexandrel grunted and wiped his mouth. ‘Interesting...’ He closed the tome and turned to his slave. ‘Asriel, get up.’ His slave mumbled he groaned in pain and clutched his chest. ‘Stop whining Asriel, Fulgrim won’t let you die that easily.’ As his eyes sagged open he set his back to a mound of books. ‘W-Where am I?’ ‘My old room.’ Alexandrel answered. Asriel rubbed his stomach, he winced in pain. ‘I-I failed?’ ‘We both did.’ he answered. ‘We’ve got a lot of work to do.’ he picked another book off the pile and threw it over to his slave. ‘Start reading, make notes.’ ‘W-What!? Where did all these books come from?’ ‘My old man, no more questions get to work.’ His slave was apprehensive, but he slowly opened the book and began reading.

Chershi was about to walk away but he called out to her. ‘Where are you going?’ ‘You don’t need me for this.’ He shook his head to that statement ‘you are are living daemonic encyclopedia and my dark tongue is rusty. So you are remaining here to help me, that’s an order.’ Black veins threaded his associate's face, it shifted to the visage of Quiverfang for a moment and then back to her perfect alien features. ‘Very well.’ She sat down on a nearby sofa. ‘Throw me a book then.’

Alexandrel picked out a book and threw it over to her, she was visibly disinterested but due to his order she has no choice but to help him. He returned to the tome he was reading before, if he had to work through all these books to get what he wants he will gladly do it.

Chapter 5
Stella clutched Asriel’s cane, when she picked it up the creature tried to attack her but it was cowed by her strength and beauty. Steadily the creature turned into the beautiful sword she was holding now. She lifted it up slightly, the handle was shaped like the snake and the sword was protruding out of its mouth. Staring at the blade she thought of the war. It was winding down, Antonius has received a bloody nose but she disliked how Asriel used up her own slaves. She shifted her feet on her footrest, her slave shivered.

The fact that her footrest moved annoyed her she bought her heel up and slammed it on the footrest’s back. They winced in pleasure, Stella scowled she kicked the slave forward she rose from her throne and sliced off it’s head. As the head rolled on the floor the slave’s face was the picture of rapture. She sat back on her throne and regarded her throngs of worshippers. ‘I need another footrest.’ The room erupted into a bedlam of violence as she made the announcement.

Her slaves joyfully killed each other and eventually the strongest came to the forefront. This slave was large muscled man he was covered in gore as he approached the throne. He bowed and got into the appropriate position. Stella smiled and rested her feet upon his back. She regarded the rest of the survivors. ‘Asriel is still alive, I want his head. Do this for me and I will spend some quality time with the champion.’ The men and women who made up her cult rushed out of the chamber, screaming her name. Stella smirked ‘It feels nice to be a queen…’

***
Antonius sat on burning coal within his private chamber. It was more of a hall or a temple of pain. Beautiful statues lined the hall and the walls were covered with silk drapes. Antonius adjusted his legs slightly to allow the heat to bite into his legs further. While this was happening his disciples would hammer new nails into his arms. What was wonderful about this practice was that his cult was blessed, they would heal and inflict new and fresh torments upon their flesh. He could feel the touch of the dark prince washing over his body. He found it unfortunate that Asriel was blind. I could help him see. He thought. Asriel was still his friend and it was his duty as a friend to bring him illumination.

Asriel showed him how to start walking the road of the dark prince but it was obvious after being in his presence that Asriel was the type to wander off the path and eventually into ruin. ‘Nefli’ he said calmly. His favoured disciple came forward, she bowed. ‘My lord.’ Antonius licked his lips he wasn’t used to not having his gag. ‘You recall my friend correct?’ ‘Yes my lord I do.’ ‘I want you to gather the elite, I desire my friend to see reason despite him making war upon us.’ Nefli tensed at her order. ‘With all do respect great one...but he is an enemy. He killed many of us.’ ‘I know, but I suspect he has bitten off more than he can chew. Stella will betray him and she will use the opportunity to break him, to dominate him. I won’t allow that. Retrieve Asriel, I will personally educate him in pain and torment. Then with his powers we can destroy Stella’s heretical cult.’
His disciple said nothing, she bowed again and left to fulfill his orders. Antonius smiled as he watched her leave. ‘Soon my dear friend, you’ll see the light soon….’

***
Alexandrel cut open the heart and squeezed it over a bowl filling it up halfway. He then chopped up the heart and threw it into the bowl. Next he uncocked a bottle of red wine and poured the contents into the bowel. He placed the bottle down and picked up the bowl and shook it gently. The liquid began to bubble for several minutes once it settled he returned the bowl back down onto the table. He smiled and turned to his disciple who was impaled on a board. ‘Asriel it’s working.’

Blood was pouring from Asriel’s mouth, his chest was cut open. His slave was trembling as his chest was sealing up again he could even see a new heart being remade. Alexandrel could see he found the ritual agonising but he will eventually enjoy this practice. His disciple tried to speak but it came out as gurgled croaks. He wondered if his father was keeping him alive or was it Slaanesh? He couldn’t tell. He picked up the bowl and approached his disciple, he removed the blades causing the mortal to collapse to the ground with almost a wet splash.

Alexandrel knelt, the pieces of paper lining the floor was drinking up Asriel’s blood greedily. He lifted up his slave’s head. ‘Drink this.’ Alexandrel said warmly. Asriel shook his head ‘n-no I don’t know w-what it w-will d-’ Alexandrel forced the bowl to his mouth cutting him off. ‘Drink Asriel, I didn’t cut up your heart for no reason.’ The concoction fell over his face but he was drinking it when his eyes rolled back he nodded and pulled the bowl away. Alexandrel took a deep breath and drank the rest of the mixture.

The concoction had a vibrant taste, he didn’t get much time to revel in flavour before a chill ran down his spine. He coughed violently and the bowl slipped from his hands. With each rancid cough the environment changed. Asriel disappeared from view, the longue melting away and as it reformed he found himself in a grand library. Alexandrel slowly stood up and looked around, the shelves were stacked with books and the bridges of the tomes bore faces howling in terror and pain. He grunted and began exploring he moved between the aisles until he came upon an open space.

There was an astartes clad in black and gold sitting at a table, his grey eyes were scanning a tome, but what had his interest was Asriel who was starting at the Space Marine. ‘I can’t touch him...He can’t hear me….’ His Disciple sounded bitter, almost...hateful as well. He approached his human. ‘So is this him Disciple?’ Alexandrel asked. Asriel frowned ‘ever since you started reading those books that’s what you call me. I am your slave, nothing more, nothing less.’ ‘I can change my mind on things.’ Asriel gave him a questioning look, he could see confusion in his eye. ‘So tell me then, how has it changed?’

Alexandrel folded his arms, he tried to contemplate his path forward. His thoughts were slowly becoming more concise, more clear and for once in a long time he was finding joy. ‘Fulgrim’s words linger with me Asriel. I’m...not Soulless, I have a soul. Just like you said on Axiam.’ ‘We’re all monsters my lord.’ ‘Monsters can still care about things Asriel. I have just found out I care a lot I just didn’t know how to channel it or cause the change I desire.’ Alexandrel then walked around the open space eyeing the lord of chaos sitting at the desk. By his relaxed features he assumed he didn’t have a single worry in the world, or perhaps he was secure in his current position? ‘You wish to ruin him right?’ Asriel nodded. ‘He would hate you for that.’ ‘I know’ ‘So your obsession is that strong eh? Okay, so let’s say after we destroy his life and his rejoins the third what then?’ His disciple looked away, he didn’t want to consider what to do next.

He could only assume Asriel was afraid. ‘Oh he will hate you…’ he said firmly. ‘But, why stop there after he rejoins us?’ ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Don’t you hate him for leaving you behind? Don’t you hate him for putting you through untold suffering?’ ‘That was…’ ‘Your fault? Who cares about that?’ Alexandrel returned to his human’s side while placing his hand on his small shoulder. ‘If it was me, I would make him beg for forgiveness. His suffering won’t stop there when he rejoins us I will guarantee you that.’ said Alexandrel.

Asriel’s single eye went wide, he shook his head ‘what’s going on here? Are you actually being…’ ‘Empathetic?’ His disciple frowned while looking up to him. ‘You can’t change, not that quickly.’ ‘Some people can, after all since you came here everything has fallen apart for me.’ Asriel tensed under his grip, he knew he was used to this but as he promised him in the past he’s not weak like the others. Alexandrel met his gaze ‘monsters can be empathetic to their own kind sometimes, it can be useful for survival or to create a pack. Yet...As monsters we have to be cruel, merciless so the others understand not to wrong us. Honestly, I think you came here to make me consider that fact but at the same time I have to teach you have to be ruthless to those that wound you.’ Alexandrel removed his hand from Asriel’s shoulder, the human became deflated but it was obvious the reason why was because he didn’t expect his response.

The library then slowly came apart, they were now back within his messy lounge. Chershi tutted while throwing a book at him. ‘Look at you slacking!’ Alexandrel grinned at daemon the daemon while catching the book ‘I wasn’t slacking! I wished do an experiment.’ His associate sighed ‘watching you two speak to each other was annoying, but I found something interesting. Read the book I given you.’ Alexandrel frowned and opened the tome, flicking through the book it described how to commune with daemons trapped within objects. It took him only moment to understand why his associate wished for him to read the tome. ‘Interesting…’ ‘See?’ she said joyfully. ‘Now I did my part. I tire of books and translation.’ She hopped off the sofa and walked away. Alexandrel didn’t stop her for she had a point, this was a great find. Asriel folded his arms ‘what are you looking at?’ he asked.

Alexandrel smiled at his disciple ‘I am planning to talk to the ship.’ ‘What!?’ ‘What indeed…’ Asriel began bombarding him with questions, ones he couldn’t bother to answer he was far too absorbed with the tome.

The new chapters are always appreciated. Are you still rolling the dice to see what happens?

 Dayknight wrote:

The new chapters are always appreciated. Are you still rolling the dice to see what happens?

Er...yes and no. XD I am glad that you liked the two chapters.

Longer chapter today since the best chaos god is getting updated.

Chapter 6
Asriel sighed, he was sitting at the table within the armoury. At the current moment he was at work setting candles upon his lord’s power pack, he would use a small measure of warp flame to fasten the stump of the wax to the ceramite and after that came the braziers. Asriel leaned in and sniffed the scented candles. The smell was pleasant and at the same time breathing it in felt like being punched the face. One of the main ingredients were the innards of virgins. How Alexandrel could determine who was who upon their hunt he had no idea. He had little time to contemplate his master’s rapid growth or how he could plow through hundreds of tomes in several weeks.

He then glanced over to the weapon stand, there was a rod topped with sliver metal orb, it was shaped into a feminine face. His lord’s new weapon was finished but Alexandrel desired the ship to “bless” the weapon first before using it.

He wondered why he was putting messaging the ship off, he grasped the ritual to commnue with the ship in days yet he hasn’t done it yet. What was his master waiting for? He grumbled and returned to his work, after the power pack was completed he would have to modify the rest of the armour and adjourn it with leather, strips of flesh and parchments detailing oaths and commitments to the dark prince.

He could barely stare at the armour pieces lining the table, under normal circumstances he would have other slaves aiding him. But he was alone, he was the only slave Alexandrel had, after all he killed rest of them in order to create the flower. ‘That was a mistake…’ he said bitterly. His whole life has been mistake after mistake, he wanted to believe his lord but he couldn’t. He didn’t wish to.

If he became too attached to him something would happen and he would be torn away from him, that would be the worst outcome or he would ruin him in some way. So he decided to be the diligent slave for now, until his master was ready to enact his plan.

Asriel slowly set the last candle into place, once it was fastened he smiled ‘done at last!’ ‘You still have to work the on the rest of my armour.’ Asriel flinched he looked over to the door to see Alexandrel was standing there. He didn’t hear the door open, nor did he hear his steps. His master was wearing a purple robe, he gave his signature smile as he approached the table and sat next to him. Asriel grumbled ‘this is taking to too long.’ ‘Patience, in due time we will act.’ His lord said calmly.

Asriel frowned, it was the calmness that worried him, in his voice and his very presence radiated it. He didn’t know what to thank of that. ‘You’ve changed.’ he said slowly ‘Not entirely.’ Alexandrel responded. ‘Also if you think I am calm you’re wrong.’ ‘You are calm.’ ‘No...I am merely holding back. I am actually quite furious at the moment.’ Asriel looked up to his face, his hair was obscuring his eyes which made reading his expression difficult. He knows how terrifying his lord can be he suspected that his anger was being honed hence his calm exterior. ‘So if I anger you..I might be in trouble?’ ‘Perhaps, but my question is why aren’t you angry?’ ‘Why should I be?’ ‘Arzin told you to make a cult, you were betrayed and you seem to be fine with this.’

Asriel frowned, he hasn’t told him of his mission how did he become aware of it? He tensed, he couldn’t see his eyes so he had no idea if he was lying. His master petted his head ‘Silly human.’ he said warmly. ‘Far too kind for your own good, you can’t even hate someone correctly. Always looking for a reason to forgive someone. Worry not your mission is also my mission.’ As his master removed his hand from his head, Asriel rubbed his neck. Now Alexandrel was being kind, it was strange.

Asriel sighed ‘so what will you do then?’ ‘We are at an advantage, my brothers barely even touch the lower levels. If we do this right a whole army would be at my fingertips.’ His master then stared into his single eye. ‘I would have a whole army at my fingertips.’ he repeated. Asriel raised his eyebrow in confusion ‘what are you doing?’ ‘Wondering if Arzin is going to react.’ At the mention of the daemon prince he recalled that he was leashed.

Alexandrel opened his mouth to speak ‘seems he is alright with this path, if he wasn’t there would be a reaction, like you rolling on the floor in pain.’ ‘How do you know that?’ His master smirked and picked up his pauldron from the table. He placed his other hand on the symbol of the third legion. ‘This...no longer has any meaning. I hate that fact. I despise it.’ ‘I thought you didn’t care for the third legion my lord?’ There was silence in the room for a moment as Asriel spoke, he watched his master waiting for answer. As the threads of his hair moved slightly revealing his blue eyes, his black pupils were tightening. ‘The books father gave me were interesting Asriel. You’re right, I never cared because I refused to learn about my legion’s history. I told myself I wouldn’t care but I can’t help but do so.’ Asriel picked up an edge of malice in his master’s voice, a chill ran down his spine. ‘You see as I read the tomes father gave me many of them spoke of our history in the eye of terror. Some tales were grand describing how a lord of excess made a grand tapestry out of the followers of khorne’s skin or described our feats in the legion. Yet majority of our history after that is defeat after defeat, loss after loss...we are considered broken...Mongrels. Oddly enough the other legions still hold the World Eaters in some regard despite them being in the same state as us. So my question was why? What makes us different?’

Asriel wasn’t sure if this question was directed at him or his master was asking himself question. The issue was would he dare to answer? ‘My lord it’s because they don’t fear you.’ Asriel waited for Alexandrel’s reaction but all he did was frown. ‘You’re right. There are stories, sagas describing Kharn. He is a warrior without equal. But...the masses fear Lucius for a different reason, not for the fact he has conquered worlds or bested opponents it’s because they fear his ability. His name isn’t spoken in hushed tones, same goes for Eidolon, many just call him a lapdog of Abbadon, scuttling in his shadow trying to absorb some of the warmaster’s glory. Ironically Asriel majority of the tomes given to me by father speak poorly of the third. It makes me think of the infamy I enjoyed so much, thinking that I was larger than I actually was. I am merely but a tadpole in a grand pond. Perhaps I am even less than that.’ Asriel didn’t know what to think hearing that, his master was essentially pouring his hearts out, he was about to say something until a cruel smile lined his face. ‘So why not change that image? So many are focusing on finding Fulgrim so some measure of glory can be returned to the third legion, but he could call us together at any time. We will all hear it and answer it without question. When that time comes, we can’t be weak or pitiful. We can’t allow ourselves to stand in the shadows of our “betters” but to stand tall as individuals. I want this warband to be an alpha in the pack, one of the leaders that will pave the way to glory without the help of those who belittle us behind our backs.’

His lord fell silent, he returned the pauldron to the table. Just for a moment Asriel thought he saw Taurus, but then he remembered what he truly wanted. The desire which was unobtainable, the difference here was that Alexandrel understood what type of creature his father was and what he desired. ‘It’s a nice dream.’ said Asriel. ‘It won’t be a dream Disciple.’ ‘I know my lord, please let me help you.’ ‘You’re helping me right now.’ his master rose from his seat, he nodded and smiled at him and left the chamber.

Watching his master leave Asriel returned to his work, now he was eager to finish.

***

Through the eye Arzin showed him the conversation that has just taken place. Adonis couldn’t believe what he saw, but his lord was pleased. +So what do you think champion?+ His lord grasped the eye as he opened it the body part was gone. Adonis lingered on the question, he wasn’t sure how he would answer. +Silence it is then?+ ‘N-No my lord.’ he dropped to one knee and dipped his head. ‘I am merely contemplating the answer to give you.’ +Then let me help, you wish to support the thin blood you hate.+ He tensed as the black Angel spoke, Adonis bit his lip slightly. ‘I….’ +I, what? It seems that our little Alexandrel is already making waves with you.+ Adonis grumbled ‘very well my lord I admit that. Yet the rest of the warband is stubborn.’ +I am aware, but that can be corrected. In light of Alexandrel’s new conviction I have a few ideas. They won’t be put into action right away...but our new and upcoming firebrand is laying the groundwork.+

Adonis watched his lord smile, he wondered what his lord was planning but it wasn’t his place to ask such questions. The Black Angel will reveal his grand plan in time, he always does.

***
‘Why are we patrolling?’ asked Thalis. Aamon didn’t give him an answer, his foul mood was consuming the air around them. Save his comment silenced reigned amongst the squad, he could understand why for Alexandrel has done the unthinkable. He thought he changed with the news that he actually visited Salazar and the cherry on the cake was the fact he destroyed his door as well. Issue was the Soulless has killed Zayden.

Alexandrel was now marked for death, this section of the ship was their territory and he has no doubt that if they came across the traitor they will to use all of their power to kill him. Thalis glanced over to the noise marine who appeared to be agitated. ‘W-We need to run.’ he said slowly. Aamon stopped causing all them to halt in their tracks, his leader turned to the noise marine. ‘What are you talking about?’ Thalis shrugged ‘noise marines are weird in the first place, I wou-’ ‘Aaahh….’ Efron’s scream was a longe drone ‘he is going to come for each of us!’ He pointed at Aamon ‘he will take you last!’ He then turned and ran away before anyone could bring up a word. Salazar scoffed ‘coward.’ Thalis frowned at their little prince ‘oh? Alexandrel is quite strong.’ ‘You overestimate him.’ Salazar said calmly.

Aamon nodded in agreement ‘Salazar is right Thalis, he is but one man. He is favoured but I have seen many Space Marine’s of his stature fall.’ To his ears their words sounded like excuses ‘fine, how about we go to his room? We all know where it is.’ At the mention of his room that was when his brothers eyes drifted away. He could recognise fear, it was clear on their faces. ‘Alright then, I will go myself. Perhaps Alexandrel had his reasons for what he did?’ ‘Do you really think that?’ Aamon hissed. ‘He will lie to worm his way back into our trust, he does it all the time!’ ‘Come on, Zayden wasn’t that big of a loss. Plus we don’t know if Alexandrel truly killed him. Has his body turned up? Most of the slaves would notice a Space Marine moving around a huge corpse.’

His squad leader narrowed his eyes at him, Thalis could see he was treading on thin ice he sighed. ‘Forget I said anything.’ Aamon nodded ‘good. We are continuing the patrol.’ Aamon turned and continued onwards, Salazar smirked at him. ‘Be careful what you say apothecary.’ Thalis sneered at his brother, they then both fell in behind their squad leader, in the end he had no idea what Aamon hoped to gain from these “patrols”.

***
Asriel gently set the rod within the middle of the hieroglyph. He then took several steps back until he was behind his lord. He was now wearing his modified power armour, it was strange seeing such a robust piece of equipment appearing...elegant. The boots of the power armour was shaped similar to platform shoes, leather stockings were threaded up his legs, he wore a dark pink cape that was attached back and wrists. He has seen the very threads reknit itself when damaged and it never becomes dirty as well. Next was his power pack which was mounted with the scented candles and the braziers that bellowed with a purple flame. The smells emanating from the flames was strong, both scents mixing together was causing his legs to wobble slightly. The rest of his armour was adorned with strips of dyed flesh and parchments describing promises to the dark prince.

The only part of his armour which was the same was his helm. Asriel strangely felt proud staring at his master. He watched Alexandrel raise his hands, he began speaking in the dark tongue which caused the glyphs on the ground to glow vibrantly. The rod rose from the ground, the face on the metal orb grinned. +I-I-I s-see...y-you….+ Asriel winced to the voice, dispute the stuttering it was both sensuous and oddly monotone. His lord nodded ‘heart of the Lustful Tyrant I have a request.’ +R-Request?+ ‘Yes, bless my weapon and be on my side for the coming conflict.’ +W-What c-conflict?+ Asriel made note that the ship ignored the request to bless the weapon, perhaps it was getting that? His lord answered the heart’s question. ‘Come now, you must see I wish to make war on my brothers.’ +O-Oh, y-you w-wish to engage in p-pleasure, v-very well.+ The rod then clacked onto the floor, the glow capturing the glyphs ebbed away. Seeing all of this Asriel raised his eyebrow. ‘That’s it?’ ‘That’s it Asriel.’ His master walked over to the weapon and picked it up. He twirled the rod and threw it up in the air as it came down he caught it smoothly. ‘My weapon has been blessed, the heart of ship dwelling within it has changed it.’

Asriel cocked his head in confusion ‘I don’t see anything, it looks normal.’ ‘Patience, now come along we have to wrangle the wild cattle.’ As he said cattle he assumed he spoke of the lower level slaves. ‘Lead the way my lord.’ His master said nothing as he began walking. As he followed him out of the room he could not help but notice his stride was...dignified.

***
Nefli scowled, she has been searching for the heretic for days but she couldn’t find hide or hair of him. She had no desire to return to her lord in shame, she didn’t want to disappoint him. She twisted one the nails embedded in her skin, the nail tearing her skin bought a sense of vertigo over her and at the same time she became focused. If she succeeds new tormens would be available to her, she ceased her worshipped and scanned the other chosen with her. There was Asrai, he was a built man who wore armbands that bit into his olive skin, next was Xophi she would gently stab her wrist with her flensing knives and lastly was Sasda. He was a young man who recently joined their worship but has earned many nails, ones which were personally inserted by Antonius.

Nefli gave a wistful sigh which captured the attention of Asrai ‘the hunt has been long be patience sister.’ he said calmly. ‘I know Asrai, but our quarry is a coward who hides in the shadows.’ ‘She’s right, we should seek information.’ Xophi added. Nefli was waiting for Sasda to give his piece but he was silent, he exuded a confidence that she shamefully lacked at the moment. She suspected that’s the reason why he has risen so quickly.

She folded her arms and nodded ‘Xophi we’ll do your suggestion. Our brothers and sisters must’ve spotted the heretic. Perhaps we will gain some measure of direction then?’ Everyone acknowledged her order save Sasda who grew to a halt. They all stopped, Nefli frowned at the young man ‘what’s wrong Sasda?’ ‘Listen…’ he said in a hushed tone.

Nefli furrowed her brow, that was when she heard the light clacking of shoes. The sound was steadily getting closer. ‘Ready your weapons.’ she ordered. She drew her stubber and pointed it down the hallway, Xophi readied her knives, Asrai unslung his autogun and Sasda unsheathed his blade. The footsteps were close, but Nefli didn’t want to wait, she gestured to Asrai to signal that she wishes to fire down the hallway. The large man gave a grim and then nodded. Both of them then unloaded their magazines, bullets flew down the dimly lit hallway. She could hear the bullets rattling against something but the footsteps were strangely overpowering the sounds of their guns. When they moved to reloading that was when they saw their enemy, it was one of the Space Marines who enslaved them.

She hated their kind, but what confused her was the fact the one before her appeared refined, imposing and elegant at the same time. She swallowed and quickly reloaded her gun and continued to fire, the monster’s movements was a blur she could pick out that he was twirling his rod smacking aside the bullets. The issue was he was still walking towards them, the same clacking from his strange shoes was throbbing her ears. Asrai shook his head ‘I-It’s not working!’ he shouted while removing the empty magazine. Nefli stopped firing and was about to order to fall back but Sasda tutted and charged. She didn’t get the chance to tell him to stop. As he reached their enemy Sasda didn’t get the chance to raise his blade, the Space Marine tapped the head of the rod on his shoulder causing the young man to the drop to the floor.

He was trembling on the ground, she could see Sasda’s eyes dilating. The Space Marine then stabbed the head of his weapon down onto his chest pinning him in place. Her brother’s trembling turned to trashing and screams of pleasure. ‘I have to give him props for trying.’ The Space marine said smoothly. He applied pressure upon his weapon which caused Sasda to flail his limbs about, his head was twisting back and forth until she heard a snap.

Her brother grew still, his neck was twisted in abnormal directions and his face was trapped in the throes of rapture. The Space marine gave a smooth bow ‘my name is Alexandrel, I will be the one tormenting you today. Run or don’t, it matters not to me.’ Alexandrel stood upright, his presence was dominating the whole hallway. Looking at him he still held a dignified appearance but she could also feel malice at the same time. It was crawling over her skin.

Alexandrel began walking again, Nefli didn’t waste any time shouting her order. ‘Run!’ She turned and ran with Asrai but Xophi approached the space marine and dropped to her knees. ‘D-Don’t kill me!’ she begged. Nefli was about to stop but Asrai grabbed her wrist and pulled her forcing her to run. ‘W-What are you doing!?’ Nefli shouted. Her brother didn’t look back ‘she is lost!’ he barked back.

As she picked up Xophi’s screams revelry she knew it to be true. She cursed and as they made the corner her heart sank they were right back where they were before. Alexandrel was stepping over Xophi’s trembling body and he was continuing his slow walk towards them. Nefli shook her head in disbelief ‘w-what is going on?’ Asrai said nothing, he turned back and they both ran away from the monster who seeks to kill them. They made the same corner and like before they were back in front of him and the only difference was that he was closer.

Asrai cursed and let go of her wrist. He reloaded his gun and fired while roaring, but it was hopeless. The Space Marine was effortlessly deflecting the bullets. ‘Run sister!’ Asrai called, Nefli’s teeth was chattering, she didn’t like feeling fear but she did has her brother said. She had to warn their lord, she turned and ran for her life. She could hear the screams of Asrai behind her, he wasn’t screaming in pleasure like Sasda and Xophi but in pain, she wondered what sort of monster the Space Marine was to make them scream in pain?

She made the corner and like before she back in the previous hallway, she was standing before the monster, she glanced down slightly to see Asrai on the floor, he was foaming at the mouth and his eyes were rolled back. ‘Eyes on me human.’ Alexandrel’s voice was purring through the vox of his helm, her gaze shot to him which caused a nod from the Space Marine. ‘Good, so are you going to stop running?’ Nefli was trembling, she didn’t know how to answer.

The monster tapped her cheek lightly with the head of the rod, the effects were immediate a strange sensation blazed through her body, She fell clumsy to the ground. Her body was throbbing with sensation, she had no control over it. ‘T-This i-is t-too m-much…’ she croaked. The Space Marine chuckled ‘oh you want more?’ Nefli raised her hand to stop him but she knew it would be pointless ‘n-no wait!’

The monster raised his weapon, that was when her quarry came to Alexandrel’s side. Xophi’s arm was slung over his shoulder. ‘Master are you playing?’ said Asriel. ‘I am.’ the Astartes answered back.’Well then enjoy yourself my lord.’ ‘You don’t like her do you?’ ‘no I don’t my lord.’ ‘I see…’ Alexandrel bought his weapon down but stopped halfway. ‘How about you serve me like your compatriot? She had some sense.’

Nefli saw the opportunity, she didn’t hesitate. ‘A-alright.’ Her new master nodded. ‘Good.’ The weapon fell, Nefli screamed for her life.

***
Asriel carried his master’s cloak with his bare hands with his new aides, the silks were soft and supple. At the same time the waves of fragrance colliding with his face made it hard to walk. But he couldn’t get distracted his master has now gathered a throng of people, some he would offer kind words and through that strange weapon he would inflict pleasure and those that resist he will give them pain. It was strange that both aspects of the weapon can kill, when one is in the throes of pleasure they can’t control their bodies. He has seen backs, necks and arms snap. Some claw themselves to death, yet when inflicting pain from his observation he burns out their nervous system to the point of deliberation or they die due to a heart attack. It was truly a cruel weapon.

Asriel glanced over to Nefli who seemed at odds with her current position, she was holding Alexandrel’s cloak tightly. ‘So you didn’t expect this to happen did you?’ he said to his fellow slave. She winced as he spoke ‘No...I didn’t expect this at all.’ Asriel could see she was wobbling due to the fragrances emanating from the candles and braizers. He wondered if his master had them do this as some sort of private joke? He thought to ask but the newcomer Xophi spoke before him. ‘W-We are heading to the inner sanctum Nefli, what do we do?’

Asriel wondered what his friend’s favoured would say but she kept silent, he imagined she was trapped in throes of emotional turmoil. Shr desired the pleasure that serving his master could bring her and at the same time some fraction of her loyalty to his friend was making her apprehensive. He hoped that when they arrive Antonius would submit, his friend was smart. He was just misguided at the moment.

He focused ahead of him to see two large double sliver doors, his master pointed at it with his weapon. ‘Open it.’ The emaciated mortals hurried to the doors and pushed them open, his lord stroude forward. Asriel’s heart was thundering in his chest, he wondered what his friend who say? Would he admonish him? Or would he submit?

Walking into the chamber, the remainder of his friend’s followers readied their weapons. Antonius was standing in front of the group, each and every single person appeared terrified save his friend. His lord stopped a few paces away from Antonius. ‘Asriel come forward.’ At his word he quickly let go of Alexandrel’s cape and hurried to his front. ‘Yes master?’ ‘Make him submit.’ Alexandrel said firmly.

Asriel’s heart dropped ‘w-what do you mean?’ ‘You thought I was going to do all of your work for you? Make him submit or kill him. I don’t care which.’ Asriel picked up the enmity and spite in his voice. His lord wasn’t hiding his disgust or anger. Asriel faced Antonius who was clutching the handle of his blade tightly. ‘You heard him.’ Asriel said slowly. Anotinus shook his head ‘you could refuse, you have power.’ He could hear the confidence in his friend’s voice. He could see he wouldn’t listen to reason but he couldn't help but try. ‘I wasn’t aiming to kill you the first time, I hope to cut my way here so we could talk.’ ‘Talk!?’ Antonius gave a great laugh ‘you are being deceived, it hurts me to see you like this. It hurts me to see that the one who gave me confidence and the power to make my own way is being used by a cruel monster.’

His did something unexpected, he offered his hand. ‘As I said you could refuse, the people of the lower levels can make a life here. The space marines do not bother us. You could be part of that, you have the power to tear this monster to pieces.’ He stared at the the offered hand, he then looked back to his master, it was clear despite the dignified appearance his master was the epitome of cruelty. Now that his chains have been lifted and he knows how to direct his frustration there will be a time he will be caught on the crossfire. +What is with the hesitation?+ Asriel flinched, his gaze quickly went back to Antonius. I-I- he did get to finish the thought, Fulgrim continued speaking. +My son exudes sensuality, promise and cruelty. He is offering you these very lessons to dominate and to control. You would rather side with an ugly and mangled human over my child who wishes to show you the way? How dare you…+ The threat was made, the lord of the third wasn’t shouting at him but he was speaking in a low and hushed tone. Each word dripped with venom. Asriel began sweating, he quickly made a swatting motion with his hand. Those standing behind his friend went flying, they crashed upon walls and statues, bones were broken and moans exuding death enveloped the hall.

Asriel found himself breathing harshly, Antonius to him seemed disappointed not angry. That made what he done hurt a lot more, his friend readied his blade and charged. +Make him bend! Twist him until he submits!+ Fulgrim roared at him. +Make him kneel!+ Asriel panicked he raised his hand to freeze Antonius in place through telekinesis. His friend was struggling to move. ‘S-Submit.’ Asriel stuttered. ‘N-Never!’ his friend spat back through gnashed teeth. ‘Stop being the fool!’ Asriel shouted. ‘You will die!’

When he picked up the sound of clacking shoes he jolted, terror washed over him as the sound was replaced my the gentle purr of servos. ‘Asriel what are you doing?’ The words of his master caused his heart to freeze like ice. Worst of all he was whispering in his ear ‘I-I am following your order my lord.’ ‘No...you are not. If you can’t bend or kill a “friend” who is being difficult how are you going to get your old master back? Do you think he would let you freeze him like this? Do you think he would give you time to speak? He would reduce you to ash the moment he realises that you are in his presence.’ The ice clawing at his heart melted. He twisted his hand causing the nails embedded in Antonius’ skin to twist, blood began pooling on the floor, his friend was trying with all his might not to scream. ‘Submit.’ Asriel said firmly. ‘N-Never!’ Antonius repeated.

Asriel frowned and made a motion with his fingers like he was playing a piano. The nails began rising and falling rapidly, his friend was being torn apart. ‘Bend the knee.’ he said smoothly. He released the telekinesis, Antonius fell to the floor with a wet splash. His friend gasped, his head slowly came up. ‘Y-You a-and y-your master can go to hell.’ Antonius said through bloodied lips. Seeing his friend like this was painful, he was about to kill him until he felt a light spherical object on his shoulder. Raw pleasure tore through his body. ‘Kill him, he has made his choice.’ His master whispered.

Asriel slowly adjusted his fingers causing the nails to stab repeatedly but worst of all the sensation gripping him at the moment increased. Each time the nail would stab Antonius’ corpse he would become more intoxicated. He couldn’t control his fingers he kept going until all he could hear was a wet splash sound. His vision was a blur, it was only when he sagged back when the waves of pleasure ceased. His lord caught him ‘Good job.’ Asriel said nothing, he felt numb and sluggish. He blinked quickly clearing his vision, that was when he saw a chunks of meat lying in a pool of blood. Gazing at the remains of his friend he could feel bile building at the back of his throat, strangely he felt sick. Out of all the murders, crimes and manipulations he has committed through the years nothing has ever made him feel this way. Worst of all he desired more, he wanted to chase the wave of pleasure that has fluttered away. He wondered perhaps if this was the first time he truly worshipped Slaanesh?

Also the update helped me write this chapter because it's nice to finally get the direction GW is heading with for Slaanesh.

That was kindof sad no lie lol. That new KOS looks gorgeous though.

 Dayknight wrote:

That was kindof sad no lie lol. That new KOS looks gorgeous though.

That's what I was shooting for in this chapter, also the daemon looks great, since I do slaanesh for AOS and 40k I am quite excited.

edit:An update is coming soon, I forget to put that in the post.

Chapter 7
He watched his Disciple tear through the mass of humans, his single eye was smouldering with power. He found watching Asriel work oddly relaxing, he wondered if it was his creativity with killing people? He has seen his disciple make people implode, some were forced to void their bowels until death and at times he stuck to simple incineration. Yet there was a problem, his shoulders were sagged, if he caught hint of his eye it was sunken slightly and his breathing was harsh. ‘Stop.’ The mortals that followed him ceased walking, but his order was for Asriel who was at the front. His disciple relaxed and turned to face him, his single eye returned to normal. ‘Yes my lord?’ Asriel’s voice was haggard, he was straining to speak.

Alexandrel gestured his weapon to him which caused his disciple to flinch. He was frightened, he was scared of him. Seeing the fear seeping from his body he tutted. ‘What are you afraid of Asriel?’ His disciple said nothing, he appeared completely dejected. He could understand why, he could see it clearly but he shouldn’t be feeling this way if he wanted to fulfill his desire. ‘That human wasn’t your friend, he was an obstacle. So tell me...why didn’t you do what as he asked? As a witch you have power, perhaps enough to overwhelm me so why didn’t you accept his offer and live a miserable life in the lower levels?’ Again Asriel said nothing, Alexandrel decided to walk around him, his eyes drifted up and down Asriel’s body picking out his flaws, assessing why he was acting meek. The slaves holding his cloak had trouble keeping up behind him but he didn’t care.

Alexandrel could see he was rejecting what he felt, he was rejecting the gift he gave him. His weapon could overwhelm the senses. He knows Asriel was strong enough to resist but he chose not to, he chose to kill his friend and revel in the gift he gave him. Regret had no place on this ship, second thoughts to walk on the six-fold path proved he was but a slave. Alexandrel returned to his original spot, he couldn’t help but tutt again in annoyance. ‘So utterly human...I wish I could burn that part out of you.’ He strode up to his slave and held his chin with his hand. He stared deeply into his eye. ‘You wish for me to be frank don’t you?’ The slave only gave silence to his question. ‘If you stop here now you won’t get what you want. I can guarantee you that Fulgrim will cast you aside if he feels you are not up to par and Slaanesh will no longer love you either. They will all abandon you if you don’t get your act together.’ Asriel’s eye went wide with shock, he told him he wasn’t weak like his other masters and he meant it.

He wanted Asriel at his best, his wanton obsession to destroy anything to get what he wants. ‘So who are you more loyal to? Your dead friend or me? Choose now.’ The slave’s teeth began chattering, his single eye was dilating as well. Alexandrel assumed his mental functions were imploding or becoming scrambled, Asriel was trying to most likely rationalize what he did to his foolish friend. Alexandrel squeezed his cheeks to stop his teeth from chattering. ‘Stop rationalizing, you killed him, tore him to pieces. You feel sick, like you want to vomit right?’ Despite his grip Asriel managed a tiny nodding motion. ‘So tell me then..why has killing a traitor made you feel sick?’ ‘I-’ ‘I what?’ Alexandrel interrupted. ‘He was a traitor, he betrayed you. Would a friend reject salvation? You showed him the way but he chose to walk off the path and he tried to drag you along with him.’ ‘H-He wasn’t tr-’ ‘Oh? Is that excuses I hear? If he was your friend he should have joined you without question. He abandoned you soon as it was convenient. Don’t you remember what I told you? That I wouldn’t abandon you? That I am not weak like your old masters? To Slaanesh you are but a amusing toy, one that is acting out a specific role and my father? He will cast you aside once he is bored of you. But me? I will be there, right beside you. So kill for me, break them for me and be merry I would at least like you to be happy as you destroy someone’s life.’ At that moment he was speaking truthfully, he was aware of how Fulgrim acts he would use Asriel up and throw him aside. It could happen at any moment, Slaanesh loves anyone who follows their obsession but the acts of gods are not always tangible.

Alexandrel removed his hand from Asriel’s face, he sighed. ‘Well then? What are you going to do?’ His disciple bowed deeply ‘I am sorry master.’ ‘If you are truly sorry butcher all those we came across, be merry as you do it. I will be able to tell if are pretending.’ his disciple rose, he stood tall and gave him a weak smile. ‘Don’t worry my lord, I am alright now.’ Asriel turned and ran down the hallway, Alexandrel thought to hurry after him but decided against it for it was rude to get in the way of someone's pursuit of pleasure.’

***
Stella paced the hall, she stopped and pointed her blade at her footrest. ‘You will lead my warriors into battle.’ The footrest smiled joyfully. ‘Thank you mistress.’ it said. She grinned, she wanted to burn her slaves so she could make her escape. She will lie low and then start again. She was about to send her slaves out but the doors began warping the metal was being suck inwards until the plates were torn off. Her footrest drew it’s two handed blade from it’s back and walked forward. ‘Warriors surround me!’ it bellowed. ‘Protect the mistress!’ Her slaves echoed the cry of her footrest.

She smiled at their feverancy, but her grin fell as Asriel walked through the broken door. He scanned the room and as his single eye fell upon her. It flashed pink for a moment and suddenly her followers fell to the floor. They were writhing on the floor but something was wrong, every single one of them was screaming in pleasure but they were rearing their backs up violently. One by one she watched the backs of her slaves snap like a twig.

She was now alone, Asriel walked over the corpses until he was a few paces away from her. ‘Submit.’ he said calmly. Stella trembled with fury, this fool thought he could take what rightfully belonged to her. ‘Why are you against me!?’ She shrieked. ‘I offered you salvation! Purpose! You co-’ Stella gasped and clutched her throat. Her blade fell from her hand, she dropped to her knees, she couldn’t breathe. Asriel walked up to her and picked up her blade, it transformed back into a cane. Stella inwardly raged, Asriel cursed her with his witchcraft. She tried to reach for him but the force on her throat was too much. ‘You won’t submit will you?’ Asriel said smoothly. ‘I had so much hope for the both of you. Antonius would be alive if he didn’t betray me and you? You are completely lost.’ He tapped his cane on her head, the force holding her throat ceased instead her skin along her arms began to peel rapidly. ‘W-Wait!’ she pleaded. The peeling ceased, she panted and swallowed a glob of spit. Her throat was dry. ‘I-I s-submit.’ Stella stuttered.

Asriel smiled warmly at her ‘I don’t believe you.’ the peeling continued Stella screamed, she collapsed the ground. The pain was too much, she wailed and cried on the floor. Her skin was being ruined, she didn’t want to die. ‘S-Stop! I-I’m s-sorry! Please!’ again the peeling stopped. Asriel knelt and picked up one of her bloodied hands. ‘I still don’t believe you.’ purple lightning threaded his hands, the energy left it and tore through her body. Stella gave a wail of pure agony.

***
Alexandrel walked into the chamber Asriel entered, he had a woman slung over his shoulder. She was pale and her hands were bloodied pieces of meat. Her gaze was absent as well. His disciple approached he was smiling ear to ear. ‘See look, I did it. She submitted.’ Alexandrel nodded approvingly ‘good work, from here things will be easy. Now we must prepare everyone. You still have to destroy the Hellions Of Terror no?’ Asriel’s gaze turned hard ‘I know. How will we do that though? I doubt your brothers will take kindly to the fact that we will kill and convert their slaves.’ ‘The ship is on our side. As I said we must prepare the humans of the lower levels first. In truth Asriel you have to become far more powerful as well if are going to complete this task.’

His disciple said nothing, just for a moment Alexandrel thought he saw hesitation but dismissed it in light of his current success.

***
Aamon watched Ashi run the new members of his thorn through the drills within the training hall. Each man and woman was a rating from the navy ships, but he didn’t choose them for their physical prowess but for their mental fortitude and loyalty. Dilon’s and Alexandrel’s betrayal was still fresh within his mind. In the case of the Soulless he will act, he always does and he wants to be ready for when that time comes. Ashi glanced up to him ‘is something wrong my lord?’ ‘Wondering when Alexandrel will come and destroy us all.’ ‘Why don’t you petition the leader to do something?’ Ashi’s suggestion would make sense under normal circumstances but Arzin allows the Soulless to get away with too much for his liking. ‘No, I can’t rely on him. It’s been a month or so since he has left but I know he will come back, he will aim to kill us.’

His thrall gave a grim nod ‘I see my lord, I will make sure the men and women of your thorn are ready.’ Her words warmed his hearts, it's rare to find such loyalty in the ranks of the forgotten and the damned but in order to survive loyalty is important. You must have someone watching your back because a dagger could come from anywhere. ‘Thank you Ashi you are diligent as always.’ ‘I require no praise my lord as you said this is survival.’ ‘Indeed Ashi, that’s what we should be focusing on. Now I will take my leave.’ His thrall saluted, Aamon smiled as he left the training hall. He had to make his own preparations.

Chapter 8
Alexandrel watched Asriel’s blade move through the air, his cane was a shamshir at the moment. The blade glinted as it moved through the air and he had to admit Asriel was quite good at bladework for a human.

The training hall they were using was reserved for them alone. He has put the mortals through their paces, they can fight but fear drips from each and every one of them. He hoped Asriel would lead them but despite the skill being displayed before him he could still feel that something was missing. ‘Stop.’ Alexandrel ordered.

The blade froze, Asriel lowered the blade and looked over in his direction. ‘Is something wrong my lord?’ He walked up to his disciple and asked. ‘Tell me why did your previous master joined the Black Legion?’ The question caused Asriel to tense. ‘He...sought brotherhood.’ he answered. ‘Do you think he gained what has strived for?’ Alexandrel threw another question at Asriel, he turned meekish. ‘I...don’t know, he looked happy when we saw him so I assume he achieved his desire.’ The answer was expected, but it was not the one he wanted to hear. Now he realised wasn’t hateful but bitter and regretful ‘Don’t you hate that? He left you behind, cast you aside like a piece of trash.’ Asriel’s face screwed slightly due to his insult. His sadness pervaded the room. ‘I made some mistakes my lord, but that’s why we are working together to correct it. I can get him back.’ ‘Not like this you can’t.’ Alexandrel responded.

His disciple became confused ‘what else do you want from me? I killed my friend, I dominated the one who betrayed me.’ ‘What I want from you Asriel is anger, greed, lust and envy.’ Alexandrel raised his hand and backhanded his disciple, he controlled his strike so his mouth would be bloodied. The human winced in pain. ‘You should be angry that Abbadon stole from you, you should be angry at those who you he considers to be his “brothers” they stole his love from you.’ Asriel was trembling as his single eye met his gaze, Alexandrel struck him again keeping him from looking at him. ‘Greed should drive you as well, all that he is should belong to you.’ He slapped him a third time. ‘Lust, your desire his affection. He is your family is he not?’ As his head came forward he backhanded him a fourth time, his cheeks were swollen, tears were falling down his face. ‘You should envy his happiness, why does he get to happy? Why do his brothers find joy after all you sacrificed for him?’ Alexandrel hit him again for crying. ‘Stop crying, you aren’t a child.’

Alexandrel shook the hand he used to discipline Asriel, flickers of blood splattered onto the floor. His disciple said nothing, he frowned at the human. ‘Are you even angry at me for striking you?’ Asriel slowly shook his head, his answer earned him another backhand. As the back of his hand struck his face his disciple fell to the ground, his sword fell from his hand. Alexandrel thought to use his rod but decided against it, Asriel’s problem was mental not physical. In the end perhaps he was just a slave?

Alexandrel tutted and left the training hall, as he stepped out into the hallway Chershi was waiting for him. ‘Is your little human moping about?’ she said in a mocking tone. When the door slid close behind him he answered her question. ‘Yes he is, the human is but a slave nothing more.’ His associate raised her eyebrow. ‘Is that what you truly think?’ ‘At the moment yes, the female Stella may make a good leader.’ ‘I see, but perhaps you are giving up on him too soon?’ ‘Chershi if he wishes to take his desire seriously then I will give him my time, I am not in the mood at the moment.’ His associate shrugged and walked away.

Alexandrel grunted and made his way to Stella’s chamber, when he reached the door it slid open due to his presence. Walking into the large chamber, slaves were already at work cleaning the marble floors and dusting the couches. What he saw impressed him slightly Stella had a certain power over people. He approached the sofa the human was sitting on, she has replaced her old clothing for a habit which was crafted from fine black leather. She wore a pink sash around her waist and a goat like charm dangled from it, she was also wearing black stockings and the suspenders were hooked into her skin and to finish her look she was wearing black high heels.

His own personal touch was suturing her mouth shut due to her complaints but eventually she understood her position. Despite the threads, lining her lips she held and enticing air about her. He assumed the new cult was attracted to the sensuality she exuded. ‘Stella’ Her mouth move slightly and somehow she was speaking clearly, clear signs that she was favoured. ‘Yes my lord? What do you need?’ She said smoothly. He smiled at her confidence, despite the setback she was eager and ready to press forward.

***
Asriel sat on the ground stunned, he gently placed his hands on his swollen face, the metal tipped claws lining his gloves stang the swells on his cheeks. ‘I-I k-know…’ it was painful to speak. Yet he do so anyway, his master was right Tertricus would annihilate him if they were face to face, he would resist and he hated him for leaving him behind. The years alone and scraping by to survive was torture. Dying and being resurrected wasn’t pleasant either. He remembered drinking water from dirty streams and digging out food in the trash. He has been mugged, attacked and killed by gangs, worst of all the torment didn’t stop there since with each death the lord of the third would torture him further before bringing him back.

Asriel could feel the misery of those troubled times pervading his heart and mind. He thought he moved passed it, that perhaps this was a new start, he thought it would be easy to get Tetricus back. In Alexandrel’s new found cruelty he could see that he was trying to push him further, he is questioning how strong was his desire? ‘B-B-Balim…’ Uttering the daemon’s name, he felt arms wrap around his neck and a overpowering musk began lacing his nose. The creature then leaned their head on his shoulder. Shifting his vision in that direction slightly he saw her giving him a smile that was all teeth. ‘You called?’ The creature most likely can smell or perhaps taste what he wants. ‘A-Am I-I w-weak?’ it was still painful to talk but he didn’t care. The daemon removed herself from his body, she began walking around him and as she did so she shifted to his male form.

Balim summoned his cane and twirled it around, he then stopped in front of him. ‘What do you want me to say? It’s clear that you are, the object of your affection is so far away but I want to ask you another question what will you do once you have him?’ Asriel perked up at the question, the answer to him was obvious. ‘A-Alexandrel s-said we w-will make him beg for f-forgiveness. He will r-rejoin the third legion.’ ‘Oh that’s what the Space Marine wants or Fulgrim depending on you listen to. I asked what do you specifically desire?’

As always Balim cuts through the heart of the matter, Asriel mumbled despite the pain holding his cheeks. What do I want? His thoughts were jumbled, he couldn’t come to a clear answer. The daemon before him shook his head ‘that’s the problem, you follow too much. You wish to be like someone else, you bend over backwards to appease people. When it should be the other way round.’ Balim tapped his cane on the ground, he summoned several pink wisps that danced on the ground. Asriel wondered what the daemon was doing but as Balim pointed at the first it took the shape of Adelram. ‘Your first lord, the one who brought you into this life. You gave him your heart and loyalty because that is what he wanted. Yet it wasnt never enough was it? You thought to use your initiative but he kept rejecting you time and time again so you pushed to further extremes which pleased the dark prince but not the lord you served. Next we have...’ He pointed at the next wisp that took the form of Taurus. ‘You were so close to what you wanted here until one fateful event. You realised that you were both so far apart, you were human and he was Astartes. When he told you that you could never be like him you thought that he was trying to push you away. So you thought to become more than human but in turn doing that you caused his destruction.’

Asriel disliked hearing the tale of his captain, he could of done so much differently but it was too late. He knew who Balim was going to talk about next as the cane moved to the next wisp it transformed into Tetricus. ‘You made so many mistakes here in my opinion.’ At the mention of mistakes Asriel frowned. ‘I-I t-tried.’ ‘Oh yes you tried but here is where you went wrong, like Adelram you displayed incredible loyalty. Yet you didn’t make yourself enticing, you didn’t offer what Tetricus craves so while you were sacrificing everything to bring him back to life Abbadon waddled along and did what you failed at.’ Asriel was about to open his mouth to speak but Balim raised his finger. ‘You were going to say how can I offer him brotherhood? I am not an Astartes I am human. See? So now you think that Taurus was right so how about I tell you that he was wrong?’ Asriel slowly closed his mouth, he was entranced by what the daemon was telling him.

Balim twirled his cane and chuckled ‘many of the Space Marines keep companions that are mortal, daemon or perhaps alien. They literally can’t live without them. When those things are taken from them they burn worlds, but when their so called brothers die they don’t bat an eye they might sulk for a few minutes but then they move on. But before I explain how you will achieve that we have three more people to discuss.’ He pointed at the last three wisps who became Antonius, Stella and Alexandrel.

The Daemon gestured over the two who he thought to be his disciples, but he was wrong. Balim tutted ‘when it came to dealing with these two you were wrong.’ ‘W-What!?’ he couldn’t believe that, yet Balim was a shard of Slaanesh so he couldn’t be wrong. Asriel began panicking ‘I-I k-killed m-my f-friend f-for no reason!?’ his heart sank but the daemon nodded. ‘You did for Slaanesh cares for all excess, it doesn’t matter what form that takes. Antonius can worship pain above all else and Slaanesh would love him all the same, Stella can think herself as a goddess and her drive to be one fills the dark prince with joy.’ Balim laying all of it out he was devastated, utterly crushed by what he was hearing. He began crying, he didn’t care if the tears burned his cheeks. He killed Antonius for no reason.

The daemon was breathing heavily as he wept, it was most likely drinking in his misery. Balim then pointed at the last wisp which was Alexandrel. ‘So cruel, so horrifying and dignified at the same time. I have been doing some snooping around the palace, weighing what the dark prince has told me and I will let you in on something. Alexandrel is both right and wrong in dealing with your current issue. He is right in the fact that you must do more to bring Tetricus back but he is wrong in trying to make you cruel.’

Hearing the daemon speak he wiped away his tears. ‘W-What do y-you mean?’ Balim dismissed the wisps. He walked over and knelt in front of him. ‘Your excess is quite interesting and very dark as well. You are lucky to have a master who is so understanding now, but both of you are polar opposites and that will never change. You should focus on your kindness and love. It’s so great that it can draw people to you, it’s why you have survived so long and at the same time you utterly destroy people with it.’ The daemon shifted back to female, she offered her hand. ‘If you work on that front. I will give you power and strength. You will need it now for Stella wishes to be leader of the new cult which is forming. She is making waves, so you have to work quickly. So what do you say?’

Asriel took Balims hand without hesitation.

***
Arzin closed his hand over the eye this development was interesting. His champion seemed confused so he decided to enlighten him. +you’re confused aren’t you?+ ‘Yes my lord I am.’ He grinned, he understood what Balim was aiming for, if he thought about he saw the signs. +So you wonder what use the dark prince can make out of kindness and love? It’s quite simple no matter what emotion it is, anything in excessive amounts feeds Slaanesh.+ ‘I doubt kindness and love helps on the battlefield.’ +Oh it can, people die for the leaders they adore or perhaps one can exude such empathy and innocence that the enemy cannot fire a single bullet. Such people are incredibly enticing. Tell me champion have you heard of the tale of the silver knight?+ Adonis gave a curt nod. ‘I have.’ +So you recall that the silver knight travelled through the realm of slaanesh denying the dark gifts provided by the dark prince. Yet what made him fall in the end?+ ‘Innocence...’ he said with realisation. +Exactly, the knight didn’t see a monster or a being of boundless delights nor a beacon of hedonism what he saw in Slaanesh was innocence, how could he kill something so pure? How could he deny it?+ Arzin chuckled +it seems I have forgotten some lessons. I think it is time to begin the plan.+ ‘Plan?’

Arzin didn’t answer the question he closed his eyes and and focused. The fog that was clouding Aamon from his pursuers was lifted. Right away he saw the blue light scouring for the little angel’s location. As he opened his eyes he smiled at Adonis. +So it begins. Adonis go and keep your squad alert at all times. Patrol the ship.+ His champion rose from his knee and bowed, he then turned and left the chamber.

Once he was gone Arzin flexed his clawed hand and after a few seconds it shifted to be more humanoid. He couldn’t keep the shape for long but once the new cult has been created he will be able to transform his whole body, that’s if the mortal succeeds.

***
Asriel stood in the hall he has taken for himself. There were benches and tables lining the room and plates and cups have been set on the tables. He has gathered all of this together to create a feast. This dining hall will be the place where people can revel and be happy. The plates held rotten pieces of meat and the cups were full of dirty water but that would change in a moment.

He walked down the aisles and with the extra power Balim gave him he pointed his blade at each plate and cup. The food turned into grand meals and the water became pristine and clear. As he worked he thought of Alexandrel. He didn’t question why he left his chamber he expected that the Space Marine didn’t care for him at the moment. In a way this was for the best, he knows soon as he makes waves within the lower levels he would come running back.

As he finished he smiled and sheathed his blade. ‘Next is to gather people.’ He left his personal hall and walked the corridors of the ship. It wasn’t hard to find the unloved, the hungry and those seeking something better. He didn’t care if they were members of the new cult being developed or worshippers of the emperor they all had one thing in common, they were scared and hungry. At first people didn’t believe him but with persuasion and promise of a good meal they found it hard to refuse.

Once he felt enough people were informed he returned to the dining hall, it was empty as he arrived but in a few minutes it began filling with people. The lost took their seats, their mouths were watering. ‘Eat!’ Asriel shouted. At his word the emaciated slaves dug into their meals, the men and women in the hall finished their meals quickly. Their hunger was that strong and if he was honest with himself he didn’t expect them to annihilate their meals so quickly. He watched as the people stared at their plates he could see the dissatisfaction, he could see the desire for more food and water.

It was simple to create great meals with a base but there was barely anything left on their plates and their cups were drained. ‘They need more…’ Asriel whispered to himself. He approached a skinny young male, he looked up to him and dipped his head in thanks. ‘T-Thank y-you.’ he stammered.

Asriel could see the pain in his eyes, but those past few minutes must of been heaven for him. It was most likely heaven for all those in the hall. Thinking of heaven it clicked, why couldn’t he make them live in heaven all the time? He was so focused on Tetricus who was so far away that he has forgotten the people in front of him. He recalled what an old friend has told him so long ago. Don’t change. Asriel drew his blade and pointed it at the plate. He focused on the scraps of meat and slowly it began to bubble and then expand. Some called him witch, others were staring in awe but everyone had their eyes on him.

The small pieces of meat became large slabs, he then placed his shamshir upon the cup. The small drops expanded until the cup became full again. Asriel lowered his blade, he smiled at what he has done but he began coughing blood. His life liquid also started to fall down his nose and his breath became haggard. His legs were wobbling and something unexpected happened. The man before him shot up from his seat and steadied him. He saw concern, Asriel wiped his mouth and nose. ‘Eat, this is for you don’t worry about me.’ The young man was tensing but he sat back down. Asriel moved to the next plate and did the same again, he moved from seat to seat, plate to plate and cup to cup. Refilling them one at a time.

His coughing became worse, so did his breathing that was when a voice passed through his mind. +You’re suffering to make yourself look better? How quaint.+ said Fulgrim. Asriel narrowed his eyes so what? Their lives are becoming better. His thoughts were known by Fulgrim he gave him a warm chuckle in return. +Oh I am not looking down on you, go on ahead. Better make someone walk off the tip to the iceberg themselves than push them. Keep going…+ The lord of the third grew silent.

Asriel continued his work and as he finished he looked around, the hall was not merry, people were not happy. He cleaned the blood away with his hand. ‘Eat, do not worry about my suffering.’ His attendees began eating again, they were trying to hold back their happiness and he knew why. ‘Please eat. Please be happy. Cry if you want to cry, scream if you want to scream…’ he announced.

Slowly everyone began talking again and once they finished, he could still see they were still hungry. Asriel walked among them and repeated the process and strangely the technique to resummon the meal became easier. He felt less tired and he didn’t cough up blood or get a nosebleed. He detected that people seemed more...ready to indulge. Steadily people became more happy, men and women cheered and then they finished their next serving. People were rising to leave, but as he moved to a table and summoned wine from the liquid within the cup everyone sat back down again. As the wine passed among everyone tongues were made looser and the revelry grew to new heights. What made him truly happy was when people were raising cups to him and shouting. ‘Dionysus! Dionysus! Dionysus!’

To Asriel it sounded like a name, it didn’t sound bad.

***

Stella sat within her old room which was redecorated. Pink silks lined the wall and carpets laced with golden threads covered the entire floor. Her nails were filed by her slaves, she had to admit she thought was going to die at first after what Asriel did.

Then torture inflicted upon her by the Space Marine was painful but a few weeks ago he has given her power. She suggested that she should take back her old abode and he allowed it. What was more interesting that he told her that he wished for her to take over the remnants of the old cults that were destroyed.

Stella relaxed on her golden throne, her sycophants were baying in her ears but she paid no mind to them. What was important to her was that she had more power and she was being worshipped. All of that was interrupted as her chamber doors opened, Nefli and Xohpi entered and walked up to the throne. They were dressed similar to her, but she had to smile at the fact that they now both served her. ‘So tell me.’ she said to her two slaves. ‘What is the failure doing?’ She refused to speak the name of the one that ruined her. His name would not pass her lips.

Nefli gave a smooth bow and came forward. ‘We’ve been keeping tabs on him over the past few days and the news is troubling.’ Stella frowned at the word “news” and “troubling” that wasn’t good. ‘Tell what you have found out.’ Stella ordered. Nefli bowed again ‘across certain sections of the lower levels many are worshipping someone called Dionysus.’ ‘Worshipping?’ ‘Yes, they call this individual the lord of revelry, Bringer Of Joy and Ritual Madness. He even has the title of Master of Ecstasy.’ ‘So you think this person is Asriel?’ ‘We believe so mistress.’ ‘Okay then, so you know what to do. Gather some warriors and kill him.’ As she gave her order Xophi’s face twitched, she didn’t like that. ‘Is there a problem?’ Xophi shook her head. ‘N-No mistress.’ ‘Then go, you have your orders. Don’t bother returning if you don’t have his head.’

Her slaves bowed and left. Stella sighed ‘he keeps getting in the way…’

Chapter 9
Nefli entered the territory of Dionysus with Xophi and several hand-picked warriors of the cult. She could see Xophi was apprehensive so was the rest of the unit. She gave all of them a hard look. ‘Quiet your fear, all of you.’ Xophi shook her head ‘but the stories…’ ‘Aren’t true. Do you think that the gaze of a single man can destroy one’s heart?’ ‘B-But…’ ‘Do not question yourself, focus.’ Her sister fell silent, Nefli drew her stubber and a blade. She lead her squad into the mouth of the den of heretics.

So far they have only scouted the boundaries and killed drunken revelers for information but entering the territory fully her heart was shuddering even if she didn’t show it on face. The walls was covered with pictures, the colours used hurt her eyes. The art pieces displayed daemons and humans mix together in revelry and worst of all they were moving. What made going through this section of the ship harder was the smell, it was vibrant but soon enough she would feel sick like she wanted to vomit. Unsurprisingly a few of kill-team voided their bowels. After walking for a few minutes, strange sounds began to thread their ears from giggling, vomiting and cries of ecstasy. She found all of this too much until they reached a crossroad and standing in the middle of it were androgynous beings dancing among each other. They wore torn and dirty garments that bore the likeness of nobility and their white ruff collars was stained with wine and other identifiable liquids. Nelfi raised her stubber and shot near their feet to get their attention but they kept dancing.

She repeated the action and there was no response, she then decided to fire several times at two dancers as they fell upon the floor the rest stopped and fell upon them like sharks. Heads, arms and organs were flying up in the air. Moans and shouts clogged the hallway as the dancers used the parts in their revelry. Strangely one rose from the group and approached them one all fours, it was enticing all them Nefli’s finger was trembling on the trigger but she steeled her heart and lowered the weapon. ‘Where is Dionysus?’ The question caused the creature to freeze. It smiled showing it’s pearly white teeth, as it spoke it’s voice was deep and it was mixed between the genders. ‘You wish to see him?’ ‘Yes, I desire an audience.’ she lied.

The creature rose smoothly, it was far too smooth to the point of abnormality. Getting a better look of the individual the right side of their chest was almost slender and bore a single breast but the leftmost half was clearly masculine. Their body was a mix of pure muscle and slenderness it was utterly wrong. The creature gave a fluid bow. ‘Comus…you may call me that.’ The creature rose and began walking around the mass of creatures. ‘Follow me.’ it said smoothly.

Xophi gave a look, she was pleading for her to turn back but what would that accomplish? If they flee their duties Stella will hear of it. What will make it worse was if Lord Alexandrel intervenes to punish them. She walked around the creatures and fell in behind Comus, the rest of her unit did the same she doubted they would want to go back without her. They all kept close to Comus, but Nefli used the opportunity to gain information. ‘So what happened to this part of the ship? It changed quite quickly. Comus grinned ‘there was a woman who was hungry, hungry for love and food. That was when he arrived. He tore off our shackles, one at a time. As I slaked my thirst I changed, became more…’ ‘You refer to Dionysus? You also say that you were woman?’ ‘Yes he was lost as well, but together we all found joy. Asking of my gender shows how much your mind has been shackled. Man? Woman? What difference is there such things? They are chains that get in the way of happiness. Slaanesh is all things, he could be anything or anyone so why bind yourself to such concepts? Do you wish to hear of my revelries?’

Nefli didn’t question Comus further, she had no desire to understand what this creature got up to in it’s spare time. It lead them to two grand sliver doors, she placed her hand upon the doors and pushed them open until there was a crack. Comus stepped in, Nefli took a deep breath. ‘Ready weapons.’ Her squad followed her order in silence, they all then walked into the mouth of hell.

Entering the chamber the smell that held the hallway was far more powerful here, Xophi vomited but Nefli found was happening here far more terrible. Tables were lined with mounds of food and pink coloured wine. There were throngs of people on the floor and tables trapped in coition, many were devouring large amounts of food, men and women were also examining themselves in broken mirrors as they were pampered by people in bondage. Sitting above it all was an individual who sat on a gold throne. They were bald, his entire body was covered in threads of gold and jewelry, the only source of clothing that lined his body was sliver armored trousers and boots. Looking upon his face one eye was black and the other was gold. He was also wearing eye shadow. What topped the whole look off was the golden choker which had a golden rune of the dark prince dangling from it.

When this man rose, the revelry ceased, everyone froze in place. He began walking towards them that was when she noticed people were parting and bowing before him. When they were face to face she realised he was taller than Antonius. ‘Guest Comus?’ His voice rumbled slightly, Nelfi’s could help but tremble in both fear and awe. Comus nodded ‘yes great one, they seek an audience.’ ‘I see.’

The golden giant eyes then fell on her, her first instinct was to kneel but she forced herself to stand she could see the rest of her kill-team were struggling as well. ‘A-Are y-you Asriel?’ at the mention of the name the large man smiled. ‘Yes I am, but in a few short weeks I now have many titles. So you’ve have come to kill me.’ As he said “ kill” every single individual in the hall were glaring at them, Comus seemed oblivious to this fact. Asriel stroked his chin ‘how fascinating is she that frightened?’ He walked up to her and as he got close the his musk filled her nose, her mind was screaming at her to bend. When Asriel’s hands reached for her shoulders he steadied her to keep her from shaking. ‘Peace...be at peace. So what has she offered you for my head?’ ‘N-Nothing…’ she stammered out. ‘So she sent you out on a dangerous mission without any hope of reward? Now you could attempt to kill me but I will give you a counter offer. You can be a host leader of my elite, the Immortals. You will have recognition, love and power.’ His right hand left her shoulder and one of the revelers handed Asriel a cup full of wine, he offered it to her. ‘Why live in unhappiness when you can be happy all the time? No more fear, no more dealing with disgusting masters and no more being called a slave. You will have a lord, a king not a slave driver.’

Nefli breathed in the scent from the wine she was about to reach for it until a voice called to her. ‘W-Wait…Nefli.’ It was Xophi she looked over in her direction to see that those within the dining hall were eyeing her kill-team hungrily. ‘Nefli, these people are monsters. Do you want to end up like the people here or those in the hall? What of Alexandrel? Do you think he would tolerate the existence of this group?’ The rest of her squad said nothing, but she could see they were in agreement with Xophi. ‘She is speaking out of fear of the unknown.’ said Asriel. ‘She fears the lord of the lower levels. But if we take control of the lower level in its entirety then what is to fear? I have the favour of the leader of this warhost. Next to that...what is there to fear? Fear keeps you from joy, fear prevents you from seeking delight.’

Nefli glanced down to the cup she took it from Asriel’s hand ‘I am tired of being afraid, of being weak.’ She drank deeply of the liquid, she collapsed to her knees. Her mind, eyes and body was throbbing. It was then she heard the screams of Xophi, but her mind was on the drink and what Asriel offered her.

***
Asriel watched the supplicant drink deeply, he could see her companions would resist so they would be meat for his people, for the Bringers of Debauchery. He turned away from the recent convert, the revelry within the hall returned but Comus was following him to his throne. As he sat down the Raging Reveler and The Bringer of Anarchy was facing him. He or she depending on who you ask was one of his foremost champions. Comus bowed ‘my lord.’ ‘You wish to hunt them, those who bring dourness and darkness?’ ‘Yes….’ ‘You will soon get your chance, I wish to make battle with them.’ ‘Not war?’ ‘This isn’t a war Comus, it is but a battle. One that will be short and quick unfortunately. But you can take your time with leftovers if you want. A gift for bringing Nefli to me.’ Comus gave him a smooth smile ‘thank you my lord.’ ‘Also take our newest convert with you, let her slake her thirst on blood and indecency.’

Comus stepped aside allowing him to get a full view of Nefli, she was stuffing herself with food and gouging upon the blessed wine. ‘Nefli.’ he called. His voice cut through the crowd, he ensured that through his psychic powers. His recent convert froze, half eaten food fell from her mouth. She stood up and walked up to his throne. Her clothes were stained with wine and food but it seemed she didn’t mind. ‘Nefli, my new host leader. Go with Comus and annihilate Stella’s followers. Ensure nothing of her remains.’ Nefli burped, but she bowed and stepped in close with Comus. They then both left the dining hall.

Watching them leave Asriel surveyed what he has created. Unlike Stella he rules with love and joy, she can only use fear. Her minions would break in the face of those who have no shackles and love their leader.

***
Alexandrel walked the lower levels, a war was brewing but one side was clearly losing. There were groups of people who were bound in leather suits, they sniffed at the air but they had large fangs. They were voracious eaters, several have attacked him their teeth can strangely cut into his ceramite but he could dispatch them easily enough but if there was a swarm of them? He would imagine he would be hard pressed. Using his rod he crushed and battered the mortals aside one by one it was only as he found masked cultists where he stopped. They wore clothes that gave them the guises of nobles but their clothes and ruff collars were stained. Some of the masks appeared to be the type used in masquerade balls but the question was who lead them?

He walked up to the mortals and as he approached they faced him and bowed. ‘Greetings lord.’ said the human wearing the golden mask. It appeared feminine but as they lifted the mask up he caught the face of a young man with fair skin. He smiled ‘we’ve heard so much about you.’ Alexandrel disliked the human, his voice was far too smooth for his liking it reminded him of Salazar. Yet they were being respectful ‘who are you? Who leads you?’ he asked of the mortal. The question caused the human to lick his lips. ‘My name is Asris, leader of the 5th host of the Immortals. We were engaging in an idle dalliance with the misguided. Comus the leader of the 1st and a newbie among us was at work tearing apart heretics, we just decided to join in. We were just done here.’ Alexandrel glanced at the corpses they were all in pieces and naked as well, what happened to them would be better left unanswered. Even so he liked the detailed answer but he desired to know who he worked for. ‘That’s quite a lot of information, now tell me who is your leader?’

Asris stroked his chin ‘our king is Dionysus, his name was whispered to us during the first feast. But to you he is known as Asriel, he talks at length about and seems quite fond of you as well.’ Hearing the name of the slave he found it hard to believe he could organise a cult in a few weeks but people can change, quite quickly as well. ‘Can you take me to him?’ Alexandrel couldn’t hide the excitement in his voice. Asris bowed again ‘certainly, please follow me.’

He fell in with the mortals, he didn’t hide the fact that he was eager to meet his missing slave.


***
Nefli sliced open the throat of one Stella’s followers. But it didn’t settle her hunger, she was so hungry since she left the dining hall. The smell in this part of the ship didn’t provoke her senses, she wanted to puke. It was only when the air was full of killing where the hunger would flutter away for a moment, worst of all the hunger brings a numbness. She stepped on the face of the one she killed, she twisted her foot on their head ruining the face completely. The squishing of the meat caused the hunger to ebb but she wanted more, always more.

She removed her foot from her enemy and moved to the next, she tried to keep out of the of Comus but watching her extravagance at killing caused her hunger to drift, he stomach was being filled the numbness was being replaced by warmth and sensation. Comus danced among the misguided stabbing, slicing, leaping and flipping. She was even moving among the Devourers with ease, they were people who would eat anything or anyone according to Comus. They were bound in bondange, their arms bound behind their backs and they were wore forming fitting leather suits that were scented to keep them from eating themselves.

When the killing ceased the Devourers ran onward, when they have the scent of meat and blood they were uncontrollable. Comus sheathed her blade, she didn’t regard the Immortals who fought with them. ‘So boring…’ said Comus. Nefli pointed down the hall ‘we are near the main chamber, I am eager to get back as well.’ Her fellow host leader gave a coy smile ‘I could show you things…’ She-he seemed absolutely enticing at the moment, she could feel the numbness and her hunger screaming at her to say yes. She tensed ‘I wouldn’t survive.’ ‘Does it matter?’ ‘It does, I was promised things and I aim to collect.’ Her associate gave a playful shrug, he walked onwards. ‘Let us move I want to get this done quickly.’ Comus said smoothly.

They all advanced to the main chamber as they reached the door they found it ajar. Nefli could pick up the sounds of gunshots and the clashing of blades but then it ceased. Comus tutted ‘it seems someone joined in on the fun.’ Nefli said nothing, they walking into the chamber and what they found was a group of obese individuals eating the corpses. But her own eyes was focused on who she assumed to be the leader. He was wearing makeshift silver armour, a power hammer was rested on his shoulder and he was holding Stella by her neck with his other hand. She was struggling to free herself but this newcomer’s grip was too tight.

They approached the large warrior, Comus folded his arms. ‘Crassus, Dionysus desired that we kill the heretic.’ Nefli didn’t want to fight the large man but as he gave his guttural laugh she trembled slightly. ‘We caught wind of what was happening Comus! This feast is ours!’ Crassus bellowed. His incredibly large mouth parted, he clamped down upon Stella’s head and tore it off. Nefli noted that her old leader didn’t even get the chance to scream. She watched the large man chew slowly he then swallowed and cast the corpse aside, he smiled displaying bloodied teeth. ‘Delicious….Now who is this? Has she taken the 6th position?’ ‘She has.’ Comus answered. ‘Good! Good! We can now make holy war upon the heretics of the upper levels! I wish to eat my fill! So, I shall go and report the good news to our lord? Do you wish to tag along?’ Comus tutted but Nefli couldn’t help but help but worry slightly that Crassus might devour them.

***
Alexandrel was lead into the dining hall, the revelry occuring surprised him but he had his eyes on Asriel. Asris lead him through the crowds of people as they reached the throne Alexandrel couldn’t help but gasp. His slave was unrecognizable he strangely smiled. ‘You’ve been working hard haven’t you?’ Asriel took the question in good stride ‘I have been working for myself and for those who are lost in the darkness.’ The rumble and power in his voice was a surprise he wondered if it was his psychic powers? Asriel then clapped ‘a chair for Lord Alexandrel.’ He picked up the note that he didn’t call him “my lord” he could see courtesy but not respect but that didn’t bother him.

His slave then gestured to Asris ‘you have done well, return to your pleasures.’ The young man bowed and left with his group, it was then when the mortals arrived with a large silver chair. They placed the large chair next to Asriel, once it was in set they bowed and left. Alexandrel chuckled and took his seat, his gaze swept over the all and that was when he noticed the space around Asriel empty it was like he owned it completely. ‘So, you will lead the cult then?’ he threw the question out right away. Alexandrel wondered how his slave would answer. Asriel gave him a glance ‘I already lead, can’t you see that?’ ‘You are making war upon Stella I can clearly see that.’ ‘I have already won that battle.’ ‘You mean war.’ ‘No battle, that was how minor it was. I haven’t forgotten our deal you require aid so Aamon and your brothers can see the truth correct?’ Alexandrel laughed, humans wouldn’t dare speak to a Space Marine in such a fashion on this ship but he liked it. ‘Can I get a drink?’ Asriel clapped again, a mortal bought over a tray and the glass upon it was filled with a vibrant coloured wine.

Alexandrel removed his helm and placed it upon his lap, he took the glass from the tray and swirled the contents in the glass. ‘How strong is it?’ ‘Strong enough.’ Asriel answered. He took that as a cue and sipped, Asriel was right it was strong and tasted good as well. He wondered how the mortals can stand upright drinking such a beverage. As the wine slid down his throat he smiled at Asriel. ‘I am upgrading you from slave to associate.’ ‘Associate?’ ‘Yes, that means you are not my slave anymore. Think of it as a sign of respect.’ His words caused Asriel’s real eye to widen slightly but the gold one didn’t move.

His new associate bought up his hand it was lined with rings. ‘So tell me Lord Alexandrel are you still on good terms with the ship?’ ‘I am, the question is are you ready to play a part in my plan?’ His new associate began tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair, that meant he had a suggestion. ‘What is it?’ Alexandrel asked. Asriel nodded ‘the only one you must be cruel to is Aamon. All of your brothers know cruelty well, it’s their wine and meat. They must be given another bounty.’ ‘Another bounty? What do you mean?’ ‘They don’t need priests to guide them, each of you are lions clawing at the top of the pack. So instead I will offer them joy and kindness.’ Alexandrel gave a great laugh, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘So you think you know them better than I do?’ ‘I know what they want, they wish to taste vice, indecency and horror. Why not provide it to them?’ ‘Asriel you promised that you would help me, are you going back on that?’ His associate shook his head ‘if that is your will Lord Alexandrel.’ ‘Good, No-’ before he could finish speaking, the ship shuddered. Alexandrel cursed. ‘They found us quite quickly.’ ‘Indeed they have, what do you want to do?’ ‘Actually….we will wait.’ Asriel raised his eyebrow but as he relaxed in his chair he assumed he has accepted what he desired.

Alexandrel backed the rest of his wine, he gestured the empty glass to a mortal. ‘Refill please!’

***
The sirens across the ship flared, Aamon rushed out of his chamber sword in hand Ashi and his whole thorn were with him. He opened the comm link with his squad. ‘Meet me at the bridge that will be their target! We must defend the ship!’ Their names were flashing orange on his auto senses but when they changed to green that was the confirmation. He then looked over to Ashi. ‘Have everyone keep close we don’t know who is attacking us.’ The first thorn leader gave a salute. ‘Yes my lord.’ Aamon nodded, they all began to make their journey to the bridge. He didn’t encounter any hostiles so far but as they turned a corner he froze. Aamon caught sight of Astartes in dark green armour, they were also wearing bone white robes. They were in the middle of executing Spizar and those who followed him.

Aamon took a step back in fear, but that single step bought their attention to him worst of all they were lead by a Chaplain. The red eye lenses of his helmet tore through him, he took another step back which caused Ashi to come forward and fire. The single red light caused a fire fight to erupt in the corridor. The space marines returned fire, their bolters tore through his thralls, Ashi gave a gurgled scream as the bolt-reactive shells tore her to pieces. Aamon shook his head in disbelief, he turned and ran.

He didn’t care for the death of Ashi, he didn’t care for any of his thralls at the moment. What he was focused on was getting to the docking bay, he will take a shuttle to the nearest planet and work from there. Aamon cursed ‘How!?’ He wondered if the daemon betrayed him? That was the only explanation, but why would he lead those chasing him here? His pursuers would seek to destroy this ship. Aamon growled in annoyance it’s doesn’t matter I have to escape! That was all he could think of, it was the the only thought pounding in his head.

He tried to relax but his sight was enveloped by a white light, he froze and drew his bolt pistol. When the light ebbed away he pointed it down the hallway but there was nothing there. He then turned to see the leader of those chasing him. He wore a robe over his armour like the others but his helm sported wings and his armour was far more ornate, he was backed by veterans as well. Aamon raised his blade to strike but the leader parried his attack, his blade flew back due to the maneuver. The leader then twisted and slashed low with his blade.

Aamon roared in pain as he tumbled to the ground, his legs were severed from the ankles. He tried to raise his arm to fire his pistol but the blade of his enemy flicked out severing his hand. He then raised his boot and slammed it upon his chest, pinning him in place. ‘Place the beacon on him.’ the leader ordered. One of the the Space Marines came forward and attached a small device to his body. It was then his sight was consumed by a white light again, when it bled away the leader’s foot was still on his body, he could hear the clicking of cogitators and he couldn’t smell the powerful musk that normally held the corrupted ship.

The leader removed his helm, displaying a square face covered in scars. ‘I am Master Crocell of the Dark Angels and you will see justice traitor.’ Aamon panicked ‘no, no, no, no!’ Crocell stomped on his chest, Aamon coughed due to the impact. ‘Silence traitor, your daemonic master will be defeated we are at work purging your disgusting ship.’ As he said daemonic master Aamon laughed ‘you really think that you can kill him!? What you think your Liberian can face what is on that ship!?’ Crocell frowned, he could see that he was confident. ‘I won’t break.’ Aamon hissed. ‘Many have said that to Chaplain Valefar, but he has made many of your kind repent.’ He removed his boot and pointed his blade at his fellow Space Marines. ‘Take him to his cell.’ The Astartes that made up Crocell’s squad surrounded him, they removed his blade from his hand and dragged him away by his arms.

Aamon thought to shout in defiance but as he was dragged out of the chamber he could only whimper in fear.

***
Elidus stood before the grand doors with the chosen who would face down the monster. They were all wearing terminator plate, but he knew it would not give them much protection against the one they seek to face. ‘Liberian Elidus.’ the gravelly voice of sergeant Crizes entered his ears, Elidus glanced at the sergeant. ‘What is it?’ ‘Why don’t we smash the door down and face the monster? We’ve killed daemons before.’ The question was logical, but the beings of the warp don’t obey the laws of the galaxy. ‘Crizes, whatever is past those doors is the daemon’s domain, he most likely could shape everything within to his whim but you are right on some level we should at least call him out.’ Elidus raised his staff, he slammed the haft onto the ground the top of his staff unleashed a wave of soft blue light.

As it touched the floor, walls and the very ceiling it sizzled. The golden doors of the daemon’s abode warped displaying human faces wailing in agony. It was then that the doors shot inward. A wave of pink mist was gently pouring out of the doors, it was thick enough to envelop their boots. ‘Ready yourselves!’ Elidus called, Crizis brought up his power hammer and readied his shield ‘for the Emperor!’ he called. The rest of the squad echoed his cry, they waited for whatever came out of the doors.

Elidus narrowed his eyes, nothing was happening. He was about to relax until he heard a voice it was like the splitting of glass and each word contained a moan of a thousand spheres. +Well...what do we have here?+ The voice came from behind him, they all turned to see the monster that dwells upon the ship. In most cases he would be fighting to annihilate the creature, but his hearts were skipping beats. The being before him was angelic, it didn’t look like a daemon at all. He was about to lower his staff until Crizis roared and charged at the creature. His cry broke the trance or spell he was under, Elidus cursed. ‘Kill it!’ His order spurred the other terminators into action.

The daemon gave a casual shrug +really?+ it raised his talon and before Crizis could strike he sheared him two. The death of the sergeant didn’t stop them, they unloaded their weapons at the daemon, Elidus unleashed threads of lightning from his hand and the terminators fired their storm bolters. The daemon cocked it’s head and raised it’s hand, it stopped the bullets in midair and his lightning was fizzling out. It then flicked his finger sending the bolt reactive shells back, the bullets slammed into the terminators. Heads were annihilated, limbs were blown off.

Elidus grunted as a bullet blasted off his stave wielding hand, he dropped to one knee while coughing blood. The daemon tapped his cheek with his talon. +You ruined my door, how should I pay you back for that?+ Elidus cursed and opened his comm link to all boarding forces. ‘Leave the ship!’ the first to answer was Valefar ‘I’m on my way Elidus, can you hold on?’ ‘Go! We have what we came for! The chaos warhost has been crippled!’ ‘Very well, may the Emperor guard your soul Liberian.’ Elidus grinned, he stood up right. ‘You will be banished here daemon!’ The creature yawned, it was the epitome of pride but that didn’t matter.

Elidus summoned all the power he could muster, he could hear the creatures of the warp clawing at his mind. He charged the daemon while screaming ‘for the Emperor!’ he launched himself at the creature, his body then came apart in a bright blue explosion.

***
Arzin staggered as the warp energy hit him, he felt his skin sizzling but he didn’t cry in pain but elation. When the light died he groaned and gave a small flex healing his burnt skin. +Perhaps I should go out more often?+ He stroked his chin, he could feel the Dark Angels leaving the ship but the Liberian was right the attack was quick and unexpected. His warband was crippled but that was his aim to begin with. The Lion’s pride has been wounded, the Space Marines on this ship will all go at extreme lengths to strike back at those who attacked them. He expected to receive a flood of petitions in the next few days.

Arzin yawned and sent the call for his champion to return, it was a simple message but he would see it as something more than that. Oddly that was what he found endearing about Adonis, he tries so hard to win his attention and praise he would do anything to get it. The daemon prince strode back into his chamber, but before doing so he clicked his fingers to restore what the Space Marines have broken.

I have been waiting for asriel to embrace his excess for too long now, finally! Really liked the call back "never change".

Great chapters once again. In terms of power who comes out on top, taurus or alexandrel?

 Dayknight wrote:

I have been waiting for asriel to embrace his excess for too long now, finally! Really liked the call back "never change".

Great chapters once again. In terms of power who comes out on top, taurus or alexandrel?

Glad you enjoyed the chapters! Now to answer your question.

Hmm on terms of power level? At the moment Alexandrel is more powerful but he is a well...poor leader so to speak? While Taurus is the opposite.

Chapter 10
The mortals have ceased their current revelries but in Alexandrel’s eyes they were are preparing for another “party” one of blood and war. He watched as slaves wrapped a purple sash around his new associate, while a slave held Asriel’s blade. Once it was completed the slave holding his blade offered it to him, he grasped the weapon and slid it into his sash. Asriel then regarded him. ‘Lord Alexandrel, I have prepared something for you.’ he then clapped and two slaves from the crowd approached holding a case. His new associate walked up to the two mortals and lifted the the cover and within the case was a Charnabel Sabre, the metal held a soft glow pink glow. Alexandrel could feel the power emanating from it. He was about to reach out to grasp the hilt but he stopped. ‘Wait...Why?’ he asked of his old slave. ‘Why not?’ he replied. ‘That...rod is a thing of punishment and pleasure, you require a weapon don’t you? I worked quite hard to put this together.’

Alexandrel narrowed his eyes at the human this is a bribe. It was clear to him that Asriel wished to control him, oddly he smiled at that fact. ‘This is quite a nice bribe.’ ‘Gift Lord Alexandrel.’ ‘Oh yes gift, so what do you want in return for this...gift?’ ‘I require nothing in return.’ The mortal gave him a smooth smile ‘why wouldn’t I wish to give a present to the lord who helped me become what I am now? What you see is ulterior motives, hidden plots and secrets. I am not a Tzeentchian Lord Alexandrel.’ Asriel’s tone was level, polite and without a hint of malice despite the power emanating from his voice. Alexandrel chuckled slightly, he wondered what sort of monster has he turned the human into? In the end it didn’t matter he was happy that he was this way. He slotted his rod into his belt and took the blade handle as he lifted it up from the case he could feel the power surging through his body.

He thought to revel in it but stopped as he remembered what they had to do. ‘So are you ready Asriel?’ ‘I am, but I still feel we should act differently.’ ‘Excuse me? Why are we having this discussion again?’ His associate bought up both his hands and made a motion like he was weighing something. ‘We must achieve balance, in one hand we must offer cruelty and the other kindness. I imagine your brothers are injured, broken and without direction but at the same time we must replace the slaves of the upper levels. So…’ Asriel bought his hands together and clapped again. This time the crowd parted revealing throngs of people holding platters of food, wine and narcotics. It was then Alexandrel understood what Asriel was aiming for. ‘I see...brutalize the weak upper level slaves and at the same time offer things which my brothers would crave for at this dark time.’ ‘Exactly they wouldn’t even think of their favoured slaves to aid them in repairing their gear, cooking their food and being used for other pursuits. At the same time they are eyes for me and for you. This is another gift I wish to impart.’ Alexandrel scoffed ‘I am starting to hate you gifts.’ ‘Because there is no price attached to them?’ He said nothing to Asriel’s reply, but that was his problem.

He sighed and pointed his blade at the door of the dining hall, the door flashed purple for a moment and ebbed away. He found it convenient how the ship could read his intentions so easily. ‘It’s done, let us begin.’ Asriel gave a small bow but it wasn’t in acquiescence ‘lead the way Lord Alexandrel.’

***
Thalis sagged down on the wall, he was tired his armour was gashed and blood was leaking from the cracks lining his armour. Salazar appeared haggard as well, his armour was lined with blood, his cape was torn and the jewels were smashed. He thought to say something until he heard a string plucked from Efron’s guitar. Thalis scowled at the Noise Marine ‘shut up…’ Efron glanced at him and plucked another string. ‘The disquiet is gone, along with Aamon.’ the Noise Marine’s voice was strained but he could also see something has happened to their leader. His comm link has been broken, his name was flashing red. Thalis slammed the ground with his fist, he tried to get up but he didn’t have the strength. ‘They’re gone. The Dark Angels have left’ said Efron. ‘How do you know?’ Thalis asked of his brother.

Efron tapped the ground with his finger ‘the ship sings, it whispers things to me.’ The Apothecary grunted he removed his helm and placed it to one side. He then opened his pouch and pulled out his pipe. He dipped in the multi-coloured powder into the pipe and then set it alight. He stuck the pipe into his mouth and breathed in deeply, it helped with the numbness that consumed his body at the moment but at the same time he was annoyed. The enemy had fled but this didn’t feel like a win. He stared at the corpse of the loyalist next to him. You’ll pay for this. He hissed to himself, he breathed out a pink smog from the side of his mouth. He was about to relax until he heard footsteps, Thalis tried to rise because it could be one of their brothers seeking to kill them or an enemy who may have been left behind.

The Noise Marine raised his hand ‘be at peace Apothecary.’ Thalis frowned he was about to speak until out of the darkness one of their own appeared. How his armour was designed he appeared as gaudy as their little prince. The Space Marine swept his gaze over them then shrugged. ‘I expected better.’ he said smoothly. Thalis froze as he heard the voice he blinked in shock. ‘What are you doing here!?’ ‘Oh? Why shout? Here I was about to...console my brothers.’ It was then Salazar spoke ‘you have something to do with this don’t you?’ he hissed. ‘What does it matter?’ Alexandrel answered. ‘The warband was weak, they couldn’t even beat back an assault from the Dark Angels. So the question is how do we pay them back?’ Thalis didn’t like what he was hearing, The Soulless was plotting it was clear as day, he wondered what was his objective? Thalis sighed ‘Alexandrel what are you planning? Be frank.’

The Soulless removed his helm, a mortal then came forward and took it. ‘So tell me Thalis, haven’t you ever felt that our warband hasn’t been up to par?’ The question from Alexandrel came out of nowhere. The Apothecary grumbled ‘does it matter?’ ‘It does matter, Fulgrim is stirring can’t you feel it? Can’t you see it? Do you think our father will give us the time of day if we can’t beat back an assault from pitiful loyalists?’ ‘He’s right.’ Efron added. ‘Barely anyone on this ship have gone through the procedure, don’t you know how to do it Thalis?’ He watched Alexandrel give the Noise Marine a nod of thanks which was something he didn’t expect to see, even so he knew what Efron meant. He has heard stories of whole warbands being outfitted with doom sirens, some have been modified in other ways. Many of the warbands that make up the third legion are peerless bladesmen as well. Next to them they were nothing and some part of him hated that. ‘So tell me Soulless what do you aim to do? How are you going to fix that?’ he asked.

Alexandrel smiled at him ‘degeneracy and pleasure? How else? Those simple acts would draw the dark prince’s gaze to us.’ ‘Wha-’ before he could speak The Soulless turned back slightly that was when a wonderful smell tickled his nose. Mortals came forward holding platters of food, wine and strange chemicals. He could see Salazar salivating, his own stomach was groaning but Efron? He was disinterested. He watched Alexandrel stab his blade into the mouth of the slave holding his helm.

The mortal sagged to their knees but their eyes were rolling back. His exiled brother then took a platter from a mortal and walked over. He knelt and nudged the meals to his face. ‘Eat.’ Alexandrel pleaded. His pipe fell from his mouth, his mind was screaming no he could now see a dark pit and if he accepted it would be one he wouldn’t crawl out from. I’m hungry. He said to himself. From the corner of his eye he could see Salazar already stuffing his face, he was mixing the strange chemicals with the wine as well.

Thalis bought his gaze back to the meal, he ground his teeth and submitted. He attacked the platter while mixing the meal with the strange chemical. Both caused his tongue and gut to burn like it was fire. The whole time he was eating Alexandrel was smiling.

***
Asriel directed his cult to spread through the upper levels as they were splitting away from the main host he was shouting. ‘The slaves of the upper levels are soft and supple! Drink you fill! Slake your unending thirst!’ His cult was breaking into rooms, he could hear screams and yelps of pleasure erupting from the entire corridor. Crassus was trembling, he could hear his stomaching rubbling. ‘What is it head of the 4th.’ The large and obese man was holding back he wished each of the host leaders to be his personal guard, none of them voiced any complaint out of respect for him but he wasn’t cruel. ‘Speak Crassus.’ The leader of the 4th nodded ‘I’m hungry….’ It was interesting how he hasn’t turned into a Devourer they were hosts for daemons but that was the reason why he made a host leader in the first place. ‘Soon, you will eat soon.

Crassus grinned ‘I can’t wait.’ Asriel then glanced over to Nefli her eyes were sunken into her face she appeared exhausted. She was becoming thin and weak, she was pale as well. Asriel placed the back of his hand on her face, she was trembling at his touch. ‘Cold as well.’ But as he bought his hand up and down her cheek some of her vibrancy was returning. ‘Are you resisting or are you afraid?’ he asked the 6th leader. Asriel could sense the jealousy from the rest of the host leaders. It was due to him giving Nefli his attention. He could hear Comus hissing, Crassus was grinding his teeth and Asris was looking away. Asriel removed his hand and right away Nelfi grabbed his wrist, he could see the despair and misery in her eyes. That action from the 6th caused Comus to growl at her ‘Watc-’ Asriel raised his hand to silence the creature. He smiled warmly at Nefli. ‘How about we stop for a moment?’ They all stopped walking, he couldn’t continue if a member of his cult was struggling. ‘Excess is not at hands reach, so you feel weak and numb. We won’t return home for awhile so…’ He gestured to a nearby door forcing it open. ‘Go in there and slake your hunger. Try something new, do anything that comes to your mind. I won’t order you but if you refuse we will leave you behind. You will be fodder and I doubt you want that.’ Nefli was still holding his wrist staring intently into his eyes. she’s afraid. He took a moment and glanced over to Comus ‘lead the rest of the host, she has to be broken in.’

Comus bowed, she gestured ‘move forward! You heard our lord!’ The cult continued onward they were now alone in the hallway. ‘Come’ he said. He guided her into the chamber he opened and what they found were slaves captured from the navy ships. The men and women were cowering, but one had a little bit of spirit. He charged at him screaming for the false emperor. Asriel bought up his hand and gestured downwards pinning the man to the ground. The pinned slave cursed the both of them, that the Emperor would smite and destroy them for their heresy. ‘Now Nefli, let go of my wrist.’

The 6th host leader took a deep breath and slowly let go. She was trembling that was when Asriel smiled. He walked around to her back and placed his hands on her shoulders, he whispered into her ear. ‘I was like you, without direction or purpose but I found it. To make people happy, to put a smile on their face. I thought my life was tragedy, a play repeating again and again. I found that we mortals like to give reasons to stop ourselves from being happy. You’re thinking this isn’t right...Why have I sacrificed my comrades? Pain and basic self-mutilation is simple, it’s boring. Think of these people as a meal, I can share with you if you can’t eat too much. The woman is the appetizer, the second male is the main course and the one pinned to the floor is the desert.’ Nefli’s shoulders sagged ‘I’m fine now my lord.’ ‘Show me then, I am going to walk out of this room and I hope I hear of your happiness.’

Asriel slowly removed his hands from her shoulders and stepped out of the chamber. As it slid close that was when the screams started. It only lasted for several minutes, in his mind that was far too quick. The doors opened and Nefli stepped out, she was covered in blood. Her head was lowered. He found this displeasing, Asriel cusped her head up gently with his hands. There was a small glinter in her eye, but it was clear she most likely killed them somewhat slowly. In his mind that wasn’t enough. ‘Are you satisfied? Did your hunger stop as their heartbeat grew silent?’ ‘Yes.’ she answered.

He could tell she was lying, he leaned in and lightly kissed her. As he came back he removed his hand from her face and wiped the blood from his lips. He then licked his fingers, he could see the 6th host leader was in a mix of shock and confusion but her eyes was burning with passion. ‘See?’ said Asriel. ‘Something new happened, something different and so you want more, once you are finished with that meal you move onto to the next. Climbing to further extremes so you become closer with our god.’ Nefli nodded ‘I-I understand Dionysus.’ ‘Good now come.’ He turned and continued onward with Nefli, as they walked he could sense her yearning and ravenous appetite. So greedy, but that isn’t a bad thing. He thought.

***
Arzin was sat upon his bed, his tail was swaying in the air. He could feel the excess running through the halls of the ship, he could feel the passions of his Astartes and mortals running high. It was then his chamber door opened, Adonis hobbled in sections of his armour was missing. He slowly dropped to one knee, the servos strained at the movement. ‘My lord.’ +Ah, you’re here. How was defending the ship?+ Adonis dipped his head ‘I pushed back the Chaplain, we crossed paths and I made him flee.’ His champion was lying, he could see he was defeated, he stank of shame.

Most likely the Dark angels were in the process of retreating so Adonis wasn’t finished off. A cruel smiled lined his lips. +What of the rest of your squad?+ Adonis tensed. +Oh I assume they died defending the ship?+ ‘Yes my lord, they fought valiantly in your name.’ +I see...I have come to a decision about our relationship.+ His champion began trembling in excitement, but what he was about to say would only give him joy. +You are no longer my champion.+ Adonis slowly looked up ‘w-what?’ +You heard me.+

His Space Marine slowly rose, his hands were trembling as he reached for his helm and as he turned it the helm gave off a hissing sound. Upon seeing his face he was trying to hold back his tears. It was then Arzin realised that his champion was quite ugly, he looked plain. He was bald, had pale skin and light blue eyes.

His disgraced champion was clutching his helmet he couldn’t speak. +So what are you waiting for?+ he gestured him out. +Leave.+ That was when he dropped to his knees, tears exploded from his eyes. ‘I can change! Please just tell me what I have done wrong!’ he pleaded. +So change, prove to me that you aren’t weak. In these coming days many will overtake you.+ Adonis looked up to him he rose and wiped his face, he bowed and walked out of his chamber in silence.

Arzin tapped his fingers together +everything is falling into place, shackles are being torn from wrists….+

Chapter 11
Aamon felt cold, the chains and straps holding him down didn’t help either. The lights were blinking within the room as well, he wondered what sort of horror will be visited upon him by his distant brothers? When he was among others of his kind they traded tales and when it came to the stories of the Dark Angles being caught meant death. It meant a slow death one that will be drawn out until the Chaplain feels you have “repented” for your sins. He had a good idea what they wish him to repent for, but none of them were alive during that time so how could they understand?

He tried to calm himself down while saying ‘there must be a way to escape.’ He then examined his surroundings. The walls and floor was stained with dry blood, there was a chair and that was it. Aamon shook his head ‘this can’t be the end…’ He then caught the sound of the door sliding open, he lurched in his bonds it was pure instinct. He wasn’t sure if it was fear or the drive to kill his captor. He could see the Chaplain pushing in a tray lined with torture tools, cherubs were holding a grand book and he was surrounded by servo skulls.

He set the tray next to the chair and sat, the cherubs then handed him the large tome. He flicked it open and began moving the pages. ‘This can be quick, you are aware of that?’ The Chaplain said flatly. Aamon smirked ‘quick? No matter what happens you wish to kill me.’ ‘I aid you in repenting, so you have a chance to walk with the Emperor. Those who resist? Their soul will be taken by the warp if they expire.’ ‘Fine then, I will humour you what do you want me to repent for?’ ‘It’s quite simple, admit that you betrayed the Lion, admit that you betrayed the righteous Emperor and that you wish to seek forgiveness.’

To Aamon it did sound simple but it’s the case of whether the Chaplain believes he was earnest to repent. ‘So tell me are you aware of our history?’ ‘I am aware.’ the Chaplain answered ‘but let me introduce myself I am Chaplain Valefar, this company has done much to secure you.’ Aamon scoffed ‘spare me, you merely just wish to aid another link to your beads to prove how “grand” and “special” you are for making a number of us “repent” due to your false narrative.’ He actually felt angry, to him this Space Marine was but a child. He hasn’t seen the great crusade, he wasn’t there when the Lion cast them aside and banished them to Caliban.

Valefar gave a slow nod ‘so many have said similar things to you, but you forget yourself. You should’ve stuck to the task Lion gave you with dignity and honour. The fact you wanted more and turned to foul powers to suppress the rebellion shows that you spat upon our Primarch and the Emperor.’ ‘You don’t even know what they look like! Have you seen them!? Heard them speak!? And don’t you dare speak of your pathetic pieces of art trying to render our father and the Emperor!’ His outburst only garnered a moment of silence from the Chaplain. ‘That doesn’t change the fact that you betrayed their dream.’ ‘You do not know their dream! The Emperor would hate you! The Lion will hate you just as he hates me! Do you think he will be proud of how you scurry in the shadows trying to hide a perceived shame!? Do you think he will be pleased that you leave battlefronts and worlds to fall to hunt us!?’ ‘Yes many of those battles were caused by your kind...Fallen.’ ‘Fallen…’ Aamon laughed ‘we have all fallen, you protect the rotting carcass of the Imperium we forged, that we bled for.’ ‘Despite its state we still protect it.’ ‘Oh I am sure that’s what you tell yourself, but you care more about me than the Imperium, don’t lie. If you truly cared have the Dark Angels thrown themselves upon the mercy of the avenging son? Have you told him what you have done during the centuries to hide your “sin” I am quite sure you won’t because you are just like me.’ Aamon hissed.

The Chaplain turned the page ‘you’re full of so much hate and regret that you are projecting it upon me. So we will begin the first phase of repentance.’ As he spoke the servo skull hovered to the table and picked up a plasma torch with it’s clawed tendril. It then gently moved towards his foot. Aamon tensed ‘you’re a monster just like me…’ he then gritted his teeth for what was to come next. Valefar sighed ‘active the torch, begin burning away his darkness.’

The torch roared to life, he could feel the stumps that were his legs melting, the smell of burning flesh filled his nostrils. Aamon screamed.

***
Alexandrel was strapped down to the operating bed he was naked as well. It was strange how after his brothers gorged themselves on what the cult provided them his whole squad was in good spirits. Yet a part of him wished that he refused Thalis’ idea. Both he and Salazar were in his chambers, they were both lying on an operating bed it was too late now. The Apothecary was walking around them while moving his pipe around his mouth. He now was wearing a loincloth made out of flesh, it was died and marked with runes of the dark prince. ‘This is going to be fun.’ Thalis said in an excited manner.

Salazar grunted ‘be careful, do you understand me?’ ‘Don’t worry, The Benefactor taught me well.’ ‘But you aren’t Fabius.’ Alexandrel added. The Apothecary folded his arms ‘oh are you having second thoughts?’ ‘No’ said Alexandrel. ‘I merely am questioning why you seemed so happy to cut us open. Also how come Efron is not here with us?’ ‘It’s quite simple, for one you two are favoured so I am eager to see what you look like on the inside and on Efron? He has been worked on by Fabius already, I don’t want to mess with anything he has done.’ The Little Prince scoffed ‘what are you saying Efron is better than me?’

Their Apothecary said nothing, slaves marked by the cult wheeled in the medical supplies along with strange organs and devices. ‘So what exactly are you going to do?’ Alexandrel asked. ‘Reduce your need for other emotions save pleasure, increase pleasure receptors in the brain. Now let’s begin!’ He picked up a scalpel and medical saw. Alexandrel winced, now he was having a foggy flashbacks of his time with Chershi when she was but an alien. It was pleasant and also terrible at the same time.


***
Asriel lead the gathered slaves to Arzin’s chamber he wanted them dead but at the same time he wanted his fealty known. Nefli and Comus were with him, their hosts cowed the chained slaves from trying anything and he hoped the great daemon prince would enjoy his offering. The slaves eyes dilated, they were broken and consumed by their misery. He had to admit Nefli has been doing well. She was still wearing her suspenders but she had now forgone her shoes and old clothes. She crafted a near form fitting dress with the flesh of slaves, she was much more happy now which pleased him.

Comus strode up to his side, she seemed upset. ‘What is it?’ he asked of her. ‘I am jealous.’ she answered ‘You’re jealous?’ ‘Crassus and Asris whisper that you favour her, we have no idea what you did with her either.’ ‘Ah, I see. Do not worry I will make it up to them.’ ‘What about me?’ ‘Aren’t you tired of that?’ Comus wanted to reach out with her pale hand, but flinched back. ‘Not when it is you.’ ‘Very well, when we return to the lower levels.’ Comus’ eyes went wide slightly she bowed and smoothly stepped back to her original spot.

Overall he understood the conversation he was having with the creature. He doubted any of the host leaders would betray him but they fight over the love and kindness he offers them. It brings him joy to give them gifts and pleasure but he has to be careful. Comus’ words were both a warning and a desire, so far it seems he has satisfied both. He wanted to sigh but they were now at the golden doors. Asriel stopped and raised his hand. ‘I seek to make an offering to the lord of the ship!’ he shouted. ‘I offer sixty lives to be added to your grand majesty!’

Asriel kept his hand up, after about a minute the doors slowly opened. He then lowered his hand and lead his offering into the chamber. He found Arzin sitting at the front of his bed, the handmaidens were dancing or stratigning the flesh curtains. Being in the presence of the daemon he felt his false eye twitch, the golden addition was a gift but he wondered if the Daemon took more than his eye? In the end it didn’t matter if he has done something wrong he would know. He bought the offering to the daemon prince, he bowed and as he rose he said ‘Lord Arzin.’ The daemon prince inclined his head +what’s this mortal? An offering?+ ‘You are correct, unlike the Hellions of Terror I will ensure that my followers fully understand their place on the ship. All slaves that come to the lower level we will tithe them to you.’ Arzin grinned while licking his lips. +Are the ones you bought here ripe?+ he asked.

Asriel returned his smile ‘my followers have been quite...thorough.’ +Good, good….Bring the first one forward.+ At the daemon’s order he unlinked the first person from the chain. He bought the trembling mortal forward. He had a good idea what was going to happen but the daemon was fast, he snatched up the offering and hovered the slave over his mouth like a treat. Asriel watched the daemon’s maw open wide, he dropped the screaming human into his mouth and closed it. Asriel spotted a small bulge on the side of his cheek, Arzin moved the human around his mouth. +mhmmmm.+ Then came the crunch as the daemon began to chew, the offerings were woken from their stupor. Panicked reigned over the chained slaves, his followers went to work cowing them through beatings and threats. It was then when Arzin swallowed. +Next!+ he shouted with bloodied teeth. Asriel bought the next offering along, they were fighting him but they were weak after all he did tell the daemon prince that his followers were thorough.

***
Aamon gasped, his body was roaring in pain. He could barely think, no matter what the servo skull inflicts upon his body only one thought was crossing his mind. Never submit. It was a good thought, one that has kept him sane so far. He hated the Chaplain who presumed to think he understands why he chose his path.

The servo skull burning his legs suddenly shut off, he gave a sigh of relief as his Astartes physiology kicked in to begin healing the wound. Valefar shook his head. ‘What do you hope to achieve with defiance?’ He asked.

Aamon grunted ‘y-you understand….n-nothing..’ He hissed. ‘I understand plenty.’ Valefar replied. ‘Tell me, you believe that you are in the right no? Do you have any idea of how much destruction you have left in your wake?’ Aamon dwelled on the two questions, he didn’t know why, he also couldn’t come to an answer to the questions. All the sacrifices he made was so he could survive, so that those with him could also survive. ‘I-’ ‘Ah here it comes.’ Valefar interrupted ‘you had no choice, you had to sacrifice people to the predators of the warp, you had to use up the lives of those who trusted you so you could escape. I would like to tell you that the woman you left behind was alive for a few moments despite her injuries. Would you like me to tell you what she said?’ The Chaplain was referring to Ashi, but he couldn’t see how she how she was important. Aamon narrowed his eyes at his tormentor. ‘W-What of her?’ Valefar sighed ‘she wondered where you were, she couldn’t believe that you would run. She then cried in despair screaming for the...daemons to get away from her. She is damned but I am trying to offer you salvation.’ He watched the Chaplain lean back slightly in the chair, he then turned the page of his large tome. ‘You have nothing to say that? Or is your soul truly black? Is it already lost to the foul powers of the warp?’ Now it was clear what his tormenter was attempting to do, he was aiming to play upon some perceived guilt. He could also be lying about Ashi, after all he has was his word.

Aamon tried to calm himself down so he could speak clearly, he had to fight back back the pain at the same time. ‘As I said before you know nothing, you could be lying about Ashi and I will tell you this now. I won’t fall for your tricks. You are the rotting edifice that we created, that we forged. I could explain why that’s the case but what would be the point? Your frail mind cannot handle the fact that you are following a lie, a lie perpetuated by a traitor Primarch.’ Valefar shot up from his seat, he was now clutching his tome tightly with one hand. ‘Watch what you say! Do not speak such heresy in front of me!’ ‘See? Those who wish to close their mind to the truth in front of them are the true fools in my eyes. Chaplain you are the heretic. Not me.’ ‘Lies!’ he hissed. ‘Lies? Please, let’s use facts then. Let’s talk about Roboute Guilliman. You have heard or perhaps seen the changes he is trying to push upon this rotten empire right? You have heard his opinions on the ecclesiarchy, now don’t lie I know you have. I also have to say the proof is also right in front of you, I assume you having trouble incorporating your new primaris brethren into the brotherhood or the very chapter itself, tell me am I wrong?’ The Chaplain gave him only silence, that in itself was his answer. He watched Valefar sit back down, he closed the tome and sighed. ‘Servo skulls 1 to 6, proceed.’ All six of the servo skulls picked up new tools, from blades, drills and small saws. The one that was using the plasma torch activated the again, all six began hovering around him. Aamon gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, when the tools graced his body he couldn’t help but scream.

***
Alexandrel was trembling as the slaves placed his armour upon his body, he could feel each port connecting with his nervous system more keenly so it was difficult to stand straight. He glanced over to Salazar who seemed to be taking it all in stride, there was a clear smile on his face. When their Little Prince caught him staring he flicked his white hair. ‘What is it?’ ‘Nothing.’ he answered back. ‘It isn’t nothing, I can tell Alexandrel. I recognise curiosity when I see it.’ ‘I said it’s nothing.’

His brother chuckled as the slaves set his pauldrons upon his shoulders and handed Salazar his helm. They then bowed and stepped back. It was then Salazar strangely reached out but the call Thalis stopped him. ‘Hands off!’ he strode over to their brother and stabbed his chest with his finger. ‘You already have you cut! Don’t go seducing my slaves!’ ‘I-’ ‘No! I don’t want to hear it!’ The Little Prince looked away which confirmed his aim, the Apothecary then turned to him it was then the slaves finished placing his gear upon his body. ‘So Alexandrel, what’s the plan with Aamon?’

The question was something he desired to hear, this was his chance. ‘Arzin will go after the Dark Angels, that will be our chance.’ ‘How do you know that?’ Salazar asked. The question from his brother was a good one, but he couldn’t reveal that Arzin allowed the attack to happen or that he was working with him in some capacity. ‘It’s simple, they bloodied our nose. Do you think he would take this affront lying down? At the same time this is an opportunity for us.’ Thalis then raised his eyebrow questionably ‘Opportunity?’ ‘Yes for Aamon wasn’t one of us, not truly. The Dark Angels came for him, so when we go to get him back he will be...vulnerable to certain suggestions.’ It was the Salazar folded his arms and nodded in understanding. ‘I see, I get it and I approve.’ The Apothecary was confused, he was glancing at the both of them. ‘Am I missing something here?’ Salazar sighed ‘Alexandrel wishes to corrupt Aamon.’ ‘Hmm, I don’t think it will work.’ Alexandrel could see why Thalis would say that since after all pride was Aamon’s virtue but he knows when one was not enlightened they have limits.

Followers of the dark prince are always pushing those limits but Aamon’s has never been tested, not truly. ‘Trust me Thalis, Aamon will break, his walls will slowly crumble.’ ‘Look I am not against this plan, I just can’t see him embracing Slaanesh.’ ‘Perhaps you can’t see it because you don’t want him to?’ ‘I didn’t say that.’ ‘But you are, I have been surprised these past few weeks. People can change.’ Thalis grunted ‘fine, I will prepare a few things then.’ His brother walked away to his desk, Salazar then bowed. ‘I will take that as a que to get ready.’ He then left the chamber.

Alexandrel lingered and stared at the back of Thalis it was then he turned. ‘What is it?’ he asked. ‘Do you have any bars? I ran out.’ ‘Seriously?’ Alexandrel gave a nod. The Apothecary then reached into his pouch and threw several nutrient bars over to him. He caught them with ease and stuffed them into his pouch. His brother then shooed him out of his chamber.

As he stepped outside, his personal sheath waddled over. Each step caused the slave to tremble and as he approached he began gurgling due to the blade that was planted downward through his mouth. Alexandrel smiled ‘are you enjoying it that much?’ The slaves head moved slightly, he assumed that was a yes. He chuckled and turned away from him. ‘Come along we must find my associate.’


***
Asriel could see the daemon prince was changing, he was growing long white hair, his body was becoming more humanoid and he was growing several sets of extra wings. Overall he found the body of the daemon fascinating he was growing jewelry, leather and even metal from his very body. It was only when the last slave was offered up where Arzin blinked in shock, his pale human hands were covered in lifeblood he gave an inhuman roar despite his new face. His glowing pink eyes fell upon him +more…+ He hissed.

His perfect face became warped slightly and that was when he understood what he desired. Asriel bowed ‘I shall gather more souls for you my lord.’ The daemon prince was tensing, he was trying to keep his current form. Asriel turned away and with his followers left Arzin’s chamber. When they got outside Nefli came forward ‘we are to gather a greater offering?’ ‘Yes Nefli, he requires far more.’ Asriel slowly placed his fingers on his temple. +My followers, gather meat and wine for the lord of this ship. Make your way to his chamber, make sure his meal is...adequately prepared.+ His psychic message wouldn’t make it to all of the cult but it would spread and then they will all come to him bearing the right gifts for Lord Arzin.

Asriel smiled and lowered his hand from his temple, it was then a large figure approached. Comus came forward and Nefli readied her weapons, but Asriel gestured for them to lower their guard. ‘It’s fine, greetings Lord Alexandrel.’ The Space Marine strode up to him, he gave him a playful smile. ‘I guessed that you were here, so are you bribing Arzin as well?’ ‘It was an offering.’ ‘Ah, offering I see…So you are not trying to make moves in the warband and you are not trying to get into his good graces.’ Asriel began to found his questioning slightly annoying, he doubts him but he was used to it. ‘What is wrong with helping someone find their way? I have found when one removes their shackles and embraces...simplicity they are more happy.’ ‘When you say simplicity you mean when one focuses on engorging themselves, destruction or violation?’ ‘You don’t have to be so crude, but you aren’t wrong. We’re animals that seek to dominate our surroundings and other people.’ ‘Right then what if someone seeks to be free of you? Some might start to feel unhappy with your rule.’ ‘Why on earth would anyone be unhappy with me leading them? I allow them to indulge, with me they are happy.’ ‘But never content.’ ‘There is no such thing as contentment, it’s a chain that keeps us from exploring new things.’ Asriel narrowed his eyes at his old master, he wove a measure of suggestion into his voice. It was a minor power, one that most would not notice. ‘Are you still unhappy Lord Alexandrel? Are you still bored with your life?’ Alexandrel flinched at his words, he was tensing. ‘I know you, when this is over I can treat you to greater beverages. That wine you tasted before? That was our weakest mix, the food? I will have my best chiefs put together a great meal and the blade? It can be improved, I can improve it. I can make your armour sing to your body as you kill, it would make your mind burn your hearts thrum with excitement. When you do find Aamon and when he falls you will still be dissatisfied, he will leave you behind to seek new things but I tell you now I will be there to welcome you back with open arms. S-’ Before he could blink Alexandrel was now in front him, his new blade was on his neck. He could spot the slave he was using as a sheath crumpling to the floor, the power of the blade sustaining the slave fled ‘Don’t do that.’ Alexandrel said calmly.

Comus and Nefli was about to attack but Asriel raised his hand to stop both them. ‘I speak the truth Lord Alexandrel.’ He could see through the threads of his hair that his snake-like pupils were tightening. ‘Tell me what has that daemon offered you save idle discussion? What will Aamon becoming a champion give you?’ Asriel could see his defences were slipping he gave a light brush against his thoughts and what he saw was Alexandrel staring at his brother known as Salazar. He was uncomfortable as his armour was placed upon his body while his brother took it in stride. Lord Alexandrel was jealous. ‘You don’t want brotherhood, you don’t want to bond you told me that yourself. You are hatching a complex plan in order to find joy when the path to that is right in front you.’ The blade began to bite in his neck, but he didn’t stop. ‘You don’t want to make Aamon a champion to bond, you wish to thrive on the joy of making him fall.’ Asriel smiled at the wayward Space Marine ‘there is nothing wrong with that.’ he whispered.

Alexandrel grunted and removed his blade from his neck, he gave him a smooth smile. ‘Such an evil little creature aren’t you? I approve.’ Asriel touched the wound on his neck with two of his fingers, as he bought his hand away he placed his blood stained fingers into his mouth. He could taste his own corruption, it was thick almost like honey and the power of the blade was potent as well. His old master raised his eyebrow ‘what are you doing?’ Asriel removed his fingers from his mouth and nodded. ‘Can’t I taste my own blood? Also I wished to see if your blade was working as well.’ ‘Oh right, you still haven’t told me what it does yet.’ ‘It’s a surprise, trust me you will like it.’ Alexandrel frowned he was about to speak until the sound of clanking chains filled the hallway. It was Crassus and Asris bringing forth crowds of people in chains along with their hosts. His old master whistled ‘you are really buttering Arzin up aren’t you?’ ‘He desired more.’ Asriel answered. ‘I assume once he has finished eating he will announce that will be seeking out the Dark Angl’s who attacked us.’ ‘I see…’ Alexandrel started walking away, he said nothing further but he knew that his offer was still on his mind.

Asriel bought his attention to Crassus and Asris who approached, both of them bowed. As they rose Asris lifted his mask up. ‘We’ve bought them my lord.’ Crassus trembled with anger that Asris spoke up first, but that was a small contrivance in his eyes. ‘Good, you have both done well. How many do you have?’ ‘one hundred and eighty souls’ Crassus added. His 5th host lord gave a small tutt, his displeasure became a quick smile. ‘I can guarantee you that the souls I have gathered have been prepared well. Those that follow me and myself are in the right condition to make sure the appropriate sacrifices are ready for Lord Arzin.’ Asriel could see Asris was right, the slaves being guarded by his host were dazed, their eyes dilated and they were drooling. Crassus’ face flashed red with anger ‘what are you are trying to say Asris!?’ ‘Nothing, you are the perfect instrument to destroy the enemies of the cult but save that you can’t engage in the activities we can. Most of the heretics will run at the sight of you while in our case they easily jumped into our arms.’ ‘You da-’ ‘Enough!’ Asriel shouted.

Both host leaders dropped to knees and dipped their heads, cleary they were apologetic. ‘I can assure the both of you that when we are done with this task we will all celebrate. So be at peace, now rise.’ At his order they both rose. Asriel then faced the golden doors. ‘Now come, we must give Arzin his second helping.’

Chapter 12
Halina watched the bodies topple to the floor, men and women in strange masks were charging into the room swinging blades and crude weaponry. Isa along with her other servants were doing their best to defend her, but strangely she didn’t care. She felt numb, she couldn’t bring herself to weep or shout. She didn’t care either that her master would be angry that his longue was covered in guts and corpses. Isa shouted ‘get back heretics!’ She unleashed a wave of force sending the masked attackers flying, yet there were too many. They piled upon servants hacking them to pieces, Isa then unleashed a wave of fire incinerating a few but they were crying and groaning in pleasure instead of screaming in pain.

She wondered why are these people fighting? They run to their deaths with mad wanton and they seem happy at the same time, both dying and killing. She watched a group charge into Isa planting her onto the floor, the masked warriors piled upon her while hacking and slicing. She caught sounds of Isa’s muffled screams she should be horrified but she couldn’t help but smile. It was then the masked warriors turned their attentions to her, they approached with bloodied blades. She thought she would die there but one who was wearing a white feminine mask stopped the others, they lifted their mask to reveal the face of a young man. He was crying. Halina cocked her head ‘why are you crying?’ she asked.

The young man wiped his face with his coat ‘h-how c-could I kill something so beautiful?’ Halina frowned, she then chuckled. ‘I’m an ugly thing that doesn’t deserve to live.’ she felt tired from mental battering from Isa, her body felt weak and she wanted all of this to end. ‘Kill me.’ she asked of the warriors. ‘Why?’ said the young man. ‘You seem so...so..Unhappy.’ ‘Do you seek to torture me? To force me to do things?’ ‘No! Never! You should meet Dionysus, he could help you!’ ‘I don’t believe you.’

The young man glanced at his fellows they are dropped to one knee ‘my lady, please let us escort you to him.’ The young man and those kneeling radiated something she hasn’t felt in a long time. She felt respected, she felt like a person not an object. Halina clenched her hands ‘take me to him.’

***
The daemon groaned and roared as he tore apart the offerings, their blood was bubbling his pale flesh. Asriel couldn’t help but smile, the daemon prince was gorging upon the meal his followers provided for their leader. His vibrant pink eyes swept over them as he tore off the head of a slave with his teeth. He found it strange how Arzin appeared almost human but daemonic at the same time, despite his size you would think he was a literal angel. It’s only when you examine him more closely that you see something was off. He has fangs, claws and his toenails were just as sharp. Many would not notice focusing on his physical beauty and the marring between the genders, but he has lived long time and has encountered many daemons. Asriel bowed ‘are you satisfied my lord?’ The daemon prince swallowed he licked up the blood lining his face, the length of it was another abnormality. Asriel tried to keep his face neutral, it was then he realised that Arzin wasn’t up to par compared to Fulgrim. +Stop flattering me…+ Asriel tensed slightly, he had to remember the Lord of the Third was always watching, but he truly believed that was the case.

Arzin then cast the body aside and rubbed his stomach +I am full for now, you’ve done well. Your cult may keep the other mortals, my gift to you.+ ‘Thank you my lord, but I wonder when will we attack the Dark Angels.’ +Why do you wish to know? You are but a mortal and still a slave in my eyes.+ He could see the daemon was assessing him, he could lie but there was no point. The daemon had his real eye and has leashed him so he would detected the falsehood. ‘It’s for Alexandrel’s sake my lord.’ +No falsehood, so you understand your predicament. Tell me what do you wish to do with Alexandrel?+ ‘Give him happiness.’ The daemon raised his eyebrow +you think he won’t achieve what he wants after he corrupts Aamon?+ ‘No, do you believe that my lord?’ Arzin chuckled and gestured to his door +leave.+

Asriel bowed and lead his followers out of the chamber, they were jubilant at the leftovers provided by Arzin. It was then a group of warriors belonging to Asris approached they were escorting a woman, one he recognised. As they came forward the leader kneeled before him and gestured to the female. ‘My lord, we come bearing a gift.’ Asriel paid little attention to the kneeling cultist he walked over to the sergeant, her eyes has lost their luster and she seemed strangely thin as well. ‘We meet again.’ he said to her.

The sergeant frowned ‘do I know you?’ As she spoke his fellows erupted into a frenzy Asriel glared at them, one stare was enough to silence them. He then bought his attention back to the sergeant, he gave her a warm smile. ‘Perhaps you will recognise me now?’ He relaxed and that was when he steadily grew old again. The sergeant shook her head ‘w-what?’ ‘Did I jog your memory now? It’s been quite some time, walk with me.’ She was confused but she did as he asked, with each step he returned to his original form. ‘So how do you find your life here on the ship sergeant?’ ‘Halina.’ ‘Oh right I don’t even know your name, you may call me Asriel.’ His followers behind him began grinding their teeth, they were throwing slurs at Halina. He focused on this unhappy woman and blocked out his cult. ‘So tell me do you wish to die? It seems like it.’ ‘I don’t know…’ she answered.

Asriel nodded ‘I understand, your master was quite brutal I assume?’ ‘He...I...Don’t know.’ Halina seemed unsure, but he can see she was forced to commit certain acts. No one has eased her in. ‘Well you are among friends now.’ ‘How are you my friend?’ She was frowning he could understand why. ‘I won’t force you to do anything, you wish to be loved and adored. That’s it.’ ‘I don’t want anything.’ ‘Ah, how sure are you about that? I know my followers, they brought you to me because they were enamoured by your beauty.’ He watched Halina clench her hands ‘what do you want from me?’ ‘I merely wish for your joy and happiness, wouldn’t you want to be worshipped? Don’t you want to be treated well? Don’t you want to receive affection on your own terms?’ Halina said nothing, but he caught the hint of approval in her eyes.

Asriel kept talking, she still said nothing but that didn’t matter he knew she was listening.

***
Adonis stood in front of the door belonging to the upstarts, they thought no one was aware of their hidden sanctuary but he was about to prove them wrong. Adonis kicked in the metal door, he strode in to find Angelos and Lazaros sitting at a table. They both shot up from their seats. ‘What are you doing!?’ shouted Lazaros. Adonis threw his spear, it shot through the air like a bullet. His phoenix spear impaled Lazaros and planted him on the wall. He was roaring in pain, he was trying to pull the spear out to no avail. Adonis then drew his combat knife and pointed it Angelos. ‘Sit down.’

The upstart did as he asked, in silence as well. He walked over to Lazaros and pulled out his spear, the fool crumpled to the floor holding his gut. ‘The warband is changing.’ he announced to the both of them. ‘Blood will flow across the floors of this ship, war will be made outright instead of killing through mortals. The strong will thrive, the meek will perish.’ He gestured his spear at both Angelos and Lazaros ‘you two and your squads now serve me.’ Lazaros grunted and staggered up to his feet, blood has stopped pouring from the wound. ‘Why should we follow you?’ ‘Tell me how has your plotting been going so far? To take the 1st squad position from Aamon? Despite him being missing you haven’t moved yet or are you afraid of someone else?’ his words like a blade that drove straight into the hearts, the upstart looked away. ‘I thought so.’ said Adonis.

He then walked around to the front of the table ‘make sure you find your own slaves, they cannot be trusted.’ Angelos scoffed ‘are you scared of mortals?’ ‘No, i’m not. I suspect this new cult that’s making waves on the upper levels is connected with The Soulless.’ Lazaros took his seat but he was still clutching his chest. ‘So what? As Angelos said what are we supposed to be afraid of?’ Adonis sighed, he could see why they have never risen in the eyes of his lord. ‘They are most likely spies, eyes for Alexandrel.’ ‘He doesn’t seem the type to use spies.’ Angelos added. ‘He’s already changed the ship for the worse, who’s to say The Soulless hasn’t had a change of mindset? I can guarantee you that if you follow me you will achieve glory.’ ‘Glory?’ Lazaros laughed ‘you pissed off Arzin haven’t you? Has he knocked you off your pedestal?’ Adonis pointed his spear at the fool ‘I could kill you before you even reach for your weapon, here I am giving you an opportunity and you insult me?’

The upstart flinched, he raised his hand ‘alright, alright...Fine. So when do we kill Alexandrel?’ ‘Soon, we have to wait.’ ‘Why?’ Angelos asked. ‘It’s quite simple, do you think that we will be risen up if we attack at this point? We will attack after we deal with the Dark Angels.’ The upstarts calmed down. Adonis lowered his spear smoothly ‘Change is upon the wind...My brothers.’

***
Alexandrel was sitting back on his chair, his new sheath was on his knees. He found him on his way back to his room but sitting in the longue alone he couldn’t but help but feel a strange disquiet within him. He knew it wasn’t boredom or the will to act, he was confused. He began craving that strange wine Asriel gave him. He could taste it upon his tongue he was almost lost to that thought until he bit down on his tongue, drawing blood. He is trying to manipulate me! He thought.

He approved but at the same time was upset, he was the one who was meant to be in charge, to be in power. Yet now he could only think of the gifts the mortal can provide. It was strange he could tear Asriel apart but he can’t help but feel that he has some power of him. He glanced at the blade lodged in the throat of the slave. ‘I should’ve refused.’ ‘Ah, are you moping?’ his second associate walked over and sat down in front of him.

Alexandrel sighed ‘what do you want?’ Chershi gave him a playful shrug. ‘I just want to revel in your misery.’ He grunted as he heard that. ‘I’m not that upset.’ ‘Oh you are, I can taste it in the air. Are you feelings hurt that your mortal out did you?’ ‘No, I don’t care about that.’ ‘Or are you afraid?’ her voice turned low, it became a blur between genders.

Alexandrel rested his cheek on his fist ‘when have I ever been afraid?’ ‘You’re afraid now.’ Chershi answered. ‘You can’t bear to walk back to that dining hall, you fear to lose control and you worry that a human will have his sway over you.’ ‘He will never control me.’ Her eyes drifted to his new blade. ‘How sure are you about that? He might have already sunk his claws into you.’ Chershi shot up to her feet and twirled gracefully, she lightly stepped towards him and leaned in. ‘Kindness can kill, it can ruin people and it can shut mouths.’ ‘This galaxy is too dark for kindness.’ ‘Hence why people lap it up whenever it appears.’ ‘What Asriel is giving them is not genuine, he may not realise that he is just as cruel as I am.’ ‘Do you really believe that?’ ‘I do.’ Strangely the daemon twirled backwards and returned to her seat. ‘You are such a poor liar.’ she was smiling as she spoke, Alexandrel scowled ‘he is using them.’ ‘He is giving them what they want.’ Chershi replied. ‘Also why are you having such a problem with your old slave being happy with himself?’ Alexandrel couldn’t help but grumble, he saw flashes of the dining hall and the vices taking place there. He was hungry for it, he wanted to breathe in the scent of human bodies, wine, blood and food. He wanted to take part in the revelries of war and slaughter that takes place in that section of the ship.

All of this felt strange to him for some reason, he has committed self-mutilation and inflicted horrors upon his enemies, all which have bored him in time but yet he desires what Asriel can provide. He wondered if it was Thalis’ procedure that was making him feel this way? Or perhaps it was his new associate's words that were the cause? Or maybe it was a mix of both? But some part of him desires to resist. Someone was infringing upon his freedom and he hated that. ‘I have to resist Chershi…’ he removed his hand from his fist and leaned back in his chair. ‘He is just….’ ‘Just what?’ Alexandrel closed his mouth. I’m not weak. He shot up to his feet. ‘I need to visit someone.’

Chershi smiled and gave him a wave ‘do enjoy yourself.’ Alexandrel ignored the daemon he began walking to the door and the same time he clicked his fingers to have his sheath waddle behind him.

Been going over how to write dialogue and format it. Hence why this chapter looks different. Also been reading an awesome book where chaos is displayed wonderfully I learned quite a bit.

Chapter 13
Alexandrel pushed the doors of the dining hall open and strode in. The cult was in the middle of their revelries, he scanned the hall and he found Asriel sitting at his normal position. His new associate was acting aloof but he knew that Asriel was aware of him. He walked up to the mortal and folded his arms.

‘I’m back.’ his words were smothered by the sounds of the hall but that didn’t matter Asriel could hear him clearly.
The human gave him a smooth smile ‘I see, what do you desire Lord Alexandrel?’
‘First, I want to sit down.’ he answered.

Asriel clapped and two slaves bought over the chair he was using the last time he was here. Once it was in place Alexandrel took his seat.
‘Next, food and wine.’ At his word Asriel gestured and from the crowd masked humans approached with platters covered with multi-coloured wine and food.

Alexandrel reached out and tore the leg off a strange piece of pale meat. He turned it over and raised his eyebrow at Asriel. ‘What is it?’
‘It’s Anihairai, according the stories it was a xeno species your warband made extinct. I have no idea why their corpses were stored away.’
‘Ah, so your eating aliens?’
‘And? We eat each other why stop at aliens?’
‘True, but how did you get your hands on the corpses?’
‘Let me just say that it was not all that hard to acquire food on this ship. We have a smooth system going where we can take the things we require from the upper levels. The recent raid upon it has allowed our own storage facilities to be filled.’
‘Ok, what about the wine?’
‘We make that here, the base is normal Amasec, we then weave together various additives into the liquid that enhances it’s taste. We are making new mixtures all the time.’

Alexandrel picked up a glass of wine from the platter and swirled the liquid. ‘Additives?’
‘It would take too much time to recount each and every single one Lord Alexandrel.’ Asriel said smoothly.
‘Good point, anyway here we go!’ He sipped the wine, his head reared back at the strength. ‘T-That’s...strong. Why aren’t any of you dead drinking this?’
‘Some have died Lord Alexandrel, my observation is that those who have fear of drinking the liquid Slaanesh won’t allow them to live.’

He disliked the theoretical answer, he could only assume those mortals are lucky. He raised his other hand bit into the leg, the juices from the meat exploded in his mouth. It was only when he began chewing where all of the flavours came together.

His associate smiled at him ‘try it together with the wine.’

Alexandrel stopped chewing, strangely enough if had to force himself to stop. He then did as Asriel instructed and sipped the wine. As it touched his tongue his mind began swirling, his vision turned blurry and his body was trembling. Like a mad beast he attacked the wine and the leg, he then moved onto the platters. He couldn’t control himself, his hearts were thundering. He couldn’t remember the last time he has ever felt this way.

He was about to become lost in that moment until the ship shuddered. Alexandrel stopped and furrowed his brow while swallowing what was in his mouth. He was about to speak but the tremors suddenly stopped. The revelry gripping the room slowly grew silent, Alexandrel glanced over to Asriel who was placing his hand over his golden eye. His associate was wincing in pain. ‘So do you know what’s going on?’ he asked of the mortal.

Asriel slowly removed his hand from his eye, he was frowning. ‘Arzin has moved the ship into the warp.’
‘There hasn’t been an announcement from the captain, where are we going?’
‘I...don’t know. I can only suspect he is heading straight for the Dark Angels.’

Alexandrel threw aside his wine glass and the leg, he shot up to his feet. ‘We don’t have much time then.’ he said with a measure of annoyance. ‘Get your cult ready, there is no telling when we will leave the warp.’ Asriel gave him a curt nod, Alexandrel then sighed and clicked his fingers. His sheath waddled to his side. He then left the dining hall, he had to gather his squadmates.

***
Arzin flexed his hands, guiding the ship was simple as was influencing the mind of the captain. He could’ve waited for his warband to lick their wounds, but why should he? If he allows them to recover they will grow complacent. The Third legion has always fought against the odds. He recalled those times when they were thrown into suicide missions again and again. They’re numbers were slowly being whittled away both by war and the affliction that ravaged their legion. What he found a shameful was the fact they’ve forgotten those times, they do not remember how to fight against the odds since they never had to contend with the cancer that almost consumed them all.

Arzin sighed +Fulgrim made them complacent. He made them weak as well.+ He rose from his bed and walked around his chamber while sending his mind through the ship. His warriors were scurrying to make ready for war. He had to admit he was impressed, so he decided to brush his mind against those who he perceived to be worth his time. He whispered words of encouragement, promised dark rewards to those who pleased them. All of this had the effect he desired, the warband descended into a frenzy. Blades were sharpened, slaves were offered up to him and what was most amusing was Adonis’ reaction. He was completely calm despite whispering into his ear. He was in the middle of running through his drills in the training hall, his spear was dancing from the shambling servitors. He had to admit he found Adonis’ focus impressive. If he kept this up he would reclaim his position in due time.

He left the chamber and made his way to where Alexandrel was gathering Aamon’s squad, they were all standing together in Thalis’ room. They were in deep discussion.

‘So...how are we going to approach this? Aamon won’t just submit.’ Arzin could see Alexandrel was leading the conversation.
Thalis then opened his pouch and pulled out several vials filled with pink liquid. ‘I whipped these together. It’s fairly low grade narcotics for us but if Aamon had some of this? The door in his mind would fly wide open.’
‘He’s stronger than that.’ Salazar added. ‘All of you are far too simple for this.’
Alexandrel scoffed ‘who are you calling simple!?’
‘That’s what all of you are, when have you ever eaten to the point you can’t move? When have you ever overloaded your bodies with exquisite concoctions?’ Salazar said with a measure of annoyance.
‘You haven’t listened to the song of slaanesh either.’ Efron added.

Arzin had to agree with them both Salazar and Efron. In order to break Aamon they had to overload him, fill him with the love of the dark prince. He thought to say something, to lead them in that direction but he could see that the words of Salazar and Efron was leading them in the right direction.

He left them to their discussion, he decided to visit Fulgrim’s toy. He was ordering around his cult but as he got close the human turned his head slightly. +My lord.+ His thought was respectful, but he could detect a hint of fear. Arzin didn’t respond, he watched the mortal tremble he most likely suspected that he was here to torment him. He thought about doing so, he would be embarrassed before his cult and watching him trying to regain control would be amusing but he had fools to deal with. The loyalists were arrogant enough to think that his warband was crippled.

He frowned and left the mortal, he returned to his chamber and oddly he felt excited. He looked down to himself and examined his new splendorous form. He felt the need to use it, to entice, to corrupt and destroy. +What better way to bring a new age than to lead my warriors to it?+ A thin grin lined his face, he couldn’t wait to meet the Dark Angels.

***

Aamon groaned in pain, he could barely move. Both of his hands were removed, he has lost an eye and he has lost several of his teeth. Each one was forcibly torn from his mouth. Let this end. He had enough he couldn’t take it anymore. He wondered if perhaps he was wrong? Maybe Luther lied to him? That could be a possibility. His mind then drifted to the atrocities he has committed in order to survive, to remain one step ahead of his pursuers. It wasn’t worth it. That single thought caused his last remaining eye to well up with tears. What have I been fighting for? He had no cause, he had nothing. Despite Valefar worshipping a lie he had a cause, one that was righteous and he hated admitting that fact. If the avenging son was here right now, he would destroy him for his betrayal. If he told him what he has done he would spit upon him.

Aamon shifted his head towards the Chaplain. ‘I-I….’
Valefar closed his tome ‘are you ready?’
He was about to answer the question, to finally admit that he was wrong. ‘I….I...was wr-’ The ship shook interrupting him, the sounds of screeching metal filled his ears. The Chaplain cursed and rose from his seat. ‘W-Wait.’ Aamon pleaded.

He was ignored, Valefar left the chamber along with his cherubs and servo skulls. Aamon called out again ‘w-wait!’ he shouted as the door closed. Alone in the chamber he trembled. What was going on? Why did he leave? He thought. Strangely he began to feel cold and utterly alone, he couldn’t bear it. He needed someone to hear-to forgive him of his transgressions. What have I done wrong? The question to himself was a strange one. Why was he asking himself that now? He admitted to his wrongdoing, Valefar only had to hear his confession. It’s not fair.

Aamon shook his head in confusion ‘w-what? W-why?’ I don’t deserve this. We don’t deserve this. Aamon swallowed a glob of spit, his mouth was becoming dry. ‘N-no t-that’s wrong.’ No, you are wrong. As his inner voice responded to his voice he screwed his eye shut. I’m still there even if you shut your eye. Aamon shook his head ‘n-no! I won’t go back to my old ways!’ He decided to count, to think of anything else. One, two, three, four, five, six, se- His mind froze. He couldn’t say the next number within his mind. Aamon blinked in confusion ‘one, two, three, four, five, six, se-’ His throat became extremely dry keeping him from saying se- Aamon shook his head again in confusion.

He decided to look down to himself, his mind has became addled by Valefar trying to make him confess. His gaze became transfixed upon the straps and chains holding him down. He decided to count them instead. ‘One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thir-’ His voice locked up again. Panic frayed at his hearts, he struggled to free himself despite the pain of his bonds grinding against his battered flesh.

The ship then shook again, which caused his panic attack to cease. He began calculating, wondering what was going on. Freedom. His inner voice said.
‘F-Freedom. I-’
Don’t you dare, don’t say it. We’ve sacrificed too much to submit
‘What do I have to go back to!?’ he roared back.
Stop being closed minded, we both know the ship is being attacked by our brothers, they wouldn’t take such an assault lying down his inner voice said calmly.
‘Why would I want to go back to them!? There’s nothing for me in that hell hole!’
You don’t miss them because we have never supped on what they offered. Think about it.

Aamon’s breathing became harsh, he wondered why was he thinking this way? The degenerates had nothing to offer him. He shook his head. ‘Y-You’re wrong, I am wrong. T-They’re weak, pathetic and useless’
We can think that, but since I am you and you are me, we are fully aware of what they will do if they find us in such a state.

Aamon’s hearts froze like ice, his inner voice was right. If they found him like this, broken and ready to repent what would they do?
See? We both care for our dignity and our pride. So how about we fall on our own terms?
‘F-Fall? What do you mean?’ he asked his inner voice
We’re tired of this life, We’re tired of sacrificing everything just to see the next sunrise.
‘Y-You’re right…’ Aamon whispered to himself. ‘Y-Yet what would you have me do? I’m a c-cripple. I-I c-can’t fight, l-let alone walk.’
That can be fixed, if only you swap with me. I can take over.

Aamon found the offer enticing but his inner voice said I how could he take over himself? Was his mind truly slipping? But the offer sounded like sensuous music to his ears, he could taste honey in his mouth. ‘W-What would happen to me if I accept?’
It would be like...Falling asleep.
‘D-Death, you-we-are speaking of death?’
Depends on your point of view, so...what do you say?

Aamon examined himself just for a moment, he was in an absolutely pathetic state. ‘A-Alright...I-I accept.’ He waited for for his inner voice to respond. Yet he did not hear himself speak. ‘I-I said I accept! T-Take my p-pain a-away!’ he roared. It was then he felt tired, his eyes fluttered and strangely it felt like he was falling asleep.

On the book I've been reading (almost finished) It's bloody AMAZING for a 40k novel. Peter has shot straight to my favourite authors. He captures the setting beautifully, if you want to see the insidious aspect of chaos in all it's glory grab this book. A reviewer on the 40k lore reddit said this book makes warhammer horror look like warhammer adventures, so far he's right in my opinion.

https://www.blacklibrary.com/new-titles/featured/requiem-infernal-ebook-en-2019.html



Edit:Just realised I messed up the name of the interrogator Chaplain several times >_< it's been corrected.

Still working on dialogue, did it wrong last chapter. I am not doing indentation paragraphs XD Also I am in a good mood new slaanesh models might be announced sunday.

Chapter 14
Sergeant Paimos rushed down the hallway with his tactical squad, oddly he was heaving and some part of him was recoiling at the fact he had to make his way to docking bay 6 on the battle barge. Each step felt heavy, it felt like his body was warning him. It was trying to scream not to go there.

‘Are you well Sergeant?’ Ashrai said through their private vox link.

Paimos didn’t look back to him, as leader he had to appear determined but he couldn’t hide that something felt wrong. ‘I’m well, but don’t you feel it?’

‘Feel what?'

‘That we are heading to...Something.’

Ashrai said nothing for several moments, his voice then returned to the vox link. ‘Aye, I know what you mean.’ he stated firmly

‘It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who feels it.’

‘Actually sergeant, we all feel the same way. I’ve been speaking with the others.’

Paimos cursed, his whole squad was being affected but they were Space Marines, he knew no fear but his hearts were thundering within his breast. He took deep breath to calm himself down. He focused on the path ahead of him, but he became distracted as heard giggling. ‘By Terra wha-’ he couldn’t finish what he was about to say. Pale faces emerged from the walls of the ship, their black eyes focused upon him. Their giggling then became outright laughter. He stopped and raised his bolt pistol and fired at each one. The faces exploded in gushes of pink liquid. ‘Purge them brothers!’ he roared.

He kept firing and as he was about to reload Ashrai rushed forward and grabbed his wrist.

‘Stop!’ his brother shouted.

‘What are you doing!?’ Paimos spat back.

‘Sergeant-brother yo-’

He pulled his wrist from Ashrai’s grip, the faces were still lining the walls laughing at him. ‘Stop being foolish! The enemy is attacking us! Destroy the faces!’ he barked to his squad. He expected them to follow his orders but instead they all piled upon him, pinning him to the floor. ‘What are you doing! The face-’

‘Aren’t there.’ Ashrai finished.

‘W-What? I can hear them laughing at me. I can see their corruption right in front of me!’ he shouted.

‘Look at around you Paimos! The enemy is playing tricks upon you!’ Ashrai barked back.

Paimos blinked in confusion, the faces were gone he couldn’t hear their laughter either and their pink blood wasn’t lining the floor. ‘T-This, must be a trick.’ he stammered. His brothers relaxed and removed themselves from his body, but he took some time to rise. As he got back to his feet he met Ashrai’s brown eyes. ‘I saw them, the Archenemy is known to play with one’s mind.’ He said firmly.

His brother shook his head ‘how many ammo clips do you have left Paimos?’

Paimos’ mouth felt dry, he reached into his pouch but there was nothing there. He glanced at the ground to see empty shells and ammo clips littering the ground. All he could feel at this very moment was shame. The enemy tricked him, it was such a simple one as well. ‘I…’

Ashrai shook his head and placed his hand on his pauldron ‘don’t worry, we are brothers we watch out for one another despite rank. Especially when it comes to the Archenemy.’

‘You’re correct, I am blessed to have brothers such as you.’ Belfist then drew his power blade ‘let us move on.’

His brothers nodded, they returned to squad cohesion and continued on. Despite the words from Ashrai shame still clanged to him. He couldn’t help it for if they faced an enemy he was at a disadvantage and what if he was tricked again? The only thing he could be thankful for was the fact whatever he was feeling before was gone.

The journey to docking bay 6 was uneventful but that was his problem. The sirens were blaring which meant this area of the ship was under attack. As they reached the docking bay it was undamaged and their serfs were Absent. There was no sign of conflict in docking bay 6.

His eyes then locked onto a garish coloured Thunderhawk. Belfist furrowed his brow, the wrongness claiming his body returned like a cascade. Staring at the Thunderhawk his grip on his blade tightened. Perhaps it is in my mind? He thought.

He tensed and made the gesture for his squad to approach the Thunderhawk’s closed landing bay. In the end this was an advantage. ‘Ashrai get your melta charge ready.’ He ordered. His brother sent an acknowledgement. Paimos wanted to at least destroy the unholy machinery than leave it alone. They approached the aircraft carefully, when they reached the landing bay doors he signalled his brother to place the charge upon the Thunderhawk.

He was about to walk up to the landing bay but it began to open. ‘Get back!’ Paimos shouted. In a smooth motion they all took several steps back. ‘Soon as the landing bay comes down open fire!’ His squad acknowledged the order, Paimos tensed he hated the fact that the landing bay was coming down slowly. What he also found concerning was the pink smog that was bellowing out of the small gap due to the landing bay coming down.

He spared a glanced at his squad, their fingers were twitching upon the triggers of their bolters. It almost took a whole minute, sixty seconds exactly for the landing bay to clack upon the ground. The pink smog that was escaping bellowed out, covering their feet. The recycled air within his helm began to make his nose twitch. It smelt like a thick musk. Another trick. He hissed to himself. ‘Open fire!’ he bellowed. His squad unloaded their bolters into the smog covering the entrance of the Thunderhawk. He could hear the clanging of metal but not the sound of mass-reactive slugs detonating flesh. He thought to tell his brothers to cease, but he recalled the hallway. They would want us to keep firing…. ‘Stop.’ he ordered.

His brothers lowered their bolters, he was going to give the order to advance but something tumbled down the landing bay. It was a mortal, at least the torso of one. The human was smiling as the cadaver rolled down the ramp and into the pink smog smothering the ground. Paimos shook his head in disbelief ‘open fi-’ his order fell silent as another mortal dead mortal tumbled out who was also missing their lower body. It soon became a stream the sheer tide of them wouldn’t fit into a Thunderhawk.

‘By the Emperor….’ Ashrai said out loud.

Paimos made the warding sign of the Aquila ‘guard your thoughts and hearts. Be ready to ope-’ again he was cut off. Due to the sound of footsteps, they were light and what came out of the Thunderhawk was a pale man at least he thought it was a man. This...man was abnormally large, sprouted black wings and their body and face seemed to have been wrought by a master craftsman. The man lightly jumped upon the mound of corpses. It was then Paimos noticed he was also...sparkling, glittering with a strange light.

+Ah, you caught me at a good time. I was just done with the slaves, the men and women of this ship are quite...resilient. I approve..+ The man said smoothly.

His mouth was moving, sound was coming out of it but Paimos could also hear his voice in his mind as well. His own mouth began to feel dry and strangely he felt hungry as well. ‘I-I-I…’ He was stammering the man wagged his finger.

+Look at all of you admiring your better, I appreciate that. So I’ll give you a chance, serve me and you will know the darkest night. You will be able to sup upon the sweetest honey and milk if you submit.+

Paimos was about to nod, he was captured completely by the individual in front of him. It was only the sound of a bolter discharging that woke him and his squad from the stupor. The man offering him the night raised his hand and the bullet crashed upon a flicking purple shield. Paimos looked over to Ashrai whose bolter was smoking.

‘Lies!’ his brother shouted. ‘You wag your serpent tongue to entice us daemon!’

‘Daemon?’ Paimos said with a measure of confusion.

‘Yes daemon!’ He pointed at the man ‘Look brothers! His eyes spill darkness and his words attack our hearts and minds!’

+I would rather call it stoking the fires.+

Ashrai raised his bolter to fire again but the daemon clicked his fingers and to Paimon’s shock his brother’s head began expanding like a balloon it then popped splatting them with brain matter and gore. Ashrai’s body wobbled and then toppled to the floor. The man gave a playful clap.

+Look at that, he’s dead now where was I? Please kneel. Please worship me...+ asked the man

The please pressed upon his mind, Paimos screamed with the rest of his squad while clutching his head. One by one from the corner of his version he could see his brothers kneeling, yet he couldn’t, he shouldn’t, what would Ashrai think if he could see him now? What would Master Crocell think of him if he submitted? Submit, why fight it? His inner voice whispered to him. ‘I have to fight! H-He’s not a man!’ I know that, yet why should that stop me? Glory awaits if I do. ‘N-No!’

Paimos sagged to his knees, his blade fell from his hand. His eyes slowly came up and what he saw wasn’t a man but a shining god. His god Arzin. His master hopped off the mound of corpses and approached one of his brothers. His fine chiselled face then parted revealing a maw of darkness, it wrapped around his brother and his lord reared up. Paimos could see his brother’s legs wiggling as his new god slowly devoured him.

Watching the horror-delight before him he tensed. His master’s face slowly returned to normal. He then moved to the next member of his squad and he was devoured in the same fashion. The next member was torn to pieces, his brother praised their shining lord as he was devoured. In total minus Ashrai there was four left including himself. He found what Arzin was doing to be disgusting-wonderful, he was terrified-excited for when it was to be his turn to obtain glory.

His master moved through the last three gracefully until finally he stood before him. ‘I hate-thank you my lord for what you are about to do.’ Paimos said smoothly.

+You’re so kind, are you ready to slake my hunger? Are you ready to know glory?+

‘No-Yes.’ Paimos replied.

With his answer Arzin’s mouth parted to reveal a abyss, there was no light, no glory just an empty pit.

***
Alexandrel hacked off the arm of the loyalist, his bladesmenship was sloppy he twirled his blade as the loyalist Dark Angel staggered back gripping his stump. He was about to step forward to finish him off but his face started to bubble. The loyalist screamed and crumpled to the floor. His flesh then slipped off messily from his body and his blood was pooling from the rents that lined their armour. The flesh that was lying in the pool of blood melted into it, to him it looked like they fused together. The blood soon after took a purple colouration.

Alexandrel’s nose twitched, he could smell the soul-stuff from the loyalist was mixed into the liquid. He glanced back to his brothers were dispatching the rest of the hostiles, his gaze then came back to the puddle. He took a moment and breathed in the scent from the puddle more deeply, his legs were then slowly carried by the wonderful smell and when he reached the small pool he knelt and stared at it.

The pool appeared enticing, he lifted his helmet slightly and dipped his finger into the pool. He then licked his blood stained finger. The liquid did not hold the texture of blood and the coppery taste wasn’t present. What he tasted instead was a wave emotions, he could taste Dark Angel’s fear, he could taste his pain and he could taste his horror rolling across his tongue. Alexandrel smiled and reached into his pouch, he pulled out one of his nutrient bars. He unwrapped it and dipped the bar into the blood several times.

Once he was satisfied he stuffed the bar into his mouth ‘mhmmmhhmm…’ he couldn’t speak his nerves were burning. What he tasted before was increased ten-fold, he swallowed what was in his mouth and moved to the next bar until he had none left. Alexandrel wiped his mouth and stood up right, he turned to see his brothers staring at him. ‘What?’ he asked.

Thalis was trembling with fury as he shouted ‘how dare you!’

‘Oh leave him apothecary, he appears to be enjoying it.’ said Salazar

The Apothecary stabbed Salazar’s chest with his finger ‘he’s polluting my bar! Do you have any idea how much time I spend making them!? Balancing all the ingredients? Making sure it’s cooked to perfection!?’ Thalis' finger drifted towards him. ‘Why the hell are you dipping it in blood!?’

Alexandrel offered his empty hand ‘more.’ he asked.

‘No!’ Thalis spat.

‘More.’

‘No!’

‘Why?’

‘No you idiot and that’s final!’

Alexandrel reached towards his pouch but his brother slapped his hands away. ‘Come on Thalis! I know you have more!’

Thalis grunted ‘No, back off and if I had any I wouldn’t give you some so you could ruin it!’

Efron coughed bringing everyone’s attention to him. ‘Weren’t we following Alexandrel’s nose to Aamon?’

At the mention of Aamon, Alexandrel froze. ‘Oh yes, almost forgot.’ He sniffed the air and pointed down the hall. ‘If we take the next bend we will arrive at where Aamon is being kept. Thalis, get the vials ready.’ His brother nodded and removed several vials from his pouch. Alexandrel grinned ‘right let’s move.’

He broke into a jog, his brothers trailed behind him he knew he could always procure more nutrient bars later.

***
Adonis stabbed a Dark Angel in the throat and twisted his spear removing their head. He then twisted and stabbed another loyalist in the back, the fool was pressing against Lazaros. He twisted his spear again destroying the primary heart, he pulled his spear back and delivered another thrust destroying the second. The upstart stepped back as Adonis kicked the Dark Angel off his spear. He glanced to the remaining hostiles who was piled upon by Angelos and the rest of his Space Marines.

Adonis turned away and continued towards the bridge, he wanted the head of the Master, what better way to secure favour than killing the leader of the company? He took a step but a hand fell upon his left pauldron holding him in place. He glanced back to see it was Lazaros. ‘What is it upstart?’ Adonis said with a measure of annoyance

‘He was mine!’ Lazaros hissed.

Adonis frowned at the fool ‘you were being pressed, you should spend less time plotting for a position your aren’t qualified for. Next time you won’t be so lucky, I should kill you due your sloppiness.’

‘Is that a threat?’

‘Yes, it is.’

Adonis shoved Lazaros back with his shoulder. ‘I could kill you all and barely break a sweat.’ He turned and faced all twenty astartes who followed him. ‘All of you spent far too much time slinking in the darkness.’

‘What else did you expect us to do!?’ Lazaros shouted while bringing his fist up. ‘We aren’t as blessed as you! We don’t hold sway over Arzin like you do! Do you know how it feels to have an outsider above you!?’

‘Ah I see.’ Adonis said smoothly ‘Lazaros tell me, is all of this is about Aamon?’

‘Of course it is! Tell me! Is he own this ship!?’

‘He is.’ His lord wanted Aamon corrupted he suspected that they are attacking to ensure that happens, but the upstarts didn’t need to know that information.

‘How about instead of trying to kill the Master why not go after Aamon? Don’t you find it suspicious how the Dark Angels attacked us and then swiftly left? After that there was no sign of the outsider. If we let him live the Dark Angels will keep attacking us even if we bloody one company.’

Adonis chuckled to Lazaros’ words ‘So now you’re attempting deflection?’ He then shook his head. ‘Fool...So meek. So weak...’ He bought his spear to Lazaros’ throat, the fool could barely react in time to stop him.

‘W-Wait a minute…’ Lazaros said meekly

‘Wait for what?’ Adonis answered.

‘I-I was just giving a suggestion, you don’t ha-.’

Before he could finish Adonis removed his head, the piece of meat toppled to the ground and then the body crumpled to the floor a second later. He then turned away ‘follow me. We shall take the head of the Master.’ Adonis ordered. He then continued walking, he couldn’t hear the upstarts footsteps but it only took a moment for the clacking of boots to echo behind him.

Chapter 15
Asriel sliced open the throat of a thrall, their lifeblood gushed out onto his face. The blood felt warm, a surge of vigour filled his limbs. When the loyalist fell to floor the warmth that threaded his body vanished, he felt empty and hungry as well. No matter how many he kills the hunger never goes away unless he is killing or fulfilling some sort of vice or new experience. He bought his blade up and stared at it. His familiar was recoiling, it was thirsting for another kill but with a thought he silenced the creature.

He wanted to think, he didn’t want any interruptions hence why he was alone despite the protests of his cult. He needed to become strong alone, he needed more power so he could get what he wanted. He was also aware that in order to ensure the happiness of his cult he also needed more favour from Slaanesh. He had to play the game, he had no choice.

Asriel lowered his blade and sighed ‘there’s more to do.’ He continued onward and as he made the corner he encountered five more thralls, they were all armed with bolt pistols. One turned towards him and pointed.

‘Kill the heretic!’ the thrall screeched.

The loyalists pointed their bolt pistols and fired, Asriel raised his hand to form a shield. The mass-reactive slugs caused his conjured shield to throb and buckle but putting more power into it removed the issue. He started to slowly walk up to them, he desired the fools to waste their ammo and after a minute of non-stop firing they did. At the sound of the click Asriel rushed forward, the first thrall he bought his blade under their groin and raised his blade.

His shamshir sliced through flesh like butter, when the loyalist was split in two the second charged him with their blade drawn. They attempted to attack with a downward slash but with a simple parry he opened the loyalist up for an attack. Asriel flicked his finger sending the thrall flying and as they crashed onto the wall there was a wet crunch.

Asriel then turned to the remaining thralls, but they were already breaking away. He thought to chase them but decided against it. ‘What use is there hunting them? They’re weak, but how do I gain more favour?’ It was then the blood began to bubble, the life blood of the dead gathered on the floor and formed a creature.

It had long flowing hair, it’s face was both bovine in aspect and androgynous at the same time. It’s body was similar to Comus and the creature had four limbs. They wore nothing but a loincloth as well. But Asriel could see the suggestiveness in the pose Their right hand was on their thigh and the their left hand was placed on the stomach. The additional limbs of the creature was holding the head of an Aeldari and their last limb held a blade. Asriel got to one knee and stared at the ground. ‘What are you?’ he asked of the creature.

The mouth of the image moved +I thought you would be happy to see me?+

Asriel recognised the voice, it was Balim. The daemon’s voice was a mix of both it’s male and female forms. ‘You wouldn’t appear if you didn’t have something to say.’

The daemon chuckled +correct, I can sense that you are at an impasse.+

‘I am.’ Asriel answered.

+At least you admit it, so what are you doing to tear down the wall?+

Asriel dwelled on the question, he wondered how he could gain favour more quickly? His mind drifted to his obsession, his goal. ‘I wish to make others happy, I wish for Tetricus to return to me.’

+Your master must be miserable with the Black Legion….+ Balim said smoothly

‘Of course he is.’ Asriel responded. ‘He should be here. All I do i-’ he stopped himself from speaking. I do this so that he will return. That was what he wanted, the issue was whether his cult would aid him in that goal. He couldn’t trust them entirely, not after what has occured with Antonius and Stella. Asriel smiled at the daemon. ‘If they truly care for me...My Cult should be more than willing to offer their lives. If they’re not able to then I will remove them.’

A distorted grin played across Balim’s face +question is how will you use their lives?+

Asriel returned the daemons smile while standing up right. ‘I’ll work on that, thank you for the guidance.’ As he spoke the daemon didn’t return his words, Balim’s visage merely vanished instead. Asriel chuckled, he rose and tapped his hand with his blade. It took him but a moment to decide how to use the lives of his followers, but that plan cannot be realised until after the assault.

***
His quarry was in sight, they stood tall despite the numerical advantage on his side. Adonis could see why the Master would guard this place with the veterans of his company for if the bridge fell they could easily take the rest of the ship but that wasn’t his objective. The bridge was secondary. He raised his phoenix spear, he was ready to face the master of the warband but the upstart got in the way.

Angelos charged the master of the warband, they clashed and he could see right away the upstart would lose. Adonis grunted and diverted towards one of the veterans who was in the process of cutting down two of his followers. The loyalist shifted to him and yelled his pitiful cry. ‘For the Emperor!’ the loyalist shouted.

He didn’t care to talk to someone who was about to die, Adonis bought his arm back and threw his spear. It threaded through the air like a bullet and crashed into the loyalist’s chest. They staggered back but kept their footing despite the blood that began to run down from the wound. The Space Marine was reaching for his spear to pull out but Adonis rushed forward and grasped the handle with both hands. He then raised his spear tearing through the chest plate of the loyalist along with slicing their head in two.

He shifted to the next veteran and charged towards them but he was cut off as the Master of of the Dark Angel’s company intercepted him. He was holding the head of Angelos, the loyalist threw the head to Adonis’ feet. ‘Weak and pitiful.’ The loyalist hissed.

Adonis pointed his spear at the Master ‘he was, that thing you killed was a means to an end.’ He then charged. Adonis thrusted his phoenix spear in a rapid motion. The Master weaved between the thrusts and diverted the strikes which would hit home. The loyalist seemed to be on the defensive but he knew it was the opposite. With each dodge and diverted strike the Master was stepping forward while he took a step back. Adonis could see it would be problematic if the Master got close, but he has seen this strategy used many times in the past.

He shifted his thrust to lead the Master into diverting the strike, when the blade of his spear clanged with the sword of the loyalist and went awry, instead of repeating the attack he swept low carving through the ankles. When the Master tumbled to the ground Adonis didn’t waste any time. He stepped forward and stabbed his spear downwards upon the Master’s primary heart and twisted. The loyalist lurched and gurgled.

Adonis pulled his spear from the loyalist’s body and stabbed the secondary heart and as he twisted the loyalist twitched and then grew still. Adonis smiled and removed his spear from the cadaver. He then readied his combat knife and went to work cutting off the head, when it came lose he picked it up and held it under his arm.

His gaze shifted to the rest of his followers, he has lost many from this battle and they were in the process of finishing of the veterans, but he didn’t care for them. He had what he wanted.

***
Alexandrel rushed down the hallway with his...brothers. After a few minutes of running they came upon two grand doors being guarded by a Chaplain. The loyalist stepped forward. ‘You will go no further heretics!’

Alexandrel glanced at his brothers ‘can I handle this?’ Salazar looked away, Thalis shrugged and Efron stood still like a stone, he took that as a yes. Alexandrel walked forward to face the jailor of Aamon. To him the Chaplain appeared confident, he assumed the reason why was because of the attack to secure Aamon. He smiled and pulled out the rod he made, he wanted to test something. The Chaplain cocked his head slightly and charged while gripping his Crozius with both hands. The loyalist committed to downward strike Alexandrel smoothly stepped aside and as he passed the Chaplain he tapped the back of his leg with his rod.

The loyalist staggered and dropped to one knee, the Chaplain’s hand was grasping the leg he tapped. The Loyalist staggered up after a moment and faced him. ‘By the way what have you done with Aamon?’ Alexandrel asked. The Chaplain said nothing, he was about to charge until Salazar came forward and removed his head from behind. ‘Hey!’ Alexandrel shouted.

Salazar tutted ‘we don’t have time for your games. Hurry up!’

Alexandrel grunted and sheathed his weapon while walking over to the door. He checked for a way to open it and nestled in the middle of it was a retinal scanner. He turned back to Salazar ‘I need the head. Well specifically his eye.’ His brother nodded picked up the helm and removed the head within. With a quick motion he plucked out the eye and threw it over.

Alexandrel caught it and looked it over, surprisingly it was undamaged despite how large their fingers were due to the power armour. He had to admit Salazar was skilled. He then bought the eye to the scanner there was a beep and the doors slowly opened. Alexandrel placed the eye in his pouch just in case they needed it again. He then turned to his brothers ‘the way is open, let’s go.’

They all proceeded onward, right away Alexandrel noticed the rows of cell doors. Each door seemed to be made out of ceramite and the bars covering the doors appeared to be made with the same material. He sniffed several times. Only one person. The scent belonged to Aamon but he could tell there were corpses in each of the cells. The question was what are the Dark Angels keeping locked away? He found it strange that a chapter would go through so much trouble to hunt heretics.

He lead this brothers down the hallway and stopped in front of a door, there was another retinal scanner. He picked out the eye from his pouch and bought the eye to it. There was a click as the bars slid downwards and then the door opened. Thalis shook his head ‘So...How are we going to do this?’

Alexandrel raised his eyebrow ‘why are you asking that now? We’ve been through this! Just inject him with the drugs.’

‘Well, we might have to be subtle.’ Salazar added.

‘I agree with our little prince, let’s talk to him for a few moments. Work him over then inject the drugs.’ said Thalis.

Efron groaned in annoyance ‘can we just go in?’

Alexandrel agreed with the noise marine. ‘Enough deliberation let’s just see how Aamon is.’ His brothers all nodded at least they agreed there. They walked into the cell and what they found was their squad leader who seemed completely whole. His body was pristine and clean. His hair was stark white as well. Alexandrel’s nose twitched. He’s changed. He approached the table Aamon was lying on, his estranged leader head shifted to him.

His eyes were shining a brilliant blue, but he recalled that they were green before. ‘Aamon?’ Alexandrel said slowly.

His squad leader blinked and smiled. He didn’t like it. ‘Alexandrel, of course you would come.’

‘W-What happened to you?’

‘Nothing at all. The Chaplain thought to break me, but I persevered. Tell me is he dead?’

Alexandrel pointed at Salazar ‘I was going to duel him one on one, but he stole my kill.’

‘Please, you were going to play I know you.’ The little prince said scornfully.

‘Peace, be at peace. It’s alright I would’ve of liked to kill him myself though.’ said Aamon.

Alexandrel noted he felt oddly calm as Aamon spoke, it was a strange sensation. He was actually listening to him. He folded his arms and narrowed his eyes at his squad leader. ‘You are aware we aren’t just going to free you right?’

‘I’m aware, but I don’t see a point in all of you torturing me. The Chaplain has done enough.’

‘Wait a minute.’ His brother Thalis walked up to the bed. ‘You look absolutely fine! What are you talking about!?’

Alexandrel had a bad feeling, whoever this was it wasn’t his Aamon. He narrowed his eyes at the impostor ‘are you are a daemon?’

‘We’re all daemons.’ The impostor answered.

Aamon’s answer made him remove his helm. The room stank of blood and urine, but the area around the impostor was absolutely clean. If he was tortured there would be evidence and the impostor had a strange aroma clinging to his form. ‘He’s a daemon.’ Alexandrel said firmly.

Thalis frowned at him ‘how do you know? Maybe he has accepted the dark prince? Maybe we don’t have to mutilate him?’

‘Come on Thalis, Aamon wouldn’t give in that easily. We both know him.’

‘Aye, we do but he said he was tortured. Maybe what the Chaplain did made him open his eyes?’

‘I agree with the apothecary. Everyone has a limit Alexandrel.’ Salazar added.

It was two against one, he glanced at Efron. ‘You can see that Aamon is a daemon right?’

The Noise Marine shook his head ‘why not take him to Arzin? He will be able to determine what has happened to our leader.’

The impostor chuckled to Efron’s suggestion ‘how about we do that? So your hearts can be set at ease Alexandrel?’

Hearing Aamon say his name so smoothly caused a small chill to run down his spine. He didn’t know what to make of it. ‘fine, we’ll take him to Arzin then.’

***
Adonis strode into docking bay six, his lord announced he would remain in that area for the conflict and as per his word his lord was there. Arzin was sitting on a mound of corpses, he was speaking with the mortal. Adonis frowned, he wondered what has the mortal exactly done to earn such favour? He grunted and approached his lord.

When he was but a few paces away the human bowed and stepped aside. His lord then regarded him. +Adonis, what is it?+

He bought up the head of the Master ‘I’ve kill the leader of the company, in your name.’

+In my name?+

‘Yes my lord.’ Adonis dropped to one knee. ‘I wish to be your champion again.’

+If you wish to be my champion where are your followers?+

The question was unexpected, after he killed the Master he allowed his “followers” to run amok on the ship. He didn’t care if they lived or died. ‘I am letting them enjoy the thralls on the ship my lord.’

+Lies? From you Adonis?+

‘I-I’m not lying my lord.’

+My champion should be a leader and a peerless warrior. I do not doubt your skill with your spear but I find your other qualities lacking.+

‘I-I will endeavour to improve my lord. I wi-’

‘Arzin! Arzin!’

Adonis scowled, he of all people had to interrupt his moment. The Soulless came forward along with his squad he was dragging Aamon who seemed….different. Alexandrel let go of Aamon’s wrist and pointed at the outsider. ‘Is he is daemon?’ The Soulless asked.

His lord leaned forward and stared at the outsider for several moments he then leaned back. +No, but he has accepted the truth.+

Aamon was smiling, he then bowed ‘thank you my lord for easing the fear of those who follow me.’

+Think nothing of it, but you are aware that you are free because of my will?+

The outsider dropped to his knee. ‘I humbly thank you my lord for using your precious time to deliver me from the loyalists.’ The words from the upstart caused a smile to line the perfect features of his lord. Adonis started to grind his teeth. Aamon glanced at him and smirked, his shining blue eyes said only one thing. I’m better than you. Adonis shot to his feet and pointed his spear at the outsider ‘how dare you!’ he shouted.

Aamon’s face became utterly innocent with his outburst. ‘Is something wrong Adonis?’ The outsider then stood up. ‘Have I done something to wrong you? If so how can I make it up to you?’ He spoke emphatically, to point Adonis could feel his own rage evaporating.

He relaxed while shaking his head. ‘I-It’s nothing…’

‘I see…’ Aamon then faced his lord and bowed again ‘I am ready to serve Lord Arzin.’

Adonis couldn’t help but feel troubled as Arzin bought his hands together, he was completely focused on Aamon. He was the one that eliminated the Master of the company, he tore through the ship with the Space Marines that followed him. Yet Arzin had eyes only for the outsider. He couldn't help but feel completely crushed by that fact.

Part 1 Epilogue
Aamon strode down the hallway, his new suit of armour was made to perfectly matched his form. It was covered with leather straps and jewellery. His abs were exposed for all to see, they were glistening and when he passed the slaves many stopped to look and stare. He would stop and give some words of encouragement, loyalty was important to him after all. For the path to champion of the warband will require followers both Astartes and mortal. But for now he had a far more important matter to handle.

He continued walking until he stopped in front of a door, he then knocked lightly. Just six light taps. He then waited six seconds after that and then the door opened. The mortal was emaciated, scrawny and ugly as well. ‘Greetings mortal.’ Aamon said joyfully.

The human blinked in confusion, he bowed ‘m-my lord, w-what can I do f-for you?’

‘You have something that belongs to me.’

‘I-I don’t understand, if you tell me what it is I will be more than happy to fetch it for you my lord.’

‘You don’t have to do that, may I come in?’ It wasn’t a request but he framed it as such. The mortal nodded and stepped aside. Aamon smiled at the human and entered the room. What he found was piles of dirty blankets scattered across the room and just like the mortal who stepped aside all of the humans within the room were just as ugly and scrawny. His eyes then drifted to the hooks lining the room, there were corpses dangling from them. It took him but a moment to find what he was looking for.

He approached the hooks that was holding his Ashi, she was naked and he could spot bite marks lining her body. Aamon reached out and removed her from the hook, he carried her body with both hands. Looking down to her pale and damaged face tears welled up in his eyes. He pressed his forehead upon her’s. ‘Come back to me Ashi…’ he whispered. ‘It must be scary in the dark, running from the horrors that stalk us. You didn’t believe so you are but fodder for all the warp. Come back…’ he meant it, Ashi was so loyal.

He was a coward who left her to die. He then felt her body twitching, his face slowly came away from her’s. He could see warmth and life returning to her body. The bite marks and wounds were vanishing as well. When she was restored she blinked six times, she then gasped six times and coughed harshly six times. Aamon counted all of them, her breathing slowly became steady.

The mortals around him were murmuring among themselves, they were whispering that he bought her back but he didn’t have the power to do such a thing. He smiled at his slave. ‘Welcome back.’ he whispered to her.

Chapter 16
Adelmar kicked down the door and entered the building with his squad, right away they came across six heretics waiting for them they charged while screaming profanities to whatever they worshipped. ‘Open fire! Adelmar shouted. Streams of red light washed down the hallway, cutting down the heretics with one volley.

He lowered his laspistol and trudged onward along with his squad. They moved through the building at a steady pace, breaching the rooms one at a time and executing everyone within. As they worked he kept speaking to his unit, to make sure they focus on their task and his voice for across the walls there were dirty sheets displaying symbols of an eye and other obscenities. He had no desire to risk the men and women under him to corruption. Priest Tacticus gave him explicit instructions when it came to dealing with heretics, he aimed to follow that to the letter.

The heretics in the building were disorganised and were easily dispatched, the only weaponry they had available to them was swords and solid slug weaponry. Such poor tools of war only dented flak armour. His squad worked all the way up to the last floor, Adelmar kicked down the door and what was found in the room was the cult leader.

They were wearing a black robe and golden bangles over their wrist. The cult leader was female, there was a scar lining her face but what drew his eyes was the eye tattooed on her forehead. ‘So you wish to oppress us again.’ said the cult leader.

Adelmar raised his laspistol ‘silence heretic, you wish to disturb the peace the holy Emperor has provided this world, this city.’

The cult leader chuckled ‘you are aware they whip us in those factories? When we protested for better conditions your regiment murdered us. You still do.’

‘We all have our roles in the Emperor’s design. Life is his currency heretic.’

His response caused the heretic’s eyes to widen slightly, she shook her head. ‘Sometimes I wonder which side is full of the fanatics?’

‘Only one side wishes to destroy all humanity holds dear.’ he answered. Adelmar fired his laspistol, a few quick short bursts dropped the cult leader. When the smell of burning flesh drifted away he relaxed ‘at ease.’ he ordered.

His squad relaxed, there was six of them in total. Valencia was his second, they joined the regiment together and climbed the ranks, next was Valter who was a built man, icons of faith dangled from from his neck. Next was Jacey, she was the youngest among them, he got the feeling she had something to prove, Felix was the opposite. He was young as well but was far more reserved. Lastly there was Gabby who wielded a longlas, she spoke little but followed orders to the letter.

They were all the elite of 301st Demiurgos regiment. The elite fraternity within the regiment was dubbed the Scion’s of light, word was that the name was given to the regiment by a saint after holding a world for six hundred and sixty-six days. Adelmar gestured to the corpse with his chainsword ‘Valencia check the body.’

She nodded ‘it will be done.’

His second walked over and checked the corpse, while watching her work he has to admit he was proud of his unit. They were all loud when off duty save Gabby but on mission? They all changed, they become utterly focused on the objective.

Valencia then suddenly tore off the heretic’s robe, and faced her back towards them. The cult leader’s back was lined with tattoos in a strange dialect, Adelmar winced. ‘That’s what they do, they try to appeal to one’s heart.’ he said slowly.

Valter grunted ‘that strange text on her back proves what she was.’

‘Agreed.’ said Adelmar.

Valencia lowered the body and stood upright. ‘Sergeant, should we request for a sweep of the area?’

‘Yes I will get on that once we leave the building, also a clean up crew is going to be needed. This...Taint needs to be washed away.’

He gestured to have his unit fall in, they all left the building and once they got outside Adelmar made the call through the comms. The clean up crew request got past without any issue but his desire for an area sweep caused General Barak to come on the line.

‘Sergeant Adelmar, you are aware of what you are asking?’

‘Yes sir, the cultists were like the last hence my request. The Cursed Eye cult has resurfaced, they could be hiding out in the general area.’

‘By the Emperor...Very well. I will have other Scions sweep through the area. Come back to base.’

‘Yes sir.’

The communication link clicked off. He was happy that the General has accepted his suggestion, for in his eyes heresy is like a weed. You have to tear it out from the roots before it can strangle the bountiful crops. ‘Let’s hope this is the end of this…’ he whispered under his breath.

***
Tetricus sat alone in his library, it was quiet and peaceful. He strangely found himself smiling as he turned the page of the tome. The book described the various Black Crusades committed by the Warmaster, he liked to review this book whenever he can so he could learn more about the legion who paved the way for everyone else.

+You’ve failed again.+

The voice was from his bolt pistol, he tried to block it out but the daemon kept speaking.

+Another cult has been annihilated, they are burning away the remnants…+

The news of another cult being destroyed caused him to shut the tome. ‘How?’ he asked of the daemon.

+They’re weak in body and soul. Did you expect that simple workers can fight or plan? They barely understood what they were following. You shou-+

‘No.’ Tetricus interrupted ‘they don’t need to follow one god, least of all him.’

+You think the four powers will give their blessing equally? Their favour? Only one person has achieved that.+

The daemon was referring to the Warmaster, he could understand why the daemon was pushing him in one direction for the creature was but a shard of a god. Tetricus was aware that if he pushed a cult in one direction corruption will blossom across the world. The issue was the fact he wouldn’t be able to control it, the cult will most likely become a beacon which will cause daemons to gather.

The Warmaster wanted the factories for his long war, not a husk. Tetricus sighed heavily ‘what to do…’ As he spoke his chamber door opened. He looked ahead to see Oktai approaching the table. He had a sheet of paper, the agent offered it to him. He had an idea what it was when he took it.

The paper held a report that the new cult has been destroyed. When he was finished reading he glanced up to the old warrior. ‘This isn’t working.’ Tetricus said with a measure of annoyance.
‘Aye, it isn’t my lord.’ Oktai answered.

‘Then what would you recommend?’

His question caused the human to raise his eyebrow ‘well...Whenever we set up a cult it is destroyed. Perhaps we need to send supervision?’

‘No, we can’t let the imperium get even a hint of our presence. For if one person breathes a word of the Black Legion the imperium will fall upon us. They will throw all they can at us to remove us from the system.’

+We could ask him for help.+

The daemon’s comment caused a frown to line his face. Oktai noticed this. ‘Is something wrong?’

‘The daemon says we should ask for help, who the daemon is referring to I have no idea.’

+You know of who I speak.+

Tetricus didn’t respond to the daemon he creased his brow in frustration. The world of Carvsa has a garrison regiment that were both zealous and dedicated. He has read up on the reports that they’ve pushed back a force larger than their own after six hundred and sixty-six days of constant siege. He couldn’t believe it but after picking at the warp he found out it was true. Such a regiment wouldn’t let a hint of corruption get by them. It was the reason why the cult’s kept failing. He doubted that he could corrupt the regiment either for all of them were fanatics. He was stuck, he shuddered slightly at the thought that perhaps the Warmaster gave him this mission in order to get rid of him? Or it could just be another test among many?

He took a deep breath to calm himself down ‘perhaps you’re right Oktai? Supervision might have be needed.’

The old human smiled, he was about to turn until his door opened again. It was Cassius his black and gold armour was adorned with jewelry. Unfortunately his brother couldn’t see the path to being free from the gods, but such people still had their uses. ‘Tetricus, we have a problem.’ his brother said hastily.

At the mention of problem he grumbled ‘what is it Cassius?’

‘A legion ship just broke out of the warp, they’re right next to us.’

Tetricus cursed ‘dammit! Why now!’ he rose from his seat. ‘Can you tell me which legion the ship belongs to?’

Cassius’ face tensed ‘it belongs to our old legion.’

At the mention of old legion the daemon within his bolt pistol began laughing.

Chapter 17
Alexandrel stood in front of unassuming door but according to the reports from the cult Asriel has been leading followers here, for what purpose he had no idea. But he was here on other business. He expected the mortal to be happy with the news, he knocked and then waited. The door eventually slid open and what erupted from the open door was screams.

Normally many would turn away but he was curious. He walked inside the chamber and found a torture room but it wasn’t a charnel house it instead exuded a sense of sensuality. Mortals were impaled on spikes, many were being tortured on racks through the attentions of handmaidens. The humans were all wearing silks, leather and surprisingly despite the injuries being inflicted upon them they were all still alive. The very hall itself was lined with marble humanoid statues that bore bovine features, each of them were a blur between the male and female form. The statues were all intertwined with mortals, he had to admit Asriel had good taste.

His gaze then came down and what he saw in front of him was another bovine statue but this one had flowing hair and six arms. Each hand was holding something different, the first right hand held the rune of slaanesh, the second had the head of a craftworld aeldari and the third held a flame. The only difference on the left side was the Aeldari head was that of a drukhari and the rune of slaanesh was replaced by the sigil of Emperor’s Children. The brazier burning near the feet of the statue also bought out the majesty of the marble statue.I need Asriel to make me one. He thought.

The statue itself was looking down slightly to an altar and standing over it was his associate. He was holding a ritual knife. Alexandrel approached Asriel he was about to stab a mortal who was strapped down upon the altar. The blade stopped a few inches from their chest. ‘What is it Lord Alexandrel?’ asked Asriel.

‘I have some good news.’

‘News?’

‘Yup, we were about to attack a world but we have encountered a situation.’

‘I see…’

Asriel stabbed the human and slowly drawed the blade down their chest. The slave’s eyes rolled back, he doubted that they were gasping in pain. ‘So tell me Alexandrel what would a slave need to know about the world we are going to attack? I am quite sure Arzin would call me if he needed anything.’

‘Well...we’ve encountered another legion, the Black Legion specifically.’ At the mention of the black legion Asriel grabbed the intestines of the mortal on the altar and tore them out. He chucked the organ into the brazier. The flames shifted from orange to pink, his associate smiled.

‘Is it time then?’ Asriel said joyfully.

‘Indeed it is.’ Alexandrel answered. ‘Arzin chose our squad to be the delegation to visit the lord of the warband, as with all delegations we need an entourage of slaves.’

‘I thought I wasn’t you slave anymore?’

‘It’s only pretend Asriel. Just stick by me and get a mask don’t want a certain someone to obliterate us soon as we walk onto the ship.’ His associate looked up to him, Alexandrel raised his eyebrow since Asriel’s eyes were similar to the bovine statues. He also noticed the fangs as the human smiled.

‘I’ll get ready then.’ said Asriel.

‘Good, but before I leave I have a request.’

‘Request?’

‘I want a statue, like the ones in this hall.’

Asriel frowned, he then shrugged ‘I’ll handle it.’

Alexandrel nodded as his associate gave his answer, he then turned away and started to make his way out of the chamber. He couldn’t wait to meet Asriel’s old master.

***
Cassius waited at the docking bay doors with Dark Apostle Aegeus, he disliked the priest because he constantly lectures anyone in the warband who follows one god. He wondered why Tetricus placed the priest with him. He glanced at the apostle who had two tiny horns lining his brow, prayer parchments also dotted his power armour. Aegeus caught him staring and smiled. ‘Is something wrong Cassius?’

‘Wondering why I’m stuck with you.’

‘Perhaps our lord wishes for you to see reason?’

‘I’m fine.’
‘Are you? That’s what all followers of the dark prince say until their obsessions destroy them completely. The dark gods are a pantheon that should be worshipped equally, trying to pick one leads only to ruination.’

‘Are you lecturing me again?’

‘Yes I am until you listen to my words. It is my role to look after the spiritual health of this warband.’

‘So if you dislike those who worship a single god what do you make of those who are coming to the ship?’

‘They’re already lost. That makes them dangerous to bargain with but the needs of those who are lost on the road of obsession is rather basic.’

‘Are you calling me simple priest?’

‘You aren’t lost completely, not yet. You will only be-’

Aegeus was cut off as a clicking sound came from the docking bay doors. They slowly came apart to reveal a group of Space Marines in garish colours that put his old warband to shame. He couldn’t believe a Space Marine would wear heels, leather stockings and exposing skin in such a fashion. The slaves matched their masters, they were covered head to toe with jewelry, white fur and human skin. He also noted that each of the slaves were wearing feminine golden masks.

Aegeus gave him a look and he knew what was he thinking. That could be my future. Cassius took a deep breath as the Emperor’s Children approached. The leader was at the front, his helm was carried by a female wearing a silk dress. ‘Greetings. I’m Aamon, head of the delegation.’

Cassius stepped forward ‘I am Cassius of the Black Legion.’ He gestured to the priest. ‘This is Aegeus the Dark Apostle of the Tainted Eye.’ Aamon flashed an eerie smile, it was too warm for his liking. ‘If you would follow me, Lord Tetricus is waiting for you.’

‘Lead the way.’ said Aamon.

Cassius nodded and lead the delegation through the ship, the slaves gave them a wide berth they were avoiding the Emperor’s Children. He lead them to one of the many dining halls, Tetricus wanted to appeal to their base natures, to make them more amenable to negotiations. The hall itself wasn’t lavish, it was but a simple long table and Tetricus was sitting at the head of it. The Emperor’s Children took their seats, Aamon sat closest to his brother and the slaves stood behind their respective masters.

Cassius took his place behind Tetricus with Aegeus, looking at the delegation his eyes drifted to the human standing behind the Space Marine who was wearing stockings. The mortal felt wrong to him. He also felt like he knew him. He gave a glance at Tetricus who seemed completely calm. He hoped that his brother knew what he was doing.

***
Tetricus’ nose twitched due to the musk of the degenerates, it was far too strong but he kept his facade of politeness. He smiled at the leader who sat near him. ‘I was expecting the leader of your warband.’ said Tetriucs.

The leader of the delegation gave a thin smile ‘First allow me to introduce myself and my brothers. I’m Aamon.’ He then gestured to the Space Marine who sitting across from him ‘that is my dear brother Alexandrel, next is…’

Tetricus paid little attention, he cared nothing for their names. He hoped to get right to negotiations. The Sybarite eventually finished his introductions, he then folded his arms. ‘So, how will we come to an agreement Tetricus of the Tainted Eye?’

‘If you aid us in taking the world we’ll give you forty-five percent of the population in return.’

‘That’s quite generous Tetricus, the question is how were you planning to assault Carvsa when the city it houses is essentially a fortress? The city of Carvisis has turned back many.’

‘We’ve had some luck enticing the mortals to our ways, with some supervision we can easily manipulate the populace. Then you can aid us in the assault.’

‘So you don’t have a cult?’

The one who spoke up was Alexandrel, Tetricus frowned ‘I’m speaking with your leader.’

‘Please, I smell weakness. Your the one who is in the position of weakness since you contacted us. We’ll take all the mortals and leave you with a husk of a world.’

Aegeus stepped forward ‘You dare!’ he shouted.

Aamon raised his hands ‘be at peace, please we are in discussion.’

‘Aamon let’s just refuse, these ones are but meat.’ Alexandrel said firmly.
Tetricus wanted to crease his brow but he remained calm. ‘We are here to negotiate Aamon, control your lesser brother before I have you ejected.’

The leader of the delegation nodded ‘I’m sorry for Alexandrel’s outburst he is quite forthright, aren’t you?’

He watched Aamon smile at Alexandrel, the upstart calmed down. Tetricus sighed ‘so where were we? Ah yes, a cult will be supervised by us they’ll weaken the world and then we will attack. Your warband will then be offered forty-five percent of the population for your aid in the assault.’

Aamon stroked his chin and shook his head. ‘I can’t agree to those terms, I actually agree with Alexandrel on some level. You need us more than we need you, we could begin battle here and even if we die our leader will come to this ship and sweep through it like a tide.’

‘Why should I be afraid of your leader?’ Tetricus couldn’t hide his annoyance from his voice.

‘He’s a daemon prince.’

The answer caused his hearts to drop, it was like fate itself was conspiring against him. Yet Aamon could be lying, he tried to read his face searching for some hint that he was.

+He’s not lying.+ said the Daemon. +The one on their ship is far more powerful than I am. He’s grown fat on the excess of his followers.+

The confirmation from the weapon made him tense, he then sighed. ‘So what do you want then?’ Tetricus asked.

‘We’ll have sixty percent of the population, we will also handle the corruption of the world as well.’

‘I can’t allow that, I need that world intact.’

‘Then you will never get it, we’ve done our research as well. This world is garrisoned by the 301st Demiurgos regiment. They’re known for their piety and zealousness. You won’t have any success crafting a cult on this world unless we handle it. At the end of the day the Emperor’s Children are masters of the human heart.’

Tetricus didn’t like how there was no malice in Aamon’s voice, there was only understanding and that was strange to him. It was clear he was setting the terms of the negotiation, he had to draw this back somehow. ‘Then you wouldn’t mind if certain individuals from my warband join this endeavour?’

‘Very well I see no reason why I should refuse.’ Aamon answered. ‘I have the perfect individual to handle such a delicate task.’

‘Who?’ asked Tetricus.

Aamon’s eyes drifted to the mortal behind Alexandrel, the leader of the delegation folded his arms. ‘Asriel are you up to the task?’

The name passed through his ears, time slowed down as the mortal behind the upstart removed their mask to reveal a face he hasn’t seen in years. When time slowly drifted to normal he wanted to explode, but the thought of the daemon prince held him in place. The fool bowed slightly. ‘I’m honored’ said Asriel.

The human didn’t even look at him, he wanted to say something. To tell the human to leave his presence but he couldn’t not now. He grabbed his rage and threw it away into the darkness. Tetricus shifted to the mortal ‘tell me, how would you corrupt the populace.’

Asriel’s goat-like eyes moved towards him. He looked so strange covered in golden jewelry. ‘It’s quite simple, I will be aiming for the regiment instead of the populace.’

‘Impossible.’ Tetricus hissed.

‘Actually it’s far the opposite, in such a situation it’s quite hard to target the workers for the zealots will fall upon them like mad animals. Yet all zealots have a weakness, especially soldiers. We have to target them when they are on leave, think of where they will go. From there it will only take one.’

He wanted to poke a hole in the plan but it made sense, he was fully aware of what followers of the Dark Prince can do in a pleasure house or even a club. It could take but one night to plant the seeds of corruption within a person. The issue was the fact daemons would swarm the place like locusts in time. ‘The plan is a good one, I will have my best aid you.’

Asriel gave a slight bow of actual respect, it was morbid and wrong. The movement was too graceful. ‘Thank you Lord Tetricus for your approval. I can’t wait to meet the individuals you choose.’ Asriel glanced at Cassius who shifted slightly as the mortal’s sight was set upon his brother.

Tetricus frowned ‘so let me go over our agreement. Your slave will weaken the world through corrupting the Demiurgos, when this cult reaches a specified mass we’ll attack the world and once it’s secured the Emperor’s Children will receive sixty percent of the population. Is that satisfactory Aamon?’
‘It is Tetricus, I’m happy that we could come to an agreement.’

Tetricus gave a fake smile ‘Asriel would have to remain here, through my sorcery he will be sent to the world.’

‘That won’t do.’ said Aamon.

‘Why?’

‘Because you wish to do him harm, I can see it in your eyes.’

‘Are you insulting me?’

‘I’m making an observation. Your delegates will come to our ship and our lord will send them to the world.’

Tetricus had no space to refuse but Aamon was right on some level. If he didn’t agree he won’t receive the Emperor’s Children aid. ‘Very well.’ He looked up to Cassius ‘You will go with them Cassius.’

‘Very well my lord.’

‘Also you will be taking Oktai with you, I will send him a message to meet you at the docking bay.’

Cassius gave a nod, Tetricus then closed his eyes and sent the psychic message to Oktai outlining the details of the agreement and to go to the docking bay. He also gave the agent an extra order to kill Asriel when the attack begins. He then opened his eyes and smiled at the delegation. ‘It was good doing business with you, let us hope this plan succeeds.’

Aamon returned his smile ‘I wish the same thing.’

Tetricus wanted to let loose his rage but he had to be patient, the Warmaster’s will comes first than his own needs. Once he has the factories he can forget about the Emperor’s Children.

Chapter 18
Cassius found the ship of the Zealots Of Excess troubling, he had his own minor joys like enjoying the paintings of his slave and food but it felt like the ship was watching him. The mortal Oktai seemed utterly at peace, they were walking behind Asriel and several of his cult members. He couldn’t believe the mortal was alive, he shot him out into space after the human killed himself.

He questioned how the mortal could still persist? Perhaps the Dark Prince wanted Asriel alive for a certain purpose? The human lead them to a set of golden doors, they stopped in front it and Asriel raised his hand. The doors then slowly opened, the mortal turned back slightly. ‘We can proceed.’ he said smoothly.

Asriel continued on, Cassius followed with Oktai. The chamber itself was extravagant. What was sitting on the large bed in his eyes wasn’t a daemon prince, it was far too beautiful to be one. The large man yawned +Ah, so you came to an agreement?+

He watched Asriel bow ‘yes my lord, can you send us to the world? I am eager to get to work.’

+I see, do you have a specific location in mind?+

‘If you could set us at the back entrance of a night club that would be useful.’

+Very well.+ The daemon clicked their fingers and slapped their hands together. In front of the daemon a purple portal formed. Asriel smiled and walked through, Oktai entered next. He was about to move before the daemon held his hand. +Stop, just for a moment.+

Cassius could see what the daemon was attempting to do, he shook his head. ‘I’m not interested.’

The daemon flashed a smile +So loyal, can’t blame me for trying.+

He grunted and walked on, stepping through the portal they were now in an alleyway. Just like Asriel requested they were in front of the back of the entrance of a club.

The portal closed, the mortal gestured to the door and there was a click and the door slowly opened. ‘Let us go in.’ said Asriel. ‘Don’t worry we won’t have to kill anyone, my sorcery will bring down anyone who resists. We have to get the club ready for tonight.’

Asriel and his followers entered the night club, Oktai turned to him. ‘We won’t be able to control him.’

‘What makes you think that?’

‘He’s far too powerful now, I can tell. Watch yourself my lord he will try to worm his way into your soul.’ Oktai turned away and walked into building.

Cassius stood alone in the alleyway, he wondered if he was up to the task Tetricus set for him? It was clear he wanted Asriel dead, he didn’t have to say it. He just had to wait for the right moment. Cassius walked in and prepared himself for what was to come.

***
Adelmar was praying within the garrison chapel, he was given leave for a few days after his efforts sweeping the building with his squad. This was how he liked to spend his leave, contemplating his place in the Emperor’s holy design. The Astra Militarum, the Imperial Guard was the Hammer Of The Emperor. They were all tools of his divine will. He finished his prayers in front of the statue of the Emperor. When he turned Priest Tacticus was waiting for him, the old priest smiled. ‘Praying again?’

‘Yes Tacticus, I want to keep myself sharp.’

‘How about you go out tonight? Sometimes the weapons of the Emperor must return to their sheath.’

‘I’m not one for such things.’

‘Just try it, trust me you’ll feel better tomorrow.’

Adelmar wanted to argue further but if the head of this chapel recommended he relaxes who was he to refuse? He smiled at the priest ‘perhaps I will, thank you Tacticus.’

The old priest nodded ‘anyway I have to clear this place up for service in two days, I’ve got work to do.’

Adelmar was about to ask if he needed help but the priest raised his hand to stop him. ‘Relax remember?’ said Tacticus.

Adelmar closed his mouth and left the church, entering the hallway it was bustling with movement. Everyone was working to keep the planet secure, they could leave the arbites to it but he feels that all servants of the Emperor must care for the sanctity of the Imperium.

He then made his way to his room, the garrison was large enough so the soldiers have only one room mate, they didn’t have bunks either. Some would say they were living in luxury compared to other regiments.

When he entered his room Valter was sitting on his bed. His roommate was flicking through the uplifting primer. Adelmar walked over and asked ‘want to hit the clubs tonight?’

Valter closed the primer and looked up to him. ‘Such a strange request, I thought you hated bars and clubs?’

‘Tacticus recommended it.’

‘Hmm, I could see why. We’ve been working constantly, maybe we should unwind a bit? The others have already went out actually. They just came by.’

‘Oh? Why didn’t you go with them?’

Valter gave a casual shrug ‘well...I don’t like bars or clubs either.’

Adelmar chuckled ‘well that makes the two of us, anyway let’s head out. Maybe we might find a quiet place to get a drink.’

‘Alright then, let’s go.’

His room mate closed his primer and slotted it into his pouch and stood up. They both left the room and made their way out of the garrison. When they got to the courtyard tanks from the heavy armour platoon were coming in. It was dusk so the tanks must have finished making the rounds around the city. Those on guard gave them curt nods as they passed through the gates.

Entering the city itself civilians gave them sideways glances and pulled children aside. They all feared them, he expected it but didn’t relish it. For the populace feared the Hammer Of The Emperor falling on them. What the civilians didn’t realise was due to their harsh measures they don’t have to worry walking around at night, before his regiment was assigned to this world it was a hellhole.

In but a few short months that was reversed, criminals wouldn’t dare to commit a crime on their watch. Most would want to avoid being flogged in public or even burnt at the stake. Walking down the street they passed by several clubs and bars but none of them catched their interest. He didn’t spare a glance at the pleasure houses for in his mind they are normally a den for heretics, if he had his way they would all be shut down.

He was about to give up until they set their eyes upon a club with a glowing neon sign. ‘Viper’s Nest….’ Valter said slowly.

‘I don’t like the name.’ Aldemlar said out loud. Yet staring at the sign he felt drawn in. ‘How about we check it out? If we don’t like it we will head back?’

‘S-Sure.’ Valter stammered.

They approached the club entrance, there were two bouncers at the door both were wearing black suits and shades. One was an abnormally fat man and the second was a woman, at least he thought it was a woman. Strangely she was easy on the eyes for a bouncer. The large one had a name badge that said Crassus and the female’s name was Comus.

Comus flashed a smile that caused his heart to jump ‘you want in?’ her voice was incredibly smooth. A lump was forming in his throat. ‘This club is new, so first night you get free drinks.’ she said warmly.

Crassus then pushed the door open. ‘Head on inside, just enjoy yourself.’

Valter staggered inside, Adelmar followed in after. When they entered the door was shut behind them. They were in a hallway and strangely he could feel a small vibration under his feet. Normally he would leave, he could tell it was loud music but he was so curious at what was at the end of the hallway. He walked on with Valter and within a few seconds of walking they arrived in a hall that was consumed with thundering music.

Adelmar wanted to cover his ears but the distorted sound said to listen. Let it in. So he kept his hands to his body. He looked around the hall to see that there was another level, beautiful females were looking down from the balcony railing. The roofs were also dotted with speakers, bovine statues were situated near the walls and at the left most side of the hall there was a bar. In the middle of this grand hall was a tide of bodies dancing and drinking to the music.

Valter made a gulping motion and moved towards the bar, he followed his room mate. He didn’t want to leave him alone in this place. When they arrived at the bar a young man was preparing drinks. His name badge said Asris, the bartender smiled at them. ‘Need a drink?’ His voice strangely cut through the music, he could hear him clearly.

Adelmar nodded to his question ‘drinks are free tonight right?’

‘They are, so you can pick our best.’

He pointed at the bottle with red liquid ‘I want that one.’

Valter nodded ‘I will have the same.’ he added.

The bartender smiled and turned to the drink stand, he removed the bottle and prepared the pint glasses. He scooped some ice out of the freezer and poured them into the glasses, next he unscrewed the bottle and titled it over the pint glass. The red liquid bubbled slightly as it made contact with the ice, it shifted from red to green and then to pink. When both glasses was filled to the rim. Asris smiled ‘enjoy the drinks.’

He pushed both glasses forward and returned the bottle to the stand. Adelmar slowly reached out and picked up the glass, so did his room mate. Valter took a swig, his eyes bulged out of it sockets. He mouthed something, but he could tell he said that the drink tasted good. With Valter’s approval he took a swig as well, his tongue and throat burned as the liquid touch them.

It was strong, but the good kind. The burning then vanished, it was replaced by soothing sensation and he could taste something sweet on his tongue. There was no bad aftertaste. He kept drinking, his vision started to turn blurry he hated getting drunk but at this moment he didn’t care for some reason. When he finished his glass he gestured it to the bartender. ‘Moore…’ he slurred.

‘Another round coming right up!’ Asris answered.

The bartender poured him the same drink, when his glass was refilled he drank a little more that was when the music started to take hold. He felt the need to dance to the music he staggered into the mass of bodies. The smell of sweat and perfume was lacing the air, he backed the rest of his drink and began dancing uncontrollably. He was twisting and turning in the crowd, he didn’t care that he bumped into people, he didn’t care where Valter was either.

He stopped turning until he was face to face with one of the women he saw on the second level of the balcony, he blinked and just for a second he thought the person in front of him was a man. He blinked one more time and they were a woman. He kept blinking and the individual was shifting, changing in front of him. She had long red hair, slight freckles and a face that could capture any heart. She had all the features he fancied, he could clearly see her despite his blurry vision.

She took the glass from his hand, he didn’t resist and strangely as she passed it to the crowd it vanished. In her other hand she was holding a glass full of clear liquid, she offered it to him. Aldemar took it. ‘Thaanks…’ he slurred.

The female smiled and he backed the beverage, the drink hit his system like a truck. The woman took the glass and handed it the crowd. Adelmar reached out to her, she grabbed his hands, both of them and they began dancing. ‘Whaaat’s, yoour naame?’ he asked.

‘Lucy.’ she whispered in his ear.

He liked that name, he always wanted to meet a girl named Lucy. Reminded him of his Lucy back home, red hair, freckles but the Lucy here was far more pretty, far more beautiful. The better Lucy pecked him on the cheek. He started to steadily black out, his eyes slowly slid close.

Adelmar’s eyes opened slowly, Lucy was on top him. He was in a room full of pink mist, he smiled as her face was leaning down towards his. He blinked again, he was staring at the ceiling of his room. He released a long groan, he felt sick and tired. His body was aching all over. He wanted to sit up but he barely had the strength.

He then picked out the sound of the toilet flushing, the bathroom door opened and Valter staggered out. His eyes were sunken pits, he fell on his bed and groaned in pain. ‘H-How d-did we g-get back?’ Adelmar stammered.

His room mate didn’t respond, he was groaning in pain. He could relate, his body was throbbing with pain. He forced himself up and left the bed. He needed a shower, perhaps that would wake him up. Adelmar could barely walk, he limped to the chest of drawers to find some fresh clothes. He felt...absolutely dirty. He opened his drawer and what he found on top of his clothes was a black latex mask with a mouth zipper. ‘W-What?’

He picked it up with two of his fingers, why was something like this in his drawer? He would never wear something like this. He bought the mask close and found specks of pink liquid, it looked similar to the drink from the club. The mask also stank of alcohol and other strange smells he couldn’t identify.

He bought the mask over to the bin and dropped it in. He then returned to the drawer and picked out some fresh clothes, he threw them onto the bed and closed the drawer. He then limped over to the bathroom, despite the pain the club may of caused him he strangely didn’t regret last night despite not being able to exactly remember it.

The Slaanesh AOS battletome was helpful in writing this chapter, helped with how dark I can make things. Also it had someone good general information on Slaaneshi corruption. (GW get onto EC!)

Chapter 19
Asriel spun on the chair, it used to belong to the previous owner before he used his blood to summon the handmaidens. He also had his office renovated, Asriel had to admit daemons were diligent workers. They made less intrusive bovine statues similar to the ones in his ritual hall and the walls were covered in scented silks.

‘Enough spinning.’ said Cassius

Asriel stopped, he pulled himself forward slightly towards the desk. ‘Is something wrong Lord Cassius?’

The prefector grunted, at least he thought he was still one. ‘You should be taking this task seriously.’ Cassius stated firmly.

‘Oh I’m taking this seriously.’ Asriel replied. He then tapped his fingers on the desk ‘the question is are you?’

‘Tetricus wants this world, I am here to ensure you keep to the agreement.’

‘Right...So you aren’t going to kill me?’

The prefector shifted slightly confirming what his aim was. ‘You will only die if you double cross us.’

‘I am going to cross you.’

Right away Cassius drew his blade and raised it, but he didn’t attack. Asriel wasn’t worried, if he wanted him dead he would of moved to kill him soon as he said those words. He decided to pick at the disquiet within the prefector, he aimed to use that. ‘What’s the matter Cassius? Don’t you feel caged within the Black Legion?’

His question garnered a chuckle from the Space Marine, he shook his head. ‘Oktai would have executed you immediately for your previous comment. I am loyal to Lord Tetricus.’

‘Liar.’ Asriel stood up and approached the Space Marine. ‘You’re only wearing jewellery, I think you can do better than that.’ He sniffed Cassius, the aroma clinging to his form was weak, pitiful even. ‘You’re holding on, but I assume that your “brothers” want you to let go of the dark prince.’ The prefector’s face was obscured due to his helm but Asriel assumed he was frowning at the moment. The fact he wasn’t dead meant he was listening.

‘Cane you tell me something.’ asked Cassius

‘What is it?

‘Is your current master aware of what you are? What you did in the past?’

‘He’s aware.’ His answer caused the prefector to lower his blade slightly, Asriel could see Cassius was surprised. ‘See the thing is...But don’t tell him this. I still view him as my master despite the fact he told me that I’m no longer his slave. I can’t help but feel this way. Some part of me is worried that he will die but Lord Alexandrel assures me that he isn’t weak.’ The blade of the prefector fell completely, he was now truly curious. ‘You must also be wondering how I survived being shot out into space as well?’

‘Yes, I am wondering how you survived.’

‘Your father is the answer.’

‘Why...Why wo-’

‘I don’t know, perhaps it was revenge for allowing Abbadon to wrap his hands around Tetricus? Or he was just in the mood to torture me for several years? What’s interesting a Rogue Trader found my pod, she integrated me in her crew and then they all ended up dying.’

‘Dying? Did you kill them?’

‘No, they met their deaths after being raided by pirates. Said pirates then took me as a slave on their ship and guess what happened to them?’

‘They died as well?’

‘Indeed, this phenomenon kept happening again and again, if I met my untimely end your father would torture me and then bring me back to life. So there was no escape for me, so I decided to keep to myself, wandering this dark galaxy. I was so bitter and hateful until I was sucked back into this life again. Sometimes I wonder if all of that happened because Slaanesh wished for me to be here, perhaps you are also here for a reason as well?’

‘I’m only here due to Tetricus’ orders.’

‘But you aren’t happy. Slaanesh wants his followers to indulge and be who they are.’ Asriel noticed Cassius’ grip on his blade tightening, which in his mind was confirmation. He could push a little more but decided against it. This wasn’t the right time. ‘For now, just think on our conversation and your own personal happiness.’

The prefector turned away while sheathing his blade, he then left the office in silence. Asriel chuckled and returned to his seat.

***
Cassius stood like a stone within the hallway, he could barely think due to the screams erupting from the rows of closed doors. Within each one was a mortal who remained after the club closed. he couldn’t imagine what the daemons was doing to them but the line between pleasure and ecstasy was so very thin but it was obvious that Asriel considered them one and the same. Overall the plan was simple, mortals of all paths were drawn to the club sorceries were woven into the very sign and music within the nightclub.

Almost everything within the building was like a seed and the mortals who enter engorge themselves upon them. Then those seeds would require nourishment which was the club itself. Steadily people would become corrupted, those who have been consumed with vice ascend to the second level where far more stronger beverages can be acquired but those who the daemons have taken interest in are taken to this level. He had no idea what was going on in the rooms but those who leave are consumed by lechery and more. They were truly damned and when they left the club they would seek to ensnare further mortals.

He wondered how many of the mortals were corrupted? He couldn’t believe it’s just been a day and Asriel has made so much progress compared to their own cultist operations. He sighed and made his way to his own personal chambers, it was then he crossed paths with Oktai who seemed ill at ease. ‘Is something wrong Oktai?’

The mortal’s frown grew. ‘More daemons will come.’

‘I think that’s a given.’

‘Yet that is not what our lord desires.’

‘I know, but we are here to watch Asriel. Do you feel that he has done enough where we should kill him?’ He was aware of what Asriel told him, that the mortal was going to cross them but he didn’t feel the need to tell Oktai. He doesn’t want to tell him. Cassius wondered where this emotion was coming from.

‘No I he hasn’t done enough yet.’ Oktai answered. ‘Still we must be careful, the cultists he gathers are loyal to him than the Black Legion. I could only assume he is still after Tetricus.’

‘W-What? Why would he be after him?’

‘Our Lord is the one who got away, Asriel is quite the child he still hasn’t grown up. He seeks to ensnare Tetricus hence why we must be vigilant. I’m going to speak with him now, to get a better measure of him.’ The mortal then began to walk past him, but he stopped for a moment and looked back. ‘Whatever he says to you, don’t listen my lord.’

‘Why would I listen to him? You’ve warned me already.’ Oktai nodded to his words and continued on. Now alone Cassius could not help but sigh heavily, he could feel the hunger. The need to barge into any of the rooms and slaughter all within was nipping at his stomach. He shouldn’t have picked me. He thought. Cassius couldn’t bare being so close to this much excess, Aegeus would have been better for such a task. ‘He doesn’t trust me…’ He said slowly to himself.

It was obvious, this was a test to see if he would let go of his worship. He was about to continue onward but the door next to him shuddered loudly like something impacted it. The door rocked, a man’s screams were erupting from it overpowering the other voices consuming the upper level of the club. Cassius shifted to the door he wanted to peer inside, his hand was reaching for the handle but the door rocked further he thought it was going to fall apart. When his hand wrapped around the door handle two bloodied crab-like claws shot through the door causing Cassius to stagger back. The screams ceased and the rocking of the door slowly grounding to a halt. The crab claws began to slowly relax on the holes, they were shifting back to that of a humanoid. The hands were still stained with blood, the talons belonging to the hand were black and matted with gore.

It took almost six minutes or was it twelve? Or perhaps eighteen or twenty-four minutes for the door to stop shaking? He wasn’t sure, he couldn’t tell how long he was standing there for he was entrapped at what was before him.

The left hands slowly slid back and when they vanished there was the sound of a wet thud, blood began crawling out from under the door. Cassius slowly removed his helm, the smell of the mortal’s blood hit him like a truck. He could pick out their pain and suffering, it was easy to grab the scent of the debauchery this man committed before his death. The sheer amount of violence inflicted upon the human was intoxicating, he could taste it. Strangely the hunger pangs in his gut was slowly being filled. He breathed out a sigh of relief and returned his helmet to his head.

He confidently walked to the door and peered through the hole, he could spot all the torture tools within the room but they weren’t exactly visible due to the pink mist swarming the room. His vision was then obscured by an eye, it was black like the void itself. Yet they strangely shone like jewels, the black orb promised so many things.

+He died happy.+ The daemon said coyly.

‘He didn’t sound happy.’ Cassius replied.

+You flesh creatures can never be honest with yourselves. He wanted more, so I gave it to him but when his eyes was opened he wanted to run.+

He considered what he wanted to say, if he said something wrong he had no idea how the daemon would react. ‘So from my understanding, he was happy with the basic things but pushed back when things got….More extreme?’

+Mortals have far too many lines, in the end when I made the choice for him he succumbed. He became happy, I can tell.+

‘He most likely thought if he submitted he might survive, that this would end.’

+Perhaps, his flesh resisted me but his soul was screaming in joy. I know, I ate it slowly as we...Danced.+

‘I-I see…’

+I see? How about we stop talking about the dead piece of meat? You're hungry aren’t you? For violence, for blood...How about you come in?+

Cassius gulped, but he had to remember his mission. This was a test, if he submitted he had the feeling this would be the end. ‘I can’t…’ his answer was almost a whisper but he assumed the daemon heard him.

+It wouldn’t be betrayal.+

‘To me it would be. I….Don’t trust myself.’

+Why remain with someone who makes you miserable?+

‘Who says that I am?’

+Oh dear lost child of Slaanesh, you can’t hide your thoughts and desires from me. If you truly believed in Tetricus you would’ve taken my master’s head in the office. If you weren’t hungry for blood you would’ve walked by instead of stopping. You fed off the pleasure I gave to the the piece of meat.+

He thought to offer an excuse, but the daemon was right. He could hear and see both the door rocking. That image was repeated for several moments, the sound of the door was then muted and replaced with the tortured screams of the mortal. Cassius smiled that picture shifted to watching himself wallowing and dancing in a tide of blood. That was the truth he saw. It was only as he saw Tetricus standing before him where he stopped, his lord was disappointed. He didn’t want to disappoint his brother.

Cassius stepped back and turned away from the door he continued his journey to his chamber. As he left the door he could hear the daemon tutting in annoyance at the back of his mind.

He pushed her voice back, he kept walking and as he made the corner a man was running towards him. The mortal was naked, cuts and bruises covered his body. His neck held a spiked collar and his wrists were bound by iron manacles. As the human saw him his terror filled eyes widened, he ran towards him.

‘Help me!’ the mortal pleaded.

Cassius said nothing, he wondered if he should kill the mortal? It would be a mercy. He wouldn’t end up like the man who died minutes before. The thought sounded nice until he remembered that the daemons would capture the mortal’s soul, his torment theoretically won’t end with death.

The mortal most likely assumed that he was here to save all the humans on this floor. Instead of killing him, he strangely decided to entertain himself. ‘What happened to you?’ Cassius asked. He tried to make sure there was measure of concern in his voice.

The mortal was breathing harshly, he made a motion to swallow a glob of spit. The human’s throat was most likely dry or bruised. ‘I-I can’t exactly remember, one minute I was dancing and drinking, then there was this...This….This…’ The mortal bought his bound hands to his forehead, he broke down into tears. ‘I-I met someone...S-She was nice, my memory is still quite hazy but she brought me here and then...I-I can’t remember.’

Cassius smiled and placed his hand on his shoulder, trying to reassure the mortal. ‘Don’t worry, I’m here to purge the heretics. Just like the stories, tell me more I might get some important information from your story. My brothers are coming to reinforce me. Tell me, what is your name?’

The mortal’s breathing was still shaky, he bought his hand away from his face and gave a weak smile. ‘A-Adam, my name is Adam. I-I will try to tell you what I can.’ Adam wiped his face, but his eyes were blood red. Streams of tears was still falling down his face. ‘I think she bought me to one of these rooms and then...Then...Then…’

Adam’s voice was trailing off, Cassius frowned the human was getting to the good part. ‘Then what?’

The mortal screwed his eyes shut for a moment, when he opened them he shook his head. ‘She...Did things to me. Every second she became more...Monstrous and terrible. I thought she-he was man but then the next second she was a woman or...P-Perhaps she was both? That can’t be right c-can it?’

He could tell the mortal the the handmaidens were both, but decided against it. ‘Now Adam I wi-’ before he could finish his sentence a black whip wrapped around Adam’s throat like a snake. The Mortal screamed as he was pulled towards a handmaiden who was laughing. Her black snake-like tongue was lashing at the air like she was tasting it.

When the mortal reached the daemon she wrapped her arm around his neck and held him close, the daemon licked his cheek. +So much hope, did you do this?+ Cassius said nothing, the handmaiden grinned. +Making the meal even more scrumptious are you?+

‘Help me my lord! Please!’ Adam shrieked.

Again he said nothing, the moment was coming when the mortal realises what he is. The daemon laughed +Oh dear, you don’t know? He’s one of us.+

The mortal stared at him in disbelief ‘n-no y-you’re lying.’

+Then watch, he will not help you. Let me tell you what I am going to do to you.+

Cassius gaze was fixated on the daemon who began whispering into Adam’s ear, she was most likely listing off what she was going to put him through. After a few seconds Adam began kicking and screaming for help. That whole time the human was staring at him. The handmaiden then dragged Adam to a nearby door that opened by itself.

The daemon was still whispering as she entered the room with her “meal”. The door snapped shut and Adam’s screams joined the others. Cassius could not help but smile in satisfaction.

***
Asriel was spinning on his chair, he couldn’t understand why he was enjoying this so much. He stopped again as he heard his door opening and closing. He faced the visitor and smiled ‘Oktai, what’s wrong?’

The old man walked to the front of his desk, his frown meant that he was upset. ‘This is too much.’ Oktai said calmly.

‘There can never be “too much” when it comes to worshipping Slaanesh Oktai.’

‘I’m aware of the deal your warband made with Tetricus, he wants a world not a husk. Your...Recruiting methods are far too extreme.’

‘See that’s where we disagree Oktai. I want true followers of the Dark Prince, if they can’t handle a little pleasure then they aren’t worth much. That’s why your cults failed, there was no true conviction there. Most likely they all believed that you were “freedom fighters” so when even a slight amount of pressure was placed upon them they folded. It was why you couldn’t corrupt the garrisoned soldiers, they wouldn’t buy your ideals to tear down the Imperium for a second. They love the Imperium with all their heart but Slaanesh can change that.’

‘Our method would’ve have worked, if they had proper supervision. I am also quite sure there are many soldiers within the Demiurgos regiment that might be dissatisfied with the Imperium.’

‘You truly believe that?’

‘I do.’

‘Then you are a fool old man.’ Asriel rose from his seat and walked around to Oktai, they stood face to face. ‘If you think my methods are too extreme….Stop me.’ He waited for the Old man to react, instead he stood still like a stone. Asriel narrowed his eyes ‘Let me warn you now Oktai, you will get only one shot to kill me. For if you fail, I will make sure you won’t get to try again. Due to our past that’s the reason why I didn’t hand you over to the daemons to be remolded soon as we converted the club. At the current moment I will respect you and let you do your…“Supervision.” But if you make me change my mind for even a second….’ He leaned in closer, he allowed his inner corruption to leak from the pores of his body.

The Old man winced slightly breaking the stern look he known him for. Asriel could smell his fear. ‘I will break you in ways that you can’t imagine.’ Asriel said firmly. ‘You will beg for death, but I will deny you. You will cry about the old times and that will just make me punish you more harshly and if you dare try to beg for forgiveness?’ Asriel leaned back ‘I will leave that to your imagination.’ He returned to his chair and crossed his legs. ‘Is there anything else you wish to discuss old man?’

Oktai slowly faced him. ‘You’re after Tetricus aren’t you?’

‘Of course I am. You can warn him if you want.’

‘Why are you so confident?’

‘I’m stronger than I once was.’

‘So is he.’

‘I doubt it.’

Oktai raised his eyebrow. ‘Why do you think that?’

‘Because he let go of Slaanesh. That’s why. Due to his perceived foolishness in seeking fake “freedom” he has weakened himself.’

‘In seeking balance he is free to make his own choices, he is not a slave like you.’

‘We’re all slaves idiot, when one gives their soul to chaos it is but a matter of time before one of the four gives you no choice but to accept them. Trust me I could break you right now and make you give into Slaanesh. You really think that the dark gods will allow Abbadon to disrupt the playground they created for themselves? Do you really believe that?’ Asriel watched Oktai’s eyes shift slightly, he said nothing but it was clear that he agreed.

‘Tetricus won’t bend to you, for the sake of his freedom.’

‘I will make him bend Oktai, if he refuses? Well...It would be quite unfortunate.’

‘You would kill him? I’m surprised.’

‘If it came down to that I would. Still I have to admit I will be sad for about...eighteen seconds then I will move on. I have a whole galaxy to make happy.’

‘A whole galaxy to make happy? Are you mad?’

‘No, after all the people on this level are quite happy right now.’

‘Have you heard the screams erupting from the doors!?’ Oktai shouted.

Asriel gave him a casual shrug ‘I prefer to call them screams of pleasure. Pain and ecstasy are the same. Those who die due to the attentions of the handmaiden’s are meeting their end in pure bliss, while those who survive and embrace what they offer are exalted. Those individuals will come back for more. They will become so happy they can’t think about their previous lives, all they will care about is their own desires and Slaanesh.’

Oktai spat on the ground and turned away ‘you’re truly lost.’

‘No, I’ve found my path. You wanted me to grow up and I have.’

The old man grunted and left the office, now alone again Asriel returned to spinning on his chair. He couldn’t wait to see who returns to the club tonight.

Oh yeah err...Just let me know if this chapter was too extreme in terms of tonal levels.