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Made in nz
Blood Angel Terminator with Lightning Claws






New Zealand

The familiar explosion of a bolter shot echoed through the expanse, and Serghar's arm holding the sword of Kalncerak evaporated from the elbow upwards in a puff of red.

He screamed and reeled as the sword flew away, where, Adelana didn't have a clue; then Serghar collapsed onto his back, clutching at his arm and began writing on the floor. It would've been pathetic if it wasn't understandable; the fact he wasn't unconscious yet spoke to his enhancement.

His cronies flinched and spread out to shield Serghar, swords raised, and their masked gazes plastered in the direction the bolt round came from, and Adelana followed it.

Kalakor advanced from the right-side corridor, his bolter raised and smoking in one hand, then scooping up the blade of Kalncerak with the other.

'Go ahead,' he said, his deep voice somehow eclipsing Serghar's shrieking. 'Run, your master will soon bleed out even with his healing factor, and Emperor knows no one here will want to help that frigger.'

Serghar's lackeys straightened and glanced among each other in what seemed surprise, as Serghar's screaming finally fell away, and he went limp.

'Or will you waste time attacking me and the others, letting Serghar Kaltos die and potentially face the wrath of your true master.'

'You bastard,' snarled Elandria. 'We will not be manipulated! Give us the damn sword!'

'Oh, this sword?' said Kalakor, glancing at it in his vast armoured paw. 'This disgusting, horrid weapon?'

'Yes, you fool give-'

The Elandria puppet was interrupted by the sword beginning to glow in a bright pink haze. Then it shattered into a million pieces; an inhuman shriek erupted from it; as it died, it speared into Adelana's ears along with everyone else, even Attelus. The shrieking died away like the screaming of the people slaughtered by it before.

Without even looking at it, Kalakor threw away the bladeless handle with a contemptuous swing of his arm.

'Now your precious sword is gone. There is no need for you to stay here, so use that damnable athame and go.'

The trio exchanged looks again, and one by one, they nodded. The one with the short sword then knelt over Serghar, took the unassuming little knife and began to cut through reality.

Adelana bit her lip; she wanted to open fire on them, to try finish that bastard Serghar Kaltos, but they were in no condition to fight his trio of sycophants, even with Kalakor and shooting would most surely cause them to turn them on.

Then when the tear was open enough, they disappeared into it, carrying the unconscious Serghar between them, and Adelana finally found herself able to exhale.

With Serghar and his cronies gone, the pain and anguish seemed to be able to

express themselves in cries and weeping finally. Then came the stench of death, the cumulative smell of gak and blood mixed with the tang of discharged las fire. Adelana still sat near Attelus; she was unable to move or even think; she'd never felt so drained like her very soul had lost some of itself. She also kept her eyes firmly away from the cooling corpses of Helma and Jelket nearby.

Everybody was off their feet, excluding Halsin along with two civilians, who were fighting to save the scout Dellenger's life. Somehow he seemed to be the only victim of the dozens who wasn't outright killed.

Attelus still knelt unmoving near her, his eyes glassy, blank and, tears falling down his face. She couldn't find it in herself to even look at him, but she still managed to notice his old sword was now in the sheath at his hip. She was surprised no one had walked up behind him and put a las blast or bullet through the back of his skull, but it seemed everyone was too exhausted to exact such vengeance. Either that or they knew, on a subconscious level, he wasn't the one who killed all those people.

He'd taken the sword, she'd begged him not to, but he'd still taken it. Adelana knew this would happen, and...

She sighed and looked up as she felt the heavy footfalls of the approaching Kalakor.

'To destroy that sword, that was the reason you're here, right?' said Adelana.

The Space Marine nodded. 'I did it as a favour for a long, long, long-dead friend.'

'So you were using him? Manipulating Attelus as everyone else does?'

Kalakor stared at her. 'Do you include yourself in "everyone else"? I suppose you do not because my manipulation was actually successful.'

Adelana furrowed her brow. 'What?'

'Upon the Guncutter,' said Kalakor. 'You attempted to manipulate Attelus Kaltos into not taking the sword of Kalncereth by emotionally blackmailing him. It obviously failed. Do not be a hypocrite.'

Adelana frowned, unable to argue his point, although she'd tried it for Attelus' well being, but manipulation was manipulation.

'We should never have trusted you,' spat Karmen, who glared at Kalakor with withering hatred. 'What are you? Who the hell are you really?'

Kalakor's gaze swivelled to her. 'I am an ally, a...friend. If it were not for me, you would not have entered the tower. If it were not for me, you would not have defeated the general and his army of immortals, preventing them from spreading through the galaxy like the plague they are, in the name of their damnable god. We are victorious, and the daemon sword is destroyed, never to be bane upon mankind again. All that matters is victory, psyker. The ends justifies the means.'

Karmen grimaced, looking like she might argue, but she turned away. Adelana hoped it was because she had the self-awareness to know she was the last person in the galaxy to argue that.

'I'm so very confused,' said Adelana.

'Your confusion is immaterial,' said Kalakor.

'Why couldn't you have told us?' said Karmen. "How did you...'

She trailed off as the Space Marine just stared at her.

'You might be an ally,' said Karmen. 'But you're no friend.'

Kalakor looked away. 'I suppose...I suppose I deserved that. I just thought...I have always been...No, no excuses, what's done is done, I must deal with the consequences...But do you think...'

'Do we think what?' said Karmen.

'That...young Attelus Kaltos here, will he be alright?'

Adelana's jaw dropped, Kalakor actually seemed genuine in his concern, but Karmen just let out a derivative snort. 'Attelus? He will be fine; he's been through worse. Just give him some time.'

'So,' said another voice and Adelana turned; Darrance approached, having had now found the top of the elevator. 'What are you to do now, Kalakor?'

'I...I am not sure, I have other business to attend to, but I feel...'

'You feel what?' said Karmen.

'I feel it might be better that I stay and help in any way I can...Perhaps help you leave this accursed world. This is strange; I am feeling a strange...tingle within my chest, it is...unpleasant. It is a sensation that I have never felt before. What is it?'

'That's guilt, Kalakor,' said Adelana as she finally managed to turn her gaze to Attelus and tears whirl-pooled through her vision. 'That's what we humans call guilt.'

She wiped away the tears, pity was unbecoming, and Attelus wouldn't appreciate it, and she was going to make it even worse for him soon.

'Huh,' said Kalakor, then he turned and walked away.



Tathe sat, his back against the rockcrete slab and watched while the young medicae Halsin worked on Dellenger with once blue gloves, now covered in blood.

Dellenger had a horrific horizontal cut across his lower chest, missing his heart by just millimetres. Dellenger was lucky if he lived, Tathe supposed, but he couldn't help think it was more than that the speed he moved to save Tathe's life almost rivalled Attelus'. The thought of that foolish young man made Tathe's attention shoot to him. About five metres away, Attelus' back was to the Commissar as he knelt, hunched and faced Adelana. The young woman sat near him, looking like she'd aged about ten years with her exhaustion. Their conversation with the strange Space Marine seemed finished.

Tathe found himself standing, drawing his laspistol and starting to storm his way toward the boy despite the pain.

Adelana saw him coming, and her eyes widened as what he was doing seemed to dawn on her. Tathe stopped about a meter from Attelus and aimed his pistol at the Throne Agent's head.

'Give me one good reason why I shouldn't put a las shot through this little frigger's skull,' said Tathe.

'Well, besides the fact he might be immortal,' said Karmen Kons. 'You would be ending his suffering; if you really think he deserves to pay for killing those people, you should let him live with the guilt. But believe me, he already has a galaxy's worth to deal with.'

Tathe glanced at the psyker and sniffed: That was actually a frigging good point.

'Why should I believe you?' said Tathe. 'Besides, he might still be infected with-'

'If-if you want to kill me, if you think it'll help you, you're more than welcome to, Commissar', said Attelus, which made everyone, including Commissar Tathe flinch. 'I more than deserve it...I would like to apologise...but I feel it'd be meaningless. I just have to tell you before you kill me...'

'Tell me what?'

Attelus straightened and looked over his shoulder at Tathe, his eyes shining with tears. 'When I got to the top of the tower, your father...he had found some of himself. I didn't need to kill him to release you and your comrades...he did it himself, his last act as a free man, who seemed to deeply regret his betrayal of his Emperor.'

'His Emperor?' said Tathe.

'Yes, after everything I've been through, Commissar, I know the Emperor doesn't give a gak about me, but I don't expect anything because I know I don't deserve His protection. Others are far more deserving of it than me.'

As he said this, Attelus glanced side-long at Adelana.

'I...I can...I can more than understand that sentiment,' said Tathe. 'What else did my father do? Did he say anything else?'

'He did, he said...He said he was proud of you, and he regretted never telling you this. That, you are a far better man than he could ever even dream to be. I'm...I'm glad that I didn't kill you before I could deliver this message, Commissar. It would've been terribly, horribly ironic if I did.'

Tathe felt tears erupt in his eyes. 'He...he really said that?'

'He did this, I swear.'

Tathe lowered his laspistol as he covered his eyes with an index finger and thumb in a desperate bid to hide the tears he could no longer hold back, but then he raised it again as anger overtook him.

'How I know you're not Grox gaking me to save your worthless hide!' Tathe snarled. 'That's what you Inquisition scum do, isn't it?'

'Think about this Commissar, if me killing him released you from the sphere...thing, why didn't the Resurrected die along with it? Those two occurrences happening separately lends some credence to my claim.'

Tathe frowned. 'I suppose that makes sense...but-'

'He practically begged me to kill him when he had control himself, but I frigged up, so I was forced to fight him and...There's no nice way I can say it; I ended it.'

'I am sure you did,' said Tathe. 'That was the whole reason you went up there, wasn't it?'

'It was and...' Attelus' sentence drained away.

'To get that damned sword, am I right?'

'Yes.'

'Look at what that got you? And everyone else. You didn't just kill Dantian and the good ecclesiarch, but your own people as well.'

'I know...I frigging know, I was...led to believe we might need it, because...'

'Because, why?'

'Because I'm a frigging idiot.'

'I am aware of that already. But that's not an answer. I need you to tell me what's really going on; your explanation back at the camp is no longer good enough!'

Attelus shared a glance with Karmen and sighed. 'Y...you deserve to know, Commissar, after everything you've done, after everything you've lost. Karmen, can you do it, please?'

'By the Emperor, I do,' said Tathe, and he looked over all of the remaining survivors. He'd already done a headcount; twenty-three Velrosians, fifteen Marangerians, ten Galak Heimians, twelve Despasians and thirty Sovrithians. To say their combined strength was a shadow of its former self was a gross understatement, they all sat or laid on the floor, and every one of them looked to him for leadership, both literally and figuratively. The civilians, besides those helping Halsin, had gathered in the farthest corner, those who weren't sleeping watched on with sullen eyes. 'As do everyone else.'

'What?' said Karmen. 'But-'

Tathe turned on her and fixed her with his most withering glare; it interrupted her complaining and made her flinch, then she looked at Attelus. He met her gaze and gave her a slight nod.

Karmen groaned, rolled her eyes, then, using the servos of her power armour and turned to face her 'audience.'

'I suppose all of this began about nine years ago...'



Adelana couldn't help gape as Karmen told everyone, almost everything. How Attelus was manipulated into indirectly destroying her homeworld, and she made frigging sure to emphasise how horrific Inquisitor Etuarq was. How they escaped and joined the Inquisition, and a summary of all the crap they'd done over the past three years, including and embellishing a bit how Attelus and Hayden managed to kill Erdaku the Chaos Space Marine.

The whole time, Adelana kept glancing over the Imperial Guardsmen and the civilians, who were utterly enraptured by Karmen's tale, Karmen apparently being a frigging good storyteller. But Adelana was searching for a hint, any hint of scepticism, especially among the people of Sarkeath. But they seemed to believe it, Adelana supposed after the strange anomaly of the sphere had opened their minds to anything.

Then Adelana winced as Karmen began to tell them how they managed to travel to Sarkeath, but as she did, Adelana realised they might have to find out about that anyway. The mention of the Eldar made Adelana bite her lip and look to Kalakor, who stood in the shadows of the right-side corridor, watching; she expected the Space Marine would explode at them and slaughter everyone. But he didn't, which Adelana couldn't help thank the Emperor for; she supposed Kalakor might have already known about it and had feigned ignorance or had the self-awareness to know that his use of sorcery made him a far worse 'radical' than them.

Or, more likely, both.

Karmen explained the how and why they needed the Sword of Kalncerek.

Once Karmen finished, a heavy silence engulfed the whole room.

'I don't remember the destruction of that world at all,' said a trooper, but which one exactly Adelana couldn't make out.

'Neither can I,' said Tathe.

'I know,' said Attelus as he finally slowly stood and faced the crowd. 'It was the Grey Knights.'

'The Grey who?' said someone.

'They are a chapter of the Adeptus Astartes,' said Attelus. 'The very secret, the militant arm of a branch of the Inquisition named The Ordo Malleus. They erased your memories of the last war you fought to keep their existence secret.'

'How do you know that traitor scum!' snarled a Sovrithian trooper.

Attelus looked at Tathe. 'Because your father told me.'

'Shut the hell up,' said another. 'You murdered our friends; you have no right to speak! Now sit the hell down!'

Attelus raised his hands then sat beside Adelana, his hooded gaze on the floor; it seemed if he hoped these people would show him sympathy for all he's been through, he was more than mistaken.

Adelana could more than empathise.

Tathe gave Attelus a nod, then turned away. 'That's enough! As Karmen Kons explained, there is much, much more to this than we thought! I understand your anger, but we must gain control of ourselves and aim our hatred at those...who seem to be manipulating fate itself for all the suffering and death and-'

'Frig up, Tathe!' snarled a Marangerian soldier. 'We-'

'Excuse me!'

The surprisingly powerful voice cut the trooper short, and everyone turned to its source, a young man with a shaved head and wearing the robes of an adept of sorts stood in front of the rest, his eyes flaring with anger.

'Need I remind all of you so-called "Imperial Guard" that you were willing, only a few hours ago, to slaughter all of us based on the whim of a traitor? We are Imperial Citizens, and as I was led to believe, it was your duty to protect us "civilians", not slaughter us wholesale! I would say you are not on as higher ground to judge this Attelus Kaltos person as you seem to think!' You were only stopped by the good Commissar and the soldier who is currently fighting for his life.

The shocked silence from everyone at the young man's words was almost palpable.

'What's your name, young man?' said Tathe, who was smiling ever so slightly.

The young man's anger ridden resolve seemed to dissolve as his face turned red. 'Assistant Scribe Sigismund, sir.'

'Good words, Sigismund,' said Tathe. 'I see that you are worthy of the name of that great Imperial hero.'

Sigismund's face somehow reddened even worse.

'While I understand your rage and your hatred, you heard young Sigismund's words,' said Tathe. 'While I do not expect you not to be angry or forgive young Attelus, you have to try to understand and failing at that; we must keep our heads on straight. That is an order, understand?'

The Imperial Guardsmen and women stayed silent; their eyes lowered to the floor in shame.

'Good,' said Tathe as he turned back to the Throne Agents.

'So, what now, Commissar?' said Darrance.

The Commissar let out a long exhale. 'I don't know, but my men and I have been withered down to such small numbers we are no longer tenable as a regiment. I suppose we could go back to Elbyra to train a new generation of regiments, but I'm not sure.'

'Well...' said Karmen.

Tathe turned to her. 'Well, what?'

'Well, you and your force might not be tenable as a regiment of the Imperial Guard, but you are more than tenable to become an Inquisitorial strike force.'

'I had a bad feeling you would say that.'

Karmen shrugged. 'Now you know the bigger picture; now you know everything, don't you wish to fight to avenge your regiment. An entire world?'

Tathe sighed and looked over to Dellenger and Halsin. 'Tell me, Attelus, what else did you learn from my father?'

Attelus looked at him; his eyes widened in surprise for a second. 'He did. He gave me a lead, Commissar. A name, of an Inquisitor Soloston of the Ordo Malleus.'


"The best way to lie is to tell the truth." Attelus Kaltos.
My story! Secret War
After his organisation is hired to hunt down an influential gang leader on the Hive world, Omnartus. Attelus Kaltos is embroiled deeper into the complex world of the Assassin. This is the job which will change him, for better or for worse. Forevermore. Chapter 1.

The Angaran Chronicles: Hamar Noir. After coming back from a dangerous mission which left his friend and partner, the werewolf: Emilia in a coma. Anargrin is sent on another mission: to hunt down a rogue vampire. A rogue vampire with no consistent modus operandi and who is exceedingly good at hiding its tracks. So much so even the veteran Anargrin is forced into desperate speculation. But worst of all: drive him into desperate measures. Measures which drives Anargrin to wonder; does the ends, justify the means?

 
   
Made in nz
Blood Angel Terminator with Lightning Claws






New Zealand

After informing the others of everything, General Tathe had said the others left Attelus alone to try to decide what in the Emperor's name they were to do next. Attelus rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands in a desperate bid to stay awake, he'd never been more exhausted in his life, but at least he could move, somewhat. When he'd taken that cursed sword from that strange twilight realm, it had somehow purged the stimms from his body, so he wasn't suffering from the withdrawal now. Attelus fought the urge to place his face into his palms and weep, sob like a child, over and over again. Now wasn't the time.

He'd killed them, Verenth, Helma and Jelket; the last two laid dead only a few metres from him. Verenth had the strength of will to put aside his hatred in a mature way and fought like a bastard for the greater good. Jelket, who, despite his low self-esteem and normalcy, was always reliable and understanding. Helma, who had been there for Adelana after the destruction of Omnartus more than anyone else with their constant sword sparring, Attelus had always suspected it was out of guilt for wanting to leave Adelana and the others behind, but that was just his paranoid conjecture. If it wasn't, it didn't matter anymore. All of them deserved the highest of respect both in life and in death.

Not just them, but many, too frigging many, Elbyran and Sovrithian soldiers. Soldiers who had survived fought their way to the tower in spite of ludicrous odds—soldiers who fought for the Imperium for years only to be slaughtered like grazers for their meat. To die like that after such a frigging hard-fought as frig victory it just seemed so...it just seemed so...Unfair? Unfair? Unfair! What a ridiculous adjective to use in this horrific situation! Now that was the understatement of the frigging millennia! Attelus was too damn tired to think of a more fitting one. Too damned tired and depressed.

Attelus wiped away a new wave of tears with a swipe of his beaten flak jacket sleeve and sniffed and looked at Adelana. Around seven metres away, she, Torris and Kalakor stood near Tathe as he talked with representatives of each group: a Velrosian sergeant, a Marangerian corporal, a Despasian trooper, a Galak Heimian captain and the adept who'd stood up and spoken before, Attelus had already forgotten his name, but he couldn't help respect his balls to be able to stand up to the Imperial Guard. Attelus could overhear their conversation despite their hushed tones. Still, he wasn't especially interested, in all honesty, despite the fact he should be there, he being supposedly the leader of this little band of frigged up-.

Attelus' train of thought halted as Adelana glanced at him with her watering, beautiful blue eyes. She couldn't hide it from him, the pity in her gaze. There wasn't any hatred despite the fact he'd just killed one of her closest friends, but he supposed she knew why he killed her. Was she still going to leave, then?

Attelus sighed; he had taken that damned sword; perhaps he could try to convince her he took it against his will? It seemed pointless to try, in all honesty, doing anything, and everything seemed pointless now. All he wanted was to go home, but where the frig was home? The Calixis Sector? That gakky hellhole of corruption and excess? Elbyra? Velrosia? He couldn't face going back to that place after the war destroyed his life before it destroyed him. Despite the fact that so much of it had been re-built over the nine years since the war. The Audacious Edge? That was the closest thing to home after the destruction of the Guncutter, even with the recycled air and cramped corridors and...

Was there anything that didn't suck? Nothing where the good outweighed the bad? Attelus couldn't even begin to think of anything, but that was the life he chose: a life of hardship, death, killing, and misery. Misery, another adjective which didn't begin to describe his life, it was almost as if the Emperor or some other being was purposefully making his life one extreme misery after another for their own entertainment or something. Perhaps he should've been an Imperial Historian, after all.

'Please, you frigging bastard,' he hissed. 'Just give me something good for once, damn it.'

'You want something good?' said Karmen, causing him to look at her; she sat not far away, smiling at him. 'How about the fact you aren't trapped inside your own body while that horrid sword controls your every move? That we defied the odds, killed the general and freed the Resurrected? Or that you managed to get a lead and that Serghar frigging Kaltos didn't get what he wanted? Do you know what that means? That now we have confirmation that some things cannot be foreseen by Etuarq's apparent god-like ability to see the future, that means we stand a frigging chance!'

'Yeah, but-'

'Yeah but nothing, Attelus. We have accomplished our mission. All of us knew when we travelled all this way for this assignment that all of us could die. Hell! That's all assignments, isn't it? I would say just losing only four of us was-'

'But three of them were murdered by my hand, Karmen!'

His exclamation silenced any conversation and drew everyone's attention to Attelus. Attelus threw his attention to the floor, determined not to look any of them in the eyes, especially Adelana and Tathe. He waited and waited for what seemed like hours but must've been only two or three minutes before the hushed conversation began again.

'Your hand, Attelus?' said Karmen. 'Or at that damned sword's blade edge?'

Attelus sighed again. 'The distinction doesn't matter, Estella.'

'Yes, it does,' said Karmen. 'You speak of nuance, of shades of grey, this...situation falls into that purview, frig it. You know it, I know it, this self-pity isn't going to change a frigging thing.'

Attelus shoved his face into his hands and let out a groan. 'But Karmen...'

'But what if...?'

'What if the sword wasn't controlling me? What if-'

'Shut it!' she snapped.

'But-'

'Just shut it, Attelus. Don't even begin to think that way, you foolish boy.'

'B-But w-why?'

'Because you are not that way, Attelus. You are not a psychopath, not even close. No matter how much you tell yourself you are.'

'H-h-how do you know, Estella?'

'Because a damned psychopath wouldn't be so upset about what just happened, Attelus. In fact, they would be acting like your father, and you are not your father, Attelus. Not even close.'

Attelus frowned and finally found the courage to look at Jelket and Helma, their hands still clasped together, and the tears streamed down his face as he could no longer hold them back.

'But I...But I...I...I just hope you're frigging right. We have to...We have to,' he squeaked. 'We have to make sure they get a proper...burial, Estella.'

'We will, Attelus. We will.'

While wiping away his tears with his sleeve again, Attelus turned to her and smiled, and she returned it. Attelus was about to reply when a small voice inside his head suddenly echoed.

+Attelus Kaltos?+

Attelus' draw dropped, and he straightened.

'What's wrong, Attelus?' said Karmen, but he quietened her with a raised hand.

Farseer Faleaseen, is that you?

+Yes, it is I.+

I...I can't believe it, how-

+The warp storm that surrounds Sarkeath's system is weakening, so I am finally able to communicate with you. So...+

Attelus smiled; he had never heard the Farseer so emotive like she was trying to prevent a tremendous torrent of relief and joy with a damn made of damaged sticks.

+I am gladdened that you are alive, Attelus Kaltos. Does the weakening of the warp storm mean that you have completed your objective?+

Yet another sigh escaped Attelus' lips, and he shared his gaze with Karmen, who watched him, brow furrowed slightly in interest.

I...I...suppose you can say we did.

+Then you are far ahead of schedule, yet, I hear the sorrow in your thoughts. Are you okay?+

No, I'm really not, in all honesty, Farseer.

+Well, inform me what has happened, maybe I can help you in some way.+

With his finger and thumb, Attelus rubbed his eyes again. That, and you wanted to know anyway.

+I will not deny that truth, Attelus Kaltos, but I genuinely wish to help. In fact, I am more than willing to send you a ship and get you off that corrupt world early. Raloth would be likely willing to come.+

That would be...that would be most appreciated, Farseer. Thank you.

+Now, will you explain what happened?+

Attelus exhaled from his nose before he pushed his head against the parapet and looked up at the ceiling high above. Yes...yes, of course, I'm just tired of being manipulated. After we were dropped off in the system by Autarch Arlyandor's ship we...



Tathe took off his cap, pushed his oily, dirty thick black hair and sighed. 'Well, now we have a plan we better get started.'

Torris and Adelana exchanged glances.

'Y-you sure that's a good idea?' said Adelana. 'After everything they have been through?'

'You have fought alongside soldiers,' said Kalakor. 'And yet you have not realised that soldiers cannot afford to sit around and dwell upon things, unlike Throne Agents.'

Adelana frowned and looked up at the Space Marine, seeming like she might argue, but Tathe raised his hand.

'He's right,' said Tathe as he rubbed his eyes and placed his cap back on h. 'We have to make sure they are busy, it'll take their minds off the...off, well, everything.'

Adelana and Torris exchanged looks and then gave him hesitant nods.

'Good,' said Tathe. 'Then you and Torris inform your...colleagues, and Sergeant Kolton, Corporal Santal, Captain Hadok and Trooper Fullok go and get the men organised into pairs to search the tower for food and supplies because, by the Emperor, we'll need them. You too, adept Sigismund. We're going to set up shop in here.'

There was a chorus of confirmations with an enthusiasm which surprised Tathe; then the representatives turned and spread out, calling out, excluding Adelana and Torris, who walked away in dour silence.

Tathe went to turn away.

'You are a good leader, Commissar.'

Tathe looked back to Kalakor, who towered over him, his helmeted head bobbing up and down repeatedly in a strange nod. 'I approve of your leadership methods.'

'Aww!' said Tathe as he slapped the Space Marine's chest plate. 'You really do care.'

Kalakor stopped his nodding and stared down at Tathe in what might've been bemused silence. 'Was that...sarcasm?'

'No, not at all,' said Tathe. 'I am truly honoured by your compliment. That was a joke.'

'A...joke? I do not understand. Just when I think I somewhat understand you, mortals, I find myself...taken off guard by you.'

'Don't worry, Kalakor,' said Tathe. 'It's the same for us mortals as well.'

'Was that a "joke" as well?'

Tathe's face turned grim, and he shook his head. 'No,' he said then he turned and walked away. 'Not at all.'

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/05/19 05:04:11


"The best way to lie is to tell the truth." Attelus Kaltos.
My story! Secret War
After his organisation is hired to hunt down an influential gang leader on the Hive world, Omnartus. Attelus Kaltos is embroiled deeper into the complex world of the Assassin. This is the job which will change him, for better or for worse. Forevermore. Chapter 1.

The Angaran Chronicles: Hamar Noir. After coming back from a dangerous mission which left his friend and partner, the werewolf: Emilia in a coma. Anargrin is sent on another mission: to hunt down a rogue vampire. A rogue vampire with no consistent modus operandi and who is exceedingly good at hiding its tracks. So much so even the veteran Anargrin is forced into desperate speculation. But worst of all: drive him into desperate measures. Measures which drives Anargrin to wonder; does the ends, justify the means?

 
   
Made in nz
Blood Angel Terminator with Lightning Claws






New Zealand

Once she and Torris finished their briefing to the other Throne Agents, she sat beside Attelus as everyone else began moving out.

For about half a minute, they were silent as Adelana worked up her courage to say, 'I'm sorry, Attelus.'

'Sorry for what?'

'Sorry for how I tried to manipulate you up in the Guncutter. How I tried to emotionally blackmail you. I'm sorry.'

Attelus sighed. 'I know. But, Adelana, I suspect that I could forgive you for anything.'

She couldn't help look at him and found he was looking at her with wide eyes which shone with tears, and it took all of her willpower to tear her gaze away.

'I...' Attelus trailed off. 'I...didn't take that damned sword on my own free will, you know.'

'I guessed Attelus.'

'But...but you're still leaving?'

'I'm sorry, Attelus. I can't...I just can't do this anymore. All the killing, the death. I'm sorry.'

Attelus sighed again. 'So, it's become too much for you?'

'It has because I'm not like you, Attelus. I'm not like you, or Hayden, or the others. I never was, I thought that I could become like you, but I can't. I just can't. This mission pushed me beyond...It pushed us all beyond what we thought possible; you even had to use combat stimms. I can't push myself anymore.'

'I see...' said Attelus. 'I...think I understand, Adelana.'

Adelana wiped the tears away and turned to him again. 'You were right before. We should not have abandoned the others. I...was stupid and...scared, scared about what might happen to you, Attelus.'

'And you were right, Adelana. What you thought would happen did and now Verenth, Jelket, Helma and many others are dead because of me-'

'But many, many more would've been killed if you didn't,' she said. 'We would have lost if you didn't. But now we are finished, we can go now.'

Attelus' gaze snapped to Adelana. 'We?'

'Yes, "we," my offer stands,' said Adelana. 'You and I. We break out of this life of killing and death to find a life somewhere away from it, all of it.'

He grimaced as tears poured down his face. 'You...want me to...come with you? Even after everything I've done? After what I just did? I killed your friend, Adelana.'

'But you didn't kill them,' said Adelana. 'That sword did.'

'I...I...I killed your world.'

'Attelus, you know you didn't.'

He began hyperventilating, and Adelana's hand shot out on his shoulder. 'Breath, Attelus', she said. 'Just breath, nice and slow.'

After a couple of minutes, Attelus seemed to manage to gain control of his breathing.

'W-why did-did you have to do this to me?' he said.

'What do you mean?'

'M-making me choose like this? It-it would've been easier if you just said you were leaving. It would've hurt like all hell, but now...Choosing between you and what I have to do. What I need to do.'

Adelana frowned as her attention fell to the floor. 'So, you're going to continue on? Even after what's happened? All the death?'

'Yes, Adelana,' said Attelus. 'I had said no before, and I say it again, even after this...This is my burden to bear, and I can't leave and place it on someone else. Perhaps...perhaps even more so now.'

He nodded to the dead Jelket and Helma. 'They wouldn't want me to and Verenth, too. Verenth especially. This is my meaning, Adelana. This is a meaning I've made for myself; I can't give up. Not yet. Not now.'

'But you...you might be consumed by it. Lose yourself. You came so close today. You did, in fact.'

He turned to her and pinned his eyes to hers. 'I know, but no, I won't be consumed, not again. I have made mistakes, but I will learn from them because that's what life's about, Adelana, learning from your mistakes, your victories, everything. This gak-show will just make me all the stronger.'

'H-how?'

'Because I'll make frigging sure it will, damn it!'

With that, Attelus suddenly stood and looked over his shoulder to her. 'Adelana, you can leave. I understand...I can even respect that. It takes strength to break the cycle, but I can't leave with you. I'm sorry. As much as I would...love to.'

'But...but how do you know you can win? That Inquisitor Etuarq won't just counter everything you do?'

Attelus smiled. 'My father said it himself that sometimes Etuarq gets it wrong, claiming that Etuarq foresaw that I would kill you before managing to regain control of myself. And, well, this was all the more backed with Kalakor saving me before. He doesn't know everything, he can't know everything, and that shows me that we can find a way to win. I know we can.'

'What? Do you have faith?'

'No,' said Attelus. 'Now I have the evidence I'd just mentioned. My father said too much, believing he'd already won. One must also learn from the mistakes of others as well they need me dead now, and perhaps they don't know how to kill me, a perpetual, they needed the sword of Kalncerak.'

Adelana frowned; she wanted to point out that maybe they did know, that they might have wanted the sword for another reason, but she bit her lip. She...she hadn't expected this reaction from him at all, especially after everything he'd done.

Attelus held his gaze for a few seconds more, then went to walk away.

'Wh-where, are you going?' she cried out.

'I need to talk to Tathe. It's time I stood and took responsibility and get on moving forward.'



Despite sensing Adelana's eyes boring into his back, Attelus didn't turn to her as he struggled to hold back the tears as the agony swirled like a whirlpool throughout his chest and stomach. He wanted to suggest Adelana could stay with the organisation, that she could take up a position at the Librarium or on the Audacious Edge in another non-combat position, but now wasn't the time. He was acting, fighting against the pain, the depression, an act bolstered by Faleaseen's psychic help to help him keep control of his emotions. Keeping control of his emotions was something Attelus had always struggled with, especially anger. It was anger that had made him frig over Vex three years ago, and that made him wonder how he and Arlathan Karkin and Inquisitor Enandra were. Controlling his emotions was one of the many things on the long list of things he was terrible at; first and foremost being a leader, but he was learning. Frigging slowly, but frigging surely and...

A thought then hit him, which caused him to stop in his stride. As he'd said just before: life was about learning; perhaps that philosophy could help him reconcile with the immortality forced on him? The galaxy was an unimaginably vast place, never-ending.

If it was, there was no end in what he could see, or do or learn.

That was what Raloth had asked him what seemed now like a lifetime ago, and it seemed he'd finally found his answer. Attelus shrugged and continued; it was damn obvious revelation, but a revelation nonetheless and a welcome one. It didn't make up for what he'd done, but it was something, at least.

Attelus pursed his lips, shrugged and walked onward, fighting to ignore the toxic, hate-filled glares aimed at him by the remaining guardsmen and civilians all around.



'Is he going to live?' Tathe said, trying to mask his concern from his words.

The strange young medicae turned from Dellenger, whose horrible slash was now covered in bloody bandages, Halsin's eyes bulging behind his glasses.

'I believe so, Commissar,' said Halsin with a shrug. 'Emperor only knows how.'

'Your skill as a medicae?'

'No, not even in a million years,' said Halsin. 'Normally, this man would need a proper facility, a team of surgeons even to begin to live through this, but he's now stable...somehow.'

'The divine will of the Emperor Himself?'

Halsin shrugged again, seeming to miss Tathe's sarcasm. 'Could be, Commissar. It's as valid an explanation as any. But...'

The young medicae drifted off in his sentence.

'But what, medicae?'

Tathe didn't mean to make his tone so commanding as it made Halsin flinch and blink.

'I-I-I have seen this before, I...'

Halsin's sentence disappeared as he tilted his head, his eyes fixed past Tathe. Tathe turned to find Attelus Kaltos was approaching, his eyes as dead as sundered suns.

'What do you want?' said Tathe, causing Attelus to stop and wilt away, his gaze falling to the floor; it almost made Tathe regret it.

'C-C-Commissar, h-how is Scout Trooper Dellenger?'

'Not good, frig you,' said Tathe. 'But...he'll make it...By some miracle.'

Attelus nodded. 'That's good...That's good...Then. That's good.'

There was a long, awkward pause.

'Anything else you want, Throne Agent.'

'I...I have a way for us to leave this world, and soon.'

Tathe raised an eyebrow. 'How?'

'Y...You won't like it, in all honesty.'

Tathe rolled his eyes and sighed. 'I'm guessing that you wish for us to travel with the Eldar like you did to get here?'

Attelus nodded again. 'Y-yeah. I'm sorry, they'll be arriving in about two days.'

'In only two days?' said Tathe, his eyes widening with disbelief.

'I think...' said Attelus.

'Think what?'

Attelus met Tathe's gaze, his brow furrowing. 'I think that you and your men won't be able to return to the Imperial Guard. You'll be deemed corrupted by this world and executed if you're lucky. I agree with Karmen's offer, more than agree, in all honesty. Come with us. You and your men would make great Throne Agents.'

Tathe shook his head. 'Last time I looked, you are not the Inquisitor; how do I know she won't think us corrupted and kill us?

'Karmen and I will speak on your behalf and...you refusing to kill those people while the very walls themselves close on you to crush you, proves you managed to overcome it and besides...She recruited me, didn't she?'

Despite himself, a smile crossed Tathe's face. 'I suppose so. You are aware you'll be recruiting a frig ton of people who hate your guts.'

'I...I've noticed that, but I'm more than used to people hating me now, so...'

Tathe sighed again. 'Many won't like this; many might not agree, but I will try to convince them. We are the Imperial Guard, and we will continue serving Him, fighting for Him in any way we can, and if that means working for the damned Inquisition, we'll work for the damned Inquisition.'

Attelus grinned and held out his hand, which Tathe took and shook.

'You have made the right choice, Commissar,' said Attelus.

'I hope I have, Throne Agent,' said Tathe. 'I hope I have.'


"The best way to lie is to tell the truth." Attelus Kaltos.
My story! Secret War
After his organisation is hired to hunt down an influential gang leader on the Hive world, Omnartus. Attelus Kaltos is embroiled deeper into the complex world of the Assassin. This is the job which will change him, for better or for worse. Forevermore. Chapter 1.

The Angaran Chronicles: Hamar Noir. After coming back from a dangerous mission which left his friend and partner, the werewolf: Emilia in a coma. Anargrin is sent on another mission: to hunt down a rogue vampire. A rogue vampire with no consistent modus operandi and who is exceedingly good at hiding its tracks. So much so even the veteran Anargrin is forced into desperate speculation. But worst of all: drive him into desperate measures. Measures which drives Anargrin to wonder; does the ends, justify the means?

 
   
Made in nz
Blood Angel Terminator with Lightning Claws






New Zealand

It was raining when they began to leave the tower; the first time it'd rained for Emperor only knew how long. Attelus supposed it could be the rain that would wash away the blood and corruption of this world.

Attelus and Tathe led the survivors who agreed to leave toward the door; Dellenger was still unconscious, being carried on a stretcher. The fifty or so who chose to remain on Sarkeath watched on; most were local civilians, and almost all the Sovirithian soldiers were among them, but a few Elbyrans were there. Whether they stayed because of their hatred for Attelus, their disgust of the Eldar, or not wishing to leave their home, their world or a combination of them, Attelus understood. He didn't expect even half the number would agree to go that did, in all honesty.

Along with the rain, which had grown stronger and stronger over the last hour, the atmosphere was almost insufferably sombre; it weighed down Attelus' limbs like his bones were made from Adamantium rather than Wraithbone. He fought the urge to glance at the watchers as he walked. Attelus also wanted to look over his shoulder at Adelana as she walked just behind him; they had hardly spoken over the last couple of days unless it was necessary. Those words were cold, full of stammering and downcast gazes. Attelus couldn't help think in a few spare moments that she might've chosen to stay on Sarkeath and was relieved when she didn't. He had yet to work up the courage to suggest she stay with the organisation. He hoped he could gather strength to ask her on the trip back to the Calixis Sector.

Also, Kalakor had disappeared only a few hours after they'd spread out to search the tower; again, Emperor only knew where, although Attelus suspected that even He wouldn't know.

The foyer was now free of the corpses of the Resurrected, which allowed their free traversal and Attelus and Tathe opened the large double doors and stepped upon the Blood Sands.

Attelus couldn't help shivering as the rain ran down his neck and soaked his long hair, pasting it to his face and scalp almost instantly. It pattered off his black flak jacket and his grey syn-skin bodyglove and made his jeans cling to his bodygloved legs. He watched as the blood sands bound and bounced as the rain crashed against it. Almost like it was a sea of blood rather than a desert.

They began to ascend the hill, back the way they'd fought from two days ago. The bloodiest, most horrific fight Attelus had ever taken part in, and he suspected it was the same for the Imperial Guardsmen of the Elbyran contingent as well.

When they'd finally reached the peak of the hill, Attelus' micro-bead beeped, and he reached to accept the call.

'Hello?'

'It is. I wait for me.'

Attelus couldn't help freeze, which made Tathe look at him. Attelus nodded, so the Commissar raised his hand for a halt. Attelus turned and began back down the hill; the remaining soldiers and Adelana, Torris and Halsin moved out of his way.

Kalakor then emerged out of the tower, gazing up at them.

'Kalakor?' said Attelus. 'What are you doing?'

'I have been considering the story the she-psyker told and...it is incredible...hard to believe, but in my long lifetime I have encountered many strange occurrences, so I believe it. It is too insane not to be true if you understand me,' said the Space Marine.

'I do.'

'And after much evaluation, I think it might be best if I go with you...I have other missions, but this one seems too important not to make the priority. If you would allow me to join with you, of course.'

Attelus shrugged. 'I...I suppose so, but there's no guarantee Inquisitor Enandra will accept you.'

Kalakor had already begun up the hill while Attelus was in mid-sentence. 'That is a risk I am willing to take. I will fight alongside you and your fellow Throne Agents to defeat this Inquisitor Etuarq and bring him to justice!'

Attelus couldn't help flinch; he hadn't heard so much expression from the Space Marine before. Then Kalakor approached and held out his huge, armoured hand. It took Attelus a good second or two what the Space Marine was doing, and blinking, Attelus placed his hand into Kalakor's ludicrously large palm. Having always had small hands, Attelus was used to having to shake hands with people who had hands bigger than his, but this was ridiculous.

'You aren't a Veteran-Sergeant of the Raven Guard,' said Attelus. 'Who are you really, Kalakor?'

'It...it is a long, long story, young Attelus Kaltos,' said Kalakor. 'But I suppose you deserve to know, although I suspect you mightn't like it, you are more open-minded than many hailing from the Imperium of Mankind...'



The four of them entered the Throne room; their footfalls echoed in the cavernous, darkened place. The screaming of trapped tortured souls in Serghar Kaltos' ears increased from a subtle chattering to a full forced, deafening cacophony.

Serghar's enhanced eyes instantly adjusted to the darkness allowing him to see his Master. The wizened, withered man seemed even smaller as he sat on the vast, silver Throne, which was a good three metres wide and fifteen metres tall, a throne which was not meant for a mortal man to sit on but still one sat on it nonetheless.

No, Serghar corrected himself, praying his Master wasn't listening to his thoughts. No longer a mortal man, but the new God-Emperor of Mankind.

It shone in the darkness, pulsating with a silver light as the trillions of souls trapped within it wavered throughout it. Trillions of souls Serghar and his Master had spent decades collecting through their manipulation of the vast, convoluted Imperial machine.

When they came to around twenty metres from the Throne, as one, Serghar and his agents fell to their knees and placed their faces on the green alien marble floor in ritual, deserving abasement.

+You have failed me,+ the God-Emperor's wheezing mind-voice blasted through Serghar's skull, making him blink and fighting against the urge to blanch with the sudden agony thumping inside his brain. +Where is the corpse of Attelus Kaltos? I need it for my true apotheosis.+

'An anomaly, my God-Emperor,' said Serghar. 'One unforeseen interrupted our fate.'

+An...anomaly? That is not possible; I have spent countless days searching through all the possible strands of fate and weaved them together to make sure my goal is preordained. How is this possible? Your foolish son's corpse should be before me, ready for my possession. Dead at your hand with that cursed daemon blade.+

Serghar clenched his teeth; his life depended on his next few words; he had to choose them well. 'My God-Emperor, the anomaly was a Space Marine, his name Kalakor. His armour in the colours of the Raven Guard chapter, his rank sergeant, but...'

+But...what? Serghar Kaltos, you may be my most long-serving and loyal servant, but your life is on the edge of a knife now. But...what?+

'But he was a sorcerer. He knew how to break the wall between the material universe and the immaterium without the ritual Athame. He must have hidden himself from our view with his knowledge. It is the only possible explanation I can think of...'

+I see. It was at the Space Marine's hand that you lost your arm?+

Serghar couldn't help frown. 'It was at the zenith of our plan, as I was about to stab the blade through my son's heart, when the Space Marine intervened. A bolter shot I somehow did not see coming-'

+Yes, I see that. Then this Space Marine took the sword?+

'I am afraid that I must correct you, my God-Emperor,' said Serghar. 'He used sorcery to annihilate the blade

of Kalncerak.'

Anger abruptly blasted from the God-Emperor's essence and into Serghar Kaltos like the heat of a point-blank explosion of a Melta Bomb. +This is a fate I never foresaw! This is a timeline that is foreign to me! This cannot be! All of that work for nought! This day of days was meant to be the day of my ascension! To my true godhood!+

The God-Emperor of Mankind, the true God-Emperor of Mankind, let out a massive roar of rage, which flung Serghar and his agents into the air and toppled backwards.

'Master! Master!' Serghar cried as he tried to cling to keep from crashing against the wall. 'It is not over yet! You foresaw that General Tathe would tell my son of the Exterminatus of Inquisitor Soloston!'

+Yes, but Soloston is also hidden from my sight! His usefulness has passed, but he managed to realise my machinations behind him, so he hid like the coward he is!+

'But my son and his foolish friends will try to find him!' Serghar yelled. 'And if they find him...'

The psychic force drizzled away as suddenly as it came, and Serghar felt the smile slide inside his guts. +I see he will lead them right back here.+

Serghar allowed himself to smile. 'Right back his home, to the world of his birth.'

+Yes, to here, the world of Elbrya itself,+ said the next God-Emperor of Mankind.


"The best way to lie is to tell the truth." Attelus Kaltos.
My story! Secret War
After his organisation is hired to hunt down an influential gang leader on the Hive world, Omnartus. Attelus Kaltos is embroiled deeper into the complex world of the Assassin. This is the job which will change him, for better or for worse. Forevermore. Chapter 1.

The Angaran Chronicles: Hamar Noir. After coming back from a dangerous mission which left his friend and partner, the werewolf: Emilia in a coma. Anargrin is sent on another mission: to hunt down a rogue vampire. A rogue vampire with no consistent modus operandi and who is exceedingly good at hiding its tracks. So much so even the veteran Anargrin is forced into desperate speculation. But worst of all: drive him into desperate measures. Measures which drives Anargrin to wonder; does the ends, justify the means?

 
   
 
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