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Leman Russ calmly walked up the steps of the Imperial Palace, surrounded by Custodes. He would've preferred his own retinue as opposed to the seemingly ceremonial guards. They reminded him of Fulgrim with his hedonistic and generally inefficient Emperor's Children. However, he knew his Father well enough to understand that he would never employ something simply for appearances; the Custodes were some of the deadliest warriors in the Imperium. Chief Custodian Constantin Valdor had even supposedly beaten Horus in a sparing match, something that Russ found difficult to believe.
One of the Custodes had a large purple mane as opposed to the standard red plume on his golden armor. As the Primarch reached the door the Custode regally opened it with a respectful bow. Russ stepped inside and found himself awed. Banners depicting the Imperium in all its glory hung as far as the eyes could see. The ceiling stretched up at least two hundred metres. Servoskulls buzzed on feathery wings in all directions. Scribes tarried back and forth from a labyrinth series of doors and passageways. Dozens of Custodes stood rigidly, truly glorious with their shining armor and Guardian Spears. At the forefront of the great hall was the Eternity Gate to the Emperor's Throne Room.
The Custodes calmly escorted the Wolf King up to the gate and he stared up in awe. Upon the gate was a massive image of the Emperor doing battle with a hideous serpent creature in the sky. It fell flat of capturing his Father's glory and Russ found himself pondering why the Emperor had chosen that image for his palace. He had once asked what it portrayed; the Emperor's cryptic answer had left him greatly confused and he had decided not to ask him again. According to Sanguinius the painting the serpent shown in was an ancient Xeno known as the Void Dragon that had tormented humanity for many eons. Its reign of terror had ended at the hands of the Emperor who had slain it and incinerated the corpse.
Gears began to spin. Mechanics whirred and wrenched. Steam and smoke hissed out from a multitude of vents and chimneys. The Eternity Gate slowly opened and the Wolf King prepared for the sight of his Father. As the gate opened farther he could see inside. The Emperor was glowing. His golden armor was shining majestically, a beacon of light, but there was something more than that. It felt like he was radiating warmth and heat, his sheer essence taking up the entire Throne Room. The feeling was strange and inexplicable, leaving Russ deeply uncomfortable. Forcing himself to look away from the Emperor, the Wolf King saw thousands of Servitors and Tech-Priests working on massive hulks of broken machinery. Slouching, seemingly melted down mechanics, broken wires and shattered view screens dominated the room.
Magnus sure left the place a mess, the Primarch thought as he stepped inside. Magnus. The warlock's mere name enraged him. How could a Primarch, a clone of the Emperor no less, stray so far from humanity in favor of Sorcery? Magnus' escape tormented him. He had been so close to killing him; Russ had destroyed the Warlock's Legion, desolated his home planet and defeated him in single combat. Just as he had been about to deliver the killing blow-Russ forced the thought away. He needed to speak to his Father and couldn't be dominated by his emotions.
"My son," said the Emperor, beckoning for him to step inside with a massive gauntlet. Russ stepped closer and noticed how much taller the Emperor truly was than him; used to towering over mortals and even Astartes, his Father's height greatly disturbed him. "What news have you of Prospero?"
The Wolf King immediately bowed and said, "Magnus wasn't prepared for the attack." Russ' voice was savage and feral intentionally; his accent was long honed to give him a well fitting appearance of barbarianism. "My forces caught him off guard and desolated most of Prospero with an air strike. Tizca was protected by a sorcerous field and we had to attack from the ground. Most of his Legion was slaughtered. Magnus came down and we fought in single combat. He tried to use Sorcery to stop me but I blinded him and broke his back. As I prepared for the killing blow-"
Suddenly the Emperor cut him off.
"You would dare strike down one of your own Brothers as you would a Xeno?" he boomed. Suddenly Russ was consumed by a feeling he wasn't used to; fear. The Emperor's voice softened. "You would dare strike down one of my sons?"
The Wolf King was caught off guard. His Father had expected him to bring Magnus back alive. A strange queasiness overcame him. It took Russ a moment to formulate a legible response.
"I had orders from Warmaster Horus. He told me that Magnus was too dangerous to bring back alive. He told me Magnus was a threat to the stability of the Imperium and Terra itself. He asked why else you would send me, your Emperor's Executioner, out to append him. I apologize. I have erred greatly," Russ stammered. "I beg for forgiveness."
"What happened on Prospero?" the Emperor commanded, disregarding his son's groveling.
"He and what remained of his Legion teleported away. I don't know where they fled to, but I swear I will find them." His fear turned to rage and Russ was forced to restrain himself. Once again the memory came back of Magnus fleeing away. "I swear."
The Emperor paused in thought, turning away from Russ and back towards the broken machinery. He looked distraught. There had never been such conflicts amongst the Imperium or the Primarchs before. The concept of brother fighting brother was sickening. Finally he spoke.
"Did Magnus speak? If he spoke so much as a single word I want to know exactly what it was."
"Before we fought he spoke to his Legion. He said, 'This doom was meant for me always meant for me, not you. You are my sons and I have failed you.'"
The Emperor stared into Russ' eyes and looked down into his soul. He wanted to flee but forced himself to stay.
"Leave," the Emperor said, his voice devoid of emotion.
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