Yeah, so I'm gonna try and do three stories at once so don't expect timely updates... Anyway, enjoy! :)
Warhammer 40,000: Survivor
Chapter 1: Fate
The march was long and difficult, the terrain a smoldering hellish collection of death. The tattered corpses of various organisms lay strewn around the dying forest floor. Some were half-eaten beasts of burden while others were the unidentifiable remains of soldiers, men, women, and children, tortured and mutilated in ways that in no way be physically possible. Sister Ara was just one of hundreds in several Commanderys dispatched from the Order of the Sacred Rose to this planet. Several other Commanderys were sent from the Orders of the Blood Rose and Argent Shroud as well, nearly 1,400 faithful all on one battlefield. The march of her fellow Battle Sisters could be heard in the distance, the roar of the Immolator tank's treads echoed in her ears mixed with the constant shuffle of armor on her sisters in arms as they marched.
They had all been sent to answer a distress signal sent out by a chapter of the Blood Angels, the most bloodthirsty legion in all the Space Marines. They claimed to be under attack but the transmission cut out before any other information could be retrieved. But still the outpost they were stationed was too close to one of the Imperium's shipyards to be lost. The footfalls of her Commandery suddenly came to a halt as the Canoness, at the forefront of the group stopped dead in her tracks. The hum of the Immolator engine and the loading of weapons were all that pierced the silence. The Canoness began to inspect the surrounding area; she motioned for the scouts to head out. While loading her bolter, Ara began to notice the unforeseen dimming of the sky to a depraved dark-purplish of swirling mass. Ara shot a glance at the Canoness, who was still standing at the head of the group as if listening for something. The air became thick, murky as a fog rolled into the group. Each Sister began to load her weapon, the clicks and snaps of chain-swords and bolter rifles was all that could be heard, aside from the soft wind pushing the fog in.
The Canoness opened her eyes at the sound of bolt-fire from beyond to tree line. The hardened soldiers immediately reacted and raised their weapons to the ready. A few tried to find what cover they could in anticipation of the battle to come. Ara took refuge behind the Immolator tank she was walking beside just minutes before. The fog continued to build as the sun eased its way over the horizon. A beam of light hit the Canoness as she turned her head toward the ridgeline; the makeshift halo created around her head gave the other Sisters a newfound sense of security. No one else could see it but her. As she stared over the hill, the Canoness gave no indication that the enemy was approaching or any hint of who or what the enemy was. The ground shook. And again, again. The footfalls of something enormous approached.
The Canoness then turned away from the ridge and looked directly at Ara. Her calm, composed eyes pierced the faithful soldier's very being. Ara was now very, very afraid and she wasn't the only one, Ara could see it in her fellow comrades as well. The footsteps became increasingly louder. The Canoness about-faced. At that moment a pair of giant red-black wings made its debut over the ridge. The sound of its feet impacting the ground was crushing. Then the creature came into full view as the footfalls fell silent. The giant axe at its side swayed slightly, its two hoofed feet drenched in blood with skin of a similar color, its ruby red eyes stunning anyone foolish enough to meet its deadly gaze. Towering a full 30 feet above the small woman below it, the Bloodthirster lowered its horned head and bore its dark-yellow fangs, stained with blood. Looking directly down at the Canoness, she returned the stare. The Bloodthirster took a step forward and unleashed a thundering roar, one that would cause anyone sane enough to flee. The Canoness appeared unfazed by the invisible attack, and stood her ground. The colossal demon began to raise its massive weapon.
Ara, unable to remain idle, aimed and fired bolter round after round at the giant. Taking their cue from Ara the other Sisters began to unleash their weapons upon the beast. In a moment of confusion the Bloodthirster raised its free arm to shield his eyes from the pinpricks. He let out another bellowing roar. With its free arm, it swiped the Canoness aside, throwing her at least 20 meters to the side. "BLOOOOD!" it rumbled.
The trap was sprung. In the blink of an eye demons and the mad soldiers of Chaos emerged from the evil fog. The Immolator Ara was using for cover moments ago, bust into flames at the impact of a well placed mortar. A dozen Sisters were immediately felled by the sudden wave of Possessed Marines pouring out of the mist. The creatures wasted no time in tearing open their prey to feast on the succulent, delectable entrails that was theirs for the taking. Ara pulled her chain-sword from its sheath and decapitated the unfortunate demon that approached her. Demon blood spewed across her face. Ara quickly parried a swipe from a Chaos Marine sword, taking her pistol she fired five rounds into the shoulder that possessed it. The Chaos Marine's arm fell to the ground, yet he did not scream, only insane laughter emanated from his gullet. Ara claimed the warrior's sword and plunged it into his head, piercing his helmet and skull. Red fluid flowed from the pawn's wound. The soldier toppled to the ground in a lifeless mass. Ara took this brief pause to assess the status of her Sisters many of whom were already slain by either the Chaos soldiers or the Bloodthirster. Around her screams and cries of agony rang out along with the scattered fire of bolter rifles, the ripping and tearing of flesh by the Horror squads accompanied this ensemble of death and despair.
Suddenly, Ara caught sight of the Canoness as she attempted to fight off two Chaos Marines. Ara dashed toward her, maiming and dismembering any whom dare step in her path. By the time she reached the Canoness her armored form was drenched in the blood of monsters and demons. Ara rammed her chain-sword into the unsuspecting victim; a faint smile crossed her lips at the sound of squawking and organ shredding as she forced the sword up into his rib cage. Blood ran down the already stained chain-sword. The Canoness took this opportunity and dispatched the other assailant. Both masses collapsed to the ground. She nodded at Ara in appreciation of her assistance. It was only when she doubled over in pain did Ara notice the deep gash in the Canoness' side. "Mistress?" Ara began to move to help, but the Canoness, without warning, shoved Ara from her as the unforeseen axe of the Bloodthirster came crashing down. The Canoness was barely able to lunge out of the path of the weapon. Ara picked herself up at the site of the huge demon.
"BLOOD!" it screamed once more. Attempting to regain her footing, the Canoness was hoisted into the air by the demon. The Bloodthirster began to open its mouth to take in the small treat. The Canoness, realizing the dark beings intentions, freed one hand and reached for her grenade. She tore the pin from the weapon as she disappeared inside the demon's gullet. Blood and viscera fell from the orifice as it suddenly closed. A muffled explosion could be heard from within the demon. The attack did little if nothing at all. Ara could not move the Bloodthirster slowly turned its gaze toward Ara, still frozen in fear and shock. Despite all the training and conditioning she had gone through, a tear ran down her cheek washing away some of the blood that stained her once pristine skin. The demon was in no hurry; its gaze went right through Ara, its blood red eyes fixated on her. A mixture of saliva and blood dripped from the demon's mouth in anticipation of another easy kill. No matter how hard Ara tried she couldn't muster the strength to raise either of her weapons.
In a moment of utter weakness Ara collapsed to her knees, just as the Bloodthirster was about to cleave her in two, a beam of blue energy struck the demon's shoulder causing it to step back to keep from falling. A ball of similar color followed immediately knocking the creature on its back. The demon let out a call of rage and confusion. Ara turned her head toward the origin of the attack to catch a glimpse of her saviors. What she saw was not what she hoped. On the ridgeline, opposite to where the Bloodthirster first entered, a dozen floating tanks lay waste to the Chaos troops below. Streams of blue emanated from various positions around the ridge. Troops in tan armor holding weapons of a similar color perched themselves between the cover of the tanks. The Bloodthirster began to rise. Another three beams struck it this time, followed by smaller blue energies miniscule in comparison, but the effect was cumulative. The Bloodthirster, the most powerful entity of the forces of Chaos, began to succumb to the onslaught. Its hold on this plane faded, and the demon sank into the ground returning to whatever hell from whence it came.
The Tau column began to advance. Legions of Kroot and Vespid, allies of the Tau, flowed over the ridge to mop up any stragglers. The Horror squads looked up from their meals only to have their last sight be a battle-drunk Kroot carnivore pouncing on them. Most didn't even have the time to do that much. In a vein attempt to turn the tide the remaining Chaos horde rallied their forces and made a push on the Tau position. In close-quarters combat the Tau soldiers were at a great disadvantage, lacking the physical strength of humans or orks. But at range their marksmanship and weaponry were second to none. Rows of Fire-warriors easily picked off the Chaos ranks as they approached. Hammerhead gunships and Broadside battle suits unleashed their rail-guns into the crazed frenzy. The area of effect weapons sending Chaos and demon a like flying meters into the air. Still, the remaining few continued the charge.
The sky was suddenly filled with the thunderous sound of the Tau air-caste. Dozens of Barracudas began to strafe the battlefield; great plums of smoke and dust were ejected into the air as they passed. Ara looked on as the alien utterly and without mercy annihilated the heretic. One of the barrages from the tanks struck behind Ara. She must have been thrown 14-15 meters from the blast. There she lay, barely able to keep her eyes open, all feeling in her extremities gone. She felt the warmth of her blood as it trickled down her forehead, mixing with the blood already present. The sound of explosions and cries were muffled and suppressed while being replaced with a high pitched tone, resonating in her ears. A large white form flanked by two others that she couldn't discern marched toward her. They appeared far away. A blue mass erupted from the white figures right and zipped over her, striking an invisible target. A great weight toppled over her, crushing her. She let out a grunt and Ara's eyes slowly sealed shut and she slipped into darkness.
I've got some heavy writer's block for this story, wrote it a long time ago but too lazy to upload it until now. :P
Feedback would be greatly appreciated.