The strange life of a forgotten Primach
Prologue: The Primarch
Upon the planetoid sized ship, Craftworld Ulthwe, the dwindling Eldar fought tirelessly against Chaos for millennia since the birth of the Chaos God Slaanesh. When they weren't fighting, they were watching, and what they saw within the minds of their Seers was the coming of someone who would change everything for them. This being was no Eldar, but one of Mankind, a saviour in the body of a child. When the near end of the 29th millennium came, so did the child they had been expecting. A gestation pod came through the Warp, hurled from its place of origin by the will of the Ruinous Powers. Many were cautious, others curious, but all realised the importance of that event.
In a few short years, the child from the pod, named Galavor by his adopted parents, grew to be a towering man, even above the naturally tall Eldar themselves, learning their ways, language and history. But more importantly, control of his immense psychic potential. He soon came to understand the Warp, Webway and Gods of the Eldar pantheon to such an extent that he gave his own ideas and suggestions about them and their respective natures that gave even some Farseers cause for thought. He'd become one of them, and after some time passed they looked past his decidedly un-Eldar appearance.
He walked the path of the Seer when his psychic might seemed adequate, and the seeming incorruptibility of his mind had come from two centuries of training and fending off Daemons of the Warp attempting to infect his psyche. He fought side by side with his surrogate family, slaying Daemons and retaking lost sections of the Craftworld, earning himself recognition and honour, as well as the loyalty of his fellows, while the Eldar had gotten the entirety of Ulthwe back in return.
His greatest act and finest triumph was against a Keeper of Secrets, Zarakynel, one of the most revered and feared of Slaanesh's Greater Daemons. Zarakynel arrived with the horde of the final true Chaos incursion on Ulthwe, claiming she sensed a soul like no other among them, and would claim it for Slaanesh. With her came scores of Daemonettes, slashing and bewitching their way across the battlefield as other Lesser Daemons fired volleys of warp fire at the Eldar and the Primarch.
Several days of bloody fighting passed and the struggling Eldar forces began to fail in their resolve, and the corrupted, malformed horde advanced further while Zarakynel rampaged across the bloodied fields of Ulthwe. While sections of Ulthwe began to fall, Galavor realised the only way to push the Daemons back was to kill, or at the very least, banish their commander, that being Zarakynel.
Channelling his psychic might, Galavor openly challenged the Keeper of Secrets. Arrogantly and with full sadistic intent, Zarakynel agreed to his challenge and the two battled fiercely for hours, violently shaking the earth with their exchanges of blows, and destroying the surroundings with their psychic attacks. With the timely aid of Galavor's adopted father Eldrad Ulthran, a Farseer of Ulthwe far more skilled in foresight and powerful warp abilities than the Primarch, and a young Seer called Caerys, who supported Galavor by bombarding the Greater Daemon with psychic lightning.
With their help, he overcame the Keeper of Secrets, gravely wounding her by destroying her left leg below the knee and skewering her through the throat with one of Zarakynel's claws that had been broken off in the battle. However, it wasn't enough as she retained enough strength to retreat back to the Warp with what remained of her forces. However, Galavor did not come away from that fight unscathed as both his body and mind had suffered wounds from the powerful Daemon.
Another century passed and Ulthwe had seen far less Daemonic incursions and Chaos raids as the solid defences and ruthless offensives of the Eldar and Galavor rendered them all but ineffectual. The Craftworld knew true peace for the first time in centuries, and soon old bits of their culture, music and pass times returned to them as a result. Galavor had earned a spot on the Seer Council, which had been the start of the dark times ahead of him.
Galavor's divinations had warned him of a man in golden armour who commanded a vast fleet. The man made an offer to him, and gave him only one chance to accept it, the ultimatum being he would destroy the Craftworld and slaughter the Eldar he'd come to see as his own. However, there was one who sided with him, another giant like himself and the man in the golden armour. His skin was a deep crimson, and his hair was as bright and red as Warp fire. The red man in his vision appeared to try and reason with the other, the faint word 'father' ran through his mind.
He warned the other Seers, each suggesting a different approach than the last as each interpreted the vision differently. Galavor decided he would confront them alone, as he felt it was his responsibility to confront the other members of his species. While he was rebutted and vehemently offered support from the Eldar, he declined, wanting them as far from him as possible when the time came.
741.M30
Craftworld Ulthwe
A much older, much wiser Galavor stood waiting at the Calmainoc, the dock that served as the only way in and out of Ulthwe besides Ghreivan's Gate, a Warp portal for crossing large distances very quickly. He was alone as he awaited the arrival of the golden conqueror and his crimson ally. He was dressed in his Wraithbone armour with its standard colours of black, white and red. The lower half of his armour was shrouded by his robe that obscured his Wraithbone plated legs. The fabric of the robe was covered with Eldar runes to enhance his psychic abilities. In his right hand was his Singing Spear which he called Thirst's End. It was imbued with immense psychic energy as its long blade pulsed intensely with purple energy. The spear had been crafted from Zarakynel's claw and Wraithbone, and was a weapon believed to someday be used by Ynnead, the Eldar god of the dead, to finally slay Slaanesh. He wore no helmet and kept it in the crook of his left arm against his side.
He took a deep breath as he watched the human fleet appear outside of the Craftworld, and as just two ships, one gold, one red, broke away from the main unit, he knew who was aboard them. Minutes passed and the two imperial ships docked and with a loud pneumatic hiss, the bay doors of the ships opened. Armoured warriors stormed out of the ships and assumed defensive positions in front of them, some crouched, some standing, but all with weapons trained on Galavor. One group of warriors that came from the red ship wore glossy red armour with blue gems decorating some of them, while the other group were adorned in ornate golden armour with tall helmets that had deep red plumage. The golden ones were much taller and imposing, closer to Galavor in height.
The thudding of footsteps rang out from the ramps of the ships as the golden and crimson leaders emerged, descending proudly down from their ships. Galavor tensed as the two stopped not five metres from him, eyeing him with intent.
''You wanted something from me?'' Galavor asked with steel in his voice. Despite his tone, Galavor was stunned by the sight of the man in gold. He was the spitting image of himself. Bronze skin and long black hair with the same rugged yet refined facial features.
''That isn't the worst greeting I've had from one of my sons, so I'll take it.'' the golden man said with a small chuckle. ''Anyway, I assume you know why I'm here. Now get on my ship and… Hey get back here!''
''Uh, father, it doesn't seem like he's interested.'' the crimson man said.
''Magnus, remember that I'm the Emperor of Mankind. If I can get Angron to stick around, I can get him to as well. Even with that Eldar arrogance I'm sure he's taken on.'' the Emperor replied to his son. As he watched his stubborn son walk away, he noticed he was markedly less bulky than all of his other sons, and so made the assessment that he was a fast and agile fighter as opposed to the death dealing powerhouses that were the other Primarchs. If he coupled that with his psychic power, he could be quite the difficult and strenuous opponent. He also noticed that Galavor moved like the Eldar too. He moved with inhuman grace and precision, with no wasted movements. He found it disconcerting that his one of his Gene-sons was so unlike him and his kin. How he seemed more like the Eldar than Mankind.
Galavor walked away from the two in a blatant display of disinterest. He had no intention of humouring people that wanted to harm his home and people should he not go with them. If anything, he was more open to flaying them with his mind as opposed to anything else.
''Wait, brother!'' Magnus called, making Galavor turn to him with a scowl.
''What is it? Isn't my retreating back not evidence enough that I've no time for you? Leave. And do not return.'' he commanded, his green eyes suddenly flaring with purple light. Magnus quickly approached his brother, gripping him by the shoulder.
''If you would just listen then you'd-'' his had was slapped away and the very tip of Galavor's spear pierced the underneath of his chin, drawing blood like a needle.
''Do not touch me.'' Galavor hissed warningly. ''Take yourself, your toy soldiers and that man back to your ships. I shan't tell you again.'' Magnus stepped back calmly and looked Galavor in the eyes.
''I do not wish to fight, but you must come with us. Father needs you for our Crusade, and your Legion needs their Primarch.'' he then looked back at his father, then at Galavor. ''And I would also appreciate a brother who also has psychic power.'' Magnus said in a hushed tone.
''Brother? I don't even know who you are. And him...'' Galavor narrowed is eyes at the Emperor, who had a rather smug smirk on his face. ''I know he is my father, and I care not for his Crusade or his Legions. My people are here, and this is where I belong.'' he replied adamantly.
The Emperor, not one to take being denied lightly, drew his giant, flaming sword and raised it, the tip pointed at his defiant son. ''If you think you can refuse me, then prove you have the will to deny me in full. Should I win, you will command your Legion under me. And should I lose, we will leave and not return. Fair?'' the Master of Mankind challenged.
He knew he was being goaded, as did Magnus, but he was determined to show that arrogant Emperor just why he should never came to Ulthwe. Galavor swiftly spun around, eyes ablaze with psychic energy and launched the Emperor back into his own ship with a wave of mental force. The Emperor smashed into the interior of his ship with a deafening, metallic crash as steel split and warped with the impact. Magnus took a step back, not wanting to get between two of the galaxy's most powerful Psykers besides himself. However, he had reservations on his father's method of getting Galavor's attention. He knew his father valued his gene-sons, but his ways of callously manipulating some of his sons or situations surrounding them was unsavoury to the red Primarch.
The Emperor emerged from the ship with a grin on his face, the fires of competition alight in his eyes. He rolled his shoulders and looked at his estranged son. He knew his psychic strength was immense as he expected no less of one of his own, but it made him proud to know he was strong enough to fling him around, and was genuinely impressed.
''That was a good hit, son. But that's the last one I'll let you get in. Now come, show me what you can do!'' the Emperor charged with his flaming sword poised to strike while Galavor rushed in more defensively with his spear held across his body in front of him. The weapons clashed, with Galavor immediately going for a riposte, spinning his spear in a defensive arc and swinging down horizontally. The Emperor let the blade glide down the metal of his Power Claw and sparks shot from the contact. He flung his arm out to the side, knocking the spear away and ramming Galavor with his hefty shoulder. The Primarch stumbled back and was forced to sacrifice his balance to evade a fierce jab from the flaming sword and rolled backwards, recovering in a defensive stance.
The Emperor stayed still, feeling psychic energy building in Galavor and immediately jumped and rolled when an explosive bolt of eldritch lightning struck the ground where he stood not a moment before. Just as he regained his bearings, his son was on the offensive and had managed to jab the tip of his spear into one of the minor chinks in his armour, right under his left arm. The blade sank into the underside of his shoulder, suddenly rendering use of his Power Claw very difficult.
Gritting his teeth, the Emperor lifted his Power Claw and seized Galavor in his grip, taking advantage of his thin frame and armour. He swung him to the side with explosive power and let go, but not before amplifying it with a blast of psychic force. The Primarch crashed into a wall and left a large indentation in it as broken pipes ruptured and hissed from the impact.
'Surrender to him, son.' The voice of Eldrad spoke in his mind.
'And let him threaten Ulthwe? All of you?' he replied with confused anger. He could see no good reason why Eldrad would say such a thing.
'He is testing you Galavor. Fate has decreed that you join him. Your place will always be with us, my son, but he and his empire are why you exist. Even before you came to us, you were destined to go back with him.' Eldrad explained.
'Are you certain of this father?' Galavor asked, losing the fire in his chest as he made no effort to get up. He had always trusted Eldrad's word as he had taught him everything he knew, as well as helping him to feel accepted on the Craftworld as a human.
'Yes. Were it up to me, I would have every warrior on Ulthwe sent to destroy them right now. But it is not my decision this time. You must leave for your home world, to this Terra he speaks of.' the ancient Farseer said.
Galavor didn't respond as he looked up at the Emperor who stood towering over him with an infuriatingly smarmy look on his face. He held the tip of his flaming sword to Galavor's throat, the heat threatening to scorch his skin. The Primarch glared defiantly at the Emperor, the seething bitterness of the words to follow already filling his being.
''I yield.'' he ground out in a low growl. He would have revelled the chance to cast the Emperor into the Warp for his audacity, but he would honour Eldrad's word, knowing he knew the wills of fate far better than himself.
''Very well.'' he turned to Magnus who was watching the two very intently. ''Help him up and get him aboard my ship. We leave immediately.'' the Emperor commanded. He turned away from Galavor and strode triumphantly back to his ship, his Custodians following him once he went.
''Wait!'' Galavor called out. The Emperor stopped and turned to regard him. He knew his son had loose ends to tie up and so answered before he could speak. Though it went against his better judgement, the Emperor decided to let his son do it as a show of good will.
''Go and see who you must. It will likely be the last time you see them.'' the Emperor said, however Galavor picked up on a very subtle threat in his tone. He stood on his own, refusing Magnus' offered hand and left without a word. Magnus observed him with his single eye. Clearly his father was willing to risk having a Primarch embittered towards him. He was taking a serious risk, despite his calculations.
When Galavor bade farewell to Eldrad, Caerys and other Eldar, even ones he hadn't seen or spoken to, he left with the Emperor and Magnus for Imperium space. Warp travel in their sense was new to Galavor and incredibly crude in his opinion. The Eldar Webways were much safer and much more reliable as opposed to tavelling through the open Warp. He summed it up as swimming through an ocean filled with predators when you could travel through a lifeless canal.
Weeks passed by in real space but seemed like mere moments for the crew of both ships. The sight that met the latest Primarch awed him. A gleaming planet with an equally luminescent moon floated before him as countless gargantuan ships patrolled the space around the heart of the Imperium of Man.
''This is the cradle of humanity. Beautiful isn't she?'' the Emperor asked. Galavor couldn't deny that the jewel of the Imperium was beautiful as the glow of countless, massive cities lit up the planet most gloriously. However, he noticed that it was somewhat colourless as its pallet mostly consisted of browns, greys and dull golds.
''Did it always look like this?'' Galavor replied curiously. The warrior sighed and his shoulders slumped slightly.
''No. It was once grander than this, but never shall be again. Some vestiges of its natural beauty remain but they are few and far between.'' he said with a melancholy smile. He gazed sadly at the seat of Imperial power, as if remembering its better days.
Hours later they landed at the main bay of the Imperial Palace. They dismounted their ships and entered the massive space filled with maintenance docks, gantries, scaffolds, lifts and work benches. The Emperor beckoned Magnus and Galavor forth with his Custodians following closely behind. Strange men with mechanical limbs, tubes and autonomous tools affixed to their bodies rapidly moved around, fixing, fabricating and surveying. They struck Galavor as extremely odd and wretched, whilst he was viewed as strange due to his attire.
The first real thing showing him the kind of power the Emperor wielded was the sheer amount of people bowing and greeting him with''my lord'' as they passed. They made their way further inside the palace, soon finding themselves within the upper chambers from where the Emperor ruled on high. The throne room was abuzz with chatter as 15 other Primarchs sat waiting for their father and the newest of their brothers.
The Emperor tapped the back of his hand on Galavor's chest before carrying on towards his throne. Galavor stood in the centre of the room under the judging gazes of his new Primarch brothers. He felt Magnus clap him on the shoulder before moving to his own seat. The silence was tense and no one said a word as the judges and the judged eyed each other analytically. Galavor accepted their stares unflinchingly, but he was growing ever more agitated with the silent stand-off. Eventually someone spoke, and it was the Primarch of the Salamanders Astartes Legion, Vulkan who did.
''Greetings, brother. It is nice to finally meet another esteemed son of our Emperor. I am Vulkan of the Salamanders.'' he said in a very friendly manner. The tall, green armoured, coal-black skinned man stood and extended his right hand to Galavor, his fiery red eyes alight with cheer. Unsure of his gesture, Galavor extended his own hand and it was grasped by Vulkan's and shook firmly.
''My name is Galavor, Farseer of Craftworld Ulthwe.'' the Primarch replied with almost immediate regret as many in the room sat forward with very telling frowns.
''You mean to say you're one of them sparkly milk-sops? Look at you, I can see you prancing around with them now you twiggy ponce. Do you even have wolves?'' a hairy man donned in light blue armour taunted. Magnus scowled and glared at his most disliked brother.
''Leave him be Russ.'' the Crimson King growled.
''Never mind him Magnus.'' Galavor said, drawing the others' attention. ''I'm sure he makes a habit of mocking things he doesn't understand.'' he turned his icy gaze to the Wolf King. ''Look at you, what with unshaven, scruffy face. My people spoke of humans as apes, and by looking at you I'd say they're right.''
A Primarch sat beside Magnus snickered. ''Our brother's a snappy one Leman.'' he said with a chuckle. ''I'm Jaghatai Khan of the White Scars.'' he introduced. He had a long, loose moustache with slanted eyes and a long ponytail extending from the top of his mostly bald head. He wore golden armour decorated with furs.
To prevent an argument, the Emperor quickly introduced the other Primarch: Horus, Ferrus Manus, Fulgrim, Rogal Dorn, Roboute Guilliman, Sanguinius, Lion El' Johnson, Perturabo, Mortarion, Lorgar, Konrad Curze, and Angron. He explained that there were two more to be found, and that they were crusading throughout the galaxy to claim it all for Mankind. He explained the Legions, their Primarchs, threw out some insults and then told them all to get out.
The Primarchs parted ways in no particular direction as they all had their own individual things to be doing, people to be seeing or xenos to be killing. The only one who hadn't left and stayed with Galavor was Magnus. The two stood on a balcony overlooking the Imperial Palace, watching Legion parades, people moving around in droves and the overall life of Terra pass by.
''Sorry about Russ, Dorn, Guilliman, Lorgar, Angron-'' he began but was cut off by a dismissive wave.
''All of them hated me, I know. Not only am I not like them but I'm also a powerful Farseer.'' Galavor interjected.
''Well Jaghatai, Horus and Vulkan seemed to like you. Though to be fair Fulgrim only took an interest in you because you look like father. By the way, we call people with any considerable psychic talent Psykers in the Imperium. Just thought I'd tell you so you can fit in a little easier when talking to the others.'' Magnus said in an attempt to be helpful.
''Why are you so keen to be around me anyway?'' Galavor asked. Magnus sighed and placed his hands on the balcony railing.
''You see, before you came along I was the only Psyker among the us unless you count father. I'm also the only one who appreciates arcane knowledge and doesn't fear it. Everyone else does.'' Magnus said.
''I see. I'm willing to bet the others look down on you for that.'' the Farseer said sympathetically. Magnus nodded.
''Like you wouldn't believe. Russ just sees me as a nerd, and the others don't trust Psykers at all. Jaghatai has Psykers in his Legion, and Horus doesn't care who fights as long as it's for the Emperor.''
The two grew silent until a question that had been niggling at Galavor's mind came to the forefront of his thoughts. ''So what was with those three Custodians teasing the other Custodian? I heard what they were saying and I was… made deeply uncomfortable.'' he said with a small shudder. Magnus rolled his single eye.
''Oh. It's probably best you ignore them. They're some of father's companions from before any of us were born. To say they're a little eccentric is… well...'' he trailed off as he couldn't for all of immense intellect and expansive vocabulary find the correct word to describe them.
''You needn't say more. I know what you mean.''
The two grew close over time as they studied the arcane, the warp and the abilities of psychic entities. What made their friendship stronger was their thirst for knowledge and the lengths they would go to get it. Galavor had even taken steps to improve his rocky relationship with the Emperor, which the conqueror was discreetly delighted about.
Years passed and many things had changed for Galavor. He had taken command of the 11th Astartes Legion, the Mind Breakers, a brilliant army of white and purple who operated very closely to the Thousand Sons, the Legion Magnus commanded. They were all powerful Psykers, all trained in the ways of Eldar mental and emotional discipline as to make their minds impenetrable bulwarks against Chaotic influence. Magnus and Galavor made a deal under the supervision of the Emperor to share Prospero, the home of Magnus and his Legion, and its population for recruitment as the two Legions and their Primarchs were so alike.
They spent over a century crusading until an unexpected psychic message came to Galavor, and it was news he couldn't ignore. Zarakynel had materialised again. Taking an Escort Ship and a handful of his closest and most trusted Marines, he broke off from his fleet and set off for the derelict remains of Craftworld Mor-rioh'i. When he arrived, he ordered his men to leave and made them swear to secrecy. He told them to tell the Emperor that he'd been ambushed and killed an Ork Clan and their Warboss. He took a small craft to get to the Craftworld, and that was the last time he was seen by Imperium forces for ten thousand years.
999. M41
Craftworld Ulthwe
''What troubles you?'' Farseer Caerys asked, running a gentle hand down the back of the man she spoke to. He turned to her and looked down at her sadly. Galavor looked into her emerald green eyes, eyes even grander than his own. He was worried. For ten thousand years he had watched war engulf the galaxy on a scale unprecedented. He'd felt the Emperor's defeat, Magnus' fall, Sanguinius' anguish. He'd heard the whispers of Primarchs disappearing. Vulkan, Leman Russ, Jaghatai Khan, Corvus Corax, all gone. He hadn't anticipated Horus' betrayal and the transformation of Fulgrim, Perturabo, Angron, Konrad Curze and Motarion into Daemon Princes. He'd felt countless numbers of his Gene-sons die while Prospero burned as he himself was defeated by Zarakynel.
He had returned to Ulthwe after awakening from biological stasis some 700 years later near the mid 32nd millennium. He had reunited with Caerys, who had informed him that Eldrad had disappeared after he had left for the Imperium, which served as another blow to his already shot mind and emotions. Over 8000 years passed and the galaxy was at its worst, but Galavor knew that no matter how bad it was, at least he had Caerys. But it seemed that even that happiness was finite and was doomed to be stripped away.
''You're going to the Kaurava system, aren't you?'' he asked softly, knowing her answer but dreading it all the same. She knew it better than anyone what he felt, but it was her duty. And she was not going to shirk it.
''I must.'' she answered solemnly. ''This is for the good of the galaxy. For the good of the Eldar.'' she grasped his hand tightly. ''For the good of us.''
''I understand.'' he replied as he wrapped his fingers around her hand. ''I will try to stay as linked to you as possible, and help when I can. I just wish I could be of more help. Given the choice, I'd march on the field of battle myself.'' he declared, his eyes burning with psychic energy. He quickly grabbed his face with his hand over his eyes as stabbing pain lanced through his eyes and head.
''Please, do not strain yourself. Since your battle with Zarakynel, your mind has yet to recover.'' she said worriedly. She reached an arm up and stroked his face tenderly. ''I will return, and I know you will be waiting for me. Just be patient.'' she whispered.
''Make no promises Caerys.'' Galavor pleaded. She smiled at him, and it was a rare, loving smile.
''If it pleases you.'' she said as she knew it was foolish to make promises in their galaxy.
He later watched as countless Eldar soldiers entered the Webway, many of them never to return. He and Caerys shared one last glance before she led her team of Seers through the portal. Once they were gone, he sighed and wandered without aim. As days went by, he found himself becoming increasingly dejected as he had no aims to strive for, no friends to confide in, and no enemies to destroy.
Another year of waiting had sent him ever closer to the edge of volatility. Still he had nothing to do, nowhere to go, no one with which to speak and nothing to defeat and he was finally at his limit. His compulsion for battle was driving him and tempting him to storm the Eye of Terror just for something to do. That is until a strange anomaly appeared before him in the form of an oval shaped, green portal.
After asking some of the remaining Eldar if they could see it, he was fairly certain they couldn't because of the replies of ''Are you well?'' or ''What are you on about?''. And so he did whatever any self respecting student of the arcane would do. He poked it. He regretted it. He was suddenly being sucked into the portal and fought with all of his formidable might to free himself but to no avail. And just like that, with no rhyme nor reason he was gone.
999. M41
?
With the explosion that destroyed the grass of the school yard heralding her familiar's arrival, a pink haired aspiring mage was swallowed up by the laughter of her colleagues and classmates. However the literal storm that came from the pillar of smoke quickly silenced them all. All the pink haired girl could do, was smile.
Hey people, BrutalAftershock here. Boy have I wanted to do one of these, and now I can make a start. So, I don't really have much to say regarding this chapter since it's only the start, but I'd like to see what you guys have to say. Review, fav, follow and all that good stuff. Peace.