So yes this is another of these type of stories sparked by Mardork Gunna, I read the story and liked the idea, read a bit more of Zero and got to thinking. Necrons, rather boring lot.
So I've got an idea and run with that.
Disclaimer: all characters and I.P belonging to Games Workshop and the Familiar of Zero series are owned by their copyright owners. This is a fan work and is to be considered as such.
Hope you enjoy
The battle raged, like a perfect storm the large guns of the Mon-keigh silenced with a final thunderous clap. It would not be long before the sword wind finished the last of the defilers. Fair warning had been given to the servants of the one they called a god, what did they know of gods. Snapping an arm around at lightning speed a quick burst from the wrist mounted weapon tore through the lone survivor of a fruitless charge, letting the creature join the others where they belonged.
Mud, soaked with the blood of the invaders covered the battlefield. The shattered remains of the defences scatter amongst the burning remnants of the city as smoke blackened the sky. What was once the hub of a new colony lay in ruins, bodies lining the path to the last strongholds of resistance, where vermin of all ages had been put death. Their orders were clear, nothing from the invaders was to remain on the world; if they were not going to listen to reason then they would face the wroth of the swordwind.
A new bombing run passed overhead, with all resistance to the Eldars air supremacy destroyed, fighters and bombers were keeping the insects off the streets and destroying any building where they had gathered in large numbers. Kaela Mensha Khaine had blessed them this day, no relief was going to drop from the skies, and no pleas for assistance would be answered.
Another building marked out by the Outcasts who supervised and scouted for the nests of the bugs. Cutting through the wall grenades went flying, a quick spray and fall back, the team knew what it was doing as the Banshees charged into the breach, two panicked Mon-keigh dove through the window to avoid the touch of death only to be picked off by the storm of blades. The perimeter the Dire Avengers had around the building was absolute; nothing would escape the building while the Banshees would make sure nothing lived inside. A screaming body flew out the second story window only to be picked off by one of the Outcasts, the body of the woman hitting the road with a wet smack. As blood soaked into the grime and dust that covered the road a shrill cry came from the body over the sound of the slaughter inside. Tossing a grenade to the body with pinpoint accuracy the lightning blue blast silenced the cry for help.
All clear came the order from inside this final building as the deliverer of fate flew overhead, the Outcasts had found one of the filths guard squads tightly fortified in the remains of one of the larger buildings. Spotting two of the heavy weapons teams entrenched in the building sealed their fate. No Eldar would be sacrificed to assault a fortress, better to bring the fortress down around them. Under the rain of missiles nothing escaped as the rust rose from the building not three streets over. A deep thump shook the ground, the core of the building had disappeared, several more made sure no basement survived, the sundered veil made sure there was no escape as the building collapsed. If everyone had done their job, all but the centre of the city was theirs. A voice in the wind spoke, the outer city was theirs.
Called by the wisdom of a Warlock the team moved on, standing on the central wall of the city the remains of the cancer they had just cleared stood on fire, the weavers of ruin were systematically cleansing the ground of filth. Inside the wall the last of the resistance, no action would be taken yet, making sure no one escaped was the only goal. The Seers just needed some time.
Slow, everything had to be slow. The xenos killed anything that moved fast, James had moved too fast thinking he could get into the building that faced the siege wall. Now James was missing half his body and had left him alone. The Commissar was right, bitch was always right. Only the God Emperor himself could save them now, but by the Emperor they would not let this be painless for the capricious xenos. The goal was simple, each team was to find a commander. Poncy bastards would be done up with flags and tassels and feathers. That's what he spotted, bastard was in blue and white surrounded by others in blue and white. The xeno in green dressed for a farewell ball was talking to the fancy one, without James he had to make a choice. Both of the stupid creatures looked too posh. Bet the governor's wife didn't have cloths as ridicules as the two of them.
This would be his final statement, the one in green took off, the other blue and whites spread out along the wall. Knowing he was going to die had a surprisingly calming effect, his shooting had not been better since the siege began. Wasn't sure if he'd killed the xenos but defiantly hit each one, probably wounded each of them as well. The long-las rested calmly, he thanked the emperor for the protection he had been given and prayed that his sacrifice would be matched by that of the xeno. Patience was the key with these xenos, they moved a lot. Back and forth, back and forth along the line it moved. As the xeno came to rest for a moment he took the shot, the sharp crack giving away his position. A smile crossing his weathered and beaten face as the xeno fell back. He could feel the eyes of the enemy upon him but he didn't care, he had done his job and served the emperor well.
Strange, never seen one fall through a warp gate like that. He thought as xeno weapons showered his position, feeling his lungs explode he prayed his service to the Emperor was enough content in the knowledge he had done his duty.
They were confused, a strange state for an Eldar to be in. He had tried to find the solution but this void did not make sense, too calm for the warp, nothing like the webway and since they were not dead, odd. Bleeding out wasn't helping her train of thought.
Today the academy was buzzing with excitement, today was the springtime familiar summoning and most of the talk for the second year students was about what their familiar was going to be. While students discussed their possible familiars, simple creatures such like cats and owls were the accepted norm, hopes and dreams of dragons and griffins abound. Then there was the other topic of conversation, a short pink haired student with the confidence inspiring track record of zero successful spells.
"My name is Louise Framcoise Le Blance De La Valliere. Pentagon of the five elements of power, head my summoning... and bring forth... my familiar!" A thunder clap rocked the assembled students, a bright flash and choking dust cloud obscured the summoning area.
As the dust cleared an unusual sight greeted the students. A tall suite of armour, rich in blue and white, sword in hand and adorned with beautiful trappings of cloth and jewels. Each piece of the armour gilded in strange runes, beautiful tapestry runes covered the cloth that hung between its legs. Upon the white helm backed with a mane of red hair a rune of a heart in what looked to be a cup dominated its forehead, the same mark carefully stitched into the green standard that rose from its backpack.
Louise was proud; she had summoned a great familiar. Someone started laughing while others gasped. "You've killed your familiar." Someone called. Snapping her head to the crowd to glare at whoever yelled at her the content of the statement sunk in. Looking at her familiar as it lay on the grass, blood seeping out of a chest wound into the grass she panicked.
"Mister Colbert! What do I do? What do I do?" Louise screamed as she ran to the teacher who was as stunned as she was.
A shrill scream brought them to. Mon-keigh surrounded him, strange emanations came from the creatures, they were in no shape to confront the creatures and capture was not an option. She had to return to the craft world if they were to pass his knowledge onto the next one who chose the path. Struggling against the grievous wound they struggled to her feet, the filth were right to be afraid, if they were whole he would kill them all. Backing away, sword on guard they struggled to move away from the vermin.
Watching in stunned silence as the strange golem or armoured person stood up, the hole through its chest became apparent, strange red crystals seemed to be growing from the wound as it stumbled away from the gathered students. "Louise, you must complete the ritual. Once the summoning ritual is complete we can help your familiar" Mister Colbert said quietly as the creature taller than himself edged away.
"Yes sir" Louise replied, cautiously approaching her familiar as it struggled to hold its sword straight. With each step forward the creatures step seemed to become more unsteady until Louise stood just out of reach of its sword. The creature stumbled, falling onto its back and seeming to lose what strength it had Louise took the opportunity that had presented itself before her familiar died on her. Kneeling above the creatures chest and keeping clear of the wound she recited the spell as she lifted its head. "Pentagon of the five elemental powers, grant your blessings upon this creature and bind it as my familiar." Kissing the forehead below the jewel imbedded in the helm the spell was complete; a white burning light engraved the contract onto the left hand to seal the spell. Standing and turning to her teacher Louise pleaded for help. Mister Colbert was already next to her, a flick of his wand lifting the large creature and taking it to the infirmary.
She awoke in a bed, their sword missing, though he was alive. A broken patch of the armour let the sheet touch her skin as they breathed easily. Whoever these Mon-keigh were they were not members of the Imperium of the false god. Searching around he saw the simple nature of the room, the short pink haired child from before sleeping at a table upon which their sword rested. Quietly climbing out of bed she gracefully crossed the floor quietly to where the child rested, clutching at the sword as she rested upon it. Perhaps they should thank the creature for saving their life, but that would inhibit his duty. Carefully retrieving their sword she crossed to the door. Sparing this place the fury of Kaela Mensha Khaine was to be their thanks. As he opened the door one of the things from before stood before them, surprised and glad.
"Oh. You're awake." Mister Colbert caught himself calling out. The professor of the academy found himself looking up to the tall creature, including the helm standing at least eight foot. Taking a moment to focus on the creature through his spectacles he could see the exceptional detail that was carved into the armour. Not less than a day ago he had carried the strangely light thing before him to the infirmary, now standing before him the creature was much more intimidating. The mask that covered its head looking down to him, the creature barely fitted under the door frame and the banner just scraped the roof. "Feeling better I see."
"My health is satisfactory." The creature spoke in a strange monotone, carefully stating each word with a stunning singing voice. It appeared unnerved that it understood and was able to reply to the professor. "You are the one that we have to thank for my recovery?" it questioned as Louise slowly woke up, her fingers grasping at a sword no longer there.
"A water mage in the infirmary saved you. I just delivered you to them." Mister Colbert replied as Louise moved up behind her familiar. His cheery grin lost on the awe struck child.
"Pass along to them our thanks. I must be leaving this place." The creature stated, the hole in the armour looked to be smaller than before the teacher noted, examining the wound with this brown eyes that match his thinned hair.
Shocked at the statement from her familiar Louise burst out, "You can't leave. You're my familiar." Her rage palpable as she glared at the creature.
Turning to face Louise she finally realised the full height of the creature she had summoned, it towered over her, she barely stood above its waist. But that didn't matter, it was her familiar and it would not just disappear on her.
"Never shall we be owned by another." It replied coldly. "The Eldar have lost too much to be bound to the service of a Mon-keigh." The absolute nature of the statement combined with the eerie monotone and disgust attached to the last word left no room for debate.
"You must understand the nature of our system." Taking the creatures left hand and showing it the makings Mister Colbert continued "You have been chosen to be the familiar of Miss Valliere. This mark sealed the pact. You have been chosen to be her guardian and helper. That is the role of the familiar." Taking the opportunity to study the runes that were etched onto the glove as the creature contemplated what it had been told.
"And if I refuse?" The familiar asked, listening carefully to the world, something, someone was calling out.
"You would not have been chosen to be Miss Vallieres familiar. You were chosen for a reason." Mr Colbert replied as the familiar looked out the window, seemingly lost in its own world.
Fellow. The wind called. This place was all wrong, the presence of the warp was not oppressing upon them and children undertook psychic powers with no mental discipline if this child was a psycher. The world required investigation she concluded. They would require time to understand the nature of the world and the male creature looked to be able to help him. "We will act as your familiar until the contract is concluded."
Both the new master and teacher breathed a sigh of relief. "Miss Valliere, class will be starting soon, you should prepare yourself as breakfast will be served shortly." Mister Colbert said having decided to investigate the rune on the creatures' hand.
"Yes sir." Louise replied, squeezing between the door and her familiar allowing her to close the door. "What am I doing to do with you?" Louise muttered to herself. She had a fantastic looking familiar, a strange armoured creature in a beautiful shell of armour.
"I require sustenance, though our wounds are healed, my body has expended much energy." The familiar stated.
"Ah huh," Louise brushed off, taking a seat on the bed and looking at her familiar, her night gown creeping up her thigh as she shifted on the bed. "Do you have a name?" She asked, realising she hadn't had the chance to get to know her familiar since she summoned it.
Her familiar adjusted itself subtly as it looked at her through the reflective black vision slits. Bowing its head it began. "We are Etenu. Child of Beil-Tan, servant of the Court of the Young Prince in the sword wind, destined to be reborn and regain what has been lost. Exarch of the first Pheonix Lord Asuramen, teacher of the paths, student of the Bloody Handed God, Kaela Mensha Khaine."
The grand title washed over Louise as she watched the theatrical presentation. The titles reminded her of the nobility she was a part of. How had she summoned a noble crossed her mind but she dismissed the thought. Impossible, her familiar couldn't possibly be from a noble house. "Um," Quickly standing to interrupt her thoughts. "and I am Louise Framcoise Le Blance De La Valliere." She formally greeted her familiar, deciding against getting it to dress her. Eteau had almost abandoned her after they had saved its life. Looking at her familiar as it stood in before the closed door, armour beautifully shimmering as the gilded runes caught the morning light. The expressionless mask that was part of the helm gave her nothing to work from, she could not tell where its eyes tracked or whether it was laughing at her. "Can you take that helm off please?" Louise asked as she buttoned up her shirt. They had been unable to find a release for the armour when her familiar was being healed.
A light click resonated through the silent room, the shuffling of removing armour as the helm came off. Louise screamed.
So what do you think, please let me know if I should release the rest of what I've written so far.
Thanks and hope you enjoyed