Chapter 1

Leonar's body ached from the trials. The Dark Angel apothecaries had been relentless with the testing of his flesh. Deep incisions marred his muscled body, they had tested him down to a cellular level to make sure he was free of taint and that his gene was pure. Then he was sent to the chapter's interrogator chaplain to test his words for honesty and free of lies. Once he passed this he was given a robe of black to symbolise his progress through the trials. Finally he was sent to the temple of correction, to finally test if he knew what it truly meant to be an angel of death, to be a Dark Angel.

He entered the large stone, circular room through a tall archway. He looked around and seen fallen Space marines, encased in stone, to live forever. Each had it's own separate archway and they were all around the walls. Leonar could see his reflection as he walked to the centre of his room. He stared at his reflection for a moment, his dark brown hair cut short, and his arms rippling with muscles.

"Do you intend to stay like that for the whole time you are here?" the voice came from behind him, but he hadn't heard any movement. Leonar turned around. A man was walking towards him, silent as death itself, but Leonar knew this was not a man to be trifled with, this man was a librarian. Leonar could feel the power emanating from him.

"I am Ezekiel, Grand master of Librarians" the man said, his very voice seemed to radiate power. The man spoke in a deep voice. "I am the most powerful Librarian in the chapter and one of the most powerful under the emperor's power". The man stared at Leonar and it seemed like he was penetrating Leonar's soul, then finally he said "do you know why you are here Leonar?"

"Why I am here" Leonar said "to become a space marine"

"Hmm yes" the Librarian slowly "but why? What will you do with your new power? How will you use it?"

"I want to become a space marine to vanquish the enemies of the emperor" Leonar said, and his voice rose as he continued "as a space marine I will crush the heretics and destroy the xeno scum that infest this galaxy for only through the wisdom and guidance of the emperor can we achieve these goals". He stopped breathing heavily, then the librarian spoke

"you are passionate about your cause" he paused then said "report to the artisan aprenta in the armourium".

Leonar put his fist to his chest and bowed to the librarian. Leonar then rose and turned to leave.

"Leonar", Leonar turned, the librarian stood there, his cream cloak covering his blue librarian power armour. Ezekiel then put his fist to his chest and said "courage and honour Leonar, emperor watch over you"

"and you Grand master librarian", with that he left the room.

Leonar stood in the middle of the armourium, steam hissed from nearby vents. Four artisan-aprenta stood around him, cloaked in robes of deep red. He had prepared his body by applying the proper oils and by pushing himself to his physical limits, he was ready.

Then, slowly but surely, the artisans began to pick up and fit the pieces of armour while reciting chants of blessing. They started with the black boots, then added the dark green gauntlets, the elbow pads. Then they added the shoulder pads and finally the dark green chest plate with the golden skull and eagle wings crafted onto the front of it. Finally the small scout power pack was added at the back.

Leonar felt strong, he felt fast and he felt like he had a connection to this armour, as if it had been waiting on him.

Then one of the artisans spoke "this armour previously belonged to Brother Markanus, take note of him, and remember his name"

"Thank you artisan, I shall take note and thank the emperor", and with that Leonar turned and exited the armourium. The doors of the armourium clanged as they slid open and Grand Master Azrael stood on the other side. Leonar fell to his knees and put his fist to his chest.

"Rise recruit" the Grand Master said, Leonar rose to his feet but kept his head bowed, "emperor watch over you recruit"

"And you Grand Master", the Grand Master turned and entered the armourium. As the metal doors slid shut Leonar could hardly believe his luck, that he had met the chapter master before his first mission, it was truly a great honour, however Leonar was ready, he would crush the heretics and purge the unclean, he would anihalate the xenos scum. He would hold true to his word to Ezekiel, he was one of the emperors chosen, he was a space marine.