Those Who Endure

by sequestration13

A squad of Grey Knights and an Inquisitor head to a distant planet to purge it of daemons, but they find an entity that defies logic and the realities of the Forty-First Millennium. They need ask one question: "Is there a such thing as unbreakable faith?"

1. Preface and Foreword

Those Who Endure

Written by Sequestration13

Preface:

December 24, 013.M3

After reading many of the books written by the likes of Abnett, McNeil, Mitchell, and Counter, I wanted to write a story that would encapsulate some of the narrative sweep of those works while maintaining a unique look into the personalities that inhabit the Forty-First Millennium. I claim not to have surpassed them, nor even claim to have attained a small fraction of their work, but I wish to put my thoughts out into the greater community so that there could be some food for thought.

What fascinated me about the universe of Warhammer 40,000 was the realization of a dark distant future that is almost terrifying to contemplate. In thirty-eight thousand years, is this what the future might look like? Could we create the befuddling paradox of humanity at the cutting edge of its advancement, yet tragically stagnant and reactionary? Is it possible to even have ourselves in a place where hope, valor, bravery, love, and perseverance could be detrimental to our survival? When the supposedly faithful are challenged, do they always prevail, or is it just a matter of time before they "live long enough to become the villain"?

Such thoughts were in my head as I started conceptualizing "Those Who Endure". It is still not complete by any stretch of the imagination, but I believe that I should show what I do have to see if it is worth continuing and if the community would enjoy the journey with a squad of Grey Knights who find themselves in a conflict far more dangerous than they ever would have thought.

Sequestration13

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Foreword by Inquisitor Arcturus Barchenman

Thirty years have elapsed since "Those Who Endure" was first printed secretly and spread across the galaxy. In that time, it faced strict Imperial condemnation and widespread censorship because of its apparent anti-Imperial message and for the reveal of a chapter of Astartes that have only recently been confirmed to exist: The Grey Knights. To this day, we do not know how the anonymous author managed to gain knowledge of a treasure trove of information that was carefully protected across the galaxy. What we do know, is that what he left us stood the test of time as one of the best works of literature ever conceived. It is for this reason that I, as an Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus, hereby lift the ban on this work and permit its official printing.

The reasons I do so are numerous. Firstly, it consolidates our Imperial Truth and gives evidence of how rewarding a life in the service of the Emperor. Secondly, it is an uplifting story of confronting adversity and enduring through terrible torment. Finally, its widespread prevalence throughout the Imperium despite its illegality practically makes it impossible to ban now. In essence, it reached legality through being prolific enough.

Despite that, I highly recommend reading this work, and thus, it deserves a place among the pantheon of the greatest works ever written.

IT IS SO ORDERED

Arcturus Barchenman

Inquisitor, Ordo Hereticus