Chapter 3
Eragon jolted awake as electricity surged through him. He let out a yell and clasped his left arm, which still throbbed painfully.
"Finally" a voice grumbled. "You sleep like a drugged grox Abhuman"
Eragon's breath would have caught at the sound of the voice had he not still been gasping in pain. The voice was deep and gravelly, too gravelly to be natural.
Eragon turned his head in the direction of the voice. A figure stood beside him, clad in a strange, white armor. He, for it could only be a man, looked to be over seven feet tall, with a chest wider than the brawniest Urgal's. He was dressed in a large set of armor, the majority of which was white. A helmet covered his head. On it, two glowing red eyepieces brooded over a yawning mouthpiece. A red, winged skull was worked into the armor's chest plate, and red symbols adorned other parts of the armor along with neatly carved writing and pieces of parchment. Eragon tried to read some of the script, but the unfamiliarity of the runes confounded him.
Working up his courage, Eragon asked "What manner of being are you?"
Eragon couldn't see the being's features, but judging from the silence that followed the figure was surprised. After a moment, the figure replied, almost incredulously, "You truly do not know?"
"Should I?" Eragon returned.
"Every man, woman, and child knows of the Adeptus Astartes. Even Abhumans such as yourself know of us"
Eragon frowned. Adeptus Astartes. He had never heard of such as race. Then again, he had never heard of weapons that spat light or of swords with spinning blades.
"Is that a title, or your race's name?"
"It is our title and calling"
"But what kind of being are you?"
"I tire of your questions Abhuman. Know that I am human and be done with your speaking"
Eragon frowned, not only at the disdain the armored figure held for him, but also at the idea that it was human. No human could stand seven feet tall and possess proportions like the ones the figure had. He almost spoke again, but decided that in his weakened condition it wouldn't do to antagonize the giant any further. Instead, he contented himself with surveying his surroundings.
He was lying on a cot inside a white room. Two doors, also painted white, led into it. Eragon saw other cots lining the wall. Each had a pile of strange equipment on it, with blinking lights and moving pictures. Eragon blinked, then looked at the equipment again. The pictures were still moving. Amazed, he started to extend his mind towards it.
"Keep your mind to yourself Abhuman" another voice chastised. Eragon turned in the direction of the voice. Another figure had entered the room. It was armored similarly to the first figure, but was colored blue instead of white.
The white figure turned to the blue one. "Librarian" he greeted.
"Apothecary" the blue figure responded. He turned to Eragon, who was busy taking in the sight of this newcomer. He had felt Eragon's mental probe, so perhaps he was a magician of some sort, who could explain how magic worked here
Before Eragon could ask, the librarian asked the apothecary "Is he ready?"
The apothecary responded "Yes"
The librarian turned to Eragon. "Stand" he commanded.
Eragon turned and slid off of his cot. He stood carefully, testing his muscles as he did so. Everything seemed to be in order, but one could only guess what damage the malign presences in his mind had done.
"Follow me" the librarian said shortly. Eragon was beginning to tire of the disdainful attitude the two figures seemed to hold for him. Nevertheless, he hoped for more answers to his questions. If he had to tolerate this treatment, then so be it.
Eragon followed the librarian out the door and into a hallway. Behind him, the apothecary closed the door, and then continued after the librarian.
The hallway was lined with doors, which Eragon supposed led to other rooms like the one he had just left. This was confirmed by the glimpses he got through some of the open doorways he passed. The main differences between the one he was just in and the ones he was passing were the ordinary humans in them. Some of them were clearly injured, and lay on more cots. Others bustled around caring for them. With a start, Eragon realized that he must be in some kind of medical building.
As they walked through the hallway they passed other humans. All of them deferentially moved aside for the two Adeptus Astartes. When their eyes alighted on Eragaon, there were mixed reactions. Many looked at him in confusion. Some glared at him, hate etching itself on their countenances. A few stared at him with hope in their eyes.
They finally made it to the end of the hallway, where they passed through a set of double doors onto a balcony. Eragon stopped, amazed at the sight that lay before him. Buildings and spires loomed around him like colossal, manmade mountains. Some were lavishly decorated while others were simple and utilitarian in design. Many were interconnected by bridges that soared through the sky. Weaving in between them were flying objects. It boggled Eragon's mind.
"Come Abhuman" one of his escorts said impatiently. Eragon started forward again, his gaze resting on the thing in front of him. It was bulky and boxy, with a rough metal skin. Two panels jutted out near its rear, with two cylinders held close by its main body.
Unable to contain his questions anymore, Eragon asked "What is that"
"A thunderhawk" one of his escorts said shortly.
They climbed through a large sliding door into the thunderhawk, as Eragon now knew it. Inside were two rows of seats with straps, one row along each wall. The librarian pointed to one and said "Strap yourself in" as the Apothecary closed the door. Eragon sat, feeling like a child sitting in a giant's chair. The two Astartes shut the door behind them. The interior of the thunderhawk instantly darkened, illuminated only by a few dim lights that seemed to be worked into the ceiling of the room. Yet another marvel.
One of the Astartes yelled "Take us to Captain Sinon"
Eragon heard a rush of air as a muffled screaming started up. The screaming grew louder as the thunderhawk surged upwards. Eragon had experienced enough takeoffs with Saphira to recognize one when he felt it. His jaw fell as he considered the implications of this. The thunderhawk was man made, that much was clear. He wasn't sure what spells, if any, had gone into its construction, but it could fly. Manmade tools could actually fly.
The flight continued for a few minutes, with nothing but the roar of the thunderhawk and the silent giants across from Eragon to keep him company. The flight itself was smooth, with none of the up and down motions Eragon was used to when flying with Saphira. It turned a few times but other than that they flew straight and true.
Later, the thunderhawk started to descend. The motion continued for a minute until the thunderhawk suddenly stopped, jolting its occupants. Recognizing the landing for what it was, Eragon rose from his seat, mimicking the two Astartes. One of them pulled the door open, and sunlight illuminated the interior.
"Follow me" the librarian commanded. Eragon followed him through the doorway into the blazing sunlight.
His surroundings had changed. The buildings and spires were smaller, though they still towered above him. Many of them were collapsed, signs of a recent battle. Eragon noted as they walked past a pile of rubble that many seemed to be formed out of some kind of stone like material.
All around him were humans. Most wore the mottled yellow and grey uniforms Eragon had seen before. Many had stopped their activities to watch the passing Astartes. As their gazes turned to the figure in between them, Eragon again saw a mixture of confusion, hate, and hope, along with apathy from those further away.
"Ow!" Eragon yelled. Someone had thrown a rock at him. He furiously stopped and glared around. Before he could do anything else a giant hand descended on his shoulder and propelled him forward. Eragon, seething and wary for more projectiles, did as he was bid.
They continued forward until three more figures came into sight. Two of them were akin to the librarian, standing over seven feet tall with blue armor. The other towered above even them. It looked to be 18 feet tall, and if possible was even more decorated than the two figures standing by it. Eragon thought it was some sort of statue until it turned and started walking towards him. It stopped ten feet away, with one Astartes flanking it and the other standing in front of it.
"This is him?" the figure in front asked, gesturing to Eragon. Eragon noticed that he wore no helmet, exposing his bald head. He had stern, chiseled features, with grey eyes that shone with intelligence. Above his eyebrows two metal studs protruded from his skin.
"It is" Eragon was amazed to see that the answer came from the armored behemoth standing behind the bald man. Its voice was even deeper than the Astartes that surrounded it. It also sounded more artificial.
The lead Astartes turned to Eragon. "Greetings" he said. "I am Captain Sinon of the Ultramarines chapter, 9th company. This" he said while gesturing to the giant behind him, "Is Dreadnought Ullmar"
The dreadnought said nothing as it was introduced.
"This is Sergeant Valentinian" Sinon said, pointing to the Astartes beside the Dreadnought, "Apothecary Tullius, and Codicier Caesar"
Eragon gave a short bow, "I am Eragon Bromsson, Shadeslayer" he responded.
Captain Sinon nodded, taking in the information. His penetrating gaze swept over Eragon, taking in everything. He asked "What is a shade?"
"What?" Eragon said, confused that he didn't know.
"Your title. What manner of creature did you slay to earn it?"
"A shade, a man possessed by spirits, who can only be killed by a blow to the heart"
Sinon looked intrigued. "Interesting" he said, "I would call it a daemonhost were it not for the fact that only a strike to the heart would kill it"
"A daemonhost?" Eragon asked.
"The creature you were fighting when you collapsed. The abomination that Ullmar saved you from"
Eragon looked behind the captain to the hulking figure looming over them both. "Thank you. I am in your debt for saving my life"
The dreadnought made a dismissive gesture with the claw on its short left arm. "To destroy the followers of Chaos is our calling to the Emperor" it said dismissively, before adding "However, you are welcome"
Eragon turned back to the captain as he said "Now, Bromsson, what world are you from?"
Eragon frowned at the question. "The same as everyone else. And what is an Abhuman?"
"You misunderstand me" Sinon said, ignoring Eragon's question. "What planet are you from?"
Eragon couldn't make heads or tails of the question. What planet was he from? Planets were objects in the sky that refused to follow the stars rotation around the sky, instead wandering wherever they willed. They were as small and incapable of bearing life as the stars themselves.
"I'm not from a planet" he said, thoroughly confused.
Impatience started to show itself in Sinon's eyes as he stated "Yes, you are. Do not jest with me"
"I'm not" Eragon protested. "I'm from a land called Alageasia. No one comes from a planet"
Sinon was about to speak when the dreadnought interrupted. "I think" it said "He hails from a feudal world, one that has forgotten humanity's true roots in Holy Terra"
Sinon nodded, understanding flaring in his eyes. "That would make sense"
Eragon leaned forward, suddenly interested. "You know where humans came from before they came to Alageasia?" he asked eagerly.
All of the assembled Astartes turned to the dreadnought. "Dreadnought Ullmar, if you would" said Captain Sinon
Severus Ullmar readied himself to tell a tale he had told countless times as a chaplain. He couldn't believe that one marked by the Emperor knew so little of the cosmos. He shook the thought off. He had been marked. That was what mattered.
"History is vague on many things. But know that humanity first came to be on the world of Holy Terra. It was on Terra that we came into existence, thought our first thoughts, and spoke our first words. It was on Terra that we made our first cities and fought our first wars.
"Our existence on Terra brought forth a Dark Age of Technology. Thousands of years of discovery and inventions, from adamantium to Warp travel. With these and more we spread across the stars, populating planets and establishing a mighty empire. Other species found us. They were eager to learn from us, and we from them. We intermingled with them" Severus allowed disgust to enter his voice at those last words.
"Alas, it did not last. In one short fall, our empire fell apart. Trade was replaced by war. Whole planets tore themselves apart as the remnants of humanity fought like starving dogs. The aliens who had once been our friends turned on us, killing and enslaving us for their own purposes, with no thought to the earlier kindness we had shown them. But worse were the daemons that wrenched themselves into reality. With their foul bodies they polluted thousands of worlds and harvested millions of humans for their foul gods. Oceans ran red with the blood of the slain, and those who were alive were forced to succumb to their persecutors or face the same fate.
"For thousands of years it was thus. With every passing day our species slipped further towards its doom. And doomed it would have been, were it not for the Emperor"
Severus allowed a moment of silence before continuing. "The Emperor. The father of mankind. It was during the Age of Strife that he revealed himself on Terra. Under His leadership Terra was unified. But that was not enough for Him. He wished to see the entire human race united in one mighty empire of might and prosperity.
"To do this he forged twenty beings, twenty generals whose might was only superseded by his own. Twenty great Primarchs were created. But the Ruinous Powers took notice of his plan, and sought to foil it by stealing the Primarchs away and scattering them through space. Undaunted, the Emperor forged twenty legions of superhuman warriors, the first Adeptus Astartes, from the genetic material of the Primarchs. With these, and the fleet of ships gifted to Him by the tech priests of Mars, he started the Great Crusade.
"Hundreds of worlds were liberated, their oppressors punished for daring to punish mankind as they had. The Primarchs were found and reunited with their legions, and together they reunited mankind under one banner, the banner of the Imperium of Man. The aliens who had deceived us were driven back. The daemons were cast out. Mankind had reached its apex. And then it fell again"
Severus paused, preparing himself for the next part. This was the worst part. The part that explained the wretched shape humanity was in this present day. If only he lamented. If only what I will speak next hadn't happened.
He pressed on. "Horus, Warmaster of the Imperium, grew jealous of his father. In a betrayal of the blackest kind he sold his loyalty and his soul to the powers of Chaos. Fully half the legions and his fellow primarchs followed suit.
"What followed was the Horus Heresy. Thousands of Traitors descended on the Imperium, killing and destroying with all before them with the viciousness of a mad wolf. Hundreds of worlds burned. Billions of good imperials screamed in agony. Those who were lucky were killed outright. Those who weren't were sacrificed to Horus' foul patrons.
"Eventually they reached Terra itself, the birthplace of mankind. The slaughter was terrible. Wave upon wave of damned aggressors dashed themselves against the Imperial Palace. The defenders fought like heroes of legend. Every inch of ground they gave was sold dearly. But gave ground they did.
"Horus, in his utter pride, powered down the void shields of his battle barge Vengeful Spirit, allowing the Emperor to teleport aboard. With him he took two of his still loyal sons and the best of their warriors, along with his own bodyguard, the Adeptus Custodes.
"Using his Warp blasted sorcery Horus scattered the invaders throughout his ship. There, they braved horrors unimaginable, until Sanguinis, the angel Primarch, met Horus aboard the bridge. He attacked, and managed to breach Horus' armor before Horus killed him.
"The Emperor arrived just as he fell. He entreated Horus one last time, to turn from the path of Chaos. Horus laughed at him, and with a heavy heart the Emperor fought his once favorite son.
"The Emperor should have won. But he held back the final blow. Horus, feeling no such conflict, attacked and scored wounds that would have killed a normal man. It was then that one of the custodes arrived. Seeing his master crippled, he charged forward. Horus flayed him alive with but a glance. Seeing this callous act, the Emperor realized his son was truly lost. And so he gathered all of his might and annihilated Horus.
"The Primarch Rogal Dorn found him next. Under the Emperor's instructions, Dorn brought him back to Terra and installed him on the Golden Throne. And there he has stayed, for ten thousand years. For ten thousand years the Emperor has watched his Imperium. For ten thousand years, his armies have done battle with aliens, heretics, and Traitors. There is no peace amongst the stars, only an eternity of carnage and slaughter, and the laughter of thirsting gods."
There was silence after the dreadnought finished its story. Eragon found it almost too hard to take in. Thousands of worlds, billions of humans, a place called Terra, and war. War for ten thousand years. He could scarcely believe it.
He noticed that a crowd had gathered around the gathering, listening to the dreadnought's tale. Now that it was over, the crowd started to disperse as officers ordered them away.
"There are thousands of worlds?" Eragon asked numbly.
"Millions" the dreadnought answered.
"Billions of humans?"
"Trillions"
It was stunning. Eragon's universe had just become so much bigger. And to think I was amazed the world…my world was round he thought.
"What world am I on?" Eragon asked in a quiet voice.
"Antares Tertias" Sinon answered "In the Antares Sector"
"Do any of you know where Alageasia is?"
They were all silent. Eragon almost despaired before remembering the promise the Emperor had made. His thoughts were interrupted by Ullmar, who said "Think not of your home world, for the Emperor has ordained you for his holy purpose"
"Enough of this" Sinon said. "Let us test him"
He strode forward and asked "What weapons can you fight with?"
Eragon felt somewhat relieved at the change of topic. "The sword and the bow, and I can…I used to be able to fight with magic"
Sinon's face contorted into a slight snarl as his hand made a symbol over his chest piece. The apothecary followed suit.
Sinon appeared to recover. "Very well. I shall test you with the sword" He drew an ornately decorated sword from its scabbard, then turned and pointed to a nearby human with a spiked sword at his belt. "You, I need your sword"
Startled, the human, an officer from the look of it, drew his sword and surrendered it to Sinon, who in turn handed it to Eragon. "Fight me" he said.
Eragon's eyes narrowed as he shifted into a ready stance. Know your opponent Glaedr had told him. He took in the sight of the Captain that stood before him. He was huge, probably strong, though whether he was as strong as Eragon he did not know. With that amount of bulk Eragon would have the advantage of speed and agility, one that he intended to use.
He lunged forward, attempting to disarm the captain with one lightening blow. Sinon blocked it, then launched an overhead blow at Eragon. Eragon put his sword in the parry position, but staggered under the weight of the blow that collided with it. Even an elf couldn't muster so much force in one blow, not without magic. Eragon grimly realized that he was once again facing an opponent stronger than him. He backpedaled, then lunged forward. With surprising agility his opponent stepped out of the way, but didn't follow up the advantage. Eragon realized that he was being tested just as Arya had tested him in Tronjheim. With that realization he quickly launched a furious assault, his sword flying faster than the eye could follow. Moving just as fast, Sinon parried, blocked, and sidestepped.
The duel lasted for several minutes as Sinon tested every aspect of Eragon's sword play. Both were equal in speed. Sinon had the advantage of strength while Eragon was slightly more agile. He who stands like a pillar, falls in battle. He that bends like a reed, is victorious Oromis had said. And Eragon was quickly finding that to be the case as he avoided Sinon's blows. His opponent also made liberal use of the axiom. Eragon couldn't believe that such a bulky figure could move so swiftly and gracefully.
Finally, Sinon tired of the game. He struck out, leaving his side open. Eragon immediately dove for it, only to see Sinon's blade come back and smash the sword out of Eragon's grasp. Eragon immediately drew back, shaking his stinging hand. Sergeant Valentinian stepped forward and returned the battered sword to its original owner, who stared at it glumly. Eragon became aware of applause. He looked around and saw another crowd had formed and was now dispersing.
"Not bad for an Abhuman" Sinon said. "However, your reflexes and strength are a mystery to me. How did you get them? Were you born with them?"
"No" Eragon replied. "I was changed by the dragons"
"And they are?"
"A species native to Alagaesia"
Silence reigned for a moment, then the dreadnought stepped forward. "Explain your history"
Eragon proceeded to do just that. "I was born in Palancar Valley to Brom, a former dragon rider, and Selena. I lived there until I was fifteen. When I was that age an elf sent me a dragon egg, which hatched for me. I became bonded to her, Saphira, as a dragon rider"
"What is the nature of this bond?" Ullmar interrupted.
"It is mental. We became two halves of a greater whole."
This appeared to shock the Astartes. Eragon continued his biography.
"Two monsters in the King's employ called the Ra'zac came looking for me. They sacked my farm and killed my uncle. My father and I left seeking revenge on the Ra'zac. We found them, but they killed my father. I met my half-brother there as well. I was guided to a prison by visions sent by the dragon hearts across the sea. There I rescued the elf that had sent me Saphira"
"When were you changed?" Sinon asked.
Eragon frowned at the interruption, but answered the question. "I was changed at a ceremony in the elves' capital"
"And when did you come here?"
"After I killed the king I had to find a place to reestablish the dragon riders, whom he had killed. I left Alagaesia with a group of elves and Saphira. A week after we left, a monster kidnapped me. He knocked me out so I don't know how I got here. I only know that it's dead"
There was a moment of silence as the Astartes absorbed what they had heard. Then Sinon spoke. "We have one more test, which will involve Codicier Caesar. Do as he says"
Eragon turned to the librarian standing beside him. The librarian unsheathed his sword and said "I am about to enter your mind. Do not resist"
Eragon did not like this at all. "Is this necessary?" he asked.
"Yes" the librarian said flatly. "Do not resist or I will attack"
Scowling, Eragon did as he was told. He lowered the barriers around his mind. Soon, he felt a presence enter his mind. It was old, centuries so, and filled with power. Eragon also detected a slight bitterness from the mind. Overall it was not as graceful as other presences he had felt, but it was undeniably strong.
The librarian, for it could only be him, started going through Eragon's memories. Many times he felt disgust emanate from his mind as he uncovered a memory. When he had finished going through Eragon's memories, he started to do something else. Eragon felt like the librarian was feeling the inside of his head.
At last, after a few minutes of this, the examination was over. Eragon felt the presence withdraw from his head. He sighed in relief, immediately putting his mental barriers up.
The librarian nodded to the captain. The captain turned to some of the nearby human soldiers who were watching. "Watch him for us" he commanded. He turned to Eragon. "Stay where you are. Do not attempt to probe our minds" He then gestured to all of the Astartes present, who withdrew to a group further away. There they stopped, standing in a circle, clearly in a conference. Eragon strained to catch what they were saying.
Severus Ullmar couldn't believe what he had heard. Not only was a man with the symbol of the Emperor a xeno sympathizer and a psyker, he was actually bonded mentally to a xeno. And yet he had been marked. What it meant would have to wait for later.
"What did you find?" Sinon asked as the Ultramarines circled around Severus.
The librarian leaned in, causing the others to do the same. "His mind is very strange. It feels like there's something missing from his mind, like a piece of it is absent. It echoes with blasphemous thoughts. The xeno taint is strong. But I also saw this: he has spoken to the Emperor"
That got the already attentive Ultramarines riveted to him. "How can that be?" Apothecary Tullius demanded. "He speaks to an Abhuman, a traitor, but not to his finest?"
"An Abhuman whom he marked" Valentinian interjected. Tullius shot him a look. With his helmet on the effect was wasted, but Severus was sure Tullius was furious.
"It's a blasted Abhuman!" he hissed. "A stunted Abhuman that's practically an Eldar. I say it's a trick. Maybe one of Chaos"
"No" the codicier interjected. "There was no trace of Chaos in his mind. The mark is genuine as far as I can tell, as was his conversation"
"What did they discuss?" Sinon said smoothly, overriding Tullius.
"They struck a deal. The Emperor promised to return him to his home world if he…if he healed Guilliman"
Silence reigned. Then Valentinian said incredulously "He can heal Guilliman? How?"
"He can't do it yet" the codicier replied. "But given training and a soul binding…the Emperor sounded confident that he could do it"
Silence fell again as all of them envisioned their Primarch whole again, whole and ready to lead his sons to battle against mankind's foes. Then Sinon said simply "I don't believe it"
"How much more proof do you need?" Severus cried in exasperation. "He spoke with the Emperor! He has his mark! How can you not believe this!"
"There's no way he's just Abhuman" Sinon said. "Not with strength and reflexes like that. My guess is he's part xeno. And he's bonded to a xeno. He is everything the Emperor expects us to hate. What would you have me do? Induct him into the Ultramarines? Let a half xeno pollute the gene seed? Let him become a space marine? No, I will not let it happen"
"But you must" Severus rumbled.
Sinon turned slowly and deliberately to Severus. "Severus. You have been my chaplain for three hundred years and my counselor for another hundred. I have listened to you before and you have rarely led me astray. But listen to yourself. No matter what mark it has, a xeno is a xeno. The Emperor would not have conversed with it or entrusted it with such a task. Besides, what psyker has the power to heal? Not even Tigurius has done it"
Just as deliberately as Sinon had, Severus spoke. "Captain Sinon. I saw him marked by the Emperor's holy power. Codicier Caesar has proved that he himself spoke with the Emperor. I need no more proof. He has been sent to us by the Emperor. Perhaps he is a half xeno. Perhaps not. But I for one will not ignore the Emperor's will"
The standoff lasted for a few minutes, each side resolute in their cause. Then Sergeant Valentinian stepped forward. "I think I may have a solution" he said. All eyes went to him. Valentinian continued "Put him in the Imperial Guard. Put him there and watch him. If he behaves like a xeno, then reject him. But if he conducts himself with valor and the other principles of humanity, like one chosen by the Emperor should, then we will at least take him to Tigurius for training"
Severus didn't like it, but he agreed to it. Captain Sinon, after considering, nodded. "Very well" he said.
Eragon watched as the group broke apart. He hadn't heard much of the conversation. Apparently the Astartes hearing was as keen as his own. He watched as they approached him. Sinon stepped forward.
"Abhuman, for now you will serve in the Emperor's Hammer, the Imperial Guard. From there, we shall judge you"
"Can I be soul bound and trained there?" Eragon asked.
"No, but if you succeed you will be"
Sinon turned to Valentinian. "Sergeant, you will see that he is inducted into the guard" With that he turned around and left.
"Come Ab… Eragon" Valentinian ordered. Eragon thought quickly. This was the only way he knew to get soul bound and trained. If he had to serve as a soldier again, then so be it.
He followed Valentinian.