Chapter 9: Fate

Planet: Agri-World of Fonral

Location: Somewhere along the Belah yi Arios

996.M41

It is a strange sight, to see both eldars and humans live alongside each other without them pointing arms at one another other or any sense of distrust between them. Truly times have begun to change.

- Farseer Vileth of the Agri-World Fonral

"What?"

"She didn't die." She stated once again as she wore her brightest smile, tears started to form on her eyes.

She lay, injured. Her silver hair greatly contrasted the bloodied room.

Rodemmam's eyes widened as he understood her words. Confusion swirled inside him as he tried to summon his voice.

"Ho-how? How did you end up here?" He asked, completely surprised.

"When we separated, far away from the lines, I stumbled upon a group of guardians who quickly extracted me out of the field. Since I wasn't part of their population, they quickly sent me into a ship then back to Fonral despite my wishes to fight alongside them." Uelesh explained as she wiped the stars the clung to her eyes.

"You didn't live there?"

"No. I was born and raised here in Fonral. I was a warrior during my early years but I then decided to become an artisan, sick and tired of all the bloodshed that surrounded me. At times I also worked in the trading industry." She continued as she brushed a lock of hair that fell on her face.

"I was part of a trade group between Fonral and Yul'Te along with several other exodite worlds when the attack happened." A hint of sadness showed in her voice.

Unsure as what to say, they both stared at each other. Their eyes connected as if they examined each other's soul. Rodemman noticed how her green eyes sparkled as light illuminated it, her silver hair hanged behind her. It was the same hair that he saw in that room.

Inspired by his parents who were both survivors of the Imperial Guard, he initially joined the ranks to protect and defend his people in the name of the Emperor. This belief held on as he fought xenos species such as the tyranids and orks albeit all engagements were a mere skirmish. But with their deployment to the Chaos infested world of Auraxis, his belief was quickly shattered as he slaughtered the very people that he had sworn to protect. He understood why it had to be done, but with the genocide that they had committed, he began to doubt his cause. He has killed even those who he knew to be uncorrupted and pure during that dreadful purge. His resolve to fight was furthermore reduced as he saw his fellow guardsmen slaughter entire families with the invasion of Yul'Te.

He had seen and heard as some even defiled the females but at the very least, they were painfully dealt with by the commissar when he learned of their heresy. Then, they were executed by the man's chainsword. The thought of the eldars to be similar as to humans and not just some rabid beast like the orks was a heavy burden for the troubled guardsman. The horrors from the Auraxis ordeal which he had yet to have recovered from were being repeated.

Unable to stop the madness, unable to defy his orders out of his fear of death, he decided to continue the purge while he silently cursed his existence. But when a chance to save a life was given to him, he took it. At that moment, he knew that he became a heretic to his people. He had disobeyed more than millennials of teachings and efforts, rules and discipline. But even then, the words of his parents reinforced his resolve to save the eldar woman. He no longer sees the eldar as the graceful beasts that he once feared, but as a specie who tried to survive in the war that had plagued the galaxy for so long.

He was snapped back to reality as a soft hand caressed his cheeks. The faces of those who he had killed slowly faded, replaced by the very life that he had saved. Tears started to form as the emotion that he had chained down for years slowly rose. He held it back, unwilling to look weak in front of his companion. As if able to sense his ordeal, her hands pulled him into an embrace. Rodemman felt the warmth of Uelesh's body, her scent reminded him of his fortunate childhood, her skin was the smoothest and softest thing that he had encountered. He heard her as she silently wept, her face well out of his vision but he could feel the rapid rise and fall of her chest. His final wall collapsed, years of pent-up emotion took over him as he buried his face on her. They remained in a tight embrace as they composed themselves.

They released their embrace as they stared at each other. He opened his mouth to speak but was silenced with a finger placed on his lips.

"Before anything else, thank you. For saving my life."

He gave a smile, a genuine one, the first one that he had since his acceptance into the guard.

"It's an honor to serve and protect."

That's right. I regret nothing. He thought to himself as he gazed at her.

Rodemman now have a new purpose. He decided to protect, not just his fellow humans but as well as other sentient species, or at least those that were in need and would accept his help. He thought that perhaps peace was possible between the races. He would no longer participate in the mindless slaughter of innocents. But the most immediate was the want to protect the woman that faced him.

Let everyone judge me to be a heretic. I will do what I feel and think is right. He silently challenged anyone who dare question him.

He looked once again at her face, his heart seemed to have skipped a beat. Something raised deep inside him, a feeling that was long forgotten and was chained for so long. Unsure as to why, he shrugged it off as he cleared his mind.

"Thank you for giving me a new purpose." He whispered to himself though was directed at Uelesh.

I will protect you even at the cost of my life. That I swear upon the Emperor. He silently swore an oath once again directed to the eldar woman.

He hoped that the god Emperor would understand his selfish and heretical oath. They sat there for a few more minutes as they contemplated on what has transpired between them.

"Best we get moving now." She stood up and started to limp towards the city.

He no longer felt the cold and detached Uelesh, in place was Uelesh, his companion. They now traveled, shoulder to shoulder, towards the merchant city. And for once since their meeting, she had allowed him to aid her wholeheartedly. For the second time that day, his heart sung a joyful song.