"Brother Myrsinus!" called Gechorus from his cabin, after having his armour removed.

Mysinus approached. "Gechorus, what do you need?"

"I was curious, when you took the dark eldar leader away to the sorcerer, did she tell you anything?"

"She did, in a way," explained Myrsinus, but the sorcerers didn't ask her about the psychic source."

"Why not?"

"I'm not sure."

"Did you learn anything?"

"It's strange," continued Myrsinus. "One might have considered the dark eldar to be sympathetic to the cause of Slaanesh. But this would be incorrect; they have all the same fear and loathing for Slaanesh as the craft world eldar."

"They fear us?"

"To a point, yes," explained Mysrinus, "We were with powerful sorcerers and she was able to hide her fear with ease. Two Daemonettes were summoned, and I have never seen such fear before. Perhaps she didn't give us any information, but I was educated in what the eldar believe. All eldar."

"So she was used as training for you?" asked Gechorus.

"I think so," said Myrsinus, "to speak plainly, I don't think Nidhiki believed she had any wisdom to impart."

"Your own private lesson?"

"Perhaps," said Myrsinus, "I believe they wish for me to meditate on what I have seen."

"Maybe they think you have some psychic potential," said Gechorus with a smile. "I am envious."

Myrsinus smiled back, "And I am envious of your armour." Myrsinus looked behind Gechorus and told him, "here comes Xilthara, and she has the little Tau with her."

"Reptile's Tau?" asked Gechorus as he turned to greet Xilthara. Gechorus kneeled down and held his arms out for her. Xilthara had been his greatest friend since moving to the Knights of ecstacy, she was always there to talk to, she was always willing to spend time with him as he came to terms with his new surroundings. But as he got used to things and learned to tolerate his new brethren, she had become immersed in the ways of Slaanesh and was doing things that Gechorus was not capable of partaking in. Gechorus couldn't help the feeling that she was leaving him behind. Before, she was a quiet documentarist, but now she was outwardly a devotee of Slaanesh. Perhaps she had always been this way, but now she was not only allowed, but encouraged to show it.

She leapt up and flung her arms around Gechorus and kissed his face. "You are so much easier to love when you're not wearing that armour," she whispered to him.

No one had changed as much as Xilthara since the Silver Griffons were inducted into the Knights of Ecstasy.

"This is Kaida," said Xilthara cheerfully.

"I have not been introduced," responded Gechorus.

The Tau spoke in a small and weak voice, "You must be Gechorus."

Gechorus said nothing, as Myrsinus placed a hand on his shoulder and said "I must be on my way." he then turned and left.

Xilthara grabbed Kaida's arm and pulled her into Gechorus' cabin. Gechorus watched them as Xilthara jumped onto the bed and Kaida climbed on afterwards. Xilthara lay on the bed and gazed back into Gechorus' eyes; was she trying to encourage him to join, or make him jealous? It wouldn't work, Gechorus was not in tune with Slaanesh and Xilthara knew it. It was best to leave such things with those that can enjoy them. Gechorus decided that it was time to leave; they can enjoy the pleasures of Slaanesh without him there to watch. In turning around he he know Xilthara would be disappointed, he knew she wanted him to be there, but it was not something he could do.

Things were changing too quickly for Gechorus, perhaps because he was old and had been loyal to the emperor for many centuries that such an extreme change in surroundings and morality was just too much to get used to in a matter of weeks. He had seen the members of squad Myrsinus accept the new way of life, he had seen them enjoy fighting for their new god; he had even seen them accept new names. Myrsinus himself was getting in touch with the warp on a psychic level. Gechorus felt like he was stuck in his ways.

He went to speak with Remus, a fellow terminator of the silver griffons. Remus was in his cabin, polishing his armour. It was now a vivid violet, like the rest of this new 'chapter'. Gechorus did not feel the same pride he once did maintaining his armour now it had been repainted.

"How can I help, brother?" asked Remus.

"I need to ask you something?" asked Gechorus.

"What's on your mind?"

"Do you think it was the right thing to do?"

"Joining with the Knights of Ecstasy?"

Gechorus nodded.

"We were delivered here," explained Remus, "The Silver Griffons followed the false emperor and we escaped the lies that enraptured us. It was in the hands of fate as to where we ended up."

"You think the chaos gods put us here?"

"Perhaps," pondered Remus, "everything has fallen together a bit too well for our fate to just be down to mere chance."

Gechorus laced what Remus said together with what he knew about the chaos gods. "You think our futures are being planned by Tzeentch?"

"The architect of fate?" Remus turned back to polishing his armour. "Maybe. At first I was apprehensive and untrusting but I am starting to accept things; the slaves, the freedom," there was a slight pause, "...the sensations."

"I have found the ways of Slaanesh hard to adjust to."

"It's getting closer though, right? I can feel things that I never did before, I've had thoughts that I never would have crossed my mind before," explained Remus, "It's just a matter of time for you too, brother. The emperor no longer controls us, but it will take time to completely rid ourselves of the shackles that kept our minds in place."

Gechorus didn't say anything.

"Loukios is adjusting in his own way, from what I've heard."

"You don't talk to him?"

Remus sighed, "He has become good friends with a knight of ecstasy known as Jeguda, but I know little more than that."

"And what of our sergeant."

"I fear for Pantaleon, he was the first to turn against the emperor, but he seems to resent the Knights of Ecstasy. I think he sees Slaanesh worship as a lack of respect for one's self as an astartes. He might wish that we had been picked up by someone else."

Pantaleon stormed past Gechorus, he was in full armour minus his Helm, and had his sword in hand. "Brother!" called Gechorus to his sergeant, "why the haste?"

Pantaleon stopped and without turning around, simply called back to Gechorus "Where is Reptile? For I much desire to speak with him."

"He's in the training hall," said Gechorus.

Pantaleon continued on his way towards the training hall. Whatever quarrel there was between Pantaleon and Reptile, it was none of his business, but he would stand with Pantaleon to the death. He may not be taking to his new chapter, but he was the closest brother he had and the leader of his squad. No outside influences would ever break that bond.

Gechorus followed his sergeant through the ship to the training hall. Other marines and slaves began to follow the purposeful terminator as he marched towards his target, curiosity getting the better of them.

Pantaleon reached the training hall and spotted Reptile straight away. Reptile was exposed, he was out of his armour and vulnerable. A wash of dread came over his face as the enraged terminator approached. "Pantaleon, why are you still in your armour?" he asked. Reptile put two hands on his sword and braced himself.

Pantaleon raised his sword up and began his downward swing; Reptile raised his sword to block. Pantaleon, with one twist of the wrist, changed the direction of his swing and smashed into Reptile's sword from the left. And again, throwing the noise marine off balance. Pantaleon aimed lower and Reptile moved to block again. Their swords binded and in the lock Pantaleon smashed his free hand into Reptile's arm. There was a loud crack and Reptile's arm was broken. The terminator then pushed Reptile back into the wall, pinned him and held his sword against his gut.

Reptile was bested. "What are you doing?" asked Reptile, voice shaky and a long way from it's usual confidence.

"What are YOU doing?" replied Pantaleon through gritted teeth. "You defiled my cabin."

Reptile looked to the left and the right, to find a bit of help from somewhere, "It was a gift."

Pantaleon pulled Reptile down onto the floor, and pointed his sword at his throat.

Reptile glanced around and saw the crowd that had gathered to view the fight and gave a little smirk to Pantaleon. Pantaleon looked around at the crowd of gathered astartes and thought carefully about his next move. "The gift was not appreciated," he said with his sword still pointed at Reptile's throat. Pantaleon then moved his sword away and offered Reptile a hand to help him to his feet, "but I don't want to be an enemy today."

Reptile rose to his feet "you made the right choice, brother."

"This doesn't mean you are my brother."

"Maybe not yet," said Reptile with a smile.

Pantaleon just turned and left the room. The crowd parting to make way as the great terminator sergeant passed through.

Gechorus approached his squad leader, "Brother Pantaleon," he said.

The terminator sergeant turned to face his brother, "Gechorus," he replied, "we need to stay at each other's side."

"I will always be at your side," said Gechorus "so will Remus and Loukios."

Pantaleon nodded in approval and placed his hand on Gechorus' shoulder.

"What has Reptile done?"

"Reptile insulted me, he sent me a 'gift of noise'. It was meant to antagonize me, I don't know his full intentions." said Pantaleon. "I hate Xenos and I always will. I may have turned from the Emperor but I will not turn from the purity that is Astartes. There are practices in this chapter that are a disgrace."

"The pleasures of Slaanesh have so far eluded me," said Gechorus.

"That is good, brother, stay strong, stay pure." said Pantaleon.

They continued to walk down the narrow hallway together. Gechorus could not help but wonder why Pantaleon turned his back on the imperium, "what does he want? What did he think would happen?" but he dare not ask the sergeant.