Angels Lament
Chapter 24: Angel's Wrath Part IV
Antros stood before one final reinforced bulkhead, the final obstacle that lay between him and the Being he had detected at the ship's center. Even with the door between him, Antros could still sense the creature that lay beyond, but now the feeling the Being projected was somehow dampened as though the thing on the other side of the wall could sense him and was attempting to disguise itself from Antros's Wytch Sight. Its efforts though were all for not as Antros was clearly aware of the entity that lay only a small distance away from him.
But now a choice lay before the Chief Librarian, would it be best to confront the Being before he ordered its destruction so he might learn more of his opponents, or should he simply leave without laying his eyes upon the creature he felt such contempt for. This debate raged in the Blood Angels mind, as he stood before the door, his Brethren standing beside him for whatever their Brother chose. Finally after making his final decision Antros braced his mind and body for what he prepared to do next.
The Chief Librarian nodded to himself and said aloud to his Brothers. "We shall confront this wretched being, for a moment. Steel yourselves to its deceptions."
Antros then outstretched his arms firmly planting his gauntleted hands onto the strangely heated substance that made up the door in front of him. Then the Chief Librarian summoned the powers of the Immaterium to answer his call and do as he demanded it. The power flowed like a calmed river until the point of release was the power suddenly turned deadly, the power of the Warp cascading into the reinforced doors frame like a tidal wave sending the alien steel flying from its position like it was mere child's play.
What lay beyond was a massive chamber, dimly lit only on the right wall, that hid the room's occupants. But the darkness was of no issue for Antros and his brethren, their enhanced vision and power armor's night vision. Within the room stood a legion of Collectors and Husks of all types ranging from the cannon fodder to the elites. Though what caught Antros eye was the rooms, main occupant.
Suspended in the air nearly twenty feet in the air was the being Antros had sensed, it's psychic Aura clear as the brightest dawns of Baal Secundus to the Chief Librarian. It was a hideous monstrosity, its massive body vaguely resembling a human to some extent*, but with its own differences aside from its size. Its body was a mixture of synthetic and metallic pieces, making it resemble a battle Automata of the Mechanicus, but its form contained to much alien influence to be the sacred war machines of the Machine God that Antros had seen in his life. Its body was incomplete as well with the lower half of its body being completely absent. The Being was a giant being nearly the size of a Paladin Knight war suit, its body's skin the color of the open void, while its exposed insides a sickening and glowing orange. This same glow lightly emanating from the outer shell of the creature illuminating it look like a phantom of the Immaterium.
Its head protruded from its shoulders though it appeared small for the size of the Entity. The Beings neck sloping from the sides of its head to the edge of its shoulders. Then there was the Entity's face, its mouth was a small slit running down the center of its face, with no discernible features being apparent in its maw. It possessed four eyes each the same shade of sickening orange as its insides. These eyes glowing with apathy and contempt as it saw the Blood Angels that intruded into its chamber. The Entity was suspended from the rafters by hundred of cables and pipes, Antros seeing a red fluid rushing down the pipes feeding into the beast. Antros realizing it as the same liquid used to dissolve those in the processing pens.
The Blood Angels were the first to respond, the Astartes quickly bursting into the room taking position alongside one another with practiced ease. Antros, his Sanguinary Guards, and the Assault Marines taking the front each of them ready to charge into the swarm of Collectors in front of them. While the Tacticus Marines standing just behind them ready to support their brothers in whatever manner was required of them.
After a second of seeing the Angels, the creature finally reacted to its intruders, it's contemptuous eyes glaring at the Astartes as they stood before it as if their presence was a violation of the laws the Being believed in. The Entity's reaction being a violent shriek that echoed loudly through the room. At the same moment, as the Being screamed, the Collector horde finally moved as if released from some spell, the grunt creatures charging towards the Blood Angels with reckless abandon.
The Sons of Sanguinius responded with their own wrath, both to the Collectors and to the Entity that seemed to command them. The Tacticus Marines let loose their Bolters upon the cretins that surged towards them.
After the first waves were obliterated the Assault Marines, and Sanguinary Guards moved to attack, their Jump Packs roaring to life as they sent the Astartes like rockets into the Collectors horde. Antros kept pace with his Brethren by summoning Ethereal Wings that allowed him to soar alongside as they cut through the Collectors. Vitarus's flaming blade cutting through dozens of Collectors, the flames consuming all that touched it.
Finally, after several moments of outright slaughter, the Entity made its will known, the Beings wretched hands raising and it's corrupt fingers spread towards the Blood Angels. All at once, a mighty force shot from the Entities hands sending everyone except the Collector Horde flying back, the Tacticus Marines getting thrown against the wall where the others quickly joined them. The Collector mob quickly recovered from their losses. The foul creatures rushing towards the Blood Angels like a swarm of Dragon Hornets upon an injured animal.
Antros the whole while beginning to recite a spell Mephiston had taught him long ago. "Qua ratione detester tenebras et de lumine." Antros siphoning off from the warp until he finished speaking, unleashing the stored power in a moment.
The force the Entity had been using to hold the Blood Angels against the wall suddenly vanished the Son's of Sanguinius falling to the floor released from the wicked Beings grasp. The Entity's hands suddenly twitched before the material of its hands suddenly began to fracture the Being suddenly shrieking again, but this time its corrupt voice echoed with pain.
As the Entity screamed in pain it finally spoke its voice harsh to understand due to the pain filling its voice. "Impossible, none other have ever been able to use it against us, for we are its masters! How do these insects have the ability to control the Power?!"
Antros tired from his exertion caused by his use of his abilities and now aware of what the Entity was truly a Reaper he quickly sent an order through the Vox. "Brothers, our mission is complete, now we must return to The Angel's Retribution so that we might ensure that our time was not wasted in this venture."
As ordered the Blood Angels all quickly prepared to leave each of them taking formation with their Squads so that they might cover one another as they evacuated. The Tacticus Marines simultaneously slaughtered the closest Collectors as they attempted to overwhelm them, with the Assault Marines firing where they could while slicing all Collectors their brethren had missed. Their efforts quickly paid off as the Collectors forces were again being driven back, though the massive horde continued to charge forward without a care for their own demise or the deaths of their fellows.
The Reaper was still screaming as the Blood Angels began to leave, the being continuing to scream and wail in pain, while declaring its outrage and shock at its wounds. "You will suffer for your insolence no matter if you are able to manipulate the Power! You may attempt to flee but we will find you, and like all before you, we will perform the Harvest upon you."
Antros was the last to exit through the broken doorway and as he escaped he made one final Declaration to the Reaper, in a human tongue, his voice still booming through the large chamber even despite the Reapers shrieking. "No, Monster, it is you who will know suffering in all of its forms when we are through with your loathsome kind, I swear that by the Emperor, Xenos Filth!" And with that said Antros raised Angels Light and shot at the onrushing Collectors, the superheated plasma cutting through several Collectors before it was finally depleted of energy. Antros then turning his back on the chamber and making to follow his Brethren.
…
The Blood Angels made quick progress through the twist and turns of the Collectors ship, their Auspex proving invaluable navigating the wholly alien design of the ship. The entire time they traveled they were pursued and attacked by a plethora of their present enemies, the Collectors proving to be truly dedicated in their hunt of the Angels. Antros continued to hold the back, his Plasma Pistol and the assistance of his Brothers proving to be devastating to the onrushing horde of Husks and Collector Drones that pervade to follow just behind the Sons of Sanguinius.
The swarm of creatures came from all directions they could but the Blood Angels held firm to their goal of escaping the ship. The Astartes smashing their foes aside like they were barely obstacles and more of bumps on their journey. Though the Collectors were growing in number with each room past, their swarms becoming quicker and more disciplined, this beginning to weigh more and more in Antros's mind.
Now the Blood Angels were only 300 meters away from the Termite and their brethren that held it, but the Horde was becoming more and more ruthless in their attacks that the Astartes Power Armors were taking damage once more as the momentary repairs performed a while ago were now made moot or worse. The damage becoming so much that Antros's display now informed him of multiple injuries beginning to be taken by his brothers. Sergeant Talius himself even reporting to have suffered several wounds ranging from simple cuts and scrapes to him having sustained serious damage to his left eye. His optic lens having been broken and his eye behind it having then been shot, the Veteraned warrior now only able to see through one eye.
But the Blood Angels had to press on because if they halted now they would be overwhelmed from the sheer mob following them. Though they could eventually fight them off it would surely result in more injury and even the possible death of some of them, which could not be allowed to happen. So with that in mind, the Sons of Sanguinius surged forward with a renewed vigor and determination.
They pressed on until Antros's tactical display informed him they were now within 200 hundred meters. But before the Chief Librarian could send a request to the Astartes defending the Termite the procession of Blood Angels came to a sudden halt. Antros immediately rushed to the head of the formation his mind focused now on seeing what had caused the Sergeant to halt their escape. What Antros found was something he both expected but not fully.
They had just entered a storage Chamber like the one the Termite had burrowed too, but this room was very different the walls lined with defensive emplacements and heavy weapons positions. While with those stood another massive horde of Collector Drones arrayed in the middle of the rooms. But what caught Antros's eye and all Astartes present was the Creature standing at the center of the horde. A giant Collector, nearly 10 feet tall and bulkier than even a Primaris Astartes, its carapace leaking a disgusting yellow light that shone like spotlights through all four of the Creature's eyes.
Once the Creature was seen it moved, the horde surrounding it standing still as though they were statues along with all creatures behind the Blood Angels, its large strides moving it through the mob of Collectors, its arms outstretched and almost seeming ready to accept the embrace of something. Antros immediately detecting signs of possession coming from the Creature, showing him something else, this Harbinger, was more of a puppet master, using the behemoth in front of him like a pawn.
Then it spoke, once it stood at the front of the Collector horde, its eyes seeming locked with Antros's own, its voice alien while also being deep and commanding. "Who amongst you holds command?" It said at first, though Antros could sense the creature already knew.
Antros stepped forth his psychic senses screaming to him of the Creatures malevolence and strength. Antros took three long strides before stopping and pointing Vitarus at the Creature and declaring, his voice holding back rage at the Creature. "I am Xenos, get out of our way and have this horde of filth disperse now, or face our wrath."
The Creature ignored Antros's demand and spoke its voice sounding almost relaxed as if it believed itself in control of the situation fully. "I am Harbinger, insect. And you are Human, yet not normal… Your kind would be useful in the Harvest, even more, superior than the rest of your species." it spoke like Antros was barely even presenting its words either meant for itself or for some unseen audience. "Enhanced strength, Superior reflexes and agility, increased physical size to support auxiliary Organs, similar to Krogan genome."
"Silence Cretin! Or I will bath in your blood!" Responded Antros his words paired with Vitarus's flames blaring a moment caused by his spiking rage.
Again instead of listening to what Antros said the Creature made its own observations. "Sub-species also seems to be able to manipulate the Power, shows sign of increased aggression, further testing must be commenced, threat and usefulness both expanded greatly. Secondary objective failed this harvest: postpone extended use of the Power." The Creature then finally seemed to acknowledge Antros. "Hear me human, We make an offer to you, allow us to Harvest you and we promise your processing will be painless."
Antros's grip tightened on both Vitarus and Angels Light, finally, after collecting himself Antros responded his voice not even attempting to hold back his blind fury. "I would rather die a thousand deaths as a traitor than bow before a contemptuous Xenos like your miserable and deceitful kind! I will say again Abomination one last time before I destroy you and all of your brethren here! Allow us to pass or we crush you beneath our downtrodden heels!"
Harbinger simply stood silent a moment before speaking again, its voice sounding like it was disappointed. "Then we will Harvest you all by force, and your deaths will be agonizing and slow."
Harbinger lowered its arms and said. "Destroy-."
But before anything else was said or even before the Collectors moved the Astartes unleashed their bolters and other weapons upon the Collectors. The weapons fire tearing the first three rows of Collectors to shreds along with destroying almost half of the heavy weapons that were set up on the sidelines. Though Harbinger stood unaffected by the swarm of bullets and energy discharges.
The Collectors quickly recovered from the initial attack, the Drones surging forward without care for their lives, while the creatures with firearms sent Element Zero Fire at the Blood Angels. While the Collectors rushed forward Harbinger stood at the center of the horde watching with a careless ease at the onset of the fight.
The Blood Angels charged to meet the Collectors, the Assault Marines cutting the creatures to shreds while providing cover to those that stood alongside them. Antros and the Sanguinary Guards taking position at the tip of the Blood Angels spearhead as they smashed through the ranks of Collectors. While the Tacticus Marines took up position just behind giving cover fire to those ahead of them while also suppressing and destroying the heavy weapons creatures and defense points where Collector Warriors and Guardians stood attempt to whistle down the Blood Angels.
As they fought Antros heard Harbinger declare over the roar of the fighting. "Your kind are proficient fighters but your fates are sealed, you all will be Harvested."
Antros roared at Harbinger with curses before he turned to the Collectors it commanded, who he unleashed his fury fully upon. The Chief Librarian sending crimson lightning from Vitarus, the bolts ripping through the Collectors like nothing, those touched by the lightning had their bodies suddenly and viciously eviscerated into bloody carnage. The Collectors were sent reeling from this their numbers cut a quarter in seconds as the Angels crushed their attackers with brutal and hateful fury.
Once Antros ceased his attack he scanned for the Creature Harbinger. He found the worm still standing a distance off its eyes locked with Antros as though it had been waiting for him to look at it. When Antros looked at it he turned his body to look at it fully and raised Vitarus to face the creature, the sword's flames blazing nearly three feet from the blade. And with that Antros clamped Angels Light to his hip and grasped his sword with both hands and prepared to charge Harbinger.
Before Antros could cross the distance another Astartes attempted to strike down the creature. The Astartes flying on wings of flame. Antros immediately recognizing him as Brother Nikolaus, the enraged Sanguinary Guard declaring in high gothic at Harbinger. "Die You Insult to the Emperor!"
But before the Sanguinary Guards Encarmine Glaive could cut the Creature in half Harbinger turned its sickening gaze towards the Astartes. Harbinger looked at him and flicked its wrist at him. The instant Harbinger did that Nikolaus was halted in his descent towards the fouls Xenos and then just as suddenly sent flying almost too fast for Antros to keep track of into the far wall an audible crash so loud it could be heard over the cacophony of battle.
Antros prayed the Sanguinary Guard would get up but as he watched him for a solid ten seconds but Nikolaus remained unmoving. Then to Antros's alarm, a small group of Collector Drones on the edge of the swarm diverged and surged towards the incapacitated Astartes.
Antros quickly opened his Vox and ordered into it with well apparent worry. "Sargeant Teluis, take five of your men and go save Brother Nikolaus. You are free to use grenades and any other weapons required to save him. Is this understood?"
"Objective understood Chief Librarian." Replied the Sergeant immediately before Antros heard six jump packs roar to life, followed quickly by the reverberations and smashing caused by touch down.
Antros then turned his attention back to the accursed Harbinger, the Xenos attention again directed solely to Antros, its wicked Aura glowing with malicious delight. This proved to be just what was necessary to send the Chief Librarian rushing towards the Filthy Xenos, Antros's mind solely focused on destroying the contemptuous Harbinger.
Antros charged with reckless abandon Vitarus curing a fiery swath through every Collector that dared step between him and Harbinger. Vitarus's flames shooting from the blade, the warpfire so hot it burned Collectors so quickly all that remained of them was glowing after images. It took Antros only a few seconds to cross the distance between himself and Harbinger. The Creature patiently waiting for The Chief Librarian to cross the distance.
Antros struck once he was in front of Harbinger, Vitarus swinging quickly to cut off the head of the Creature. But instead of death claiming the vile creature it defied death again. Suddenly Antros's blade was stopped, a disgusting yellow Short Sword holding back the mighty Force Sword back by only a few millimeters. Antros immediately sprang back, the Chief Librarian barely dodging a follow-up strike by another Short Sword that dashed to try and slash the Astartes.
Once Antros was a few meters away he heard Harbinger speak, the Creature seeming to again be speaking to himself rather than to anyone in particular. "600,000 Newtons of force, original estimation of Human Subspecies strength proven false. Subspecies strength enhancements have proven greater than naturally possible, and currently beyond our own means to replicate with non-mechanical instruments. Moving to corroborate further theories about Subspecies abilities."
Harbinger immediately charged forward so quickly Antros was only just able to parry the Creatures strikes with its swords. The Chief Librarian retaliated by pulling Harbinger in closer and slamming his head into the Creature's torso with all his might. The blow was immediately paired with a Crunch as the outer layer of the carapace was shattered by the force Antros exerted. But instead of being stunned by the heavy blow Harbinger pressed on without hesitation, the Dagger in its left hand flying to try and stab into Antros's leg.
Antros released one of his hands from gripping Vitarus, immediately using his free hand to grab the Dagger, a mere centimeter from the tiny opening with exposed wiring on his right hip. Antros wrestling for control of the dagger, while simultaneously forced to counter another strike made from Harbinger with its freehand. Antros finally won in his fight to take the dagger, but instead of remaining in his hand as Antros had expected the blade vanished in his hand, the yellow blade in one moment vanishing before reappearing back in Harbingers hand. This proved the weapons to be psychic in origin. Antros also noticed the damage taken to his palm's armor for holding the blade, the painting stripped and several layers of armor plating and sensors destroyed.
Harbinger quickly noting, "Reflexes superior to initial estimations as well."
Antros surged forward ramming his pauldron into the already destroyed ribcage of the Creature, hoping to silence the Creature before it could attempt another dual attack. Antros succeeded long enough to get another few meters distance between him and the Creature, the Chief Librarian cautious more than ever to underestimate his opponent.
Antros suddenly was being jumped by a trio of Collector Drones, the Chief Librarian momentarily forced to kill and shove off the miserable creatures. In that time Harbinger had covered the distance between them, its dual blades flying to exposed points in Antros's armor. Antros was barely able to counter one of the attacks, his reflexes barely too slow to stop the second strike. The dagger cut deep into the gap between Antros's lower abdomen, the blade releasing an alien concoction of Sedatives, Statins*, and Neuro-blockers attempting to slow or even fully paralyze him.
But Antros was an Astartes, his body enhanced to negate such things, though, due to their alien nature, not all were able to be stopped Antros's body slowing and his vision blurring quickly afterward. Antros responded with his own strength his balled fist smashing into Harbinger's face with such force the Creatures neck snapped back, while its whole body was sent flying almost a dozen feet back. Antros immediately taking a second to try and focus his mind while also reading what his suit could tell him on his injury. His left kidney had been punctured and was failing as a result but this would not affect him for quite a while thanks to his physiology.
Harbinger again spoke its voice sounding again like it was spoke to itself. "Subspecies also proven resistant to our toxins, as well as showing signs of a high pain threshold."
Antros sensing the weakness taking hold in him charged forward, ignoring the sluggishness of his body and the strength taken from his limbs the veteraned warrior further enraged by the pain. But even with these effects, he was a blur of movement so fast the still recovering Harbinger was caught completely off guard as Vitarus was thrust through its heart. The sacred blade blazing as it cut through the foul Xenos. But this was not all the Chief Librarian did as he held the blade. Antros channeled as much of his power as he could carry, going even beyond what could be deemed even remotely safe, the only thought running through Antros's mind being the total annihilation of the Puppet Master Harbinger and its present toy the Creature.
The energies of the warp flowed through Antros like a massive explosion rippling through a Hive City, the torrents of flame and destruction leaving nothing in their wake. The power caused horrible pain to run through Antros's veins, but he willed his way through his suffering. Harbinger was immediately affected by the torrent of psychic power, the frail form of its host shattering in an instant from the current of warp energy. But the spirit of Harbinger was held in place, the entity released from the ruined remains of the Creature letting out a guttural scream that echoed through both reality and the Immaterium.
After almost a minute of holding Harbinger in place, Antros was finally nearing the end of his capabilities, especially if he desired to survive. But before he let go Harbinger, Antros said, through gritted teeth. "I swear to you abomination, I will destroy you and all of your foul kind. I will see you and your Harvest thwarted. And I will see this Galaxy reborn from the Ashes of your annihilation. I swear this by the Emperor of Mankind and by my own life."
Upon finishing what he said Antros, threw all he had left at Harbinger, his skin burning from the power he released. A bloody red light filled the room at that moment Harbingers cries of agony reaching their crescendo until finally dying in an instant, along with the light. What remained after was a room filled with slaughter, with the only survivors being the Son's of Sanguinius, standing united atop the bodies of the craven. At the center of the room stood Antros, his armor steaming, but simultaneously covered in a thick layer of frost. But not long after the light faded and the spirit of Harbinger was either destroyed or dispelled, the Chief Librarian crumbled to the floor his eye behind his helmet falling closed as sleep took him in its dark embrace, his mind and body entirely spent from the power he had summoned.
Sergeant Teluis and Sanguinary Guard Donotriel approached the wounded Librarian with some caution but once they were sure he was uncorrupted they quickly took him from the floor and made to leave the chamber. The Sergeant followed swiftly by his fellow Assault Marines in the clutches of another two Astartes was their other wounded brother Sanguinary Guard, then by the Tacticus Marines. Who all quickly proceeded to the hall carrying the burrowed Termite. The Astartes swiftly boarding the vessel along with their brethren that had been guarding it. The Termite just as swiftly freeing itself from the debris, with its esoteric systems, before a high yield engine propelled the Termite back through the hull of the Xenos ship.
The Termite quickly escaping the Collector ship before turning itself to enter into the widened cargo bay of The Angel's Retribution. Where scores of Apothecaries, Sisters Hospitaller, Chirogeons, and other medical staff stood awaiting the injured humans and Astartes that would need their healing abilities urgently. While along with them stood another collection of Tech Marines and Mechanicus Adepts who awaited to see the weapons, armor, and other equipment used by the Strike Force so they too might be healed and saved.
Hello and thank you for reading this chapter of Angels Lament I hope it was enjoyable, and maybe even a bit thrilling, though I'm unsure by writing abilities could honestly induce such a feeling. But anyway again thank you, I hope you have a lovely day, and I hope to see you again next time when the next chapter is completed.
*On how the Human-Reaper looks I based it off some early concept sketches of it that I found on google when I was looking for some images to reference for how to describe it, so it's not solely the version from the games as well as I took my own liberties when describing it and giving it abilities, which I bet was obvious.
*Statins are a form of drug that causes muscle pain and weakness