The Inquisitor

Chapter XXIII

I stood staring when screaming all, but faded into rasping shrills of air when I looked right into this daemon's face. It's eyes remained narrowed utterly bemused when every other detail came into pieces of shifting flesh, a smile curling so far backward and teeth numerous parted where screams of millions were subdued. The coloration a pale purplish coloration where slithering distortions arose to part ways akin to serpents which reared themselves. Yet when it'd spoke I lost all physical control to jerk away, or tried too as an internal terror arose far too quickly.

"Thy will still holds, of I must admire and adore!" Nothing came close to it utterly grinning revealed an extended expression no humane will could ever replicate. Bright crimson strands fell akin to hair which seemingly dripped with liquid, a chores of victims and willing all cried out in such intensity I slammed backward unable look away. The tongue slithered out to sharply slice my unresponsive flesh as I numbly understood it'd just swiped away some portion of my face's cheek. Subtle glowing serrated edges ran along both sides and it retracted ideally pleased.

This was Chaos's face when eyes for slits narrowed in a bright amusement of wicked hunger and desire seeking agony itself. What...are...you? I couldn't stop shaking violently as serrated blade pushed deeper forcing my wheezing lungs desperate for air. Jerking its own limb backward I hung limply when it twirled around laughing to smile widely exposing just how back it'd be able too, "Perfection!" And I felt one brief moment to see churning clouds as earth slammed into my back without hesitation sending globs of crimson upwards. Everything refused to move, rather petrified to sheer horror or twitch save for my inability to never stop staring into those throne damned eyes.

The Great Prince gazes from afar, through I and I cannot but accept your request! It spun in place twisted and piercing blades sunk deeper. My body literally tried out of sheer instinctive terror to pry itself off, or outright do anything to get away. It was madness, it was horror and nothing but humane nature wanted nothing more save to run from this monstrosity. Yet I felt a slightly pull when an orange gloom ignited behind causing this creature of laugh joyfully. The warp began churning so violently it'd almost been funneling inward on itself.

That leering smile looked down with eyes burning to proclaim sweetly, "And his gaze is soon coming upon you, Marcos Eius." My name never felt more damning when it hoisted me upward nimbly when I found myself utterly catatonic. It waved a staff lazily to see corpses twitching as faces began ripping themselves off in bloodied displays delicately. Veins, muscle and anything underneath what was a humane expression peeled off to appear as it willed dozens to fit over it's own gruesome leer. Flesh molded and churned into a sickly display of artful dedication and soon all gasped when the daemon's appearance fluttered.

One casual movement of it seemingly adjusting to tightening flesh revealed another face smiling deviously coy. No...not...her! It was of an elder youth whose gaze promised hidden horrors, a deception masking what twisted desire and innocence made hell. Involuntarily I found both sets of teeth clenching unwillingly enraged when laughter echoed seamlessly happier. The most hated person I ever imagined, one who I feared daily and it was coming back to haunt me absolutely. You fecking grox shit bitch, you just had to do it! Didn't you?

The daemon spoke using an altered voice of someone I despised above all others and it's own in a harmonious blend of cooing loveliness, "Does one remember who his heart has grieved for, or lusted of desire to slay?" Memories stolen, or observed were keenly honed in as I gurgled out a growl trying to find something to break this unseen horror. Yet anger alone proved only enjoyably when an eye blinding orange light split down in front of fountains innocently display bloodied streams, I couldn't even jerk myself away.

But that face above all else leaned forward smirking akin to some shimmering mirage where an inhumane expression widened. That serrated tongue appeared flickering as millions of silent screams wailed to assault bloodied ears, I kept both sets of teeth descending slowly but gradually. Feck...you! You should have kept that shiv in your pocket...I see it, and I'm going to make you choke on it! Psychic will slowly and surely began cocooning around one emotional response, a fire and loathing so strong I found it as motivational hatred.

The lower half of a staff angled just enough, once it leisurely began cutting above an eye unable to close and pressure exerted itself. Trailing sensually to coo innocently, "Few have such eyes to see one without the mask, for I must agree! The Great Prince has chosen wise, if not of will and desire alone to have you crave perfection!" A reverse smiling edge along it's staff inch itself into flesh hitting an almost natural obstacle, of bone and will. Regardless I kept struggling blinking trying to muster every throne forsaken will and thought to break the unholy pressure giving off unspeakable terror.

You're...not lying! I realized when it smiled deviously pleased, "Of not I to invoke lies, as of many upon who are of ilk are barred to shame." It'd only spoke words without lies for it couldn't entirely do so, or risk something far more dangerous which churned within an orange gate wreathing of fire and making the warp screech in boiling waves. The warp screamed endlessly sending unseen tendrils of molten orange burning, I watched transfixed when both of those blackened yellow eyes fondly followed all too comfortingly.

Thy is sound of desire, full of will and mind is but naught of perfection that is offered to you, Marcos. Again it said my name making limbs unresponsive when it stilled with two faces, both equally damning and far too deliberate to tear will itself apart. Both sets of teeth bit down while I just barely wheezed two words out, "Feck...off!" A warp rift unchallenged save for an entity which was literally forcing me to stare into it! Warnings both instinctive, soul screeching and rational melded into an unyielding as I jerked away an inch aside.

I'd never been so damned close to any portion of the warp and I instantly knew it'd drive any man mad entirely. Fecking eyes feel like they're being dipped in acid, by the throne this is grox shit! I won't even have eyes if it's gets me any fecking closer! Yet it danced with myself impaled ever closer and closer, to savor and hum happily while digging an ever sharpened edge. It kept pressing threatening to crack my own throne forsaken skull, I bared teeth still twitching when innumerable swirls of orange, red and yellow mixed together seemingly without understanding.

But every step it'd taken left me only one option when psychic will alone formed a shell deep within my psyche. My flesh had turned against me, Emperor alone knew my soul was breaking and sanity had all but fled into one desperate gamble of insanity! And the shiv's been exposed, so might as well go for the third rib! Laughing in a convulsing wheezing I went deeper that I'd ever attempted, to literally ignore every sense and physical pain to keep it to just a faint dulled blanket. If anything I'd keep my word until this daemon burned to ash.

Scorching desire burned audibly when I psychically screamed far too happily and utterly fed up in being skewered alive. You going to keep your word, xeno? Whatever resided inside that glowing stone of green and glass responded far too amused. It'd been deliberately silent to watch what little sanity fled to make it's will superseded what I'd been struggling to muster, if anything I'd been expecting it sooner yet I wasn't going to ignore hatred. This daemon had earned a right to imagine what few ever did to myself, it'd pissed me off and the Emperor was going to have to forgive my desperation because I wanted it dead.

Is thou prepared to burn in earnest desire, to scorch and maim to burn all? Of course it'd ask another pointless question finding my hesitation beforehand amusing. Yet that changed when I'd been terrified to loath and securing another emotion I hadn't embraced since leaving my home world. I hated this throne forsaken daemon so much, I almost enjoyed wondering if I'd been mad enough to reply far too easily. Just fecking help me kill this ugly piece of shit, it just finally pissed me off! All because it thinks I'm afraid of someone, who I hated above everything else and even more than most people who I've been around xeno.

Will alone wasn't enough to last against a daemon, whose very presence warped reality. And yet I still had hope it'd get my Emperor's blessing to incinerate it where it'd rightfully belonged. Out of reality into the Immaterium where it'd find itself hopefully real comfortable. There was nothing left to do, or consider save for upholding something capable to get that task done. If I had to burn to ash, I smiled partially in seeing that orange rift between reality and Chaos itself! Then I chose all too happily I'd enjoy it to see that face, to realize what person who'd worn it know I wasn't ever one to turn away when heat got turned up.

The sheer bright acidic light alone made my skin boil as a tongue gently wrapped around all too damned restrictively. Among those swirls and churning streams of insanity I heard screeching distantly growing closer as though something happily found what it'd sought. Blood became dust when two faces among one whispered kindly, "Say your beloved God's name, Marcos. Perfection is yours, it is right in front of your eyes and we shall dance together, if only blood and desire craves what is inside your heart...mortal." Something moved beyond an opened rift distantly, growing and I felt my heart cease to beat when among madness an eye seemingly appeared.

Stare at me all you want you fecking bitch, I know who I pray too! Despite will solidifying an arm arose unhindered as if to reach grasping at air. It nudged us closer swaying as blood leaked constantly between serrated blades which were fingers pressing dangerously close to internal organs, "...esh..." One word fumbled briefly causing a gasp of pleasurable delight in making the daemon who wore faces joyfully encourage, "Go on, my soon to be little one. The Great Prince shall embrace you, as I do now! Nothing will beyond your reach with agony and pleasure to grant you power, horror and beauty the Great Prince promises you shall be gifted of what many desire, to make men and all to bend to your gaze for it's a gift not lightly considered, of which you have earned far more than most of your ilk!"

I vacantly stared right into a wreathing flame of Chaos and symbols began encourage where it'd seem familiar yet damning. An orb solidifying glowering in darkened purple as tendrils of similar coloration crept past into reality. Whispers of a voice I trembled when the last of will seemingly splintered leaving me to uplift clenched teeth, "Say my name." A harmonious mischievous giggle commanded from vast distances and distortions as I drifted to see more of another detail forming to extend into a reverse half moon shape.

"S...e...sh." Blood gurgled past obscuring a name which treacherously formulated making my body shut down to feel only warmth and bone chilling sensations of agony, "So close!" The masked daemon whispered merrily to lick off flesh around my catatonic neckline. I watched unable to move, think or even wish to see another detail of this symbol of Chaos growing potently clearer and clearer amiss hazy pleasures cupping in what little I'd been aware.

Throne, anytime now xeno! I weakly snarled psychically to see images rapidly slamming into me of what was my eternal damnation. But silence greeted my efforts to sharply twitch when tendrils within a warp surging, broiling and wailing of shimmering waves dug literally sizzled. Nothing willingly responded save for out-stretched fingers angling into claws to have purple tendrils digging into an open palm. They were blackening to slowly, but surely trickle upwards sending pain itself into shuddering bliss which caused eyelids to flutter obscuring everything a haze of excessive relief, blissful pleasures of peace and temptation itself melded harmlessly into veins of blood.

Gradually a detail emerged when an eye half lidded seemingly started to open itself. It was just an eye as that masked daemon promised, an eye of a god or maybe Chaos itself was trying to tempt me ever damning to be indeed perfect. Shuddering aloud made my insides turn frigid save for an arm burning intensifying another urge, "Accept me in your heart, my sweet lonely child. For you shall, as I decree, be gifted with what perfection ordains to have my redeemed Masque stand together to dance and sing on my whims as your own. Mortals will fall at your feet, begging and they will scream to see their desire, beauty will be molded and power to have their lies truthfully exposed." The entity which this Masque worshiped was heart stopping real to exist, no longer I could not ignore it as temptation for it was temptation itself was only a word and I was seeing it manifest from vast distances among distortions.

"Invoke my covenant of desire, decree yourself to what is perfection and I shall ordain it guaranteed for you." Oaths, bonds and sweet innocence were made reality as that distorted voice seemingly got more seductive, promising and there was no doubt it'd uphold words to make myself tremble before my flesh burned into eternal damnation. Yet I found myself craving and warmly inviting to stare fractionally wider to realize when it giggled sweetly enrapturing, I been granted all senses to a heightened degree, "Embrace me as your mother who will hold you closer, your lover who shall mold you into a being worthy of love and give yourself to what few earn by my word of which I will show you what you desire. And I want you to hear my name, Marcos...just say one word and I will be closer to you than no other, I desire whatever I ordain."

Whispers grew into symphonic pleasures eliminating every once of pain and agony into shuddering rasps of bliss. My eyes moved partially ignoring streams of crimson entirely to peer closer and closer when the Masque inched forward wailing out merrily, "Praise the Great Prince of Excess, for he is gracing us with his divinity and you are to blame, Marcos! Cursed of I, he is willing to gift but alas I must agree, for I can!" Yet despite sheer temptation I stared upwards to see churning clouds angrily darkening and I saw traces of bluish lightning seething to thunder silently making my heart flutter.

The warp above molded into a mas of circular rotations and had been relatively shifting to drift above entirely. Esdainn...well, the Emperor damn me because you're actually keeping your word. I took that all it to feel agonizing sensations akin to needles, more apparent when a limp hand drifted to land inside one pocket were the purity seal was located. Corruption had been touched briefly, I'd been forced into it and holy protections utterly started melting blessings by the Emperor's divinity to react causing my face to regain feeling itself.

Fingers stretched underneath clothe to grasp skin tearing metal and it clenched tightly giving me will to smile finally. I know who I pray too, I know who stands with me because humans are too easy falling into Chaos. And yet...one thing is for certain. If Chaos was so damned willing to expose itself to me, to be real and that meant the Emperor's divinity was not impossible. Perhaps in my madness I imagined it, or possibly floated further into a psyche torn to shreds, torn to intentionally manipulate and discovered the truthful lie itself.

An out-stretched hand uncurled fingers bending them one by one until a prominent digit stood firm and above all. The warp itself still when I smiled widely feeling fire amassing within an arm which dangerously began flaking off flesh to expose florescent orange and yellow reacting to what another oath required, "Feck yourself...my Emperor protects!" I whispered staring right into a sudden stillness which all but resigned myself to death, I trembled unable to resist cackling as a baritone voice boomed internally making heat and blood ceased to flow for it'd been burned.

Burn them! Must burn them all to ash! Another entity meant to scorch earth, air and above all else Chaos itself thundered roaring shattering tendrils which retracted in unseen shock. Kaela Mensha Khaine decrees blood of ash, and She Who Thirsts shall shatter before the Flames of Hatred! I grinned when air boiled from my throat as ash flickered innocently as psychic will exposed sending a wreathing flaming blade cutting Immaterium and Materium in undeniable hatred. I looked back sharply see the Masque's expression turn delightfully horrified and I promised kindly, "Thanks for showing me where your shiv is...you ugly feck of a bitch!"

The blade moved far too quickly no human, or creature expected as it shrieked when I plunged it to a hilt dead center. Simultaneously screeching music to my ears for once, I got sent flying when it struggled to put out immense potent bloody red flames and I smashed to a thundering halt to slid down a far building's wall. Yet I felt nothing save for burning desire of hatred's call, I grinned widely when another voice belonging to a xeno who had a joking sense of timing. Above the psychic created storm roared into reality sending bolts of lightning and thundering winds slamming down destroying building's in a beautiful display of destruction.

Lightning strikes rapidly descended intensifying and intentionally creating a psychic phenomenon I only admired enviously. Flesh being cauterized rapidly greeted fowl smell yet I inhaled as if it'd been a lho-stick which I desired immensely, "Fecking xenos." I whispered fondly wishing I'd be able to slit either Esdainn, or smash that green stone which I fished out of my chest's pocket nimbly turning it over and over again. An internal light pulsed excitedly leaking around itself and I witnessed unshakable desire to cut down the Masque of an enemy it'd wished to slay. And I wasn't going to pretend ignoring we all didn't have a mutual cause to do so personally.

Thou flame inferior, flesh, soul and body to blood of Earth is unworthy to withstand She Who Thirsts. The xeno which was a lord of sorts to my ignorance whispered hauntingly smug and I rolled both eyes, "No shit you grox fecker!" Liquid magma which wasn't fire trickled to burn away tendrils which tried in vain panic to release themselves yet were destroyed. This molten orange while peering at it in the warp shot up into everything related to veins, or arteries to darken flesh which couldn't contain it no longer.

I inhaled deeply enjoying being burned alive partially because it'd felt less damning, "You know where the shiv is now, xeno." The small glass stone completely exposed on my palm began melding into broken bloodied flesh and it sunk half away pulsating to have my will being overwhelmed. I never resisted to flee another presence which mimicked a puppeteer like movement to get legs standing upright as I relished hatred in desiring to send this Masque a clear message. You better enjoy I'm pissed off xeno, or else I'm praying to the Emperor who might have heard me. Do me a favor, or I'll regret not smashing your glass stone into pieces.

Flames compressed to an undeniable surge and as limbs moved without myself I grinned see walls shooting outwards. They struck building's which topped over in a cascading explosion of glass and fused white. Chaos's corruption fled back into the warp's rift and corpses turned to ash to smash into lightning infused barriers in a sickening display of powerful disintegration. Unlike my psychic flames these were far more dangerously potent, they were greenish near golden and visible tendrils leisurely dropped overhead to cascade downwards. Akin to wings, or perhaps more yet they turned even dirt to into blackened coals when I stood with the sword in hand to be wielded by another who'd found it ideally suitable.

Cracking my neck left before towards the right I exhaled when every limb was consciously allowed to angle backward. You shall burn whole of your desires, mon'keigh warrior child. Inferior you are, but commendably sound of truth and I, shall do battle with what was upheld. Crudely to puppeteer myself into a stance I'd never understand, or recognize at all possibly in my whole entire life and the flaming sword itself moved upwards roaring within the warp's vast distances to announce a bellowing hateful reconsecration.

The Masque finally snuffed out flames which burned itself terribly and yet began regenerating to shriek hatefully when realizing it'd been deceived. But it danced angrily angling bloodied claws and staff to damnably proclaim, "What lie, of you and I is this?" I smiled innocently to cheekily retort as a inflamed sword expertly was tested and casually pointed by another who humorously agreed, "What's wrong? Don't like a little heat, daemon?"

Molten wings settled over each shoulder to expand themselves by pure psychic manifestation and wills combined to send winds of scorching fires aside. They churned as if they'd been allowed wills of their own, "You lie, as many of ilk! Many slain and bore witness, for I must!" It's facial expression wearing someone I hated above all else faded to reveal daemonic visualizations unhappily to which it'd wanted to tear my head clean off, "Says the one who wears a mask of lies truthfully, or one who hides his mask of truthful lies in plain sight? Stop fecking grox shitting me, I'm going to be honest for once and you better listen carefully."

Lightning struck frequently condensing and growing closer to leave no room for interruption save to make the stage promised. I walked forward with multiple wings of molten infernos broiling air, earth and blood to turn to rightful ash. The inflamed sword leveled gracefully by hands not of human, or my own will as I leered sinister to have it flinch back, "I'm really going to enjoy this far too much to be considered healthy. Pray to the Emperor, for I will make you wish you had and I'd bet he'll be kinder to listen when I tear off your fecking head...daemon."

Nothing would stop me from tearing this wretched creature into pieces, or else the Emperor had forsaken me entirely. Yet I had a small hope to realize if Chaos's whispers were indeed truly reality given what had been promised. Then maybe the Emperor himself had listening, if only just and I knew he stood beside the Imperium which garnered faith to be sacred. And just maybe...I only had to die to be judged accordingly. Either way I smirked all too eagerly, "The Emperor protects." And in one bounding leap I charged intensifying flames to make this daemon bitch wish it'd never have pissed me off entirely.


The commandeered vehicle halted immediately when an explosion of fire detonated ahead of them as an inquisitor peered forward less than amused. A lightning storm manifested in said location around the fire and it'd greeted all who stared with varying degrees of caution. More so the last of her storm-troopers who operated said vehicle turned looking warily, "Continue forward. It seems my apprentice still lives, if only continuously having myself pray to our Emperor I don't flay him alive for such madness he's seemingly capable to conjure. Or do you wish to test my patience, trooper?" Her gaze lazily flickered onto an inquisitional solider that quickly on his task to drive them and those behind in silence.

It seems my troopers need to quell their mistrust, I'm getting annoyed with their petty grievances and I just might need to rectify them soon enough. She been well aware of their attitudes and had tolerated them since none dared to try anything too inhibiting, if only out of mindful consequence yet human emotion was fickle at best. Leaning back in a seat to peer into the warp which was broiling and churning akin to waves of an ocean, "The daemon and him are clashing in a rather fitting display of a confrontation! But there's also other forces on this world, ones which are meddling for their own purposes."

Anora and Alicia were wedged tightly with various Kriegers who been listening relatively while some had lasguns aimed outside. Between three vehicles which had been cleared and cleansed of heretical forces, they'd been rapidly approaching with heavy stubbers armed and manned by Korpsmen who hardly seemed to be affected by Chaos's corruption. Yet even they were staring sometimes at horrific sights that made all men uneasy. Tartarus commended them admirably when most would have lost their minds, or outright begged to turn back for seeing such damnation and hardly had to spare a thought on their resolve.

"Xeno." Jalena stated without hesitation in viewing the warp being churned and bent to a will which knew itself superior with such showboat mannerisms, "What madness has that boy encountered now, I wonder? Do you have any assumptions as to possibly what you've encountered during your venture with my apprentice, Sisters of the Bloody Rose?" Absently reaching out to hear their thoughts were quite humorous considering they'd not resisted, if anything Marcos's tendency to reveal himself never failed to make others notice opportunity.

Alicia spoke up first assuming only what she'd experienced, "During our route underneath this vile city, he said it'd been something not human, or daemon. He truthfully didn't understand and I voice his fears without doubt." The Inquisitor smiled cynically to warily admit in verifying lesser dangers, "Few encounter them despite our Imperium's long endurance to withstand forces of Chaos and rarely do they ever appear without motive. His innate fear is not without concerns, I'm not pleased to see even traces willingly approach us humans who can't understand their ways."

Both sisters looked to one another as Anora harshly proclaimed, "And he has consorted with a xeno, if he is still alive. Even you cannot overlook such heresy, or safe-guard what has to be done." Smiling openly an inquisitor merely laughed to stare back less than overtly amused to be clear, "Hardly. Consorting means seeking aid and assisting in it's efforts of said Xeno, to do it's bidding while it is entirely regarded for another who both despise and seek to destroy the greater threat to each other. Chaos cannot be allowed to reign, or stand. And as such in those times mutual cooperation can be regarded as shrewd opportunity, to which of Ordos Malleus tolerates in some circumstances."

That revelation sent both sisters trying to stand yet were forced to use their helms with no amount of disgusted horror. Jalena Tartarus hardly seemed fazed save to smirk placidly while looking towards a storm of lightning and fire, "Daemonic influence is equally as grave, or more so when exposed to most Imperial citizens which as you imagine outside our transport, we tend to ignore some whenever Chaos itself is surging. But unfortunately as rare as they appear, there's another xeno race we very rarely to encounter which few of my fellows admit, or dare to imagine because whenever they appear it is never remotely good. It often spells of greater dangers to be frank."

Another explosion tent buildings distantly crumbling as lightning struck in beautiful displays of psychic force and potency. The Inquisitor warily exhaled knowingly to imagine what madness lay ahead of them entirely, "And this leads me to believe my apprentice either acquired, or maybe bartered something of value to this xeno which would never assist any human. Least to my knowledge to assume, I believe it's fascinating and utterly frightening to ponder, but if anything else it's also a sign there are greater forces looming out of sight. And I don't intend to let it escape if possibly, so do mind your thoughts sister of the Bloody Rose, or I shall...enlighten you further?"

The power armor may have concealed an ugly sneer yet hatred potently surged making Jalena snort unimpressed. Yet ironically her fellow sister quietly asked, "If that is indeed true, lady inquisitor. Then why did you have us and abscond our contingent off Ophelia IV to aboard your vessel, for we cannot ignore or allow corruption to spread." Tartarus's expression hardly seemed impressed to remark dismissively yet held subtle bemusement, "Because I can and I have all authority to request whoever I deem so, Sister of the Bloody Rose. Ordos Malleus only has so much necessary resources for circumstances to do what's required, and I highly doubt you'd survive, if said resources are needed. So I must do what I have to do, or risk needless waste of resources of any world in the Imperium, if only to safeguard billions by convenience, least when one has the leverage to acquire said possibilities."

Alicia looked aside momentarily aware of a cold amusement not of her own choosing observing far too keenly. Your thoughts betray you, Sister of Bloody Rose or are you understanding the dangers only now your fellow sister's blindly traverse? It'd been apparent since of being underneath the Inquisitor's service, it'd been perplexing to say mildly and rarely did explanation circumvent motive whereas an answer wasn't necessary. But she knew little of higher decisions save for being minted as a full fledged sister of battle, to purge and cleanse the unholy with fire, bolter and sword for the Emperor's faith to be upheld.

"Damned if you, damned if you don't." She quietly realized coming to terms that heresy was indeed only tolerated reluctantly because damnation was worse to allow. Indeed, none go against what is instilled for the Faith itself in principle, but in practice we of Ordos Malleus tend to...rescind limitations, if only grudgingly. Alicia's eye looked upward to notice phenomenon of psychic origin and felt a small cold shiver running up underneath her power armor exterior. It seemed inconceivable that a little boy whose twisted ability to lie, or speak truth and ultimately deceive many who would be capable to unleash such titanic display for nothing, save for a longing desire of trust and faithfully committed regardless of his personal perils.

Perils which were foreseen, or noticed yet he'd still gone to face them seemingly as foolishly shown. Or maybe that was what Marcos's intentions were originally, if only hiding in plain sight making her eyes close out of sheer disbelief. He kept warning us, didn't he Inquisitor? Not of just daemons, but indirectly exposed himself to face more because he'd known you would take care of something he has no idea to destroy. And we believed a truth to be the lie! The chortling indicated a lack luster disappointment considering she'd been expected otherwise, or rather amused Tartarus greatly to voice out sardonically.

"You expected an apprentice who had no knowledge daemonic rituals save for his experiences, to tackle a threat which even I wasn't aware about?" Her eyes were pulsing with psychic energy to seemingly stare without pupils yet they honed in bemused, "Your faith is severely lacking, if you believe one just merely overcomes Chaos's influences. It is a dangerous game we play, if agents or reports are compromised which is likely in this case considering I wasn't aware such a monstrosity had embedded itself upon this world's populace. But fortunately it isn't the first time to happen, nor rare for information about cults tend to be altered given said circumstances."

The vehicle sped down a street where numerous horrors became clearer and far too twisted of discretion to ignore. Jalena seemingly hummed taking in various horrified expression of faceless, or eyeless corpses which had given themselves willingly to take part in this madness. This isn't even a world beyond saving, or worthy of what could happen if unchecked. My apprentice's actions whether you choose to believe just may have just spared it, if only from total annihilation from those sent here to contain an infection, sister Alicia. So take solace, if he lives then he might just reap the reward for assisting those who usually don't adhere to outsiders and acting upon their advice, it is strange to see the Korpsmen of Krieg so invested in someone.

An armored helm partially looked back to see masked korpsmen seemingly unhindered by horrors, or seemed to react visibly. Yet their stiffening silence seemed more oppressive given she'd witnessed small subtle signs of their enjoyment, or approval whenever a boy had lead them regardless of how crass and harsh. Yes, he's got a unique gift that only our Emperor knows how! Deceiver, or not his capability to even make these kinds of men perform effectively does signify one thing. He'll be quite a resource conservative to avoid wastes, for if normal guardsmen who break easier and require patience, I'd imagine it is a skill easily honed, unique and does more to avoid pointless wastes.

Alicia narrowed her disbelief to suspicion to see a placid smirk, "You almost sound like you're expecting more out of him." The Inquisitor eerily smiled to snort, "As he is now? He wouldn't survive considering which is both his curse and blessing, if our Emperor is indeed watching out for him despite how recklessly idiotic he acts. Children who mature quickly tend to find ways on their accord, but I suspect if he lives after today...he'll stop pretending one way, or another!" Considering their circumstances which had brought them to this point Jalena wouldn't surprised it wouldn't quite the miracle, or blessing if the boy walked away, or partially without including replacement of organs possibly.

"Is this xeno truly as dangerous as the daemons themselves?" She inevitably questioned to make the Inquisitor grimly reveal, "Let's just imagine they provide three answers for any question asked by us and all are equally terrifying. Or so rumors claim, I've never encountered one but a colleague of mine has indeed encountered them on several occasions. They're not ones who appear without advancing their own causes, or motives to use us humans as tools of convenience and I highly doubt whatever my apprentice came into contact with is not entirely considered either." Her idle gaze peered further into the Immaterium which shifted violently from distant distortions and was ideally becoming less suitably stabilized further due to said psychic phenomenons.

She appeared pensive to frown incredibly when picking up on thoughts of a question itself. What xeno race even has an Inquisitor wary to encounter? If daemons are equally as dangerous, by the Emperor's holy graces in what are we dealing with here? Jalena remained quietly to faintly whisper all too cautiously aware, "They're a race that outstrips our own in both psychic, technological and arrogance...we call them Eldar. A dying race of one thankfully from what I gather, or so what my colleagues have graced myself from those within the Ordos Xenos. To be quite clear whenever they appear, it's safe to assume more is expected and none of that indicates a relief save for more nightmares enacting their motives, sister Alicia."

Throughout information being keenly generalized to avoid unnecessary questions did thoughts of another turn not so unexpectedly hostile. Anora issued a quiet assurance which started to go irksome when noting images of divine cleansing, "It doesn't change what is to be upheld when anyone consorts with Xeno, or is tainted by corruption. The boy deserves mercy, if not to die for our Holy Father of mankind and yet you..." Another word would have been spoke until an Inquisitor's eyes glowered sending psychic pressure to force a Sister of Battle to silence herself. Patience had reached an impasse when force alone dictated action.

Be mindful who you're speaking too, girl. Jalena coldly crushed any resistance to have limbs and blood simultaneously freeze underneath armor not so effectively meant for psykers. Your grief and confusion I can stomach no longer, so do what your fellow sister wisely harbors or I'll simply end you here and now. My apprentice's fate shall be judged accordingly, if he shows signs then it'll be quick to which you'll have that honour to claim. But until that is verified...shut your mouth, be a good girl and take a lesson to understand a concept of possibility.

Psychic pressure lifted gradually forcing one power helm to remain looking aside either in shame, or anger which hardly mattered. The Inquisitor snorted in favor to observe an ever increasing storm of lightning descend ferociously as it'd condensed inwards, "Strange." She lightly murmured absently trying peering further behind shrouds and churning masses of tendrils oozing off corruption to flee, "It's almost as if its not an attack, but a barrier...no, a duel! Caging those within so neither can escape, or flee until their death most likely."

Distantly within the warps ever churning presence a light flickered brightly and it was driving swaths of tendrils aside. They simply dissipated rapidly as though they'd been burnt, or cleansed much to her deepening frown. How much of your psychic will have you withheld, boy? You crafted a conjured image fairly well, to fool everyone with your foolish attitude and innocent smile to mask what I'd sensed on that world. And now of all times you chose to battle against a daemon whose very voice breaks humans on a whim.

Inhaling slightly she'd been piecing together what information and memories those unaware exposed far too naturally. You noticed it'd been following yourself, so you made a mistake and were taken to return almost unaffected. But you chose to seek aid, if only out of desperation and ignorance it'd assist for that object you seemingly found in that cathedral. No, it used you and you knew it, but you fooled them believing otherwise...except the Eldar will retrieve what you found from your corpse. So why are you dueling a daemon when you know all of this, boy?

She'd been missing a piece without doubt to scowl faintly deliberating possibilities, or humoring insanity alone. The gap what those who'd traversed and having him reappear before an almost decimated cathedral spoke volumes of a slaughter. Either you are willingly consorting with this Eldar, or it holds you hostage since it'd suite your actions. But ironically enough even you wouldn't damn yourself, if only to favor the Faith of our Emperor. So what secrets have you found to make you believe it'll assist you, or perhaps? Ah, I see you were probably infuriated just to avoid the sacrificial price of death!

The Inquisitor smiled faintly impressed to hedge a probability her apprentice was even hiding something of value from an Eldar. It certainly appeared as such to have a chortle of bewilderment willingly drive away frustration, "You foolish boy. You might just live to regret trying to manipulate those who've done since it mankind arose from our cradle of Holy Terra, I wonder if you'll do what you've done best and hide in plain sight. Try not to die, I still have to decide I'll kill you on this world or back on my ship."

Suddenly a vox crackled forcing the storm-trooper to look over quickly as if verifying an oddity within mirrors angled. He called out sternly through a mask making various korpsmen react immediately, "Daemons are on our ass, shoot'em and pray you hit their heads." The Inquisitor stared mildly impressed to see dozens of rapidly approaching daemonettes which howled lustfully, or promised pleasures which were far too obviously petty. Use the heavy stubber, gun them down and keep this convoy moving forward. They're only going to delay us, if we stop and wipe them out which they know all too well accomplishes their master's ploy.

Crackling fire from a turret as the korpsmen who manned them on three vehicles swung around effortlessly laying down suppressive fire. Bullet casings clattered underneath shrieks nearly shattered windows despite it'd being muffled, "Tiresome." Jalena intoned sourly to pull out a small thick tome bounded by bless chains of protection and cleansing. Idly she began casually shifting through pages peering for what suitable incantation needed to be utilized, "They'll be more trooper, I'd advise running over any of them foolish enough to be road kill. Or you'll risk everything to have yourself wish you'd be dead."

Ahead of them were two other commandeered vehicles driving side by side as two korpsmen whose masked eye sockets flashed due to gunfire. Jalena thinly smiled appreciating such precision and they only obeyed without a thought, "It still perplexes me how they find you, so strange Marcos and yet they die faster knowing you promised them a worthy end. A shame you gave them more to live than to die, so perhaps you'll learn one day inspiring is far more dangerously fatal than having those fear you, I pray to our Emperor you never learn to find out." She impassively skimmed through passages of high gothic hand written by her very hands, an ever tedious task to decipher yet one passage stood out far too suitably.

Channeling psychic will herself to have it bend and fluctuate into compressed waves did daemonic presences leap off roof tops. You have caught me off guard by your master's presence, but you are not hindering my path again. Psychic energy consolidated before a literal thundering boom shook an entire vehicle almost off all wheels briefly. Pure golden light shot in a circular wave as it sent daemonic entities screeching to have their forms burst into gory displays, they'd been crushed and pushed aside into structures sealing their demises. She exhaled partially to begin channeling more psychic will gradually as more seemingly rushed desperately, a fool's gamble it appeared.

This is far more luxurious to attempt, I don't even have to waste munitions and being stationary is far too gratifying. Another massive solidifying psychic pulse of holy purification lashed outward causing her to laugh softly, "I get to enjoy seeing your faces as I rip them apart. For the Emperor protects!" Several daemonettes tried to leap on top where a korpsmen refused to flinch, or cease firing and got sent into crimson chunks with their presences fading to dust. She couldn't ever deny these korpsmen rightful admiration to never show fear, a worthy tool and finest example of duty to give all without cause for doubt.

"How long can you effectively kill them?" Alicia warily questioned witnessing gruesome demises in a cold and pleased manner to have an Inquisitor smirk faintly, "As long as I don't lose control, or push myself while sitting contently? They'll figure it out eventually, it is not often I freely offer my rare leeway to happily enact retribution on these beings, ones who wished they'd killed myself a week ago. But after all someone has got to enjoy your pain and suffering, I believe it's only proper." The Sister of Battle stared unbelieving to know when joking humor seemed far too alien to believe, or yet alone see firsthand making Jalena snort quietly.

Lady Inquisitor with all due respect, I pray you don't humor the boy's attitude. Alicia fervently winced trying not to ignore similarity which caused a placid grin to lengthen. One's enough, as he'd say and I can only agree since it drives most mad. Said individual merely shook her head, "You believe as though we all weren't like him similarly in youth during our apprenticeships, Sister Alicia. I was far more obvious to break necks whenever one tried to say otherwise, so perhaps the Emperor is making me relive ghosts I'd long since exorcised. But alas, I wasn't so recklessly idiotic to which is quite vexing to witness."

The warp churned around them to send brass cases streaking into interior walls and flung about as another pulsating wave of golden light burst outside. Secure your thoughts, we must do battle soon enough and enjoy witnessing what control over psychic will grants. The Inquisitor returned to stare ahead with eyes immersed in psychic will and left Alicia to look down digesting what had been said relatively without treading lines of fatal consequence. Her gaze was heavy with uncertainty to look towards a fellow power armor user who'd been coldly silenced, a trace of pity almost appeared yet was crushed through plain understanding.

"Harbor it, sister." She whispered over a vox to see another helm look over slightly, "Don't cling to what poisons your thoughts, harbor it and prepare to let it go. Only our Holy Father will determine who we are frightened to find with what our minds cannot hope, so take solace he fights and it is in our Emperor's name." Her eyes drifted past to stare past windows where two other similar vehicles fired continuously from weaponry as tracers whizzed behind to cut down screeching and angered daemons who'd been desperately trying to stall for time itself.

Another titanic tremor rocked them as fire arose behind lightning strikes which condensed themselves and slithered from darkened skies. She involuntarily shivered realizing their Order had burned witches for cleansing because they far too capable to do unspeakable feats of horror, awe and if one ever gave themselves to Chaos's whims? Then they are killed, for they are too uncontrollable and could end millions with but a thought. But you're not a witch Marcos, or else I'd have withheld my judgment to pray for our Emperor to prove me wrong.


I hissed lividly when my own body bent onto an angle not remotely capable to natural. Throne, my back is not meant to go that far down you fecking xeno! Bones dangerously popped when slicing into an exposed set of serrated claws as embers sparked wickedly. Flames roared striking the Masque having it stumbled angrily screeching when two faces similarly blended into a display of terrifying rage. And despite its larger size my seeming puppeteer had fairly effectively done so! Especially when sliding underneath an oncoming psychic energy, a wave of blackened purple into getting on both knees slashing precisely at an exposed leg.

Your flesh is inferior, bone and body will never match what was once was an art of battle! It spoke smugly as I found myself flipping when the daemon's staff pulverized where I'd been kneeling. Yet legs pushed far beyond humane limitations to jump and angled a flaming sword to cut deep into the Masque's side. It shrieked in response dancing nimbly while struggling to put out near magma flames, I stood back upright with both flaming wings curling dangerously. Boiling desires to burn, scorch and turn this fecking thing to ash was something I'd mutually adhere too.

Oh shut your mouth and deal with it, or get a one way prayer to the Emperor! The daemons eyes narrowed lividly forcing arms to prepare a sloppy defense as the blade's flames were just inches from my face. The warp shifted rigorously when tendrils arose akin to serpents, "Someone's angry at someone spoiling your fun, or am I wrong?" Unable to resit I cheekily remarked when I noted it'd been infuriated, if just to have it hiss back clearly not enjoying humor, "What is this lie? The truth of lies, for lying truly for I must agree!"

Lightning crackled dangerously just an arm's length away as it looked around noticing an enclosed area. The gloom of bluish light mingled with orange and red in a display of damning hatred, "It's only a lie if you can't take the heat. Good thing the Emperor protects, or is that the truth?" There was a momentariness silence before the warp began trembling akin to being boiled. I leered to whisper rather sweetly, "Oh did I make you angry? In the name of Emperor, I hope your mouth remains closed..." I went quiet when I found myself rapidly thrown aside as it giggled overtly innocent ceasing any noise at all.

Your corpse-god holds no power over it, mon'keigh and it'd be wiser to kill what you provoke! The warp exploded outwards as one moment I witnessed the Masque leaning forward and surges of shroud had it slashing maddeningly fast! I couldn't even tell what was warp shroud, or simply serrated blades when the inflamed sword merely deflected sporadically. By the throne, what the feck is this thing on! And how are you seeing shit, when I can't even tell what's what?

One moment I only saw rippling cloth and a shrieking face sending me backwards when flesh alone tingled dangerously. Inferior, you are and as much as you wish, senses shall crudely falter. Behind a molten wing wrapped itself around serrated fingers which scalded daemonic tendrils, I saw it screech frustrated when I'd been sliding backward from sheer force yet the sword lunged upwards. My grin savagely savored getting a first hand view of darkened liquid seeping due to impaled abdomen, "That's why you don't show someone where you stashed your shiv at! Someone might just twist and twist to get in your third fecking rib."

Psychic will thundered behind making reality and the Immaterium behind to have an expression realize an increase of temperature. Let's burn this mother fecker's face off, shall we? The green stone which brightly exploded in a myriad of green and yellow unblinkingly channel an even more influx of psychic potency to have a gray metallic band sizzling into liquidized droplets. It coursed from hands into another medium which I watched transfixed to see the warp wrapping and rapidly spinning as a menacingly glowering orange and red struggling for supremacy had began brightly arising to sting my skin.

"Like I said." I cheekily smirked see those daemonic eyes narrow in both warning and awareness as the second wing tightly wrapped around it's staff. Twisting unintentionally to have a blade churning deeper to have blackened liquid dripping fluently, "If you can't some heat, then by the throne you're fecked!" The wreathed weapon retracted igniting an entire body and with one mighty prepared swing a blade bellowed flames in air itself. The sheer explosion tore inflamed wings into tatters as I flew backward gnashing teeth to stab the ground slowing myself brutally, or else kneecaps would splinter from fighting off gravity's natural forces.

An inferno birthed from a slashing weapon sent an entire wall roaring and dangerously scalding even earth itself into glass. The Masque's ear bleeding shrieking truthfully felt rewarding, I hungrily admitted to be considered musically pleasing for once. I looked briefly to see wings of molten flame flapping unintentionally, I had no will over them regardless. They were steadying a puppet from who'd manifested them, which I began moving forward involuntarily and the blade leveled to send another monstrous wave of psychic energy unable to be controlled. All, or nothing xeno! All, or fecking nothing and by the Emperor, it'll be nothing when I'm done with it!

Another almighty slash sent literal walls of flames struggling to burn each other out and stretched seeking to get ahead. For one moment all air and noise ceased being heard, if only then a body concussion met a target. They both collided while my arm angled to unintentionally stabbed deep into earth. Oh...grox shit. Due to being so close, I winced and ideally laughed a bit uncertainly. Emperor help me, but I'm going to get crispy aren't I?

In relation to that laughable idiocy did two wings partially folded outward, in shielding embers sizzling past as an explosion rocked buildings behind to send them tumbling into rubble brutally. Literally an epic center of powerful quakes of force sent my guts churning to sway dangerously, both legs struggled to find purchase yet my sinister expression never ceased to hungrily demand for blood. Muffled screeching and something incredibly large flayed around, or seemingly tried to push through heat so intense it'd smelter metal alone. I never stopped smiling to whisper all too lavishly making it bleed, "Burn and die, daemon."

Unfortunately I realized it ceased to flail around save for several moments as I stood upright sword aimed away prepared. She Who Thirst's presence shall not undone by an inferior being of blood's will, or force alone mon'keigh. I stared into near eye blinding light to see literally nothing, if anything it looked like it'd been smashed right head first towards a wall of lightning. Are you serious? I questioned disbelievingly to see only flames, or feeling sensations of skin blistering heat when my body angled itself again.

Yet a darkening shroud began formulating within those orange and red walls of flames. I stared unable to imagine despite whispering, "How by the throne is it standing in one piece! Feck, it should be dust and less!" The flames began dying down steadily when the Masque's eyes peered above smoldering smoke to narrow far too playfully bemused. My legs began preparing themselves when I understood it'd just been humoring what I'd already understood. It's putting on an entertaining show as it desired, oh feck me...I just made it excited, didn't I?

The staff of masks swiftly sent once enraged flames into embers as ash and wisps lazily aside leaving little traces. Motionlessly those eyes narrow again beneath melted flesh before gradually realigning to smile cruelly, "Pleasure and pain is not but perfection, it is not?" The robes it'd manifested began sealing shut all too nimbly as I watched utterly bewildered realizing, I'd need to push for a lot of raw psychic power to earnestly do something. But I reasoned it'd been better off than being skewered alive, or technically speaking I probably beforehand being viewed as adorable and presently to considered annoyance.

Be prepared mon'keigh, for She Who Thirst's is pleased and her greatest entertainer has been granted a desire of it's will. I refused to even response considering the Masque raised itself as if out reaching towards an unseen hand. The entire warp shrouded itself due to huge swaths churning and being sent literally inward into this daemon's entire manifestation. Purplish crackling of seething tendrils molded, folded and obscured even what was a monstrosity of size to effortlessly began shrinking towards something of smaller frame. It only lasted for several seconds at least, if anything less to have my eyes widening.

As it looked up I blinked seeing literal insanity,"Throne! Are you fecking with me?" I whispered laughing uncertainly to see an equal sized daemon whose childish expression innocently smiled deceptively. It shrunk to my size, okay what the feck? Am I supposed to be feel scared, or terrified because I'm only getting more pissed at it for having fun!

The face it'd worn seemed far more humane to realigning into features of someone who'd done a similar smile promising pain. Yet my limbs were tensing far more obviously, "Thy desire is granted, for the Prince has agreed and I must oblige! For thou heart cries out, as such I obey and desire is what is craved!" Now I understood partially to sneer as it'd been digging inside memories, or images which brought out an ever burning rage willingly being fed into it. It'd known instead of horror, it'd manipulate rage and I was too fecking careless to imagine it'd been using her face to tempt me towards damnation.

Your inferior mind exposed itself, mon'keigh. She Who Thirsts and her entertainer would not resist in willingly exposing desire's temptations, for superior beings who duel her must steel themselves, or risk dangers your ilk woefully stumble past! A sly xeno's voice reverberated smugly to have myself moving perpendicular with the flaming word boiling the warp itself. Yet despite that I saw a shadow looming behind the Masque's childlike appearance, it'd been hiding in plain sight. Still I glared harshly to smirk savagely because desire alone forced myself too.

Can't say it's not wrong, I'm happier because you know why I'm reacting! The xeno embedded in that damned glowing stone had been also guilty of such subversion. It'd been routinely garnering gothic words and knowledge to speak far eerily similar to Esdainn. You think I haven't noticed you getting more and more clearer, xeno? You're not that clever, so fecking deal with it, or go back where you belong into that glowing glass orb.

Another awkward stance stabilized my arms angling a blade which would be incredibly difficult to hit something smaller. I had a disgusting assumption it'd shrunk itself, if only to be annoying and far more deceptively deadly. Wonderful...it thinks, plots and actually knows how to do it! The eyes were still blackened with yellow sclera, "Is thou desire not fulfilled, Marcos? Thy will is sound, heart pure and you need only run yourself into my arms. For the Great Prince of Excess knows your pain, so embrace him!"

It innocently lifted both arms as though I'd walk up to do what it'd instructed. My teeth gnashed tightly since I understood all too well, a temptation not of love or trust but hatred. You just had to get pissed, now it's having fun again! The child like giggling made my eyes sting when it only began dancing erratically and I saw an eye wink cutely devious promising agonized intentions. Every literal space where the Immaterium existed in a few moments had utterly shattered due to internal quaking, I barely saw even a wisp shimmer and all too inhumanely an arm stabbed viciously off to the right side, "Oh...shit."

Serrated claws for fingers nimbly had secured a wreathing flame far too unexpectedly as I stared right into where it'd appeared. Those eyes narrowed hauntingly bemused when a staff slammed my face cleanly as eyelids fluttered away light exploding into reality in having been sent skidding across several meters, "Yup, I...get it!" Pain enhanced by solidified psychic will had unnaturally made even a puppeteer struggling, if only to stand up in flesh not it's own as blood faintly dripped past dried out lips.

Alright fecking thing is a lot quicker...shit, and hurts, really hurts! Tremors still miraculously were overwhelmed by even more potent will which compared to my own, by the Emperor I'd might as well have been a grox learning to play dead. But even with another being partially deflecting a whiff of air did the Masque whisper behind an ear, "Is thy looking for I?" I only saw an overt eye narrow amusingly just for a moment before I got slammed forward tumbling and slid groaning due to a possibly cracked spinal cord.

Coughing equally enraged and ideally frustrated I turned over just to see it looming above giggling deceptively happy. Forget a chance of hitting it anymore! The blade literally swiped upwards making said daemonic entity cry out joyfully to weave backward, flip in place and land on two serrated fingers smiling ever so mischievously. Oh great, it's even mimicking what she'd do me! By the throne, what the feck is this thing?

My expression mirrored on either horrified when ghost sensations of chills ran up an almost shattered back, or disbelief. Legs and arms responded unwillingly to get up sending waves of agonized fire as a series of slashes, or thrusts were nimbly avoided harmlessly. Yet the damned entity kept appearing with a mischievous smile turning crueler, and crueler knowingly it'd found an old wound to keep literally stabbing into psychically. You fecking xeno, you don't get it? Whatever you thought it'd do, it's not doing and...oh feck!

The puppeteer made a slight mistake by just partially extending an arm and as a result a smaller hand tightly latched onto it. Bones shattered instantly making my mouth part howling shrilly as it literally threw me over entirely, I smashed face first and inhaled far too much charred dirt. You fecking idiot, let me spell it out for you! You can see it moving, but I can't! Holy shit xeno...ah feck me, not again! And within another moment it again flipped myself over despite flaming wings scorching earth, or granite strongly in trying to cushion another spine shattering impact. I coughed loudly to spit out fluid regardless to wheeze in air instinctively.

Yes mon'keigh, indeed have I noticed! An inferior being which cannot stand against forces you'd never imagine! Unlike that smug tone earlier I noted through blinding sensations of a nervous system, or maybe every inch of flesh unable to react save for concussions. But it sounded disgusted to have me wheeze out grinning as the Masque flung me aside none too gently. Rolling unhindered getting scrapped, or bruised immensely I came crashing side first into a fountain's wall partially angled to see it approaching casually humming.

You're killing me, you know that? I psychically thought sneering to see limbs straining just to lean backward supporting itself. Damned daemon is playing games, ones I'd not want to remember and only way to actually hit it now...go low, or dirty. The swords flames brightly sent bloodied liquid sizzling into mist as it came into contact briefly, I couldn't move yet alone try to convince a xeno which thought itself so superior to get bewildered by hab-block lessons of gutting another. But if it was using old nightmares to get me angered, I'd say I knew what to do partially to enjoy them and turn it into a score needing to be settled.

The daemon kept an identical smile worthy to make its source tamed in comparison as an arm raised itself. It'll go for my knees next, to make sure you can't run or even stand! I psychically warned laughing when phantom sensations kept returning stronger and stronger. Only this time around, it's got shivs for fingers and it'll be quicker. Both arms hardly twitched before legs were enforced by another will to move slowly forward trembling numbly. The xeno hardly responded psychically as well yet I had an all too smug feeling it'd listened, if only out of sheer bewilderment to not expect hive block shiv fights.

The Masque's gaze narrowed playfully as it moved in a literal blink of an eye. Block low and fecking smash your head into it! I bellowed psychically again as a sword rapidly descending to catch several fingers in a bone jarring motion. It looked up seemingly unperturbed despite black liquid seeps from flames burning itself. Now before it really starts cutting holes in to me, smash my head into it's face you fecking idiot and gut it, or you'll really wish I'm not going to pray to the Emperor in smashing your glass ass!

Even a daemonic set of eyes widened when my forehead brutally sent it reeling backward and the sword descended. But it flipped backward laughing merrily when air scorched itself with an almost perfected line of orange. What warfare is this mon'keigh? She Who Thirst's entertainer is soiling such a bastardization of dance and inferior ways! I psychically laughed even as a smirk graced my physical face seeing a daemon humming harmoniously, if only just by dancing and weaving to never break gazes.

Hab-block warfare, xeno. I answered grinning since it'd been bloody, dirty and walking away was only viewed to save for your skin. Shivs, dirty hits and paying in blood. Arms raised themselves accordingly to instill a firmer defense, if it'd mattered yet saw serrated claws eerily reminiscent of when someone wanted to make another bleed. More likely I probably assumed my thighs, or third rib would be considered save for a fact it hadn't kept up on converting myself. It wasn't trying to kill me, or else I'd been bleeding out entirely.

The claws twitched over left making my grin turn savagely impressed as I warned it once. It'll go for one my thighs next, if only around the inner half to nick a gusher out. Lock it's forearm, you'll get an opportunity as if it'd been a sweeter grox for killing. I didn't need to be proven wrong as it moved rapidly making my eyes wince when both arms followed downward, in a mere moment another bone jarring shock-wave struck dirt. It's face looked up yet again save for a smile turning colder and colder to my bemusement.

Slam a knee into its gut, pull this fecker forward and smash your head into it! I barked out psychically laughing as in near perfected acquiesced action did so. The Masque stumbled disbelievingly when I kept up utterly enjoying someone pay up in blood. Kick a leg out, and use that sword right for once! Make this fecking grox shitting bitch bleed, Emperor knows I'm due for some retribution and I'm not playing nice anymore.

The daemon again tried swiping let a leg angled to have it stumble ideally bewildered and a blade's tip impaled itself fluently. Just hearing an ear shattering screeching made my grin grow wider, "Oh I'm sorry? Did that hurt?" My voice was wheezing on air to rasp chuckling when a gut churning guttural snarl made me pause in seeing a knee subtly angle itself properly. Oh...no, no, no! Xeno for the love of Emperor, it's going for dirty and low!

Yet the damned xeno failed to understand ironically as a knee implanted right where the throne met our Emperor. I screamed to hunch over as a pair claws slashed my face aside and had myself violently thrown back towards a bloodied fountain. You fecking idiot! Dirty and low, means groin! Tears fell equally agonized to experience and undeniable humiliation were pale when splintered flesh burned, I breathed heavily trying to gain sanity again. And now because of that mistake I only saw shimmering air.

Three slim yet serrated fingers came plunging viciously right into an open rib cage. I got hoisted well above itself as two more serrated claws dug into another leg, "Did that hurt, little one?" Rasping out bloodied ash and embers I stared right at blackened eyes hungrily lavishing liquid, a tongue flicked out and seemingly caught them mid drop. Yet it leaned forward cooing, "Pain and pleasures, for they are truly perfection are they not?"

However I smiled shockingly sinister to psychically whisper rather vindictively to a xeno who understood opportunity well enough. Use a leg, lock an arm and go for the third rib! Someone just revealed their shiv, so let's fecking burn this bitch! My only remaining locked shot upwards as I leaned back wrapping a forearm much to it's shocked expression. Whispering right back I promised all too readily, "Yeah I'd say it hurts daemon, so feck off when I say that I think this will become very fecking enjoyable!"

The swords flaming entirety shifted rapidly as a blade lunged down piercing the Masque's exposed third rib causing an instant reaction. It leaned backward bellowing a shrill echoing agonized emotion I recognized as a kill jab, "Keep screaming, you grox shit of a bitch." Flames exploded outwards when two molten wings came hawkish to descend and wrapping themselves around to pull said daemon right into a literal inferno. Such disgraceful warfare mon'keigh, never has a dance so crudely crass and utterly childish for I to witness! But She Who Thirsts has no honour, no pity and I must adhere to make it suffer so!

Around us both the warp became screaming and boiling faster in a myriad of funneling chaotic desperation. My hand grasped an arm to pulse as green bright light scorched even unnatural daemonic flesh, "Someone's just as pissed off at you, daemon!" I whispered weakly grinning to see greenish near yellow fire igniting to spread further down as reddish orange met underneath. My will cracked further when I added what little I had left to create an absolute inferno worthy of my Emperor's will, I'd turn this fecking thing to dust with myself.

Your promise to keep your world of burning within desire mon'keigh! Take heart, few dare walk the path of warrior and fool together. The xeno's voice spoke unusually neutral when psychic wills merged as a sword's length got even more potent to send blackened flesh veering off. I still smiled to see those blackened eyes behind that mask widen in a rare display of uneasiness, "Oh yeah. You're burning in hell and I hope you prayed to the Emperor! I'm taking you with me to meet him and we'll really find out whose hurting then!"

Swaths of flame began striking outwards extending and turning dirt into purified glass reflecting amplified coloration. The sword sunk deeper making it screech out as a face of someone who I hated entirely melded away. Don't let it move xeno, we're going to make this bitch bleed and have it understand whose better taking the heat on them! It's disgusted mouth widened trying to shake itself free but psychic infused fires for wings kept strongly, I snarled to look right into the expression of madness and horrors to see finally...fear of someone who I knew would to have regret realized they pissed off someone worse.

It would be myself who'd make daemons to make them think twice! Teeth serrated tried to snap at my face yet I leaned back formulating psychic will. Just burn in hell, daemon! An ever dampened spear plunged itself mentally to send a daemonic entity shrieking further when I prayed happily, "Blessed be to you my Emperor, for your light and I seek your blessing of protection to purify what enemy who dares to stand in your name! Grant me your grace, your holy miracle and cleanse this daemon in your name."

Subtle sensations of burning flesh made my gaze lower to see a purity seal glaring hot red and trailing downward. Wait, it wasn't doing that with this daemon next to me? The feck? I frowned since it'd shouldn't have been reacting so strongly. Chaos and corruption were mutual so yet why was it reacting when it'd been close enough with a daemonic entity? I blinked again to see it turning crimson and blackening when the golden aquilla in holy iconography flipped itself over.

Behind I felt a chilled sensation far greater and literally took my breath away when the warp itself bent backwards. The Immaterium is, throne it's fecking...bending inward? Never seen that before, what the shit is happening to oh...behind. Gulping down vomit which miraculously still relatively possible was commanded by instinctual terror on a level I'd never imaged. Every piece of flesh, organ and neuron screamed in unified fashion especially as molten flame wings start weakening forcibly, it had starting being snuffed out by something a lot more powerful apparently.

The warp rift violently splintered across air sending it crackling akin to glass being shattered and I looked right into wreathing swirls. Holes burning reality and nightmare alike folded inward, as if a hand was nimbly pulling down fabric. I couldn't understand how, or why this maddening detail struck save for an open rift rippling dangerously. Emperor help me, what the feck is going on? The veil between the Materium and Immaterium is gone, it's like I'm right inside the warp, how is that fecking possible!

Amidst in rippling orange and swirling tendrils, I stared paralyzed to see unholy amounts of blackened tendrils clawing at borders. Yet that wasn't terrified me in hindsight. Something was literally pulling that warp rift aside, or extending said border as if leaving a window opened. Something...which I had no word to imagine, or rightfully be terrified existed. All sense of heat, pain or any sensation dulled to one chilling detail in a pure form of sound alone.

Musical giggling akin to choruses of bells being struck, beauty unmatched and perfection were what stood out most. Within that warp rift's surface rippling swirling did a distant surge, or wave coming distantly to have my eyes widen instinctively catatonic as I only could watch petrified. Seemingly infused with warp energy cracking, hissing and forming into some sort of hand came lunging outward fingers stretched in the most beautiful flesh unimaginable. It was just one hand, a mere hand not human and even seemed daemonic with fingers spread.

And they descended less than a second in exposing a ghostly velvet symbol. I couldn't even feel scream, shriek or react save for numbly realizing those five fingers had penetrated bone and flesh as though it'd never been there. Despite that I still saw through cracks to see a lone eye of Chaos opening over a vast distance connected by a single thin blackened purple thread, or chain given it couldn't be measured from beyond the warp's interior horizon. Blood vaporized, muscle slackened and bone turned brittle I lost all will immediately to even breathe.

Sound alone made my limbs seemingly tremble as they struggled holding even a sword with gravity assisting. But I heard a voice sweetly proclaim hungrily, "You look such like a tasty little snack, little boy and I finally get to see your eyes." Among those ripples I watched transfixed to see a nightmare when I first encountered it, a beautiful face smiling warmly and I understood only one thing. It'd been all happily tempted just because of my prayer, "The Anathema does not answer prayers, but fortunately I've been waiting and listening to yours, Marcos Eius."

End Chapter XXIII

Author's Note: You know before everyone loses their collective minds about what has happened, if a metaphor is needed for clarification it'd be best. "You ring a dinner bell so many times, eventually someone is going to come around." So let that sink in, apply to what this kid has put up with and has managed to achieve the Hail Mary which ironically was successful. I had several possibilities yet one stood out, as a shock factor and probably the most horrific came to me rather naturally. If horror's face doesn't break you, perhaps the depths of Hell will make horror look nicer in comparison. And what's more dangerous to stare at literally, temptation or horror when both equate to your personal hell itself?

To be honest, it's not the physical manifestation but only a 'projection' of what it could be to the humane imagination. The Masque and Chaos weren't trying to kill our battered holy son of the Emperor, if they were...it'd be a short encounter to say mildly. More so, if Slaanesh were really in front of this kid, even an Astartes would cave yet alone having a slim fuck all chance to resist. But alas temptation can be heard, or literally in front of you hence the nature of the Warp, where dreams and metaphors come to reality's doorstep...at your bequest. Also shows you something, Chaos is not a nice thing if they're really, really trying to convert you when you know death is a mercy.

But I'd like to point the transitions of what the Masque was doing, if you're noticing it'd been inside the kid's head. Temptation of love is not the same of hatred, temptation nonetheless and it saw many things while locked in a psychic duel which is quite dangerous. It had inside knowledge, Marcos recognized it and as a result you get to see some unique tactics, if not strategy when that horror aspect was being nullified...slowly, but surely with it being slashed at and him scoring hits to level some of this madness. And yes, the Masque of Slaanesh kneed the kid straight in the ball sack, after he smashed his forehead into it as a result of the hab-block gang fighting...so pray to the Emperor, he doesn't feel that inevitably.

Alas my dear readers, daemons and powerful ones do think fairly competently. Ironically, most don't to my opinion but the ones who do...they do, they lead armies and battles in the warp of eternal clashes according to lore when Chaos struggles against itself. So it also adds in a level of surreal insanity to know something can make millions offer themselves to Chaos, with but a thought and said creature cable is intelligent enough to adapt itself on the spot when one avenue of conversion is becoming ineffective against strong will. Either way, I'm probably wrong and that's fine, it's a story which just seems far more enjoyable when you realize that no matter what Marcos does initially.

He's always going to be out scaled in his current state, I mean he pretty much took a lot of hits and found that opening after being driven to the brink of madness. Yet this ganger kid, got up and got up to keep pushing to find that place where a shiv is hidden. They say if there's a will, there's a way and he found that way...it just wasn't the best ideas in hindsight. Yet through ample consideration, he took those hits that would make even (I dare say) an Astartes nod commendably, if only to stab said daemon of Chaos with another who needed him to land said blow, irony of Eldar that they're so caught up in their pasts! And the Masque had it fooled, but not a human whose got the guts and balls...relatively to keep standing to laugh it off.

The kid's been bulldozing his way through relatively as a trail blazer, he gets the task done and doesn't give a damn until it's done. I know for fact, if you do that in this universe you're either a one prayer away from the Emperor, or damning yourself to Chaos on that same footing. Not smart, but can be learned and perhaps going through hell is a pleasant way...to learn your mistakes. And speaking of hell, dare I mention what is happening to the Sisters of Battle? Or rather Alicia, or Anora to which the Inquisitor picked up on.

Lots of potential to go wrong, or incredibly dangerous if one notices some interesting trends. And I'm not talking about corruption of Chaos, either. You all know what can lead into what, or rather what their Order clearly mandates to a degree that is quite (jokingly) reasonable. The dynamic is shifting, rapidly and I can't help but wonder where that's leading into, for the right reasons on both sides funnily enough. And as for the Inquisitor, she's not entirely insane but you catch a glimpse of what she'd perceived initially only to be misguided through the truthful lie...trust me, Marcos is gifted but it's not overtly seen because that's what makes him incredibly dangerous to a lot of things.

Nonetheless I hope everyone enjoyed reading, please leave a review and vote on that damned poll that's still up. Trust me, it won't be up for long and I really want to see how terribly amused, or vicious people are to see what happens next to said character. Have a good day, be safe and we'll find out eventually what shall be the end game for this lovely impasse one has to cross over upon.