Blood coated Rafael's features, coagulants within the Space Marine's body having momentarily failed under the indominable psychic onslaught placed upon his body. His head throbbed magnificently, the ache from loss of oxygen and blood driving tendrils of pain into his cranum. A brilliant aura of pure white light continually graced his vision, dancing and writhing in a complex ritual of dementia, without discernible pattern. As time progressed, his vision began to recuperate, and he could spot several distinct human forms gesticulating over his fall body.
As a faint groan issued from his lips, several submachineguns were leveled downwards. A beautiful language momentarily flowed through Rafaels ears, at complete odds with the Low Gothic spoken between himself and his Battle Brothers. After a moment of confusion Rafael realized the men were conversing in a strange langauge, doubtlessly long forgot in the fortieth Millenium. For a corner of his vision, Rafael watched asa harshly braying officer approached the circle of soldiers surrounding Rafaels battered form, all backing unconsciously away fromt the officer's wrath.
The officer began to chasten the soldiers for their hostility toward the fallen Space Marine; their orders were to treat theMarine carefully for any wounds, not to provoke them into aggressive action. Unfortunately, Rafael was unable to interpret the officer's intent, and roared in battle lust. Stricking aggressively, all pain fled Rafael's body as he vaulted to his feet, fists ripping into heads, limbs, stomachs, and several unpleasant, sensitive areas of the male physique.
Within moments three soldiers were unconscious at Rafael's feet. The Soviet officer screamed in anger and fear, a compact pistol gripped in his right hand instantly leveled a Rafael's forehead. Five meteres separated Space Marine and Soviet officer. Fuming overthe stupidity of his fellow soldiers, disoriented, and astounded by the Space Marine's disposal of three men within moments, orders were cast to the winds and the pistol barked in rapid succession, and entire clip of ammunition splashing into Rafael's armour. All fell harmlessly onto the earth, and Rafael grinned mockingly at his counterpart. In three strides the Space Marine crushed every bone within the officer'spistol hand, screams of agony and fear resounding through the forest.The Scout Marine appeared to the officer as death incarnate, the face an angry visage covered in the blood of the slaughtered.
"BROTHER RAFAEL,CEASE IMMEDIATELY", and spinning on his leg Rafael espied Scout Sergeant Tursk, a group of Soviet soldiers and the remainder of the Blood Ravens Scout squad intermingled to his rear standing not ten meters away.
The Soviet officer was haphazardly thrown into the snow, a pathetic whimpering issuing from his fallen form. Relieved to find his Battle Brothers in relative safety, Rafael suspiciously eyed the mass of Soviet soldiers surrounding his squad members.
"Rafael, there is much to be learned yet of the current situation", Tursk continued, "these men you attacked were overseeing your well being, and I feel your actions were unprovocked." Rafael stared in confoundment at his squad leader, the change in his comportment alerting Rafael to something amiss. Unprovocked? The enemies of the Emperor were never regarded as having the privilege of provocation before death. Why were his Battle Brothers protecting such pitiful soldiers? As Rafael's anger compounded under the harsh stares of his comrades, a rustling to Rafael's left beget a massively muscled figure walking toward the small circle of Space Marines and Soviet soldiers. Standing well over two meters tall, the figure sent a shock of recognition through Rafael's body. Roughly the same size and possessing the correct musculature of the figure he had spied in a halo of light surrounding his attacker not hours before, the rest paided the arrival no heed. As the figure approached, Rafael noticed green hued eyes staring from a face of intense concentration, long locks of dark curly hair following over the officer's shoulders. Completing unprofessional, and unfitting, Rafael presumed.
Addressing both Marine and Soviet, the burly officer ordered,"Leave Brother Rafael and I in peace, so that I may appraise him of the situation"
To the bewilderment of Rafael, all, including the Scout Marines, shuffled away to arrive at a respectful distance from the Scout Marine and the Soviet leader. Left in uncomfortable silence, Soviet and Scout Marine stared at each other for several moments, before the Marine interjected the silence with a single blunt statement. Realizing what must have happened, Rafael roared in anger.
"Release my brothers from their mental bondage, or your death will arrive imminently. I know you bend their wills against me"
"Young Rafael, you are freeof my mental bondage by my will alone...your paltry threats have no import over me.", the Soviet officer retorted calmly, glaring curiously at the massive figure glowering over him with malignant intent.
Rafael remained silent, rage at the consignment of his Brothers to such a being's will giving his features an infuriating tone.
The Soviet continued, "If you will allow, I wish to inquire of you a curiosity of mine concerning the statement you made not moments before you fell into unconsciouness"
Rafael nodded in understanding, remembering his exclamation as he caste his gaze over his tormentor. "A simple mistake, doubtlessly caused by the black ink of unconsciousness flowing over my senses. I regret my exclamation, and wish to inform you my Great Father, the Emperor, would not behave in such to manner to his most loyal subjects. "
The Soviet nodded, expecting as much"And yet, I seem to have similar characteristics to this Emperor you so love and glorify, one that you pay homage to out of dutiful respect. Is that not so? Has my power no familiarity?"
"Your mastery of the warp is unmitigated", Rafael responded, "Your intentions, however, are in doubt. What purpose have you in the possession of my Battle Brothers, and this pointless interrogation? You will not gain anything from interrogating me, and I will not submit to your false magicks, 'Emperor'. "
Analysing the armoured warrior, a spark of recognition alighted within the Soviet's eyes. Brother Rafael was the Marine he had forseen in his visions, and the one he had insured he would meet in this dreary forest of eastern Russia.
"If you may believe, I have seen you and your kind in a vision, a recurring vision that has plagued my sleep for years on end. Vast legions of warriors heed my every command, dying in the millions for the betterment of humanity. I see myself become figurehead of all humanity, all forms of abasement cast at my feet as I lead my race into a future of peace and contentment. Warriors such as yourself conquer the galaxy in a tide of bloodshed and bitter conflict.
As the Soviet continued, Rafael was shocked to hear such an accurate descripition of what he felt to be the Horus Heresy.
"My powers of foresight, an art lost to vast majority humanity over the millenia, have foretold all that is to become of myself and my surroundings. I have intricate knowledge of all that is to be,and all that could be. My existence rests on circumstance: I am everywhere at once, subtly influencing the course of history to coincide with what in my mind I feel to be the best course of continuation. I am the Emperor of avast empire, the General in the fore of great conflicts, the focal point of all influetial activities in the world.
Looking into your eyes and soul, young Rafael, I feel my physical essence flowing through your body. You, young Rafael, carry a fragment of my essence. Your, young Rafael, are my son."
As the Soviet officer spoke, tears began to stream down Rafael's cheeks. Realization dawned. Casting himself at the Soviet's feet, Rafael exclaimed, "It is you, the God Emperor, flesh and blood, walking among mortals. I force myself to accept the evidence that you are murdered, as you were, and not standing before my very eyes"
In confusion, the Soviet officer bade Rafael to rise. "Tell me, young Warrior, you say I am murdered? What place do you come from, and how do you know of my demise? Not even I have forseen such as this, a rarity and probably the reason for my death. Heed me Rafael, what of this?"
Collecting his thoughts, Rafael explained "You, Blessed Emperor, are to become the soul of all mankind, your actions alone insuring that humanity survives in a dark, xenos ridden future. In the year 231 M42., your light is abruptly extinguished, the beacon of hope for all humanity vanished instantenously across the galaxy, sending the Imperium into turmoil. Humanity is quickly divided into hundreds of thousands of warring states, isolated from the rest of humanity for all eternity. The human race stands on the brink of extinction, and my comrades and I have traveled into the past to seek you out, before our spieces is utterly eradicated."
As Rafael continued, the Emperor was endowed with a new depth of understanding, his visions finally clarified through Rafael's words. Understanding immediately his role to play and the reason for the arrival of these armoured Warriors had come, the Emperor placed his hand on Rafael's shoulder plate, halting his speech.
Before the Emperor could continue, the roar of a descending aircraft echoed through the forest. Looking upwards, the Emperor and Rafael caught side of a Blood Raven's thunderhawk descending rapidly. As the thunderhawk touched the earth, a squad of Tactical Marines vaulted from the ramp, bolters held at the ready. Shells exploded through the air as all caught sight of the cowering Russian soldiers. Before any shells could impact, the Soviet officer became immersed within a ball of roiling white energy. Shells exploded in mid air, the rest ricocheting off into the distance. All were unharmed.
"HOLD YOUR FIRE YOU FOOLS", Librarian Helios roared, and sprinted down the ramp of the thunderhawk. "THE EMPEROR OF MANKIND IS IN YOUR PRESENCE, AND YOU WISH TOBEAR ARMS IN HIS PRESENCE?"
Apparently following orders from the Chapter Master, which stated any extraterrestrial forces to spot the Marines were to be slaughtered, the Marine Squad had opened fire, totally unaware of the Emperor's divine light within their presence. Striding forward, Librarian Helios calming prostrated himself before the Emperor.
"My Lord, forgive me and the men who have committed such acts in your presence. We have much to speak concerning ourfuture, and I calmly request we leave the planet...The German army is sure to investigate such a disturbance momentarily"
The Emperor stared in silence, before finally nodding to the Librarian. "Very well, Librarian Helios". Before continuing, the Emperor raise his palm, flickering witchlight playing between his fingers. In moments every Russian soldier within the vicinity fell unconscious, their minds completely wiped of all the events that had occured around them. The Scout Marines were released from bondage, staring in bewilderment at their surroundings.
"There is much I would inform you of as well", the Emperor replied, and walked past the awestuck Space Marines humbled at his feet. In seconds the Space Marines escaped the surface, leaving the strewn bodies of dozens of dazed Soviet soldiers.