Chapter IV: Birth Of A Warmaster
Lorgar's Spite had arrived sometime later bringing back the captured Zygerrians from the slave processing center. Along with many who were being held in that place, the former slaves were freed and taken by the Word Bearers to become converts to the worship of Chaos Undivided. While the Zygerrians themselves were kept in place as Orius looked on at the Dark Apostles to handle them.
"A grand beginning you have all been ushered upon Xenos." The Apostle stated. "To usher in this new age and to bring about true change. A sacrifice is required one of blood and for it, you shall pay. The Dark Gods welcome this sacrifice for the birth of our Warmaster, Word Bearers begin!"
Countless Zygerrians were ushered into a large square numbering in the hundreds of which many either refused to submit to Chaos while others being captured from the slave center that Orius liberated.
The ritual commenced with captured Zygerrians being sacrificed en masse for this ritual to be possible thousands had been sacrificed for The Warp to open. Slowly the sparks of purple energy and electricity ignited to life in the skies above Zygerria the surges of warp energy became more intense as the sky tore open.
Colors or red, and purple bled through the sky as Chaos ships emerged from the Warp Rift, in the dozens each one bearing the mark of their respected legion.
Aboard the Twilight, General Skywalkers personal ship for secret missions that needed something smaller than a Venator to work with. Both he and Ahsoka along with Captain Rex and two other clone troopers had ventured to the Outer Rim on the Council's orders to investigate what the slaves spoke about.
The journey from Coruscant was rather quiet as Anakin, and Ahsoka had the controls while Rex and the others sat in the back listening to the two Jedi talk.
"Alright, snips we should be arriving at Zygerria shortly. Hope Obi-Wan is right about this." Anakin's tone was a hint to Ahsoka something was off. "Are you alright master?"
"Fine Ahsoka... just not exactly happy about going to this place is all," Anakin stated as he looked at the navigational charts. "Zygerrians aren't to be trusted. The Jedi Order destroyed their slave empire centuries ago but now this I'm not so sure about."
"Well if the Council thinks it's worth investigating shouldn't we?" Ahsoka asked.
"Of course its just.."
"General." Rex chimed in.
"What is it, Rex?" Anakin asked turning back to him.
"We are coming up on the coordinates to Zygerria now sir," Rex stated.
"Alright let's see what exactly agh!" Anakin held his head as he felt something was wrong extremely wrong.
"Master!?" Ahsoka rushed to his side as she could see the pain in his eyes as he looked to her. "Master, what's wrong?"
"Something isn't right." Anakin couldn't quite place it as he looked to her. "It's like a... I'm not sure snips."
As the Twilight exited hyperspace, Anakin and Ahsoka came to see what exactly the slavers were talking about. Massive ships loomed in front of them as Anakin quickly took control and kept them from ramming right into it as the ducked beneath the vessel.
Anakin, Ahsoka, and Rex looked on seeing at least a hundred ships each of varying size and length each bearing a different mark upon the hulls of the ships. Yet they saw it as they passed under the ships the tear the slaves spoke of, to Anakin and Ahsoka it was unnatural and almost evil as they could feel the swell of different emotions and feelings radiating from it like a whirlwind.
"General with all due respect we should get back to Coruscant at once," Rex stated.
"Yea no kidding. Let's get out of here before they spot us, Ahsoka set the coordinates now." Anakin said as he turned to her. "Got it, master," Ahsoka stated as she got to work.
In a few minutes, the Twilight managed to hyperspace jump away from Zygerria and back to Coruscant while the ships of the Chaos Legions formed over the planet with several smaller craft from each legion deploying to the planet. Each landing at a set of coordinates given to them by the Word Bearers, upon landing they members of each of the Traitor Legions were greeted by the Dark Apostles along with Orius who stood in front of the apostles.
"Welcome to Zygerria cousins." The apostle stated.
"So heh. This is the one the gods have chosen." A voice said as Fabius Bile appeared amongst the traitor ranks. "He doesn't look like much but heh I've worked with worse let's see if he's truly ready."
"Ready for what?" Orius asked.
"Oh heh. You lot haven't told him yet?" Fabius's smile grew wider as he touched Orius's soft cheek. "Oh, this will be a true marvel indeed heh."
"Do not touch the Warmaster, Apothecary!" Two of the Word Bearers drew their weapons pointing them at Bile only for Bile's New Men to do the same along with a few of his loyal Emperor's Children Noise Marines.
"Oh I have not intended to harm our Warmaster but he must be prepared to undergo the necessary augmentations." Bile stated.
"Yes," Orius stated as he stepped up looking to Bile. "The Word Bearers have told me about it already."
"Oh have they now." Bile's face was full of glee at the resolve of the little Warmaster. "Did they also tell you what is expected? How much pain is going to be involved since you will be getting every organ immediately under my heh care?"
The Word Bearers wanted to interject only for Orius to stop them as he stood up to Bile not showing any fear or rejection of what would happen next to him and his body.
"If I am truly chosen to lead than I'll suffer more than any here now," Orius stated. "But I shall not die. Not till I do what is needed to ensure change here for not just me but all of the galaxy."
Bile's smile was unnerving and fully enthusiastic, he had never met anyone so willing to go under the knife like this young man. Bile felt for the first time something akin to joy and pride seeing the boy stand his ground amongst people who others would call monsters and abominations, it in sense almost brought a tear to his eye.
"OH! You have fire and that is what I love most." Bile stated. "Shall we then proceed Warmaster?"
"Yes... let us begin." Orius said as both he and Bile walked on to prepare for the procedures ahead.
Taken deep within the laboratory of Fabius Bile, the process for becoming an Astartes was underway as Orius looked up at Bile who only smile as he spoke.
"There might be some discomfort heh." Bile started with a smile.
"Let's just get this over with." Orius leaned back as he was strapped to the medical table. "It's going to hurt isn't."
"Oh heh. More than you can even imagine little Warmaster heh." Bile chuckled through his teeth as he cut into Orius.
"AGHHH!" Orius screamed out as he was kept conscious as the procedure began.
/Coruscant/ Jedi Temple
The Council was gathered as a hologram of Anakin Skywalker appeared speaking with the Jedi Council on what they saw, the matter to Master Yoda and Mace Windu seemed to concern them greatly as they looked to one another.
"This fleet you say numbers in the hundreds Skywalker?" Windu asked.
"Yes master, both Ahsoka and Rex can attest to what they saw as well." Anakin continued. "What exactly are we to do masters?"
"For now Anakin return to the temple." Obi-Wan chimed in. "We will inform the Chancellor about what has occurred. For now, be safe on your journey back."
"Yes, master," Anakin noted as the hologram disappeared.
Obi-Wan and the other members of the council looked on to one another as Windu spoke up first on the matter.
"If a fleet has gathered over Zygerria and isn't a part of the Separatists or Count Dooku's plans than whoever this is a neutral third party," Windu stated.
"Neutral no," Yoda said. "A darkness grows over Zygerria. Not one of the Sith nor Dooku, something beyond our veil it is."
"Perhaps but whatever, this fleet is and how Anakin describes it seems like a danger along with no communication to or from Zygerria is worrying enough," Obi-Wan stated as he looked to the other members.
"I concur with Obi-Wan," Plo-Koon said. "Whatever this fleet is or what it's doing on Zygerria cannot be good. Perhaps an envoy should be sent, the emotions I sense are...overwhelming."
Some members of the Council believed that would be best but others not so much as now they would have to wait for word from the Chancellor on what should be done about Zygerria.
In Chancellor's Palpatine's office, he spoke with Anakin over a hologram about what he saw. Palpatine listened carefully to Anakin's words and how he described the ships to him and their size and mass before they hyperspaced away from Zygerria.
"Do you think these invaders represent a significant threat?" Palpatine kept his calm demeanor as he took a seat.
"I honestly don't know Chancellor," Anakin stated. "But something didn't feel right when we arrived it was like the force.. like it was being ripped apart."
Palpatine listened carefully as he spoke. "Anakin once you return to Coruscant I would like to speak to you on the matter further. But for now, I must go and address the senate about the matter."
"Of course Supreme Chancellor," Anakin noted as the communication between the two ended.
Palpatine sat back in his chair as he looked out to the shining spires as his eyes narrowed and his brow furrowing as he could feel something was not right at all about what was occurring.
/Senate Building/Coruscant
The Galactic Senate was now in session with many members from the Inner Rim in an uproar over what was brought before the Senate. Many learning about the apparent fleet that now took over Zygerria that didn't belong to the Separatists.
Many of the Inner Rim senators believed that this was a trick and a ploy by the Separatists, others some from the Mid-Rim thought this fleet might bring opportunity for an alliance. Yet all that could be heard in the senate was the voices of bickering and yelling senators.
"Order! There shall be, order!" Mas Amedda stated as he banged his cane.
"If indeed a fleet does exist over Zygerria we should handle this carefully," Palpatine stated.
"Chancellor!" A voice rang out. The voice was that of Bail Organa of Alderaan. "If indeed Zygerria has been invaded. Should we not send a diplomatic envoy to discuss exactly who these people are and what they want?"
"Senator Organa is correct," Palpatine said in agreement. "An envoy of diplomatic peace is indeed something that is needed in these times of war." Palpatine looked on to all the senators. "We will send a diplomatic envoy for this with an escort to ensure the safety of this mission."
Many agreed on the matter while others didn't like it one bit mostly due to Zygerria not belonging to the Republic. Yet for many, the matter still proved to be a problem and something to worry about, due to the fleet they heard about.
/Zygerria/
The warships of the Chaos Fleets loomed overhead as on the surface after nearly ten hours of painstaking surgery, Bile coated in Orius's blood had finally completed his process and transformation. Orius's eyes opened as he looked to his hands seeing the scar tissue, the implant markers upon his flesh, and how different it felt as he stood up from the medical table.
Orius's body was big he felt the places where he was changed now standing at eight in a half feet tall he looked to Bile who simply gave a sly smile as he approached the Warmaster.
"Now that you are done gawking at yourself it is time to don your power armor Warmaster when you're ready of course." Bile noted.
"Of course Apothecary Bile." Orius nodded as he followed Bile.
Both walked the halls of the once owned Zygerrian Queen as Bile and Orius entered the room several members of the Dark Mechanicum bowed to Orius and brought forth his armor pieces.
It was designed in a jet black coloration compared to all the other power armors present on Zygerria the armor was simplistic in coloration with no heraldry of any legion, only the symbol of Chaos Undivided upon both pauldrons of the power armor as it was fully donned onto Orius.
Upon leaving the room with Bile following closely behind, Orius made his way toward the queen's chamber. Upon reaching her chamber and looking out over the balcony he looked on to see the countless number of Chaos Marines below of each of their legions with a banner representing each.
Each of the legions numbered differently the Sons Of Horus numbering around thirty-thousand, the World Eater only a thousand strong, the Death Guard around four-thousand, the Emperor's Children only at nine-hundred-eighty-three, and The Iron Warriors at over two-thousand.
The Night Lords at around six-hundred, Thousand Sons around two-hundred, and the Alpha Legion at only a hundred.
The Word Bearers themselves brought up the most in terms of numbers alongside the Sons Of Horus numbering at thirty-thousand as well.
Looking out over the armies, Orius made his way down walking out to where they all stood each legion different from the last not just in appearance but personality and desires. Walking past and inspecting all of them he then stood before them all as he took center stage to address the legions.
It took Orius a moment to find the right words as he looked on at the legions before him should he call them brothers, no as he had not fought alongside them. No in Orius's mind he had to speak to them not simply as a man who lost all he loved but as someone who had to lead.
"Warriors, men who have seen more conflict and hardship than I can ever imagine." Orius started. "I stand before you this day, not as a brother or a replacement for the Warmaster you have lost. I stand before you all today to make a pledge that will not be forgotten nor lost on you, I in all the power granted to me unto this day will ensure every one of you is given their due." Orius proclaimed.
The legions listened on as his words boomed across them as he spoke of them and the pain each had no doubt endured from the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.
"In this galaxy, there are battles to be won. Knowledge left untouched to the ages to reclaim. Despair to be reaped and replaced with joy and life. Sensations and experiences yet tasted by your ranks, we shall bring everlasting change to this stagnant galaxy one world at a time for we are the agents of change. I might not be whom you would have chosen for Warmaster and all of you may have your patron gods to worship but listen well if we stay divided we shall fall! Unite and we can achieve anything for Chaos! FOR UNDIVIDED!"
A clank of boots could be heard as a captain of the Death Guard stepped forth. Taking a single knee the bloated and diseased space marine buried his chainsword into the earth as he spoke up as his festering milky eyes met Orius's.
"We will follow." The captain spoke in a sickly gurgled voice. "Not simply for you Warmaster but the grandfather, as he chose you. Our loyalty is yours."
Another bowed digging their blade into the earth. This one belonging to the Night Lords though small in forces they none the less submitted.
"We follow the Warmaster. If you wish to sow terror and discord to corruption we shall follow and punish the guilty evermore!" A terminator spoke.
Another stepped forth and kneeled a member of the Alpha Legion. "The Hydra's reach is long each head to bring change. Though we may be a hundred, each head shall sprout a hundred more Warmaster."
"You have our belief. Our faith in you Warmaster." The Dark Apostle stated of the Word Bearers.
Orius nodded as he looked on at the remaining legion forces who had yet to bow those being of the Emperor's Children, Sons Of Horus, Iron Warriors, Thousand Sons, and World Eaters.
"What say you all?" Orius as he asked the legions yet to bow.
A member of the World Eaters stepped forth. "You have not proved anything to us!"
"Watch your tongue dog!" The Dark Apostle yelled.
"We will not submit to a cur who has not shed blood nor fought alongside us or proven his worth to the Blood God! We depart brothers for true glory for Khorne!" He yelled.
The World Eaters departed taking their men and ships with them while Orius stood there telling the Word Bearers to let them go as he knew he was indeed right on this matter.
"The bloodthirsty dogs are correct." A voice spoke. It belonged to one who led the Emperor's Children. "You've proven nothing and you may be proclaimed chosen by the blindly faithful but we have heard no words from our Dark Prince."
The Emperor's Children took their leave alongside the World Eaters as they made their way to their ships to leave Zygerria.
The Iron Warriors and Thousand Sons stood silent as they had yet to make up their minds on the Warmaster. Orius watched on as the World Eaters and Emperor's Children departed, but he knew he would prove his worth in time, yet he now looked onto the Sons Of Horus.
"And what of you Sons Of Horus?" Orius asked. "I need an answer?"
"You may have the gene-seed of our father." The captain spoke up. "But you have not proven to be one of us. The Dark Gods may have chosen you but till you prove to us you are capable of leading we shall not follow you...brothers we depart!"
"Blasphemy!" The Word Bearer shouted.
"No," Orius stated.
"Warmaster?"
"I may be chosen but... being chosen and proving myself are two different things. For now, let them go. We have much to do." Orius stated.
"By your word." The Dark Apostle bowed as Orius walked past to speak with the Iron Warriors.
"What of you all?" Orius asked.
A member of the Iron Warriors stepped forth. "What do you even offer if you were to lead us? You know nothing of our plight, struggles, and desires."
"No, I do not," Orius stated.
"Ha! Then what hope do you have to even try and lead us what could you offer us?" The Warsmith stated as he got in Orius's face which angered the Dark Apostle of the Word Bearers.
"A chance to prove yourselves that you are better than your cousin legion of the Imperial Fists," Orius stated. The Warsmith's eyes widened slightly. "And what do you know of our struggle with them?"
"That wish to prove you are better than them in every way," Orius said. "I offer the members of your legion to build a fortress one that would surpass all others when we take the galaxy. I offer you a place to build all our fortifications and to be at the forefront of all we build."
"You wish us to build fortifications?" The Warsmith stated. "Do you seek to blind me with glory?"
"No." Orius's eyes showed honesty as he placed a hand upon the Warsmith. "My Apostle has told me your leader. Your Emperor rejected the designs you had crafted, I would see what you build to be envy to all others in the galaxy. I would see the Iron Warriors as the masters of the craft, the true lords of iron."
The Warsmith's breath was low and grumbling as he spoke. "We... accept." He said his tone low. "We shall aid you Warmaster." The Warsmith took a knee as he and legion brothers also fell to one knee.
Orius place a hand upon the Warsmith in approval as he looked on to the Thousand Sons many of whom were simply Rubric Marines. Yet one stood out amongst their ranks as a sorcerer stepped forth. He wore a set of Achean Pattern Power armor a common armor amongst the Thousand Sons Veterans.
Having two white shoulder pauldrons a long flowing white cloak and golden kama at his waist. His helmet being a Scarab crown around his helmet with a raven claw gripping it, the sorcerer stepped forth and looked on at Orius, and at the sorcerer's side was a daemon.
The woman as she appeared had white flowing hair, her eyes a dark violet, and her body deathly pale. Along with scarring from some sort of beast unknown to Orius as she looked on curiously at the Warmaster.
"Do not worry Warmaster." The Sorcerer reassured Orius as he stepped forth placing a hand on the daemon. "Harmony shall not harm you, she is only curious."
"Whom might you be?" Orius kept his eyes on the sorcerer of the Thousand Sons
"I am Astrean Shando of the Thousand Sons. Former Member of the Cult of the Pyrae, and gene-son of Magnus The Red. Now the leader of my Rubric Marines and here to aid in your cause." Astrean gave a bow of respect as he looked up at Orius meeting his eyes.
"You wish to aid in my cause?" Orius asked puzzled at the thought as he would think the Thousand Sons would have left.
"I shall aid, but I must see what you are capable of. Words will only do so much in your cause to sway those, proving your actions will ensure that." Astrean stated. "Though my numbers maybe few we will aid in what ways we can. If you will have us Warmaster?"
Orius nodded as he placed a hand upon Astrean's shoulder. "Of course, we welcome you to the fold Astrean let us speak more once we arrive at our destination."
"Where is our destination exactly Warmaster?" Astrean asked out of curiosity.
"My homeworld... a place from where we shall build our future one of something new and majestic and where all shall come to accept the truth," Orias stated.
"We leave my Warmaster?" The Apostle asked.
"Yes prepare all our vessels for departure," Orius stated. "Bring those who have been converted and we shall start anew. Once this is done we will make our way to Dantooine to begin."
"At once Warmaster." The Apostle bowed as he left alongside the other legions for the mass departure.
Astrean himself gave a simple bow as he departed with Harmony and his Rubrics back aboard their ship. Once alone Astrean sat alongside Harmony as she wrapped her tender and cold arms around his neck as he looked on.
"What a fool," Astrean stated in a frustrated manner.
"What do you mean my lord Astrean?" Harmony asked as she caressed his cheek gently.
"He knows nothing of leading. He may have the faith and belief of those bible-thumping zealots and swayed the others with words and promises. But the World Eaters are right, he has never led forces nor earned anyone's respect." Astrean stated as he continued. "If he is to lead he must understand what it means to be Warmaster whether that be by learning or being the frontlines fighting alongside his brothers."
"Than what shall we do my lord?" Harmony asked as she saddled upon his lap rubbing his lips slowly only for him to stop her looking away from her gaze.
"I will aid him and teach him. Those Word Bearers may have him manipulated and the Gods themselves may have chosen him. But that doesn't mean he is ready we will follow to his homeworld, once there I shall teach him and show him the right way to lead." Astrean stated.
"Of course my lord." Harmony floated from his lap as she disappeared from his presence to leave him to his thoughts.
The ships of the Chaos Fleet had placed all aboard both converted and non-converted alike and with this all of Zygerria was abandoned and the Warp itself tore open as the fleets entered and departed from the planet heading for Dantooine.
Author's Note: Hey everyone welcome back to another chapter of Chaos Chosen. I just want a note to everyone on this latest chapter and the journey of Orius along with the Legions of Chaos. We wanted to ensure that for the character Orius wasn't a simple man whom can unite all of Chaos in one go as we all know with each Traitor Legion they have their own views, beliefs, and desires to perform for their patron god. Since Orius represents Undivided alongside the Word Bearers, Iron Warriors, Sons Of Horus, Alpha Legion and Night Lords we wanted to show even Undivided can have it's own problems but with the help of the Uriah Olathaire as the head priest for Undivided he will help aid in ensuring it is taught to those in need of faith and guidance even to the Warmaster himself.
While the Sorcerer Astrean of the Thousand Sons represents a different aspect throughout the story as he will have his own conflictions with Uriah and the Word Bearers much like the Death Guard and the tensions between the Emperor's Children and World Eaters. So we hope in future chapters you guys will enjoy these things as we are taking careful planning with this as to not misstep on this story and we want to thank you all for enjoying this story and we continue to bring it forth to you all also if any of you have opinions or ideas PM us and we will listen to them and give responses. And make sure to leave a review so we know what you all think.