The Elders sat in a semi-circle surrounding the sacred texts. Dhag was painted in the traditional war paint of his ancestors. Red streaks flowed down his hollow cheeks and he wore a cloak adorned with the skulls of defeated generals and rival Ma'ok. This was purely ceremonial as the Elders had decided to gather and pray to the Ancestors for guidance in the upcoming Crusade. They always held these ceremonies before going into battle to determine if the losses would be acceptable enough for the outcomes of the battles. To Dhag, this was just a formality. He knew already the Elders would connect to his ancestors and his ancestors would tell them that war was the only path. As it had always been in the past, they would wage war on anyone who wasn't in line with their beliefs. It was the way. His ancestors were a violent species, often times refusing diplomacy with other Xenos. This was a long time ago before the stars began to expand and most Xenos crawled in the mud beneath them. Those were simpler times. When diplomacy was never even a consideration. Dhag's thoughts were interrupted as the Elders began chanting. Softly and slowly at first in the old Ma'ok dialect. It began to grow in pace and volume to almost a dull roar as the Elders began to beseech the ancestors for strength and protection in their wars. To overcome the enemy and purify the universe as the leaders of old had dreamt of. Suddenly the chanting stopped and the Eldest's eyes rolled back into place. They had transformed into solid, pitch black pupils that covered the entire eye. Dhag could feel the excitement emanating from him. The Eldest spoke.
"Dhag the Destroyer, King of the Ma'ok, Consumer of all that is Unholy, the ancestors have spoken" he said licking his lips. Dhag bared his teeth. "You will lead our people into war and purge the unholy scourge from the universe and convert them to our ways, or consume them in your path to victory. Go forth and honor our ancestors."
Dhag was elated. Even though he knew this would be the outcome, he still felt the adrenaline surge through his body. A new strength overcame him and he was born anew. It had been at least a hundred years since he had last felt the heat of battle and he had often worried that they were becoming too diplomatic. The time for war was nigh and there was much preparation to be done.