Back at it again with another tale of Isstvan V. I will try to update the stories on a regular basis, so around two to three chapters per week. Decided to take some time back ot allow my legion some glory and expand upon one not many knew of within the legion. The Blood Crow. So sit back relax and enjoy that which follows. This chapter may not have as much action but it fits the tone of the Raven Guard during this period.

The Moritat were among the first to breach the front lines of the traitor during the initial assault of Isstvan V. Consequently, they were also the first to be cut down by the enemy fire following the breach. The few that survived found themselves placed in yet another death lock, being fired upon during the reveal of the other traitor legions, further decimating their numbers. Scattered and hunted, the remaining Moritat accepted their fates, dying with blade and bolter in hand in the heat of battle. All save for one...

A warrior adorned in power armour of a straight black moved through the shadows. His armour sported little honors nor any intricate squad markings save for the White Raven upon the shoulder. The Raven Guard known as Kaedes Nex would not allow himself to fall that easily. He moved swiftly, his figure blending in with the shadows of which he immersed himself in. He had been doing this for days. Moving to areas of little to no enemy concentration, or taking out small seeker squads when the opportunity presented itself. It was during these moments that he would resupply, stripping the bodies clean of any essentials he would find useful. Extra Magazines. Knives. Grenades. Anything he could carry that would last him.

Back in his youth on Kiavahr he was known as the Blood Crow. An infamous murderer left to rot in a cell if not for the intervention of Corax, granting him a chance at freedom. For that he was forever grateful. Other than that he owed him nothing more, but as long as Corax gave him prey to hunt he would follow. Nex himself always had an estranged relationship with his "brothers". Many saw him as an omen due to his namesake as the Blood Crow. Others drew away from him due to his obsession with the hunt and murder. Many compared to the terran-raised legionnaires and those hailing from the Xeric tribe. Perhaps this was why he found his place in the Moritat. Too damned to be a part of the main force, cast aside to serve a different role in the war.

Murderers. Criminals. The unlucky few to be afflicted with the Sable Brand. Those were the ones he considered his true brothers. None ever judged…. Shame most of them didn't survive the initial assault. Nex continued his trek, sticking to the darkness where he belonged. Immediately after his transformation, he discovered he had the ability to wraith slip much like his primarch and a select few of his brothers within the legion. Regardless of this, he still was not granted entry into the Mor Deythan.

Still, the ability came in handy during times as such. When he feared discovery, or felt himself tethering too close to a battle in which he could not survive he would shadow walk. This unique ability allowed him to easily slip through the enemy ranks, and escape. As he moved his superhuman ears picked up the small sounds of chatter. He narrowed down the sources, deciphering three different voices, legionnaires obviously. He followed the voices, moving slowly as to not alert them to his presence. The sight which greeted him caused his very blood to boil. Three Alpha Legion marines stood over the corpse of one of his fallen brothers.

The warrior had been stripped bare, cut open, with most of his vital organs removed. Nex recognized him as Boreas. They fought alongside each other during the rebellions. He would never forget the faces of those whom aided in their world's liberation. Though not particularly close he would not allow the traitors to defile the corpse of one from his legion. He unclipped a Melta Bomb from his belt, priming the small device and tossing it into their midst. He had already checked; they were the only ones here ...none would notice. By the time one of the Alpha marines noticed, it was already too late. As he went to warn his compatriots, the bomb exploded consuming all in the explosion. The in close proximity to the bomb were reduced to nothing more but slag and limbs spread across the ground. Boreas body had been utterly destroyed in the blast. He would be defiled no more.

The last of the marines, he who had noticed, had attempted to run but was not able to escape in time. He had been launched quite a distance away, the blue of his armor charred black, and damaged. His limbs twisted in inhumane manners. He grunted, letting Nex know he still lived. He would not even give him the chance to recover despite his injuries. The Moritat planted a foot on the downed traitors back, leveling him Boltgun and firing off a single round into his head, effectively killing him.

The next course of days saw Nex stumbling upon similar scenes. Fallen Raven Guard having their organs, and even faces harvested and ripped from them by these Alpha Legionaries…and with each time he would repeat the process. Killing each and every one of them with no mercy. It was with his most recent discovery that he discovered the true extent of their heresy. His latest quarry had finished their procedure, remolding one of their own completely into one of the fallen sons of the Raven.

The impostor donned the Raven Guard's armor, and was sent off to find any large bodies of survivors in hopes of infiltrating the legion, from what he had heard. Pity. He would never make it to his destination. Nex's knife had found itself lodged within his throat, his life bleeding away, his body left behind some unmarked ruins. He thought to himself. How many more of their kin had been successful in their infiltration. How many wore the stolen identities of his fallen kin. How many had weaseled their way into the ranks of the Raven Guard. He needed to know more.

And thus his shadow crusade truly began. He tracked down the allies of the impostor he had just slain. He allowed himself to be enveloped in the darkness of the shadows, completely erasing his presence from the very notions of their minds and he followed. The scum never knew that he walked among them. Gathering their information, learning their movements..and when they finally made it onto one of their dropships did he reveal himself….and then the killing truly began.

END

And with that we have the end to another tale. A story which remains unfinished. I hope you all liked it and are ready for the next chapter..For it shall be...Perfect.