Hey yall the ending stages of this month is going to be packed with a influx of new chapters. We're switching back to Isstvan III for now. Anyhoots lets get to it!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the warhammer universe.
Zekyr took a knee within the personal quarters of his company captain Horus Aximand or Little Horus as the legion had come to call Him. He had been called here after their recent success in halting and eradicating a green skin incursion on a planet in this system.
The battle had been bloody but they had won. His squad saw to it. They had taken the most glory. His armor bore the damage to prove it. He was certain this recent battle would grant him favor with his Primarch..and perhaps a chance to join the Mournival.
Little Horus paced for the room for a few moments before stopping in front of him. They both were helmless, xenos blood caking their features from the recently ended battle. There was silence for a moment until finally Horus Aximand spoke.
"Ego is the foundation of failure, brother. When we think too highly of ourselves and take on tasks far exceeding our capabilities..we fall short in one way or another." He said as he crossed his arms behind his back. He was looking down on him now. Zekyr met his gaze. Little Horus's eyes are filled with disappointment and contempt.
"Yes.. you broke the siege. Routed their forces but at what cost? You lost near the entirety of your command squad in your act of hubris. Brothers carelessly lost for what? Renown? Glory? Attention? Your actions cost the legion necessary manpower for the coming battles. Not only that but brothers needlessly led to the slaughter. Warriors No longer capable of combat due to wounds or death itself. Precious gene seed lost due to your incompetence " He continued on.
Zekyr gritted his teeth, holding back his anger. How dare he Chastise him. His actions were necessary for the legion victory. His squad knew the cost of the assault and willingly accepted it. Without him the legion assault would have taken longer. He simply expedited the process. If anything they should be thanking him! He clenched his fist, eager for this to end.
Horus Aximand stared down upon him once more and shook his head.
"Reflect upon my words brother during our long sojourn to reunite with our Primarch. You are dismissed." He stated, turning his back to him. Zekyr stood snatching up his helm and aborting face. He stormed out of the room, throwing on his helmet. How dare he! He would not stand for this. His ego?! His ego and pride are the two things that have made it so that he outlasted the others. Survived longer than others. He would not change now. He would never change.
He kept his Cthonian pride. His lineage was strong unlike the others in the legion. They've changed. Since the introduction of these warrior lodges all that is heard in the halls of their ship is gossip. Warriors do not gossip. They do not carry on with such frivolous conversation. This is not their way. Not how they operate. The fact none could see that was disappointing. It disgusted him. These lodges would be the downfall of the legion. He felt it.
Months later
Zekyr slammed against the makeshift barricade, trying to protect himself from the bullet rain falling upon them. Germael and Jakona fell to the storm, too slow to make it to cover. Their armored forms were torn asunder by the massive bolter barrage. He cursed. His squad had fallen to five out of the original thirteen now. The traitor forces had better numbers and position. They were outgunned and outnumbered but it mattered not. They would fall. His quarry was in there. The one whose head he wanted the most. Horus Aximand. He would be sure to cleave the traitor's head from his shoulders.
He let loose a couple of rounds from bolter, the weapon clicking empty as he did so. The subsequent grunts of pain let him know his shots were true. They could do this. He could do this. He would make sure of it.
He unclipped a frak grenade from his waist and threw it. When it exploded, shredding the defense he stood.
"Come now brothers! Let us bring retribution to Aximand and his traitorous ilk! Forward!" He roared as he rallied his troops. They stood with him charging forward towards the enemy compound.
They ran forward, braving the enemy counter assault. He gunned down a traitor legionnaire in his way, and shoulder bashed another, firing off a quick round as he fell. By the time he made it the compound he had lost more than half of his retinue but it mattered not. Himself and the three that remained would be more than enough to end this.
He gestured to one of his remaining squad mates. The legionnaire, Brother Jogast, came forward and planted a melta bomb on the bunker doors. Setting the timer, the four of them took cover. The melta bomb exploded, consuming those behind it in a haze of blue flame and molten slag. They wasted no time, charging right in even before the smoke cleared. They were greeted with two charred corpses as they surged through. Their path found them running through a hallway, leading to a large chamber. They formed up, reaching the center. He expected resistance. To find his foe waiting for him but instead he found nothing.
"AXIMAND! SHOW YOURSELF. YOU AND THE FILTH YOU CALL ALLY CAN NOT HIDE FOR MUCH LONGER ! I WILL FIND YOU AND-" his challenge was interrupted by the bark of bolter fire. The three warriors with him falling in quick succession. He brought his bolter to beat scanning his surroundings for the one who fired.
"After all this time brother..Your hubris still blinds you. This was a trap. One I knew you would fall directly into." said the voice he knew all too well as "Little Horus". The warrior emerged from the shadows, flanked by his personal retinue. He wielded his power sword Mourn It All, a smug look on his face. Zekyr roared discarding his bolter and bold ting forward drawing his own power sword. He would kill him here. Take him while he registered this brazen charge. He was fast but Zekyr knew he was faster. Aximand wouldn't be able to respond fast enough. He raised his blade for an overhead swing to end him.
Little Horus stepped forward to meet him, blade in hand. He swung the weapon with grace, severing both of Zekyr's arms at the joint. He then pivoted on his heel, turning the front of his body around, using the momentum to carry his sword backwards, sinking it deep into Zekyr's belly then withdrawing it.
Zekyr fell to his knees, blood oozing from his mouth and wounds.
Little Horus stood above him, blade raised.
"I told you..brother, ego..is the foundation of failure and would one day lead to your death."
With those final words he swung downwards, parting Zekyr's head from his body and ending his life forever.
Well thats pretty much that. Like i said earlier you guys can message me anything in regards to ideas, constructive criticism and so forth. I will listen to you all. Expect more chapters real soon. See ya!