Trilogy: The Imperium of the Dead King (The Black Crusade)

by Aaron Tian

This contains three books: Overlord: The Second Generation, The Imperium of the God Emperor, The Imperium of the Dead King (The Black Crusade). They follow Ainz and his quest for supremacy in not just the new lands but out into space. This series slowly turns into a Warhammer 40k/ Overlord crossover that gets better.

21. Chapter 22

The first battle of the war with the Republic was not a large one as both sides wanted to find out the strength of each other's Armies. The word had already gotten to the highest command of the Republic that neither the Imperium's Guardians or Emperor would fight if needed. This lulled the Republic into a false sense of security that they would soon regret, many historians believe that this announcement was propaganda from the Empire to do just that.

Commander Grey was a large stocky man with a bald head and a great grey bushy beard with a booming voice that made him more suitable to be a Santa Claus impersonator than a General. He was well loved by his men and the most experienced General in the all volunteer Army of the Republic. He had fought in countless battles against rogue traders and bandits that plagued the southern border. He was also a very ambitious man that was never satisfied with what he had, with every metal or promotion he received he looked forward to the next one. This made him a very shrewd man that would do anything to get ahead in his career, even if it meant swallowing his enormous pride. He was in his office in the Southernmost garrison in the Republic on high alert since the war had begun. He was tasked with trying to quell as many secessionist towns and provinces he could before total war broke out. He had been successful in bringing in about a dozen small towns but was repelled from the largest and most strategic border town of Tempest. The southern portion of the Republic was allied with the Imperium especially along the border and began to become more Pro-Republic the further north into the country one went, this made his command the front line of defense in the war.

He was just finishing his report to the council that contained an action plan to take Tempest when the word broke. Commander Grey was startled from his writing he heard a loud knocking from one if his doors, it was not the knocking that startled him, it was the extreme lack of military decorum. Since he was made the Commander of the Southern Garrison no one had ever knocked on his door before, it was just not done, so this had been a grave matter indeed.

"Yes, you may enter" he said with his most commanding voice.

Not to his surprise was the military liaison from the council high born noble Silva Gillscale of the Gillscale dragon clan walked in. He was some percentage dragon but not enough to transform so he was used as diplomat, General Grey did not like him he did not serve in the military but saw fit to try and tell him what to do. Silva walked up to his desk bowed and sat down.

"We have gotten news that the Grand Marshall of the Empire has been seen in Tempest with his elite metal knights." The young noble said with a smile that was supposed to be condescending but just looked snobbish.

Commander Grey was turning shades of red that nobody had ever seen before, not just because he was beaten to the punch by Martellus the new Grand Marshall of the Imperium of Nazarick to take the town he also learned of it not of his own intelligence but a rich snob.

"How may I ask did you find this out before my network of spies found out?" Grey asked.

"Oh they found out first, I just intercepted the message as it was coming to you and wanted to give it myself, as I wanted to ask you a favor." Silva said with not even a blink.

If it could get him to tell the council of me favorably then it would be worth it he thought, "What is that may ask is that." Grey asked with the fakest smile he could muster as he put an imitation cigarette in his mouth and lit it and leaned back in his chair. The reason he called it "imitation" was because the cigarettes originally came from the Imperium and tasted great as he was somewhat of an expert in tobacco, but when the war started he had to smoke the third rate cigarettes from the Republic. They tasted rather harsh and different from the smooth rich tastes of the Imperium's brands but to partake of them would be seen as borderline treasonist in his view. Unfortunately, he had to yell at several of his junior officers for this very reason as it was widely known magic was used to make the flavor taste so good and it could be used as a weapon. This of course was ludicrous but war makes men do silly things to make themselves think they are doing whatever they can to win them.

"Well I learned from your intelligence that the Marshall Martellus has only about 3,000 of his men in tempest and I believe that he has made a major error because as you well know we have 6,000 men and if we strike today we could cause a major blow to the Empire and claim the city and all the other cities in the area." Silva said.

"What may I ask is your favor?" Grey asked with skepticism again.

"As you know I am accomplished up to third tier magic and the nobles of the Republic in times of war have an arrangement with the military and want to take the rank of lieutenant and lead one of your magic units in the battle." Silva finished saying.

General Grey's face twitched a little he was angry about the noble hijacking his own intelligence network to serve his means but he had to admit Silva had a point with striking the Imperial Army. He also really had no choice in the matter of giving the young power hungry noble a field promotion as he was as a part of the Republic's agreement with the noble houses to be called on for conscripted service at any time and volunteer for service as well.

"Since you have had gone through military training and are and exceptional at magic, I will grant you command over one of the mage units but you will do me the favor of telling the council of my victory." Grey said.

"Of course, victory is assured and you shall get all the promotion and honor you deserve winning the first battle in the war, Commander." Silva said and he stood up and saluted him. Grey stood up and Saluted him back and watched him walk out of the room. Now it is time to assemble the troops and lay siege to the town Grey thought as he sat back and took a long drag on his cigarette that tasted like frack.

As Grand Master Martellus or simply as he would like to go by Gazef walked down the center of the village in his battle armor flanked by Rogal and Dorn of the Black and Red Marines units as they were now being called along with a long list of other things to numerous to count, the locals looked at them and cheered as they were all pro-Imperium. In fact it was their own town mayor who asked for help when 100 Republic troops tried to enter the town but the local militia with help from everyone with a weapon repelled the attack, then sent a courier with a letter pledging allegiance to the Imperium and asking for help.

The mayor was rather shocked when in less that half a day after the courier went out on a three day ride to Traverser he returned in a massive black flying castle flew over the town dropping 2,000 massive metal knights and 1000 assorted magicians, Inquisitors and Magos as they called them. Then the ship flew off as soon as it came, most to his surprise he saw through the crowd the Grand Marshall himself in the midst of his military leaders. He felt overjoyed as he was assured all the things he knew about the Imperium was true and that there God KIng answered the prayers of their people and were not blind and deaf as their metal dragon gods they prayed to.

The Mayor along with his assistant stood at the front of his mansion along with his family to meet the Grand Marshall and invite him to dinner. The reason why the Mayor was pro-Imperium was because his daughter caught a fever long ago that no priest could heal anywhere in the Republic so he in a last desperate bid took her to the church of Nazarick. He took her into the Black Chapel in the Capital of Nazarick full of fear and awe for he had never seen such wonders. Immediately, the priest took the child from him before he could object and they laid her on a table chanting ceremonial blessing over her. Within five minutes the girl was healed and up and playing with the other children in the Temple. Amazed the mayor fell to his knees crying, thanking the priest offering all the money he had, but the priest just smiled and refused stating that in Nazarick all children receive the blessing of the Emperor to be healed of sickness. He never forgot that day even though his daughter was now of marrying age and swore one day to return the favor he had been given.

The mayor watching Martellus walk over to him said to himself, "Today is the day I can finally repay the Emperor," he thought with a smile as he looked at his beautiful daughter who smiled back but then quickly looked back down to the ground in reverence.

"Metal Giants." Someone whispered as they walked through the town, Martellus started to laugh and struck Dorn on the chest, "Hear that Dorn they think you are a Giant, maybe you should take your helmet off so they can see your face."

"Yes Sir" Dorn said as he took his helmet off not getting the joke, Dorn respected his Marshall and looked up to him. Dorn in fact looked up to his new commander with all the admiration a son would have for his father. He knew Rogal his rival felt the same way as they had talked when sparing the a week before about how impressed with his strength they were when they say him blow out the dragon's head out with one swing of his hammer.

Rogal looked over and took his helmet off also trying to get Martellus to notice him as well. Gazef looked over to Rogal and smiled, "You both look good, are you boys ready for a fight, I hear they are bringing an Army out here and we will be outnumbered two to one or is it three, I think they are underestimating us." Martellus said with a laugh.

As he was saying this one of the scout units of the Red Templars who excelled in recon and scouting while the Black Templars excelled in frontline combat ran up to the group. The scout marines ran up to Rogal there chapter leader to give a report. A younger man removed his helmet put his hand of his chest in a old roman salute and said, "Lord Rogal, 6,000 men are marching from the north toward Tempest, 1000 cavalry, 4000 infantry, 500 bowman and 500 magicians," the young nameless Marine said them saluted again.

Rogal looked over to Martellus and said, "Sir, your plan in working perfect, by those numbers the whole Southern Garrison is coming down to take Tempest, with them out of the way we can pacify the whole South of the Republic!"

The Grand Marshall said, "If they only knew their spies were all inquisitors then they would have some idea about what they are about to fight! They think they are fighting a mere two thousand old knights but we shall give the Emperor what he desires a massacre." he said with a smile and a whisk of red smoke coming out of his right eye as he winked. The power he had shown just for a second made even Rogal and Dorn shake just a little as they both knew it was just the tip of an iceberg of his true power.

"Now we should have one day before they are here let them not say we are courteous to our guest, Rogal, Dorn with me to talk to the Mayor and where the hell is Technu?" Martellus asked.

At the same time Technu sneezed and restarted working on a malfunction knee joint at the time and was nowhere near close enough to hear the Grand Master to hear his call.

Martellus, Dorn and Rogal all continued their walk through the town square to the mayor's mansion through a throng of people that all wanted to see the new mysterious super soldiers of the Imperium along with the new Grand Marshall of these forces. Murmurs of disbelief about how big these men were and if they were really human or not as they were 12 feet tall with the power suits on and at this time the average man was around 5 foot six inches due to poor diet.

As they reached the front of the Mayor's home where he had been patiently waiting for the last hour Grand Marshall Martellus walked forward and shook his hand while saying, "Mayor Tempus it is so nice to meet you and your support of the Imperium has as I know reached even the halls of the Royal Court. I have came in person to show our support of your ancient family who founded this city and has taken your name."

The mayor's eye's lit up when he had heard that the news of his support had possibly reach the God Emperor's ears, he could have not asked for more. "Grand Marshall Martellus Stronoff it is a honor to have you and your aids come to us in person would you please come in we have prepared a feast in your honor."

Martellus eyes hardened a little and said, "You may call me by Martellus my given name Gazef Stronoff was cease to exist when I took this position, it is a sort of new tradition so to speak, but may I introduce my associates. This is my right and left hand Lord Dorn and Lord Rogal they are both leaders of my strongest units the Adeptus Astartes or simply my Metal Marines as most have come to call them."

Rogal and Dorn both shook Mayor Tempus hand trying their hardest not to crush it because they were in their power suits and had a hard time restraining their strength, Martellus told them to dismount from their suits and get into their dress uniforms for the feast they would be attending with him. They both ran back to the staging areas and with help from the Mechanicus Magos dismounted from their power suits and changed into their uniforms. This all took about five minutes as they did so with military precision. By the time they came back Martellus was talking to the aid about the incursion yesterday and what to expect tomorrow,.

"Ah Rogal, Dorn you both did that so quickly, good boys" he looked at the mayor's aid and finished saying so all could hear. "I consider these two to be my sons you know, even though they are not my blood one I suppose will succeed me." he said pointing at them. For the first time since both of them could remember they were both smiling as they considered him to be a father since they met and they both fought for his attention as siblings would. When they trained under Demiurge, he was cruel and merciless but after they were put under the Marshal's command he treated them like they have never been before and they both liked his leadership style much more. Martellus knew this as well and played to this as he secretly feared that they would see him as weak and try to usurp him so he constantly said things like this to gain their absolute obedience.

They all filed into the Mayoral mansion that was yellow brick and could house about 50 people at a time. The Tempest mansion was considered on of the Jewels of the Southern Republic and was a strategic advantage as well, the city had just over 30,000 people in the main part and was even bigger if you added the adjoining farm land that supported the city. Dorn looked around the mansion but was not impressed after seeing the great halls of the fortress monastery in Traverser. The mayor's daughter smiled at Dorn when he was looking around the mansion and their eyes met, he smiled back out of reflex but simply looked at her and view her as a non threat. Finally, they entered into the dining area that was already full with local nobles and traders in the area that were all pro-Imperium to have a chance to meet the Marshal and see what they could get from being loyal. And hopefully make a favorable intention.

The Marshal was shown his seat next to the Mayor at the place of honor and waved Dorn to his side while Rogal much to his displeasure was seated next to some nobles daughters in some attempt to get them in his favor. Martellus leaned over and said to Dorn, "Each one of these men and women are jackals they want something from you and if they had the chance would tear you apart to get it. This is politics my son and it as dangerous as the battlefield do not ever forget it."

After saying this the Marshall stood up and gave a toast to the Imperium and to tomorrow's victory. While they were eating then the endless questions of how the war will proceed and questions about how they would be rewarded for their loyalty. Martellus was used to nobles was very studious in reflecting the questions and at the same time reassuring them they would be properly compensated for their loyalty as to imply that the Emperor was anything but fair was heresy.

After the dinner all the most male dinner guests retired to the study for cigars and hard drink, the guest included Marshall Martellus, Dorn, Rogal, Mayor Tempest and a assortment of High born nobles from the southern region of the Republic.

"Before we have a drink I sent for my private amasaic from the Royal house itself I feel we she toast to the new North Eastern Province of the Imperium." Marshall Martellus said as one of the magos in a red robe came bringing in drinks one a tray with glasses made from finer crystal any of the nobles have ever seen. Behind the unnamed tech priest was no other than Malcador himself.

The bearded Inquisitor that took most of the people in the room by surprise due to the nature of his face showing he was not human but a demon hybrid. Seeing this Martellus eyes lit up and went to introduce him to all that was in the room. The Marshall stood up which prompted everyone else in the room to stand and said, "Everyone we have a very special guest with us tonight this is Lord inquisitor Malcador, he answers directly to the Emperor himself and although a part of the Ordos of the Church Militant, carries out the direct will of the Emperor." Suddenly everyone's attitude change when they heard he had the ear of the Emperor and all the nobles and the mayor took turns introducing themselves to him,.

After this all calmed down everyone found a seat and was poured a glass of this new Imperial liquor, when they tasted it the lights of their eyes all brighten and the Mayor asked what it was made from. "Grain that has been distilled and aged with magic, the bottle you are tasting would be around 100 years old." Martellus said with a smile.

Malcador looked over to Martellus and began to speak but he was cut off as the Marshall leaned in and said, "I know if you were sent it is a message from the Emperor but we should wait until this is over, agreed?," Malcador smiled and nodded in agreement because what he had to say was for their ears alone.

The Mayor was enjoying the amasaic and then put down his glass when he was finished, he finally had enough courage to ask the Marshall what he intended the entire night, "So Marshall I would like to offer my daughter to you in or one of your aids as a sign of loyalty and solidarity between the nobles of the former southern Republic and the Empire." he said with a quiver in his voice. The room fell absolutely silent as no one knew how this would play out but it was the consensus of all the nobles to do this as it was normal custom to do so.

Martellus thought something like this would happen as he read the report about the mayor and smiled and said to him, "Although your offer is greatly appreciated blood offerings are not required in the Imperium, plus all the Marines you see here are as you would say warrior monks, whose sole purpose is to serve the Emperor, whom they would give their lives gladly if need be."

The Mayor looked down it was not hard to see the look of disappointment in his eyes, "But worry not Tempus the Imperium has heard of your gracious acts and we have plans for your little town and the surrounding areas, that you will want to hear." the Marshall said with a smile while getting up and putting his hand on the Mayor's shoulder.

Mayor Tempus looked up and said, "Grand Marshall I do not understand how could you give me more than I have, I am noble born of the first line, Mayor of the largest city in the southern Republic and the Emperor Protects,..." as he said this everyone in the room repeated it.

"The Emperor Protects." was said in unruly unison as no one thought he was going to say the first creed of the Imperium.

"...but he also as you well know gave my daughter new life, I seek nothing from the Imperium but thy God Emperor's blessing?" the Mayor finished saying in a sulky voice.

Marshall Martellus smiled again and said, "I can see why you were chosen for this task my friend, so eager to please the Emperor and that is why we are going to turn Tempest into one of the Largest towns in the Republic, you see it has strategic value as it is so close to the Empire and can easily be reinforced and resupplied from Traverser, it will become the defacto capital of the south Republic as we march north and it will be a new site for a fortress monastery of our Marines. Most of all, you, will become the new governor of the entire south of the old Republic, it is a large task indeed you will be quoted in the papers, you will be a hero and a traitor to some of your people. It is an important decision, I know, but you will also be able to marry your daughter off into the highest of nobility within the Imperium as well, so think it over." he said as he patted the aging man on the back.

You could hear an audible gasp from the other nobles who were silently cursing themselves for not offering their towns in their fiefdoms, most were only at the dinner to see what they could get for their support and now saw they missed out on a opportunity of a lifetime. This of course was not true as all of this to the very last point had be calculated beforehand due to the extreme loyalty of the Tempus family but when a Noble saw an opportunity as this they knew they must jump on it before it is gone.

Lithe Hector of the second most strongest noble group in the south the House of Hector's spoke up, he was a tall man as all were in his family and known for his golden tongue, "If I may interject, seeing that the Emperor (may all bow before him) is being so kind with those who are loyal, I as the first of the House of Hector pledge my fealty to the Emperor and to you Marshall, or will it be Warmaster soon?"

When it came right down to it the head of the Hector's was a fool and to mention such a thing was borderline heretical in the Imperium, but he did not know this. Martellus looked over at the man then to Lord Malcador who had a frown on his face and said, "It would not be wise young Lord to speculate who will be taking the new position of Warmaster, it might be the Prince Himself who is worthy of the mantle, as I am now I would be considered a General but a warmaster is General of Generals and even with the Guardians where no mortal dare to tread, I fear, remember this wisely Hector one should not be so lustful for power to speak out of turn." he said with a grin that sent shivers up the young man's back. He knew his place and he knew what foolishness he had said.

He got on both knees and slammed his head on the floor cutting open his forehead, "I repent Lord Malcador, Dorn, Rogal and Grand Marshal, The Emperor Protects!" he cried out.

The Marshall not wanting to make more of a scene walked over the Hector and pulled him up by the collar and said, "The Emperor protects, and you shall get your reward but be patient young Lord, your time shall come! Now enough with this unpleasantness fetch a medic and let's enjoy the rest of this amasaic!" he finished with a laugh. The night went on with overblown stories of the Emperor and of how they repelled the attack on the town. When the night was nearly over and all the amasaic was gone a very drunk and very happy Mayor Tempest pledged that he would do anything for the Empire and it was settled that Tempest would be the incursion point into taking the south of the Republic in the first part of the war. As history would not show the beginning stages of the war were decided in a drunk mayors den but in a gaudy picture of men meeting in a nice room signing the Treaty of Tempest.

The Marshall was in a dark hall with no doors when a spirit of pure malice started to chase him, he could not get away and he knew if it touch him he would be no more. He ran and ran but not matter how fast he ran it got closer and closer and right before it touched him he woke up. The sound of two chain swords crashing together woke him and his splitting headache from too much drink. He looked around he was in his tent just outside of town, that all the Adeptus Astartes, magos and magician core were all living in as to not impose on the town to make a good impression. He remembered the night before the Mayor tried to make him stay but he refused saying he needed to be with his men. He had a splitting headache, "Zane you worthless frakking idot where are you." he shouted.

Suddenly, Zane his personal assistant who was also a Satyr from the eastern wiles of the Imperium ran in hearing the shout of his master. He was putting on his his suspenders and his long coat. He ran into the tent of the Marshall and to see his master in bed shouting his name.

"Yes Sir, sorry sir what do you need." Zane said said as he finish straightening his tie.

The Marshall was up looking around, "Get me a potion I got a hangover like a son of a bitch and I have to fight in three hours." he yelled.

Zane tried not to laugh as he has never seen his master in such a state he was still half drunk and slogging around trying to put on his uniform and even put his pants on backwards. Zane looked through a trunk at the corner of the tent and pulled out a red vile and walked over and handed it to him and said, "Your potion Sir, after you take this and you will feel good as new." Martellus grabbed it and gulped it down as fast the amasaic flowed last night and within a few seconds he felt better, stronger even and younger.

"A vial of God's blood would go for a thousand gold and if a commoner saw how I take it they would think it's a fracking waste, urge those damn nobles getting me so drunk last night but.." he slapped his hands on his lap. "The night was a success, Tempest is going to be the new staging point for the invasion of the Republic, call back to Traverser and tell the Operation Tempest is a go and send for the rest of the troops."

Zane smiled, "Yes sire I had no doubt you would get the approval of all the local nobles it is so much better to the alternative of killing them all would have been such a shame."

"Yes in fact that was what the Lord Inquisitor told me last night that if I could not get them to agree, the inquisition was going to kill everyone there that night, I would have felt terrible about it especially that poor Tempus fellow and his family opening up their houses but war is a dirty business but I am glad it all worked out." Martellus said looking in the mirror as he put on his uniform.

"That reminds me sir your new Terminator armor is here for the battle, it is same as the other armour you trained with but larger so it will make you as big as your men, such is the desired effect I believe," Zane said.

"Very well let go put it on, you know those chainswords are going to make me lazy, no need for any martial arts you can slice through anything and the armor is impenetrable, I feel for those poor republic grunts but I know when we start facing dragons we will need them." Martellus said walking out of the tent.

"Sir must remember that you are expected to use the Emperor's (may all bow to him) gift during the battle, the men are expecting it, in fact many of the Black and Red Marines are now carrying war hammers as their second weapon for your name sake as the hammer of the Imperium." Zane so cautiously reminded his master.

"Yes I will use it but remember I was an accomplished sword fighter so like the rest of the men I will fight will a sword in one hand and a hammer in the other," the Marshall responded with a hint of irritation in his voice.

They walked over to the Mechanicus station where his towering armour with the Golden crest of Ainz Ooal Gown on its chest. Technu came over and personally saw that the Grand Marshalls new armour that came in last night worked and fit perfectly. By the time he was done he stood a towering 12 feet tall along with all his other men but with golden ornate decorations on the armor along with a fearsome black skull helm to make him look as intimidating as possible,

General gray was riding his horse with his entire Army as Tempest came in sight. Silva or for now Lt. Silva took it upon himself to ride next to the general and chat his ear off about how great he is at just about everything. "Their is the new game regicide you must play it, I know it is from the Empire but a game is just a game." Silva was saying, as he was about to explain the rules and best strategy one of the scouts in plain civilian clothes ran up to the General and gave him a salute.

"General, I have scouted the town acting like a trader from the next village over, there are around 3,000 soldiers of the Imperium but their is something I should tell your the knights are 12 feet tall with magic swords." The soldier said with sweat rolling down his face.

"When they are on their horses?" The General said in disbelief.

"Nay Sir they are in giant armor like a knight but I saw some of them men when they came out of them at night and they were 10 feet tall without them, the armor is magical it makes odd sounds as they move. Their sword remind me of a saw General but when they want the teeth of the saw dances around the blade." The scout said with his hat in hand.

"What of the mayor and the nobles I do not see but one lower noble house who had came to support us?" The General asked becoming increasingly angry.

"General the Grand Marshall of the Imperium of the Ordos of the Church Militant had dinner with all the top nobles in the area and of the mayor of Tempest, uhum... where he secured all of their allegiance is what I heard last night through the normal channels" the poor private said."

"Even the Hector clan, they are close personal friends of mine!?" Grey asked indignantly.

"Yes Sir" the private squeaked out.

"How many people know what you told me?" Grey asked as he looked around at his men setting up tents to rest for the knight before the battle tomorrow.

"Just you General and of course Lord Silva," he said as he was right next to the General.

"Good, Silva execute this man for being a traitor." Grey said.

Silva smiled, "With pleasure."

Befor the poor man could beg for his life Silva casted level 3 fireball and consumed his whole body and then nothing was left but the soldier's sword, some metal buttons and a pile of ashes that used to be the man's body and clothes. Not many men saw what happened and those that did supposed that he was a traitor as their had been mass defections from the Republic's military, so everyone went on with their day as if they had not saw a thing.

"You are quite perfect as a magician, perhaps after this battle is over the rank of Colonel might entice you to stay in the Southern Army?" Grey asked, he still did not like the man but he did what he said without any hesitation and understood that keeping his men's morale up and this news was too dangerous for any of the other soldiers to hear if it was indeed true. He knew fear was like the plague and once it gripped your command you were powerless to stop it.

Silva grinned and said, "It would be a honor General, I am glad to find our ideals intersect all too well." Silva was thinking that he had miscalculated this man for an old fool but was quickly learning that he was not a timid man but something else all entirely. Most important of his recent observations of the General he has surmised he was the kind of man he could in part stand to follow and above all advance his station as he was second heir to his family and needed to show he father he was the better man.

They both proceeded on horseback through the camp which was behind a large hill outside the view of the town, which was approximately 2 miles away, centuries and guards, as well as scout units to give them due to to call to arms if any incursions were to take place. General Grey was feeling very good about everything was going according to plan without any signs of trouble. Lord Malcador and his assistant inquisitor Kanus were both walking through the camp finding it all quite comical the level of security. They both transformed into the two guards after they killed them a called reclaimers to dispose of the corpses. They were on a fact finding mission to gather intelligence on what nobles secretly came in support of the Republic and have them labeled as heretics. When they finished their mission they wandered off into the night with none of the enemy having a clue of their presence.

Morning finally came as General Grey woke up at first sunlight and had his assistant dressed him as he had the last five years he was the Commander of the Southern Army. He poured himself a cup of recaf and drank it outside his tent as he watched all of the different units get in line ready to assault the town in the staging area behind the large hill that kept them out of sight. The General's plan was simply the enemy was outnumbered two to one and although they had armour they curiously had no cavalry. He would have his 500 cavalry units head the attack the flank the enemy while the Infantry would follow behind. He would have the archers and magicians at the rear of the attack firing spells and showering down arrows at the enemy. They would enemy would be quickly routed and most likely fall back into the town where they would the dig in and set up their catapults and ballistas to pummel the town and then finally when the Imperiums spirits were broken he would wage the final attack into the town. By this time he would have the reinforcements he requested and be a full six thousand stronger while the Imperium would be cut off by the siege.

It was a sound plan and would have most likely worked but it had a fatal flaw, he was fighting the last war, neglecting the advancement in science, magic, and technology. This is a fatal mistake most if not all countries make, is that they are always planning the fight the last war and unfortunately the last war the Republic was in was several hundred years ago. General Grey watched as Silva lined up his Mage Corps with all the military precision that he would expect from any of his best officers. When he saw that every unit was in place and ready to assault the city the General had his horse take to him while he put on his armor breastplate and helmet that looked much a Roman Centurion helmet but with ornate carvings of dragons on the sides, lastly he put on his cape and mounted his horse and rode to the front of the formation.

As he stood and looked over his 6000 men he could tell many were nervous, all but a few veterans had been in small battles with brigands and rebels but nothing ever this big. All of their victories were easily earned with few casualties as they were alway an overwhelming force but General Grey had the upmost respect for them, he knew he needed to give a speech before they moved out so he cleared his throat.

"Men of the Republic today we have the honor of the first battle that could very decide the outcome of the war. I know all of you are aware of the Kattsee plaines and what happened there but the Imperiums leader no longer fights, perhaps he lost the stomach for war?" laughing erupted from his men. "But it is no doubt his vanity that has caused him to make such a fatal error as he calls himself the God-Emperor surely pride has perverted his judgement also. This pride in him a spread to his followers in thinking that they are also truly invincible as the Grand Marshall of the Imperium has sent himself along with only 3000 men to defeat us in battle! Surely fate is on our side and we shall have the New Grand Marshall head on a pike after the end of the siege. So, what say you will you follow me to glory?" he screamed.

A roar came from the crowd as the lust for battle along with the good news of the report they had heard from the General dispelled any fears that they might have had, especially all the strange rumors they have heard about giant soldiers wielding terrible swords of death that spread through the night before (with help from the inquisitors of course). As they walked over the hill in formation all the excitement and lightheartedness suddenly evaporated as if instantly 2000 12 feet tall soldiers that were in some sort of knights armor were standing to two groups of 1000. On the left soldiers with Red Armor and crosses on their armour were all standing together in perfect lines of 100 soldiers 10 rows back and on the right Knights with jet black armour with Iron crosses on their shoulders. Each one held a six foot chain sword in one hand and a hammer in the other, the swords had teeth like saws and did not look like they should cut anything but even the most inexperienced soldiers did not trust this instinct.

"Their swords are t-t-t-t-taller than a man" A Republic infantryman stuttered.

Various other strange soldiers could be seen behind them but they were hard to see over the large knights. Then General Grey notice standing between them and his Army in a large suit of armour that made him as large as his men was the Grand Marshal himself, his the gold adorning his armour made him shimmer in the sun, the General noted that it made his armour look quite pedestrian in comparison. To the Marshalls right and Left looked like important men too, although they did not have gold on their armour they did both bear the signits and held the banners of the two different knight units he saw in front of them. He was able to figure that they were the commanders of these units, it was customary before the battle for the General of each army to make demands and if they could be made the battle would go forward.

General Grey leaned over to his assistant and said, " We need to talk about terms will go out their fetch Silva, I need a powerful magic caster to block any type of metal magic they might use to get me to agree to things that are outrageous. "Yes General, " his aid said as he rode over to Silva, and brought him to the General.

As Silva trotted up to him and stopped his horse the General signaled Silva to lean in so no one could hear what he said, "I want you to cast barrier against any kind of mental magic right now to protect us can you do it." General Grey said.

Nodding yes Silva concentrated and caste the spell as quietly and quickly as possible.

"Let's us go we can talk freely when we are away from prying ears" the General whispered.

They two men rode their horses slowly and confidently to the three towering men standing five hundred meters away. After they had gotten out of earshot the General asked Silva without turning his head and as calmly as possible, "Have you ever seen such a thing I honestly thought the spy had gone mad or really was turned?" Grey asked Silva.

Silva took a deep breath and said, "They could be on stilts but such an easy deception would be seen through, those things I think could hardly be human, I think their is some foul alchemic sourcery that has been used."

"What of the armour it does not look like normal plate or mail of our knightly orders?" Grey asked seeking the wisdom of a member of one of the riches clans that had one of the biggest libraries known in the Republic.

Silva racked his brain and thought of a book he had read as a youth about armour, "There are stories of armour that had been imbued with magic that the wearer could wear to boost one's strength instead of inhibiting it but as any armour it does have a weakness. Such as the eyes, knee and elbows or any other joints can be pierced," Silva said feeling good about himself.

"Good, we need to spread that knowledge to the men, there is always a chink in the armor as they say and depending only on armor is a major fault, along with no cavalry is just foolish," he paused to think as they were almost halfway to the enemy leaders and the General then said, "You know I met the Grand Marshall before he was put in leadership in the Imperium, long ago almost a lifetime."

Silva acted not surprised but was as most youth outside the Imperium he had not heard of Gazef Stronoff of the Kingdom and bodyguard to the King, "Really what was he like what I see before me seems to be a rather pompous fellow like all in the Imperium, they have that smug sense of superiority." he said.

The Old General sighed and he said, "No, he was a great man, loyal, true to his King and even stood up to the Emperor and sacrificed his life and saved countless lives through giving up his own. But then he was revived decades later and has never been the same, he, I would bet is still a good man but he had already fought for the losing side once and payed the ultimate price, and when he awoke everything he bled and died for was gone, what would you make of that, no man really can say honestly what they would do." they were only a few hundred meters away now. "Now let us speak with these men so be still and watch your words Lieutenant."

Silva straighten up as if he almost forgot the gravity of the situation that he was in and the real reason why he volunteered to go on this dangerous mission. They both slowly came up to the three men who stilled looked down on them even though they were on horseback a feeling or fear came over Silva he knew something was not right and he had no idea how right he was.

Grand Marshall Martellus was the first to speak, "Greeting General of the Republic have you come to join the cause?" he said with a straight face. Grey trying not to burst a blood vessel thought two could play by this game and said, "What cause may that be Grand Marshall?"

Martellus shot back, "The beginning of the Great Black Crusade in which we shall scour the lands of heretics and the Imperium shall cover the world with its might and then go to the stars."

It was all General Grey could do but not laugh and decided he had enough of this preposterous talk, "Have you gone mad Marshall, or has the Imperium so diluted it's citizens wisdom that they all think your nation shall conquer the earth and even the heavens? Know we know for sure and have seen for sure that pride comes before the fall Lt. Gillscale." Silva let out a chuckle, both Rogal and Dorn grabbed the hilt of their sword they had never heard such insults, Martellus signaled them to stop.

"Well it seems we are at an impasse, so you deny the God Emperor and the rule, you refuse to worship your gods and intend to fight the Imperium?" Grand Marshal said.

"Yes we do and we shall scour your kind off the Earth!" Grey said with a red face.

"Then I declare your extremus hereticus and your termination is justified by the mandate of the Ordos Exclesasica! Negotiations are over." The Marshall stated if he was reading it from a book he had read a thousand times before as if he was bored almost.

Silva was indignant, in all his life he had never been so insulted and by a lower born man and he was of the Imperium a group he had learned to personally hate more than any other person in the southern army, "You fools shall die like dogs and I shall take the pleasure of taking your head back the council send your body to the four corners of this word so all may see your arrogance, pet of the Emperor, Imperium dog." he ranted so unrestrained he was frothing at the mouth.

Grand Marshall Martellus was turning to walk away when Silva started into his rant then turned to look at the young man when it his name finally clicked in his head, he turn around and smiled, "Now it came back to me Gillscale, one of your patriarchs was captured and executed a few weeks ago."

The color drained out the Silvas face, he knew his great, great, great uncle had lost contact with everyone but this was the first news he heard of him, "You lie he spat."

"He was a tough old goat did not beg up to the very end but don't take my word for it." Martellus looked over to Rogal who spoke up.

"Grand Marshall killed him quickly one blow to the head with his war hammer." then Dorn cut in, "Then we had stakes he was a little tough like the the Marshall said." with a evil grin.

"You evil, cannibals your a disgrace, I should kill you where you.." Silva so angry he started to slur his words. The only thing that brought him back to his sense was General Grey grabbing his shoulders and shaking him, "Come back to your senses boy! Can't you see they are baiting you, we shall make our leave now I shall pray for your souls Dogs of the Imperium!" With that they both parties turned and started walk to their armies, with the negotiations failed the stage was set for the battle to begin.

As the Grand Marshall walked with Rogal and Dorn and spoke them one last time before the battle started, "Now remember both of your units will look like a frontal assault but fifty paces before we make contact with the enemy Rogal and his Templars will break off and flank the enemy first killing all the archers and mages then cutting of the escape route behind the enemy, while Dorn and the Black Templars shall attack the entire army from the front driving them back into Rogals unit, remember I want those two Silva and the General alive, understand?" Martellus ordered.

Rogal and Dorn both said, "Yes Sir!" and the Grand Marshall nodded, he knew they understood they had gone over the mission five times before along with all the other leaders in the unit just incase something happens to them. They arrived at the Imperial army and Rogal and Dorn both split off to their units. Martellus would attack with the Black Templars to insure the enemy would be sure to take the trap if they saw him with the main unit.

Grand Marshall looked back at his troops and knew they was no need for a speech instead he held his hammer up high and yelled, "We are the hammer of the Emperor, By hammer, by fist, we shall destroy the heretics!"

All the Marines started to roar, "We are the hammer of the Emperor, By hammer, by fist, we shall destroy the heretics!" "We are the hammer of the Emperor, By hammer, by fist, we shall destroy the heretics!" "We are the hammer of the Emperor, By hammer, by fist, we shall destroy the heretics!"

Then Martellus let the charge while they were all chanting their creed, from the regular infantryman to the Mages, the soldiers of the Republic became weak kneed and wanted to run if it were not for the war hardened senior leaders who were encouraging their men, reminding them they had superiority. Then slowly they started to advance with the infantry with large shields and spears in the front and the cavalry was supposed to flank the Marines and kill the Mage units, they had the same plan as the Red Templars so little did they know that they were about to meet in battle.

The Imperial Marines were at a full run now the Red Templars broke off about the same time the Republic cavalry broke of the same way. They were only ten paces away from each other now, for Dorn time seemed to slow down he could think faster jump higher and fight harder than he had ever done in training. Dorn pulled out his custom chain sword that was inscribed with runes fire runes that burned so it would cut through metal and wood like hot butter. He activated the rune and the spirits in the hilt started the sword, he was now within striking distance and so was the enemy. The first soldier tried to stick a spear in his face, he ducked and slashed his sword low at the towards what he thought his legs were, he could not be sure because he also had a large shield.

With one powerful large swipe it slice through not only the shield but the man's legs and the three other shields and three other men. All four men fell to the ground grasping stumps of were there legs used to be spilling out blood. He saw an opening and ran into the gap and saw the men behind the shielded soldiers only had swords, he made quick work of the men on the ground by smashing the heads of two of them with his feet and cutting the head off one and gutting the other. He was surrounded now by the enemy so he quickly swung around in a circle cutting the first two mens heads off and the top of a short man's head and another tall man was cleaved in two at his shoulders. Dorn decided it was the best idea to keep moving forward so he would be attacked from the rear. There were two men directly in front of him one swung a him and he parried the cut him from neck to stomach while the other stuck him in the shoulder and shattered his sword, before the man could react he smashed the man's head in with a hammer fist. He then ran ahead like a beserker slashing and cutting man after man in half, after he had been fighting for about five minutes he finally had enough space between him and the enemy to look behind him. Much to his surprise he did not see alive enemies behind him they were all dead or fighting his battle brothers. They had broken the line of the enemy in a wedge formation and he was the very tip of the incursion, pleased he turned back around and unhooked his hammer and held it in his left hand and his sword with his right.

He pushed forward dispatching any poor soul that got in his way, he was able to smash two men with a swing of him hammer and cut three men in half with one swing. Every time a soldier would try to block with his sword he would cut through it and the man holding it. After awhile a lot of the men he was killing were simply trying to flee but he cut them down anyway. He found himself in a pocket as he had advanced to far forward and he was surrounded, he cut a man legs off when he felt a jabbing pain in the back of his knee joint. He looked behind him to see a injured spearman covered in blood he thought dead on the ground he had managed to jam his spear between his joints in the armour, his back leg buckled and the enemy started to all pounce on him like a pack of wolfs when suddenly he saw a flash in front of him flaming missiles struck the enemy in front of him incinerating everyone around him, he silently thanked the mage corps,

It was then he realized that he was simply fighting like a wild man and was not doing his job fighting with his men and giving them directions. He ran back to a group of his battle brothers and yelled for a the men to tighten up their formations and watch eachothers back. He looked around while now occasionally killing an enemy the shield bearing soldiers were all dead and the black templars were well into the secondary infantry line of swordsman some with and without kite shields. Rogals Marines had killed over half the cavalry and were pushing them back easily, it was going well but it could change if they did not act fast as they were still outnumbered, speed was their main weapon so that had to take advantage of it.

He took a quick assessment of the situation since the flanking manoeuvre was not working this could be dragged out first this first he activated his com (message), "casualty report 210!"

"Lord Dorn we have six injured we activated internal potion spray and they will operational within 10 minutes," "Thank your BM210" Dorn said. BM was short for Battle Medic.

"I want Companies 1 through 5 to create an advancing front to fight and keep the enemy busy, company 6 though ten form up on me in 5 now go!" Dorn yelled.

He looked over at Rogals Chapter was slowly pushing back the enemy's cavalry luckily they are much quicker so they were keeping the the enemy contained but that was keeping them more busy than fighting them, so they would be tied up for awhile. He looked back over and the Marshal war directing the unified front that was slowly pushing back the enemy. They were advancing cutting down row after row of men dodging blows as they went. He knew it was a matter of time before they would break and run and half of the army could escape and be resupplied.

"Dorn I will handle the advancing forces if I try to break through the lines I will attract to much attention to myself take your 500 men and break through the to the other side slaughter the mages and form and defensive front behind them to them work your way back Rogal and his brothers should be there to help you when you need it!" Martellus said.

"Roger that Marshall, the Emperor protects!" When he said that he heard the echo of 500 voices around him, "THE EMPEROR PROTECTS!" He was should not have been so surprised his men had formed up and ready to go but he was, Dorn lifted his chain sword in the air then motioned it forward and yelled, "In nomine Imperator" and began to run towards the battle front, his battle brothers fighting in front of him fell back without even looking back leaving a perfect hole in the line where ten rows of fifty more or less men across could start their attack.

The eyes of the poor enemy soldiers were so wide when they charged that Dorn could see them through the slits of a full face helmet of a Republic spearman. When Dorns unit made contact with the second of the now first line defense of the enemy the sound of metal on metal clanging, chainswords activating then chewing into fleshing, breaking bones, sudden screams of pain and anger. The man next to Dorn was a good fighter they all called blackjack, he like to club people and used his hammer as a primary weapon and was one of the best in the unit with it. He looked over for a second to see him swing his hammer and shatter a wood shield then bury his hammer in the man holding it, the hammer went deep in his chest killing him instantly. The problem was that when he drew back to strike a swordsman next to him the man's body was still on the hammer, blackjack did not care and surprisingly to Dorn it did not slow him down one bit either. He just kept swinging the hammer with the man attached to it striking down foe after foe, after while the body arms and legs were eventually destroyed and the hammer was covered in a bloody pulp of what used to be a man's body in the maelstrom.

Dorn was mainly using his chainsword as he was now fighting with his brothers on each side and could not be as wild as he was before. He had to admit fighting like this was much easier as he remember the throbbing in the back of his leg when he was fighting alone, the wound had closed up but the muscles were still mending and it would take a few more hours to fully heal thanks to his troll healing powers. They had fought half way through the Republic's army when he noticed his chain sword was starting to slow down, when he struck down directly at an enemy swordsman the chainsword cut through a portion of the man's sword but then stopped. The downward force made the enemies sword cut his own head in half but Dorn quickly pulled his sword back to inspect it, he pulled the lever and touched the rune but nothing happend. He must have overused it and the machine spirit was sleeping he needed to give it time to rest. The real reason was the original chain swords had a problem with overheating and would trip the shutoff switch unit it cooled down enough.

Dorn put his chainsword back in his scabbard and then took out his hammer, he took a quick glance to so all the men in his assault group were doing the same thing or had already done it. He looked forward just in time to see two men rushing him with spears one aiming for his neck and one for his knee joint. With lighting fast reflexes he dodged the first man with a side step and flattened his head with his hammer the second man came he stomped on his spear the man still was running straight at him even though he had no weapon due to the momentum he had build up and so Dorn reached out his left arm and grabbed the enemies head which was easy because he had a large helmet on. He then closed and opened his fist and heard a muffled scream before the man's body became limp and fell to the ground.

The enemy was starting to break in front of him and trampling each other Dorn watched Blackjack jumped 7 or 8 feet in the air and then landed crushing a pile of men trying to climb over each other. He lost his hammer in the process and so he quickly grabbed a man by his leg and ripped it off and started to bludgeon other men with it sending men flying. Dorn had to admit it was crude but effective, the absurdity of blackjacks actions reminded Dorn of his chainsword. He quickly reached to his hilt and flicked the rune and squeezed the hand and the comforting hum as the sword started again, excited Dorn keyed his vox [message], "The sword spirits have rested all Black Templars use your chainswords! The Emperor Protects!" He heard his men roar with excitement as he could hear chainswords one by one start back up again until it sounded like a low drone in the backdrop in addition to all of the other sounds of chaos during a battle. With this development Dorns assault group started to advance through the enemy at a light jog like an unstoppable juggernaut, he had lost count of how man of the enemy he had killed and was covered head to toe with the blood and gore of his enemies. He had to keep wiping the blood off the eyes in his helmet and really wanted to take it off as he found it a nuisance but he would be glad he did not,

Suddenly, he and all his men on the front row broke through the last of the enemy, they all paused for a moment as they did not expect to do it so quickly. They were at the bottom of the hill and as Dorn and the rest of his men looked up he saw a large group of men in robes, with staffs and other magic items mixed in with archers. Dorn knew that they were his second part of his mission, first was to break through and second kill the mages and archers who seemed to be next to the mages. As soon as Dorn yelled, "Charge!" a barrage of arrows, fireballs, magic missiles and every other conceivable attack spell struck Dorn and the rest of his men in the front row, so no one heard him over the roar of the magic attack. All Dorn could see was a bright light and then he was he felt like he took a punch from Rogal straight to the gut and he was on the ground.

General Grey was turning pale, his men looked like children fighting full grown men, their swords cut through his men's shields, as he watched all of his frontline shield bearers die he started to worry. When his cavalry was stopped and then started to be pushed back he got nervous. When he saw an attack squad cut through his main force in ten minutes he knew he had only one shot or this battle was going to turn into a massacre. He rode over to his mage corp and then to his archers and stationed them on a hill in front of where the enemy was fighting through their lines.

He called Lt. Silva over and said, "LIsten you have the high ground and a tactical advantage as you can fight over distance, I want you to work with the archers and alternate your fire with them! I want your to turn this into a killing ground. The enemy has broken through our line but they have bottle necked themselves. I want you to fire volley after volley at that group once they reach the hill, understand?"

Silva licked his parched lips, "Yes Sir we will hold them here and take out a third of their Army while doing so."

"That is the plan Silva, I have to go back to the command tent, I do not have to tell you that failure will only lead to death." He said as he turned his horse around and rode back to the command tent.

Silva watched as the leader of the Black Templars and his assault group started to cut their way through the center of the Republic army, it was hard to watch as they cut his country men down as they were no match for the enemy. He told one of the Junior. Officers to alert him when they were about to break through, then he called up the other officers of the mage corps and the archers he had an idea. When they all gathers he said," I want each mage to pair up with a archer, help imbue the archer's arrows with penetration and elemental magic and the line up in rows. The first row will fire and fall back to the end of the formation while the second quickly switches and fires and follows the first row while the third row gets ready, then the next row will fire and then repeat the process, this way we will have a constant barrage of fire towards the enemy without stopping or depleting one's manna or arrows to fast. Any questions." Everyone look less nervous and nodded their heads in approval.

"Well then get in formation, now!" Quickly everyone worked as the enemy assault unit came closer and closer, they tried their best to keep their minds at the tasks they had been given. It was hard as they heard the screams of their countrymen and friends, while the Black knights laughed and barked boasts at each other and taunts at the Republic. Silva just gritted his teeth and made sure he kept an eye on the leader of the Group whose armor was more ornate than the others. He had to admit he was a true leader he was leading from the front unlike his General who was in the safety of his command center bunker and most likely had fresh horses and guards for a hasty retreat.

Silva could hear the carnage was close now he looked up just in time to see the most disturbing things he had ever seen, five of his countrymen had tried to flee and ran into two others forming a pile. Then he saw a knight jump higher than he had even seen and landed on the pile, he heard screams and the sounds of spines breaking, heads exploding. Then the Black Knight roared in delight and then ripped the legs off the man on top of the pile who screamed in agony, Silva was surprised he was not dead then the Knight started to beat Republic soldiers with the legs of another one of his kin, he wanted to vomit, never it all of his life had he ever read or even heard of such brutality even from the most twisted races on Tera and these were humans!

Although Silva did not want to admit but at that moment he had an epiphany, he knew that not only this battle but the war was over, the Republic was a nation built on administration, equality and founding principles of rights that nation was created on. Ther Impirium was build for one thing, War, and everything else, commerce, trade, religion, social structure, had been made to support this and he was there to witness the birth of the real Imperium, One of the most disturbing thought is that they were fighting the Temple of Nazaricks Army not the Dark Army there regular Military that was fighting in the South, Now, he finally understood why the Agrand Council did not capitulate, he finally saw what his elders saw so long ago and were powerless to do anything about it except warn the other nations but they did not listen.

"Lt. Sliva they are breaking through!" The Jr, officer said, the sound of his comrade had snapped his out of his philosophical daydream, he took his position at the front of formation if his enemy could do it he would do it to. He smiled little did the enemy or any one know that he could really cast sixth tier magic, it might only be once but at least he could take out the leader, that arrogant savage, Silva thought. He watched as Dorn broke through first followed by fifty other soldiers that started to pour through then they all suddenly stopped and looked around, "What are they up to." Silva said to himself.

Not wanting to lose the chance Silva yelled "FIRE AT WILL!" right as Dorn and the other Marines formed up in a V formation and started up the hill. Silva gathered all him mana and caste [molten missile] which was a nasty spell especially for those in armor, it fired a magic arrow of iron with a center of molten metal so it would strike the person piercing their body or armor them fill the armor in Dorns case with liquid iron. Silva now concentrated now of the spell it started as a ball then shot forth from his hands and stuck Dorn right in the chest. All of his attention was on Dorn and he watched him knocked backwards and lay on the ground, he looked down and exhaled, he was able to take out the leader, if they could keep his plan up they could slow down the advance, stop it even and then take it one step at a time.

As Silva he was thinking this he looked up to see the arrows and magic was bouncing of the Imperial Marines armor like they were throwing pebbles at them. Some of the magic was knocking them back a bit like being hit with something heavy but that was it, then to his horror Dorn rolled over shook his head and shook his head grabbed his sword. Then Dorn took a knee and spoke to the two men on his right and left that ran up to him, he pointed to something right and left of the Republic formation and stood back up. Silva grabbed his looking glass to see closer and all his spell did was leave a little burn mark on the paint on his armor! They all stopped to wait for their leader to get up and while they were stalled one of the archers aimed at and elbow joint and it pierced it, he growled in pain and pulled out the arrow and threw it down in frustration.

Silva rode down the line and screamed, "Aim for the joints and the head, and make sure to use any type of penetration spells now fight!" All the soldiers regained their confidence when they saw they could hurt the knights, the problem for the Republic was now that there leader Dorn was up and there charge was starting to begin in full steam. You could ask any of those archers or mages aiming for a joint on a Imperial Marine while they are charging right at you at 20 miles per hour and near impossible.

As Dorn charged up the hill after being hit that hardest he had ever been before in his life he scanned the enemy and saw the young commander that the Grand Marshall told him he wanted alive, he key his vox and sent a [message], "The officer in the front row shall be taken alive by direct order of the Grand Marshall any disobedience will be punished, all other soldiers are to be terminated, The Emperor Protects!" All of his battle brothers responded back and they continued running up the hill. Black jack took a fireball in the knee and had to stop, the armors systems kicked in for a internal a pot spray to his leg and began running again, a poor brother two spots over took one in the neck. His battle brother next to him pulled it out and took his helmet off and performed medical first aid, he would be fine in a hour he thought. The front row of fifty was getting it pretty bad as they were bombarded with over 100 projectiles every few seconds. As badly as they were getting hurt by the time they made it to striking distance they had only injured 25 out of the first wave and 15 in the second. Combined with another 62 injured in the raid through the enemy's lines his unit was still just under 400 strong.

So when the 400 Marines reached the front line of 500 mages and 500 bowmen who had daggers and wooden staffs to fend off close quarter attacks it was a total massacre. The first wave with Dorn came in and started to cut down mages and archers down like grass, and since Silva had mixed them up to maximize firepower they had no chain of command to tell them what to do. It turned into total chaos, Dorn while on the ground after he had taken Silvas attack gave directions to two of his company captains and had the first two hundred directly attack while 100 flanked from the right and the other from the left, so when the Republic soldiers tried to flee they could not, the only way to escape was directly back and with all the confusion no one knew this except the few in the back and did not attempt to tell others and simply tried to run, seeing this the two flanking parties had squads break of and run them down and kill them.

Eventually as Dorn had planned the archers and mages were surrounded and were slaughtered by the droves, it got so bad that some of the mages and archers got on their knees and begged for their lives which was met with decapitation, a majority of them trampled each other and some of old mages that were too proud cut their own throats or took poison in a ceremonial fashion. Silva was in the middle urging the mages to fight and trying to give them hope knew all was lost. With barbaric precision and speed 1000 men lay on the ground cleaved and dying in what seemed a blink of an eye, Silva and the Jr, officer that he never learned his name were left sitting on their horses surrounded by a circle of the most savage, efficient, deadly fighters he had ever seen,

Silva did not know what to expect he thought that maybe the only reason they were alive was because they had horses and they wanted them as they were knights and did not have them, maybe the Imperium had a horse shortage. Or maybe he was to be taken hostage, a million things ran through his mind and none of them were good. He looked over to see the cavalry had been all killed and the Red Marines were flanking the main Army, he saw that the main army was now at less that half strength and was about to be annihilated. He looked over at the command tent, General Grey way trying to escape along with the upper echelon but the enemy mage corps were bombarding the area and all around it so they were trapped in a hastily made bunker. "This battle is over" Silva said to himself." with a bitter smile.

Dorn walked forward and said, "Lord Silva, I suggest you pay attention to the battle that is in front of you, which one of you is the strongest, it is our custom that win or lose the leaders of the units should fight, if you win you can go free but if I win you must do what I say, so do we have a deal?"

Right before Silva could agree the Jr. officer next to him shouted, "I shall except you challenge!" Silva could not believe his ears, what insubordination, was he truly thinking he could win and go free, was he so desperate to save his hide?

"I take it then you are the strongest warrior then, very well dismount your horse and let the duel begin!" Dorn said as he took his helmet off and gave it to one of his captains.

The junior officer did not even back at Silva out of shame he knew that this was his only chance of survival and he rather have it at his hand that some pamper noble that did not even carry a sword. The truth of the matter was the Junior. officer lafleur was from a rich family of trader and was just as spoiled and thought he was superior to everyone there, the only reason he joined the Military was through his father's instruction to increase the standing of his family. Laflue jumped down from his horse and grabbed his sword and pulled it front his hilt, it was a rare double handed broadsword that was a present from him brother who was currently a knight in the Republic's Northern Garrison,

Dorn strode forward and his not even draw his sword and held his hands out, "Now strike me he said with a grin," All of the surrounding battle brother started to laugh and cheer angering Lafleur even more angry, Lafleur rushed forward he thought that since he took his helmet off he had a chance of killing him with a blow to the head the problem was that Dorn knew this as well and could anticipate any blow he would make. Lafleur had extensive sword training and had his sword in the high position over his head, this was used when fighting a foe larger that you, he finally came within striking distance and sung his sword right at the middle of his head.

To Dorn this was all happening so slow that is was almost comically and thought he would impress his brothers with this sham of a man and disgrace him before he died. He watched at the man ran to him and tried to strike him with the sword, as the sword came within an inch of his nose he stepped to the side then waited for his to pass then kicked him in the rear as he passed by. He forgot he strength at the time and watched Lafleur launch in the air three feet and then land face first on the ground coming to a sliding halt. All his battle brother started laughing and hitting their hand to their chest in a sign of respect for the move.

Lafleur got up with a skinned and cut face so angry he could barely see straight, he pointed his sword at Dorn and said, "Dog of the Imperium your pride shall cost you your life!" he then spat. Dorn smiled and said, "The Emperor (bless his name) teaches up that Pride is the refusal to accept one's own limitations, young one, may you meditate on these words of wisdom when you are sent to the afterlife." This made Lafleur even more angry as it cut to the quick as he knew what the enemy leader was true and he could not deny he was being made a fool but he had one last trump card. He brought his sword to the high left stance position with positioned the sword hilt next to his head and the blade even with his eyes, then he dug his back foot into the ground so he would not slip then muttered; [speed step] and his best martial he had mastered [divine strike] the first let him jump at 0 to 60 miles a hour in the short 20 feet between him. Then [divine strike] that allowed to merge his eyes and the tip of his sword so whatever he concentrated looking at with his eyes he would hit. Back at the city he was from they called him the flash of death as he had killed over 30 men by the young age of 25 in duels. The fights were over right after the judge dropped his handkerchief.

When he activate the martial art faster than the human mind could process, Sliva watched as Lafleur disappeared from where he was standing then cloud trail of dust to Dorn and then to his utter shock Lafleur's sword sticking through the enemy commander's head, He shouted yes, "And now understood why he had volunteered to fight in lieu of him, as he was a mage and stood no chance but the Jr. officer was versed in sword fighting and martial arts. In reality this was partially true but he did not care as long as the enemy lived up to thier…" before he could finish his thought he saw something very strange, only a split second had passed since Lafleur's strike but he noticed that their were two enemy commanders, one that the officer had struck and another that was standing to the left of him in his blind spot that he could not see, Was it illusion magic?

As if the enemy leader could read his mind he punch the sword out of this hand bending it in half as it flew off and grabbed the unsuspecting smiling Lafleur, on hand on the neck and the other by the leg and then lifted him over his head high in the air, "What you saw was an after image, I moved so quickly you brain could not process it so it appeared as though I was in two places at the the time, we call it ghosting." he smiled.

"Now Lord Silva Gillscale I will show you a lesson in pride, and a lesson in being on the wrong side of history!" Dorn yelled as he bent a knee and then tool Lafleur and slammed the small of his back down on his knee breaking him back, he then stood up and finished folding the poor sod in half like a taco. The young man vomited blood and screamed in pain he then threw Lafleur right in front of Silva and said, "I want so put this excuse of a man out of his misery."

Silva had no idea what why he wanted him to do it but he knew either way it was the humane thing to do, so he hopped off his horse and before Lafleur could attempt to say anything to make him feel worse he cut his heat off with a quick down ward chop. He looked up at Dorn who was smiling and said, "Our intelligence was right about your, I think you will feel at home in the imperium!" Silva could not but blurt out, "What?!"

All the Marines around him started to laugh then formed up up in squads and the began their attack from the rear of the main Republic Army, it was a slaughter from them on. The infantry had nowhere to go and if they did slip between the gaps in the the rear the Red Marines would be waiting for them to cut them down without mercy. It did not mean that several hundred did not try.

Dorn and a unit of fifty brothers and Silva that did not know if he was a prisoner or considered a comrade after the last comment from Lord Dorn snuck up the rear of the Hill that contained the command tent. They were about ten meters away from the bombardment when Dorn voxed the mage corps, "This is Dorn we are in position to take the command post, also the Reds are in position if anyone escapes, stop bombardment in 5" Dorn said hold his ear. "Roger that Lord Rogal, Praise the Emperor" the communication officer said on the line. "Praise the Emperor" Dorn repleted.

Silva was right next to him and had no idea what what was happening, Dorn looked over to Silva and pulled out a small bead, "This device is called a vox, it allows me to communicate anyone within range, it a handy device" he said with a wink. Silva was amazed this was like the spell message without having to use the spell and was much more versatile. While they were waiting Dorn was watching for the bombardment to stop he said "Your Grandfather is dead we had to execute him he was caught committing espionage in the Imperium and the Marshall gave him every chance to recant and join our side but he refused. I had never seen him so sad but what's done is done and by the way we did not eat him (which was a total lie)" Dorn said without taking his eyes off the objective.

There was a heavy lump in his heart but what he was told he knew to be true, "What may I ask you want with me Lord Dorn?" Not taking his eyes off the objective Dorn smiled and said, "You are a smart man surely at some point of the battle you must have realized you were on the wrong side of history, the War Machine that is the Imperium against the soft bureaucracy of your Republic, the war will be just like this battle, am I right?" Silva wanted to deny it with every fiber of his being but he could not but be also could not yet bring himself him to agree with him. Dorn looked over with one eye and grinned, "It's ok your silence tells me enough, and what you along with the General will save many of your countrymen's lives, here is the honest truth we could have took your entire army with 500 to 1000 Marines but we wanted all of brothers to get real battle experience and that is the Emperor's Truth! Oh here we go!" Dorn exclaimed as the magal bombardment began to slow down.

As that started to happen they all jumped up and started to run to the command bunker, Silva got more and more nervous as he was running with Dorns unit straight to their deaths to a wall of fire when right as they reached the blast zone it all suddenly stopped and they continued on only 20 meters away from the command tent. Silva had never seen such military precision before in his life, each feat he saw the sicker he felt for his countryman.

Just as one of the aids of the General poked his head out of the foxhole, he got to see a chainsword come straight at his head and chop it off at eye level. Before the guards and knights at the command tent realized it the Black Marines were in the trenches, the horses were dead and countless people were dead. The General was in his tent hiding in his personal chest hearing the screams and men begging for lives. When Dorn and his brothers cut down all the guards he made his way to the front of the command tent were two men in expensive armor and exotic swords of flame and ice stood guard. One said, "The other men you might have killed easily with your armor and weapons but we are evenly march prepare to meet your emp.." Dorn leapt forwards between the two men who were three feet apart with his sword drawn back and with one big horizontal slash cut them both in half. The knights could not understand why the ground was coming closer as they knew their legs were on the ground, then when the bounced of the ground and spit out blood he figured out that his lower half was still standing while the rest of his body was on the ground as the dawned on him everything went black as it was the last thing he realized before he died.

General Grey was pouring down sweat and shaking as he heard the unfamiliar sounds of servos and metal joints in the tent, he knew he was done for, then suddenly the chest opened and he nervously looked up and was relieved, "Silva! Has your unit succeeded and come to made our escape?" Silva looked down and shook his head, "General, I fear the battle and most likely the war is over." Silva said with a sigh. That was when Grey looked over his shoulder to see his tent was full of enemy knights, "Silva what are you saying are we to be taken prisoner?" He sniffled.

Silva said, "I am not sure but I think we are a now apart of the Imperium and we can do it the hard or easy way." Silva said the most serious he could. The laughter of Dorn and his battler brother ruined the moment but what could he do but wait for instructions.