Author's Note: Chapter 3 has been split to make the reading easier, so the actual battle has been moved to chapter 4.
Path 2
Dark Reaper
The Defender Part 1
"You have run and climbed to gain endurance, you have fought with fist and blade to improve your coordination, strength and reflexes. Now you will apply your skills to the true art of our shrine." Cadaith explained to Yaidev, when she'd first come to the shooting gallery beyond the garden and the Dark Reapers' quarters, a long room, almost a cavern really, hardly illuminated by lightstones, casting it in twilight. "The Reaper deals death from afar, more efficiently than any other Aspect. In order to fight as one of us, you must connect with your weapon, only possible now that you've connected with your war-mask and gained a certain inner stability."
"Is that why I so often faced you in battle, Exarch?" She asked him calmly, motioning the heavy weapon in her hands. The handles of the Reaper Launcher fitted perfectly into her hands, as if they were made for her.
"In part, yes." Cadaith admitted. "To find your war-mask, you needed to face your anger, not hide it away where it could fester; so I had to bring it out. But I also aimed to strengthen your body as a whole; simple, repetitive exercises would have been insufficient. Your body needed to learn when, how to move; it needed to internalize it and so now your true training as a Reaper can begin. Don your helmet, Yaidev."
She was already dressed in her Aspect Armour, while her helmet rested on the armour rack that had been brought to the shooting gallery. Her leaf-red was shorter now, reaching only a little further than her chin, though not touching the shoulder. With one hand Yaidev took the final piece of her armour and put it on. Like the first time, it immediately came to life, the lenses giving everything she saw a touch of wine red, runes emerging on the display.
"Now connect your weapon with your armour."
At the bottom of the long-barrelled Missile Launcher was something like a wraitbone arm with several joints. With merely a focused thought the arm began to move, its head fusing together with her backpack. An electric impulse shot through her spine and fine crosshairs appeared on her display. For testing purposes Yaidev moved her Launcher, seeing the crosshairs move accordingly.
Approvingly the Exarch nodded. "The Reaper Launcher does more than to obey your movements; its target-system also operates independently of you, searching for enemy targets, tracking them and of course relaying such information to your display. You will notice that when you handle a Launcher that your mind will be linked to it: as fast as it spots an enemy you take aim, as soon as it locks on, you will fire. A perfect unit." There was pride in these last words. "You could say that you'll see out of your weapon's muzzle."
Suspiciously Yaidev raised an eyebrow. "Do I control the Launcher, or it me?"
"Once you've practiced with it, the question will be irrelevant, but if it appeases you, every decision will be made by you, the Launcher only gives you all the information you require." Cadaith told her, before turning his attention to the far side of the cavern. "I trust that you can see the dozen targets I have placed at the other side of the gallery. I want you to shoot them in the shortest amount of time possible. For the first time I don't care where you hit them, yet in the future I shall give you specific instructions."
With just a trace of nervousness Yaidev stepped forth, from the mat where she had dressed and prepared, to the white line merely a meter further. One deep breath and her eyes went searching for the targets. Indeed she saw the twelve humanoid structures of wraithbone at the far end, all placed on different levels, some partially hidden behind rocks. Suddenly her vision changed. Without willing it so, the area she was studying zoomed in; it was like she was standing directly in front of them.
Following every movements of her eyes, the display's crosshairs rushed from target to target, leaving red copies of itself behind as it marked them. As soon as the system had locked on all, Yaidev shifted her weapon, the first crosshair turning green, and without another thought she pulled the trigger, releasing a salvo of small armour piercing missiles. Even as they were on their way, Yaidev guided her weapon further, the next crosshair turning green, moving swiftly from target to target. By the time the first salvo tore through the wraithbone, another six were already on their way. Everything seemed to happen as soon as she was thinking it; shooting a Reaper Launcher was a truly unique experience and Yaidev enjoyed it greatly.
Within seconds all her targets had received massive wholes from the Launchers projectiles, one that had been placed behind cover now missing its head. Cadaith approached her, regarding her handiwork. "A fine result for your first time, your focus was on heads and the chest region; effective against lightly armoured enemies." He turned to her. "In time I will teach you to hit moving targets or simply name a type of enemy, leaving you to recall and exploit the weak points I've taught you. Now, are you ready for your next round, neophyte?"
…
Cycle after cycle passed, Yaidev growing more and more familiar with her weapon, while obstacle courses and hand to hand combat continued, at this point however, Yaidev had to wear chosen armour pieces with additional weight, in order to strengthen her muscles even further. She had asked him why there were so many training units that seemed to have little to do with the Reapers task to hold a position and provide cover-fire for the other warriors of the Wild Host, the term used for Saim-Hannian warhosts.
"Because we are of Saim-Hann." Cadaith had explained. "We are not always staying behind to defend a position of tactical value, but we must often follow the Riders and not always is there a Wave Serpent or other transporter available to us. Then we have battlefields that do not allow us to cover a wide area, so we are forced to change position in order to assist our brothers and sisters and close combat, while rare, is a situation all warriors must be prepared for. Besides, melee combat is an excellent way to train your reflexes and strengthen your muscles at the same time."
He was not wrong. Especially swordplay had gotten more challenging again; even without the weights her arms and shoulders had been strained after long training sessions, but now when a fight neared its end it became almost impossible to lift the blade high enough to block or attack her opponent. Yaidev knew this too would eventually pass, once her body was strong enough, but as it was, hot baths were now a daily ritual to relax her aching body. Beside the many bruises and cuts, she noticed how well toned her muscles had become, while staying as slender as she ever had. In the evening hours she would join her brothers as they conversed, but mostly she only listened to their stories. On this night however she joined in, feeling more comfortable around them than before.
"How often have you fought with the Singing Scythe?" She asked into the round.
"Three times I've donned our armour for battle." Ilthaldir told her, placing his goblet back on the low table. "Before you I was the youngest among us."
"I followed Cadaith into four." Maldorahn spoke, brushing a few strains of his blonde hair behind an ear. "And many years ago I've already fought in the green of the Scorpions."
"Two shrines?" Given the long lives of the eldar it was actually not uncommon for them to join more than one Aspect Shrine in their millennia long lives, but this didn't mean a young eldar like Yaidev wasn't curious to hear more about this.
"My life was turbulent one, young Reaper." He told her with a wistful smile. "And one day my anger became too much to bear on my own and I returned into Khaine's embrace."
"So the war-mask is not a permanent guard of our minds?" This was sobering news.
Maldorahn seemed to recognize her disappointment. "You can always call upon it in times of great anger in fear." The older eldar told her with a smile.
"Or whenever you see it fit." Felanwé added.
Maldorahn sighed. "But I hadn't donned it in centuries, I had changed since my youth and it had become…less effective." He formulated carefully, trying to put the abstract nature of the war-mask into words. "It seemed the saver choice to refresh the lessons, approach them from a new angle."
When Maldorahn fell silent, Yaidev turned to the last of her brothers. "What about you Felanwé; how long have you been here?"
"I have seen six wars since I became a Dark Reaper, perhaps soon I can leave for a new Path again."
"When will you know that you can move on?"
"Once I've reached serenity, when what brought me here is either under control or no longer plagues my mind." He explained, very vaguely to Yaidev's disappointment. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you more. It is customary that warriors do not share their personal daemons."
"Indeed; it is expected that each of us finds his or her own way that the only enlightenment, which will bring you peace, can come from yourself." Ilthaldir tapped upon his sternum. "If we were to help or interfere, your soul may not internalize the lessons it must learn to protect itself."
Yaidev wasn't sure if she'd completely understood, but nodded nonetheless. How long before the anger her family inspired would be purged from her? Could years of martial training and war truly accomplish such a feat? After all her true issues would not be faced. No, she should not entertain such thoughts of doubt, those would only compromise her.
Suddenly a warm sensation spread through every nerve, every blood vessel of her body, invigorating, thrilling. Yaidev was confused as her body was fuelled with a desire to move, to run and fight; she wanted to spill blood. She looked around, seeing in the faces of her sibling that they felt much the same, as they exchanged knowing looks. Of course this sensation wasn't completely alien to her, but never had it been this strong, so…mind consuming. Felanwé met her gaze, a murderous smile played on his lips, his eyes brightening up with excitement. "Well sister, your first war awaits you." Her brother spoke solemnly. "Khaine is waking from his slumber."
The warriors of the Singing Scythe had gathered in the hall that connected the rooms of the shrine with one another, Yaidev taking her place next to Felanwé. Their Exarch had just returned from the war council, one of the rare occasions on which he would leave his shrine. "The Wild Host will once more return to the Maiden World of Nal'shadar." Cadaith announced, regarding his students with a frightening smile. "Apparently the orks' leader wishes to add the Autarch's head to his barbaric collection." The Aspect Warriors laughed at this folly, though Yaidev only smiled amused, still feeling like an outsider among the group of seasoned warriors.
"He doesn't seem to have taken his failure last time well." Maldorahn noted, referring to the war less than a year ago, when the same Warboss had tried to conquer Nal'shadar before, only to be stopped by Saim-Hann's warriors, who had come to assist their Exodites cousins.
Their Exarch nodded. "Indeed, but this time the ork will not escape." The old Reaper assured them. "The council has called for an experienced Ranger to take him out, a Pathfinder as we were told." It was truly rare that Saim-Hann called upon the services of the outcasts. As the Craftworld was specialized in fast attacks with vehicles, the sneaky ways of the Rangers were usually unsuited to assist them in battle and therefor rarely seen at Saim-Hann's side. Not that the Rangers and Pathfinder showed themselves even if they were around. "We ourselves will once more take a defensive role; the Exodites have retreated to a settlement around a webway portal, through which the Wild Host will arrive. We are to protect our cousins and the portal from any ork foolish enough to approach the settlement, while the combined force of the Wild Host and Dragon Knights will deal with the greenskins in a very permanent manner." Cadaith regarded his students. "The host departs this evening; you have one hour before the donning. Are there any questions?"
No one said a word; Yaidev had been taught the tactics and formations of the Dark Reapers and knew her place in the group. Right now she was only excited, actually finding herself looking forward to the coming battle. The next hour could pass fast enough.
…
All four stood in line, their individual armours in front of them, arranged on blood red mats. Yaidev felt the soft fabric underneath her bare feet as they waited patiently for their Exarch, his armour already in front of them. The dim light of the central hall seemed even dimmer today, like candlelight. Like her brothers she only wore her undergarments, yet she felt not exposed. Khaine's fire was burning strongly in her veins now, the Avatar having no doubt already been awakened by the Farseers and the Young King, a chosen Exarch sacrificed to the god of war, a ritual that needed to be performed every time anew.
Finally Cadaith appeared, and without speaking a word he walked to his mat. He went down onto his knees, his students following his example, basically sitting down on their own shanks. As one they all took their curved combat knives, drew them out of their sheaths and simultaneously they cut over their thumbs, same as their Exarch. "We give our blood, as we are called for war." Cadaith began to speak, his calm voice strangely loud in the utter silence, echoing a little in the room. In this moment it truly felt like a temple.
With their now bleeding thumbs they drew the aspect's rune upon their foreheads, and Yaidev felt it burning on her skin, but it was not painful. No, the heat was strangely comfortable, spreading through her head, her very thoughts and seeped into every fibre of her body, her senses getting clearer than ever before as Cadaith continued. "With peace broken, only war remains." Yaidev slipped into the plates protecting her chest, each clinging tightly but comfortably to her body. She sensed the psycho-sensitive bioplastic plates shifting to suit her shape. The essential Spirit Stone was placed between two overlapping plates for its protection, the light it emitting beating in the same swift rhythm as her heart. She was aware of every muscle in her body, all eager to go into battle, to shed the blood of her people's enemies.
"We clad ourselves for battle, embraced by Khaine's iron skin, his fire burns within." Her greaves were next in line, and the nerves in her legs prickled a little as the components of the synthetic bodysuit took their final place like the first time she'd put it on; it was like a second skin and so invigorating.
"We bear war's dark burdens upon our shoulders, unyielding, freed of doubt or fear." Gauntlets and boots followed, the individual parts seemingly merging with one another, protecting Yaidev in their embrace. She took her helmet, letting it slip over her head.
"We are collected, merciless, precise, for we are death. Let Khaine's gift guide us." Together the Aspect Warriors rose to their feet, grasping their Reaper Launchers. The display of her helmet came to life as Yaidev connected it to her armour. Its weight in her hands was comforting and Yaidev felt complete with it in her grasp. With a murderous smile behind her helmet, she looked at her Exarch, burning with the anticipation for the coming battle.
The Tower of Travellers was much like a tree, as it was a tower with countless platforms and hangers, many reserved for Saim-Hann's own fleet, hundreds of ships, ready to go to war, or bring the craftworld's warriors to a chosen battlefield. To one of said hangars, a great white hall with tree-like pillars, Cadaith had brought his students, dozens of shrines heading there as well. Wild Riders and anti-grav tanks flew over their heads, flying into the three cruisers that would bring them all to Nal'shadar. The great, yet slender and elegant ships, shaped like a shark's body, showed proudly the colors of their craftworld; red with black strips, a few white runes and the green snake, as tall as the ship itself. Yaidev looked about her, seeing Striking Scorpions, Banshees, Warp Spiders, Swooping Hawks and Dire Avengers, though none matched the numbers of the Shining Spears. Along with the Wild Riders they made evident how much Saim-Hann loved her warriors on Jetbikes.
Cadaith led them straight onto one of the ships, following a group of Defender Guardians. Yaidev suspected that they would assist them in defending the settlement. Soon however, the Reapers went a different path and she wondered where their Exarch was bringing them. He searched his way up, leaving deck after deck behind, all made of the same flawless white wraithbone, bare any ornamentation other than lightstones, or the occasional flag with Saim-Hann's sigil upon it. The cruiser's crew that walked the corridors always stopped and let the Aspect Warriors pass whenever they met them. Finally they had reached their destination; Cadaith had brought them to the observation deck. It was a small deck, the wraithbone around them completely see-through, with only a few red branches to stabilize the construction. Yaidev approached one the wall, letting a few of her fingers run over the transparent surface.
"Isn't this dangerous?" She asked as Felanwé stopped next to her. "Wouldn't this prove to be a weak spot in battle?"
"Despite its appearance, the wraithbone is only little less sturdy and in battle the crew can send a psychic command, stimulating more wraithbone to grow from the branches and reinforce the transparent parts. The same is true for Saim-Hann's countless domes."
Surprised Yaidev looked at him. Saim-Hann itself had not been under attack in centuries, thus she had never seen it prepare for battle. She looked at the branches along the observation deck's dome, imagining how countless small twigs would grow from them, spread like ice crystals on a water surface until all was covered with a new layer of red wraithbone.
Yaidev looked down the ship to the hanger, seeing it emptying. "Not long now." Her brother spoke as the others joined them. "Have you ever left the craftworld?"
"No." She told him. "But it was something I always wanted to do, once I felt ready."
"Do you now, sister?" Ilthaldir asked her curiously.
"Very much so." Yaidev answered, her smile hidden behind her helmet, therefore only looking at him with the ever grinning skull; she had dreamed of this, though she had expected different circumstances. "Are we the only shrine following Maugan Ra's teachings?"
"On Saim-Hann, yes, at least for the time being." Felanwé noted. "There was another, but their Exarch was chosen to be the Young King last time the Avatar awoke and so the Singing Scythe remains the only shrine of the Dark Reapers."
Maldorahn nodded, his gaze being the only one still fixed on what transpired outside. "That is unless one of us becomes lost on the Path." He reminded them, and Yaidev noticed how her other two brothers bandied looks.
Their conversation ended when the engines came to life and the cruiser took to the air. The cruiser they were on was the second to leave the hanger and the light of a bright sun welcomed the warriors as it flew across the Craftworld. Yaidev looked upon her home, the countless domes, lit with warm lights, brimming with activity and the majestic towers that rose into space, some connected to one another with bridges, creating a network of roads on different levels. At Saim-Hann's stern, giant, golden solar-sails had been tautened, almost like a bird's wings; a bird of prey's wings.
Yaidev tore her gaze off the Craftworld and to the giant archway that stood upon Saim-Hann, a disk of colourful light shining in its embrace. The first cruiser went through, seemingly swallowed by the light, entering the webway. She had seen the webway before, one time when the Craftworld itself had found a portal large enough for the continent-sized ship, but this was different. Flashes of light briefly danced over the cruiser's surface and for a moment it felt as if she was being pulled forward.
No longer was Saim-Hann beneath or the sun and stars around them, instead a great tunnel of shifting lights. It almost look at if the tunnel itself was moving, giving the expression of them being in an illuminated artery of sorts, helped by the warm shades of red, orange and gold. Mesmerized, Yaidev watched the shimmering walls, her mind only slowly realizing one thing. She was no longer on Saim-Hann.
…
The journey through the glowing webway took half a day, at least in the webway itself, Nal'shadar being relatively close to the craftworld. How much time in real space had passed was difficult to tell, perhaps it had only been minutes. Yaidev looked ahead, seeing a new portal of light not far, at what seemed to be the end of this particular tunnel, the light of the walls having shifted into gold and green and briefly Yaidev wondered if they mirrored the colours a traveller expected to see. After all, what other colour than green came first to mind, when one thought of the lush Maiden Worlds?
"My students; it is time we head for the exit. Upon reaching the settlement we must immediately take positions." Cadaith told them, Yaidev tearing her gaze away from the webway, though a little reluctantly. "The orks are no doubt already on the move and the Wild Host will meet them without delay. Follow me and do not let yourself get distracted even if someone should speak to you."
"By your orders, Exarch." Maldorahn answered for them and Cadaith nodded.
"Then let us proceed."
Just as they left the observation deck, the first cruiser unleashed its deadly passengers, but Yaidev saw nothing as she was already down the first staircase. The corridors were surprisingly calm, neither crew nor other Aspect Warriors were wandering through the ship, giving her momentarily the ridiculous impression that they were alone. That was until chanting reached her fine ears. Further below in the hanger, were several doors large enough to have Wraithlords and Fire Prisms pass through them, the other warriors having already gathered there, singing hymns to Kaela Mensha Khaine.
A smile spread over Yaidev's face, finding their songs rather stimulating. She realized she wasn't the only one, when Ilthaldir behind her joined in; he sounded joyfully, unexpected from a Dark Reaper. As they descended the last staircase, her gaze wandered over the assembled shrines, a colourful army of men and women all called to serve by the bloody handed god. Most of them were on Jetbikes, as it was common for Saim-Hann. Blue and white Jetbikes of the Shining Spears started their engines first, rising over the heads of the other eldar, their long lances raised in salute to Khaine, as they felt the cruiser landing. And finally the doors opened.
The vehicles rushed out even before the doors were entirely open, Swooping Hawks right behind them. All other followed and yet kept formation as if all their lives they hadn't done anything else. Cadaith led them out as one of the last groups, their heavy weapons slowing them down anyway. Only now did Yaidev see that the cruisers themselves remained in the webway, the portal to Nal'shadar being too small to let them pass. For the first time in her life did her feet tread on the glowing tunnels, surprised how solid they were, despite their soft and almost transparent appearance. The portal of bright light was just before them, shimmering welcoming. Her first steps on a Maiden World, her first battle; they were only a few steps away now.
Along with her siblings Yaidev moved through the light, once more feeling the sensations of her body being pulled forward. Even before she could see, her feet touched upon ground, softer than wraitbone and as the light faded, she saw green grass, moving gently in the breeze. Yaidev almost stopped in her tracks. Never in her life had she seen anything like this, her imagination not living up to the reality of what she saw.
Her entire life had she spent on a craftworld, dreaming of what a planet would be like and now she looked upon one, she stood on its ground, its landscape stretching further and further, going far beyond the horizon, with no end. No structures of wraithbone constricted this place, mountains, real mountains reached up into the sky to her right, snow covering the tops. And the sky! No artificial ceiling, no black space with stars, no, this was blue sky, endless blue sky with white clouds that travelled lazily in the wind, real wind. Wherever she looked, trees covered the hills and valleys, birds flying freely about.
Yaidev felt the tears in her eyes, the only thing stopping her from sinking to her knees and continue to take in this new world around her was Felanwé's voice. "Don't slow down, sister. We must take position."
She nodded slowly, passively, finding no words to speak and like in trance she followed the other Reapers. Only now did she notice that they were in a simple settlement. They had stepped out not of a webway portal as she had expected, but rather a stone circle, different and currently glowing runes engraved upon their almost crystalline surface. Whenever someone came from the webway, there would be a quick flash of light and another warrior emerged. The settlement itself was on top of a hill, surrounded by a palisade which was as tall as a Wraithlord, but seemed to have been made out of actual bones. Platforms connected several watchtowers along the palisade, Exarch Cadaith obviously leading them to one of those platforms, as Defender Guardians had already taken positions in said towers.
The building they passes were about two-storeys high, made out of a mixture of bone, wood, even leather, forming a wide circle around the central crystalline stones. Eldar moved between those buildings, their armour similar to that of the Guardians, but mirroring the colours of their environment with shades of green and brown. Many carried lances and swords, cloaks made of leather and scales fluttering behind them as they walked. And then for the first time did Yaidev see a Dragon Knight. The rider sat on top of a green scaled reptile that was walking on its two hind legs, its snout full of sharp teeth, the head adored with a red-orange crest. It golden, predatorily eyes scanned its surrounding, as its rider guided it through the village. The dragon regarded the Aspect Warriors for a moment before losing interest and disappeared behind another building.
Cadaith led them up a staircase to a broad platform and only now did Yaidev see that the hilltop was not as accessible as she had previously thought. To three sides the hill simply broke off and as she looked over the north-palisade, the steep wall was reaching straight down about twenty meters, to the east-side surely twice as much, though the ground was hidden behind the treetops. It seemed the only way to reach the settlement by foot was the natural slope to the west, where the Wild Host was currently gathering. All warriors who did not use Jetbikes or had wings or generators like the Swooping Hawks and Warp Spiders, boarded the Falcons and Wave-Serpent transporters.
Ilthaldir tapped on her shoulder and pointed at the stone circle as she turned her head to him. "Now this, Yaidev, is something you must see."
Just as he had finished, a disk of light grew in the circle's midst, lighting flashing between the crystalline stones. Anew, Yaidev felt the fire wash over her senses, elation taking her as a burning titan stepped out of the webway. It was the first time in her life that she truly saw the Avatar of Kaela Mensha Khaine and felt his presence so keenly in her spirit. He was taller than any eldar, about the same as the Wraithlords, but his body was made of metal that cracked and glowed from the intense heat within it.
Runes were engraved upon him, flames licking out of them. Pure rage seemed to burn in his eyes, his mouth filled with razor sharp fangs. Smoke rose from his body, a wild mane of black hair swayed in the hot air above his long head, between his crown, two antler-like structures that grew out of the sides of his face. A cloth, with the bloody god's rune upon it hung between his legs, covered with ash at its borders, but not burning itself. Thick blood seemed to run from his hands, while in his right, the Avatar held a giant spear, the blade at its tip greater than any sword an elder could wield. Flaming runes danced upon its orange and yellow glowing surface, as if they were trying to get away from the melting heat.
Khaine looked at the host, the warriors of Saim-Hann and Exodites alike and moved on to the smoke, far in the distance, where orks were no doubt destroying the natural beauty of the Maiden World. The brief silence that had followed the Avatar's appearance was suddenly broken when he screamed deafeningly, with his spear raised into the sky, the warriors joining in, until the god lowered his weapon and began to walk.
Yaidev had heard how warriors of other craftworlds would kneel when the Avatar came to the battlefield, but not these warriors. Saim-Hannian were proud; they bowed to convey their respect, but they never bent their knees. Such gesture was reserved for the enemy, when he had been defeated and could do nothing but offer his life. The Avatar walked through the ranks of the Wild Host, the grass turning to ash beneath each of his step and once more he lifted his spear to the sky and screamed. With one collective and deafening shout the Saim-Hannian answered him anew and even Yaidev heard herself shouting with all she had, swayed by Khaine's fire. The Wild Riders turned their bikes and Vypers around, eager to be the first in battle, tanks and Hawks on their tail. It would soon begin.
Yaidev looked after them as they flew into battle, a though making her smile. Wild Riders were warriors and only respected those who had shed blood in battle. After today her clan could no longer deny her place within their ranks, they would have no choice but to respect her deeds in this battle and in those she was going to perform when she would fight alongside her shrine again in the future. Yaidev was still considering leaving her clan altogether, but such decisions would have to wait until she left the Path of the Warrior again; today her focus was required elsewhere.