Meanwhile, at the Eldar base…
Caerys looked mournfully out at the battlefield, littered with the bodies of both Craftworlders and Commorites. She had hoped that the Dark Eldar would have given up halfway through this battle, but these ones were more determined to win this battle. Inside the walls of this base, the elite of the elite Eldar units and vehicles were preparing themselves for the battle that was to come. The pilots were checking their vehicles; the weapons were clean and other things like that, the soldiers were polishing and sharpening their weapons and practising for the last battle. Caerys ordered all her Warlocks to practise their psychic abilities and their fighting skills so the Dark Eldar would lose many in this fight. She watched as The Avatar of Khaine strode across the training grounds, practising for his battle against The Dark Avatar of Khaine. She knew that all the Webway Gates that weren't in this base, had been destroyed. There would most likely be no escape from the fate that the gods had intended for them.
"Farseer, everyone is prepared" reported Carina
"Good"
"It's so quiet" said Carina "I have never experienced any battle like this"
"It's the calm before the storm" said Caerys "The Dark Eldar have their entire army here and I can feel the presence of their Overlord, Asdrubael Vect"
"Do you think that we shall win, Farseer?"
"What I think is of no concern, it's what you think" said Caerys "Do you think that we shall triumph this day?"
"To be honest Farseer, I do not think that at all" said Carina, grimly "I know that this day, we shall either fall or be taken away by them"
"You could always escape through the Webway Gates when things go wrong"
"Thanks for the advice but no" said Carina "My fate is here, along with all those who have and all who will perish"
"So you are saying you would rather die than live?"
"Yes" replied Carina "My duty is as a soldier of Craftworld Ulthwe and I will not dishonour that duty. I will die to defend the Craftworld"
"And my fate shall be what?"
"If you escape through the Webway, I do not blame you. Your duty is to guide and advise the Craftworld"
"Spoken like a true soldier, Carina" said Caerys "I, like my predecessor Farseer Taldeer, will not run and hide from my fate. I will fight and I will die in these wastes"
"Are you sure, Farseer?"
"I am positive"
"Farseer!" shouted Warlock Arcanis "The wall that was protecting us has been shut down!"
"So it begins…."said Caerys "Carina, get everyone's attention"
"Everyone!" shouted Carina "Farseer Caerys has something to say!"
"My friends, today is a day where many of us will perish, some of us here, some in the Dark City. Some of you will escape into the Webway and return to Craftworld Ulthwe. Those of you, who do this, please tell every one of our deeds and remember us the way we died; fighting for the Craftworld. Those of you who stay, remember that when you fight them, remember that it is not your fault that they have fallen far into the depths of depravity, remember that what has happened to them is their fault and theirs alone. When you fight, fight with the honour and pride that you have, being a defender of our race!"
At these words, Caerys raised her Shining Spear and all those in the crowd followed suit, raising their weapons to the air, screaming their war-cries. The crowd soon dispersed into their positions after this. Some of those in the crowd started singing songs and poems about Eldar victory and the gods, some prayed to the gods, some were giving out hugs to those who would accept them, some Eldar were even standing on the top of a cliff, shouting out insults, curses and making witty comments to the Dark Eldar who were slowly approaching.
"I can see that your soldiers are in a fine spirit" said Carina
"Our soldiers, Carina for I am putting you on my Seer Council" said Caerys, putting her hand on Carina's shoulder "This army is now also yours to command"
"Farseer, I cannot thank you enough" said Carina, who has evidently cry with joy from inside her helmet
"For starters, you can get changed into a Seer Council uniform"
"Yes Farseer, I'll be out before our dark cousins get here" said Carina, bowing slightly leaving towards the Webway Assembly
"You promoted her then?" asked Arcanis "It's well enough, you know have a full Seer Council; Me, her and some others"
"Yes" replied Caerys "So our fallen kin are nearing then?"
"Let 'em come" said Arcanis, drawing his sword-staff and swinging it around in some manner
"You are confident then?"
"Oh yes, even though I know we'll probably lose this battle, I'm confident that I'll kill quite a few of those nasty bastards"
Caerys chuckled, in a situation like this; Arcanis could always cheer everyone up.
"It's funny, you and me, we've been quite a pair" said Arcanis "We've been in so many scrapes that I've lost count of how many times we've gotten out of them virtually unharmed"
"Yes it is" replied Caerys "It's sad that our victory streak has come to an end such as this, it seems like we've gotten out of much tougher problems than this but in our hearts, we both know that that isn't true"
"Our dynamic duo is ending in this life; Craftworld Ulthwe will mourn its loss of so many Eldar today. In the announcements, I'm sure that they will mention the loss of The Farseer and The Warlock duo. I'll bet that many will refuse to believe that The Farseer and The Warlock duo has been defeated"
"You're right, Arcanis" said Caerys, looking out at the approaching Dark Eldar army "Look at them, scrabbling for pain and souls just to sustain their own. Can no one help them?"
"Farseer, don't tell me you feel sorry for them"
"I can't help it, they've fallen far. Are they too far to be redeemed?"
"Caerys, you and I both know that they can't be saved, they caused the destruction of the Eldar race as a whole because they kept filling out their own selfish needs. Now the Eldar race is in ruins and it's their entire fault. From one whole race, we've gone to Exodite Eldar, Harlequins and Death Jesters who will join any race that says they have a thing for the laughing god, the Craftworld Eldar who narrowly survived the Fall and even then, many Craftworlds were destroyed in the birth of Slannesh and last you have the Dark Eldar, who have unknowingly traded a horrible but quick death for an eternity of hunger for pain, fear and the souls of others"
"You're right, Arcanis. They can't be saved"
"Farseer!" shouted Carina, who was wearing her Seer Council robes and carrying her sword-staff
"You look good in that Carina" commented Arcanis
"Why thank you" said Carina, smiling as she tucked in her blonde hair so it wouldn't get stuck as she put her helmet on
"Are you ready for our last battle?" asked Arcanis
"I'm ready" answered Carina, as she donned her helmet
"Then let 'em come!" shouted Arcanis "Send 'em to me!"
Arcanis, Carina and Caerys down the hill, standing in front of their troops
"Remember, soldiers I'll always be in front of you!" shouted Caerys, her Seer Council gathering by her side "For Ulthwe!"
"FOR ULTHWE!" shouted the rest of the army
The Dark Eldar rounded the corner after they had shouted the cheer. Malek on foot, at its head, beside him, Serelia and Lord Vect on his Dias and the rest of the army behind them
"Your trick will not work on us, Sythil" shouted Caerys "Death does not join any race!"
"So, you're smarter than those who were guarding the illusion generators" shouted back Malek "I would say that you should surrender but frankly, I can't miss an opportunity like this!"
"We are not afraid! If we die, we die for the Craftworlds!"
"We'll see about that!' shouted Malek "Dark Eldar, charge!"
At these words the entire army charged at the Eldar, who stayed completely still. The Phoenix Squadron dropped out of the clouds and descended upon the charging Dark Eldar, slaying them in their hundreds. Beams of darkness came from the Ravagers, Raiders, Kabalite Warriors and Razorwing Jetfighters, their Dark Lances downing the Nightwings, one by one.
"Farseer, we can't keep this up!" shouted Phoenix Squadron's leader through the communicator
"I see you've done well Phoenix Squadron" replied Caerys as she watched the Nightwings go down
"Sorry" said Phoenix Squadron's leader as his fighter was hit and it went hurtling towards the ground
With the last of the Nightwings gone, all that the Eldar had which was effective against aircraft were the Fire Dragons and the Fire Prisms and maybe some other units. When the Dark Eldar were not a far distance from the Eldar, both sides opened fire. On both sides, warriors fell, unable to withstand the force of the Eldar's organically grown weapons and the Dark Eldar's slave-made weapons. When the Dark Eldar reached the Eldar, a ranged battle turned to a close combat melee battle. Vect was upon his Dias, its guns firing, Serelia was on the ground, her scythes ripping through the enemy, but where was Malek? Caerys kept asking herself that question as she swung her Shining Spear through the Dark Eldar. She watched as Arcanis combined his sword-staff skills and psychic power skills into one form of fighting, Carina was ducking and diving out of her attacker's blows, twisting and spinning until she found a weak spot where she plunged her blade into her attacker. She leapt into the air, jumping over an Incubi Klaivex, stabbing him with the end of her spear when she hit the ground. She watched as the Fire Dragons kept up a steady stream of fire at the old Dias of Destruction, the new one still in construction, hoping that they would fell Lord Vect. Their hopes, however were dashed as Lord Vect stood up and put out his hand, a purple light glowing in his hand. The Dark Eldar operating the Dark Lance, swung it too his far right, a pure beam of Dark Matter shooting out from it as he swung it to his left, instantly killing all the Fire Dragons.
"Hahahaha!" laughed Vect "That new ability seems to cause even more death than anticipated"
"Asdrubael!" shouted Caerys "That ability of yours is powered by forbidden energies, isn't it?"
"Clever guess, my little friend"
"Do not address me like you know me, Vect!"
"Then shall we get to know each other?"
"Not yet!" shouted Caerys, who at these words leapt off to a group of Wyches
Malek watched the battle unfold below him, the Eldar were pitifully putting up a decent stand. He watched as The Avatar of Khaine swung his blade back and forth, creating a bloody path of destruction. Malek recognised some familiar faces in the crowd; Archon Atherakhia Ro'karn of the Fire Breathers, of the Kabal of the Black Heart and was once to be married to Tahril but the engagement had been broken as she rebelled against him, calling him "an arrogant, spoilt, pompous Dark Eldar who think everyone loves him". Malek chuckled to himself; he had liked her attitude towards him. She was easy to spot, fighting with her Venom Blade and her Wych Knife, driving a Guardian to his knees; pulling out her gun, an energy gun that was not made by the Dark Eldar, she put it to the Guardian's face, slowly pulling the trigger, the Guardians head, exploding in the normal gory fashion, the body, being thrown back. He looked around the battlefield for anyone else whom he recognised, spotting Lady Kaelis Cali of the Night Slashers of the Kabal of the Obsidian Rose. She was a nice girl, and a good looking one at that. She fought with her Huskblade and splinter pistol, combining the two styles of fighting into deadly results, for the enemy anyway. He had always felt some pull towards her, it was like every time he saw her smile, he felt at ease and that was a regular thing as they were both on Lord Vect's council. He watched her carve her way through the enemy, impressed at her fighting skills. As he surveyed the battle, he caught sight of an Archon from the Black Heart, fighting his way to Lord Vect. Malek decided to leave his suspicions alone for the moment, turning on his communicator to the massive force of Voidraven Bombers waiting for his orders.
"Voidravens, time to go" Malek said into his communicator "Remember release your Void mines at the Avatar of Khaine, the one who hits him will be paid one million souls"
"Yeeehaaaaa!" was the response Malek got
Malek heard the whine of fifty Voidravens heading towards the Avatar, releasing their Void mines at him. The Eldar below scattered quickly but the Avatar was not quick enough, being bombarded by the missiles that contained a single cell of pure dark matter. The missiles made contact with the ground, some before the Avatar, and some behind the Avatar, hitting the Eldar and some were just hitting the ground around the Avatar. Then one missile, with the name of its owner marked on it, flew towards the Avatar, hitting him. It was as if time had slowed down, as an energy sphere grew around the Avatar and the dark matter was released, filling the sphere with the darkness. Both armies stopped to watch the event, some in shock, some in pure horror and other in pure joy; this battle was turning into the favour of the Druchii. As the sphere retracted, everyone could see the Avatar had turned to stone and was crumbling away into dust. Malek let out a loud cheer, which was followed up by the rest of the Dark Eldar. After a few moments, fighting resumed as normal.
"Carndis!" screamed Caerys, she could not believe it; a mighty warrior such as Carndis had fallen in such a bad way
"Farseer, I know he was a good friend to you but you need to let him go!" Carina shouted, holding Caerys back
Caerys slumped to the ground, crying. Carina and Arcanis jumped in front of her, defending her from the Druchii as they advanced towards the Webway Gates, slowly but noticeably. Caerys got back up and ordered everyone to regroup back at the buildings.
Malek surveyed he sights and reported back to Lord Vect that nothing was wrong, all was going to plan. He saw that Archon again, this time, rapidly approaching Lord Vect. Knowing there wasn't enough time to warn Vect of the incoming attack, Malek proceeded to his second plan; jump.
Malek leapt off the cliff, arms by his sides, speeding towards both The Dias of Destruction and the ground. This isn't going to get me there; I'll hit the ground before I even get close to Vect. Malek concentrated his dark energy and used his power to form two large, dragon-like wings. Malek flew down to Vect, noting that Serelia, Atherakhia and Kaelis had all noticed the figure advancing towards Vect's Dias. The four of them bearing down on the Dias, Kaelis and Malek got there at the same time, their blades at the throat of the Archon, whose blade was out and his Splinter Pistol aimed at Lord Vect. Serelia and Atherakhia leapt up behind the Archon, their weapons drawn as well, Vect exclaiming and was completely flabbergasted at what was going on, ranting and raving on about the rules about the Dias. Malek and Kaelis couldn't really care less about them standing on the Dias; they had just saved his life.
"Now I wonder who we have here?" asked Kaelis "Would you know, Malek?"
"I haven't the foggiest, my dear" Malek replied
"A would-be assassin?" teased Serelia
"Aww, the wittle baby didn't get to kill the Supweme Overword, awww" said Atherakhia in a babyish voice, clearly mocking the Archon
"Do not think that your first escape from me can in anyway help you, Atherakhia" said the Archon, in a sort of metallic, almost robotic voice
"That voice….it can't be!" said Atherakhia, putting her free hand over her mouth
"It's impossible, you're dead, soulless!" Malek exclaimed
"Yet I came back, too stubborn to die" said the Archon, wrenching off his helmet, revealing himself; Tahril
"How did you come back?" shouted Kaelis "I saw you at Malek's hands and I saw you die!"
"I have never failed a kill like that Tahril, you have no soul and you're just being with ninety percent of yourself machinery to keep you alive without a soul" Malek spat
"A detective as always, Malek" replied Tahril 'Now if you'll excuse me, I have to kill Vect"
Tahril leapt over them and punched Vect off his Dias, Vect's guards reacting fast for Incubi. The Incubi swung their weapons back and forth trying to either eviscerate Tahril or behead him. Tahril jumped up, the guards hitting and killing each other in a way that would be comical if the situation weren't so serious. Tahril picked up Vect; The Sceptre of The Dark City on the ground and out of reach, Tahril put his sword to Vect's throat.
"Why?" Vect asked simply "Why Tahril?"
"Because you ordered my execution" Tahril's words full of anger and hatred "One of your most trusted Archons! You promised me the place of advisor but you let Sythil take it! Why?"
"Because he showed much more potential that you, you would make a blunder of things, whilst he would do things smoothly and exceed my expectations" replied Vect, calmly "He showed the potential at the age of seven, you kept sucking up to me until you were over two thousand"
"I hate you, with all my bio-mechanical heart" Tahril spat
Tahril dropped Vect and raised his blade above his head, ready for the killing blow. Before Tahril could bring it down, Malek and Kaelis attacked him from behind; Kaelis smashing her hilt into the back of Tahril's head and Malek dislocating Tahril's sword arm. Serelia and Atherakhia leading the soldiers to victory.
"Caerys! You've got to go!" shouted Carina "We can hold them of until you escape!"
"Carina, I told you I'm stay-" replied Caerys
"I don't care! Arcanis and I will hold them, you need to go back to Ulthwe and lead our people to a better future!"
"Carina, I will not leave you!"
"Farseer, please, do this for me" said Carina, pleading in her unseen eyes
"Very well Carina" Caerys succumbed "Arcanis, Carina, I will say this; you have been the best seers and the best warriors that I have ever had the privilege of knowing and commanding. It has been an honour fighting with you"
"Thank you Farseer, we'll accompany you to the Gate" said Arcanis
As they ran towards the Gate's, being used for the fleeing soldiers, they saw the Webway Assembly being destroyed and they also saw the fight between Tahril and Kaelis and Malek. They saw Tahril being thrown into a wall by shadows and Kaelis slashing Tahril's thigh with her sword. When they reached the gate, Caerys looked back at the utter carnage that was taking place; Eldar that were fleeing either being captured or killed in horrific ways.
"Malek!" Kaelis shouted "Incoming!"
"Thank you my dear!" replied Malek, as he whipped Tahril back into the same wall as before
"Malek finish him" shouted Kaelis as Tahril struggled to get up
"This time for good!" shouted Malek, as he lunged at Tahril, running him through with the dark sword
Tahril's body started crackling with electricity as his systems started to repair themselves from the blow but Malek had had enough of Tahril's pathetic existence. Malek summoned spears of shadow and pierced Tahril with them, lifting him up into the air. Malek poured all his energy into this one last move as he ripped Tahril apart, in a storm of blood, flesh and mechanical parts. Malek collapsed to the ground, unsure if this had been enough to stop Tahril. He became dimly aware of rapidly approaching footsteps and Kaelis kneeling beside him, taking him in her arms.
"K-kaelis" whispered Malek
"Yes, I'm here" replied Kaelis "It's going be okay"
"Have-have I done it?"
"You did it" said Kaelis, happily "You defeated him this time"
"Tell me, a-are we winning?"
"We've already won, Malek" said Kaelis
"Your eyes" whispered Malek, frowning "Their glistening with tears is something wrong?"
"You might be dying" replied Kaelis "The energy you put into that final move was enough to kill you, I'd be losing a close friend"
"And someone who thinks positively of you"
"Huh?"
"Listen Kaelis, I think you have the potential to be a High Lady of the Obsidian Rose Kabal or even better; A Supreme Archoness"
"Malek, I will always be Lady Cali"
"To me you are beautiful"
Kaelis was stunned. She didn't think of herself as beautiful, just pretty in a way. The shock of Malek's words stopped her from saying something back, she knew that she had strong feelings towards him, she had fallen for him long ago, this young boy who had risen in power through strategy and pure darkness but he was also not pure evil either; she knew he was a human-born for a long time and she couldn't be one to judge him about that, she was a human-born as well.
"Malek?" whispered Kaelis "Did you really just say that?"
"Of course I did, Kaelis" answered Malek, smiling "I've wanted to say that for a long time"
"Malek, I've wanted to say this for a long time and it can't wait so-"
"Don't say it" interjected Malek, who got up slightly, his lip meeting hers
He could sense her surprise; his powers gave him the ability to read the emotions of those in contact with him when he chose to. He had fallen for this girl a long time ago and he had fallen hard, every time that he was with her, he felt in a way nervous. If Vect heard of this, he would be either surprised or just disappointed that a Supreme Archon like him could fall in love with Lady Kaelis.
"We came here long, long ago" said Caerys, looking out at the battlefield "We did battle with our deathless foes the Necrons and won. This day….we have lost. If they swarm again like locusts here, some other must stop them. For we shall be gone"
At these words, Caerys ran into the Gate, transporting her back to Craftworld Ulthwe. Arcanis and Carina then destroyed the gate so their Fallen kin couldn't get any easy access to the Craftworld. Arcanis and Carina turned around and saw thousands of Dark Eldar racing towards them. Carina even spotted Malek and Kaelis kissing each other.
"Well, Carina, this is it" said Arcanis, grimly
"It's been an honour fighting and dying alongside you, Arcanis"
"Same, Carina"
"Arcanis, before we engage in the last fight of our lives, tell me your first name"
"I've never told anyone this; My first name is Aether"
"It's a nice name"
Aether Arcanis and Carina Malanis enveloped in a hug as a goodbye.
"See you in the next world, Aether"
"When we get killed, I'll race you to the Shrine?"
"You're on!" laughed Carina "Lanik, I'll be with you soon"
"Come on, you pus-filled sores!" shouted Aether "I wanted a challenge and this is what you give me?"
"Let's go Aether!"
"For Craftworld Ulthwe and for Farseer Caerys!" they shouted in unison as they charged into the rapidly approaching Druchii
For what seemed like an age, Malek and Kaelis continued their passion. By Khaine, she was beautiful, the way she smiled, the way she looked. Shiamesh, he wanted this to last forever.
"Well well, what have we here?" asked a voice, overflowing with smugness
Malek and Kaelis, surprised at this sudden question, sprung apart, staring at each other. They glared at Serelia and Atherakhia, whose grins were so smug; they put the memory of Tahril to shame.
"While we go off leading the small number of soldiers from the Black Heart Kabal and your contingent of troops, Kaelis, to victory, you two were back here kissing each other?"
"Well, Malek defeated Tahril and ripped him apart, the energy Malek put into it was fatal and I thought Malek was dying but thankfully he's not dying and then there's the conversation we had and-"
Serelia put her hand up to stop Kaelis from spoiling the story.
"Why don't we talk about this at the Victory Dinner?" asked Atherakhia "Lord Vect has invited all the Archons, Sybarites, Klaivex's, Hekatrix's, Beastmaster's, Succubi, Ladies, Haemonculi and the like to dine with him. Malek would naturally be going as his advisor and since we saved his life, we get extra special treatment. We will all need to wear our best armour and will need our best weapons as there will be sports and entertainment happening as well.
"Farseer Caerys?" asked Malek
"Escaped to Ulthwe" replied Serelia
"Ah, I was kind of hoping she'd escape"
"Why Malek? Asked Serelia
"I'd love to go up against her in another campaign, she's a brilliant strategist"
"Well, we should all be going back to Commorragh, the warriors and such are going to take care of pillaging this system"
"Shall we?" Malek asked
"By all means" answered Kaelis
Malek go up and offered to pull her up. Kaelis accepted the hand and the four of them returned to Commorragh.