Chapter 6: The Price of Failure
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[Entry Log 15-998 005.M30:]
[I can't believe I found this BY ACCIDENT!]
[I had been studying chakra and by association dust. I always found it fascinating that on Remnant chakra had been crystallized and became usable by the people of Remnant. But something always bothered me]
[The composition of Dust crystals and it's refined form always struck me as perplexing, since dust should just be crystallized chakra the energy potential of chakra should not change. Yet it does]
[Dust crystals, when analysed actually show a decay in chakra concentration. This should not be possible unless chakra actually has a half life decay when it's exposed outside of a host's body]
[To this end I started to develop a device where I could force chakra into a dust crystal to see if I can 'power' natural dust back to it's original energy potential, it's basic outline was essentially two coils close enough together that a stream of static electricity was generated between the two. Using insulated equipped I would then place the dust crystal in between this stream and in theory the dust should start to be re energized then I would infuse the crystal in a chakra solution which would trigger osmosis of the chakra to soak into the dust]
[Yet when I started the device, which I had hooked up to Vierra's standard voltage grid I accidentally pushed a vial of liquid chakra into the electricity ark. Making liquid chakra is quite a process and I kinda felt like an idiot for doing this. But something completely different happened]
[When the chakra was introduced to the additional energy. It underwent a rapid reaction. The chakra had violently reacted with the particles in the air and started to undergo crystallization near instantly. In the end I had a chunk of what looked like dust crystal on the floor that was producing a MONSTROUS amount of energy]
[When I used a analysing tool, It seems the dust crystal I had made was producing a energy rate of nearly 5.2 Terra-watts. This little crystal I had made accidentally was producing more electricity than three full fusion reactor plants...THREE FUSION REACTOR PLANTS!]
[To make sure this wasn't just a fluke I powered the coils again and this time threw in a different batch of liquid chakra. Like before the reaction was near instant and I was left with a dust crystal on the floor. Putting this new result into the analysing tool I found that this sample was producing 2.1 Terra Watts... not as much as the first one but I know now that the process to make it was not a fluke at all!]
[I can't believe through sheer luck I had just found a way to make raw crystallized dust, but also found that different chakra produces different results. I... man I'm gonna need to sit down for this one]
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[Entry Log 16-998 005.M30:]
[Leonard here]
[Using that dust crystal from my previous 'blunder' I was able to fashion a small chakra reactor that could hold the crystal, old man Alabast allowed me to see the reactor blueprints and from there I used the replicator to create a miniaturized reactor.]
[Normally dust crystals are used in this design so I tweaked the different chambers to handle higher power outputs, this proved to be valuable beyond reason as when I placed the dust crystal into the reactor and fired it up. I almost went blind from the sheer shine that the reactor produced]
[I did run checks and found the energy output still was 5.2 Terra-watts just from the first crystal. Yet curiosity gripped me and I decided to do the 'questionable' decision to put the other crystal into the chamber as well]
[Really should of counted myself lucky but let me tell you. The reaction seeing those two crystals literally fuse together in the chamber was making me sweat. The power output spiked drastically and started to stabilize after three minutes. Yet the end result had my little reactor producing a steady 22.5 Terra-watts of power]
[I was absolutely flabbergasted by what I had just done. One mistake and one dumb move just gave me a power source that was producing the same output as the ENTIRE grid system for Vierra! Like I can't make this shit up!]
[I AM SOO EXCITED!... This means my goal of the GATE system might actually be possible!. But that makes me wonder could other combinations of chakra produce even stronger effects than this one? I gotta get onto the drawing board to make this process more streamlined and safe. Maybe If I could make a full system that could dictate all the variables into the chamber. Maybe different gas elements into the mixture might provide a more powerful result?]
[What should I name this process?... Maybe just go with something simple]
[What about?... Crystallic Fusion? They did kinda just fused together..]
[Why not... Crystallic Fusion it is]
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Naruto looked on as the daemon stood before him, it's gleeful face gave a unnatural smile as the weapon began it's firing sequence. Even though pain flowed through his body, he never looked away from the daemon, his gaze still defiant.
He watched as the projectile exited the barrel of the weapon, watching a round that ensured his death put into perspective his actions, past and present.
Seeing into his memories made him realise that he had made many mistakes in his life, that the consequences of his actions not only effected himself but also those around him. He realised he feinted ignorance on the suffering of those beyond his home and his friends. He realised he had many opportunities during his many hardships and battles across the Imperium to ensure that those he had liberated could also receive the support and ability to better their worlds, yet he could see that he chose to only be concerned with those he had bonded with.
Seeing this side of the Imperium made him realise that many worlds are not places of peace or unity he had envisioned. Instead they are like this, dystopian wastelands where suffering was common while status is determined by someone's birth, not by their own merits and strength. Where a simple misunderstanding or an act of desperation is punished by abhorrent servitude and robbing one of their own conscious thoughts.
He could now see that his actions were fuelling a colossal force, one where the individual is overshadowed by the whole. It was through his and his families inaction to be better, not only themselves but also those whom they were saving that pain and hatred could find purchase in humanities heart, by his actions he had condemned the lives of countless to only suffering. That he let this happen was something that disgusted him.
He had always wanted to strive to be better each day. That he would care and ensure everyone had a future that ensured prosperity and safety for everyone. This moment was a rude wake up call that he was found wanting.
It was a shame that his ignorance would cost him his life.
He closed his eyes, accepting that this was his punishment for failing to do what was right. For not trying harder to fight, not only for humanity's heart, but for it's very soul.
His thoughts while the round came ever closer only echoed regret,that he wished he had done more.
The sound of the round colliding reached his ears, yet he only had confusion as he could not feel anything. Was this how it felt to die?
Opening his eyes, he could only look as tears gathered upon his eyes.
The figure before him had leaped in between himself and the daemon, he held their small body as sparks and parts of the figure started to break down into dust particles. He placed his hand where the wound was upon the figure, as their cloudy robotic eyes upon their small figure looked upon Naruto as sparks of electricity and that of oil and blood pooled around Naruto.
"Loor...r...d Na...a...ruto... mus...s...t... prott...t.. ..ech... Loo...oo...error...error...sys...systems...failur...es...system...fail...ures"
The servitor guide whom he had acquired during his stay on this planet was within his arms, the round meant for him instead finding purchase within this victim, a casualty of malice whom he was helpless to aid.
He could see what could have been mistaken for tears within the servitors eyes, yet was merely the by-product of oil and various other fluids leaking from it's breached eye lenses.
Sparks flew from the servitors figure yet Naruto was not focused upon this, instead he had shed a few tears as someone he was starting to connect to lay in his arms dying.
He acted unconsciously as his hand rested upon the young servitors head, as he used his chakra, his energy flowing into the small figure.
Ninshu was a very powerful technique of chakra. Created by Hagoromo Ĺtsutsuki, it allowed the user to not only create miracles and heal, but it was also the basis of connecting people to one another. To share their experiences and to give comfort. It was shinobi whom used these teachings and twisted them into a self driven power, giving birth to ninjutsu, yet in it's purest form this was a technique meant to connect people, bringing them closer to harmony.
Naruto was one of the very few whom knew of this old way, that knowledge passed to him by Hagoromo himself, with this power he had defeated Kaguya, the mother of chakra and one of the greatest threats to the shinobi world, united the nations and have them come together in peace and understanding and was able to be a role model for the next generation.
Now, his mind and soul found purchase within the young servitor, as his world faded to a white background.
There was no sky, as the world started to break apart and fade to a darkness that was of the abyss, glitches across the empty landscape gave the area the feel that not all was here, as though this artificial emptiness was forced upon an unwilling victim, and before him was a little girl.
Her eyes showed no emotion, as their body merely glitched and felt in a word torn. She looked upon the area as tears came down her face yet she merely stood and stared into nothingness.
Naruto placed his hands on either side of the girl, his arms giving comfort to the little girl as the area around them started to break apart, cracks started to appear around the nothingness as a deep darkness showed itself in the cracks.
"I didn't want this... Momma and papa were not coming back from their work and my little brother and sister were hungry...I only wanted to get something for us to eat..."
"They took me... killed my only family and processed me into what I was... I could feel everything... all because the big people wanted me to be a lesson to those who were thinking of doing the same thing"
The girl was giving soft cries as tears continued down her eyes, Naruto only held her in his arms as they both watched the area continue to crack and break apart.
"It hurt sooo much... why Emperor... why would you allow something like that?... it is a waking nightmare, not able to do anything. Having no control over your own body. Being a prisoner in your own mind"
Naruto held the girl tighter, he opened his heart and had only love and care flood into the girl, whom was looking at Naruto now as she wrapped her hands across his body, trying but failing to wrap her hands around his massive stature.
Naruto lifted the girl in his arms as he continued to give her a hug, as her tears continued to pour, she gave a brief laugh as she cried, Naruto only continued to give gentle actions of affection.
"I... I don't like the dark... I'm soo scared..."
"Don't worry little one." Naruto said, his hand still giving small pats as he looked upon the encroaching darkness "I will be with you"
"Can you stay?... till the end?" the young girl asked, hope in her voice.
"I promise... till the end"
The duo continued to hold each other, as the world around them was swallowed whole in darkness, a small light flickering until it faded to nothing.
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The daemon gave a amusing cackle as it watched the young primarch kneel before him, a body that once belonged to a lowly servitor faded to ash in his arms. The firing squad around the daemon all started to give out varying degrees of laughter as they found this situation quite humorous along with the daemon.
"Ohh this is heavenly. A primarch kneeling before me and mourning the death of a lowly servitor? What a pathetically funny sight"
The daemon slowly walked around the frightened group of civilians while their astartes guards stood strong against the abomination. It gave them a wicked smile as it could feel their emotions. It found the sensation intoxicating, a combination of despair and death that just gave it a most pleasuring feeling in it's core.
"How I wish I could stay in this moment... yet my associate is waiting for me. Slaughter them materials!"
What the daemon was expecting did not happen as the sounds of weapons echoed through the upper levels of the room. The daemon looked around in confusion as the echoes of fighting rang clearer.
"Well? I order you all to fire materials!... what is the hold-up!?"
A trooper from the hive was pushed into the rail, his body flipped around and screamed as he collided with the ground. The fall crushed his head as the front of his body showed marks of sharpened wire wrapping across it's chest, creating gruesome wounds.
Figures battled across the levels, their movements elegant against the human forces of the hive, flashes of light echoed through the chamber as the enemy was being forced on the defensive. A howling cry echoed in the room as white figures leaped across the balconies, their forms performing truly incredible acrobatic feats as their screams made the hive forces quail in fear.
"You will die by Eldar hands! Mael Dannan!"
Echoes of gunfire clashed with the sound of blades, the group on the ground continued their formation as the astartes continued to train their weapons against the enemy, a few of them made hand signs as the concrete shot up from the ground, creating a solid barrier between the group and their hostile enemies, taking aim with their boltguns they took our targets on the upper levels where the enemy would be able to take a shot at their group.
When a round or enemy got a chance to inflict damage to the group, the astartes would shield the group with their own bodies.
The daemon began to get frustrated as it looked at the battle changing before it.
It morphed a great blade in it's hands, this of a foul purple that echoed with the screams of tortured souls. It walked towards the still kneeling primarch, as it's eyes still looked on towards a great prize.
"I do not know why such pest have come to your aid. But I will make sure my master enjoys their prize of your very soul. Now you will die young star."
The daemon raised it's blade above Naruto, as his astartes tried to suppress the daemon, yet the blade continued it's downward swing as the daemon gave a demented smile.
The blade was stopped before it could find purchase upon the primarch, it watched in fascination as a golden glow surrounded the hand blocking it's blade. The daemon tried to overwhelm the hand holding it yet would not budge even with it's monstrous strength.
Naruto merely held the blade, golden aura flashing before him as he looked upon the daemon with eyes of yellow.
Naruto was a person who at one point in his life decided to hold back his strength for fear of hurting those he cared about. In his conflicts in this life he had only used his full strength only once, during his fight with the goddess Kaguya. The power he had unleashed had made existence itself bend to his sheer willpower, allowing him and Sasuke to achieve victory against the raging goddess of their world.
Yet this only served as a reminder of what terrible power he contained, further reinforcing the need to control and temper this, to ensure that if he were to lose himself to his hatred, his more darker self, his body would not be used to unleash such devastation upon the innocents he swore to protect.
Even during the great crusade and his liberation of many worlds, he still held his power in check, slowly relying less on his own strength and relying upon the strength of others he had empowered, in a way he had grown more to command and lead then being an example for others to follow.
He had now realised too late, that such actions came with their own consequences. In relying upon the strength of others the betrayal of his fellow man was all the more vicious. In trying to lead and command he realised that he was forsaking his own strength.
In relying upon the strength of others. He had forced death on people who did not deserve it.
All because he was holding back his strength, his weakness being his determination to see the better part of everyone. A weakness that was also his greatest strength.
In that moment, as the young servitor who faded in his arms died for his mistake, he realised one truth.
Those who have the strength to do something, have a responsibility to act with that strength.
The pain in his body was being forcefully dulled as his soul shined bright. The shadow upon his soul was being pushed back for but a moment as he found his resolve.
The daemon moaned in pain and pleasure as it's body was slashed with Naruto's bare hand, it's form started to ripple and break as floods of emotion poured like a wound from the daemon.
"What?... What is this?... What are you?" the daemon said, recoiling back as the pain began to spread from the wound cause by Naruto's backhand.
The ash of the servitor started to coalesce into Naruto's hand as chakra gathered upon it, it's shape began to take shape and mould itself into something. The shape, that began as a ball of nothingness started to form and inherit colour, until a magnificent spear manifested in Naruto's hand.
It's shape was of a golden handle and edge, the blade edge coated in darkness that absorbed the light around the area, it's middle shined a silver gleam as jewels of lustrous quality lined the inner workings of the blade.
The daemon recoiled back in fear, as it could feel reality correct itself in the blade's presence. It could feel in it's core that it's death would be assured if that blade strikes true to it's body.
It couldn't even react as Naruto appeared before the daemon, the blade struck one of it's arms as the limb dissipated into nothingness. The daemon screamed in pain as it could feel it's core was badly damaged from just that single strike.
Naruto merely looked upon the daemon, as his eyes no longer showed mercy to his enemy, his hand holding the spear in his hand as his aura began to bathe the corruption around the area in a haze of golden light.
His astartes and the group started to be bathed in a golden light, as their fatigues, fears and wounds started healing before their very eyes. The civilians stared in awe as even a few kneeled before Naruto's figure, the small uttering of prayers and mutters of being unworthy coming from their voices.
" Ska'lithlia'th, for the crime of torturing life, subverting it to darkness and excess you are sentenced to true death. Thus I shall declare this truth, thus shall you embrace truth"
Yet before Naruto could continue his action a torrent of blood poured from his mouth as his golden aura faded. The darkness upon his soul had returned and now made the pain even worse than before, his body was now screaming in pain as he took a knee, the spear in his hand being used to remain upright.
The daemon, damaged to this extent and fearing for it's life had torn open a tear in reality as it made haste into it's own.
"Do not think this is over young star... I will have your soul... mark my words!"
"Lord Naruto!" Mizumi said as she rushed to her primarch's side, she prepared a concoction that she injected into his arm. The effect was instant as Naruto started to feel the pain in his body begin to dull to a tolerable level.
The enemy started to cry and scream as the eldar party came into the light. Leading them were Prince Yriel and Eldrad, whom went to Naruto's side as they called forth their medics to provide assistance to the young primarch.
"Lord Naruto.." Eldrad said as he kneeled before the primarch.
"Eldrad?... how did you get in here?"
"Do you think such simple layout as a Hive city could hold back a dedicated asuryani warhost?" Eldrad said with a hint of smugness.
Naruto gave another gasp of pain as Eldrad and Yriel inspected his wound cause by the dagger. Eldrad gave a frown as he could feel that the wound was more than physical.
"This is no ordinary wound. The taint of chaos is heavy. I fear that this was a ploy to possibly corrupt your soul"
"My chakra... it's like fire in my body. It's getting progressively worse" Naruto said as he started to raise himself from his kneeling position.
"To have such resilience against such corruption is commendable young primarch, most others in your position would have been already succumbing to it's effects. Even one of your brothers would have collapsed by this point"
"Heh... I guess I'm just too stubborn to quit" Naruto replied in a chuckle as he was aided by Ramo and Charles.
"You elementians are a strange lot. New and strange powers flow through your veins yet are still humble and willing to accept your flaws. I find that a refreshing difference from others within your Imperium. Speaking of which"
A figure was being helped by two asuryani warriors, he was much larger than even their figures as his armour was shining upon his scales, his face looked scarred yet his eyes held a look of gratitude as he gazed upon Naruto, who responded with a look of both shock and happiness.
"Hayashino..."
"Naruto... I have returned my lord"
The rest of the company helped the astartes from the two asuryani as Mello and Mizumi gave aid to the captain. Looking at his body he had various injuries upon his person that the two applied their medical knowledge to heal, by the end of it Hayashino stood once again, scars now lining where his wounds once were.
"We felt the explosion... I thought that"
Hayashino gave a sombre look as he remembered
"Fiye was the one whom did it Naruto... ...we both saw something that we could not stand. Fiye died a hero my lord"
"How did you survive Hayashino?"
"Well my lord..."
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Hayashino gave a groan of pain as he nursed multiple stab wounds from lucky cultists. All around him were the bodies of thousands, his armour had been soaked in red as he was forced to fight the enemy in brutal and ugly close combat through narrow corridors and deadly bottlenecks.
He had travelled at least a few miles when the massive explosion from Fiye rocked the area he was in, the blast sending parts of rockcrete and steel all over the place, narrowly missing him as massive aftershocks within the hive still rocked his steps.
The enemy horde had come upon him while he was still recovering his chakra, unable to deal with the horde with a jutsu he was forced to instead rush into the crowd with only his fists. He felt at least a thousand different blades try and force themselves into his body, yet his armour even without the chakra shell held strong against it. Now it was only a matter of time before even the sealing runes and the armour itself began to fail.
It happened during the middle of the struggle, he felt a blade repeatedly stab his lower abdomen, finding purchase in a gap in his armour as the cultist continued their dog piling tactics. His feats of strength gave him brief moments in the struggle to get some buffer area yet they just continued to swarm him.
At the end of it he could barely lift his arms, fatigue claiming them as his bloody fist reaped a chilling tally. Yet he continued on, trying desperately to regroup with his lord and squad.
He limped into a massive communications room, various instruments showing error messages or had turned off due to the cascading power failures, he felt one of his various wounds start to open again as his Laramans organ was being overwhelmed by the hundreds of lacerations littering his body.
In the end he fell towards the floor, his back resting upon a panel as he continued to look at the entrance he had just came from. Giving a few groans of pain he pulled his boltgun from his back, noticing the magazine that he used in the initial conflict was empty. Being careful not to aggravate his already critical wounds he fished out the last magazine, this one he gave a pause as his eyes gave a few tears. Realizing that this was the last thing Fiye had given him before his death.
Locking the magazine in and pushing the bolt into the locked position, he could hear the sounds of fighting coming closer.
He propped his body at a better angle, to allow him to hold the boltgun while expending the least amount of effort for his arm. The fighting had increased in it's sound as he took deep breaths, trying to steady his heartbeat and to try and focus beyond the pain.
"If you have come to finish the job traitors. Then you will not find me wanting... Come on! I fear no death for I walk with the light of hope!"
His two hearts had slowed their beating down, yet even in the stillness of the room he could hear them clear as day within his ears. The sounds had gotten ever closer, yet his aim was still true to the entrance area.
He could feel his mind start to fade from reality, desperately trying to find rest as his body continued to protest against his injuries, yet by his sheer willpower did Hayashino continued to remain focused.
He started to hear various different sounds, the tiniest things making his perception start to warp as he tried to get a grip on reality. He started muttering chants of the legion, their mutterings used to center his mind and body to the task at hand, even though his blood continued it's journey outside his vessel.
The sound had reached the entrance, yet at that moment his arm had decided to fail him as his body slumped backwards into the panel. His eyes started to feel heavy yet the sounds of footsteps echoed in his ears.
Damn traitors...Naruto... I'm sorry I couldn't make it back... forgive me
"When I came too, I was being attended by Eldrad's medics. We made our way here as Eldrad had a vision that you were to die had we not intervene"
Naruto looked upon the Asuryani, he gave a small nod of appreciation as he stood before the war host, his spear held within his hand as he looked upon the two commanders.
"I thank you both, Eldrad, Yriel. Without your intervention my captain would have perished an ignoble death without my notice." Naruto then bowed before the two, stunning them both into silence as they had never been given such respect from others in humanity.
"Naruto" Hayashino asked "Has Inari contacted you? Will reinforcements arrive to aid us?"
"sadly, we must disable the logistic center before forces can provide assistance. Yet our guide is..."
Naruto had a sombre look upon his face as he looked upon his spear, understanding what this now represented to the young Primarch.
"We will assist you lord Naruto" Eldrad said, his voice final "My scouts have found what you seek. We must make haste"
"Then let us continue. The sooner we depart this world the better"
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The enemy defenders were expecting astartes, their battle lines now more refined and tailored for fighting the Emperor's creations. Tight corridors along with multi staged firepower would ensure that they would not survive.
Yet the sight of Asuryani fighters within their lines made them realise they were woefully unprepared for this new threat. Rangers from the shadows would place precise shots that would cripple any high threat defensive point, while traversing Howling banshee's and striking scorpions would make short work of even the most heavily defended points.
All the while a convoy of astartes destroyed the remnants of these engagements, trampling through with either bolter or blade. Yet by their primarch's command they were now allowed to engage the enemy with ninjutsu, Naruto realizing that every tool must be utilized to it's fullest.
Enemy lines that had their anti elite firepower destroyed were now being engulfed in a torrent of fire from a single Astartes, regiments that had prepared war machines and expected to engage the enemy in brutal close combat were paralyzed from moving or even defending themselves as the very ground itself rebelled against them as a squad of banshee's screamed into the fray, destroying them by the hundreds.
Firing kill boxes that detected enemies would open fire down firing corridors yet would be suddenly blinded by smoke or other more exotic means, while their weapons proved ineffective at the sudden defensible structures that changed the very shape of the area, all the while murder holes or points of attack were being used to full effect by Dark reaper squads or guardian defenders whom used the cover to advance uncontested.
Each strategy that the enemy had amounted to nothing against such a force. Where even the battlefield itself could rob them of every advantage they could have. Heavily fortified bunkers suddenly swallowed whole before the defenders eyes as a hail of shuriken and bolter fire tore them to shreds. Well crafted kill corridors could be rendered null by constantly shifting terrain and even the very guns they had relied upon could suddenly explode or disable themselves during mid fight.
"I must say... you shinobi would be a most terrifying opponent to face on the field of battle, such abilities would make even our warhost struggle to fight your forces." Eldrad commented to Naruto as he watched a squadron of traitors be systematically destroyed by shuriken fire as the cover they were using disappeared through the ground they were standing upon, a look of disbelief upon their faces as the hail reached them with pinpoint precision.
"We tend not to engage our battles in this manner. As to some it can seem to be a less 'honorable' fight. We shinobi tend to conclude our conflicts with words over needless bloodshed"
"Yet why restrain yourselves? I find this such a waste of your resources"
"Underestimation and deception are a Shinobi's most powerful tools. Using such abilities sparingly means that your enemy cannot hope to counter something they have no knowledge of. Something that can mean the difference between victory and defeat in a most critical moment"
"A deception to lure your enemies into a false sense of superiority? Rather genius I must admit. Yet what of your allies? Are you not concerned they could use this information against you at a later time?"
"Why would I harm my allies? They are aiding us in the conflict. The least I can do is give the same courtesy"
"So you would consider us allies now? Even after all the history of mankind with us Asuryani?"
"Why should I be concerned with something that has happened? Sure you would have killed many humans just as humanity has probably killed many of your kind. Yet that is a cycle that only continues so long as we choose to feed into it. It is easy to hate someone whom killed your friends and family. But it's harder to forgive them and try to understand them. My former sensei wished that everyone could come together in understanding when he was alive, and stop the senseless cycle of war and death. He was a man who preached peace above war, who even forgave his enemies and tried his hardest to make them see reason."
"Your former sensei sounded like a great man. I would have liked to have met him"
"I wish he was still here. But even in his final moments, he still forgave his killer. Who was a former sempai of mine"
"Very few people I know would even forgive their own killer. What a strong willed man"
Naruto felt a small tug upon his hip, looking down he saw the young Mira wishing to be held by the primarch even during the battle. Smiling he took the young child within his arms as he shielded her while giving her reassurance that everything will be fine.
"That child..." Eldrad said, with his psychic channeling he could feel the faint remnants of chaos that tainted her body, along with something new that he could not quite identify.
Mira looked hesitantly into Eldrads eyes, his stature making her pull herself into Naruto's body as she was giving little shakes, which Naruto continued to give her pats of encouragement.
"She has been through much. Little Mira is very brave for making it through what she had to endure"
"She has the remnants of Chaos upon her. She bares the mark of possession. She should have been destroyed in both mind and soul... yet here she is... an Impossibility. How is she still sane?"
"I used an ancient technique of chakra, Ninshu. It is the predecessor to what we call ninjutsu, which is how our shinobi use their techniques to create moments within reality"
"How could such a technique allow you to exorcise a daemon so thoroughly? Even our most powerful methods can only contain a daemon within a person's soul, not be able to cast it out"
"Ninshu allows me to do many things, yet one of it's original functions was to allow people to connect to one another. It's original creator made it to allow his disciples to experience each others memories, their emotions, everything they are was able to be completely understood. It would be the equivalent of our souls connecting to each other and being able to project ourselves in our minds"
"Incredible... and such an ability was common among your people?"
"No... sadly this technique is rather unique only to myself as of this moment. Yet the thought hasn't passed my mind to impart this knowledge to others whom would be willing to learn"
The group finally arrived towards the logistics center where the enemy were planning a valiant defense, yet amounted to nothing as every advantage they had made was rendered null by only a single astartes whom used his chakra to disable all the weapons around the station, their guns and weapons platforms were dead in their hands as frantic traitors tried to do any action to allow their weapons to function again.
There was nothing they could do to stop the tide of uncontested Asuryani fighters from storming their lines, their weapons either did not function or proved to be ineffective against the aspect warriors flooding their positions. Some even fell to their knees in surrender as the line walked towards them. Blades were placed near their throats as the warriors looked on with pitiless eyes.
"STOP!" Naruto bellowed towards the war-host, their blades inches from ending their lives.
"Lord Naruto. They are servants of chaos, they are damned for following the whims of their masters. Left alone they will corrupt others to their cause. Surely you must see that they are beyond saving" Eldrad said as Yriel gave a snarl of frustration, his blade edged close to a traitor's neck as they cried for mercy from their lips.
"Do you not see that by doing this we are merely fueling the hatred and frustration that made these people fall in the first place?" Naruto said as he walked towards the surrendering enemies.
"Chaos feeds upon this negative emotion. It grows stronger the more someone gives into their more destructive tendencies. In trying to cull this violence you are merely giving it more fire, making the situation even worse."
He walked towards the commander of the post, whom was looking at the blade placed upon his neck with malice. He watched as Naruto signaled the fighter holding the blade to fall back from him. As the aspect warrior did the commander gave a grunt of effort as he raised his blade upon the primarch.
A few of the other aspect warriors were giving curses of foolishness to the brash primarch yet Naruto still walked forward calmly. The commander had swung his sword into the shoulder of Naruto as the blade shattered upon his armored body, yet the commander still tried to harm Naruto even as he did not fight back.
"Death to the false Emperor!" the commander barked as his fist was striking the body of Naruto. Yet Naruto merely held his hands in support as he looked upon the commander whom he could feel within his soul as merely a frustrated person whom was under the brutal oppression of an Empire that did not care.
"It hurts... doesn't it?" Naruto said as the battlefield was silent.
"You had to watch as countless of your friends and family died a needless death. Watched as they had to starve while those up above enjoyed a life of endless luxury. Had to struggle each and every day as those whom were born in a position of power made examples of you all"
"What do you know about suffering Emperor spawn! You who were given everything you could ever ask for... while just taking and taking from us!... What do you know of true suffering!" The commander said as he tried to struggle against Naruto's restraint.
Naruto took a knee towards the commander. His weapons never even touched as he placed a single finger upon the commanders head. His eyes glowed a soft blue as he reached towards his soul, headless of the pain it was causing as he did this.
"Then make me understand then... together"
The commander of the force had tears upon his eyes as the life of the primarch was showed in his eyes, while Naruto held back tears as he watched the commanders life in his. Both of their souls were connecting as Naruto's chakra was washing away the taint of emotions within the commanders soul.
In the end, the commander fell to his knee's as the taint covering his physical body faded into nothing, as tears covered his eyes as Naruto looked on with nothing but compassion.
"We don't need to fight... we can just resolve our problems together"
" How can you still be so optimistic? How can you still see the good in people for what you have gone through?" the commander said as tears continued to flow from his eyes.
"Because I am a shinobi... I am one who endures"
Naruto's energy flooded every person within the area, as even the Asuryani were effected by the aura of chakra he projected forth.
Eldrad has seen memories of the young primarch, who had suffered greatly at the hands of humans yet continued to strive to protect and respond in kind no matter how great the violence. His mind could feel the emotions of those memories as they imprinted upon his very soul.
It was with this display of strength that Eldrad understood one thing.
Ninshu was a most terrifying ability if the hands of evil were to ever grasp upon it.
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The Logistic center was disabled with well placed demolition charges. As the main gun batteries of the hive were disabled Naruto and the war-host of asuryani made their way topside from the hive city proper. Following in their heels was the group of once traitors, whom Naruto had intervened.
As they approached one of the main silo doors blocking the outer part of the hive from the inner the group were on full alert. Already Naruto had supplied Inari with co ordinates for extraction and additional Thunderhawks and storm raptors to transport the whole party off-world.
The Asuryani war-host had said their final words as they faded into the darkness of the hive as Eldrad had given Naruto advice on how to lessen the pain of his injury. Now they were on a platform outside of the hive as a stream of Thunderhawks approached the landing pad.
The sound of footsteps rumbled within the hive as the group readied themselves for what was approaching. The first thunderhawk landed upon the platform as more Meiyo guard took formation around the group, their ghost plate terminator Armour echoing a glorious blue glow as they wielded the first iterations of a twin boltgun design.
"Lord Naruto. We advise you to take the first shuttle"
"I will Not" Naruto said "The civilians take priority"
"understood."
The civilians in the group were being escorted upon the mighty ship as Astartes adjusted the seats to better suit the size difference. As the first thunderhawk was beginning to ascend with it's precious cargo a scattering of laser fire forced the pilot to make an emergency ascent, the forces holding the pad responded by countering. Soon the platform became an active firefight zone as impromptu cover and ninjutsu flew through the air or collapsed sections of the connector bridge.
Naruto guided his teams to optimal positions as he co ordinate the attacks, by his command would sections of the enemy cover be rendered useless as a hail of bolter rounds collided with unprotected enemies. Sections of the bridge where the enemy had established a strong defense ruptured and exploded as arks of lightning struck the exposed metal areas.
Yet even with such techniques, the enemy were gaining ground due to pure numbers, as more footsteps echoed from within the hive. Soon even entire frenzied mobs, these being infused with chaos came screaming out of cover, even as their bodies were ripped apart and exploded into little giblets of meat and bone they continued to storm their position.
More thunder hawks landed in the area as the civilians were still being prioritized before their astartes defenders. Yet as the platform started to get more saturated with ever increasing firepower the more damaged the Thunderhawks would become. Some moments looked like It would end in disaster, yet somehow the lifeline of vessels was still flowing.
Yet Naruto realized it was only a matter of time before their fortune runs out and whoever is left will not be making it out alive. So he thought of a plan that would give them time.
Organizing elements where he could, he placed his groups into multiple small squads, each one pushing a different point of the enemy, forcing them back as they exposed themselves to multiple strikes from different angles by his astartes. Using this tactic and utilizing ninjutsu to create obstacles and establish safe points he was able to get the majority of his force into position to force close the main silo doors and try to sabotage the system.
All the while a stream of Thunderhawks continued their runs, extracting hundreds of civilians every round journey.
Eventually the majority of the civilians were evacuated, but other parts of the hives defense system started to come back online. So the moment was starting to close for Naruto and his party to extract.
"Their systems are coming back online" Hayashino said "We need to extract now Naruto!"
"Is there enough room for the rest of us?" Naruto asked
"Negative my lord. We have enough room on the Thunderhawks for another 200 people, that is including astartes personnel"
"Dammit. We still have so many more... we need more time"
"We are out of time my lord"
Naruto gave a frustrated grunt as he could still see almost a thousand people still here, holding onto their weapons or giving prayers as they had a look of fear upon them. Naruto did not want them to suffer a needless death. Yet reality is becoming ever cruel to him.
"My lord... we will take the rest and make for safety" The commander of the liberated group said as his men and women took their places along side him.
"If you stay here. You will all die"
"Not if we make our way across the planet my lord. We will keep our people safe, we can rally those whom still believe in humanity. Who believe that there can be a better future"
"Please lord Naruto... trust us... we have seen what the price of failure is. What ignorance will lead to"
Naruto gave a silent nod, as his hand was placed upon the commanders shoulder.
"I will return... I promise"
"Thank you lord Naruto" the commander said as the group made their path away from the hive, the scramble of people looking like an exodus from evil.
Naruto looked onward as the rest of his company boarded the last thunderhawk, as young Mira rushed into the primarch's arms, he gave a small glance as he boarded the vessel.
The thunderhawk ascended towards the sky, as the echoes of anger and hatred blared through the hive.
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"This wound is beyond me my lord. I have never seen such a thing"
This was the words of Naruto's chief apothecary within the Will of Fire. Naruto had finally been stripped of his armour, revealing the extend of the blade's wound.
His lower chest pulsated with a purple ooze as the wound itself was blackened, signs of heavy infection and something else oozing as deep red swelling covered the outer shell of the wound, all around his chest area pulsed a mixture of disturbing colours that traveled along the inner parts of his body, the colour and pulsating effect giving a sense of wrongness.
Naruto looked onwards to his chief apothecary as a sheen of sweat covered his face. He could feel that the infection is feeling much worse than on planet side due to adrenaline and other battlefield drugs no longer circulating within his system. He gave a grunt of pain as the apothecary cut a piece of infected flesh from his body and started to analyze it under a microscope within his medical facility.
"How bad is the damage Fujima?" asked Naruto as he tenderly tried to don his hokage robe, a gift he still uses when he is not in combat.
"This infection is nothing I have ever seen. It looks as though it is trying to degrade your cells, mutating them to something I do not understand. Yet it seems like your cells that are infused with chakra are proving to be more resistant to this mutation"
"Why is my chakra feeling so painful now to use?" Naruto asked as he gave a few experimental stretches, a few making him jolt in pain due to aggravating his wound.
"I have reason to suspect that this infection is specifically designed to target your chakra pathways first. As that would be the main line of defense against this infection, it's as though the infection 'knows' what to prioritize on trying to either suppress or cripple. But for what function I do not know"
"So that's why I can't contact Kurama. My chakra network is being targeted and damaged by this infection." Naruto said, a clear look of concern upon his face.
"The best I can do is supply you with chakra stimulant pills, these in theory should help to reduce the spread of the infection, but I doubt that alone will rid you of this Naruto"
Fujima handed Naruto a single bottle, upon the label it was described as chakra enhancing pills, medication that more than a century was only considered a pipe dream. Yet as more astartes started to succumb to the flaw of the legion it was in the medical corp's best interest to give their comrades at least a fighting chance against the burnout.
These pills contain a chemical reaction that made the digestive system work into overdrive, converting food and any excess energy reserves into a pure chakra infusion, these pills were based heavily upon the Akimichi's food pills, yet the ingredients were tuned for more metabolic heavy bodies like a common astartes.
"Thank you Fujima" Naruto said as he took three pills from the bottle and swallowed them, with Fujima providing him a glass of water.
Already Naruto could feel a new infusion of chakra as his body felt a little better than before, yet even still fatigue started to settle in from the side effects of the pills.
"I would advise not using too many of those pills. Chakra malnutrition can be a great concern, especially for one with such a physique."
"I appreciate this" Naruto said as he took a few careful moves, standing upright as he gave a slight grunt due to the pain.
"Take care of yourself Naruto"
Naruto made his way slowly through the medical ward of the Will of Fire, the apothecary and shinobi medics of the legion were providing aid and nourishment to those whom Naruto had saved from the world, many different personnel gave the Hokage their greetings as they tended to the care of these people, whom had only looks of gratitude and joy as they were provided all they would need upon his vessel.
The ship had begun it's journey from the world, Inari had first asked Naruto when they had boarded what had happened upon the world, as communications and ships became absolutely hostile to their fleet, Naruto assured Inari that the world was not lost, and that they had more concerning matters to attend to.
Now the Will of Fire and her escort ships were beginning their journey through the stars, their destination was non other than Terra itself. When Inari asked Naruto why they were going to Terra, he replied that there was something important he needed to speak to his father about, sensitive information that needed to reach his ears only.
Now the ship was translating through the warp, the Navigator upon the ship saying that the currents of the warp were unsettling and to avoid any chaotic turbulence they would take a month to reach Terra.
Naruto could no longer see the ship as normal when they were translating through the warp, due to his encounter his chakra changed his vision. When he looked upon the closed windows of the ship he could see the swirling of colours upon his sight. In a way his mind was making the impossible look simple, yet he could admit that the sight was beautiful in it's own twisted way.
He made his way to the mess hall, where the legionaries were provided the sustenance they needed to fight and survive, yet where other legions would be provided with hyper nutritious paste that would be poison to non genetically altered humans the astartes of the shadow foxes instead had chakra enriched food, this simple infusion of specialized chakra into their basic food provided an immense energy boost that fulfilled the dietary needs of astartes while also allowing it to be consumed by both astartes and non astartes personnel, as the chakra would harmlessly pass through a non astartes system without any problems, though the side effect of being full for three days did catch some of those from the new world off guard.
Naruto took a simple meal from the mess hall as he returned back to his quarters, afterwards he looked upon situational reports from the other companies and other communications from Elementia, he had been getting troubling reports from outlying stations that communication hubs were receiving a disturbing amount of interference which made accurate information much more unreliable. Naruto just put it to logistical issues among the communication networks but also put it into his notes that this issue might need further investigating.
Soon the fatigue of his work caught up with his conscious mind. And he retired to rest for the evening.
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Blood and fire filled the skies as planets erupted into anarchy and madness. All around him he could see only death and slaughter, yet when he looked upon the battlefields he was horrified at what he saw.
Astartes filled the battlefield, brother and sister killing each other in a tide of death. War cries and foul words being bellowed as thousands marched to the drums of war.
Around him he could see planets burn, entire colonies of humanity set to the torch as inhuman atrocities were committed by mankind. Entire companies destroyed in the blink of an eye from the massive war machines of mars, entire worlds bombarded with planetary devastation that was too horrible to imagine.
Companies killed by bioweapons that ripped the flesh and stripped armour into slag. All of this he could see and more and the blood kept flowing.
Yet he could see his vision being drawn to a single battlefield, as millions of dead lay upon it's bloodied ground. He saw a lone figure, covered in blood as silence only bathed the world. Crimsons skies and rain of blood poured upon the figure yet they merely looked upon the sky, as bloody tears ran across their face.
His vision paused before the figure, they noticed him and turned around to face him.
He was met with eyes of crimson, a face so familiar tainted by the marks of some unknown language as they looked upon him with cold, lifeless eyes.
He looked upon himself
"This is what awaits us... This is our true purpose... this is war in the eyes of thirsting gods"
He tried to shake himself from this vision... this nightmare. He refused to believe that this would be his future.
"Yet you can feel it... we were made for this... we were made for war... to fight... to kill"
TO BATHE IN BLOOD
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Naruto screamed as his body was pulled from unconsciousness. He could feel his hearts racing as the wound upon his body flared itself in pain. A cold sweat was laced upon his face as he could feel the aches of his body assault him. He looked to the side and noticed the bottle of chakra enhancing pills, taking a pill he pulled himself from his bed as he tried to calm his erratic breathing and the tightness of his chest.
That dream felt too real to be just a dream, and that made Naruto fearful of what this could mean.
Well hello again. Fancy meeting you all here.
Just going to say thanks to all that gave me feedback during the last chapter. Really showed I was kinda making a bit melodrama over certain scenes and such. Which i will admit i tend to go overboard.
This chapter I tried to add a bit more context and stuff to why the legion doesn't fight like 'shinobi' as we would know from Naruto and why they kinda feel a little underwhelming. I consider this a bit of a balancing problem.
If i make shinobi too powerful I lose the elements that make Warhammer 30k/40k what it is, which is grimdark. On the flipside if i turn too hard on the grimdark side then the elements of Naruto get lost and the scaling of the universe feels underwhelming.
Make no mistake, Naruto universe has some absolute BS stuff that would fit right at home in 30k/40k's settings as the higher end of the power spectrum. Yet I must restrain myself from using these too often as it will make the story less about survival and struggle and more mary sue/shonen style. Which is NOT what this story is trying to be about.
Anyway... I'm just gonna say this once to the person who is PMing me about this story. Would you kindly please stop pestering me about what happens next. I know who you are and i will say this now... stop it.
This just disincentivizes me from doing any of my story, frankly it is just getting annoying and it is actually making me less inclined to continue my story. So do yourself a favor and just stop it.
Apart from that. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I am all open for criticism and all and I will hopefully see you all in the next chapter, which might be the last in this book... or not... still thinking about it
Anyway... peace out