AN: Damn. Been away for a bit. Sorry about that. But more on that at the bottom. Here's the latest chapter !
Only two guarded the dimly lit doors to the cargo's elevator shaft. Beside the grand pillars that beckoned the entrance to the currently in use transport pipe, two armed soldiers stood.
Two humans.
Traitors.
They seemed inconspicuous against the poorly lit corridors of the underhive structure, but the watchers knew of their guilt. And as one agent of the night swiftly fell upon the first from the shadows, emotion failed to color his actions.
Like his first bestial kill in the room of pain, a lifetime ago, only pure need and necessity possessed the graceful execution.
Gravity and force drove the tip of his blade into the neck of one, the Hive Gang member stiffening for a moment and then crumpling the next, the weight of his killer's body forcing his corpse to the metal floor.
The second guard did not get a chance to react.
Another shadow, another killer in the dark, had fallen upon him as well.
In short succession two lives were snuffed out.
Titos stood from his kill, quickly assessing the area around him. His kill was clean, not a noise spread any further than the immediate space. His eyes glanced to the ground. No blood.
A perfect assassination.
He took another second to come to his next decision, hesitating before reaching for the weapon still clutched by dead hands.
"Leave it"
The hissed command drew his eyes to his teacher.
A looming specter in the half light, the Assassin that had become Titos' Master and Teacher was cleaning his bloodied blade as he observed the protegee. Heads taller than him, the sleek and featureless black suit created a fearsome sight.
Titos imagined he looked the same, perhaps a few heads shorter. But by no means less fearsome. After all, his face was also covered in that of the skull helm.
"They are tainted by their treachery" his Master's mask nodded down, inhuman pits of blackness for eyes likely glancing at the crude armaments left behind by the dead.
"Some weapons will be. Some won't"
Titos didn't argue against the decision, instead coming to agree with his Master's order.
"I will never use them" he swore.
The helmet twitched slightly.
"There may come a time when you have no choice" came the flat and toneless reply.
Titos fixed his teacher with an odd look.
A grinding noise of gears and an engine grew in strength, the sound reverberating up and through the doors of the cargo lift's shaft.
The lift was coming.
His Master was already stepping back into the darkness, one hand held firmly around the leg of his kill as he stepped back into the darkness.
"But now is not that time"
Titos quickly followed in his Master's steps, dragging his own body away and into the shadows.
Inquisitor Ahmazzi had tasked them both with a direct and simple mission. Upon a world that Titos never learnt the name of, within a Hive he never knew the title of, he was to be tested.
The rumbling gears of the lift slowed to a step, and only a few moments later the door to the elevator's screeched open.
Out from the metal opening came two sets of four soldiers, clearly organized in their movement as they flanked servitors laden with cargo containers.
The augmented vision of his helmet brought red outlines over each and every soldier, their weapon's being highlighted separately by the optic technology of the helm.
Each Servitor was tagged with a yellow marker.
A Red "X" popped up over the head of the last soldier at the end of the column closest to Titos.
The digital marking was courtesy of his mentor.
"This will be messy. Take him first, then the closest"
His Master's voice came to him as a whisper, a hushed icy wind that was broadcast directly into his ear implant. A certain joy was extracted from the act of killing, and his Master felt no need to hide it.
Titos' reply was quiet, but far less intense.
"And the other two?"
"We see who gets to them first"
Titos felt his nervous system trigger as drugs flooded his body.
He drew two knives.
The first would be thrown, and the second-
His gaze narrowed down at the exposed neck each soldier present.
-Titos' hand blurred as he slipped forth from the shadows.
He would complete his mission.
Lucian's return to consciousness was a sharp experience. His eyes snapped open as his mind pieced together his circumstances. By the jostling tuggs of large and bodily steps, Lucian came to realize he had been slung over the shoulder of a Space Marine.
An uncomfortable hold, considering the size and shape of the pauldron, but Aethod had a secure grip upon him as he strode down the path between Hab Blocks.
Lucian's slow yet groggy movements eventually alerted the Librarian to the youth's wakeful state.
In a whirl of motion, Lucian found himself forced on shaky legs. There was a slight stumble in his step as he swayed for a few moments, reality and his usual vision returning to normal.
He was vaguely aware of how the others had arranged themselves. Now that he was awake, the members of Romeo Squad, Caius, Lynwood and Seraphis with his flock, had surrounded him.
Weapons were not pointed, but as Lucian slowly stood tall and glanced about, he could see they were hefted.
Caius and Lynwood were more subtle about it, but the latter seemed far more serious than the former.
"Lucian"
Aethod's grave voice and towering form drew the youth's golden sight.
"Explain"
The youth understood the concern. It was obvious some time had passed, with the light of day waning once more and the air growing colder…
All that time to them he would have been rendered an unconscious corpse. He may even have been visually suffering the after effects of receiving Khorne's gift.
Aethod's word didn't need further explanation.
To the Librarian's keen eye, this was foreign magik to him, a skill of sorcerer he may have never even heard of.
"It's a long story"
That was the honest answer, and even if it was lacking crucial information, it was all Lucian was really prepared to give the Librarian.
After all… how much did Aethod know?
Vownus knew.
He knew what Lucian was.
Prophecy… Destiny… Fate…
The Inquisitor had known from the start, and while his belief was in question, Kaede had known…
But who had he told?
With this in mind Lucian quickly tacked on another couple of words to forestall the Librarian's own.
"A story that Vownus will probably want to hear first"
Whatever Aethod had been about to say was pushed down, the Librarian actually frowning, his eyebrows contorting in mild frustration, as he looked over Lucian once more.
Aethod made a decision.
A feeling breezed the youth's mind.
No.
Fuck no.
Lucian really didn't like it when people tried to slip into his thoughts.
And his most recent experience had taught him a few lessons.
While he may be incapable of standing up to a Primordial being, he certainly had the talent to push away an Astartes Librarian's gentle mental probe.
A gust of force blew the Librarian's Psychic hood from his head. Aethod was forced back a step, the surprise of the psychic reaction forestalling whatever response he had intended.
Lucian glared up at him with plain and obvious anger.
"Stay out of my mind, Librarian Aethod. I will forgive the attempt once, but I will not warn you again"
Everyone around them tensed, but apart from Seraphis and his flock the shock kept them quietly routed to their places.
Mordo did take a step forward however, likely predicting some kind of imminent violence.
Before he could speak, the youth preempted the Librarians words.
"I am not corrupted, Aethod. In fact, so long as I draw breath I will remain as such, that I promise you" Lucian relaxed himself.
But Aethod stiffened microscopically.
"Your word is not worth much to me, mortal. But those who do not wish to reveal their nature, tend to have a reason to keep it shrouded…"
Lucian looked at the Librarian flatly.
"Or perhaps I'm just sick of people rooting around my thoughts without even bothering to ask me first?"
Aethod frowned.
"You are the apprentice to an Inquisitor, a psyker in training to a master that has yet to finalize the mold. Any decision that is made regarding your training and development falls under Kaede's purview. You do not possess the right for such privacy"
Lucian's response was clipped, slowly enunciated, yet delivered directly to the Librarian he maintained a locked gaze with.
"I know who Red is now, Aethod… I know who has actually taught me how to handle my gifts, and I believe you do as well"
A few curious looks were given by those that knew little to nothing of the context of their conversation, but Lynwood and Caius were somewhat aware of Red. After all, they had been present when Vownus had beaten the ever loving shit out of Lucian earlier.
The two of them had heard the name.
Another took clear note of this epitaph.
Seraphis' gaze took on a layer of intrigue and curiosity.
The name 'Red', had stuck with the Blood Raven, but most did not notice this.
One did.
Aethod slowly nodded, his mind coming to a few conclusions on prior thoughts as he answered.
"He is a Great Sorcerer, Lucian, perhaps the greatest Scholar that ever lived… but he is aligned with….." Aethod shook his head in denial, cutting his words short before those unaware of the ramifications behind the admittance could hear.
Instead, he offered a keen warning to Lucian, his tone stressing each specific word with furious concern.
"You cannot trust him or whatever he's told you!"
Lucian tilted his head, his face almost a sneer, "up until now, I trusted him as much as I did Vownus"
A myriad of emotions crossed the Librarian's face. Chief among them was a keen worry.
"Vownus seeks a beneficial end, Lucian, regardless of what he does to achieve it"
Lucian's face morphed into a glare, "he kept me in the dark"
"As would any Inquisitor in his position" the Astral Knight smartly bit back, "the plans of his order are shrouded for righteous reasons. Their designs are secretive for the purpose of security. Besides, it takes time to build trust-"
"And trust is a two-way street!" Lucian snapped, "he cannot expect me to blindly give myself up to his schemes, when he has kept me at arm's length for so long"
"His Authority-"
Lucian had enough.
Fine.
Time to see how well informed Aethod was.
"If Red is my Brother, Aethod, then who do you think is my Father?"
The Librarian went deathly silent.
His features slackened.
Lucian, however, wasn't finished with his harsh verbal lashing. In fact, he was just warming up. His question lay unanswered as he plowed into the stunned Librarian.
"Vownus may wield whatever Authority the Inquisition has granted him, but by Birthright, I wield my Father's, Librarian. Remind me, to whom do the Astral Knights hold their allegiance to?"
The gears were turning in Aethod's head.
In a new light he observed Lucian.
His Aura and his words, the look in his golden gaze, and everything that Vownus had told Aethod came crashing down on the Librarian's mind.
It was undeniable.
He bowed his head slightly, "I would request we find Vownus, Lucian. He wishes to speak with you"
As the Librarian humbly made a request of the Inquisitor's apprentice, and did not outright order him, it took their allies a moment to process this action.
The atmosphere was charged with a tense confusion.
Around Lucian and Aethod, the looks on each visible face were taken by perplexed expressions. None of them could make sense of it.
But none spoke out.
Lucian and Aethod were not finished conversing.
"And I want to speak with him as well," the youth nodded, "and better sooner than later"
Lucian looked Aethod up and down, his formerly agitated features slowly relaxing into a light frown.
"I'm not a fool, Librarian. But I am inexperienced, young… and naive" his eyes darted to the other mortals that stood around watching the heated confrontation.
"I defer to your judgment, Aethod. How are we going to find Vownus?"
His tone was pragmatic and polite. But it permitted no argument or discussion.
It was an order, and Aethod received it as such.
"The Inquisitor has been separated from my brothers. He has spoken through the Warp and told me that he is seeking them now" Aethod confirmed.
Lucian nodded, "we find them, we'll find him"
"Indeed"
"And I'm assuming you can track them somehow?"
Aethod affirmed once more, "I share a strong bond with my kinsman. I can lead us to them"
Lucian looked around to the others, his eyes landing upon Romeo Squad's leader.
"Sergeant Grikken"
The man squared up, his posture tightening up as Lucian addressed him directly. But he didn't salute.
"Our objective is destroyed, and although I'm unaware of how the war is progressing, I must find Vownus. Return to the inner wall or stay with us… the choice is yours…" Lucian looked over to Caius, Lynwood and then Seraphis and the Dark Angels. His eyes traced each of them slowly.
Eventually his gaze settled back to the Sergeant.
Grikken took time before he spoke, his own look sizing Lucian up and down.
"If its all the same, I like our odds sticking with you"
"So be it" Lucian nodded.
The youth glanced around between the gaps of sky between the hab-blocks.
Explosions echoed in the distance as flak cannons spat intermittent lines of blistering lead between the heavens.
Lucian looked back to the sergeant.
"And how goes the War? I notice we're already leagues from the Manufactorum"
Grikken's eyes narrowed only for a moment, a thought crossing in his head, before he was slowly providing Lucian with the current situation.
"The Vox is in and out. Your stunt with the bomb worked out as planned, but pockets of Orks are rampaging in the outer city. They're growing in strength with each minute that passes. Imperial Forces are scattered and the words out that we're abandoning it. We've… we've lost the Wall…"
The first line of defense. And the most fortified. That it had been lost so quickly…. This was not good news.
Lucian thought for a few moments, but a quick movement from Grikken drew his attention once more.
The Sergeant casually slung his rifle out, nodding past Lucian with his eyes down the path they had come from.
"Soon enough we're gonna be up to our necks in Greenskins, Operative, so it's best we get a move on"
Lucian's head tilted.
"Very well" he looked to Aethod, "lead on, Librarian"
As the path broke open into the main causeway of the western section, Lucian was treated to the passing sight of hundreds, if not thousands, of soldiers.
The forces dispersed into the outer city were making their way back to the central fortress, a task that the youth knew was underway, but actually observing it…
This was another matter.
He saw wounded troopers, dirtied and bruised faces, scared armor and dour expressions…
"They were here, less than an hour ago" Aethod announced to Lucian, his great stature granting him some kind of sight line over the legions that marched past them. His eyes were closed however, more than likely following the thread that attached him to his comrades.
"And where to now?" Lucian asked.
Aethod shook his head softly, "I will need some time before I can be certain.
The youth frowned.
Lucian didn't know how Aethod was tracking the Astral Knights, but with whatever technique he did use, he would be keen on learning it.
A hive was a sprawling and grand thing, and to track even the Emperor's Finest through its maze-like nature was an impressive feat.
But now was not the time to prod the Librarian for questions of technique and powers.
They needed to find the Astral Knights.
And maybe someone around here had seen them…
Lucian spotted an insignia moving toward them, this particular officer marching alongside the segment of troops they were likely responsible for.
"Commissar!" the youth called out, drawing the woman's attention to the outcropping he and his rag-tag group stood by.
The head of the officer snapped toward him, the woman giving them all a queer look once she had sight of them all.
Her eyes lingered upon Aethod, Seraphis and the Blood Raven's flock for a moment or two longer, before her gaze transfixed itself to Lucian.
The youth was sharp enough to note how she gazed upon his sigil and breastplate.
Hurrying over with a swift jog, the PDF Commissar nodded to him, "Inquisitor" she saluted, "of what-"
"Operative" Lucian hastily corrected, "my Master is the Inquisitor"
Her head cocked slightly, her eyes tracing over the towering Aethod that stood beside Lucian, until whatever thought that slowed her dissipated.
"Operative" she frostily corrected, obviously not used to being verbally cut off but still acquiescing to Lucian's authority, "what do you require?"
The youth was quick to speak.
"We're searching for a squad of Astartes. They are known as the Astral Knights. Have passed through here? It would have happened not even an hour ago"
The order pushed away whatever subtle reservations were forming, and the Commissar nodded at Lucian, turned to the squad, and barked a name at the endless formation.
"Johnson! Come here!"
From the marching crowd a figure emerged, a Vox caster and receiver strapped to his back.
This was the Communications Officer.
Beckoning him over, the Commissar was quick to pull the Vox Caster from the man's side, speaking into it hurriedly.
All the while, the Comms-man watched Lucian and his group with wide eyes.
"This is Commissar Keyes to all Platoon leaders. Forces of the Inquisition are searching for an Astartes element, the Astral Knights, does anyone have eyes on?"
At the loudly proclaimed, 'Forces of the Inquisition' the Comms Officer let his eyes dart over to Lucian, Caius and Lynwood, taking in their uniforms and the clear decorations upon them.
Lucian tried to fix the man with a kind look back, but instead only got a nervous shake from Comm Officer 'Johnson'.
"Keyes, this is Taggart, how copy?"
The Commissar clicked back a response to the rough voice that abruptly connected, "loud and clear, what news do you have Lieutenant?"
"Had eyes on the Astartes. Astral Knights passed through the front of the column a bit ago. They were asking for priority targets. Colonel Raish pointed them toward the Commune. Reports say that Ork forces are concentrating there"
Commissar Keyes nodded to herself.
"Roger that Taggart, over and out"
She clicked off the Caster and dismissed Comms Officer Johnson, who looked more than happy to quickly slip back into the passing formation.
As Keyes turned to face them again, the youth spoke directly to her.
"This Commune, where is it?"
Once again, her face did a masterful job at hiding some kind of plain irritation, but instead she answered succinctly with a direct gesture over her shoulder.
"Take the thoroughfare, but don't go too far south. All of the workman lines converge on the Commune. It is the largest collection of the greatest Habblocks"
"A densely packed environment" Grikken grumbled out, already seeing some tactical issues with their destination.
Keyes gazed at Romeo Squad's sergeant, "the Orks sent wave after wave of infantry right on top of it, even though it's fully evacuated. Command believes they see some kind of tactical value in the Commune, but whatever it is we ourselves can't make heads or tails of it"
"And whatever has value, we cannot let them have" Lucian hummed.
Grikken looked to Aethod and then Lucian, "another Demo job then?"
The Librarian spared Lucian a considerably dry stare as well, "if we must"
Commissar Keyes cleared her throat.
"If that is all, my Lords?" The Officer looked at them all one after another.
Lucian addressed her first, "yes, certainly. Thank you, Commissar Keyes"
She nodded and turned around.
The youth didn't know why, but even though he may never see this individual again he called out to her, "good luck!"
She never turned around.
But he knew she heard it, even as she jogged to rejoin the flank of her marching unit.
"So" Lucian looked back at Aethod, "to the Commune?"
The Librarian nodded.
In a short time, they managed to cut through the marching PDF forces and slip into the pathways on the opposite side of the causeway.
Governor Andoa Paxat held both palms flat against the command table before her. In the small room that acted as the nexus for all the battle strategy and planning for Hive Primaris, her thoughts were swept up by the circumstances of the war.
War?
No.
This the last violent gasp of a cornered animal, bleeding out against the towering tree it attempted to hide beneath.
The predators were circling, slowly drawing in closer and closer.
Hope dwindled alongside their supplies, the usage of which having been necessary as the Ork's vicious onslaught drew nearly every piece of heavy weaponry from them.
Artillery, the Outer Wall, Tank Divisions, Aerial attacks….
And it still wasn't enough.
Andoa's eyes remained fixed upon the adjusted display of her city. The Outer wall was covered in a swathe of symbols denoting the Greenskin's recently acquired control of said location.
She had watched, blankly, as the last Imperial Symbol at the Southern Gatehouse had flickered out of existence. She'd felt the rumble as Hageski Harkoden died.
Even though the news took time to filter in, she had accepted the reality that the Castellan was dead.
When his report regarding a 'incredibly large' and 'technologically developed Ork' had arrived, she had hoped this was the opportunity she had been praying for.
If this was the Warboss, as Hageski had guessed, she was prepared to throw everything at it.
However…
'What if it wasn't?'
What if this was some devious trick planned out by the Greenskins? After all, they'd displayed a fearsome level of intelligence and subtle planning that went against everything the Schola had ever taught her.
The Inquisitor had said not to underestimate the Ork's, but even the Governor hadn't been anticipating Orbital insertions and Vox Jammers.
And so Andoa did nothing.
Because there was without a doubt a reasonable chance that this was yet another trick or tactic that the Greenskins were attempting to bait them with.
She continued with her plan of the retreat. The Wall had turned into a meat grinder, the kind of combat that favored the endless tide of Greenskins and she wouldn't waste the lives of her people in such wasteful combat. Especially not when the action itself failed to guarantee victory.
News had reached her that the Causeways were in complete disarray.
Multiple sections were under heavy fire and assault while others were partially destroyed.
But a fair majority of the Space Wolves and the outer City's PDF had already reached the inner Fortress relatively unscathed.
As the Greenskin numbers swarmed the paths and walkways that lead into the city, she knew that they couldn't extract everyone from the outer city. The Ork's hounded at the heels of the retreat, giving Hive Primaris's defenders no downtime or recovery, constantly at their backs with a weapon ready.
The Governor knew she'd have to seal the gate soon.
Northern artillery would begin shelling the outer city as soon as the action was complete, and she'd consign however many unfortunate souls that remained within the targeted zone to the Emperor's side.
Sacrifice was nothing new to her.
But to callously dispense the lives of those that served under her… she would not take pride in this action.
…but what did it matter?
The Ork's would sweep through the Outer city, and once they reached the Central Fortress, the same set of events would likely repeat itself.
With tighter firing lines, the Imperial defenses would be just as effective…. But the Ork's funneling into a tighter target…
The Governor did not like how the future was starting to look.
So she made a decision.
Aloud and to the near empty space around her, she presented her orders.
"Contact Magos Kines. I want a Colossus bomb repurposed for an internal structural detonation" she eyed the space around her, "and additional charges to be placed at key suspension points within the tunnels. Tell Kines to err on the side of excess"
She began to glance through the many lists of soldiers under her direct order.
"My Personal Guard will take the PDF Legions from the Inner City and arrange them throughout the under-base. We will be fortifying the floors above us, and the tunnels…"
If the Ork's managed to break into the Inner Fortress-
Her fists tightened.
When the Ork's managed to breach the Fortress, her Fortress, she would draw them into its depths with the promise of further combat and bloodshed.
And then she would turn it into their tomb.
She glanced at an orderly, the one that stood nearest to the broadband Vox Caster, her mind returning to the information given to her by her slain Castellan.
She couldn't do anything about the Warboss sighting, but perhaps another could.
"Get me the Inquisitor"
"Cover!" Grikken's voice barked just before Aethod sent a mass of lightning tendrils into the path ahead.
Seraphis's tongues of flame brandished out behind them, the Dark Angels of his flock firing their Needle Bolters with deadly precision.
Romeo Squad was forced to hunker down and pick targets out of the mass of Greenskins that popped up from either side of them.
They'd been on a steady run, the Astartes among them keeping up with a light jog, when a flank of Orks had come spilling out from between the side lanes of the buildings surrounding them.
An attempt at an ambush.
One that the oddly composed group of Imperials was more than prepared for.
Regardless of the Greenskins sizeable number and rabid temperament, six Astartes, two Psykers, two Inquisitorial acolytes and a near full squad of Guardsmen were more than suitable to deal with them.
Las fire mingled in between bolter shots and the far louder uses of the screeching Warp energies.
Lucian cleaved through beasts with his mind while Mordo did so with his sword.
Aethod charred them with lightning and Seraphis cooked the Orks in rolling fire.
The fighting was over almost as soon as it began.
One Ork did manage to slip between their contingent, its madened gaze fixed upon whichever human was closest to it.
Ezekiel didn't get a chance to react, beyond turning his head to gaze upon the lumbering beast that charged at him, swinging a bladed axe above its head.
The Guardsman, kneeling as he placed his shots towards where the Astartes were fighting, went wide eyed at the sight.
He would never turn his weapon in time, nor would he be able to physically evade the Xeno's assault.
As the Ork's weapon came crashing down upon him, the Blonde Necromundan squeezed his eyes shut in preparation for a savage demise.
A warm mist of liquid coated his features alongside a pattering of squishy flecks wetly buffeting his form.
Ezekiel wasn't dead.
Instead, he found himself able to open his eyes to a calm and comforting sight.
Lucian stood before him, the remnants of the Ork assailant scattered like dust in the wind.
The Guardsman had been saved by the youth who was once again glowing with a golden aura. Now that he thought about it-
"Ezekiel"
His thoughts failed to stray any further once the tone of the young Psyker reached his ears. Looking into the glowing golden eyes of his savior, the youth couldn't help the slight quaver in his voice.
"Thank you, Lucian"
A hand reached out to him, a warm smile to be found on the other side of the limb.
"On your feet Ezekiel, duty calls"
Grasping the hand that was offered, the Guardsman found himself to steady feet in a heartbeat.
Lucian's strong grip may have only slightly surprised him, but he found himself making a quick remark before his brain caught up with his words.
"'Zeke" he blurted, "My friends- I don't like being called by my full name"
Lucian permitted a thoughtful nod as he tested the nickname "'Zeke"
He thought for another moment, his eyes glancing to the area around them, before his attention left the guard and returned to the group at large.
"Are we ready to move?" Lucian asked aloud.
Affirmations were given, and a heartbeat later they were moving once more, now with their eyes peeled for potential ambush positions.
The Witch Hunter and former Xenos specialist felt the Orks coming before they rounded the bend ahead of him.
In the few seconds his senses had awarded him however, he managed to slip into an outcropping of pipes, rendering his body neigh invisible.
Only the most attentive of observers would spot him.
Not that he wasn't prepared to cut down each and every Greenskin he came across on his way to the Astral Knights, he most certainly was.
No, Vownus' thoughts strayed towards the intelligence of the Imperiums current and immediate foe.
After cutting his way through a few packs of the wild Xenos roaming throughout the outer city, Kaede had come to a discerning conclusion regarding these Ork 'Squads'.
Even though he did not know the enemy's intentions, it was clear that there was an objective to these Squads. They traveled in clear and concise patterns, doubling over areas and leaving marks upon specific Hab blocks, following orders and instructions that Vownus could not make heads or tails of.
All he could conclude was the nefarious nature of their purpose, not the purpose itself.
This was not a random door to door search, nor was it some kind of annexation of the outer city. The Orks had designs upon specific structures.
And as such, Kaede decided to observe what he could.
The pack that passed him was larger than the one's he had encountered prior, a large host of no less than eighty to a hundred Greenskins.
From the shadows he held a keen eye upon them all, just barely expanding his senses beyond himself in order to watch them with a sharper clarity.
The Orks made a scuffle beside an entrance to one of the Hab-blocks yet never entered it, the beasts boisterously jostling with one another as two of the larger ones hefted large devices toward the entrance.
Vownus couldn't see whatever they were up too, but soon enough the rowdy bunch of war hungry monsters thundered away.
After a few moments of silence, where their multitude of footsteps receded into the war thickened air, Vownus slipped out from his hiding spot.
Carefully approaching the scarred and damaged ground beneath the Hab-block, the Witch Hunter carefully studied the marks upon the walkway.
Scratching and imbedded into the steel and gray concrete path was a viciously drawn Ork Skull, it's toothy maw held open in a jagged smile. The sight was just seemingly the sign of graffiti, if not for the sudden flicker of light that came from within the damaged steel.
"Inquisitor Kaede, come in, over"
The crackle of the vox and the sudden voice that blurted from his lapel was a brief distraction, but as Kaede casually addressed the speaker, he channeled the Warp into his fingers.
"I'm here Governor. Didn't think the Vox would be functioning this far out"
"Our bombers have been targeting and dealing with Ork Jamming Towers as soon as we discover them"
Kaede snorted as he took a knee beside the odd Greenskin marking, "and here I thought it was the Greenskins that were causing all the ruckus"
Andoa's icy cold tone cared little for the Witch Hunter's coping humor.
"The Castellan is dead, Vownus"
Kaede's Psionic blade began to deeply slice into the Ork marked section of the pathway as he grimly affirmed the information.
"I figured as much"
He was there when they'd given up the wall. And with the Wolves in retreat to the Inner City, the truth of the matter was that the Guardsmen at the wall wouldn't last very long.
Long enough to hold the line for whatever period of time, but not forever.
"He transmitted a report prior to his death. A unique Ork was spotted at the Front Lines"
Vownus hesitated in his action, his mind retracting the blade beneath his palm as he mentally walked over the Governor's words.
"The Warboss?"
"Hageksi believed it to be. I was not so sure"
Vownus read between the lines.
Andoa would not dedicate resources to a potential false alarm. She had made the right call. Their enemy was proving to be as crafty as they were bloodthirsty, and even Vownus would not put it beyond the Xenos to send out a patsy of some kind.
But.
What if it was?
"This Unique Ork… does Harkoden's report describe it well?"
"A peerless beast. Taller and larger than any other, armored and armed with refined and streamlined technology. He believed it to be one of their Mechanical walkers for a brief moment, before realizing the biological nature of the monster"
Kaede quietly thought upon this for a moment.
Harkoden had spotted it himself. That meant the creature in question walked directly upon the southern gate house. That was the closest point of contact from the Ork Landing site and Hive Primaris, and thus could be any old Greenskin that came from the Ork vessels.
However, the descriptive words gave Vownus pause.
'A peerless beast'
Hmmm….
"Did it have a guard? Any Orks that specifically marched alongside it?"
"No" Andoa replied, "it marched alone and with a wide breadth between itself and the other Greenskins"
Kaede frowned.
He brought the mental blade back into existence, carefully and surgically removing the source of the flashing light within the Ork marked ground.
"A typical Ork force would have protection around the Warboss. While a good rule of thumb for the Greenskins denotes that the biggest is typically in charge, there are exceptions"
"Yet these Orks are not typical"
Examining the crudely designed flashing metal tube, Kaede hummed his reply.
"No. No they are not. As such, until a clear target presents itself, it is perhaps in our best interests not to act rashly. You made the correct decision Governor"
After all, that's why she was speaking to him now.
The Governor wanted to know if she'd missed a clear opportunity to end this war before it got any worse.
Or that anymore of her people died a needless death.
Kaede flipped the flashing tube over in his hand once more, pondering upon its purpose. If only Cortetis was with him now, instead of reinforcing the Central Fortress.
"Hageksi reported that this large Ork was marching upon the Gates. By now, it would already be in the Outer City. If this is the War Boss-"
"If" Vownus pointed out, "and if it isn't, whoever you send out to deal with this threat is likely not coming back"
"And if it is? If this creature is in fact the linchpin of the Greenskins assault?"
Her voice was coloured with hope, and even over the shifting, crackling and distorted Vox connection Vownus could hear it clearly.
Kaede sighed.
"I will keep this information in mind, Governor. But leave this task to myself or the Wolves. The Guard are not equipped to deal with this kind of enemy"
"Very well. Vownus, whatever you're doing in the Outer city, you must know that when the gates close we will not-"
"Don't worry" Kaede replied, crushing the device that he had been inspecting so clearly, "'we'll make it"
"I can only hope so. May the Emperor favor you, Inquisitor Kaede"
The Vox cut out a second later.
Kaede was on the move a heartbeat later.
The pathways leading into the Commune were beginning to narrow and break away into separate paths. Eventually the road would taper off, slowly forming into the narrow walkways similar to the hundreds of corridors within the Manufactorum.
Looming ahead of Lucian's eyesight was the modular and gigantic Hab Block structure. Each Hab Block was built as the thousands of others that dominated the causeways of the hive, except in this case each structure was connected to one another in some way or shape. The amalgamation into one singular building reached far higher into the sky than any other Hive structure in the Outer city, its top tapering off into a ring-like orientation of buildings hundreds of miles in the air.
The small hustling group of Guardsmen that composed Romeo squad were nestled between the two Astarte elements, the larger warriors doing little to block the towering sights that surrounded them.
Even moving at the speed that they were, the Commune hardly shifted in size or shape.
Lucian's confusion and curiosity at the presence of such an odd, yet half-finished looking structure, must have been obvious across his features.
Otherwise the youth wouldn't have received a cluster of words launched his way from his Inquisitorial Bodyguard.
"This is how Spires form"
Lucian glanced toward Lynwood, the originator of the observant comment. He offered a conversational remark of his own.
"I thought Spires were pre-planned fabrications"
Lynwood gruffly nodded, "aye. Depending on the Administratum's plans for the world, Spire foundations can be the first structures to appear on a newly colonized world"
Lucian glanced over his shoulder, looking up at the already complete spires that dominated the northern skyline alongside the mountain range. He gestured briefly over his shoulder before looking to Lynwood with another question.
"Then why were those complete before these ones? Building a Spire doesn't seem to be the simplest task"
Lynwood's answer was overtaken by the humorously sardonic voice of Vartic, who was moving just beside Lucian's opposite shoulder.
"Because this is where the people are, not where the Administratum wanted them to be"
Lucian glanced between the two soldiers as their path narrowed further.
"What?"
"The Commune is perfectly centered around many of Hive Primaris's various industries and work zones" Lynwood elaborated, "as such, it is where the largest number of people would live"
Lucian understood, "more people, more buildings. Until eventually you have to start building upwards because there's no more space to sprawl out into"
"Necromunda's just like that. Except we're running out of vertical space too" Vartic mused, also glancing North to briefly observe the Primaris Hive Spires.
"I'm still not used to seeing spires that are so short"
"Short" a voice behind Lucian and Vartic snorted in audible disbelief, "'the Spire is short?"
From behind the leaders of the mortal pack Guardsmen Nora was the closest, and as such, she had heard Vartic's dismissive ruminating.
The Necromundan shot a wry smile over his shoulder toward the youthful Balorian.
"You've never been off-world before, have you?"
She shook her head, "no, sir"
Vartic nodded his head skyward, not referring to the war torn skies but rather the heavens and what lay beyond.
"It's a big universe, private" he glanced up at the Commune structures ahead of them, "and once you've set foot on a couple of worlds…. Well, only then do you truly understand how big it really is"
"And how small we really are" Lynwood grumbled.
Caius snorted, "as positive as always old man, thanks for that"
Whatever rebuttal the elder was going to sling toward Caius was caught by the Aethod's announcement.
"Stay alert, Guardsmen. My Brother's are close by"
The path before their group opened up into a massive courtyard that was separated by three declining rectangular tiers, each connected by generously sized staircases.
It was some kind of social area, a gathering point for prayer or public announcements. Effigies of the Emperor, lauded Imperial Saints, Servants and holy leaders dominated principal positions of each of the depreciating tiers.
The former beauty of the place was taken by its currently battle torn disposition. Nearly all of the Gothic architecture was damaged or harmed in one form or another. Strewn amongst the rubble, walkways, destroyed seated areas and desecrated statues, were the innumerable bodies of Orks.
A few civilians were mixed between the dead, but the eyes of the Astartes and Guardsmen were upon the deceased Xenos.
"'Recently deceased" Serpahis's loud voice declared, carefully studying a cluster of dead Orks, "'a blade is responsible for this massacre"
"Germael" Aethod replied in answer, "the Last Captain of the Astral Knights. He is a master swordsman"
Serpahis looked beyond the dead aliens closest to him, taking note of how many had fallen to the Swords of Aethod's brother.
"Aye" the Dark Angel, Gabriel, spoke, "I wish to meet this warrior, if only to congratulate him on his skill"
A respectable compliment to be certain. But Aethod had fought beside Germael for generations. After all that time, he knew the difference between his Brother's calm and deadly control versus…. This senseless slaughter.
Germael was grieving. And the violence was not something to be praised, merely an unhealthy expression of an emotion which could take a dark root in the Captain's hearts.
The Librarian offered the Dark Angel a polite nod, saying nothing further as his gaze turned to the large space beyond them all.
"They are here, somewhere. Keep your eyes open, Guardsmen. Trust your senses"
Dominus waited with the stillness of a corpse. His gigantic form was plastered to the outcropping of a broken Hab block, almost twenty floors above the ground.
Beneath him was the large Commune Courtyard, the kill box he and his brother's had established in order to slow the Ork tide that swept into the forming Hive Spire.
This was the boulder in the river that broke the tide, pushing back the Xenos in an attempt to thwart whatever plans they had with the large collection of Habblocks.
Dominus had the keenest eyes of his brother's, and as such was roosted upon a high up position. As Orks streamed into the courtyard he would give the signal to the other Astral Knights to spring their ambush.
By the time the Beasts realized they had come running into a kill box, or if they ever realized that they had done so, Germael, Tiberec and Rhamine would be upon them.
Raduriel and Dominus provided covering fire, until no Xeno remained standing.
This strategy had been repeated numerous times already. As Sons of Dorn, they knew the ins and outs of holding a defensive position, even against numerous odds.
But now as a new set of movement drew Dominus's gaze, he recognized the hooded form that quickly strode into the courtyard.
The familiar figure of Aethod was followed by a cadre of varying individuals.
Including the boy.
…and other Astartes. But not Space Wolves.
The stealth specialist slowly looked over each and every one of them, even as they slowly broke up into groups and fanned out into the courtyard.
As Dominus looked over the different Astartes, he was swiftly able to identify them.
Dark Angels, a Blood Raven- a Blood Raven Librarian, and a….
Dominus felt a cold shiver crawl up his spine.
Not because of the odd familiarity he felt from the unadorned, unknown Grey Astartes….
But because this unknown warrior had its helmet pointed directly at him.
He felt the gaze upon him and Dominus knew that this unknown Astartes could see him.
His personal Vox link crackled open, a connection re-linking with the now reunited Aethod.
"Welcome back, Brother Aethod. Germael-
"-will be glad for reinforcements."
The Librarian didn't know how to process the foreign feeling that erupted within his breast at the sound of Dominus's voice over the vox.
An odd warmth had blossomed.
Dominus was alive.
So were the others.
Aethod knew this to be the truth, the definite truth, yet the bubbling elation at a confirmation within the real world was just that.
Definite.
Feeling their souls, and the bond that only centuries of combat could forge, was one thing.
But to hear a snarky promise from the normally tactile and silent stealth specialist…
Aethod would think of a name for this feeling later.
Instead he held up a hand, calling attention to himself for the sake of those that did not possess the implanted Vox communique that he had.
His voice carried the necessary information across the open expanse of space.
"Guardsmen! Astartes! We have found them!"
The Librarian addressed his next words to the Vox as the spread out members of his strangely composed battlegroup began to coalesce once more.
"Brother. While we will be glad to bolster your strength, we are not here to reinforce this position"
The Dark Angels were the first to move upon the Librarian, coming alongside him as the Psyker spoke out into the open.
Aethod's Vox crackled once more, a different voice filtered in.
"Brother Librarian. How kind of you to join us at this moment"
Aethod could feel the ice that laced the words.
"Raduriel. We would have joined you sooner, but we suffered some…" Aethod did his best not to look too openly at the approaching Lucian, "delays"
"Sooner? I am surprised you joined us at all Brother. I was under the impression you had more important duties to be tending to then-"
"Enough"
Germael's brutal comment washed over the Sergeants tirade with a wave of growled static.
Neither Sergeant or Psyker spoke.
The Captain continued.
"It is good to hear your voice, Aethod. I would see you in person as well. Look skyward-"
The Psyker did, immediately spotting the distant figure many floors above, now standing over a broken alcove of a Hab Block balcony.
"-the building that Dominus watches from. We will gather there. And then we shall speak"
The vox cut off.
Germael's voice was cold and detached.
Thade's death would have hit him hardest, and even though he was likely putting on a brave face for the sake of the others… Aethod knew him best.
He knew that the Swordsman was in pain.
…a pain that the man did not know how to deal with.
The Psyker looked to the now gathered mortals and Space Marines, gesturing past the lot of them to the designated building.
"There" was all he said, beginning to march toward the structure with only a slight touch of shame in his step.
Raduriel was right to be infuriated.
But Aethod planned to cross that bridge when it presented itself.
In short order, Aethod and Lucian broke away from the others of their group. Even the Dark Angels. Seraphis had tried to speak with Aethod, but the Astral Knight had said the following matter was a private one.
Lucian felt awkward being here, walking alongside the Librarian until they stepped into the room they had been instructed towards.
Even Aethod didn't seem comfortable to be here, let alone set his eyes upon the faces of his kin.
And not just their helms.
The Swordsman wasn't wearing his helmet.
Germael.
Lucian remembered his name.
The Captain of the Astral Knights looked dour and solemn. His features were drawn into a gaunt and hollow look, plain for all to see in the half light of the Hab Block administration room they all stood within. This place was only a long and short corridor away from the entrance, but still enough distance to give those within a tighter environment to speak clearly.
The Astral Knights were arranged on the far side of the room, a staggered half circle in before the raised dias behind them.
One was sitting on the broken arm of a destroyed statue. He too did not wear a helm.
A duo stood closely together, further from the rest and off to the side, seemingly flanking the entrance way Lucian and Aethod had stepped through.
Their still forms had almost caught the youth off guard, since a stoic behemoth appearing in your peripheral vision would be jarring enough, let alone two.
The Guardsman, Caius and Lynwood had been told to stand guard at the entrance to the Hab Block. Should any Greenskin troubles present themselves, the Dark Angels that stood beside them would alert the Knights… if Aethod or Lucian did not already detect the hypothetical danger.
But their senses were reeled in.
At least, that's what Lucian could tell.
Aethod had respectfully lowered his hood, stepped toward Captain Germael, and keeping a professional distance, bowed before the man.
"I ask for your forgiveness"
The Captain was perplexed, his voice telling more than his face ever could.
"Forgiveness?"
"Aye" Aethod affirmed, standing tall once more, "if I could rewrite time, I would have stood upon the wall with you. With all of you"
The still and deadly looking one, who Lucian had bestowed the nickname of Quiet, spoke.
"You speak of Thade"
Aethod softly admitted "indeed. Vownus told me."
"Ork's got him"
"Got him in the back"
The two voices, that of the duo that guarded the doorway, startled Lucian.
"I felt it happen" Aethod was firm with his words, "...even if I did not wish for it to be true"
Germael's face seemed to relax somewhat, a slight adjustment, a shift in his weight, drawing Lucian's immediate eye.
"The battle for the wall was not your responsibility" came the cool and even reply. There was something negative under his words though, a sentiment that Lucian couldn't help but catch out.
He found himself speaking before he could stop it.
"It should have been"
Every eye swiveled to him.
Aethod hadn't told him that he was to remain silent during this Brother to Brother meeting, but Lucian had kinda got the hint that he should.
But as Caius might say, bugger that.
He wasn't about to let hostilities settle beneath a healing tragedy.
Besides…
"Aethod was ordered to keep me in line. Because my… my powers have been a little out of control lately. His absence is my fault, not his. Your Librarian should have been with you. Aethod should have been there.."
As he lapsed into silence, Lucian left the following sentiments trail off into nothing, the words meant only to himself.
'Orders be damned, Vownus should have had me on that wall as well'
By the time he looked up from his passionate rumination, many of the eyes within the room looked to one another.
But some stared at him directly, a thoughtful tinge to their sight.
Germael, and more importantly the room at large, did seem to consider Lucian's words.
Eventually the Captain spoke out to the young Psyker.
"A Psyker of your skill would have been useful upon the walls. Perhaps your strength might have made a difference, young Lucian"
The words felt patronizing.
Like a master speaking to their pet.
Or how a human would speak to a beast.
Before Lucian could give the Captain a piece of his mind however, a bitter voice was already following the Swordsman up.
"Perhaps the both of you-"
"Raduriel-" Germael attempted to stop the Sergeant from speaking, but the man would be heard.
"-could have prevented Thade from dying!" the Sergeant stepped forward, his large frame approaching Aethod's own with a furious grace.
"But I would not hold this promise to a child, no matter his potential! After all, Brother-" Raduriel spat, "it was you that swore an oath to this Chapter, to all of us, and to Thade. To see the promise so easily bent by the order of an Inquisitor is-"
"Enough!" Germael barked, a gauntlet coming down upon Raduriel's shoulder, pulling the Sergeant away from the Librarian he had been so slowly approaching.
The Sergeants furious gaze melted to sorrowful anger as he looked to his Captain.
And Germael tried to deflect the sentiment. Tried to push the feelings down that he too felt that some truth existed within.
"The moment for fury has passed us by. What matters is what we are to do here and now. Look to the true enemy Brother, not to your grief. The Orks-"
"I am sorry, Brother Sergeant"
The air seemed to thicken as Aethod quietly spoke out.
A stiff silence resonated in return to the words.
Raduriel's bitter sight cracked, yet remained upon the quiet and mournful Psyker.
"I… nothing I can say will heal your wound, Raduriel. Not a promise, thought, feeling or word from my soul will do this. Nothing will"
Aethod's shoulders relaxed as he looked upon his kin.
Raduriel's taught form relaxed.
Dominus leaned forward.
Tiberec and Rhamine had uncrossed their arms.
And Germael's gaze softened.
"I am sorry that Thade is dead. I am sorry that I was not there. And I am sorry to have been so distant from you… all of you. But apologies change nothing. Words, change nothing. I am an Astral Knight"
Aethod gracefully dropped to a kneeled position, the solemn move adopting the calm nature of his burdened words.
"I am guided by the promises of my actions" his whispered words thundered out into the space around him. The sword by his side, the one his mechanical limb swiftly wielded, found itself upon his lap in short order.
"By all accounts, I have failed one Chapter Master-"
Germael seemed to catch on to what Aethod intended to say. To what he intended to do.
"Brother-"
Aethod stood, his sword drawn forth and gestured to Germael's feet.
"I will not fail another"
"Aethod" Germael tried, but the Librarian would have none of it.
"By the deeds of our Brotherhood, I, the Last Librarian, the beholder of our History and Story, charge you to be wise"
Lucian couldn't help but hold his breath. In this near intimate moment between the last of a dying chapter that was unfolding before him, he felt terrible for witnessing it.
He did not belong here amongst them, especially now.
The silence was shattered by the pull of reinforced steel from a scabbard.
Dominus, the Quiet one, fell the short distance from his perch, the thudding of his steps bringing him forth into the central light of the room.
"By the decree of the Emperor, who set us against the enemies of His Empire, of His People, I, a humble Servant of the God Emperor, charge you to be brave"
Dominus adopted a similar stance to Aethod, his blade also pointed just above Germael's ankles.
Tiberec and Rhamine lumbered forward, nearling completing the circle that was suddenly springing up around the Captain.
"By the bond of your Kin-" Tiberec started, Rhamine finishing with, "-we charge you to be loyal"
Raduriel's near hollow, yet hopefully simmering tone, brought the abrupt ceremony together.
"And by the strength of your soul"
The last blade was drawn.
"I ask you to stand, with honor, against all evils. Now, and until the day you last draw breath"
Aethod's calm question tied it all together.
"What say you, Chapter Master?"
Germael's back straightened.
His hands fell to the pommels of his blades, the contents of his scabbards slowly drawn forth.
The masterfully crafted swords were inspected by the Captain for a brief moment, his eyes closed in thought a second later.
"I accept. It would be my honor to lead you from here on out, my Brother's"
And just like that, Germael captaincy was swept away.
As his blades crossed over his chest in customary salute to not only the fallen, but those around him, was he renewed.
Germael, Chapter Master of the Astral Knights.
After tracking them across the Ork infested Commune and slowly but surely narrowing down their hidey hole, Kaede was glad to finally slow his pace down a little bit.
Instead of a changed battle field though, Vownus stepped into a somber yet positive room.
A small fire had recently been extinguished within the center of the room, his eyes catching sight of the crumbling embers before he addressed the odd gathering.
Germael was there.
As were the other Knights.
As was Aethod and… oh boy.
Ignoring the look that Lucian had fixed him with, the Inquisition slowly stepped forward as the room turned to regard him.
They were Space Marines after all, and had probably heard his footsteps from a few hundred meters away.
Not that he was being overtly sneaky or anything, trying to catch them unawares, but from what he could read from the warp, let alone what his eyes were telling him now, was that the mood was off.
Heated emotions had been exchanged.
That was certain.
But some kind of conciliary effort had been achieved.
What that was-
His mind raked over the embers before him.
Vownus' eyes darted to Germael, and more specifically the right pauldron.
A crude adjustment had been made to the symbol that lay there.
"Chapter Master" Vownus intoned, a half bow proceeding his greeting, "sorry to be a little late"
"Nonsense" Germael waved away the apology, "I was lost. In both my thoughts and in the battle itself, I found solace. I am glad you have come to us now that we are composed"
Vownus couldn't help but glance toward Aethod for a brief moment.
The Librarian looked to another.
But the Inquisitor was not ready to look at Lucian… not yet, no no, not before-
"Germael. The situation in the outer city has changed-
Before he could step away however, Vownus was pulled in.
"I know the truth now, Vownus"
The second utterance was quiet, but it could not be denied that it was an inherently fierce question.
"Did you?"
At Lucian's admittance of knowledge and then pointed accusation, the Inquisitor thoughtfully spoke aloud.
"Give us the room"
Everyone complied with the order momentarily, even the Astral Knights, their steps receding into the corridor beyond only heartbeats later.
It was now just Lucian and Vownus.
"Did you know"
Lucian's further accusation was sharper and more direct. A demand.
Vownus only knew of the youth's 'episode' as described by Aethod. However, he had some inkling as to what had happened.
After all, the youth's symptoms had been akin to what Vownus had seen of a possession.
Or a vision.
And the fact that the boy did not spring up with a malevolent entity using him as a puppet… and because Vownus had come to terms with Lucian's existence and the summary possibilities that surrounded him…
Something in the Warp had spoken to him.
The Inquisitor did not know what this contact had taken form in, perhaps a vision, sightless words, or a full manifestation of being, but Lucian had gleaned new information.
And perhaps… it was time to come clean.
So he took it slowly.
"If what you're about to tell me is what I think it is… then yes, I knew…"
Vownus shifted oddly, his eyes looking Lucian up and down once more, taking a non verbal measure of the youth before he prompted him with a beckoning gesture, "but go ahead and tell me anyway, and let's see if I'm wrong…"
Lucian's foot scraped into the stone rubble beneath him, but he remained where he was.
He eyed Vownus carefully over the embers of Thade's funerary service.
"The Emperor is my Father. I am his Son."
What remained of the fire light crackled beneath Lucian's steady eyes, the flickers dancing beneath the gold.
Kaede bowed his head, pulling his witch hunter's cap from his head as he felt his tense form leave him.
"May you forgive my secrecy, Lucian. But I had to be certain. I could not afford another error"
The cadence of Vownus' voice was slow and penitent, the demure honesty an odd tinge to Kaede's typically fired up personality. Lucian digested the words in silence, taking into account how plain and direct his personable Master's tone had become.
Even though he did not address the words of "another error", the youth was quiet as he gave his peacefully soft reply.
"You're forgiven, Vownus"
Kaede met his eye.
His humble honesty was mirrored in Lucian's face, the youth politely nodding back to the man as he processed Lucian's words.
He was caught off guard by the abrupt word, precisely delivered a few seconds later.
"But…"
Vownus stiffened minutely.
"From now on, Vownus, no more secrets"
The open ended acceptance of the unspoken order was left to Vownus, but Kaede hesitated and Lucian caught it.
"I am not asking you, Inquisitor. Tell me everything, or I will move heaven and earth to be rid of you" Lucian's entire form was calmly relaxed as he hissed the last part, "By either you, or another, I will not be controlled. Ever. I will do what my Father has Tasked of me"
Vownus found some kind of calming center, for a little more panache had found its way onto his next words.
"And I don't doubt you Lucian, I know little of what you've witnessed… but I've seen enough to know the truth. From here on out, no more secrets" he raised an eyebrow at the youth, "But trust's a two way street, kiddo"
Lucian's gaze was livid, "You've kept secrets too! This entire time! And you likely possess more! Not only is my mind your playground, but you hide my purpose, fail to-"
"Magnus the Red is a traitor. He betrayed not only the Imperium, but your Father as well" Kaede sharply interjected, "and you openly received instruction from him. When were you going to tell me, huh?"
Lucian tensed up at the mention of his shadow mentor's true identity.
"I didn't know who he was" he tersely supplied, eyes unable to meet Vownus' gaze. His fists slowly clenched. The implication had thrown a thunderstorm into his thoughts, and Kaede pressed on, unwilling to let the boy compose himself before he got his meaning across.
"Don't be dense" Vownus scoffed, "you must have had an inkling that something was wrong, that something was off"
Lucian remained silent, but his eyes slowly drifted back toward the Inquisitor.
"That's what I thought" Kaede hummed as he returned the hat to his head, "first chance you got, you let a stranger in the Warp teach you how to win wars. Even after I'd warned you about how dangerous the Warp truly is"
Lucian glared now, "seems to have been quite useful. Now, especially. Far more useful than your teaching has been"
Vownus tisked, but didn't physically react to the comment.
Instead he cocked his head at Lucian with a kind yet aggravating smirk.
"Useful or not, you're casually dabbling with powers that have killed some of the greatest servants of the Imperium for far simpler mistakes"
"He freely offered up instruction and knowledge. I'd be a fool to pass it up"
Vownus shook his head.
"Nothing's free. Especially knowledge… Take it from someone who's already been through that kinda bargain, kiddo, it ain't worth it"
"It is worth it" Lucian barked, "I can use my powers to win this war! I can end this needless slaughter"
"Really" Vownus let loose a sharp bark of laughter, leveling a look filled with fond reminiscence at the youth, "what are you going to do, stride out and kill every Ork you lay eyes on? No. At best your use of the Warp will drive you mad, at worst, you'll lose your mind and soul to the heat of battle… and when you're so far gone that you can't tell friend from foe…. then you'll be just as dangerous as the Greenskins"
"I can control myself," Lucian gritted out.
Vownus cocked an eyebrow, "and how do you know that? Did you manage to fight in a war while I wasn't looking, gain a lifetime of battle experience while we were holed up at the Tree House?"
Lucian glared.
But he said nothing.
Kaede sighed. Speaking the plain truth even if the boy didn't want to hear it.
"You wanted to be a part of this war, Lucian, even though I knew you weren't ready. Now we will reap the consequences of our decisions"
"We couldn't have run! Not while the people of this world would be left behind to fight! And I am ready!" Lucian snapped.
"War was inevitable!" Vownus barked back, iron once more tied to his tone, "unavoidable! I find little joy in the truth, Lucian, but Balor was doomed when the Orks arrived. And like hundreds of thousands of Imperial worlds it was consigned to suffering by mere unfortunate chance. It is a fate we could do nothing to avert!"
"That's no reason to leave them," the youth growled.
"And I agree" Kaede calmly replied, "completely, I agree, there is no reason to leave Balor. But in the grand scheme of all things, staying on Balor serves no purpose"
"The grand scheme of all things" Lucian derisively repeated, "whose Scheme? Yours!? The Inquisitions!?"
The youth's aura flared a step brighter, the gold in his eyes swirling with furious emotion.
"My Brother told me you'd find a purpose for me. Magnus told me you'd turn me into a weapon, to serve one day and be discarded the next"
Vownus flinched. His voice was clipped.
"I would wager that Magnus the Red seeks the same"
"So you don't deny it!" Lucian accused.
"Because I can only speak for myself, kiddo. Not my Cabal"
"And of what importance is this 'Cabal'?"
Vownus sighed, his eyes unable to hold Lucian's, "even an Inquisitor answers to someone, Lucian. I'm no different"
"Vownus"
He looked back up.
"I would not waste the time nor patience to navigate the shadows of your organization"
Lucian's face was firm and his words were direct
"A being appeared before me. He called himself the Emperor's Advisor. Malcador the Sigillite. He spoke with me and explained what I am… and what I am here for…"
Warmth bloomed between them, the source of which being the now calm and controlled presence of Lucian's being.
"I have been tasked to reach my Father's Dream. The Emperor's Dream. This is my goal. My purpose"
The authority that Lucian spoke with came from an ancient place. A resonating type of speech only one had ever displayed before.
In that moment, Vownus felt as if he stood before the Emperor himself.
"And nothing shall bar me from achieving it"
Kaede couldn't find his tongue.
"I ask you to trust in me now, Vownus, and trust that I seek to do right by my Father…"
He saw it.
The golden glow, the heat of an ancient soul expressing its honest and truthful declaration. A tingle built in Kaede's fingers, his knees feeling a weakness that had little to do with fatigue… but that his very spirit was being laid bare before a deity.
His tongue felt heavy, even as he forced the deeply honest truth from his heart and mind.
"I trust you"
Lucian nodded, a relieved smile upon his features somewhat breaking the visage of a God, and reminding Vownus that he was in fact still dealing with a hot headed youth.
His apprentice's words were sharp and pointed, and Kaede had to take a moment to process them.
"Then tell me of your Cabal and its plans"
The Witch Hunter blinked.
His mind wrapped around how best to approach this.
Perhaps 'directly' was the best.
"In the far reaches of space, members of the Inquisition found a dead ship, one from an age long before you and I. Aboard it they discovered more than we could ever comprehend, a promise of a future that we would chase to the very end of time"
Lucian's head cocked slightly, "let me guess. Onboard the ship was a prophecy of some kind?"
Vownus couldn't help but laugh at the boy's exhausted look.
"Indeed. We've had members of the Cabal chasing leads for many years, but nothing conclusive ever turned up until I, well I guess Ahmazzi, came across you"
Lucian nodded, "and what does this prophecy entail-"
The building shook, getting both of the occupants of the small room to glance up at the shuddering walls.
"Not to mince the details, but my Cabal interpreted it as another Child of the Emperor would come forth. This Son, he would be the one to deliver the Imperium from its current" Vownus mentally searched for the appropriate word, "predicament"
The youth took in the explanation promptly, running over each word in his mind with care and consideration.
"I would like to hear this prophecy myself. In full"
Vownus cocked a sardonic eyebrow, "kiddo, we're in the middle of a-"
"Not now" Lucian huffed, "but at some point, once we've won this damn war, I'd like to read it, or atleast hear it…"
Kaede nodded with surety, "and you shall. Now-" he gestured to the hallway out of the building, "are you ready to win this war?"
The Emperor's Son nodded once with a martial firmness.
"I am ready"
AN: And that's that. God damn.
So firstly. The delays. Firstly, I've made a career change. Going into the kitchen now. As such I enrolled, and was accepted into a culinary academy. I don't know dick about cooking, so I've been busting my ass to catch up with everyone else. So far, so good. But I've lost a lot of my free time in return for this. Secondly, my personal pursuits have been taking more priority. As I word more and more, I find myself going to the gym less, practicing instruments less, and just being lazier.
So the story is still being worked on.
It's just gonna be slow now. I have a lot of future plot moments already worked out and ready to go, it's just writing the stuff that gets you to those moments is the hard part.
I'm really sorry for how long its taken.
And to the reviewers. Christ guys. It's a stab in the heart each time I get a note asking me to update, or wondering where the story has been. I'm so fucking sorry it took so long, but between actually writing and editing, with my current schedule I really don't have as much time as I would want.
It's gonna be slow.
But I'm still here my lovelies.
See ya next chapter,
Freedom.
p.s: the Emperor protects.