"My name is Leman Russ." He said. "So you two are the champions of the Colosseum? I assume that must mean you are the strongest warriors here."
"You would be correct in that assumption, at least discounting Lord Khorne himself." Ulthanesh said. "Grizhka and I have never been defeated, even by each other."
"It is likely I will face at least one of you, then." Leman said. "The lord of this realm intends to test my worthiness; I could scarcely think of a more fitting trial than facing his strongest warriors." He said. Grizhka scoffed.
"Then he shall find you wanting." she said.
"What makes you so sure? I have faced many great foes in my time, and each of them were laid low by my hand." he said.
"That is what they all say." Grizhka said. "Before their heads roll."
The tension grew between the two, before Ulthanesh placed herself between them.
"Let us save the hostilities for the Colosseum, no?" Ulthanesh said. Grizhka grumbled. "Apologies Leman Russ, my friend here is quite… abrasive towards newcomers." she said with a laugh.
"You are aeldari, no? It is curious to find one here, I thought they reincarnated until the fall of their empire." Leman said.
"Yes, most aeldari did. My being here is a result of my own self-exile. I betrayed a good friend, the greatest warrior I had ever known… the guilt I carried for my misdeed weighed my spirit down and carried it deep into the sea of souls. I thought I had been all but lost, but eventually found myself here and Khorne accepted me into his service." she said. Leman nodded.
"And what of you?" he asked Grizhka.
"Ha! Fat chance, wolf-boy." she said, walking off with Ulthanesh following close behind.
"See you in the Colosseum, challenger." Ulthanesh said with a small bow. Balian leaned in towards Leman.
"Rumor is that Grizhka is half-ork. It's why she's so damn strong… and cranky." Balian said surreptitiously. Leman looked at him incredulously.
"Orks reproduce asexually, through spores. They don't have females." he said, an eyebrow raised. Balian simply shrugged his shoulders.
The ancient knight led the primarch through a small portion of the fortress grounds, which in itself covered at least a kilometer. Leman's earlier thought about this place rivaling his father's palace upon Terra may not have been as exaggerated as he thought. He saw barracks, training arenas, and places of prayer to a myriad of gods and religions.
"It seems odd that the lord of this place would tolerate such things." Leman said, pointing to a church adorned with a strange symbol of an emaciated man nailed to a cross.
"Khorne is the patron of justice, martial honor, and righteous fury. It may not have a spotless track record, but in my experience, religion has always been a source of all three." Balian said. "I have wondered if he might be St. Michael, but Lord Khorne doesn't like to trouble himself with matters of theology."
"You would think that so many warriors of differing faiths would engender conflict." Leman said. Balian laughed heartily.
"Oh, Leman Russ, you have no idea. When we used receive more new souls, most would have a 'breaking in' period where they would have to be treated like wild stallions who would bludgeon anyone who came near them that looked a bit peculiar. Of course, as you've seen already, that never amounted to very much. Turns out that being able to bash someone's head in without consequence is enough to forge some fairly strong bonds of brotherhood. Well, that and the yearly beast culls. Those are a real riot." Balian said.
"Now that you mention it… I have not seen any warriors who may have been from my time, or after. Why is that? I know for a fact that the Imperium boasted some of the greatest warriors in the galaxy." Leman said proudly. Balian scratched his head.
"Yes, it is peculiar. My guess would be that something big is drawing all those souls away from this place... maybe a lot of somethings. Khorne and the other lords have been tight-lipped about it, so either they do not know or do not wish to speak of it. Though, from what we heard from those last few souls who managed to get here about 10 or 20 thousand years ago, things in the living world were not looking good, materially or spiritually." Balian said
He must be referring to Old Night… Leman thought. In which case 'not good' would be an egregious understatement.
Leman and Balian passed by a shooting range and spotted what appeared to be two sharpshooters competing. One was a human, wearing some kind of full-bodied camouflage that consisted of mock bushes and leaves, while the other was a Hrud wearing a heavy cloak over most of its body, with only its long, spindly arms visible. Both wielded lengthy projectile weapons, the human using something that looked like a down-scaled, elongated bolter with a large muzzle break, and the xenos wielding some arcane device that fired beams of blue-green plasma. Both were taking turns shooting and tallying their scores. After a few minutes, it appeared that the Hrud had emerged victorious, and the two rose to their feet, the human patting his competitor on the back and laughing.
"Does Khorne accept snipers into his service? It was my assumption that he would see dispatching one's foes from a distance as dishonorable." Leman said.
"Lord Khorne understands that marksmen have their own codes of honor. They're warriors just like the rest of us, regardless of the tools they use. In his eyes, it's more dishonorable to blame one's own defeat on the methods of the enemy rather than one's own weakness or lack of skill. After all, how are the worthy meant to punish the cowardly and dishonorable if they cannot defeat them on the field of battle?" Balian said. Leman nodded, finding it hard to disagree with the sentiment.
Except for sorcerers. He reminded himself.
As the day drew to a close, their tour was ended by a host of warriors summoning Leman to Khorne's personal fortress. They led them to a monstrous and imposing structure lined with defensive battlements and ornamental structures meant to intimidate and awe. It was a monolithic black keep, with small windows all across its surface that glowed with an orange-red light. Red banners and flags bearing the 4-horned mark of Khorne fluttered atop its many dark spires and turrets. Its entrance was marked by a great drawbridge and gate suspended over a lake of molten slag. A horn sounded from above, and the gates opened. The halls within were decorated with banners of a thousand armies from millennia past, made for the lord of war by his loyal subjects. Inanimate suits of armor of all different shapes and sizes stood watch silently along the sides of the hall, wielding arcane weapons from ages long past. They entered the lord's throne room, an ornate space that had an unrefined savagery to its design. The high walls were lined with mounted heads of monstrous beasts, and in the center sat the war god himself, reclining upon an obsidian throne.
"Greetings, Leman Russ." he said, his voice echoing throughout the spacious throne room. "Sir Balian, I request that you take your leave, the challenger and I must talk alone. I thank you for your service." Balian bowed and left the room, two great doors closing behind him.
"Quite an interesting assembly you've gathered here." Leman said. "Somehow I do not believe that you are drawing these souls here merely for your own personal entertainment. I also saw the forges beneath the plateau… are you really going to use all of that wargear for hunting beasts?" he said. Khorne shifted into an upright position, his black armor clanking and creaking.
"I am building an army." Khorne said. Leman's eyebrows rose. "So that when the time comes that I may break free of this prison, I can lay waste to those wretched pretenders who call themselves gods in our stead." he said, spitting venom when mentioning the chaos gods.
"I saw the golems working in the forges below… are those warrior souls as well?" Leman asked.
"No, it would be indecent to delegate such menial labor to fighters of such renown. The golems are constructs of clay and metal, gifted life by artificial souls. I had Tzeentch create them from his warp crystals." Leman was surprised.
"You work with the god of sorcery?" he asked.
"Of course, he is my brother. We may disagree on methods at times, but our goal is the same." he said. Leman felt a pang of sadness deep inside of him, one easily buried. "Long ago, before even Slaanesh's birth, he and I decided that we would prepare for our eventual escape. He provides plans and designs; I provide warriors and weapons. It is in brother Nurgle's nature to be passive and tend to his own flock, while Slaanesh is young and has her own matters to deal with. I do not blame them for their current… inactivity. They will have their roles to play when the time comes." Leman was taken aback. To think that this place had existed for all this time, let alone that its denizens had such ambitious designs… "I will leave it at this: you are instrumental to our plans, challenger, but only if you can prove yourself worthy. It is for this reason that I will not hold back when testing you. My trials will not be overcome easily." Leman's nerves rose, but he maintained his determination. "Tzeentch can tell you everything else you wish to know… once you have overcome his trials, as well as mine. He is, after all, the god of knowledge." Khorne said. A guard entered the room, and escorted Leman to his chambers. It was a spartan living space but had all the accommodations a warrior could need. Moreover, in its center he beheld a sight he had longed to see for some time since coming to this place: his wargear. His blue-gray artificer power armor and his frost blade Mjalnar had been repaired and polished, neither bearing even a scratch or scuff from 10,000 years of supernatural wear and tear during his time in the immaterium. He ran his hand along the smooth, metal surface of his pauldron, the ceramite feeling as though it had just come out of the furnaces which birthed it. Even his wolf-skins appeared to have been cleaned and restored. Never before had Leman seen such delicate and meticulous care given to a warrior's equipment before, and even he had to admit it impressed him. His hearts swelled at the thought of donning his custom power armor once again, even if he still held doubts as well. The moment was interrupted by the sound of a door opening behind him and the sight of a familiar face.
"Hello mister Russ!" Admu said in a hushed tone. "Uncle doesn't want me visiting you for some reason, but I thought I'd stop by and wish you luck in your battle tomorrow." she said.
"Battle?" Leman said.
"Oh, he didn't tell you? Your first trial is going to be in the Colosseum. Uncle didn't say who you'd be fighting. You can consider this a tip from me." Admu said with a wink and a wry smile. "...I was also thinking I could teach you a secret trick I learned while hunting with papa. It's really cool! What do you say?" she said. Leman sighed.
Oh what the hell. She's already here and it can't hurt to give it a try. Besides, I have no idea what I'm going to be up against… I'm going to need all the help I can get. Leman thought. "Sure." He said.
"Yay!" she said, clapping her hands. "Okay, I figured this out myself, but I might be able to help you do it, too. First, hold my hands and close your eyes." she said. Russ complied.
Is this some kind of meditation technique? I vaguely remember Dorn having some kind of meditation method he shared with his legion… Leman thought.
"Okay, now slow your breathing down as much as possible and look inward, I'll see if I can guide you to the place." she said.
Wait, guide me? To what place? He felt a presence in the darkness, like waves lapping at the edges of his consciousness. He felt a gentle hand guiding him, drawing him in, like wading into a deep and unfathomable sea. It felt cold on his skin, like the icy waters of the Fenrisian worldsea. Spreading from the guiding hand, a warmth filled his whole body that almost felt like it was burning him. He began to see pinpricks of light, sparkling and whirring around him. The turgid darkness surrounded him, and he began to feel like he was drowning. Suddenly, he found himself in a dark forest in the pitch black of night. There was no light except the light of the stars overhead, yet he could still see with almost perfect clarity. All of his senses felt supercharged, as if he were aware of everything around him all at once. The cold air scraped against the thick fur on his back. He stalked between the tall trees and thick underbrush, carried by four strong legs and guided by nothing but scent and faint trails of motion which drew his eye. He spotted a point of light in the distance between the trees and sensed the wafting smell of cooked meat, drawing him closer. The flickering of a small fire danced across his enhanced vision, and he could see a figure Illuminated by the soft orange glow. His ear twitched as he heard what sounded like a woman's voice in the distance, muffled and diffuse. As he got closer and closer to the fire and the man resting before it, the voice grew louder and more clearer, and just before he could see the man's face he finally heard what the voice was saying:
"Mister Russ, wake up!"
Leman awoke to Admu shaking him and shouting, blinking several times as his eyes re-adjusted to the light. The entire room was coated in a layer of frost, and one side of his body had almost become numb from cold. His artificer armor in the center of the room was humming and crackling intensely, generating an immense amount of power and draining the surrounding air of its heat.
The exothermic reactor in my armor activated on its own? Leman thought. Immediately the reactor began to wind down, and the ambient temperature of the room returned.
"I-I'm so sorry mister Russ, I had no idea that would happen. Are you okay?" Admu said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I'm fine, no need to worry." Leman said. "I have withstood greater frosts before." Everything around him almost seemed to be moving in slow motion. My senses are still heightened, and my body feels more powerful… Leman thought, inspecting his hand and flexing, feeling the strength coursing through his arm. though I can already feel the effect fading. Leman thought. What was that vision?
"I-I didn't think that would happen"… usually when I do it, I just feel more awake, and my eyesight gets a little better. I didn't think you would fall unconscious." she said, panicking.
"No, no, this was… enlightening." he said. If I could harness this state while remaining awake, it could give me an immense edge in battle. He thought. Though I would certainly not want to fall unconscious in the middle of a fight… and the exothermic generator in my armor activating on its own is also concerning. As far as I was aware, it was merely a power generator integrated into the suit's circuitry… I will have to investigate this further. For now, it will be best to err on the side of caution and avoid testing this 'state' in battle. Leman rose to his feet and faced Admu. "Thank you Admu, I think I will get some rest for now." he said to her. After reassuring her several times that he was alright, the worried girl reluctantly left the wolf's side. Once he was alone, Leman returned to his armor and placed his hand on the right pauldron. To his surprise, it was so hot to the touch that he nearly burned his hand. Curious indeed…
The next day, Russ awoke and eagerly donned his familiar power armor. The heavy machinery and armored plates fit perfectly, as snug and comfortable as the day it was first fitted for him. He moved his limbs, feeling the advanced servos and micromotors aiding his movements with precision accuracy. The machine spirits seemed to appreciate the repairs Khorne's golems had made and were especially cooperative. He unsheathed Mjalnar and swung at the air a few times for good measure. It felt good to have his beloved wargear returned to him, like he had been missing a limb and now finally had it re-attached.
Meanwhile, Admu was out roaming the castle grounds. She was marveling at the black spires and imposing walls of the fortress, while also greeting everyone she came across with her characteristic exuberance. She felt her stomach grumbling, so she entered one of the feasting halls where warriors were consuming copious amounts of hearty, high-protein foods in preparation for another day of training. The smell of cooked meat reminded her of the feasts in her village. She saw two women sitting at a table and overheard them talking about the newcomer, Leman Russ.
"You must be the champions of the Colosseum! Are you two talking about mister Russ?" she said. The larger of the two turned around, biting off a hunk of meat from the roasted leg of some great beast.
"Yes, the supposed 'challenger'. I give him a day until Khorne claims his soul." Grizhka said. Admu gasped.
"W-what do you mean?" Admu said.
"If he falls in Khorne's domain, his soul is forfeit to the god of war. I can tell he's a braggadocious fool just like the rest of them. I've seen a thousand warriors enter this place looking just like him, full of hubris and cocksure in their superior strength and abilities. He will be humbled by the war god's trials, I am sure of it." she said, laughing harshly.
"Hey, you shouldn't talk about mister Russ like that!" Admu said, looking upset. Grizhka rose to her feet, looking down at the girl. Ulthanesh was beginning to look worried.
"And why is that?" she said, her arms crossed.
"Mister Leman is a good person, and he's really strong too! I saw him kill a direbear to save my little brother with nothing but his bare hands!" Admu said defiantly. Grizhka laughed.
"Oh, he killed himself a beast, did he?" Grizhka said mockingly. "I've killed thousands of them. I've fought horrors that little whelp couldn't imagine." she boasted.
"You're just afraid he'll beat you!" Admu said. Grizhka's face grew serious.
"Listen here girl." she said, poking Admu's shoulder. Ulthanesh grabbed Grizhka's other arm.
"Grizhka, are you sure it is wise to treat the lord's niece in such a manne-"
"I do not care who you are, I will not have my honor impugned by an upstart braggart and his doting fawn." she said, her nostrils flaring and teeth bared. The two glared at one another and the whole room fell silent. "Is the great Leman Russ so cowardly that he sends out maidens to defend him?" Grizhka smirked. As enraged as she was, she was clearly enjoying this. "Perhaps you should have stayed in your forest, little doe, hiding along with the rest of your cowardly siblings and that pathetic excuse for a god you call father."
The black stone wall of the feasting hall shattered like glass as Grizhka's body hurtled through the air and rolled like a ragdoll upon impact. The earth crumpled as she hit the ground, the impact leaving a trail of plowed dirt until finally the brute slammed against a large tree, stopping her momentum with a loud thud.
"O-oh, I'm so sorry, I-I didn't mean to throw you so hard!" Admu said. "I mean, I did want to make you pay for saying such mean, awful, and hurtful things, but-" she was interrupted by Ulthanesh laughing uncontrollably.
"It looks like your abrasive personality and sharp tongue finally came back to bite you, old friend!" she said, wiping tears from her eyes. Ulthanesh had not laughed this hard in centuries. All Grizhka could offer in response was a small groan before going limp and falling over, blood and drool falling from her unconscious mouth.
Leman Russ emerged from Khorne's fortress, fully equipped in his wargear.
"So, you are the challenger…" said a man leaning against a nearby tree. He wore a flowing robe and two sheathed swords, and his dark, stringy hair was tied up in a bun. "My name is Musashi. It is an honor to meet you, anyone bold enough to challenge the gods has my respect." he said with a small bow. Leman reciprocated the gesture.
"I recall hearing that your performance in the Colosseum has been quite impressive." Leman said. Musashi laughed softly.
"I have yet to truly achieve the title of champion." Musashi said. "Until then, I am but a humble swordsman."
"I have seen the current champions, to reach their level is no small feat for an unaugmented man." Leman said.
"You honor me, Leman Russ." Musashi said. "In truth, I am here to escort you to the Colosseum where your trials are to be held. I am to be your first opponent."