When Angels fall, Part 2
-0-
-0-
-0-
Even within the darkness of the tunnels, the traitors were still persistent.
Iron hands and Shadow foxes employed hit and run tactics, while the sounds of gunfire and more esoteric weaponry were brought to bare against the retreating survivors.
Battlefield fortifications were being made on the spot, while traitor forces continued to push into the labyrinthian maze of solid earth, even as the groups continued to push further into the dark.
"Incoming suppression! Get down!" Hamoto shouted as she took shelter behind a newly created trench line, the explosions of bolter fire echoed across her as she looked upon the form of Xeriik. The duo had re grouped three hours ago, they continued their retreat within the labyrinth, yet more enemies started to flood the systems as fast as they could build them.
"Die traitor!" Xeriik screamed, standing before the enemy in his Tartaros pattern armour, the rounds bounced harmlessly from him as he unleashed death into the darkness. Hamoto provided him with vital support as she used her semblance to ensure the armour's functionality and protection, even during the most stressed times.
Yet during this time, more astartes flooded the room, with these astartes giving the survivors pause for concern.
Their forms were different from their normal astartes, these were emperor's children whom were twisted and deformed into hideous faces of demented rapture, their eyes were merely pitched black as they wielded weapons unlike anything the defenders had seen before.
Yet that was when the nightmares began.
A sonic screech, this being of such pitch and frequency that even an astartes hearing was ruptured echoed through the confined corridors, the sound sent many Iron hands and shadow foxes screaming as their ears started to suffer from catastrophic ruptures and pain.
Hamoto screamed as her ears were assaulted by the sounds, her helmet did not provide her adequate protection from the sonic shock waves as she collapsed upon the floor, screaming as blood poured from her ear canals.
Xeriik's armour however, sheltered him from the shock wave, as he unleashed another volley of death into the corridor, his voice screaming defiance and rage at the marines whom just unleashed such chaos.
"Die you traitorous filth! DIE!" Xeriik bellowed as he continued to unleash volleys from his twin boltgun, his aim able to kill a few of the traitors, as others within the Morlock's took positions beside Xeriik, unleashing volleys of concentrated death to those traitors.
The sonic shock waves however did more than just dealt a telling blow to the loyalist, as the structure of the tunnel started to collapse, the shuddering of the earth telling the defenders that death by the earth is coming for them.
Xeriik barely had a moment as he watched the tunnel before him start the cascading reaction.
Yet the sounds of grunting next to him made him look in concern.
Next to him, her chakra glowing bright in a brilliant blue, stood Hamoto. She strained her chakra as she tried to hold back the compounding forces from crushing them as she strained against the weight.
"Hamoto!"
"Get moving... stay ahead of them. I will hold this up as long as I can" Hamoto said, as she could feel her chakra start to falter from the stress.
"No...no..nononono... I will not leave you!" Xeriik said as he rushed towards her, his armour holding back a colossal piece of terrain that Hamoto was holding back with her chakra.
"You have to live... I'm sorry Xeriik... I'm sorry I can't be there with you" Hamoto said, tears coming from her eyes as she looked at the staunch armoured helmet of Xeriik.
"I... I will not let you die Hamoto... You mean too much to me... I can't survive without you"
"I love you too you big dummy... I just wished we had more time" Hamoto said, as she cried before the astartes that had been given her heart.
The two were pulled out from this moment as another had rushed into the breach of their location. With a mighty yell the shadow fox glowed a fierce blue as Hamoto could feel the burden of her chakra ease off.
She looked in silent shock as another of her sisters, this being Morgan, held back the crushing tide while pushing Hamoto into the arms of Xeriik, she could only look in silent awe as she held back the titanic forces of the earth back through her fluctuating chakra.
"Morgan..." Hamoto said, her voice quiet.
"Go... Go with your love. I will hold this back"
"But sister"
"I have already lost my Gabriel. There is nothing left for me, yet I see the will of a survivor within you sister. You have a reason to persist, grasp it, hold onto him tight and never let go. Defy the enemy their victory by living, live, live old and long. Live with the one whom has your heart"
"Live! And claim your victory this day. Live!" Morgan said as her body started to flare with burst of chakra and heat as she continued to hold the access way open, Hamoto gave a nod as she pulled Xeriik along with her, the two barely making it before an explosion within the tunnel sealed the access way from pursuing enemies.
Hamoto fiddled with the helmet of Xeriik, unlocking the armoured plate she did not hesitate as she pulled the Iron hand into a tender kiss, as he merely stood there in shock at such an action. The silence of the hallway was broken as Hamoto placed her head upon his armoured chest.
"I love you... Xeriik... I don't want to let you go"
"I... I understand now... Just as you have said, my heart beats for you. If this is love, I do not want to lose it"
"Then lets go. I will watch your back, if you will watch mine"
"Always Hamoto... always"
The two continued down the corridor, rushing to return to their allies as the two continued to hold each other.
-0-
-0-
-0-
The Urgall depression was a sight of pure destruction.
Corpses of loyalist astartes and traitors lined the surface of the battlefield. While the ruins of war machines littered across the landscape in a gruesome display of mankind's savagery.
Horus looked upon the lying corpse of Bee, the warmaster looking upon him with a visual scowl upon his face.
Bee had a simple smile upon his face, as his blood covered the ground around him, his last two swords lay embedded into the ground beside the warrior as the corpses of the dead littered around the combat zone.
Horus had underestimated the power a jinchuriki held within their being.
Indeed, such power of a human sacrifice was not something to take lightly.
"Warmaster. Reports are coming in that all traces of the loyalist forces have vacated the planets surface. Seismic readings from our equipment are telling us a massive underground network is being established and expanded as we speak, yet our equipment is unable to penetrate this network due to it's size and scale."
Horus merely walked towards the lone messenger and with a swift lunge grabbed the poor person by their neck, wringing the life out of him as Horus gave a grunt of anger.
"Is there no more competence within my army? Why do you lot bring only failure when I want results!" Horus shouted, those in attendance around him looked on in fear as his brothers merely looked at the warmaster varying degree's of indifference.
Except for Angron whom only projected a look of boundless rage and bloodlust.
"Unless you want to dedicate a sizeable force to contain these loyalist upon the planet. I suggest we just virus bomb this world and be done with it" Fulgrim said, his tone carrying no mercy even as he looked upon the corpse of Bee.
"Wasting such valuable resources will hinder our future endeavours" Perturabo said, his voice resolute as he looked upon the blasted hellscape "I say we just destroy any way for the loyalist to escape and leave them here to rot"
"Their blood... Their BLOOD... I want to slaughter them in THEIR OWN BLOOD!" Angron bellowed in a haze of rage.
"I say we leave a smaller force here. Let them rip apart those foolish enough to come to the surface, and make them stay in the dark... It will make them fear to come up" Conrad said, his voice showing a demented smile as he could envision their screams as they are ripped apart when trying to act.
"And what was the status of the loyalist fleet? Has anyone seen those pesky remnants whom escaped the slaughter?" Horus said, his voice aggravated.
It seemed that Gyuki was able to not only deal a great blow to the ground forces, but also made such a ruckus in orbit with his destructive tailed beast bombs that a sizeable part of the loyalist fleet was able to exfiltrate from the orbital killing fields, though Horus had suspicions that someone within the fleet was able to tell the ruse and had set plans in motion that were not given to him.
"We will station a raiding fleet here. They will attack the remnants of the loyalist and provide a nice 'distraction' if they manage to draw some means of a counterattack. The rest will continue forth. The road to Terra will be met with resistance, yet more of our forces will bolster us as we travel"
"My..." Perturabo said "It seems you accounted for 'almost' everything. Yet next time do not let such an amateur calculation be the spanner to derail this campaign."
Horus merely gave a growl, his temper starting to boil yet he realised his brother had merit.
"Then let us depart this forsaken place. Those of you whom 'wish' to stay remember that we are on a time frame. This was merely the prologue to our liberation, Terra and our father is the main prize"
Horus looked upon the two blades that were next to Bee, in disgust he shattered the silvered steel of one of the blades, leaving the other, purple tinted blade behind, while Fulgrim merely looked upon his brother with a look of longing and frustration. He sliced the head of Bee clean off from his corpse, a prize as the primarch of the Emperor's children lead his sons with the rest of the fleet, a small splinter to remain behind to deal with any 'loyalist' threat.
-0-
-0-
-0-
The Honourbound was in need of serious repairs.
Mochigawa barely believed that they had managed to get out of that hellhole with the ship mostly intact, yet was thankful that his message among the loyalist fleet was well received.
The remnants of the fleet were hiding within a nebula on the edge of the neighbouring star system of Istvaan, earlier intel from their Raven guard allies allowed them to plan any tactical fallback points in case of scenario's like this.
Yet as the days turned into weeks, the state of the fleet was a sobering thought.
What once was a mighty fleet, numbering in the hundreds of warships, had been reduced to only about thirty left, most either being cruiser class tonnage or lower. The Honourbound was the only battleship class that managed to make it out from that crossfire as there hasn't been any others of it's size whom have managed to make it to the rally point.
"Captain... Detecting a warp transit" one of Mochigawa's officers said as a warp portal manifested itself outside of the nebular. He gave a relieved sigh as a familiar sight showed itself, it's green hull and majestic size giving him comfort.
The Framewrought, the flagship of the salamanders had survived.
Her hull was severely damaged during the fighting, entire sections of the ship were blasted apart, yet the engines fired with a bright flame as a legion's symbol still stood amidst the slaughter.
A few days later, the Fist of Iron, just as badly damaged, limped itself into the safety of the nebular.
Hailing with the other captains, Mochigawa had learned that the two flagships had warp jumped to other locations, yet had smaller skirmishes with the traitors before making their way towards this safe zone. In a way he was glad that the traitor's were dealt with, safe in the knowledge that they do not know their location.
Yet only a fool relies upon a safe haven for a long time.
So the fleet proceeded to skimmer around the local sub sectors, remaining outside of imperial spaces until they had confirmation that the planets were not compromised. With their fleet performing field repairs where they could with the few moments they had.
Eventuality the captains convened on one of the ships, the Honourbound was used as a meeting point.
"We still have not received any word from the Shadow of the Emperor. We must declare them as K.I.A until evidence provides the contrary."
"What is our plan of action? We can't just keep hiding forever."
"We need to re-establish comms with the loyalist on Isstvan." Mochigawa said.
"That is suicide. We have no intel that our forces even survived the massacre. And you want us to risk the fleet in a rescue mission?" the commander of the Fist of Iron said as the others were muttering among themselves.
"That flare that was shot into the atmosphere was a specialised flare. It was part of a tactic devised by Naruto and perfected by those within the legion."
"Elaborate" The captain of the Framewrought asked.
"It was a strategy in a worse case scenario. Where any legionnaire forces were to use any means to tunnel towards the planets mantle, establishing a base of operations and shelters for those survivors whom needed help and aid. This was part of a three step plan, the second part is to re-establish communications with all tactical assets. These include any allied fleet and planetary personnel to co-ordinate and provide intel on whatever caused the event"
"And the final part is to use those elements to strike back a hammer blow that has the element of surprise... simple, but effective"
"Yet how are we sure the enemy haven't gotten word of this tactic? How do we know it has not been compromised?"
"We have deadline checks, encrypted codes and systems that are only to be used in these scenario's. Even normal vox networks will not be able to intercept this information as the use of the dust network is paramount to it's integrity"
"And because other legions do not know how these systems work due to the constitution of chakra, they cannot plan a counter strategy. I see"
"What must we do then?"
"We cannot use any of our heavy class ships for this role, it will have to be one of the freighter classes that will need to do what is required to establish contact"
"And how is that made exactly"
"With these"
The sounds of a dozen elementians carrying a massive device into the room gave the captains pause.
On the surface, the object merely looked like a piece of rock, it wasn't until others noticed the almost runic words and the signs of refined metals within the cracks of it's surface that they realised the object is more than what is seen.
"This is a dust transonic node. We use these in elementia to establish communication lines in deep space where a more stable connection is needed. With these we can extend the range of the network by a significant margin"
"By how much?"
"It has been tested to reach a maximum repeating range of at least 0.7 light-years. With a latency range of 3 hours. Yet this method is more reliable than astropathic communications with a data integrity rate of 89 percent"
"How is it able to cover such a range with such a short latency time?"
"The seals on the object aren't merely for show. It uses a combination involving light, I do not know the details that much, yet I have been told it supercharges the signal to travel beyond what is expected"
"With the use of the freighters, we will deploy specialized infiltration jaegers to place these nodes across the distance between Istvaan and our fleet. When comms have been re-established we can co-ordinate with the planet side forces for the counter offensive"
"A sound strategy. Yet there are many factors that we cannot account for. Main one of which is if the enemy detects our warp transit"
"The forces will need to account for this and plan. Yet this is most likely the only method that has the most operational chance of success"
In the end. An agreement was reached by the allied fleet as six freighter class vessels with their additional Jaeger supports and equipment were sent out towards the nearby systems. With each step to expand the network towards Isstvan.
Mochogawa would see to the gathering of information and co-ordinating the fleet around the supposed danger zone. Yet the main burden of the mission falls to those freighters whom carried the means to save the survivors of that bloodbath.
-0-
-0-
-0-
"Lord Russ. Warp transit coming within range"
Leman Russ looked upon one of the battle barge's of his brothers legion. The symbol of Horus showed proudly upon it's hull as others appeared out of transit as well.
He counted no less than three dozen allied vessels, these were to bolster their numbers against the forces of Prospero. Leading these was a mighty battleship class of the sons of Horus, yet Leman was hailed as the projection of Maloghurst, one of Horus's most trusted advisors looked upon the primarch.
"Lord Russ"
"Maloghurst. I thought you were indisposed after your crash, Horus even said it was a miracle you had even recovered"
"It was... an exaggeration by some parties. As even with my crippled state I can still serve the warmaster and the Imperium. After all my mind is still as sharp as ever"
"I was given information that you contain the order by which my father had sanctioned. May I see it?"
Maloghurst gave a brief nod as he pulled out a glowing scroll. The symbols and writing bearing the psychic presence of the Emperor, even from such a distance.
Hana, whom stood next to Leman, felt her Haimaru twins growl next to her, yet made them be quiet while the transmission was still live.
"As you can see from the order. Magnus the red is to be given the judgement of 'excommunicate' meaning that his legion is declared to be traitors to the Imperium and is to be delivered judgement on site."
"And without any say from the accused?" Leman asked, his voice suspicious.
"It is not our place to question the will of your father lord Russ. We are merely there to enforce his will"
"I will expect great things from you lord Russ. As my father places great faith in your abilities in regards to matters such as this"
The screen projection faded as Hana walked towards the primarch.
"Leman... I can't shake off this feeling that we are making a mistake" Hana said, her tone concerned as Leman looked at her with a calm look.
"I know you mean well Hana, but there was the evidence before us. I cannot step out of line to question it"
"Kazu and Goru growled when that thing was out. They have never done that unless they knew a threat was going to hurt me" Hana said, her tone becoming emboldened as she pointed to her companions.
"Look Hana... If it gives you any comfort then we will hail the planet before we attack, if Magnus is indeed innocent then we will back off. I will try and figure out this mess and there will be no need for bloodshed"
Hana gave a relieved sigh, she knew the duties placed upon Leman but realised that this was the best she could get.
"Okay... But just... be safe please... for me"
The wolf king pulled the young astartes into his chest as his face gave her a tender kiss, her hearts fluttered wildly in her chest at how even such a simple touch made her putty in his hands.
"I promise you. I will be safe no matter what."
"My lord. The final ships of the fleet have assembled. We are ready to transit to the Amun system."
Leman steadied himself, realising that he was to lead a force to kill off a legion of the Imperium. Such a burden will cast a great weight upon his figure for years to come.
"Begin transit"
As the fleet began it's transit into the warp, Maloghurst had a sinister smile upon his face, for the plan to begin the seeds of doubt within the legions was finally about to begin.
Prospero will burn, for the liberation of all.
-0-
-0-
-0-
The great shield of Tizca glowed a brilliant blue among the skies.
Such wonders of the planet were seldom used, yet are dreaded as it only came with the onset of war.
So it is that the skies above Prospero had warp rifts appear, along with the appearance of a massive armada of Imperial ships.
Magnus gave a dreaded sigh, knowing that avoidance of bloodshed was now impossible, for the snarling figure of a wolf bared it's fangs upon his world.
The colour of frosted blue, of a planet whom bred warriors of battle, warriors of hate, warriors whom abhorred his kind.
The sons of Fenrus had reached them, as the hour of death draws ever closer.
"Father. I am unable to get a vox transmission towards the fleet, something is jamming our outbound signal."
"Keep trying my sons. We must try and reach them. The fate of countless demands we try"
A planetwide broadcast appeared across the planet. As the figure of Maloghurst looked upon all upon the planet. His face was of a grim look as he gave his words of damnation.
"Citizens of the Imperial world of Prospero. You have all been found guilty by the master of mankind. For the crimes of witchcraft, for the crimes of using forbidden sorcery. You are to be sentenced to death, your world to be reduced to ash and your lives to be forfeit as a warning to those whom wish to follow the path of damnation you have set before yourself"
'This is it little bird/ This is where you shall return my favour/ THIS IS WHERE YOU WILL BE MINE'
Magnus could feel the unnatural presence upon his mind. Yet he still clung to his hope, hoping that this can all be avoided. That he can prove his innocence.
"I object to this accusation. I OBJECT!"
The vox network opened as the face of Lumnos appeared. His command of the mighty battleship Hope's reason echoed the vox cast across the system. As even those within the fleet could see the reclusiam speak his words.
"We have never forsaken the master of mankind. We act in the name of preserving the Imperium we have bled to build, to maintain. We have only wished to act, in preventing a tragedy that would see the galaxy bathed in fire. Hear my words, know that I speak the truth. We are not traitors!"
The silence across the system was deafening. Magnus could never have felt so proud of one of his sons in that moment. As it felt that the moment could still be saved.
That moment was crushed as the first volleys of macro cannons pummelled across the hull of the Hope's reason.
"Then you shall be the first to die. Die with dignity"
Magnus could only watch in horror as the ship was destroyed, it's reactor going critical as the mighty ship fell to the surface in pieces. The skies ignited as fire wracked the planet's surface.
Already he could hear the cries of civilians and of the countless dead as the orbital fire continued. Even as his sons rushed those they could into safety it continued to rain fire.
Magnus could only watch in despair as the skies rained with endless steel, he could only watch as hope died.
-0-
-0-
-0-
Leman's hand was forced, pulled by someone other than his own.
He watched in horror as the secondary fleet proceeded to rain orbital fire across Prospero, his face unable to grasp what had just happened.
He could feel from that speech that the Thousand sons had wished to only prove their innocence, yet was helpless as they were judged all the same.
His projector showed the image of Maloghurst as the veteran had a look of irritation.
"Lord Russ. What is the delay to your forces"
"What... why didn't you let them explain? Why did you just do that?"
"Are you questioning the word of your father Lord Russ? Are you saying you sympathise with traitors?"
"No...No..I "
"Then... get... your... men... planet-side. This is not up for debate. Or do you want to be classified in the same league as your brother"
"I... understood"
"See that you do"
Leman could feel a cold sweat upon his figure as the situation slammed into him. Hana pulled his thoughts as she looked at him.
"Leman... they didn't even give them a chance... Lets just leave this mess"
"Hana"
"They can't do this... this is wrong!"
"Hana!"
She was pulled out of her talk as Leman held her in a firm hold. She could feel the great restrain upon him even as her mind was trying to make sense of all of this.
"We have no choice"
"There is always a choice. Naruto always believed in a choice"
"I don't want to lose my sons. I don't want to lose you"
"But at the cost of losing yourself?" Hana said, tears upon her eyes.
"I love you Hana. You will stay up here for your safety"
"No... no please don't do this!"
"Bulveye. See to Hana's safety, then meet with us planet-side"
Jarl Bulveye gave a salute to his primarch as he escorted Hana away from the bridge, even as she tried to speak reason to Russ.
Yet the primarch gave a resigned sigh as he ordered his legion to begin their drop, with him following in his personal thunderhawk towards the surface.
Now the planet of Prospero would be a world on fire, as defenders desperately tried to holdout and provide aid to those within while others would fight for it's death, even as their minds are filled with doubt about their purpose.
-0-
-0-
-0-
Where the surface of Isstvan was barren and dead, underneath it was a different story.
Elements of the traitors had made their way, either through trial and error or through brute force into the tunnel network that housed the loyalist legions. Entire access ways and tunnels became vicious combat zones where the sounds of gunfire, explosions and the shaking of the earth was conducted in near pitch darkness.
The loyalist, realising that the enemy is cut off from their support used their numbers to create avenues of attack, whether that was using earth jutsu users to create access corridors behind the enemy or re-enforcing their sides of the structure and deliberately burying the enemy under the sheer weight of the earth above them.
In response, the traitors employed more suicidal tactics, some even forgoing defensible positions to charge right into the loyalist and inflict as much chaos and damage as possible before they succumbed to their wounds.
A company of World eater's, these figures within cataphractii terminator armour merely raged towards the lines, their beings unable to be stopped by even concentrated fire of the loyalist within the tunnels.
Yang was still angry, as one of these mad butchers was ripping apart salamanders in it's quest to induce death. She rushed the figure, putting herself into it's striking range as her fist boiled in a golden glow, her eyes red as blood as she screamed her hatred.
The armour plating of the terminator was crushed into the astartes, the blow locked parts of the servo motors within the exoskeleton and caused other parts to seise up entirely. Yet even with such catastrophic damage, the butcher merely continued onwards, yet now Yang was within it's sights.
"BLOOD...BLOOD...GIVE ME BLOOD!" The occupant screamed, as all pain was erased from it's mind due to it's butchers nails.
Even with it's dilapidated armour, the figure rushed Yang, it's chain fist roaring as it struck towards Yang with a speed that caught her off guard.
Yang screamed as her fist were used to hold back the attack, her gauntlets were dug into as the sound of ripping metal and flesh echoed across the raging battlefield. Blood flowed across the floor as Yang used her strength to slide the fist out of the way.
In pain, Yang took a fraction of a second to inspect her arms, the metal on her metallic hand was badly damaged yet still had some functionality, her other hand suffered from heavy lacerating wounds as parts of her bone could be seen from the hacking cut.
Yet she pushed through the pain, as her hatred in her heart blazed even hotter.
Adrenaline and painkillers flooded her system as the wound scabbed over nearly instantly, her Laramans organ working overtime to stem the flow of blood, she pushed chakra back into her limbs, their functions returning yet aggravated the wounds further.
This did not matter in her mind.
She rushed the enemy again, this time she pulled at one of the arms of the terminator, and with a herculean effort, ripped it out from the body of the terminator.
Blood and sparks ruptured around their battle as she proceeded to hammer her fist into the helmet plating of the armour itself. She gripped her thighs around the neck of the astartes as they tried to pry her off with their other arm.
The terminator rushed itself into the side of the tunnel, crashing Yang into it's side repeatedly to try and pry the astartes off of it. Yet Yang persisted.
Eventually, after seconds of vicious fighting, Yang was able to rip the plate off the astartes helmet and exposed the maddening face of the terminator.
Yang had researched the other legions in her spare time, as a means of further understanding where they came from and to better herself as an ally. The tale of the world eaters in her mind was a true tragedy to most of her company.
The stories and accounts of Angron and his once family had left many wishing to try and help these people, their nature demanded that they at least try and give a helping hand to a legion that was in pain.
Yet their help was refused. Bitter hatred and rage preventing them.
Yet many had heard the stories of the fabled butchers nails, a device that was so brutal that they could only read in horror at what it does to the user.
Yet it was this knowledge that Yang used as she spotted the telltale wires behind the skull of the butcher, even as they were frothing acid upon her.
She reached into his head cavity, grasping the nails in her hand. Giving a roar of hatred, she pulled.
The effect was instant as the terminator was screaming in pain, blood and brain matter, this being of a kaleidoscope of colours started to ooze out from the nails. Yet Yang still pulled.
She pulled and pulled until the nails started giving way. Yet she still pulled with her mighty strength.
The warrior turned from screaming into shock as it's body had collapsed, their face had their eyes rolled over as blood escaped from their nose and mouth. Yet even in such a state Yang still continued to pull.
The tearing sound echoed across the battlefield, as she pulled out the mass of embedded spikes still attached to brain matter.
Yang screamed at the other butchers as she was covered in the brain's of her killed opponent, even as the butcher lied dead under her Yang rushed towards the next one.
The butchers suffered, one by one as Yang proceeded to do the same thing. Ripping apart their arm that would threaten her, smashing their helmet plate apart and ripping the nails from their skulls. Her aura continued to become more bloody and red with each vicious kill she made, each example made her look all the more vicious.
Yet it was after the battle had ended, when the dust and fighting had settled. That the true horror had shown itself to the loyalist.
Lights had shined across the corridor, as four bodies of the butchers were found, their heads suffering the same, gruesome fate as Yang was sobbing around the bodies.
Her face and body was covered in brain matter and blood, as her injuries were still raw from the use of her chakra, yet the crying sobs and the tears upon her eyes told the others a different story.
"I'm so sorry... I... I had no choice... I'm so sorry"
Yang had to be calmed down by those whom found her, as she was given to the medical personnel whom treated her wounds, yet the scars on her heart and mind were beyond their ability to heal.
Many such tales across Istvaan were considered the norm from such a vicious fight for survival.
Yet the survivors had to do what was necessary.
-0-
-0-
-0-
Prospero proved to be a formidable defence for the Imperial forces assaulting her.
Her defensive grid proved to be effective at reducing the orbital damage from their fleet ships by a large margin. What should have been a devastating orbital saturation was mostly resisted by the home world of the thousand sons.
Yet that was merely the first phase of many.
Imperial forces pushed into the surface of the planet. Yet even this was met with fierce resistance, entire sections of the planet had been reduced to slow, grinding fields of attrition. Where the thousand sons held back a tide of imperial steel that was slowly advancing to deliver a lethal strike.
Leman had already seen that his brother was not striking his forces with lethal force, instead using other means, mostly psychic powers to hinder and delay their forces. Snare fields using chants and magical incantations were used to hamper the heavy armour trying to siege the cities. Entire lines dedicated to providing shielding to defensible positions were utilized to hold back as many of their forces as possible.
To Leman, this felt like they were the enemy. Uncaring to listen to a people whom had just been judged without trial. All the while they were desperately holding out for time.
Just behind his command center was the sons of Horus, whom were the more aggressive of the forces. They were the ones whom were leading the offensive, along with those whom accompanied them to this theatre.
"I am disappointed lord Russ" Maloghurst said over the vox, his hologram showing a pitiless face.
"I was told the sons of Fenris fought with a ferocity that was legendary. Yet you are being hampered by cheap tricks employed by psykers. My father had placed too much optimism upon you. Upon your legion"
Leman let out a low growl as he felt his pride sting from such an insult.
"You watch your tongue. You think you can speak to me in such a disrespectful manner? Who do you think you are?!" Leman said, his Ire stoked.
"Then prove that my father was correct in his choice. I will give you the target of city 532-1. This should be a simple place for your men to destroy. Your orders are to be as simple as possible"
"Let none survive. No one"
The vox fell silent as Leman gave a grunt in frustration.
The wolf king was now starting to question if this was correct. Realising that something was indeed not feeling right about this entire scenario.
Where was his fathers custodians? Where was the additional forces that the Imperium would provide for such a case? The more he thought about this the more he felt the rising anxiety upon himself.
Perhaps Hana was right, what if this indeed was wrong?
Yet now he could not back out from this. For in doing so would condemn his own sons to the same fate, to be branded as traitor.
And so, with a heavy regret, he commanded his forces to destroy the city.
The fires and cries of death made him feel a bile within his gut, even as smoke and ash blotched the sky.
The assault took mere hours for his sons to accomplice, yet the death toll of the population was in the millions.
Yet even with such a force barring upon them. They did not willingly harm his men, instead pleading with them that their world was innocent, that they had done nothing against the Imperium, that they were loyal to his father and mankind.
They were given the uncaring destruction of boltguns, even as those whom did the deed felt a sickening that made them lose all sense of battle.
This was not a glorious battle, a justice against a crime.
This was an act of brutal savagery, an act that none wished to partake yet were forced to anyway.
Yet upon the front line, the thousand sons fought like titans, the abilities they utilized had stalled their forces to such a degree that many within his legion had to give them respect for utilizing their psyker powers in such unorthodox ways.
Impassable walls of psychic energy were used to create choke points, which lead to firing zones that targeted mobility and combat weaponry. Psychic powers were used to cause machinery to sputter and seize up during offensive pushes and shields of psychic energy were used to ensure the forces did not suffer unnecessary deaths as they fell back to the next section of defences.
The thousand sons fought with everything they had, the spire-guard, their personal force of mortal fighters also fought as people whom tried their hardest to give more time to those of their friends and family.
Yet through all this, they kept telling those Imperial forces that they were merely innocent, that they only wished to not be subjected to a needless death.
For many within the space wolves, this was a jarring scene, completely unlike anything they had encountered, which lead to them being rather hesitant when it came to killing these people, it was usually the intervention of the secondary forces, these being the sons of Horus and their allies whom would be instigators of the deeds, commenting that the space wolves are weak for allowing such things cloud their judgement.
It was a truly uncanny scene for the sons of Fenris, perhaps in another time or place they would not have such a view, yet their interaction with others, especially elementians, had changed them.
-0-
-0-
-0-
Time was a fickle factor when travelling through the warp.
Naruto could feel that such a concept was not universal in this realm, even as memories of a bygone time flooded his mind and soul.
The knowledge he had acquired as champion of life were erratic and spontaneous, yet it seemed that places were triggers for this knowledge to manifest, one such location was the paths within the warp that his ship was drifting across.
He sat, in meditation as the flood of memories opened. Taking great care to sort and digest each one, as each was a priceless piece of history.
He felt the warp pulse and echo around the ship, felt the realm of destruction around him, he could feel those memories, each moment that time had stored, it left him with a sense of content.
Yet he could feel a pull towards their destination, as though something wrong was happening, willing his soul outwards he glided across the warp, a figure of fire and light passing through .
His soul appeared before a world, where it should have been peaceful, only fire and death burned across it's surface.
Naruto could feel the pleas of the innocent, felt the pain and fear upon the world yet could not discern any true features, everything felt disconnected from the material, merely a spiritual connection that he was privy to witness.
He felt the presence of the architect, his mad ramblings and laughter a sight he could not forget. Yet he felt the souls of the departed become trapped in a vortex, their souls finding no release as the god eagerly organized them to be devoured utterly.
He would not let this stand.
His voice echoed across the realm in a glowing miasma of pure light, his chakra blazing across the realm as he reached out towards those souls whom were trapped.
The architect did not expect the sudden resistance, so suffered a severe burn.
It's presence had retreated from it's actions, as Naruto felt his light bathe those whom were in torment, their souls had taken refuge within his bright light.
Meanwhile, across Prospero, the moral of the defenders felt a shift, where despair and fear had gripped them, now they only felt a warmth that was caring and hopeful.
Normal people, whom had never felt such a presence within their lives felt a sense of joy within them, as this light filled their weary souls with something that they had thought would never be.
A grand light of hope touched them, as they felt that they were safe.
Magnus could feel an almost overbearing presence within the warp. For a moment he thought he could feel his father, yet this presence felt different, as though it understood his hardship, his pain, and was willing to bear it for him.
The warmth was almost soothing to the point he almost forgot his world was burning around him, even as he tried with everything he had to hold out that little bit longer.
He felt hope, something he had wanted to hold on with everything he had.
He saw the people of Prospero, renewed with energy, renewed that hope will come for them.
He saw his people fight that ever harder, their hearts now convinced they were on the right side this day, that the darkness will not claim them.
The Imperial assault was staggered in it's offensive, as they found their advance locked by the strength of mortal men and women, whom felt the burdens of their sins being taken from them and a warming embraced remained.
"Praise the Emperor! For he is with us this day!" one of the citizens of Prospero shouted among the carnage, his voice echoing across with uncanny clarity.
"Praise the Emperor! We hold for the truth!"
Leman could feel a presence, something that should have been revulsive for one as superstitious as him, yet this presence gave him a sense of longing, as though some old forgotten feeling was bubbling up within him.
It reminded of the times that he had never imagined, of a time where someone like him was able to experience a joy in living, not merely just existing, whose form was a beast.
It made him feel a sense of sombre, like something within himself was screaming out to him to stop. Yet duty pulled him back, refusing to release it's grip upon him, his pride not allowing such a thing to compel him.
In a way, he was caged, trapped by no one but himself, following an order that his so called honour compels him to follow.
It would not matter soon, Prospero has held out valiantly, the walls of Tizca proved to be as indomitable as the human spirit, yet the time of it's judgement is at hand.
The roar of a mighty volcano cannon echoed across the battlefield, a warlord Titan, one of such monstrous size that the very ground trembled during the discharge of it's weapon, had breached the outer gate of Tizca.
His sons were the first into the breach, the fighting becoming so fierce that the streets were drowning in the blood of countless. Yet where fear and pleads had once been their only response, now the voices of countless martyrs, praising his father only echoed among the population.
Leman had not seen such a shift in a population before, was it because of that presence? Could something so simple unleash such a wave of strength in the common man?
As the space wolves continued the push into the capital, the allied forces started to return their forces back to orbit, hundreds of drop ships and personnel had touched down, picking up selected members of the Imperial forces, to the confusion of others.
When asked about this, their orders are the same, that the planet will be judged soon, their forces are to be requisitioned elsewhere.
-0-
-0-
-0-
Magnus pushed back the incoming hail of bolter fire, his mind was screaming in protest as blood started to pool under his nose.
The thousand sons had been fighting for months on end, each time loosing more of their numbers. Yet Magnus could not be more proud of his sons.
If this is to be the end of them, then they will go out being vindicated.
Already he had seen the countless dead of his legion, from many of his new aspirants to even those of his highest commanders.
He still was haunted by the dead, cold look of Ahzek Ahriman, even as the bodies of fallen spire guard were laying next to him. He had died holding back an offensive by the space wolves, saving countless lives as they made their way further into Tizca's sanctuary.
Many others he saw dead, their sacrifice becoming martyrdom for those of the living, pushing them ever onwards, holding out for time.
Yet now, as they were pushed back to the point of no return by the wolves, Magnus saw the signs of his brother, rushing into the lines as his sword reaped a bloody tally.
"LEMAN!" Magnus bellowed, even with his body and mind broken he still had strength to shout.
Leman Russ had seen the shape of his brother, blood pooling across the primarch as even his eyes were bloodshot, the sight of his brother almost made Leman flinch at the reality that he had unleashed.
Yet they had crossed that bridge a long time ago, now only pain and hatred blinded them, focusing their Ire on each other.
Magnus rushed past the line, his sons still holding out as their father rushed Leman Russ, sparks of energy rushed his staff as Leman ignited his sword in arks of living lightning.
Tzeentch gave an amused laugh, it's plans had finally taken fruit, indeed a loss of other pieces within his schemes was a disappointment, yet the prize of one of the Emperor's own sons was well worth the sacrifice.
After such setbacks and derailments he was truly in a joyous mood for celebration.
'Just as planned' the architect of fate said, as he looked away from the scene, prideful that his plan had gone off flawlessly.
A flash of yellow made everyone pause, as the blade and staff of Leman and Magnus were halted by a single figure.
His presence made all the fighting within the place suddenly stop, everyone from the common man to the highest astartes within that area had merely stopped what they were doing, drawing silence.
A golden aura, beautiful and terrifying to look at covered the arena, it's energy making everyone compulsively seize in their actions.
While the eyes of Leman and Magnus looked on at the sight of their brother, a golden form covering his body as he looked upon the two, the both of them replied the same word.
"Naruto"
Above, the space wolves armada had seen no less than a dozen shadow fox ships come from warp transit, along with no less than twenty ships of majestic golden void-craft. Hundreds of drop pods rained down upon the planet, with countless ships of a majestic gold making their way planet side.
Across the planet, shadow fox drop pods slammed into active battle area's as astartes and custodians rushed out from the pods, their weapons pointed at both side as their voices bellowed out.
"LOWER YOUR WEAPONS!"
Shadow foxes stormed the lines, their boltguns pointed towards both forces as they bellowed this simple order, many within the Prospero lines dropped their guns, as they fell to their knee's, tears upon their eyes as the shadow foxes continued to force everyone into compliance.
Those of the space wolves however, were more hesitant.
It was the sight of the golden figures within their ranks that made them give pause, as these golden warriors had also pointed their weapons upon them, their voices heard among the shouting.
"Lower your weapon, space wolf! LOWER IT!"
Fear had gripped them, something alien as they watched the custodians use non lethal techniques to force the wolves to be subdued. Looks of shock and alarm on the space wolves as they questioned if they had just done a terrible mistake.
Tzeentch screamed in rage, as his well crafted plan shattered like glass before it's eyes, all from that MANGY PEST.
"Leman... what are you doing?" Naruto said, his voice quiet yet carried a profound sense of authority.
"Naruto?... Wha... Why are you here?" Leman asked, his hand shaking as it's strength started to falter.
Naruto looked upon Magnus, his eyes conveying his thoughts as he gave a small smile to his brother.
"I received your message Magnus... I have come to bring you back"
The weight upon his person slipped away as Magnus fell to his knee, tears falling from his eye as he gave sobs, realizing that the nightmare is over.
"Naruto" Leman asked, his tone now a bit more forceful "Why are you here?!"
At this Naruto unfurled a golden parchment, it's glowing ambience filling the room with it's presence while the letters themselves hummed a golden power. Leman could feel the energy clearly upon the piece as there was no question whom produced it.
"Father had sent me to retrieve Magnus, it is regarding matters upon Terra. My orders are to ensure Magnus returns unharmed along with those of his legion"
"My question to you Leman. Who gave you this order? Whom told you to kill Magnus?"
"I thought my orders from Horus were from father, he had his letter and everything"
At the uttering of that name, Naruto gave out a drawn sigh.
"Horus... of course"
"Naruto... your not making sense" Leman asked, his mind trying to digest what he was saying "What do you mean about Horus?"
"Leman... you have been lied to. Those orders did not come from father"
Leman felt a lead settle within his gut, his sword dropped as he fell to his knee's as he realized what had just happened. His voice started to crack as he tried to make sense of what was being implied.
"Th...that...means"
"Yes Leman. You were tricked into killing those loyal to father. Our brother, the warmaster... is a traitor"
-0-
-0-
-0-
Maloghurst looked at the fleet as they started their warp jump sequence, those loyal to his father were the only ones left within this fleet so the chance of others discovering this deception was slim.
"and the status of the scrap code injection?" Maloghurst asked a robed figure.
This person was more machine than man, their figure was covered in a mesh of wires and metal platings, as their multiple lenses looked upon the astartes with barely contained annoyance.
"You take me for someone incompetent? The coding delay is going as scheduled. By my calculations, the virus will be completing it's subroutine as soon as we enter warp transit"
"And you are sure your master approves of the use of this torpedo. It is a rather unique centrepiece to the Mechanicum. Surely it's deployment is warranting a much more grander purpose"
"My instructions from the fabricator general were precise. This weapon will be used to deal with a potentially loyalist legion before they become a true threat. This is it's most logical conclusion"
"To think Kelbor-Hal would allow the use of such a relic to clean up this mess should plan A not be accomplished is a rather ruthless plan. You priest are indeed rather cold when logic is concerned"
"We merely follow as our fabricator general dictates. It is his words that are closest to the machine god, this false 'omnissiah' is merely that, a false prophet"
Maloghurst had to give a chuckle, as those on Prospero did not realise the true horror that was going to be unleashed upon that world, and the steps that were made to realise it.
After all, gifting a legion with a one of a kind unique thermal nuclear torpedo with a phosphex core and injecting a specialised scrap code virus into it's embedded components was a risky move, yet he wished he was there to witness the firestorm it would unleash.
To think such a weapon is the only one of it's kind, a true horror and a death sentence to any world under it's wrath.
"I think such a torpedo should be called an Armageddon torpedo. It would be a rather fitting name for such a device" Maloghurst uttered as he visualised the hellfire that would soon consume the world utterly.
The gods demanded that Prospero burned, and so it shall.
-0-
-0-
-0-
Leman was hailed with a priority vox.
Still reeling from the shock of what he had just been told, he hesitantly answered the call.
"Father! You need to get off that planet. Now!"
"What... why?"
"One of the torpedo's... it's... we can't stop the firing sequence..." the sounds of alarms blazing in the background and of panicked personnel behind the voice made Leman's hearts run cold.
"Which one?"
"The one given to us... it's acting up... we can't... someone shut it down!"
Leman could barely tell the background noises but he could hear shouting and screams of frustration as the telltale signs of an unauthorized launch echoed across the chamber.
Leman looked up, where he was he could see the figure of his ship, the one that housed the torpedo, yet the blast of fire from it's bottom barrel made his heart sink.
Just beyond his sight, as a small unassuming figure, the torpedo sped towards it's destination.
It's detonation set the sky ablaze, the thermonuclear core igniting the ozone, the sight made everyone on Prospero look on as the twilight skies ignited in a blinding white.
Then the skies started to burn a viscous green, as a green light started to spread.
The light did not stop, even as everything was being swallowed by the green fire, clouds, colours, everything was consumed into the green.
The people on the ground started to feel a heat set itself upon then, they felt their bodies sweating as the temperature just continued to rise. The air started to become dry and arid, as even breathing for those on the planet started to become painful.
Yet it was the heat that started to become the most horrifying.
Many felt their flesh start to scorch and burn, as they started to cry out in pain as the heat continued to rise. Even astartes were not spared as they also could feel their armour start to heat up to unbearable levels.
The water of the planet was starting to flash boil as the green flames started to travel across the very skies, it was a green fire that eagerly tried to consume everything, it's appetite and disdain for all things plain for everyone to see.
"What is... this?" Leman said, his lungs coughing as the heat started to effect even his body.
He and Magnus started to cough uncontrollably as their bodies tried to find oxygen, as that chemical was being consumed by the fire.
Naruto, who's chakra and genealogy did not require such a thing, pulled the two brothers onto his shoulders, he gave a shout to those within the shadow foxes to save as many as they can.
"Take them to the shelters! We must hurry! They do not have much time!"
Naruto carried his brothers to the underground vaults of Tizca, once upon a time Magnus had shown his the majesty of his planet, showing it's many wonders as a form of repayment for his proclamation during Nikaea.
Its was this knowledge that allowed him to take his brothers and place them within the shelter, even as their bodies were continuing to cough uncontrollably.
Naruto, satisfied his brothers would be safe, started to turn around to address the green skies, when the hand of Leman barely held to him.
"phosphex... the torpedo... it contained... phosphex"
"Do not worry Leman... I will deal with it"
"There...is... no... way... We... are... going to... all burn"
"Have faith brother" Naruto said, even as Leman was coughing uncontrollably, the air now starting to hurt his lungs to even breathe.
"I will deal with this"
Leman collapsed upon the ground, his chest trying to find air as he looked at Naruto from outside of his vision.
His brother stood before the both of them, as they could see the skies becoming more destructive by the second. Naruto could see nature itself starting to self immolate as fires raged across the land and skies.
Yet he pressed his hands together, as he focused upon himself.
He stood before his partner, the mighty fox looking at Naruto with a smug look.
"What do you think?"
"Might be a bit of a challenge. It has been a long time since I have stretched my legs"
"I'm counting on you old friend. Lets show these people our strength"
"Then lets give them a true sight of what a child of chakra can do"
"Lets go. KURAMA!"
The world shuddered, golden energy started to flood the skies as those citizens whom collapsed could only watch as their bodies burned. The golden aura started to act like a liquid, finding purchase into their bodies as they found a strength they did not realise. Many breathed this energy in, hoping that it staved off the darkness for but a moment. They were rewarded with new energy, their bodies no longer protesting as the golden liquid found purchase into their bodies and souls.
The golden energy rushed out into the skies, where the green fire raged with impunity the golden energy grasped upon the fires form, a collision of energy and plasma clashing above the planets surface as a mighty roar echoed across the planets surface.
The fire was being pushed back, the heat and colour being pushed out from the skies as clouds of dark gold started to rain liquid gold upon the surface, with each drop plants had gained new life, starting a chain reaction that brought more of the golden liquid into being, pushing back the flames.
Even as it's form was being pushed, being confined against it's chemical will, the fire tried desperately to push beyond the bounds of the golden energy, yet nothing could be done as through sheer force of will the fire had to obey.
The golden energy started to coalesce into a mighty creature, this being an ancient creature of Terra, it's nine majestic tails fluttering across the skies as it gave out a victorious roar against the fire.
It's hands, those that looked human, forced the fire to compress into an even stronger form, it tried to protest against this as the fire tried to overpower this true force of Nature.
Yet Kurama would not allow it to find purchase, instead it shall be sent beyond this world, where it will find a new purpose.
It continued to squeeze the fire, making it tighter and more destructive, yet this was nothing to Kurama, even more chakra was used to compress it even tighter, until it's colour changed from a vicious green to a blindingly bright white.
With this ready, Kurama gave a mighty roar as he used his might to cast the ball out of Prospero's atmosphere.
The orb sped across the darkness of space, it's momentum not stopping even at the flames tried to desperately find release.
Yet the chakra surrounding the ball of fire would not relent, not until it followed the commands of it's maker.
The ships within the fleet had to shield their eyes as the orb of fire reached an instability.
In a flash, the light exploded into a haze of pure light.
When the flash had ended, the people of Prospero and of those within the fleet stared in awe and wonder at the impossible.
Where once, only one star had graced Prospero's skies, now two graced it.
The two stars had now danced together, a beautiful sight that made those whom had the strength to look cry in tears at such a beautiful scene.
Naruto gave a smile, even as he felt Kurama return to his sanctuary within his body.
He looked behind him to see the stunned forms of both of his brothers looking at the wonder that had just been made by chakra.
"...Impossible" Leman muttered, as he could only stare in disbelief.
Magnus had felt the sheer power behind such a feat. In his mind he could not deny the strength of his brother, the strength of the tailed beast within him.
For a long time, he had placed his belief that their father had no equal in this galaxy.
Now though... he realised that even his father could not equal the strength of his brother.
-0-
-0-
-0-
Incoming vox signal:
well hello there fellow humans.
All in all this is the second part of this chapter, just continuing parts of the story that I wanted to tell.
Betcha you guys didn't expect this aye?
But in all honesty this was the best way I could make a showing of the sheer power that is Naruto and Kurama.
This is the scaling that people were expecting last story, but I had to restrain it cause in the words of showbiz.
"Timing is everything"
Anyway. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Kinda annoyed that the email alerts for this site have been down for almost a month now, this is just stupid cause I can't even tell if ppl are reading this and all.
Really hope they get onto to that and fix their stuff ASAP.
Anyway, until the next chapter. Stay safe everyone
