Epilogue: The War within
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[Entry Log 28-136-006.M30:]
[Leonard here]
[Emma has shown remarkable progress in terms of her chakra. Already she has connected to almost all of the machinery within my lab, it is rather remarkable that she has such a control over even the most basic of their functions]
[Papa... look at this... Isn't it a pretty one?]
[Wow... that is a rather eye catching crystal you made sweetie. Can you tell Papa how you made it?]
[I used a bit of this one. And this. And a touch of this... ohh and a lot of this. Then I asked the machine to make it spark like Sphoa* kabam* and then I got this]
[Sweetie... when you talk with the machine... do you get anything weird happen to you. Something you can't explain?]
[I don't talk with the machine papa. I become the machine... like it was always a part of me... In a way I feel... happy?]
[In what way sweetie?]
[Like... like I have found a part of me that was missing... it's nice]
[Can Papa check that crystal sweetie?]
[Of course Papa]
[*sounds of machinery working*]
[remarkable... this crystal. The composition and output... this is almost the energy output I need... Emma you sweet child. Your papa is so proud of you]
[*sounds of giggling and smooches*]
[I'm glad you like it Papa... Say Papa... when are we going to try out that machine you told me not to use? You said it was what you wanted to try out]
[I still have to make sure the process is not going to cause any harm to you Emma... I would not forgive myself if you were to be harmed]
[Aww... but Papa]
[No Emma... This is final... Papa doesn't want you to suffer because I made a mistake]
[Ok papa. But when do you think it's gonna be ready?]
[Soon sweetie. Papa just has to modify some of the internals so that the data scan is not as intensive. Perhaps I can change the configuration to only account for Space and time variations only.]
[Anyway. As you can see I am going to be busy for the foreseeable future. But here's hoping the next test is rather fruitful... for all of us]
[Leonard signing off]
[And Emma too... don't forget that]
[Of course... Emma and Leonard Signing off]
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Leman felt a sickness fester inside of him.
All his actions, all that he had done in these moments, all the blood, the loss, the death that he and his sons had committed.
Was all done on the words of a lie.
Leman could only stare, his eyes vacant as memories of those he had killed filled his mind. What was normal for him during his service to his father as executioner had now come back with a vengeance, the voices of those pleading innocence as their faces looked at him, blood soaked and grasping his arms as the haunting looks of the vengeful looked at him.
He felt his hand start to shake uncontrollably, as though a basic, primal coping mechanism in his body had just left his hand nearly uncooperative with his mind.
The voices of those he had killed, of those whom he ordered to kill and those whom died in service of his orders started to pound his head, what started as hundreds started to echo in the thousands as he looked as his hands started to drip blood upon his face.
He could not believe what he had just committed, an act so brutal and savage that even now his mind was trying to cope with the magnitude of his actions. It started to make him question everything that he had done up until this point.
How many others were innocent? Who else were executed on a lie? How can one truly cope with such a horror?
In reality, Leman Russ, for all that he is and for all that he represents, was still in the end human.
The sounds of screams and pleads started to confine him within his mind, he could only give grunts as the voices became progressively louder, his blood flowed faster within his body, his eyes starting to darken as his body was reverting to it's more primal instincts.
Leman had never encountered such a trial, so his mind froze at it, while the voices continued to hammer at his sanity.
He was pulled from that dark abyss when he felt the placing of a hand upon his shoulder. Looking up, he saw the face of Naruto, looking at the primarch with a look of understanding.
"Are you alright Leman?" Naruto asked, his tone concerning.
He could only look at Naruto, pausing his thoughts as they still hammered into his raw psyche, yet Naruto could see that his brother was suffering, even though from the outside he hid it well behind a look of stoicisms.
"I...I don't... I don't know" Leman said, his voice quiet, even as the voices in his mind continued to echo within his thoughts.
Naruto took a seat beside his brother, as those survivors of the horror tried to take inventory and at least rebuild what they could from the nightmare that had just happened.
Among those, Magnus was leading the effort to rebuild, doing all that he can to help those whom needed the help.
Many of Leman's sons had returned to their battle barges within orbit, unable to cope with what they had been told and done upon the planet. Some others had kneeled before some of the survivors of the thousand sons, unable to bare the shame of what they had done.
They had asked those survivors to grant them a swift death, as penance for what they had just done in the name of a traitor. With some within the sons of Magnus telling them they will at least give them the chance to die with honour.
Many space wolves died in this way, their shame too much to bare.
Yet these deaths did nothing, merely made those thousand sons whom did the deeds hollow inside, for they knew that this would not return the dead.
Two legions had been shaken in these past months, yet somehow in this a mutual respect of each other had been made, as many within the wolves had been given help by those they once considered impure.
A lone thunderhawk landed upon the steps of Tizca, it's occupants being the medical personnel of the Apothecarion within the fleet, yet it was the footsteps on one whom rushed towards Leman, colliding with the Primarch as he looked up in surprise.
Leman looked upon the face of a familiar sight, her eyes holding back tears as she held the primarch's face into her own.
"Leman... your alive" she said, her voice relieved yet in pain.
"Hana..."
He was silenced from doing anything else as the girls aggressively pulled the primarch into a passionate embrace, Leman was unable to process this as the warmth of her lips pushed into his own.
The voices started to fade away, as though the presence of this girl started to calm the primarch's heart.
The sound of an audible slap pulled Leman out of his moment, his hand placing itself upon the reddened skin, an imprint of a hand perfectly persevered in red.
"You Idiot! You stupid, stubborn, handsome idiot!" Hana said as she repeatedly hit Leman upon his armoured chest.
Leman felt guilt as he gently touched Hana's sides, even as she still continued to hit him, eventually sniffs were heard from her as Leman could see tears within her eyes.
"When the torpedo came down... I thought... you were going to.."
"Hey" Leman said, his voice gentle as he lifted her head, looking at her black eyes
He gave her a gentle embrace, even as the sounds of her crying echoed around the area. Naruto left the two of them to their own as he walked towards Magnus instead, looking upon his brother he found his brother immersed in the effort to restore his world, many different data slates and such being handled across his being, many of these were floating in the air, held in place by his mind powers.
"How are the people?" Naruto asked, his tone hesitant.
"There... there are too many whom passed on... I don't know what we are going to do" Magnus said, his voice hollow as he looked upon the data presented to him.
"Hey... Dad didn't say when I had to get you back. So the least we can do is help you rebuild... and mourn"
"I..." Magnus said, looking at Naruto with a thankful smile "I mean, we would be honoured"
"Then lets get this started" Naruto said, his hands becoming a familiar hand sign.
"Taju Kage bushi no jutsu!"
The citizens on Prospero, whom lost so much and suffered greatly by the hand of a traitor, stared in awe as the sight of their saviour was seen across the very planet. Magnus could only stare in wonder, along with his legion as the world they had defended was being rebuilt by the strength of the one whom saved it.
Many within Prospero would call this the event when a god had saved their world, one whom walked among the people and rebuilt their way of life, it would be told through the generations as a tale of tragedy and hope, a way for the people to continue onwards in such an unforgiving galaxy.
The thousand sons would never forget this, the moment when hope stopped their world from dying.
Magnus was owed a debt by his brother, a debt he was willing to repay in any form he could, for the saving of his legion and his way of life he was willing to move the very cosmos itself.
All for an act of kindness, and act of hope.
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Drifting... floating onto the nothingness.
Such a feeling was sickening, filled with regrets, filled with grievance, a feeling that was empty.
Yet such things are meant for the living, something which he no longer was.
The dead must stay that, dead.
So why did he still have these emotions? Why was he still haunted?
'A life unfulfilled / A yearning for more / I can offer you such'
Yet is this right? I died, protecting my home, Isn't that enough?
'Yet here you are / Even within death / You still have regrets'
I should just move on... but... I have this... grudge... this burning feeling within myself... I just can't let it go.
Hatred / Powerful to many / Yet a curse if left to fester
How can I let this feeling go? Why is it such a pain?... please...help me
'You wish to stop the pain? / You wish to undo this mistake / You wish to bargain?'
I will do anything... Anything to rid me of this... this pain... please
'Then it shall be simple / a deal for your return / Yet not just you shall return'
I...what do you mean? There were... others?
'Those of you whom perished / ungrateful deaths / They all shall return'
'Yet this deal shall be set / A debt to me / A debt to change'
'Prove to me / prove your worth / My prize that I so crave'
What... what is it that you seek?
'A piece / Something from your genefather / His blood'
My... fathers... blood? Why something so simple?
'His path changed / His use is no longer / Another shall be made in his place'
I understand now... you wish to remake him, someone whom understands our pain... One to change our fate.
'little bird / You shall soar / You shall all soar'
I understand... our fate... is in your hands
It was with this that Ahzek Ahriman, first captain of the thousand sons had opened his eyes, to the shock of those whom witnessed this.
"Captain! Your... your alive?!" One of his juniors had said as they looked upon the captains person.
"I... I am... What happened?" Ahriman said.
His head was pounding, fragmented, as though all of his mind was not quite there. Bits and pieces of memories that felt off somehow, yet he could feel the beating of his two hearts.
"We... We were betrayed... But lord Naruto had saved our home... He is rebuilding as we speak"
"What? That's Impossible" Ahriman said, he felt his body protest, yet he walked towards the window in which he was able to see outside of Tizca.
The sight of a primarch, as far as the eye can see, rebuilding all that had been destroyed was a jarring sight for the Astarte.
"He saved us Captain... he saved our home" one of his juniors said, yet Ahriman was more shocked at the sight of two stars orbiting their world, a sight he did not have when he used to walk among the living.
"How... how did that happen?" Ahriman said, pointing towards the second star.
"That was lord Naruto... his power... it was incredible"
Yet his stare was pulled away when another of his brothers rushed into the room...
"Guys... the company... they... their alive! I don't know how but their alive!"
The sounds of fellow brothers helping those that were once dead was heard across the Apothecarion, to the amazement of those whom still lived after the nightmare.
"It's a miracle" one of the brothers had said, helping one of his fallen brothers recover.
Ahriman knew however, that these were not merely the dead whom walked again, yet those whom took the deal with that being.
Even as their sights were restored, even as they could feel their blood flowing once again in their veins, even as they felt the phantom pains of their deaths, they knew one truth.
They had made a deal, and they had to uphold their end of it.
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The rebuild of Prospero had taken months, yet now the damages had been restored.
The dead had been mourned and the people had rebuilt their lives from the nightmare, those astartes whom had been touched by the miracle were praised, yet Magnus looked at these returned brothers with a suspicion that made him unsettled, even though he should be happy that his sons had been given a second chance, the odds of such an event being done without a sinister plan was indeed slim.
"Magnus... are you okay?" Naruto asked his brother, the fleet of ships in orbit awaiting the final crews to begin their journey.
"I... I have reservations about those left behind... I should be glad they had returned to us... But now"
"I know what you mean... something like that is not normal" Naruto replied, his face looking at Magnus.
"I just hope I don't regret this... for both of us"
"Speaking of... any reason why Leman is running escort for us during this time?"
"Your not nervous... are you Magnus?"
"Considering the fact his legion was part of the fleet whom nearly set my world on fire... I might have some grudges against him"
The two brothers looked upon the rest of the fleet, seeing the telltale signs of the sons of Fenris trailing behind, Magnus still had some reservations against his brother, even after such a time.
"Look... I'm not asking you to forgive him overnight... but at least try and get to understand each other. This event was more traumatic to him then he would like to admit"
"Ohh... and how is being an instigator of genocide going to be more traumatic than what he has already done in times past."
"He's second guessing himself now... in a way this was the wake up he needed to question the actions of those whom lead him... You know him as being head first into whatever problem he is given"
"I would rather say he is too loyal to a fault... Loyalty can be a deadly vice if not tempered"
"Then get him to expand his view. This might actually be a good way for you two to finally settle your differences... please... I don't want you guys to be hostile on the way back... That is too much crap I need to deal with"
Magnus gave a sigh, realising that his brother had some merit.
"Fine... I will 'behave' I guess. But I am not going to tolerate him belittling me or my sons for being psykers. Not after what he had put my legion through"
"Hey.. I'll take that as a win. Now... lets get this show on the road" Naruto said, as the final aircraft's started to ascend into the skies, to the sounds of farewells from those whom still remained.
Ahriman looked at the fleeting ships, realising that the point of no return is fast approaching. He knew that those whom will follow him would be deemed renegades, or even worse traitors.
Yet it was a small price to pay to allow them a second chance at life, thanks to the god whom had given them this chance.
It would be a few weeks later, reports from Prospero would tell of missing artefacts within the library and vaults of Tizca, along with a dozen missing craft that mysteriously vanished overnight.
Chief among them, was the tome written and penned by Magnus, his repository of knowledge regarding the warp and of sorcery, along with a vial containing his blood, taken from the Apothecarion that was to be used as infusion of their gene-seed.
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"One of the fleet ships from Isstvan have arrived in Sol space... Their news is bad"
Mutters across the command deck were tense, as various conversations were exchanged in hushed whispers.
Chief among these people, stood Captain Kurosuchi of the third company, she stood in her civilian uniform, taking notes and such on her data slate.
She had been waiting for any information regarding the legions that were sent towards that confrontation yet continued to organize the logistical operations of her company.
"Well then... spit it out" Kurosuchi said, her patience being thin as she still gave her attention to the various logistical problems within her company and her fleet.
"It... it seems that... there were traitors within the fleet... They did... catastrophic damage"
gasp of shock rumbled around the room, yet Kurosuchi pulsed her chakra to demand silence, yet she still payed her attention to the other tasks at hand.
"Well... That is rather concerning. Was there a detail regarding whom had been traitors? This staggering is rather irritating to my time, so don't continue to waste it"
"The traitors... they were the Alpha legion"
"Typical... but not out of context"
"Night lords"
"That is not beyond the stretch of the imagination either."
"And..."
"And what? Spit it out! I don't have all day for this prattle"
"The...Iron Warriors"
Silence echoed through the room, the sounds of Kurosuchi tapping the data pad within her hand stopped. Many within the company looked upon each other and their captain, looks of shock and concern upon many within the company, with others stopping their task when that news had been told.
After a few minutes of silence, the voice of Kurosuchi echoed across the room
"This changes nothing... we are to still stay here within Sol, our main focus will be the fortification of Terra"
"Captain" one of her lieutenants spoke up "How would you know they will want to go for Terra?"
"Cause that's what I would say is their end goal for trying to create a successful rebellion. Strike at the heart of an Empire and upend it's leadership for the insurgents own, like many times in humanity's past"
"I am going to retire to my quarters... quartermaster, let none disturb me during my rest"
"Of course my lady" the ship quartermaster said as Kurosuchi handed her data slate to one of her juniors and proceeded to move through the ship.
The news had travelled across the ship fast, many within the company had tried to hail the Captain, yet she continued to walk towards her quarters, her face stoic and unflinching even among the hushed whispers and talks of the crew and astartes under her command.
Eventually, she reached her room. Closing the blast door and waiting for the glow of silence seals to settle, only then did Kurosuchi scream in rage as she smashed a part of the wall upon her ship.
Tears flowed across her eyes as she screamed in rage, her temper and hurt echoing from her voice as she used violence to vent out her pain and frustration.
"You stupid idiot... you stupid IDIOT!"
Her anger was vicious and dirty, the room suffering as the casualty of her outburst, yet in the end she lay upon her bed, the sounds of deep crying echoing across the room.
She pulled out from her under her uniform a simple amulet suspended upon a chain of adamantium, opening it revealed a picture, of two figures looking with smiles upon it's surface.
Even through the tears within her eyes, she took a tender finger across the figure's face, their features something she could only look upon with sombre as her voice cracked.
"Why... why did you do it... why Perti?"
Engraved upon the second half of the pendant, was a poem given to her, from the one whom made that pendant.
My heart of Iron.
Once was cold , yet warmed to your touch.
So now you hold, this heart not cold.
And forged anew in your love
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The fleets progress back to Terra was just as turbulent as the journey towards Prospero.
Naruto knew now, without a doubt that Chaos has a hand in trying to stall them, he can feel the presence of the four altering their paths within the warp, trying to stall them.
For what purpose, that was still up for debate.
"Naruto"
The vox broadcast upon Magnus's flagship echoed across the enclosed bridge, looking at his brother he could see the same look of suspicion upon his face, even as he could see his brother's eyes glow with the use of his psychic gifts.
"You feel that too don't you? The warp is really trying to hamper us"
"So it's not just me... We are being intentionally hampered on returning to Terra"
"How do you both know that is what is happening right now?" Leman said, his broadcast appearing between the two, the primarch looking a little annoyed he was left out of the initial conversation.
"This is the same thing that happened to me on my way to Prospero. Someone... or something wanted me to not be there on time... just like what is happening right now"
"I feel like we are getting nowhere with this conversation while we are still in the warp... Lets all transit out and figure out a plan. I don't trust this place with such information" Leman said, his voice cautious as he held a more serious look among his vessel.
"Alright then... lets transit out of the warp"
The fleet reappeared in real space, finding a planet that was nearby to meetup and discuss how the fleet was going to solve this conundrum.
Their position placed them a third within towards Sol, so a meeting of the different crews was organized to brainstorm a solution.
Now, the entire fleet command was meeting upon the world, a small feral world that allowed them plenty of space to flesh out a plan of attack.
"In all my years of service to your father. I have not seen the warp become so aggravated. It is as though it had an underlying presence hampering our fleet" Uzkarel Ophite said as the different members of the fleet had just discussed the anomalies happening to their fleet.
"Something... or someone doesn't want us to get back to Terra on a specific time frame... could this be related to Horus?" Magnus pondered, his voice suggesting that the Warmaster might have something to do with this.
"I... I might know what is causing this" Naruto said, making the crews and his brothers look at him with a surprising look.
"What?... then tell us Naruto" Leman asked his brother, now rather annoyed that something is hindering them.
"They... they call themselves Chaos... " Naruto said, his tone cautious "And they really Really got a bone to pick with me..."
"Warp spawns... I had encountered an anomaly within the warp in times long past" Magnus said, to the surprise of Leman
"And only now you decided to tell me this information?!" Leman said, his tone fiery as he felt a sting from his brothers words.
"Look Leman. These are not your typical Xeno or an enemy you can just power through" Naruto stated "This is something that had almost killed me twice... and almost had me kill dad"
Gasp of shock echoed around the area as this information was shared by Naruto. Leman looked at Naruto, a serious look upon his face.
"How strong do you think these 'Chaos' entities are Naruto?" Leman asked.
Naruto gave a sigh, realizing that leaving his brothers in the dark was a bad idea.
"Strong enough to make even dad fear them"
"So we are fighting against beings that we do not fully comprehend. Holding control over a realm we do not have much information on and have a serious grudge not only against you... but possibly all of us... is what you are saying" Leman said.
"I know they are right crossed with me... cause I derailed one of their plan's to..."
"To what Naruto?" Magnus asked, concern upon his voice.
"I guess it can't be avoided... Magnus... one of them wanted you. Specifically, they wanted you to willingly become their champion"
A silence swept across the area, as Magnus tried to comprehend what he had just been told, while Leman realised he had been played a fool by a thing trying to play god.
"So... what you are saying... your intervention stopped whomever tried to get me? And you think they hold a grudge against you?"
"Yea... it's name... is Tzeentch... It calls itself the changer of ways, the architect of fate"
"So this Tze"
"Don't say it's name Leman!"
Leman Russ looked at Naruto, confused at why he could not say the entities name.
"In my time with father. I had been trained to resist the warp and it's influence. To say a being's name from that realm is to invite them into yourself. I know the dangers of speaking that word, but one such as yourself, whom doesn't fully understand what you are saying... it could be disastrous"
"How bad is calling this name supposed to be Naruto?" Leman asked, now curious how a name could make his brother stop him from just saying it out loud.
"He could enter your very soul... and make you a warp portal for his minions to manifest themselves upon this world"
"So why are you able to say it's name then?" Leman asked.
"He has already tried to posses me twice, the second time he damn near made me slip into a madness that was beyond comprehension... and that was just looking at the damn thing"
"You... you have seen it?" Magnus asked, his tone shocked "And you yet still remain sane?"
"Yea... I will tell you right now... It wasn't a pleasant experience"
"So lets just say this... warp scum... is out there... what has that got to do with us being held back from Terra?" Leman asked.
"I believe... Horus is already acting on his plan, and they don't want us interfering"
"And what is that Naruto?" Magnus asked.
"Civil war" Naruto replied, his tone firm yet sombre.
Leman gave a grunt of frustration, his earlier hesitant look replaced with anger.
"Well then... what are we waiting for? A written invitation? We're gonna haul ass to Terra!"
"I think Leman has the right idea Naruto" Magnus said, agreeing with his brother "Terra would indeed be the place they would want to attack"
"Your agreeing with me Magnus?"
"Well... you bring up a good point Leman. Plus I have to at least try and give you a chance to forgive you..."
Magnus gave a startled yelp as Leman grabbed the primarch into a brotherly hug, the wolf king of Russ giving out a bellied laugh while his brother was trying to get him to drop him.
Naruto was glad that the two were willing to give each other another chance, as he could even see their legions co-operating, even during this meeting.
Naruto was pulled from his thoughts as one of his command staff rushed into the meeting area.
"Naruto! Naruto!" they shouted, the boy obviously trying to find breath.
"Woah... easy there...what's wrong?"Naruto asked, his voice calm.
"It's... We have a transmission... the signal... it's from Elementia Prime!"
Naruto wasted no time, rushing towards the communications hub that was temporarily established upon the planet, with his brothers and the other ones in command of the fleet coming behind.
"It's an astropath message... We've tried to clean the signal as best we can lord Naruto... but"
"To...To all whom can receive this message"
"Elementia request aid"
"H̸̩͝o̷̘͘s̴̯̔t̸͇́į̷͗l̵͖͝ę̶͌ ̸̥̽f̸̧͌o̷̳̒r̵̖͆c̴̳͐e̸̗̊s̴̮͐... are assaulting us... They... they have already a̶͉̐s̶͙̔s̵̪͗a̴͉̔ü̶̡ļ̷̐t̷͕͠ě̵͕d̵̘̈́ K̶͚͆̍̇ù̶̫͆͌ͅm̷̹͊͆͝o̶̹̦̒̄ ̴̨͓̣̈́͘a̴̬̅̑n̸̥̯̏̈́͝d̶̡͎̻͊ ̴̗͇̓S̸̟͎̼̒͗̚ủ̶̳̯̆̈́ṇ̶̊a̵̞̍̎͋͜ and it's even worse on T̶̖̈́e̷̺͑ȓ̶̘r̸̖͠a̸̰͂r̵̰̊i̸͍͘a̶̪͐ ̴͕͐à̷͔n̸̪͘d̶͓͌ ̶̹̃R̶̫͌e̵̥̓m̵̥̎n̸̫͆ȧ̷͈n̴͕̐t̸͕̓. Menagerie has reported they are holding them back, the planet apparently is helping."
"The forces claim they are disciples of K̸̳̃ḣ̴̪o̷͔͗ŗ̶͒n̷̠̅ĕ̶͕, and there is a presence of a legion that is hostile... ...it's the w̵̠̟̍̿͠ȍ̵̺̙̞̕͝r̴͕̱̀l̴̻̀d̸̤̒̾ ̵͇̹͚͗͗é̵̦̪́̆ǻ̸̼͉̼t̴̟͝ę̴̙̭̓͝r̴͙̋͝s̶̮̋"
"We are trying to hold out... but we can't keep this attrition... we also have VIP personnel that are absolute vital for our Legion... P̶͖̑r̷̋ͅe̶̼͒ğ̷̮ń̷̡a̵̛͔n̶̳̓t̵̑͜ ̶͕̇F̵̻́e̶̤͠m̵̹͂à̴̪l̷̰̈́ẻ̶̞ ̶̘̾ḁ̷̛s̴͇̒ṭ̸̄a̶̬͘r̵̳͝t̴̹̋e̴̛͇s̵̰͝... Please... if anyone can receive this... please... please help!"
"Their breaching the wall! Hold the line dammit...hold the Ḽ̷̑ỉ̷͕n̷͇̄ȅ̴͕!̵̘͘ ̶̱̓ĥ̶̛̲̫̳o̶͓̔l̵̪̜̄̔͒d̷͉͙̽̅ ̶̠̱̩̓̐t̵͇̑h̶̟̬͑̓͊ȩ̸̟̮͒ ̸̹̱̤͐̂͠b̸̗͓́̂̚l̵̮̪̉o̶͘͜o̵̭̮̿d̶̛͇̈́͒ỹ̸̯͌̋ ̷͉͆͐̉ḻ̷͌̏̕î̵̢͈͛͘n̶͙̿͐e̸͎͒!̶͉̹̱͛̓͗"
The message started to collapse into pure static, yet Naruto's heart sank when he heard the desperation in the voice of the transmitter.
Naruto tried to move as a reflex, yet the firm hand of Leman held his back as he tried to push away his brother.
"I... I have to go... I have to go!" Naruto shouted as his eyes were wide in panic as he tried to push out from his brother's grip.
"Naruto!" Leman shouted "You need to calm down!"
"I have to go... I … I"
Naruto fell to his knees as he started to have panic in his eyes, he looked around the crews as his breath started to become more panicked.
"Naruto... breathe brother... you need to breathe!" Leman and Magnus said as they tried to calm his brothers growing anxiety.
Naruto collapsed onto the ground as the shouts of his brothers and comrades were the last thing he heard as darkness claimed his vision.
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Naruto...
If your seeing this...then I want you to know
I know you have a duty to your fellow man... I know your soo busy in this time and you are needed everywhere.
But I just want to at least tell you this.
Look at me, I'm crying about trying to tell you about this.
But... I know if I do, you'll put down everything to be with me... I just can't do that.
I just can't.
So I'm going to say it in this message
…...
…..
…...
I'm Pregnant Naruto.
I'm Pregnant and it's a boy... it's our son
I know I should be happy and all that but I just want you here with me.
And I'm scared... I'm soo scared right now.
Elementia is being cut-off from the outer world, It's getting harder and harder to send messages into the Imperium... And we don't know why
I just wish you could come back home to be with me... to see your son being born into this world.
But I know I can't be selfish, I know that duty to your family and friends means everything to you.
So I can only hope that this message gets to you.
And know that my love is with you, even if you are at the farthest reaches of the stars, know that my heart is with you.
And when your task is done, when your comrades and friends are safe.
Then I want you to see your son
Until then... I give you my heart and love wholly
Until I see you again
Hinata
Angron looked upon the data recorder as it finished, the device was held within the hands of the captain he had just decapitated.
After the embarrassment of Isstvan, Angron had felt a frustration and hatred for the shadow foxes, yet the way to his next destination had been met with an opportunity, a lone vessel carrying the symbol of Elementia.
The small vessel was a worthy hunt, even at one point almost escaping from their clutches, yet it seems the gods favoured them as the cloaking seals upon their vessels had malfunctioned at random. Angron merely saw this as a sign that his master wished him to witness this.
The killing of the crew was a hard fought battle, yet the bloodthirsty nature of his sons was a point of honour to give them a fighting death, yet in the end, even as shinobi, his astartes were still able to claim their skulls this day.
"Father... what is your command!"
Angron's butchers nails had been silent in that single moment, yet now the nails had edged him towards what his brother had, everything that he was denied, it made the rage from the nails edge him further into a boiling point.
Why should he have such a moment given to him. Instead this will be a grand opportunity to destroy all that he cares for. Knowing that Elementia and her worlds are ripe for the harvest.
"Summon everyone... Khorne has given us an opportunity to spill blood in his name... The death of these worlds will spell the death of a legion... Summon the faithful, all shall be drown in a tide of blood and death"
"The skull throne shall be bathed in the blood of shinobi... this will be the time... the blood god demands blood... and we shall deliver!"
"BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!"
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Naruto slowly opened his eyes to a sterile room.
His head felt out of place, yet stumbled back to a sitting position, next to him was both of his brothers and Uzkarel Ophite, the three of them looked glad that Naruto had regained conscious.
"Naruto... easy... easy" Magnus said, holding Naruto back towards the bed.
"Wha... what happened?" Naruto asked, his head felt raw and sluggish.
"You suffered an anxiety attack" Leman said, his voice calm
"I... I don't remember... why did I?"
At this, Naruto had a flash of memory, his eyes widened as he realised.
"My home! I got to go back home!" Naruto said as he tried to stand up, yet the calming hand of Magnus and Uzkarel stopped him from standing.
"Naruto... you have a duty to your father... He will be expecting me with you" Magnus said, his tone sombre as he realised the situation.
Naruto, looking at the two had a look of absolute sombre upon his face as he realised the single truth.
"...Please... I don't... I don't know what to do...I don't know what to do" Naruto said, his face looking outward into nothing, tears upon the corners of his eyes.
Magnus and Uzkarel could only watch as the primarch is breaking down before them, yet Leman stood up and grabbed the primarch up by his body.
"Get up" Leman said, his voice confident.
"What does it matter" Naruto said, his tone despondent "I'm just going to return to a home that is gone"
A hard slap echoed across the room, as Naruto looked in shock as Leman hand was in post swing.
"This isn't you Naruto... where is my brother whom fought against everything for our survival... where is the brother that did not yield even when the odds were against him. Where is that brother!" Leman bellowed, his voice finding purchase upon his brother's soul at it's ferocity.
"What would you have me do Leman? What can I do?" Naruto asked him, his tone begging for an answer.
"You... are going to go home. You are going to save your world, like you saved Magnus's, like you saved me. You are going to do what you do best and make damn sure you are at your A game"
"I will bring Magnus back to Terra. On this you have my word brother. I will rather die then break it"
"Leman" Naruto said, his tone glad yet surprised.
"I will ensure lord Russ keeps his word lord Naruto" Uzkarel said, his tone formal "Your father will be told of the situation when we return to Terra. Of this you have my word"
"Naruto... go... you had saved my world, now go save yours" Magnus said, his look giving the primarch strength as he gave a grateful smile.
Naruto gave the three each a hug, his tone glad as the three of them gave their farewells to Naruto.
"Thank you... all of you... I will return to Terra... I promise"
"I'll hold you to that Naruto" Leman said, his tone playful yet glad that his brother had regained his strength.
In the end, Naruto had signalled his fleet to ready themselves. Their objective was to return home to Elementia.
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The Will of Fire struggled through the warp. It's movements were hindered to the point the navigator was stumped at what was happening.
" Thandesious... status!" Inari shouted through the vox, his voice tinged with panic at the unprecedented event happening before them.
"The warp is running wild! I am barely able to guide her through the current!"
Their ship was the only one that was hindered by the warp, the other vessels that were with them had been scattered through the currents, their fates unknown, Naruto now knew that the wrath of a god was firmly placed upon their sights.
"Inari! Have the crews ready themselves, I will try to do something to solve this problem, but I need you to listen to my instructions carefully." Naruto said, his voice firm as he rushed out of the command deck.
"Got it Naruto"
Naruto made his way through corridors and holding bays, the sounds of muttering and closed eyes looking away from the glow of the warp outside made his progress unimpeded, finally he arrived at his destination.
Upon the Will of fire, she had a unique observation deck upon the bow of her ship, it was a viewing area in which Naruto could entertain guest upon the vessel, yet now it was to be used for a purpose that was not designed for.
"Inari! Do you hear me?" Naruto said through the vox.
"Read you loud and clear big brother."
"Now I know this sounds crazy. But I need you to raise the plate shielding on observation deck 1-alpha"
"What?!" Inari said, his voice concerned "Are you crazy?! That is plain suicide"
"Inari... please. I will be fine... but I need to see what I'm about to do... I promise I'll be fine"
"Lord Naruto!" Thandesious said "If you gaze upon the warp you will go mad! I implore you that you do not do this!"
"Trust me... please... I know what I'm doing" Naruto said, his voice confident as the vibrations echoed across the ship.
A few tense minutes passed within the command deck, yet Inari gave a resolute look as he gave a slight chuckle
"Alright big brother... But you better come out okay... you hear me!"
Naruto gave a smile, as various warning sirens echoed across the observation deck. The shields started to raise as the full view of the horror that was the warp was flooded into the room.
Naruto focused his mind and soul, as his eyes looked upon the realm, his mind and soul perceived only the colours of emotions, yet he could see the rushing tidal currents caused by their turbulent clashing across the hull of his vessel.
His voice was empowered by his chakra, as his form became a combination of silver and gold. His voice echoed like a thunderbolt as the warp shuddered from it's echo.
"ᚱᛖᛚᛗ ᛟᚠ ᛞᛖᛊᛏᚱᚢᚲᛏᛟᚾ. ᚺᛖᚱ ᛗᛁ ᚢᛟᛁᚲᛖ. ᛈᚨᚱᛏ ᚦᛖᛊᛖ ᛏᛁᛞᛖᛊ, ᚷᚱᚨᚾᛏ ᚢᛊ ᛊᚨᚠᛖ ᛈᚨᛊᛊᚨᚷᛖ ᚹᛁᚦᛁᚾ ᛁᛟᚢᚱ ᚷᚱᚨᚲᛖ"
Naruto could see the tides of the warp start to ebb away from the vessel, the will of fire looked like a majestic ship making headwind within a vicious storm, yet the storm started to subside, much to the relief of the primarch.
Thandesious could only watch in wonder, as a golden light shined from the ship, a beam of pure light piercing the currents of madness and bringing order.
Yet, in that moment, when Naruto's guard was down. A thundering hail of voices echoed across the warp.
WE WILL NOT LET YOU!
The Will of Fire shuddered and twisted, as the warp tides grasped the mighty ship within it's grip. The geller field shuddered and groaned as the powers of the warp dug themselves towards the vessel, all the while it was twisting out of control within the tides of the warp.
Naruto could feel the vessel groan and start to buckle as cosmic forces pummelled it's hull, the geller field started to flicker as the energies that sustained it were being relentlessly struck by the vicious tides.
In an act of desperation, Naruto flooded his chakra into the field, hoping it could hold it through the storm. With his chakra starting to struggle against the powers of the warp. He could only watch as his ship was being swept away in a tide of power.
"EVERYONE... HANG ON!" Naruto shouted through the vox, as various alarms blared across the decks. The sounds of panicked crew echoed across the vessel as the ship was becoming almost nauseating to be within.
Naruto struggled as he watched the four grab his vessel with their power. And with a mighty throw, cast his ship out towards parts unknown in the void.
"INARI! GET US OUT OF THE WARP! NOW!" Naruto screamed, his chakra screaming at him trying to contain the power of madness from seeping into the ship. Daemons beyond counting were now attacking the geller field, their hunger and desire looking squarely at the prize set before them.
Naruto could only hope, as the ship started to blast alerts across it's many decks, it's command deck scrambling to disengage the warp drive, and the desperation of everyone to escape this sea of nightmares.
All the while, the echo of laughter, these from thirsting gods. Made the situation almost dire.
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DATA CORRUPTED FILE E-32423123-AEF-1-2... RETRYING...
….DATA INCONSISTENCIES DETECTED... UNKNOWN CORRUPTION DETECTED
….CORRECTING...CORRECTING...CORRECTING
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Well... this book has been a fun ride.
As you can see. I'm leaving you guys on a bit of a cliff here.
But this is just starting to get a little exciting.
Who knows what is going to happen? Will elementia survive? will Angron butcher all that Naruto cares about? What will happen with the Will of Fire?
All these are interesting questions... that will maybe be resolved in the next book within this series.
Now if only the email system was actually working... sigh..
Anyway... stay safe people... and I'll see you in the next one