RWBY 40k – Salem, Mistress of Inquisition.
Episode 42: Magnus and two rivals.
919.M30.
Magnus was fighting on Orgrogon. A human planet but invaded of the Ork Empire of Werdrox since a long time.
He was fighting against the Orks on the jungle planet. Under the eyes of the humans of the Orgardo civilisation who were hiding on the great trees inside their houses and suspended bridges.
Ork: "WAAAAAAGHHH!"
Magnus: "I hate your voice."
He pierced effortlessly the Orks who was facing him. Along with the rest of the XVth Legion. The battle rages against the Orks since weeks and the XVth Legion doesn't seem to see the end.
Thousand Son: "We cannot fight like that for longer father! The Orkoid Funguses are always crawling everywhere no matter what we do!"
He points out the many funguses of the jungles, where some of them arbours the same greenish colour of the Orks.
Magnus: "I don't want to destroy the forest by fire. I remind you that the Orgardo civilisation depends their lives on these trees."
At this moment, a familiar figure emerges from the Legion accompanied some of his guards. Recognizable by his black and red armour with bones appendages and his four horns on the helmet.
Marteus: "I have a solution."
Magnus: "What solution?"
Marteus: "Sometimes we have to fight the evil by evil. And so. I concocted this after a few weeks of research."
He takes out a black fungus with red points on it. His aura was sinister and dark.
Magnus: "What is that?"
Marteus: "I name it: The Dark Fungus. It will connect the Orkoid Fungus, corrupt it and destroy it."
Magnus: "And the Grimm it produces in that case?"
Marteus: "Only small ants like you can see. These Fungus are too weak to produce more dangerous creatures."
He takes out the small Grimm ant on the Fungus.
Everyone in the legion was suspicious about it, especially Magnus himself.
Magnus: "Let's give it a try."
Thousand Son: "Wait. Are you sure father?"
Magnus: "We have no other choice. We have to destroy the source of these Orks. We are still fighting against the rest of the Werdrox Empire."
Marteus: "You won't be disappointed. Believe me. (turn to the rest of the Black Phalanx). Let's do it my brothers."
And so, the Black Phalanx takes out from their armours the Funguses and planting them on the ground everywhere around the Legion.
Marteus: "We have just to wait a few hours or even days to see the first effects."
And so, in the next days. The atmosphere of the forest was slowly changing. Becoming darker and sinister each passing hours. The Dark Funguses were infecting the Orkoid Funguses before transforming them to other Dark Funguses.
Magnus could see the change of the battle, less and less Orks, Gretchins, Snotling and even Squigs are coming to reinforce the hidden Klan in the jungles.
Also, he could see that the subtle changes in the Xenos. Each time passing, they were hit by a strange disease making them weaker and weaker, even if their spirit of fight doesn't to leave them.
3 weeks passed after the planting of the funguses. The XVth Legion was inside the last region seemingly controlled by the Orks.
The Dark Fungi were everywhere on the ground, with a few Grimm ants installed on it and making colonies inside the trees.
The atmosphere of the forest was eerie, dark and heavy.
Magnus: "Here! The base of the Ork Klan is right in front of us."
The XVth Legion approached it and could see the flags of the Snakebites but the base was silent, no heavy laugh of the Orks, no mischievous steps of the Grots, not sound of Orks motors who are normally heard from miles, nothing.
Magnus: "What happened inside?"
He put his hand on the gate of the base and could see it was open. He opens it and everyone was shocked by the scene.
The Orks Snakebites were on the ground, dead. Their rotting body devoured by the Grimm ants. Their swirling red tattoos are covered in mud. Gretchins and Snotlings are also on the ground, dead. When some of thin Squigs are eating the corpse of the Orks.
Marteus: "See? Our problem has been resolved and don't worry. The Grimm ants are just like ants. The humans won't be devoured by them unless their bother their colonies."
Magnus: "…"
Magnus closed the gate of the former Ork Base, knowing it would be a loss of time to destroy this camp.
Magnus: "Let's leave this forsaken planet."
In the next days, Magnus was entering his barge inside of a great plain. While the inhabitants of the planet in question from afar were slowing exiting their arboreal houses but still hiding from the sight of the Thousand Sons. Despite the new dark and eerie atmosphere that the planet was slowly being subjected by the Dark Fungus. It doesn't seem to worsen.
Magnus: "I hope they will take care of themselves…"
He entered the barge and leave the planet, along with the others barges of the XVth Legion.
After a few moments, in the Photep. Magnus was planning at his sector map for the next campaign in against the Ork Empire. He was with the nine Chapter-Masters of the Pesedjet, the Nine Fellowships of the Legion. Marteus Olon was on the side.
Magnus: "We have two planets who are the last stop of the heart of the Werdrox Empire. But they are too far away from our Legion. And so, we have to choose one these planets to our future plan."
Chapter-Master 1: "But a lot of them are deserted planets or planets who have not the correct environment to us. We cannot place a solid base of operation on them."
Chapter-Master 2: "Do you think we have any choice? There are no other planets that we can use to use a perfect base."
But someone snorted and it was Marteus.
Marteus: "We don't need a planet. We have to find moons for us. I am sure they are better suited for us."
Magnus: "Hm… That could be a good thing."
Magnus localised the moons gravitating around the planets in question. All of them are simply inhabitable or are a very thin atmosphere. All except one.
Chapter-Master 3: "Look… A green moon around this planet!"
Chapter-Master 4: "Unbelievable. How we have missed that?"
Magnus: "Providence has smiled at us but we have to be careful. Who knows what kind of threat is awaiting us."
And so, the fleet of the XVth Legion arrived in front of the desertic planet and soon, in front of the moon in question.
By orbiting it, Magnus could see that the planet was odd in addition to be habitable. Its atmosphere was glowing in a strange energy while the forests on it were the greenest trees he has encountered.
Marteus Olon: "It's surprisingly beautiful. A bit too much to my opinion."
Magnus: "Let's take barges to better approaches it."
And so, a part of the XVth Legion leaves the fleet by barges and arrived on the planet.
When they arrived on a plain, the view was even more surprising. The sky was multi-coloured with a dominant colour of yellow. The forests and jungles were rich and luxurious. It was a perfect place for installing a base.
Magnus: "That's quite good… There is the perfect place for installing an outpost for the war against the Orks."
If the others Chapter-Masters of the nine fellowships nodded with a bit of excitation. Marteus has a mixed reaction.
Marteus: "Hmm…"
Magnus: "What?"
Marteus: "I don't know… Maybe, this is just something that I have a weird feeling. But I hope to be wrong."
Magnus: "Yes, we have to be still on guard. Because as beautiful and paradisiac it could seem to be… We don't know what kind of thing it could hide behind this nice picture. Nerveless, let's build a base."
And so, in the next days. A fortress of concrete of three battlements and a circular dungeon is built with the superior magic of the Thousand Sons. Bending the earth and the rocks to their will. With a 60 meters height wall for each of these battlements.
The Thousand Sons are waiting for the rest of the Legion who are just finished to purge the adjacent planets surrounding the Outposts and plan the purge of the Werdrox Empire.
Marteus on his side was patrolling with the Black Phalanx inside the forests in the low part of the valley where the base is installed.
He has felt that something is wrong in this part of this region as is something as dark as him was hiding and observing the base of the XVth Legion from afar. Also, something is really, REALLY odd about this moon.
It was empty of wildlife and any animals. No birds chirping, no creature growling, not even fish jumping out the water. Only the wind, only the water is disrupting the silence, without forgetting the motors of the vehicles of the Legion.
The platoon of the Black Phalanx arrived in front of the deepest forest of this valley. He could feel that something is really wrong. He is sure now: something or someone is hiding behind these trees who are apparently empty of threat. He could even guess that it not only one presence, but multiple.
Black Phalanx Astarte: "It don't trust it, brother Marteus. This is not a good idea to go inside of this forest. They are waiting for us."
Marteus: "I know but its better to be sure about it."
And so, the troops of the Black Phalanx began to go inside of the forest. The trip makes them extremely nervous. The atmosphere was very dark, contrasted by anomalously clear and beautiful forest.
More they go deeper; more they feel observed by a darker presence than themselves. They know a lot about darkness but this. This was another level; this was nothing like the Grimm who are just the most basic and surface-levelled incarnation.
And at one moment, the straw dropped with a horrible scream on of the Astarte from afar.
Marteus: "What?! What's happening?!"
Marteus accompanied by the rest of the Black Phalanx to the source of the sound, they could feel the life of the endangered Astartes slowing going to the void of death.
And when, they arrived. They were horrified to the highest by the scene in front of them.
A creature was tearing apart the body of one of the Black Phalanx Astartes. The creature was very tall, humanoid with dark purple, almost black body. Its physique is emaciated with a pronounced spine, collarbone, shoulder-blade, ribcage and pelvis. It has two sets of purple and dark-yellow striped horns sprouting from the back of it cranium and lower skull. There is dark-yellow color as the stripes. It has four digits on each hand and three digits on each foo, each ending in a pointed claw. It has a long tail that starts thin and fans out close to the tip, adorned with more dark-yellow stripes. On its it appears to wear a reptilian masque with white highlights.
The creature stopped on its tracks and turn to the rest of the Black Phalanx. It's mumbled with an ominous voice while its mouth was sealed shut.
Creature: "More… Intruders…"
Wounded Astarte: "Help me…"
Marteus: "Who you are monster?!"
Creature: "Intruders… not… welcome…"
He sliced the head of the wounded Black Phalanx Space Marine before launching itself at incredible speed and in a creepy jerky manner to another Astartes.
Marteus: "Be careful!"
But the Astartes was immobilised by an unknown fear and was stricken upon by the creature before falling on the ground.
Marteus: "By the Emperor… Shoot! Shoot!"
The Astartes aimed their Bolters to the creature before shooting. The creature scream in pain and agony by the bullets piercing its body.
Marteus: "Take that!"
He launched a blast of dark magic to the creature, launching back a few meters away. But for some reason, it doesn't affect very much.
Marteus: "What? What is that creature?! My brothers, continue shooting!"
With the reinforcements. The Astartes managed to pierce its body armour and killing the creature who falls to the ground after pushing a last scream of agony.
Marteus comes to the Astarte who was still in shock and knelled before him.
Marteus: "What happened? Why you didn't react?"
Black Phalanx Astartes: "The creature… projected… nightmares in my mind… My worst nightmares…"
Marteus: "What? Nightmares? What kind of nightmares?"
Black Phanlanx Astartes: "A daemon… killing us all… destroying the Imperium… before killing me…"
Marteus: "What?"
Black Phalanx Astartes: "Don't say I lie! This is the nightmares of all Astartes right? Even we are meant to not fear. The exception is this nightmare that haunt us all!"
Marteus was silent, the Astartes has a point about that. But it brings a much more serious question.
Marteus: "So, this creature. For some reason, has the power to force us to face our worst fears. Even the rarest… And it exploits against us. I was right that something was off with this moon… And our powers are ineffective against them."
He heard similar screams from the deeps from the forest, dozens and dozens of the same presences are coming right to them.
Marteus: "… And it seems that we are not welcome here! We have to return to the base now!"
The Black Phalanx takes the corpse of their fallen comrade with them before running away to their vehicules. They could hear the screams of the creatures running at them.
They are reaching the vehicles guarded by a small troop.
Marteus: "Let's go to the base now!"
Black Phalanx Astartes: "Why?"
Marteus: "We have to go now!"
Everyone hears the screams of the creature going to them and they quickly installed on their vehicles before driving at full speed out of the forest.
While they are driving to the base they could see from afar, because of the gigantic sight and the mountain. Marteus could see from behind the platoon, dozens and dozens of dark points could be seen.
Marteus: "I can't believe it. They won't drop easily."
Then a radio inside the car is activating.
Voice: "Marteus Olon, Captain of the Black Phalanx. Why are you coming back so rapidly. There is a problem?"
Marteus: "Dozens of unknown Xenos. They are dangerous and surprised us in the forest. One casualty. They seem to use memetic and telepathic projections to trick the Astartes. They are very dangerous because they are also resistant of the Dark Magic and magic in general."
Voice Radio: "I can see you and your troops from the dungeon on the mountain. And a pile of smoke is following you. The radar has detected more than one hundred of these Xenos pursuing you."
Marteus: "More than one hundred? This is worse than I could imagine."
Voice Radio: "How much time before you arrive?"
Marteus: "I think more than 20 minutes."
Voice Radio: "We will support you as much as we could."
Marteus: "Thanks…"
The radio closes and the pursuit continue.
After a few minutes, three Wrath Starfighter has come and began to fly above the Xenos creatures who are pursing the platoon of the Black Phalanx.
The Radio reactivated.
Voice Radio: "We are here to support you, Captain Marteus Olon. We will accompany you to the base."
Marteus: "Kill these Xenos as much as possible. If they reach us, we are dead."
Voice Radio: "Okay."
The radio closes and the Starfighters began to fire with their miniguns and missiles to the horde. If they managed to kill some of them. The majority stills continue their pursuit.
The radio reactivates.
Voice Radio: "We have managed to kill a few dozen but the rest is still coming at you."
Marteus: "Okay. We will continue to the base."
After a few more minutes, the walls of the bases are in front of the platoon. The Canons installed on it was firing on the horde who was far behind. The doors of the walls opens and the platoon managed to enter, healthy and safe. The doors close after the last vehicle entered.
Marteus goes out of his vehicle.
Marteus: "Where is father Magnus? I need to see him!"
Thousand Son: "He is preparing the defences for the upcoming horde."
Marteus: "Hm… Yes, fortunately."
Marteus runs out and goes to the high of the Battlements and find the Thousand Sons firing with the canons on the horde who was now closing the base. Magnus was there with them.
Marteus: "Father, I…"
Magnus: "Not now. You are right Marteus about this land. It hides something really creepy."
Marteus: "Hm…"
Magnus: "Now we have to let loose. Let's see if they survive the mines."
At this moment, the creatures run inside the mine part of the base. And so, some of the mines exploded, turning to shreds the unfortunate creatures. A few dozens got trapped but the rest reached the wall, plunging their claws on the rock and began to climb.
The Bolters of the Astartes pierced the bodies of the upcoming of the creatures. Managing to deal with a great part of the creatures.
But the rest arrived on the top of the battlement. Dozens of these monsters arrived and observed the closest Astartes.
Creature 1: "Intruder… so… much… intruders…"
Creature 2: "Kill…"
Creature 3: "All…"
The Astartes who was the closest are frozen in fear and so, let themselves to be smacked by the creatures. But the rest of the Astartes fires on them or charge at them with their power sword or Chain sword. Some of them tried to kill these creatures with their magic, but came to their surprise it's not working much, only pushing back the creature and make them wince a little.
But at the end, the sheer amount of the Thousand Sons overcome the strength of the creatures and the last of them are killed.
No Astartes have been killed but a lot are severely wounded. Magnus approached one of them and observes it a little.
Magnus: "This creature has a power of darkness rushing inside his existence. The same darkness inside our magic."
Marteus: "This is the thing I have realised. All of this land, of all this moon and wilderness. This is impossible that this moon could have this kind of characteristic at any moment. Unless… something makes all of this true. What could it be?"
Magnus observes the land around him and stands up.
Magnus: "Maybe I have a name in my head, no two names in particular."
Marteus: "Really? Who?"
Magnus: "The two gods. One of light, one of darkness."
Marteus: "Wait… Really?"
Magnus: "This is the only logical explanation that I came through it. After all, my mother, Lady Salem said to me that the world of Remnant was certainly not their first attempt. She has felt the experience coming from them before she has leaved the world."
Marteus: "Could it be… one their worlds. But why these creatures came to us?"
Magnus: "Just because we are not welcome here, just not supposed to be here. But no matter. This planet is our Outpost and we will purge it from these kinds of monster."
Marteus: "I can't wait to do that…"
Magnus: "But just bring some of these creatures alive. I need to study them to better my knowledge."
Marteus: "Of course…"
In the next days. Marteus travelled on the moon on the Wrath Starfighters and destroy every holdout of these dark creatures. He was heavily armed with a lot of Bolters, Lazguns, Flamethrowers and others things that brings doom to these monsters. And when there is only one survivor of these holdouts, he captures it before bring it back to the base.
And in the end, nine of the creatures are been brought back to the base after nine days of purge of the moon. In the end of the nine days, the reinforcements are arrived and the fleet of the XVth Legion has posed on the green moon. For the preparation of the next operations against the Orks.
Then, the tenth day has arrived.
While Magnus was discussing with the Chapter-Masters of the nine fellowships about their next plan. Marteus was watching the land on the top of dungeon. Seeing if he has not forgotten any holdout of these forsaken magic Xenos.
Seeing them chained inside their Adamantium cages but still ferocious and trying to catch anyone to their grip, sending them nightmares before eating them. He cannot wait to bring them back to Prospero for further studying because, unlike the other monsters he has fought before. They were something that could truly frighten him.
While he is watching the land. He could see in the sky some kind of two lights, two little stars on the daylight. But their colours are odd. One of them is pure light, when the second was dark but still shining.
Marteus: "Hm… That's odd."
He climbed on of the platform of the roof and take one of the enchanted telescopes and looks through it. The other Astartes of the Dungeon began to saw the two lights on the sky and then looks that Marteus was looking through the telescope pointing to the two lights.
The enchanted telescope was capable to have a much longer range of vision than any normal telescope. But the two lights were for now too far to be completely distinguishable.
But as they approach, Marteus began to see more and more of their details. This was some kind of two dragons. One was completely light and was a sort of serpent dragon like in the legends of the Old Terra. The second was black and was more reptilian kind of dragon, like in the legends of the former people of Frenc, Jermani and Europa.
But after a moment, he could suddenly feel their energy. And… he couldn't believe it. This energy, this… magic was so overwhelming. Not so much as the Psychic powers of the Emperor or Malcador the Sigilitte. But they are still leagues above his own magic and the other Astartes, unless they all combined their powers of course…
He backed up slowly from the telescope and he could see his fellow brothers staring at the sky. He couldn't see their face under their helmet but their body language and the deep emotions he could feel as a Converted of Darkness was… complete shock.
At this moment, Magnus comes to the roof accompanied by the nine Chapter-Captains.
Magnus: "What's happening? What is this gigantic energy?!"
Magnus turn his head to the sky and could see the two lights who are now shining the whole sky.
Magnus: "No… This is impossible!"
Marteus: "We are… We are facing…"
But before he could finish his sentence. The two lights fall from the sky and crash right in front of the group, blinding them all.
When the light subsided, they turned to the two figures and they completely shocked to their very deep core.
Two beings of at least the same height of Magnus were facing them. The first was made of pure light, some kind of humanoid male with a crown of branching antlers on his head. His completion is a softly light gold, and his build is muscular with his face devoid of features. The second was with a bit slimmer with curved, segmented horns on his head that arc back and curve upward like a goat, his form was a deep purple that seems to draw in surrounding light. Like the first one, he has a face devoid of features.
Every Astartes were shocked and afraid by the two apparitions but Magnus on his side was a bit calmer. He was facing the two gods of Remnant. The same gods who, a long time ago, has punished his mother with Immortality for a small selfish demand and conducted for terribles events that her own mother preferred to forget.
Then, one of the gods talked.
God of Light: "I have felt something was wrong with one of our planets. And I couldn't imagine that humans from Terra could have found one of our creations. Despite being hidden behind desertic planets made to be so ugly that nobody, even Orks wouldn't want to find it."
Magnus doesn't want to respond, hesitant for his response.
God of Darkness: "You are losing your time with these trespassers. I can't feel the presence of my Jabberwalkers in this planet except this place. (turn to Magnus). You. What I have you done to them?"
Magnus gather his bravery and take two steps towards the gods.
Magnus: "These monsters were threatening my sons. I had no other choice to purge them. Also, this planet is just a stop before we go back to our Crusade against the Orks of the Werdrox Empire. We won't soil this land here after that."
God of Darkness: "How dare you…"
God of Light: "Calm down… (turn to Magnus) … I advise you to leave this planet as fast as possible. You are threatening its security since you are setting foot on it."
The silence falls on the roof of the dungeon.
Magnus: "This is impossible. We are resting ourselves a little and planning our war against the Orks. The others planets are unsuitable. You have to wait a few days more…"
The tension began to raise with an increasingly frustrated God of Darkness.
God of Darkness: "Who are you to respond at us like that, human from Terra?"
Magnus: "Magnus the Red, Primarch of the XVth Legion. The greatest magician of the Imperium of Man."
God of Light: "Primarch of the Imperium of Man…? The same Imperium leaded by this human with this longevity and power?"
Magnus: "Exactly. This man."
Then, the God of Darkness blinked, seized by completed realisation before the whole Legion could feel his anger rising.
God of Light: "What?"
God of Darkness: "I just realised… Can't you feel this familiar magic inside of him? And why humans from Terra have magic in the first place? We haven't given them any of these gifts…"
God of Light: "Hm… Now you say it. It's strange what could it be?"
God of Darkness: "Don't you realise? I recognise the same power, remind yourself. Millenias ago! We have faced someone like that and it was this traitor. This… human! He is her son in addition for the human we have fought millenias ago!"
God of Light: "Wait, you said Her?"
God of Darkness: "Yes, Her. I recognized it. Her blood flows inside the veins of this human! We have sent her to the wrong planet."
Magnus: "Who are you talking about? Are you talking about my mother?! My mother Salem?!"
God of Darkness: "This is disgraceful! She has betrayed us more by sending her offsprings to take over our planets! She has gone too far!"
God of Light: "Calm down. We have to know more before taking any conclusions."
God of Darkness: "She has tricked us to fight each other once and I won't let her do anything more!"
Magnus: "You won't."
The two turns to Magnus.
Magnus: "You won't dare to threaten my mother. If you do it, you will regret deeply. She has other things to do to deal with two gods she prefers forget. Like helping the Emperor, my father to restore the race of Humanity and making them great again."
The God of Darkness, deeply angered by the phrase of Magnus. Took a few steps before approaching Magnus.
God of Darkness: "Who are you to respond like that? We created the kind of Salem and by extension herself, and since you are her son. You should pay the respect to us for this."
Magnus shakes his head.
Magnus: "I shall bow to no gods. From the Chaos Gods from any deities in the Material Universe like you. The only 'god' is my father, the Emperor. And again, he doesn't want to be considered as such."
God of Darkness: "I could erase you easily with my hand. Don't test me mortal."
He raised his hand to show his threat but Magnus doesn't back down.
Magnus: "Do your worst. Try to destroy me."
The God of Darkness was surprised by such stubbornness and his anger rise more.
God of Darkness: "So be it. If you die, you have asked for it."
His hand glow and launched a blast to Magnus. Magnus' body is covered in purple energy but nothing happens to him. To the surprise of the God of Darkness and the God of Light.
God of Darkness: "What…? What could it be…? Why I cannot destroy you?"
God of Light: "We have seriously underestimate him."
God of Darkness: "Only could happen when…"
Magnus (interrupt him): "You finally open your eyes. For all the 20 Primarchs of the Imperium of Man. I am the one who has the most inherited from my mother. All her magic to her Immortality, when this strong and enduring body was a gift of the Emperor of Mankind, my own father. It helps me to draws much more magic than anyone in my family…"
And, so the inexistant face of the God of Darkness frowns deeply.
God of Darkness: "You are much more dangerous threat than I can imagine. You are directly a threat to us, the gods. We shall stop you…"
God of Light: "My brother, don't do that!"
God of Darkness: "Open your eyes! We have a human who has the potential to outpower us! He is too dangerous and he is the son of the human that vanquished us in the past! When we tried to populate our planet with humans from Terra in the ancient times! Don't you remind the humiliation we have received?!"
Magnus widened about this information.
Magnus (thoughts): "Wait. I heard that clearly, isn't it? These gods fought against father… in a far unknown past? It's that possible? Why he had hidden this from us?"
God of Darkness: "… Imagine the repercussion of someone like him. Who could destroy all we have build in the past millions of years and condemn the Galaxy under a perpetual rule under the Human race?!"
God of Light: "I remind you that the Eldars has reigned during the same amount of time! I am sure the Old Ones has done the same thing even if we were children in the Ever After in that period!"
God of Darkness: "How you can be so delusional?... You are the one who cares about the balance. And you don't to do anything against this threat against our stature?! I believed you are better than that but you have disappointed me… again."
God of Light: "No… I forbid you to do that! This human hasn't done anything to us!"
God of Darkness: "Too late!"
He prepared on his hand a planetary blast to vaporise the whole XVth Legion and all the workers of the ships of the fleets. He was about to release it but then…
He got punched in the face by Magnus, a hard, authoritarian punch who send away the God of Darkness a little.
Everyone was shocked by this, the God of Darkness first. He looks at Magnus shocked.
Magnus: "Don't you dare to threaten my Legion and my fleet…"
The God of Darkness regain his sense and was seized by anger.
God of Darkness: "You will pay for that!"
He strikes Magnus in the face in retaliation, sending him away from the dungeon and so to the plain. The God of Darkness goes after him, willing to punish this human who dares to disrespect him like that.
The rest of the XVth Legion turns to the God of Light and send blasts of magic who are so many that they forced him to back away.
God of Light: "Idiot… You are such an idiot!"
On Magnus' side, he managed to catch himself in the sky and reach a rocky tower, in the middle of a plateau.
He was joined by the God of Darkness who placed himself meters away in front of him.
Magnus: "I have to say that I didn't see that coming. You are truly a god."
God of Darkness: "And you are a dangerous mortal."
Magnus: "Believe me. I can be more powerful than you can imagine."
He poses himself ready for the fight.
God of Darkness: "Then do your worst…"
The two looks at each other and then. Magnus goes to punch the God of Darkness. It was a dazzling blow but the God of Darkness managed to avoid it. And so, Magnus engage the fight, trying to punch the God of Darkness. The last was dodging and blocking all of his punches. At one moment, the God of Darkness runs away, pursued by Magnus. But he turns back, launched himself by the ground and delivers a punch to Magnus who has no time to react. He was sent back before recomposing and flying off the ground. The god disappeared from his sight, Magnus searches everywhere but don't detect him before the God of Darkness appeared above him and was about to punch him but Magnus avoids him before trying to strike the God of Darkness. He got chained a little before being send to the ground. He gets himself and pose to the ground, followed by the god in question who poses on a rock.
Magnus: "He is far better than I excepted. But I can still beat him. I have to tap more… in my innate energy."
God of Darkness: "I was excepting from a human like you. It's that all your strength?"
Magnus: "I was just beginning. Now… I am getting serious."
Magnus bulks up and began to tense. And the God of Darkness sees that the body of Magnus began to glow in light.
Magnus: "GnnnnnrhhhgrooooaaaaaaaAAAAAHHHH!"
And so, the body of Magnus glows more and more. Before a scarlet aura surround him completely.
Magnus: "Full power… ATTACK!"
He launched his hand to the rock, the God of Darkness managed to jump and the rock who he was installed explodes. He launched himself at great speed and managed to delivers a strike in the god left cheek before chaining him with punches in the face. And a final punch delivers to the God of Darkness who sending him away. Magnus flies under him. The God of Darkness composes himself quickly and disappear once again before kicking Magnus in the jaw. Sending him away from him.
God of Darkness: "I am surprised that you can be this far. But unfortunately for you, I have seen this kind of trick before."
Magnus: "What?"
God of Darkness: "If this all you can do. You better stop and ask for forgiveness."
Magnus looks at the God of Darkness before smirking.
Magnus: "To be fair, as it difficult it could be. I like the challenge."
The two looks each other for a moment.
God of Darkness: "Even if you are strongest than any human aside from your father. But you are still no match for me from now on."
Magnus: "Take show me your power."
God of Darkness: "You ask for it, human. You have the privilege to see the true power from a god."
The God of Darkness began to strain himself and his energy is rapidly rising. Making the sky unstable. Dark and red clouds began to form all over the place, while the rocks began shattering and floating. An invisible shield forms around the god while his purple aura becomes electrified.
Magnus was staring at him, surprised by this display of power.
Magnus: "What power, the whole moon is shaking everywhere…!"
In the XVth Legion side.
The whole legion was continuously harassing the God of Light. Everytime he tries to attack he got strike by blasts. And he was forced to only defend. The Astartes doesn't seem to weaken themselves, especially the nine Chapter Masters who are continuously sending blast after blasts without interruption. He could see they were together very strong and close to him.
Suddenly, the ground is shaking.
Astarte 1: "Wha… What is happening?!"
Astarte 2: "Why the ground is shaking?!"
God of Light: "Brother… Releasing your power will destroy the moon! I have to stop him!"
Chapter-Master: "No so fast!"
He launched several blasts to the face, hurting him a lot and forcing the God of Light to retreat.
On Magnus side.
The God of Darkness was still powering up. And it began to send winds to Magnus.
Magnus: "This power. It much more than anything!"
And after a moment, the God of Darkness released his power in form a gigantic purple light. Blinding the whole place.
When the light subsides. Silence has fallen on the plateau; the sky now clears again. But the God of Darkness was not here.
Magnus: "Everything has calmed down… This is too calm now. Where he is?"
God of Darkness: "Magnus the Red."
He turns back and see the God of Darkness behind him.
God of Darkness: "You are finished."
Magnus widened, he couldn't the power he was feeling right now and without waiting. He strikes him on the gut before punching to the ground. Magnus save himself and pose on a towering rock. He couldn't see the God of Darkness.
God of Darkness: "What's the matter. You cannot see met human?!"
Magnus got suddenly hit in the back and send away. He recomposes himself and flies over another rock tower. He sees the God in the sky, about to launch a wave of magic. He launched the blast and Magnus flies off the rock and goes to the sky, the blast exploded the rock. The God of Darkness launched another blast. Magnus narrowly avoids it but the magic of darkness was so concentrated that the armour shattered on the side who's the magic nearly hit him. Half of his red skinned torso was now exposed.
Magnus: "It was a close one… It could actually hurt me."
God of Darkness: "I am not finished."
Magnus turned to the God of Darkness and join him of the rock towers of the plateau, posing in front of him. The God of Darkness was still looking at him.
Magnus: "So much power… I have no other choice. If I have to reach him. Then, I will tap on the Darkness."
He shatters and removes the rest of the upper-part of his armour.
God of Darkness: "What's the matter? What are preparing now? Because I have enough staring at you and doing nothing to you, human."
Magnus: "You will be surprised now, God of Darkness. You will receive the same humiliation has my father has delivered to you in the past."
And so, he began to bulk up again and straining his body.
Magnus: "ROOOAAAAAHHH!"
God of Darkness: "Hm? What he is trying to do?"
And so, the muscles of Magnus began to inflate. And his skin on his muscles to turn pale as his veins turn black. His power raising dramatically.
At the other side of the moon.
Marteus who was watching the fight of the XVth Legion against the God of Light, suddenly feel the power of Magnus changing in tone.
Marteus: "No! Why he is doing this? He risks to lose himself in the darkness!"
The other Astartes could feel the power of their genetic father changing dramatically.
Master-Chapter 3: "No! What he is doing?!"
Master-Chapter 4: "If he uses Darkness. It could mean that the God of Darkness is much more horrible than we have knew!"
God of Light: "What is happening?! Why I feel your master power changing in tone?!"
On Magnus' side.
The scream and straining of Magnus could be heard in the whole plateau. His torso and his arms are covered in black veins and are entirely pale while straining and inflating more. His veins were pulsating. Under the surprised inexistant eyes of the God of Darkness.
Magnus: "ROOAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
And so, his body began to evacuate a lot of sweat and a bit of electricity before his aura releases a lot of wind and the ground trembling a little.
Magnus turns to the God of Darkness and he gritted his teeth, his implacable eyes looking at him.
Magnus: "KKRRRRRRRRHHH!"
And under the feet's of the God of Darkness, the rock tower crumbles. He has not time to react and began to fall.
Magnus: "The Full of power of Darkness!"
God of Darkness: "What?!"
Magnus launched himself against the God of Darkness, destroying his tower of rock by propelling himself. The God has not time to react and got punched in the face, Magnus kicked under him with his two legs with his now increased speed, sending him to the sky.
The God of Darkness recomposes himself, try to send him a blast but Magnus above him at a great speed. The God of Darkness launch his blast, who is avoided by Magnus who comes back and kick him and kick him in the stomach. Sending him into a small rock hill, leaving a hole behind.
The silence falls on the land for a moment before the scream of the God of Darkness is heard inside the hole of the hill. He shatters it with his hands, screaming in rage before gritting his inexistant teeth.
God of Darkness (enraged voice): "Why, you-!"
Magnus flies to him, propel himself with a rock. The God try to punch him but Magnus is faster than him and punch behind him. Sending him away. The God catches himself up on the ground before coming back in charge, his fist charged with pure dark energy.
Magnus managed to avoid his punch and strike the god in the gut. Sending him a wave of energy inside his body, making him feeling incredible pain. The two stay like that for a few second. One couldn't believe to be in so much pain when the other was looking with serious eyes and gritted teeth.
The God of Darkness walked back from Magnus, holding his belly, feeling the pain of this punch delivered by the Primarch. He even drools a little, a dark saliva that when it touches the ground, liberated small insect grimms.
Magnus was breathing heavily, trying to hold back the power of darkness that he is using right now. The God of Darkness looks at Magnus, now truly enraged and furious.
God of Darkness (hoarse voice): "How dare you…"
He launched a fist to Magnus, but Magnus catches it. He launched his other punch but Magnus catches on too. And he crushed it with all of his might. The God of Darkness groans in pain and rage. Magnus strains more but the God climbs on the shoulder of Magnus with his legs, frees his arm, preparing to deliver a blow against Magnus on his top head. But Magnus strike his head with his own head. Magnus chains the God with heavy and devastating blows. Again, and again. He makes him feel the pain of the fight. He kicked with his knee the back of the God before dumping him on the ground with the same knees. The God of Darkness screams in pain. Magnus, now too tired by holding back the darkness while trying to use it backs off a little. The God of Darkness rolls on the ground, still holding his body in pain.
He stands up and place himself on a rock hill. He looks back at Magnus, still couldn't believing that the Primarch could deliver to him so much pain.
God of Darkness: "He managed to… hurt me… this much… A son of this traitor… this miserable woman… and this Terran…!"
He cleans himself of the drool with his arm before looking at it, still covered in the same drool.
God of Darkness: "I am a God and I shed over by fighting a bastard born from Salem? This will not stand! This absolutely… absolutely will not stand!"
He finished his phrase by screaming in the sky, his voice echoing on the plateau. Intriguing Magnus but especially worrying him.
God of Darkness: "I don't need this planet anymore! I am going to crush you, along with the rest of your Legion and this moon!"
And a big purple aura surrounds the God.
Magnus: "You're going to do what?!"
The God of Darkness launched himself to the sky, way above the Primarch and transforms to his dragon form. He appears as a large, reptilian, four-legged dragon with two wings whose membranes are frayed and dotted with multiple holes in them, and even more ornately spiralled horns. His overall body is skeletal, with a face like a skull with empty eye sockets, and a row bone-like spines that run the length of his body. Despite this seemingly neutral while being a bit creepy appearance. Magnus could feel the rage of the God of Darkness while a whole purple and electric aura is covering his body.
God of Darkness: "Go ahead and try to dodge this, if you can! Even If you spare yourself, this moon will be blown in pieces!"
At his words, his mouth prepares a big ball of dark magic.
Magnus: "Damnit, he thought this through!"
At the same moment.
God of Light: "Oh no, he has lost his mind! I have to stop him right now!"
He transforms to his dragon form. His horns become whiter, longer and more streamlined. His body becomes long and serpentine. He possessed a long mane of golden hair that runs the length of his body, forming a plume at the tip of his tail as well as rather extensive facial hair that terminates in two feathery tipped whiskers. His eyes appear to emanate a pure, white glow.
He breaks out of his protection and flies off the XVth Legion.
Master-Chapter: "Hey! He is flying away! Don't let him go!"
The Chapter Masters began to fly in pursuit of the God of Light, followed by several Astartes who can also fly.
In Magnus side.
While the God of Darkness prepares his attack. Magnus was in shock.
Magnus: "I have no other choice but to risk it! ROOOAAAAH!"
Magnus is covered by a dark and red aura and joins his hands together to the sky.
And the rocks began to fly around Magnus while lightning surround the already supercharged aura of the Black Dragon.
God of Darkness: "RAAAAAAAAAHHH!"
A big ball of red energy began to form between Magnus hands.
Magnus: "A bit more! A bit more!"
The ball of darkness is growing inside the mouth of the God.
God of Darkness: "There's absolutely no way you can stop my deadliest attack!"
Magnus: "Almost there…!"
The aura of Magnus suddenly burst and shatters the rocks around him.
God of Darkness: "LET YOU AND THIS MOON TURN TO SPACE DUUUUUUUST!"
He released a gigantic blast of purple energy right to Magnus.
Magnus: "AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"
Magnus released his gigantic red wave in retaliation.
The two attacks clashed each other, shattering everything around them.
But nobody manages to have the advantage against one another.
God of Darkness: "What?! It's just like my attack!"
Magnus: "Gnnnnrhhh!"
At this time, the God of Light could see from afar the clashing of the two powers emanating from the plateau.
The God of Light: "They have to stop this madness right now!"
Master Chapter: "Father Magnus is releasing all of his power!"
Master Chapter 2: "Come back here, dragon! You won't interfere!"
At the side of the two opponents…
The two are still struggling, trying to overpower each other.
Magnus: "Gnnnnrhhh!"
God of Darkness: "RAAAAAAAAHHH!"
Magnus: "Just… a… little… bit… MORE!"
He released more of his dark energy and dark veins comes to his face and pale skin to his fingers.
But the burst of the energy, powers up more the blast of magic of Magnus and overwhelm the blast of the God of Darkness, pushing him back.
God of Darkness: "No… He's pushing back!"
And so, the wave of energy of Magnus reaches him.
God of Darkness: "WOOOUUUUAAAHHHH!"
The God of Darkness is sending by the energy to the space and then to the unknown.
Magnus stays still for a few seconds before falling on the ground, with his arms completely covered by the grimm form. Magnus breathes heavily. Trying to calm his body down.
Magnus (hoarse voice): "Come on… Go back… Go… back!"
And slowly, the black veins disappears and his skin becomes red again on his fingers, on his cheeks then his arms and neck and finally the rest of his torso. He stands up again, but still tired mentally by this strain.
But he has a vision of horror, the God of Light was above. Clearly irritated while being pursued by the Astartes.
Magnus: "Another god, another problem…"
The God of Light crashed to the ground and directly faces the Primarch.
God of Light: "You have clearly reached a point of defiance that I cannot ignore. Even if he was the one who has begun the hostilities. You are also responsible for this!"
Chapter Master: "Stop right now!"
Chapter Master 2: "We will…!"
Magnus: "Stand down Astartes!"
The Astartes stops in their tracks, unsure what to do now.
Magnus turn to the God of Light.
Magnus: "You are outnumbered right now. Without your brother, you are to fight me and my nine captains. Because I have forgotten to tell this: My nine Chapter Masters are as immortal as me. And by seeing you, you already experienced their power."
The God of Light growls.
God of Light: "I don't know if is a genetic trait passed to the line of your mother to be so defiant against us. But between the human from Terra who possess all the power of the Warp and the traitor who turned our humanity against us. I am forced to believe that's it the case."
Magnus: "We humans, bow to no gods. I am still inexperienced about the Galaxy. But believe me, the next time I will encounter you two. I will be already stronger than you. So, I suggest to keep yourself safe from now on and stay away from the Imperium affairs."
God of Light: "I won't forget this defiance, believe me. You will learn your lessons about respecting your elders in the future. Prepare yourself for our next encounter Magnus the Red. Because, us too, will drastically change and…"
While they were talking, the God of Darkness managed to exit himself from the wave of energy. He looks down on the moon was now a bit afar from him. He couldn't believe to be humiliated as this extent. Humiliated by a bastard son of the same traitorous woman who have turned Remnant's humanity against him but who is the son of the human who managed to push them out of Terra in a far past.
This humiliation pushed him to his last limits.
God of Darkness: "Damn it… Damn it… Damn it! Damn it! DAAAAMN IIIIIIIIITTT!"
He screamed so much than his body glows to a purple light.
God of Darkness: "I am the God of Darkness! I am supposed to protect and create life! And this bastard son is defying to this degree! I will send to the Void!"
He goes back to the moon at great speed.
At this moment, Magnus could feel a strange energy from the sky.
Magnus: "No… It can't be! Even with this attack he manages to come back?!"
The God of Light turned to the sky and could see the purple light come right to them.
God of Light: "You fool. What have you done?"
Magnus: "What I have done? I was protecting my fleet from you!"
God of Light: "You only managed to enrage by brother. I cannot do anything for you now."
Magnus looks coldly to the God of Light.
Magnus: "I don't want your help. He leaves no other choice. (turn to the Chapter-Captains). Astartes, protect me. I will try to recreate the Soul Bomb as Marteus teaches me."
Chapter-Masters: "Yes, father!"
Magnus backed off and hides behind the rocks and join his hands. And by telepathy he began to talk to every life on this planet.
Magnus: "Plants, nature and everything on this planet. Give me your power… To save my sons and my fleet. Just give me a bit…"
The God of Light on his side backed off from the plateau. Knowing he couldn't do anything against the rage of his brother.
The God of Darkness returned to the Plateau, crashing the ground under his claws and paws. He could see that Magnus has disappeared but the nine Astartes were waiting for him.
God of Darkness: "Where he is?! Where is this bastard of Primarch ?!"
Chapter-Master 1: "You have to search yourself, false god!"
Chapter-Master 2: "We only obey the Emperor, our Primarch and the Witch of Terra. Nobody else!"
God of Darkness: "KrrrrrrrrrrrrrRRAAAAAAAHHH!"
He launched blasts of magic against the Thousand Sons but the Thousand Sons launched a counterattack with a shoutout of magic against the God of Darkness. And since they are Immortal, they were relentless and constantly harass the God of Darkness.
Magnus on his side was beginning to concentrate the nature energy of the planet between his palms forming a small ball of light. And it was surprisingly faster that he had anticipated because he is on a planet full of magic unlike the others.
Magnus: "Come on… Give me more of your energy. Just a little bit…"
On the Astartes side.
They still harass the God of Darkness. At this moment, Marteus arrived by flying to the scene to help his brothers.
Marteus: "By the Emperor… This is intense."
The God of Darkness see the Space Marine on the sky. And he could see that the Space Marine was surrounded by complete darkness. And so, at this moment. He extent his claw toward Marteus and his body is engulfed in purple energy.
Marteus: "Wha… What is happening to me?! WOOOUAAAHH!"
Marteus body charged against his will toward one of his brothers and smacked one of them.
Chapter-Master 1: "AAAAHH!"
Chapter-Master 2: "What are you doing Marteus?!"
Marteus: "My body doesn't obey me! The God of Darkness is using me like a puppet!"
His body draws his sword against his will before charging toward the other Chapter Masters.
Chapter-Master 3: "Someone has to stop Marteus!"
Chapter-Master 4: "I am doing it!"
And while the two clashed each other. While the rest struggled more against the God of Darkness who continuous to be relentless while manipulating the body of Marteus.
Magnus on his side was finishing his preparation of his Soul Bomb and it was now the size of a melon.
Magnus: "A bit more and… it's done!"
He exited his hiding and sees the fight between his sons and the God of Darkness.
Everyone suddenly feels the power of Magnus coupled with another gigantic power on his palms.
Chapter-Master 4: "Back off! Back off my brothers!"
God of Darkness: "No! NO!"
Magnus: "This will teach you a lesson about Humanity!"
He launched the Soul Bomb right to the God of Darkness, the last managed to free himself and fly away. And the Soul Bomb was storming right to Marteus, now free from the binding of the God of Darkness.
Marteus: "No! Not me!"
Magnus: "Push it back! If your intentions are good, you can push it back Marteus! You said it yourself!"
Marteus (thoughts): "Yes… it's true I am the original creator of this technique. What the hell I was thinking ?!"
Marteus extend his arms before him and catches the Soul Bomb. It was piercing his gloves by it's energy and making him feeling so much pain by burning his skin.
Marteus: "ROOAAAAAAHHHHH!"
Marteus redirected the Soul Bomb and launched it to the God of Darkness, with this time have not the time to react. The Soul Bomb hits him.
God of Darkness (in agony): "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
And the light blinds everyone on the plateau followed by a crash on the ground.
When it subsided. Magnus and the Astartes could see that the God of Darkness was on the ground, heavily injured and unable to move. The God of Light comes to him and takes his body. He turned back to Magnus.
The God of Light: "Don't you dare to defy us again Magnus the Red. Because I will intervene this time."
He brings the unconscious body of the God of Darkness and then, flies off the sky and leaves to space. The silence falls to the plateau a moment.
Marteus: "What do we do now?"
Magnus: "We have to finish our Crusade against the Werdrox Empire. These gods won't bother us for a long time."
Marteus: "I hope so. But this was so close…"
Magnus turned his gaze to the sky, looking at it with a nervous sight.
A few months later in Terra, after Magnus destroyed the Ork Empire.
Magnus was inside the Sanctum Imperialis with a dark look. Salem comes across him and could see his expression.
Salem: "What's happening to you Magnus? You seem irritated? What happened in the Crusade of Werdrox?"
Magnus: "Hmph… Can we talk about that privately?"
Salem: "Okay…"
Magnus and Salem go alone in a room, but they are secretly followed by Ilil who were curious about it. They are arrived inside the room and closed the door. Ilil put his hear on the wood of the door.
Salem: "So, what happened?"
Magnus: "Hm… If I say it to you. Your vision will be completely shattered? Are you sure about that?"
Salem: "Go ahead. I don't want to see my sons bearing a secret who is too much to guard."
Magnus: "Brace yourself…"
Magnus began to tell what happened on his crusade and his disastrous encounter with the two gods of Remnant. Salem goes from a mild astonishment to complete shock and horror. She couldn't believe that the two gods were so adamant to threat one of her sons.
At this moment, something breaks inside of her. Her last bit of residual respect with the two gods faded and her resentment against them she has forced to bury under her work and guilt began to rise again. She was furious, a cold and silent wrath that it makes her hand squeeze so much her glass full of wine that it breaks, spilling all the wine on the ground and a bit on her dress.
Magnus: "Mother, are you alright?"
Salem recomposes herself.
Salem: "I am fine…"
Magnus: "Are you sure…?"
Salem (more irritated): "Yes, I am fine!"
Magnus: "No you are not. You are furious."
Salem: "Okay… I admit it. These gods, threatening you… Why I can still respect them after why they done to you and your Legion?!"
Magnus: "I understand why you are angered. I understand."
Salem: "Even if I admitted my mistakes. Them, they are so entitled by their pursuit of life that they threaten others. This is unacceptable. The worst is the fact they are gods and we cannot do anything against them and you survived because the God of Light was merciful to you. This is so infuriating! The only one we count is the Emperor but he has other things to do and he cannot be everywhere."
Magnus: "I am already trying to double down my training, mother. I won't let them threaten the Imperium."
Salem: "Just be careful Magnus. Be careful…"
Salem was furious but also afraid. She knows she is now facing two adversaries making this already complicated situation about the Imperium even more dangerous. Since the gods will try to take their revenge on Magnus one day or another.
To be continued… The dissatisfaction of Angron.
Angron was becoming increasingly more impatient with the promise of Salem to taking the Butcher's nails from his head. While Salem has made great advancement on the technology of the Butcher Nails. But now, Angron decided he has enough and will confront his mother. The fight risk to be really gruesome.
Next episode… The Night of the Wolf.
Since the fight between Salem and Angron. The Emperor send Leman Russ and his legion to reprimand Angron on the recently conquered planet of Ghenna. Leman Russ intended to bring Angron back to Terra for judgement and censure. While the Wolf King tried to talk sense in his blood-maddened brother, Angron refused to listen to reason. The tensions rise between the two sides before violence erupting out.
(Note: How could react Team RWBY about this Primarch fighting an actual god?)
