Chapter 8.2 – The Crusade Vitae

Lorgar smashed aside the World Eater with his Power Maul, Illuminarum.

Beside him, Erebus and Kor Phaeron continued to keep the enemy at bay.

The Custodes trying to target Lorgar seemed to be frustrated by the World Eaters that kept charging in towards the Word Bearers, but none the less the Ten Thousand were proving a real threat.

"Keep pushing!" roared Ra Endymion to his kill team, "Blast the damn Astartes, focus on the Primarch!"

"Reports from the left flank!" called Kor Phaeron, as Erebus desperately avoided being cut in half by a Custodes, "The Warmaster has slain Angron! Unconfirmed reports that Magnus and the Bloody Raven have engaged Valdor and Omegon."

"Magnus was supposed to be on the RIGHT flank, what is he doing on the left?" muttered Lorgar, "We're holding the centre and the right all by ourselves."

Turning to Kor Phaeron, and deflecting a blow from Ra Endymion, Lorgar called back, "Send word to the Warmaster that we need support for the right flank! We have too much force concentrated on the left! We do NOT want to be encircled! Tell him to bring his reactionary force around to reinforce the flank edge!"

Somewhere behind the Word Bearers, a thunderous boom indicated the collapse of an allied Titan. The God Machine's torso was a burning wreck as the generator detonated in a fiery explosion scattering debris across the landscape.

"Brace!" yelled Lorgar as the shockwave from the Titan's disintegration blasted the front line of warriors. For a moment, the fighting ceased. The Custodes, World Eaters and Death Guard stood back and braced as the Word Bearers and Sons of Horus did the same. The wave passed over them, shattering nearby vehicle optics and casting unprepared mortals off their feet.

Then the fighting began again. All along the line blades clashed and bolters thundered. Lorgars sons fought to keep the Custodes back from their lord, but it was a losing battle.

"FORWARD!" screamed Ra Endymion, shoving forward with a group of Custodes.

Kor Phaeron staggered back, and Erebus was swept away in the tide of warriors. Lorgar smashed Illuminarum into the head of a nearby Custodes, caving in his helmet. For any Astartes this would have been a killing blow, but the Emperor's Chosen were greater. The Custodes jabbed his spear, forcing Lorgar to adjust to avoid a decapitating strike.

This left him open to an attack from Ra Endymion, who drove his spear into Lorgar's chest. The Word Bearer's Primarch gasped as the blade pierce several organs, blood pooling down his breastplate. He pushed back against the line, trying to make some space between him and Custodes.

"THE PRIMARCH IS WOUNDED! MAKE WAY!" called one of the Word Bearers in the frenzy, Lorgar could not tell who.

Another strike from Ra Endymion hit Lorgar in the side, a massive gash torn down his right arm. More blood poured forth, and in the confusion Illuminarum fell from Lorgar's grasp. Pulling their Primarch from harm, the Word Bearers surged forward to plug the gap and form a wall of bodies between Lorgar and the Custodes. The Golden Warriors proceeded to chew through the Grey clad warriors with greater ease, but their numbers slowed the advance and aided Lorgar's retreat.

Aided by one of his sons, once again unknown, Lorgar collapsed at the back of the line, coughing and spluttering. The wounds would heal. Such damage, whilst fatal for mortals, was just a minor inconvenience for a Primarch.

Lorgar looked up to see a stream of burning jets in the sky. A formation of Assault Marines with Jetpacks blasted across the battlefield. At their head, Sanguinius was flapping his glorious white wings, driving down to where the fighting was the thickest on the right flank.

"Not long now."

Lorgar looked up to see Erebus approaching his Lord. Somehow the Word Bearer had managed not to get skewered on the Custodes' spears.

"We haven't won yet," chided Lorgar, "The enemy is holding fast. At this rate we might need to fight them to the very gate itself."

"The left is broken," replied Erebus, taking a seat on a tall piece of debris next to his Lord and folding his arms, "Even now the forces of the Bloody Raven sweep in behind the lines of the enemy. The right flank was never truly in danger. The committed Thousand Sons and Sons of Horus are more than making their mark. From the reports we have over twice as many Titans standing than the enemy. And the Warmaster has just brought his reserves into the enemy's strongest point to break them. They are encircled and cut off from Terra. The day is won, the enemy just doesn't realise it yet."

"There is an old saying about counting avians before their eggs have matured, Erebus," said Lorgar with a shake of the head, "You might be right, but we cannot rest on our laurels. One wrong move and our entire scheme might unravel."

"Like if you were slain?" sneered Erebus.

"I am the Herald of the Fifth," growled Lorgar darkly, "The Gods Themselves said I was necessary to be there. I cannot be allowed to die here."

"Maybe one more worthy could take your place…" said Erebus innocently, "How specific were they about you being present?"

"Keep talking Erebus and I'll make sure you don't see the Imperial Palace in this lifetime…" rumbled Lorgar with annoyance.

"I know my place, My Lord," said Erebus, raising his hands, "I will be there to witness the birth same as you."

"I lost Illuminarum…" said Lorgar bitterly.

"It's the will of the Gods," replied Erebus piously, "There must be something greater in your future. Unless you no longer have the favour of the Gods…"

Lorgar forced himself up and approached Erebus, red dripping from his right arm. He back handed his son with a resounding thrack across his exposed face.

"Enough. I am not in the mood for your games, Erebus."

Erebus' face twisted into a veneer of rage, but he remained silent. Blood dripped on the ground from Lorgar's arm as he sat back down again.

A warrior painted in the designs of the Sons of Sanguinius approached the Primarch. He bowed before Lorgar and Erebus before activating his vox and reporting, "This is Sergeant Leonis Harum, Two Oh Two company. I have eyes on the Lord Lorgar Aurelian. Inform the Warmaster he is alive."

The Sergeant turned to Lorgar, "How bad are your injuries my Lord? Should I call for the Apothecaries?"

"No need," replied Lorgar, raising a hand in dismissal, "But thank you. I will heal. I just need a moment."

"Confirmation, the Primarch is wounded but not severely. Send the transport."

"Is something going on?" asked Lorgar with interest, "What is the purpose of the transport?"

"We've had a report from Lord Magnus he has broken through to the rear of the enemy," replied Sergeant Leonis, "The Warmaster wishes for you and he to be the first into the Imperial Palace. We have reports Alpharius is attempting to pull back with what force he can salvage back into the Imperial Dungeons, but we have the majority of his forces surrounded. The Warmaster wishes for his brothers and he to advance as swiftly as possible whilst the remaining forces keep the entrapped survivors bottled up. It is his hope he can secure the surrender of Alpharius and Rogal Dorn rather than be forced to slaughter the enemy to the last. If they surrender, the rest of the warriors might be spared."

"Typical of my brother," sighed Lorgar, "Very well. We shall go to him. Anything further? Any reports on Corvus?"

"Nothing direct," replied Sergeant Leonis, "Though it is most likely he remains with the forces suppressing the enemy. He has ignored the Warmaster's request for summons."

"I thought as much," muttered Erebus, "Still, the Blood God will be pleased none the less. I doubt there will be anyone left to surrender by the time it comes. If it comes."

"Is the route to Magnus secure?" asked Lorgar.

Sergeant Leonis nodded.

"The Warmaster has redirected several Titan units to hold the positions. Units of the Sons of Sanguinius report the enemy has been cleared from those sectors."

"Then let us depart," said Lorgar as the transport vehicle rumbled into to view.

The journey was uneventful. Explosions could be heard in the distance, but no bullets flew as they drove on through the wreckage of the Impossible City. Various Sons of Sanguinius gave the transport a salute as it passed by.

At last, Lorgar was greeted by the grim but victorious face of Sanguinius. Beside him stood Magnus, who seemed deep in conversation with his equerry Azhek Ahriman, the warrior dismissed back to the fighting. The Great Angel helped Lorgar out of the transport and onto his feet.

"The day is ours, brother," said Sanguinius, determination on his features, "Alpharius had retreated with a small number of warriors back into the Imperial Palace. They have a force stationed outside the gate but we can take them without issue. Magnus confirms he has slain the leader of the Ten Thousand. Angron has fallen by my hand. Nothing can stop us now."

"Praise be," replied Lorgar glancing at the collection of yellow and green in the distance.

"We should not be surprised," called Magnus as he approached his brothers, "We had Five Legions and auxiliaries. The enemy could only field Three with a two Primarchs. Three if you're generous to Valdor. Which I wasn't…"

"The Neverborn provided a welcome distraction as well…" admitted Sanguinius, "I feared we would lose as many of our own to the Neverborn as the enemy, but they appeared to focus their attacks on our foes exclusively."

"The Gods do not wish harm on us," said Lorgar solemnly, "They wish to aid us in our pilgrimage."

"Or perhaps they can sense my Primordial Essence and see us a friends," interjected Magnus, "Much as like a hive of Apidae know their kin through pheromones."

"So were are insects now, are we Magnus?" chuckled Lorgar.

"I understand the analogy," said Sanguinius with a nod, "Regardless, it played to our fortune. We shall regroup here, then advance into the Imperial Palace. If I can speak with Rogal I am certain I can make him see sense. Same with Alpharius."

"Omegon," muttered Magnus under his breath.

"With their surrender I shall allow any of their sons that remain alive here to return to their service," concluded Sanguinius, "I have no interest in butchering an enemy who surrenders. If possible we will revive the fallen as well. Father will be put on trial for crimes against the Imperium, and we shall establish a regency council to rule in his stead. With your Primordial Essence we should be able to suppress him. Is your work ready, Magnus?"

"Well… almost," replied Magnus doubtfully, "Its missing... something. I sensed it before… the missing piece… but I don't have it yet. Its still a powerful energy core. Even without being a full Primordial Essence I believe I can use its power to accomplish what we need. I can suppress Father and his abilities."

"And Horus?"

"I have scraped his soul essence from the warp," nodded Magnus, lifting up a small lantern like container within which flickered a small, grey flame, "I will restore Horus' body and then replenish his vessel with this spirit. From this, he should return to life. The Primordial Essence will need to be complete to do this on a large scale, but it should be enough for a single restoration."

"It's a start…" murmured Sanguinius, "Forgive me, Ezekyle, have a little patience and I swear we will restore you too…"

"Hmm?" asked Magnus, not hearing his brother's words.

"Nothing, do not worry brother," replied Sanguinius shaking his head. He caught Lorgar's glance and immediately looked away.

"Regardless. Rest up. Heal any wounds. Reload any weapons. The end is in sight. The Imperial Palace is ours, we need but take it. All hail the Crusade Vitae."