The glowing spires of Leamhan rose like pillars of gold within the eerie, almost dream-like glow of the Craftworld. For thousands of years, the eternal twilight of this place had shined even as the darkness of Chaos had consumed so utterly their heartlands. It was here, past the great spires inhabited by its millions of Aeldari civilians, past the beatific Bio domes of preserved animal and plant life from the Crone Worlds, and on would find the Gardens of Rebirth, the symbol of Leamhan, and where all souls went. It was formerly the infinity circuit, but, with what had been entombed here, it had grown to be much more. Here, it had almost become overtaken by nature, mighty trees sprouting from all around the center, the many paths lined with flowers and other colorful plants, some crystalline, others more natural. At the center was a great dome, many, many miles across, hundreds of meters in breadth. An even greater tree rose up and upon this dome, its leaves a dark blue, its trunk partially opened, and spread over portions of the dome, now glowing a soft white, giving off a rhythmic hum.
In the shadow of this garden of plant life and souls, met the leadership of Leamhan. The Seer Council sat in meditation, surrounding Farseer Kolemai in a semi circle, while an Autarch, with great wings of white and orange sprouted from the armor, with metallic feathers across its surface. A sword hung from her waist, while a brace of Shuriken pistols were hung across her chest like a bandoleer. The Autarch had a lean, angular face, sharp, lambent green eyes slowly scanning over the Seers gathered, but what stood out was her skin color. Aeldari were fair-skinned people, almost unnaturally pale compared to humans. Here, the Autarch had a light brown coloration, marked with pale white markings starting from her forehead, going over her eyes and onto the checks, forming a crescent shape, while two perpendicular lines were painted over the mouth. Her hair was a light blue, almost white.
The other other was a tall figure, broader and more muscular then most Eldar, dressed in the same orange cloaks and armor of the seers, with a black cape and waist garment. He had what appeared to be an elk's skull in the center of his belt, as well as an Ork's skull reformed into part of his right shoulder. He was an older Aeldari, a feint mustache upon his face, while the sides of his face were lined with white markings, small portions curving out and pointing upwards, five circles dotted his forehead. He was older then the other Eldar, his face weathered, and slight wrinkles around the eyes.
"So you see, we find ourselves on a path here that could spell the doom for what we have tried to cultivate for thousands of centuries." Kolemai explained, voice forlorn, shaking his head slightly.
"She Who Thirsts has grown aware of our sojourn here, our connection with The Lecai tav Isha has now become a beacon to it," One of the Seers remarked somberly, shaking his head. "The being that was our salivation may doom us."
"Our Warhosts have just repulsed the Orks from the Exodite World of Sendai," The Autarch stated, shifting her weight in agitation, knowing what was needed. "If a Daemonhost of The Great Enemy comes, we may not be able to win."
"All we have worked to cultivate here must not be ended with violation and depravity," Kolemai declared, hefting his spear up as he stood, and planting the blunt end into the ground beneath him. "We must contact the humans and recruit whatever forces they have to our assistance."
"Why not just call upon the Orks? Or the upstart Dracolith and T'au? Or the Drukhari." The Autarch snarled, fixing Kolemai with a venomous glare. "Allowing Mon'Keigh to march their dirty soldiers and genetically engineered brutes into our homes, what are you thinking?"
"Of survival, Elrahina." Kolemai said bluntly, returning the cold glare to the Autarch. "We have the assurance of their Man-Emperor that we would assist each other."
"All the good that did him. Does he even have a jaw left to give proclamations to his superstitious little Mon'Keigh?" Elrahina sneered, shaking her head in disgust. "Don't forget they are the reason Chaos has become so strong."
"And don't be so lost on your path of the warrior you forget the rest of history," Kolemai stated icily, his voice a low growl. "We did more to feed the power of Chaos in our debauchery."
Elrahin's eyes flared in rage, before the older Aeldari's hand shot up, stopping the entire Council. Everyone turned in an instant, looking to the being. He spoke, his voice a deep rumble compared to the other Eldar voices. "We have aided humanity before to avoid disaster and keep them as a buffer between us and the encroaching Ork and Tyranid forces. And if their Inquisition the Emperor formed to study and protect against these titanic beasts is still active, they will know of the Treaty their great Emperor and his advisor signed with our founders."
"Should we consult the Sisters? Their foresight and abilities are the greatest of any Eldar this Craftworld has seen and..." One of the Seers began to suggest, before a voice spoke from the great, an ethereal voice, heard from everywhere all around them.
"Kolemai will go with a small assortment of bodyguards to the human world of Tharnis Prime." The voice ordered, soft and gentle, but carrying the authority of centuries. "An agent of the Imperium will be there when he arrives."
The gathered Aeldari turned to the great Dome, the two whose faces were still visible looked utterly shocked and amazed, a reflection of what all of them felt at that moment. If the order had come, then it was to be followed as if Asuriyan had returned from Slaanesh's hungering maw to deliver it himself.
"I have a trip, I presume, to the Mon'Keigh. I will take a small squad of Dire Avengers with me." Kolemai remarked dryly, privately, a tad nervous. It had been centuries since the deal with the Mon'Keigh emperor had been put to paper, and if they did not welcome him...
The older Aeldari cleared his throat, before speaking. "I will retrieve the Treaty of Haliin, and its copies. Given how superstitious and untrusting the primitives, I doubt they believe the Man-Emperor would consort with our kind."
Kolemai gave a grateful nod. "Thank you, Chieftain Mauvryaon. I pray to the Ancestors above it'll be enough."
Mauvryaon turned to the Autarch, his expression more grim. "Ready what Aspect Warriors and reserve forces we have here, Elrahin. Until our main body of fighters returns, we must make due with the forces we have."
"As the Council so wishes." She said, bowing and leaving quickly without another word. Though she loathed it, one of the Voices from within had spoken, and that word was law.
If the humans were brought in, their clumsy soldiers, and belching, lumbering machines would at least make for good distractions for the Eldar to show them the proper science and artistry of war. She activated her wings, taking to the skies within the Craftworld, bathing in the eerie twilight of the great vessel. She needed a moment of respite, of clarity, to meditate on what was needed. With the bulk of the forces away, she would need to do the foulest necromancy along with the conscription of the Guardian forces. The Wraiths must be summoned. Even so, fear for once gripped her heart. In her long years, Elrahin had lead squads of Aspect warriors, the swift slice of the Banshee, the brutality of the Scorpion, all of it had lead her to face all manner of horrors and beasts. The one thing that chilled her soul, especially now, was the Great Enemy.
The twisting of the flesh, the tainting of the mind, was a terrifying reminder that, if she or her kin were not careful, they would be caught in the clutches of one far worse then any mind could dream up.
'It merely means I must fight all the harder, for the future of the Eldar, then.' Elrahin thought, drifting upon the winds of the Craftworld, looking down on the transports and ships going to and fro. 'She who Thirsts can get her blackened claws around me, when she earns me.'
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An explosion shook the ground, Kolemai cursing within his helm, as he was almost knocked into the mud, one of the Dire Avengers grabbing his arm and helping him up.
"Are you alright, Farseer?"
"Khaine's bones, no! I hate all this damnable artillery the two have. Can't the Mon'Keigh find a quieter way to blow each other up?" He grumbled, before giving the Avenger a grateful nod, and smacking the dirt off his robes. "By Isha's tears, my hearing is about to go."
"So it is for all of us, Farseer. Perhaps we should wait for a lull in the barrages to meet with the Imperials?" The Avenger asked, hefting his Shuriken Catapult across his shoulder, and pointing with the free left hand at the Imperial encampment and Command post. "Perhaps offer a bit of help to them so their strikes are not so clumsy?"
Kolemai shook his head. "They are on high alert, and might see our appearance as a threat. We shall wait for them to rout Chaos, and tell this 'Sorry-zawa' of our treaty and agreements with his Man-Emperor."
The four Avengers nodded obediently, keeping a look out for any enemies. The five Eldar stood on a hill, many yards from the battlefield, its troops and vehicle movements like insects in a display case for observers to casually watch. Kolemai might be considered progressive by his peers. Despite his words, the humans were tenacious, courageous and not lacking in military strength. He, however, could not respect the clumsy weapons they had. These 'Rust tanks' and 'Basilisk artillery' were loud, thundering things.
'In the time it took them to build these smoke spewing contraptions, our kind was riding upon Wave Serpents and Fire Prisms,' He thought, shaking his head dismissively. 'This Man-Emperor's dedication to the sciences leaves much to be desired.'
As they watched the battle, Kolemai stiffened, every bone in his body quaking, every hair on his body standing on end as he turned to the sea. His compatriots and guards sensed it too, raising their Catapults in unison and pointing them.
"Farseer, what was that?" One of them asked, voice tense, his body taunt and ready, like a cat catching the scent of a potential enemy, and readying to strike.
"Something has come from the Warp, and it is certainly not a Daemon, Enslaver or our Druchii Kin's Khyemeara." Kolemai remarked stiffly, never taking his eyes off the seas. "And I fear...I know too well what we face..."
They stood for what felt like hours, the humans not seemingly registering it, or not caring, carrying on with their war, artillery and missiles exploding and pounding the city to dust and debris. The Eldar watched, their every fiber of attention on the seas, as storm clouds rumbled and roared above, gathering over the city, rain falling upon them. The storm spread further out in all directions, soon, the Eldar themselves caught in it. Thick, oily black droplets smeared against their armor and robes, one of the Avengers speaking in disgust.
"Is this the doing of Isha's kidnapper?" She snarled in annoyance.
"Black Rain...I have read of this." Kolemai remarked, more to himself then the others.
The one had just spoken looked up at him. "Farseer?"
"Our kind were too advanced for such barbarous weapons, but many Orks, humans and Rak'gol use nuclear fission and radioactive weapons," He explained. "When they detonate, the fallout often takes the form of...this gunk."
"Are we in danger?" She asked.
"The rain isn't radioactive. Your fear should be on what's in the oceans." He explained, clutching his spear tightly, and holding it close.
Moments passed in the span of seconds to the Eldar mind, the Imperium moving in, first covert Astartes movements, then tank squadrons and Guard platoons. Kolemai could see the water receding, pulling back, further and further. Their eyes widened, as the thing they had sensed drew closer and closer, spines rising and cutting through the waters. Before their very eyes, a great mountain of muscle and power rose from the waters, shuffling forward, every step shattering the weaker buildings, sending vibrations through the earth.
The Aeldari looked on in amazement, one of Avengers speaking in shock. "I can't believe it! Another creature, just the same as Lecai tav Isha!"
"The visions of the past were correct. The giants of light were correct." Kolemai breathed in shock. "The Mon'Keigh Liran truly was home to such beasts."
"Does that mean the legends of the Kaelis Shemasha could be true too?" One of the Avengers asked.
The Farseer looked to his guards, all obviously fearful of the mere uttering of the name. "It has not been sighted in millennium. Do not worry yourselves with stories when this is before us."
The thought of that thing did trouble him. Kaelis Shemasha was an ancient terror of the stars, spoken of in the same breath as other creatures, like "Iarstill Novine", "Atherakhia Ytha Feithis" and "Dru Acras". The Ygnir tav Ra, the Giants of Light, had warned the Eldar Empire of these and many other threats. But with the coming of She who Thirsts, and the rise of so many threats, the creatures in question passed into legend.
'Perhaps we should've better kept record of our monstrous friends for today.' Kolemai thought to himself, shaking his head. "Keep your distance, this was part of the vision. Let us remain at a safe distance, and let things sort themselves out."
"And if the God Incarnate is roused to anger by the Imperial Mon'Keigh?" The female Dire Avenger asked, on edge as she watched Godzilla lumber his way to the shore.
"Then keep your heads down." Kolemai remarked. What they knew of Godzilla was only slightly better then the other beasts, but what they did lead them to believe the only powers they had to kill it would need to be the great technology used in the War of Heaven.
They watched him move further in, stopping, before Kolemai detected a psychic burst, like a tiny flame in the darkness, coming from the city. It pulsed through the immaterium for several moments, before Godzilla reacted with a blast of his azure beam of death. Minutes later, the forces of Chaos opened fire, lascannons and artillery shells flew at him, striking at the beast, burning its hide, one striking and destroying its eye, as Godzilla roared and shrieked in pain and rage.
After they stopped, the smoke cleared, as Godzilla's wounds healed, and it responded in kind to their attacks with another blast of its beam.
Throughout the entire battle of Tharnis Prime, Kolemai and his fellow Eldar simply watched, observing the King of Monsters in its path of destruction through the Chaos Forces. To see such Warp-afflicted humans be snuffed out so easily, their weapons and abilities brushed aside like ants.
And then the moment came. Reaching into the powers at hand, Kolemai shrouded all of the Aeldari around him, walking right into the camp of the Imperials, and walking right up to the Space Marine Captain, Inquisitor and Guard General. Kolemai was surprised to see the Golden figures of the Emperor's guards, Custodes they were called, here on this world. True, they had been there when the first members of Leamhan took on the creature on the Emperor's request, but from what he had known, they did not leave the Palace unless it was dire.
'The appearance of the Leviathan would be cause enough, but could they have known?' He thought, narrowing his eyes behind his helmet, before he revealed himself. 'The Mon'Keigh have always had inferior future-sight to we Asuryani.'
He made his deal, showed them the treaty, then left. The Custodes and Marines were on edge, and given they were the few human forces that could match the skill of majesty of the Eldar in combat, he did not want to give them reason to dislike him. So, when asked, he quietly left.
He waited, however, invisible once more. After their little arguments were over, the Mon'Keigh Guard general spoke up to the three superiors. "Did the Eldar actually give us the coordinates?"
Kolemai smiled, pressing two fingers to his helmeted temple, concentrating his power, before slipping the location within the stars into the minds of the human leaders in an instant. Nureddin stiffened, blinking several times, before glaring over his shoulder.
"You Xenos are not funny." He grumbled, as Kolemai and his bodyguards left the city, heading once more to the Webway gate they had taken here. Now, all that was left, was to wait for the humans to arrive.
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Kolemai, upon his return, traveled to the Shrines of Khaine, his Dire Avenger bodyguards dismissed to join their kindred elsewhere, as he made his way through. The curving, simple structures rose from the wraithbone of the craftworld, held by elegant pillars of cream white and each shrine bearing the banners and flags of the Aspect Warrior type in question. Kolemai made his way past them, the Warriors either in practice, dueling or preparing their ranged weapons and ensuring they were fully functional. Such was the intensity of their practice, the sound of blades striking against blades, one would've thought the Aspect warriors within were trying to actually kill each other. Others were in deep meditation, kneeling before the great statues of Khaine, each reflecting his aspect that they sought to replicate, the hooded, skull-like form of the Dark Reapers, the fiery, more reptilian visage followed by the Fire Dragons, Khaine, like death itself, took many forms.
In the largest temple, Kolemai made his way through. Even as he reached the door the sounds of practice were entirely nullified. Even before he made his way in, it was as if every sound within the Craftworld had been snuffed out. The 'door' in question, was merely a blue shield of energy at the front of the great temple, the great curving white spires ad arches lined with the orange and black of the Craftworld's heraldry. He stepped through, the shield giving him resistance for a moment, like a sheen of jello, before letting him through. He stepped through, looking around the gilded halls and archways of the temple, leading to other portions of the building, before heading through the hallway straight ahead, his steps not making a sound on the well-worn temple floor.
At the great corridor, in the center of the temple, like a great amphitheater, Kolemai entering a raised, semi-circle platform, descending in the form of three great stairs, leading to the lower platform, where small blue fires burned around them, the Autarch and her officers and gathered Exarchs kneeling and meditating before a great statue of Khaine, made from carved obsidian, one hand holding a sword low to his side, the other raised and appearing as if ready to reach down and grab them, colored a deep red. He placed his right hand onto his chest, and bowed, before stepping down towards the Autarch and the officers and Exarchs with her.
The group was deep in meditation, one of the Aeldari reciting a prayer to Khaine.
"Long is our lives, short is our tolerance. Great is our suffering, slight is our relief," One of the Exarchs declared, each sentence repeated by the others. "Kaela Mensha Khaine, Tormentor of Vaul, Slayer of Eldanesh, give us the Anger to face our foe. Let us spill the blood of your many foes. Let all know the voice of Death! War calls!"
The Autarch sat in the center of this assembly, her eyes closed tight as her mind was emptied, becoming "one with the void", letting the energy and strength of the universe flow through her. Kolemai could feel the depth of her meditation. He was almost regretful to interrupt Elrahin's solitary moment. Then, as if snapping onto a new path, the Autarch's eyes opened as she stiffened, looking straight ahead as she spoke.
"Yes, Farseer?" She asked curtly.
"I was hoping to speak in private with you, Autarch." He stated, glancing to the Exarchs and military officers around her, who turned their attention to the general.
She held an arm to her side, making a simple, barely noticeable gesture, the gather Aeldari Warriors nodding and leaving out of the temple as quickly as they could. Elrahin sat there for a moment, as if wishing to still continue her meditation, even as Kolemai made his way down the steps towards her, the Exarchs taking the other sets upwards. Finally, they were alone, nothing but the feint hum of the Craftworld beneath their feet and within the wraithbone walls to keep them company. Elrahin took a deep breath, before standing, as Kolemai stepped over to her.
"You still have doubts about our appeals to humans?" Kolemai asked quietly.
"I take it they accepted?" She asked bluntly, her voice as cold as the heart of a Drukhari.
"Yes, begrudgingly. The Losseainn with them were the most agitated at my appearance, as they are often to do, but as the vision foretold, they accepted." Kolemai explained. "An entire regiment of their disposable masses, one of their Witch-hunters, however many of the Losseainn in green and gray, and three of the Golden Warrior-companions of their God-King."
"The fact we have to do so much for these savages, and end up a target for She who Thirsts disgusts me." Elrahin growled, pacing like a cat going stir crazy.
"What the Mon'Keigh King gave to us was not so transactional," Kolemai reminded her, giving a firm nod. "Because of her, we are freed from the Thirst. Like Rillietann, her guardianship has preserved us."
"And what is us?" She asked, holding up her arm, as if to inspect it. "We follow the Paths. We worship at the feet of Khaine and Isha. But we hardly even resemble our kind."
"I will admit, the generations spent here have changed all of Leamhan, but it has cultivated an inner strength, has it not?" He replied. "We walk a path few other Aeldari can, and strengthen ourselves in a way wholly unique."
"Or we become something malformed among our kin like the Shriekers and Mandrakes." She remarked bitterly. "Salvation came, but our ancestors thought She who Thirsts would lead them to a time of bliss and eternal joy without having want or need ever again. I worry we walk the same path, ironically taken to avoid it."
Kolemai lingered for a moment, silent at the admission, before slowly running two fingers along the chin of the ghost helm. "I have had questions as well. The choice by our Seers to bind the creature into Leamhan's Infinity Circuit saved us, but it's lead me to consulting my visions every turn. I see to the runes, I meditate in the crystals of past Farseers, and worry in the long, cold nights if we truly have found salvation, or perverted the Path to Ynnead."
She chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "Is this what we are doing, worrying and cringing in private. That certainly can't help before a battle."
"Voicing our concerns and having an outlet for such emotion is good, it lets us not let such things fester in silence," Kolemai remarked. "But if She who Thirsts is coming for her, with an army of his Daemons, including a Keeper, then I think our guardian in the circuit is a force of some good, at least."
"And what of the Dathedian? I feel as if something else has come to the Aeldari." She commented, stroking her chin in contemplation.
"I have felt it too, ever since the Warmaster rent the galaxy in half," Kolemai replied, pacing slightly around the temple. "I wonder if our time isolated has lead to us missing something of importance to the Aeldari."
"I will interrogate the Pathfinders and Rangers when they come home, that should shed some light." Elrahin said with a firm nod. She was eager to learn more. Whatever was coming from the Dathedian, the Great Rift, didn't feel like the tainted Warp Gods.
This was something else. Something new that enticed Elrahin. She had learned to ignore it. Anything that came from the Warp, that called to the souls Aeldari, no matter how innocent it may seem, was simply a lure by The Great Enemy to lure them into traps and pitfalls for their soul.
"Once this errand is done, I will go back to my meditations and let my mind and soul peer further out for answers." Kolemai said with a firm nod, before his voice softened slightly. "As this talk been...of use, Autarch?"
"Voicing some of my concerns takes a weight off my soul, Farseer," She replied, her voice like steel, as her gaze turned to the mighty statue of Khaine. "But my focus has and always will be the protection of my people against our foe."
She stood, and left for deeper within the temple, preparing to retrieve her armor and weapons for the battle to come, as Kolemai left to prepare his own mind for the struggle to come. Every ounce of their being would have to be focused on this fight ahead.
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The Warp was a place of twisted thought and pure emotion, where the deepest, darkest desires of the galaxy's denizens came to life and form. Dominate in this realm of dream and nightmare twisting and turning into the other, were the Four. All who fell to the taint of the Warp, fell under the influence of one or all of these Warp Gods, and none were more keenly aware of this then the Eldar and their various surviving culture and refugees.
Within the corner of the Warp, was Realms of Slaanesh. The Palace of Pleasure at the center of multiple circular plateaus, each one lower then the last and descending into the pit at the center, where the Palace itself dwelt, rising like a twisted, throbbing gray pillar, its top engorged with a spike rising through the middle, as pulsating, twitching tentacles lined the base, twirling and waving as the winds moved through the territory at random, buffeting the place at the whims of the one who dwelt within. All around, the ground, blackened mostly, as if burnt, was interrupted by the rising of tendrils, while other parts bore tears and ravines in the ground, filled with bands of stretched pink flesh over the holes, twisting and writhing about.
Within the great rolling hills and plateaus of the Realm of Pleasures and Vice, was a figure approaching the great palace, rising high into the air above the figure. The air smelled of heavy perfurmes, spices and a thousand other scents that would've overwhelmed any mortal that had found themselves here. But this figure was not affected. While, that was not entirely true. The sensual air was tempting, but the figure had something more important to focus on for once.
The figure in question was impossibly tall, balanced on thin, digitgrade claws ending in small, curved talons, the lower portions of their legs covered in a black cloth of some kind, going up to their thighs and stopping halfway up. Its body was entirely almost too thin and skeletal around the four arms, two ending in long, gnarled fingers and talons, the two from its back ending in crab-like claws. Its jaws and face were long and angular, two tusks surrounding a maw of tiny, needle-like teeth, while two horns curved over its head, two pure red eyes staring out at the palace. Over its stomach and torso was a black set of armor, bound tightly, while its chest was left exposed. A long loin cloth hung from the waist, its flesh pale purple, verging on white.
"Oh great Prince of Pleasure, Queen of Damnation, your humble servant and dutiful pleasure-maker have answered your call." The being declared in a hiss-like whisper.
He bowed deeply, going to one knee, the sounds of rapturous pleasure and screams and moans of pain and delight filled his ears, tempting him all the way. He almost wanted to curse the scents and sounds, the smell of blood being spilled from the lash and other torments, the squealing and moans of pleasure and pain. To be a Keeper of Secrets and not able to partake was torture enough. Slaanesh's voice called through the realm, a pleasure-filled shout to some, a sensual whisper in the ear to others. He listened closely, every striking into the Daemon like a lash across the back. He shivered slightly, but held himself still.
"Yes, I have smelled the gathering of souls at that Craftworld, Leamhan. The Aeldari have created something like the Yncarne." He replied to the voice of the Goddess. "Am I to slay the creature while it hibernates and drink in the souls?"
He listened again, slowly, a malicious grin spreading over his face, needle-like teeth flashing. "Ah, bring her to you? Oh, such a delightful idea, Great Princess of Torments."
The Greater Daemon rose, holding his clawed hands out before him and bowing his head still. "I will gather a host of hedonists and sybarites under your banner from the Warp and Mortal plane, and seek this Craftworld and its twisted little rituals in your name, Dark Prince."
Countless portals all around him opened, tearing open within the Realm of Slaanesh. From them, came the dancing, sensual forms of the Daemonettes, some on foot and bearing their claws and daggers, others riding the long-limbed, ostrich-like frames of the seekers, their long, small mouths flicking tongues out to scent the air. Millions of Cultists came marching out, black, pink and gold robes drapped over their bodies, parts of their chests or abdomen exposed, bearing the Marks of Slaanesh, while bearing curved, bronze swords, Lasguns and pistols, and whatever else they had. With them, were a host of Chaos Marines, bearing the androgyny of Slaanesh's markings and blessings, some sporting one or more breasts, some whose face, those not in helmets, looked so heavily modified, they almost resembled living plastic dolls, and others with helmets, tubes and wires connected from the backpacks and parts of the armor, the mouth part resembling speakers.
The Keeper of Secrets stood before them, spreading his arms wide once more before them, raising his voice. "Welcome, devotees and servants of the Prince of Pleasures and She who Thirsts! We have gathered in the shadow of the Palace of Slaanesh for one purpose, the destruction of a Craftworld! Within this Aeldari refuge, is a slumbering creature we will tear from the circuit, and bring to Slaanesh himself for his own pleasure."
He reached behind himself, pulling out a silver-bladed, curved great sword, gaunt face bending into a sadistic smile. "Every Aeldari you kill will speed your ascent in Slaanesh's eyes. But the creature in their Infinity Circuit is mine."
Cheer and cacophonous yells broke through the assorted worshipers, already whipping themselves into a frenzy and the fight had not even started. The promise of rapturous delights and torments to inflict on new victims filled them with excitement. For the lower ranks, it was a chance to prove themselves. Of the gathered cultists, each thought themselves a future Daemon Prince or Princess in the making, while for the Marines and veteran Chosen, it was the hope that this experience would be something worthwhile, something to break them from the boredom.
Whatever the case, they had gathered before Akrizuul Serpenttongue, Slaanesh's Vizier of Violation. Soon, the Eldar of Leamhan would also learn the name, and curse it as they did with all the names of Slaanesh's champions, Great Daemons and Princes.
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The Admiral of the Imperial Fleet was a veteran in her craft. She had the scars to prove it. Hers had not just been sitting on the bridge, giving orders and directing ships. The scars across her back where won in battle against Chaos Heretics, the three over her face and her blind right eye were from a duel with an arrogant Freeboota Nob. Her legs, now completely robotic, came from a campaign in the Calixis Sector dislodging a large nest of Rak'gol, whose Broodmaster had torn off her legs and ate them, right before her las pistol found its mark.
Admiral Kali Tarrok was muscular under the blue and gold uniform, her brusque figure almost masculine, her arms often folded behind her, chest adorned with a number of metals and a gold eagle. She was almost like a statue on the bridge of the ship, officers and servitors working all around, all keeping their distance, as if Kali's very presence was too cold and terrifying for them to dare coming closer. The Custodes Captain was the only being who seemed willing to stand within her cold presence.
"You are to lead the Imperial ships alongside the Hound Keeper's Battle Barge, while I give you permission to handle our own vessels," The Custodes Captain explained carefully, voice careful and controlled. "Can you handle this?"
"Yes." She said simply. There was no time for grandiose promises or boasts. The Emperor needed it, so she would do it. She would sacrifice any number of the crew, any vessel, even herself, if it brought victory.
"We will be fighting to protect a Xenos Aeldari Craftworld ship, I trust you will not attempt any attacks, Admiral?"
"If we are struck, I will strike back," She replied curtly. "But, if this is part of an agreement the Emperor himself signed into law, then His word is my life."
The Captain was satisfied, leaning back slightly. If only the Astartes windbags could be so professional. 'They have always thought too highly of themselves.'
He put his dislike for them to the back of his mind, before continuing. "I entrust the fleet that brought my group here to you. The Astartes will always do as they wish, so try your best with them. If a Heretic fleet appears, show them why Orks and other heretics alike have learned to fear His fleets."
She gave a single nod and bowed, but did not seem too awestruck by his appearance. He could tell by her slight movements, the stiffening her neck, the slight raising of her eyebrows when he marched onto her bridge, that she was not so stoic as she projected outwards for the crew and others to see. Very few humans, even the strongest, would be nonplussed at the sight of him and his kin.
He left for the hangar areas of the ship, where his companions where located, as the Navigator was given the coordinates and everything was prepared for the jump through Warp. With all precautions taken, gellar fields and shields prepared and ready, Lance and rocket munitions and shells prepared for the the coming battle.
As he made his way to the drop hangars, he could feel the ship lurch and rock from being pulled into the warp, the ship shaking from the effort, as he made his way to the other Custodes there. They stood by their Orion dropship, at attention and resolute as when he had left them to deliver the standing orders to the Admiral. He expected nothing less from them. For the centuries that the height of the Indominatus Crusade lasted, they and his brothers and sisters elsewhere had always been ready and followed every order.
"Baduhenna, have the Primaris been readied for the assignment?" He asked.
"Yes, Shield-Captain Chongdao, they have been briefed on the situation and are ready to perform." She replied, nodding to the ranking officer.
"And I trust they are not so...dramatic, as the rest of their kin?" He continued, remembering well that little tantrum the Astartes had over this alliance.
She nodded to the other Custodes in affirmation. "Their leader, Tarquin affirmed his acceptance of the Treaty. I believe they fought alongside the Ynnari Cult of the Eldar, so they can at least accept the logic of our 'alliance'."
"Good. What of the other Primaris?"
"The new Marines of the Angels of Purification, Lawbringers, and Flame Ukhozi are all ready for their deployment, and are ready to join any battle against the traitors," Baduhenna stated. "The Ukhozi live up to their name with how much fury they have."
"Keep them in reserve." Chongdao stated, tapping his armored fingers against the heft of his ax. "Appearing with so many Marines may give the Eldar cause for worry, I don't want to give them a reason to betray us. The Hound Keepers and their new members are more then enough."
"You think they'd be foolish enough to try?"
"Every Eldar is as accomplished in deceit and trickery as the most expert nobles and political leaders on Terra and beyond," Chongdao replied, gesticulating with his off-hand's finger. "If they state snow is white, they are lying. We protect them from the Chaos worshipers and their ilk, but don't forget why our Emperor distrusted every Xeno."
"I know well what they are capable of, I just don't believe they'd be foolish enough to wear on our already thin good-will." She replied with a nod.
Elsewhere in the ship, Inquisitor Serizawa was in conversation with one of his superior officers. After he had passed through the security measures and ensured he was who he stated to be, he was patched into the ranking Lord Inquisitor. He was an older man, nearly bald except for thinning hair on the sides, white and silver armor, with a piece of machinery connected to it, placed over his neck. Other then a cape made of some animal fur, not much else was visible within the Inquisitor's personal craft, a Gun-Cutter, held aboard the rest of the massive Battleship.
"Lord Inquisitor Heinrich Von Saperstein, I have come to make my report." Serizawa stated, trying to keep his frantic nerves under control.
"Alright, give it to me Inquisitor, was the Tarot correct?" His superior asked, his voice modulated slightly, sounding almost like the modified tone of the Tech-Priests.
"Yes! I have Pic-captures, recordings and analysis that Kaalor is seeing to right now," Serizawa replied, not able to hide a grin as his excitement built.
Saperstein's brow shot up for a moment, before he breathed deeply and nodded, regaining his composure. "Incredible. Which was it?"
Serizawa flashed an eager grin to his superior, stroking his chin for a moment. "Godzilla himself."
"Emperor's bones! Incredible. He's really alive?" Saperstein breathed in amazement, the machine in his throat making a slightly rattling noise as he did. "I hope the big monkey made it too."
"We'll have to wait and see, but I'm correctly ready to travel to a certain Craftworld." Serizawa replied.
Lord Saperstein's eyes narrowed for a moment, before slowly widening, blinking several times. "Oh. Oh! Leamhan, is it?"
"Yes. The Treaty is real, isn't it?" Serizawa asked eagerly, wanting to know more. "I read it, but I still can't believe it."
Heinrich held up a hand, stopping the lower ranked Inquisitor in his tracks. "There are things our Emperor did to prepare us for this moment. Yes, Leamhan is real, and he entrusted them with a creature from Terra. Its spirit was connected to the health of the world, and as the world died, so did it."
"Is it a Daemon of some kind then, but connected to Terra's forests and oceans?"
Heinrich shook his head. "Even I don't know. Whatever the truth, the Emperor hid the facts. He sealed whatever data was available in our archives, and ordered our founders to keep it hidden. All that's known, is he specifically met with Leamhan's leaders, why them, I don't know, and both agreed to take care of the creature's last larva. It was on the verge of death when the Emperor wrote the agreement on Haliin."
"A larva? So is it an insect?" He asked, looking intrigued.
"Yes, a great moth. Worshiped as a God by Humans native to two islands, Infant and Skull Island, as some great protector and guardian of the whole planet."
Serizawa thought on those words for a moment. It filled him some sadness their homeworld had been so ravaged in the name of industry. The God-Emperor had struck at humanity's old leaders and Techno-Barbarian warlords responsible, but still, they almost lost something they couldn't replace. They had to rely on the Aeldari, and whatever witch-craft they engaged in.
"Do you think the Xenos could've...corrupted it?" Serizawa asked, suddenly realizing the millennia that had passed for the creature.
"I don't know. But the creature, Mothra, is just as important as Godzilla, understand?" Saperstein stated, is tone icy and gruff, eyes locked on Serizawa's own, not even blinking it seemed. "Whatever those damn Knife-ears want, you help em, understand? We almost lost that butterfly before, we ain't losing it again."
"A Chaos Incursion is coming for them, they sought us out for help. It's all in my report that I'll be sending after this."
"Then fight like the Emperor himself is at risk." Heinrich said, his voice deadly serious. "I do not want to overstate this, but that creature is important enough for the Emperor to make an alliance with Aliens. Kill every Chaotic thing you see."
"I intend to with every fiber of my being." Serizawa confirmed with a nod.
Saperstein leaned back slightly, nodding in satisfaction. Their work was far from over, but Serizawa was a trust worthy one. No one had given more to the Ordo then he. "Come to the Observatory when you have finished there. Bring all your data, including anything you can get on Mothra."
"Understood." Serizawa confirmed, as the holographic communications cut off.
He stepped away, lingering for a moment, his excitement over capturing data on Godzilla, now replaced with a dread over this. Eldar were, even at the best of times, hostile to humanity. It made sense, their empire had failed, and the Imperium, their natural betters, were going to eclipse them as the galaxy's great power. But if they had managed to turn a kaiju to their side, that made things difficult.
'I read that, among the Kaiju of Earth, hers was a level of power that rivaled Godzilla,' He thought, as he began to march towards another section of the Cutter. 'And if he decides to follow one of his allies' examples...'
He pushed the thought out of his head, as he approached the workstation of the Tech-Priest within his entourage. Kaalor had been a Xenos Biologis expert. He had studied everything from the Crystalline reptiles called Dracolith, Orks, and a strange blue species Serizawa had recently been hearing rumblings from the Xenos Inquisitors named "T'au". According to a friend in the Order named Amberly, the things had hooves, blood that stank the air, and were an irritating little power in the Eastern Fringe. He thought they sounded strange, but so did every alien.
Kaalor had studied almost all of them, and understood how Xenos worked as well as the machines his Priesthood loved so much. Unfortunately, his lost for knowledge on more and more things lead him to digging into archives that would've gotten him executed. Of course, Serizawa and the others saw a need for him. They had their little batch of "Cog Boys" that were sworn to their Ordo for the sake of study and dissection of any DNA and tissue samples they could get.
Kaalor was humanoid, other then the six spider limbs that came from his waist, their gears and working clicking and groaning with every movement. He had a second pair of robotic limbs helping him at his work table, all four arms busy at work with something.
He didn't turn, but still spoke with his modulated, almost synthetic tone. "Inquisitor, I trust your talk with your superior went well?"
"Yes Kaalor. How is the data we've collected."
Kaalor did not turn, but kept speaking, voice loud enough to still be heard by his colleague. "Even the long range analysis by the Servo-Skulls and probes shows amazing results. I have studied Rak'Gol carcasses in the Calixis Sector, and even they do not exude this much radiation."
"Most of the kaiju were said to feed heavily on it." Serizawa remarked, stroking his chin. "How much are we talking?"
"If you had been any closer, you would've had Radiation sickness, even with your powered armor," Kaalor explained, looking his shoulder, three green, robotic eyes clicking and whirring as he did. "Skitarii Vanguards are safer to stand near then that thing."
Serizawa swallowed slightly. Being that close to death was sobering to say the least. The creature's very existence seemed bent towards destruction. Even standing near it was a risk now.
'Perhaps the Librarian had been right about reaching too far?' He thought sardonically. How many humans in the past had had their bodies crumble before their eyes and die off, by being near the beast? 'Even survival would be a death sentence.'
The Tech-Priest continued, not seemingly bothered or aware by his Inquisitor superior's unease. "Another fascinating detail. Look at this, Serizawa."
Kaalor gestured for him to come closer, the Inquisitor shuffling a bit, still not particularly in the mood for this anymore, still feeling out of sorts over how close he had come to being near a walking reactor, but looked at the image from one of the skulls recording Godzilla, this one showing the bombardment from Chaos forces, lascannon fire, artillery shells, missiles, etc, all hitting him. Serizawa furrowed his brow, wondering why this was important, before Kaalor restarted the play-back, slowing it down as the attacks hit Godzilla's hide. Shells and missiles, in the slowed down footage, penetrated and struck the skin and exploded, skin and flesh blown off, then flesh and muscle rapidly regrowing, even as the shells exploded.
Lascannon rounds struck the creature, burning through tissue of the creature, leaving ash and smoke rising from his body. Serizawa breathed in amazement, blinking several times in amazement. He had heard Orks could heal from anything, to the point that the most durable could have their head stabled back on after decapitation, or even regrow it without issue. But this level of regeneration seemed impossible. Legends told that the great Primarch Vulkan could do something like this, but that was the Emperor's power strengthening his son, as the stories told.
"Within a span of microseconds, Godzilla is injured and damaged by Chaos fire, before healing," Kaalor explained in amazement. "This level of healing, regeneration, I've never seen anything like it, only a handful of Xenos could even come close."
Serizawa said nothing, looking over the footage for a moment. His mind was wondering just what the limits of the creature was. It could destroy armies, withstand tank and artillery fire, apparently survive a fight with the God-Emperor himself. The more he learned, the more determined he became to ensure this creature could be directed and controlled, in directly of course, in ways that benefited the Imperium and kept the other threats at bay. Somehow, he'd find a way to make it happen.
Before he could say anything more, the Vox system in his ship went off, the Captain Chongdao speaking in his usual raspy tone. "Inquisitor Serizawa, we have arrived. We need you as part of the diplomatic entourage."
He pressed a finger to his microbead. "I hear you, Shield-Captain. I will be out right away."
He turned to Kaalor, nodding once to the Tech-Priest. "A new monster awaits us."
Kaalor's remaining organic eye beamed with joy, the edges of his face not covered in robotics and cybernetics tugging into a smile. "Perfect! I hope we can get samples and study the biology in depth! Within a safe lab of course."
Serizawa lead the way out, as Kaalor grabbed his Cog Staff, his insectoid legs stamping loudly behind Serizawa. The Inquisitor did not always like the noise, but had learned to ignore the machinery's clinking and noise, mostly because Serizawa had the feint feeling Kaalor secretly enjoyed annoying him.
Serizawa and Kaalor came out onto the deck of the Battleship, marching a ways in and meeting the Shield-Captain and his two companions, with Nureddin, Al-Hashimi and General Von Rauch with him, and a number of advisors with him.
"The Aeldari Carftworld is indeed here, and an escort fleet has hailed us, transmitting an old imperial code," Von Rauch explained to the Inquisitor. "It's outdated, but, for now, the Xenos don't seem to have ill intent."
"Good. We have many questions for them." Serizawa said with a definitive nod. He was eager to learn what secrets the Xenos were hiding within their large ship.
There was nothing else to say, Captain Chongdao merely gesturing to the Orion Dropship that had carried him to Tharnis Prime, the landing pad opening for the rest of the Imperials to enter. The group marched in, the Custodes coming in last, as if to make sure the others couldn't be out of sight. Even now, the Custodes were not trusting of the other Imperials, ready at any moment for an attack or betrayal. Once all were inside, the Dropship picked up and flew off from the hangar. The Imperial Fleet was arrayed before the gigantic Craftworld, and Serizawa found himself amazed by the sight of the great Craftworld.
It was a monolithic vessel, far larger then any Imperial battleship or destroyer that floated near it. Multiple orange spheres making up the surface of the pointed, triangular vessel. The rear of the vessel was dominated by large fans and sails, glowing yellow and orange, a soft hum coming from the solar sails. Around it where many smaller vessels, containing the same fins and sails, resembling the wings of sort of insect, circling around the Craftworld like angered drones of a hive.
The lead vessel, a Void Stalker, floated in front of the gunship, sending a transmission to it. The pilot readjusted the receivers for a few minutes, fine-tuning it, before finally, the Aeldari corrected their signals, and the message came through.
"Are you receiving us, Mon'Keigh?" The Captain of the vessel asked, sounding as if he was trying to keep his disdain from leaking into his tone. "Are you prepared to land upon our Craftworld?"
"Yes. Direct us to whatever hangarbay your vessel uses." The Pilot replied, looking to the Custodes for confirmation, and when no signs of disapproval were given, he gripped the speed control of the Dropship.
"Then prepare your eyes, the beauty of our home is rarely a gift for those like you to witness." The Captain boasted, grinning to himself in satisfaction.
Serizawa rolled his eyes, not surprised the Eldar couldn't help themselves even when greeting allies to boast endlessly about their superiority. A wing of Nightwing fighters flew towards them and stopped, hanging in the void near them, all aboard stiffening and looking about in worry, before the Eldar Captain's voice called over the Vox once more.
"My fighters will escort you to the correct hangar. Going to the wrong one might give my people some cause for alarm," He said, before his voice became slightly more pointed. "We wouldn't want that would we?"
Nureddin rolled his eyes in annoyance. Even when being given the help of some of the Imperium's greatest fighting forces, the decadent Eldar couldn't help themselves with flaunting the last dying embers of their weak civilization, or giving some failed threat, as if they could act on it.
'I still don't believe that Treaty is real. The Emperor would never entreat with these foul creatures.' He thought, keeping his face stoic and unmoving, so as not to give his allies cause for alarm. 'As foolish as an Ork Tribe claiming they were hired as bodyguards for him.'
The Dropship kept a moderate pace, the pilot careful not to speed up too much and potentially agitate the Nightwings near him. The large vessel was as still as death itself, but countless lights flickered and dazzled within the orange habitation spheres of the Craftworld. Serizawa, even from here, could feel the psychic power brimming within. It was almost overwhelming, especially one with the psychic gifts. Al-Hashimi had withdrawn to a dark corner of the Dropship, eyes closing, quietly meditating, clearing his mind from the psychic presence of the Eldar Craftworld.
The ship flew into the hangar, the seconds before it went in, the Nightwings breaking off to return to their patrol routs around the Craftworld. Within the hangar was a great mosaic, the hangar floor a massive, raised platform, a gilded gold color, resembling multiple tiles interlocked together. All around where great plants and alien trees planted in certain sections of the hangar, cultivated and placed to line the walkways, decorating the walkways and plazas near the hangar. Even here, the Eldar had turned the place where their vessels came and went into a war of intricate art, each plant and light fixture positioned in such a way to accentuate the natural beauty of their home.
The dropship doors opened, as the Imperial entourage stepped out, the heavy, lumbering footfalls of the Space Marines and Custodes echoing throughout the hangar area. A number of Eldar Guardians and Howling Banshees stood guard over the area, the Imperials watching the lithe, orange, white and yellow. Nureddin, Chongdao, Baduhenna, Al-Hashimi and the third, silent Custodes could feel their penetrating gaze upon them, every breath and step the humans took carefully watched and monitored to ensure they didn't attempt anything.
Chongdao could feel a thousand other eyes in hidden corners all around the hangar and the large spires and towers. The place was perfectly planned for an ambush. He did not blame them. If he was inviting the Eldar onto Terra, he'd have a million traps, ambushes and kill zones set up before they even walked through the first layer of the Palace's Defenses.
Kolemai, and the Autarch Elrahin stepped forward to meet them, Serizawa's eyes widening, as Al-Hashimi and Nureddin looked to each other in surprise. With them was Chieftain Mauvryaon, and a number of guards, warriors and the Seer council. Serizawa knew of the Eldar, as did every Inquisitor, Order Major or Minor, but he was certain something was...quite different about them. Chongdao was the first to speak their questions.
"I know you Eldar use the solar energy of stars, but perhaps you have all been standing too close to your sails." He remarked dryly.
"It's not a tan, our perfect Aledari skin does not cook like Mon'Keigh flesh," Elrahin replied bitterly, already annoyed at the words from these clumsy-footed interlopers.
Kolemai held up a hand to stop her, before turning to the Inquisitor and others. "This is a mutation in our genome. Brought on by the being we've been taking care of."
"Mothra." Serizawa stated quietly, more to himself then the others.
Despite the quietness, Kolemai picked up on the words, tilting his head to the Inquisitor. "Yes. Mothra, in our tongue, 'Lecai tav Isha'. Among the kaiju like the King you encountered, she is among the strongest."
Nureddin looked doubtful at these aliens' ramblings, jerking his head back in disgust. "What purpose would the Emperor of Mankind have with giving you a monster of any kind, alien?"
"Of that, we do not know. Our ancestors and he met on Haliin, and the agreement was reached." Kolemai explained in a cold, matter of fact, voice. "We took the great Moth within our Craftworld, and used our gifts of the Seer and Witch path to restore her to life."
He pointed behind him, over the many, many miles of the Craftworld, to the great dome at the center that held the Infinity Circuit. "She was housed, and made herself a part of the Circuit. Our souls mingled with hers, and our forms changed to reflect a certain...aspect of the creature."
It sounded like a perverse reflection of the Emperor's own life-preserving ritual on the Golden Throne, fed the psychic souls a 1000 a day. Why would the Aeldari chose that? Wasn't their superstitions based around creating Ynnead? What did they gain from empowering an outside entity? Was the Emperor playing along with their prophecy for his own ends?
Serizawa was beginning to formulate these questions, when Kaalor strode forward, his legs clanking and lumbering as he did. His right eyes were clicking and extending out, lights flicking and flashing within them, focused on Elrahin, as he spoke. "I detect the skin of your kind contains trace of chitin, like an insect. How fascinating."
Elrahin stiffened, grinding her teeth as she gave the Tech-Priest a cold glare. "Do not scan me."
"Perhaps we should talk strategy? My regiment is ready to deploy at any moment, and I would rather not keep discussing alien biology." Anton remarked with some annoyance.
"Agreed. We shall take this to the Seer Council's area. Only the Inquisitor, General and his officers, the Losseainn and the Custodes may come." Kolemai interjected, as if worried Elrahin would last out further against their guests.
The Farseer gestured to one of the crescent-shaped, glowing Webway gates a few yards from the landing bay the humans had come onto. Nureddin knew the Warp was dangerous, and if the Webway was linked Aliens like the Aeldari, it was even less trustworthy. But, there wasn't much choice. He had a job to do, as expected of an Astartes, and he had served a few too many centuries to keep such an attitude. Even if he hated it, the quicker this mission finished, the quicker both parties could be on their way. Each one entered, Baduhenna first, Chongdao last, and each stepping in carefully after the Aeldari.
It was a brief second, but an overwhelming tunnel of light, almost burning through the eyes of any human inside, before they stumbled out of the other. Serizawa and the two Astartes were breathing hard, while Kaalor only stumbled a bit, before raising two fingers to the side of his head, setting his cybernetic implants in motion and slowing down his heart rate and stabilizing his vital signs in an instant. As the others were shaking off their daze and surprise, Kaalor was already striding forward, his organic eye widening at the sight of the Circuit before him.
Serizawa and Al-Hashimi both turned to the Infinity Circuit, their powers and sight through the warp letting them see the pure, burning, almost overwhelming power of the Warp within Circuit, coalesced into the body of the creature within, nothing else visible within the great crystalline circuit, only a prone form of black with a vast, bright, glowing blue energy haze humming through the whole circuit. Through concentration, they could see the souls of others burning through the warp, but that wasn't even needed here, their gifts of the Witch-sight letting them see the full power of gathered Eldar souls.
"Impressed? We hope that, in time, the Mothra may become our savior, as she was for Earth once." Kolemai said as he stepped from the Webway gate. "That she will help us finally destroy She who Thirsts."
"I don't know if she is that strong, but if it frees the galaxy from Chaos, perhaps the Emperor was right to chose you." Serizawa replied carefully, still not trusting the aliens, but now thinking they might have some use after all.
"Let us discuss the business of strategy, though our kind have had...differences, we will make an invincible bulwark against Chaos." Kolemai stated firmly, tapping the blunt end of his spear twice into the ground. "I suggest our kind use our superior agility and grace to lure them in with harassment attacks. The slower, more durable Imperial tanks and ground forces then can set up cordons to blunt their thrust towards the circuit."
"We Mordians broke a Daemon invasion. We'll defend every street corner and brewery here with our lives if need be." General Anton intoned, voice as filled with iron as his regiment's name. He didn't really care for the Eldar, but the chance to strike at Chaos was one he couldn't resist.
"Not us," Nureddin remarked, Kolemai and Elrahin looking to him in surprise, as Chongdao prepared to growl another threat, before he continued. "We Hound Keepers are Sons of Jaghatai. The thrill of the hunt and the ride burns in our veins like captured lightning. We will take a more aggressive stance against the Chaos wretches."
Serizawa almost released a sigh of relief, worried that Nureddin and Al-Hashimi would let go of their pride to serve the Emperor's greater goals and vision. He now wanted to chastise himself, for ever doubting a Space Marine's foresight. Of course the Emperor's vaunted Marines were up to the challenge.
"We have a few Shining Spear Warriors in our warhost, I can position them to assist in your hunt." Elrahin commented, before an arrogant smile came to her face. "You will have to keep up, of course. It may be difficult."
"Be careful, knife-ear. Your warriors may find their pride shattered by our superiority." Nureddin said with a wry grin, welcoming the challenge.
Chongdao spoke up next, his voice like iron sands thrown into their ears by harsh winds, cutting hard. "We will take the toughest battle line. We Custodes have never ran from a challenge."
Kolemai turned to Serizawa, the Inquisitor feeling as if the very eyes of the helmet were boring into his soul. "I would request you stay near myself and the Seer Council, so our psychic powers may be used against the Warp-Creatures of the Quass."
Serizawa wondered if he'd be able to handle that. Working with Malleus and Xenos gave him a grasp on how to handle certain issues, but he was not an expert on banishing such things back to their foul home, before almost laughing to himself.
'I've seen such battles. The best way to banish the things is with sword and bolter.' He thought, before nodding to Kolemai. "I want to keep an eye out for if this Mothra emerges after her long period in healing."
"You and us both." Kolemai replied, before gesturing to the rest of the Craftworld with his hand. "Now, we can deploy the troops with Elrahin's input and your..."
The Farseer, Chieftain and others turned, as if surprised, eyes widening towards the Infinity Circuit. The Imperial forces readied their weapons, wondering if something was coming to put the Aeldari on edge and put them on alert. Instead, they saw two female figures coming out of the circuit itself, seemingly materializing from the energies and souls within. The two were Aledari, and came to them slowly, each step measured and careful, as if not wanting to disturb anyone sleeping nearby. Serizawa watched the two figures carefully, narrowing his eyes, trying to see them through the hum of light and energy from the circuit. He always found the way the Aeldari moved to be disturbing. They looked human enough, but their movements, their expressions, were always too...clean...too graceful. They felt like ghostly figures confined in a more humanoid frame.
The two were Aeldari women, baring the same strange dark skin tones and white hair, though giving off a light blue glow that would've almost made one think it was white. Their hair was long cascading down their back, and over their heads, the hair seemed to form into two, furry antennae. Over their checks, were straight markings, curving out under the eyes, while below this upside down "L" shape, were triangular marks. The rest of their forms were covered in orange robes and yellow armor, with white markings over the rest of it. Over their waist was a long cloth of glowing runes, along with their wrist armor having a single rune on each wrist. One had glowing white runes, while the other had light blue. Around their necks were a set of necklaces, a medallion of gold bearing a cross with what looked like bands coming from the corners of the cross.
The one with white runes over the armor had a cyan jewel on her forehead, the other a red jewel. Both spoke at once, their echoing tone in complete unison. "We speak for Mothra. She thanks for your help and saving Leamhan. This will begin to set the galaxy right, that has gone so wrong."
Serizawa looked mystified, looking to the other gathered Eldar for guidance or help on this. He was completely taken aback by these two, not sure what to make of it. Nothing his superior had told him even alluded to this.
Kolemai seemed to detect his confusion and frustration. He spoke once more, looking to them as if to make sure they were finished, before speaking aloud. "The Sisters of Starlight Wings are the priestesses of Mothra. Centuries ago, they found their way to us, and became bonded to her."
Serizawa had yet more questions, but by the time he had turned back around, the two strange Aeldari were already gone and returning to the Infinity Circuit itself. He stepped back once, then twice, wearily, stroking his chin nervously. It was such a strange encounter, he was hardly sure if it had actually happened, if those two had been real, or just a vision of some kind from some other power. The other leaders did not help his confusion, already returning to the discussions of where to deploy both Imperial and Aeldari forces.
Whatever the case maybe, he decided it was best to leave that thought for later.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\
As the plans were finished, Chongdao motioned for Nureddin, the Captain looking to him with some confusion. What else was there for them to discuss? Was this regarding Nureddin's disdain for having to serve with the Aeldari? Shouldn't any good servant of the God-Emperor have a pure hatred for such foulness.
"Come Captain, we have another thing to discuss, the improvements the Primarch Guilliman ordered be given to you." The Custodes Shield-Captain commented, his raspy tone slightly more contrite then usual.
Nureddin followed him, as the Captain turned towards Al-Hashimi. "Follow us back to the hangar."
The Custodes lead the two into the Webway gate, the three stepping into the construct in a flash of light. Nureddin girded himself for the travel, feeling the rush of energy and power from the gate, and in an instant later, stepped out onto the hangar, where a new gunship had landed. It was a large and bulky thing, larger then the Thunderhawks he was used to, but shaped in a similar, boxy fashion. Nureddin looked at it in shock and confusion. Where they receiving new weapons and equipment from the forge and Mars and beyond?
As the Custodes led them there, Eldar Warriors still watching the encroaching, heavily armored warriors with distaste and mistrust, Chongdao gestured with a hand towards the gunship, in a quick and decisive motion. The back of it opened, and Nureddin heard the familiar lumbering steps of other Marines. His questions for what this could mean would remain unanswered for only a moment. Out from behind the gunship's loading ramp, stepped numerous Space Marines.
They were taller then any he had seen from among his chapter, their armor more sleek and refined compared to the Powered Armor of previous warriors, but bore the same colors and symbols of the Chapter itself. Everything was uncanny about them, setting him further on edge. Their armor, their bolters and other weapons, all of it looked familiar, and yet...was so wrong to him. Al-Hashimi drew in tightly through his teeth. Despite his stoic appearance, Nureddin could tell this also bothered him.
The new warriors stepped up to them, stopping a few feet away, eyeing them wearily, perhaps not sure how they'd be accepted by the other Astartes.
"These are Primaris. They are newly forged Adeptus Astartes, created in the forges and labs of the Archmagos Belisarius Cawl. Roboute Guilliman himself has lead these troops into battle across the galaxy with the Unnumbered Sons," Chongdao explained. "Each and every Chapter had received these warriors, and means to create new ones. In doing so, they all have faced the rising tides of Chaos. You and the Chapters in this region will do the same."
Nureddin said nothing, eyeing them in complete disbelief. Chongdao simply continued. "They share your Geneseed, the gifts of Jaghatai Khan, and are genetically Hound Keepers. Your task is to bring them into your hearth, make them like yourselves beyond just genetics."
Nureddin turned to Custodes, blinking several times to try and focus his mind. "I apologize, what in the Emperor's name is this? The Primarch himself is okay with the modification and...and twisting of our kind?"
"Cawl acted with the Emperor's blessing. This has been laid out centuries before, as was this Treaty." Chongdao said, a little more force in his voice. He had partaken in this challenge many times. While some Marines, either those of Guilliman's dynasty, or simply desperate, accepted the Marines gladly, others needed a little more convincing. "Do you dare question that which follows the Emperor's vision?"
Nureddin looked at the Primaris for a moment, weary of them, but merely shrugged. "I am merely the Chorbaji of one Orta in the chapter. If they prove themselves, I will speak to Chapter-Agha Murad of integration."
Chongdao nodded curtly. "See to it."
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
The ranks of the Eldar Guardians and Dire Avengers marched ahead of the rest, accompanied by their Warlorcks and Exarch leaders, Shuriken Catapults and Swords gripped tightly. Civilian-Militia and Aspect Warrior alike had spent hours meditating and preparing themselves, creating the 'War-Mask' to prepare and shield their minds from the horror.
The priest that Serizawa had brought with him, the dark skinned man, leaned heavily on his Chainsword, as he recited the words of the Emperor to the gathered Mordians, all of them broadshoulders, scared and stone-faced men and women.
"Though the Emperor has brought us here to protect the Xenos, He has his reasons," The Priest called to the crowds of troops. "We serve His light, as long as we serve loyally. No matter what tests He puts before us, we must always follow His word, His deed, His actions."
Elsewhere, the priests and Commissars were giving great speeches, the Mordians listening with stoic silence and as taciturn as ever. As always, any doubts, private traitorous thoughts were quickly silenced by their loyalty imbued into them from the days they could walk and read. No Mordian was immune to fear or doubt, but a life in Mordia's horrific hives and grueling conditions created a people that would swallow any difficulty down and ignore it to get whatever they were ordered to done. The disgust and revulsion towards the alien was a temporary discomfort.
One of the platoons of Guardsmen marched into position, forming ranks, the first kneeling and taking position, the others checking their Lasguns, Grenade launchers and other weapons, as a group of Eldar Guardians took their own positions within the buildings and such surrounding the street the Mordians. Throughout, the city streets of the Craftworld leading to the Infinity Circuit and the resting place of Mothra were full of Guardsmen, including tanks and, along the edges, artillery. Among them, were the Predators of the Hound Keepers. The First-born Marines watched their Primaris Kin take up their positions alongside them, weary of these newly crafted strangers, not sure what to make of them.
One of the Marines turned to Sergeant Hafiz, who was still studying them closely. The Tactical Marine spoke in a hushed tone, the Primaris checking their Boltguns and other weapons. "Is this...trustworthy, Brother Hafiz?"
"Don't forget the old saying among our fathers and mothers on Edirne," Hafiz stated calmly. "Dost kara gunde belli olur."
'Real friends make themselves known in times of trouble'. It seemed pleasant to the veteran Hound Keepers, but these new weapons and tactics were beyond them. These figures did not speak Edirne's native tongue, only High Gothic. They were already serving on the line, and did not have the names of Edirnians.
Nureddin had quickly moved to bring the forces together, and while voices had spoken against it, such as Al-Hashimi, there was little time to debate things. From his position in the central battle line, Nureddin was followed closely by a Primaris Lieutenant. He was the highest ranking officer among those brought aboard the Craftworld, the rest still waiting for the orders to come aboard if need be. His skin was vibrant and healthy, but not the bronzed features of Edirne, either its nomadic steppe and desert tribes in the plains and mountains, nor the coastal Mediterranean cities. He had a completely shaved head, and a lack of scars, only visible on his armor, not his body. Nureddin had chosen to stay close to the battleline, and not join the mounted hunt with the other Sipahis. If there were issues, he wanted to be close to this Lieutenant and the other Marines to smooth things over.
Even the way he spoke sounded more like an Ultramarine or one of the many other chapters in the rest of the Imperium, but Nureddin focused on the traitors. Worrying about where they came from was a silly distraction.
"Sir, Captain Nureddin, I know our presence is disconcerting, but I can assure you, I fought many battles with the traitors and their masters," He spoke up, bracing a Power Ax across his shoulders. "You can rely on us to face this threat."
"I will see to deed, not word, Lieutenant Trajas." Nureddin replied simply, looking over the entire Craftworld, as a few Howling Banshees took their positions beside his compliment of guards.
"Understandable, words should be left to poets and bards." Trajas commented with a curt nod, knowing this would be a difficult path forward to integrating. He was trying his best, as advised by the Custodes, to do everything to keep in the Hound Keeper's good graces.
Nureddin could sense his peer's desire to prove himself, merely giving him an aside glance. "Not all Marines hail from Edirne. Prove your bravery though, and you will be awarded a name from there, and truly be one of us. If the Primarch trusted in you, then you should be up to the task."
As they prepared, Kolemai stood before the Circuit, kneeling, as if in prayer, thinking deeply on what was going to come, and the risk and battle ahead. His breaths were long and drawn in, and with his helmet on, could've been mistaken for sleeping. The Aeldari Farseer leaned heavily against the spear, as Serizawa stood several yards away, rolling his shoulders slightly, trying to clear his mind before the fight.
Kolemai suddenly stood up, shooting to his feet in a a motion that Serizawa did not think possible. The Farseer turned to him and the Seer council, raising his voice. "They are here!"
A scream tore through the entire Craftworld, not a mortal scream, but something more ethereal, something beyond anything any being could make. Serizawa, Kolemai and every other psyker within the Craftworld was shaken to the very core by the sound, feeling as though some invisible blade had cut right into them. Serizawa stiffened, the color draining from his face, while Kolemai looked to be stricken for a moment. A cold breeze seemed to go through the entire Craftworld, even seemingly cutting through the suits worn by the Eldar, the flak Armor of the Guardsmen, and the powered armor of the Space Marines.
A silence fell over the entire Craftworld, as several holes tore open through reality, holes of purple and black screaming energy, the wraithbone of the Craftworld within a 30 meter radius decaying, fraying and breaking apart, as scores upon scores of Daemons, Cultists and Marines of Slaanesh marched into the Craftworld, weapons and armor gleaming, some perfectly balanced silver and bronze, designed to look more like a work of art, while others were as loud and garish as any other armor worn by the Slaanesh worshipers.
Every Eldar who saw it felt their heart drop like a stone. On and on, the legions of Slaanesh poured in, lead by a Keeper of Secrets. It twirled its massive curved blade around itself, giving a few swipes through the air as it moved with strange lightness. It stomped through the abandoned streets of the Craftworld, turning its eyes to the concentration of life forms near the Infinity Circuit. He swung his blade forward, pointing at the central circuit.
"Pleasure-seekes and hedonists of Slaanesh! Gather forth and pursue every Aeldari soul you can!" Akrizuul Serpenttongue called to the Horde, that continued to grow further and further in number. "Every one of their souls is ours by right!"
The rangers positioned within the buildings and towers steeled their hearts, gripping their Long Rifles tightly, and aiming them out the windows and openings of the Craftworld's many towers, spires and habitats. The hordes of Slaanesh crowded through every street and cordon of the Craftworld, Cultists dedicated to the perverse god marching through, yelling and screaming with excitement and trepidation for the coming slaughter. As they did, a volley of long rifle fired off from the towers, striking the mobs of scouts, and spearing through them, blood spraying across the streets of the Ctaftworld, most barely even having time to register the blistering pain, before they fell dead. Most of the Cultists froze, looking around, gripping swords, pistols, guns and whatever else they could grab. The Marines and Daemonettes behind them were not so patient.
"What is the hold up?" A Noise Marine demanded, lumbering forward with his Sonic Canon. "Move forward, ignore the Eldar fire. For everyone of you that dies, there will be 30 more!"
Another Long Rifle shot fired, striking the Chaos Marine in the shoulder. The traitor staggered, snarling in rage, and turning in the direction of the shot, readying his Sonic gun, before another shot rang out, striking him in the head. The forces of Slaanesh pushed on, Cultists forced forward under pay of death. Behind the mobs, came the lumbering and befouled war machines of the Daemon-kin here, the Aeldari rangers staggered from the very appearance of them, before running for the exits of the buildings. Without the penetrating power to hit them, the tanks and Dreadnoughts marched into position, aiming their weapons and firing.
Graceful towers of Wraithbone and gentle, artful spires crumbled and crashed to dust and splintered remains, as the hordes of Daemon and Chaos worshipers continued forward. As they did, Champions and Aspiring Champions roaring to the Cultists, promising them a worst death then whatever the Aeldari witches had planed. Eldar Rangers reappeared in other rooftops, taking shots into the crowds, before disappearing. It seemed the Eldar were at first having success at slowly them down, before the Daemonettes broke off from the main force, and made their way through the desolate ruins left by the Predators and Vindicators. The explosion of cannons and the scream of Sonic weapons sounded, the Rangers picking their way through. One of the Pathfinders clicked on his helmet.
"The Chaos Mon'Keigh are advancing quickly, I am giving the location." He stated calmly over the helmet, even as explosions continued to tear through the Craftworld.
Suddenly, the warp tore open all around his group of six Rangers, Daemonettes flying out, crab-like claws swinging out at them with blinding speed. Even the superhuman reflexes of the Eldar, who dodged and weaved like humming birds through the attack, could only just barely avoid being cut to ribbons by the Daemons. The Pathfinder pulled out his sword, unsheathing it, and slicing through one Daemonette's arm and cutting it completely off, the creature staggering back with a scream, the Pathfinder cringing as it sounded like a mix of pain and pure ecstasy. He felt his stomach churn at the sound, as other Daemonettes swarmed upon the Rangers.
They would very soon give their lives to the Craftworld. He was sure of it. He wanted to be hopeful that their sacrifice would mean something, would give Leamhan a chance for the future, with their new goddess protecting it, but he couldn't hide his doubts.
'I've heard of Idharae and Iyanden, and what became of them. Our sacrifices today will just lead to more death for us tomorrow.' He thought grimly, stabbing another Daemonette through the face, and kicking it away.
Before they could be overwhelmed, a shot rang out, followed by several more, high velocity, high speed rounds striking and penetrating through the bodies of the Daemonettes, several disappearing back to the Warp in a burst of purple-pink energy. One of the Slaaneshi Daemons looked out in shock. The sniper rounds this time were solid, bolt rounds striking without even leaving a trace through the air.
"Humans...?!" One of the Daemonettes shouted, before the rumbling roar of Assault bikes sounded, the Rangers ducking and jumping for Cover, as the Hound Keeper bikes rolled into action, sweeping through the area like a storm.
The Warp Spawned creatures barely had time to react, before the first assault bike slammed into her, and smashed her below the wheels, the two large tires grinding the Daemon to mush before it vanished back into the warp. The others quickly followed, Bolt pistols ringing out, chainswords roaring to life and slicing through the Daemonettes, the last few trying to put up a futile struggle, before being brought down in a wave of Sniper and pistols rounds, sent back to the Warp, shocked and surprised the Marines had joined the battle on behalf of the Eldar.
The Pathfinder got to his feet, dusting off his cloak and armor, and taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Thank you, Mon'Keigh. Your swords struck the mark well."
"Hmmph." Was all the Sipahi leader stated, starting up his bike and gesturing with his off hand for the others to follow, riding off.
Elsewhere, the flanks of the Slaaneshi Warband were struck, Bike-mounted Sipahis and Shining Spears striking into corners and portions of the army, Power Swords and Chainswords slashing through Cultists and Daemonettes, while the Shining Spears burned and disintegrated Cultist and Marine alike with their well-aimed energy attacks.
Akrizuul watched over the battlefield, spotting the swift and brutal attacks by the Hound Keepers and Shining Spears at the edges of his army, disappearing before the mortal tanks and Seeker Chariots could track them down. He narrowed his eyes, looking among his troops, before swinging his sword and towards the defenders.
"Chaos Marines, we have loyalists, strike them down!" Akrizuul shouted to them, irritated as ever. When and how did the Eldar of all things get humans to help them in this battle? 'Well, twice the souls, double the bounty.'
The main horde continued on, now pounded by basilisks, as Chaos marines on Assault bikes charged. Over the ruins and rubble of the Craftworld they came, the Sipahis and Shining Spears sighting them, and charging. Bolt rounds, lasers, and the odd Plasma shot, fired out from the charging forces, before they closed, Chainaxes and Chainswords meeting and clashing in the cavalcade of melee, blood spraying with every weapon strike, warriors thrown from their mechanical mounts and smashed on the road, or grounded by foes or careless comrades.
Akrizuul snarled through the hail of artillery shells, before extending his hand outwards. His mind searched through the Warp, easily picking out the humans and their artillery, the various guards stationed to protect it, and their exact locations. He had no patience for these baseline humans and their pathetic guns. It spoiled the fun, really, when they could not enjoy the sights, sounds and sensations of battle up close. He focused energy from his hand, calling on the Warp again.
From the midst of the Imperial lines, Daemonic mounts and infantry teleported from the ranks of his army, to right into the midst of the Imperial-Aeldari force. Daemonette claws struck into some of the Guardsmen, cutting down score upon score, leaving slashed open bodies, eviscerated bodies, and moans of pleasure from the Daemons as they slashed and danced in the ranks of the enemy. Assault Marines and Primaris Vanguard charged, Chainswords and Power Sword-Yatagan meeting their foe, Striking Scorpions and Howling Banshees leaping from the ruins and corners of the Craftworld to join the fray.
The Guardsmen took position, ignoring their own loses, facing down the alluring servants of Slaanesh without a single sign of doubt or fear. The loss of comrades bit hard, but they answered with the snap-hiss of Lasguns and blasts from the Plasma guns, striking into the Daemons whenever their chances were open. And yet, for all their stalwart defense, more Slaaneshi Daemons seem to come charging form the portals, eager to join the chaos. As the Basilisks began to load another salvo against the attackers, yet more portals opened, Seeker Chariots and others charging out and not wasting a moment to slaughter, their faces filled with leering grins of arousal and excitement. The Mordian guards stationed around the Artillery opened fire on sight, firing what they could, and when closed, stabbed at them with well-drilled bayonet strikes.
Artillery crews tried to load, as Daemonettes jumped onto them and cut them down, penetrating through flak armor, jumping and mounting them and tearing them apart with claw, hand and teeth. The Astartes and Aspect Warriors fought together, Chainswords roaring through the air, Power Swords and Spears slicing and striking at the, but the whirling mass and dancing forms evaded their strikes, countering and hitting back with equal fury.
Without the withering wave and wave of artillery to strike at the main horde, they were able to close, the other Imperial Guard and Eldar Guardian troops preparing themselves, tanks preparing their shells and other weapons for what was to come.
Elrahin swooped in, coming to a landing in front of the gathered Eldar and Human warriors, raising her power sword above her head. "The Warriors under Autarch Ylrad will be joining us soon. All of you, fight with all the fury in your hearts!"
"Not one step back!" Yelled one of the Commissars, readying his bolt pistol and power fist, as another shouted in another part of the regiment. "Pay them back for betraying the love of our Emperor!"
A magenta mist spread out from the host of Slaanesh forces, rolling over the street and plazas of the Craftworld, a smell that changed with every figure that breathed it in. Sometimes, it was a sweet liquor, like beer or fine wine, to others the perfume or cologne of a close lover. One of the Guardians readied his Shuriken Catapult, turning to a nearby Mordian, who was swaying slightly from the scents, trying to shake off the effects and concentrate, before the Eldar commented.
"And here I thought we were fighting She who Thirsts," He said, his voice cold and near-emotionless. "But all this gas and smells, seems more like Nurgle."
A few Guardsmen looked at the Eldar Soldier in confusion and shock, the Eldar looking back at them, his impassive helmet not giving a hint of any emotion beneath. The Mordians turned back to the source of the smoke and perfume. The Guardsmen locked their jaws, as the Eldar hide their disgusted reactions to the scent, every one without a helmet or open face, cringing and shivering at every scent brought in, unlike the humans, not only were they smelling the sweet smells of spices and wine, but at the same time, hearing the screams of their ancestors and those who were in lost in the Warp, their moments of ecstasy, turned to pain without end.
A horn sounded, Guardsmen and Guardians grinding their teeth and girding themselves for what was to come. There was silence for a moment, as if the entire legion had disappeared into the mists, the nightmare of hedonism and sybarites vanishing, those about to experience the horrors for a moment believing the threat was just a mirage meant to fool them. A terse, tight breath followed, before a Cultist came running from the mist, yelling a battle cry, before a barrage of Shuriken fire rang out, the glowing blue disks hitting him from all directions the instant he appeared, slicing through his bare chest and body, the concentrated fire leaving his chest and stomach in tatters, and his sword arm flying off, before the cultist hit the ground. The Guardians rapidly checked their ammo, as a greater swarm of them came charging out. Dressed in tattered and torn robes and clothing, some wrapped in barbed wire and chains, all tattooed with the mark of Slaanesh on them, came running at the gathered forces. Las and Auto Pistols fired at them, various cudgels, swords and other hand weapons ready for use against them. They never got the chance, the hiss of Las fire sounding as the Mordians fired the first volley in coordination, a barrage of lasers ripping straight through Cultist flesh, and sheering right through their bodies. Flesh was cut to ribbons by the las fire, skin ripped right open, organs lacerated and burned to black, as other Mordians fired grenade launchers spraying the streets with scattered parts and viscera.
As more Cultists charged over their dead peers, the Eldar joined, Shurikens from the Weapons platforms and Reaper Cannons tore through the air, shredding them so quickly, that many of the Cultists kept running, not realizing they had been sliced open and shredded by Shuriken and other weapons fire, many not even realizing their organs and hearts had failed before they could reach the central lines. For several minutes, the central line kept up the fire, weapons teams and infantry pouring down fire in every street and plaza leading to the circuit, Cultist after Cultist falling, their guts splayed out like a butcher's stall.
The Mordian lines stopped, all reloading their weapons in coordination, as the Slaaneshi horde seemed to slow in its momentum, before another massive war came to attack, this time supporter by Daemonic forces, Seekers and Daemonettes charging alongside them. The Mordians merely finished loading, and as the enemy got closer, opened fire, Guardians and Dark Reapers firing into the crowds of Chaos and its worshipers, this time, so many, they clogged every street, too many for even concentrated fire to bring down.
But, as the first Daemons and Cultists began to close with the Mordians, Hound Keeper Assault marines jumped from the skies, fire following in their wake, as they crashed down onto the heaviest concentrations, many Cultists smashed into pulverized gore by the fall of the Marines. Chainswords and Power blades activated, the Astartes getting to work, as their new Primaris counterparts joined the fray, some Jetpack-equiped Intercessors, others the more exotic and strange Inceptor squads, their twin Bolt guns blazing as they delivered death. Daemonettes lunged at the Marines, claws raised, some of their eyes brimming with hatred and malice.
Claws struck against swords and Powered Armor, the Marines holding back the Daemons, even as they poured onto the ranks of the Mordians. The Guardsmen did not break or waver, merely standing shoulder to shoulder and striking back. They parried and blocked with their guns, grim-faced and stoic, even in the face of mind-bending horrors, striking and lunging with well-drilled and trained bayonet stabs and power swords slashes and strikes. No matter how many strikes they missed, the Mordians did not grow frustrated, still keeping their stoicism and coolness, even as the Daemonettes sliced through the first ranks, the others tried to keep their heads cool.
The Hound Keepers Battleline squads joined the battle, Bolters and Heavy bolters firing at at the foe as the entire Craftworld devolving into a brawling pit. Raptors flew into battle, as Noise Marines charged into position, quickly bringing their sonic weapons to bear, the scream of their weapons somehow sounding over the din of battle, any caught in the sweeping path of their sonic waves vaporized in short order, melted into bone and fragments of flesh.
Nureddin was in the thick of the battle, Trajas alongside him, power swords cleaving through the enemy ranks, as a number of Raptors charged, Chainswords and Power Claws swinging at them, taunts and jeers in numerous tongues hitting them, as Nureddin merely focused on defeating them.
"What is this then?" An Aspiring Champion taunted, firing his Hand Flame at Nureddin. "Has the Imperium started putting Geneseed into Ogryns now?"
"I will show you the power of the Emperor and his adepts' gene-science, that you turned your back on!" Trajas snarled, charging at Raptor.
"The Emperor did not sanction your bastardized implantation, pup." The Aspiring Champion said, his scared and lacerated face grinning in a taunt. Trajas' breathing quickened, his grip on his blade tightening as his body stiffened, as if receiving a blow.
"Trajas, remain calm, you're a Son of Jaghatai, not Russ or Angron." Nureddin warned, alarmed, as three Warp Talons charged at him, roaring and snarling like attack dogs, lunging forward with their power claws.
He staggered back, avoiding the attacks of the frenzied beasts, quickly bringing up his Plasma Pistol and fired a shot, hitting one of them in the chest, and as another jumped at him, Nureddin swung his Power Sword around, slicing deep into its midsection, and spraying blood and innards from the wound. He fired another shot, vaporizing its head, and as another charged, jumping over the second's body, Nureddin swung his sword against, striking across its shoulder, knocking it off balance, before striking with a backhand, striking against the chest, and as it staggered back, stabbed it through the chest.
A Raptor flew at him, Nureddin spun and swung his blade, catching the Chainsword, and blocking it, his face focused in grim determination. He didn't want Trajas to rush into battle. The Lieutenant was strong and had seen a fair share of battles, but if he was blinded by rage, his abilities would be lessened. The Marine who lost his cool, was the one to lose. As Jaghatai had taught them, the hunt must be conducted coldly and stoically, fury directed in action, not in the mind. Trajas and, if he was to guess, most of these Primaris didn't have the experience yet to know that.
Two raptors charged at him, one firing a Bolt Pistol, the other spraying the area with flame, before Trajas raised his Melta Gun one-handed, and fired, the searing beam cutting through the flames, and striking the flamer the Raptor held, rupturing the fuel cell, and exploding, The Raptor staggered back, screaming in pain, before Trajas charged in, and swung, taking both Raptors' heads off in one strike, before turning to the Aspiring Champion. He barely had time to react, before the hilt of the Chainsword was slammed into his helmet. The Primaris staggered, trying to raise the Melta Gun again, before the Raptor Leader swung his sword around, striking him in the wrist, the gun falling away, and Trajas jumping back, barely avoiding the loss of his limb.
Trajas swung his sword around, the Aspiring Champion blocking the blow, but the Raptor Champion staggering from the strength of the hit. His eyes widened for a moment, before jumping back and out of the way of the Lieutenant's next swing. He barely avoided the hit, the sword chipping a chunk off his breastplate, the Aspiring Champion leveling his pistol and firing a few rounds into Trajas. The Lieutenant staggered from every hit, the bolt shells slamming into his armor and either falling off, or staying impacted within, leaving dents across the once pristine emerald plate. He snarled, before charging again. Every swing was precise, practiced and strong. Against a lesser foe, Trajas would've carved them to pieces.
But this Chaos wretch, like so many of the traitor legions, compensated for the lack of strength and enhancement with better experience. He grinned, dodging and weaving through the hits, before swinging his own Chainsword, catching the Lieutenant at just the right angle to deflect his sword into the ground, and, as the Primaris leader reared back in shock, saw the roaring saw blades coming for his head. He leaned back, just as another green-armored figure slammed into the aspiring champion, his sword slashing through part of the helmet, but sparing Trajas' head.
Nureddin's Yatagan blade slammed through the side of the Champion, through his armpit and into the Aspiring Champion's body. Blood sprayed out from the cut artery, coating Nureddin's front, face and arms. He cursed in Edirnian, but remained focused, twisting the blade, as the Champion let out a surprised, quiet gasp, before falling limp. Trajas tore off the helmet, just as another Raptor armed with a power claw and plasma pistol charged at him, Trajas swinging down and cutting the clawed limb off, then taking the head off in another strike. He now sported a scar across the bridge of his nose and over the right eye, bleeding heavily. His right eye closed on reflex, Trajas looking around for any other attacking foes.
Nureddin turned to the Lieutenant, spitting out foul traitor blood and coughing, breathing hard. His voice was tight, angered, but measured. "Do not rush into a fight like that again."
Trajas' throat tightened. He wanted to protest and make his case, but knew he had been rash. He merely bowed his head slightly. "Yes, Captain. I apologize for my rashness. My pride got the better of me."
Nureddin turned, surveying the battlefield, before gesturing for him to follow. "There is more fighting to be done. Talk later."
Nureddin could not exactly blame the Lieutenant. He had been young and brash once, perhaps not long ago if you asked Yakub and the other Captains of the Ortas, but pride in the Chapter and gene-heritage must never come in the way of seeing the war through to completion.
'Defending the Chapter's honor means nothing if you fall like any common Guardsmen.' He thought, marching quickly through the Craftworld. It was now a full on brawl, Guardsmen, Marine, Alien and Daemon alike all engaged in all manner of bloody fighting. No one seemed to have an advantage, too much bloodletting and gore spread throughout, tanks firing into crowds of foes, smashing through delicate, artistic Eldar buildings to gain a better vantage point on their foes.
In the central battlefield, Chongdao and his companions stood among a pile of Chaos corpses, so thick now it had created a massive layer, practically a hill of corpses, blood-red now marring their once pristine armor, yet barely any damage out of some small burns from the las pistols and a few tiny indentations from the bolt strikings against their armor. Chongdao slammed his ax into the ground, raising his shield slightly, as another wave of possessed, Chosen and waves of cultists gathered to face them again.
"Do not hesitate! Come and face us. We are almost sweating, try a little more, traitors and beasts alike, and we may need to catch our breath." He challenged, grinning almost like a mad man under his helmet.
Every Custodes should glory the most in facing Chaos. The very force that had robed them of their Emperor, and plunged the Imperium into the mess it was. Every dead Cultist was one tiny step taken in revenge for what had been done to them. The Chaotic mass lingered for a moment, as if unsure to continue going. Guardian Spears and the Castellan Ax pointed in their direction, ready to fire or strike.
The Chaos forces charged, Claws, Chainswords, Power weapons and weapons pointed and ready, a few firing off their weapons to try and weaken them. Baduhenna and, the third Custodes, Vercingetorix, opened fire, bolt rounds from the Guardian spears flying through the air, instantly pulverizing and outright vaporizing their foes in a shower of bloody mist. Coming up behind them, were two Predators, loaded with profane imagery, and the defiled, skinless corpses of past victims, rapidly approaching the three Custodes.
Chongdao smiled, chuckling, as he swung his ax, splitting the reptilian face and armored chest of the first Possessed Marine in one strike. "Perhaps they'll actually put up a good fight now."
Vercingetorix shook his head, as he impaled the first Marine, grabbed a charging Cultist by the head and mashed it, before firing several rounds into a Chosen. "You are much too eager to fight, Chongdao. Too much like Calladyce."
"I'd say I'm a little more consummate in my duties then..." He began to protest, before the sound of something sweeping through the air caught their attention.
The three turned their attention upwards for a moment, to see the Swooping Hawks of Leamhan arrive, landing atop the ruins of other tanks and buildings, and opening fire. Their Lasblasters burned through the air, a dazzling light show as the burning rounds of light energy burned holes through scores of Chaos forces, Swooping Hawks on both sides pouring a fusillade into the enemy, as the Custodes pushed through the middle of the crowd, easily parrying and striking down Cultist and Marine alike. Elrahin flew overhead, firing her pistol into several, but flying down, like a hawk coming down on prey, and killing them in an instant, her elegant sword cutting through armor and flesh alike with sweeping, almost beautiful cuts, severing artery and ligaments, heads and limbs, with only a few swings.
As the tanks closed, the Eldar's own Grav Tanks flew to engage, arriving like winged predators themselves, the purple-white energy focusing and brimming around the main crystal cannons, before firing in a brilliant display of energy, the Chaos tanks torn asunder from the rippling attacks before they could even respond. The smell of burning wreckage and bodies filled the air now, the three Custodes marching forward a few steps, keeping their weapons ready, as the Swooping Hawks flew off to another part of the battlefield to reinforce it.
"Your help was not unwelcome." Chongdao remarked with a slight air of annoyance. "Though we could've handled the rabble."
"There is more to be fought, we cleared out this horde to buy you time to recover and breath," Elrahin explained, too focused on other matters to be goaded by him. "I must see to the Farseer and Council."
Her wings flexed, before she shot off into the air and flew off. The three Custodes watched for a moment, before reloading their bolter magazines and cleaning their blades for the next battle to come.
Elrahin, meanwhile flew above the battlefield, surveying everything as she did. Fighters of both her Craftworld and the Imperials were engaged in tight dogfights with the Chaos fighters, Daemon-engines, and swarms of disposable Furies. She kept low, staying out of their way, before landing on a ruined tower. She had seen what she needed, even at glance, her mind absorbing all of the tactical information and positioning of her troops, and immediately knowing how to move them all.
"Fire Prisms and Wraith Lords in Sector Kolaabenesh, move into defensive formations ahead of the Imperial weapons teams, and remain there," She ordered into her ear piece. "Warlock Veloenwei, order your troops to fall back behind Imperial lines and provide fire support against the next wave."
Her orders were carried out without question, as she shifted channels and attention. "Farseer Kolemai, is the Circuit still safe?"
Kolemai grunted, sounding as if he was straining himself as he spoke. "I apologize for the bad news, but something most foul approaches our circuit."
He was keeping his voice as calm as he could, but Elrahin could tell he was worried, fearful even. The fighting had been fierce, brutal, but it was no where near close to done. The main body of the warhost was no where to be found, and if the Circuit was breached and Mothra killed before she was ready, their entire Craftworld would die a slow death, if the Daemons would give them even that mercy.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
While the rest of the combined Imperial-Eldar forces were engaged in the streets, Kolemai and the Seer council stood before the Circuit, staring as if transfixed by the object. Serizawa merely paced slightly, the din of battle echoing through the causeways and passages leading to the great Infinity Circuit, and the resting, growing form of whatever the Aeldari had taken to worshiping within.
"You are nervous, Inquisitor?" The Farseer asked suddenly, Serizawa looking at him with some surprise for a moment, before returning to composure. "I thought your kind were well-versed in dealing with the denizens of the Warp and their followers."
"The other Ordos are. We in the Ordo Monstrum have been chasing ghosts and hunting down scant books and archives, not fighting wars." He explained, holding his Bolt Pistol close to his chest, his grip tight. "Such experiences are rarely easy to come by either."
"We are strong here. Though our kind have had turbulent history, fate itself has brought us together in this moment to achieve victory." Kolemai said confidently. "If all goes well,we will have prepared another weapon against the Great Enemy."
Serizawa was not so sure of that peachy assessment. It was a well known fact Eldar saw one life of their own as worth more then a million human lives. As far as Shigeru was concerned, the Aeldari were simply using the Imperium to shield their lives.
'I haven't even seen the creature. This could be a trap.' He thought, his worry and fear making privately lash out at himself. 'What I fool I am. About to give my life for some Xenos.'
He swallowed his doubts down, focusing himself. He was an Inquisitor. Everything that had to be done for the Imperium, would be done for the Emperor's vision. He cleared his mind as best he could, trying to remain focused.
Suddenly, another scream tore through the Warp and into their very souls. The Seer Council, Kolemai and Mauvryun all stiffened, their heads turned where they were looking, and frozen, like a prey animal caught and not reacting. Serizawa looked around, a cold sweat going through his whole body. Kaalor stamped over, gripping his staff tightly, machine eyes whirring and clicking as he tried to pick up whatever had caused such an intense fight or flight response.
An explosion tore through the air, a shockwave of purple, knocking human and Eldar to the ground, except Kaalor, who dug his spider limbs into the ground, and lowered his head from the shockwave, as a massive portal tore open. From it, shimmering like a mirage, came the grinning face of the Keeper of Secrets, Akrizuul, followed by a number of Possessed Marines and Exalted Daemonettes. Seers and Eldar Chieftain got to their feet first, spears, swords and Shuriken pistols ready, rage burning in their hearts at the sight of this pervsion. Its needle teeth gleamed in the light of the Infinity Circuit, Akrizuul casting a hungry glance at it, before looking to Kolemai and Mauvryun.
"If you let me and mine feed and violate the body of this little bug, I promise to spare you all, only the humans have to die." Akrizuul offered, pointing a sword at Serizawa. "Am I not practicing a degree of self-control here? Your souls are so much more delectable."
"As if we would ever believe a servant of She who Thirsts!" Kolemai shouted in outrage, giving his spear a twirl, before pointing its blade at Akrizuul. "Return to the hell that spawned you!"
"The one your kind made for me, you mean?" Akrizuul taunted, laughing softly, Serizawa cursing himself as his knees wobbled at the sound. Why did that laugh set him at ease, when everything else was so disgustingly wrong?
Akrizuul turned to Serizawa, its eyes gleaming like jewels to Serizawa. "What about you human? Are even your lowly guardsmen worth losing for some Xenos? What about those vaunted Space Marines?"
He stamped his foot twice, trying to focus, his eyes glaring at Daemon, grinding his teeth together, to the point he wondered if they would crack. "No. I serve the Emperor."
'You do not believe that.' He thought, before stiffening. Was that his own thoughts? Was this creature playing with him? Having its fun before it finished him.
There was only one option. Like any servant of the Imperium that was faced with a question he couldn't asnwer, he did the only thing he could.
He aimed his bolt pistol and fired as many shots as he could. Akrizuul's eyes widened, as he dodged and weaved through the hail of gunfire, the bolter rounds missing him. Akrizuul charged, positioning his sword to skewer the human through the chest. Akrizuul moved with a speed something his size shouldn't have been able to. Serizawa ducked out of the way, as Possessed and Daemonettes charged at the Aeldari leadership, claws and talons raised and ready to strike. Shuriken rounds and psychic lightning fired out, striking the foe, as the Aeldari Chieftain and Seers charged. One of the Exalted Daemonettes leapt at Kolemai, swinging her pincers at him, intending to snap him to pieces. He dodged with a annoyed grunt, ducking and weaving through the flurry of attacks.
One he saw an opening, he swung his spear inwards, striking her through the stomach, and snapped it outwards, ripping through the right side of its body. As it stumbled forward to try and keep attacking, he stepped beside it, and stabbed it through the right side of her head, the creature falling to its knees. Kolemai snapped his spear away, as the Daemonette vanished in a flash of purple light.
"At least it didn't moan like a lover being pleasured." He muttered gruffly to himself, before turning to Akrizuul.
As he prepared to attack, the emerald armored frame of a Hound Keeper lumbered past him, ground shaking, and the being moving without seemingly any difficulty despite the armor. Blue energy gathered in his palm, as Al-Hashimi glared in concentration, before throwing his hand forward, and firing a bolt of warp lightning at the Greater Daemon. The bolt struck the creature in the face, Akrizuul staggering a bit. He looked to the Librarian, before holding up his free hand, purple energy coiling and coalescing around into a long, barbed whip of pure purple energy. Akrizuul lashed out, the whip giving a terrifying crack through the air, as it surged towards Al-Hashimi.
Both Fakir and Farseer called upon their gifts, free hands extended out, before a bubble of energy surrounded them the seconds before the whip hit, and cracked against the shield. He swung against, striking against the shield. As he focused on trying to kill the two, Serizawa stood up and fired his Bolt Pistol, rounds striking the back of the creature's body and head. The Greater Daemon swung around, striking with the whip, and Serizawa barely dodging the attack. Al-Hashimi brought up his hand again, chanting in Edirnian, before a powerful gust of blue energy burst forth in front of him, and slammed into the Keeper, knocking the beast completely off his feet.
Akrizuul twisted and turned in the air, before slamming back onto the ground feet first. Akrizuul shrieked in rage, Serizawa, Kolemai and Al-Hashimi staggered and flinched from the sound, as the creature charged. The Fakir focused his energies and powers, preparing and forging a bolt in the shape of a javelin, calling forth the ancestry of the Storms of Chogoris that had spawned the White Scars, and was passed to the Hound Keepers. Before he could, however, Akrizuul's free hand sprang up, a wave of colorful energy firing off, and washing over the Marine and dispelling the psychic power he was crafting, Al-Hashimi yelling out in pain, holding his head and falling to one knee.
Serizawa summoned his own power, wreathing his sword in psychic power, Akrizuul's pincer lashing out and slashing through part of Al-Hashimi's chest, knocking the beleaguered marine back. Throughout, Akrizuul said nothing, making no promises, no whispers like that of a secret lover, just fury and a desire to inflict as much pain as possible to those that denied him what he so desired. Kolemai stabbed into the creature's leg, summoning all the pain and hatred he could from the centuries of torment even one of these foul things inflicted on his kind. Akrizuul turned its hate-filled eyes on him, swinging another pincer at him, as Kolemai jumped away. The Greater Daemon focused on him, perhaps remembering what souls Slaanesh and his armies favored above all others.
A flurry of blows rained down, faster and more agile then anything of that size should've been capable of. Akrizuul's eyes beamed with delight, sword and crab claws scouring through the air, striking into the Craftworld, as Kolemai jumped all around, stabbing and striking with his spear and psychic powers whenever he could. Akrizuul was not so single-minded as to be left vulnerable, deflecting and blocking the blows whenever they came, or simply letting Kolemai hit him, perhaps savoring the sensation of pain, perhaps enjoying the idea of dangling false up before one of these Aeldari.
As he swung and forced himself at the Eldar, Serizawa came in from behind, swinging his Power Sword, cleaving in with as much force as he could manage. Flesh, or whatever the Daemon called flesh, tore open, energy spilling out, as he cut three large gashes over its body. The Greater Daemon ignored every strike, only turning to bat Serizawa away with the flat of his sword, Serizawa hitting the ground and coughing up blood for a moment. His armor had absorbed the brunt of the hit, but the world still spun for him.
Al-Hashimi growled as he pushed himself up, turning to the Slaaneshi Daemon with nothing but rage and fury in his eyes, his normally calm, icy visage now filled with vengeful wrath. To be a Marine, an exemplar of humanity and be put down in the fight so easily, just made him more determined to see this creature sent screaming back to its infidel God.
Al-Hashimi charged, pulling back his Force Sword, and swinging with all his might, the creature seemingly too focused on Kolemai to notice the Fakir coming for his back. In the split second before his sword met its mark, however Akrizuul had twisted its swordarm about, blocking the strike, arm bending in an unnatural way to hold Al-Hashimi at bay. Kolemai charged, pulling back his left hand, focusing his powers, before throwing out a Destructive bolt of eldritch energy, Akrizuul's body rippling and boiling from the sheer force of energy. As the Daemon staggered, body for a split second, destabilized from the attack, Al-Hashimi launched his attack, swinging in wide, destructive arcs into the creature, as Kolemai stabbed out with his Singing Spear. They only inflicted a few wounds, before Akrizuul destabilized his body and swung both pincers away from himself, blocking both their weapons in an instant.
Sparks flew as both force weapons struggled against the Daemon's incredible might, locked in place against each other. He his grinning face to Al-Hashimi, needle-like teeth flashing, eyes brimming with delight.
"You know, Fulgrim is not the only Primarch to fall to Slaanesh's temptations," He hissed to the Marine Fakir. "Your Khan bends the knee, and sups the many pleasures in the Prince of Pleasures' palace. You could be one of his many sons to finally accept your place at your father's side."
"You insult me twice over," Al-Hashimi retorted with a grunt, shaking his head as his blade remained locked. "One, for daring to even hint that Jaghatai Khan would become a heretic, and two, that I would ever believe it."
The Keeper of Secrets twisted about, slipping past them and dodging away from them. The gigantic Daemon sprinted at the two, swinging his blade, striking with lightning speed at the two psykers. Eldar and Marine moved quickly, far quicker then any other, the natural, inhuman speeds of the Alien, and the enhanced physical power of the Astartes was the only thing keeping them from being split in twine by the Greater Daemon.
Serizawa stood, using his sword to balance for a moment, before flipping it in his grip. As he straightened, more warp portals opened up, three Daemonettes charging at him. Claws and knives were raised, as Serizawa yelled in shock, their bodies moving with blinding speed. It took every ounce of his will power and strength to withstand their whip-fast strikes and slashes at him. As the three lunged at him, he projected a psychic blast through his feet and into the ground, sending a shockwave out that sent the three warp-spawned horrors flying away. As they twisted and screamed through the air, a figure swooped down from the skies, the sound of blade striking through flesh echoing, as Elrahin decapitated two of them, landing beside the Inquisitor, and as the last Daemonette scrambled to its feet, raised their Shuriken and Bolt pistol and fired, rounds mashing and slicing through the creature before it vanished back to the Warp.
"Stay alive, Mon'Keigh, we can't afford to lose even a human psyker against these foul creatures." Elrahin commented in a cold, uncaring tone, marching towards the Greater Daemon.
Serizawa said nothing, still too rattled from the attack to make a pithy remark, simply focusing on the Keeper taking swing after swing at the Farseer and Librarian. The Greater Daemon, when the two pushed back, using their psychic abilities to block and deflect his blows, before trying to push against the creature. The Inquisitor fired another psychic blast, a blast of holy fire that erupted below the Keeper. The psychic Holy Pyre burned white hot, the Daemon roaring in rage, as the Autarch flew at the creature, Al-Hashimi and Kolemai firing psychic bolts of lightning at the creature, hoping to hold it down with the pain. Akrizuul, however, didn't care for the smiting strikes from the two, turning towards Serizawa. He broke free from the attack, charging at the Inquisitor. Elrahin flew over, throwing a string of plasma grenades at the creature, striking the Greater Daemon in the chest.
Serpenttongue looked down for a second, before exploding in a bright flash of blue and white energy, exploding outwards in a fiery surge. The four staggered back and put their hands up, the area seemingly being consumed by what amounted to a sun. In the second the explosion died down, Akrizuul was already charging again, much of its face and body scorched, but still not done yet. He focused on the Autarch, swinging now with reckless abandon, the mind a complete haze of bloodlust and fury. To have his magnificent frame scared and marred by one of the pathetic Aeldari, when their species existed only to be a quickly disappearing delicacy, was an insult too far.
"I will drag you, the Farseer, and all your leaders of your pathetic, mutated Craftworld, body and soul into the Warp!" Akrizuul shrieked to the heavens, swinging with enough force to hew a tank several times over. "Then, I will break you in before giving you to Slaanesh herself!"
She said nothing, not even seemingly reacting, for at that moment, several Swooping Hawks flew down to join their Autarch, Las blasters firing off into the Daemon's hide. The pin-point rounds burned hot against Akrizuul, but didn't do much to stop its rampage, as Al-Hashimi focused another psychic power, the same as before, when the Keeper had temporarily crippled him. A bolt of Warp Lightning, as if forged by the God-Emperor himself from the storms of Chogoris, and handed to those like him to smite the foes in battle.
He threw the bolt with a roar like the storms themselves, and flew through the air like a hunting spear. It flew through the air, before impacting with Akrizuul's midsection. The Daemon stopped, looking down in shock, before it exploded in a shockwave of lightning hot enough to burn a Titan. The Eldar and humans stood back for a moment, before the dust cleared, Akrizuul now sporting a canon ball sized hole in its stomach.
The Greater Daemon staggered for a moment, before sprinting towards the Infinity Circuit. The gathered warriors looked on in shock, Al-Hashimi reacting first and pulling out his Bolt Pistol and firing at the retreating the creature. Shells impacted with the back of the creature's shoulders and legs, but did not slow its forward momentum. Two of the Seers moved to intercept him, Akrizuul back-handing one into a building, and slashing the other in-half with his sword. As the other Eldar and others tried to pursue the Daemon, he flicked his sword backwards, releasing a shriek, as swarms of lavender and black winged creatures swooped down on the remaining group. Each was as weak as a malnourished human, but Akrizuul needed them for their numbers not their strength.
"Let the cast-offs of Chaos earn some small scrap of favor back." He snarled to himself, as, from the circuit, came two more Eldar.
He almost felt himself stop, surprised at even the strength of these two, before snapping his free hand upwards, and, with another hiss and scream from the immaterium, and a herd of Chaos Spawn came charging out. The hulking beasts deformed, radial maws opened to reveal many teeth or long, winding tongues, their flesh shades of purple and black, skin tearing at places to reveal the muscle tissue beneath, as black, spider-like limbs jutted from their backs. The creatures moaned in hundreds of voices merged together, before charging, clawed and tentacled arms raised to strike. The twin Seers, whoever they were, moved in a fluid fashion, darting and flowing between the ravening beasts, the one with white runes bearing a Singing Spear, the other, twin Blades, each cutting through most of the Spawn, heading right towards Akrizuul.
"You approach a power you cannot begin to understand!" One of them warned.
"Your hubris for powers you cannot control is the weakness of your kin." The Second declared.
"Ha! Coming from the beings that birthed my creator and all of his Daemonic legions?" Akrizuul taunted, grinning madly at them. "Perhaps, I will show you how badly you have misjudged this situation, when my Mistress consumes the moth and remakes it in her image."
The Chaos Spawn charged at the Twins again, the two focusing their energies and moving at blistering speed, leaving only after-images in their wake, and slicing and stabbing through the herds of Chaos Spawn. Even for mortal failures, overloaded with the gifts of Slaanesh, and hardly worth minding any longer, their mass and mutations should've at least kept them busy for a little while. He shrugged that consequence off. Whatever powers these fancy little Eldar had, would son be reduced to nothing once he slaughtered the creature within.
He opened another portal, jumping through and past the Twins of Starlight Wings. Popping back into existence right beside the Infinity Circuit, he could feel the hum of energy, the buzzing of souls, the burning sun of Warp Energy. He practically licked his lips, but didn't want to waste anymore time. He turned, making sure every Eldar and human was watching him now, eye gleaming in sadistic delight, before swinging his two pincers in, smashing into the Infinity Circuit like glass. While usually a circuit was filled all around with souls, burning all throughout it, this Craftworld's energy was focused into one massive figure, one that dominated the center of it.
It resembled a cocoon, fibers sprouting from it at random points and connected all throughout the Craftworld. He could feel its gaze, even inside that cocoon, turn on him, Akrizuul savoring the feeling of surprise and resentment boiling from the bug as it fully saw him and felt his ill-intent coming through.
"You escaped the dying world, just to be murdered in your sleep," Akrizuul hissed with a chuckle, giving his blade a twirl. "I will savor your pain while it lasts, bug."
He held up his sword, and drove it in, feeling metal slash through the flesh, the low "Chunk" of metal sinking through easily, and smiled as the souls of the Eldar within the monster began to fade away.
Notes
The next chapter, woo hoo!
So, Craftworld Leamhan owes its name to the Irish word for moth, specifically, the "grubs of Cloths-moths". The orange and white color comes from the dominant colors seen in Mothra throughout her Toho designs from the 60s all the way to 2004. The green eyes are derived from Mothra Leo. As far the change up in their looks and appearance, I based it off the Houtua from the anime trilogy, the descendants of humanity that worship Mothra, though given the history of the Eldar, they seemed to "Connect Life" a little too much.
Of course the idea of Mothra being taken care of came from the fact she's an Earth spirit-monster, and Earth is kind of a polluted, radioactive pit with cities on top. Not much room for the likes of Gamera or Mothra to really prosper. Given she's always had a fairly magical element to her design, and Eldar/Aeldari/Asuryani/whatever they're called now are the most magic-focused faction, I made her a bit of a mini-emperor here. Her title of "Lecai tav Isha" means "Daughter of Isha".
The other names referenced are a mix of actual Eldar words, High Elf language, stuff from the Dark City Wiki, and mashed-up Irish. The other names all reference other creatures the Eldar encountered in their long empire's history. I'll leave you the reader to put it together who they are. Ygnir tav Ra is, as mentioned, Giants of Light, and the most obvious. Kaelis Shemasha means "Destroyer of Worlds", Iarstill Novine means "Blade Bird", Atherakhia Ytha Feithis translates to "Destructive Sea Bug" and "Dru Acras" means "Dark Hunger".
Akrizuul I bounced a few ideas around. I originally wanted him to be like the Violator from Spawn, crude and boorish, representing the lust and pleasure-seeking taken in a different direction then other Slaaneshi servants, and another to hint that, like the Ragged Knight being spawned from the Cathar Massacres, that Serpenttongue was born from the Massacres and depravity of Nanking, but decided that would be a bit...much.
The Inquisitor above Serizawa, Heinrich von Saperstein, is named after an American producer of the Showa Godzilla movies. He managed to get a big budget for Invasion of the Astro-Monster, and Nick Adams for that movie and Frankenstein Conquerors the World, as well as Russ Tamblyn, the "Prima dona pain in the ass", as Saperstein described him, for War of the Gargantuas. If you ever wondered why Frankenstein fought a giant Octopus in some cuts of the final battle, Saperstein really loved the effect in King Kong vs Godzilla, and begged Toho to bring it back. So, yeah, a little homage to a some what lesser known figure in the Kaiju Eiga genre.
