Chapter 46 Leaving

Russ' eyes locked onto her prey, Even with the bright light shining at her. The Angel felt a cold presence wash over her like she was standing in the middle of a snowstorm. The Lion slowly got up and held her sword tight. Russ stood by her sister's side.

"So you claim to be one of our sisters, but I do not care. You've tried to kill us and harm the imperium. Which means you're our enemy, tell me, any last words?" Russ asked. The Angel tilted her head, confused at the Wolf Queen's words.

"Last words, why would I do that," She asked.

"It's only fitting to tell your executioner," Russ' eyes showed a cold stare at the Angel, but she remained calm.

"That's a very bold title. I used to be that for the Emperor, but my effectiveness caused my imprisonment, it tells me something about you," The Angel said. Russ narrowed her eyes, wondering what the insult would be.

"And what are you insisting?"

"That you are poor at your job," The Angel pointed out, making Russ scoff at the answer.

"The heads that my blade has skewered would disagree, and that's a load of bull. Your drastic actions caused your downfall," Russ pointed out. The Angel stood silent, slowly beginning to approach. The blade of fire shunned bright, almost being a mirror to the Emperor of mankind, flaming blade. She raised it high and brought it down. Russ dodged out of the attack only for Angel's right wing to be shaped into an edge to slice into Russ's left arm.

Russ let out a howl of pain.

"You see, the last time I fought you two, you could barely lay a finger on me, what chance do you now this time," The Angel pointed out coldly. Russ stood up rip her arm away from the blade. The blood stained the ground, yet the Wolf Queen still had her smile.

"Last time I bit into you're next, This time I'll aim for your face!"

Russ rammed toward the Angel and tried to tackle her to the ground, The great strength of a matriarch did not matter, especially to the Angel. Gripping the back of the wolf queen's neck, she tossed her at the wall of the fortress, using warp magic to conjure green thorns to wrap around Russ, restraining her. The Lion took this as a chance to attack and bring her sword upward to strike at the Angel, only to be blocked by a wing as hard as steel. A powerful backhand smacked the Lion away.

Slowly getting up she tried to think of her next plan of attack.

"Dammit, she keeps learning from our attacks, even when I try a new move on her, it's like she already expected it," The Lion raised her sword so she would prove to herself why she was called The Lion. Leaping at the Angel, Her sword pinned down the left wing, making it so Russ got a swift punch in.

The Bigclompa pulled himself from the rubble and ran. He would return to this battle, but he needed some time, though his eye caught onto a small human hiding behind a tree.

This wouldn't stop him from trying to escape, but the boy did catch some form of interest. Despite how Issei was compared to the war boss, The Ork could feel how much of a fight this one would put up. Good things come to those who wait. So Bigclompa would bide his time and run as many as the other Orks followed behind.

Those who didn't start to swarm the battlefield, with only a few Deff Dreads following behind them.

"That thing deserves a great big proper WAH! Once I get it, I'll kill that bright giant human," Bigcomlpa said, running back to where his remaining forces camped out.

Russ and The Lion found themselves being thrown aside again as the Angel tossed them like children.

The Angel watched the horde of Ork approach. Then, without warning, The prototype began to grow as her mass became larger. Bigger than the trees, taller than Rogal's massive fortress. The sheer roaring of all the Ork stopped when their horde became engulfed in the light of the Angel.

Ork had a simple belief that if you were bigger, then you were stronger. So imagine them seeing a hulking figure that was equivalent to the size of a war titan.

The Lion and Russ both gasped at the site. Issei, who still hid in the shadows, had his mouth catching flies as well. She was extremely big, So big she could pick up an imperial knight.

The Angel raised its foot, slamming it down on the earth, shaking the earth, and smashing most of the Ork under her foot, Others were blown away from the force. Even the Matriarch had to fight against the force that howled at them. Issei could only hold on as the air force of the stomps was enough to make powerful gusts of wind.

He could only think that the Angel had become a kaiju of destruction, and it was terrifying. Someone should have called Godzilla, for Issei believed for a brief moment he found the monster's wife. The Angel, seeing how quickly the green hoard around her dwindled. She took a look behind, seeing Rogal's fortress with a blank stare.

Raising her hand at the structure, it didn't explode to be vaporized with a blink. Instead, what she chose was more personal, setting the building in an orange inferno. Issei gripped his fist, seeing Rogal's beautiful building destroyed for no reason.

The Angel shrank in size back to her normal giant height. Many Large Orks that were able to stand against the wind charged at the Angel. She only stood still, waiting for the Orks to approach her. One stepped in her arm range.

The only thing anyone saw was a blur that shot to the closest Ork and back to her normal position. The Ork who stood close to Angel left fine and decided to take another step closer, only for its head to fall from his giant shoulders and land on the ground. The body began to ignite in the holy fire of red.

Russ watched but tried to figure out a battle plan. The Lion was right by her side.

"Oi, she is just full of surprises today!" Russ growled in frustration.

"Father had to outdo himself with this one didn't he," The Lion said. This fighting was looking to be pointless like last time. If only Sanguinius was here, that red dragon gauntlet she had put this Angel in its place.

"Well, at least he knew what he was making, but god do I hate. Where the hell is Issei!" Russ asked.

Issei, watching from the sidelines, gawked at how fast she moved. It was as if the Angel was the unholy offspring of death and light. It was on par with the Khan, maybe even faster.

The other Orks charged, all of them sharing the same fate. A blander of a death sliced and killed all of these Orks. Issei couldn't bear to watch it. Then his eyes caught onto a small Ork about his size running blinded into the fray. Issei reached out from his spot and grabbed the Ork by the back of his scrap armor. Pulling into his shaded cover.

"What are you doing? Trying to get yourself killed!" Issei yelled. Slamming the Ork back into the tree, he hid. The Ork was stunned. He was picked up off the ground and pinned to the wall by such a small thing.

"You are one, surprisingly, strong human," He said. Issei narrowed his eyes and glanced out from his cover, seeing there was no trace of the Orks that charged at The Angel. The ones still around ran for the hills. However, that wasn't his concern, as the bright light that would burn him was gone.

"Where did she go?" Issei asked out loud. The Ork, who was pinned by Issei's grip, let out a chuckle.

"Right behind you, Dats a sneaky one!" He said. Issei spun around only to be faced with terror. The Angel was standing there with a big smile on her face. The Ork that Issei had saved stood behind him, using Issei like a shield.

"Alright! Here's the plan. I'm going to use you as a shield, and I'll kill her," The Ork said. Issei was dumbfounded at the idea. The Angel only stared at the two. Issei glared at her, hiding his hand behind his back. Making a small orb of Shadow.

If Shadows weren't going to work, maybe it was time to bring out some of Vulkans handed handiwork. The Silver Tongue sword. It was more than effective in cutting anything.

"I have a better plan," Issei was about to reach and strike the Angel when the Ork glanced down at Issei's hand.

"Oi, you're going to try and cut with that poor excuse for a chopper, that is not a chopper, this is a proper chopper!" The Ork had just sold him out, then pulled out his rusted hunk of sharp metal.

"See, this is a thing of beauty, wouldn't you agree?" He asked. Issei sulked as the Ork accidentally sold him out. The Angel still had her smile. She reached past Issei's head and grabbed the Ork. Issei, reacting quickly, stabbed The Angel's forearm.

However, she didn't react slightly. Instead, the arm that held the Ork threw him over to the horizon in the distance. Issei took a calm step back, but the Angel would follow.

"What are you doing, little shadow?"

"Well, trying to stay away from you because that light burns me," Issei said nonchalantly. "Oh, and you tried to kill my friends and girlfriends, so no. We were not on the best terms."

"Lively, aren't we, but they shouldn't be your friends. Their shameful copy of the perfect being in front of you. Little Shadow understands I can protect you from all the taint of this world, So look upon me, we can start something amazing. A pure, powerful human race with a sigh of corruption from the warp! The others will turn like rabid dogs, Their flaws are more than noticeable," The Angel said. Issei backed away, trying to conjure his shadow armor only for the Angel to become brighter. He could feel his skin start to become irritated.

"Keep calm. Don't fight her light, allow your darkness to be alleviated by it. Remember, darkness cannot take shape without light, and light can shine without darkness,"

Issei stood still and deeply contracted the task at hand. The darkness around him began to slowly form into his armor, but he had to keep his focus up. The grasp of his power would slowly slip. If his hand broke for a moment, those shadows would have left him. When the armor was on, It didn't feel right. The Light around him made the dark steel hug his body more.

Russ and The Lion watched as Issei stood up to this Angel. The Lion hurried to stand beside Issei. She still didn't trust Issei, but he was still the strongest out of all of them. Russ followed the same path and stood by Issei.

"Alright, today we fight together," Russ said. "Besides, it's time for you to do one of those Issei miracles!"

"Wait, what did you just say, Is that what you even been calling my powers?" Issei asked.

"Less talking, more fighting!" The Lion said.

"Oh right, sorry about that... Shadow up!" Issei said softly. A feeling of fatigue hit him. Thanks to his helmet, he expressed surprise, knowing who it was. How could he forget her out of all of them? They now had the upper hand.

"I'm not letting you hurt the others! So back off, or else I have to get serious!" Issei shouted. The Angel let out a psychic might that let out a shockwave that made the three buckle down and hold steady. The might of war god stood in front of them. Russ pushed herself through the storm to stand, as did The Lion. Having to stab her sword in the dirt to push herself up.

"This is getting out of hand! when is she going to be here!" Issei thought.

"I am the Angel, and I have known defeat," The Angel's voice boomed with a mighty echo as loud as thunder. The sky shook as the light was so bright. Russ and The Lion watched the Angel begin to fly off the floor. "You think the emperor sees you as daughters, but you are his tools of war!"

"You've never known the taste of defeat what a load of bullshit! You are the worst type of fighter, The one that doesn't acknowledge defeat!" Russ said. This Angel was defeated, and now she had the gull to say it didn't happen.

"A fighter like that has no place on the battlefield! no wonder you were locked away, you monster!" The Lion yelled in a defiant rage.

The three still held their ground. Issei felt a sense that they weren't going to make it out of this one.

"If I die, then sorry for letting you guys down," Issei shouted. Russ stood her ground, having a determined look in her eye.

"It's alright, you could never let us down, even with your old witchcraft ways, which I'm starting to question isn't witchcraft. I'm happy to have met you," Russ said with no shame. The Lion glanced down at Issei, seeing the intention to protect her, but questioned why he would do such a thing when she witnessed the disappearance of Ferrus.

"We will live through this boy, and we will question you," The Lion said. Russ cracked a grin, thinking of a joke.

"Oh, so you want some alone time, your pervert, you know that!" Russ said with a straight face. The Lion didn't care for the insult there was a time in place, but she did hate it.

"Silence all of you, it's up to us to put you down," The Lion said. The two matriarchs then left a sound wave of slight fatigue and kept calm.

Issei, holding his blade tight, channeled whatever darkness he could muster. Russ gripped her ax, knowing where to chop, making sure her grip was unbreakable. The Lion mapped out millions of steps to strike at the prototype matriarch.

The Angel was able to see what her three opponents were going to do. The ability to see into the future, so pinpoint she was able to counter and attack. No matter what they did, any combination or new skill.

"Your flaws shall be the undoing of your existence," The Angel stepped forward, knowing what was layed out. The blood that would be spilled and cries of pain. She would take this boy and see what made him so pure, even if it meant cutting him open.

The Angel felt an unfamiliar feeling as her eyes became heavy. Feeling sluggish, her hands felt loosened. Her golden light eyes gaped as sharp pain rang through her torso. Seeing a dull metal tip pointing out of her stomach. A strong grip grabbed the back of her neck. The stink of death overwhelmed her smell and taste. The Angel wanted to gag at this taste. Her head was roughly turned to face the one who did this to her.

Welcomed by a pale face, that was Mortarion. She had used her scythe to impale but gripped the Angel's neck and lower back. The Angel uses her psych might to penetrate the mind of the pale queen.

Mortarion was burdened with the knowledge of their creation, seeing more of the twisted and cruel details. Even if Mortarion knew the truth, seeing the details was unsettling. Her hypocritical views and manners were shoved in her face. Every time she looked in the mirror. She was wrong about who she was and how to treat others.

Now, she still stood here fighting with people who still aided her. There was a legion that looked up to her and a home world that still needed to be guided. The task she had forced herself to do. The feeling of failing overwhelmed her mind. The truth was still heavier than this.

She was a Psyker.

Mortarion eyes slowly were lit with a Scarlet glow. Feeling the power to finally achieve her victory. The Angel felt as if she was going to throw up, this wave of fatigue that hit her. What was this power that overwhelmed her? Each matriarch had been born in a separate world; many had to face challenges that would decide life and death. Some would solve their problems, while others would adapt. What Mortarion had more than any of the others was her extreme reliance and willpower that wouldn't break unless she was dead.

"I shall embrace them..."

The Angel twists her head around, facing Mortarion akin to some sort of demonic owl. Issei and Russ still had to keep her down. "Finale realizing your failure, look at you. Pale, weak, recking of death, the smell of a slave. To think that one like you would be considered one of my replacements is a joke!"

The Angel's eyes glowed with bright white light and scorched Mortarion's face in a bath of hell fire. Issei, Russ, and The Lion gasped at the sight. Acting quickly, Issei used the claws that impaled the Angel to shoot more darkness within its body. The Angel gawked, feeling sluggish, and the light in her eye dimmed. The fire vanished as the life was sucked out of it.

Mortarion's face was completely burned; the skin was gone, only scorched flesh, and one of her eyes was gone. She was almost a skull. Her hair was singed, and the green hood she had on was completely gone. Her gas mask did keep the skin around her mouth safe. Though quickly, it began to regenerate.

"DO IT!" Russ shouted.

"Our flaws make us who we are!" Mortarion said sternly as she used all her power and might to rip the flesh. The Angel refused to give in, Her razor-sharp wings aimed to slice Mortarion. A loud clanging brought her attention back to The Lion and Russ. Seeing both of them separately holding one wing-back.

She felt backed into a corner and tried to unleash her golden light, Only to find herself impaled by six long dark blades. Issei had stabbed his night hunter's claws into the chest of the Angel. The poison in them began to work as her veins began to turn black. The darkness within had halted her brain but kept the body alive.

"Damn you all!" The Angel cursed under her breath.

RIP!

The Angel felt her body being ripped apart as Mortarion showed why she was the legion of the death guard. The kill was slow and painful, and the tearing of golden flesh was proven to be tough, The wounds that opened and left poured golden blood as if the matriarchs were killing a titan. Issei watched in horror as he sat in the splash zone.

Large puddles of gold formed under them as Mortarion had finished the kill. Issei pulled his claws from the body as Mortarion tossed the pieces of the angel away like it was nothing.

It was a kill that all of them had to work for. The Lion and Russ both sat down, trying to catch their breaths. Trying to do an impossible task with Mortarion aiding them was torture on its own. The fact they were able to achieve it while the pale queen aura pushed down on them was a feat meant for stories. The Orks had fallen back, given time.

Russ looked at Mortarion, taking a deep breath. "Are you okay,"

Mortarion glanced around her, seeing so many had suffered with her to aid in this kill. She felt grateful, and her face healed to the way it was. Mortarion offered a hand to Russ as she tried to get up.

"I'm fine do you need help?" Mortarion asked, never using a kind tone like this. Russ smiled and took the hand.

"Yeah, I could use a shower after this," Russ joked.

"I'm surprised you even bath, beast," The Lion snickered, but it was truly a joke. Russ chuckled and shook her head.

All of them are covered in gold. Russ, The Lion, and Mortarion weren't faced at all by the carnage. At the same time, Issei stared into the distance in silence. He glanced down at his hand and felt the panic rise through him. The kill he helped commit was heavy on his shoulder. It was different. He had just slaughtered this Angel. Issei didn't enjoy that feeling. The calm breathing he would do turned into uncontrolled breath.

"Shit," Issei cursed out. It was then Russ smoothly knelt to aid her friend. Taking both his hands into her own. Issei glanced up, feeling that cold winter wind touching his face. Russ softly stared at him, holding his hand.

"It's alright, just follow my breathing and stay in sync with it," Russ began to take deep breaths, which Issei listened, following along to the steady beat. The Lion stared at the two, seeing the aid given. Never in her life would she see the wolf queen doing something like this. After a couple of solid minutes passed, Russ managed to keep Issei from losing his cool. Still, Russ held Issei's hands. The two were locked in passionate eye contact.

"Better, you big wimp?" Russ asked. Issei laughed at the words.

"Yeah, I definitely don't want to go through that again. Now I have to finish this…" Issei's expression became that of displeasure. Russ turned her head like a curious animal.

"And what's that?"

The Lion glanced over Russ' shoulder only to be welcomed by the same face that sent Ferrus into a shadow abyss.

"Russ, No!" The Lion shouted.

"Keeping a promise!"

All four vanished into the darkness. The only thing left was the fortress Rogal left and the body of the Angel that was slain.

The golden body of the prototype corpse lay emotionless and undisturbed. Until a certain individual appeared from thin air. A Death Maker had stepped out of its dimension, studying the scene that was left behind.

Stepping onto the golden puddle of blood. He connected his Lord, kneeling to the hologram of Trazyn the infinite.

"Apologies, my lord, but they vanished from this world," He said. Trazyn scratched his metal chin. Turning around, he glanced around, seeing the golden body slowly start to pull itself together, It was at an alarming pace. Trazyn had to cut his losses fast; he had taken too many risks exposing himself, and it was time to cut his losses.

"Return to the ship. This expedition hasn't been a waste of time, but the videos that I have obtained shall be used for great documentation,"

Trayzn's hologram disappeared, leaving the death marker alone with the body of an Angel. He glanced at the body, seeing it was already putting itself together. He was going to warp away in his dimension, turning around for only a second, he felt a tight giant hand grip his neck.

The Angel's eyes showed nothing but unbridled rage, expressed through its blank dead eyes. The grip of death was upon this machine. The angel crushed the metal skeleton with ease, leaving nothing but a misshaped scrap of metal ignited by psych flames.

The Angel looked up to the sky and gripped her fist.

"You may have escaped for now, but I shall return to reaper the false empire you have built, Father,"

Issei floated in the void, seeing many of the familiar faces that he… Well, let's be honest, he kidnapped them, but it was more the right reason. Horus and the others glanced up, seeing Issei flying above them. Guilliman watched as Russ, The Lion, and Mortarion plummeted down to their level, only to be caught by an invisible halt.

All of them glanced at each other, wondering what the hell was happening. The Lion glanced up, staring angrily up at Issei, who floated above them, she pulled the plasma pistol from her hip and aimed Issei. She would slay this laying scoundrel of a beast even if it killed her with the utmost extreme prejudice.

"Uh, so this is where he puts his things," Vulkan said. Russ glanced down at the other, only for the Lion to hold her weapon at their alley.

The Lion was shoved by forceful grips around her body. Her eyes glanced to her right and left. Russ and Horus tried to pull the gun out of her hand. Her aim was now completely off a plasma bolt fired off in the abyss. Issei glanced behind him only to be nearly hit with a blue plasma bolt.

"Holy hell, what was that!" He shouted.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS MADNESS!" The Lion roared. Vulkan floated to them and was able to wrestle the weapon out of her hand.

"Are you bleeding mad? You could have killed Issei!" Russ barked. Horus, whose war claw had restrained the right arm of The Lion, was about to strike Horus when Guilliman and Jaghatai held that arm in place. Finding herself immobilized by the others, she was furious.

"HE'S GOING TO KILL US ALL!"

"No, he wouldn't!" A stern voice that had an armor-piercing response. Rogal glared at the first matriarch. Even in this strange world, she was perfectly calm. The Lion looked upon Rogal with utter disarray. Were the warlords that conquered the entire world losing their minds? Bending a knee to one who was completely inferior to them. When they were all here trapped in an unknown world. This made no sense to The Lion.

"He trapped us in this world for what? To execute us away from the eyes of our father. He could-"

"Silence, your paranoia has been a sign of your downfall! Since we are all here unharmed, then he can explain to us what's happening," Rogal informed. Issei glanced down, seeing the dispute below him. Horus glanced up with hopeful eyes. Ferrus still floated unconscious. While Mortarion was completely lost, not knowing what to do.

"I need to make this place more comfortable for them," Issei said out loud. Closing his eyes, he brought his hands together. The power of creation followed through him. This was a world he was allowed to control.

The matriarch in the shouting match was hushed. The world around them changed into a familiar place to Issei, one that he would see in his dream as a place of endless flowers. Rogal was glad to feel some ground beneath her feet. Vulkan and Guilliman were stunned by this familiar area. The whole world around them had changed.

Ferrus, who was still weekly conscious, felt the soft flowers beneath her naked body, letting out a small moan.

Russ, Rogal, and Horus were stunned at the power. This wasn't an illusion. It was real dirt and plant life. A rule of reality had been broken right in front of them that something was created from nothing. The Lion tugged her way out of freedom.

Her sword is still in the other hand. Issei floated down his wing and appeared out, making a more graceful landing. Issei looked at all of them with a stern front, even with their aura beating down on him. Issei knew he could waver with his words. He had to be as direct as possible. The Lion glared at Issei with a murderous rage that would make any beast of Caliban shiver in fear. However, he would be dissuaded from his plans.

"Okay, I know a lot of you are mad, especially you, Lion, but I can explain!" Issei said.

"Then talk fast, why did you do this?" The Khan asked.

"See, this is why you should have filled everyone in with your theory," Guilliman said to Horus.

"Well, it's not easy trying to calm the room when there's no room to begin with!" Horus said.

"Can we get back to the topic!" Vulkan yelled, making the other quiet while also giving Issei the floor.

"Thank you, Vulkan... I had to put you here to get you on the rescue ship. I figured out a way to send you home. It's just we were being attacked, and I couldn't ask, so I had to act. So I decided to take you all to the one place I knew you would be safe."

There was silence amongst them all. Issei wanted to speak and try to gain their trust, but it was nerve-racking here he was, and he had betrayed their trust. Leaving his heart pounding in fear, his mind quickly reeling back to panic.

Horus could see that uncertainty and wanted to help Issei. Her suspicions were proved right, Issei wasn't trying to harm them but to save them, but what could she do to de-escalate the situation the rest looked to be on edge.

Vulkan, Guilliman, and Jaghatai were always going to protect Issei, but what of the others? What would they do now? Russ wasn't a fan of trickery, and Rogal was on the same page.

"I'm sorry-"

"Enough."

Issei was cut off by Rogal, of all people.

Many of them looked at each other, they all had, Russ walked to Issei and looked down at him.

"Issei, do you intend to finish the job you started?" She asked. Looking up at the wolf Queen, Issei nodded his head, responding to her question.

"Then stop yapping and finish the job," Russ said sternly. Issei felt a smile and sat down on the floral floor. Closing his eyes, taking a deep breath, allowing shadows to travel across great distances to find the rescue vessels. His mind shows images of vast planets, but still, he has a beacon to guide his way.

The shadow eye of Magnus was his north star. Issei searched through the cosmos.

The Lion glanced up at all of the other matriarchs as they watched Issei.

"How could you do this, to just allow him to do what he wants, what if he is playing us? Can't you see that you are all wrapped around his finger, marionette, for his nefarious goals!"

"We allow him to do what he wants because he earned it with us. You view people as tools if someone doesn't fit your manner, they are discarded. That's why you dislike him because everything you told him he couldn't do was proven wrong. We trust him with this power because he may be the only one worthy to wield it; do not let your pride get in the way. Learn from this so you can be stronger," These are words of truth that I've been speaking. The harsh reality given to the lion was spoken by Vulkan. Rogal nodded and stepped into the site of the Lion.

"He's earned our trust by going through countless grueling situations that have only ended up benefiting us without a sigh of reward or praise. He is someone that we believe in," Rogal said.

The Lion didn't know what to say. Rage couldn't be the answer to this, would she have to put her faith in him? The man who broke down in front of her, who was a servant of devils and a perverted fool. Jaghatai, even being the most logistical of them all, had to have some form of belief.

"The potential he shows goes beyond us, the power he displays is a wonder to the universe. The kindness we have been given shows he's a great man. It is a foolish thing to say, but a mark of a great man who knows when to set aside the important things to achieve the vital ones. Trust in him as he has trusted us,"

"He has been suffering for us; now let him achieve his greatness," The Pale Queen said.

"I say he's completely insane, but there's nothing wrong with being a little crazy. Just believe in one who defies your expectations. I believe for then he knows," Guilliman said, preparing for whatever happened next.

"We trust him," Horus said. "I trust him because even when all seems hopeless, having faith in each other can get us through the hardest times,"

The first matriarch realized she was completely outspoken by her sister. This was new. She left estranged right now, but the only thing she could see doing something for them was… Issei.

"What have I been doing,"

The Lion watched as Issei's eyes opened to reveal his white eyes had become completely pitch-dark black, though his green pupil was not replaced with dark gray.

"Everyone hold, it's going to be a bumpy ride,"

"Hole to the unknown, great distance travel!"

On the Bucephalus, the flagship that Vlador led, Many were still in the planning room where they had settled how this rescue crusade would go. The room was silent after hours of planning. They had the setup to move now, all that was left to do was leave the room. Sevatar the first captain watched from afar never had he seen her lady being so focused and listening to the others.

Konrad, Angron, and Sanguinius. We're eager to get out of these doors.

Valdor stood up and tapped his spear on the floor, gaining everyone's attention like a gavel in a courtroom. "Now that our plans have been settled, the position assigned, and now with the knowledge of this Issei. A person of great interest that can not be lost,"

The organizations of thousands of soldiers, space, marines, and a handful of custodians. We're going to be unleashed to begin a war with Orks, Eldar, and Warp abominations.

"Let us find Issei Hyoudou and return the other daughters of the imperium. We move now as swiftly as possible!" Malcador answered. With that, many began to leave the room. When Magnus stopped, she glanced at the ceilings and felt something was amiss. Malcador glanced up as well.

"What is that?"

Valdor was perplexed about what they were seeing. If it were a psychic attack, then he would be able to feel it even if he lacked that ability, he still had some great advanced sense. Then it suddenly hit him. It wasn't that there was psychic energy there. It was the extreme lack of it. It was as if a great amount of void was there.

Many of the great commanders in the room began to arm themselves. Luther and Sigismund drew their blades. While Tarasha held her bolt pitstop, pointing to the ceiling.

Konrad's eyes widened, seeing into the future that some would jump out of a shadow portal and stand on the table and awkwardly say hello. But what would follow next would be all the first captains trying to apprehend him.

"No one is to move if the intruder comes through that ceiling. If anyone pulls a trigger or flexes a muscle, I'll personally court marshall and deliver the punishment." Konrad made the whole room halt their actions. "Am I understood!"

Many listened, feeling the intense aura of the night Hunter. Some of the guardsmen in the room wondered what she was going to do. However, they realized something was going to appear in this room.

A shadow vortex opened up, and falling on the table was no other than Issei. He landed with gentle grace as if he was light as a feather. He looked up, seeing many perplexed and surprised faces looking at him, but he recognized the more gentle, familiar faces that he would always greet.

Looking at Perturabo, Konrad, Angron, Lorgar, Fulgrim, Sanguinius, Magnus, Omegon, and Corvus. Showing a big smile at them.

"Hey, did you miss me?" He asked.

He was answered by the hands that shot out and grabbed him, only to be hugged by Angron, Konrad, Fulgrim, Lorgar, and Sanguinius. Making a giant group hug, Konrad and Angron nudged their cheeks against Issei. While some of the others left out were in a shoulder-shoving match with each other. More so Lorgar and Fulgrim.

"Will you just give up, I'm more suited for physical comfort!" Fulgrim said.

"Well he needs a more emotional cheering up, So I'm more suited for the task at hand!" Lorgar argued back.

"Can't we just get along, I mean, look at Angron and Konrad, they are working together wonderfully," Sanguinius said. Fulgrim laughed at the comment.

"Are you serious, on the outside they may have appeared to be fine, but trust me. On the Inside, they want to tear the other apart for even getting close to him," Fulgrim said.

"That's nonsense, look at them- Sanguinius couldn't finish her sentence. Seeing that even though they hugged Issei, their expression said something else while Issei's face was obscured by their breastplates. They shared cold glances, waiting for the other to make an outburst so they could steal Issei and make themselves look like the victim.

"He's mine, Night Hunter," Angron thought.

"You'll never take what's mine," Konrad thought.

Issei was able to free his head and look at the two. "Hey, what's wrong?"

They let go of Issei and acted like nothing had happened.

"Just happy to see you, that's all," Angron said.

"Yes, nothing to worry about," Konrad reassured, even if it appeared there was a knife behind her back.

Lotara and Sevatar both had the same shocked face. What had they just watched? Both have the same thought.

"That has to be the unlucky boy in the universe!" Even then, Lotara knew her lady was seeing something. Now, seeing who it was, pity them. Sevatar could only gawk in fear, hoping that this boy wouldn't do something with Konrad. Did her lady even know how to give a proper gift of romance? If Konrad were to be hurt by this human, he would hunt him down.

Konrad and Angron let out sighs of relief. Finally, one of those Issei miracles had to happen at the right time. to explain the missing sister.

"Pardon me, but do you mind if I speak to the Harem king?" Magnus asked sarcastically. Issei paused and realized he was the first one.

"Let's just say they are taking their time getting here," Issei said shyly.

Konrad and Angron both took a step back reluctantly but still moved. Many of the first captains picked up on the title Harem King. If this boy called himself that title, what did that mean? This man took some of the Emperor's daughters. Raldoron, the captain of the Blood Angels, was at a total impasse as his Matriarch had her heart stolen by this Issei. The person who said to cure them from their red thirst. He was thankful, but if this Issei were to marry their Matriarch, would that technically make him their father?

Raldoron had to stop thinking, not wanting to know the answer. Surely this was just some silly fling, Right?

Valdor and Malcador both looked to the corner of the room. Seeing a dark hole had opened and shot the Lion, who landed on her feet.

She could gap at her surroundings, acknowledging the familiar faces around her and the war room of a flagship. Finally, noticing Issei staring at her with a smile.

"You were trying to save us," The Lion admitted. Dumbfounded on how wrong she was. The suspicion of thinking that this person would turn against them was so wrong.

"I told you I'd keep my promise," Issei said. The young man did find it a bit strange that it took the others so long to appear.

"Okay, that's one, but..." Mangus trails off her sentence, not wanting to sound rude.

"Where are the others?" Corvus asked.

"I could have sworn the others were…" Issei briefly cut off. When another hole opened above the Lion, Ferrus' naked body fell on top of her. The Lion was pinned and, trying to get herself free, looked up in horror that more of her sisters were falling right towards her. Many of the iron hands in the room let out a startled gasp and ran to their Matriarch, trying to cover with anything. One even ran towards a neatly made wool banner that covered a wall, ripping it off its hinges and tossing it over Ferrus's body.

"Please, no," The Lion said as if this day wasn't embarrassing enough. Mangus had a shocked face, not expecting to see her sister's birthday suit today.

"WHY WAS SHE NAKED!" Mangus yelled at Issei. The young let out an awkward laugh.

"Funny story, I was responsible for that, but look, there is a good reason. It's just there was an alien controlling her, so she has no metal in her arms!" Issei said, trying to put this in a positive spin. Many of the Iron hands in the room were about to shoot Issei just for that answer. However, Sanguinius shot one glare at them to make the few stand down. Issei wasn't in the clear as rageful eyes of many of his loving Matriarch glared at him. Issei gulped as Konrad poked his chest hard.

"You and I are going to have a conversation about tact, got it!" Konrad said.

"And maybe keeping your lust in check would be a good starter," Fulgrim backed up before a roasting of Issei could begin. He shot out his hand, commanding the darkness with his power. "Sorry everyone, I'm kinda new at this!"

The portal closed quickly, only to be replaced by multiple that were spread across the room. Each one was over a space where no one stood. The remaining matriarchs landed on their feet, each one marveling at the fact that they were there.

Everyone was speechless at the sudden appearance of the people that they were going to rescue. What the hell were they going to do now? All of the loyal daughters of the emperor have been finally retrieved.

"Guilliman!" Tarasha called out to her matriarch and, most of all, her child. The Queen of Ultramar embraced her first captain with a hug. It may have seemed unprofessional, but emotions were running high, and some needed to be relieved of their stress.

"You return! What a joyous day!" Tarasha said. Guilliman let go of her adopted mother. Glancing at Issei, giving him a respectful nod. Which he responded with on his own.

Horus saw one of her loyal subordinates approaching her, kneeling out of respect for her Lord. Gavriel Loken.

"My matriarch, how good it is to see you," Loken said. Horus smiled, bowing her head at Loken.

"I'm certain my legion has been in total disarray since my disappearance," Horus joked, making Loken smirk at her. Deciding to speak boldly on his part as a soldier.

"In your wildest dream, my lady," Loken was happy to see that her Matriarch was here and still the same as always.

Crovus ran towards Vulkan and clasped her in a hug. "I'm glad you're back, sister,"

Vulkan was a bit surprised but smiled. "Here I thought I was the softy," She joked.

Rogal and Sigismund looked at each other and had a brief nod to one another. Rogal wouldn't have to worry about her Legion; her sons and her daughters were trained to be the best at fighting, building, and leading, she was assured that her absence wouldn't have much of an effect. Maybe on morale but never affecting work efficiency.

Luther rushed to his adoptive daughter's side while many other mixes of Lucifer Blacks, Dark Angels, and a very unlucky servitor. Helped remove the unconscious Ferrus of the Lion. Valdor glanced at the iron hands in the room.

"Take her to the medical bay. She looks to be malnourished," Valdor said. The Iron hands held their lady and brought her out of the room. Issei watched as Ferrus weakly looked at Issei and mouthed a whisper.

"Thank you,"

While others were glad to be back, one didn't feel so grand.

The Lion sat on the floor and had a defeated expression on her face. She sat there, thinking about the choices that she made, never thinking that there was another option. Luther kept calling out to her by her title, the Lion. An unstoppable beast of war, yet she did not respond to her lord, lady, and so on with their other fancy titles. Luther paused and took a deep breath.

"Artoria, please speak to me," Luther asked.

Finally breaking from her trance, she glanced at her first captain. Though she was called the lion, the truth was that wasn't her first given name that was the title the knights bestowed upon her. When she reached knighthood, her real name was Artoria, and she hadn't been called that in a long time. It was strange; that name was always there upon her, but she never thought of it. It was out of her pride that she never used that name again, but now, at her lowest, it seemed to fit. She was still that lost, paranoid girl in those woods.

"I thought you forgot about that name, Luther," Artoria said blankly. Luther smiled gently.

"Why would I ever forget the first time I met you? I said that ninja gain your attention however, I thought you were gonna throw a bloody fit. I can see now that you're very unsettled," He pointed out. Looking down at herself, she realized that her paranoia had gotten the best of her and made her repeat reckless decisions. She had to face the fact she didn't feel worthy of that name. Failing in combat and leadership, she needed to think of who she was. Knowing she wasn't even the first made amongst them, only to be beaten down by that monstrosity of a prototype.

.

.

.

.

.

"I'm tired, so very tired," Artoria said.

"Then let us get you rest, my lady," Luther advised.

Issei could not help but overhear the two, Artoria was a name he wouldn't forget, it sounded better than just saying the lion. Issei watched as many in the room began to greet one another to welcome their queens back into allied arms. He had finally brought them here and off this planet, feeling a great sense of accomplishment, knowing he wasn't a failure. It seemed like things were finally on top for him.

"Excuse me, young man, do you need help off that table?" Issei, looking down, saw a withered old man extending his shriveled hand, prompting him to come down.

"Sure, thank you," He took it and was brought down to the golden floor. Angron had a serious look on her face. Watching the Sigillite speak to her beloved. Angron couldn't just be worried or let her emotions be freely shown. Issei was still vulnerable to the dangers of this brutal galaxy. A universe that robbed her of her mind. She needed to be calmer; she had rage, and now it was time to control it and make sure her enemies would feel it.

If anyone would exploit her beloved, then there would be consequences.

"That's quite the entrance you made, young man, could I get your name,"

"Thank you. My name is Issei,"

"Hmmm, perhaps we should talk more privately, you are the guest of the hour. Besides, you are the one who aided us in the imperium time," Maclador said.

Malcador was a man who worked on the most unsavory jobs for the emperor, but he would get them done. Lorgar couldn't argue with the results, but still, the man was bothersome. He wanted to have a private word with Issei. Many of the others agreed. Not on her watch, not going unsupervised. Malcador looked around himself, seeing he was being watched.

"Last time you had a private talk with someone, they didn't come back," Omegon said.

"He can talk in an open room, with us attending. We also have questions for you as well, Malcador," Angron said sternly. Lorgar glared at the old man, finding him to be more troublesome than helpful. It was he who warned her of Ebruis and Kor Phaeron. Showing her many recorded conversations of the Warrior huts. Even the evidence of heretical text that she strictly ordered to be destroyed was stored and categorized in secret chambers.

"I believe we all have some questions for you," Mangus said, showing off her shadow eye.

"Fine, let us all talk,"

Issei gulped, feeling he was right in the middle of a warzone. The worst one of them all is... family drama.

In the abyss, Que had sat in the field of eternal flowers. However, he wasn't in his approachable human form.

He was in his gigantic, shadowy form, the cloak of darkness wrapped around his body, his face being nothing but a blank of darkness. His many arms are always changing shape and increasing in size or diminishing.

He who made dark was waiting, but who was he waiting for?

A blinding light shined up above, making a light as bright as the sun. Its glow had almost every color within it. Making a hypnotic ray of sunshine. The being stood at the same height as Que. It has many wings and is formed from shattered glass. There was no discerning skin tone whatsoever, only a glowing bright white hue.

On the top of items, the head sprouted pure white tendrils, acting as long, luscious hair. In his hand was a hammer of pure white stone, the material that made the main part of the hammer glow amazing white light. The handle was extremely long.

Que had to use one of his hands to shade his eyes. This was He Who Made Light, but to Que, he called him Lum.

"About the time you showed up, Afraid that I might take my vengeance upon you?" Que asked in a mocking tone.

"I'm glad you have returned, my brother, it seems you have made a new champion," Lum said in a gentle tone.

"That's what you have to say to me when you imprisoned me, Yeah, bother of the year over here," Que said.

"Don't act like that, you tried to destroy half of reality!" Lum said.

"Funny, I was about to say the same thing, or should I say twenty things? Something you want to explain to me," Que stood up, looking at Lum.

"Don't act surprised. We've made plenty of amazing things in this world when I locked you away. I needed to make new powerful beings to tend and fend off new threats to reality. I was surprised to find out that someone was able to lower them into a physical form. They call him the emperor of mankind. I was distraught at first. However, he only had the best intentions in mind,"

"Yeah, real good guy, but someone that big and bright always tends to cast his shadow. One that I don't like looking at. So you made the souls fight off what? I thought we took care of most of the threats that would tear apart reality and devour the Multiverse. We are all that's left," Que said. Lum's head lowered in shame. Que picked up on his body language. Only to find something strange.

"Why did you drag Issei and the others here? Surely, you're not afraid of these punk chaos gods. Unless… So one did survive," Que walked to his brother of light. Looking down at him. Lum light slowly dimmed as the shadow consumed it. A constant battle of light and darkness, even if it wasn't intentional.

"A Neverwhere is alive, my brother, if we don't stop it. It will eradicate everything."

"Dammint. I have to see a clown!" Que said.

Notes: hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter this week. I spent a lot of time on this one, mostly answering some questions or answering questions that only made more questions. Still, it was really fun to write the angel fight scenes. So anyway there is some new stuff like finding out a bigger threat to the entire fabric of reality. I've

been hinting at the nevermore for a very long time. Still, there are many more threats yet to come. We're going to see a lot more chaos demons in the upcoming chapters. Especially with Khrone, we still have that massive Ork war, that made Horus worthy of war master. Not to mention the neo imperium that's still on the rise.

So some changes, like the Lions name. I'm gonna be 100% Frank. I do not like writing that name all the time so it's about time to change to a good one like Artoria. Her legion will obviously still refer to her as a lion. It's just now we have a better name to call her in private.

The next chapter will be getting more information about the creation of the matriarch. This shouldn't be too hard because there are plenty of theories out there and I feel like we both know which one is the most probable. That being the emperor was able to use smaller less powerful warp gods, and put them into superhuman bodies.

Anyway, that should be it for now if you guys have any questions, let me know. Till then, I'll see you guys later. Make sure you follow, favorite, and review, and have a good day.

Also, I haven't done this in a while.

Lum's voice actor is Dulé Hill.