Legion of Shadows, Book 4: The Scars of War Chapter 7, a Warhammer + Naruto Crossover fanfic

Chapter 7

'It seems that the information provided by Sixth company is accurate' replied Lee. He was leading a squadron of his company astartes. Standing next to him was the giant figure of Vulkan, as Salamanders and Shadow foxes looked upon the facility.

'Captain' a nearby scout replied, his armour was the black of the shadow fox. 'We have infiltrated the facility, we can confirm that there are multiple civilian groups being held within the main antechamber... we had also seen others within their ranks as well...non human, possibly of eldar origin'

Vulkan had a look of disgust upon his face, he looked upon the facility as his eyes scanned the horizon.

The area was once a heavy industrial facility, machines that were once to produce arms and other means for the Imperial populations now fell silent, The main facility building, which was an industrial smelter was being used by the traitors as a holding pen for their captures and so called "trophies". The facility had a steady stream of traitors performing various task, although the congregation of traitors were not at the best of terms, with the strings of conflicts and fighting that was happening.

'What should we do Sensei?' Lee asked, looking upon the primarch for guidance. Yet Vulkan still had his look of disgust upon his face as he digested the information provided to him.

'We will do nothing... even though these traitors are a threat to our locations. We will not sacrifice ourselves for the protection of those within the facility, clearly they have cast their fate with the xenos among them'

'What?' Lee replied, his voice troubled 'You would condemn them to death because they are being held with non humans?'

'Lee' Vulkan said, his tone resolute 'These xeno are a menace upon our Imperium. They are a race that will sacrifice entire worlds of humanity for the survival of their own. In this galaxy, such a hostile force upon humanity is indefensible to provide our aid'

'So you would condemn those whom need our aid? All because of some aliens?'

'We should not suffer their existence Lee. For they would not give us any in return'

Lee felt anger well within him, his sense of justice and what he stood for was eating at him at such an action. He felt that Vulkan was content to remain out of sight from the traitors, waiting for the moment when they can enact vengeance upon them.

Yet Lee found himself unable to stomach such a tactic.

'I'm sorry sensei... But...' Lee said, his form turning around towards the compound as he opened his chakra gates, a green aura surrounding his body.

'Lee?...Lee! What are you doing?!' Vulkan said, unable to hold the captain before his impromptu dash towards the traitors.

The sounds of alerts blared across the compound, as traitors tried to make sense of what was happening. The sounds of bolter fire echoed across as a figure dashed within their numbers, as they were being destroyed in a matter of seconds.

Lee looked forward, his destination was the main antechamber that housed all the hostages. His servo's were running at full power as his chakra started to warp the air around him, his face already red skinned at the sheer output.

The main gates were desecrated and marked, vile energy blazed upon them as the sigil of chaos was firmly etched upon it's surface, pulsating energy echoed loudly as the sounds of panicked people and other supernatural sounds echoed across from beyond the door.

Lee took no hesitation, as his foot crushed the bulkhead of adamantine apart.

The antechamber was mostly dark, yet unnatural light etched itself upon all parts of the place. The main smelter crucible was hanging above it's housing pit, as the sounds of thousands echoed from the bottom.

Molten metal was poured into the pot, it's surface was glowing red from the sheer heat as traitors prepared the necessary means to enact the ritual, a word bearer was overseeing the etchings of markings and such. While below the frightened eyes of humans and others looked onwards, helpless to defend themselves from the events that were happening.

Lee bellowed out a vicious war-cry.

'Strength to stand! Courage to fight!' He said as his fist roared with fury into the traitors ranks.

The rest of the doors were blasted open, as the facility was being attacked by Salamander companies and Shadow foxes, burning promethium roared within the confined corridors within other sections of the place as all manner of jutsu and such were being used to deprive the enemy of life or advantage.

Vulkan roared within the room, his hammer blasting apart traitors as he co-ordinated the forces within.

'Go!... Go! Into the fire's of battle... onto the anvil of war!' the primarch bellowed out, as the rage of loyalist was being delivered upon the traitors whom brought them untold amounts of pain.

Loyalist flooded the place, clearing out any resistance that the traitors had established.

Yang had a look of fury on her face as her fist embedded themselves into a traitors face, caving in their helmet as she unleashed a volley of dust rounds into the traitors head. Her hair was flaring golden as her red eyes looked upon the traitors with a burning Ire that was not to be stopped.

She leaped through the air, her form smashing into another traitor, this one an alpha legionnaire as his skull was smashed into the floor. Her fist were unleashing deadly blows as traitors by the dozen fell to her blows.

She ducked under a chainaxe from a frothing berserker driving her fist into his chest in a flurry of blows, each one smashed apart the traitors armour as his chest was turned into a bloody mess. Ripping the traitors head off she strafed from a power sword that came close to cutting her neck as she repositioned in a split second, unleashing a brutal punch towards the leg of the traitor, his screams of pain was silenced as she grabbed his face, squeezing him until only blood remained as the skulls was destroyed.

Across the facility, many different battle's were happening, many of which the traitors were unprepared for nor had anticipated such a brazen strategy.

'Cut the chain!' Bellowed the word bearer to the astartes upon the lower decks. Power mauls crackled with power as the astartes delivered a blow to the holding chains that suspended the molten mixture above the civilians.

The chains gave way as the crucible was crashing towards them, the screams of men, women and children echoed across the room as they had but seconds to live.

'No!' Lee said, leaping into the pit as the chains were flying loose towards the overhanging pulleys.

Vulkan had but a moment as he grasped one of the chains, his muscles were straining as he embedded his feet into the ground.

Many others, Salamanders and shadow foxes tried to hold on to the massive chains, even as the fighting was becoming more intense. Their grunts and groans echoed across the room as they could still hear the sounds of screaming people underneath the held crucible.

Lee felt a pain unlike any he had ever felt, his armour was boiling as his form was becoming red from the excessive heat. Yet even with such a pain he continued to hold the pot above the people, his strength keeping it from crushing them, yet the heat was beginning to effect people, as the sounds of pained groans and crying tears echoed across the pit.

Lee looking beneath him, seeing a small figure that looked upon his helmet with a fear he could barely recall. Their eyes were looking above him towards the molten pot as the light emitting from it allowed Lee to see the figures face.

It was a child, barely into their adolescence, their face was dirtied from the conditions that they were held in, yet their blue crystal eyes framed a soft, almost gentle face, their hair was longer than normal children as he noticed the particular longed ears, denoting this child as not being human.

Yet Lee continued to look at the child, as fear continued to overcome their face. Their clothing was unlike Imperial clothes, as their fashion looked more exotic than what Imperial clothing usually encompassed, a single bright jewel was etched within the chest of the piece, it's shining blue brilliance reflecting the light from the molten pot with an almost ethereal beauty.

'Do... do not be afraid child' Lee said, even as his skin was being burned and his strength was wavering.

'I am scared' the child said, their dialect being very different to what Lee was expecting, yet even then he could see the fear within their eyes.

'Child... can you understand me?' Lee asked them, even as the situation was becoming more hostile, the child gave a small nod

'Then know this... So long as I draw breath... I will promise this to you and all within this pit... I will get you all to safety... that is my oath'

'Why would you tell us this lie astartes?' said a figure beside the child, this one was speaking in gothic as Lee could see them as being possibly the parent of the child, most likely their father from their physique. 'We are going to die here... why would you lie to us?'

The pot creaked and groaned, as Lee was feeling his strength start to falter by the heat and weight, yet his stance continued to hold out.

'I do not lie... to do so is against all I am' Lee replied.

Up above the battle was escalating, more traitors entered the antechamber, as Vulkan continued to hold onto the chain. His roar echoed as he tried to get a grip upon the floor, yet was finding it harder to exert more strength into his stance.

'Do...do not give in! We must keep it from sinking!' he bellowed, as more astartes took position around the chains. Trying all they can to pull with their might.

Traitors opened fire upon these figures, dozens of astartes were being cut down as others took up the slack. Meanwhile others within the company were unleashing volleys within the traitors ranks, trying desperately to hold back the tide and provide essential covering fire to those whom were holding up the crucible.

'Die traitors!'

'Slaughter the loyalist!'

The sounds of combat echoed loudly across the room, as Vulkan continued to hold back the massive crucible. His roars echoed across the room as he tried desperately to embed his feet into the floor, trying to get any grip he could.

While within the pit, Lee groaned as the weight started to increase upon him, the molten metal within was starting to burn his armour as his figure was being immolated.

His skin started to burn as the smell of burning flesh echoed across the pit, coughing and plea's of desperate humans and eldar echoed across the room. While his voice was grunting in pain, his body starting to fail him as he felt his body unable to hold back the sheer weight.

The small child tried to grasp Lee's foot, but he told him not to as the armour was glowing hot. Instead he focused his mind into unleashing more of his chakra, to overcome the pain within by calling upon more.

'Gate of Pain... open'

'Gate of limit... open'

'Gate of View...open!'

The effect was immediate, as the heat and light of the crucible was being twisted away from the sheer chakra pouring from Lee's body, his transhuman stature was increased dramatically, increasing his strength tenfold as he started to push the crucible up. Multiple eyes looked upon him in sheer awe as they witnessed the impossible happening. Even as Lee's body was continuing to burn due to the sheer heat and output of chakra within his control.

Lee gave a massive cry as he pushed the crucible with all his strength, the massive pot flying ten meters above them. Then he leaped into the air, his blows rupturing the very air itself as he repeatedly smashed his fist into the bottom of the crucibles adamantium base.

'Asa Kujaku!' Lee roared as countless blows were delivered, each punch blasting the pot more into the sky.

Vulkan gave a sudden surprise as he saw the crucible start to slack, as a blazing figure appeared from underneath it. The constant flurry of blows made him flinch as he felt the air itself warp from such a display. Higher and higher the crucible travelled, until it destroyed the very ceiling itself.

Lee kept his strength going, keeping the crucible as high as he could while looking around the area, he noticed a battalion of enemies about to make their way into the compound as he pushed the pot one more time, leaping into the air using chakra alone he prepared himself to unleash this upon the oncoming enemy.

'Ura Renge!' Lee roared, as his foot blasted the crucible across the sky, impacting upon the traitors. The crucible exploded as molten metal flooded their location, the screams of traitors echoing across the battlefield as they routed from such a display of force.

Lee felt his body unable to act from such intense actions, he was falling back into the pit as his armour was unable to function.

The form of Vulkan grabbed him within the air, as he gave a grunt from his skin burning slightly by Lee's armour still being extremely hot.

'Lee... you foolish... brilliant boy'

'Why would you risk yourself for such a thing?' Vulkan asked the captain, Lee opened his eyes as he looked upon his sensei with a smile.

'Because that is the right thing to do...regardless of whom it is'

Vulkan landed upon the ground with a thunderous impact, holding the captain within his hands he looked upon the facility his sons and shadow foxes were clearing, the enemy were being cut down as the cowards tried to flee into the landscape, yet ambush units and other parts of the legion ensured they would not escape.

'Even to an enemy whom has killed countless human lives? You would go so far for the alien?'

'Naruto had always told us... hatred is a cancer, it makes the best of us become the very monsters we must fight. Yet is it a cycle in itself, in unleashing hatred upon our enemy, the enemy unleashes hatred upon us. On and on this cycle will continue, until no one is left to carry on'

'He believes, that to forgive your enemy of such a crime is the hardest act we could face... but that is how the cycle of hatred is broken... by understanding one another...by willing to forgive and endure that hatred... will that cycle be able to be broken'

'Yet... would you do the same to the traitors?... will you extend that same logic?' Vulkan asked, his tone quiet.

At this Lee gave his answer.

'I do not kill these traitors due to hatred... I do it as justice... their act of betrayal is unforgivable... they wish to destroy us not because of hatred... but because they wish to'

'I do not hate them Vulkan sensei. I only pity them for they have chosen a path of darkness. They whom wished to forsake the light of reason and truth and instead embrace the dark... all because they did not have the strength to endure'

Lee's body calmed as his chakra was dispersed, finding strength to stand once more even after using such intense actions. Such was his transhuman physiology and endurance.

Vulkan took a long moment of silence, taking in the words of his apprentice.

-0-

The streets of Dagonet ran with the blood of countless people.

In this rampage, a plan was established by both sides, the Imperium had sent it's first group of assassins. This group had been given the sheer task of assassinating the warmaster, six representatives had been sent by each temple, their most promising disciples, yet the plan was not going to expectation.

Already, two of them, Jenniker and Iota had detoured to their own actions, finding a kinship with the loyalist population upon the planet, those whom fought and bled for the Emperor. Yet in this they found the enemy had also unleashed plans of their own.

This was the scene that Penny Polendina arrived to, given orders by her Emperor to assist in the assassination attempt to Horus, yet the news of another assassin, one who's allegiance was to the warmaster pulled her attention and focus more. Especially when she had gathered information regarding the renegade's mission.

'Anima Penny... as you can see' replied Eristede Kell, as they reviewed the footage of Iota's animus spectrum, seeing the black pariah Spear as they killed Iota with their own power. 'Our mission is now twofold... to kill the assassin and to Kill the warmaster'

Penny looked upon the images, her green metallic eyes looking upon the congregation of assassins before her as she calculated thousands of scenario's within her mind. In this execution force, she had been given the Emperor's very authority to conduct this group as she saw fit to the mission, one that she would not fail.

'I see' she replied, yet her focus was grim as many more scenario's were computed within her digital mind, even contingencies that might be possible if their enemy is expecting their tactic.

'I have doubts about this plan...' Penny said, as the hardened look of the assassin gazed upon her. 'There are too many variables to account for... too many possibilities that what we are doing is an elaborate ruse'

'Do you doubt the information given to us Penny?' asked Kell, their visage looking upon her,

'I doubt many things vindicare' Penny said 'To be sceptical of any plan is to ensure flexibility... the least of which is this... why would the Warmaster himself come to this planet?'

'Surely he wishes to expand his dominion within Imperial space, to have planets under his control would ensure the supply and safety of his forces should he continue onwards to Terra, as per his primary objective' Fon Tariel said, looking upon his advanced cogitator.

'Yet surely one system is insignificant towards the wider operation within the galaxy. I would even hazard a guess that even if this planet was one of true significance to his effort, he would not risk himself to merely cement his already established power' replied Penny

'It does not matter' Kell said, his voice resolute 'This creature killed Iota and Jenniker, we still must kill it to prevent the enemy from succeeding in whatever plan they have devised'

'In this I agree' Penny replied, her tone resolute as she looked around at the others.

'Then the plan will proceed. Yet we will be cautious. I doubt the success of killing the warmaster on this backwater planet. So we will need to adapt and change our strategy if it comes to such.'

The others prepared themselves for the coming months, knowing that the sons of Horus were scheduled to make planet fall as told to them by the agents of the Imperium.

Yet Penny meditated within a corner of the sanctuary, her eyes glowing green as she projected her chakra towards her outlying blade, this one still resting on Terra.

This was a technique she had developed over the span of years, endless trials and testing allowed her to communicate using pieces of her wargear, it was only due to her position as the winter maiden that she was able to generate the chakra necessary to allow such communication.

Master

Penny meditated upon the object, projecting her chakra across space and time, circumventing all known forms of communication, eventually she was given a reply.

Penny

Master... we have run into a situation regarding the execution force. I fear that this plan will fail as Horus has deployed his own assassin... this one is different, corrupted by whatever means the enemy has but is shown to have the same genome as a pariah.

Understood Penny... if the mission is to fail. Then your upmost priority is to silence that assassin... I fear my son is using it as a means to kill me.

My lord... I would rather die then let them defile you

I appreciate your concern Penny... but you must focus on your objective... do not worry about me

Understood. I long for the day I can see you again my Emperor.

Penny's eyes returned to their normal green as she pulled herself out of her meditation.

She looked upon the congregation of assassins that were left, In the corner was Koyne, the callidus was an interesting case of gender misidentification, they have said their form changes to give them the most optimal success to their mission, so their gender has been forgotten to the point they no longer identify themselves as any gender.

Fon Tariel was of the Vanus temple, information in all it's aspects was his speciality, it was thanks to his technical skills and abilities that the information regarding the sons of Horus was even discovered, yet Penny, whom was of machine. Had a deep mistrust of him, for what was to stop him from manipulating her?

Garantine was in the corner, muttering to himself as his body twitched. Penny had checked all information she was privy to and found the assassin disturbing. It turns out even as a child he had slaughtered all on his original home asteroid, a born killer and psychotic, she knew such an evil was necessary sometimes to ensure the protection of others. Yet had a hope within her that if the situation came down to it, he would be able to pull it through for them.

And last, was Eristede Kell, from the file she had accessed it turns out Jenniker was his biological sister. The mission was the priority yet Penny could definitely tell that her death effected him, he was a straightforward person, finding the mission the top priority, in a way it reminded her of huntsman, of her former time on remnant, where the success of the mission almost determined the lives of thousands.

In this, his actions could potentially save the lives of countless trillions.

'I hope this is enough... I hope I am wrong... but such hope leads to disappointment' Penny muttered, as the den of assassins and one machine took some rest.

-0-

Wires strained as the jaegers danced through the air.

The eight abominations continued their advance towards the city, headless of the swarm of lesser jaegers before them. Blades of various kinds clashed against their corrupted adamantium yet were found wanting. Beyond them companies of jaegers unleashed devastation that would reduce other forces to oblivion.

Yet to these monstrosities, they were still found wanting.

'Dammit! Is anything getting through these things?!' one of the Jaeger pilots screamed, their monomolecular blade smashing apart from another failed attempt to pierce one of the connecting joints of the war engine. One of it's six arms tried to grasp the jaeger, yet a quick grapple on another part of it's body allowed it to dash across it's surface, narrowly avoiding being crushed.

'Just keep hitting them. We must be doing something!' replied another, their laser cannon cycling it's exhaust cooler as the weapon was glowing red. That was the second sink it had used to try and cut a hole in it's plate.

Meanwhile, others were fighting the swarm of daemons above the titans, the clashing of blades and roar of gunfire echoed across the sounds of daemonic screams.

'Targets to the right! Take them out!'

'someone get suppressing fire on that horde!'

'Their everywhere!'

Grapple points were being targeted by the daemons, the beast ripping into the wires with abandon. Those wires they managed to rupture had lead to those jaegers to fall to their doom, with only a few able to recover from such a tactic.

Dimitri lunged upon a daemon, his armoured figure driving his sword into it, falling above one of the abominations he used his grapple to swing himself back upwards, blasting a dozen daemons with his Gatling laser that was attached to his right arm.

'Sitrep... does anyone have any ideas?' Dimitri asked across the vox, among the chaotic fighting and manoeuvring of his paladins, he still tried to find a solution to the issue at hand.

'None of the heavy ordinance is working commander! This plating is much more durable than standard adamantium' replied one of his lieutenants

'Dust blades don't work on anything, have not found a weak spot to exploit commander' another replied, as their blades were destroyed from the excessive force applied to them upon the armour.

'My heavy drill is cutting through... but it's too slow. I can't get a good window to cut open a hole' replied one of his specialist, this was one of the jaegers whom was outfitted with heavy breaching equipment.

'Ok then... all squads, run distraction protocols, keep whatever is disrupting the drillers out of their way. When you have a sizeable breach, we will use dust charges to blast our way in' Dimitri said, giving our his orders.

'On it sir!'

'Aye sir!'

'Yes Sir!'

The next thirty minutes would see the jaegers perform daring feats of acrobatics and danger, sky-fire flak would cover the skies, denying the daemons a chance to disrupt the jaegers, while others would distract the abominations, their skills being used to their extremes as to avoid being crushed by the massive hands that threatened to destroy them.

One of the drillers would penetrate one of the knee joints of the machine, leaving a hole large enough for them to place a highly destructive dust bomb upon the joint.

'Get clear! Blasting charge in twenty seconds!'

The group rushed away from the singled out machine, many others attaching on and supporting the other squads as the now lonely abomination continued onwards towards the city.

It would be engulfed in an explosion that would shake the landscape, it's knee would be utterly gone as the weight of the upper torso would be sent crashing towards the land. It would give out a desperate cry as it's sheer weight would crush itself, the reactor inside going critical as the explosion would reduce everything within a half mile to nothingness.

'One down... seven more to go!"

Meanwhile, within Vierra, the defenders were being reinforced, multiple jaeger squads cleared the streets as madmen ran at the sight of the machines, this allowed the defenders to advance upon contested grounds, every inch was being fought over with blood and fire.

Winter stood her ground, the governor had seen better days, her left arm was hit by a stray shot from a lascannon, the blow only glancing but was enough for her arm to be functionally shot for the moment. Various bandages and treatments were applied to prevent the wound from being fatal, yet this did not stop her from leading her troops.

'Enemies on the left flank! Take out those support pillars! Get that baneglider back to the front! Use it as moving cover! Someone get me some small arms to support that jaeger!'

'Enemy force coming from the building block!'

'Form firing lines! Precise volleys! Three ranks fire!' Winter bellowed, a torrent of rounds cut the traitors apart, their screams fleeting as the lines continued their advance.

Two banegliders unleashed their cannons upon a contested tower, the building collapsed upon the traitors taking shelter within, crushing them as their screams were silenced. The tanks took to the front as dozens of elementians took shelter behind their armoured hulls, the deflection of rounds hammering upon their bulk.

'Daemon! Daemon Engine! To the right!'

'All heavy guns! Fire at will!'

A rushing daemon engine rampaged out from a destroyed building block, yet the disciplined volleys of punishing fire ensured it's swift demise, it's body exploding into tainted flame as it gave a pitiful last cry.

On this continued, the defenders slowly but surely pushing the enemy out, eventually they came upon the first walls of Vierra, as they took their place once more upon the battered grounds. Winter looked upon the battlefield, taking sight upon the planes beyond.

The figures of the massive titans appeared upon the distance, she knew by their sheer size and such that these were the beings that were hammering the city's void shields. She echoed her command towards the massive capital guns within the city proper.

'Targetting command, acquisition targets. Unknown titan class enemies, designation 220, distance approximately 12.5km's' Winter said, looking through a scoped optic to look upon the massive machines.

'Understood ma'am. We have lock on the target. Firing for effect'

The city shuddered as one of the colossal capital defence guns discharged a round. The blazing sun appeared for a moment in the sky as the round found it's mark.

The Titan was hard to discern from this range, yet Winter could tell it delivered a direct hit as the figure collapsed upon the land. Her vox blared to life after that discharge.

'Vierra command... this is Jaeger company Winged, be advised friendlies are in range of the enemy war machines... I repeat, friendlies are in range of the enemy war machines'

'Understood. Targetting command, return to planetary defence' Winter said, cursing herself for making such a blunder.

With the destroyed abomination, the jaegers that were fighting the machine were all destroyed, the sheer power of the plasma round ensuring their deaths were quick. Dimitri gave a curse as his vox officers called out to Vierra to cease their firing upon the machines.

'All squads, check in!' Dimitri said upon the vox.

'Delta here'

'Squad alpha is here'

Echo squadron is here'

'Squad dominion was in the blast commander... they didn't make it'

'Dammit... alright then... keep up distraction tactics, we need the drill teams to breach their main junctions!'

Paladin jaegers were traversing the skies above the titanic war machines, their massive forms were like ants before these monsters, yet their numbers were truly on a scale unmatched.

Heavy ordinance blasted across corrupted metal, as the abominations tried to swipe at the countless wires extending across their surfaces, each interaction resulted in dozens of paladins executing death defying actions, as dozens of grapples bit into their temporary surfaces, the pilots within the suits were being pushed to their limits as their momentum pushed them into their seats, yet were unable to relax as one act of hesitation would result in their demise.

One of the drill paladins was ripping into the leg join of one of the abominations, the sounds of gunfire and rumbling of footsteps drowned out their sounds as they were focused on their task, blinding sparks echoed across the breach it was creating as it paced itself on opening the point to not risk the overheating of it's drill.

Time flowed slow for the jaeger pilot, the constant sounds echoing around them a deadly reminder that their time was limited. Yet they continued, knowing that this was their only option in a battlefield where their options were already limited.

A sudden explosion flooded their vision, momentarily blinding them as they tried to recover towards their task. The light faded as they took momentary stock of their area, they looked upwards as a massive appendage was coming towards them.

As they watched, helpless to move as the drill required their jaeger to clamp down upon the abomination to ensure whatever it was attacking would not disrupt them. They could only raise their arms, helpless.

Another jaeger stood between the driller and the appendage, the strain upon their form telling as the groaning of metal and the whine of hydraulic shocks echoed across their hearing.

'Keep... Keep going!' the jaeger pilot said, as their machine groaned and faltered upon the sheer force of the appendage. The driller gave a sharp nod, as their drill continued it's insertion.

More jaegers, these from the ground, used their grapples as makeshift hooks, clamping upon the appendage while they were on the ground. A multitude of wires extended from the ground as jaegers took positions around the massive war machines legs.

With a great heave, they started to pull upon it.

The abomination was not idle during this, it gave a roar of anger as it swung across the jaegers upon the ground, disrupting a good portion of them as it grasped the wires with another of it's appendages. Yet more jaegers locked onto the titan, each one putting more pressure upon it as it's rage was being quenched by the might of dozens.

Eventually the driller had opened a cavity, arming a single dust bomb they shoved the payload into the breach, as they evacuated from the titanic machine.

Another explosion, another of the abominations had toppled upon the ground, it's rage silenced yet it's reactor did not overload, which gave immense relief to those whom were close to the machine when it fell.

Five of the abominations still marched on Vierra's walls, their conflict with the jaeger company merely a distraction from their main prize.

The skies above Terraria echoed with more ships, these were not of the traitors as the battle within the heavens was changing. Battle fleet Elementia felt immense relief as volleys of torpedoes and macro cannons roared towards the enemy ranks, as fresh new arrivals had come to support their diminished numbers.

'Sir... I have confirmation of transit forces... it is the Ultramarines!'

'Establish hails with their high command. Shore up their ranks with ours, it's time we put these bastard traitors to the torch!'

Firing lanes are established as the wrath of two battle fleets if put towards the traitors. Capital ships on the enemies side are suddenly outnumbered three to one, with no means of staging an effective counterattack.

Warp portals tear across the sections, as the traitors flee. Leaving the ground forces to defend for themselves.

'All ships, prepare for planetary strike. We are to give support to all remaining strongholds upon the planet. The traitors are running for their lives, lets put the rest out of their misery' replied the words of Commander Isenkra, Admiral commander of Battlefleet Elementia.

The worlds of Elementia would see her fleets posted on all planets, the skies burned with heavy ordinance as the fury of capital armaments rendered enemy positions into oblivion. A battle barge from the Ultramarines made it's position above Vierra, communication lines being established to the besieged city.

'Vierra command. Battle barge Oath of Moment is within orbital space. Sending strike forces and ready to provide supporting fire'

'Vierra Command to Oath of Moment. Prioris threat located in grid co-ordinates 227-A-E-117. Be advised friendly forces are in the vicinity' came the reply from Vierra.

The mighty battle barge aligned it's cogitators to scan the ground. Finding the remaining five massive anomalies. They knew that such targets were not to be taken lightly.

'Understood. Advice all units to vacate target in grid zone A-112. Macro ordinance discharge in thirty seconds'

Upon the ground, Vierra comms blared across the Paladins vox network, as the mighty battle barge readied it's deadly payload.

'Dimitri! If you can hear this. Capital ordinance is on it's way! You have twenty seconds to clear the target zone!' Winter blared across the vox.

Dimitri looked upwards, seeing the massive ship floating in the heavens. Immediately he issued his commands.

'All units! Fall back! Incoming orbital!'

The paladins all fled from the massive machines, like thousands of insects shedding from it's skin as the abominations roared in mockery. Yet the paladins knew that time was not in their favour as they scrambled away from the blast zone.

The heavens blazed in fire as macro shells collided upon the earth, the sheer speed and power behind them ripping the earth apart as a firestorm swallowed everything in site. Two of the abominations were ripped apart from the explosions, their reactors contributing to the blast as their energy was swallowed by the fire. The other ones within were screaming in fury and pain as their forms were ravaged by the shock waves and blast shrapnel that coated them.

Those within Vierra braced the walls as the shockwave ripped across the planes, the sheer totality of destruction before them being a stark reminder of the power behind the ships that prowl the stars.

Yet there still remained three of the machines left, their armour riddled and sundered by the recent barrage as parts of their internal engines were exposed, as streams of lava and blood flowed from their wounds, yet their massive cannons were now unleashing torrents of firepower upon Vierra as they were given to bloodlust and rage. Dimitri gave his orders.

'All units! Converge upon the machines, do not relent on them!'

The area around the abominations were covered with the renewed fight of paladins. Jaegers traversed upon the skies as the roar of guns and glow of blades echoed roars of defiance. Thousands of rounds and strikes echoed across the surface of the war machines, even as roars of pain and hatred echoed from the abominations.

'Keep going! Do not relent!' Dimitri shouted among the vox, his blade was embedded upon one of the shoulder joints of the machine, the blade glowed with crackling energy as he rammed his blade into the joint, repeating the action until he felt the appendage start to give way.

The appendage fell hundreds of meters as the machine roared in pain, more of his paladins ripped into the machine until it started to stumble and fall upon the ground. It's body had crashed upon the ground as it lost a primary joint to one of it's legs, yet was still roaring in defiance as it's cannon was still trying to discharge upon the city, the paladins continued the attack, headless of the danger as they continued to tear it from limb to limb.

The machine groaned and screamed as lava flowed from it's torso, as the last vestige of it's power faded.

Two more remained.

-0-

The sounds of gunfire and exploding ordinance was rather silent.

The traitors had buried deep into the structure of the city, months of back breaking work all for a single moment, before them was the underbelly of Vierra, ripe for the taking.

Their plan was twofold, using the distraction of the fighting above to actually implement explosives across the entire underground structure of the city. Once detonated the entirety of the place will come crashing down, crushed under it's sheer weight as all of their sacrifice would be a offering to the god of blood and war.

'Eight primary points, from this eight come eight more, then eight until the eighth layer is made. Here shall the lord of murder enjoy his feast, for it shall all be under his glory. Though we give our blood above, down here shall we give our very bones. As he commands, so too we give willingly'

Traitors gathered around the pools of sacrifices, these being the workers and slaves captured from across Terraria, many of them women and children as their god did not care who's blood flowed, only that it flows.

This was the site that Delta squadron found themselves in.

Originally told to clear the enemy from the upper buildings, a few stragglers were followed underground, where they bore witness to the absolute horror before them. Many of these recruits were young, many of them barely able to hold their rifles up as their hands were shaking from the fear.

Yet, many others looked on with narrowed eyes, disgusted and filled with bitter hatred at what was happening below their city.

'Alright' came the voice of their commander, he was much older than his troops and carried scars from many conflicts, his voice was quiet yet had a grizzled tone upon his lips. His face was disfigured yet still contained a fire within his eyes that spoke of his experience.

'Meric... you and Flow are to take the left flank, stay low and get in position'

The two, a young boy and girl gave the commander a nod as they made their way quietly into position.

Adam...have you and Rook take the heavy bolter and set up over on that overlook... I want you to hold back and wait for my mark'

The boy named Adam gave a nod, as he and another took the heavy bolter equipment towards the cliff above the site, their movements being as quiet as they can as they carried the massive weapon.

'Markus... your with me... we are gonna get the grenades ready' the commander replied, as the young Markus gave a firm nod.

'The rest of you... take cover and get ready to unleash hell... remember... Vierra is relying on us to do this... we only have one shot'

The other ten people gave nods, as they shuffled across the area and setup in positions of cover. Even though they were rather loud when doing some actions, it seems the enemy had not noticed their actions as they were too busy offering sacrifices or could not hear them from their screaming offerings.

The pair crept towards the massive congregation, taking head counts of the traitors, they numbered at least fifty while the remaining sacrifices only numbered twenty, with many of them on their last legs.

'On my count Markus' the commander said, as they lined up their grenades, both pulled their pins at the same time as they threw the devices into the largest concentration of enemies without trying to harm the victims.

The grenades flew true, striking within the congregations as their explosions erupted pure pandemonium, the sounds of gunfire echoed across the room as the traitors were in a pure panic, unleashing rounds into the darkness surrounding them.

In this, delta squad unleashed their wrath.

Swift and deadly was their effort, with the enemy unable to make out where in the dark they had taken position it was easy for them to take out their targets due to the foolish lighting and other sort of artificial lighting the traitors utilized in their insane ritual. Gunshots found their marks as the traitors tried to rush towards the discharges of dust powder, yet would be mercilessly cut down by the ensuring hailstorm of projectiles.

Markus counted five kills, each one a near clean head shot, he felt his lungs burning as he held his breath, unleashing each round with a steady hand as his eyes adjusted to the low lighting. Yet even in these moments he uttered words of vengeance under his breath for each round he fired, every kill payback for what they had done to his home.

By the time the traitors organized themselves from the chaos, it was too late. Their numbers were either dead or dying, unable to respond as the squad advanced upon their position. They were given the swift kill of a bayonet being lodged into their chest, silencing their groans of pain and such as they took to the civilians they had rescued.

'Are you all okay? Is anyone injured?' said the commander, taking inventory and performing triage of the situation.

Many of them had been whipped or beaten, many others were malnourished as they were forced to work without food or rest. Delta squad tried the best they could to provide for these people, but their main priority was figuring out what was going on underneath Vierra.

'They... they made us dig them an access way... deeper into the earth... it … it is north of here... that is where the traitors had come from...but they... but they' said one of the survivors, yet their tone started to take a turn for the worse as they started to tear up, crying as they hugged their saviours.

'It's okay... your safe now... They won't hurt you anymore' the commander said, giving the person a gentle embrace as they tried to give them comfort. After a while the person was able to overcome their pain to talk about the information they had.

This lead to the squad traversing across the underground, finding the various demolition charges and carefully disabling them. Yet the lack of resistance was rather concerning, even as they destroyed the small patches of resistance that came across their travels.

The group now contained dozens of high explosive payloads, some with weight that caused the group to carry them in pairs. Yet the hours of careful planning and steady progress was rewarded as they now stood before the breach.

The tunnel was beyond the patches of light around the area, shining flash lights upon the breach brought forth an almost endless darkness. The commander was inspecting the breach, carefully thinking about how they could address this serious issue.

'Sir' Markus said, his tone hesitant 'It's too quiet here... there should have been more resistance'

'I know Markus' the commander said, realising that the scout parties they had encountered was a contradiction.

'Yet we cannot allow this breach upon Vierra stand, round up the explosives. We will rip this asunder, so the enemy could never use such a tool against our city again'

The group of twenty began their work, carefully placing the explosives within the breach as to not cause any lasting damage to the city. This pulled them further into the darkness as they rigged the explosives and such, a detonator being placed at it's entrance.

The sounds of rumbling steps echoed in the darkness, pausing the group still.

'Commander' one of the squad members said 'Something is coming'

'Form up ranks. Get you asses back to the entrance'

The group rushed back to the start, taking their positions around the tunnel and focussing their guns down the corridor. Their flash lights turning on as they focused upon the rumble.

The steps continued, as a figure was barely being seen, their form was massive as their armour was drenched in torrents of blood and gore.

The light reflected upon the figure, even from this distance the group had seen the sheer size of the man, they knew it was an enemy they wished they did not encounter, as their bloodlust eyes looked upon them with a maddening shine, their mouth salivating like a rabid god.

'T...Te...terminator! Astartes!' Meric said, fear upon his voice

'Open Fire!' shouted the commander.

The corridor was alight with the firepower of the squad, twenty different round of ammunition fired upon the hulking figure, yet if anything it only made the astartes more angry.

The hulking man rushed towards the outliers of the squad, those whom were not fast enough were eviscerated by the screaming chain axe of the maddened astartes, while the others ran for the exit, true fear upon their eyes as their comrades returned fire against the ceramite armour.

'THEY SEND CHILDREN AGAINST ME!' The astartes bellowed, ripping apart one of the younger recruits in it's hands, it's screams were quick as it's body was torn asunder, blood and viscera coating it's already drenched body.

'Blow the charge! Do It!' Yelled the commander, as Flow activated the detonator.

The blasting charges fired in sequence, as the Terminator took notice a bit too late. Yet he was still rushing towards them as the tunnel was collapsing, it's lenses were a bale red as the crew took cover from the resulting shock waves.

Dust and smoke echoed across the darkness, as the commander called out.

'Squad... check in!'

'Markus... here'

'Flow Here'

'M...Meric here'

Adam... here'

'Rook...is here'

This continued onward, yet the commander had a concerned face as he took count of his squad.

Of the original twenty, only twelve of them were still left. They took positions around the collapsed rubble, guns trained upon it cautiously.

'Is...is he dead?... did we do it?' Flow asked, her tone hopeful.

Rubble pieces exploded from the entrance as they stumbled back from the sudden change, the astartes had appeared from the crushed rocks. It's appearance was heavily wounded, it's right arm was ripped from his body while blood oozed out from multiple joints in it's cracked terminator armour, it's headpiece was destroyed, exposing the head of the maddened warrior as it's bloodshot eyes looked upon the group with bloody murder.

'WRETCHED KURS! I WILL RIP YOUR HEADS OFF!'

Despite the extensive damage the explosions did to the terminator, he was still able to move his armour in a somewhat capable manner, the chain-axe upon his arm was heavily damaged, the monomolecular teeth had been sheared off the chain, making the weapon sputter and jam within the catch engine.

Yet the world eater did not care as he swung the weapon to the closest.

The young boy felt his body fly as they felt extreme pain, blood flowed from their mouth as they screamed into the darkness. The sound of their body colliding upon the walls in the darkness being the last thing they heard.

Round came once again, this time the squad were aiming for the glaring gaps within the terminator's armour. Such lucky shots made the astartes stumble a bit yet the nail embedded upon their skull made the pain secondary as the pounding made their mind erupt into a state of frenzy.

'KILL KILLL...KILLLL!' the astartes screamed, as his chain-axe slammed into the next victim. Their body being crushed upon the transhuman blow.

'Rook!... Die you damn bastard!' screamed another of the squad, unleashing a close volley into one of the weak points of the terminator. Their gun glowed hot from the sudden ammo dump of their magazine as they pulled out a bayonet from their pack, fixing it with a sudden click.

They rushed the terminator, finding purchase in a crack on their armour. They were rewarded for their bravery by a sudden backhand by the astartes, sending them flying across the area.

Their chakra and neo-astartes body were the only thing that allowed them to survive the truly lethal damage that the astartes was dealing towards them. Rook was still groaning upon the ground yet was still showing that they were still alive.

The commander activated his power sword, giving a roar of hatred he rushed upon the astartes, out of all those within the squad the commander had experience on fighting faster opponents along with chakra training. His strikes slammed into the armoured cracks of the Terminator while avoiding the berserkers wide swings.

Blue lighting pulsed across the surface as he lunged towards the inner chest piece of the terminator armour, a gap had formed where the astartes primary heart would be positioned. Driving the blade within the commander felt the blade lodge itself stuck.

This allowed the berserker to smash the commander to the side of the head with his arm, leaving him open for a devastating strike from the now blunted chain-axe. Even with it's teeth removed the weapon still delivered devastating damage, as the commander was flung into the wall, falling unconscious.

'Commander!' Markus yelled, as the berserker pulled out the blade from his chest, throwing the object to the side as the sheer bloodlust had dulled his pain. His eyes looked upon the rest of the group as blood and spit gurgled from his mouth, the butchers nails behind his skull pulsing with an urge to kill and main the living.

Markus took no hesitation as he dashed towards the downed sword, the berserker swung towards the child, yet the adrenaline and chakra of the boy allowed him to leap above the strike, as he tumbled towards the object. Kneeling before it he tried to activate the blade, fumbling around the controller as it was covered in blood.

'BOY...WHY DO YOU STILL FIGHT BOY!' the maddened berserker said, as he dashed towards Markus, a swift kick from his armoured boot slammed into Markus side, forcing him towards the nearest wall as he cried out in pain. The rest of the group stood in fear of the astartes, already they cowered in terror at this monster as he continued his pacing towards the downed boy.

'IS IT COURAGE? OR STUPIDITY? IS THAT WHAT COMPELLS YOU MEAT!'

Markus took to his knees, coughing out he noticed blood upon his tongue as he willed himself to stand. He could feel a few bones in his body groan in protest at his action, yet he looked upon the astartes with no fear, only a cold hatred upon his eyes as he managed to activate the blade.

His face glowed blue upon the light, his gaze looking upon the astartes as he tried to keep it together during this moment. Thinking about his mother whom had died for him and his siblings. It was in this time he remembered a distant memory.

'Now now kids... lets all ready ourselves for supper' their mother said, as the sounds of giggling and joy echoed across the house.

Markus had enjoyed a simple life with his mother, their father had died during the battle of Ullanor Prime. The videos of that day were still played during the times of remembering as a momentous day, yet he could always tell that their mother looked upon the scenes with mournful tears.

As part of his reparations, their family was given the last possessions of their father along with weekly contributions of money by the Imperium as a token of their father's service. Even though it brought sadness to her, their mother always kept these keepsakes close.

One of these items Markus had always been fascinated by is proudly the centrepiece of the table that he and his family now sat upon. It was a simple wooden totem, it's surface etched in various runes and such that were beyond him, yet upon the apex stood the Aquila Imperium, the twin headed eagle that served as the symbol of the Imperium of mankind.

Underneath the bottom of the object, an inscription was etched by skilled hands.

"The Emperor Protects. The Emperor provides"

'Momma' Markus asked, his voice curious 'Does the Emperor really protect us?'

His mother gave her a small smile, while the others were passing around small batches of food within bowls.

'Indeed Markus. It was by his wisdom that we are safe from the monsters of the dark. He fights for us, even from his place in Terra he brings peace to all of us... so we give him our thanks, in his service we give our contribution to his works. And even our sacrifice ensures that we all have a future to look towards'

'Wow' Markus said, his voice containing excitement at his mothers words 'So papa was a hero!'

'Yes he was Markus... yes he was' his mother said, her voice slightly sad.

'Okay children... let us say our prayers before we eat'

The children gathered around the table, each holding hands as they uttered into the space.

'Blessed be this food before us

That we may bring sustenance in our lives.

Blessed be our Emperor

Whom bring wisdom to our minds

Blessed be Humanity

Whom we all walk the path forward

Blessed be his mercy

So that we may know true peace

In his name, Shall we forever revere

May he provide and protect us

In his name and the name of his sons

The Emperor protects'

Markus felt his hand reach into his shirt, pulling out a small trinket of the Aquila. Grasping it within his hand he closed his eyes, stilling his body and shutting the fear in his heart. Under his breath he started to whisper.

'He protects us... upon Terra he stands with us... and so shall we'

'NOW DIE! OFFER YOUR SKULL TO THE LORD OF MURDER!'

The terminator willed his broken body forward, even through such injuries his transhuman body pushed beyond it's limits. Yet Markus had no more fear within his eyes, as he called upon his chakra.

What should have been a blue glow was different, instead it was a golden light, brighter than the day and roaring with a fire that bordered on the spiritual. His lips moved in whispers as he felt the glow infuse itself into his body, what was his chakra had taken up a form he was unfamiliar with, yet did not reject. It reminded him of home; safe, secure, warm.

The terminator reeled back, his eyes burning from the bright light as he stumbled, it was to be his last mistake.

With a mighty push from something other than his own strength, Markus felt the blade before him push into the torso of the monster before him, flesh and bone parted from the edge of the blade as golden fire etched itself upon it's surface. His arms felt empowered as his body continued the motion. Even as he felt an almost gentle touch upon his shoulder.

His mouth opened by it's own volition, a single sentence bellowed out from his throat as the fury of a blazing star shined through that darkness.

'FOR THE EMPEROR!'

The encounter was mere moments, yet Markus could still feel his heart racing from the action he had just done. The corpse of the astartes before him was proof of his action, it's smoking corpse laying in two pieces upon the ground as the rest of the group recovered from that sudden clash. Flow rushed to Markus, gripping his shoulder and pulling him out of his moment.

'Markus...are...are you okay?' she asked

'I...I think I'm alright...' he replied.

She embraced the young boy into a hug, yet the sudden yelp of pain pulled her away from him as she realised he was still injured.

'Ow...owow...easy there Flow...that still hurts' Markus said, putting a tender hand towards his left ribcage side.

'Sorry...' Flow replied.

The group took this moment to take stock of their members, while Rook and the commander were being treated for their injuries. The others had sorted themselves as the two were placed on stretchers.

After a few minutes, one of the others asked the important question.

'What do we do now?'

Markus, seeing everyone else not being able to answer became the one to respond, as he stood among the group with the commanders power sword in his grip.

'We make our way back up. And we will help the defence of our world'

'Bu...but the enemy... can we really stand up to them?'

Markus looked upon the group. Even his small stature compared to his older peers looked almost heroic as he told them his response.

'They wish to give us all out war? Then let them... We'll give them all out war... make no mistake'

'Now who is with me!' Markus said, raising the blade to the cheers of the group.

'lets go!... time to stand up, shape up or shut up!'

-0-

Drop pods rained down upon Elementia, their superheated glow lighting up the air as those within Konoha were still fighting the traitor astartes. Their collision upon the ground rumbled the landscape as their doors blasted open.

The roars of boltguns echoed across the city as ultramarines took firing positions, their targets; the world eater berserkers that threatened their shadow fox cousins.

'Kill the traitors! We march for Maccrage!'

Among the pods were other, these were familiar colours as their contents opened to support their fellow brothers and sisters. These shadow foxes were the fourth company of the legion, returned with Roboute Guilliman to defend their homes.

Among them, a red robed figure appeared from their pod, their size was more petite than their other astartes counterparts, yet the massive scythe wielded by them made the ultramarines give a true sign of respect, as the figure reaped a massive toll across the traitor lines.

'Is...is that?' replied a battle brother from the legion.

'Yes... the grim reaper of Calth. To think she had survived'

'Truly... if the stories of her tallies among the word bearers is true. We are indeed lucky she is on our side'

'To think that one whom is so feared by the enemy is here... Ruby Rose'

Ruby glided through the battlefield with a grace that bordered on beautiful, Crescent Rose was drenched in the blood of traitors as she lodged the tip of the blade into the head of a raging berserker, killing them instantly. Pulling their body along with her blade a sudden dust round discharging from her weapon sliced through the traitors hanging body, as it's momentum had allowed the blade to reap the head of a terminator that was unfortunate to stand before her.

The fourth company had suffered heavy casualties on Calth, assigned with Guilliman's legion as part of their forces, the fourth company was at ground zero when the word bearers sprung their trap. Thousands of their numbers were killed from this act, fuelling a fire of vengeance that would see many of them kill tens of thousands of traitors back.

Ruby had been on the front lines during the nuclear bombardments, her semblance being the only thing that allowed her to survive the fallout along with the countless new discoveries of the adaptation gene within her very DNA. As ultramarines beside her died due to asphyxiation and radiation poisoning, she was beset on her position by dozens of word bearer war-bands and world eater berserkers.

Something in her died that day, as she would run the ground red with blood.

When those of the company had found her, she was surrounded by thousands of dead bodies. Her silver eyes drew tears of blood down her cheeks as her weapon crescent rose was drenched in the blood of traitors, of the ones whom assaulted her. She was the only survivor.

In the months after, she would accrue a name from the traitors, one that would be cemented upon her person as a symbol of Calth's defiance. Of the reaper that roamed her irradiated wasteland and purged their kind by the endless numbers.

Thus began the tales of the Grim reaper.

A berserker pulled out their plasma pistol, the discharge slamming directly into Ruby's face as she flinched from the explosion. The berserker had a demented glee upon his eyes yet was drawn to a stunned silence as silver eyes looked back at him, a cold fury etched into her face as the burnt flesh upon her mended in but moments, leaving pristine skin where there would have been scars.

The traitor had no time as his head departed his body, as Ruby pivoted upon the spot to deal with the next line of traitors.

Their company had not decided to follow the second through the warp gate at Davin, instead choosing to follow Guilliman as he received the priority message from Elementia, the protection of their home was more important as the fires of that betrayal still grew strong from the first act against them.

Ruby leaped across the field of firepower, her scythe cutting down world eaters by the dozens as she looked upon them with cold, calculating eyes. Her speed was unlike anything the traitors could follow, their swings missing laughably far as she made their enraged strength and speed look like a mockery. Rounds that found purchase within her body were expunged as smoke etched out from the wounds, healing in but moments of their cause. Such was the mutation of the adaptation gene within her body that bordered on regeneration.

Yet her face still retained the blood tears upon her cheeks, as she continued her onslaught in silence.

The lines within Konoha had pushed the traitors out, only the few pockets of resistance remained, mostly in the city internals and mega-block K1, yet the fresh reinforcements made short work of the enemy as they fought and died where they stood.

Guilliman took the information given to him by Elementia high command, using his logistic and command skills to co-ordinate the shadow foxes and his Ultramarines to where they could be best utilized, with reports of mass success happening.

'What is the status of the other planets?' Guilliman requested from his vox, as various data-slates and tactical maps were projected upon his command screens.

'Remnant had been secured father. Terraria still has a large presence of traitors upon the planet that are still assaulting the main cities. Our fleet and battle-fleet elementia have the skies and are assisting where they can. We have confirmation from Menagerie prime that the traitors have been driven off from the surface and our fleets have routed the enemy fleet.'

'And port Antemurale?'

'Secured sir. Enkou have reported the station has suffered moderate damage, but she is still functional.'

Guiliman planned within his mind, thousands of scenarios and simulations echoed as he digested the sheer volume of data presented to him. As a primarch this feat was still proving to be difficult yet to others it would have been an impossibility. After a few minutes he had opened his eyes again.

'Prioritize Terraria and Elementia. Have the fleet create scouting formations to comb through the outer reaches of elementian space for any other threats. Have their orders be to relay any distress calls to the main fleet and disengage. I will make my way planet-side to Elementia, there myself and the first,second and third companies will establish with the already deployed fourteenth and sixteenth companies already supporting the forces on the ground. I issue a no quarter to any traitor forces. We will not let them desecrate this planet no longer. We will not have a repeat of Calth'

'Understood father. Your Stormbird is ready to deploy. All available Thunderhawks and Storm raptors on this vessel are currently in use'

Guilliman gave a nod of acknowledgement as he proceeded to the armoury, donning his armour of reason and his hand of dominion, the lord of Ultramar would come to the aid of his brothers forces, yet would find out too late the unfortunate fate of their legions prosperity.

-0-

The ripples across the warp shuddered as an opening burst into reality. From it's maw came a colossal ship with a snarling fox head as it's prowl.

The Will of Fire had transitioned into familiar territory.

'Captain Inari! We have arrived into elementian space' The helmsman replied as the ship steadied itself. Communications blazed to life as various signals were intercepted by the crew.

'Captain... I have over thirty vox reports... major damage across all worlds... We have an Ultramarine fleet responding to the distress calls...traitor armada forces are being engaged as we speak'

Inari issued his orders.

'Establish communications with Elementia command and our ally fleets. Have all available resources ready for deployment planet-side ASAP. Someone get Naruto on the line, He'll want to hear about this'

'Understood Captain'

A few minutes later, the form of Naruto stepped upon the bridge, looking upon the horizon as dozens of communications were being made from the mighty vessel.

'Captain... we are being hailed... Ultramarine high command' a vox officer said.

'Put them on screen'

The holo projection echoed across the bridge as Roboute Guilliman looked upon his brother. Naruto looked upon him with a look of concern as Guilliman gave a relieved look.

'Naruto'

'Roboute'

'I am glad to see you okay brother... but I come with terrible news'

Guilliman explained all that had happened to Naruto. His information was precise and to the objective. The Will of Fire in that time had hovered over Elementia as thousands of drop pods landed upon her surface.

Among them, Naruto felt a deep anger boil within his mind. As Roboute had told him the fate of his once homeland. He had to see it for himself.

What he had seen was ash and fire.

Naruto and a company of astartes walked with him, his eyes looking upon the ruins of a once thriving Uzushio. The city was a mess of blasted ruins, not a single sound echoed across the area as the dying flames were all that he could see.

'Naruto' came Weiss, a few others within his Meiyo guard had taken to his side 'No life signs detected... I don't... I don't think'

'Find the evacuation shelter' Naruto said, as the others agreed with his statement 'There might be a chance they made it... we...we have to try' his voice said, even as he was holding back his anger with his clenched fist.

It took them a few hours of searching as the damage across the place was soo destructive there were no discernable landmarks for them to use as a guidance. Yet the eventually succeeded in finding the entrance to the shelters.

'Open it' Naruto said, as the group looked upon the blast doors leading to Uzushio's underground shelters.

Hayashino inputted his activation code, yet after a few minutes nothing happened. Upon closer inspection the captain commander noticed the damage upon the locking mechanism.

'Naruto... the door is jammed... we'll need to open it manually'

The group assembled around the door, a mighty burst of strength strained the locks and bolts holding the structure close, forcing the door to eventually give out as the group pushed it open.

The first thing that hit them with the vaults opening was a smell that made many of them stumble, for it was a familiar things across the battlefield.

'No...nono' Naruto muttered as he rushed through the opening, headless of the calls of his Meiyo guard.

It was past the entrance and within the shelter proper, that Naruto paused. His eyes looked onwards in silence as the others had rushed in.

He looked upon the bloodied floor, the liquid had spilled across the entire chamber, bodies were left rotting as they were thrown haphazardly across the room. Yet all of them were missing their heads as a massive pile of scalped skulls were stacked within the middle of the shelter, a crude looking altar that was dripping with blood and liquefied brain matter, giving an almost haunting yet mesmerizing look.

Naruto's Meiyo guard stumbled upon the sight, many of his companions had looks of disgust upon their face while a few had actually vomited away, unable to look anymore at the scene.

Naruto waded through the blood and matter, his eyes desperate as he tried to find anyone whom survived. Even against the logic of what he was seeing he tried desperately to hope.

His hands etched themselves in blood, his body was covered from head to toe in his mad frantic search, yet a piled of beheaded bodies made him stop, as a familiar set of power armour had come across his vision.

Hanako had died holding the bodies of her charges, her head was missing; likely put into the pile of skulls along with the heads of her children, yet Naruto looked upon it as tears flowed from his eyes. In his mind he could still hear the children speaking.

Big brother Naruto!

Look at what I made big brother!

When I grow up, I want to help my big brother!

Are you gonna make the bad people go away?

Naruto ni-san!

Come play with us big brother!

'Naruto' a voice from behind him pulled his attention, as he saw the face of Hayashino. Naruto felt his body move, yet was unable to pull the voices within his mind. His Meiyo guard took control of the area as Naruto wandered outside. His body was not responsive to any commands as he looked upon the blazing daylight.

'I'm sorry Naruto... but It was like I said... you can't change everyone...sometimes... they do not want to be saved...I just wished you didn't have to see it this way' Yami said within his mind, yet Naruto only paid a glancing thought.

Chakra bloomed from his form, his aura was unlike anything his companions had ever felt, blooms of energy pulsed from his body as Naruto felt his mind and spirit be engulfed in pain.

He screamed, a voice so terrible and mighty that his chakra imitated the will of its owner.

And reality itself trembled.

-0-

The warp was changing.

The rolling tides shifted and groaned as it's fabric was being ripped at the seams. Great congregations of emotion smashed upon everything within as unending tidal currents broiled at the sudden influx of energy. Daemons unending were ripped apart from these fluctuations, their forms adding their own energy to the tide as it continued on it's rampage.

The four brothers, ever at odds with each other. Found a moment of unity in this one moment. Their realms ruptured and broke apart as the wrath of pure power found their way into their domains.

Khorne looked upon his throne of skulls as the skies above burned with golden light. His flesh burned as the sheer power sought to reject him. His roar of rage was nothing before the tide that beset his body as he burned.

Slaneesh wailed in pain, as the very air within their palace became hostile upon their being, nothing of pleasure could be taken from the pure energy as it only inflicted an agony upon it that was beyond it's imagination. Beyond all that it could ever feel.

Nurgle felt his body writhe in agony, every pox and disease he unleashed returned tenfold. He grasped the edge of his cauldron as he felt the energies of the warp burn his essence. vomiting puss and blood into the cauldron as his body screamed the pain into its being.

Tzeentch felt its mind start to unravel from the sheer energy pulsing through the immaterium. Though it's essence was that of knowledge, it had not concept of what was happening. Yet this energy was something of passing familiarity. As though it had but glimpse into it's truth for a moment at it in a time past.

Indeed, such an event was unprecedented in the history of the warp. Even the great war, the one in which the heavens was sundered did not come close to this magnitude of sheer power unleashed.

The four did not truly understand what manner of calamity they had unleashed. Yet the very warp was being changed from it's sheer magnitude. The massive tree within the center of the realm of chaos crumpled and collapsed, it's death was felt across time and space as it and it's many branches collapsed and dispersed among the winds.

Yet the power continued to climb in magnitude, as the roar of pain, anguish and hatred manifested in a cataclysm that was unlike anything that would ever be seen.

The realms of chaos burned with golden fire.

-0-

'The warp!'

Eldrad felt the disruption within his very soul. He could feel the sea of souls twist and turn unlike anything he could imagine. The sensation was unlike anything that he had ever felt. It left a fire within his mind, one that felt beyond anything he could have imagine.

'Fa...fate's tree...it is gone..'

'Uncle' Eldrads niece asked, her mind feeling a sudden pulse echo across it. All within the craftworld were experiencing this phenomena at the same time, with varying degree's of results.

'What is going on?' she asked, her voice scared.

'The warp... it is changing... I cannot feel the tree of fate any longer... it is... it is gone!' Eldrad said, his voice sounding almost scared.

'What does this mean uncle?' his niece asked, worry within her voice.

'It means that the future is no longer set... We are now in a time outside of fate's grasp'

'Lord Eldrad!' came the voice of another whom entered his chambers 'The elders are assembling... they are demanding answers to what has happened within the sea of souls'

Eldrad stood up, his look no longer showing any fear as his eyes shown with a bright spark. With his authority and charisma he stared at the messenger.

'I will explain this to the elders. Have the emissaries prepare themselves to venture forth towards the other craftworlds. With haste; for time is not on our side'

The sounds of many things happened within Uthwe, as the words of their most powerful farseer had told them of what had just happened. In this they readied themselves, hopeful that this sundering will give them a chance to recover what they have lost to the great enemy.

Many within the craftworld had called this "Fate's sundering"

-0-

Jaune and the others upon Isstvan felt it.

Somehow, they could feel a monstrous concentration of chakra pulse itself out from somewhere within the galaxy. Every chakra user had a sudden sense of vertigo as their chakra flared out suddenly, while many whom were psychically gifted within the recovering legions had collapsed upon the floor, their minds in pain as they muttered in the air.

It's gone...it's gone... fate's hand... it is gone

'Did you feel that?' Jaune asked his senior staff, with all of them nodding.

'What was that captain?' came the voice of Ren, one of his now lieutenants, he along with Nora had been promoted to his personal command company. Their heroic actions saving countless Iron hands as they had lead many operations for the company.

'I don't know' Jaune said, yet his voice was somewhat hopeful 'But I bet it's something bad for our enemies'

Jaune had worked with the Iron hands legion in sorting the logistical and medical needs of those under his command. With Ferrus still stuck in his chambers it fell up to him to lead the remnants of those whom survived. Various battle plans and geographical surveys from his recon scouts painted the picture of the planet, with the newly established communications with the surviving fleet allowing him to pain a bigger picture of the battle's happening outside of their own little world.

The sound of large footsteps echoed across the room, many within the command chamber gave the figure their attention while the Iron hands had bowed before the figure.

Ferrus looked worse for wear, his face looked almost in a state of sadness yet he still remained strong for those of his sons. He stood before Jaune, giving almost approved stares as he looked upon the captain, organizing and planning what their next move against the traitors was going to be.

'Welcome back' Jaune said, his tone neutral yet a small smile was upon his cheeks.

'I...Thank you captain Jaune' Ferrus said, his voice hesitant.

'I hope your small little session is finally over' Jaune said, looking upon the primarch with a serious stare 'Cause we have just been given a grand opportunity'

'And what does that opportunity entail?' Ferrus asked.

Jaune looked upon with a vicious smile, his eyes alight as he looked upon the primarch.

'Payback'

-0-

The Emperor felt the sudden change of the warp.

He could feel chaos itself be torn apart, racked by an energy he was all too familiar with. Malcador stood at his side, sensing the same fluctuations as his eyes widened from the sheer magnitude.

'My Emperor' Malcador said, his voice lost in the sheer impossibility of it all.

'I know Malcador' The Emperor replied, as he sat upon his golden throne.

'Something has enraged Naruto to such an extent... I shudder what kind of horror my son has seen that his very chakra is shaking the foundations of reality itself... for even fate itself has been taken out of the equation'

'What does this mean my Emperor? What manner of contingency can we possibly enact from this most cataclysmic event?'

'We do not have any' The Emperor replied, as he felt the blaze of golden fire spread across the sea of souls.

'Now...now we are in the endgame'

-0-

Leman felt his whole being shake.

Beside him Magnus gave out a cry of pain as the two of them felt the warp shift. The wolf king fell to the floor on one knee as his wolf guard tried to help their gene father up, while Magnus's personal guardians responded to their own.

'What the hell was that?!' Leman said, looking upon his brother whom was looking worse for wear.

'I..' Magnus began. Feeling the palpitations within his mind flare up as he gave another groan of pain 'The warp... it's changing'

'What do you mean it's changing?' Leman said, his voice confused. Magnus tried to steady himself, pulling upon his powers in this instance brought him some amount of pain, yet he could feel a familiar presence of power flood the warp with it's sheer magnitude.

'I can feel...the warp... something is happening to it...and... is that chakra?' Magnus said, his voice becoming shocked.

'What?... do you mean Naruto is doing this? How is that possible?' Leman asked Magnus.

The primarch felt blood flow from his nose as he tried to peer upon the warp with his sight, Magnus could feel the realm become engulfed in a golden fire, terrible and powerful to even comprehend. Yet more than that he could feel the sheer emotion flooding from it's source.

His eyes started to shed tears on their own, which gave Leman concern.

'Brother?'

'It's...I can feel his pain Leman... something has happened to him... something painful'

'This is his voice...I had no idea of the power he had... to think he was already this strong' Magnus said, his voice drifting as he felt the tides of the immaterium fluctuate beyond his means.

'Damn... I hate to be the bastard who did this to him... cause I don't think there is anywhere in this reality that would be able to stop his wrath' Leman said, the sudden vertigo passing through his soul.

'I...something is gone from the warp... but I can't tell what it is' Magnus said, his tone almost in awe.

'Is it going to hinder us? Can we still take on Horus in this state?' Leman asked his brother. Magnus took a long few minutes to use his powers, yet every time he found the same result.

Nothing.

He could no longer see what was to happen. And that scared Magnus greatly.

'I...I don't know... I can't see the future anymore... Leman...' Magnus replied to his brother as the wolf king looked at him with concern.

'I can't tell what's going to happen'

-0-

The being felt the bite within his skull, an urge to spill blood and rip apart anything that stood before him. This pain was a constant reminder of his past, a haunting that would etch itself into his very soul.

Yet he knew that his very essence now served the lord of murder, if only to stop the pain.

Upon his ship, he felt the nails bite harder, ever onwards they pressed him, pushing his sanity to the brink of unhinged rage. To let go and be lost in the tide of it all.

Yet in that moment, he felt something else, another scream from within the warp. Terrible and frightening in it's own.

In that moment, he had felt someone else whom shared but a fraction of the pain he felt.

In that single moment, the nails stopped biting.

And Angron smiled, a simple action. For he knew he had claimed his victory.

In that single glorious moment... the nails were silent.

-0-

Well hello there.

This chapter came out kinda ok, was close to what I envisioned and all.

Hope this tides you all until the next chapter.

Honestly feel like this whole series has been really fun to write and all. But I know I can definitely improve on what I already know.

Mostly on brainstorming then transitioning that into a functional and flowing narrative.

Here's hoping for the best.

Until next time people