Chapter Five

…

"That which causes us trial shall yield us triumph and that which makes our hearts ache shall fill us with gladness. For the only true happiness is to learn, to advance and to improve. None of this could happen without rejecting error, ignorance and Imperfection. We must pass out of the darkness to reach the light!"

-Primarch Fulgrim, Attainment of Perfection

…

"You think you can get away from this? The entire might of the Tau Empire shall fall upon you. Our ships! Our warriors will blot out the sun! This is the price for my life! This is the end of your- GLURK!,"

The sound of a plasma gun discharging is heard cutting off the tirade of the Ethereal whose face is suddenly missing, turned to goo, courtesy of Fulgrim who is holding the smoking plasma pistol that has shot the superheated melta against his head.

"Do you really have to shoot him while he has not finished his speech, the least that you can do is let the Mon-Keigh finish his speech at least," scoffs Jain Zar.

"He's loud and irritating. And it's not as if the speech is one for the books or records. Why would I want to listen to his tirade about how great his empire is and how much vengeance they will throw on us?"

"Good point, it's a good thing then that you have executed him. I know I would have done the same," shrugs the Eldar nonlachantly looking nonplussed at the headless body of the Ethereal at the ground, his head still melting, courtesy of the plasma pistol of Fulgrim.

The Clone Phoenician simply says nothing before looking at the retreating ships of the Tau Empire. General Saara's plan has worked wonderfully. After capturing the Ethereal, the rest of the warriors of the Tau more or less surrendered at the hands of the Imperials and the battle of the Void completely ceased. What happens then is a summary of non-stop executions as the Tau at the ground are shot or stabbed, depending on the mood of the executioner for each one of them. The fighting has been brutal after all for the Planetary Defense Forces and the Imperial Guard at the area. They are less than merciful when it comes to the execution of the Xenos that have thrown down their weapons.

"Lord Primarch!" the sound of his title being called makes Fulgrim turn to the motley group of Imperials approaching him. Compared to Commander Sarah, these ones look like beige peacocks with their assortment of outfits full of lace and pampered leather. The leading one especially is fat, full of blubber and pouty. It doesn't help that he is being carried on a raised throne of some kind by at least sixteen people who immediately set him down at the front of the Primarch.

Fulgrim immediately doesn't like him.

"I am Planetary Governor Shoi of this planet," the fat man wheezes out before bowing flamboyantly at Fulgrim. "On behalf of my fief, my people and my position as Planetary Governor, I humbly thank you for your presence and for your role in driving off the vile Xenos that dare insult and invade us. You also have my thanks for helping us push through that traitorous hive that support the Tau in their invasion of my planet. My forces are currently having a strongpoint towards it and bringing it to justice in the name of the god-Emperor.

Fulgrim resists the urge to grit his teeth at the words of the governor. For starters it's not as if he is doing a superb thing of ruling the planet. The Hive World is in squalor and more than once he has seen the living conditions that the people are being to put up with. He has been on this planet long enough to see how a regular human in this planet is treated. They are being forced to survive on Corpse Starch and he has seen enough miscarriage of justice from the Arbites many times. In fact once, he has seen a poor retired Imperial Guardsman having his legs broken for adding "rat dust on the Emperor's Mercy Bars which tasted like shit". Said retired guardsman has been summarily electrocuted by the Arbites after he shouts something about joining Chaos.

Fulgrim is not blind. He has seen the Imperium that he is defending for. Long story short, this is not the Imperium that his father has envisioned. This is not an Empire of reason, of light, of fairness or society, no. This one is religious, based on unreason, lack of basic humanity and basically a world that he knows would have benefited the presence of Konrad Curze. It is tainted and basically the exact opposite of everything that his father has envisioned. Still, it is all humanity has and Fulgrim has already said his oaths in defending it to the best of his ability. He cannot and would not shirk that oath no matter how galling some humans tend to be. The regular human norm is imperfect, full of mistakes and driven by greed, lust, ambition and desire for power. They are honorless, prone to destruction, sometimes even to their own species. They lack the will and the foresight to see past the dream of their own desires. Maybe that's why the Primarchs are created. They are everything that basic humanity can aspire to be, perfect beings that one can look up to and see the best of humanity represented. For Fulgrim who aspires perfection, it is a humbling thought.

"Your words are appreciated Governor," replies Fulgrim nonlachantly and neutrally. No need to alienate the Governor when there is no need to do so. Like it or not, he is technically after all an Imperial servant like Fulgrim no matter how distasteful he finds the man.

"No, no, a simple word of thanks from me is not enough Lord Primarch. On behalf of the people of this planet and that also of my family and my retinue, I invite you and your ….partner," he adds looking in wariness at the Eldar leaning on the foyer still with her war-mask on and looking none the less deadly. "for a royal ball at the villa at the top of my Hive. This is my thanks and also in celebration of our victory against the Xenos invaders,"

Fulgrin could have happily declined. The last thing that he wants after all is brushing shoulders with the elite of the Imperium and its bureaucracy. He is sure that in the ball, politics would be involved and there would be games within games again that would be played. He has seen mortals more than once do it in their little plays for power. Do they not understand that the perfection of power can only be attained by strength and cunning, seizing it with both hands instead of the underhanded methods that they prefer? What they play at is without honor, but it is a game nevertheless that they seem hell bent on playing. Either way, he wants to refuse. No need to be bothered by it all.

"I refu-Guggh!" Fulgrim's words is cut off by the Eldar elbowing him in the gut where the wraithbone armor connects with each other and one of the few places that the armor is weak about.

"Food," she hisses in an annoyed manner but in a low breathe that only he can hear. "I want food, proper food and none of that glob that you seem intent on feeding me,"

"There would be politics involved there and all kinds of nonsense and gameplay," answers Fulgrim under his breathe ignoring the observers probably confused as to why he and Jain Zar are whispering in barely heard words. He ignores their inquisitive stares and looks as he leans to the mask of the Eldar.

"I don't care!" she replies annoyingly. "I will deal with the politics. I want fancy food. I never have proper food yet since we manage to escape from that Necron prison. The slop that you are feeding me from the barracks does not count," she adds immediately as Fulgrim opens his mouth ready to protest that he has been bringing her meals from the barracks every time.

He closes it as he winces. Indeed, she is right in a way. The two of them never have proper food ever since they manage to make good of their run from the Necron prison. They have been traveling non-stop and the food that they have managed to pilfer by generosity of the guard does not count. Sure it is better than the watered down meals that the Guards have due to his status as a Primarch, but high grade rations no matter how much you so oh delicately put it are still rations after all; emphasis on rations if his Eldar companion is to be trusted on word gameplay. Fulgrim does not need to eat much, he's a primarch after all and he is designed to operate in a month long fast and still operate as if he's full. He is however a perfectionist, and maybe once, he maybe can cut himself some slack and simply enjoy himself.

"I fight for you as you requested without question and without complaint. Let me have this," she hisses beneath her breathe.

"Alright fine," says Fulgrim with a sigh loudly stopping whatever tirade that she's going to spew beneath her mask. He turns to the Planetary Governor before forcing a smile through his face at the fat man.

"Governor, after much deliberation my companion and I accept your invitation to your victory ball," he says sagely. The face of the fat governor immediately brightens as he clasps his hands in front of him before nodding his head rigorously at Fulgrim's direction. It is clear to anyone present that he is pleased with the answer that the Primarch is giving him.

"That is absolutely wonderful my lord!" he beams at him. "The ball will be held tonight my lord. I will immediately have my tailors and seamstresses create your desired outfits my lord that and also of your…..companion," he adds as a an afterthought as the Eldar clears her throat at being forgotten.

"Tonight governor? Isn't that a bit of haste when we only declared that we have won the victory today?" asks Fulgrim with a raised eyebrow at the fat man who waves his hands in front of him.

"There is no doubt that we will win this victory lord Primarch. Ever since I have received word that someone of your presence and caliber is planet side, I have made preparation of this victory ball. There is no doubt of defeat after all once a son of the Emperor is present. It simply is just impossible to consider,"

"Very well, have one of your servants escort us to the villa tonight. As for our outfits; have your people visit us at the barracks building where me and my companion is staying," says Fulgrim.

"Thank you for agreeing with us on this my lord. We will endeavor to make it worthy of someone of your standing," says the man with a flourishing bow before slowly exiting and climbing up to his throne like chair, his servants grunting as they push it up before slowly with measured steps start heading back to the hive.

"So an Emperor's frakking ball huh?" Commander Sara huffs out standing at Fulgrim's side, the heavyset woman patting his arm in a friendly manner. "Don't worry my lord. We won't let you attend alone and leave you to the vultures. Me and my officers will also be coming. At least you can be spared from all the talk and games if you by joining us,"

"That would be most appreciated Commander, thank you," says Fulgrim before looking at Jain Zar. "Well let us go face the music shall we?"

The trip back to their temporary residence at the Forwards Operating Base outside the Hive takes a while. There are partying soldiers all over the FOB. Word is now apparently out that the Imperials have successfully driven the Tau off and the soldiers are celebrating. Amasec is present in large volumes and more than one soldier can be found passed out on the floor. As for Fulgrim, he simply smiles and waves at the men and women who fought for the Imperium. Here and there he offers congratulations, small boasts and even the laughter here and there. The Guardsmen obviously find it joyful to have the Primarch congratulating them and being part of them. The Eldar at his side however is pointedly ignored as usual. The small cottage that he shares with Jain Zar is not as empty as he expects it to be.

It seems that the Governor is ahead of him. Entire lines of tailors and seamstress are already there waiting for him and his charge. Immediately they pounce on them like a pack of rabid wolves immediately. In the matter of minutes, Fulgrim finds himself inside and being tucked and drawn by different people taking his size and stature for the upcoming Ball. He has to thank his lucky stars that he has already made a decision on what to wear. As for Jain Zar, he sweatdrops as the Eldar explains in an extremely long manner as to what outfit would she like to wear, the designs and so on. It seems that despite her skill and deadliness in the battlefield, she is still a member of the fairer sex after all.

Fulgrim has no idea how long it takes but finally it is done. It might be minutes or it might be hours. As they talk, more and more servants are pouring in carrying rows of silk, leather and different fabrics of different colors. The Governor it seems is putting out all the stops in making sure that he and Jain Zar are ready. Servants have brought with them also different accessories by the hundreds that Fulgrim has to pick one which to use for the upcoming ball. He takes his pick, keeping it simple; an Aquilla and a silver brooch of a leaf to tie the toga that he chooses to wear. The toga is a deep royal purple to signify nobility and rule as is his right as a Primarch. A white silver circlet also he takes as a crown atop his brow and servants swarm him each with towels, powder and water washing him like a pampered royal. As a Primarch, he has been used to this, or at least the original Fulgrim is. However he has memories and he knows how it feels.

He espies also that Jain Zar has been pulled to a screen to cover herself while servants also swarm her with rows of rows with what it seems to be transparent white silk. He shudders at the poor mortals that would sure to fell on the beauty of the Aeldari. He has not seen Jain Zar remove her helmet yet but he is sure that it would not look bad for the Eldar. The Aeldari according to the memories that the original Fulgrim has seen are beautiful creatures indeed and even their dead can be considered aesthetically pleasing for the human eye. In a way he's kind of jealous of them in a way. Fulgrim is designed to be the most beautiful of all the Primarchs, with only Sanguinius coming second to compete. However even then, the Aeldari far outstripped him in beauty. Part of him wonders what Jain Zar looks beneath that war mask. He has always held off seeing that she's a great warrior in her part and being the perfectionist that he is, Fulgrim truly does respect that part of her and he has done his best not to peek.

The sound of a snarl can be heard and Fulgrim who is just placing the finishing touch of his toga by the servants assigned to him, blink as without warning the seamstresses and tailors attending to Jain Zar suddenly ran away from the hiding screen in a panic. He turns to look questioningly at one of the tailors who quails under his gaze.

"She-She does not want to see us her face my lord," says the man immediately under his glare. "She says she can put on the outfit without us,"

"I see," Fulgrim resists the urge to put his hand on his temple. He should have expected this. Aeldari being Aeldari at least means that she is going to be stubborn. "Then I thank you all for your help and your consideration. Please see yourself out as we wait for the one that would take us to the ball to arrive," says Fulgrim to the tailors and seamstresses around him.

With many a "Thank you my lord" and "It is an honor my lord," Fulgrim shepherded the large amounts of humanity outside the cabin before closing the door behind them. Sighing he seats on the fire, the purple and violet robes that he has swishing around him. He has to admit that he rather likes them. Fulgrim likes beautiful things and this outfit he has to admit is superb. The Governor has not been lax in providing for him the correct outstanding apparel.

"So, will this do?" a melodic voice that lacks the vocal resonance of the war-mask that he has been used to makes Fulgrim turn from the flames that he has been staring at. Immediately he drops his jaw.

Jain Zar is tall, very tall, as tall as him in fact. She now stands in front of him dressed in a silver transparent white outfit that darkens to her chest and privates only but leaving everything else in display. It does not help that it bares one shoulder and there is a rather large slit on her right leg exposing upward to her outer thighs showing the appendage. She is wearing also what seems to be heels of silver. At her ears are earrings of runes that he does not understand gleaming black. She does not have makeup or lip tint or the kind but it does not matter for her natural beauty stands out. Her hair also is in a bun at the top of her head with a rather dangerous looking pin as brooch. Her face however is half-masked. The lower cheeks, jaw and lips are shown while the upper one is covered in a pearl mask of burnished pink and silver. Her blue eyes shine through it. Her arms are also bare. All in all she looks seductive and extremely regal at the same time.

"So do you like it?" she asks making a twirl, making Fulgrim see through the transparent silk nearly everything. It is kind of hard to compare the warrior covered in soot, blood and gore wielding that overlarge shuriken and war scythe to this version of perfection right now.

He just nods at her question. He doesn't trust himself to speak just yet.

…

Author's Note:

So another chapter done. Hopefully you guys liked these. Been busy reading Outgunned and Above and Beyond by Denny Flowers. I kinda been rooting for Lucille Von Shard and for Simlex to at least kiss, but Im heavily disappointed. Should have expected it. It is Warhammer 40K after all.

Anyway please review for your reviews are the song to this writer's heart.