(Chapter 27: A Battle for the Sunless World Begins)
While Spring for many means the changing of seasons into something brighter and the beginnings of something spectacular, for those on Nostramo it was anything but, as a civil war was in full swing. As the loyalist resistance under the Night Haunter's successor Vandrin and his forces, now reinforced by the elite of both the World Eaters, the Night Lords, and their Matriarchs, against the debauched elite of the planet who had given themselves to Slaanesh in exchange for power and endless pleasures was currently raging.
With the tide now turning for the resistance, as the reinforcements of the 8th and 12th Legions helped to cut a tide through the daemonic forces, one question was on the minds of many. How would the battle shape the soul of the Nostraman people for generations to come, as well as that of the Night Lords?
(March 27th, 951. M30, 9:46 Am, Ultima Segmentum, Northern Nostramo)
It was a dreary almost lightless morning as Kharn and Sevatar both were leading a combination of their men and Vandrin's forces to assail one of the Noble strongholds in a shock assault. The area itself swarming with cultists, possessed guards, gangers, and even the occasional Slaaneshi daemon.
"How bad is the threat ahead of us, Night Lord?" Kharn asked the leader of the Atrementar
"Between the daemons, possessed cretins, and cultists of this rotten God. I would say that we will have our work cut out for us, World Eater." Sevatar answered back as he took his eyes away from the binoculars he was looking through
"That being said, this is nothing that cannot be handled. It will be doable, yet we will need to plan this out as an operation on 2 fronts. One will have to engage in a full-frontal attack to draw their attention, another will have to attack from the sides and rear entrances. This way we can slaughter them both from all possible angles." Sevatar further spoke
"If it is all the same to you, I will lead my men and half of Vandrin's in a frontal assault. You take the other half and your men to do the rest…We may no longer have the nails embedded in our skulls, but the nascent itch for combat. That has not gone away whatsoever, even more than ever; have I found myself wanting for more." Kharn replied in having felt with the absence of the Nails that his thirst for battle had grown albeit tempered with the discipline that came from his service as an Astartes
"Then I suggest that you put your thirst for bloodshed to good use…I do not know the extent of what these daemons are capable of. However, I will not let them live long enough to find out." Sevatar spoke in disgust of the Warp abominations prowling around his home planet
"There will not be a heart left beating. Although, I do have a question for you." Kharn said to the 1st Captain of the Night Lords
"By all means ask your question, I have nothing to hide from you of all people. Especially someone of your gore-soaked reputation no less." Sevatar replied with a crooked grin on his face
"Do you believe in what your Matriarch is attempting to do for you Legion? I have heard of her attempts to reform the Legion, into champions of justice. Which is easier said than done, given the wretched state of the Night Lords." Kharn questioned the Prince of Crows whose sardonic grin turned into a thin pensive line at the question
"I believe that it can be achieved, World Eater. There is good in both her and the Night Lords, despite the pervasive rot that lives within it. I can see it within those who dawn our armor and engage in our campaigns of terror against our enemies. That there are worthy scions of the Night Haunter in our ranks." Sevatar answered back
"Then why do I hear hesitance in your voice? Do you not trust that she will be able to see her endeavors through?" Kharn further queried
"The same can be said for you as well, World Eater. Do not think that I and my men within the 1st Company; have not noticed the cautious optimism held towards Lady Furiosa. How you have looked at her with weariness with every command given, how there is a subtle fear in your footsteps when you look at her, or the small flinches when she speaks that may bring the memory of her cruel wrath down upon your brothers. I know you remember how she would 'discipline them, when they failed to keep up to her standards for brutal slaughter." Sevatar questioned back to the Equerry of the Red Angel whose fists tightened on his Chainaxe at those words
"After all, now that the bite of the Nails no longer consumes her. The question that should be asked is if, what exists now is the real Red Angel, the true Furiosa of what the Nails unleashed was the truth of her character and morals…Only now she can better mask the monster that dwells within, and better articulate her cruel ferocity and disdain towards your Legion." Sevatar further spoke with a sobering chuckle
"...Fair enough, Night Lord. I will say this for both of us and get to work. There is extermination to be had and debating over our Matriarchs gets us nowhere." Kharn bitterly spoke as he put on his helmet in having to restrain his fury that roared at him to beat the Prince of Crows to a bloody pulp
"That we can agree upon, Kharn of the 12th Legion. Happy Hunting to the wretches of my homeworld." Sevatar replied as he gripped Night's Whisper ready to strike out against his debauched enemies
From thereon, Kharn and his platoon of World Eaters that were reinforced by Vandrin's men; who wielded everything from Chainswords, Chain Knifes, and even piecemeal Eviscerators, Lasguns, Laspistols, Plasma Pistols, Shotguns, and Shock Mauls; charged at the front gate of the stronghold. The result was those guarding the area being blindsided as one one end were Kharn and his World Eaters bulldozing their way through the gates, tearing through it with Chainaxes, Eviscerators, and Chainfists in a focused fury like noneother. From there a 3 pronged offensive was led against the possessed, the guard and corrupt Arbites, and Psyker as Kharn's offensive broke through to allow the other 2 prongs of the frontal assault do their dirty alongside him.
The other prong being a ranged offensive wherein World Eaters alongside Vandrin's men that had consisted of assorted gangers, law enforcement, and militiamen; would open fire with the World Eaters firing their Bolters, Bolter Shotguns, and Meltaguns. All the while those wielding Laspistols, Inferno Pistols, Lasguns, and Autoguns were unleashing a devastating firing barrage alongside their armored allies to cut through the opposition. Then there was those who rode out on Assault Bikes and Land Speeders that had mounted Heavy Bolters, Heavy Flamers, and Plasma Cannons attached to them unleash utter hell against their enemies in drive-by assaults on the guards and posssessed.
The result was the stronghold erupting into complete chaos, as Kharn's men leading the frontal assault would clash against the Daemons and possessed, ripping through them with their Chain weapons with unyielding ferocity and brutality. While also acting as a hammer and anvil to their comrades, with them acting as the anvil that would block and defend them against the unnaturally agile Daemons of Slaanesh, so that their battle brothers and the Nostraman loyalists could be the hammer against them. Acting in tandem to behead possessed and daemon alike, with the World Eaters and moreover the loyalists beside them were fighting their hearts out against the possessed, the hermaphroditic daemon, who took debauched pleasure in fighting against them. Treating every wound inflicted or inflicted upon them as some depraved act of eroticism, their pleased moans, groans, and howls making Kharn's skin crawl and his fury boil over, as he helped cleave and rip his way through them.
A feeling that was shared by every World Eater in the midst of the Chaos as they unleashed every ounce of fury upon the corrupted Arbites, possessed Psyker, serf, and servitor, and Daemon, a wrath that was reinforced by the Nostraman's they fought alongside. Be it those that rode alongside the Astartes that unleashed hell on their Speeders and Assault Bikes with rapid-fire bursts of Bolter, flame, and Plasma alike against the possessed and daemons of the Dark Prince. Those that laid down suppressing fire to prevent their adversaries, landing all manner of headshots, shots to the throat, center mass, and stomach that turned those from androgynous daemons, to possessed daemonhosts. to the Warp-tainted prisoners, and corrupt guardsman to Swiss Cheese.
However, what was the most striking out of all of this was the young man fighting beside Kharn, that being Vandrin's eldest; who was named Oleksandr with the eldest of the rebellion being not only a potent Psyker, but his skill in wielding an Eviscerator was something to be beheld. Given that his psychic might allowed him to stay roughly on par if not a few steps removed from the sheer physicality of Furiosa's equerry, allowing him to score blows that cleaved through Servitor and guardsman alike in a single swing. All the while either reeling in enemies to be felled by his or Kharn's bladed swings, stunning/flash-frying them with blasts of psychic lightning, or unleashing bellows of sonic force so disruptive that the skulls of his enemies would explode.
With it being as the two would carve their way alongside the World Eaters and Nostraman loyalists, that Kharn would give credit where it was due to the young man, that his skill and prowess in combat was something prodigous. So much so that he fought more akin to a World Eater or Blood Angel than a Nostraman-borne, by how utterly relentless he was in hounding his enemies, as the raven-haired young-man's carapace armor was soon gore-soaked in crimson. Something that in the heat of battle, the Captain of the 12th Legion's 6th Company could more than respect, as they continued to carve apart their enemy.
All the while, the sound of explosions was heard as Sevatar who was accompied by the Atramentar of the 1st Company and the 8th Legions Tactical Marines, were currently with the Nostroman Loyalists to begin their part of the assault. Which began with one of them who had rigged and array of explosives to obliterate not only the surroundings of the area, and the accompanying guards in dramatic flair, but make it so that not even the possessed guardsmen and cultists survived. Wherein Sevatar looked at the young man in his late teens with a rather impressed look given that he was able to sneak behind enemy lines, set up explosives, and detonate them with little if any injury to himself and his group.
"You were worried for nothing, Lord Sevatarion. I told you to trust in what we can do." Spoke a Nostraman Loyalist with a crooked grin on their face
"Indeed, young man…Your skill with explosives is commendable." Sevatar spoke at how with little effort the strongholds' entrances and its left and right sides were blown to smithereens
"That's the thing, anything's a bomb if you work hard enough. Besides, growing up on Nostramo teaches you how to all sorts of wicked stuff…This is just one of 'em." The young man spoke as he took up his dual Inferno pistols before lobbing a homemade plasma grenade into the panicked thrall of oncoming guards
"What is your name, young man?" Sevatar asked as he sliced through a possessed guard with ease
"Sarlur Vanyraost, my lord." The young man spoke as he ran alongside the striding 1st Captain
"If you are able to survive our occupation here, I will put in a word to the Night Haunter herself. It would be a shame to see someone with your talents go to rot." The Prince of Crows responded with a malefic grin on his face towards the young man
"Thank you, it means a great deal my lord…Hopefully, I will prove my worth as a future son of the Night Haunter yet. That being said, let's get these bastards. By the Emperor, my friends and I feel they're long overdue to get in torn in two." Sarlur said back as he ordered his companions to aid him in surgng forward alongside the Night Lords
'That young man certainly has spirit. Should they survive the festering depravity here, they will make fine Astartes of the 8th.' Were Sevatar's thoughts before he ordered his Atramentar and assembled Night Lords forward over the Vox
With those under command of Sevatar proving to work in devastatng tandem alongside him and those of the 8th, given that the Nostraman's and the Night Lords shared one thing in common; whilst they spread as a plague throughout the stronghold. That being their ruthlessness, attacks from every angle, and viciusness to their enemies that was more akin to monsters of nightmarish myth and shadow, but it was also in this where Sevatar realized that either side complimented each other as they laid waste to their opposition.
Wherein the Atrementar and Assault Marines were able to lay waste either through the use of devastating waves of Bolter fire at range, or ripping through the opposition with Chainglaives, Power Fists, Lightning Claws, and Power Swords. The small cadre acting as a midnight-clad terror that would shred and tear through anything in sight; leaving nothing more than pulpified or dismembered carcasses of their mortal foes, or swarming any Daemon they could with Bolter fire, or ambushing them from the shadows. That their mortal compatriots were able to add their own form of support to the sons of the Night Haunter, wherein the enemy was so focused on fending off against the midnight-clad Astartes, that were slaying them in pitched combat or lethal ambush style takedowns. That they would use the distractions made amidst the chaos to essentially launch assassinations against their oppressors and their soldiers, using ramshackle cover and the disarray around them to launch lethal surprise attacks.
All of which consisted of the loyalists firing off shots from their Lasrifles, Lasguns, Inferno Pistols, Autoguns, and Shotguns, or launching flashbangs to stun their opposition; that were in the midst of battling against the Astartes in question. Allowing them to close the distance and slit their throats within Chain Blades, impale them with Chainswords, or bask their skulls in with Shock Mauls and Chain Hammers, before quickie jumping into the shadows to do so again. Something that the sons of Kurze would give respect for them taking advantage of their opponents' distracted and compromised states to predatorily butcher them like thieves in the night making off with their hordes.
Hence why, the inside of the Stronghold was surprisingly enough turned into an inescapable killbox, where even the daemons of Slannesh were turned to mulch and banished back to the Warp, given that the surprisingly chaotic yet unnervingly effective union of Nostaman Loyalist and Night Lord worked wonders. With either side being able to use their affinity for ambushing their enemies and launching after them in either predatory swarms in melee, with an aggression that bordered on savagery in retaliation for their slain kin, who were made into their playthings. Then there were those that via the Nostraman loyalists using themselves as bait, would lure a Slanneshi daemon into being corraleed and being torn apart by Bolter, Inferno Pistol, or Shotgun barrages to the point they were eviscerated in seconds.
Hence why, within mere minutes as either portion of those led by Sevatar or the Loyalists in their assortment of leaders, would ascend or descend the levels of the stronghold to devastate the numbers of the debauched Nostraman elites within. Wherein the shadows of the halls soon became gore-covered corridors, where only the reds of the Night Lords' helmed eyes would illuminate the halls; amidst bursts of Bolter, Laser fire, and the blaze of Inferno Pistols or the blinding flash of flash grenades. The deafening sounds of Chain weapons humming as they shredded flesh in devastating displays of carnage, that had the 8th Legion and the Loyalist militia carve a wrathful warpath agains their adversaries.
Something that was amplified as Sevatar who in his joy of carving up the debauched and depraved elites, he despised for decades, that the Prince of Crows began to unknowingly tap into his long since repressed strength as a Psyker. The 1st Captain being so caught up in the thrill of it all as he cruelly tore through Daemon and possessed alike, that he ignored the pain of his unconscious unleashing of his psychic powers upon the enemy. Which manifested in the cawing of pitch-black and midnight blue crows erupting from the ground and shadow to devour and strip away the flesh of anyone that was made an enemy unto him and the 8th, which such swiftness that in mere moments; they were reduced to fleshless skeletons.
As such the bloody work of the Night Lords would be amplified as the World Eaters in their carnage would breakthrough and into the interior of the stronghold, after massacring the forces outside; furthering the butchering of their opposition. Something that as they flooded the area by the dozens would the massacre of the possessed, the daemon, and the Nostraman elite who had barricaded themselves in their safety rooms, bedrooms, and dens of depravity. Which were littered with macabre scenes of prisoners who had their skin flayed from their flesh, their tendons peeled away, and their bones plucked from their bodies to form horrid instruments, chalices, and offerings to the Dark Prince.
The majority of which were taken as evidence of the depravity of the Nostraman elite, as the bloody handiwork of the loyalists, the 8th and the 12th were carried out with grim but ruthless efficacy. So much so that the assault that had lasted 13 bloody, gore-soaked, deafening, but nonetheless cathartic minutes had been carried out, as Kharn and Sevatar were ordering their soldiers to make secondary sweeps to elminate any stragglers. Whilst Oleksandr were giving orders to have his men carry out weapons checks, looking over their wounded, and apprehend any of the depraved elites/cultists that they had not brutally slaughtered to be taken as prisoners.
However, as this was all carried out; there was one thing that as on the mind of one Jago Sevatarion as the combat high of the assault began to wane, the adrenaline become replaced by that of the throbbing in his skull, did he look within the shadows to see something staring back at him…Rather some things, as the Prince of Crows woud see the psychic manifestations of his powers gazing back at him in the form of a murder of crows made of shadowy-pitch and midnight blue ether; staring back at him with unblinking golden eyes. The sight confusing and even unnerving Jago at the fact that no matter where he looked the murder of psionicly summoned crows would look with him and at him, as though awaiting their next call to action.
As such, the 1st Captain of the Night Lords without a second thought waved Night's Whisper as though batting away an enemy Xenos or one of the Daemons he had fought, and in doing so would have the apparitions fade away one by one; back into the almost lightless pitch of Nostramo. However, as they did so, a myriad of feelings ran through the 1st Captains' mind; confusion, wonder, disbelief, and mild fear at what this could mean in his repressed psychic powers manifesting in such a way.
'By the Emperor's throne, what the fuck is happening to me?...How the hell are my powers getting stronger, when I have done nothing but keep them sealed in tight?' Jago Sevatarion wondered as he saw the remnants of the crows he manifested fade back into the gloam of the morning
(2 days later, March 29th, 951. M30, 1:05 Pm, Loyalist Base Beta)
It would be a few days after the assault that Konstance Kurze would be meeting with her successor in Vandrin Serebryakov, who was informing her of it not only being House Skraikov and their most infamous member Gendor being behind the more malicious and corrupt of the 8th swelling it's ranks. But with that also the danger that her Legion may be infected and infested with Slaaneshi worshipping cultists and killers in its ranks further perverting her ideals, as slaves of a depraved wretch of a deity.
"I want to make sure that I am hearing this correctly, Vandrin. One of my own Astartes is not only behind the swelling of prisoners, murderers, rapists, arsonists, and all foul monsters within my Legion. I may also had daemon-worshipping and debauched wretches within it as well?!" Konstance questioned after her successor informed her of who was behind the corrupt and more insidious of her new Astartes over the years
"That would be correct, Madame Konstance…House Skraivok and more importantly their most infamous and yet valued scion, Gendor. He has headed the recruitment drives of Nostramo's worst into your great Legion. That conniving upstart has been nothing but a blight the moment he joined the Night Lords." Vandrin answered back
"While my family and I have tried to mitigate, what he has sent forth. To avoid having the rotten swill of Nostramo's worst sent from our prisons to your Legion. To evade having wretches and hidden cultists and depraved madmen in your ranks and twisting, corrupting, and malforming your ideals. I could only do so much when Gendor in acting under your authority and using it to bolster the power of his household…Combining that with my other duties in keeping Nostramo from falling further into disrepair, unifying the Loyalists against…this rotten mess, among keeping order within the crime families and our enforcers. This…This was an uphill battle that I could only do so much against and for that I am so very sorry that I have failed you to this point." Vandrin further explained things in guilt and shame towards the Night Haunter for having not fought harder against the treacherous noblemen, criminal elite, and their allies both mundane and of Dark Prince's debauched hordes
"Do not hang your head in shame, my one truest friend. You and your sons, and those around you did the very best that you could…Even with my powers of dark foresight, not even I could have foreseen such malevolence within my home. To think that I could not have anticipated that one of my sons, no matter how morally bankrupt would backstab me this way…Too willingly throw his lot with Devils and pervert everything I stand for, for paltry power and status…" Konstance replied her hands trembling with a sinister fury as she struggled to not fly into a psychotic rage and slaughter every cretin
"If it is any consolation, we did not go quietly against them. We have fought for years to prevent them from sinking Nostramo into further mire. That much myself and the loyalists who fight on in your name; will proudly shout from the rooftops." Vandrin said back with a somber yet proud grin upon his face
"I-I appreciate that, Vandrin…To be completely transparent, it still feels unreal to be looked upon as a hero. For decades, I have grown used to being feared, reviled, and looked upon as a monster. A boogeyman that a child's parents would tell to keep them in line, a wives' tale to bring fear into the hearts of every wretched monster in the Nostraman streets." Konstance spoke still conflicted in how the people of her home planet saw her
"Tell me my dear successor, and be utterly truthful with your answer; no matter how brutal or sordid it may be. How is it that after all of the horrors I have inflicted, both on the people deserving and those that were not? How could anyone look upon my past deeds as the Night Haunter, the slayer of criminal vermin and unlawful cretins. The butcher and flayer of men, women, and children alike. How can they look at that and see any form of heroism?" The Matriarch of the 8th wondered in a loss for words at how she could be seen as a hero when more often she acted as a cruel monster
"That is rather simple, Madame Kurze. Despite the brutality of your actions, or the monstrous nature of it all. You were able to bring something that no one else managed for our people." Vandrin responded as his grin widened
"Terror and fear?" Konstance said back on semi instinct
"Hope and Order. You gave us hope that there was something better to be made of our rotten home. A home that had been rife with corruption, tragedy, violence, and horrors no child should witness. You gave us stability and order, when all we had ever known was chaos and strife; at the hands of power-hungry criminals." Vandrin spoke to the gothic Matriarch
"It may not be in the traditional sense, that others may be accustomed to. But for the first time in centuries, we were given hope that things could be better. That the rot of our world, that a life where our population was kept in check by murder and suicide. That all of that did not have to exist as a waking hell for the rest of our days. That if we had gripped tight enough and fought with everything we had no matter how brutal, then we can make our home into something wonderful. Something that is to be looked upon with pride and joy, instead of revulsion and disgust." Vandrin further elaborated for the Night Lords Matriarch
While Konstance's actions may not fit in the traditional sense of heroism; that many would call as righteous or just, it would be for the Nostraman people who had grown up in a world where murder, arson, and sexual assault before you were an adolescent was needed. Within a place as wretched and morally bankrupt as Nostramo, that Konstance's brand of justice through fear, terror, and relentless brutality, that that was what was needed to inspire hope that things could be better.
It was through her heroism in Vandrin's eyes, that inspired him to not only reform from being a knife-wielding thug, but to take action as her successor and unify Nostramo as one cohesive whole. With him knowing that the best way that he could bring furhter hope and order to Nostramo; was by continuing Konstance's vision for justice to reign supreme and do whatever was necessary to bring that to fruition.
"Then how do you suggest that I become a hero to them again?...Things are not as they were those years ago." Konstane queried to the leader of the loyalists
"The only advice I can give to you is this, Madame Kurze. Do as your conscience compels you to; in the best interest of our people. That is what I have done to help not only improve things for our world. It is what has helped me keep the spirit of what you have fought for; to remain alive in spite of what we face." Vandrin answered back with a small solemn smile on his face
"My conscience tells me to do only this, my successor and dear friend. It compels me to slay the wicked and unclean, defend the innocent from the wickedness that pervades our home…If I cannot save them from the abominations of the Warp, or the degenerate maggots who have ruled as the elite of this world, or the immoral wretch who side with their wicked master. Then I will avenge them all and make it so that their deaths were not for nothing." Konstance spoke as she felt nothing more in her heart than the all-consuming desire to prove her worth as a symbol of justice
"Then there is your answer…Being a hero as I have learned is about uniting the people, giving them something to not only hope for. But to show them that there is a way towards a brighter future. It just has to be you to help them to take that first step forward." Vandrin replied with a smile
"Hmmph, you sound much like my beloved, Vandrin. He is a hero and great man as well." The Night Haunter said in regards to Ben
"I have heard you speak of him in passing with your sister and Lord Sevatarion. If he is truly everything I have heard, then he is above and beyond what it means to be a hero." Vandrin replied as a small yet genuine smile spread across her face
"He truly is that and so much more. It is thanks to him that I strive to better myself, not only as a leader of my Legion. I now strive to be better as a woman, a hero to not just the people of Nostramo, but the Imperium overall…Without his faith in me, I would still be stuck in my wicked ways and not have noticed the plight of my people." Konstance said back
"Then I have much to thank him for; if I ever have the pleasure of meeting him, once this nightmare is finally over." Vandrin spoke keen to meet the beloved of his predecessor
"I am sure that you will like him, he is a good man. In fact once this is over; I have no doubts in my mind that he will be a wonder to further reforming the Night Lords…My home has shown me, that despite the wickedness of it all. That there are future generations of my Legions that can become great heroes…With Ben's assistance, that can become a further cemented reality." Konstance replied
"While I have no doubts that your Legion can be improved; once this nightmare is over. There is the matter of dealing with Gendor Skraivok and his ilk…The improvement of your Legion will never truly come to pass as long as he exists." Vandrin warned the Night Haunter whose features hardened at these words
"...Do not worry, my friend. Now that I am aware of Gendor's treachery and conniving schemes. I will be taking action against him yet…More importantly, I will be eliminating his household in full soon enough." The Night Haunter spoke as she was already thinking of ways to punish the Painted Count
"Then I wish you the best in that endeavor, Madame Curze. However, I do have one request to make regarding House Skraivok; when you lay waste to them." Vandrin said to the imposing form of Konstance
"What is it?" Konstance Kurze questioned
"All that I ask is that you spare the lives of two of his cousins, two that will prove as great aspirants to your Legion. Perhaps even saving graces of our home to show that not all is immoral rot on Nostramo." Vandrin said to the Matriarch
"Their names are Anrion and Tyraskor, they are Gendor's youngest 1st cousins. But more importantly they have been helping us in open rebellion of their households' siding with the traitors. So much so in their dedication to our cause, that they have helped lead a full company of Loyalists in the civil war." Vandrin further spoke in defense of the youngest cousins of the Painted Count
"If they are that willing to openly deft their corrupt family. Especially in spite of Gendor's immorality and blatant disrespect, even moreso in possible consorting with daemons. Then I will spare them my unabated wrath…However, their becoming aspirants of my Legion will require careful consideration, my friend. Especially in light of recent events." Konstance Kurze said back in not being adverse to new aspirants but this time wanting to more carefully screen them
"Understood…nonetheless, I am hopeful that with you and Madame Furiosa's help. That Nostramo will see a new age of order yet to come. Perhaps this time, it can be guided to a more permanent golden age." Vandrin spoke with a renewed sense of hope in the future of his home planet
"Trust in me, once more, my friend. My sister, our Legions, and myself will ensure that this time…that this time Nostramo will know peace. Not only that, but we will see it purged of its wickedness far more thoroughly, that much you can be assured of." Konstance swore to the leader of the resistance
(3 days later, Southern Nostramo, 6:30 Pm, April 1st, 951. M30)
In the days that would follow would Konstance lead not only those of her Legion that were a mix of Assault Marines, the Contekar Terminators, and the Legion's 52nd Company and one of Vandrin's elite battalion of soldiers known as the Midnight Mission. In what was to be an assault against the territory of the noble house of Kaldrethek, who was led by a group of sorcerous cultists of Slaanesh.
"My Matriarch, our forces stand ready to be unleashed at your command." Were the words of Konstance's equerry
"Give our men 20 more minutes for final preparations. I want to bleed every single one of these treacherous vermin dry; for their betrayal. I do not want; naught a single heart beating when we begin." The Night Haunter responded her Lightning Claws humming with savage hunger to flay and butcher the immoral wretch of her home
"Understood, Madame Kurze." Shang responded
"Before you go, may I ask you a question, or rather two of them, Shang? I want you to answer me truthfully regarding what I ask of you.." Konstance said to the Lord Commander of her Legion
"Ask your question, and I will answer to the best of my ability...There is nothing too heinous nor taboo; that you can ask of me." Shang responded as he looked up to the imposing presence of the pale-faced demigod
"With the knowledge of corruption running through our ranks…Not just the immoral and wicked filth that has wormed its way into our ranks. I also speak of those who follow the path of this Slannesh, and further jeopardize the future of my Legion. I want your honest opinion, Shang. Can the Legion be salvaged if I am to cull the rot from within it?" Konstance questioned her equerry
"To be completely transparent with you. I believe that our Legion can still be salvaged and your dream still made possible… The damage done by Gendor is not necessarily undoable, although it will take time, diligence, and the routing out of those corrupted by the influence of this Chaos God. Alongside those who follow Gendor's conniving and treacherous ways, I believe that there is hope yet for the Night Lords." Shang answered back in having faith that his Legion could still be Champions of justice
"Good, now then for my second question. Do you believe that the Night Lords can become true heroes? That more than anything, that I can lead the 8th Legion into becoming enforcers of justice and law, and lead them from their current path? Do you believe that this can be done, or do you believe that we are destined for self-destruction?" Konstance asked her Lord Commander
"In all transparency, Madame Kurze. While I do believe that this can be accomplished, and I say this as someone who knows what is becoming of the 8th. It will be a difficult task unless we take aggressive action in not only purging its more vile and wickedly unrestrained elements. Those compromised by this Chaos God not withstanding, it can be done." Shang replied in his earnest assessment
"How far do you think the rot has spread to our Legion?...To be honest, even within the righteous; of the Legion who uphold my ideals. I find difficulty in seeing where the rot of it begins, and where it ends to sever the sordid wretches from what is mine. The fact that my absence has welcomed new and more debauched filth into MY legion; sickens me all the more." Konstance queried
"Not enough to fully compromise the fighting strength of the Legion. Yet it is enough that we will have to sacrifice a notable handful of our companies and 2 and a half of our Chapters…That is if we act quickly on the matter." The Lord Commander of the Night Lords answered back in regards to how much would have to be dealt with
"That is thankfully less than what I had thought. However, that does not excuse the fact that corruption runs within my Legion…After we are finished here, I want a list of who has been compromised and where they currently are. Once that is done, I want every last one of them to be exterminated on sight. If the Night Lords are to stand any chance of heralding a new era of justice and warriors of lawfulness, then the wretch within must be purged immediately." Konstance ordered of her equerry
"It will be done the very moment we have defeated this abominable scourge. That much I swear to you on my very life, my Matriarch." Shang assured her
"Thank you, Shang, but you have not answered me; if you believe I can lead the Night Lord on this new path." Konstance responded
"As someone who has not only believed in you, from the day we met with you decades ago. In addition to having stood by you; through everything since the very beginning of your crusade against evil, I will say this in earnest…I know that you can do it, there is no question about that. You more than have the capacity to lead us to greatness, I see this in how you have carried not only yourself but those on Nostramo so far." Shang said back as he spoke with both blunt honesty and affection for his genesire
"However, you must show kindness to those that uphold your ideals, who are striving to be the best they can for you, and are trying to make the effort to do so. Too often have I seen you punish the Legion wholesale; when those that are doing their best face scorn along with the wretches of our Legion…I have seen in your anger and disgust of the Legion; nearly break those who wish to follow your path of justice, who wish to truly enforce order as you teach to us. Which is why it has become so difficult to maintain to others that your ways are truly just and worthwhile. Especially when everyone be they dishonorable bastards or those aspiring to be champions of lawfulness that wield terror and fear as it was meant to be." Shang further spoke his words cutting through the Matriarch as an Eviscerator would through flesh
"That is why if this is going to work. Then you must balance out punishment with kindness, cruelty and hatred of those abusing their power, with fairness and understanding for those doing their best to be a Night Lord. You cannot afford to put anything less than your full efforts into this Konstance, otherwise the 8th Legion will be damned to failure. This is something I cannot express enough to you, and I say this because I care for you." Shang said in conclusion to his point made to her
"...I see…While I appreciate what you have said, and your faith in me as your Matriarch…Knowing that I have aided in the rotting of my Legion, and its deviation from what I wish it to be. It is a bitter pill to swallow." Konstance responded her features sobering and being stalwart in the absorption of this fact
"It is what has been needed to be said. However, I believe in you every step of the way in your journey. I can see it that you genuinely want to make our Legion better, but it cannot be done if you do not mean it." Shang said as he put a hand of reassuring on her arm
"Keep your head up, my Matriarch. You can do this, but only if you believe you are worthy of doing so." Shang further spoke before heading off to ready their forces for what was to come
'I know it in my heart of hearts that I am worthy to lead them to heroism. I must be, for the sake of my Legion's future.' Were the Matriarch's thoughts
From there on after the 20 minutes were dealt with to finish final preparations would the 1st wave be unleashed by the Captain of the Night Lords 52nd Company the Steel Nightmare, Shardrus Tavarax whose company was perfect to begin the assault alongside the Contekar for one reason. That being his affinity and application of relentless armored assaults and firepower, as he and his men unleashed what could only be described as a hailstorm of gunfire from their tanks. With the unleashing of Assault Cannons, Heavy Bolters, Krak Missiles, and Lascannons unleashed a nigh-indescriminate hail of pure annihilation amongst the enemy forces of House Kaldrethek.
Those that were being turned into bloody pulp from the assortment of Rhino's, Land Raiders, and Sicaran Heavy Tanks to blaze a warpath of destruction; while the twin pairs of Contekar Terminator squads carried out their orders with devastating efficiency. Wherein the personal orders of the Night Haunter herself to not only leave absolutely zero survivors, but to send a gore-soaked message that the actions of those that have gone against her successor were to drown the streets in crimson. It was almost a dream come true as they more than delivered on the orders of their Matriarch, with a speed that did not match their Terminator armor did they sprint at full bore towards their adversaries, unleashing the wrath of the Night Haunter in all its glory.
Wherein those caught in close range via their Chainglaives, their Power Claws, Nostraman Eviscerators, and Power Axes were butchered and torn to shreds, a blend between sadistic aggression to inflict as much pain as possible with each blow, but lethal precision to carve into them with as much ferocity as possible. All had combined to create a constantly moving avalanche of carnage were armed soldiers, corrupt militiamen, guardsmen, and even Arbites were turned into dismembered carcasses, husks of muscle and bone that had their innards and skin flayed open into macabre effigies. Then at worst were they straight out mauled en masse to the point they were now more akin to liquefied gore than a person, or being stripped and torn apart long enough to be used as makeshift weapons and shields to beat their companions with; while they still drew breath.
While at range they would use their Heavy Flamers to sow terror from a distance, with those that used them would work alongside those in melee to herd their opposition; into any building in sight. All before lighting it ablaze in a towering inferno, trapping those inside in a mighty inferno; that melted the flesh within their bones, searing their vocal cords shut as they choked on ash and smoke, to deliver the sound of croaking screams of agonized terror. Alongside their very meat, muscle, and skin being roasted and burned away as they prayed for a swift death that refused to answer, as the warrior elite of the 8th Legion took brutal pleasure in incinerating their prey.
Which in combination with the armored aggression of the Steel Nightmare that ravaged their adversaries with an unceasing onslaught against the enemies who despite their attempts to call for reinforcements, or warn of the advance of the 8th Legion to their doorstep. That it was all for naught as not only were their communications being jammed by those of the Midnight Missions' best technicians, but those that attempted to do so were being swiftly assassinated one after the other. For those of the Midnight Missions ranks were quick to scale and sneakily infiltrate the communication towers, and with the firing of a LasPistol or sawn-off Shotgun, whilst the guards were dispatched by well-placed snipers.
The Midnight Mission made sure to eliminate any form of communications, as homemade EMP grenades were used to destroy any Vox communications, before the squads in question would use Plasma Pistols, Shotguns, Chain Blades, Chainswords, and Inferno Pistols to quickly dispatch their enemy. As such one by one would they sweep through the Communications towers as though they were a ravenous plague, denying their adversaries of any hope of being reinforced before moving onwards in the blink of an eye.
"Madame Curze, the 52nd and the Contekar have successfully cleared the way for us. What are your further orders for the assault?" Shang asked of the Night Haunter as he received confirmation from one of the Lieutenants of the 52nd company
"We move forward and unleash further termination of our enemies. Take to the shadows and strike at them without mercy. Protect our comrades in arms from the possessed and the wicked of the Debauched Wretch. But most of all, give these cretins a reason to fear what prowls the dark. Am I understood, Lord Commander?" The Night Haunter said to her equerry
"Crystal, Madame Curze. I will have our men begin our follow-through assault…Men ready your Chainblades and Bolters for glory in our Matriarchs' name! Today we show these treacherous maggots that the wrath of the Night Lords shall be exacted on their wretched souls!" Shang replied through the Vox frequency as Konstance looked to the Raptors beside her
"Now my sons, let us rip and tear through our enemies! Until there is nothing left but their mangled corpses to display before our enemies! Let them know the taste of fear once more, leave no survivors of these treacherous dogs, and moreover slaughter any who dare praise any but the Emperor!" The Night Haunter roared in fury as those of the 8th howled in dark reverence and joy to punish the wicked
'Now let us see if my beloved's Christmas gift will work as intended.' Were Konstance's thoughts as she activated her gift from Ben
From there the cape of her Nightmare's mantle gave way, as her armor's back and shoulder plates shifted and took on more heavily armored appearance to reveal a trio of Repulsor-based thrusters empowered by a separate Arc Reactor. All the while Konstance's face, neck and collarbone became covered in midnight blue and red armor, to form a helmet that was more akin to a more noble version of the ones worn by her sons, as Ben's version of a Jump Pack that he had dubbed the Terrorfiend's Wings, as it fully formed into a pair of mechanized Devil wings. Before she leaped into the air and faster than she expected; did she blasted off across the Nostraman skyline, at flight speeds that outstripped anything that Branwen could approach when taking flight.
Wherein Konstance was thankful that she was able to practice with her Jump Pack in the weeks preceding her return to Nostramo, as she was approaching near subsonic speeds as she ripped through the lightless night. All the while her Raptors followed behind her, as she closed in on her targets as a streak of righteous fury and wrathful terror waiting to be unleashed; her violet eyes burning with rage from behind the crimson visor of her helmet.
As such whilst Shang led a platoon of Assault Marines to unleash havoc in a terrifying advance on foot, Assault Bikes, and Land Speeders; whilst those of the Midnight Mission followed close behind as support while they ravaged the treacherous opposition. Either acting as suppressive fire through long-distance sniper fire, launching flash grenades and bombs that could only be described as the homemade fusion of a plasma grenade and a molotov; to cause mass damage to unaware guardsmen. To working swiftly to sever the power that was being fed to communication towers, jam their Vox signals to their comrades, or use the cover of chaos and night to turn any vehicles of theirs into explosives; that would incinerate and shred them with white-hot shrapnel and fire.
The Midnight Mission made sure that what they lacked in terms of superhuman prowess, that the sons of the Night Haunter possessed and used to unleash a horrific brutality upon their opposition. That it was more than made up for in their affinity for being devastating saboteurs and infiltrators, for they were able to use the tools of their trade as gangsters turned militiamen, as lightning-quick assassins, rogues, and saboteurs. Something that Zhang took note of and actually appreciated as he and his men carved a bloody rampage through the night, leaving no building unturned, alleyway unfound, or refuge unscoured, as they set a bloody standard for those that would dare go against his master.
Wherein the only thing that heralded the approach of Shang's men were the sound of Bolters being fired, Chainblades, Chainglaives, and Chainfists ripping through flesh, and the bloodsoaked symphony of screams and horror; from having the traitors allies be snatched away to either be carved and flayed like verminous swine. Then on the more horrific end had their vocal cords slit long enough to either draw the attention of their comrades, to attempt to finish one of the loyalists causing chaos, or the Librarians of the 8th using their psychic powers to lure them to their deaths. Either by using them to mimic the voices of their slain comrades and commanders to their location through Vox channels, using their enemies mangled vocal cords to unleash sonic shrieks of terror and madness to claw their eyes out, or break out into a murderous frenzy.
The Lord Commander of the Night Lords made sure that as his forces delivered a wrathful blight, where dismembered limbs, corpses that were shorn of flesh, skin, and nerves, or kept not only as grim trophies, but saved for future means of instilling an unforgettable terror. That he would make sure that not only would their not only be absolute zero in the way of survivors, but that the territory itself would be remade as a monument of gore and horror; to those that would dare even think of dragging Nostramo into anarchic debauchery.
All the while, Konstance and the Raptors were unleashing terror and death from above, as Konstance alongside her 'sons' were able to unleash carnage from on high, as they would quickly divebomb any possessed guardsman, ganger, or cultist. Then swarm upon them like a murder of crows with Chainblades, Lightning Claws, Chainglaives, Power Swords, or Power Axes; would they slice, shred, rip, and tear with such ferocity and nihilistic brutality; that it would make a World Eater when they had their nails almost proud. With Konstance spearheading the lightning-quick tears upon the enemy as little more than a midnight-clad and bloody crimson covered streak of silent fury, as no battle cries or proclamations of their treachery were heard from the Night Haunter.
Instead, their was only silence, dark hatred for those that sought to undo her work, and a brutality in which she carved, shredded, and mauled her enemies; that would make even Freya Russ look away in revulsion. For there was no emotion save laser-focused fury in her eyes as she slaughtered every treacherous guardsman, ganger, Arbities, nobleman, or cultist in her sights, her eyes burning with such hate that it made her blood burn red hot; from the fact that she could only kill them once. Yet it was as they would fly above as swarms of gore-soaked, midnight covered monsters, that would leave the rooftops splattered in crimson lifeblood; that Konstance would find her fury manifesting into the material.
That fury manifested in the black and midnight-blue smoke that not only quickly became tangible, throughout her leading the Raptors on a rampage throughout the streets of the Hive City, it also had a profound effect against those who swore themselves in service to the Dark Prince. That being that every time the smoke came within arms reach of one of them; would they find their flesh quickly necrotic and melt away as though sprayed by a pressurized mix of black mamba venom and hydrochloric acid. The smoke that surrounded her quickly formed into its more solid form as a humanoid bat shrouded in armor of crimson, midnight-blue, and brass, its solidifying form following close behind Konstance like a ferocious spectre.
With the moment its clawed fists became solid, did it fight in tandem with the Night Lords Matriarch with an almost bestial fury; with it clawing, punching and elbowing out at anything in reach of itself; with a speed that even a Space Marine would find hard to keep track of. Wherein each blow that was landed was done with enough force to be equivalent to a Melta missile going off at point-blank range, causing anyone who was stricken by them to explode into a fine-red mist. So much so that by the time Konstance would take off into the air once again; that her Nightmare's Mantle would soon be painted deep scarlet in the blood of those that sided with the treacherous elite and crime families, but aligned with Slaanesh as well.
As such Konstance, those assembled from the 8th Legion, and the Midnight Mission would carry out their march of vengeful terror, cutting through multiple city blocks and leaving nothing but corpses, ruined bases and burning buildings in their wake, as they led an hours-long warpath to leave nothing left. The territory within Southern Nostramo having no answer to the relentless and unceasing ripping apart of House Kaldrethek's territory.
Wherein it would be the span of a few scant hours before they reached the castle-like stronghold of House Kaldrethek, that despite being guarded by a mix of possessed Arbities, guardsman and even the occasional Slaaneshi Daemons; were they made short work by the combined might of those marshalled under Konstance. Wherein the combination of armored vehicles, Contekar, Librarians, Raptors ,and Marines; led by Konstance who roared in fury, and led the frontal assault herself; turned the courtyard and soon interior of the stronghold into a mangled mess of shredded limbs, bodies crushed under tank shreds, or blown to smithereens by tank shells. Blasted to bits by Bolter fire, set ablaze by Heavy Flamers, or outright turned into gorey pulp by the Chain weapons of the Astartes, it did not matter as those under their Matriarch's lead worked to unleash a devastating fury; in monstrous fury towards the heretical wretch.
All the while, Konstance would dash about the stronghold searching for the sorcerous cultists of House Kaldrethek, like a bloodhound chasing after a scent it would not let go of, would Konstance run at full bore to snuff out the treacherous nobles. So much so in the intensity of her hunt for them would the marble and reinforced plasteel floors crack and buckle, as the air howled as she blurred from sight, tearing apart rooms one by one, as her shadow-like spectre followed only inches behind her as she did so. The lights of every hall she ripped through soon turn black and midnight-blue, while the howling whispers of vengeful spirits trailed behind her, as the armored apparition grew more muscular and ferocious in appearance.
With it not being a few minutes before Konstance Kurze would find her targets gathered in the depths below the stronghold, engaging in the beginnings of a ritual; wherein children that ranged from boys and girls as young as 12 to as old as 20 to men and women from their late 20's to their early 60's; were put in cages. All having been stripped bare naked except for the barest of rags, all showing signs of varying physical and sexual abuse, from severe bruising on their genetalia that ranged from bright red to dark purplish in coloration. The skin on their backs, thighs, and chests having been stricken with whips and carving knives to inflict the most amount of pain without causing them to pass out, their eyelids sliced open so as to prevent them from looking away from the torture given. This among having other instruments such as ball-gags forced down their throats and other exposed areas with various instruments attached to keep them awake and in states of forced arousal.
The sights of this as Konstance crept into the ritual room to execute the cultists in the midst of their chanting; to conduct a dark ritual to summon further daemons of the Dark Prince; sent her into a blood-rage unlike any she had felt before. Her sense of justice and righteousness not allowing for anything other than the butchering of the Culitsts who dares defile the innocent of her planet, for such a diabolic and insidious ritual for their depraved God. So without a further warning would she unleash herself upon them faster than any person could register, or any of the sorcerers could act to use their powers against the Night Haunter.
Although she wanted to torture them, to punish them with every foul method she knew to make them suffer for their transgressions against those who could not defend themselves, Konstance's fury superseded any desire to torture them and inflict suffering unto them tenfold what they'd done to those here. Instead, all she could do in her fury was maul any and every last Cultist alongside her spectre with such speed and terrifying aggression; that it looked less like a noble Matriarch slaying foul sorcerers of a dark, depraved god…Instead it was more akin to a demon from the biblical hell unleashing it's judgement upon the wicked, slaughtering them wholesale and dragging their wretched souls to the darkest corners of the foul abyss to be punished for all eternity.
It would only be after a solid 2 perhaps 3 minutes of butchering the sorcerer's of the Prince of Pleasure; would Konstance shake herself from her rage, her breath coming out in ragged, heavy pants of fury, as she stood amidst a room of mutilated corpses, their innards, crushed bones and skulls splayed for all too see…With the very moment she was able to collect herself and her thoughts would she immediately go about freeing those held in their depraved bondage, and gathering them to be shepherded away from the ritual sight; before contacting Shang to come to the lowest level immediately. Both to take evidence of the area around her and to later condemn the sight, for the debauchery of what could've been the summoning of a champion of Slaanesh to the mortal realm.
'The treacherous filth of this world will know the fullest extent of my wrath yet. Then and only then once they have been purged from Nostramo, and order restored to my planet…That I will ensure their wretched Dark Prince and all their abysmal hosts will fall by my hand. This immoral rot will not stand under my watch.' Was the silent vow of Konstance Kurze as she continued to free those who were to be sacrificed to the Dark Prince for further diabolic gifts from the Prince of Pleasure
(3 days later, Loyalist Base Epsilon, Northwestern Nostramo, April 4th, 11:01 Am, 951, M30)
In the days after Konstance's assault on House Kaldrethek that had been assisted by her Legion and the Midnight Mission, would Furiosa who was preparing an assault of her own against one of the more notorious crime families of Nostramo; the Savorealos Cartel. Would she be contacted by Ben who wanted to gain an update to the state of things with both Matriarchs and how they were fairing on Nostramo.
"The only good news from being in this hellhole; is that we are making headway against the cretins." Furiosa spoke through the holo-transmission
"I figured that would happen when you and Konstance's Legions work together. Honestly, I'm more surprised that you guys haven't worked together before…From what you've told me, you two make one helluva team together." Ben remarked as he was busying himself in aiding the Iron Warriors for another assault on a Drukhari stronghold
"Then it seems as though I can add this as another positive to our stay here…Never would I have thought that the World Eaters and the Night Lords would find such cohesion. It is almost unreal to see how those of my Legion and those from Konstance can work together." Furiosa responded with a small chuckle at how the 8th and 12th Legions worked uncannily well with one another
"Honestly, it is as much a surprise to me as it is to Konstance, to see our Legions work far more effectively together than apart. You should see Kharn and Sevatar when they work together, Ben. One could almost mistake them for the most off-kilter of odd couples the Imperium has seen. Their antics are almost humorous…there is never a dull moment when those two are together." Furiosa further spoke as the combination of Sevatar's gallows humor with Kharns' straight-laced bluntness often made for a rather humorous pair
"Good for them. I didn't get the best chances to know them, but from what I gathered. The two of them look like they would make an awesome buddy cop duo." Ben said with a bit of a snicker at the two being such a team
"That I could see happening. In fact; I will not be surprised if this does not lead to a friendship of sorts between them." Furiosa spoke in seeing the beginnings of an odd friendship between the two
"If that does happen, then this will truly be one of the most chaotic inter-Legion friendships that have been witnessed…The only ones that could outdo that are Morganna's and Jaghatai's Legions." Furiosa remarked much to Ben's confusion as he was continuing to help ready artillery pieces for tomorrow mornings' assault
"Why are things between those two chaotic? I don't know all that much about Jaghatai's Legion, but I know that Morganna's is basically what if wizards got heavy armor and superweapons." Ben spoke in regards to the 5th Legion
"Jaghatai's Legion, the White Scars are full of speedsters and those that favor mobility, lightning-fast shock assaults, and rapid-fire attacks. Combine that with a Legion of battle psykers, both of whom not only share a love of philsophy both in and out of war, and are highly independent, and deceptively ruthless. Then you can see for yourself why their friendship can result in a chaos all on its own, that rivals the Space Wolves." Furiosa spoke as Ben began to put two and two together on how speedsters plus battle psykers could be considered chaotic in its own right
"I..I can definitely see how that could get problematic." Ben said in seeing how the combo could be such
"Anyways, other than your Legions starting to become friends…By the way, that is awesome to see you guys getting along better. How is Konstance holding up? I know that things over there haven't exactly been the easiest on her?" Ben asked in regards to his girlfriend
"She has been doing better than expected…This place has not affected her in the way I thought it would. If anything it seems as though this place, the things that have happened here, all of it has sparked something in her; that I or anyone else never thought we would live to see." Furiosa answered
"Really? She seemed pretty dead-set on getting this done; every time I talked to her." Ben said back in having seen Konstance supremely motivated to right the wrongs of her home planet
"That is the thing, her resolve to be a hero and protector. It has almost skyrocketed in the days since our occupation here. It is hard to explain, but one thing is for certain…Despite the abominable daemons that have begun to infest this place and anarchy threatening to claim it. Instead of returning to her old ways, she has taken the route of rallying the citizens of her homeworld to her cause." Furiosa spoke
"In fact, yesterday morning. She gave her first official speech as defender of Nostramo, and that the Night Haunter and her Legion would protect it until death due them part. You should have seen her when she gave her address to the loyalists across the planet. I do not think I have seen her this passionate in years if ever." Furiosa added regarding her sister and the passion she now felt to protect not only her home but those within the Imperium since their occupation
Wherein Furiosa had witnessed Konstance double if not triple down on her endeavors to be a force for justice; since they had come to Nostramo to aid Vandrin and his loyalist forces, and the lengths she would go to defend and avenge those she had claimed as her people. So much so that not only had she began to carry and present herself as less the Night Haunter the deadly vigilante who ravaged the Nostraman underworld, and moreso as who she was meant to be; Konstance Kurze, Matriarch of the 8th Legion and acting Marshall of the Emperor's justice.
So much so was Konstance's passion to unleash justice and commit fully to heroism; that it had started to effect how the Night Lords operated as they worked alongside the Nostraman loyalists, as while the transformation was slow it was noticeable. Given that they had began to act less like a horde of militarized gangsters, thieves, and murderers and more akin to unified tasks forces similar to cartel hit-squads they hailed from, old Terran SWAT and modern-day Lucifer Black teams.
"I can't say I didn't see it coming. Konstance from what I've seen has always had it in her to do something great like this. She just needed something to help her get there…Turns out her planets having dickhead elitists and gangsters side with an eldritch rape god was that one thing." Ben remarked
"While I will not get used to you referring to one of the Chaos Gods as…that. You do have a point, and honestly it is good that this of all things has brought out the best in her. Although, my sons having to face these things altogether is another story." Furiosa replied
"If you are worried that something is gonna happen to them, I wouldn't be…They are your 'kids' more or less, and if they are anything like you, then I have a great feeling they'll come out of this just fine. Better yet,they'll probably come out of htis stronger than before." Ben said back in seeing this as more of anything to get the 12th Legion pumped up to fight further threats
"While that is true and I do hold them in high regard. I do worry if I am holding myself to a great enough standard as their commander…This is the 1st time that I am leading my Legion without the bite of the Nails." Furiosa spoke with a rare sort of anxiousness in her voice
"Even though I have Konstance and Kharn both to support me. It does not detract from the constant welling up of nerves that I have at each engagement. Every day I can feel my innards twisting and churning until it feels as though I might implode…I-I just feel dreadful of making any mistake that will have me seen as a fraud and charlatan to my own men…Who could blame them after all of the abuse that I have had them suffer." Furiosa further spoke as she had begun to feel her every waking moment with a ever growing gnawing anxiety over her leadership of the World Eaters now that she was of clear mind and sanity
"I may not be the best person to tell you how to deal with this…The only thing I can tell you, as I have told you before, is to take everything one step at a time. No one just starts out being a fantastic leader to their men. These things take time, a mountains worth of fuck-ups, and so many trials and errors before something shakes out right." Ben told her
"After everything that I have experienced and lost, I am almost terrified of failure…Nuceria all but beat it into my very core that failure cannot be tolerated. So many of those in the gladiatorial pits that I fought beside, bore witness to the punishments therein." Furiosa said back
"Well, in that case, I am going to tell you something that Grandpa Max told me; growing up…It is better to take every failure on the chin and in stride, than to be afraid of failure to begin with. It doesn't matter who or what you are, Furiosa. Failure is a natural part of life, it is going to happen whether you want it to or not. The only difference is how you come back from those failures and how you improve from that point forward." Ben responded in havng learned the hard way to grow from failure
"The more that I hear of your Grandfather, the more I see how you turned out to be such a good man. Especially one that is so willing to dive into the jaws of danger, that you have found yourself involved in." Furiosa said as Ben chucked while helping the Iron Warriors
"Trust me, Grandpa was something else, but he was the one person I always knew I could count on. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be half the man I am today." Ben said back
"...Still, I am happy to know that Konstance and you are doing ok…Stay safe, or as safe as you can when fighting daemons and whatever else they have there." Ben furhter spoke happy to know that his 'lovely lady' and Furiosa was doing alright
"Do not worry, Ben. The forces of these depraved maggots will never bring me low. It will take more than possessed gangsters, immoral noblemen masquerading as warlocks, and depraved abominations to break me." Furiosa replied a determined grin etching itself on her features
"Then good luck and godspeed, Furiosa. In the meantime, I gotta finish helping the boys out with our finishing attack on these wannabe Cenobites…I swear both Dantioch cannot get his ass here fast enough to pitch in, and I cannot kill these fuckers even faster. I SWEAR they do nothing but make my skin crawl and my bones itch!" Ben said back before almost wanting to projectile vomit out of sheer disgust towards the Aeldari
"I wish that I would have warned you beforehand of how they operate…However, I see that you are becoming familiar with them as a foul race of Xenos." Furiosa said in not envying Ben for a moment
"Oh trust me, I have been these past few weeks, and I fucking hate it. Everything about this makes my bones itch in the worst way." Ben replied in scathing hatred of the Drukhari he'd faced so far
"Anyways, I'm gonna peace out so I can help get this done. Toodaloo, Furiosa!" Ben further spoke before signing off
'I don't know which is worse by comparison at this point. Fighting against the Drukhari in a siege campaign of attrition, or battling against the followers of…an eldritch rape god…I hate how much that applies to those that follow this wretched god.' Were Furiosa's thoughts as she began to further ready herself for what was to come
And as the battle for Nostramo's very soul engages with the Nostraman Loyalists led by Konstance's successor, as well as the forces of the Night Lords and World Eaters; battling against the depraved nobility and crime families turned worshippers of the Dark Prince. Things have never looked more dire for the lightless world the Night Haunter calls home. However, will she and her midnight-clad sons be able to save their world from becoming another fixture in the Prince of Pleasures' domain, or will she before to annihilate it to prevent it's further damnation? Find this out and more in the all-new installments of, Ultimate Alien: Primarch Force!
Alright, that'll do it for this one as I hope that you guys have enjoyed this chapter, because oh boy was this a lot to do, but a helluva lot of fun all the same to get down! Since I hope you guys liked this since this will be a sort of mini-arc for Konstance in her fighting to make sure that Nostramo doesn't get super-fucked by Slaanesh. So I hope that you guys are ready for the shenanigans that can come from it, since it can only get crazier from here.
That being said, this is Pravus666 signing off till next time as our next outting shall continue Konstance and Furiosa aiding the loyalist resistance against the treacherous elite/criminal families ruling Nostramo. So stay tuned for that and also thank you guys for all of your support thus far, it is greatly appreciated and I cannot state that enough...Furthermore, Happy 2025 to everyone and thanks again for sticking with me through another year of shenanigans.
Part 1 Theme Song: Black out the Sun by Sevendust
Random End Song: Squabble Up by Kendrick Lamar
Now then onto the reviews from the last chapter.
Skull Flame: Oh yeah the Drukhari coming into play via the invading of Perturabo's home star system is something I've been planning for a while now. Given that with how long she was gone it made since that they were gonna take that as an invitation to begin a full-scale incursion, and here's the thing they're also there for a few key things to beef themselves up further, what those things are is something I'm going to keep a secret until we spin back around to Ben and the Iron Warriors. Also, Ben will be working alongside Dantioch, Forrix, Kroeger, as the main people to help combat the Drukhari, because Ben's gonna not only be upgrading the 4th Legion, but also showing that he's damn good at what he can do both with and without his Xenos forms to where he may get the Harlequins called in to deal with him. As you can see the civil war for Nostramo is getting underway and how it's gonna shake up; will have massive reprecussions going forward for the Night Lords as a whole, especially since the spread of Slaanesh is far more entrenched than initally thought. Lasty with Nurgle being an Isha simp, I can totally see it and as for Khaine and Ceogorach, all I can say is that you can expect a Morganna the Red vs The Avatar of Khaine fight in the future for how nutty things are gonna get.
Kourtney Uzu Yato: Hey you are totally good Kourtney I completely understand about your stories, and as such pop off and go crazy. Also, Ben just cannot catch a break as you can see with him deciding to help the Iron Warriors out against the Drukhari, and as you can see he absolutely hates it...the only thing that could make it even worse is if the Necrons or Bela'kor somehow got involved. Also, with Konstance she understands that Ben had to go do his hero thing, but that being said is gonna make it everyone's problem, that because of Slaanesh she cannot be with her beloved. Especially since its a whole civil war that's being partially sponsored by Slaanesh and their forces. Also, once Isha is finished going through her 'glow-up' if you can call it that, that Nurgle is gonna more than likely get the brakes beaten off of him; for having her be the test bug for all of his plagues for so many centuries, and with her potentially teaming up with Khorne we do have to remember that she'll be coming out of her evolution mighty PISSED. And with the remaining Eldar gods getting the evolutionary glow-up we may see how that's gonna effect things such as the Avatar of Khaine which is gonna get significantly roided out over time, and I'm talking DBZ Broly levels of potential crashout activity.
KharaBella: I have had a pretty good holidays so far and thanks for asking. First off, I'm glad you like Ben and Konstance's relationship so far as even at long distance that they care about each other greatly and that Ben truly is Konstance's rock as we dive into the civil war for Nostramo. Also, you already know that there's probably a betting pool of which of the Matriarchs' kids with Ben would be the worst to deal with between Valdor and Malcador with the bets being Konstance, Perturabo, Morganna, and Furiosa as potential bets for the lulz. Also, you nailed it in one for what's happening to Isha when Ben got transported through the Warp since the Ultimatrix essentially saw the Eldar Gods and pretty much is making them go through a long overdue evolution into being able to contend with the Ruinous Powers. Also, this probably will change things greatly for the Eldar in regards to their opinions of Ben, but as far as alliances go...I would hold your breath until you see what Ben does to the Drukhari after he finishes helping the Iron Warriors defend against them. Lastly, with the new and improved book of Lorna in this instance it is gonna have Emperor support go through the roof, and with the people being much more resilient against Chaos, its gonna make things between Lorna and the Emperor very interesting.
MasterPanda1255: Also, there's a reason why Ben is gonna be working like crazy to boost of the Imperium, because with the Aeldari gods going Ultimate more of less its going to be all hands on deck. Hence why Ben and the Emperor will be talking to the Adeptus Mechanicum on not only ramping production up on wargear, but tapping into their own bag of tricks to prepare for not only a potentially amped Craftworld Eldar but also the Necrons as well. Since the Void Dragon will be coming into play soon enough alongside Ben actually teaming up with Belisarius Cawl who mind you has been around since the Pre-Heresy to start amping up the Space Marines maybe with some Void Dragon blessings in the mix (maybe). Because I think that if Ben and the Emperor swing it correctly they could have the Void Dragon be the Omnissiah and not go on a crazy ass rampage, that had Big E put it under Mars to begin with. Furthermore, while I will never be an Emperor apologist either, I will also be showing that he isn't so much a supervillain so much as him just doing the literal best he can when you are an immortal who has seen the literal worst that can come of humanity, the Warp, and Xenos in general...That stuff is gonna scar you for life no matter which way you slice it as such, we will see both the good and the bad of the Emperor who is gonna have to go even further to do what he can to guarantee humanity's win condition. Even if that means bringing the part of Ben that was a D1 crashout against Vilgax during the Chimera War
Thedarkeking: I will say that while I understand your criticisms for the first one understand that I am going through and starting the process of editing my previous chapters, which will take time considering I've pumped out now 27 of them, also in regards to downplaying Ben's aliens. In regards to what happened with the Raven Guard it was more for the fact that Ben wasn't balling out with his aliens hard enough to cause that sort of reaction. Given that with how Zenthon went it was more or less just Ben dicking around with Looney Toons style shenanigans more or less, so the reaction of the Raven Guard being as it were was for the fact that...until the end Ben wasn't going full bore in being this horror show of just incomprehensible power. That said the scale of what he can do will be shown as we go furhter into the story with more and more of the Legions. Lastly, and while I'm happy that you enjoy the story, please do not do things in all Caps that is one of my biggest pet peeves and it frustrates me to no end when I see it, that is all I ask of you.