RWBY 40k – Salem, Immortal Empress of the Imperium.
[Note: Pfuii. This chapter was complicated to write. Thanks to have waited for so long].
[Opening 2 – Height of the Great Crusade].
[Theme – Got Mit Uns].
The opening began with Salem, dressed in her Remnant's outfits weeping in front of Ozma's body, with the staff on her hands in the horizontal. The camera approaches the emerald before coming back. Salem dressed in her Empress outfit, with now a much calmer face who quickly put the staff in a glass container in her room. Then she walked to the door of her room while the camera turns to the window displaying the whole Imperial Palace.
The title appears in the sun, it's named: "Salem, Mistress of the Inquisition – The Height of the Great Crusade".
Spent the night in formation. To the battle we march in the dawn. We were ready to die for our Emperor. On the battlefields of the Milky Way.
The opening shows the marks of the Imperium extending to the far reaches of the Galaxy, the next cut shows Horus with his legion charging toward to a Ork Warband. As he fights, his armour becomes more and more green along with his Legion to finally truly green with a golden laurel wealth on his head.
Fire at will. Aim for their artillery. Counter attack. Thunder of guns.
Rogal Dorn and Perturabo are on the walls of a Hive City, directing the plans to defend against a Horde of Greenskins. Then a cut shows them in company with Fulgrim and Konrad Curze for a Compliance mission. After that, a celebration shows them feasting, without Konrad Curze who is behind a wall, holding his head as his thoughts shows a Galaxy in flames.
Emperor with us! As we all stand united. All together, Emperor with us!
Magnus is shown fighting with his Thousand Sons but also Horus, Alpharius, Omegon, Rogal Dorn, Fulgrim, Edelgard and Roboute against a big horde of golems made of precious stones. But then, all turned to the sky, displaying two silhouettes hidden by the sun.
From the old world's demise. See an Imperium rise. From Terra reaching far, here we are!
A city is shown in flames with Lorgar Aurelian accompanied by Erebus and Kor Phaeron with all the Words Bearers, knelled against their will facing the Emperor. In another cut, Lorgar faced a woman and surrounded by people who has the chaos symbols on their bodies while Kor Phaeron and Erebus. The woman invites the Primarch to go inside of a cavern, and by the whispers of both Kor Phaeron and Erebus, Lorgar entered the cavern. When he comes back, he was smirking as he found a new faith to devote himself in.
On beginning of the 31th Millenium. We filled Xenos with fear. Twenty Legions attacked on that day. Several xeno races they broke.
The next scene shows the Dark Angels beginning their crusade against Xenos allied with Humans. And so, Lion El'Jonson is fighting. But his face was darkened, reminding himself of another moment of arguing with his mother Salem. She pointed a statue of Ozma while facing Lion with disappointment and disapprobation. Behind the wall, Lorgar observed him as he already decided what purpose he could give to him.
Astartes charge! Follow the banner! After the Emperor! Freedom we bring! Emperor is with us! As we all stand united. All together, Emperor with us!
Horus and Sanguinius are fighting against a Xeno species whose appearance are close to the humans. These two cooperating as the closest brothers they are. But as Sanguinius fights, a silhouette is lingering behind his shadow, observing him menacingly.
From the old world's demise. See an Imperium rise! From Terra reaching far! Here we are!
A great assemble of Primarchs are facing a gigantic procession. Fulgrim, Horus, Rogal Dorn, Perturabo, Jaghatai Khan, Angron, Magnus, Mortarion and Sanguinius are present. Salem is on the shoulder of Horus observing the procession. In another cut, Horus is crowned with the golden laurel, under the applause of the other Primarchs.
Breaking their lines. Thousands of Astartes. Charge for their Emperor. Legend Arise!
As an assault is leaded by Salem against Drukhari who is try to take slaves with them. Salem encounters Eldrad Ulthran who is fighting with his forces. The two faces as a possible talk are about to unfold. The next scene, Fulgrim exited a temple with a sword who is perfectly made, radiating a purple ominous power. Edelgard was looking at the blade with suspicion.
Emperor with us! As we all stand united. All together, Emperor with us! Emperor with us! As we all stand united. All together, Emperor with us! Emperor with us! As we all stand united. All together, Emperor with us!
A crowd is assembled inside of a room, with Primarchs debating each other about an important thing. But especially, Magnus and Mortarion opposed each other in vehement manner. Under the eyes of a worried Salem.
From the old world's demise. See an Imperium rise. From Terra reaching far. Here we are!
Horus is inside of a planet with Abaddon. He faced an old man on a throne and without a word. He killed with an electric magic ball. He turned toward a new Chapter Captain who has managed to break inside of the throne room before him and giving him a salute of respect.
From the old world's demise. See an Imperium rise. From Terra reaching far. Here we are!
Salem sited on the Emperor's throne, then looked at the sky with anticipation and curiosity. As she is slowly surrounded by her sons who looks in the stars altogether. Without forgetting her granddaughters.
Ep 71: The Pilgrimage to Cadia.
966.M30. Terra. Salem's apartments.
Salem is facing her baby aged now of two years old, who is sited on a baby chair. The little girl has her blonde-white hair extended around her head, also her eyes are red like roses. She is dressed in a white and rose robe with a rose bow tie under her neck. She has little pink shoes.
The little girl is hooping on her chair in impatience because Salem as on her hand the bowl with a soup.
Salem's daughter: "Mommy! Me want soup! P'ease! P'ease!"
Salem put her finger on her daughter's mouth.
Salem: "Shhht… If you are a nice little girl like mommy want. You will eat the soup. Okay?"
She takes the finger back of her daughter's mouth and the latter nodded her head with excitation.
Salem: "Now. Stop moving. Sit properly. Come on, do it for your mommy, Ottilia."
The little girl stops moving and sits right.
Salem: "Good. Now open your mouth and say: 'Aaaaah'."
Ottilia: "Aaaaah…"
She opens her mouth widely, Salem takes a bit of soup in her spoon and put it to the mouth of the baby who close it and swallow.
Salem: "Good! Try again!"
Ottilia: "Aaaaah!"
Salem put another spoon of soup in her daughter's mouth.
Salem: "That's really good!"
After a little meal, the mom put out her daughter from the chair and takes her in her arms.
Salem: "Mommy will present your big brother. The nice and strong Magnus."
Ottilia: "Ah, really mommy?"
Salem nodded.
Salem: "You'll see."
The duo goes out of the room.
A bit later, Salem is facing Magnus inside of another private room.
Salem: "Hello, Magnus."
Magnus: "Hello, mom. (He turned to Gaia). Ottilia, right? Hello, little sister."
He knelled in front of Ottilia and approached his hand. But the little girl is frightened and hides her face inside of Salem's shoulder.
Magnus: "Huh? I scare you?"
Salem chuckled.
Salem: "I think it's because of you are big and mighty. After all, you are the strongest magician."
Magnus: "I have an idea. Fortunately, that I brought this. Ottilia, look at this."
The little baby girl slowly turned her head to Magnus and sees something in Magnus big fingers. It was a candy.
Magnus: "A really yummy candy make by greatest magician cookers of Prospero. Take it."
The face of the little girl lights up and she extended her hands to the candy.
Magnus: "Ahah… If you want the candy, you have let me take you in my hand."
Gaia is hesitant and turned to her mom.
Salem: "You can do it, Ottilia. Your big brother won't hit you."
Ottilia turned to Magnus and extended her little hands to the other hand of her big brother. Salem put her daughter on the big hand of her son. The hand of the Primarch was big enough to welcome the toddler.
Magnus: "There you are. Like promised."
He gives the candy to Ottilia.
Ottilia: "T'enk… T'enk you…"
Ottilia put the candy in her mouth and began to crunch it.
Salem: "She is still learning how to talk."
Magnus: "I know…"
But then, Magnus sees something on Gaia. She stares at him, right in his eyes and soul. It intrigued him a little.
Magnus: "Are you okay?"
Ottilia: "So… yummy."
Magnus: "Huh… you talk about the candy? Yes, it's yummy."
Ottilia: "No… you… look… yummy…"
Magnus feels a sense of dread on his back.
Magnus: "Huh… me?"
Salem: "Ottilia! What are you saying? This is not nice to your big brother!"
Ottilia: "Oh… Sowwy…"
Salem: "Come on. Now play now."
She takes out toys from a board, posed on the ground before posing Ottilia on the ground. The little girl began to play. Salem turned to Magnus.
Salem: "Sorry…"
Magnus: "Hm… I can feel the darkness being part of her. She has the same urges than Grimms. I am nervous for her in the future."
Salem: "I am already doing the thing. The sweet girl that you are seeing is the best that I could get from her."
Magnus frowned.
Magnus: "Father has really messed up. This is his fault if my little baby sister is in this state."
Salem: "Don't mention it. You are not helping."
Magnus: "Hm… I want to know. Where is Lorgar?"
Salem takes out from a shelf a bottle of wine and two glasses. She filled them and gives one of the glasses to Magnus.
Salem: "From what I heard. He has destroyed a planet named 47-16. Apparently, their inhabitants were venerating idols like idiots. Apparently, he has destroyed a copy of the Lectitio Divinitatus here."
Magnus: "Hm… I have also heard about it. But also, I have something to say to you."
Salem: "Yeah?"
Magnus: "I have discussed with him months ago when he was in Colchis. And it worries me much. I asked him the question of how his faith has hold for so long in the Imperium. Then, he responded me that if he has considered the Emperor as a god. It's because he has saw him with hallucinations and zoning out."
Salem: "Like Konrad Curze?"
Magnus: "Like him. He has lamented that he has waged a war for someone who hadn't be touched by this devotion. He said that he has wasted his youth on the writings and other codex. And then giving a sense to thousands of cultures in the whole galaxy."
Salem: "Oh, poor boy…"
Magnus: "Let me continue. I have explained to him that the Emperor has given a sense that he didn't hoped. And Lorgar asked himself why the Emperor waited more than one century to punish him but also, he said that there are truly divine beings who recused their divinity. Before Monarchia, the Emperor doesn't have denied his divine character to Lorgar before destroying his faith while being despaired to be a warrior when he wanted to be a builder."
Salem: "Oh really? I didn't hear about it at any moment."
Magnus: "Hm… Then, I responded that we are warriors and we have been created with our Legions to destroy the enemies and conquer the Galaxy. But he countered me by saying that the Thousand Sons are responsible for the construction of Tizca."
Salem: "Of course! You are much more than simple warriors and generals! This is one of the reasons that encouraged Lorgar in his way."
Magnus: "So, he said to me that his vision of the world changed after the Destruction of Monarchia. He asked me to not be condescending. He couldn't imagine that the lord of the whole destiny of the humanity could reduce in dust and shambles his greatest accomplishment and calling it a failure. I have responded to him that the Emperor has interrogated me and my other brothers about this decision. And, Lorgar was shocked to learn that even Leman Russ and Horus has approved this."
Salem grumbled.
Salem: "Hm… After all, why I can blame them. When they learned that you have fought the Brother Gods, they swear to not pray anyone. Of course they will side with the Emperor's decision."
Magnus: "But then, this is from this moment that the discussion has taken a quite worrying turn."
Salem: "What do you mean?"
Magnus: "He has interrogated me about the ancient mythology of Colchis and the tradition of the Pilgrimage. A place where gods and mortals meet and followers of many, many planets would go. A place who has many names like the Empyrean, the Primordial Truth or simply the Paradise. Lorgar has saw many shamans and sorcerers from different planets partaking the same belief. He said that the Emperor hadn't said to him that the Gods are existing, true gods."
Salem paled a little.
Salem: "Oh no… that's not good at all."
Magnus: "I have warned him to not search something that he could venerate, only because his faith was hurt. The history would see him has a humiliated and weak Primarch, despaired to search something to believe and the Mankind doesn't need faith to understand the universe."
Salem: "Grmbl… Religion is thing to not be mad if you cannot understand the universe."
Magnus: "Let me continue. He has said to me that he has something in the Immaterium with his psychic powers. Something who could indicate him the way or future events who couldn't have happened yet. I have said to him that there is no god. He has responded that our father is a god in certain aspects and other being like him could exist. I have ended the discussion because I was irritated from him."
Salem: "Magnus… You should know this. Lorgar put himself in the place of the rest of the human population. And from a very human perspective, your father is a god. Heck, first time that I met him, I could feel a power way more profound than the Brothers. There is actual reason of why the Emperor would be considered as a god in the future. Even if the Great Crusade ends and that the Imperial Truth is fully applicated."
Magnus: "I wanted to leave Colchis because I would not be part of this madness. Lorgar begged me to stay, he even began to babble some nonsense. I was forced to grab him and I have said that to him that he is rushing toward the Abyss. I can understand why he is suffering but he couldn't live in the fear to commit an error."
Salem: "You should have been more subtle than that…"
Magnus: "And so, he promised me to continue the Great Crusade and cease to elevate monuments to the image of the Emperor. But as I was about to teleport to my vessel. He has warned me that if I go in his way, I would meet the misfortune."
Salem: "This is clearly not good at all. Do you want my guess?"
Magnus: "And what's this?"
Salem: "I think that Lorgar is getting manipulated by Kor Phaeron. I never liked him since when I have my back turned, he is real viper's tongue and say all sorts of lies to the Word Bearers. One day, I was in campaign in Melkeji. At one moment, I was surrounded only by Word Bearers while fighting fanatics. At this moment, some of them looked me with disgust and contempt with their removed helmet. My speculation is not founded in paranoia. I am sure that Kor Phaeron has jumped on the occasion to drive Lorgar from me."
Magnus: "What do you do then?"
Salem: "I will try to talk with him. I will try something… something that could reassure him."
Magnus: "Then, you should go fast. The Words Bearers has proved to be space Olympics in a matter of conquering the systems since the Razing of Monarchia. From the last news, Lorgar's flagship is close, like very close to the Eye."
Salem: "This is a news… that worry me more."
Meanwhile, Lorgar Aurelian is on the North East, inside of the hole cutting the Eye. More precisely the Fidelitas Lex. He is dressed back on his baroque armour.
The Primarch has reunited his most trusted advisors inside of a private room. The world named 1312 has been conquered but a warp storm has taken three vessels of the fleet of the Serrated Suns, a sub-part of the Word Bearers Legion. He is facing Argel Tal, the Captain of the Serrated Sun Chapter.
Argel Tal: "I have lost 150 of my brothers in this warp storm. Almost one half has disappeared. Please, let me search them."
Lorgar: "No. I know that you want to search your brothers. But we are in the limits of the galaxy. The rest of our fleet is spreads with months and months of communications from each other. This is not a good idea to risk ourselves in these unknown territories. We have conquered so much of these planets but we can lose them as easily."
The master of the Astropaths, Shosa Delvir approached the table. She has many brain implants on her bald head. Her eyes, despite being blind, are shining with power.
Shosa Delvir: "My lord. I have something to say to you."
Lorgar: "What?"
Shosa Delvir: "Since we have arrived above this planet. Something bothers me. Me and the rest of the Astropaths are hearing phantomatic voices from the void. Also, this region is clearly not normal at all."
Lorgar: "What do you mean by that?"
Shosa Delvir lights up the hologram of the table and the hologram displayed a huge region under a gigantic warp storm, forming sort of a gas cloud enveloping the stars. With a roaring center forming some kind of eye of a typhoon. Lorgar widened. He knew that this storm means something, a trace from an event to tear the void and letting the warp spread in the material galaxy. He knew that something has born from it. Then, inside of this storm, in the very interior of the cut he is, Lorgar could see a planet spared from the warp storms roaring.
Shosa Delvir: "I am sure that this world displayed on this hologram is calling us. You should bring a Librarian to-"
The Urizen lifted his hand, stopping the conversation between the members of the table.
Lorgar: "I will name this zone Scarus for the homage of a captain who has disappeared a few weeks ago, while trying to explore."
Argel Tal: "What is happening my lord?"
Lorgar takes without a word a papyrus from his belt and opens it in front of everyone. On it, there is a drawing of a stain with a spiral on it, under it there is texts written in a language that only Lorgar could understand. Everyone could recognise it, the Empyrean or the Gate to the Paradise for the Word Bearers.
Lorgar: "My comrades. This is where we are supposed to go."
Erebus and Kor Phaeron were surprised to have supposedly found this place. But while Kor Phaeron kept his cold face, Erebus smirked like always. Pleased to have found the place who he is supposed to go.
Shosa Delvir: "This is true. The voices are calling my name."
Other Astropath: "Also mine…"
A few days of travel later…
Lorgar Aurelian arrived on the planet with a simple Thunderhawk on the planet. As the gate open on the grass who is dark because of the red light coming from the sky filled with the warp. In front of him, there is a lot of savage humans who are observing him with a lot of tension. They are perfectly healthy for some reason, except their eyes who are completely purple in every corner.
He wasn't alone, he is accompanied by Deumos, the Chapter-Master of the Serrated Sun, the captains of the Argel Tal and Tsar Quorel, the chaplains, the techno-priest Xi-Nu 73 and the automat from the Legio Cybernetica named Incarnadine. Without forgetting Kor Phaeron, Erebus, the chaplain Xaphen and Rikus but also a Custodes, the guard Vendatha. Lorgar Aurelian never loved this Custodian, this man is clearly confrontational about his decision unlike the other 20 Custodes.
Vendatha: "These are mutants. We should destroy them. The warp deformed them."
Lorgar: "Silence, Vendatha. This is not because the eyes of this people don't, please you that these humans are 'Mutants'. Imagine if you say that to the IIIrd Primarch and his daughter. Or to the Faunuses serving to the Imperial Army. You will make your brothers in the Custodians look bad."
Vendatha grumbled.
Then, a black-haired woman exited the crowd of the hundreds of the savages assembled around the Thunderhawk. She has runes on her face, she has a cape made with human skin. Lorgar could recognize the Colchisian language of the runes. Confirming one more time the link between the religions that the planet he has met. She lifted her purple eyes toward Lorgar and began to talk to the Urizen, talking the Colchisian fluently despite her big accent.
Woman: "Hello, Lorgar Aurelian."
Lorgar was surprised by all of this but doesn't display anything on his face. He could see in the corner of his eyes, many, many more humans approaching the already big crowd. In front, there are old men and women wearing the same kind of runes and skin capes who goes behind the woman.
Woman: "Welcome to our world. We waited you since long years. The old people you see are prophets, the one who has predicted your arrival."
Lorgar: "Hm… How can you talk the language of my planet?"
Woman: "Ohohoho… It's because it ours and this is the same. After all, why I cannot talk the language of the favourite son of the Real Pantheon. After all, your first father despises you but your Four Real Fathers are proud of you to have come here. My name is Ingethel, the Chosen One. The one chose by the gods to guide you. This world is named Cadia."
Lorgar: "Hm… I see. What do I do, then?"
Ingethel: "Please follow me."
The group followed the savages to their conclaves. Where written on skin the writings of their creed.
For several weeks, the group of faithful learn and discuss of their link of their faith with the Cadians. And then, in the 30th day. Ingethel decided to bring them to the temple.
After walking on the plateau for several hours, the group arrived to a cavity of a cavern.
Old prophet: "Here. Follow me, the temple is inside of these caverns. Don't lose yourself since many of my people has disappeared to not come back from these tunnels. Ingethel is already waiting for you."
Lorgar: "I see."
The old man goes first followed closely followed by the group. The caverns are gigantic and seems to not end. As they progressed, more and more carving appeared in the corridors taken by the group.
And then, the prophet arrived in a big room and goes out of the way to let Lorgar enters. The Urizen sees pictograms and hieroglyphs covering the walls of the cavern. It was charged with symbols and cave paintings made by coal. Stars with unequal branches with traces of fangs, long mantras written in an unknown language but made in a way to make rimes. But also, eyes symbol on the walls. Lorgar was impressed to see all of this work made for surely several years with the lack the Cadians have.
Lorgar after walking sees a river who was rushing fast under dozens of bridges in arcades and many, many silhouettes where dancing on them under the drums of the tribe members already present. And a central island inside where the bridge encounters themselves. Here, Ingethel is present, naked under the flames, her pale skin covered in runes while she is surrounded by flames. Thirty drum players surrounded her while hundreds and hundreds of Cadians are observing from the bridges and other islands, letting out of the way the dancers.
As Lorgar arrived with the rest of the group. Ingethel has begun to dance in front of him while being surrounded by nine impaled men going from their butt before exiting their mouths.
Argel Tal: "What the…?!"
Lorgar: "Hm… these gifts have been made before we arrived."
Argel Tal: "What?! And why don't say anything?! Do you approve this in silence?!"
Lorgar: "This ritual is not different from the ones practiced on Colchis a long time ago…"
Argel Tal: "What?!"
Ingethel: "Lorgar Aurelian. We need a ten sacrifice for our gods. Please, give us a follower."
Vendatha activated his energetic weapon and pointed to Ingethel.
Vendatha: "I have heard enough. This ceremony has to cease."
He turned to Lorgar.
Vendatha: "Lorgar Aurelian. You are a traitor to the Imperium."
Lorgar: "What are you saying?!"
Vendatha: "Submit to our authority, we have to go out and I will submit you to the judgment of the Emperor!"
Lorgar: "No."
The Word Bearers takes their weapons and pointed to the Custodian. The latter tries to go activate his signal to call his comrades but realise that it doesn't light up.
Vendatha: "What?!"
Lorgar: "I have made a device to block you. Now, your choice: going away and bring back a truth that you don't know or kill me right now and deprive the galaxy his only chance to illuminate."
Vendatha immediately activate the bolter in the end of his spear and fires to him. But Argel Tal stops these bullets with his sword. The Word Bearers clashed against the Custodian. The latter using his psychic to overwhelm them but the Word Bearers are too faithful and numerous. Despite that, Vendatha managed to kill Rikus, Tsar Quorel and Deumos. Lorgar was internally sad and furious against him. The chaplain Xaphen gives bolters toward the Custodian, who hurts him badly on the face. Argel Tal gives the final blow with by impaling his sword right in the mouth of the Custodian.
Ingethel: "There is the tenth sacrifice!"
The Cadians takes the body of the Custodian still alive and began to remove his armour for the future impaling. Lorgar doesn't seem react to much, has he heard a laugh from the dawn of the age and the void.
Ingethel kneeled in front of Lorgar and grabs his robes. She was crying for approval but she was also excited to be so close of her goal.
Ingethel: "Please. Let me my people finish the ritual! I am begging you! We are so close to the truth!"
Lorgar eyed to the Custodian was impaled and began to be lift up among the other impaled men. He turns back and caress the head of Ingethel.
Lorgar: "Let him be sacrificed."
Ingethel gives a satisfied smile.
Ingethel: "You won't be disappointed… at all!"
As the ritual reaching its limit, the veil of reality began to tear above the ten sacrificed. Ingethel walk to the center of the platform, under the sound of the drums. As she immobilised herself, her body goes above the ground. Ingethel began to die by ten times, slammed by invisible fangs. Her skin began to tear apart, followed by her flesh and her bones. The blood spilled on Lorgar and his sons. The flesh of Ingethel began to form again into a new body.
The woman was no more. Instead, a creature with four arms with a graceful torso, these arms have each hand with long fangs. The inferior part of the body was a fusion between the serpent and the worm, with huge veins under the grey skin. Her face was almost completely a mouth, with ranges of teeth. A pair of wings like a beetle opens behind her back. One of her hands hold a sceptre with ritual marks. She stares at the Primarch with her vitreous eyes.
Ingethel: "Here I am. Ingethel, the Ascended. Lorgar, you are the favourite son of the Powers. Your name is resonating inside of the Realm of Chaos since the dawn of time. The souls of the unborn chanted your name since."
Lorgar: "They waited… me?"
Ingethel: "You will know their response if you send your sons at their encounter in the Empyrean."
Lorgar walked everywhere around the creature while showing no fear. Ingethel let him observe her perfect body.
Lorgar: "I can't do that. Why you want my sons' soul?"
Ingethel: "Don't worry about them. Since I will accompany them, they won't be lost and they will go in the path that they have to go. They will go to the Realm of the Gods. They want your sons."
Lorgar hesitates for a moment.
Lorgar: "Ingethel… They won't be hurt?"
Ingethel: "I cannot promise that."
Lorgar turned to his sons.
Lorgar: "Go. All of you."
Kor Phaeron: "What? Why?"
Lorgar: "I need to reflect."
Erebus lifted his eyebrow before smirking.
Erebus: "This is a very important discussion. Don't disturb the two chosen. Let's go."
Kor Phaeron understands the deeper meaning and decided to lead the group of Space Marines away. Now, the two are alone.
Lorgar was splinted. One side, he wanted to know about the gods and their offerings. But on another side, Salem, his own mother was also here in his head. She wouldn't approve this, she wouldn't accept it, she wouldn't bear it. He is afraid to betray the one person that genuinely loved him and supported him no matter what he does.
Ingethel: "I see. This woman. Salem."
Lorgar turned back.
Lorgar: "How do you know about her?"
Ingethel: "The chosen knows every name of the slayers of the Daemons. But Salem, the Abyssal Enemy is known by everyone in the Empyrean since eons."
Lorgar: "The Abyssal Enemy? What do you mean?!"
Ingethel: "You will know from the mouth of your sons if you send them to the Realm."
Lorgar: "…"
He reflected one more time.
Lorgar: "I will send the Serrated Sun."
Ingethel: "Very good… I repeat this: you won't be disappointed."
And so, in the next day. Lorgar decided to send the Orfeo Lament, leaded by the human captain Janus Sylamor accompanied by Argel Tal and the rest of the Serrated Sun. Lorgar know that the woman of this vessel was someone who doesn't fear to go in the most dangerous place. Argel Tal on his side was happy to see his chance to have his brothers back.
And so, the Orfeo Lament is now going toward the warp storm who is close to the planet, so dense like the wall. It was a well crafted and proud vessel, decorated in baroque signs.
Lorgar: "Let be the Emperor lead you the way. You shall find your brothers in the stars!"
And then, the vessel is engulfed inside of the warp storm and disappeared from view.
Erebus: "What do we do now?"
Lorgar: "We will stay here for a moment. The time to wait the rest of the Legion to join us."
Erebus: "I have heard from Shosa Delvir that Zorai is purging followers on his own empire."
Lorgar: "What?!"
Erebus: "Absolutely. He has burned more than 10.000 followers on Huozai."
Lorgar stays silent.
Lorgar: "I will think about it later."
Capcom: "My lord! The Orfeo Lament is coming back!"
Lorgar: "What?! Not even a minute passed!"
The Primarch look at the window of the bridge and could distinguish the vessel in question exiting the warp storm. The vessel was ruined everywhere, with holes on the shell and his painting ruined.
Capcom: "Oh! I receive a distress call! This is Argel Tal! He demands an urgent extradition."
Lorgar: "Bring the vessel back, now!"
Barges exited the Flagship in the next minutes and arrived to the ship and began to pull the vessel slowly toward the Flagship.
Capcom: "I have the feed. Can I display it?"
Lorgar: "Do it."
The feed appeared in the hologram of the bridge. It displays Argel Tal who has radically changed. Argel Tal was now more like a spectre, weakened by hunger. His eyes surrounded by shadows of night without sleep, traces of old blood on the left part of his face. The remains of his armours are in shambles and lost their colour.
Lorgar: "What… What happened to you? You left only for one minute!"
Argel Tal: "My lord…? This is you…?"
Lorgar: "Yes! It's me! What happened?"
Argel Tal: "Seven… Seven months of hell."
Lorgar: "Seven months?!"
Lorgar sees the other shadows behind Argel Tal, other Word Bearers. When Xaphen sees the shadow, he falls on his knees and began to pray under babbled and incomprehensible words.
Argel Tal: "Yes… seven months. But… I have all the response you need. The first is the fact that we are only 38 on the 150 of our chapter. The food has been eaten. We have forced to devour each other and drink Promethium."
Lorgar: "Did you have killed the crew?"
Argel Tal: "No."
Lorgar knew that he was lying but he feels that Argel Tal doesn't mean it to do it.
Argel Tal: "This warp storm would be called the Eye of Terror, or the Occularis Terribus. This is the place to meet the gods. You were right."
A few moments later. Lorgar is alone with Argel Tal. The Primarch was dressed in the robes of a priest of the Covenant. He gives to the Astarte feathers and papyrus for the writing of his discovery. Lorgar feel something was wrong in the body of Argel Tal.
Lorgar: "What do you have now? Why I am feeling that you have something inside of you?"
Argel Tal: "I have two souls in my body."
Lorgar: "Oh… Tell me, what happened?"
Argel Tal: "Hm… When we are arrived inside of the warp storm. Ingethel has said that the warp is the dimension of emotions and pulsion of the morals. It has materialised under the name of the Primordial Truth. I have saw the Fall of the Aeldaris. We have arrived on the planet Melisanth, an ancient planet of the Aeldaris who is now part of the domain of the gods. I have saw Slaanesh birth and sucking the souls of the Aeldaris…"
Lorgar: "And? What happened next?"
Argel Tal: "Aeldaris were the memory of the Galaxy. This region was their territory, the heart of their empire. They depravity has opened the passage between the warp and the material universe. Ingethel said that they have failed as a race because they didn't accept the Primordial Truth, it means living in harmony with the Gods. We would have the same destiny if we refuse and we fall against the Xenos and other horrors."
Lorgar: "It means… that the Emperor is the anathema of the Chaos Gods and he is waging war against them. He would be the one to condemn our race to extinction like the Aeldaris."
Argel Tal: "The Emperor has made a pact with the Chaos Gods to create the Primarchs with the two mothers. But he has tricked them and guarded you and your brothers for himself. The Chaos Gods has managed by our behalf to convince the first mother to disseminate the Primarchs to the whole galaxy. This is me who has convinced her in her private room. And she has deactivated the field."
Lorgar: "What do you mean, the first mother? Why two mothers? We have only one."
Argel Tal: "It's a lie! Half of your brothers are effectively sons of Salem but you and the other are not! Your true mother is Erda."
Lorgar was shocked to the deepest. Seeing the only one person who has supported him so much on his way, has lied to him too.
Lorgar: "But why?"
Argel Tal: "Because. Ingethel has conceded and I am too that Salem was the only one true mother who could have taken care of you. After all, without her encouragement, you could not have built Monarchia and you wouldn't have come to us. Erda worries and resent was perfect to punish your father. Ingethel has presented by my voice her excuses about making your mother suffer in parallel."
Lorgar stays silent. He was internally furious. Not especially against Salem, because if this is true. It means that his biological mother has deprived him from a happy life. And Salem was forced to repair this relationship.
Argel Tal: "I have heard that the Warmaster will come."
Lorgar: "Who is the Warmaster?"
Argel Tal laughs a little.
Argel Tal: "Your brother, Horus Lupercal. He would lead the Legions in the name of the Emperor but especially the Empress. Also, your capsule has stayed the longest in the warp before your arrival in Colchis. To prepare psychically to the role of the prophet of Mankind. You know that you can feel your link with the Gods."
Lorgar: "What happened next?"
Argel Tal: "Ingethel has said that we have to deactivate the Geller fields to prove our worthiness. We have done it and the Daemons killed us. Ingethel killed me in promise that I will be reborn. And… we have. And now, we are here."
Lorgar stays silent, as he observes Argel Tal finishing to write his testimony.
Lorgar: "Wait, and what about my mother. Why the Gods sees her as a great enemy?"
Argel Tal: "Ah, yes, the Abyssal Enemy. Because with her material magic. Magnus, the magicians, the users of the Semblance. All of them are enemies of the warp. They refuse to consecrate their soul to the Gods. Following the path of two, false, lesser, 'Gods'. These two are our enemies made by the Tree."
Lorgar: "The Tree?"
Argel Tal: "Yes. The Tree. In the heart of the Material Dimension. His roots are closing the gates to the Gods forcefully. The souls and bodies of his followers when dead, comes back to his trunk to revitalise for their next cycle. No Daemons can access this place because they would be instantly erased from existence, even the Gods themselves cannot reach it. The Brothers Gods called by your mother want to spread the influence of the Tree everywhere and deprive us from our followers. But the worst is your mother and Magnus the Red. Who make the Spread to a galactic scale. It would be a matter of time until the Humanity would be chained in the roots of the Tree truly. If that happens, the Humanity would never access the Primordial Truth and be fed constantly by the lies of the Tree, it's creations and followers."
Lorgar: "Oh… Is she aware of that?"
Argel Tal: "No. But it would be a matter of time. If she discovers the existence of the Tree, she would be fed by the lies of his roots and become truly our Enemy in the future. Also, the Darkness is lurking on her. As more she uses her powers. She is approaching it. If she reaches this state, it would be too late. Her soul will be impossible to convince to join us. Even you, you cannot convince her if she reaches this state."
Lorgar: "Oh no… This is horrible…"
Argel Tal truly finishes his writing. Lorgar make a smile to his son.
Lorgar: "Thanks… With you. I can save humanity from ignorance imposed by my foolish father. I can save also my mother from this."
Argel Tal: "You have to be careful. It's only the beginning like Ingethel said to me. I am beginning to change since my possession. But this is not the moment to act now. The Gods will decide when it will begin."
Lorgar: "How it will take shape?"
Argel Tal: "I honestly don't know but this age will end soon. I am sure of it."
Lorgar: "Then hide yourself from the rest of the Custodians and all people outside of the Legion until the call of the Gods."
Moments later, Lorgar is facing his Chaplains and the Custodians. Under them, Cadia was in flammes.
Custodian: "Why did you ordered the destruction of Cadia?"
Lorgar: "Because they were deviant. They propagated rumours of rebellion on our fleet. These savages have killed three of my most trusted chaplains and Vendatha. It was for good measure."
The custodians stared at Lorgar, their mask hiding their eyes from Lorgar.
Custodian: "Hm… Very well. We will report to your father the tragedy."
Lorgar: "Now I have to contact the rest the Legion. But before, I have the ceremony to proclaim."
Moments later, in the vessel De Profundis. Lorgar is surrounded by high officials of the Word Bearers, but also the survivors of the Serrated Sun and their auxiliaries.
Lorgar gives the papyruses to Argel Tal, now the new Chapter-Master Argel Tal but also the Chaplain Xaphen. They write their names on it.
Lorgar: "Everyone worthy of our creed will join our new elite: The Gal Vorbak. Be proud of that."
The Words Bearers slams their fists on their chest plate.
Lorgar: "Now. I will join the rest of the fleet. Erebus and Kor Phaeron will command you until I come back."
The Astartes clapped their hands for their Primarch.
Lorgar: "I will go now."
Another Moments later, while Lorgar is away on a single vessel and toward to the south planets. Kor Phaeron and Erebus are discussing privately.
Kor Phaeron: "Our plan is working."
Erebus: "Heh. We can say that the Emperor greatly helped us. I would like to put him the Palace of God Slaanesh. He deserves it."
Kor Phaeron: "No. We have to kill him."
Erebus: "I am just joking. What do you have planned for Salem?"
Kor Phaeron: "Wait for it. I have an ally to do the work to kill this woman. He just has to approach her with a very special weapon that I am still searching."
Erebus: "What kind of weapon?"
Kor Phaeron: "Something capable to inflict an irreparable wound to the soul and devours it bit by bit until nothing is left. She will suffer to have defied me."
Erebus: "Hm… I can't wait for this"
He gives a wine to Kor Phaeron.
Erebus: "To our Gods."
Kor Phaeron takes the wine glass as Erebus takes his.
Kor Phaeron: "To our gods."
Both drinks their wine.
Lorgar on his side, arrived inside of the Eye and after travelling for days. He arrived to planet dark as the void. He posed on it and put on an oxygen mask on this perfectly dead planet. Has he walked, he could see a ruins of a city, with deformed skeleton inside and outside their homes.
Voice: "You are finally here."
Lorgar turns back and sees Ingethel.
Lorgar: "It's you. I want to ask. What is this place? I don't see trace of sense on this place and no one is living here."
Ingethel: "It's normal. Here, flesh and spirit are encountering themselves and the physical laws means nothing here. No limits to us. It is the Chaos you see. We can see the paths of destiny here."
Lorgar: "The paths?"
Ingethel: "I remind you that you are the unique. Your brothers are entire and mastered their gift since their birth. Your power depends on your comprehension of the world and when you will learn all the things you have to learn. You can model worlds like you want. Conscious life born with a soul. Here in the kingdom of the Thought. All lives have no souls."
Lorgar: "I see… You are an Unborn, a Daemon."
Ingethel: "Hm… This planet is part of the domain Slaa Neth or She-Who-Thirst. It was named Ycressa and it was an Aeldari planet and after her birth. This planet is now named Sanriatha "Never Forgotten" in the Aeldari langue. Slaa Neth has been born from veneration and has claimed the spirits of all of their race. If you die, your soul will wander in the warp until you join the Chaos Kingdom or being reincarnated. But the Aeldaris, when they die, they go to the mouth of the goddess for their betrayal. Some of the Aeldari have tried to run away from their punishment on Craftworlds. If some succeeded, other fortunately failed. And you are facing one these Craftworlds."
Lorgar: "What this Craftworld?"
Ingethel: "It was in preparation when the Fall arrived. They have been seized right they stand. Good riddance. Also, if you feel a presence inside of this Craftworld, it's because a spectre is haunting the ruins."
Lorgar takes his weapon, Son Crozius in his hands and goes inside the ruins.
As he goes, Lorgar could phantoms formed by wind and dust drawing forms in the sand. He could feel a resonance becoming clearer each step. Something resembling to a sick animal in cage. Agonizing since a long time ago. He turned his back and sees that Ingethel has disappeared from her place, surely hiding while observing him.
Lorgar approached the place where he felt the presence but nothing. He could feel the spectre in this courtyard but he could meet only a void presence. Has Lorgar ceased to search the presence with his powers, he felt something under his feet. Something was digging toward him under him.
Lorgar: "Oh!"
Lorgar a bit destabilised but he immediately sends a psychic attack toward the thing, something not too much. Like breaking the bones of fingers of someone who is holding to not fall in a cliff. But still a hand exited the sand. Lorgar knew it was an incarnation of a dying god inside of a statue who was fighting to survive.
The god exited the sand but couldn't stand up. It has long hair who falls on the side of his huge dead mask. He has armour made from rocks, eyes of white flames, expressing a weakened wrath. A heart who was leaking magna on his bones made from black stone, manifesting the rage by small flames.
The god was groaning in rage and agony. Lorgar pitied the creature in front of him. He knew that the thing was hearing him.
Ingethel voice: "Lorgar. This god-statue is the Avatar Kaela Mensha Khaine, the God of War of the Aeldaris."
Lorgar turned his back from the god and sees shadows of Eldars in front of him. Dozens of them surrounding him. He has profaned this place by his alive presence.
Shadows: "Sha'eil… Sha'eil… Sha'eil…"
Lorgar: "Enough."
By a psychic wave, he vaporised the shadows. He hears a whine behind his back. He turns and could see the god on his knees, with a ruined sword on his hands.
Kael Mensha Khaine: "Suin Daellae…"
Lorgar approached the God-Statue, lifted his axe and slammed on the back of the Eldar God. The god dissolved in the air, leaving a stain on the ground. Ingethel reappeared behind Lorgar.
Ingethel: "Lorgar. You have finished an echo of a faith who is imperfect, it has been proved it was fallible and a god from them could die. I have absented myself to explore the possible futures, especially the almost certain ones."
Lorgar: "What kind of future?"
Ingethel: "Let me show."
In a flash of light, Lorgar finds himself inside of a gigantic hall, large enough to welcome thousands of men, long enough to welcome every banner of every regiment of the Emperor. He is facing the Gate of Eternity in the Imperial Palace, the entry giving to the sanctuary of the Emperor.
Lorgar is under the banners of a regiment named Valhalla. Ingethel is just beside him. He remarked that she is bleeding from her chest.
Lorgar: "Ingethel."
Ingethel: "Don't worry. This is because we are at the same time on Shanriatha and this place. You will understand this in the meantime."
Lorgar hears something from afar and turns. He could see phantoms of Astartes fighting against each other. Some of them are being deformed and inhumane. Their face crooked and their body displaying their origins as Unborns. They were fighting the Imperial Fists, but also Iron Warriors. The two rivals Legions are fighting together like one. The Imperial Fists deploying their Crystal Walls to protect the Iron Warriors while the latter with their aggressive magic forced the Unborns to take a few steps back from Imperials Fists. He could see that it the perverted version of the Word Bearer, despite wearing cardinal red instead of grey normally.
Ingethel: "It would happen 50 years in the future. The Words Bearers will abandon their ancient shape and announcing the change who will take Mankind. Not in the name of the Emperor, but in your name."
Lorgar: "Why these two Legions are together? Are they supposed to be rival?"
Ingethel: "Not anymore. After decades, Dorn and Perturabo will reconcile themselves in joined missions. It is already the case with the campaign of Yudanwong as we talk, the Empress has ordered to do this. These two will be fearsome enemies in the future for you."
Lorgar: "Especially, Perturabo."
Then, Lorgar sees the phantom of Sanguinius coming from the gate of Eternity. But Lorgar realises he has radically changed. His feathers are completely black, his skin is pale as a corpse with dark veins on it. His hair is in immaculate white. His irises are blood red while surrounded by dark sclera. His armour is black with red eyes and bones on it. Sanguinius has an expression of rage on his face.
Lorgar: "What the?!"
Ingethel: "This is the Great Fallen Angel. Has your creed has been refused, he has listened to the lies of the Darkness and drown himself inside of it. He would be the one who will bring down Argel Tal. Be careful, with his other fallen Angels, he could massacre your troops. Keep them at bay while you began your conquest."
Lorgar: "Hm… I see…"
Ingethel: "Let's go somewhere else."
In a flash, Lorgar sees that he is on a world tortured by erupting volcanoes, the ground was trembling.
Lorgar: "Where we are?"
Ingethel: "I don't know but you have saw that you have to saw."
Lorgar: "What?! Listen to me well, if you don't say the things that I need I swear that I will…"
He sees something on the ground of the volcanic. It was a capsule, with his number on it. There, a blonde woman holding a little dark thing in her arms. Lorgar understood that he was him baby, dead in the arms of a weeping Salem.
Lorgar: "Why I have been created to be brought here and what the destiny waits for me?"
Ingethel doesn't respond and drools blood and two of her arms are gripping her own body.
Ingethel: "Forgive me… This incarnation is nearing its end. My essence is not well adjusted in this flesh. Here, you know your response because the Gods wanted that. I have many futures that you didn't come to the Gods. What are you seeing is one of them. Other one shows you dead, assassinated by assassins who wanted to restore their old customs. Other one shows you dead, poisoned by Kor Phaeron, who wanted the Covenant for himself. In another one, you have been executed by Horus to have planted a blade on the back of Sanguinius by wrath. More than once, you have defied the Emperor to have considered him this time like a simple human, only to be killed by Curze or Russ. Even one improbable destiny is one you have venerated the Brothers, only to be killed by the Dark God by disgust, not accepting the devotion of an offspring of the woman who has betrayed him."
Lorgar: "Why me? I am the less talented Primarch. Why not Magnus? He is the most powerful of the Primarchs."
Ingethel: "Because he has the blood of your mother and he is immortal. He will always, ALWAYS, be on the side of the Imperium. In one destiny altogether, the Emperor has encountered his demise by the hands of Drach'nyen. Magnus has been crowned the Second Emperor by your mother, who has become the Mother Empress after that and definitely spread the influence of the Tree in the whole Galaxy."
In a flash of light, Lorgar finds himself in a ruined and devastated Tizca. The Magicians are fighting against the Daemons. While the Tree of Darkness was pulsating with power, while all of his leaves are golden and its heart beating faster and faster.
Lorgar: "What is happening?"
Ingethel: "Magnus is the second fearsome enemy. The Tree of Darkness you see is trying to link with the Tree of the Material. If it's managed to succeed, the Empyrean would be chased away little by little in the whole Galaxy, as the population converts more and more to the Tree until our defeat is total. The destruction of Tizca, or at least the Tree of Darkness has to succeed. And Prospero would form a bastion for your troops."
Lorgar understood that the Gods wanted to link the Immaterial and the Material and need the pray of the mortals because they would decay without them.
Ingethel: "I know you are thinking and you are right. The Gods are not the enemy of life but their results. Offering Immortality and the Infinity of the possibility to the mortals who want to live in harmony with the Deamons. Their dreams are to be the dominant race, taking the power on any other live forms and become eternal. You will bring followers to the cause of the Powers as you free the worlds one by one. Your Legion won't pass years to model the worlds for the Anathema but destroy the resistance under your boots and bring faithful humans. Others will be brought in the hospice of the genetics and become your warriors."
Lorgar: "But still, why me?"
Ingethel: "Because your XVIIth Legion would be the one to die for the Truth and for Mankind, not for the Imperium."
In another flash, Lorgar finds himself in a room. He could his mother, Salem, being furious against Lion El'Jonson.
Lorgar: "Why there is Lion and my mother here?"
Ingethel: "Lion El'Jonson will be the one who lead your troops. You will create the future Black Legion but you won't lead it. In place, it would be him."
Lorgar: "What? But Lion El'Jonson has sworn to serve the values of Ozma, the precedent love of mother. Because he is knight like the Remnantian."
Ingethel: "But his manners are devoid of empathy to Mankind. He doesn't hesitate to use Mankind as shield and targets for his enemies to trick them and destroy them. A subject who will lead to a lot of arguments between the two. More vehement each time. Until the breaking point while Lion El'Jonson is fighting against the Gordian League. An alliance between Xenos and Humans for conquest of the worlds."
Lorgar: "Lion El'Jonson… Why?"
Ingethel: "I will make you hear the conservation. To better understand."
In a blink, Lorgar could now hear the argument.
Salem's Phantom: "How could you?! Just how could you?!"
Lion's Phantom: "It was to destroy the main part of the Third Fleet of the Gordians! I didn't have the choice!"
Salem's Phantom: "Don't think that I am stupid! I have sent 5 expeditionary fleet to you to stop their advancement! They were more than enough to overwhelm the fleet. But you didn't use them when their offensive began, you let them destroy the world of Gordiania-VI only to trap them. 5 billion of live killed for your own ego!"
Lion's Phantom: "But it was to…"
Salem's Phantom: "No! You will hear me once! I have enough to repeat myself again and again! You swore for Ozma to save people. But you are using them as pawns! Ozma could never have accepted! Ever!"
Lion's Phantom: "Don't say that you will…"
Salem's Phantom: "Yes! You are unworthy of him and unworthy of the title of Knight! Even the hot-headed knights of my world would still fight to save the windowed and the orphan without using them! Also, my decision is taken. I will bring back Luther from Caliban and on my behalf, he will watch you for now on! Since I cannot trust you anymore!"
Lion's Phantom: "You won't do that to me!"
Salem's Phantom: "Yes, it is! You have disappointed me to such an extend that you leave me no choice! I can't believe that you managed to be worse than Zorai and Perturabo. While he is a dictator and Perturabo is entitled and believe that he is the best of the Primarchs… But I can forgive them since Zorai doesn't hide himself behind values, he is honest at least. And Perturabo entitlement comes from the fact that he is effectively a good strategist, he needs more humility. But you… YOU… You are a hypocrite. And I hate above all, hypocrites! Now, if you don't want 30 Custodians on your back, you will accept Luther back, since he is more faithful than you!"
Lion was fuming with rage.
Salem's Phantom: "I have finished… You can go now. And don't try to talk to me until you correct your hypocrisy. I don't want you see you until this happen. GO."
Lion goes out of the office of Salem. After walking furiously on the corridors, he sees a marble statue of Ozma. He looks at it before destroying it with his punch before resuming his march. Ingethel stops the illusion.
Lorgar: "Oh…"
Ingethel: "His pride has been destroyed. With the return of Luther on his side, the latter will blame him to have betrayed the values of Caliban. His hatred will grow until you send Kor Phaeron and bring him a new sense of pride. He is a valuable ally and great strategist."
In a flash, Lorgar is back on Shanriatha, lied down on it. But now, he can breathe and despite the cold, he could live. His armour was burned by this transportation. He stands up and sees Ingethel trying to hold herself from the ground by her four arms. Her transformation began to regress to a more nymph version of herself.
Lorgar: "Are you okay?"
Ingethel: "My incarnation… is nearing is end. But I can still give some information."
The Demon managed to stand up again and faced Lorgar.
Ingethel: "You will incarnate the will of the Chaos Gods. While Lion will execute their will as your faithful servant."
Lorgar: "Will I survive this war?"
Ingethel: "Be careful. One bad decision and you encounter your demise. One of your most important decisions is to interfere in a dispute between Magnus and Leman Russ. There is a possibility that you will die here. Also, don't take your weapon against Corvus Corax, you cannot win against him and you will certain to die. Also, go on worlds only populated by humans, to find new Astartes to convert as much as you can. Let your brothers kill the other species. Also, for the next 50 years. Bring more than 2000 warriors each year. For one Word Bearer died, three has to replace him."
Lorgar: "I see."
Ingethel: "There is a last trial to pass to become the Chosen One. Because the gods are capricious and one of them could have broken the accord. One of these gods will test you by sending of his champion. Prepare yourself for… for…"
Lorgar: "Ingethel?"
Ingethel: "AAAARGH!"
She screams with a psychic pain on her body. Then a gigantic monster slammed on the ground close to the duo. It has gigantic bestial dark wings. His head reminding of Sathan from the Old Terra. His fists who have the size of the body of an Astartes. He holds a whip on one hand while the other has a colossal axe with runes on the blade.
Inghetel: "It's An'ggrath the Unbound! The Greatest Champion of Kharnath!"
An'ggrath: "ROOOOAAAAAAAHHH!"
His scream was so intense that the electronic inside of the helmet of Lorgar is perturbated. The Primarch is forced to take it out to not fight blind and deaf.
Inghetel: "Don't fight him! Kharnath has broken the pact and you are not a duellist, Lorgar!"
Lorgar: "Tch… If he wants me to prove myself, then fine! I have nothing to lose now!"
He takes his axe and defies the Greater Daemon. The two rushed at each other and the two blades clashed each other before being blocked. Lorgar pushed the axe of the Bloodthirster, and suddenly dropped his axe, to let the creature impale his knee himself. The Daemon screams in rage before launching his whip to the neck of the Primarch and forced him to approach him. But Lorgar takes his axe and send it to the face of the monster, who planted right on his face. The Bloodthirster screams in pain, letting Lorgar to free himself. The Daemon tries to destroy the Crozius with his weapon but his axe breaks. Before Lorgar tries to finish the monster, he gets send away by a psychic wave.
Lorgar: "Ingethel! Help me, you coward! If not, I will tear your skin off!"
But Ingethel runs away by making afraid laughs.
The Daemon tries to catch Lorgar in his hand but Lorgar reacted by instinct and a psychic barrier deployed, breaking the fingers of the Dameons. Lorgar takes Crozius from the head of the Daemon and slams, the hand of the Daemon is cut, with the iron bones inside of it. The whip managed to grab the arm of the Urizen and forcing it to bring to the mouth of the Daemon. The latter tries to bite the arm but his teeth only managed to pose on the ceramic. But something happens on the arm of Lorgar, it cracked before tearing itself completely and his arms falls off. Lorgar with a rage that Angron would admire, takes Crozius and planted on the shoulder of the Daemon, breaking his bones. Then he cut his cheek, the eyehole and the mouth. The Primarch fall on the sand and cut the leg of the creature with all of his force. The Bloodthirst falls on the ground, screaming in agony. Lorgar jumps on his back and planted his axe. He faced the Daemon again, on his eyes directly.
Lorgar: "How did you learn?"
The Daemon doesn't respond.
Lorgar: "Well. Without focus, the rage is not a weapon."
Lorgar gives the fatal blow on the face of the Daemon and the essence of the Daemon evaporated after this blow.
Lorgar fall on the ground alone and injured.
Voice 1: "Here…"
Voice 2: "… he is."
He turns back and could winged silhouette with grotesque bird traits, two sticking multicoloured wings and two heads of vultures.
Head 1: "Do you know my name?"
Head 2: "It began with a K and finishes with an S."
Lorgar: "Hm… I don't know."
Left Head: "I am Kairos."
Right Head: "Oracle of Tzeentch."
Left Head: "Your judgement began here."
Right Head: "Right now."
Left Head: "You have to know this."
Right Head: "The future is not determined."
Left Head: "Confluences makes certitude."
Right Head: "You will fight Roboute Guilliman."
Left Head: "And you kill him on Calth."
Right Head: "When the war will finally begin."
Left Head: "A moment will be decisive."
Right Head: "You will either take personal glory."
Left Head: "Or divine destiny."
Right Head: "If you kill Guilliman, you will win respect for your brothers."
Left Head: "But your holy war will fail and the Emperor will be too defended."
Lorgar: "Show me this future."
Both heads: "Of course."
A blinding light, Lorgar sees himself on the bridge of a vessel, surrounded by hundreds of mortals and Ultramarines massacred around him. Lorgar sees himself inside of the flames, the Crozius in his hands, wearing a red armour reflecting the Word Bearers that he has saw in the Gate of Eternity. Guilliman exited the flames while tituping, one of his arms cut while blood leaks from his armour. Lorgar's image projected his hand and an energy psychic forms a halo and crowns his three horns before slamming the Lord of Macragge to the bridge. The image of Lorgar takes Roboute by the neck and slammed him to the wall. Roboute smiled with disappointment. And then, a bloody Kariady arrived, takes the sword of Roboute and slammed on the shoulder of Lorgar while he was strangling Roboute to death. The image of Lorgar is forced to run away. While Kariady weeps on the dead body of Guilliman. The image stopped on this instant.
Left Head: "The Ultramarine hates and he has always thought that you were a traitor."
Right Head: "Guilliman don't hate you and his hatred is only your imagination, Lorgar."
Lorgar tries to respond but the Daemon was already dematerialising.
Kairos: "Don't forget. Everything plays in the Ultima Segmentum."
The Daemon disappeared. Lorgar began to walk again and sees Inghetel in her larvae form and on the ground.
Ingethel: "You… assisted… at everything… you need… to see… Everything is truth… or not… or maybe between the two…"
Lorgar: "I want to see what I want to see."
Ingethel: "What… do you… want?"
Lorgar: "I want to see what the warp could give to Mankind after the fusion. But above all, I want to see. Who is my most fearsome enemy."
Ingethel gives a flash. Lorgar finds himself inside of the Throne Room of the Sanctum. But it was dark, the torches are burning in a dark and red flames.
Then, he saws Her. On the throne.
[Theme: Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Ost – 21. The Master].
Dressed in a dark and red version of her Imperial cloth, with Grimm bones on the arms. Her skin pale as a corpse. Dark veins covering this same skin. Her burning red irises like suns with dark sclera. Her long white hair falling on her back and on her belly. Her nails long and black. A black diamond-shaped marking on her forehead. Her right arm holding the staff of Malcador, burning with the same dark and red flames.
It was his own mother, Salem. Looking at Lorgar with a complete cold and implacable look on her face.
Ingethel: "This is your worst enemy. Salem, the Abyss Enemy. Completely engulfed in Darkness. The Over tyrant of Mankind. Swearing to destroy the Xenos, us Daemons and everything who got her goal to make a Dark Imperium of Mankind. Even her love would be intact for you. She would never forgive you. She will become your worst enemy. And if she catches you… you die. Permanently."
Lorgar sees his dark inversion of his mother lifting up from her chair, charging her staff in magic before pointing and giving a huge blast of pure dark magic to him.
Lorgar: "Ah!"
He tries to protect himself and closes his eyes, when he opens them again. He finds himself back on the dead planet. Lorgar know what he has to do now.
[End of the Theme].
To be continued… The rage of the Little Princess.
Ottilia is now aged at 4 years old. Her mom brings her to a trip. But both are trapped by cultists of Chaos. Seeing her mommy hurt, Ottilia becomes mad for the first time.