"We commit to the cradle of time Gamera, the Last Hope. May he awaken with the Shadow of Evil, Gyaos."
-The Monolith of Atlantis.
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The rain fell heavily, as a man in Flak armor ran through the streets with two other Guardsmen. The sound of anti-aircraft fire and artillery boomed in the distance, as the man ran through the flooded streets, water splashing as he hit puddles. His armor was largely the same as that standard set by Cadia, but with muddy brown and black as the colors, and small talismen and tribal fetishes hanging from the belt. The city was like many others in the Imperium, a cramped, dirty hive-city. Half his face was marked with red curved, spiraling tattoos. He carried the child in his arms hurriedly, breathing hard as he reached the shelters.
"Alright, you're going to be alright. Whatever those things are, can't reach you in here, understand?" He said to the girl with a forced smile. He was terrified out of his mind, but wouldn't let that show. "Just stay in here, do as you're told by the other soldiers, and pray to the Emperor when you can."
"What about mommy?"
"I'll find her, don't worry. We'll get through and not have to worry about these mean monsters anymore, okay?" He said with a reassuring smile, gesturing for her to get in.
As she ran inside, he turned to the other two Guardsmen. "Let's get back to work."
As they spoke, a shriek sounded, and a red form swooped down, the three ducking and rolling away barely in time to keep from getting grabbed. The thing flew back and over, the three running for cover behind a ruined Chimera. They pointed their lasguns out, looking all around for any sign of the beast. It flew around, before slamming down into a nearby spire just above them, coming into view.
It was a large beast, almost as big as an Imperial Knight. How it could fly, the Guardsmen and his squad could not say. Its body was thin and wiry, a blood red color throughout its body. A series of ridge-shaped armor plates covered its chest, the a slightly brown color compared to the red of its body, while its wings were black. The most striking feature, was its face. The top of its head was a flat, wedge-shaped, arrowhead-like structure, its reptilian jaws filled with teeth, red eyes glaring out.
The creature looked around, hissing and growling to itself, before releasing a shriek into the air. It snapped the air several times, as if lashing out in rage at losing a meal. It sniffed the air, snarling again, before taking off into the skies.
The three waited for several minutes, their hearts hammering so hard, they thought the sound would alert the creature to come back for them, but it seemed the creature had given up and gone elsewhere to find a meal. The three shook, before slowly rising from their hiding spot, looking to each other, then across the city in fear, then back to one another.
"What the hell are these things?" One of them practically whispered.
"I don't know, I don't know!" The other side, barely holding on. "We've been fighting for weeks, and there's just more of em then before!"
"We need to get back to the LZ and report to the Commissar." The third who had helped his daughter to the safety bunkers.
Another sound of heavy, drumming fire came in the distance, as they could see, miles off, more of the strange creatures flying through the air, some torn to shreds by the Anti-Air fire, others firing sonic beams of yellow energy, cutting into whatever got in their way or attacked them. Under the cover of fire from their peers, a few swooped down to make an attack run on the ground forces, explosions and shrieks sounding as the battle continued. It was the same story everywhere, these creatures, from the moment they were born, seemed hellbent on eating and killing everything they could get to, without any regard for themselves or whatever their foe threw at them.
They were almost like the Orks, but with the intelligence and limited sapience stripped away, and only an animalistic fury and hunger.
The three made their way through the city in a hurry, looking around and keeping their ears pealed for any of the Flying Beasts. This was a tense time. Patrol around the city always brought the risk of death. Daytime was the safest, the creatures seemed to have an aversion to sun and bright light, but storms and nighttime were the worst, especially the latter.
No one on Fataria knew where the creatures had come from. A Warp storm ripped open, for a week at most, twisting space around the opening in reality. After it ended, the creatures had appeared, at first only a few, but as time went on, grew, again and again, eating through any creatures they could find, and growing without end. At this point, the Guard protecting the world were exhausted, spread thin and at their breaking point. Every time the Fatarian Woad Raiders tried to send Stormtrooper and specialized detachments to nest sites, the Gyaos would react with extreme hostility.
'They usually can't go five seconds without trying to kill and eat each other, yet when the nests are threatened, they suddenly become buddy-buddy.' One of the Guardsmen thought.
They made their way to the Central Command HQ of the Fatarians, slow and careful, every step measured, every eye and ear peeled for any of the other savage creatures on a warpath. Even the smallest ones could be dangerous to fight, and could then attract the bigger ones, who would be impossible to kill with only a few Lasguns.
The lead Guardsmen, Yugondr, could not stop thinking about what these things were. They fired sonic beams, devoured any meat they could, hated the sun, and laid eggs. He couldn't tell if they were supposed to be reptilian, bat-like, or something else. Where were the Biologis? The Ordo Xenos? Shouldn't they be here to help and give them some understanding on them?
'I mean, the sunlight is easy enough to see as a weakness.' He thought, clicking his tongue slightly. 'But something else could help a whole lot.'
Yugondr and the others arrived at the forward command posts of the Guard, finding the rest of the guard stationed and encamped. It was a sad picture all around. The place was blasted ruins and burned and half-broken Gyaos bodies. There was no time to clean up, leaving only the horrific stench of their rotting bodies in the area, cordoned off as best they could be to keep from any diseases from spreading. The rest was filled with Leman Russ tanks of various kinds, while tired, ragged soldiers either stood on guard, or relaxed and sat in the trenches and dug-outs, talking and trying to catch their breath before another fight happened.
Yugondr could see Hydra Flak Tanks in the distance, their mighty autocanons trained on the skies for any other Gyaos attacks. He looked around, shoulders sagging slightly, as his gun dropped to his side, held by one hand, while the other two slung their rifles over their shoulders and stepped into the rest of the camp. The Guardsmen looked around, as their sergeant approached, a battle scared man, the same red tattoo markings, skulls and bones hanging from his belt along with his ammo and the scabbard for his Power sword.
"How was the patrol?" He asked, eyes drifting to and throe, never letting anything catch him by surprise.
"We rescued a number of civilians, they're safe now." Yugondr reported tiredly, sighing deeply.
"And did any of these things come after you?" The Sergeant asked.
"One did, we managed to hide." Yugondr stated.
The Sergeant nodded with a sigh, before a shout came from the camp. The Sergeant turned in surprise, the other three trying to look over his shoulder to see what was going on. A large number of Guardsmen were shouting and angrily yelling, a Comissar in the center of the throng, his body stern and erect, standing tall and at attention, two bodyguards standing between his front and the Guardsmen.
The four moved quickly to the site, where the dozens of Guardsmen were yelling at the Commissar. "You can't go sending us out into there again!"
"We've barely slept or eaten in days!" Another shouted.
"We don't have the numbers, some will have to do more then usual." Commissar Bol stated calmly, face stoic in the face of the yelling, angered Troopers. "We are trying to do the best we can with what we have."
"When will the other platoons have to make do?" One of them protested.
"All we're doing is dying here!" Another shouted.
The Commissar sighed, turning away and shaking his head, before reaching down to his holster, taking out the Laspistol and holding it aloft. "Enough! We are all trying to survive here! No battle is easy! We have to endure!"
"We endure, you throw us at the problem!" A Guardsmen spat at him.
Engines roared overhead, as the Guardsmen looked overhead, to see numerous green dropships flying overhead, circling overhead, before lowering themselves down among the ruined hab-blocks and blown out buildings. Some of the Guardsmen spotted a dragon-like head on the emblem of the wings and sides of the drop ships, as they sat down, and their bay doors opened, the ranks of Primaris and Firstborn Marines marching out, bearing various weapons, bright green in color, with black helmets and gauntlets, their lumbering steps shaking the earth as they stepped forward.
The leader among the Marines was a large being, his head exposed, revealing the three scars going down the center of his face and over his eyes. His skin was a deep black, with orange fire tattoos over his eyes. The crimson-eyed figure stepped forward, a large crimson cape flowing from his back, while the hide of a Nocturne Salamander hung from his shoulder pauldrons and waist. In one hand, he held a great Power Ax, its edge lined with glowing orange, its blade and handle black colored, like volcanic glass. He strode forward, his forehead lined with the service studs of an Astartes, while sporting a short, clean cut beard on his chin.
The Comissar and his bodyguards stepped through the crowds of angered Guardsmen, striding forward to meet the Space Marine. The Captain's gaze and expression was as cold as an ice storm, not betraying a hint of emotion as he stepped to the smaller man, who, likewise, did not betray any sign of fear or doubt in himself, standing firm and commanding even in the face of someone so vastly better.
"Comissar, I am Captain Mulcebar of the Salamander's Fifth Company. We are here to save this world and keep the situation from spiraling out of control." The Captain greeted, bowing his head slightly to the smaller man.
The Commissar shook his head, shrugging slightly. "I am Commissar Aldrick Carr, 79th Fatarian Woad Raiders. And if anyone can keep this situation from going out of control, it would be a first founding chapter, my lords."
Mulcebar inclined his head slightly, looking to the Fatarian Guardsmen with a cold, inspecting gaze, like a blacksmith ensuring his work was up to par. "It appears discipline has broken down. Shall my Chapter restore order."
Aldrick flinched as if he had been struck with a Bolt round, before shaking his head vigorously. "My Lord, if I may speak for my regiment. We are over-burdened and over-stretched, struggling in the face of a new, unknown enemy. My guardsmen have tried their best, but even they cannot keep up."
Mulcebar looked cold and uncaring for a moment, unconcerned with the pleas of a mortal, before simply giving a curt nod. "Understandable. A single regiment cannot defend all of this world without help. Consider us the ones who will bear the great weight upon our shoulders now."
Aldrick in response felt his own shoulders sag, sighing as if in relief. "Thank you sir. We have been...overworked for a long time."
Mulcebar nodded again, before stepping forward, past Aldrick and towards the assembled Guardsmen, who stared at the Marine without the reverence expected. They were too tired, too beaten raw to care about the great appearance of the Godly Space Marines before them. Such reverence was for those that hadn't been dragged through hell and back five times over.
"You guardsmen have endured much in your battle. It is time we Sons of the Emperor answered your prayers and protected this world alongside you." He declared stoically, his tone and expression never changing.
Yugondr looked to the other two in disbelief and shock. He had heard stories of the Astartes, heard that one of them was as strong as 100 guardsmen, and blessed with a clarity and forethought given to them by the Emperor himself, but he had never thought he'd live to see it, that generations would go by without him ever even catching a glance of one.
Mulcebar turned to the Commissar. "We will deploy our vehicles and heavy weapons. Coordinate your remaining regiment's forces with my own."
One of Yugondr's squadmates, Tarthin, turned to him. "You think they'll be ready for the Gyaos?"
The third, Vercingor, furrowed his brow in utter confusion. "Gyaos? Where did this name come from?"
Tarthin shrugged. "It comes from the sound they make."
Vercingor looked at him in utter shock and disbelief. "Nothing they do sounds like 'Gyaos'. Did a stupid child come up with that?"
Both Tarthin and Yugondr shrugged. Who knew what went on with command and their decisions? They designated a name for the foe, and the Guardsmen died, wave after wave, until it stopped being a foe, IE, died. They were just one of the many troopers being sent in to die against these ugly bastards. At least with the Salamanders here, it would mean a few less of em would be dying.
'Silver linings.' Yugondr thought, forcing himself not to laugh.
Vercingor sighed, shaking his head. "Fine. Let's try and get some soup and food at Mess, and hope we don't starve for once."
"If we had Ratlings on planet, we'd be set for life!" Tarthin declared, shaking his head as the three made their way through the battered, exhausted troops.
"Who needs dirty abhumans?" Vercingor replied, narrowing his eyes at the idea.
"C'mon, man, they're still the Emperor's own." Tarthin admonished.
"You heard the priests. They stray from the Emperor's vision for us. Ain't nothing good comes from what their ancestors did." Vercingor insisted.
Yugondr gestured with his chin forward. "If that were so, Emperor woulda killed em, right?"
Vercingor sighed, shaking his head and going quiet. No use talking politics before they ate. Besides, it in their best interests to relax before the Salamanders lead them on the big assault. A few moments of respite in the Mess Hall would do wonders for them later on.
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The three stood in the Mess Hall, an underground structure like most others where the Guardsmen on a planet could meet, sit down and relax for a moment. The chefs of the regiment were pouring out what they could, as many Guardsmen shouted and spat in anger. It was obvious that, even now, the regiment was facing a large shortage. The three merely sat back and sighed to themselves. Vercingor briefly marched forward, fists clenched, before stepping backwards to the other two.
"This is bullshit." He muttered in anger.
"Always is." Tarthin replied quietly, rolling his eyes. He wasn't sure what his peer expected.
Yugondr sighed. "Vercin, we've had ration shortages for weeks now, what do you think would happen?"
"They got Space Marines here, things should've changed." He said indignantly.
"They're the Emperor's Demigods, but even they can't work miracles." Yugondr muttered, eyes darting around slightly to make sure no one heard. Everyone was too busy protesting the lack of food to care or hear about his potential blasphemy.
As the Chefs and guards tried to get the troops to calm down, the bay doors to the Mess Bunker opened with a groan, slowly and surely opening as more people entered the mess hall. The three turned, as a Salamander Firstborn marched through the door, followed by several Chapter Serfs. Their stark black skin and glowing red eyes caught the attention of the assembled Guardsmen, their arguments and angered shouts starting to die off, as all turned to the Nocturne-native Chapter Serfs. They were dressed in robes and hoods, giving them an appearance similar to monastic monks, looking around. Yugondr and the other Guardsmen went to their knees, most of them still looking disgruntled and agitated.
The Marine spoke first, his deep, booming voice practically sending vibrations through the Guardsmen nearest. "Is there a food shortage here?"
"Yes, My lord." One of the Mess Hall masters spoke with a bow of the head to him.
The Marine nodded, before turning to the three serfs. "Divide our rations with them, Ku'Bol."
The Serf at the head of the trio bowed. "Master Xor'than, are you sure? Your brothers will need what they can to fight."
The marine made a dismissive gesture with his right hand. "We are Astartes. We can go longer without food. Let them have our food until their Corpse Starch can be brought in."
Yugondr and his peers were surprised by the generosity on display from His Angels. They looked between each other in shock, as the Marine, Xor'than looked to them, and pointed.
"You three, you were Imperial Guard scouts, patrolling the city for survivors and seeing what these creatures were doing, correct?" He asked.
The Yugondr and Vercingor flinched, but Tarthin spoke firmly to the Marine. "Yes, my lord. We were the latest tasked with such a mission by Commissar Aldrick."
Xor'than nodded to himself, before turning to the Serfs. "Ku'Bol, ensure they are fed first, and once they finish, send them to me and Captain Mulcebar."
Ku'Bol bowed his head. "Yes lord."
Xor'than turned and left, his footsteps booming through the mess hall, echoing even as he was far away, and the Guardsmen began to rise to their feet. Ku'Bol turned to his peers and nodded, as two hurried after him, while Ku'Bol went to the Army Chefs of the regiment, hurrying past the Guardsmen, who watched him wearily, before going to the assembled crew, and began speaking carefully to them. The three looked to each other for a moment, before Vercingor spoke.
"Heh, guess we're special, eh?"
Tarthin shook his head slowly. "If you say so."
They waited a little longer, as the other serfs and Servitors of the Chapter made their way into the Mess Hall, carting large amounts of the Salamander's own rations. The assembled Fatarians looked to various food stuffs and rations assembled before them, and coming to the back of the Mess and towards the kitchen where the staff was ready to prepare it. The Fatarian Woad Soldiers began to murmur and talk excitedly among themselves, ready to finally get some food in them and get back in the fight. The three looked among each other, none of them saying anything as they waited for the food to arrive. After waiting for a while, the rations began to be handed out.
The three had to wait a little while longer, the others getting their stuff first, having waited longer then the trio for their food to be given out. Vercingor was practically jumping at the idea of getting food in front of him after waiting so long for a meal. By the time the Mess Hall meals were handed out, Vercingor looked as ravenous as the Gyaos they had spent fighting for so long. Yugondr himself couldn't blame him, feeling like he could eat more then a Space Marine or Ogyrn right now. The trio dug in, eating quick, and trying to pace themselves. Tarthin especially. Both Yugondr and Vercingor had both laughed at him for getting too hungry and almost choking himself at several points in their service.
"So what do you think the Marine wants with us? We're just a few grunts in an army of thousands." Vercingor remarked part way through their meal.
"Can't say. Maybe cause we were the last ones to be assigned scout duties." Tarthin remarked with a shrug.
"Who can judge? They're the Emperor's Angels, we just do what they say." Yugondr stated, getting a forkful of food to his mouth.
"I'm just thinkin', what have they got in store for us?" Vercingor replied with some annoyance at his tone.
Yugondr personally didn't want to think about that. He was happy to do what was ordered, and required, like any other soldier. He didn't see himself as exceptional, nor capable of exceptional action. Keeping your head down and doing what was required kept you alive. Heroes died quick and horribly, glorified by the Imperium, but he doubted many of them felt good in the moment of death.
He turned his mind back to his meal, eating and enjoying the taste as much as he could. After being denied so long, simple rations tasted like a banquet. Even the brutal realities of war could make simple food for soldiers feel like the finest cuisine. He was going to enjoy this cooking as long as he could, before they were thrown back into the fight. That was life in the guard, really. Finding little moments of joy between the large epochs of pain, misery and terror.
With their time at the mess over, the three traded in their trays after cleaning them off in the garbage, handed them off to one of the cooking staff, and turned to leave, before one of the Chapter Serfs of the Salamanders suddenly appeared before them, as if stepping out of the shadows.
"Come with me, Brother-Captain Mulcebar and Master Xor'han will want to see you soon." The serf said, turning and leaving without waiting for them.
The three followed him quickly, not wanting to be late when meeting a high ranking Space Marine, or their Commissar. The four hurried off, making their way out of the mess hall bunker, and into the open air, still filled with trenches, and the distant sounds of the Gyaos fighting through Imperial forces, explosions and the bark of Flak canons, the four keeping their heads down, in case of anything swooping down to devour them, before flying off. That had happened to too many Guardsmen to count. All of them were used to one or two getting through and flying off with a screaming peer.
They made their way through some of the trenches, a series of defenses and bunkers that they had to move through. The central command post was at the apex of the defensive structures and redoubts, a low, camouflaged structure with a large satellite for receiving and giving Vox commands and signals, coordinating army groups and with air and fleet forces, as well as large bolter turrets, Hydra flak canons and other weapons to deter attacks.
The bulkhead doors opened on the side, as the Serf lead the way into the main command bunker. Here, icons of the Emperor and various Saints, like Drusus and Olianus Pious were displayed, and tactical maps and displays showed where Imperial soldiers were at their strongest. At the center of the bunker, with whatever officers and leaders were left, was Commissar Aldrick, Captain Mulcebar, and Xor'han. To say the three were on edge was an understatement. Aldrick alone inspired respect, but still a healthy amount of fear from the troops. They had heard the stories, of Commissars ordering whole platoons shot for what they saw as heresy, "Blaming" as the other soldier nicknamed it.
He did not do that, but when he did act, when his patience was finally broken, there was no going back. Any soldier that crossed the point of no return, would be ended personally by him. Add to that two Space Marines in the room, and this room was so full of tension, you could cut it with a knife. Aldrick straightened at the sight of the three, before gesturing to them with his left hand, the three obediently walking to them, practically marching through the barracks.
Mulcebar rose to his feet, the bunker shaking, as the three stopped in front of them, and fell to one knee as one. The Captain held up a hand to stop them, shaking his head to them.
"No, no need for that. We are all soldiers here. No need to treat us as 'lords' or the like that stand above you." Mulcebar stated in a calm tone. "We just want to talk to the last scouting team, since you had last contact with the Gyaos, while on foot."
The three rose, looking between each other uncertainly, before stepping up to the long desk with the leaders of the Imperial force. Vercingor chuckled nervously as they approached. "So, we on a first name basis...sir?"
Mulcebar looked at him coldly, Yugondr and Tarthin stiffening in fear, looking to him in shock, as Aldrick drew in a sharp breath. For a moment, no one said anything, before Mulcebar simply laughed. "Hahaha! I am afraid you not quite there, Trooper."
"So, we have received the basic reports and everything told to us by the Commissar and intelligence, but we want to ensure everything lines up." Xor'han commented, seemingly wanting to get down to business.
Yugondr nodded nervously, clearing his throat and spoke quickly. "Well, where do we start? The things swarm over the city, the countryside, anywhere they can get, and lay eggs everywhere."
"Do they have mating cycles of some kind?" Mulcebar asked.
"No, my lord. That's the strange part. Tech-Priests, other scouts and the like, no one's observed it happening." Yugondr answered. "They just eat and pump out eggs."
The interview went on, going over everything observed, how they seemed mindless, but would organize to attack whatever came after their eggs in a concentrated manner, the fact the creatures that survived would grow and grow stronger with age, darkening their bodies and wings, gain more durability, etc.
"Reproduce without partners, seemingly exist to kill and eat, no higher thought or purpose," Xor'han remarked curtly, turning to Mulcebar. "They are essentially flying, reptilian Orks."
"These came about after a Warp storm, are there any rogue Psykers or the like here, on world?" Mulcebar asked sternly. "Because they could very well be Warp-spawned like the Enslavers."
Commissar Aldrick shook his head. "No, my lord. We checked and did surveys, Fataria is devout and loyal in its psyker culling. Their Shamanistic practices are wholly in the realm of the material, and distrust the Warp."
Mulcebar focused on him with his red eyes, an intensity burning in the Captain. "Are you sure?"
Aldrick blinked in surprise, the other three alarmed by his sudden shift, before the Commissar shook his head. "No. This was not a psyker, from what we can tell at least."
Mulcebar glared down at him for a moment, studying the Commissar, before nodding slowly and leaning away, Aldrick visibly breathing in relief. "That only leaves how to stop these things."
"They hate sunlight or anything bright, lord. As such, the smaller ones stay out of it, start burning up even," Tarthin commented. "That includes fire especially."
Mulcebar chuckled. "Poor choice of Marines to face them then. Do you have any Hellhounds, or Banewolves?"
"After our initial skirmishes, I chose to keep them in reserve. Even so, they've taken losses." Aldrick stated. "We'll bring what we can to bear."
Mulcebar rose to his full, impressive height, casting a shadow over all of them. "Then we will strike the creatures. If they devour meat above all else, let's give them bait they can't resist."
"Do you mean an offensive maneuver? We are on the back-foot, and struggling to keep the ground we have." Aldrick spoke.
"If we stay put, Commissar, it will merely become a slow death by constriction every second of every hour," Mulcebar stated firmly. "The civilians, the hard-working men, women, their innocent children, need decisive action."
Aldrick took a long breath in, before slowly nodding, his features etched with strain and worry. "You are right, my lord. A fresh lead on this would help a lot. I will follow your commands."
Mulcebar nodded, before placing a mighty hand on Aldrick's shoulder. "You have done well to defend the world as you have. You faced a foe never before seen by the Imperium, and fought with valor and bravery beyond the calling of simple Guardsmen. All of you, bring pride to the Sons of Nocturne, at the thought of fighting at your side."
The three guardmen and Commissar were touched to silence by the words from one of the most vaunted of the Emperor's Angels. After the many months of grinding warfare against a foe that didn't seem to stop, and only was gaining more numbers as they ravaged the world. The Fatarians would no doubt all be bolstered by the words when they heard them. Until then, the planning would have to take place.
Mulcebar nodded to the three. "Your input has been quite the help. Return to whatever duties are assigned, and wait."
"Yes, sir." Yugondr said stiffly, all three bowing their heads and hurrying out.
Aldrick waited until they were gone, watching the door for a moment, before turning to Mulcebar again. "My lord, there is one more thing. Our scouts on the Eastern continent of Jal report sightings of another of the Gyaos. It seems larger and stronger then the rest."
Mulcebar turned to him, a weary expression etched on his face. "Tell me all, and we will prepare what we can to face such a threat."
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Two of the Hyper Gyaos, black as night, hung over the ruined city spires of Fataria's capital, Londinium. The large beasts were enjoying the dying sunlight, as they snapped off meat from various humans, animals and smaller, weaker Gyaos. The smaller, brown Gyaos remained hidden, but these two were confident to remain outside. Their skin was tougher, their larger frames stronger. The blackened beasts' mouths were red from the corpses they were devouring, like the color of their wing membranes and watched as the columns of tanks and Sentinels rumbled through the city. The two looked down at them, hissing and growling to themselves.
They did not want to jump into the fight. Though they were hungry, always hungry, they knew better then the others, that rushing into a fight with human armies was a bad idea. The new vehicles and taller humans showed these were something serious, something akin to themselves, evolved humans who had eaten something to get like that. Many of them sporting pure black skin and red eyes just drove the point home in their primitive minds.
They hunkered low, the human forces making their way through slowly and carefully, clearing street corners and alleyways for any sign of the foe. The Gyaos were no where to be seen, even the Hyper Gyaos hidden from sight. It seemed they could sense the foe wasn't so helpless anymore, and were being hesitant in the hunt. The Fatarians and Salamanders could feel their eyes, however, the hungry, ravenous, near mindless eyes that desired only to devour and devour, and not stop no matter how much of their foe they consumed. Mulcebar was on foot, having departed the Land Raider, surrounded by Marines of the firstborn and Primaris variety, Bolters, Flamers and Lascanons prepared for any foe.
The sun crept further and further down, each Guardsmen tensing and worried, as Commissar Aldrick lead the way in his Leman Russ, standing from the turret hatch, Power Sword drawn. His gaunt features were drawn, eyes darting to and through and spot any sign of his foe. He had lost too many men to the things, seen them devoured by the Gyaos and their disgusting newborns. He'd smash any eggs he found, burn any that remained alive if it meant vengeance.
He ground his teeth slightly as he looked around, waiting. There would be no end to the screams that haunted his dreams, the faces contorted in horror and pain that screamed to him in his nightmares, and this mission would only add more to that tally, but at least if they defeated the swarms here and now, they could put this bloody mess behind them.
'Emperor, give me strength to lead your troops.' He prayed to himself.
They stopped in the center of the city, the temples to the Emperor shattered and broken, the streets and walls of buildings that remained caked in blood. Not even bone remained to mark the passing of so many. The statues of the Emperor and his saints had been sliced cleanly, like a razor cutting so easily through hair or flesh. He was certain they were here, at their largest numbers, fighting having happened least here now, and giving them time to drag off their kills to the nests or hide from their ravenous peers that sought to devour any weaklings.
The columns of soldiers and tanks stopped, as Auspex arrays clicked and hummed, one of the Vox-casters speaking. "Sir, we're picking up signs of life."
"Why don't they show themselves?" Aldrick snarled in annoyance, looking around. "We're the perfect target."
"You said they only come out at night, right?" Mulcebar asked.
"Mostly."
"They want the full advantage. Be ready." Mulcebar cautioned, hefting his Power Ax and giving it a twirl.
The soldiers of the Imperium stood ready, Guardsmen hefting Flamers of their own, with lasguns and Plasma guns ready to fire. They looked around in fear, many shaking slightly at the prospect of being in the Lion's Den essentially for these creatures. Yugondr, Tarthin, Vercingor and their squad stood ready, tensed and ready to move at the first sign of trouble.
The Shadows grew longer, lengthening and widening as the sun of Fataria disappeared, slowly but surely. The darkness spread over the city, minute by minute, until finally, it had completely covered the city, and left them in the dark. Marines adjusted their HUDs for night vision, and Guardsmen fixing their own goggles and eye pieces. They all stood, weapons drawn and ready still for whatever would come for them.
They stood for a while longer, tense and not even daring to breath. Nothing seemed to happen for a while, not a sound of wings or calls. Not even a breeze went through, as the air grew colder. Yugondr slowly looked around, eyes scanning the city roofs and spires. He barely breathed, not daring to move at all. It felt like hours were going by, as the Guardsmen and Marines stood ready. The Fatarians were standing if only because defeating the Gyaos was the only way forward, that if they ran, they'd dishonor their Clans and families, and shame themselves before the Emperor's Angels, while the Sons of Vulkan were proud and stoic Space Marines, unwilling to bend to fear or fright.
Yugondr's heart hammered in his chest, as the two Hyper Gyaos went from spire to spire, as cold and silent as the night. Their red eyes gazed hungrily at so many targets, waiting for the chance to strike. Then a shriek, like that of so many Gyaos sounded, but deeper and more powerful then any other before. The Hyper Gyaos sprang from their hiding place, now acting on instinct, countless others, some only the size of a tank, some far larger. Flak canons opened fire in the distance, basilisks firing into the air to try and gun them down. A few exploded in a shower of gore, while the larger ones swooped down, firing sonic beams into the tanks and soldiers where they could, others using the deaths of their comrades to land on the humans and try to devour them in full. Space Marines took out Power Swords and Chain weapons, slashing and cutting them to pieces with brute force that surprised the Gyaos. Short-lived as they were, they knew humans wouldn't be strong enough to do such damage. Guardsmen and Salamanders brought flamers to work, gouts of flame spewing forth, as Hellhounds followed suit. The crimson-brown Super Gyaos shrieked as tongues of fire licked across their frames, the beast flapping their wings and pushing themselves backwards.
Mulcebar swung an ax at a large Super Gyaos trying to eat him, leaving a large gash in the side of its face, as the creature yanked back and flew away, the others firing off Scalpel beams into the vehicles and tanks. Predators fired off lascanons and shells into the creatures, many firing at almost-point-blank range. Gyaos shrieked and called, flickering about and dodging what they could.
Yugondr kept firing his lasgun, pointing as many rounds as he could into the beast as quickly as he could. The ones as large as an Astarte were easy. Enough of him and the boys, the few odd Marine's Bolter rounds, and either splattering their bodies into clouds of blood and gore, or the las rifles returning the favor to the savage beasts and slicing their own bodies to ribbons.
"Not so fun, when its you getting' sliced, is it!" Vercingor yelled to one that had its wings shredded and was trying to get away, before he fired a few rounds into its wedge shaped head.
Even those undamaged were hideous, almost making Yugondr wretch at the sight. Their thin, wiry bodies almost looked desiccated, their bulging eyes yellowing at the corners. It was like a whole race of flying, ghoulish beasts. He focused himself, firing everywhere he could, trying to take as many down, even as a Hyper Gyaos flew down, snapped up one of his fellow troopers, and crunched down.
"What's that...over there!" A Guardsmen called, pointing towards the east of the city.
Many turned, Mulcebar included, eyes widening at the sight. Cutting through the smoke and flames of the battle and inferno of the city, was a clear white shape. Portions of it were silver, while its wings glowed white-blue like plasma fired from the gun. Its mouth seemed to glow purple, and as it got closer, they realized it was a Gyaos. Larger then even the Hyper Gyaos, and releasing a hiss of anger as it drew closer.
"That is the leader, Lord Mulcebar! Its laid waste to whole tank columns and platoons!" Aldrick warned, pointing his blade at the thing.
"Imperial Anti-Aircraft forces, open fire upon the Albino!" Mulcebar ordered.
Flak fire danced across its frame, the Gyaos largely ignoring it as it swooped down upon the city center. Hellhounds and other tanks opened fire, blasts of intense flame striking the creature. Albino didn't seem to care, but shrieked with rage and pain at the flames. The other Gyaos withdrew, flying further up and away from the fight, seemingly giving their leader space. Before their very eyes, from her chest and abdomen, spewed out black smoke of some kind. Guardsmen coughed and gagged as it spread out from her, stumbling out of the way, while Hellhounds and Marine Flamers kept trying to bring her down.
The vapor spread out, further and further, until finally coating the barrels and armor of the tanks and Marines. Space marines struggled for a moment, trying to get their Flamers and Heavy Flamers to fire off attacks, Hellhound operators hit the command counsel of their tanks as the cogitators within warned them of flame retardant material coating the barrels and tanks of the Hellhounds. Whatever flames they had, had been quenched. The Albino drew herself up, slamming down onto the ground and throwing several tanks into the air with the force of her landing, before shrieking to the skies.
Mulcebar turned to the Commissar. "What is this powder?!"
"It seems to a biologic weapon to counter fire! This is why I warned you of how dangerous this one was!"
"Order a retreat, and pull back!" Mulcebar ordered.
The Albino loomed over them, snapping down on some. It seemed slightly armored, the natural body armor of its body a little more white then the darker gray, making it look skeletal, while the flesh around its eyes was red, resembling exposed muscle. Predators and Leman Russes fired Las and Battle Canons at it, before a high pitched shriek went through the air, Guardsmen staggering and dropping to the ground, covering their ears in pain. As they did, a glowing, vibrating shield of purple-yellow energy burst to life in front of the Gyaos, shells and las rounds exploding harmlessly off the shield as the creature shrieked again.
Imperial forces ran and sped off, organized into small groups to make the retreat, firing off rounds and weaponry at the other Gyaos as they swarmed about, eager to make meals of them. Mulcebar and several of the Primaris and Firstborn stood their ground, covering the retreat as best they could against their massive foes. As they did, the Albino flew overhead, ignoring them, and grabbed two of the Predators, and yanked the emerald tanks off the ground, even as they continued to fire at her.
She flew up, higher and higher, and stopped just above the tall spires, surveying the city. Her purple, glowing eyes studied the cityscape for a moment, before spotting something of interest. The one advantage she had over her flock was she was a thinking animal, a brain far more developed then the rest, and better able to lead them. Their constant challenges for her authority and inability to socialize aside, it made hunts like this all the better.
She flew forward and swung her taloned feet, sending both tanks careening into the ground, slamming right where she had aimed and exploding. A fire ball tore through concrete and building material, buildings sent crashing down, a section of the hab-blocks blasted apart. She waited for a moment, before seeing that the prize was indeed there. One of the safety bunkers used by this planet. She hissed with delight, as the rest of the flock caught the scent of bodies nearby.
As the Albino Gyaos had arrived in the city, something else was speeding towards the planet. The Salamander fleet in orbit watched in amazement as an object kept spinning at near-light speeds. The Captain of one of the vessels, a Nocturne-Serf furrowed his brow, blinking a few times.
"Is that...a meteor of some kind?"
"We're picking up...life signs?" One of the Tech-Marines remarked, checking the Cogitators and Servitors again, shaking his head. "By Vulkan's Forge, its not a ship. That thing is alive."
"We have enough problems with the birds, we don't need any others, gun it down!" The Captain of the Fleet ordered.
Lance batteries opened fire, burning beams of pure death spearing through space, heading for the object, before it veered off and swerved around. The Captain watched in shock, with the attending Marines and crew, as the spinning object simply picked up speed and dodged through their attacks, Lances harmlessly flying past, missiles barely missiles the thing. It seemed to pay them no heed, heading for the planet and breaking into the stratosphere in seconds as it did.
The Captain contacted Mulcebar. "Lord Mulcebar, we have something heading for the planet, some...spinning...object..."
As they retreated, time seemed to slow, Mulcebar turning up to the heavens and seeing the spinning, flaming object careening towards them. Gyaos did not seem to notice, too focused on making a meal of them all, as the object spun at high speeds, before suddenly slowing, the flames of the four engines dying as the object dropped, right in front of where the human bunker had been torn open by the explosions from the tanks, and left exposed. Before the amazed eyes of the Salamanders and Fatarian Guardsmen, a massive, reptilian beast now stood before them.
Its shell was ridged and serrated, its chest bearing a complex pattern, while its hands were large, matching the burly arms coming from its shell. Its feet mashed the ground beneath it, but carefully positioned itself to not cause harm to the people within. Its head was angular and box-shaped, numerous fangs jutting from its mouth, with two large tusks coming out the corners of its bottom jaw, near its glowing green, human-like eyes.
It released a loud, shrieking bellow, directed at the Gyaos. At the moment the new creature had landed, an Astartes-sized Gyaos had been flying for the bunker, eager to make a meal, and screeched at the mighty turtle. It pulled back its hand and swatted the Gyaos with the palm of its hand, launching it across the city. The Albino turned, its expression shocked and horrified for a moment, before screeching in rage, the other Gyaos following suite, and charging. A whole swarm of the smaller ones began to pepper him with beams flying all around him.
Gamera bellowed again, swinging his hands about to grab small, juvenile Gyaos and crush them in his hands. The Guardian of the Universe would not allow his eternal and greatest foe to escape him. Even if their old battleground was long gone, no Gyaos should be allowed to breath and spread their foul taint. Gore and Gyaos blood sprayed from his hands, as they tried to pierce his heavy hide with their scalpel beams. As he swatted them aside and crushed others, a Hyper Gyaos slammed into him, trying to push him back. His eyes widened, turning his head to see the many humans left in the bunkers, including innocent children. His expression turned to rage, as he roared, pushing the smaller creature back with his superior physical might, getting through a number city blocks, before smashing it into a nearby spire.
Mulcebar turned to his Marines. "Salamanders! Do not stand idle! The civilians of Fataria need us more then ever! Get them clear of these monsters!"
Salamanders sprinted for the bunker, others giving covering fire to keep any Gyaos stragglers from attacking them. Gamera, meanwhile pushed the creature through a building, smashing through it and swinging an upper cut, smashing the creature's body once, then twice, rupturing organs, then swinging the other hand and swiping the creature's head off. The body fell, as he tossed the head aside, as another Hyper Gyaos and a Super Gyaos flew at him. He fired a Plasma Fireball at the larger one, striking it dead on. The creature released a shriek of pain, before falling to the ground and smashing through several smaller buildings.
The other Gyaos veered off, screeching in surprise, before Gamera fired another Plasma ball, striking the creature in the right leg, just as it tried to get out of the way, and burning the leg off. The Super Gyaos landed, shrieking in pain and trying to stay balanced, as it fired another beam at Gamera's head. He closed his eyes, the beam only glancing off his hide, before firing another Fireball. This won struck the Gyaos in the head and exploded, sending its flaming, decapitated body to the ground. He did not waste time. You saw one dead Gyaos, you've seen them all, and he had made thousands, perhaps even millions. Their disgusting lives meant nothing to him.
He stomped his way over to the Gyaos he had ignited with a fireball, the creature rising weakly from the ruins and ashes, shrieking and squealing. The left side of its face was completely ruined, eye hanging out of the socket, the left portion of its cranial ridge hanging on by tendons. Its face was badly burned, portions of muscle tissue and bone showing, while its wings were scorched, portions of flesh on the body and arms boiling and bubbling. Smoke rose from its body, as Gamera stomped over. The creature looked up, struggling to pull itself up and away, as Ganera glared down at it. The Hyper Gyaos shrieked repeatedly, its pathetic screams and shrieks almost sounding as if it was begging for its life.
Whether it was or not, humanity could not know, but Gamera had one answer to such foul creatures. Fire and plasma burned within its throat, smoke rising from his open mouth. He growled and snarled, before firing a blast point-blank at the Gyaos, a massive explosion of fire bursting forth from the impact point. Fire spread out in waves from ground zero of the fireball. Guardsmen ducked and covered, while the Salamanders merely closed their eyes and brought up their arms to cover themselves from the flames spreading outwards.
The mighty turtle stomped over the mostly vaporized corpse of the Gyaos, turning to the skies and roaring to the other Gyaos in the skies above them all. Mulcebar and the Salamanders began to direct civilians out of the bunker and taking children into their arms to protect from the battle going on around them. Gamera fired off blasts of fire into the skies, the explosions vaporizing lesser Gyaos in their midst, while the stronger ones were left burnt and screaming for the end as they crashed into the ground.
As Mulcebar helped a woman and her child out of the bunker, a Gyaos shrieked, flying at them at high speed. Mulecbar roared in return, raising his Melta Pistol and preparing to fire before Gamera roared in return, and charged, his footsteps shaking the whole city, throwing dust and debris up, the vibrations stunning even the sturdy Salamanders. Before the creature could close, Gamera swung a hand forward and snatched it up in its palm, holding it for a moment. The creature struggled and hissed, biting fingers and hand, before the Guardian of the Universe held it up to his face. The Gyaos shrieked, firing a scalpel beam fired at his brow. Gamera growled, crushing it in his palm and throwing it away.
Mulcebar and the woman and child near him, that he was protecting, hanging over them like an umbrella. As they struggled to get away, the child crying and sobbing, a Gyaos fired a beam at them, Mulcebar turning them down and trying to shield them, closing his eyes and preparing for the end, before a shadow was cast over them. Mulcebar looked up in surprise, as the beam struck the back of Gamera's hand. The beam burned across the surface of the Guardian's hide, unable to break throw, as Gamera growled and fired another fireball at the skies.
The offending Gyaos and other, smaller ones were vaporized and imploded on contact. Gamera turned his eyes downwards towards the humans. Mulcebar stared back up at the being, seeing the deep green blood dripping from the cut from the hand the creature when it had defended him and civilians with him. He was left almost too stunned to speak or move for a second, not sure what to make of the defense the Turtle beast had given for their sake. The beast turned its eyes upwards, growling, before releasing another build-up of flames in its throat, strengthening with every second, before firing several fireballs into the air, rapid-fire, like a Flak Canon clogging the air with munitions. The Super Gyaos were struck, the offending attacker, as well as others with it, the explosions sending their burning pieces to the ground.
Mulcebar and his Marines continued to get women and children out, as members of the Fatarian Guard ran up to them, along with a Chimera. Mulcebar looked at them, surprised for a moment, as Yugondr ran up and saluted him.
"All due respect sir, it'll be easier getting them to safety with our armored toys then you being on foot." The guardsmen stated, as they worked to get people out, the back hatch of the Chimera opening.
Mulcebar gave a simple nod, a small smile upon his battle-scared face. "Such bravery is why we Salamanders do this duty. Thank you, guardsmen."
As they spoke, the Albino slammed into the side of Gamera, knocking him further back, and biting down on his shoulder, just past the armor of his shell. Gamera roared in pain, struggling, as the Gyaos continued to tear her maw free, then bite down again, as two more Hyper Gyaos flew overhead, pelting him with beams. The Ultrasonic beams sliced into his hide and struck his shell as he struggled and threw himself about to pull the Albino off of him, before grabbing it by one of the wings, and ripping her off him. He threw her to the ground, the ground shaking violently from the impact, as he grabbed the other wing of the Albino, and began to rip it out of the socket.
The Albino shrieked in rage, firing off several purple hyper beams into Gamera's face and body, blood shooting out from the thin cuts made in the flesh, before the two Hyper Gyaos swooped down from above, crashing down onto him, snapping at the Guardian's arms and throat, tearing at flesh and muscle. Gamera pulled away, as the Albino Gyaos swooped up and about, hissing in rage, before flying about and firing her beam a few more times at Gamera's neck and chest, as he grabbed a Hyper Gyaos through the pain with his hands, grabbing its neck and left wing, and, even as the other Gyaos was tearing at his flesh, began to rip the wing from the creature.
The Gyaos shrieked and struggled, firing his beam again and again into Gamera's body, before he tore the wing out of the creature and tossed it aside. The other kept biting and clawing at him, racking its talons through Gamera's body, as the Albino did the same, before Gamera swung his arm backwards while spinning on his heel, smacking the Hyper Gyaos aside, as the Albino flew away. Gamera turned and sprinted towards the down Hyper Gyaos, every step shaking the very foundations of the city, then jumped on the stunned and still shaken Gyaos, swiping his claws into its body several times, blood spraying from the wounds, before lifting his palm up, and swung it down, splattering the skull fragments and brain matter across the streets.
Gamera rose slowly, growling in anger, as he and the Albino locked eyes. Her hatred was evident, not just a mindless sort of hunger and desire to kill their enemy that stood in the way of their rampages for food. No, this was personal, a deep, abiding hate that few beings could equal. He released a deep, rumbling growl, before roaring at the Albino. She returned the favor, shrieking at Gamera, before firing off several Sonic beams, slicing into him again, a few managing to penetrate flesh, before he fired off three fireballs. She stopped, spreading her wings and creating another sonic barrier.
The fireballs exploded against the Sonic Shield, smoke and ash flying into the air from the impact, as she called out again, the other Gyaos flying into the fight again, just as explosions and the roar of gunfire sounded. Flak fire, bullets and shells filled the air, hitting several of the Gyaos and shredding a few of them. The Albino looked around in shock, as the Imperial Guard and Salamanders had reorganized and pushed the attack again, maybe inspired by Gamera's fight, perhaps just seeking to regain the initiative.
Leman Russ tanks fired off Las blasts at her, blue beams striking against her hide, before she prepared to fire another Scalpel Beam, as Gamera charged, Albino Gyaos turning to him and flying away and out of reach, shrieking at him, as he swiped and clawed, barely missing her. She flew about, picking up speed, before swinging her talons down and striking Gamera's left arm, blood dripping from the wound, and flying upwards, firing off another beam. He turned tracking her as she flew about, keeping her own gaze on him. As he prepared to fire another Plasma Fireball, a Super Gyaos swooped down upon him, slamming its talons into his shoulder, Gamera prematurely firing it into the ground a few yards ahead of him, as a Hyper and another Super Gyaos swung down onto him.
He back-handed the second Super Gyaos, knocking it aside, as artillery fire and missiles struck the beasts, explosions blooming across the area around the monsters. Gamera ignored their attacks. Perhaps it was a misfire, perhaps they saw him as a threat. Whatever the case, he was too focused on killing his foes to worry. He struggled, as the Super Gyaos kept slashing at him with its talons, while the Hyper Gyaos latched its jaws onto his right arm. He grabbed the Super Gyaos by the throat, and threw it into the Hyper Gyaos, knocking both away, before firing another fireball, vaporizing both with a scream.
He turned to the Albino, who was focused on the human forces. She was preparing to fire another beam through their fire power, as Gamera fired another fireball, the Albino turning in shock that he had broken free, before getting caught in the side by it, her right wing partially vaporized, knocking her to the ground with a shriek. Gamera fired another, hitting the Albino in the chest. Scorched meat and burning flesh stank up the city now, as she hissed in pain, struggling to recover. If she was weakened, he would kill her. Even if the flock overcame him, they would turn on her for being weak now.
There was no mercy in the hearts of the Gyaos for those that cannot defend themselves.
She glared up as Gamera approached, a deep, rumbling growl sounding as he did, glaring down at her without pity or mercy. Her eyes were filled with malice, but also extreme fear at the sight of the eternal enemy of the Gyaos. She knew he would show no pity, and if the positions were reversed, neither would she.
As he stood over her, ready to deliver death to the Pale Death, a scream filled the air. Every human stiffened in shock and horror, falling to the ground and holding their heads in pain, even the Marines buckling and struggling to focus. The scream was more felt rather then heard, a psychic blast that echoed through the whole planet, the Astropathic choir screaming in pain from the protected bunkers of the Imperial guard. To Gamera and the Albino's left, a black hole-like thing tore open in reality.
Stepping out from it, came Spacegodzilla, his crystals glowing and shimmering, as Krystalak and Obsidius stepped out after him, then flanking him, before three Red Stripe Kongs stepped out behind Spacegodzilla, carrying a spear, two stone knives and a primitive, spiked mace. They hefted the weapons, one bracing the mace across his shoulder, while their faces, fur and arms were covered in red markings.
Gamera's eyes widened in shock. Spacegodzilla lived? After all this, he would've thought the Ancient Human, the Man of Many Souls, He in Gold, would've killed and destroyed such monsters with his great psychic power. He turned to Spacegodzilla and roared, charging full tilt at them. Krystalak grinned broadly, turning to Spacegodzilla for permission to engage, but the Crystal King shook his head slightly at his minion, who hissed in annoyance and backed away slightly. He curled his reptilian fist, pulled it back, and as Gamera drew closer, swung an uppercut. Psychic power burst forth from his mind and enhanced his punch, striking Gamera under the chin, sending the Guardian flying several feet away.
Spacegodzilla turned to the three Kongs and his two 'offspring', and gave a signal with his two clawed fingers. The five spread out, Krystalak firing a Prism Beam of white-purple energy into the city, while Obsidius spewed forth a beam of magma. The three Red Stripes went after the Imperial Guard and Salamanders, smacking and kicking the vehicles aside, one of them smashing a Predator into a pancake with his primitive mace. The Gyaos flew down, circling all around like vultures, calling and shrieking to the False King.
He approached, his steps shaking the ground heavily. His steps were slow and ponderous. The Albino stared up in surprise at the sight, pushing herself to her feet, hissing in pain, but forced herself upright, before bowing and spreading her wings before her, bringing her head low to him. A sense of relief spread through her, as the Leader of the Mutations now stood before her again. How long had it been since she last saw their leader? She did not know. Some say he had been hit by Dimension tide and taken else where, others that he had ran into space to leave them to their fate.
Here, was the being to acknowledge her worth. He was strong, deep, great, and, in the twisted view of the Gyaos and similar monsters, beautiful. His destruction, his ability to fool aliens and humans who thought themselves smarter then Kaiju, it was a beautiful sight to behold. In a swarm of mindless beasts, Spacegodzilla inspired in her a loyalty like no other, a being of intelligence and dimension that offered relief from the crushing loneliness of leading nothing but mindless, devouring monsters.
He stepped up to the Albino, still bowed, remaining standing despite the pain, and laid a clawed hand upon the top of her head, nodding to her with a growl, and indicating his portal. The Albino rose, as tank fire was directed at him and his servant. He stepped around her and raised a hand, the Prism shield raised and the attacks harmlessly exploding off the shield. Obsidius roared and fired a blast of Magma at the Rogal Dorns and Leman Russes, melting them into slag in an instant. Spacegodzilla released a barking call. Krystalak and the three Red Stripes stopped and turned, even as shells and Las blasts struck their hides, barely able to illicit a reaction. They made their way through the city, hardly paying attention to the remaining Imperial forces, as Gyaos flew forward, flying into the portal and disappearing from the world.
Spacegodzilla followed after the Albino, who trudged forward on her own. Gamera weakly rose to his feet, shaking off his injury, before stamping his way at them again, roaring again at Spacegodzilla and his coterie of killers. He would not let them get away, after the all crimes against the Earth they had committed. Spacegodzilla turned, as the Albino Gyaos stepped into the portal, and fired a Corona Beam, the winding, whip-like crimson beam striking Gamera, winding around his body, and striking again, then blasting his leg, knocking him to the ground once more. Spacegodzilla growled in annoyance at his interference, before stepping into the portal, it closing behind him.
The remaining Imperial forces did not know what to make of that. It seemed almost fantastical, a whole menagerie of gigantic monsters, larger then any building, appearing from the Warp and elsewhere to attack their world and fight each other. Mulcebar would've thought it a tale from the tribes of Nocturne or nearby worlds, if he had not witnessed it himself. The turtle remained unconscious, and he had no idea of knowing if it was alive still. He stood for a moment with the other Imperial forces, Guardsmen and Salamander alike, all stunned to silence by the creature before them.
The Guardsmen, Vercingor spoke, unsteady and quiet by the Company Captain. "So...does that mean we win?"
Mulcebar turned to him, blinking a few times, not sure how to answer, before clearing his throat and grunting. "Yes. Yes, I think with them gone, we win."
A few cheers went through the Fatarians and Salamanders, but it was largely subdued. Too many had died to see the Gyaos driven off. Their cities were in ruins and the countryside and farms devastated by the Gyaos. They would need to hunt any stragglers or eggs left behind, and whatever that Crystalline beast was, had seemed to have a vested interest in ensuring the Gyaos survived. Mulcebar could not help but feel whatever had threatened Fataria, was now released into the wider galaxy, to threaten a far larger number of worlds.
And there was no guarantee the Imperium could defend them all again.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Spacegodzilla stepped forward with all his minions, the Gyaos taking to the skies and shrieking and calling, freed from the threat of Gamera. They swarmed in the skies above the territories of the Skar King, the red Ape and his chieftains and enforcers glaring up at the hungry, bat-like monsters in agitation. They knew as well as any what damage the beasts could do if allowed to eat to their heart's content. The Albino staggered onwards, following closely behind their master, as the three Red Stripe-Kongs left to rejoin the Troop.
All things considered, Spacegodzilla was quite satisfied. Kollora was secure, the Apes under Skar King were quite large in number, and with the Gyaos, that only gave him more troops to call upon. He was quickly rebuilding his armies, and with Kollora's crystalline, psychic resonance devices gaining more and more power, he would be able to travel to any world and collect any monster he so chose. He would just need time to finish them.
Ghidorah had made it obvious that he had returned, and those foolish aliens that sought to enslave him, be they Kilaak or Guts, were most likely coming too, with their own horde of cybernetic monstrosities, super-sized members like the Baltan, and...whatever Zetton was. Combined with the endless hordes of Tyranid monsters that he and that metallic King had fought in the space between galaxies, it meant he had to work quick. Two Hyper Gyaos swooped down near him, eyes locked on the Albino Gyaos, their eyes brimming with hunger. She snarled, drawing herself up, before Spacegodzilla's left hand shot up. Both were locked in place with his psychic power, before he telepathically squeezed. A final, terrified shriek sounded, before they squished into a smaller and smaller space, blood, viscera and bone compacted further and further into two small, red-black, marble-like spheres. They hung perfectly in the air for a moment, before he telepathically tossed them away, and roared to the skies.
The Gyaos all fell silent, some landing along the mountains and ridges overlooking the valley where the Kongs under Skar King lived, others remaining airborne, but all had seen the display. The Albino glided over to a series of crystals, laying down and letting the energies wash over her. The message was clear. No one touched the Albino without his say so. He drew himself up slightly, growling in anger to himself, before stomping away. He barked to Krystalak, the spiked crystalline beast bowing to him, and going over to stand over the Albino. Spacegodzilla knew the Gyaos would fall in line, but he also knew they would let their hunger get the better of them, and they would forget the valuable lesson he sought to teach them about obedience.
The crystal energies and radiation would speed up her recovery, and soon, one of his most valued servants would return to action. Until then, Spacegodzilla would return to his sanctum. He stomped over, past the various Apes. They bowed and got low before him, avoiding eye contact, treating him as if he was Skar King. He liked that too. On an instinctual level, the Great Apes like the Kongs and Skar King were rivals and enemies to his own, such as the ancient Gojira and his 'brother'. For them to recognize his superiority was good for their health, and his pride.
He went into his sanctum, forming the crystals into a throne of sorts, setting down. He concentrated, letting the energies of the massive crystal complex flow through and around him. His reptilian eyes closed, as he went into a meditative state. Freed from the physical form, his mental self could enact his plans and organize things, as well as attune himself to the Warp and perceive threats that could threat Kollora.
For now, he was analyzing nearby worlds. They were largely isolated Imperial frontier colonies, mostly engaged in shipping and limited trade, but the two big targets were a food production world, filled to the brim with meat and other foods meant for other worlds. The other was a naval shipyard. That was an important target. If he was to continue his build-up, he'd need food for his more ravenous members, but this conquest wouldn't go anywhere with the Imperial Fleet so close at hand.
A Kaiju could only do so much, when a fleet of ships that destroy a continent, at their weakest, showed up on the world they were trying to raid. The humans, even at their wretched state under that disgusting little Man in Gold, were still more then a match for his minions at this point.
As he flow-walked about, his mind perceiving countless worlds, and accessing their worth to him, before something caught his attention. Another incredible presence in the Warp, something powerful of the mind like himself. He concentrated, trying to tell where it would come from, and what it was, before everything shifted, and he found himself in a realm of blue, shimmering dark blues and cyans, all before. Crystals, not unlike his own sprouted out from the ground, and what seemed to be a cavern above them. The ground opened into random beaks snapping at the ground, random eyes that twisted and darted about, and fissures of glowing blue liquid of some kind.
Before his mental projection, a great bird landed in front of him. It wore light blue robes lined with dark blues lines in random patterns that seem to change every time he moved, while the tip of its beak and sides of its head were armored in silver, spikes rising from the middle of its head and across its head, while jewels and baubles hung from its shoulders and neck. In one withered hand, it clutched a great staff, twisting tentacles and blue fire roiling around the center point of crystal. One thing he picked up on, was his left eye was missing.
"Greetings, Xenilla. I am Amon'Chakai. I have been watching you since your birth, and the birth of all your Godzillasaurid ancestors. Everything leading to this moment, I have seen before it occurred." The being greeted in a genial manner.
Spacegodzilla furrowed his brow in confusion at the name. Amon'Chakai looked at him for a moment, before realizing his mistake. "Ah, apologies. While Kairos Fateweaver is to see potential futures, I am to observe other universes parallel to this one. You are Xenilla in a rather fascinating universe. Would you like to hear more?"
Spacegodzilla snarled and released a short growl at the Daemon. Amon'Chakai grunted, shaking his head. "A simple no, will suffice."
He continued, his deep, resonate tone carrying great authority, even in this mental projection, it rumbled through Spacegodzilla's body. "You have caught the attention of my master. Tzeentch has tasked me with keeping watch over the entire affair involving 'Daikaiju' and the like, and you are one he desires most."
Spacegodzilla narrowed his eyes, closing his clawed fists as he wished to strike at this being. "I know you desire your armies returned to you. To lead the swarms of Gyaos, Skullcrawlers, and Deathrunners, to have your champions of Megaguirus, Zedus and Destoroyah killing your foes. Bend the knee, and have your forces swear themselves to Chaos, and Tzeentch will let you have the power to find them."
Spacegodzilla immediately roared, buffeting the Lord of Change back and away from him. He flexed his claws and approached in rage. Amon, meanwhile, flexed his wings and flew back, landing upon one of the crystal spires and laughed at the False King.
"So spirited! I am afraid, my dear Spacegodzilla, you will bend the knee. It is your destiny!" Amon'Chakai taunted, still laughing. "In my Tower, in Tzeentch's realm, I have seen your story play out in countless ways. And I am afraid, you are not nearly as perceptive nor smart as the version of you called Xenilla! Your own ambitions will either destroy you, or lead you to my master, willingly or in chains!"
Spacegodzilla was flung back into his body, gasping in shock and rage, swinging a punch on reflex. His claws shook, before he turned his claws over and stared at his palm. Amon'Chakai's laughter still filled his ears, as he snarled and rose to his feet. He rumbled deep within his chest, snarling to himself in anger. If there was one thing he had learned in his youth, it was never to barter with Chaos. The Warp may have played a role in his birth, but so did black holes and dying stars. He did not go around bowing the knee to them either. As far as he was concerned, the creatures of the Warp were parasites, things getting in the way of his path to power, nothing more.
They, like the aliens that thought he was their servant in The Final War Operation, would learn he was no beast to chain up.
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As Guardsmen and Salamanders helped clean up Fataria and get civilians out and into refugee centers and camps to begin the lengthy and difficult process of rebuilding. The Salamanders, being what they were, were generous in providing help and deploying their Scouts to locate and find survivors and refugees who could not be reached. All throughout, Gamera remained unmoving, the humans wisely staying away. They couldn't even begin to imagine what this thing was, why it was here. Tech-Priests and Tech-Marines collected data with their servitors and auspex arrays, while Gamera slumbered.
Finally, hours after the battle, he rose, prompting panicked yells and shouts from the Imperial forces. He rumbled and growled, shaking the debris and ash off him, before surveying the city. He seemed to ignore the human tanks and aircraft buzzing around, analyzing him for any hostility. Mulcebar stood by, watching the creature carefully.
"Do not attack!" Mulcebar ordered.
"We just saw this thing rip apart those Gyaos like nothing!" A Guard officer protested.
"And that is why we are not to attack it until we know intent." Mulcebar said definitively.
Gamera seemed possessed of a purpose, seeking something in the city. The gigantic beast lumbered forward, shaking the entire city with every step, moving far quicker then Mulcebar thought possible for a beast of its size. Mulcebar was taken aback for a moment, not knowing what could drive such a creature to move. Perhaps it was hungry, and was now seeking meat or something else to feast upon after such a fight. Instead, it went right up to a building that had collapsed, and, as the others watched, grabbed it in his mighty hands, and tore it off, before turning and placing it behind him. The Gigantic Turtle then turned back to where he had torn the collapsed building off, and began to sift through the ruins. It was quite the shock for Mulcebar, to see a creature that had left most of the Gyaos in the city as tattered, torn-open corpses, now gently running his clawed fingers through the ruins, before finding something, the turtle's eyes widening, before slowly reaching into the debris and destruction, and pulling something out.
With how great and towering Gamera was, even Mulcebar could not tell what he had done. The great beast lumbered forward, cradling whatever was in his hand near to his chest, every step and movement measured and careful. The gigantic beast stepped towards Mulcebar and the Salamanders, seemingly unconcerned with the threat of the Imperial military aimed at him. Gamera stopped not far from the Salamander Captain and the Primaris Intercessors with him. They trained their weapons on him, before Gamera fell to one knee, threatening to knock them into the air slightly, before laying his hand down. The Salamanders' eyes widened in shock, as two children, injured and trapped under rubble before, were laying in the center of Gamera's massive palm. The Intercessors jumped into action, running to the great Turtle's hand, across it, and grabbing the two, hugging them close to their chest, and running back to their Captain.
Mulcebar was stunned to silence, blinking several times, his crimson eyes locked on the turtle, not sure what to make of the beast and why it had done this. It had sought out the Gyaos for no reason, saved the children of men, and seemed to have no ill intent. He knew better then to fully trust the thing. No Imperial servant of the Emperor could ever trust anything not human, and even that was debatable. He looked back up, matching the creature's eyes, who simply gave a small nod to him, before turning and lumbering away.
The gathered Imperials watched, as the turtle stepped into the center of the city, away from everyone, and retracted his legs into his shell. Then, before their shocked eyes, fire burst to life from the being's shell, where the legs should be, and it shot off into the skies. His arms and head then retreated into his form, as he spun, slowly at first, then faster and faster, and once enough speed was picked up, shot up into the stratosphere and beyond.
Mulcebar hit his Microbead, not even waiting, before contacting his Vox Casters. "Order the fleet to leave the creature alone."
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Gamera did not know how long he took to get to another world. He did not really keep track in his treks across the stars. He would retreat to the void, speed across the stars, land on worlds of lava and magma to feed on the flame and heat and even draw in the Mana, or Warp as they called it now, and recharge. He may have been able to travel it, but Gamera wanted to avoid such treks into the Never-Sea. As he rest atop the ashen mountains and surveyed the volcanic plains, his mind was locked on Spacegodzilla.
The indomitable foe had returned, and seemed to already have at his side many of his minions and servants. This was terrible. He knew his allies, Godzilla, Mothra, all the rest, lay scattered across the universe. He could feel them. But they needed to come together, focus their efforts and prepare for what was to come. Between Spacegodzilla's mutations, Grand King Ghidorah and the Alien Invaders, and Chaos and the Tyranids, their efforts to preserve life in the universe may already be wasted.
That was not getting into the state of humanity. He had avoided striking humanity when he should've kept Earth alive. Had the Man in Gold not stepped in, he might've.
There was only one place left for him to go.
To the very galactic South, in the Veiled Region, where another power was making its move. Past the dead world of Gryphonne IV, past the Fleet center of Bakka, was a growing dominion of Xenos Refugees, human rebels, and all manner of others, gathering together. This was not a newly forged Xenos empire like the Dracolith or T'au, nor a Chaos force like the Red Corsairs and their Pirate-Empire. This was an area of space under the protection of beings from another galaxy entirely.
Gamera was heading to the safe-haven in a galaxy gone mad. The center of the Ultra's efforts to stabilize this galaxy once more, the forward colony of the Land of Light, where they had taken in aliens fleeing the Imperium's genocide and humans seeking freedom from its totalitarian edicts. There, and only there, could he begin to piece together a method to find his allies and make right, what had been set astray.
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Amon'chakai approached the crystalline steps leading to Tzeentch himself. Floating above a abyss at the end of four staircases, the Great God of Change himself sat in meditation, perceiving all of reality at once. The Lord of Change stopped, as the God turned his attention towards his servant, even the Greater Daemon tiny compared to the infinite power and grandeur of the Chaos God.
"Things are in motion, Chakai?" Tzeentch questioned, less of a quandary, and more of a statement of fact.
"Yes master. Spacegodzilla and Gamera are both set on their paths. Very soon, the Beings of Light and Spacegodzilla's forces will become far more active in this galaxy," Amon'Chakai reported. "And open to the touch of Chaos."
Tzeentch's great mass shifted forms several times, each more maddening then the last. Even Amon'Chakai's Daemon-blessed eye could hardly comprehend what his master was becoming at every second. "Perfect. The Vortaak and their allies will enter the galaxy and attack the Imperium, Lord Haruun and his Children of Horus Warband will in turn attack them."
"And all the while, Izharad will be making in-roads for us and the plan." Amon declared, his fossilized face breaking into a grin. "Just as I intended for her, from the moment her Grandfather's grandfather's grandfather was conceived."
Tzeentch was silent for a moment, before chuckling, the god's laughter filling the whole room and almost deafening Chakai himself. "Yes. How fun it will be, to watch a normal human surpass Astartes, if she has the will to accomplish it."
"Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen. They do not even realize what puppets they are!" Tzeentch declared, as Amon left to put the finishing touches on the aforementioned plan. It would not be long until Kaiju, Ultra and Seijin alike was brought into the fold of Chaos, and Tzeentch especially.
Notes
So there we go, Gamera and Gyaos have entered the fray. Gamera is very much taking from the Heisei trilogy, but with his Anime design. From here on out, I will be introducing the other big names in Giant Monster action, so Ultraman, Kong and a few others. Mostly stuff like Gorgo, Yonggary, Agon, etc.
I chose Amon'Chakai to be the main mover and shaker of the Tzeentch plot, because I really liked his aesthetic and what I read about him on 1d4chan/1d6chan, and thought it would be cool to dust off an under-used Chaos Daemon. Meanwhile, Harunn is the Leader of the Chaos Warband seen at the end of 'Alpha Predator', Chapter 8. He's actually a character from the Horus Heresy, a Son of Horus with one sentence to his name on Lexicannum.
