Chapter 1: Into the belly of the beast
'So you believe this information to be true?'
Leman looked at his brother as the both of them contemplated the data slate of information presented to them. Magnus placed the dataslate upon his table as the both of them strategized.
'Malcador has said that the information is as accurate as his agents could get. Said father told him the information personally. If that is not a good reason to trust in the data then nothing would be'
The two brothers were en route to the Trisolian system. Their sessions discussing their plan of attack and such being the main topic of their meetings, among other things.
'I still wonder why it took you so long to realise the potential of father's "Gift" if you had just asked I would have given you the answer you seeked instead of making a full on diversion for the fleet'
Magnus highlighted the recent expedition they had taken to Fenrus. Leman had detoured them to seek council with his seers back on the frozen planet. Even as to perform a so called "ritual" to be given clarity to his gifted spear by their father and it's purpose in their mission. Magnus had used this leasure time to prepare his sons and supervise joint drils with Leman's sons. Trying to at least get some measure of cohesion with this mismash of troops under their command.
'Magnus... I know you mean well, but let me assure you that my reasons for this are more personal than I would like to discuss. This revelation had to be of my own volition, not one to be taken lightly nor be so casually commodified'
The brothers talked about various things. From battle strategy to discussions about their past to even speculations about their father and their work. By then end of them they felt they had at least reached an understanding amongts themselves, something that was extremely rare for the brothers to reach.
'Honestly' Hana said, coming into the discussion carrying food and refreshments for the brothers. A potent stimulant drink that was oddly reminiscence of tea for Magnus while she carried a tankard of myord for Leman. Many different assortments of food were also placed on the tray that the brothers enjoyed eating.
'If only you two had done this bonding time sooner. Then perhaps all of this senseless violence could have been avoided'
'I believe Hana is right Leman' Magnus replied, agreeing with the astartes view 'Perhaps it only required us to talk to understand each other this well... I am rather... sad it had to be resorted the way it did'
Leman looked upon his drink, his eyes staring at the concoction with a saddened look as Hana placed her hand on his shoulder. His eyes looked at hers as she gave him a gentle smile.
'You have a wonderful partner there Leman... I am rather jealous of you for having such a bond' Magnus said, his eyes looking at the pair. Leman gave a gentle look at Hana, his attention towards her as his eyes just stared.
'Yea...' he replied. He took a few gulps of his liquid as he put the tankard back on the resting tray. His hands reached Hana's sides as she gave a small giggle. Magnus looked away from the suddenly intimate couple, a faint blush of red on his cheeks as he tried to ignore the small giggles and such the pair were doing.
Instead he focused his attention to the data slate in his hand, the information was proving troubling to him.
Various reports from his emmisaries back at Prospero, delivered through astropathic choirs at great sacrifice, yet the information given was most troubling.
Mass dissapearances, stolen legion armouries and equipment. Even the dissapearance of his blood samples and information from the library that pertained to his own studies, mostly within the immaterium and it's theories regarding warp entities.
It painted a grim picture for the primarch, one that made his bout anxious and perplexed, how could such an organized series of events happen under his own watch? Was there more that he did not know yet? So many questions that built the anxiety deeper in this stomachs.
'Magnus' Leman asked, pulling his attention away from Hana to see the troubled look on his brother.
'What troubles you brother?'
'Do you believe... in the concept of Cause and effect?'
Leman paused, taking a moment to look at Magnus. After a few minutes of silence he replied.
'I... I would not say I had believed in such a concept... but certain events that have happened have changed my perspective of it'
'Ahh' Magnus said, acceptance on his voice as he listened to his brother's answer. Hearing such honesty from him put into perspective how things have wildly changed.
'I would like to admit had Naruto not helped us... on Prospero... then... I would believe that we would have been on the opposite ends of this civil war'
'I hate to admit this' Leman replied, his voice heavy 'But I think you are right...For what it's worth...I am sorry'
Magnus looked up towards his brother in that moment. His eyes portraying his suprise at such a small statement. Yet over a few minutes he gave a small, almost timid smile as small tears surfaced on the edge of his eyes.
'How strange... I never would have imagined this ever happening... Makes me feel like we are truly living in a different time and place'
'Well don't get used to it' Leman said, his face turning away from his brother, yet Hana could see the embarrased look upon his face as she gave a small giggle.
'Stop that Hana... it's not funny' he mumbled under his breath. Hana merely drapped herself above her man, her face touching his.
'I know siblings can be hard to manage... but it is our responsibility to ensure whatever conflicts we have with them never leave us on a bad mood... trust me...I will help you in these steps'
Leman said nothing, only taking Hana's hand tight in his as he looked outward from the room, into the vastness of the void of space. Hana merely gave him this moment, her silent support staying within his reach.
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Trisolian-A4 was to be used as a staging point for the traitors.
The mechanicum was divided amongst themselves on whom to follow during this civil war. On one side was the Imperium and the Emperor of man, on the other was Horus Luprecal and the traitors. Divisions and grudges that had been brewing below the surface flared up during this conflict, sides were drawn in the sand as the fleet of traitors descended upon this world.
Domina Hester Asperia Sigma-Sigma had run the calculations. Her mechanical mind had already concluded that to side against the warmaster was to invite destruction. Despite the protest of her acolyte, she had to ensure that all that she had achieved is not brought to waste.
'Domina... I must insist that we not do this... this is an affront to all that we stand for'
She held back her emotional disidence against the figure. She could see the tide of hurt and anger of her acolyte yet it was a waste of time. Even though their forces were holding back the tide of traitors, it was merely a matter of time before all would be lost from such a foolish gambit.
'Silence Belisarius... Do not question why I do such actions... to do so is to merely invite disaster on all that we have achieved... do you not see that?'
'I must protest such actions my Domina. Is it not our duty to the Omnissiah to protect this world? Is it not by his actions that we are even given such a chance to aqquire lost knowledge? In bringing forth this restraint we are tarnishing the very tennets of our creed'
'Foolish apprentice' Hester Asperia said, looking upon her disciple as she took in the sight of his anger. 'In doing this action I am sparing us oblivion. Were it not so simple an action to defy the enemy in this moment'
'We have the means to defend against them. We could hold' Bellasarius said, his voice convinced of this action.
'And then? What chance do we have when the heart of the traitors are to make their way to this system? We can hold them back for a moment... but it would be all for nothing. We would all die. Our knowledge lost to the void... that is unacceptable'
More vox comms and echoes in the noosphere painted a grimmer light, already reports of multiple night lords incursions had been spotted amongst the forges. Even with Thallax and Myrmidon reporting successful repels against the initial incursions. It was a forgone conclusion to the results of the battle.
They had already lost, it was merely a question of how much they would lose in the process.
Her connection to the noosphere was sudden and commanding. Her voice echoed through countless minds connected to the neuro network of her forebears. Her voice came resolute as she issued them.
'Belay those orders. We are to surrender to the Warmaster. This I decree'
Even against the opposition that was outraged against such a declaration. She exerted her will on them all, forcing their units and such to lay down their arms and bow before those whom had come to their world.
The traitors took the planets in the system in a matter of weeks.
Asperia had been spared, along with many of her fellow mechanicum personnel as they were forced to swear oaths of fealty to the warmaster. Many others had been executed for their dogmatic loyalty to the Imperium.
One of those would have been her acolyte, yet by her hand was Bellasarius Cawl spared.
The scene was set, Horus and his fleet were finalizing the preparations of this planet, soon enough this would be one of many supply planets that would ensure his success. Their ultimate destination was the cradle of humanity, a glorious liberation of the Imperium from it's so called Emperor.
This was the scene the Space wolves and thousand sons had shown up to after their transit from the warp.
'They are here. Let us begin'
The armada followed the flight path, using the gravitational field of the nearest star they would slingshot towards the traitors at great speed. It's pulsating energy shielding them from enemy detection as they began this dangerious marneuver.
The traitors had no chance to react, as two dozen capital ships smashed into the traitor fleet. Macro cannons blasted across the void as ships fought with the roars of macro shells and laser batteries.
Leman was stationed upon his flagship, the Hrafnkel with Magnus, the mighty vessel was being used as a staging ground for those astartes whom had volunteered for the main objective. Fourty thousand space wolves took the pledge with their primarch, along with another fifteen thousand astartes from the thousand sons whom also followed in the footsteps of their primarch.
Magnus and Leman had planned their assault with a depth of presicion and flexibility. Their capital ships proving to be a distration to the traitor fleet as boarding torpedoes, stormbird gunships, thunderhawk gunships, storm raptor gunships and boarding torpedoes were used en mass to ensure a sizable force would make it towards the Vengeful Spirit.
'Attention all crews. Brace for impact. Twenty seconds'
Crashing metal and the sounds of drilling lasers echoed across the boarding torpedoes. The sounds of crumpled and crashing metal produced combined with the shaking of the inner chambers. A sudden silence echoed across the platform as hiss of machines echoed slowly across their senses.
This was the sounds of one of many battle companies whom successfully breached the spirit, yet the sounds of the ship would be drowned in a tide of gunfire as astartes readied themselves for all out war.
The lights flashed red, the bolt doors upon the ramp burst open with a sudden hiss. The sounds of gunfire echoed out from the boarding torpedoes in an unrelenting volley. From the darkness of the Spirit counterfire was unleashed upon their positions, yet the intervention of psychic shields prevented the enemy from inflicting any severe casualties.
Thousand son and Space wolf worked in tandem. One bringing forth their psychic powers to shield his cousins while the other brought blade and bolter to arms. The roars of ammunition echoed across the vast chambers within the enemies ship.
The encounter would be mere minutes, yet their synergy would prove to be the better.
'Let us move cousin' replied a space wolf, his form saved by a thousand son through the use of his psyker powers.
'Lets' replied the thousand son. This repeated across the entire group as they ventured further into the depths of this fould ship.
The groups moved with haste. Corridors that were corrupted in flesh and metal were systematically put to the torch. Daemons and traitors alike were either stalled or destroyed by the combination of mortal arms and supernatural might. The group continued their push, knowing that they would be on borrowed time at best.
Many felt the ship shift and groan, a wave of alert settling on the groups as many were split apart from the displacement.
Many different corridors and such opened to enemy kill zones, roars of traitor ammunition blasted down range at those whom were caught in their trap. Yet by their co-operation and luck were the two legions able to weather the storm of hellfire upon them.
Leman rushed an enemy strong point. His sword Mjarlnar parted the enemy astartes like wheat to the scythe. A heavy emplacement of anti tank weapons trained themselves upon the primarch, yet their forms would be sent into the air, crushed by an invisible presence as Magnus brought forth a fragment of his psychic might.
Hana would be beside Leman, the astartes would have a pair of fenrisian wolves prowling next to her, the hearth wolves Freki and Geri. The two would run defense, their pack instint compelling them to protect the astartes from any danger within the ship.
'Leman... I sense Horus is close' Magnus said, his eyes looking forward into an undisclosed location.
'That is good brother. It means he has nowhere left to hide'
'Agreed...' Magnus replied, yet his voice was hesitant. 'Yet something feels off about this... call it an intuition'
The ship groaned and parted as the brothers tried to react to the sudden shift. Yet their combat force was split by the changing scenery before them. Leman was now with Hana and his wolf guard, Bjorn,Bror,Varagyr,Ogvai and Geigor made haste to their primarchs side. The others whom were with Magnus, this being Amon, Menes and Revuel were cut off by the sudden change in the room.
'We will regroup with them in the main chamber' Magnus said, his sons agreeing as they made their way further into the ship. While Leman and the others would continue onward towards the heart of Horus's vessel.
As they ventured deeper into the vessel, Leman felt his stomach start to twist and turn, by all accounts he had grown past these mortal reactions through the many centuries of his long life. As primarchs he had never felt such a compulsive reaction.
'Leman?'
The soft voice of Hana pulled the wolf king out of his trance, he looked upon the astartes whom had volunteered in this gambit. By all accounts all those whom followed him and Magnus had all volunteered, yet it was Hana's action that made this unsettling feeling in his stomach.
'I am fine Hana'
'You don't look fine' she replied back, the group had passed through more corridors, each time a bout of change appeared across the ship yet they managed to stay together regardless.
'I...Heh' Leman gave a small smile, realising that Hana had indeed made herself a place in his life. To think someone whom he had considered a distration would have such a power over him, the through was both amazing and terrifying.
'I guess that I cannot hide these things from you'
Hana grasped his hand, his eyes moved towards the appendage as he had his gaze stolen by her eyes. Such caring and kind eyes she had, something that would be alien on any other astartes.
Yet to him, it was the most vibrant sight.
'You need not face this alone... I will be with you Leman' Hana said, her voice full of conviction as he merely stared as her.
She averted her gaze, a red blush across her cheeks as she suddenly lost her confidence.
'If you would have me' She muttered.
At this, Leman felt a smile etch itself upon his face, his supposed reaction leaving him as he felt a well of courage course through his veins.
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A tenseness settled upon them.
Magnus felt his senses flare up in a symphony of synaptic frenzy. The inner corridors of the Vengeful Spirit felt well and truly tainted by the power of the Immaterium, physical signs of decay strew themselves upon the walls and floor. Pulsating tumers with splatterings of blood and other muscus mixed in with the fresh blood of those he and his company had slain.
It had been a few hours since they had been separated from the others, yet Magnus felt as though this was more a trap for them rather than a coincidence.
'Amon... do you feel that?'
The captain of the ninth company gave a small nod of acknowledgement, sensing the inehrent residue of psychic energies. Behind them stood others of his fellowship. Weapons trained across corridors providing overwatch while their more gifted astartes scanned the rooms with their gifts.
'Eyes sharp... we are not alone'
The group took their pace steady, each encounter was calculated and precise as death claimed those whom were either brave or foolish to bar their path. Careful steps were taken to ensure the greatest chance of success as fire teams cleared rooms and corridors with a prescision that was swift and descisive.
Yet still, Magnus could not shake the feeling of dread seeping into his mind, a pulse within the warp that has made him feel on edge for a while now.
Revuel and Menes took point, the company of fellowship members following in their steps as they used all their psychic powers to guide the group to the right path. They were met with a somewhat moderate resistance yet oddly enough no psychic presence had barred their path as of lately.
'Something is not right' Revuel Arvida said, his tone cautious as he looked beyond the corridors, his eyes flashing blue as he scanned what he could.
'I know brother' Menes Kalliston replied, his tone serious as the group pressed onwards, the sounds of volkite and bolter weapons echoed across the corridors as the rest of the group stayed in pursuit.
The sounds of bolter fire echoed across the corridors, flashes of light pulsed across the corrupted corridors as grim faced astartes of the thousand sons pushed through. Pulses of psychic energy flared across the front and ranks as brother frought side by side.
The group had reached a grand hall, one of many upon the spirit, yet there was nothing of it's once glorious splendour. Blood pooled across the floor as rot and decay seeped into the cracks and crevices. Tables made of the finest woods within the Imperium were drenched in bile and bone marrow. Blood was aplenty as the sounds of dripping echoed across it's grim surface.
The company stood tense, their eyes trying to hold strong from such morbid and horrifying sights. Magnus felt a bile rise up in his throat, yet through force of will did he keep it down. In his years of life he did not think that such horrors would be seen by his eyes.
'Contact!'
The sounds of crackling energy blasted across the clearing, shields of pulsing light bent these rends in reality from making contact with the group. While the roars of boltguns echoed across the room, it was sudden and messy. The room was filled to the brim with traitors, yet the company had no clue how such a thing was possible.
'Stand! Stand your ground!' Magnus roared, his eyes glowing golden as he willed his might upon the field. Arcs of golden lightning pulsed across the traitors, rending great scars across their form. Yet this was merely a trickle compared to the chaos of the entire battle.
Across the many access points, more traitors poured into the breach, the sounds of gunfire was deafening as brother stood next to each other in defiance. Psychic powers flared across the room as the air reeked with discharged ozone. Bolts of eldrich power flared across the ranks as astarted held their lines.
Magnus felt the pit of his stomach start to clench, something was wrong with this scene.
At once, the sounds of fire adruptly stopped, he glanced across the room. The battle before him still raged on, yet the sounds had been muted from his senses. He felt a veil upon his mind, something farmiliar yet alien.
A sudden pulse of his power was his immediate response.
The room faded from the sight of the astartes. Where once the flood of traitors had been seen, now it was nothing. Taking immediate caution they discovered that they had depleted their ammunitions and such against nothing but ghost. The groups of astartes holstered their boltguns and weapons, blades drawn as they looked upon the silenced room.
The sounds of clapping echoed.
A figure, massive than even Magnus has slowly made it's way from the shadows, it's steps painfully slow as other shapes and such formed behind it. Magnus readied his staff, golden light pulsing from the weapon as he looked on with his single eye.
His breath was caught in his mouth when the figure finally stepped into the light.
'Well...It seems you still have much to learn'
Magnus could not believe what he was seeing, by all accounts it was impossible that such an event could happen. The figure was clearly of human design, yet swollen to a size he had scarcely believed could be possible, massive wings of multi coloured feathers drapped themselves upon the figures back, Red skin and a farmiliar face looked upon him with a single, unblemished eye.
He was looking upon a damned reflection of himself.
His sons looked onward in shock, as from behind were the lost figures of their legion. Those whom had been resurected and hailed as a miracle, now standing behind the massive figure of their twisted primarch on the other side of the room. Their gazes were stern and cold, those whom had not dorned their helmets gave the same indifferent gaze.
'Ahzek... why?' Amon said, his voice cracking as he looked upon the captain of the first fellowship.
'Im sorry Brother' Ahzek Ahriman said in reply, his tone sombre as the groups looked at each other with gazes of hurt and betrayal.
'You brought this upon us...' The corrupted Magnus said, looking at his other 'You who did not submit to him... you knew the deal we had made... that YOU made'
'That was not a deal I had agreed upon!' Magnus said, his voice finding strength 'I would never allow my sons to suffer from his manipulations!'
'Ohh... but they already did... the flesh change... the bargains... the burning of Prospero... all of these things... WERE...YOUR...CHOICE'
'You are right' Magnus said, his tone sombre as he spoke those words, the sounds of his sons gasping echoed across the room 'It was my choice... but I alone choose to stand up for what is right... I choose my own fate... I choose the way my sons will live their lives... no one else... especially no warp daemon and his gaggle of whore's'
The two figures raised their hands against each other. Sparks of gold and purple lightning echoed across the room as the two mightiest figures clashed in warpcraft. As though it was a signal the entire room erupted in combat.
It was the single greatest psychic battle to have happened. Arcs of lightning, pulses of light and streams of warpfire clashed against refractional light and overwhelming force. Astartes were lifted from the ground as though they were ants as gravity and the natural laws of the universe were rippped apart at the seams.
Pulses of pink fire rippled across the daemon's hand, its sudden and extreme speed ensured their marks would find purchase, Magnus mumbled cantrips under his lips as shimmers of light refracted in the air, the flames colliding with their counterparts as their energy dispersed into a multitude of fragmented colours. The daemon gave a smile as his eyes blazed in blue light, a beam of fire sprang forth as it ripped apart all in it's way.
Magnus raised his hand, pulses of golden light upon it's surface as he drew it down in a line, the beam split on either side of the primarch as the two pulled away from each other. Magnus traced his hands across the air, runes and symbols etching themselves as he willed his powers to the task at hand. Threads of power shot out from all directions as the daemon looked in a demented smile as his form was encased.
A pulse of Pink flame dispersed the threads with ease.
The daemon spoke in tongues as more fire blazed across the room, the heat was becoming almost unbearable to those whom were in the area. Many non psyker brothers felt their armour become blazing hot as they tried to shield themselves from the worst of it. Magnus invoked a few words as a flood of water smashed into the flames, drowning them out in a show of arcane mastery.
The daemon looked onwards as the water coiled around and struck towards him, yet a simple raised hand made it all disperse into a thousand little sparks that soon morphed and grew into cackling little daemons. Magnus said a sentence as the daemons erupted once more into nothing, their laughter replaced by pain as he looked upon his corrupted counterpart with golden, ruthless eyes.
'Impressive... most impressive... Even now you still continue to grow' the daemon said, his grin making Magnus feel refulsion.
Magnus knew that a prolonged fight was merely going to result in their loss, with their limited resources and the fact that their sides were evenly matched, he had to invoke something different.
A mist of gold blasted across the room, those on the side of the daemon shieded their eyes as the mist became thick with an almost sickening light. This temporary blindness was all it took before it faded. The room became silent as the traitors looked at the now empty chamber. Magnus the daemon gave a small chuckle.
'So that is how it is... very well... let us play this game some other time'
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War changes the perspective of all those within it.
How one act of mercy breeds forth defiance.
The traitors had found themselves beset from those within. A congregation of loyalist whom did not bend the knee to the warmaster. Trisolian A-4 was a battleground, the bodies of loyal and traitor skittari littered the various manufactoriums and fabricators across it's surface.
Among them, astartes, humans, almagamations of machine and man and all manner of things designed by man had bathed the grounds with blood and death.
Yet these were secondary thoughts to Bellasarius Cawl, as he looked upon the eyes of his former master.
'Yo...you are making a mista...mistake' uttered Asperia, her body was broken and bleeding from multiple points, blood and oil mixing into a black sludge as the Magos looked upon her former apprentice.
'I am doing what is right' Cawl said, his tone unflinching, his hands covered in the former Magos's lifeblood and fluids. His axe, a symbol of his service to the Omnissiah was drenched in it.
'Th...the ...warmaste...master... Will not let this...go..unnoticed' Asperia whispered, her eyes fading of their light. Cawl heard the last, gasby breath from her lungs as her body stilled upon the bloodied ground.
'Then I will fight it... as I serve only our lord Omnissiah... I serve him even onto death'
Skittari companies stood in formation with the apprentice, their eyes looking upon the figure as he turned to address them. They all took a knee, acknowledging their new master.
'What is our directive... Magos'
Cawl felt a great weight shift itself upon him, as though the duty of responsibility had firmly grasped him. Yet he was determined to not let his emotions get the better of this. With a voice of authority, his voice boomed across the Noonsphere.
'Asperia Sigma-Sigma is dead. I am Bellasarius Cawl, loyal servant of the Omnissiah and faithful to the loyalist of Mars and Terra. Hear my words and take heed, for we march towards the traitors whom have defied our sacred oaths'
The shift was not noticed instantly by the traitor fleet. Arrogance ensured that their attention was only paid towards the sudden loyalist whom had taken them by suprise.
So the first planetary salvo had caught the traitors with complete suprise.
Had the loyalist fleet been smaller, the armada would have made short work upon the world, yet the luxury of such action was not to be. Traitor ships by the dozens were destroyed in the upper atmosphere of the world, while the relentless attacks of the loyalist ships ensured that no one side of the traitors could maintain any form of coherensy.
Yet the scale and size of the traitor fleet meant that the loyalist were running on borrowed time.
This was the scene that the group of astartes onboard the Vengeful spirit felt as their main crew breached the Warmasters chambers.
Leman looked upon his brother, gone was the regal and refined look of Horus, now only a madman stood before him. His armour that was once a brilliant white had been etched in complete darkness, the symbols of his legion tainted and etched with warp energy.
The traitor marines close to him had all changed from their original colours, now sporting more darker, sinister features.
Leman felt his forehead drip with sweat.
'So... Father has sent someone to finish me' Horus said, his tone sounding resigned.
'How ironic... that it would be his executioner... did you enjoy your time at Prospero brother? Did that sate your hunger for justice?'
Ire formed upon the breath of Leman, his anger flaring for but a moment before a hand reached towards his shoulder. He turned his head, seeing Hana look at him with a tender forgiveness. That allowed him to crush it, lock it away for when it was needed.
'Ahh' Horus said, looking upon the smaller astartes 'It seems even here Naruto is still able to meddle in affairs he is not a part of'
'You know nothing traitor...you who had made me almost destroy one of my brothers' Leman said, drawing his blade.
'Well then' Horus replied, Worldbreaker shifting upon his ungauntlet hand 'Take your justice... if you can'
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Ships exploded among the vacuum of space as the planet of Trisolian A-4 erupted in flashes of fire and death. All around the traitors and loyalist clashed in massive battles that threatened to rip the planet apart, splitting it on it's seems.
Planetary guns would roar out into the heavens, their targets ships that clashed in equaly destructive combat, while those on the ground fought bloody,brutal wars of attrition that saw no clear winner in sight. Battlegrounds shifted in hours, supplies and more importantly manpower would be expended and exhausted at every oppotunity, yet no clear indication was made on the outcome of this titanic conflict.
Squadrons of strom raptors and thunderhawks shunted through the atmosphere, their precious cargo making all haste to reinforce the planets defenders whom still remained loyal to the Imperium. Drop pods made their presence known as screaming lights upon the sky as astartes blasted from their armoured hulls, roars of hatred and oaths to justice bellowed as they clashed with their corrupted and traitorous kin. All as the ground was soaked in blood.
Human blood and human flesh, sacrifice upon sacrifice given to claim victory.
Thousand sons along with Space wolves stood shoulder to shoulder, their weapons and gifts used to push the tide of traitors back from those mechanicum loyalist whom still fought under their stature. Like the image of demigods going to war did their war cries bring hope and comfort to the Skittari whom fought and died for the cause.
'Death to the loyalist!'
'We stand for Mankind! We stand for the Imperium!'
Those space wolves and thousand sons fought as united units. Each one placing their trust upon their cousin to hold the line and cover them. Many of them had hardly believed that just a few months ago they had faced each other in conflict, yet now held each other up in a tide of madness and spite.
Truly, these were changing times.
The sound of a war horn blasted across the battleground, astartes were pullled to attention when the sounds of thunderous steps echoed across the manufactorum. Figures from the smoke rised up from the fire and ash as their figures made even these astartes stumble.
'Knights... they have knights!' bellowed the voice of one of the space wolves.
The sounds of massive ordinance exploded around them, astartes were blasted apart as the roaring ammunition poured out from these new threats. Bubbles of force energy pulsed from multiple spots on the battlefield, as Thousand sons held back the titanic forces that rained hellfire upon their positions.
'We have to go! Take shelter in the corridors!' bellowed the thousand sons, their voices heard across the sounds of explosions.
Space wolves, Skittarii and thousand sons all made their haste away from the oncoming army. As reserves upon reserves poured in from the traitors side. Packs of smaller armiger models strode across the battle, their sights eager to reap an astartes tally. While the massive figures of their masters scanned the battlefield for any other pockets of resistance.
Loyalist forces were being pushed across all sides, each confrontation was a desperate retreat, where some would have found this a chance to glory, a chance for vengeance. Reality was more complicated.
Astartes held points for the smaller humans and mechanicum personnel as they provided covering fire and protection. Each engagement point pulling them back that ever faster.
Yet it was a battle of attrition that they had no hope of winning. Only survival mattered at this point. The concentration of traitors was becoming too much for the loyalist to hold out.
It was merely a formality that the Imperial forces holding their ground were scheduled to die. The traitors had regained their momentum and have applied lethal force where it would hurt the most. Key position points were destroyed, comms and such snuffed out from transmitting while those on the ground pulled back more and more, hoping beyond hope that something would shift.
They would die hoping.
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'Is this all you can muster brother!'
Leman felt the blows reverberate across his body. Crackles of warp energy showed that they were not of the standard variety. Horus had shown that whatever apotheosis he had undertaken had changed him, made him stronger, made him a threat that was beyond what he could think about.
Yet in this moment, his thoughts were just trying to dodge, to use what he had and survive.
'Where was that fire! That arrogance! Has it been snuffed from your throat already?!'
The talon came in from a high position, a wide sweep that left very little room to move. Leman shifted his mass low, making the gauntlet's claws scratch the side of his power pack with a hiss and whine.
A sudden sound blasting across his shoulder opened itself to a pain within his mind, his vision blurring for a microsecond as he tried to shield his head from any more threats.
Upon Horus's other hand, Worldbreaker was drenched in blood. His blood. Feeling a sharp pain across his shoulder, he did not pull his gase away from him, less he suffer even worse.
'You think you could defeat me... ohh Leman... just a little wolf, not realising when he is outmatched'
Leman knew that Horus was trying to taunt him. He knew that to fall for his trick now would consign him to pain.
Yet he felt that anger shift and ripple within him, drawing forth something that was becoming increasingly harder to restrain.
No...No...I have to Focus... I need to be patient
Shifting his stance allowed him to bring forth his spear. Driving it under his brothers chest gave him the smalles oppotunity to drive the point into it's target.
His eyes tracked the spear, it's speed beyond transhuman yet in his mind painfully slow. He poured all that he had into delivering this one, descisive blow.
A second reverberation struck him as he felt his world lunge sideways.
In his haste of trying to deal his blow, he has forgotten to account for the boost of power his brother had, this cost him as he felt his body explode into a fresh batch of pain, blood rupturing out from his throat as the massive talons of his brother's claw had dug beyond the protective layers of his armour.
'You... are... weak!' Horus said, his words following worldbreaker as it delivered a string of mighty strikes to his body.
'You have gone soft brother... how your ferocity has been tempered... you would have never spared Magnus had you still remained who you were before... before the shadow foxes had come into your life'
Leman felt his vision start to blur. Already he could feel the pounding of his hearts in his ears as he tried to regaind his focus. Yet Horus would not allow him the time to recover.
Three blows struck him, even with his transhuman speed and focus the strikes left great rends in his armour. Horus held up worldbreaker and his talon into his vision, their surfaces covered in his blood.
'It is time I put you down like the dog you are... goodbye brother'
Worldbreaker arched downwards, towards Leman's skull for a final coup de grace.
Yet Horus would have his attention pulled to the side as Freki and Geri bit deep into the warmaster.
Leman could not see much through the haze of his vision and mind, yet he could tell someone had rushed before him. He had felt his grip on his spear slip. Another holding the weapon as his vision tried to focus.
His nose smelled them before his vision could make out their farmiliar details.
'Hana'
Hana Inuzuka stood before Leman, the spear her beloved had was firmly in her grasp as she pulled from her vast chakra stores. Already a blue aura blasted from her skin as she took a single, descisive action, driving the spear into the side of the occupied warmaster.
It's blue edged tip had struck true, as Horus grunted in a cry of pain and anger.
'You...BITCH!'
A sudden backhand from his talon smashed into Hana's side. The blow forcing her to the side of the chamber as she coughed out blood.
Leman could only watch as it happened. Yet in that moment he could only see red.
It is said that when someone whom a person loves is hurt in their presence that they can call upon a strength they could never imagine.
Those in the room had never seen the wolf king roar out a cry such as that when Hana had been sent to the side of the room, nor had they imagine the sheer ferocity their primarch had when he smashed aside his brothers head in a brutal act of savagery.
Leman could no longer feel any pain, he could not feel his strength fading nor his vision blacking out. All he could feel was a deep and utter hatred for the man in front of him. He did not see his brother Horus any longer, all he saw was the man whom hurt the one he loved.
His fist came hard and fast. Horus tried to bring forth his talon but was denied as Leman smashed the limp back, disconnecting the joint in a shocking burst of strength. He drove Horus into the ground, pinned the warmaster to the floor and gave blow after blow to his face.
He could not remember how long he had been doing it, but he could see that Horus was bleeding profusely from the vicious strikes given to him. A sudden shift of his body had forced Leman off the warmaster as another strike from worldbreaker made him stumble off.
'So it...seems' Horus said, finding his footing as he delivered another strike to his brother. 'You still have some bite left'
Leman did not say any words, a primal scream bellowed from his mouth as he swung again, smashing the warmaster's face and dislodging a few of his teeth.
The two continued their clash, fist and mace clashed upon armour and flesh. Neither side willing to give up in this struggle.
It would be Leman whom would collapse first, his wounds too significant to be ignored.
Horus did not look much better. The warmaster has various parts of his face smashed and bloodied, his armour suffered major damage as Leman's spear was still lodged into his side. He pulled out the weapon, blood seeping from the wound as he gave a grunt of pain. Casting the weapon to the side he looked upon his brother. His hand still holding worldbreaker as his talon hung uselessly to the side.
He tried to take another step towards the downed primarch, yet was met with a sudden presence.
A lone space wolf, unable to stand back had made a move. His life was cut almost instantly.
Then another came forth, then another.
By now the rest of the astartes had made their way to their primarch, lifting him into their arms as their fellow brothers sent themselves into the path of the warmaster, giving them precious time.
Another group had taken Hana and gave her assistance. Their moves were franctic and rushed as they made the desicion to run while they still can.
'WHO SAID YOU LOT CAN LEAVE THIS PLACE!' Horus bellowed out into the chamber as the sounds of astartes made their presence known.
The space wolf company could see their position was completely surrounded. Traitors had begun firing into their positions as soon as they could.
'Damnit!' came the voice of Bjor, his hands holding Leman up 'They have us pinned!'
'Kill the loyalist!' belowed out the sons of Horus, their eyes focused on their prize.
The area suddenly felt a flux, as though the enviroment had shifted suddenly and without warning. Those of the sons of horus were caught flatfooted as their forms suddenly smashed into the ceiling of the chamber, while others were covered in golden flames.
The space wolves looked onwards as others had now joined the battle, their force being lead by a farmiliar figure.
'To me! To me sons of Russ!' came the call of Magnus, his eyes glowing in golden light as he manifested a dome of gold above them.
Beside him, the forms of Amon, Revuel and Menes provided support to their primarch, their powers manifesting to aid the exfiltration of their cousins from the escalating conflict.
The fighting was brutal and costly, hundreds of battle brothers falling to hold back the tide of traitors, yet with every sacrifice the group was able to free itself from the clutches of destruction.
'Magnus to Hrafnkel, immediate extraction required at co-ordinants 27-alpha Delta 37. Priority injured. Please advise'
'Hrafnkel to Magnus. Standby, we have you on teleportation lock. Maintain your position'
Hana, whom at this moment had recovered from her strike, was keeping Leman company. The astarte having concerned eyes at the state Leman was in. She winced as she could feel phantom pains across her chest and arms but her injuries were secondary to the one she held.
The pulsating power of the warp blazed across the chamber, as more traitors were being held back from advancing through sheer numbers and the tenacity of space wolves and thousand sons. Behind them the warmaster was advancing, reaping a bloody toll as he looked upon the group awaiting their salvation.
The group heard a final, furious scream or rage as the chamber dissapeared in a flash of blue light, before they re orientated themselves back on farmiliar ground within their own flagship's teleportarium.
Hana took no hesistation. She used her strength to carry Leman up, bracing his massive figure upon her shoulder as she made haste to the apothecarium. Dozens of rune priest and medical personnel rushed to the primarch,removing his armour and tending to his injuries, stabilizing the worst of the afflictions given to him.
Some others tended to Hana, giving her the same attention as she rested next to Leman, her eyes not leaving his sight as he was wired to medical equipment.
She gave a small moment of hesitation, seeing one of Lemans arms lying next to him, her eyes gazing upon the appendage with an uncertainty.
As though guided by something, she grasped his unarmoured hand, the rough skin firmly pressed upon her softer hand.
Magnus had moved to the bridge, his command being followed as evacuation orders of any loyalist forces were authorised and done post haste. Already he could see that most of their forces, even those from the planet whom remained loyal to the Imperium were being ferried towards the fleet.
'My lord' The helmsman of the Hrafnkel asked, his tone inquisitive. 'What is our next plan?'
'Our attempt to kill the warmaster has failed' Magnus said, his tone sombre 'We do not have the means to fight the enemy while we have lost our advantage. We must fall back from this conflict and regroup with the rest of the loyalist'
'Have all captains notified, there is nothing left we can do here. We must return back to Terra for her defense'
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Horus felt a heavy weight upon him as he sat upon his command throne within his private chambers. Already the wounds inflicted by Leman had started to scab and change but the damage to his soul brought with it an unpalatable truth.
Despite all this power, despite his resolve. In the end he was still just human.
His hand, showing it's true age as it withered to something that was all to farmiliar showed that even the passage of time is not against his dominion. With a force of will the hand changed back to it's pristine form. Before the time he spent within the realm of chaos.
His flashes of memory was brief yet powerful, such memories were imbedded upon his soul yet his mind could not recall them in detail. Yet the result had made itself worth it as even one of the strongest of his brothers was nothing if but an obstacle before his ambitions.
'Soon father... soon I shall judge you for the liar you are. You who wished to be given divinity... whom has fooled us all to your ambition.'
'Soon... it will be all over. Then I can rest, this galaxy thankful of my service'
The infomation of the various dataslates painted a picture for him, despite the so called corruption of this energy being given by the four he could see that the ends will justify the means.
There is nothing left he would consider sacred to ensure that this Imperium will never succeed. His pride would never allow it to be anything less.
A sudden knock upon his chamber door pulled his attention. He stood up from his seat as the form of Ezekiel saluted to his primarch.
'Father. We have forced the loyalist to capitulate to our forces. Already they flee from our might and cower back to their bastions. What is your command?'
Horus looked upon the dataslate. Information was being fed into his systems as he strategized his steps.
'They are of no concern. The wolves of Fenris are not enough of a threat to turn the tide of our offensive. For now we will group with the others. Ready the legions, our journey to Terra will be long and bloody, but we will triumph'
'And of those survivors? What of them?' Ezekiel requested. Horus looked at him with a steely look, his tone showing no emotion.
'What of them? There are no survivors'
Ezekiel saluted as he vacated the primarchs chambers, while Horus looked onwards to something beyond the distance. His eyes looked upon a single object next to his chamber resting area, it's shape would be disturbing to any other whom were not to the side of chaos.
A single skull, it's shape was of only human, yet his mind already could see the dead smirk upon their face.
'What do you know human ?... you have no presence here...you have no right to speak your discord to me'
If any others were to hear from the chambers of the warmaster, they would hear the ramblings of a man whom was loosing himself to the madness around him. Yet none would ever see this.
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Hello fellow citizens.
So welcome to part one of the siege of Terra with the dual chapters. As usual don't expect a timeframe on this story and such.
As always, I hope you all have a good day and hope you like this.
Peace out