Loyalists' Strategium

[Slips]

The Daemon is then suddenly crushed underneath Pionus and Morro as the wrestle in their altered forms, his message to forever be undelivered.

 

*cough*

 

:p

[simison]

The Daemon is then suddenly crushed underneath Pionus and Morro as the wrestle in their altered forms, his message to forever be undelivered.

 

*cough*

 

 

Get out of here! The Siege of Terra isn't for another 26 years! Shoo! *throws fly swatter*

[bluntblade]

Axe head and precise shots, but otherwise the only change I'd make is to add a question mark to Alex's first words to the daemon

[Slips]

I will not lie, the You shall not pass line made my mind obviously go to:

 

But, its, like, reversed situations since the Daemon is barring the way.

[simison]

That was my intention

[simison]

The Warmaster paused before he ordered, "Speak."

 

With a roar, Razkeracht stepped forward with a hoofed leg, brandishing the morningstar. "Do not presume to command me! You call yourself 'Warmaster'," it said, filling the title with bile, "Yet, your own, mewling actions show that you are unworthy of the title. While you were engaging in your contemptible war of words on your planet, I was leading legions across countless battlefields, slaying hundreds in what you call 'hours'. Any Bloodthirster, even those of the Eight Host, are more deserving of the title 'Warmaster' than you!" 

 

"If I wanted to be insulted all day, I'd return to the Terran Council," Alex quipped, twitching as he felt the daemon's poisonous aura seeping into his mood. "Now, what message?"

 

Razkeracht narrowed its eyes at him. "Know this, mortal, despite your obvious weaknesses, my lord sees great potential in you. You may call yourself 'Warmaster' and believe you safe from death's touch, but these are lies that offer false comfort. But, if you discard these lies than the Blood God offers you powerful gifts. You will truly understand and master war as only a disciple of Khorne is capable of. Although you will never be one of the neverborn, my lord has the power to give you true immortality. Never again will you fear blade or bolt on the battlefield and no knife in the dark will steal glory from you. Eternal victory awaits you, the only price that is demanded is that you kneel before the Skull Throne."

 

Alexandros snorted. "Are you serious? You're actually offering me a deal with the devil? Is that not the oldest story in existence?"

 

"Don't besmirch me with ignorance and suspicion! I am of Khorne! We are not the imagined creatures of ancient times past. Nor do we rely on foul trickery like the parasites of Tzeentch or the shallow promises made by the slaves of Slaanesh. Our word is true, for all we respect is strength. Any who can kill in the forge of war is worthy of joining our ranks." The lion-headed daemon took three steps toward the Warmaster, his wings shadowing him. "I say again, bend the knee to my Lord Khorne, and, though you may be a witch, untold power awaits you."

[Kelborn]

Their blades clashed for the numerous time. One of them an ancient and unique blade of unknown origin and material, sharp enough to even cut ceramite armor with ease, the other, a potent weapon forged in the depths of one of Mars' countless foundries.

Both dangerous. Both deadly. Both nothing without their wielder.

 

"You just don't see it, right? This Imperium is doomed! The Emperor is nothing more than a gambler, lying at us every single day!"

 

Another clash, emitting sparks, illuminating the faces of the combatants. A war of ridiculous size waged around them. Dozens of soldiers died every second. Bombs, made to annihilate entire cities, detonated on ancient shields, preventing the precious fortress beneath them from destruction. This was the final day. Mankind's fate will be decided.

 

"Icarion is the right one to lead us! He had faced chaos itself and he knows how to approach it! It is not our demise, it is our salvation!"

 

Once, he had looked like a member of the Legiones Astartes. Now, he was nothing but a pervert shadow of his former self. Metal had become flesh, spikes had grown, his helmet had fused with his face, resulting in a twisted visage. A blend between human skull and demonical countenance. His oversized mouth, riddled with several rows of long and sharp fangs was constantly drooling, earning him the surname the Devourer.

 

"If you are not willing to join us, we will feast upon you! I will enjoy the taste of your blood on my tongue!"

 

A vicious blow, another clash. This time, the Devourers enemy did not blocked it with his full might. He let it slip, scratching his breastplate. A slight moment but enough to encourage his enemy. Hungry for more, the Devourer gave up his stance and charged at his enemy. Instead of avoiding the coming blows, the silent fighter engaged the foul creature until they ended up in a brawl. Fighting with their bare hands, they scrambled on the ground. The Devourers maw tried to snap at his opponents face but with no success. After taking heavy blows, both of them finally divided, rising up immediately to grab their weapons again.

 

"Is that all you got? You will never defeat me with that! I was blessed by the Dark Ones! I am invincible!"

"You seem to forget one thing."

 

The Devourer laughed. A horrific sound, more animal than man.

 

"And what should that be?"

"You still forget to watch for your back."

 

The Devourer tried to look behind him but there was nothing. Instead he heard a very soft and constant tone. He recognized it and turned around, his demonical face distorted by fear.

 

"Father-"

 

An silent explosion occurred right from the back of the Devourers armor. Instead of fire and might, this explosion let nothing but void in its wake. A void bomb was a masterful piece of annihilation, created by the genius Lords of Mars. It gave birth to a miniature of a black hole, sucking everything near to it into the void. The Devourer tried to withstand the dragging powers of the erupting black hole.

His backpack was no more. His living armor was stripped. He felt his skin and flesh was tearing apart as it was attracted by the hungering maw of emptiness. Against all odds, he was able to still stand there, resisting death itself. He could resist long enough until the bombs energy had consumed itself. He could -

 

A blade, ancient and of unknown origin, sharp enough to slice ceramite with ease, struck him in his stomach. He could feel the blades powers working against his own, warp infused body. His strength was about to leave him. He looked up, facing his opponents right in his face.

 

"Embrace the void." said the superior combatant.

 

How could he had believed to defeat such a being. In his last moments, the person within the Devourer felt regret. He had betrayed his brothers, the Imperium and worst of all, his father.

 

Before the bombs energy was exhausted, the Devourer was completely swallowed by the void, leaving no traces of his existence behind.

 

His opponents rose, looking across the battlefield. He noticed that someone tried to contact him via vox.

 

"Speak."

"Andezo? By the Emperor! What is going on over there? What are the odds?"

"Tell the warmaster that the Devourer and his Broodlords are no more. We were victorious."

"Great news. Gather your men. Your Legion is needed here at the Palace. The Stormborns men are about to breach the walls!"

"As you wish. We will heed His call."

 

He turned around, surrounded by his sons, he looked at each and everyone of them.

 

"We faced our former brothers and showed them no mercy for their betrayal! The Archtraitor and his men are getting closer to the palace! Will you follow me into the maws of hell to avenge those who had fallen?"

 

His Legion screamed and shouted ancient war chants of their homeworld in response:

 

"Honor the dead!" "Stand for the living!"

 

----------

 

Thinking about my Legion and their possible loyalty lead me to this scene I wanted to share with you.

I'm still thinking about their possible future.

Either turning renegade / traitor to extinguish mankind in order to defeat chaos.

Or staying loyal at first and turning traitor after the battle of Terra. During his campaign against the traitor Legions, he could radicalize, leading to his obsession and overall goal of defeating chaos via annihilation.

[simison]

The Warmaster blinked...

 

...ten paces, the enormous daemon slammed a spiked ax ahead against the marble floor, cracking it, while its other hand tightened around the handle of its other weapon: an eight-headed morningstar. 

 

An impossibly deep voice bellowed, "You shall-!"

 

"Spare me," Alexandros countered as he continued his advance. "I have seen what you offer, and I reject it as the waste of time it is. Now, get out of my way, or I will send you screaming back to the void you clawed out of!"

 

Razkeracht needed no prompting as he roared before lunging forward, but the Warmaster grasped the initiative as he struck first. The Spear of Terra grew bright with golden light as Darshan awakened the power within. His vision split many-fold as a dozen futures played out before him. Although Alexandros charged, he was forced to defend himself as the Bloodthirster's blinding speed enabled him to land the first attacks. Razkeracht's speed was so great that it strained Darshan's future-sight. The Warmaster yelled in pain as two axe blows pierced his defense, leaving cuts in his chest and shoulder. 

 

"Blood for the Blood God," The Bloodthirster intoned as red crimson spots splattered against the marble floor. 

 

With a grunt, the Warmaster struck back, his blows precise as the Spear of Terra stabbed at the monster. Razkeracht's joy died away as Alexandros turned the future against him, feints successfully distracting the daemon from the real danger. Razkeracht reared back his flail as he swung wildly with his axe, but yowled when the Spear thrust through his chest. Despite the daemon's ferocity, it had no defense against the power within the Spear as its form collapsed back into the Warp. 

 

As ethereal fire consumed its body from within, Razkeracht fixed the Warmaster with a hate-filled gaze. "Know this, Warmaster, I curs-kgh!" It gargled as Alexandros punctured its throat with the Spear of Terra. 

 

"First you offer a deal worthy of ancient Faust, and then you try to curse me? As if I'd allow it," Alexandros declared in a dead pan. 

 

The twin burning holes of warp-flame dissipated the Bloodthirster in a few more seconds. As the last of the fire burned out of existence, Alexandros turned his eyes toward his goal: the Golden Throne.

[simison]

As his wounds slowly closed over the ax bites, Darshan took a moment to focus himself, cleansing his soul and aura of the daemon's taint. Small it may be, Darshan was well aware how insidious Warp corruption could be. The small traces of it could become inroads into Alexandros' very heart if he was caught unawares. Behind him, his efforts bore fruit as Custodians and Sisters of Silence won their skirmishes and began to trickle into the throne room. 

 

Completely freed of the taint, Alexandros stepped forward from hall to throne room proper. He quickly noted four more Bloodthirsters at the head of an entire horde of daemons that were threatening the Golden Throne itself. A thick rank of Custodians and Sisters formed a ring around the Golden Throne, but they were not the reason the daemonic horde wasn't making any headway. 

 

It was the Emperor himself who kept them at bay. Never before had Alexandros seen him shine with such blazing intensity, the strength of a star in the form of a man. Throwing lightning like the mythical Zeus of the Age of Terra, the bolts struck down the largest of the daemons with ease, ending a Bloodthirster right before the Warmaster's eyes. Alexandros studied the field for a moment, confused how the horde was able to last beneath the Emperor's power before identifying several avian daemons wielding staves of Warp-infused energy. It was their wards which prevented the Emperor from simply annihilating the daemons with a swing of his sword.

 

The Warmaster held out a hand against the reinforcements behind him. "Hold here for thirty seconds, then launch a flanking assault toward my position."

[Sigismund229]

Another slightly confused story

 

Hectarion looked out from his throne room's windows over the vast city of Kanossia. He remembered when he had first arrived on this world. There had been enormous palaces surrounded by verdant fields in which people had grown everything from olives and grapes for oil and wine to grain for bread. Located on a stable warp route and with a naturally breathable atmosphere, the world had had great potential and Hectarion had seen it and harnessed that potential, making the world the administrative heart of his empire, the Dominion. In order for the world to fit its new role, he had enlisted Peeter Egon Momus and his brother Niklaas to design a city worthy of its new status while still being easily defensible. So it was that even the lowliest block house was both an architectural marvel and a rough and ready fortress. Hectarion had procured two labour fleets of the Adeptus Mechanicus to build the city and still it had taken them two years. But at the end of those two years, he had had his capital city. Built entirely out of white and black marble and bronze, it was a wonder to behold, the equal of any of the ancient cities of old Terra, Alexandrya, Roma or Athenai. Within its walls lived almost 5 billion stewards of various stripes, seeing to the administrative comings and goings of the Dominion and many millions of dock workers besides, whose jobs it was to ensure that the city's port ran smoothly and that all the cargo of incoming ships was unloaded as quickly as possible. At the centre was Hectarion's palace, built, as with everything in the city, as an amalgam of the relatively crude architecture of Mycenae and the new Imperial style of archeticture brought by the coming of the Imperium.

 

Looking out over the wide streets and the statue encircled Square of Songs that lay outside his palace's western entrance, Hectarion couldn't help but feel a fierce pride swell in his heart. To conquer and rule this city and by extension his empire was his destiny. His father had told him as much before he had left Terra to take up command of the Crimson Lions.

 

"Ah Hectarion" said the Emperor "Of all my sons you are the one who most resembles the ancient warlords of Terra". "Father?" Hectarion had asked "In what way am I like Kalaggan or those other tyrants you cast down into the dust?". The Emperor shook his head gently and let a small smile creep across his features "I wasn't speaking of them. I was speaking of Alexandyr and Seleokos, Cesar and Klovys. It was in their nature to war. They were, like you, at their hearts warlords and commanders of men. Yet each of them took upon himself the crown of empire. I sense in you the same temperemant, the same skill at war and instinct for rule". Hectarion nodded his head slowly and bowed "You give me great praise father. I have already failed you once, in allowing the deamon to take control of my body. I shall not fail you again".

[simison]

Yucahu studied the holographic galaxy as the Warmaster finished explaining the current status of the battle lines. Where the Emperor's light still ruled, the hologram overlaid gold over the sectors. At the far edges of the galaxy, grey marked the undiscovered regions, regions that should have been swept away in the Great Crusade. Now, who knew when the Imperium would accomplish the Emperor's vision? Of far greater concern was the growing eye of darkness centered on the Maelstrom. This marked Icarion's new counterfeit Imperium. Three years since the Stormlord had betrayed them. For three years, the Stormlord's domain grew with smaller holes representing the personal worlds of the Traitorous Primarchs. There had been talks of targeting the Traitor Primarch homeworld still located within Imperium space, but Alexandros had assigned those missions a lower priority. Assaulting a Legion's Homeworld would require considerable war assets invested and would be a costly endeavour. For now, they were under blockade. Meanwhile, the Chemos system was the latest to surrender to the Stormlord.

 

Throughout the gold sectors, splotches of red indicated rebellions were arrogant humans had thrown off the Emperor's wisdom to seize control. Not all of them had declared sides with the Stormlord, but all would face the wrath of the Imperium for betraying their oaths. Only one segmentum was now cleaned of rebellion: Solar. The subjugation of the Nikaea system had granted the Warmaster a propaganda point to boost morale, which is why he had summoned his brothers to discuss the next phase of the war.

 

Glancing around, Yucahu admitted it was hard not to be frustrated by how few of the Emperor's sons had remained loyal. In this private war room made solely for giants to speak privately with one another, it had been built upon the Warmaster's ascension within his flagship, the Elpis. Out of the eighteen seats, only five were filled by the Warmaster, himself, Hectarion, Niklaas, and Andezo were present. Pionus was absent, though the Warmaster had assured his brothers that he would return in time, though not in the same form. When pressed on the subject, Alex had refused to expound. Gwalchavad had been confirmed to have returned to his homeworld only a month ago, but had refused any summons from the Warmaster to Yucahu's great ire.

 

Of greater mystery was Azus' fate. Officially listed as missing in action, a large number of Dune Serpents had switched sides, leading to early beliefs that Azus had joined the Stormlord, aggravated by Traitor propaganda. In time, the truth had become known as loyalist Dune Serpents managed to escape the Stormlord's traps to report back to Terra. Alexandros had personally seen them to learn the truth that Azus was still a faithful son but had disappeared during the Day of Revelation. The Warmaster had attempted to scry his lost brother, but only to be blocked by, what he suspected, Pariahs. Locating Azus was one of the highest priorities of the Imperium's Intelligence Services, but still no location had been uncovered in three years. 

 

It was Daer'dd's absence, though, that was most keenly felt. While the Iron Bears fought like daemons in Daer'dd's memory, a Primarch was an irreplaceable being. 

 

"Yucahu."

 

The Lord of the Void Eagles met the Warmaster's gaze. With a press of the button, the galaxy map zoomed onto the Ryza system. "I'm deploying you here. I have reason to suspect that the Traitor's will soon launch a major assault."

 

"A vision, brother?" 

 

Alex shook his head. "The reverse. I can't see Ryza's future at all."

 

"The Grave Stalkers?" Hectarion wondered as he leaned forward.

 

"Or the Godslayers," Niklaas added.

 

"Our intel reports suggest both could be operating in the area," Alexandros explained as he crossed his arms. "The only confirmed troop movement we have are elements of the Berserkers mobilizing nearby. We do have another report that Raktra may be personally involved, but that's unconfirmed." 

 

Yucahu studied the system layout, already marking gravity wells, avenues of approach, and deciding which of the fleets would be best suited to deploy to hold the system. "I will be ready to deploy in four days." With a sigh, he turned to the Warmaster. "If Raktra is present, I suppose you'll want me to offer him a chance to renounce the Stormlord?"

 

With a stony face, Alex replied, "No."

 

Andezo turned toward his older brother in surprise, his blindness of no barrier against his focus. "No?"

 

"If Raktra wants redemption, he can seek it in the next life," Alex growled. "Throughout the Great Crusade, he has slaughtered the innocent, sowing the seeds of future rebellion, and has tainted the ideals of the Imperium with his bloodlust. I tolerated him for Father's sake and for the few military advantages he did possess." With fire burning in his eyes, Alex continued. "No longer. If you locate Raktra, Yucahu, do everything in your power to execute him. Wipe this blight from the galaxy."

 

Yucahu admitted to himself a degree of satisfaction to seeing this more practical side to his brother. "As you will, Warmaster."

 

"If Raktra is there," Hectarion began, his eyes hungry. "I demand that I be there. His head is mine."

 

Alex grimaced. "I'd rather have you begin cleansing Segmentum Pacificus and taking back your domain. But, if Raktra is there, you are one of the few I can trust to defeat him. I'm deploying to the same sector, but a different system. Be prepared to redeploy at a moment's notice."

 

"It will be done, Warmaster," Hectarion answered with relish.

 

Niklaas spoke next. "So, Raktra is to be declared beyond hope? What of the others?"

 

"Only one other," Alex said. "Travier."

 

"Travier?" Yucahu repeated. "What of Icarion? K'awil?" He paused. "Even Koschei?"

 

There was no hesitation on the Warmaster's part. "Even Koschei. If you engage anyone besides Raktra and Travier, you are to offer them a chance to rejoin the Imperium with a full pardon."

 

Yucahu was not the only one to balk at those words, but Niklaas pressed on. "Raktra, I understand, but what has Travier done to be free of your vaunted compassion?"

 

With a sigh, Alex answered. "Brothers, there is another purpose to this gathering. Father has taught me much about the true nature of our enemy. It is through Travier they struck at us. He is the reason Father is besieged beneath the palace."

 

"True nature?"

 

Before Alex could speak in reply to Niklaas, Hectarion cut across him. "Koschei! K'awil! You want us to show them MERCY?" he asked, sounding like the names of his brothers and the woed mercy were getting in his throat as he said them. "They killed Daer'dd! Or had you forgotten that Alex?" Hectarion snarled.

 

Alex shook his head sadly and said "I had not forgotten, but they are our brothers and they des-"

 

"They deserve NOTHING" growled Hectarion "and they are not my brothers. They killed my brother as they did yours, Alex. I won't give them any more than they deserve, I'll give them the mercy of my axe. They killed my brother, death is the only thing they deserve and even that's too good for them!" he continued, spitting on the floor at the end. 

"Hectarion, we all grieve Daer'dd's death and it pains us all" Alex began but once again Hectarion cut him off saying, "Then we must hunt down K'awil and Koschei, kill the bastards and stick their heads on pikes. It's the least they deserve for killing our brother. Or do we really mean so little to you Alex?" he said with one last snarl before turning to leave.

 

However, before he could, Yucahu interposed himself between Hectarion and the door. "Discipline yourself Hectarion" he said.

 

A feral snarl spread across Hectarion's features and he said "Move Yucahu. I don't want to hurt you".

 

Brother, said Alex in Hectarion's mind, I too grieve for Daer'dd but please recognize that there are strategic concerns that demand we acknowledge, regardless of our personal feelings. They need to be set aside. While Alex made a point of trying to avoid speaking into Hectarion's mind as it pained both him and Hectarion as well as exposing him to the Bloodthirster's touch, this time he felt he had to and it caused Hectarion to wince visibly. 

Hectarion replied, You know nothing of setting aside your feelings, before beginning to try and shove his way past the smaller Yucahu. 

 

Let him be Yucahu, Alex said and Yucahu promptly withdrew, letting Hectarion leave without needing to punch Yucahu. Looking at Hectarion, Alex saw blazing pillar of hot, red anger. Who knew how far he might have gone once he started pummeling Yucahu. 

 

Alex sighed as the door closed behind his irate kin. "I'll explain it to him later. Yucahu, if you could retake your seat, please." After his brother had done so, Alex continued. "As I was saying, our brothers our not the true enemy seeking to overthrow the Imperium. Despite appearances, Icarion and his rebellion is merely the symptom."

 

"Brother," Niklaas interrupted. "You're delaying. Just out with it. What are we really fighting?"

 

There was a pause. "Gods. Four in particular."

 

Subtle cues of curiosity played out over Andezo's face as he 'stared' intently at the Warmaster. Yucahu and Niklaas, however, wore matching expressions of doubt and contempt. "Gods," Yucahu slowly repeated. "It may have been three years since the Great Crusade ended, but have you already forgotten the Imperial Truth?"

 

"A comfortable lie," Alex declared.  

 

[Can Andezo see the Bloodthirster shard?]

[Demus Ragnok]

That's a good question.

[Sigismund229]

I've got the beginnings of a piecein my mind that takes place just after this. Just two questions:

 

1. Is it common knowledge that the Halycon Wardens can have solit personalities?

 

2. When encountering the Crimson Lions, would Alex have "seen" the Burden?

[simison]

I've got the beginnings of a piecein my mind that takes place just after this. Just two questions:

 

1. Is it common knowledge that the Halycon Wardens can have solit personalities?

 

2. When encountering the Crimson Lions, would Alex have "seen" the Burden?

 

1. It's not split personalities per se, it is insanity. Despite the psycho-indoctrination every marine goes through, the Wardens still suffer from heightened instances of insanity. Mainly because since they act more human, they accumulate battlefield stress like a human. Which, if a Warden fights for centuries, it leads to eventual mental breakdown, unlike a standard marine. The psychic powers accelerates this degradation. 

 

As to your actual question, no, it's not common knowledge. Between Alex, the Chaplain Corps, and the emphasis on the Paths of Arete, the issue is kept small enough that it only happens extremely rarely. And, even then, the Wardens prefer to keep the knowledge quiet. 

 

2. Probably, even if he's just seeing the mental side effects of it.

[Demus Ragnok]

So the Wardens suffer Trans Human Battle Fatigue induced psychosis, at a higher rate than other legion Astartes?

 

Wow.

[simison]

So the Wardens suffer Trans Human Battle Fatigue induced psychosis, at a higher rate than other legion Astartes?

 

Wow.

 

Yeah. Although, Sig, certain Lions might know about it if they have an attached Warden who's been with them long enough, and there's enough trust to mention the problem or if the Warden has an incident.

[Sigismund229]

So Hec would, in all likelyhood, know about rhe Halycon Wardens going insane on occasion?

 

I was working on the assumption that Alex would know something is up with the Crimson Lions gene-seed or recruits/whatever as he can see a kind of dark stain on their minds and Hec gets very cagey and nervous whenever the topic of gene-curses comes up

[simison]

So Hec would, in all likelyhood, know about rhe Halycon Wardens going insane on occasion?

 

I was working on the assumption that Alex would know something is up with the Crimson Lions gene-seed or recruits/whatever as he can see a kind of dark stain on their minds and Hec gets very cagey and nervous whenever the topic of gene-curses comes up

 

Since the Lions and Wardens are Battle Brothers, Hec probably knows. If they have a close enough friendship (which I do seeing them have), Alex probably has mentioned the problem to Hec. Alex does note Hec's reactions about gene-curses.

[Sigismund229]

Hectarion snarled and drove his fists into the practice cage, smashing the metal apart. It made him bleed but he didn't care. It felt good to smash the machinery apart, to unleash his anger on something. It made him what he was but it wasn't his. It wasn't clean. He felt soiled each time the anger began to take over him and flood his limbs with strength like only fury could provide. He hated the way Ma'annan laughed in his mind as his anger built up and he had faced off against Yucahu. Normally he found solace in forging small silver, bronze or gold objects using the skills Daer'dd had taught him but since Daer'dd's death he had rarely ventured into his forge. He had too many memories associated with it to find solace there. For want of a better way of dealing with his anger, he smashed apart training cages.

 

"Brother, there's going to be nothing left if you continue like that" called a voice from the doorway. Turning away from his single minded destruction of the training cage, Hectarion saw Alexandros in the doorway of the Lupa Sanguis training hall, smiling as usual.

 

"That's the point" growled Hectarion, although he could feel the cloak of anger that had enveloped him lifting somewhat.

 

"Why not spar with one your brothers?" said Alexandros, picking up a practice blade and giving it a few test swings.

 

Hectarion smiled slightly and said "I wouldn't want to hurt you. You're the Warmaster" at which Alexandros turned, a look of feigned surprise on his face, and said

 

"You? Beat me? Where did you get that idea from?".

 

Hectarion laughed at that. The rage receeded further. It felt good to feel it start receding into the depths of his soul again.

 

"In all seriousness" Alexandros said "If I get hurt sparring with you it's my own fault for attempting it". Hectarion laughed again. That's what Alexandros had said the first time they'd sparred and Hectarion had knocked him to the ground. As he laughed, Alexandros struck high, a blow that would have sliced into Hectarion's forehead. He blocked it which the handle of a training axe he had picked up.

 

"Something funny?" Alexandros asked and grinned.

 

"You" Hectarion replied, still laughing "Each time you spar with me I win yet you persevere as if you expect a different outcome".

 

Pulling back, Alexandros rolled his shoulders and grinned saying "No harm in trying".

 

Another flurry of blows before Alexandros withdrew again. "Hec. I need to know I can rely on you".

 

Hectarion charged forwards, swinging his training axe down but taking the force out of the blow to give Alexandros a chance to parry "Of course you can rely on me. Haven't I proved that to you over the years?".

 

Alexandros parried and sidestepped, swinging his blade at Hectarion's side, forcing his brother to swerve out of the way "You're becoming unreliable. Walking out of war councils before they've finished. Terra! You almost came to blows with Yucahu today".

 

Hectarion shook his head as if trying to clear it. "Ma'annan has grown more aggressive since Daer'dd's passing into Hados' Halls" he replied "He's pushing at my mind at every opportunity. I can control it but a war council where we're discussing sparing Daer'dd's killders isn't the place to do it".

 

"That" replied Alexandros "Is the problem Hec. You're doing things on your own terms still. Terra knows it's hard enough trying to halt Icarion's advance without you trying to fight a seperate war from the rest of us. Sometimes you're just going to need to accept my orders, no matter how insulting they seem to Daer'dd's memory".

 

Hectarion pressed forwards once more, putting more force into his blows "But why? Koschei and K'awil have proved their loyalty to Icarion's cause without a doubt. K'awil terrorizes worlds and flays their defenders alive. He's no better than Raktra and Koschei..." Hectarion shook his head "He's deluded. I fought beside him a year before the Day of Revelation. The warning signs were there...I should have noticed them...blank stares into the distance...muttering to things only he could see. He's driven to Icarion's side by delusions and you can't reason with a madman. Give me the order and I'll unleash my Lions on him or K'awil or both and slaughter them both without remorse just as I would Raktra". Hammering fowards with more blows that Alexandros was hard pressed to parry, Hectarion asked "How many more of us need to die? The indomitable four. We were unstoppable. Invincible. Now Daer'dd is dead and Pionius...".

 

"Lives" responded Alexandros, to which Hectarion grunted as if he disagreed. Then, as they circled each other, Alexandros asked "Hec. You're hiding something. What is it?". Alexandros saw the familiar alarm in his brother's eyes as they clashed again and asked again "What are you hiding? We've spoken about the madness that afflicts my sons and the reliability of the Lions. Each time you get the same look in your eyes, as if you're hiding something and you're scared I'll find out what".

 

Sighing, Hectarion threw his practice blade down and said "Your legion isn't the only one to be afflicted by a curse. A burden".

 

Alexandros replied "Your legion also suffers such a curse?".

 

Hectarion nodded. "The burden. Every father passes on flaws to his sons. With you, the common humanity you give them damns them to madness. With mine, the same fault that allowed Ma'annan into my mind also afflicts my sons. It transforms them into savage close quarters fighters and they take full advantage of it, placing themselves in its jaws as they fight in order to harness its power. But some misjudge the steps they've taken and get trapped in its throat".

 

"But surely" began Alexandros "They can be saved from its throat? Dragged back from the brink in some way?".

 

Hectariom shook his head sadly "No. Once they have fallen into the throes of the Burden there is no going back or at least no path that I or any of my sons has found and more than one has fallen into the Burden's embrace trying to find a way out. The who succumb cease to see the world as we do. They see it as the dying were said to in old legends of Terra, being led ever on towards the golden gates of the Halls of Hados from which they hear the sounds of feasting and drinking". Seeing Alexandros' questioning glance, Hectarion said "They mutter about it as they kill" by way of explanation. He then continued, his voice barely rising above a whisper. "It makes them what they are. It makes them faster and stronger and elevates them to heights of strength, speed and ferocity even other Crimson Lions can't reach when they are lost to its touch. But it kills them. It drags them out of formation into the enemy ranks where they are killed. For those who are lost, there's no way out other than death in battle. I never told you before...I...it is mine and my son's burden to bear. Alone".

 

"But Hec" said Alexandros "Why must you bear it alone? Why didn't you lighten the burden you carried?".

 

With that, Hectarion's eyes snapped up and Alexandros saw depths of grief and regret in those eyes that he had never seen in his brother's eyes before or ever expected to see. "Tell me Alex. If you had had to kill your own sons because they, in the madness you gave them, attempted to kill you would you have told anyone? Even father? No. Just as I didn't". Then looking at his hands as if they were those of a murderer, Hectarion whispered "I didnt want mine to be the third empty plinth on Terra".

[simison]

For a moment, I thought you were referencing Grifft's other Lost Primarch, but no, that's the name of the Bloodthirster, I'm guessing. The biggest criticism I see heading your way is all of the parallels to the Blood Angels. But, the BA aren't here, and who's to guarantee that the berserker flaw wouldn't appear elsehwere? 

[simison]

Subtle cues of curiosity played out over Andezo's face as he 'stared' intently at the Warmaster. Yucahu and Niklaas, however, wore matching expressions of doubt and contempt. "Gods," Yucahu slowly repeated. "It may have been three years since the Great Crusade ended, but have you already forgotten the Imperial Truth?"

 

"A comfortable lie," Alex declared. "All of us know about the Warp beings that refer to themselves as daemons. We had been taught that they were merely a different species of the Warp, like the psychneuein. More intelligent, obviously, but possessing of no greater threat or power to the Great Crusade. I have since learned that is not the case. They are servants to a greater power, gods of Chaos. As I have said, there are four of them, and they seek to overthrow the Imperium and to claim humanity as victims and slaves. It was them that instructed Alexos and gave him the power needed to break through the Terran wards. In the last three years, we have confirmed reports of the Eagle Warriors engaging in malevolent rites and rituals, designed to corrupt reality and gain favor with his new dark patrons." 

[MikhalLeNoir]

Wouldn't it fit to mention 5 gods as malice is no foreigner to our broverse?

[Kelborn]

We could leave Malal (if we want to use him) in the dark. Scheming besides the Great Four.

 

Or let him manipulate Andezo instead of Tzeentch. Just an example.

 

Wasn't sure if we want to let him be part of our BotL.

 

--------

 

Can Andezo see the demonic shards?

 

Yes & No

 

He can see the suppressed aggression and fury within Hec and maybe suggests that it might not be of human origin but the shards themselves are unknown to him. As he is not sure about his impressions, he keeps it for himself.

[MikhalLeNoir]

He is a big part. Gravestalkerz are his chosen. In this case as we really use him, i wouldn't want to leavr him in the dark. Show all. That the botl have 5 gods of chaos

[bluntblade]

Sigi, one thing doesn't seem quite to me. Rather than "savage close-combat fighters", I'd suggest something less clinical. Maybe "it gifts them their ferocity in the melee".