Miguel Cuesta raised the Mindforged Staff, arcs of electricity frantically leaping along its shaft.
Amid the howling roar like a charging Knight-mech, and a torrent of psychic lightning shot toward a disc-shaped Mitu war-vehicle.
With an explosive boom, the once-brilliantly glowing craft turned pitch-black in an instant, then crumbled into ash.
It didn't end there. From the vehicle's remains, the psychic lightning rapidly spread to all surrounding enemies.
With a rapid series of thunderous cracks splitting the air, countless arcs burrowed into the weak points of the Mitu's shell-like armor, reducing them to dust.
In the blink of an eye, a xeno war-vehicle, and several hundred Mitu around it, were obliterated by the lightning.
Nareth watched Miguel unleash the psychic attack and nodded with satisfaction.
"Hmm, impressive power.'
'The Mitu use biotech for both their vehicles and personal armor. Against humans or enemies with more conventional tech, the killing effect would be even greater.'
'Miguel's ability and loyalty both exceed the standard I set. He can be trained into a beyonder.'
Deep in thought, Nareth stepped across the surface of Damaetus III's second moon.
His gaze passed the swaying form of a wounded Vyronii Knight and focused on the magnificent fortress towering in the distance. He sighed inwardly.
'The Vyronii are one of the oldest knightly houses in the Segmentum Obscurus, yet even their Felweather Keep was attacked, and about one-twentieth of its structures collapsed.
The surrounding buildings all suffered varying degrees of damage.'
Inside the Cerastus-pattern Knight Lancer Lonely Zero, Grand Master Jahk Vyronii, seated upon the mechanical throne, stared at the black-armored, gold-winged warrior descending from the sky.
This figure had crushed dozens of Mitu war-vehicles and over a thousand Mitu warriors in moments, unbelievable.
'They're attacking the Mitu… likely also enemies of the xenos.'
'Humanoid… but without remote sensing, I can't confirm what lies beneath that armor.'
Aliens could mimic such a form, but not that size. And more importantly, we believed we were the last humans.'
Jahk watched helplessly as the towering black-armored warrior approached. His knight-mech was completely out of power.
Then, he heard a dignified voice speaking High Gothic.
"Are you the Knight-King of Vyronii?"
"Yes," Jahk manually opened the cockpit and stood to face the black-armored warrior.
Moments later, after leaving Lonely Zero, Jahk accessed the standard data files introduced by the Shadow of Order to human colonies, giving him a first look at the mighty warriors who had saved Vyronii.
He was stunned to discover that Damaetus was not humanity's final isolated remnant.
Humanity had already risen again from the Long Night, and the commander of these black-armored warriors was the Primarch of the Eleventh Legion, Nareth.
Jahk and his eldest son, Gios, approached the Primarch.
"Lord Nareth, I am Jahk Vyronii, Grand Master of Damaetus. We are eternally indebted for your rescue, our knightly order owes a liberation-debt it can never repay."
"My lord, thank you for saving us. I am Gios Vyronii, eldest son of the house," Gios said reverently, dressed in knightly garb with a sword at his waist, staring up at the giant before him.
Hearing their names, Nareth instantly recalled everything about them.
'After the Vyronii were rediscovered, they joined the Great Crusade immediately, fighting alongside the Dark Angels who rescued them.'
'They served in five expedition fleets, earning vast honors, but suffered great losses of Knight-mechs, creating enormous demand for replacements.'
Jahk eventually chose to ally with the Forge World of Cyclothrathe, the wrong ally.
Cyclothrathe sided with Horus Lupercal, launching an attack during the alliance ceremony.
Nareth recalled Gios as well:
"One hour before the ceremony, he discovered Cyclothrathe's betrayal.'
'He returned alone, fought his way through the landing zone, collapsed before his father's Horned Viper, and delivered the shocking warning.'
'After Jahk's death, the injured Gios led the Vyronii through the crisis. Impressive capability."
After reviewing his memories in a flash, Nareth spoke with a smile:
"Vyronii's bravery in standing alone against the xenos and protecting your people is admirable."
Hearing the Primarch's praise, Jahk and Gios both smiled.
"You will not fight alone again. My sons will march with the Knights of Vyronii.'
'The Forge Worlds will supply you with Knight-mechs. Damaetus will have more Knights than ever before."
Gios was thrilled by the vision. Jahk, however, frowned.
The Vyronii archives described the Mechanicum as endlessly greedy for knowledge. With the data he'd just read, he felt uneasy accepting Forge World aid.
If Damaetus' weakness was discovered, they might demand the priceless knowledge sealed within their colonial ark.
Jahk spoke cautiously:
"We appreciate your kindness, but Damaetus does not require aid from the Forge Worlds."
"Without this Mitu invasion, our sacred Tech-Wardens could repair our damaged Knights.
We will soon stand beside you in battle."
Nareth understood the fear perfectly. His gaze flicked, almost imperceptibly, toward the Felweather Keep. He knew the ancient crystalline archive lay buried beneath it.
And indeed, the Mechanicum, Mezoa, Pandex, the new Cyclothrathe, even far-off Lucius, all coveted the wealth and ancient data of the declining Knight World.
Jahk had stalled them for over a century, disgusted by their greed.
Only when survival forced a choice did Damaetus finally seek an alliance, choosing disastrously.
If not for Gios' abilities, leading the Knights out of ruin, Cyclothrathe and the House Atrax would have destroyed them.
Nareth himself was interested in the crystalline archive, but he had no intention of alienating the Vyronii, who owed him a vast debt of gratitude.
As the Baron of Corruption, he didn't need the Mechanicum's crude tactics.
The moment he saw Gios, a plan formed.
Take him along, and corrode him.
One day, as heir and a highly capable leader, he would become head of House Vyronii and Grand Master of Damaetus.
Then, the ancient archive would naturally fall into Nareth's hands.
With a pleasant smile, Nareth said:
"There is no need for concern. No price will be required. Mezoa will build Knight-mechs for you. Mezoa will follow my will and supply you."
From their earlier reading, Jahk and Gios knew the overwhelming power of a Forge World.
Yet Lord Nareth could command Mezoa itself.
Recovering from his shock, the Grand Master bowed deeply.
"We obey your will."
"I grant the Knights of Damaetus time to recover until you are ready to walk the battlefield once more."
Nareth turned to Gios. "You will follow me. I will teach you, so you may adapt to what comes next."
"It is my honor," Gios said, trembling with excitement.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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