Aboard the Invincible Reason, Lion El'Jonson walked into his private armory.
Four Legion servants waited for him in the room, built from Calibanite ashlar. All wore deep green cloaks, thick gloves, and heavy boots.
The armory's walls were hung with various weapons, some custom-made for the Primarch, others trophies seized from conquered civilizations.
The Lion allowed himself this one indulgence: the collection of weapons.
He considered it a pursuit as unique as Nareth's collection of oddities, Fulgrim's appreciation of art, or Magnus's thirst for knowledge.
When not on his throne issuing commands, the Lion spent most of his time aboard the Invincible Reason in this chamber, contemplating ways to kill enemies with weapons.
He paced along the walls, caressing his beloved pieces, his gauntleted fingers tracing blades and points, admiring their exquisite craftsmanship.
Spiked cestus of Roman gladiators. Machetes from Germanic tribes...
Finally, the Lion, his expression complex, walked towards the display's center.
There rested the beginning of his collection: a Calibanite short sword.
The Lion touched the short sword, recalling the moment Luther had given him his first blade when he became a knight of the Great Order.
Though simple in style, this short sword proudly occupied the center of his private armory.
The Lion heard heavy footsteps and quickly withdrew his hand.
He walked towards the door, his gaze fixed on Corswain.
"Father, it is confirmed. There is a Legion force active on the surface. As you suspected, it is Luther and his followers."
The Lion was silent for a few seconds, then strode forward.
"Announce on the Legion's comm channel that I am going to the surface."
"Prepare a Stormbird."
Beside the viewport aboard the Night Spear, Urian Benderag watched the black-terracotta Stormbird flash past, pacing back and forth before the window.
After a moment, he sighed heavily and opened his comm.
"Lord Nareth, my father is going to the surface. I believe he has already discovered Lord Luther."
To cover his secret of keeping Lord Nareth's confidence, he had to report to Lord Nareth.
On Taxal's surface, Luther led the newly reborn Great Order, avoiding the A-1 fortress zone, engaging the enemy in the forested, mist-shrouded regions.
He kicked aside a xenos corpse, answered the comm, and listened to Lord Nareth's message. After a dozen seconds of thought, he replied.
"My Lord, Lion already knows I'm here. I can't hide much longer."
"I will face him directly."
Luther charged a xenos, swinging his sword with force, crushing its head.
Dozens of meters behind Luther, Seraphax heard Luther's words and exchanged a glance with Bela. They read concern and relief in each other's eyes.
A xenos shrieked. Bela parried its claws with his sword as Seraphax struck from the side, beheading it.
The roar of engines shattered the battlefield's clamor.
The new members of the Great Order stared with complex expressions at the approaching Stormbird, at the leader who had abandoned them on Caliban, excluding them from the Great Crusade.
The Lion's expression was stern. Corswain and Nemiel flanked him.
Nemiel looked at Zahariel. The cousins' eyes met.
Once, Zahariel had kept Nemiel's secret, persuading him to abandon the plot to assassinate the Emperor with other knights.
That was their brotherly secret.
The Lion's gaze passed over Zahariel. He had once valued him as a brother.
They had both slain Calibanite lion-beasts. The Lion had thought their bond unbreakable. Now Zahariel stood beside Luther.
The Lion scrutinized the figure before him, as tall and robust as any other Dark Angel.
"Luther..."
"My order to you was to garrison Caliban and train neophytes."
As a qualified "Lawyer," Luther had his arguments prepared.
"Xenos invaded Caliban. After repelling the attack, I pursued them, witnessing world after world fall to the xenos, countless people enslaved."
"These xenos bring suffering to countless people, just like the beasts of Caliban."
"Lion, remember how we..."
Hearing "we," the Lion coldly roared, "Silence!"
Fury filled his eyes.
"My order was to garrison Caliban."
"Now, go back immediately!"
"No!" Luther met the Lion's gaze without flinching.
Corswain's hand went to his sword hilt. Seraphax and Bela exchanged a glance, their hands also tightening on their blades.
The "Barbarian" felt the immense pressure. He instantly entered the first level of the Telema state of mind, his gaze locked with the Lion's.
"Luther!" The Lion's roar was deafening.
His fist clenched, ready to strike Luther, who had betrayed him at Sarosh and was now defying him again.
The Lion's clenched fist suddenly relaxed. He looked up at the sky.
The approaching aircraft was not a Stormbird of the 8th Chapter as he expected, but a black one, Shadows of Order's Stormbird.
A figure in black armor with golden wings flew out.
The Lion's expression was severe as he watched Nareth land before him.
"Nareth! I am handling Legion affairs. If you have matters, wait a moment."
Nareth's gaze swept over Luther and Zahariel. He keenly noted the unease and fear they struggled to hide beneath their calm facades.
'The Lion really doesn't know how to handle his sons now.'
'If he knew the future, why be like this now?'
He knew he had to speak for Luther. He couldn't let them be sent back like this.
"Lion." Nareth called out, stopping the Lion as he turned away.
"I don't intend to interfere in your Legion's affairs, but the xenos are a massive threat to the Imperium."
"Luther and the knights of Caliban are also Astartes of the Imperium. They are the Emperor's angels."
"They have made great sacrifices fighting the xenos."
"The path to this decisive battle was paved with their blood."
Luther's followers, their uneasy hearts, were soothed by Lord Nareth's words.
The affirmation of their honor strengthened their conviction that they had not strayed from the right path.
"Therefore, Lion, I ask you to allow them to remain on the battlefield."
"After the war, I will not oppose any decision you make."
Nareth's earnest request made the Lion pause.
He looked at the Dark Angels behind Luther. Their black-terracotta armor was soaked with blood.
He keenly noticed the battle scars covering their armor, marks left by the xenos.
"Very well."
The Lion uttered a cold word and turned to leave.
"Lord Nareth, thank you for speaking for me."
Hearing the voice behind him, the Lion quickened his pace.
Zahariel and Nemiel exchanged a glance, then walked in different directions.
Zahariel caught up with Luther. Nemiel followed the Lion.
The black-terracotta Stormbird slowly rose. The Lion watched Luther let out a roar, so forceful it made the pilot flinch, causing the Stormbird to shudder.
He watched Luther and Zahariel charge together into the xenos.
Beyond the veil, in the Empyrean.
Upon the vast Rainbow Plateau, pathways of colored crystals shifted and transformed constantly, crisscrossing.
The crystal labyrinth moved and rearranged itself endlessly.
At its center stood the magnificent Impossible Fortress. Twisted crystal spires and towers of blue and pink flames surged and erupted from the fortress's core.
They existed only for a heartbeat, then flickered and vanished, replaced by new, even more maddening structures.
Doors, windows, and inviting archways opened like hungry mouths, then closed moments later, barring entry.
Within the Hidden Library, an entity observed the tense confrontation between father and son, the scenes of loyalty and betrayal between Primarch and sons, and let out a meaningful murmur.
"Luther... fate changed..."
Its skin was covered in ever-shifting faces. As it spoke, these faces echoed its words with subtle intonations, a mocking tone that cast doubt on the true meaning of the original words.
"Change... interesting..."
On its countless faces, tens of thousands of eyes flickered with diverse, disordered lights, all focusing on one person.
"Dark Angels... Caliban... Seraphax... everything is going according to plan..."
Its gaze shifted away from Taxal.
Its interest never lingered on any one person for long, unless that person was its perfect ideal.
The red cyclops.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu