Chapter 72: Sigismund and Kharn
Commorragh once served as the Eldar Empire's central hub for the Webway, the largest centre of their interdimensional labyrinth.
After the fall of the Eldari Empire, the Webway shattered into perilous fragments.
Ancient pathways faltered or became infested with deadly predators from the Immaterium.
The deepest reaches now harboured entities that defied comprehension.
Things that had crawled forth from the spaces between reality.
Yet the Dark Eldar kept access to countless nodes. From these, they launched raids on a million worlds across the galaxy.
Every day, new ships arrived at Commorragh's ports, carrying loot and captives.
The port that welcomed the Imperial fleet belonged to the Hesperax dynasty.
Their lineage could be traced back to the War in Heaven itself.
Archon Hesperax commanded not just wealth and influence.
She held a seat in the Commorragh Council.
No single tyrant ruled the Dark City.
During the height of the Eldar Empire's golden age, Commorragh had answered to the High Council alone.
After the Empire fell, the city's order lasted only out of necessity.
Later, the strongest Archon houses established their own governing body.
The Hesperax dynasty earned its position through more than just political manoeuvring. Their military strength was absolute and terrifying.
No one dared to challenge their authority within these docks.
And those who were foolish enough to try suffered fates worse than death, their screams serving as warnings to others.
Rakarth's reputation in the city helped the Imperial fleet pass the defensive lines directly at port without any problem.
"All batteries begin firing. Authorisation permits the complete and unrestricted destruction of xenoflith."
The Emperor's voice carried absolute authority across the fleet channels.
"Our singular objective is maximum destruction. Show this dark city the price of defying humanity."
The Imperial fleet responded with immediate and devastating precision.
Lance batteries discharged their fury whilst macro-cannons roared their hunger.
Each Legion stood ready for planetfall. Warriors eager to bring the Great Crusade to this nest of xenos degeneracy.
A bone-pale Eldar battleship, caught by complete surprise, was destroyed in a single lance strike.
Its hull ruptured in spectacular detonation.
Burning debris rained down across the port like falling meteors, each fragment igniting anything it touched.
Dark Eldar vessels prioritised speed over safety. Within the narrow confines of the port, this mindset proved to be their fatal flaw.
The wreckage of one ship became the executioner of another.
A chain reaction of destruction spread throughout the harbour.
The port turned into a slaughterhouse.
Imperial warships moved forward unchallenged, their guns roaring in relentless thunder.
Fighter squadrons burst from launch bays, raining death upon the city's aerial traffic and crucial infrastructure.
Within minutes, every vessel in the port lay broken. Countless structures burned whilst their occupants perished in the flames.
"Rakarth! How dare you lead these primitive beasts to our sanctuary!"
Word of the human invasion spread rapidly throughout the city.
When the Council Archons discovered Rakarth's betrayal, their heart burned with righteous fury at this betrayal of their species.
The Haemonculus Covens felt a deeper betrayal. Rakarth had brought dishonour to their ancient brotherhood.
Swift consensus formed between the Council and Covens. Unity fueled by shared outrage and wounded pride at being invaded by Mon'kiegh.
"Deploy our finest killers; every single one of these invaders must be eradicated without exception."
And capture that traitorous bastard Rakarth alive; he must suffer for thousands of years for this betrayal.
While the rulers of Dark City were busy launching a counterattack against the imperial forces.
The object of their disdain knelt inside the Strategic Room of the Imperial Ship, as holographic images of Commorragh's districts gradually rotated before him.
"Honoured Majesties, please observe the Spire District; this is where the Council Archons and High Families reside in their palaces."
Rakarth's gesture indicated the relevant tactical markers.
His voice carried the eagerness of a newly converted individual.
"I offer to guide Imperial forces in a direct assault. The screams of my former colleagues shall be my gifts to you."
Rakarth understood his position with perfect clarity.
Even Imperial mercy could not protect him from Commorragh's assassins.
Therefore, he would achieve something previously unthinkable.
He would taste the fear of those who had once commanded him.
Their screams would surely surpass those of mere slaves.
More piercing, more exquisite, more satisfying than any he had heard before.
Drop pods stormed through Commorragh's polluted atmosphere like blazing meteors.
The sound of their retro-thrusters was loud in the alien sky.
The pods struck the dark metropolis with thunderous impact.
Shattering architectural domes and triggering secondary explosions.
Dust from crushed stone filled the air, and smoke columns rose in the air like funeral pyres.
The city's foundations shook under the attack of Imperial forces.
Assault ramps lowered with loud hydraulic noises. Power-armoured Legionaries entered the fallen city for the first time.
Kharn stepped out of his pod with a predatory gaze. Combat stimulants flooded his enhanced physiology.
[Warhound gene-engine functioning within safe limits.]
[Rampage protocols activated.]
The neural interface informing of his body status.
Every aspect of his transhuman capabilities was enhanced beyond mortal limits.
"The hour of slaughter has arrived."
Kharn shrugged his shoulders and showed his teeth. The face held no trace of mercy in it.
He led his squad against the Eldar fighters, who were attempting to take defensive positions.
Chainaxe and combat blade carved through their bodies.
Alien limbs separated from torsos as blood painted the walls.
"You primitive mammals will regret this violation of our sanctuary."
A Dark Eldar commander spat his curse before fleeing on anti-grav propulsion.
His skimmer carried him beyond immediate retaliation.
"Hold your position and establish operational perimeters and wait till reinforcement arrives."
"I will pursue that fleeing xenos."
Kharn's vox-transmission carried his orders to his brothers.
Then he turned towards the direction in which the Eldar commander fled and ran towards him.
The target held a significant rank within the local hierarchy.
His death would surely add lustre to the Twelfth Legion's honour rolls and bring honour to their Primarch.
"Father will approve of this trophy."
Kharn followed his quarry into a towering spire.
Anticipation of victory drove him forward through the alien corridors.
The interior revealed chambers of horror. Mummified corpses of several species hung from chains and hooks.
The road ahead was lined with twisted sculptures and artworks created from substances better left unnamed.
"Truly revolting, as expected of filthy Xenos," Kharn muttered through his vox-grille.
As he reached the upper platform, he was immediately ambushed in hidden locations.
The Kabalite warriors stepped out of their hiding spots with weapons ready, attacking the lone Astartes.
Ancient technology of the Eldar clashed with modern gene-craft of the Imperium in fierce combat.
As Kharn battled the Kabalites, he found himself surrounded by them.
Despite his enhanced transhuman power, he was slowly being overwhelmed by the xenos.
The moment he killed one of them, another attacked him.
Crystalline blades opened wounds in his ceramite plating.
Kharn was aware of his grave mistake; his overconfidence in his enhanced ability and powerful weaponry might become his death today.
Just as the Kabalites were gaining the upper hand, a warrior in a yellow-plated Astartes Battle Gear dropped from the platform above them.
His blade took a Kabalite through the spine before it could strike Kharn's exposed flank.
Kharn felt relief as he looked at his Astartes brother from the Imperial Fists.
Reinforcement had arrived.
"My gratitude, brother."
"It is unnecessary." The response carried formal chill, professional courtesy rather than warmth.
The remaining Dark Eldar continued their attack from multiple directions.
Anti-grav skimmers provided mobile fire platforms.
Kharn found himself fighting in perfect synchronisation with his unexpected ally.
Two Space Marines are moving as a single unit.
The xenos stood no chance against their combined might as they fell like grass before the scythe.
Their inhuman coordinated strikes left no room for a counterattack from the Kabalites.
When the enemy commander finally died under the blade of Kharn, silence fell upon the chamber.
Only the sound dripping cooling blood marked their victory.
Eldar Corpses lay scattered across the platform.
Crimson pools reflected the chamber's sickly illumination.
"What designation do you bear, Brother?"
Kharn regarded the warrior in Imperial Fists livery.
His Yellow ceramite armour bore the scars of recent combat.
The legionary removed his helm to reveal a face carved from duty itself. "I am Sigismund of the Seventh Legion, Terran-born."
"I am Kharn of the World Eaters, Sigismund. Will you accept the bond of sworn brotherhood?"
Kharn's helm came away as he spoke.
His expression held nothing but earnest sincerity for this Astartes warrior who saved his life.
Sigismund studied him with penetrating intensity, seconds stretched whilst he weighed the proposal.
Finally, he nodded once. "With the greatest honour, Brother."
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So, how was it? Did you guys like it better than the previous chapter?
Additionally, I wanted to let you know that I am currently working on another fanfic.
It's a Friren fanfic, and from tomorrow, I will post chapters here on Webnovel.
I generally work on fic that has a good concept and idea, I like it, I work on it, as you can see, and try to bring it to you with good quality.
And you are all one of the best readers one could ask for; you are honest and straight to the point.
You tell when it's good and when it can be better, and you give honest critique.
Some of you might think that I may get upset over a 1-star review, or maybe even sad.
However, I like it because it provides real information about what I'm missing.
And how should we get better?
So, for being honest and sharing your opinion, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Also, have you all decided whether you want that Gender Bender Primarch fic?
We are almost half of our initial goal of 1000 powerstones. I can start working on it, and then post here.
If you can confirm, I can prepare early and avoid overwhelming myself.
Again, hope you enjoyed this.
And why am I yapping so much?
Well, we'll meet again brothers.