Helloooooooooo, how is everyone doing? Hope you are doing fine. That was one hell of a week. I am back.
And no, this is not happening again.
I was questioning my life, wondering what to do with it, and whether what I was doing was going to work or not, things like that.
Now back to the chapter.
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Chapter 75: The Bewildered Lion and the Radiant Horus
"If we continue to enhance the Primarchs beyond their current capabilities, I fear it shall lead to consequences we cannot foresee," Valdor said with precision.
His golden armour shining in the light of Terra's sun as he stood before the vast strategium. "With our current technological mastery, given sufficient time, human civilisation shall venture into the many unknown universes."
The Custodian's voice carried grim weight. "The Primarchs are not strictly a necessity for such expansion."
Valdor could envision the chaotic fragmentation that would plague the Imperium in centuries to come. Primarchs leading their Astartes Legions to conquer and occupy entire universes. Each would become a warlord of vast scope.
They would ignore the commands issued from Terra itself. They would listen to orders yet refuse to heed declarations.
The Raven shook his obsidian head slowly, as he offered his contrasting perspective.
"Valdor, there exists no such thing as a permanent solution in this galaxy." His eyes gleamed with certainty. "Our task remains unchanged: to ensure humanity's ascension above all other species."
"As for what the distant future may hold, let the future generations come and strive against their own challenges." The Raven's tone grew more thoughtful.
"While we currently possess technologies that challenge the achievements of the Dark Age, whether humanity can truly venture into the multiverse and establish dominion remains uncertain."
His voice dropped to a more threatening note, "Do you believe only our universe harbours the Chaos Gods and their malevolent influence? Are there no monsters lurking in the void between realities? No demons that feast upon the dreams of mortals in distant realms?"
"Theu exist, my friend, one worse than another. When these entities perceive that a rising humanity threatens their dominion, do you truly believe they will not rally their forces against us?" The Raven's question hung in the air.
"Even if the Primarchs should lead their Legions to preside over distant regions and establish themselves as warlords, at least humanity would have ascended to greatness."
"At least our species will possess choices beyond mere survival." His voice hardened with finality. "If we cannot even achieve this rise to power, what purpose exists in discussing these theoretical dangers?"
The Raven turned his piercing gaze toward the Emperor. "What do you say, Big Guy, which path do you choose? Should we empower the Primarchs to lead the Imperium into the Multiverse with unstoppable force?"
"Or shall we, in our hesitance to avoid future conflicts, restrict the Primarchs in this universe alone? And for what, to watch them fight for power among themselves while greater opportunities slip beyond our grasp?"
Valdor observed the exchange with growing unease. The weight of their decision today would echo across eternity itself.
The Emperor remained motionless for long moments. His golden features betrayed no hint of the calculations racing through his mind. Valdor could feel the psychic pressure radiating from his Master as possibilities were weighed against risks.
When the Master of Mankind finally responded, it came not through words but through the pure communion of thought. His psychic voice carried authority.
'If you refuse to claim your seat at the table of destiny, you will never witness our final Glory.'
'We shall make this gamble with confidence higher than any false Gods'
The declaration struck Valdor heavily. In all his millennia of service, he had never heard such acceptance of risk from his Emperor.
'Once this campaign reaches its conclusion, the latest iteration of the Gene Engine shall be implanted within each Primarch.'
The Emperor, having declared his decision with finality, fixed his gaze on the Raven.
'Raven, you must locate a universe that possesses sufficient power to challenge them. One desperate enough to demonstrate the true cruelty that exists beyond our realm.' His psychic voice intensified. 'They must comprehend the necessity of human unity in the face of such threats.'
"Consider the task already done, my friend." The Raven's response carried confidence as he struck his chest with one wing curled into a fist.
"I promise you they will never forget this experience, Ha-ha-ha"
Meanwhile...
The sounds of battle echoed through the twisted architecture of Commorragh. Plasma fire illuminated the perpetual city as Imperial forces carved their way deeper into the Dark City's heart.
"For the Emperor! For Horus! For the glory of the Sixteenth Legion!"
The war cry of the Luna Wolves erupted across the battlefield like thunder. Their battle cry echoed as they surged forward with unstoppable momentum, crushing all opposition under their boots.
They shattered three defensive positions in rapid succession. Each breakthrough came with precision and the devastating force of an orbital lance.
At the entrance to a palace that twisted to the sky, Horus Lupercal came to a halt for the first time since he stepped on the battlefield. The Primarch assessed the current state of the battlefield.
The fire of competition burned within him. Every step forward represented not merely tactical achievement, but proof of his worthiness as the First Son. However, the Lion's presence somewhere in this maze of alien architecture drove him to achieve even more.
The Imperial landing forces had already carved out territory in the heart of the Dark City. Vast columns of auxiliary troops were advancing towards the Commorragh's administrative district.
Tank formations rolled forward in formations, while the Titans strode among them like walking cathedrals of destruction.
The situation above remained more precarious. The Xenos fleet had recovered from the initial devastation at a remarkable speed. Dark Eldar vessels moved with predatory grace as they executed strikes against Imperial warships.
Although the Imperium maintained superior firepower, the enemy's numerical advantage in their home turf could lead them to the breaking point.
BOOM!
Suddenly, an explosion shook the artificial atmosphere. One of the Imperium's battle cruisers dropped helplessly as plasma fires consumed its superstructure.
The dying vessel plummeted toward the dark city below, slow but destructive. Its burning hull crashed through residential towers, sending tremors through the alien architecture.
The ship's plasma reactor malfunctioned, causing a brilliant hemisphere of energy to burst from the impact site. This explosion lit up the eternal twilight with a mix of yellow and orange, resembling a sun rising over this dark city.
Horus felt the tremor through his boots. Despite the competition, each Imperial loss weighed upon him, yet the tactical situation demanded focus on the mission at hand. Victory here would demonstrate the Luna Wolves' superiority.
"The First Legion is maintaining nearly identical advancement speed to our own forces," Horus observed over the Legion's communications array.
Ezekyle Abaddon wiped gore from his power sword after dispatching a Wych renowned for agility by nailing the xeno on its own blade, crushing the head under his boots. The warrior's blade work had proven useless against Abaddon's brutality and crushing superiority.
"We will reach the objective before the Dark Angels, Father", Abaddon replied with certainty. The First Captain's voice carried conviction, no doubt in it.
Hastur Sejanus stepped forward, his armour bearing fresh scars from close combat. "The Luna Wolves shall claim victory this day, as we have claimed every victory before."
The surrounding Astartes raised their voices in acclaim. Their passion burned hot in the fires of death around them.
Horus could not help but smile a little with pride. With such warriors at his command, the Sixteenth Legion would surely distinguish itself above all others. The Lion would learn his place today at last.
On the other front, Lion El'Jonson's blade carved through the torso of a Dark Eldar warrior with ease, splitting the body in half. The sleek obsidian armour offered no more resistance than a parchment before the Primarch's strength.
Crimson blood splattered across the stonework as the alien's death-scream joined the battle's symphony amidst Commorragh's twisted corridors.
The Lion moved through the chaotic battlefield as though it were empty space. No obstacle could slow down his advance toward his objective.
He was the First, the Lion of Caliban, master of the First Legion. Horus might claim the title through political talk, but true supremacy would be proven through deed, not declaration.
The heavy weapons failed to achieve target lock on him, and light arms of Aeldar proved incapable of penetrating his transhuman physiology.
He resembled nothing less than a deity of slaughter from Caliban's myths. His presence brought death to all who dared to face him.
His sword traced deadly patterns through the air. Wherever the Lion's advance carried him, blood flowed like rivers while alien corpses covered the ground.
A Mandrake attempted to ambush him from the shadows. But immediately, the creature's form dissolved as Lion's blade separated its torso from its legs in a single motion of his sword.
The Primarch paused to cleanse his weapon of xenos blood. His enhanced hearing picked up heavy footsteps approaching from behind him.
The Tech-Sergeant bore mechanical augmentations across his left side, and Servo-skulls orbited his position while data-streams were displayed on his visor display.
"How is Horus progressing toward the primary objective?" the Lion inquired without turning.
The Tech-Sergeant checked his sensor readings. "The Luna Wolves have already breached the fourth defensive perimeter, my Lord. They are advancing toward the central spire at maximum speed, barely stopping to deliver brutal death to Xenos."
"Additional Legion forces are also following us in close pursuit. Intelligence has arrived; they also seek the honour of eliminating the enemy leadership."
Brother-Captain Alajos called out over the communications network. "My Lord, we must accelerate our advance if we are to claim victory."
The Lion raised his gaze toward the towering spire that dominated Commorragh's skyline. The structure twisted upward like a blade thrust toward the artificial stars. Victory there would settle the matter of primacy once and for all.
"Increase the attack speed immediately. Show these xenos the true meaning of Astartes warfare."
The First and Sixteenth Legions raced toward the central district. Both forces wanted to prove themselves the superior Legion through this action. Each Astartes warrior burned with the desire to demonstrate superiority over their brotherhood.
After all, this competition would determine which Legion stood strongest among the Emperor's chosen. However, an unforeseen variable emerged to disrupt their calculations.
As both forces were near the spire where Commorragh's nobility maintained their courts, a figure plummeted from above.
He descended like a falling star, striking the ground before the spire's main entrance. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward through the alien architecture.
Dark Eldar guards in midnight armour were hurled aside by the force of his landing. Their formation scattered like leaves before a hurricane.
The newcomer wore golden war-plate trimmed with crimson that gleamed like blood. A pair of pristine white wings spread from his shoulders.
He appeared as nothing less than an avenging angel torn from Terran mythology. A flaming sword occupied his right hand while a blessed spear rested in his left.
This was Sanguinius, the Angel of Baal.
His combat prowess was second to none. Some Dark Aeldar warriors who dared to attack him didn't even survive a second before falling to his blessed weapons.
"This glory belongs to the Ninth Legion!" Sanguinius proclaimed as he severed the head of a Cabal Archon in one clean strike. "To the Blood Angels, who fly above all !"
He impaled the alien's head upon his spear, raising the trophy high for all to witness. His declaration echoed across the battlefield.
The Blood Angels in crimson war-plate roared their approval behind their Primarch. Their voices echoing to the heavens above Commorragh.
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Holy shit, I didn't know Sunguinius was a camper. Well, you learn something new every day.
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