In the core area deep within the rift, with the Great Unclean One Kugath banished, the Nurgle Demons army lost its backbone and powerful source of strength, falling into chaos.
The fresh forces of the Ultramarines, in cooperation with the surviving Grey Knights, began to systematically clear out the remaining filth.
However, everyone knew that the true source—the Warp Gate, still operating stably and continuously emitting evil energy—had not yet been closed.
Chapter Master Marius Calgar, after confirming that the Grey Knight Grand Master had been urgently sent to the medical facility in orbit, made a decision without the slightest hesitation.
"Cassius! Golden!" Chapter Master Calgar's voice carried an unquestionable authority, "Assemble the First Company's still-fighting Sword Masters and Veterans! Follow me to continue forward, objective—destroy the Warp Gate!"
"Yes! Chapter Master!" Captain Cassius and Lieutenant Golden of the First Company immediately accepted the order.
They knew the danger of the mission; even the Grey Knights had paid such a heavy price, but precisely because of this, they could not give up halfway.
Soon, an assault team personally led by Chapter Master Calgar, including Captain Cassius, Lieutenant Golden, and dozens of the First Company's most elite Sword Veterans and Sword Masters, quickly assembled.
Like a blue torrent of steel, they ignored the sporadic fighting around them and charged steadfastly towards the deepest part of the rift, in the direction emitting the strongest evil energy fluctuations.
Along the way, they saw the brutal traces left by previous battles—shattered demon remains, corrupted ground, and... the shocking wreckage of an Emperor-class Titan half-embedded in the rock face.
All of this silently spoke of how fierce the battle that had occurred here was.
When they passed through a stone forest composed of twisted crystals and officially stepped into the extremely unstable core cavern near the Warp Gate, even the battle-hardened Chapter Master Calgar couldn't help but frown slightly.
The scene before him was bizarre and beyond normal comprehension.
The rock walls slowly wriggled, collapsed, and reformed like living flesh, presenting various blasphemous forms.
The mixed auras of multiple Chaos Gods permeated the air, so thick it was suffocating.
Most unsettlingly, a distinct sense of abnormal time flow descended again!
The warriors' movements began to become sluggish, as if each step was taken in sticky glue.
Looking back, the path seemed stretched and twisted.
Calgar could clearly feel that a powerful and strange energy field enveloped this place, distorting the fundamental laws of space-time.
"Stay vigilant! Guard your minds!" Calgar ordered in a deep voice.
His powerful willpower helped him resist the discomfort, but he could also feel the difficulty of that power.
Just as they were pushing forward with difficulty, getting closer and closer to the core of the Warp Gate, which emitted chaotic, multicolored light—
The pink mist in front churned, and a familiar figure quietly reappeared.
It was the Slaaneshi Witch!
Unlike her previous disheveled state with a severed arm, her severed arm had now recovered as new, her skin smooth and delicate, as if she had never been injured.
She once again presented the image of an exquisitely beautiful human woman, her face capable of toppling kingdoms, her eyes filled with endless temptation and danger.
However, in her gaze towards Calgar and the others, there was a hint of venom and... a more intense "interest."
As soon as she appeared, without even an extra movement, that powerful, time-freezing psychic field unfolded again!
Buzz—!
It was as if the entire world had been paused.
The mist floating in the cavern stopped flowing, the wriggling of the rock walls became extremely slow, and even sound seemed to be completely absorbed.
All the Ultramarines behind Calgar, including Captain Cassius and Lieutenant Golden, had their movements instantly frozen, maintaining their advancing or alert postures, as if they had turned into blue statues.
Only Chapter Master Marius Calgar, relying on his powerful willpower far exceeding ordinary people and the extraordinary traits bestowed by the Primarch gene, was not completely still like the previous Sanx Squad!
But his movements also became extremely slow, as if he had fallen into the deepest mire, every tiny movement requiring immense effort and will.
The Witch seemed slightly surprised that Calgar could still move, but this quickly turned into a more intense interest and greed.
She let out a string of bell-like giggles, her figure gracefully "floating" before Calgar as if weightless.
Due to the previous battle, Calgar was not wearing his helmet, revealing his weathered, resolute, and authoritative face.
The Witch extended her slender, perfect hand, with nails painted enchanting purple, and gently, as if caressing a treasure, traced Calgar's cheek with her fingertip.
The touch of her fingertip was cold and slippery, carrying a strange charm that pierced the soul.
"Heh heh heh... Finally... I've met a truly great figure..." The Witch's voice echoed directly in Calgar's slowed consciousness, full of temptation and inquiry, "A Chapter Master... a son of a Primarch... your inner self... how 'rich' and 'delicious' it must be... I'm already... impatient..."
She seemed to believe that Calgar's slow movements at this moment were his limit, and he was utterly unable to resist.
She wanted to delve into the Chapter Master's mind, just as she had peered into Gaius earlier, to unearth his fears, desires, and secrets, which would be a far more "delicious" pleasure than with an ordinary warrior.
So, she made a bold and dangerous move.
She raised both hands simultaneously, gently but with an irresistible psychic suggestion, cupping Calgar's slowly moving face, forcing him to meet her eyes, which were as deep as a star sea yet contained endless desire.
"Let me see... Chapter Master who rules thousands of warriors... what kind of scenery is hidden in the depths of your soul..." the Witch whispered, and the vertical, color-shifting third eye in the center of her forehead began to slowly open, its eerie glow flickering, preparing to directly peer into Calgar's sea of consciousness!
However, just as her third eye was about to fully open, and her psychic tendrils were about to probe Calgar's mind—
An abrupt change occurred!
Calgar, who had been moving slowly as if powerless to resist, suddenly erupted with a lightning-sharp gleam in his blue eyes, which had initially appeared somewhat sluggish due to the time stagnation!
Contained within that gleam was absolute clarity, icy fury, and... a trace of desecrated rage!
"Filthy daemon!" A deep roar, like a volcanic eruption, burst directly from Calgar's throat!
At the same time, his right arm, which had been hanging at his side and was adorned with a massive Power Fist, seemed to break free from all spatial-temporal constraints, smashing upwards with a speed far exceeding his previous display, as fast as lightning!
The terrifying energy contained within the Power Fist instantly activated, emitting a dull, thunderous hum!
This punch condensed all of Calgar's strength as a Chapter Master, his will, and his extreme hatred for Chaos!
The timing, angle, and power were all perfect to the extreme!
The seductive smile on the Witch's face instantly froze, replaced by extreme horror and disbelief!
She never expected that this "mortal" Chapter Master could so easily break free from her time-stopping restraint and unleash such a swift counterattack!
She wanted to retreat, to cast defensive spells, but it was all too late!
Bang!!!!!!!!
A dull, extreme thud, like a heavy hammer striking rotten leather!
Calgar's massive Power Fist, squarely and without embellishment, slammed heavily into the Witch's flat, smooth abdomen, devoid of any excess flesh!
Terrifying power erupted instantly!
The Witch's seemingly delicate body arched sharply backward, as if struck by the main cannon of a starship!
Her beautiful eyes instantly widened, filled with pain and incredulity!
"Pfft—!" She spat out a large gush of pinkish-purple, energy-like blood, and her body, like a kite with a broken string, flew backward, crashing heavily against a wriggling rock wall in the distance, letting out a painful groan, and softly sliding down.
As she suffered severe injury, her time-stopping field instantly collapsed!
The flow of time inside the cavern abruptly returned to normal!
All the frozen Ultramarines instantly regained their ability to move!
Although they weren't sure what exactly had just happened, seeing the Chapter Master in a punching posture and the demonic Witch sent flying, they immediately understood everything!
"Protect the Chapter Master!" Captain Cassius was the first to react, shouting sternly!
The Sword Veterans, who had long been ready, launched their jump packs like an enraged swarm of bees, transforming into streaks of blue lightning, pouncing on the Slaaneshi Witch who had just struggled to her feet from the rock wall, her aura weak and her face a mix of shock and fury!
"Damn you, mortal! How dare you..." The Slaaneshi Witch, shocked and enraged, tried to cast spells to defend herself or escape.
But it was too late! The furious Sword Veterans would not give her any chance! Their Power Swords shone with the light of vengeance, their Storm Shields blocked her hastily cast psychic blasts, and they instantly submerged her in a flurry of sharp sword light!
Calgar slowly retracted his Power Fist, glancing at the rapidly dissipating purplish energy blood staining its surface, an undisguised expression of extreme disgust on his face. He reached out and forcefully wiped the cheek that the Slaaneshi Witch had just touched, as if trying to erase some extremely vile filth.
"An overconfident fiend." Calgar coldly glanced at the Slaaneshi Witch, who was being besieged by the Sword Veterans and letting out a series of shrill screams, his tone filled with contempt.
He turned, his gaze once again falling upon the nearby Warp Gate, which glowed with chaotic light, his eyes becoming incredibly sharp.
"Advance! Destroy it!"
Under the wrath of the Sword Veterans, the Slaaneshi Witch let out a final, venomous, and unwilling shriek, ultimately torn apart and purified by the Power Swords imbued with the fury of the Ultramarines, turning into a wisp of gradually dissipating pink smoke. However, this brief victory did not cause Chapter Master Calgar to relax in the slightest.
The closer they got to the Warp Gate, which emitted a chaotic, multicolored light, the stronger the bizarre power that warped the flow of time became. The air seemed to turn into viscous glue; every step felt as heavy as a mountain, and every movement of raising a hand or a gun became incredibly difficult and slow, as if performing a silent slow-motion act.
Even for someone as powerful as Chapter Master Calgar, possessing the extraordinary physique and iron will granted by the Primarch's gene-seed, his movements noticeably slowed down. He could feel his thoughts seemed to be slightly affected, becoming less swift than usual. He looked back at the warriors behind him; their situation was equally grim, all of them trudging as if through deep water, their faces etched with solemnity and effort.
Calgar immediately recalled the crucial information Calgar had mentioned in his previous report—at the last moment, they were not only affected by time dilation but also attacked by a powerful Chaos beam from the shadows above, and it was that fatal blow that led to Luna's severe injuries, Dorian's near-death, and ultimately the mission's failure.
"We cannot repeat the same mistake!" Alarm bells rang in Calgar's heart. Under such extreme time dilation, if another sniper attack of that power occurred, they would have no time to react effectively, becoming mere sitting ducks!
They had to change tactics! They could not risk getting any closer!
Calgar made a decisive move, forcefully resisting the spacetime drag. He raised his hand and, through the tactical link, issued new orders. His voice, though slightly low from effort, was still clear:
"All units... stop advancing!"
"Vanguard Squad! Listen to my command!" His gaze fell on the several Sword Veterans in the squad carrying heavy weapons, "Target... the Warp Gate! Initiate... long-range saturation bombardment! Disregard the cave structure! Repeat... disregard the cave structure! Even if this place is completely destroyed... we will not hesitate!"
His orders were resolute and filled with determination! To destroy the Warp Gate and prevent more demons from pouring into the real universe, even at the risk of causing a collapse and burying everyone here, they had to destroy the target before the enemy snipers could attack!
"Understood, Chapter Master!" Three Sword Veterans responsible for carrying heavy weapons immediately responded in deep voices. They struggled, little by little, to adjust their stances, aiming the muzzles of their incredibly heavy heavy plasma incinerator cannons, which required tripod support, at the core of the distant, constantly rotating Warp Gate, which emitted terrifying energy fluctuations.
The charging indicator lights came on, and a heart-pounding sound of energy gathering emanated from within the incinerator cannons. Superheated plasma compressed and heated within the barrels, emitting a ghostly blue light. Even from a distance, the destructive high temperature could be felt.
Just a few seconds of charging time, and these three heavy weapons, capable of melting through battleship armor, would unleash a torrent of destruction, turning the Warp Gate and everything around it into molten slag!
However, just as the incinerator cannons were about to finish charging, and the Sword Veteran's fingers were about to pull the trigger—
Another anomaly occurred!
In the shadows of the rock walls above the cave, those riddled with deformed crystals and writhing flesh, the Chaos Space Marines who had previously lurked like vipers and severely wounded Sanks Squad with Chaos beams, still stood silently.
Their cold visors peered through their camouflage, looking down at the slow-moving Ultramarines below, who were preparing for a long-range bombardment. Their bolter sniper rifles and the special weapons that fired Chaos beams remained firmly locked on target. By all accounts, this was the perfect moment for them to launch an attack and prevent the bombardment.
But they made no move. As if they had received some instruction, or... were waiting for something.
Just then, a figure silently emerged from the deeper shadows behind these Chaos Space Marines.
The appearance of this figure caused the unruly Chaos Space Marines around him to uniformly, with a sense of genuine reverence, kneel on one knee and respectfully salute!
The newcomer was not any known demon with obvious characteristics of the Four Gods. Its figure was tall and gaunt, covered in a robe that seemed woven from dull metal and shadow. In its hand, it held a twisted staff, topped with a constantly rotating gem that emitted a dim, ominous light.
Its face was extremely hideous, seemingly patched together from the terrifying features of various different creatures, its original form unrecognizable; only a pure, ancient malice could be felt. And most strikingly, its bald, wrinkled scalp was densely covered with blasphemous scriptures, etched in some kind of ink that burned with dark fire! The words were twisted and bizarre; a single glance made one feel dizzy and their soul uneasy.
Judging by the aura it emitted, a mixture of powerful psychic energy, cold calculation, and an... unsettling "unaligned" evil, it was this entity that had attacked Sanks Squad and fired that fatal Chaos beam!
Its abyss-like eyes casually swept over Chapter Master Calgar and his squad below, who were struggling to prepare for the bombardment. There was no hint of concern or tension in its gaze; instead, it held a condescending, unamused mockery.
Its voice, grating like metal scraping, directly resounded in everyone's minds, filled with disdain:
"Hmph... Son of Guilliman... indeed... as always... good at 'destruction'."
Its tone was as if it were evaluating a group of brutes who only knew how to act recklessly.
After uttering this nonsensical taunt, it didn't even spare the Ultramarines another glance. It slowly turned, tapped its staff on the ground, and walked back into the deep shadows from which it had come.
The kneeling Chaos Space Marines immediately rose and silently followed behind it, like the most loyal servants, soon disappearing into the darkness above the cave, as if they had never appeared.
They... just left? At the critical moment when the Ultramarines were about to destroy the Warp Gate, they chose to retreat?
This sudden, completely illogical turn of events stunned Chapter Master Calgar and all the Ultramarines below. The incinerator cannons were fully charged, and the operators' fingers were still on the firing buttons, but they had paused their actions because of this bizarre scene.
That mysterious, powerful demon, why did it leave? What did its words mean? It seemed to... not care if the Warp Gate was destroyed?
Countless questions flooded Calgar's mind instantly. But at this moment, there was no time for deep thought!
"Fire!" Calgar suppressed his doubts and sharply commanded! Whatever the enemy's scheme, destroying the Warp Gate was the top priority!
Boom! Boom! Boom!!!
Three thick, destructive plasma beams, like roaring dragons, tore through the stagnant spacetime, carrying the Ultramarines' resolve and wrath, fiercely slamming into the Warp Gate that was still slowly rotating!
The medical bay of the Macragge's Honour was filled with the cold, sterile scent characteristic of disinfectants and nutrient fluids. Compared to the tension and oppression of a few days prior, the atmosphere had eased slightly, yet remained heavy. Most of the severely wounded were stable, but many still lay in life support, battling their injuries and death.
On one of the reinforced sickbeds, Dorian's bear-like body suddenly twitched. Following this, a low, hoarse groan, as if rasped by sandpaper, squeezed from his throat.
He slowly, and with some difficulty, opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the familiar, softly lit ceiling of the medical bay. The burning, stinging pain throughout his body, especially in his back, instantly made him realize he was alive and back on the mothership.
"Ugh... damn it..." He cursed instinctively, trying to move his stiff body, but it pulled at the wound on his back, making him wince in pain.
"Don't move around, Brother Catonius." A calm, even voice spoke from the side. An Apothecary stood by the bed, a data-slate in his hand recording Dorian's vital signs. "Your back wound is very deep. Although initial repairs and skin grafts have been performed, you are still a long way from full recovery."
Dorian turned his head to look at the Apothecary, recognizing the face—a senior Apothecary from the Apothecarion.
"How long... have I been down?" Dorian's voice was still hoarse, his throat feeling parched.
"Eight standard days, same as Tech-Sergeant Luna," the Apothecary replied, handing him a cup of water and helping him rehydrate with a straw.
The cool water flowing down his throat made Dorian feel much better. He took several greedy sips, then eagerly asked the question he cared about most: "Where's Gaius? Where's Luna? How are they doing?"
The Apothecary put down the water cup and answered in his usual, emotionless tone: "Sergeant Gaius awoke two days ago. His injuries are recovering well, and he is now able to get out of bed for limited activity. Tech-Sergeant Luna Aisa..."
When mentioning Luna, the Apothecary's tone seemed to have a very slight pause, "...Her injuries are very severe. Her backpack power unit and surrounding tissues were almost completely vaporized, and her spine and multiple internal organs were damaged. Currently, Apothecary Vorlak has personally taken over and is performing deep repairs and bionic implant reconstruction surgery. The situation... remains grim, but Apothecary Vorlak is our best physician."
Hearing that Gaius was alright, Dorian visibly relaxed. And when he heard that Luna was being handled by Apothecary Vorlak, the heart that had been hanging in his chest also eased slightly.
Apothecary Vorlak was the Chief Apothecary on the Macragge's Honour, a highly skilled and respected elder Apothecary. When Dorian, Gaius, and Luna were still raw recruits, they had often received treatment and "lectures" from this old Apothecary after training injuries. For decades, Apothecary Vorlak had almost become a surrogate elder to them. Although he always maintained a stern expression, his medical skills were absolutely trustworthy. With him personally taking charge, Luna's chances of survival increased significantly.
"Old Man Vorlak is on the case... then Luna will definitely be fine..." Dorian mumbled softly, a testament to his absolute trust in Apothecary Vorlak's medical skills.
Once relaxed, Dorian's thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the bizarre, yet incredibly real "dream" he had during his unconsciousness. The plains of skulls, the Brass Throne, the endless armies of the Word Bearers, and the scene of himself fighting in World Eaters armor... every detail was vivid, as if it had truly happened.
Especially that colossal figure sitting on the throne... and its seductive whispers... Dorian shook his head, trying to dispel these chaotic thoughts. He was a blunt man, disliking such convoluted things. But at the end of the dream, those Word Bearers, as they charged, seemed to be shouting something at him... a name... He frowned, struggling to recall. The ferocious faces of the Word Bearers, their blasphemous battle cries... It seemed... they were shouting... "Khârn...?" Dorian whispered the syllable uncertainly. It was the only word he could remember that seemed to be related to him.
"Khârn?" He repeated, a confused expression on his face. "Who the hell is that? Never heard of such a person... Is he some obscure Chaos warband leader? Why are they shouting that name at me?"
He was utterly perplexed. As a typical man of action, Dorian had limited knowledge of the history and famous figures of the various Chaos warbands. Apart from the infamous Primarchs and a few exceptionally renowned individuals, he didn't know what the title "Khârn" meant to the World Eaters Legion—it was the most famous traitor of the World Eaters Legion, known as the "Hand of the Blood God," Khârn.
He simply assumed the dream was chaotic, that he had misheard or hallucinated. After all, how could he be associated with those traitors? And wearing their armor? It was absurd!
"Must be too severely injured, my mind's muddled..." Dorian found a reasonable explanation for himself and decided not to think about the strange dream anymore. What he was more concerned about now was when he could leave this damned medical bay, go find Gaius, and then wait for news of Luna's successful surgery.
He tried to move his body again, and the pain in his back made him suck in a cold breath once more.
"I told you not to move." The Apothecary's voice sounded again, with a hint of exasperation. "Your physique is indeed extraordinary, and your recovery speed is fast, but that doesn't mean you can do as you please. If you don't want to suffer permanent damage or bother Apothecary Vorlak again, just lie still."
Dorian grudgingly stopped moving, but mumbled defiantly, "Alright, alright... So nagging... Even more nagging than Old Man Vorlak..."
He lay back down, gazing at the ceiling, but in his mind, the "himself" from the dream, clad in crimson armor, wielding a chainaxe, and fighting to protect his brothers, involuntarily reappeared.
That feeling of savage power, that fearless fighting style... Although he was wearing traitor armor, for some reason, deep down, he vaguely felt... a bit... exhilarating?
As soon as this thought surfaced, he fiercely suppressed it.
"Pah! What are you thinking!" Dorian cursed himself inwardly. "I am an Ultramarine! A son of Guilliman! Not some damned World Eater!"
He forced himself to shift his attention back to reality, planning that the first thing he would do once he could get out of bed was to see Gaius, and then wait outside the operating room for news of Luna. As for the strange dream and the inexplicable name "Khârn," he selectively pushed them to the back of his mind.
However, some seeds, once planted, even if deliberately ignored, may still quietly sprout at some point in the future. Khorne's whispers, perhaps, had not completely dissipated with Dorian's awakening.
While Dorian was battling the lingering images of his dream and the pain in his body in the medical bay, Gaius, who was already able to move around to a limited extent, received an official notification from the company—a summons from the Company Chaplain.
This order was expected by Gaius. After every major campaign, especially brutal battles like the one on Austin Star, which directly confronted Chaos corruption, the Company Chaplain would individually summon the participating warriors for necessary psychological evaluation and faith reinforcement. The purpose was to confirm whether the purity of the warriors' hearts had been contaminated, whether their resolve had been shaken, and whether their loyalty to the Emperor and the Primarch remained absolute.
This was an important tradition of the Astartes Chapter, especially for a Codex Astartes-abiding Chapter like the Ultramarines, to maintain internal purity and combat effectiveness. All warriors from the First Company who participated in the battle had to go through this. However, Gaius's summons was delayed because his injuries were more severe and he awoke later. It was foreseeable that Dorian and Luna would also face the Chaplain's inquiry once they were able to move.
Gaius tidied his simple hospital gown, took a deep breath, suppressed the complex emotions arising from the failed mission and the casualties of his comrades, and walked with steps that, though still somewhat weak, had regained their steadiness, towards the Chapter Chapel located in the core area of the Macragge's Honour.
The atmosphere of the Chapel was solemn and dignified. The tall dome was adorned with frescoes depicting the Emperor's arrival on Macragge and Primarch Guilliman's campaigns across the stars. On either side stood statues of past Chapter heroes and inscriptions recording glorious achievements. The air was filled with the scent of incense and sacred texts.
In a side chapel, Gaius met the Company Chaplain who was waiting for him.
The Chaplain wore a specialized suit of power armor, painted a somber black, a stark contrast to the familiar azure. This armor was adorned with numerous skull reliefs and symbols of death and atonement, as well as dark fabric banners embroidered with scriptures and Imperial insignia, giving him a heavy and imposing presence. Only the left shoulder pad retained the Ultramarines' blue, bearing the Roman numeral "I" of the First Company, indicating his affiliation.
Most striking was the Chaplain's helmet. It was a realistic, even grotesque, skull-shaped helm, with cold eye lenses in the sockets. A thick, rough fabric cowl covered most of the helmet, revealing only the skull's face at the front, making him appear even more sinister and oppressive, like an emissary of death from the underworld.
The Chaplain stood silently in the center of the side chapel, holding a thick, ancient Codex Astartes with the Aquila emblem embossed on its cover. Though he made no movement, his invisible aura seemed to solidify the air in the entire side chapel.
Gaius stopped about five paces in front of the Chaplain, struck his right fist against his left breast in a standard military salute, and said in a steady voice: "Sergeant Gaius of First Company's Sanks Squad, reporting as ordered."
The Chaplain's skull helmet rotated slightly, and his cold eye lenses fixed on Gaius, as if they could penetrate his body and gaze directly into his soul. He did not immediately respond, but merely scrutinized Gaius with his silent gaze for over ten seconds before speaking in a voice processed by the helmet's vox-caster, making it exceptionally deep and penetrating:
"Sergeant Gaius. Raise your head and look into my eyes."
Gaius obeyed, meeting the gaze behind the skull lenses with a calm expression. He knew the trial had begun.
The Chaplain slowly opened the holy book in his hand, the pages rustling softly. He did not read verbatim, but instead posed the first question in his deep voice, cutting straight to the core:
"Tell me, Sergeant. In the depths of the rift on Austin Star, when you faced the warp-twisted sorcery, when you witnessed your comrades fall, when your mission ultimately failed... did your heart ever harbor a trace... of doubt in the Emperor's light... or in your own convictions?"
This question was incredibly sharp, directly interrogating Gaius's psychological state in a desperate situation.
Gaius did not hesitate. His gaze remained firm as he clearly replied: "No, Chaplain. At that time, my heart held only dedication to the mission, remorse for failing to protect my comrades, and hatred for the vile daemons of Chaos. The Emperor's faith and the Primarch's teachings were the strength that sustained me to fight to the very end, never wavering."
The Chaplain listened in silence, his skull helmet showing no expression. He continued: "According to the report, you came into close contact with and ultimately escaped the psychic corruption of a Slaaneshi Witch. Describe your state of mind at the time, and how you resisted the temptations born of sensory pleasure and desire."
Gaius recalled the scene when he faced the Witch's illusions, especially the weeping and accusations of "Luna." He said in a deep voice: "The daemon's temptations indeed struck at the weaknesses of the heart. It used my concern for comrades and my knowledge of the Imperium's dark side to sow doubt. But I knew that true loyalty is not blind, but rather choosing to uphold the light even after recognizing the shadows. The Imperium may not be perfect, but it is humanity's only fortress. And comrades need us to protect them with victory, not compromise. It was this clear understanding that allowed me to break through the illusions."
The Chaplain nodded slightly, seemingly acknowledging this answer. But his next question delved deeper:
"During your unconsciousness, or in previous battles, have you ever heard any... 'whispers' not belonging to the real world? Have you ever seen any... 'illusions' that should not exist? Especially those related to 'that mark' that once existed within you?"
This question made Gaius's heart tighten slightly. He knew the Chaplain was referring to the severed Mark of Change. He carefully reflected, then finally answered with certainty: "No, Chaplain. Since returning from Terra, my soul has felt unprecedentedly clean. There were no abnormalities during my unconsciousness either. I am certain that Tzeentch's corruption has been completely purged."
The Chaplain was silent again for a moment, turning the pages of the holy book as if searching for the next question. Finally, he closed the holy book, fixed his deep gaze on Gaius, and asked the last, and most important, question:
"Sergeant Gaius, look into my eyes, and swear with your soul—have you, without reservation, dedicated everything you possess, including your life, your will, and your loyalty, to the Emperor, and to the order and future he represents? Are you willing, for this belief, to fight to your last breath, even if it means sacrificing everything, without regret?"
Gaius took a deep breath, straightened his chest, his gaze like the purest sapphire, without the slightest impurity. His voice was loud and firm, echoing through the side chapel:
"I, Gaius, swear by my soul, my blood, and all that I possess!"
"My life belongs to the Emperor, my will serves humanity, my loyalty is dedicated to Ultramar and Primarch Guilliman!"
"I will be the Emperor's wrath, cleansing all heresy! I will be the Primarch's shield, guarding humanity's domains! I will be the blade of the Ultramarines, striking down all enemies of the Emperor!"
"This vow is unwavering, until death!"
His oath was resonant and powerful, filled with undeniable sincerity and resolve.
Behind the Chaplain's skull helmet, a barely audible sigh of satisfaction seemed to emanate. He slowly raised his black-armored hand, the one not holding the holy book, and traced an Aquila symbol in the air.
"Your faith, I have felt it, Sergeant Gaius." The Chaplain's voice seemed to soften slightly. "Remember your oath today. The path ahead for the Imperium remains dark, and the threat of Chaos is everywhere. Maintain the purity and steadfastness of your heart; they are your strongest weapons."
"You have passed the inquiry. You may return and continue your recovery. May the Emperor guide your path."
"Thank you, Chaplain." Gaius saluted again, a wave of relief washing over him. He knew this hurdle had been cleared.
As he turned to leave the Chapel, he could feel the Chaplain's deep gaze still lingering on his back, as if to ensure that every word he spoke came from the heart.
And for Dorian, still in the medical bay, and Luna, still struggling in surgery, similar trials of loyalty awaited them upon their recovery. In the eternal war against Chaos, physical wounds could heal, but the purity of the soul had to be constantly guarded, allowing no compromise.
With the Warp Gate completely collapsing under the Ultramarines' saturation bombardment of heavy weapons, turning into a twisted energy ruin, the battle on Austin Star finally concluded. The remaining Nurgle Demons, having lost their core support, were gradually purged. Although the planet's surface was still scarred and permeated with faint Chaos corruption, at least the large-scale invasion had been contained.
Chapter Master Marius Calgar did not linger in this sorrowful place. After confirming that the Grey Knights Chapter would take over subsequent purification efforts or potential Exterminatus, he decisively ordered the fleet to depart and return to the Ultramar Sector for necessary resupply and recuperation. Continuous fierce battles had severely depleted the Chapter's forces and caused significant equipment damage, and the warriors' bodies and minds urgently needed recovery.
Standing on the bridge, looking at the gradually receding planet outside the viewport, still shrouded in an ominous aura, Chapter Master Calgar's expression was calm, but a hint of imperceptible fatigue was hidden deep in his eyes. He contacted the Captain of the Tenth Company, responsible for recruit recruitment and training, directly via his communicator.
"Captain Orpha," Calgar's voice came through the communicator, "The Chapter suffered considerable losses in the Austin campaign. Immediately contact Macragge and urge them to send the latest batch of recruits who passed the assessment to the 'Macragge's Honour' as quickly as possible. We need to replenish fresh blood urgently."
"Understood, Chapter Master! I will attend to it immediately!" Captain Orpha of the Tenth Company responded swiftly and decisively. The timely replenishment of recruits was crucial for maintaining the Chapter's combat effectiveness.
Following this, Calgar assigned specific tasks to Captain Cassius of the First Company, Captain Sicarius of the 2nd Company, and Captain Hek Hansen of the Third Company.
"Cassius, compile a detailed battle damage report for the First Company in this campaign, including personnel and equipment, especially losses of Terminator Armor and special weapons, and draw up a priority replenishment list."
"Sicarius, the 2nd Company is responsible for alert patrols during the fleet's return journey. Maintain vigilance to prevent any possible tailing or ambushes."
"Hek Hansen, the Third Company will assist the medical department, prioritizing the transfer and subsequent treatment of seriously wounded personnel, ensuring they receive the best possible care."
The orders were clear and precise. The Captains took their leave, and the massive battleship, like a wounded but still majestic beast, began to adjust its course, slowly sailing towards distant Ultramar.
After dealing with urgent military affairs, Chapter Master Calgar left the bridge but did not immediately return to his office. Instead, he walked directly to the ship's high-level decontamination chamber.
The thought of that Slaaneshi Witch actually stroking his cheek with her filthy fingers filled Calgar with a deep sense of revulsion and disgust. Such direct physical contact, especially from a Chaos Demon, was an unacceptable desecration for a Chapter Master of the Ultramarines, who valued purity and order.
He underwent a half-hour, extremely thorough full-body decontamination with high-temperature steam, ultraviolet light, and special purifying agents. He only stopped when his skin felt tight. Changing into a brand new, majestic, and ornate Chapter Master's power armor, he felt slightly more comfortable, as if the 邪秽 aura had been completely washed away.
Returning to his spacious but simply furnished office, Calgar did not immediately dive into the mountain of paperwork. He walked to the massive observation window, gazing at the flowing stars outside, his brow slightly furrowed as he fell into deep thought.
The details of the Austin Star mission, especially the bizarre scene in the final stage, replayed constantly in his mind.
Why? Why did those Chaos Space Marines, lurking on the rock face, who had previously severely wounded Sanks Squad with deadly beams, not intervene to stop them at the critical moment when they were about to destroy the Warp Gate with melta cannons? They clearly held an absolute advantage in terrain and initiative.
And the demon that appeared at the very end, without obvious characteristics of the Four Dark Gods... Its ferocious face, bald head covered with blasphemous scriptures, and that eerie staff... The aura emanating from it was powerful, cold, full of ancient malice, and... Calgar keenly sensed a hint of familiarity.
He seemed to have encountered a similar aura in ancient Chapter records or certain secrets related to the Dark Age. It was a kind of... more ancient, more fundamental Chaos aura, different from the current system of the Four Great Chaos Gods.
"Cursed Warriors...? Or a follower of the Visarch...?" Calgar murmured several names that existed only in forbidden records, but he couldn't be entirely certain. A vague answer seemed to form in his mind, one that might involve the terrible secrets of the Horus Heresy.
But what truly perplexed him was why such an entity would appear on Austin Star? Its purpose was clearly not as simple as opening a Warp Gate to create chaos. It seemed indifferent to whether the Warp Gate itself was destroyed, perhaps even... pleased by it? What was the deeper meaning behind its final taunt about "Guilliman's sons being good at destruction"?
All of this was like a fog shrouding Calgar's heart. He realized that the incident on Austin Star might not be a simple Chaos invasion; behind it, perhaps, lay a deeper conspiracy targeting the Imperium and even the entire real universe.
After a long period of contemplation, Calgar temporarily pushed aside these unanswered questions. He pressed his communicator and summoned Lieutenant Golden.
Soon, Lieutenant Golden's figure appeared at the office door. He had recovered significantly from his previous fatigue, once again displaying the capable and steady demeanor befitting a First Company Lieutenant.
"Chapter Master," Golden saluted.
"Golden, sit," Calgar gestured to the chair opposite, "Sanks Squad... how are they doing?" His tone carried a rare hint of gentleness and concern.
Golden sat down and reported earnestly: "Chapter Master, Sergeant Karl is recovering the fastest; he can already move freely and has passed the Chaplain's inquiry. Dorian, with his robust physique, has also awakened and is recovering quickly from his injuries, but still needs bed rest for some time. Tech-Sergeant Luna... her condition is the most severe. Apothecary Vorlak's surgery was very successful, but whether she can fully recover, especially the integration of her nerves and mechanical implants, will require more time to observe."
Calgar nodded, a complex expression on his face: "They have all done very well. Facing that level of Chaos corruption, and... the direct intervention of such an entity, their survival itself is a victory. The mission's failure is not their fault."
He paused, looking at Golden, and said with a solemn tone: "Once they have all recovered, you must pay close attention to them, especially Dorian and Luna. This experience has had a significant impact on them. Tell them that the Chapter is proud of them, and they are still the sharpest spearhead of the First Company."
"Yes, Chapter Master! I will certainly convey your words!" Golden nodded heavily, a warm current flowing through him. The Chapter Master's affirmation was undoubtedly the best comfort for Sanks Squad, who had experienced failure.
"Alright, get to work. There are still many things to attend to during the fleet's return journey."
"Yes!"
After Golden left, Calgar once again turned his gaze to the stars. The path ahead remained full of unknowns and challenges, but at least for now, he needed to first lead his Chapter to recover from this severe blow and prepare to face the next trial. As for the enigma of Austin Star, perhaps the truth could only be unveiled one day in the future.
After Lieutenant Golden left, silence returned to the office, broken only by the faint, deep hum of the battleship's engines filtering through the thick deck. Chapter Master Marius Calgar did not immediately delve into the mountain of pending documents. His brow was tightly furrowed, and his fingers tapped unconsciously on the smooth tabletop.
The mysterious demon that appeared at the end on Austin Star, along with its unsettling taunt and the abnormal retreat of the Chaos Space Marines, was like a venomous thorn deeply embedded in his heart. The 詭異 nature and potential threat of this matter had exceeded the scope of what he, as Chapter Master, could independently assess and handle. He knew that some ancient evils, and the karmic ties behind them, were far more than a single Chapter could bear.
Hesitating for a moment, Calgar finally made up his mind. He needed to report directly to the supreme commander—Primarch Roboute Guilliman himself.
He walked to the Cogitator array on one side of his office, which was encrypted to the highest level and used exclusively for direct communication with Macragge and the Primarch. He entered a series of complex authorization codes and gene-validation codes. The indicator lights on the array lit up one by one, emitting a low hum.
A moment later, the communication was connected. However, the one who appeared in the holographic projection was not Primarch Guilliman himself, but a stern-faced court official in an Archon's robe.
"Chapter Master Calgar," the official's voice carried a programmatic respect, "the Primarch is currently presiding over an important meeting concerning the future fifty-year development plan of the Five Hundred Worlds. May I ask what urgent matter you have? Do you need me to leave a message for him or attempt to interrupt the meeting?"
Calgar understood the Primarch's busy schedule, but he knew this matter could not be delayed. He said in a deep voice, "This matter concerns significant abnormal movements of Chaos forces, possibly involving an ancient threat. I believe it must be reported directly to the Primarch immediately. Please be sure to convey my request, codenamed 'Austin Shadow'."
Hearing words like "Chaos" and "ancient threat," and the Chapter Master's unquestionable tone, the official's expression also became solemn. "Understood, Chapter Master. Please wait a moment; I will try to contact the Primarch immediately."
The communication temporarily entered a silent waiting state. Calgar stood patiently, mentally organizing the key points of his report.
After about ten minutes, the holographic projection flickered, and the image switched. The official's figure disappeared, replaced by a majestic figure seated behind a massive desk, clad in a blue Archon's robe, with an handsome and imposing face, and eyes that held endless wisdom and weariness.
It was Roboute Guilliman.
Even though it was only a holographic projection, the intangible pressure emanating from his gene-seed and his reassuring leadership instantly filled the entire office.
"Marius," Guilliman's voice was calm and magnetic, yet carried a hint of caution from being interrupted during an important matter, "I hope the news you bring is worth me leaving that agricultural tax reform meeting that has been debated for three hours without result."
"Primarch," Calgar immediately straightened up, saluted with the utmost solemnity, and said with extreme seriousness, "I apologize for disturbing you, but I am certain that everything that has occurred on Austin Star must be reported to you immediately."
"Speak," Guilliman nodded, leaning slightly forward, indicating his attentiveness.
Calgar took a deep breath and began to report clearly and systematically, from receiving the distress call, discovering the Warp Gate, the setbacks encountered by Sanx Squad and Taras Squad, to the intervention of the Grey Knights, the chaotic battle between Nurgle Demons and Slaaneshi Witches, and finally, the strange scene that occurred when he personally led the First Company elites deep into the rift, preparing to destroy the Warp Gate.
He particularly emphasized the final stage:
"...Just as my honor guard squad was about to destroy the Warp Gate with plasma incinerator cannons, those Chaos Space Marines who had previously severely wounded Sanx Squad with an unknown Chaos beam and had been lurking in the shadows of the rock wall, remained completely still, making no attempt to stop us."
"Subsequently, an… extremely unique entity emerged from the shadows," Calgar's description became unusually grave. "It was not a typical demon with obvious characteristics of the Four Gods that we commonly encounter. It was tall and gaunt, holding a twisted staff, with a monstrous, inhuman face. Its most striking feature was that its head was covered in blasphemous scriptures burning with dark fire."
"The aura emanating from it… powerful, cold, ancient… and, it carried a kind of… unsettling familiarity," Calgar paused, as if weighing his words, then with difficulty, enunciated the forbidden name that represented shame, betrayal, and endless pain in the hearts of all Ultramarines:
"Based on these characteristics… especially the scripture-covered head… I have no choice but to make an… incredible yet seemingly most logical inference…"
"That entity… is very likely connected to… Lorgar Aurelian…"
When the name "Lorgar Aurelian" was uttered by Calgar, even through the holographic projection, one could feel the air around Guilliman instantly solidify. A flicker of extremely complex emotions—cold anger, deep sorrow, and a disappointment that had not faded after ten millennia—passed through the Primarch's eyes, which were always filled with the light of reason.
Lorgar Aurelian, the Primarch of the XVII Legion, the Word Bearers, and one of the primary instigators of the Horus Heresy, was also the main culprit who spread the Chaos cult! He was an eternal pain in the hearts of all loyalist Primarchs, especially for Guilliman. The fall of this "brother," who was once obsessed with philosophy and theology but was rebuked by the Emperor, and the subsequent disasters he brought upon the Imperium, were indelible scars.
Calgar continued, his voice full of confusion: "But… Primarch, I don't understand… if it really was him, or some creation under his command… why would he appear on a seemingly ordinary Forge World like Austin Star? What exactly is its purpose? It seemed not to care about the Warp Gate being destroyed, and even… seemed to welcome it? When it finally left, it mocked us for being 'good at destruction'…"
Guilliman remained silent for a long time. He leaned back in his chair, gently rubbing his brow, seemingly digesting this astonishing information and pondering the deep implications it might hold.
"Lorgar…" Guilliman finally spoke, his voice deep, carrying the weight of history, "He and his followers, who worship the Dark Gods, have long been steeped in their twisted prophecies and fatalism. Their actions often cannot be judged by common sense."
"The clues you provided are very important, Marius," Guilliman's gaze sharpened again. "The characteristics of that demon indeed point to the Word Bearers, especially their dark apostles who are obsessed with 'true words' and scriptures. But whether it is Lorgar's own will or an independent action by one of his Arch-Sorcerers is still uncertain."
"As for their purpose…" Guilliman mused, "'Good at destruction'… this might be a key. The Word Bearers are obsessed with so-called 'truth' and 'prophecy.' They might be conducting some kind of… 'test'? Or perhaps guiding some event they foresaw? The fall and purification of Austin Star might just be one step on their grand chessboard…"
Guilliman's mind raced, trying to piece together the truth from the limited clues. "This matter is no small thing. I will immediately order Ultramar's Librarius and intelligence network to fully investigate all recent abnormal reports related to the Word Bearers, dark apostles, or demons with similar characteristics. Your Chapter has suffered heavy losses this time; your priority is rest and replenishment. As for the aftermath on Austin Star, it will be handled by the Grey Knights; you need not interfere further."
"Yes, Primarch," Calgar nodded heavily. Receiving the Primarch's attention and instructions significantly eased the pressure in his heart.
"Furthermore," Guilliman added, his tone serious, "the speculation regarding this entity is to be kept classified at the highest level for now, known only to you and me. Avoid causing unnecessary panic and speculation."
"Understood!"
The communication ended, and Guilliman's holographic projection disappeared.
Calgar stood alone in his office, but his mood was not entirely relaxed. The Primarch's analysis made him realize that they might have inadvertently become embroiled in a conspiracy far larger and darker than imagined. The appearance of the name Lorgar Aurelian meant that they might be facing a deeper and more dangerous enemy, born of ten millennia of resentment.
After the communication with Primarch Guilliman ended, Chapter Master Marius Calgar did not feel the slightest bit of relief. On the contrary, the Primarch confirmed his fears and pointed the finger of suspicion for the mysterious demon towards Lorgar Aurelian and his Word Bearers, which felt like an even heavier stone pressing down on his heart.
He slowly paced to the observation window, gazing at the seemingly calm but actually turbulent star sea outside. The demon's last mocking words echoed repeatedly in his mind—
"Son of Guilliman... as expected... skilled in destruction."
"Skilled in destruction..." Calgar repeated these four words in a low voice, his brows tightly furrowed. This brief comment, like a key, instantly opened a heavy and dusty door deep within his memory, pointing to a historical case that all Ultramarines were reluctant to mention but could never truly forget.
The Perfect City.
That was a tragedy that occurred during the distant Great Crusade, before the Horus Heresy. The Seventeenth Legion, the Word Bearers, after conquering a planet named Calth, built a magnificent city on it to worship the Emperor, naming it the Perfect City. However, the Word Bearers and their Primarch Lorgar's worship of the Emperor had already devolved into fanatical religious superstition, which ran counter to the Emperor's philosophy of a rational, scientific, and atheistic Imperium of Man, and greatly affected the speed of the Great Crusade.
Ultimately, the Emperor issued a cold command: destroy the Perfect City as a punishment for the Word Bearers' erroneous behavior, and forcibly bring them back "on track."
And the ones who carried out this order were the Thirteenth Legion, the Ultramarines, known for their efficiency and discipline, who at the time had a decent relationship with the Word Bearers, and their Primarch, Roboute Guilliman.
Although Calgar had not personally experienced that destruction, the Chapter's historical archives and oral traditions clearly recorded that moment: the Ultramarines' artillery mercilessly poured down on that city of faith, reducing it to ruins. The Word Bearers warriors watched helplessly as their sacred place was destroyed, their faith collapsed, and deep resentment and hatred for the Emperor and the Ultramarines were sown in their hearts.
Even later, Primarch Guilliman himself and many Ultramarines felt guilty about the destruction of the Perfect City, believing that it might have been an overly brutal act that indirectly led to the tragic event of the Word Bearers' ultimate complete fall to Chaos. But in the eyes of the Word Bearers, who had long since dedicated everything to the Dark Gods, such guilt was meaningless. The destruction of the Perfect City became one of the important catalysts for their betrayal of the Imperium and their allegiance to Chaos, and it was also the root of the millennia-old blood feud between them and the Ultramarines.
"Could it be..." Calgar's heart sank sharply, and a chilling thought emerged, "that demon... or rather, Lorgar behind it... by mentioning 'skilled in destruction,' is alluding to... the Perfect City?"
This association sent a shiver down Calgar's spine. If the other party's appearance was indeed related to this ancient grudge, then his purpose was far from simply creating chaos!
Lorgar Aurelian, this former brother, now a Chaos Undivided Daemon Primarch, his power and cunning far surpassed that of ordinary Chaos Lords. His hatred for the Ultramarines, for Guilliman, and for the entire Ultramar Sector, after ten thousand years of festering, had long since become incredibly deep and malicious.
His suspected appearance on Austin Star, was it to... seek revenge again? To test Ultramar's defenses? Or was he brewing a larger-scale invasion targeting the Five Hundred Worlds?
At the thought of this possibility, even the battle-hardened Calgar couldn't help but feel a surge of apprehension. If Lorgar truly led those fanatical and powerful Word Bearers legions back, and Ultramar was unprepared... the consequences would be unimaginable! The Five Hundred Worlds might face a calamity even more tragic than during the Horus Heresy!
"No... I absolutely cannot allow this to happen!" Calgar clenched his fist tightly. Fear wouldn't solve the problem; he had to be prepared!
He forced himself to temporarily detach from these unsettling speculations. The most important thing now was to deal with the immediate urgent matters. He pressed the communicator and contacted Orpha, Captain of the Tenth Company.
"Orpha, how is the new recruit transfer progressing?" Calgar's voice regained the calmness befitting a Chapter Master.
"Reporting, Chapter Master!" Orpha's voice came through, "We have already contacted Macragge. The latest batch of two hundred new recruits who passed the final assessment have assembled and are currently en route on a transport ship to rendezvous with us. They are expected to link up when we reach the edge of the Ultramar Sector."
"Very good." Calgar breathed a slight sigh of relief. The timely replenishment of fresh blood was crucial for the Chapter's recovery. "Ensure the reception process is flawless, and get them accustomed to the ship environment and into basic training as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir!"
After ending the communication with Orpha, Calgar fell into deep thought again. Merely supplementing new recruits was not enough. If the threat of the Word Bearers was truly imminent, then relying solely on the main Ultramarines Chapter might be insufficient. The Ultramar Sector's Five Hundred Worlds was a vast sector, requiring more comprehensive defenses.
He made a decision.
Upon returning to Ultramar, he must immediately, in his capacity as Chapter Master, contact the Ultramarines successor Chapters closest to Ultramar and with whom they had close ties.
He needed to inform them of the abnormal situation on Austin Star, emphasize the unusually active Chaos presence and potential high-level threat, advise them to heighten vigilance, strengthen their readiness, and establish emergency contact and mutual assistance mechanisms.
This was not a formal request for aid, but rather a warning and strategic coordination. Prevention was always better than a hasty response when the enemy was at the gates.
"I hope... I'm just overthinking it..." Calgar murmured to himself. But he knew that in the war against Chaos, any hint of complacency could lead to devastating consequences. Placing hope in the enemy's mercy or negligence was the most foolish act.
He had to be prepared for the worst. For Ultramar, for the Five Hundred Worlds, and to live up to the trust Primarch Guilliman had placed in him by entrusting him with this sector.
He turned and walked to his desk, beginning to draft the warning communications for the Chapter Masters of the various successor Chapters, while also planning in his mind how to further strengthen the sector's overall defensive capabilities upon his return to Ultramar.
The starry sky remained profound, and the challenges of the future seemed even more severe. But the Ultramarines' steps would never falter due to fear. They would, as always, hold their ground and meet any challenge from the darkness. And that grudge, spanning ten millennia, might perhaps be about to usher in a new Chapter.
Deep within the labyrinthine hull of the Macragge's Honour, in the dedicated hangar area of the First Company, the rhythmic hum of servo-tools and the faint hiss of energy welders echoed. The air was filled with a mixture of oil, coolant, and metal polish, a scent as familiar and comforting as home to a Tech-Sergeant.
Ailas had just completed the weekly routine maintenance on the First Company's three Dreadnoughts and the spare Dreadnought. Her small figure stood beside the towering, mountain-like "wrath of corax" Redemptor Dreadnought, making her appear even more diminutive. She wiped away non-existent sweat from her forehead, gazing with satisfaction at these war behemoths, their armor gleaming and joints flexible after her meticulous care.
After finishing her work, she did not leave immediately. Instead, she habitually found a quiet corner, plopped down on the ground, and pulled out her most prized "treasure" from her tool bag: the prototype of her "Ailas" model miniature Power Fist.
This pair of gauntlets was a bit rougher than the officially issued models, covered with various debugging ports and modification marks, but it was the "mother" of all issued gauntlets. Ailas skillfully disassembled the casing, adjusting the internal energy conduction lines and pressure sensors with a precision screwdriver, all while humming a peculiar tune she'd picked up from some unknown world.
In recent years, besides her regular duties, she had poured almost all her energy into various whimsical ideas, attempting to invent more useful, or what she considered useful, weapons or gadgets. Unfortunately, most of the results were unsatisfactory.
She had tried modifying a Bolter's feeding system, which resulted in a skyrocketing jam rate; she designed a miniature reconnaissance drone that could automatically track targets, but it crashed to the ground less than ten meters after taking off; she even fantastically tried to add retractable ice claws to Power Armor boots, almost scratching the deck during testing, earning her a good "lecture" from the hangar supervisor, the Tech-Sergeant.
The most dangerous incident was when she secretly researched how to enhance the power output of an energy core salvaged from a damaged Chaos weapon. She thought she had found a method, but as soon as she connected the test circuits, the core exploded with a "bang!" Although the power was not great, it only blackened her small face, turned her hair into a bird's nest, and completely messed up her workbench.
But the piercing explosion alarm instantly blared throughout the entire area! In less than thirty seconds, a squad of fully armed Honour Guard, as if facing a formidable enemy, stormed into her workshop, Bolters pointed at every corner, only to sheepishly withdraw after confirming there was no enemy intrusion, just this unruly Tech-Sergeant messing around again. Of course, Ailas was subsequently subjected to repeated reprimands from various officers and had her access to dangerous items strictly restricted.
Recalling these "glorious deeds," Ailas herself stuck out her tongue a bit sheepishly. But when she looked down at the miniature Power Fist in her hand, which had already gained fame throughout the Chapter, that sense of defeat was instantly replaced by immense pride.
This was something she, Ailas, had invented! Now, almost every Tech-Sergeant in the Chapter had a pair, using them for delicate operations in complex environments or… well… occasionally hammering stubborn bolts.
Even some snipers liked to equip them, using them to add a bit of counter-attack capability in close-quarters encounters.
She had heard warriors praise the gauntlets as "very useful" and "life-saving at critical moments" more than once during their idle chats.
Thinking of this, Ailas couldn't help but picture scenes in her mind: countless Ultramarines, equipped with the Power Fists she invented, fighting valiantly on the battlefield.
Tech-Sergeants skillfully repaired damaged equipment with them; snipers used them to punch down approaching enemies; and even those towering Terminators, couldn't they also equip one on their off-hand for added flexibility?
"Heheheh…" As she thought, Ailas couldn't help but giggle foolishly, her small face radiating satisfaction and happiness, as if she had already seen her invention making a huge contribution to the Chapter.
She leaned back relaxedly against the cold armor of the wrath of corax behind her, the cool temperature seeping through her thin work uniform.
She looked up at this Dreadnought, known for its speed and firepower, and silently recited its name.
"wrath of corax…" Ailas mumbled softly, "This name… it sounds so familiar… as if I've heard it somewhere before…"
She diligently searched her memory banks.
Corax… Corax… it seemed to be the name of a very powerful person?
Was it a hero of some Chapter? Or… She furrowed her small brows, lost in thought, but couldn't recall where exactly she had heard it.
Just as she was immersed in her own thoughts, an extremely faint, deliberately softened set of footsteps came from the direction of the hangar entrance.
Ailas alertly looked up and saw a figure slowly walking towards her.
It was an Ultramarines Sergeant, his helmet painted a striking red, which indicated his status as a squad leader.
His steps were light, as if he was afraid of disturbing her.
When Ailas's gaze fell on the arm guard of the Sergeant's left arm, her eyes suddenly widened!
On that blue arm guard, a severely dried, faded, and almost unrecognizable wreath was carefully secured!
The way the wreath was woven, the faintly discernible, tough grass stems unique to Vesta, and the long-faded small flowers… Ailas's heart skipped a beat!
A strong sense of familiarity surged through her!
She watched the approaching Sergeant in disbelief, and as he removed his red helmet, she saw Vik's face, which, though much more mature and resolute, still showed the contours of his youth!
"Vi… Vik?!" Ailas suddenly jumped up from the ground, her voice trembling and sharp with surprise.
She could hardly believe her eyes!
Was this tall, upright, and steady red-helmeted Sergeant truly the same dirty but bright-eyed boy who Dorian had rescued from the abandoned town on Vesta all those years ago?
Vik walked up to Ailas, looking at the girl who had grown up to become an excellent Tech-Sergeant but still liked to jump around excitedly like she did when she was a child.
A warm and nostalgic smile appeared on his resolute face.
He instinctively touched the decades-old, dried-up wreath on his arm guard, his voice slightly choked:
"Ailas… long time no see.
I… I'm back."
Looking at Vik, who had grown into a tall and upright Sergeant, Ailas's little head was full of questions.
She counted on her fingers; it had indeed been several decades since Vik was brought back to the Macragge's Honour from Vesta.
But strangely, in all these years, she had hardly ever seen Vik on the massive flagship, only occasionally hearing his name once or twice from Dorian's boisterous bragging, knowing that he had successfully become an Ultramarines and was doing well, nothing more.
"Vik," Ailas couldn't help but ask curiously, "Where have you been? How come I've never seemed to run into you on the ship?"
Vik smiled and naturally sat down on the ground next to Ailas, leaning his back against a cold seat.
His blue Power Armor sat side by side with Ailas's petite figure, creating a strange sense of harmony.
"It's a long story, Ailas," Vik's voice carried a steady tone, refined by years.
"After I finished my recruit training back then, I was directly assigned to the 9th Company, serving under Captain Talos."
"9th Company? Captain Talos?" Ailas blinked.
She wasn't very familiar with Chapter organization, but she thought she had heard Gaius and Dorian mention the name Talos.
"Yes," Vik nodded, a hint of recollection on his face.
"Captain Talos… he used to be Sergeant Karl and Dorian's Sergeant during their recruit days.
He was very strict, but privately, he was good to us recruits.
He would also often tell us… well… tell us all sorts of jokes and embarrassing stories about Dorian during his recruit training."
"Really?!" Ailas's eyes instantly lit up, as if she had discovered some incredible treasure.
"Lord Dorian had such moments? Tell me quickly!" She immediately threw her previous question to the back of her mind, her gossip-loving heart burning brightly.
Vik was amused by her reaction but still shook his head: "Those are all internal jokes of the Company; they can't be spread around casually.
However, Dorian's 'vitality' was indeed well-known since his recruit days."
He got back to the point, explaining: "The 9th Company is the Chapter's reconnaissance Company, primarily responsible for patrolling, reconnaissance, and vanguard missions in the outlying areas of the Ultramar Sector.
So we almost never operate with the main fleet of the Macragge's Honour, spending most of our time dispersed at various outposts or on our own small reconnaissance vessels.
Only when major battles of the scale of the Cadia Gate occur are we recalled to the main fleet to participate in the fighting."
So that's it! Ailas suddenly understood.
No wonder she hadn't seen Vik for so many years; he had been patrolling the distant borders all this time.
"Later," Vik continued, "my performance in several missions must have caught Captain Sibilus's eye, and after the Cadia Gate campaign, she transferred me to the Eighth Company."
His tone carried a hint of pride, "It was also shortly after that I was promoted to Sergeant for my merits."
At this point, Vik's eyes became gentle and nostalgic: "These years, although I've been away, I've always missed everyone in my heart.
I miss Sergeant Karl's steadiness, Lieutenant Golden's care, Dorian's straightforwardness, the words Luna said to me back then… and Lina and you, Ailas.
You are my earliest and warmest memories on the battleship."
He unconsciously touched the dried wreath on his arm guard again.
Hearing Vik mention Lina, Ailas immediately interjected: "Lina is amazing now!
She's the Chief Mortal Tech-Sergeant on the 7th Company's strike cruiser, the Unyielding Will!
Because her position is so important, and Captain Cassius seemed to have personally applied for something for her before… um… what was it?"
Ailas scratched her head, trying to recall, "Anyway, it was a pretty complex surgery, I forgot the name!
The effect is that even though Lina is several decades older now, her physical condition is still almost like a young person's; she's very energetic!"
She puffed out her small chest and added proudly: "But of course, she's definitely not as pretty as me! Hehe!"
Vik laughed at Ailas's childish words, but he was happy for Lina in his heart.
He knew that for a mortal, holding such an important position in an Astartes Chapter and receiving life-extension surgery was an extremely high honor and recognition.
After catching up on their recent lives, Ailas remembered the question that had been bothering her earlier.
She patted the cold Dreadnought armor behind her and asked, "By the way, Vik, do you know who Corax is?
I always feel like that name is very familiar, but I just can't remember where I heard it."
Vik was already accustomed to Ailas's Jumping thoughts, and he patiently explained: "Corax… if it refers to the origin of this Dreadnought's name, then it should refer to the Primarch of the Nineteenth Legion, Corax, also respectfully known as the Raven Lord."
"Raven Lord?" Ailas tilted her head; this name seemed to stir deeper memories within her.
"Yes," Vik nodded, his tone carrying respect for another Primarch.
"Primarch Corax and his Legion, the Raven Guard, are best known for stealth, surprise attacks, and guerrilla tactics.
They are like ravens in the shadows, silent and deadly with one strike.
This Dreadnought being named 'wrath of corax' is likely because the old veteran sleeping within was known for extraordinary mobility and assault capabilities in life, with a combat style as swift and fierce as the Raven Lord."
After Vik's explanation, Ailas finally remembered!
She had indeed, a long time ago, perhaps heard snippets about the Raven Guard and the Raven Lord Corax during some old veteran's idle chatter, or in some Chapter history summary!
"Ah! I remember now! It's that Primarch who was really good at sneaking around and fighting!" Ailas clapped her hands in sudden realization, summarizing it in her unique, straightforward way.
Vik smiled helplessly, neither confirming nor denying Ailas's choice of words, but the meaning was indeed similar.
Seeing Ailas's happy expression, his heart also filled with warmth.
After decades, to be reunited with an old friend and talk about the past was undoubtedly a rare comfort in these years filled with war and sacrifice.
And the dried wreath on his arm guard seemed to re-emit a faint glimmer of light because of this reunion.