300.M36
Eternal Light
"I will not let him go so easily," Mina said as she pressed her personal sigil onto a parchment with a firm motion. "I still can't believe he tricked us into thinking those worlds were still under enemy control."
She turned to her right, where Arabella sat behind another table. She was calmly reviewing her own stack of documents, methodically sealing each one with her sigil. Her pile was already much smaller than Mina's.
Arabella glanced up from the parchment, her expression calm but tinged with faint amusement. "It was a clever ploy," she said softly, pressing her seal to the next document with practiced grace. "But that doesn't mean we have to let him off without… penance."
Mina crossed her arms, her power armor whirring faintly as it adjusted to her motion. "He made us deploy to pacify worlds that were already clean. That's weeks of fighting, logistics, and prayers wasted."
Arabella smiled faintly as she folded the last scroll. "Not wasted. The people now know the Sisters walk their soil. They fear the heretic and revere the Emperor that much more."
Mina huffed. "You always see the good in everything."
Arabella stood, adjusting the pristine folds of her robes beneath the armored plates. "And you always see the fight before the lesson."
She then towards Mina, with a serious expression. "Watch your manner when we arrive on the Rapturous Rex. There's not only us and him, they are others that will be joining us."
"Heh." Mina chuckles. "This will be fun to see, and it's good to be able to meet them once again after this long." She finished with a smile on her face.
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Rapturous Rex
"What do mean by more are coming?" Atharion ask Selina while holding the datapad.
"Just like what Arabella have write." Selina answer with a normal tone, but there is a smirk tug on her lip. "Silvana will be joining the Crusade with a combination of the four Orders."
The six major Orders of Adepta Soraritas, while hasn't formerly form with decree of Ecclesiarchy, many within Soraritas have organized themselves under the six Sisters, the future Saints.
"When will they arrive?" Atharion ask after he sighed.
"They will be arriving at the same day as the others." Selina reply after he read the datapad on her hand.
"Fabulous." Atharion facepalms.
===============================
300.M36
DK-003-A - DK-003 System
Rapturous Rex
Around the space fortress, the void grew crowded as ships of all shapes and heraldry translated from the warp or cruised into formation. Some bore the heraldry of the Astarte Chapters that have join the Crusade, some ships come from the Forge Worlds.
But among them, one group of vessels drew more attention than the rest.
Gleaming with snow-white hulls trimmed in regal gold, they moved with practiced precision and unshakable authority. Their colors were unmistakable—the heraldry of Battlefleet Solar.
Behind the fleet is a group of transport ships with the heraldry of Ecclesiarchy. Which signify the arrivals of Silvana and the Soraritas' force.
Among the transport ships, there is a larger ship than the other. Eternal Light, the Mars Class Battlecruiser that serve as Arabella personal ship and the flagship for Order of Sacred Rose.
In the cavernous hangar of Rapturous Rex, Atharion stood at attention, Selina at his side, and his Honor Guard arrayed behind him. All eyes turned skyward as two Valkyries streaked forth, one from the Emperor-class battleship of Battlefleet Solar, the other from the Eternal Light, descending toward the fortress.
After a while, both Valkyries landed on the hanger floor with a thump. Valkyrie from the Battlefleet Solar is color with the same heraldry. When the ramp lower, multiple mortals exited the Valkyrie, and at the head of the group is a mortal with the rank of Vice Admiral, and a group of officers and naval breacher as his Honor Guards.
While another Valkyrie is also adorned in white, but with black and red serve as the trim color, healrdy of Order of Sacred Rose. And as the ramp lower, the three future Saints exited the Valkyrie with multiple Sisters serving as their Honor Guards.
"Welcome aboard the Rapturous Rex." Atharion greet them with smile and kindness. "We are happy for the reinforcement that you have brought."
"Lord Atharion," the Vice Admiral replied, bowing respectfully. Behind him, the officers inclined lower, and the Breachers dropped to one knee, their helmets gleaming under the hangar lights.
Beside them, the Sisters also show their respect by pounded their fists against their chests in unison. While the three Saints, bow their head a little.
"By order of Sister Alicia, leader of the Adepta Soraritas, Sister Silvana have been assign to help in the Crusade effort." A Sister holding a silver chalice said as she hold it high.
"We welcome the Daughters of Emperor and the finest of Navis Imperialis to fight with us." Atharion reply as nature as he can under the intense gaze of Mina.
With the formal greetings complete, Atharion led them through the fortress corridors to the grand hall. Typically austere in design, Atharion never cared for ostentation, the hall was usually decorated with little more than the banners of the companies and Watch Fortresses under his command.
Now, however, the chamber had transformed into a riot of heraldry and color. Banners of various Astartes Chapters and Imperial Guard regiments adorned the walls. Some groups had even been granted permission to decorate their section of the war table with personal banners, marking key victories, acts of valor, or pivotal contributions made during the Crusade.
Once all had taken their assigned seats, Atharion rose from his table as a hololithic projector activated in the center of the chamber. A shimmering display of star charts and tactical symbols bathed the room in shifting light.
"After nine months of battle," Atharion began, his voice steady and resolute, "we have liberated countless worlds from the grip of xenos and the corruption of mutants."
As he spoke, the stars projected on the map shifted, planets once marked in red, symbolizing enemy control, now turned gold, the color of the Imperium.
"A total of six hundred and forty-six worlds have returned to the light of the God-Emperor," He continued. "Some were reclaimed through steel and fire, others through faith and unity, but all now stand once more under His divine protection."
Atharion stop as he inserted a data-slate into the cogitator built into his table. The hololith flickered briefly before displaying a new set of projections.
"I have just received news that Bakka have decided to launch their Crusade into the Dark Marches too." The hololith flicker again as it zoom out and display multiple arrow in different areas of the Segmentum. "Other than here, they also prepare to launch a series of Crusades into the areas that have fall during the Apostasy."
Hearing this, all of them starting to discuss this matter with one and another, talking about the significance of this development.
"This mean our pressures can be relive by them." Grand Master Garron of Fire Hawks commented as he type into the cogitator, and then a new set of information appear on the hololith.
"We've already encountered Cobra-class destroyers bearing Battlefleet Bakka's heraldry in the western Marches," he noted.
"That means their Crusade has already begun." Arabella said softly, her eyes scanning the glowing map.
Atharion nodded. "Indeed. This marks the beginning of a rebirth forged from the ashes left by Vandire's madness."
Following his words, Grand Master Garron continued with a detailed report on the status of his front. He was followed by Grand Master Tristan and Chapter Master Tiberius, each presenting the situation and achievements of their respective campaigns.
Afterward, Atharion declared a modest feast to be served to all present within the fortress, an act of hospitality and unity intended to strengthen the bonds between the diverse factions gathered under the Crusade.
Serfs adorned in black robes trimmed with silver entered the chamber in orderly lines, carrying platters of food and carafes of carefully prepared drink. Their movements were practiced and reverent.
Among the table, conversation began to stir, Astartes and mortals all talk about their story with one and another. Some mortals even have conversations with the Astarte, though most with ones that they serve under.
But, they are also expection. Angels of Wrath and the Raven Guard remained seated in brooding silence at their designated side of the hall. Clad in their armor, they ate sparingly and spoke little, the occasional nod or low word to their own brothers are the only signs of interaction.
After the feast, Atharion didn't meet with the Soraritas first, instead, he was approached by the Raven Guard's Shadow Captain, a figure cloaked in the signature darkness of his Chapter's mystery. The captain moved like a shade through the corridors of the Rapturous Rex, arriving with neither herald nor sound.
"Atharion," The Shadow Captain said, his voice low but steady, "a matter requires your attention, urgent, and best discussed in private."
Hearing this, Atharion nodded and bring him to his personal chamber. Leaving his Honor Guards outside, Atharion turn towards the Captain, curious of what he wanted to say.
But, before he can said anything, a sudden transmission enter the chamber, catching both attention.
Before Atharion accept it, the cogitator automatically passed the transmission and a holo-display come out, the Shadow Captain.
"Atharion, attack the traitor!" The captain scream through the transmission. "The Alpha Legionary is disguising as me and my men!"
Instinct took over. Atharion stepped aside just as a plasma bolt scorched through the air, striking the cogitator.
The cogitator exploded in a shower of sparks and smoke, bathing the chamber in flashing red warning lights. Atharion moved with instinctive grace, drawing his power sword in one fluid motion as he turned to face the imposter.
The Shadow Captain, no longer concerned with deception, let the illusion drop. His armor turn slowly from one of the Raven Guard to the Alpha Legion. Holding a plasma pistol on one hand, while holding a power spear on the other.
"You're quick." He said with a slight curiosity. "It seems the rumors are true." Talking while both of you walk in a circle.
"Who are you?" Atharion ask, though he already know what he will said.
"I'm Alpharius, Primarch of the Alpha Legion." He said, with a slight smug in his tone. "Be proud, for you have the honor to see one alive."
"Is that so?" Atharion said as he slowly take his plasma pistol into his hand, while he grip harder on his power sword. "Then, may I ask, what bring you here? If you want to kill me, then you can just send your legion."
"I want to see you with my own eyes." He said as he stop in front of Atharion desk. "I want to see if you truly worth the time and resources that father have invested in."
"I see." Atharion didn't let his guard down. After all, no one knows where their loyalty lies. No one in the Alpha Legion knew. "So, what do you think?"
'Alpharius' chuckle. "You're still too weak."
True to his words, the his first strike came like lightning. Atharion's eyes couldn't follow the motion, but his psychic senses flared, warning him just in time. His power sword snapped up to intercept the spear with a hiss of energy.
"See?" 'Alpharius' said, pressing forward with relentless strikes, the spear a blur of motion. "How can you protect the Imperium like this?"
Atharion blocked each blow, but only through his psychic senses. To the eye, the attacks were nearly invisible, fluid, precise, impossibly fast. It wasn't the same as what he'd experienced in the dreams, though the ferocity and speed were nearly identical. No, this was something else. More refined. More real.
The duel raged on, their weapons clashing in bursts of light and thunder. For a hundred strikes and more, Atharion remained on the defensive, his blade a wall of force guided by instinct and warp-born awareness.
But slowly, Atharion began to feel the rhythm of the spear, his opponent's footwork, the angle of the shoulder before each thrust. The precognition became sharper, clearer, evolving into foresight rather than reaction. His parries became quicker, more confident, less desperate.
"Oh." 'Alpharius' tilted his head slightly, his voice filled with amused curiosity. "You're adapting."
Just as Atharion steadied his footing, feeling the flow of battle tipping in his favor, 'Alpharius' suddenly shifted tactics. With a surge of brutal force, he delivered a sweeping blow unlike any before, less precise, but overwhelming in power. Atharion barely had time to raise his guard before the impact struck.
The force of the blow launched him across the chamber. His armor groaned under the strain as he slammed into the far wall, cracking the stone with a thunderous crash. Dust and fragments fell from the ceiling as Atharion slumped forward, the wind knocked from his lungs.
"You see now?" 'Alpharius' said calmly, stepping forward, spear humming with energy. "Cunning is only one blade in my arsenal. Strength, brutality, deception, each has its moment."
Atharion gritted his teeth, pushing himself up from the fractured wall, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His power sword crackled to life once more, and his psychic aura surged in response to the danger.
"You're not the only one with more than one blade." He said, eyes glowing with barely-contained fury. His hand raised, and the air shimmered as warp energy coiled around him, rising like fire.
'Alpharius' stop in his track. Atharion can feel his eye scanning him even when it's hidden behind the helmet.
"Relying on this... dangerous power." He said, with a neutral tone though Atharion can feel disappoinment in it.
"But," He continued, his spear beginning to glow as arcs of lightning danced along its length, "it has its merits. Too valuable to be discarded completely… and too dangerous to be embraced without caution."
He gazed at the weapon in his hand as if studying a piece of ancient art.
Before either could make their next move, a sudden tremor rippled through the chamber. This make the light to turn off before the red light started to flicker. Illuminati the chamber in a strange atmosphere.
Then came the thunderous pounding on the chamber's door, the thunder hammers from Atharion's Honor Guards slamming into the door, trying to break it and reach him.
Thought the noise, a voice come through the vox.
"My lord! What's happening inside!?" Shouted Lord Sergeant Cassian, the commander of the Honor Guard.
"Looks like our meeting is cut short." Atharion can hear 'Alpharius' said when he's looking at the door.
When he turn back at 'Alpharius', he see a blue burning flame engulfing the 'Primarch', his power armour and flesh alike melting to the flame.
"It's a shame that we can't talk a little longer, Atharion." 'Alpharius' said without caring on what's happening to him. "But, there's plenty of chances for us to meet again in the future."
"What's the true reason you come here?"
"....."
"DoN'T jsbhfh tHmfkshj—"
"My lord, are you alright?" Cassian ask with his mechanical voice.
The words pulled Atharion back to reality. He blinked, refocusing. Around him, his Honor Guard had formed a tight circle, weapons raised. Two of them kept their plasma blasters trained on the still-burning pile of melted ceramite and scorched flesh at the chamber's center.
"I'm alright." Atharion said, steadying his breath and lowering his weapon. "What's the situation?"
"The infiltrators have been eliminated." Cassian responded, stepping forward with his scanner active, the green light sweeping over the smoldering remains. "No structural damage to the fortress itself, but the strike cruisers belonging to the Morticators and Crimson Fists were damaged. The traitors detonated the vessel they arrived on, causing both ships to suffer catastrophic damage."
"I see." Atharion said as he still fixated on what 'Alpharius' is trying to said in the end. "Send my apologies to both captains, and tell them we will provide the materials and ports to repair both vessels."
"Yes, my lord." Cassian nodded.
'This is a problem.'