You hear a familiar voice "You can calm your nerves Menstras." Khayons says.
You round the corner and see him standing there without his helm on and standing beside him in a small framed female with feathered wings behind her back. It takes you a moment but you realize the female is not human but an elder! Her skin is pale and you can see her dark veins under her almost translucent skin. Her power armor is black and sleek, it purrs when she moves instead of grinds like your power armour. Attached to her forearms are crystalized like blades.
She makes a thin grin like smile at you.
"This is Nefertari, my blood ward." he speaks again.
Menstras nods in greeting to the Eldar.
"You are just full of surprises."
His hands move free of his weapons, past experiences with the Eldar being more than mere testament to their speed and psychic capabilities. He approaches openly and stops just beyond arms reach.
"Speak plainly Khayon. On His Chosen Son, why did you unleash the daemon? With the might of our allies we could have bested the Emperor's Children."
"We are all in this together now so no use in hiding things from each other. Telemachon was supposed to support my company when we laid siege to Terra. I'm sure you know what happened next. He left us there to die with the rest of his brothers raiding the imperium before fleeing into the eye. I guess you can say I still held a grudge and wanted to ensure he was taken care of. And we were also outnumbered 30 to 7 if you remember correctly until the Ragged Knight slew all of his brothers."
The elder just listens in with amusement as the two speak.
"I am well aware the odds were not favorable cousin but I have never known a Daemon to serve as a boon to any crisis."
Menstras steps closer, resting an armored gauntlet on Khayon's shoulder.
"I also now how few chances remain to right the wrongs of this life. The Night Haunter's very existence emphasized the need to act without hesitation. Know that when the Ragged Knight regains form once more, my blade shall aid you in returning it to the aether. Back to the now, what plans do you hold for the captives?"
"Neutral territory. Amazing. I was not aware such a thing existed, or had ever existed. I shall watch over my companions as they awaken, see to those with mortal minds. I shall let you know of their progress, Warsmith." He joins the skitarii as they haul away the Sons of Horus.
Khayon nods. "The prisoners we took that attempted to board my ship will be provided to my blood ward."
The eldar grins at the mention of fresh bodies.
"As for Telemechon I plan to re-make him by taking away what he desires most."
"An interesting proposition. I look forward to seeing the result. As for the others..."
Menstras turns to face the Eldar proper.
"Nefertari possesses a great deal of talent. I look forward to her work with a more resilient medium."
"You honor me, but I'm a Triarch of a minor bretheren, but I am no Warmisth..." as he lets the words linger as he finishes that sentence for himself "Yet!"
Khayon chuckls "If you would excuse us I have some things I must discuss with my blood ward."
You see him move deeper into what they call the Eerie leaving you there.
The trip from the Sons of Horus vessel back to Niobia Halo is not eventful. All of the Sons of Horus warriors remain unconscious for the trip. The Skitarii load them up and off on big metal hovering platforms that can bear their weight.
When you disembark Valikar is awaiting your return with a large host of Iron Warriors and Skitarii.
"Iron Within" as Aldegund salutes his warlord and stands before him commencing his report while the skitarii work
"The warship is the Baleful Eye, of Falkus Khibre, of the Sons of Horus."
"We have found 21 Sons of Horus survivors, unconscious and mutated to different degrees, the skitarii have them restrained and bringing them down."
"This is Akkad a pilgrim of the Word Bearers, passenger of the Baleful Eye"
The Baleful Eye has received extensive battle damage, the engine died and gelar fields failed while in the storm which explains the mutations of the Sons of Horus and the lack of communications with the warship."
"Your orders Warsmith?" as Aldegund waits for Valikar acknowledgement of his report.
Valikar eyes Akkad with suspicion.
"Why is this Akkad of the Word Bearers in no such condition as the Sons of Horus."
Just as he speaks some of the Sons of Horus awaken with whining wails and thrashing at their restraints. You can hear the sounds of what appears to be two voices at once as they howl in pain. One of them comes through clear though.
"Release me NOW!" he bellows.
Akkad you recognize this one as Falkus Kibre.
Valikar always calm blares something in Binary though the machines cognitions and apothecary adepts come forth in a matter of moments injecting needles into the sons of horus and they slowly fall back to sleep.
"Well it appears we have some secondborn here." Valikar says without emotion. "Bring them to the medicae bay where we can keep them sedated and locked. Akkad of the Word Bearers you will stay with them as well under watch."
"Tow the ship in, the Governess will use that as scrap metal payment for their treatment. Its beyond repair to be of any use."
Aldegund answers to Valikar"Akkad was conscious and might be of your interest to question Warsmith"
As the Son of Horus breaks through the lines and demands to be released Aldegund considers putting a barrage of shots, but also feels a moment of relief as it distracts the Warsmith with something else.
"Yes Warsmith" as he takes Akkad personally with the Sons of Horus, to atone for some perceived failure it seems.
Menstras roams the Eerie examining the multitude of bodies and the manners through which they expired. Searching for new, exciting acts to practice upon his future victims.
Nefertari is very precise in her application of pain. You have fought many of her kind in the past but she seems to be a bit different especially hanging out with one of your kind and her wings... how did she get them? Did chaos manipulate her body as it does yours? How is she in the eye with the youngest gods servants always looking for their kinds soul.
"The gods protect their faithful servant. I know lore of the empyreal realms, and was able to ward myself."
When Falkus begins screaming, he readies his crozius, but deactivates it and returns it to his side when the warrior is incapacitated.
"You have met Falkus Khibre, chieftain of this warband. He seems to be in possession of his faculties, considering the circumstances. May I awaken him when we reach the medicae, and we can assess his fellows?"
"We know Falkus and recognize him. They will all be under cognition suppressors and adrenal nullifiers and placed in liquid vats impervious to their strengths so they can't escape."
He looks to his brothers and then back to Akkad.
"They will be able to communicate if they still possess those functions once they awaken from their current state."
He returns to other duties and Aldegund and a group of Skitarri escort Akkad and the Sons of Horus to the medicae chambers. There are hundreds of adepts and servants roaming the chambers. The walls are lined with vats of thick liquids and chemicals being pumped into them. This is where the Sons of Horus are places. Some with their armour some without depending on how fused it has become with their skin.
Draex hears Khayon's boast that his winged friend can best him
"THERE IS NO ONE WHO CAN BEST DRAEX THE HARVESTER OF SKULLS!!! You get your bony winged creature in this ring and we can see who is mightier... better yet i will fight the two of you at once"
Lheor lets out a gun shot laugh at Draex comment. "He speaks the truth though Draex is a warrior of warriors. I have yet to see him bested in the arena."
Khayon nods "He does appear to be formidable but a bit on the wild side."
You see the alien jump down from the rafters, it's wings spread wide as it glides down with grace unlike anything you have seen before. When it lands you can see what it is fully. It's long slender body wearing black power armour that purrs unlike yours. Her pale skin almost translucent with black veins beneath and pointed ears. Sharp crystal like blades along the sides of her gauntlets. An Eldar with feathered wings.
"There is only one rule for sparing aboard my ship eater of worlds, we fight to first blood only and chain or power is turned off on the weapons to not accidently kill our 'friendly' opponent." Khayon says.
Lheor nods "First blood is fine. No need to kill your alien just as we were becoming such pleasant guests on your ship." he grins.
The Eldar grins wickedly at Draex "I want to taste his pain" she speaks with a heavily accented gothic.
Aldegund simple walks with the "guests" to their special holding area "You are blessed to be able to resist the mutations"
"Never doubt the power of faith, Iron Warrior. It 'brings hope, unification, law, and purpose. The foundations of civilization itself. Faith is nothing less than the pillar of a sentient species, raising it above the beast, the automaton, and the alien.' The Keeper of the Faith spoke those words before we learned the Primordial Truth, and they hold true in these times. You have proof of it before you."
"From iron cometh strength! From strength cometh will! From will cometh faith! From faith cometh honor! From honor cometh iron!" says Aldegund "Iron Within" as he beats his chest "Iron Without" is all he answers to Akkad in matters of faith. "That is the Iron Warrior way, and you can see proof of it around you that it holds true, a tangible truth"
"Yes. Faith is the iron within. The iron that can withstand even the storms of the warp, and bend it to our will. It is no vagaries of probability that brought our ships here."
So many dead. Bodies swaying in rhythm with the ships engines. The soft hum echoing through the hull into his very bone. His brothers would have enjoyed the display, eagerly studying for the skinning pits. Such a display could bring so many worlds into compliance. Entire cities capitulated to his legion at the lowly thought of such atrocity.
Atrocity. How long since he last used that word? Surely only since the Heresy? No. Longer. Since Fulgrim's betrayal? Perhaps. Even his memory fails for such triviality.
Menstras sighs as he leans in to better inspect a body.
Even Corvis bore no tolerance for displays such as these during Warp travel. The crew believing that the transport of dead brought ill-omens. Nightmares that claim ships before even an astropath cried for help. Yet here Khayon travels, an entire section dedicated to the art.
Stepping back from the cadaver, Menstras strokes the pommel thoughtfully.
Another disparity between them then. Relying on Daemons, cavorting with foul xenos and now inviting disaster. Time alone knows how many more cardinal sins he practices against their former Emperor. No doubt the list drags on. He'll have to keep a close eye on Khayon.
Though immensely dangerous, at least the psyker can be trusted. How many others can he say that for? Corvis is dead. The Night Lords are few and scattered. More a band of mercenaries than a legion. Save Corvis the crew of The Skinner may as well have been Death Guard.
Remembering his last encounter with the Death Guard gives him pause.
Perhaps this endeavor is a mistake. The Iron Warriors running Gallium would have transit, for a cost of course, allowing him to slip from this suicidal path. No ties remained to hold him, Corvis lay dead and Falkus most likely ceased to exist. What should he care if Khayon and his passengers spoke ill of his departure. In truth he no longer serves a legion.
Though if the Emperor's Children succeed, vengeance against the Imperium finally would be attainable. Why should he care if the resulting abomination disgraced the dead Primarch? The ends justify the means, correct?
Without a thought, Menstras strikes the nearest corpse with his fist. The sound of breaking bone soothing the building rage.
"Such Hubris."
Fulgrim's sons have always been such fools. They blindly dance to that decadent tune. He'll be dead long before these 'gods' count him amongst their playthings. The Emperor's death must be delivered by the free not some sniveling sycophant bred to serve.
No the abomination's destruction is worth any risk and the rewards of his agreement exceed the value of his loyalty.
He slumps against the wall and sinks into a seated position.
There may yet be another option...
Aldegund ponders Akkad's word for one moment "I doubt anyone can bend the warp to their will, but resisting it is a different matter altogether"
Initiative
Nefertari moves with such speed that your enhanced vision has trouble keeping up with her as she slashes out with her gauntlet blades.
vs 65 (lightning attack)
vs 65 (lightning attack)
(no pen power fields off)
(no pen power fields off)
(no pen power fields off)
Parry
vs 62
crimson vs 62
blood vs 62
crim
blood
Draex's axe is able to deflect her fast swings and turns them around on the alien and her blades easily deflect the blows.
vs 70
She turns and whirls like living death back at Draex.
vs 65 (lightning attack)
vs 65 (lightning attack)
vs 67
draex over confident in his attacks believing victory imminent does account for her speed.
He doesnt see it but he feels and his systems register 11 stab wounds to his physique.
draex stands there a moment pondering victory without death following... as if it were a new concept to him. A moment later he burst out laughing a thunderous booming laughter bleeding everwhere
"Well fought"
Draex raps his breast plate twice... and staggering outs out the ring pooling blood
The blades strike hard into Draex like a torrent of pain and he drops to the ground with the Eldar standing over him. Blood drips from his wounds.
"You fight well and your pain is good filthy mon-keigh." she says in her broken gothic.
Lheor lets out a gunshot laugh.
Khayon smirks "Time for us to go Nefertari you have had enough fun."
The two depart the dueling grounds.
Over the course of the 5 months you and Nefertari have many duels. You can tell she enjoys the fights and you enjoy the challenge she gives you. Whenever bored she waits for you in the pits sometimes calling on you and vice versa.
You hate the alien but have grown to respect her prowess with the blades.
"I see. Tell me then, how was it you ended up with Corvis? That is perhaps a friendly way of asking what prompted you to leave your former comrades as servant of the slave master of mankind?"
Deathraven chuckled at that.
"One tale has nothing to do with the other, so I will answer your real question. The answer is that one cannot serve the Emperor and the Imperium. I fought alongside the Emperor before he turned command of the Crusade over to the Warmaster. I was there when he told us that he was not a god. Now the Imperium worships him as such, against even his wishes. This cannot be allowed to continue. The Emperor should be realeased to die an honourable death. Not kept alive as an overly-glorified power cell."
"As for why I left my brothers in the Dark Angels, it was because they were the disloyal ones, not I. I would have gladly stood with the Emperor on the walls at Terra. Do you know why our banners did not fly above the walls on those days? Because our Primarch didn't know who would win, and he didn't want to be on the losing side of the Long War. He chose to sit back and watch how things played out, chasing ghosts on the galaxy's rim. That is betrayal, and I would not stomach it."
A day passes and a few of the sons of horus awaken. They thrash and scream while in the tubes but can't break out. A few seem to have control others not. Falkus appears to be in the most control of his brothers but even then it appears he is struggling.
Deathraven spends the next five months between the practice cages, the bridge, and his arming chamber.
He refuses to duel marines in the practice cages, sticking to servitors and automated opponents.
On the bridge, he observes quietly, asking direct questions on rare occasions. He is mostly interested in the history and lineage of the ship. (Battles, places it has been, and so forth...)
"Can you show me the power of your faith, perhaps free them of what ails them" as Aldegund points at the Sons, knowing full well it is impossible but he feels compalled to ask Akkad to show him the Iron way is the real way.
Akkad attends to his flock in the medicae. When Falkus awakens, he desperately tries to mollify his rage. "We are on the ship of the Warsmith Valikar. The Baleful Star was left a dead hulk by its unwarded passage through the warp, and they found us in this state. Focus. Remember. You must bring vengeance to the Emperor's Children, and you must have discipline and control to succeed. They fear you have lost your mind, or that you are a neverborn wrapped in flesh. You are a Son of Horus. Focus your rage, and I shall have you released."
If no Iron Warriors or minions are around while Falkus was awake, Akkad will quietly tell him, "Sargon was gone when I awoke, and the Iron Warriors know nothing of him. Let us not tip our hand to them."
Otherwise, Akkad will speak to the warriors as they awaken, trying to sooth them and assess their mental states.
The beasts within fluctuate through the days. Sometimes they just rest, sometimes the marines seem completely coherent and others the beast appears to have full control. Completely opposite to what your experiencing Akkad.
Falkus agrees and is interviewed by the Iron Warriors at times to find out information about what had happened without you there. You are kept in the Medicae chambers the majority of the times so they can keep an eye on you easily. The precautions make sense.
The governess never requests an audience with Falkus or Akkad but all information is relayed to her. She relies on her Iron Warriors and servants to perform all their duties in accordance with the laws of Gallium.
Ashur-Kai takes an interest in you when you start poking questions about the ship and it's history. You realize he is a very strict and thorough marine. Almost the complete opposite of Khayon who seems to be more of a wild card at times. You learn that Ashur-Kai was once Khayons mentor before he became a full fledged marine but Khayon became the captain.
The Taloc has seen many battles during the great crusade, during the heresy and in the eye of terror. Khayons warband sold it's services to those who paid the highest price for his sorcerous powers. He mostly collected mechanicus artifacts and forbidden lores instead of currency. You know their machine spirit is special and it controls an army of mechanicum machines of destruction called the Sintagmum for when boarded thus why the ship has never fallen.
The five months are fairly uneventful for you. You practice your art against others in the pits, you sit on the bridge watching and learning their ways and how they operate aboard the Taloc. You probably have had one on one conversations with the Eldar during the trip although she never reveals much about herself to you. She is always dueling the mad dog Draex in the pits. You can tell she holds back or else Draex would probably be dead due to the wounds she inflicts.
Being a sorcerer you feel sort of a kinship with the two Thousands sons here although Ashur-Kai seems to despise you due to how you carelessly used your powers aboard the dead ship. Khayon is a little more forgiving and doesn't hold the grudge like Ashur-Kai.
The Rubric Marines do not seem to respond to you even though you are a sorcerer. There must be something with the blood that runs through the other two that allows them to command them. You can sense their essence inside their armour but it's like they are not there, nothing like a living person's aura would appear. Arhiman really did a number on his legion you think to yourself.
Draex has the Name Nefertari Engraved boldly on the pain engines constantly stabing into the soft tissue under his cranium. As soon as he sees the winged eldar witch in the ring he shows her with a wide grin
"One of you two filthy creatures will be the death of me. Slowly and constantly stabbing me without remorse. I hate the both of you with equal measure"
Draex readies himself for combat
Draex spends the vast majority of his time in the pits either fighting, or watching during the 5 months of downtime. Spots Menstras in the pits.
"COUSIN!, hahaha" he shouts with a bit of laughter "Son of Curze, fancy meeting you lurking around these corners. Care to test your skills in the pit. I would very much like to see how night lords make war. I hear its very terrifying sight indeed as you harness fear itself and weaponize it. Can fear be a stifling weapon in combat. As we are bred to know no fear i often wondered"
"Even a Primarch knows fear cousin."
Menstras steps from the sliver of shadow, Corvis's blade hangs just bellow the worn ebony at his side. A thin smile plays at his lips.
"There is no point in bringing you woes. I accept your invitation however, I'm long overdue for a touch of violence."
"EXCELLENT!"
Draex twisted smile reaches ear to ear
"Get in there an spill some blood"
Draex looks energetic to see new blood in the ring although the ticks still shoot fire into his mind causing noticeable spasms
Deathraven will engage Anshur-Kai in conversation when the man isn't otherwise occupied. He seems interested in the finer points of the ship and what it's like to be mind-linked to her in battle. As a member of the Ravenwing, he had considered the possibility of receiving an MIU before the fall of Caliban.
He will also engage Khayon as appropriate, getting his views on the ship and her capabilities in battle. He will ask to see the war machines, and express a scholarly interest in the artifacts that they have managed to collect.
Deiros
