Warhammer 40k: Shattered Steel Soul

"Initially, an exploration ship was lost here, bringing with it a series of lost Imperial ships. They undoubtedly sent greetings of peace, but they were oppressed by a tyranny from a system that was essentially slavery. The people were not even reduced to assets. , it becomes an object equivalent to a plaything.”

Mortarion said, standing on the bridge of the Endurance. Everything around him was mainly iron-colored and gray-green, and became surprisingly plain under the conditions of lack of decoration and dim indoor lighting. The only bright color was the golden sky eagle of the Empire, hanging in a conspicuous place, slightly higher than the Death Guard. A symbol of spikes surrounding the skull.

This is similar to the image of Mortarion himself, or in other words, the Lord of Death himself and his Queen of Glory are the embodiment of each other's temperament.

Mortarion wore a suit of brass armor, which did not have the usual luster of this material, but was closer to a dull, skeletal tone. His pale and withered face was hidden in the shadow of a gray-yellow hood, and he wore a half-face respirator - just a decoration that the original body was accustomed to, and did not play the role of supplying or blocking gas.

Under the care of the Imperial Regent and the changes Mortarion made voluntarily, his adaptability to the normal environment has been greatly improved. At least the incense burner and other items on his waist are not necessary at this time.

"I saw the people of Garaspa suffering under tyranny, so I destroyed the tyranny of the Knights. I liberated it." He continued, "Protarchus was reduced to ashes, and after Garaspa's main hive was destroyed , the communication and management of the eleven planets have fallen into chaos."

"Like wielding Death's scythe," said Horus Luperkar. "Clean, thorough. Not a blade of grass is left behind."

"This is why we must continue to attack and continue to complete the remaining clearing work." Mortarion replied, "I want to know why you want to find me. Did the Emperor send you here, Horus? "

Outside the fleet, several torn asteroids have cooled, the broken steel and structures that make up the planets are scattered in the universe, and the fragments of torpedoes and ships float silently in the silence.

In the process of quickly completing the penetration and piercing the enemy's heart like a dagger, the embers left by a large number of one-sided defensive artillery fire sprinkled a long trajectory; which was filled with planetary defense platforms, void cannonballs and bombed fortresses. The residue, like an arc-shaped strip of iron gray or the afterimage left by a swinging sickle, still stings the eyes of the observer after the burning is over.

It is not difficult to imagine what a cruel and empty ruin the surface of the planetary hive city is after the disintegration. Mortarion completely destroyed the hive, turning it into a mass of molten steel, dead and beyond resurrection.

In their first battle, the Death Guard chose the direction they needed: the War of Extermination.

Death's scythe will swipe mercilessly across everything on the surface, destroying violence with even more ruthless violence.

"Father is concerned about your first battle, Mortarion," Horus answered. "Me too. I'm happy to watch you finish this battle."

"What about him?" Mortarion's sunken yellow eyes turned until they landed on another Primarch beside Horus. "Who is he?"

Right next to Horus Luperkar, the angel with white wings on his back sent him a smile, "In the communication, I have requested to visit your ship, brother. I am Sanguinius. , the Primarch of the Blood Angels."

Even the dull, earthy interior of the Endurance can’t offset the overly bright brilliance of Baal’s archangel.

He was not wearing armor, and alabaster-colored robes covered his smooth white skin. His blond hair reflected the light brightly, as dazzling as the Emperor's aquila emblem. That perfect and holy face was unforgettable, completely opposite to Mortarion's gloomy expression.

Mortarion narrowed his eyes.

When Horus Luperkar mentioned that he wanted to come to see him and even provide some help, even though Mortarion never admitted it and even responded with a willingness to communicate after a period of thinking, he still would not. Denying her happiness at knowing that Horus still remembered her, she secretly compared the friendly faun with Magnus, who wished he could disappear from his presence.

But he didn't know it at the time, but Horus had brought with him another new Primarch, so dazzling that it overshadowed all his ships.

"I am Mortarion," he said hastily, as if it was the best greeting wartime could offer. "Why did you find me?"

The angel showed a restrained smile: "I have just returned to the empire, and I am now learning from Horus some of the knowledge required to be a primarch. I heard that Horus wanted to come to you, so I came here with him."

Mortarion stared at Sanguinius carefully and said to Horus, "I'm glad to see you. So, what are you going to do next?"

"I'm not sure," Horus signaled to Sanguinius with his eyes. The current scene was somewhat different from what they had expected along the way.

"We are a little late," Sanguinius said, regret in his voice. "But it's not too late."

Mortarion looked at Sanguinius questioningly.

"I would like to take some of my company commanders with you to the surface of Galaspar, is that okay?" Sanguinius asked.

"You might as well be honest and tell me why you set foot on the ruins of Garaspar." Mortarion said coldly, looking away, refusing to continue to observe Sanguinius emanating from next to Horus Luperkar. Scenes of light.

The image of Sanguinius reminded him of the statues of angels erected in the Emperor's libraries in the recorded churches that had once existed on Terra, and then of the various statues worshiped in the few villages of Barbarus. Small idol.

Just like the witchcraft in subspace, this kind of thing is always held up by ideals and beliefs, and often does not bring real help to the people in urgent need of help. Sometimes, it even brings brilliance. The ironic destruction below.

Mortarion wondered why Horus Luperkar descended on his ship with an angel.

In any case, Mortarion was even prepared to be criticized by them, simply asking why he wanted to carry out the massacre so thoroughly, contrary to the peace order of the Great Crusade, and so on.

Sanguinius sighed slightly.

"I want to show my heirs the causes and consequences of extinction, as well as the choice of war methods. In the few months with Horus, we did not find any war to fight. He conquered by relying solely on diplomacy With two pocket empires, this is not easy to learn, unless he is willing to lend me Sejanus."

"Hey." Horus objected slightly.

"Togaton is fine too."

"no."

Sanguinius shook his head and continued: "Anyway, maybe we can refer to your fighting methods, Mortarion. Although we arrived late and failed to catch up with the annihilation battle of the main nest, if you agree, the new born The Blood Angels hope to complete the finishing work with your Death Guard."

"Will your descendants accept the means of extermination?" Mortarion asked doubtfully. "Does not look like."

"Ah, you don't know yet," the angel shook his wings in feigned surprise, "we are famous ghouls."