I ordered the Wraith to drop me off in the dark, damp sewers below the basilica, where I stopped for a moment to check the current situation in the city.
The forces of the Sisters of Battle had finally entered combat against the cultists and the traitor guard, filling the streets with Bolter rounds while their Rinos exchanged fire with the cultists' Leman Russes and modified vehicles.
Simultaneously, the forces surrounding the cathedral seemed on the verge of completing their objectives, as cracks and holes covered its structure as parts of the walls and the large front gates collapsed.
Well, no more distractions. I concentrated and sent a message to Haratek and my Lychguards.
"Attention everyone, head towards the cathedral as quickly as possible! You have my permission to exterminate your enemies however you see fit!"
"Yes, My Lord!" A chorus of determined affirmations answered me.
With that done, I was about to order the Wraith to take me to the outskirts of the cathedral, but the ball of light appeared again in my field of vision, floating anxiously in front of me.
"What now?" I sighed angrily, tired of the many distractions I had faced today.
The ball of light floated deeper into the sewer tunnels, leaving a golden trail in its wake. It didn't take me long to understand what it wanted, so I followed it with the Wraith accompanying me.
I walked for a long time, following the golden trail as my wet footsteps echoed repeatedly through the tunnel until I turned left just ahead and collided with a multicolored barrier, falling back slightly.
Hm.... The same barrier that my Wraiths failed to cross when we arrived on the planet. I'd forgotten all about it.
"Do you want me to deal with what's on the other side of the barrier?" I asked the ball of light, and it floated up and down as if nodding with a non-existent head.
"There are cultists behind that barrier, aren't there?" I asked, receiving another nod in return.
"I have no idea what you are, but we have common goals, so I'll agree to your request for now. I just hope I don't regret it in the future."
I sent a command along with a series of restrictions to the nobles waiting for me on the ship. Better to let them have some fun before they get bored and act on their own.
Then, without wasting any time, I ordered the Wraith to wrap around me and take me to the cathedral.
-XXXXXX-
"HAHAHA!" Tholikan laughed evilly as she descended a concrete pillar into the depths of the city of Tismator, spiraling down as her many legs clicked rhythmically on the material.
Simultaneously, a Gate of Eternity opened near the ground, allowing the Necrons Nobles and their forces to enter the battlefield, especially Kamamitet and Ananotek.
"Finally, time to acquire glory in my name!" The male Noble exclaimed towards the heavens.
"I doubt that will happen, as the main battle takes place miles above us. We're just here to clean up the scum that cowardly hide." Kamamitet replied, destroying what little joy the Nobleman felt.
"I'm aware, and that's outrageous! Why must our Lord face those related to the ones who dared to attack our tomb while we are here, away from everything and everyone?" Ananotek asked angrily, his posture visibly lowering in frustration.
"Because our Lord can see beyond the battlefield and enemies in front of him. He has plans, plans that involve having a prosperous reign and as few enemies as possible." The Noblewoman replied, tapping the ground with her staff and ordering her warriors to march.
"Plans that involve dishonorable tactics such as disguise, sabotage, manipulation, and assassination. Besides, you only agree with our Lord because he lent you some of his warriors, as you haven't owned a single coin to your name." The Nobleman spoke with palpable sarcasm in his voice, making Kamamitet cringe slightly at the obvious sting of her greatest flaw.
"Hump! At least I'm not known as a butcher on the battlefield, using my loyal servants as nothing more than shields!" Kamamitet retorted determinedly, stomping forward while pointing at Ananotek's chin, who looked down with surprise in his robotic eyes.
"You have no right to judge me because I've won victory after victory, unlike you, who hasn't managed to keep a single planet due to your stubbornness with the code of honor!" Ananotek replied, slapping the Necron's hand away.
However, the Necron immediately brought both arms together above his head, blocking a blow from his compatriot's staff.
"You talk so much about honor, but you don't seem to have a problem spilling rivers of enemy blood!" Kamamitet exclaimed, applying more force behind her blow and sinking the Noble's feet into the ground.
"That's the funny part, dear Noblewoman, honor won't do you any good if you lose the war!" Ananotek replied, thrusting his arms upwards and throwing the Noblewoman's staff backward, temporarily breaking her balance.
Then the Nobleman raised his leg and unleashed a crushing kick towards Kamamitet's rib cage. However, the Noblewoman got her weapon in the way in time, blocking the blow with a metallic clang as her feet slid across the floor.
Both Nobles prepared to fight, but a taunting female voice interrupted them.
"Have you two finished fighting? For our enemies await us just ahead." Tholikan laughed, lowering from a pillar next to both Necrons while pointing away.
Both Necrons stopped their fight immediately, noticing the intense gazes of the surrounding Nobles shaking their heads in disapproval at their failure to follow the rituals required for a formal duel.
However, what appeared on the other side of the battlefield, staring at the Necron ranks, became the focus of their attention. The Traitor Guard alongside the Cultists, with their light vehicles and mounted weaponry.
The enemy forces emerged from the various openings in the depths of the city, from dark alleys, long labyrinthine sewers, forgotten freight elevators, and much more.
Taking up formations and taking cover behind collapsed ruins and pillars, while the vehicles positioned themselves in a blockade, planning to stop the Necron advance.
"Hump! Our enemy revealed itself." Ananotek commented, leaving the Noble and Cryptek behind and walking towards the traitor guard.
"What are you planning to do?" Kamamitet asked curiously.
"I only plan to perform the necessary combat rites." Ananotek replied arrogantly, stopping between the two forces and speaking in a booming voice as he spread his arms.
"ORGANICS, I AM TERMINOR ANANOTEK, SON OF TERMINOR KIHAZAFEK, THE LEVELER OF WORLDS, GRANDSON OF TERMINOR NITYKEP, THE TIRELESS LORD, HONORED NOBLE WARRIOR OF THE DYNASTY OF MAHAZAREK, THE IMMORTAL, FIGHTING IN THE NAME OF THE GLORIOUS OVERLORD AKATOSAHK ULTHAGAKH! WE ARE HERE DUE TO YOUR WORSHIP OF THE CREATURES WHO DARED TO ATTACK OUR MAJESTIC TOMB AND NOW STAND IN THE WAY OF OUR OVERLORD'S PLANS FOR CONQUEST! I WISH TO DISCUSS THE TERMS OF SURRENDER FOR THE LOSERS AND SPOILS OF WAR FOR THE WINNERS, SO I HOPE WE CAN END OUR FUTURE BATTLE WITH AN HONORABLE DUEL BETWEEN CHAMPIONS AND..."
"FIRE!"
Unfortunately, the traitorous forces didn't wait for Ananotek to finish his speech, and the Necron Noble soon found himself bombarded by bullets and Las Fire, which were more like mosquitoes hitting his solid Necrodermis body.
The Nobleman remained in his current position for a few seconds, processing the dishonor his enemies had committed, then he assumed a disappointed hunched stance, staring in disbelief at Kamamitet who stared back with barely contained amusement.
"Advance, eliminate all the organics who dared to challenge us!" Ananotek commanded, and the Necron ranks obeyed, opening fire on their enemies.
However, the Gauss beams didn't hit their targets, as a multicolored barrier blocked them in mid-flight, protecting the traitorous forces firing safely.
"Good, Immaterium energies." Ananotek spoke angrily, sending out a command and summoning his Canopytek Spiders with their Gloom Prisms generating null fields, ready to tear down the barrier.
"Well, it wouldn't be any fun if there wasn't a challenge." Tholikan shrugged, ordering her warriors forward.
"Excuse me, what were you saying about battle rites and honor?" Kamamitet teased, grinning from ear to ear if she could still perform such an action.
"Silence, before I challenge you to a duel and send you for repairs!" Ananotek exclaimed, summoning a pair of Hyperphase Khopeshs into his hands.
"I'd like to see you try, your armor would look great as decoration in my chambers." Kamamitet replied, waving her staff wrapped in Gauss rays.
"Oh, curious!" Tholikan spoke, drawing the attention of both Nobles, who stared at her waiting for an answer.
"Our Lord wishes us to acquire the enemy equipment, preferably one intact unit of each." The Cryptek replied to the curious nobles.
"Perfect, as if we didn't already have enough problems limiting ourselves to Canoptek infantry and constructs!" Ananotek complained angrily.
"Look on the bright side, you can use this as a lesson in how to work with limited resources." Kamamitet teased again.
"Learning, do I look like a child to you?"
"You act like one."
Both Necrons stared at each other in silence, with Ananotek visibly shaking in boiling rage, however, the nobleman preferred not to sink further into his companion's taunts and focused on the combat in front of him, trying to ignore the laughter of the Noblewoman and Cryptek.
Then a cacophony of automatic weapons and energy shots filled the depths of the city, while green and red beams lit up the darkness as the wall of cold Necrodermis advanced on its eternal march.
-XXXXXX-
Haratekius watched the battle in the streets below from the top of a building, watching as the red-armored organics threw themselves at the enemy lines with their technologically primitive but effective swords, chanting litanies and screaming hatefully.
The Chainsword cut through the weak armor and fragile flesh of the screening forces, while Bolter's rounds tore apart those unfortunates enough to draw the ire of the Sisters of Battle in the back-lines.
Casualties on the Sisters' side were minimal, with some deaths due to lucky shots, or weaponry too heavy for their Power Armor to withstand.
However, Haratekius saw something that caught his attention. Using his enhanced vision, the Techmarine focused on the Sisters and saw how the enemy shots seemed to change course by millimeters as they approached.
It could be an optical illusion or confusion due to the distance, but the Techmarine was sure that the shots moved slightly, not enough to miss the Sisters, but enough to avoid hitting weaker parts of the Power Armors, such as their joints.
"Hm.... Another phenomenon I'll have to research when I return to the ship. Perhaps my Lord will allow me to acquire some specimens." The Techmarine commented to himself but stopped and stiffened suddenly for a moment before returning to normal.
Then he scanned his surroundings, spotting a Sisters of Battle Thunderhawk landing on a particularly spacious street and deploying more troops.
"I will carry out your orders my Lord, and I believe I have found a suitable vehicle." Haratekius spoke to himself, jumping from building to building until he approached the aircraft.
-XXXXXX-
The Honor Guard, Hospitaller Sisters, and Arbites fought to protect the shelter as more wounded arrived.
The Terminators carrying shields split up and formed a wall on both sides of the main street leading to the shelter, while those carrying scythes advanced towards the Traitor Guard and Cultists.
The Sisters and Arbites remained behind the barricades of vehicles, offering support from afar while enemy corpses and flaming vehicles covered the streets, painting them red amid piles of crushed metal.
The last fighters from the Traitor Guard and the Cultists tried to retreat, screaming in fear for their lives, but they never got far, as the scythe-wielding Terminators closed the distance at blinding speed and reduced them to slices of bloody flesh.
Then silence filled the streets again, but everyone present didn't take this as the end of the battle and waited for another wave of enemies. Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed through the streets, followed by the familiar sound of tank treads trampling everything in their path.
The Terminators raised their blades and those behind the barricades reloaded their weapons but breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the forces of the Sisters of Battle coming around the corner in two lines with a Rino at their center.
Heavy tension gripped the atmosphere as the two forces met, with the Sisters surprised by the unexpected presence of Space Marines in the city, but the Arbites and Hospitaler Sisters soon clarified the situation for the newly arrived forces before anything got out of hand.
"The assistance we have offered you ends here. Our Chapter Master has contacted us, requesting our immediate presence." A Terminator carrying a sword and shield spoke up, approaching the group of Sisters wearing red and white armor, along with the Arbites.
"I understand, I thank you for your service in protecting the wounded. I won't keep you here any longer now that my sisters have arrived." The Hospitaller Sister replied, bowing slightly in gratitude.
"Don't bow, we're just warriors following orders, our Chapter Master is the one who deserves such respect." A Terminator carrying a scythe replied, raising a hand and interrupting the Sister's action.
"You can come with us to the cathedral if you wish. My Sisters may not like Astartes being around, but I think they'll make an exception considering what you've done today." A Sister of the Order of the Bloody Rose commented, pointing at the rest of the Sisters with her armored red thumb.
Although they were all wearing helmets, the anger and distrust exuded by the Sisters was palpable, even as they kept guard around the shelter.
"Thank you for the offer, but we'll have to decline, you'll slow us down." The sword-wielding Terminator said, turning his back on the group and calling all his Battle Brothers.
The red-armored sister was about to ask what he meant by that, but the words died in her throat as soon as the group of Terminators ran at an impossible speed, turning into a blur and disappearing down the street.
"Did you see what I saw?" The Sister asked in amazement to the surprised Hospitaller and the Arbites.
"Yes, but if you think they're strange, then you need to meet their Chapter Master." The male Arbites laughed.
"But you'd better watch out, or he'll steal your heart like he did with our dear Hospitaller here." The female Arbites teased, pointing at the Sister in question, who blushed and looked away in embarrassment.
-XXXXXX-
BOOM!
CRASH!
The bombardment of the cathedral continued unabated, with mortars and tanks while the Traitor Guard behind vehicles and sandbags exchanged fire with the Sisters of Battle at the cathedral windows.
Bolter fire exploded on the ground and ricocheted off vehicles while Las Fire hit the window frames where the Sisters stood, occasionally grazing their armor.
Dead or dying guards rested in the cathedral courtyard next to some partially destroyed vehicles, the result of failed attempts to approach the cathedral.
On the one hand, if the siege continued like this, the Sisters would soon run out of ammunition or explosives, allowing a safe approach, on the other hand, the Guards received communications from other squads scattered around the city, reporting the arrival of enemy reinforcements.
A large modified truck approached the rear lines of the Traitor Guard, stopping and allowing the Demagogue and his Blessed Blades to step out of the vehicle.
The robed figure walked in silence, analyzing his surroundings, spotting the combat in the distance while the Guards shouted orders and ran hastily.
"Who's in charge here?!" Demagogue demanded, catching the attention of some of those present.
"That would be me until Miss Sabathiel returns." A guard wearing a better uniform and equipment replied, approaching the Demagogue, who didn't bother to learn his rank.
"What's the situation here?" The Demagogue asked disdainfully to the unblessed man in front of him and was soon given a summary report of recent events.
"...Apart from that, we've managed to take out a few Sisters with Long-Las shots from our snipers, and we've got a few Chimeras ready to move in and bring down the cathedral gates." The Guard finished and then went back to shouting orders to his men.
"Hm... I hope you don't mind if I join the fight." The Demagogue spoke arrogantly.
"Hump! Do as you wish, but I'm not responsible for what happens to you." The Guard replied in the same tone, running towards a group of Chimera Tanks surrounded by their crew and ordering them to get ready.
The Demagogue wasted no time answering and advanced through the combat lines accompanied by his Blessed Blades, seeing wounded Guards lying on makeshift stretchers being cared for by combat medics, the tired fighters on the front lines swapping places with the reserves on the back lines, teams repairing destroyed equipment and bringing supplies to the front lines, and much more.
Then the Demagogue stopped at the front line, slamming his staff into the ground and erecting a psychic barricade around him, shielding him from Bolter's shots.
The Blessed Blades didn't bother to dodge and stood guard beside their master with their swords raised in front of their faces, as Bolter's shots passed through their bodies, which dissipated into smoke before becoming solid again.
The Cultist Leader took a deep breath, concentrating and accumulating the Immaterium's energies in his staff, swinging it with a war cry and conjuring a psychic beam towards the cathedral.
The bright purple beam hit one of the cathedral's windows where a Sister of Battle was standing. She stopped firing and hesitated for less than a second before running away, however, she didn't move fast enough to escape the flaming explosion resulting from the attack and screamed in pain as the supernatural flames consumed her flesh.
The Demagogue then slammed his staff into the ground, lifting the wreckage of the vehicles thrown across the courtyard with the power of his mind, and hurling them towards the different windows of the cathedral where the Sisters were, forcing them to back away so as not to be crushed.
Some of the vehicles lodged themselves in the structure of the cathedral, while others broke through its walls and landed inside, crushing any poor souls who were in the way. Meanwhile, the supernatural flames spread as if they were alive, burning the Sisters who were trying to help the one hit by the initial attack.
"What are you waiting for? I cleared the way, you can go now!" The Demagogue shouted at the Guards while spreading his arms, before casting more spells and hitting the cathedral with corrupted fire and lightning.
The Guard commanding the traitorous forces ordered the Chimeras to move forward at full speed, carrying his troops while more ran behind it. Then the tanks crashed into the cathedral gates, their dozer blades generating a metallic clang as the gates slowly gave away inwards with loud creaks.
The Demagogue nodded in satisfaction at the progress of his plan and returned to the back lines, waiting for the gate to fall and Sabathiel to return.
-XXXXXX-
Erratic shuffles of feet and legs of mutated and distorted flesh echoed through the city's sewers, along with the shrill screams and growls of creatures that had once been human, but were now nothing more than abominations born of the cult's experiments with powers beyond their comprehension.
They were the Accursed and Tormented Cultists, with demonic symbols and sigils carved into their corrupted flesh, wearing rags and scraps of armor that barely fit their monstrous bodies with additional limbs and animalistic features, some having their human features almost unrecognizable as they seemed to turn into a completely different chaotic being.
These unfortunate beings ran across the city underground, their broken and lost minds just telling them to go on aimlessly, and on they went, along the only path they could find until they came to a destroyed wall leading to an ancient catacomb.
The Accursed entered the catacomb, roaring and fighting, but due to their blind madness, they failed to notice a skull adorning a wall flashing a red light repeatedly.
They also failed to notice the large armored figure running along the same path they had taken, eliminating any stragglers he encountered while a ball of light followed him.
-XXXXXX-
Canoness Karamora watched apprehensively as the cathedral's main gates creaked while the tanks' engines roared outside. She soon ordered a group of Sisters to take the civilians and wounded to the upper floors, while another group stood on the balcony overlooking the cathedral gates, with Bolters ready to fire.
Simultaneously, the Canoness walked towards the cathedral library with a detachment of Sisters and a Cherub accompanying her, with a holographic screen coming out of its bionic eye, revealing the face of Cardinal Meroch.
"Are you sure about this, Cardinal?" The Canoness asked.
"Yes, the sensors in the catacombs alerted us to the presence of unwanted elements." The Cardinal nodded seriously.
The Canoness ordered the Sisters present to form two firing lines, the first kneeling and the second standing, with their Bolters ready to fire. A few seconds passed before everyone present heard muffled shouts and roars coming from the secret passage in the library.
The noises became louder and more noticeable, revealing sounds of struggle and pain as they approached the top of the stairs, until...
CRASH!
Something large and heavy smashed through the floor in the center of the library, revealing the secret passage and raising a cloud of dust, this something was a monstrous winged creature with spider legs and a human torso fused to its bovine torso.
The sisters stared at the dead and battered creature with disgust, and following the trail of blood left in its wake, they saw a tall figure moving through the dust with loud metallic thuds.
"Hello!" The figure spoke, showing itself to be a Space Marine.
"FIRE!" Canoness Karamora shouted in fury, firing her Bolter with her Sisters.
"FUCK!" The Space Marine exclaimed, raising the dead creatures he held in each hand, using them as a shield.
Bolter's shots exploded against the mutated flesh, shattering it and painting the ground red.
"CAN YOU STOP, PLEASE?" The unknown Space Marine shouted angrily.
"AND WHY SHOULD WE?" Canoness Karamora asked back, still firing.
"BECAUSE MY CHAPTER AND I ARE HERE TO HELP! I FOUND SOME OF YOUR SISTERS OUTSIDE, PALATINE ANYA AND HER GROUP!"
"CEASE FIRE!" The Canoness commanded and her sisters obeyed, ceasing fire but holding their position.
"I thank you for listening and..." The Space Marine sighed, dropping the creatures to the ground as he approached, but stopped as soon as the Bolters stood up again.
"What are you doing here Astartes?" The Canoness demanded again with hateful suspicion in her voice, analyzing the armored giant from top to bottom.
"As I said, we're here to help with the uprising..."
"Don't talk like a fool, I know it's not an uprising, I've witnessed it before, including the convenient appearance of unknown Astartes, which never ended well."
"Hm... I can explain the reason behind my chapter's sudden appearance, but it involves revealing chaotic information if you know what I mean. Can the sisters present be trusted?"
The Canoness remained silent, pondering the Astartes' words. It could be a dastardly trick similar to those used in previous confrontations, or the Space Marine in front of her wished to help.
However, the Battle Sister had to make a choice, as the creaking of the cathedral gates increased, indicating their eventual opening.
"TSK! If you're here to help then you'd better make yourself useful. We'll go up to the upper floors where we'll narrow down and ambush the enemy forces. It would be suicide to fight with such an armed force in an open area like the entrance to the cathedral." The Canoness replied with displeasure, lowering her Bolter and ordering her sisters to follow her.
"Don't worry, that's what we're here for. My Honor Guard will be here soon to help us. But to get to the point, do you have any idea of the motive behind such an attack? I believe the heretics would focus on capturing strategic points rather than an ancient cathedral unless this attack is merely to conquer a symbolic site." The Space Marine asked, following the Sisters of Battle.
"An ancient and very important saint of our order rests in this cathedral. Apart from the Cardinal himself who rules this planet, the saint's remains are the only thing of real value here." The Canoness replied, climbing the stairs to the balcony overlooking the entrance of the cathedral, stopping in its center, and looking at the main gate.
"Perhaps the heretics wish to use the remains of the saint as confirmation of their victory, or a bargaining chip, or... a method of ascension." The Space Marine spoke seriously, stopping beside the Canoness who glared in return, although he didn't notice due to the Sister's helmet.
"I'd call you crazy if I didn't know the weight and truth behind your words."
"So, what's the plan?"
"We hold off the heretics, preventing them from reaching the cardinal and the saint, until our reinforcements arrive."
"Sounds simple enough." The Space Marine shrugged.
"It's never that simple." The Canoness muttered.
"You know, I don't believe I've ever asked your name."
"Karamora."
"Akatosius Uthacello."
"I'd like to say it's nice to meet you, but that would be a lie."
"Don't worry, I'm used to that reaction."
Then, with a final slam, the gates of the cathedral opened violently to the sides, crashing thunderously into the interior walls, cracking them on impact. Two Chimeras sped inside, marking the floor with their treads.
The Canoness raised a hand, ordering her Sisters to hold their fire, and then the rear of the Chimeras opened up, allowing the troops inside to leave.
"FIRE!"
Fire and steel rained down on the troops below, with the Traitor Guards rushing to both sides of the great central hall, taking cover behind benches and marble pillars, and returning fire with their Las Guns.
However, for everyone that reached cover, there were those torn apart by the Sisters' fire, letting out one last scream of pain and despair before exploding in a cloud of red.
The Guards that reached cover advanced quickly towards the marble staircases on both sides of the hall, checking that the way was clear before signaling to their comrades and climbing the stairs with hurried steps.
Unfortunately, their haste soon turned to regret as grenades rolled down the stairs, detonating a few seconds later, reducing them to pieces.
More troops entered the cathedral while the Chimeras provided support with their Multilasers and Heavy Bolters. The Sisters of Battle retreated behind the pillars on the balcony above, but not all of them escaped a cruel fate. One Sister had her upper body melted by a well-aimed Multilaser shot, while another had her right arm and part of her torso blown off by a Heavy Bolter round.
This brief moment of relief was all the Traitor Guard needed to advance and climb the stairs. Simultaneously, the Demagogue and his Blessed Blades entered the cathedral.
"Greetings worshipers of the false…"
BANG!
The Demagogue never finished his speech, as a barrage of Bolter rounds rained down on him, but never hit their target, thanks to the psychic barrier surrounding him.
"Hump! Rude!" The Demagogue commented irritably, but the Canoness offered no response, ordering the Sisters to retrieve the wounded and take them to the upper floors.
Soon the Battle Sisters and the Space Marines climbed a long marble staircase and advanced through the corridors of the cathedral, passing several points full of barricades and with Battle Sisters ready to fight to the end.
The Demagogue clicked his tongue and slammed his staff on the ground, taking flight and landing on the balcony, following the guards as they climbed the stairs and spread out into the cathedral, which was soon filled with the muffled sounds of battle echoing in the distance.
-XXXXXX-
Cardinal Meroch was in his office, sweating nervously as he listened to the echoes of the battle on the lower floors. His thin, old form shook visibly, and his artificial heart threatened to jump out of his chest.
Currently, the Cardinal burned important documents in his fireplace while his cogitator erased all of his stored information, as the Cardinal could not allow confidential knowledge to fall into enemy hands if the worst happened.
The Cardinal halted his actions as he heard gunshots and screams of pain approaching his office. Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway as he retreated towards his desk, opening a drawer and grabbing a Las Pistol while his Cherubs stood by his side.
CRASH!
The two Servitors who had remained outside his office flew through the door, knocking it down, and landing in the middle of the room, allowing a Battle Sister and Grey Knight to enter, passing the bodies of their guards strewn across the hallway.
"Hello!" The Battle Sister waved, grinning from ear to ear as she bowed politely, though her charred and pitted armor, similar to her hair, diminished the grace she tried to convey.
"Who are you?!" Cardinal Meroch demanded, pointing his Las Pistol with a trembling hand.
"We are but two mere visitors wishing to see the sights of the city, including the resting place of a certain saint." The Battle Sister taunted, approaching the Cardinal.
"You filthy heretics, you never reached our precious saint! I will not allow this!" Cardinal Meroch exclaimed, feeling a burst of fear-fueled courage and pulling the trigger of his gun, only to widen his eyes in surprise as the red beam from the Las Pistol stopped in midair.
The Grey Knight swung his hand, returning the beam to the Cardinal and destroying the gun he held. Then he felt his feet leave the ground and found himself flying towards the Battle Sister, stopping in front of her.
The old Cardinal tried to struggle and free himself, but his attempts were in vain. The Battle Sister grabbed his chin with a crushing grip and forced him to look deep into her eyes, which now glowed a sickly pink.
"Now, you will tell me everything I wish to know." The Battle Sister spoke menacingly.
Cardinal Meroch opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, fighting the haze that clouded his senses, but his eyes took on a similar hue to the person in front of him, and he felt enchanted by the Battle Sister's beauty.
"Yes, my lady." Cardinal Meroch replied passionately.
-XXXXXX-
The Chapter Master's Honor Guard finally reached the cathedral, only to find enemy forces positioned on the other side of the courtyard, ready to stop their advance.
There were no war cries or declarations of honor and glory, the Terminator Space Marines advanced quickly, and the Traitor Guard opened fire. Mortar shells rained down, the air boiled with Las Guns fire, Autocannons fired a barrage of projectiles, but it was not enough.
The Terminators, carrying shields, led the group, forming a wall and blocking the brute of the fire, which ricocheted away and sometimes returned to their owners. Soon, the Astartes were close to the first Guards in a matter of seconds.
The front line was torn to shreds in a storm of blades, with some surviving because they were not a priority target. The Mortar and Autocannons crews were soon gone, trampled, and turned into a red paste by the onslaught of their enemies.
Two Chimeras emerged from the cathedral and opened fire on the Astartes, their Multilasers and Heavy Bolters momentarily slowing the advance of the large armored figures. Some even stumbled in mid-run, but quickly regained their balance and kept up their charge.
One of the Chimeras advanced towards the Astartes, intending to run them over with tons of iron and steel. However, this plan was not completed, as the Terminators formed a shield wall with five in front and five behind, helping their comrades.
The Chimera stopped with a metallic thud, its engine struggling to move forward as the tracks dug holes in the ground. The Guard in the main turret aimed his Heavy Bolter downwards, ready to open fire at point-blank range on the Space Marines that were impeding the tank's advance.
But the Guard had his body split in two along the turret and the front of the tank when a Terminator carrying a scythe jumped and landed on top of the vehicle, delivering a precise cut.
Then the same Space Marine opened the tank's armor with a swift blow, scalding the metal and invading the vehicle, massacring its crew.
The screams of the Guards echoed through the metal walls as they tried to escape, but soon everything went silent as blood ran through the openings resulting from the blows inflicted by the Astartes.
Then, the Honor Guard returned to their previous formation and continued their advance, causing the second Chimera to retreat into the cathedral while firing all of its frontal weapons, and achieving the same result as its now dead comrades.
Eventually, the tank collided with a wall that refused to give way, and the approaching barrier of metal was the last thing the vehicle's crew saw before everything went dark.
-XXXXXX-
Akatosius Uthacello, Canoness Karamora, and their detachment of Battle Sisters raced toward the saint's chamber, catching sight of the bloody combat taking place around them as they ran.
Expensive and antique furniture tumbled down the stairs, knocking over and injuring those unfortunate enough to be in their path.
Battle Sisters and Traitor Guards took cover in rooms, around corners, and behind furniture, exchanging insults and shouting orders midst an intense firefight as they attempted to drag their wounded out of harm's way.
A group of Sisters leaped out of a room and ambushed a group of Guards, brutally hacking them to pieces with their Chainswords.
A squad of Guards threw their grenades at the Sisters behind a barricade blocking a hallway, creating a shower of blood, wood, and metal.
The cathedral's beautiful halls were transformed into a scene from a horror story, with blood, death, and smoke staining the beautiful decorations and stained glass windows that were once a source of artistic pride.
As if that wasn't enough, figures shrouded in dark smoke ignored the Bolter fire and advanced toward the Sisters, easily piercing their armor with their swords encased in the energies of the Immaterium.
The Chapter Master and Canoness turned a corner, but stopped as soon as they saw dozens of Traitor Guards positioned and aiming in their direction, however…
CRASH!
A Thunderhawk crashed into the hallway, smashing the guards against the wall and filling the room with dust and smoke. An armored foot kicked the side door of the airship away, revealing Haratekius who quickly jumped out of the vehicle.
"I am here as you requested, My Lord!" Haratekius exclaimed as he bowed.
"Is this a Thunderhawk of my order?" The Canoness asked, frowning as she noticed the familiar symbolism adorning the vehicle.
"Please don't tell me you stole this Thunderhawk!" the Chapter Master begged, receiving a hesitant murmur in return.
"Would someone please explain what is happening here?!" The Battle Sister demanded irritably.
"Canoness Karamora, this is Haratekius, my Techmarine! Haratekius, this is Canoness Karamora, the woman I plan on asking out when this is all over!" Akatosius Uthacello spoke quickly.
"WHAT?!?"
"We don't have time to discuss our future date now!" The Chapter Master exclaimed, interrupting the Canoness and signaling for the group to head to their destination.
"THIS ISN'T OVER YET!"
Then the group, Techmarine included, finally reached the chamber where the saint rested, only to see a disturbing sight, the Silver Knight and Sabathiel holding Cardinal Meroch in front of a panel next to the large doors protecting the saint's remains.
As if that wasn't enough, several figures shrouded in smoke entered the chamber, flying over the group and landing near the saint's altar as soon as the door opened. Sabathiel wasted no time in pressing a button on the panel, causing the doors to begin closing.
"It seems you're too late! This planet will undergo a glorious change soon!" Sabathiel taunted, holding a Power Sword close to the cardinal's neck, causing the group to stop.
"Not if I rip your head from your body, you rotten traitor!" The Canoness replied, drawing her Chainsword and Bolter as her Sisters did the same.
"I know this isn't the time, but I have a few strange questions. If you can teleport around as you please, then why do all this instead of appearing in the saint's chamber? Next question, can you see this?" The Chapter Master asked, pointing to something beside his head, and receiving silence and confusion in return.
"That was all I needed to know!" Akatosius Uthacello exclaimed, clutching the air.
Suddenly, a blinding light flashed between the Space Marine's clenched fingers, and the Astarte hurled the source of that light toward the saint's altar, leaving a golden trail in its wake.
The Silver Knight tried to use his psychic powers to stop the projectile, but this resulted in a wave of energy flowing through his body, and the Space Marine finally showed some sort of reaction, screaming in pain as he writhed like someone who had been electrocuted.
Momentarily, everyone saw a ball of light pass through the large doors before they slammed shut.
"What did you do?!" Sabathiel demanded, looking between the kneeling Silver Knight and the closed door.
"I have no idea!" Akatosius Uthacello laughed, spinning his Halberd and preparing for combat.
-XXXXXX-
Plumes of smoke settled around the saint's altar, revealing the Demagogue and his Blessed Blades.
The Cultist Leader glanced back momentarily, catching a glimpse of the great doors slowly closing, but soon focused on the sacred altar in front of him, with a golden coffin resting upon it.
He growled in disgust at the sight of all the sacred iconology surrounding him but controlled his anger as he remembered that all this worship of the Corpse Emperor would soon disappear into ashes.
The group present in the room climbed the stairs to the altar and positioned themselves around the coffin, standing guard as their leader began the ritual.
Slamming his staff on the floor, the Demagogue called upon the chaotic energies of the Immaterium and spread them throughout the room in the form of purple lines that climbed the walls and ceiling, burning and destroying all the religious symbols and works of art present.
The doors proved more resilient, their High Gothic writings glowing and struggling against the supernatural forces as they closed, but they soon faded and melted, failing to withstand the opposing onslaught.
Then, the Demagogue took a deep breath and spoke his profane words.
"GOD OF CHAOS, PRINCE OF PLEASURE, SHE WHO THIRSTS, I BEG YOU, LISTEN TO MY CALL, ON THE SIXTH DAY, OF THE SIXTH MONTH, OF THE SIX THOUSAND AND SIXTH YEAR OF THE SIXTH PLANET, FOR SIX IS YOUR SACRED NUMBER!"
All light in the room disappeared, save for the soft, sickly glow of the corrupted energies present, the gravity diminished, causing the cultists' robes and small objects to float slightly.
"GRANT ME ASCENSION AND IN EXCHANGE I WILL OFFER YOU THE MOST HOLY AND SACRED SYMBOL ON THIS ENTIRE PLANET! SAINT ALEXIA, THE ONE WHO STOPPED THE FORCES OF THE BLOOD GOD MILLENNIUMS AGO!"
A dangerously cold wind blew through the windowless room, reality visibly rippling like the surface of a lake, followed by small cracks.
"THE ONE WORSHIPED BY BILLIONS, FOCUS OF COUNTLESS PRAYERS AND LITANIES! GRANT ME POWER AND I WILL MAKE ALL FOLLOWERS DESPAIR AT THE CORRUPTION OF THEIR SACRED SYMBOL! I WILL SHOW THIS ENTIRE PLANET UNIMAGINABLE BEAUTY AND HORRORS, I WILL MAKE THEIR BODIES SCREAM IN ETERNAL PAIN AND PLEASURE, I WILL MAKE THIS FILTHY CENTER OF WORSHIP A DAEMON WORLD IN YOUR NAME!"
A crack appeared above the coffin, dozens of invisible eyes watched in anticipation and hundreds of lying mouths sang in joy.
"I OFFER YOU MY SIX MOST LOYAL SERVANTS AS A PROOF OF FAITH AND WORSHIP, SIX SOULS BLESSED IN YOUR NAME TO DO AS YOU WISH. I ONLY ASK THAT YOU ACCEPT MY FINAL SACRIFICE AND TRANSFORM ME INTO SOMETHING MORE!"
Simultaneously, all the Blessed Blades raised their swords and pierced their stomachs. Their bodies turned to smoke and flew towards the crack, expanding it and opening a portal, revealing horrors beyond human comprehension.
Strings extended out of the portal towards the coffin below, and the Demagogue's flesh writhed and swelled, forcing him to lean on his staff to remain standing.
Horns tore through the veil covering his head, wings burst out of his back in a bloody spray, and his left hand transformed into a crustacean-like pincer. The Demagogue screamed in joy, praising the name of his Patron God, as his form grew in size. However, his joy faded as a ball of light passed by him and struck the saint's coffin.
There was a blinding golden light and the Cultist screamed in despair as the holy power burned through his flesh.
-XXXXXX-
BOOM!
CRASH!
I pulled the Canoness aside, avoiding the massive doors that flew towards us from crushing her. Sabathiel and the Silver Knight also got out of the way, but the shock wave from the explosion threw them away as they were close to the source of the blast.
The cathedral shook, the stained glass windows shattered, the torches on the pillars went out, and chunks of the walls and ceiling collapsed as a cloud of dust filled the hallway, obscuring our vision.
Suddenly, something flew out of the dust cloud and landed in the center of the chamber, an ornate golden coffin. The Canoness wasted no time rushing to the coffin and pulling it to our side, examining the sacred piece for damage immediately afterward.
We debated whether or not we should open the coffin and see if the remains were intact, but a guttural, thunderous cry interrupted our interaction.
"YOU MISERABLE FOOLS! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"
Massive, eye-covered tentacles broke through the dust, landing on both side of the corridor and revealing a tip with four bony spikes forming a pincer. Then a form crawled towards us, the Cultist Leader mutated beyond recognition.
His bloated, humanoid torso covered in animalistic features stood at the center of an octopus-like creature, with rows of giant, sharp teeth surrounding it. Several tentacles extended outward from the central body, writhing and spilling blood as the cultist screamed insults in our direction.
"DO NOT BLAME US FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR UNHOLY ACTIONS, HERETIC! YOU HAVE TURNED AWAY FROM THE LIGHT OF THE EMPEROR, AND NOW I WILL GRANT YOU HIS MERCY!" Canoness Karamora screamed, firing at the cultist, but his body recoiled and the teeth closed around him, blocking the shots.
"EMPEROR? HE IS NOTHING BUT A FALSE GOD WORSHIPED BY CLOSED-MINDED FANATICS! YOU REFUSE TO OPEN YOUR EYES, CANONESS, BUT I CAN STILL FINISH WHAT I STARTED!"
The monstrosity's tentacles shot upward, destroying the damaged ceiling and pulling its form to the upper floors. Another tentacle moved like a serpent and wrapped itself around the coffin, but I ran towards it before it could disappear from view and dug my fingers into its flesh, allowing it to pull me along.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE, FALSE ANGEL? YOU DIDN'T GET WHAT YOU WANTED IN HIDRUS QUINTUS!" The cultist screamed as we climbed.
"I HAVE NO IDEA! THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE FACED SOMEONE IN A HIGH PLACE! I FEEL LIKE A AUTHOR WHO HAS EXTENDED A SECTION OF HIS STORY TOO MUCH AND IS NOW FINALIZING IT BEFORE HE RUNS OUT OF IDEAS!" I replied, receiving a frustrated roar in return.
I don't know how many floors we traversed, but I heard the battle taking place around me midst the rumblings while dust, rubble, and smoke partially blinded me. Then darkness enveloped me and the sounds became muffled until I saw a light.
CRASH!
The Cultist broke through the ceiling of the cathedral and we found ourselves outside, momentarily flying due to the speed at which the creature was climbing. I saw the entire city from up here, with smoke in the distance, the wind blowing past my nonexistent ears, and the sunlight reflecting off the cathedral's adornments.
Unfortunately, gravity took over and we began to fall. I cut the tentacle holding the coffin with a quick swing of my halberd, and grabbed one of its handles, resting the object on my shoulder as I reoriented myself in the air and landed on the sloping roof of the cathedral, my halberd piercing the ground as my feet began to slide.
The Cultist had a similar outcome, wrapping his tentacles around four of the cathedral's towers and hanging from its center like a spider's web. The cultist's protective teeth opened and we faced each other again.
"HANDLE ME THE SAINT!" The cultist demanded.
"YOUR RITUAL HAS FAILED AND REINFORCEMENTS HAVE ARRIVED! JUST ACCEPT DEFEAT!" I shouted back, frowning as the coffin shifted on my shoulder and a golden light leaked through the opening in the lid.
CLANG!
A dent appeared on the coffin lid as if something was trying to break out violently.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
More dents appeared on the coffin lid until a red armored fist broke through the metal and the light intensified.
"IF YOU WANT HER SO MUCH THEN TAKE IT!" I screamed, throwing the coffin towards the cultist.
He fired his remaining tentacles toward the source of his goals, but the coffin exploded in a majestic golden light, incinerating the tentacles and part of the cathedral's roof.
I would have widened my eyes if I could, for the beauty and presence of the person among us amazed me, even more so when this person bore a resemblance to the saint in golden armor and generated worrying implications about the ball of light I had encountered earlier.
She was a tall woman with fair skin, intense blue eyes, and long blond hair, wearing an extremely ancient red Power Armor, judging by the high heels, with pieces of red fabric and golden ornaments and details.
She had a pair of wings on her back, a mix of bat wings, red feathers, and partially solid blood, which slowly dripped towards the ground, and carried a Power Sword in one hand and a Bolter in the other.
The Battle Sister emanated a sacred but heavy light, carrying an aura that demanded respect and fear, like a predator ready to attack. But in this case, I only had one thing to say to the person in front of me.
"SANGUINIUS, IS THAT YOU?!"
"DIE HERETIC!" The Saint replied, her face contorted in fury, but I was not the focus of her anger, as she pointed her sword at the Cultist in front of us.
"NO, NO, THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!" The Cultist screamed, ripping off two of the towers supporting him and hurling them toward the Saint, who flapped her wings and charged forward with a burst of speed, cutting both towers in half with her sword.
The Cultist then retracted into his body again, but his teeth proved incapable of blocking the energy-coated sword, and soon they broke with a clean cut, along with the torso of the Cultist Leader separating from his main body.
He screamed in fear and pain, expecting to fall to his death, but Saint Alexia moved faster and caught him by the neck as he grabbed his captor's hand, trying to escape her grip.
His efforts were in vain, as the Saint effortlessly threw him upwards and grabbed her sword with both hands, enveloping it in the familiar energy of a power weapon and something more, until the sword emanated a golden light.
Then, with a battle cry, Saint Alexia delivered her final blow, a blinding flash turning reality into a white void before everything returned to normal. The Cultist remained in the air for a few seconds, until his body violently split in two and his halves turned to dust while the energy from the attack shot skyward, splitting the clouds above the city.
However, tension took over when the Saint slowly turned and aimed her Bolter at me. We stared at each other in silence, her hateful gaze staring at my expressionless helmet.
"My Lord!" A familiar voice shouted, interrupting us.
Looking towards the source of the noise, I saw Haratekius, my Honor Guard, and the Canoness watching us from a window below, but their gazes soon shifted to the Saint.
Haratekius muttered something about creatures of the Warp and interesting phenomena, my Honor Guard assumed battle stances, while the Canoness made the Imperial Aquila in prayer.
Saint Alexia watched everyone present until she focused on me again, then she lowered her Bolter and glared at me with disdain, before flapping her wings and flying away, disappearing into the clouds.
Well, I just had a hand in creating a Living Saint, all in a day's work.
"Haratekius, what happened to the Cardinal, Sabathiel, and the Silver Knight?!"
"The Cardinal is alive but unconscious, while Sabathiel and the Knight have escaped again!"
Great, I need to do something about his ability to walk through the Warp at will. A Null Field trap should do the trick.
With that all done, I did what I always did, praised my subordinates for their wonderful work and prepared myself for all the explanations I would have to give to the Sisters and the townspeople.
However, there was one problem… How the hell am I going to get down from here?
END OF CHAPTER