Location: Barbarus, Northern Mountains, the old stronghold.
Two Barbarus months later.
Inside the blacksmith's forge, the furnace blazed with a fierce fire, casting a dance of yellow and red sparks. Every so often, a burst of sparks would erupt, illuminating the room.
Several burly men, muscles tensed, were engrossed in their work, wielding their forging hammers with precision. Sparks flew, cutting through the air of the forge.
Beside the forging table, a few others were meticulously assembling a massive suit of armor. The polished steel of the armor gleamed under the watchful glow of the flames.
Next to this semi-finished colossal armor were several smaller, yet identical suits, already completed.
Hades stood nearby, holding a blueprint, occasionally glancing up to inspect the assembly work.
The towering armor being constructed was clearly not for an ordinary man. Standing over 4 meters tall, it dominated the room, making its grandeur even more pronounced next to the craftsmen.
This was an armor Hades had designed, based on blueprints taken from the xenos lords in the south, combined with technology from other human territories that had pledged allegiance. It was a fully enclosed suit of armor.
The armor was made of three layers. The outermost was a thick, corrosion-resistant alloy, with sealed metal joints. A breathing circulation system was also embedded within.
The second layer was crafted from the hide of the xenos lords, provided by Hades. The meticulous stitching and tanning marks showed the immense patience and care taken in its creation. The joints were specially reinforced.
The innermost layer was a thick cotton layer, repeatedly soaked in medicinal herbs. If the first two layers failed, this layer would filter out the toxic gases, providing the wearer with a final line of defense. The herbs also had hemostatic and stimulant properties.
Externally, there was a breathing backpack connected to the circulation system. It used the most effective filtering materials available, physically absorbing toxic particles.
Hades watched intently, ensuring every step of the assembly met his expectations. If anyone's work deviated from his vision, he would immediately instruct them to start over.
Due to his inability to interact with machinery, Hades had to minimize his psychic field, the "black domain", and direct the craftsmen from a distance.
The armor for Hades lacked an electronic breathing system due to the interference of his psychic field. He had to rely on rudimentary filtration and breathe manually.
The other suits, intended for his honor guard, lacked the second layer. There wasn't enough xenos hide for all, allowing only two suits to be crafted with it.
Hades remembered the craftsmen's shocked reactions when he first presented the xenos hides. Not everyone was ready to accept his proposal.
To address this, Hades had a brief discussion with Mortarion. While Mortarion had an intense aversion to xenos, the pragmatic nature of the Barbarus people prevailed. Recognizing the importance of the second layer, Mortarion gave his tacit approval.
Once the final suit, specially made for Mortarion, was completed, all seven would be uniformly coated with anti-corrosion paint and electroplated with another layer of metal.
Lastly, a simple emblem of crossed scythes would be affixed to the shoulder of each armor, marking their completion.
Apart from Hades's forge, the other forges in the stronghold were bustling. Countless weapons and artillery were being crafted to replenish the front lines.
Location: Barbarus, Northern Mountains, Necare's territory, plains below.
Present time.
Artillery roared, and the ground shook as flames erupted. Puppet corpses were flung into the air, their remains crashing back to the ground.
Then, the sound of blades slicing through the air.
Mortarion led the charge into the retreating puppet horde, swinging his scythe with deadly precision. Each swing resulted in a rain of blood and screams.
Around him, the Death Guard followed suit, their scythes reaping life after life.
The battlefield was filled with the sounds of combat, the screams of the dying, and the silence of the Death Guard as they methodically slaughtered their foes.
When the last puppet fell, a profound silence enveloped the battlefield, punctuated only by the triumphant feeling of another victory.
With the intel from the front lines, Mortarion and the Death Guard successfully severed Necare's supply lines.
These supply lines, like parasitic worms, had been draining the lifeblood of the Barbarus people. Countless lives were lost to these insatiable monsters.
But this was about to end.
The oppressive state of Barbarus, the centuries of exploitation, and the history of xenos rule were coming to a close.
Mortarion would behead the last xenos lord, Herillalding the victory of the Death Guard and the people of Barbarus.
With the last supply line severed and the final suit of armor forged, Mortarion knew that Necare's days were numbered.
The tempo of war was accelerating. Both sides were all in, risking everything.
In the next clash, amidst the roar of cannons and the flash of blades, whose head would fall?
The game of fate was reaching its climax. Everyone was in place, and the curtain was about to rise.
Would the game of the gods find its resolution?
Location: The Emperor's Dreamship.
Present time.
"My Lord, our vanguard has discovered a planet the locals call Barbarus."
"Our scouts believe one of your progeny might be on this planet."