The explosion's flames shot skyward, tearing a massive gap in the mountain's defensive line. Black smoke rolled into the air, lingering ominously.
Imperial soldiers and Nurgle's demons froze, confusion etched across their faces.
What just happened?
The explosion seemed to originate inside the defense line.
The Space Marines exchanged bewildered glances.
"What happened? Did a cultist sneak in and sabotage the defenses?"
Even the Great Unclean One, Linbas, paused for several seconds, his grotesque, bloated face contorted in confusion.
"Ah? Do we have infiltrators capable of such a feat?"
Chaos forces often relied on infiltration and seduction to destabilize the Imperium, but Linbas had seen no evidence of such sabotage. Yet, here was a gap leading directly toward their goal.
For a moment, the battlefield stilled. Both Imperial defenders and Chaos forces stood dumbfounded.
After the brief silence, Linbas roared, "Charge, my children! Praise the Plague father and seize that breach!"
To Linbas, this apparent blunder by the Imperial forces was clearly a blessing from Nurgle. As for the possibility of a trap—what difference did it make? Advancing from another direction would hardly guarantee safety.
"Quick! Guard the breach!" bellowed the Space Marine captain. "Stop them at all costs!"
But the demon horde, driven by the lure of the Primarch, surged forward. The Space Marines' defensive positions were ignored entirely.
The Primarch. The very presence of a demigod among the defenders was intoxicating to the Nurgle army. To capture him, to pour the Plague father's blessings upon him, was the ultimate goal. Promotion to daemon prince was assured for whoever succeeded.
The demons, maddened by the thought of Nurgle's favor, abandoned caution entirely and poured into the gap.
Within the mountain defense line, Dukel stood at the fore, gripping his massive chainsword. He could hear the approaching horde, and his blood surged with anticipation.
His fervor was infectious. The Second Legion's Guards, inspired by their Primarch, were nearly foaming at the mouth with excitement.
Behind him, Commissar Kane sat slumped against the rock. He clasped his hands in prayer.
"Merciful Emperor, I am unworthy. I am weak. But please, guide me once more so I may follow this demigod and survive this madness."
After a deep breath, Kane composed himself. His expression hardened, adopting the stoicism of a veteran.
"They're here!" Dukel's eyes burned with anticipation.
Force Field: Mind Matrix.
A psychic field erupted from Dukel, using himself as the core and linking to every member of the mental network. The invisible barrier pushed outward.
As the Nurgle horde neared, the air thickened with plague miasma. Pustules bubbled along the walls, oozing worms and filth. But the mind field suppressed these corruptions, burning them away. The walls flattened, the ground dried, and the mountain interior was cleansed.
The first wave of Nurgle demons breached the gap, only to writhe in agony as green smoke boiled from their bodies. The psychic energy and the Emperor-blessed runes carved into the walls shone with radiant gold, dispersing the Warp's influence.
Even under suppression, the demons snarled defiantly.
Traitors of the False Emperor, you will serve the Plague father.
Their thoughts ceased abruptly as a towering figure in power armor charged them.
"You're finally here!" Dukel roared.
The Primarch's fists, encased in power gloves, smashed the lead demon into a smear of ichor.
"FOR HUMANITY!" Dukel bellowed, swinging his massive chainsword—a weapon over two meters long but wielded with the ease of a dueling blade.
The blade's monomolecular teeth, wreathed in psychic fire, tore through three more demons in a single sweep. Foul ichor splattered everywhere, yet none reached Dukel, repelled by the psychic barrier encasing him.
The ferocity of his assault made the Nurgle demons falter. For a moment, they hesitated.
Did we come to the wrong place?
Why is there a Khorne prince here?
Their hesitation ended abruptly as Dukel surged forward, carving a bloody path through their ranks.
"Don't run now! Didn't you want in?!"
Kane watched in stunned silence.
Was it really a bad idea to open that breach?
Judging by the carnage Dukel wrought, it seemed the Primarch had everything under control.
Perhaps... next time, Kane could afford to trust him a little more.
"Tactic Two!" Dukel shouted suddenly, his chainsword cleaving another demon in half.
Before Kane could process what was happening, several Second Legion guards ran to the side, armed with melta bombs.
BOOM!
The deafening explosion rocked the mountain. A second gap opened, letting in more of the Nurgle army—and more chaos.
Kane's composure shattered.
"YOUR HIGHNESS, DUKEEEEEL!"
The political commissar's anguished cry echoed through the defense line.
Kane had thought the first breach was reckless enough. Now, there were two.
Dukel, unfazed, grinned as he darted between the breaches with preternatural speed. Even the most seasoned Space Marines struggled to follow his movements.
With seemingly endless stamina, the Primarch crushed demons with the glee of a warrior who lived for the fight.
Between blows, he glanced at Kane, whose face was a mask of despair. Dukel clapped a hand on his shoulder, laughing.
"Don't worry, Commissar. I have the advantage!"
Kane could only twitch in response, his expression teetering between laughter and tears.
...
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