The low orbit of Austin Star was already shrouded in a murderous atmosphere. The Ultramarines fleet and the remaining Imperial Navy ships had all withdrawn to a safe distance, like silent pallbearers, watching from afar the Forge World that had been completely defiled by Chaos.
Instead, hovering in the planet's orbit were three warships with stark lines, painted in solemn silver and grey, and radiating powerful psychic energy. The style of these warships was distinctly different from conventional Imperial vessels; they were simpler, more focused, every inch of their armor seemingly inscribed with runes designed to combat Warp abominations. This was the dedicated fleet of the Grey Knights Chapter, and the warships carried the Empire's ultimate power against Chaos — the Grey Knights.
Inside the briefing room of the largest of these warships—a Strike Cruiser known as the "Silver Chalice"—the atmosphere was as heavy as a frozen tomb.
A Grey Knight Grand Master, clad in even more ornate silver power armor inlaid with ancient runes and holy symbols, was having a final exchange with Ultramarines Chapter Master Marius Calgar. The Grand Master's face was covered by a cold helmet, only the sharp, star-like glint from behind his visor visible. His voice, emanating through the helmet, carried a hardened, unwavering formality and authority.
"The situation is understood, Chapter Master Calgar," the Grand Master's voice was devoid of emotion, as if stating a pre-determined fact, "The Ultramarines' struggle and sacrifice will not be forgotten by the Imperium. But now, the situation is beyond what conventional forces can remedy."
Chapter Master Calgar's face was grim. He nodded, his azure eyes holding a hint of undisguised weariness and sorrow: "Everything is in your hands. May the Emperor's will guide you."
The Grand Master gave a slight nod, said no more, and turned to leave the briefing room, heading for the ship's assembly hall.
In the hall, twelve Grey Knight warriors already stood in silent formation. Each was clad in standard silver power armor, inscribed with scriptures and symbols against Chaos, and bearing the Grey Knights Chapter insignia on their shoulder pads—an open holy book with a sword and a halberd crossed over it. They were silent as mountains, their presence merging into one, exuding a pure and cold psychic pressure, as if they were living weapons against Daemons themselves.
The Grand Master walked to the front of the formation, his cold gaze sweeping over each warrior. There was no impassioned pre-battle address, only the most direct and concise issuance of orders.
"Warriors," the Grand Master's voice echoed in the hall, every word clear and forceful, "Austin World has completely fallen. Imperial forces have all withdrawn. According to the last intelligence, the Chaos forces entrenched on the planet, having lost external pressure, have intensified their internal conflicts."
He paused, then continued: "Currently, two Greater Daemon-level abominations have been confirmed to have manifested. One is a Great Unclean One from Nurgle, the Plague God. Judging by its manifested characteristics and psychic corruption patterns, this Daemon is very likely Nurgle's favorite, Kugath, known as 'The Corrupting Word.'"
At the mention of this name, even the Grey Knights' breathing seemed to momentarily catch. Kugath, a terrifying entity whose infamy was well-known even among Nurgle's Daemon legions.
"The second," the Grand Master's voice remained steady, "is a Keeper of Secrets from Slaanesh, the Lord of Pleasure. Its specific identity cannot yet be fully confirmed, but its psychic level is also extremely high. Both Daemons intend to completely transform this planet into their respective Chaos God's domain, engaging in endless conflict with each other."
The Grand Master slowly turned, facing the large, faintly glowing statue of the Emperor at the end of the hall. The statue's face was stern and solemn, as if gazing upon these Angels of Death about to embark on the darkest battlefield.
"Chaos infighting is its inherent nature. However, this is not an opportunity for the Imperium to exploit," the Grand Master's voice rose slightly, carrying an undeniable resolve, "Warp corruption has penetrated the very marrow of this star; mortal means can no longer cleanse it. Countless Daemons are entrenched, and Greater Daemons are present. This place has become a breeding ground for darkness, a cancerous growth threatening the real universe."
He abruptly turned back, his gaze like burning coals, sweeping over all the Grey Knights:
"We are the Emperor's own forged blade! The steadfast shield against Warp abominations! Our very existence is the ultimate answer to Chaos!"
"Today, we shall descend there, to execute the Emperor's will! Our mission is purification! To banish all Warp Daemons on this star who dare to profane reality! To thoroughly sever this source of defilement!"
There were no grand pronouncements, no fervent oaths. The Grand Master's words were cold and direct, yet they contained a determination and power more unyielding than any slogan.
Then, the Grand Master was the first to face the Emperor's statue, slowly lowering his right knee to the ground, kneeling. The Nemesis Daemon Hammer in his hands, larger than a standard power halberd and adorned with more runes, was gripped tightly, held upright before him.
Behind him, the twelve Grey Knight warriors moved in perfect unison, like a single entity, simultaneously kneeling! Their Nemesis Daemon Hammers were also raised and held upright!
The next moment, without any command, all Grey Knight warriors—including the Grand Master—began to softly chant ancient and obscure exorcism prayers. As they chanted, their psychic weapons, as if imbued with divine power, suddenly ignited with a pure and dazzling silver light!
The light was not blinding, but carried a righteous aura that cleansed all defilement, illuminating the entire assembly hall! The runes on their weapons lit up one by one, and powerful psychic waves spread out like ripples!
There were no boisterous vows, but these thirteen psychic weapons, all blazing with light simultaneously, already declared their resolve—to not return until all Daemons were cleansed and banished!
The prayers ended, and the light gradually receded, though a faint silver glow still flowed over their weapons.
The Grey Knights rose in silence.
They did not use their dedicated drop pods, but instead boarded two standard drop pods provided by the Ultramarines, which had been simply purified and blessed. This was both to avoid alerting the enemy and a sign of respect for their allies.
The drop pod hatches slowly closed. With the thunderous roar of ejection, the two drop pods, like two silver meteors, detached from the "Silver Chalice" and plunged resolutely towards the northern rift of Austin Star, which still emanated a towering, evil energy.
Inside the pods, the thirteen Grey Knights were like thirteen silver statues, silent, only the faint glow of their weapons foreshadowing the impending, thunderous judgment against the Daemons.
The purification was about to begin.
Two Ultramarines-pattern drop pods, like two falling steel seeds, tore through the Warp-energy-laden atmosphere of Austin Star, trailing fiery contrails, and sped precisely towards the northern rift—the core source of the Chaos energy.
Inside the drop pods, the exorcism runes on the Grey Knights' power armor faintly shimmered in the dim light. There was no conversation, no pre-battle checks; all preparations had long been completed at the soul and equipment level. Their will, like refined steel, was forged into a single entity, waiting only for the hatches to open to execute their sole mission—purification.
The drop pods' trajectory inevitably passed through the outer regions of the rift, which was the fringe territory where Slaanesh Daemons were entrenched. Some patrolling Daemonettes, Furies, and higher-ranking Slaanesh Seekers were immediately drawn to the sudden intruders.
They let out seductive and cruel shrieks, thinking it was yet another group of foolish Imperial forces coming to their demise. Several Seekers, mounted on twisted steeds, even eagerly took to the air, brandishing their tuning fork-like longswords, and charged towards the drop pods, unleashing waves of perception-distorting psychic energy! They sought to tear these "Ultramarines" apart before they landed, or, more "interestingly," corrupt them.
However, when the drop pods, braked by retro-thrusters, slammed with immense impact into the slime and detritus-covered ground at the edge of the rift, and their hatches hydraulically blasted open—
What awaited these Slaanesh Daemons was not the azure armor and Bolter fire they had anticipated.
Instead, it was pure, searing, silver psychic light, imbued with an ultimate hatred for Chaos! And a holy aura that made their very souls sting and burn!
The Grey Knight warrior who first burst from the hatch had already activated his Nemesis Daemon Hammer! The halberd blade burned with dazzling silver psychic flame, like the scythe of death, sweeping forward without any flourish!
"In the Emperor's name! Purify!"
A deep, powerful battle cry rang out, not in the style of the Ultramarines, but the Grey Knights' unique, Daemon-expelling shout!
The Slaanesh Seeker charging at the forefront, both rider and mount, faced with this halberd blade imbued with holy power, was instantly purified and torn apart as if encountering its nemesis. It didn't even have time to shriek, dissolving into a swirling pink mist and a piercing wail, finally dissipating into nothingness!
Other Slaanesh Daemons attempting to approach met the same fate! The Grey Knights' attacks were precise and efficient; every swing, every psychic shot, was specifically aimed at the Daemons' weaknesses. Wherever the silver psychic energy passed, the Slaanesh Daemons melted away like ice under the sun!
"Grey Knights!!" A more powerful Slaanesh Daemon let out a terrified shriek, no longer caring for seduction or art, and turned to flee. But a silver psychic lightning bolt struck it faster, purifying it completely.
The appearance of the Grey Knight squad was like a red-hot knife cutting through butter, instantly tearing a gap in the Slaanesh Daemon lines and causing localized chaos. These warriors, specialized in combating Chaos, inherently had a strong deterrent effect on lesser Daemons.
The thirteen Grey Knights quickly established a temporary defensive line around the drop zone, the Grand Master calmly observing the surroundings. Their tactical visors displayed the chaotic psychic signals, a mix of various Chaos God characteristics, rising from the depths of the rift ahead.
"Target area confirmed. Chaos infighting is in progress. Proceed as planned, prioritize clearing path obstructions, and head directly for the core of the corruption," the Grand Master's voice came through internal comms, cold and clear.
The Grey Knights immediately changed formation, like a silver wedge, and began to steadily advance towards the depths of the rift, in the direction of the Warp Gate. The small groups of Slaanesh Daemons they encountered along the way were utterly unable to impede their progress, often being swiftly purified in a single encounter.
As they delved deeper, the mingled stench and sweet aroma in the air grew stronger, and began to be accompanied by deafening roars, sounds of battle, and a... thick, gurgling, strange noise.
When they passed through a forest of giant, twisted purple crystals, the scene before them opened up, becoming even more shocking.
What lay before them was a vast, open expanse, like an ancient battlefield. And here, an extremely profane and grotesque Chaos civil war was unfolding!
On one side of the battlefield were vast numbers of bloated and misshapen Nurgle Demons. Wailing Nurglings, stumbling and oozing pus, swarmed like a tide; massive Plaguebearers, wielding rusted plague swords, advanced with heavy steps; and many more bizarre Nurgle Demons, exuding deadly plagues, were mixed among them.
And behind this plague army, an extremely conspicuous entity sat upon a palanquin of putrid flesh, rusted metal, and twisted bones, laboriously carried by countless Nurglings.
That was none other than Nurgle's favored one, the Great Unclean One Kugath, whom the Grey Knight Grand Master had mentioned shortly before!
Kugath's body was like a moving mountain of flesh, astonishingly obese, its green skin covered in oozing sores and constantly opening and closing eyes and mouths. In one hand, it held a massive plague censer, seemingly forever bubbling and boiling, while with another fat finger, it pointed across the battlefield, issuing dull and malevolent commands.
Under its command, some long-range attacking Daemons positioned at the rear of Nurgle's forces—such as bloated Bilepipers capable of spewing corrosive bile, or Plague Drones hurling plague boils—were continuously raining down various deadly viruses, bacteria, and plagues onto the other end of the battlefield like a hail of bullets!
Their enemies were the Slaanesh Demons—slender, swift, yet possessing an eerie beauty. Daemonettes, Daemonettes, Seekers, and many other Slaanesh units skilled in close combat and psychic seduction, were attempting to use their speed advantage to assault Nurgle's slow lines.
The plague personally developed by Kugath was clearly terrifying! Even Slaanesh Demons, who enjoyed pain and had a high tolerance for physical changes, would let out agonizing screams if struck by the viscous green pus or corrosive bile! Their pearly white skin would rapidly turn gray and rot, growing disgusting pustules and fungi, their movements would become sluggish, and eventually, in a very short time, they would rot and melt, turning into a bubbling puddle of pus!
Nurgle's power of "stagnation" and "decay" was effectively countering Slaanesh's "extremity" and "pleasure."
The entire battlefield was like a giant, slowly grinding meat grinder, filled with the most nauseating visual, auditory, and olfactory impacts. Two vastly different chaotic forces fiercely collided here, annihilating each other.
The Grey Knight Grand Master calmly observed this infighting among the demon armies. This was undoubtedly a favorable factor for their purification mission.
"Chaos nature, exposed," the Grand Master coldly commented. "No need to intervene in their slaughter. Remain hidden, and use the intervals of their mutual attrition to infiltrate the core area of the Warp Gate. Our objective is to banish all Greater Demons and shut down the source of pollution."
"Understood," the other Grey Knights responded in a deep voice.
Thirteen silver figures, like reapers merged with shadows, began to silently advance towards the deepest part of the rift, in the direction emanating the strongest evil energy fluctuations, using the complex terrain at the edge of the battlefield and the chaos of the demons' mutual slaughter.
Their arrival did not attract much attention from the two demon armies engaged in fierce combat. But for this defiled land, the true judges had arrived.
Thirteen Grey Knights, like silver blades in the shadows, cleverly utilized the chaos and noise created by the Nurgle and Slaanesh demon armies' melee to rapidly and covertly infiltrate the core area of the Warp Gate along the complex terrain at the edge of the rift. Their steps were steady and firm, the runes on their silver armor faintly shimmering in the dim light, as if contending with the surrounding evil energy.
Just as they passed near the awe-inspiring remains of an Emperor-class Titan, half-embedded in the rock face, a scrambled signal came through the Grand Master's private communication channel. It was from Chapter Master Marius Calgar on the Macragge's Honour in orbit.
"Grand Master, this is Calgar," the Chapter Master's voice came through the comms, carrying a hint of gravity. "We have just obtained more detailed intelligence regarding the Warp Gate area from Sergeant Karl Hohn, who has just recovered from severe injuries. It may be of assistance to your operation."
The Grand Master did not stop, but his attention was entirely focused on the communication: "Go on."
"According to Sergeant Karl's description, when they approached the last five hundred meters of the Warp Gate area, they encountered extremely strange changes in time flow. Their movements became extremely slow, while the enemy seemed less affected. Furthermore, they were attacked by powerful Chaos energy beams from shadows high above, which possessed extremely strong energy corrosive properties, capable of instantly vaporizing power armor. The identity of the attackers is unknown, possibly special units of the Black Legion or an ambush by other Chaos warbands."
Calgar paused, then added: "It was these factors that ultimately led to the failure of their mission. Please be extremely careful."
"Intelligence received. Thank you for the information, Chapter Master Calgar." The Grand Master's voice remained stoic, but he firmly imprinted this information in his mind. Time anomalies, unknown high-power sniping... this undoubtedly added more variables to an already perilous mission.
The communication ended. The Grey Knights had already bypassed the Titan's gigantic, rock-merged leg remains. Ahead was a relatively open area, but filled with twisted crystals and eerie sculptures.
However, the moment they stepped into this area—
A laugh, as pleasant as silver bells yet with a chilling allure, echoed from all directions.
In the air ahead, dozens of graceful and eerie figures rippled into existence like water.
These demons possessed extremely beautiful upper bodies like human females, with skin as smooth as the finest silk, appearing pearly white, pale purple, or alluring pink. Their countenances were breathtakingly beautiful, every detail seemingly sculpted with the utmost precision, enough to make mortals lose their minds. Their long hair was like flowing moonlight, and their eyes gleamed with hunger and playfulness.
However, from their slender waists down, they did not have human legs, but long, python-like tails covered in fine, smooth scales!
These were Daemonettes, a relatively rare type of high-ranking demon in Slaanesh's service, more powerful and cunning than ordinary Daemonettes.
Even more unsettling was that their appearance was not fixed. Within the few seconds the Grey Knights watched them, their faces and bodies rapidly shifted between extreme beauty and nauseating ugliness! One moment they were peerless beauties, the next they might be distorted, their skin festering and covered in tumors, only to immediately become even more enchanting, cycling endlessly, creating an intense sense of mental disorientation.
These Daemonettes did not attack directly like lower-ranking demons. They let out seductive giggles and began to circle the thirteen Grey Knights, rapidly spinning and moving as if performing some ancient ritual dance. Their serpentine tails glided across the ground, leaving faint pink marks that emitted a subtle glow. These marks connected to each other, quickly forming a complex and eerie runic knot that encircled the Grey Knights!
At the same time, the sweet, Slaanesh-specific scent that was already present in the air suddenly intensified dozens of times! The odor became so rich, so intoxicating, as if blended from the sweetest honey, the most fragrant perfumes, and the most alluring pheromones, attempting to penetrate the Grey Knights' helmet filtration systems and directly affect their minds, stirring up all the suppressed desires and impulses deep within them—the craving for battle, the obsession with victory, even the infatuation with their own power... attempting to twist these positive emotions into seeds of decadent pleasure.
This was the Slaanesh demons' most favored method of attack—corrupting the mind.
The leading Daemonette, with her ever-changing voice, whispered with magnetic allure: "Hehehe... powerful warriors... why be so serious? Lower your guard... join our revelry... here, you can experience ultimate pleasure... satisfy all desires..."
However, they clearly severely underestimated the Grey Knights' strength and resolve.
Facing this elaborately set illusion and powerful psychic corruption, the thirteen Grey Knights stood unmoving like thirteen cold snow-capped mountains. Their unyielding will had long been tempered in countless rigorous training and real combat against Chaos, like electrical cables covered with the thickest insulation, almost immune to this level of psychic temptation.
The Grand Master did not even issue any commands. All the Grey Knights reacted almost simultaneously in the same way—they began to chant exorcism prayers in low voices!
The deep, rhythmic prayers emanated from beneath their helmets, not deafening, but carrying a peculiar power that could calm the mind and dispel evil. The silver psychic glow on their Nemesis Force Halberds or Force Swords became more solid and hotter!
The rich, sweet scent, when it approached a certain range around them, seemed to encounter an invisible barrier, being rapidly neutralized and purified by the pure psychic field and the power of the prayers, unable to penetrate in the slightest!
And those Daemonettes attempting direct psychic attacks through dance and gaze, their eyes, upon encountering the unyielding will behind the Grey Knights' cold visors, recoiled as if burned, letting out startled and angry shrieks, forced to avert their gaze.
Slaanesh's illusion had little effect against the Grey Knights' absolute willpower and specialized anti-Chaos abilities.
The Grand Master's cold gaze swept over the Daemonettes still futilely circling and trying to maintain the ward, issuing a terse command:
"Purify them. Continue forward."
Meanwhile, aboard the Macragge's Honour in orbit.
Lieutenant Golden had just finished dealing with the accumulated affairs of the First Company—bereavement payments for the fallen, equipment replenishment, new personnel transfer arrangements, and so on. For four consecutive days, he had barely closed his eyes, his face bearing an undisguised weariness, but his eyes still maintained the calm and sharpness befitting a lieutenant.
He did not return to his cabin to rest, but walked directly to the ship's medical bay.
Pushing open the door to Gaius's intensive care room, he saw that Gaius had woken up and was sitting up in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The Apothecary had just finished his routine check and left.
"Gaius," Golden walked to the bedside, his voice carrying a subtle hoarseness.
Gaius slowly turned his head, saw Golden, and a complex light flashed in his eyes, containing guilt, pain, and ultimately, deep self-reproach.
"Lieutenant..." Gaius's voice was very low. "I... failed your trust... failed the Chapter... I couldn't complete the mission... and I implicated Luna and Dorian... Taras Squad also..."
He did not continue, but his clenched fists and slightly trembling shoulders revealed the immense pain in his heart.
Golden watched him silently, neither offering immediate comfort nor blame. He simply pulled up a chair, sat by the bed, and quietly stayed with him.
After a long while, Golden slowly spoke, his voice steady and firm: "Gaius, look up."
Gaius looked up as instructed, his eyes bloodshot.
"Look into my eyes," Golden continued. "Tell me, during the mission, did you, Dorian, Luna, and the brothers of Taras Squad, ever hesitate or flinch in the slightest?"
Gaius shook his head without hesitation: "No! We fought until the last moment!"
"Then, what led to the mission's failure? Was it your lack of courage, or lack of loyalty?" Golden asked again.
"Neither..." Gaius closed his eyes in pain. "It was the enemy... too powerful... too bizarre..."
"Then what do you have to blame yourself for?" Golden's voice rose slightly. "You faced Chaos abominations far beyond conventional understanding! A threat that even the Grey Knights need to treat with solemnity! You did everything an Ultramarines could do! Even beyond your limits!"
He reached out and heavily pressed on Gaius's shoulder: "Mission failure is not your disgrace. The fact that you, Dorian, and Luna are alive is the greatest victory! The sacrifice of Taras Squad was to preserve you, the future hope of the Imperium! Their sacrifice was glorious, but it was absolutely not for the living to wallow in useless self-reproach!"
"Remember this pain, Gaius," Golden's gaze was sharp. "But it shouldn't crush you; it should become the driving force for you to become stronger in the future. Ultramarines can be defeated, but they will never be broken by failure. The Primarch bestowed the laurel upon you, seeing your unyielding will and potential, not demanding that you never fail."
Golden's words, like a heavy hammer, struck Gaius's guilt-ridden heart. He stared blankly at the Lieutenant, the despair and self-reproach in his eyes seemingly dissipating slightly, replaced by a deeper contemplation.
Yes, failure was painful, but wallowing in self-reproach was meaningless. He needed to stand up, he needed to become stronger, to be worthy of his fallen comrades and the responsibility on his shoulders.
Seeing the change in Gaius's eyes, Golden secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He knew Gaius needed time, but he believed this young Sergeant could overcome it.
The Grey Knights' low, firm exorcism prayers echoed through the eerie grotto, like a purifying spring cleansing filth. The silver psychic energy burning in their weapons was a more lethal bane to the Slaaneshi Daemons than even the hottest plasma.
The Daemonettes, who had tried to ensnare them with seductive dances and whispered temptations, finally bared their vicious claws after realizing their tricks were completely ineffective. They let out furious, pained shrieks, lashing their long serpentine tails and brandishing claw-blades like venomous stingers, pouncing from all directions at the thirteen silver statues!
However, this was akin to moths flying into a flame.
The Grey Knights' fighting style was distinctly different from the tactical coordination of the Ultramarines or the berserk power of other Space Marines. Every one of their movements was precise, efficient, and highly targeted. Their Nemesis Force Halberds carved fatal silver arcs, often predicting the Daemonettes' erratic movements and severing and purifying them along with their shifting, illusory forms! The blessed bolts fired from their Storm Bolters could easily pierce their seemingly supple psychic defenses, shattering their core.
The battle was almost a one-sided slaughter. Wherever the silver light passed, the Daemonettes dissolved into shrill screams and swirling pink smoke, eventually dissipating completely. The pale pink barrier markings on the ground also rapidly faded and vanished with the death of their casters.
Just as the last few Daemonettes were about to be completely purified, a surge of evil demonic power, far stronger and purer than any daemon before, surged like a tide from the depths of the grotto!
Accompanied by a lazy, infinitely seductive chuckle, two figures slowly emerged from the pervasive pink mist.
One of them was the Slaaneshi Witch whose arm Captain Taras had severed earlier. Her severed arm had been replaced by some writhing, pinkish-purple energy tendrils, and her gaze towards the Grey Knights was filled with venomous resentment and a hint of imperceptible fear.
But what truly captured the attention of all the Grey Knights was the entity standing before the Witch.
She maintained the image of an exquisitely beautiful human female, tall and graceful, with proportions so perfect they transcended natural limits. Her skin was like fresh snow under moonlight, smooth and flawless. Her face combined all earthly imaginings of beauty, yet carried an unsettling, inhuman perfection. Her deep eyes seemed to contain an entire galaxy, and the shifting gaze within them was enough to make any mortal willingly offer their soul. She wore a long gown woven from what appeared to be flowing shadows and starlight, outlining breathtaking curves.
This was one of the primary objectives of this purification mission—the Keeper of Secrets, a Greater Daemon of Slaanesh, the embodiment of desire.
The Keeper of Secrets did not immediately attack, but instead used her eyes, capable of enchanting all beings, to observe the thirteen Grey Knights standing ready before her with interest. In her gaze, there was even a hint of... admiration?
"Truly... an astonishing creation..." The Keeper of Secrets' voice was like the sweetest mead, resonating directly in everyone's mind, carrying a lazy magnetism, "So pure... so focused... every inch of flesh, every wisp of soul, exists for only one purpose—to fight us..."
Even in absolute enmity, she seemed to spare no "praise" for these superhuman warriors born specifically to destroy them.
Her gaze finally fell upon the Grey Knight Grand Master at the forefront, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes: "I am very curious... truly very curious..."
She tilted her head slightly, her movement exquisitely elegant, yet exuding a deadly aura of danger.
"That... crumbling 'Empire' you serve, which has long rotted from within into an empty shell..." Her tone carried unconcealed disdain and mockery, "And that... Corpse-Emperor, the False Emperor, who can only sit withered on the Golden Throne, maintained by devouring souls..."
"What magic does it possess?" The Keeper of Secrets' voice was filled with genuine bewilderment, "Why does it compel such powerful warriors as yourselves... to fight for him, one after another? To sacrifice for him? Knowing it is futile, knowing that in the end, everything will return to Chaos... What is the meaning of such loyalty?"
This question, like a poisoned barb, sought to probe the very foundation of the Grey Knights' faith.
All the Grey Knights remained silent, like cold statues, but the light from their psychic weapons seemed to burn even brighter.
At this moment, the Grey Knight Grand Master stepped forward. His helmeted face showed no expression, but through his visor, one could feel a resolve as unyielding as ten thousand years of ice.
He slammed his Nemesis Force Halberd into the ground, emitting a dull thud, and the silver psychic energy on the halberd blade flared up like fire, illuminating his majestic silver armor.
Then, his ancient and powerful voice, like the ringing of a great bell, resounded clearly in this blasphemous place, every word imbued with an unquestionable belief:
"Daemon! Your words are utterly absurd!"
His voice directly answered the Keeper of Secrets' challenge, filled with the firmest faith in the Imperium and the Emperor.
"The 'crumbling' Imperium you speak of," the Grand Master's voice carried the weight of history, "has stood for ten millennia! Countless calamities have failed to break it! Though it has flaws, though it has shadows, the fire of human civilization and order it represents has never been extinguished! Through millennium after millennium, it still stands, and will continue to stand!"
His Force Halberd pointed at the Keeper of Secrets, and the psychic light intensified greatly:
"And the Emperor whom you blaspheme!" The Grand Master's voice suddenly rose, filled with reverence and a desire to defend, "Even if his body withers on the throne, his will is like the Astronomican, illuminating humanity's path forward! His sacrifice protects the physical universe from your vile corruption! How can you fallen beings defame him!"
His words were like a sharp sword, striking at the Keeper of Secrets' core:
"Look instead at the 'gods' you serve!" The Grand Master's tone was filled with unconcealed disdain, "They are merely cowards cowering in the Warp, begging for sustenance from mortal emotions! Fear, despair, desire, decay... Without these, you are like rootless duckweed!"
"Your atrocities, the destruction you bring..." The Grand Master's voice was like a pronouncement, "Before the Imperium's ten millennia of glory and sacrifice, they are nothing more than... a few passing winds and frosts over a great stone! Insignificant! Fleeting!"
Finally, he sharply raised his Force Halberd, pointing directly at the Keeper of Secrets and the Witch behind her, delivering his final declaration of battle, his voice like thunder, exploding in this daemon's lair:
"My battlefield is here!!! My brothers are here!!!"
"And you, daemon! Your outcome is but one—"
"To burn eternally in the fires of hell!!!"
These words, devoid of any flowery language, were filled with an indestructible belief founded on ten millennia of history and countless sacrifices. It was not just an answer to the Keeper of Secrets' question, but a declaration of war against all the vile forces of Chaos!
For the first time, a hint of solemnity appeared on the Keeper of Secrets' flawless face. The Grey Knight Grand Master's unwavering faith far exceeded her expectations. This pure, untempted hostility made her feel a touch of... discomfort.
The smile on her face gradually faded, replaced by a cold, Greater Daemon's majesty and killing intent.
"In that case..." The Keeper of Secrets' voice was no longer languid, but became sharp and powerful, "Then let me see... if your faith can endure until the end... in the face of true 'pleasure'!"
The great battle was about to erupt!
In the bridge command center of the Macragge's Honour, the atmosphere was as heavy as lead. Outside the massive observation window was Austin Star, now stained an ominous color by Chaotic energies, like a festering sore in the star sea, silently testifying to the brutality and failure of the war.
Chapter Master Marius Calgar stood with his back to the star chart, his posture still as straight as a pine, but the deep weariness and a hint of... powerlessness in his battle-hardened azure eyes were hard to conceal.
Before him, the Company Captains—including Captain Cassius of the First Company, Sicarius of the 2nd Company, Hek Hansen of the Third Company, and several other Captains—were reporting the losses incurred during the Austin Star campaign.
"...First Company, eleven dead, seven severely wounded, including the entire Taras Squad killed in action, three members of Sanks Squad severely wounded, equipment losses..." Captain Cassius's voice was steady, but every number he reported struck Calgar's heart like a heavy hammer. The First Company was the Chapter's elite; every veteran was an invaluable asset.
"2nd Company, twenty-three dead, fifteen severely wounded, three main Thunderhawk Gunships destroyed..." Sicarius's voice was no longer as sharp as usual.
"Third Company, nineteen dead, eleven severely wounded, Sergeant Hector severely wounded and possibly unable to return to the front lines..." Hek Hansen's voice carried suppressed anger and sorrow.
"Fourth Company..."
"Fifth Company..."
...Each Captain's report made the atmosphere in the command center grow heavier. The familiar names on the casualty lists represented once vibrant lives and loyal warriors. The number of severely wounded meant the Chapter would face a combat strength deficit for a long time. Equipment losses would require significant time and resources to replenish.
And these were only the losses of the Ultramarines Chapter. The casualties of the Imperial Navy, the Adepta Sororitas, and the Planetary Defense Forces, who fought alongside them, were astronomical, almost a complete annihilation.
Listening to these cold numbers, Chapter Master Calgar felt an indescribable sense of powerlessness welling up inside him.
He had committed the Chapter's main force to save this important Forge World, and the warriors had fought bravely, paying a heavy price. Yet, the outcome was a complete defeat. The planet had fallen, casualties were severe, and ultimately, they had to appeal to the Grey Knights to carry out the most thorough purification.
'Perhaps...' A thought uncontrollably surfaced in his mind, 'Perhaps from the beginning, I should not have harbored false hopes... Perhaps when it became clear that the portal could not be easily closed, I should have immediately sought help from the Grey Knights Chapter...'
If he had done so, could such immense sacrifice have been avoided? Could the problem have been resolved with a smaller cost before the situation completely deteriorated?
This thought caused him a pang of pain. As Chapter Master, every one of his decisions concerned the lives of countless warriors. This failure was undoubtedly the result of his misjudgment. This self-doubt about his decisions and guilt over the sacrificed warriors gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake.
He slowly turned, his gaze once again falling on the cursed planet outside the observation window. The Grey Knights had already descended, and were now carrying out the final purification mission in that daemon-infested hell. Could they succeed? Facing two Greater Daemons and countless lesser daemons, could just thirteen Grey Knights truly turn the tide?
Even if they succeeded, what would be the cost? This once prosperous Forge World, along with any loyalists who might still be alive and had not been evacuated, would be reduced to ashes. This would also be a heavy blow to the Imperium.
The cruelty of war lies in the fact that there are often no perfect options. Whether it's a risky offensive leading to heavy casualties or a decisive retreat calling for Exterminatus, both come with immense loss and suffering.
Captain Cassius seemed to sense the Chapter Master's heavy heart. He stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Chapter Master, the warriors did their best. Facing an invasion of that scale, it is not their fault. The Grey Knights are experts in handling such incidents; we should trust their abilities."
Calgar took a deep breath, forcing himself to suppress the useless regrets and doubts. As the Chapter's leader, he could not show too much wavering before his subordinates.
"I know, Cassius." Calgar's voice regained its usual composure, but the weariness within it was still hard to completely mask, "The compensation and honor assessment for the fallen must be executed to the highest standard. The severely wounded must be treated at all costs. Submit the equipment replenishment and troop adjustment plans to me as soon as possible."
"Yes, Chapter Master!" All the Captains acknowledged in unison.
"Now," Calgar shifted his gaze from Austin Star to the vast star chart, "let us focus on the next step. The fall of Austin Star means a huge gap has appeared in the defense of this sector. We must re-evaluate the threat and adjust our deployment to prevent Chaos forces from using this as a base to infiltrate the heart of Ultramar."
His eyes once again sharpened. Failure was painful, but the Ultramarines would never be defeated by it. Learning from experience, drawing lessons, and then moving forward—that was the Macragge way.
Although his heart still bled for the immense losses, Marius Calgar knew he had to immediately lead the Chapter out of the shadow of defeat and face future challenges.
As for the final fate of Austin Star, all they could do now was wait. Wait for the silver light from the depths of hell, representing the final judgment, or... worse news.
In the bridge, a busy and oppressive silence descended once more, broken only by the faint hum of various instruments and the low voices of the Chapter Master and Captains discussing the next steps of their plan.
Inside the medical bay of the Macragge's Honour, Dorian's massive body lay still within a life support unit, various tubes connecting to his charred back wounds and vital sign monitors. The Apothecaries had done their utmost to repair his damaged tissues and organs, but he remained in a deep coma, his consciousness submerged in an endless darkness and the excruciating pain brought by his trauma.
However, in this abyss of consciousness, Dorian suddenly "awoke."
It was an extremely bizarre experience. He felt no physical pain, no coldness from the life-sustaining fluids. Instead, a scorching air, filled with the scent of rust and blood, flooded his lungs. He found himself standing in an incredibly vast, yet suffocatingly oppressive space.
Beneath his feet was a ground paved with countless skeletons, densely packed, stretching to the horizon. Some skeletons were enormous, clearly belonging to non-human creatures. The sky was an unsettling, eternal dark red, as if illuminated by unceasing warfare. In the distance, deafening sounds of slaughter, clashing weapons, and mad roars converged into an unending symphony of war.
And directly in front of his line of sight was a colossal throne, towering into the clouds, constructed from brass, skulls, and solidified black blood!
Dorian had a vague sense of familiarity with this place. He remembered... had he been here before? During the brutal battle at the Cadia Gate, when he was knocked unconscious by that damned Executioner, he seemed to have dreamt of this place. And... he seemed to frequently have a dream, in which there was a... a... He struggled to recall: a huge fellow with iron pipes stuck all over his head, a bright red body, two massive wings, and who shouted particularly fiercely and loudly... Just as he frowned, trying to remember who that big fellow was and where this place was—
Upon the massive brass throne, that figure, which had been silent as a mountain and exuded a terrifying pressure that made even the soul tremble, slowly... stirred.
Dorian instantly felt an indescribable, pure killing intent and a lust for war, directed at all life, pressing down on his consciousness as if it were a physical weight! He instinctively wanted to raise his Storm Bolter, but found his hands empty, and he wasn't wearing his familiar Saturnine Pattern Terminator Armour.
The figure on the throne did not fully turn around, but Dorian could feel that a pair of eyes, containing endless seas of blood and the fury of war, had fallen upon him.
Then, a voice spoke. It didn't travel through the air, but boomed directly in the core of his consciousness, like a thousand battlefields roaring simultaneously, filled with the most primal, most violent sense of power:
"You... have returned..."
Dorian's heart tightened. This voice... he seemed to have heard it before!
The voice continued to boom, with an almost "appreciative" tone:
"Your fearlessness... is commendable. Facing an unknown, deadly attack, you unhesitatingly shielded your comrade with your body... willing to die... This is the act of a true warrior!"
"Your courage... also pleases me. No matter how powerful the opponent, no matter how desperate the situation, you still dare to strike out and challenge with a roar... This is the true nature of a warrior!"
The voice paused, as if giving Dorian time to digest these "praises," then changed tack, its tone becoming strongly seductive:
"However! Why should a valiant warrior like you... be subservient to that decaying, rigid Empire that stifles instinct? Why waste your passion and valor on meaningless sacrifices and restrictive rules?"
"Look at the Empire you serve! What has it given you? Armour that binds you? Dogma that restricts you? And that false Emperor, sitting high on his throne, long since a living corpse? He cannot even maintain his own power, how can he bestow glory upon you?"
The voice grew high-pitched, full of incitement:
"Submit to me! Submit to the Blood God! Only under my banner can your valor be truly unleashed! Only then can your power grow without restraint! Fight! Kill! Take skulls! Bathe in blood! This is the ultimate destiny of a warrior!"
"Think about it! In my realm, you will stand among true Strong , engaging in eternal combat! This is far, far better than dying in obscurity in that hypocritical Empire!"
Khorne's words struck Dorian's most primal, most belligerent part of his consciousness like a heavy hammer. He precisely seized the core of Dorian's character—the desire for battle, the pursuit of power, the emphasis on brotherhood—and twisted them into bait for turning to darkness.
Dorian's consciousness felt a violent upheaval, as if about to be torn apart by this powerful temptation and pressure.
Just as his consciousness blurred, the surrounding scene dramatically changed again!
The bone-strewn plain and the brass throne instantly vanished, and he felt himself violently thrown into a bloody and chaotic battlefield!
Deafening Bolter fire, the roar of chain weapons, and the wails of the dying instantly flooded his senses! The air was thick with the unshakeable smell of blood and gunpowder!
He instinctively looked down at himself, only to discover with horror that at some point, he was wearing a crimson power armour! The color was like congealed blood, full of blasphemy and violence! The style of the armor was wild and crude, covered in spikes and skull decorations, and emblazoned on the shoulder pads was a mark he both knew and loathed—the symbol of the World Eaters Legion!
Even more unsettling was that on both sides of his helmet, the World Eaters' distinctive, beast-horn-like upright decorations stood! And his left arm had no arm guard! The entire arm, covered in bulging muscles and riddled with old and new scars, was exposed, full of raw power!
His right hand clutched a buzzing Chainaxe, splattered with blood and flesh! And in his left arm, he was tightly holding a person!
Dorian looked closely, and the person in his arms was—Luna!
But not the calm and steady Tech-Sergeant Luna in power armour, but the younger, more fragile Luna, not yet genetically modified! Her face was as pale as paper, her breath weak, and she had obvious wounds on her body, clinging to him, her eyes full of pain and... a hint of dependence?
"De... Dorian..." Luna in his arms let out a faint groan.
Dorian abruptly looked up, behind him. He saw Gaius and Golden, clad in Ultramarines power armour, leaning against a large, cratered rock, gasping for breath. Their armour was severely damaged, the blue paint covered in blood and grime, and blue blood continuously seeped from their wounds. Seeing Dorian turn around, their faces showed anxiety and disbelief, and they called out to him with all their strength:
"Dorian! Run! Don't mind us..." Gaius's voice was hoarse.
"Dorian! Go! These traitors won't spare you!" Golden also shouted, trying to stand up, but stumbled and fell due to his severe injuries.
Dorian looked forward again—an endless tide of Word Bearers, clad in dark red armour inscribed with corrupted scripture, surged towards them! Their faces bore fanatical, sinister grins, wielding mauls and Bolters, letting out blasphemous war cries, intent on utterly slaughtering the four of them there!
This bizarre scene, the dislocation of identity, and the peril of his brothers plunged Dorian's consciousness into immense confusion and rage!
He didn't know why he was wearing traitor armour, why Luna had reverted to her youthful appearance, or why Gaius and Golden were so severely wounded.
But one thing was certain—no matter where this was, no matter what he had become, he would never allow these Word Bearers scum to harm his brothers!
A furious rage instantly swept away all confusion and discomfort! Khorne's whispers, the strangeness of his identity, all were suppressed in this moment by the purest heart of protection!
He gently placed the frail Luna behind a relatively safe rock, and with those eyes, clad in traitor armour yet containing the will of an Ultramarine, he gave her a deep look, as if saying: "Wait for me."
Then, he abruptly turned around, facing the surging tide of Word Bearers! His bare, muscled left arm gripped the axe handle of the Chainaxe tightly, and with his right arm, he raised this bloodthirsty weapon high!
The Chainaxe's teeth spun wildly, emitting an ear-splitting roar, as if responding to the battle lust within him!
He ignored the scarlet armor on his body, ignored his bizarre identity; at this moment, he had only one thought: to kill all these enemies threatening his brothers!
He let out a battle cry, louder than the roar of a chainaxe, filled with endless fury and resolve, a sound that reverberated through the entire bloody battlefield:
"Die! You damned traitors!"
The next moment, like a frenzied beast, he brandished his chainaxe and charged headlong into the boundless army of Word Bearers!
The scarlet figure, carrying a blue soul, slammed into the dark red tide! Like a stone thrown into the dark red current, it stirred up a thousand waves! The battle erupted instantly!
Dorian—or rather, the primal battle instinct that now occupied his consciousness and drove the World Eaters' body—let out an earth-shattering battle cry, brandishing his roaring chainaxe, and plunged fearlessly into the endless army of Word Bearers!
He had no tactics, no hesitation, only the purest, most savage desire to attack! The chainaxe, with its momentum to tear everything apart, fiercely cleaved towards the first Word Bearer who rushed before him!
The Word Bearer seemed not to have expected this World Eater to attack him so wildly, and hastily raised his maul to block!
Screech—!!!
The teeth of the chainaxe collided violently with the maul, sending sparks flying! But Dorian's strength was astonishing, and combined with the terrifying tearing power of the chainaxe, he actually cut off the maul along with the Word Bearer's arm!
"For the Blood God!!" Dorian let out a fanatical battle cry, belonging to a follower of Khorne, that he himself was not even aware of. The chainaxe did not stop, sweeping horizontally, directly cutting the Word Bearer in half at the waist! Foul blood and organs splattered all over him, staining the scarlet armor even darker!
But this was only the beginning! More Word Bearers, like sharks smelling blood, swarmed from all directions! Bolter rounds rained down on his armor, making a clanging sound. Although the thick chest plate and shoulder pads temporarily withstood them, his exposed left arm was grazed by several stray shots, leaving bone-deep wounds from which blood streamed!
However, Dorian seemed to feel no pain! The intense agony only further ignited his savagery! He was like a tireless, fearless killing machine, the chainaxe dancing in his hands like a storm of death!
Hacking! Sweeping! Stabbing! Every movement was filled with explosive power, simple, direct, and efficient! He specifically aimed at the Word Bearers' joints, neck armor seams, and weak points of their weapons. Every swing was inevitably accompanied by the enemy's screams and shattered limbs!
He even used his exposed, muscular left arm to brutally grab the head of a Word Bearer attempting a sneak attack, his fingers tightening like iron clamps, and with a sudden burst of strength in the opponent's terrified eyes!
Crunch!
The sound of a skull cracking was sickening! Blood oozed from between his fingers!
"Hahaha! Come on again! You scum!" Dorian laughed maniacally, throwing the headless corpse like a rag doll at another enemy, then brandished his chainaxe again and charged!
His savage demeanor was projected, without a single detail missed, into the eyes of the entity sitting on the Brass Throne in the Bone Plains.
Khorne, the deity symbolizing endless war and slaughter, or rather, the manifestation of its will, silently "watched" the carnage unfolding within its domain.
It saw Dorian's unreserved bravery, his resolve to never retreat a single step even when facing a thousand armies, his fanaticism that regarded battle and slaughter as instinct... and, most importantly—when facing an absolute numerical disadvantage and his constantly increasing wounds, not a single trace of fear arose in Dorian's consciousness!
There was only an ever-growing fighting spirit, an increasingly violent rage, and an almost obsessive insistence on protecting the "brothers" behind him!
"Very good..." Khorne's voice, like the roar of countless battlefields, resonated again deep within Dorian's consciousness. This time, it carried a more pronounced "satisfaction" and "desire."
"No fear... only battle... only slaughter... this is the warrior I crave!"
"I... need you..."
"Submit to me... you will gain supreme power... eternal battle... and... the ability... to protect what you cherish..."
Khorne's whispers became more direct, filled with temptation. It showed Dorian a path that seemed to fulfill all his core desires—power, battle, and protection in a twisted way.
Meanwhile, in the real universe, on Austin Star, the battle deep within the chasm had entered a white-hot stage.
The battle between the Grey Knight Grand Master and the powerful Keeper of Secrets was nothing short of earth-shattering!
The Grand Master's Nemesis Daemon Hammer burned with scorching silver psychic energy. Each swing carried the holy power to cleanse evil, his hammer techniques broad and powerful, like thunder and lightning! The Keeper of Secrets, however, was as elusive as a ghost. Its attacks were not purely physical clashes but contained bizarre abilities to distort reality and corrupt minds! Its seemingly delicate arms could unleash space-rending power, its eyes could shoot petrifying beams, and its whispers could disturb the most resolute will!
Silver psychic energy and pinkish-purple warp energy collided and annihilated fiercely, the resulting shockwaves pulverizing the surrounding rocks! Other Grey Knights fought in a chaotic melee with the other Slaanesh elite Daemons brought by the Keeper of Secrets, silver and pink intertwining into a cruel yet magnificent tapestry of death.
However, just as the battle raged intensely, outside the chasm, on the desolate plain shrouded by Nurgle's plague, the Great Unclean One Kugath, who was calmly directing from his corrupted palanquin, suddenly stirred his extremely obese body.
His massive head, covered in sores and eyes, slowly turned towards the chasm. A hint of confusion, then annoyance, flashed in his smaller eyes.
He sensed the strong and pure silver psychic energy fluctuations emanating from the depths of the chasm! And the Keeper of Secrets' undisguised, powerful warp energy!
"Ugh... annoying silver... and that cunning fellow..." Kugath let out a dull, malicious grumble, shaking the censer of plague in his hand, which emitted an even more pungent stench. "They... are disturbing grandfather's great plan..."
In his simple mind, this planet had already been claimed by Nurgle, and any entity attempting to interfere was an act of blasphemy against grandfather! Especially those Grey Knights who specifically countered them, the Daemons!
He would never allow anyone to hinder his great plan of spreading grandfather's "blessings" across the entire planet!
"Children!" Kugath roared in his booming voice at the boundless Nurgle army below, "Some clueless bugs... have trespassed into our garden! And they're fighting with that noisy neighbor! We cannot let them ruin this place!"
His fat finger pointed towards the chasm: "Advance! Crush those shiny silver bugs... and all other troublesome fellows... into oblivion! Drown them with grandfather's blessings!"
At his command, the entire Nurgle army, like an awakened mudslide, slowly began to turn and surge towards the chasm! Plaguebearers marched with heavy steps, Poxbringers spewed corrosive bile, and countless Nurglings rolled forward like a green tide!
Kugath himself also rose from the corrupted palanquin, his movements slow and difficult. With each step of his mountainous body, the ground trembled slightly. He would personally go to the chasm to confront those Grey Knights and ensure his "garden" could be successfully established!
Inside the chasm, the death match between the Grey Knights and Slaanesh Daemons continued.
Outside the chasm, Nurgle's plague army, carrying the momentum to destroy everything, surged forward.
And on the consciousness plane of this battlefield, Dorian was deeply entangled in the bloody illusion woven by Khorne, battling endless Word Bearers while enduring the Blood God's increasingly intense "favor" and seduction.
Three factions, two battlefields, reality and illusion intertwined, the final outcome of the battle was developing in an even more chaotic and unpredictable direction.
Deep in the rift, silver psychic energy and pinkish-purple chaotic energy clashed like two raging pythons, tearing and colliding madly. The battle between the Grey Knight Grand Master and the Keeper of Secrets had reached a fever pitch, with each clash causing the earth to shake and space to distort. The Grand Master's Nemesis Force Halberd was mighty and heavy, imbued with the conviction to purify all; the Keeper of Secrets, on the other hand, was full of tricks, attempting to dismantle its opponent's defenses with illusions and psychic attacks. The other twelve Grey Knights were also entangled with Slaaneshi Witches and the remaining Slaanesh elites, the battle intensely fierce.
However, this evenly matched deathmatch was forcibly interrupted by an even larger, more suffocating evil force!
Like a green plague tsunami, accompanied by earth-shattering heavy footsteps, viscous squelching, and nauseating gurgling, the Nurgle army, personally led by the Great Unclean One Kugath, surged in from every entrance of the rift like a bursting, putrid flood!
Their numbers were virtually endless! Waddling Nurglings covered the ground like a green carpet; towering Plaguebearers moved like a rotting forest; bloated Poxbringers spewed corrosive bile barrages; and more grotesque Nurgle Demons, emitting deadly diseases, filled every inch of space!
Kugath's mountainous, corpulent body walked at the forefront of the army. Every step he took made the earth tremble, and wherever he passed, even the rocks sizzled as they were corroded by the pus dripping from his body.
The Nurgle army's target first locked onto the remaining low-tier Slaanesh Demons who were fighting the Grey Knights! For Nurgle, Slaanesh's "extremes" and "pleasures" were the natural antithesis to their "stagnation" and "decay"!
With virtually no suspense, under the absolute numbers and the oppressive presence of Kugath himself, the slender Daemonettes, Seekers, and other Slaanesh Demons were swiftly submerged and devoured by Nurgle's plague torrent, like autumn leaves swept away by a gale! They were hacked to pieces by the rusted blades of Plaguebearers, swarmed and gnawed upon by Nurglings, melted by corrosive bile... letting out their final, shrill screams, turning into a part of Nurgle's plague.
In the blink of an eye, except for the Keeper of Secrets and the Slaaneshi Witch who temporarily protected themselves with their powerful strength, all other Slaanesh Demons had been wiped out!
The Nurgle army, like a constantly tightening, foul-smelling green encirclement, completely surrounded the only three factions remaining in the field—the Keeper of Secrets and the Slaaneshi Witch, and the thirteen Grey Knights—leaving no escape!
Kugath's enormous, puss-filled, and many-eyed head turned towards the Keeper of Secrets, letting out a deep, thunderous laugh filled with heavy mockery:
"Heheheh... foolish creature... do you understand now?" He shook the Plague Censer in his hand, green smoke swirling. "With just you and these petty, insignificant tricks... do you really think you can contend with grandfather's great power? Overestimating yourself!"
He opened his massive mouth, dripping with saliva and maggots, his voice like a rotting bellows: "Look around! Look at grandfather's children! This, this is true power! Stagnation! Eternity! Decay! This is the destiny of the universe! The entire galaxy... will eventually embrace grandfather Nurgle's loving... and 'vibrant' embrace! Your pathetic 'pleasures'... will ultimately vanish... into eternal silence!"
Although the Keeper of Secrets was surrounded by the Nurgle army, the extreme beauty on its face was not replaced by fear; instead, it revealed an expression of intense disgust and contempt. It retorted in its sweet yet icy voice:
"Shut up! You moving, foul-smelling pile of rotting flesh! Nurgle? Nothing but a disgusting beast that only knows how to tinker with bacteria and pus! Its so-called 'love' is merely a curse that causes all things to slowly rot in pain and ugliness! Stagnation? Eternity? How laughable! Only in extreme dynamism and change can true perfection and pleasure be born! Your very existence is a blasphemy against the word 'beauty'!"
The two Greater Daemons, representing two diametrically opposed essences within Chaos, now temporarily set aside their conflict with the Grey Knights and began spewing insults at each other, doing their utmost to belittle and attack the gods they served.
"Your Lord of Pleasure is just a coward who hides in the shadows seeking enjoyment!" Kugath roared.
"Your Plague God is just an idiot who doesn't even realize how ugly he is!" the Keeper of Secrets shrieked.
They attacked each other, their voices growing louder, and the chaotic energy fluctuations becoming more intense, as if they could start fighting at any moment. And the thirteen Grey Knights caught in the middle, for a time, seemed to become "bystanders."
However, the Grey Knight Grand Master knew that this was no moment of respite. Whether it was Nurgle's domain of decay or Slaanesh's seductive whispers, both were continuously eroding their psychic energy and will. And the endless Nurgle army surrounding them was an even more deadly threat. Should the two Greater Daemons reach some temporary "understanding," or if one side decided to eliminate them as "impurities" first, the situation would instantly collapse.
No waiting! They must take the initiative! Utilize the internecine conflict of Chaos to execute the final purification!
The Grand Master's gaze swept over his twelve comrades. No words were needed; every Grey Knight understood their current predicament and mission. Their eyes met through their visors, filled with resolve and determination.
The Grand Master slowly raised the Nemesis Force Halberd in his hand, burning with silver psychic energy. The other twelve Grey Knights made the same motion, twelve Nemesis Force Halberds or Nemesis Force Swords all pointing skyward!
Immediately after, the thirteen Grey Knights, led by the Grand Master, spoke in unison, uttering a deep and synchronized prayer, filled with endless piety and power. This prayer was not the short phrase used to dispel the mist earlier, but an older, more solemn declaration:
"By faith, we are armored!"
Their voices resonated like a great bell, carrying a strange power. The silver psychic energy around them suddenly boiled, solidifying as if it truly transformed into a suit of belief-armor shining with holy light!
"By devotion, we are shielded!"
The prayer continued, and the psychic energy surged again! An indestructible energy shield, composed of pure devotion, faintly appeared around them, firmly sealing off Nurgle's plague aura and Slaanesh's seductive whispers!
"By purity, we are armed!"
As the last line of the prayer fell, the silver psychic energy on the thirteen Nemesis Force Halberds instantly reached its peak! It became incredibly dazzling, like thirteen miniature silver suns! The power of purification contained within that light caused the surrounding Nurgle Demons to let out uneasy roars, and even the Keeper of Secrets and Kugath temporarily stopped their argument, looking over with surprise and uncertainty!
The Grand Master's voice, like a final judgment, echoed across the entire daemon-infested battlefield:
"We are the sword that slays the Emperor's foes!!!"
"Purify!!!"
Accompanied by this soul-shaking roar, the immense psychic energy around the thirteen Grey Knights completely erupted! They no longer defended passively but transformed into thirteen silver meteors, actively launching a desperate charge into the endless daemon ocean!
Their target was not only the surrounding Nurgle army but also the two mutually hostile Greater Daemons!
The power of faith bloomed here! The final purification had begun!
Just as the psychic energy around the thirteen Grey Knights erupted, illuminating the entire daemon encirclement like thirteen silver suns, and they were about to launch their desperate charge—
A cunning glint flashed across the exquisitely beautiful face of the Keeper of Secrets, who had been verbally sparring with Kugath! It keenly sensed that these shimmering silver warriors were serious, and their primary target was the most threatening Greater Daemons! Remaining here would mean not only facing the Grey Knights' purifying power but also guarding against the clumsy, bloated Nurgle flesh-mountain next to them, who might try to strike opportunistically!
Slaanesh's Daemons might be devoted to pleasure, but they certainly did not lack the cunning to preserve themselves.
"Heheheh... a boring stalemate..." The Keeper of Secrets let out a string of bell-like giggles, its figure suddenly blurring as if merging into the surrounding pink mist. "Kugath, and these stubborn Emperor's dogs... you can play slowly in this filthy place... I won't be joining you!"
Before its words finished, it grabbed the Slaaneshi Witch beside it, whose arm had regenerated. Both figures rapidly retreated like phantoms, simultaneously releasing large masses of thick, intensely hallucinogenic pink mist that instantly enveloped the area where they had been!
When the Nurgle Demons' corrosive attacks and the Grey Knights' psychic assaults tore through the mist, the figures of the Keeper of Secrets and the Slaaneshi Witch had vanished without a trace! Only a gradually fading, mocking giggle echoed through the rift.
They had simply fled! Leaving the mess entirely to Nurgle and the Grey Knights!
"Cowardly creature!" Kugath let out an angry roar. He was infuriated by the Keeper of Secrets' desertion, but this only strengthened his resolve to crush the Grey Knights before him! He saw it as Slaanesh showing weakness to him!
However, the Grey Knights' actions were not delayed or diverted in the slightest by the Keeper of Secrets' escape! Their objective was incredibly clear—to purify all Daemons, and the Nurgle forces entrenched here, especially the Great Unclean One Kugath, were the largest source of contamination!
"Execute Secondary Protocol!" The Grand Master's voice, transmitted through the psychic link, instantly reached the mind of every Grey Knight.
The order was clear and decisive!
Immediately, six of the Grey Knight warriors broke away from the main formation. The Nemesis Force Halberds or Storm Bolters in their hands erupted with intense silver light, forming a solid psychic defense line! Their mission was to block the endless tide of low-tier Nurgle Demons surging forward! To buy time for the decapitation strike!
The other six Grey Knights, along with the Grand Master, formed a sharp assault formation! Seven silver figures, like an unparalleled blade condensed together, locked all their psychic energy and killing intent onto that massive, mountain-like target—Kugath! Their mission was to assist the Grand Master in directly launching a decapitation attack on Kugath!
Purifying the Greater Daemon was the key to ending all of this!
"For the Emperor! Purge the Heretics!" The six Grey Knights responsible for blocking roared in unison, their weapons spewing deadly silver flames! The blessed bolts fired from their Storm Bolters rained down into the Nurgle Demon horde, each shot capable of utterly annihilating a Nurgling or severely wounding a Plaguebearer! With each swing of their Nemesis Force Halberds, silver light flashed, purifying approaching Daemons in swathes! They were like reefs, stubbornly resisting the green plague torrent!
But the Nurgle army's numbers were simply too vast! Moreover, as the Grand Master had feared, during the fall of this planet, too many lives had been consumed, too many souls absorbed and transformed by Nurgle's domain, greatly enhancing the power of these Daemons in the material universe! Their forms were more solid, their plagues more deadly, and their numbers seemed endless!
Green tides crashed wave after wave, fearlessly assaulting the Grey Knights' psychic defense line! Although the silver psychic energy had a strong counteractive effect on them, the Daemons' numerical advantage was simply too overwhelming! The six Grey Knights were under immense pressure, their defense line constantly being compressed, the silver light appearing somewhat precarious within the green ocean.
At the same time, the seven-man decapitation squad led by the Grand Master had, like an arrow released from a bowstring, charged directly in front of Kugath!
Kugath's colossal body was like a moving fortress. He looked at the seven "silver little bugs" charging towards him, letting out an earth-shattering, contemptuous roar of laughter:
"Heheheh... Hahahaha!!! You? A few slightly brighter fireflies... dare to challenge me?! You seek death!"
It certainly had reason to be proud! As one of Nurgle's most famous and 'favored' Great Unclean Ones, Kugath's power far exceeded that of an ordinary Greater Daemon! His corpulent body not only provided terrifying defense but also contained plague energy capable of corrupting an entire star system! His Plague Censer tilted slightly, and a dark green, terrifying plague breath, capable of instantly rusting steel and withering life, cascaded like a waterfall over the seven Grey Knights!
This plague breath was extremely wide-ranging, covering almost all their evasion space!
"Shield of Faith! Concentrate!" the Grand Master roared!
The seven Grey Knights instantly linked their psychic powers, and a more solidified silver shield appeared before them!
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—!!!
The plague breath struck the silver shield, producing an ear-splitting corrosive sound! The dark green toxic mist and silver psychic energy reacted violently, constantly annihilating each other! The shield fluctuated intensely, its light dimming at a visible rate! Kugath's casual strike possessed such terrifying power!
"Disperse! Flank attack!" the Grand Master ordered again!
The seven figures instantly scattered, like seven silver lightning bolts, assailing Kugath's massive body from different directions!
One Grey Knight's Nemesis Force Halberd thrust directly into Kugath's festering abdomen! Another attempted to sever his thick, short leg that supported his body! Others aimed for his arm that wielded the Plague Censer!
However, Kugath's defense was equally astonishing! His seemingly loose fat instantly became as hard as Nurgle-blessed adamantium when attacked! The Grey Knights' Nemesis Force Halberds often only left shallow wounds, and the wounds would immediately gush with more pus carrying deadly plagues in retaliation!
Even more troublesome, the constantly opening and closing eyes and mouths on his body would occasionally shoot out malevolent psychic rays or spew small streams of corrosive venom, making it impossible to guard against!
"Tickle... just a tickle..." Kugath grumbled mockingly as he easily parried the Grey Knights' attacks. He even had the leisure to command the surrounding Nurglings to interfere with the Grey Knights' formation.
The decapitation strike had devolved into a difficult, bitter struggle! Kugath's strength far exceeded estimations, and the six Grey Knights tasked with holding the line were already in precarious straits under the relentless assault of the endless Nurgle Demons!
The silver light, beneath the green sea of plague and the colossal demonic shadow, flickered like a candle in the wind, threatening to extinguish at any moment. The battle was extremely unfavorable for the Grey Knights!
The six Grey Knights responsible for the interception, like reefs holding firm in a storm, saw their silver psychic defense line constantly shrinking and flickering under the onslaught of the endless Nurgle Demons. Every Grey Knight was operating at overload, their psychic energy pouring out like a flood through an open sluice gate, barely managing to withstand the seemingly endless green tide. Their armor was already covered in corrosive marks and splashes of pus, and their movements had inevitably slowed. Defeat seemed only a matter of time.
And the seven-man squad tasked with beheading Kugath was in no better shape. Kugath's massive body and terrifying strength made him an unmovable mountain of flesh. Although the Grey Knights' attacks were fierce, they struggled to inflict fatal damage, instead having to constantly dodge the deadly plague breath, psychic rays, and venom that could erupt from his fat at any moment. The Grand Master's Nemesis Force Halberd struck Kugath several times, but it only enraged the behemoth, causing him to swing his Plague Censer even more wildly, forcing the Grey Knights into perilous situations.
Kugath's malevolent laughter echoed through the chasm: "Struggle... little bugs... grandfather's blessings... will be your final resting place... add your souls... to my collection!"
Just at this desperate moment—
Above the chasm's Warp-shrouded sky, a series of engine roars suddenly came from afar, growing louder and closer!
Following that was a piercing shriek of air being torn apart!
Countless scorching trajectories, representing the destructive power of the Imperium, descended like spears of punishment cast by gods! Lascannon beams, plasma blasts, cluster bombs... precisely covered the dense Nurgle Demons outside the Grey Knight defensive line!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!!!!
A continuous series of explosions instantly reverberated throughout the entire chasm! The bloated bodies of the Nurgle Demons, under such fierce firepower, were evaporated, torn apart, and blasted into fragments like butter thrown into boiling water! Green pus and shattered limbs splattered everywhere like a downpour!
The Ultramarines' aerial bombardment arrived in the nick of time!
This sudden and fierce strike instantly stalled the Nurgle army's offensive, buying precious breathing room for the collapsing Grey Knight defensive line!
Before the Nurgle Demons could react to this wave of bombardment, more dark figures pierced through the clouds, descending rapidly! They were Thunderhawk Gunships and drop pods! They descended like divine soldiers, landing precisely behind the Grey Knight defensive line and in open areas on the flanks of the battlefield!
The hatch slammed open!
First to charge out were the Sword Veterans, clad in artificer Power Armour and armed with heavy Bolters or specialized weapons! Their shooting was precise and deadly, specifically targeting and eliminating Nurgle's special units attempting to reorganize their attack.
Following them were Sword Veterans equipped with jump packs, wielding Power Swords and Storm Shields! Like blue lightning, they swooped down from the sky, cutting into the weak points of the Nurgle Demon formation, disrupting enemy deployments with their fierce close-quarters attacks!
Finally, an exceptionally large Thunderhawk Gunship, painted with the Chapter Master's personal insignia, slowly descended into the most central area of the battlefield. The hatch opened, and a warrior of exceptionally tall stature, with an aura like a mountain, strode down, flanked by a squad of elite Honour Guard!
He was clad in ornate blue Power Armour, his shoulder pads emblazoned with the striking Ultramarines insignia and decorations symbolizing the Chapter Master's authority, and he was equipped with Power Fists radiating powerful energy fluctuations. It was Chapter Master Marius Calgar himself! He had personally come to this most dangerous front line!
Chapter Master Calgar's sharp gaze quickly swept across the battlefield, immediately grasping the situation. He saw the struggling Grey Knights, the terrifying, mountain-like Kugath, and also more Nurgle reinforcements arriving in the distance.
"For Macragge! For the Emperor!" Chapter Master Calgar let out a thunderous battle cry, his voice filled with unquestionable determination and power, "Purge this filth! Support our Grey Knight brothers!"
At his command, more Ultramarines poured out of the drop pods, joining the Chapter! The arrival of fresh forces instantly turned the tide of the battle! The blue tide began to push back against the green sea of plague!
The Grey Knight Grand Master, seeing the Ultramarines' reinforcement, especially the Chapter Master's personal presence, his gaze behind the cold visor flickered slightly. But he had no time to express gratitude; Kugath remained the greatest threat! They had to seize this opportunity to banish him once and for all!
"Cover!" the Grand Master issued the final command to the other six Grey Knights still entangled with Kugath via their psychic link! "I need time to prepare the ultimate banishment ritual!"
"Understood!" the six Grey Knights responded without hesitation! They instantly unleashed all their psychic power, their attacks becoming even more frenzied and desperate! They even resorted to trading blows, using their bodies to block Kugath's attacks, solely to buy those precious few seconds for the Grand Master!
Kugath was somewhat irritated by these suddenly desperate attacks. He swung his Plague Censer, roaring, "Annoying bugs! Die, all of you!"
Just then, the Grey Knight Grand Master stepped back a few paces, gripping the Nemesis Force Halberd, Vengeance, tightly with both hands and holding it upright before him. He closed his eyes and began to chant in a low voice an extremely ancient, extremely obscure, and extremely dangerous ultimate banishment litany!
As he chanted, the silver psychic energy around him no longer merely erupted outwards but began to converge and compress inwards in a strange manner! At the same time, a deeper, more fundamental power—his own life force—began to be forcibly extracted and converted, infused into the compressed psychic energy!
This was a forbidden art, one that harmed the enemy a thousandfold but wounded oneself eight hundredfold! At the cost of burning one's own life, it granted a short-term psychic outburst beyond limits, used to banish extremely powerful demonic entities!
Beneath the Grand Master's silver armor, his face visibly paled, and even his hair began to turn slightly grey! But his chanting grew louder and more resolute!
The psychic energy, compressed to its extreme, coalesced before his chest into a pure white orb, only the size of a fist, yet radiating a terrifying aura that made all the demons in the entire chasm tremble with fear!
Kugath also sensed the deadly threat! He let out a terrified and enraged roar, attempting to break through the defensive line constructed by the lives of the six Grey Knights to interrupt the Grand Master's casting!
One Grey Knight roared, using his Nemesis Force Halberd to bravely withstand a heavy blow from Kugath!
Just as Kugath was about to break through the defensive line—
The Grand Master suddenly opened his eyes! His normally cold eyes now burned with a brilliant silver light, like a supernova!
"In the Emperor's name! Get back to hell! Daemon!!!"
He let out a roar, as if expending his entire life force, and thrust the pure white orb before his chest, along with the Nemesis Force Halberd, Vengeance, in his hand, fiercely into Kugath's massive body!
Thwack—!!!
There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a strange, soul-chilling sound, as if space itself was being torn apart!
The pure white orb, like a red-hot branding iron, easily merged into Kugath's body! Immediately after, countless blinding silver lights erupted from every crack and orifice of Kugath's body!
"No!!! grandfather!!!" Kugath let out a desperate and painful shriek! His corpulent body began to violently twist and swell, as if something was about to burst him from within!
Finally, with a loud crash like shattering glass, Kugath's massive body was completely engulfed and disintegrated by the endless silver light! He transformed into a swirling, resentful green mist, then was forcibly dragged by an invisible force, shrinking back into the depths of the Warp!
The Great Unclean One, Kugath, had been successfully banished!
However, the Grey Knight Grand Master, who had cast the forbidden art, also seemed to have all his strength drained the moment Kugath disappeared. His Nemesis Force Halberd clattered to the ground, and he collapsed straight forward, the light on his silver armor completely dimming.
"Grand Master!" The nearby Grey Knights cried out, rushing forward.
The battle in the chasm, due to Kugath's banishment and the arrival of Ultramarines reinforcements, instantly turned around. The remaining Nurgle Demons, having lost their leader and powerful source of strength, fell into chaos and were gradually purged by the Imperial warriors.
But the cost of this victory was heavy. The Grey Knight Grand Master's fate was unknown, several Grey Knights were severely wounded, and the Ultramarines also suffered new casualties.
However, at least, one of the most terrifying threats had been eliminated. A glimmer of hope for the purification of Austin Star had appeared.