Drathemiandas's purgatory did not immediately subside with Angron's fall.
The Khorne Daemons, leaderless, did not scatter; instead, like a flood whose source had been cut off, they became even more frenzied and chaotic.
They followed their most primal instinct for slaughter, launching wave after wave of desperate and ferocious counterattacks against any perceived life signs—especially against the Imperial warriors, whose unyielding will and pure souls converged.
Across the battlefield, the deep blue Ultramarines and the red-and-gold Blood Angels stood like unmoving reefs in a crimson tide, enduring the most violent impacts.
Chapter Master Marius Calgar, the supreme commander of Ultramar, was now personally on the front lines.
He did not stay in a safe command post but led from the front, launching a decisive counter-charge alongside the Praetorian/Custodian Guard, Sword Guard, and Terminators of the First Company.
His ornate artificer power armour was stained with Daemon blood, but his movements remained precise and efficient.
The Bolter mounted on his Power Fist roared steadily, tearing apart Bloodletters or Flesh Hounds that tried to approach.
Occasionally, a few stragglers broke through the fire, roaring as they lunged forward, only to be met by the heavy blows of Calgar's Power Fist, imbued with terrifying strength.
"Bang!" A Berserker's head was smashed like a ripe fruit with one punch, its headless body sent flying several meters by a subsequent kick.
"Chapter Master! You are too far forward! Let us lead the charge!" an Honor Guard member urgently pleaded over the comms channel, though he knew it was likely futile.
Calgar's tactical style was always thus; he was not only a commander but also a warrior, the embodiment of the spirit of Ultramar.
Calgar did not respond to the concern.
His gaze, sharp as an eagle's, swept across the chaotic battlefield.
Just then, an exceptionally massive Bloodthirster, wreathed in substantial blood-flames, seemed to recognize him, the Imperial commander, and let out an earth-shattering roar, disregarding the Bolter and laser fire assailing it from both sides.
Like a maddened bull, it charged directly towards Calgar's position!
Its colossal body made the ground tremble with every step, radiating a suffocating sense of oppression.
Facing this formidable Greater Daemon, Calgar's face showed not the slightest ripple, as if the charging foe were merely a slightly larger beast.
He didn't even raise his Power Fist to prepare for close combat; instead, through his helmet's built-in communicator, he calmly issued an order as mundane as any given in a command center, saying:
"Macragge's Honour, orbital strike coordinates marked.
Blast it to smithereens for me."
His words were clear and concise.
Almost the very next second after his words fell—
An incredibly thick spear of light, condensed with destructive energy, like divine judgment, instantly tore through the sky shrouded in blood and smoke, striking the charging Bloodthirster with pinpoint accuracy!
There was no explosion, only a chilling hum of matter being instantly and utterly vaporized.
After the spear of light, only a massive, deep crater with molten, glassy edges remained, along with the lingering smell of ozone and ionized dust in the air.
The powerful Bloodthirster, along with the lesser Daemons within tens of meters around it, had been completely evaporated, leaving not even a trace.
Calgar didn't even spare the crater a glance, as if what had just been erased was an insignificant number.
He raised his arm, his Power Fist pointing in the direction where the Daemons still surged, and let out a ringing battle cry that echoed through the entire Ultramarines' line via the communicator:
"Ultramarines! For the courage and glory of Ultramar, purge these blasphemies!"
His voice, like ice water plunged into a hot oil pan, instantly ignited the fighting spirit of all the blue warriors.
"For the Emperor! For Lord Guilliman!" More deafening battle cries erupted from all directions, and the deep blue line, as if infused with new vitality, saw the roar of Bolters grow denser, the shriek of chainswords wilder, as the warriors, like an iron torrent, launched an even fiercer counterattack against the Daemons.
However, not all counterattacks across the lines were so disciplined.
In the area handled by the Blood Angels, a heartbreaking scene unfolded.
Some warriors in red-and-gold armour seemed to suddenly lose their minds; they let out inhuman roars, mixed with pain and fury, their eyes bloodshot, no longer adhering to any tactical coordination.
Like the most insane Berserkers, they charged recklessly into the Daemon horde!
"Horus! Face me!!" they shrieked the name of the traitor from ten millennia ago, treating the Daemons before them as the culprit responsible for their Primarch's fall.
power swords swung wildly, Bolters fired at close range, and they even used their fists and teeth to tear and bite, appearing utterly mad, their ferocity surprisingly similar to the Khorne Daemons they faced.
Behind them, several Sergeants and skull-masked Chaplains anxiously tried to control the situation, using their stronger bodies to restrain them, or calling them back to sanity with calming hymns and prayers.
"Hold steady! Brother! Calm down! Those are Daemons, not Horus!" a Chaplain desperately shouted, his voice hoarse, as he clung tightly to a warrior consumed by the Black Rage.
Calgar watched this scene in silence.
He knew this was the Blood Angels' inescapable genetic curse—the Black Rage, stemming from the eternal pain of their father Sanguinius being slain by Horus.
These valiant warriors, at the most intense moments of battle, would have their reason devoured by that ancient sorrow and rage.
He sighed inwardly but did not interfere; this was an internal matter for the Blood Angels, and he trusted Dante and his warriors to handle it.
With Angron banished, the pressure on the main battlefield significantly reduced, allowing the Grey Knights who had been besieging the Primarch to disengage.
They moved like silver lightning, swiftly reinforcing various front lines.
Their psychic weapons were remarkably effective at closing the unstable Khorne warp gates.
"In the Emperor's name, close these blasphemous gates!" a Grey Knight Grand Master raised his halberd, pure psychic energy gathering like a silver storm.
Thick bolts of psychic lightning, like whips of judgment, struck precisely at the blood-red warp gates that were still spewing Daemons.
Psychic energy clashed violently with chaotic energy, erupting in blinding flashes and the unnatural sounds of tearing space.
One after another, the warp gates, under the full exertion of the Grey Knights, flickered erratically, eventually contracting sharply and vanishing like snuffed-out candles.
Deprived of further reinforcements, the number of Daemons on the battlefield began to visibly decrease.
The tide of Imperial victory was irreversibly turning.
Just then, an encrypted communication from First Company Captain Cassius came through Calgar's helmet communicator.
"Chapter Master, this is Cassius.
We have located Sanks Squad and the Deathwatch Kill Team members.
Repeat, all missing personnel have been found."
A sliver of the stone that had been weighing on Calgar's heart finally lifted.
He immediately responded, his voice still steady: "Well done, Cassius.
Bring them back to the Macragge's Honour immediately.
The cleanup here, I will handle with Chapter Master Dante."
"Understood, Chapter Master.
Cassius, obeying orders."
Inside the colossal hangar of the Macragge's Honour, the low hum of the warship's operations still echoed, along with faint tremors occasionally transmitted from the battlefield below in orbit.
A thunderhawk gunship, bearing the markings of the First Company and its armour scarred with scratches and char marks, slowly descended to its designated berth, guided by signals.
Before the hatch was fully open, a slender and anxious figure squeezed out through the gap.
It was Kolesa.
Her beautiful face was now pale as if transparent, her usually vibrant purple eyes dull and bloodshot, filled with unconcealable exhaustion.
To support Gaius against Karlos on a soul level, she had almost burned through everything she had, her psychic energy depleted, and her soul's essence severely damaged.
With every step, her body felt as heavy as lead, and sharp, needle-like pains resonated deep within her mind.
But all these physical discomforts were cast aside the moment she heard the news of Sanks Squad being found.
Her extreme worry for Gaius's safety, like the fiercest flame, drove her over-taxed body to rush to the hangar immediately.
Her gaze frantically searched among the figures filing out.
The first she saw was Luna.
The silent Tech-Sergeant, supported by a comrade, walked out with somewhat unsteady steps.
Her usually impeccably neat short hair was now disheveled, and her face bore deep fatigue, but her eyes had regained their usual calm and sharpness.
She nodded slightly to Kolesa, indicating she was unharmed.
Next were the six members of the Deathwatch Kill Team.
They came from different Chapters, and the varied markings on their armour were now covered in battle dust and dried blood.
They supported each other, and though equally exhausted, their posture remained upright, their eyes holding the vigilance and resilience of those who had survived a harrowing ordeal.
Kolesa's heart beat faster and faster; she almost held her breath—she didn't see Gaius!
Just then, four strong ship servitors carefully carried a stretcher out of the gunship's cabin.
On the stretcher, Gaius lay still.
His eyes were tightly closed, his face ashen white, his breathing faint and even.
His deep blue artificer power armour was covered in shocking corrosion marks and charred scorches from energy burns, especially on the chest plate, where even subtle, crack-like patterns, like crazed porcelain, could be seen.
He was clearly in a deep coma.
"Gaius—!"
Kolesa's long-held tears burst forth instantly.
She let out a tearful cry, rushing forward recklessly, collapsing beside the stretcher, her trembling hands gently caressing Gaius's cold cheek and the terrible scars on his armour.
Tears, like a broken string of pearls, continuously dripped onto his chest plate, spreading a small wet stain.
"What happened to you… wake up, Gaius… don't scare me…" she sobbed, her voice filled with helplessness and fear, as if she had lost her entire world.
At this moment, the tall figure of First Company Captain Cassius Venus emerged from the gunship.
He had removed his heavy Iron Rider Autarch terminator armour and changed into regular power armour, but his imposing presence was still awe-inspiring.
His weathered face, marked by a scar, now showed deep fatigue, but his eyes were relatively calm.
He saw Kolesa crying by the stretcher, walked over, took off his helmet and tucked it under his arm, and said in his characteristic voice, which, even when deliberately softened, still sounded a bit rough:
"Don't worry too much, Kolesa.
Gaius is alive, his vital signs are stable.
It seems his soul suffered a shock, and combined with extreme exhaustion, he needs a long period of rest and recovery."
He paused, looking at Kolesa, whose tear-streaked face was pitiable, and his tone unconsciously softened further: "Accompany him to the medical bay.
The best Apothecary and equipment are there; they will take good care of him."
Kolesa raised her tear-filled eyes, looked at Cassius, and nodded vigorously.
She haphazardly wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand, stood up, and followed closely beside the servitors carrying the stretcher, one hand gently holding Gaius's limply hanging wrist, as if trying to transfer her own life force to him through this contact.
Cassius watched them leave until the medical team and Kolesa's figures disappeared at the end of the passage leading from the hangar to the ship's interior.
Only then did he slowly withdraw his gaze.
He looked at Luna and the Deathwatch warriors who were undergoing initial checks nearby, and said in a deep voice: "You all have worked hard as well.
Go to the medical deck for a full examination and recovery first.
The mission report can be done once you are in better condition."
Luna nodded again, responding with a somewhat hoarse voice: "Understood, Captain."
Cassius patted her shoulder guard, saying nothing more.
He turned and looked out the massive observation window of the hangar.
Outside, the planet Drathemiandas was still shrouded in war and chaos, but it was clear that Imperial forces were gradually gaining control of the situation.
He took a deep breath, knowing that the ground battle was not yet completely over, and the warship also needed to prepare for potential orbital combat or withdrawal.
As First Company Captain, he still had countless matters to attend to.
But at least, he had found his warriors.
On the medical deck, inside the special care ward prepared for Astartes Brothers.
Gaius was carefully placed on a specialized life support system, with complex tubing connected to his power armour interfaces, monitoring subtle changes in his bodily functions.
Precise instruments emitted regular beeps, indicating that his vital signs, though weak, were stabilizing.
Kolesa sat quietly on the chair beside the sickbed, her hands still tightly clasped around Gaius's hand, which was free of tubes. Her gaze was fixed on Gaius's sleeping face, as if to engrave every detail of him into her soul.
She recalled the heart-stopping battle she had experienced through the soul link, Gaius transforming into a Daemon Prince to fight Karlos to protect his brother, and finally, the terrifying flames that engulfed his soul... Her heart ached once more.
"Idiot... You absolutely must be alright..." she whispered, tears once again falling uncontrollably. "You said you'd take me to see Ultramar... You can't break your promise..."
She leaned down, gently pressing her cheek against Gaius's cold hand, feeling the faint pulse. This subtle beat was now the only pillar supporting her world.
She didn't know if Gaius had seen her unspoken past in the depths of her soul, or what he would think upon learning of Kai's existence. These worries lingered in her heart like shadows, but at this moment, none of it mattered. As long as Gaius could survive, could wake up, she could bear everything else.
Time slowly passed in the silent sickroom. After an unknown period, perhaps an hour, perhaps several, Kolesa, overcome by extreme exhaustion and mental strain, finally succumbed and fell asleep, her head resting on Gaius's hand. Even in her sleep, her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she were still worried about something.
And she didn't notice that shortly after she fell asleep, Gaius's previously still fingertip twitched ever so slightly...
Though faint, it was an undeniable sign.
The sleeping warrior would, in time, awaken.
Next door, Dorian's eyes snapped open.
Instead of the expected weakness and pain of waking from a severe injury, there was an unprecedented sense of fullness. His muscles felt as if they had been re-forged, brimming with explosive power, his bones were tough, and his senses seemed sharper; even the subtle scent of disinfectant and lubricant mixed in the medical bay was clearly discernible. He instinctively flexed his fingers, his joints cracking crisply, smoothly and powerfully.
"What is this...?" He shook his somewhat heavy head, memories flashing like broken mirror shards, blurred and chaotic images. A sea of blood... A vast, despair-inducing shadow... And... himself? Seemingly with four arms? Fighting that shadow? The remaining details were shrouded in a thick fog, impossible to grasp, leaving only an aftertaste of exhilaration mixed with lingering dread.
He looked around, the familiar medical deck environment confirming he was aboard the Macragge's Honour. Cold metal walls, screens flickering with data, and the distinctive clean scent permeating the air.
"You're awake, Astartes Brother Dorian." A calm, unperturbed voice spoke from beside him. It was the Apothecary Brother on duty. Seeing Dorian awaken so quickly, a flicker of surprise, beyond his programmed parameters, seemed to cross his impassive optical sensors. He asked no further questions, immediately reporting Dorian's awakening to First Company Captain Cassius via internal comms, then picked up a nearby examination instrument and began a routine scan of Dorian.
"How do you feel, Astartes Brother Dorian?" The Apothecary asked routinely while operating the instrument, simultaneously and skillfully picking up a high-concentration nutrient solution and precisely injecting it into the port on Dorian's arm. The cool liquid flowing into his veins brought a touch of clarity.
"Great! Never better!" Dorian's voice was booming as he tried to sit up, his movements so rapid that the monitoring cables connected to him tautened. He patted his chest, covered by a white treatment robe, producing dull "thump, thump" sounds. "I feel like I could tear apart a tank with my bare hands!"
The Apothecary ignored his exaggerated remarks, focusing solely on the data stream on the screen. After a moment, he nodded, his voice still steady: "Vital signs stable, muscle activity far exceeding baseline, neural reflex speed significantly increased... Indeed, your physical condition is excellent, even, one might say... at some kind of peak."
He was long accustomed to Dorian's unusual recovery ability. This guy visited the medical bay more often than some new recruits went to the training grounds, yet each time he bounced out with astonishing speed, as if the Emperor particularly favored this impetuous son of his.
"As per regulations, observe for half an hour. If there are no adverse reactions, you may be discharged," the Apothecary instructed stiffly, putting away his instruments. "Also, Sergeant Karl is in the isolated intensive care unit next door. He suffered a severe soul-level impact and requires absolute rest and a long period of recovery. Do not disturb him until he awakens voluntarily or an Apothecary permits it."
The Apothecary emphasized this point, as he knew Dorian's "reliability" all too well. This guy's enthusiasm and concern could sometimes be more destructive than an enemy's Bolter.
"Don't worry, Astartes Brother! I understand, I understand everything!" Dorian waved his thick arm, adopting an "I've got this" demeanor, his face practically screaming "reliable." "Gaius needs quiet, I absolutely won't disturb him! When has Dorian ever messed up?"
The Apothecary gave him a silent look, offered no rebuttal, and simply turned to attend to other matters, leaving Dorian alone on the medical bed, feeling the seemingly endless new strength surging within him.
Meanwhile, in the even quieter, isolated intensive care unit next door, adorned with psychic dampening runes...
Gaius's consciousness was slowly surfacing from a deep and scorching darkness.
The searing pain from his soul being burned by Tzeentch's flames still existed like background noise, a persistent ache flickering like embers in the depths of his consciousness. But this pain was no longer destructive; it was more like a profound imprint, reminding him of the perilous struggle that had occurred on the soul plane not long ago.
His eyelids fluttered a few times, finally opening with difficulty. His vision was blurry at first, then gradually focused, revealing the familiar soft white light panel on the ceiling of the medical pod.
Almost the instant he opened his eyes, Kolesa, who had been guarding his bedside and was in a light sleep due to extreme exhaustion, was immediately startled awake. She abruptly lifted her head, her beautiful purple eyes first showing confusion, then being overwhelmed by immense surprise and worry.
"Gaius!" she cried out, her voice choked with tears. Forgetting all decorum, she lunged forward, tightly embracing his chest, which was covered by his power armour. The cold ceramite armour dug into her, hurting her, but she didn't care, just held him tightly, as if to meld herself into his body, to feel his real heartbeat and presence.
"You're awake... You're finally awake... I was so scared..." Her voice was choked, tears quickly soaking the cold aquila on Gaius's chest plate.
Gaius felt the trembling of the delicate body in his arms and the undisguised dependence and fear, and even his cold, hard heart rippled slightly. He had just escaped the torment of his soul, and his consciousness was still somewhat scattered, but Kolesa's presence, like an anchor, quickly pulled him back to reality.
He raised his left hand, which was not connected to any monitoring lines. His movement was a little slow, but he gently, almost tenderly, stroked Kolesa's silver hair, which seemed woven from moonlight. Her hair was soft and cool, carrying her unique faint fragrance.
"I'm alright, Kolesa," his voice was hoarse from not speaking for a long time, but his tone was unusually gentle. He slowly tightened his arm, holding her closer, enveloping her slightly trembling body in his cold armour, trying to convey a faint warmth and sense of security.
This embrace, devoid of passion, was more like a mutual solace after surviving a disaster, a wordless promise and comfort.
Kolesa sobbed in his arms for a while before her emotions gradually calmed. She looked up, her eyes tear-filled, at Gaius, as if to confirm that he had truly returned unharmed.
Just then, the arm Gaius was embracing her with slowly lifted, and he opened his tightly clenched fist.
In his palm, two items lay quietly.
One was an Eldar spirit stone, shimmering with an extremely faint, yet incredibly pure and soft light. The light was like a candle in the wind, as if it could extinguish at any moment, yet it stubbornly persisted, emitting a serene and sorrowful aura.
The other was an elegantly crafted necklace, made of a peculiar jade that seemed to contain stars within. Under the medical bay's light, the jade refracted dreamlike, shimmering specks of light, beautiful and mysterious.
These were precisely the items he had "retrieved" at the end of that conscious fog, following the last guidance of Kolesa's psychic power—her once-lost tokens carrying past love and promises.
Gaius's gaze rested calmly on Kolesa, his deep eyes showing no probing, no questioning, and certainly none of the resistance or resentment she had vaguely feared. There was only a profound gentleness, and a... understanding.
He had seen her past, seen the genuine yet broken affection between her and Kai, seen the helpless loss. He did not consider it a stain to be hidden or erased. It was equally a part of the soul before him, proof that she had lived and loved. These two items held immense significance for her. They were her only tangible connection to the past, an unhealed scar deep within her, and an inviolable treasure.
He did not wish to replace anyone, nor did he want her to forget. He simply wanted to return these things, so crucial to her, to her. This was the deepest acceptance and respect he could express.
Kolesa's gaze fell on the spirit stone and necklace in Gaius's palm, and she froze instantly, as if struck by a stasis spell. Her pupils contracted sharply, her breath caught, and the color drained from her face, making her even paler than before.
Shock, disbelief, immense sorrow, and a hint of panic at having her deepest secret exposed... A myriad of complex emotions surged and collided in her eyes like a tide.
She tremblingly reached out, her fingertips almost daring not to touch the two lost-and-found items. Her lips parted, but no sound emerged.
She looked up at Gaius, her eyes full of questions and a hint of barely perceptible fear. He... knew? He had seen everything?
Gaius did not avert her gaze, merely nodded slightly, a movement so subtle it was almost imperceptible. He said nothing, but his calm and embracing gaze said it all.
Tears silently fell again, but this time, they were no longer purely of sorrow or fear. In those tears was an indescribable sense of relief, a profound emotion of being completely accepted, and... a deeper, inseparable feeling for the man before her.
She carefully, as if handling the world's most precious fragile items, took the spirit stone and the star necklace from Gaius's hand. A cool sensation spread from her fingertips, as if traversing vast stretches of time and space, reconnecting with her. She held them tightly in her palm, pressed against her chest, as if she could feel the warmth and promises long gone.
She embraced Gaius again; this time, it was no longer an outpouring of fear, but a wholehearted reliance and trust. She buried her face in his cold shoulder plate, her voice muffled and thick with emotion, softly saying:
"Thank you... Gaius... Thank you..."
Thank you for bringing back to me a past I never thought I could reclaim.
Thank you for not disdaining or distancing yourself from me because of it.
Thank you... for being willing to accept such an... incomplete me.
Gaius said nothing, only tightened his arms again, responding to all her unspoken words with this silent yet steadfast embrace.
In the cold medical pod, their embracing figures formed a unique and warm tableau, transcending race and past, forged in fire and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent medical bay, Dorian, who had sworn he was "most reliable," pricked up his ears, trying to catch any sounds from next door through the well-insulated wall.
When the last Bloodthirster let out an unwilling roar under the reality-tearing psychic lightning condensed by the Grey Knights' Brotherhood Master, finally turning into a sky full of burnt-smelling ashes, the brief but unprecedentedly intense battle on Drathemiandas finally drew to a close with a pyrrhic victory for the Imperium.
The air was thick with a pungent, nauseating smell, a mix of gunpowder, blood, ozone, and residual Warp energy.
The once towering Hive Cities, symbols of industrial might, were now just twisted, broken metal skeletons and mountains of rubble, like the remains of four colossal giants, silently narrating the cruelty of war.
Even the heavily defended and relatively intact Shrine World had its outskirts covered in scorched craters, collapsed defensive fortifications, and traces of demonic desecration, its former solemnity and sanctity now shrouded in an indelible shadow.
The forces of the Ordo Xenos and Ordo Hereticus, despite suffering heavy losses in the previous defensive battle, with only one in ten personnel remaining, now still endured their fatigue and injuries, cooperating with the Grey Knights to take over the aftermath on this scarred planet.
They needed to identify any remaining Chaos corruption, purify desecrated sites, and tally the tens of billions of irretrievable mortal casualties—a heavy and lengthy task.
Warriors from the various Adeptus Astartes Chapters began to withdraw from the surface in an orderly fashion.
thunderhawk gunships and transport ships, like worker bees returning to their hive, dragged their light or heavy injuries, broke through the planet's atmosphere, and returned to their respective mother ships patrolling in orbit.
The deep blue Ultramarines, the red and gold Blood Angels, the dark green Dark Angels, and those Night Lords who retreated silently like shadows... they left this blood-soaked land with victory, but also with the profound sorrow of losing brothers.
In a relatively open area, once a church square, now covered with fallen holy statues and shattered stained glass, Chapter Master Marius Calgar, the High Lord of Ultramar, stood on the tilted wing of a giant stone angel statue.
His magnificent master-crafted power armour was covered in scratches and grime from battle, but his mighty body remained straight, like a lighthouse standing firm after a storm.
He wore no helmet; his resolute and weathered face was exposed to the dusty wind, and his sharp gaze swept across the constantly landing and taking off aircraft in the sky, assessing the Chapter's losses and the evacuation situation.
His Honor Guard, like the most loyal pride of lions, silently and vigilantly guarded him, occupying various advantageous positions, their Power Fists and assault cannons ready to fire at any moment, ensuring the Chapter Master's absolute safety.
It was in this solemn atmosphere that a discordant interlude occurred.
A petite figure in a Tech-Sergeant's uniform was furtively rummaging through something in the nearby ruins, her light pink short hair particularly conspicuous against the gloomy background.
It was Eiras.
No one knew how this audacious little one managed to sneak past layers of guards, slip off the battleship, and run to this perilous battlefield ruin.
She seemed particularly interested in the damaged weapon parts and metal fragments from demonic remains, and was diligently trying to pry off a piece of metal that shimmered with an unusual luster from a pile of twisted metal, her small bottom sticking out.
A sharp-eyed Honor Guard Warrior immediately spotted her, strode forward, and, like lifting a chick, picked up this little one who was scurrying around the battlefield, bringing her before Calgar.
"Chapter Master, we found her nearby," the Honor Guard Warrior's voice held a hint of helplessness.
Eiras, placed before Calgar, appeared even smaller, barely reaching the Chapter Master's knees.
She lowered her small head, her index fingers nervously intertwined, her face full of a wronged expression that read "I know I was wrong," and her large green eyes secretly peeked up at Calgar's inscrutable face.
Calgar looked down at this little one who always managed to stir up trouble, and just as he was about to scold her, a steady, rhythmic footsteps interrupted him.
Accompanied by several powerful Blood Guard warriors in red and gold power armour, the Blood Angels Chapter Master, Louis Dante, slowly approached.
He still wore his majestic, angelic golden mask, and his crimson cloak gently fluttered in the breeze; despite having just endured a fierce battle, his steps remained unhurried, like a hero stepping out of an ancient epic.
The two Chapter Masters—one a living legend who had survived for millennia and witnessed the rise and fall of countless empires, the other an iron pillar who led the Ultramarines to hold Ultramar and regroup during the dark millennium.
Their meeting itself was a convergence of history.
"Chapter Master Calgar, we have not met for a long time," Dante's voice came through the mask, carrying a hint of world-weary hoarseness and gentleness as he slowly raised his hand and removed his iconic angelic mask.
Beneath the mask was an almost perfect face, chiseled like marble, yet possessing a melancholic compassion.
Long white hair cascaded like a silver waterfall over his pauldrons, and his deep eyes held the weariness of millennia of campaigns and the wisdom of one who had seen through the world.
His appearance faintly bore the resemblance of his Primarch, the Archangel Sanguinius; that transcendent beauty and majesty were captivating.
"You still prefer not to wear a helmet, and you always charge to the front," Dante said, looking at Calgar, his tone carrying the familiarity and faint concern of an old friend.
A barely perceptible curve appeared on Calgar's face, a response to the other's greeting.
"I am a Chapter Master, but first and foremost, a warrior.
A warrior should lead by example," his voice was steady and firm, this being his consistent creed.
With that, he extended his large, power armour-clad hand.
Dante also extended his hand simultaneously, and the two hands, representing the pinnacle of the Adeptus Astartes' power, clasped firmly together.
This was not a simple courtesy, but a profound respect between two legends for each other's courage, sacrifice, and loyalty.
At this moment, it was as if the desolation of the surrounding ruins was dispelled by these clasped hands.
And Eiras, who had been left aside, her eyes widened the moment Dante removed his helmet!
That shining golden angelic power armour!
That white long hair like moonlight!
That perfectly handsome face, unlike a mortal's!
All of this combined created an unprecedented visual impact and spiritual shock for Eiras, who was at a naive age and had an instinctive pursuit of "beauty."
She instantly cast aside her previous grievances and fear, her small face full of amazement and adoration.
She hastily reached out her small hand, grabbed Calgar's index finger, which was as thick as her forearm, and shook it vigorously, excitedly lowering her voice and exclaiming:
"Chapter Master! Chapter Master! Who is he?
He... he's so handsome!" Her large green eyes seemed to sparkle with stars.
Dante then noticed this small, vibrant Aeldari girl at Calgar's feet.
He lowered his head and looked at Eiras, a gentle smile appearing in his eyes, which held the marks of a thousand years of trials.
He bent down slightly, bringing his gaze to Eiras's level, and gently said in his magnetic, reassuring voice:
"Child, I am just an ordinary man.
Beneath my armour, there beats a human heart."
His words were calm and sincere, carrying a kind intention to bridge the distance.
However, Eiras clearly did not believe this "ordinary man" narrative at all.
She tilted her small head, with an expression of "you're lying to a child," and, pointing at Dante's exquisitely ornate armour and flawless face, crisply retorted: "Ordinary man?
Impossible!
How can an ordinary man be so good-looking?
How can an ordinary man shake hands with Lord Calgar?
You must be an angel!
The kind from the stories!"
Her innocent words caused the taut faces of the surrounding Honor Guard and Blood Guard warriors to relax slightly, and even Calgar's mouth seemed to twitch.
"You are as humble as ever, Dante," Calgar shook his head helplessly, and reached out his other large hand, gently ruffling Eiras's pink short hair, his action a little clumsy, yet with a hint of subtle indulgence.
"It's still too dangerous for her here.
Eiras, be good, follow the returning transport ship back to the battleship first."
Eiras's small face immediately fell, her little mouth pouting enough to hang an oil bottle.
She reluctantly stole several more glances at Dante; his perfect profile and gentle demeanor made her little heart pound.
But the Chapter Master's command was inviolable.
She hung her small head and weakly responded, "Oh… I know…"
Then, she walked slowly towards a waiting transport ship nearby, constantly looking back, her gaze almost glued to Dante.
As she walked, she mumbled softly to herself in a voice only she could hear:
"Oh, well, whatever… Angels are handsome, yes, but they feel too distant… can't touch them… I'd better go back to Sister Kolesa, she's also very pretty, and I can hug her…"
Watching her small, slightly dejected figure disappear into the transport ship's hatch, Calgar and Dante exchanged a glance, both seeing a mixture of helplessness and amusement in each other's eyes.
Above these ruins, freshly scarred by blood and fire, this innocence from a child and her direct pursuit of "beauty" felt like a faint but fresh breeze, momentarily dispersing the heavy sorrow that permeated the air.
The two Chapter Masters once again turned their gaze to the distance; the smoke of war had not yet fully cleared, and the future of the Imperium remained full of challenges, but at this moment, they savored this brief tranquility and the camaraderie between comrades.
The thunderhawk gunship's engines hummed steadily, carrying a disgruntled but helpless Eiras, as it detached from Drathemiandas' atmosphere, still veiled in a faint bloody haze and gunpowder smoke, and sailed into the cold void.
As soon as it entered orbit, the sight outside the viewport made Eiras temporarily forget her regret at not getting a few more glances at "Uncle Angel"; her small mouth slightly opened, letting out a silent gasp of amazement.
Warships, endless warships!
The planet's orbit, which should have been relatively empty, was now almost entirely filled with massive ship silhouettes.
The deep blue Ultramarines Strike Cruisers resembled moving fortresses, while the dark green Dark Angels fleet carried the ancient majesty of Caliban.
Inquisitorial vessels, painted in a stark black, patrolled among them, and the silver-grey Grey Knights' small, fast warships shimmered with psychic auras.
One could even spot the deep blue Night Lords vessels, exuding a midnight-like silence, and the most striking of all, the red and gold Blood Angels fleet.
The sheer scale of this massive fleet was enough to launch a small-scale crusade!
Four powerful Adeptus Astartes forces, along with the Inquisition and the Grey Knights, converged here solely to quell a Chaos rebellion on a single planet—a fact that itself spoke volumes about the ferocity and importance of the battle that had just taken place on the surface.
Eiras's gaze was quickly drawn to the few most enormous flagships, like leviathans in the star sea.
The Macragge's Honour, her familiar "home," bore the gleaming Ultramar insignia on its deep blue hull; the massive vessel stood like a silent giant, carrying the glory and history of the Ultramarines.
the unyielding truth, the Dark Angels' flagship, appeared ancient and mysterious with its dark green livery, and the roaring lion statue on its prow seemed ready to spring to life, full of power.
The Red Tear, the Blood Angels' flagship, was magnificent yet tragic in its red and gold colors; its streamlined hull resembled a winged angel, imbued with a touch of tragic beauty and fierce determination.
The nightfall, the Night Lords' flagship, had a deep blue hull that almost blended with the void, adorned with pale skulls and lightning patterns, radiating an unsettling silence and chill.
Four Gloriana-class battleships!
This was the first time Eiras had seen four legendary behemoths simultaneously and at such close range.
She pressed her small face almost against the cold glass of the viewport, peering closely at the other three flagships, her eyes filled with curiosity and comparison.
After a while, she nodded in satisfaction, muttering to herself, "Hmm… our Macragge's Honour is still the coolest and the biggest!"
In the ship data she had secretly reviewed earlier, the Macragge's Honour was known to be exceptionally large and particularly formidable in firepower, even among Gloriana-class vessels.
This simple pride of "my own is the best" significantly brightened her mood.
Once her curiosity about the flagships was satisfied, Eiras's attention immediately shifted to more "practical" matters.
She no longer focused on the vast fleet outside the viewport, a force capable of striking fear into any enemy; instead, she carefully pulled something out of her small satchel, which was always bulging with various "treasures."
It was a helmet.
A crimson Adeptus Astartes helmet, adorned with rough golden patterns and spikes.
The helmet's eye lenses were shattered, revealing complex wiring structures within, but the pair of upward-pointing "rabbit ear" communication array decorations on either side of the helmet were perfectly intact.
Most striking was the ferocious vox-grille, still stained with dark, congealed blood, emitting a faint scent of blood mixed with engine oil.
This was a World Eaters helmet!
It was clearly one of her "trophies" from rummaging through the battlefield ruins earlier, having fortunately escaped the Honor Guard's inspection by being secretly hidden at the very bottom of her satchel.
"Hehe…" Eiras hugged the helmet, which was several times larger than her own head, her large green eyes sparkling with excitement and curiosity.
She lightly tapped the helmet's hard shell with her finger, then touched the "rabbit ears," relieved that the Chapter Master hadn't discovered this little secret earlier.
"When I get back, I definitely need to take it apart and see what its internal structure is like!
Maybe I can improve my Elara's Storm!"
She was already planning how to "study" this "treasure" from an opposing faction.
Meanwhile, inside the Macragge's Honour.
First Company Captain Cassius Venus had just finished handling a relatively trivial matter that he nonetheless had to personally oversee—the arrangements for the Planetary Governor's former secretary, Laya, on the Strike Cruiser and her work assignment.
Despite feeling utterly exhausted, with countless post-battle reports, supply requisitions, and casualty statistics weighing heavily on his mind, he still forced himself to stay alert, preparing to return to his office to deal with the most urgent First Company post-battle supply List.
He walked with heavy steps through the Strike Cruiser's wide and busy corridors.
As he passed an area designated for warriors to rest and socialize, a voice he knew all too well, yet one that now sent his blood pressure soaring, pierced through the soundproof door panel like an infernal melody, reaching his ears with startling clarity.
It was Dorian!
That scoundrel who had just been released from the medical bay, reportedly in such good shape he could dismantle a tank with his bare hands!
Dorian's vibrant voice was heard loudly pontificating in the lounge, seemingly surrounded by several First Company warriors:
"Brothers, let me tell you, that little secretary of the Planetary Governor we brought back from the planet below, Laya, she's absolutely gorgeous!
Her face, her figure, everything is top-notch!
Clearly a woman of culture!"
Cassius's steps halted instantly, and a vein began to throb on his forehead.
Dorian's voice continued, even with a hint of smugness: "I've already advised her on how to try and become the Captain's wife!
Think about it, the Captain and the Adeptus Astartes have dealt with each other for hundreds of years, facing us rough men every day, his temper has become so volatile, it's not some genetic flaw, that's pure nonsense!
I'm telling you, it's just that the Captain hasn't seen a woman in too long, hormonal imbalance!
He needs the nourishment of love!"
"Pfft—" Someone in the lounge seemed to have failed to suppress a laugh.
Cassius felt his Power Fist about to wring water.
That scoundrel! Not only was he gossiping about him behind his back, but he was also spreading this utterly absurd "plan" everywhere!
He felt his iron-hard nerves, honed by countless brutal battles, being repeatedly trampled by Dorian in the most idiotic way.
However, Dorian's "truth-telling" session clearly hadn't reached its climax yet.
"Hey, hey, hey, brothers, do you know?" Dorian lowered his voice slightly, with a mysterious air of sharing a secret, "Just because the Captain and I were confined to the brig together last time… now the Captain has had four months of nutrient paste rations deducted by command!
He was furious, and even… even secretly tried to steal the Chapter Master's private collection to make up for the loss, but was caught red-handed by the Chapter Master's Honor Guard…"
"BOOM—!!!"
Cassius could no longer hold back!
The accumulated fatigue, the post-battle processing frustrations, and the extreme fury of having his embarrassing secret exposed publicly by this loose-mouthed scoundrel erupted instantly like a volcano!
Disregarding the other warriors present, he fiercely lifted his foot, and his heavy combat boot, imbued with the strength of his power armour, slammed against the thick metal door of the lounge!
The door let out a teeth-grating, overloaded metallic screech, the entire panel caving inwards, and the hinges shrieked, almost tearing free from the doorframe!
Just as the echo of the massive crash from the door being kicked open had not yet faded, a cold, emotionless electronic synthesized voice immediately rang out in the corridor.
It was a servo-skull, responsible for internal maintenance and management of the Strike Cruiser; its red optical sensors flashed as it quickly flew before Cassius, reporting in a rigid voice:
"Captain Cassius, identity confirmed.
Given your unwarranted damage to Strike Cruiser facilities, model: standard airtight soundproof door, serial number: D-1-42.
According to Article 114, Section 514 of the Macragge's Honour Internal Management Regulations, this action will incur additional repair costs and labor loss.
Calculated deduction of two months of your standard rations to cover repair expenses.
Penalty effective immediately.
Please confirm."
The cold regulations and penalty notification echoed through the corridor.
But at this moment, Cassius cared about nothing else!
He charged furiously, like a raging lion, striding into the lounge, the heavy thud of his power armour like a war drum.
His gaze instantly locked onto Dorian, who was still gaping, caught off guard by the sudden kicking-in of the door!
"Dec! Lan!!" Cassius almost gnashed his teeth as he uttered the name, his Power Fist clenched, emitting a hydraulic hum.
Dorian saw the Captain's eyes, practically spitting fire, and his Power Fist creaking, finally realizing something was terribly wrong; the smugness on his face instantly turned to terror: "Cap… Captain! Let me explain…"
"Explain?! I'll give you an explanation!" Cassius roared, giving Dorian no chance at all, and the massive Power Fist, whistling through the air, slammed into Dorian's supposedly "excellent condition" chest like a blacksmith's hammer!
"BANG!!"
"Aow—!!!" Dorian let out a bloodcurdling, distorted scream, sent flying off his feet by the punch, crashing heavily against the metal wall behind him with a loud "CLANG," then sliding down like a rag doll.
"Captain, calm down!"
"Quick, get Dorian out of here!"
"Captain Cassius! You'll kill him!"
The other warriors in the lounge finally reacted, rushing forward to intervene, trying to restrain the enraged Cassius, and the scene descended into chaos.
"Killing him would be just right! I'm cleaning house for the First Company right now! Let go of me!"
Dorian's pig-like screams, Cassius's furious roars and curses, the voices of other warriors trying to break up the fight, and the blessed osseous unit hovering at the doorway, still repeating the penalty regulations in its cold electronic voice… all intertwined, creating a cacophony unique to the First Company, strangely out of place with the stark, star-filled void outside the Strike Cruiser.
And Dorian, slumped in the corner, clutching his throbbing chest, in between grimaces, had only one incredibly clear thought that was once again confirmed:
'Khorne's fists… are utterly laughable in the face of the Captain's enraged Power Fist!'
Inside Calgar's personal cabin, a profound tranquility reigned, starkly contrasting the outside world's chaos and clamor.
Calgar had been granted permission by the Apothecary to remove his power armour and return to his cabin for rest. At this moment, he wore only a simple black form-fitting combat suit, the outline of his powerful physique faintly visible. He sat on the bed, and Kolesa, like a fledgling seeking shelter, nestled in his arms, her slender arms tightly wrapped around his waist.
Her face remained pale, and the debilitating weakness from the excessive consumption of her psychic energy and soul essence clung to her like a bone-deep illness, difficult to shake off in a short time. Yet, this weakness did not diminish the strength of her embrace of Calgar; it was as if only by pressing close to his solid body, feeling his steady heartbeat and warmth, could she dispel the chill and unease deep within her soul, born from her spiritual trauma.
Calgar personally placed the lost-and-found Star Necklace around her neck. The exotic jade, imbued with a myriad of starlight, rested quietly between her fair, almost translucent collarbones. Its cool touch complemented her pale skin, exuding a fragile yet breathtaking beauty.
"Thank you… Calgar…" Kolesa buried her face in his neck, her voice muffled, tinged with a post-sob hoarseness, yet full of complete trust and affection.
She paused, seemingly weighing her words, and finally whispered softly, as if confiding a long-held secret: "I always dream of him… that shadow from the past… but now, I have you."
This statement was the most honest confession she could make. She acknowledged that the imprint of the past could not be erased, but more clearly indicated that Calgar's place in her heart was the present and the future, a real and tangible reliance.
Calgar did not respond with flowery words; he expressed himself through action. One arm firmly embraced her slender yet resilient waist, his chin gently resting on the crown of her silver hair, which exuded a faint, ethereal fragrance, feeling the cool touch of her strands. His other hand rose, its fingertips, rough with the calluses of a warrior, yet extraordinarily gently, stroked her elven pointed ears, which drooped slightly from weakness, again and again. Those sensitive ears occasionally quivered unconsciously under his touch, like startled butterfly wings.
Silent comfort surpassed a thousand words. Only the steady intertwining breaths of the two filled the cabin; the post-war bloodshed and cruelty seemed to be isolated from this small world outside.
However, this rare tranquility did not last long.
The cabin's internal communicator on the desk suddenly buzzed urgently, breaking the silence. Immediately afterwards, Luna's normally calm and composed voice, now tinged with obvious anxiety, came through:
"Calgar? Can you hear me? You've dismounted your power armour, so I can't reach you through the internal channel; I can only connect to your cabin's comms!"
Calgar frowned slightly, still holding Kolesa with one arm, and leaned closer to the communicator, responding, "I'm here, Luna. What's wrong?" He knew Luna; she would never contact him in such a tone while he was resting unless it was an emergency.
On the other end of the communicator, Luna's voice was rapid-fire: "Captain Cassius is going to kill Dorian! He's chasing him all over the warship right now, and a whole group of people can't hold him back! His Power Fist is even glowing! Who knows what that bastard Dorian was spouting behind his back again!"
What?!
Calgar was momentarily stunned, his mind even going blank for a brief moment.
Captain Cassius is going to kill Dorian?
This thought itself… didn't seem entirely unexpected. With Dorian's knack for trouble and his loose tongue, the sum of his bastardly deeds and words would probably be enough for ten firing squads. Calgar knew rationally that while Captain Cassius had a fiery temper, he would never truly kill his own Astartes Brother; at most, he would "educate" him a bit harshly.
But… "chasing him all over the warship," "his Power Fist is even glowing," "a whole group of people can't hold him back"… this scene didn't sound like ordinary "education"!
What if, in his rage, Captain Cassius really beat Dorian half to death, or accidentally caused more serious damage? That would be a huge problem. No matter how much of a scoundrel Dorian was, he was still his brother-in-arms.
"I need to go see." Calgar immediately made a decision, gently patting Kolesa's back, signaling her to let go.
Kolesa, however, held onto his clothes, her purple eyes filled with worry, and gently shook her head, indicating with her gaze that she wanted to go with him. Although she was weak, she didn't want to stay in the cabin alone waiting for news.
Calgar looked at her insistent gaze and didn't hesitate. He bent down, scooped her by the backs of her knees, and easily lifted her into his arms. Kolesa let out a small gasp and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Hold tight," Calgar whispered, then, holding her, he took long strides, like a nimble leopard, rushing out of the cabin and sprinting towards the hangar, where the "battle" was reportedly most intense. Kolesa buried her face in his solid chest, feeling the breakneck speed and his steady heartbeat, and her worry strangely subsided a little.
Meanwhile, the "spectacle" in the main hangar had reached its climax.
Dorian, relying on his familiarity with the warship's structure and the astonishing speed he unleashed in his flight, darted like a slippery eel frantically between the massive thunderhawk gunships, maintenance racks, and stacked supplies. Captain Cassius, like an enraged prehistoric beast, his power armour's heavy footsteps making the deck hum, relentlessly pursued him. In his wake, an occasional toolbox or parts rack that hadn't been moved in time was knocked askew.
"Captain Cassius! I found such a beautiful girl like Laya to be your wife! And you're still hitting me!" Dorian ran, not forgetting to look back and try to beg for mercy, "Or… Captain Cassius, do you actually prefer men?!"
These words were like pouring a ladle of cold water into a boiling oil pot!
"Dorian, you bastard! If I don't kill you today, then I'll let you be the First Company Captain!" Cassius's roar echoed throughout the vast hangar, and the Power Fist's energy field emitted an unstable hum, clearly indicating he was truly furious to the extreme.
This highly dramatic chase between the two made many busy ship crew members and Tech-Priests stop their work, staring dumbfounded at this rare "company internal entertainment activity."
The diligent blessed osseous unit still stubbornly hovered near Cassius, continuously reporting in its cold electronic voice:
"Captain Cassius, you are chasing and fighting, and making loud noises in a public area of the warship, which violates Article 7 of the 'Astartes Brother Code of Conduct,' and Articles 3 and 9 of the 'Macragge's Honour Internal Management Regulations.' This behavior severely disrupts warship order and poses a safety hazard. Please cease this behavior immediately, or this unit will report this incident, along with previous records of damaging the cabin door, to Chapter Master Marius Calgar for judgment…"
"Shut up!"
Its words were cut short when the enraged Cassius grabbed a large hydraulic wrench from a nearby workbench and violently hurled it! The wrench whistled through the air, narrowly missing the blessed osseous unit, and smashed into a distant wall with a loud clang. Cassius was determined to clean house today, and no one could stop him!
"Dorian! Don't let me catch you! Or I'll pull out your teeth one by one!" he roared as he chased.
"Captain Cassius, I know I was wrong! I really know I was wrong!" Dorian's voice was tearful. "I promise! Next time I'll find you an even prettier one! I guarantee she'll be prettier than Laya!"
"I don't think you know you were wrong! You're going to die, you bastard!" Cassius's speed actually increased.
Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, a large number of First Company Astartes Brothers and several Honor Guard members who had rushed over after hearing the commotion finally burst into the hangar. Two Astartes Brothers clad in Saturnine-pattern Terminator armor stood like mobile fortresses, one on each side, firmly blocking Cassius's path. Immediately afterward, Luna lunged from behind, using all her strength to embrace Cassius's waist. Draculas and another Sword Guard also stepped forward simultaneously, each grabbing one of his arms.
However, the strength of a Primaris First Company Captain in a rage was terrifying! Even with three people restraining him, he still dragged them forward, his power armour scraping against the ground with an ear-splitting screech, his eyes fixed only on the still-scrambling Dorian.
Just as they were in a stalemate, the members of the Deathwatch Kill Team, who had been performing equipment maintenance in a corner of the hangar, exchanged glances and nodded. Six veterans from different Chapters, all with extremely rich combat experience, simultaneously moved forward, like a well-trained animal capture team, securing Cassius's legs, waist, and any still-movable joints.
A full eleven elite Astartes Brothers! This included two Terminators and six Deathwatch veterans. Only then, like nailing him down, were they able to firmly immobilize the enraged Captain Cassius, rendering him unable to move.
Cassius roared in frustration like a trapped lion, the joints of his power armour groaning under the immense force of resistance.
Seizing this opportunity, the culprit, Dorian, had already, like a startled rabbit, scurried into the depths of the hangar's complex pipe maintenance layer, vanishing without a trace, leaving behind only a chaotic hangar and a group of breathless, shaken peacemakers.
When Gaius arrived at the hangar with Kolesa in his arms, this was the scene that greeted him: Captain Cassius was pinned down by a group of burly men in a human pyramid, roaring continuously; Luna, Draculas, and others looked helpless and exhausted; the surrounding crew and Tech-Priests had varied expressions; and the blessed osseous unit had flown back, hovering in mid-air, recording in a cold electronic voice: "Incident number: 734. Participants: Captain Cassius Venus, Brother Dorian... Behavior classification: severe disruption of order... Will be reported to the Chapter Master shortly..."
Gaius looked at this chaotic yet slightly absurd scene, unsure what expression to make. Kolesa, in his arms, also widened her purple eyes, clearly stunned by this unique expression of "brotherly affection" belonging to Astartes Brothers.
Gaius was about to step forward to understand the situation when he suddenly felt the delicate body in his arms stiffen abruptly.
Kolesa's gaze, which had initially been only slightly confused and surprised, suddenly solidified as it swept over the Deathwatch warriors who had participated in breaking up the fight. Her eyes were fixed on the shoulder pad of the Kill Team leader's power armour—there, an incredibly conspicuous insignia, radiating a cold, murderous aura, was engraved: a black cross, with sharp edges, as if it could cut down all heretics and xenos.
That was... the Black Templars' symbol!
In an instant, Kolesa felt as if she had fallen into an ice abyss.
Those images, sealed deep within her memory, stained with blood and fire, surged forth like a broken dam, uncontrollably flashing through her mind—
Burning Craftworld forests, the magnificent architecture of the Ark World of Aethel's Tear collapsing and shattering under bombardment... fanatical and ruthless giants in black armour, mercilessly slaughtering her people, young and old, with Bolters and chainswords... And Kai, who, to protect her, resolutely turned and charged towards those black Angels of Death, finally engulfed in the roar of Bolters and the snarl of chainswords, leaving only a determined silhouette... Black Templars! Exterminatus Crusade!
Icy terror, like a venomous snake, instantly coiled around her heart, making her almost unable to breathe. Her face turned ashen white, her lips trembled uncontrollably, and the arm that had been wrapped around Gaius's neck lost strength, falling limply, her entire body shaking slightly, as if she would collapse at any moment.
"Kolesa? What's wrong?" Gaius immediately noticed her abnormality; it wasn't just weakness, but a profound shock originating from the depths of her soul. He tightened his arm, holding her more securely, and urgently asked in a low voice.
Kolesa couldn't speak, only weakly pointed with a trembling finger at the black cross insignia on the Deathwatch captain's shoulder pad, her purple eyes filled with undisguised fear and pain.
Gaius followed the direction she pointed, and understanding dawned in his heart. The fragments of Kolesa's memory, seen in the previous fog of consciousness, instantly resurfaced—the brutal "Exterminatus Crusade" launched by the Black Templars Chapter against the Ark World of Aethel's Tear was the root cause of her losing her home and her loved ones! For her, this black cross was a symbol of slaughter and destruction, a brand of fear etched deep into her soul.
"It's okay, don't be afraid." Gaius's voice was extremely low, carrying an undeniable, steady strength, and it resounded in her ear, "I'm here. This is the Macragge's Honour; they won't harm you." He gently patted her back, trying to dispel her fear with his solid presence.
However, Kolesa's strong reaction and Gaius's intimate posture of comforting her also attracted the attention of the Deathwatch warriors who had just released Cassius and were flexing their wrists.
Their gazes collectively turned to Kolesa in Gaius's arms, especially after seeing her distinctive Aeldari features—silver hair, pointed ears, overly delicate face—the atmosphere instantly became subtle and tense. Why was there an Aeldari on the Ultramarines' flagship? And why did she seem to have such a close relationship with an Ultramarines Sergeant?
Several Deathwatch warriors exchanged glances, seeing confusion and a hint of instinctive vigilance in each other's eyes. They released their hold on Captain Cassius, turned, and, with steady, imposing strides, walked towards Gaius and Kolesa.
Meanwhile, Captain Cassius, freed from the strong restraint of the Deathwatch warriors, was like a wild horse, immediately struggling to continue pursuing Dorian. "Let go of me! Dorian! You bastard, get out here!" he roared, trying to break free from Luna, who was still holding his waist, and Draculas, who was pulling his arm, among others.
Just then, a warrior clad in Saturnine-pattern Terminator armour, apparently thinking this would never end, made a simple and direct decision. He extended his massive, Power Fist-clad hand, grabbed the ornate cape behind Cassius, which symbolized his status as First Company Captain, and then... like lifting a chick, effortlessly hoisted the still roaring and struggling Cassius off the ground!
Captain Cassius, this powerful Captain, for the first time looked down at the hangar from this perspective—feet off the ground, his cape constricting his shoulder pads, all his roars and struggles appearing so... powerless in the face of absolute strength disparity. He finally personally experienced what Eiras usually felt when she was lifted by the Honor Guard.
"Bastard! Put me down! I'll tear that bastard Dorian apart with my bare hands!" Cassius kicked his legs futilely in mid-air, his voice distorted by the tugging of his cape.
The Terminator warrior paid no heed, carrying their esteemed First Company Captain, and with steps that made the deck tremble, walked directly towards the hangar exit, clearly intending to "escort" him directly to the Chapter Master's office, to let Calgar handle this serious "internal dispute."
"You all wait! Dorian! And you! All of you wait—!" Cassius's unwilling roars gradually faded with the heavy footsteps of the Terminator warrior, finally disappearing at the end of the corridor.
Order was temporarily restored in the hangar, but the tense atmosphere had shifted to Gaius's side.
The Deathwatch warriors had already walked in front of Gaius, their gazes like solid objects, sweeping over Gaius, finally settling on Kolesa in his arms, who was still trembling slightly and dared not look up.
"Brother, what is this situation!" The warrior from the Salamanders Chapter spoke first, his voice like rolling lava, carrying an accusatory tone. He was relatively gentle, but his eyes were also filled with incomprehension.
And the captain with the black cross on his shoulder pad, the warrior from the Black Templars, his gaze was much sharper, almost like two drawn swords, fixed on Kolesa. His hatred for xenos was ingrained, and seeing an Astartes Brother so protective of an Aeldari was almost blasphemous in his eyes.
"Are you carrying her, Gaius!?" The Black Templars captain's voice was icy and biting, carrying undisguised hostility and questioning, "Explain yourself! Why is a xeno appearing on an Imperial warship, and receiving such... protection from an Angel of the Emperor?!"
Gaius shielded Kolesa behind him, using his body to block most of the Deathwatch warriors' scrutinizing gazes. His expression was calm, and he was about to explain the complex causes and effects—about the holy relic, about the transaction, about Kolesa's sacrifice and help.
But just then, First Company Champion Draculas stepped forward, his tall figure like a bulwark, standing between Gaius and the Deathwatch Kill Team. His weather-beaten face, adorned with golden service studs, showed no expression, but his eyes held an undeniable authority.
He shook his head, his gaze sweeping over each Deathwatch warrior, his voice low and powerful: "The situation is complex, and the story is long. Warriors of the Long Vigil (a Deathwatch epithet), you have just endured a fierce battle and helped quell the company's... internal affairs. Now, please go do what you need to do, such as maintaining equipment, or reporting the situation to your commander."
His words carried a sense of ending the discussion, both protecting Gaius and Kolesa and giving the Deathwatch a way to back down. After all, this was on the Ultramarines' flagship, and excessive interference in another Chapter's internal affairs was not wise.
The Black Templars captain's lips moved, as if he wanted to say something more, but under Draculas's calm yet imposing gaze, and the deterrent of the Champion armour, and considering that they were not in charge here, he finally swallowed the reprimand that had reached his lips. He glared fiercely at Gaius and Kolesa behind him, letting out a dissatisfied snort from his nostrils.
The members of the Kill Team looked at each other, not pressing further, but they all silently took note of the incident. An Ultramarines Sergeant with an ambiguous relationship with an Aeldari was undoubtedly a situation that required attention and reporting.
They said no more, turned, and left the area, leaving the space to Gaius and the still shaken Kolesa.
Draculas then turned and nodded to Gaius, not asking anything further, only motioning for him to take Kolesa away from there first. Luna also came over, casting a worried glance at Kolesa, then began to help stabilize the emotions of the other crew members in the hangar and directed the Tech-Priests to start tidying up the mess left by the Captain and Dorian's chase.
Gaius took a deep breath, knowing that this matter would likely not end here. He re-hoisted the still slightly trembling Kolesa into his arms, feeling the strength with which she gripped his clothes, and whispered reassuringly, "It's okay now, we're going back."
He carried her, and under the complex gazes of everyone, quickly left this hangar that had just experienced a company "infighting" and a xeno "incident."