Horus Lupercal POV
As one of the few who had the Emperor's trust, I saw what the truth of the Great Crusade had been — a way for the Emperor to claim back His sons and for the rest of humanity to join together for the greater good. For against the xenos, there can be no peace.
Not to mention that humans, since the Age of Strife, have gone beyond the sciences and morals that once kept their predecessors. As I look upon one such world, where the humans had, with luck, discovered an STC that had bio-enchantments, I saw that these humans were no longer of sound mind. They were fearless like animals and defied conventional strength — the kind that could rip a tank in two.
But as I look upon them and this planet that houses billions of them, I can't help but feel smaller than I should. After all, what are billions when a squad of twelve can destroy a planet — and do it constantly? The Arch Psykana had already made his presence felt in the Great Crusade, with his disciples having racked up a greater kill count than some whole legions. Granted, they went to the most dangerous and needed fronts.
The power they displayed made me turn more toward my own learning of the warp. With access Father had granted after a long session discussing the new progress across the Crusade — and from the output of the new Suzerain state headed by the Arch Psykana easily meeting its quota — there had been talks within the Administratum to increase their tithe. But that was quickly dismissed when the Sigillite said, "Why would you want to poke the giant equivalent of a star with taxes, fools?"
After being chastised like children, I couldn't help but smile — but it disappeared just as fast. All across the campaigns where there had been deadlock, we were now winning. And as the Emperor's favored son, I saw what it was: a power show. The Great Crusade, to the members of the Eclipse Order, was nothing but short-sighted — if my conversations with the leader of their squad had been any indication. They would rather learn the mysteries of the warp from their Grandmaster.
And with that, I shouldered my mace as I walked through the halls of the base camp, where the Order was gathered in their armor that gleamed with runes beyond understanding. As we went to reclaim this STC for humanity's prosperity — no matter what internal politics brewed — humanity would rise stronger than ever. With the Emperor's guidance, and our allies who command the warp like a fiddle, we shall be the true reclaimers of humanity's legacy.
[Author's Note]
Hey guys, I'm feeling a little burnt out. I did this story as a one-off, meant to satisfy my muse, and I'm not really sure where to go from here. I wrote half a chapter before feeling demotivated, so yeah — I'll see how I feel, and I'll post when my brain wants to. Ciao.