The Blue-Armored Warrior's fingers flicked lightly, as nimble as a magician's, and a dull plastic toy short sword appeared in his hand.
This plastic short sword looked like a toy used by Upper hive residents to amuse their children, but all the Sons of Sanguinius present inexplicably felt a resonance.
The power of Sanguinius seemed to linger on that sword, synchronizing with their souls.
From their perspective, this dull plastic short sword seemed to emit a warm, sun-like white light, though not many Sons of Sanguinius noticed a faint hint of blue mixed within the invisible light the sword was releasing.
Dante's gaze also narrowed slightly; this plastic short sword gave him a feeling similar to the Spear of Accomplishment, almost as if it were a weapon Sanguinius himself had used.
And if it truly was a weapon used by Sanguinius, remaining as new as ever after such a long time, this plastic short sword was very likely a sacred relic related to Sanguinius.
Considering the Blue-Armored Warrior's identity, Dante was already convinced that this was indeed a rare ancient relic, once personally used by Sanguinius ten thousand years ago.
Alexander, hidden within the blue Power Armor made of Body Clay, twitched the corner of his mouth slightly.
This so-called sacred relic was actually the Denkōmaru he had first exchanged for. This weapon ran out of power during the battle against the Hellworm in the Bottom Nest. Later, during the battle against the Tyranid in Ashford's Lower Nest, the power of a winged figure of Sanguinius descended upon Alexander.
Alexander injected some of that power into this Denkōmaru, using it as a spear.
This unpowered Denkōmaru was thus imbued with the power of Sanguinius, naturally causing a resonance among the surrounding Sons of Sanguinius.
From this perspective, Alexander felt he was very sincere; this was indeed a great open-door sacred relic.
Seeing the short sword, Yor, the Blood Cavaliers Battle Group's Chapter Master, exhaled a hot breath filled with the smell of blood.
Vaguely, everyone present seemed to hear the sound of fangs colliding with Power Armor.
"It's you..."
At the Red Council, others might not have looked closely, but Yor remembered the short sword that extended from the reddish-pink wooden door.
Although that plastic short sword had an extra layer of golden light compared to the one in the Blue-Armored Warrior's hand, its appearance was otherwise identical.
That short sword easily withstood Yor's attack, forcing him back.
Everyone present sensed the anger surging from Yor.
Yor's Power Armor creaked a few times, and he stepped down from the high platform, leaping into the sand pit in the center of the Angel's Well, standing before the Blue-Armored Warrior.
"I'll test you," Yor drew his blood-stained Chainsword, and the roar of the Chainsword echoed throughout the Angel's Well, sounding particularly terrifying.
Even though everyone present was battle-hardened, they were still startled by the bloody anger emanating from Yor.
This anger was twisted and ferocious, as if it wanted to carve wounds in the air, making reality bleed. Even the World Eaters Berserkers marked with the Butcher's Nails rarely reached this level of fury.
"He's almost crossing the line..." Kang of the Crimson Blades murmured in a low voice.
But Gorenn, the Chapter Master of the Crimson Angels, who was sitting beside him and had just forged a friendship with him, shook his head: "Perhaps he already has."
"First Blood?" the Blue-Armored Warrior said calmly. "Or Absolute Blood?"
These were two types of duels.
First Blood ended with the first drop of blood shed.
Absolute Blood ended with one person's death or surrender.
Some of Sanguinius' Sons couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, fearing that Yor would choose Absolute Blood in his anger.
No one present wanted to see a death, neither the Blue-Armored Warrior nor Yor.
Although Yor was mad and fallen, and listed as a renegade, he was still a Son of Sanguinius and should not die by his own kin's hand.
That Blue-Armored Warrior might be a bit annoying, but he was not a Son of Sanguinius yet was willing to support Baal. The Blood Angels also did not wish for him to fall by their own people's hands.
"Yor," Dante's deep voice sounded, as if reminding Yor.
Yor nodded slightly, took a deep breath, and raised the Chainsword in his hand, pointing it at the Blue-Armored Warrior: "First Blood."
Ending with the first drop of blood, a perfectly appropriate sparring match. Everyone present breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Alexander also observed Yor from within his clay Power Armor. It seemed this Blood Knight Chapter Master still maintained a bit of sanity amidst the Bloodthirst and had not completely fallen.
He still knew his reason for being there, knew to prioritize the bigger picture.
"Good," Alexander nodded lightly.
Yor did not reply to Alexander with words again.
The Chainsword in his hand accelerated its roar, the zipping sound of the Chainsword as if preying on the air.
This was Yor's response. He let out a bloody roar and charged fiercely at Alexander with his Chainsword.
"So fast!" Kang, Chapter Master of the Crimson Blades, couldn't help but exclaim, and Gorenn, Chapter Master of the Crimson Angels, beside him, also nodded.
Yor's speed was almost beyond the limits of an ordinary Space Marine; even they, also Chapter Masters, couldn't help but be amazed.
"Perhaps he can win..." Gorenn, the Crimson Angels Chapter Master, said.
Alexander was also somewhat surprised by Yor's speed.
Yor's speed in wielding the Chainsword almost matched that of a hive Tyrant wielding a bone greatsword.
It seemed that succumbing to Bloodthirst brought not only anger and hunger but also powerful flesh mutations.
But beneath Alexander's clay Power Armor was the genuine Phantom Thief DX Suit produced in the 22nd century, paired with the Speed-up Clockwork used before the battle.
Yor's Chainsword just grazed past Alexander, the roaring Chainsword missing Alexander by a hair's breadth.
This scene made the Astartes who had just challenged Alexander dazed for a moment, then they realized that Alexander's current speed was even faster than before.
Alexander lightly leaped backward, creating distance from Yor, as if the Power Armor on him didn't exist.
Yor's strength was indeed very strong, far exceeding that of an average Chapter Master. Alexander's speed, after two layers of item enhancement, was only slightly faster than his.
Yor was not flustered by Alexander's evasion; instead, he swayed slightly, pushing his feet into the sand.
In an instant, a burst of fine sand was kicked up from the ground, forming a cloud of dust that briefly obstructed Alexander's vision.
"Roar!!!" A beast-like growl sounded, and Yor's figure lunged out of the yellow sand in the blink of an eye, his Chainsword raised high, slashing diagonally at Alexander.
Although inferior to Alexander in strength and speed, Yor far surpassed Alexander in combat experience and martial arts.
In terms of close combat with First Blood as the objective, Alexander indeed did not have an absolute advantage. This was experience gained from a Chapter Master's centuries of bloody battles.
But...
A bewildering scene appeared to Yor: Alexander's figure almost instantly vanished from his original spot.
This wasn't an effect caused by high speed, but a genuine disappearance.
The Superpower Hat, one of the benefits of disguised as a Space Marine, Alexander could also hide the Superpower Hat within the Body Clay.
"Psionics?" Yor exclaimed, but his actions didn't stop; instead, he immediately turned and slashed behind him.
The psychic hammer released by Alexander collided with the Chainsword in Yor's hand, instantly dispersing the dust that filled the arena.
"Left," Alexander's voice suddenly sounded, with a strong sincerity in his tone, as if a very trustworthy friend was offering advice to Yor.
Yor almost instantly believed Alexander's words, instinctively wielding the Chainsword in his hand and slashing to his left.
Alexander took the opportunity to suddenly appear to Yor's right, holding the unpowered Denkōmaru and thrusting it towards Yor's face.
Yor hurriedly wielded the Chainsword in his hand to block, but Alexander's speed was ultimately faster than his. Once he gained the initiative, Yor was almost unable to keep up.
That unpowered Denkōmaru lightly tapped Yor's head.
Then Alexander retreated slightly, creating distance from Yor.
Yor let out a muffled Damn, and he also took a step back.
Although no blood was shed, it was clear that Alexander had won.
If he had wanted to just now, he could have completely shattered Yor's helmet.
"Which Chapter's Chapter Master are you?" Yor asked in a deep voice. "I don't believe an ordinary Ultramarines has this ability."
Yor could sense the Blue-Armored Warrior's strength. If it were Absolute Blood and he disregarded everything, Yor might be able to injure this Blue-Armored Warrior, but truly defeating him would be extremely difficult.
This level of strength was at least among the top-tier Chapter Masters.
As he spoke, Yor's gaze fell on Alexander's fist.
Alexander was wearing Superman Gloves, and it was inconvenient to use other weapons, so he had fashioned a fake Power Fist on his hand.
"You're not Calgar, are you?" Yor asked with some hesitation.
The Ultramarines Chapter Master was also skilled with Power Fists, but on second thought, it was unlikely that Calgar himself would personally support Baal.
"No, I'm just an ordinary Ultramarines who happened to pass by."
The Blue-Armored Warrior shook his head, saying righteously, then he extended his hand to Yor.
Fooling ghouls, huh?!
If he was an ordinary Ultramarines, if an ordinary Ultramarines had this strength, then the Imperium should just fucking change its name to the Second Ultramar!
Yor's body stiffened for a moment, looking at the Blue-Armored Warrior's outstretched hand, he let out a soft sigh, then grabbed a Power Dagger from his waist and threw it to Alexander.
"This is a Power Blade produced on Baal Prime ten thousand years ago, one of our Chapter's sacred relics."
Yor's words had not yet fallen when a sharp cry of alarm rang out in the Angel's Well.
A blood thrall's voice rose, shouting through the broadcast: "My lords, please welcome Captain Finnie of the Crimson Angels!"
Yor turned his head and saw Dante as if frozen in place.