M41.999

Murus, The Outermost Planet in Remnants System.

The layers between Space and Time were fragile in the 41st Millennium, the layers were like a piece of over handled paper, many crinkles and cracks appeared in the very fabric of its makeup the reason as to what was damaging these layers of natural laws was a place called the Warp, a place that was, is and always will be a flooding tide of raw emotion given form in the post death of Men, Aliens and Gods, all meant nothing and something within its infinite flowing tide. The churning and uncaring tide once again ripped apart, spewing fourth something most profound, a single vessel, smouldering and blackened donned in a thick coat of flames, warning sirens sounded fourth from the many thousands of airlocks which made up its wreathing form, explosions sounded across the entire hull, splitting and fragmenting the many parts thus injecting them into deep Space where they were at the mercy of fate. The only identifiable feature of this dying machine was a large skull icon almost completely charred black though it seemed purposeful, as the very other side of the skull was coated white.

M?.?

Designation: Vale

It was a bloodbath to the Citizens of Vale everyone was turning on each other with Shanks, Bats and Guns the streets were littered with bodies of both Atlesian Soldiers and Vale's populace while an organised force of seemingly random people had banded toghether under the icon a three armed deity going street to street and slaughtering everything not revealing itself as part of the Cult, none could stem the makeshift army as they marched towards Beacon as enemies through themselves at the Defenders both from within and without.

The seeds planted by the Cult had finally sprouted and were in full bloom, and the Genestealers were ready to reap.

The Iron Sarcophagus had made his way through the walls at a terrifyingly slow pace thanks to the Mutants mostly guising themselves as Humans and claiming innocence in the presence of the Space Marine the Contemptor Dreadnought would rather kill them all just to be sure he was rid of the problem it was at this however that Summer had revealed that she could identify the difference between regular Humans and the Mutants, though the Dreadnought always made sure to leave a few Atleasian Soldiers dead as a result of his Assault Cannon's 'misfiring', he did not take lightly to thieves however they were but another mark on the Dreadnoughts long list of grudges.

"That one"

The Genestealer quickly dashed at Summer with a crude knife bearing its fangs which it had tried to conceal screaming all the while throwing its entire body at her though it was in vain as the mutants began to shrink when it's target seemingly faded out of existence and it fell into the waiting Power Fist of the Dreadnought, the Astartes lifted the squirming monstrosity to meet his gaze they had found this one just lying in a pool of blood in what appeared to be an airport of sorts hugging the edge of the Kingdom's Walls, this single creature had murdered an entire room of people, the idea of weakness made the Iron Sarcophagus angry, these Genestealers were the epitome of that, cowards that festered in the shadows out of sight, preying on the unsuspecting until they had enough numbers to overwhelm their opponents.

"Kill me then, but you will never stop the coming of the great Tartarus" it roared with the look of a madman gleefully awaiting its fate.

*SLAM*

[+ Do not+]

*SLAM*

[+ Violate our language +]

*SLAM*

[+ With your tongue +]

*SLAM*

[+ MUTANT +]

Summer cringed a little as she saw the Dreadnought use the Genestealer's body as a mace viciously slamming it against the floor, crushing it again and again as what was once resembling a humanoid male quickly became nothing but a pile of goo leaking out from the Sarcophagus' gauntlet. Summer briefly had to mute out the Dreadnoughts feelings as that inhuman rage threatened to once again consume her, she shuddered to imagine what a large force of Astartes could do to an enemy, an enemy she cared little for, if he did this to maybe a member of the White Fang she would intervene to save the poor creature the pain, but she couldn't care less what happened to the Genestealers as in Summer's eyes this was simply karma.

Summer walked up to the Dreadnought and tapped his leg and watched as the Iron Sarcophagus turned around, his helmet completely soaked in blood, yet its glowing irises still shined out onto her, Summer noticed the Space Marine seem to realise what he had done as he quickly shook his head as if emerging from a trance.

"That was a bit overboard don't you think?" Summer inquired as she stared up at the unmoving giant.

[+ I will end them all +] The Astartes' voice carried pure malice and contempt with his pledge.

"…You don't say"

…

As the two slowly cleared out the area surrounding the immediate wall of threats they made their way up through the town, seeing much destruction upon the way, burning homes, crumbled apartments and looted shops, more banners were raised in the cults name along the streets, the Iron Sarcophagus burning them all with his Flamer but besides from a few lone Genestealers the town was eerily deserted, every fibre of his being screamed ambush, no, it was a certainty that there was something lurking in these streets, the Dreadnought was half expecting a squad of Alpha Legion Tactical Dreadnoughts to emerge from the ruins, Summer was silent walking alongside the Dreadnought, in her mind she was scanning the area for any kind of Aura's and while she felt none even the seasoned Huntress knew better than that, there should at least be a few wandering Cultists walking about, instead the duo were greeted by silence.

[+ We are not alone +]

"That should be impossible, my Aura would bounce off them giving away their position" Summer was forming beads of sweat on her forehead, she felt a deep sense of dread in these streets, the Iron Sarcophagus seemed to be just as cautious, scooping her into his giant palm and priming his Assault Cannon.

The Dreadnought took a step forward, his foot leaving an indented footprint on the rubble he walked through. the buildings loomed menacingly overhead as the two's eyes were darting in every possible angle.

The Iron Sarcophagus took another step forward, Summer wanted to leave, this wasn't right, why did she feel danger when there is nothing there? Her mind raced through the possibilities when suddenly she clutched her head shaking wildly falling into what could only be described as a seizure all while a terrible pain arched through her entire body, banging on the Dreadnought's hull for any kind of help as she screamed in pure agony, though the Astartes didn't know what to do, he felt the hole in his chest begin to gape open once more.

They were dying, something was killing Summer and thus endangering the Astartes, he glanced up and down the street once more and decided to take a step back, if this was a weapon then he would simply move out of its range before he fell to its effects so he continued to briskly takings steps backwards along the route they came, never taking his eyes off the roads, waiting for any kind of threat to make an appearance, suddenly his helmet identified a distant footsteps not one of a man, but rather one of a beast in sync with this an artificial fog began rolling in through the streets blinding the Dreadnought.

Summer could barely contain her screams, she felt her very being be torn apart by some incorporeal force, looking through her memories and warping her perception of events, every fibre of her was busy channelling as much Aura as possible into building a barrier to keep it out, Summer allowed herself to slip into an unconscious state as best to combat it, yet that horrible agony followed her. Even as she guarded herself with memories of her family, her precious Ruby, whatever was assaulting her mind seemed to gaze upon these memories with interest, even as she wrestled it away. She decided to make a push against it, putting the invader on the defence though not before presenting it with an opportunity to strike deeper into her own mind.

Even as she wrestled it she saw her own memories being played before her, and that meant the attacker would also be seeing these snippets of life gliding around her, gritting her teeth, Summer psychically parried the blow after blow with her Aura, using the openings to dive deep into the attackers mind, now, with a undefended opening, the Huntress struck, delving inside her oppenents mind, names and places she had never seen before were hers to view, creatures clad in chitin with an insatiable hunger caressing planets with arms the size of stars, and then all she knew was despair for what she saw caused the Huntress to gasp, that brief moments of weakness pushing her on the very end of her psychic defence, she needed to wake up, she needed to warn the Dreadnought of the magnitude of what was to come, yet she was stuck in unconsciousness and could do nothing but defend herself against the creature's redoubled assault. It did not like what she had saw.

…

Yellow slits appeared in the fog and the Astartes glared outwards to see the approaching creature, its outline showing its height to be twice that of the Dreadnought, making it able to stand next to Imperial Knights, those same eyes glared down at the Iron Sarcophagus with an intent to kill he had only ever seen before in the eyes of the Traitors. Next, he heard the damn thing laugh, a laugh which seemed to resemble neither male nor female yet remaining to sound somehow human. The creature lumbered towards them, he could make out what looked to be arms supporting the beast by dragging themselves across the ruined buildings, as it approached Summer's convulsions only seemed to worsen, the Iron Sarcophagus took a few more steps back, revving his Assault Cannon, the Dreadnought fired off a few shots to test the creature, it seemed to stumble slightly but its advance was not stopped.

He couldn't fight like this, babysitting his lifeline while his own guts spilled out onto the floor, an Astartes did not know fear, but the years upon years of tactical indoctrination had taught the Dreadnought to strive for victory above all else, but he could not flee, no, a Space Marine must be steadfast, unflinching and always willing to enact the Emperor's will, yet he could not efficiently fight like this.

With Summer convulsing and the creature advancing the Iron Sarcophagus unleashed fury with his Kheres Pattern Assault Cannon letting his weapon roar through the mist and striking upon the unseen creature whenever it would show it's outline through fog which the Dreadnought knew the creature had a part in, it seemed numb to his weapon, but the constant stream of firepower allowed the Dreadnought to keep the creature stunned while he backed away down the ruined street however it would not last as the creature unleashed a banshee like wait, emanating enough force that carried auto mobiles down the street at lighting speed one crashing into the Dreadnought and bending around his right leg as it failed to move the Astartes.

The Iron Sarcophagus acted on impulse, using the wind to his advantage he turned and threw Summer with force as far as he could, he cared not where she landed, he knew her witchcraft would keep her in the living plain and her pain would leave her stronger, but now he was free, free from constraint, free of annoyances it was just him and this abomination, he could almost smile, he scanned the fog using his prey vision and witnessed the abominations true form through the fog, a large bulbous head which mimicked the anatomy of a brain, and jutted spine which reminded the Sarcophagus of a Mechandrite Hive though instead of many appendages of metal the creatures spine jutted down into a whip like tail reminiscent of the Maulerfiend what was disturbing however was how thin it was, barely the width of the Dreadnought yet standing at the height of an Imperial Knight, yet it was so disturbing thin, like a frail elder or a malnourished orphan however those presumptions were soon fouled as the Iron Sarcophagus saw those limbs become needle like claws at the end of what resembled hands and feet.

It's mimicry of mankind's perfect form enraged the Contemptor feeling ancient and powerful energy swirl through his very fist he readied his charge.

Brutish and brash, His angels self-righteously put thousands to dust.

A voice in his head, alien and mutant filled him with rage he did not stop, words would not sway the Space Marine, it's every syllable filling the Angel of Death with the hate to exterminate it's very being.

Yet they can do little to stem their own affinity for the unknown, their thirst for greatness.

The Dreadnought penetrated the fog, letting fury guide his approach, no foul obstruction could rid the raw wrath of His servants on their eternal mission, closer he drew coming before the creature's legs, gazing up he saw what resembled eyes, three, and they all stared dejectedly down at the Dreadnought with what he saw was a mild curiosity. Roaring, the Iron Sarcophagus charged at the creature, smashing his Power Fist into the creature's leg, the lumbering mutant stumbled as it's leg was bent in unnatural ways, but oddly enough he made no scream nor any kind of vocal sound that would indicate that it had acknowledged the pain, the Iron Hands' Astartes cared little, they were weak while he was strong, and they would all crumble under his righteous fury.

Our many hands reach onto your realms offering vindication, but they are met with contempt, YOUR contempt.

Silently, the Dreadnought cut down the creature like a rotten tree, it's alien whispers a blight to his very conscious, using his Flamer the Dreadnought let the foul abomination alight with seething flames, no sound, just the sharp snaps of the flames reacting with the creature's unholy flesh catching it like predators catch prey, ensnaring the creature in a cage of its own skin. Yet it had not moved from since when the Iron Sarcophagus had landed blows on the mutant, it just stared at him as it slowly withered away into ash, and he met its gaze with his own stare, just another mark off his long, long, list of grudges.

The creature doubled over with barely a sound given the size of the creature, it's three eyes being peeled away by layers of flame, yet for as long as they still existed, they maintained eye contact with the Dreadnought, silently judging the Astartes as the Iron Sarcophagus ripped one of the creatures claws off for scratching his Chassis on its way down.

Turning around, the Iron Sarcophagus made his way back through the fog riddled streets of Vale, in search of his reluctant companion wherever she had landed, a fine layer of ash drifting through the air with him. The thick layer of fog persistent, following him as he went...all until his limbs ceased up, unable to move the gaping hole in his chest opening wholeheartedly and bleeding perfidiously onto the misty ground, he wanted to double over, to clutch it, why had Summer betrayed him? What had incited this betrayal. The Iron Sarcophagus trembled with pure rage, and through the ash coated mist his questions were answered. Stumbling through the mist, clutching ruined buildings and a limp in its legs was the abomination he had purged but a few seconds ago.

As it approached he heard a faint, deep ringing in his ears, the exact sound came from the mutant's brain-resembling head, it only dawned now to the Iron Sarcophagus that it was a potent psyker, for the Dreadnought had become accustomed to alien whispers, unable to tell if they were the effects of battle or something far sinister. The creature sat down cross legged in front of the Dreadnought, using its foul abilities to lift him into the air to its eye level as his innards developed a fine red puddle underneath him.

The ramifications of your actions hold you now, just as they have chained you to an existence of slaughter. Crimun of Medusa. We can offer onto you and mankind the chalice of immortality, all you must do, is drink.

The Dreadnought fired off his helmet, letting ashen air stain his war torn remains, his bionic eyes gazing straight into that of the mutant, adolescent recognition appearing on the timeless warrior's lips for that was all it could appear on.

"Look upon me Mutant, look upon my bones, my rotting flesh and my bionics, I have been thrice damned by this galaxy and all its writhing darkness, you have all inflicted wounds upon me, my Legion and my species, I would rather take my own life then ever willingly give myself up to you foul abominations"

Are you not tired? Crimun? 10,000 years of grief and wounding, do you not want to let it all go and know eternal peace? Your Emperor barely understood how this galaxy truly works, we will protect you all, mankind will nevermore know suffering.

"You are mistaken foul creature, it is you, who does not understand how this galaxy works, it is humanities, and humanities ONLY, you and the rest of your insidious kind have no quarter in HIS realm, look upon my form once more, emissary of the Great Devourer, I am the Iron Sarcophagus, the Angel of Death, And I Know no Fear."

The Iron Sarcophagus could only smile as the creature impaled him on its claws, he had made it give up, and that was enough for him, and true to his pledge, the Contemptor Dreadnought did not even blink as the creature's claws cleaved the Astartes head clean off, and in one final act of Space Marine defiance, spat a mouthful of liquid acid into the unflinching creature's eyes, the Sarcophagus had fallen.

…

Summer awoke drenched in sweat, something had just gone wrong, very wrong her nose began to bleed as she felt the repercussions of her psychic scourge, but it didn't hurt as much as the feeling of desperate loneliness which gripped at her, and in a split second she realised her worst fears, she couldn't feel him.