(I updated the ending of chapter 3, as showing mercy to an abhuman didn't really seem right. That, and I got some complaints about it.)

(Also, I believe there has been a misunderstanding regarding my request to new thoughts of the day. I've been getting serious ones, while I was actually asking for the humerous ones like the one below this AN.)

[-Thought of the day: The Emperor does not sit eternally on the God Couch just so you can slack off.-]

Vonris was trekking through the snow-covered mountain pass near the city of Atlas, his Knight's gargantuan feet leaving a more than noticable track. His mind had calmed from the zealous hate that possesed him, allowing him to ponder the events of his mission clearly.

This calm state of mind didn't sit well with him, not this time, for all that his mind could conjure was the image of the... thing he had crushed, the abhuman child. He could still picture it's visage so clearly. What disturbed him was the slight sensation present in his chest, as if something had clasped his heart. Perhaps he had remained on his Holy Throne Mechanicum too long.

It was not uncommon for Freeblades to live out the entirety of their lives in self-imposed reclusion within their Knights. Vonris, however, was not one of them. On rare occasions he allowed himself to see the world, his sight unhindered by the tactical data supplied by the Knight's optics, to smell things other than the aroma of the Holy oils that covered it's insides, to feel things other than cold metals of his Throne Mechanicum.

Perhaps such a rare occasion was just over the proverbial horizon?

[-Into the Maelstrom of Battle I go, for I am The Emperor's Wrath made manifest.-]

The great, white doors of the hangar opened, and the Freeblade strode in, the ground shaking with his every step.

"He is a criminal, he should be confined to a cell instead of walking free!" Was the first sound to greet him. He didn't recognize the voice, it was obviously male, somewhere in his late thirties.

"You are not an official representative of the Imperium of Mankind, thus you do not have the authority to imprison him. But it's not like you could do anything, even if you were, the people of Remnant love him for what he did in Vale, how do you think they would react when they learned that you would have their saviour in a cell? And besides, do you remember our agreement? 'In the event that Imperial technology or a servant of the Golden Throne should land on this planet...'" Came the familiar voice belonging to Yulia, her tone of voice suggested that she was expecting the man to finish her sentence.

"'...You are to be granted complete autonomy in dealing with the matter...'" The man finished in a relenting tone. It was then that Vonris reached the pair, and now he had a good view of the man, he stood nearly six feet tall, had a white coat the very much resembled that of the witch that had subdued him. He frowned at the memory.

His face held a serious expression, not unlike some commissars that he had fought alongside. He had a pale-ish skin, light stubble adorned his face, as well a small metal plate that was present on his forehead. His hair was short, black, with two small patches of grey at the sides of his head. His eyes were Macragge blue, and had a stern look in them.

These eyes were currently staring into the blazing orange lenses of the Knight, who stared back unflinchingly.

Eventually his gaze softened by a small ammount, the man sighed. Yulia was the one to speak next "Perhaps now you could inform us as to why you came here, you were only waiting for Sir Vonris to arrive, yes?"

"Right." The man responded. "First off, introductions. I am general James Ironwood, I command Atlas' military. I'm sure you remember us, after you slaughtered dozens of go-" His voice got an angry tone, but it disapeared as he noticed the sharp glare Yulia sent his way.

The man sighed once more. "Normally I would have you imprisoned and your machine dismantled," Vonris fought the urge to scoff, but if he was that confident, he was welcome to try.. "but it appears I may need to ask your help instead."

The man, who was now known as Ironwood, pulled out what seemed to be a small, rectangular piece of glass, he pressed some icons on it, perhaps it was a dataslate?

He raised an eyebrow when Ironwood's device projected a holographic map. It seemed to be one depicting a group of islands of the planet he now resided on. If the landmarks were anything to go by, they were now on the uppermost island.

The map shifted to show and highlight a section on the central island, south of a dragon-shaped island.

"Several weeks ago, long range scanners identified a spike of unknown energies in this region. At first we didn't think much of it, it only appeared for a few seconds, after all." The two Imperials spared a glance at each other, neither said anything, but they both suspected the same thing. Warp energy.

"Three days after that, we detected another energy spike, this time the energies were more intense, if the readings were to be believed." Ironwood continued as the projection shifted to show a section of an island on the eastern edge of the map.

"Of course, we were more alert this time. But once again, the energy spike lasted only for a brief second, too short for us put an exact location on it." The urge to scoff returned to Vonris once more as he kept listening to the general, Yulia had previously explained how there had never been an encounter between the residents of this world and the warp and it's denizens, so it was no wonder they couldn't track warp disturbances. The map shifted to show the now destroyed city Vale.

"A third energy spike was detected in the forests surrounding Vale, this was five days ago, you appeared shortly after." The general said while indicating Vonris with one of his gloved hands. The Freeblade knew what it meant, aside from Yulia, he was not the first to be stranded on this planet.

"A fourth spike was detected just yesterday, in close proximity to the second one. I want you to and your... friend to investigate the sites of the three other energy spikes, preferably the most recent one. If someone else with your destructive capabilities was released on Remnant... Well, I'm sure I don't need to explain what would happen." The Freeblade allowed a faint smile on his lips as he imagined his fellow Knights and himself as they tore down the cities of this heretical society, crushing heretics and abhumans underfoot as they went.

He found himself brought back to reality as Ironwood continued talking. "Now, I realise that, per the agreement made between miss Le'Kim and I, I cannot order you to do anything about this, so I will simply ask you. Will y-" Yulia raised a cybernetic hand.

"You need not ask, general. Sir Vonris and I will scour these lands and find that which has been marooned upon this world." She stated, Vonris frowned slightly, while sacristans had more political power than one would expect of a servant, it was not their place to decide where a Knight should go.

However, it did not mean she was incorrect, if the tides of the immaterium had deposited a fellow Imperial here, perhaps even a fellow Knight, then it would be his Duty to find them. And if they were heretics? or mutants? or xenos? Then he would simply do his Duty as an Imperial Knight.

"Thank you, miss Le'Kim." Ironwood responded after some time.

"There is one slight problem however, these locations are very far from here, how would we cross so much distance? Not to mention the ocean that stands between us and our destination." Yulia raised a good point, one that he had not considered. Indeed, how would they cross the ocean? While Knights were capable of resisting great ammounts of pressure, they simply weren't made to traverse an ocean floor.

"I'm surprised you even consider it to be a problem, don't you remember how you brought that mech in here?" Ironwood asked as if the answer would be the most obvious thing in the world.

A moment passed before the realization hit the two Imperials like a brick.

"Bullhead transportation." Yulia said as the palm of her hand found her faceplate, Vonris was tempted to do the same, it was only the Reaper chainsword attached to the Knight's arm that held him back.

[-I fear no Evil. I fear no Death. For The Emperor will protect me!-]

Vonris let out a sigh as he sat on his Throne Mechanicum, twiddling his thumbs with a bored expression on his face. There was so very little to keep himself occupied with as he was carried over the large body of water, the "Atlesian Ocean" he learned it was called.

The Knight itself was currently hanging a few feet over the water surface, it was kept in an elevated state only by the efforts of four aerial vehicles known as "bullheads", the very same models as the ones that had unwillingly transported him to Atlas. Like the last time, there were four tow-cables attached to the chassis, but now it was two on each arm.

A fifth, larger, blockier, transport was leading the group, carrying the sacristan and a small group of assistants called "engineers", he briefly wondered if the title was an adaptation from the Enginseers in service of the Adeptus Mechanicus.

They had been traveling for nearly two hours. Two hours of nothing but the flat surface of the ocean. Vonris had often wondered what the large bodies of water known as "oceans" would be like, and what unholy terrors could lurk in it's depths, practically waiting for him to purge them.

Now though? Now he had seen enough of oceans to last him a lifetime

The only solace he got was from the distant image of land that crept over the horizon at an agonizingly slow pace, assuring him that he wouldn't have to suffer this laxity for much longer.

To pass whatever time remained before they reached land, he closed his eyes, and started pondering, as he did from time to time.

The abhumans were the first to come to mind. Disgusting monstrosities. Blights upon the Purity of Mankind. But perhaps he mentally declared their extermination a tad too soon, another example of his rash behaviour.

Indeed, they could still be of use. Perhaps, if the Imperium found this planet, the competent ones, like this "White Fang" organization, could be enrolled in the Imperial Guard's Militarum Auxilla. While the thought alone left a bad taste in his mouth, it was still worth considering.

"Mi'Lord, the landing zone is on aproach, we estimate our arrival in thirty minutes." Yulia announced over the vox. 'Finally' was Vonris' only thought.

[-We are The Emperor's Angels of Death, not His Angels of mercy.-]

A loud crashing noise was heard as the Knight was dropped on the surface. Standing at full height, Vonris inspected the landscape.

It was a forest area, much like the one surrounding the city of Vale, except the trees were different, they were arrow shaped, and they had needles for leaves. Other than that, snow covered the entirety of the immediate area, though it wasn't as much as on Atlas. Mountains obscured his view of whatever laid beyond.

The large transport that lead the group dropped a vehicle on the ground, just in front of the Knight's feet. A cylindrical shape sat between two continuous tracks that ran it's entire lenth. It's front was guarded by a grill that arched upwards from the ground, at it's top, near the roof, sat a gun that oddly resembled a Heavy Bolter.

The entire vehicle was painted green and gold, the colours of the Knights of House Drakkus, who's crest was proudly displayed on it's sides.

"Mi'lord, this vehicle was my own attempt at remaking the Triaros Armoured Conveyer using the materials available on world." Yulia spoke over the vox. Vonris simply pretended like he actually recognised the vehicle. He didn't fight alongside the Adeptus Mechanicus that much, so he wouldn't recognise any of their implements of war, save for the ones that were already widespread across the galaxy.

"However, much like your Flamer Cannon, it is weaker than the original in almost every way." She continued. He sighed, for he did not wish to be reminded of his Tech-Heresy.

An urging look from the Knight's helm prodded Yulia to continue. "As for the task at hand. Coödinates provided by general Ironwood point us in this direction." She continued, his Head's Up Display now showing a waypoint that reached to the far end of the forest, and over the mountains that stood in their way.

"I shall lead the way, Sir Vonris. In the meantime, I ask you to guard us from the unholy Grimm, who may try to assault us on our mission." A small nod from his helm was the answer she recieved.

And so the two set out, intent on finding their target.

[-Only the insane have the strength to prosper...-]

One could see clearly where the sacristan and the Freeblade had tread, for the trees themselves were toppled by their tireless march. Both grew more wary as time progressed, the Grimm had not attacked them yet. In fact, they didn't seem to notice the two Imperials at all.

Was there truly someone out there with hatred that outshines that of an Imperial?

As they reached the mountain pass, they noticed a group of Grimm wolves "Beowolves" as Yulia called them. They ran to the other side of the mountain as if The Emperor Himself was on their heels.

Vonris and Yulia shot a quick glance at each other, and decided to give chase.

[-...Only those who prosper may truly judge what is sane.-]

"Throne of Terra! How many are there!?" A mature, feminine voice shouted as a tightly formed group of Beowolves were ripped apart in a mighty explosion.

"Mi'Lady! More xenos beasts aproach from the rear!" Sounded a masculine voice that sounded like it was spoken through a voxcaster. The woman heeded the warning and turned around.

This xeno was large, coming up to her head, it stood on four legs, and was mostly unarmoured, save for a large faceplate that sat between two ears that were the size of it's head, wich had a single, long tentacle growing from where it's nose would be.

The xeno charged, letting out a high pitched noise that was supposed to be a warcry. The woman charged as well, "For The Emperor!" she shouted.

The xeno's massive tusks found a weak spot between the plates that guarded her left shoulder, said tusks proceeded to tear this shoulder asunder, severing the arm from the rest of her body, sparks and groaning steel signifying it's loss.

The woman let out a cry of Pain and Rage as her claw found the xeno beast's hide, it got a firm hold of it's head, and crushed it with all the might she could muster. She fell to one knee shortly after, the vapor of the dead xeno's corpse enveloped her.

"Mi'Lady, your arm..." The man began, but he was cut off as the woman spoke through gritted teeth. "...Can be repaired later! There are still xenos to be killed!"

She stood back up, her legs were weak, her vision hazy. All she could clearly make out were the smaller xenos that now surrounded her, like vultures waiting for their prey to die.

Brandishing her Hekaton Siege Claw, she took a battle stance. "On this world, so far from His Light, I meet my fate. Come then, foul xenos! It is better to Die for The Emperor than to live for yourself!"

And so, Freeblade Knight Niks and sacristan Lucius Irynblud made their last stand, unaware of what fate had in store for them.

[-The Emperor Protects.-]

(This fic is not dead! I just have a hard time finding motivation.)

(But yeah, like stated above, I'm in need of some humorous thoughts of the day. Leave some suggestions if you got something, because I sure as hell don't.)