The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Inside the dark and chaotic ship hold, the clash of metal created an ear-splitting screech. The dwarf was stronger than Karoll expected, and he found himself losing ground in their grapple, stumbling backward.

His pale, gaunt face contorted into an inhuman snarl as a Trueborn Warrior stealthily approached from behind, his blade poised to pierce the dwarf's back.

But a whistling staff slammed into the Warrior's head, instantly shattering his helmet, snapping bones, and splattering the dwarf with blood.

As the body fell, a winged creature in white armor resembling that of the T'au descended upon the raiders. In its hand was a bladed scepter crackling with arcs of energy, which it swung to unleash a shockwave that sent another Warrior flying, the unfortunate soul screaming as he was plastered against a wall dozens of meters away.

Meanwhile, the skimmer, seemingly pulled by some immense force, groaned and tilted even more violently before slamming into the ground.

Karoll, dodging the dwarf's attack, leaped from the skimmer the instant it hit the ground. After a roll, he sprinted away. Not far off, he saw a massive mutated creature covered in metal armor and pale green test tube arrays. Its two arms were retracting thick chains, and atop its back stood a small figure ringing a bronze bell.

A Trueborn leaped to attack the colossal biped, but it extended another arm, tipped with massive tearing claws, and cleaved through the attacker's weapon, plunging the weighted blade into the chest of the gun-wielding Trueborn. The unfortunate Warrior was churned into fragments with a horrifying crunch.

Knowing things were dire, Karoll bolted for the exit, stepping over a convulsing comrade lying on the ground.

Just as he was about to reach the entrance, a massive figure blocked his path, followed by the whistling arc of a power maul. Karoll, with unprecedented focus, leaped to evade the blow, then sidestepped a volley of shots.

He then slid between the figure's legs at breakneck speed. The lumbering creature posed no threat.

Yet, just as he thought he was about to escape, he suddenly slammed face-first into the ground, then crashed into a nearby wall.

With each impact, his teeth rattled and his bones shook.

"Witchcraft!"

Realizing he was under psychic attack, Karoll cursed himself for not carrying anti-psyker gear.

In desperation, he plunged his dagger deep into the wall, gripping the hilt with both hands, trying to break free from the invisible psychic chains.

But the force only tightened, his outstretched arms creaking ominously. Karoll felt himself losing control of his limbs. With a do-or-die resolve, he roared, twisting his waist and planting his feet, attempting to trigger an explosion with the grenades on his belt.

But the next moment, his world went black as a black bag was thrust over his head. He was dragged down, a flurry of kicks and punches nearly eviscerating him.

Finally, he mercifully lost consciousness.

"Ugh..."

He didn't know how long had passed, but when he awoke, he found himself suspended in mid-air, his arms tightly bound by chains, his body naked and shivering.

He looked around at a filthy, chaotic bridge, like some beast's den.

Then, looking down, he saw a wide sofa upon which sat a crude, dull-witted ape, one hand clutching a bottle of liquor, the other a red fan, grinning lewdly at him.

"Hee hee hee, you're awake."

Karoll took a deep breath, then forced a wan smile.

"You base monkey, you will pay the most agonizing price for your actions today. The Cleaver Kabal will not forgive you. Flee, flee with all your might."

"Hmm, why would I flee? I'm headed to Commorragh, actually."

"Hmm?"

Karoll narrowed his eyes.

"Lying has never been a strength of your inferior race, ape."

"Heh, believe it or not. I just want to know the current situation in Commorragh. And who sent you here?"

"You dare interrogate me? Me, Karoll? Do you think you base creatures have the right to interrogate me?"

"Oh? So, you won't talk?"

Karoll managed a scornful smirk.

"Come, torture me, torment me. Let me see if your crude skills can elicit even a flicker of sensation. Ha! You couldn't even scratch the surface of pain."

"Hmm, I know a little about you lot, so..."

The figure gently waved the fan, and a burst of energetic music erupted. Then, four bizarre figures emerged.

A greenskin, a cloaked thing, a fish-man, and a dwarf.

For some reason, the sight of these four terrified Karoll more than a billion daemons!

"Since you're such a tough guy, I won't stand on ceremony. These are my Hetero Four. I believe they can bring you endless joy. Don't underestimate them. Each has his own unique skills, unmatched determination and patience, and secret weapons that will surprise you!"

As he spoke, Dogo produced a spiky, fruit-like object and tossed it in his hand. Then, Krenn set down his toolbox, rummaged through it, and pulled out a massive pair of bolt cutters. The cloaked figure produced something resembling a stapler.

Even more terrifying was the fish-like creature, its vacant eyes fixated on a certain part of Karoll's anatomy.

"Hot dog... chew chew..."

At that moment, Karoll finally realized he wasn't as "tough" as he thought. Before the four could charge, he screamed.

"I'll talk! I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"

The other three stopped, but Nanawei still lunged forward.

Watching those gleaming white teeth hurtling toward his manhood, Karoll screamed and twisted, but at the last moment, Krenn and Dogo managed to restrain Nanawei, stopping the sharp teeth centimeters from their target.

"Hee hee hee, I thought you were a tough guy. Now, talk quickly."

Soon, Karoll spilled everything Rozeim had asked him to do.

"...We were going to work in the material universe, but we ran into you guys along the way, so..."

"I see. So we have a bit of fate, huh? Okay, I'll let you go. But when you get back, you have to tell everyone you know that I'm coming."

"Y-your esteemed name?"

"I'm called Phoenix. Just say that name."

Afterward, Rozeim indeed released him. Drakgul, alone, obtained an undamaged Venom and hurried toward the Dark City. And it wouldn't be long before Rozeim arrived there as well.

From Karoll, he had obtained crucial information: the Crystal Thorns Kabal had sided with the Death Guard, but was now under attack by three other Kabals. This conflict would be his first step in a grand, boisterous invasion of Commorragh.