Warhammer 40k: Shattered Steel Soul

Chapter 445 Enemy Blade

“It’s time to open your eyes,” one of his companions said, his voice mixed with the whistling sound of the atmosphere blowing violently across the paint on the outer layer of the drop pod. “This is Terra, and all the future will start from here, just like what they say, the Great Crusade. Is that right?”

“Yes,” Horus said, looking at the sealed iron door of the drop pod. Going out from here, he will face a completely new world for the lower class of Cosonia.

Terra is like a door, conceptually connecting billions of new worlds and exiled civilizations: it is the earliest ancient home of mankind and the center of the galaxy.

And in this ancient world where he is about to land, the only emperor is sitting on the throne on the roof of the world, overlooking the future he and he will create.

And the emperor’s first awakened and first returned child.

Horus was uneasy, imagining the true appearance of the emperor.

"I heard it," Horus said to himself to relieve his tension, "They are calling my name."

The waves of calling came layer by layer outside the airdrop capsule close to the ground, making Horus feel like he was in a dreamy golden world.

But there were some different voices mixed in, "Wake up," it sounded very familiar, anxiously surrounding, sometimes far and sometimes close, "Lord Horus——"

Horus looked around blankly, and Cosonia's companions pushed his back.

Their faces were blurry. Sometimes they looked like a few predator warriors with pigtails, smearing the blood of the enemy's dead on their mouths and eyelids. Sometimes they looked taller and more noble. Even the extreme anxiety at this time did not offset the brilliance on their faces.

The landing claws buckled on the ground, with a loud bang, and then the lock opened with the hissing sound of airflow.

Horus stepped onto the landing ramp. When he reached the edge of the square, at least six figures of warriors and mortals cheered for him in front of him. The true appearance of the Terra Palace was revealed to this ignorant boy from Cosonia, and he was instantly overwhelmed with shock and awe.

Even with all the knowledge needed by humans, Horus still couldn't imagine a palace so grand and incomparable. Moreover, the construction of this golden palace had just begun, and countless scaffolding and uncarved stone columns were still lined up in every corner of the palace.

With every step forward, the voice of calling accompanied him, coming from the mouths of all the workers and marchers he could see. The golden leaves fell from the sky, like gold fragments flying on the white marble bricks, and laid at Horus' feet. The rustling sound was also a call to him.

Why are these sounds so familiar and so uneasy?

Wasn't he walking at the starting point of the Glory Road, and hadn't his combat boots just embarked on a beautiful journey that would never be forgotten?

He will have a father, an emperor, an eternal king to whom he will swear allegiance forever.

Then, he will reunite with his closest blood brothers, each of whom is different and even has his own shortcomings, but they are all respectable and lovely people, and Horus will love each of them with all his passion and sincerity.

Who is still calling him, urging him to turn back from the glory and open his eyes to see where he is now?

"Lord Horus... what's wrong with you? No, there's nothing I can do... How dare you say that! Abaddon, get out! Calm down... Understand, Cyjanus... Believe in the Emperor... Where is the Emperor?"

The Emperor? Isn't the Emperor at the end of this road?

He remembered the unforgettable golden light, the huge, solemn throne, decorated with majestic eagle feathers with fluttering wings, at the end of the Golden Fallen Leaf Avenue, at the top of the layers of white stone steps.

The Emperor sat on the throne, overlooking his subjects, his children, the world and his dreams, and then greeted him with a smile - what a smile! A smile that made him willing to offer his destiny with both hands...

"Horus Lupercal." The Emperor lowered his eyes and looked at him with pity. He leaned down and gently held his hand.

Father. Horus wanted to speak, but his throat seemed to be blocked and he couldn't make any sound. He felt his fingers trembling slightly, but he couldn't move further.

"Lord Horus, we need you," those sad sobs were almost in his ears, and seemed to be closer. "It will be fine..."

Horus raised his head, and on the golden throne, he saw a face that was more haggard than two hundred years ago, and his eyes were like two fire sources on the dark skin.

+ Horus. + He heard.

Then, his whole body was like being poured with cold water.

In an instant, he saw it.

He saw the Luna Wolves leave the Solar Segmentum, he saw Bucephalus sailing over beautiful Olympia, he saw the inquiring look of Russ when he returned, he saw the 63rd Expeditionary Fleet galloping across the Milky Way, he saw Lorgar burning his adoptive father to death, he saw Sanguinius's wings spread against the wind, he saw the destruction of cities and strongholds, the clearing of fields, he saw people lining the streets to welcome them, bowing their heads and surrendering, he saw the flag of Ullanor turned to ashes under the fire of the Vengeful Spirit...

He saw the twisted dagger gently scratch his palm, and a sharp pain came over him-

He saw himself fall at the bright edge of the Triumphal Square and be taken back to the Vengeful Spirit, he saw his warriors kneeling beside his bed waiting, he saw Sejanus heading for the Emperor's Dream...

I am here, I am here.

Horus answered their calls in his heart, even though he could not make any sound, his heart was shackled in darkness by physical pain, but he did not want to let anyone down.

I'm right here, waiting for my return.

An invisible force held up Horus Luperkar, held his hand, and led him gradually towards the depths of the light. The speed was not fast, but so resolute.

Horus followed the Emperor's lead. The Emperor's sad voice, along with all the waves of calling, quietly passed away.

The dream dissipated and his consciousness fell into a complete coma, but this time, his heart was so peaceful.

"It will be alright," the Emperor promised.

——

"No..." There was a hint of trembling in Karil Hindman's steady voice, "How long have you been unconscious, sir?"

“For three days, he occasionally woke up and spoke a few words,” Pedronilla whispered painfully. “When he woke up, he asked me to come here and share with me the stories that needed to be told. No...I don't want to hear it, I'm afraid I'll hear your last words..."

The speaker approached him, walked hesitantly, and stopped near the operating table, as if he was afraid of seeing his appearance at this time.

Horus's eyelids trembled as he saw them in the distance: the officials of the Empire, just after he followed the Emperor through the golden leaf road and entered the palace.

Broken sections of time sink and float in the darkness.

"A new commander of the Legiones Astartes? They're already fighting so well... No, they're not that controlled, those dangerous artificial beings - why do they trust their new superiors so much? They don't need time to see that. him?"

The mortals were silent and silent as Horus passed them, and they made way for him with slow, faltering steps. Those eyes stared at him from behind with a mixture of fear and awe. They distrusted him, just as he distrusted them.

Malcador gave him a cold look, and Waldo wished he would disappear on the spot. Fortunately, they were still loyal to the Emperor, Horus once thought vaguely.

He walked past them with his head raised, following his Emperor, for he alone was holding his hand.

"Lord Horus bids us farewell, but how can we leave him? He said... He said that he was just temporarily unable to fulfill his oath to the Emperor... Do not cry for him."

Pedronilla suppressed her sobs, and Horus wanted to smile at her, but there was nothing he could do at the moment.

When did this proud and noble female official start to look up to him? When did their eyes start chasing his figure? Did their praise make him too proud?

On the throne... these loyal and sincere mortals.

"Can he bear this responsibility? Those soldiers actually called a child father."

"Emperor, only Horus can be our Warmaster now... But he will never stand up on the day of the celebration. I am so scared... There are only less than five days..."

"A new Corsonia? Someone who appears out of thin air and towers over us?"

"I don't want to record this scene, Hindman, I don't want to record these words - your lord said that his brothers would laugh that he could be wounded by a small scimitar, the great Horu Oh! He comforted me, Hindman, a Primarch comforted me, my delinquent Memoir—"

"If Lord Horus cannot wake up in time, maybe in Ullanor, the empire must choose a new commander." Hindman said in a low voice, "The arrow is on the string."

Petronilla's datapad fell from her hand and hit the low cabinet next to the hospital bed. Horus heard her scramble to pick it up.

It's okay, you can't be more impudent than my dear brother Magnus, whose books fall from the shelf to the table every now and then.

As for Hindman, his calmness is very much like Leon's.

"How can this be done?" Pedronilla lowered her voice, "Who can match the prestige of Lord Horus?"

Horus vaguely saw the long and narrow corridor of the palace that was still being repaired spiraling up in front of him. He walked up step by step, bypassing the ancient books and pictures piled on the ground, and candles fell on the edge of the steps.

On the stargazing tower, the Emperor closed the yellowed album in his hand and invited him to sit on the railing next to him. The night wind rustled across their faces, Horus touched his furry hair, got close to his father, and then they looked towards the sky.

"You already know the constellations," the Emperor said gently. "Do you like any of them?"

Horus hesitated. "Sagittarius," he answered, trying to figure out the purpose of the Emperor's question.

Does he know the words circulated among mortals? But once he got to the Emperor's side, he seemed to be protected, and those competing thoughts quietly faded away, and the grievances were mixed with the tension, pushing him closer to the Emperor.

"Because," he said, "Father, you said we had an entire galaxy to conquer, and Sagittarius's arrow points far away."

The Emperor smiled, looking at him and nodding, the pride in his eyes the sweetest reward Horus could ever receive.

"You will be one of my finest sons, Horus," the Emperor said. "Shoot the stars down, and your wolves will always follow you. No, more people will eventually move forward with you. The empire needs a leader, and humanity needs to move forward."

Then, the stargazing tower disappeared, and the light from those candles dispersed. The dream of recollection left him, and he once again fell on the edge of dark reality.

He heard the sighs of the Memoirs.

"Who would have thought that Lord Horus would fall? The war is obviously over..."

Yeah, who would have thought? Horuston felt guilty. He tried to concentrate, trying to make a weak sound.

No, not yet when he wakes up.

But at least there is one candle left. The radiance illuminated a patch of light beneath his feet in the darkness. The radiance of the Emperor.

He wandered in the dark cage, standing in the Emperor's light. Fragments of memory surrounded him, constantly splitting apart, and then merged and reorganized with reality under the guidance of strands of light.

——

The lights in the hall hung like the sun, and Horus walked through the long corridor and came to the banquet hall. His brothers were sitting on the bench. Those dream-like supernatural beings were shining brightly just by sitting there, making the entire hall illuminated extremely brightly.

Sanguinius's face shone with glory, Russ fiddled with his fork, that bastard Curze huddled in his chair and smiled strangely, and Guilliman sat upright with his eyes empty.

Only Lorgar and Perturabo looked worried. They were both covered in simple robes and sat closest to him.

Not to mention Luojia, who was already prone to true feelings, what could make the calm Lord of Iron look sad?

Horus smiled and saw himself walking towards them, wrapping his arms around his brothers and giving them an overly strong hug - maybe not as strong as Vulkan's, but certainly impressive.

Why are you so uneasy? Horus heard himself say cheerfully and patted his brothers on the back. What happened? Isn’t our triumphal banquet about to begin? Isn’t today a day for all brothers to gather together to celebrate their triumph?

"I executed Daniel and imprisoned all suspected dissidents on the Covenant." Lorgar told him, surprising Horus as soon as he opened his mouth. "Erebus is dismissed unless he pays for the sins he indirectly caused you. Those who hurt you do not deserve any mercy, my brother."

What did they do to deserve you to punish your two chief pastors like this? Horus was really stunned.

"The sword that hurt you is called the Nemesis Blade," Perturabo said in a low voice. "Its poison is extremely special and is almost designed for you. All the Nemesis Blades should be sealed in the shadow prison, but one of them Stolen."

"How could such a coincidence happen?" Lorgar murmured, "How could Interex possess a weapon against you, Horus?"

"It must be the power of darkness...Where are you going, Lorgar?"

"Exterminate Interrex, Perturabo."

"You can't do that. It's a human regime that declares surrender——"

"Don't stop me, Perturabo! Are you so deceived that you can't see the connection? The evil blade they created hurt our relatives who will become our leaders! If there is a dark force that interferes with it, Ying Terex cannot be separated! They must pay for their crimes with blood and ashes!”

"No, Aurelion, I believe the real murderer is still lurking. Don't let it go. We need reason, because we must find the truth and let the unforgivable people who really do evil pay the heaviest price..."

"Why are you justifying the harm done to Horus, my brother?" Lorgar asked in disbelief. "Even if they are not the real culprits, does that make them less guilty?"

Along with their dispute, the bright lights in the hall were extinguished one by one, and the figures of his relatives with different expressions disappeared into the darkness. Horus suddenly remembered that they had never been together like this before.

Ullanor's victory should have been the best opportunity.

They were supposed to sit around a round table, bless each other, hold each other's hands, and promise their hopes for the future.

The lights are on, the wine fills the cup, the honey falls into the tea, the cheese slips off the fork, they jokingly fight over the jelly eel on the same plate, the Wolf King tells his old joke, Mortarion and Khan While exchanging tips on brewing, Magnus was both eager to try and reticent, Corvus was meditating in the corner, Rogal Dorn was seriously explaining to Fulgrim that his golden skull could not eat... and this memory was not even It should be treasured, because after the expedition is over, they will have many opportunities to share good nights...

I wish you can build a palace that is unparalleled in the world. I wish your town will be coveted by scholars among the stars. I wish your wolves will always come to meet you again in the winter. I wish you will sing songs after the war. I wish your loyalty will be graced. , I wish your five hundred worlds will be prosperous, I wish your clan will be successful in research and development, I wish your red sand fields will have a good harvest, I wish your wheat fields will be guarded, I wish your beauty will never fade, I wish your wings Never bend, I wish health and safety to us all…

This dream recurred again and again for two hundred years, so much so that he sometimes thought it was what was happening now.

The golden flame of the last lamp flickered and dispersed together with the laughter.

Stop quarreling, Horus thought sadly, you should be very close friends. If possible, I would like to personally hold your hands and make you get back together. Lorgar, don't hurt an innocent regime who is implicated. The expedition is about to end, and you should be more tolerant to people... If I could be awake, I should advise you not to execute your high priest. I am so sure that he is very sensitive to this sharp blade. Nothing.

"Based on this calculation, even the clerk who allowed you to bring No. 11 into Terra will be sentenced to death." Perturabo said softly.

"I cannot sentence myself to death, Perturabo, so I will flagellate myself."

"No, Aurelion, the top priority is to find Eleven before he causes trouble again. You know him best among us, and Horus... No, we can't argue at Horus's bedside anymore. ” Perturabo trembled slightly at the end of his words.

Aurelion was silent. "He said, Horus will be well." He lowered his voice to a whisper in resignation.

"The eradication of the poison of darkness will take time. The selection of the Warmaster should not be rushed. I will recommend to the Emperor that it be postponed."

"How much time is needed?"

"...Morse said, depending on the emperor's condition..."

"No need." Horus's voice trembled.

Perturabo and Lorgar immediately looked at him. Horus recognized Perturabo's position and reluctantly moved his fingers on that side. Perturabo immediately held his hand.

"You're awake," Perturabo whispered.

Horus nodded, trying to concentrate: "I heard your argument."

"I'm sorry, Horus..."

"No, it's not necessary." Horus took a deep breath, his voice was too hoarse to hear clearly, Perturabo moved closer to him, and even specifically weakened his breathing in order to listen more intently.

Horus used all his remaining strength to maintain his consciousness. He must get an answer from Perturabo.

"Remember what we said when we first met, Perturabo? I said, I must find a way to deserve your praise..."

After a few seconds, Perturabo said, "I remember."

"It seems... it's not easy anymore. Just because of me... can't slow down the Emperor, the entire Great Crusade, and even the progress of the Empire... You are my most trusted brother, and I'm sorry... But we need a leader, humanity needs to move forward, and in... on the days when the Emperor decides to stay away, the leader will lead the people... as far as the arrow can point, and shoot down those stars..."

"Your wounds will heal, Horus."

"I know... my situation," Horus interrupted him, "I... I can't guarantee how long it will take for me to wake up, and how long it will take for me to be able to barely say a few words like this. ...But I believe you are qualified for...that position, and only you can."

At the end of the sentence, Horus managed to laugh, moved his fingers as hard as he could, and held Perturabo's hand tighter.

"If...if you find it as troublesome as I do, it won't be too late for you to dump it to me after I recover, right?" Horus said confidently.

Perturabo made no reply, but returned the clasping hand vigorously.

Horus panted softly, his breathing gradually becoming even and weak.

His hand fell from Perturabo's grasp.

Then, Horus Luperkar turned around and walked through all the marble avenues covered with gold leaves and exquisitely carved brilliant columns, calmly listening to all the distant cheers and celebrations, in the presence of all those who served the empire. , accompanied by the warm and illusive company of his closest brothers, ignoring the darkness and the pain of evil scars surging behind him, he strode towards the throne of the Emperor.

That road never shortened, but the guidance of gold was always at the end of his path.

Maybe one day, maybe a year, maybe longer, he believed that he would always reach the throne where the glory gathered. Until then, the darkness can no longer catch up with him.