A Matter of Duty

[thatguyjames]

Chapter 1
It wasn't until after he had entered the field that Daniel could look up.

The cold winter air was illuminated to a dull purple, brightening the night sky. Silhouetted against it, a lone boy walked through a field. It wasn't a meadow so much as a gap in the trees. Another decade or two would see the opening swallowed up by towering evergreens.

The trees on all sides were perfectly still. What few dead remains of smaller plants that stuck out of the snow danced in the midnight wind. Their smooth dark features were obscured by the lack of direct illumination, creating little trails of dark dancing branches.

Above the tree line, directly ahead, was the distant glow of civilization. Daniel had been traveling all night towards that light, driven on by the promise of a hot shower, a warm meal, and a soft dry bed.

His caravan had sent him out, along with dozens of other scouts, in every direction in search of resources and shelter. Daniel had found little of either, and was personally glad that the trucks and land transports wouldn't be heading back the way he came. Though the forest was pleasant enough, there lay nothing beyond save for cold, unforgiving rocks. He had been sent in that direction on the off chance of finding something significant, but it was his expert survival skills that ensured he would come back alive.

Despite his hardy constitution, Daniel was only fourteen, and found himself becoming groggy, half dreaming of the nights when he could lay next to the window in his cabin, watching the winter forests drift by as he slumbered.

He shook himself from the pleasant memory. He had only three hours to make it back to the caravan before he was presumed dead and left behind. From the look of the distance the trucks were at least another two hours away.

It would be cutting it close, but his transmitter would be within a clear signal distance within the next thirty minutes. Once he radioed in, his presence would be logged and he wouldn't have to worry about being left behind.

As Daniel drew closer, he drew his radio from a side pocket. He flicked the switch on, but the unit remained silent. He smacked the radio a few times, cursing the outdated technology. He said a short prayer to the machine god, asking that the frozen metal come to life. When nothing happened, he resumed beating the instrument in his palm. Finally a dim green light flickered on. It was the UI, telling him that it would take twenty minutes for the radio to warm up.

Sighing in exasperation, Daniel continued on, rubbing the radio in his hands as he trudged on. He could see the outline of the larger land transports now. It was these transports that required heavier natural shelter to survive the long and rugged winters. It was for those epicenters of life that Daniel sought resources.

The blazing flood lights were on full power. Daniel assumed that it was to provide a beacon for the scouts who had yet to return. He checked his radio again...5 more minutes.

It was then that one of the larger land transports began to move. The multistoried transports huge wheels were turning, and it was gaining speed.

Daniel felt his stomach sink.

He broke out into a run, shouting for the transport to wait. His mind was whirling with questions. Why were they leaving early? Had he received the correct time? Why were the lights still on?

As he ran, he could only see bits and pieces of the massive vehicle through the trees. He checked his radio again... 45 seconds.

He picked up speed as he hit a straightaway to the field...30 seconds.

Tree branches slapped and cut his face as he ran past them...15 seconds.

Falling over an exposed root, Daniel cursed and staggered to regain his footing. His leg was sore and it was difficult to move properly...5 seconds.

Stumbling into the clearing, Daniel grabbed his now active radio. He was about to flick it on when he finally was able to see why the transport had behaved so erratically.

It, along with the rest of his caravan, was on fire.

[thatguyjames]

Chapter 2
For a moment, Daniel could only stare.

His mind had shut down completely. Looking at the burning wreck of what he had once called home, Daniel just watched. His eyes slowly trained on pieces of flaming wreckage as it fell away from the main hull. He didn't even cry, he didn't have the will to.

A violent explosion rocked him from his catatonic state. Shuddering, he began to back away from the opening and back into the forest. He could feel his legs moving and knew that he was running, but didn't recall deciding to run.

Skidding to a halt inside the forest, Daniel began to think of what he should do. That he had even the slightest chance of surviving the raid seemed impossible, yet he felt he had to do something to try and help the people he had traveled with these last fourteen years. He had never had a family to call his own, just some friends from his transport. His job as a scout ensured that he spent many hours, if not days, completely alone. Still...

He turned to walk back into the field.

This time, with his eyesight better adjusted, Daniel was able to see the horror in full. His people were laying on the ground, screaming, burning to death. Those who managed to escape the flames of their transports were mercilessly gunned down.

Daniel ducked down as a group of soldiers walked past. He squinted to make out their faces, only to find they were shrouded by black masks with silvery circles for eyes. On their shoulders was a patch of a golden eagle with two heads, screaming in fury. Daniel felt his whole body beginning to shake.

He knew who these men were. They had landed on his planet generations ago, at first in peace. They bought stories of a kingdom spanning the stars, a God Emperor, and a war that had last for thousands of years. The natives seemed unwilling to believe such a far fetched tale, but accepted the newcomers nonetheless. Had they known what would happen, they would have killed those first men where they stood.

It began slowly at first, with a few of the new settlers working their way into the government, and a few occupying positions with some authority. Almost overnight, by abusing the laws of the planet, they began taking away land, possessions, and identity. It started small, with a local troublemakers who no one would miss, but then it was the poor, the workers, and eventually the rich and the powerful.

It took fifty years of legal swindle, but they had managed to secure so much control that by the time anyone could raise an objection it was far too late. Factory production had shifted from machines to weapons. The army tripled in size, and those who were too scared to leave the cities became citizens of the God Emperor. It was then that the brainwashing and the propaganda campaigns began.

Those who chose to leave their homes now roamed the inhospitable ends of the planet, making their living in giant transport cities. They became nomads, and wandered the land devoid of a real home.

Now this.

Apparently the Imperials had finally seized enough power and brainwashed enough men and women to allow for this campaign of genocide. Of the storm of emotions Daniel felt, two push their way to the front: fear and hatred. He desperately wanted to kill all the soldiers, to lay waste to their tanks, and to save his people. Turning back to look at the safety of the woods, Daniel also knew that he had to run, and if he was going to live, he had to run now.

Seeing a light tank pull up, Daniel suddenly had an idea. Perhaps he could do both.

Slipping his backpack off, Daniel grabbed a few essential tools and took off in the direction of the tank. He traveled in a wide arc around the back. He could see a man standing proud of the top hatch, surveying the carnage and giving orders into his headset. Daniel smiled to know that his target was of some importance, probably a lieutenant or a captain even.

Daniel worked his way silently through the tree branches, reaching the back of the tank. He could hear the rumble of the engine, and knew it had to be close by. Though he didn't recognize the build of the tank, he knew enough about mechanics to see that it was a second rate build. Apparently the Imperials hadn't quite managed to fully train thier people to build machines of war yet.

There was a weak spot, a flaw in the construction of the back tread which exposed an internal pipe. Daniel worked quickly, first to pull away the sheet metal that had been hastily bolted on, most likely to avoid being punished for such a bang up job. The fool hadn't even been able to properly bolt the metal on, and the one bolt that managed to bind the metal to the tank wasn't nearly enough to stop Daniel from peeling it back to full expose the pipe.

A minute later, and Daniel was finished. The pipe was clogged and whatever it had been intended to transport was now completely blocked. He turned with an air of satisfaction...

To find himself face to face with the officer.

The two stared at each other in dead silence. Neither dared move, to see what the other was planning on doing. A burst of static in the officers comm link sent him into a panic. He grabbed for his gun, which was secured in his side holster. The latch was frozen solid, and he had to bash it with his hand to shake the pieces loose.

The gun never made it out of the holster, as the officer found himself with a large knife at his throat.

Daniel held the knife in both hands, the tip ready to plunge into the officer's exposed throat. "Don't do it" Daniel growled. The officer seemed to hesitate, before his right hand started drifting up to the comm link on his headset. He was going to send a distress signal.

Daniel watched in horror, his eyes wide. "Please don't do it." The officers hand continued up to his head set. Daniel begged him to stop. "I don't want to kill you." The officer had almost made it when Daniel threw his whole body into the attack. The officer fell with a sickening choke on his own blood. Daniel pulled the weapon free.

"You bastard."

Daniel knelt down and took the man's gun, searching for anything else of value. He recovered some rations and a few pieces of technology he didn't recognize. It wasn't until he saw the man's full uniform that he realized what he had done. Daniel felt a mixed feeling or horror and glee. He had slain one of the senior most officers in the raid, perhaps in the entire army.

There was shouting now. Daniel looked up to see a group of soldiers charging at him. Bullets whizzed past his head, and now Daniel too was running. Grabbing his backpack as he charged back into the woods, he was momentarily thrown down by a mighty blast. The tank he had been intending to break was so shoddily made that it had exploded instead of broken down.

Shaking his head clear of the buzz, Daniel began his run. There was only one place he could escape to now, back the way he came. Back to the badlands.

[thatguyjames]

Chapter 3
For a moment, Daniel began to panic.

Thinking of what he had just done, he felt a sickening wave of guilt and fear wash over him. He had had to kill many times before, but only animals and for survival. Killing a man was something entirely different, though the survival motivation had not changed.

The troops behind him were still shouting, and still firing their weapons. They were obviously inferior marksmen to begin with, the distance and running serving to make them all the poorer. Daniel knew the chances of them hitting was slim to none, but the constant sound of gunfire was enough to keep him running at full speed.

The boots Daniel wore were specially engineered to let him glide across the snow's hard surface. The soldiers on the other hand had simple military issue boots that broke right though the crust of ice snow and forced them to wade waist deep through the muck. Daniel pulled away quickly, but he didn't slow down. He ran hard for twenty minutes, until his breath was gone and his legs were screaming for respite.

He stopped once he reached the tree line of the forest that separated the plains from the badlands. Ducking behind a tree he looked back, gasping for air. The cold air stung his throat as he continued to breathe, and he had to hold a piece of cloth over his mouth to protect himself from the elements. He was sweating profusely, and he knew he had to keep moving for fear that the sweat would turn cold and he would go into hypothermic shock.

The plains directly behind him were clear, save for the trail of snow he had dusted away in his flight from the soldiers. The snow, which had served to help him gain a considerable lead, was now his worst enemy. Even the most inexperienced soldier could follow a track like that. It was for this reason that Daniel needed the protection of the badlands. The bare rock, snow-less cold, and constant wind storms would make tracking nearly impossible.

Daniel checked the sky. The long winter night was almost at it's apex, and it would be more than six hours until sunrise. Daniel was thankful for the opportunity to cover the extra ground, but feared exhaustion and cold would set in before he had a chance to warm himself in the afternoon sun. He could feel fatigue setting in even as his breathing returned to normal.

But he didn't have time to rest.

In the very far distance on the other end of the plains, Daniel was horrified to see the distinctive headlights of an Imperial tank. The soldiers had gone back for reinforcements, and they were now mobile. Though it would take the tank quite some time to catch up, they could now move just as fast as Daniel could.

Though no longer running, Daniel was making a quick pace as he ventured deeper into the forest. He briefly considered doubling back to create a series of dead end trails in the snow, but he had no idea how many men were out after their commander's killer. He pressed on into the deep forest.

Daniel was somewhat comforted by the fact that the soldiers would not be able to navigate the forest as he could. The trees were set in permafrost, so fire was out, and their massive bases also eliminated the option of ramming them out of the way. The soldiers would have to proceed on foot, though the snow was only a thin dusting on the forest floor, and they could still easily track their prey.

Hours passed by, and the night became darker and darker. Daniel's eyes strained to keep himself safe as he slipped between the massive green guardians. Twice he lost his footing and fell on his side, his leg still sore from the first time it had been injured. Though it wasn't anything more than a pulled muscle and a bruise or two, it was enough to slow the boy down past a safe speed. Once he saw the distant shining of a flashlight, and he pushed the pain out of his system to pick up speed.

He had been awake for nearly twenty six hours at that point, and the lack of sleep was making him delirious. Daniel knew he only had about two more hours in him before he collapsed. He only hoped he could find his way to the badlands and get to shelter before then.

It was first morning's light when Daniel finally broke into the clear. He face was becoming frost bitten, and his hands shook from exhaustion. Staggering into the clearing, he fell on his knees, his vision blurry and his eyes bloodshot. He laughed madly, pounding his fist on the rock. The soldiers were still back there, he could hear them at times and see their lights when they got too close. He wondered if they had truly given up yet or if he was just delusional.

Standing up on shaky legs, he broke out into a full sprint onto the rocky plains, heading right. Once his boots were free of snow he immediately cut to the left. There was no way he was going to continue to run in a straight line, and the further he ran, the less likely they would ever find him. He laughed the whole way, tears streaming from his eyes. He couldn't believe he had made it, and knowing he had made him all the more ecstatic.

Cresting the first hill, Daniel ran even harder. He knew he only had to cover enough distance to get him over the horizon and he was as good as gone. He looked over his shoulder a few times to make sure no soldiers had spotted him, but there were none. He charged on for nearly ten minutes when he finally got over a large hill. On the other side he spotted a natural cave, not very large but big enough for him to collapse in. Pulling out some camouflage netting, Daniel laid it across the opening, it's digital sensors changing the cloth to a dark gritty grey, disappearing into the land.

Daniel lay down, a blanket from his backpack and the rest of the pack for a pillow. He stared at the ceiling of the shallow cave, listening to the wind whipping outside, blocked by the camo net. He tried to think of what to do next, how to further escape the army who pursued him...

But before he could begin to formulate a plan, he was asleep.

[thatguyjames]

Chapter 4
Daniel woke with a horrible headache.

He knew immediately that he was dehydrated and famished. He quickly ate the rations that he had looted from the Imperial officer. It tasted horrible, like wet cloth, but it filled his stomach and the hydration pills made sure he wouldn't die from lack of water.

Sitting up, Daniel rubbed his head. He hadn't been sleeping for long, maybe a few hours. He knew there would be time later for a long sleep, but right now he had to keep moving. Climbing out of his hiding hole, Daniel crept up to the ridge of the hill, peering over to make sure he wasn't being pursued.

And was shocked to find the soldiers only a hundred feet away.

Daniel felt a wave of nausea hit him. He looked again to see that it was true. The soldiers were walking straight towards him.

How the hell had they found him?

Daniel immediately slid down the hill to where his gear lay, he gathered everything up and packed it hastily. Though the soldiers weren't moving fast, it would only be a matter of minutes before they crested the hill, and Daniel didn't have the time he thought he needed to get away again. As he was packing he kept playing it over and over in his mind.

The escape had been perfect, textbook if ever there had been one written. These men weren't hunters, they were rank and file soldiers who shouldn't have had a prayer of tracing his footprints. The one in the lead had some sort of device he was using to track. What could it be detecting?

Daniel stopped.

He looked down at his belt, where he was horrified to find his radio, still on after all this time, waiting for him to flip the switch and communicate with his slaughtered caravan. Cursing silently, he tucked the radio into his hiding hole and pushed a nearby rock over it. He set out again, turning quickly around a nearby hill just as the first soldier crested the ridge behind him.

Daniel couldn't believe his bad luck. All that effort wasted. The soldiers had a lock on where he had just been, and it was only so long before they found the radio and began searching the nearby hills at full speed.

Twisting and turning as he ran, Daniel tried to put as much distance between him and his hunters as he could. He ran with everything he had, which wasn't much considering the previous night's expenditure. His limbs were sore and stiff from the abuse and lack of rest. His breathing was unsteady, as were his legs.

Daniel knew that he had to do something dramatic or risk being found. He could picture in his mind the soldiers moving the rock out of the way to find the lone radio, the order being given to spread out and search.

Then he heard the air support.

Of all the people he had to kill, it had to be the Senior Officer. They wouldn't have spent so much effort on a simple Captain. Daniel ran harder. The hovering aircraft were still quite far away, but it would only take them one lucky turn of the head to spot him.

The chase lasted for hours. Daniel ran every chance he could, dropping and covering with his camo net when the aircraft came too close. They would leave, and again he would burst out running. As the hours wore on, the frequency of the aircraft decreased. They were flying in ever widening circles, trying desperately to find Daniel.

It just had to be the Senior Officer.

It was nearly nightfall when Daniel had had just about enough. His body he been pushed past the breaking point several times over, and he couldn't take much more. It was then that he caught his first big break in almost 48 hours. A new forest, this one much smaller than the last, was visible on the horizon.

Daniel studied the forest as he lay under his camo netting, waiting for the spotlights of the aircraft to pass. As he stood up, he broke into his twenty seventh sprint of the day, running hard for the trees. Out in this wasteland, the trees would provide a perfect opportunity to hide from the eyes of his predators. It would also be a highly suspicious place for them to look, but at this point he figured the potential area for his location was enormous.

Breaking the tree line, Daniel was elated to find that no snow had fallen in the forest. His tracks were still nonexistent, and he could breathe a little easier. He wandered in for an hour, the forest rapidly becoming dark. The trees were coated with sheets of ice, and the ground was frozen solid. Mighty icicles hung from the trees, glowing a soft red in the day's fading sun. Daniel pressed on, determined to make as much progress as he could before seeking shelter.

As the night set in, Daniel was shaken from his exhausted state by the sight of a light in the distance. The last two days had made the boy paranoid, and the sight of a light immediately set in the impression of the enemy. He ducked out of pure instinct before realizing his mistake.

After he recovered, Daniel saw this light was different. It was a simple fireplace light. It was a cabin.

Staggering towards the cabin, Daniel couldn't believe that he might have finally found a place to rest. He could see the silhouette of a man inside. Surely someone all the way out here would take him in. Daniel knocked weakly at the door, leaning against the solid construction. No one answered, and again Daniel knocked, harder this time. The door opened and Daniel looked up with a smile on his face as the heat of the house embraced him.

And in front of him stood a giant.

The man had to be at least eight feet tall. His body was thick with massive slabs of muscle, and his shaved head was dotted with metal implants and scars.

Daniel gasped, staggering back into the night. He tried to run, but he was too weak. He made it all of ten paces before collapsing, the shock too much for his weary form to handle.

Standing in the doorway, the man silently watched the bewildered youth running, and when he collapsed, he gently lifted the boy up in one hand, carrying him inside.

Placing the boy on a cot next to the great fireplace, the man looked him over. His voice was deep and gravelly.

"Well young one, you must have traveled quite some time to get all this way."

The man looked up at the sound of an aircraft hovering overhead, fading into the distance.

"I assume they're here for you. No other reason why anyone would be out this far."

He spread the contents of Daniel's backpack out on a table. It was standard survival fare, tools, clothing, and the like. He lifted the gun from among the contents. The gold plating on the side glittered in the flickering firelight. He looked back at the boy who lay barely alive on the cot.

"You've got a lot of explaining to do boy."

[thatguyjames]

Chapter 5
The man sat quietly before the fire, lost in thought.

There was a time not so long ago, thought it seemed much further away, when he would have had no hesitation on what to do in a situation like this. A boy had wandered into his home carrying the pistol of an Imperial officer, with a regiment of guard hot on his tail. The solution was clear enough, kill the boy or hand him over. But nowadays it just wasn't that easy.

It will be your darkest winter when he will come to you, a boy flying on the wings of a golden eagle.

The man looked over at Daniel, his brow furrowed in concentration.

He will bring with him dark times, but an end to your torment.

Daniel stirred quietly, finally rising form his sleep.

He will be the harbinger of your salvation.

Daniel looked up at the ceiling, his eyes coming into to focus. He lay silently, taking in his surroundings one element at a time. The warmth, the glow of the fire, the scent of cedar and pine. He sat up slowly, his muscles aching at the effort. The man looked back at him, the pistol sitting his giant palm.

Daniel felt a surge of panic, and tried to get up, but vertigo prevented him from even making it out of his cot. The man pushed him back down onto the bed.

"Easy lad, there's no running for now. You're dehydrated. On top of the you're malnourished, suffering from mild frostbite, and you've torn your right leg up quite badly. You're lucky you didn't lose any limbs. How long were you out in the cold?"

Daniel lay back down and focused on the ceiling, feeling his vertigo reside. "About two days."

"Two days! Holy Throne that's a long time to be out there."

Daniel sat up again.

"What did you just say?"

"That's a long time to be out there."

"No, the other part. Did you just say Holy Throne?"

The man nodded.

Daniel backed up against the wall.

"Y-you're an Imperial!"

"We all are lad, the Emperor protects."

"to hell with the Emperor! What Emperor is it that allows his citizens to kill and steal from the people of a planet? It is because of your Emperor that I lost everything!"

Daniel explained to the man the events of the past two days, as well as the dark history of his planet's interaction with the Empire. The man listened patiently, his face growing dark at the mention of the slaughter of Daniels people, and the resulting chase that had led him to the cabin. He stood as Daniel finished and walked off to look out into the forest.

"So, is this what we have come to? Forty thousand years and we've been reduced to law hounds and thieves."

The man turned.

"Of course, as an Imperial citizen it is my duty to slay you here and now for killing an Imperial officer."

The man stopped for a moment, letting his words sink in. "But that is not the case." He added with a sigh. "My name is Michael, and like you I am in hiding from the Imperium.

"There has to be some reason they have been pursuing you for nearly a week now. Yes a week, you have been asleep for three days. Vengeance is a powerful force, I should know, but it would not lead men to such extremes. You must have something they need. Did you take anything besides his gun?"

Daniel fished around in his pants pocket and produced a handful of other things he had looted from the fallen Officer. Michael took each piece in kind, studying it then discarding it. It wasn't until the last trinket that he knew what they were looking for.

Michael held a small reliquary in his hands from a silver chain.

"Do you know what this is boy?"

Daniel shook his head, to Michael's relief.

"The eight sided star on this reliquary is a symbol of that which every good man, Imperial or not, opposes."

Michael smashed the reliquary in the fireplace, the glass shards dancing in the firelight, the blasphemous runes inside melting away. Michael shook his head slowly.

"It's happening all over again."

Sitting down next to Daniel, Michael began to explain.

"Those men who slaughtered your tribe are not servants of the Emperor they claim to be. The are devoted to the dark gods, beings of such incredible evil that they only could have been conjured by something as debased and wretched as the human soul. They are insidious, malign, and should be destroyed where ever they are to be found."

Michael looked over to the firelight.

"Long ago, long before you were born, I was one of the warriors of the Emperor, and it was my duty to find these hideous followers of darkness and to destroy them utterly."

"Then you can find those men and kill them!"

Michael looked back sadly.

"I wish that I could lad."

Michael sat back in his chair, sighing as the wood creaked.

"It was in the line of duty to the Emperor that I came to your planet. There wasn't much of a population at the time, not even enough to warrant a name. Your planet is actually a moon, moon CXIV of the Jerlas system. Our crusade led us to this moon thinking that it was a stronghold of the enemy. As it turned out the moon was nearly abandoned, save for a single city that lie partially buried in the earth. "

"We investigated the city, hoping to find some clue as to what had happened, but it was a dead end. It was during our conference to decide what to do next that everything went to hell."

"I was the Champion of the Crusade, and my presence was requested at the council. But when I arrived, I discovered there was a much darker purpose at work. During our time in the abandoned city, part of the crusade had found the tomb of an old ruler, who had been tainted by the dark gods. His evil aura corrupted my brethren, and like a plague it spread among us."

"I came to realize that nearly the entire crusade had become corrupt, and I had been summoned so that they may try to convert me. They wished I would champion a dark war against our former allies. My reaction was immediate, and I drew my sword that we might do battle.

I fought the high command of my crusade, one against dozens. I slew my former comrades left and right, their cries sounding more animal than human. For hours we fought, until finally I had killed them all."

"Upon hearing what had happened, rather than thank me, my brothers turned on me, calling me a heretic. Again I lifted my sword in the name of the Emperor, and again they fell. I killed them all, down to the last man."

"Then, my purpose became apparent."

"I had been tricked. Rather than being recognized as a saint for my actions, I was rewarded by the Chaos God Khorne for my work."

Michael pulled up the sleeve on the shirt he wore, reveling the mark of the blood god on his forearm.

"He did this to me, as a way of stifling my work to prevent his plans. With this mark I was bound to a demon in his service, that thirsts for blood and blood alone. Should I continue to fight against his servants, the beast would overcome me and enter this world unabated. Should I sit idly by, his work could continue unhindered."

Michael looked back at Daniel, sitting back in his chair.

"And so I have lived in this forest for decades, letting the world pass by, silent guardian of the demon that lives within me."

[thatguyjames]

Chapter 6
The silence that had pervaded the cabin since Michael's story was broken only by the occasional creak of wood when one shifted his weight. Daniel didn't know what to say, having heard and believed the story that Michael had told. They spoken a little afterwards, formal introductions and the like.

After that there was very little left to say. They were both runaways in the forest, with little to do but to pass the time until they died. Daniel regained his strength as he ate properly for the first time in a week. Michael passed the time by telling Daniel stories of the Imperium of Man, and the crusades he had been a part of. Daniel listened with wide eyes. Days passed, and the tension in the cabin rose as the enemy became more desperate.

Daniel jumped at the sound of the hovering aircraft overhead. It had been quite some time since the army had been even close to the cabin, and their search was getting more and more intense. It was only a matter of time until the cabin was discovered. After that, Daniel wasn't sure. If this man was truly the warrior he claimed to be...

"Someone has to stop them."

Michael looked up from where he sat, a book in his lap.

"I'm sorry Daniel, but I can't."

"You have to."

Michael lowered his eyebrows.

"What did you say?"

Daniel swallowed back a lump of fear. "You have to."

Michael looked down at his book, the book of prophecies. It was part of his old crusades most cherished relics. Penned by a living saint on Terra herself, the book had provided unquestionable guidance in the Crusade's long history. They were but a few pages left that had yet to come about, and Michael had spent many years reading and rereading those last words.

It will be your darkest winter when he will come to you, a boy flying on the wings of a golden eagle.
He will bring with him dark times, but an end to your torment.
He will be the harbinger of your salvation.

"You realize if I do this I am condemning myself to an eternity of torment."

"You're already on that path, just very slowly. The only way you're going to break out of this is if you do something about it. You said the Emperor protects right? Then what's to worry about?"

Michael was silent, considering the boy's words. Surely there had to be some flaw in his logic, but there was none. For the first time in years Michael laughed. "Truly sometimes it takes a blind eye to see the light. To war then."

Michael rose with a thunderous presence, and for the first time since he could remember, he had a bit of the old fire back. He strode over to the mantle of the fireplace and grabbed an old set of keys. He also grabbed a small leather bound book, tossing it to Daniel.

"Take this. Do not open it until it is time."

Pushing a large bookshelf out of the way, Michael strode to the basement door. It unlocked with a mighty crack as the ancient mechanism engaged. The pair headed down into the basement, a series of recess lights illuminating the way.

They stepped into a new room, pulling a series of locks free from the door. The room was dark and musty. Daniel squinted to see what was in front of them when Michael lit a match. He spread the fire to a number of red candles placed throughout the room, giving everything a soft orange-yellow glow. Daniel looked on in silent reverence.

Before them on a ceremonial stand was a suit of jet black armor. Behind it was a beautiful tapestry bearing a large black cross. All around were devotional books and papers, weapons, armor, and all manner of war gear.

Daniel stood in stunned silence as Michael began to don his armor. The plates fit perfectly over each other as the Champion equipped the hardened ceramite.

"You see Daniel, the imposter's who came to your planet proclaiming the glory of the Emperor were unable to persuade your people because they did not have the fire of the Imperium behind them. They did not have Imperial steel to strengthen their shield, nor did they have Imperial fire to temper their blades."

Daniel nodded slowly. He was beginning to understand the weight of what Michael stood for. Michael knelt, and signaled for Daniel to do the same. Resting his gauntleted hands on the pommel of his black sword, Michael began to pray.

Trust in the Emperor
at the hour of battle.

Trust to Him to intercede,
and protect His warrior true
as the deal death on alien soil.

Turn their seas to red
with the blood of the slain.

Crush thier hopes, their dreams
And turn their songs into cries
of lamentation.

Daniel felt the hairs on his neck standing on end. He stood with Michael, feeling his muscles surge with power.

"What happened?"

Michael looked at him with a new sense of understanding.

"You feel the fire of the Imperium in your chest now. May it forever burn within you."

[thatguyjames]

Chapter 7
It was a hell of a night.

It was one of those nights when anyone who was on duty was being punished for a grievous offense. The wind was howling, driving the temperature well below zero. Those who were on duty spent their time huddled around tiny stoves, or drinking cup after cup of hot liquid, trying to internalize some of the heat, and ending up with burnt throats.

The north western route into the city was not very well guarded, as anyone coming from that direction was most likely part of the regular army. No one lived up in that no mans land, especially not now that the nomads had been exterminated.

Therefore it was not surprising when the soldier at the head of the north western gate was taken completely off guard by Michael. The gate opened slowly as the black knight strode into the city. Behind him, in heap, lay the remains of his opponent.

The second two guards on the other side of the gate didn't fare much better. Michael seized the first man by the skull with one hand. A quick jerk of the wrist snapped his neck like a twig. He threw a mighty punch at the second guard, who foolishly blocked it, his arm shattering under the pressure.

Crawling on the ground, the guard tried to radio for help, but Michael's gigantic iron boot crushed the life out of him as he strode on. What other troops dared oppose the knight as he made his way to the center of the city were disposed of in equally brutal measure, their skills and armaments woefully under prepared to deal with their this new opponent.

*****

The doors to the governor militants base were made of the finest woods and metals, interwoven to form a beautiful design of a double headed eagle. They were smashed down like balsa wood. Standing at the opening of the base, Michael looked around, listening to the howling wind, as it began to rapidly drop the temperature inside.

The building itself was half governmental and half military. Though there were plenty of ornaments and decorations, everything had a very rigid and precise structure to it. The hall was mostly empty, save for a few diplomats and light guards on the first floor.

Stepping into the main hall, Michael was pushed back by gunfire from the ceremonial guards, who only had very light caliber rounds. After they had emptied their clips into the monstrous knight who stood before them, he raised his armament, a gold plated bolt pistol. The two rounds tore the men to shreds. Screaming, the others dove for cover.

*****

On the top floor, the Imperial Governor, Lucaine Genarii, sat quietly in his chair as news of the assault was delivered. His sleek features were well groomed, betraying no sense of panic or even concern at the report of his men being slaughtered.

"Meet him and drive him back." were the only orders given.

Lucaine rose from his desk, making his way to his private chambers. He had no doubt his men were being sent on a suicide mission, but that had always been the plan.

*****

Turning from the scene, Michael strode up the double circular stairs that led to the next level. As he did, a shadow followed, working his way up behind the juggernaut who assaulted the capitol.

The next floor was much more heavily armed. Guards in protective armor spread out in the first hallway Michael encountered. They opened up with rounds of hellgun fire, filling the air with a hail of lasers.

Again, Michael was only pushed back a step. He advanced into the crowd of soldiers, drawing his black sword for the first time and switching the power rune on. Cleaving through the nearest man, it wasn't until Michael had killed his third man that the sword was fully active. Despite his massive size, his reaction times were almost instantaneous, and his movements were faster than even the lightly armored men.

Stepping around a corner, Michael swung his sword in a wide arc, cutting a heavy bolter in half that another group of soldiers was trying to set up. They too fell in short order, and the knight was on the move again.

The massive amount of bloodshed was taking it's toll. Michael could feel the demon, long dormant, beginning to stir inside him. He knew that it wouldn't be long, but he had to do everything he could before he was consumed entirely.

Walking past a statue of the Emperor, Michael paused. He turned to face it. It had been so long since he had seen the graceful visage of his beloved Emperor that he had almost forgotten what he looked like. He shook himself clear. This was not the Emperor, it was a false idol. He smashed the statue with a giant fist and moved on.

*****

The palace of the Governor Militant was six stories tall. It only took half an hour for Michael to clear his way to the top. He was in pain by then, not from battle but from within. The bloodthirster raged for freedom, trying to tear the man apart from the inside. But Michael fought, keeping the beast safely contained for the moment. Behind him his shadow drew closer.

The sixth floor was entirely wide open, just the office of the Governor. Michael stormed in, his sword blazing and ready. Lucaine was also clad in power armor, but his was adorned with blasphemous runes. His hair was dark and pulled back into a tight ponytail, accentuating his chiseled features. Standing behind his desk, looking out over the city, he spoke quietly.

"So, my monster has finally returned to me. It took us quite some time to find you after the slaughter you committed, but it took even longer to engineer a way to willing drive you from hiding. Generations of meticulous planning, brilliantly executed I might add."

He turned to the confused space marine.

"The book of prophecies, the nomad genocide, Daniel, even that little vial of demonic essence you smashed open and so freely inhaled not one week ago. Yes, this all took a very long time, but at last we are given fruition. At last we may reap the rewards of our efforts."

Michael cursed. "Foul creature, I will no longer be your pawn. The Emperor protects!"

Michael swung hard at the Chaos Marine, only to be block at the last minute by a sleek long sword. Lucaine smiled wickedly. "We shall see space marine. We shall see."

The exchange of blows that followed was ferocious. The air shattered under each clash, sparks and mini lightning trails flowing freely from where the two collided. The speed and raw energy being put forth was truly astounding.

Eventually Lucaine got the upper hand, knocking Michael back and driving his sword into the knight's torso. Michael howled in pain, holding his side where he had been hit. He fired his bolt pistol twice into the Chaos Marine, blasting a large hole in his armor.

Lucaine screamed and launched himself on Michael, driving the pair down to the ground. Their blades mere inches from one another, the pair pushed and struggled to gain the upper hand and land a killing blow. Michael felt as though his entire body was on fire, and he knew it was finally time for him to give in.

Just then the Chaos Marine gasped, his eyes wide with shock. He looked over to see Daniel, who had just driven his own power sword into the man's chest. Daniel swung the blade down, cleaving into Lucaine's innards. The chaos marine tried to scream, clutching his throat and falling over. Michael pushed him off, driving his sword into his opponent's face.

Standing upright on shaky legs, the marine and the boy looked at each other in silence. They had won.

"Lets get out of here."

Michael nodded and began to limp away when something went horribly wrong.

[thatguyjames]

Chapter 8
Daniel's stomach churned as the disturbance in warp-space spread out from the fallen Chaos Marine behind them. He fell to his knees and threw up as Michael staggered to keep his footing.

Behind them, a giant talon exploded from the wound left by Daniel's sword. It felt around in the air for a moment, before digging into the floor, raising the corpse up into the air. Another talon exploded forth, and two more on top of that. The air was filled with the sickening crunch of armor and bone being torn apart as the chaos demon burst forth from the fallen marine.

The demon was at least twenty feet tall, lean and muscular. It had a vaguely human visage, though horribly disfigured. Where it should have had arms, there were two pairs of long spidery appendages that ended in razor sharp talons. The air around was distorted and black, as though a dark fire burned from within.

It's birth scream echoed through the night, shattering the wall of glass. Michael tried to raise his sword in defense, but the demon knocked it away with one talon, grabbing the knight between two others. Michael cried out and struggled to free himself, but it was no use. There was nothing left to do, but to let it all go...

Daniel looked up at the sight of the two clashing, when suddenly he sensed something else was about to happen. Michael began glowing, softly at first, but gaining intensity. A red aura surrounding him became brighter and brighter until it enveloped the entire room. Again Daniel felt the bending of warp space, and the Slanneshi demon dropped Michael in fear of what was to come.

When the light subsided, Michael was no more but a pile of his armor laying on the ground. In his place stood the largest creature Daniel had ever seen, a Blood Thirster at least twenty five feet tall. The beast's enormous frame was cover by thick metal armor, a brutal sword with the mark of Khorne in it's claws. It's thick red hide glistened in the moonlight, and an intense red glow radiated from it's eyes. The Slanneshi demon hissed as the pair began to slowly circle one another.

The room, giant though it was, was scarcely enough to contain the pair. As the titanic struggle began, walls, furniture, and even the ceiling were quickly demolished. The blood thirster fought with astounding strength, the slanneshi demon with blinding speed.

Talon's met tons of steel as their weapons collided. What damage the Slaneeshi demon could do simply was not enough to hold back the rage of the Blood Thirster. Too long this creature had slumbered to be denied it's first kill.

Daniel ran down the stairs just as the mammoth sword whirled overhead, destroying the west wall of the capitol. The pair had managed to destroy all but the floor of the capitol. The blood thirster grabbed the demon by the neck, snapping everything in it's crushing grip. The Slanneshi seemed unconcerned, hissing and spitting as it was being smashed.

Finally the Khorne demon had the upper hand. In such a tight space, the Slanneshi demon just didn't have the room to get away from the bloody sword. Hammering the pommel of it's sword into the demon, the Slanneshi beast was temporarily stunned. Dropping his sword, the blood thirster grabbed his foe in both mighty hands. With a war cry that split the night, the champion of Khorne ripped his opponent in half.

Retrieving his great sword, the blood thirster looked down on the city who had gathered in curiosity and horror. The citizens screamed, realizing they were next. Daniel watched on in silent prayer.

Emperor, please help this poor soul.

The Blood Thirster was about to descend on the population when it suddenly stopped. It looked around slowly, turning and seeing Daniel hunched down in the stairway. Had it been capable of doing so, the mighty beast would have smiled.

Clutching the mighty sword in both hands, the demon looked up to the sky, one last time, before closing his eyes. He plunged the sword into the abdomen, through the brass armor, and out the other side. Groaning in pain beyond pain, the creature slipped to it's knees. "I will...not be your servant anymore Khorne."

The creature slumped down, its form slowly began burning away to nothingness. As it did, a tiny white speck floated away, towards the night sky. Daniel watched in utter awe, seeing the white light gliding so gently in the cold winter night. Up and up it floated, until there was no more.

Daniel climbed up onto the roof, careful not to fall where the floor had been smashed. He worked his way over to the pile of armor where his friend had fallen. He picked up the Black Sword, holding it with reverence in both hands. Walking to the edge of where the building had been obliterated, he looked down on the crowd below him. They looked up, their faces filled with fear and wonder. Daniel held the sword up for all to see.

"You have been deceived and led astray by demons! The true Empire has cleansed these wicked abominations from our lands! Come and join the real Imperium, and see what it means to feel Imperial fire!"

*****

The book was not what Michael had left for Daniel, as he discovered when a small piece of parchment fell out form between the pages. Several months had passed since the events at the Capitol and everyone had already begun to rebuild.

Daniel was only fifteen now, but he was being looked to largely as a guide for the new order. Having been witness to and participant in the extermination of two greater demons, Daniel was seen and something of a spiritual leader.

A series of numbers of a piece of parchment.

Daniel walked slowly through the cabin repeating the numbers to himself, wondering what they could possibly mean. Somewhere in back of his mind he felt he had seen something like that before.

Think Daniel. Think.

He wandered down to the basement, back into the sacred room. He had restored the armor to it's rightful place, and stood back to admire it. All that fire and only a few scratches. He wondered how it was possible to restore armor of that sort, or even what it was made of.

It was then that he noticed there were numbers engraved around the gorget. He checked it against the paper, the right numbers but the wrong order. He tapped the first number, and jumped slightly to find it lit up. He tapped another, then another. He completely the sequence, and leaped back at the sound of engines and motors engaging all around him. The room was turning.

Daniel looked around wildly, trying to figure out where he was going. As the room came to rest, he heard the sound of a light coming on. He turned around to see the room now emptied out into a new room. A single spot light sat no more than five feet away. Daniel stepped out, and stood in awe as more lights turned on, stretching far back into the distance, maybe a mile.

There, in this underground warehouse, was an army of armored suits, weapons, wargear, tanks, speeders, and servitors.

But what held Daniel's interest was a book, bound in steel, on a stand directly in front of him. On the cover sat an enormous golden and black Templar cross. He opened it cautiously, as though it were forbidden to do so. The first page was written in perfect script.

I leave you everything. There is enough weapons and armor here to begin a crusade. From this book you will also have the knowledge and technology to maintain and expand that crusade. You have my thanks for my deliverance.

-Michael

*****
30 Years Later

"What is the name of this world again?"

"It's just a moon, moon CXIV"

"Why in the blazes would they start a black fortress here?"

"The Templars are mysterious in their ways my Lord."

Sighing with exasperation, the consulate leaned on his seat arm with boredom. The planetary lander was almost on the ground, and he hated having to give such speeches. Still, it was better than being drafted like his brothers had been.

Standing as the landing platform detached and opened up onto the ground, he was surprised at how warm it was, despite his analysis saying the planet was primarily an icy wasteland. The consulate walked out onto the field where he was to meet the space marines.

Standing at the head of the marines was a mighty warrior who looked no older than twenty, though the consulate knew that meant he could be as old as fifty. The armor he wore marked him as a Marshal, and his Chaplains were in close rank behind him.

Daniel walked up to the tiny consulate, his enormous armored fist making the sign of the Aquillla.

The consulate returned the sign and pulled out a ledger, reading out loud.

"The initiating officer of this mighty crusade for our most glorious Emperor is a one Michael Daniel Antonius, who so goes by this name?"

Standing, his shoulders straight and proud, without a moments hesitation, Daniel answered.

"I am Michael."

The Beginning

[Norton]

i like your use of words to convey meanings and actions.

[thatguyjames]

Thanks man. Also as a quick note I just completed a series of revisions to the later chapters. I cleaned up some of the language, added a bit of extra text where I needed it, and even tweaked some information. Plus, in the new version the Slaneeshi demon gets ripped clear in half! (Kick a$$!)